ry enterprize. A second volume was left by him in manuscript, which was published after his death by his son, in 1799. Mr. Smellie proposed to have undertaken the composition
In 1790, Mr. Smellie published the first volume of the
only work, except his translation of Buffon, for which he
is likely to be remembered, “The Philosophy of Natural
History,
” 4to. This alone, says his biographer, would
have amply sufficed to establish the fame of Mr. Smellie as
a man of learning and talents, if his name had never been,
conjoined with any other literary enterprize. A second
volume was left by him in manuscript, which was published
after his death by his son, in 1799. Mr. Smellie proposed
to have undertaken the composition of a series of biographical memoirs of the lives and writings of such authors as
bad employed him to print their works. In this he had
made some progress; and his lives of Hume, Smith, Monro,
and Kames, have been since published, in one volume octavo; and although we are far from thinking them models
in that species of composition, and consider the author as
rather partial, we should have been happy to have the list
completed which his biographer gives of intended lives.
The Scotch literati have been too neglectful of their
eraihent men; but some excellent specimens have lately appeared, as Forbes’s Life of Beattie, and lord Woodhouslee’s Life of Kames; and we hope for more from men of
equal talents.
esided some time in London, and partly in the vicinity, Mr. Smith’s father, who could never persuade his son to give his time or care sufficiently to the business in
, an elegant poetess, was born in 1749. She was the daughter of Nicholas Turner, esq. a gentleman of Sussex, whose seat was at Stoke, near GuiU ibrd; but he had another house at Bignor Park, on the banks of the Aru.n, where she passed many of her earliest years, amidst scenery which had nursed the fancies of Otway and Collins, and where every charm of nature seems to have left the most lively and distinct impression on her mind. She discovered from a very early age an insatiable thirst for reading, which was checked by an aunt, who had the care of her education; for she had lost her mother almost in her infancy. From her twelfth to her fifteenth year, her father resided occasionally in London, and she was introduced into various society. It is said that before she was sixteen, bhe married Mr. Smith, a partner in his father’s house, who was a West India merchant, and also an East India director; an ill-assorted match, and the prime source of all her future misfortunes. After she had resided some time in London, and partly in the vicinity, Mr. Smith’s father, who could never persuade his son to give his time or care sufficiently to the business in which he was engaged, allowed him to retire into the country, and purchased for him Lyss farm in Hampshire.
unter, a place worth 700l. a year, which he enjoyed many years, and sold it in 1655, on the death of his son, to whom he intended to resign it. He now retired to private
, one of the earliest book-collectors
upon record, and the Isaac Reed of his time, was the son
of Richard Smith, a clergyman, and was born at Lillingston
Dayrell, in Buckinghamshire, in 1590. He appears to
have studied for some time at Oxford, but was removed
thence by his parents, and placed as clferk with an attorney
in London, where he spent all the time he could spare from
business in reading. He became at length secondary of
the Poultry counter, a place worth 700l. a year, which he
enjoyed many years, and sold it in 1655, on the death of
his son, to whom he intended to resign it. He now retired to private life, two thirds of which, at least, Wood
says, he spent in his library. “He was a person,
” adds
the same author, “infinitely curious and inquisitive after
books, and suffered nothing extraordinary to escape him
that fell within the compass of his learning desiring to
be master of no more than he knew how to use.
” If in
this last respect he differed from some modern collectors,
he was equally indefatigable in his inquiries after libraries
to be disposed of, and passed much of his time in Little
Britain and other repositories of stall-books, by which
means he accumulated a vast collection of curiosities relative to history, general and particular, politics, biography,
with many curious Mss. all which he carefully collated,
compared editions, wrote notes upon them, assigning the
authors to anonymous works, and, in short, performing all
the duties and all the drudgery of a genuine collector. He
also occasionally took up his pen, wrote a life of Hugh
Broughton, and had a short controversy with Dr. Hammond
on the sense of that article in the creed “He descended
into hell,
” published in to the great reluctance,
” says Wood, “of public-spirited
men.
” His “Obituary,
” or “catalogue of all such persons as he knew in their life,
” extending from 1606 to
1674, a very useful article, is printed by Peck in the second volume of his “Desiderata.
”
ames earl of Derby, in whose family he was reader, to the rectory of Trinity-church, Chester, and by his son and successor’s interest, whose chaplain he was, to the
, a learned English divine and translator, was the son of the rev. Richard Smith, rector of AllSaints, and minister of St. Andrew, both in Worcester,
who died in 1726. He was born at Worcester in 1711,
and educated at the grammar-school of that city. In 1728
he was admitted of New-college, Oxford, where he proceeded B. A. in 1732, M. A. in 1737, and D. D. in 1758.
In 1735 he was presented by his patron, James earl of
Derby, in whose family he was reader, to the rectory of
Trinity-church, Chester, and by his son and successor’s
interest, whose chaplain he was, to the deanery of Chester
in 1753. He held the mastership of Brentwood-school in
Essex for one year, 1748; and in 1753 was nominated by
the corporation of Liverpool one of the ministers of St.
George’s church there, which he resigned in 1767. With
his deanery he held the parish churches of Handley and
Trinity, but in 1780 resigned the last for the rectory of
West Kirkby. He died Jan. 12, 1787. His character is
thus briefly drawn by his biographer: “He was tall and
genteel; his voice was strong, clear, and melodious; he
spoke Latin fluently, and was complete master not only of
the Greek but Hebrew language; his mind was so replete
with knowledge, that he was a living library; his manner of
address was graceful, engaging, and delightful; his sermons
were pleasing, informing, convincing; his memory, even in
age, was wonderfully retentive, and his conversation was polite, affable, and in the highest degree improving.
” He is
known in the learned world, chiefly by his valuable translations of “Longinus on the Sublime,
” Thucydides,
” Xenophon’s History of the Affairs of Greece,
” Nine Sermons on the Beatitudes,
”
8vo, very elegantly written. In The
Poetic Works of the rev. William Smith, D. D. late dean
of Chester; with some account of the life and writings of
the Author. By Thomas Crane, minister of the parish
church of St. Olave in Chester, &c.
” This work we have
not seen, and for the account of Dr. Smith’s life we are
indebted to a review of it in the Gent. Mag.
His son, Joseph Dal Sole, was born in 1654, and was for some time
His son, Joseph Dal Sole, was born in 1654, and was for some time the scholar of Lorenzo Pasinelli, and to emulate him with success consulted the same sources in repeated visits to Venice. Without reaching the general brilliancy and the voluptuous tone of his master, he possessed great elegance in accessories, such as hair, wings, bracelets, veils, crowns, and armour; he was better adapted to subjects of energy, more attentive to costume, more regulated in composition, and more learned in architecture and landscape. In landscape he is nearly unrivalled; his Evening, Night, and Dawn, at Imola, in the house Zappi, are massed and toned by pure sentiment. His sacred subjects and visions radiate with vivid flashes of celestial light. He was correct and slow in his piocess from choice, though few excelled him in readiness of execution; of a Bacchus and Ariadne, which he had finished in one week with general approbation, he cancelled the greater part, and repainted it at leisure, saying that he might content others by celerity, but must satisfy himself by accuracy; hence his prices were high. He gained the appellation of the modern Guido, and there is a zest of Guido in many of his works. Among his numerous scholars, Lucia Casalini, and Teresa Muratori, ought not to be forgot. The former signalized herself in portrait, the second acquired no inconsiderable share of praise in history. Giuseppe dal Sole died in the year 1719, aged sixty-five.
a scholar of Massimo, and was a good painter and a man of learning, discerned an uncommon genius in his son; who is said to have spent whole nights in the studies of
, called L‘Abate Ciccio, from his mode of dressing like an abbot, an illustrious Italian painter, was descended of a good family, and born at Nocera de’ Pagani near Naples in 1657. His father Angelo, who had been a scholar of Massimo, and was a good painter and a man of learning, discerned an uncommon genius in his son; who is said to have spent whole nights in the studies of poetry and philosophy. He designed also so judiciously in chiaro obscure, tiiat his performances surprised all who saw them. Angelo intended him for the Jaw, and did not alter his purpose, though he was informed of his other extraordinary talents, till cardinal Orsini advised him. This cardinal, afterwards Benedict Xiji. at a visit happened to examine the youth in philosophy, and, although satisfied with his answers, observed, that he would do better, if he did not waste so much of his time in drawing; but when these drawings were produced, he was so surprised, that he told the father how unjust he would be both to his son and to the art, if he attempted to check a genius so manifestly displayed. Ou this, Solimene had full liberty given him to follow his inclination. Two years passed on, while he studied under his lather, after which, in 1674, he went to Naples, and put himself under the direction of Francesco di Maria. Thinking, however, that this artist laid too great a stress on design, he soon left him, and guided himself by the works of Lanfranc and Calabrese in composition and chiaro obscuro, while those of Pietro Cortona and Luca Jordano were his standards for colouring, and Guido and Carlo Maratti for drapery. By an accurate and well-managed study of these masters, he formed to himself an excellent style, and soon distinguished himself as a painter. Hearing that the Jesuits intended to paint the chapel of St. Anne in the church Jesu Nuovo, he sent them a sketch by an architecture painter; not daring to carry it himself, lest a prejudice against his youth might exclude him. His design was nevertheless accepted, and, while he was employed on this chapel, the best painters of Naples visited him, astonished to h'nd themselves surpassed by a mere boy. This was his first moment of distinction, and his reputation increased so fast, that great works were offered him from every quarter. His fame extending to other countries, the kings of France and Spain made him very advantageous proposals to engage him in their service, all which he declined. Philip V. arriving at Naples, commanded him to paint his portrait, and allowed him to sit in his presence: and the emperor Charles VI. knighted him on account of a picture he sent him. In 1701, he resided at Rome during the holy year: when the pope and cardinals took great notice of him. This painter is also known by his sonnets, which have been often printed in collections of poetry; and, at eighty years of age, he could repeat from memory the most beautiful passages of the poets, in the application of which he was very happy. He died in 1747, at almost ninety. He painted entirely after nature; being fearful, as he said, that too servile an attachment to the antique might damp the fire of his imagination. He was a man of a good temper, who neither criticised the works of others out of envy, nor was blind to his own defects. He told the Italian author of his life, that he had advanced many falsities in extolling the character of his works: which had procured him a great deal of money, but yet were very far short of perfection. The grand duke of Tuscany with difficulty prevailed on Solimene’s modesty to send him his picture, which he wanted to place in his gallery among other painters.
ry, which eventually produced a lasting friendship and cordiality between the duke of Shrewsbury and his son, the subject of this article. Of old Mr. Somers the following
, an eminent English lawyer,
was born at Worcester, March 4, 1650, but no register of
his baptism can be found. A house called White Ladies
is shown on the east side of the cathedral, and very near
St. MichaePs church, where he is said to have been born.
His father, John Somers, was an attorney of considerable
eminence, and had an estate of about 300l. per ann. at Clifton. During the rebellion he commanded a troop of horse,
part of Cromwell’s army, but resigned his commission after
the battle of Worcester, and returned to his profession,
and, among other business, had the superintendance of the
finances and estates of the Talbots, earls of Shrewsbury,
which eventually produced a lasting friendship and cordiality between the duke of Shrewsbury and his son, the
subject of this article. Of old Mr. Somers the following
anecdote has been recorded: “He used to frequent the
terms in London, and in his way from Worcester was wont
to leave his horse at the George, at Acton, where he often
made mention of the hopeful son he had at the Temple.
Cobbet, who kept the inn, hearing him enlarge so much
in praise of his son, to compliment the old gentleman,
cried, ` Why wont you let us see him, Sir?‘ The father,
to oblige his merry landlord, desired the young gentleman
to accompany him so far on his way home; and being come
to the George, took his landlord aside, and said, ’ I have
brought him, Cobbet, but you must not talk to him as you
do to me; he will not sutler such fellows as you in his
company'.
” After the restoration Mr. Somers obtained a
pardon for what he might have committed while in the republican army, which pardon is still in the possession of
the family. He died Jan. 1681, and was buried at Severnstoke, in the county of Worcester; where an elegant
Latin inscription, engraved on a marble monument, and
written by his son, is still to be seen.
es of his father to place him in his own business. The father of Soufflot, however, did not yield to his son’s inclination, and he was obliged to quit his home in order
, an architect very famous in France, particularly for his plan of the beautiful church of St. Genevieve at Paris, was born in 1713, at Trenci near Auxerre. His family was engaged in commerce, but he very early shewed a strong disposition for the arts, and particularly for architecture. It is related of him, as of our countryman Smeaton, that, from his earliest childhood, he was more delighted by attending to workmen than any other amusement; and, like him, was so strongly directed by the bent of his genius to the profession in which he afterwards excelled, as to frustrate the wishes of his father to place him in his own business. The father of Soufflot, however, did not yield to his son’s inclination, and he was obliged to quit his home in order to indulge it. He immediately, with a small stock of money, set out for Italy, but paused at Lyons, where, by working under the artists of that place, he improved at once his knowledge and his finances. He then visited Rome and every part of Italy. Having improved himself under the best artists, and by modelling from the finest antiques, he returned to France, and for a time to Lyons, where he had made himself beloved in his former visit. He was soon employed by the magistrates of that city to build the exchange and the hospital, the latter of which edifices extended his reputation throughout France. Madame Pompadour heard of him, and having obtained for her brother the piace of director of the royal buildings, &c. engaged Sou/Hot and Cochin to attend him into Italy. Returning from that engagement, he quitted Lyons, and established himself at Paris; where he was successively comptroller of the buildings of Marli and the Tuilleries, member of the academies of architecture and painting, knight of the order of St. Michael, and lastly, superintendant of the royal buildings. With respect to the dome of his great work, the church of St. Genevieve, he met with so many contradictions, and so much opposition excited by envy, that though be had demonstrated the possibility of executing it, they threw great obstacles in his way and are thought to have shortened his life hy the severe vexation he experienced from them. After languishing for two years, in a very infirm state, he died August 29, 1780, at the age of sixtyseven.
cclesiastical counsellor to the elector-palatine; he died in 1620, holding in his hand a letter from his son, which had made him weep for joy. Frederic was educated
, professor of divinity at Leyden, was born at Amberg in the Upper Palatinate, Jan. 1,
1600, of a good family. His father Wigand Spanheim,
doctor of divinity, was a very learned man, and ecclesiastical counsellor to the elector-palatine; he died in 1620,
holding in his hand a letter from his son, which had made
him weep for joy. Frederic was educated with great care
under the inspection of this affectionate parent; and, having studied in the college of Amberg till 1613, was sent
the next year to the university of Heidelberg, which was
then in a very flourishing condition. He there made such
progress both in languages and philosophy, as to justify
the most sanguine hopes of his future success. After paying a visit to his father in 1619, he went to Geneva to study
divinity. In 1621, after his father’s death, he went into
Dauphine, and lived three years with the governor of Ambrun, as tutor in his family. He then returned to Geneva,
and went afterwards to Paris, where he met with a kind
relation, Samuel Durant, who was minister of Charenton,
and dissuaded Spanheim from accepting the professorship
of philosophy at Lausanne, which the magistrates of Berne
then offered him.
In April 1625, he paid a visit of four months to England, and was at Oxford; but the plague having broke out
there, he returned to Paris, and was present at the death
of his relation Durant, who, having a great kindness for
him, left him his whole library. He had learned Latin and
Greek in his own country, French at Geneva, English at
Oxford; and the time which he now spent at Paris, was
employed in acquiring the oriental tongues. In 1627, he
disputed at Geneva for a professorship of philosophy, and
was successful; and about the same time married a lady,
originally of Poitou, who reckoned among her ancestors the
f;unous Budtrus. He was admitted a minister some time
after; and, in 1631, succeeded to the chair of divinity,
which Turretin had left vacant. He acquitted himself of
liis functions with such ability, as to receive the most liberal offers from several universities: but that of Leyden prevailed, after the utmost endeavours had been used to keep
him at Geneva. He left Geneva in 1642; and taking a
doctor of divinity’s degree at Basil, that he might conform
to the custom of the country to which he was going, he arrived at Leyden in October that year. He not only supported, but even increased the reputation he had brought
with him but he lived to enjoy it only a short time, dying
April 30, 1649. His great labours shortened his days.
His academical lectures and disputations, his preaching (for he was minister of the Walloon church at Leyden), the
books he wrote, and many domestic cares, did not hinder
him from keeping up a great literary correspondence. Besides this, he was obliged to pay many visits he visited
the queen of Bohemia, and the prince of Orange and was
in great esteem at those two courts. Queen Christina did
him the honour to write to him, assuring him of her esteem,
and of the pleasure she took in reading his works. It was
at her request that he wrote some memoirs of Louisa Juliana, electress palatine. He was also the author of some
other historical as well as theological works the principal
of which are his “Dubia evangelica discussa et vindicata,
”
Genev. Exercitationes de Grafla universali,
” Leyden, Epistolae ad Davidem Bu
chananum super controversies quibusdam, quse in ecclesiis
Anglicanis agitantur,
” ibid. Vitas selectorupi aliquot virorum.
” He was a correspondent of, and highly
esteemed by archbishop Usher.
His son John Speed was born at London in 1595, and educated at
His son John Speed was born at London in 1595, and
educated at Merchant-taylors’ school, whence he was
elected a scholar of St. John’s-college in Oxford, in 1612,
of which he afterwards became a fellow, and took the degree of master of arts, and bachelor and doctor of physic.
He wrote “Sjwaetoj utriusque sexus Toxtwsvrof,
” a manuscript
in Latin, dedicated to archbishop Laud, and preserved in
the library of St. John-college. This piece relates to two
skeletons, one of a man, another of a woman, made by Dr.
Speed, and given by him to that library. He wrote likewise “Stonehenge, a Pastoral,
” acted before Dr. Rich.
Baylie, and the president and fellows of St. John’s-college
in 1635. It is extant in manuscript. He died in May
1640, and was buried in the chapel of that college. He
married a daughter of Bartholomew Warner, M. D. and had
by her two sons. One of them, Samuel, was a student of
Christ-church in Oxford, and was installed canon of that
church May the 6th, 1674, and died at Godalmin in Surrey, of which he was vicar, January the 22d, 1681. The
other, John, was born at Oxford, and elected scholar of
St. John’s-coliege there about 1643, but ejected thence
by the parliament-visitors in 1648, he being then bachelor
of arts and fellow. At the restoration he was restored to
his fellowship, and in 1666 took the degree of physic, and
afterwards quitting his fellowship, he practised that faculty
at Southampton, where he was living in 1694. He wrote
“Batt upon Batt; a Poem upon the parts, patience, and
pains of Bartholomew Kempster, clerk, poet, and cutler
of Holy-rood parish in Southampton;
” and also “The
Vision, wherein is described Batt’s person and ingenuity,
with an account of the ancient and present state and glory
of Southampton.
” Both these pieces were printed at London in two sheets in fol. and afterwards in 4to. The countess de Viri, wife of a late Sardinian ambassador, was
lineally descended from our historian. Such was the friendship between lord Cobham and colonel Speed, her father,
that upon his decease, he esteemed her as his own child,
brought her up in his family, and treated her with paternal
care and tenderness. Her extraordinary merit recommended her to the viscountess Cobham, who left her the
bulk of her fortune. This lady, who was eminent for her
wit and accomplishments, is celebrated by Gray in his
“Long Story,” which indeed was written in consequence
of a visit from her.
vigour at his very advanced age, for he was now approaching to eighty. His last days he passed with his son-in-law, sir Ralph Whitfield, in Barbican, at whose house
The last labour of sir Henry Spelman was his treatise on ft The original growth, propagation, and condition of Tenures by knight service in England," a remarkable proof of mental vigour at his very advanced age, for he was now approaching to eighty. His last days he passed with his son-in-law, sir Ralph Whitfield, in Barbican, at whose house he died in 1641, in the eighty-first year of his age. He was interred with great solemnity, by order of the king, in Westminster abbey, in the south isle, near the door of St. Nicholas chapel, at the foot of the pillar, opposite to the monument of his friend Camden.
hat he was very old, and had one foot in the grave, but should be more obliged, if he would consider his son” on which, the king sent for Mr. Spelman, and conferred
On the death of sir Henry, his papers became the property of his eldest son, sir John Spelman, whom he calls
“the heir of his studies.
” Sir John, whom, by the way,
Wood erroneously calls sir Henry’s youngest son, received
great encouragement and assurance of favour from Charles
I. That king sent for sir Henry Spelman, and offered him
the mastership of Sutton’s hospital, with some other advantages, in consideration of his good services both to church
and state; but sir Henry, thanking his majesty, replied,
“that he was very old, and had one foot in the grave, but
should be more obliged, if he would consider his son
” on
which, the king sent for Mr. Spelman, and conferred that
and the honour of knighthood upon him at Whitehall in
1611. After the rebellion commenced, his majesty, by a
letter under his own hand, commanded him from his house in
Norfolk, to attend at Oxford where he resided in
Brazennose college, and was often called to private conncii, and
employed to write several p.ipers in vindication of the proceeding of the court. He wis the author of “A view of a
pretende book, entitled, ' Observations upon his Majesty’s
late Answers and Epistles,
” Oxford, 'e also
” The case of our affairs in law, religion,
and other circumstances, briefly ex mined and presented
to the cmisc ence,“1643, 4to. While he vva^ thus attending the aduirs of the public, and his own private studies,
as those ' >uld iiive him leave, he died July 25, 1643. His
funeral sermon, by his majesty’s special order, was preached
by archbishop Usher. He published the Saxon Psalter
under the title of
” Phaltenum Davidis Latino-Saxonicum
Vetus,“1641, 4to, from an old manuscript in his father’s
library, collated with three other copies. He wrote also
the
” Life of king Alfred the Great" in English, which was
published by Hearne at Oxford, 1709, 8vo. It had been
translated into Latin by Mr. Wise, and was published by
Obadiah Walker, master of University college at Oxford
in 1678, fol.
After sir John’s death, his father’s papers came into the hands of his son-in-law, sir Ralph Whitfield. In 1647, the rev. Jeremiau
After sir John’s death, his father’s papers came into the
hands of his son-in-law, sir Ralph Whitfield. In 1647, the
rev. Jeremiau Stevens, who had assisted sir Henry in preparing the first volume of the “Councils,
” printed from sir
Henry’s Mss. a work entitled “Sir Henry Spelman’s larger
Treatise concerning Tithes,
” &c. in which the author shews
the danger of changing tythes for any other kind of' maintenance, as of a pecuniary stipend, which the alteration in
the value of money might affect. He observes, that any
change of the laws, which have existed above a thousand
years, and of a right settled by common law, will produce
wany mischiefs, especially to the crown, in the payment
of tenths and first-fruits; and he proves the propriety of
this kind of support above all others, from this circumstance,
that it puts the clergy on the same tooting with the people,
feeing equally gainers or losers according to the prices in
times of plenty and scarcity.
and heraldry; such as “Opus heraldicum” “Theatrum nobilitati.-” “Sylloge historico-gen^alogica,” &c. His son, James Charles Spener, wrote a “Historia Germanica universalis
The religious meetings, or Colleges of Piety, as they were
called, tended, in several instances, to inflame the people
with a blind and intemperate zeal, and produced tumults,
and various complaints; lill at length, in many places, severe laws were passed against the Pietists. Spener settled
for a time at Dresden, and afterwards at Berlin, where be
held important offices of ecclesiastical trust under the elector of Brandenburg, and where he died i.> 1705, aged
severity. He was a man of eloquence and piety; and certainly far from intending to produce dissentions and
schisms. His pious works were published in the German
language; but he wrote some in Latin on genealogy and
heraldry; such as “Opus heraldicum
” “Theatrum nobilitati.-
” “Sylloge historico-gen^alogica,
” &c. His son,
James Charles Spener, wrote a “Historia Germanica universalis et pragmatica,
” 2 vols. 8vo, and “Notitia Germaniæ antiquæ,
”
, his son, was educated under him, and was also famous as a painter,
, his son, was educated under him, and was also famous as a painter, but applying too closely to his art, and being of a gloomy disposition, contracted a disorder which shortened his life, so that he died at fiftysix, having survived his father only two years. To him, not to hi;> father, must belong the anecdote which is related in some books, without proper distinction of the person, that having painted a hideous figure of the devil, in a picture representing the fallen angels, his imagination was so haunted by it, that he thought he saw him in his dreams, demanding in a threatening manner, on what authority he had represented him as so horrible, and where he had ever seen him? This is no more than might easily happen to a mind already tinctured with morbid melancholy, and would naturally tend to confirm the malady. His style very much resembled that of his father, but was rather more extravagant.
suit with the salt-company at Droitwich, lost the greater part of his fortune, and grew distressed. His son, the nephew and representative of the gallant sir Richard
, a brave naval officer in the seventeenth century, was commander of a ship of war during
the protectorate of Cromwell, and distinguished himself by
some actions of singular gallantry. In 1G56, having three
frigates under his command, he fell in with the Spanish
flota, consisting of eight sail; notwithstanding the disproportion of numbers, he attacked them, and with such success, that in the space of a few hours he burnt one, sunk
a second, captured two, and drove two others on shore.
The treasure on board of his prizes amounted to 600,000l.
sterling. The next year, in company with admiral Blake,
who had the chief command, he attacked and destroyed
the Spanish flota in the bay of Santa Cruz; “an act so
miraculous,
” says Clarendon, “that all who knew the place
wondered how any men, with what courage soever endued,
could have undertaken it; indeed, they could hardly persuade themselves to believe what they had done; whilst
the Spaniards comforted themselves with the belief that
they were devils, and not men, who had destroyed their
ships.
” For his share in this gallant exploit, captain
Stainer was knighted by Cromwell at Whitehall, June 11,
1657; and soon afterwards made a vice-admiral. Sir
Richard Stainer was one of the commanders who went with
admiral Montague to bring over Charles II. He was
knighted by the king, and made rear-admiral of the fleet,
but did not long enjoy his honours, as his death took place
in Nov. 1662. He was buried at Greenwich, where his
lady died the preceding year. Leaving no issue, he bequeathed his large property to his brother, who, by involving himself in a law suit with the salt-company at Droitwich, lost the greater part of his fortune, and grew distressed. His son, the nephew and representative of the
gallant sir Richard Stainer, was a few years ago in a workhouse at Birmingham.
guished as a speaker. His ambition would not let him rest till he obtained this object; and Re tells his son, in one of his letters, that from the day he was elected,
On the accession of George I. general Stanhope, (afterwards earl Stanhope,) his great uncle, being appointed one of the principal secretaries of state, young lord Stanhope was sent for, and though he had intended passing the carnival at Venice, returned early in 1715, and was appointed one of the gentlemen of the bedchamber to the prince of Wales. In the first parliament of this reign he was elected for the borough of St. Germain’s in Cornwall; and soon became distinguished as a speaker. His ambition would not let him rest till he obtained this object; and Re tells his son, in one of his letters, that from the day he was elected, to the day that he spoke, which was a month after, he thought and dreamt of nothing but speaking. He formed about this time a friendship with lord Lumley, afterwards earl of Scarborough, which no conflicts of parties ever could impair. When he made his first speech in parliament, which was a violent one, he was actually under age, and receiving a hint of this from one of the opposite party, thought proper to give up his attendance for a time, and return to Paris. His biographer surmises that he might there be engaged in political services, as well as in pleasure, which was his apparent object. Having returned to England in 1716, he spoke in favour of the septennial bill, and from time to time came forward on other occasions. The division between the court and the prince of Wales soon after threw lord Stanhope, who was attached to the latter, into opposition, from which all the influence and offers of the general, now in the height of power and favour, could not recall him. The second borough for which he sat, was Lestwithiel in Cornwall; but in January 1726, the death of his father removed him into the House of Lords.
isits to the continent on account of his health, at which time it appears that he wrote regularly to his son, then only ten years old.
On the accession of George II. in 1727, whom he had
served with steadiness for thirteen years, lord Chesterfield
seemed to have a right to expect particular favour. In
this he was disappointed, owing to his having paid his
court to the king’s mistress lady Suffolk, instead of applying to the queen, which her majesty, as well as the king,
who always preserved a high respect for the queen, resented; but in 1728 he was appointed ambassador to Holland, in which station he was determined to distinguish
himself, and his efforts were perfectly successful. Mr.
Slingeland, then the grand pensionary of Holland, conceived a friendship for him, and much advanced his diplomatic education. Having by his address preserved Hanover from a war, he received high marks of his majesty’s
favour in being made high steward of the household, and
knight of the garter. He came over in the summer of
1730, to be installed at Windsor, and then returned to his
embassy. He was recalled in 1732, on the plea of health;
and when he recovered, began again to distinguish himself in the House of Lords; and in the same year, on the
occasion of the excise-bill, went into strong opposition
against sir Robert Walpole. He was immediately obliged
to resign his office of high steward, and so ill received at
court that he desisted from attending it; He continued in
opposition, not only to the end of sir Robert’s ministry in
1742, but even against the men with whom he had acted
in the minority. It was not till the coalition of parties in
1744, by what was called “the broad-bottomed treaty,
”
that he was admitted into the cabinet, and then very much
against the will of the king, who now had long considered
him as a personal enemy. In the course of this long opposition he had frequently distinguished himself by his
speeches; but particularly on the occasion of the bill for
putting the theatres under the authority of a licenser,
which he opposed in a speech of great animation, still extant in his works. During the same period we find him
engaging in marriage with Melosina de Schulenburg, countess of Walsingham, to whom he was united in September 1733; but still constantly attentive to the education
of his natural son by a former connection at the Hague.
By his wife he had no children. In 1741 and 1742 he was
obliged to pay temporary visits to the continent on account
of his health, at which time it appears that he wrote regularly to his son, then only ten years old.
an eloquent speech in favour of the measure. Of this he speaks with modesty in one of his letters to his son. Every one complimented him, and said that he had made the
On the llth of January, 1745, he was again sent ambassador and plenipotentiary to Holland, and succeeded in
the purposes of his embassy, beyond the hopes of those
who had employed him. He took his leave of the statesgeneral eight days after the battle of Fontenoy, and hastened to his office of lord-lieutenant of Ireland, to which
he had been nominated before he went to Holland. That
he filled this difficult office at a very critical time, with
the greatest dignity and ability, is well known, and few
viceroys have succeeded so completely in conciliating the
esteem and confidence of the Irish nation. He left it,
however, in April 1746. His services there and in Holland had succeeded in removing the prejudices of the king,
at whose express desire he accepted the place of principal
secretary of state in November the same year, and returned
no more to Ireland. He retired from this office on the 6th.
of January 1748, even more to the regret of the king,
whom he had conciliated by his manners as well as his services, than he had entered at first into administration. He
was, however, determined to the step, by finding that he
could not carry measures in the cabinet, which appeared
to him of the highest political importance. His health also
had greatly declined, he was troubled by frequent attacks
of vertigo, and appears from this time to have determined
to preserve himself free from the fatigues of office. His
retirement was amused and dignified by literature and
other elegant pursuits; and the chief part of his miscellaneous works bear date after this period. Deafness corning upon him, in addition to his other complaints, he did
not often take an active part in the business of the House
of Lords, but in the debates concerning the alteration of
the style, which took place in February 1751, he distinguished himself by an eloquent speech in favour of the
measure. Of this he speaks with modesty in one of his
letters to his son. Every one complimented him, and said
that he had made the whole very clear to them, “when,
God knows,
” says he, “I had not even attempted it. I
could as soon have talked Celtic or Sclavonian to them as
astronomy, and they would have understood me full as
well. Lord Macclesfield,
” he adds, “who had the greatest
share in forming the bill, and is one of the greatest mathematicians and astronomers in Europe, spoke afterwards
with infinite knowledge, and all the clearness that so intricate a matter would admit of; but as his words, his
periods, and his utterance were not near so good as mine,
the preference was most unanimously, though most unjustly, given to me.
”
, for the benefit of mankind at large, that the picture he has exhibited of himself in hisLetters to his Son,“proves him to have been a man in whose mind the applause
Anxious to support a literary character, lord Chesterfield wished also to be considered as a patron of literature,
but, occupied by other cares, and not willing to make any
great sacrifices for that object, he managed his advances
to Dr. Johnson on the subject of his Dictionary so ill, that
they procured for him only a rebuff, accompanied by that
letter of dignified severity, which, though he affected to
despise, he could not but feel at the time. It must be
owned, however, that the two papers which he published
on the occasion, in the World (No. 100 and 101), gave an
honourable and useful recommendation to the work. In
November, 1768, he lost that son whose education and
advancement had been, for many years, the principal objects of his care; and, his own infirmities increasing very
fast upon him, the remainder of his life wore a cast of melancholy and almost of despondency. He represents himself, in some letters at that period, as “totally unconnected with the world, detached from life, bearing the
burthen of it with patience, from instinct rather than reason, and, from that principle alone, taking all proper methods to preserve it.
” This, indeed, was not uniform;
his natural vivacity still occasionally displayed itself; but
in his moments of seriousness he presents a melancholy
picture, of a mind destitute of the only effectual supports
under natural decay and pain. He lived, with increasing
infirmities, to the 24th of March 1773. His character is
thus briefly summed up by Dr. Maty. “A nobleman unequalled in his time for variety of talents, brilliancy of wit,
politeness, and elegance of conversation. At once a man
of pleasure ancl of business; yet never suffering the former
to encroach upon the latter. His embassy in Holland
marks his skill, dexterity, and address as an able negotiator. His administration in Ireland, where his name is still
revered by all ranks and orders of men, indicates his integrity, vigilance, and sound policy as a statesman. His
speeches in parliament fix his reputation as a distinguished
orator, in a refined and uncommon species of eloquence.
His conduct in public life was upright, conscientious, and
steady: in private, friendly and affectionate; in both, pleasant, amiable, and conciliating.
” He adds, “these were
his excellencies; let those who surpass him speak of his
defects.
” This friendly artifice to close the mouths of objectors, ought not, however, to prevent an impartial biographer from saying, for the benefit of mankind at large,
that the picture he has exhibited of himself in hisLetters
to his Son,“proves him to have been a man in whose
mind the applause of the world was the great, and almost
the sole governing principle. No attack of an enemy could
have degraded his character so much as the publication of
these letters; which, if they do not quite deserve the severe reprehension of Johnson, that they
” inculcate the
morals of a strumpet, with the manners of a dancing-master," certainly display a relaxation of principle, for which
no talents can make amends.
bation. As a proof of tha esteem in which the India Company held sir George Staunton, they appointed his son, who accompanied him in the former voyage, a writer to China;
, secretary and
historian of an embassy to China, was son of a gentleman
of small fortune in the county of Galway, in Ireland; and
sent early to study physic at Montpelier, where he proceeded M. D. On his return to London, he translated Dr.
Stb'rck’s treatise on hemlock, and drew up for the “Journal
Etranger
” in France a comparison between the literature
of England and France. About the year 1762, Dr. Staunton embarked for the West Indies, as we find from a farewell letter written to him by Dr. Johnson, given by Mr.
Boswell in his life of that great man. This epistle is replete
with excellent advice, and does equal credit to the writer,
and the person to whom it is addressed. Dr. Staunton resided, for several years, in the West Indies, where he acquired some addition to his fortune by the practice of physic purchased an estate in Grenada which he cultivated;
and had the good fortune to obtain the friendship of the
late lord Macartney, governor of that island, to whom he
acted as secretary, and continued in that capacity until the
capture of it by the French, when they both embarked for
Europe. Having studied the law, while in Grenada, Dr.
Staunton filled the office of attorney-general of the island.
Soon after lord Macartney’s arrival in England, he was appointed governor of Madras, and took Mr. Staunton with
him (for he seems now to have lost the appellation of doctor) as his secretary. In this capacity, Mr. Staunton had
several opportunities of displaying his abilities and intrepidity, particularly as one of the commissioners sent to treat
of peace with Tippoo Sultaun, and in the seizure of general
Stuart, who seemed to have been preparing to act by lord
Macartney as had been before done by the unfortunate
lord Pigot. The secretary was sent with a small party of
seapoys to arrest the general, which he effected with great
spirit and prudence, and without bloodshed. On his return to England, the India Company, as a reward for his
services, settled on him a pension of 500l. per annum; the
king soon after created him a baronet of Ireland, and the
University of Oxford conferred on him the degree of
LL.D. It having been resolved to send an embassy to
China, lord Macartney was selected for that purpose, and
he took his old friend and countryman along with him, who
was not only appointed secretary of legation, but had also the
title of envoy-extraordinary and minister-plenipotentiary
bestowed on him, in order to be able to supply the place of
the ambassador in case of auy unfortunate accident. The
events of this embassy, which, on the whole, proved rather
unpropitious, are well known, and were given to the public
in two quarto volumes, written by sir George. This account is rather to be considered as a proof of learning and
observation than of genius and reflection. The subject
itself was highly interesting, but it is certainly not rendered very much so in the relation. However, it is on
the whole a valuable work, and creditable to his character
for knowledge and diligence. And when we consider the
short time he took to compile these volumes^ added to the
severe illness he actually laboured under, and with which
he was attacked soon after his return, we cannot withhold
our praise and approbation. As a proof of tha esteem in
which the India Company held sir George Staunton, they
appointed his son, who accompanied him in the former
voyage, a writer to China; and had the father’s health permitted, he would, probably, again have attended lord Macartney in some honourable and confidential station to his
government at the Cape of Good Hope. The memoirs of
sir George, if drawn up at full length, would exhibit many
instances of a strong and ardent mind, labouring occasionally under difficulties, and surmounting dangers by patience, talents, and intrepidity. His conduct in the seizure
of general Stuart, demonstrated his resolution and presence
of mind; and when treating with Tippoo, he had the address to induce M. Suffrein to suspend hostilities, even
before he had received advice from his court of the treaty
of peace being signed between Great Britain and France.
father, who was a counsellor at law, and private secretary to James, the first duke of Ormond, sent his son, then very young, to London, where he was placed in the
, the first of a class of writers
called the British Essayists, which is peculiar to this
country, was born at Dublin in 1671. Mis family, of
English extraction, was genteel. His father, who was a
counsellor at law, and private secretary to James, the first
duke of Ormond, sent his son, then very young, to London, where he was placed in the Charter-house by the
duke, who was one of the governors of that seminary.
From thence he was removed to Merton college, Oxford,
and admitted a postmaster in 1691. In 1695 he wrote a
poem on the funeral of queen Mary, entitled the “Procession.
” His inclination leading him to the army, he rode
for some time privately in the guards. He became an
author first, as he tells us himself, when an ensign of the
guards, a way of life exposed to much irregularity; and,
emg thoroughly convinced of many things, of which he
often repented, and which he more often repeated, he
wrote for his own private use a little book called “The
Christian Hero,
” with a design principally to fix upon his
own mind a strong impression of virtue and religion, in
opposition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable
pleasures. This secret admonition was too weak; and
therefore, in 1701, he printed the book with his name, in
hopes that a standing testimony against himself, and the
eyes of the world upon him in a new light, might curb his
desires, and make him ashamed of understanding and
seeming to feel what was virtuous, and yet of living so
contrary a life. This, he tells us, had no other effect, but
that, from being thought a good companion, he was soou
reckoned a disagreeable fellow. One or two of his acquaintance thought fit to misuse him, and try their valour
upon him; and every body, he knew, measured the least
levity in his words or actions with the character of “The
Christian Hero.
” Thus he found himself slighted, instead
of being encouraged, for his declarations as to religion; so
that he thought it incumbent upon him to enliven his character. For this purpose he wrote the comedy, called
u The Funeral, or Grief a- la- Mode,“which was acted in
1702; and as nothing at that time made a man more a
favourite with the public than a successful play, this, with
some other particulars enlarged upon to -advantage, obtained the notice of the king; and his name, to be proTided for, was, he says, in the last table-book ever worn
by the glorious and immortal William the Third.
He had before this obtained a captain’s commission in
lord Lucas’s regiment of fusileers, by the interest of lord
Cutts, to whom he had dedicated his
” Christian Hero,“and who likewise appointed him his secretary. His next
appearance as a writer, as he himself informs us, was in the
office of Gazetteer; where he worked faithfully, according
to order, without ever erring, he says, against the rule
observed by all ministries, to keep that paper very innocent and very insipid. He received this appointment in
consequence of being introduced by Addison to the acquaintance of the earls of Halifax and Sunderland. With
Addison he had become acquainted at the Charter-house.
His next productions were comedies;
” The Tender Husband“being acted in 1703, and
” The Lying Lover“in 1704. In 1709 he began
” The Taller;“the first
number of which was published April 12, 1709, and the
last Jan. 2, 1711. This paper greatly increased his reputation and interest; and he was soon after made one of the
commissioners of the Stamp-office. Upon laying down
” The Tatler,“he b'egan, in concert with Addison,
” The
Spectator,“which began to be published March 1, 1711
after that,
” The Guardian,“the first paper of which
came out March 12, 1713; and then,
” The Englishman,“the first number of which appeared Oct. 6, the same year.
Besides these works, he wrote several political pieces,
which were afterwards collected, and published under the
title of
” Political Writings," 1715, 12mo. Oneofthes6
will require to be mentioned particularly, because it was
attended with remarkable consequences relating to himself.
vine Marlorat; he also had projected a Greek Thesaurus, but the honour of that work was reserved for his son Henry, to whom he gave what materials he had collected.
