, well known both as an actor and a writer, was born at Tewksbury, in Gl
, well known both as an actor
and a writer, was born at Tewksbury, in Gloucestershire, in
1668, and received his education at the Latin school of that
town; but, having an early inclination for the stage, he
stole away from his father’s house at fifteen years of age,
and joined a travelling company of comedians then at Worcester, where, for fear of being known, he made his first
appearance in woman’s clothes, in the part of Roxana, in
Alexander the Great. But this disguise not sufficiently
concealing him, he was obliged to make his escape from a
pursuit that was made after him; and, under the appearance
of a girl, to proceed with great expedition to Chipping Norton. Here, however, being discovered and overtaken by his
pursuers, he was brought back to Tewksbury; and his father,
in order to prevent such excursions for the future, soon after
carried him up to London, and bound him apprentice to
an apothecary in Hatton-garden. From this confinement
Mr. Chetwood, who probably might have known him, and
perhaps had these particulars from his own mouth, tells us
that he broke away, and passed two years in England in
an itinerant life; though Jacob, and Whincop after him,
say that he set up in business, but, not finding it succeed
to his liking, quitted it for the stage. Be this, however,
as it will, it is certain that he went over to Ireland, where
he met with good success on the stage, from whence he,
came back to London, and was received in Drury-lane
theatre. His first appearance there was in the part of
Dominic, the “Spanish Fryar,
” in which, although in
himself but a very middling actor, he established his character by a close imitation of Leigh, who had been very
celebrated in it. And indeed, in this and all his other parts,
he was mostly indebted for his applause to his powers
of mimicry, in which he was inimitable, and which not
only at times afforded him opportunities of appearing a
much better actor than he really was, and enabling him to
copy very exactly several performers of capital merit,
whose manner he remembered and assumed, but also by
recommending him to a very numerous acquaintance in
private life, secured him an indulgence for faults in his
public profession, that he might otherwise, perhaps, never
have been pardoned; among which he was remarkable for
the gratification of that “pitiful ambition,
” as Shakspeare
justly styles it, and for which he condemns the low comedians of his own time, of imagining he could help his author, and for that reason frequently throwing in additions
of his own, which the author not only had never intended,
but perhaps would have considered as most opposite to his
main intention.
lsions, and on the day following her death, her face was so disfigured, that it was impossible to be known. Of all the mistresses of Henry, he was most attached to this
, sister of Francois Annibal
d'Estr<Ses, was endowed from her birth with all the gifts and
graces of nature. Henry IV. who saw her for the first
time in 1591, at the chateau de Coeuvres, where she lived
with her father, was so smitten with her figure and wit,
that he resolved to take her to be his favourite mistress.
In order to obtain an interview, he disguised himself one
day like a countryman, passed through the enemy’s guards,
and pursued his way at the imminent hazard of his life.
Gabrielle, who was fond of the duke de Bellegard, the
master of the horse, hesitated at first to comply with the
ardent affection of the king; but the elevation of her father
and of her brother, the sincere attachment of Henry, his
affable and obliging manners, at length prevailed on her.
In order that he might visit her more freely, Henry made
her marry Nicholas d'Amerval, lord of Liancourt, with
whom she never cohabited. Henry loved her to so violent
a degree, that though he was married, he was determined
to make her his wife. It was in this view that Gabrielle
engaged her fond lover to take up the Roman catholic religion, to enable him to obtain from the pope a bull to
dissolve his marriage with Marguerite de Valois, and united
her utmost efforts with those of Henry IV. to remove the
obstacles that prevented their union; but these schemes
were defeated by her sudden death, April 10, 1599. It is
pretended that she was poisoned by the rich financier
Zamet: she died, however, in dreadful convulsions, and
on the day following her death, her face was so disfigured,
that it was impossible to be known. Of all the mistresses
of Henry, he was most attached to this woman, whom he
made duchess of Beaufort, and at her death put on,
mourning, as if she had been a princess of the blood, yet
she had not so entire a sway over his heart as to alienate
him from his ministers that were not agreeable to her;
much less to make him dismiss them. She took occasion
to say to him one day on the subject of Sully, with whom
she was displeased: “I had rather die, than live under
the shame of seeing a footman upheld against me, who
bear the title of mistress.
” “Pardieu, madame,
” said
Henry, “this is too much; and I plainly perceive that
you have been put upon this frolic as an attempt to make
me turn away a servant whom I cannot do without. But
I will not comply; and, that you may set your heart at
rest, and not shew your peevish airs against my will, I declare to you, that if I were reduced to the necessity of
parting with one or the other, I could better do without
ten mistresses like you than one servant like him.
” During
one of the festivities that Henry occasionally gave to Gabrielle, dispatches were brought him that the Spaniards
had taken possession of Amiens. “This stroke is from
heaven,
” said he, “I have been long enough acting the
king of France it is time to shew myself king of Navarre;
”
and then turning to d'Estrees, who, like him, was dressed
out for the occasion, and who had burst into tears, he said
to her: “My mistress, we must quit our arms and mount
on horseback, to engage in another sort of war.
” The
same day he got together some troops; and, laying aside
the lover, assumed the hero, and marched towards Amiens.
Henry IV. had three children by her; Cirsar duke of Vendome, Alexander, and Henrietta, who married the marquis
d'Elbauf.
hadowed forth (but somewhat disguisedly) some of his noted acquaintance and contemporaries, who were known, or thought to be so, by his said draughts of them, to many
, a celebrated wit and comic
writer in the reigns of king Charles II. and king James II.
is said to have been descended of an ancient family in Oxfordshire, or allied to it He was born about 1636, not
very distant from London, it is believed, as some of his
nearest relations appear to have been settled not far from
this metropolis. It is thought he was partly educated at
the university of Cambridge, but travelled into France,
and perhaps Flanders also, in his younger years. At his
retu,rn, he studied for a while the municipal laws at one of
the inns of court in London; but the polite company he
kept, and his own natural talents, inclining him rather to
court the favour of the muses and cultivate the belles lettres, he produced his first dramatic performance in 1664,
entitled “The Comical Revenge; or, Love in a tub,
” which
brought him acquainted, as he himself informs us, with
Charles afterwards earl of Dorset, to whom it is dedicated.
Its fame also, with his lively humour, engaging conversation, and refined taste in the fashionable gallantries of
the town, soon established him in the societies, and rendered him the delight of those leading wits among the
quality and gentry of chief rank and distinction, who made
pleasure the chief business of their lives, and rendered
that reign the most dissolute of any in our history; such as
George Villiers duke of Bucks, John Wilmot earl of Rochester, sir Car Scroop, sir Charles Sedley, Henry Savile,
&c. Encouraged by his first success, he brought another
comedy upon the stage, in 1668, entitled “She would if
she could,
” which gained him no less applause, and it was
supposed he would now make the stage his principal pursuit, but whether from indolence, or his pleasurable engagements, there was an interval of above seven years before the appearance of his next and last dramatic production, entitled “The Man of Mode; or, Sir Fopling Flutter.
”
It is dedicated by him to the duchess of York, who then
was Mary, the daughter of the duke of Modena; in the
service of which duchess our author, as he says in his said
dedication, then was. This play still exalted his reputation, even above what both the former had done; he having therein, as perhaps he had also partly set himself some
example in the others before, shadowed forth (but somewhat disguisedly) some of his noted acquaintance and contemporaries, who were known, or thought to be so, by his
said draughts of them, to many of the audience; and this
rendered the play very popular. In the famous poem written by the lord Rochester, after the example of sir John,
Suckling’s upon the like subject, Apollo finds some plausible pretence of exception to the claim of every poetical
candidate for the laurel crown; therefore our poet, by the
scheme or drift of it, could escape no less disappointment
than the rest: yet his lordship, to do him ample justice,
has sufficiently shewed his merits to it, in every thing but
his perseverance to exert them; which, after having first
of all discarded Mr. Dryden, he next expresses thus:
f any issue he had by this lady; but he cohabited, whether before or after this said marriage is not known, for some time with Mrs. Barry, the actress, and had a daughter
Rehearsal
” had been
hatching, by the duke of Buckingham, before it appeared:
but we meet with nothing more of our author’s writing for
the stage. There are extant some other letters of his in
prose, which were written also from Ratisbon; two of
which he sent to the duke of Buckingham when he was in
his recess. As for his other compositions, such as have
been printed, they consist, for the greatest part, of little
airy sonnets, lampoons, and panegyrics, of no great
poetical merit, although suited to the gay and careless taste
of the times. All that we have met with, of his prose, is a
short piece, entitled “An Account of the rejoycing at the
diet of Ratisbonne, performed by sir George Etherege,
knight, residing therefrom his majesty of Great Britain;
upon occasion of the birth of the prince of Wales. In a
letter from himself.
” Printed in the Savoy, Comical Revenge
” succeeded very
well upon the stage, and met with general approbation for
a considerable time, it is now justly laid aside on account
of its immorality. This is the case, likewise, with regard
to sir George’s other plays. Of the “She would if she
could,
” the critic Dennis says, that though it was esteemed by men of sense for the trueness of some of its characters, and the purity, freeness, and easy grace of its dialogue, yet, on its first appearance, it was barbarously treated by the audience. If the auditors were offended with
the licentiousness of the comedy, their barbarity did them
honour; but it is probable that, at that period, they were
influenced by some other consideration. Exclusively of
its loose tendency, the play is pronounced to be undoubtedly a very good one; and it was esteemed as one of the
first rank at the time in which it was written. However,
ShadwelPs encomium upon it will be judged to be too extravagant.
oney is his queen.” This great general was a man of letters; he was intended for the church, and was known at the court of France by the name of the abbé de Savrie. Having
As to a general character of prince Eugene, it may easily
be collected from what has already been said of him. He
was always remarkable for his liberality; one instance of
which he shewed, while he was here in England, to Mrs.
Centlivre, the poetess; who, having addressed to him a
trifling poem on his visiting England, received from him a
gold snuff-box, valued at about 35 pistoles. He was also a
man of great and unaffected modesty, so that he could
scarcely bear, with any tolerable grace, the just acknowledgments that were paid him by all the world. Burnet,
who was admitted several times to much discourse with
him, says, that “he descended to an easy equality with
those who conversed with him, and seemed to assume nothing to himself, while he reasoned with others.
” He said
jokingly one day, when the duke of Marlborough
talking of his attachment to his queen, Regina pecunia,
“Money is his queen.
” This great general was a man of
letters; he was intended for the church, and was known at
the court of France by the name of the abbé de Savrie.
Having made too free in a letter with some of old Louis the
Fourteenth’s gallantries, he fled out of France, and served
as a volunteer in the emperor’s service in Hungary against
the Turks, where he soon distinguished himself by his
talents for the military art. He was presented by the emperor with a regiment, and a few years afterwards made
commander in chief of his armies. Louvois, the insolent
war-minister of the insolent Louis XIV. had written to him
to tell him, that he must never think of returning to his
country: his reply was, “Eugene entrera un jour en
France en dépit de Louvois & de Louis.
” In all his military expeditions, he carried with him Thomas a Kempis
“de Imitatione.
” He seemed to be of the opinion of the
great Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, “that a good
Christian always made a good soldier.
” Being constantly
busy, he held the passion of love very cheap, as a mere
amusement, that served only to enlarge the power of women, and to abridge that of men. He used to say, “Les
amoureux sont dans la société ce que les fanatiques sont en
religion.
” His amusement was war, and in the Memoirs
written by himself, and lately published, he speaks of some
of its horrors with too little feeling. It is said that he was
observed to be one day very pensive, and was asked by his
favourite aid-de-camp on what he was meditating so
deeply? “My good friend,
” replied he, “I am thinking,
that if Alexander the Great had been obliged to wait for
the approbation of the deputies of Holland before he attacked the enemy, how impossible it would have been for
him to have made half the conquests that he did!
” This
illustrious conqueror lived to a great age, and being tam
Mercurio quam Marte, “as much a scholar as a captain,
”
amused himself with making a fine collection of books,
pictures, and prints, which are now in the emperor’s collection at Vienna. The celebrated cardinal Passionei, then
nuncio at Vienna, preached his funeral sermon, from the
following text of apocryphal Scripture: “Alexander, son,
of Philip the Macedonian, made many wars, took many
strong holds, went through the ends of the earth, took
spoils of many nations: the earth was quiet before him.
After these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should
die.
”—Maccabees.
ange and methodize former discoveries in a scientific and geometric manner. He may, indeed, not have known what antecedent writers had discovered before; and though not
, a very eminent mathematician,
was born at Basil, on the 14th of April, 1707: he was the
son of Paul Euler and of Margaret Brucker (of a family illustrious in literature), and spent the first year of his life
at the village of Richen, of which place his father was protestant minister. Being intended for the church, his father,
who had himself studied under James Bernoulli!, taught
him mathematics, as a ground-work of his other studies, or
at least a noble and useful secondary occupation. But
Euler, assisted and perhaps secretly encouraged by John
Bernoulli, who easily discovered that he would be the
greatest scholar he should ever educate, soon declared his
intention of devoting his life to that pursuit. This intention the wise father did not thwart, but the son did not so
blindly adhere to it, as not to connect with it a more than
common improvement in every other kind of useful learn-,
ing, insomuch that in his latter days men often wondered
how with such a superiority in one branch, he could have
been so near to eminence in all the rest. Upon the foundation of the academy of sciences at St. Petersburgh, in,
1723, by Catherine I. the two younger Bernouillis, NichoJas and Daniel, had gone thither, promising, when they
set out, to endeavour to procure Euler a place in it: they
accordingly wrote to him soon after, to apply his mathetics to physiology, which he did, and studied under the
best naturalists at Basil, but at the same time, i. e. in 1727,
published a dissertation on the nature and propagation of
sound; and an answer to the question on the masting of
ships, which the academy of sciences at Paris judged
worthy of the accessit. Soon after this, he was called to
St. Petersburgh, and declared adjutant to the mathematical
class in the academy, a class, in which, from the circumstances of the times (Newton, Leibnitz, and so many other eminent scholars being just dead), no easy laurels were to
be gathered. Nature, however, who had organized so
many mathematical heads at one time, was not yet tired
of her miracles and she added Euler to the number. He
indeed was much wanted the science of the calculus integralis, hardly come out of the hands of its creators, was
still too near the stage of its infancy not to want to be made
more perfect. Mechanics, dynamics, and especially hydrodynamics, and the science of the motion of the heavenly bodies, felt the imperfection. The application of
the differential calculus, to them, had been sufficiently
successful; but there were difficulties whenever it was necessary to go from the fluxional quantity to the fluent.
With regard to the nature and properties of numbers, the
writings of Fermat (who had been so successful in them),
and together with these all his profound researches, were
lost. Engineering and navigation were reduced to vague
principles, and were founded on a heap of often contradictory observations, rather than a regular theory. The
irregularities in the motions of the celestial bodies, and
especially the complication of forces whitfh influence that
of the moon, were still the disgrace of geometers. Practical astronomy had jet to wrestle with the imperfection of
telescopes, insomuch, that it could hardly be said that any
rule for making them existed. Euler turned his eyes to
all these objects he perfected the calculus integralis he
was the inventor of a new kind of calculus, that of sines
he simplified analytical operations and, aided by these
powerful help-mates, and the astonishing facility with
which he knew how to subdue expressions the most intractable, he threw a new light on all the branches of the mathematics. But at Catherine’s death the academy was
threatened with extinction, by men who knew not the connection which arts and sciences have with the happiness of
a people. Euler was offered and accepted a lieutenancy
on board one of the empress’s ships, with the promise of
speedy advancement. Luckily things changed, and the
learned captain again found his own element, and was
named Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1733, in the
room of his friend John Bernouilli. The number of memoirs which Euler produced, prior to this period, is astonishing, but what he did in 1735 is almost incredible,
An important calculation was to be made, without loss of
time; the other academicians had demanded some months
to do it. Euler asked three days—in three days he did it;
but the fatigne threw him into a fever, and the fever left
him not without the loss of an eye, an admonition which
would have made an ordinary man more sparing of the
other. The great revolution, produced by the discovery
of fluxions, had entirely changed the face of mechanics;
still, however, there was no complete work on the science
of motion, two or three only excepted, of which Euler felt
the insufficiency. He saw, with pain, that the best works
on the subject, viz. “Newton’s Principia,
” and “Herman’s Phoronomia,
” concealed the method by which these
great men had come at so many wonderful discoveries,
under a synthetic veil. In order to lift this up, Euler
employed all the resources of that analysis which had
served him so well on so many other occasions; and thus
uniting his own discoveries to those of other geometers, had
them published by the academy in 1736. To say that
clearness, precision, and order, are the characters of this
work, would be barely to say, that it is, what without these
qualities no work can be, classical of its kind. It placed
Euler in the rank of the first geometricians then existing,
and this at a time when John Bernouilli was still living.
Such labours demanded some relaxation; the only one
which Euler admitted was music, but even to this he could
not go without the spirit of geometry with him. They
produced together the essay on a new theory of music,
which was published in 1739, but not very well received,
probably, because it contains too much geometry for a
musician, and too much music for a geometrician. Independently, however, of the theory, which is built on Pythagorean principles, there are many things in it which
may be of service, both to composers, and to makers of
instruments. The doctrine, likewise, of the genera and
the modes of music is here cleared up with all the clearness and precision which mark the works of Euler. Dr.
Burney remarks, that upon the whole, Euler seems not to
have invented much in this treatise; and to have done little
more than arrange and methodize former discoveries in a
scientific and geometric manner. He may, indeed, not
have known what antecedent writers had discovered before; and though not the first, yet to have imagined himself an inventor. In 1740, his genius was again called
forth by the academy of Paris (who, in 1738, had adjudged the prize to his paper on the nature and properties of fire)
to discuss the nature of the tides, an important question,
which demanded a prodigious extent of calculations, aud
an entire new system of the world. This prize Euler did
not gain alone; but he divided it with Maclaurin and D.
Bernouilli, forming with them a triumvirate of candidates,
which the realms of science had not often beheld. The
agreement of the several memoirs of Euler and Bernouilli,
on this occasion, is very remarkable. Though the one
philosopher had set out on the principle of admitting vortices, which the other rejected, they not only arrived at
the same end of the journey, but met several times on the
road; for instance, in the determination of the tides under
the frozen zone. Philosophy, indeed, led these two great
men by different paths; Bernouilli, who had more patience
than his friend, sanctioned every physical hypothesis he
was obliged to make, by painful and laborious experiment.
These Euler’s impetuous genius scorned; and, though his
natural sagacity did not always supply the loss, he made
amends by his superiority in analysis, as often as there was
any occasion to simplify expressions, to adapt them to
practice, and to recognize, by final formulae, the nature
of the result. In 1741, Euler received some very advantageous propositions from Frederic the Second (who had just ascended the Prussian throne), to go and assist him in
forming an academy of sciences, out of the wrecks of the
Royal Society founded by Leibnitz. With these offers the
tottering state of the St. Petersburgh academy, under the
regency, made it necessary for the philosopher to comply.
He accordingly illumined the last volume of the “Melanges de Berlin,
” with five essays, which are, perhaps,
the best things in it, and contributed largely to the academical volumes, the first of which was published in 1744.
No part of his multifarious labours is, perhaps, a more
wonderful proof of the extensiveness and facility of his
genius, than what he executed at Berlin, at a time when
he contrived also that the Petersburgh acts should not
suffer from the loss of him. In 1744, Euler published a
complete treatise of isoperimetrical curves. The same
year beheld the theory of the motions of tb.e planets and
comets; the well-known theory of magnetism, which gained the Paris prize; and the much-amended translation of
Robins’ s “Treatise on Gunnery.
” In Theory
of Light and Colours
” overturned Newton’s “System of
Emanations;
” as did another work, at that time triumphant,
the “Monads of Wolfe and Leibnitz.
” Navigation was
now the only branch of useful knowledge, for which the
labours of analysis and geometry had done nothing. The
hydrographical part alone, and that which relates to the
direction of the course of ships, had been treated by geometricians conjointly with nautical astronomy. Euler was
the first who conceived and executed the project of making
this a complete science. A memoir on the motion of floating bodies, communicated to the academy of St. Petersburgh, in 1735, by M. le Croix, first gave him this idea.
His researches on the equilibrium of ships furnished him
with the means of bringing the stability to a determined
measure. His success encouraged him to go on, and produced the great work which the academy published in
1749, in which we find, in systematic order, the most
sublime notions on the theory of the equilibrium and mo.
tion of floating bodies, and on the resistance of fluids.
This was followed by a second part, which left nothing to
be desired on the subject, except the turning it into a
language easy of access, and divesting it of the calculations which prevented its being of general use. Accordingly in 1773, from a conversation with admiral Knowles,
and other assistance, out of the “Scientia Navalis,
” 2 vols.
4to, was produced, the “Theorie complette de la Construction et de la Manoeuvre des Vaisseaux.
” This work
was instantly translated into all languages, and the author
received a present of 6000 livres from the French king: he
had before had 300l. from the English parliament, for the
theorems, by the assistance of which Meyer made his lunar
tables .
And now it was time to collect into one systematical and
continued work, all the important discoveries on the infinitesimal analysis, which Euler had been making for
thirty years, and which lay dispersed in the memoirs of the
different academies. This, accordingly, the professor undertook; but he prepared the way by an elementary work,
containing all the previous requisites for this study. This
is called “An Introduction to the analysis of Infinitesimals,
” and is a work in which the author has exhausted
all the doctrine of fractions, whether algebraical or transcendental, by shewing their transformation, their resolution, and their developernent. This introduction was soon,
followed by the author’s several lessons on the “calculus
integralis, and differentialis.
” Having engaged himself
to count Orlow, to furnish the academy with papers sufficient to fill their volumes for twenty years after his death,
the philosopher is likely to keep his word, having presented
seventy papers, through Mr. Golofkin, in the course of his
life, and left two hundred and fifty more behind him; nor
is there one of these that does not contain a discovery, or
something that may lead to one. The most ancient of
these memoirs form the collection then published, under
the title of “Opuscula Analytica.
” Such were Euler’s
labours, and these his titles to immortality His memory
shall endure till science herself is no more! Few men of
letters have written so much as Euler no geometrician,
has ever embraced so many objects at one time or has
equalled him, either in the variety or magnitude of his
discoveries. When we reflect on the good such men do
their fellow-creatures, we cannot help indulging a wish
(vain, alas as it is) for their illustrious course to be prolonged beyond the term allotted to mankind. Euler’s,
though it has had an end, was very long and very honourable; and it affords us some consolation for his loss, to
think that he enjoyed it exempt from the ordinary consequences of extraordinary application, and that his last labours abounded in proofs of that vigour of understanding
which marked his early days, and which he preserved to
his end. Some swimmings in the head, which seized him
on the first days of September, 1783, did not prevent his
laying hold of a few facts, which reached him through the
channel of the public papers, to calculate the motions of
the aerostatical globes; and he even compassed a very difficult integration, in which the calculation had engaged
him . But the decree was gone forth: on the 7th of September he talked with Mr. Lexell, who had come to dine
with him, of the new planet, and discoursed with him upon
other subjects, with his usual penetration. He was playing with one of his grand-children at tea-time, when he
was seized with an apoplectic fit. “I am dying,
” said he,
before he lost his senses; and he ended his glorious life a
few hours after, aged seventy-six years, five months, and
three days. His latter days were tranquil and serene. A
few infirmities excepted, which are the inevitable lot of
an advanced age, he enjoyed a share of health which allowed him to give little time to repose. Euler possessed
to a great degree what is commonly called erudition he
had read all the Latin classics was perfect master of ancient mathematical literature and had the history of all
ages, and all nations, even to the minutest facts, ever present to his mind. Besides this, he knew much more of
physic, botany, and chemistry, than could be expected
from any man who had not made these sciences his peculiar
occupation. “I have seen,
” says his biographer, Mr.
Fuss, “strangers go from him with a kind of surprise mixed
with admiration; they could not conceive how a man,
who for half a century had seemed taken up in making
and publishing discoveries in natural philosophy and mathematics, could have found means to preserve so much
knowledge that seemed useless to himself, and foreign to
the studies in which he was engaged. This was the effect
of a happy memory, that lost nothing of what had ever
been entrusted to it nor was it a wonder that the man
who was able to repeat the whole Æneis, and to point out
to his hearers the first and last verses of every page of his
own edition of it, should not have lost what he had learned,
at an age when the impressions made upon us are the
strongest. Nothing can equal the ease with which, without expressing the least degree of ill-humour, he could
quit his abstruse meditations, and give himself up to the
general amusements of society. The art of not appearing
wise above one’s fellows, of descending to the level of those
with whom one lives, is too rare in these days not to make
it a merit in Euler to have possessed it. A temper ever
equal, a natural and easy chearfulness, a species of satirical wit, tempered with urbane humanity, the art of telling
a story archly, and with simplicity, made his conversation
generally sought. The great fund of vivacity which he
had at all times possessed, and without which, indeed, the
activity we have just been admiring could not have existed,
carried him sometimes away, and he was apt to grow warm,
but his anger left him as quickly as it came on, and there
never has existed a man to whom he bore malice. He
possessed a precious fund of rectitude and probity. The
sworn enemy of injustice, whenever or by whomsoever
committed, he used to censure and attack it, without the
least attention to the rank or riches of the offender. Recent examples of this are in the recollection of all who hear
me.
” As he was filled with respect for religion, his piety
was sincere, and his devotion full of fervour. He went
through all his Christian duties with the greatest attention.
Euler loved all mankind, and if he ever felt a motion of
indignation, it was against the enemy of religion, particularly against the declared apostles of infidelity. He was
of a very religious turn of mind. He published a New Demonstration of the Existence of God, and of the Spirituality
of the Soul, which last has been admitted into several divinity schools as a standard book. With scrupulous exactness he adhered to the religion of his country, that of
Calvinism, and, fortified by its principles, he was a good
husband, a good father, a good friend, a good citizen, a
good member of private society.
iae” was acted in this year, and his “Flatterers,” about the year 420. Many others of his pieces are known by name, of which only fragments now remain. Of his death various
, was an Athenian comic poet, who flourished
about the year 435 before Christ, in the time of the old
comedy. (See Cratinus). His play of “Numeniae
” was
acted in this year, and his “Flatterers,
” about the year
Baptae
”
against him; others, that he was shipwrecked in a military
expedition in the Hellespont, which produced, says Suidas,
a decree, that no poet should perform military service. He
obtained seven prizes in the theatres of Athens. His first
drama was produced at the age of seventeen. There are
some remarks on this poet in Cumberland’s “Observer,
”
but which are now known to have been Bentley’s.
stinguished to undergo the drudgery of an annual ode. Eusden, however, seems to have been but little known before his preferment, if we judge by the manner in whieh he
And Oldmixon, in his “Art of Logic and Rhetoric,
”
p. Session of the
Poets:
”
There was another Eustratius, a priest of Constantinople, whose time is not exactly known, but conjectured to be the sixth century. Photius has given
There was another Eustratius, a priest of Constantinople, whose time is not exactly known, but conjectured to be the sixth century. Photius has given a character of his writings, and an account of a work by him on the state of the dead, and a life of the patriarch Eutychius.
he very highly praises Alexis for his theological knowledge and excellence in disputation It is not known at what time he died. We have mentioned him above as the supposed
a Greek monk of Constantinople, was in favour
with the emperor Alexis Comnenus, whom he survived,
the emperor dying in 1118. At the command of Alexis,
he composed his great work, entitled “Panoplia dogmatica
Orthodoxos fidei,
” or, the whole armour of the doctrine of
the orthodox faith, against heretics of all kinds; which has
lately been rendered famous by being cited in the dispute
concerning 1 John v. 7. It was printed at Leyden, 1556,
8vo, and reprinted at Tergovist in Wallnchia, 1710. He
wrote besides nine other works on various theological subjects, which are enumerated by Fabricius, in his Biblioth.
Graec. \. v. c. 11 the principal are a commentary on the
four Gospels and the Psalms, and on Solomon’s Song
these commentaries are literal, moral, and allegorical but
in the use of allegory, he is more rational than most of the
authors of the thirteenth century. In some of his works
he very highly praises Alexis for his theological knowledge
and excellence in disputation It is not known at what
time he died. We have mentioned him above as the supposed author of a funeral oration on the Greek commentator Eustathius. There is also a Georgius Zigabenus mentioned by Fabricius.
gh a man of genius, the friend of the first poets of the times, and applauded by them, is now hardly known. He was a man of remarkable wit and vivacity, and many of his
, though a man of genius, the friend of the first poets of the times, and applauded by them, is now hardly known. He was a man of remarkable wit and vivacity, and many of his repartees were long remembered and repeated at Oxford. He is generally styled Dr. Evans the epigrammatist, and was one of the Oxford wits enumerated in the following distich (wretchedly imitated in the Additions to Pope, vol. I. p. 163).
ife, April 30, 1784, leaving a widow and son, the latter now a bookseller in Pall-mall, and the well- known and successful vendor of the most curious and valuable library
, a bookseller of London, and deserving notice not only for spirit and integrity in business,
but for considerable literary taste and talents, was born in.
1742, and served his apprenticeship with Mr. Charles
Marsh, a bookseller of reputation in Round-court, Strand,
and at Charing-cross. Mr. Evans soon after his apprenticeship had terminated, set up in business, and by his
acquaintance with English literature, which he had assiduously cultivated, was enabled to strike out many of those
schemes of publication which do credit to the discernment
of the trade, and as far as his own fortune permitted to embark alone in many republications which shewed the correctness of his judgment and his regard for the literary
character of his country. Among these we may enumerate new editions of, 1. “Shakspeare’s Poems,
” Buckingham’s Works,
” Nicolson’s Historical Library,
” Four volumes of Old Ballads, with notes,
” l?7l 1784. Of this his son has lately
published an improved edition. 5. “Cardinal de Retz’s
Memoirs.
” 6. “Savage’s Works,
” Goldsmith’s Works,
” Prior’s Works,
” Rabelais’s Works.
” 10. “History of Wales.
” 11.
“Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa,
” Notitia Monastica
” of bishop Tanner, which has since
been accomplished by Dr. Nasmith. To all these works Mr.
Evans prefixed Dedications written with neatness and elegance, addressed to his literary patrons, Garrick, sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Sheridan, &c. He died in the prime
of life, April 30, 1784, leaving a widow and son, the latter
now a bookseller in Pall-mall, and the well-known and successful vendor of the most curious and valuable library ever
sold in this, or perhaps, in some respects, in any other
country, that of the late duke of Roxburgh.
contrary but this may be a translation.” The nature and value of this little piece were much better known abroad: one of the best literary journals, “Act. Eruditorum
Mr. Evelyn’s next publication was the most important
of all his works: 15. “Sylva; or, a dicourse of Foresttrees, and the propagation of timber in his majesty’s dominions 5 as it was delivered in the royal society the 15th
of October, 1662, Upon occasion of certain queries propounded to that illustrious assembly by the honourable the
principal officers and commissioners of the navy.
” To
which is annexed, “Pomona, or, an appendix concerning
fruit-trees, in relation to cider, the making and several
ways of ordering it: published by express order of the
royal society,
” Lond. 1664, fol. This was the first work
written by the command, and published in virtue of an
order, of the royal society, signed by the lord viscount
Brouncker, their president, and dedicated to the king.
The second edition of it was published in 1669, with a
new dedication to king Charles II. dated from Sayes-court,
Aug. 24; the first paragraph of which deserves the reader’s
notice. “Sir, This second edition of Sylva, after more
than a thousand copies had been bought up and dispersed
of the first impression, in much less than two years space
(which booksellers assure us is a very extraordinary thing in volumes of this bulk), conies now again to pay its homage
to your serene majesty, to whose auspices alone it owes the
favourable acceptance which it has received in the world.
But it is not that alone which it presumes to tell your majesty, but to acquaint you that it has been the sole occasion for furnishing your almost exhausted dominions with
more, I dare say, than two millions of timber-trees, besides infinite others, which have been propagated within
the three nations at the instigation and by the direction
of this work; and that the author of it is able, if need require, to make it out by a competent volume of letters
and acknowledgments, which are come to his hands, from
several persons of the most eminent quality, many of
them illustrious, and divers of them unknoun to him, in
justification of what he asserts; which he the rather preserves with the more care, because they are testimonials
from so many honourable persons ‘of the benefit they have
received from the endeavours of the royal society, which
now-a-days passes through so many censures; but she has
yet your majesty for her founder and patron, and is therefore
the’ less concerned, since no man of worth can lightly speak
ill of an assembly v.hich your majesty has thought fit to dignify by so signal a relation to it.
” The third edition, with
great additions and improvements, was published in 1G79;
the fourth in 1705, and the fifth in 1729, both very incorrect. In 1776 a new edition of the “Sylva
” was published in
4to, by Dr. Andrew Hunter, of York, a gentleman eminently qualified for the undertaking. Under the care of
this gentleman the work appeared with every possible advantage; and was enriched by the judicious editor with
ample and copious notes, and adorned with a set of fine
engravings. A head of Mr. Evelyn is prefixed, drawn and
engraved by Battolozzi. Dr. Hunter’s edition of the Sylva
has been four times reprinted. The edition of 1812 contains the deceased editor’s last corrections . 16. “A
parallel of the antient architecture with the modern, in a
collection of ten principal authors who have written upon
the five orders, viz. Palladio and Scammozzi, Serlio and
Vignola D. Barbaro and Cataneo L. B. Alberti and
Viola, Bullant and De Lorme compared with one another.
The three Greek orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian,
comprise the first part of this treatise, and the two Latin,
Tuscan and Composite, the latter written in French by
Roland Freart, sieur de Chambray made English for the
benefit, of builders to which is added, an account of architects and architecture^ in an historical and etymological
explanation of certain terms, particularly affected by architects; with Leon Baptista Alberti’s treatise of statues,
”
London, I know none, indeed,
to whom I could more aptly inscribe a discourse of building, than to so royal a builder, whose august attempts
have already given so great a splendour to our imperial
city, and so illustrious an example to the nation It is
from this contemplation, sir, that after I had, by the commands of the royal society, endeavoured the improvement
of timber and the planting of trees, I have advanced to that
of building, as its proper and mutual consequent, not
with a presumption to incite or instruct your majesty, which
were a vanity unpardonable, but, by it, to take occasion
of celebrating your majesty’s great example, who use your
empire and authority so worthily, as fortune seems to have
consulted her reason, when she poured her favours upon
you; so as I never cast my eyes on that generous designation in the epigram, Ut donem pastor K tedificem, without
immediate reflection on your majesty, who seem only to
value those royal advantages you have above others, that
you may oblige, and that you may build. And certainly,
sir, your majesty has consulted the noblest way of establishing your greatness, and of perpetuating your memory,
since, while stones can preserve inscriptions, your name
will be famous to posterity; and, when those materials
fail, the benefits that are engraven in our hearts will outlast those of marble. It will be no paradox, but a truth,
to affirm, that your majesty has already built and repaired
more in three or four years, notwithstanding the difficulties
and the necessity of an extraordinary ceconomy for the
public concernment, than all your enemies have destroyed
in twenty, nay than all your majesty’s predecessors have
advanced in an hundred, as I could easily make out, not
only by what your majesty has so magnificently designed
and carried on at that your ancient honour of Greenwich,
under the conduct of your most industrious and worthy
surveyor, but in those splendid apartments and other useful reformations for security and delight about your majesty’s palace at Whitehall the chargeable covering first,
then paving and reformation of Westminster-hall care and
preparation for rebuilding St. Paul’s, by the impiety and
iniquity of the late confusions almost dilapidated; what her
majesty the queen-mother has added to her palace at Somerset-house, in a structure becoming her royal grandeur,
and the due veneration of all your majesty’s subjects, for
the lioirnir she has done both this your native city, and the
whole nation. Nor may I here omit, what I so much desire to transmit to posterity, those noble and profitable
amoenities of your majesty’s plantations, wherein you most
resemble the divine architect, because your majesty has
proposed in it such a pattern to your subjects, as merit
their imitation and protoundest acknowledgments, in one
of the most worthy and kingly improvements tbat nature is
capable of. 1 know not what they talk of former ages, and
of the now contemporary princes with your majesty these
things are visible and should I here descend to more particulars, which yet were not foreign to the subject of this
discourse, I would provoke the whole world to produce me
an example parallel with your majesty, for your exact
judgment and marvellous ability in all that belongs to the
naval architecture, both as to its proper terms and more
solid use, in which your majesty is master of one of the
most noble and profitable arts that can be wished, in a
prince to whom God has designed the dominion of the
ocean, which renders your majesty’s empire universal;
where, by exercising your royal talent and knowledge that
way, you can bring even the antipodes to meet, and the
poles to kiss each other; for so likewise, not in a metaphorical but natural sense, your equal and prudent government of this nation has made it good, whilst your majesty
has so prosperously guided this giddy bark, through such
a storm, as no hand, save your majesty’s, could touch the
helm, but at the price of their temerity.
” There is also
another dedication to sir John Denham, knight of the bath,
superintendent and surveyor of all his majesty’s buildings
and works, in which there are several matters of fact worth
knowing, as indeed there are in all Mr. Evelyn’s dedications; for, though no man was naturally more civil, or
more capable of making a compliment handsomely, yet his
merit was always conspicuous in his good manners; and he
never thought that the swelling sound of a well-turned
period could atone for want of sense. It appears from the
dedication of the second edition of the Sylva to king
Charles II. that there was a second edition of this work
also in the same year, viz. 1669, as there was a third in
1697, which was the last in the author’s life-time. In this
third edition, which is very much improved, “the account
of Architects and Architecture,
” which is an original work
of Mr. Evelyn’s, and a most excellent one of its kind, is
dedicated to sir Christopher Wren, surveyor to his majesty’s buildings and works; and there is in it another of
those incidental passages that concern the personal history
of our author. Having said in the first paragraph, that, if
the whole art of building were lost, it might be found
again in the noble works of that great architect, which,
though a very high, is no unjust compliment, more especially, continues our author, St. Paul’s church and the
Monument; he then adds, “I have named St. Paul’s,
and truly not without admiration, as oft as I recall to mind,
as frequently I do, the sad and deplorable condition it was
in, when, after it had been made a stable of horses and a
den of thieves, you, with other gentlemen and myself,
were, by the late king Charles, named commissioners to
survey the dilapidations, and to make report to his majesty,
in order to a speedy reparation. You will not, I am sure,
forget the struggle we had with some who were for patching it up any how, so the steeple might stand, instead of
new-building, which it altogether needed: when, to put
an end to the contest, five days after (August 27, Sept. 1666), that dreadful conflagration happened, out of whose
this phoenix is risen, and was by providence designed
for you. The circumstance is too remarkable, that I could
not pass it over without notice. I will now add no more,
but beg your pardon for this confidence of mine, after I
have acquainted you that the parallel to which this was annexed being out of print, I was importuned by the bookseller to add something to a new impression, but to which
I was no way inclined; till, not long since, going to St.
Paul’s, to contemplate that august pile, and the progress
you have made, some of your chief workmen gratefully acknowledging the assistance it had afforded them, I took
this opportunity of doing myself this honour.
” The fourth
edition of this work, printed long after our author’s death,
viz. in 1733, was in folio, as well as the rest; to which is
added “The Elements of Architecture,
” by sir Henry
Wotton, and some other things, of which, however, hints
were met with in our author’s pieces. 17. “Mwrtyj/ov Tjjj
AvaiMos; that is, another part of the mystery of Jesuitism,
or the new heresy of the Jesuits, publicly maintained at
Paris, in the college of Clermont, the twelfth of December,
1661, declared to all the bishops of France, according to
the copy printed at Paris. Together with the imaginary
heresy, in three letters; with divers other particulars relating to this abominable mystery never before published in
English;
” Lond. 1664, 8vo. This, indeed, has not our
author’s name to it; but that it is really his, and that he
had reasons for not owning it more publicly, appears from
a letter from him to Mr. Boyle. 18. “Kalendarium Hortense, or the gardener’s almanac, directing what he is to
do monthly throughout the year, and what fruits and flowers
are in prime,
” Lond. The Garden.
” This passed through at least nine editions.
The author made many additions as long as he lived and
the best was that printed by way of appendix to the fourth
and last edition of the Sylva in his life-time. 19. “The
history of the three late famous impostors, viz. Padre Ottotnano, pretended son and heir to the late grand signior;
Mahomet Bei, a pretended prince of the Ottoman family,
but, in truth, a Wallachian counterfeit: and Sabbatai Sevi,
the supposed Messiah of the Jews, in the year 1666; with
a brief account of the ground and occasion of tjie present
war between the Turk and the Venetian: together with the
cause of the final extirpation, destruction, and exile, of the
Jews out of the empire of Persia,
” Lond. 1668, 8vo. This
piece is dedicated to Henry earl of Arlington, and the dedication is subscribed J. E. and, if Mr. Wood had seen it,
he would not have said, “I know nothing yet to the contrary but this may be a translation.
” The nature and value
of this little piece were much better known abroad: one of
the best literary journals, “Act. Eruditorum Lipsiensiutn,
”
A. D. Public employment and an active life
preferred to solitude, in a reply to a late ingenious essay
of a contrary title,
” Lond. Sylva,
” Philosoph.
Trans. No. 53; and the reader will find some ingenious
strictures on “Public employment, &c.
” in vol. 1. of the
Censura Literaria, by one who knows well how to improve
solitude. 21. “An idea of the perfection of painting,
demonstrated from the principles of art, and by examples
conformable to the observations which Pliny and Quintilian have made upon the most celebrated pieces of the ancient painters, paralleled with some works of the most famous modern painters, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Julio
Romano, and N. Poussin. Written in French by Roland
Freart, Sieur de Cambray, and rendered English by J. E.
esquire, fellow of the royal society;
” Lond. 1668, 8vo,
This translation is dedicated to Henry Howard, of Norfolk,
heir apparent to that dukedom and the dedication is dated
from Say es-court, June the 24th, 1668, 8vo. This piece,
like most of Mr. Evelyn’s works, is now become exceeding
scarce. In the preface he observes, that the reader will
find in this discourse divers useful, remarks, especially
where the author “treats of costume, which we, continues
he, have interpreted decorum, as the nearest expression
our language would bear to it. And I was glad our author
had reproved it in so many instances, because it not only
grows daily more licentious, but even ridiculous and intolerable. But it is hoped this may universally be reformed! when our modern workmen shall consider, that
neither the exactness of their design, nor skilfulness in
colouring, ha.s been able to defend their greatest predecessors from just reproaches, who have been faulty in this
particular. I could exemplify in many others, whom our
author has omitted; and there is none but takes notice
what injury it has done the fame of some of our best reputed painters, and how indecorous it is to introduce circumstances, wholly improper to the usages and genius of
the places where our histories are supposed to. have beeq
acted.
” Mr. Evelyn then remarks, that this was not only
the fault of Bassano, who would be ever bringing in his
wife, children, and servants, his dog and his cat, and very
kitchen-stuff, after the Paduan mode; but of the great
Titian himself, Georgipn, Tintoret, and the rest; as Paulo
Veronese is observed also to have done, in his story of
Pharaoh’s daughter drawing Moses out of the river, attended with a guard of Swisses. Malvogius likewise, in a
picture then in the king’s gallery at Whitehall, not only
represents our first parents with navels upon their bellies,
but has placed an artificial stone fountain, carved with
imagery, in the midst of his paradise. Nor does that excellent and learned painter, Rubens, escape without censure, not only for making most of his figures of the shapes
of brawny Flemings, but for other sphalmata and circumstances of the like nature, though in some he has acquitted
himself to admiration, in the due observation of costume,
particularly in his crucifixes, &c. Raphael Urbino was,
doubtless, one of the first who reformed these inadvertencies; but it was more conspicuous in his latter than in his
former pieces. “As for Michael Angelo,
” continues Mr.
Evelyn, “though I heartily consent with our critic in reproving that almost idolatrous veneration of his works, who
hath certainly prodigiously abused the art, not only in the
table this discourse arraigns him for, but several more
which I have seen; yet I conceive he might have omitted
some of those embittered reproaches he has reviled him
with, who doubtless was one of the greatest masters of his
time, and however he might succeed as to the decorum,
was hardly exceeded for what he performed in sculpture
and the statuary art by many even of the ancients themselves, and haply by none of the moderns: witness his
Moses, Christus in Gremio, and several other figures at
Rome to say nothing of his talent in architecture, and
the obligation the world has to his memory, for recovering
many of its most useful ornaments and members out of the
neglected fragments, which lay so long buried, and for
vindicating that antique and magnificent manner of building from the trifling of Goths and barbarians.
” He observes next, that the usual reproach of painting has been
the want of judgment in perspective, and bringing more
into history than is justifiable upon one aspect, without
turning the eye to each figure in particular, and multiplying the points of sight, which is a point even monsieur
Freart, for all the pains he has taken to magnify that celebrated Decision of Paris, has failed in. For the knowing
in that art easily perceive, that even Raphael himself has
not so exactly observed it, since, instead of one, as monsieur Freart takes it to be, and as indeed it ought to have
been, there are no less than four or five; as du Bosse hath
well observed in his treatise of “The converted painter,
”
where, by the way also, he judiciously numbers amongst
the faults against costume, those landscapes, grotesque
figures, &c. which we frequently find abroad especially
for, in our country, we have few or none of those graceful
supplements of steeples painted, horizontally and vertically
on the vaults and ceilings of cupolas, since we have no
examples for it from the ancients, who allowed no more
than a frett to the most magnificent and costly of those
which they erected. But, would you know whence this
universal caution in most of their works proceeded, and
that the best of our modern painters and architects have
succeeded better than others of that profession, it must be
considered, that they were learned men, good historians,
and generally skilled in the best antiquities; such were
Raphael, and doubtless his scholar Julio; and, if Polydore
arrived not to the glory of letters, he yet attained to a rare
habit of the ancient gusto, as may be interpreted from most
of his designs and paintings. Leon Baptist Alberti was
skilled in all the politer parts of learning to a prodigy, and
has written several curious things in the Latin tongue. We
know that, of later times, Rubens was a person universally
learned, as may be seen in several Latin epistles of his to
the greatest scholars of his age. And Nicholas Poussin, the
Frenchman, who is so much celebrated and so deservedly,
did, it seems, arrive to this by his indefatigable industry
“as the present famous statuary, Bernini, now living,
”
says Mr. Evelyn, “has also done so universal a mastery,
that, not many years since, he is reported to have built a
theatre at Rome, for the adornment whereof he not only
cut the figures and painted the scenes, but wrote the play,
and composed the music, which was all in recitative. And
I am persuaded, that all this is not yet by far so much as
that miracle and ornament of our age and country, Dr.
Christopher Wren, were able to perform, if he were so
disposed, and so encouraged, because he is master of so
many admirable advantages beyond them. I alledge these
examples partly to incite, and partly to shew the dignity
and vast comprehension of this rare art, and that for a man
to arrive to its utmost perfection, he should be almost as
universal as the orator in Cicero, and the architect in Vitruvius. But, certainly, some tincture in history, the optics and anatomy, are absolutely requisite, and more, iri
the opinion of our author, than to be a steady designer,
and skilled in the tempering and applying of colours,
which, amongst most of our modern workmen, go now for
the only accomplishments of a painter.
”
r places, and our having greater experiences of sea-fights than ever we had before, other things are known; and it is believed, to my certain knowledge, by some of the
He was also very assiduous in procuring, as early as possible, from abroad, all new books upon curious and useful
subjects; as also such as, from their universal high character, were become scarce and dear; some of which he communicated to the secretary of the society, and of others he
made large and curious extracts himself; and, as is very
justly observed, his translations were doubly valuable, on
account of that clearness and fidelity with which he expressed the author’s sense, and the improvements that he
added from his own observations, as he rendered no treatises into English, without being perfectly versed in the
subject upon which, as well as the language in which, they
were written. He likewise, in testimony of his respect
and duty to the society, bestowed upon them those curious
tables of veins and arteries, which he brought with him
from Padua, and consequently deserved to be honourably
mentioned in their registers, and to have his picture, as it
is, hung up in their apartments. He might, therefore,
justly style himself, as we have already noticed, a pioneer
in the service of the society. Amongst other advantages
that attended the institution of the royal society, one was
its giving birth to, and the highest encouragement for, free
and open inquiries; nor was it any wonder that, amongst
these, some turned upon those learned persons who first
exerted themselves in favour of this method of improving
knowledge. Amongst, these, Mr. John Houghton, though
with great decency and good manners, censured our author’s great performance, on account of its crossing a notion he had advanced, “that it would be highly advantageous for the nation, if all the timber within twelve miles
of a navigable river were destroyed.
” It is but fair that
he should speak for himself: his words then are these:
Collections on husbandry and trade, vol. IV. p. 273. “I
question not but you eagerly expect to hear what may be
said, in answer to Mr. Evelyn’s Sylva. There he seems to
be quite of another opinion, and to give many instances of
profits from woods, so great that few other parts of husbandry can equal them. 1 must confess Mr. Evelyn is a
great man, one that I have the honour to be acquainted
with, and happy is he that is so he is a gentleman of
great piety, modesty, and. complacency and also endowed
with such an universality of useful learning, that he may
very well be esteemed a darling of mankind. But he is
particularly well versed in the affairs of the woodman; and
his Sylva is so good a book, that I have not heard of any
thing written on the subject like it. To answer it, I will
not pretend; to gainsay what he affirms I cannot, for I believe he loves veracity more than life. I will only make
some observations, and, if my sentiments differ from his, I
know he will pardon me, he being well inclined to allow
freedom of thought, and also well versed in a motto, AwIhis in verba, which is that of the royal society. Now, I
first observe the reason why this Sylva, or discourse of
forest-trees, was delivered to the royal society. It was, as
I am told in the title-page, upon occasion of certain queries propounded to that illustrious assembly, by the honourable the principal officers and commissioners of the
navy. What these queries were, does not altogether appear; but, by the discourse, one of them seems to be hour
timber might be propagated in his majesty’s dominions.
