, a modern French poet of the Ovidian cast, was born in the isle of Bourbon, Oct. 10, 1752, and died at St.
, a modern French poet of the
Ovidian cast, was born in the isle of Bourbon, Oct. 10,
1752, and died at St. Domingo June 1790. He was
brought to France for education at the age of nine, and
after studying for some time in the college of Plessis, entered the military service, and became a captain of horse
and a chevalier of St. Louis. In his twentieth year he distinguished himself as a poet, although his effusions were
circulated principally among his friends; but in 1782,
when he published four books of elegies under the title of
“Amours,
” a very honourable rank appears to have been
assigned to him among the minor poets of France. He
was intimately connected with chevalier de Parny, another
poet of the amatory class, and who was termed the French
Tibullus, and they lived together in the utmost amity, although rivals in the public favour. About the end of the
year 1789, Bertin went to St. Domingo to marry a young
creole, with whom he had formed an acquaintance in Paris,
but on the day of marriage he was seized with a violent
fever, of which he died in a few days. His works were
collected and published at Paris in 1785, 2 vols. 18mo,
and reprinted in 1802 and 1306.
, an eminent French anatomist, was born at Tremblay in Britanny, Sept. 21, 1712. At the age of
, an eminent French anatomist, was born at Tremblay in Britanny, Sept. 21, 1712.
At the age of three he was left an orphan, yet learned
Latin almost without a master, and was sent afterwards to
Rennes to complete his education. He then went to Paris,
and studied medicine with such success, that, in 1737, he
took his doctor’s degree at Rheims, and in 1741 was admitted a regent member of the faculty of Paris. About the
end of that year he accepted the place of physician to the
prince of Moldavia, but after two years returned to France.
The academy of sciences which had in his absence chosen
him a corresponding member, now, in 1744, admitted him
to the honour of being an associate without the intermediate rank of adjunct. The fatigues, however, which he had
encountered in Moldavia, and his assiduous application to
anatomical studies, had at this time impaired his health,
and, joined to a nervous temperament, threw him into a
state of mental debility which interrupted his studies for
three years. He was afterwards recommended to travel,
and it was not until the year 1750 that he recovered his
health and spirits, and was enabled to resume his studies
at Gahard, a retired spot near Rennes. There also he employed some part of his time in the education of his children,
and his reputation brought him extensive practice. On
Feb. 21, 1781, he was seized with a complaint in his
breast, which carried him off in four days. Before and
after his long illness, he had furnished several valuable
papers to the memoirs of the academy of sciences, particularly three on the circulation in the foetus. His principal publications were, 1. “Traite d'Osteologie,
” Lettre au D sur le
nouveau systeme de la Voix,
” Hague, Lettres sur le nouveau systeme de la Voix, et
sur les arteres lymphatiques,
” Consultation sur
la legitimite' des naissances tardives,
” 1764 and 1765, 8vo.
His chief argument here seems to be the simple position
that if there are early births, there may also be late births.
4. “Memoire sur les consequences relatives a la pratique, deduites de la structure des os parietaux,
” inserted in
the Journal de Medicine,
, painter, and disciple of Jouvenet and de Boullogne the elder, was born at Paris in 1664. His father was a sculptor. The academy
, painter, and disciple of Jouvenet and de Boullogne the elder, was born at Paris in 1664. His father was a sculptor. The academy of painting decreed him the first prize at the age of eighteen, and admitted him afterwards of their number. During his stay at Rome he completed his studies. At his return to France he was appointed director of the Roman school but an affair of gallantry, which rendered it unsafe for him to return to Rome, prevented him from accepting that place. Louis XIV. and the electors of Mentz and of Bavaria employed him successively in various works. The last was desirous of attaching him to himself by handsome pensions but Berlin would never consent to quit his country. He died at Paris in 1736. His manner was vigorous and graceful; but his excellence lay chiefly in small pictures. At Paris there are several works of his in the church of St. Luke, the abbey of St. Germain des pres, and in the halls of the academy.
n of learning and skill, yet perhaps less known for these qualities, than for his literary disputes, was born at Castel Fiorentino Dec. 28, 1658. After studying at Sienna
, an Italian physician,
and a man of learning and skill, yet perhaps less known
for these qualities, than for his literary disputes, was born at
Castel Fiorentino Dec. 28, 1658. After studying at
Sienna and Pisa a complete course, not only of medicine,
but mathematics, astronomy, belles-lettres, &c. he was,
in 1678, created doctor in philosophy and medicine, and
then settled at Florence, where after very successful practice for many years, he died Dec. 10, 1726. His first
publication was entitled “La Medicina difesa contra la
calunnie degli nomini volgari e dalle opposizioni del dotti,
divisa in due dialoghi,
” Lucca, Dell' uso esterno e interno del Mercurio, discorso, &c.
”
4to.
, cosmographer and historiographer to Louis XIII. of France, and regius professor, of mathematics, was born at Beveren in Flanders, on the confines of the dioceses
, cosmographer and historiographer
to Louis XIII. of France, and regius professor, of mathematics, was born at Beveren in Flanders, on the confines
of the dioceses of Bruges and Ypres, Nov. 14, 1565. He
was brought into England when but three months old, by
his parents, who dreaded the persecution of the protestants
which then prevailed in the Netherlands. He received the
rudiments of his education in the suburbs of London, under
Christian Rychius, and his learned daughter-in-law, Petronia Lansberg. He afterwards completed his education at
Leyden, whither his father, then become protestant minister at Rotterdam, removed him in his twelfth year. In
1582, when only seventeen years of age, he began the
employment of teaching, which he carried on at Dunkirk,
Ostend, Middleburgh, Goes, and Strasburgh but a desire for increasing his own stock of learning induced him
to travel into Germany with Lipsius, and the same object
led him afterwards into Bohemia, Silesia, Poland, Russia,
and Prussia. On his return to Leyden he was appointed
to a professor’s chair, and to the care of the library, of
which, after arranging it properly, he published a' catalogue. In 1606, he was appointed regent of the college,
but afterwards, having taken part with the disciples of Arminius, and published several works against those of Gomarus, he was dismissed from all his employments, and
deprived of every means of subsistence, with a numerous
family. In March 1620, he presented a petition to the
states of Holland for a pension, which was refused. Two
years before, Louis XIII. had honoured him with the title
of his cosmographer, and now constrained by poverty and
the distress of his family, he went to France and embraced
the popish religion, a change which gave great uneasiness
to the protestants. Some time after he was appointed
professor of rhetoric in the college of Boncourt, then historiographer to the king, and lastly assistant to the regius
professor of mathematics. He died Oct. 3, 1629. A veryline engraving of him occurs at the back of the dedication
to Louis XIII. of his “Theatrum Geographise veteris,
”
but (the collectors will be glad to hear) only in some copies
of that work, which are supposed to have been presents
from the author.
, an Italian antiquary of the last century, was born of a noble family, at Mereto inthe Frioul, March 13, 1676,
, an Italian antiquary of
the last century, was born of a noble family, at Mereto inthe Frioul, March 13, 1676, and after studying at Venice,
was ordained a priest in 1700. The same year he became
canon -coadjutor of the patriarchal church of Aquileia, and
soon after titular. He had already acquired a decided taste
for the study of antiquities, and was in a country abounding with objects to gratify it, most of which, however, had
been greatly neglected, and even destroyed by the ignorant
inhabitants, who converted every remains of antiquity in
stone to the common purposes of building. To prevent
this for the future, Bertoli formed a society of men of
learning and similar taste, who began with purchasing
every valuable relic they could find, and placed the collection in the portico of the canons’ house, where it soon
became an object of curiosity, not only to travellers, but
to the Aquileians themselves. At the same time he copied,
or caused to be copied, all the monuments in the town, and
in the whole province, and entered into an extensive correspondence with many eminent characters, particularly
Fontanini, to whom he liberally communicated his discoveries, in hopes they might be useful to that learned prelate; but he having deceased in 1736, Bertoli resolved to
take upon himself what he had expected from him, and
was encouraged in this design by Muratori and Apostolo
Zeno. Accordingly he began to publish a series of memoirs and dissertations on subjects of antiquity, which he
wrote at his native place, Mereto, where he resided for
such periods as his official duties at Aquileia permitted.
In 1747 he was elected a member of the Columbarian society of Florence, and next year of that of Cortona, and
died a few years afterwards, but the date is not ascertained
in either of our authorities. His principal publication is
entitled “Le Aritichita di Aquileja profane e sacre,
” Venice
, a French Jesuit, was born Nov. 14, 1723. On the suppression of his order he retired
, a French Jesuit, was born Nov.
14, 1723. On the suppression of his order he retired to
Senlis, where he had a canonry given him, and where he
died, but when is not mentioned. He wrote the following
books which were much esteemed in France, but would
not suffer his name to appear to any of them 1. “Histoire
poetique tirée des poetes Franais, Paris, 1767, 12 mo, and
a fourth edition, 1786. 2.
” Anecdotes Franchises depuis
l‘etablissement de la monarchic jusqu’au regue de Louis
XV.“ibid. 1767, 8vo. 3.
” Anecdotes Espagnoles et Portugaises," Paris, 1773, 2 vols. 8vo.
, minister, and professor of Hebrew at Geneva, at Frankenthal, and at Lausanne, was born at Thouars in Poitou, in 1531, of a reputable family, allied
, minister, and
professor of Hebrew at Geneva, at Frankenthal, and at Lausanne, was born at Thouars in Poitou, in 1531, of a reputable family, allied to the house of la Trimouille, and
escaped the massacre of St. Bartholomew by flying to Cahors
and afterwards to Geneva. He died at Lausanne in 1594.
He gave to the world, 1. “A dissertation on the Republic
of the Hebrews,
” Geneva, A revision
of the French Bible of Geneva, according to the Hebrew
text,
” Geneva, Thesaurus linguae sanctae
” of Pagninus.
4. “A parallel of the Hebrew Tongue with the Arabic.
”
5. “Lucubrationes Frankendalenses,
”
, professor of law at Halle, was born at Zerbst, in 1726, and studied at Halle and Jena. In 1746
, professor of law at Halle,
was born at Zerbst, in 1726, and studied at Halle and
Jena. In 1746 he was governor of the pages at Weimar
in 1753, private secretary, and then secretary of state,
which he resigned in 1761, in order to retire to Halle,
where he became professor of law, and died Oct. 13, 1777.
He was a man of high reputation for learning, especially
in history and feudal law. His principal works, which are
all in German, are, 1. “An Essay on the History of Learning,
” Gotha, History of the house and
principality of Anhalt,
” continued by M. J. C. Krause,
part I. Ferreras’ History of Spain
”, continued down to his own time, vols, 11, 12, and 13, 1762
1772, 4to.
hes of philosophy and literature, and especially in natural history and political and rural economy, was born at Orbe in Swisserland, in 1712. In 1739 he was pastor
, an ingenious Swiss writer, long
known by his labours in various branches of philosophy
and literature, and especially in natural history and political and rural economy, was born at Orbe in Swisserland,
in 1712. In 1739 he was pastor of that village, and in
1744 preacher at Bern, whence he was called by the late
king of Poland, to preside at a board of commerce, agriculture, and useful arts, the operations of which (and, if we are not mistaken, its very existence) were suppressed
by the subsequent troubles of that unhappy country. He
was also a member of the academies of Stockholm, Berlin, Florence, Lyons, &c. His principal works are, 1. “Sermons prononcés a Berne a l‘occasion de la decouverte
d’une CoiTspiration centre Petat,
” Memoires sur la Structure interieure de la Terre,
” Essais sur les usages des montagnes, avec un lettre
sur la Nil,
” Memoires pour servir a
s’instruire des tremblements de terre de la Suisse, principalement pour l'annee 1755, avec quatre Sermons prononcées a cette occasion,
” 1756, 8vo. 5. The same “Memoires,
” published separately, Le Philanthrope,
” Recherches sur les langues anciennes et modernes de la Suisse, et principalement du pays de Vaud,
”
Museum,
” Dictionnaire Universel des Fossiles propres, etdes Fossils accidentels,
” Recueil de divers traités sur l'histoire naturelle de la
Terre etdes Fossiles,
” Morale de l'Evangile,
” Le Thevenon, ou les Journees de la Montagne, 1777, 12mo, 1780, 2 vols. 8vo. 14.
” Essai philosophique et moral sur le Plaisir,“1778, 12mo,
an excellent work, which, from the account given of it in
the Monthly Review, seems highly deserving of a translation. 15.
” Le solitaire du Mont-Jure, recreations d'un
philosophe," 1782, 12mo. The time of this writer’s death
is not ascertained, but he was considerably advanced in
years at the period of this last publication.
, a French physician, and member of the academy of Marseilles, was born at Martigue in Provence, July 12, 1670. He was at first
, a French physician,
and member of the academy of Marseilles, was born at
Martigue in Provence, July 12, 1670. He was at first
intended for the church, and went through a theological
course, but his inclination leading him to medicine, he
studied the same at Montpellier. After having practised
for some time in his native country, he removed with his
family to Marseilles. His three colleagues at the HotelDieu of that city having withdrawn their services during
the contagious fever of 1709, he remained alone to prescribe for the poor sufferers, and escaped without an attack,
which probably encouraged him to show the same zeal
during the plague in 1720. On this occasion, however,
he saw almost his whole family fall a sacrifice to their humane care of the sick, and was himself attacked with the
disorder, but at length recovered, and the government, in
consideration of his services, granted him a pension, which
he enjoyed until his death, Sept. 10, 1752. He was a
man of amiable temper, disinterested, kind and ingenuous.
He wrote, 1. “Relation historique de la Peste de Marseille,
” Lyons, Lettres sur le mouvement des Muscles et sur les Esprits Animaux.
” 3. “Reflexions sur le systeme de la Trituration,
” published in the
Journal de Trevoux. 4. “Dissertation sur l'air maritime,
”
Marseilles, 4.to, &c.
, an eminent anatomist and surgeon, was born at Turin, Oct. 18, 1723. His father, who was only a poor
, an eminent anatomist and surgeon, was born at Turin, Oct. 18, 1723. His
father, who was only a poor phlebotomist and barber, contrived to give him an education, and intended to bring him
up to the church, which was thought most likely to afford
him a maintenance, but one of their friends Sebastian
Klingher, then professor of surgery, induced him to study
that branch, in which he soon evinced great talents. He
was only twenty- two when he read a dissertation on Ophthalmography, on which Haller and Portal bestowed the
highest praise. The celebrated Bianchi connected himself with him, but after a few years their friendship was
interrupted by the literary disputes which took place between Bianchi and Morgagni, and Bertrandi preferring“what he thought truth to a friendship which was of great
importance to him, was obliged to leave Bianchi. In 1747
he was elected an associate of the college of surgery, and
the same year published his
” Dissertation on the Liver,“which, Haller says, contains many useful observations. In,
1752, the king, Charles Emmanuel, offered to bear his expenses to Paris and London. He accordingly went to Paris,
where he increased his knowledge and practice of the art
of surgery, and in consequence of his two papers read in
the academy,
” De Hydrocele,“and
” De hepatis abscessibus qui vulneribus capitis superveniunt,“was admitted
as a foreign member. In 1754 he went to London, and
lodged for a year with sir William Bromfield, our late
eminent surgeon, during which time, as at Paris, he studied hospital practice, and cultivated the acquaintance of
men of science. On his return to Turin, the king founded
for his sake a new professorship of practical surgery and
anatomy, and at Bertrandi’s request, built a handsome
amphitheatre in the hospital of St. John. He was afterwards appointed first surgeon to the king, and professor
of chemistry in the university. Surgery now, which had
been practised in Piedmont only by regimental surgeons,
began to wear a new face and a literary society, which
was afterwards completely established under the title of
the
” Royal Academy of Sciences,“began now to hold its
meetings, and Bertrandi contributed some valuable papers
to the first volume of their Memoirs. His principal publication was his
” Trattato delle operazioni di Chirurgia,"
Nice, 1763, 2 vols. 8vo, which was afterwards translated
into French and German. He was employed on a treatise
on anatomy and a comparative history of ancient and modern surgery, when death deprived science and humanity
of his valuable labours, in 1765, in his forty-second year.
His works already published, and his posthumous works,
edited by Penchienati and Brugnone form 13 vols. 8vo.
, an eminent cardinal, was born in 1575, at the chateau de Serilli, near Troyesin Champagne,
, an eminent cardinal, was born in
1575, at the chateau de Serilli, near Troyesin Champagne,
of a noble family, and. having embraced the ecclesiastical
state, distinguished himself early in life by his piety and
his learning. He got great reputation in the famous conference of Fontainbleau, where du Perron contended with
du Plessis-Mornay, called the pope of the Huguenots. He
was sent by Henry IV. to whom he was chaplain, into
Spain, for the purpose of bringing some Carmelites to
Paris, and it was by his means that this order flourished so
much in France. Some time afterwards he founded the
Congregation of the Oratory of France, of which he was the
first general. This new institution was approved by a bull
of pope Paul V. in 1613, and has always been reckoned by
the catholics a great service done to the church. In that
gregation, according to the expression of Bossuet, the
members obey without dependance, and govern without
commanding; their whole time is divided between study
and prayer. Their piety is liberal and enlightened, their
knowledge useful, and almost always modest. Urban VIII.
rewarded the merit of Berulle by a cardinal’s hat. Henry
IV. and Louis XIII. vainly strove to make him accept of
considerable bishoprics on Louis’s telling him that he
should employ the solicitation of a more powerful advocate
than himself (meaning the pope) to prevail upon him to
accept the bishopric of Leon, he said, “that if his majesty continued to press him, he should be obliged to quit
his kingdom.
” This cardinal came over with Henrietta
Maria, queen of Charles I. to England, as her confessor,
to the court of which he endeared himself by the sanctity
of his morals, and the extreme propriety of his behaviour,
although his errand had afterwards its weight in encreasing
the fatal unpopularity of the royal family. He died suddenly, Oct. 2, 1629, aged fifty-five, while he was celebrating the sacrament, and had just repeated the words,
“bane igitur obiationem,
” which gave occasion to the following distich:
, a canon of St. Sepulchre’s at Caen, and a member of the academies of Caen and Cherburgh, was born at St. Malo, and died at Caen, Dec. 1782. He published,
, a canon of St. Sepulchre’s at
Caen, and a member of the academies of Caen and Cherburgh, was born at St. Malo, and died at Caen, Dec. 1782.
He published, 1. “Chronologic historique des baillis et
des gouverneurs de Caen,
” Histoire
sommaire de la ville de Bayeux,
” Memoires historiques sur l'origine et le fondateur de la coHegiale du St. Sepulcre a Caen, avec le catalogue de ses
doyens.
” 4. Various dissertations in the literary Journals,
in D'Expilly’s “Dictionnaire de France,
” and in that of
the nobility, &c.
, a botanist, who was born in 1561, at Nuremberg, where he carried on the business
, a botanist, who was born in 1561, at
Nuremberg, where he carried on the business of an apothecary, and died there in 1629, is entitled to notice chiefly
for having published the most beautiful botanical work that
had then appeared, the celebrated “Hortus Eystettensis,
”
Nuremberg, Phytobasanos
” of Columna, that were engraved on
copper, all botanical engravings being formerly on wood.
They are in general well designed, but do not point out
the parts of fructification, and are classed only according
to the seasons. Basil Besler had the care of this work, and
although he was deficient in literature, and was not even
acquainted with Latin, yet his zeal and love of the science
enabled him to perform his task with considerable skill.
Jerome Besler, his brother, a man of more learning, supplied the synonymy of the plants, and part of the descriptions, and Louis Jungermann, professor at Giessen, was
the author of the text. A second edition appeared at Nuremberg in 1640, at the expence of Marquard II. bishop
of Aichstaedt, in large folio, but is inferior to the first.
Basil Besler also collected a museum of many of the curiosities of the three kingdoms of nature, which he had engraven at his own expence, and published under the title
of “Fasciculus rariorum et aspectu digniorum, varii generis quae collegit et suis impensis aeri ad vivum incidi curavit Basilius Besler,
” Nuremberg,
, a physician at Nuremberg, the son of Jerome and nephew of Basil, who was born in 1601, and died in 1661, wrote, 1. “Gazophylacium rerum
, a physician at Nuremberg, the son of Jerome and nephew of Basil, who was
born in 1601, and died in 1661, wrote, 1. “Gazophylacium rerum naturalium,
” Nuremberg, Rariora mussel Besleriani,
” Nuremberg, Admirandae fabrics humanae mulieris partium, &c. delineatio,
”
Nuremberg, Observatio anatomico-medica, &c.
”
an account of a monstrous birth, Nuremberg, Mantissa ad viretum stirpium Eystettense-Beslerianum,
” ibid. Hortus Eystettensis.
”
, king’s advocate at Fontenaye-le-Comte, and an able French antiquary, was born at Coulonges-lesRoyaux in Poitou, in 1572, and died in
, king’s advocate at Fontenaye-le-Comte,
and an able French antiquary, was born at Coulonges-lesRoyaux in Poitou, in 1572, and died in 1644. In 1614,
he distinguished himself in the assembly of the states by
opposing the receiving of the council of Trent, but he was
better known by his assiduous attention to the antiquities
of France and his works published after his death by his
son and Peter Dupuis his friend, justly entitle him to be
considered as an accurate and judicious historian. These
are, 1. “Histoire des comtes de Poitou et dues de
Guienne,
” Paris, 1647, fol. This was the result of forty years
research, and the extraordinary light he has been able to
throw upon circumstances before in comparative obscurity,
may form a sufficient apology for some few mistakes.
2. “Des eveques de Poitiers, avec les preuves,
” Cornmen taire sur llonsard,
” something of which kind was attempted by many of his contemporaries.
, a doctor of the Sorbonne, was born at Paris in 1636, of an old family of booksellers, and
, a doctor of the Sorbonne, was
born at Paris in 1636, of an old family of booksellers, and
after prosecuting his studies witli great success, became
professor of philosophy in the college of Plessis, and assistant to the principal. His particular talent for the religious instruction of his pupils occasioned his being frequently invited to other colleges of the capital for his advice and assistance but his opposition to the famous bull
Unigenitus, gave so much offence to the higher powers
that he was expelled the college of Plessis, deprived of the
privileges of his doctorate, and at last banished the kingdom. This sentence, however, being taken off after a
year, he returned to his friends, and employed himself in
writing the following works, 1. “Concorde des livres de
la Sagesse, on Morale du St. Esprit,
” Concorde des Epitres canoniques, ou Morale des
Apotres,
” Principes de la perfection
Chretienne et religieuse,
” Histoire de l'abbaye de Port-royal,
” Reflexions theologiques sur le premier vol.'
des lettres de Pabbe de Villefroi a ses eleves, &c.
” Principes
de la Penitence et de la Justice,
”
, an eminent lawyer, and law-professor at Ingolstadt, was born at Tubingen in 1577, and was professor of law in 1635,
, an eminent
lawyer, and law-professor at Ingolstadt, was born at
Tubingen in 1577, and was professor of law in 1635, when he
turned Roman catholic, and left his place to become counsellor at the court of Austria, whence he went to Ingolstadt,
and died there Sept. 15, 1638. At this juncture the pope
was about to have offered him a professor’s chair at Bologna, with a pension of four thousand ducats. He was
the author of a great many works on subjects of law and
history, all which shew that he had accumulated a greater
stock of learning than he had time or judgment to methodize. 1. “Synopsis rerum ab orbe condito gestarum,
usque ad Ferdinandi imperium,
” Franeker r Synopsis doctriiwe politico.
” 3. “Historia imperil
Constantinopolitani et Turcici.
” 4. “Series et succinqta
narratio rerum a regibus Hierosolymarum, Neapoleos et
Siciliae gestarum.
” 5. “Dissertationes philologies,
” Monumenta typographical' 6.
” Prodromus vindiciarum ecclesiast. Wirtenbergicarum,“1636,
4to. 7.
” Documenta rediviva monasteriorum Wirtemb.“Tubing. 1636, 4to. These two works, although surreptitiously printed at Vienna in 1723 and 1726, fol. are uncommonly rare, as they were suppressed along with the
following articles. 8.
” Virginum sacrarum monumenta,
&c.“9.
” Documenta concernentia ecclesiam collegiatarn Stuttgardiensem.“10.
” Documenta ecclesise Backhenang.“These last five, which the Germans enumerate
among their rarest bibliographical curiosities, are all in 4to,
and printed at Tubingen, 1636. Saxius mentions a work
omitted in the above list, and probably Besold’s first production,
” Discussiones quaestionum aliquot de usuris et
annuis reditibus," Tubing. 1598, 4to.
, doctor of the Sorbonne, chaplain to monsieur, and abbot of l'Epau, was born at Castelnaudari in Languedoc, Oct. 13, 1734, and died
, doctor of
the Sorbonne, chaplain to monsieur, and abbot of l'Epau,
was born at Castelnaudari in Languedoc, Oct. 13, 1734,
and died at Paris, Aug. 26, 1783. He at first connected
himself with the community of St. Sulpice, and discharged
with not less fortitude than charity, the painful office of
accompanying and exhorting the criminals sentenced to
die. Afterwards, devoting his talents to the pulpit, he
preached with applause at Versailles and at Paris, though
the rapidity of his utterance diminished somewhat of the
effect of his discourses. His sermon on the last supper
presented a piece of eloquence so affecting on the sad condition of the prisoners in the several gaols, that the immediate regulation of them, as to accommodations and health,
with the establishment of the Hotel de Force, were among
the happy effects of it. The abbé de Besplas was serviceable to humanity, not only by his discourses, but by his
works. We have by him a treatise, “Of the causes of
public happiness,
” Essay on the eloquence of the pulpit,
” a production
of his youth, of which the second edition of 1778 was carefully retouched. The abbé de Besplas was beneficent as
much from inclination as from principle he had the art of
uniting vivacity with gentleness, of pleasing without affording room for scandal, of being instructive without pedantry,
and tolerant without indifference in his whole figure and
deportment was seen that serenity, that gentle gaiety, which
ever accompanies a contented mind.
, one of the revivers of literature in the fifteenth century, was born, not at Constantinople, as some writers assert, but at
, one of the revivers of literature in the fifteenth century, was born, not at Constantinople, as some writers assert, but at Trebisond, in 1389, a date which is ascertained by his epitaph written by himself, but as all the copies of this epitaph do not agree, Bandini, one of his biographers, gives 1395, as the time of his birth. He entered into the order of St. Basil, and passed twentyone years in a monastery of Peloponnesus, employed in the study of divinity and polite literature. The philosopher Gemistus Pletho was one of his masters. In 1438, when the emperor John Paleologus formed the design of going to the council of Ferrara, to re-unite the Greek with the Latin church, he drew Bessarion from his retirement, made him bishop of Nice, and engaged him to accompany him into Italy with Pletho, Marcus Eugenius, archbishop of Ephesus, the patriarch of Constantinople, and several other Greeks eminent for talents or rank. In the sittings of this council, the archbishop of Ephesus distinguished himself by his powers of reasoning, and Bessarion by the charms of his eloquence, but unfortunately from being rivals in talents, they soon became enemies. Eugenius was not favourable to the scheme of uniting the Greek and Latin churches; and Bessarioii, after having been of a contrary opinion, declared for the Latins, which was the side the emperor took. The union was accordingly announced, and in December 1439, pope Eugenius IV. to reward the zeal of Bessarion, created him a cardinal priest. ‘ Being now, in consequence of his new dignity, fixed in, Italy, a step which was at the same time rendered necessary by the commotions in Greece, where he was very unpopular, and the union universally rejected, Bessarion returned to the studious and simple life he had led in his convent in the Peloponnesus. His house became the resort of the learned, and when he appeared abroad, his train was composed of such men as Argyropulus, Philelphus, Valla, Theodore Gaza, George of Trebisonde, and Calderino. He obtained the confidence and friendship of several popes. Nicholas V. appointed him archbishop of S’ponto, and cardinal-bishop; and Pius II. in 1463, conferred upon him the title of Patriarch of Constantinople. On the death of Nicholas V. the college of cardinals would have elected him his successor, but this purpose was defeated by the intrigues of cardinal Alain. Some years after, Bessarion, was likely to have succeeded Paul II. but to accomplish this, it was necessary to secure the vote of the cardinal Orsini by an act of injustice, which he refused. Orsini, however, tendered his vote on the same terms to the cardinal de Rovere, who had none of Bessarion’s scruples, and was elected. Paul Jovius tells a foolish story of Bessarion’s having lost this election, by the blundering reply of his servant; and Gibbon, credulous enough when the object of belief is worth nothing, has repeated it after him, nor knowing that our countryman Hody had amply refuted it.
, a learned abbé of the convent of Benedictines of Gottvvich, in Austria, was born Sept. 5, 1672, at Buchheim in the electorate of Mentz.
, a learned abbé of the convent
of Benedictines of Gottvvich, in Austria, was born Sept.
5, 1672, at Buchheim in the electorate of Mentz. LothaireFrancis, archbishop of Mentz, of the family of the counts
of Schoenborn, employed him in divers embassies at Rome,
Vienna, and Wolfenbuttel, and admitted him of his privy
council. In 1714 he was chosen abbé of Gottwich, and in
1720, the emperor Charles VI. sent him to Kempten to
accommodate some differences which had arisen there.
His convent having been destroyed by fire in 17 18, he
succeeded in saving the library, and afterwards having rebuilt the convent with great magniticence, he enriched the
library with a great many manuscripts and rare books,
being an ardent lover of literature and learned men, and
himself very learned in history and diplomacy. The “Chronicon Gottwicense, pars prima et secunda,
” Tegernsée,
De re diplomatica,
” Bessel
also published St. Augustine’s letters to Optatus, “De
pœnis parvulorum qui sine baptismate decedunt,
” Vienna,
, a celebrated English actor, was born in Tothill-street, Westminster, 1635; and, after having
, a celebrated English actor,
was born in Tothill-street, Westminster, 1635; and, after
having left school, is said to have been put apprentice to
a bookseller. The particulars, however, relating to the
early part of his life, are not ascertained. It is generally
thought that he made his first appearance on the stage in
1656, at the opera-house in Charter-house-yard, under
the direction of sir William Davenant, and continued to
perform here till the restoration, when king Charles grained
patents to two companies, the one called the king’s cornpa ly, and the other the duke’s. The former acted at the
theatre royal in Drury-lane, and the latter at the theatre
in Lincoln’s-Inn-fields. Betterton went over to Paris, at the
command of king Charles II. to take a view of the French
scenery, and at his return made such improvements as
added greatly to the lustre of the English stage. For several
years both companies acted with the highest applause, and
the taste for dramatic entertainments was never stronger
than whilst these two companies played . The two companies were however at length united; though the time of
this union is not precisely known, Gildon placing it in
1682, and Cibber in 1684. But however this may be, it
was in this united company that Mr. 'Betterton first shone
forth with the greatest degree of lustre for, having survived the famous actors upon whose model he had formed
himself, he was now at liberty to display his genius in its
full extent. His merit as an actor cannot now be very accurately displayed, and much of the following passage
from Gibber’s Apology, seems to be mere stage-cant and
declamation. Cibber says, “Betterton was an actor,
as Shakspeare was an author, both without competitors,
formed for the mutual assistance and illustration of each
other’s genius! How Shakspeare wrote, all men who
have a taste for nature may read and know; but with what
higher rapture would he still be read, could they conceive
how Betterton played him! Then might they know the
one was born alone to speak what the other only knew to
write! Pity it is that the momentary beauties, flowing
from an harmonious elocution, cannot, like those of poetry, be their own record! that the animated graces of
the player can live no longer than the instant breath and
motion that present them, or at best can but faintly glimmer through the memory or imperfect attestation of a few
surviving spectators! Could how Betterton spoke be as
easily known as what he spoke, then might you see the
muse of Shakspeare in her triumph, with all her beauties
in her best array, rising into real life, and charming her
beholders. But alas! since all this is so far out of the
reach of description, how shall I shew you Betterton?
Should I therefore tell you that all the Othellos, Hamlets,
Hotspurs, Macbeths, and Brutuses, you have seen since
his time, have fallen short of him, this still would give you
no idea of his particular excellence. Let us see then what
a particular comparison may do, whether that may yet
draw him nearer to you? You have seen a Hamlet perhaps, who, on the first appearance of his father’s spirit,
has thrown himself into all the straining vociferation requisite to express rage and fury; and the house has thundered
with applause, though the misguided actor was all the
while (as Shakspeare terms it) tearing a passion into rags.
I am the more bold to offer you this particular instance,
because the late Mr. Addison, while I sat by him to see
this scene acted, made the same observation asking me,
with some surprise, if I thought Hamlet should be in so
violent a passion with the ghost, which, though it might
have astonished, had not provoked him? For you may
observe, that in this beautiful speech, the passion never
rises beyond an almost breathless astonishment, or an impatience, limited by a filial reverence, to inquire into the
suspected wrongs that may have raised nim from his peaceful
tomb and a desire to know what a spirit so seemingly
distrest might wish or enjoin a sorrowful son to execute
towards his future quiet in the grave. This was the light
into which Betterton threw this scene; which he opened with
a pause of mute amazement! Then rising slowly to a
solemn, trembling voice, he made the ghost equally terrible to the spectator as to himself. And in the descriptive part of the natural emotions which the ghastlyvision gave him, the boldness tit‘ his expostulation was still
governed by decency manly, but not braving his voice
never rising into that seeming outrage, or wild deli an ce,
of what he naturally revered. But, alas to preserve this
medium between mouthing, and meaning too little, to
keep the attention more pleasingly awake by a ’tempered
spirit, than by mere vehemence of voice, is, of all the
master strokes of an actor, the most difficult to reach. In.
this none have equalled Betterton. He that feels not himself the passion he would raise, will talk to a sleeping audience. But this was
” never the fault of Be item n. A farther excellence in him was, that he could vary iiis spirit to
the different characters he acted. Those wild impatient
starts, that fierce and flashing fire which he threw into
Hotspur, never came from the unruffled temper of his
Brutus (for I have more than once seen a Brutus as warm as Hotspur): when the Betterton Brutus was provoked in
his dispute with Cassius, his spirits flew out of his eyes his
steady looks alone supplied that terror which he disdained
an intemperance in his voice should rise to. Thus, with a
settled dignity of contempt, like an unheeding rock, he
repelled upon himself the foam of Cassius; not but in some
part of this scene, where he reproaches Cassius, his temper is not under this suppression, but opens into that
warmth which becomes a man of virtue; yet this is that
hasty spark of anger, which Brutus himself endeavours to
excuse. But with whatever strength of nature we see the
poet shew at once the philosopher and the hero, yet the
image of the actor’s excellence will be still imperfect to
you, unless language could put colours in our words to
paint the voice with. The most that a Vandyck can arrive at is, to make his portraits of great persons seem to
think a Shakspeare goes farther yet, and tells you what
his pictures thought; a BetU-rton steps beyond them both,
and calls them from the grave to breathe, and be themselves again in feature, speech, and motion, at once united
and gratifies at once-your eye, your ear, your understanding. From these various excel lenci s, Betterton had so
full a possession of the esteem and regard of his auditors,
that, upon his entrance into every scene, he seemed to
seize upon the eyes and ears of the giddy and inadvertent.
To have talked or looked another way, would have been
thought insensibility or ignorance. In all his soliloquies of
moment, the strongest intelligence of attitude and aspect
drew you into such an impatient gaze and eager expectation, that you almost imbibed the sentiment with your eye,'
before the er could reach it."
, an elegant Italian poet of the last century, was born at Verona, July 16, 1732, and began his studies at the
, an elegant Italian poet of the last
century, was born at Verona, July 16, 1732, and began
his studies at the Jesuits’ college at Brescia, but was obliged, by bad health, to return home to complete them.
The work on which his reputation chiefly rests is his poem
on the silk- worm, “Del baco da seta, canti IV. con annotaziom,
” Verona, 1756, 4to, in which he contrives to
be original on a subject that had been amply treated in
the sixteenth century, in the “La Sereide
” of Tesauro.
He dedicated this poem to the marquis Spolverini, the
author of a didactic poem on the cultivation of rice, “La
cold vazi one del Riso.
” His poetical efforts were all directed to the object of his more serious labours, agriculture.
His bust is in the hall of the academy of agriculture at Verona, of which he was the founder, and among other academies, he was a member of the Georgophiles of Florence.
He wrote another poem, “Le Cascine,
” with notes, but
it does not appear to have been printed. He died at Verona in 1788.
, one of the most eminent Italian scholars of the last century, was born at Mantua, July 18, 1718. After having studied among the
, one of the most
eminent Italian scholars of the last century, was born at
Mantua, July 18, 1718. After having studied among the
Jesuits in his own country and at Bologna, he entered that
society as a noviciate in 1736. He then commenced a
new course of studies, including the belles lettres, from
1739 to 1744, at Brescia, where cardinal Quirini, count
Mazzuchelli, count Duranti, and other learned men, formed an illustrious academy, and there he became first noticed by some poetical compositions for scholastic exercises. When sent to Bologna to pursue his theological
course, he continued to court his muse, and wrote for the
theatre of the college, his tragedy of “Jonathas.
” The
number of literary characters in this city surpashed that
which he had found at Brescia. The Institute recently
founded by count Marsigli, the Clementine academy of
design, the school of the astronomical poet Manfredi, and
the growing reputation of his learned and ingenious pupils
Zanotti, Algarotti, &c. contributed to fix the attention of
the literary world on Bologna. In this society Bettinelli
completed his education, and attained the age of thirty.
In 1748, he went to Venice to teach rhetoric, and was frequently employed in a similar manner in other places. His
superiors intended him for a display of his oratorical
talents, but the weakness of his lungs obliged him to decline this. In 1751, he was appointed director of the college of nobles at Parma, and remained here superintending "their poetical and historical studies for eight years,
occasionally visiting the principal vines of Italy, on business, or for health. In 1755, ne travelled through part of
Germany, to Strasburgh and Nancy, and returned through
Germany to Italy, bringing with him two young princes,
the sons or nephews of the prince of Hohenlohe, who had
intrusted him with their education. The following year
he took a trip to France with the eldest of these princes,
and resided at Paris, in the college of Louis-le-Grand. It
was during this trip that he wrote the celebrated letters of
Virgil which were printed at Venice with those of Frugoni
and Algarotti. The opinions, and we may add, the literary
heresies, very ingeniously urged in these letters against
the reputation of the two great luminaries of Italian poetry,
and especially against Dante, created him many enemies,
and what gave him most uneasiness, involved him with
Algarotti. (See Algarotii). From Paris he made several excursions into Normandy, Lorraine, &c. and paid a
visit to Voltaire. From Geneva he went to Marseilles, &c.
and arrived at Parma in 1759. The same year he went to
Verona, where he resided until 1767, and resumed his
offices of preaching and education. He was afterwards
for some years at Modena, and when the order of the Jesuits
was suppressed, he was appointed professor of rhetoric.
On his return to his own country, he applied to his literary
pursuits with fresh ardour, and published many works, and
having regretted that he had published so much without
writing any thing to please the fair sex, doubtless owing
to his ecclesiastical character, he afterwards endeavoured
to make up for this. in some respect by publishing his correspondence between two ladies, his letters to Lesbia, and
lastly, his twenty-four dialogues on love. These he published in 1796, when the war raged in all parts of Italy,
and when the siege of Mantua by the French obliged him
to leave it. He then removed to Verona, but in 1797,
after the surrender of Mantua, he returned again, and
although now almost in his eightieth year, resumed his
literary labours with his accustomed spirit. In 1799, he
began a new edition of his works, which was completed at
Venice in 1801, in 24 vols. 12mo. He still preserved his
usual gaiety and health at the age of ninety, until Sept. 13,
1805, when he died after fifteen days illness, with the
firmness, says his biographer, of a philosopher and a Christian.
, a learned Italian Jesuit, was born at Bologna, Feb. 6, 1582. He entered the order in 1595,
, a learned Italian Jesuit, was born
at Bologna, Feb. 6, 1582. He entered the order in 1595,
and was afterwards moral, mathematical, and philosophical
professor in the college of Parma. He died at Bologna,
Nov. 7, 1637. To the study of the more abstruse sciences,
he united a taste for the belles lettres, and especially Latin poetry. He has left, 1. “Rubenus hilarotragoedia satyra pastoralis,
” Parma, Clodoveus, sive Lodovicus, tragicum silviludium,
” Parma, Lycaeum morale, politicum, et poeticum,
” Venice, Urbanitates
poeticae,
” a collection of lyric poetry, which was reprinted
the same year, under the title “Eutrapeliarum, seu Urbanitatum Libri IV.