Among the finest editions from the press of Robert are,
1. His Hebrew Bibles, 4 vols. 4to, and 8 vols. 16mo. 2.
The Latin Bible, 1538 — 40, fol. of which the large paper
copies are principally valued. 3. The Greek New Testament, 1530, fol. one of the most beautiful books ever
printed; to which may be added the small editions of 1546
and 1549, usually called the O mirifcam, the first two
words of the preface. That of 1549 is the most correct.
4. “Historiae ecclesiastics scriptores, Eusebii preparatio
et demonstratio evangelica,
” Gr. Thesaurus Linguae Latinae,
” before
mentioned, which has been often reprinted. One of the
best of the modern editions is that of London, 1734 5, 4
vols. fol. and the last is Gessner’s, Leipsic, 1749, 4 vols,
fol. 2. “Dictionarium Latino-Gallicum,
” Paris, Ad censuras Theologorum Parisiensium quibus Biblia a Roberto Stephano excusa calumniose notarunr,
responsio,
” Geneva, Gallicae grammatices libellus,
” ibid. Grammaire Frangaise,
”
icine, and was received as a doctor of the faculty of Paris. Lazarus Baif engaged him to be tutor to his son. >nrJ likewise to accompany him in his embassies to Germany
, brother to the preceding,
and third son of Henry, the founder of the family, received also a liberal education, and afterwards studied medicine, and was received as a doctor of the faculty of Paris.
Lazarus Baif engaged him to be tutor to his son. >nrJ likewise to accompany him in his embassies to Germany and
Italy, that he might continue to instruct his pupil. During his being at Venice, he formed a friendship wit a Pnul
Manutius, who speaks of him in some of his letters, in
very honourable terms. It was not until 1551 that he began the business of printing, and his rirst w>rk was an edidition of “Appian
” from manuscripts in the royal iib r ary,
and executed with Garamond’s types. He appears also to
have been honoured with the 'itle of king’s printer John
Maumont, in a letter to Scaliger, represents Charles
Stephens as an avaricious man, jealous of his brethren and
even of his nephews, whom he endeavoured to injure on
every occasion. He was, however, unsuccessful in business, and was imprisoned for debt in the Chatelet in 1561,
and died there in 1564. Maittaire says that the fine editions of Charlt-s Stephens have never been surpassed, that
in point of erudition he was not inferior to the most learned
printers, and that in his short space few of them printed
more books. Among the most valuable are, 1. “De re
vesiiaria, de vasculis ex Bayfio excerpt.
” Paris, Abrege de l'Histoire des vicomtes et dues de Milan,
”
Paradoxes ou propos contre la commune opinion, debattus en forme de declamations forenses, pour exciter les jeunes esprits en causes
difficiles,
” Paris, Paradossi
” of Ortensio Lando. 4. “Dictionarium Latino-Graecum,
” ibid. Dictionarium Latino-Galhcum,
” ibid. Preedium rusticum, &c.
” ibid. Agriculture et Maison rusti^ue, de M. Charles
Estienne,
” and it has been since translated into Italian,
German, English, &c. 7. “Thesaurus Ciceronis,
” ibid.
Dictionarium Historico-geographico-poeticum,
” Geneva,
t Stephens, we mentioned his intention of publishing a Greek Thesaurus: this was now accomplished by his son, after twelve years incessant labour, and is alone a sufficient
In our account of Robert Stephens, we mentioned his intention of publishing a Greek Thesaurus: this was now accomplished by his son, after twelve years incessant labour, and is alone a sufficient monument of his erudition. The learned bestowed the highest commendation, but the great price which he was obliged to fix upon it to indemnify himself is said to have retarded the sale, and he was still a more serious sufferer by the plagiarism of Scapula (See Scapula), which indeed completed his ruin. He was not, however, without friends or resources. He went after this affair into Germany, and although he had been neglected by his countrymen, did not cease by his writings to do honour to France in foreign countries. This conduct recommended him to the favour of Henry III. who gave him a present of 3000 livres for his work on the excellence of the French language, and a pension of 300 livres to assist him in collating manuscripts. He also invited him to reside at his court, often admitted him into his councils, and gave him grants for considerable sums; but these sums were either ill-paid, or not sufficient to extricate our author from his difficulties, and he resolved therefore to leave the court. He now commenced a kind of wandering life, residing for short spaces of time at Orleans, Paris, Francfort, Geneva, and Lyons, and exhausting his poor finances. During the last journey he made to Lyons, he was seized with sickness, and carried to the hospital, where he died in the month of March, 1598, after having been for some time in a state of derangement.
ed from his press. He had two sons, Henry and Robert, and a daughter married to Fougerole, a notary. His son Henry, sieur des Fossés, was the author of “L' Art de faire
We shall now briefly mention the remaining branches of
this justly celebrated family. Henry Stephens, the third
of that name, and son to Robert, the second, was treasurer of the royal palaces. Prosper March and thinks he was
a printer in 1615, but no work is known to have issued
from his press. He had two sons, Henry and Robert, and
a daughter married to Fougerole, a notary. His son
Henry, sieur des Fossés, was the author of “L' Art de
faire les devices, avec un Traité des rencontres ou mots
plaisants,
” Paris, Art of making devices
” was translated into English by our countryman Thomas Blount (See vol. V. p. 430) and published in 1646,
4to. Henry assumed the title of interpreter of the Greek
and Latin languages, and was reckoned a good poet. We
also are indebted to him for a character of Louis XIII. and
eloges of the princes and generals who served under that
monarch, which he published in a work entitled “Les Triomphes de Louis-le-Juste,
” Paris,
r encomium than most of his predecessors, if he had not demised the park of Hexgrave from the see to his son and t‘amiK His m.my benefactions to Bene’t and Jesus colleges,
His character has been variously represented, as we have
repeatedly had occasion to notice in the case of persons of
eminence who lived in his disastrous period. Bishop Kennet informs us, “He was promoted to the bishopric of
Carlisle, on account of his piety, great learning, and prudence, as being indeed not less exemplary in his notions and
conversations, than if he himself had expected martyrdom,
from the hour of his attendance upon his patron archbishop
Laud.
” Baxter says, “Among all the bishops there was
none who had so promising a face. He looked so honestly, and gravely and soberly, that he thought such a
face could not have deceived him;
” but then he adds,
“that he found he had not half the charity which became
so grave a bishop, nor so mortified an aspect.
” Notwithstanding this charge, he was one of those bishops who
shewed great lenity, charity, and respect, in their treatment of the nonconformist clergy. The only substantial
charge against him is that advanced by bishop Burnet, who
censures him for being too eager to enrich his family. For
this there seems some foundation, and Browne Willis allows that he ivould have deserved a larger encomium than
most of his predecessors, if he had not demised the park
of Hexgrave from the see to his son and t‘amiK His m.my
benefactions to Bene’t and Jesus colleges, to the rebuildin of St. Paul’s, and other public and charitable purposes,
show that if he was rich, fee was also liberal.
As an author, besides some Latin verses, in the “Genethliacon Caroli et Marioe, 1631,
” at the end o‘ Winterton’s translation of the Aphorisms of Hippocrates in lb’33,
on the birth of a prince in 1640, anil others in “Iivnodia
Cantab, ob paciferum Catoli e Scotia remtum, 164.1,
” he
ivas one of the assistants in the publication of the Polyglot;
published a “Comment on Psalms ciii.
” Lond. Summa Logicæ, &c.
”
house, of Tubney, near Abingdon, in Berkshire, and was born July 20, 1716. His father, who died when his son was ten years old, was, as sir James informs us, “a country
, a pious and worthy baronet,
originally a physician and afterwards a divine, was the son
of Richard and Caroline Stonhouse, of Tubney, near Abingdon, in Berkshire, and was born July 20, 1716. His
father, who died when his son was ten years old, was, as
sir James informs us, “a country squire, kept a pack of
hounds, and was a violent Jacobite.
” Our author succeeded to the title of baronet late in life, by the death of
his collateral relation sir James Stonhouse cf Radley.
majesty, was born at Edinburgh in 1715. His father, who had a small appointment in the customs, gave his son the education which every boy of decent rank then received
, an eminent printer, and many years printer to his majesty, was born at Edinburgh in 1715. His father, who had a small appointment in the customs, gave his son the education which every boy of decent rank then received in a country where the avenues to learning were easy, and open to men of the most moderate circumstances. After having passed through the tuition of a grammar-school, he was put apprentice to a printer; and, when a very young man, went to follow his trade in London. Sober, diligent, and attentive, while his emoluments were for some time very scanty, he contrived to live rather within than beyond his income; and though he married early, and without such a provision as prudence might have looked for in the establishment of a family, he continued to thrive, and to better his circumstances. His abilities in his profession, accompanied with perfect integrity, and unabating diligence, enabled him, after the first difficulties were overcome, to proceed with rapid success. He was one of the most flourishing men in the trade, when, in 1770, he purchased a share of the patent for king’s printer, of Mr. Eyre, with whom he maintained the most cordial intimacy during all the rest of his life. Besides the emoluments arising from this appointment, as well as from a very extensive private business, he was eminently successful in the purchase of the copy-rights of some of the most celebrated authors of the time. In this his liberality kept equal pace with his prudence, and in some cases went perhaps rather beyond it. Never had such rewards been given to the labours of literary men, as were now received from him and his associates (See Cadell) in those purchases of copy-rights from authors.
eas, and Exchequer, from Trinity Term 2 Geo. I. to Trinity Term 21 Geo. II.” were first published by his son John Strange, Cmj. 1755, 2 vols. fol. again in 1782, 2 vols.
The “Reports
” of sir John Strange, “of Cases adjudged in the courts of Chancery, King’s-bench, Common-pleas, and Exchequer, from Trinity Term 2 Geo. I.
to Trinity Term 21 Geo. II.
” were first published by his
son John Strange, Cmj. 1755, 2 vols. fol. again in 1782,
2 vols. 8vo and thirdly, with notes and additional references to contemporary reporters and later cases, 1795, 2
vols. 8vo, by i;;n, esq. of Lincoln’s-Inn.
r compositions, in a pure and pleasing style. Titus died about 1502, at the age of eighty. Hercules, his son, was killed by a rival in 1508. Strozzi was also an illustrious
, father and son, were two poets of Ferrara, who both wrote in Latin. Their poems were printed together at Venice, 1513, 8vo, and consist of elegies and other compositions, in a pure and pleasing style. Titus died about 1502, at the age of eighty. Hercules, his son, was killed by a rival in 1508. Strozzi was also an illustrious name at Florence, which migrated with the Medici’s into France, and there rose to the highest military honours, as they had in their own country attained the greatest commercial rank. There have been several other writers of the name, of whom we shall notice only one, as most remarkable, Cyriac Strozzi, who was a profound student in the works of Aristotle, and therefore considered as a peripatetic philosopher. He was born at Florence in 1504. He travelled over a great part of the world, and pursued his studies wherever he went. He was a professor of Greek and of philosophy at Florence, Bologna, and Pisa, in all which places he was highly esteemed. He died in 1565, at the age of sixty-one. He added a ninth and a tenth book to the eight books of Aristotle’s politics, and wrote them both in Greek and Latin. He had so completely made himself master of the style and sentiments of his great model, that he has been thought, in some instances, to rival him. He had a sister, Laurentia, who wrote Latin poems. Considerable information may be found respecting the Strozzi in our authorities.
r Ryland, and in which softness and harmony are blended. He also left some Mss. in the possession of his son, from which have since been published, 1.” Queen Hoo Hall,
In 1790, a severe asthmatic complaint rendered a country residence necessary, and he therefore settled for five
years at Bacon’s-farm in Hertfordshire, where he employed
some part of his time in engraving a series of plates for the
“Pilgrim’s Progress,
” which are said to be as fair a specimen
of his talents as an artist, as any that can be produced but
it is not mentioned for what edition they were engraved, or
whether sold separately. Here likewise his benevolent regard for the welfare of the young induced him, at his own
expence, to establish a Sunday school at Tewin, not far
from his residence, which he superintended with great care,
and had the satisfaction to find it attended with the most
beneficial consequences to the morals of the villagers. In
1795, he returned to London, and began to collect materials for his work entitled “A complete view of the Dresses
and Habits of the People of England, from the establishment of the Saxons in Britain to the present time.
” The
first volume of this appeared in a performance which, from the novelty of the subject, attracted the notice and admiration of readers of almost every
class. In the beginning of October 1802, Mr. Strutt, then
residing in Charles-street, Hatton-garden, was confined to
his chamber with his last illness, of which he died on the
16th of that month, in the fifty-third year of his age. His
biographer sums up his character in these words:
” The
calamities incident to man were indeed his portion on this
earth; and these greatly augmented by unkindnesses
where he least deserved to have met with them. He was
charitable without ostentation a sincere friend, without
intentional guile; a dutiful son a faithful and affectionate
husband a good father: a worthy man and, above all,
it is humbly hoped, a sincere Christian. His natural talents were great, but little cultivated by early education.
The numerous works which he gave to the world as an author, and as an artist, prove that he employed his time to
the best advantage.“Mr. Strutt engraved many plates, in
dots, in imitation of chalk, a manner which he learned
from his master Ryland, and in which softness and harmony
are blended. He also left some Mss. in the possession
of his son, from which have since been published, 1.
” Queen Hoo Hall, a Romance and Ancient Times, a
Drama,“4 vols. 12mo. both which have many characteristics
of a lively and well-regulated imagination; and, 2.
” The
Test of Guilt; or Traits of Ancient Superstition, a dramatic tale, &c." in poetry, but not much calculated to raise our
ideas of his merit in that branch.
tive of Brabant, and fled to England for the sake of religion. He was a merchant and silk-throwster. His son is said to have been born at Stepney, Nov. 1, 1643, but
, the most valuable contributor to ecclesiastical history and biography that ever appeared in
this country, is said to have been of German extraction.
His father John Strype, or Van Stryp, was a native of
Brabant, and fled to England for the sake of religion. He
was a merchant and silk-throwster. His son is said to have
been born at Stepney, Nov. 1, 1643, but he calls himself
a native of London, and his baptism does not occur in the
register of Stepney, though the names of some of his
brothers and sisters are there entered, and his father lies
buried in the church-yard. The reason why he calls himself a Londoner probably was, that he was born in Strype’s
yard, formerly in Stepney, but afterwards in the parish of
Christ-church, Spitalfields. After being educated in St.
Paul’s school for six years, he was matriculated of Jesuscollege, Cambridge, July 5, 1662, whence he removed to
Catherine-hall, where he took his degree of A. B. in 1665,
and that of M. A. in 1669, His first preferment was the
donative, or perpetual curacy of Theydon-Boys in the
county of Essex, conferred upon him July 14, 1669; but
he quitted it a few months after, on being appointed minister of Low-Leyton in the same county, which he retained
all his life. The circumstances attending this preferment
were rather singular, Although he enjoyed it above sixtyeight years, and administered the sacrament on Christmasday, for sixty-six years successively, yet he was never
instituted nor inducted. The reason assigned for this irregularity is, that the living being small, the patrons allowed
the parish to choose a minister. Accordingly Mr. Strype
having, on the vacancy which occurred in 1669, preached
before them, he was duly elected to be their curate and
lecturer, and they entered into a subscription-bond for his
maintenance, promising to pay the sums annexed to their
names, “provided he continues the usual custom of his
predecessor in preaching twice every Sunday.
” The subscriptions in all amounted to 69l. Many years after this,
viz in 1674, he was licensed by Dr. Henchman, then
bishop of London, to preach and expound the word of
God in the parish church of Low-Leyton, and to perform
the full office of priest and curate there, during the vacancy of the vicarage, which license, and no other instrument, he used to exhibit at the visitations, as late as 1720.
In 1677, as he seemed secure of his possession, he rebuilt the vicarage, with 140l. of his own money, aided by
contributions from his parishioners, and expended considerable sums also in the repairs of the chancel. After his
death, his executors derived some advantage from the
manner in which he held this living; for, being sued by his
successor for dilapidations, only 40l. could be recovered,
as the plea was, that he had never been instituted nor inducted, and that the parsonage- house was built and ought
to be repaired by the parish. It is probable that the quiet
possession he so long enjoyed was owing to the high esteem
in which he was held by the heads of the church, for his
eminent services as a historian.
Soon after he came to reside at Low-Leyton, he got
access to the valuable manuscripts of sir Michael Hickes,
knt. once of Ruckholt’s in this parish, and secretary to
William lord Burleigh, and began from them some of
those collections which he afterwards published. It appears, however, that he extended his inquiries much farther, and procured access to every repository where records
of any kind were kept; made numerous and indeed voluminous transcripts, and employed many years in comparing, collating, and verifying facts, before he published
any thing. At the same time he carried on an extensive
correspondence with archbishop Wake, and the bishops Atterbury, Burnet, Nicolson, and other eminent clergymen or
laymen, who had a taste for the same researches as himself.
Towards his latter days, he had the sinecure of Terring, in
Sussex, given him by archbishop Tenison, and was lecturer of Hackney till 1724, when he resigned that lecture.
When he became old and infirm, he resided at Hackney
with Mr. Harris an apothecary, who had married his granddaughter, and there he died Dec. 11, 1737, at the very
advanced age of ninety-four , one instance at least, that
the most indefatigable literary labour is not inconsistent
with health.
imself into a condition to appear at the magnificent court of France; but, before he went, presented his son to the prince of Beam, in the presence of the queen his
Sully’s father was one of those who doubted the sincerity of the court, and conceived such strong apprehensions, that when the report of the court of Navarre’s journey to Paris first reached him, he could not give credit to it. Firmly persuaded that the present calm won Id be of short continuance, he made haste to take advantage of it, and prepared to shut himself up with his effects in Rochelle, when every one else thought of leaving it. But the queen of Navarre having informed him of her design, and requested him to join her in her way to Vendome, he went, and took Sully, now in his twelfth year, along with him. He found a general security at Vendome, and an air of satisfaction on every face; to which, though he durst not object in public, yet he made remonstrances to some of the chiefs in private. These were considered as the effects of weakness and timidity; and therefore, not caring to seem wiser than persons of greater understandings, he seemed to incline to the general opinion. He went to Rosni, to put himself into a condition to appear at the magnificent court of France; but, before he went, presented his son to the prince of Beam, in the presence of the queen his mother, with great solemnity, and assurances of the most inviolable attachment. Sully did not return with his father to Rosni, but went to Paris in the queen of Navarre’s train. He applied himself closely to his studies, without neglecting to pay a proper court to the prince his master; and lived with a governor and a valet de chambre in a part of Paris where almost all the colleges stood, and continued there till the bloody catastrophe which happened soon after.
meritorious action, which ought to atone for all the sins I have ever committed.” This is related by his son, who has written memoirs of him. The king himself must have
In the mean time the court sent orders to the governors
in all the provinces, that the same destruction should be
made of the Protestants there as had been at Paris; but
many of them nobly refused to execute these orders; and
the viscount d'Orthe had the courage to write from Bayonne to Charles IX. that, “he found many good soldiers
in his garrison, but not one executioner: and begged him
to command their lives in any service that was possible.
”
Yet the abettors and prime actors in this tragedy at Paris
were wonderfully satisfied with themselves, and found much
comfort in having been able to do so much for the cause of
God and his church. Tavanes, mentioned above, who ran
about the streets crying “Let blood! let blood!
” being
upon his death-bed, made a general confession of the sins
of his life; after which his confessor saying to him with an
air of astonishment, “Why! you speak not a word of St.
Bartholomew;
” he replied, “I look upon that as a meritorious action, which ought to atone for all the sins I have
ever committed.
” This is related by his son, who has written memoirs of him. The king himself must have supposed
real merit to have been in it; for, not content with setting
his seal and sanction to these detestable butcheries, he is
credibly affirmed to have taken the carbine into his own
hands, and to have shot at the poor Huguenots as they attempted to escape. The court of Rome did all they could
to confirm the Parisians in this horrid notion: for though
Pope Pius V. is said to have been so much afflicted at the
massacre as to shed tears, yet Gregory XIII. who succeeded
him, ordered a public thanksgiving to God for it to be offered at Rome, and sent a legate to congratulate Charles
IX. and to exhort him to continue it. Father Daniel contents himself with saying, that the king’s zeal in his terrible punishment of the heretics was commended at Rome;
and Baronius affirms the action to have been absolutely
necessary. The French writers, however, have spoken of
it in the manner it deserves; have represented it as the
most wicked and inhuman devastation that ever was committed “an execrable action,
” says one of them, Prefixe,
“that never had, and I trust God will never have, its like.
”
Seventy thousand, according to Sully’s Memoirs, was the
numberof Protestants massacred, during eight days, throughout the kingdom.
His father Richard Sutton, steward of the courts in Lincoln, died in that city in 1558, and his son, on his return home in 1562, found himself in possession
His father Richard Sutton, steward of the courts in Lincoln, died in that city in 1558, and his son, on his return home in 1562, found himself in possession of considerable property. He was now about thirty years of age, and reckoned an accomplished gentleman. He was first retained by the duke of Norfolk, whose favours he acknowledges in his will by a legacy of 400l.; and afterwards became secretary to the earl of Warwick, and occasionally also to his brother the earl of Leicester. In 1569, the earl of Warwick being master-general of the ordnance, appointed Mr. Sutton master of the ordnance -at Berwick, a post of great trust at that time, Berwick being a frontier garrison to Scotland. In this situation he distinguished himself much on the breaking out of the rebellion in the north by the earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland; and by the recommendation of his two patrons, he obtained a patent the same year for the office of master-general of the ordnance in the north, for life; and in 1573, he commanded one of the five batteries, which obliged the strong castle of Edinburgh to surrender to the English. It is probable, that, as master-tyeneral of the ordnance, he attended the earl of Sussex, president of the North, into Scotland, with an army in 1570, though he is not expressly named in Camden’s annals for that year. But in 1573, he is named as one of the chief of those 1500 men who marched into Scotland to the assistance of the regent, the earl of Morton, by order of queen Elizabeth, and laid siege to Edinburgh castle.
ve displayed his resentment by refusing the usual military honours to his remains, and even deprived his son of his rank of major-general. The present emperor Alexander,
From the subjugation of Poland we hear little more of Suworrow, until he entered upon his career in Italy, when the emperor Paul, who had succeeded his mother on the throne of Russia, joined in the confederacy against France in 1799. He assumed the command of the combined army of Russians and Austrians, and such was his success that the French lost, one after another, all the principal towns in the north of Italy, and were defeated in the bloody battle of Novi. After that action, Suworrow crossed the Alps, and marched into Swisserland, driving the French from mount St. Gothard. But here his gallant career was interrupted by the defeat of another division of the Russians, who were attacked by the French general Massena near Zurich, and obliged to cross the Rhine into Germany. This disaster, with the failure of the expected aid from the Austrians, obliged Suworrow, who was opposed by Moreau, to commence a fighting retreat towards the lake of Constance; and after prodigious exertions of valour, he arrived there with a much diminished army, and effected a junction with the remainder of the troops that had been defeated by Massena, He was now recalled home, and under the pressure of fatigue, vexation, and fever, reached Petersburgh, where he soon fell into a childish state, and died May 18, 1300. His capricious master is said to have displayed his resentment by refusing the usual military honours to his remains, and even deprived his son of his rank of major-general. The present emperor Alexander, however, repaired this injustice to the memory of an officer so brave and faithful, by erecting his statue in the imperial gardens. Another account says that Paul, although he endeavoured to disgrace Suworrow at the end of his life, ordered him a magnificent funeral.
terdam in 1637, where his father was an apothecary, and had a museum of natural history. He intended his son for the church, and with this view gave him a classical
, an eminent naturalist and anatomist, was born at Amsterdam in 1637, where his father was an apothecary, and had a museum of natural history. He intended his son for the church, and with this view gave him a classical education, but the boy prevailed upon him to let him apply to physic. He was therefore kept at home, till he should be prpperly qualified to engage in that study, and frequently employed in cleaning, and arranging the articles of his father’s collection. From this occupation he acquired a taste for natural history, and soon began to form a museum of his own. Entomology having particularly struck his fancy, be became indefatigable in discovering, catching, and examining, the flying insects, not only in the province of Holland, but in those of Gueldreland and Utrecht. In 1661 he went to Leydeu, to pursue his studies, which he did with so much success, that, in 1663, he was admitted a candidate of physic, after undergoing the examinations prescribed on that occasion. On his arrival at Leyden, he contracted a friendship with the great anatomist Nicolas Steno, and ever after lived with him in intimacy.
died about that time. He was buried in the cathedral of York, leaving his dwelling house in York to his son Toby, and a benefaction to the poor of the city. It appears
, a law writer, of the seventeenth century, was the son of Thomas Swinburne of the city
of York, where he was born. In his sixteenth year he was
sent to Oxford, and entered a commoner of Hart-hall,
whence after some time he removed to Broadgate-hall, now
Pembroke college, and there took his degree of bachelor
of civil law. Before he left the university he married Helena, daughter of Bartholomew Lant, of Oxford, and being
then obliged to quit the college, he returned to York, and
practised in the ecclesiastical courts as proctor. He afterwards commenced doctor of civil law, and became very
eminent in his profession. On Feb. 10, 1612, he was advanced to be commissary of the Exchequer, and judge of
the prerogative court of the province of York, in which
office he continued till his death. Of this event we have
no direct memorial; but, as his will was proved June 12,
1624, we may presume he died about that time. He
was buried in the cathedral of York, leaving his dwelling
house in York to his son Toby, and a benefaction to the
poor of the city. It appears he was twice married, and that
his second wife’s name was Wentworth. He wrote a
“Treatise of Spousals, or Matrimonial contracts,
” which
was not published until Treatise of Testaments and Last Wills, compiled out of the laws, ecclesiastical, civil, and canon, as
also out of the common laws, customs, and statutes of this
realm.
” This work has passed through seven editions, 4to.
ough not more than twenty, had given such an earnest of his future fame, that Agricola chose him for his son-in-law, and, thus distinguished, our ai thor began the career
Agrieola was joint consul with Domitian in the year of Home 830, for the latter part of the year. His name does not appear in the Fasti Consulares, because that honour was reserved for the consuls who entered on their office en the kalends of January, and gave their name to -the H hole year. Tacitus, though not more than twenty, had given such an earnest of his future fame, that Agricola chose him for his son-in-law, and, thus distinguished, our ai thor began the career of civil preferment. The circumstances ofhis progress, however, are not precisely menIthongh Mr. Murphy has given us some ingenious conjectures to supply this deficiency. He was favoured by Vespasian and by Titus, and rose to preferment even under the tyrant Domitian. It would be difficult, says his biographer, to account for the success of a man who in the whole tenourof his conduct preserved an unblemished character, if he himself had not furnished a solution of the problem. Agricola, he tells us, had the address to restrain the headlong violence of Domitian, by his prudence, and the virtues of moderation: never choosing to imitate the zeal of those who, by their intemperance, provoked their fate, and rushed on sure destruction, without rendering any kind of service to their country. The conduct of Agricola plainly shewed that great men may exist in safety under the worst and most barbarous tyranny. We may be sure, that he who commends the mild disposition of his father-in-law, had the prudence to observe the same line of conduct. Instead of giving umbrage to the prince, and provoking the tools of power, he was content to display his eloquence at the bar. Domitian, however, certainly advanced our author’s fortune. It is no where mentioned that Tacitus discharged the office of tribune and aedile, but it may be presumed that he passed through these stations to the higher dignity of praetor, and member of the quindecemviral college, which he enjoyed at the secular games in the year of Rome 841, the seventh of Domitian.
izen of London. She died June 11, 1718, aged forty, and left two daughters, who both died young, and his son and heir, the rev. Thomas Tanner, who died in 1760, at that
, an excellent antiquary, was the
son of a father of both his names, vicar of Market Lavington in Wilts, and was born in 1674. He became a student in Queen’s-college, Oxford, in Michaelmas-term,
1689; admitted clerk in that house, 1690; B. A. 1693;
entered into holy orders at Christmas, 1694; and became
chaplain of All-souls-college in January following; chosen
fellow of the same, 1697; chancellor of Norfolk, and rector of Thorpe near Norwich in 1701. He was installed
prebendary of Ely, Sept. 10, 1713, (which he quitted in 1723); made archdeacon of Norfolk, Dec. 7, 1721 canon
of Christ-church, Feb. 3, 1723-4; and prolocutor of the
lower house of convocation, which was convened anno
1727. To this honour he was unanimously elected on account of his great abilities, however contrary to his own
inclinations; and was consecrated bishop of St. Asaph,
Jan. 23, 1732. Bishop Tanner died at Christ-church, Oxford, Dec. 14, 1735; and was buried in the nave of that
cathedral, near the pulpit; without any funeral pomp, according to his own direction. He ordered his body to be
wrapped up in the coarsest crape, and his coffin to be
covered with serge, not cloth: the pall-bearers to have
each of them one of Baskett’s folio bibles; the underbearers a Sherlock upon Death; to the dean of Christchurch, he left five pounds; to the eight canons five shillings each; eighty pounds to buy coats for eighty poor
men; and one hundred pounds to the college, towards
their library then building. A monument to his memory
is affixed to one of the pillars, with an inscription. Another
in>cription, and a translation of it, may be seen in the
“Anecdotes of Bowyer.
” He was thrice married, first, to
Rose, eldest daughter of Dr. Moore, bishop of Ely, and
by <her, who died March 15, 1706, aged twenty-five, he
had a daughter who died in her infancy; secondly, to
Frances, daughter of Mr. Jacob Preston, citizen of London. She died June 11, 1718, aged forty, and left two
daughters, who both died young, and his son and heir, the
rev. Thomas Tanner, who died in 1760, at that time precentor of St. Asaph, rector of Kessingland, and vicar of
Lowestoff. The bishop married, thirdly, in 1733, Miss
Elizabeth Scottow, of Thorpe, near Norwich, with a fortune of 15,000l. She survived him, and married Robert
Britiffe, esq. recorder of Norwich, and M. P. She died
in 1771.
ented, Bernardo Tasso accompanied him into Germany; but, before his departure, committed the care of his son to a man of learning; under whom, at three years of age,
Toward the end of his third year, Bernardo his father was obliged to follow the prince of Salerno into Germany, which journey proved the source of all the sufferings of Tasso and his family. The occasion was this Don Pedro of Toledo, viceroy of Naples for the emperor Charles V, had formed a design to establish the inquisition in that city. The Neapolitans, alarmed at this, resolved to send a deputation to the emperor, and made choice of the prince of Salerno, who seemed most able, by his authority and riches, to oppose the viceroy. The prince having consented, Bernardo Tasso accompanied him into Germany; but, before his departure, committed the care of his son to a man of learning; under whom, at three years of age, they tell us, he began to study grammar; and, at four, was sent to the college of the Jesuits, where he made so rapid a progress, that at seven he was pretty wellacquainted with the Latin and Greek tongues; at the same age he made public orations, and composed some pieces of poetry, of which the style is said to have retained nothing of puerility.
to Charles V. Bernardo Tasso would not abandon his patron in his ill fortune; neither would he leave his son in a country where he himself was soon to be declared an
The success the prince of Salerno met with in his embassy greatly increased his credit amongst the Neapolitans, but entirely ruined him with the viceroy, who so much, exasperated the emperor against the prince of Salerno, that Ferrante, finding there was no longer any security for him at Naples, and having in vain applied to gain an audience of the emperor, retired to Rome, and renounced his allegiance to Charles V. Bernardo Tasso would not abandon his patron in his ill fortune; neither would he leave his son in a country where he himself was soon to be declared an enemy; and foreseeing he should never he able to return thither, he took Torquato with him to Rome.
included by name in that sentence. Bernardo, following the prince of Salerno into France, committed his son to the care of his friend and relation Maurice Cataneo,
As soon as the departure of the prince of Salerno was
known, he, and all his adherents, were declared rebels to
the state; and Torquato Tasso, though but nine years of
age, was included by name in that sentence. Bernardo,
following the prince of Salerno into France, committed
his son to the care of his friend and relation Maurice Cataneo, a person of great ability, who assiduously cultivated
the early disposition of his pupil to polite literature. After
the death of Sanseverino, which happened in three or four
years, Bernardo returned to Italy, and engaged in the service of Guglielmo Gonzaga, duke of Mantua, who had
given him a pressing invitation. It was not long before
Ije received the melancholy news of the decease of his
wife Portia, which determined him to send for his son,
that they might be a mutual support to each other in their
affliction. He was now his only child, for his wife, before
her death, had married his daughter to Martio Sersale, a
gentleman of Sorrento. He was greatly surprised, on his
son’s arrival, to see the vast progress he had made in his
studies. Although but twelve years of age, he had, according to the testimony of the writers of his life, entirely
completed his knowledge in the Latin and Greek tongues:
he was well acquainted with the rules of rhetoric and poetry,
and completely versed in Aristotle’s ethics. Bernardo soon
determined to send him to the university of Padua, to
study the laws, in company with the young Scipio Gonzaga, afterwards cardinal, nearly of the same age as himself. With this nobleman Tasso, then seventeen years of
age, contracted a friendship that never ended but with hi
life. He prosecuted his studies at Padua with great diligence and success: at the same time employ ing his leisure
hours upon philosophy and poetry, he soon gave a public
proof o/ his talents, by his poem of f< Rinaldo,“which he
published in the eighteenth year of his age. This poem,
which is of the romance kind, is divided into twelve books
in ottava rima, and contains the adventures of Rinaldo,
the famous Paladin of the court of Charlemain, who makes
so principal a figure in Ariosto’s work, and the first achievements of that knight for the love of the fair Clarice, whom
he afterwards marries. The action of this poem precedes
that of the
” Orlando Furioso.“It was composed in ten
months, as the author himself informs us in the preface,
and was first printed at Venice in 1562. Paolo Beni speaks
very highly of this performance, which undoubtedly is not
unworthy the early efforts of that genius which afterwards
produced the
” Jerusalem."
Tasso’s father saw with regret the success of his son’s poem: he was apprehensive, and not without reason, that
Tasso’s father saw with regret the success of his son’s
poem: he was apprehensive, and not without reason, that
the charms of poetry would detach him from those more
solid studies-which he judged were most likely to raise him
in the world: and he knew well, by his own experience,
that the greatest skill in poetry will not advance a man’s
private fortune. He was not deceived in his conjecture;
Torquato, insensibly carried away by his predominant passion, followed the examples of Petrarch, Boccace, Ariosto,
and others, who, contrary to the remonstrances of their
friejids, quitted the severer studies of the law for the more
pleasing entertainment of poetical composition. In short,
he entirely gave himslf up to the study of poetry and philosophy. His first poem extended his reputation through
all Italy; but his father was so displeased with his conduct
that he went to Padua o'n purpose to reprimand him. Though
he spoke with great vehemence, and made use of several
harsh expressions, Torquato heard him without interrupting
him, and his composure contributed not a little to increase
his father’s displeasure. (t Tell me,“said Bernardo, lt of what use is that vain philosophy, upon which you pride yourself so much?
” “It has enabled me,
” said Tasso modestly, “to endure the harshness of your reproofs.
” The resolution Tasso had taken to devote himself to the Muses was known all over Italy; the principal persons of the city and college of Bologna invited him thither' by means of Pietro Donato Cesi, then vice-legate, and afterwards legate. But Tasso had not long resided there, when
he was pressed by Scipio Gonzaga, elected prince of the
academy established at Padua, under the name of Etherei,
to return to that city. He could not withstand this solicitation; and Bologna being at that time the scene of civil
commotion, he was the more willing to seek elsewhere for
the repose he loved. He was received with extreme joy
by all the academy, and being incorporated into lhat society, at the age of twenty years, took upon himself the
name of Pentito; by which he seemed to show that he repented of all the time which he had employed in the study
of the law. In this retreat he applied himself afresh to
philosophy and poetry, and soon became a perfect master
of both; it was this happy mixture of his studies that made
him an enemy to all kinds of licentiousness. An oration
was made one day in the academy upon the nature of love;
the orator treated his subject in a very masterly manner,
but with too little regard to decency in the opinion of
Tasso, who, being asked what he thought of the discourse,
replied, “that it was a pleasing poison.
”
ent of which place had been given him by the duke of Mantua, fell sick. As soon as this news reached his son, he immediately went to him, attended him with the most
The second Leonora that was given him for a mistress was the countess of San Vitale, daughter of the count of Sala, who lived at that time at the court of Ferrara, and passed for one of the most accomplished persons in Italy. Those who imagined that Tasso would not presume to lift his eyes to his master’s sister, supposed that he loved this lady. It is certain that he had frequent opportunities of discoursing with her, and that she had frequently been the subject of his verses. The third Leonora was a lady in the service of the princess Leonora of Este. This person was thought by some to be the most proper object of the poet’s gallantry. Tasso, several times, employed his muse in her service: in one of his pieces he confesses that, considering the princess as too high for. his hope, he had fixed his affection upon her, as of a condition more suitable to his own. But if any thing can be justly drawn from this particular, it seems rather to strengthen the opinion, that his desires, at least at one time, had aspired to a greater height. It appears, however, difficult to determine with certainty in relation to Tasso' s passion; especially when we consider the privilege allowed to poets: though M. Mirabuud makes no scruple to mention it as a circumstance almost certain, and fixes it without hesitation on the princess Leonora. Tasso, himself, in several of his poems, seems to endeavour to throw an obscurity over his passion. In the mean while Tasso proceeded with his <c Jerusalem," which he completed in the thirtieth year of his age; but this poem was not published by his own authority; it was printed against his will, as soon as he had finished the last book, and before he had time to give the revisals and corrections that a work of such a nature required. The public had already seen several parts, which had been sent into the world by the authority of his patrons. The success of this work was prodigious: it was translated into the Latin, French, Spanish, and even the oriental languages, almost as soon as it appeared-, and it may be said, that no such performance ever before raised its reputation to such a height in so small a space of time. But the satisfaction which Tasso must have felt, in spite of all his philosophy, at the applause of the public, was soon disturbed by a melancholy event. Bernardo Tasso, who spent his old age in tranquillity at Ostia upon the P<>, the government of which place had been given him by the duke of Mantua, fell sick. As soon as this news reached his son, he immediately went to him, attended him with the most filial regard, and scarce ever stirred from his bedside during the whole time of his illness: but all these cares were ineffectual; Bernardo, oppressed with age, and overcome by the violence of his distemper, paid the unavoidable tribute to nature, to the great affliction of Torqua:o. The duke of Mantua, who had a sincere esteem lor Bernardo, caused him to be interred, with much pomp, in the church of St. Egidius at Mantua, with this simple inscription on his tomb:
lted the prince of Conca, his father, who, though he had a value for Tasso, yet could not approve of his son’s receiving into his house the only person that remained
At last, weary of living in a continual state of dependence, he resolved to retire to Naples, and endeavour to recover his mother’s jointure, which had been seized upon by her relations when he went into exile with his father Bernardo. This appeared the only means to place him in the condition of life he so much desired. He applied to his friends, and having procured favourable, letters to the viceroy, he took leave of the duke of Mantua and repaired to Bergamo, where he stayed some time, and thence went to Naples. While here, dividing his time between his studies and the prosecution of his law-suit, the young count of Palena, by whom he was highly esteemed, persuaded him to take up his residence with him for some time; but in this affair he had not consulted the prince of Conca, his father, who, though he had a value for Tasso, yet could not approve of his son’s receiving into his house the only person that remained of a family once devoted to the prince of Salerno. A contention being likely to ensue, on this account, between the father and son, Tasso, with his usual goodness of disposition, to remove all occasion of dispute, withdrew from Naples, and retired to Bisaccio with his friend Manso, in whose company he lived some time with great tranquillity.
s Harris says, was thought to be puritanically inclined, as perhaps may be surmised from his own and his son’s Christian names, names taken from the Scriptures heing
, a well known Psalmodist, was born
in Dublin in 1652. His father, Dr. Faithful Tate, was also
son to a Dr. Tate, a clergyman, and was born in the county
of Cavan, and educated in the college of Dublin, where
he took the degree of D. D. In 1641, being then minister
of Ballyhays, in that county, he was a great sufferer by the
rebels, against whom he had given some information, and
in his way to Dublin was robbed by a gang, while about
the same time his house at Ballyhays was plundered, and
all his stock, goods, and books, burnt or otherwise destroyed. His wife and children were also so cruelly treated,
that three of the latter died of the severities inflicted upon
them. After this he lived for some time in the college of
Dublin, in the provost’s lodgings. He became then preacher
of East Greenwich, in Kent, and lastly minister of St.