An answer to this our ingenious author hath bravely given.
But my considerations are not how, or how not, to propagate timber; but a query, `Whether it is best, within
certain limits, to propagate it or no?' a thing quite beside
his design. Indeed, in his introduction, he, like a very
good Englishman, laments the notorious decay of our
wooden walls, which he thought likely to follow, when our
then present navy should be worn out or impaired; and I
must confess, when he considered the great destruction of
our wood that had been made in the foregoing twenty
years, by some through necessity, and others through ill
ends and purposes; together with our not being used to
fetch much timber from abroad, and a general cry that
none could furnish us with any for shipping, especially so
good as our own; with the addition of what amounted to a
complaint from the honourable commissioners of his majesty’s navy: when he considered all this, I say, every
good man will rather commend than blame his zeal. But
now since that destruction of our timber hath forced us to
look out for a more convenient supply to London, and
some other places, and our having greater experiences of
sea-fights than ever we had before, other things are known;
and it is believed, to my certain knowledge, by some of the
commissioners of the navy, and others that have been,
greatly concerned in building of ships, that there is some
other timber in the world that will build ships as well as
ours: for instance, the French Ruby that we took from
France, when he joined with Denmark and Holland against
tis, had such good timber in it, that, as I have been told,
England never had better. The bullets that entered this
French ship made only round holes without splinters, the
thing our timber is valued for and it was so hard, that
the carpenters with their tools could hardly cut it it was
like a piece of iron. I fancy it some of that oak Mr. Evelyn
speaks of in his fore-cited Sylva, chap. iii. p. 25. ‘ There
is,’ saith he, `a kind of it so tough, and so extremely compact, that our sharpest tools will hardly enter it, and
scarcely the very fire itself, in which it consumes but
slowly, as seeming to partake of a ferruginous and metal0
line shining nature, proper for sundry robust uses.' These
last thirty ships that were built have a great deal of foreign
timber in them; and, although there is some decay in them
already, yet I am told that the fault is not attributed to the
foreign timber, but rather to the hasty building; the king
having not a stock before-hand, the timber had not time
enough for a seasoning. For these reasons, and what I
said before about the increase of seamen, persuades me to
believe, that such means will never lessen our strength;
and I question not but that, for our money, we may be
furnished sufficiently from abroad.
”
, and more generally known by these last names, was born at the Hague in 1511, and received
, and more generally
known by these last names, was born at the Hague in 1511,
and received the first impressions of virtue and knowledge
from his father. On what account our author, as he was
not the second son, was called Secundus, is not known.
Perhaps the name was not given him till he became eminent, and was in poetry nemini sccundus. Poetry, however, was not the profession which his father wished him
to follow. He intended him for the law, and when he
could no longer direct his studies himself, placed him under
the care of Jacobus Valcardus, or Volcardus. This gentleman, the author of a treatise “de usu eloquentix in
obeundis muncribus publicis,
” is said to hare been every
way qualified to discharge the important trust that was
committed to him; and he certainly gained the affection
of his pupil, who, in one of his poems, mentions his death
with every appearance of unfeigned sorrow. Another tutor, Stenemola of Mechlin, was soon provided, but it does
not appear that Secundus devoted much of his time to
legal pursuits. Poetry, and the sister arts of painting and
sculpture, had engaged his mind at a very early period. He
is said to have written verses when but ten years old; and
from the vast quantity which he left behind him, we have
reason to conclude that such writing was his principal employment.
pain, and by which he was much weakened. Bayle tells us, in one of his letters, that it was publicly known, that St. Evremond used no assistance of minister or priest
St. Evremond was a kind of epicurean philosopher; but
though his speculative morality was too lax, yet in his general conduct he appears to have acted like a man of probity. He preserved his health and his chearfulness to a
very great age. In one of his letters to Ninon de TEnclos
he says, “At eighty-eight years of age, I eat oysters
every morning. I dine heartily, and sup tolerably. Heroes are celebrated for less merit than mine.
” He was at
length afflicted with a strangury, which was attended with
great pain, and by which he was much weakened. Bayle
tells us, in one of his letters, that it was publicly known,
that St. Evremond used no assistance of minister or priest
to prepare him for death; and that it was said, that the
envoy from the court of Florence sent to him an ecclesiastic, who, asking him whether he would be reconciled,
received for answer, “With all my heart: I would fain be
reconciled to my stomach, which no longer performs in
usual functions.
” Bayle also says, “I have seen verses,
which he wrote fifteen days before his death; and his only
regret was, that he was reduced to boiled meats, and could
no longer digest partridges and pheasants.
” He died on
the 9th of Sept. 1703, aged ninety years, five months,
and twenty days. Des Maizeaux says, “He preserved, to
the very last, a lively imagination, a solid judgment, and
a happy memory. The great and acute pains, which he
felt during his sickness, never disturbed his tranquillity.
He bore them with a courage and constancy that may be
envied by philosophers of the first rate.
” The same writer
gives the following description of his person: “M. de St.
Evremond had blue, lively, and sparkling eyes, a large
forehead, thick eye-brows, a handsome mouth, and a sneering physiognomy. Twenty years before his death, a wen
grew between his eye-brows, which in time increased to a
considerable bigness. He once designed to have it cut oft;
but, as it was no ways troublesome to him, and he little
regarded that kind of deformity, Dr. Le Fevre advised him
to let it alone, lest such an operation should be attended
with dangerous symptoms in a man of his age. He would
often make merry with himself on account of his wen, his
great leather cap, and grey hair, which he chose to wear
rather than a periwig .
” Des Maizeaux afterwards adds,
“His behaviour was civil and engaging, his conversation
lively and pleasant, his repartees quick and happy. We
find very few that know how to read well. M. de St. Evre-p
mond told me one day, that he had not known three in
his whole life that could read justly. He had this art in
perfection; and, what is altogether as uncommon, he had
a very happy way of telling a story.
” “His humour was
ever gay and merry; which was so far from declining towards the latter end of his life, that it seemed rather to
gather fresh strength.
” “He was extremely fond of the
company of young people, and delighted to hear the stories
of their adventures.
” “Although he did not pretend to
over-rigid morals, yet he had all the qualities of a man of
honour. He was just, generous, and grateful; and full of
goodness and humanity.
”
works were printed at Copenhagen, 1781 1791, 4 vols. 8vo, with engravings by Chodowicki, but are not known in this country.
, a Danish poet of considerable reputation in his own country, was born at Copenhagen in 1743,
and had to contend with adversity during the greater part
of his life. For some years he was a common soldier in the
Prussian and Austrian service, and lived in a state of comparative indigence until his death, which happened at Copenhagen March 17, 1781. He acquired his first reputatation by a work in prose, entitled “The Temple of Goodness,
” and afterwards wrote some dramas, as his countrymen say, in the style of Ossian and Shakspeare. His works
were printed at Copenhagen, 1781 1791, 4 vols. 8vo, with
engravings by Chodowicki, but are not known in this
country.
uage, and the impartiality of the narrative. At what time he entered the order of the Jesuits is not known, but after their expulsion, he lived at Rome, and devoted his
, a Spanish ex-jesuit, was born
at Balbastro, in the kingdom of Arragon, in 1732, and at
the age of ten, went to Salamanca, where he began his
studies with great ardour, and made extraordinary proficiency in mathematics and physics. In 1764- he was appointed to teach mathematics and engineering in the royal
military school founded at Segovia. On entering into this
office, he delivered a speech, shewing the necessity of cultivating the art of war upon fixed principles; and with a
view to exhibit examples as well as precepts to his scholars,
he published the lives of all the eminent Spanish heroes,
under the title of “The Spanish military History,
” Segovia,
The
Engineer’s Manual,
” 8vo. Both these works were much admired, the first particularly, for the elegance of the language, and the impartiality of the narrative. At what time
he entered the order of the Jesuits is not known, but after
their expulsion, he lived at Rome, and devoted his attention chiefly to music, of which, from his infancy, he was
passionately fond. After six years’ labour and study, he
produced a work on the subject, which contributed, although without much reason, to his reputation in the musical world. This appeared at Rome in 1774, and was
entitled “Dell' Origine e della regole della Musica, &c.
”
4to, in which, says Dr. Burney, too confident of his own
powers, he imagined himself capable, with four years’
study only, intuitively to frame a better system of counterpoint than that upon which so many great musicians had
been formed. Possessed of eloquence, fire, and a lively
imagination, his book has been called in Italy, “a whimsical romance upon the art of music, in which is discovered
a rage for pulling down, without the power of rebuilding.
”
The author has certainly, with shrewdness and accuracy,
started several difficulties, and pointed out imperfections
in the theory and practice of music, as well as in the particular systems of Tartini and Rameau; but his own resources and experience are totally insufficient to the task
of correcting the errors of the old system, or forming a new
one that is more perfect. He has more eloquence of language than science in music. His reasoning is ingenious
and specious, even when his data are false; but his examples of composition are below contempt; and yet they
are courageously given as models for students, superior to
those of the old great masters of harmony.
years, returned to his native country, and settled at Cahors, where he died, but at what time is not known. Ausonius bestows high praises on his general character and
, a celebrated rhetorician, of the fourth century, who has frequently been confounded with a bishop of Toulouse, and with another bishop of Cahors of the same name, was a native of Bourdeaux, and taught eloquence at Toulouse and Narbonne. In this last mentioned city he was entrusted with the education of the two princes Dalmatius and Hannibal, nephews of the reigning emperor Constantine. Before this Exuperius had been obliged to leave Toulouse, where the inhabitants set little value on his talents, but at Narbonne he was received with the respect due to him; and when the two princes, his pupils, were advanced to the throne, the one as emperor in the year 335, and the other as king of Pontus and Armenia, they conferred upon him the government of a province in Spain. Here he is said to have amassed great riches, and after holding the situation for many years, returned to his native country, and settled at Cahors, where he died, but at what time is not known. Ausonius bestows high praises on his general character and eloquence.
,” in another church; “St. Catherine,” in the cathedral of Antwerp, &c. The time of his death is not known. Descamps has strangely divided him into two persons, in both
, or Eykens, called the Olp, was born at
Antwerp in 1599, and became eminent for his historical
paintings. His compositions are full of spirit; his figures
have some degree of elegance; his draperies are broad,
and the hack-grounds of his pictures are enriched with
architecture and landscape in a good taste. As he always
studied and copied nature, his colouring was warm, agreeable,
and natural; and to his carnations he always gave a great
deal of delicacy, particularly to the carnations of hrs
nymphs and boys. He painted subjects in one colour,
such as basso-relievos and vases of marble, extremely
well; and was frequently employed to insert figures in the
landscapes of other masters, as he designed them correctly, and adapted them to the different scenes with
propriety and judgment. The principalpaintings mentioned as his productions are, a “Last Supper,
” in St.
Andrew’s church at Antwerp; “St. John preaching in the
Desert,
” in another church; “St. Catherine,
” in the cathedral of Antwerp, &c. The time of his death is not known.
Descamps has strangely divided him into two persons, in
both which the dates are erroneous.
this time decent in his manners, grave in his appearance, and regular in his attendance, but was not known beyond the practice of the lord mayor’s and sheriff’s courts,
, lord chief justice of the court of common pleas, a native of Wiltshire, was born in 1734, and educated, if we mistake not, at Winchester, and afterwards at Merton college, Oxford, where he took his degree of M. A. in 1739, but before that had begun to study Jaw in London. His first professional appearance was as one of the four common pleaders belonging to the city of London, who purchase their situations, and are usually called the city counsel. He is said to have been at this time decent in his manners, grave in his appearance, and regular in his attendance, but was not known beyond the practice of the lord mayor’s and sheriff’s courts, and had displayed no particular tokens of future eminence. An accidental event, however, brought him forward into unexpected notice, and subsequent circumstances led him to distinction. At this period sir William Morton was recorder of London. He had quitted the practice of the bar, and confined himself to the duties of that station. He had been brought into parliament by the influence of the duke of Bedford, and had looked with a natural expectation to a seat in one of the courts of law; but at length, disappointed, and growing old, he applied to the court of aldermen for leave to appoint a deputy to assist him in his official duties.
his relations and friends, his prompt and active zeal to promote the welfare of many who were little known to him but by their want of his assistance, his affability and
His knowledge of the law consisted in a familiar acquaintance with those principles which extensive reading and long experience had impressed upon his mind, rather than in a ready recollection of decided cases. But his application of principles was seldom erroneous; for, as his apprehension was clear, and his judgment strong, he embraced the most complicated variety of facts, and discerned the bearings of the most intricate question. As he comprehended with precision, he explained Vith perspicuity; and, perhaps, no man ever performed the delicate and arduous task of commenting upon evidence to ajury, more usefully to the jury themselves, more satisfactorily to the parties concerned, or more to the advancement of the ends of justice. From his own opinions he was ever ready to recede, when convinced by mature reflection, or the arguments of counsel, that they were ill-founded; and in doing so, he willingly avowed the error he had committed. His judgments displayed great learning, employed by a vigorous understanding; the reasoning cogent, the illustration apposite, the language manly, and not unfrequently eloquent. Perhaps, in no purt of his public duty was he more eminent, though none was more repugnant to his feelings, than in the administration of criminal justice. In this department, though the mildness of his disposition inclined him to mercy, he yielded not to indiscriminate lenity, because he remembered that he was the guardian of the public safety. He was convinced that the observance of solemnity in the courts of justice contributed to excite veneration for their proceedings. His judicial deportment, therefore, was calculated to convey un impression of awe and respect But though his manner was grave and punctilious, it was marked witU great courtesy, for it was not dictated by pride, but by a conscientious regard for the dignity of the court. That this was the case, those who had the happiness to know him in private life could testify, where it seemed as much his aim to draw closer round him by social ease and unaffected pleasantry the circle of his friends, as it was in public to maintain the distance that his situation required. Nor, amidst the amiable qualities which distinguished his private life, should be unrecorded his warm and affectionate attachment to his relations and friends, his prompt and active zeal to promote the welfare of many who were little known to him but by their want of his assistance, his affability and tenderness towards all his dependants and domestics, and the support given to his elevated station by an hospitable and liberal establishment.
ated as his, consisting of two books, one on the golden age, the other on the origin of Rome, is now known to have been a forgery of Annius of Viterbo,
, a Roman historian, the first prose writer on the subject of Roman history, was the son of C. Fabius Pictor, who was consul with Ogulnius Callus in the year 271 B. C. and grandson of the Fabius who painted the temple of health, from whom this branch of the family obtained the name of Pictor. He was nearly related to the preceding Fabius, and after the battle of Cannae was sent to the Delphic oracle to inquire by what supplications the gods might be appeased. He wrote the history of this war with Hannibal, and is cited by Livy as authority in it. The fragments of his annals that remain in the works of the ancients, whether in Greek or Latin, for he wrote in both, relate chiefly to the antiquities of Italy, the beginnings of Rome, or the acts of the Romans. He is censured by Polybius, as too partial to the Romans, and not even just to the Carthaginians. His style was doubtless that of his age, unformed, and imperfect. An history, circulated as his, consisting of two books, one on the golden age, the other on the origin of Rome, is now known to have been a forgery of Annius of Viterbo,
, more generally known by the name of Hieronymus Fabricius Ab Aquapendente, was born
, more generally known by the name of Hieronymus Fabricius Ab Aquapendente, was born at Aquapendente, in the territory of Orvieto, in Italy, in 1537. His parents, although poor, found the means of procuring him a good education at Padua, where he acquired a knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, and, after having gone through the usual course of philosophy, he began the study of anatomy and surgery under Gabriel Fallopius, one of the most intelligent professors of his time. His progress under this excellent tutor was such as to acquire for him a character not less distinguished than that of his master, whom he afterwards succeeded in the professor’s chair, in which he taught the same sciences for nearly half a century, in the university of Padua. During the whole of this long period he maintained an uniform character for eloquence and sound knowledge, and continued to excite great interest in his lectures. He died universally regretted in 1619, at the age of eighty-two years.
, an eminent surgeon and physician, was known also by his surname of Hildanus, from Hilden, a village of
, an eminent surgeon and physician, was known also by his surname of Hildanus, from
Hilden, a village of Switzerland, where he was born, July
25 t 1560. Like his predecessor of the same name, Fabricius of Aquapendunte, he became one of the most
eminent surgeons of his age, and contributed not a. little
to the improvement of the art. He repaired to Lausanne
in 1586, where he completed himself in the art of surgery,
under the instruction of Griffon, an intelligent teacher in
that city. Here he pursued his researches with indefatigable industry, and undertook the cure of many difficult
cases, in which he was singularly successful. He combined aknowledge of medicine with that of his own art,
and began to practise both at Payerne in 1605, where he
remained ten years, and in 1615 settled himself at Berne,
in consequence of an invitation from the senate, who
granted him a pension. Here he enjoyed the universal
esteem of the inhabitants. But in the latter period of his
life he was prevented by severe and frequent attacks of
the gout from rendering his services to his fellow-citizens
with his accustomed assiduity. At length, liowever, this
malady left him, and he was seized with an asthma, of
which he died on the 14th of February, 1634, at the age
of seventy-four. His works were written in the German
language, but most of them have been translated into the
Latin. He published five “Centuries of Observations,
”
which were collected after his death, and printed at Lyons
in 1641, and at Strasburgh in 1713 and 1716. These
“Observations
” present a considerable number of curious
facts, as well as descriptions of a great number of instruments of his invention. His collected treatises were published in Latin, at Francfort in 1646, and again in 1682,
in folio, under the title of “Opera Omnia.
” And a German edition appeared at Stutgard in
, known to the public by his letters relating to Charles XII. of Sweden,
, known to the public by his letters relating to Charles XII. of Sweden, during his residence in the Ottoman empire, was sprung from a good family in Germany. His father was president of Zell for George I. as elector of Hanover, and he had a brother who held a considerable office in that prince’s service. The baron, of whom we are speaking, as soon as he had finished his studies, went into Holstein, and was early taken into the service of that court, where his talents were much admired. He was sent from thence, by the duke administrator, in a public character, to his Swedish majesty, while he continue at Bender. He was then in the flower of his youth, had a good person, pleasing address, great accomplishments, and no vanity. He soon stood very high in the good graces of that prince; accompanied him in his exercises, was frequently at his table, and spent hours alone with him in his closet. He it was that gave him a turn for reading; and it was out of his hand that monarch snatched the book, when he tore from it the 8th satire of Boileau, in which Alexander the Great is represented as a madman. He had but one enemy in the court, viz. general Daldorff, who was made prisoner by the Tartars, when they stormed the king’s camp at Bender. Fabricius took pains to find him out, released him, and supplied him with money; which so entirely vanquished the general, that he afterwards became a warm friend. This amiable man was likewise in favour with king Stanislaus, and with our own monarch George I. whom he accompanied in his last journey to Hanover, and who may be said to have died in his arms. "A translation of his genuine letters in English, containing the best accounts relating to the Northern Hero during his residence in Turkey, was published in one volume 8vo, Lond. 1761.
. to send M. de Tournfort into Greece, Asia, and Egypt, which produced the scientific voyage so well known to the learned world. Fagon died March 11, 1718, aged near eighty.
, an eminent French physician in the reign of Louis XIV. was born at Paris, May
11, 1638. He was the son of Henry Fagon, commissioner
in ordinary of war, and of Louisa de la Brosse, niece of
Guy de la Brosse, physician in ordinary to Louis XIII.
and grandson of a physician in ordinary to Henry IV. He
studied first in the Sorbonne, under M. Gillot, an eminent
doctor, with whom he resided as student, and who persuaded him to chuse the medical profession. M. Fagon
never forgot M. Gillot in his highest prosperity; but, if he
met him in the street, alighted from his coach, and conducted him to the house where he was going. This young
physician had scarcely begun to dispute, when he ventured
to maintain, in a thesis, the circulation of the blood, which
was at that time held as a paradox among the old doctors;
and also another on the use of tobacco, published long
afterwards; “An frequens Nicotian ye usus vitam
abbreviet,
” Paris, 1699, 4to. He took his doctor’s degree 1664,
M. Vallot wishing to repair and replenish the royal garden,
M. Fagon offered his services; and going, at his own
expence, to Auvergne, Languedoc, Provence, the Alps,
and the Pyrenees, returned with an ample collection of
curious and useful plants. He had the principal share in
the catalogue of the plants in that garden, puhlished 1665,
entitled “Hortus Regius,
” to which he prefixed a little
Latin poem of his own. M. Fagon was made professor of
botany and chemistry at the royal garden, and began to
have the plants engraved; but there are only forty -five
plates finished, which are very scarce. The king appointed
bim first physician to the dauphiness in 1680, and to the
queen some months after. In 1693 he was made first physician to the king, and superintendant of the royal garden
in 1698, to which he retired after the king’s death, and,
for the improvement of which, he persuaded Louis XIV.
to send M. de Tournfort into Greece, Asia, and Egypt,
which produced the scientific voyage so well known to the
learned world. Fagon died March 11, 1718, aged near
eighty. The academy of sciences had chosen him an
honorary member in 1699. He left “Les Qualités du
Quinquina,
” Paris,
of inspecting the archives suggested to him the design of writing the annals of Toulouse. On making known his intentions, the parliament granted him permission to examine
, a French topographical
writer, was born at Castelnaudari in Upper Languedoc,
Oct. 30, 1616. after going through a course of studies at
Toulouse, he was in 1638 appointed king’s advocate to
the presidial of his native city, which office he resigned in
1655 on being chosen syndic to the city of Toulouse, and
came to reside in the latter, where he was enabled to cultivate his taste for the belles lettres; and during the discharge of the duties of his office, which he executed with
zeal and disinterestedness, the opportunity he had of inspecting the archives suggested to him the design of writing
the annals of Toulouse. On making known his intentions,
the parliament granted him permission to examine its registers, and the city undertook to defray the expense of
printing his work. Having been advanced to the rank of
capitoul, or alderman of the city, which office he served
for the third time in 1673, he communicated to his brethren
a plan of ornamenting their capitolium, or town -hall, with
busts of the most distinguished personages who had filled
the offices of magistracy, and they having allowed him to
make choice of the proper objects, a gallery was completed
in 1677 with the busts of thirty persons whom he had selected as meriting that honour. This, and other services
which he rendered to the citizens of Toulouse, induced
them to confer a handsome pension on him, and likewise
to bestow the reversion of the place of syndic on his nephew, who dying before La Faille, they gave it to his
grand-nephew. In 1694 the academy of the “Jeux Floraux
” elected him their secretary, a situation which he
filled for sixteen years with much reputation; for, besides
the fame he had acquired as an historian and magistrate,
he possessed considerable literary taste and talents, and
even in his ninetieth year produced some poetical pieces
in which there was more spirit and vivacity than could
have been expected at that very advanced period. He
died at Toulouse Nov. 12, 1711, in his ninety-sixth year.
His “Annales de la ville de Toulouse
” were published
there in 2 vols. fol. 1687 and 1701. The style, although;
somewhat incorrect, is lively and concise. The annals are
brought down only to 1610, the author being afraid, if he
proceeded nearer to his own times, that he might be
tempted to violate the impartiality which he had hitherto
endeavoured to preserve. He published also “Traité de
la noblesse des Capitouls,
” Journal de Verdun,
” for May
culptor, of whom we regret that no good account has yet reached this country, where he has long been known for his writings.
, born at Lyons in 1671, was
bred a physician, in which profession his family had long
been celebrated, but distinguished himself more iii general
literature than in medicine. He settled at Paris, became
a friend of Malebranche, and in 1716 was elected into the
French academy. He had a library of forty-five thousand
volumes, from which, in 1742, he presented to the royal
library all those that were wanting to that collection. He
died Feb. 8, 1762, at the age of 91, being supposed (like Fagon), to have prolonged his life by his skill. He was of
a lively disposition, with a ready natural eloquence; and
though he was not so famous in the practice of medicine,
he was much esteemed in consultation. His chief works
are, 1. A translation of Viliemont’s “Systema Planetarum,
” published in Daphnis and Chloe,
” translated by Amyot,
with curious notes. 3. An edition of Desperier’s “Cymbalum Mundi,
” with notes. 4. Several dissertations in the
inemoirs of the academy; and some medical theses. He
was uncle to Stephen Falconet, the celebrated sculptor, of
whom we regret that no good account has yet reached this
country, where he has long been known for his writings.
g year, sworn of his majesty’s privy-council. His integrity, abilities, and industry, became so well known in Portugal, that he was recommended and desired by that crown
He was elected one of the representatives of the university of Cambridge in the parliament which met the 8th
of May 1661, and was soon after sworn a privy counsellor
of Ireland. Having by his residence in foreign courts
qualified himself for public employments abroad, he was
sent envoy extraordinary to Portugal, with a dormant commission to the ambassador, which he was to make use of
as occasion should require. Shortly after, he was appointed ambassador to that court, where he negotiated the
marriage between his master king Charles II. and the infanta donna Catharina, daughter of king John VI. and
returned to England towards the end of the same year. It
appears that he was again sent ambassador to that crown in
1661, and was, upon his return to England the following
year, sworn of his majesty’s privy-council. His integrity,
abilities, and industry, became so well known in Portugal,
that he was recommended and desired by that crown to be
sent to Spain as the fittest person to bring about an accommodation between Spain and Portugal. In the beginning
of 1664 he was sent ambassador to Philip IV. king of
Spain^ and arrived, February the 29th, at Cadiz, where
he was saluted in a manner unexampled to others, and
received with several circumstances of particular esteem.
It appears from one of sir Richard’s letters, that this extraordinary respect was paid him not only upon his own,
but also upon his master the king of England’s account.
He says, “I had not been three hours on shore (at Cadiz)
when an extraordinary messenger arrived from Madrid
with more particular orders than formerly, from his catholic
majesty, importing that our master’s fleet, when arrived,
and his ambassador, should be pre-saluted from the city in
a manner unexampled toothers, and which should not be
drawn into example hereafter. Moreover (and this so likewise), that I and all my company must be totally defrayed, both here and all the way up to Madrid, upon his
catholic majesty’s account; with several other circumstances
of particular esteem for our royal master, above all the
world beside.
” From a passage in another letter of his it is
evident, that the hope the Spaniards entertained, of having
Tangier and Jamaica restored to them by England, was,
“that which made his arrival impatiently longed for, and
so magnificently celebrated.
” During his residence at this
court, however, after all that apparent good will, he experienced such frequent mortifications as ministers use to
meet with in courts irresolute and perplexed in their own
affairs, and had made a journey to Lisbon upon the earnest
desire of Spain, and returned without effect. ^On a sudden,
when the recovery of Philip IV. grew desperate, a project
for a treaty was sent to the ambassador, containing more
advantages of trade to the nation, and insisting upon fewer
inconvenient conditions than had ever been in any* of the
former, and urging the immediate acceptation or rejection
of it, on account of the king’s illness, “which,
” they declared, “might make such an alteration in counsels, that,
if it were not done in his life-time, they knew not what
might happen ' after.
” The ambassador, surprised with
this overture, compared what was offered with what he was
to demand by his instructions; and what was defective in
those particulars he added to the articles presented to him,
with such farther additions, as, upon his own observation
and conference with the merchants, occurred to him; which
being agreed to, he signed the treaty, with a secret article
respecting Portugal, and sent it to England. The treaty
was no sooner brought to the king, and perused in council,
but many faults were found with it, and in the end the
king concluded that he would not sign it; and the ambassador was recalled.
e middle of the succeeding century, notwithstanding his advanced age. The period of his death is not known.
, a celebrated physician, was born at Turin in 1675. He studied philosophy and the belles lettres in the university of his native city, with distinguished success, and then passed to the medical classes, in which he gave farther evidence of his abilities, and obtained his degree of doctor. He was enabled, through the liberality of his prince, to traverse France, Germany, and the Low Countries, every where making valuable additions to his knowledge. On his return to Turin, he commenced public teacher of anatomy, and afterwards was successively chosen to fill the chairs of theoretical and practical medicine. In the interim the king of Sardinia appointed him physician to the prince of Piedmont, his son. This office, however, did not interfere with his labours in the university, where he was still distinguished near the middle of the succeeding century, notwithstanding his advanced age. The period of his death is not known.
Jerome de Villa Nova, the prothonotary of Arragon, inquired into the affair, and made his innocence known to the king. This, however, had no other effect than to procure
, one of the most celebrated historians and poets of his nation in the seventeenth
century, was born March 18, 1590, at Sonto near Caravilla in Portugal, of a noble family, both by his father’s
and mother’s side. His father’s name was Arnador Perez
d'Eiro, and his mother’s Louisa Faria, but authors are not
agreed in their conjectures why he did not take his father’s
name, but preferred Faria, that of his mother, and Sousa,
which is thought to have been his grandmother’s name.
In his infancy he was very infirm, yet made considerable
progress, even when a puny child, in writing, drawing, and
painting. At the age of ten, his father sent him to school
to learn Latin, in which his proficiency by no means answered his expectations, owing to the boy’s giving the preference to the Portuguese and Spanish poets. These he
read incessantly, and composed several pieces in verse and
prose in both languages, but he had afterwards the good
sense to destroy his premature effusions, as well as to perceive that the Greek and Roman classics are the foundation
of a true style, and accordingly he endeavoured to repair
his error by a careful study of them. In 1604, when only
in his fourteenth year, he was received in the Tank of gentleman into the household of don Gonzalez de Moraes,
bishop of Porto, who was his relation, and afterwards made
him his secretary; and during his residence with this prelate, which lasted ten years, he applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and composed some works, the best
of which was an abridgment of the historians of Portugal,
“Epitome de las historias Portuguesas, desde il diluyio
hasta el anno 1628,
” Madrid, Noches claras,
” a collection of moral and political discourses, Madrid, 1623 and 1626, 2 vols. 12mo. 2.
“Fuente de Aganipr, o Rimes varias,
” a collection of his
poems, in 7 vols. Madrid, 1644, &c. 3. “Commentarios
sobra las Lusiadas de Luis de Camoens,
” an immense
commentary on the Lusiad, ibid. Madrid, 1640 or 1645, folio. 5.
” Imperio de la China, &e.“and an account of the propagation of religion by the Jeuits, written by Semedo: Faria was only editor of this
work, Madrid, 1643, 4to. 6.
” Nobiliario del Concle D.
Petro de Barcelos,“&c. a translation from the Portuguese,
with notes, ibid. 1646, folio. 7.
” A Life of Don Martin
Bapt. de Lanuza,“grand justiciary of Arragon,
” ibid. 1650,
4to. 8. “Asia Portuguesa,
” Lisbon, Europa Portuguesa,
” ibid. Africa Portuguesa,
” ibid. America Portuguesa.
” All these" historical and geographical works have been considered as correct and valuable. Faria appears to have published some
other pieces of less importance, noticed by Antonio.
ess, however, was not carried unanimously, and was, in particular, opposed by Dr. John Jebb, so well known for his free opinions in politics and religion, and by some
In 1767 Mr. Farmer took the degree of B. D. and in
1769 was appointed by Dr. Terrick, then bishop of London, to be one of the preachers at the chapel royal, Whitehall. During the residence in London which this office
required, he lodged with the celebrated Dr. Askew, in
Queen’s Square, Bloomsbury, and became himself a collector of books at a time when such as are now thought
invaluable could be picked up at stalls at the most trifling
prices. In 1775, on the death of Dr. Richardson, he was
chosen master of Emanuel college; Mr. Hubbard, the senior fellow, who had been chosen, declining it, with, says
Mr. Cole, “his wonted moderation and disinterestedness,
and giving his full suffrage to his friend Mr. Farmer.
”
He now took the degree of D. D. and was very soon succeeded in his tutorship by Dr. William Bennet, the present very learned and amiable bishop of Cloyne. In
1775-6, Dr. Farmer served, in his turn, the office of vicechancellor. During his holding this office an event occurred, which would scarcely be worth mentioning in a
life of Dr. Farmer, had it not been grossly misrepresented.
When the disturbances in America had become serious,
the university of Cambridge, with numberless other loyal
bodies, voted an address to the king, approving of the
measures adopted by government to reduce the colonies
to their duty; the address, however, was not carried unanimously, and was, in particular, opposed by Dr. John
Jebb, so well known for his free opinions in politics and
religion, and by some others, of whom, one man, a member of the caput, carried his opposition so far, as actually
to refuse the key of the place which contained the seal
necessary on such occasions. In this emergency the
vicechancellor, Dr. Farmer, is said to have forced open the
door with a sledge-hammer; and this act of violence is
called courtly zeal, and all his subsequent preferments are
attributed to it. But the fact'is, that the opening of this
door (of a chest) was not an act of intemperate zeal. The
sense of the university had been taken; the senate, by its
vote, had given its sanction to the measure before the vicechancellor exerted his authority, and gave his servant his
official orders to break open the chest.
advantage in it. It is not as a Divine that Dr. Farmer was admired by his contemporaries, or can be known to posterity.
Dr. Farmer had now attained the utmost of his wishes;
and although both an English and an Irish bishoprick were
offered to him, he declined them, for which various reasons
have been assigned. One is certainly erroneous. It has
been said “that in early life he had felt the power of love,
and had suffered such a disappointment as had sunk deep
in his mind, and for a time threatened his understanding.
From that period, though he retained his faculties entire,
he acquired some peculiarities of manner, of which he was
so far conscious, as to be sensible that they would hardly
become the character of a bishop; being likewise strongly
attached to dramatic entertainments (which, if we mistake net, the English bishops never witness), and delighting in
clubs where he could have rational conversation without
state or ceremony of any kind, he very wisely preferred
his residentiaryship to the highest dignity in the church.
”
What is here said as to his habits being incompatible with
the character of a bishop, cannot be denied; but these
habits were partly natural, from indolence and a love of
ease, and partly acquired by a seclusion from polished
society. The lady to whom Dr. Farmer is said to have
been attached, was the eldest daughter of sir Thomas’
Hatton, with whom he became acquainted while curate of
Swavesey. Cole says, sir Thomas refused his consent, and
this refusal appears to have been given in 1782, when Dr.
Farmer was in his forty-seventh year, and if, as Cole affirms, the lady was then only twenty-seven or twenty-eight
years of age, she must have been an infant when Dr.
Farmer became acquainted with her father. The whole,
however, may be only one of Cole’s gossiping stories; and
whether so or not, Dr. Farmer, neither at this or any
previous time, exhibited any symptoms of-“disappointed
love.
” It is more rational to suppose, with his last biographer (Mr. Nichols), that when he arrived at that situation, as to fortune, which gave him a claim to the object
of his affections, he found, on mature reflection, that his
habits of life were then too deeply rooted to be changed
into those of domestic arrangements with any probable
chance of perfect happiness to either party. As to his
promotion to a bishopric, it may yet be added, that
although few men have been more beloved by an extensive
circle of friends than Dr. Farmer, there was not, perhaps,
one of them who did not applaud his declining that station,
or who did not think, with all their respect for him, that
he would not have appeared to advantage in it. It is not
as a Divine that Dr. Farmer was admired by his contemporaries, or can be known to posterity.
a native of England, have no less erroneously fixed hist birth-place in Bedfordshire; but it is well known that he was descended of an ancient and famous English family
, knight, and knight-banneret, a
valiant and renowned general, governor, and nobleman in
France, during our conquests in that kingdom, under king
Henry IV. V. and VI. of England, and knight-companion
of the most noble order of the garter, has been supposed,
from the title of his French barony, and from his name
being so often corruptly mentioned in the French histories^
owing to his long residence, and many engagements in
the wars there, to have been born in France, at least of
French extraction. Others, allowing him to have been
a native of England, have no less erroneously fixed hist
birth-place in Bedfordshire; but it is well known that he
was descended of an ancient and famous English family in
the county of Norfolk, which had flourished there and in
other parts of the kingdom, in very honourable distinction,
before the conquest: and from a train of illustrious ancestors, many of them dignified with the honour of knighthood, invested with very eminent employments, and possessed of extensive patrimonies. But one of the principal
branches being seated at Castre in Fleg near Great Yarmouth in that county, which estate descending to these
ancestors, he afterwards adorned with a noble family seat,
it is presumed he was born therej or in Yarmouth. His
father was John Fastolff, esq. of that town, a man of considerable account, especially for his public benefactions,
pious foundations, &c. His mother was Mary, daughter
of Nicholas Park, esq. and married to sir Richard Mortimer,
of Attleburgh; and this their son was born in the latter
end of king Edward the Illd’s reign. As he died at the
age of eighty, in 1459, his birth could not happen later
than 1378. It may fairly be presumed he was grounded
as well in that learning and other accomplishments which
afterwards, improved by his experience and sagacity, rendered him so famous in war and peace, as in those virtuous
and religious principles which governed his actions to the
last. His father dying before he was of age, the care of
his person and estate were committed to John duke of
Bedford, who was afterwards the most wise and able regent
of France we ever had there; and he was the last ward
which that duke had: others, indeed, say that he was
trained up in the Norfolk family, which will not appear
improbable when we consider that it was not unusual in
those times for young noblemen whilst under wardship to
be trained under others, especially ministers of state, in
their houses and families, as in academies of behaviour, and
to qualify them for the service of their country at home
pr abroad. But if he was under Thomas Mowbray duke
pf Norfolk, while he enjoyed that title, it could be but
one year, that duke being banished the kingdom by king
Richard II. in 1398, though his younger son, who was
restored to that title many years after, might be one of sir
John FastoltFs feoffees. And it is pretty evident that he
was, but a few years after the banishment of that duke, in
some considerable post under Thomas of Lancaster, after^
wards duke of Clarence, and second son of the succeeding
king Henry IV. This Thomas was sent by his father so
early, according to some writers, as the second year of his
reign, which was in 1401, lord lieutenant of Ireland. And
it is not improbable that Fastolff was then with him; for
we are informed by William of Wyrcestre, that in the sixth,
and seventh years of the said king Henry, that is, in 1405
and 1406, this John Fastolff, esq. was continually with,
him. And the same lord lieutenant of Ireland was again
there in 1408, 10 Henry IV. and almost to the beginning
of the next year, when it is no less probable that Fastolff
was still with him; for, in the year last mentioned, we
find that he was married in that kingdom to a rich
young widow of quality, named Milicent, lady Castlecomb,
daughter of Robert lord Tibetot, and relict of sir Stephen
Scrope, knight; the same, perhaps, who is mentioned,
though not with the title of knighthood, by sir P. Leycester, to have been the said lord lieutenant’s deputy of
Ireland, during most of the intervals of his return to England; which deputy-lieutenant died in his office the same
year. This marriage was solemnized in Ireland on the
feast of St. Hilary, 1408, and Fastolff bound himself in
the sum of 1000l. to pay her 100l. a year, for pin-money
during life; and she received the same to the 24th year of
king Henry VI. The lands in Wiltshire and Yorkshire
which came to Fastolff by this marriage with the said lady,
descended to Stephen Le Scrope, her son and heir. We
may reasonably believe that this marriage in Ireland engaged his settlement in that kingdom, or upon his estate
in Norfolk, till his appointment to the command of some
forces, or to some post of trust under the English regency
in France, soon after required his residence in that kingdom. For, according to the strictest calculation we can
make from the accounts of his early engagements in
France, the many years he was there, and the time of his
final return, it must be not long after his marriage that he
left either England or Ireland for that foreign service;
being employed abroad by Henry IV. V. and VI. in the
wars in France, Normandy, Anjou, Mayne, and Guyenne,
upwards of forty years; which agrees very well with what
Caxton has published, in his concise, yet comprehensive
character of him, little more than twenty years after his
death, where he speaks of his “exercisyng the warrys in
the royame of Fraunce and other countrees, &c. by fourty
yeres enduryng.
” So that, we cannot see any room, either
in the time or the temper, in the fortunes or employments
of this knight, for him to have been a companion with, or
follower and corrupter of prince Henry, in his juvenile
and dissolute courses; nor, that Shakspeare had any view
of drawing his sir John Falstaff from any part of this sir
John Fastolff’s character; or so much as pointing at any
indifferent circumstance in it that can reflect upon his
memory, with readers conversant in the true history of
him. The one is an old, humourous, vapouring, and
cowardly, lewd, lying, and drunken debauchee, about the
prince’s court when the other was a young and grave,
discreet and valiant, chaste and sober, commander abroad
continually advanced to honours and places of profit, for
his brave and politic atchievements, military and civil;
continually preferred to the trust of one government or
other of countries, cities, towns, &c. or as a genera^
and commander of armies in martial expeditions while
abroad; made knight-banneret in the field of battle; baron,
in France, and knight of the garter in England and, particularly, when finally settled at home, constantly exercised
in acts of hospitality, munificence, and chanty; a founder
of religious buildings, and other stately edifices ornamental
to his country, as their remains still testify; a generous
patron of worthy and learned men, and a public benefactor
to the pious and the poor. In short, the more we
compare the circumstances in this historical character, with
those in that poetical one, we can find nothing discreditable in the latter, that has any relation to the former, or
that would mislead an ignorant reader to mistake or confound them, but a little quibble, which makes some conformity in their names, and a short degree in the time
wherein the one did really, and the other is feigned to live.
And, in regard to the prince of Wales, or our knight’s
being engaged in any wild or riotous practices of his youth,
the improbabilities may also appear from the comparison of
their age, and a view of this prince’s commendable engagements till that space of time in which he indulged his
interval of irregularities, when the distance of our knight
will clear him from being a promoter of, or partaker in
them. For it is apparent, that he had been intrusted with
a command in France some time before the death of king
Henry IV. because, in 1413, the rery first year of his son,
who was now grown the reformed, and soon after proved
the renowned, Henry V. it appears that Fastolff had the
castle and dominion of Veires in Gascoigne committed to
his custody and defence: whence it is very reasonably inferred, that he then resided in the said duchy, which at
that time was possessed by the English. In June 1415,
Fastolff, then only an esquire, was returned, by indenture,
with ten men of arms, and thirty archers, to serve the king
at his arrival in France. Soon after king Henry was arrived in Normandy, in August following, with above 30,000
men, the English army having made themselves masters of
Harfleur, the most considerable port in that duchy, Fastolff
was constituted lieutenant thereof, with 1500 men, by the
earl of Derby, as Basset in his ms history informs us;
but, as we find it in others, the king, upon this conquest,
constituted his said uncle Thomas Beaufort, earl of Dorset
and duke of Exeter, governor of Harfleur, in conjunction
sir John Fastolff; and, having repaired the fortificaplaced therein a garrison of two thousand select
men, as Titus Livius numbers them; or of fifteen hundred
ien at arms, and thirty-five knights, according to Hall’s
account; to which number Monstrelet also adds a thousand
archers. Towards the latter end of October, in the year
last mentioned, he was dangerously engaged in the evermemorable battle of Agincourt, where it is said that Fastolff, among others, signalized himself most gallantly by
taking the duke of Alengon prisoner; though other
historians say that duke was slain after a desperate encounter
with king Henry himself, in which he cut off the crowned
crest of the king’s helmet. The fact is, that, in a succeeding battle, Fastolff did take this duke’s son and successor prisoner. In the same year, 1415, he, with the
duke and 3000 English, invaded Normandy, and penetrated almost to Rouen; but on their return, loaded with
booty, they were surprised, and forced to retreat towards
Harfleur, whither the enemy pursuing them, were totally
defeated. The constable of France, to recover his credit,
laid siege to Harfleur, which made a vigorous defence
under sir John Fastolff and others till relieved by the fleet
under the duke of Bedford. He was at the taking of the
castle of Tonque, the city of Caen, the castle of Courcy,
the city of Sees, and town of Falaise, and at the great
siege at Rouen, 1417. For his services at the latter he
was made governor of Conde Noreau; and for his eminent
services in those victories, he received, before the 29th of
January following, the honour of knighthood, and had the
manor and demesne of Fritense near Harfleur bestowed
upon him during life. In 1418 he was ordered to seize
upon the castle and dominion of Bee Crispin, and other
manors, which were held by James D'Auricher, and several
other knights; and had the said castle, with those lands,
granted him in special tail, to the yearly value of 2000
scutes. In 1420 he was at the siege of Monsterau, as Peter
Basset has recorded; and, in the next year, at that of
Meaulx-en-Brie. About five months after the decease of
king Henry V. the town of Meulent having been surprized
in January 1422, John duke of Bedford, regent of France,
and sir John Fastolff, then grand master of his household,
and seneschal of Normandy, laid siege to the same, and
re-took it. In 1423, after the castle of Craven t was relieved, our knight was constituted lieutenant for the king
and regent in Normandy, in the jurisdictions of Rouen,
Evreux, Alengon, and the countries beyond the river
Seine: also governor of the countries of Anjou and Maine,
and before the battle of Verneuil was created banneret,
About three months after, being then captain of Alengon,
and governor of the marches thereof, he laid siege to the
castle of Tenuye in Maine, as a French historian informs
us, which was surrendered to him; and, in 1424, he was
sent to oppose the delivery of Alenon to the French, upon
a discovery made that a Gascoigner had secretly contracted
to betray the same. In September 1425, he laid siege to
Beaumont le Vicompt, which surrendered to him. Then
also he took the castle of Sillie-Je-Guillem, from which he
was dignified with the title of baron: but this, revolting
afterwards again to the French, was assaulted by the earl
of Arundel, and retaken about seven years after. In the
year last mentioned, our active warrior took also St. Ouen
D'Estrais, near Laval, as likewise the castle of Gravelle,
with other places of strength, from the enemy; for which
dangerous and indefatigable service in France he was about
the same time elected in England, with extraordinary
deference to his merits, knight companion of the order of
the garter. In 1426 John lord Talbot was appointed
governor of Anjou and Maine, and sir John Fastolff was
removed to another place of command, which, in all probability, might be the foundation of that jealousy, emulation, or competition, between them, which never was cordially reconciled. In October 1428, he had a protection
granted him, being then going into France; and there he
performed an enterprise of such bravery and conduct as is
scarcely thought to have been paralleled in ancient or
modern history. The English army, at the siege of Orleans, being in great want of provisions, artillery, and
other necessaries, sir John Fastolff, with some other approved commanders, was dispatched for supplies by William de la Pole duke of Suffolk, to the regent at Paris;
who not only provided him plentifully therewith, but allowed him a strong guard at his return, that he might convey the same safely to the siege. The French, knowing
the importance of this succour, united two armies of very
superior numbers and force to meet him; but, either in
different encounters, or in a pitched battle, as the French
thetnselv es allow, he totally overthrew them; slew greater
numbers than he had under his command, not to mention
the wounded and the prisoners; and conducted his convoy
safe to the English camp. And because it was in the time
of Lent, and he had, among his other provision, several
of his carriages laden with many barrels of herrings, which
he applied to form a fortification, the French have ever
since called this victory “The battle of herrings.
” But
as the fortune of war is precarious, the English army was
soon after obliged to raise the siege of Orleans, and though
they received recruits from the duke of Bedford, they were
in no degree strong enough to encounter the French army
at Patay. At the battle which happened there in June
1429, many of the English, who were of most experienced
and approved valour, seeing themselves so unequal, and
the onset of the French so unexpected, made the best
retreat they could and, among them who saved themselves, as it is said, was sir John Fastolff vfho, with such
as could escape, retired to Corbeil thus avoiding being
killed, or, with the great lord Talbot, lord Hungerford,
and sir Thomas Ramps ton, taken prisoner of war. Here
the French tales, which some English historians have inconsiderately credited, contradict or invalidate themselves;
for, after having made the regent most improbably, and
without any examination, or defence, divest Fastolff of his
honours, they no less suddenly restore him to them, for,
as they phrase it, “apparent causes of good excuse;
though against the mind of the lord Talbot;
” between
whom there had been, it seems, some emulous contests,
and therefore it is no wonder that Fastolff found him upon
this occasion an adversary. It is not likely that the regent
ever conceived any displeasure at this conduct, because
Fastolff was not only continued in military and civil employments of the greatest concern, but appears more in
favour with the regent after the battle of Patay than before. So that, rather than any dishonour here can be
allowed, the retreat itself, as it is told, must be doubted.
It was but in 1430 that he preferred him to the lieutenancy
of Caen in Normandy. In 1432 he accompanied him into
France, and was soon after sent ambassador to the council
of Basil, and chosen, in the like capacity, to negociate
a final or temporary peace with France. And that year,
Fastolff, with the lord Willoughby, commanded the army
which assisted the duke of Bretagne against the duke of
Alen^on. Soon after this he was for a short space in England; for, in 1433, going abroad again, he constituted
John Fastolff, of Olton, probably a near relation, his general attorney. In 1434, or the beginning of the year
after, sir John was again with the regent of France;'and,
in 1435, he was again one of the ambassadors to conclude
a peace with France. Towards the latter end of this year
the regent died at Rouen, and, as the greatest proof he
could give of his confidence in the honour and integrity of
sir John Fastolff, he made him one of the executors of his.
last will. Richard, duke of York, who succeeded in the
regency of France, made Fastolff a grant of an annuity of
twenty pounds a year of his own estate, “pro notabili et
landdbili servicio, ac bono consilio;
” which is sufficient to
shew this duke’s sentiments also of his merits. In 1436,
and for about four years longer, he seems to have been
well settled at his government in Normandy; after which,
in 1440, he made his final return home, and, loaclen
with the laurels he had gathered in France, became as illustrious in his domestic as he had been in his foreign
character. The late Mr. Gough, by whom this article was
much enlarged, had an inventory of all the rich jewels,
plate, furniture, &c. that he either had, or left in France,
at his return to England. In 1450 he conveyed to John
Kemp, cardinal archbishop of York, and others, his manor
of Castre in Fleg, and several other lands specified in the
deed of conveyance. The same year, Nov. 8, the king
by writ directed Richard Waller, esq. David John William
Needham, and John Ingoldsby, to cause Thomas Danyell,
esq. to pay to sir John FastolfF, knight, the lOOl. that he
was indebted to him for provisions, and for his ship called
the George of Prussia, alias Danyell’s Hulk, which ship
the said Danyell took on the sea as a prize, and never had
it condemned; so that the king seized it, ordered it to be
sold, and sir John to be paid out of it. At length being
arrived, in 1459, beyond the age of fourscore years, he
says of himself, that he was “in good remembrance, albeit
I am gretly vexed with sickenesse, and thurgh age infebelyd.