” Venice, 1626, 4to. It was again reprinted with the addition of the above two dramas, with
the title of “Florilegium variorum poematum et dramaturn pastoralium Libri IV.
” Lyons, 1633, 12mo, the ninth
edition. There is a copy in the British museum, probably
of the eighth edition, dated 1632, 8vo. 4. “Apiaria universae philosophise, mathematics, &c.
” Bologna, Euclides explicatus,
” which was printed separately, Bologna, Ærarium philosophise mathematicae,
” ibid. 1648, 8vo. 6. “Recreationum Mathematicarum Apiaria XII. novissima,
” ibid. 1660, folio, which
is a reprint of the third volume of the “Apiaria.
”
n of Mr. Edward Betts by his wife Dorothy, daughter of Mr. John Venables, of Rapley in Hampshire. He was born at Winchester, educated there in grammar learning, afterwards
, an eminent physician in the seventeenth
century, was son of Mr. Edward Betts by his wife Dorothy,
daughter of Mr. John Venables, of Rapley in Hampshire.
He was born at Winchester, educated there in grammar
learning, afterwards elected a scholar of Corpus Christ!
college in Oxford, in February 1642, and took the degree
of bachelor of arts, February 9, 1646. Being ejected by
the visitors appointed by the parliament in 1648, he aplied himself to the study of physic, and commenced doctor in that faculty, April 11, 1654, having accumulated
the degrees. He practised with great success at London,
but chiefly among the Roman catholics, being himself of
that persuasion. He was afterwards appointed physician
in ordinary to king Charles II. The time of his death is
not certainly known. Dr. Belts wrote two physical treatises, the first, “De ortu et natura Sanguinis,
” Lond. Medicinse cum
Philosophia natural i consensus,
” Lond. De ortu et natura Sanguinis,
” in his
tl True way of preserving the Blood in its integrity,“Dr.
Bett’s second piece is entitled
” Anatotnia Thomse Parri
annum centesimum quinquagesimurn secundum et novem
menses agentis, cum clarissimi viri Gulielmi Harvaei aliorumque adstantium medicorum regiorum observationibus."
This Thomas Parr, of whose anatomy, Dr. Bctts, or rather,
according to Anthony Wood, Dr. Harvey drew up an account, is well known to have been one of the most remarkable instances of longevity which this country has afforded.
He was the son of John Parr of Winnington, in the parish
of Alberbury, in Shropshire, and was born in 1483, in the
reign of king Edward the Fourth. He seems to have been
of very different stamina from the rest of mankind, and
Dr. Fuller tells us that he was thus characterised by an eyewitness,
, whose name in German was Birck, is in Latin Betula, and hence Betuleius, was born at Memmingen, in Suabia, Feb. 2, 1500, and studied at Basil,
, whose name in
German was Birck, is in Latin Betula, and hence Betuleius, was born at Memmingen, in Suabia, Feb. 2, 1500,
and studied at Basil, chiefly philosophy and the belles lettres, both which he afterwards taught with distinguished
reputation. He was principal of the college of Augsburgh,
over which he presided for sixteen years, and where he
died June 19, 1554. His principal works are, 1. “Notes on
Lactantius,
” printed with the works of that father, at Basil,
Commentary
” on Cicero de natura Deorum, ibid. Humanitas Theologica,
”
Paris, Dramata sacra,
” Basil,
Novi Testament! Concordantia
Grseca,
” Basil, Oracula Sybillina Gr. cum castigationibus,
” Basil,
, an Italian scholar of considerable celebrity, was born about the beginning of the sixteenth century, at Bassano.
, an Italian scholar of considerable
celebrity, was born about the beginning of the sixteenth
century, at Bassano. In his early years he shewed a taste
for polite literature, and published some poems that were
read as very extraordinary productions, but unfortunately
he took for his guide the famous, or rather infamous, Peter
Aretin, both in his studies and his morals. Under such
an instructor, we are not to wonder that his irregularities
obstructed his advancement in life. For some time he
earned a subsistence at Venice in the printing-office of
Giolito, and afterwards wandered over Italy and even
France, in quest of better employment, which his misconduct always prevented. At length he was recommended
as secretary to a person of rank, and is said to have gone
to Spain in 1562, in this character, but on his return to
Italy, he resumed his irregularities, and lived as usual on
precarious supplies. The time of his death is not ascertained, but according to a letter of Goselini, a contemporary
writer, he was living in 1565. His works are, 1. “Dialogo amoroso e rime di Giuseppe Betussi e d'altri autori,
”
Venice, II Raverta, dialogo, &c.
” Venice, 1544,
1545, &c. 8vo. 3. Italian translations of Boccaccio’s
three Latin works, “De casibus Virorum etFoerninarum illustrium
” “De claris Mulieribus;
” and “De Genealogia deorum
” the first, Venice, An Italian translation of the
” Seventh book of the Eneid,“Venice, 154G,
8vo, which afterwards made part of an entire translation
of that poem by different hands. 5. li La Leonora, Ragionamento sopra la vera bellezza,
” Lucca, Ragionamento sopra il Catajo, luogo del signor Pio Enea Obizzi,
” Padua, L‘Immagine del tempio di Dorina Giovanna d’Aragona,
dialogo,
” Venice, Letters
” and “Poems
”
in various collections.
, LL. D. an eminent scholar and civilian, was born at Mortimer in Berkshire in 1725, and educated at All Souls’
, LL. D. an eminent scholar and civilian, was born at Mortimer in Berkshire in 1725, and educated at All Souls’ college, Oxford, where he took the degree of bachelor of law, July 3, 1753, and that of doctor,
April 5, 1758, and was also a fellow of his college. In
1762, with the permission of the vice-chancellor, and with
the approbation of the regius professor of civil law, whose
ill state of health had at that time deprived the university
of the fruits of his abilities, he gave a course of lectures
in the same school where Blackstone had delivered his
celebrated commentaries, and sometimes, when the class
ef pupils was small, at his own chambers in All Souls’
college. In 1760, he published “A discourse on the study
of Jurisprudence and the Civil Law, being an introduction
to (the above) course of lectures,
” 4to, but we presume
had not sufficient encouragement to publish the whole.
He was admitted into Doctors’ Commons, Nov. 21, 1758,
and was afterwards promoted to be judge of the Cinque
Ports, and chancellor of Lincoln and Bangor. In 1751,
he published “The history of the Legal Polity of the
Roman state and of the rise, progress, and extent of the
'Roman Laws,
” Lond. 4to, a work in which he has made
deep researches into the constitution of the Roman state,
and displays an extensive fund of learning, connected with
the investigation of the civil law. It is much to be lamented that he did not live to complete his plan: but by his
will he expressly forbade any part of his Mss. to be printed, as not being in a fit state for the public eye. Dr. Coote
says he committed the sequel of this work to the flames in
his last illness. He adds that “he was a better scholar
than writer, and a better writer than pleader.
” His private character is represented as truly amiable. As a relation he was affectionate and attentive and as a friend active and disinterested. His patronage of unprotected genius was a constant mark of the benevolence of his heart.
The late Mr. Hindle, and other adepts in music, of which
Dr. Bever was a devoted amateur, attracted his esteem.
Sherwin, the celebrated engraver, owed also the greatest
obligations to him his grateful sense of which he testified
by his valuable present of an unique painting (the only one Sherwin ever executed), of Leonidas taking leave of his
wife and infant son, now or lately in possession of Sam.
Bever, esq. of Mortimer in Berkshire, the doctor’s
younger brother. Dr. Bever died at his house in Doctors’
Commons, Nov. 8, 1791, of an asthma, which probably
would not then have been fatal, if he had suffered himself
to be removed from London to a less turbid air, but in
what concerned his health, he was reluctant to take advice.
He was interred in Mortimer church, Berkshire, and a
mural monument erected, in the chancel, to his memory.
, a learned divine in the seventeenth century, and bishop of St. Asaph, was born at Barrow in Leicestershire (where his grandfather, father,
, a learned divine in the seventeenth century, and bishop of St. Asaph, was born at
Barrow in Leicestershire (where his grandfather, father, and brother, were vicars) in 1636-7. On the 24th of May,
1653, he was admitted of St. John’s college, Cambridge,
and took his degrees of bachelor of arts in 1656, master of arts in 1660, and of doctor of divinity in 1679.
At his coming to the university, he closely applied himself to the study of the learned languages and, by
his great diligence and application, soon became so well
skilled, particularly in all Oriental learning, that when
he was not above eighteen years of age, he wrote a
treatise of the excellency and use of the Oriental tongues,
especially the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, and
Samaritan, with a Syriac Grammar, in three books; which
he published when he was about twenty years of age.
He also distinguished himself, at the same time, by his
early piety and seriousness of mind, and by his exemplary sobriety and integrity of life, all which procured
him great esteem and veneration. January 3, 1660-1,
he was ordained deacon in the church of St. Botolph,
Aldersgate, by Robert, bishop of Lincoln and priest, in
the same place, the 31st of that month. About this time,
Dr. Sheldon, bishop of London, collated him to the vicarage of Ealing in Middlesex. On the 22d of November,
1672, he was chosen, by the lord-mayor and aldermen of
London, rector of St. Peter’s, Cornhill, London, and then
he resigned the vicarage of Ealing. He now applied himself, with the utmost labour and zeal, to the discharge of
his ministry, and so instructive was he in his discourses
from the pulpit, so warm and affectionate in his private
exhortations, so regular and uniform in the public worship of the church, and in every part of his pastoral function, and so remarkably were his labours crowned with
success, that as he himself was justly styled “the great
reviver and restorer of primitive piety,
” so his parish was
deservedly proposed, as the best model and pattern, for
the rest of its neighbours to copy after. His singular merit having recommended him to the favour of his diocesan,
bishop Henchman, he was collated by him, on the 22d of
December, 1674, to the prebend of Chiswick, in the cathedral of St. Paul’s, London and, by his successor bishop Compton, he was also, on the 3d of November, 1681,
collated to the archdeaconry of Colchester. In this dignity
he behaved, as he had done before in every station of life,
In a most regular, watchful, and exemplary manner and
not satisfied with the false, or at least imperfect, reports
given in by church-wardens at visitations, he visited everjr
parish within his archdeaconry in person. November the
5th, 1684, he was installed prebendary of Canterbury, and
became also chaplain to king William and queen Mary.
In 1691, he was offered, but refused the see of Bath and
Wells, then vacant by the deprivation of Dr. Thomas Kenn,
for not taking the oaths to king William and queen Mary.
liut though he refused that see, because, probably, being
a man of a tender conscience, he would not eat Dr. Kenn’s
tread, adtording to the language of those times, he afterwards accepted of that of St. Asaph, vacant by the translation of Dr. George Hooper to Bath and Wells, and was
consecrated July 16, 1704. Being placed in this eminent
station, his care and diligence increased in proportion as
his power in the church was enlarged and now when his
authority was extended to larger districts, he still pursued
the same pious and laborious methods of advancing the
honour and interest of religion, by watching over both
clergy and laity, and giving them all necessary direction
and assistance, for the effectual performance of their respective duties. Accoruingly, he was no sooner advanced
to the episcopal chair, but in a pathetic letter to the clergy
of his diocese, he recommended to them the “duty of
catechising and instructing the people committed to their
charge, in the principles of the Christian religion to the
end they might know what they were to believe and do
in order to salvation
” and told them, “he thought it necessary to begin with that, without which, whatever else
he or they should do, would turn to little or no account,
as to the main end of the ministry.
” And to enable them
to do this the more effectually, he sent them a plain and
easy “Exposition upon the Church Catechism.
” This
good man did not enjoy his episcopal dignity above three
years seven months and twenty days for he died at his
lodgings in the cloisters in Westminster- abbey, March
5, 1707-8, in the seventy-first year of his age, and was
buried in St. Paul’s cathedral. He left the greatest part of
liis estate to the societies for propagating the gospel, and
promoting Christian knowledge. To the curacy of MountSorrel in particular, and vicarage of Barrow in the county
of Leicester, in a thankful remembrance of God’s mercies
vouchsafed to him thereabouts, he bequeathed twenty
pounds a year for ever, on condition that prayers be read
morning and evening every day, according to the Liturgy
of the church of England, in the chapel, and parish church
aforesaid; with the sum of forty shillings yearly, to be divided equally upon Christmas-eve, among- eight poor housekeepers of Barrow, as the minister and churchwardens
should agree, regard being had especially to those who
had been most constantly at prayers, and at the sacrament
of the Lord’s Supper, the foregoing year. And if it should
so happen, that the Common- Prayer could not be read in
the church or chapel aforesaid, his will then was, that what
should have been given in either place for that, be in each
place allowed to one chosen by the vk-ar of Barrow to teach
school, and instruct the youth in the principles of the
Christian religion, according to the doctrine of the church
of England. His works were many, and full of great variety of learning. Those published by himself were a?
follows: 1. “De Linguarum Orientalium, praesertim HeIpraicce, Chaldaica?, Syriacae, Arabicae, et Samaritans, praestantia et usu,
” &c. mentioned above. Loud. Institutionum Chronologicarum libri duo, una cum totidem Arithmetices Chronoiogicae libellis,
” Loud. Swvo'&Kov, sive Pandectse Canonum Ss. Apostolorum, et Conciliorum ab Ecclesia Graeca receptoium
necnon Canonicarum Ss. Patrum Epistolarum una cum
Scholiis antiquorum singulis eorurn annexis, et scriptis
aliis hue spectantibus quorum plurima e Bibliothecae Bodleianae aliarumque Mss. Codicibus nunc primum edita
reliqua cum iisdem Mss. summa fide et diligentia collata,
”
Oxonii, 1672, 2 vols. fol. 4. “Codex Canonum Ecclesiae
Primitivae vindicatus et illustratus,
” Lond. The Church Catechism explained, for the use of the
diocese of St. Asaph,
” Lond. J Private Thoughts upon Religion, digested into
twelve articles, with practical resolutions formed thereupon.
” Written in his younger years (when he was about twenty-three years old), for the settling of his principles
and conduct of life, Lond. 1709. 2. “Private Thoughts
upon a Christian Life or, necessary directions for its beginning and progress upon earth, in order to its final perfection in the Beatific Vision,
” part II. Lond. 1709. 3.
“The great necessity and advantage of Public Prayer and
frequent Communion. Designed to revive primitive piety
with, meditations, ejaculations, and prayers, before, at,
and after the sacrament,
” Lond. One hundred and fifty Sermons and Discourses on several subjects,
” Lond. 170S, &c. in 12 vols. 8vo, reprinted at London, 17iy, in 2 vols. fol. 5. “Thesaurus Theologians
or, a complete system of Divinity, summed up in brief
notes upon select places of the Old and New Testament;
wherein the sacred text is reduced under proper heads;
explained and illustrated with the opinions and authorities
of the ancient fathers, councils, &c.
” Lond. A defence of the book of Psalms, collected
into English metre by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins,
and others with critical Observations on the New Version,
compared with the Old,
” Lond. Exposition of the XXXIX Articles,
” Lond. 1710, 1716, fol.
Bishop Beveridge’s character is in general represented
in a most advantageous light. He was a person of the
strictest integrity, of true and sincere piety, of exemplary charity, and of great zeal for religion, and so
highly esteemed, that when he was dying, one of the
chief of his order deservedly said of him, “There goes
one of the greatest and of the best men that ever England
bred.
” He is also celebrated as a man of extensive and
almost universal learning; furnished, to a very eminent
degree, with all useful knowledge; and much to be admired for his readiness in the scriptures, which he had
thoroughly studied, so that he was able to produce suitable
passages from them on all occasions, and happy in explaining them to others. Mr. Nelson says, that he cannot forbear acknowledging the favourable dispensation of Providence to the present age, in blessing it with so many of
those pious discourses, which our truly primitive prelate
delivered from the pulpit; and that he the rather takes
the liberty to call it a favourable dispensation of Providence, because the bishop gave no orders himself that
they should be printed, but humbly neglected them, as
not being composed for the press. But that this circumstance is so far from abating the worth of the sermons,
or diminishing the character of the author, that it raises
the excellency of both, because it shews at once the
true nature of a popular discourse which is to improve
the generality of hearers, and for that purpose to speak
to them in a plain and intelligible style.
Dr. Henry Felton says, that our learned and venerable
bishop delivered himself with those ornaments alone,
which his subject suggested to him, and wrote in that
plainness and solemnity of style, that gravity and simplicity, which gave authority to the sacred truths he taught,
and unanswerable evidence to the doctrines he defended.
That there is something so great, primitive, and apostolical, in his writings, that it creates an awe and veneration
in our mind that the importance of his subjects is above
the decoration of words and what is great and majestic in
itself looketh most like itself, the less it is adorned. The
author of one of the Guardians, having made an extract
out of one of the bishop’s sermons, tells us, that it may
for acuteness of judgment, ornament of speech, and true
sublime, compare with any of the choicest writings of the
ancients, who lived nearest to the apostles’ times. But
the author of a pamphlet published in 1711, entitled “A
short view of Dr. Bevericlge’s Writings,
” passes a very different judgment upon bishop Beveridge’s works, in order
to stop, as he says, the mischief they are doing, and that
which the publication of his Articles may do. With regard
to the bishop’s language, he observes, that he delights in
jingle and quibbling; affects a tune and rhyme in all he
says, and rests arguments upon nothing but words and
sounds, &c. &c. But perhaps this animadverter will “by
some be ranked among the persons, of whom Dr. Lupton
gives the following character
” Those who are censorious
enough to reflect with severity upon the pious strains,
which are to be found in bishop Beveridge, &c. may possibly
be good judges of an ode or essay, but do not seem to
criticise justly upon sermons, or express a just value for
spiritual things.“After all, whatever faults may be found
in bishop Beveridge’s posthumous works, must be charged
to the injudiciousness of his executor. He must himself
have been an extraordinary man who, with all the faults
pointed out by the author of
” The short view," could
have conciliated the good opinion and favour of men of all
principles, and the most eminent patrons of the church
and the estimation in which his works continue to be held
to this day, prove how little he was injured by the captious
quibblings of a writer who was determined to find fault
with' that, into the spirit of which he could not enter. The
life of bishop Beveridge, prefixed to the folio edition of
his works, was written by Mr. Kimber, a dissenting minister of the Baptist persuasion, in London.
, in Latin Beverlacius, archbishop of York in the eighth century, was born of a noble family among the English Saxons, at Harpham,
, in Latin Beverlacius, archbishop of York in the eighth century, was born of a noble
family among the English Saxons, at Harpham, a small
town in Northumberland. He was first a monk, and afterwards abbot of the monastery of St. Hilda. He was instructed in the learned languages by Theodore, archbishop
of Canterbury, and was justly esteemed one of the best
scholars of his time. Alfred of Beverly, who wrote his
life, pretends that he studied at Oxford, and took there
the degree of master of arts; but bishop Godwin assures
us this cannot be true, because such distinction of degrees
was not then known at Oxford, nor any where else. Our
abbot’s merit recommended him to the favour of Alfred,
king of Northumberland, who, in the year 685, advanced
him to the see of Hagustald, or Hexham, and, upon the
death of archbishop Bosa in 687, translated him to that of
York. This prelate was tutor to the famous Bede, and
lived in the strictest friendship with Acca, and other AngloSaxon doctors, several of whom he put upon writing comments on the scriptures. He likewise founded, in 704, a
college at Beverly for secular priests. After he had governed the see of York thirty-four years, being tired with
the tumults and confusions of the church, he divested himself of the episcopal character, and retired to Beverly;
and four years after died May 7, 721. The day of his
death was appointed a festival by a synod held at London
in 1416. Bede, and other monkish writers, ascribe several miracles to him. Between three and four hundred years
after his death, his body was taken up by Alfric, archbishop of York, and placed in a shrine richly adorned with
silver, gold, and precious stones. Bromton relates, that
William the conqueror, when he ravaged Northumberland
with a numerous army, spared Beverly alone, out of a religious veneration for St. John of that place. This prelate
wrote some pieces, 1. “Pro Luca exponendo;
” an essay
towards an exposition of St. Luke, addressed to Bede.
2. “Homiliee in Evangelia.
” 3. Epistolae ad Hildara Abbatissam.“4.
” Epistolse ad Herebaldum, Andenum, et
Bertinum.“- -Pits mentions another John of Beverly, so
called from the place of his nativity, who was a Carmelite
monk in the fourteenth century, and a very learned man,
and doctor and professor of divinity at Oxford. He flourished about 1390, in the reign of Richard II. and wrote,
1.
” Questiones in magistrum sententiarum“in four
books. 2.
” Disputationes ordinariae" in one book.
, a learned Italian of the seventeenth century, was born at Lucca, May 5, 1629. In classical learning he made such
, a learned Italian of the
seventeenth century, was born at Lucca, May 5, 1629.
In classical learning he made such progress, that, when
only fifteen, he wrote notes and comments on the principal poets of the Augustan age, which drew the notice and
approbation of the learned. In his sixteenth year, he
went to Rome and entered the congregation of the regular
clerks, called the congregation of the “Mother of God.
”
After completing his theological studies, he taught divinity
for four years, at the end of which he was invited to Lucca
to be professor of rhetoric. From the salary of this place
he was enabled to maintain his aged father and family, and
would not afterwards accept of any promotion from his congregation, that his studies might not be interrupted by
affairs of business. He corresponded with many illustrious
personages of his time, and among others with Christina,
queen of Sweden, who often requested of him copies of
his sermons and poems. The facility with which he wrote
appears by his translation of the Eneid, which he says, in
the preface, he completed in thirteen months. He died
of a malignant fever, Oct. 24, 1686. He left a great
many works, of which his biographer, Fabroni, has given a
minute catalogue. The principal are 1. “Saeculum niveum Roma virginea et Dies niveus,
” three small
Latin collections on the same subject, “De nivibus Exquilinis, sive de sacris nivibus,
” Rome,
, in Latin Beverovicius, was born at Dort, Sept. 17, 1594, of a noble family. He was brought
, in Latin Beverovicius, was
born at Dort, Sept. 17, 1594, of a noble family. He
was brought up from his infancy under the eyes of Gerard
John Vossius, and visited several universities for acquiring
knowledge in the art of medicine, and took his doctor’s
degree at Padua. He practised in the place of his nativity, where he likewise filled several civic posts with distinction. He died Jan. 19, 1647, aged 51 and though
his course was not remarkably long, yet Daniel Heinsius,
in the epitaph he made Oil him, calls him “ViUe artifex,
mortis fugator.
” His principal works are: 1. “De terra i no vitse, fatali an mobili
” Rotterdam, De excellentia
sexus Fceminei,
” Dordrecht, Decalculo,
”
Leyden, Introductio ad Medicinam
indigenam,
” Leyden,
at time prohibited to marry; though Pits is of opinion that our author was not ordained when his son was born. He was extremely industrious in examining into the antiquities
, a divine and historian in the seventh
century, was a Briton by birth, who taught the celebrated
Nennius, afterwards abbot of the monastery of Bangor;
and applied himself from his earliest youth to the study
of learning, which he joined to the greatest purity of
morals. Bale tells us. that he was master of a very extensive knowledge of things, and a great fluency of style,
and was actuated by a warm zeal for the propagation of
truth. He had a son, the subject of the following article;
which is a proof, as the historian above-mentioned observes, that the priests in Britain were not at that time
prohibited to marry; though Pits is of opinion that our
author was not ordained when his son was born. He was
extremely industrious in examining into the antiquities of
nations, and tracing out the families of the English Saxons
after they had entered Britain and from these collections
he is said to have written a work “De Geneaiogiis Gentium.
” He flourished in the year English Historical Library
” calls him Benlanius,
and confounds him with his son.
, a learned minister of the reformed church, was born in 1555, at Volketswyl, a village in the canton of Zurich,
, a learned minister of the reformed
church, was born in 1555, at Volketswyl, a village in the
canton of Zurich, and died of the plague at Zurich, in
1611. He studied at Geneva and Heidelberg, and after
having exercised the ministerial functions in Germany for
some years, returned to Zurich in 1594, where he was appointed professor of theology. He published many theological, philological, and philosophical works, which are
now forgot, but some of them were highly esteemed in his
day, particularly his “Grammar,
” Zurich, Rhetoric,
” ibid. Catechism
” which was long the only one used at Zurich. He was accounted one of the ablest defenders of
Zuinglius and Calvin. The style of his polemical works
partook of that quaintness which prevailed in controversial
writing for more than a century after his time. The title
of one of his pamphlets will exemplify this, and amuse our
Latin readers “Falco emissus ad capiendum, deplumandum et dilacerandum audaciorem ilium cuculum ubjquitarium, qui nuper ex Jac. Andreae, mali corvi, male ovo,
ab Holdero simplicissima curruca exclusus, eta demoniaco
Bavio Fescenio varii coloris plumis instructus, impetum in
philomelas innocentes facere ceperat,
” Neustadt,
, a learned German writer, was born at Carlostadt, Oct. 18, 1522, and studied at Marpurg, and
, a learned German writer, was
born at Carlostadt, Oct. 18, 1522, and studied at Marpurg,
and afterwards at Wittemberg, where, being introduced
by Melancthon, to Luther, the latter received him into his
house, and both superintended his studies. In 1542, when
the contest took place between John Frederic, the elector, and prince Maurice, he served under the former, but
the war being over, he returned to Wittemberg. In 1546
he was appointed professor of history, poetry, and mathematics at Grieswald; and in 1549 he visited Paris, and
some other celebrated academies, studied civil law, and
published his “Ephemeris Historica,
” Paris, Animadversiones historic et chronographicae.
”
2. “Opus fastorum antiquitatis Romanae,
” Spire, Fasti Hebraeorum, Atheniensium, et Romanorum.
” 4. “Animadversiones in Taciti Germaniam.
”
5. “Commentarii in Livium, Sallustium, Velleium Paterculum, &c.
”
, a French miscellaneous writer, was born at Remiremont, in the month of March 1748, and died at
, a French
miscellaneous writer, was born at Remiremont, in the
month of March 1748, and died at Paris, Feb. 15, 1784.
He was first canon, and afterwards grand -chanter of St.
Chapelle, at Paris. From his infancy he had a turn for
the study of natural history, and assisted Buffon in the
latter volumes of his great work on that subject. He published 1. “Systeme de la Fermentation,
” Catechisme d'Agriculture, ou Bibliotheque des gens
de la campagne,
” Oraison funebre
d'Anne Charlotte de Lorraine, abbesse de Remiremont,
”
Histoire de Lorraine,
” Observation particuliere sur le Myriade,
” and “Materiaux
pour l'histoire naturelle des Salines de Lorraine,
” both
which were printed in Neufchateau’s “Conservateur,
”
vol. II. In the same collection are twenty-five letters
from Buffon to the abbé Bexon. It remains to be noticed,
that as he called himself in his first publication Scipio
Bexon, by way of concealment, some biographers have
supposed that to be his real name.
, a German Protestant minister, was born May 21, 1707, and died in 1741. He is principally known
, a German Protestant
minister, was born May 21, 1707, and died in 1741. He
is principally known by the following bibliographical publications 1. “Epistola de Bibliothecis Dresdensibus, turn,
publicis turn privatis,
” Dresden, Bernardi Monetae (La Monnoye) epistola hactenus ineditae ad
Michaelem Maittarium,
” Dresden and Leipsic, Memoriae historico-criticae librorum rariorum,
” ibid. Arcana sacra bibliothecaram Dresdensium,
” Dresden,
, another bibliographer, and a lawyer, was born at Leipsic in 1665, and died in 1714. He was the first,
, another bibliographer, and a lawyer, was born at Leipsic in 1665, and died in 1714. He
was the first, according to Camus, who gave a course of
lectures on legal bibliography, at Wittemberg, in 1698.
This produced, 1. “Notitiae auctorum juridicorum et juris
arti inservientium, tria specimina,
” Leipsic, Declinatio juris divini naturalis et positivi universalis,
” Wittemberg,
, a voluminous author, was born April 1578, at Antwerp, of a family originally of Bergeu-op-Zoom,
, a voluminous author, was
born April 1578, at Antwerp, of a family originally of
Bergeu-op-Zoom, and had his education among the Jesuits. He went afterwards to study philosophy at Louvain,
and had scarcely assumed the ecclesiastic dress in order to
pursue his divinity course in that university, when he was
appointed professor of poetry and rhetoric in the college
of Vaulx. He had, some time after, a living near Louvain, and taught philosophy in a house of regular canons
in the same neighbourhood. In 1605 he was called to
Antwerp, where he had the charge of the school, and some
promotion in the church. He died there June 7, 1627.
Foppen has given a long list of his works, the principal of
which seem to be 1. “Apophthegmata Christianorum,
”
Antwerp, Biblia sacra variarum translationum,
” Antwerp, Promptuaarium morale super evangelia communia, et particularia
qusedam festorum totius anni,
” Magnum Theatrum vitae humanae.
” Referring our readers to Freytag for a more minute account
of this vast compilation, it may be sufficient to add, that
Conrad Lycosthenes left the materials for it, and Theodore
Swinger or Zwinger having put them in order with some
additions with which his course of reading had furnished
him, published three editions of them the first in 1 vol.
fol. 1565, the second in 3 vols. fol. 1571, and the third in.
4 vols. fol. all at Basil, 1586. James Swinger went on
improving and adding to this work, which was at last taken
up by Beyerlinck, whose edition appeared after his death,
Cologne, 1631, enlarged to 8 vols. folio; and it was reprinted in the same form at Lyons, 1678, and at Venice,
1707. It is a mass of theology, history, politics, philosophy, &c. in alphabetical order, containing all the knowledge of the times upon the various subjects, and we may
add, all the ignorance and superstitions.
, an eminent lawyer, was born at Dockum in Holland, in 1546, or according to Foppen,
, an eminent lawyer, was born at
Dockum in Holland, in 1546, or according to Foppen,
in 1539. After having studied law, and taken a licentiate’s
degree at Orleans, he practised at Leuwarden, in Friesland, until, being suspected of Lutheranism, he was obliged
to retire into Germany, where he taught law at Wittemberg, for ten years. The times becoming more
favourable, he returned to his own country, and obtained the
law chair in the university of Leyden. After having
taught here with great success for fifteen years, he was,
in 1596, invited to Franeker, in the same office, but after
a year, he quitted the business of public instruction, being
appointed a counsellor at the court of Friesland. He died
in 1598, leaving a daughter, and two sons, who were both
educated in their father’s profession. He wrote several
dissertations on subjects of law, which were published in
1 vol. 4to, at Louvain, 1645. In 1598, the year of his death,
a collection of theses maintained by Beyma and his friend
Schotanus, appeared under the title “Disputationes juridicæ,
sociata cum collega H. Schotano opera, editæ,
” Franeker.
, a French poet, was born at Paris in 1610, and at the age of fourteen had written
, a French poet, was born at Paris in
1610, and at the age of fourteen had written a number of
poetical pieces, both in French and Latin, which were
extravagantly praised by Scarron and Colletet, but are
now in request only by the collectors of curiosities. He
applied himself very little to study, passing the principal
part of his time in the pleasures of convivial society, which,
however, did not hinder him from meddling with public
affairs, for which he was thrown into the Bastille, as the
author of the “Miliade,
” a satire against cardinal Richelieu. Having proved his innocence, he was set at liberty,
and resumed his loose life, which impaired his health, and
deprived him of sight, in which condition he died Sept. 26,
1659. He wrote some dramas, and his poetical works
were printed at Paris, 1631, 8vo.
, one of the chief promoters of the Reformation, was born at Vezelai, a small town of Nivernais, in France, June
, one of the chief promoters of the
Reformation, was born at Vezelai, a small town of Nivernais, in France, June 24, 1519. His father was Peter
Beza, or cle Beze, bailiff of the town, and his mother
Mary de Bourdelot. He passed his first years at Paris,
with his uncle Nicholas, a counsellor of parliament, who
sent him to Orleans, at the age of six, for education.
His master, Melchior Wolmar, a man of greater learning,
and particularly eminent as a Greek scholar, and one of
the first who introduced the principles of the reformation
into France, having an invitation to become professor at
Bourges, Beza accompanied him, and remained with him
until 1535. Although at this period only sixteen, he had
made very uncommon progress in learning and in the ancient languages, and having returned to Orleans to study
law, he took his licentiate’s degree in 1539. These four
last years, however, he applied less to serious studies than
to polite literature, and especially Latin poetry; and it
was in this interval that he wrote those pieces which were
afterwards published under the title of “Poemata Juvenilia,
” and afforded the enemies of the reformation a better handle than could have been wished to reproach his
early morals.
sciences and the marine, and examiner of the guards of the marine and of the scholars of artillery, was born at Nemours the 31st of March 1730. In the course of his
, a celebrated French mathematician, member of the academies of sciences and the marine, and examiner of the guards of the marine and of the scholars of artillery, was born at Nemours the 31st of March 1730. In the course of his studies he met with some books of geometry, which gave him a taste for that science; and the Eloges of Fontenelle, which shewed him the honours attendant on talents and the love of the sciences. His father in vain opposed the strong attachment of young Bezout to the mathematical sciences. April 8, 1758, he was named adjoint-mechanician in the French academy of sciences, having before that sent them two ingenious memoirs on the integral calculus, and given other proofs of his proficiency in the sciences. In 1763, he was named to the new office of examiner to the marine, and appointed to compose a course of mathematics for their use; and in 1768, on the death of M. Camus, he succeeded as examiner of the artillery scholars.
, an Italian scholar of the last century, was born at Parma, March 12, 1673. Aftertaking ecclesiastical orders,
, an Italian scholar of the last
century, was born at Parma, March 12, 1673. Aftertaking ecclesiastical orders, he was engaged in 1702 by the
illustrious house of Sanvitali, both as domestic chaplain
and tutor to the two young sons of that family, and at his
leisure hours cultivated the study of history, chronology,
and antiquities. One of his works was written while in
this family, a very elaborate treatise, “Trattinemento
Istorico e Chronologico,
” &c. Naples, 2 vols. 4to, in which
he endeavours to prove that Josephus’s history is neither
false nor contrary to scripture, positions which had been
denied in a treatise written on the subject by father Cæsar
Calino, a Jesuit. When he had completed this work, the
elder of his pupils, who by the death of his father bad succeeded to the estate, and was very much attached to the
Jesuits, informed Biacca that the publication of it would
not be agreeable to him. On this Biacca entrusted his
manuscript to the celebrated Argelati, at Milan, and either
with, or without his consent, it was printed at Naples in
1728. This provoked Sanvitali to forget his own and his
father’s attachment to Biacca, who had resided twenty-six
years in the family, and he ordered him to leave his house.
Biacca, however, was received with respect into many other
families, who each pressed him to take up his abode with
them. After having lived at Milan for some years, he
died at Parma, 8ept. 15, 1735. Being a member of the
Arcadians, he, according to their custom, assumed the
name of Parmindo Ibichense, which we find prefixed to
several of his works. Besides his defence of Josephus, he
wrote, 1. “Ortographia Manuale, o sia arte facile di correttamento Scrivere e Parlare,
” Parma, Notizie storiche di Rinuccio cardinal Pallavicino, di Pompeo Sacco Parmigiano, di Cornelio Magni, e del conte
NiccoloCicognari Parmigiano,
” printed in vols. I. and II. of
the “Notizie istoriche clegli Arcadi morti,
” Rome, Le Selve de Stazio, tradotte in verso sciolto.
”
He translated also Catullus, and both make part of the collection of Italian translations of the ancient Latin authors,
printed at Milan. In the poetical collections, there are
many small pieces by Biacca.
turalist, more generally known by the name of Janus Plancus, under which he published several works, was born Jan. 3, 1693, at Rimini, where he died Dec. 3, 1775. In
, an Italian naturalist, more generally
known by the name of Janus Plancus, under which he
published several works, was born Jan. 3, 1693, at Rimini,
where he died Dec. 3, 1775. In 1717 he went to Bologna,
and studied botany, natural history, mathematics, and
natural philosophy. Having taken the degree of doctor in
medicine in 17 19, he returned to his country, but afterwards resided for some time at Bologna and Padua before
he settled and began practice at Rimini. Here also he
improved his acquaintance with botany, and in his different
tours accumulated a very fine collection of specimens of
natural history. In 1741, he was appointed professor of
anatomy in the university of Sienna, but his attachment to
las favourite studies induced him to return to Rimini, where
he endeavoured to revive the academy of the Lincei, the
members of which assembled at his house. He had formerly, when only twenty-two years of age, acted as their
secretary, and gave a history of them in his edition of the
Phytobasanos. In honour of his merits and services, the
society caused a medal to be struck, with his portrait on
one side, and on the other a lynx, with the words ~“Lynceis restitutis.
” Biarichi was frequently involved in controversies respecting both himself and his works, the principal of which are, 1. “Lettere intorno alia cataratta,
”
Rimini, Epistola anatomica adJosephum.
Puteum Bononiensem,
” Bologna, Osservazioni intorno una sezione anatomica,
” Rimini,
a celebrated Italian anatomist, was born at Turin, Sept. 12, 1681, and at the age of seventeen was
a celebrated Italian anatomist, was born at Turin, Sept. 12, 1681, and at the age
of seventeen was honoured with a doctor’s degree. He
was a long time professor of anatomy at Turin, where the
king of Sardinia, in 1715, caused a very commodious amphitheatre to be built for his lectures. In 1718 he also
taught pharmacy, chemistry, and the practice of physic,
He was offered a professor’s chair in the university of Bologna, but refused it from an attachment to his native
place, Turin. He died much esteemed, Jan. 2, 1761.
He wrote a great many works; among which were, 1.
“Ductus lacrymalis, &c. anatome,
” Turin, De lacteorum vasorum positionibus
et fabrica,
” Turin, Storia del mostro di
due corpi,
” Turin, 1719, 8vo. 4. “Lettera sull' insensibilita,
” Turin, Histofia hepatica, seu de Hepatis
structura, usibus et morbis,
” Turin, De natural! in humane corpore,
vitiosa, morbosaque generatione historia,
” ibid. Epistolas Anatomicse duse,
” printed
in
, an Italian lawyer, was born at Padua in 1498, and while eminent at the bar, and in
, an Italian lawyer, was
born at Padua in 1498, and while eminent at the bar, and
in consultation, was not less distinguished for learning
and probity. In 1525 he was appointed, for the third time,
professor of imperial law in the university of Padua in
1532, a second time, professor of the decretals and lastly
in 1544 chief professor of criminal law, a situation which
he retained until his death, Oct. 8, 1548. Among his
works, which are all on professional subjects, and written
in Latin, are his, I. “Tractatus de indiciis homicidii ex
proposito conmiissi, &c.
” Venice, Practica criminalis aurea,
” with “Cautelse singulares
ad reorum defensam,
” ibid. Tractatus de
compromissis faciendis inter conjunctos, et de exceptionibus impeclientibus litis ingressum,
” Venice,
, a very learned Italian astronomer and philosopher, was born at Verona, Dec. 13, 1662. After being instructed in the
, a very learned Italian astronomer and philosopher, was born at Verona, Dec. 13, 1662. After being instructed in the elements of education in his own country, he removed to Bologna, where he went through a course of rhetoric and three years of philosophy, in the Jesuits’ college. He afterwards studied mathematics and design, and made a great progress in both. In 1680 he removed to Padua, where he studied divinity, and was admitted to the degree of doctor. His master in mathematics and natural philosophy was the learned Montanari, who became much attached to him, and bequeathed to him his collection of mathematical instruments. At Padua Bianchini learned also anatomy, and, with rather more pleasure, botany. His inclination being for the church, he went next to Rome, where he was kindly received by cardinal Peter Ottoboni, who knew his family, and appointed him his librarian. Here, as was usual for persons with his views, he went through a course of law, but without losing sight of his favourite studies, experimental philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. He was admitted a member of the physico-mathematical academy, established by Ciampini, and read many learned papers at their sittings.
phew of the preceding, priest of the oratory of St. Philip de Neri, was also a learned antiquary. He was born at Verona Sept. 9, 1704, the son of John Baptist, brother
, nephew of the preceding, priest
of the oratory of St. Philip de Neri, was also a learned
antiquary. He was born at Verona Sept. 9, 1704, the
son of John Baptist, brother to Francis Bianchini, and was
educated under the eye of his uncle in the college of Montefiascone. Before 1725, he was promoted to a canonry
in the cathedral, and a prebendal stall in St. Luke, and
was soon after appointed librarian to the chapter: but in
1732 he resigned that and his benefices, and entered into
the congregation of the oratory at Rome, where he divided his time between the pious duties of that order, and
his literary researches, particularly in what related to history and ecclesiastical antiquities. His first publication
was, 1. The fourth and concluding volume of his uncle’s
edition of Anastasius Bibliothecarius, Rome, 1735, fol.