Werburgh’s church, in Dublin. He was esteemed a man
of great piety but, as Harris says, was thought to be
puritanically inclined, as perhaps may be surmised from
his own and his son’s Christian names, names taken from
the Scriptures heing very common with a certain class of the
puritans. He was living in 1672, but the time of his death
we have not been able to fix. Besides two occasional sermons, he published, 1. “The doctrine of the three sacred
persons of the Trinity,
” Lond. Meditations,
” Dublin,
His son, Nahum, at the age of sixteen, was admitted of Dublin college,
His son, Nahum, at the age of sixteen, was admitted of
Dublin college, but does not appear to have followed any
profession. It is observed by Warburton, in the notes to
the Dunciad, that he was a cold writer, of no invention,
but translated tolerably when befriended by Dryden, with
whom he sometimes wrote in conjunction. He succeeded
Shad well as poet-laureat, and continued in that office till
his death, which happened Aug. 12, 1715, in the Mint,
where he then resided as a place of refuge from the debts
which he had contracted, and was buried in St. George’s
church. The earl of Dorset was his patron; but the chief
use he made of him was to screen himself from the persecutions of his creditors. Gildon speaks of him as a man
of great honesty and modesty; but he seems to have been
ill qualified to advance himself in the world, A person
who died in 1763, at the age of ninety, remembered him
well, and said he was remarkable for a down-cast look, and
had seldom much to say for himself. Oidys also describes
him as a free, good-natured, but intemperate companion.
With these qualities it will not appear surprising that he
was poor and despised. He was the author of nine dramatic performances, and a great number of poems; but
is at present better known for his version of the Psalms,
in which he joined with Dr. Brady, than any other of his
works. His miscellaneous poems are enumerated in Gibber’s <c Lives,“and by Jacob, who says Tate’s poem on
the Death of queen Anne, which was one of the last, is
” one of the best poems he ever wrote.“His share in
the
” Second Part of Absalom and Achitophel“is far from
inconsiderable; and may be seen in the English Poets. He
published also
” Memorials for the Learned, collected out
of eminent authors in history,“&c. 1686, 8vo and his
” Proposal for regulating of the Stage and Stage Plays,"
Feb. 6, 1698, is among bishop Gibson’s Mss. in the Lambeth library.
labours of any later critic, as the best we still have of Plautus. After his death was published, by his son, his 2. “Commentarius in Virgiliurn;” which Tanaquil Faber
His works are, 1. “Commentarius in Plautum, Francof.
1605;
” and in Commentarius in Virgiliurn;
” which Tanaquil Faber scruples not, in one of his
letters, to call the best commentary we have upon Virgil;
but this is not the general opinion. 3. “De lingua Latina
dissertatio,
” published by himself at Wittemburg in
sterity of the puritanic character, but was sensible of the power of music; in consequence of which, his son Brook studied that science early, and became a proficient
, a celebrated philosopher and mathematician, was born at Edmonton in Middlesex, Aug.
28, 1685. His grandfather, Nathaniel Taylor, was one of
the Puritans whom Cromwell elected by later, June 14,
1653, to represent the county of Bedford in parliament.
His father, John Taylor, esq. of Bifrons in Kent, is said to
have still retained some of the austerity of the puritanic
character, but was sensible of the power of music; in consequence of which, his son Brook studied that science
early, and became a proficient in it, as he did also in drawing. He studied the classics and mathematics with a private tutor at home, and made so successful a progress, that
at fifteen he was thought to be qualified for the university.
In 1701 he went to St. John’s college, Cambridge, in the
rank of a fellow-commoner, and immediately applied himself with zeal to the study of mathematical science, which
alone could gain distinction there. It was not long before
he became an author in that science, for, in 1708, he wro e
his “Treatise on the Centre of Oscillation,
” though it was
not published till it appeared some years after in the Philosophical Transactions. In 1709, he took the degree of
bachelor of laws; and about the same time commenced a
correspondence with professor Keil, on subjects of the most
abstruse mathematical disquisition. In 1712 he was elected
into the Royal Society, to which in that year he presented
three papers, one, “On the Ascent of Water betwetMi two
Glass Planes.
” 2. “On the Centre of Oscillation.
” 3.
“On the Motion of a stretched String.
” He presented
also, in
shed after his death: and accordingly his “Scheme of Scripture Divinity” was afterwards published by his son. Dr. Taylor deviated very early from the orthodox system,
From his first settling at Warrington as tutor, he spent
all his leisure hours in reviewing his “Concordance,
” collating passages in an alphabetical order, and correcting the
English translation. He had made a considerable advance
in this useful work, when death seized him. Dr. Taylor
somposed, and fairly transcribed, a number of discourses
On moral, critical, and practical subjects, sufficient to
make four volumes in 8vo, which he designed for the press,
and intended to be published after his death: and accordingly his “Scheme of Scripture Divinity
” was afterwards
published by his son. Dr. Taylor deviated very early from
the orthodox system, at first adopting the sentiments of
Dr. Clarke on the subject of the Trinity, but became at last
a Socinian, which Dr. Clarke was not. Gilbert Wakefield
gives a singular character of Dr. Taylor: “The reader,
”
says Wakefield, “who is acquainted with the writings of
this very learned, liberal, and rational divine, cannot fail
to be impressed with sentiments highly favourable to the
gentleness and forbearance of their author: for even the
meekness of Christianity itself is exhibited in his prefaces
and occasional addresses to the reader. But he was, in
reality, a very peevish and angry disputant in conversation,
and dictatorial even to intolerance. So imperfect a judgment may be formed of the mildness or asperity of any
author from the correspondent quality of his writings.
”
But an authority, equally valid with that of Mr. Wakefield,
praises Dr. Taylor’s “agreeable deportment in society, free
from pedantry and superciliousness, and marked by kindness and affability;
” yet Mr. Wakefield’s character of him
is a curious document, as affording a perfect contrast to his
own.
ed at St; Alkmund’s church June 22, 1704. His father followed the humble occupation of a barber, and his son wasdesigned for the same business but a strong passion for
, a learned critic and philologist, was
born at Shrewsbury, and baptised at St; Alkmund’s church
June 22, 1704. His father followed the humble occupation
of a barber, and his son wasdesigned for the same business
but a strong passion for letters, which early displayed itself, being providentially fostered by the generous patronage of a neighbouring gentleman, enabled young Taylor
to fill a far higher station in society than that to which he
was entitled by his birth. The steps which led to this
happy change in his situation are worthy of notice. Taylor, the father, being accustomed to attend Edward Owen,
of Condover, esq. in his capacity of a barber, that gentleman used to inquire occasionally into the state of his
family, for what trade he designed his son, &c. These
inquiries never failed to produce a lamentation from the old
man, of the untoward disposition of his son Jack, “whom,
”
said he, “I cannot get to dress a wig or shave a beard, so
perpetually is he poring over books.
” Such complaints,
often repeated, at length awakened the attention of Mr.
Owen, who determined to send him to the university,
chiefly at his own expence. St. John’s in Cambridge,
which has an intimate connection with the free-school of
Shrewsbury, naturally presented itself as the place of his
academical education; and Mr. Taylor was doubtless assisted by one of the exhibitions founded in the college for
the youth of that school. Under this patronage he pursued
his studies in the university, and regularly took his degrees, that of B. A. in 1727, and of M. A. in 1731, and in
the preceding year was chosen fellow. Thus employed in
his favourite occupations, the periods of his return into his
native country were the only times which threw a transient
clouJ over the happy tenor of his life. On such occasions
he was expected to visit his patron, and to partake of the
noisy scenes of riotous jollity exhibited in the hospitable
mansion of a country gentleman of those days. The gratitude of young Taylor taught him the propriety of making
these sacrifices of his own comfort; but it could not prevent him from sometimes whispering his complaints into
the ears of his intimate friends. A difference of political
opinion afforded a more serious ground of difference. A
great majority of the gentry of Shropshire was at that period strenuous in their good wishes for the abdicated family.
Though educated at Cambridge, Taylor retained his attachment to toryism, but did not adopt all its excesses; and
he at length forfeited the favour of his patron, without the
hopes of reconciliation, hy refusing to drink a Jacobite
toast on his bare knees, as was then the custom. This refusal effectually precluded him from all hopes of sharing in
the great ecclesiastical patronage at that time enjoyed by
the Condover family, and inclined him, perhaps, to abandon the clerical profession for the practice of a civilian.
But however painful to his feelings this quarrel with his
benefactor might prove, he had the consolation to reflect
that it could not now deprive him of the prospect of an easy
competence. His character as a scholar was established in
the university; he was become a fellow and tutor of his
conege; and on the 30th of Jan. 1730, he was appointed
to deliver the Latin oration then annually pronounced in
St. Mary’s before the university on that solemn anniversary;
and at the following commencement he was selected to
speak the music speech, both of which were printed. This
last performance, of which but two instances occur in
the last century, viz. 1714 and 1730, was supposed to
require an equal share of learning and genius: for, besides
a short compliment in Latin to the heads of the university,
the orator was expected to produce a humourous copy of
English verses on the fashionable topics of the day, for the
entertainment of the female part of his audience: and in
the execution of this office (derived like the Terras filius of Oxford, from the coarse festivities of a grosser age) sometimes indulged a licentiousness which surprises one on perusal. The music speech of Mr. Taylor is sufficiently free;
and, though it does some credit to his poetical talents, is
not very civil to his contemporaries of Oxford, (whom he openly taxes with retaining their fellowships and wives at the expence of their oaths) or to the members of Trinity
college, in his own university, whom he ironically represents as the only members of Cambridge who could wipe off
the stigma of impoliteness imputed to them by the sister
university. This speech was printed by his young friend
and fellow collegian Mr. Bowyer, and the publication concludes with an ode designed to have been set to music.
These were not the only effusions of Mr. Taylor’s muse,
for in the Gent. Mag. 1779, p. 365, are some verses by him
on the marriage of Lady Margaret Harley to the duke of
Portland, and others reprinted by Mr. Nichols.
gress in the treaty, which, owing to various ircumstances, was then at a stand; and, the year after, his son was sent over with letters from the lord treasurer, to order
In July 1676, he removed his family to Nimeguen, where he passed that year without making any progress in the treaty, which, owing to various ircumstances, was then at a stand; and, the year after, his son was sent over with letters from the lord treasurer, to order him to return and succeed Mr. Coventry in his place of secretary of state, which the latter made some difficulty of resigning, unless he had leave to name his successor, which the king refused. Sir William Temple, who was not ambitious of the change at this time, requested his majesty would defer it until all parties were agreed, and the treaty he was then concerned in concluded. This business, however, required his presence in England, and he did not return to Nimeguen that year. About the same time the prince of Orange came over and married the lady Mary, which seems to have occasioned a coolness between sir William Temple and lord Arlington, the latter being offended at sir William’s intimacy with the lord treasurer Osborn, who was related to lady Temple, they two being the only persons intrusted with the affair of the marriage.
ark growing unsafe by lying in. the way of both armies, he went back to the house he had given up to his son at Sheen, whom he would not permit to go and meet the prince
At the time of this revolution in 1688, Moor Park growing unsafe by lying in. the way of both armies, he went back to the house he had given up to his son at Sheen, whom he would not permit to go and meet the prince of Orange at his landing, as this might appear a breach of his engagement, never to join in any measure that seemed to divide the royal family. After king James’s abdication, and the prince’s arrival ut Windsor, however, sir William Temple went to wait upon his highness, along with his son. On this occasion the prince pressed him to enter into his service, and to be secretary of state; said, it was in kindness to him that he had not been acquainted with his design; came to him two or three times at Sheen, and several of his friends made him very uneasy, in urging how much the prince. (who was his friend), his country, and his religion, must suffer by his obstinate refusal to engage in their defence; add ing, that his conduct would give the world an unfavourable opinion of this great undertaking, and make them mistrust some bad design at the bottom, which a man of his truth and honour did not care to be concerned in. Sir William, however, continued unshaken in his resolutions, although very sensible of the trouble and uneasiness the prince and all his friends expressed; and was the more anxious to return to his retirement at Moor Park, about the end of 1689, that he might be less exposed to similar solicitations.
it is believed, with his consent; though it is pretended that they were written only for the use of his son, and sent into the world without his knowledge. The third
Sir William Temple was not only a very able statesman
and negotiator, but also a polite and elegant writer. As
many of his works have been published, at different times,
as amount to two volumes in folio; which have also been
printed more than once in octavo. His “Observations
upon the United Provinces of the Netherlands,
” were
published in one volume, 8vo, in Miscellanea,
” consisting of ten tracts upon different subjects, were
originally published in two volumes, 8vo. One of these
tracts is upon ancient and modern learning; and what he
advanced there, as it in some measure gave occasion to, so
it involved him in, the controversy, which was soon after
agitated here in England, concerning the superiority of
the ancients and the moderns, His “Memoirs
” also, of
what had passed in his public employments, especially those
abroad, make a very interesting part of his works. They
were written in three parts; the first of which began with
his journey to Munster, contained chiefly his negotiations
of the triple alliance, and ended with his first retirement
from public business, in 1671, a little before the second
Dutch war. He began the second part with the approaches
of the peace between England and Holland, in 1673, and
concluded it with his being recalled from Holland in February 1678-9, after the conclusion of that of Nimeguen.
The third part contains what passed from this peace to sir
William’s retirement. The second part of these “Memoirs
” was published in his life-time, and, it is believed,
with his consent; though it is pretended that they were
written only for the use of his son, and sent into the world
without his knowledge. The third part was published by
Swift, in 1709, many years after his death. The first
part was never published at all; and Swift, in the preface
to the third, tells us, that “Sir William often assured
him he had burnt those Memoirs; and for that reason was
content his letters during his embassies at the Hague and
Aix-la-Chapelle (he might have added Minister) should
be printed after his death, to supply that loss. What it
was,
” continues Swift, “that moved sir William Temple
to burn those first Memoirs, may, perhaps, be conjectured
from some passages in the second part formerly printed.
In one place the author has these words: ‘ My lord Arlington, who made so great a figure in the former part of
these Memoirs, was now grown out of all credit,’ &c. In
other parts he tells us, ‘ That that lord was of the ministry
which broke the triple-alliance, advised the Dutch war and
French alliance; and, in short, was at the bottom of all
those ruinous measures which the court of England was
then taking; so that, as I have been told from a good
hand, and as it seems very probable, he could not think
that lord a person fit to be celebrated for his part in forwarding that famous league, while he was secretary of
state, who had made such counterpaces to destroy it.’
”
s apprehends that he was rector of Topcroft in Norfolk in 1646, and by Le Neve we find that in 1712, his son, the subject of the present article, at the expeuce of 340l.
, a learned and worthy prelate, the son of the rev. John Tenison, B. D. by Mary, daughter of Thomas Dowson of Cottenham in Cambridgeshire, was born at that place Sept. 29, 1636. His father was rector of Mundesley in Norfolk, whence he was ejected for his adherence to Charles I. At the restoration, according to Dr. Ken.net, he became rector of Bracon-Ash, and died there in 1671, but Mr. Masters apprehends that he was rector of Topcroft in Norfolk in 1646, and by Le Neve we find that in 1712, his son, the subject of the present article, at the expeuce of 340l. rebuilt the chancel of Topcroft church, where his father and mother are buried.
ngworth in Huntingdonshire, by Edward, earl of Manchester. This nobleman had before that time placed his son Thomas under his tuition in the college, and afterwards
In this last mentioned year, 1667, he proceeded B. D.
He had for some time served his father’s cure at Braconashe, and quitted St. Andrew’s in Cambridge on being presented to the rectory of Holy well and Nedingworth in Huntingdonshire, by Edward, earl of Manchester. This nobleman had before that time placed his son Thomas under his
tuition in the college, and afterwards appointed him his
chaplain, in which relation he was likewise continued by
his successor, earl Robert. About the same time he married Anne, daughter of Dr. Richard Love, some time master of Bene't college. In 1670 his first publication appeared, under the title of “The creed of Mr. Hobbes examined, in a feigned conference between him and a student in divinity,
” 8vo. This, which is said to have been
published to obviate an absurd calumny, that he was a favourer of Hobbes, affords a very excellent refutation of
that author’s principles.
te a most elegant poem in various measures, “De literis, syllabis, pedibus, et metris,” addressed to his son Bassinus, and his son-in-law Novatemus, which gives a truly
, was a Latin poet and grammarian, whose age is not exactly known, unless he was the
Posthumus Terentianus to whom Longinus dedicated his
admirable treatise on the sublime, and whom Martial celebrates as praefect of Syene, in Egypt. Both these things
are uncertain, but both have been affirmed by Vosius,
and others. Some have also called him a Carthaginian;
that he was a Moor, he himself tells us, and thence he is
called Maurus. Certain it is, that he was earlier than St.
Augustin, who quotes him, Da Civ. Dei, vi. 2. He wrote
a most elegant poem in various measures, “De literis, syllabis, pedibus, et metris,
” addressed to his son Bassinus,
and his son-in-law Novatemus, which gives a truly pleasing
impression of his genius, and admirably exemplifies the
precepts it delivers. This poem is still extant, having
been found in a monastery at Bobbio, in the Milanese, by
G. Merula. It was first published by him at Milan, with
Ausonius, in 1497; afterwards by Janus Parrhasius, and
Nic. Brissaeus; then by Jacobus Micyllus, at Francfort,
1584, in 8vo. It appeared also in the “Grammatici veteres,
” of Putschius, published at Hanau, in Corpus omnium veterum Poetarum Romanorum,
” Geneva,
His son Marguerite-Louis-Francis Duport Dutertre, was one of the
His son Marguerite-Louis-Francis Duport Dutertre, was one of the moderate revolutionists in 1789, and suffered under the guillotine in 1793, when moderation became a crime.
a, and flourished in the fourth century His father, Eugenius, was a man of noble birth, and educated his son under his own care. After teaching philosophy twenty years
, an ancient Gretik orator and philosopher, whose eloquence procured him the name of
Euphrades, was of Paphlagonia, and flourished in the fourth
century His father, Eugenius, was a man of noble birth,
and educated his son under his own care. After teaching
philosophy twenty years at Constantinople, and acquiring a great reputation, he went to Rome, where the
emperor offered any conditions if he would fix himself in
that city; but he returned soon, and settled at Constantinople, where he married, and had children. Themistius
was a peripatetic, and tells us in one of his orations that he
had chosen Aristotle for the arbiter of his opinions, and
the guide of his life; yet he was not so bigotted to this
master, but that he was well versed in Plato, and was particularly studious of the diction and manner of this philosopher, as appears from his works. He had a great opinion
of the necessity of sacrificing to the graces; and he says
in another oration, “I often converse with the divine Plato, I live with Aristotle, and I am very unwillingly separated from Homer.
”
de him again prefect of Constantinople in the year 384; and, when he was going into the west, placed his son Arcadius with him as a pupil. He lived to a great age; but
He had great interest with several succeeding emperors.
Constantius elected him into the senate in the year 355,
ordered a brazen statue to be erected to him in 361, and
pronounced his philosophy “the ornament of his reign.
”
Julian made him prefect of Constantinople in the year 362,
and wrote letters to him, some of which are still extant.
Jovian, Valens, Valentinian, and Gratian, shewed him many
marks of esteem and affection, and heard him with pleasure haranguing upon the most important subjects. Valens
in particular, who was inclined to favour the Arians, suffered himself to be diverted byThemistius from persecuting
the orthodox; who represented to him the little reason,
there was to be surprised at a diversity of opinions among
the Christians, when that was nothing in comparison of the
differences among the heathens; and that such differences
ought never to terminate in sanguinary measures; and by
such arguments he is said to have procured universal toleration. Though himself a confirmed heathen, he maintained
correspondences and friendship with Christians, and particularly with Gregory of Nazianzen, who, in a letter to
him, still extant, calls him “the king of language and
composition.
” Lastly, the emperor Theodosius made him
again prefect of Constantinople in the year 384; and,
when he was going into the west, placed his son Arcadius with him as a pupil. He lived to a great age; but
the precise time of his death is not recorded. He has
Sometimes been confounded with another Themistius, who
was much younger than he, a deacon of Alexandria, and
the founder of a sect among Christians.
his daughter Elizabeth, who married Mr. Jonathan Andrews, of Barnes-hall near Worcester, and one by his son John, who was the Worcestershire antiquary, of whom we shall
His whole estate amounted to but 800l. He left behind him two sons, John and William; and five grand-children, four by his daughter Elizabeth, who married Mr. Jonathan Andrews, of Barnes-hall near Worcester, and one by his son John, who was the Worcestershire antiquary, of whom we shall presently speak.
athedral church of Rochester, &c. by John Thorpe, late of Rochester, M. D, F. R. S. and published by his son John Thorpe, esq. A. M. F. S. A.” Lond. 1769, fol. Pursuing
, son of the preceding, and also an
antiquary, was born in 1714, and educated at Ludsdown in
Kent, whence he removed to University-college, Oxford,
where he took his masters degree iii 1738, and had an intention to have studied physic, but was diverted from the
pursuit, and seems to have devoted his Life to the study of
antiquities. He was elected F. S. A. in 1755, and published from his father’s Mss. and indeed what his father
had in a great measure prepared, the “Registrum Roffense,
or a collection of ancient records, &c. necessary for illustrating the ecclesiastical history and antiquities of the
diocese and cathedral church of Rochester, &c. by John
Thorpe, late of Rochester, M. D, F. R. S. and published
by his son John Thorpe, esq. A. M. F. S. A.
” Lond. Custumale Koffense, from
the original Mss. in the archives of the dean and chapter
of Rochester.
”
ures; but so zealously attached to the system of Calvin, as not to be moderated by the reasonings of his son, whom he lived to see dean of Canterbury. He gave his son,
, archbishop of Canterbury, wag descended of a family anciently of the name of Tilston, of Tilston in Cheshire, and born at Sowerby in Yorkshire, in Oct. 1630. His father, Mr. Robert Tillotson, wasaconsiderable clothier there, a man of good understanding, and uncommon knowledge of the Scriptures; but so zealously attached to the system of Calvin, as not to be moderated by the reasonings of his son, whom he lived to see dean of Canterbury. He gave his son, however, a liberal education, vv, o,;fu-r passing through a school, was sent in 1647 to Onn. bridge, being then seventeen; and admitted a penftiooer oi C'are-hall. He took his bachelor of arts degree in 1650, and his master’s in 1654, having been chosen fellow of his college in 1651.
llege, and went upon invitation to Edmund Prideaux, esq. of Ford-abbey in Devonshire, to be tutor to his son. Prideaux had been commissioner of the great seal under
In 1656, Tillotson left his college, and went upon invitation to Edmund Prideaux, esq. of Ford-abbey in Devonshire, to be tutor to his son. Prideaux had been commissioner of the great seal under the long parliament, and was
then attorney-general to the protector Cromwell. How
long he continued in this Station does not appear;, but he
was in London at the time of Cromwell’s death, Sept. 3,
1658; and was present about a week after at a very remarkable scene in Whitehall palace, which we have already
related from Burnet in our account of Dr. Owen. The
time of his going into orders, and by whom he was ordained, are particulars not known. Some have supposed,
that he was curate to Dr. Wilkins at St. Lawrence Jewry,
before the restoration; but Wilkins was not admitted to
that vicarage till 1662. The first sermon of his that appeared in print was in Sept. 1661: it was preached at the
morning exercise at Cripplegate, on “Matth. vii. 12.
” and
published among a collection with that title, but not admitted among his works till the edition of 1752. At the
time of preaching this sermon he was still among the Presbyterians, whose commissioners he attended, thou. h as an
auditor only, at the conference held at the Savoy for the
review of the Liturgy, in July 1661 but he immediately
submitted to the act of uniformity, which commenced on
St. Bartholomew’s-day the year following. Upon thus
becoming a preacher in the church, he was very little
disposed to follow the patterns then set him, or indeed of
former times; and therefore formed one to himself, which
was long esteemed as a model. He certainly began his
course of divinity with the true foundation of it, an exact
study of the Scriptures, on which he spent four or five
years. He then applied himself to the reading ol all the
ancient philosophers and writers upon ethics, and among
the fathers chiefly St. Basil and St. Chry*.ostom, with Episcopius among the moderns, whom he made the pattern
both of his principles and eloquence. With these preparations, he set himself to compose the greatest variety of
sermons that any divine had yet undertaken.
Dominico, his son, gave great hopes in his youth, that he would one day render
Dominico, his son, gave great hopes in his youth, that he would one day render the name of Tintoretto yet more illustrious than his father had made it; but, neglecting to cultivate by study the talent which nature had given him, he fell short of what was expected from him. 4 He was more considerable for portraits than historical compositions; and died in 1637, aged seventy-five.
gn was not to pay him the value of his pictures, because they were above any price.” He painted also his son Philip II. Soliman emperor of the Turks, two popes, three
In design Titian had a style, and in composition and
expression occasionally excelled, though on the whole
they were little more for him than vehicles of colour. That
he possessed the theory of the human frame, needs not to
be proved from the doubtful designs which he is said to
hare furnished for the anatomical work of Vesalio; that he
had familiarised himself with the line of Michael Angelo,
and burned with ambition to emulate it, is less evident
from adopting some of his attitudes in the pictures of
“Pietro Martire,
” and the battle of Ghiaradadda, than
from the elemental conceptions, the colossal style, and
daring foreshortenings, which astonish on the cieling of the
Salute. In general, however, his male forms have less selection than sanguine health; often too fleshy for character,
Jess elastic than muscular, and vigorous without grandeur.
His females are the fair, dimpled, Venetian race, soft
without delicacy, too full for elegance, for action too plump.
Titian was abundantly honoured in his life-time. He
made three several portraits of the emperor Charles V.
who honoured him with knighthood, created him count
palatine, made all his descendants gentlemen, and assigned
him a considerable pension out of the chamber at Naples.
The respect of Charles V. for Titian was as great as that
of Francis I. for Leonardo da Vinci; and many particulars
of it are recorded. It is said, that the emperor one day
took up a pencil, which fell from the hand of this artist,
who was then drawing his picture; and that, upon the
compliment which Titian made him on this occasion, he
replied, “Titian has merited to be served by Caesar.
” And
when some lords of the emperor’s court, not being able to
conceal their jealousy of the preference he gave of Titian’s
person and conversation to that of all his other courtiers,
the emperor freely told them, “that he could never want
courtiers, but could not have Titian always with him.
”
Accordingly, he heaped riches on him; and whenever he
sent him money, which was usually a large sum, it was
with the compliment, that “his design was not to pay him
the value of his pictures, because they were above any
price.
” He painted also his son Philip II. Soliman emperor of the Turks, two popes, three kings, two empresses,
several queens, and almost all the princes of Italy, together with the famous Ariosto and Peter Aretine, who were,
his intimate friends. Nay, so great was the name and reputation of Titian, that there was hardly a person of any
eminence then living in Europe, from whom he did not receive some particular mark of esteem: and his house at
Venice was the constant rendezvous of all the virtuosi and
people of the best quality. That he had his weaknesses,
we have already noticed in our account of Tintoretto. He
was so happy in the constitution of his body, that he had
never been sick till 1576 and then he died of the plague,
at the extraordinary age of ninety-nine. It has been remarked that we have many instances of the longevity of
painters. Ninety is an extraordinary age for any man, but
Spinello lived beyond it. Carlo Cignani died at ninetyone; Titian at the same age; M. Ang. Buonarotti at
ninety; Leonardo da Vinci at seventy-five; Calabrese at
eighty-six; Claude Lorraine at eighty-two; Carlo Maratti
at eighty-eight, and prodigious numbers of eminent painters from sixty upwards.
ducation at Westminster- school, where he was much befriended by bishop Atterbury, who chose him for his son’s tutor, in which capacity he resided in the bishop’s family
, a polite scholar, was born in 1700,
and received his education at Westminster- school, where
he was much befriended by bishop Atterbury, who chose
him for his son’s tutor, in which capacity he resided in the
bishop’s family about the time of the supposed plot in
1722. From Westminster Mr. Titley went off to Trinitycollege, Cambridge, in 1719, in which he for many years
held the lay-fellowship founded for a civilian. He was
early in life sent envoy extraordinary to the court of Copenhagen, where he died Feb. 1768, after a long residence,
very highly esteemed on account of his many amiable
qualilies. Of his productions as an author, which were rather
little elegant trifles than elaborate performances, a good
specimen may be seen in his celebrated “Imitation of
Horace,*' book IV. Ode 2. And some of his Latin \erses
are in the
” Reliquiae. Galeanae.“He bequeathed iOOo/.
to Westminster-school, Iooo/. to Trinity-college, Cambridge, and Iooo/. to the university of Cambridge, part of
which was to be applied to the public buildings. This sum
in 1768, when sir James Marriot, master of Trinity-hall,
was vice-chancellor, was voted to erect a music-room, of
which a plan was engraved to solicit a further aid from contributions, but failed of success. It would have given us
pleasure to have given more particular memoirs of this ingenious gentleman, of whom so little has yet been said.
Bishop Newton characterises him, among his contemporaries at Westminster, as
” a very ingenious young man,
at first secretary to the embassy at Turin, afterwards for
many years his majesty’s envoy to the court of Denmark.
During the time that he was a king’s scholar, he lived with
bishop Atterbury as tutor to his son, and his taste and learning were much improved by the bishop’s conversation.
His plan of life, as laid down by himself, was, to prosecute his studies at Cambridge till he should be thirty,
from thirty to sixty to be employed in public business, at
sixty to retire and return to college, for which purpose he
would keep his fellowship. This plan he nearly pursued;
he kept his fellowship; he resigned his public employment; but, instead of returning to college, where in a
great measure there was a new society, and few or none
were left of* his own age and standing, he remained at
Copenhagen, where, by his long residence, he was in a
manner naturalized, and there lived and died, greatly respected and lamented by all ranks of people."
e front of a house at Lyons, in the rue Raisin, where his printing-office stood. He was succeeded by his son, John, who was also king’s printer, and carried on the business
, the first of a family of eminent
printers and booksellers, called in French Detournes, was
born at Lyons in 1504, and learned printing first in the
house of Sebastian Gryphius. He appears to have established another house about 1540, and printed many books
in the name and on account of Gryphius; but from 1544
we find his own name to a number of very correct editions.
Among others may be mentioned, an edition of “Petrarch,
”
in Italian, Dante,
” Les Marguerites des Marguerites de la reine de Navarre,
”
Vitruviu$,
” with Philander' s commentary
and woodcuts finely executed, 1552, 8vo and “Froissart’s Chronicles,
” Quod tibi
fieri non vis, alteri ne faceris.
” This device is still to be
seen on the front of a house at Lyons, in the rue Raisin,
where his printing-office stood. He was succeeded by his
son, John, who was also king’s printer, and carried on the
business until 1585. His editions did not yield in elegance
or correctness to those of his father, but being obliged at
the date above-mentioned to quit his country, upon account of his religion, for he was a protestant, he settled at
Geneva, where he had every encouragement, and in 1604
became a member of the council of two hundred. Like
the Geneva printers, however, he deteriorated what he
printed here by employing bad paper. He died in 1615.
His descendants continued the printing and bookselling
business at Geneva, and had established a very extensive
trade, when in 1726, John James, and James Detournes
purchased the stock of Anisson and Posnel, famous booksellers of Lyons, and obtained permission, notwithstanding
their religion, to settle there; and as they also continued
their house at Geneva, they greatly extended their trade,
particularly to Spain and Italy. In 1740 the learned John
Christian Wolff dedicated to them his “Monumenta Typographica,
” as to the oldest printing and bookselling family in Europe. Their trade, which consisted chiefly in
theological works, having begun to fall off when the Jesuits
were suppressed, their sons, who had a plentiful fortune,
sold off the whole of their stock in 1730, and retired from
a business which had been carried on in their family with
great reputation for nearly two hundred and forty years.
ith equal ability and zeal. On the death of that prince, however, in 1576, he experienced a reverse, his son Louis being a Lutheran, and unwilling to retain Toussain,
While Tossanus was here, he was frequently exposed to the greatest dangers during the war which broke out between the catholics and protestants, Orleans being besieged, and being full of adherents to the duke of Guise and his party. But by various means, although much persecuted, he escaped all, and finally reached Heidelberg, whither he had been invited by the pious Frederick III. elector palatine; and was so well received by that prince and by all descriptions of people, as soon to be able to forget his many dangers and sufferings. The prince afterwards employed him in visiting the reformed churches in his dominions, and in composing some differences of opinion among them, which he is said to have performed with equal ability and zeal. On the death of that prince, however, in 1576, he experienced a reverse, his son Louis being a Lutheran, and unwilling to retain Toussain, who was a Calvinist, in his service. His brother prince Casimir, who was of his father’s persuasion, then invited Toussain to Newstadt, made him superintendant of the churches there, and on the death of Ursinus, professor of divinity. He also officiated in the church of St. Lambert, composed of refugees; and preached to them in French, and by the prince’s desire, joined Zanchius and Ursinus in the publication of various works in support of the reformation. In 1578 he presided at a synod which prince Casimir had assembled for the purpose of establishing conformity in doctrine and discipline, and of assisting the exiles of the palatinate. With this prince Toussain became so great a favourite, that his highness took no steps in ecclesiastical matters without consulting him, and such was the general report of his character, that foreign princes or ambassadors who visited the court at Newstadt, made it a point to pay their respects to Toussain. On the death of the elector Louis IV. in 1583, prince Casimir, his brother, had the charge of his infant son and successor Frederick IV. On this he removed to Heidelberg, in order to take the regency into his own hands, and employed Toussain in promoting the reformed religion. In this, however, he was much obstructed by the violence of the Lutheran party; and the prince, after in vain endeavouring by conferences to allay the fervour of their zeal, was under the necessity of dismissing the most turbulent from their situations in the church or university. This was no more than had been done by the late elector without any ceremony: but the prince regent in the present case took every pains to show that it was a matter of necessity with him, all other means of pacification having failed.
His son Paul, also a divine of much learning and reputation in his
His son Paul, also a divine of much learning and reputation in his time, published a life of his father, “Vita et
obitus Danielis Tossani,
” &c. Heidelberg, Apologia pro suis notis Biblicis, &c.
” Lexicon Concordantiale Biblicum, &c.
” of which there have been
several editions, the last at Francfort in 1687, folio. He died
in 1629. His father’s works, in German and Latin, amountto many volumes 4to and folio, principally commentaries
on various parts of the Bible, and defences of particular
doctrines of the reformed church. A list may be seen in
any of our authorities.
k, March 31, 1737, where his father was a dealer in second-hand books, the easy access to which gave his son a taste for reading, and enabled him at an early period
, a political and miscellaneous writer, was born in Southwark, March 31, 1737, where his father was a dealer in second-hand books, the easy access to which gave his son a taste for reading, and enabled him at an early period of life to accumulate a fund of useful knowledge. He appears to have had no regular education, for when scarcely twelve years old, he was placed, as an errand boy, in the shop of a stationer under the Royal Exchange. With him he remained some years, until in 3754, he was bound apprentice to Mr. Robert Goadby, printer at Sherborne in Dorsetshire. During his first years here, he applied at his leisure hours to the Latin and Greek languages, and acquired a competent knowledge of both, and by carefully perusing the best books in other branches of learning, he very successfully supplied the want of a regular education, although he never could be reckoned a profound scholar in any pursuit.
His son, Robert, the subject of this memoir, was born at Ely in
His son, Robert, the subject of this memoir, was born
at Ely in May 1642. After the usual course of education
at home, he was sent to the university of Edinburgh, where
he recommended himself to the several professors by his
capacity and diligent application to his studies. Having
determined to devote himself to the church, he pursued
the study of divinity with great ardour for several years.
Partaking with his father in zeal for the principles and
discipline of the presbyterian church, he became a sufferer
in its cause, unusual severity being exercised against those
who would not accede to the introduction of episcopacy.
In 1666 he was obliged to secrete himself, together with
his mother and elder brother, because some copies of a
book entitled “An apologetic Relation,
” &c. which the
privy council had ordered to be publicly burnt, were found
in Mrs. Traill’s house; and in the following year, being
suspected as having been one of those who took up arms
and resisted the king’s forces, or of being a favourer of
their cause, a proclamation was issued for apprehending
him. This obliged him to join his father in Holland, where
he resumed his divinity studies, and assisted Nethenus,
professor of divinity at Utrecht, in the republication of
Rutherford’s “Examination of Arminianism.
” In the preface to his edition of that book, Nethenus speaks of Mr.
Robert Traill as a pious, prudent, learned, and industrious
young man.
bable that he had returned to Scotland before that event, as all his descendants were settled there. His son, Robert, was minister of Panbride, in the county of Angus,
Mr. Traill lived to see the revolution established, and to rejoice in the settlement of the protestant succession in the illustrious house of Hanover. He died in May 1716, aged seventy-four. His works, principally sermons, which have long been popular, particularly in Scotland, were printed for many years separately, but in 1776 were published together at Glasgow in 3 vols. 8vo. In 1810a more complete edition appeared at Edinburgh in 4 vols. 8vo, with a life prefixed, of which we have partly availed ourselves. It is not mentioned in any account we have seen, where Mr. Traill died, but it is probable that he had returned to Scotland before that event, as all his descendants were settled there. His son, Robert, was minister of Panbride, in the county of Angus, and was the father of Dr. James Traill, who, conforming to the English church, was presented to the living of West Ham, Essex, in 1762. He accompanied the earl of Hertford as chaplain to that nobleman when ambassador in France, and was afterwards his chaplain when he became lord lieutenant of Ireland. In 1765 he was appointed bishop of Down and Connor, and died in Dublin in 1783.
s buried Sept. 24, 1698, with a Latin inscription, immediately over his grave, in the North chancel. His son, the subject of the present account, was born, probably
Our author’s father, the rev. Joseph Trapp, rector of Cherrington in Gloucestershire, was a master of arts, and had formerly been student of Christ-church, Oxford, and was inducted into Cherrington in 1662, where he was buried Sept. 24, 1698, with a Latin inscription, immediately over his grave, in the North chancel. His son, the subject of the present account, was born, probably in November, as he was baptised on the sixteenth of that month, 1679. After some education at home under his father, he was removed to the care of the master of New-collegeschool, Oxford, and became so good a scholar, that in 1695, at sixteen years of age, he was entered a commoner of Wadham-college, and, in 1696, was admitted a scholar of the same house. In 1702, he proceeded master of arts, and in 1704, was chosen a fellow. In 1708, he was appointed the first professor of poetry, on the foundation of Dr. Birkhead, sometime fellow of All-Souls-college, and continued in the same for ten years, the period allotted by the founder. In 1709-10, he acted as a manager for Dr. Sacheverell on his memorable trial; and in 1711, was appointed chaplain to sir Constantine Phipps, lord chancellor of Ireland, and one of the lords justices of that kingdom.
ommunion, against whom he stood foremost in controversy, and that with some acrimony. When, in 1742, his son was at Rome, he was asked by one of the cardinals, whether
He was so much addicted to books, that it was the late
bishop Pearce’s opinion that he studied harder than any
man in England. In consequence of this he was liable to
absence of mind, as it is called, and frequently ordinary
matters and occurrences passed unheeded before him.
When at college, according to the imperfect account of
him in the Supplement to the “Biographia Britannica,
” he
was somewhat dissipated, and was led to pursuits not becoming his intended profession. When he applied to Dr,
Robinson, bishop of London, for orders, that prelate censured him, with much warmth, for having written a play
(“Abramule
”); but, after taking on him the sacred profession, he was uniform in a conduct which did credit to
it. And his consistency in this respect for a series of years,
during the most turbulent times, both in church and state,
procured him the greatest honours and respect from persons of the first order and character. The university of
Oxford, who confers her honours only by the test of merit,
and the rules of propriety, could not express her opinion
of his merit more significantly than by presenting him with
a doctor of divinity’s degree, by diploma, in full convocation. When he preached his assize sermon at Oxford,
1739, it was observed, that the late rev. Dr. Theophilus
Leigh, master of Baliol-college, and then vice-chancellor
of Oxford, stood up all the time of his preaching, to manifest his high sense of so respectable a character. Nor
was he regarded only by those of his own church and country, for he was much esteemed by foreigners, and even by
those of the Romish communion, against whom he stood
foremost in controversy, and that with some acrimony.
When, in 1742, his son was at Rome, he was asked by
one of the cardinals, whether he was related to the great
Dr. Trapp, and the cardinal being informed that he was
his son, he immediately requested, that on his return to
England, he would not fail to make his particular respects
to the doctor.
47 21. “Continuation of Explanatory Notes on the Four Gospels,” finished and published by Mr. Trapp, his son, 1752 22. “Sermons on Moral and Practical subjects,” 2 vols.
As his numerous publications form a sort of diary of his
employments, we shall give a chronological list of them,
which seems to have been drawn up with great care,
omitting only some of his occasional sermons, as we believe they were afterwards collected. His earliest production was, 1. “Fraus nummi Anglicani,
” in the “Musae
Anglicanse,
” A poem on Badminton -house,
Gloucestershire.
” Verses on the death of the
duke of Gloucester,
” Oxon. On the deaths of
king William, prince George, and queen Anne,
” Verses on baron Spanheim,
” Miscellany
verses,
” in vol. VI. of Dry den’s Miscellany, 1709; 7.
“Odes on the Oxford Act,
” Preservative
against unsettled notions,
” vol. I. Sermon
” against bishop Hoadly, from
John xviii. 36, 1717; 10. “Virgil translated into blank
verse,
” Prelectiones Poeticae,
1718, 3 vols. 8vo 12.
” Treatise on Popery truly stated
and briefly confuted,“1727; 13.