” He lingered under an hectic fever and asthma
for an hundred and forty-eight days; but before he departed he made his will on the fifth of November in that
year, and died at his seat at Castre the next day after,
being the festival of St. Leonard, or the eve before, as
appears in the escheats, in the 39th or last year of king
Henry the Vlth’s reign, and no less than thirty-six years
beyond the extravagant period assigned by Fuller. He
was buried with great solemnity under an arch, in a chapel
of our lady of his own building, on the south side of the
choir at the abbey-church of St. Bennet in the Holm, in
Norfolk, which was ruined at the dissolution; and so much
was he respected after his decease, that John Beauchamp,
lord of Powyke, in his last will dated the 15th of Edward
IV. appointed a chantry, more especially for the soul of
sir John Fastolff.
his bounty are not now remembered, because he enfeoffed the said founder in his life-time, yet it is known, that the boar’s head in Southwark, now divided into tenements,
As sir John Falstoff’s valour made him a terror in war, his humanity made him a blessing in peace: all we can find in his retirement, being elegant, hospitable, and generous, either as to the places of his abode, or those persons and foundations on which he showered his bounty. At his death he possessed lands and estates in Norfolk, Suffolk, Yorkshire, and Wiltshire. He was a benefactor to both the universities; bequeathing a considerable legacy to Cambridge, for building the schools of philosophy and Jaw, for which the first order under their chancellor Laurence, bishop of Durham, is dated in June 1458; and, at Oxford, he was so bountiful to Magdalen college, through the affection he had for his friend William Wainfleet, the founder thereof two years before, that his name is commemorated in an anniversary speech; and though the particulars of his bounty are not now remembered, because he enfeoffed the said founder in his life-time, yet it is known, that the boar’s head in Southwark, now divided into tenements, yielding one hundred and fifty pounds yearly, together with Caldecot manor in Suffolk, were part of the lands he bestowed thereon; and Lovingland in that county is conceived also to have been another part of his donation. There had been an ancient free chapel of St. John the Baptist in the manor house at Castre, the ancient seat of his family, as early as the reign of Edward I. Sir John intended to have erected a college for seven monks or secular priests (one of whom to be head), and seven poo? men; and to endow it with 120 marks rent charge, out of several manors which he gave or sold to his cousin John Paston, senior, esq. charged with this charity. Mr. Paston laboured to establish this pious foundation till his death, 6 Ed. IV. as did his son sir John Paston, knight, but whether it was ever incorporated and fully settled, bishop Tanner doubts, as there is no farther mention of it in the rolls or the bishop of Norwich’s registry. Only in the valuation, 26 Hen. VIII. there is said to have been in Castrehall a chantry of the foundation of sir John Fastolff, knight, worth tl. 135. 4d. per annum. 6 Ed. IV. from receipts it appears that the priests had in money, besides their diet, 40l. per annum, and the poor men 40$. per annum each. The foundation was certainly not completed till after his decease; for William Worcester, in a letter to Margaret Paston in 1466, tells her he had communed with her son whether it should not be at Cambridge in case it shall not be at Castre, neither at St. Benet’s (in the Holme), and that the bishop of Winchester (Wainflete) was disposed to found a college in Oxford for his sayd mayster to be prayed for, yet with much less cost he might make some other memorial in Cambridge.
under the tuition of the celebrated Bowyer), &nd raised there a very comfortable fortune by his well- known 44 Journal,“and other laudable undertakings. In 1735, he was
, a worthy printer of no mean
celebrity, is rather recorded in this work for the goodness
of his heart, than from his excellence as an author. It is,
however, no small degree of praise to say of him, that he
was the first man who carried his profession to a high degree of credit in Ireland. He was the confidential printer
of dean Swift; and enjoyed the friendship and patronage
of the earl of Chesterfield, whose ironical letters to Faulkner, comparing him to Atticus, are perhaps the finest parts
of his writings. He settled at Dublin as a printer and
bookseller, soon after 1726 (in which year we find him in London under the tuition of the celebrated Bowyer), &nd
raised there a very comfortable fortune by his well-known
44 Journal,“and other laudable undertakings. In 1735, he
was ordered into custody by the house of commons in Ireland, for having published
” A proposal for the better regulation and improvement of quadrille;“an ingenious treatise
by bishop Hort; which produced from Swift
” The 4egion
club.“Having had the misfortune to break his leg, he was
satirically introduced by Foote, who spared nobody, in the
character of
” Peter Paragraph,“in
” The Orators, 1762.“He commenced a suit against the mimic; and had the honour of lord Townshend’s interference to arbitrate the difference. He died an alderman of Dublin, Aug. 28, 1775.
His style and manner were finely ridiculed in
” An Epistle
to Gorges Edmund Howard, esq. with notes, explanatory,
critical, and historical, by George Faulkner, esq. and alderman,“reprinted in Dilly’s
” Reppsitory,“vol. IV. p. 175.
But a fairer specimen of his real talents at epistle-writing
may be seen in the
” Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer,“or in the
second volume of the
” Supplement to Swift;" whence it
appears that, if vanity was a prominent feature in his character, his gratitude was no less conspicuous.
, lord of Pibrac, by which name he is much better known, was born at Toulouse in 1528, and distinguished himself at
, lord of Pibrac, by which name he is
much better known, was born at Toulouse in 1528, and
distinguished himself at the bar in that city. He perfected
his knowledge of jurisprudence in Italy, and then returned
to be advanced to honours in his own country. In 1560 he
was deputed by his native city to the states-general held
at Orleans, and there presented to the king its petition of
grievances, which he had himself drawn up. By Charles
IX. he was sent as one of his ambassadors to the council of
Trent, where he eloquently supported the interests of the
crown, and the liberties of the Gallican church. In 1565
the chancellor de PHopital, appointed him advocate-general in the parliament of Paris, where he revived the influence of reason and eloquence. In 1570, he was, made
a counsellor of state, and two years afterwards, probably
constrained by his superiors, wrote his defence of the massacre of St. Bartholomew, published in 4to, and entitled
“Ornatissimi cujusdam viri, de rebus Gallicis, epistola, et
ad hanc de iisdem rebus responsio
” but this barbarous
measure was too repugnant to the mildness of Pibrac’s character to be approved by him. For this, after the accession of Henry III. he made the best amends in his power,
by proposing and bringing to a conclusion, a treaty of
peace between the court and the protestants. While that
prince was duke of Anjou, and was elected king of Poland, he attended him as minister in that country; but
when the succession to the crown of France, on the death
of his brother, tempted Henry to quit that kingdom
clandestinely, Pibrac was in danger of falling a sacrifice to
the resentment of the people. He afterwards tried in vain
to preserve that crown to his master. His services were
rewarded by being created one of the chief presidents of
the courts of law. He died in 1584, at the age of fifty-six.
The story of his falling in love with Margaret wife of
Henry IV. is supposed to be chiefly owing to the vanity of
that lady, who wished to have the credit of such a conquest. Pibrac published, besides his letter on the massacre, which was in Latin, pleadings and speeches, “Les
plaisirs de la vie rustique,
” Paris, Quatrains,
” or moral
stanzas of four lines, which were first published in 1574.
The last edition we know of, is that of 1746. They have
been extravagantly admired, and translated into almost all
languages, even Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian.
They were rendered into English by Sylvester, the translator of du Bartas, in a manner not likely to give an advantageous notion of the original, which, though now antiquated, stiil preserves graces that recommend it to readers
of taste. Pibrac was a classical scholar; and to the taste
he drew from that source, his “Quatrains
” owe much of
their excellence. The subjects of some of them he took
from the book of Proverbs, which he used to say contained
all the good sense in the world.
least ostentation. Notwithstanding the most unassuming modesty, his abilities were now so generally known, that he was fixed upon as the most proper person to manage
, a brave English officer, the descendant of a very ancient family, was born
in 1728 at Shipdenhall, near Halifax, in Yorkshire, which,
for many centuries, had been in the possession of his ancestors, and is now the property and residence of their
lineal descendant. His father dying when he was very
young, his education was superintended by an uncle, a very
worthy clergyman. He was brought up at a free school in
Lancashire, where he was well grounded in classical learning, and became also a remarkable proficient in mathematics. He has very frequently been heard to declare,
that, from his earliest youth, he always felt the strongest
predilection for the army, which his mother and nearest
relations constantly^ endeavoured to dissuade him from;
but, finding all their arguments ineffectual, they either
bought, or he had an ensigncy given him, in general Oglethorpe’s regiment, then in Georgia; but the war being then
going on in Flanders, he gave up his ensigncy, and went
there as a volunteer, furnished with letters from the late
marquis of Rockingham and Mr. Lascelles (afterwards lord Harewood) to the commander and several others of the
officers. This step was at the time frequently taken
by young men of spirit of the first rank and fortune, fte
entered as a volunteer, but messed with the officers, and
was very soon presented with a pair of colours. Some
time after, he married a lady of good fortune and family,
and, at the pressing entreaties df her friends, he most reluctantly resigned his commission; which he had no sooner
done, than he felt himself miserable, and his new relations
finding that his propensity to a military life was invincible,
agreed to his purchasing an ensigncy in the third regiment
of guards. Having now obtained the object of his most
anxious wishes, he determined to lose no opportunity of
qualifying himself for the highest situations in his favourite
profession. With this view he paid the most unremitting
attention to his duty, and every hour he could command
was given up to the study of the French and German languages, in which (by the assistance of his classical learning) he soon became such a proficient as not only to understand and write both, grammatically and elegantly, but
to speak them fluently. When he was a lieutenant in the
guards, he translated from the French, “The Reveries;
Memoirs upon the Art of War, by field-marshal count
Saxe,
” which was published in To the general officers.
” He also translated from the
German, “Regulations for the Prussian cavalry,
” which
was also published in llegulations for the Prussian Infantry,
” to which
was gelded “The Prussian Tactics,
” which was published
in
e her marriage with this profligate husband. He died soon after, in 1220, at what age is not exactly known, but certainly early in life. Among the many pieces which he
was one of the most
celebrated of the Provengal poets or troubadours. He had
a fine figure, abundance of wit, and a pleasing address,
and was much encouraged by the princes o his time. By
representing his comedies, he soon acquired considerable
riches, which his vanity and his love of debauchery
and expence did not suffer him to keep. From a miserable state of poverty he was relieved by the liberality
of Richard Cacur de Lion, who had a strong taste for the
Provencal poetry. After the death of this protector, he
returned to Aix, where he married a young woman of distinguished wit and beauty; but she did not long survive
her marriage with this profligate husband. He died soon
after, in 1220, at what age is not exactly known, but certainly early in life. Among the many pieces which he
wrote, the following are mentioned: I. A poem on the
death of his benefactor, Richard I. 2. “The palace of
Love,
” imitated afterwards by Petrarch. 3. Several comedies, one of which, entitled “Heregia dels Prestes,
” the
heresy of the priests, a satirical production against the corruptions of the church, was publicly acted at the castle of
Boniface, marquis of Montserrat.
, a priest of Riom, once well known by his singular opinions, entered the congregation of the oratory
, a priest of Riom, once well known by
his singular opinions, entered the congregation of the oratory in 1662, but was obliged to quit it in 1671, being a
friend to Cartesianism, which was then a heresy. He
preached against the conduct of Innocent XI. towards
France, and published a treatise on the Trinity 1696, in
which appearing to favour tritheisnr, he was confined at St.
Lazare in Paris, but afterwards received orders from the
king to retire to his country, where he died 1709. He
left “a life of St. Amable,
” 12mo; “Remarks on Homer,
Virgil, and the poetical style of Scripture,
” 2 vols. 12mo;
a collection in Latin verse, and French prose, entitled,
“Tombeau de M. de Santeuil,
” 12mo; '“La Telemacomanie, ou Critique du Telemaque de M. Fenelon,
” 12mo,
a foolish attack on Fenelon’s celebrated performance. All
his works contain singular opinions, great reading and
learning, but little taste or judgment. “Le Moines emprunte*s,
” 2 vols. 12mo, have been attributed to him, but
they are by Haitze.
He now began to be known as a young man of very considerable legal erudition, and a promising
He now began to be known as a young man of very considerable legal erudition, and a promising increase in business encouraged him to relinquish his chambers, and take
a house in Breams-buildings, Chancery-lane, where he
became very successful as, what is called, a chamber
counsel. Before he left the Temple, he had published his very
useful “Legigraphical Chart of Landed Property,
” and he
now derived additional reputation from his more important
treatise, entitled “An Essay on the Learning of Contingent Remainders and Executory Devises,
” which, although
published without his name, was soon traced to its author.
Fortune, as it is usually termed, was now before him, but
he had no extraordinary ambition for her favours, and, very
oddly, contracted his business within a 1 certain compass,
by which it might yield him an annual sum which he
thought sufficient for his wants. This, estimated by his
biographer at 1500l. a year, when he could with ease have
acquired 3000l. he spent on a town and country-house, a
carriage, &c. with an establishment on a genteel but moderate scale; and the time he denied to increase of business, he employed in his house at Hampstead on mechanical and philosophical experiments. At this retreat he was
wrapt up either in some philosophical experiment, or some
mechanical invention the first of which he freely communicated to men of similar pursuits and the latter, when,
completed, he as liberally gave away to poor artists, or
dealers in these articles; and here also he made some op?
tical glasses upon a new construction, which have been
reckoned improvements he likewise constructed a machine for transposing the keys in music gave many useful
hints in the dyeing of cottons, and in a variety of other articles, which equally shewed the enlarged state of his mind,
and the liberality of his heart. These he called his dissipations, and with some degree of truth, as they often broke
jn upon his profession, and induced him to give up more
hours (to bring up for lost time) than was consistent with
more beneficial pursuits, or the natural strength of his constitution.
llows, Bread-street, and afterwards the rectory of Acton. Much about the same time, but the year not known, he was appointed provost of Chelsea college, an institution
Hitherto the archbishop had bestowed no preferment on.
his chaplain; but in 1627, as we are told, “urged by hearing the discontents of the court and city, because his chaplain was kept behind the hangings,
” he bestowed on him
the rectory of Allhallows, Bread-street, and afterwards the
rectory of Acton. Much about the same time, but the year
not known, he was appointed provost of Chelsea college,
an institution which did not last long. In 1622 he had
married Mrs. Joyce Holloway, who was his parishioner,
and resided in Kennington-lane. This lady appears to
have been considerably older than Dr. Featley, but was a
woman of great piety and accomplishments. He concealed
his marriage for some time, lest it should interfere with his
residence at Lambeth palace; but in 1625 he ceased to be
chaplain to the archbishop, and concealment was no longer
necessary. The cause of his quitting the archbishop’s service has been represented as “the unfeeling treatment
” of
that prelate. But of this, his biographers have made too
much. The story, in short, is, that Dr. Featley fell sick
at Oxford, supposed of the plague, and was obliged to
leave the place and go to Lambeth; and when he found
that the archbishop had removed to Croydon for fear of
the plague, he followed him thither, and the archbishop
refused him entrance, and was surely justifiable in every
endeavour to prevent the disorder from extending to the
place he had chosen as a refuge. The story is told with
some confusion of circumstances, but the above is probably
the truth. Dr. Featley, however, on recovering from his
disorder, which, after all, happened not to be the plague,
quitted the archbishop’s service, and removed his books
from the palace. It was during the raging of the plague in
1625, or 1626, when the churches were deserted, that he
wrote his “Ancilla Pietatis, or Hand-maid to private devotion,
” which became very popular; and before
Wood has given a long list of his controversial works, most of which are now little known, and seldom inquired for. Among his writings of another description,
Wood has given a long list of his controversial works,
most of which are now little known, and seldom inquired
for. Among his writings of another description, however,
we may mention, 1. The Lives of Jewell, prefixed to his
works, and of Reinolds, Dr. Robert Abbot, &c. which are
in Fuller’s “Abel Redivivus.
” 2. “The Sum of saving
Knowledge,
” a kind of catechism, London, Clavis Mystica; a Key opening divers difficult and mysterious texts of Holy Scripture, in seventy Sermons,
” ibid.
Hexatexium; or six Cordials to strengthen the heart of every
faithful Christian against the terrors of death,
” ibid. Several Funeral Sermons, one preached at the
funeral of sir Humphrey Lynd,
” ibid. by Daniel Featley, Martin Day, Richard Sibbs, and Thomas Taylor, and other reverend divines; but their respective shares are not pointed out, nor, except in one or two
instances, the persons at whose funerals the sermons were
preached. 6.
” Dr. Daniel Featley revived, proving that
the protestant church (and not the Romish) is the on4y ca^
tholic and true church,“ibid. 1660, 12mo. To this is prefixed an account of his life by his nephew John Featley.
Dr. Featley also published king James’s
” Cygnea Cantio,"
ibid. 1629, 4to, which contains a scholastic duel between
that monarch and our author.
f the Roman Catholic, Royalist, Presbyterian, Anabaptist,” &c. 1659, 4to, but it not being certainly known whether he was the author or not, we do not place it among his
It may easily be imagined, that so active and zealous a
man as Fell had not much time to write books: yet we find
him the author and editor of the following works: 1. “The
Life of the most reverend, learned, and pious Dr. Henry
Hammond, who died April 25, 1660,
” Alcinoi in Platonicam Philosophiam Introductio, 1667.
”
3. “In lauclem Musices Carmen Sapphicum.
” Designed
probably for some of the public exercises in the university,
as it was set to music. 4. “Historia et -Antiquitates Universitatis Oxoniensis,
” &c. taking to himself,
” says Wood, “the
liberty of putting in and out several things according to his
own judgment, and those that he employed being not
careful enough to carry the whole design in their head, it
is desired that the author may not be accountable for any
thing which was inserted by him, or be censured for any
useless repetitions or omissions of his agents under him.
”
At the end of it, there is a Latin advertisement to the
reader, containing an answer to a letter of Hobbes; in
which that author had complained of Fell’s having caused
several things to be omitted or altered, which Wood had
written in that book in his praise. More of this, however,
will occur to be noticed in our life of Wood. 5. “The
Vanity of Scoffing: in a letter to a gentleman,
” St. Clement’s two epistles to the Corinthians in Greek
and Latin, with notes at the end,
” Account of
Dr. Richard Allestree’s life:
” being the preface to the
doctor’s sermons, published by our author. 8. “Of the
Unity of the Church:
” translated from the original of St.
Cyprian, A beautiful edition of St. Cyprian’s
Works, revised and illustrated with notes,
” Several Sermons,
” on public occasions, 11. The following
pieces written by the author of the “Whole Duty of Man,
”
with prefaces, contents, and marginal abbreviations, by
him, viz. “The Lady’s Calling; the Government of the
Tongue; the Art of Contentment; the Lively Oracles,
”
&c. He also wrote the general preface before the folio
edition of that unknown author’s works. 12. “Artis. Logicae Compendium.
” 13. “The Paraphrase of St. Paul’s
Epistles.
” There is another piece, which was ascribed to
him, with this title; *“The Interest of England stated or,
a faithful and just account of the aims of all parties nowprevailing; distinctly treating of the designments of the
Roman Catholic, Royalist, Presbyterian, Anabaptist,
” &c.
from 1661, to the time of his death, viz. while he was
dean of Christ-church, he published or reprinted every
year a bookjf commonly a classical author, against newyear’s tide, to distribute among the students of his house;
to which books he either put an epistle, or running notes,
or corrections. These,
” says Wood, “I have endeavoured
to recover, that the titles might be known and set down,
but in vain.
” But one of Dr. Fell’s publications, unaccountably omitted in former editions of this work, still remains to be noticed; his edition of the Greek Testament,
of which Michaelis has given a particular account. Dr. Fell
was the next after Walton, who published a critical edition
of the New Testament, which, although eclipsed since by
that of Mill, has at least the merit of giving birth to Mill’s
edition. It was published in small octavo, at the Sheldon
theatre, 1675. It appears from the preface, that the great
number of various readings which are printed in the sixth
volume of the London Polyglot, apart from the text, had
given alarm to many persons, who were ignorant of criticism, and had induced them to suspect, that the New Testament was attended with so much uncertainty, as to be a
very imperfect standard of faith. In order to convince
such persons of their error, and to shew how little the sense
of the New Testament was altered by them, Fell printed
them under the text, that the reader might the more easily
compare them. This edition was twice reprinted at Leipsic,
in 1697 and 1702, and at Oxford in a splendid folio, by
John Gregory, in 1703, but without any additions, which
might have easily been procured from t'he bishop’s papers;
nor are even those which Fell had been obliged to print in
an appendix, transferred to their proper places, an instance
of very gross neglect. We learn also from Fabricius in his
Bibl. Graeca that the excellent edition of Aratus, Oxford,
1672, 8vo, was published by Dr. Fell.
ition of this was published in 1730, but the best is that of 1757. It was the most popular, and best known of all Dr. Felton’s works, although in the present improved
, a learned divine, was born Feb. 3,
1679, in the parish of St. Martin’s-in-the-fields,
Westminster, and was educated first at Cheneys in Buckinghamshire, then at Westminster school under Dr. Busby, and
lastly at the Charter-house under Dr. Walker, to whom he
was a private pupil. At a proper age he was admitted of
Edmund hall, Oxford, of which Dr. Mill, the celebrated
critic, was at that time principal, and his tutor was Mr.
Thomas Mills, afterwards bishop of Waterford in Ireland.
In June 1702, he took his master’s degree, and in December following was ordained deacon, in the royal chapel at
Whitehall, by Dr. Lloyd, bishop of Worcester. In June
1704 he was admitted to priest’s orders by Dr. Compton,
bishop of London. In 1705-6, he first appeared as an
author, in a piece entitled “Remarks on the Colebrook
Letter/' a subject the nature of which we have not been
able to discover. In 1708 he had the care of the English
church at Amsterdam, but did not long continue in that
situation, returning to England in 1709. Soon after his
return he was appointed domestic chaplain to the duke of
Rutland, at Belvoir castle, and sustained that relation to
three successive dukes, for which noble house he always
preserved the warmest gratitude and affection. In the
same year (July 11, 1709) Mr. Felton was admitted to the
degree of B. D. being then a member of Queen’s college.
Having been employed as tutor to John lord Roos, afterwards third duke of Rutland, he wrote for that young nobleman’s use, his
” Dissertation on reading the Classics,
and forming a just style," 1711, 12mo. A fourth edition
of this was published in 1730, but the best is that of 1757.
It was the most popular, and best known of all Dr. Felton’s
works, although in the present improved state of criticism,
it may appear with less advantage.
his uncle Anthony marquis of Fenelon, lieutenant-general of the king’s armies. He soon made himself known at Paris, and at nineteen preached there with general applause:
, archbishop of Cambray, and author of Telemachus, was of an ancient and illustrious family, and born at the castle of Fenelon, in the province of Perigord, August 6, 1651. At twelve years of age, he was sent to the university of Cabors; and afterwards went to finish his studies at Paris, under the care of his uncle Anthony marquis of Fenelon, lieutenant-general of the king’s armies. He soon made himself known at Paris, and at nineteen preached there with general applause: but the marquis, who was a very wise and good man, fearing that the good disposition of his nephew might be corrupted by this early applause, persuaded him to be silent for some years. At twenty-four be entered into holy orders, and commenced the functions of his ministry in the parish of St. Sulpice, under the abbe Tron^on, the superior of that district, to whose care he had been committed by his uncle. Three years after, he was chosen by the archbishop of Paris, to be superior to the newly-converted women in that city. In 1686, which was the year after the edict of Nantes was revoked, the king named him to be at the head of those missionaries, who were sent along the coast of Saintonge, and the Pais de Aunis, to convert the protestants. These conversions had been hitherto carried on by the terrors of the sword, but Fenelon declared against this mode, but said, that if allowed to proceed by more rational and gentle means, he would cheerfully become a missionary; and after some hesitation, his request was granted, but his success was not remarkable.
also Archaics, and other works. A book on the magistrates of Rome, falsely attributed to him, is now known to be the production of Dominic Floccus, a Florentine, in the
, a Roman historian, who died
in the year 20, at the age of seventy, is mentioned by
Pliny, Gellius, and many other ancient authors. He wrote
annals in many books, the twenty-second book being cited
by Nonius; also Archaics, and other works. A book on
the magistrates of Rome, falsely attributed to him, is now
known to be the production of Dominic Floccus, a Florentine, in the fifteenth century. It was published about
1480, 4to. FenestelJa’s “Fragmenta,
” with notes, were
published with Wasse’s Sallust, Cambridge, 1710.
earning, and of his being perfectly versed in the French, Spanish, and Italian languages. He is well known for a translation from the Italian of “The History of the Wars
, an eminent writer and
statesman during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. was
brother to the preceding, but the time of his birth does not
appear. He was certainly educated liberally, though we
cannot tell where; since, while a young man, he gave
many proofs of his acquaintance with ancient and modern
learning, and of his being perfectly versed in the French,
Spanish, and Italian languages. He is well known for a
translation from the Italian of “The History of the Wars
of Italy, by Guicciardini,
” the dedication of which to
queen Elizabeth bears date Jan. 7, 1579. This was, however, his last work. He had published before, 1. “Certaine Tragical Discourses written oute of French and Latin,
” An Account of a Dispute
at Paris, between two Doctors of the Sorbonne, and two
Ministers of God’s Word,
”An
Epistle, or Godly Admonition, sent to the Pastors of the
Flemish Church in Antwerp, exhorting them to concord
with other Ministers: written by Antony de Carro, 1578,
”
a translation. 4. “Golden Epistles; containing variety
of discourses, both moral, philosophical, and divine, gathered as well out of the remainder of Guevara’s works,
as other authors, Latin, French, and Italian. Newly corrected and amended. Mon heur viendra, 1577.
” The
familiar epistles of Guevara had been published in English, by one Edward Hellowes, in 1574; but this collection of Fenton’s consists of such pieces as were not contained in that work. The epistle dedicatory is to the right
honourable and vertuous lady Anne, countess of Oxen ford;
and is dated from the author’s chamber in the Blackfriars,
London, Feb. 4, 1575. This lady was the daughter of
William Cecil lord Burleigh; and it appears from the
dedication, that her noble father was our author’s best
patron. Perhaps his chief purpose in translating and publishing this work, was to testify his warm zeal and absolute
attachment to that great minister.
This physician composed a considerable number of treatises, but only the four following are known, as having been printed: 1. “Theoremata Medica et Philosophica,”
This physician composed a considerable number of treatises, but only the four following are known, as having
been printed: 1. “Theoremata Medica et Philosophica,
”
Venice, De vita proroganda, seu juventute
conservanda et senectute retardanda,
” Naples, Centum Historiae, seu Observationes et Casus Medici,
”
Venice, Aureus de Peste Libellus,
” Naples,
ing an inexhaustible fund of wit and good nature, he was viewed with affection by all to whom he was known; and his powers of song, and almost unrivalled talent for mimicry,
Hitherto he had lived rather in obscurity; and happy
had it been for him, if he had been suffered to remain in
that obscurity; but, possessing an inexhaustible fund of
wit and good nature, he was viewed with affection by all
to whom he was known; and his powers of song, and almost unrivalled talent for mimicry, led him oftener into
the company of those who wished for him merely to enliven
a social hour, than of such as by their virtue were inclined,
or by their influence were able, to procure him a competent
settlement for life. The consequence of this was great
laxity of manners, and much of his life was disgraced by
actions which, in his cooler moments, he reflected on with
abhorrence. His conscience indeed was frequently roused,
and once so powerfully that all his vivacity forsook him.
From this state of gloom, however, he gradually recovered,
and, except that a settled melancholy was visible in his
countenance, had apparently recovered his health, when
one evening befell, and received a violent contusion on the
head, which was followed by a delirium that rendered it
necessary for his friends to remove him to the lunatic hospital of Edinburgh, where, after two months’ confinement,
he died Oct. 16, 1774. He was interred in the Canongate
church-yard, where his friends erected a monument to his
memory that was afterwards removed to make way for a
ipore elegant monument, by his enthusiastic admirer Robert Burns, who resembled him in too many features. Most
of Fergusson’s poems were originally published in the
“Weekly Magazine,
” but have since been collected in a
volume, and often printed. The subjects of them are
sometimes uncommon, and generally local or temporary.
They are of course very unequal. Those in the English
language are scarcely above mediocrity; but those in the
Scottish dialect have been universally admired by his countrymen; and when it is considered that they were composed amidst a round of dissipation, they may be allowed
to furnish complete evidence of his genius and taste.
uished approbation. His attention and diligence were such, that it was observed his chamber might be known by the candle that was last put out at night, and the first
In 1598 he was sent to Euborn school, where in Latin, Greek, and logic, he soon became the first scholar of his years. He strengthened his memory by daily exercise; he was a great proficient in writing and arithmetic, and attained such excellence in short-hand as to be able to take accurately a sermon or speech on any occasion. He was also well skilled both in the theory and practice of vocal and instrumental music. Thus accomplished, in his fourteenth year, his master, Mr. Brooks, prevailed with his parents to send him to Cambridge, whither he himself attended him, and admitted him of Clare-hall, presenting him, with due commendation of his uncommon abilities, to Mr. Augustin Lindsell, the tutor, and Dr. William Smith, then master of the college. His parents thought proper, notwithstanding the remonstrance of some friends against it, to admit him a pensioner for the first year, as they conceived it more for his good to rise by 'merit gradually to honour. In this situation, by excellent demeanour and diligent application to his studies, he gained the affections and applause of all who knew him, performing all his exercises with distinguished approbation. His attention and diligence were such, that it was observed his chamber might be known by the candle that was last put out at night, and the first lighted in the morning. Nor was he less diligent In his attendance at chapel, so that his piety and learning went on hand in hand together. In his second year he became fellow-commoner. In 1610 he took his degree of B. A. At this time he was appointed to make the speech on the king’s coronation day, (July 25) in the college hall; and the same year he was elected fellow of that society, His constitution was of a feminine delicacy, and he was very subject to aguish disorders; yet he bore them out in a great measure by his temperance, and by a peculiar courageousness of spirit which was natural to him. His favourite sister, married to Mr. Collet, lived at Bourn Bridge, near Cambridge, and as the air of Cambridge was found not well to agree with him, he made frequent exctirsioas to her house, where he passed his time in the pursuit of his studies, and in the instruction of his sister’s children. But his tutor, Mr. Lindsell, Mr. Ruggle (author of the Latin comedy called Ignoramus), and others of the fellows, having now apprehension of his health, carried him to Dr. Butler, the celebrated physician of Cambridge, who conceived a great affection for him, but finding the disorder baffled all his skill, could only recommend a spare diet and great temperance; and upon his relapsing, in the autumn of 1612, the doctor prescribed as the last re^ medy, that in the spring he should travel.
Midsummer, 1613, and he had already performed with credit all his previous exercises. It being made known to the heads of the university that he was to travel, and to
He was now almost of seven years’ standing in the university, and was to take his master’s degree at the ensuing Midsummer, 1613, and he had already performed with credit all his previous exercises. It being made known to the heads of the university that he was to travel, and to have the opportunity of going with that noble company which then went with the lady Elizabeth to conduct her to the Palatinate with the Palsgrave her husband, his degree was immediately granted; and having set out in the retinue of the lady Elizabeth, he accompanied her to Holland. 'But inclining to pursue a different route, he took leave of her royal highness there, and visited most of the German universities, at some of which he studied a considerable time, and at them and other parts of Europe, he spent five years, returning home in 1618, being then twenty-six years of age, and highly improved and accomplished by his travels. During this long residence abroad he had purchased many rare articles of curiosity, scarce and valuable books, and learned treatises in the language of those different countries; in collecting which he certainly had a principal eye to those which treated the subjects of a spiritual life, devotion, and religious retirement. He bought also a great number of prints, engraved by the best masters of that time, relative to historical pasr sages of the Old and New Testament; all which, upon his return home, he had the satisfaction to find were safely arrived there before him, but very little of this treasure is now remaining. The Ferrar family being firm in their loyalty to the king, their house at Giclding was plundered in the civil wars; and, in a wanton devastation, all these things perished, except some of the prints, not of great value, which were in the possession of the editor of Mr. Ferrar’s life, the late Dr, Packard. Soon after Mr. Ferrar’s return, sir Edwyn Sandys, who had heard a high character of him from many who had known him in Italy, sought his acquaintance; and, being exceedingly taken with his great abilities, took the first opportunity to make him known to the earl of Southampton, anxi the other principal members of the Virginia company. In a very little time he was made one of a particular committee in some business of great importance; whereby the company having sufficient proof of his extraordinary abilities, at the next general court it was proposed and agreed that he should be king’s counsel for the Virginia plantation ki the room of his brother John, who was then made the deputy governor. And when his name, according to custom, was entered in the lord chamberlain’s book, sir Edwyn Sandys took care to acquaint that lord with his uncommon worth which, indeed, daily more and more appeared in every thing he undertook and as he wanted no ability, so he spared no diligence in ordering all their affairs of consequence, and thus became deeply engaged in cares of a public nature. Yet his own inclinations at his. return led him rather to think of settling himself again at Cambridge, to which he was the more induced as he still held the physic fellowship in Clare-hall. But this he now saw could not be done; and besides, his parents, now grown old, requested their beloved son to remain with them. Therefore all he could obtain in this respect from them, and from his business, was the liberty now and then to pass a few days with his old acquaintance and friends still remaining in Cambridge.
t, of the celebrity often lavished on minor talents, is not now to be determined. Ferrari was little known, and less favoured by Vasari, whom the blind herd of dilettanti
, an eminent artist of Valdugia,
was born in 1484. He is by Vasari called “Gaudenzio
Milanese.
” Some have supposed him a scholar of Perugino, but Lomazzo, who was a nurseling of his school,
names Scotto and Luini as his masters. His juvenile works
prove what Vasari says, that he had profited by those of
Lionardo da Vinci. He went young to Rome^ and is said
to have been employed in the Vatican by Raffaello; and
there, it is probable, that he acquired that style of design
and tone of colour which eclipsed what before him had
been done in Lombardy. He possessed a portentous feracity of ideas, equal to that of Giulio, but far different;
instead of licentious excursions over the wilds of mythology, he attached himself to sacred lore, to represent the
majesty of Divine Being, the mysteries of religion, and
emotions of piety, and succeeded to a degree which acquired him the name of “eximie pius
” from a Novarese
synod. Strength was his element, which he expressed less
by muscles forcibly marked, than by fierce and terrible
attitudes, as in the Passion of Christ, at the grazie of Mu
Jano, where he had Titian for a competitor; and in the
Fall of Paul, at the conventuals of Vercelli, which approaches that of M. Angelo, at the Paolina; in the expression of character and mind, he is inferior perhaps only to
Raffaelo; and at St. Cristoforo of Vercelli has shewn himself master of angelic grace, With a full and genial vein
of colour, Gaudenzio unites an evidence which admits of no
hesitation, and attracts the eye in the midst of other works.
His tone is determined by the subject, as his carnations by
character; but his draperies and parerga are commended
more by caprice and novelty, than simplicity and grandeur. Whether it were modesty, situation, ignorance, or
envy, that defrauded powers so eminent, of the celebrity
often lavished on minor talents, is not now to be determined. Ferrari was little known, and less favoured by
Vasari, whom the blind herd of dilettanti on either side of
the Alps generally follow in their search of excellence in
art. He is supposed to have died in 1550. There was
another of the name John Andrew Ferrari, or De Ferrara, who was born at Genoa, in 1599, and was a disciple
of Bernard Castelli; but, in order to obtain a more extensive knowledge in his profession, he studied afterwards
for some time under Bernardo Strozzi. His application
was attended with success, for he at last attained to such
a degree of excellence, that he was equally expert in
painting history, landscape, fruit, animals, and flowers;
and those subjects he finished in a small size, but with extraordinary beauty and exactness, so that few of the princes
or nobility of his time were satisfied without possessing
some of his compositions. Benedetto Castiglioue was his
disciple. He died in 1669.
collections, that had come into his hands, were reposited in the Ashmolean Museum. Ferrars was well known to, and respected by, Camden, who, in his discourse of the antiquity
There was a Henry Ferrars too, of the same county
and family, bred at Oxford, and afterwards famous for his
knowledge and skill in heraldry, genealogies, and antiquities. Wood says, that out of the collections of this gentleman, Dugdale laid part of the foundation of his elaborate
work entitled “The Antiquities of Warwickshire illustrated;
” and that, after Dugdale' s death, several of Ferrars’ s collections, that had come into his hands, were reposited in the Ashmolean Museum. Ferrars was well known
to, and respected by, Camden, who, in his discourse of the
antiquity of Coventry, makes this honourable mention of
him: “Thus much of Coventry; yet have you not all this
of me, but, willingly to acknowledge by whom I have profited, of Henry Ferrars of Baldesly, a man both for parentage and knowledge of antiquity very commendable, and
my special friend; who both in this place, and also elsewhere, hath at all times courteously shewed me the right
way when I was out, and from his candle, as it were, hath
lightened mine.
” Henry Ferrars had also, in his younger
days, a good talent at poetry, some specimens of which,
Wood tells us, he had seen scattered in divers books,
printed in the reign of Elizabeth. He died in 1633,
aged eighty-four “leaving behind him,
” says Wood^
“the character of a well-bred gentleman, a good neighbour, and an honest man.
”
speaking of his history of his own times. The exact periods of this author’s birth and death are not known.
, of Vincenza, was a Benedictine monk, and eminent as an antiquary. In 1672 he
published, at Verona, his “Musae Lapidariae,
” in folio,
which is a colledlion, though by no means complete or
correct, of the verses found inscribed on ancient monuments. Burman the younger, in his preface to the “Anthologia Latino,
” seems to confound this Ferreti with him
who flourished in the fourteenth century, speaking of his
history of his own times. The exact periods of this author’s birth and death are not known.
some species still unknown to us. The magnificent Flori-pondio (Datura arborea) was here first made known to botanists. He published another quarto volume, with a similar
Feuillee published “Journal des Observations physiques,
mathematiques, & botaniques, faites par l‘ordre du Hoi,
sur les cotes orientates (occidentales) de l’Amerique meridionale, & dans les Indes occidentales, depuis l'anne 1707
jusques en 1712,
” Paris,
ks, enumerated by Moreri, are very numerous, and chiefly on theological subjects, but are now little known.
, a Lutheran divine, was born in the duciiy of Holstein, in 1672. After an useful elementary education, he studied philosophy and theology at Rostock and Wittemberg, where he was created doctor in philosophy, in 1692. In 1697, he was appointed pastor and superintendant of the diocese of Jessen, and afterwards became pastor of the church of St. Bartholomew at Zerbst, preacher to the court, confessor and ecclesiastical counsellor, and superintendant of the diocese of Zerhst, in Anhalt. In 1709 he was appointed professor of divinity, and assessor of the ecclesiastical consistory of that city. At the same time he preached once a week before the eJectress of Saxony, and was honoured with the post of ecclesiastical counsellor to the duie of Saxe-Gotha. His last appointment was that of confessor to the electress of Saxony, in. 1712, an office that he enjoyed but a few months, as he died in 1713, when only forty-one years of age. His works, enumerated by Moreri, are very numerous, and chiefly on theological subjects, but are now little known.
not that he had ever been guilty of debaucheries, but he reckoned it & very great crime, that having known the truth, and taught it to persons who had sealed it with their
Some very singular things are related of his last hours.
Margaret of Navarre was very fond of Faber, and visited
him often. He and other learned men, whose conversation greatly pleased the queen, dined with her one day;
when, in the midst of the entertainment, Faber began to
weep. The queen asking the reason, he answered, That
the enormity of his sins threw him into grief; not that he
had ever been guilty of debaucheries, but he reckoned it
& very great crime, that having known the truth, and taught
it to persons who had sealed it with their blood, he had
had the weakness to keep himself in a place of refuge, far
from the countries where crowns of martyrdom were distributed. The queen, who was eloquent, comforted him;
yet he was found dead a few hours after going to bed,
which, considering his very advanced age, was not very extraordinary. He wrote several works in divinity, besides
those above-mentipned, particularly an edition of the
Psalter, in five languages, Paris, 1509, fol. “Traite de,
Duplici, et unica Magdalena,
” 4to “Agones martyruia
mensis Januarii,
” fol. without date of place or year, but
of the beginning of the sixteenth century; a French version of the Bible, Antwerp, 1530, fol. very scarce, known
by the name of the Emperor’s Bible, from the printer’s
name. This translation, say the catholics, was the foundation of those which the protestants and doctors of Louvahi
have published.
s of Hilary, in which he discovered so many important facts relating to the history of Arianism, not known before. After the death of Henry IV. he was chosen, by the queen,
, or Nicolaus Faber, a very ingenious, learned, and pious man, was born at Paris, June 2, 1544, or according to Perrault, July 4, 1543; and liberally educated by his mother, his father dying in his infancy. During the course of his studies, as he was cutting a pen, a piece of the quill flew into his eye, and gave him such excessive pain, that hastily lifting up his hand to it, he struck it out with the knife. Having finished his application to the languages, he was sent to study the civil law at Tholouse, Padua, and Bologna. He did not come back till he had travelled through Italy: and he resided eighteen months in Rome, about 1571, where he cultivated a friendship with Sigonius, Muretus, and other learned men. He there acquired his taste for the investigation of antiquities, and brought away with him many curiosities. Upon hi$ return to France, he applied himself wholly to letters, and would hear no mention of marriage. His mother and brother dying in 1581, he lived with Peter Pithoeus, with whom he was very intimate; and having no occupation but study, he employed himself in reading the ancients, in correcting them by Mss. of which he had a great number in his own library, and in writing notes upon them. He laboured particularly on Seneca the rhetorician, whom he published in 1587, with a learned preface and notes, an. edition which we do not find mentioned by Dibdin oc Clarke. He applied himself also to studies of a different kind, to the mathematics particularly; in which he succeeded so well, that he discovered immediately the defect in Scaliger’s demonstration of the quadrature of the circle. When Henry the Fourth of France became at length the peaceable possessor of the crown, he appointed Faber preceptor to the prince of Conde. During this important trust, he found time to labour upon some considerable works; and composed that fine preface to the fragments of Hilary, in which he discovered so many important facts relating to the history of Arianism, not known before. After the death of Henry IV. he was chosen, by the queen, preceptor to Louis XIII. He died in 1611, or according to Perrault, Nov. 4, 1612.
dent from France, into the empire; but soon left him, to study the law at Heidelberg, where the well- known Codefroy was at that time law-professor. Godefroy paid great
, an eminent French civilian, was born at Semur, the capital of Auxois, Dec. 16, 1583. After studying at Dijon, Orleans, and other places, he was received as an advocate of parliament in 1602, when only nineteen years old, and the same year he went into Germany to attend the celebrated Bongars, who was sent by Henry IV. resident from France, into the empire; but soon left him, to study the law at Heidelberg, where the well-known Codefroy was at that time law-professor. Godefroy paid great attention to Fevret, who was recommended by several persons of quality: he received him into his house, and caused him to hold public disputations, which; he did with great applause. In 1607, Fevret returned to Dijon, where he married Mrs. Anne Brunet of Beaulne, by whom he had nineteen children; fourteen of which they brought up together during eight years. After his wife’s death, which happened in 1637, he very whimsically caused his bed to be made one half narrower, and never would marry again. He gained great reputation at the bar at Dijon; and was chosen counsellor to the three estates of the province. In 1629, Lewis the Thirteenth being come to Dijon in order to punish a popular insurrection, Fevret was chosen to petition the king that he would graciously be pleased to pardon the guilty. He spoke for all the corporations, and made so elegant a discourse, that the king commanded him to print it, and to send it to him at Lyons. His majesty then pardoned the authors of the sedition, and granted to Fevret the place of counsellor in the parliament of Dijon; but not being permitted to employ a deputy, he refused it, because he would not quit his profession of an advocate, and contented himself with the posts of king’s counsellor and secretary to the court, with a pension of 900 livres. He wrote a history of this insurrection, which was published some time after. As he was frequently sent a deputy to the court, he was known to de Morillac, keeper of the seals of France, who honoured him with his friendship. As early as 1626 and 1627, Monsieur, the king’s brother, had chosen him for his counsellor in ordinary in all his affairs; and the prince of Conde had made him intendant of his house, and of his affairs in Burgundy. He was continued in the same post by his son Louis de Bourbon prince of Cond6; and, during the life of these two princes, he was honoured with their favour in a distinguished manner. Frederic Casimir, prince palatine of the Rhine, and his consort Amelia Antwerpia, born princess of Orange, chose him also their counsel and intendant for their affairs in Burgundy. He had an extensive correspondence with all the learned civilians in his time. He died at Dijon, in 1661.
s and rhetoric in the college of the Trinity at Lyons. The time of his death is not mentioned. He is known principally for an edition of the whole body of poets, which
, a man of considerable learning,
was born about 1589, and becoming a Jesuit, was appointed professor of classics and rhetoric in the college of
the Trinity at Lyons. The time of his death is not mentioned. He is known principally for an edition of the
whole body of poets, which he corrected and published
under the title of “Chorus Poetarum,
” Lyons, Musaeum rhetoricum et poeticum,
” which seems
to be a collection of the beauties of the poets. He published also, “Arcana studiorum omnium methodus, et
bibliotheca scientiarum,
” Lyons, Favus Patrum,
” a
collection of the thoughts of the fathers, in 12mo, above
1000 pages, and some other works.
rous exertion, first in “Joseph Andrews,” and more completely in his “Tom Jones;” which are too well known, and too justly admired, to leave any room for expatiating on
But his genius is seen in full and vigorous exertion, first
in “Joseph Andrews,
” and more completely in his “Tom
Jones;
” which are too well known, and too justly admired,
to leave any room for expatiating on their merits. Soon
after the publication of “Joseph Andrews,
” his last comedy was exhibited on the stage, entitled “The Wedding-Day,
” which was attended with but an indifferent
share of success. The repeated shocks of illness more
and more disqualified him from pursuing the law: from
business, therefore, he derived little or no supplies, and
his prospect grew every day more gloomy and melancholy.
To these discouraging circumstances, if we add the infirmity of his wife, and the agonies he felt on her account,
the measure of his affliction may be considered as nearly
full. That fortitude of mind, with which he met all the
other calamities of life, deserted him on this most trying
occasion; and her death, which happened about this time,
brought on such a vehemence of grief, that his friends began to think him in danger of losing his reason. At length,
when the first emotions of sorrow were abated, philosophy
administered her aid, his resolution returned, and he began
again to struggle with his fortune. He engaged in two
periodical papers successively, with a laudable and spirited
design of rendering service to his country. The first of
these was called “The True Patriot,
” which was undertaken during the rebellion of Voyage to Lisbon,
” which may,
with some degree of propriety, be considered as the last
words of a dying man. Amidst all the laborious duties of
his office, his invention could not lie still, but he found
leisure to amuse himself, and afterwards the world, with
“The History of Tom Jones.
” His “Amelia
” was entirely planned and executed while he was distracted by a
multiplicity of avocations which surround a public magistrate; and his constitution, now greatly impaired and enfeebled, was labouring under severer attacks of the gout
than he had before felt; yet the activity of his mind was
not to be subdued. At length, however, his whole frame
was so entirely shattered by continual inroads of complicated disorders, and the incessant fatigue of business in
his office, that, by the advice of his physicians, as a last
effort to preserve life, and support a broken constitution,
he set out for Lisbon. Even in this distressful condition,
his imagination still continued making the strongest efforts
to display itself; and the last gleams of his wit and humour sparkled in the “Journal
” he left behind him of his
“Voyage
” to that place > which was published in An Essay on the Life and Genius of the Author, by Arthur Murphy, esq.
”
also probably contributed to the correctness of the translation. The other works of this lady, less known, were, “Familiar letters between the characters in David Simple,”
, third sister of the preceding, was
born in 1714, lived unmarried, and died at Bath, where
she had long resided, in April 1768. She made some
figure among the literary ladies of her age, and possessed
a well cultivated mind. Soon after the appearance of her
brother’s “Joseph Andrews,
” she published a novel in 2
vols. 12mo, entitled “The Adventures of David Simple,
in search of a faithful friend,
” which had a considerable
share of popularity, and is not yet forgotten. In 1752
she produced a third volume, which did not excite so much
attention. Her next production, which appeared in 1753,
was “The Cry, a new Dramatic Fable,
” 3 vols. but this,
although far from being destitute of merit, was not well
adapted to the taste of romance-readers. Her last performance was “Xenophon’s Memoirs of Socrates, with the
Defence of Socrates before his Judges,
” translated from
the original Greek, Familiar letters between the characters in
David Simple,
” 2 vols.; “The Governess, or Little Female Academy
” “The Lives of Cleopatra and Octavia;
”
“The History of the Countess of Delwyn,
” 2 vols. and
“The Hjstory of Ophelia,
” 2 vols. Dr. John Hoadly, who was
her particular friend, erected a monument to her memory,
with a handsome compliment to her virtues and talents.