2. “Viridiciae canonicarum Scripturarum vulgatse Latinoe
editionis,
” Rome, Evangeliarum
quadruplex Latinse versionis antiquoe, seu veteris Italicte,
nunc primum in lucem editum ex codd. Mss. aureis, argenteis, &c. aliisque plusquam millenariae antiquitatis,
”
Rome, 1749, fol. This may be considered as a part of
the preceding. 4. “Demonstratio historiae ecclesiasticse
quadripartitae monumentis ad fidem temporum et gestorum,
” ibid, Delle porte e mura di Roma, con illustrazioni,
” ibid.
Parere sopra la cagione della morte della
sig. contessa Cornelia Zangari, esposto in una lettera,
”
Verona,
, an Italian philosopher and physician of considerable reputation in the last century, was born, in 1720, at Chieti in the kingdom of Naples, where he
, an Italian philosopher and physician of considerable reputation in the last century, was born, in 1720, at Chieti in the kingdom of Naples, where he studied, took his degrees, and for some years practised physic. He then went to Venice, but his growing reputation procured him the place of, first physician at Udina, where he resided from 1759 to 1777, and was then appointed first professor of the practice of physic in the university of Padua, and was admitted a member of the academy, as he had been of that of Udina. He was likewise one of the pensionaries of the academy of Padua, but did not enjoy these situations long, dying Sept. 2, 1779. He wrote many treatises on professional subjects, electricity, the force' of imagination in pregnant women, putrid fevers, worms, &c. a list of which may be seen in our authority.
, an Italian scholar of the last century, was born at Prato in Tuscany, Nov. 18, 1685. He had but just finished
, an Italian scholar of the
last century, was born at Prato in Tuscany, Nov. 18, 1685.
He had but just finished his education at Florence, when
he was admitted a member of the academy of the Apatisti,
and two years after, of that of Florence, nor was he more
than twenty when he became known to and associated with
the principal literati of that city. He went afterwards to
Pisa, and studied philosophy and mathematics under Alexander Marchetti, the translator of Lucretius, and there he
received the degree of doctor of laws, and the order of
priesthood. There also the bishop of Prato appointed
him to give public lectures on the works of the fathers, in
the course of which he became particularly attached to
those of St. Bernard and the bishop of Pistoia gave him
the living of St. Peter at Ajolo, where he made himself
very popular. Such also was his literary fame, that besides
the academies we have mentioned, he was admitted a
member of the Inlecundi of Prato, the Innominati of Bra
in Piedmont, of the Rinvigoriti of Foligno, the Arcadians
of Rome, the Columbarian society, and the della Crusca.
His life was exemplary, his character loyal and ingenuous,
although somewhat reserved. He loved retirement, yet
was of a placid humour, and enjoyed effusions of wit but
in his latter years he fell into a state of melancholy, aggravated by bodily disorder, which terminated in his death
Feb. 17, 1749. His two most considerable works, were,
1. “De‘ gran duchi di Toscana della real casa de’ Medici,
”
Venice, Della satira Italiana, trattato,
” Massa, La Cantica de Cantici di Salomone tradotta
in versi Toscani con annotazioni,
” Venice, Prose Fiorentine,
” Venice,
, was born at Verona, March 10, 1697, of an eminent mercantile family,
, was born at
Verona, March 10, 1697, of an eminent mercantile family,
and as after completing his education he shewed no inclination for the church, his father brought him up to trade,
which he carried on during the whole of his long life. In
his youth he was particularly attached to music, played
on several instruments, and even attempted composition,
but neither this taste, nor his mercantile pursuits, interrupted his fondness for the study of the history and antiquities of his own country, which in the course of a few
years beheld one of its merchants placed in the rank of men
of letters and historians. His works entirely relate to the
history of Verona, and although he appears rather as editor
than author, yet his countrymen felt no small obligation to
him for the care and expense which he bestowed in improving their ancient annalists. His first labour was a new
edition and supplement, in 2 vols. 4to, 1745 and 1747, of
Zagata’s “Chronicle of the City of Verona,
” enriched with
additions of great interest by Biancolini, particularly a plan
of the ancient theatre of Verona, which the learned Maffei
had thought it impossible to trace. 2. “Notizie storiche
deliechiese di Verona,
” four books, Dei
vescovi e governatori di Verona dissertazioni due,
” Verona, Collana degli storici
Greci,
” (begun in
, a celebrated Italian philosopher and physician, was born at Bologna, Sept. 30, 1717. After having studied physic
, a celebrated Italian philosopher and physician, was born at Bologna, Sept. 30, 1717.
After having studied physic with great diligence and success, he was in his nineteenth year appointed medical assistant in one of the hospitals, and after four years, was,
in 1742, admitted to the degree of doctor. In 1743 and
1744 he published a valuable translation into Italian of
Winslow’s Anatomy, 6 vols. 8vo. In the last mentioned
year, his reputation induced the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, prince and bishop of Augsburgh, to give him an invitation to reside with him, which Bianconi accepted, and
remained there for six years. During this time he published “Due lettere di Fisica,
” &c. Venice, Essay on Electricity,
” addressed to another
learned friend, count Algarotti. He also began, in French,
“Journal des nouveautes litteraires d' Italic,
” printed
at Leipsie, but with Amsterdam on the title, 1748, 1749,
8vo, which he continued to the end of a third volume.
In 1730, he went to the court of Dresden, with a strong
recommendation from pope Benedict XIV. to Augustus
III. king of Poland, who received him into his confidence, and appointed him his aulic counsellor, and in
1760 sent him to France on a political affair of considerable delicacy, which he transacted with skill and satisfaction to his employer. In 1764, his majesty appointed
him his resident minister at the court of Rome, where he
felt his literary taste revive with its usual keenness, and
was a contributor to various literary Journals. That of the
“Effemeridi letterarie di Roma
” owed its rise principally
to him, and for sometime, its fame to his contributions. It
was in this he wrote his eloges on Lupacchini, Piranesi,
and Mengs, which last was published separately, with additions, in 1780. In his twelve Italian letters on the history of Cornelius Celsus, printed at Rome in 1779, he
restores that celebrated physician to the age of Augustus,
contrary to the common opinion, and to that of Tirasboschi
(to whom they were addressed), who places him in what is
called the silver age. He was projecting a magnificent
edition of Celsus, a life of Petrarch, and some other literary undertakings, when he died suddenly at Perugia, Jan.
1, 1781, universally regretted. He left ready for the
press, a work in Italian and French, on the circus of Caracalla, which was magnificently printed at Rome in 1790,
with nineteen beautiful engravings.
, called one of the wise men of Greece, was born at Priene, a small town of Caria, abqut 570 B. C. He was
, called one of the wise men of Greece, was born
at Priene, a small town of Caria, abqut 570 B. C. He
was in great repute in Greece, under the reigns of Halyattes and Croesus, kings of Lydia. Though born to great
riches, he lived without splendour, expending his fortune
in relieving the needy, and although esteemed the most
eloquent orator of his time, he desired to reap no other
advantage from this talent, than that of glory to his country. In his pleadings he shewed such discrimination, as
never to undertake any cause which he did not think just.
It was usual to say of a good cause that it was one which Bias
would have undertaken, yet we are not told by what means
he knew that a cause was good before it was tried. On
one occasion, certain pirates brought several young women
to sell as slaves at Priene. Bias purchased them, and
maintained them, until he had an opportunity to return
them to their friends. This generous action could not fail
to increase his popularity, and made him be styled “the
prince of the wise men.
”
, painter and architect, was born at Boulogne in 1657. He studied the elements of his art
, painter and architect,
was born at Boulogne in 1657. He studied the elements
of his art under Cignani, a distinguished artist, and
when this master produced his disciple to the world, his
talents for architecture, for theatrical decorations, and for
perspective, obtained him a good reception. The duke of
Parma and the emperor gave him the title of their first
painter, and loaded him with favours. Several magnificent
edifices were raised after his plans. His pieces of
perspective are full of taste, but there have not been wanting som
critics who have censured him for having a pencil more
fantastic than natural and just. He died blind in 1743,
leaving two books of architecture and sons worthy of their
father. It is probable that to one of them (J. Galli Bibbiena) the public is indebted for the “History of the
amours of Valeria and the noble Venetian Barbarigo,
”
translated into French, Lausanne and Geneva,
me was Buchmarij which he changed into Bibliander, according to a custom very prevalent in his time, was born in 1500, or rather 1504, according to D. Clement and Saxius,
, an eminent Protestant
divine, whose real name was Buchmarij which he changed
into Bibliander, according to a custom very prevalent in
his time, was born in 1500, or rather 1504, according to
D. Clement and Saxius, at Bischotfzel near St. Gall, and
in 1532, succeeded Zwinglius in the divinity- chair at
Zurick. This he rilled a considerable time, until having
adopted some opinions on the subject of predestination,
which were hostile to those generally received in the reformed church, he was gently dismissed by being declared
emeritus, and his place supplied by Peter Martyr. He
died of the plague at Zurich in 1564. He was a man of
great reputation for learning, especially in the oriental
languages. He wrote, 1. “Apologia pro edit. Aleorani^
edita à J. Fabricio, cum testamento Mohamedis,
” Rostock,
Machumetis Saraceriorum principis, ejusque successorum vitae, doctrina, ac ipse Alcoran,
” &c.
Basil, Quomodo oporteat legere sacras scripturas, praescriptiones Apostolorum,
Prophetarum, &c.
” ibid. Amplior consideratio decreti synodalis Trident, de authent. doct. eccl.
Dei, &c.
” Sermo divin, majest. voce
pronunciatus, seu Comment, in Decalog. et Sermon. Dom.
in monte Sinai,
” Basil, Concilium sacrosanctum eccl. cathol. in quo demonstratur quomodo possit
pereunti populo Christiano succurri,
” 1552, 8vo. 7. “Vita B. Marci evangelists,
” Bale, De ratione
temp. Christ. c. liber,
” ibid. Temporum
a condito mundo usque ad ultim. ipsiiis aetat. supputatio,
”
ibid. Evangelica historia,
” ibid.
a very celebrated French physician, and whose labours have greatly promoted the study of physiology, was born Nov. 11, 1771, at Thoirette. His father was also a physician,
, a very celebrated
French physician, and whose labours have greatly promoted
the study of physiology, was born Nov. 11, 1771, at Thoirette. His father was also a physician, and had probably initiated him in medical knowledge, which he studied
at Lyons, where Petit, then surgeon of the Hotel-Dieu in
that city, under whom he was taught anatomy and surgery,
had such an opinion of his talents, that he made him his
assistant, although then only in his twentieth year. When
Lyons was besieged in 1793, he made his escape, and arrived at Paris about the end of that year. There, without
any recommendations from friends, he resumed his studies
and became one of the pupils of the celebrated Dussault,
who discovering his uncommon talents, invited him to his
house, treated him as his son, and found in him a most
able assistant. Of this generous protector, however, he
was deprived by death in 1795, and became in his turn the
support of Dussault’s widow and children. He first completed the fourth volume of Dussault’s “Journal de
Chirurgie.
” In 1797 he published his “CEuvres chirurgicales,
”
2 vols. 8vo. In the same year he hegan to give lectures
on anatomy and operative surgery, to which, in 1798, he
added a course of physiology, v.hich produced his “Traite
des Membranes,
” Recherches physiologiques sur la vie et sur la mort,
” Anatomic generale appliquee a la physiologic et a la
medicine,
” Paris,
, a noted Socinian writer, was born in 1615, at Wotton-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire. He was
, a noted Socinian writer, was born in
1615, at Wotton-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire. He was
educated at the free-school in that town and, being a promising youth, was noticed by George lord Berkeley, who
made him an allowance of 10l. a year. While at this
school, he translated Virgil’s eclogues, and the two first
satires of Juvenal, into English verse, both which were
printed at London in 1634, in 8vo. In 1634 he was sent
to Oxford, and entered at Magdalen-hall. June 23, 1683,
he took the degree of bachelor of arts, and soon after was
invited to be master of the school of his native place, but
declined it. May 20, 1691, he took his degree of master
of arts; and the magistrates of Gloucester having chosen
him master of the free-school of St. Mary de Crypt in that
city, he went and settled there, and was much esteemed for
his diligence. Falling, however, into some opinions concerning the Trinity, different from those commonly received, and having expressed his thoughts with too much
freedom, he was accused of heresy: and being summoned
before the magistrates, he exhibited in writing a confession, which not being thought satisfactory, he was obliged
to make another more explicit than the former. When ha
had fully considered this doctrine, he comprised it in twelve
arguments drawn, as he pretended, froai the Scripture
wherein the commonly-received opinion, touching the deity
of the Holy Spirit, is attempted to be refuted . An acquaintance who had a copy of them, having shewed them,
to the magistrates of Gloucester, and to the parliament
committee then residing there, he was committed, Dec. 2,
1645, to the common gaol, till the parliament should take
cognizance of the matter. However, an eminent person
in Gloucester procured his enlargement, by giving security
for his appearance when the parliament should send for
him. June 1616, archbishop Usher, passing through
Gloucester in his way to London, had a conference with
our author, and endeavoured, but in vain, to convince him
of his errors. Six months after he had been set at liberty
he was summoned to appear at Westminster, and the parliament appointed a committee to examine him before
whom he freely confessed, that he did not acknowledge the
commonly-received notion of the divinity of the Holy
Ghost, but, however, was ready to hear what could be
opposed to him, and, if he could not make out his opinion
to be true, honestly to own his error. But being wearied
with tedious and expensive delays, he wrote a letter to sir
Henry Vane, a member of the committee, requesting him
either to procure his discharge, or to make a report of his
case to the house of commons. The result of this was, his
being committed to the custody of one of their officers,
which restraint continued the five years following. He
was at length referred to the assembly of divines then
sitting at Westminster, before whom he often appeared,
and gave them in writing his twelve arguments, which
were published the same year. Upon their publication, he
was summoned to appear at the bar of the house of commons; where being asked, “Whether he owned this treatise, and the opinions therein
” he answered in the affirmative. Upon which he was committed to prison, and the
house ordered, Sept. 6, 1747, that the book should be
called in and burnt by the hangman, and the author be
examined by the committee of plundered ministers. But
Mr. Biddle drew a greater storm upon himself by two tracts
he published in 1648, “A confession of faith touching the
Holy Trinity according to the Scripture
” and “The testimonies of Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Novatianusy
Theophilus, Origen, also of Arnobius, Lactantius, Eusebius, Hilary, and Brightman, concerning that one God,
and the persons of the Holy Trinity, together with observations on the same.
” As soon as they were published,
the assembly of divines solicited the parliament, and procured an ordinance, inflicting death upon those that held
opinions contrary to the received doctrine about the Trinity, and severe penalties upon those who differed in lesser
matters. Biddle, however, escaped by a dissension in the
parliament, part of which was joined by the army; many
of whom, both officers and soldiers, being liable to the
severities of the ordinance above-mentioned, it therefore
from that time lay unregarded for several years. Biddle
had now more liberty allowed him by his keepers who
suffered him, upon security given, to go into Staffordshire,
where he lived some time with a justice of peace, who entertained him with great hospitality, and at his death left
him a legacy. Serjeant John Bradshaw, president of the
council of state, having got intelligence of this indulgence
granted him, caused him to be recalled, and more strictly
confined. In this confinement he spent his whole substance, and was reduced to great indigence, till he was
employed by Roger Daniel of London, to correct an impression of the Septuagint Bible, which that printer was
about to publish and this gained him for some time a
comfortable subsistence.
, a very learned and voluminous German writer, was born at Naumberg, April 5, 1705, and studied at Wittemberg,
, a
very learned and voluminous German writer, was born
at Naumberg, April 5, 1705, and studied at Wittemberg,
where he was admitted to his master’s degree in 1717, and
soon after made librarian to the city. In 1732 he returned
to Naumberg, ancl was appointed co-rector of the public
school, in which office he continued for nine years, and
in 1741, on the death of John George Scutz, was promoted to be rector. In 1747, the place of rector of the
school of Friedburg becoming vacant, he was invited to
fill it, and accordingly, with the coiTsent of his patrons at
Nauinberg, he removed thither, and added greatly to the
reputation of' the school. He died there in 1772, leaving
a vast number of works in Latin and German, published
during his literary career, some of which involved him in
controversies with his contemporaries, carried on in the
German journals with a considerable degree of animosity.
Harles enumerates above an hundred and fifty articles of
his publication, separately, or in the literary journals, on
subjects of sacred criticism, philology, the arts, poetical
criticism, and some works of whim and imagination; the
following selection will probably afford a sufficient specimen 1. “De insolentia titulorum librariorum,
” Naumberg,
De religione eruditorum,
” ibid. Metelemata philologica,
” ibid. Cur homines montani male audiant?
” ibid.
De Latinitate maccaronica,
” ibid. 6. “De Isopsephis,
” ibid. 7. “Fabulosa de septem dormientibus historia,
” ibid. DearteObliviscendi,
”ibid. De
primis rei metallicae inventoribus,
” ibid. De
antiquitate sodinarum metallicarum,
” ibid. Acta
scholastica,
” Nova acta scholastica.
” 12. “Selecta scholastica,
” Otia litteraria,
” Freiburgh, De vita musica ad Plauti Mostellarium,
” act III.
sc. 2. v. 40, he has collected all that the ancients and
moderns have advanced against music and musicians but,
as this was founded on mistaking the sense of Plautus, it
ocsasioned a long literary contest, in which Bidermann
did not appear to the best advantage. Harles, indeed, allows that his judgment did not always keep pace with his
learning.
, a famous anatomical writer, was born at Amsterdam March 12, 1649. After he had passed through
, a famous anatomical writer, was
born at Amsterdam March 12, 1649. After he had passed
through his academical studies, he applied himself to
physic and anatomy, and took his degree of M. D. He
soon acquired considerable practice; in 1688 was made
professor of anatomy at the Hague, which he quitted in
1694 for the professorship of anatomy and chirurgery at
Leyden; and afterwards William III. of England appointed
him his physician, which he accepted on condition of
holding his professorship. The king died in 1702, and
Bidloo returned to his former employments, in which he
had been interrupted by his constant attendance upon that
prince. He died at Ley den, April 1713, being 64 years
of age. His chief work was his “Anatomia humani corporis,
” in Vindiciae quorundam Delineationum Anatomicarum contra ineptasAnimadversionesF. Ruyschii, &c.
” A letter to Anthony Leeuvvenhoek concerning the animals which are sometimes found in the liver of
sheep or some other animals.
” This was published in Low
Dutch, Delft, Gulielmus Cowper criminis
Literarii citatus coram tribunali nobiliss. ampliss. Societatis
Britanno-Regiae,
” Leyden, Exercitationum Anatomico-Chirurgicarum Decades
dua
”,“Leyden, 1708, 4to. 4. He published likewise a small
piece upon the disease of which king William III. of England died. 5.
” Letters of the Apostles who were martyred,“Amsterdam, 1698, 4to, in Low Dutch verse, of
which, as well as of Latin, he was very fond, and was
thought to have succeeded. He supposes jn this book,
that the apostles wrote these letters before they suffered,
martyrdom, and addressed them to their disciples, in order
to inform them of their last desires, and to instruct them in
what manner they ought to act after themselves were removed from this world. There was published at Leyden,
1719, a miscellaneous collection of our author’s poems in
Low Dutch. His brother, Lambert Bidloo, an apothecary
at Amsterdam, was the author of some Dutch poetry, and
of a work
” De re herbaria,“printed at the end of the
” Catalogue of the Garden of Amsterdam," by Commelin,
Leyden, 1709, 12mo. Lambert’s son, Nicholas, became
first physician to the Czar Peter I., and inspector of the
hospital of St. Petersburgh.
, an ingenious artist, was born at Liere, in Brabant, in 1594, and at first learned the
, an ingenious artist, was born at
Liere, in Brabant, in 1594, and at first learned the rudiments of the art from Wouter Abts, afterwards became
the disciple of Rodolph Schoof, a painter of considerable
reputation at that time at Paris, and when he had practised under that master for a sufficient time to form his
hand, he sought to obtain still greater improvement by
travelling to Rome and there he spent six years in studying the works of the best masters, devoting his whole time
to his profession. His industry was then rewarded with
proportionable success; for he found encouragement
among the most honourable persons at Rome, and in every
part of Italy. His penciling was so exceedingly neat, and
his touch and colouring so very delicate, that he was frequently employed to paint on jasper, agate, porphyry,
and other precious materials, His master-piece is St. Eloi,
in the principal church at Liere. The time of his death is
Mot known his son, Cornelius de Bie, wrote the lives of
the painters, &c. under the title “Guide Cabinet, &c.
”
in Flemish verse, with their portraits.
Another de Bie (Jacob or James), who was born at Antwerp, in 1581, was an eminent engraver of antiquities,
Another de Bie (Jacob or James), who was born at
Antwerp, in 1581, was an eminent engraver of antiquities,
coins, &c. and published, 1. “Imperatorum Roman. Numismata,
” from Julius Caesar to Heraclius, Ant. Numismata Graecise,
” ibid. foi. 3. “La France
Metallique, &c.
” Paris,
, one of the ablest scholastic divines of his time, was born at Spire, and preached with great reputation at Mentz,
, one of the ablest scholastic divines of
his time, was born at Spire, and preached with great reputation at Mentz, until Eberhard, duke of Wittemberg,
having founded the university of Tubingen, invited him thither in 1477, to fill the theological chair. Towards the end
of his days he retired to a convent of regular canons, where
he died very old, in 149.5. His principal writings were:
I. “Collectorium super libros sententiarum G. Occami,
”
Tubingen, Lectura super canonem
Missae,
” Rutlingen, Sacri canonis
Missae, &.c. expositio,
” Tubingen, De monetarum potestate simul et utilitate,
” Nuremberg,
, a Lutheran divine of the last century, was born at Brunswick, in 1687, and died in 1745. He was the author
, a Lutheran divine of the last
century, was born at Brunswick, in 1687, and died in
1745. He was the author of a great many theological dissertations inserted in Ugolin’s “Thesaur. antiquitat. sacr.
”
and of a valuable work published after his death by E. H.
Mutzenbecher, under the title of “Novus Thesaurus Philologicus, sive Lexicon in LXX- et alios interpretes et
scriptoresapocryphosVeteris Testament!,
” Hague, 1779
80, 3 vols. 8vo, to which Schleussneradded the supplements.
, was born at Hamburgh March 31, 1717. Jn a journey which he made
, was born at Hamburgh March 31, 1717. Jn a journey which he made to Brunswick, he became acquainted with Frederick II. then prince royal, who, on coming to the throne, took him into his service, and sent him, as secretary of legation, with count de Truchses, Prussian ambassador to the court of St. James’s, but discovering that the baron’s talents were not calculated for diplomatic affairs, h, in 1745, appointed him preceptor to prince Augustus Ferdinand his brother; after that, in 1747, curator of the universities, and in 1748 he created him a baron, with the rank of privy-counsellor. The last years of his life he spent in study and retirement at Treban, in the country of Altenburgh, where he died April 5, 1770. He wrote
, an able naturalist, and a Clergyman at Gresbach in Westgothland, was born in 1735, and died in 1795. He published in the Memoirs
, an able naturalist, and a Clergyman at Gresbach in Westgothland, was born in 1735, and died in 1795. He published in the Memoirs of the Academy of Stockholm, of which he was a member, a great number of papers on insects, which he had made his particular study, and on the transpiration of plants, the burning of vegetables, the effect of cold on vegetables, &c. all in the Swedish language.
, garter principal king at arms, was born in 1711, the son of Richard Bigland, of Kendal, in Westmoreland,
, garter principal king at arms, was
born in 1711, the son of Richard Bigland, of Kendal, in
Westmoreland, the descendant of a family originally
seated at Bigland, Lancashire. The subject of this brief
notice, after going through all the offices in the College of
Arms, and executing also the office of registrar, to which
he was appointed in 1763, became the head of it in 1780,
but enjoyed his elevation a very short time, dying in
James-street, Bedford-row, March 27, 1784. He was
buried with his parents at Stepney. He was deservedly
esteemed and regretted, as a man of much skill in heraldry
and other branches of antiquities. The great collections
he had made for a history of Gloucestershire were intended
to have been arranged and given by him to the public,
and have since been partly published by his son Richard
Bigland, of Frocester, esq. under the title of “Historical,
monumental, and genealogical collections, relative to the
county of Gloucester,
” &c. fol.
ers who have occasion to name him [for it is thus he gives his own name in his “Roman des Oiseaux”], was born of a noble family of the diocese of Bayeux, about 1428.
, and not de la Vigne, as he is
generally called by writers who have occasion to name him
[for it is thus he gives his own name in his “Roman des
Oiseaux
”], was born of a noble family of the diocese of
Bayeux, about 1428. He was chaplain to king John, and
followed that prince into England after the battle of Poletiers. Being at Rochefort in 1459, he began a poem on
the chace, entitled “Le Roman des Oiseaux,
” which he
finished on his return to France. This he did at the command of the king for the instruction of his son Philip duke
of Burgundy. The abbé Goujet attributes this poem to
Gaston de Foix, from its being printed at the end of the
“Miroir de la Chasse
” by that prince, but greatly different from the manuscripts. Gaston’s work printed by
Trepperel at Paris, fol. without a date, and again in 1520,
consists of two parts, the first Gaston’s, and the second
by Bigne. Bigne is supposed, from some passages in his
work, to have been alive in 1475. The personages in this
poem, or romance, are allegorical, and dispute which
species of the chace has the pre-eminence, appealing to
the king, who, after having advised with his counsellors,
wisdom, reason, and truth, (not very usually called in)
sends away the disputants perfectly satisfied. The style is
easy, and the author’s quaintness will be agreeable to the
lovers of early poetry.
iest, of the same family with the preceding, doctor of the Sorbonne, and dean of the church of Mans, was born in 1546 at Bernieresle-Patry, and studied at the college
, a priest, of the same
family with the preceding, doctor of the Sorbonne, and
dean of the church of Mans, was born in 1546 at Bernieresle-Patry, and studied at the college of Caen. He published in 1575 a “Bibliotheca patrum,
” 3 vols. folio, which
he re-published in 1589, 9 vols. being the first that undertook a work of that kind. The most copious edition we have
of it is in 27 vols. folio, Lyons, 1677. There is also one in
16 vols. folio, of 1644, which is much esteemed, as containing the lesser Greek fathers. Another was published
at Cologne in 1-694, and Pere Philip de St. Jacques
gave an abridgment of it in 1719, 2 vols. fol. To the
Bibiioth. pp. are generally added, “Index locorum scripture sacra,
” Genoa, Apparatus of
Nourri,
” Paris,
, a counsellor of the presklial of Rheims, was born there in 1709, and died at Paris in 1775. He was well versed
, a counsellor of the presklial of Rheims, was born there in 1709, and died at
Paris in 1775. He was well versed in ancient and modern,
literature We have by him, 1. “A collection of Latin
and French poems,
” Pensees et reflections philosophiques,
” L‘homme du.
Monde & L’homme de Lettres,
” has, however, its admirers
and its censurers, with respect to the method of writing set
phrases, and giving them as thoughts and maxims.
, a French writer, was born at Paris Aug. 24, 1589. His father took the care of his
, a French writer, was born at Paris
Aug. 24, 1589. His father took the care of his education
upon himself, and taught him the languages, philosophy,
mathematics, civil law, and divinity. Jerome acquired so
much knowledge in a very short time, that at ten years
of age he published his description of the Holy Land,
entitled “Chorographie, ou Description de la TerreSainte,
” Paris, Discours de la ville de Rome, principales
antiquitez & singularitez d'icelle,
” Traite sommaire de Pelection des papes,
” De l‘excellence des rois & du royaume
de France, traitant de la preseance& des prerogatives des rois
des France par dessus tous les antres, & de causes d’icelles.
”
This book was written in order to confute what Diego
Valdes, counsellor of the royal chamber of Granada, had
published in favour of the precedency of the kings of Spain,
under the title of “De dignitate re gum Hispania?,
” Granada,
, an eminent patron of literature, was born at Rouen in 1626, of an ancient family, and having no inclination
, an eminent patron of literature, was born at Rouen in 1626, of an ancient family,
and having no inclination to rise in the offices of magistracy, as many of his ancestors had done, nor to enter
into the church, he determined to devote his time and
fortune to the study and advancement of polite literature.
His father, dean of the court of aids in Normandy, left
him a library of six thousand volumes, including upwards
of five hundred manuscripts, to which he made so many
additions, that at his death it was valued at forty thousand
franks and that it might not be scattered, he entailed it
on his family, with handsome funds for the support and
enlargement of it. It was, however, sold in July 1706,
and the catalogue, which was printed, is in considerable
request among bibliographers. During his life-time this
library was the resort of a number of men of letters, who
held frequent meetings here, in which Bigot presided.
His travels in Holland, England, Germany, and Italy, procured him the acquaintance and correspondence of most of
the literati of Europe, who frequently consulted him, and
paid great regard to his opinions. His sole passion was to
contribute by his wealth and studies to the perfection and
illustration of the best Greek and Latin authors, and he
employed these advantages with the utmost liberality and
modesty. Having discovered in the library at Florence,
the Greek text of the “Life of St. Chrysostom by Palladius, he published it at Paris in 1680, 4to, with some
other ancient Greek remains, hitherto in manuscript, the
whole accompanied with a Latin translation by Ambrose of
Camaldoli. To this he added St. Chrysostom’s epistle to
Cesarius, but it being discovered that this was an attack
on the doctrine of transubstantiation, the licensers refused
its being published, and caused the leaves on which it was
printed to be cut out. A copy of these leaves, however,
having fallen into the hands of Mr. (afterwards archbishop)
Wake, was published by him in his
” Defence of the Exposition of the Doctrine of the Church of England against
the exceptions of M. de Meaux, &c.“Lond. 1686, 4to.
In this Wake has given a curious account not only of the
suppression of this letter, but of the controversy to which
it gave rise in archbishop Cranmer’s time. Du Pin says,
that after Bigot’s death, some of his literary correspondence
was published but this appears a mistake, if we except a
letter of his written, in 1672, to the bishop of Trulle
against the abbé de St. Cyran’s book
” Le Cas Royal," and
printed at Basil in 1690. Menage and Heinsius were
among his most intimate friends, and such was his general
knowledge and communicative disposition, that he was
consulted by every one fond of literary history and anecdote. He died Oct. 18, 1689.
, an eminent German philosopher and statesman, was born at Camstadt in Wirtemberg, Jan. 23, 1693; his father was
, an eminent German
philosopher and statesman, was born at Camstadt in Wirtemberg, Jan. 23, 1693; his father was a Lutheran minister. By a singular hereditary constitution in this family,
Biliinger was born with twelve fingers and eleven toes,
which, in his case, is said to have been remedied by amputation when he was an infant. From his earliest years,
he showed an uncommon capacity for study, joined to a
retired and thinking turn of mind. Happening, when
studying at Tubingen, to learn mathematics in the works
of Wolf, he imbibed likewise a taste for the sceptical philosophy of that writer, and for the system of Leibnitz,
which for a time took off his attention from his other studies. When entered on his theological course, he found
himself disposed to connect it with his new ideas on philosophy, and with that view wrote a treatise, “De Deo,
anima, et mundo,
” which procured him considerable fame,
and was the cause of his being chosen preacher at the
castle of Tubingen, and repeater in the school of divinity.
But fancying Tubingen a theatre too contracted, he obtained of one of his friends a supply of money, in 1719,
which enabled him to go to Halle to study more particularly under Wolf himself. This, however, did not produce all the good consequences expected. When after
two years he returned to Tubingen, the Wolfian philosophy was no longer in favour, his patrons were cold, his
lessons deserted; himself unable to propagate his new doctrines, and his promotion in the church was likely to suffer.
In this unpleasant state he remained about four years,
when, by Wolf’s recommendation, he received an invitation from Peter I. to accept the professorship of logic and
metaphysics in the new academy at St. Petersburgh. Thither accordingly he went in 1725, and was received with
great respect, and the academical memoirs which he had
occasion to publish increased his reputation in no small
degree. The academy of sciences of Paris having about
that time proposed for solution the famous problem, on
the cause of gravity, Bilfinger carried off the prize, which
was one thousand crowns. This made his name be known
in every part of Europe, and the duke Charles of Wirtemberg having been reminded that he was one of his subjects,
immediately recalled him home. The court of Russia,
after in vain endeavouring to retain him, granted him a
pension of four hundred florins, and two thousand as the
reward of a discovery he had made in the art of fortification. He quitted Petersburgh accordingly in 1731, and
being re-established at Tubingen, revived the reputation
of that school not only by his lectures, but by many salutary changes introduced in the theological class, which he
effected without introducing any new opinions. His
greatest reputation, however, rests on his improvements
in natural philosophy and mathematics, and his talents
as an engineer seem to have recommended him to the
promotion which the duke Charles Alexander conferred
upon him. He had held many conversations with Bilfinger
on the subject of fortifications, and wished to attach him
to government by appointing him a privy-councillor in
1735, with unlimited credit. For some time he refused a
situation which he thought himself not qualified to fill, but
when he accepted it, his first care was to acquire the knowledge necessary for a member of administration, endeavouring to procure the most correct information respecting
the political relations, constitution, and true interests of
the country. By these means, he was enabled very essentially to promote the commerce and agriculture of his
country, and in other respects to improve her natural resources, as well as her political connections, and he is
still remembered as one of the ablest statesmen of Germany. The system of fortification which he invented is
yet known by his name, and is now the chief means of
preserving it, as he died unmarried, at Stuttgard, Feb. 18,
1750. He is said to have been warm in his friendships,
but somewhat irascible; his whole time during his latter
years was occupied in his official engagements, except an
hour in the evening, when he received visits, and his only
enjoyment, when he could find leisure, was in the cultivation of his garden. To his parents he was particularly affectionate, and gratefully rewarded all those who had
assisted him in his dependent state. His principal works
are 1. “Disputatio de harmonia praestabilita,
”
Tubinguen, De harmonia animi et corporis
humani maxime prsestabilita commentatio hypothetica,
”
Francfort, De
origine et permissione Mali, &c.
” ibid. Specimen doctrinae veterum Sinarum moralis et politicae,
”
ibid. Dissertatio historico-catoptrica de
speculo Archimedis,
” Tubingen, Dilucidationes philosophies; de Deo, anima, &c.
” before
mentioned, ibid. Bilfingeri et Holmanni
epistolae de barmonia praestabilita,
” Disputatio de natura et legibus studii in theologica Thetici,
”
ibid. Disputatio de cuku Dei rationali,
”
ibid. Notae breves in Spinosae methodum.
explicandi scripturas,
” ibid. De mysteriis Christianae fidei generatim spectatis sermo,
” ibid. La Citadelle coupee,
” Leipsic, Elementa physices,
” Leipsic,
, a Swedish astronomer, was born about the middle of the seventeenth century. He became
, a Swedish astronomer, was born
about the middle of the seventeenth century. He became
professor of mathematics at Upsal in 1679, but his zeal for
the Cartesian system made him be considered as a dangerous innovator, and he might have been a serious sufferer
from the prejudices raised against him, if he had not met
with a kind protector in Charles XL This prince having
travelled to Torneo, was so struck with the phenomena of
the sun at the spring solstice, that he sent Biilberg and
Spola to make observations on it, in the frontiers of Lapland, and their observations were confirmed by those of the
French mathematicians sent thither by Louis XV. Under
king Charles’s protection, Biilberg received considerable
promotion, and having studied divinity, was at last made
bishop of Strengnes. 'He died in 1717, leaving, 1. “Tractatus de Cometis,
” Stockholm, Elementa Geometrices,
” Upsal, Tractatus de refractione solis inoccidui,
” Stockholm, Tractatus de reformatione Calendarii Juliani et Gregoriani,
” Stockholm,
, was born at Guise in Picardy, of which place his father was governor,
, was born at Guise in
Picardy, of which place his father was governor, in 1535,
and died at Paris at the house of Genebrard his friend,
the 25th of December 1581. He presided over the abbey
of St. Michel en PLerm, which John his brother had ceded
to him in order to become a Carthusian monk. There are
of his several pieces both in verse and prose; and especially
translations of the Greek fathers into Latin. The most
esteemed of them are, those of St. Gregory of Nazianzen,
of St. Isidore of Pelusium, and of St. John Damascenus.
Few of the learned have been more masters of the Greek
tongue. He distinguished himself in other departments of
literature. He composed several pieces of French poetry,
1576, in 8vo, and published learned “Observationes sacrse,
”
, a Jesuit, who was born at Compiegne in 1602, and died at Dijon in 1679, aged
, a Jesuit, who was born at Compiegne in 1602, and died at Dijon in 1679, aged seventyseven published a great number of mathematical works,
of which the “Opus astronomicon,
” Paris,
a learned writer, and bishop, in the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth century, was born in the city of Winchester, being the son of Harman Bilson,
, a learned writer, and bishop, in
the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth
century, was born in the city of Winchester, being the son
of Harman Bilson, the same probably who was fellow of
Merton-college in 1536, and derived his descent by his
grandmother, or great-grandmother, from the duke of t>avaria. He was educated in Winchester school and in
1565 admitted perpetual fellow of New-college, after he
had served two years of probation. October 10, 1566, he
took his degree of bachelor, and April 25, 1570, that of
master of arts; that of bachelor of divinity, June 24, 1579;
and the degree of doctor of divinity on the 24th of January 1580. In his younger years, he was a great lover
of, and extremely studious in, poetry, philosophy, and
physic. But when he entered into holy orders, and applied himself to the study of divinity, which his genius
chiefly led him to, he became a most solid and constant
preacher, and one of the most accomplished scholars of
his time. The first preferment he had was that of master
of Winchester-school he was then made prebendary of
Winchester, and afterwards warden of the college there.
To this college he did a very important service, about the
year 1584, by preserving the revenues of it when they were
in danger of being swallowed up by a notorious forgery, of
which, however, we have only an obscure account. In
1585, he published his book of “The true difference
betweene Christian Subjection and unchristian Rebellion,
”
and dedicated it to queen Elizabeth a work, which, although it might answer her immediate purpose, was of
fatal tendency to Charles I. few books being more frequently quoted by the mal-contents to justify their resistance to that prince. In 1593, he published a very able
defence of episcopacy, entitled, “The perpetuall Government of Christes Church: wherein are handled, the fatherly superioritie which God first established in the patriarkes for the guiding of his Church, and after continued
in the tribe of Levi and the Prophetes and lastlie confirmed in the New Testament to the apostles and their
successors: as also the points in question at this day,
touching the Jewish Synedrion: the true kingdome of
Christ: the Apostles’ commission: the laie presbyterie:
the distinction of bishops from presbyters, and their succession from the apostles times and hands: the calling and
moderating of provinciall synods by primates and metropolitanes the allotting of dioceses, and the popular electing of such as must feede and watch the flock and divers
other points concerning the pastoral regiment of the house
of God.
” On the 20th of April, 15y6, he was elected v
confirmed June the llth, and the 13th of the same month
consecrated bishop of Worcester and translated in May
following to the bishopric of Winchester, and made a
privy-counsellor. In 1599, he published “The effect of
certaine Sermons touching the full Redemption of Mankind
by the death and bloud of Christ Jesus wherein, besides
the merite of Christ’s suffering, the manner of his offering, the power of his death, the comfort of his crosse, the
glorie of his resurrection, are handled, what paines Christ
suffered in his soule on the crosse together with the
place and purpose of his descent to hel after death
” &c.
Lond. 4to. These sermons being preached at Paul’s Cross
in Lent 1597, by the encouragement of archbishop Whitgift, greatly alarmed most of the Puritans, because they
contradicted some of their tenets, but they are not now
thought consonant to the articles of the church of England. The Puritans, however, uniting their forces, and
making their observations, sent them to Henry Jacob, a
learned puritan, who published them under his own name.
The queen being at Farnham-castle, and, to use the bishop’s words, “taking knowledge of the things questioned
between him and his opponents, directly commanded him
neither to desert the doctrine, nor to let the calling which
he bore in the church of God, to be trampled under foot
by such unquiet refusers of trueth and authoritie.