” Answer to England’s
conversion,“1727; 14.
” Sermons on Righteousness overmuch, four in one,“Ecclesiastes vii. 16, ‘Be not righteous
over-much, neither m.-.’ke thyself over-wise; why shouldst
thou destroy thyself;' 15.
” Sermon at Oxford Assizes,“‘ But it is good to be zealously affected always. in a good
thing,’ 1739; 16.
” Answer to the Seven Pamphlets against
the said Sermon,“1740; 17.
” Reply to Mr. Law’s answer
to Righteousness over-much,“1740; 18.
” Miltoni Paradisus Amissus, 2 vols.; 19. “Concio ad Clerum Londinensem Sion Coll. Matt. x. Coram. 16,
” Sermons,
No. III. from Matt. xvi. 22, 23, ‘Now all this was done,’
&c. Malachi iii. 1, ‘ Behold I will send my messenger/
&c. and from Matt. xvi. 27, 28, * For the Son of Man shall
come in the glory of the Father,’ &c. prefixed to Explanatory Notes on the first of the Four Gospels,
” 1747 21.
“Continuation of Explanatory Notes on the Four Gospels,
” finished and published by Mr. Trapp, his son, Sermons on Moral and Practical subjects,
” 2 vols.
8vo, published by Mr. Trapp, and printed at Reading, in
1752, His Sermons at Lady Moyer’s Lecture were published in 1731, 8vo. Besides the above he published, without his name, 23. “A Prologue to the University of Oxford,
” Abramule,
” a Tragedy, An
ordinary Journey no Progress,
” in defence of Dr. Sacheverell, The true genuine Whig and Tory Address,
” in answer to a Libel of Dr. B. Hoadly, in Vol. I. Nos. 8, 9, 26, 33, 45, 46, 48, 50,
1711; Vol. II. Nos. 6, 12, 26, 27, 37,45, 5O, 1712; Vol.
III. Nos. 1, 2, 5, 13, 20, 21, 26, 29, 34, 1713; 28. The
Age of Riddles,
” 1710; 29. “Character and principles of
the present set of Whigs,
” Most Faults^on one
Side,
” against a sly Whig pamphlet, entitled, * Faults on
both Sides,' 1710; 31. “Verses on Garth’s Verses to Godolphin,
” Votes without Doors, occasioned by
Votes within Doors,
” Preface to an Answer to
Priestcraft,
” Verses on Harley’s being stabbed
by Guiscard,
” Poem to the duke of Ormond,
”
Character of a certain Whig,
” Her
Majesty’s prerogative in Ireland,
” Peace,
” a
poem, A short answer to the bishop of Bangor’s great book against the Committee,
” The
Case of the Rector of St. Andrew, Holborn,
” Several Pieces in the Grub-street Journal,
” viz. upon
Impudence, upon Henley’s Grammars, Answering, and not
answering, Books, 1726; 42. “On Budgel’s Philosopher’s
Prayer,
” Prologue and Epilogue for Mr.Hemmings’s Scholars at Thistleworth,
” Grubstreet verses, Bowman,
” Anacreon translated
into Elegiacs,
” Four last Things,
” a poem,
Bribery and Perjury;
” 48. “Letter about the
Quakers Tithe Bill,
”
, and his country living at Harlington, together with his manuscript papers, devolved, in course, to his son, Mr. Trapp, who dying, the books, now much increased by
Dr. Trapp’s library, consisting of his own original collection and Dr. Sacheverell’s added, at his town house in Warwick-lane, and his country living at Harlington, together with his manuscript papers, devolved, in course, to his son, Mr. Trapp, who dying, the books, now much increased by Mr. Trapp’s elegant collection of classic authors, valuable prints, and medals, were sold altogether to Lowndes of London, and from him the library passed to Gov. Palk. The manuscripts were excepied for Mr. Awbery, at whose death they passed into the possession of some friend, common to Messrs. Trapp and Awbery.
signed the office of recorder. This learned and upright lawyer died in March 1701-2, aged fifty-six. His son and grandson, of the same names, represented Plympton and
, a learned judge, was born, as Wood
thinks, at or near Plympton in Devonshire in 1644, and was
admitted a commoner of Exeter college, Oxford, in 1660.
After studying some time here, he left college without
taking a degree, as, we have repeatedly had occasion te
observe, was usual with young gentlemen intended for the
law; and went to the Inner Temple. After being admitted
to the bar, he had much practice, and was accounted a
good common lawyer. In 1678 and 1679, he sat in parliament as representative for Plympton, and in the lastmentioned year was appointed chairman of the committee
of secrecy for the investigation of the popish plot, and was
in 1680 one of the managers in the impeachment of lord
Stafford. In December of the same year, when sir George
Jeffries was dismissed from the recordership of London, Mr.
Treby was elected in his room, and in January 1681 the
king conferred on him the honour of knighthood: but when
the quo warranto issued, and the city charter, for which he
pleaded along with Pollexfen, was withheld, he was deprived of the recordership in Oct. 1685. On the revolution, king William restored him to this office, and he had
the honour of addressing his majesty, in the absence of the
lord mayor, sir John Chapman, who was confined by sickness. His very able speech on this occasion was published
in the “Fourth collection of papers relating to the present
juncture of affairs in England,
” History of the Desertion,
”
some years, and finished and published his great poem, “Italia liberata da Gothi.” In the mean time his son Julius was carrying on the law-suit at Venice, and was supported
Trissino now retired to Vicenza in order to compose at
more leisure a poem of which, many years before, he had
laid the plan; but his peace was at this time interrupted by
domestic dissentions, in consequence of which he had
scarcely afterwards a happy moment. The eldest of his
two sons by his first wife, died, and Julius, the second, had
conceived an aversion to his step-mother on account of the
preference which his father seemed to give to her son Giro.
Mutual irritation ended in Trissino’s resolving to disinherit
Julius and settle all upon Giro, and in Julius threatening
to commence a suit at law for the recovery of his mother’s
fortune. To add to Trissino’s distress, his wife Blanche
died in 1540, on which he disposed of her son in marriage, and went again to Rome in hopes of tranquillity.
There he remained some years, and finished and published
his great poem, “Italia liberata da Gothi.
” In the mean
time his son Julius was carrying on the law-suit at Venice,
and was supported in it by his mother’s relations. This
obliged Trissino to go thither in 1548, although so much
afflicted by the gout, as to travel on a litter. From Venice
he went to Vicenza, where he found that Julius had begun
to take possession of all his property, and he was so much
enraged at this conduct, as to make a will in which he totally disinherited his unnatural son. Julius, more irritated
than ever, carried on his law-suit, and having obtained a
decision in his favour, without ceremony took possession of
his father’s house and the greater part of his goods. Trissino now returned to Home, bidding an eternal adieu to his
country, in some Latin verses, in which he said, “he would
go to some country under another climate, as he had been
defrauded of his paternal mansion, and as the Venetians
had encouraged that fraud by a cruel sentence,
” &c. &c.
He did not, however, long survive this latter disappointment, but died at Rome about the end of 1550, in the
seventy-second year of his age.
His son, Theodore, was educated, by the advice of Beza^ who was
His son, Theodore, was educated, by the advice of Beza^ who was his godfather, and he made a vast progress in
learning. The testimony which was given him in 1600,
when he went to see foreign universities, represents him
as a person of very great hopes. He confirmed this character + all the learned men under whom he studied,
or with whom hee became acquainted during the course of
his travels, and these comprized most of the eminent men
on the contii w > in England. He returned to Geneva
in 1606, and gave such proofs of his learning that he was
the same year chosen professor of the Hebrew language.
In 1607 he married Theodora Rocca, a woman of great
merit in all respects, sister to the first syndic of the commonwealth, and grand-daughter to the wife of Theodore
Beza, at whose house she had been educated, and whose goddaughter she was. He was chosen minister in December
1605, and created rector of the university in 1610. In
1614 he was requested to read some lectures in divinity
besides those on the Hebrew language, on account of the
indisposition of one of the professors; and when the professorship of divinity became vacant in 1618, he was promoted to it, and resigned that of Hebrew. The same year
he was appointed by the assembly of pastors and professors
to answer the Jesuit Colon, who had attacked the French
version of the Bible in a book entitled “Geneve Plagiaire.'
”
This he did in his “Coton Plagiaire,
” which was extremely
well received by the public. At the same time he was sent
with Diodati from the church of Geneva to the synod of
Dorr.,' where he displayed his great knowledge in divinity,
and a moderation which was highly applauded. He had
permission to go to the duke of Rohan for some months in
1632, and fully answered the expectation of that nobleman,
who shewed him afterwards great esteem, which he returned
by honouring the duke’s memory with an oration, whicij
he pronounced some days after the funeral of that great
man in 1638. He carried on a very extensive correspondence in the reformed countries, where he gained the friendship of the most learned men, and of several princes and
great lords. He had much facility in composing oration:*
and Latin verses, and his conversation was highly instructive, for he had joined to the study of divinity and of several languages, the knowledge of the law, and of other
sciences, and of sacred and profane history, especially with
regard to the two last centuries, particulars of which he frequently introduced, and applied when in company. In 1655
he was appointed by the assembly of pastors to confer and
concur with John Dury in the affair of the rennion between
the Lutherans and the reformed, on which subject he wrote
several pieces. He died of a fever on the 19th. of November, 1657, having survived all the foreign divines who were
present at the synod of Don. He was an open and sincere
man, zealous for religion and the service of the churches,
a great enemy to vices, though very mild towards persons.
His advice was highly esteemed both for the civil government, and in the two ecclesiastical bodies, and by strangers,
a great number of whom consulted him. He left, among
other children, Lewis Tronchin, who was a minister of the
church of Lyons, and was chosen four years after to fill his
place in the church and professorship of divinity at Geneva.
He died in 1705. He was esteemed one of the ablest divines of his time, and a man of great liberality of senti
ment. He was well known to, and corresponded with our
archbishops Tillotson and Tenison, and the bishops Compton, Lloyd, and Burnet, who gives him a very high character in his Tour through Switzerland.
im into the form of a pamphlet, then published under the title of “The Country Gentleman’s Advice to his Son on the Subject of Party Clubs,” printed by Owen, Temple-bar;
, an ingenious English writer, was
born in London Sept. 2, 1705, of a Somersetshire family;
his father was a merchant, his mother was Judith, daughter
of Abraham Tillard, esq. Both his parents died before he
was two years old, and left him under the care of his
grandmother Tillard and his maternal uncle sir Isaac Tillard, a man of strict piety and morality, of whose memory
Mr. Tucker always spoke with the highest veneration and
regard, and who took the utmost pains to give his nephew
principles of integrity, benevolence, and candour, with a
disposition to unwearied application and industry in his pursuits. He was educated at Bishop’s Stortford, and in 1721
was entered as a gentleman commoner in Merlon-college,
Oxford, where his favourite studies were metaphysics and
the mathematics. He there engaged masters to teach him
French, Italian, and music, of which last he was very fond.
In 1726 he was entered of the Inner Temple. Soon afterwards, and just before he came of age, he lost his guardian sir Isaac. He studied enough of the law to be useful
to himself and his friends; but his fortune not requiring it,
and his constitution not being strong, he was never called
to the bar. He usually spent the summer vacations in
tours through different parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, and once passed six weeks in France and Flanders.
In 1727 he purchased Betchworth-castle with its estate.
He then turned his attention more to rural affairs, and with
his usual industry wrote down numberless observations
which he collected in discourses with his farmers, or extracted from various authors on the subject. On the 3d of
February, 1736, he married Dorothy, daughter of Edward
Barker, esq. afterwards cursitor baron of the exchequer, and
receiver of the tenths. By her he had three daughters,
Dorothy, who died under three years old, Judith, and
Dorothea- Maria, who, on the 27th of October, 1763, married sir Henry Paulett St. John, bart. and died on the 5th
of May, 1768, leaving one son. Mrs. Tucker died the 7th
of May, 1754, aged 48. As they had lived together in the
tenderest harmony, the loss was a very severe stroke to
Mr. Tucker. His first amusement was. to collect all the
letters which had passed between them whenever they happened to be absent from each other, which he copied out
in books twice over, under the title of “The Picture of
artless Love;
” one copy he gave to her father, who survived her five years, and the other he kept to read over to
his daughters frequently. His principal attention then was
to instruct his daughters; he taught them French and
Italian, and whatever else he thought might be useful to
them to know. In 1755, at the request of a friend in the
west of England, he worked up some materials which he
sent him into the form of a pamphlet, then published under
the title of “The Country Gentleman’s Advice to his Son
on the Subject of Party Clubs,
” printed by Owen, Temple-bar; and he soon after began writing “The Light of
Nature pursued,
” of which he not only formed and wrote
over several sketches before he fixed on the method he determined to pursue, but wrote the complete copy twice
with his own hand; but thinking his style was naturally
still and laboured, in order to improve it, he had employed
much time in studying the most elegant writers and orators,
and translating many orations of Cicero, Demosthenes, &c.
and, twice over, “Cicero de Oratore.
” After this he
composed a little treatise called “Vocal Sounds,
” printed,
but never published; contriving, with a few additional letters, to fix the pronunciation to the whole alphabet in such
manner, that the sound of any word may be conveyed on
puper as exactly as by the voice. His usual method of
spending his time was to rise very early to his studies, in
winter bu ‘ning a lamp in order to light his own fire before
his servants were stirring. After breakfast he returned to
his studies for two or three hours, and then took a ride on
horseback, or walked. The evenings in summer he often
spent in walking over his farms and setting down his remarks; and in the winter, while in the country, reading to
his wife, and afterwards to his daughters. In London,
where he passed some months every winter and spring, he
passed much time in the same manner, only that his evenings were more frequently spent in friendly parties with some
of his relations who lived near, and with some of his old fellow
collegiates or Temple friends. His walks there were chiefly
to transact any business he had in town, always preferring
to walk on all his own errands, to sending orders by a servant, and frequently when he found no other, would walk,
he said, to the Bank to see what it was o’clock. Besides
his knowledge in the classics and the sciences, he was perfectly skilled in merchant’s accompts, and kept all his
books with the exactness of an accompting-house; and he
was ready to serve his neighbours by acting as justice of
peace. His close application to his studies, and writing
latterly much by candle and lamp-light, weakened his
sight, and hrought on cataracts, which grew so much worse
after a fever in the spring, 1771, that he could no longer
amuse himself with reading or writing, and at last could
not walk, except in his own garden, without leading. This
was a great trial on his philosophy, yet it did not fail him i
he not only bore it with patience, but cheerfulness, frequently being much diverted with the mistakes his infirmity
occasioned him to make. His last illness carried him off
on the 20th of November, 1774, perfectly sensible, and
as he had lived, easy and resigned, to the last.
He published a pamphlet entitled a Man in quest of
himself,“in reply to some strictures on a note to his
” Free Will.“He had no turn for politics or public life,
and never could be induced to become a candidate to represent the county of Surrey, to which his fortune, abilities, and character gave him full pretensions.
” My
thoughts,“says Mr. Tucker of himself,
” have taken a
turn, from my earliest youth, towards searching into the
foundations and measures of right and wrong; my love for
retirement has furnished me with continual leisure; and
the exercise of my reason has been my daily employment."
He once, however, was induced to attend a public meeting
at Epsom in the beginning of the present reign, when party
ran very high, and when sir Joseph Mawbey began to
exercise his talent for poetry by a ballad on the occasion,
in which he introduced Mr. Tucker and other gentlemen
who differed from him in their opinions. So far from
being hurt by this, Mr. Tucker was highly amused at the
representation given of himself, and actually set the ballad
to music.
a small estate left him near Aberystwith, in Cardiganshire, he removed thither; and perceiving that his son had a turn for learning, he sent him to Ruthin school in
, a learned English divine, but more celebrated as a political writer, was born at Laugharn, in Carmarthenshire, in 1712. His father was a farmer, and having a small estate left him near Aberystwith, in Cardiganshire, he removed thither; and perceiving that his son had a turn for learning, he sent him to Ruthin school in Denbighshire, where he made so great progress in the classics that he obtained an exhibition at St. John’s college, Oxford. The journey from his native place to the university was long, and at that time very tedious, on account of the badness of the roads. He travelled therefore for some time on foot, until old Mr. Tucker, feeling for his son’s reputation, as well as for his ease, gave him his own horse. But upon his return, young Josiah, with true filial affection, considered that it was better for him to walk to Oxford than for his father to repair on foot to the neighbouring markets and fairs, which had been the case, owing to this new regulation. The horse was accordingly returned; and our student, for the remainder of the time he continued at the university, travelled on foot backward and forward with his baggage at his back.
his edition of Whichcote’s “Aphorisms.” Dr. Tuckney’s other works were, “Forty Sermons” published by his son the Rev. Jonathan Tuckney, 1676, 4to; and a collection of
Calamy says, he had the character of an eminently pious
and learned man, a true friend, an indefatigable student, a
candid disputant, and an earnest promoter of truth and godliness. A remarkable proof of his candour, and of his zeal
for truth, may be seen in his letters to Dr. Whichcote, who
had been one of his pupils, published in 1753 by Dr. Salter,
under the title of “Eight Letters concerning the use of
reason in religion; the differences of opinion among Christians; the reconciliation of sinners unto God; and, the
studies and learning of a minister of the gospel.
” These
were written in Aphorisms.
” Dr. Tuckney’s
other works were, “Forty Sermons
” published by his son
the Rev. Jonathan Tuckney,
he cause of religion, and resided partly at Antwerp and Geneva, and lastly at Zurich, where he died. His son Benedict was born Nov. 9, 1588, and in his thirty-third
, the first of a celebrated family of protestant divines, was the son of Francis Turretin,
descended from an ancient family at Lucca, who was
obliged to fly his country for the cause of religion, and
resided partly at Antwerp and Geneva, and lastly at Zurich, where he died. His son Benedict was born Nov. 9,
1588, and in his thirty-third year (1621) was appointed
pastor, and professor of theology at Geneva. The same
year the republic of Geneva being alarmed at the hostile
preparations making by the duke of Savoy, sent Mr. Turretin to the States General of the United Provinces and to
the prince of Orange, and he prevailed on their high
mightinesses to advance the sum of 30,000 livres, and
10,000 livres per month, for three months, in case of a
siege. He also obtained other pecuniary aid from the
churches of Hamburgh, Embden, and Bremen. During
his being in Holland, he had interviews with the French
and English ambassadors, and had an audience of the king
of Bohemia, to whom he communicated the sympathy
which the state of Geneva felt on his reverse of fortune.
In 1622 he returned to Geneva, and was received with
all the respect due to his services. He died at Geneva,
March 4, 1631, with the character of a very learned divine, and a man of great moderation and judgment. His
works are, 1. A defence of the Geneva translation of the
Bible, against the attack of father Colon in his “Geneve
Plagiaire.
” This extended to three parts, or volumes,
printed from 1618 to 1626. 2. “Sermons,
” in French,
“sur rutilite
” des chatiments.“3.
” Sermons," in Italian,
&c.
There are fifteen of his letters in Mr. Joseph Mede’s Works, and he, left many Mss. in the hands of his son, who, WoocJ says, was a minister, but these are probably
His writings are all controversial, and more or less directed against Arminianism, of which, it seems to be agreed,
even by his adversaries, he was the ablest and most successful opponent of his time. The authors against whom he
wrote were, principally, Dr. Thomas Jackson, Mr. Henry
Mason, Dr. Thomas Godwin, Mr. John Godwin, Mr. John
Cotton, Dr. Potter, Dr. Heylin, and Dr. Hammond. His
works were, 1. “Vindiciae gratioe,
” Amst. A discovery of Dr. Jackson’s
Vanity,
” &c. Dissertatio
de scientia media tribus libris absoluta,
” &c. Arnheim, Of the Morality of the Fourth Commandment,
”
Lond. Treatise of Reprobation,
” ibid.
1773, his father being promoted to the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, he gave the officiality of it to his son, which was worth about 50l. per ann. and about the same
, a learned divine and ingenious artist, was the only child of the rev. Michael Tyson, dean of Stamford, archdeacon of Huntingdon, &c. who died in 1794, aged eighty-four, by his first wife, the sister of Noah Curtis, of Wolsthorp, in Lincolnshire, esq. He was born in the parish of All Saints, in Stamford, Nov. 19, 1740, and received his grammatical education in that country. He was then admitted of Bene‘t college, Cambridge, and passed regularly through his degrees; that of B. A. in 1764, of M. A. in 1767, and of B. D. in 1775; and after taking his bachelor’s degree was elected a fellow of his college. In the autumn of 1766 he attended a young gentleman of his college, Mr. Gough (afterwards the celebrated antiquary) in a tour through the north of England and Scotland, and made an exact journal of his several stages, with pertinent remarks on such places as seemed most interesting. At Glasgow and Inverary he had the freedom of the corporations bestowed upon him. After his return, in the following year he was elected a fellow of the society of antiquaries, and in 1769 a fellow of the royal society. In 1770 he was ordained deacon at Whitehall chapel, by Dr. Green, bishop of Lincoln. In 1773, his father being promoted to the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, he gave the officiality of it to his son, which was worth about 50l. per ann. and about the same time, being bursar of the college, he succeeded Mr. Cohnan in the cure of St. Benedict’s church, in Cambridge, as he did also in 1776, in the Whitehall preachership, at the request of the late Dr. Hamilton, sori-in-law of bishop Terrick, who had formerly been of Bene’t college.
When his son Ephraim was born, does not appear, but he was educated at
When his son Ephraim was born, does not appear, but
he was educated at Emanuel college, Cambridge, where
he took his degree of A. B. in 1609, and that of A. M. in
1614. His only preferment in the church appears to have
been the rectory of St. Augustine’s, Watling-street, but
the time of his admission is not stated by Newcourt or
Walker. He was sequestered, however, in 1643, although
he had always been accounted, and indeed admired as a
preacher of puritan principles. The truth was, that he
early perceived the real designs of the republican party,
and exerted himself to oppose them. In a sermon at
Mercers’ chapel, he addressed himself to some of them in
these words, “You desire truth and peace; leave your
lying, and you may have truth; lay down your arms,
and you may have peace.
” He went farther than even
this, by declaring openly for episcopacy and the liturgy, and publishing a learned (Treatise against sacrilege, entitled “A Coal from the Altar;
” and another, “Communion comeliness,
” in which he recommended the placing of rails around the communion-table. He also published a sermon, called “Noli me tangere,
” containing many loyal sentiments and much attachment to the church. Crimes like these were not to be forgiven; and accordingly his house was plundered, his library and furniture carried off, and his old and lame wife literally turned into the
street. Mr. Udal died about the latter end of May 1647.
His funeral sermon was preached by the rev. Thomas
Reeve, B. D. who was neither ashamed nor afraid to give
him what he seems to have deserved, a high character for
piety and zeal.
d to Rome, where his uncle received him with the greatest kindness, and having always treated him as his son, bequeathed him, on his death, which happened soon after,
, one of those pontiffs who deserve
some notice on account of his learning, and attention to
the interests of literature, was born at Florence in 1568.
His family name was Maffei Barbarini, and his family was
of the most ancient and honourable. His father dying
while Maffei was an infant, he was entrusted to the care of
his uncle Francis, a prothonotary of the Roman court, who
sent for him to Rome, and placed him for education in the
Jesuits’ college. Here he made great proficiency in classical studies under Tursellino and Benci, and was particularly distinguished for his taste for poetry. But as his
uncle intended him for active life, he took him from his
beloved studies, and sent him to Pisa, where he might acquire a knowledge of the law, so neoessary then to those
who would rise to preferment; and here he applied with
such diligence, that in his twentieth year the degree of
doctor was deservedly conferred upon him. He then returned to Rome, where his uncle received him with the
greatest kindness, and having always treated him as his
son, bequeathed him, on his death, which happened soon
after, a handsome fortune, as his sole heir. His first patron was cardinal Farnese, and by his interest and his own
talents he soon passed through the various gradations of
preferment which led, in 1606, to the rank of cardinal,
bestowed on him by Paul V. In 1623, while cardinal legate of Bologna, he was elected pope, and took the name
of Urban VIII. It is not our intention to detail the historical events in which he was concerned. The errors in his
government, which were fewer than might have been expected in one so zealous for the church, arose from two
circumstances, his early attachment to the Jesuits, and his
nepotism, or family partiality. The latter was so powerful,
that he bestowed on his relations red hats and temporal
employments with a very liberal hand, and often entrusted
the management of affairs to them; and the chief errors
of his pontificate were imputed to them by the candid,
although he only was blamed by the people at large.
As a mjjn of learning, and a patron of learned merr, he
has generally been praised; but he was no antiquary, and
was justly censured for having destroyed some Roman antiquities, which the barbarous nations had spared when
masters of Rome; and this gave occasion to the famous
pasquinade, “Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barherini.
” He wrote many Latin poems in an elegant style,
of which an edition was published at Paris in 1642, fol. and
a very beautiful one at Oxford, in 1726, 8vo, edited by
Joseph Brown, M. A. of Queen’s college, and afterwards
provost of that college, with a life and learned notes. Urban’s patronage of learned men was very liberal, and he received those of all nations with equal respect. Among others
he extended his patronage to Ciampolo, Cesarini, Herman
Hugo, and to Dempster and Barclay, two learned Scotchmen. The latter has celebrated him in his “Argenis
”
under the name of Ibburranis, the transposition of Barberini. Urban published a remarkable edition of the Romish breviary, aud several bulls and decrees which are in
“Cherubini bullarium.
” Among the most noticeable is
that which abolishes the order of female Jesuits, and certain festivals; and others which relate to image worship;
those by which, in compliance with the Jesuits, he condemns Jansenius; and that by which the title of eminence
was conferred upon the cardinal-legates, the three ecclesiastical electors, and the grand master of Malta. Among
his foundations was the college “De propaganda fide.
”
In the article of cardinals he was profuse, for he created
no less than seventy-four. He died July 29, 1644, and
was buried in St. Peter’s, in the stately tomb erected by
his own orders by the celebrated Bernini.
12mo; “Jeremiae virga vigilans;” “De Ecclesiarum Germanicarum origine et progressu,” 1664, 8vo. &LC. His son, George Henry Ursinus, a learned philologist, who died Sept.
Among other authors of the same name, was John Henry
Ursinus, a learned Lutheran divine, superintendant of the
churches of Ratisbon, where he died May 14, 1667, leaving
“Parallela Evangelii
” “Comment, in Joel, Amos, Jonam,
Ecclesiasten
” “Sacra Analecta;
” “De Christianis Officiis
” “Arboretum Biblic.
” “Exercitationes de Zoroastre,
Hermete, Sanchoniatone,
” Norimbergae, Sjlva
TheologiaB Symbolicae,
” Jeremiae virga vigilans;
” “De Ecclesiarum Germanicarum origine et progressu,
” Diatribe de Taprobana, Cerne
et Ogyride veterum
” “Disputatio de locustis
” “Observationes Philologies;
” “De variis vocum etymologicis et
significationibus,
” &c. “De Creatione mundi
” “Notulce
Criticae ad Eclogas Virgilii
” “Annotationes in Senecae
Troada;
” “De primo et proprio Aoristorum usu
” “Dioiiysii Terrse orbis descriptio cum notis.
” He must be distinguished from George Ursinus, a learned Danish divine,
who acquired honour by his “Hebrew Antiquities.
”
n, and one of the masters in chancery. This gentleman, of whom we took some notice in our account of his son, is yet more memorable for having first moved queen Elizabeth
, a most illustrious prelate, and as he has been justly styled by Dr. Johnson, the great luminary of the Irish church, was descended from a very antient family, and born at Dublin, Jan. 4, 1580. His father, Arnold Usher, was one of the six clerks in chancery, a gentleman of good estate and reputation, and descended of a very ancient family, which in England bore the name of Nevil, till the reign of Henry II. when it was fchanged by one of his ancestors, who about 1185, passing with prince (afterwards king) John in quality of usher into Ireland, settled there by the name of his office, a practice very common in those early ages, and probably occasioned by the ambition of founding a family; and his descendants, spreading into several branches, filled the most considerable posts in and about Dublin for many ages, to the time of our author, who gave fresh lustre to the family. His mother was the daughter of James Stanyhurst (father of Richard the poet. See Stanyhurst) thrice speaker of the House of Commons, recorder of the city of Dublin, and one of the masters in chancery. This gentleman, of whom we took some notice in our account of his son, is yet more memorable for having first moved queen Elizabeth to found and endow a college and university at Dublin; in which he was vigorously seconded by Henry Usher , archbishop of Armagh, who was James Usher’s uncle. James discovered great parts and a strong passion for books from his infancy; and this remarkable circumstance attended the beginning of his literary pursuits, that he was taught to read by two aunts, who had been blind from their cradle, but had amazing memories, and could repeat most part of the Bible with readiness and accuracy; C<ecorum mens oculatissima. At eight years of age he was sent to a school, which was opened by Mr. James Fullerton and Mr. James Hamilton, two young Scots gentlemen, who were placed at Dublin by king James I. then only king of Scotland, to keep a correspondence with the protestant nobility and gentry there, in order to secure an interest in that kingdom, in the event of queen Elizabeth’s death: but her majesty being very sore upon this point, and unwilling to think of a successor, this was a service of some danger, and therefore it was thought expedient for them to assume the disguise of school-masters, a class of men which was very much wanted in Ireland at that time. Mr. Fullerton was afterwards knighted, and of the bed-chamber to king James; and Mr. Hamilton was created viscount Clandebois.
lf for the ministry, his father’s inclinations lay towards the common law. He had all along designed his son for this study, and was about to send him over to the English
In 1398, when the earl of Essex came over lord- lieutenant of Ireland, and chancellor of the university of Dublin, there was a solemn philosophy-act for his entertainment; and Usher, being then bachelor of arts, was appointed respondent, in which he acquitted himself with great success. But, while he was busily employed in these studies and great designs to fit himself for the ministry, his father’s inclinations lay towards the common law. He had all along designed his son for this study, and was about to send him over to the English inns of courts, in order that he might there cultivate it the better, but he died in 1588, and thus left him at liberty to pursue his own inclinations, which invariably led him to divinity. The paternal inheritance that was now fallen into his hands did not give the least interruption to his purpose; for, finding it somewhat incumbered with law-suits and sisters portions, and fearing those might prove a hindrance to his studies, which were all his care, he gave it up to his brothers and sisters; only reserving so much of it as might support him in a studious life at college.
e in hand may be so ordered as may most make for the advancement of his own glory and the kingdom of his son Jesus Christ.” Tuus ad Aras usque,
Being now settled to his liking, and freed from worldly
connexions and cares, he devoted himself entirely to the
pursuit of every species of literature, human and divine;
He was admitted fellow of the college, and acknowledged
to be a model of piety, modesty, and learning. About
this time, the learned Jesuit Fitz-simons (See Fitz-Simons),
then a prisoner in Dublin-castle, sent out a challenge ,
defying the ablest champion that should come against him,
to dispute with him about the points in controversy between
the Roman and the Protestant churches. Usher, though
but in his nineteenth year, accepted the challenge; and
when they met, the Jesuit despised him as but a boy; yet,
after a conference or two, was so very sensible of the
quickness of his wit, the strength of his arguments, and
his skill in disputation, as to decline any farther contest
with him. This appears from the following letter of Usher,
which Dr. Parr has inserted in his life; and which serves
also to confute those who have supposed that there was not
any actual dispute between them. “I was not purposed,
Mr. Fitz-simons, to write unto you, before you had first
written to me, concerning some chief points of your religion, as at our last meeting you promised; s but, seeing
you have deferred the same, for reasons best known to
yourself, I thought it not amiss to inquire farther of your
mind, concerning the continuation of the conference begun betwixt us. And to this I am the rather moved, because I am credibly informed of certain reports, which I
could hardly be persuaded should proceed from him, who
in my presence pretended so great love and affection unto
me. If I am a boy, as it hath pleased you very contemptuously to name me, I give thanks to the Lord, that
my carriage towards you hath been such as could minister
unto you no just occasion to despise my youth. Your
spear belike is in your own conceit a weaver’s beam, and
your abilities such, that you desire to encounter with the
stoutest champion in the host of Israel; and therefore, like
the Philistine, you contemn me as being a boy. Yet this
I would fain have you know, that I neither came then,
nor now do come unto you, in any confidence of any
learning that is in me; in which respect, notwithstanding,
I thank God I am what I am: but I come in the name of
the Lord of Hosts, whose companies you have reproached,
being certainly persuaded, that even out of the mouths of
babes and sucklings he was able to shew forth his own
praises. For the farther manifestation thereof, I do again
earnestly request you, that, setting aside all vain comparisons of persons, we may go plainly forward in examining
the matters that rest in controversy between us; otherwise
I hope you will not be displeased, if, as for your part you
have begun, so 1 also for my own part may be bold, for
the clearing of myself and the truth which I profess, freely
to make known what hath already passed concerning this
matter. Thus intreating you in a few lines to make known
unto me your purpose in this behalf, I end; praying the
Lord, that both this and all other enterprises that we take
in hand may be so ordered as may most make for the advancement of his own glory and the kingdom of his son
Jesus Christ.
” Tuus ad Aras usque,
s collection of ancient coins. But, when this library was carried over into Ireland, the usurper and his son, who then commanded in chief there, would not bestow it
Usher left his library, being the chief part of his property, as a portion to his only daughter, who had been the mother of a numerous offspring. It was first bought by the officers and soldiers of Cromwell’s army in Ireland, and lodged in Dublin-castle, where it lay, though not without being much pillaged, till the restoration; which bringing it into the possession of king Charles II. he gave it, according to the primate’s first intention, to Dublincollege, where it now remains. This, in truth, had been the primate’s first intention; but, upon the loss of every thing else except his books, he was compelled to consider the necessities of his family, his daughter having before had nothing from him except some pieces of gold presented to him by Mr. Selden’s executors and other pqrsons of quality. The library consisted of ten thousand volumes printed and manuscript, and cost the primate many thousand pounds. Both the king of Denmark and cardinal Mazarine offered a good price for it by their agents here; but the executors were forbidden, by an order from Oliver and his council, to sell it to any one without his consent; so it was at last bought by the soldiers and officers of the then army in Ireland, who, out of emulation to the former noble action of queen Elizabeth’s army, were incited by some men of public spirit to the like performance, and they had it for much less than the real worth, or what had been offered for it before by the agents above mentioned. They had also with it all the manuscripts which were not of his own hand-writing, and a choice though not numerous collection of ancient coins. But, when this library was carried over into Ireland, the usurper and his son, who then commanded in chief there, would not bestow it upon the college, lest perhaps the gift should not appear so considerable there as it would do by itself; and therefore they gave out that they intended it for a new college or hall which they said they intended to build and endow. But it proved that, as these were not times, so they were not persons capable of any such noble or pious work; and this library lay in the castle of Dublin till Cromwell’s death; and, during the anarchy and confusion that followed, the rooms where it was kept being left open, many of the books, and most of the best manuscripts, were stolen away, or else embezzled by those that were intrusted with them.
His son, John Antonides, the subject of this article, was born at
His son, John Antonides, the subject of this article,
was born at Enckhuisen, Jan. 13, 1609. He was sent to
Leyden in 1625, tb study philosophy, and afterwards applied himself entirely to physic. From Leyden he went to
Franeker in 1629, in order to continue his studies, and received the degree of doctor some months after. He then
returned to Amsterdam, where his father died in 1633, and
where he continned to practise physic with great reputation
until, in 1639, he was invited to be professor of physic in
the university of Franeker. He discharged that office with
great applause for almost twelve years; reading lectures,
both on the theory and practice of anatomy and botany;
and it was by his care that the garden of the university was
enlarged, and an house built to it. The library was no
less indebted to him for a great number of books, which
were procured by his address. The university of Utrecht
offered him a professor’s place in 1649, which he declined;
but, two years after, accepted the same offer from the curators of the university of Leyden, and filled the chair with
high reputation till his death, which happened March 4,
1664. Guy Patin, who was a friend of this physician,
often mentions him in his letters, and seems to insinuate
that he neglected himself during his illness, for he died of
a complaint of the lungs, in which bleeding might have
been useful. Patin adds, in allusion to Vander-Linden’s
learning, “I had rather be a blockhead, and bleed sometimes.
”
markable for their generous encouragement of artists, Vandervelde determined to come to London, with his son, and was soon after taken into the service of Charles II.
As the English were remarkable for constructing their
vessels in a much more graceful form than any other European power, and were equally remarkable for their generous encouragement of artists, Vandervelde determined to
come to London, with his son, and was soon after taken
into the service of Charles II. with the salary of lOOl. ayear for himself, and the same sum for his sort: in the
order of privy-seal for these salaries it is expressed that
the salary is given to the father “for taking and making
draughts of sea-fights,
” and to the son “for putting the
said draughts into colours.
” It was, however, not much to
the honour of William the Old that he conducted, it is
said, the English fleet to burn Schelling. It was, adds
Walpole, pushing his gratitude too far to serve the king
against his own country.
conspicuous. Such also was his attachment to the royal family, that king James made him cofferer to his son Charles, prince of Wales, on the establishment of his household,
, an English statesman, whose family name had for some generations been Fane, but originally Vane, to which he restored it, was born Feb. 18, 1589.
The family is said to have been at first of the diocese of
Durham, but were now settled in Kent. (See Collins, art. Darlington). In 16 11 he had the honour of knighthood
conferred upon him by king James I. after which he improved himself by travel, and the acquisition of foreign languages. On his return he was elected member of parliament for Carlisle, in which his abilities were conspicuous.
Such also was his attachment to the royal family, that king
James made him cofferer to his son Charles, prince of
Wales, on the establishment of his household, and he was
continued in the same office by the prince when Charles I.
He was also sent by the new king to notify to the States of
Holland the death of his royal father, and made one of
the privy-council. In Sept. 1631 he was appointed ambassador extraordinary, to renew the treaty of friendship
and alliance with Christian IV. king of Denmark; and to
conclude peace and confederacy with Gustavus Adolphus,
king of Sweden. He returned to England in Nov. 1632,
and in May of the following year, entertained Charles I.
in a sumptuous manner, at Raby-castle, on his way to
Scotland to be crowned; as he did again, April 30, 1639,
in his majesty’s expedition to Scotland, when sir Henry
commanded a regiment of 1099 men. In 1639 he was
made treasurer of the household, and next year, principal
secretary of state in the room of sir John Coke. Hitherto
he had enjoyed the confidence of the king, and had always
been employed in the most important public affairs. But
when he appeared in the prosecution against the earl of
Strafford, his motives to which appear to have been of a
personal kind, the king was so offended, that he removed
him from his places of treasurer of his household, and also
from being secretary of state, though, in the patent granting that office to him, he was to hold it during life. The
parliament therefore made this one of their pleas for
taking up arms against the king. In their declaration, they
avowed, “it was only for the defence of the king’s person,
and the religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom, and
for those, who for their sakes, and for those ends, had observed their orders. That, by the instigation of evil counsellors, the king had raised an army of papists, by which
he intended to awe and destroy the parliament, &c.; and
the putting out the earl of Northumberland, sir Henry
Vane, and others, &c. from their several places and employments, were sufficient and ample evidences thereof.
”
t all in the Mississippi, going to Paris in the year of that bubble. In 1737 he came to England with his son. His first works were the portraits of Gibber and Mac Swinney;
, a portrait-painter, brother to Carlo Vanloo, was born at Aix, in Provence, about 1684. He distinguished himself eminently in historic and portrait painting, both which he studied at Rome, and became painter to the king of Sardinia, in whose service he realized a considerable fortune; but lost it all in the Mississippi, going to Paris in the year of that bubble. In 1737 he came to England with his son. His first works were the portraits of Gibber and Mac Swinney; the latter, whose long silver grey hairs were very picturesque, contributed much to- give the new painter reputation, and he very soon bore away the chief business of London from every other painter, and introduced a better style than was then known. He died at Provence, whither he had retired for the benefit of the air, in April 1746. Louis Michael Vanloo, first painter to the king of Spain, and Charles Philip Vanloo, painter to the king of Prussia, were sons and pupils of the above-mentioned, and have with eclat supported the name.
n, after examining him, found that he had been deceived by the school-master, and determined to give his son a learned education, and for that purpose sent him to Padua
, an Italian historian, poet, and critic, was born at- Florence in 1502. His father, a lawyer, placed him with a master, who reported that he was not fit for literature, and advised him to breed the boy up to merchandise. He was accordingly sent to a counting-house, and there his masters discovered that he never was without a book, and minded nothing but reading. His father then, after examining him, found that he had been deceived by the school-master, and determined to give his son a learned education, and for that purpose sent him to Padua and Pisa. Unfortunately, however, he prescribed the study of the law, which Varchi relished as little as commerce; and although, out of filial respect, he went through the usual courses, he immediately, on his father’s death, relinquished both the study and practice of the law, and determined to devote all his attention to polite literature. In this he acquired great reputation; but when Florence became distracted by civil commotions, he joined the party in opposition to the Medici family, and was banished. During his exile he resided at Venice, Padua, and Bologna, where his talents procured him many friends; and his works having diffused his reputation more widely, Cosmo de Medicis had the generosity to forgive the hostility he had shewn to his family, and, respecting him as a man of letters, recalled him home, and appointed him his historiographer. In this capacity he recommended him to write the history of the late revolutions in Florence. All this kindness, accompanied with a handsome pension, produced a great change in the mind of the republican Varchi, who became now the equally zealous advocate of monarchy. As soon as he had finished a part of it, he submitted it to the inspection of his patron, and some copies were taken of it. These being seen by soma persons who suspected that he would make free with their characters, or the characters of their friends, they conspired to assassinate the apostate author, as they thought him; and having one night attacked him, left him weltering in his blood, but his wounds were not mortal; and although it is said he knew who the assassins were, he declined appearing against them. He was, however, so much affected by the affair, that he embraced the ecclesiastical profession, and obtained some preferment. He died at Florence in 1565. His history, which extends from 1527 to 1538, was not published until 1721, at Cologne, and reprinted at Leydeu 1723; but both these places are wrong, as both editions were published in Italy. There is a recent edition, Milan, 1803, 5 vols. 8vo. The style, like that of all his works, is pure and elegant, though a little too much elaborated. The facts, of course, are strongly tinctured with an attachment to the house of Medici.
f justice there,” are fully and ably taken, and were first printed in 1677, and secondly in 1706, by his son Edward Vaughan, esq. with references, to which is added
Sir John Vaughan’s “Reports and Arguments in the
Common Pleas, being all of them special cases, and many
wherein he pronounced the resolution of the whole court
of common pleas at the time he was chief justice there,
”
are fully and ably taken, and were first printed in 1677,
and secondly in 1706, by his son Edward Vaughan, esq.
with references, to which is added a tract concerning process out of the courts at Westminster into Wales.
ralytic stroke, which not only shook his bodily frame but his intellects, he removed to the house of his son, the late rector of Clapham, where he died in June following,
He continued to reside at Yelling until the month of December 1796, when, in consequence of a paralytic stroke, which not only shook his bodily frame but his intellects, he removed to the house of his son, the late rector of Clapham, where he died in June following, aged seventy-three.
His son, John, whom we have mentioned as the late rector of Clapham,
His son, John, whom we have mentioned as the late
rector of Clapham, was born in that parish March 9, 1759,
and received the early part of his education under Mr. Shute
at Leeds. He was then removed to Hippasholme school,
where he was well grounded in classics by the care of Mr.
Sutcliffe. He had afterwards the benefit of the rev. Joseph Milner’s instruction at the grammar-school at Hull;
and of the rev. Thomas Robinson’s and the rev. William
Ludlam’s, the last an eminent mathematician at Leicester.
He was admitted a member of Sidney Sussex college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of A. B. in 1781. In
September 1782, he was ordained deacon, as curate to his
father; he entered into priest’s orders in March 1783, and
two days afterwards was instituted to the living of little
Dunham, in Norfolk. In Oct. 1789, he married Miss Catherine King, of Hull, who died April 15, 1803, leaving a
family of seven children. In June 1792, on the death of
sir James Stonehouse (predecessor in the baronetcy to the sir James Stonehouse recorded in our vol. XXVIII.) he
was instituted to the rectory of Clapham. In August Is 12,
he married Miss Turton, daughter of John Turton, esq. of
Clapham, and resided at this place from the beginning of
1793, to the day of his death, July 1, 1813, aged fifty-four.
Mr. Venn never appeared in the character of an author, nor
prepared any sermons for the press; but two volumes have
since been published, selected from his manuscripts, and
may be considered “as a fair exhibition of his manner,
sentiments, and doctrine.
” They are more polished in
style than his father’s, but there is a perceptible difference
in their opinions on some points, the father being a more
decided Calvinist. Prefixed to these sermons, is a brief
account of the author, from which we have extracted the
above particulars.
rinted three times with improvements; and the last, left also by him for the press, was published by his son Claude, who made some, few additions at Paris in 1603, 3
, a very
useful biographer and bibliographer, was born at Montbrison en Forez, Nov. 11, 1544. He appears to have
served the king both in a military and civil capacity, and
was historiographer and gentleman in ordinary to his majesty. He died at Duerne, Sept. 25, 1600. In his youth
he had cultivated poetry, but of his poetical efforts he published only some indifferent specimens in his great work.
He had, according to Scaliger, a fine library of Italian,
French, Spanish, Greek, and Latin authors, and was conversant in books of all kinds. The fruits of his labours
were, 1. “La Prosopographie, ou Description des personnes
insignes, &c. avec les effigies d‘aucuns d’iceux, et braves
observations de leur temps, annees, fails, et dits,
” Lyons,
Les Diverses lemons d'Antoine Duverclier, suivant celJes de P. Messi-e,
” Lyons, Le Compseutique, ou Traits facetieux,
” 12mo; but there are some
doubts whether this, which did not appear until 1584-, was
not the compilation of another author. 4. “La Bibliotheque d'Ant. Duverdier, contenant le catalogue de tons
les auteurs qui ont ecrit ou traduit en Frangais, avec le
supplement Latin, du meme Duverdier, a la biblioiheque
de Gesner,
” Lyons, 1585, folio. Croix Du Maine’s work
of the same kind had appeared the year before, and was
thought to be the best executed of the two; but they have
both been republished with so many improvements, that,
like Moreri’s, they retain very little of the original authors.
This improved edition was the production of Rigoley and
Juvigny, who added the notes of Lamonnoye, the president
Bouhier and Falconet, and published the whole in six
handsome volumes, 4to, under the title of Les Bibliotheques Franchises de Lacroix du Maine et de Duverdier,“1772. The work is undoubtedly still capable of improvement, but, as it is, it forms a very valuable addition to the
bibliographical library. There is a copy in the king’s
library at Paris, with a vast mass of ms additions and corrections by Mercier de Saint-Leger. Le Long and some
others attribute to Du. Verdier
” La Biographic et Prosopographie des rois de France jusqu'a Henri III.“Paris,
1583, and 1586, 8vo. But others have doubted this, because he makes no mention of it in a list of his works which
he wrote in 1585, and in which he gave not only what he
had published, but what remained in manuscript, such as
a translation of Seneca, &c. His son, Claude Verdier,
was born about 1566, and had the ambition to become an
author, but turned out to be a bad poet and a worse critic;
he also spent the property his father left him, and lived an
obscure and miserable life till about 1649, which is said to
have been its period. The worst feature of his character
is the disrespectful manner in which he has treated his father’s talents and labours, in a work which he published in
1586, and 1609, 4to, entitled
” In autores pene omnes anttquos potissimum censiones et correctiones." It is a sufficient character of this work, that he blames Virgil for his
bad Latin.
cended to him from his ancestors;” but in answer to this, Collins says, that the estate descended to his son. It was probably, however, much impaired, as Arthur Wilson
, seventeenth earl of Oxford, was the
only son of John the sixteenth earl, who died in 1563, by
his second wife, Margaret, daughter of John Golding, esq.
He is supposed to have been born about 1540 or 1541,
and in his youth travelled in Italy, whence it is said he
was the first who imported embroidered gloves and perfumes into England, and presenting queen Elizabeth with
a pair of the former, she was so pleased with them, as to
be drawn with them in one of her portraits. This gives us
but an indifferent opinion of his judgment, yet he had accomplishments suited to the times, and made a figure in
the courtly tournaments so much encouraged in queen Elizabeth’s reign. He once had a rencounter with sir Philip
Sidney (see Sidney, vol. XXVII. p. 507), which did not
redound much to his honour. In 1585, Walpole says he
was at the head of the nobility that embarked with the earl
of Leicester for the relief of the States of Holland; but
Camden, who gives a list of the principal personages concerned in that expedition, makes no mention of him. In
1586 he sat as lord great chamberlain of England on the
trial of Mary queen of Scots. In 1588 he hired and fitted
out ships at his own charge against the Spanish Armada.
In 1589 he sat on the trial of Philip Howard, earl of Arwndel; and in 1601, on the trials of the earls of Essex and
Southampton. One of the most remarkable events of his
life was his cruel usage of his first wife, Anne, daughter
of the celebrated William Cecil, lord Burleigh, in revenge
for the part acted by that statesman against Thomas duke
of Norfolk, for whom he had a warm friendship. Camden
says, that having vainly interceded with his father-in-law
for the duke’s life, he grew so incensed that he vowed revenge against the daughter, and “not only forsook her
bed, but sold and consumed that great inheritance descended to him from his ancestors;
” but in answer to this,
Collins says, that the estate descended to his son. It was
probably, however, much impaired, as Arthur Wilson agrees
with Camden, and something of the same kind may be inferred from a letter in Winwood’s Memorials, III. 422.
The earl was buried at Hackney, July 6, 1604.
ite Bretagne,” 4to, and other works on French history, which are said to be useful for consultation. His son, Nicholas Vignier, was minister at Blois at the beginning
, king’s physician, and historiographer of France, was born in 1530, of a good family, at
Troyes, in Champagne. He became very celebrated by his
practice, and died at Paris, 1596, aged sixty-six, after having abjured protestantism, in which he was brought up. His
principal works are, 1. “Les Fastes des anciens Hébreux,
Grecs, et Remains,
” 4to. 2. “Bibliotheque Historiale,
”
4 Vols. fol. 3. A collection of “Church History,
” fol. but
little valued. 4. An excellent treatise “On the state and
origin of the ancient French,
” fol. and 4to. 5. “Sommaire
de l'Histoire des François,
” fol. 6. “Traité de l'ancien
etat de la petite Bretagne,
” 4to, and other works on French
history, which are said to be useful for consultation. His
son, Nicholas Vignier, was minister at Blois at the beginning of the seventeenth century, but adopted the sentiments of the Catholic church after the year 1631, and
left several controversial works.
a small town in the marquisate of that name, situated in the territory of Bologna. It was there that his son, the subject of this article, was born, Oct. 1, 1507, and
, an eminent architect and writer on the subject, was the son of Clement Barozzio, of one of the best families of Milan, but who being ruined by the civil wars, retired to Vignola, a small town in the marquisate of that name, situated in the territory of Bologna. It was there that his son, the subject of this article, was born, Oct. 1, 1507, and became afterwards generally known by the name of his native place. His father dying when he was almost in his infancy, and leaving him little provision, he wished to have recourse to painting; and having some knowledge of the first principles of the art, he went to Bologna to be farther instructed, but soon changed his mind, and determined to confine himself to architecture and perspective. He was no sooner known in this profession, than several persons applied to him for designs for buildings, and he executed some for the governor of Bologna, which were very much admired. On such occasions, in order to see the effect of what he laid down, he had models made in wood by Damien de Bergamo, a Dominican, who excelled in that species of ingenuity, and used to express, by means of coloured woods, every kind of material to be used in the building.
, he went to Placentia, where he gave a design for the duke of Parma’s palace, which was executed by his son Hyacinth, who was now able to assist him in his various
In order to acquire a greater knowledge of the principles of architecture, Vignola went to Rome, and at first returned to painting fora maintenance; but not reaping much profit, abandoned that art a second time, and procured employment as a draughtsman from Melighini, of Ferrara, then architect to pope Paul III. and who had established a school of architecture at Rome. Yignola was afterwards employed to make drawings, for the use of this academy, of the ancient edifices of the city, from which he derived great advantage in his studies. While here, about 1537, or J 540, he met with Primaticcio, who was employed by Francis I. king of France, to purchase antiques (See Primaticcio); and Vignola was of so much service in making casts for him, that Primaticcio engaged him to go with him to France. There Vignola assisted that celebrated artist in all his works, and particularly in making the bronze casts which are at Fontainebleau. He also made various architectural designs for the king, who was prevented from having them executed, by the wars in which France was then involved. After a residence of about two years, he was invited to Bologna, to undertake the new church of St. Petronius, and his design was allowed the preference, and highly approved by Julio Romano, the celebrated painter, and Christopher Lombard, the architect. At Minerbio, near Bologna, he built a magnificent palace for count Isolani, and in Bologna the house of Achilles Bocchi. The portico of the exchange in that city is also of his designing, but it was not built until 1562, in the pontificate of Pius IV. His most useful work at Bologna was the canal of Navilio, which he constructed with great skill for the space of a league. But happening to be ill rewarded for this undertaking, he went to Placentia, where he gave a design for the duke of Parma’s palace, which was executed by his son Hyacinth, who was now able to assist him in his various works. He afterwards built several churches and chapels in various parts of Italy, which it is unnecessary to specify. These, it is supposed, he had finished before his return to Rome in 1550, where Vasari presented him to pope Julius III. who appointed him his architect. While at Rome, he was employed in various works, both of grandeur and utility, the last of which, and reckoned his finest work, was the magnificent palace or castle of Caprarola, so well described and illustrated by plates in his works.
ere have hanged him; and so far did they proceed towards the putting it in execution, that Blood and his son had actuallyforced the duke out of his coach in St. Jam
, duke of Buckingham, and a very
distinguished personage in the reign of Charles II. was the
son of the preceding, by his wife lady Catherine Manners,
and was born at Wallingford-house, in the parish of St.
Martin in the Fields, January 30, 1627, which being but
the year before the fatal catastrophe of his father’s death,
the young duke was left a perfect infant, a circumstance
which is frequently prejudicial to the morals of men born
to high rank and affluence. The early parts of his education he received from various domestic tutors; after which
he was sent to the university of Cambridge, where having
completed a course of studies, he, with his brother lord
Francis, went abroad, under the care of one Mr. Aylesbury. Upon his return, which was not till after the breaking-out of the rebellion, the king being at Oxford, his
grace repaired thither, was presented to his majesty, and
entered of Christ-church college. Upon the decline of
the king’s cause, he attended prince Charles into Scotland,
and was with him at the battle of Worcester in 1651; after
which, making his escape beyond sea, he again joined
him, and was soon after, as a reward for his attachment,
made knight of the Garter. Desirous, however, of retrieving his affairs, he came privately to England, and in
1657 married Mary, the daughter and sole heiress of Thomas lord Fairfax, through whose interest he recovered the
greatest part of the estate he had lost, and the assurance
of succeeding to an accumulation of wealth in the right of
his wife. We do not find, however, that this step lost him
the royal favour; for, after- the restoration, at which time
he is said to have possessed an estate of 20,000l. per annum,
he was made one of the lords of the bed-chamber, called
to the privy -council, and appointed lord-lieutenant of
Yorkshire, and master of the horse. All these high offices,
however, he lost again in 1666; for, having been refused
the post of president of the North, he became disaffected
to the king, and it was discovered that he had carried on a
secret correspondence by letters and other transactions
with one Dr. Heydon (a man of no kind of consequence, but a useful tool), tending to raise mutinies among his majesty’s forces, particularly in the navy, to stir up seditioa
among the people, and even to engage persons in a conspiracy for the seizing the Tower of London. Nay, to
sucii base lengths had he proceeded, as even to have given
money to villains to put on jackets, and, personating seamen, to go about the country begging, and exclaiming for
want of pay, while the people oppressed with taxes were
cheated of their money by the great officers of the crown.
Matters were ripe for execution, and an insurrection, at
the head of which the duke was openly to have appeared,
on the very eve of breaking-out, when it was discovered by
means of some agents whom Heydon had employed to
carry letters to the duke. The detection of this affair so
exasperated the king, who knew Buckingham to be capable f the blackest designs, that he immediately ordered
him to be seized; but the duke finding means, having defended his house for some time by force, to make his
escape, his majesty struck him out of all. his commissions,
and issued out a proclamation, requiring his surrender by
a certain day. This storm, however, did not long hang
over his head; for, on his making an humble submission,
king Charles, who was far from being of an implacable
temper, took him again into favour, and the very next
year restored him both to the privy-council and bed-chamber. But the duke’s disposition for intrigue and machination was not lessened; for, having conceived a resentment
against the duke of Ormond, because he had acted with
some severity against him in the last-mentioned affair, he,
in 1670, was supposed to be concerned in an attempt
made on that nobleman’s life, by the same Blood who afterwards endeavoured to steal the crown. Their design was
to have conveyed the duke to Tyburn, and there have
hanged him; and so far did they proceed towards the putting it in execution, that Blood and his son had actuallyforced the duke out of his coach in St. James’s-street, and
carried him away beyond Devonshire-house, Piccadilly,
before he was rescued from them. That there must hare
been the strongest reasons for suspecting the duke of Buckingham of having been a party in this villainous project, is
apparent from a story Mr. Carte relates from the best authority, in his “Life of the duke of Ormond,
” of the public
resentment and open menaces thrown out to the duke on
the occasion, by the earl of Ossory, the duke of Onnond’s
son, even in the presence of the king himself. But as
Charies II. was more sensible of injuries done to himself
than others, it does not appear that this transaction hurt
the duke’s interest at court; for in 1671 he was installed
chancellor of the university of Cambridge, and sent ambassador to France, where he was very nobly entertained
by Lewis XIV. and presented by that monarch at his departure with a sword and belt set with jewels, to the value
of forty thousand pistoles; and the next year he was employed in a second embassy to that king at Utrecht. However, in June 1674, he resigned the chancellorship of
Cambridge, and about the same time became a zealous
partizan and favourer of the nonconformists. On February
16, 1676, his grace, with the earls of- Salisbury and
Shaftesbury, and lord Wharton, were committed to the
Tower, by order of the House of Lords, for a contempt,
in refusing to retract the purport of a speech which the
duke had made concerning a dissolution of the parliament;
but upon a petition to the king, he was discharged thence
in May following. In 1680, having sold Wallingfordhouse in the Strand, he purchased a house at Dowgate,
and resided there, joining with the earl of Shaftesbury in
all the violences of opposition. About the time of king
Charles’s death, his health became affected, and he went
into the country to his own manor of Helmisley, in Yorkshire, where he generally passed his time in hunting and
entertaining his friends. This he continued until a fortnight before his death, an event which happened at a tenant’s house, at Kirkby Moorside, April 16, 1688, after
three days illness, of an ague and fever, arising from a
cold which he caught by sitting on the ground after foxhunting. The day before his death, he sent to his old servant Mr. Brian Fairfax, to provide him a bed at his own
house, at Bishophill, in Yorkshire; but the next morning
the same man returned with the news that his life was despaired of. Mr. Fairfax came; the duke knew him, looked
earnestly at him, but could not speak. Mr. Fairfax asked
a gentleman there present, a justice of peace, and a worthy discreet man in the neighbourhood, what he had said
or done before he became speechless: who told him, that
some questions had been asked him about his estate, to
which he gave no answer. This occasioned another
question to be proposed, if he would have a Popish priest;
but he replied with great vehemence, No, no! repeating the words, he would have nothing to do with them.
The same gentleman then askod him again, if he would
have the minister sent for; and he calmly said, “Yes, pray
seud for him.
” The minister accordingly came, and did
the office enjoined by the church, the duke devoutly attending it, and received the sacrament. In about an hour
d when he accepted it for himself, he had the satisfaction of obtaining the living of Allhallows for his son. He might have continued to hold it, but he preferred resigning
The first use made by the dean of his higher advancement was to obtain the presentation of a living, for a curate who had been his assistant at Allhallows twenty-four years. His own eldest son was then in orders, and totally unbeneficed; but he paid, what he considered as a debt of gratitude, before he would consent to think of his own more immediate concerns. For this forbearance he was soon rewarded; and in the second year after his promotion, the rectory of St. John’s, Westminster, came to his choice, and when he accepted it for himself, he had the satisfaction of obtaining the living of Allhallows for his son. He might have continued to hold it, but he preferred resigning it in that manner. He held St. John’s only about two years, when he exchanged it for the rectory of Islip, in Oxfordshire, which is also in the patronage of the church of Westminster. He was presented to it by the chapter in 1805.
s present at one of the representations of the new tragedy: he was affected, even to tears, embraced his son amidst the felicitations of the ladies of the court, and
, the greatest
literary character which France produced in the last century, was born at Paris, February 20, 1694. His father,
Francis Arouet, was “ancien notaire du Chatelet,
” and
treasurer of the chamber of accounts; his mother, MaryMargaret Daumart. At the birth of this extraordinary
man, who lived to the age of eighty-five years and some
months, there was little probability of his being ‘reared,
and for a considerable time he continued remarkably feeble.
In his earliest years he displayed a ready wit and a sprightly
imagination: and, as he said of himself, made verses before he was out of his cradle. He was educated under Father Por6, in the college of Louis the Great; and such
was his proficiency, that many of his essays are now existing, which, though written when he was between twelve and
fourteen, shew no marks of infancy. The famous Ninon
de l’Enclos, to whom this ingenious boy was introduced,
left him a legacy of 2000 livres to buy him a library. Having been sent to the equity-schools on his quitting college,
he was so disgusted with the dryness of the law, that he devoted himself entirely to the Muses. He was admitted into
the company of the abb< Chaulieu, the marquis de la Fare,
the duke de Sully, the grand prior of Vendo;ne, marshal
Villars, and the chevalier du Bouillon; and caught from
them that easy taste and delicate humour which distinguished the court of Louis XIV. Voltaire had early imbibed a
turn for satire; and, for some philippics against the government, was imprisoned almost a year in the Bastile. He
had before this period produced the tragedy of “Oedipus,
”
which was represented in 1718 with great success; and the
duke of Orleans, happening to see it performed, was so
delighted, that he obtained his release from prison. The
poet waiting on the duke to return thanks: “Be wise,
”
said the duke, “and I will take care of you.
” “I am infinitely obliged,
” replied the young man; “but I intreat
your royal highness not to trouble yourself any farther
about my lodging or board.
” His father, whose ardent
wish it was that the son should have been an advocate, was
present at one of the representations of the new tragedy:
he was affected, even to tears, embraced his son amidst the
felicitations of the ladies of the court, and never more, from
that time, expressed a wish that he should become a
lawyer. About 1720, he went to Brussels with Madam de
Rupelmonde. The celebrated Rousseau being then in
that city, the two poets met, and soon conceived an unconquerable aversion for each other. Voltaire said one
day to Rousseau, who was shewing him “An Ode to Posterity,
” “This is a letter which will never reach the place
of its address.
” Another time, Voltaire, having read a satire which Rousseau thought very indifferent, was advised
to suppress it, lest it should be imagined that he “had
lost his abilities, and preserved only his virulence.
” Such
mutual reproaches soon inflamed two hearts already sufficiently estranged. Voltaire, on his return to Paris, produced, in 1722, his tragedy of “Mariamne,
” without success. His “Artemira
” had experienced the same fate
in Henriade.
” King George I. and particularly the
princess of Wales (afterwards queen Caroline) distinguished
him by their protection, and obtained for him a great number of subscriptions. This laid the foundation of a fortune,
which was afterwards considerably increased by the sale of
his writings, by the munificence of princes, by commerce,
by a habit of regularity, and by an ceconomy bordering on
avarice, which he did not shake off till near the end of his
life. On his return to France, in 1728, he placed the
money he carried with him from England into a lottery established by M. Desforts, comptroller-general of the finances;
he engaged deeply, and was successful. The speculations
of finance, however, did not check his attachment to the
belles lettres, his darling passion. In 1730, he published
“Brutus,
” the most nervous of all his tragedies, which was
more applauded by the judges of good writing than by the
spectators. The first wits of the time, Fontenelle, La
Motte, and others, advised him to give up the drama, as
not being his proper forte. He answered them by publishing “Zara,
” the most affecting, perhaps, of all his tragedies. His “Lettres Philosophiques,
” abounding in bold
expressions and indecent witticisms against religion, having been burnt by a decree of the parliament of Paris, and
a warrant being issued for apprehending the author in 1733,
Voltaire very prudently withdrew; and was sheltered by the
marchioness du Chatelet, in her castle of Cirey, on the
borders of Champagne and Lorraine, who entered with
him on the study of the “System
” of Leibnitz, and the
“Principia
” of Newton. A gallery was built, in which
Voltaire formed a good collection of natural history, and
made a great many experiments on light and electricity.
He laboured in the mean time on his “Elements of the
Newtonian Philosophy,
” then totally unknown in France,
and which the numerous admirers of Des Cartes were very
little desirous should be known. In the midst of these philosophic pursuits, he produced the tragedy of “Alzira.
”
He was now in the meridian of his age and genius, as was
evident from the tragedy of “Mahomet,
” first acted in,
procureur general
”
as a performance offensive to religion and the author, by
order of cardinal Fleury, withdrew it from the stage. “Merope,
” played two years after, The Princess of Navarre.
” He was
appointed a gentleman of the bed-chamber in ordinary,
and historiographer of France. The latter office had, till
his time, been almost a sinecure; but Voltaire, who had
written, under the direction of the count d'Argenson, the
“History of the War of 1741,
” was employed by that
minister in many important negociations from 1745 to 1747;
the project of invading England in 1746 was attributed to
him and he drew up the king ofFrance’s manifesto in favour
of the pretender. He had frequently attempted to gain admittance into the academy of sciences, but could not obtain
his wish till 1746 , when he was the first who broke through
the absurd custom of filling an inaugural speech with the
fulsome adulation of Richelieu; an example soon followed
by other academicians. From, the satires occasioned by
this innovation he felt so much uneasiness, that he was glad
to retire with the marchioness du Chateletto Luneville, in
the neighbourhood of king Stanislaus. The marchioness
dying in 1749, Voltaire returned to Paris, where his stay
was but short* Though he had many admirers, he was perpetually complaining of a cabal combined to filch from him
that glory of which he was insatiable. “The jealousy and
manoeuvres of a court,
” he would say, “are the subject of
conversation; there is more of them among the literati.
”
His friends and relations endeavoured in vain to relieve
his anxiety, by lavishing commendations on him, and by
exaggerating his success. He imagined he should find in
a foreign country a greater degree of applause, tranquillity,
and reward, and augment at the same time both his fortune
and reputation, which were already very considerable.
The king of Prussia, who had repeatedly invited him to
his court, and who would have given any thing to have got
him away from Silesia, attached him at last to his person
by a pension of 22,000 livres, and the hope of farther favour . From the particular respect that was paid to him,
his time was now spent in the most agreeable manner; his
apartments were under those of the king, whom he was
allowed to visit at stated hours, to read with him the best
works of either ancient or modern authors, and to assist his
majesty in the literary productions by which he relieved
the cares of government. But this happiness was soon at
an end; and Voltaire saw, to his mortification, when it was
too late, that, where a man is sufficiently rich to be master
of himself, neither his liberty, his family, nor his country,
should be sacrificed for a pension. A dispute which our
poet had with Manpertuis, the president of the academy
at Berlin, was followed by disgrace . It has been said
that the king of Prussia dismissed him with this reproof:
“I do not drive you away, because I called you hither; I
do not take away your pension, because I have given it to
you; I only forbid you my presence.
” Not a word of this
is true; the fact is, that he sent to the king the key of his
office as chamberlain, and the cross of the order of merit,
with these verses:
however all the care of it to his wife, while he was wholly occupied with poetry. The profligacy of his son having at length deranged his affairs, he obtained a place
, a very celebrated
Dutch poet, was born Nov. 17, 1587. He was bred an
anabaptist; afterwards joined the Arminians, for whose defence he employed his pen with great zeal; and in his old
age turned Roman Catholic. His verses, it is said, would
have equalled those of the greatest poets, had he been acquainted with the ancients; but he had no other master
than his own genius, and did not begin to learn Latin till
he was near thirty. Vondel married Mary de Wolf in
1610, and opened a hosier’s shop at Amsterdam, leaving
however all the care of it to his wife, while he was wholly
occupied with poetry. The profligacy of his son having
at length deranged his affairs, he obtained a place worth
650 livres yearly, but discharged the business of it so negligently, that in compassion to his situation he was permitted to keep the place as a sinecure. He died February
5, 1679, in his ninety-second year. Vondel’s poems have
been collected in 9 vols. 4to. The most celebrated are,
“The Park of Animals;
” “The Heroes of God;
” “The
Destruction of Jerusalem,
” a tragedy; “The Grandeur of
Solomon;
” Jl1 Palamede, or Innocence oppressed,“a celebrated tragedy, which he wrote while an Arminian. By
Palamede he meant the famous Barneveldt, who was condemned to death by prince Maurice. Vondel exclaims in
this piece against both the prince and the synod of Dort,
in terms which sufficiently point them out, and was near
being carried to the Hague, and tried in consequence of
it; but some magistrates saved him, and he escaped by
paying a fine of 300 florins. He wrote also satires against
the protestant ministers, full of passion and invective; and
a poem in favour of the catholic church, entitled
” The
Mysteries, or Secrets of the Altar," &c. He translated
one of Grotius’s tragedies into Dutch, on which that celebrated writer expressed a high sense of Venders friendship, in condescending to translate his works, when he could
write much better of his own.
of faith which Vorstius signed on his death-bed, had no scruple as to admitting him among that sect. His son, William Henry Vorstius, is also recorded in the same class
The quarrels, says Bayle, into which he was drawn were
doubtless mixed with a greaf deal of passion; but after all,
the suspicion of his having a great tendency towards Sociniaiiism is not very unjustly grounded; and he possibly might
have professed it openly, had he not followed the maxim which
the Roman Catholics object to the Reformers, viz. that
when a person is persuaded that the church stands in need
of being reformed, he ought to continue in communion
with it, to labour more effectually to cure it. The same
author adds, that he did great prejudice to the Arminian
party. “The prevailing so far as to get Vorstius to succeed
Arminius in the professorship of Leyden, was thought to
be a master-stroke, and yet nothing could be more advantageous to the adversaries of the Remonstrants. Vorstius
furnished them with so many pleas, by his new manner of
dogmatizing on the attributes of God, and it was so easy
to raise the suspicions of the people against him, that it was
no difficult matter to make him become odious.
” Sandius,
the biographer of the Socinians, after perusing the confession of faith which Vorstius signed on his death-bed, had
no scruple as to admitting him among that sect. His son,
William Henry Vorstius, is also recorded in the same class
in Sandius’s “Bibliotheca Antitrinitariorum.
” His principal works were on Rabbinical literature.
He died, rather worn out with labour than years, in 1641, aged fifty-nine. Dorigny, who was his son-in-law, as well as his pupil, engraved the greatest part
He died, rather worn out with labour than years, in 1641, aged fifty-nine. Dorigny, who was his son-in-law, as well as his pupil, engraved the greatest part of his works. He bad a brother, whose name was Auhin Vouet, who painted after his manner, and was a tolerable performer.
of the republic <o his own, with the lion of St. Mark as his crest. The senate also, as sponsor for his son, gave him the additional name of Mark. He was brought up
, a distinguished French statesman, of a very ancient and honourable family, was born at Venice in 1652, where his father then resided as ambassador from France, and was so much respected that the senate gave him and his descendants permission to add the arms of the republic <o his own, with the lion of St. Mark as his crest. The senate also, as sponsor for his son, gave him the additional name of Mark. He was brought up to the law, and after filling the place of master of the requests, was promoted by the king to the place of lieutenant-general of the police of Paris, and conducted himself in this office with so much ability and propriety, that it is said that city never enjoyed more plenty, quiet, and security, than under his administration. In times of scarcity or commotion on any other account, and during fires or other calamities, he displayed the talents of a humane and enlightened magistrate, and by address only, and sharing in every danger, and listening to all reasonable complaints, he succeeded, in preventing or allaying popular tumults, without having recourse to extremities. His ability in this office recommended him to a superior rank in the administration, and accordingly, after being made a counsellor of state, he was in 1718 promoted to be keeper of the seals, president of the council of finance, and in 172() minister of state; but of these offices he was almost immediately deprived, we are not told why, and died May 8, 1721. He was attached to literature, and was a member of the French academy and of that of sciences. His character has been variously represented. We have given the most favourable account, but it must not be concealed that he was accounted by many as a friend to despotic authority, and as meanly subservient to the tyranny of the court or its ministers. He is said to have obliged the Jesuits by persecuting the Jansenists, but neither ioved or hated the one or the other, unless as they might promote or obstruct his ambition. In private life he was a more amiable character. Some of his descendants made a considerable figure in the latter French history.
lings yearly. In 1553, Baylie sold it to his father-in-law, Edward Freere, of Oxford, who left it to his son William, by whom, in 1587, it was again sold to the mayor,
This was once a place of great fame in the university, and may be traced to very high antiquity. In 1251, pope Innocent IV. granted a power to the friars eremites of St. Austin, to travel into any countries, build monasteries, and celebrate divine service. With this permission, they first established a house in London, but deputed some of their number to go to Oxford, where they hired an obscure bouse near the public schools. Acquiring some reputation for their skill in philosophy and divinity, or at least what were then so called, they attracted the attention of sir John Handlove, or Handlow, of Burstall in Buckinghamshire, a very opulent gentleman, who purchased for them a piece of ground, enlarged afterwards by a gift from Henry III. On this tney built a house and chapel in a sumptuous form, and held schools for divinity and philosophy of such reputation, that, before the divinity school was built, the university acts were kept, and the exercises in arts were performed in this place. It was in particular enjoined that every bachelor of arts should once in ea^h year dispute, and once answer, at this house, and this continued until the dissolution, when the disputations were removed to St. Mary’s, and afterwaids to the schools. Alter the dissolution, the premises were let, on a lease of twenty-one years, at 3l. yearly, to Thomas Carwarden, or Carclon, esq. who appears to have demolished the whole, and carried off the materials. In 1552, king Edward VI. sold the site to Henry duke of Suffolk, and Thomas Duport, gentleman, who almost immediately conveyed it to Henry Baylie, M. D. formerly a fellow of New college, for forty-five shillings yearly. In 1553, Baylie sold it to his father-in-law, Edward Freere, of Oxford, who left it to his son William, by whom, in 1587, it was again sold to the mayor, bailiffs, and commonalty of Oxford lor the principal sum of 450l.
me many years in the character of protestant chaplain to the chevalier St. George, and afterwards to his son. He was there esteemed a man of very extensive learning.
Among these are, 1. “A Letter to the author of the late
Letter out of the country, occasioned by a former Letter
to a member of the House of Commons, concerning the
bishops lately in the Tower, and now under suspension.
”
2. “An Answer to a late pamphlet entitled Obedience and
Submission to the present Government demonstrated from
bishop Overall’s Convocation Book: with a postscript in
answer to Dr. Sherlock’s Case of Allegiance,
” London,
An Answer to Dr. Sherlock’s Vindication of
the Case of allegiance due to sovereign powers, which he
made in reply to an Answer to a late pamphlet entitled
Obedience and Submission to the present government demonstrated from bishop Overall’s Convocation book, with
a postscript in answer to Dr. Sherlock’s Case of Allegiance,
&c,
” London, 1692. 4. “An Answer to a Letter to Dr.
Sherlock written in vindication of that part of Josephus’s
History, wtiicb gives the account of Jaddas’s submission to
Alexander, against the Answer to the piece entitled Obedience and Submission to the present Government,
” Lond.
A Letter out of Suffolk to a friend in London,
giving some account of the late sickness and death of Dr.
William Sancroft late lord archbishop of Canterbury,
”
London, A Letter out of Lancashire to a friend
in London, giving some account of the tryals there. Together with some seasonable and proper remarks upon it;
recommended to the wisdom of the Lords and Commons
assembled in parliament,
” London, A Letter
to a gentleman elected a knight of the shire to serve in the
present parliament,
” London, Remarks on
some late Sermons, and in particular on Dr. Sherlock’s sermon at the Temple December the 30th, 1694, in a letter
to a friend. The second edition, with additions. Together
with a letter to the author of a pamphlet entitled A Defence of the archbishop’s Sermon, &c. and several other
Sermons, &c.
” London, An account of the
proceedings in the House of Commons, in relation to the
recoining the clipped money, and falling the price of guineas. Together with a particular list of the names of the
members consenting and dissenting; in answer to a Letter
out of the country,
” London, A Vindication
of king Charles the Martyr; proving that his majesty was
the author of ' Eixav BawiAjw, against a memorandum said to
be written by the earl of Anglesey, and against the exceptions of Dr. Walker and others. To which is added a preface, wherein the bold and insolent assertions published in
a passage of Mr.JBayle’s Dictionary relating to the present
controversy are examined and confuted. The third edition,
with large additions together with some original letters of
king Charles the First, &c.
” Lond. A Defence of the Vindication
of king Charles the Martyr; justifying his majesty’s title
to Efxcuv 'BacriMw, in answer to a late pamphlet entitled
Amyntor,
” London, Symmons’s Restitutus: containing
two epistles, four whole sections or chapters, together
with a postscript, and some marginal observations, &c.
which were perfectly omitted in the first edition of Mr Symmons’s book, entitled
” A Vindication of king Charles I. and
republished by Dr Hollingworth,“London, 1693. 2.
” The devout Christian’s Manual, by Mr. Jones,“London,
1703. 3.
” A Treatise of God’s Government, and of the
justice of his present dispensations in this world. By the
pious, learned, and most eloquent Sulvian, a priest of Marseilles, who lived in the fifth century. Translated from
the Latin by R. T. presbyter of the church of England,“London, 1700. These two pamphlets are also of Mr. Wagstaffe’s writing, 1.
” The present state of Jacobitism in England,“ibid. 1700;
” A second part in answer to the first“which was written by the bishop of Salisbury, &c. &c.
Wagstaflfe derived most credit from his endeavours to prove
the
” Eikon Basilike“to be the genuine production of king
Charles; but on this subject we must refer our readers to
the life of bishop Gauden, and especially the authorities
there quoted. Mr. Wagstaffe had a son who resided at
Oxford in the early part of his life, but afterwards went
abroad, and resided at Rome many years in the character
of protestant chaplain to the chevalier St. George, and afterwards to his son. He was there esteemed a man of very
extensive learning. Dr. Townson was acquainted with him
at Rome, both on his first and second tour in 1743 and
1768. He lived in a court near a carpenter’s shop, and
upon Dr. Townson’s inquiring for him, the carpenter knew
of no such person.
” He did live somewhere in this yard
some years ago.“” I have lived here these thirty years,
and no person of such a name has lived here in that time.“But on farther explanation, the carpenter exclaimed,
” Oh, you mean // Predicatore; he lives there,“pointing
to the place. This Mr. Wagstaffe died at Rome, Dec. 3,
1770, aged seventy-eight. Mr. Nichols has preserved
some jeux d‘esprits, and some epitaphs written by him,
and there is a letter of his to Tom Hearne, in the ’.' Letters written by Eminent Persons,
” lately published at Oxford, 1813, 3 vols. 8vo.
first appeared in 1637, was executed by him, and almost the whole of the New Testament. John Walæus his son, was professor of medicine at Leyden, where he died in 1649.
, a very eminent Protestant divine, was born October 3, 1573, at Ghent, of an ancient
family, which has produced many distinguished magistrates.
He officiated as pastor at several different places; declared
in favour of the Counter-remonstrants, enjoyed the friendship and confidence of prince Maurice, and was one of those
who drew up the canons of the famous synod of Dort.
Walæus became afterwards professor of divinity at Leyden,
and died July 9, 1639, leaving “Compendium EthicaeAristotelicae,
” Leyden, Epistolas de motu chyli et sanguinis,
” Leyd.
ge with many valuable tracts, which, since his death, have been collected into an octavo edition, by his son, the present learned Dr. Martin Wall, F. R. S. clinical-professor
, a learned physician and medical writer,
was born at Powick, in Worcestershire, 1708. He was the
son of Mr. John Wall, an opulent tradesman of the city of
Worcester, who served the office of mayor in 1703. He
received the early part of his education at a grammar-school
at Leigh-Sinton, and at the college school of Worcester,
whence he was elected scholar of Worcester-college, Oxford, in June 1726. In 1735, he was elected fellow of
Merton -college, soon after which he took the degree of
bachelor of physic, and removed to the city of Worcester,
where he was many years settled in practice. In 1759, he
took the degree of M. D. Besides an ingenious “Treatise
on the virtues of Malvern-waters,
” which he brought into
reputation, he enriched the repositories of medical knowledge with many valuable tracts, which, since his death,
have been collected into an octavo edition, by his son, the
present learned Dr. Martin Wall, F. R. S. clinical-professor of. the university, and were printed at Oxford in
1780. He married Catherine youngest daughter of Martin
Sandys, esq. of the city of Worcester, barrister at law,
and uncle to the first lord Sandys. Dr. Wall was a man of
extraordinary genius, which he improved by early and indefatigable industry in the pursuit of science; but he was
more particularly eminent in those branches of natural
philosophy which have an immediate connexion with the
arts, and with medicine. He was distinguished likewise
through his whole life by an uncommon sweetness of manners, and cheerfulness of disposition, which, still more
than his great abilities, made his acquaintance courted,
and his conversation sought, by persons of all ranks and
ages. His practice, as a physician, was extended far
beyond the common circle of practitioners in the country,
and he was particularly eminent for benevolence, courtesy,
penetration, and success. His native country still boasts
many monuments of the application of his eminent talents
to her interests. To his distinguished skill in chemistry,
and his assiduous researches (in conjunction with some other chemists) to discover materials proper for the china-ware,
the city of Worcester owes the establishment of its porcelain-manufacture. Besides the improvements he suggested
and put in execution for the accommodation of visitors at
Malvern, it was to his zeal and diligence the county of
Worcester is in no small degree indebted for the advantages
of the infirmary, which he regularly attended during his
whole life. His principal amusement was painting; and
it has been said of him, that, if he had not been one of
the best physicians, he would have been the best painter
of his age. This praise is perhaps too high, yet his designs for the two frontispieces to “Hervey’s Meditations,
”
that for Cambridge’s “Scribleriad,
” and for the East window of the chapel of Oriel-college, Oxford, are very creditable specimens of his talents. He died at Bath, after a
lingering disorder, June 27, 1776, and lies buried in the
abbey-church. The tracts published by his son, are, 1.
“Of the extraordinary effects of Musk in convulsive disorders.
” 2. “Of the use of the Peruvian Bark in the
small-pox.
” 3. “Of the cure of the putrid sore-throat.
”
4. “Mr. Oram’s account of the Norfolk-boy.
” 5. “Observations on that case, and on the efficacy of oil in wormcases.
” 6. “Experiments and Observations on the Mal* vern- waters.
” 7. “Letters to Sir George Baker, &c. on
the poison of lead, and the impregnation of cyder with
that metal.
” 8. “A Letter to Dr. Heberden on the Angina Pectoris.
” 9. “Supplement; containing an account
of the epidemic fever of 1740, 1741, and 1742.
” The editor has enriched this publication with various notes, which
discover an extensive acquaintance with the subjects in
question, and a candid and liberal turn of mind. To the
treatise on Malvern-waters Dr. Martin Wall has also subjoined an appendix of some length, containing an experimental inquiry into their nature; from which it appears,
that the Holywell-water at Malvern owes its virtues principally to its extreme purity, assisted by the fixed air which
it contains.
and cannot pretend to know the king’s mind:' but sir Thomas durst not contradict the secretary; and his son, the earl of St. Alban’s r afterwards told Mr. Waller, that
From his twenty-eighth to. his thirty-fifth year, he wrote
his pieces on the reduction of Sallee on the reparation of
St. Paul’s; to the King on his navy the panegyric on the
Queen mother; the two poems to the earl of Northumberland; and perhaps others, of which the time cannot be discovered. When he had lost all hopes of Sacharissa, he
looked round him for an easier conquest, and gained a lady
of the family of Bresse, or Breaux. The time of his marriage is not exactly known. It has not been discovered
that his wife was won by his poetry; nor is any thing told
of her, but that she brought him many children, He doubtless, says Johnson, praised some whom he would have been
afraid to marry, and perhaps married one whom he would
have been ashamed to praise. Many qualities contribute
to domestic happiness, upon which poetry has no colours
to bestow; and many airs and sallies may delight imagination, “which he who flatters them never can approve. There
are charms made only for distant admiration. No spectacle
is nobler than a blaze. Of this wife, however, his biographers have recorded that she gave him five sons and eight
daughters, aud Aubrey says that she was beautiful and very
prudent.
During the long interval of parliament, he is represented
as living among those with whom it was most honourable
to converse, and enjoying an exuberant fortune with that
independence of liberty of speech and conduct which
wealth ought always to produce. Being considered as the
kinsman of Hampden, he was therefore supposed by the
courtiers not to favour them; and when the parliament was
called in 1640, it appeared that, his political character had
not been mistaken. The king’s demand of a supply produced from him a speech full
” of complaints of national
grievances, and very vehement; but while the great position, that grievances ought to be redressed before supplies
are 'granted, is agreeable enough to law and reason, Waller,
if his biographer may be credited, was not such an enemy
to the king, as not to wish his distresses lightened; for he
relates, “that the king sent particularly to Waller, to second his demand of some subsidies to pay off the army;
and sirHenry Vane objecting against first voting a supply,
because the king would not accept unless it came up to
his proportion, Mr. Waller spoke earnestly to sir Thomas
Jermyn, comptroller of the household, to save his master
from the effects of so bold a falsity: c for,‘ he said, ’ I am
but a country gentleman, and cannot pretend to know the
king’s mind:' but sir Thomas durst not contradict the secretary; and his son, the earl of St. Alban’s r afterwards
told Mr. Waller, that his father’s cowardice ruined the
king.
”
He died October 21, 1687, and was buried at Beaconsfield, with a monument erected by his son’s executors, for which Rymer wrote the inscriptions on*
He died October 21, 1687, and was buried at Beaconsfield, with a monument erected by his son’s executors, for which Rymer wrote the inscriptions on* four sides. He left several children by his second wife; of whom, his daughter was married to Dr. Birch. Benjamin, the eldest son^ was disinherited, and sent to New Jersey as wanting common understanding. Edmund, the second son, inherited the estate, and represented Agmondesham in parliament, but at last tufned Quaker. William, the third son, was a merchant in London. Stephen, the fourth, educated at New college, Oxford, was an able civilian, and died Feb. 22, 1707, while the articles for the unio of the British kingdoms, which he had contributed to frajiie and improve, were under parliamentary consideration. There is said to have been a fifth, but we have no account of him. Wai* ler’s descendants still reside at Be-aconsfield, in the greatest affluence.
to attempt one of another nature, which was a letter of Mr. secretary Windebank, then in France, to his son in England, in a cypher hard enough, and not unbecoming
Being designed for the church, he had studied divinily
with great care, and now was admitted to holy orders by
Dr. Walter Curie, bishop of Winchester. In 1641 he left
college to be chaplain to sir William Darley, at Bustercramb in Yorkshire. In the following year he acted in the
same capacity to lady Vere, widow of sir Horatio Vere. It
was during her occasional residence in London that he was
enabled to discover his surprising talent in decypheringj
and as this had an important effect on his future life and
fame, it may be necessary to give his own account of the
discovery. “About the beginning of our civil wars, in th*
year 1642, a chaplain of sir William Waller’s, one evening
as we were sitting down to supper at the lady Vere’s in
London, with whom I then dwelt, shewed me an intercepted letter written in cypher. He shevyed it me as a curiosity (and it was indeed the first thing I had ever seen written in cyphers), and asked me, between jest and earnest, whether I could make any tiling of it; and he was
surprized, when I said, upon the first view, perhaps I might,
if it proved no more but a new alphabet. It was about ten
o'clock, when we rose from supper. I then withdrew to
my chamber to consider it; and by the number of different
characters therein (not above 22 or 23) I judged, that it
could not be more than a new alphabet, and in about two
hours time, before I went to bed, I had decyphered it;
and I sent a copy of it. so decyphered the next morning to
him from whom I had it. And this was my first attempt at
decyphering. This unexpected success on an easy cypher
was then looked upon as a great matter; and I was somewhile after pressed to attempt one of another nature, which
was a letter of Mr. secretary Windebank, then in France,
to his son in England, in a cypher hard enough, and not
unbecoming a secretary of state. It was in numeral figures,
extending in number to above seven hundred, with many
other characters intermixed; but not so hard as many that
I have since met with. I was backward at first to attempt
it, and after I had spent some time upon it, threw it by as
desperate; but after some months resumed it again, and
had the good hap to master it. Being encouraged by this
success beyond expectation, I afterwards ventured on many
others, some of more, some of less difficulty; and scarce
missed of any that I undertook for many years, during our
civil wars, and afterwards. But of late years the French,
methods of cypher are grown so intricate beyond what it
was wont to be, that I have failed of many, tho' I have mastered divers of them. Of such decyphered letters there
be copies of divers remaining in the archives of the Bodleian library in Oxford, and many more in my own custody,
and with the secretaries of state.
” The copies of decyphered letters, mentioned by Dr. Wallis to be in the archives of the Bodleian library, were reposited by him there
in 1653, and are in the doctor’s own hand-writing, with
a memorandum at the beginning, to this purpose: “A
collection of several letters and other papers, which were
at several times intercepted, written in cypher,' decyphered
by John Wallis, professor of geometry in the university of
Oxford; given to the public library there,
” anno domin‘t
28, 1703, in his eighty-eighth year, and was interred in St. Mary’s, where a monument was erected by his son, John Wallis, esq. a barrister. This son was born December
The last affair in which Dr. Wallis appears to have been
consulted was on the scheme for altering the style, which
he opposed on various reasons, and it was accordingly laid
aside; but has since been established without any of the
inconveniences either in astronomical'calculations, or otherwise, of which he was afraid. Towards the end of his life
the curators of the university-press made a collection of
his mathematical works, which were printed at Oxford
1699, in three -volumes in folio, with this title, “Johannis
Wallis S. T. P. Gedmetriae Professoris Saviliani in celeberrima Academia Oxoniensi, Opera Mathematica, tribus Voluminibus -contenta.
” This edition was dedicated to king
William III.
Dr. Wallis died at the Savilian professor’s house in New"
college lane, Oxford, Oct. 28, 1703, in his eighty-eighth
year, and was interred in St. Mary’s, where a monument
was erected by his son, John Wallis, esq. a barrister. This
son was born December the 26th, 1650, and placed by his
father in Trinity college, in Oxford, and afterwards admitted of the Inner Temple, London, where he proceeded
barrister-at-law February 1, 1681-2. He married Elizabeth daughter of John and Mary Harris, of Soundels, or
Soundess, by Nettlebed, in Oxfordshire, afterwards heiress
to her brother Taverner Harris, whose mother descended
from Richard Taverner, a learned lawyer in king Henry
VlII/s time, and high sheriff of the county of Oxford. By
this match Mr. Wallis became possessed of a good estate
called Soundess. His wife died August the 8th, 1693,
leaving three children surviving her, viz. John, Mary, and
Elizabeth.
ntworth, and knighted. Retiring to his seat at Kil r dare, he completed his book of “Instructions to his Son,” which bears date Get, 5, 1636. He soon after sold Kildare
After this, a general acquaintance with the laws of his
country seems to have been his leading acquirement, and
hence, when he became a representative in parliament, he
was nominated one of the eight chief managers in the impeachment of the duke of Buckingham. The account of
Mr. Wandesforde’s share in that transaction, as given by
llushworth, is much to the credit of his moderation and
prudence. In the new parliament, which met March 17,
1628, he made a conspicuous figure, and acted a truly
constitutional part, supporting the privileges of the people
when attacked, and when these were secured by a confirmation of the petition of right, adhering to his sovereign.
About 1633, it was proposed by Charles I. to send Mr.
Wandesforde ambassador to Spain; but this honour was
declined, from his not wishing to engage in any public
employment. Soon after, however, when his friend lord
Wentworth was fixed on to go as lord-deputy.to Ireland,
Mr. Wandesforde was persuaded to accompany him as
master of the rolls, from motives of personal regard. He
arrived at Dublin in July 1633, where he built a new office of the rolls at his own cost. In 1636 he was made one
of the lords justices of Ireland, in the absence of lord
Wentworth, and knighted. Retiring to his seat at Kil r
dare, he completed his book of “Instructions to his Son,
”
which bears date Get, 5, 1636. He soon after sold Kildare
to lord Wentwortb, and purchase^ the estate of Castlecomer, where he established a manufactory for cottons, and
founded a colliery. In 164-0 he was appointed lord-deputy
in the place of lord Strafford, and gave such satisfaction to
the king by his* conduct in that high station, that he was
created baron Mowbray and Musters, and viscount Castle^
comer. On the receipt of the patent, however, he exclaimed, “Is it a fit time for a faithful subject to appear
higher than usual, when his king, the fountain of honours,
is likely to be reduced lower than ever?
” He therefore
ordered the patent to be concealed, and his grandson was
the first who assumed its privileges.
nity,” are said to be lost, and so it was for some time surmised, were his valuable “Instructions to his Son,” an excellent manual of piety and wisdom, till a duplicate
His lordship was reported by his daughter to have read
over the whole Bible yearly, and to have made “great remarks upon it.
” These remarks, with other “Collections
in Divinity,
” are said to be lost, and so it was for some
time surmised, were his valuable “Instructions to his Son,
”
an excellent manual of piety and wisdom, till a duplicate
copy was discovered which had been privately transcribed,
and from which the work was printed under the care of the
author’s great-great-grandson, Thomas Comber, LL. D.
in 1777, 12mo, with a second volume in 1778, containing
memoirs of the life and death of lord-deputy Wandesforde.
a number of old books, little known, or read, it is not improbable that such researches imparted to his son that taste for bibliographical studies which occupied his
, a literary antiquary of great
learning and accuracy, was the son of the rev. Nathanael
Wanley, some time vicar of Trinity-church in Coventry.
This Nathanael Wanley was born at Leicester in 1633,
and died in 1680. Besides the vicarage of Trinity-church,
it is probable that he had another in Leicestershire, from
the following title-page, “Vox Dei, or the great duty of
self reflection upon a man’s own wayes, by N. Wanley,
M. A. and minister of the gospel at Beeby in Leicestershire,
” London, 1658. He was of Trinity-college, Oxford, B. A. 1653, M. A. 1657, but is not mentioned by
Wood. The work which now preserves his name is his
“Wonders of the Little World,
” Examples,
” 2 vols. fol. or Turner’s
“Remarkable Providences,
” containing a vast assemblage
of remarkable anecdotes, &c. many of which keep credulity
on the stretch. As these were collected by Mr. Wanley
from a number of old books, little known, or read, it is
not improbable that such researches imparted to his son
that taste for bibliographical studies which occupied his
whole life. At least it is certain that Humphrey, (who was born at Coventry, March 21, 1671-2, and was bred first a limner, and afterwards some other trade), employed all his
leisure time, at a very early period, in reading old books
and old Mss. and copying the various hands, by which he
acquired an uncommon faculty in verifying dates. Dr.
Lloyd, then bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, sent him to
Edmund-hall, Oxford, of which Dr. Mill was then principal, whom he greatly assisted in his collations of the New
Testament. Hearne says, that during his stay in this hall,
he attended but one lecture, which was in logic, which he
swore he could not comprehend. Dr. Charlett, master of
University-college, hearing of Wanley’s attention to matters of antiquity, induced him to remove to his own college, which he soon did, residing at the master’s lodgings,
who, says Hearne, “employed him in writing trivial things,
so that he got no true learning.
” He certainly acquired
the learned languages, however, although it does not appear that he attended much to the usual course of academic studies, or was ambitious of academic honours, as his
name does not appear in the list of graduates. By Dr.
Charlett’s means he was appointed an under-keeper of the
Bodleian library, where he assisted in drawing up the indexes to the catalogue of Mss. the Latin preface to which
he also wrote. Upon leaving Oxford, he removed to London, and became secretary to the society for propagating
Christian knowledge; and at Dr. Hickes’s request, travelled
ovor the kingdom, in search of Anglo-Saxon Mss. a catalogue of which he drew up in English, which was afterwards translated into Latin by the care of Mr. Thwaites,
and printed in the “Thesaurus Ling. Vet. Septen.
” Oxon.
justify the Two Dissertations, in the Divine Legation, concerning the command to Abraham to offer up his son, and the nature of the Jewish theocracy, objected to by
Mr. Pope’s affection for Mr. Warburton was of service to
him in more respects than merely increasing his fame. He
introduced and warmly recommended him to most of his
friends, and amongst the rest to Ralph Allen, esq. of Prior
Park, whose niece he some years afterwards married. In
consequence of this introduction, we find Mr. Warburton
at Bath in 1742. There he printed a sermon which had
been preached at the abbey-church, on the 24th of October, for the benefit of Mr. Allen’s favourite charity, the
general hospital, or infirmary. To this sermon, which was
published at the request of the governors, was added, “A*
short account of the nature, rise, and progress, of the General Infirmary, at Bath.
” In this year also he printed a
dissertation on the Origin of Books of Chivalry, at the end
of Jarvis’s preface to a translation of Don Quixote, which,
Mr. Pope tells him, he had not got over two paragraphs of
before he cried out, < Aut Erasmus, aut Dmbolus. 1 “I
knew you,
” adds he, “as certainly as the ancients did the
Gods, by the first pace and the very gait. I have not a
moment to express myself in; but could not omit this,
which delighted me so much.
” Mr. Tyrwhitt, however,
has completely demolished Warburton’s system o-n this
subject. Pope’s attention to his interest did not rest in
matters which were in his own power; he recommended
him to some who were more able to assist him; in particular, he obtained a promise from lord Granville, which
probably, however, ended in nothing. He appears also to
have been very solicitous to bring lord Bolingbroke and
Mr. Warburton together, and the meeting accordingly took
place, but we are told by Dr. Warton, they soon parted in
mutual disgust with each other. In 1742 Mr. Warburton
published “A critical and philosophical Commentary on
Mr. Pope’s Essay on Man: in which is contained a Vindication of the said Essay from the misrepresentations of Mr.
de Resnel, the French translator, and of Mr. de Crousaz,
professor of philosophy and mathematics in the academy of
Lausanne, the commentator.
” It was at this period, when
Mr. Warburton had the entire confidence of Pope, that he
advised him to complete the Dunciad, by changing the
hero,- and adding to it a fourth book. This was accordingly executed in 1742, and published early in 1743, 4to,
with notes by our author, who, in consequence of it, received his share of the castigation which Gibber liberally
bestowed on both Pope and his annotator. In the latter
end of the same year. he published complete editions of
“The Essay on Man,
” and “The Essay on Criticism:
”
and,from the specimen which he there exhibited of his
abilities, it may be presumed Pope determined to commit
to him the publication of those works which he should
leave. At Pope’s desire, he about this time revised and
corrected the “Essay on Homer,
” as it now stands in the
last edition of that translation. The publication of “The
Dunciad
” was the last service which our author rendered
Pope in his life-time. After a lingering and tedious illness,
the event of which had been long foreseen, this great
poet died on the 30th of' May, 1744; and by his will, dated
the 12th of the preceding December, bequeathed to Mr.
Warburton one half of his library, and the property of all
such of his works already printed as he had not otherwise
disposed of or alienated, and all the. profits which should
arise from any edition to be printed after his death; but
at the same time directed that they should be published
without any future alterations. In 1744 Warburton’s assistance to Dr. Z. Grey was handsomely acknowledged in
the preface to Hudibras; but with this gentleman he had
afterwards a sharp controversy (See Grey.) “The Divine
Legation of Moses
” had now been published some time;
and various answers and objections to it had started up
from different quarters. In this year, 1744, Mr Warburton turned his attention to these attacks on his favourite
work; and defended himself in a manner which, if it did
not prove him to be possessed of much humility or diffidence, at least demonstrated that he knew how to wield the
weapons of controversy with the hand of a master. His
first defence now appeared under the title of “Remarks on
several Occasional Reflections, in answer to the Rev, Dr.
Middleton, Dr. Pococke, the master of the Charter-house,
Dr. Richard Grey, and others; serving to explain and justify divers passages in the Divine Legation as far as it is
yet advanced: wherein is considered the relation the several parts bear to each other and the whole. Together
with an Appendix, in answer to a late pamphlet, entitled
” An Examination of Mr. W's Second Proposition,“8vo.
And this was followed next year by
” Remarks on several
Occasional Reflections; in answer to the Rev. Doctors
Stebbing and Sykes; serving to explain and justify the
Two Dissertations, in the Divine Legation, concerning the
command to Abraham to offer up his son, and the nature
of the Jewish theocracy, objected to by those learned
writers. Part II. and last;“8vo. Both these answers are
couched in those high terms of confident superiority which
marked almost every performance that fell from his pen
during the remainder of his life. Sept. 5, 1745, the friendship between him and Mr. Allen was more closely cemented
by his marriage with his niece, Miss Tucker, who survived him. At this juncture the kingdom was under a great
alarm, occasioned by the rebellion breaking out in Scotland. Those who wished well to the then-established government found it necessary to exert every effort which
could be used against the invading enemy. The clergy
were not wanting on their part; and no one did more service than Mr. Warburton, who published three very excellent and seasonable sermons at this important crisis. I,
” A faithful portrait of Popery by which it is seen to be
the reverse of Christianity, as it is the destruction of morality, piety, and civil liberty. A sermon preached at St.
James’s church, Westminster, Oct. 1745,“Sva. II.
” A
sermon occasioned by the present unnatural Rebellion, &e>
preached in Mr. Allen’s chapel, at Prior Park, near Bath,
Nov. 1745, and published at his request,'? 8vo. III. “The
nature of National Offences truly stated. A sermon preached on the general fast-day, Dec. 18, 1745,
” An Apologetical Dedication to the
Rev. Dr. Henry Stebbing, in answer to his censure and
misrepresentations of the sermon preached on the general
fast-day to be observed Dec. 18, 1745,
” A Sermon preached on the Thanksgiving appointed to be observed the 9th Oct. for the suppression of
the late unnatural Rebellion,
” Sbakspeare,
” from which he derived very little reputation. Of this edition, the nameless
critic already quoted, says, “To us it exhibits a phenomenon unobserved before in the operations of human intellect a mind, ardent and comprehensive, acute and penetrating, warmly devoted to the subject and furnished
with all the stores of literature ancient or modern, to illustrate and adorn it, yet by some perversity of understanding,
or some depravation of taste, perpetually mistaking what
was obvious, and perplexing what was clear; discovering
erudition of which the author was incapable, and fabricating
connections to which he was indifferent. Yet, with all
these inconsistencies, added to the affectation, equally discernible in the editor of Pope and Shakspeare, of understanding the poet better than he understood himself, there
sometimes appear, in the rational intervals of his critical
delirium, elucidations so happy, and disquisitions so profound, that our admiration of the poet (even of such a poet), is suspended for a moment while we dwell on the
excellencies of the commentator.
”
His son John appears to have early contracted a love for learning,
His son John appears to have early contracted a love for
learning, and longed for a situation in which he could make
it his chief object. He was for some years a clerk in the
navy office, and prosecuted iiis studies at his leisure hour*
with great eagerness, and had the assistance of a Dr. John
Ker, who appears to have been originally a physician, as
he took his degree of M. D. at Leyden, but kept an academy at Highgate, and afterwards in St. John’s-square,
Clerkenwell. Mr. Ward continued in the navy-office until
1710, when he resigned his situation, and opened a school
in Tenter-alley, Moorfields, which he kept for many years,
being more desirous, as he said, to converse even with
boys upon subjects of literature, than to transact the ordinary affairs of life with men. In 1712, he became one
of the earliest members of a society of gentlemen, who
agreed to meet once a week, or as often as their affairs
would permit, to prepare and read discourses, each in his
turn, upon the civil law, and the law of nature and nations. In the prosecution of this laudable design, they
went through the “Corpus Juris civilis,
” Grotius “De
Jure belli et pacis,
” Puffendorff “De officio hominis et
civis,
” and ended with Cicero “De Officiis.
” Some of
the society were divines, and some lawyers; and as their
affairs from time to time obliged any of them to leave the
society, they were succeeded by others. But in order to
preserve a perfect harmony and agreement among themselves, it was always a standing rule not to admit any new
member, till he was first proposed by one of their number,
and approved of by all the rest. This society, with some
occasional interruptions, was kept up till Michaelmas-term
1742. Several of the members were afterwards persons
of distinction both in church and state, and Mr. Ward
continued highly esteemed among them while the society
subsisted.
ich, in 1643, he procured from the marquis of Ormond, then lord lieutenant, a reversionary grant for his son, also called James, who died in 1689. It appears by a letter
On his father’s death in 1632, he succeeded him in his
estate and in the office of auditor-general, of which, in
1643, he procured from the marquis of Ormond, then lord
lieutenant, a reversionary grant for his son, also called
James, who died in 1689. It appears by a letter which the
marquis wrote on this occasion that sir James, “even when
his majesty’s affairs were most neglected, and when it was
not safe for any man to shew himself for them, then appeared very zealously and stoutly for them,
” and, in a
word, demonstrated his loyalty in the worst of times. His
studies, however, were now somewhat interrupted by the
duties of his office, on which he entered in 1633, on the
arrival of the lord-deputy Wentworth, afterwards earl of
Strafford, who took him into his particular confidence, and
consulted him upon all occasions. To render him more
useful in the king’s service, he called him to the privycouncil, and th'ere he had frequent opportunities of shewing his address and talents in the most important affairs.
This year (1633) he published “Spenser’s view of the
state of Ireland,
” and dedicated it to the lord-deputy, as
he did afterwards Meredith Haiuner’s “Chronicle,
” and
Campion’s “History of Ireland.
”
actor to that university, and to learning in general. In 1509, Henry VII. died, and was succeeded by his son Henry VIII. from whose promising abilities great expectations
In March 1503-4, bishop Warham was translated to the see of Canterbury, in which he was installed with great solemnity, Edward duke of Buckingham officiating as his steward on that occasion. He was likewise, on May 28, 1506, unanimously elected chancellor of the university of Oxford, being then, and ever after, a great friend and benefactor to that university, and to learning in general. In 1509, Henry VII. died, and was succeeded by his son Henry VIII. from whose promising abilities great expectations were formed. Archbishop Warham’s high rank in the church, and the important office he held in the state, as lord chancellor, naturally caused him to preside at the council-board of the young king, and his rank and talents certainly gave him great authority there. One of the first matters of importance, in the new reign, was the marriage of the king, which, from his tender age, and his aversion to it r had not yet taken place, and it was now necessary that his majesty should decide to break it off, or conclude it. Warham still continued to oppose it, and Fox, as before, contended for it; and it, accordingly, was performed June 3, 1509; and on the 24th of the same month, the king and queen were crowned at Westminster by archbishop W r arham. In the years 1511 and 1512, we find our prelate zealously persecuting those who were termed heretics; and although the inttances of his interference with the opinions of the reformation are neither many, nor bear the atrocious features of a Bonner or a Gardiner, they form no small blemish in his character.
father, a clergyman, was master of the free grammar-school, and took upon himself the whole care of his son’s early education. From this seminary he was sent, in November
, a late eminent and learned prelate, was born in August 1737, at Heversham in Westmoreland, five miles from Kendal, in which town his father, a clergyman, was master of the free grammar-school, and took upon himself the whole care of his son’s early education. From this seminary he was sent, in November 1754, with a considerable stock of classical learning, a spirit of persevering industry, and an obstinate provincial accent, to Trinity college, Cambridge, where, from the time of his admission, he distinguished himself by close application to study, residing constantly, until made a scholar in May 1757. He became engaged with private pupils in November following, and took the degree of B. A. (with superior credit, being second Wrangler,) in January 1759. He was elected fellow of Trinity college in Oct. 1760; was appointed assistant tutor to Mr. Backhouse in November that year; took the degree of M. A. in 1762, and was made moderator, for the first time, in October following. He was unanimously elected professor of chemistry in Nov. 1764; became one of the head tutors of Trinity college in 1767; appointed regius professor of divinity (on the death of the learned Dr. Rutherforth) in Oct. 1771, with the rectory of Somersham in Huntingdonshire annexed.
o treated him with great tenderness; and had the happiness indulged to few parents, of living to see his son eminent for literature, and venerable for piety.
At the age of twenty he left the academy, and spent two years in study and devotion at the house of his father, who treated him with great tenderness; and had the happiness indulged to few parents, of living to see his son eminent for literature, and venerable for piety.
s invited by sir John Hartopp, to reside in his family, at Stoke Newington, near London, as tutor to his son. Here he remained about four or five years, and on his birth-day
At the end of this time, he was invited by sir John Hartopp, to reside in his family, at Stoke Newington, near London, as tutor to his son. Here he remained about four or five years, and on his birth-day that completed his twenty-fourth year, in 1698, preached his first sermon, and was chosen assistant to Dr. Chauncy, minister of the congregation in Mark- lane. About three years after, he was appointed to succeed Dr. Chauncy but had scarce entered on this charge when he was so interrupted by illness, as to render an assistant necessary; and after an interval of health he was again seized by a fever which left a weakness that never wholly abated, and, in a great measure checked the usefulness of his public labours.
our of the salvation of infants dying before baptism. However, from the flourishing circumstances of his son, Bayle infers that he was not reduced to poverty. The time
, a celebrated printer in Paris,
began to print Greek authors in 1530, and flourished for
more than twenty years. His editions were so extremely
correct, that not above two faults were sometimes found in
a folio volume, which was probably owing to his having
had Sylburgius, one of the best scholars and critics then in
Germany, for the corrector of his press. He was brought
into trouble in 1534 for having sold a book of Erasmus,
“De esu interdicto carniuui,
” which had been censured
by the faculty of divinity and, according to father Garasse,
he fell into poverty for his impiety, in printing an anonymous book, in favour of the salvation of infants dying before baptism. However, from the flourishing circumstances
of his son, Bayle infers that he was not reduced to poverty.
The time of his death is not known; but we are not able
to trace him beyond 1552.
eased by the industry and ingenuity of different manufacturers, and particularly by Mr. Wedgwood and his son, into an almost endless variety of forms for ornament and
It was about 1760 that he began his improvements in the Staffordshire potteries, and not only improved the composition, forms, and colours of the old wares, but likewise invented, in 1763, a new species of ware, for which he obtained a patent, and which being honoured by her majesty’s approbation and patronage, received the name of queen’s ware. Continuing his experimental researches, Mr. Wedgwood afterwards invented several other species of earthen-ware and porcelain, of which the principal are: 1. A terra cotta; resembling porphyry, granite, Egyptian pebble, and other beautiful stones of the siliceous or crystalline order. 2. Basaltes, or black ware; a black porcelain biscuit of nearly the same properties with the natural stone, receiving a high polish, resisting all the acids, and bearing without injury a very strong fire. 3. White porcelain biscuit; of a smooth wax-like appearance, of similar properties with the preceding. 4. Jasper; a white porcelain of exquisite beauty, possessing the general properties of basaltes; together with the singular one of receiving through its whole substance, from the admixture of metallic calces, the same colours which those calces give to glass or enamels in fusion; a property possessed by no porcelain of ancient or 1 modern composition. 5. Bamboo, or cane-coloured biscuit porcelain, of the same nature as the white porcelain biscuit. And 6. A porcelain biscuit remarkable for great hardness, little inferior to that of agate; a property which, together with its resistance to the strongest acids, and its impenetrability to every known liquid, renders it well adapted for the formation of mortars, and many different kinds of chemical vessels. The above six distinct species of ware, together with the queen’s ware first noticed, have increased by the industry and ingenuity of different manufacturers, and particularly by Mr. Wedgwood and his son, into an almost endless variety of forms for ornament and use. These, variously painted and embellished, constitute nearly the whole of the present fine earthen-wares and porcelains of English manufacture.
aged seventy-six, leaving a great number of valuable ”Dissertations,“some” Sermons,“and other works. His son, the immediate subject of the present article, was born
, an eminent protestant divine,
was the grandson of John James Werenfels, a clergyman
at Basil, who died November 17, 1655, leaving ' Sermons“in German, and
” Homilies on Ecclesiastes“in Latin. He
was the son of Peter Werenfels, likewise an eminent protestant divine, born 1627, at Leichtal; wtio, after having
been pastor of different churches, was appointed archdeacon of Basil in 1654, where he gave striking proofs of his
piety and zeal during the pestilence which desolated the
city of Basil in 1667 and 1668. His sermons, preached at
that time from Psalm xci. have been printed. He was appointed professor of divinity in 1675, and died May 23,
1703, aged seventy-six, leaving a great number of valuable
”Dissertations,“some
” Sermons,“and other works. His
son, the immediate subject of the present article, was born
March I, 1657, at Basil. He obtained a professorship of
logic in 1684, and of Greek in the year following, and
soon after set out on a literary journey through Holland and
Germany, and then into France, with Burnet, afterwards
bishop of Salisbury, and Frederick Battier. At his return
to Basil he was appointed professor of rhetoric, and filled
the different divinity chairs successively. He died in that
city, June 1, 1740. His works have all been collected and
printed in 2 vols. 4to; the most complete edition of them
is that of Geneva and of Lausanne, 1739. They treat of
philology, philosophy, and divinity, and are universally
esteemed, particularly the tract
” De Logomachiis Eruditorum.“In the same collection are several poems, which
show the author to have been a good poet as well as an
able philosopher and learned divine. We have also a vol.
8vo, of his
” Sermons," which are much admired.
Of his son, we are informed that he was educated at Eton, and went
Of his son, we are informed that he was educated at Eton, and went thence to Oxford about the same time that Gray removed to Cambridge. Each of them carried with him the reputation of an excellent classical scholar; and Mr. Mason was told, what he seems unwilling to allow, that Mr. West’s genius was reckoned the more brilliant of the two. In April 1738, Mr. West left Christchurch for the Inner Temple; but, according to his own account, in a letter to Walpole, he had no great relish for the study of the law, and had some thoughts of exchanging that profession for the army. When Gray returned from his Travels ui 1741, he found his friend West oppressed by sickness, and a load of family misfortunes, which had already too far affected a body originally weak and delicate. West died June i, 1742, in the twenty-sixth year of his age What remains to give an idea of his talents, may be found in lord Orford’s Works, and Mason’s Life of Gray.
1753 he published a pamphlet on the memorable Jew bill; in 1755, “The Country Gentleman’s advice to his Son;” and in 1756, “A Letter to the right rev. the lord bishop
The son of bishop Weston, styled from his being a privy
counsellor, the Right Hon. Edward Weston, was born
and educated at Eton, and afterwards studied and took his
degrees at King’s college, Cambridge. His destination
was to public life, at the commencement of which be became secretary to lord Townshend at Hanover during the
king’s residence there in 1729, and continued several years
in the office of lore! Harrington, as his secretary. He was
also transmitter of the state papers, and one of the clerks
of the signet. In 1741 he was appointed gazetteer; and in
1746, when he was secretary to lord Harrington, lord
lieutenant of Ireland, he became a privy-counsellor of that
kingdom. Our authorities do not give the date of his
death, but it happened in the early part of the present
reign. In 1753 he published a pamphlet on the memorable
Jew bill; in 1755, “The Country Gentleman’s advice to his
Son;
” and in A Letter to the right rev. the lord
bishop of London,
” on the earthquake at Lisbon, and the
character of the times. He published also “Family Discourses, by a country gentleman,
” re-published in Family Discourses,
by the late right hon. Edward Weston,
” a name, we are
properly told, “very eminently distinguished for abilities
and virtue, and most highly honoured throughout the whole
course of life, by the friendship and esteem of the best and
greatest men of his time.
” He left two sons, Charles, a
clergyman, who died in Oct. 1801, and the rev. Stephen
Weston, now living, well known as one of the most profound scholars, and what seldom can be said of men of
that character, one of the first wits of the age.
d into English and epitomized. Tenison also recommended him to lord Arundel of Trerice, as tutor for his son. Soon after being presented to archbishop Sancroft, his
, an English divine, of most uncommon abilities, was born Nov. 9, 1664, at Worstead
in Norfolk; of which parish his father Edmund, who survived him, was vicar. He was educated under his father;
and made such a progress in the Greek and Latin tongues,
that, from his first entrance into the university, he was
thought an extraordinary young man. On Feb. 17, 1679—80,
he was admitted into 'Caius-college, Cambridge, of
which his father had been fellow, under the tuition of John,
afterwards sir John Ellys, one of the senior fellows. Here
he prosecuted his studies with the greatest vigour, and was
instructed in the mathematics by Mr. (afterwards sir) Isaac
Newton, then fellow of Trinity-college and Lucasian professor, amongst a select company, to whom that great
man read lectures in his own private chamber. He took a
bachelor of arts degree in 1683-4, and resided in the college till 1686, was a scholar on the foundation of his great
uncle Stockys, but, observing no probability of a vacancy
among the fellowships, he left it, and was recommended
by Dr. Barker, afterwards chaplain to archbishop Tillotson,
to Dr. Cave, whom he assisted in compiling his “Historia
Literaria.
” Of the nature of that assistance, and the manner in which he conducted himself, we shall have occasion
to speak afterwards. In 1687 he was ordained deacon;
and the same year proceeded master of arts by proxy;
which favour was indulged him on account of being then
dangerously ill of the small-pox at Islington. About this
time the reputation he had acquired recommended him to
the notice of Dr. Tenison, vicar of St. Martin’s in the Fields,
London, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, who employed him to prepare for the press a manuscript on “The
incurable Scepticism of the Church of Rome,
” written in
Latin by Placette of Hamburgh. This Wharton translated
into English and epitomized. Tenison also recommended
him to lord Arundel of Trerice, as tutor for his son. Soon
after being presented to archbishop Sancroft, his grace put
into his hands, in April 1788, the manuscript of archbishop Usher’s dogmatical history of the Holy Scriptures,
which he published, in 4to, under the title, “J. Usserii,
&c. Hist. Dogmatica controversial inter orthodoxos et pon-r
tificios de scripturis, &c.
” to which he added an “auctarium,
” or supplement. He also published before and about
this time several treatises against popery, among which
are, 1. “The Speculum Ecclesiasticum considered, inits
false reasonings and quotations,
” Lond. Speculum Ecclesiasticum
” was a production of Thomas.
Ward, whom we have noticed already. 2. “A treatise
proving Scripture to be the rule of Faith, writ by Reginald
Pecock, bishop of Chichester, before the reformation,
about 1450,
” Lond* A treatise of the Celibacy of the Clergy,
wherein its rise and progress are historically considered, 7 *
ibid. 1688, 4to. In this he proves that the celibacy of the
clergy was not enjoined either by Christ or his apostles;
that it has nothing excellent in itself; that the imposition
of it is unjust, and that, in point of fact, it was never universally imposed or practised in the ancient church. 5. A,
translation of Dellon’s
” History of the Inquisition of Goa. n
6. About the same time he translated some homilies of St.
Macarius, the prologue and epilogue of Euronius to his
“Apologetic Treatise
” (formerly transcribed by him out of a manuscript of Dr. Tenison) with a treatise of “PseudoDorotheus,
” found by Mr. Dodwell jn the Bodleian library,
out of Greek into Latin, and the famous Bull “in Ccena
Domini
” out of Latin into English annexing a short preface containing some reflections- upon the Bull, and animadversions on the account of the proceedings of the parliament of Paris. 7. He gave his assistance likewise to a
new edition of Dr. Thomas James’s “Corruption of the
Scriptures, Councils, and Fathers, by the Prelates of the
Church of Rome for the maintenance of Popery;
” and at
the request of Mr. Watts he revised the version of “Philalethe & Philirene,
” fitting it for the press. 8. “A brief
declaration of the Lord’s Supper, written by Dr. Nicholas
Ridley, bishop of London, during his imprisonment. Witfo
some other determinations and disputations concerning the
same argument, by the same author. To which is annexed
an extract of several passages to the same purpose out of
a book entitled * Diallecticon,' written by Dr. John Poynet,
bishop of Winton in the reigns of Edward VI. and queen
Mary,
” 1688, 4to. 9. “The Enthusiasm of the Church
of Rome demonstrated in some observations upon the Life
of Ignatius Loyola,
”
In 1721 a large subscription was made for the support of his family, but principally, his son says, to reimburse him the expences he had been at in attempting
In 1721 a large subscription was made for the support
of his family, but principally, his son says, to reimburse
him the expences he had been at in attempting to discover the longitude, on which he had expended above Soo/.
This subscription amounted to 470l. and was, he tells us,
by far the greatest sum that ever was put into his hands by
his friends. It was upon contributions of this nature that
he seems chiefly to have depended; for, though he drew
profits from reading lectures upon philosophy, astronomy,
and even divinity; and also from his publications, which
were numerous; and from the small estate above mentioned, yet these, of themselves, would have been very
insufficient; nor, when joined with the benevolence and
charity of those who loved and esteemed him for his learning, integrity, and piety, did they prevent him from being
frequently in great distress. He spent the remainder of
his long life in the way he was now in; that is, in talking
and acting against Athanasianism, and for primitive Christianity, and in writing and publishing books from time to
time. In 1722 he published “An Essay towards restoring
the true Text of the Old Testament, and for vindicating
the citations thence made in the New Testament;
” in
The literal Accomplishment of Scripture-Prophecies,
” in answer to Mr. Collinses book upon the “Grounds
and reasons of the Christian Religion;
” in Of the
thundering Legion, or of the miraculous deliverance of
Marcus Antoninus and his army on the prayers of the Christians,
” occasioned by Mr. Moyle’s works, then lately published; in 1727, “A collection of authentic Records belonging to the Old and New Testament,
” translated into
English; in Memoirs of the Life of Dr. Samuel
Clarke;
” in A Vindication of the Testimony of
Phlegon, or an account of the great Darkness and Earthquake at our Saviour’s Passion, described by Phlegon,
” in
answer to a dissertation of Dr. Sykes upon that eclipse and
earthquake; in 1736, “Athanasian Forgeries, Impositions,
and Interpolations;
” the same year, “The Primitive Eucharist revived,
” against bishop Hoadly’s “Plain account
of the Lord’s Supper;
” in 17S7, “The Astronomical Year,
or an account of the many remarkable celestial phenomena,
of the great year 1736,
” particularly of the comet, which
was foretold by sir Isaac Newton, and came accordingly;
the same year, “The genuine works of Flavius Josephus,
the Jewish historian, in English, as translated from the
original Greek according to Havercamp’s accurate edition:
illustrated with new plans and descriptions of Solomon’s,
Zorobahel’s, Herod’s, and Ezekiel’s, temples, and with
correct maps of Judea and Jerusalem; together with proper notes, observations, contents, parallel texts of scripture, five complete indexes, and the true chronology of
the several histories adjusted in the margin: to which are
prefixed eight dissertations, viz. 1. The testimonies of Josephus vindicated; 2. The copy of the Old Testament, made
use of by Josephus, proved to be that which was Collected by
Neheimah; 3. Concerning God’s command to Abraham
to offer up his son Isaac for a sacrifice; 4. A large inquiry
into the true chronology of Josephus. 5. An extract out
of Josephus’s exhortation to the Greeks concerning Hades,
and the resurrection of the dead; 6. Proofs that this exhortation is genuine; 7. A demonstration that Tacitus, the
Roman historian, took his history of the Jews out of Josephus; 8 A dissertation of Cellarius against Hardouin, in Vindication of Josephus’s history of the family of Herod, from
coins; with an account of the Jewish coins, weights, and
measures,
” in folio, and since reprinted in 8vo. This is
reckoned the most useful of all Whiston’s learned labours,
and accordingly has met with the greatest encouragement.
In 1739 he put in his claim to the mathematical professorship at Cambridge, then vacant by the death of Saunderson, in a letter to Dr. Ashton, the master of Jesus college, who, his son avers, never produced it to the heads
who were the electors, and consequently no regard was
paid to it. In 174.5, he published his “Primitive NewTestament, in English;
” in Sacred History of
the Old and New Testament, from the creation of the
world till the days of Constarrtine the Great, reduced into
Annals;
”and the same year, “Memoirs of his own Life and
writings,
” which are curious as a faithful picture of an ingenuous, enthusiastic, and somewhat disordered mind. He
continued long a member of the Church- of England, and
regularly frequented its service, although he disapproved
of many things in it; but at last forsook it, and went over
to the baptists. This happened when he was at the house
of Samuel Barker, esq. at Lyndon, in Rutland, who had
married his daughter; and there it was that he dates the
following memorandum: “I continued in the communion
of the Church of England till Trinity Sunday, 1747: for,
though I still resolved to go out of the church if Mr. Belgrave continued to read the Athanasian Creed, so did he
by omitting it, both on Easter-day and Whitsunday this
year, prevent my leaving the public worship till TrinitySunday, while he knew I should go out of the church if he
begaq to read it. Yet did he read it that day, to my
great surprise; upon which I was obliged to go out, and
go to the baptist-meeting at Morcot, two miles off, as I
intend to go hereafter, while I am here at Lyndon, till
some better opportunity presents of setting up a more prijnitive congregation myself.
”
imself without some portion of hutnour. The two following instances may be given on the authority of his son. “Being in company with Mr. Addison, sir Richard Steele,
Whiston was occasionally exposed, as appears from the
works of Swift and Pope, to the ridicule of these wits; but
he was not himself without some portion of hutnour. The
two following instances may be given on the authority of
his son. “Being in company with Mr. Addison, sir Richard Steele, Mr. secretary Craggs, and sir Robert Waipole, they were busily engaged in a dispute, whether a secretary of state could be an honest man. Mr. Whiston, not
intermeddling in it, was pressed to declare his opinion,
which at length he did, by saying, he thought honesty was
the best policy, and if a prime minister would practise it, he
would find it so. To which Mr. Craggs replied: it might
do for a fortnight; but would not do for a month.‘ Mr.
Whiston asked him, ’ if he had ever tried it for a fortnight?' To which he making no reply, the company
gave it for Mr. Whiston.
”
parents in low circumstances in Gloucester, where his father was a journeyman-weaver, and brought up his son to the same business. Being however a sensible man, he gave
, an eminent Oriental scholar, canon
of Christ Church, Regius professor of Hebrew, and Laudian
professor of Arabic in the university of Oxford, was
born in 1746, of parents in low circumstances in Gloucester, where his father was a journeyman-weaver, and brought
up his son to the same business. Being however a sensible
man, he gave him what little learning was in his power at
one of the charity-schools at Gloucester. This excited a
thirst for greater acquisitions in the young man, who employed all the time he could spare in the study of such
books as fell in his way. His attainments at length attracted
the notice of a neighbouring gentleman of fortune, who
sent him to the university of Oxford, where he was entered
of Wadham college. He took the degree of M. A. Feb. 19,
1773; and about that time engaged in the study of the
Oriental languages, to which he was induced by the particular recommendation of Dr. Moore, afterwards archbishop
of Canterbury. He had before acquired a tolerable share
of Hebrew learning, by which his progress in the other
Oriental languages was greatly facilitated. In 1775, he
was appointed archbishop Laud’s professor of Arabic; on
entering upon which office he pronounced a masterly oration, which was soon afterwards printed with the title of
f ' De Utilitate Ling. Arab, in Studiis Theologicis, Oratio
habita Oxoniis in Schola Linguarum, vii Id. Aprilis, 1775,“4to. He was at this time fellow of his college, being
elected in 1774. In 1778, Mr. White printed the Syriac
Philoxenian version of the Four Gospels (the ms. of which Dr. Gloster Ridley had given to New college), entitled,
<c Sacrorum Evangeliorum Versio Syriaca Philoxeniana, ex
Codd. Mss. Ridleianis in Bibl. Coll. Nov. Oxon. repositis,
nunc primum edita, cum Interpretatione et Annotationibus
Josephi White,
” &c. 2 vols. 4to. On November 15, 1778,
he preached a very ingenious and elegant sermon before
the university, which was soon afterwards printed, under
the title of “A revisal of the English translation of the Old
Testament recommended. To which is added, some
account of an antient Syriac translation of great part of Origen’s Hexaplar edition of the LXX. lately discovered in
the Ambrosian Library at Milan,
” 4to. About this time he
was appointed one of the preachers at Whitehall chapel.
In 1779, he took the degree of bachelor of divinity; and
in the same year published “A Letter to the bishop of
London, suggesting a plan for a new edition of the
LXX; to which are added, Specimens of some inedited
versions made from the Greek, and a Sketch of a Chart
of Greek Mss.
” In 1780, Mr. White published, “A Specimen of the Civil and Military Institutes of Tjmour, or
Tamerlane; a work written originally by that celebrated
Conqueror in the Magul language, and since translated
into Persian. Now first rendered from the Persian into
English, from a ms. in the possession of William Hunter,
M.D.; with other Pieces,
” 4to. The whole of this work
appeared in 1783, translated into English by major Davy,
with Preface, Indexes, Geographical Notes, &c. by Mr.
White, in one volume, 4to. In Easter term, 1783, he was
appointed to preach the Bampton lecture for the following
year. As soon as he was nominated, he sketched out the
plan; and finding assistance necessary to the completion
of it in such a manner as he wished, called to his aid Mr.
Samuel Baclcork and Dr. Parr. Although his own share of
these labours was sufficient to entitle him to the celebrity
which they procured him, he bad afterwards to lament that
he had not acknowledged his obligations to those elegant
scholars, in a preface to the volume, when it was published. As soon as the lectures were delivered, the applause
with which they were received was general throughout the
university. They were printed the same year, and met with
universal approbation. A second edition appeared in 1785;
to which the author added a sermon, which he had recently
preached before the university, on the necessity of propagating Christianity in the East Indies. Mr. White’s reputation was now established, and he was considered as one
of the ablest vindicators of the Christian doctrines which
modern times had witnessed. Lord Thnrlow, then lord
chancellor, without any solicitation, gave him a prebend
in the cathedral of Gloucester, which at once placed him
in easy and independent circumstances. In 1787 he took
his degree of D. D. and was looked up to with the greatest
respect in the university, as one of its chief ornaments. In
the year 1788, the death of Mr.Badcock was made the
pretence for an attack on Dr. White’s character both as an author and a man, by the late Dr. R. B. Gabriel, who published a pamphlet, entitled, “Facts relating to the Rev. Dr.
White’s Bampton Lectures.
” By this it appears that there
was found among the papers of the deceased Mr. Badcock,
a promissory note for 500l. from Dr. White for literary aid;
the payment of which was demanded, but refused by him
on the ground that it was illegal in the first instance, as
not having the words “value received,' 7 and, secondly, it
was for service to be rendered in the History of Egypt,
which the doctor and Mr. Badcock had projected. The
friends of the deceased, however, were of a different
opinion; and the doctor consented to liquidate the debt.
This he informs us he did,
” partly because he apprehended
that his persisting to refuse the payment of it might tend
to the disclosure of the assistance which Mr. Badcock had
given him in the Bampton Lectures; and partly, because
he was informed that the note, by Mr. Badcock’s death,
became a part of his assets, and, as such, could legally be
demanded.“But whoever reads Dr. White’s
” Statement
of Literary Obligations“must be convinced that he was
under no obligation to have paid this money, and that his
opponents availed themselves of his simplicity and the
alarm which they excited for his literary character. Gabriel, however, a man neither of literary talents or character, was at the head of an envious junto who were determined to injure Dr.White if they could; and notwithstanding his payment of the money, printed all Mr, Badcock’s
letters in the above pamphlet, in order, as he said, to vindicate the character of the deceased, as well as his own,
both of which he ridiculously pretended had been assailed
on this occasion. In consequence of this publication, Dr.
White printed
” A Statement of his Literary Obligations
to the Rev. Mr. Samuel Badcock, and the Rev. Samuel
Parr, LL.D,“By this it appeared, that, though Mr. Badcock’s share in the Lectures was considerable, yet that it
was not in that proportion which had been maliciously represented, the plan of the whole, and the execution of the
greatest part, being Dr. White’s, and Dr. Parr’s being
principally literal corrections. This statement gave sufficient satisfaction to the literary world at large. But the
malice of his enemy was not yet satiated, as may appear
by the following correspondence, which having been circulated chiefly at Oxford, may be here recorded as an
additional defence of Dr. White.
”A printed paper, entitled ‘Minutes of what passed at
three interviews which lately took place between Dr. White
and Dr. Gabriel in London and in Bath,’ and signed
in mezzotinto, and all the rest engraved in lines. Some few of Robert White’s plates are finished by his son George, who chiefly practised in mezzotinto, but engraved
Of his own works he made no regular collection, but
when he had done a plate, rolled up two or three proofs,
and flung them into a closet, where they were found in
heaps. Many of these proofs may now be found in the
collections of those curious persons who take Granger for
their guide. The plates which he had by him were, after
his decease, sold to a printseller in the Poultry, who in a
few years, according to lord Orford and Mr. Strutt, enriched himself by the purchase. The number of his portraits, of which Vertue has collected the names, are two
hundred and seventy - five, of which two are scraped in
mezzotinto, and all the rest engraved in lines. Some few
of Robert White’s plates are finished by his son George,
who chiefly practised in mezzotinto, but engraved a few
plates in lines, of which the principal one is a large portrait of “James Gardiner,
” bishop of Lincoln.
large boardingschool at Wandsworth, where many of their children were educated. Mr. Barclay, wishing his son to travel, proposed Dr. Whitehead to be his companion, paid
, a physician, and preacher
among the Methodists in the connexion of Wesley, whose
life he wrote, was born of honest industrious parents in the
country. At an early age he exhibited proofs of genius;
and, before twenty, was a proficient in the Latin and Greek
languages. Early in life he was connected with the Messrs.
Wesley, and preached at Bristol. He left them, however,
and set up as a linen-draper in that city, but failed in business; after which he became a Quaker, and a speaker in
the congregations of that respectable body, who, by their
beneficent friendship, set him up in a large boardingschool at Wandsworth, where many of their children were
educated. Mr. Barclay, wishing his son to travel, proposed
Dr. Whitehead to be his companion, paid all his expences,
and settled on him \00l. a year. They went to Leyden,
and his thirst for knowledge induced him to attend the anatomical, philosophical, and medical lectureship; and, about
1790, he had arrived at such a pitch of knowledge that his
correspondence with Dr. Lettsotn determined the latter to
bring him forward; so that, even while at Leyden (Dr. Kooystra, physician of the London Dispensary in Primrose-street, dying) the Doctor introduced him to that most excellent
charity. After he had been in London two years, the Friends
endeavoured to bring him into the London Hospital, Mileend, which was only lost by one vote, occasioned by giving
a draft on a banker for payment the next day instead of the
present at the time of the election. In about three years
the Doctor left the Quakers, and united himself again to
the Wesleys; and Mr. Wesley said to Mr. Ranken, “Do
what you can to unite Dr. Whitehead with us again.
” He
succeeded; and Dr. W. preached very often, and was
highly esteemed both as a physician and v preacher; so
much so, that he attended Mr. Wesley in his last illness,
and preached his funeral sermon. He afterwards published
“The Life of the Rev, John Wesley, M. A. some time fellow of Lincoln college, Oxford, collected from his private
Papers and printed Works, and written at the request of
his Executors.
” Of this work, which professedly forms
<c a History of Methodism,“the first volume appeared in
1793, the second in 1796. This valuable and candid work
occasioned a rupture between Dr. Coke and his associates,
who were styled
” The Conference," and Dr. Whitehead;
as they intended themselves to publish a Life; and the
publication caused much party-dispute among the Wesleys, so as to exclude the Doctor from preaching; but a
reconciliation took place, and he was again admitted to the
pulpit. He died March 7, 1804.
When the marriage of the prince of Wales in 1736, and the birth of his son, the present king, called for the gratulatory praises of
When the marriage of the prince of Wales in 1736, and the birth of his son, the present king, called for the gratulatory praises of the universities, Whitehead wrote some verses on these subjects, which he inserted in the first collection of his poems, published in 1754, but omitted from the second in 1774. They are restored, however, to the late edition of the English Poets, as they have been reprinted in some subsequent collections; nor can there be much danger to the reputation of a poet in telling the world that his earliest efforts were not his best.
About this time, lord Jersey determined that his son should complete his education abroad, and the late lord
About this time, lord Jersey determined that his son should complete his education abroad, and the late lord Harcourt having the same intentions concerning his eldest son lord viscount Nuneham, a young nobleman of nearly the same age, Mr. Whitehead was appointed governor to both, and gladly embraced so favourable an opportunity of enlarging his views by foreign travel. Leipsic was the place where they were destined to pass the winter of 1754, in order to attend the lectures of professor Mascow on the Droit publique. They set off in June, and resided the rest of the summer at Rheims, that they might habituate themselves to the French language, and then passed seven months at Leipsic, with little satisfaction or advantage, for they found the once celebrated Mascow in a state of dotage, without being quite incapacitated from reading his former lectures.
urn to England, he lived almost entirely in the house of the earl of Jersey, no longer as a tutor to his son, but as a companion of amiable manners and accomplishments,
For some years after his return to England, he lived
almost entirely in the house of the earl of Jersey, no longer
as a tutor to his son, but as a companion of amiable manners and accomplishments, whom the good sense of that
nobleman and his lady preferred to be the partner of their
familiar and undisguised intimacy, and placed at their table
as one not unworthy to sit with guests of whatever rank.
The earl and countess were now advanced in years, and his
biographer informs us, that Whitehead “willingly devoted
the principal part of his time to the amusement of his patron and patroness, which, it will not be doubted by those
who know with what unassuming ease, and pleasing sallies
of wit, he enlivened his conversation, must have made their
hours of sickness or pain pass away with much more serenity.
” The father of lord Nuneham also gave him a general invitation to his table in town, and to his delightful
seat in the country; and the two young lords, during the
whole of his life, bestowed upon him every mark of affection and respect.
During this placid enjoyment of high life, he produced
“The School for Lovers,
” a comedy which was performed
at Drury-lane in Charge to the Poets,
” in which,
as Laureat, he humorously assumes the dignified mode of a
bishop giving his visitatorial instructions to his clergy. He
is said to have designed this as a continuation of “The
Dangers of writing verse.
” There seems, however, no very
close connection, while as a poem it is far superior, not only
in elegance and harmony of verse, but in the alternation of
serious advice and genuine humour, the whole chastened by
candour for his brethren, and a kindly wish to protect them
from the fastidiousness of criticism, as well as to heal the
mutual animosities of the genus irritabile. But, laudable as
the attempt was, he had not even the happiness to conciliate those whose cause he pleaded. Churchill, from this
time, attacked him whenever he attacked any, but Whitehead disdained to reply, and only adverted to the animosity
of that poet in a few lines which he wrote towards the close
of his life, and which appear to be part of some longer
poem. They have already been noticed in the life of
Churchill. One consequence of Churchill’s animosity, neither silence nor resentment could avert. Churchill, at this
time, had possession of the town, and made some characters
unpopular, merely by joining them with others who were
really so. Garrick was so frightened at the abuse he threw
out against Whitehead, that he would not venture to bring
out a tragedy which the latter offered to him. Such is Mr.
Mason’s account, but if it was likely to succeed, why was
it not produced when Churchill and his animosities were
forgotten? The story, however, may be true, for when in
1770, he offered his “Trip to Scotland,
” a farce, to Mr.
Garrick, he conditioned that it should be produced without the name of the author. The secret was accordingly
preserved both in acting and publishing, and the farce was
performed and read for a considerable time, without a suspicion that the grave author of “The School for Lovers
” had relaxed into the broad mirth and ludicrous improbabilities of farce.
, and an imperfect plan of a tragedy founded on king Edward the Second’s resignation of his crown to his son, and of another composed of Spanish and Moorish characters;
The “Goat’s Beard
” was the last of-Whitehead’s publications. He left in manuscript the tragedy already mentioned, which Garrick was afraid to perform; the name Mr.
Mason conceals, but informs us that the characters are noble, and the story domestic. He left also the first act of an
“CEdipus
” the beginning, and an imperfect plan of a
tragedy founded on king Edward the Second’s resignation
of his crown to his son, and of another composed of Spanish
and Moorish characters; and a few small poetical pieces,
some of which Mr. Mason printed in the volume to which
he prefixed his Memoirs, in 1788.
uble of his thoughts; and soen after he came into the country he died, June 22. “On his death,” says his son, “the king lost as good a subject, his country as good a
, a learned English lawyer, was
descended of a good family near Oakingham, in Berkshire,
and born in London, November the 28th, 1570. He was
educated in Merchant Taylors’ school, elected scholar of
St. John’s college, in Oxford, in 1588, and July 1, 1594, took
the degree of bachelor of civil law. He afterwards settled
in the Middle Temple, became summer-reader of that
house in the 17th year of king James I. a knight, member
of parliament for Woodstock in 1620, chief justice of
Chester, and at length one of the justices of the king’s
bench. Kitig Charles I. said of him, that he was “a stout,
wise, and learned man, and one who knew what belongs
to uphold magistrates and magistracy in their dignity.
” In
Trinity term 1632, he fell ill of a cold, which so increased
upon him that he was advised to go in the country; on
which he took leave of his brethren the judges and serjeants,
saying, “God be with you, I shall never see you again;
”
and this without the least disturbance or trouble of his
thoughts; and soen after he came into the country he
died, June 22. “On his death,
” says his son, “the king
lost as good a subject, his country as good a patriot, the
people as just a 'judge, as ever lived. Ail honest men lamented the loss ui huri: no man in his age left behind him
a more honoured memory. His reason was clear and
strong, and his learning deep and general. He had the
Latin tongue so perfect, that sitting judge of assize at Oxford, when some foreigners, persons of quality, being
there, and coming to the court to see the manner of our
proceedings in matters of justice, this judge caused them
to sit down, and briefly repeated the heads of his charge to
the grand jury in good and elegant Latin, and thereby informed the strangers and the scholars of the ability of our
judges, and the course of our proceedings in matters of
law and justice. He understood the Greek very well, and
the Hebrew, and was versed in the Jewish histories, and
exactly knowing in the history of his own country, and in
the pedigrees of most persons of honour and quality in the
kingdom, and was much conversant in the studies of antiquity and heraldry. He was not excelled by, any in the
knowledge of his own profession of the common law of
England^ wherein his knowledge of the civil law (whereof he was a graduate in Oxford) was a help to him. His
learned arguments both at the bar and bench will confirm this truth.
” He was interred at Fawley near High Wyr
comb in Bucks, where a monument was erected to him by
his son. There are extant of his: 1. Several speeches in
parliament, particularly one in a book entitled “The Sovereign’s Prerogative and the Subject’s Privileges discussed,
&c. in the 3d and 4th year of king Charles I. London, 1657,
in fol. 2. Lectures or readings in the Middle Temple hall,
August the 2d, 1619, and on the statute on 21 Henry VIII.
c. 13. in the Ashmolean library at Oxford. 3. Of the
antiquity, use, and ceremony of lawful combats in England, formerly in the library of Ralph Sheldon, of Beoly,
esq. and since printed with other pieces by him, among
Hearne’s
” Curious Discourses."
death, when all his works were collected and published in one volume quarto, under the direction of his son, and of his intimate friend the late sir John Pringle. Besides
Dr. Whytt’s celebrity as an author was very great. His
first publication was, “An Essay on the Vital and other Involuntary motions of animals,
” which was written fifteen
years before publication in 1751. His next publication
was his “Essay on the virtues of Lime-water and Soap in
the cure of the stone,
” Physiological Essays,
” were first published in Observations
on the nature, causes, and cure of those disorders which
are commonly called nervous, hypochondriac, and hysteric.
” The last of his writings, “Observations on the Dropsy
of the Brain,
” did not appear till two years after his death,
when all his works were collected and published in one volume quarto, under the direction of his son, and of his intimate friend the late sir John Pringle. Besides these five
works, he wrote many papers which appeared in different
periodical publications; particularly in the Philosophical
Transactions, the Medical Essays, the Medical Observations, and the Physical and Literary Essays.
November following, condemned to perpt tual imprisonment, and to the forfeiture of all his effects. His son published this sentence in Germany the year after, with
The ministry of De Witt being charged with great events, the honour of the commonwealth, as well as of the pensionary, required that they should be written; and Wicquefort was selected as the properest person for such a work. He wrote this history under the inspection, as well as protection, of the pensionary, who furnished him vxithsuch memoirs as he wanted, and he had begun the printing of it when, being accused of holding st-cret correspondence with the enemies of the States, he wa> made prisoner at the Hague in March 1676; and, November following, condemned to perpt tual imprisonment, and to the forfeiture of all his effects. His son published this sentence in Germany the year after, with remarks, which he addressed to the plenipotentiaries assembled then at Nimeguen to treat of peace: but these powers did not think proper to meddle with the affair. Wicquefort amused himself with continuing his history of the United Provinces, which he interspersed, as was natural for a man in his situation, with satirical strokes, not only against the prince of Orange, whom he personally hated, but also against the government and the court of justice who had condemned him. This work was published at the Hague in 1719, with this title, “L'Histoire des Provinces Unies des Pays-Bas, depuis le parfait etablissement de cet Etat par la Paix de Munster:” it contains 1174 pages in folio, 246 of which were printed off when the author was thrown into prison.
al fidelity to each other, but Wieland’s father thought proper to interrupt the connection, and sent his son to Tubingen to study law. For this he probably had little
, a voluminous German writer who has been complimented with the title of
the Voltaire of Germany, was born in 1733, at Biberach.
Of his life no authentic account has, as far as we know,
reached this country, but the following few particulars,
gleaned from various sources, may perhaps be genuine,
His father was a clergyman, who gave him a good education, and his attachment to the Muses discovered itself very
early. At the age of fourteen, he wrote a poem on the destruction of Jerusalem, Two years after he was sent to
Erfurt to study the sciences, where he became enamoured
of Sophia de Gusterman, afterwards known by the name of
Madame de la Roche. The youthful lovers swore eternal
fidelity to each other, but Wieland’s father thought proper
to interrupt the connection, and sent his son to Tubingen
to study law. For this he probably had little inclination,
and employed most of his thoughts and time on poetry,
producing at the age of eighteen an “Art of Love
” in the
manner of Ovid, and a poem “On the nature of things,
”
in which we are told he combined the philosophy of Plato
and Leibnitz. After this he appears to have devoted himself entirely to study and writing, and acquired considerable
reputation as a poet of taste and fancy. For some time he
appears to have resided in Swisserland, and in 1760 he returned to his native place, where he was appointed to the
office of director of the chancery, and during his leisure
hours wrote some of those works which completely established him in the opinion of his countrymen, as one or the
greatest geniuses of the age, and honours were liberally
bestowed upon him. The elector of Mentz made him professor of philosophy and polite literature at Erfurt, and he
was soon after appointed tutor to the two young princes of
Saxe Weimar; he was also aulic counsellor to the duke,
who gave him a pension; and counsellor of government to
the elector of Mentz. In 1765 he married a lady at
Augsburgh, of whom he speaks so highly that we may conclude
ke had overcome or moderated his attachment to the object
of his first love. In 1808 Bonaparte sent him the cross of
the legion of honour, and after the battle of Jena, partook
of a repast with Wieland, and, we are gravely told, “conversed with him at great length on the folly and horrors of
war and on various projects for the establishment of a perpetual peace!
” Wieland’s latter days were employed in
translating Cicero’s Letters. A paralysis of the abdominal
viscera was the prelude to his death, which took place at
Weimar, in January 1813, in the eighty-first year of his
age.
bey, under the consistory court, which he had built the year before, by permission from the Chapter. His son erected a monument for him next to that of Dr. Pearce. He
, a late amiable and ingenious
writer, was the only son of Dr. Joseph Wilcocks, of whom
we have the following particulars. He waa born in 1673,
and was educated at Magdalen-college, Oxford, where he
formed a lasting friendship with Mr. Boulter, afterwards
primate of Ireland; Mr. Wilcocks was chosen a demy of
his college at the same election with Boulter and Addison,
and from the merit and learning of the elect, this was commonly called by Dr. Hough, president of the college,
“the golden election.
” He was ordained by bishop Sprat,
and while a young man, went chaplain to the English factory at Lisbon; where, as in all the other scenes of his
life, he acquired the public love and esteem, and was long
remembered with grateful respect. While here, such was
his sympathy and his courage, that although he had not
then had the small-pox, yet when that dreadful malady
broke out in the factory, he constantly attended the sick
and dying. On his return to England, he was appointed
chaplain to George I. and preceptor to his royal granddaughters, the children of George II. He also had a prebend of Westminster, and in 1721 was made bishop of
Gloucester, the episcopal palace of which he repaired,
which for a considerable time before had stood uninhabited;
and thus he became the means of fixing the residence of
future bishops in that see. In 1731 he was translated to
the bishopric of Rochester, with which he held the deanry
of Westminster. Seated in this little diocese, he declined
any higher promotion, even that of the archbishopric of
York, frequently using the memorable expression t>f bishop Fisher, one of his predecessors, “Though this my
wife be poor, I must not think of changing her for one
more opulent.
” The magnificence of the west-front of
Westminster-abbey, during his being dean, is recorded as
a splendid monument of his zeal for promoting public
works, in suitable proportion to his station in life. He
wouJd doubtless have been equally zealous in adorning
and enlarging his cathedral at Rochester, had there been
ground to hope for national assistance in that undertaking;
but its episcopal revenues were very inadequate to the expence. He was constantly resident upon his diocese, and
from the fatigue of his last Visitation there, he contracted
the illness which terminated his life by a gradual decay,
March 9, 1756, aged eighty-three. He was buried in a
vault in Westminster-abbey, under the consistory court,
which he had built the year before, by permission from the
Chapter. His son erected a monument for him next to
that of Dr. Pearce. He married Jane, the daughter of
John Milner, esq. sometime his Britannic majesty’s consul
at Lisbon, who died in her twenty-eighth year. By her
he hd Joseph, the more immediate subject of the present
article.
eth, was preferred to the rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire, and to a prebend in the church of Ely. His son, who had been a very diligent and successful student while
, a learned divine, was born in the city of Ely in 1562. His father, Mr. Thomas Willet, was sub-almoner to Edward VI. and a sufferer during the persecutions in queen Mary’s reign; but in that of queen Elizabeth, was preferred to the rectory of Barley in Hertfordshire, and to a prebend in the church of Ely. His son, who had been a very diligent and successful student while at school, was sent in his fourteenth year to Peter-house, Cambridge, whence he afterwards removed to Christ’s college, and obtained a fellowship. After passing thirteen years in the university, during which he afforded many proofs of extraordinary application and talents, queen, Elizabeth gave him his father’s prebend in Ely, about 1598, the year his father died. One of his name was also rector of Reed, in Middlesex, in 1613, and of Chishall Parva$ in Essex, in 1620, but it is doubtful whether this was the same person. It seems more certain, however, that he had the rectory of Childerley, in Cambridgeshire, and in 1597 that of Little Grantesden, in the same county, for which he took in exchange the rectory of Barley, vacant by his father’s death. He was also chaplain to prince Henry. About this time he married a relation to Dr. Goad, by whom he had eleven sons and seven daughters.
the estate and mansion of Coldbrook came to his brother George, who died in 1764, and now belongs to his son John Han bury "Williams, esq. the present proprietor.
Sir Charles left by his wife two daughters; Frances, first wife of William Anne, late earl of Essex, and Charlotte, who espoused the honourable Robert Boyle Walsingham, youngest son of the earl of Shannon, a commodore in the navy. On his death without issue male, the estate and mansion of Coldbrook came to his brother George, who died in 1764, and now belongs to his son John Han bury "Williams, esq. the present proprietor.
of the secretary’s place to this match, through the means of lord Danby, who intended this lady for his son. She died November 1702. Sir Joseph was president of the
, an eminent statesman
and benefactor to Queen’s college, Oxford, was son of
Joseph Williamson, vicar of Bridekirk in Cumberland from
1625 to 1634. At his first setting out in life he was employed as a clerk or secretary by Richard Tolson, esq.;
representative in parliament for Cockermouth; and, when
at London with his master, begged to be recommended to
Dr. Busby, that he might be admitted into Westminsterschool, where he made such improvement that the master
recommended him to the learned Dr. Langbaine, provost
pf Queen’s college, Oxford, who came to the election at
Westminster. He admitted him on the foundation, under
the tuition of Dr. Thomas Smith (for whom sir Joseph afterwards procured the bishopric of Carlisle), and provided for
him at his own expence; and when he had taken his bachelor’s degree, February 2, 1653, sent him to France as
tutor to a person of quality. On his return to college he
was elected fellow, and, as it is said, took deacon’s orders.
In 1657 he was created A. M. by diploma. Soon after the
restoration he was recommended to sir Edward Nicholas,
and his successor Henry earl of Arlington, principal secretary of state, who appointed him clerk or keeper of the
paper-office at Whitehall (of which he appointed Mr. Smith deputy), and employed him in translating and writing memorials in French; and June 24, 1677, he was sworn one
of the clerks of the council in ordinary, and knighted. He
was under-secretary of state in 1665; about which time he
procured for himself the writing of the Oxford Gazettes
then newly set up, and employed Charles Perrot, fellow of
Oriel college, who had a good command of his pen, to do
that office under him till 1671. In 1678, 1679, 1698,
1700, he represented the borough of Thetford in parliament. In 1685, being then recorder of Thetford, he was
again elected, but Heveningham the mayor returned himself, and on a petition it appeared that the right of election was in the select body of the corporation before the
charter; and in 1690 he lost his election by a double return. Wood says he was a recruiter for Thetford to sit in
that parliament which began at Westminster May 8, 1661.
At the short treaty of Cologne, sir Joseph was one of the
British plenipotentiaries, with the earl of Sunderland and
sir Leolin Jenkins, and at his return was created LL.D.
June 27, 1674, sworn principal secretary of state September 11, on the promotion of the earl of Arlington to the
chamberlainship of the household, and a privy counsellor.
On November 18, 1678, he was committed to the Tower
by the House of Commons, on a charge of granting commissions and warrants to popish recusants; but he was the
same day released by the king, notwithstanding an address
from the House. He resigned his place of secretary
February 9, 1678, and was succeeded by the earl of Sunderland; who, if we believe Kapin, gave him 6000l. and 500
guineas to induce him to resign. In December that year
he married Catherine Obrien, baroness Clifton, widow of
Hen/y lord Obrien, who died in August. She was sister
and sole heiress to Charles duke of Richmond, and brought
sir Joseph large possessions in Kent and elsewhere, besides
the hereditary stewardship of Greenwich. Some ascribe
the loss of the secretary’s place to this match, through the
means of lord Danby, who intended this lady for his son.
She died November 1702. Sir Joseph was president of
the Royal Society in 1678. Under 1674, Wood says of
him that “he had been a great benefactor to his college,
and may be greater hereafter if he think fit,
” Upon some
slight shewn by the college, he had made a will by which
he had given but little to it, having disposed of his intended
benefaction to erect and endow a college at Dublin, to be
called Queen’s college, the provosts to be chosen from its
namesake in Oxford, But soon after his arrival in Holland
1696, with. Mr. Smith, his godson and secretary, (afterwards, 1730, provost of Queen’s college, Oxford,) being
seized with a violent fit of the gout, he sent for his secretary, who had before reconciled him tothe place of his
education, and calling him to his bedside, directed him to
take his will out of a drawer in the bureau, and insert a benefaction of 6000l. When this was done and ready to be
executed, before the paper had been read to him, “in
comes sir Joseph’s lady.
” The secretary, well knowing
he had no mind she should be acquainted with it, endeavoured to conceal it; and on her asking what he had got
there, he answered, “nothing but news, Madam;
” meaning, such as she was not to know: and by this seasonable
and ready turn prevented her further inquiries.
He died, at his house in St. Martin’s, Nov. 11, 1675, and was buried near her in Westminster-abbey. His son Thomas, above mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8,
Dr. Willis was one of the first members of the Royal Society, and soon made his name as illustrious by his writings
as it was already by his practice. In 1666, after the fire
of London, he removed to Westminster, upon an invitation
from archbishop Sheldon, and took a house in St. Martin’slane. As he rose early in the morning, that he might be
present at divine service, which he constantly frequented
before he visited his patients, he procured prayers to be
read out of the accustomed times while he lived, and at his
death settled a stipend of 20l. per annum to continue them,
He was a liberal benefactor to the poor wherever he came,
having from his early practice allotted part of his profits
to charitable uses. He was a fellow of the college of physicians, and refused the honour of knighthood. He was
regular and exact in his hours; and his table was the resort of most of the great men in London. After his settlement there, his only son Thomas falling into a consumption, he sent him to Montpellier in France for the recovery of his health, which proved successful. His wife also
labouring under the same disorder, he offered to leave the
town; but she, not suffering him to neglect the means of
providing for his family, died in 1670. He died, at his
house in St. Martin’s, Nov. 11, 1675, and was buried near
her in Westminster-abbey. His son Thomas, above mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8, educated some
time in Westminster-school, became a student a Christ
church, and died in 1699. He was buried in Bletcbley
church, near Fenny-Stratford, the manors of which places
his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and
which descended to his eldest son Browne Willis of Whaddon-hall, esq. eminent for his knowledge in antiquities, and
of whom some memoirs will be given. Wood tells us, that
“though Dr. Willis was a plain man, a man of no carriage,
little discourse, complaisance, or society, yet for his deep
insight, happy researches in natural and experimental philosophy, anatomy, and chemistry, for his wonderful success and repute in his practice, the natural smoothness,
pure elegancy, delightful unaffected neatness of Latin
style, none scarce hath equalled, much less outdone, him,
how great soever. When at any time he is mentioned by
authors, as he is very often, it is done in words expressing
their highest esteem of his great worth and excellency, and
placed still as first in rank among physicians. And, further, also, he hath laid a lasting founJation of a body of
physic, chiefly on hypotheses of his own framing.
” These
hypotheses, by far too numerous and fanciful for his reputation, are contained in the following works: 1. “Diatribse
duae Medico-philosophicae de ft-rmentatione, altera de febribus,
” Hague, Diatribse Thomas
Wiilisii Med. Doct. & Profess. Oxon de Febribus Vindicatio contra Edm. de Meara,
” London, Dissertatio Epistolica de Uriuis
” printed with the Diatribes
above mentioned. 3. “Cerebri Anatome,
” London, De ratione motus
musculorum,
” printed with the “Cerebri Anatome.
” 5.
“Pathologise Cerebri & nervosi generis specimina, in quo
agiiur de morbis convulsivis & descorbuto,
” Oxford, Affectionum quae dicuntur hystericae & hypochondriacae Pathologia spasmodica, vindicata contra responsionem Epistolarem Nath. Highmore, M. D.
” London, Exercitationes Medico-physicae
duae, 1. De sanguinis accensione. 2.
” De motu musculari,“printed with the preceding book. 8.
” De anim&
Brutorum, quag hominis vitalis ac sensativa est, exercitationes duac, &c.“London, 1672, 4to and 8vo, Amsterdam,
1674, 12mo, All these books, except
” Affection um quae
dicuntur hystericae, &c.“and that
” de am ma Brutorum,“were translated into English by S. Pordage, esq. and printed
at London, 1681, folio. 9.
” Pharmaceutice Rationalis:
sive Diatriba de medicamentorum operationibus in humano
corpore." In two parts, Oxford, 1674 and 1675, 12mo,
4to. Published by Dr. John Fell. In the postscript to the
second part is the following imprimatur put to it by Dr.
Ralph Bathurst, the author dying the day before.
pinions delivered in different courts,” by sir John Eardley Wilmot, vrere published in 1802, 4to, by his son, with a memoir of his life, from which we have extracted
Among many other parts of this laborious profession, to
which sir Eardley had given unremitting attention, is that
of taking notes, to which he had invariably accustomed
himself both before and after he was called to the bar.
These notes were transcribed by his clerk, and he thus by
degrees became possessed of many volumes of ms. notes,
both in law and equity. The same practice he continued
after he was raised to the bench, till he heard that Mr.
(afterwards sir James) Burrow intended to publish his notes
from the time of lord Mansfields being appointed chief
justice; but he uniformly lent Mr. Burrow his papers from
this period, and with such short notes as he took himself.
We may here mention that the “Notes of Opinions delivered in different courts,
” by sir John Eardley Wilmot,
vrere published in
er also, our author, having endeavoured in many things to make the world believe that king James and his son after him were inclined to Popery, and to bring that religion
, an English historian, was the son
of Richard Wilson, of Yarmouth, in the county of Norfolk, gentleman; and was born in that county, 1596. In
1609 he went to France, where he continued almost two
years; and upon his return to England was placed with sir
Henry Spiller, to be one of his clerks in the exchequer
office; in whose family he resided till having written some
satirical verses upon one of the maid-servants, he was dismissed at lady Spiller’s instigation. In 1613 he took a
lodging in Holborn, where he applied himself to reading
and poetry for some time; and, the year after, was taken
into the family of Robert earl of Essex, whom he attended
into the Palatinate in 1620; to the siege of Dornick, in
Holland, in 1621 to that of Rees in 1622 to Arnheim,
in 1623 to the siege of Breda in 1624 and in the expedition to Cadiz in 1625. In 1630 he was discharged the
earl’s service, at the importunity of his lady, who had conceived an aversion to him, because she had supposed him
to have been against the earl’s marrying her. He tells us,
in his own life, that this lady’s name, before she marrie,d
the earl, was Elizabeth Paulet; that “she appeared to the
eye a beauty, full of harmless sweetness; that her conversation was affable and gentle; and, as he was firmly persuaded, that it was not forced, but natural. But the height
of her marriage and greatness being an accident, altered
her very nature; for,
” he says, “she was the true image
of Pandora’s box,
” nor was he much mistaken, for this
lady was divorced for adultery two years after her marriage. In 1631 he retired to Oxford, and became gentlman commoner of Trinity college, where he stayed almost
two years, and was punctual in his compliance with the
laws of the university. Then he was sent for to be steward
to the earl of Warwick, whom he attended in 1637 to the
siege of Breda. He died in 1652, at Felstead, in Essex,
and his will was proved in October of that year. The earl
and countess of Warwick received from him the whole of
his library, and 50l. to be laid out in purchasing a piece of
gold plate, as a memorial, particularly applying to the
Jatter, “in testimony,
” as he adds, “of my humble duty
and gratitude for all her noble and 1 undeserved favours to
me.
” Gratitude seems to have been a strong principle
with Wilson, as appears from his life, written by himself,
and printed in Peck’s “Desiderata.
” Wood’s account of
him is, that “he had little skill in the Latin tongue, less
in the Greek, a good readiness in the French, and some
smattering in the Dutch. He was well seen in the mathematics and poetry, and sometimes in the common law
of the nation. He had composed some comedies, which
were acted at the Black Friars, in London, by the king’s
players, and in the act-time at Oxford, with good applause,
himself being- present; but whether they are printed I cannot yet tell; sure lam, that I have several specimens of
his poetry printed in divers books. His carriage was very
courteous and obliging, and such as did become a wellbred gentleman. He also had a great command of the
English tongue, as well in writing as speaking; and, had
he bestowed his endeavours on any other subject than that
of history, they would without doubt have seemed better.
For, in those things which he hath done, are wanting the
principal matters conducing to the completion of that
” faculty, viz. matter from record, exact time, name, and
place, which, by his endeavouring too much to set out his
bare collections in an affected and bombastic style, are
much neglected.“The history here alluded to by Wood,
is
” The Life and Reign of king James I.“printed in London in 1653, folio; that is, the year after his death and
reprinted in the 2d volume of
” -The complete History of
England,“in 1706, folio. This history has been severely
treated by many writers. Mr. William Sanderson says, that,
” to give Wilson his due, we may find truth and falsehood
finely put together in it.“Heylin, in the-general preface
to his
” Examen,“styles Wilson’s history
” a most famous
pasquil of the reign of king James; in which it is not easy to
judge whether the matter be more false, or the style more
reproachful to all parts thereof.“Mr. Thomas Fuller, in his
” Appeal of injured Innocence,“observes, how Robert
earl of Warwick told him at Beddington, that, whenWilson’s
book in manuscript was brought to him, his lordship expunged more than an hundred offensive passages: to which
Mr. Fuller replied,
” My lord, you have done well; and
you had done better if you had put out a hundred more.“Mr. Wood’s sentence is,
” that, in our author’s history,
may easily be discerned a partial presbyterian vein, that
constantly goes through the whole work: and it being the
genius of those people to pry more than they should into
the courts and comportments of princes, they do take occasion thereupon to traduce and bespatter them. Further
also, our author, having endeavoured in many things to
make the world believe that king James and his son after
him were inclined to Popery, and to bring that religion
into England, hath made him subject to many errors and
misrepresentations.“On the other band, archdeacon
Echard tells us, that
” Wilson’s History of the life and
reign of king James, though written not without some
prejudices and rancour in respect to some persons, and too
much with the air of a romance, is thought to be the best
of that kind extant:“and the writer of the notes on the
edition of it in the
” Complete History of England“remarks, that, as to the style of our author’s history,
” it is
harsh and broken, the periods often obscure, and sometimes
without connection; faults, that were common in most writers of that time. Though he finished that history in the
year 1652, a little before his death, when both the monarchy and hierarchy were overturned, it does not appear he
was an enemy to either, but only to the corruptions of
them; as he intimates in the picture he draws of himself
before that hook."
the notice of the earl of Derby, who, in 1692, appointed him his domestic chaplain, and preceptor to his son, lord Strange, with a salary of 30l. and he being appointed
In 1689 he entered into priest’s orders, and it was not
long before his excellent character recommended him to
the notice of the earl of Derby, who, in 1692, appointed
him his domestic chaplain, and preceptor to his son, lord
Strange, with a salary of 30l. and he being appointed about
the same time master of the alms-house at Latham, worth
20l. a ye'ar more, he set apart a fifth part of the whole for
pious uses. In this situation he remained till 1697, when,
to use his own words, “he was forced into the bishopric of
the Isle of Man,
” a promotion for which he was in all respects eminently qualified. Being first created doctor of
laws by the archbishop of Canterbury, he was confirmed
bishop of Man at Bow church, Jan. 15, 1697-8, and next
day was consecrated at the Savoy church, by Dr. Sharp,
archbishop of York.
e island, and resumed his ex^ emplary course. In 1735 he came to England for the last time, to visit his son, the subject of the following article; and being introduced
After this absence from his diocese of eighteen months, which he had spent mostly in London, where he was beloved and admired to a degree of enthusiasm by all classes of people, he returned to the island, and resumed his ex^ emplary course. In 1735 he came to England for the last time, to visit his son, the subject of the following article; and being introduced at the court of George II. he was much noticed by their majesties, and particularly by queen Caroline, who was very desirous of keeping him in England, but he could not be prevailed upon to quit his poor diocese, the value of which did not exceed 3QO/. a year. On his return he visited the province of York at the request of archbishop Blackburn, and confirmed upwards-of fifteen thousand persons.
ffair became every year more difficult, until at length, by the care and diligence of the bishop and his son, the deeds were discovered in the Rolls chapel, where they
In 1739 the clergy of the Isle of Man were much alarmed by the death of the earl of Derby, who dying without issue, the lordship of Man, as a barony in fee, became the property of the duke of Athol, who had married the heiress of a late earl of Derby. This threatened to deprive the clergy of their subsistence, for the livings of the Isle of Man consist of a third of the impropriations, which had been originally purchased of a former earl of Derby by bishop Barrow, in the reign of Charles II.; but now the duke of Athol claimed the impropriations as an inseparable appendage of his estate and royalty. The clergy were now in danger of losing all their property, for the deeds of conveyance from the earl of Derby to bishop Barrow were lost from the records of the island, and the affair became every year more difficult, until at length, by the care and diligence of the bishop and his son, the deeds were discovered in the Rolls chapel, where they had been deposited for safe custody. This discovery put an end to the dispute, and in 1745 the deeds were exemplified under the great seal of England, and every precaution taken for the future payment of the money.
ve been repeatedly printed separately, and extensively circulated, and of sermons, were collected by his son and published in 1780, 2 vols. 4to, and reprinted in 2 handsome
His works, consisting of religious tracts, most of which have been repeatedly printed separately, and extensively circulated, and of sermons, were collected by his son and published in 1780, 2 vols. 4to, and reprinted in 2 handsome Tolumes, folio, by the editor, the late Rev. Clement Cruttweil, who also edited, a few years after, a splendid edition of the Bible in 3 vols. 4to, with notes by bishop Wilson.
ad anni 1725 finem grassantes complectens,” Lorn!. 1727, 1733, 8vo. This last edition was edited by his son, He published also “An experimental inquiry on some parts
, an eminent physician,
was the son of Dr. Clifton Wintringham, also a physician,
who died at York, March 12, 1748, and was an author of
reputation, but rather of the mechanical school, as appears
by his first publication, “Tractatus de Podagra, in quo de
ultimis vasis et liquidis et succo nutritio tractatur,
” York,
A Treatise of endemir-diseases,
” ibid. Commentarium nosologicum morbos epidemicos et aeris
variationes in urbe Eboracensi, locisque vicinis, ab anno
1715 ad anni 1725 finem grassantes complectens,
” Lorn!.
An experimental inquiry on some parts
of the animal structure,
” ibid. An inquiry
into the exility of the vessels of a human body,
” ibid.
His son, the more immediate subject of this brief notice, was born
His son, the more immediate subject of this brief notice, was born in 1710, and educated at Trinity college, Cambridge, where he took his degree of bachelor. of medicine in 1734, and that of doctor in 1749. During the interval it is not improbable that he studied the art at Leyden, as was usual at that time. He settled however at London, where he became a fellow of the college of physicians, and in 1742 of the Royal Society, in 1759 physician extraordinary, and afterwards physician general to the army. In 1749 he had been appointed chief physician to the duke of Cumberland, and in 1762 was nominated physician ta his present majesty, and received the honour of knighthood. He attained considerable practice during a very long life, and was much respected both for his private and public character. He died at Hammersmith, after a lingering illness, Jan. 9, 1794, at the age of eighty-four. In 1774 he had been created a baronet, with remainder to Jarvis Clifton, esq. second son of sir Jarvis Clifton, bart. of Clifton, Nottinghamshire, who however died before him, and the title became extinct. By his will, sir Clifton left to Trinity college, where he had been educated, a small marble image of Esculapius found near Rome, which was accordingly deposited there by his widow.
the county of Meath, and died Sept. 9, 1771, in the fifty-fifth year of his age; and of Thomas Wood his son, who died August 25th, 1772, in his ninth year; Ann, their
“To the beloved memory of Robert Wood, a man of
supreme benevolence, who was born at the castle of Riverstown near Trim, in the county of Meath, and died
Sept. 9, 1771, in the fifty-fifth year of his age; and of
Thomas Wood his son, who died August 25th, 1772, in his
ninth year; Ann, their once happy wife and mother, now
dedicates this melancholy and inadequate memorial of her
affection and grief. The beautiful editions of Balbec and
Palmyra, illustrated by the classic pen of Robert Wood,
supply a nobler and more lasting monument, and will survive those august remains.
”
in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He was interred in Exeter cathedral, with a Latin inscription by his son. He composed many theological tracts, monitory and practical,
Bishop Godwin, the biographer, who married one of his
daughters, and seems to have been with him in his last moments, says, he dictated letters, not two hours before his
death, on subjects of importance, full of the piety and prudence of a man in health and vigour; and being reminded
to consult his health, he repeated and applied the saying of
Vespasian, that “a bishop ought to die upon his legs;
”
which in him, as before in the emperor, was verified, for as
he was supported across the room (his complaint being an asthma) he sunk, and expired almost before he touched
the ground, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He was interred in Exeter cathedral, with a Latin inscription by his
son. He composed many theological tracts, monitory and
practical, which were all printed and published in the space
of about twelve months, in the years 1576 and 1577. 1.
“Anatornie of the whole man.
” 2. “Christian manual.
”
3. “Of Conscience.
” 4. “Armour of proofe.
” 5. < Immortalitie of the soule.“6.
” Fortresse of the Faithfull,“and 7.
” David’s Chain," which last is not mentioned by
Wood or Ames.
ishop of Gloucester, and prefixed to Dr. Worthington’s “Select Discourses,” revised and published by his son John Worthington, M.A. at London, 1725, in 8vo.
His funeral-sermon was preached by Dr. Tillotson at
Hackney, on the 30th of Nov. 1671, on John ix. 4. printed,
as it was preached on another occasion, in the third volume
of his posthumous sermons, published by Dr. Barker. But
the character of Dr.Worthington, which was the conclusion
of that sermon, and omitted in that edition, is inserted in
the preface to that learned man’s “Miscellanies,
” published
at London in Select Discourses,
” revised and published by his son John Worthington, M.A. at London, 1725, in 8vo.
6. 8. “The art of Logick,” ibid. 1626, 8vo. This is an English translation of Ramus’s logic, made by his son, and with a dedication by our author. This son, Samuel,
His writings are, 1. “An answer to a popish pamphlet,
&c. entitled ‘Certain Articles,’ &c.
” Lond. A defence of Mr. Perkins’ booke called A Reformed
Catholike, &c.
” ibid. The tryal of the
Roman Clergy’s title to the Church,
” ibid. Sermons on part of chapter first of St. John’s Gospel,
”
ibid. Run from Rome; or, The necessity
of separating from that Church,
” ibid. De
reconciliatione peccatoris, &c.
” Basil. An
answer to a book, entitled Appello Coesarem, written by
Mr. Richard Mountague,
” ibid. The art of
Logick,
” ibid.
ved by Moufet in his “Minim; rum Animaiium Theatrum,” Loud. 1634. Wotton left many children, of whom his son Henry became also a physician of eminence.
, an eminent physician, celebrated
by Leland in his “Encomia,
” by the name of Ododunus,
was the son of Richard Wotton, superior beadle of divinity
in the university of Oxford, and was born there in 1492,
and educated at the school near Magdalen-college, of
which college he became demy, and took a bachelor’s degree in 1513. Bishop Fox, founder of Corpus Christi college, was his patron, by whose interest he was appointed
socius compar and Greek lecturer of that new foundation,
and continued there till 1520, when he obtained leave to
travel into Italy for three years. It appears that he studied
physic on the continent, for he had a doctor’s degree conferred upon him at Padua. After his return he resumed
his lectureship, and was incorporated doctor of physic tor
wards the end of 1525. He became very eminent in his
profession, first about Oxford, and then in London; and
was a member of the college of pny^icians, and physician to Henry VIII. He died October 5, 1555, and
lies buried in St. Alban’s church, London. He was the
first of our English physicians who particularly applied
to the study of natural history. He made himself famous at home and abroad by his book, entitled “De
Differentiis Animaiium, lib. X.
” Paris, Minim; rum Animaiium Theatrum,
” Loud.
death of Henry, by whose will he was appointed one of the executors to whom, during the minority of his son Edward VI. he entrusted the government of the kingdom.
Such were the appointments which Wotton obtained, but in 1539 he had refused a bishopric, and it is said that he refused the see of Canterbury, so that whatever he might be as a courtier, he was an unambitious ecclesiastic. His talents indeed were better suited to political negociation, and accordingly he was often employed on foreign embassies. His first service abroad is thought to have been his embassy to Cleves in 1539, in order to carry on the treaty of marriage between Henry and the lady Anne; and it fell to his lot afterwards to acquaint the duke of Cleves with Henry’s repudiation of his sister. In 1546 he was one of the commissioners who met at Campe, a small place between Ardres and Guisnes, in order to negociate peace between England, Scotland, and France. In September following he obtained the royal dispensation for non-residence on his preferments, being then the king’s ambassador in France, and was there at the death of Henry, by whose will he was appointed one of the executors to whom, during the minority of his son Edward VI. he entrusted the government of the kingdom.
g unwilling that he should reap the product of his labours; others allege that he intended to compel his son (if he should follow th'e profession) to seek out the knowledge
, an eminent artist of Holland, was born at Haerlem, in 1620, and was the son of Paul Wouvermans, a tolerable history-painter, of whom, however, he did not learn the principles of his art, but of John Wynants, an excellent painter of Haerlem. It does not appear that he ever was in Italy, or ever quitted the city of Haerlem; though no man deserved more the encouragement a-nd protection of some powerful prince than he did He is one instance, among a thousand, to prove that oftentimes the greatest merit remains without either recompence or honour. His works have all the excellences we can wish; high finishing, correctness, agreeable composition, and a taste for colouring, joined with a force that approaches to the Caracci’s . The pieces he painted in. his latter time have a grey or blueish cast; they are finished with too much labour, and his grounds look too much like velvet: but those he did in his prime are free from these faults, and equal in colouring and correctness to any thing Italy can produce. Wouvermans generally enriched his landscapes with huntings, halts, encampment of armies, and other subjects where horses naturally enter, which he designed better than any painter of his time: there are also some battles and attacks of villages by his hand. These beautiful works, which gained him great reputation, did not make him rich; on the contrary, being charged with a numerous family, and but indifferently paid for his work, he lived very meanly; and, though he painted very quick, and was very laborious, had much ado to maintain himself. The misery of his condition determined him not to bring up any of his children to painting. In his last hours, which happened at Haerlem in 1688, he burnt a box filled with his studies and designs; saying, I have been so ill-paid for my labours, that I would not have those designs engage my son in so miserable a profession." Different authors, however, ascribe the burning of his designs to different motives. Some say it proceeded from his dislike to his brother Peter, being unwilling that he should reap the product of his labours; others allege that he intended to compel his son (if he should follow th'e profession) to seek out the knowledge of nature from his own industry, and not indolently depend on copying those designs; and other writers assign a less honourable motive, which seems to be unworthy of the genius of Wouvermans, and equally unworthy of being perpetuated.
rable fortune in trade (as a soap-boiler), and purchased an estate in Essex, near Ingatestone, which his son possessed aftr r him. Sir Daniel served the office of sheriff
, a man of taste and learning, was born
Nov. 28, 1701, in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldersgate.
His father, sir Daniei Wray, was a London citizen, who
resided in Little Britain, made a considerable fortune in
trade (as a soap-boiler), and purchased an estate in Essex,
near Ingatestone, which his son possessed aftr r him. Sir
Daniel served the office of sheriff for that county, and was
knighted in 1708 on presenting a loyal address to queen
Anne. His son was educated at the Charter-house, and
was supposed in 1783 to have been the oldest survivor of
any person educated there. In 1718 he went to Queen’s
college, Cambridge, as a fellow commoner. He took his
degree of B. A. in 1722, after which he made the tour of
Italy, accompanied by John, earl of Morton, and Mr. King,
the son of lord chancellor King, who inherited his title.
How long he remained abroad between 1722 and 1728 is
not precisely ascertained, except by the fact that a cast in
bronze, by Pozzo, was taken of his profile, in 1726, at
Home. It had this inscription upon the reverse, “Nil actum reputans, si quid superesset agendum,
” which line is
said to have been a portrait of his character, as he was in
all his pursuits a man of uncommon diligence and perseverance. After his return from his travels, he became
M.A.-in 1728, and was already so distinguished in philosophical attainments, that he was chosen a fellow of the
Royal Society in March 1728-9. He resided however generally at Cambridge, though emigrating occasionally^ to
London, till 1739, or 1740, in which latter year, January
1740-41, he was elected F. S. A. and was more habitually a
resident in town. In 1737 commenced his acquaintance
and friendship with the noble family of Yorke; and in 1745,
Mr. Yorke, afterwards earl of Hardwicke, as teller of the
exchequer, appointed Mr.Wray his deputy teller, in which
office he continued until 1782, when his great punctuality
and exactness in any business he undertook made the constant attendance of the office troublesome to him. He was
an excellent critic in the English language; an accomplished judge of polite literature, of virtft, and the fine
arts; and deservedly a member of most of our learned societies; he was also an elected trustee of the British Museum. He was one of the writers of the “Athenian Letters
” published by the earl of Hardwicke; and in the first
volume of the Archaeologia, p. 128, are printed “Notes on
the walls of antient Rome,
” communicated by him in Extracts from different Letters from Rome, giving an
Account of the Discovery of a most beautiful Statue of Venus, dug up there 1761.
” He died Dec. 29, 1783, in his
eighty. second year, much regretted by his surviving friends,
to whose esteem he was entitled by the many worthy and
ingenious qualities. which he possessed. Those of his heart
were as distinguished as those of his mind; the rules of religion, of virtue, and morality, having regulated his conduct from the beginning to the end of his days. He was
married to a lady of merit equal to his own, the daughter
of Barrel, esq. of Richmond. This lady died at Richmond, where Mr.Wray had a house, in May 1803. Mr.
Wray left his library at her disposal and she, knowing his
attachment to the Charter-house, made the governors an
offer of it, which was thankfully accepted and a room was
fitted up for its reception, and it is placed under the care
of the master, preacher, head schoolmaster, and a librarian.
The public at large, and particularly the friends of Mr.
Wray, will soon be gratified by a memoir of him written by
the lare George Hardinge, esq. intended for insertion in
Mr. Nichols’s “Illustrations of Literature.
” This memoir,
of which fifty copies have already been printed for private
distribution, abounds with interesting anecdotes and traits
of character, and copious extracts from Mr. Wray’s correspondence, and two portraits, besides an engraving of the
cameo.
ich were carefully preserved by him till his death. They were afterwards committed to the custody of his son, who, soon after the restoration, delivered them to Dr.
, a learned and illustrious English architect and mathematician, was nephew to bishop Wren, and the son of Dr. Christopher Wren, who was fellow of St. John’s college, Oxford, afterwards chaplain to Charles I. and rector of Knoyle in Wiltshire; made dean of Windsor in 1635, and presented to the rectory of Hasely in Oxfordshire in 1638; and died at Blechindon, in the same county, 1658, at the house of Mr. William Holder, rector of that parish, who had married his daughter. He was a man well skilled in all the branches of the mathematics, and had a great hand in forming the genius of his only son Christopher.' In the state papers of Edward, earl of Clarendon, vol.1, p. 270, is an estimate of a building to be erected for her majesty by dean Wren. He did another important service to his country. After the chapel of St. George and the treasury belonging to it had been plundered by the republicans, he sedulously exerted himself in recovering as many of the records as could be procured, and was so successful as to redeem the three registers distinguished by the names of the Black, Blue, and lied, which were carefully preserved by him till his death. They were afterwards committed to the custody of his son, who, soon after the restoration, delivered them to Dr. Bruno Ryves, dean of Windsor.
His son Christopher, who is the subject of this article, was born
His son Christopher, who is the subject of this article, was born at Knoyle Oct. 20, 1632 and, while very young, discovered a surprising turn for learning, especially for the mathematics. He was sent to Oxford, and admitted a gentleman-commoner at Wadham college, at about fourteen years of age: and the advancements he made there in mathematical knowledge, before he was sixteen, were, as we learn from Oughtred, very extraordinary, and even astonishing. His uncommon abilities excited the admiration of Dr. Wilkins, then warden of his college, and of Dr. Seth Ward, Savilian professor of astronomy, who then resided in Wadham. By Dr. Wilkins he was introduced to Charles, elector palatine, to whom he presented several mechanical instruments of his- own invention. In 16*7 he became acquainted with sir Charle* Scarborough, at whose request he undertook the translation of Oughtred’s geometrical dialling into Latin. He took a bachelor of arts degree in 1650; and in 1651 published a short algebraical tract relating to the Julian period. In 1652 betook his master’s degree, having been chosen fellow of All Souls’ college. Soon after, he became*one of that ingenious and learned society, who then met at Oxford for the improvement of natural and experimental philosophy.
Sir Christopher was succeeded in his estate by his son and only surviving child, Christopher Wren, esq. This gentleman
Sir Christopher was succeeded in his estate by his son
and only surviving child, Christopher Wren, esq. This
gentleman was born Feb. 16, 1675 (the year St. Paul’s was founded), and was educated at Eton school and Pembroke
hall, Cambridge. In 1694, sir Christopher procured him
the office of deputy-clerk engrosser; but this preferment
did not prevent him from making a tour through Holland,
France, and Italy. On his return from the continent he
was elected member of parliament for Windsor in 1712
and 1714. He died Aug. 24, 1747, aged seventy-two, and
was buried in the church of Wroxhall, adjoining to his seat
at Wroxhall in Warwickshire. He was a man very much
esteemed, and was equally pious, learned, and amiable.
He had made antiquity his particular study, well understood
it, and was extremely communicative. He wrote and published in 1708, in 4to, a work entitled “Numismatum antiquorum sylloge, populis Graecis, municipiis et coloniis
Romanis cusorum, ex chimeliarcho editoris.
” This, which
he dedicated to the Royal Society, contains representations of many curious Greek medallions in four plates, and
two others of ancient inscriptions; these are followed by
the legends of imperial coins in the large and middle size,
from Julius Caesar to Aurelian, with their interpretations:
and subjoined is an appendix of Syrian and Egyptian
kings, and coins of cities, all collected by himself. He
also collected with so much care and attention, as to leave
scarcely any curiosity ungratifiecl, memoirs of the life of
bishop Wren, Dr. Christopher Wren, dean of Windsor,
and his illustrious father; with collections of records and
original papers. These were published in fol. under the
title of “Parentalia,
” by his son Stephen, a physician,
assisted by Mr. Ames, in 1750, and are illustrated by portraits and plates. Mr. Wren married twice; in May 1706
to Mary, daughter of Mr. Musard, jeweller to queen Anne,
who died in 1712; he afterwards married in 1715 dame
Constance, widow of sir Roger Burgoyne, bart. and daughter of sir Thomas Middleton, of Stansted Montfitchet,
Essex, who died in 1734. By each marriage he had one
sbn, Christopher, and Stephen. Christopher, the eldest,
an eccentric humourist, was the poetical friend of lady
Luxborough and Shenstone. Displeasing his father, all
the unentailed estates were given from him to sir Roger
Burgoyne, bart. son of sir Roger. Wroxall is still in the family, and owned by Christopher Wren, esq. now (1806)
in the East Indies, who is the sixth Christopher Wren in
succession from the father of sir Christopher.
r Thomas has usually been termed sir Thomas Wyat the elder, to distinguish him from sir Thomas Wyat, his son, who suffered death for high treason in the reign of queen
Lord Orford informs us that in Vertue’s manuscript collections he found that Vertue was acquainted with a Mr. Wyat, who lived in Charterhouse-yard, and was the representative descendant of that respectable family. In 1721, and at other times, Vertue says, at that gentleman’s house, he saw portraits of his ancestor for seven descents, and other pictures and ancient curiosities . Sir Thomas has usually been termed sir Thomas Wyat the elder, to distinguish him from sir Thomas Wyat, his son, who suffered death for high treason in the reign of queen Mary., His lady, according to Wood, was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Brooke, lord Cobham . His son left issue, by Jane his wife, daughter and co-heir of William Hawte of Bourne, knight, a son named George Wyat of Boxley in Kent, restored 13 Elizabeth.
at nobleman contrived to surprize lord Rivers in port, and took him and all his ships, together with his son Anthony, to Calais, where they were for some time detained
, a very accomplished nobleman of the fifteenth century, was the son of sir Richard Wydeville, by Jaqueline of Luxembourg, duchess dowager of Bedford. He was born about 1442, and in his seventeenth year accompanied his father, who was now created lord Rivers, to Sandwich, where he had been sent to equip a strong squadron, in order to deprive Richard Nevil earl of Warwick, of his government of Calais but that nobleman contrived to surprize lord Rivers in port, and took him and all his ships, together with his son Anthony, to Calais, where they were for some time detained as prisoners. From this it appears that both father and son were engaged in the interest of the house of Lancaster, and in opposition to that of York. But king Edward IV. being raised to the throne, and afterwards espousing lady Elizabeth Gray, daughter to lord Rivers, and sister to Anthony Wycleville, the former attachment of the Wydeville’s to the Lancastrian interest was forgotten, and they began almost solely to engross the favour of king Edward.
os rotulorum of the county of Sussex. He died of an apoplectic fit in June 1763. He was succeeded by his son, George, the second and present earl of Egremont.
He was succeeded in dignity and estate by his eldest son, sir Charles Wyndham, who succeeded to the titles of earl of Egremont, and baron of Cockermouth, by the death of his grace, Algernon, duke of Somerset, without heir male, who had been created earl of Egremont, and baron of Cockermouth, in the county of Cumberland, by George II. with limitation of these honours to \r Charles Wyndham. His lordship, whilst he was a commoner, was elected to parliament as soon as he came of age, for the borough of Bridgewater in Somersetshire. He sat afterwards for Appleby, in Westmoreland, Taunton,. in Somersetshire, and Cockermouth, in Cumberland. In 1751 he was appointed lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Cumberland. In April 1761 he was nominated the first of the three plenipotentiaries on the pnrfc of Great Britain to the intended congress at Augsburg, for procuring a general pacification between the belligerent powers; and in the same year was constituted one of the principal secretaries of state, in which it was his disadvantage to succeed Mr. Pitt (afterwards lord Chatham). In 1762 he was made lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Sussex. He died of an apoplectic fit in June 1763. He was succeeded by his son, George, the second and present earl of Egremont.
His son was educated, on the foundation, at Winchesterschool, where
His son was educated, on the foundation, at Winchesterschool, where he remained until the election after his eighteenth birth-day; but, for what reason his biographers have not determined, he did not succeed to a fellowship of New-college. In 1703, however, he was entered an independent member of that society, that he might live at little expence in the warden’s lodgings, who was a particular friend of his father, till he should be qualified to stand for a fellowship at All-Souls. In a few months the warden died, and Mr. Young was then removed to Corpus college, the president of which, from regard also for his father, invited him thither, in order to lessen his academical expences. In 1708, he was nominated to a law fellowship at All-Souls, by archbishop Tenison, into whose hands it came by devolution. These exertions of patronage make it probable that his father did not leave behind him much wealth.
improper ascendancy over him, when his faculties began to decay. He left the bulk of his property to his son, of whom, as well as of his father, much additional information
He was now far advanced in years: but amidst the languors of age, he still occasionally employed his pen, producing in 1759, “Conjectures on original Composition.
”
This was followed by “Resignation, a Poem,
” in which
there is a visible decay of powers. In
ord of God in the church. In the same year he received his doctor’s degree, the elector Palatine and his son, prince Casimir, honouring the ceremony with their presence.
In this office he continued about eleven years, not without much opposition, which, however, was considerably moderated by the friendship of Sturmius, then at the head of the university. It was here that, in 1562, Zanchius presented to the senate the declaration of his faith concerning predestination, final perseverance, and the Lord’s supper. But as the old divines and senators dropped off, his situation at Strasburgh became more and more uncomfortable, and at length he was required to subscribe the Augsburgh confession, on pain of losing his professorship. This he did, after mature deliberation, with a salvo that " it should be understood only in the orthodox sense; 7 * but it would appear that he was not quite satisfied in his own mind, nor did his compliance prevent the divisions and dissentions which distracted the church of Strasburgh, and finally induced him to accept an invitation to become pastor of the church of Chiavenna, on the borders of Italy, and in the territory of the Grisons. Having therefore obtained the consent of the senate to resign his canonry of St. Thomas, and his professorship, he left Strasburgh in Nov. 1563, and entered on his charge at Chiavenna in January following. This he fulfilled for four years, interrupted only on one occasion by the plague, after which Frederick, elector Palatine, prevailed with him to accept a divinity professorship at Heidelberg, on the decease of Zachary Ursin. He entered on this new office in 1568, with an excellent oration on the means of preserving the pure word of God in the church. In the same year he received his doctor’s degree, the elector Palatine and his son, prince Casimir, honouring the ceremony with their presence.
ius should assassinate Odenatus, her husband, for shewing [ess fondness for her sons than for Herod, his son by another wife. She has also been censured for protecting
, queen of Palmyra, and one of the most illustrious women that have swayed the sceptre, declared herself to be descended from the Ptolemies and Cleopatras. She was instructed in the sciences by the celebrated Longinus, and made such progress, that she spoke the Egyptian tongue in perfection, as well as the Greek. She also understood the Latin, although she scrupled to speak it. She protected learned men; and was so well acquainted with the history of Egypt, and that of the East, that she wrote an epitome of it. This princess had also read the Greek and Roman history, and was justly admired for her beauty, chastity,-sobriety, and extraordinary courage. She married Odenatus, a Saracen prince, and contributed greatly to the most signal victories he gained over the Persians, which preserved the East to the Romans, when, after the taking of Valerian, it was highly probable that Sapr would dispossess them of all that country. Gallienus, in return for such important services, declared her Augusta, and, in the year 264, created Odenatus emperor. After her husband’s death, Zenobia reigwed with great bravery and glory; for, her sons Herennianus and Timor laus, on account of their tender age, had only the name and ornaments of emperor. She preserved the provinces that had been under the obedience of Odenatus, conquered Egypt, and was preparing to make other conquests, when the emperor Aurelian made war against her; and, having gained two battles, besieged her in Palmyra, where r!enobia defended herself with great bravery; but at length, finding that the city would be obliged to surrender, she quitted it privately; but the emperor, who had notice of her escape, caused her to be pursued with such diligence, that she was overtaken just as she got into a boat to cross the Euphrates. This happened in the year 272. Aurelian spared her life, although he made her serve to adorn his triumph, and gave her a country-house near Rome, where she spent the remainder of her life in tranquillity with her children. Her daughters formed noble alliances, and her race was not extinct in the fifth century. All histonsnl bestow the most magnificent praises on this princess; and yet they suspect her of having consented that Maeonius should assassinate Odenatus, her husband, for shewing [ess fondness for her sons than for Herod, his son by another wife. She has also been censured for protecting Paulus Samosatenus, who had been condemned in the council of Antioch, and by that means preventing his being driven from his church so long as she reigned. But P. Jouve, who published her Life, 1753, 12mo, endeavours, not unsuccessfully, to clear her from all these imputations. She must be distinguished from Zenobia, wife of Hhadamistus, king of Iberia, who fled from the Armenians, and took her with him. This princess being near the time of her delivery, begged Rhadamistus to kill her. He reluctantly yielded to Zenobia’s earnest entreaties, and wounded her with a sword; but she was found by some shepherds, who saved her life, in the year 51. Zenobia being afterwards conducted to Tiridates, he ordered her to be treated as a queen.
a lingering malady soon after she left Lausanne: it continued five years, and then carried her off. His son, who, from his infancy, was troubled with an acrid humour,
Dr. Zimmermann was unhappy in the fate of his children.
His amiable daughter, whom he most tenderly loved, fell
in,to a lingering malady soon after she left Lausanne: it
continued five years, and then carried her off. His son,
who, from his infancy, was troubled with an acrid humour,
after various vicissitudes of nervous affections, settled in
perfect idiotcy in which state he remained at his father’s
death. To alleviate these distresses^ a second marriage
properly occurred to the mind of his friends, and they chose
for him a most suitable companion, in the daughter of Dr.
de Berger, king’s physician at Lunenberg. This union
took place in 1782, and proyed the greatest charm and
support of all his remaining life. Jiis l.ady was thirty years
youngerthan he;but s,he perfectly Accommodated herself
to his taste, and induced him to cultivate society abroad
and at home more than he had hitherto done. About this
time he employed himself in completing his favourite work
on “Solitude,
” which, at the distance of thirty years
from the publication of the first essay on the subject, appeared in its new form in the years 178^ and 1786, in four
volumes. His ideas of solitude had probably been softened
by so long an intercourse with the world and as he now
defined it, “that state of the soul in which it abandons itself freely to its reflections,
” it was not necessary to become
either a monk or an anchorite, in orderto partake of its
benefits. Had it not been presented under such an accommodating form, a philosopher might have smiled at the
circumstance of a recommendation of solitude from a court
physician becoming t.he favourite wojrk of one of the most
splendid and ambitious of crowned jbeads. The empress
of Russia sent her express thanks to the author for the
pleasure which she had derived from the work, accompanied
with a magnificent present, and commenced with hjrri a
regular correspondence, which subsisted, with great freedom onher part, till 1792, when she suddenly dropped it.
She also gave him an invitation to settle at Petersburgh as
her first physician; and, on his declining the offer, she requested his recommendation of medical practitioners for
her towns and armies, and conferred on him the order of
Wladomir.
One of the most distinguished incidents of Zimmermann’s
life was the summons which he received to attend the great
Frederic in his last illness, in 1786. It was at once evident
that there was no room for the exercise of his medical
skill; but he improved the opportunity which he thus enjoyed of confidential intercourse with that illustrious character, whose mental faculties were pre-eminent to the last;
and 'he derived from it the materials of an interesting narrative which he afterwards published. The partiality of this
prince in his favour naturally disposed him to a reciprocal
good opinion of the monarch; and, in 17S8, he published
“A Defence of Frederic the Great against the count de
Mirabeau
” which, in Fragments
on Frederic the Great,
” in 3 vols. 12mo. All his publications relative to this king gave offence to many individuals,
and subjected him to severe criticism; which he felt with
more sensibility than was consistent with his peace of mind.
His religious and political opinions, likewise, in his latter
years, began to be in wide contradiction to the principles
that were assiduously propagated all over Europe; and this
added perpetual fuel to his irritability. The society of the
Illuminated, coalesced with that of Free-masons, rose about
this time in Germany, and excited the most violent commotions among men of letters and reflection. It was sup'posed to have in view nothing less than the abolition of
Christianity, and the subversion of all constituted authorities; and, while its partizans expected from it the most
beneficial reforms of every kind, its opponents dreaded
from it every mischief that could possibly happen to mankind. Zimmerrnann was among the first that took alarm
at this formidable accusation. His regard for religion and
social order, and, perhaps, his connexions with crowned
heads, made him see in the most obnoxious light all the
principles of the new philosophers. He attacked them
with vigour, formed counter associations with other men of
letters, and, at length, addressed to the emperor Leopold
a memoir, painting in the strongest colouring the pernicious maxims of the sect, and suggesting the means of
suppressing -it; means which are said to have depended
on the decisive interference of civil authority. Leopold,
who was well inclined to such measures, received his memoir very graciously, and sent him a letter and splendid
present in return; but his death, soon after, deprived the
cause of its most powerful protection. Ziminermann,
however, in conjunction with M. Hoffman of Vienna, who had
instituted a periodical work on the old principles, did not
relax in his zeal. They attacked, and were attacked in
turn; and Zimrnermann embroiled himself with the courts
of law by a paper published in Hoffman’s Journal, entitled
“The Baron de Knigge unmasked as an Illuminate, Democrat, and Seducer of the People.
” As this charge was
in part founded on a work not openly avowed by the baron,
3, prosecution was instituted against Zimmermann as a libeller, and he was unable to exculpate himself. This state
of warfare may well be imagined to have been extremely
unfriendly to an irritable system of nerves; and, the agitation of the doctor’s mind was further increased by his personal fears on the approach of the French towards the electorate of Hanover in 1794; and his mancer of expressing
his fears announced the greatest depression. “I saw
therein,
” says Tissot, “a mind whose springs began to
fail, and which dared no longer say, as it could have justly
done, `I carry every thing with me.‘ I neglected nothing in order to raise his spirits, and entreated him. to
come to me with his wife, to a country that was his own,
where he would have remained in the most perfect security,
and enjoyed all the sweets of peace and friendship. He
answered me in December, and one part of his letter resembled those of other times; but melancholy was still
more strongly marked, and the illness of his wife, which
he unfortunately thought more serious than it really was,
evidently oppressed him: he had been obliged to take
three days to write me details which at another time would
not have occupied him an hour, and he concluded his letter with, 1I conjure you, perhaps for the last time, &c.’
The idea that he should write no more to his friend (and unfortunately the event justified him), the difficulty of
writing a few pages, the still fixed idea of being forced to
leave Hanover,although the face of affairs had entirely
changed all, all indicated the loss I was about to sustain.
”
From the month of November he had lost his sleep, his
appetite, his strength, and became sensibly thinner; and
this stated of decline continued to increase. In January he
was still able to make a few visits in his carriage; but he
frequently fainted on the stairs: it was painful for him to
write a prescription: he sometimes complained of a confusion in his head, and he at length gave over all business.
This was at first taken for an effect of hypochondria, but
it was soon perceived, that his deep melancholy had destroyed the chain of his ideas. What has happened to so
many men of genius, befell him. One strong idea masters
every other, and subdues the mind that is no longer able
either to drive it away, or to lose sight of it. Preserving
all his presence of mind, all his perspicuity, and justness
of thought on other subjects, but no longer desirous of
occupying himself with them, no longer capable of any
business, nor of giving advice, but with pain^he had unceasingly before his eyes the enemy plundering his house,
as Pascal always saw a globe of fire near him, Bonnet his
friend robbing him, and Spinello the devil opposite to him,
In February he commenced taking medicines, which were
either prescribed by himself or by the physicians whom he
consulted; at the beginning of March he desired Tissot' s
advice; but he was no longer able himself to describe his
disorder, and his wife wrote Tissot the account of it. Tissot answered her immediately; but there could be no great
utility in the directions of an absent physician in a disorder
whose progress was rapid, and with an interim of near a
month between the advice asked, and the directions received. His health decayed so fast, that M. Wichman,
who attended him, thought a journey and change of air
would now be the best remedy. Eutin, a place in the
dutchy of Holstein, was fixed upon for his residence. Ingoing through Luneburgh on his way thither, M. Lentin,
one of the physicians Jn whom he placed most confidence,
was consulted; but Zimmermann, who, though so often
uneasy on account of health, had, notwithstanding, the
wisdom to take few medicines, and who did not like them,
always had a crowd of objections to make against the b.est
advice, and did nothing. Arrived at Eutin, an old acquaintance and his family lavished on him all the caresses
of friendship. This reception highly pleased him, and he
grew rather better. M. Hensler came from Kiel to see
him, and gave him his advice, which was probably very
good, but became useless, as it was very irregularly followed. At last, after a residence of three months, he desired to return to Hanover, where he entered his house
with the same idea with which he had left it; he thought
it plundered, and imagined himself totally ruined. Tissot
wrote to intreat him to go to Carlsbad;but he was no
longer capable of bearing the journey. Disgust, want of
sleep, and weakness, increased rapidly; he took scarcely
jftiy nourishment, either on account of insurmountable
Aversion, or because it was painful to him; or perhaps, as
M. Wichman believed, because he imagined he had not a
farthing left. Intense application, the troubles of his
mind, his pains, want of sleep, and of sufficient nourishment, had on him all the effects of time, and hastened old
age: at sixty -six he was in a state of complete decrepitude,
and his body was become a perfect skeleton. He clearly
foresaw the issue of his disorder: and above six weeks before his death be said to jthis same physician, “I shall die
slowly, but very pain fu)ly;
” and fourteen hours before he
expired, he said, “Leave me alone, I am dying.
” He expired Oct. 7, 1795. Most of the works mentioned above
have been translated into English, and that on solitude
particularly has acquired a considerable degree of popularity.
d blessed nursing- mother of the church of the Brethren.” By her he had one son and three daughters. His son, count Christian Renatus of Zinzendorf, was educated at
Count Zinzendorf died at Herrnhutt, May 9, 1760, and
was interred in the bury ing-ground on the Hutberg. Mr.
Cranz has given the affecting particulars of his death and
funeral in his History of the Brethren, p. 488 502. The
count was married, about 1722, to the countess Erdmuth
Dorothea Reuss, who died on the 19th of June, 1756, beloved and revered by all as a “faithful and blessed nursing- mother of the church of the Brethren.
” By her he had
one son and three daughters. His son, count Christian
Renatus of Zinzendorf, was educated at the university of
Jena; in 1744 his father introduced him at Herrnhut as a
co-elder of the single brethren: he wrote many poetical
soliloquies and meditations; and died at Westminster,
May 28, 1752. Of the three daughters, the eldest accompanied her father to America, and married the baron
Johannes de Watteville, who, in 1743, was consecrated a
co-bishop, at Gnadenfrey, in Silesia.'
rious men, and his descendants have distinguished themselves greatly in the sciences. James Zwinger, his son, who died in 1610, was also a skilful physician; he both
, a celebrated
physician of Basil, was nephew, on the mother’s side, to
John Oporinus, the famous printer. He studied at Lyons,
Paris, and Padua; and afterwards taught Greek, morality,
politics, and physic, at his native place. He died in 1588,
aged 54. His principal work is, the “Theatrum Vitae
humanae,
” which had been begun by Conrad Lycosthenes,
his father-in-law. Of this voluminous compilation there is
a most splendid copy on vellum in the British Museum.
Zwiriger’s family has produced many other illustrious men,
and his descendants have distinguished themselves greatly
in the sciences. James Zwinger, his son, who died in
1610, was also a skilful physician; he both enlarged and
improved the “Theatrum Vitae humanse,
” Leyden, Theatrum Botanicum,
” Basil, Fasciculus Dissertationum,
” Triga Dissertationum,
”