, lord Say and Sele, a person of literary merit, but not so well known on that account as for the part he bore in the Grand Rebellion,
, lord Say and Sele, a person of
literary merit, but not so well known on that account as
for the part he bore in the Grand Rebellion, was born at
Brpughton in Oxfordshire, in 1582, being the eldest son
of sir Richard Fiennes, to whom James I. had restored and
confirmed the dignity of baron Say and Sele: and, after
being properly instructed at Winchester school, was sent
in 1596 to New-college in Oxford, of which, by virtue of
his relationship to the founder, he was made fellow. After
he had spent some years in study, he travelled into foreign
countries, and then returned home with the reputation of
a wise and prudent man. When the war was carried on in
the Palatinate, he contributed largely to it, according to
his estate, which was highly pleasing to king James; but,
indulging his neighbours by leaving it to themselves to pay
what they thought fit, he was, on notice given to his majesty, committed to custody in June 1622. He was,
however, soon released; and, in July 1624, advanced from a
baron to be viscount Say and Scle. At this time, says
Wood, he stood up for the privileges of Magna Charta;
but, after the rebellion broke out, treated it with the utmost contempt: and when the long-parliament began in
3640, he shewed himself so active that, as Wood says, he
and Hampden and Pym, with one or two more, were
esteemed parliament-drivers, or swayers of all the parliaments in which they sat. In order to reconcile him to tne
court, he had the place of mastership of the court of wards
given him in May 1641 but this availed nothing; for,
when arms were taken up, he acted openly against the
king. Feb. 1642, his majesty published two proclamations,
commanding all the officers of the court of wards to.
attend him at Oxford; but lord Say refusing, was outlawed,
and attainted of treason. He was the last 'who held the
office of master of this court, which was abolished in 1646
by the parliament, on which occasion 10,000l. was granted
to him, with a part of the earl of Worcester’s estate, as a
compensation. In 1648 he opposed any personal treaty
with his majesty, yet the same year was one of the parliament-commissioners in the Isle of Wight, when they
treated with the king about peace: at which time he is
said to have urged against the king this passage out of
Hooker’s “Ecclesiastical Polity,
” that “though the king
was singulis major, yet he was universis minor
” that is,
greater than any individual, yet less than the whole community. After the king’s death, he joined with the Independents, as he had done before with the Presbyterians;
and became intimate with Oliver, who made him one of
his house of lords. “After the restoration of Charles II.
when he had acted,
” says Wood, “as a grand rebel for
his own ends almost twenty years, he was rewarded forsooth with the honourable offices of lord privy seal, and
lord chamberlain of the household; while others, that had
suffered in estate and body, and had been reduced to a bit
of bread for his majesty’s cause, had then little or nothing
given to relieve them; for which they were to thank a
hungry and great officer, who, to fill his own coffers, was
the occasion of the utter ruin of many.
” Wood relates
also, with some surprise, that this noble person, after he
had spent eighty years mostly in an unquiet and discontented condition, had been a grand promoter of the rebellion, and had in some respect been accessary to the
mupdler of Chailes I. died quietly in his bed, April 14, 1662,
and was buried with his ancestors at Broughton. On the
restoration he was certainly made lord privy seal, but nut,
as Wood says, chamberlain of the household. Whitlock
says, that “he was a person of great parts, wisdom, and
integrity:
” and Clarendon, though of a contrary, party,
does not deny him to have had these qualities, but only
supposes them to have been wrongly directed, and greatly
corrupted. He calls him, “a man of a close and reserved
nature, of great parts, and of the highest ambition; but
whose ambition would not be satisfied with offices and preferments, without some condescensions and alterations in
ecclesiastical matters. He had for many years been the
oracle of those who were puritans in the worst sense, and
had steered all their counsels and designs. He was a notorious enemy to the church, and to most of the eminent
churchmen, with some of whom he had particular contests.
He had always opposed and contradicted all acts of state,
and all taxes and impositions, which were not exactly legal,
&c. In a word, he had very great authority with all the
discontented party throughout the kingdom, and a good
reputation with many who were not discontented; who
believed him to be a wise man, and of a very useful temper
in an age of licence, and one who would still adhere to
the law.
” But from a comparison of every authority, a
recent writer observes, that he appears to have been far
from a virtuous or amiable man; he was poor, proud, and
discontented, and seems to have opposed the court, partly
at least with the view of extorting preferment from thence.
He had the most chimerical notions of civil liberty, and
upon the defeat of those projects in which he had so great
a share, retired with indignation to the isle of Lundy, on
the Devonshire coast, where he continued a voluntary prisoner until the protector’s death.
nd he either was, or pretended to be, much troubled with them. These tracts are so >carce and little known at this time, as to have escaped Mr. Park’s researches, who
Besides several speeches in parliament, he published,
1. “The Scots design discovered; relating their dangerous
attempts lately practised against the English nation, with
the sad consequence of the same. Wherein divers matters
of public concernment are disclosed; and the book called,
Truths Manifest, is made apparent to be Lies Manifest,
1653,
” 4to. 2. “Folly and Madness made manifest;
or, some things written to shew, how contrary to the word
of God, and practice of the Saints in the Old and New
Testament, the doctrines and practices of the Quakers
are,
” 1659, 4to. 3. “The Quakers Reply manifested to
be railing: or, a pursuance of those by the light of the
Scriptures, who through their dark imaginations would evade
the Truth,
”
at Bologna, which he visited in 1590. On his return to his native country his talents were soon made known, and in 1593 he was invited to Louvaine, in order to fill one
, a physician of eminence, was born at Antwerp, March 28, 1567. His father,
who was a physician at Antwerp, and who died at Dort in
1585, was the author of a treatise entitled “Commentarius de flatibus humanum corpus infestantibus,
” Antwerp,
De Cauteriis libri quinque,
”
Louvaine, Libri Chirurgici XII., de praecipuis
Artis Chirurgicre controversiis,
” Francfort, 1602, which
passed through many editions. 3. “De viribus Imaginationis Tractatus,
” Louvaine, De Cometa
anni 1618,
” Antwerp, De vi formatrice foetus liber, in quo ostenditur animam rationalem
infundi tertia die,
” ibid. De formatrice foetus
adversus Ludovicum du Gardin, &c.
” Louvaine, Pro sua de anijnatione fcetds tertia die opinione Apologia, adversus Antonium Ponce Santa Cruz, Regis Hispaniarmn Medicum
Cubicularem, &c.
” Louvaine, Semiotice, sive
de signis medicis Tractatus,
” Leyden,
ke them, he gained high reputation by the specimens he gave of his ingenuity. He first made hinaself known by correcting and publishing Siliceus’s “Arithmetic,” and the
, in French Finé, professor of
mathematics in the Royal college at Paris, was the son of
a physician, and born at Briungon, in Dauphine, in 1494.
He went young to Paris, where his friends procured him a
place in the college of Navarre. He there applied himself to polite literature and philosophy; yet devoted himself more particularly to mathematics, for which he had a
strong natural inclination, and made a considerable progress, though without the assistance of a master. He acquired likewise much skill in mechanics; and having both
a genius to invent instruments, and a skilful hand to make
them, he gained high reputation by the specimens he gave
of his ingenuity. He first made hinaself known by correcting and publishing Siliceus’s “Arithmetic,
” and the
“Margareta Philosopiiica.
” He afterwards read private
lectures in mathematics, and then taught that science publicly in the college of Gervais; by which he became so
famous, that he was recommended to Francis I. as the fittest person to teach mathematics in the new college which
that prince had founded at Paris. He omitted nothing to
support the glory of his profession; and though he instructed his scholars with great assiduity, yet he found
time to publish a great many books upon almost every part
of the mathematics. A remarkable proof of his skill in
mechanics is exhibited in the clock which he invented in
1553, and of which there is a description in the Journal
of Amsterdam for March 29, 1694. Yet his genius, his
labours, his inventions, and the esteem which an infinite
number of persons shewed him, could not secure him from
that fate which so often befalls men of letters. He was
obliged to struggle all his life with poverty; and, when he
died, left a wite and six children, and many debts. His
children, however, found patrons, who for their father’s
sake assisted his family. He died in 1555, aged sixty-one.
Like all the other mathematicians and astronomers of those
times, he was greatly addicted to astrology; and had the
misfortune to be a long time imprisoned, because he had
foretold some things which were not acceptable to the
court of France. He was one of those who vainly boasted
of having found out the quadrature of the circle. His
works were collected in 3 vols. folio, in 1535, 1542, and
1556, and there is an Italian edition in 4to, Venice, 1587.
cter as a physician. He died in 1697, at the age of eighty. He was author of several works, the most known of which is his “Real Christian.” The others are of the controversial
, a nonconformist divine and physician,
was born in 1617, in Suffolk, and educated at Cambridge,
where he studied physic, and afterwards practised it with
great success in New England, to which he fled, as
he said, to enjoy liberty of conscience. When that,
kowever, was restored about the latter end of the civil
wars, he returned to England, was ordained, and became
minister at Shalford, in Essex, where he continued till he
was ejected, in 1662, by the act of uniformity. He afterwards resumed the practice of physic, but never neglected
to preach when he had an opportunity, in which he appears to have been protected by his excellent and charitable character as a physician. He died in 1697, at the
age of eighty. He was author of several works, the most
known of which is his “Real Christian.
” The others are
of the controversial kind, with the Quakers, Antinomians,
and Anabaptists, or concerning church government. He
bad far more moderation as well as loyalty than many of
his brethren, and even is said to have joined with a few
like himself, during the usurpation, in praying for the
exiled royal family.
his Tuesday’s lecture at St. Laurence’s church near Guildhall. Mr. Firmin was afterwards so publicly known, as to fall under the cognizance of majesty itself. Queen Mary
As soon as he was made free, he began to trade for himself in the linen manufacture, with a stock not exceeding
100l. which, however, he improved so far, as to marry, in
1660, a citizen’s daughter with 500l. to her portion. This
wife did not live many years, but after bringing him two
children, died, while he was managing some affairs of trade
at Cambridge: and, according to the assertion of his biographer, he dreamed at the same time at Cambridge, that
his wife was breathing her last. Afterwards he settled in
Lombard-street, and became so celebrated for his public^
spiritedness and benevolence, that he was noticed by all
persons of consequence, and especially by the clergy. He
became upon intimate terms with Whichcot, Wilkins, Tillotson, &c. so particularly with the last, that when obliged
to be out of town, at Canterbury perhaps, where he was
dean, he left to Mr. Firmin the provision of preachers for
his Tuesday’s lecture at St. Laurence’s church near Guildhall. Mr. Firmin was afterwards so publicly known, as to
fall under the cognizance of majesty itself. Queen Mary
having heard of his usefulness in all public designs, those
of charity especially, and that he was heterodox in the
articles of the trinity, the divinity of our Saviour, and the
satisfaction, spoke to Tillotson to set him right in those
weighty and necessary points; who answered, that he had
often endeavoured it; but that Mr. Firmin had now so
long imbibed the Socinian doctrine, as to be beyond the
reach of his arguments. His grace, however, for he was
then archbishop, published his sermons, formerly preached
at St. Laurence’s, concerning those questions, and sent
Mr. Firmin one of the first copies from the press, who, not
convinced, caused a respectful answer to be drawn up and
published with this title, “Considerations on the explications and defences of the doctrine of the Trinity,
” himself giving a copy to his grace: to which the archbishop,
after he had read it, only answered, “My lord of Sarum,
”
meaning Dr. Burnet, “shall humble your writers;
” still
retaining, however, his usual kindness for Mr. Firmin.
chancellor appears to have made some attempt to prosecute the wife, but how far he succeeded is not known. Fish himself died about half a year after this of the plague,
, a man who deserves some notice on account of his zeal for the reformation, was born in Kent,
and, after an education at Oxford, went about 1525 to
Gray’s Inn, to study the law. A play was then written
by one Roo, or Roe, in which cardinal Wolsey was severely
reflected on; and Fish undertook to act the part in which
he was ridiculed, after every body else had refused to venture upon it. The cardinal issued his orders against him
the same night, but he escaped, and went into Germany,
where he found out, and associated himself with, William
Tyndale. The year following he wrote a little piece,
called, “The Supplication of Beggars;
” a satire upon
bishops, abbots, priors, monks, friars, and indeed the popish
clergy in gejieral. About 1527 or 1528, after it had been
printed, a copy was sent to Anne Boleyne, and by her
given to the king, who was not displeased with it, and
Wolsey being now disgraced, Fish was recalled home,
and graciously countenanced by the king for what he had
done. Sir Thomas More, who, when chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster, had answered Fish’s pamphlet, in
another, entitled “The Supplication of Souls in Purgatory,
” being advanced to the rank of chancellor in the
room of Wolsey, the king ordered sir Thomas not to meddle with Fish, and sent a message to this purpose, with his
signet, by the Jiands of Fish. On his delivering the message, sir Thomas told him, all this was sufficient for himself, but not for his wife, against whom it was complained
that she had refused to let the friars say their gospels in
Latin at her house. The chancellor appears to have made
some attempt to prosecute the wife, but how far he succeeded is not known. Fish himself died about half a year
after this of the plague, about 1531, and was buried in the
church of St. Dunstan in the West. In one of the lives of
sir Thomas More, it is reported that he turned papist before his death, but this circumstance is not mentioned by
Fox. The “Supplication
” was one of the publications
afterwards prohibited by Cuthbert Tonstall, when bishop
of London. Tanner ascribes to Fish two works called
“The Boke of merchants rightly necessary to all folkes,
newly made by the lord Pantapole
” and “The Spiritual
Nosegay.
” He also published about The Summ
of the Scriptures,
” translated from the Dutch. His widow
married James Bainham, afterwards one of the martyrs.
and was the younger son of Ralph Fitzherbert, esq. He was born at Norbury, co. Derby , but it is not known in what year. After he had been properly educated in the country,
, a very learned lawyer in the reign of Henry VIII. was descended from an ancient family, and was the younger son of Ralph Fitzherbert, esq. He was born at Norbury, co. Derby , but it is not known in what year. After he had been properly educated in the country, he was sent to Oxford, and from thence to one of the inns of court; but we neither know of what college, nor of what inn he* was admitted. His great parts, judgment, and diligence, soon distinguished him in his profession; and in process of time he became so eminent, that on Nov. 18, 1511, he was called to be a serjeant at law. In 1516 he received the honour of knighthood, and the year after was appointed one of his majesty’s Serjeants at law. He began now to present the world with the product of his studies; and published from time to time several valuable works. In 1523, which was the fifteenth year of Henry the Eighth’s reign, he was made one of the justices of the court of common pleas, in which honourable station he spent the remaining part of his life; discharging the duties of his office with such ability and integrity, that he was universally respected as the oracle of the law. Two remarkable things are related of his conduct; one, that he openly opposed cardinal Wolsey in the height of his power, although chiefly on the score of alienating the church lands; the other, that on his death-bed, foreseeing the changes that were likely to happen in the church as well as state, he pressed his children in very strong terms to promise him solemnly neither to accept grants, nor to make purchases of abbey-lands. He died May 27, 1515—8, and was buried in his own parish church of Norbury. He left behind him a very numerous posterity; and as he became by the death of his elder brother John possessed of the family estate, he was in a condition to provide very plentifully for them. The Fitzherbert family, in the different branches of it, continues to flourish, chiefly in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
The important service rendered to the science of astronomy by Fixlmillner, is well known to all astronomers. The great number of his observations of
The important service rendered to the science of astronomy by Fixlmillner, is well known to all astronomers. The great number of his observations of Mercury at a time when they were rare and difficult to be made, enabled Lalande to complete his accurate tables of that planet, for which the French astronomer publicly returned him thanks. Fixlmillner was one of the first astronomers who observed the orbit of the newly-discovered planet Uranus. He was also the first who supported Bode’s conjecture, that the star 34 in the Bull, observed by Flamsteed in 1690, and which afterwards disappeared, was the new planet. Fixlinillner was a man of so great application and activity, that he not only made observations, but calculated them all himself, and deduced from them the necessary results. All his observations, of whatever kind, he calculated on the spot; and to avoid errors, he always calculated them a second time. To uncommon industry he united great penetration and deep reflection, as is proved by the many excellent remarks and discoveries to be found in his works. It must here be added, that this able astronomer lived in a remote part of the country, at a distance from all literary helps, and from others who pursued the same studies; from every thing, indeed, that could animate his zeal; yet he continued to the last day of his life, a singular instance of perseverance and attachment to his favourite study. But few men were so little subject to the imperious power of the passions. Simple in his manners, he possessed great equanimity and firmness, like the immutable laws of nature which he studied. His wide extended celebrity did not render him proud; whatever was written or said in his praise, he endeavoured rather to conceal than to publish. His close application at length impaired his health, and brought on obstinate obstructions, which ended in a diarrhoea. He died Aug. 27, 1791, in the seventy-first year of his age, the fifty-third of his residence in the convent; and the forty-sixth after his entering into the priesthood,
is considered as the most complete; whence it is probable this early publication of Flaminio was not known to his editors.
, an
eminent Latin poet, whose family name was Zarrabini,
was born at Serevalle in 1498. His father, John Anthony,
who first changed the family name to Flaminio on entering
a literary society at Venice, was himself a man of learning,
and professor of belles-lettres in different academies in
Italy, and has left some works both in prose and verse,
particularly twelve books of letters, in which are many particulars of literary history. He bestowed great pains on the instruction of his son, and sent him, when at the age of sixteen,
to Rome, with a poem addressed to Leo X. exhorting him
to make war against the Turks, and a critical work entitled
“Annotationum Sylvae.
” Leo appears to have been so
pleased with the appearance of young Flaminio, as to request that he might remain at Rome, promising to encourage his studies there; but although this did not take place,
in his after-visits to Rome, the pope patronized him with
great liberality, and Flaminio answered every expectation
that had been formed of his talents. In 1515 he accompanied the count Castiglione to Urbino, where he resided
some months, and was held in the highest esteem by that
accomplished nobleman for his amiable qualities and great
endowments, but particularly for his. early and astonishing
talents for Latin poetry. In this year he published at Fano,
the first specimen of his productions, with a few poems of
Marullus, not before printed, in a very rare volume in
8vo. entitled, “Michaelis Tardaaniotas Marulli Neniae.
Ejusdem epigrammata nunquarn alias impressa. M. Antonii Flaminii carminum libellus. Ejusdem Ecloga Thyrsis.
”
Of these poems some have been printed, often with variations, in the subsequent editions of his works; but several
pieces appear there which are not to be found in the edition by Mancurti, published at Padua, by Comino, in 1727,
which is considered as the most complete; whence it is
probable this early publication of Flaminio was not known
to his editors.
m, by sending them from the press. Though without a name, from the spirit and language it was easily known whose sermon it was. It gave offence to some ministers of state,
Notwithstanding his difference with the ministry, when
a fast was appointed to be kept, Jan. 16, 1711-12, he was
chosen by the house of lords to preach before them; but,
by some means or other getting intelligence that he had
censured the peace, they contrived to have the house adjourned beyond that day. This put it indeed out of his
power to deliver his sentiments from the pulpit; yet he
put the people in possession of them, by sending them
from the press. Though without a name, from the spirit
and language it was easily known whose sermon it was. It
gave offence to some ministers of state, who now only
waited for an opportunity to be revenged; and this opportunity the bishop soon gave them, by publishing, 8. “Four
Sermons; viz. On the Death of queen Mary, 1694; on
the Death of the duke of Gloucester, 1700; on the Death
of king William, 1701; on the Queen’s accession to the
throne, 1702. With a preface,
” The
Judgment of the Church of England in the case of LayBaptism, and of Dissenter’s Baptism; by which it appears
that she hath not, by any public act of hers, made or declared Lay-Baptism to be invalid. The second edition.
With an additional letter from Dr. John Cosin, afterwards
bishop of Durham, to Mr. Cordel, who scrupled to communicate with the French Protestants upon some of the
modern pretences,
” 8vo. This piece was occasioned by
the controversy about Lay-Baptism, which was then au
object of public notkv.
In 1713, he published without his name, 10. “The Life
and Miracles of St. Wenefrede, together with her Litanies,
with some historical observations made thereon.
” In the
preface, he declares the motives which induced him to
bestow so much pains upon this life of St. Wenefrede; and
these were, that the concourse of people to the well which
goes by her name was very great that the papists made
use of this to influence weak minds that they had lately
reprinted a large life of this saint in English; that these
considerations might justly affect any protestant divine,
and th,at for certain reasons they affected him in particular.
Upon the demise of the queen, and the Hanover succession, this prelate had as much reason to expect that his
zeal and services should be rewarded, as any of his rank
and function: but he did not make any display of his merit,
either to the king or his ministers. However, upon the
death of Moore, bishop of Ely, in 1714, Tenison, then
archbishop of Canterbury, strenuously recommended Fleetwood to the vacant see; and he was accordingly, without
the least application from himself directly or indirectly,
nominated to it.
gton, with a view to enter into the ministry among the dissenters. His proficiency and talents being known to Dr. Thomas, bishop of Winchester, he offered him a living
, a dissenting minister, and zealous Socinian, was born at Nottingham in 1698, where he was educated and brought up to trade, after which he studied at Warrington, with a view to enter into the ministry among the dissenters. His proficiency and talents being known to Dr. Thomas, bishop of Winchester, he offered him a living to enter into the church, but this he declined, as inconsistent with the opinions he had formed, and was chosen preacher of a congregation in Bartholomew-close, London, where he continued until 1752. He then became assistant to Dr. James Foster, at Pinners’ -hall, whom he succeeded, and remained sole pastor of that congregation as long as he was able to execute the duties of his office. He died in 1779. Few people, says Dr. Kippis, have written a greater number of pamphlets, some of which being published without his name, were but little noticed by the world; and none of them, we may add, a're now in request. There are, says the same author, instances in which he was singular, not to say whimsical, in his positions. His writings might have been more generally acceptable and useful, if they had been free from a certain quaintness and obscurity of style. Aiming at originality and strength of expression, he often lost perspicuity, and never attained to elegance. The doctor adds, that he was a determined enemy to civil and ecclesiastical tyranny, and a very zealous Socinian.
t ornament to his profession. He published a few religious tracts of the practical kind, but is best known by his more elaborate work entitled “The Fulfilling of the
, a Scotch presbyterian clergyman, whose works are still much esteemed in that country,
was born at Bathens, or Easter, the seat of the earls of
Tweedale, in 1630, where his father, James Fleming, was
long a minister of the gospel. He was educated in classics^
philosophy, and divinity, at the universities of Edinburgh
and St. Andrew’s, and at the latter studied divinity under
the celebrated Samuel Rutherford. His natural parts, according to his biographer, were excellent; hjs understanding quick and penetrating, his judgment clear and
profound, and his memory strong. These talents, which
he employed in the course of his academical-studies, and
especially in theology and ecclesiastical history, recommended hiai to ordination, when in his twenty-third year,
and when the church of Scotland was purely presbyterian.
His pastoral charge was Cambuslang, in Clydsdale, in
which he remained highly venerated by his flock until th^
restoration; but an attempt being then made to establish
episcopacy in Scotland, he and such of his brethren as adhered to the presbyterian form of government, were ejected
from their livings. After this he resided mostly at Edinburgh, and in Fifeshire until September 1673, when he
was apprehended for nonconformity, but was soon liberated, and went to Holland, where he officiated as minister
to the Scotch congregation at Rotterdam. He died at
this place July 15, 1694, deeply regretted by his flock,
as well as by his brethren in Scotland, who considered him.
in respect of piety and learning, as a great ornament to
his profession. He published a few religious tracts of the
practical kind, but is best known by his more elaborate
work entitled “The Fulfilling of the Scriptures,
” which is
in fact, a view of the operations of providence in preserving
the church through all the vicissitudes of ecclesiastical history. This was originally published in three parts,
separately, which were printed together in a handsome manner,
in 1726, folio, with a life prefixed, from which this article
is chiefly taken.
was induced to change His opinion, and display equal or greater zeal against the reformation, is not known. In 1396, when a student in theology, or scholar, we find his
, an English prelate, and the founder of Lincoln college, Oxford, descended from an ancient family, was born at Crofton iti Yorkshire, and educated at University college, Oxford, where his extraordinary proficiency in logic and philosophy procured him higher degrees than were then usually conferred. In 1406 he was presented to the prebend of South Newbold, in the church of York, and next year served the office of proctor in the university. The copy of the statutes belonging to the duties of junior proctor, which he caused to be transcribed, is still preserved among the archives. Soon after taking his master’s degree, he professed a zealous attachment to the principles by which Wickliff was endeavouring to oppose the established religion, and argued with so much ability as to make many converts, some of whom were persons of high distinction. By what means he was induced to change His opinion, and display equal or greater zeal against the reformation, is not known. In 1396, when a student in theology, or scholar, we find his name among the other Oxford men who condemned Wicklif 's doctrines, and it is certain, that when he speculated on the foundation of a college, it was for the express purpose of educating divines who were to exert their talents against the heresy of that reformer.
nted with several learned men, particularly Earth. Platina, librarian of the Vatican. He became also known to pope Sixtus IV, in whose praise, during a summer’s recess
, nephew to the preceding, was
educated at Oxford, and probably in Lincoln college, then
newly founded by his uncle. On Jan. 21, 1451, he was
admitted dean of Lincoln, being much admired for his
learning. He afterwards went to Italy, and visited the
principal universities; and among other eminent men, he
attended the lectures of the celebrated orator and poet
Baptista Guarini, professor of the Greek and Latin languages at Ferrara. From this place he went to Rome,
>vhere he remained a year or two, and became acquainted
with several learned men, particularly Earth. Platina, librarian of the Vatican. He became also known to pope Sixtus IV,
in whose praise, during a summer’s recess at Tibur, or
Tivoli, he composed a Latin poem in two books inscribed
to his holiness; who was so pleased with it, that he made
the author his protonotary. Of this poem, entitled “Lucubrationes Tiburtinae,
” we have only a few verses quoted
by Leland, and praised by him for the style. At his return from Italy, he brought over with him several books
curiously illuminated, which he bequeathed to Lincoln college library, with some of his own composition, among
which Leland, Bale, and Pits mention “Dictionarium
Graeco-Latinum;
” “Carolina diversi generis,
” and “Epistolarum ad diversos, liber unus.
” On Sept. 27, 1467, he
was installed into the prebend of Leigh ton -man or, in the
cathedral church of Lincoln, which he exchanged, Dec. 3,
1478, for that of Leighton-Bosard; and he fotmded in this
cathedral, a chantry for two chaplains. This learned man
died Aug. 12, 1483, and was buried near bishop Flemming, his relation.
to Holland; and upon being cited to appear by a summons from the lords of the council, which it was known he could not obey, he was outlawed, and his estate confiscated.
, an eminent Scotch politician,
and ranked among the patriots of that country, was the son
of sir Robert Fletcher of Saltown, in Scotland, and was
born in 16S3. Being left fatherless while he was a child,
he was placed under the tuition of Dr. Gilbert Bunu-t,
then rector of Saltown, from whom he is supposed to have
imbibed some of those political principles which he afterwards carried to a high degree of enthusiasm. He then
spent some years of his youth in foreign travel, and first
appeared as a public character in the station of a commissioner for East Lothian in the Scotch parliament, but his
opposition to the arbitrary measures of the court, rendered
it necessary to withdraw to Holland; and upon being cited
to appear by a summons from the lords of the council,
which it was known he could not obey, he was outlawed,
and his estate confiscated. In 1683 he came over to England to assist, with his friend Mr. Baillie of Jerviswood, in
the consultations held among the friends of liberty in
England and Scotland, to concert measures for their common security; and by his prudence and address he avoided
giving any pretext to the ministry for his apprehension.
He returned to the continent, and in 1685 engaged in the
enterprise of the duke of Monmouth. He landed in the
west of England, but was obliged to quit the country again
on account of a dispute which he had with a man who insulted him, and whom he shot dead, his temper being at
all times most irascible. From England he went to Spain,
and afterwards passed into Hungary, where he engaged in
the war with the Turks, and distinguished himself by his
valour and skill. The interest which he took in the fate
of his country soon brought him back to join in the conferences which were held among the Scotch refugees in
Holland, for the purpose of effecting a revolution; and
upon that event taking place, he returned to Scotland, and
resumed the possession of his estate. He was a member
of the convention for the settlement of the new government in Scotland, and in all his political conduct he shewed
himself the zealous asserter of the liberties of the people,
without any regard to party distinction, and free from all
views of his own interest. In 1698 he printed “A Discourse of Government with relation to Militias.
” Also
“Two Discourses concerning the Affairs of Scotland.
” In
one of these he suggests a plan for providing for the poor
by domestic slavery, a most preposterous plan to be proposed by a friend to liberty. When a bill was brought into
the parliament of Scotland for a supply to the crowq, in
1703, he moved that, previously to this, or to any other
business, the house should consider what acts were necessary to secure their religion and liberties in case of the
queen’s death, and he proposed various limitations of the
prerogative, which were received in the “Act of Security,
”
passed through his exertions into a law, but rendered ineffectual by the subsequent union, to which he was a determined enemy. He died at London in 1716. His publications, and some of his speeches, were collected in one
volume octavo, entitled, “The Political Works of Andrew
Fletcher, Ksquire,
” and his Life was lately published by
the earl of Burhan, with a very high panegyric on his political virtues. Another very high character of him may be
seen in our authority.
uarter of an hour. He was an immoderate taker of tobacco; the qualities of which being then not well known, and supposed to have something poisonous in them, occasioned
In 1589, queen Elizabeth, with whom he was in high
favour, promoted him to the bishopric of Bristol, and about
the same time made him her almoner. Sir John Harrington says that he took this see on condition to lease out the
revenues to courtiers, an accusation to which Browne
Willis seems inclined to give credit. He was, however,
translated to Worcester in 1592, and about two years after
that to London, in consequence of his particular solicitation to the lord treasurer. Soon after he was promoted to
the see of London, he gave out twenty-seven articles of
inquiry to the churchwardens upon his primary visitation;
and by these means, according to Neal, many of the nonconformists, or rather puritans, as they were at this time
called, suffered imprisonment. But he was soon interrupted in these proceedings, by marrying, for his second
wife, the widow of sir John Baker, of Sisingherst in Kent,
a very handsome woman. Queen Elizabeth, who had an
extreme aversion to the clergy’s marrying, was highly
offended at the bishop. She thought it very indecent for
an elderly clergyman, a bishop, and one that had already
had one wife, to marry a second: and gave such a loose
to her indignation, that, not content with forbidding him
her presence, she ordered archbishop Whitgift to suspend
him from the exercise of his episcopal function, which was
accordingly done. He was afterwards restored to his bishopric, and in some measure to the queen’s favour: yet
the disgrace sat so heavy on his mind, that it is thought to
have hastened his end. He died suddenly in his chair, at
his house in London, June 15, 1596; being, to all appearance, well, sick, and dead, in a quarter of an hour.
He was an immoderate taker of tobacco; the qualities of
which being then not well known, and supposed to have
something poisonous in them, occasioned Camden to impute his death to it, as he does in his Annals of Elizabeth’s
reign. He was buried in his cathedral, near bishop Aylmer,
but without any monument. Of his character it is not
easy to form a very favourable judgment, nor does it appear that he is censurable for any great errors, except that
he was perhaps too compliant with some of the caprices of
his royal mUiress His appearance and person wr re stately,
which made him be called Prcsul spttndidus, hut this did
not arise from pride, as those who were most intimate with
him commended his modesty and humility. There are no
works ascribed to his pen, except some regulations for the
better government or his diocese, and the reformation of
his spiritual courts, which are printed among the records
in Collier’s “Ecclesiastical History.
” By his first wife,
whose name is not known, he had the more celebrated subject of the following article.
ve no means of discovering. Beaumont and Fletcher, however, wrote plays in concert, though it is not known what share each bore in forming the plots, writing the scenes,
, an English dramatic writer, the
son of the preceding, is said to have been born in Northamptonshire, in 1576, while his father was dean of Peterborough, but as this does not correspond with his age at
the time of his death, it is more probable he was a native
of London, a person of that name and place being admitted pensioner of Bene't college, Oct. 15, 1591, when he
must have been about fifteen, the usual age of admission
in those days. He was made one of the bible clerks in
15i>3, but his further progress in the university cannot be
traced, nor how long he remained in it. On his arrival in
London he became acquainted, and wrote plays jointly
with Beaumont; and Wood says that he assisted Ben
Jouson in a comedy called “The Widow.
” After Beaumont’s death, which happened in he was one of the happy triumvirate of the chief dramatic poets of our nation in the last
foregoing age, among whom there might be said to be a
symmetry of perfection, while each excelled in his peculiar way Ben Jonson in his elaborate pains and knowledge
of authors Shakspeare in his pure vein of wit and natural
poetic height and Fletcher in a courtly elegance and genteel familiarity of style, and withal a wit and invention so
overflowing, that the luxuriant branches thereof were fre^
quently thought convenient to be lopped off by his almost
inseparable companion Francis Beaumont.
” Dryden tells
us, that Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays in his time were
the most pleasing and frequent entertainments, two of
theirs being acted through the year for one of Shakspeare’s
or Jonson’s; and the reason he assigns is, because there
is a certain gaiety in their comedies, and a pathos in their
most serious plays, which suits generally with all men’s humours. The case, however, is now reversed, for Beaumont and Fletcher are not acted above once for fifty times
that the plays of Shakspeare are represented. Their merit,
however, is undoubted; and though it could not avert the
censure of the cynical Rymer, has been acknowledged by
our greatest poets. Their dramas are full of fancy and
variety, interspersed with beautiful passages of genuine
poetry; but there is not the nice discrimination of character, nor the strict adherence to nature, that we justly admire in Shakspeare.
Some of Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays were printed in
4to, during the lives of their authors; and in 1645, twenty
years after Fletcher’s death, there was published a folio
collection of them. The first edition of all their plays,
amounting to upwards of fifty, was published in 1679,
folio. Another edition was published in 1711, in seven
volumes, 8vo. Another in 1751, in ten volumes, 8vo.
Another by Colman, also in ten volumes, in 1778.
sioner into Scotland, Germany, and the Low Countries. Of his poetical talent, however, no proofs are known to be extant. In 1588, he was sent ambassador to Russia; not
, brother to bishop Fletcher, and
a native of the same county, was a very ingenious man.
He received his education at Eton; and, in 1565, was
elected thence to KingVcollege in Cambridge, where he
took a bachelor’s of arts degree in 1596, a master’s in
1573, and that of LL. D. in 1581. He was, says Wood,
an excellent poet, and a very accomplished man; and his
abilities recommending him to queen Elizabeth, he was
employed by her as a commissioner into Scotland, Germany, and the Low Countries. Of his poetical talent,
however, no proofs are known to be extant. In 1588, he
was sent ambassador to Russia; not only to conclude a
league with the emperor there, but also to re-establish and
put into good order the decayed trade of our Russia company. He met, at first, with a cold reception, and even
rough usage: for the Dutch, envying the exclusive privilege which the Russia company enjoyed of trading thither,
had excited prejudices against them: and a false rumour
then spread, of our fleet being totally destroyed by the
Spanish armada, had created in the czar a contempt for
the English, and a presumption that he might safely injure
those who were not in a capacity to take revenge. But
the ambassador soon effaced those impressions; and having
obtained advantageous conditions, returned to England with
safety and honour. Fuller says, that upon his arrival at
London, “he sent for an intimate friend, with whom he
heartily expressed his thankfulness to God for his safe return from so great a danger. For the poets cannot fancy
Ulysses more glad to be come out of the den of Polyphemus, than he was to be rid of the power of such a barbarous prince: who counting himself, by a proud and voluntary mistake, emperor of all nations, cared not for the law
of all nations; and who was so habited in blood, that, had
he cut off this ambassador’s head, he and his friends might
have sought their own amends, but the question is, where
they would have found it.
” Shortly after his return, he
was made secretary to the city of London, and a master of
the Court of Requests: and, in June 1597, treasurer of
St. Paul’s. This worthy person died in 1610, in the parish
of St. Catherine Colman, Fenchurch-street; and was probably buried in that church. From the observations he
had made during his embassy into Russia, he drew up a
curious account, “Of the Russe Commonwealth: or manner of Government by the Russe Emperor, commonly called the Emperor of Moskovia, with the manners and
fashions of the people of that country,
” Navigations,
Voyages,
” &c. vol. I. only a little contracted. Camden,
speaking of this book, styles it “libellum in quo plurima
observanda.
” Dr. Fletcher also wrote, “A Discourse
concerning the Tartars,
” the object of which was to prove
that they are the Israelites, or ten tribes, which being
captivated by Salmanasser, were transplanted into Media.
This opinion was afterwards adopted by Whiston, who
printed the discourse in the first volume of his curious
“Memoirs.
”
ely to his studies, he would be overlooked in the general proscription of men of talents; but he was known to have been the intimate of a nobleman, and upon the simple
When the revolution took place, Florian retired to
Seaux, hoping that in that retreat, as he confined himself
entirely to his studies, he would be overlooked in the general proscription of men of talents; but he was known to
have been the intimate of a nobleman, and upon the simple
niandat of the infamous Robespierre, he was arrested. His
judges reproached him with having prefixed to his “Numa
”
some verses in praise of the queen; and upon this accusation, he was dragged to prison. Here he began the first book
of his “Guillaume Tell,
” a poem, the admirers of which
must regret that it was not completed. In this prison,
also Florian finished his poem entitled “Kbrahim,
” in four
cantos; a work replete with beauties, in which are depicted
with the pencil of Fenelon, fraternal affection, patriarchal
virtue, noble jealousy, and the passion of love in all its
strength and delicacy. This Hebrew poem was among all
his productions the favourite work of Florian; and that
which, at the same time that it afforded him the most pleasure in composing it, was also written with the greatest
facility. At length, however, the overthrow of Robespierre renovated the hopes, and re-animated the courage
of his victims. Among the rest, Florian, who had long
considered himself devoted to death, was released, and
again retired to the country; but whether from the agitation of his mind in prison, or from the confinement and
unwholesome food, he soon fell into a decline, which proved
fatal Sept. 13, 1794. Florian’s works consist of short
dramas, novels, and pastorals, written witb. great attention to nature and simplicity, butupon the whole, we
think better adapted to afford pleasure to his countrymen,
than to those who look for more vigour of genius, and less
of the sickly sentimental style. So many of them, however, have been introduced to the knowledge of the English
reader by translations, that it is not necessary to enlargemuch on their beauties or defects. His pastoral romances,
“Estelle,
” “Galathea,
” &c. are unquestionably the most
favourable specimens of his genius; but we doubt the perpetuity of their popularity without those peculiar charms
which can be conveyed only in their original language.
His “Fahles
” have been much admired in France, and esteemed the best since the days, of Fontaine. In all his
works he preserves that attention to benevolence and moral
feeling which distinguished him in his life.
an invitation from Bottari, second librarian of the Vatican, to come to Rome; where his merit being known to pope Benedict XIV. he gave him a place in the pontifical
In 1742, Foggini refused the professorship of ecclesiastical history at Pisa, which was then vacant; but accepted
an invitation from Bottari, second librarian of the Vatican,
to come to Rome; where his merit being known to pope Benedict XIV. he gave him a place in the pontifical academy of history. Instead, however, of employing himself
on the history of the popes, he devoted his time to a careful examination of the most valuable Mss. and had thus
an opportunity of furnishing the editors of classics with
much important assistance. The same researches enabled
him to publish a Latin translation of a book of St. Epiphanius, addressed to Diodorus, which was printed in 1743,
with a preface and notes; the subject is the twelve precious stones on the breast-plate of the high-priest of the
Hebrews. About this time the pope appointed him coadjutor to Bottari; and in 1750 he drew up the form of
prayers and instructions for the Jubilee. The same year
he printed his Latin translation of St. Epiphnnius’s commentary on the Canticles. In 1752 he published a collection
of passages from the Fathers, occasioned by a homily of
the archbishop of Fermo, on the saying of Jesus Christ,
respecting the small number of the elect. The following
year he published the opinions of St. Charles Borromeo,
and others on the theatre. In 1754 he published the first
of eight volumes of writings of the fathers on the subject
of grace; and in 1758 “The Works of St. Prosper,
” 8vo,
and separately, a poem by that saint, on ingratitude, with
notes. These were followed by his “Treatise on the
clergy of St. John de Lateran,
” and in Fastorum Anni Ronaani
Verrio Flacco ordinatorum reliquiae,
” &c. Rome,
, more known by his assumed name of Merlin Coccaio, was born Nov. 8, 1491,
, more known by his assumed
name of Merlin Coccaio, was born Nov. 8, 1491, of a
noble family at Mantua studied the languages under
Virago Coccaio and then went to Bologna, where he
cultivated philosophy under Peter Pomponatius. His preceptor, Coceaio, accompanied him there, but his taste
and vivacity of genius led him to poetry, and defeated the
endeavours of ins master to fix him to serious studies. His
first work was a poem, entitled, “Orlandino,
” in which
he took the name of Limerno Pictoco. It displays considerable vigour of imagination, and may be read with pleasure. He afierwards was obliged, as well as his master,
to quit Bologna precipitately, to avoid being apprehended,
but what was the subject of the proceeding against him is
not known. His father not leceiving him kindly, he entered into the army, but grew tired of it, and became a
Benedictine in the monastery of St. Euphemia, where
healready had a brother. Folengo here indulged his vein for
satire and burlesque, by which he attracted the enmity of
his brethren, who would have made him feel their resentment had he not been very powerfully protected. He died
in 1544, aged fifty-one, at his priory, della Santa Croc e,
near Bassano. The most known among his works is, 1.
the “Opus Macaronicum,
” printed at Venice in Caos del Tri per uno;
” a poem on the three ages of
man, and including much of his own history, but in a style
more extravagant than his “Orlandino, 1527. 3.
” La
Humanita del Figlio di Dio, in ottava rima," Vinegia,
1533. This was written as some atonement for the licentiousness of his former writings, but probably had fewer
readers. Many other works by him are mentioned by his,
biographers, which are now confined to the libraries of the
curious.
, an Italian prelate and poet, was born at Foligno, in the fourteenth century, but the year is not known. He became a Dominican, and after some inferior preferments,
, an Italian prelate
and poet, was born at Foligno, in the fourteenth century,
but the year is not known. He became a Dominican, and
after some inferior preferments, was in 1403 appointed
bishop of Foligno. He was afterwards called, both as a
theologian and a bishop, to the council of Pisa, and was
also made one of the fathers of the grand council of Constance, where he died in 1416. No other work of his is
fcnown but his great poem entitled “Quadriregio,
” in
which he describes the four reigns of Love, Satan, the
Vices and the Virtues. The morality of this poem was
probably its greatest recommendation; but the author, who
was an admirer of Dante, has endeavoured to imitate him,
and in some respects, not unsuccessfully. The first edition of the “Quadriregio
” was published at Perugia, in
43, and came to Rome in his twentieth year, to study architecture. Sixtus V. to whom his merits were known when he was cardinal Montalti, was no sooner raised to the tiara,
, an eminent Italian architect,
but perhaps more justly celebrated for his knowledge of
mechanics, was born at Mili, on the lake of Lugano, in
1543, and came to Rome in his twentieth year, to study
architecture. Sixtus V. to whom his merits were known
when he was cardinal Montalti, was no sooner raised to
the tiara, than he made him his architect. Among other
great designs for ornamenting the city of Rome, this pontiff had conceived the project of digging out and re-erecting
the famous obelisk, formed of one entire piece of granite,
originally from Egypt, which had formerly decorated the
circus of Nero, but was now partly buried near the wall
of the sacristy of St. Peter’s. For this purpose he called
together the ablest artists, engineers, and mathematicians,
to consider of the means by which this vast relic of Roman
grandeur, which was thirty-six feet high, and weighed
above a million of pounds, could be removed, and placed
on its pedestal in the front of the piazza of St. Peter’s.
The machinery employed by the Egyptians in preparing
this obelisk, or of conveying il to Rome, were so forgotten,
that even tradition preserved no probable conjecture; but
the ingenuity of Fontana was completely successful. He
first produced before the pope a model of the machinery
to be employed, and demonstrated the practicability of
the operation; and having made all the necessary erections,
the obelisk was raised and safely transported to the piazza,
about 150 yards distance, and placed on its pedestal amidst
the acclamations of the astonished populace of Rome, on
Sept. 10, 1586, the same day that the duke of Luxembourg, ambassador from Henry IV. made his entry into
the city. It is said that Fontana undertook this work with
the alternative of losing his head if it did not succeed, and
that he had provided horses at every gate at Rome, to aid
his escape, in case of any accident. Be this as it may,
the pope revyarded him munificently. He created him a
knight of the golden spur, gave him titles of nobility, and
caused medals to be struck to his honour. To all this he
added a pension of 2000 crowns, with reversion to his
heirs; 3000 crowns as a gift, and all the materials employed on the undertaking, the value of which was computed at 20,000 crowns. Besides the erection of this
obelisk, on which Fontana’s fame chiefly rests, he constructed three others, and built for the pope a superb palace near St. John of Lateran, and the library of the Vatican, and repaired some of the ancient monuments of art
in Rome. His forte, indeed, was rather in mechanics than
in original architecture, in which last he is said to have
committed many mistakes; and either this, or the envy
which his great enterprize created, is supposed to have
raised him enemies, who at length persuaded pope Clement
VIII. to dismiss him from his office of pontifical architect.
In 1592, however, he was invited to Naples by the viceroy, the count Miranda, who made him royal architect
and chief engineer. In that city he built the royal palace
and some other considerable edifices, and died there in
1607. He published an account of the removal of the
obelisk, entitled “Delia transportatione dell' Obelisco
Vaticano e delle fabriche Sixto V.
” Rome,
preciate the ancients, whose merit compared with that of the moderns, was then the subject of a well- known controversy. Among his papers after his death, was found a discourse
This great author died in January 1757, without ever
having had any violent disorder, or felt any of the maladies of age till he was turned of ninety, after which he was
a little deaf, and his eyes in some degree failed. The
tranquil ease Of his temper is thought to have contributed to
extend his life to this unusual period. A fuller account of
hi* works will doubtless be required, which we shall give
in chronological order. I. Letters of “the Chav. d'Horny
”[??] Discourses
on the Plurality of Worlds,
” 1686; the character of this
performance has been already sketched, as well as that of
his, 3. “History of Oracles,
” Pastoral Poems,
with a Discourse on the Eclogue, and a digression on the
ancients and moderns,
” Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences,
” to which society he was secretary fortytwo years, from 1699. The general preface to this work
is highly excellent; it contains also his “Eloges,
” or Eulogies on the academicians, which have been published
separately. 6. “History of the French Theatre, to Corneille,
” with the life of that great Dramatist. 7. “Reflections on theatrical poetry, particularly Tragedy:
” this is
reckoned one of the most profound and judicious works of
Fontenelle. 8. “Elements of the Geometry of Infinites,
”
A
Tragedy,
” in prose, and “Six Comedies,
” none of them
calculated for theatrical effect. Warburton, it appears by
his letters to bishop Hurd, entertained a high opinion of
these comedies, and of Fontenelle’s preface to them. 10.
“Theory of the Cartesian Vortices.
” He remained unfortunately attached to the system of Descartes to the end
of his life, having imbibed it very early. 11.“Endymion,
”
and some other pastoral lyric dramas. 12. “Moral Discourses,
” and fugitive pieces. All these, except those on
geometry and natural history, were collected in 11 vols,
12mo, under the title “Œuvres Diverses.
” Other editions have since been published in folio and quarto. The
style of this author is in general elegant and clear, but
not altogether free from defects. It is often too negligent
and familiar. He betrays at some times an affectation of
giving great matters in a small compass; at others he der
scends to puerile details unworthy of a philosopher. Ke
displays occasionally too much refinement in his ideas;
and, at times, is too elaborate in his ornaments. These
defects are less offensive in the writings of Fontenelle, than
they would be in any others; not only because they are
overpowered by many striking beauties of various kinds,
but because it is easy to perceive that they are truly natural
to the author.
n, called “The Diversions of the Morning,” This piece was nothing more than the introduction of well- known characters in real life; whose manner of conversing and expressing
, esq. called the English Aristophanes,
a distinguished writer and actor in comedy, was of a good
family, and born at Truro, in Cornwall, about 1720. His
father, John Foote, esq. enjoyed the offices of commissioner of the prize-office and line contract, and was finally
member of parliament for Tiverton, in Devonshire. His
mother, by an unhappy quarrel between her two brothers,
sir John Dinely Goodere, bart. and sir Samuel Goodere,
captain of the Ruby man of war, became heiress of the
Goodere family. The quarrel alluded to, after subsisting
for some years, ended in the murder of sir John by his
brother, and the subsequent execution of the latter, in
1741. Foote received his education at Worcester-college,
Oxford; and was thence removed to the Temple, as designed for the law. The dry ness and gravity of this study,
however, not suiting the vivacity and volatility of Foote' s
spirit, and his fortune, whatever it was, being soon dissipated, he left the law, and had recourse to the stage. He
appeared first in Othello; but whether he discovered that
his forte did not lie in tragedy, or that the language of
other writers would not serve sufficiently to display his humour, he soon struck out into a new and untrodden path,
by taking upon himself the double character of author and
performer. In this double capacity, in 1747, he opened
the little theatre in the Haymarket with a sort of drama of
his own, called “The Diversions of the Morning,
” This
piece was nothing more than the introduction of well-known
characters in real life; whose manner of conversing and
expressing themselves he had a most amazing talent at
imitating, copying not only the manner and voice, but in
some degree, even the persons of those he ridiculed.