” Upon
this royal command, he wrote a learned treatise, chiefly
delivered in sermons, which was published in 1604, under
the title of “The survey^of Christ’s sufferings for Man’s
Redemption and of his descent to hades or hel for our
deliverance,
” Lond. fol. He also preached the sermon at
Westminster before king James I. and his queen, at their
coronation on St. James’s day, July 28, 1603, from Rom.
xiii. L. London, 1603, 8vo. In January 1603-4, he was
one of the speakers and managers at the Hampton-Court
conference, in which he spoke much, and, according to
Mr. Fuller, most learnedly, and, in general, was one of
the chief maintainers and supports of the church of England. The care of revising, and putting the last hand to,
the new translation of the English Bible in king James Ist’s
reign, was committed to our author, and to Dr. Miles
Smith, afterwards bishop of Gloucester. His last public
act, recorded in history, was the being one of the delegates that pronounced and signed the sentence of divorce
between Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, and the lady
Frances Howard, in the year 1613 and his son being
knighted soon after upon this very account, as was imagined, the world was so malicious as to give him the title
of sir Nullity Bilson. This learned bishop, after having
gone through many employments, departed this life on
the 18th of June, 1616, and was buried in Westminsterabbey, near the entrance into St. Edmund’s chapel, on the
south side of the monument of king Richard II. His character is represented to the utmost advantage by several
persons. Sir Anthony Weldon calls him “an excellent civilian, and a very great scholler
” Fuller, “a deep and
profound scholar, excellently well read in the fathers
”
Bishop Godwin, “a very grave iman and how great a divine (adds he), if any one knows not, let him consult his
learned writings
” Sir John Harrington, “I find but foure
lines (in bishop Godwin’s book) concerning him and if I
should give him his due, in proportion to the rest, I should
spend foure leaves. Not that I need make him better
known, being one of the most eminent of his ranck, and a
man that carried prelature in his very aspect. His rising
was meerly by his learning, as true prelates should rise.
Sint non modo labe mali sed suspicione carentes, not onely
free from the spot, but from the speech of corruption.
”
He wrote in a more elegant style, and in fuller and betterturned periods, than was usual in the times wherein he lived.
It is related of our prelate, that once, when he was preaching a sermon* at St. Paul’s Cross, a sudden panic, occasioned by the folly or caprice of one of the audience,
seized the multitude there assembled, who thought that
the church was falling on their heads. The good bishop,
who sympathized with the people more from pity than
from fear, after a sufficient pause, reassumed and went
through his sermon with great composure.
the son of Mr. Francis Bingham, a respectable inhabitant of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where our author was born in September, 1668. He learned the first rudiments of grammar
, the writer of several tracts on
theological subjects, and author of that laborious performance, “Origines ecclesiastic, or the Antiquities of the
Christian church,
” was the son of Mr. Francis Bingham, a
respectable inhabitant of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where
our author was born in September, 1668. He learned the
first rudiments of grammar at a school in the same town,
and on the 26th of May 1684, was admitted a member of
University college in Oxford. There he applied with persevering industry to those studies which are generally considered as most laborious. Though he by no means neglected the writers of Greece or Rome, yet he employed
most of his time in studying the writings of the fathers.
How earnestly he devoted himself to these abstruse inquiries, he had an early opportunity of giving an honourable testimony, which will presently be mentioned more
at large. He took the degree of B. A. in 1688, and on the
1st of July 1689 was elected fellow of the above-mentioned college. His election to this fellowship was attended
with some flattering marks of honour and distinction. On
the 23d of June, 1691, he was created M. A. about four
years after which a circumstance occurred which eventually
occasioned him to leave the university. Being called on
to preach before that learned body, he would not let slip
the opportunity it gave him of evincing publicly his intimate acquaintance with the opinions and doctrines of the
fathers, and at the same time of displaying the zeal with
which he was resolved to defend their tenets concerning
the Trinity, in opposition to the attacks of men in much
more conspicuous stations than himself. Having heard
what he conceived to be a very erroneous statement of
that subject delivered by a leading man from the pulpit
at St. Mary’s, he thought it his duty on this occasion to
point out to his hearers what the fathers had asserted to be
the ecclesiastical notion of the term person. In pursuance
of this determination he delivered a very long discourse on
the 28th of October, 1695, from the famous words of the
apostle, “There are three that bear record in heaven,
&c.
” This sermon, though containing nothing more than
an elaborate defence of the term person, in opposition to
the explanation which he had lately heard, drew a heavy
censure on the preacher from the ruling members of the
university, charging him with having asserted doctrines
false, impious, and heretical, contrary to those of the
catholic church. This censure was followed by other charges
in the public prints, viz. those of Arianism, Tritheism and
the heresy of Valentinus Gentilis. These matters ran so
high, that he found himself under the necessity of resigning his fellowship, and of withdrawing from the university the former of which took place on the 23d of November 1695. How wholly unmerited these accusations
were, not only appears from the sermon itself, now in the
possession of the writer of this article, but also from the
whole tenor of his life and writings, constantly shewing
himself in both a zealous defender of what- is called the
orthodox notion of the Trinity. However, that such a censure was passed, is most certain, as well from domestic tradition, as from the mention which is repeatedly made of
it in the manuscript papers of our author but we are assured that no traces thereof are now to be found in the
books of the university.
John Potinger, esq. by Philadelphia, daughter of sir John Erule, bart. chancellor of the exchequer, was born, in 1715, at Melcomb Bingham, in the county of Dorset,
, the sixth son of Richard Bingham, esq. and Philadelphia, daughter and heir of John Potinger, esq. by Philadelphia, daughter of sir John Erule, bart. chancellor of the exchequer, was born, in 1715, at Melcomb Bingham, in the county of Dorset, where that antient and respected family have resided for many centuries.
, in Latin Binius, was born at Randelraidt, in the country of Juliers, and became canon
, in Latin Binius, was born at Randelraidt, in the country of Juliers, and became canon and
professor of divinity at Cologn, where he died in 1641.
He is known, and not much to his credit, as the editor of
a “Collection of the Councils,
” Cologne, Contaminator Conciliorum.
”
, a Scotch divine, was born in the shire of Air, 1627, and educated in the university
, a Scotch divine, was born in the
shire of Air, 1627, and educated in the university of Glasgow, where he took his degrees, and in his nineteenth
year was appointed regent and professor of moral philosophy, and was among the first in Scotland that began to
reform philosophy from the barbarous terms and jargon of
the school-men. As a preacher his talents were extremely
popular, and after he had preached some time as a probationer, he was elected minister of Govan, near Glasgow.
In his ministerial conduct and character few excelled him,
and the sweetness of his temper was such, that all seemed
to know his worth but himself. At last his incessant labours brought on a consumption, which put a period to
his life at Govan, 1654, aged 29. He once had an interview with Cromwell when the latter was in Scotland, and
had appointed a meeting of the presbyterians and independents to dispute before him. Mr. Binning was present
on this occasion, and managed the cause of presbyterianism
with so much skill as to puzzle Cromwell’s independent
ministers. After the dispute, Oliver asked the name of
that “learned and bold young man,
” and being told his
name was Hugh Binning, he said, with a wretched play
on words, “He hath bound well indeed, but,
” clapping his
hand on his sword, “this will loose all again.
” His tracts,
sermons, and commentaries on the epistle to the Romans,
were published separately but they have been since collected into one volume, 4to, and printed at Edinburgh,
1735.
, a Swedish traveller of considerable note, was born in the province of Sudermania, in 1731. After completing
, a Swedish traveller of considerable note, was born in the province of Sudermania, in 1731. After completing his studies at Upsal, he was engaged as tutor in the family of baron de Rndbeck, with whose son he travelled in England, France, Italy, Germany, &c. During his residence at Paris, he applied himself eagerly to the study of the oriental languages, for which he had always had a strong predilection. On his return, Gustavus III. employed him on a voyage to Greece, Syria, and Kgypt, and at the same time appointed him titular professor of the university of Lunden. He departed accordingly in 1776 for Constantinople, where he remained some time to acquire the Turkish language and was afterwards pursuing his journey, when he was seized with the plague, and died at Salonichi, or Salonica, July 12, '1779. His letters, containing an account of his travels, were published in Swedish at Stockholm, 1778, 3 vols. 8vo. They contain many curious particulars respecting medals, manuscripts, scarce books, and some interesting anecdotes of Voltaire, whom he visited, yet he is accused of inaccuracy in many points but it ought to be added, that these letters were not intended for publication.
, a Greek philosopher, who flourished 300 B.C. was born at Borysthenes, a Greek town on the borders of the river
, a Greek philosopher, who flourished 300 B.C.
was born at Borysthenes, a Greek town on the borders of
the river of that name, now the Dneiper. Of his family,
he is said to have given the following account to king Antigonus, who had heard something of his mean birth, and
thinking to embarrass him, demanded his name, his country, his origin, &c. Bion, without being in the least disconcerted, answered, “My father was a freed-man, whose
employment was to sell salt-fish. He had been a Scythian,
born on the banks of the Borysthenes. He got acquainted
with my mother in a place of bad fame, and there the
couple celebrated their hopeful marriage. My father afterwards committed some crime, with the precise nature of
which I am unacquainted; and for this, he, his wife, and
his children, were exposed to sale. I was then a sprightly
boy. An orator purchased me and on his death, bequeathed to me all his effects. I instantly tore his will,
threw it into the fire, and went to Athens, where I applied
to the study of philosophy.
” In this city he first attached
himself to Crates, and became a cynic, and then embraced
the opinions of Theodoras, the atheist, and Theophrastus,
and at last became a philosopher in his own way, without
belonging to any sect. The name of philosopher, however, seems ill applied to him. He uttered, indeed, some
wise and moral sayings, but his general conduct was that
of extreme profligacy. He died at Chalcis, and during his
last illness, is said to have repented of his libertinism, for
which he endeavoured to atone by superstitious observances. He wrote copiously on the subject of morals, and
Stobeus has preserved a few fragments.
, was born in Liesena, an island in Dalmatia, in the Gulf of Venice,
, was born in Liesena, an
island in Dalmatia, in the Gulf of Venice, in 1572, and
was introduced by the celebrated sir Henry Wotton, the
ambassador there, to the notice of king James I. He was
by that prince sent with a secret commission to the duke of
Savoy, and was afterwards made a gentleman of the bedchamber, and received the honour of knigfithodct. His
elegant “History of the Civil Wars betwixt the houses of
York and Lancaster,
” which was written in Italian, and
translated into English by Henry Carey, earl of Monmouth, gained him great reputation. It should be observed that, like other foreign writers of our English story,
he has strangely disfigured the proper names. His history
was first printed at Venice, 1637, 3 vols. 4to, and at Bologna in 1647. The English translation appeared in 1641.
The subsequent troubles in England prevented him from
continuing it as he intended. He also wrote some Italian
romances. He married a sister of sir Theodore Mayerne,
and went from England to the canton of Berne, where he
died in 1644.
ive to nobility, the profession of arms, the ancient customs of chivalry, and the laws of honour. He was born in 1562, of a noble Milanese family, and lived and wrote
, an Italian author of great authority in the science of which he may be said to have been
professor, that which the Italians call Scienza cavalleresca,
which embraces all questions relative to nobility, the profession of arms, the ancient customs of chivalry, and the
laws of honour. He was born in 1562, of a noble Milanese
family, and lived and wrote as late as the year 1637, but
beyond that his history cannot be traced. Being the eldest of six brothers, he assumed, in his writings, the title
of signor Metono and Siciano, two fiefs belonging to his
family in the territory of Pavia. From Crescenzi, a contemporary, and author of a “treatise on the nobility of
Italy,
” we learn that Birago was arbitrator of all chivalrous
disputes in Lombardy and that in all parts of Italy he
was consulted as an oracle, and his opinions were decisive,
being considered as a gentleman who united honourable
spirit with high blood. He wrote several works on the
subject, enumerated by Ginguene“, the principal of which
were collected and published in one vol. 4to, under the
title
” Opere cavalleresche distinte in quattro libri, cioè
in discorsi; consigli, libro I e II e decisioni," Bologna,
1686.
, an engraver on precious stones, was born at Milan, but exercised his art principally in Spain about
, an engraver on precious stones, was born at Milan, but exercised his art principally in Spain about the middle of the sixteenth century. He was the first who discovered a method of engraving on the diamond, which before was thought impenetrable by the graver. The first work he executed of this kind was a portrait of don Carlos the unfortunate son of Philip II. He also engraved, on diamond, the arms of Spain as a seal for that prince.
, a late valuable historical and biographical writer, was born in the parish of St. John’s Clerkenwell, on the 23d of
, a late valuable historical and biographical writer, was born in the parish of St. John’s Clerkenwell, on the 23d of November, 1705. His parents were both of them quakers, and his father, Joseph Birch, was a coffee-mill maker by trade. Mr. Joseph Birch endeavoured to bring up his son Thomas to his own business; but so ardent was the youth’s passion for reading, that he solicited his father to be indulged in his inclination, promising, in that case, to provide for himself. The first school he went to was at Hemel-hempsted in Hertfordshire, kept by John Owen, a rigid quaker, for whom Mr. Birch afterwards officiated, some little while, as an usher, but at present he made very little progress. The next school in which he received his education was taught by one Welby, who lived near Turnbull-street, Clerkenwell, a man who never had above eight or ten scholars at a time, whom he professed to instruct in the Latin tongue in the short space of a year and a half, and had great success with Mr. Birch, who afterwards lived with him as an usher; as he also afterwards was to Mr. Besse, the famous quaker in George’s court near St. John’s lane, who published the posthumous works of Claridge. It is farther said, that he went to Ireland with dean Smedley; but in what year he passed over to that country, and how long he resided with the dean, cannot now be ascertained. In his removals as an usher, he always took care to get into a still better school, and where he might have the greatest opportunity of studying the most valuable books, in which he was indefatigable, and stole many hours from sleep to increase his stock of knowledge. By this unremitting diligence, though he had not the happiness of an university education, he soon became qualified to take holy orders in the church of England; and as his early connections were of a different kind, his being ordained was a matter of no small surprise to his old acquaintance. In 1728, he married the daughter of one Mr. Cox, a clergyman to whom he was afterwards curate and in this union he was singularly happy but his felicity was of a short duration, Mrs. Birch dying in less than twelve months after their marriage. The disorder which carried her off was a consumption accelerated by childbearing, and almost in the very article of her death she wrote to her husband the following letter:
, or Bryckinton, or Brickington, so called from Birchington, in the isle of Thanet, where he was born, was a Benedictine monk, belonging to the church of Canterbury,
, or Bryckinton, or Brickington, so called from Birchington, in the isle of Thanet, where he was born, was a Benedictine monk, belonging to the church of Canterbury, into which order he entered about the year 1382. He wrote a history of the archbishops of Canterbury to the year 1368, which forms the first article in the first volume of Wharton’s Anglia Sacra, who copied it from the ms. in the Lambeth library. Other historical Mss. in the same library are attributed to him, but remain unpublished. He is supposed to have died in 1407.
, an English divine of the seventeenth century, was born in 1S84, and in 1600 became a student in Queen’s college,
, an English divine of the seventeenth century, was born in 1S84, and in 1600 became a
student in Queen’s college, Oxford, where he took his
master’s degree, and obtained a fellowship. In 1607 he
went into holy orders, and acquired much reputation for
his preaching, and among the learned, for his acquaintance with the fathers and schoolmen. In 1616 he was admitted to the reading of the sentences, and the year following became vicar of the church of Gilling, and the
chapel of Forcet, near Richmond, in Yorkshire, where he
increased his popularity by his punctual discharge of the
pastoral office, and by his exemplary life. During the
usurpation he was not ejected from this living, and died
Sept. 1656. His principal work, which was highly valued
by Selden and other learned men, is entitled “The Protestant’s evidence, shewing that for 1500 years next after
Christ, divers guides of God’s church have in sundry
points of religion taught as the church of England now
doth,
” London, 1634, 4to, and in 1657, folio, much enlarged. Some histories ol the church, particularly that of
Milner, seem to be written on this plan.
, an Italian mathematician, was born at Sienna about the end of the fifteenth century, and died
, an Italian mathematician,
was born at Sienna about the end of the fifteenth century,
and died about the middle of the sixteenth. After having
served in the wars under the dukes of Parma and Ferrara,
and the republic of Venice, he employed himself in studying the art of fusing and casting metal for cannon, and
improving the quality of gunpowder. He was the first of
his nation who wrote upon these subjects. The work in
which he laid down his experience and practice, was entitled “Pirotecnia, nella quale si tratta non sole della diversita delle minere, ma anco di quanto si ricerca alia
pratica di esse, e che s’appartienne all‘arte della fusione
o getto de’ metalli,
” Venice,
an honest saddler, who, if some authors may deserve credit, kept also a little ale-house. Our author was born about 1615, and having received some tincture of learning
, a political author in the seventeenth century, was the son of
Richard Birkenhead, of Northwych, in the county of
Cheshire, an honest saddler, who, if some authors may deserve credit, kept also a little ale-house. Our author was
born about 1615, and having received some tincture of
learning in the common grammar-schools, came to Oxford, and was entered in 1632, a servitor of Oriel college,
under the tuition of the learned Dr. Humphrey Lloyd, afterwards bishop of Bangor. Dr. Lloyd recommended him
to Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, as his amanuensis,
and in that capacity he discovered such talents, that the
archbishop, by his diploma, created him A. M. in 1639,
and the year following, by letter commendatory from the
same great prelate, he was chosen probationary fellow of
All-souls college. This preferment brought him to reside
constantly in Oxford, and on king Charles I. making that
city his head-quarters during the civil war, our author was
employed to write a kind of journal in support of the royal
cause, by which he gained great reputation; and his majesty recommended him to be chosen reader in moral philosophy, which employment he enjoyed, though with very
small profit, till 1648, when he was expelled by the parliament visitors. He retired afterwards to London, where
adhering steadily to his principles, he acquired, among
those of his own sentiments, the title of “The Loyal
Poet,
” and suffered, from such as had then the power in
their hands, several imprisonments, which served only to
sharpen his wit, without abating his courage. He published, while he thus lived in obscurity, and, as Wood says,
by his wits, some very tart performances, which were then
very highly relished, and are still admired by the curious.
These were, like his former productions, levelled against
the republican leaders, and were written with the same
vindictive poignancy that was then fashionable. Upon the
restoration of king Charles II. he was created April 6,
1661, on the king’s letters sent for that purpose, D. C. L.
by the university of Oxford and in that quality was o'ne
of the eminent civilians consulted by the convocation on
the question “Whether bishops ought to be present in
capital cases?
” and with the rest, Keb. 2, 1661-2, gave
it under his hand, they ought and might. He was, about
the same time, elected a burgess, to serve in parliament
for Wilton, in the county of Wilts, and continuing his
services to his master, was by him promoted, on the first
vacancy, to some office at court, which he quitted afterwards, and became master in the Faculty office. He was
knighted November 14, 1662, and upon sir Richard Fanshaw’s going with a public character to the court of Madrid, sir John Birkenhead succeeded him as master of requests. He was also elected a member of the royal society, an honour at that time conferred on none who were
not well known in the republic of letters, as men capable
of promoting the truly noble designs of that learned body.
He lived afterwards in credit and esteem with men of wit
and learning, and received various favours from the court,
in consideration of the past, and to instigate him to other
services; which, however, drew upon him some very severe attacks from those who opposed the court. Anthony
Wood has preserved some of their coarsest imputations,
for what reason is not very obvious, as Wood is in general
very partial to the loyalist writers. He died in Westminster, December 4, 1679, and was interred at St. Martin’s in the Fields, leaving to his executors, sir Richard
Mason, and sir Muddiford Bamston, a large and curious
collection of pamphlets on all subjects.
, a modern Latin poet, was born in 1617, near St. Paul’s cathedral, in London, and after
, a modern Latin poet, was born
in 1617, near St. Paul’s cathedral, in London, and after
having been educated under the famous Farnaby, was entered a commoner at Trinity college, Oxford, in 1633;
admitted Scholar there, May 28, 1635, and soon after was
seduced to become a member of the college of Jesuits, at
St. Omer’s. He soon, however, returned to the church
of England, and by the patronage of archbishop Laud,
was elected fellow of All Souls, in 1638, being then bachelor of arts, and esteemed a good philologist. He proceeded in that faculty, was made senior of the act celebrated in 1641, and entered on the law faculty. He kept
his fellowship during the usurpation, but resigned it after
the restoration, when he became registrar of the diocese
of Norwich. This too he resigned in 1684, and resided
first in the Middle Temple, and then in other places, in
a retired condition for many years. The time of his death
is not mentioned but in the title of Trapp’s “Lectures
on Poetry,
” Henry Birkhead, LL. D. some time fellow of
All Souls college, is styled “Founder of the poetical lectures,
” the date of which foundation is Poemata in Elegiaca, lambica, Polymetra, &c. membranatim quadripartite,
” Otium Literarium, sive miscellanea quaedam Poemata,
” 16=6, 8vo.
He also published in 4to, with a preface, some of the philological works of his intimate friend Henry Jacob, who
had the honour of teaching Selden the Hebrew language;
and he wrote several Latin elegies on the loyalists who
Suffered in the cause of Charles I. which are scattered in
various printed books, and many of them subscribed H. G.
, a celebrated Italian scholar of the last century, was born at Florence, Aug. 14, 1674. After finishing his studies,
, a celebrated Italian
scholar of the last century, was born at Florence, Aug. 14,
1674. After finishing his studies, he taught a school,
which produced Bottari, the prelate, and some other
eminent men. The grand duke Cosmo III. having given
him some benefices, he took priest’s orders, and the degree of doctor in the university of Florence, and spent several years in preaching, particularly in the cathedral
church of St. Laurence. The chapter, in 1713, appointed
him keeper of the Mediceo-Laurentian library, and to this
office he was re-elected in 1725, 1729, and 1739, but he
could not, with all his endeavours, prevail on the chapter to
grant it him for life. While here, however, he began a
new course of studies, learned Greek, Hebrew, and other
oriental languages, and applied himself particularly to the
Tuscan here also he found a very useful patron in Nicolas
Panciatichi, a very opulent Florentine nobleman, who received him into his house, where he remained eleven years,
and made him his children’s tutor, his librarian, secretary,
archivist, &c. and amply rewarded him for his services in
all thi’se departments. He was also appointed apostolic
prothonotary, synodal examiner at Florence and Fiesola,
and reviser of cases of conscience in these dioceses. At
length, in 174-1, the grand duke of his own accord made
him royal librarian of the Laurentian library, and in 1745,
gave him a canonry of St. Laurence. In his place as
librarian, he was of essential service to men of letters, and
was engaged in many literary undertakings which were
interrupted by his death, May 4, 1756. He left a very
capital collection of rare editions and manuscripts, which
the grand duke purchased and divided between the Laurentian and Magliabechian libraries. Biscioni during his
life-time was a man of great reputation, and many writers
have spoken highly in his praise. He published very little
that could be called original, his writings consisting principally of the notes, commentaries, prefaces, letters, and
dissertations, with which he enriched the works of others
such as the preface and notes to his edition of the “Prose
di Dante Alighieri e di Gio. Boccaccio,
” Florence, Menzini’s Satires
” his preface and notes on the “Riposo
” of Raphael Borghini,
Florence, Canti Carnascialeschi,
” against a reprint of that
work by the abbé Bracci, entitled “Parere sopra la seconda edizione de' Canti Carnascialeschi e in difesa della
prima edizione,
” &c. Florence,
et of considerable merit, was descended from a respectable family, originally of Worcestershire, and was born in St. John’s street, London, his father’s residence, Sept.
, late head-master of Merchant Taylors’ school, and a poet of considerable merit, was descended from a respectable family, originally of Worcestershire, and was born in St. John’s street, London, his father’s residence, Sept. 21, O. S. 1731. He was tender and delicate in his constitution, yet gave early indications of uncommon capacity and application, as appears from his having been called, when only nine years old, to construe the Greek Testament for a lad of fourteen, the son of an opulent neighbour. With this promising stock of knowledge, he was sent to Merchant Taylors’ school, June 1743, when between eleven and twelve years of age, and soon evinced a superiority over his fellows which attracted the notice and approbation of his masters. He read with avidity, and composed with success. His first essays, however imperfect, shewed great natural abilities, and an original vein of wit. History and poetry first divided his attention, but the last predominated. He not only acquired that knowledge of the Latin and Greek classics, which is usually obtained in a public seminary, but also became intimately acquainted with the best authors in our own language and some of his writings prove that he had perused Milton, Dryden, Pope, and Swift, at an early age, with much discrimination and critical judgment. In June 1750, he was elected to St. John’s college, Oxford, and admitted a scholar of that society, on the 25th of the same month. During his residence here, he not only corrected his taste by reading with judgment, but also improved his powers by habitual practice in composition. Besides several poetical pieces, with which he supplied his friends, he wrote a great number of college exercis.es, hymns, paraphrases of scripture, translations from the ancients, and imitations of the moderns.
car apostolical in England, and the first popish bishop that was sent thither after the reformation, was born in 1553, at Brayles in Warwickshire. He studied in the
, vicar apostolical in England, and
the first popish bishop that was sent thither after the reformation, was born in 1553, at Brayles in Warwickshire.
He studied in the university of Oxford; Wood thinks,
either in Gloucester-hall (now Worcester college), or in
Lincoln college, the heads of both which were secret favourers of popery from Oxford he went to Rheims and
Rome, and having been sent back to England, as a missionary, he was arrested at Dover, and confined in prison
in London until the end of the year 1584. Being then released, he went to Paris, took his degree of licentiate, and
came again to England in 1591. In two years he returned
to Paris, completed his degree of doctor, and soon after
his arrival in England, a dispute arising among the popish
clergy here, he was sent to Rome with another missionary
to appeal to the pope. In 1612 we find him again in England, and in confinement, on account of the oath of allegiance, to which, however, he was not so averse as many
of his brethren. He had, in fact, written against the bull
of pope Pius V. to prove that the catholics were bound to
be faithful to their sovereigns, and in 1602 he had signed
a declaration of the same principle, without any equivocacation or mental reservation, which gave great offence to
the Jesuits. Out of respect, however, to the authority of
the pope, who had proscribed that oath, he refused to take
it, and was committed to prison. On his release he went
to Paris, and wrote some tracts against those eminent protestant divines, Perkins and Abbot. Since the death of
Watson, bishop of Lincoln, the last of the popish bishops
who outlived the reformation, it had often been intended
to re-establish the episcopal government in England; and
the marriage of the prince Charles, afterwards Charles I.
with the Infanta of Spain, seemed to offer a fair opportunity for carrying this scheme into execution, the hopes of
the catholics being considerably raised by that match. Accordingly, Dr. Bishop was consecrated at Paris, in 1623,
by the title of bishop of Chalcedon, and being sent to England, began his career by forming a chapter, appointing
grand vicars, archdeacons, and rural deans, &c. but did
not enjoy his promotion long, as he died April 16, 1624.
His party speak liberally of his zeal, virtues, and learning,
and he undoubtedly was the more useful to their cause in
England, as he contrived to exercise his functions without giving much offence to government. Dodd and Wood
have given a list of his controversial writings, which are
now in little request, but it must not be forgot that he was
the publisher of Pits’ s very useful work, “De illustribus
Anglic Scriptoribus,
”
, an ingenious physician, was born at Glenalbert, near Dunkeld in Perthshire, Scotland, in
, an ingenious physician, was born
at Glenalbert, near Dunkeld in Perthshire, Scotland, in
1717. After a course of medical studies at Edinburgh, he
was appointed in 1740, second surgeon to the military hospital in Jamaica, and spent several years in the West India
islands, and in admiral Yemen’s fleet, where he acquired
a knowledge of the diseases of the torrid zone. Having
in 1745, contracted a bad state of health at New Greenwich in Jamaica, he was under the necessity of resigning
his place of second surgeon to the hospital, and returning
to England. In May 1746, he purchased an ensigncy in
the forty-second regiment, commanded by lord John Murray; and by this transition, his attention being turned from
medical pursuits to military affairs, fortification became his
favourite study. After a fruitless descent on the coast of
Brittany in France in September 1746, and passing a winter at Limerick in Ireland, they were, in the beginning of
the next campaign, brought into action at Sandberg, near
Hulst in Dutch Flanders, where one Dutch regiment and
two English suffered very much. Here, having drawn a
sketch of the enemy’s approaches, with the environs, and
some time after, a pretty correct one of Bergen-op-Zoom,
with the permanent lines, the environs, and the enemy’s
first parallel, which were presented by lord John Murray
to his royal highness the late duke of Cumberland, his
highness ordered Mr. Bisset to attend the siege of that
fortress, and give due attention daily to the progress of
the attack, and to the defence, in order to take accurate
journals of them. These journals, illustrated with plans,
were delivered daily to lord John Murray, who forwarded
them to the duke, by whose application to the duke of
Montague, then master of the ordnance, Mr. Bisset received a warrant as engineer extraordinary in the brigade
of engineers which was established to serve in the Low
Countries during the war and he was also promoted to a
lieutenancy in the army. The brigade of engineers being
re-formed at the end of the war, and he being at the same
time put upon the half-pay list as lieutenant, he continued
to employ great part of his time in the study of fortification and in 1751, after visiting France, published his
work “On the Theory and Construction of Fortifications,
”
8vo, and some time after, being unemployed, he resumed
the medical profession to which he had been originally
destined, and retired to the village of Skelton, in Cleveland, Yorkshire, where, or in the vicinity, he ever after
continued,
, a French poet and miscellaneous writer, was born at Konigsberg, Nov. 24, 1732, of a family of French refugees,
, a French poet and miscellaneous writer, was born at Konigsberg, Nov. 24, 1732, of
a family of French refugees, of the protestant religion.
After completing his education, he became a clergyman of
that communion, and appears to have formed his taste for
oratory and poetry from a frequent perusal of the Bible,
the style of the historical part of which he much admired.
He was a no less warm admirer of Homer. Although a
Prussian by birth, he was a Frenchman at heart, and having
accustomed himself to the language of his family, he felt a
strong desire to reside in what he considered as properly
his native country, conceiving at the same time that the
best way to procure his naturalization would be through
the medium of literary merit. As early as 1762, he published at Berlin a translation of the Iliad, which he called a
free translation, and was in fact an abridgment and this
served to introduce him to D'Alembert, who recommended
him so strongly to the king, Frederick II. that he was admitted into the Berlin academy, received a pension, and
afterwards visited France in order to complete his translation of Homer. A first edition had been printed in 1764,
2 vols. 8vo, but the most complete did not appear until
1780, and was followed by the Odyssey in 1785. Such
was the reputation of both among his countrymen, that
the academy of inscriptions admitted his name on their list
of foreign members. Modern French critics, however,
have distinguished more correctly between the beauties
and defects of this translation. They allow him to have
been more successful in his “Joseph,
” a poem published
first in Joseph
” was followed by “Les
Bataves,
” a poem of which some detached parts had appeared in 1773, under the title of “Guillaume de Nassau,
”
Amsterdam. This was reprinted in Herman and
Dorothea
” of Goethe, and comparing that author with
Homer, whose works, from this opinion, we should suppose he had studied to very little purpose. Some time
before his death, which happened Nov. 22, 1808, he was
admitted a member of the legion of honour. His other
works were 1. “Examen de la Confession de Foi du Vicaire Savoyard,
” De l'influence cles Belles-lettres sur la Philosophic,
” Berlin, Eloge de Corneille,
”
, one of the most eminent chemical philosophers of the last century, was born in France, on the banks of the Garonne, in 1728. His father,
, one of the most eminent chemical philosophers of the last century, was born in France, on the banks of the Garonne, in 1728. His father, Mr. John Black, was a native of Belfast, in Ireland, but of a Scotch family, which had been some time settled there. Mr. Black resided most commonly at Bourdeaux, where he carried on the wine trade. He married a daughter of Mr. Robert Gordon of the family of Halhead, in Aberdeenshire, who was also engaged in the same trade at Bourdeaux. Mr. Black was a gentleman of the most amiable manners, candid and liberal in his sentiments, and of no common information. He enjoyed the particular intimacy and friendship of the celebrated president Montesquieu, who most likely acquired his knowledge of the constitution of Britain, for which he was known to have a strong partiality, from the information communicated by Mr. Black. Long before Mr. Black retired from business, his son Joseph was sent to Belfast, that he might have the education of a British subject. He was then twelve years of age, and six years after, in the year 1746, he was sent to continue his education in the university of Glasgow. Being required by his father to make choice of a profession, he preferred that of medicine, as most suited to the general bent of his studies.
, an eminent English divine, was born in London, 1654, and educated at Catherine-hail, Cambridge.
, an eminent English
divine, was born in London, 1654, and educated at Catherine-hail, Cambridge. In 1690, he was inducted into
the living of South Okenden, Essex, and four years afterwards to the rectory of St. Mary Aldermary, London and
was successively chosen lecturer of St. Olave’s, and of St.
Dunstan’s in the West. He was likewise appointed chaplain to king William. He preached before the house of
commons Jan. 30, 1699, and in his sermon animadverted
on Mr. Toland for his asserting in his life of Milton, that
Charles I. was not the author of “Icon Basilike,
” and for
some insinuations against the authenticity' of the holy
scriptures which drew him into a controversy with
that author. In 1700, he preached a course of sermons at
Boyle’s lecture, in the cathedral church of St. Paul, which
were afterwards published. In 1707, he was consecrated
to the bishopric of Exeter. Burnet, having mentioned
him and sir William Dawes as raised to bishoprics, tells
us, “that these divines were in themselves men of value
and worth; but their notions were all on the other side.
They had submitted to the government but they, at least
Blackall, seemed to condemn the revolution, and all that
had been done pursuant to it.
” And it is asserted in an
anonymous pamphlet, published in 1705, that he had refused for two years to take the oath of allegiance to king
William. But what contributed most to his fame in his
life- time was a controversy he had with Mr. (afterwards bishop) Hoadly, which was occasioned by his sermon upon
Rom. xiii. 3, 4, entitled, “The Divine Institution of
Magistracy, and the gracious design of its institution,
”
preached before the queen at St. James’s on Tuesday,
March 8, 1708, being the anniversary of her majesty’s
happy accession to the throne, and published by her majesty’s special command. The next year, 1709, Mr.
Hoadly animadverted upon the bishop’s sermon, in a piece,
entitled “Some Considerations humbly offered to the right
reverend the lord bishop of Exeter, occasioned by his lordship’s sermon before her majesty, March 8, 1708.
” Upon
this the bishop published “An Answer to Mr. Hoadly’s Letter,
” dated from Bath, May the 10th, 1709. Mr. Hoadly endeavoured to vindicate himself, in “An humble Reply to the
right reverend the lord bishop of Exeter’s answer; in which
the Considerations offered to his lordship are vindicated,
and an apology is added for defending the foundation of
the present government,
” London, 1709, in 8vo. In this
controversy, bishop Blackall defends the High-church,
Tory, principles (as they usually are called), of the divine
institution of magistracy, and unlimited passive obedience
and non-resistance; which Mr. Hoadly opposes. There
were several pamphlets written on the side of the bishop
against Mr. Hoadly particularly one, entitled, “The best
Answer that ever was made, and to which no answer will
be made
” supposed to be wi'itten by Mr. Lesley, a nonjuring clergyman, and which Mr. Hoadly animadverts upon
in the postscript to his humble reply. The wits in the
Tatler engaged in this controversy on the side of Hoadly,
and with an illiberality not usual in the writers of that paper.
He died at Exeter, Nov. 29, 1716, and was interred in
the cathedral there. Archbp. Dawes, who had a long and
intimate friendship with him, declares, that in his whole
conversation he never met with a more perfect pattern of a
true Christian life, in all its parts, than in him: so much
primitive simplicity and integrity; such constant evenness of mind, and uniform conduct of behaviour; such unaffected and yet most ardent piety towards God such orthodox and steadfast faith in Christ such disinterested and
fervent charity to all mankind such profound modesty,
humility, and sobriety such an equal mixture of meekness
and courage, of cheerfulness and gravity such an exact
discharge of all relative duties and in one word, such an
indifferency to this lower world and the things of it and
such an entire affection and joyous hope and expectation
of things above. He says also, that his “manner of
preaching was so excellent, easy, clear, judicious, substantial, pious, affecting, and upon all accounts truly useful and edifying, that he universally acquired the reputation of being one of the best preachers of his time.
” Felton, in his Classics, commends him as an excellent writer.
M. de la Roche, in his memoirs of literature, tells us, that
our prelate was one of those English divines, who, when
they undertake to treat a subject, dive into the bottom of
it, and exhaust the matter. His works were published by
archbishop Dawes, in 2 vols. fol. 1723, consisting of Practical discourses on our Saviour’s Sermon on the mount, and
on the Lord’s Prayer, together with his sermons preached
at Boyle’s lecture, with several others upon particular occasions.
, a learned English divine of the last century, was born in 1683, and educated at Trinity college, Cambridge, where
, a learned English divine of
the last century, was born in 1683, and educated at Trinity
college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A.
Whether he had any promotion in the church is not certain; but soon after the revolution, he refused to take the
oaths, and consequently excluded himself from advancing
in the church. From that time he lived a very exemplary
and studious life, endeavouring to be useful to mankind,
both as a scholar and divine. To preserve his independence, he became corrector of the press to Bowyer, the
celebrated printer, and was one of the most accurate of
his profession. The edition of lord Bacon’s works in 1740
was superintended by him; and he was also editor of the
castrations of Holinshed’s Chronicle, and of Bale’s
“Chrouycle concernynge syr Johan Oldecastell.
” A
handsome compliment is paid him in Maittaire’s Lives of the
Paris printers, 1717; and again in his “Miscellanea aliquot 8criptorum carmina,
” Dear friend, we leave the sees open, that the gentlemen who now unjustly possess them, upon the restoration,
may, if they please, return to their duty and be continued.
We content ourselves with full episcopal power as suffragans.
” Mr, Blackbourne died Nov. 17, 1741, and his library was sold by auction in February 1742. He was
buried in Islington church-yard, with an epitaph, which
may be seen in our authority.
, an eminent surveyor and architect, was born in the borough of Southwark, on the 20th of December, 1750.
, an eminent surveyor and
architect, was born in the borough of Southwark, on the
20th of December, 1750. His father was a respectable
tradesman in St. John’s parish, and his mother was a native
of Spain. The whole of his grammatical education was
derived from a common seminary in the neighbourhood;
and at a proper age he was placed under a surveyor of no
eminence, but from whom he derived very few advantages
in the knowledge of his profession. However, from the
natural bent of an ardent mind, he sought the acquaintance of men of genius, several of whom belonged to the
Jioyal Academy. Into that academy he was admitted as a
student; and in 1773 he was presented with the medal for
the best drawing of the inside of St. Stephen’s church in
Walbrook. This prize he bore away from many competitors and, at the delivery of it, received a high compliment to his abilities from the late sir Joshua Reynolds, the
president. About the same time he entered into business
for himself in Southwark, and carried it on for some
years with increasing success among his private connections, when an event occurred which brought him into
public notice and reputation. An act of parliament had
passed in 1779, declaring, that “if any offenders convicted of crimes for which transportation had been usually
inflicted, were ordered to solitary imprisonment, accompanied by well regulated labour and religious instruction,
it might be the means, under providence, not only of deterring others from the commission of the like crimes, but
also of reforming the individuals, and enuring them to the
habits of industry.
” By this act his majesty was authorised
to appoint three persons to be supervisors of the buildings
to be erected; and the supervisors were to fix upon any
common, heath, or waste, or any other piece of ground,
in Middlesex, Essex, Kent, or Surrey, on which should
be erected two plain strong edifices, to be called “Penitentiary Houses
” one for the confinement and employment of six hundred males, the other of three hundred females. In the same year in which the act was passed,
three supervisors were appointed to carry it into execution.
These were John Howard, esq George Whatley, esq. and
Dr. John Fothergill. This commission however was dissolved, first by the death of Dr. Fothergill, and soon after
that event by the resignation of Mr. Howard, who found it
not in his power to coalesce with his remaining colleague.
Another set of supervisors was therefore appointed in 1781,
being sir Gilbert Elliot, bart. sir Charles Bunbury, bart.
and Thomas Bowdler, esq. One of the principal objects
with these gentlemen was to provide that they should be
constructed in the manner most conducive to the ends of
solitary confinement, useful labour, and moral reformation.
Accordingly, the supervisors proposed premiums for the
best plans that should be produced of the penitentiary
houses intended to be erected. The highest premium was
a hundred guineas, which xvas unanimously assigned to Mr.
Blackburn, in the month of March 1782. This preference,
as a pecuniary consideration, was a matter of little
consequence. The grand advantage that was to be expected
from it, with regard to Mr. Blackburn, was, that he should
be employed as the architect and surveyor of the buildings
proposed. And in fact he was appointed by the supervisors to that office and the plan of a penitentiary house
for male offenders was accordingly arranged by him, and
proper draughts were made for the use of the workmen;
and a great part of the work was actually contracted for by
different persons. Yet the designs of government were
not carried into execution the circumstances of the times
having diverted the attention of public men from this important object nor has it ever since been resumed. Nevertheless, though Mr. Blackburn might in this respect be
disappointed of his just expectations, he did not lose his
reward, nor was the nation deprived of the benefit arising
from his ingenuity. A spirit of erecting prisons in conformity to his plans was immediately excited and many
county gaols, and other structures of the same nature,
were built under his inspection. Besides the completion
of several prisons, Mr. Blackburn was engaged in other
designs of a similar nature, when he was arrested by the
hand of death, in the fortieth year of his age. He departed this life on the 28th day of October, 1790, at Preston in Lancashire, being on a journey to Scotland, whither
he was going at the instance of his grace the duke of Buccleugh, and the lord provost of Glasgow, with a view to
the erection of a new gaol in that city. From Preston his
remains were removed to London, and interred in the
burying-ground of Bunhill-fields.
, the celebrated author of the “Confessional,” was born at Richmond in Yorkshire, June 9, 1705. At the age of seventeen
, the celebrated author of
the “Confessional,
” was born at Richmond in Yorkshire,
June 9, 1705. At the age of seventeen he was admitted
pensioner of Catherine-hall, Cambridge, where his peculiar notions on civil and religious liberty rendered him obnoxious to his superiors, and occasioned the loss of a fellowship for which he was a candidate. In 1739, he was
ordained by Dr. Gooch, bishop of Norwich, at Ely chapel,
Holborn, and in a short time afterwards was inducted into
the rectory of Richmond in Yorkshire, where he resided
constantly for forty years, during which he composed all
the pieces contained in the late edition of his works, besides a multitude of smaller ones. His first appearance as
an author was on the following occasion. In 1749, the
rev. John Jones, vicar of Alconbury, near Huntingdon,
published his “Free and candid disquisitions relating to
the Church of England,
” containing many observations on
the supposed defects and improprieties in the liturgical
forms of faith and worship of the established church. As
Mr. Blackburne corresponded with this gentleman, who
had submitted the work to his perusal in manuscript, and
as there were many of his opinions in which Mr. Blackburne
coincided, it was not unnatural to suppose that he had a
hand in the publication. This, however, Mr. Blackburne
solemnly denied, and his biographer has assigned the probable reason. “The truth,
” says he, “is, Mr. Blackburne, whatever desire he might have to forward the work
of ecclesiastical reformation, could not possibly conform
his style to the milky phraseology of the ‘ Disquisitions,’
nor could he be content to have his sentiments mollified
by the gentle qualifications of Mr. Jones’s lenient pen. He
was rather (perhaps too much) inclined to look upon those
who had in their hands the means and the power of reforming
the errors, defects, and abuses, in the government, forms
of worship, faith and discipline, of the established church,
as guilty of a criminal negligence, from which they should
have been roused by sharp and spirited expostulations. He
thought it became disquisitors, with a cause in hand of
such high importance to the influence of vital Christianity,
rather to have boldly forced the utmost resentment of the
class of men to which they addressed their work, than, by
meanly truckling to their arrogance, to derive upon themselves their ridicule and contempt, which all the world
saw was the case of these gentle suggesters, and all the
return they had for the civility of their application.
” Animated by this spirit, which we are far from thinking candid or expedient, Mr. Blackburne published “An Apology,
” for the “Free and candid disquisitions,
” to which,
whatever might be its superior boldness to the “milky
phraseology
” of Mr. Jones, he yet did not venture to put
his name nor, although he was suspected to be the author,
did he meet with any of that “arrogance,
” which is attributed to those who declined adopting Mr. Jones’s scheme
of church-reformation. On the contrary, in July, 1750,
he was collated to the archdeaconry of Cleveland, and in
August following to the prebend of Bilton, by Dr. Matthew Hutton, archbishop of York, to whom he had been
for some years titular chaplain and when his friends intimated their suspicions that he would write no more “Apologies
” for such books as “Free and candid Diquisitions,
” he answered, “with a cool indifference,
” that he
had made no bargain with the archbishop for his liberty.
His next publication, accordingly, was an attack on Dr.
Butler bishop of Durham’s charge to his clergy in 1751,
which, in Mr. Blackburne’s opinion, contained some doctrines diametrically opposite to the principles on which the
protestant reformation was founded. This appeared in
1752, under the title of “A Serious Enquiry into the use
and importance of external religion, &c.
” but was not
generally known to be his, until Mr. Baron, an enthusiast
in controversies, republished it with Mr. Blackburne’s
name, in his collection, entitled “The Pillars of Priestcraft and Orthodoxy shaken.
”
, a very extraordinary poet, was born in 1721, at Annan in the county of Dumfries, in Scotland.
, a very extraordinary poet, was born in 1721, at Annan in the county of Dumfries, in Scotland. His parents were natives of Cumberland, of the lower order, but industrious and well-informed. Before he was six months old he lost his sight by the small-pox, and therefore, as to all purposes of memory or imagination, may be said never to have enjoyed that blessing. His father and friends endeavoured to lessen the calamity by reading to him those books which might convey the instruction suitable to infancy, and as he advanced, they proceeded to others which he appeared to relish and remember, particularly the works of Spenser, Milton, Prior, Pope, and Addison. And such was the kindness which his helpless situation and gentle temper excited, that he was seldom without some companion who carried on this singular course of education, until he had even acquired some knowledge of the Latin tongue. It is probable that he remembered much of all that was read to him, but his mind began very early to make a choice. He first discovered a predilection for English poetry, and then, at the age of twelve, endeavoured to imitate it in various attempts, one of which is preserved in his works, but rather with a view to mark the commencement than the perfection of his talent.
, knight, and LL. D. an illustrious English lawyer, was born July 10, 1723, in Cheapside, in the parish of St. Mich
, knight, and LL. D. an illustrious English lawyer, was born July 10, 1723, in Cheapside, in the parish of St. Michael-le-Querne, at the house of his father, Mr. Charles Blackstone, a silkman, and citizen and bowyer of London, who was the third son of Mr. John Blackstone, an eminent apothecary, in Newgate-street, descended from a family of that name in the west of England, at or near Salisbury. His mother was Mary, eldest daughter of Lovelace Bigg, esq. of Chilton Foliot, in Wiltshire. He was the youngest of four children, of whom, John died an infant, Charles, the eldest, and Henry, the third, were educated at Winchester-school, under the care of their uncle Dr. Bigg, warden of that society, and were afterwards both fellows of New college, Oxford. Charles became a fellow of Winchester, and rector of Wimering, in Hampshire; and Henry, after having practised physic for some years, went into holy orders, and died in 1778, rector of Adderbury, in Oxfordshire, a living in the gift of New-college. Their father died some months before the birth of the subject of this article, and their mother died before he was twelve years old. from his birth, the care both of his education and fortune was kindly undertaken by his maternal uncle, Mr. Thomas Bigg, an eminent surgeon in London, and afterwards, on the death of his eldest brothers, owner of the Chilton estate, which, if we mistake not, is still enjoyed by that family. The affectionate care of this uncle, in giving all his nephews a liberal education, supplied the great loss they had so early sustained, and compensated, in a great degree, for their want of more ample fortunes, and it was always remembered by them with the sincerest gratitude. In 1730, being about seven years of age, he was put to school at the Charter-house, and in 1735 was, by the nomination of sir Robert Walpole, on the recommendation of Charles Wither, of Hall, in Hampshire, esq, his cousin by the mother’s side, admitted upon the foundation.
, an ingenious and very learned writer of the last century, was born August 4, 1701, in the city of Aberdeen. His father, the
, an ingenious and very learned
writer of the last century, was born August 4, 1701, in the
city of Aberdeen. His father, the rev. Mr. Thomas Blackwell, was minister of Paisley in Renfrewshire, from whence
he was removed in 1700 to be one of the ministers of
Aberdeen. He was afterwards elected professor of divinity
in the Marischal college of that city, and in 1717 was presented by his majesty to be principal of the college, in
both which offices he continued until his death in 1728.
His mother’s name was Johnston, of a good family near
Glasgow, and sister to Dr. Johnston, who was many years
professor of medicine in the university of Glasgow. Our
author received his grammatical education at the grammarschool of Aberdeen, studied Greek and philosophy in the
Marischal college there, and took the degree of master of
arts in 1718; which, as he was at that time only seventeen years of age, must be regarded as a considerable testimony of his early proficiency in literature. A farther
proof of it was his being presented, on the 28th of November 1723, by his majesty king George the First, to
the professorship of Greek, in the college in which he had
been educated. He was admitted into this office on the
13th of December in the same year; and after that continued to teach the Greek language with great applause.
His knowledge of that language was accurate and extensive, and his manner of communicating it perspicuous and
engaging. He had a dignity of address which commanded
the attention of the students, a steadiness in exacting the
prescribed exercises which enforced application, and an
enthusiasm for the beauties of the ancients, and utility of
classical learning, which excited an ardour of study, and
contributed much to diffuse a spirit for Grecian erudition
far superior to what had taken place before he was called
to the professorship. Together with his lessons in the
Greek tongue, he gave, likewise, lessons on some of the
Latin classics, chiefly with a view to infuse a relish for
their beauties. To his zeal and diligence in discharging
the duties of his station, it is probable that the world was,
in part, indebted for such men as Campbell, Gerard, Reid,
Beattie, Duncan, and the Fordyces, who have appeared
with so much eminence in the republic of letters. When
the celebrated Dr. Berkeley was engaged in the scheme
of establishing an American university in the Summer
Islands, Mr. Blackwell was in treaty with him for going
out as one of his young professors; but the negociation
did not take effect. In 1735 was published at London, in
octavo, without the name of the bookseller, and without
his own name, our author’s “Enquiry into the Life and
Writings of Homer
” a work, the great ingenuity and
learning of which will be acknowledged by all who have
perused it. It was embellished with plates, designed by
Gravelot, and executed by different engravers. This we
apprehend to be the most esteemed, and it is, in our
opinion, the most valuable, of Mr. Blackwell’s performances. The second edition appeared in 1736; and, not
long after, he published “Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer’s Life and Writings, translated into English being a
key to the Enquiry with a curious frontispiece.
” This
was a translation of the numerous Greek, Latin, Spanish,
Italian and French notes which had been subjoined to the
original work. In 1748, came out, in London, “Letters
concerning Mythology,
” in a large octavo, but without
the bookseller (Andrew Millar’s) name. On the 7th of
October, in the same year, our author was appointed by
his late majesty, George II. to be principal of the Marischal college in Aberdeen, and was admitted to the office on the 9th of November following. He continued,
also, professor of Greek till his death. He is the only
layman ever appointed principal of that college, since the
patronage came to the crown, by the forfeiture of the
Marischal family in 1716 all the other principals having
been ministers of the established church of Scotland.
When Robert and Andrew Foulis, printers at Glasgow, intended to publish an edition of Plato, Mr. Blackwell proposed to furnish them with several critical notes for it,
together with an account of Plato’s Life and Philosophy
but the printers not acceding to the terms which he demanded for this assistance, he promised, by a Latin advertisement in 1751, himself to give an edition of Plato.
His design, however, was not carried into execution nor
did it appear, from any thing found among his papers after his death, that he had made any considerable progress
in the undertaking. On the 3d of March, 1752, he took
the degree of doctor of Laws. In the following year, appeared the first volume of his “Memoirs of the Court of
Augustus,
” in 4to. The second volume came out in Enquiry into the Life of Homer
” was not
free from it it was still more discernible in his “Letters
concerning Mythology
” and was most of all apparent in
his “Memoirs of the Court of Augustus.
” We perceive
in his various productions a mixture of pedantry but it is
not the sober dull pedantry of the merely recluse scholar.
In Dr. Blackwell it assumes a higher form. Together with
the display of his erudition, he is ambitious of talking like
a man who is not a little acquainted with the world. He
is often speaking of life and action, of men and manners; and aims at writing with the freedom and politeness
of one who has been much conversant with the public. But;
in this he is unsuccessful: for though he was not destitute
of genius or fancy, and had a high relish for the beauties
of the ancient authors, he never attained that simplicity of
taste, which leads to true ease and elegance in composition. It is probable, also, that, like many others at
that time, he might be seduced by an injudicious imitation
of lord Shaftesbury; a writer, whose faults have been
found more easily attainable than his excellences.
, a learned English writer of the church of Rome, in the beginning of the seventeenth century, was born in the county of Middlesex, and admitted a scholar of Trinity
, a learned English writer of
the church of Rome, in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, was born in the county of Middlesex, and admitted a scholar of Trinity college in Oxford at seventeen years of age, May 27, 1562, probationer in 1565,
being then bachelor of arts, perpetual fellow the year following, and master of arts in 1567. But being more inclined to the Roman catholic than the Protestant religion,
he left his fellowship, and retired to Gloucester hall, where
he continued for some time, and was highly esteemed by
Edmund Rainolds and Thomas Allen, two learned seniors
of that hall. He afterwards went beyond sea, and spent
some time in one of the English seminaries newly erected
to receive the exiled English catholics andwas at last in
1598, with the permission of pope Clement VIII. constituted by Henry cardinal Cajetan, protector of the English
nation at Rome, and superior of the English clergy, with
the authority and name of Archpriest of England, and was
appointed by that pope notary of the apostolic see. This
affair being resented by the English catholic clergy, especially as they imagined that our author was absolutely under the influence of Henry Garnet, provincial of the Jesuits
of England, it occasioned a warm contest between them in
England. The Jesuits wrote and spoke against the secular
priests in so virulent a manner, as to detract very much
from BlackwelPs authority who upon this degraded them
of their faculties, so that when they afterwards appealed
to the pope, he caused them to be declared in a book
schismatics and heretics. They vindicated themselves
from this charge, and procured the censure“of the university of Paris in their favour; which was answered by our
author. He also declared his abhorrence of the Powder
Plot in 1605, and wrote two letters to dissuade the Roman
catholics from all violent practices against the king and
government. He held the office of archpriest till 1607,
when he was succeeded by George Birket. The reason of
this change was, because our author having been seized at
London June 24 the same year, he was committed to prison, and consequently deprived of the liberty required to
act in his office. He was released soon after upon his
taking the oath of allegiance. An account of this aft'air
was published at London, 1607, in 4to, entitled
” The
examination of George Blackwell, upon occasion of his
answering a letter sent by cardinal Bellarmine, who blamed
him for taking the oath of allegiance." He died suddenly
January 12, 1612-3, and was buried, as Mr. Wood supposes, in some church in London. He was esteemed by
those of his own persuasion, and by others likewise, a man
of great learning and piety, and a good preacher.
, professor of civil law at Poictiers, was born at Dumfermling, in Scotland, in 1539, descended of an ancient
, professor of civil law at Poictiers, was born at Dumfermling, in Scotland, in 1539,
descended of an ancient family. He was left an orphan in
the tenth year of his age, and was sent by his uncle, the
bishop of Orkney, to the university of Paris. On his
uncle’s death, by which he seems to have lost the means of
being able to remain at Paris, he returned to Scotland,
but finding no encouragement there, he went again to
Paris, where, by the liberality of Mary, queen of Scotland, he was enabled to pursue his studies in philosophy,
mathematics, and the oriental languages. He then went
to the university of Tholouse, where he studied civil law
for two years and having obtained the patronage of Beaton, archbishop of Glasgow, he was chosen by the parliament of Poictiers one of their counsellors, and afterwards
professor of civil law. He died in 1623, and was interred
at Poictiers in St. Porcharius church, near his brother
George. As a writer, he was chiefly known for his vindication of his royal mistress, when put to death by queen
Elizabeth, written with all that bitterness of resentment
which is natural for a man of spirit to feel, who, by an act
of flagrant injustice, was deprived of his mistress and his
sovereign, his friend and his benefactress. He addresses
himself, in a vehement strain of passion, to all the princes
of Europe, to avenge her death; declaring, that they are
unworthy of royalty, if they are not roused on so interesting and pressing an occasion. He laboured hard to prove
that Henry VIII.' s marriage with Anne Bolen was incestuous a calumny too gross to merit a formal refutation.
This work was entitled “Martyre de Maria Stuart Reyne
d'Escosse,
” Antwerp, Adversus G. Buchanani Dialogum de Jure Ilegni apud
Scotos, pro regibus apologia,
” Pict. De
Vinculo Religionis et Imperii,
” Paris, Sanctarum precationum prsemia,
” a manual of devotions,
Pict. Varii generis poemata,
” ibid. Jacobi I. Magnse Britanniae inauguratio,
” Paris,
, another brother of the preceding, was born probably about 1526, at Dumfermling in Fifeshire, and educated
, another brother of the preceding, was born probably about 1526, at Dumfermling
in Fifeshire, and educated at St. Andrew’s. He was also
sent by his uncle, the bishop of Orkney, to Paris, where
in 1551, he taught philosophy. He afterwards applied
himself to the study of physic, became a member of the
college of physicians, and was finally honoured with the
dignity of clean of the faculty, a place of considerable importance in the college of Paris. He was also appointed
physician to the duke de Longueville, with a salary of 20O
pistoles. During the plague at Paris, he had the resolute
humanity to continue in that city, much to his own honour,
and the consolation of the people. He is supposed to have
died in 16 J 3, or 1614. He wrote several medical and philosophical treatises, of which we only know of two that
were printed 1. “Hippocratis quaedam cum Mss. collata,
” Paris, 1625, and 2. “Questio Medica, an visceribus nutritiis aestuantibus aquarum metal licarum potus salubris
” ibid. 4to. He had a son of both his names, likewise a physician of eminence, of whom Moreri gives a
short account.
, an eminent printer, and publisher of geographical maps and charts, was born at Amsterdam in 1571, and died there in 1638. He was the
, an eminent printer, and publisher
of geographical maps and charts, was born at Amsterdam
in 1571, and died there in 1638. He was the scholar and
friend of Tycho-Brahe, and applied himself, besides his
particular art, to the study of geography and astronomy.
When he had formed the design of his celebrated “Atlas,
”
he gave liberal prices to the most experienced geographers
and draughtsmen for original maps, which he procured to
be engraved with great care, and all the elegance which
the state of the arts in his time could admit. Eager, however, as he was to render this work perfect, as he was
obliged to trust to the incomplete and dubious relations of
travellers, the work is now valued chierly as a beautiful
specimen of engraving, and bears a considerable price,
especially when coloured. It was entitled the “Grand
Atlas geographique,
” or “Theatrum Mundi
” and including the celestial and hydrographical maps, forms 14 vols.
fol. 1663 67, very little of it having been published in his
life-time, but. the whole completed by his sons. He published also, “Instruction astronomique de l'usage des
globes et sphere celestes et terrestres,
” Amst. Theatrum urbium
et munimentorum,
” was another collection of views and
maps in much esteem. These and other designs were pursued and completed by his sons John and Cornelius, and,
the latter dying young, chiefly by John, who was also the
printer of a great many classics, which yield in beauty
only to the Elzevirs. Among the geographical works of
John Blaeu, are, 1. “Novum ac magnum theatrum civitatum totius Belgiae,
” Civitates et
admirandae Italiae,
” Theatrum Sabaudise et Pedemontii,
” Theatre de
Piemont e de la Savoie,
” by James Bernard, Hague, Erythraei Pinacotheca,
” a work to which we have sometimes referred,
was published with Cologne in the title page, instead of
Amsterdam, and Jodocus Kalcovius, instead of John Blavius, or Blaeu.
, who flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries, was the son of John Blagrave, of Bulmarsh, esq. and was born at Reading, but in what year is not known. He acquired
, an eminent mathematician, who
flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries, was the son of
John Blagrave, of Bulmarsh, esq. and was born at Reading, but in what year is not known. He acquired the rudiments of his education at Reading, whence he removed
to St. John’s college, Oxford, but soon quitted the university, and retired to Southcote Lodge at Reading, where
he devoted his time to study and contemplation. His
genius seemed to be turned most to mathematics; and that
he might study this science without interruption, he devoted himself to a retired life. He employed himself
chiefly in compiling such works as might render speculative mathematics accurate, and the practical parts easy.
He accordingly finished some learned and useful works, in
all which he proposed to render those sciences more universally understood. He endeavoured to shew the usefulness of such studies, that they were not mere amusements
for scholars and speculative persons, but of general advantage, and absolutely indispensable in many of the necessaries and conveniences of life with this view he published
the four following works: 1. “A Mathematical Jewel,
shewing the making and most excellent use of an instrument so called: the use of which jewel is so abundant, that
it leadeth the direct path-way through the whole art of
astronomy, cosmography, geography,
” &c. Of the making and use of the Familiar Staff, so called
for that it may be made useful and familiarly to walk with,
as for that it performeth the geometrical mensuration of all
altitudes,
” Astrolabium uranicum generale a necessary and pleasant solace and recreation for
navigators in their long journeying containing the use of
an instrument, or astrolabe,
” &c. The
art of Dialling, in two parts.
”
Blagrave was a man of great beneficence in private life. As he was born in the town of Reading, and had spent most of his time
Blagrave was a man of great beneficence in private life.
As he was born in the town of Reading, and had spent
most of his time there, he was therefore desirous of leaving
in that place some monuments of his beneficent disposition and such too as might have reference to each of the
three parishes of Reading. He accordingly bequeathed a
legacy for this purpose, of which we have an account by
Ashmole, in the following words: “You are to note, that
he doth devise that each church-warden should send on
Good-Friday one virtuous maid that has lived five years
with her master: all three maids appear at the town-hall
before the mayor and aldermen, and cast dice. She that
throws most has 10l. put in a purse, and she is to be attended with the other two that lost the throw. The next
year come again the two maids, and one more added to
them. He orders in his will that each maid should have
three throws before she loses it; and if she has no luck in
the three years, he orders that still new faces may come
and be presented. On the same Good-Friday he gives
eighty widows money to attend, and orders 10s. for a good
sermon, and so he wishes well to all his countrymen. It
is lucky money, for I never heard but the maid that had
the lOl. suddenly had a good husband.
” Blagrave died at
his own house near Reading, August 9, 1611, and lies
interred near his mother in the church of St. Lawrence;
with a fine monument to his memory, and an inscription;
the following account of which is given by Mr. Ashmole,
and remains still nearly correct. On the north against the
wall is a noble monument, representing a man under an
arch to the middle, holding one hand on a globe, the other
on a quadrant. He is habited in a short cloak,- a cassock,
and a ruff, surrounded with books on each side of him.
On one side is the figure of a woman to the breasts, naked,
holding an instrument in her hand, as offering it to him,
and under her feet the word Cubus. On the other side
is another woman, somewhat naked, though with a scarf
thrown closely round her, and offering in like manner;
under her feet, Τετραεδρον. On the top are two women
leaning on their arms, inscribed Οκταεδρον, Αδοδεκαεδρον. In the middle, a person armed, cap-a-pee, but
now almost defaced, entitled Εικοσεδρον. And under
the first figure mentioned, an inscription, in an oval:
celebrating his virtues in homely rhimes.
, probably a relation of the preceding, was born in the parish of St. Giles, Reading, in 1610, and was a
, probably a relation of the preceding, was born in the parish of St. Giles, Reading, in
1610, and was a great enthusiast in astrological studies.
He published “An introduction to Astrology,
” An account of
all the Drugs that were sold in the druggists and apothecaries shops, with their dangers and connexions.
” To this
book is subjoined “A new tract of Chirurgery,
” 8vo. He
was also author of “The Astrological practise of Physick,
discovering the true method of curing all kinds of diseases,
by such herbs and plants as grow in our nation,
” 8vo.
In the Biographia Britannica, is an account of a manuscript which had been seen by Dr. Campbell, the author
of that article, and had been bought at the sale of the library of an eminent physician near Covent-garden. In
the first leaf it was said to be written by Mr. J. Blagrave,
and was dedicated to Mr. B. (Backhouse) of Swallowfield.
It appeared, from some mention of the royal society, and
its members, to have been written in 1669, or 1670. The
title was, “A remonstrance in favour of Ancient Learning
against the proud pretensions of the moderns, more especially in respect to the doctrine of the Stars.
” From
the distribution of the several heads, and the extracts from
them, it seems to be the work of an ingenious writer; one
far superior to Joseph Blagrave in style and composition;
and might, possibly, as Mr. Coates conjectures, be an unpublished work of Mr. John Blagrave, the mathematician,
by whose will he inherited an estate in Swallowfield, yet
we know not how to reconcile this with the dates respecting the royal society, which certainly did not exist in the
mathematician’s time. This Joseph Blagrave died in
1679.
, D.D. an eminent divine of the church of Scotland, was born at Edinburgh, April 7, 1718. His father, John Blair, a
, D.D. an eminent divine of the church
of Scotland, was born at Edinburgh, April 7, 1718. His
father, John Blair, a respectable merchant in that city,
was a descendant of the ancient family of Blair, in Ayrshire, and grandson of the famous Mr. Robert Blair, minister of St. Andrew’s, chaplain to Charles I. and one of
the most zealous and distinguished clergymen of the peilod in which he lived. Of the two sons who survived him,
David, the eldest, was a clergyman of eminence in Edinburgh, and father to Mr. Robert Blair, minister of Athelstanford, the author of the well-known poem entitled
“The Grave.
” From his youngest son, Hugh, who engaged in business as a merchant, and had the honour to
fill a high station in the magistracy of Edinburgh, the object of the present memoir descended.
was born and bred in Scotland, and ordained and beneficed in the
was born and bred in Scotland, and ordained and beneficed in the episcopal church there but meeting with some discouragements under an unsettled state of affairs, and having a prospect of discharging his ministerial function more usefully elsewhere, he quitted his preferments, and came into England near the end of Charles the Second’s reign. It was not long before he was taken notice of by Compton, bishop of London, who prevailed with him to go as missionary to Virginia, about 1685 where, by exemplary conduct, and unwearied labours in the work of the ministry, he did good service to religion, and gained to himself a good report amongst all: so that bishop Compton being well apprised of his worth, made choice of him, about 1689, as his commissary for Virginia, the highest office in the church there; which, however, did not take him off from his pastoral care, but only rendered him the more shining example of it to the rest of the clergy.
, a monk of the order of St. Benedict, was born in the county of Fife, in Scotland, in the reign of king
, a monk of the order of St. Benedict,
was born in the county of Fife, in Scotland, in the reign
of king Alexander III. and educated with the celebrated
sir William Wallace, at the school of Dundee. He then
went over to France, where he studied for some time in
the university of Paris, and became a monk of the order
of St. Benedict. On his return to Scotland, he found his
country in great confusion, owing to the death of Alexander III. without issue, and the contests of various competitors for the throne. At first, therefore, he retired to
the house of the Benedictines at Dumfermline but when,
sir William Wallace was made governor or viceroy of the
kingdom in 1294, Blair became his chaplain, and being
by this means an eye-witness of most of his actions, he
composed the history of his life in Latin verse. Of this a,
fragment only is left, which was copied by sir James BaU
four out of the Cottonian library, and published in 1705,
by sir Robert Sibbald, the celebrated botanist. It appears to have been written in 1327 and what remains is
translated in Hume’s “History of the Douglasses.
” Blair,
the exact period of whose death is uncertain, is sometimes
called John, and sometimes Arnold, which latter name he
is said to have adopted when he retired into his monastery,
and which is also used by sir Robert Sibbald in his “Relationes quaedam Arnoldi Blair monachi de Dumfermelem
et Capellani D. Willelmi Wallas Militis. Cum Comment.
”
Edinb.
land. It is recorded also that he wrote some poems. His grandson, the object of the present article, was born in the year 1699, and after the usual preparatory studies,
, a Scotch divine and poet, was the
eldest son of the rev. David Blair, one of the ministers
of Edinburgh, and chaplain to the king. His grandfather
was the rev. Robert Blair, sometime minister of the gospel
at Bangor, in Ireland, and afterward at St. Andrew’s, in
Scotland. Of this gentleman, some “Memoirs,
” partly
taken from his manuscript diaries, were published at Edinburgh, in 1754. He was celebrated for his piety, and by
those of his persuasion, for his inflexible adherence to
presbyterianism, in opposition to the endeavours made in
his time to establish episcopacy in Scotland. It is recorded
also that he wrote some poems. His grandson, the object
of the present article, was born in the year 1699, and
after the usual preparatory studies, was ordained minister
of Athelstaneford, in the county of East Lothian, where
he resided until his death, Feb. 4, 1747. The late right
hon. Robert Blair, president of the court of session in.
Scotland, who died in 1811, was one of his sons, and the
late celebrated Dr. Hugh Blair, professor of rhetoric and
belles-lettres, was his cousin.
, a celebrated English admiral, was born August 1599, at Bridgewater, in Somersetshire, where he
, a celebrated English admiral, was born August 1599, at Bridgewater, in Somersetshire, where he was educated at the grammar-school. He went from, thence to Oxford, and was entered at St. Alban’s hall, but removed to Wadham college, and in 1617 took the degree of B. A. In 1623 he wrote a copy of verses on the death of Camden, and soon after left the university. He was tinctured pretty early with republican principles and disliking that severity with which Laud, then bishop of Bath and Wells, pressed uniformity in his diocese, he began to fall into the puritanical opinions. The natural bluntness and sincerity of his disposition led him to speak freely upon all occasions, insomuch that, his sentiments being generally known, the puritan party got him elected member for Bridgewater in 1640. When the civil war broke out, he declared for the parliament. In 1643 he was at Bristol, under the command of col. Fiennes, who intrusted him with a little fort on the line and, when prince Rupert attacked Bristol, and the governor had agreed to surrender it upon, articles, Blake nevertheless for some time held out his fort, and killed several of the king’s forces: which exasperated prince Rupert to such a degree, that he talked of hanging him, had not some friends interposed, and excused him on account of his want of experience in war. He served afterwards in Somersetshire, under the command of Popham, governor of Lyme; and, being much beloved in those parts, he had such good intelligence there, that in conjunction with sir Robert Pye, he surprised Taunton for the parliament. In 1644 he was appointed governor of this place, w; ich was of the utmost importance, being the only garrison the parliament had in the west. The works about it were not strong, nor was the garrison numerous; yet, by his strict discipline, and kind behaviour to the townsmen, he found means to keep the place, though not properly furnished with supplies, and sometimes besieged, and even blocked up by the king’s forces. At length Goring made a breach, and actually took part of the town; while Blake still held out the other part and the castle, till relief came. For this service the parliament ordered the garrison a bounty of 2000l. and the governor a present of 500l. When the parliament had voted that no farther addresses should be made to the king, Blake joined in an address from the borough of Taunton, expressing their gratefulness for this step taken by the house of commons. However, when the king came to be tried, Blake disapproved of that measure, as illegal; and was frequently heard to say, he would as freely venture his life to save the king’s, as ever he did to serve the parliament. But this is thought to have been chiefly owing to the humanity of his temper; since after the death of the king he entered into all the measures of the republican party, and, next to Cromwell, was the ablest officer the parliament had.
, an English puritan divine, was born in Staffordshire in 1597, and in 1616 was entered of Christ
, an English puritan divine, was born
in Staffordshire in 1597, and in 1616 was entered of Christ
Church, Oxford, where he took his degrees, and went
into the church. In 1648 he sided with the ruling party,
subscribed the covenant, and became pastor of St. Alcmond’s in Shrewsbury, and afterwards of Tamworth in
Staffordshire, where he was also one of the committee for
the ejection of those who were accounted “ignorant and
scandalous ministers and schoolmasters.
” He died in
June, 1657, and was buried in Tamworth church, after a
funeral sermon preached by the famous Mr. Anthony Burgess, of Sutton Colfield.
, a classical editor, was born at Leyden, of a noble family, Dec. 11, 1625, and was educated
, a classical editor, was born at Leyden, of a noble family, Dec.
11, 1625, and was educated under Boxhorn and Golius.
He had scarcely arrived at his twentieth year, when he
was invited to become professor of history at Steinfurth.
This he resigned in 1650 for the chair of history and antiquities at Middleburgh,but this school falling into decay,
Blancard removed to Heeren-veen in Friseland, where he
practised physic. In November 1669, he was appointed
Greek professor at Franeker. At these different places he
published, 1. an edition of “Quintus Curtius,
” with notes,
Leyden, Florus,
” with his own added to
the Variorum,“ibid. 1650, 8vo; Franeker, 1690, 4-to. 3.
” Arrian’s Alexander,“not in much estimation, Amsterdam, 1668, 8vo. 4.
” Arriani Tactica, Periplus, de Venatione Epicteti Enchiridion,“&c. Amst. 1683, 8vo.
5.
” Harpoerationis Lexicon,'“' Leyden, 1683, 4to. 6.
” Ptiilippi CypriiChronicon ecclesiae Grseciae,“Franc.1679,
4to, the first edition, which Blancard copied from a manuscript brought from Constantinople, and translated it
into Latin. 7.
” Thomoe Magistri dictionum Atticarum.
eclogae,“Fran. 1690, 8vo, reprinted 1698, with notes by
Lambert Bos. In the fine edition of Thomas-published by
Bernard in 1757, this text of Blancard is adopted as well
as Bos’s notes. In Burmann’s
” Sylloge," are three letters of Blancard’s. He had begun to prepare an edition of
Thucydides, but owing to his age and infirmities was
obliged, about the year 1690, to give up his literary labours. He died May 15, 1703.
, an eminent painter, called the French Titian, was born at Paris in 1600. He learned the rudiments of his profession
, an eminent painter, called the French Titian, was born at Paris in 1600. He learned the rudiments of his profession under his uncle Nicholas Bellori, but left him at twen'y years of age with an intention to travel to Italy. He stopped at Lyons in his way thither, where he staid for son e time; and during his residence here reaped both profit and amusement. He passed onto Rome, where he continued about two years. From thence he went to Venice, where he was so much pleased with the works of Titian, Tintoret, and Paul Veronese, that he resolved to follow their manner; and in this he succeeded so far, that at his return to Paris he soon got into high employment being generally esteemed for the novelty, beauty, and force of his pencil. He painted two galleries at Paris, one belonging to the first president, Perrault, and the other to monsieur de Bullion, superintendant of the finances. But his capital pieces are those in the church of Notre Dame, St. Andrew kneeling before the cross, and the Holy Ghost descending. Blanchard was in a likely way of making his fortune; but a fever and an imposthume in the lungs carried him off in his thirty-eighth year. Of all the French painters Blanchard was esteemed the best colourist, having studied this branch with great care in the Venetian school. There are few grand compositions of his; but what he has left of this kind shew him to have had great genius. He was mostly taken up with Madonnas, half-lengths, which prevented his employing himself in subjects of greater extent.
, a French abbé of considerable talents and amiable character, was born at Angerville, near Chartres, Jan. 26, 1707, of poor parents,
, a French abbé of considerable
talents and amiable character, was born at Angerville,
near Chartres, Jan. 26, 1707, of poor parents, who were,
however, enabled to give him an education, to complete
which he came to Paris. In 1724 he entered among the
Jesuits as a noviciate, but did not remain long among
them: yet he was highly esteemed by his masters, and
preserved the friendship of the eminent Jesuits Brumoy,
Bougeant, and Castel. He then employed himself in
education, and taught, with much reputation, rhetoric and
the classics in two provincial colleges, until the weak state
of his health obliged him to restrict his labours to the office of private tutor, an office which he rescued from the
contempt into which it had fallen, by taking equal care of
the morals and learning of his pupils, all of whom did him,
credit in both respects. Being a lover of independence,
he resigned his canonry in the cathedral of Boulogne, and
when appointed one of the interpreters of the king’s library, the same scruples induced him to decline it, until
M.Bignon assured him that the place was given him as the
reward of his merit, and required no sacrifices. Soon after
he was appointed censor, but upon condition that he should
have nothing to censure, and he accordingly accepted the
title, but refused the salary and his friends, having thus
far overcome his repugnance to offices of this description,
procured him the farther appointment of keeper of the
books in the king’s cabinet at Versailles. Yet this courtly
situation was not at all to his mind, and he resigned in
order to go and live in obscurity at St. Germain-en- laye,
where he died Jan. 29, 1781, at about eighty. His disposition was amiable in society, where, however, he seldom appeared; but he became gloomy and melancholy in
the solitude to which he condemned himself. Premature
infirmities had considerably altered his temper. He was
oppressed with vapours, from which he suffered alone, and
by which he was afraid of making others suffer. It was
this that made him seek retirement. “Such as I am,
” said
he, “I must bear with myself; but are o.hers obliged to
bear with me I really think, if I had not the support and
consolations of religion, I should lose my senses.
” By
nature disinterested, he constantly refused favours and
benefits, and it was with great difficulty he could be made
to accept of any thing. The advancement of his friends,
however, was not so indifferent to him as his own; and he
was delighted when they were promoted to any lucrative
or useful place. Living in this retired manner, he was
scarcely known to the public till after his death. Of his
writing are the “Varietes morales et amusantes,
” Apologues et contes orientaux,
” I am.
delighted that the rich adopt my children.
” These he
would lend to his friends on the most solemn promises to
return them without copying, or suffering them to be
copied, and would often be extremely anxious if they were
not retunted within the time specified, when he immediately consigned them to the flames. One of his poems,
however, appears to have escaped this fate, an ode on the
existence of God, which was published in 1784, with his
“Vues sur Teducation d'un prince,
” 12mo. Dusaulx,
his relation, wrote an amusing life of the abbé, which is
prefixed to the “Apologues.
”
arkable both for her knowledge of the Hebrew language, and for a peculiar skilfulness in writing it, was born about the time of the restoration, and was daughter and
, a lady remarkable both for her knowledge of the Hebrew language, and for a peculiar skilfulness in writing it, was born about the time of the restoration, and was daughter and heir of Mr. Robert Fisher of Long-acre. April 26, 1681, she married Mr. Nathanael Bland (then a linen-draper in London, afterwards lord of the manor of Beeston in Yorkshire), by whom she had six children, who all died in their infancy, excepting one son named Joseph, and a daughter called Martha, who was married to Mr. George Moore of Beeston. She was instructed in the Hebrew language by the lord Van Helmont, which she understood to such a degree of perfection, that she taught it to her son and daughter.
, a man who acquired some fame in the sixteenth century by the shallow pretence of free inquiry, was born in the marquisate of Saluzzo in Italy. He appears to have
, a man who acquired some
fame in the sixteenth century by the shallow pretence of
free inquiry, was born in the marquisate of Saluzzo in
Italy. He appears to have studied medicine, and for some
time practised with reputation, but the various opinions
which arose out of the reformation from popery in the beginning of the sixteenth century, having excited his curiosity in no common degree, he determined to try them
all, and began with abandoning the principles of popery in
which he had been educated, for those of Luther, which
he quitted soon after for those of Calvin. Not satisfied
with this, he wished to retrace more ancient opinions, embraced those of Arius, then inclined to the doctrines of
Paul of Samosata, and finally struck out of his creed all
belief in the incarnation and the Trinity, maintaining that
Jesus Christ was a mere man, and no more deserving of
religious worship than any other man. Stocked with these
notions, as well as with his professional knowledge, he had
the ambition to propagate the one and practise the other
in Germany, Poland, and Transylvania. In Polandhe
became physician to the queen of Sigismund Augustus, and
having insinuated himself into the good graces of that
prince, began to communicate to him his religious opinions,
and after some time returned to Italy, where the freedom
he took in divulging these occasioned his being shut up in
the prison of the inquisition at Pavia. Having, however,
contrived to make his escape, he went to Geneva, and
became a warm admirer of the opinions of Servetus, who
had recently been put to death for oppugning the doctrine
of the Trinity. On this, Calvin, after having in vain endeavoured to reclaim him by conference and correspondence, gave him up to justice, which Blandrata escaped by
making profession of Calvinism, to which he adhered long
enough to reach Poland, where the imposition was detected. At this time, John Sigismund, prince of
Trausylvania, appointed him his physician and being a man of
skill he found means to insinuate his principles in the families which employed him. In 1566, at Alba Julia, in the
presence of the court, he held a public conference against
the Lutherans, which lasted ten days, and ended in bringing over the prince and the nobles of Transylvania to unitarianism. An account of this conference was printed in
1568, 4to, entitled “Brevis enarratio disputationis Albanæ de Deo trino et Christo duplici.
” On the death of
Sigismund, he came a third time into Poland, and was
appointed physician and counsellor to king Stephen Battori; but as he found this monarch unfriendly to his religious tenets, he withdrew himself from the unitarians, for
which he was severely censured by Socinus, who hoped
to have found him an able assistant, and had invited him
to Poland with that view. This was the last of his many
changes of opinion; for soon after, a nephew whom he had
threatened to disinherit, on account of his attachment to
popery, put him to death in a violent quarrel, which perhaps he had provoked for the purpose. This appears to
have taken place some time between 1585 and 1592.
He gave so little satisfaction to any party, that all considered
his death as a judgment on his apostacy. Blandrata’s works
are in Sandius’s Anti-Trinitarian library.