Pictures;” in which he introduced several new characters, all, howerer, popular, anct extremely well known particularly sir Thomas de Veil, then the leading justice of
This performance at first, met with some little opposition
from the Westminster justices; but the author beirag
warmly patronized, their opposition was over-ruled, and,
by only altering the title of his piece to “Mr. Foote’s
giving Tea to his Friends,
” he proceeded without farther
molestation, and represented it for upwards of forty
mornings to crowded and splendid audiences. The ensuing season he produced another piece of the same kind,
called, “An Auction of Pictures;
” in which he introduced several new characters, all, howerer, popular, anct
extremely well known particularly sir Thomas de Veil,
then the leading justice of peace for Westminster Mr.
Cock, the celebrated auctioneer and the no less celebrated orator Henley. This piece had also a very great
run, nor were any pains spared to procure this success, for
it is to be noted, that he himself represented all the principal characters of each piece, where his great mimic
powers were necessary, shifting from one to another with
all the dexterity of a Proteus.
tion of the “Basilica Bruxellensis” of J. B. Christian, at Mechlin in 1743, 2 vols. 8vo, but is best known by his “Bibliotheca Belgica,” or lives of the Belgic authors,
, an eminent historian and
biographer, was professor of divinity at Louvaine, and
canon and archdeacon of Mechlin, where he died July 16
1761, highly respected as a man of learning and virtue,
but of his private history we have no further particulars.
His first publication appears to have been “Batavia Sacra,
sive res gestae Apostolicorum virorum,
” fol. Historia Episcopatus Antverpiensis,
”
Brussels, Historia Episcopatus Sylvicducensis,
” ibid. Auberti Minci Opera Diplomatics et Historica,
” with large additions,
ibid, Diplomatum Belgicorum novu
collectio,
” being a supplement to the former, Chronologia sacra Episcoporum Belgii, ab anno 1561 ad annum 1761,
” 12mo, a work in verse,
with prose notes. He also published a new edition of the
“Basilica Bruxellensis
” of J. B. Christian, at Mechlin in
Bibliotheca
Belgica,
” or lives of the Belgic authors, Dictionnaire Historique.
” The
inaccuracies, as far as we have examined the work, are
few, and for an occasional want of liberality, we must seek
an apology in his religion. He has, however, taken some
credit to himself, for not omitting those epitaphs on protestant writers in which their principles are commended
and of this merit he ought not to be deprived.
ses, his promptitude in the dispatch of business, the dignity, of his deportment, and above all, the known probity and integrity of his mind, gave the highest weight to
, a very eminent Scottish lawyer,
was born at Culloden, in the county of Inverness, in 1685,
and educated in the university of Edinburgh, whence he
removed to Utrecht, and afterwards to Paris, where he
studied the civil law. He returned, in 1710, to Scotland,
and was called to the bar in the court of session. His
abilities as an advocate were soon noticed, and he obtained
great practice. In 1717, he was appointed solicitor-general of Scotland. In 1722, he was returned member for
the county of Inverness; and in 1725, was promoted to
the dignity of lord-advocate. He was further advanced in
1742, to be lord-president of the court of session, in which
high station he acted with such integrity, that he was
esteemed and honoured by his country. During the rebellion in 1745 and 6, he used the utmost of his power to
oppose the pretender, and mortgaged his estate to support
the government. With great reason he applied to the
ministry for a repayment of those expences which he had
incurred by his loyalty, and their refusal, undoubtedly a
stain on the history of the times, is said to have operated
so strongly upon his mind, as to produce a fever, of which
he died in 1747, at the age of 62. His writings were
chiefly on theological subjects, without any reference to
his profession; they are, 1. “Thoughts on Religion.
”
2. “A Letter to a Bishop.
” 3. “Reflections on Incredulity,
”
don, where he soou determined to fix himself as a teacher and practitioner of medicine. When he made known this intention to his relations, they highly disapproved of
, another eminent physician, nephew to the preceding, was born in Aberdeen, November
18, 1736, and was the only and posthumous child of Mr.
George Fordyce, the proprietor of a small landed estate,
called Broadford, in the neighbourhood of that city. His
mother, not long after, marrying again, he was taken from
her when about two years old, and sent to Fovran, at which
place he received his school-education. He was removed
thence to the university of Aberdeen, where, it is said, he
was made M. A. when only fourteen years of age, but this
we much doubt. In his childhood he had taken great
delight in looking at phials of coloured liquors, which were
placed at the windows of an apothecary’s shop. To this
circumstance, and to his acquaintance with the late learned
Alexander Garden, M. D. F. R. S. many years a physician
in South Carolina, and in this city, but then apprentice to
a surgeon and apothecary in Aberdeen, he used to attribute the resolution he very early formed to study medicine.
He was in consequence sent, when about fifteen years old,
to his uncle, Dr. John Fordyce, who at that time practised
medicine at Uppingham, in Northamptonshire. With him
he remained several years, and then went to the university of Edinburgh, where, after a residence of about
three years, he received the degree of M. D. in October
1758. His inaugural dissertation was upon catarrh. While
at Edinburgh, Dr. Cullen was so much pleased with his
diligence and ingenuity, that, besides shewing him manyother marks of regard, he used frequently to give him private assistance in his studies. The pupil was ever after
grateful for this kindness, and was accustomed to speak
of his preceptor in terms of the highest respect, calling
him often “his learned and revered master.
” About the
end of 1758 he came to London, but went shortly after to
Leyden, for the purpose, chiefly, of studying anatomy
under Albinus. He returned in 1759 to London, where
he soou determined to fix himself as a teacher and practitioner of medicine. When he made known this intention to his relations, they highly disapproved of it, as
the whole of his patrimony had been expended upon his
education. Inspired, however, with that confidence which
frequently attends the conscious possession of great talents,
he persisted in his purpose, and, before the end of 1759,
commenced a course of lectures upon chemistry. This
was attended by nine pupils. In 1764 he began to lecture also upon materia medica and the practice of physic.
These three subjects he continued to teach nearly thirty
years, giving, for the most part, three courses of lectures
on each of them every year. A course lasted nearly four
months; and, during it, a lecture of nearly an hour was
delivered six times in the week. His time of teaching
commenced about 7 o'clock in the morning, and ended at
10; his lectures upon the three above-mentioned subjects
being given one immediately after the other. In 1765 he
was admitted a licentiate of the college of physicians. In
1770 he was chosen physician to St. Thomas’s hospital,
after a considerable contest; the number of votes in his
favour being 109, in that of his antagonist, Dr. Watson,
106. In 1774 he became a member of Dr. Johnson’s, or
the literary club and in 1776 was elected a fellow of the
royal society. In 1787 he was admitted a fellow of the
college of physicians. No circumstance can demonstrate
more strongly the high opinion entertained of his abilities
by the rest of his profession in London, than his reception
into that body. He had been particularly active in the
dispute, which had existed about twenty years before,
between the fellows and licentiates, and had, for this reason, it was thought, forfeited all title to be admitted into
the fellowship through favour. But the college, in 1787,
were preparing a new edition of their Pharmacopoeia; and
Knowing his talents in the branch of pharmaceutical chemistry, suppressed their resentment of his former conduct,
and, by admitting him into their body, secured his assistance in the work. In 1793 he assisted in forming a small
society of physicians and surgeons, which has since published two volumes, under the title of “Medical and Chirurgical Transactions;
” and continued to attend its meetings most punctually till within a month or two of his death.
Having thus mentioned some of the principal events of
his literary life, we shall next give a list of his various
medical and philosophical works; and first of those which
were published by himself, 1. “Elements of Agriculture
and Vegetation.
” He had given a course of lectures on
these subjects to some young men of rank; soon after, the
close of which, one of his hearers, the late Mr. Stuart
Mackenzie, presented him with a copy of them, from
uotes he had taken while they were delivered. Dr. Fordyce corrected the copy, and afterwards published it under
the above-mentioned title. 2. “Elements of the Practice
of Physick.
” This was used by him as a text-book for a
part of his course of lectures on that subject. 3. “A Treatise on the Digestion of Food.
” It was originally read
before the college of physicians, as the Gulstonian lecture. 4. “Four Dissertations on Fever.
” A fifth, which
completes the subject, was left by him in manuscript, and
has since been published. His other works appeared in
the Philosophical Transactions, and the Medical and Chirurgical Transactions. In the former are eight papers by
him, with the following titles: 1. Of the light produced
by inflammation. 2. Examination of various ores in the
museum of Dr. W. Hunter. 3. A new method of assaying
copper ores. 4. An account of some experiments on the
loss of weight in bodies on being melted or heated. 5. An
account of an experiment on heat. 6. The Cronian lecture on muscular motion. 7. On the cause of the additional weight which metals acquire on being calcined, &c.
Account of a new pendulum, being the Bakerian lecture.
His papers in the Medical and Chirurgical Transactions
are, 1. Observations on the small-pox, and causes of fever.
2. An attempt to improve the evidence of medicine. 3.
Some observations upon the composition of medicines.
He was, besides, the inventor of the experiments in heated
rooms, an account of which was given to the royal society
by the present sir Charles Blagden; and was the author
of many improvements in various arts connected with chemistry, on which he used frequently to be consulted by
manufacturers. Though he had projected various literary
works in addition to those which have been mentioned,
nothing has been left by him in manuscript, except the
dissertation on fever already spoken of; and two introductory lectures, one to his course of materia medica, the
other to that of the practice of physic. This will not apear extraordinary to those who knew what confidence he
ad in the accuracy of his memory. He gave all his lectures without notes, and perhaps never possessed any; he
took no memorandum in writing of the engagements he
formed, whether of business or pleasure, and was always
most punctual in observing them; and when he composed
his works for the publick, even such as describe successions of events found together, as far as we can perceive,
by no necessary tie, his materials, such at least as were
his own, were altogether drawn from stores in his memory,
which had often been laid up there many years before. In
consequence of this retentiveness of memory, and of great
reading and a most inventive mind, he was, perhaps, more
generally skilled in the sciences, which are either directly
subservient to medicine, or remotely connected with it,
than any other person of his time. One fault, however,
in his character as an author, probably arose, either wholly
or in part, from the very excellence which has been mentioned. This was his deficiency in the art of literary composition; the knowledge of which he might have insensibly acquired to a much greater degree than was possessed by him, had he felt the necessity in his youth of
frequently committing his thoughts to writing, for the
purpose of preserving them. But, whether this be just or
not, it must be confessed, that notwithstanding his great
learning, which embraced many subjects no way allied
to medicine, he seldom wrote elegantly, often obscurely
and inaccurately; and that he frequently erred with respect
even to orthography. His language, however, in conversation, which confirms the preceding conjecture, was not
less correct than that of most other persons of good education. As a lecturer, his delivery was slow and hesitating,
and frequently interrupted by pauses not required by his
subject. Sometimes, indeed, these continued so long,
that persons unaccustomed to his manner, were apt to fear
that he was embarrassed. But these disadvantages did not
prevent his having a considerable number of pupils, actuated by the expectation of receiving from him more full
and accurate instruction than they could elsewhere obtain. His person is said to have been handsome in his
youth; but his countenance, from its fulness, must have
been always inexpressive of the great powers of his mind.
His manners too, were less refined, and his dress in general less studied, than is usually regarded as becoming
the physician in this country. From these causes, and
from his spending a short time with his patients, although
sufficient to enable him to form a just opinion of their disorders, he had for many years but little private employment in his profession; and never, even in the latter part
of his life, when his reputation was at its height, enjoyed
nearly so much as many of his contemporaries. This may
have partly resulted too, from his fondness for the pleasures
of society, to which he often sacrificed the hours that
should have been dedicated to sleep; he has frequently
indeed, been known in his younger days, to lecture for
three hours in a morning, without having undressed himself the preceding night. The vigour of his constitution
enabled him to sustain for a considerable time, without
apparent injury, this debilitating mode of life; but at length
he was attacked with the gout, which afterwards became
irregular, and for many years frequently affected him with
excruciating pains in his stomach and bowels; in the latter
part of his life, also, his feet and ankles were almost constantly swollen, and a little time before his death he had
symptoms of water in the chest. To the first mentioned
disease (gout), he uniformly attributed his situation, which,
for several weeks previous to his dissolution, he knew to
be hopeless. This event took place at his house in Essex-street, May 25, 1802.
, perhaps better known by the name of Philip of Bergamo, was born at Soldio, an estate
, perhaps
better known by the name of Philip of Bergamo, was born
at Soldio, an estate belonging to his family near Bergamo,
in 1434. He was of the order of Augustines, and was famous in his time as an historian, which he did not much
deserve. He published a chronicle from Adam to 1503,
which, except in those events that fell under his own
knowledge, is a tasteless compilation from the most credulous
authors. It was first published by him in 1482, and a fourth
edition in 1505. He died June 15, 1520. There is also extant by him a “Confessional, or Interrogatorium,
” printed
at Venice, in A Treatise of illustrious
Women,
” in Latin, published at Ferrara, in
Forestus (for by his Latin name he is best known), was one of the most expert physicians of his time: he was
Forestus (for by his Latin name he is best known), was
one of the most expert physicians of his time: he was extremely industrious, and his principal views were directed
to the observation of diseases, in which he manifested, in
numerous instances, a considerable degree of penetration
and judgment. Mailer, indeed, has thrown out some
suspicions against the histories of djsease which he has detailed; and apprehends that he was occasionally more
anxious to prove the justness of his“prognostics, and the
felicity of his cures, than to relate a true account of the
symptoms: but Boerhaave has praised him highly for the
care and attention which he has evinced in the collection
of so large a number of histories of disease. The following are the titles of his works: 1.
” Observationum et
Curationum Medicinalium sive Medicinae Theories et
Practicae, libri 28,“Francofurti, 1602, 2 vols. folio. 2.
A third volume of the same work in 1604; and 3. A fourth
volume, consisting of the 30th, 31st, and 32d books in
1607. 4. In 1610 a fifth volume was printed under the
title of
” Observationum et Curationum Chirurgicarum,
libri quinque. Accesserunt de incerto ac fallaci Urinarum
judicio adversus Uromentas et Uroscopos, libri tres“in
which the fallacy and absurdity of the pretensions of the
uroscopists are clearly pointed out. 5. A sixth and last
volume of these treatises was published at Francfort in
1611, with the title of
” Observationum et Curationum
Chirurgicarum libri quatuor posterius," folio. All these
books of observations were printed separately at Leyden,
between 1589 and 1610, in 8vo. The three books relative
to the urine, in 1583. Complete collections of the works
of Forestus have been subsequently published at various
times and places.
To the number of his friends, who were at all known in the learned world, besides those already mentioned, may be
To the number of his friends, who were at all known in the learned world, besides those already mentioned, may be added the rev. Zachary Mudge, author of a translation of the Psalms, and a volume of sermons Dr. Burton, Dr. Bentham, Dr. Benson, bishop of Gloucester and his great successor, Dr. Warburton, with the last of whom he occasionally held a literary correspondence. In private life, Dr. Forster was a man of much discernment, mildness, and benevolence. He always shewed his contempt of what was absurd, and his abhorrence of what he thought wicked, in a manner the most likely to produce a good effect on those whom he wished to convince or reform; at the same time with the most perfect command of his temper. By an uniform application to study, he acquired and deserved the character of very considerable erudition, and great critical acumen; possessing a knowledge of the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew languages, not exceeded by any man of his time.
, a Venetian historian, was born in 1628. He is principally known as the continnator of the History of Venice written by Naui.
, a Venetian historian, was born
in 1628. He is principally known as the continnator of
the History of Venice written by Naui. His history was
published in 1692, in 4to, and makes the tenth volume of
the collection of Venetian historians, published in 1718,
4to, a collection badly printed, but containing only good
authors. Foscarini was a senator, and filled several important posts in the republic. He died in 1692. He was
employed by the state to write his history, and is supposed
to have been furnished with the most authentic documents.
Two novels by him are extant in an Italian collection,
called “Novelle degli Academici incogniti,
”
as been pronounced in many respects worthy of Corneille; yet even in France, we are told, he is less known than he deserves. He was intimate with the poet J. Baptiste
, nephew of the former, and
also the son of a goldsmith, was born at Paris in 1658.
He became lord of Aubigny by purchasing the lands to
which that title was attached. He was successively secretary to the marquis de Crequi, and the duke d'Aumont.
When the former of these noblemen was slain at the battle
of Luzara, La Fosse was employed to carry his heart to
Paris, and celebrated the death of the young hero in verses
which are still extant. He was so much a master of Italian
as to write skilfully in that language both in prose and
verse, but his chief fame as a poet was atchieved in his
own language, in which he wrote several tragedies, and
many other poems. His ft Polixene, Manlius, and Theseus,“published in his
” Theatre,“2 vols. 12mo, maintained their station in the French theatre till the revolution; and all his dramas are said to abound with passages
which would not disgrace the finest tragic writers of France.
His versification was highly finished, and he said that the
expression cost him more than the thoughts. His
” Manlius," the best of his pieces, has been pronounced in many
respects worthy of Corneille; yet even in France, we are
told, he is less known than he deserves. He was intimate
with the poet J. Baptiste Rousseau, and lived the life of a
philosopher, preferring letters to fortune, and friendship
to every thing. He died Nov. 2, 1708, at the age of
fifty. His modesty was equal to his genius; and when any
of his pieces were less successful than others, he professed
constantly that he never appealed from the judgment of
the public.
n the “Medical Observations and Inquiries,” a work of which six volumes were published, and which is known and highly esteemed wherever medical science is successfully
Dr. Fothergill’s writings, with the exception of his inaugural thesis “De Emeticorum Usu,
” and his “Account
of the putrid sore-throat,
” consist principally of papers
printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, and in the “Medical Observations and Inquiries,
” a
work of which six volumes were published, and which is
known and highly esteemed wherever medical science is
successfully cultivated. Besides the numerous essays in
this excellent collection to vThich the name of Dr. Fothergiil is prefixed, we learn that he was the author of the
three anonymous papers in the fourth volume, which constitute the 8th, 10th, and 17th articles. He also published,
as already remarked, several little essays, on the weather
And reigning diseases, on the Simarouba, and other subjects, in the Gentleman’s Magazine, anil other periodical
publications, which, however, were written in haste, and
not publicly avowed. These works have been collected
and reprinted by Dr. Elliott, 1781, 8vo, and by Dr. Letttorn, 1784, 4to.
found, in the abbey of Moissac in Querci, a ms. of “Lactantius de mortibus Persecutorum,” then only known by a citation of St. Jerom from it. From this ms. Baluce published
, born at Paris Jan. 8,
1643, was a man of some political rank, advocate-general
to the grand council, a celebrated intendant, and chief of
the council to ber royal highness madame, duchess of
Orleans, and in the literary world was an eminent antiquary,
and an honorary member of the academy of belles-lettres;
He was successively intendant of Montauban, of Pau, and
of Caen, and within six miles of the latter place, discovered in 1704 the ancient town of the Vinducassians. An
exact account of this discovery is inserted in the first volume of the history of the academy of inscriptions, with an
enumeration of the coins, marbles, and other antiquities
there found. His museum, formed from this and other
sources, was of the most magnificent kind. Some time
before this, he had made a literary discovery also, having
found, in the abbey of Moissac in Querci, a ms. of
“Lactantius de mortibus Persecutorum,
” then only known
by a citation of St. Jerom from it. From this ms. Baluce
published the work. He died Feb. 7, 1721. He was of
gentle manners, though austere virtue; and pleasing,
though deeply learned.
, count of Belle-Isle, more known by the name of marechal Bellisle, grandson of the preceding,
, count of
Belle-Isle, more known by the name of marechal Bellisle,
grandson of the preceding, was born in 1684. Politics and
history attracted his attention from his very infancy, to
which studies he afterwards added that of mathematics.
He had hardly finished his education when Louis XIV. gave
him a regiment of dragoons. He signalized himself at the
siege of Lisle, received other steps of promotion, and at
the peace returned to court, where the king entirely forgot
the faults of the grandfather in the merits of his descendant.
When war again broke out, after the death of Louis XIV.
he proceeded to distinguish himself, but a change of
ministry put a check to his career. He shared the disgrace of the minister Le Blanc, was for a time im-prisoned
in the Bastile, and then banished to his own estate. In
this retreat he composed a complete justification of himself, was recalled to court, and from that time experienced
only favour, fortune, and promotion. In the war of 1733,
he obtained a principal command in Flanders, distinguished
himself before Philipsburg, and commanded during the
rest of the campaign in Germany. In 1735 he was decorated with the order of the Holy Ghost, and was the confidential adviser of the minister, cardinal Fleury. About
this time, taking advantage of an interval of peace, he
wrote memoirs of all the countries in which he had served:
but on the death of the emperor Charles VI. in 1740, he
urged the cardinal to declare war. Ambition prompted
this advice, and his ambition was not long without gratification. In 1741, he was created marechal of France. The
witlings attacked him on his elevation, but he despised
their efforts: “These rhymers,
” said he, “would gain
their ends, should I do them the honour to be angry.
” At
the election of the emperor in 1742, marechal Bellisle was
plenipotentiary of France at the diet of Francfort, where
his magnificence was no less extraordinary than the extent
of his influence in the diet. He appeared rather as a principal elector than an ambassador, and secured the election
of Charles VII. Soon after, by the desertion of the Prussians and Saxons, the marechal found himself shut up in
Prague, and with great difficulty effected a retreat. He
was obliged to march his army over the ice, and three
thousand troops left in Prague were compelled to surrender,
though with honour. On his return to Francfort, Charles
VII. presented him with the order of the golden fleece,
having already declared him a prince of the empire. In
December 1743, as he was going again into Germany, he
was taken prisoner at Elbingerode, a small town encircled
by the territory of Hanover, and was carried into England,
where he remained till August 1744. He then served
against the Austrians in Provence; and, returning to Versailles to plan the campaign of 1748, was created a peer
of France. He had enjoyed the title of duke of Gisors,
from 1742. Afterthe peace in 1743, his influence at
court continued to increase, and in 1757 he became prime
minister; but in this situation he lived only four years;
falling a victim, it is said, to his application to business,
his sorrow for the misfortunes of France, and his anxious
cares to extricate her from them. This patriotic character
coincides with other anecdotes related of him. Having
lost his brother, whom he tenderly loved, at a very critical
period of public affairs, he suppressed his private grief as
soon as possible, saying, “I have no brother; but I have
a country, let me exert myself to save her.
” He died in
January, 1761, at the age of 77.
colleges at Huy and Tournay, and died of a pestilential disorder in the latter city, in 1668. He is known as an author by many theological pieces, particularly “Commentarii
, a German
divine and historian, was born at Liege, of an ancient and
distinguished family, in 1609; and in 1625 he entered
the order of the Jesuits. His tutors, observing that his
qualifications were peculiarly adapted to the duties of a
preacher, took care to instruct him in the requisites for
undertaking the office, and be became celebrated for his
public services for more than thirty years, as well as for
his extensive knowledge, which embraced every branch of
science. He was successively appointed rector of the colleges at Huy and Tournay, and died of a pestilential disorder in the latter city, in 1668. He is known as an author
by many theological pieces, particularly “Commentarii
Historici et Morales ad libros I. et II. Machabxorum,
ndditis liberioribus Excursibus,
” in 2 vols. folio; and by
his “Historia Leodiensis, per Episcoporum et Principum
Seriem digesta ab origine populiusque ad Ferdinandi Bavari tenipora,
” &c. in 3 vols. fol. This work, though
not very ably executed, is said to throw much light on the
history of the Low Countries.
from his brethren, and from this time his chemical opinions and discoveries rendered him universally known and respected. The fertility of his imagination, joined to a
, an eminent French
chemist, was born at Paris June 15, 1755, where his father was an apothecary, of the same family with the subject of the succeeding article. In his ninth year he was
sent to the college of Harcourt, and at fourteen he completed the studies which were at that time thought necessary. Having an early attachment to music and lively
poetry, he attempted to write for the theatre, and had no
higher ambition than to become a player, but the bad
success of one of his friends who had encouraged this taste,
cured him of it, and for two years he directed his attention to commerce. At the end of this time an intimate
friend of his father persuaded him to study medicine, and
accordingly he devoted his talents to anatomy, botany,
chemistry, and natural history. About two years after, in.
1776, he published a translation of Ramazzini, “on the
diseases of artisans,
” which he enriched with notes and
illustrations derived from chemical theories which were
then quite new. In 1780, he received the degree of
M. D. and regent of that faculty, in spite of a very considerable opposition from his brethren, and from this time
his chemical opinions and discoveries rendered him universally known and respected. The fertility of his imagination, joined to a style equally easy and elegant, with
great precision, attracted the attention of a numerous
school. In 1784, on the death of Macquer, he obtained
the professorship of chemistry in the Royal Gardens, and
the year following he was admitted into the academy of
sciences, of the section of anatomy, but was afterwards
admitted to that of chemistry, for which he was more eminently qualified. In 1787, he in conjunction with his
countrymen De Morveau, Lavoisier, and Berthollet, proposed the new chemical nomenclature, which after some
opposition, effected a revolution in chemical studies.
(See Lavoisier.) Although constantly occupied in scientific experiments, and in publishing various works on subjects of medicine, chemistry, and natural history, he fell
into the popular delusion about the time of the revolution,
and in 1792 was appointed elector of the city of Paris, and
afterwards provisional deputy to the national convention,
which, however, he did not enter until after the death of
the king.
s of literature; at which foreigners, as well as French, were admitted and assisted. Hence he became known to the count de Toledo, who was infinitely pleased with his
He afterwards was employed in reading lectures: he explained the Greek fathers to some, and the Hebrew and Syriac languages to others. After. that, he undertook the education of the sons of the duke d'Antin, who were committed to his care, and studied in the college of Harcourt. He was at the same time received an advocate; but the law not being suited to his taste, he returned to his former studies. He then contracted an acquaintance with the abbé Bignon, at whose instigation he applied himself to the Chinese tongue, and succeeded beyond his expectations, for he had a prodigious memory, and a particular turn for languages. He now became very famous. He held conferences at his own house, once or twice a week, upon subjects of literature; at which foreigners, as well as French, were admitted and assisted. Hence he became known to the count de Toledo, who was infinitely pleased with his conversation, and made him great offers, if he would go into Spain; but Fourmont refused. In 1715 he succeeded M. Galland to the Arabic chair in the royal college. The same year he was admitted a member of the academy of inscriptions; of the royal society at London in 1738; and of that of Berlin in 1741. He was often consulted by the duke of Orleans, who had a particular esteem for him, and made him one of his secretaries. He died at Paris in 1743.
han circumspection; and discovered himself in favour of the reformation then going on, before he was known to those who maintained the cause, or those who were of ability
Mr. Fox, for some time after his going to the university, was attached to the popish religion, in which he had been brought up, but afterwards applied himself to divinity, with somewhat more fervency than circumspection; and discovered himself in favour of the reformation then going on, before he was known to those who maintained the cause, or those who were of ability to protect the maintainers of it. In order to judge of the controversies which then divided the church, his first care was to search diligently into the ancient and modern history of it; to learn its beginning, by what arts it flourished, and by what errors it began to decline; to consider the causes of those controversies and dissensions which had arisen in the churd), and to weigh attentively of what moment and consequence they were to religion. To this end he applied himself with such zeal and industry, that before he was thirty years of age, he had read over all the Greek and Latin fathers, the schoolmen, the councils, &c. and had also acquired a competent skill in the Hebrew language. But from this strict application by day and by night while at Oxford, from forsaking his friends for the most solitary retirement, which he enjoyed in Magdalen grove, from the great and visible distractions of his mind, and above all, from absenting himself from the public worship, arose suspicions of his alienation from the church; in which his enemies being soon confirmed, he was accused and condemned of heresy, expelled his college, and thought to have been favourably dealt with, that he escaped with his life. This was in 1545. Wood represents this affair somewhat differently he says in one place, that Fox resigned his fellowbliip to avoid expulsion, and in another that he was " in a manner obliged to resign his fellowship/ 1 The stigma, however, appears to have been the same, for his relations were greatly displeased at him, and afraid to countenance or protect one condemned for a capital offence; and his father-in-law basely took advantage of it to withhold his paternal estate from him, thinking probably that he, who stood in danger of the law himself, would with difficulty find relief from it. Being thus forsaken by his friends, he was reduced to great distress; when he was taken into the house of sir Thomas Lucy of Warwickshire, to be tutor to his children. Here he married a citizen’s daughter of Coventry, and continued in sir Thomas’s family, till his children were grown up; after which he spent some time with his wife’s father at Coventry. He removed to London a few years before king Henry’s death; where having neither employment nor preferment, he was again driven to great necessities and distress, but was reIjeved, according to his son’s account, in a very remarkable manner. He was sitting one day, he says, in St. Paul’s church, almost spent with long fasting, his countenance wan and pale, and his eyes hollow, when there came to him a person, whom he never remembered to have seen before, who, sitting down by him, accosted him very familiarly, and put into his hands an untold sum of money; bidding him to be of good cheer, to be careful of himself, and to use all means to prolong his life, for that in a few days new hopes were at band, and new means of subsistence. Fox tried all methods to find out the person by whom he was so seasonably relieved, but in vain; the prediction, however, was fulfilled, for within three days he was taken into the service of the duchess of Richmond, to be tutor to the children of her nephew, the celebrated earl of Surrey. Upon the commitment of this amiable nobleman and his father the duke of Norfolk to the Tower, these children were sent to be educated under the care and inspection of their unnatural aunt the duchess of Richmond.
add much to his fame, which is now exclusively founded on his “Acts and Monuments,” 'more familiarly known as “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.” Of this vast undertaking, some brief
None of these, however, are likely to add much to his
fame, which is now exclusively founded on his “Acts and
Monuments,
” 'more familiarly known as “Fox’s Book of
Martyrs.
” Of this vast undertaking, some brief account
cannot be uninteresting. We have before noticed that he
conceived the plan, and executed some part of it when
he was at Basil, but reserved the greatest part of it until
his return home, when he might avail himself of living
authorities. It appears by his notes that the completion
of it occupied him for eleven years, during which his labour must have been incessant. His assistants, however,
were numerous. Among those who pointed out sources of
information, or contributed materials, was Grindal, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, who, when an exile for
his religion, established a correspondence in England for
this purpose, and received accounts of most of the acts and
sufferings of the martyrs in queen Mary’s reign. It is said
also to have been owing to GrindaPs strict regard to truth,
that the publication of the work was so long delayed, as
he rejected all common reports that were brought over,
unless confirmed by the most satisfactory evidence. It
was this scrupulous fidelity which induced him to advise
Fox at first only to print separately, such memoirs of certain individuals as could be authenticated, which accordingly was done, although these separate publications are
now seldom to be met with. At length after a residence
of some years in England, employed in collecting written
and oral information, the first edition was published at
London in 1563, in one thick vol. folio, with the title
“Acts and Monuments of these latter and periilous days
touching matters of the Churcbe, wherein are comprehended and described the great persecutions and horrible
troubles, that have been wrought and practised by the
Romish prelates, speciallye in this realms of England and
Scotland, from the year of our Lorde a thousand unto the
time now present, &c. Gathered and collected according
to the true copies and wrytinges certificatorie, as well of
the parties themselves that suffered, as out of the bishops
registers, which were the doers thereof.
” Mr. Fox presented a copy of this edition to Magdalen-college, Oxford,
and at the same time wrote a Latin letter to Dr. Lawrence
Humphreys, printed by Hearne in his Appendix, No. V.
to his preface to “Adami de Domersham Hist, de rebus
gestis Glastonensibus,
” Oxon.
for the borough of Midhurst, in 1768, before he had attained the legal age; a circumstance which, if known, appears to have been then overlooked. Two years afterwards,
, one of the most illustrious
statesmen of modern times, the second son of the preceding lord Holland, was born Jan. 13, O. S. 1748. We
have already noticed that lord Holland was an indulgent
father, and it has been said that his partiality to this son
was carried to an unwarrantable length. That his father
might have been incited by parental affection, a feeling
of which few men can judge but for themselves, by the
early discovery he made of his son’s talents, to indulge him
in the caprices of youth, is not improbable; but that this
indulgence was not excessive, may with equal probability
be inferred from the future conduct of Mr. Fox, which
retained no traces of the “spoiled child,
” and none of
the haughty insolence of one to whom inferiors and servants
have been ordered to pay obsequious obedience. Nor was
his education neglected. At Eton, where he had Dr.
Barnard for his master, he distinguished himself by some
elegant exercises, which are to be found in the *' Musce
Etonenses,“and at Hertford college, Oxford, where he
studied under the tutorage of Dr. Newcome, afterwards
primate of Ireland, his proficiency in classical and polite
literature must have been equal to that of any of his contemporaries. The fund indeed of classical learning which
he accumulated both at Eton and Oxford was such as to
remain inexhausted during the whole of his busy and
eventful political career; and while it proved to the last a
source of elegant amusement in his leisure hours, it enabled
him to rank with some of the most eminent scholars of his
time. This we may affirm on the authority of Dr. Warton,
with whom he frequently and keenly contested at the literary club, and on that of a recent publication of his letters
to Gilbert Wakefield, with whom he corresponded on subjects of classical taste and criticism.
From Oxford, where, as was the custom with young
men intended for public life, he did not remain long
enough to accumulate degrees, he repaired to the continent. In his travels it is said that he acquired more of the
polish of foreign intercourse than those who knew him
only in his latter days could have believed, and returned a
fashionable young man, noted for a foppish gaiety of dress
and manner, from which he soon passed into the opposite
extreme. As his father intended him to rise in the political world, he procured him a seat for the borough of
Midhurst, in 1768, before he had attained the legal age;
a circumstance which, if known, appears to have been then
overlooked. Two years afterwards, his father’s interest procured him the office of one of the lords commissioners of
the admiralty; but in May 1772, he resigned that situation,
and in January 1773, was nominated a commissioner of
the treasury. At this time it cannot be denied that his
political opinions were in unison with those of his father,
who was accounted a tory, and were adverse to the turbulent proceedings of the city of London, which at this time
was deluded by the specious pretences to patriotism displayed by the celebrated Wilkes. It was in particular
Mr. Fox’s opinion, in allusion to the public meetings held
by the supporters of
” Wilkes and liberty,“that
” the
voice of the people was only to be heard in the house of
commons." That he held, however, some of the opinions
by which his future life was guided, appears from his
speech in favour of religious liberty, when sir William
Meredith introduced a bill to give relief from subscription
to the thirty-nine articles; and perhaps other instances
may be found in which his natural ingenuousness of mind,
and openness of character, burst through the trammels of
party; and although it must be allowed that the cause he
now supported was not that which he afterwards espoused,
it may be doubted whether he was not even at this time,
when a mere subaltern in the ministerial ranks, more unresirained in his sentiments than at some memorable periods of his subsequent life.
his superior talents, and their powerful and frequent application to popular purposes, made him best known among political men, and gave him a just claim to the title
At the general election in 1780, Mr. Fox became candidate for the city of Westminster, in which, after a violent contest, he succeeded, though opposed, as we are
told, by the formidable interest of the Newcastle family,
and by the whole influence of the crown. Being now the
representative of a great city, it is added, “he appeared
in parliament in a more dignified capacity, and acquired a
considerable increase of consequence to his political character. In himself he was still the same: he now necessarily lived and acted in the bosom of his constituents; his
easiness of access, his pleasant social spirit, his friendly
disposition and conciliating manners, which appeared in,
all he said, and the good temper which predominated in
all he did, were qualities that rendered him the friend
and acquaintance, as well as the representative, of those
who sent him into parliament; his superior talents, and
their powerful and frequent application to popular purposes, made him best known among political men, and
gave him a just claim to the title so long applied to him,
of * The man of the people.'
” Notwithstanding all this,
it might not be difficult to prove that Mr. Fox was upon
the whole no great gainer by representing a city in which
the arts of popularity, even when most honestly practised,
are no security for its continuance; and indeed the time
was not far distant when he had to experience the fatal
effects of preferring a seat, which the purest virtues only
can neither obtain nor preserve, and in contesting which,
corruption on one side must be opposed by corruption on
the other.
The subjects of debate in the new parliament affording
the opposition opportunities for the display of their eloquence, they now became formidable by an increase of
numbers. Ministers were assailed in the house by arguments which they could neither repel nor contradict, and
from without they were overwhelmed by the clamours of
that same people to whom the war was at first so acceptable; till at length lord North and his adherents were
obliged to resign, and it was thought, as such vengeance
had been repeatedly threatened both by Mr. Fox and Mr.
Burke, that they would have been made responsible for
all the mischiefs and bloodshed that had occurred during
their calamitous administration. The Rockingham party,
however, who came into power in the spring 1782, and
whose resentments the* attainment of that object seems to
have sofiened, contented themselves with the defeat of
their opponents. Mr. Fox obtained the office of secretary
of state for foreign affairs, and the marquis of Rockingham was nominated the first lord of the treasury. Still the
expectation of the nation was raised to the highest pitch;
with this party, they hoped to see an end to national calamity, and the interests of the country supported and
maintained in all quarters of the globe. Much indeed
was performed by them considering the shortness of their
administration. Though they had succeeded to an empty
exchequer, and a general and most calamitous war, yet
they resolved to free the people from some of their numerous grievances. Contractors were excluded by act of
parliament from the house of commons; custom and excise officers were disqualified from voting at elections; all
the proceedings with respect to the Middlesex election
were rescinded; while a reform bill abolished a number of
useless offices. A more generous policy was adopted in
regard to Ireland; a general peace was meditated, and
America, which could not be restored, was at least to
he conciliated. In the midst of these promising appearances, the marquis of Hockingham, who was the support
of the new administration, suddenly died, an event which
distracted and divided his party. The council board was
instantly torn in pieces by political schisms, originating id
a dispute respecting the person who should succeed as 6rsfc
lord of the treasury. The candidates were, lord Sbelburne, afterwards marquis of Lansdowne, and the Jgrte
duke of Portland; the former, supposed to have the ear of
the King, and a majority in the cabinet, was immediately
entrusted with the reins of government, and Mr. Fox retired in disgust, declaring that “he had determined never
to connive at plans in private, which he could not publicly
avow.
” What these plans were, we know not, but he now
resumed his station in opposition, and joined the very man
whose conduct he had for a series of years deprecated as
the most destructive to the interests of his coqntry, and
most baneful to the happiness of mankind; while his former colleague, the earl of Shelburne, was busied in concluding a peace with France, Spain, Holland, and the
United States of America. But as this nobleman, though
by no means deficient in political wisdom, had omitted to
take those steps which preceding ministers had ever adopted
to secure safety, a confederacy was formed against him by
the union of the friends of Mr. Fox and lord North, known
by the name of “The Coalition,
” which proved in the
event as impolitic, as it was odious to the great mass of
the people. Never indeed in this reign has any measure
caused a more general expression of popular disgust; and
although it answered the temporary purpose of those who
adopted it, by enabling them to supplant their rivals, and
to seize upon their places, their success was ephemeral;
they had, it is true, a majority in the house of commons,
but the people at large were decidedly hostile to an union
which appeared to them to be bottomed on ambition only,
and destitute of any common public principle. It was asserted, with too much appearance of truth, that they
agreed in no one great measure calculated for the benefit
of the country, and the nation seemed to unite against
them as one man. Their conduct in the cabinet led the
sovereign to use a watchful and even jealous eye upon
their acts; and the famous India bill proved the rock on
/which they finally split, and on account of which they forfeited their place Mr. Fox had now to contend for the
government of the empire with William Pitt, a stripling
scarcely arrived at the age of manhood, but who nevertheless succeeded to the post of premier, and maintained that
situation with a career as brilliant as that of his opponent,
for more than twenty years.
l interest were for some years contested with such a display of brilliant talents, as had never been known in the house of commons.
The tide of popularity had set in so strongly against Mr. Fox, that at the general election about seventy of his most active friends and partizans lost their seats in the house of commons, and be himself was forced into a long and turbulent contest for the city of Westminster. He had, as we have seen, been originally returned for that place by the voice of the inhabitants, in opposition to the influence of the crown; but his junction with lord North had now lost him the affections of a considerable number of his voters, and although he ultimately succeeded, it was at an expence to his friends which some of them felt for many years afterwards. He lost also, what, we are persuaded, must have affected him more than all, the support of that class without doors of independent men, and able writers on constitutional questions, who had revered him during the American war as the patron of liberty. Still, although in the new parliament which met in 1784, Mr. Pitt had a decided majority, Mr. Fox made his appearance at the head of a very formidable opposition, and questions of general political interest were for some years contested with such a display of brilliant talents, as had never been known in the house of commons.
ted by the almost unanimous voice of the nation. Yet the ministers must have retired, as it was well known that Mr. Fox and his party stood high in favour with the future
In 1788, Mr. Fox repaired to the continent, in company with the lady who was afterwards acknowledged as his wife, and after spending a few days with Gibbon, the historian, at Lausanne, departed for Italy, but was suddenly recalled home, in consequence of the king’s illness, and the necessity of providing for a regency. On this memorable occasion, Mr. Fox, and his great rival, Mr. Pitt, appeared to have exchanged systems; Mr. Pitt contending for the constitutional measure of a bill of limitations, while Mr. Fox was equally strenuous for placing the regency in the hands of the heir apparent, without any restrictions; and powerful as he and his party were at this time, and perhaps they never shone more in debate, Mr. Pitt was triumphant in every stage of the bill, and was supported by the almost unanimous voice of the nation. Yet the ministers must have retired, as it was well known that Mr. Fox and his party stood high in favour with the future Regent, and Mr. Pitt had actually meditated on the ceconomy of a private station, when the intemperance of Mr. Burke, who was never less Joyal than at this crisis, delayed the passing of the bill, on one pretence or another, until by his majesty’s recovery, it became happily useless. On this great question Mr,' Fox had again the misfortune to forfeit the regard of those who have been considered as the depositories of constitutional principles, and consequently appeared to have traversed the system of which he had been considered,as the most consistent and intrepid advocate. In 1790 and 1791 he recovered some of the ground he had lost, by opposing with effect a war with Spain, and another with Russia, for objects which he thought too dearly purchased by such an experiment; and in 1790 he appeared again the friend of constitutional liberty, by his libel bill respecting the rights of juries in criminal cases. This, although strongly opposed, terminated at last in a decision that juries are judges of both the law and the fact. But the time was now arrived when he was, by a peculiarity in [his way of thinking, to be for ever separated from the political friends who had longest adhered to him, and many of whom he loved with all the ardour of affection.
ory of the early part of the Reign of James the Second, with an introductory chapter,” &c. It is not known when Mr. Fox first formed the design of writing a history; but
To lord Holland, however, the world is indebted for an
important posthumous publication of this great statesman,
entitled “A History of the early part of the Reign of James
the Second, with an introductory chapter,
” &c. It is not
known when Mr. Fox first formed the design of writing a
history; but in 1797 he publicly announced in parliament
his intention of devoting a greater portion of his time to his
private pursuits, and when he had determined to oonscv
crate a part in writing history, he was naturally led, from
his intimate knowledge of the English constitution, to prefer the history of his own country, and to select a period
favourable to the general illustration of the great principles
of freedom on which it is founded. With this view he
fixed on the revolution pf 1688, but had made a small
progress in this work when he was called to take a principal part in the government of the country. The volume
comprehends only the history of the transactions of the
first year of the reign of James II. with an introductory
chapter on the character and leading events of the times
immediately preceding. Whatever opinion may be entertained of the views Mr. Fox takes of those times, or of
some novel opinions advanced, there is enough in this
work to prove that he might have proved an elegant and
sound historian, and to make it a subject of regret that he
did not employ his talents on literary composition when
they were in their full vigour.
ed him to the study of painting-, but from whom he received the first elements of instruction is not known. In 1490 he produced a picture of the Virgin seated, and surrounded
, an historical painter, whose real
name was Raibolini, was born at Bologna in 1450, and wa
bred to the profession of a goldsmith, which he exercised
for some time with very considerable celebrity, having the
coinage of the city of Bologna under his care. His desire
of reputation, and his acquaintance with Andrea Mantegna
and other painters, led him to the study of painting-, but
from whom he received the first elements of instruction is
not known. In 1490 he produced a picture of the Virgin
seated, and surrounded by several figures; among whom
is the portrait of M. Bart. Felisini, for whom the picture
was painted. In this he still calls himself “Frauciscus
Francis, aurifex,
” and it, with another picture of a similar
subject, painted for the chapel Bentivoglio a St. Jacopo,
gained him great reputation. He painted many pictures
for churches, &c. in Bologna, Modena, Parma, and other
cities; but they were in the early, Gothic, dry manner,
called “stila antico moderuo,
” which he greatly improved
upon in his latter productions. On Pietro Perugino he
formed his characters of heads, and his choice of tone and
colour; on Gian. Bellino, fullness of outline and breadth
of drapery; and if the best evidence of his merit, the
authority of Raphael, be of weight, in process of time he
excelled them both. In a letter dated 1508, edited by
Malvasia, Raphael declares that the Madonnas of Francia
were inferior, in his opinion, to none for beauty, devoutness, and form. His idea of Francia’s talents exhibited
itself still stronger in his entrusting his picture of St.
Cecilia, destined for the church of St Gio da Monte at
Bologna, to his care, by letter soliciting him as a friend to
See it put in its place, and if he found any defect in it, that
he would kindly correct it. Vasari says that Francia died
with grief in 1518, upon seeing by this picture that he
was as nothing in the art, compared with the superior genius
of Raphael; but Malvasia proves that he lived some years
afterwards, and in an improved style produced his celebrated St. Sebastian, which Caracci describes as the general model of proportion and form for the students at Bologna. A copy of this figure still exists in the church
della Misericordia.
an historical painter, born in 1483. He studied for a short time under Albertinelli, but is chiefly known as the competitor, and in some works the partner of Andrea del
, or Fiuncia Bigio, was an historical painter, born in 1483. He studied for a short time under Albertinelli, but is chiefly known as the competitor, and in some works the partner of Andrea del Sarto. Similar in principle, but inferior to him in power, he strove to supply by diligence the defects of nature; with what success, will appear on comparison of his work in the cloister of the Nunziata at Florence, with those of Andrea at the same place. On its being uncovered by the monks, the painter in a fit of shame or rage gave it some blows with a hammer, nor ever after could be induced to finish it. He appears to have succeeded better in two histories which he inserted among the frescos of Andrea at the Scalzo, nor is he there much inferior. He likewise emulated him at Poggio a Cajano, where he represented the return of M. Tullius from exile, a work, which though it remained unfinished, shews him to great advantage. This artist died in 1524, in the prime of life.
ns, December 28, aged fifty-six, leaving several religious works, collected in 2 vols. fol. The most known are, “The Introduction to a devout Life;” and “Philo,” or a
, was born at the castle of
Sales, in the diocese of Geneva, August 21, 1567. He
descended from one of the most ancient and noble families
of Savoy. Having taken a doctor of law’s degree at Padua,
he was first advocate at Chambery, then provost of the
church of Geneva at Annecy. Claudius de Granier, his
bishop, sent him as missionary into the valleys of his
diocese to. convert the Zuinglians, and Calvinists, which
he is said to have performed in great numbers, and his
sermons were attended with wonderful success. The bishop
of Geneva chose him afterwards for his coadjutor, but was
obliged to use authority before he could be persuaded to
accept the office. Religious aftairs called him afterwards
into France, where he was universally esteemed; and cardinal du Perron said, “There were no heretics whom he
could not convince, but M. de Geneva must be employed
to convert them.
” Henry IV. being informed of his merit,
made him considerable offers, in hopes of detaining hioi
in France; but he chose rather to return to Savoy, where
he arrived in 1602, and found bishop Grimier had died a
few days before. St. Francis then undertook the reformation of his diocese, where piety and virtue soon flourished through his zeal; he restored regularity in the
monasteries, and instituted the order of the Visitation in.
1610, which was confirmed by Paul V. 1618, and of whicli
the baroness de Chantal, whom he converted by his preaching at Dijon, was the foundress. He also established a
congregation of hermits in Chablais, restored ecclesiastical discipline to its ancient vigour, and converted nnmerous heretics to the faith. At the latter end of 1618 St.
Francis was obliged to go again to Paris, with the cardinal
de Savoy, to conclude a marriage between the prince of
Piedmont and Christina of France, second daughter of
Henry IV. This princess, herself, chose de Sales for her
chief almoner; but he -would accept the place only on two
conditions; one, that it should not preclude his residing
in his diocese; the other, that whenever he did not execute
his office, he should not receive the profits of it. These
xinusual terms the princess was obliged to consent to, and
immediately, as if by way of investing him with his office,
presented him with a very valuable diamond, saying, “On
condition that you will keep it for my sake.
” To which
he replied, “I promise to do so, madam, unless the poor
stand in need of it.
” Returning to Annecy, he continued
to visit the sick, relieve those in want, instruct the people,
and discharge all the duties of a pious bishop, till 1622,
when he died of an apoplexy at Lyons, December 28,
aged fifty-six, leaving several religious works, collected in
2 vols. fol. The most known are, “The Introduction to a
devout Life;
” and “Philo,
” or a treatise on the love of
God. MarsoHier has written his life, 2 yols. 12mo, which
was translated into English by Mr. Crathornc. He was
canonized in 16 65.
also educated for the church, and obtained a doctor’s degree. His edition of “Horace” made his name known in England about 1743, and raised him a reputation as a classical
, an English clergyman, and the
able translator of Horace and Demosthenes, was of Irish
extraction, if not born in that kingdom, where his father
was a dignified clergyman, and, among other preferments,
held the rectory of St. Mary, Dublin, from which he was
ejected by the court on account of his Tory principles.
His son, our author, was also educated for the church, and
obtained a doctor’s degree. His edition of “Horace
”
made his name known in England about The lyrical part of Horace never can
be properly translated; so much of the excellence is in
the numbers and the expression. Francis has done it the
best: I'll take his, five out of six, against them all.