, a German writer of some note, was born at Colberg in Pomerania, Jan. 24, 1744, and entered into
, a German writer of some note, was born at Colberg in Pomerania, Jan. 24, 1744, and entered into the Prussian service
at the age of fourteen, where he distinguished himself
during the seven years war. After having been in the army
for twenty-one years, the bad state of his health obliged
him to solicit his discharge, which was granted him with
the rank of captain, and from that time he took up his resi-.
dence at Leipsic, devoting his time to literary studies and
pursuits. He was a man of good taste, as well as judgment, and had a very great memory. His original works
were, 1. “An essay on Romance,
” Leipsic, A supplement to Sulzer’s Universal Theory of the
Fine Arts,
” On the German language and literature,
”
printed in Adelung’s Magazine for
, a painter of great abilities, was born at Alkmaar in 1628, and received his earliest instruction
, a painter of great abilities, was born at Alkmaar in 1628, and received his earliest instruction from Arent Tierling but afterwards he was successively the disciple of Peter Scheyenburg and Caesar Van Everdingen. When he had spent some years with those masters, he went to Rome, where, during his continuance in that city, he carefully copied the works of the best masters, and was admitted into the society of Flemish painters called Bentvogels, who gave him the name of Jan Maat (which in Dutch signifies mate or companion), and by that name he is most generally known. His subjects were landscapes, with views of rivers or sea-shores, havens or ports, which he executed with a light free pencil; and in the representation of storms and calms (as nature was always his model) he described those subjects with great truth, exactness, and neatness of handling. The pictures of this master which are most commended are the Italian sea-ports, with vessels lying before them. He possessed a lively imagination; nor was his hand less expeditious than his thoughts; and the connoisseurs agreed in opinion, that if he had bestowed more labour on his pictures than he usually did, so as to finish them more highly, he would certainly have destroyed a great deal of their spirit, force, and effect. His most capital performance is a view of the sea-shore, with the waves retiring at ebb tide; which is described by Houbraken as being wonderfully beautiful and natural. He died in 1670.
, a painter of history and landscape, was born at Bovine, near Dinant, in 1480. He acquired his skill
, a painter of history and landscape, was born at Bovine, near Dinant, in 1480. He acquired his skill in the art merely by the strength of his natural genius, assisted by a diligent study and observation of the works of Patenier, without having any other instructor: and at last rendered himself very eminent, particularly by his landscapes. His best performances were bought up by the emperor Rodolph, and they are still preserved at Vienna. His style of composition in historical subjects resembled the style of the Flemish artists of that age, and exhibited a great number of figures finished with extreme neatness. But he crowded several subjects into one design; as in his picture of the disciples at Emmaus, he represented not only that incident, but in different groupes disposed in the back ground, he represented likewise the different parts of the passion of our Saviour. And yet, notwithstanding the impropriety of that manner of composing, his pictures were so delicately pencilled and finished, and his landscapes in particular so agreeably invented, so full of variety, and well executed, that even in Italy his works were in great request, and were distinguished there by the appellation of the owl-pictures for he fixed an owl, as his peculiar mark, in every picture he painted by which the works of this master are always indisputably known. He died in 1550.
, was born at Rennes, Eeb. 25, 1696, and entered early into the congregation
, was born at Rennes, Eeb. 25, 1696, and entered early
into the congregation of the oratory, where he was a distinguished professor. The order against wigs, which seems
to have raised very serious scruples, occasioned his quitting
it; but he retained the friendship and esteem of his former
brethren. He then went to Paris, where his talents procured him the professorship of eloquence in the collegeroyal, and a place in the academy of belles lettres. He
published several works, which have been well received by
the public 1. “The Life of the Emperor Julian,
” Paris,
The
History of the Emperor Jovian,
” with translations of some
works of the emperor Julian, Paris, 1748, 2 vols. 12mo, a
book no less valuable than the former, by the art with
which the author has selected, arranged and established
facts, and by the free and varied turns of the translator.
This was abridged by Mr. Duncombe in the “Select
Works of the Emperor Julian,
” To Tacitus,
”
said he, “I am much indebted I ought therefore in justice to dedicate to his glory the remainder of my life.
”
4. “Tiberius, or the six first books of the Annals of Tacitus, translated into French,
” Paris,
, an eminent naturalist, and a Jew hy birth, was born at Anspech, in 1723, of very poor parents. He began to
, an eminent naturalist, and
a Jew hy birth, was born at Anspech, in 1723, of very
poor parents. He began to study very late at the age of
nineteen, he knew neither German or Latin, and had read
only some of the writings of the Rabbis, notwithstanding
which, he was employed as a tutor in the family of a Jew
surgeon at Hamburgh. There he himself was taught
German, and a poor Bohemian Catholic gave him some
instructions in Latin; he picked up also some knowledge
of anatomy. Afterwards he made rapid progress in regaining lost time, and having removed to live with some
relations he had at Berlin, he applied himself with eagerness and success to the study of anatomy and natural history, and received a doctor’s degree at Francfort on the
Oder, with which he returned to practise as a physician
at Berlin. Here the celebrated naturalist Martini procured
him to be elected a member of the society of the “Curious
in nature,
” and he soon became highly distinguished
among the scientific men of his time. He died Aug. 6,
1799, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His principal
work was his “Natural history of Fishes, particularly those
of the Prussian states,
” four parts, Berlin, Natural history of
foreign Fishes,
” Berlin, The natural history
of German Fishes,
” Ichthyology, or the natural history of
Fishes,
” Berlin, Treatise on the generation of worms in the
intestines, and on the method of destroying them,
” which
gained the prize offered by the royal society of Denmark,
and was printed at Berlin, 1782, 4to, and a “Treatise on
the waters of Pyrmont,
” both in German, Hamburgh,
, bishop of Ripen, in Denmark, who was born in 1717, and died in 1773, cultivated the science of botany,
, bishop of Ripen,
in Denmark, who was born in 1717, and died in 1773,
cultivated the science of botany, particularly with a view
to illustrate those passages of Scripture in which plants,
&c. are mentioned. In 1767, he published at Copenhagen “Tentamen Phoenicologices sacra, seu dissertatio
emblematico-theologica de Palma,
” 8vo, a work containing
many curious remarks on the palm or date-tree of Palestine and Idumea, which was called the phosnix by the
Greeks and most of the eastern nations. It often occurs
in the Bible, and the learned author has collected and explained the several passages. This species of palm is the
phoenix dactylifera of modern botanists. A third author of
the same name, John Erasmus Block, a Danish gardener,
published at Copenhagen a treatise on the art of cultivating gardens, under the title “Horticultura Danica,
”
, a female artist, on whose singular talents Descamps has bestowed a long article, was born at Amsterdam, Nov. 17, 1650. Her genius first showed itself
, a female artist, on whose singular talents Descamps has bestowed a long article, was born at Amsterdam, Nov. 17, 1650. Her genius first showed itself in wax models of fruit, &c. beautifully coloured she then engraved with diamond on crystal and glass, ftodVopied paintings in coloured silks, but at last devoted her whole time to cutting paper, in which she excelled. Whatever others produced in a print by a graver, she effected by a pair of scissars. In this way she executed all kinds of subjects landscapes, sea-pieces, animals, flowers, &c. and even portraits, in which the resemblance was preserved in a striking degree. This new art of expressing representations of objects upon white paper became the object of universal curiosity, and the artist was encouraged by all the courts of Europe. The elector Palatine offered her a thousand florins (about an hundred guineas) for three little pieces, which she refused. The empress of Germany gave her orders for a trophy with the arms of the emperor Leopold I. In this piece were crowns supported by eagles, and round the borders garlands of flowers, and other ornaments relative to the subject, for which she received four thousand florins. She also cut the portrait of the emperor, which in Descamps’ time was preserved in the emperor’s cabinet at Vienna. Her works were all in a correct and beautiful style. She died Dec. 28, 1715.
, painter of landscape, cattle, history, and portrait, was born at Gorcum in. 1564, according to Houbraken but according
, painter of landscape, cattle, history, and portrait, was born at Gorcum in. 1564, according to Houbraken but according to Sandrart, whose authority seems to claim the preference, he' was born in 1567, and lived mostly at Utrecht. In his youth he applied himself diligently to design after the works of Francis Floris, and afterwards received instructions from several artists of no great repute; but the power of his own genius proved his principal director in the art of painting. He formed a manner peculiar to himself, making nature his model for many of the objects he painted, particularly his cattle, in which he excelled. He died in 1647. He left four sons, two of them, Henry and Adrian, were artists of considerable merit, but inferior to the youngest, the subject of the following article.
, the youngest son of Abraham, was born in 1603, at Utrecht. The first principles of drawing and
, the youngest son of Abraham, was born in 1603, at Utrecht. The first principles
of drawing and painting he learned from his father but
his natural inclination for the 'art of engraving was so
powerful, that he applied himself wholly to the pursuit of
it. He first studied under Crispin de Pass, an engraver
much more famous for the neatness than the good taste of
his works. Not satisfied with what he learned from this
artist, he went to Rome, in order to profit by studying the
works of the greatest masters and in that city (where the far greater part of his engravings were made) he died in a
very advanced age. “The manner of engraving adopted
by this excellent artist, appears to me (says Mr. Strutt) to
be not only quite original, but the source from which we
may trace that style in which the greatest and best French
masters excelled; those, I mean, who worked with the
graver only. He covered the lights upon his distances,
and the other parts of his piates whicn required tinting,
with great care. The lights, whether on the distant hills,
trees, buildings, or figures, in the engravings prior to his
time, had been left quite clear, and by so many white
spots scattered in various parts of the same design, the
harmony was destroyed, the subject confused, and the
principal figures prevented from relieving with any striking
effect. By this judicious improvement, Bloemart gave to
his prints a more clear and finished appearance than all
the laboured neatness even of Jerome Wierix had been
able to produce. He drew correctly but from his style
of engraving, which was executed entirely with the graver,
the extremities of his figures are heavy, and his heads are
not always equally beautiful or expressive. With respect
to the mechanical part of the work, few indeed have excelled him, either in clearness or freedom of execution.
His great fault, however, is want of variety. The naked
parts of his figures, the ch-aperies, and the back-ground,
are equally neat, and engraved precisely in the same manner. Hence the effect is flat and the flesh, for want of
sufficient distinction, appears cold and silvery. His works
are justly held in high estimation. They are very numerous, and many of them difficult to be procured.
”
, a protestant minister, celebrated for his knowledge in ecclesiastical and civil history, was born at Chalons in Champagne, 1591. He was admitted minister
, a protestant minister, celebrated for his knowledge in ecclesiastical and civil
history, was born at Chalons in Champagne, 1591. He
was admitted minister at a synod of the isle of France in
1614. A few years afterwards he began to write in
defence of protestantism, for in 1619 he published a treatise
entitled “Modeste declaration de la sincerite et verite des
Eglises Reformees de France.
” This was an answer to several of the catholic writers, especially to the bishop of
Lucon, so well known afterwards under the title of cardinal Richelieu. From this time he was considered as a
person of great hopes. He was secretary more than twenty
times in the synods of the isle of France, and was deputed
four times successively to the national synods. That of
Castres employed him to write in defence of the Protestants. The national synod of Charenton appointed him
honorary professor in 1645, with a handsome salary, which
had never been granted to any professor before. He wrote
several pieces; but what gained him most favour amongst
the Protestants are, his “Explications on the Eucharist
”
his work entitled “De la primaute d'Eglise
” his “Treatise of the Sybils
” and his piece “De episcopis et presbyteris.
” Some of his party, however, were dissatisfied
with him for engaging in disputes relating to civil history;
and particularly offended at the book he published to
shew that what is related about pope Joan is a ridiculous
fable.
, a celebrated French mathematician and military engineer, was born at Ribemond in Picardy, in 1617. While he was yet but young,
, a celebrated French mathematician and military engineer, was born at Ribemond in Picardy, in 1617. While he was yet but young, he was
chosen regius professor of mathematics and architecture
at Paris. Not long after, he was appointed governor to
Lewis-Henry de Lomenix, count de Brienne, whom he
accompanied in his travels from 1652 to 1655, of which
he published an account. He enjoyed many honourable
employments, both in the navy and army; and was entrusted with the management of several negociations with
foreign princes. He arrived at the dignity of marshal de
camp, and counsellor of state, and had the honour to be
appointed mathematical preceptor to the Dauphin. He
was a member of the royal academy of sciences, director
of the academy of architecture, and lecturer to the royal
college in all which he supported his character with dignity and applause. Blondel was no less versed in the
knowledge of the belles lettres than in the mathematical
sciences, as appears by the comparison he published between Pindar and Horace, 1675, 12mo, and afterwards
reprinted in Rapin’s miscellaneous works. He died at
Paris, the 22d of February, 1686, in the sixty-ninth year
of his age. His chief mathematical works were 1. “Cours
d' Architecture,
” Paris, Resolution des
quatre principaux problemes d' Architecture,
” Paris, Histoire du Calendrier Romain,
” Paris, Cours de Mathematiques,
” Paris, L'Art de jetter des Bombes,
” La Haye, New method of fortifying places,
” and other
works. Blondel had also many ingenious pieces inserted
in the memoirs of the French academy of sciences, particularly in the year 1666.
, nephew of the preceding, and a man of abilities, although not equal to his uncle, was born Jan. 8, 1705, and consequently could not have been educated
, nephew of the preceding,
and a man of abilities, although not equal to his uncle,
was born Jan. 8, 1705, and consequently could not have
been educated by his uncle, as some biographers have asserted. Removing from Rouen to Paris in his thirty-fourth
year, he opened there a public school for architecture,
and acquired so much reputation as to be elected into the
academy in 1755. Appointed afterwards professor, he
carried on his public lectures and private tuition for thirty
years, during which his instructions produced a new sera
in architecture. He likewise wrote all the articles on this
subject in the Encyclopaedia. When attacked with the
disease which proved fatal, he caused himself to be removed to his school in the Louvre, that he might breathe
his last in the place where he had acquired his fame, and
died there, January 9, 1774. His principal buildings are
to be seen at Metx and Strasburgh. His printed works are,
1. “Architecture Francaise,
” Cours
d' Architecture civile,
” 9 vols. 8vo, three of which consist
o? plates only but this work, the second part of which appeared in 1773, is unfortunately imperfect, owing to his
death. 3. “Architecture moderne,
” De la distribution des maisons de plaisance,
” Paris,
Course of Architecture.
”
, who was born at Paris in 1671, and died at Evreux, July 23, 1740, possessed
, who was born at Paris in 1671,
and died at Evreux, July 23, 1740, possessed a most extensive knowledge of books of every kind, but particularly
what related to liturgies, monastic rules, and other branches
of ecclesiastical history, which he communicated liberally to
the literati of his time. For seventeen years he was corrector of Desprez’s press, and published there, in 1772,
“Vie de Saints,
” fol. which have gone through several
editions. At the end of this volume are subjoined the lives
of various other persons eminent for their piety. His own
works were chiefly of the religious cast, but he was frequently employed as editor of the works of others, which
he illustrated with notes.
t, and brother to sir Thomas Pope Blount hereafter mentioned, an eminent writer in the last century, was born at his grandfather’s seat at Upper Holloway, in the county
, younger son of sir Henry Blount,
and brother to sir Thomas Pope Blount hereafter mentioned,
an eminent writer in the last century, was born at his
grandfather’s seat at Upper Holloway, in the county of
Middlesex, April 27, 1654. He was endowed by nature
with a great capacity, and with a strong propensity to
learning; which excellent qualities were properly cultivated
by the assiduous care of his father, and under so able an
instructor, he quickly acquired an extraordinary skill in
the arts and sciences, without any thing of that pedantry,
which is too frequently the consequence of young men’s
application to study in the common course. His pregnant
parts and polite behaviour brought him early into the
world, so that his father, who was a true judge of men,
thought fit, when he was about eighteen, to marry him to
Eleanora, daughter of sir Timothy Tyrrel, of Shotover in
the county of Oxford, and gave him a very handsome estate, having always respected him as a friend, as well as
loved him with the affection of a father. The year after
his marriage, he wrote a little treatise, which he published
without his name, in defence of Dryden, whose “Conquest of Granada
” was attacked by Richard Leigh, a player.
In Anima
Mnndi,
” in which it is said, and with great probability,
that he had the assistance of his father. It had been long
before handed about in manuscript among the acquaintance
of its author, with several passages in it much stronger than
in that which was transmitted to the press, and licensed by
sir Roger L'Estrange. This, however, did not hinder its
giving great offence, insomuch that complaint was made to
Dr. Compton, then Lord Bishop of London, who, upon
perusal, signified that he expected it should be suppressed,
and intimating, that he would thereupon rest satisfied. But
afterwards, when the Bishop was out of town, an opportunity was taken by some zealous person to burn the book,
which however has been reprinted since. The same year
he published a broad sheet under the title of “Mr.
Hobbes’s last Words and dying Legacy.
” It was extracted
from the “Leviathan,
” and was intended to weaken and
expose his doctrine yet he could be no very warm antagonist, since there is still extant a letter of his to Mr.
Hobbes, wherein he professes himself a great admirer of his
parts, and one who would readily receive his instructions. He
afterwards gave a strong testimony in favour of liberty, in
a pamphlet on the Popish Plot, and the fearof a Popish
successor, entitled, “An Appeal from the country to the
city for the preservation of his majesty’s person, liberty,
property, and the Protestant religion.
” This treatise is
subscribed Junius Brutus, and is the strongest invective
against Popery and Papists that was published even in that
age, when almost all the wit of the nation was pointed that
way. There are in it likewise such express recommendations of the Duke of Monmouth, as might well hinder the
author from owning it, and give it, in the eyes of the lawyers of those times, an air of sedition at least, if not of
treason. In 1680, he printed that work which made
him most known to the world, “The Life of Apollonius
Tyaneus,
” which was soon after suppressed, and only a
few copies sent abroad. It was held to be the most dangerous attempt, that had been ever made against revealed
religion in this country, and was justly thought so, as
bringing to the eye of every English reader a multitude of
facts and reasonings, plausible in themselves, and of the
fallacy of which, none but men of parts and learning can
be proper judges. For this reason it is still much in esteem
with the Deists, and the few copies that came abroad contributed to raise its reputation, by placing it in the lists of
those that are extremely rare. In the same year he published his “Diana of the Ephesians,
” which, as the author
foresaw, raised a new clamour, many suggesting that, under colour of exposing superstition, he struck at all Revelation, and while he avowed only a contempt of the Heathen, seemed to intimate no great affection for the Christian priesthood. The wit, learning, and zeal of our author, had, by this time, raised him to be the chief of his
sect; and he took a great deal of pains to propagate and
defend his opinions in his discourses and familiar letters,
as well as by his books, but he had the usual inconsistency
of the infidel, and we find him owning, in a letter to Dr. Sydenham, that in point of practice, Deism was less satisfactory than the Christian scheme. The noise his former
pieces had made, induced him to conceal, industriously,
his being the author of a book, entitled, “Religio Laici,
”
published in Janus Scientiarum or an Introduction to Geography,
Chronology, Government, History, philosophy, and all
genteel sorts of Learning,
” London, 8vo. He concurred
heartily in the Revolution, and seems to have had very honest intentions of punishing those who were king James’s
evil counsellors, after the government was re-settled, by
declaring the prince and princess of Orange king and
queen. He gave another strong testimony of his sincere
attachment to his principles, and inviolable love to freedom, by a nervous defence of the liberty of the press
wherein he shews that all restraints on it can have no other
tendency than to establish superstition and tyranny, by
abasing the spirits of mankind, and injuring the human understanding. This little piece, therefore, has been always
esteemed one of the best he ever wrote; and has furnished
their strongest arguments to many succeeding writers. The
warmth of Mr. Blount’s temper, his great affection for king
William, and his earnest desire to see certain favourite projects brought about, led him to write a pamphlet, in which,
he asserted king William and queen Mary to be conquerors, which was not well relished by the house of commons. The title of this very singular and remarkable
piece at large, runs thus: “King William and queen
Mary conquerors; or, a discourse endeavouring to prove
that their majesties have on their side, against the late
king, the principal reasons that make conquest a good
title; shewing also how this is consistent with that declaration of parliament, king James abdicated the government, &c. Written with an especial regard to such as
have hitherto refused the oath, and yet allow of the title
of conquest, when consequent to a just war,
”
the close of the seventeenth century, was the eldest “son of sir Henry Blount before mentioned, and was born at Upper Holloway in the county of Middlesex, Sept. 12,
, an eminent writer towards the close of the seventeenth century, was the eldest
“son of sir Henry Blount before mentioned, and was born
at Upper Holloway in the county of Middlesex, Sept. 12,
1649. He was carefully educated under the eye of his
father, who took care to acquaint him with the several
branches of polite literature most worthy the notice of a
person of his rank; and so great was the improvement he
made under so able an instructor, that, even in his junior
years, he was considered both as a judicious and learned
man, and on this account, as well as for other marks of
worth and genius, he was, by king Charles II. advanced
to the degree of a baronet, by apatent dated Jan. 27,1679,
in the thirtieth year of his majesty’s reign, and in the lifetime of sir Henry Blount his father. He was elected burgess for St. Albari’s in Hertfordshire, in the parliaments in
the thirtieth and thirty-first of king Charles II. and was
knight of the shire in three parliaments after the Revolution, having also the honour to be elected commissioner of
accounts for the three last years of his life by the house of
commons. He always distinguished himself as a lover of
liberty, a sincere friend to his country, and a true patron
of learning. His strong attachment for literature and criticism, and his extensive acquaintance with the best writers in all ages and sciences, appearecLfully in the
” Censura," which he composed, first for his own use and satisfaction, and then published in the universal language
for the benefit of others. His talents for original remark
appear from his essays, which, in point of learning, judgment, and freedom of thought, are certainly no way inferior to those of the famous Montaigne. His knowledge
and modesty are equally conspicuous in another piece
of his, wherein he presents the public with the fruits of
his reading on natural history, without depriving those
from whom he drew his knowledge, of any part of their
reputation. What he has written on poetry was likewise
drawn together for his own information, and afterwards
sent abroad for public use. Having thus satisfied in his
riper years, the great expectations which his friends had
of him in his youth, having been steady to one party,
without violence towards others, after acquiring honour in
his several public characters, esteem in private conversation, and affection in domestic life, he quietly ended his
days at his seat at Tktenhanger, June 30, 1697, in the
forty-eighth year of his age, and was buried the eighth of
July following, in the vault of his family, at Ridge in
Hertfordshire. He married Jane, daughter of sir Henry
Caesar, of Benington Place in the county of Hertford,
knight, and by her left issue five sons and nine daughters,
but the baronetage is now extinct.
, a miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born 1618, at Bardsley in Worcestershire, the son of Myles Blount,
, a miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born 1618, at Bardsley in Worcestershire, the son of Myles Blount, of Orleton in Herefordshire, who was the fifth son of Roger Blount of Monkland in the same county. He appears to have supplied
the want of an university education by diligent application,
and after studying the classics, entered himself of the
Inner Temple, and was in due course admitted to the bar.
Being, however, a Roman catholic, he never pleaded, but
after some time resided mostly at Orleton. A sedentary
life having much impaired his health, and the popish plot
breaking out in 1678, he was so hurried from place to
place, that the fatigue brought on a palsy, of which he died
at Orleton, Dec. 26, 1679. Whether by this mention of
the popish plot, his biographer means that he was concerned in it, does not appear. Wood seems to insinuate
that he was only alarmed, as he was known to be a zealous
Roman catholic. He was, however, a man of general
knowledge, and an industrious and useful writer. His
works are, 1. “The Academy of Eloquence, or complete
English rhetoric,
” Glossographia, or a Dictionary of hard words,
” Lond.
The Lamps of the Law, and the Lights of the Gospel,
” ibid. Boscobel; or the history of
his majesty’s escape after the battle of Worcester,
” ibid.
Claustrum regale reseratum,
” or the king’s concealment at Trent in Somersetshire, published by Mrs.
Anne Windham of Trent,” ibid. 1681. Both these now
are among the scarce and high-priced curiosities of the
seventeenth century. Extracts are given from them in
the Addenda to lord Clarendon’s History. 6. “The Catholic Almanac for 1661-2-3, &c.
” 7. “Booker rebuked;
or animadversions on Booker’s Almanac.
” 8. “A Law
Dictionary,
” ibid. 1671, fol. reprinted with additions. 9.
“Animadversions on sir Richard Baker’s Chronicle,
” Oxf.
A World of Errors, discovered in Mr.
Edmund Philips’s World of Words,
” London, Fragmenta Antiquitatis. Ancient tenures of land,
and jocular customs of some manors,
” ibid. Animadversions on Blome’s Britannia,
” not
published. 13. “The art of making Devises, treating of Hieroglyphics, Symbols, &c.
” a translation from the
French, A catalogue of the Catholics,
who lost their lives in the king’s cause, during the civil
war,
” printed at the end of lord Castlemain’s “Catholic
Apology.
” 15. “A Chronicle of England,
” left imperfect, and a history of Herefordshire, a ms. left with his
heirs, but which was probably lost, or has escaped the researches of Mr. Gough. 16. “A pedigree of the Blounts,
”
printed in Peacham’s “Complete Gentleman,
” edit.
, an English musician of considerable fame, was born in 1648, at North Collingham in Nottinghamshire, and became
, an English musician of considerable
fame, was born in 1648, at North Collingham in Nottinghamshire, and became one of the first set of children of the
chapel royal after the restoration. In 1673, he was sworn
one of the gentlemen of the chapel, and in 1674, appointed master of the children. In 1685, he was nominated
one of the private music to king James II. and in 1687,
was likewise appointed almoner and master of the choristers in the cathedral church of St. Paul but, in 1693, he
resigned this last place in favour of his scholar Jeremiah
Clerk. Blow had his degree of doctor in music conferred
on him by the special grace of archbishop Sancroft, without performing an exercise for it at either of the universities. On the death of Purcell, in 1695, he was elected organist of St. Margaret’s, Westminster; and in 1699, appointed composer to the chapel of their majesties king
AYilliam and queen Mary, at the salary of 40l. a year,
which afterwards was augmented to 73l. A second composer, with the like appointment, was added in 1715, at
which time it was required that each should produce a new
anthem on the first Sunday of his month in waiting. Dr.
Blow died in 1708 and though he did not arrive at great
longevity, yet by beginning his course, and mounting to
the summit of his profession so early, he enjoyed a prosperous and eventful life. His compositions for the church,
and his scholars who arrived at eminence, have rendered
his name venerable among the musicians of our country.
In his person he was handsome, and remarkable for a gravity and decency in his deportment suited to his station,
though he seems by some of his compositions to have been
not altogether insensible to the delights of a convivial hour.
He was a man of blameless morals, and of a benevolent
temper; but was not so insensible to his own worth, as to
be totally free from the imputation of pride. Sir John
Hawkins furnishes us with an anecdote that shews likewise
that he had a rough method of silencing criticism. In the
reign of James II. an anthem of some Italian composer had
been introduced into the chapel royal, which the king
liked very much, and asked Blow if he could make one as
good Blow answered in the affirmative, and engaged to
do it by the next Sunday when he produced “I beheld
and lo a great multitude.
” When the service was over,
the king sent father Petre to acquaint him that he was
much pleased with it: “but,
” added Petre, “I myself
think it too long.
” “That,
” answered Blow, “is the opinion of but one fool, and I heed it not.
” This provoked
the Jesuit so much that he prevailed on the king to suspend Blow, and the consequences might perhaps have
been more serious, had not the revolution immediately
followed.
, a German poet, was born at Rathenau, in the March of Brandenburgh, Nov. 17, 1739.
, a German poet, was born
at Rathenau, in the March of Brandenburgh, Nov. 17,
1739. He studied at Brandenburgh, Berlin, and Francfort on the Oder, and appears to have been intended either
for the church or the bar, but preferred philosophy and
polite literature, which he cultivated with success, under
Ramler and Alexander Baumgarten, and afterwards devoted himself to a retired life in his own country. His
first publication, “Lyric Poems,
” published at Berlin in
Walks,
” moral and
critical, and a “Dictionary of German proverbs,
” Leipsic,
, a Theatine, was born at London of French parents, Dec. 4, 1638, and became celebrated
, a Theatine, was born at
London of French parents, Dec. 4, 1638, and became celebrated for his acquirements both in sacred and profane
learning. Having gone to Portugal, he learned the language of that country in six months, and preached several
times before the king and queen. He was also admitted
into the academy, and appointed to an office in the inquisition. His biographers tell us that when in England he
had been chaplain or preacher to Henrietta Maria queen to
Charles I. forgetting that he could not be ten years old
when that unhappy princess was expatriated. He died at
Lisbon, Feb. 13, 1734, in the ninety-fifth year of his age.
On the 28th of the same month his eloge was pronounced
in the academy, and two learned doctors gravely discussed
the question, “whether England was most honoured in.
his birth, or Portugal in his death r
” On the same occasion
various pieces both in Latin and Portuguese were recited
to his memory. His works, which must justify this high
panegyric, are, 1. “A Vocabulary or Dictionary, Portuguese and Latin,
” Coimbra, Oraculum utriusque Testament!, musseum Bluteavianum.
”
3. “A List of all Dictionaries, Portuguese, Castilian, Italian, French, and Latin,
” with the dates, &c. Lisbon, Primicias Evangelicas,
”
one of the most eminent Italian poets and scholars, and one of the revivers of literature in Europe, was born in 1313. His father was a merchant of Florence, when to
, one of the most eminent Italian
poets and scholars, and one of the revivers of literature in
Europe, was born in 1313. His father was a merchant of
Florence, when to be a merchant was the first of situations,
and his family was originally of Certaldo, a village about
twenty miles from Florence, which accounts for Boccaccio
always adding to his name the words “da Certaldo.
” He was
not, therefore, the son of a peasant, as reported by some
biographers, but it cannot be denied that he was the fruit
of an illicit connection which his father formed at Paris,
where he happened to be on commercial 'business, and
where this son was born, and it appears, likewise, that his
father was not very rich. Being, however, brought early
to Florence, his education commenced there, and he is
said to hav e evinced a decided attachment to poetry before
he was ten years old, about which time his father placed
him in a merchant’s counting-house, to learn- arithmetic
and book-keeping, that he might be the sooner enabled to
provide for him among his connections. Some years after,
this merchant took him to Paris, where he went to set up
in business, and for six years, during which Boccaccio
resided in his house, endeavoured to reconcile him to
trade; but finding after every experiment, either by persuasion or constraint, that this was impossible, he at length
sent him home to his father.
ve attention. He died, according to Vasari, in 1518, aged fifty-eight. His son, Ca.Millo Boccaccino, was born at Cremona, in 1511, where he received the first instructions
, an artist who flourished about 1496-, is among the Cremonese, what Griilandajo, Mantegna, Vannucci, Francia, arc in their respective schools the best modern among the ancients, and the best ancient among the moderns. He was the master of Garofalo before his journey to Rome in 1500. The birth of the Madonna with other histories of her life, and that of the Saviour in the frieze of the Dnotno at Cremona, are works of Boccaccino. The style is partly original, partly approaches that of Pietro Perugino less co-ordinate in composition, less agreeable in the airs of the heads, weaker in chiaroscuro hut richer in drapery, more varied in colour, more spirited in attitudes, and perhaps not less harmonious or pleasing in landscape and architecture. His great defect is the short and stumpy appearance which an immoderate load of drapery often gives to his figures. It is probable that he was at Rome, as Vasari pretends that he there reviled the works of Michael Angelo and what followed, as related by the same historian, admits of too much doubt to deserve attention. He died, according to Vasari, in 1518, aged fifty-eight. His son, Ca.Millo Boccaccino, was born at Cremona, in 1511, where he received the first instructions in the art of painting from his father and for some time he was obliged to conform himself to the -style and manner of his instructor. But he determined to quit that hard dry manner of colouring, to which he had been accustomed, and by degrees assumed a style of colour equally remarkable for its suavity and strength. The best remaining specimens of his art are in the church of St. Sigismondo, at Cremona; where, among the Four Evangelists, the figure of St. John, bent upwards in contrast with the arched vault, in boldness of foreshortening and truth of perspective, emulates the style of Correggio. He died very young, at a time when there was a great expectation of his arriving at very high perfection, in 1546.
nt literary lady of France, and a member of the academies of Rome, Bologna, Padua, Lyons, and Rouen, was born at Rouen, Oct. 22, 1710. She was educated at Paris in the
, an eminent
literary lady of France, and a member of the academies of
Rome, Bologna, Padua, Lyons, and Rouen, was born at
Rouen, Oct. 22, 1710. She was educated at Paris in the
convent of the Assumption, where she made a very rapid
progress in every branch of education. At a very early
age, she studied the English language, that she might be
enabled to transfuse the beauties of Pope’s Temple of Fame
into French but she concealed her performance for many
years, nor did it appear till 1764, in the collection of her
works. She had, however, given an ample proof of her
poetical talents in 1746, by gaining the first prize givea
by the academy of Rouen, which was founded the year
preceding by the duke of Luxembourg. This procured
her the homage and the society of the most eminent nits
and scholars of the day. From this time she published
nothing without her name. Having acquired an uncommon relish for the “Paradise Lost
” of Milton, she endeavoured to translate a part of it into French, and was highly
complimented by Voltaire on her success. She imitated
also, but with much more success and more ease, Gesner’s
“Death of Abel.
” In The Amazons
” was represented on one of the Paris stages with considerable applause: but her fame rests principally on an
epic poem, entitled “The Columbiad, or Discovery of
America,
” in ten cantos, which procured her the highest
reputation at that time from the critics of her own country,
although the execution is very far from corresponding with
the magnitude of the undertaking.
, a satirical wit, was born at Loretto in 1556, the son of an architect of a Roman
, a satirical wit, was born at Loretto in 1556, the son of an architect of a Roman family,
about the beginning of the seventeenth century. The
method he took to indulge his turn for satire, or rather
plot of his publications, was the idea that Apollo, holding
his courts Oh Parnassus, heard the complaints of the wholeworld, and gave judgment as the case required. He was
received into the academies of Italy, where he gained
great applause by his political discourses, and his elegant
criticisms. The cardinals Borghese and Cajetan having
declared themselves his patrons, he published his “News
from Parnassus/' and
” Apollo’s Secretary,“a continuation which being well received, he proceeded further,
and printed his
” Pietra di Paragone“wherein he attacks
the court of Spain, setting forth their designs against the
liberty of Italy, and inveighing particularly against themfor the tyranny they exercised in the kingdom of Naples.
The Spaniards complained of him in form, and were determined at any rate to be revenged. Boccalini was
frightened, and retired to Venice. Some time after he
was murdered in a surprising manner. He lodged with
one of his friends, who having got up early one morning,
left Boccalini in bed; when a minute after four armed men
entered his chamber, and gave him so many blows with
bags full of sand that they left him for dead so that his
friend, upon his return, found him unable to utter one
word. Great search was made at Venice for the authors
of this murder and though they were never discovered,
yet it was universally believed that they were set to work.
by the court of Spain. This story, however, has been
called in question by Mazzuchelli, and seems indeed
highly improbable at least it can by no means stand upon
its present foundation. His attacking the court of Spain
in his
” Pietra di Paragone,“is said to have been the
cause of his murder but another cause, if he really was
murdered, must be sought, for he died, by whatever means,
Nov. 10, 1613, and the
” Pietra“was not published until
two years after that event. It appears likewise from one
of his letters, that he had kept the manuscript a profound
secret, communicating it only to one confidential frienc!, to
whom the above letter was written. Besides, the register
of the parish in which he died, mentions that on Nov. 10,
1613, the signor Trajan Boccalini died at the age of fiftyseven, of a cholic accompanied with a fever. Apostolo
Zeno, vrho mentions this circumstance in his notes on Fontanini’s
” Italian Library,“adds, that in a speech publicly
delivered at Venice in 1<320, in defence of Trissino, whom.
Boccalini had attacked, ample mention rs made of him,
who had then been dead seven years, and in terms of severe censure; but not a word was said of his assassination,
which could not have then been a secret, nor could there
be any reason for concealing it. If indeed he suffered in
the manner reported, it formed an exact counterpart of
what he records to have happened to Euclid the mathematician. Euclid had demonstrated, as a mathematical problem, that all the lines both of princes’
” and private men’s
thoughts meet in one centre namely, to pick money out
of other men’s pockets and put it into their own and for
this he was attacked by some of his hearers who beat him
with sand-bags and perhaps, as a foundation for the story,
some of Boccalini’s readers may have said that he ought to
have been punished in the same manner. Boccal'mi’s works
are: 1. “Itagguagli di Parnaso, centuria prima,
” Venice,
Centuria secxinda,
” ibid. Pietra del Paragone politico,
” Cosmopoli (Amsterdam), political
touchstone
” bears hard on the Spanish monarchy, and may
be considered as a supplement to his “News from Parnassus.
” 3. “Commentari sopra Cornelio Tacito,
” Geneva,
La Bilancia politica di tutte le opere di Trajano Boccalini,
” &c. with notes
and observations by the chevalier Louis du May, at Castellana, 167S, 3 vols. 4to. The first two volumes of this
scarce work contain the Tacitus, on which the annotator,
not content with being very free in his religious opinions,
takes some extraordinary liberties with the text, and therefore they were soon inserted in the Index Expurgatorius.
They contain, however, many curious facts which tend to
illustrate the political affairs of the time. The third volume
is filled with political and historical letters, collected hy
Gregorio Leti but although these are signed with Boccalini’s name, they are supposed to have been written by his
son, and by the editor Leti, a man not very scrupulous in
impositions of this kind. 6. “La Segretaria d'Apollo,
”
Amst. Ragguagli,
” very much in Boccalini’s manner, but most probably we owe it to the success of his acknowledged works.
, an eminent musical composer, was born at Lucca, Jan. 14, 1740, where he resided till 1768, when
, an eminent musical composer,
was born at Lucca, Jan. 14, 1740, where he resided till
1768, when he went to Paris, and where he continued till
1780. He then removed to Madrid, where he died in
1806. His instrument was the violoncello, and he has
perhaps supplied the performers on bowed-instruments and
lovers of music with more excellent compositions than any
master of the present age, except Haydn. His style is at
once bold, masterly, and elegant. There are movements
in his works, of every style, and in the true genius of the
instruments for which he writes, that place him high in
rank among the greatest masters who have ever written for
the violin or violoncello. There i$ perhaps no instrumental
music more ingenious, elegant, and pleasing, than his
quintets; in which invention, grace, modulation, and good
taste, conspire to render them, when well executed, a
treat for the most refined hearers and critical judges of
musical composition. The works of this excellent composer would be of use to judicious collectors, as his genius, taste, and judgment were too fertile and refined, to
suffer him to commit to paper frivolous or indigested
thoughts. His productions of forty years ago have lost
nothing of their worth, nor will forty years more wholly
deprive them of their bloom. They consist of fifty-eight
collections of symphonies, quintets, &c. In the religious
cast he has only one piece, a “Stabat mater.
”
, an eminent Italian scholar, was born at Bologna in 1488, of a noble family. In his studies he
, an eminent Italian scholar, was
born at Bologna in 1488, of a noble family. In his studies
he made uncommon proficiency, and had distinguished
himself at the early age of twenty by his very learned
work on Plautus. According to the custom of the age, he
attached himself to various princes, but at first to the celebrated Albert Pio, count of Carpi. Having become imperial orator at the court of Rome, he obtained by his
talents and knowledge of business, the titles of chevalier
and count Palatine, and was intrusted with some important
functions, such as that of bestowing the degree of doctor,
of creating notaries, and even legitimizing natural children. At Bologna he was professor of Greek and Latin,
rhetoric and poetry, and was chosen one of the Auziani in
1522. Having acquired a handsome fortune, he built a
palace, and in 1546 founded an academy in it, named from
himself Academia Bocchiana, or Bocchiale. It was also
called Ermatena, agreeable to its device, on which was
engraven the two figures of Mercury and Minerva. He
also established a printing-office in his house, and he and
his academicians employed themselves in correcting the
many beautiful editions which they printed. Bocchi was
a good Hebrew scholar, and well versed in antiquities and
history, particularly that of his own country. The senate
of Bologna employed him on writing the history of that
city, and bestowed on him the title of Historiographer.
Cardinal Sadolet, the two Flaminio’s, John Phil. Achillini,
and Lcl. Greg. Giraldi, were among his particular friends,
who have all spoken very favourably of him in their works.
This last was much attached to him, and it is supposed
that he meant to express this attachment by giving him
the name of Phileros (loving friend), or Philerote, which
is on the title of some of his works. Bocchi died at Bologna, Nov. 6, 1562. He wrote, 1. “Apologia in Plautum,
cui accedit vita Ciceronis authore Plutarcho,
” Bologn.
, one of the most voluminous writers of Florence, was born in that city in 1548. His education was superintended by
, one of the most voluminous writers
of Florence, was born in that city in 1548. His education
was superintended by his paternal uncle, under whose care
he made great progress in learning, and acquired the
esteem of Laurence Salviati, the Maecenas of his age. He
died at Florence in 1618, leaving a great many works in
Latin and Tuscan, among which are “Elogia virorurn
Florentinorum,
”
, called Clememtone from the vast size of his figure, a distinguished history and portrait painter, was born at Genoa in 1620, and was the disciple of Bernardo Strozzi,
, called Clememtone from the vast size of his figure, a distinguished history and portrait painter, was born at Genoa in 1620, and was the disciple of Bernardo Strozzi, an artist of good reputation but he found in himself so strong an ambition to arrive at excellence in his profession, that he left Genoa, and went to Rome and Florence, where he became familiar with Castiglione, there to explore that true sublimity of style, which can only be obtained by a judicious observation of the ancient sculptures and the works of the celebrated modern artists. By the guidance of an excellent genius, and also by a most industrious application to design, he discovered the art of uniting and blending the antique and modern gusto in a style that at once exhibited both gracefulness and strength. His style is more correct and more ideal than that of his master, though inferior in truth of colour. Most of the works of this master (except his portraits, which were lively, natural, and graceful) are in the chapels of Genoa, Pisa, and other cities of Italy, but particularly in Pisa, where is the best of his works, a St. Sebastian in the Certosa.
, an ingenious naturalist, was born at Palermo, in Sicily, April 24th 1633, of a wealthy and
, an ingenious naturalist,
was born at Palermo, in Sicily, April 24th 1633, of a
wealthy and respectable family, originally from Savona in
Genoa. To improve himself in natural history, particularly in botany, to which he was early attached, he travelled over Sicily, Corsica, Malta, many parts of Germany, Holland, and England, conversing with the most
eminent literary characters in the places he visited, with
whom he afterwards kept up a correspondence. At Paris
he became acquainted with the abbé Bourdalot, to whom
he communicated various observations he had made, which,
were published at Amsterdam in 1674 under the title “Recherches et observations d'Histoire Naturelle.
” In the
course of his travels, he was admitted doctor in medicine
at Padua, was elected member of the Academ. Naturae
Curios, and made botanist to the grand duke of Tuscany.
In 1682, he entered among the Cistertian monks at Florence, and with the habit of the order took the name of
Sylvio, which he affixed to his latter works, but he was
still permitted to continue his researches in natural history.
Returning at length to Sicily, he retired to one of the
houses of the Cistertians near Palermo, where he died,
Dec. 22, 1704. As he had been indefatigable in his researches, his colleciion of plants and other natural productions was very considerable. Sherrard, who saw his hortus
siccus, or specimens of dried plants, in 1697, was so struck
with their number and beauty, that he engaged him to
give a catalogue of them to the public, which he did in
his “Musrco plante rare,
” published at Venice in 4to, the
same year. The catalogue was also published by itself.
Several of his works appear to have been printed while he
was on his travels; the first of them, “De abrotano mare
monitum,
” in Manifesturn
botanicum, de plantis Siculis,
” Catatue, 4to. By an advertisement at the beginning of the work he offers to botanists the seeds of many of the curious and rare plants he had
collected, at moderate prices. Morison published an edition of this work at Oxford in 1674, 4to, under the title of
“Icones et descriptiones rariarum plantarum Sicilian, Melitae, Galliae, et Italioe.
” Many of the plants, Haller says,
were new. The figures are small, and in general not well
delineated or engraved. His next production was “Recherches et observations naturelles,
” published at Paris in
Opcrvazioni natural) ove si contengono materie medico fisiche
e di botanica,
” Bologna. The observations are twenty in
number, and dedicated, or addressed to so many of the
author’s friends and patrons, among whom are many perons of high rank. He is very profuse in his elogia on the
medical virtue of many of the plants, which he praises far
beyond their real value. “Tenere oportet,
” Haller says,
“creduium esse virum et in viribus medicis plantarum liberalem.
” “Musæo di fisica e cli esperienze decorate di
opervazioni naturali,
” Venet.
, or Bochius, a Latin poet, was born at Brussels July 27, 1555, and became so eminent for his
, or Bochius, a Latin poet, was born
at Brussels July 27, 1555, and became so eminent for his
poetry, as to be called the Belgic Virgil. Having attached himself to cardinal Radzevil, he studied theology
for some time, under the tuition of Bellarmin, afterwards
the celebrated cardinal. He then travelled in Italy, Poland, Livonia, Russia, and other countries. The only memorable event that his biographers have recorded of these
travels, is, that in his way to Moscow his feet were frozen,
and he was thinking of submitting to amputation, when the
place where he stopped happening to be surprized by the
enemy, he recovered his feet in a most surprising manner,
and escaped the danger of losing either them or his liberty.
On his return home, he devoted his time to his literary
pursuits, especially poetry, and died Jan. 13, 1609. He
has left the following pieces 1. “De Belgii principatu.
”
2. “Parodia heroica Psahnorum Davidicorum.
” 3. “Observationes physicae, ethicae, politics, et historical, in Psalmos.
” 4. “Vita Davidis.
” 5. “Orationes.
” 6. “Poe'mata, &.C.
” these poetical pieces, consisting of epigrams,
elegies, &c. were collected and printed at Cologne, in
1615, with the addition of some poems by his son, a promising youth, who died in Calabria. It must not be omitted
that Booh wrote the verses under the cuts of Verstegan’s
absurd book against queen Elizabeth, entitled “Theatrum
crudelitatum Hereticorum nostri temporis,
” a sort of popish
martyrology.
, a liberal patron of learning, and first president of the parliament of Paris, was born in that metropolis, Jan. L6, 1730, of a family, the branches
, a
liberal patron of learning, and first president of the parliament of Paris, was born in that metropolis, Jan. L6,
1730, of a family, the branches of which had filled many
distinguished offices in the magistracy, and to which the
subject of the preceding article appears to have been related. From his infancy, Mons. Saron was attached to
mathematical studies, and particularly to calculations, the
most complicated of which he performed with astonishing
facility and many eminent astronomers, who were his
friends, made no scruple to apply to him for assistance of
this kind, which he contributed with the greatest politeness and as very much depends on intricate calculations,
he may justly be allowed to share with them in the honour
of their discoveries. He was, however, among the first
who discovered that Herschell’s new star was a new planet,
and not a comet, as most of the French astronomers
thought. In 1779 he was elected into the academy of
sciences, and contributed to the promotion of their labours, not only by his private studies, which were indeed
rather those of an amateur than of a scholar by profession, but also by his fortune. He made, at a vast expence, a collection of the finest astronomical instruments
of all kinds, which he very willingly lent to those who
wished to make use of them, and never had more pleasure
than when he fancied he was thus supplying the wants of
men of genius. It was also by his liberality that Laplace
was enabled to publish his “Theorie du mouvernent elliptujue et de la figure de terre,
” L'eloge de Saron,
” 8vo, and Cassini paid him a similar
compliment, which, however, was not printed.
, professor of divinity and Greek in the university of Konigsberg, was born in that city, May 20, 1716, and died in 1786. Among his
, professor of divinity and
Greek in the university of Konigsberg, was born in that
city, May 20, 1716, and died in 1786. Among his numerous works on theology, education, and natural history, which are much esteemed in his own country, we
may enumerate, 1. “Specimen theologiae naturalis,
” Zullichau, Historia Socinianismi Prussic.
”
Konigsberg, 1774 1784, 2 vols.
8vo. 4.
” A manual of Education,“1780, 8vo, in German.
5.
” Essay on the natural history of east and west Prussia,“Dessau, 1782 1784, 5 vols. 8vo. 6.
” Prussian Ornithology,“published in the 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, and 17th
numbers of the
” Observator of nature.“7.
” Essay on
the natural history of the Herring," Konigsberg, 1769, 8vo:
all the preceding are in German.
, called also Langhen-Jan, a painter of history and portrait of the Flemish school, was born at Munster, about the year 1610; and removing to Flanders,
, called also Langhen-Jan, a painter of history and portrait of the Flemish school, was born at Munster, about the year 1610; and removing to Flanders, acquired the art of design and colouring in the school of Jacques Jordaens. He designed well the heads erf his women are generally graceful, and those of his men distinguished by character: his tone of colouring sometimes resembled that of Rubens, but more frequently that of Vandyck. His pictures have great force and harmony, and his skilful management of the chiaro-scuro produces an agreeable effect. An altar-piece at the church of St. James in Ghent, representing the martyrdom of this saint, and a picture of the Annunciation in another church, painted in 1664, are distinguished performances of this master. Descamps mentions another John Van Bockhorst, who was born at Dentekoom in 1661, went when young to London, and was employed by sir Godfrey Kneller on his portraits, and the earl of Pembroke also employed him to paint portraits, history, and battle pieces. He afterwards practised portrait-painting in various parts of Germany, principally at the court of Brandeuburgh and in Cleves, and died in 1724.
, a French ecclesiastic, was born at Avallon, April 1, 1649, of poor parents, who, however,
, a French ecclesiastic, was born at Avallon, April 1, 1649, of poor parents,
who, however, neglected nothing that could contribute to
his having the means of acquiring a fortune by a good education. He first studied at Dijon, and then went through
a course of philosophy at Auxerre. On his return home,
he determined on a military life, and went to Paris in
hopes of being admitted into the royal guards. Not succeeding, he began to study with a view to the church, but
again altered his mind, and accompanied M. de Nointel,
the French ambassador, to Constantinople. On his return
at the end of two years, he went to Bourges to study law,
and having finished his course, he practised for some time
at Avallon with considerable success. Here, however, he
gave himself up to a dissipated life, which ended in a state
of melancholy, during which he wrote to his brother, an
ecclesiastic, who advised him to retire for some months to
a monastery of Carthusians, and meditate. on his past conduct. Bocquillot complied, recovered his peace of mind,
and resumed his ecclesiastical studies. Having received
the order of priesthood, he became curate of Chateiux,
but was obliged some time after to resign it, owing to his
deafness. Being then provided with a canonry at Avallon,
he passed the remainder of his days in the tranquil employment of his pen, composing a great many homilies
and books of practical piety, which he presented gratis to
the booksellers, on condition that he should fix such prices
on them as might suit the pockets of the poor. One of
his best works is his “Traits historique de la Liturgie sacrée ou de la Messe,
” “Paris, 1701, 8vo. He wrote also a
life of the chevalier Bayard, under his fictitious name, the
Prieur de Louval, taken principally from Godefroi’s life of
Bayard, published in 1616, and an antiquary tract, entitled
” Dissertation surles Tombeaux de Quarrée, village
de Bourgoyne," Lyons, 1724, 8vo. He died of an apoplexy Sept. 22, 1728. His life and letters were published
in 1745, 12mo.
, a learned professor of the university of Helmstadt, was born in 1722, at Wernigerode. After having been educated at
, a learned professor
of the university of Helmstadt, was born in 1722, at
Wernigerode. After having been educated at home, with
great care, by his father, who was judge of that city, and
counsellor to the count Stolberg of Wernigerode, he went
in 1739 to the school of Closter-Bergen, near Magdeburgh, then superintended by Steinmez, and in 1741, took
his leave of this school, in a Latin oration, “De societatibus hujus sevi notabilioribus.
” He then went to Halle,
and having early imbibed a taste for oriental languages
and sacred philology, he attached himself particularly to
the two Michaelis’s, father and son, who were then professors in that university. From Halle, he went to Leipsic, where he studied Arabic, Syriac, Chaldaic, Samaritan,
Ethiopian, and rabbinical Hebrew. On his return to Halle
in 1747, he maintained a thesis for his doctor’s degree,
under the presidency of Michaelis the father, “On the
antiquity of the Hebrew language
” and then opened a
course of lectures which were much admired. Notwithstanding this success, however, he left Halle, after a residence of two years, and settled at Helmstadt. Here he
became a most popular teacher, his lectures being attended
by an unusual number of students; and in 1754, the uniYersity secured his services by appointing him professor
extraordinary of oriental languages. About this time,
happening to meet with some works in which the study of
the Armenian, Coptic, and Turkish languages was recommended, he had a great desire to add these to his stock,
and not having been able to obtain the assistance of Jablonski for the Coptic, he determined to learn the others
without a master. Having begun this task at his lisure
hours, in 1756, he made such rapid progress as to be able
to publish, before the conclusion of the year, the first two
chapters of St. Matthew translated from the Turkish into
Latin, with a critical preface on the history and utility
of the Turkish language and the first four chapters of the
same evangelist translated from the Armenian into Latin,
with some considerations on the Armenian language.
These two little works, which were published, the first at
Bremen, and the other at Halle, were criticised with some
severity, perhaps not unjust; but the zeal and industry of
the author, although not altogether successful in these attempts, were still the subject of admiration, and were not
unrewarded. In 1760 he obtained a pension and in 1763,
lest he should accept of the offer of a professorship made
to him by the university of Giessen, that of Helmstadt
conferred on him the title of professor in ordinary of philosophy, with an augmentation of salary. His various
works in the mean time amply confirmed their choice, and
extended his reputation throughout Europe. Of his private life we have no further account, although it was prolonged for many years after this period, as he died of an apoplexy, March 7, 1796. His principal works are, 1. “Evangelium secundum Matthaeum ex versione Æthiopici interpretis in Bibliis polyglottis Anglicanis editum cum Graeco,
c.
” Halle, Evangelium secundum Matthaeum ex versione Persica, &c.
” Helmstadt, 17.50, 4to. 3. Persian translations of Mark, Luke,
and John, 1751, 4to. published separately. 4. “Evangelium secundum Marcum ex versione Arabica, &c.
”
Lerngow, Novum Testamentum ex versione jEthiopica, &c. in Latinum,
” Brunswick, Fragmenta Veteris Test, ex versione
Æthiopici interpretis, et alia quaedam opuscula Æthiopica,
”
Wolfenb. Pseudo-critica Millio-Bengeliana,
” Halle,
, a bookseller at Hamburgh, and a man of considerable learning, was born at Brunswick, Jan. 16, 1730, and died Dec. 13, 1793. He
, a bookseller at Hamburgh, and a man of considerable learning, was born at Brunswick, Jan. 16, 1730, and died Dec. 13, 1793. He was long known for his controversial writings against the free-masons, but perhaps was more esteemed by his countrymen for his translations into German of various foreign popular works. Among these were Marmontel’s Incas and Montaigne’s Essays; and of the English series, Fielding’s Tom Jones, Sterne’s Sentimental Journey, and Tristram Shandy, and Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield.
, a French lawyer, and political writer, was born at Angers about 1530. In his youth he was supposed, but
, a French lawyer, and political writer, was born at Angers about 1530. In his youth he was supposed, but not upon good foundation, to have been a monk. He studied first at Toulouse, and after taking his degrees, read lectures there with much applause, having a design to settle there as law- pro lessor, and with that view he pronounced an oration on public instruction in the schools but finding Toulouse not a sufficiently ample stage for his ambition, he removed to Pans, and began to practise at the bar, where his expectations being likewise disappointed, he determined to apply himself to literary occupations, and in this he had very considerable success. Henry III. who liked to have men of letters about him, admitted him into familiar conversation, and had such an opinion of him, that he sent to prison one John, or Michael de la Serre, who had written against Bodin, and forbid him under pain of death to publish his work but this courtly favour did not last. Thuanus ascribes the king’s withdrawing his countenance to the envy of the courtiers but others think it was occasioned by Bodin' s taking a political part in opposition to the king. He found an asylum, however, with the duke of Alene,on, who made him secretary of his commands, one of the masters of the requests of his palace, and grand master of his waters and forests. The insurgents in the Netherlands at this time intended to declare the duke their sovereign, and were said to be prompted to this by queen Elizabeth of England. Bodin, however, accompanied him into England and Flanders, but he had the misfortune to lose this patron in 1584.
from the ancient family of the Bodleys, or Bodleighs, of Dunscomb, near Crediton, in Devonshire. He was born at Exeter, March 2, 1544, and was about twelve years of
, that illustrious benefactor to literature, from whom the public library at Oxford takes its name, was the son of Mr. John Bodley, of Exeter, and of his wife Joan, daughter and heiress of Robert Home, esq. of Ottery St. Mary, near Exeter. By his father’s side he descended from the ancient family of the Bodleys, or Bodleighs, of Dunscomb, near Crediton, in Devonshire. He was born at Exeter, March 2, 1544, and was about twelve years of age when his father was obliged to leave England on account of his religion, and settle at Geneva, where he lived during the reign of queen Mary. The English church at Geneva consisted, as he himself informs us, of some hundred persons; and here, the university having been newly erected, he frequented the public lectures of Chevalerius on the Hebrew tongue, of Beroaldus on the Greek, and of Calvin and Beza on divinity, and had also domestic teachers in the house of Philibertus Saracenus, a physician of that city, with whom he boarded, and where Robert Constantine, author of the Greek Lexicon, read Homer to him. Under such masters, we cannot doubt his proficiency, although we have no more particular detail of his early studies upon record. Whatever else he learned, he appears to have imbibed an uncommon love of books, to have studied their history, and to have prepared himself, although unconscious of the result, for that knowledge which, it is evident from his correspondence, he was perpetually increasing, and which at length, when the political prospects which once flattered his ambition were closed, enabled, as well as incited him, to re-found the public library at Oxford.
, a younger brother of sir Thonas Bodley, and, as already noticed, a benefactor to his library, was born in the city of Exeter, about the year 1546. After a suitable
, a younger brother of sir Thonas Bodley, and, as already noticed, a benefactor to his library, was born in the city of Exeter, about the year 1546. After a suitable education, though in what school is not known, he was sent to Christ-church-college in Oxford, where he took the degrees of bachelor and master of arts. From thence he removed into his native country, where his merit became so conspicuous, that he was made one of the canons, residentiary of Exeter cathedral, and rector of Shobroke, about seven miles from that city, near Crediton. He was chief mourner at his brother’s funeral and, March 30, 1613, was created doctor in divinity, as a member of Christ-church. He died April the 19th, 1615, in the seventieth year of his age, and was interred in St. Peter’s cathedral in Exeter, near the choir, under a flat marble stone, with an epitaph. As to his character we are told, that for his pious zeal, and continual labour in the faithful discharge of the duties of his function, he cannot be over-praised, and that he was of an hospitable disposition, very charitable, and pious. In his will, he bequeathed to the mayor and chamber of Exeter, four hundred pounds in money, to purchase twenty pounds a year in lands, towards the maintenance of a preacher in that city. There is nothing of his writing extant, except an. elegy on the death of the famous bishop Jewel, inserted in Humphrey’s life of that prelate. Dr. John Prideaux, regius professor of divinity and rector of Exeter college, dedicated an act sermon to him, and acknowledges himself indebted to him for some preferment. Prideaux entered Exeter college as a poor servitor, and probably was then indebted to Dr. Bodley for his advancement.
, a voluminous writer, and one of the, revivers of literature in Germany, was born at Zurich, July 19, 1693, and notwithstanding his father’s
, a voluminous writer, and one of the, revivers of literature in Germany, was born at Zurich, July 19, 1693, and notwithstanding his father’s design to bring him up to the church, or for trade, he seemed born for the sciences, and particularly the belles lettres. He concealed his dislike, however, for the ministry, until the time when he might have been admitted, and then declined proceeding any farther. His father then would have him pursue trade, and in 1717 sent him to Bergamo for that purpose. This being of course as disagreeable to him as the study of divinity, he returned home after two years, his predilection for poetry growing more and more upon him. Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a translation of which fell in his way, filled his head with poetical images, and the English Spectator formed his morals, while he studied his philosophy in Bayle and Montaigne. The German language was at this time in a barbarous state; literature was at a low ebb, and the pedantic studies of the schools were not to the liking of such a youth as Bodmer. Finding nothing, therefore, to read in his own language, he confined himself to the classics of antiquity, and gave up every other employment, except the study of the history and politics of Swisserland. In history, however, he looked only for men, manners, and language; and was desirous of forming from it a system of psychology.
, an eminent German critic and historian, and counsellor to the emperor and to the elector of Mentz, was born in 1611, at Cronheim in Franconia, and was during a long
, an eminent German critic
and historian, and counsellor to the emperor and to the
elector of Mentz, was born in 1611, at Cronheim in Franconia, and was during a long life reputed one of the ablest
men Germany had produced, particularly in Greek, Latin,
and Hebrew, in history, and political and legal knowledge. He was only twenty when thought worthy of being
appointed professor of eloquence at Strasburgh, and in
1640 was made a canon of St. Thomas. Christina, queen of
Sweden, invited him to Upsal in 1648, to be professor of
eloquence, and the following year conferred on him the
place of historiographer of Sweden, with a pension of eight
hundred crowns, which she generously continued when
his health obliged him to return to Strasburgh. He was
then elected professor* of history at Strasburgh, and in
1662 the elector of Mentz appointed him his counsellor.
The year after, the emperor Ferdinand III. bestowed the'
same honour upon him, with the title of count Palatine.
Louis XIV. offered him a pension pf two thousand livres,
but the court of Vienna, unwilling to lose him, induced
him to decline it, and made up his loss by another pension
of six hundred rix-dollars. Boeder, honoured and enriched by so many favours, pursued his studies with unremitting ardour, until his death in 1692. He published
with notes or commentaries, editions of Herodian, Strasburgh, 1644, 8vo Suetonius, ibid. 1647, 4to Manilius,
ibid. 1655, 4to Terence, ibid, 1657, 8vo Cornelius
Nepos, Utrecht, 1665, 12mo; Polybius, 1666, 1670,
1681, 4to; part of Tacitus, Velleius Paterculus, Virgil,
Herodotus, and Ovid. His other works were 1 “De
Jure Galliae in Lotharingiam,
” Strasburgh, Annotationes in Hippolytum a Lapide,
”
ibid. De ratione status imperii Romano-Germanici,
” by Chemnitz or
James de Steinberg. 3. “Dissertatio de scriptoribus
Graecis et Latinis, ab Homero usque ad initium XVI seculi,
” ibid. 1674, 8vo, and reprinted by Gronovius in the
tenth vol. of his Grecian antiquities. 4. “Bibliographia
historico-politico-philologica,
” Historia
Belli Sueco-Danici annis 1643 1645,
” Stockholm, Historia universalis ab orbe
comlito ad J. C. nativitatem,
” ibid. Notitia sacri imperii
Romani,
” ibid. De rebus saeculi
post Christum XVI. liber memorialis,
” Kiel, 1697, 8vo:
10. “Historia universalis IV saeculorum post Christum,
”
1699, 8vo, reprinted at Rostock, 4to, with a life of the
author, by J. Theophilus Moller. 11. Various “Letters
”
in Jaski’s collection, Amsterdam, Commentatio in Grotii librum de jure belli ac pacis,
” Strasburgh, Bibliographia critica,
” Leipsic,
Dissertations, and smaller pieces,
” published by J. Fabricius, ajt
Strasburgh,
the son of Anthony Boehm, minister at Oeetorff, in the county of Pyrmont, in Germany, who died 1679, was born June 1, 1673, and after his father’s death was sent to
, minister of the German chapel at St. James’s, London, the son of Anthony
Boehm, minister at Oeetorff, in the county of Pyrmont,
in Germany, who died 1679, was born June 1, 1673, and
after his father’s death was sent to school at Lemgo, and
afterwards at Hameln, whence, after making proficiency
in Greek and Latin, he was removed to the newly-erected
university at Halle. Having finished the usual course of
studies here, and taken orders, he was for some time employed as tutor to the sons of noblemen and gentlemen.
About the year 1701, some German families in London
requested of the university of Halle to send over a proper
person as schoolmaster to their children. Boehm was invited to accept this situation, and arrived at London in
November of that year, where his first object was to acquire the English language. In 1702 he opened a school
in Bedfordbnry, but met with so little encouragement,
although invited hither for the purpose, that he must have
returned to his own country, if, in 1705, he had not been
appointed by prince George of Denmark, queen Anne’s
husband, to be one of his chaplains, and officiate at his
chapel, which he did for some time alternately with his
colleague Crusius, and gave so much satisfaction, not only
to the prince, but to the queen, that after his highness’s
death, in 1708, the queen ordered the same service to be
continued, and gave him access to her presence, which
he improved occasionally in the promotion of acts, of
charity and humanity. On one occasion, particularly, by
his intercession, the queen prevailed on the king of France
to release many of th French Protestants condemned to
the gallies for religion. When king George I. came to
the crown, Mr. Boehm was confirmed in his station, which
beheld to his death, May 27, 1722. He was buried in
Greenwich church-yard, with a characteristic epitaph.
He appears to have been a man of unfeigned and fervent
piety, and remarkably zealous in promoting works of piety
and charity. Dr. Watts said of him, that he feared there
were but few such men then in England, British or German, Episcopal or Non -conformist. His original works
are 1. “Enchiridion Precum, cum introductione de natura Orationis,
” A volume of
discourses and tracts,
” in English. 3. “The duty of Reformation,
” The doctrine of godly sorrow,
”
Plain directions for reading the Holy Bible,
”
Various pious tracts, in the German language. He also translared the
” Pietas Hallensis,“a curious history of the rise and progress of the Orphan
school at Halle, 1705 6 7, and the first
” Account of
the Protestant mission at Tranquebar,“1709 11, some
parts of the works of bishop Hopkins, Dr. Barrow, &c.
Arndt’s
” True Christianity" and edited a Latin edition
of the same, and editions of some other pious treatises by
foreign divines. He left an unfinished history of the reformation in England from Henry VIII. to Charles II. and
some other manuscripts.
privy- counsellor of the landgrave of Hesse, and professor of mathematics and philosophy at Giessen, was born at Darmstadt, Nov. 17, 1720, and died July 6, 1790. As
, privy- counsellor of the landgrave
of Hesse, and professor of mathematics and philosophy at
Giessen, was born at Darmstadt, Nov. 17, 1720, and died
July 6, 1790. As a philosopher, he adhered to the principles of Wolf, who had been his master, but in mathematics he followed and added to the improvement of the
age, by many useful and experimental treatises. His
“Magazine for engineers and artillery-men,
” Logica, ordine scientifico in usum.
auditorum conscripta,
” Francfort, Metaphysica,
” Giessen, Francfort Encyclopaedia
” and, along with F. K. Schleicher,
wrote the “New Military Library,
” Marbourg,
, or Behmen, a noted visionary, and founder of the sect of the Behmenists, was born in a village near Gorlitz, in Upper Lusatia, 1575. His
, or Behmen, a noted visionary, and founder of the sect of the Behmenists, was born in a village near Gorlitz, in Upper Lusatia, 1575. His education was suitable to the circumstances and views of his parents, who, designing him for a mechanic trade, took him from school as soon as he could read and write, and put him apprentice to a shoe-maker. He first began to use that occupation as a master at Gorlitz, in 1594, and getting into such business as enabled him to support a family, he entered after some time into matrimony, and had several children.
, an eminent professor of botany and anatomy in the university of Wittetnberg, who was born in 1723, and died in 1803, was the disciple of Ludwig,
, an eminent professor of
botany and anatomy in the university of Wittetnberg, who
was born in 1723, and died in 1803, was the disciple of
Ludwig, and the author of a great many treatises on every
branch of botanical science, much admired for original
thoughts, perspicuity of method, and extensive knowledge. The principal of these were, 1. “Flora Lipsiae
indigena,
” Leipsic, Definitiones plantarum Ludwigianas auctas et emendatas edidit G. R.
Boehmer,
” ibid. Bibliotheca
scriptorum historic naturalis, oeconomisc, aliarumque artium ac scientiarum ad illam pertmentium, realis systematica,
” ibid. 9 vols. 8vo, a very valuable bibliographical
work, with references to the literary journals, &c. 4. “A
history of plants used in arts and manufactures,
” ibid.
, a very celebrated German lawyer, was born in 1674 at Hanover. He became professor of law at Halle,
, a very celebrated German lawyer, was born in 1674 at Hanover. He became professor of law at Halle, and afterwards director of the university and in 1743 was appointed chancellor of the duchy
of Magdeburgh, and chancellor in ordinary of the faculty
oflaw. He died Aug. 11, 1749. His chief study was the
canon law, but he was also equally distinguished for his
knowledge of the civil law and in all his writings displays
profound sense and learning. Among the most approved
of his works, we may enumerate: 1 “Tractatus ecclesiasticus de jure parochiali,
” Halle, Jus
Ecclesiasticum Protestantium,
” ibid. Corpus juris canonici,
”
Halle, De precavenda polyporum generatione.
” His next dissertation, which was published in Situs uteri gravidi, ac foetus, ac sede placentae in utero.
”
In this he has given a critical examination of the midwifery
forceps used in England, which he compares with and
prefers to Leuret’s. These pieces were added by the author to his edition of sir Richard Manningham’s “Compendium artis Obstetricoe,
” published in Institutiones Osteologicse, in usum prelectionum,
” 8vo. Haller particularly commends in this work
the engravings of the embryos, and some foetal skeletons.
His “Observationum Anatomicarum fasciculus primus,
”
folio, was published in
, professor of medicine in the university of Petersburg, was born at the Hague in 1715. He was the son of James Kaan, and
, professor of medicine
in the university of Petersburg, was born at the Hague in
1715. He was the son of James Kaan, and of Margaret, the
daughter of Herman Boerhaave. After receiving a good
classical education, he went to Leyden, where, applying
to the study of medicine under the celebrated Albinus
Gaubius, and other masters, he was admitted to the degree
of doctor in 1738. He iiad before obtained an honorary medal from the university for his discourse “De gaudiis Alcheimstarum,
” though he was more particularly attached to
anatomy, which he cultivated with great success. The year
following he took the name of Ins uncle Boerhaave. In
1740 he went to Petersburgh, where his talents soon procured him the situation of professor in medicine in the
university there, and of one of the members of the imperial academy. By Portal and Blumenbach he is called
archiater, or aulic counsellor, and first physician to the
empress, confounding him with his brother Herman Kaan B.
who about the same time enjoyed that honour. In the
course of a severe and tedious illness, from which he with
difficulty recovered, he lost his hearing. This happened
1749. He died in 1753. His works are: “Perspiratio
dicta Hippocrati, per universum corpus anatomice illustrata,
” Lugd. B. Impetum faciens
dictum Hippocrati per corpus consentiens, philologice et
physiologice illustratum,
” Lugd. Bat.
, professor of theology at Leipsic, was born at Dresden, Nov. 6, 1685, studied at Leipsic and Wittemberg,
, professor of theology at Leipsic, was born at Dresden, Nov. 6, 1685,
studied at Leipsic and Wittemberg, and travelled afterwards
in Holland and England. He died at Leipsic, Nov. 19,
17.53. He was a man of great learning, which he employed principally on subjects of biblical criticism and ecclesiastical history. His principal works are: 1. “De
exulibus Grcecis iisdemque litterarum in Italia instauratoribus,
” Leipsic, De
ortu atque progressu Philosophise moralis,
” ibid. De Socrate, singular! boni ethici exemplo,
” ib. De Lutheri actis anno 1520,
” ibid. De actis Lutheri anno 1531,
” ibid. Institutiones theologiae symbolicse,
” ib. Dissertationes sacrae,
” ibid. Bibliotheca
Sacra,
” at Antwerp, 2 vols. 8vo, with corrections and additions. He had two sons, Christian Frederic, and Frederic, who were both physicians. The latter, who died
in 1761, published the “Lives and writings of eminent
physicians and naturalists,
” in German, Wolfenbuttle,
, of Sarlat, in Perigord, counsellor of the parliament of Bourdeaux, was born Nov. 1, 1530, and cultivated both Latin and French poetry
, of Sarlat, in Perigord,
counsellor of the parliament of Bourdeaux, was born
Nov. 1, 1530, and cultivated both Latin and French
poetry with success. He was an author at the age of Sixt
teen, and died at thirty-two, in 1563, at Germignan, two
leagues from Bourdeaux. Montagne, his friend, to whom
he left his library, collected his works in 1571, 8vo. They
consist of translations of several works of Plutarch and
Xenophon, of political discourses, pieces of poetry, &c.
His “Authenoticon,
” or voluntary slavery, was published
in
descended from an ancient and noble family, inauy of his ancestors having been senators and consuls, was born at Rome in the year 455. Though deprived of his father
, the most learned and almost the only Latin philosopher of his time, descended from an ancient and noble family, inauy of his ancestors having been senators and consuls, was born at Rome in the year 455. Though deprived of his father the year he was born by the cruelty of Valeutinian III. who caused him to be put to death, his relations took all proper care of his education, and inspired him with an early taste for philosophy and the belles-lettres. They sent him afterwards to Athens, where he remained eighteen years, and made surprising progress in every branch of literature, particularly philosophy and mathematics, in which Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, and Ptolemy, were his favourite authors. During this course of education, he was not less distinguished for probity and humanity, than for genius and learning. On his return to Rome, he attracted the public attention, as one born to promote the happiness of society. The most eminent men in the city sought his friendship, foreseeing that his merit would soon advance him to the first employments of the state. His alliance, too, was consequently courted by many, but Elpis, descended from one of the most considerable families of Messina, was the lady on whom Boethius fixed his choice. This lady was learned, highly accomplished, and virtuous. She bore him two sons, Patricius and Hypatius. Boethius, as was expected, obtained the highest honour hiscountry could bestow. He was made consul in the year 487, at the age of thirty-two. Odoacer, king of the Heruli, reigned at that time in Italy, who, after having put to death Orestes, and deposed his son Augustulus, the last emperor of the West, assumed the title of king of that country. Two years after Boethius’s advancement to the dignity of consul, Theodoric, king of the Goths, invaded Italy and, having conquered Odoacer and put him to death, he in a short time made himself master of that country, and fixed the seat of his government at Ravenna, as Odoacer and several of the later western emperors had done before him. The Romans and the inhabitants of Italy were pleased with the government of Theodoric, because he wisely ruled them by the same laws, the same polity, and the same magistrates they were accustomed to under the emperors. In the eighth year of this prince’s reign, Boethius had the singular felicity of beholding his two sons, Patricius and Hypatius, raised to the consular dignity. During their continuance in office, Theodoric came to Rome, where he had been long expected, and was received by the senate and people with the greatest demonstrations of joy. Boethius made him an eloquent panegyric in the senate; which the king answered in the most obliging terms, declaring that he should ever have the greatest respect for that august assembly, and would never encroach upon any of their privileges.
, a celebrated Scotch historian, was born at Dundee, in the shire of Angus, about 1470. After having
, a celebrated Scotch historian, was born at Dundee, in the shire
of Angus, about 1470. After having studied at Dundee
and Aberdeen, he was sent to the university of Paris, where
he applied to philosophy, and became a professor of it
there. There also he contracted an acquaintance with several eminent persons, particularly with Erasmus, who kept
a correspondence with him afterwards. Elphinston, bishop
of Aberdeen, having founded the king’s college in that
city about 1500, sent for Boeis from Paris, and appointed
him principal. He took for his colleague Mr. William
Hay, and by their joint labour the kingdom was furnished
with several eminent scholars. Upon the death of his patron, he undertook to write his life, and those of his predecessors in that see. The work is in Latin, and entitled
“Vitae Episcoporum Murthlacensium et Aberdonensium,
”
Paris, unless the authors which he pretends to have seen be hereafter discovered, he will continue to be shrewdly suspected
for the contriver of almost as many tales as Jeoffrey of
Momnouth.
” His 18th book, however, is highly commended by Ferrerius, who says, “that he has treated of
things there in so comprehensive a manner, that he believes no one could have done it more fully or significantly
on the same subject.” His stylo, says another writer, has
all the purity of Caesar’s, and is so nervous both in the
reflections and diction, that he seems to have absolutely
entered into the spirit of Livy, and made it his own. Erasmus, who was intimately acquainted with him, says, in
one of his epistles, “that he was a man of an extraordinary happy genius, and of great eloquence.
” “He was
certainly,
” says another writer, “a great master of polite
learning, well skilled in divinity, philosophy, and history;
but somewhat credulous, and much addicted to the be->
lief of legendary stories. With regard to his other accomplishments, he was discreet, well-bred, attentive, generous,
affable, and courteous.“Dr. Johnson in his Tour in Scotland observes that Hector Boethius may be
” justly reverenced as one of the revivers of elegant learning. The
style of Boethins, though, perhaps, not always rigorously
pure, is formed with great diligence upon ancient models,
and wholly uninfected with monastic barbarity. His history is written with elegance and vigour, but his fabulousness and credulity are justly blamed. His fabulousness,
if he was the author of the fictions, is a fault for which no
apology can be made; but his credulity may be excused
in an age when all men were credulous. Learning was
then rising on the world; but ages, so long accustomed to
darkness, were too much dazzled with its light to see any
thing distinctly. The first race of scholars, in the fifteenth
century, and some time after, were, for the most part,
learning to speak, rather than to think, and were therefore more studious of elegance than of truth. The contemporaries of Boethius thought it sufficient to know what
the ancients had delivered. The examination of tenets
and of facts was reserved for another generation.”
, a favoured pupil of T. Bartholine, and strenuous defender of his fame and opinions, was born at Dresden, about the year 1630. After visiting France,
, a favoured pupil of T. Bartholine, and strenuous defender of his fame
and opinions, was born at Dresden, about the year 1630.
After visiting France, England, and other parts of Europe,
to improve himself in knowledge, he took the degree of
doctor in medicine at Basle in Swisserland, in 1652, and at
the end of four or five years, passed principally with Bartholine, to whom he was strongly attached, he settled at
Bern. His works are principally controversial, defending
the priority of the discovery of the lymphatics by Bartholine, against Rudbeck the Swede, who claimed it and
ivho, if he did not discover them, Haller says, has the
merit of having more fully and accurately described them
than- Bartholine had done. Bogden, in this contest, displayed much learning, but equal roughness and ill-humour.
The titles of his works are, “liudbekii insidise structae
vasis lymphaticis Thomas Bartholini,
” 4to, and “Apologia
pro vasis lymphaticis Bartholini, adversus insidias secundo
structas ab Olao Rudbek.
” Haffnice, 1654, 12mo. “Simeonis Seth, tie alimentorum facultatibus,
” Gr. and Lat.
Observationes Meclicae ad Thomam Bath.
”
The observations, twelve in number, are published in the
“Culter Anatomicus
” of Lyser Copenh.
, a physician of considerable reputation in the seventeenth century, was born at Leipsic in 1640, and began his studies there, and at
, a physician of considerable reputation in the seventeenth century, was born at
Leipsic in 1640, and began his studies there, and at Jena.
In 1663 he travelled in Denmark, Holland, England, and
France, and returned by the way of Swisserland in 1665.
The following year he took his degree of M. D. and in 1668
was promoted to the anatomical chair at Leipsic. In 1691
he was appointed city-physician, and in 1691 professor of
therapeutics. In 1700 he was dean of the faculty, and
after a prosperous career, both as a physician and writer,
died in 1718. His principal works are, 1. “De Alkali et
Acidi insuificientia pro principiorum corporum naturalium.
munere gerendo,
” Leipsic, Dissertations
chemico-physicic,
” ibid. Meditationes physico-cheuiicte de aerisin sublunaria infiuxu,
”
ibid. De duumviratu hypocliondrioium,
” ibid. Observatio atque experimenta circa usum spiritns vini externum in hainorragiis
” sistendis,“Leipsic, loS.'i, 4to. 6.
” Exercitatioues
physiologicæ, ibid. De
officio medici duplici, clinini nimirum ac forensis,
” Leipsic, De
renunciatione vulnerum lethalium examen,
” ibid.
, a voluminous political and miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born at Ringsfield, in Suffolk, the only son of Baxter Bohun,
, a voluminous political and miscellaneous writer of the seventeenth century, was born at
Ringsfield, in Suffolk, the only son of Baxter Bohun, who
with his ancestors, had been lords of the manor of Westhall, in that county, from the 25th Henry VIII. In 1663,
he was admitted fellow-commoner of Queen’s college,
Cambridge, and continued there till the latter end of 1666,
when the plague obliged him and others to leave the university. In 1675 he was made a justice of peace for Suffolk, and continued in that office till the second of James
II. when he was discharged, but was restored to that office
in the first of William and Mary. The time of his death
is not mentioned, but he was alive in 1700. He wrote,
1. “An Address to the Freemen and Freeholders of the
nation, in three parts, being the history of three sessions
of parliament in 1678, 1682,and 1683,
” 4to. 2. “A Defence of the Declaration of king Charles II. against a
pamphlet styled, A just and modest Vindication of the
proceedings of the two last Parliaments.