”
century. Very few circumstances relative to him are handed down, although his works are as generally known in these kingdoms as they are in the Netherlands: nor are the
, or Franciscus Francken, but more
generally called Old Francks, was an artist of the sixteenth century. Very few circumstances relative to him
are handed down, although his works are as generally
known in these kingdoms as they are in the Netherlands:
nor are the dates of his birth, death, or age, thoroughly
ascertained; for Dcscamps supposes him to be born in
1544, to be admitted into the society of painters at Antwerp in 1561, which was at seventeen years of age; and
fixes his death in 1666, by which computation Francks
must have been a hundred and twenty-two years old
when he died, which appears utterly improbable; though
others fix his birth in 1544, and his death in 1616, aged
seventy-two, which seems to be nearest the truth. He
painted historical subjects taken froni the Old orNewTestameut, and was remarkable for introducing a great number of figures into his compositions, which he had the skill
to express very distinctly. He had a fruitful invention,
and composed readily; but he wanted grace and elegance
in his figures, and was apt to crowd too many histories into
one scene. His touch was free, and the colouring of his
pictures generally transparent; yet a predominant brown
or yellowish tinge appeared over them, neither natural
nor agreeable. But, in several of his best performances,
the colouring is clear and lively, the design good, the
figures tolerably correct, and the whole together very
pleasing. -At Wilton is his “Belshazzar’s Feast,
” a very
curious composition.
f a place in any collection. Many of them are frequently seen at public sales, which render him well known, though several are also to be met with in those places, which
Vandyck often commended the works of this master, and esteemed them worthy of a place in any collection. Many of them are frequently seen at public sales, which render him well known, though several are also to be met with in those places, which are unjustly ascribed to Francks, and are really unworthy of him.
s instruction. Such of the children, accordingly, as seemed most promising, he put out to persons of known integrity and piety to be educated by them, as he had as yet
There was a very ancient custom in the city and neighbourhood of Halle, for such persons as give relief to the poor,
to appoint a particular day on which they were to come to
their doors to receive it. When professor Fraucke came to
be settled at Glaucha, he readily adopted this practice,
and fixed on Thursday as his day. But, as his profession led him, he endeavoured to confer with the poor
on the subject of religion, in which he found them miserably deficient, and incapable of giving their children
any religious instruction whatever. His first contrivance
to supply their temporal wants was by supplicating the
charity of well-disposed students; but finding that mode
inconvenient, he contented himself with fixing up a box
in his parlour, with one or two suitable texts of scripture over it. In 1695, when this box had been set up
about a quarter of a year, he found in it the donation of a
single person amounting to 1 8.s. 6d. English, which he immediately determined should be the foundation of a charity,
school. Unpromising as such a scheme might appear, he
began the same day by purchasing eight-shillings-worth of
school-books, and then engaged a student to teach the poor
children two hours each day. He met at first with the
common fate of such benevolent attempts; most of the
children making away with the books entrusted to them,
and deserting the school; for this, however, the remedy
was easy, in obliging the children to leave them behind
them; but still his pious endeavours were in a great measure frustrated by the impressions made on their minds in
school being effaced by their connections abroad. To
remedy this greater evil, he resolved to single out some of
the children, and to undertake their maintenance, as well
as instruction. Such of the children, accordingly, as
seemed most promising, he put out to persons of known integrity and piety to be educated by them, as he had as yet
no house to receive them. The report of so excellent a
design, induced a person of quality to contribute the sum
of 1000 crowns, and another 400, which served to purchase a house into which twelve orphans, the whole number he had selected, were removed, and a student of divinity appointed master and teacher. This took place in
1696. The number of children, however, which demanded
his equal sympathy, increasing, he conceived the project
of buildiopr an hospital, such as might contain about two
hundreirpeople, and this at a time, he informs us, when
he hauf not so much in hand as would answer the cost of a
small cottage, and when his project was consequently
looked upon as visionary and absurd. His reliance on
Providence, however, was so firm, that having procured
piece of ground, he laid the foundation stone on July 5,
1698, and within the space of a year the workmen were
ready to cover it with the roof. During this time as well
as the time it subsequently required to complete it, the
expences were defrayed from casual donations. He never
appears to have had any kind of annual subscription, or
other help on which the least dependence could be placed;
he sometimes knew the names of his benefactors, but
more generally they were totally unknown to him, and
yet one succeeded another at short intervals, and often
when he was reduced to the utmost distress. By such unforeseen and unexpected supplies, an establishment was
formed, in which, in 1727, 2196 children were provided
for, under 130 teachers. The whole progress of this great
work, as related by professor Francke, is beyond measure
astonishing and unprecedented; for he had applied none
of the methods which have since been found useful in the
foundation of similar establishments, and appears to have
had nothing to support his zeal, but the strongest confidence in the goodness of Providence; and although the
assistance he received was great in the aggregate, it not
unfrequently happened that his mornings were passed in
anxious fears lest the subjects of his care might want bread
in the day. These supplies consisted principally in money,
but many to whom that mode of contribution was inconvenient, sent in provisions, clothing, and utensils of various sorts, and a very considerable number sold trinkets
of all kinds, lace, jewels, plate^ &c. for the benefit of an
hospital, the good effects of which were now strikingly
visible, as its progress advanced. Some very considerable
contributions came even from England, in consequence of
a short account of the hospital having been sent over and
published there in 1705. Dr. White Kennett, in particular, noticed it with high commendation, from the pulpit,
and added that “nothing in the world seemed to him more
providential, or rather more miraculous.
” In the following year, 1706, it had grownup, not only into an hospital for orphans, and a refuge for many other distresse'd
objects, but into a kind of university, in which all the
languages and sciences were taught, and a printing-house
established on a liberal plan, an infirmary, &c.
The history of his celebrated Orphan house has been long known in this country, in a translation by Dr. Josiali Woodward, under
The history of his celebrated Orphan house has been
long known in this country, in a translation by Dr. Josiali
Woodward, under the title of “Pietas Hallensis,
” Lond.
Manuductio ad lectionem Scripture Sacrse,
” Halle, Observationes Biblicae menstrua: iti Versionern Germanicam Biblionun Lutheri,
”
Halle, De Emphasibus Sac. Script,
”
ibid. Idea studii Theologise,
” ibid. Praelectiones Hertneneuticae,
” ibid. Monita Pastoralia Theologica,
” ibid. Method us studi! Theologici,
” ibid.
8vo. 8. “Introductio ad lectionem Prophetarnrti,
” ibid.
Commentatio de’scopo librorum veteris
et novi Testamenti,
” ibid. 8vo.
, D. D. chaplain in ordinary to his majesty, born 1721, was the son of Richard Francklin, well known as the printer of an anti-ministerial paper caUed “The Craftsman,”
, D. D. chaplain in ordinary to
his majesty, born 1721, was the son of Richard Francklin,
well known as the printer of an anti-ministerial paper caUed
“The Craftsman,
” in the conduct of which he received
great assistance from lord Bolingbroke, Mr. Pulteney, and
other excellent writers, who then opposed sir Robert Waipole’s measures. By the advice of the second of these
gentlemen, young Francklin was devoted to the church,
with a promise of being provided for by Mr. Pulteney,
who afterwards forgot his undertaking. Yet his father had
a claim, from his sufferings at least, to all that these
patriots could do for him. While engaged in their service, he was prosecuted by the crown several times, and
had been confined several years in the King’s-bench prison
for a letter written from the Hague, and printed by him at
their desire. It is true, indeed, that several noblemen;
and gentlemen subscribed a sum of 50l. each to Francklin,
as a compensation for his losses, but it is as true that no
more than three of them paid their money, of whom Mr.
Pulteney was one.
incipal works are, I. “Geographic,” 12tno, an excellent manual on that subject, often reprinted, and known by the name of “Crozat,” the lady to whom he dedicated it, and
, a French abbé and very useful writer, was born at Arinthod, in Franche-comte, Nov.
2, 1698, and for some time belonged to the chevaliers of
St. Lazarus, but quitting that society, came to Paris and
engaged in teaching. He afterwards wrote several works,
in a style perhaps not very elegant, but which were admired either for their intrinsic usefulness, or as antidotes
to the pernicious doctrines of the French philosophers and
deists, who, conscious of his superiority in argument, affected to regard him as a man of weak understanding, and
a bigot; reproaches that are generally thrown upon the
advocates of revealed religion in other countries as well as
in France. The abbé François, however, appears from his
works to have been a man of learning, and an able disputant. He died at Paris, far advanced in years, Feb.
24, 1782, escaping the miseries which those against whom
he wrote, were about to bring on their country. His principal works are, I. “Geographic,
” 12tno, an excellent
manual on that subject, often reprinted, and known by
the name of “Crozat,
” the lady to whom he dedicated it,
and for whose use he first composed it. 2. “Prenves de
la religion de Jesus Christ,
” 4 vols. 12mo. 3. “Defense
de la Religion,
” 4 vols. 12mo. 4. “Examen du Catechisme de i'honnete homme,
” 12mo. 5. “Examen des
faits qui servent de fondement a la religipn Chretienne,
”
Observation sur la philosophic
de i'histoire,
” 8vo. He left also some manuscripts, in refutation of the “.Philosophical Dictionary,
” the “System
of Nature,
” and other works which emanated from the
philosophists of France.
, an historical painter, born at Imola, and known by the name of Innocenzio da Iinola, became a disciple of Francesco
, an historical painter, born at Imola, and known by the name of Innocenzio da Iinola, became a disciple of Francesco Francia, in 1506; then passed some time with Albertinelli at Florence; and from the evidence of his works, and the testimony of Vasari, studied much after Fra. Bartolomeo and Andrea del Sarto: for though the main disposition of his altar-pieces be still gothic, he no longer used the ancient gilding; he placed, the Virgin on high in the centre, and surrounded her with saints and angels, architecture, and back grounds skilfu.lly grouped and arranged with novelty and taste. Such is his style in the surprizing picture of the Duomo at Fagnza, and in another at Pesaro. The aerial perspective and back ground remind us of Leonardo da Vinci. He sometimes placed smaller pictures under his altar-pieces, like that at St. Giacorno of Bologna, which breathes the very spirit of Raphael; that spirit he seems indeed to have aimed at in the greater part of his works, and to have approached it nearer than most of Raphael’s own scholars. He excelled Francia and his fellow-scholar Bagnacavallo in erudition, majesty, and correctness. Subjects of novel combination and fiery fancy he has not produced; nor seem they to have been congenial with that mildness and tranquillity of character which history ascribes to. him. He wks fifty-six: years old at the time of his death, but that is not known.
642. Wherein several passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known,” Lond. 1681, fol. He was supposed also to be the author of
, an English physician and
historian of singular character, was born in Lancashire in
1633, and was entered a student in Brasenose college,
Oxford, in 1649. He took a degree in arts, and obtained
a fellowship in 1654. Afterwards studying divinity, he
became a preacher according to the form of ordination
during the usurpation. In 1662 he served the office of
proctor, and the year after, having taken orders regularly,
he was, but with much difficulty, admitted to the reading
of the sentences. He afterwards studied physic, and settled
in London, where he imposed upon the public for some
time, by pretending to have taken his doctor’s degree in
that faculty, and at length offering himself as a candidate
for fellow of the college of physicians, he produced a
forged diploma, was admitted fellow, and afterwards was
censor. His ungracious manners, however, procuring him
enemies, an inquiry was made at Oxford in 1677, which
discovered the fraud, and although by the connivance of
some of the college of physicians, he remained among
them, yet his credit and practice fell off, and being reduced in circumstances, he was imprisoned in the Fleet,
where he died in 1690, and was interred in St. Vedast’s
church, Foster-lane. He wrote, “The Annals of King
James and King Charles I. containing a faithful history
and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and
transactions of parliament in England, from the tenth of
king James, 1612, to the eighteenth of king Charles, 1642.
Wherein several passages relating to the late civil wars
(omitted in former histories) are made known,
” Lond.
The honours of
the Lords Spiritual asserted, and their privileges to vote
in capital cases in parliament maintained by reason and
precedents;
” but Wood does not give this as certain. Dr.
Frankland was esteemed a good scholar while at Oxford,
but in the subsequent part of his character appears deserving of little esteem.
ond in Philadelphia, which proved very profitable, and afforded him an opportunity of making himself known as a political writer, by his inserting several attempts of
About 1728 or 1729, Franklin setup a newspaper, the
second in Philadelphia, which proved very profitable, and
afforded him an opportunity of making himself known as a
political writer, by his inserting several attempts of that
kind in it. He also set up a shop for the sale of books and
articles of stationary, and in 1730 he married a lady, now
a widow, whom he had courted before he went to England, when she was a virgin. He afterwards began to
have some leisure, both for reading books, and writing
them, of which he gave many specimens from time to
time. In 1732, he began to publish “Poor Richard’s Almanack,
” which was continued for many years. It was
always remarkable for the numerous and valuable concise
maxims which it contained, for the Œconomy of human
life; all tending to industry and frugality; and which were
comprized in a well-known address, entitled “The Way to
Wealth.
” This has been transiated into various languages,
and inserted in almost every magazine and newspaper in
Great Britain or America. It has also been printed on a
large sheet, proper to be framed, and hung up in conspicuous places in all houses, as it very well deserves to
be. Mr. Franklin became gradually more known for his
political talents. In 1736, he was appointed clerk to
the general assembly of Pennsylvania; and was re-elected
by succeeding assemblies for several years, till he was
chosen a representative for the city of Philadelphia; and
in 1737 he was appointed post-master of that city. In
1738, he formed the first fire-company there, to extinguish and prevent fires and the burning of houses; an example which was soon followed by other persons, and other
places. And soon after, he suggested the plan of an association for insuring houses and ships from losses by fire,
which was adopted; and the association continues to this
day. In 1744, during a war between France and Great
Britain, some French and Indians made inroads upon the
frontier inhabitants of the province, who were unprovided
for such an attack; the situation of the province was at
this time truly alarming, being destitute of every means
of defence. At this crisis Franklin stepped forth, and proposed to a meeting of the citizens of Philadelphia, a plan,
of a voluntary association for the defence of the province.
This was approved of, and signed by 1200 persons immediately. Copies of it were circulated through the province;
and in a short time the number of signatures amounted to
10,000. Franklin was chosen colonel of the Philadelphia
regiment; but he did not think proper to accept of the
honour.
ers to his friend Mr. Peter Collinson; the first of which is dated March 28, 1747. In these he makes known the power of points in drawing and throwing off the electric
Pursuits of a different nature now occupied the greatest
part of his attention for some years. Being always much
addicted to the study of natural philosophy, and the discovery of the Leyden experiment in electricity having
rendered that science an object of general curiosity, Mr.
Franklin applied himself to it, and soon began to distinguish himself eminently in that way. He engaged in a
course of electrical experiments with all the ardour and
thirst for discovery which characterized the philosophers
of that day. By these he was enabled to make a number
of important discoveries, and to propose theories to account for various phenomena; which have been generally
adopted, and which will probably endure for ages. His
observations he communicated in a series of letters to his
friend Mr. Peter Collinson; the first of which is dated
March 28, 1747. In these he makes known the power of
points in drawing and throwing off the electric matter,
which had hitherto escaped the notice of electricians. He
also made the discovery of a plus and minus, or of a positive and negative state of electricity; from whence, in a
satisfactory manner he explained the phenomena of the
Leyden phial, first observed by Cuneus or
Muschcnbroeck, which had much perplexed philosophers. He
shewed that the bottle, when charged, contained no more
electricity than before, but that as much was taken from
one side as was thrown on the other; and that, to discharge
it, it was only necessary to make a communication between
the two sides, by which the equilibrium might be restored,
and that then no signs of electricity would remain. He
afterwards demonstrated by experiments, that the electricity did not reside in the coating, as had been supposed,
but in the pores of the glass itself. After a phial was
charged, he removed the coating, and found that upon
applying a new coating the shock might still be received.
In 1749, he first suggested his idea of explaining the phenomena of thunder-gusts, and of the aurora borealis, upon
electrical principles. He points out many particulars in
which lightning and electricity agree; and he adduces
many facts, and reasoning from facts, in support of his
positions. In the same year he conceived the bold and
grand idea of ascertaining the truth of his doctrine, by
actually drawing down the forked lightning, by means of
sharp-pointed iron rods raised into the region of the clouds;
from whence he derived his method of securing buildings
and ships from being damaged by lightning. It was not
until the summer of 1752 that he was enabled to complete
his grand discovery, the experiment of the electrical kite,
which being raised up into the clouds, brought thence the
electricity or lightning down to the earth; and M. D'Alibard made the experiment about the same time in France,
by following the track which Franklin had before pointed
out. The letters which he sent to Mr. Collinson, it is
said, were refused a place among the papers of the royal
society of London; and Mr. Collinson published them in
a separate volume, under the title of “New Experiments
and Observations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia, in
America,
” which were read with avidity, and soon translated into different languages. His theories were at first
opposed by several philosophers, and by the members of
the royal society of London; but in 1755, when he returned to that city, they voted him the gold medal which
is annually given to the person who presents the best paper
on some interesting subject. He was also admitted a
member of the society, and had the degree of LL. D. conferred upon him by different universities; but at this time,
by reason of the war which broke out between Britain and
France, he returned to America, and interested himself in
the public affairs of that country. Indeed, he had done
this long before; for although philosophy was a principal
object of Franklin’s pursuit for several years, he did not
confine himself to it alone. In 1747 he became a member
of the general assembly of Pennsylvania, as a burgess for
the city of Philadelphia. Being a friend to the rights of
man from his infancy, he soon distinguished himself as
a steady opponent of the unjust schemes of the proprietaries. He was soon looked up to as the head of the
opposition; and to him have been attributed many of
the spirited replies of the assembly to the messages of
the governors. His influence in the body was very great,
not from any superior powers of eloquence; he spoke
but seldom, and be never was known to make any
thing like an elaborate harangue; but his speeches generally consisting of a single sentence, or of a well-told
story, the moral was always obviously to the point. He
never attempted the flowery fields of oratory. His manner
was plain and mild. His style in speaking was, like that
of his writings, simple, tmadorned, and remarkably concise. With this plain manner, and his penetrating and
solid judgment, he was able to confound the most eloquent
and subtle of his adversaries, to confirm the opinions of
his friends, and to make converts of the unprejudiced who
had opposed him. With a single observation he has rendered of no avail a long and elegant discourse, and determined the fate of a question of importance.
dition was accordingly planned, and the command given to general Wolfe; the success of which is well known. He now divided his time indeed between philosophy and politics,
In 1757 he was sent to England, with a petition to the king and council, against the proprietaries, who refused to bear any share in the public expences and assessments; which he got settled to the satisfaction of the state. After the completion of this business, Franklin remained at the court of Great Britain for some time, as agent for the pn>vince of Pennsylvania; and also for those of Massachusetts, Maryland, and Georgia. Soon after this, he published his Canada pamphlet, in which he pointed out, in a very forcible manner, the advantages that would result from the conquest of this province from the French. An expedition was accordingly planned, and the command given to general Wolfe; the success of which is well known. He now divided his time indeed between philosophy and politics, rendering many services to both. Whilst here, he invented the elegant musical instrument called the Armonica, formed of glasses played on by the fingers. In the summer of 1762 he returned to America; on the passage to which he observed the singular effect produced by the agitation of a vessel containing oil, floating on water; the upper surface of the oil remained smooth and undisturbed, whilst the water was agitated with the utmost commotion. On his return he received the thanks of the assembly of Pennsylvania; which having annually elected him a member in his absence, he again took his seat in this body, and continued a steady defender of the liberties of the people.
hed one edition of Palladio, and the sieur de Chambrai another. But the work by which Freart is best known is his “Parallele de l'architecture antique avec la rooderne,”
, sieur de Chambrai, under which
name he is classed in some biographical works, was a
learned architect of the seventeenth century, and a native
of Chambrai. He was connected by relationship, as well
as love of the art, with Sublet des Noyers, secretary of
state and superintend ant of the buildings under Louis XIII.
About 1640, Freart was sent, with one of his brothers, to
Italy, on an important mission to the pope, and he was
also ordered to collect antiquities, &c. and engage the
ablest artists to reside in France. Among the latter he
brought Poussin to Paris. Freart died in iv76. He published a French translation of Da Vinci on painting, Paris,
1651, fol. and another of Palladia’s Architecture, Paris,
1650. Of this a fine edition was printed by Nicolas du
Bois at the Hague in 1726, with engravings by Piea*t, but
he has strangely divided the translator into two persons,
asserting that Freart published one edition of Palladio, and
the sieur de Chambrai another. But the work by which
Freart is best known is his “Parallele de l'architecture
antique avec la rooderne,
” Paris,
83, and himself to be elected in his stead. Baptist was then banished to Tregui. When he died is not known. He amused himself in his exile by writing various works, among
, of the ancient
family of Fregoso, was the son of Peter Fregoso, who was
elected doge of Genoa in 1450, and arrived himself at
that honour in Nov. 1473. His arbitrary conduct, however, assisted the ambitious designs of his uncle Paul,
archbishop of Genoa, who procured him to be deposed in
1483, and himself to be elected in his stead. Baptist was
then banished to Tregui. When he died is not known.
He amused himself in his exile by writing various works,
among which was a collection of “Memorable Actions
and Sayings,
” addressed to his son Peter, and containing some particulars of his own life. Vossius has improperly classed him among Latin historians, on account
of this work, which was written in Italian, but he had probably seen only Ghilini’s translation, published under the
title “Batistte Fulgosi de dictis factisque memorabilibus
collectanea a Camillo Ghilino Latina facta, libri novem,
”
Milan, La vita di Martino V.
” pope, bnt it
tioes not appear whether it was published; and *' De Foeminis quae doctrina excelluerunt,“which appears to have
been taken from his
” Dicta,“and inserted in a collection
respecting learned ladies by Ravisius Textor, Paris, 1521,
fol. The only remaining publication of his was a treatise
against love, entitled
” Anteros." This is one of the
earliest printed books, bearing date Milan, 1496, according to Clement, but Niceron says 1469.
Being nw well known and distinguished, Freind began to meditate larger works. He
Being nw well known and distinguished, Freind began
to meditate larger works. He observed that Sanctorius,
Borelli, and Baglivi, in Italy, and Pitcairne and Keil here
at home, had introduced a new and more certain method
of investigating medical truths than had been formerly
known; and he resolved to apply this way of reasoning,
in order to set a certain subject of great importance, of
daily use, and general concern, about which the learned
have always been divided, in such a light as might put an
end to disputes. This he did by publishing, in 1703,
“Emmenologia in qua fluxus muliebris menstrui phaenomena, periodi, vitia, cum medendi methodo, ad rationed
mechanicas exiguntur,
” 8vp. This work, which is founded
on the principles of the mechanic sect of physicians, who
then flourished under the auspices of Baglivi and others,
though at first it met some opposition, and was then and
afterwards animadverted upon by several writers, has always been reckoned an excellent performance; and is, as
all our author’s writings are, admirable for the beauty of
its style, the elegant disposition of its parts, its wonderful
succinctness, and at the same time perspicuity, and for
the happy concurrence of learning and penetration visibie
through the whole.
, a French journalist, generally known for having been the constant object of the satire of Voltaire,
, a French journalist, generally known for having been the constant object of the
satire of Voltaire, was born at Quimper, in 1719. His
talents were considerable, and he cultivated them in the
society of the Jesuits, under fathers Brumoy and Bougeant.
In 1739, on some disgust, he quitted the Jesuits, and for
a time assisted the abbé des Fontaines in his periodical
publications. He then published several critical works on
his own account, which were generally admired, but sometimes suppressed by authority. His “Letters on certain
writings of the time
” began to be published in Anne Litie>aire,
” and published
in that year 7 volumes of it; and afterwards 8 volumes
every year as long as he lived, which was till 1776. In
this work, FreVon, who was a zealous enemy of the modern
philosophy, attacked Voltaire with spirit. He represented
him as a skilful plagiary; as a poet, brilliant indeed, but
inferior to Corneille, Racine, and Boileau; as an elegant,
but inaccurate historian; and rather the tyrant than the
king of literature. A great part of this Voltaire could bear
with fortitude; but a very skilful and victorious attack
upon a bad comedy, “La Femme qui a raison,
” drove
him beyond all bounds of patience; and henceforward his
pen was constantly in motion against Fre>on, whose very
name at any time would put him in a rage, nor was Freron
more a favourite with the encyclopedists, whose principles
he exposed.
ries his talents were not well understood. He is the hero of Voltaire’s Dunchid, and nothing more is known about him. He was, in truth, a man of great natural genius and
Frron, though very skilful in his criticisms, and of uncommon abilities (as Voltaire himself confessed before he was irreconcileably provoked) suffered by the perpetual hostilities of an antagonist so high in reputation. His <* Anne'e Litte>aire," being constantly accused by Voltaire of partiality, began to be suspected, and the sale in some measure decreased. In foreign countries his talents were not well understood. He is the hero of Voltaire’s Dunchid, and nothing more is known about him. He was, in truth, a man of great natural genius and liveliness, with a correct taste, acute powers of discrimination, and a pecwliar talent of entertaining his reader, while he pointed out the faults of a work. He had an active zeal against false philosophy, innovation, and affectation, and was steadily attached to what he considered as sound principles. In private life he was easy and entertaining. Such were the real talents of this formidable journalist. It must be owned, also, that he had his partialities; that he was sometimes too precipitate in his judgments, and too severe in his censures. Too strong a resentment of injustice sometimes rendered him unjust. His language also was sometimes over-refined, though always perfectly pure. The academies of Angers, Montauban, Nancy, Marseilles, Caen, Arrai, and the Arcadi at Rome, were eager to have him enrolled among their members. He died in March 1776, at the age of fifty-seven.
e,” consisting of curious passages and remarks, most of which are drawn from manuscripts very little known. This work is in 2 vols. folio. He was the author and editor
, commonly called
Du Cange, a learned Frenchman, was descended from a
good family, and born at Amiens in 1610. After being
taught polite literature in the Jesuits college there, he went
to study the Jaw at Orleans, and was sworn advocate to the
parliament of Paris in 1631. He practised some time at
the bar, but without intending to make it the business of
his life. He then returned to Amiens, where be devoted
himself to study, and ran through all sorts of learning,
languages and philosophy, law, physic, divinity, and history. In 1668, he went and settled at Paris; and soon
after a proposal was laid before Colbert, to collect all the
authors who at different times had written the history of
France, and to form a body out of them. This minister
liking the proposal, and believing Du Fresne the best
qualified for the undertaking, furnished him with memoirs
and manuscripts for this purpose. Du Fresne wrought
upon these materials, and drew up a large preface, containing the names of the authors, their character and manner, the time in which they lived, and the order in which
they ought to be arranged. Being informed from the
minister that his plan was not approved, and that he must
adopt another, and convinced that if he followed the order
prescribed, the whole work would be spoiled, he frankly
told his employers that since he had not been happy enough
to please those in authority, his advice was, that they
should look out some of the best hands in the kingdom;
and at the same time he returned them all their memoirs.
(See Bouquet). Being thus disengaged from a tedious
and laborious undertaking, he finished his Glossary of low
Latin, or “Glossarium Mediæ et infimæ Latinitatis,
”
which was received with general commendation; and though
Hadrian Valesius, in his preface to the Valesiana, notes
everal mistakes in it, it is nevertheless a very excellent
and useful work. It was afterwards enlarged by the addition
of more volumes; and the edition of Paris, by Carpentier,
in 1733, makes no less than six in folio; to which Carpentier afterwards added four of supplement. Both have
been since excellently abridged, consolidated, and improved, in 6 vols. 8vo, published at Halle, 1772 1784.
His next performance was a “Greek Glossary of the middle
age,
” consisting of curious passages and remarks, most
of which are drawn from manuscripts very little known.
This work is in 2 vols. folio. He was the author and editor
also of several other performances. He drew a genealogical map of the kings of France. He wrote the history
of Constantinople under the French emperors, which was
printed at the Louvre, and dedicated to the king. H
published an historical tract concerning John Baptist’s
head, some relics of which are supposed to be at Amiens.
He published, lastly, editions of Cinnamus, Nicephorus,
Anna Commena, Zonaras, and the Alexandrian Chronicon, with learned dissertations and notes.
mediately engaged in the strictest friendship, living together in the same house, and being commonly known at Rome by the name of the Inseparables. They were employed
He was nineteen or twenty years of age when he began to learn to design under Francis Perier, and having spent two years in the school of that painter, and of Simon Vouet, he thought proper to take a journey into Italy, where he arrived at the end of 1633, or the beginning of 1634. As he had di.ring his studies, applied himself very much to that of geometry, he began upon his coming to Rome to paint landscapes, buildings, and ancient ruins. But, for the first two years residence in that city, he had the utmost difficulty to support himself, being abandoned by his parents, who resented his having rejected their advice in the choice of his profession; and the little stock of money which he had provided before he left France, proving scarce sufficient for the expences of his journey to Italy. 3eing destitute therefore of friends and acquaintance at Rome, he was reduced to such distress, that his chief subsistence for the greatest part of that time was bread, and a small quantity of cheese. But he diverted the sense of uneasy circumstances by an intense and indefatigable application to painting, until the arrival of the celebrated Peter Mignard, who had been the companion of his studies under Vouet, set him more at ease. They immediately engaged in the strictest friendship, living together in the same house, and being commonly known at Rome by the name of the Inseparables. They were employed by the cardinal of Lyons in copying all the best pieces in the Farnese palace. But their principal study was the works of Raffaelle and other great masters, and the antiques; and they were constant in their attendance every evening at the academy, in designing after models. Mignard had superior talents in practice; but Du Fresnoy was a great master of the rules, history, and theory of his profession. They communicated to each other their remarks and sentiments; Du Fresnoy furnishing his friend with noble and excellent ideas, and the latter instructing the former to paint with greater expedition and ease.
enterprizing English navigator, was born near Doncaster, in Yorkshire, of low parents, but it is not known in what year. Being brought up to navigation, he very early
, an enterprizing English
navigator, was born near Doncaster, in Yorkshire, of low
parents, but it is not known in what year. Being brought
up to navigation, he very early displayed the talents of an
eminent sailor, and was the first Englishman that attempted
to find out a north-west passage to China. He made offers
of this to several English merchants for fifteen years together; but meeting with no encouragement from them,
he at length obtained recommendations to Dudley earl of
Warwick, and other persons of rank and fortune. Under
their influence and protection he engaged a sufficient
number of adventurers, and collected proper sums of
money. The ships he provided were only three; namely,
two barks of about twenty-five tons each, and a pinnace of
ten tons. With these he sailed from Deptford June 8,
1576; and the court being then at Greenwich, the queen
beheld them as they passed by, “commended them, and
bade them farewell, with shaking her hand at them out of
the window.
”
, known by the name of Fronto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son
, known by the name of Fronto Duc.Eus, a learned Jesuit, was the son of a counsellor of Bourdeaux, where he was born in 1558, and made a Jesuit in 1577. He studied with unwearied application the Greek tongue, and became one of the ablest translators and editors of Greek works in his time. He published notes and corrections, both on the text and on the translations of many of the works of the Greek and Latin fathers, particularly St. Clemens Alexandrinus, St. Basil, St. Gregory de Nazianzen, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, Zonaras, Bulsamon, &c. But his principal work is his edition of the works of St. Chrysostom, 6 vols. fol. Paris, 1609 1624, and reprinted there in 1636, and at Francfort in 1698. He was also engaged in controversy, and wrote against Philip du Plessis Mornay. He died at Paris, Dec. 12, 1624. Dupin informs us that he was as much esteemed for his prudence and modesty as for his learning and judgment, that his merit was equally acknowledged by catholics and protestants, and that there was scarcely a learned man in either communion with whom he did not correspond.
is principal guides, if he could be said to have any other guide than his own genius. He became well known at court, but his love of independence induced him to refuse
, a Swiss artist, and a man of considerable learning, was born at Zurich in 1706. After acquiring the elements of painting from a very indifferent artist, he left his country in the eighteenth year of his age, and going to Vienna, associated himself with Sedelmeier. Gran and Meitens were his principal guides, if he could be said to have any other guide than his own genius. He became well known at court, but his love of independence induced him to refuse very advantageous offers. He would not, however, have probably ever left Vienna, had not the prince of Schwarzeuburg persuaded him to go to Kadstadt, where he became the favourite of the court. Among others whose portraits he painted was the margrave of Dourlach, who had a great affection for him, and advised him to go to Ludwigsbourg, which he did with letters of recommendation to the duke of Wirtemberg, who immediately took him into his service. Here he passed his time very agreeably, making occasional excursions to paint the portraits of persons of distinction, until the war of Poland, when the entrance of the French into Germany threw every thing into confusion. The duke his patron at the same time fell sick, and was removed to Stutgard, but on Fuessli’s leaving him to go to Nuremberg, his highness presented him with a gold watch, and requested him to return when the state of public affairs was changed. At Nuremberg he had a strong desire to see the celebrated artist Kupezki, of whose manners he had imbibed an unfavourable impression, but he was agreeably disappointed, and they became friends from their first interview. After remaining six months at Nuremberg, the duke of Wirtemberg died, and there being no immediate prospect of peace, Fuessli returned to his own country, and in 1740 married. Although his wife was a very amiable woman, he used to say that marriage was incompatible with the cultivation of the fine arts: if, however, he felt himself occasionally disturbed by domestic cares, he had the happiness to communicate his art to his three sons, Rodolph, who settled at Vienna; Henry, at present so well known in England; and Caspar, who died in the vigour of life, an entomologist of fidelity, discrimination, and taste.
conferred on him, but where he had not been able to discover, nor is the place or time of his death known. From an extract from, bishop Kennet, in the new edition of
, an English law-writer, was the
son of Thomas Fulbeck, who was mayor of Lincoln at the
time of his death in J 566. He was born in the parish of
St. Benedict in that city in 1560, entered as a commoner
of St. Alban hall, Oxford, in 1577, and was admitted
scholar of Corpus Christi college about two years after. In
1581 he took his bachelor’s degree, and the next year
became probationer fellow. He then removed to Gloucester-hall (now Worcester college) where he completed
the degree of M. A. in 1584. From Oxford he went to
Gray’s Inn, London, where he applied with great assiduity to the study of the municipal law. Wood says, he
had afterwards the degree of civil law conferred on him,
but where he had not been able to discover, nor is the
place or time of his death known. From an extract from,
bishop Kennet, in the new edition of Wood, it seems not
improbable that he took orders. His works are, 1. “Christian Ethics,
” Lond. An historical collection of the continual factions, tumults, and massacres -of
the Romans before the peaceable empire of Augustus
Caesar,
” ibid. A direction or
preparative to the study of the Law,
” ibid. A parallel or conference of the civil, the canon, and the common law,
” ibid. The Pandects of the Laws of
Nations; or the discourses of the matters in law, wherein
the nations of the world do agree,
” ibid.
reatise in defence of the usurped power of the popish priesthood.” feut the work by which he is best known, and is still remembered with high esteem, is his Comment upon
His works, chiefly controversial, are, I. “Anti-prognosticon contra predictiones Nostradami,
” &c. Sermon at Hampton -court,
” Confutation
df a libelle in forme of an apology made by Frocknam,
”
A goodly gallery, or treatise on meteors,
”
Astrologus ludus,
” Metpomaxia,
sive Ludus geometricus,
” Responsio ad Tho.
Stapletoni cavillationes,
” A retentive against
the motives of Richard Bristow; also a discovery of the
dangerous rock of the popish church,
” A defence of the translation of the Holy Scriptures in English,
”
Confutation of Will. Allen’s treatise in defence of the usurped power of the popish priesthood.
” feut
the work by which he is best known, and is still remembered
with high esteem, is his Comment upon the Rheims Testament, printed in 1580, and reprinted in 1601 with this title:
“The Text of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, translated out of the vulgar Latin by the Papists of the traiterous
Seminarie at Rhemes. With arguments of books, chapters,
and annotations, pretending to discover the corruptions of
divers translations, and to clear the controversies of these
days. Whereunto is added the translation out of the original Greek, commonly used in the Church of England;
with a confutation of all such arguments, glosses, and annotations, as containe manifest impietie of Heresie, Treason, and Slander against the Catholike Church of God,
and the true teachers thereof, or the translations used in
the church of England. The whole worke, perused and
enlarged in divers places by the author’s owne hand before his death, with sundry quotations and authorities out
of Holy Scriptures, Counsels, Fathers, and History. More
amply than in the former Edition.
” This work was published again, A. brief and plain declaration,
containing the desires of all those faithful ministers who
seek discipline and reformation of the church of England,
which may serve as a just apology against the false accusations and slanders of their adversaries,
”
of an hostler at the Greyhound-inn, near the college, who had offended him. The picture, it is well known, was honoured by Addison in an elegant Latin poem. At Wadham
, was an English painter of some note in the reign of Charles II. but of his family or masters we have no account, except that he studied many years in France under Perrier, who engraved the antique statues. In his historical compositions he has left little to admire, his colouring being raw and unnatural, and not compensated by disposition or invention, but in portraits his pencil was bold, strong, and masterly. In the latter he was much employed, particularly at Oxford. His own portrait in the gallery there is touched with great force and character. The altar-piece of Magdalen was also by him, but has not been much approved. As an imitation of Michel Angelo, it falls far short of the sublime, although sometimes wild imagination of that great artist; nor is the colouring harmonious. Some of the figures, however, are correctly drawn; and he has at least imitated the temper of Michel Angelo with success, in introducing among the damned, the portrait of an hostler at the Greyhound-inn, near the college, who had offended him. The picture, it is well known, was honoured by Addison in an elegant Latin poem. At Wadham college is an altar-cloth by Fuller in a singular manner, and of merit; which is just brushed over for the lights and shades, and the colours melted in with a hot iron. Soon after the restoration, he was engaged in painting the circumstances of king Charles II.'s escape, which he executed in five large pictures. These were presented to the parliament of Ireland, where they remained for many years in one of the rooms of the parliament house in Dublin. But some time in the last century the house undergoing a thorough repair, these pictures were not replaced, but lay neglected, until they were rescued by the late earl of Clanbrassil, who obtained possession of them, and had them cleaned and removed to his seat at Tullymore park, co. Down, where they were a few years ago. Lord Orford speaks slightingly of these, which he had never seen, and probably with as much justice as of Fuller’s altar-piece at All-souls college, which he never could have seen, for Fuller had no picture there. Fuller died in Bloomsbury-square July 17, 1672, and left a gon, an ingenious but idle man, chiefly employed ia coach -painting, who died young.
lisbury. This year also he issued his first publication, a work of the poetical kind, now but little known, entitled “David’s Hainous Sin, Heartie Repentances, and Heavie
, an English historian and divine,
was the son of the rev. Thomas Fuller, minister of St.
Peter’s, in Aldwincle, in Northamptonshire, and born
there in 1608. The chief assistance he had in the rudiments of learning was from his father, under whom he
made so extraordinary a progress, that he was sent at
twelve years of age to Queen’s-college, in Cambridge;
Dr. Davenant, who was his mother’s brother, being then
master of it, and soon after bishop of Salisbury. He took
his degrees in arts, that of A. B. in 1624-5, and that of
A. M. in 1628, and would have been fellow of the college;
but there being already a Northamptonshire man a fellow,
he was prohibited by the statutes from being chosen, and
although he might have obtained a dispensation, he preferred removing to Sidney-college, in the same university.
He had not been long there, before he was chosen minister of St. Bennet’s, in the town of Cambridge, and soon
became a very popular preacher. In 1631, he obtained a
fellowship in Sidney-college, and at the same time a prebend in the church of Salisbury. This year also he issued
his first publication, a work of the poetical kind, now but
little known, entitled “David’s Hainous Sin, Heartie Repentances, and Heavie Punishment,
” in a thin 8vx>.
It was sufficiently known how steady he was in the interests of the church of England,
It was sufficiently known how steady he was in the interests of the church of England, against the innovations
of the presbyterians and independents; but his zeal against
these was mixed with greater compassion than it was towards the papists: and this raised him up many adversaries, who charged him with puritanism. He used to
call the controversies concerning episcopacy, and the newfangled arguments against the church of England, “insects
of a day;
” and carefully avoided polemical disputes, being
altogether of sir Henry Wotton’s opinion, “disputandi
pruritus, ecclesise scabies.
” The fact was, that he loved
pious and good men of all denominations, and it is this
candour which has given a value to his works superior to
those of his opponents. For the many errors which occur
in his histories, it is surely easy to find an apology in this
single circumstance, that the whole of them were compiled
and published within about twenty years, during which he
was obliged to remove from place to place in quest of
literary leisure, and freedom from the cruel severities of
the times. His “Church History* 1 is the most incorrect
of all his works, and Strype has pointed out a great many
errors in the transcription of historical documents, to which
perhaps Fuller had not the easiest access. His
” Worthies"
was a posthumous publication, by his Son, and although
less perfect than he could have made it, had his life been
spared a few years longer, with the opportunities which
the return of peace might have afforded, yet it contains
many interesting memorials; and he was the second (see Samuel Clarke) who published what may be called English biography. This work has for many years been rising
in price and- estimation, and the public has lately been
gratified by a new edition, in 2 vols. 4to, edited by Mr.
Nichols, with many improvements and additions, from the
communications of his literary friends.
, an English physician, but perhaps better known for a very useful work on morals, was born June 24, 1654, and
, an English physician, but perhaps
better known for a very useful work on morals, was born
June 24, 1654, and was educated at Queen’s college,
Cambridge, where he took his degrees in medicine, that
of M. B. in 1676, and that of M. D. in 1681. He does
not appear to have been a member of the college of physicians of London, but settled at Sevenoak in Kent, where
he was greatly esteemed. He was a great benefactor to
the poor, and a zealous assertor of their rights, having,
not long before his death, prosecuted the managers of a
considerable charity given to the inhabitants of that town
by sir William Senoke (a foundling of the place, and in 1418 lord mayor of London) and obliged them to produce
their accounts in chancery, and to be subject for the
future to an annual election. Here Dr. Fuller died, Sept.
17, 1734. The moral work which he published was entitled “Introductio ad prudentiam; or directions, counsels
and cautions, tending to prudent management of affairs of
common life,
” Introductio, &c.; or the art of
right thinking, assisted and improved by such notions as
men of sense and experience have left us in their writings,
in order to eradicate error, and plant knowledge,
” Pharmacopreia extemporanea,
” Pharmacopoeia Bateana,
” Pharmacopoeia Domestica,
” Of eruptive fevers, measles, and small-pox,
” Medici na Gymnastica,
” which has been sometimes attributed to him, but
was written by a Francis Fuller, M. A. of St. John’s college,
Cambridge, and published in 1704.
n of a tradesman at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was born in Nov. 1632, and his early capacity being known to the celebrated Dr. Hammond, who was minister of that place,
, an English antiquary, was the
son of a tradesman at Penshurst, in Kent, where he was
born in Nov. 1632, and his early capacity being known to
the celebrated Dr. Hammond, who was minister of that
place, he took him with him to Oxford during the usurpation. There he procured him the place of chorister in
Magdalen college, and at the same time had him educated
at the school belonging to that college. In 1647 he became a candidate for a scholarship in Corpus Christi college, and succeeded by his skill in classical learning. The
next year he was ejected by the parliamentary visitors,
along with his early patron, Dr. Hammond, to whom,
however, he faithfully adhered, and was serviceable to him
as an amanuensis. Dr. Hammond afterwards procured him
a tutor’s place in a family, where he remained until the
restoration, and then resuming his scholarship at college,
was created M. A. and obtained a fellowship. He was,
several years after, presented by his college to the rectory
of Meysey Hampton, near Fairford, in Gloucestershire,
on which he resided during his life, employing his time
that was not occupied in professional duties, in the study
pf history and antiquities, particularly what regarded his
own country. He died June 28, 1688, according to
Wood, but Atkins mentions his successor, Dr. Beale, with
(he date 1697. Wood informs us that Mr. Fulmau made large collections of history, but published little. We have, however, of his, 1. “Academiae Oxoniensis Notitia,
” Oxford, Appendix to the Life of Edmund Stunton, D. D. wherein some passages are further cleared, which were not fully held forth by the former authors,
” Lond. Corrections and Observations on the first part of Burnet’s History of
the Reformation,
” not a distinct publication, but communicated by the author to Burnet, who published them
at the end of his second volume, and, according to Wood,
not completely. Fulman also collected what are called
the “Works of Charles I.
” but happening to be taken ill
about the intended time of publication (1662), the bookseller employed Dr. Periuchief as editor. It contains,
however, Fulman’s notes. Many of his ms collections
are in the library of Corpus Christi college. He will occur
to be noticed hereafter as editor of Dr. Hammond’s works.
onishing progress, under Romulus Amaseus, and the extensive learning he afterwards acquired made him known and respected by all the eminent scholars of his time. On the
, an accomplished
scholar and Latin poet, was born at Verona, and not at
Venice, as Foscarini asserts. He studied Greek and Latin with astonishing progress, under Romulus Amaseus,
and the extensive learning he afterwards acquired made
him known and respected by all the eminent scholars of
his time. On the death pf one of his particular friends,
John Matthew Giberti, bishop of Verona, which happened
in 1544, he composed a funeral oration, which is said to
have been very eloquent, but which he was not able to
deliver without such continual interruption from the tears
and sobs of his audience, as prevented its being heard with
any other effect. At this time he enjoyed a canonry at
Venice, which he kept all his life. Navagero and Valerio,
the two successive bishops of Verona, and both cardinals,
had the highest esteem for Fumani; by the interest of the
former he was appointed secretary to the council of Trent.
He died advanced in age in 1587. He published “D.
Basilii Moralia, et Ascetica,
” translated by him, Leyden,
and the priory of Chuines. Many works of literature recommended him to the public; but he is chiefly known and valued for his “Universal Dictionary of the French Tongue,”
, an ingenious and learned lawyer, was born at Paris in 1620; and, after a liberal education, became eminent in the civil and canon law. He
was first an advocate in the parliament; and afterwards,
taking orders, was presented to the abbey of Chalivoy,
and the priory of Chuines. Many works of literature recommended him to the public; but he is chiefly known
and valued for his “Universal Dictionary of the French
Tongue,
” in which he explains the terms of art in all
sciences. He died in 1688. He was of the French academy, but, though a very useful member, was excluded
in 1685, on the accusation of having composed his
dictionary, by taking advantage of that of the academy, which
was then going on. He justified himself by statements,
in which he was very severe against the academy; but
wished, a little before his death, to be re-admitted; and
he offered to give any satisfaction, which could reasonably
be expected from a man, who owned he had been carried
too far by the heat of disputation. His dictionary was not
printed till after his death, in 2 vols. fol. Basnage de
Beauval published an edition at Amsterdam, 1725, 4 vols.,
fol. This dictionary was the foundation of that known by
the name of Trevoux, the last edition of which is, Paris,
1771, 8 vols. fol. His other works are: “Facta,
” and.
other pieces, against his brother academicians. “Relation
des Troubles arrives au Ro‘iaume d’Eloquence;
” a tolerably good critical allegory. “Le Roman Bourgeois,
” 12mo
or 8vo; a book esteemed in its time. Five “Satires
” in
verse, 12mo, which are not valued. “Paraboles Evangeliques,
” inverse, Furetieriana,
” in which there are some amusing anecdotes.
erks minor, was born at Rome in 1726, and boasted of being the descendant of Nicolas Gabrini, better known by the name Rienzi. Having been appointed Greek professor at
, of the order of the clerks
minor, was born at Rome in 1726, and boasted of being
the descendant of Nicolas Gabrini, better known by the
name Rienzi. Having been appointed Greek professor at
Pesaro, he acquired great reputation for his critical knowledge of that language. He afterwards was invited to be
philosophy professor at Rome, and had a cure of souls
which he held for twenty-seven years, with the character
of an excellent pastor. After other preferments in the
ecclesiastical order to which he belonged, he was at last
made general, and while in this station was frequently consulted by congregations, bishops, and popes, who had a
very high esteem for his judgment. He died very advanced, on Nov. 16, 1807. Besides some tracts published in.
defence of his ancestor Rienzi, he published “A Dissertation on the 20th proposition of the first book of Euclid,
”
Pesaro,
, a French poet, well known by his satirical pieces against Bossuet, Rousseau, La Motte,
, a French poet, well known by his
satirical pieces against Bossuet, Rousseau, La Motte, and
others, was the son of a merchant, and born at Lyons in
1667. He became a father of the Oratory; obtained the
poetical prize at the French academy in 1717; and died
in his priory of Baillon Nov. 15, 1725. Among his works
are, “Le Poete sans fard,
” a satirical piece, which cost
him some months of imprisonment; a French translation
of “Anacreon,
” with notes, which was the best of his
works; “L' Anti-Rousseau,
” an attack against J. Baptiste
Rousseau, the poet; “L'Homere venge,
” against La
Motte. Gacon also attacked La Motte, and turned him
into ridicule, in a small piece entitled “Les Fables de
M. de la Motte, traduites en vers Francois, par P. S. F.
au Caffe* du Mont Parnasse, &c.
” This poet’s natural
propensity to satire and criticism, led him to attack alt
sorts of writers, and involved him in all the literary quarrels of his times. The French academy acted with great
impartiality, when they adjudged him the prize; for he
had written in some shape or other against almost all the
members of that illustrious body; and on this account it
was, that he was not suffered to make his speech of thanks,
as is usual on such occasions, the prize having been remitted to him by the hands of the abbé de Choisy. “Gacon,
” says Voltaire, “is placed bj father Niceron in the
catalogue of illustrious men, though he has been famous
only for bad satires. Such authors cannot be cited but as
examples to be detested.
” In fact, though he wrote with
care, his style was heavy and diffuse in prose, and low in
verse.
, or Galateus Liciensis, an eminent Italian writer, whose proper name was Ferrari, isgenerally known by that of Galateo, from his native place, Galatina, in Otranto,
, or Galateus Liciensis, an eminent Italian writer, whose proper name was Ferrari, isgenerally known by that of Galateo, from his native place,
Galatina, in Otranto, where he was born in 1444. His
father dying in his infancy, he was taken in to the protection of his grandfather, who had him educuted at Nardo.
He afterwards studied medicine, which, after taking his
degrees at Ferrara, he practised at Naples with great reputation, and was appointed physician to the king, in consequence of the recommendation of Sannazarius and Pontanus. The air of Naples, however, not agreeing with
him, he removed to Gailipoli, near Galatina, where he
resumed his practice. He died Nov. 12, 1517. He was
not only eminent as a physician, but his natural and moral
philosophy is said to have risen beyond the level of the age
in which he lived. He is also said to have indicated the
possibility of the navigation to the East by the Cape of
Good Hope, in his treatise “De situ Elementorum,
” published in De situ lapygiae,
” Basil, A Description of Gailipoli.
” 3. “Successi dell‘ armata Turchescanella citta d’Otranto dell' anno 1480,
” 4to,
a particular skill in the wounds of the nerves, and was possessed of a method of treating them never known before; for Galen, as well as all other ancient physicians,
He was now only twenty-eight years of age, and had made some considerable advances toward improving his art. He had acquired a particular skill in the wounds of the nerves, and was possessed of a method of treating them never known before; for Galen, as well as all other ancient physicians, united surgery to medicine. The pontiff of Pergamus gave him an opportunity of, trying his new method upon the gladiators, and he was so successful that not a single man perished by any wounds of this kind. He had been four years at Pergamus, exercising his faculty with unrivalled fame, when, being made uneasy by some seditious disturbances, he quitted his country and went to Rome, resolving to settle in that capital. But his views were disappointed. The physicians there, sensible of the danger of such a competitor, found means by degrees so completely to undermine him, that he was obliged, after a few years, to leave the city. He had, however, in that time made several acquaintances, both of considerable rank, and the first character for learning. Among others, he had a particular connection with Eudemus, a peripatetic philosopher of great repute. This person he cured of a fever, which from a quartan, bad degenerated into a triple quartan, by the ill-judged application which the patient had made of the theriacum; and what is somewhat remarkable, Galen cured the malady with the same medicine that had caused it; and even predicted when the fits would first cease to return, and in what time the patient would entirely recover. Indeed, so great was his skill and sagacity in these fevers, that if we may believe his own words, he was able to predict from (he first visit, or from the first attack, what species of a fever would appear, a tertian, quartan, or quotidian. He was also greatly esteemed by Sergius Paulus, praetor of Reme; as also by Barbarus, uncle to the emperor Lucius; by Severus, then consul, and afterwards emperor; and last^ by Boethus, a person of consular dignity, in whose presence he had an opportunity of making dissections, and of shewing, particularly, the organs of respiration and the voice, His reputation, likewise, was much increased by the success which he had in recovering the wife of Boethus, who on that occasion presented him with four hundred pieces of gold. But that on which he valued himself most, was the case of a lady, who was said to lie in a very dangerous condition; whose disorder he discovered to be love, the object of which was a rope-dancer thus rivalling th discovery of the luve of Antiochus for Stratonice, which had given so much celebrity to Krasistratus.
m. Galiani soon afterwards displayed his abilities in philosophy, by publishing about 1745, his well- known political tract “Trattato della Moneta,” (a Treatise on Money).
At the age of twenty, about 1740, he published a ludicrous work, which evinced the turn of his genius for wit
and humour. It was a prevailing custom at that time in
Naples (as well as in other cities of Italy), on the decease
of any great or eminent person, to make a large collection
of songs, sonnets, epigrams, elegies, and inscriptions, in
praise of the real or reputed talents and virtues of the deceased. The abuse to which such a practice is liable,
called loudly for reformation, and Galiani catching the
opportunity of the death of a famous public executioner,
named Jannaccone, sported a droll funereal collection of
prose and verse in his praise, in which the manner and
style of the respective authors, accustomed to that sort of
compositions, were ingeniously personated and burlesqued.
Much about the same time, Galiani had an opportunity
in another work, of producing another specimen of his
humour. Pope Benedict XIV. had applied to his uncle,
the great almoner, to procure him a complete collection
of the various materials which compose mount Vesuvius.
This prelate intrusted the commission to his nephew, who
actually undertook to make the collection, accompanying
each article with a short philosophical comment. Soon
after, he addressed them in a box to the pontiiT, with an
humorous inscription to the whole, “Si filius Dei es, fae
ut Lapides isti Panes fiant.
” The turn of this motto was
easily apprehended by the pope, who was himself one of
the wittiest men of his age, and it could not fail to procure Galiani what he hinted at. He accordingly received
soon afterwards a rich abbey, worth four thousand ducats
(nearly seven hundred pounds) per annum. Galiani soon
afterwards displayed his abilities in philosophy, by publishing about 1745, his well-known political tract “Trattato della Moneta,
” (a Treatise on Money). This was
unanimously pronounced in Italy an original and capital
publication, which firmly established his reputation in the
world. He was now appointed secretary to the Neapolitan
ambassador in Paris, where he soon exhibited other specimens of his philosophical abilities, by publishing an
“Essay on the Commerce of Corn.
” This new work was
very favourably received in France, where some of their
philosophers were candidly wont to say, “Le petit Italien
est en cela plus instruit que nous.
” By the word -petit,
they allude to the diminutive stature of the author.
tself decisively for that study. He needed no directions where to begin. Euclid’s Elements were well known to be the best foundation in this science. He therefore set
, the celebrated astronomer and
mathematician, was the son of Vincenzo Galilei, a nobleman of Florence, not less distinguished by his quality and
fortune, than conspicuous for his skill and knowledge in
music; about some points in which science he maintained
a dispute with the famous Zarlinas. His wife brought him
this son, Feb. 10, 1564, either at Pisa, or, which is more
probable, at Florence. Galileo received an education
suitable to his birth, his taste, and his abilities. He went
through his studies early, and his father then wished that
he should apply himself to medicine;. but having obtained
at college some knowledge of mathematics, his genius declared itself decisively for that study. He needed no directions where to begin. Euclid’s Elements were well
known to be the best foundation in this science. He
therefore set out with studying that work, of which he
made himself master without assistance, and proceeded
thence to such authors as were in most esteem, ancient
and modern. His progress in these sciences was so extraordinary, that in 1589, he was appointed professor of
mathematics in the university of Pisa, but being there
continually harrasted by the scholastic professors, for opposing some maxims of their favourite Aristotle, he quitted
that place at the latter end of 1592, for Padua, whither
he was invited very handsomely to accept a similar professorship; soon after which, by the esteem arising from his
genius and erudition, he was recommended to the friendship of Tycho Brache. He had already, even long before
1586, written his “Mechanics,
” or a treatise of the benefits derived from that science and from its instruments,
together with a fragment concerning percussion, the first
published by Mersennus, at Paris, in 1G34-, in “Mersenni
Opera,
” vol. I. and both by Menoless, vol. I. as also his
“Balance,
” in which, after Archimedes’s problem of the
crown, he shewed how to find the proportion of alloy, or
mixt metals, and how to make theuaid instrument. These
he had read to his pupils soon after his arrival at Padua, in
1593.
n one of his works, ridicules the unwillingness of the Aristotelians to allow of any discoveries not known to their master, by introducing a speaker who attributes the
While he was professor at Padua, in 1609, visiting Ve>nice, then famous for the nrt of making glass, he heard of
the invention of the telescope by James Metius, in
Holland. This notice was sufficient for Galileo; his curiosity
was raised; and the result of his inquiry was a telescope
of his own, produced from this hint, without having seen
the Dutch glass. All the discoveries he made in astronomy
were the easy and natural consequences of this invention,
which opening a way, till then unknown, into the heavens,
gave that science an entirely new face. Galileo, in one
of his works, ridicules the unwillingness of the Aristotelians to allow of any discoveries not known to their master,
by introducing a speaker who attributes the telescope to
him, on account of what he says of seeing the stars from
the bottom of a deep well. “The well,
” says he, “is the
tube of the telescope, the intervening vapours answer to
the glasses.
” He began by observing the moon, and calculating the height of her mountains. He then discovered
four of Jupiter’s satellites, which he called the Medicean
stars or planets, in honour of Cosmo II. grand duke of
Tuscany, who was of that noble family. Cosmo now recalled him from Padua, re-established him at Pisa, with a
very handsome stipend, in 1610; and the same year,
having lately invited him to Florence, gave him the post
and title of his principal philosopher and mathematician.
ng, or perversity of will. Galileo clearly saw the poison of both in it; and therefore following the known maxim, that forced oaths anil promises are not binding to the
It was not long before Galileo discovered the phases of Venus, and other celestial phenomena. He had been, however, but a few years at Florence, before he was convinced by sad experience, that Aristotle’s doctrine, however ill-grounded, was held too sacred to be called in question. Having observed some solar spots in 1612, be printed that discovery the following year at Rome; in which, and in some other publications, he ventured to assert the truth of the Copernican system, and brought several new arguments to confirm it. This startled the jealousy of the Jesuits, who procured a citation for him to appear before the holy office at Rome, in 1615, where he was charged with heresy, for maintaining these two propositions; 1. That the sun is in the centre of the world, and immoveable by a local motion; and, 2. That the earth is not the centre of the world, nor immoveable, but actually moves by a diurnal motion. The first of these positions was declared to be absurd, false in philosophy, and formally heretical, being contrary to the express word of God; the second was also alleged to be philosophically false, and, in a theological view, at least erroneous in point of faith. He was detained in the inquisition till Feb. 1616, on the 25th of which month sentence was passed against him; by which he was enjoined to renounce his heretical opinions, and not to defend them either by word or writing, nor even to insinuate them into the mind of any person whatsoever; and lit obtained his discharge only by a promise to conform himself to this order. It is hard to say whether his sentence betrayed greater weakness of understanding, or perversity of will. Galileo clearly saw the poison of both in it; and therefore following the known maxim, that forced oaths anil promises are not binding to the conscience, he went on, making further new discoveries in the planetary system, and occasionally publishing them with such inferences and remarks as necessarily followed from them, notwithstanding they tended plainly to establish the truth of the above-mentioned condemned propositions.
ology, and was priest of the congregation of the oratory. His works were numerous, but he is chiefly known by his “Trattato de gli instrumenti di Martirio, &c.” “A Treatise
, a native of Rome, where
he died in 1605, excelled in theology, and was priest of
the congregation of the oratory. His works were numerous, but he is chiefly known by his “Trattato de gli
instrumenti di Martirio, &c.
” “A Treatise on the different kinds of Cruelties inflicted by the pagans on the
Martyrs of the primitive Church, illustrated with engravings of the instruments of torture made use of by them.
”
This work, first published in Italian in De Sanctorum Martyrum Cruciatibus, &c.
” illustrated with wood cuts. It has since gone through many
editions on the continent. In 1591 he published his
“History of the Virgins,
” also in Italian “The Lives of
certain Martyrs,
” The Life of St. Philip
Neri
” and “De Monachatu Sancti Gregorii,
” the account of St. Gregory when a monk, in
borate eulogium. The poem of Camoens, entitled “The Lusied,” on Gama’s first expedition, is now well known in this country by Mickle’s able translation.
, an illustrious Portuguese, is immortalized by his discovery of the passage to
the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope. The maritime town of Sines in Portugal was the place of his birth,
his family was good, but not noble, till made so by the
h.)no;irs he acquired. In 1497, Emanuel king of Portugal,
earnestly desirous of making discoveries in those parts of
the globe, appointed Gama to command an expedition to
endeavour to sail round the Cape, then called the Cape of
Tempests. Vasco highly pleased with this appointment,
which suited his undaunted and adventurous spirit, sailed
from the Tagus, July 8, having two ships besides his own,
and a store ship. At Lisbon he was generally considered
as going to certain destruction, and the whole equipment
as devoted; but though, on his approach to the Cape, he
actually encountered dreadful storms, his perseverance was
not to be conquered. Like Columbus, he had to contend
with the mutinous despondence of his own people, as well
as with the elements, but was superior to all. Having
doubled the Cape on the 20th of November, he sailed
along the eastern coast of Africa, but met with inveterate
hostility and treachery from the Moorish settlers, except
the king of Melinda. He proceeded as far as Calicut,
doubled the Cape again in April 1499, and returned to
Lisbon in the space of two years and alifkost two months.
The king and nation were overjoyed at this success, and
he was created count of Vidiguere, and admiral of the
Indian, Persian, and Arabian seas. Gama now rested a
few years, while Cabral was sent out with thirteen ships;
and John de Nova, with a reinforcement of three more,
visited Calicut; but it was found that greater force was
wanted, and in 1502, he set sail again, having twenty
ships under his command. He returned in September 1503,
with thirteen ships laden with riches. When Emanucl,
kingof Portugal died, the credit of Gama continued unimpaired, and in 1524, he was by his successor, John III.
appointed viceroy of India. He returned thither a third
time, and established his seat of government at Cochin,
but died on the 24th of December 1525, almost as soon as
he was settled. He was honoured with the title of don fof
himself and his posterity, and created a grandee of Portugal. Gama was formed by nature to conduct the most
arduous enterprises. His intrepidity, which was invincible, was not more remarkable than his sagacity and prudence: and the feelings of his heart appear to wonderful
advantage, when we find him, amidst all the extravagance
of public applause, after his first return from India, drooping for the loss of his brother and companion of his voyage,
Paulus de Gama, and unable to enjoy his fame. He had
even sent his flag-ship home before him, under the command of Coello, his next officer, that he might attend and
sooth the death-bed of tbis beloved brother. Such a
victory of tenderness over ardent and successful ambition,
gives a better picture of his heart than the most elaborate
eulogium. The poem of Camoens, entitled “The Lusied,
” on Gama’s first expedition, is now well known in
this country by Mickle’s able translation.
2mo. Joining afterwards the Church of the Brethren, established by an act of parliament of 1749, and known by the name of “Unitas Fratrum,” or, the United Brethren; he
, a pious bishop among the Moravian brethren, was born near Haverford Wes in SouthWales, and became a member of Christ- church, Oxford,
where he took the degree of M. A. May 30, 1734; and
was afterwards vicar of Stanton Harcourt, in Oxfordshire,
to which he was presented by Dr. Seeker, when bishop of
Oxford. At this place, in 1740, he wrote “The Martyrdom of Ignatius, a Tragedy,
” published after his death by
the rev. Benjamin La Trobe with the Life of Ignatius,
drawn from authentic accounts, and from the epistles written by him from Smyrna and Troas in his way to Rome,
1773, 8vo. A sermon, which he preached before the
university of Oxford, was published under the title of
“Christianity, Tidings of Joy,
” Textu per omnia Milliano, cum divisione pericoparum &
interpunctura A. Bengelii,
” 12mo. Joining afterwards the
Church of the Brethren, established by an act of parliament of 1749, and known by the name of “Unitas Fratrum,
” or, the United Brethren; he was, for many years,
the regular minister of the congregation settled at London,
and resided in Neville’s-court, Fetter-lane, where he
preached at the chapel of the society. His connexion with
these sectaries commenced in 1748, when Peter Boehler
visited Oxford, and held frequent meetings with John and
Charles Wesley, for the edification of awakened people,
both learned and unlearned. His discourses were in Latin,
and were interpreted by Mr. Gambold. He was consecrated a bishop at an English provincial synod held at
Lindsey house in Nov. 1754, and was greatly esteemed for
his piety and learning by several English bishops, who had
been his contemporaries in the university of Oxford. In
1765 a congregation was settled by bishop Gatnbold, at
Cootbill, in Ireland. Soon after he had joined the brethren, he published a treatise, written while he was at
Stariton Haiv.ourt, and which proves his steady attachment
to the church of England, entirely consistent with his connexion with, and ministry in, the church of the brethren.
The title of it is, “A short summary of Christian Doctrine,
in the w.iy ol question and answer; the answers being all
made in the sound and venerable words of the Common-?
prayer-book of the church of England. To which are
added, some extracts out of the Homilies. Collected for
the service of a few persons, members of the established
church i but imagined not to be unuseful to others.
” We
know not the exact date of this treatise; but a second edition of it was printed in 1767, 12mo. Mr. Gam-bold also
published in 1751, 8vo, “Maxims and Theological Ideas
and Sentences, collected out of several dissertations and
discourses of count Zinzendorf, from 1738 till 1747*
” His
“Hymns for the use of the Brethren
” were printed in
Essay towards giving
some just ideas of the personal character of count Zinzendorf, the present advocate and ordinary of the brethren’s
churches,
” Sixteen Discourses on the Second Article of the Creed,
preached at Berlin by the ordinary of the Brethren,
” 12mo.
In June The ordinary oi' the Brethren’s
churches his short and peremptory remarks on the way and
manner wherein he has been hitherto treated in controversies, &c. Translated from the High Dutch, with a preface, by John Gambold, minister of the chapel in Fetterlane.
” In the same year he published, “Twenty-one
discourses, or dissertations, upon the Augsburg Confession, which is also the Brethren’s Confession of Faith; delivered by the ordinary of the Brethren’s churches before
the seminary. To which is prefixed a synodical writing
relating to the subject. Translated from fche High Dutch,
by F. Okeley, A. B.
” In A
clest Plea for the Church of the Brethren,
” &c. 8vo with a
preface hy himself. In the same year, in conjunction with
Mr. Hutton, secretary to the brethren, he also drew up
4< The representation of the committee of the English
congregation in union with the Moravian church,“addressed to the archbishop of York; and also
” The plain
case of the representatives of the people known by the name
f the Unitas Fratrum, from the year 1727 till these times,
with regard to their conduct in this country under misrepresentation.“And in 1755 he assisted in the publication
of
” A letter from a minister of the Moravian branch of
the Unitas Fratrum, together with some additional notes
by the English editor, to the author of the Moravians compared and detected;“and also of
” An exposition, or true
state of the matters objected in England to the people
known by the name of Unitas Fratrutn; by the ordinary of
the brethren; the notes and additions by the editor.“In
1756 he preached at Fetter-lane chapel, and printed afterwards, a sermon upon a public fast and humiliation, setting forth
” the reasonableness and extent of religious reverence.“He was not only a good scholar, but a man of
great parts, and of singular mechanical ingenuity. It was.
late in both their lives before the learned Bowyer was acquainted with his merits; but he no sooner knew them,
than he was happy in his acquaintance, and very frequently
applied to him as an occasional assistant in correcting the
press; in which capacity Mr. Gambold superintended
(among many other valuable publications) the beautiful
and very accurate edition of lord chancellor Bacon’s works
in 1765; and in 1767 he was professedly the editor, and
took an active part in the translation from the High Dutch,
of
” The History of Greenland;“containing a
” description of the country and its inhabitants; and particularly a
relation of the mission carried on for above these thirty
years by the Unitas Fratrum at New Herrnhut and Lichtenfels in that country, by David Crantz; illustrated with
maps and other copper-plates: printed for the brethren’s
society for the furtherance of the Gospel among the Heathen," 2 vols. 8vo. In the autumn of 1768 he retired to
his native country, where he died, at Haverford West,
universally respected, Sept. 13, 1771.
, an able artist, although little known, was born in 1619, and instructed by Vandyck; and his works
, an able artist, although little known, was born in 1619, and instructed by Vandyck; and his works are a sufficient proof of the signal improvement he received from the precepts and example of that great master. The cause of his being so totally unknown was, his being brought into Ireland by the old duke of Ormond, and retained in his service. And as Ireland was at that time in a very unsettled condition, the merit and the memory of this master would have been entirely unnoticed, if some of his performances, which still subsist, had not preserved him from oblivion. There are at this time in Ireland many portraits, painted by him, of noblemen and persons of fortune, which are very little inferior to Vandyck, either for expression, colouring, or dignity; and several of his’copies after Vandyck, which were in the Ormond collection at Kilkenny, were sold for original paintings of Vandyck. Mr. Gandy died in 1689.
ly, Germany, England, and even in Holland; particucularly the small Roman, by way of excellence, was known among the printers in all these countries, by the name of Garamond’s
, a French engraver and letter-founder, was a native of Paris, and began to distinguish himself about 1510; when he founded his printing types, clear from all remains of the gothic, or, as it is usually called, the black letter. He brought them to so great a degree of perfection, that he can neither be denied the glory of having surpassed whatever had been done in this way before, nor that of not being excelled by any of his successors in this useful mechanic art. His types were prodigiously multiplied, as well by the great number of matrices which he engraved of every size, as by the letters which were founded from these, so that all parts of Europe were supplied with them; and as often as they were used by foreigners, they took care, by way of recommending their works, to distinguish them by his name, both in Italy, Germany, England, and even in Holland; particucularly the small Roman, by way of excellence, was known among the printers in all these countries, by the name of Garamond’s small Roman. He likewise, by the special command of Francis I. founded three species of Greek tj-pes for the use of Robert Stephens, who printed with them all his beautiful editions, both of the New Testament, and several Greek authors. Garamond died in 1561; and all his fine types came into the hands of Fournier the elder, an eminent letter- founder at Paris.
, better known to the public by the title of Lord Gardenstone, was born at
, better known to the public by the title of Lord Gardenstone, was born at Edinburgh June 24, 1721. His father was Alexander Garden, of Troop, an opulent land-holder in Aberdeenshire; and his mother was Jane, daughter of sir Francis Grant, of Cullen, one of the senators of the college of justice. After passing through the usual course of liberal education at school and at the university, he applied to the study of law as a profession, and in 1744 was admitted a member of the faculty of advocates, and called to the Scottish bar. In his practice as an advocate he soon began to be distinguished by a strong native rectitude of understanding; by that vivacity of apprehension and imagination, which is commonly denominated genius; by manly candour in argument, often more persuasive than subtilty and sophistical artifice; by powers which, with diligence, might easily attain to the highest eminence of the profession. But the same strength, openness, and ardour of mind which distinguished him so advantageously among the pleaders at the bar, tended to give him a fondness for the gay enjoyments of convivial intercourse, which was in some respects unfavourable to his progress in juridical erudition, yet without obstructing those promotions to which his talents entitled him. In 1764 he became his, majesty’s solicitor, and afterwards one of the judges in the courts of session and justiciary, the supreme judicatures, civil and criminal, for Scotland. On this occasion he assumed, according to the usual practice, the title of lord Gardenstone. His place in the court of session he continued to occupy till his death, but had some years before resigned the office of a commissioner of justiciary, and in recompense got a pension of 200l. per annum. Clear discernment, strong good sense, conscientious honesty, and amiable benevolence, remarkably distinguished his opinions and conduct as a judge.
strict, though unaffected sanctity of manners. All this is amply illustrated in Dr. Doddridge’s well- known life of this gallant hero, whose death was as much a loss, as
, a brave officer of the army, and
not less celebrated for his piety, was born at Carriden, in
Linlithgow shire, in Scotland, Jan. 10, 1687-8. He was
the son of captain Patrick Gardiner, of the family of Torwoodhead, by Mrs. Mary Hodge, of the family of GladsKiitir. His family was military, his father, his uncle by
the mother’s side, and his elder brother, all fell in battle.
He was educated at the school of Linlithgow, but was soon
removed from it, owing to his early zeal to follow his father’s profession. At the age of fourteen he had an ensign’s commission in the Dutch service, in which he
continued until 1702; when he received the same from queen
Anne, and being present at the battle of Ramillies, in his
nineteenth year, was severely wounded and taken prisoner
by the French. He was carried to a convent, where he
resided until his wound was cured; and soon after was exchanged. In 1706 he obtained the rank of lieutenant, and
after several intermediate promotions, was appointed major of a regiment commanded by the earl of Stair, in whose
family he resided for several years. In January 1730, he
was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the same
regiment, in which he continued until April 1743, when
he received a colonel’s commission over a regiment of
dragoons. During the rebellion in Scotland, in 1745, his
regiment being in that country, and the rebel army advancing to Edinburgh, he was ordered to march with the
utmost expedition to D unbar, which he didj and that hasty
retreat, with the news soon afterwards received of the
surrender of Edinburgh to the rebels, struck a visible
panic into the forces he commanded. This affected his
gallant mind so much, that on the Thursday before the
battle of Preston-pans, he intimated to an officer of considerable rank, that he expected the event would be as it
proved; and to a person who visited him, he said, “I
cannot influence the conduct of others as I could wish;
but I have one life to sacrifice to my country’s safety, and
I shall not spare it.
” On Friday Sept. 20th, the day before the fatal battle, when the whole army was drawn up,
about noon, the colonel rode through the ranks of his regiment, and addressed them in an animated manner, to
exert themselves with courage in defence of their country.
They seemed much affected by his address, and expressed
a very ardent desire of attacking the enemy immediately,
a desire in which he, and another gallant officer of distinguished rank, would have gratified them, had it been
in their power, but their ardour and their advice were overruled by the strange conduct of the commander-in-chief,
sir John Cope, and therefore all that colonel Gardiner
could do, was to spend the remainder of the day in making
as good a disposition as the circumstances would allow. He
continued all night under arms, wrapped Mp in his cloak,
and sheltered under a rick of barley which happened to
be in the field. By break of day the army was roused by
the noise of the approach of the rebels; and the attack
was made before sun -rise. As soon as the enemy came
within gun-shot, they commenced a furious fire; and the
dragoons which constituted the left wing immediately fled.
The colonel at the beginning of the attack, which lasted
but a few minutes, received a ball in his left breast, which
made him give a sudden spring in his saddle; upon which
his servant, who had led the horse, would have persuaded
him to, retreat; but he said it was only a flesh-wound, and
fought on, though he presently after received a shot in
his right thigh. The colonel was for a few moments supported by his men, and particularly by about fifteen dragoons, who stood by him to 'the last; but after a faint
fire, the regiment in general was seized with a panic; and
though their colonel and some other brave officers did
what they could to rally them, they at lust took to a precipitate flight. Just in the moment when colonel Gardiner
seemed to be making a pause to deliberate what duty required him to do in such a circumstance, he saw a party
of the foot fighting bravely near him, without an officer to
lead them, on which he rode up to them immediately, and
cried out aloud, “Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing.
”
As he had uttered these words, a Highlander advanced
towards him with a scythe fastened to a long pole, with
which he gave him such a deep wound in his right arm,
that his sword dropped from his band, and several others
coming about him at the same time, while he was thus
dreadfully entangled with that savage weapon, he was
dragged from his horse. The moment he fell, another
Highlander gave him a stroke either with a broad -sword, or a
Lochaber axe, on the hinder part of the head, which was the
mortal blow. All that his faithful servant, John Forster,
who furnished this account, saw further at this time, was,
that as his hat was falling olf, he took it in his left hand,
waved it as a signal for him to retreat, and added, which
were the last words he ever heard him speak, “Take care
of yourself.
” The servant immediately fled to a mill,
about two miles distant, where he changed his dress, and
disguised like a miller’s servant, returned with a cart about
two hours after the engagement. He found his master not
dnly plundered of his watch and other things of value, but
even stripped of his upper garments and boots. He was,
however, still breathing, and from appearances, not altogether insensible. In this condition he was conveyed to
the church of Tranent, and from that to the clergyman’s
house, where he expired about eleven o'clock in the
forenoon, Saturday Sept. 21, 1745. The rebels entered his
house before he was carried off from the field, and plundered it. His remains were interred on the Tuesday following, Sept. 24, at the parish church of Tranent. Even
his enemies spoke honourably of him, and seemed to join
in lamenting the fall of so brave and so worthy a man.
Nor was it for bravery only that colonel Gardiner was distinguished. He was perhaps one of the most pious men of
his age and country. He was, says his biographer, in the
most amazing manner, without any religious opportunity,
or peculiar advantage, deliverance, or affliction, reclaimed
on a sudden, in the vigour of life and health, from a life
of licentiousness, not only to a steady course of regularity
and virtue, but to high devotion, and strict, though unaffected sanctity of manners. All this is amply illustrated
in Dr. Doddridge’s well-known life of this gallant hero,
whose death was as much a loss, as the cause of it, the
battle of Preston-pans, was a disgrace to his country.
conciliation with the see of Rome, and of returning the supremacy to the pope, which being very well known to Gardiner, might encourage him to speak with the more freedom
In 1535, Cranmer visiting the see of Winchester, in virtue of his metropolitan power, Gardiner disputed that power with great warmth. Some time afterwards, he resumed his embassy to France, where he procured the removal of Pole (then dean of Exeter, afterwards cardinal) out of the French dominions, having represented him as his master’s bitter enemy; and this was the original root of that disagreement between them, which in time became public. Before his return this second time, being applied to by Cromwell for his opinion about a religious league with the protestant princes of Germany, he declared himself against it, and advised a political alliance, which he judged would last longer, as well as answer the king’s ends better, if strengthened by subsidies. In 1538 he was sent ambassador to the German diet at Ratisbon, where he incurred the suspicion of holding a secret correspondence with the pope. Whatever truth there may be in this charge, it is certain that Lambert this year was brought to the stake by his instigation, for denying the real presence in the sacrament. This instance of a sanguinary temper was then shown before the statute of the six articles was enacted; a law on which many were put to death, and which he undeniably framed and promoted in the house of lords to the utmost extent of his influence. This act passed in 1540; and the first person condemned by it, and burnt in Smithfield, the same year, was Robert Barnes, who at his death declared his suspicion of Gardiner’s having a hand in it . Upon the death of Cromwell, his rival long in the king’s favour, the university of Cambridge, where he still held his mastership of Trinity-hall, chose him their vice-chancellor; and in return he shewed his sense of it by an assiduity in his office among them, and a warm zeal to assist them on all occasions with his interest at court; which, as long as the sunshine of any signal service lasted, was very good. But in this, his case, like other courtiers, was subject to the sudden vicissitudes of light and shade which so remarkably checquered the series of that reign; and this minister was no more excepted than his fellows from complying with those conditions of ministerial greatness, which were indispensable as long as Henry sat at the helm: and, though he tells us himself that, after the king had let him into the secret, that he could look sour and talk roughly, without meaning much harm, he ever after bore those sallies with much less anxiety, and could stand a royal rattling pretty well ; yet this was only sometimes, and on some occasions. For upon others, we rind him submitting to very disagreeable supplications and expressions of deep humility, and great sense of his failings, directly contrary to the convictions of his own conscience and understanding. Of this we have the following remarkable instance. The bishop had for his secretary a relation of his own name, Gardiner, who, in some conferences with Fryth the martyr, had acquitted himself so well that they were judged fit for the public view. This young clergyman was much in his master’s favour, yet he fell under a prosecution upon the act of supremacy; and being very obstinate, was executed as a traitor, March 7, 1544. This was made an engine against the bishop by his enemies, who whispered the king that he was very likely of his secretary’s opinion, notwithstanding all he had written; and that if he was once in the Tower, matter enough would come out against him. On this suggestion, his majesty consented to his proposed imprisonment. But the bishop being informed of it in time, repaired immediately to court; confessed all that his majesty had charged him with, whatever it was; and thus, by complying with the king’s humour, and shewing the deepest concern for real or pretended failings, obtained full pardon, to the great mortification of his enemies. We have selected this instance from many others of a similar nature, all which are evident proofs of Gardiner’s want of honest and sound principle, because it may be of use in discovering his real principles upon the subject of the supremacy, which will at last be found to be nothing more, in fact, than an engine of his political craft. It has indeed been alleged in his behalf, that he was not always so servile and ready an instrument of the king’s will, especially upon the matter of the supremacy, and Strype publishes (Memorials, vol. I. p. 215) a letter in the Cottonian library, which Gardiner wrote to the king in consequence of his majesty’s being angry with him for approving some sentiments in a book that seemed to impugn his supremacy. But if this letter, as Strype conjectures, was written about 1535, this was the time when the king had some thoughts of a reconciliation with the see of Rome, and of returning the supremacy to the pope, which being very well known to Gardiner, might encourage him to speak with the more freedom on that subject. Gardiner, than whom no man seems to have more carefully studied the king’s temper, was not accustomed to look upon himself as undone because he sometimes received such notices of his majesty’s displeasure as threw some other courtiers into the most dreadful apprehensions. This knowledge and his artful use of it taught him to seek his own safety, in taking a share with others, in the divorce of Anne of Cleves, and that of queen Catherine Howard; the first of which, if we consider his skill in the law, must have been, against his conscience, and the second as much against his inclination, on account of his attachment to that noble family. The same regard for himself might also, had he been in the kingdom at the time, have led him to take a part against queen Anne Boleyn, sir Thomas More, and bishop Fisher.
ion in some measure upon the servant.' Certain it is, though upon what particular provocation is not known, that he engaged deeply in a plot against the life of Cranmer;
All his sagacity, subtlety, and contrivance, however,
were not sufficient to save him from a cloud, which shewed
itself in the close of this reign; a change which might be
attributed to the unsteadiness of the master, were there
not facts sufficient to throw the imputation in some measure upon the servant.' Certain it is, though upon what
particular provocation is not known, that he engaged
deeply in a plot against the life of Cranmer; which being
discovered and dispersed by the king, his majesty, fully
satisfied of the archbishop’s innocence, left all his enemies,
and among the rest Gardiner, to his mercy. The malice,
though forgiven by Cranmer, cannot be supposed to be
forgotten by Henry. But this did not hinder him from
making use of this willing servant, against his last queen,
Katharine Parr. That lady, as well as her preceding partners of the royal bed, falling under her consort’s distaste,
he presently thought of a prosecution for heresy; upon
which occasion he singled out Gardiner, whose inclinations
that way were well known, as a proper person for his purpose to consult with. Accordingly the minister listened
to his master’s suspicions, improved his jealousies, and
cast the whole into the form of articles; which being signed
by the king, it was agreed to sendKatherine to the Tower.
But she had the address to divert the storm from breaking
upon her head, and to throw some part of it upon her persecutors. The paper of the articles, being entrusted to
chancellor Wriothesly, was dropt out of his bosom, and
carried to her; and she, with the help of this discovery to
her royal consort, found charms enough left to dispel his
suspicions: the result whereof was, severe reproaches to
the chancellor, and a rooted displeasure to the bishop,
insomuch that the king would never see his face afterwards.
His behaviour to him corresponded with that resentment.
In the draught of his majesty’s will, before his departure
on his last expedition to France, the bishop’s name was
inserted among his executors and counsellors to prince
Edward. But after this, when the will came to be drawn
afresh, he was left out; and though sir Anthony Brown
moved the king twice, to put his name as before into it,
yet the motion was rejected, with this remark, that “if
he (Gardiner) was one, he would trouble them all, and
they should never be able to rule him.
” Besides this,
when the king saw him once with some of the privy- counsellors, he shewed his dislike, and asked his business,
which was, to acquaint his majesty with a benevolence
granted by the clergy: the king called him immediately
to deliver his message, and having received it, went away.
Burnet assigns Gardiner’s known attachment to the Norfolk family for the cause of this disgrace: but, whatever
was the cause, or whatever usage he met with on other
occasions, this justice is undeniably due to him, that he
ever shewed a high respect to his master’s memory, and
either out of policy or gratitude, he always spoke and
wrote of him with much deference.
sessions. He appealed from the delegates to the king; but no notice was taken of it, the court being known to be final and unappealable.
After his discharge he went to his diocese;and,- though
he opposed, as much as possible, the uew establishment
in its first proposal, yet now it was settled by act of parliament, he knew how to conform; which he not 'only did
himself, but took care that others should do the same.
Yet he no sooner returned to town than he received an
order, which brought him again before the council;
where, after some rough treatment, he was directed not
to stir from his house till he went to give satisfaction in a
sermon, to be preached before the king and court in zt
public audience; for the matter of which he was directed
both what, he should, and what he should not say, by sir
William Cecil. He did not refuse to preach, which was
done on St. Peter’s day but so contrarily to the purpose
required , that he was sent to the Tower the next clay,
June 3O, 1548, where he was kept close prisoner for a year.
But his affairs soon after put on a more pleasing countenance. When the protector’s fall was projected, Gardiner was deemed a necessary implement for the purpose;
his head and hand were both employed for bringing it about,
and the original draught of the articles was made by him.
Upon this change in the council he had such assurances
of his liberty, aid entertained so great hopes of it, that it
is said he provided a new suit of clothes in order to keep
that festival; but in all this he was disappointed: his first
application for a discharge was treated with contempt by
the council, who laughing said, “the bishop had a pleasant head;
” for reward of which, they gave him leave to
remain five or six weeks longer in prison, without any
notice taken to him of his message. Nor did the lords
shew any regard to his next address: and he had been
almost two years in the Tower, when the protector, restored to that high office, went with others by virtue of an
order of council, June 9, 1550, to confer with him in that
place. In this conference they proposed to release him
upon his submission for what was past, and promise of
obedience for the future, if he would also subscribe the
new settlement in religion, with the king’s complete power
and supremacy, though under age; and the abrogation of
the six articles. He consented to, and actually subscribed,
all the conditions except the first, which he refused, insisting on his innocence. The lords used him with great
kindness, and encouraged him to hope his troubles should
be quickly ended, and upon this, seeing also the protector
among them, he flattered himself with the hopes of being
released in two days, and in that confidence actually made
his farewell feast But the contempt he had at first shewn
to the council, being still avowed by his refusing to make
a submission. now, was not so readily overlooked. On the
contrary, this first visit was followed by several others of
the like tenor; which meeting with the same refusal, at
length the lords Herbert, Petre, and bishop Ridley, brought
him new articles, in which the required acknowledgement,
being made more general, runs thus: “That he had been
suspected of not approving the king’s proceedings, and
being appointed to preach, had not done it as he ought to
have done, and so deserved the king’s displeasure, for
which he was sorry;
” and the other articles being enlarged
were, “besides the king’s supremacy, the suppression of
abbies and chanteries, pilgrimages, masses, and images,
adoring the sacrament, communion in both kinds, abolishing the old books, and bringing in the new book of service,
with that for ordaining priests and bishops, the completeness of the scripture, and the use of it in the vulgar tongue,
the lawfulness of clergymen’s marriage, and for Erasmus’s
Paraphrase, that it had been on good considerations ordered to be set up in churches.
” These being read, foe
insisted first co be released from his imprisonment, and
said that he would then freely give his answer, such as he
would stand by, and suffer if he did amiss; but he vvoukl
trouble himself with no more articles while he was detained
in prison, since he desired not to be delivered out of his
imprisonment in the way of mercy, but of justice. On
July ly, he was brought before the council, who having
told him that they sat by a special commission to judge
him, asked whether he would subscribe these last articles
or no? which he answering in the negative, his bishopric
was sequestered, and he required to conform in three
months on pain of deprivation. Upon this the liberty he
had before of walking in some open galleries, when the
duke of Norfolk was not in them, was taken from him, and
he was again shut up in his chamber. At the expiration of
the limited time, the bishop still keeping his resolution,
was deprived for disobedience and contempt, by a court of
delegates, in which Cranmer presided, after a trial which
lasted from Dec. 15 to Feb. 14 following, in twenty-four
sessions. He appealed from the delegates to the king; but
no notice was taken of it, the court being known to be
final and unappealable.
oo much the subject of general history to be related here. The part that Gardiner acted is very well known; and although from the arrival of cardinal Pole in England,
The great and important attain* transacted under his administration, in bringing about the change in the constitution by queen Mary, are too much the subject of general
history to be related here. The part that Gardiner acted
is very well known; and although from the arrival of cardinal Pole in England, he held only the second place in
affairs relating to the church, in matters of civil government, his influence was as great as before, and continued
without the least diminution to the last. By his advice a
parliament was summoned to meet in Oct. 1555. As he
was always a guardian of the revenues of the ecclesiastics,
both regular and secular, he had at this time projected,
some additional security for church and abbey lands. He
opened the session with a well-judged speech, Oct. 21,
and. was there again on the 23d, which was the last time
of his appearing in that assembly. He fell ill soon after,
and died Nov. 12, aged seventy-two. His death was occasioned probably by the gout; the lower parts of his body,
however, being mortified, and smelling offensively, occasion was hence taken to consider the manner of his death
as a judgment. The report that he was seized with the
disury in consequence of the joy with which he was transported on hearing of the martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley,
has been disproved by the dates of that event, and of his
illness, in this way. Fox says that when seized with the
disorder he was put to bed, and died in great torments a
fortnight afterwards. But, says Collier, Latimer and Ridley suffered Oct. 16, and Gardiner opened the parliament
on the 2 1st, and was there again on the 23d, and lastly,
died Nov. 12, not of the disury, but the gout. The reader
will determine whether the disorder might not have been
contracted on the 16th, and increased by his subsequent
exertions; and whether upon the whole, Collier, with all
liis prejudices in favour of popery, which are often very
thinly disguised, was likely to know more of the master
than the contemporaries of Gardiner. Godwin and Parker
say that he died repeating these words, “Erravi cum Petro,
at non flevi cum Petro;
” i. e. “I have sinned with Peter,
but I have not wept with Peter.
”
ncipal are, 1. “De vera Obedientia, 1534.” 2. “Palinodia dicti libri” when this was published is not known. 3. “A necessary doctrine of a Christian mart, set forth by
He wrote several books, of which the principal are, 1.
“De vera Obedientia, 1534.
” 2. “Palinodia dicti libri
”
when this was published is not known. 3. “A necessary
doctrine of a Christian mart, set forth by the king’s majestie of England, 1543.
” 4. “An Explanation and Assertion of the true Catholic Faith, touching the most
blessed Sacrament of the Altar, &c. 1551.
” 5. “Confutatio Cavillatiqnum quibiu sacrosanctum Eucharistise sacramentum ab impiis Capernaitis impeti solet, 1551.
”
This he composed while a prisoner in the Tower: he managed this controversy against Peter Martyr and others,
who espoused Cranmer. After the accession of queen
Mary, he wrote replies in his own defence, against Turner, Bonet, and other protestant exiles.
Some of his letters to Smith and Cheke, on the pronunciation of the Greek tongue, are still extant in Bene't-college library at Cambridge. The controversy made a
great noise in its time, but was not much known afterwards; till that elegant account of it appeared in public,
which is given by Baker in his “Reflections on Learning,
”
p. 28, 29, who observes, that our chancellor assumed a
power, that Cæsar never exercised, of giving laws to words.
However, he allows that, though the controversy was managed with much warmth on each side, yet a man would
wonder to see so much learning shewn on so dry a subject.
J)u Fresne was at a loss where the victory lay; but Roger
Ascham, with a courtly address, declares, that though the
knights shew themselves better critics, yet Gardiner’s letters manifest a superior genius; and were only liable to
censure, from his entering further into a dispute of this
kind, than was necessary for a person of his dignity.
aving been painter to queen Elizabeth and Anne of Denmark. His works are numerous, though not easily known, as he never used any peculiar mark. In general they are neat,
, or Gerards, a Flemish painter, was born at Bruges in 1561, and practised history, landscape, architecture, and portrait. He also engraved, illuminated, and designed for glass-painters. His etchings for Esop’s fables, and view of Bruges were much esteemed. He came to England not long after the year 1580, and remained here until his death in 1635, having been painter to queen Elizabeth and Anne of Denmark. His works are numerous, though not easily known, as he never used any peculiar mark. In general they are neat, the ruffs and liabits stiff, and rich with pearls and other jewels. His flesh-colours are thin and light, tending to a blueish tincture. His procession of queen Elizabeth to Hunsdonhouse has been engraved by Vertue, who thought that part of the picture of sir Thomas More’s family at Burford might have been completed by this painter.
church.” If Dr. Johnson took this declaration of Pope’s from Spence’s “ms Anecdotes,” to which it is known he had access, he did not transcribe the whole. What Pope said
The distemper which seized him the ensuing year, and
ended not but with his life, caused a general concern, and
was particularly testified by lord Lansdown, a brother
poet, though of a different party, in a copy of verses
written on the occasion. He died after a short illness,
which he bore with great patience, January 18, 1718-19.
His loss was lamented by Pope, in a letter to a friend, as
follows: “The best-natured of men,
” says this muchadmired poet, “Sir Samuel Garth, has left me in the
truest concern for his loss. His death was very heroical,
and yet unaffected enough to have made a saint or a philosopher famous. But ill tongues and worse hearts have
branded even his last moments, as wrongfully as they did
his life, with irreligipn. You must have heard many tales
on this subject; but if ever there was a good Christian,
without knowing himself to be so, it was Dr. Garth.
” This,
however, is nothing against positive evidence, that Dr.
Garth was a free-thinker, and a sensualist; and the latter
part of it, his being a good Christian without knowing
himself to be so, if it be not nonsense, is a proof that Pope
cannot deny what he is angry to hear, and loth to confess.
Dr. Johnson observes, that “Pope afterwards declared
himself convinced that Garth died in the communion of
the church of Rome,
” and adds a sentiment of Lowth’s,
“that there is less distance than is thought between scepticism and popery and that a mind, wearied with perpetual doubt, willingly seeks repose in the bosom of an
infallible church.
” If Dr. Johnson took this declaration of
Pope’s from Spence’s “ms Anecdotes,
” to which it is
known he had access, he did not transcribe the whole.
What Pope said is thus given by Spence: “Garth talked
in a less libertine manner than he had been used about the
three last years of his life. He was rather doubtful and
fearful than irreligious. It was usual for him to say, that
if there was any such thing as religion, it was among the
Roman catholics. He died a papist, (as I was assured by Mr. Blount, who called the father to him in his last moments) probably from the greater efficacy, in which we
give the sacraments. He did not take any care of himself
in his last illness, and had talked for three or four years as
one tired of living.
” The same ms. insinuate* that this
impatience of life had nearly at one time prompted him to
suicide.
and considered by many as an equal, if not superior rival of Carlo Marat. His paintings are not much known in this country, but in Italy are celebrated for the highest
, born at Rome in 1640, was a disciple of Andrea Sacchi, and considered by many as an equal, if not superior rival of Carlo Marat. His paintings are not much known in this country, but in Italy are celebrated for the highest excellencies of colouring, design, and composition. He lived a considerable time at Naples, but returned before his death to Rome, where he had commenced his career, and at the age of eighty, painted the dome of the church of Stigmatie (by order of Clement XI.) which was reckoned his most perfect work. He lived to complete it, and died in 1721, having survived a son who attained great excellence in painting, and much imitated his father’s manner.
ommended to the liberality of the queen, whether successfully, or what became of them, cannot now be known. The registers of Stamford and of Walthamstow have been examined
Although he enjoyed the esteem of many of his poetical contemporaries, and the patronage of lord Grey of Wilton, the earl of Bedford, sir Walter Rawleigh, and other persons of distinction; yet during this period, he complains bitterly of the envy of rivals, and the malevolence of critics, and seems to intimate that, although he apparently bore this treatment with patience, yet it insensibly wore him out, and brought on a bodily distemper which his physicians could not cure. In all his publications, he takes every opportunity to introduce and bewail the errors of his youth, and to atone for any injury, real or supposed, which might have accrued to the public from a perusal of his early poems, in which, however, the proportion of indelicate thoughts is surely not very great. His biographers, following the Oxford historian, have hitherto placed his demise at Walthamstow in 1578; but Whetstone, on whom we can more certainly rely, informs us that he died at Stamford in Lincolnshire, Oct. 7, 1577. He had perhaps taken a journey to this place for change of air, accompanied by his friend Whetstone, who was with him when he died, so calmly, that the moment of his departure was not perceived. He left a wife and son behind him, whom he recommended to the liberality of the queen, whether successfully, or what became of them, cannot now be known. The registers of Stamford and of Walthamstow have been examined without success.
of sir William Cook, at Charing-cross, to whose lady he was nearly related. This situation made him known to several persons of fashion and fortune, and, among others,
This step was conformable to the statutes of his new college; and as soon as the building was finished, about 1599, he settled there, and became an eminent tutor. At the same time he engaged with Mr. William Bedell, afterwards bishop of Kilmore, in a design, then set on foot, of preaching in such places adjacent to the university as were destitute of ministers. In performing this engagement he preached every Sunday at Everton, a village upon the borders of Cambridge, Bedford, and Huntingdonshires; the vicar of which parish was said to be one hundred and thirty years old. He had not executed this charitable office above six months, when he went to London, and resided as chaplain in the family of sir William Cook, at Charing-cross, to whose lady he was nearly related. This situation made him known to several persons of fashion and fortune, and, among others, to some principal members of Lincoln’s-inn; of which society he was chosen preacher, about 1601. He thought it his duty to reside there during term-time, when he was obliged to attend the chapel; but in the vacations he went down to sir William Cook’s in Northamptonshire, and constantly preached there, either in their private chapel or in the parish-church, without any salary, but afterwards sir William settled on him an annuity of 20l. a year. In 1603 he commenced B. D. and was afterwards often solicited to proceed to doctor; but he declined it. He did not at all approve of pluralities; and upon that principle refused a considerable benefice in Kent, which was offered him by sir William Sedley, while he held the preachership at Lincoln’s-inn. Having married in 1611, he quitted that place for the rectory of Rotherhithe in Surrey: yet yielded to the acceptance of this living, only in the view of keeping it out of the hands of a very unworthy person.
ts in Flanders. His mother, yet aliv-^, was apprehensive of some mischief befalling him, as he was a known adversary to the popish cause; but he returned with his companions
He had, in some of his discourses at Lincoln’s-inn, delivered his opinion concerning lots and lotteries, and shewn
the lawfulness of the lusorious, and the unlawfulness of
divinatory lots which being misrepresented, he published
“A Discourse of the nature and use of Lots; a treatise
historical and theological, 1619,
” 4to. This publication
made a great noise, and drew him afterwards into a controversy; but before that happened, he made a tour
through the Low Countries, in company with two friends,
and a nephew of his, then a young student. They set out
July 13, 1620, and arriving at Middleburgh in Zealand,
Gataker preached in the English church there; and in his
travels confuted the English papists in Flanders. His
mother, yet aliv-^, was apprehensive of some mischief befalling him, as he was a known adversary to the popish
cause; but he returned with his companions safe Aug. 14,
having viewed the most considerable places in the Low
Countries. During this short stay he had an opportunity
of seeing the distressed state of the protestants in Holland;
with which he was so much affected, that he even thought
it behoved the English to give up some national interests
then disputed by them, for fear of ruining the protestant
cause.
rt’s works,” 1739, 4to. 3. “Lettre a M. Berger de Charancy, Eveque de Montpellier,” 1740, 4to; it is known by the title of “Verges d'Heliodore.” 4. “Relation de la Captivite”
Socinien des Peres Berruyer et Hardouin,“1756, 3 vols.
12mo. This book is the most forcible, and the most esteemed of all that have been written against P. Berruyer.
Among his other works are, 1.
” Relation de ce qui s’est
passe“durant la Maladie et la Mort de M. de Langle,
Eveque de Boulogne,
” 1724, 4to. 2. “The Preface to
M. Colbert’s works,
” Lettre a M. Berger
de Charancy, Eveque de Montpellier,
” Verges d'Heliodore.
” 4. “Relation de la Captivite
” de la Sceur Marie Desforges,“1741,
12mo. 5.
” Les Jesuites convaincus d‘Obstination a perinettre l’Idolatrie dans la Chine,“1743, 12mo. 6.
” Lettre
au sujet de la Bulle de N. S. P. le pape, concernant les
Kits Malabares,“1745, 12mo. 7.
” Pope’s Essay on
Man proved to be impious,“1746, 12mo. 8.
” The Refutation of a Libel entitled La voix du Sage et du Peuple,“1750, 12mo. 9.
” Vie de M. Soanen, Eveque de Schez,“175O, 4to and 12mo. 10.
” Les Lettres Persannes convaincues d‘lmpieteV’ 1751, 12mo. II. “Hist, abreg^e
du Parlement de Paris, durant les Troubles du Commencement du Regnede Louis XIV.
” 1754, 12mo.
Hanover. This, however, did not prove an irreparable loss; his present situation made him personally known to the succeeding royal family; and returning home he made a
In the mean time the most promising views opened to
him at court; he was caressed by some leading persons
in the ministry; and his patroness rejoiced to see him
taken from her house the same year, to attend the earl of
Clarendon, as secretary in his embassy to the court of
Hanover. But, whatever were his hopes from this new
advancement, it is certain they began and ended almost
together; for queen Anne died in fifteen days after their
arrival at Hanover. This, however, did not prove an irreparable loss; his present situation made him personally
known to the succeeding royal family; and returning
home he made a proper use of it, in a handsome compliment to the princess of Wales, on her arrival in England.
This address procured him a favourable admittance at the
new court; and that raising a new flow of spirits, he
wrote his farce, “The What d'ye call it,
” which appeared upon the stage before the end of the season, and was
honoured by the presence of the prince and princess. The
profits, likewise, brought some addition to his fortune; and
his poetical merit being endeared 'by the sweetness and
sincerity of his nature, procured him an easy access to
persons of the first distinction. With these he passed his
time with much satisfaction, notwithstanding his disappointment in the hopes of favours from the new court,
where he met with nothing more valuable than a smile.
In 1716 he made a visit to his native county at the expence of lord Burlington, and repaid his lordship with an
humourous account of the journey. The like return was
made for Mr. Pulteney’s favour, who took him in his company the following year to Aix, in France.
which, being brought upon the stage Nov. 1727, was received with greater applause than had ever been known on 4iiy occasion. For, besides being acted in London 63 dpys
Upon the accession of George II. to the throne, he was
offered the place of gentleman-usher to the then youngest
princess Louisa; a post which he thought beneath his
acceptance: and, resenting the offer as an affront, in that
ill-humour with the court, he wrote the “Beggar’s Opera;
”
which, being brought upon the stage Nov. Polly,
” by subscription; and this too, considering the powers employed
against it, was incredibly large; and in tact he got nearly
1 200l. by it, while the Beggar’s Opera did not yield more
than 400l. Neither yet did it end here. The duke and
duchess of Queensberry took part in resenting the indignity put upon him by this last act of power; resigned their
respective places at court; took the author into their house
and family; and treated him with all the endearing kindness of an intimate and much-beloved friend.
t from these two stars. There is now (what Milton says in hell) darkness visible. O that I had never known what a court was! Dear Pope, what a barren soil (to me so) have
These noble additions to his fame, his fortune, and his
friendships, inspired him with fresh vigour, raised him to
a degree of confidence and assurance, and he was even
prompted to think that “The Wife of Bath,
” despised and
rejected as it had been in Beggar’s Opera.
” By that satire,
he had flattered himself with the hopes of awing the court
into a disposition to take him into favour, in order to keep
so powerful a pen in good humour. But this last refinement upon his misery, added to former indignities, threw
him into a dejection, which he in vain endeavoured to remove, by another tour into Somersetshire, in 1731. The
state both of his body and mind cantiot be so forcibly described, as it is in his own account of it to Pope. “My
melancholy,
” says he, “increases, and every hour threatens me with some return of my distemper. Nay, I think
I may rather say, I have it on me. Not the divine looks,
the kind favours and expressions of the divine duchess, who
hereafter shall be in place of a queen to me, nay, she shall
be my queen, nor the inexpressible goodness of the duke,
can in the least chear me. The drawing: room no more
receives light from these two stars. There is now (what Milton says in hell) darkness visible. O that I had never
known what a court was! Dear Pope, what a barren soil
(to me so) have I been striving to produce something out
of! Why did not I take your advice before my writing
fables for the duke, not to write them, or rather to write
them for some young nobleman? It is my hard fate, I must
get nothing, write for them or against them.
” In this disposition, it is no great wonder that we find him rejecting
a proposal, made to him by this last-mentioned friend in
1732, of trying his muse upon the hermitage, then lately
built by queen Caroline in Richmond-gardens; to which
he answers with a fixed despondency, that “he knew
himself unworthy of royal patronage.
”
which was an English Bible, to the study of which their son applied very early, and is said to have known all its history by heart before he was eleven years old. At
, a Roman catholic divine, who attempted to translate the Bible, with a view to destroy its credibility, was born in 1737, in the parish of Ruthven, and county of Bamff, in Scotland. His parents, who were Roman catholics, in very humble life, possessed but a few books, among which was an English Bible, to the study of which their son applied very early, and is said to have known all its history by heart before he was eleven years old. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Scalan, a free Roman catholic seminary in the Highlands, of obscure fame, where he acquired only an acquaintance with the vulgate Latin Bible. Having attained the age of twentyone, he was removed to the Scotch college at Paris, where he made such proficiency in his studies as very much attracted the attention of his preceptors. Here school divinity and biblical criticism occupied the principal part of his time; and he endeavoured also to make himself master of the Greek and Latin languages, and of the French, Spanish, German, and Low Dutch.
Gerard Geldenhaur was better known by the name of his country, than by that of his family; for
Gerard Geldenhaur was better known by the name of
his country, than by that of his family; for he was usually
called Gerardus Novjomagus; and Erasmus in his letters
to him, gives him no other name. His works are, 1.
“Historia Batavica, cum appendice de vetusta Batavorum
nobilitate,
” Strasburg, De Batavorum insula.
” 3. “Germanise Inferioris Historic,
” Strasburg, Vita
PJiilippi a Burgundia, Episcopi Uitrajectensis,
” ibid. Catalogus Episcoporum Ultrajectinorum,
” Marpurg,
Epistola ad Gulieluium Gelclrice Principem gratulatoria de Principatuum suorum adoptione,
”
Cologn, 1.541, 7. “Epistola de Zelandia,
” Leyden,
Satirse Octo,
” Louvain,
n it. He was acquainted with all the wits and learned men of Florence; and his merit was universally known. He was chosen a member of the academy there,; and the city
, an eminent Italian writer, and
a man of extraordinary qualities, was born of mean parents
at Florence in 1498, and was brought up a taylor. Such,
however, was his industry and capacity, that he acquired a
knowledge of languages, and made uncommon progress in
the belles lettres. Thuanus says, that he did not understand Latin, but this must be a mistake, as he translated,
from Latin into Italian, “The Life of Alphonsus duke of
Ferrara,
” by Paul Jovius, and a treatise of iion Porzio,
“De<OolQribus Oculorum,
” at the request of those writers.
His knowledge of Greek, however, was probably limited,
as he translated the “Hecuba
” of Euripides into Italian,
from the Latin version. His principal excellence was in
his native tongue, and he acquired the highest reputation,
by the works he published in it. He was acquainted with
all the wits and learned men of Florence; and his merit
was universally known. He was chosen a member of the
academy there,; and the city made him one of their burgesses. Yet he continued the exercise of his trade as a
taylor, to the end of his life; and he tells us, in a letter
lo F. Melchior, March 3, 1558, that he devoted workingdays to the careof his body, and Sundays and festivals to
the culture of his understanding. The same letter shews
his modesty, as hereproaches his friend for giving him
honourable titles, which did not agree with the lowness of
his condition. He died in 1563.
ath in 1769. His private character appears to have been very amiable, and his works, although little known, and indeed little wanted in this country, were of essential
, or, as styled in his Latin works,
Antonius Genuensis, an Italian writer of much reputation
on subjects of political ceconomy in Italy, was born at Castelione, in November 1712. It not being probably the
custom to educate the. eldest sons of Italian families for the
church, his biographer, Fabroni, seems to complain of
this as an act of severity on the part of Genovesi’s father.
He received, however, a suitable education for this profession, and in due time was consecrated a priest; but
his views of preferment being obstructed, he attempted
the practice of the law, in which he was equally unsuccessful, and at length, when at Naples in 1741, was appointed professor of metaphysics. Some bold opinions
delivered in the course of his lectures created a clamour
against him, as advancing infidel principles, but he appears
to have been befriended by Galiani, who was superintendant of the universities of Naples, and removed him to the
professorship of ethics. In 1748 he was a candidate for
the professorship of theology, but his notions had given
such offence that he was rejected, which seems to have
induced him to turn his mind to subjects of political oeconomy, particularly agriculture, in which there was less
risk of offending either the principles or prejudices of his
countrymen. A professorship was now founded for political
ceconorny, and bestowed upon him with a handsome salary.
This he continued to hold with the greatest reputation until
his death in 1769. His private character appears to have
been very amiable, and his works, although little known,
and indeed little wanted in this country, were of essential
service in the schools of Italy, and directed the attention
of youth to subjects more connected with patriotism and
public spirit than those they had been accustomed to study.
They are, according to Fabroni, 1. “Disciplinarum metaphysicarum Elementa mathematicum in morem adornata,
” Elementorum artis
logico-criticte libri quinque,
” Naples, Discorso sopra alcuni trattati d'Agricoitura,
” ibid. Lettere Accademiche,
” ibid. Storia
del Commercio della Gran Brettagna,
” &c. Delle Lezioni di Commercio.
” 7. “Discorso sopra
rAgricoltura,
” with a translation of Tull’s Husbandry. 8.
“Discorso sul volgarizzamento del Saggio Francese’sulT
Economia de‘ grain,’,' Naples, 1765. 9.
” Meditazioni
Filosoficbe sulla religione e sulla morale,“ibid. 1766, a
work in which Fabroni says there is nothing new, or worthy
of the author. 10.
” Della Diceosina, o sia della filosofia
del giusto e dell' onesto,“1766 1776, 3 rols. 11.
” Universae Christiana Tbeologise elementa dogmatica, historica,
critica," a posthumous work, Venice, 1771, 2 vols. 4to,
on which the author had been employed from the year 1742,
but leaving it imperfect, it was completed by the editor,
with much trouble.
1, 12mo, dedicated to sir Paul Pindar, with a promise to publish some original work, which it is not known that he executed.
, son of the preceding, but unworthy of him, was born in London in 1590, matriculated
a member of Christ church, at the very early age of nine,
and took the degree of B. A. as a member of Jesus college
in 1603. After this he was translated to St. John’s college,
and thence elected probationer fellow of All Souls’ in 1607,
by his father’s influence, for he was then under the statutable years. In this college he took a degree in civil law,
but afterwards became extremely loose and dissipated, and
a disgrace to his parents. It is said, however, that he went
abroad, and returned a more sober character, and received
a pension from the king. At what time he died is uncertain, but probably not before 1654. His latter years he
employed in translating, 1. Paul Servita’s “History of the
Inquisition,
” Lond. On the
success and chief events of the monarchy of Spain,
” Considerations on the lives of Alcibiades and
Coriolanus,
” by the same author, A
compendious Method for attaining the Sciences, in a short
time, with the statutes of the academy founded by cardinal Richelieu,
” from the French, 1654, 8vo. 5. “The
antipathy between the French and the Spaniard,
” from the
Spanish,
rned to the village whither he first retired, in the territory of the canton of Bern. He was quickly known there, and put in prison; but he was set at liberty in a few
, a native of Cosenza, in the kingdom of Naples, left his country on account of religion about the middle of the sixteenth century, and retired to Geneva, where several Italian families had already formed a church. Among those Italian refugees there weie some who began to subtilize with regard to the mystery of the Trinity, and the words essence, person, coessential, &c. Blandrata, and John Paul Alciatus, were the chief of these innovators, with an advocate named Matthew Gribaud. But although the subject was treated without noise, and by private writings, their zeal occasioned the articles of faith, which were drawn up in the Italian consistory, the 18th of May 1558, and contained the most pure and orthodox doctrine with relation to that mystery, and by which the subscribers promised in precise terms, and on pain of being reputed perjured and perfidious, to do nothing, directly or indirectly, which might wound it, Gentilis subscribed these articles, and yet persisted in propagating his errors clandestinely. The magistrates then took cognizance of the affair, and he was convicted of having violated his subscription; which he endeavoured to excuse by pleading his conscience. He presented several writings, at first to palliate his opinions, and afterwards to confess and abjure them; in consideration of which the magistrates of Geneva sentenced him only to throw his writings into the fire with his own hands, and to engage not to stir out of the city without permission. This sentence was executed the 2d of September 1558. He was discharged from prison a few days after; and on the petition which he presented, alleging his inability to give bail, he was excused from it; but they obliged him to swear that he would not go out of Geneva without the consent of the magistrates. Notwithstanding all this, he made his escape, and went to Lyons, and afterwards wandered about from place to place in Dauphirie and Savoy; but being every where obnoxious, he returned to the village whither he first retired, in the territory of the canton of Bern. He was quickly known there, and put in prison; but he was set at liberty in a few days, and published a confession of faith supported by some proofs, and some invectives against St. Athanasius. About the same time he was imprisoned at Lyons for his doctrine; but, being artful enough to persuade them that his design was against Calvin, and not against the mystery of the Trinity, he was discharged. Blandrata and Alciatus, who used their utmost efforts in Poland to establish their errors, invited him to come to them, and assist them in their work; but the king of Poland in 1566 published an edict for the banishing of all strangers who should teach such doctrines. Gentilis retired into Moravia, from whence he went to Vienna, in Austria, and then resolved fo return tp Savoy, where he was again apprehended in June 1566, and the cause being carried to Bern, it was under examination from the 5th of August to the 9th of September. Gentilis being duly convicted of having obstinately and contrary to his oath attacked the mystery of the trinity, was condemned to lose his head, which sentence was accordingly executed at a time when the principles of toleration were little understood.
on of being provided for by the marquis of Granby, to whom he was recommended by a gentleman who had known his father. With this hope he removed to London, but soon had
, a dramatic and poetical
writer of the minor order, was born in Ireland, October
23, 1728, and received his education at Dublin. At the
age of fifteen he obtained a commission in the same regiment with his father, who likewise belonged to the army;
but, making an exchange to a new-raised company, he was
dismissed the service on his regiment being reduced at the
conclusion of the war in 1748. On this event he indulged
his inclination for the stage, and appeared at Dublin in
the character of Aboan, in the play of Oroonoko. Notwithstanding an unconsequential figure, and uncommon
timidity, he says he succeeded beyond his most sanguine
expectations; but, having some property, and hearing
that a legacy had been left him by a relation, he determined to come to London, where it appears he dissipated
what little fortune he possessed. He then engaged to perform at the theatre in Bath, and remained there some
time. From thence he went to Edinburgh, and afterwards
belonged to several companies of actors at Manchester,
Liverpool, Chester, and other places. Growing tired of
a public -life, he settled at Malton, a market-town about
twenty miles from York, where he married, and had
some expectation of being provided for by the marquis of
Granby, to whom he was recommended by a gentleman
who had known his father. With this hope he removed
to London, but soon had the mortification to find all his
prospects clouded by the sudden death of his patron. In
1770 he performed at the Hay-market, under the management of Mr. Foote, and continued with him three seasons,
during which time, and afterwards, he wrote some of his
dramatic pieces and poems. He returned to his native
country probably about 1777, and struggled for the remainder of his life under sickness and want, from which
death at last relieved him Dec. 21, 1784. The editor of
the “Biographia Dramatica
” enumerates fifteen dramatic
pieces, either written or altered for the stage by him,
none of which are now remembered, or had originally
much success. He wrote also “Characters, an Epistle,
”
Royal Fables,
” Dramatic Censor,
”
om, and received mutual improvement from their literary discussions; and hence originated those well- known works, Reid’s “Inquiry into the Human Mind” Gregory’s “Comparative
, an eminent divine of the
church of Scotland, eldest son of the rev. Gilbert Gerard,
minister of Chapel-Garioch, in Aberdeenshire, was born
there Feb. 22, 1728; he was educated partly at the parish
school of Foveran, whence he was removed to the grammar-school at Aberdeen, after his father’s death. Here
he made such rapid progress, that he was entered a student in Marischal-college when he was but twelve years
of age. He devoted his first four years to the study of
Greek, Latin, the mathematics, and philosophy, and was
at the close of the course admitted to the degree of M. A.
He now commenced his theological studies, whtch he prosecuted at the universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Immediately on the completion of his twentieth year, in
1748, he was licensed to preach in the church of Scotland, and in 1750 was chosen assistant to Mr. David Fordyce, professor of philosophy in the Marischal college at
Aberdeen, and in two years afterwards, upon the death of
the professor, Gerard was appointed to succeed him.
Here, after a short time, the department assigned to Mr.
Gerard was confined to moral philosophy and logic, the
duties of which he discharged with conscientious and unwearied diligence, and with equal success and reputation.
He was a member of a literary society at Aberdeen, consisting of Drs. Blackwell, Gregory, Reid, Campbell,
Beattie, &c. which met very regularly every fortnight
during the winter, when the members communicated their
sentiments with the utmost freedom, and received mutual
improvement from their literary discussions; and hence originated those well-known works, Reid’s “Inquiry into the
Human Mind
” Gregory’s “Comparative View;
” Gerard’s
“Essay on Genius
” Beattie’s “Essay on Truth
” andCampbell’s “Philosophy of Rhetoric.
” In An Essay
on Taste,
” which was published in Dissertations on the Genius
and Evidences of Christianity,
” published in Essay on Gesius,
” and his sermons in 2 volumes. In 1799
his son and successor, Dr. Gilbert Gerard, gave the world
a posthumous work of much merit, which had been left
among the papers of his father, entitled “The Pastoral
Care,
” which made a part of his theological course of
lectures. As a clergyman the conduct of Dr. Gerard was
marked with prudence, exemplary manners, and the most
punctual and diligent discharge of his ministerial duties;
his sermons were simple and plain, adapted to the common
class of hearers, but so accurate as to secure the approbation of the ablest judges. As a professor of divinity, his
great aim was not to impose by his authority upon his
pupils any favourite system of opinions; but to impress
them with a sense of the importance of the ministerial office; to teach them the proper manner of discharging all
its duties; and to enable them, by the knowledge of the
scriptures, to form a just and impartial judgment on controverted subjects. Possessing large stores of theological
knowledge, he was judicious in selecting his subjects,
happy and successful in his manner of communicating instruction. He had the merit of introducing a new, and in
many respects a better plan of theological education, than
those on which it had formerly been conducted. Having
a constant regard to whatever was practically useful, rather
than to unedifying speculations, he enjoined no duty
which he was unwilling to exemplify in his own conduct.
In domestic life he was amiable and exemplary; in his
friendships steady and disinterested, and in his intercourse with society, hospitable, benevolent, and unassuming; uniting to the decorum of the Christian pastor,
the good breeding of a gentleman, and the cheerfulness,
affability, and ease of an agreeable companion.
of which he published a catalogue in 1596, and again in 1599. Of this work scarcely an impression is known to exist, except one in the British Museum, which proved of
Gerarde lived in Holborn, and had there a large botanic garden of his own, of which he published a catalogue in 1596, and again in 1599. Of this work scarcely an impression is known to exist, except one in the British Museum, which proved of great use in preparing the Hortus Kewensis of Mr. Aiton, as serving to ascertain the time when many old plants were first cultivated. It contains, according to Dr. Pulteney, 1033 species, or at least supposed such, though many doubtless were varieties; and there is an attestation of Lobel subjoined, asserting his having seen nearly all 6f them growing and flowering. This was one of the earliest botanic gardens in Europe.
mmunicated the power of thinking to matter.” Gerdil, in opposition to this opinion, which it is well known occasioned the charge of irreligion against Locke, maintains
, a Roman cardinal,
and a metaphysician of very considerable talents, was born
at Samoens, in one of the northern districts of the Piedmontese dominions, in 1718. He was first instructed by
an uncle, who afterwards placed him in the royal college
at Anneci. In 1732 he entered the Barnabite order, and
as soon as his divinity studies were finished, removed to
Bologna, where he so recommeuded himself to Benedict
XIV. then archbishop of that city, as to be employed by
him in making extracts, translating passages and collecting
hints for the treatise on canonization which that pontiff
published some years afterwards. In 1742 he became
professor of philosophy in the convent of Macerata, and in
1747 published at Turin his best metaphysical work, a
“Treatise on the Immortality of the Soul,
” which originated in this expression of Locke, that “we shall never
know whether God has not communicated the power of
thinking to matter.
” Gerdil, in opposition to this opinion,
which it is well known occasioned the charge of irreligion
against Locke, maintains that “the immateriality of the
soul can be demonstrated from the same principles by
which Locke argues the existence and immateriality of the
Supreme Being.
” Those, however, who gave father Gerdil credit for his success in this argument, were less pleased
with finding that in his next work, published at Turin
in 1748, a “Treatise on the nature and origin of Ideas,
”
he maintained the opinions of Malebranche against those
of Locke; and this his biographer considers as a retrograde
step in metaphysics.
tor of the university, and encreased his reputation by a vast variety of publications which made him known to all the literati of Europe, many of whom, both protestants
, an eminent German Lutheran divine, was born at Quedlinburgh, in Saxony, Oct. 17, 1582,
where he was partly educated, but in 1599, was sent to
Wittemberg, and studied philosophy and divinity under
the ablest masters. In 1601, by the advice of Rauchbach,
a counsellor and vice-chancellor of Saxony (for his father died in 1598) he went through a course of medical studies,
but about two years after, recollecting a vow he had made
during a fit of sickness, he returned again to divinity, the
study of which he farther prosecuted at Jena, to which
he first went as tutor to his friend llauchbach’s son. In
1603 he took his master’s degree here, and in 1604 removing with his pupil to Marpurg, he continued his theological studies, and learned Hebrew. In 1605 he returned
to Jena, took his degree in philosophy, and having been
ordained, was appointed by John Casimir, duke of Saxony,
to a church in Franconia, and at the same time to be professor of divinity in the Casimirian college of Cobourg.
In 1616. by consent of his liberal patron, he accepted the
professorship of divinity at Jena, and continued in that office during the remainder of his life. He was four times
chosen rector of the university, and encreased his reputation by a vast variety of publications which made him
known to all the literati of Europe, many of whom, both
protestants and catholics, bore testimony to his extensive
learning, piety, and usefulness, both as a divine and
teacher. He died of a fever, Aug. 17, 1637. His works,
which are written in Latin and German, consist of treatises
on various theological subjects, critical and polemical;
commentaries on various books of the Old and New Testament common-places, &c. &c. One only of these, his
“Meditations,
” is well known in this country, having gone
through many editions, and having also been translated
into most European languages and into Greek. He left a
numerous family, some of whom became distinguished
as divines, particularly his eldest son, John Ernest, who
was born at Jena in 1621, and studied at Altdorf. He was
appointed professor of philosophy at Wittemberg in 1616,
and in 1652 was nominated professor of history at Jena.
Like his father he devoted mucli of his time to biblical and
theological learning. He died in 1688. Among his works
are, “Harmonia Linguarnm Orientalium;
” “Dispurationum theologicarum Fasciculus;
” De F.cclesiae Copticæ
Ortu, Progressu, et Doctrina." There is a very minute
and curious history of this family in the work from which
these particulars have been taken, with much collateral information respecting the theological writers and controversies during the life of the elder Gerhard.
le to read the Greek physicians, he contitinued to improve himself in that language, and was so well known for his critical skill in it, that he was promoted, in about
His original destination was the church, but having from
his infancy a great inclination to physic, he now resolved
to apply to that study as a means of livelihood. After a
suitable course of reading, he resigned his school, and
went to Basil, his pension being still continued, and entered on a regular course of medical instructions. From a
desire to be able to read the Greek physicians, he contitinued to improve himself in that language, and was so
well known for his critical skill in it, that he was promoted,
in about a year, to be Greek professor at Lausanne, where
an university had been just founded by the senate of Berne.
The advantages of this professorship not only enabled him
to maintain his family, but to proceed in his medical studies and botanical pursuits, which ended at last in his
taking a doctor’s degree at Basil. He then returned to
Zurich, and entered upon practice, and in a short time
was made professor of philosophy, a charge which he filled
with great reputation for twenty-four years, at the end of
which he fell a victim to the more immediate duties of his
profession, having caught the plague, of which he died
Dec. 13, 1565, when only in his forty-ninth year. When
he found his end approaching, he requested to be carried
into his museum, where he expired amid the monuments
of his labours. His piety and benevolence were no less
eminent than his talents, which were great and universal.
He wrote, with much ability, on grammar, botany^ pharmacy, medicine, natural philosophy, and history; but his
fame now rests chiefly on the following works: l.“Bibliotheca universalis,
” or a catalogue of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew books, printed at Zurich, 1545, in one volume folio,
with criticisms, and often specimens of each. Of this there
have been various abridgments and continuations. The
edition of 1583 by Frisius, is usually reckoned the best.
Gesner’s “Pandectarum, sive partitionum universalium,
”
should also be added as a second volume to his “Bibliotheca.
” It was printed in Historiee Animalium,
” comprised in five books, making three folio vols.
with numerous wooden cuts. The first was published at
Zurich in 1551, the last in 1587, after the decease of the
author. There is also an edition in German. This vast
compilation, containing a critical revisal of all that had
been done before him in zoology the^ work of a physician,
who raised and maintained himself by his practice, and
who was cut off in the middle of a most active and useful
life might be supposed the labour of a recluse, shut up
for an age in his study, and never diverted from his object
by any other cares. Although it does not extend to insects or shells, his observations respecting the former
make apart of the work of Mouflet, entitled “Insectorum
sive Minimorum Animalium Theatrum,
” published at London in Icones Animalium,
” with their nomenclature, form a
separate publication from the above, consisting of the
wooden cuts and names only. 3. “Aquatilium Animautiuin Enumeratio juxta Plinium,
” a little 8ro, printed at
Zurich in 1556. 4. “De Lacte,
” treating of milk and its
preparations, from various authors, Zurich, 1541, in 8vo.
5. “De Secretia Remediis Thesaurus;
” a Pharmacopeia,
which has gone through a number of editions in various
languages. 6. “De raris et admirandis herbis, quse sive
quod noctu luceant, sive alias ob causas, Lunariae nominantur,
” with wooden cuts, Zurich, De oinni rerum Fossiliuin genere, Zurich, 1565, 8vo. Also
” De rerum Fossilium, Lapidum et Gemmarum maxiiue figuris.“The
botanical remarks relative to the scientific arrangement of
plants, on which the supereminent merits of this great
man are founded, are chiefly to be gathered from his letters, which were published after his death. From the
number of wooden cuts, and of drawings, which he had
prepared) it is probable he meditated a general
” History
of Plants," the future arrangement of which frequently
occupied his thoughts, and prompted many of these letters. Gesner’s wife survived him, and notwithstanding
the dangerous nature of his disease, which was accompanied with a pestilential carbuncle, she did not desert
his death-bed, for he expired in her arms. He left
no offspring, but at his death there remained alive of
Andrew Gesner, his father’s brother, one hundred and
thirty-five descendants, in children, grand-children, and
great grand-children. From the latter are descended the
modern family of Gesners, some of whom we are about
to notice. His remains were honourably interred the day
after his decease, in the cloister of the great church at Zurich, near those of his intimate friend, Frysjus, who died
the preceding year. Abundance of Latin, and some Greek
verses, were composed to his honour, and his life, written
by his countryman Josias Sirnler, was published in the ensuing year. Haller mentions Gesner as probably the first
person who, being short-sighted, found the advantage of
concave glasses.
e called him simply John Caspar, and sometimes he did this himself, whence he was at one time better known by the name of Caspar than of Gevartius. His first application
, a learned critic, was the
son of an eminent lawyer, and born at Antwerp, Aug. 6,
1593. Many authors have called him simply John Caspar,
and sometimes he did this himself, whence he was at one
time better known by the name of Caspar than of Gevartius.
His first application to letters was in the college of Jesuits
at Antwerp, whence he removed to Louvain, and then to
Douay. He went to Paris in 1617, and spent some years
there in the conversation of the learned. Returning to the
Low Countries in 1621, he took the degree of LL. D.
in the university of Douay, and afterwards went to Antwerp,' where he was made town-clerk, a post he held to
the end of his life. He married in 1625, and died in 1666.
He had always a taste for classical learning, and devoted a
great part of his time to literary pursuits. In 1621 he
published at Leyden, in 8vo, “Lectionum Papinianarum
Libri quinque in Statii Papinii Sylvas;
” and, at Paris in
Electorum Libri tres, in quibus plurima veterum Scriptorum loco obscura et controv.ersa explicantur,
illustrantur, et emendantur.
” These, though published
when he was young, have established his reputation as a
critic. He derived also some credit from his poetical attempts, particularly a Latin poem, published at Paris,
1618, on the death of Thuanus. He kept a constant correspondence with the learned of his time, and some of his
letters have been printed in the “Sylloge Epistolarum,
”
by Burman. Our Bentley mentions Caspar Gevartius as a
man famous in his day; and tells us, that “he undertook
an edition of the poet Manilius, but was prevented by
death
” from executing it.
1670, leaving several works; the most considerable of which, and for which he is at present chiefly known, is his “Theatro d'Huomini Letterati.” The first part of this
, an Italian writer, born at Monza,
in Milan, 1589, was educated by the Jesuits at Milan, in
polite literature and philosophy. He went afterwards to
Parma, where he began to apply himself to the civil and
canon law; but was obliged to desist on account of ill
health. He returned home, and upon the death of his
father married; but, losing his wife, he became an ecclesiastic, and resumed the study of the canon law, of which
he was made doctor. He died in 1670, leaving several
works; the most considerable of which, and for which he
is at present chiefly known, is his “Theatro d'Huomini
Letterati.
” The first part of this was printed at Milan,
rth, a more intimate knowledge of the world, and such an increase of acquaintance as made him better known than he could have been in a much longer time, had he regularly
About the time when this essay appeared, Mr. Gibbon was
induced to embrace the military profession. He was appointed captain of the south battalion of the Hampshire
militia, and for two years and a half endured “a wandering life of military servitude.
” It is seldom that the memoirs of a literary character are enlivened by an incident
like this. Mr. Gibbon, as may be expected, could not
divest his mind of its old habits, and therefore endeavoured
to unite the soldier and the scholar. He studied the art of
war in the Memoires Militaires of Quintus Icilius (M.
Guichardt), while from the discipline and evolutions of a modern battalion, he was acquiring a clearer notion of the
phalanx and the legion, and what he seems to have valued
at its full worth, a more intimate knowledge of the world,
and such an increase of acquaintance as made him better
known than he could have been in a much longer time,
had he regularly passed his summers at Buriton, and his
winters in London. He snatched also some hours from his
military duties for study, and upon the whole, although
he does not look back with much pleasure on this period of
his life, he permits the reader to smile at the advantages
which the historian of the Roman empire derived from
the captain of the Hampshire grenadiers. At the peace in
1762-3, his regiment was disbanded, and he resumed his
studies, the regularity of which had been so much interrupted, that he speaks of now entering on a new plan.
After hesitating, probably not long, between the mathematics and the Greek language, he gave the preference to
the latter, and pursued his reading with vigour. But
whatever he read or studied, he appears to have read and
studied with a view to historical composition, and he aspired to the character of a historian long before he could
fix upon a subject. The time was favourable to Mr. Gibbon’s ambition. He was daily witnessing the triumphs of
Hume and Robertson, and he probably thought that a
subject only was wanting to form his claim to equal honours.
emselves, by their early application to the legislature, to preserve them in the possession of their known rights and properties. But, though the designs of their adversaries
Lastly, one more service to the church and clergy, performed by the bishop of London, was thought worthy of their grateful acknowledgements; namely, his distinguished zeal (after he had animated his brethren on the bench to concur with him) in timely apprizing the clergy of the bold schemes that were formed by the Quakers, in order to deprive the clergy of their legal maintenance by tithes; and in advising them to avert so great a blow to religion, as well as so much injustice to themselves, by their early application to the legislature, to preserve them in the possession of their known rights and properties. But, though the designs of their adversaries were happily defeated, yet it ought ever to be remembered, in honour of the memory of the bishop of London, that such umbrage was taken by sir Robert Walpole, on occasion of the advice given by him and his brethren to the clergy in that critical juncture, as soon terminated in the visible diminution of his interest and authority.
ved about fifteen years, and from thence into the neighbourhood of Cartmell, where he was familiarly known by the name of “Willy Gibson,” and continued his occupation
He went by the name of “Willy o' the Hollins
” many
years after he left that place and removed to Tarngreen,
where he lived about fifteen years, and from thence into
the neighbourhood of Cartmell, where he was familiarly
known by the name of “Willy Gibson,
” and continued his
occupation as before. For the last forty years of his life
he kept a school of about eight or ten gentlemen, who
boarded and lodged at his farm-house; and having a happy
art of explaining his ideas, he was very successful in teaching. He also took up the business of land-surveying, and
having acquired some little knowledge of drawing, could
finish his plans in a very neat manner. He was often appointed, by acts of parliament, a commissioner for the
inclosing of commons, for which he was well qualified in
every respect. His practice was to study incessantly,
during the greatest part of the night; and in the day-time,
when in the fields, his pupils frequently went to him to
have their difficulties removed. He appears to have been,
altogether a very extraordinary character, and in private
life amply deserving the great respect in which he was
held by all who knew him. His death, occasioned by a
fall, took place Oct. 4, 1791. He left a numerous family
by his wife, to whom he had been happily united for
nearly fifty years.
f the “Commentary of the three Rabbins on the Proverbs of Solomon,” Milan, 1620, 4to; but his better known work is his “Thesaurus Linguae Arabicse, seu Lexicon ArabicoLatinum,”
, a learned Italian,
who flourished in the early part of the seventeenth century,
was admitted to the degree of doctor by the Ambrosian
college at Milan. He was author of a Latin translation of
the “Commentary of the three Rabbins on the Proverbs
of Solomon,
” Milan, Thesaurus Linguae Arabicse, seu Lexicon ArabicoLatinum,
”
penetration he discovered in the decision of such causes of equity as came before him, were not more known in Westminster-hall, than his unwearied pursuit of mathematical
In the only character extant of him, it is said that “he
filled up every station of life with the greatest integrity
and most untainted honour; and discharged the duties of
his profession to the general satisfaction of all that had any
opportunity of observing his conduct. Nor did his speedy
advancement from one post to another procure him the
envy even of the gentlemen of the long robe, who constantly paid him the regard that is due to the greatest
merit when he was alive, and by whom the loss of him is
now as generally regretted. The skill and experience he
had in the laws of fads country, and the uncommon penetration he discovered in the decision of such causes of
equity as came before him, were not more known in Westminster-hall, than his unwearied pursuit of mathematical
studies (when his affairs would permit), as well as his fine
taste of the more polite parts of learning, were to men of
the most exalted genius in either.
” He was interred in a
vault built for the purpose in the abbey church at Bath,
in which city he died. A monument was afterwards erected
to his memory in the Temple church, London. His works
are, 1. “Law of Devises, last Wills, and Revocations,
”
Lond. The
Law of Uses and Trusts,
” The Law and Practice of Ejectments,
” Reports of Cases in Equity and Exchequer,
” Law and Practice of Distresses
and Replevins,
” no date, reprinted History and Practice of Civil
Actions in the Common-pleas,
” Treatise of the Court of Exchequer,
” partly printed
in Treatise of
Tenures,
” third edition, Treatise of
Rents,
” 8vo. 10. “History and Practice of the high
court of Chancery,
” Cases in Law and Equity,
”
The Law of Executions,
” &c. Theory or Law of Evidence,
” Abridgment of Locke’s Essay on the Human
Understanding,
” and his argument in a case of homicide.
'The first volume was again reprinted in 1801, by J. Sedg.
wick, esq. Besides these there are in Mr. Hargrave’s collection two manuscripts of lord chief baron Gilbert, the
one a “History of the Feud,
” the other “A Treatise of
Remainders.
”
heard the important news from England of queen Mary’s accession to the crown, whose bigotry was well known, and in whom the signs of a persecuting spirit already appeared;
Gilpin now embarked for Holland, whence he immediately went to Mechlin to visit his brother George, then a
2ealous papist, but afterwards a warm advocate for the
reformation, and the translator from Dutch into English of
that keen satire against popery, entitled “The Beehive of
the Roman church.
” He went afterwards to Louvain,
where he resolved to settle for sometime, making occasional excursions to other placet. Loinrain was then one
of the chief places for students in divinity. Some of the
most eminent divines on both sides of the question resided
there, and the most important topics of religion were discussed with gfeat freedom. Of such opportunities he soon
began to avail himself, and the consequence was his imbibing juster notions of the doctrines of the reformation:
he saw things in a clearer and stronger light, and felt a
satisfaction in the change he Uad made, to whichhe had
hitherto been n stranger.
While thus pursuing his studies, he heard the important
news from England of queen Mary’s accession to the crown,
whose bigotry was well known, and in whom the signs of
a persecuting spirit already appeared; and at the same
time learned that his relation bishop Tonstal was released
from the Tower, and reinstated in his bishopric. The first
consequence of this last event was the offer of a living,
which Mr. Gilpin declined in a long letter, the unaffected
piety of which disarmed all resentment on the part of the
bishop, and led him rather to admire a behaviour, in which
the motives of conscience shewed themselves so superior
to those of interest. After remaining two years in Flanders,
to which his countrymen were daily flocking to escape the
sanguinary laws of queen Mary, he took a journey to Paris, in order to print the bishop of Durham’s book on the
Sacrament, with which that prelate had intrusted him.
This work of Tonstal’s was written so much in a spirit of
moderation respecting the extravagant popish doctrine of
the Sacrament, that Gilpin was generally supposed to have
corrupted it, which he refuted by shewing the bishop’s
letter of thanks for his “care and fidelity
” as an editor.
While Mr. Gilpin staid at Paris, he lodged with Vascosan,
the eminent printer, to whom he had been recommended
by his friends in the Netherlands, and who shewed him
great regard, introducing him to the most considerable
men in that city. Here popery became quite his aversion;
he saw more of its superstition and craft than he had yet
seen; the former among the people, the latter among the
priests, who scrupled not to avow how little truth was their
concern. Here also he found his old acquaintance Mr.
Neat, of New college, who was now become an inflexible
bigot to popery, and resisted all Gilpin’s endeavours to
reclaim him. This was the same Neal, who was afterwards chaplain to bishop Bonner, and distinguished himself by being sole voucher of the very improbable and silly
story of the Nag’s head consecration.
e lis, a, particularity which has been adopted by all nations, to whom the use of this instrument is known. Some have pretended that the ancients wer6 not ignorant of
, to whom the invention of the compass has been ascribed, was a Neapolitan, and born about the year 13OO. At that time the sovereigns of Naples were younger branches of the royal family of France; and, to mark the circumstance of this invention of the compass originating with a subject of Naples, Gioia distinguished the north with a fleur de lis, a, particularity which has been adopted by all nations, to whom the use of this instrument is known. Some have pretended that the ancients wer6 not ignorant of the power of the magnet; but it is certain 'that Pliny, who often speaks of the load-stone, knew nothing of its appropriate direction to the pole. Some authors also have conferred the honour of this important discovery on the Chinese, and it has by Dr. Wallis been ascribed to the English. However this may be, the territory of Principato, which is part of the kingdom of Naples, and in which place Gioia was born, bears a compass for its arms. If it be only an improvement of an invention, though but partially known, which may be imputed to Gioia, he is without dispute entitled to a distinguished place in the rank of those who have contributed to the benefit of society.
, an eminent artist, whose name was Gioggio Barbarellj, but was generally known by the appellation of Giorgione, from loftiness of figure and
, an eminent artist, whose name was
Gioggio Barbarellj, but was generally known by the
appellation of Giorgione, from loftiness of figure and
gait, or the grandeur that stamps his style, was born at
Castelfranco, in Frioul, 1477, and became the scholar of
Giovanni Bellini. Even then he dismissed the minuteness which chained his master, and substituted that freedom, that disdainful superiority of handling, which, if it
be not the result of manner, is the supreme attainment of
execution. Ample outlines, bold fore-shortening, dignity, and vivacity of aspect and attitude, breadth of drapery, richness of accompaniment, more natural and softer
passages from tint to tint, and forcible effects of chiaroscuro, marked the style of Giorgione. This last, the great
want of the Venetian school, had, indeed, already been
discovered to Upper Italy, by Lionardo da Vinci. To
him, or rather to certain pictures and drawings of his, all
unknown to us, Vasari pretends that Giorgione owes his
chiaroscuro; but neither the line and forms peculiar to
Vipci, nor his system of light and shade, seem to countenance this assertion. Gracility and amenity of aspect characterize the lines and fancy of Lionardo; fulness, roundness, those of Giorgione. Fond of a much wider diffusion
of shades, and gradually diminishing their mass, the Tuscan drives light to a single point of dazzling splendour.
Not so the Venetian; more open, less dark, neither brown
nor ferrugineous in his demi-tints, but transparent and
true; to tell the whole, he is nearer to Corregioi He
may, however, have inspected and profited by the example
of Lionardo, the inventor of chiaroscuro; but so as Corregio did by the fore-shortening of Mantegna. His greatest
works were in fresco, of which little but the ruins remain.
His numerous oil-pictures, by rigorous impasto, and fulness of pencil, st^ll preserve their beauty. Of these, his
portraits have every excellence which mind, air, dignity,
truth, freshness, and contrast, can confer; he sometimes
indulged in ruddy, sanguine tints, but, on the whole, simplicity is their standard. His compositions are few; the
most considerable was, perhaps, that of the “Tempest
allayed,
” in the school of St. Marco at Venice. Some consider as his master-piece “Moses taken from the Nile,
and presented to the daughter of Pharaoh,
” in the archiepiscopal palace at Milan, in which a certain austerity of
tone gives zest to sweetness. One large picture of a holy
family is in possession of the marquis of Stafford, which is
highly laboured as to effect. But, perhaps the most perfect work of his in this country, is a small picture in the
collection of the earl of Carlisle, a portrait of Gaston de
Foix, with a servant putting on his armour. We are not
acquainted with any picture that has more truth or beauty
of colour, and style of character. It is told of Giorgione,
that having a dispute concerning the superiority of sculpture or painting; and it being argued, that sculpture had
the advantage, because the figures it produces may be seen
all around; he took the adverse side, maintaining, that
the necessity of moving, in order to see the different sides,
deprived it of its superiority; whereas the whole figure
might be viewed at one glance, in a minute. To prove
his position, he painted a figure, and surrounded it with
mirrors, in which all the various parts were exhibited, and
obtained great applause for his ingenuity. This artist is
said to have fallen in love with a young beauty at Venice,
who was no less charmed with him, and submitted to be
his mistress. She fell ill with the plague; but, not suspecting it to be so, admitted Giorgione to her bed, where,
the infection seizing him, they both died in 1511, he
being no more than 33.
ic work, which is over the three gates of the portico, in the entrance to St. Peter’s church, and is known to painters by the name of Giotto’s vessel. Pope Benedict was
, an eminent painter, sculptor, and architect,
was born in 1276, at a village near Florence, of parents
who were plain country people. When a boy, he was
sent out to keep sheep in the fields; and, having a natural
inclination for design, he used to amuse himself with
drawing his flock after the life upon sand, in the best manner he could. Cimabue travelling once that way, found
him at this work, and thence conceived so good an opinion of his genius for painting, that he prevailed with his
father to let him go to Florence, and be brought up under
him. He had not applied himself long to designing, before he began to shake off the stiffness of the Grecian
masters. He endeavoured to give a finer air to his heads,
and more of nature to his colouring, with proper actions to
his figures. He attempted likewise to draw after the life,
and to express the different passions of the mind; but
could not come up to the liveliness of the eyes, the tenderness of the flesh, or the strength of the muscles in naked
figures. What he did, however, had not been done in,
two centuries before, with any skill equal to his. Giotto’s
reputation was so far extended, that pope Benedict IX.
sent a gentleman of his court into Tuscany, to bring him
a just report of his talents; and withal to bring him a design from each of the Florentine painters, being desirous
to have some notion of their skill. When he came to
Giotto, he told him of the pope’s intentions, which were
to employ him in St. Peter’s church at Rome; and desired
him to send some design by him to his holiness. Giotto,
who was a pleasant ready man, took a sheet of white paper,
and setting his arm close to his hip to keep it steady, he
drew with one stroke of his pencil a circle so round and so
equal, that “round as Giotto’s O
” afterwards became
proverbial. Then, presenting it to the gentleman, he told
him smiling, that “there was a piece of design, which he
might carry to his holiness.
” The man replied, “I ask
for a design:
” Giotto answered, “Go, sir, I tell you his
holiness asks nothing else of me.
” The pope, who understood something of painting, easily comprehended by this,
how much Giotto in strength of design excelled all the
other painters of his time; and accordingly sent for him
to Rome. Here he painted many pieces, and amongst the
rest a ship of Mosaic work, which is over the three gates
of the portico, in the entrance to St. Peter’s church, and
is known to painters by the name of Giotto’s vessel. Pope
Benedict was succeeded by Clement V. who transferred
the papal court to Avignon; whither, likewise, Giotto was
obliged to go. After some stay there, having perfectly
satisfied the pope by many fine specimens of his art, he
was largely rewarded, and returned to Florence full of
riches and honour in 1316. He was soon invited to Padua,
where he painted a new-built chapel very curiously; thence
he went to Verona, and then to Ferrara. At the same time
the poet Dante, hearing that Giotto was at Ferrara, and
being himself then in exile at Ravenna, got him over to
Ravenna, where he executed several pieces; and perhaps
it might be here that he drew Dante’s picture, though the
friendship between the poet and the painter was previous
to this. In 1322, he was again invited abroad by Castruccio Castrucani, lord of Luca; and, after that, by Robert
king of Naples. Giotto painted much at Naples, and
chiefly the chapel, where the king was so pleased with
him, that he used very often to go and sit by him while he
was at work: for,Giotto was a man of pleasant conversation and wit. One day, it being very hot, the king said
to him, “If I were you, Giotto, I would leave off working
this hot weather
” “and so would I, Sir,
” says Giotto,
“if I were you.
” He returned from Naples to Rome, and
from Rome to Florence, leaving monuments of his art in
almost every place through which he passed. There is a
picture of his in one of the churches of Florence, representing the death of the blessed Virgin, with the apostles
about her: the attitudes of which story, Michael Angelo
used to say, could not be better designed. Giotto, however, did not confine his genius altogether to painting: he
was both a sculptor and architect. In 1327 he formed the
design of a magnificent and beautiful monument for Guido
Tarlati, bishop of Arezzo, who had been the head of the
Ghibeline faction in Tuscany: and in 1334 he undertook
the famous tower of Sancta Maria del Fiore; for which
work, though it was not finished, he was made a citizen of
Florence, and endowed with a considerable yearly pension.
His death happened in 1336: and the city of Florence
erected a marble statue over his tomb. He had the esteem
and friendship of most of the excellent men of the age in
which he lived and among the rest, of Dante and Petrarch.
He drew, as already noticed, the picture of the former
and the latter mentions him in his will, and in one of his
familiar epistles.
among the best tragic writers that Italy has produced; but perhaps the work by which he now is best known is his “Hecatommiti,” an hundred novels in the manner of Boccaccio,
His works are all written in Italian, except some orations,
spoken upon extraordinary occasions, in Latin. They
consist chiefly of tragedies: a collection of which was published at Venice 1583, in 8vo, by his son Celso Giraldi;
who, in his dedication to the duke of Ferrara, takes occasion to observe, that he was the youngest of five sons, and
the only one who survived his father. There are also some
prose works of Giraldi: one particularly upon comedy,
tragedy, and other kinds of poetry, which was printed at
Venice by himself in 1554, 4to. Some make no scruple
to rank him among the best tragic writers that Italy has
produced; but perhaps the work by which he now is best
known is his “Hecatommiti,
” an hundred novels in the
manner of Boccaccio, which have been frequently printed.
There is a scarce volume of his poems printed at Ferrara
in 1537, at the close of which is a treatise of Cielio Calcagnini, “De Imitatione,
” addressed to Giraldi.