” This was printed
with and added to the Address. 3. “A Defence of Sir
Robert Filmer, against the mistakes and representations of
Algernon Sydney, esq. in a paper delivered by him to the
sheriffs upon the scaffold on Tower-hill, on Friday, Dec.
7, 1683, before his execution there,
” Lond. The
Justice of Peace’s Calling, a moral essay,
” Lond. A Preface and Conclusion to Sir Robert Filmer’s
Patriarcha,
” ibid. A Geographical Dictionary,
” ibid. The History of the Desertion; or an account of all the public affairs of England,
from the beginning of Sept. 1688 to Feb. 12 following,
”
ibid. 1689, 8vo. 8. “An Answer to a piece called The
Desertion discussed (by Jeremy Collier),
” printed at the end
of the “History of the Desertion.
” 9. “The Doctrine of
Passive Obedience and Non-Resistance no way concerned
in the controversies now depending between the Williamites
and the Jacobites,
” ibid. The Life of John Jewell, bishop of Salisbury,
” prefixed to a translation of his Apology, Three
Charges delivered at the general quarter sessions holden at
Ipswich, for the county of Suffolk, in 1691, 1692, and
1693,
” 4to. 12. “The great Historical, Geographical,
and Poetical Dictionary,
” Lond.
, count of Scandiano, an Italian poet, was born at the castle of Scandiano, near Reggio in Lombardy, about
, count of Scandiano, an
Italian poet, was born at the castle of Scandiano, near
Reggio in Lombardy, about the year 1434. He studied at
the university of Ferrara, and remained in that city the
greater part of his life, attached to the ducal court. He
was particularly in great favour with the duke Borso and
Hercules I. his successor. He accompanied Borso in a
journey to Rome in 1471, and the year following was selected by Hercules to escort to Ferrara, Eleonora of Aragon, his future duchess. In 1481 he was appointed governor of Reggio, and was also captain-general of Modena.
He died at Reggio, Dec. 20, 1494. He was one of the
most learned and accomplished men of his time, a very
distinguished Greek and Latin scholar, and at a time when
Italian poetry was in credit, one of those poets who added
to the reputation of his age and country. He translated
Herodotus from the Greek into Italian, and Apuleius from
the Latin. He wrote also Latin poetry, as his “Carmen
Bucolicum,
” eight eclogues in hexameters, dedicated to
duke Hercules I. Reggio, 1500, 4 to Venice, 1528; and
in Italian, “Sonetti e Canzoni,
” Reggio, Timon,
” taken from a dialogue of Lucian, which
may be accounted the first comedy written in Italian. The
first edition of it, according to Tiraboschi, was that printed
at Scandiano, 1500, 4to. The one, without a date, in
8vo, he thinks was the second. It was afterwards reprinted
at Venice, 1504, 1515, and 1517, 8vo. But Boiardo is
principally known by his epic romance of “Orlando Innamorato,
” of which the celebrated poem of Ariosto is not
only an imitation, but a continuation. Of this work, he did
not live to complete the third book, nor is it probable that
any part of it had the advantage of his last corrections, yet
it is justly regarded as exhibiting, upon the whole, a
warmth of imagination, and a vivacity of colouring, which
rendered it highly interesting: nor is it, perhaps, without
reason, that the simplicity of the original has occasioned
it to be preferred to the same work, as altered or reformed
by Francesco Berni (See Brrni). The “Orlando Innamorato
” was first printed at Scandiano, about the year
, an eminent French poet, usually called by his countrymen Despreaux, was born on November 1, 1636. His parents were Gilles Boileau, register
, an eminent French
poet, usually called by his countrymen Despreaux, was
born on November 1, 1636. His parents were Gilles
Boileau, register of the great chamber, and Ann de Nielle,
his second wife; but it is uncertain whether he was born
at Paris or Crone. In his early years, he was the reverse
of those infantine prodigies who often in mature age scarcely
attain to mediocrity; on the contrary, he was heavy and
taciturn; nor was his taciturnity of that observing kind
which denotes sly mischief at the bottom, but the downright barren taciturnity of insipid good-nature. His father,
on comparing him with his other children, used to say,
“as for this, he is a good-tempered fellow, who will never
speak ill of any one.
” In his infancy, however, he ap“pears to have been of a very tender constitution, and is
said to have undergone the operation for the stone at the
age of eight. Through compliance with the wishes of his
family, he commenced with being a counsellor; but the
tlryness of the Code and Digest soon disgusted him with
this profession, which, his eulogist thinks, was a loss to
the bar. When M. Dongois, his brother-in-law, register
of parliament, took him to his house in order to form him
to the style of business, he had a decree to draw up in an
important cause, which he composed with enthusiasm,
while he dictated it to Boileau with an emphasis which
shewed how much he was satisfied with the sublimity of
his work; but when he had finished, he perceived that
Boileau was fallen asleep, after having written but few
words. Transported with anger, he sent him back to his
father, assuring him he
” would be nothing but a blockhead all the rest of his life." After this he began to study
scholastic divinity, which was still less suited to his taste,
and at length he became what he himself wished to be a
Poet; and, as if to belie, at setting out, his father’s prediction, he commenced at the age of thirty, with satire,
which let loose against him the crowd of writers whom he
, one of the brothers of the preceding, a doctor of the Sorbonne, was born in 1635, studied in the university of Paris, took his degree
, one of the brothers of the preceding, a doctor of the Sorbonne, was born in 1635, studied in the university of Paris, took his degree of doctor in theology in 1662, was appointed dean of Sens, and vicar of the archbishop Gondoin, in 1667; and in 1694, was presented by the king with a canonry in the holy chapel of Paris. He died dean of the faculty of theology in 1716.
, the eldest brother of Boileau Despreaux, was born in 1631, and had a place in the king’s household. He was
, the eldest brother of Boileau Despreaux, was
born in 1631, and had a place in the king’s household.
He was a man of wit and learning, and published a translation of Arrian’s Epictetus, with a life of the philosopher,
Paris, 1655, 8vo. He also published a translation of Diogenes Laertius, 1668, in 2 vols. 12mo; and two dissertations against Menage and Costar. His “Posthumous
Works
” were published in
, of the Oratory, a native of Orleans, was born in 1629, and died July 15, 1696. He succeeded father le
, of the Oratory, a native of Orleans,
was born in 1629, and died July 15, 1696. He succeeded
father le Cointe his friend in the place of librarian to the
house of St. Honore, and inherited his papers, which were
not useless in his hands. He revised the eighth volume of
the “Ecclesiastical Annals of France,
” and published it in.
he French academy, to the establishment whereof he contributed greatly, abbot of Chatilly-sur-Seine, was born at Caen in 1592, and died in 1662. He was remarkably brilliant
, of the French
academy, to the establishment whereof he contributed
greatly, abbot of Chatilly-sur-Seine, was born at Caen in
1592, and died in 1662. He was remarkably brilliant in
conversation, but with his natural and borrowed powers,
often repeating scraps from many of the tales of Boccace, of Beroald, and especially the “Moyen de parvenir
”
of the Jatter. His imagination, fostered early by the
writings of all the facetious authors, furnished him with the
means of amusing and of exciting laughter. Citois, first
physician to the cardinal de Richelieu, used to say to that
minister, when he was indisposed, “Monseigneur, all our
drugs are of no avail, unless you mix with them a dram of
Boisrobert.
” The cardinal for a long time was never
happy without his company and jokes, and employed him
as his buffoon. When Boisrobert fell into disgrace with
the cardinal, he had recourse to Citois, who put at the
bottom of his paper to the cardinal, as if it had been a prescription, Recipe Boisrobert. This jest had its effect,
by causing him to be recalled. Boisrobert published,
1. Divers poems; the first part 1647, 4to, and the second
1659, 8vo. 2. Letters in the collection of Faret; 8vo.
3. Tragedies, comedies, and tales, which bear the name
of his brother Antoine le Metel, sieur d'Ouville. 4. “Histoire Indienne d‘Anaxandre et d’Orasie;
” Nouvelles heroiques,
” Now,
” added this friend, “when it is known that your
grace has rewarded a paltry piece with six thousand crowns,
every one will applaud your generosity, and will be anxious
to know what you would have given for a good poem.
”
It is most to his honour, however, that he contributed to
the establishment of the French academy, and always employed his interest with cardinal Richelieu in behalf of men
of merit.
, a famous French antiquary, was born at Besangon, 1528, and published several collections, which
, a famous French antiquary,
was born at Besangon, 1528, and published several collections, which tend to illustrate the Roman antiquities, on
which he had bestowed great attention, having drawn plans
of all the ancient monuments in Italy, and visited all the
antiquities of the isles of Corfu, Cephalonia, and Zante.
He went also to the Morea, and would have proceeded to
Syria, had he not been prevented by a dangerous fever,
which seized him at Methone. Upon his return to his own
country, he was appointed tutor to the sons of Anthony de
Vienne, baron de Clervaut, with whom he travelled into
Germany and Italy. He had left at Montbeliard his antiquities, which he had been collecting with so much pains;
and had the misfortune to lose them all when the people
of Lorraine ravaged Franche Comte“. He had now none
left except those which he had transported to Metz, where
he himself head retired; but as it was well known that he
intended to publish a large collection of antiquities, there
were sent to him from all parts many sketches and draughts
of old monuments, by which means he was enabled to favour the public with his work, entitled,
” De Romano?
urbis topographia et antiquitate.“It consists of four volumes in folio, which are enriched with several prints, by
Theodore de Bry and his sons, 1597 1602. He published also the lives of many famous persons, with their
portraits, entitled,
” Theatrum vitoe humanx,“divided into
four parts, in 4to: the first printed at Francfort, 1597;
the second and third in 1598; and the fourth in 1599.
His treatise,
” De divinatione et magicis praestigiis,“was
not printed till after his death, which happened at Metz,
Oct. 30, 1602. There have been two editions of it: one
at Hainan in 1611, 4to; another at Oppenheim in 1625,
folio. He wrote also a book of
” Emblems,“with de Bry’s
engravings, Francfort, 1595, 4to;
” Parnassus Biceps,“ibid, 1627, fol. a very rare book; and
” Habitus variarum
orbis gentium,“1581, fol. with plates. He published also
some
” Poemata, Epigramrnata, &c." 1574, 16mo; but
these are not so much esteemed as his other performances.
His adventure in a garden of cardinal Carpi at Rome,
shews him a genuine antiquary. This garden was full of
ancient marbles, and situated on the Mons Quirinalis.
Boissard went thither one day with his friends, and immediately parted from them, let them return home, and concealed himself in some of the alleys. He employed the
rest of the day in copying inscriptions and drawing the
monuments; and as the garden gates were shut, he staid
there all night. The next morning, the cardinal, finding
him at this work, could not imagine how a stranger should
get into his garden at an unseasonable hour; but when he
knew the reason of Boissard’s staying there all night, he
ordered him a good breakfast, and gave him leave to
copy and draw whatsoever he should think curious in his
palace.
, a celebrated French comic writer of native wit and genuine humour, was born at Vic in Auvergne in 1694. He came early to Paris, and
, a celebrated French comic writer of native wit and genuine humour, was born at Vic in Auvergne in 1694. He came early to Paris, and began to write for the stage. The rest of his life is a moral. As has often been the fate of extraordinary favourites of the muses, though he laboured incessantly for the public, his works procured him only a competency of fame he wanted bread, and while the theatres and coffee-houses of Paris were ringing with plaudits on his uncommon talents to promote their mirth, he was languishing, with a wife and child, under the pressures of the extremest poverty. Yet, melancholy as his situation was, he lost nothing of that pride, which forbid him to creep and fawn at the feet of a patron. Boissi had friends, who would readily have relieved him; but they were never made acquainted with his real condition, or had not that friendly impetuosity which forces assistance on the modest sufferer. He at length became the prey of distress, and sunk into despondency. The shortest way to rid himself at once of his load of misery seemed to him to be death, on which he speculated with the despair of a man who has none of the consolations of religion. His wife, who was no less weary of life, listened with participation as often as he declaimed, in all the warmth of poetic rapture, on the topic of deliverance from this earthly prison, and the smiling prospects of futurity; till at length she took up the resolution to accompany him in death. But she could not bear to think of leaving her beloved son, of five years old, in a world of misery and sorrow; it was therefore agreed to take the child along with them, on their passage into another and a better, and they made choice of starving. To this end, they shut themselves up in their solitary and deserted apartment, waiting their dissolution with immovable fortitude. When any one came and knocked, they fled trembling into a corner, for fear of being discovered. Tneir little boy, who had not yet learned to silence the calls of hunger by artificial reasons, whimpering and crying, asked for bread; but they always found means to quiet him.
, professor of Greek in the royal college of Paris, was born at Montreuil l'Argile“, in Upper Normandy. Being sent for
, professor of Greek in the royal college of Paris, was born at Montreuil l'Argile“, in Upper
Normandy. Being sent for to Paris by his elder brother,
young Boivin soon made great progress in literature, in
the languages, and especially in the knowledge of the
Greek. He died October 29, 1726, aged 64, member of
the French academy, and of that of belles lettres, and
keeper of the king’s library. He profited by this literary
treasure, by drawing from it a variety of information, and
to a great extent. In his private character he was of
gentle manners, and truly amiable. He wrote, 1.
” The
Apology for Homer, and the Shield of Achilles, in 12mo.
2. Translation of the Batrachomyomachia of Homer into
French verse, under his name Latinised into Biberimero.
3. The CEdipus of Sophocles, and the Birds of Aristophanes, translated into French, in 12mo. 4. Pieces of
Greek poetry. 5. The edition of the “Mathematici veteres,
”
, brother to the preceding, a distinguished scholar and pensionary of the academy of belles lettres, was born at Montreuil l'Argile, and educated, first under the Jesuits
, brother to the preceding, a distinguished scholar and pensionary of the academy of belles
lettres, was born at Montreuil l'Argile, and educated, first
under the Jesuits at Rouen, and afterwards at Paris, where
he settled. His acquirements in literature were various
and extensive; but his temper, according to his own account, was intractable and unsocial, enterprising, vain, and
versatile. He was employed by several eminent magistrates as the associate and director of their private studies;
but the litigiousness of his disposition involved him in
great trouble and expence. He published some learned
dissertations on historical subjects, in the “Memoirs of
the Academy of Belles Lettres,
” and made great progress
towards a new edition of Josephus. He died in 1724, aged
75 years.
, a pious and useful clergyman of Leicestershire, was born at Leicester in 1679, and at the age of fifteen had made
, a pious and useful clergyman of Leicestershire, was born at Leicester in 1679, and at the age of fifteen had made such progress in letters as to be matriculated at St. John’s college, Cambridge. Having taken the degree of B. A. in 1698, he retired to Hinckley in Leicestershire, where he engaged in teaching a small endowed school, and retained that employment until 1732, at the humble salary of 10l. per annum. At the usual age, he was admitted into holy orders to serve the curacy of Stoney Stanton near Hinckley. It appears from the parish register, that he commenced his parochial duties in May 1702; and the care of the parish was confided to him, his rector then residing on another benefice. His stipend was only 30l. a year, as the living was a small one, being then in the open-field state. Nor does it appear that he had made any saving in money from the profits of his school all the property he seems to have brought with him to his curacy was, his chamber furniture, and a library, more valuable for being select than extensive. When Mr. Bold was examined for orders, his diocesan (Dr. James Gardiner, bishop of Lincoln) was so much pleased with his proficiency in sacred learning, that he had determined to make Mr. Bold his domestic chaplain: but the good bishop’s death soon after closed his prospect of preferment as soon as it was opened in that quarter; and Mr. Bold framed his plan of life and studies upon a system of rigid ceconomy and strict attention to his professional duties, which never varied during the fifty years he passed afterwards on his curacy. Remote from polished and literary society, which he was calculated both to enjoy and to adorn, he diligently performed the duties of an able and orthodox divine; a good writer; an excellent preacher, and an attentive parish priest. He appears, from the early age of 24 years, to have formed his plan of making himself a living sacrifice for the benefit of his flock; and to have declined preferment (which was afterward offered to him) with a view of making his example and doctrine the more striking and effective, by his permanent residence and labours in one and the same place. He appears to have begun his ecclesiastical labours in a spirit of self-denial, humility, charity, and piety. He had talents that might have rendered him conspicuous any where, and an impressive and correct delivery. His life was severe (so far as respected himself); his studies incessant; his spiritual labours for the church and his flock, ever invariably the same. His salary, we have already mentioned, was only ZOl. a year, which was never increased, and of which he paid at firsts/, then J2l. and lastly 16l. a year, for his board. It needs scarcely be said that the most rigid ceconomy was requisite, and practised, to enable him to subsist; much more to save out of this pittance for beneficent purposes. Yet he continued to give away annually, 5l.; and saved 5l. more with a view to more permanent charities: upon the rest he lived. His daily fare consisted of water-gruel for his breakfast; a plate from the farmer’s table, with whom he boarded, supplied his dinner; after dinner, one half pint of ale, of his own brewing, was his only luxury; he took no tea, and his supper was upon milk-pottage. With this slender fare his frame was supported under the labour of his various parochial duties. In the winter, he read and wrote by the farmer’s fire-side; in the summer, in his own room. At Midsummer, he borrowed a horse for a day or two, to pay short visits beyond a walking distance. He visited all his parishioners, exhorting, reproving, consoling, instructing them.
, second wife of king Henry VIII. was born in 1507. She was daughter of sir Thomas Bolen, afterwards
, second wife of king
Henry VIII. was born in 1507. She was daughter of sir
Thomas Bolen, afterwards earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde,
by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk. When she was but seven years of age, she was carried
over to France with the king’s sister Mary, who was married to Lewis XII. And though, upon the B'rench king’s
death, the queen dowager returned to England, yet Anne
Bolen was so highly esteemed at the court of France, that
Claude, the wife of Francis I. retained her in her service
for some years; and after her death in 1524, the duchess
of Alenzon, the king’s sister, kept her in her court during
her stay in that kingdom. It is probable, that she returned
from thence with her father, from his embassy in 1527; and
was soon preferred to the place of maid of honour to the
queen. She continued without the least imputation upon
her character, till her unfortunate fall gave occasion to
some malicious writers to defame her in all the parts of it.
Upon her coming to the English court, the lord Percy,
eldest son of the earl of Northumberland, being then a
domestic of cardinal Wolsey, made his addressee to her,
and proceeded so far, as to engage himself to marry her;
and her consent shews, that she had then no aspirings to
the crown. But the cardinal, upon some private reasons,
using threats and other methods, with great difficulty put
an end to that nobleman’s design. It was prohably about
1528, that the king began to shew some favour to her,
which caused many to believe, that the whole process with
regard to his divorce from queen Catherine was moved by
the unseen springs of that secret passion. But it is not reasonable to imagine, that the engagement of the king’s affec
tion to any other person gave the rise to that affair; for so
sagacious a courtier as Wolsey would have infallibly discovered it, and not have projected a marriage with the
French king’s sister, as he did not long before, if he had
seen his master prepossessed. The supposition is much
more reasonable, that his majesty, conceiving himself in a
manner discharged of his former marriage, gave a full
liberty to his affections, which began to settle upon Mrs.
Bolen; who, in September 1532, was created marchioness
of Pembroke, in order that she might be raised by degrees
to the height for which she was designed; and on the 25th
of January following was married to the king, the office
being performed by; Rowland Lee, afterwards bishop of
Coventry and Lichfield, with great privacy, though in the
presence of her uncle the duke of Norfolk, her father,
mother, and brother. On the 1st of June, 1533, she was
crowned queen of England with such pomp and solemnity,
as was answerable to the magnificence of his majesty’s
temper; and every one admired her conduct, who had so
long managed the spirit of a king so violent, as neither to
surfeit him with too much fondness, nor to provoke with too
much reserve. Her being so soon with child gave hopes of
a numerous issue; and those, who loved the reformation,
entertained the greatest hopes from her protection, as they
knew she favoured them. On the 13th or 14th of September following, she brought forth a daughter, christened
Elizabeth, afterwards the renowned queen of England,
Cranmer, archbishop of Canterb ry, being her god-father.
But the year 1536 proved fatal to her majesty; and her
ruin was in all probability occasioned by those who began
to be distinguished by the name of the Romish party. For
the king now proceeding both at home and abroad in the
point of reformation, they found that the interest which
the queen had in him was the grand support of that cause.
She had risen, not only in his esteem, but likewise in that
of the nation in general; for in the last nine months of
her life, she gave above fourteen thousand pounds to the
poor, and was engaged in several noble and public designs.
But these virtues could not secure her against the artifices
of a bigoted party, which received an additional force
from several other circumstances, that contributed to her
destruction. Soon after queen Catharine’s death in Jan.
1535-6, she was brought to bed of a dead son, which was
believed to have made a bad impression on the king’s mind;
and as he had concluded from the death of his sons by
his former queen, that the marriage was displeasing to
God, so he might upon this misfortune begin to have the
same opinion of his marriage with queen Anne. It was
also considered by some courtiers, that now queen Catharine was dead, his majesty might marry another wife, and
be fully reconciled with the pope and the emperor, and
the issue by any other marriage would never be questioned;
whereas, while queen Anne lived, the ground of the controversy still remained, and her marriage being accounted
null from the beginning, would never be allowed by the
court of Rome, or any of that party. With these reasons
of state the king’s own passions too much concurred; for
he now entertained a secret love for the lady Jane Seymour, who had all the charms of youth and beauty, and
an humour tempered between the gravity of queen Catharine, and the gaiety of queen Anne. Her majesty therefore perceiving the alienation of the king’s heart, used all
possible arts to recover that affection, the decay of which
she was sensible of; but the success was quite contrary to
what she designed. For he saw her no more with those
eyes which she had formerly captivated; but gave way to
jealousy, and ascribed her caresses to some other criminal
passion, of which he began to suspect her. Her chearful
temper indeed was not always limited within the bounds of
exact decency and discretion; and her brother the lord
Rochford’s wife, a woman of no virtue, being jealous of
her husband and her, possessed the king with her own apprehensions. Henry Norris, groom of the stole, William
Brereton, and sir Francis W'eston, who were of the king’s
privy chamber, and Mark Smeton, a musician, were by
the queen’s enemies thought too officious about her; and
something was pretended to have been sworn by the lady
Wingfield at her death, which determined the king; but
the particulars are not known. It is reported likewise,
that when the king held a tournament at Greenwich on the
1st of May, 1536, he was displeased at the queen for
letting her handkerchief fall to one, who was supposed a
favourite, and who wiped his face with it. Whatever the
case was, the king returned suddenly from Greenwich to
Whitehall, and immediately ordered her to be confined to
her chamber, and her brother, with the four persons abovementioned, to be committed to the Tower, and herself to
be sent after them the day following. On the river some
privy counsellors came to examine her, but she made deep
protestations of her innocence; and as she landed at the
Tower, she fell down on her knees, and prayed Heaven
so to assist her, as she was free from the crimes laid to
her charge.“The confusion she was in soon raised a storm
of vapours within her; sometimes she laughejj, and at
other times wept excessively. She was also devout and
light by turns; one while she stood upon her vindication,
and at other times confessed some indiscretions, which
upon recollection she denied. All about her took advantage from any word, that fell from her, and sent it immediately to court. The duke of Norfolk and others, who
came to examine her, the better to make discoveries, told
her, that Morris and Smeton had accused her; which,
though false, had this effect on her, that it induced her to
own some slight acts of indiscretion, which, though no ways
essential, totally alienated the king from her. Yet whether even these small acknowledgments were real truths,
or the effects of imagination and hysterical emotions, is
very uncertain. On the 12th of May, Morris, Brereton,
Weston, and Smeton, were tried in Westminster-hall.
Smeton is said by Dr. Burnet to have confessed the fact;
but the lord Herbert’s silence in this matter imports him to
have been of a different opinion; to which may be added,
that Cromwell’s letter to the king takes notice, that only
some circumstances were confessed by Smeton. However,
they were all four found guilty, and executed on the 17th
of May. On the 15th of which month, the queen, and her
brother the lord Rochford, were tried by their peers in
the Tower, and condemned to die. Yet all this did not
satisfy the enraged king, who resolved likewise to illegitimate his daughter Elizabeth; and, in order to that, to annul his marriage with the queen, upon pretence of a precontract between her and the lord Percy, now earl of Northumberland, who solemnly denied it; though the queen
was prevailed upon to acknowledge, that there were some
just and lawful impediments against her marriage with the
king; and upon this a sentence of divorce was pronounced
by the archbishop, and afterwards confirmed in the convocation and parliament. On the 19th of May, she was
brought to a scaffold within the Tower, where she was
prevailed upon, out of regard to her daughter, to make no
reflections on the hardships she had sustained, nor to say
any thing touching the grounds on which sentence passed
against her; only she desired, that
” all would judge the
best." Her head being severed from her body, they were
both put into an ordinary chest, and buried in the chapel
in the Tower.
, a learned Jesuit, was born at Tillemont, in the Netherlands, Aug. 13, 1596, and at
, a learned Jesuit, was born at
Tillemont, in the Netherlands, Aug. 13, 1596, and at
sixteen, a very usual age, entered the society of the Jesuits, and soon became distinguished as a teacher, both in
the Netherlands, and in other countries. What entitles
him to notice here, is the share he had in that voluminous
work, the “Lives of the Saints,
” or “Acta Sanctorum.
”
The history of this work is not uninteresting, although the
work itself, otherwise than for occasional consultation,
defies time and patience. The design of this vast collection was first projected by father Hesibert Koseweide, a
Jesuit of the age of sixty, and consequently too far advanced to execute much of his plan, winch was to extend
no farther than eighteen volumes folio, a trifle in those
days, had he begun earlier. In 1607, however, he began
by printing the manuscript lives of some saints, which he
happened to find in the Netherlands; but death put an
end to his labours in 1629. It was then entrusted to Bollandus, who was about this time thirty-four years of age,
and who removed to Antwerp for the purpose. After examining Roseweide’s collections, he established a general
correspondence over all Europe, instructing his friends to
search every library, register, or repository of any kind,
where information might be found; but becoming soon
sensible of the weight of his undertaking, he called in the
assistance of another Jesuit, Henschemus of Gueiderland,
younger than himself, more healthy, and equally qualified
in other respects. With this aid he was enabled in 1641
to publish the tirst two volumes, folio, which contain the
lives of the saints of the month of January, the order of
the Kalendar having been preferred. Jn 1658 he published those of February; and two years after, his labours
still entreasmg, he had another associate, father Daniel
Paperbroch, at that time about thirty-two years old, whom
he sent with Henschenius to Italy and France to collect
manuscripts, but he died before the publication of another
volume, Sept. 12, 1665. After his death the work was
continued by various hands, called Bollandists, until it
amounted to forty-two folio volumes, the last published
1753, which, after all, bring down the lives only to the
fourteenth of September. In such an undertaking, much
legendary matter must be expected, and many absurdities
and fictions. Dupiri allows that Bollandus was more partial to popular traditions than Henschemus and Paperbroch,
yet it would appear that they found it difficult to please
the taste of the different orders of monks, &c. who were
to be edified by the work. Bollandus published separately:
1. “Vita S. Liborii Episcopi,
” Antwerp, Brevis Notitia Italiae,
” ibid. Breves Notitice triplici status, Ecclesiastici, Monastici et Saecularis,
”
ibid.
, a French writer, was born at Lyons, Feb. 13, 1709, of a distinguished family, and
, a French writer, was
born at Lyons, Feb. 13, 1709, of a distinguished family,
and died there in 1793. He wrote, 1. “De la corruption
du gout dans la Musique Francaise,
” De
la Bibliomanie,
” 1761, 8vo, a subject since so ably
handled by Mr. Dibdin. 3. “Discours sur l'Emulation,
”
Essai sur la lecture,
” Renovation des voeux litteraires,
” which was afterwards published.
, an eminent puritan divine, and one of the best scholars of his time, was born at Blackburn in Lancashire, in 1572, and educated in queen
, an eminent puritan divine, and
one of the best scholars of his time, was born at Blackburn
in Lancashire, in 1572, and educated in queen Elizabeth’s
free-school in that place, where he made such proficiency
as to be accounted a young man of extraordinary talents
and industry. In his eighteenth year he went to Oxford,
and entered of Lincoln college, under the tuition of Mr.
John Randal, where he went through a course of logic and
philosophy with distinguished approbation, and particularly took pains to acquire a critical knowledge of Greek,
transcribing the whole of Homer with his own hand. By
this diligence he attained a greater facility than was then
usual, writing, and even disputing, in Greek with great
correctness and fluency. From Lincoln he removed to
Brazen-nose, in hopes of a fellowship, as that society
consisted most of Lincolnshire and Cheshire men. In 1596
he took his bachelor’s degree in this college, and was
kindly supported by Dr. Brett of Lincoln, himself a good
Grecian, and who admired the proficiency Bolton had
made in that language, until 1602, when he obtained a
fellowship, and proceeded M. A. the same year. His reputation advancing rapidly, he was successively chosen
reader of the lectures on logic, and on moral and natural
philosophy in his college. In 1605, vrhen king James
came to Oxford, the vice-chancellor (Abbot, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury) appointed him to read in natural
philosophy in the public schools, and to be one of the
disputants before his majesty. Afterwards he increased
his stock of learning by metaphysics, mathematics, and
scholastic divinity. About this time, one Anderton, a
countryman and schoolfellow, and a zealous Roman catholic, endeavoured to seduce him to that religion, and a
place of private conference was fixed, but Anderton not
keeping his appointment, the affair dropped. Mr. Bolton,
with all his learning, had been almost equally noted for
immorality, but about his thirty-fourth year, reformed his
life and manners, and became distinguished for regularity
and piety. In 1609, about two years after he entered into
holy orders, which he did very late in life, he was presented to the living of Broughton in Northamptonshire, by
Mr. afterwards sir Augustine Nicolls, serjeant at law, who
sent for him to his chamber* in Serjeant’s Inn and gave
him the presentation. Dr. King, bishop of London, being
by accident there at the same time, thanked the serjeant
for what he had done for Broughton, but told him that he
had deprived the university of a singular ornament. He
then went to his living and remained on it until his death,
Dec. 17, 1631. He was, says Wood, a painful and constant preacher, a person of great zeal in his duty, charitable and bountiful, and particularly skilled in resolving
the doubts of timid Christians. Of his works, the most
popular in his time, was “A Discourse on Happiness.
”
Lond. Mr. Bolton’s last and learned work of the
Four last Things, Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven,
with an Assize Sermon, and Funeral Sermon for his patron
Judge Nichols,
” Loncl. 1633. Prefixed to this is the life
of Mr. Bolton, to which all his subsequent biographers
have been indebted.
, dean of Carlisle, was born in London in April 1697, and was the only surviving child
, dean of Carlisle, was born in London in April 1697, and was the only surviving child of Mr. John Bolton, a merchant in that city, whom he lost when he was but three years old. He was first educated in a school at Kensington, and was admitted a commoner at Wadham college, Oxford, April 12, 1712. He was afterwards elected a scholar of that house, where he took his degree of B. A. in 1715, and of M. A. June 13, 1718, expecting to be elected fellow in his turn; but in this he was disappointed, and appealed, without success, to the bishop of Bath and Wells, the visitor. In July 1719 he removed to Hart Hall; and on the 20th December following, was ordained a deacon, in the cathedral church of St. Paul, by Dr. John Robinson, bishop of London. He then went to reside at Fulham, and seems to have passed two years there: for he was ordained priest by the same bishop in the chapel of Fulham palace, April 11, 1721. While at Fulham he became acquainted with Mrs. Grace Butler of Rowdell in Sussex, on whose daughter Elizabeth he wrote an epitaph, which is placed in Twickenham church-yard, where she was buried. This epitaph gave occasion to some verses by Pope, which appear in Uuff'head’s life of that poet, and were communicated to the author by the hon. Mr. Yorke, who probably did not know that they first appeared in the Prompter, a periodical paper, No. VIII. and afterwards in the works of Aaron Hill, who by mistake ascribes the character of Mrs. Butler to Pope.
, one of the revivers of letters in the fifteenth century, was born in 1440, and is said by his nephew Pietro Valeriano to
, one of the revivers
of letters in the fifteenth century, was born in 1440, and
is said by his nephew Pietro Valeriano to have been the
earliest instructor of Leo X. in the knowledge of the Greek
tongue. Although an ecclesiastic of the order of St. Francis, he quitted the walls of his monastery with the laudable
curiosity of visiting foreign parts; and, having had an
opportunity of accompanying Andrea Gritti, afterwards
doge of Venice, on an embassy to Constantinople, he thence
made an excursion through Greece, Palestine, Egypt,
Syria, Arabia, and other countries; always travelling on
foot, and diligently noting whatever appeared deserving of
observation. His nephew adds, that he travelled also into
Sicily, where he twice ascended the mountain of yEtna,
and looked down its crater. The disinterestedness of Urbano is also strongly insisted on by his nephew, who informs us that he rather chose to suffer the inconveniencies
of poverty, than to receive a reward for those instructions
which he was at all times ready to give, and that he always
persevered in refusing those honours and dignities which
Leo X. would gladly have conferred upon him. His activity, temperance, and placid disposition, secured to him
a healthful old age; nor did he omit to make frequently
excursions through Italy, until he was disqualified from
these occupations by a fall in his garden whilst he was
pruning his trees. His principal residence was at Venice,
where he not only assisted Aldus in correcting the editions
which he published of the ancient authors, but gave in-'
structions in the Greek language to a great number of
scholars; and there was scarcely a person in Italy distinguished by his proficiency in that language who had not at
some time been his pupil. His grammar, “Urbani Grammatica Græca,
” Venice,
, an eminent cardinal of the church of Rome, and author of several derotional pieces, was born the 19th of October, 1609, at Mondovi, a little city in
, an eminent cardinal of the church of
Rome, and author of several derotional pieces, was born
the 19th of October, 1609, at Mondovi, a little city in
Piedmont, of a noble family. Having finished his first
studies with great success, he entered himself in a monastery of the order of St. Bernard near Pignerol in July 1625,
when he was but fifteen years of age, and was professed
there the 2d of August the year following, according to
Bertolot, who wrote his Life; though Moroti, in “Cistercii
reflorescentis Historia,
” places this. in
, a French antiquary and miscellaneous writer, was born at Louvres, in the district of Paris, in 1694, and educated
, a French antiquary and
miscellaneous writer, was born at Louvres, in the district
of Paris, in 1694, and educated for the ecclesiastical profession; but, devoting himself entirely to literature, he
became under-librarian of St. Victor, and distinguished
both by the politeness of his manners, and the variety as
well as assiduity of his studies. In 1727, he was admitted
a member of the academy of inscriptions and belles lettres,
and made many valuable contributions to its memoirs. His
papers are characterised by simple but correct language,
variety of erudition, clearness of argument, and solidity
of criticism. At the instigation of M. Turgot, a place was
created of historiographer of Paris, and Bonamy being
appointed to occupy it, was led to write various memoirs
relative to the history and antiquities of the city; and on
occasion of the bequest of a curious library to the city, he
was made librarian. From the year 174-7, he conducted the
“Journal of Verdun
” with the strictest propriety and decorum, and indeed in every thing displayed candour and
probity, as well as learning. He died at Paris in 1770.
, was born December 25, 1563, at Urbino, of one of the most ancient
, was born December 25,
1563, at Urbino, of one of the most ancient and noble
families in the city of Ancona, and was sent into France
at the age of fifteen, to be educated suitably to his birth
and the customs of that time. Bonarelli was but nineteen
when he was offered a philosophical professorship of the
Sorbonne, in the college of Calvi; but, his father having
sent for him home, he was satisfied with having merited
that honour, and declined accepting it. He attached himself, for some time, to cardinal Frederick Borromeo (nephew of St. Charles Borromeo) who had a regard for men
of letters, and who founded the famous Ambrosian library
at Milan. He went afterwards to Modena, to which place
his father had removed. After his death, the duke Alphonso, knowing the merit of Bonarelli, employed him in
several important embassies, and the success of these negociations proved how well they had been carried on.
Bonarelli went to Rome with the hope of recovering the
marquisate of Orciano, of which his father had been deprived; but an attack of the gout obliged him to stop at
Fano, where he died January 8, 1608, aged forty-five,
with the character of an able politician, a distinguished
bel esprit, and a good philosopher for the age he lived in.
The pastoral poem for which he is best known is entitled
“Filli di Sciro,
” and was printed first at Ferrara, Discorsi in difesa del doppio amore della sua
Celia,
” but this was rather ingenious than conclusive. We
have likewise some academical discourses of his.
, a celebrated doctor, cardinal, and saint of the church of Rome, was born at Bagnarea in Tuscany, 1221. He was admitted into the
, a celebrated doctor, cardinal, and saint of the church of Rome, was born
at Bagnarea in Tuscany, 1221. He was admitted into the
order of St. Francis, about 1243; and studied divinity at
the university of Paris under the celebrated Alexander de
Hales, with so much success, that at the end of seven
years he was thought worthy to read public lectures upon
the Sentences. He was created doctor in 1255 along with
St. Thomas Aquinas, and the year after appointed general
of his order, in which office he governed with so much
zeal and prudence, that he perfectly restored the discipline
of it, which had been greatly neglected. Pope Clement IV.
nominated him to the archbishopric of York in England;
but Bonaventure disinterestedly refused it. After the death
of Clement the see of Rome lay vacant almost three years,
and the cardinals not being able to agree among themselves
who should be pope, came at length to a most solemn engagement, to leave the choice to Bonaventure; and to
elect whoever he should name, though it should be even
himself, which, from his modest character, was not very
probable. Accordingly, he named Theobald, archdeacon
of Liege, who was at that time in the Holy land, and who
took the title of Gregory X. By this pope he was made a
cardinal and bishop of Albano; and appointed to assist at
a general council, which was held at Lyons soon after. He
died there in 1274, and was magnificently and honourably
conducted to his grave; the pope and whole council attending, and the cardinal Peter of Tarantais, afterwards
pope Innocent V. making his funeral oration. Sixtus IV.
canonized him in 1482. He. has had the good fortune to
be almost equally praised by popish and protestant writers,
Bellarmine has pronounced Bonaventure a person dear to
God and men; and Luther calls him “vir prtestantissimus,
” a most excellent man. His works were printed at
Rome in 1588, in 8 vols. folio. Excepting his commentary upon the master of the Sentences, they are chiefly on
pious and mystical subjects, and have gained him the name
of the Seraphic doctor. Brucker gives us the following
account of his method of philosophizing, from his treatise
“De reductione Artium ad Theologiam;
” on the “application of Learning to Theology:
” Human knowledge he
divides into three branches, logical, physical and moral.
Each of these he considers as the effect of supernatural
illumination, and as communicated to men through the
medium of the holy scriptures. The whole doctrine of
scripture he reduces to three heads; that which respects
the eternal generation and incarnation of Christ, the study
of which is the peculiar province of the doctors of the
church; that which concerns the conduct of life, which is
the subject of preaching; and that which relates to the
union of the soul with God, which is peculiar to the monastic and contemplative life. Physical knowledge he applies to the doctrine of scripture emblematically. For example, the production of the idea of any sensible object
from its archetype, is a type of the generation of the Logos;
the right exercise of the senses typifies the virtuous conduct of life; and the pleasure derived from the senses represents the union of the soul with God. In like manner,
logical philosophy furnishes an emblem of the eternal
generation and the incarnation of Christ: a word conceived in the mind resembling the eternal generation; its
expression in vocal sounds, the incarnation. Thus the
multiform wisdom of God, according to this mystical writer, lies concealed through all nature; and all human
knowledge may, by the help of allegory and analogy, be
spiritualised and transferred to theology. How wide a
door this method of philosophising opens to the absurdities
of mysticism the reader will easily perceive from this specimen.
, a cardinal, was born in that city June 22, 1332, and descended from a noble
, a cardinal, was born in that city June 22, 1332, and descended from a noble and illustrious family. He studied divinity at Paris, where he distinguished himself by his uncommon parts and application, and afterwards taught divinity. He was of the order of St. Augustin, of which he was made general in 1377, on the death of Beauregard. Pope Urban VI. gave him a cardinal’s cap the year after, or as some say, in 1384. This engaging him to stand up for the rights of the church against Francis de Carrario of Padua, that petty tyrant contrived to have him murdered. He was dispatched with the shot of an arrow, as he was passing St. Angelo’s bridge at Rome. This event some place in 1385, others in 1389, 1396, and 1398. The manner of his death gave occasion to the following Latin distich, which cannot be translated so as to be intelligible to an English reader: