omas Lawrence of the royal navy, and grandson of Dr. Thomas Lawrence, first physician to queen Anne, was born May 25, 1711, in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster.
, an eminent physician, the son of captain Thomas Lawrence of the royal navy, and grandson of Dr. Thomas Lawrence, first physician to queen Anne, was born May 25, 1711, in the parish of St. Margaret, Westminster. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Gabriel Soulden, merchant of Kinsale in Ireland, and widow of colonel Piers. His father’s residence being at Southampton, he was placed under the care of the rev. Mr. Kingsman, master of the free-school at that place, but had previously received some education at Dublin, where his father was in 1715. In 1727 he was entered as a commoner of Trinity college, Oxford, under the tuition of the rev. George Huddesford, afterwards president of that college; and here he pursued his studies until some time in 1734. He then removed to London, and took a lodging in the city for the convenience of attending St. Thomas’s hospital, and became a pupil of Dr. Nicholls, who was at that time reading anatomical lectures, with uncommon celebrity. Mr. Lawrence made a suitable progress under so able an instructor, and at those lectures formed many of the friendships which he most valued during the remainder of his life; among others he became here first acquainted with Dr. Bathurst, who introduced him to the friendship of Dr. Johnson.
In 1740 he took his degree of M. D. at Oxford, and was, upon the resignation of Dr. Nicholls, chosen anatomical reader
In 1740 he took his degree of M. D. at Oxford, and was,
upon the resignation of Dr. Nicholls, chosen anatomical
reader in that university, where he read lectures for some
years, as he did also in London, having quitted his lodgings in the city for a house in Lincoln’s inn-fields, which
had been before occupied by Dr. Nicholh, and was vacated
by him upon his marriage with the daughter of Dr. Mead.
On May 25, 1744, Dr. Lawrence was married to Frances,
daughter of Dr. Chauncy, a physician at Derby, and took
a house in Essex- street, in the Strand, where he continued
to read his anatomical lectures till 1750, after which he
laid them aside. He now devoted himself to his practice,
which became very considerable, and which he obtained
solely by the reputation of his skill and integrity, for he
laboured under the disadvantage of frequent fits of deafness, and knew no art of success but that of deserving it.
In the same year (1744), he was chosen fellow of the royal
college of physicians in London, where he read successively all the lectures instituted in that society with
great reputation, both for his professional knowledge, and
for the purity and elegance of his Latin; nor did he confine himself to the oral instruction of his contemporaries,
for in 1756 he published a medical disputation “De Hydrope,
” and in De Natura Musculorum prelectiones tres;
” and when the College published the works of
Dr. Harvey in 1766, Dr. Lawrence wrote the life which is
prefixed to that edition, for which he had a compliment of
100 guineas. In 1759 he was chosen elect, and in 1767
president of the college, to which office he was re-elected
for the seven succeeding years.
tribute of friendship and gratitude to his memory by writing an account of his life, in Latin, which was printed for private distribution in 1780, 4to. The death of
About 1773, Dr. Lawrence’s health began to decline, and he first perceived symptoms of that disorder on the breast which is called angina pectoris, and which continued to afflict him to the end of his life. Yet he remitted little of his attention, either to study or business; he still continued his custom of rising early, that h might secure leisure for study; and his old friend and instructor, Dr. Nicholls, dying in the beginning of 1778, he paid a tribute of friendship and gratitude to his memory by writing an account of his life, in Latin, which was printed for private distribution in 1780, 4to. The death of his friend was soon followed by a nearer loss, in Jan. 1780, that of his wife, with whom he had lived with great happiness for above thirty-five years; and from this time his health and spirits declining more rapidly, his family prevailed on him to retire from business and London; he accordingly removed with his family to Canterbury, in 1782, and died there June 6, 1783.
ons in India, in 1783, gave occasion to a very elegant Latin ode by Dr. Johnson. Another of his sons was the late sir Soulden Lawrence, one of the judges of the king’s
By his wife he had six sons and three daughters. The deatii of one of his sons in India, in 1783, gave occasion to a very elegant Latin ode by Dr. Johnson. Another of his sons was the late sir Soulden Lawrence, one of the judges of the king’s bench; and Elizabeth, widow of George Gipps, esq. M. P. for Canterbury, is now, we believe, the only survivor of Dr. Lawrence’s family.
, physician and historian to the emperor Ferdinand L was born at Vienna in 1504, and there taught the belles lettres
, physician and historian to the
emperor Ferdinand L was born at Vienna in 1504, and
there taught the belles lettres and physic for some years
with great reputation. He died in 1555. His numerous
works shew him to have been indefatigable in his researches, but not so judicious in digesting his materials.
The principal are, 1. “Commentariorum Reipublicse Romanae in exteris Provinciis bello acquisitis constitutae,
”
Libri XII. 1598, fol. 2. “De Gentium migrationibus,
”
Geographia Pannonise,
” in Ortelius.“4.
” De rebus Viennensibus,“1546. 5.
” In Genealogiam
Austriacam Commentarii," 1564, fol. &c. The greatest
part of this author’s works were collected and printed at
Francfort, 1698, 2 vols. fol.
, master-gunner of England, was born at Harwich, in 1629, and being bred to the sea-service,
, master-gunner of England, was born
at Harwich, in 1629, and being bred to the sea-service,
distinguished himself by his skill and bravery in many
actions. At the restoration he was made master-gunner
of the Princess, a frigate of fifty guns; and in the first
Dutch war exhibited his skill and bravery in two very
extraordinary actions, in one against fifteen sail of Dutch
men of war, and another in 1667, against two Danish ships
in the Baltic, in which, the principal officers being killed,
the command devolved on him, though only master-gunner. In 1669 he was promoted to be gunner of the Royal
Prince, a first-rate man of war. In 1673 he was engaged
with his two sons Henry and John, against Van Trump.
His ship was the Royal Prince, a first-rate man of war, all
the masts of which were shot away, four hundred of her
men killed or disabled, and most of her upper tier of guns
dismounted. Whilst she was thus a wreck, a large Dutch
ship of war came down upon her, with two fire-ships, meaning to burn or carry her off. Captain, afterwards sir George
Rooke, thinking her condition hopeless, ordered the men
to save their lives, and strike the colours. Mr. Leake,
hearing this, ordered the lieutenant off the quarter-deck,
and took the command upon himself, saying, “the Royal
Prince shall never be given up while I am alive to defend
her.
” The chief- gunner’s gallantry communicated itself
to all around the crew returned with spirit to their guns,
and, under the direction of Mr. Leake and his two sons,
compelled the Dutchman to sheer off, and sunk both the
fireships. Leake afterwards brought the Royal Prince safe
to Chatham; but the joy of his victory was damped by the
loss of his son Henry, who was killed by his side. He was
afterwards made master-gunner of England, and storekeeper of the ordnance at Woolwich. He had a particular
genius for every thing which related to the management of
artillery, and was the first who contrived to fire otf a mortar
by the blast of a piece, which has been used ever since.
He was also very skilful in the composition of fire-works,
which he often and successfully exhibited for the amusement of the king, and his brother, the duke of York. He
died in 1686, leaving a son, who is the subject of our next
article.
, a brave and successful English admiral, son of the preceding, was born in 1656, at Rotherhithe, in Surrey. His father instructed
, a brave and successful English admiral, son of the preceding, was born in 1656, at Rotherhithe, in Surrey. His father instructed him both in mathematics and gunnery, with a view to the navy, and entered him early into that service as a midshipman; in which station he distinguished himself, under his father, at the above-mentioned engagement between sir Edward Spragge and Van Trump, in 1673, beingt'nen no more than seventeen years old. Upon the conclusion of that war soon after, hfc engaged in the merchants’ service, and had the command of a ship two or three voyages up the Mediterranean; but his inclination lying to the navy, he did not long remain unemployed in it. He had indeed refused a lieutenant’s commission; but this was done with a view to the place of master-gunner, which was then of much greater esteem than it is at present. When his father was advanced, not long after, to the command of a yacht, he gladly accepted the offer of succeeding him in the post of gunner to the Neptune, a second-rate man of war. This happened about 1675; and, the times being peaceable, he remained in this post without any promotion till 1688. James II. having then resolved to fit out a strong fleet, to prevent the invasion from Holland, Leake had the command of the Firedrake fireship, and distinguished himself by several important services; particularly, by the relief of Londonderry in Ireland, which was chiefly effected by his means. He was in the Firedrake in the fleet under lord Dartmouth, when the prince of Orange landed; after which he joined the rest of the protestant officers in an address to the prince. The importance of rescuing Londonderry from the hands of king James raised him in the navy; and, after some removes, he had the command given him of the Eagle, a third-rate of 70 guns. In 1692, the distinguished figure he made in the famous battle off La Hogue procured him the particular friendship of Mr. (afterwards admiral) Churchill, brother to the duke of Marlborough; and he continued to behave on all occasions with great reputation till the end of the war; when, upon concluding the peace of Ryswick, his ship was paid off, Dec. 5, 1697. In 1696, on the death of his father, his friends had procured for him his father’s places of mastergunner in England, and store- keeper of Woolwich, but these he declined, being ambitious of a commissioner’s place in the navy; and perhaps he might have obtained it, had not admiral Churchill prevailed with him not to think of quitting the sea, and procured him a commission for a third-rate of 70 guns in May 1699. Afterwards, upon the prospect of a new war, he was removed to the Britannia, the finest first-rate in the navy, of which he was appointed, Jan. 1701, first captain of three under the earl of Pembroke, newly made lord high admiral of England. This was the highest station he could have as a captain, and higher than any private captain ever obtained either before or since. But, upon the earl’s removal, to make way for prince George of Denmark, soon after queen Anne’s accession to the throne, Leake’s commission under him becoming void, May 27, 1702, he accepted of the Association, a second-rate, till an opportunity offered for his farther promotion. Accordingly, upon the declaration of war against France, he received a commission, June the 24th that year, from prince George, appointing him commander in chief of the ships designed against Newfoundland. He arrived there with his squadron in August, and, destroying the French trade and settlements, restored the English to the possession of the whole island. This gave him an opportunity of enriching himself by the sale of the captures, at the same time that it gained him the favour of the nation, by doing it a signal service, without any great danger of not succeeding; for, in truth, all the real fame he acquired on this occasion arose from his extraordinary dispatch and diligence in the execution.
Upon his return home, he was appointed rear-admiral of the Blue, and vice-admiral of the
Upon his return home, he was appointed rear-admiral of
the Blue, and vice-admiral of the same squadron; but declined the honour of knighthood, which, however, he accepted the following year, when he was engaged with admiral Rooke in taking Gibraltar. Soon after this he particularly distinguished himself in the general engagement
off Malaga; and, being left with a winter-guard at Lisbon
for those parts, he relieved Gibraltar in 1705, which the
French had besieged by sea, and the Spaniards by land,
and reduced to the last extremity. He arrived Oct. 29,
and so opportunely for the besieged, that two days would,
in all probability, have decided their fate; but this was
prevented by sir John’s seasonable arrival. In Feb. 1705,
he received a commission, appointing him vice-admiral of
the white, and, in March, relieved Gibraltar a second time.
On March 6 he set sail for that place; and, on the 10th,
attacked five ships of the French fleet coming out of the
Bay, of whom two were taken, two more run ashore, and
were destroyed; and baron Pointi died soon after of the
wounds he received in the battle. The rest of the French
fleet, having intelligence of sir John’s coming, had left
the Bay the day before his arrival there. He had no sooner
anchored, but he received the letter inserted below from
the prince of Hesse : his highness also presented him
with a gold cup on the occasion. This blow struck a panic
along the whole coast, of which sir John received the
following account, in a letter from Mr. Hill, envoy to the
court of Savoy: “I can tell you,
” says he, “your late
success against Mr. Pointi put all the French coast into a
great consternation, as if you were come to scour the whole
Mediterranean. All the ships of war that were in the road
of Toulon were hauled into the harbour; and nothing durst
look out for some days.
” In short, the effect at Gibraltar
was, that the enemy, in a few days, entirely raised the siege,
and marched off, leaving only a detachment at some distance
to observe the garrison; so that this important place was
secured from any farther attempts of the enemy. There
are but few instances in which the sea and land officers
agreed so well together in an expedition, and sacrificed all
private views and passions to a disinterested regard for the
public good.
The same year, 1705, sir John was engaged in the reduction of Barcelona; after which, being left
The same year, 1705, sir John was engaged in the reduction of Barcelona; after which, being left at the head of a squadron in the Mediterranean, he concerted an expedition to surprize the Spanish galleons in the bay of Cadiz; but this proved unsuccessful, by the management of the confederates. In 1706, he relieved Barcelona, reduced to the last extremity, and thereby occasioned the siege to be raised by king Philip. This was so great a deliverance of his competitor, king Charles, afterwards emperor of Germany, that he annually commemorated it, by a public thanksgiving on the 26th of May, as long as he lived. The raising of the siege was attended with a total eclipse of the sun, which did not a liitle increase the enemy’s consternation, as if the heavens concurred to defeat the designs of the French, whose monarch had assumed the sun for his device; in allusion to which, the reverse of the medal struck by queen Anne on this occasion, represented the sun in eclipse over the city and harbour of Barcelona. Presently after this success at Barcelona, sir John reduced the city of Carthagena, whence, proceeding to those of Alicant and Joyce, they both submitted to him; and he concluded the campaign of that year with the reduction of the city and island of Majorca. Upon his retnrrt home, prince George of Denmark presented him with a diamond-ring of four hundred pounds value; and he had the honour of receiving a gratuity of a thousand pounds from the queen, as a reward for his services. Upon the unfortunate death of sir Cloudesly Shovel, 1707, he was advanced to be admiral of the white, and commander in chief of her majesty’s 'fleet. In this command he returned to the Mediterranean, and, surprizing a convoy of the enemy’s corn, sent it to Barcelona, and saved that city and the confederate army from the danger of famine, in 1708. Soon after this, convoying the new queen of Spain to her consort, king Charles, he was presented by her majesty with a diamond-ring of three hundred pounds value. From this service he proceeded to the island of Sardinia, which being presently reduced by him to the obedience of king Charles, that of Minorca was soon after surrendered to the fleet and land-forces.
e; where, during his absence, he had been appointed one of the council to the lord-high-admiral, and was likewise elected member of parliament both for Harwich and Rochester,
Having brought the campaign to so happy a conclusion, he returned home; where, during his absence, he had been appointed one of the council to the lord-high-admiral, and was likewise elected member of parliament both for Harwich and Rochester, for the latter of which he made his choice. In December the same year, he was made a second time admiral of the fleet. In May 1709, he was constituted rear-admiral of Great -Britain, and appointed one of the lords of the admiralty in December. Upon the change of the ministry in 1710, lord Orford resigning the place of first commissioner of the admiralty, sir John Leake was appointed to succeed him; but he declined that post, as too hazardous, on account of the divisions at that juncture. In 1710, he was chosen a second time member of parliament for Rochester, and made admiral of the fleet the third time in 1711, and again in 1712, when he conducted the English forces to take possession of Dunkirk. Before the expiration of the year, the commission of admiral of the fleet was given to him a fifth time. He was also chosen for Rochester a third time. Upon her majesty’s decease, 'Aug. l, 1714, his post of rear-admiral was determined; and he was superseded as admiral of the fleet by Matthew Aylmer, esq. Nov. 5. In the universal change that was made in every public department, upon the accession of George I. admiral Leake could not expect to be excepted. After this he lived privately; and, building a little box at Greenwich, spent part of his time there, retreating sometimes to a country-house he had at Beddington in Surrey. When a young man, be had married a daughter of captain Richard Hill of Yarmouth; by whom he had one son, an only child, whose misconduct had given him a great deal of uneasiness. In Aug. 1719, he was seized with an apoplectic disorder; but it went off without any visible ill consequence. Upon the death of his son, which happened in March following, after a lingering incurable disorder, he discovered more than ordinary affliction; nor was he himself ever well after; for he died in his house at Greenwich, Aug. 1, 1720, in his sixty-fifth year. By his will, he devised his estate to trustees for the use of his son during life: and upon his death without issue, to captain Martin, who married his wife’s sister, and his heirs.
, a herald and antiquary, son of captain Stephen Martin, mentioned in the preceding article, was born April 5, 1702. He was educated at the school of Mr. Michael
, a herald and antiquary,
son of captain Stephen Martin, mentioned in the preceding
article, was born April 5, 1702. He was educated at the
school of Mr. Michael Maittaire, and was admitted of the
Middle-temple. In 1724 he was appointed a deputylieutenant of the Tower-hamlets; in which station he afterwards distinguished himself by his exertions during the
rebellion in 1745. On the revival of the order of the Bath
in 1725, he was one of the esquires of the earl of Sussex,
deputy earl-marshal. He was elected F. A. S. March 2,
1726-7. In the same year he was created Lancaster herald, in the room of Mr. Hesketh; in 1729 constituted
Norroy; in 1741 Clarenceux; and by patent dated December 19, 1754, appointed garter. In all his situations
in the college Mr. Leake was a constant advocate for the
rights and privileges of the office. He obtained, after
much solicitation, a letter in 1731, from the duke of Norfolk to the earl of Sussex, his deputy earl -marshal, requesting him to sign a warrant for Mr. Leake’s obtaining
a commission of visitation, which letter, however, was not
attended with success. In the same year he promoted a
prosecution against one Shiets, a painter, who pretended
to keep an om'ce of arms in Dean’s-court. The court of
chivalry was opened with great solemnity in the paintedchamber, on March 3, 1731-2, in relation to which he had
taken a principal part. In 1733, he appointed Francis
Bassano, of Chester, his deputy, as Norroy, for Chester and
North Wales; and about the same time asserted his right,
as Norroy, to grant arms in North Wales, which right was
claimed by Mr. Longville, who had been constituted
Gloucester King at Arms partium Walii<t, annexed to that
of Bath King at Arms, at the revival of that order. He
drew up a petition in January 1737-8, which was presented
to the king in council, for a new charter, with the sole
power of painting arms, &c. which petition was referred
to the attorney and solicitor general; but they making
their report favourable to the painters, it did not succeed.
He printed, in 1744, “Reasons for granting Commissions
to the Provincial Kings at Arms for visiting their Provinces.
” Dr. Cromwell Mortimer having, in
ummi Britan. Historia, or Historical Account of English Money.” A new edition, with large additions, was printed in 1745, dedicated to the duke of Suffolk. It is much
In 1726, he published his “Nummi Britan. Historia, or
Historical Account of English Money.
” A new edition,
with large additions, was printed in 1745, dedicated to the
duke of Suffolk. It is much to Mr. Leake’s honour, that
he was the first writer upon the English coinage. From
affectionate gratitude to admiral sir John Leake, and at the
particular desire of his father, he had written a history of
the life of that admiral, prepared from a great collection
of books and papers relating to the subject which were in
his possession. This he published in 1750, in large octavo.
Fifty copies only were printed, to be given to his friends:
this book is therefore very scarce and difficult to be obtained. Bowyer, in 1766, printed for him fifty copies of
the Statutes of the Order of St. George, to enable him to
supply each knight at his installation with one, as he was
required to do officially. Ever attentive to promote science,
he was constantly adding to the knowledge of arms, decents, honors, precedency, the history of the college, and
of the several persons who had been officers of arms, and
every other subject in any manner connected with his office. He also wrote several original essays on some of
those subjects. These multifarious collections are contained in upward of fifty volumes, all in his own handwriting; which ms., with many others, he bequeathed to
his son, John-Martin Leake, esq. He married Ann,
youngest daughter, and at length sole- heiress of Fletcher
Pervall, esq. of Downton, in the parish and county of
Radnor, by Ann his wife, daughter of Samuel Hoole of
London, by whom he had nine children, six sons and three
daughters; all of whom survived him. He died at his
seat at Mile-end at Middlesex, March 24, 1773, in the
seventieth year of his age, and was buried in the chancel
of Thorpe Soken church in Essex, of which parish he was
long impropriator, and owner of the seat of Thorpe-hall,
and the estate belonging to it, inheriting them from his
father.
, an English physician and writer, was the son of a clergyman who was curate of Ainstable in Cumberland.
, an English physician and writer, was
the son of a clergyman who was curate of Ainstable in
Cumberland. He was educated partly at Croglin, and
partly at the grammar-school at Bishop Auckland. He
then went to London, intending to engage in the military
profession: but finding some promises, with which he had
been flattered, were not likely soon to be realized, he
turned his attention to medicine. After attending the hospitals, and being admitted a member of the corporation of
surgeons, an opportunity presented itself of improving
himself in foreign schools; he embarked for Lisbon, and
afterwards visited Italy. On his return, he established
himself as a surgeon and accoucheur in the neighbourhood
of Piccadilly; and about that time published “A Dissertation on the Properties and Efficacy of the Lisbon Dietdrink,
” which he professed to administer with success in
many desperate cases of scrophula, scurvy, &c. Where
he obtained his doctor’s diploma is not known; but he became ere long a licentiate of the College of Physicians,
and removed to Craven-street, where he began to lecture
on the obstetric art, and invited the faculty to attend. ID
1765 he purchased a piece of ground on a building lease,
and afterwards published the plan for the institution of the
Westminster Lying-in- Hospital and as soon as the building was raised, he voluntarily, and without any consideration, assigned over to the governors all his right in the
premises, in favour of the hospital. He enjoyed a considerable share of reputation and practice as an accoucheur,
anJ as a lecturer; and was esteemed a polite and accomplished man. He added nothing, however, in the way of
improvement, to his profession, and his writings are not
characterized by any extraordinary acuteness, or depth of
research; but are plain, correct, and practical. He was
attacked, in the summer of 1792, with a disorder of the
chest, with which he had been previously affected, and was
found dead in his bed on the 8th of August of that year.
He published, in 1773, a volume of “Practical Observations on Child-bed Fever;
” and, in A Lecture
introductory to the Theory and Practice of Midwifery, including the history, nature, and tendency of that science,
”
&c. This was afterwards considerably altered and enlarged, and published in two volumes, under the title of
“Medical Instructions towards the prevention and cure of
various Diseases incident to Women,
” &c. The work
passed through seven or eight editions, and was translated
into the French and German languages. In the beginning
of 1792, ^a short time before his death, he published “A
practical Essay on the Diseases of the Viscera, particularly
those of the Stomach and Bowels.
”
, a young lady of considerable poetical talent, was born Feb. 26, 1722. Her father, at thistime was gardener to
, a young lady of considerable poetical talent, was born Feb. 26, 1722. Her father, at thistime was gardener to judge Blencowe, at Marston St. Lawrence, in Northamptonshire. She was brought up under the care of a pious and sensible mother, who died a few years before her. The little education which she received, consisted wholly in being taught to read and write, and it is said that she was for some time cook-maid in a gentleman’s family: with all these disadvantages, however, she began at a very early age to compose verses, at first with the approbation of her parents, who afterwards, imagining an attention to poetry would be prejudicial to her, endeavoured by every possible means to discountenance such pursuits. These, however, were ineffectual, and she was at last left to follow her inclination. She died the 12th of November, 1746, at Brackley; and after her death two volumes of her Poems were printed in 8vo, in. 1748 and 1751, by subscription, the proposals for which were drawn up by Mr. Garrick. Mr. Hawkins Browne was editor of the second volume. Our late amiable poet and critic, Cowper, had a high opinion of Mrs. Leapor’s poetry.
, a French historian and antiquary, was born at Auxerre in 1687, and became a member of the academy
, a French historian and antiquary, was
born at Auxerre in 1687, and became a member of the
academy of belles lettres and inscriptions of Paris in 1750.
He died in 1760, aged 73. Among his productions are,
1. “Recueil de divers Merits servant a Pe‘claircissement de
l’histoire fie France,
” Dissertations sur l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Paris;
” to
which are added several matters that elucidate the history
of France; 3 vols. 12mo. 3. “Traité historique et pratique sur le chant ecciesiastique,
” M6moires sur l‘Histoire d’Anxerre,
” Histoire de la ville et de tout le diocese
de Paris,
” 15 vols. 12mo. 6. Several dissertations dispersed in the journals, and in the memoirs of the academy
of which he was member. The learned are indebted to
him likewise for the discovery of a number of original
pieces, which he found in various libraries, where they
had long remained unknown. He was a man of extensive
learning and laborious research; and undertook several
journeys through the different provinces of France for the
purpose of investigating the remains of antiquity. In such
matters he was an enthusiast, and so engaged in them, as to
know very little of the world, being content with the very
small competency on which he lived.
, historiographer of buildings of the academy della Crusca, and of that of the Arcades at Rome, was born at Dijon, in 1707, of poor parents, but he went early to
, historiographer of
buildings of the academy della Crusca, and of that of the
Arcades at Rome, was born at Dijon, in 1707, of poor
parents, but he went early to Paris, where his talents
procured him friends and patrons. He then came to London,
and met with the same advantage. In 1746 Maupertuis
offered him, on the part of the king of Prussia, a place
suitable to a man of letters, at the court of Berlin; but
he preferred mediocrity at home to flattering hopes held
out to him from abroad. He died in 1781. His tragedy
of “Abensaïde,
” the subject of which is very interesting,
was well received at first, notwithstanding the harshness of
the versification but it did not support this success when
revived on the stage in 1743. What most brought the
abbé Le Blanc into repute was the collection of his letters
on the English, 1758, 3 vols. 12mo, in which are many
judicious reflections; but he is heavy, formal, fruitful in
vulgar notions, and trivial in his erudition, and the praises
he bestows on the great men, or the literati, to whom he
addresses his letters, are deficient in ease and delicacy.
The letters of abbé Le Blanc cannot bear a comparison with
the “London
” of Grosley, who is a far more agreeable
writer, if not a more accurate observer.
, a learned Italian mathe. matician, was born at Milan, Nov. 17, 1702. He was educated among the Jesuits,
, a learned Italian mathe.
matician, was born at Milan, Nov. 17, 1702. He was
educated among the Jesuits, and entered into their order in
1718. He afterwards taught the belles-lettres at Vercelli
and Pavia, and was appointed rhetoric- professor in the university of Brera, in Milan. In 1733 the senate of Milan
appointed him professor of mathematics at Pavia, and afterwards removed him to the same office at Milan, the duties of which he executed with reputation for twenty years.
In F75J) his fame procured him an invitation to Vienna
from the empress Maria Teresa, who honoured him with
her esteem, and appointed him mathematician to the court,
with a pension of 500 florins. What rendered him most
celebrated, was the skill he displayed as superintendant
and chief director of the processes for measuring the bed
of the Reno and other less considerable rivers belonging
to Bologna, Ferrara, and Ravenna. On this he was employed for six years, under Clement XIII.; and Clement
XIV. ordered that these experiments should be continued
upon Leccln’s plans. He died August 24, 1776, aged
seventy-three years. Fabroni, who has given an excellent
personal character of Lecchi, and celebrates his skill in
hydraulics, has, contrary to his usual practice, mentioned
his works only in a general way; and for the following list
we have therefore been obliged to have recourse to a less
accurate authority: 1. “Theoria lucis,
” Milan, Arithmetica universalis Jsaaci Newton, sive de compositione, et resolutione arithmetica perpetuis commentariis
illustrata et aucta,
” Milan, Elementa geometrise theoricx et practices,
” ibid. Elementa Trigonometric,
” &c. ibid. De sectionibus conicis,
” ibid. Idrostatica
csaaiinata,
” &c. ibid. Relazione della
visita alle terre dannegiate dalle acque di Bologna, Ferrara, e Ravenna,
” &c. Rome, 17G7, 4to. 8. “Memorie
idrostatico-storiche delle operazioni esequite nella inalveazione del Reno di Bologna, e degli altri minori torrenti
per la linea di primaro al mare dalP anno 1765 al 1772,
”
Modena, Trattato de' canali navigabili,
” Milan,
, a learned protestant divine, was born about the end of 1646, at Caen, in Normandy, where he was
, a learned protestant divine, was born about the end of 1646, at Caen, in Normandy, where he was first educated. He afterwards went through a course of theological studies at Sedan. Returning thence in 1669, he was very honourably received by the learned of his native country, which he again left, in order to attend the lectures of the divinity-professors at Geneva. Here he remained until Nov. 1670, and after a residence of some time at Sanmur, came back in March 1672 to Caen, with the warmest recommendations from the various professors under whom he had studied. He then became pastor at Honfleur, where he married a lady of fortune, which joined to his own, enabled him to prosecute his studies without anxiety. It appears to be about this time that he conceived the design of translating the Bible into French, on which he was more or less engaged for a great many years. He continued his functions, however, as a minister, until the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, which annihilated the protestant churches in France.
He died at London, in 1703. He wrote some controversial pieces, but the chief object of his labours was to make a good translation of the Bible, which was published
On this event he came over, accompanied by many of
his brethren, to England, and wajs so fortunate as to bring
with him the greater part of his valuable library, and
property enough to enable him to relieve many of his suffering
companions. He might probably have received some
church-preferment in this country, had he not objected to
re-ordination. He died at London, in 1703. He wrote
some controversial pieces, but the chief object of his labours was to make a good translation of the Bible, which
was published by his son at Amsterdam, in 2 vols. fol. It
contains some valuable preliminary dissertations. He had
in 1696 announced his intention in a volume entitled
“Projet d'une nouvelle version Francois de la Bible,
” from
which a high opinion was formed of his undertaking. This
projet was published in English, under the title of " An
Essay for a new translation of the Bible/' and so well received, that a second edition appeared in 1717. The
translation itself, however, although ably executed, did
not answer the expectation of the public, which was principally owing to the author’s introducing certain whims
and fancies of his own, and taking unnecessary liberties
with the text.
, an eminent Hebrew and Greek scholar and critic, was the son of a poor mechanic at Strasburgh, where he was born
, an eminent Hebrew and
Greek scholar and critic, was the son of a poor mechanic at
Strasburgh, where he was born July 18, 1672. His parents
were so unable to give him education, that he must have
been obliged to work at his father’s trade, had he not
found an early patron in Froereisen, a learned townsman,
who placed him at ten years old in the public school, at
his own expence. Lederlin’s extraordinary proficiency
rewarded this generous friend, whom, however, he had
the misfortune to lose by death in 1690. This would have
been irreparable, if his talents had not already recommended him to other patrons, and his school education
being finished, he was enabled to pursue his studies at the
university with great reputation. He received his master’s
degree in 1692, and at the persuasion of Boeder the medical professor, Obrecht, and others, he opened a school
for the Hebrew and Greek, of which languages, he was in
1703, constituted professor, and was for many years one
of the greatest ornaments of the university of Strasburgh.
He died Sept. 3, 1737, leaving various monuments of
learning and critical skill. Among those, we may enumerate, i. his edition of Julius Pollux’s “Onomasticon,
”
Homer’s Iliad,
” Amst. Vigerus de praecipuis Grsecae dictionis idiotismis,
”
Strasburgb, Brissonii de regio Persarum principatu,
” ibid. Æliani varise historiae,
”
ibid. 1713, 8vo, which Harles says is superior to Scheffer*s
edition, but must yield to that of Perizonius. He published also some critical dissertations on parts of the Greek
Testament, on which he was accustomed to lecture.
, an eminent French surgeon, was born at Paris in 1685, and received his education under his
, an eminent French surgeon, was born at Paris in 1685, and received his education under his father, Henry Le Dran, who had acquired
considerable reputation as an operator, particularly in cancers of the breast. Under his auspices our young surgeon
turned his thoughts principally to the operation of lithotomy, which he performed in the lateral method, as practised by Cheselden, and was enabled to make some valuable
improvements in the art. These he communicated to the
public in his “Paralele des differentes manieres de tirer la
Pierre hors de la Vessie,
” printed in Observations de
Chirurgie, auxquelles on a joint plusieurs reflections en faveur des Etudiens,
” Paris, Traite
”
ou reflections tiroes de la pratique sur les playes d'Armes a
feu,“Paris, 1737, 12mo. 4.
” Traite“des Operations de
Chirurgie,
” Paris, 1743, 12mo. To the translation of this
work into English, by Gataker, Cheselden made some valuable additions. 5. “Consultations sur la plupart des
Maladies qui sont du report de la Chirurgie,
”
, a native of America, of a very enterprising turn, was born at Groton in Connecticut. Having lost his father in his
, a native of America, of a very
enterprising turn, was born at Groton in Connecticut.
Having lost his father in his infancy, he was taken undef
the care of a relation, who sent him to a grammar-school,
and he studied for some time at Dartmouth college, in
New Hampshire. Here it appears to have been his intention to apply to theological studies, l>ut the friend who
sent him to college being dead, he was obliged to quit it,
and by means of a canoe of Ins own const ruction, he found
his way to Hartford, and thence to New York, where he
went on board ship as a common sailor, and in this capacity
arrived at London in 1771. When at college, there were
several young Indians there for their education, with whom
he used to associate, and learned their manners and hearing of capt. Cook’s intentions to sail on his third voyage,
Ledyard engaged himself with him in the situation of a
corporal of marines and on his return from that memorable voyage, during which his curiosity was rather excited
than gratified, feeling an anxious desire of penetrating
from the north-western coast of America, which Cook had
partly explored, to the eastern coast, with which he himself was perfectly familiar, he determined to traverse the
vast continent from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean. His
first plan for the purpose was that of embarking in a vessel,
which was then preparing to sail, on a voyage of commercial adventure, to Nootka sound, on the western coast of
America; and with this view he expended in sea-stores
the greatest part of the money with which he had been
supplied by the liberality of sirJoseph Banks, who has
eminently distinguished himself in this way on other occasions for the promotion of every kind of useful science.
But this scheme was frustrated by the rapacity of a customhouse officer; and therefore Mr. Ledyard determined to
travel over land to Kamtschatka, from whence the passage
is extremely short to the opposite coast of America. Accordingly, with no more than ten guineas in his purse,
which was all that he had left, he crossed the British channel to Ostend, towards the close of 1786, and by the way
of Denmark and the Sound, proceeded to the capital of
Sweden. As it was winter, he attempted to traverse the
gulf of Bothnia on the ice, in order to reach Kamtschatka
by the shortest course; but finding, when he came to the
middle of the sea, that the water was not frozen, he returned to Stockholm, and taking his course northward,
walked to the Arctic circle, and passing round the head of
the gulf, descended on its eastern side to Petersburg,
where he arrived in the beginning of March 1787. Here
fae was noticed as a person of an extraordinary character;
and though he had neither stockings nor shoes, nor means
to provide himself with any, he received and accepted an,
invitation to dine with the Portuguese ambassador. From
him he obtained twenty guineas for a bill, which he took
the liberty, without being previously authorized, to draw
on sir Joseph Banks, concluding, from his well-known disposition, that he would not be unwilling to pay it. By the
interest of the ambassador, as we may conceive to have
been probably the case, he obtained permission to accompany a detachment of stores, winch the empress had ordered to be sent to Yakutz, for the use of Mr. Billings, an
Englishman, at that time in her service. Thus accommodated, he left Petersburg on the 2 1st of May, and travelling eastward through Siberia, reached Irkutsk in August; and from thence he proceeded to Yakutz, where he
was kindly received by Mr. Billings, whom he recollected
on board captain Cook’s ship, in the situation of the astronomer’s servant, but who was now entrusted by the empress
in accomplishing her schemes of discovery. He returned
to Irkutsk, where he spent part of the winter; and in the
spring proceeded to Oczakow, on the coast of the Kamtschatkan sea, intending, in the spring, to have passed over
to that peninsula, and to have embarked on the eastern
side in one of the Russian vessels that trade to the western
shores of America; but, finding that the navigation was
completely obstructed, he returned to Yakutz, in order
to wait for the termination of the winter. But whilst he
was amusing himself with these prospects, an express arrived, in January 1788, from the empress, and he was
seized, for reasons that have not been explained, by two
Russian soldiers, who conveyed him in a sledge through
the deserts of Northern Tartary to Moscow, without his
clothes, money, and papers. From Moscow he was removed to the city of Moialoff, in White Russia, and from
thence to the town of Tolochin, on the frontiers of the
Polish dominions. As his conductors parted with him, they
informed him, that if he returned to Russia he would be
hanged, but that if he chose to go back to England, they
wished him a pleasant journey. Distressed by poverty,
covered with rags, infested with the usual accompaniments of such clothing, harassed with continual hardships,
exhausted by disease, without friends, without credit,
unknown, and reduced to the most wretched state, he found
his way to Konigsberg. In this hour of deep distress, he
resolved once more to have recourse to his former benefactor, and fortunately found a person who was willing to
take his draft for five guineas on the president of the royal
society. With this assistance he arrived in England, and
immediately waited on sir Joseph Banks. Sir Joseph,
knowing his disposition, and conceiving, as we may well
imagine, that he would be gratified by the information,
told him, that he could recommend him, as he believed, to
an adventure almost as perilous as that from which he had
just returned; and then communicated to him the wishes
of the Association for discovering the Inland Countries of
Africa. Mr. Ledyard replied, that he had always determined to traverse the continent of Africa, as soon as he
had explored the interior of North America, and with a
letter of introduction by sir Joseph Banks, he waited on
Henry Beaufoy, esq. an active member of the fore-mentioned association. Mr. Beaufoy spread before him a map
of Africa, and tracing a line from Cairo to Sennar, and
from thence westward in the latitude and supposed direction of the Niger, informed him that this was the route by
which he was anxious that Africa might, if possible, be
explored. Mr. Ledyard expressed great pleasure in the
hope of being employed in this adventure. Being asked
when he would set out? “To-morrow morning
” was his
answer. The committee of the society assigned to him,
at his own desire, as an enterprise of obvious peril and of
difficult success, the task of traversing from east to west,
in the latitude attributed to the Niger, the widest part of
the continent of Africa. On the 30th of June 1788, Mr.
Ledyard left London; and after a journey of thirty-six
days, seven of which were consumed at Paris, and two at
Marseilles, he arrived in the city of Alexandria. On die
14th of August, at midnight, he left Alexandria, and sailing up the Nile, arrived at Cairo on the 19th. From Cairo
he communicated to the committee of the society all the
information which he was able to collect during his stay
there: and they were thus sufficiently apprized of the
ardent spirit of inquiry, the unwearied attention, the persevering research, and the laborious, indefatigable, anxious
zeal, with which he pursued the object of his mission. The
next dispatch which they were led to expect, was to be
dated at Sennar; the terms of his passage had been
settied, and the day of his departure was appointed. The
committee, however, after having expected with impatience the description of his journey, received with great
concern and grievous disappointment, by letters from
Egypt, the melancholy tidings of his death. By a bilious
complaint, occasioned probably by vexatious delay at
Cairo, and by too free an use of the acid of vitriol and
tartar emetic, the termination of his life was hastened. He
was decently interred in the neighbourhood of such of the
English as had ended their days in the capital of Egypt,
all men as his equals, and as such he respected them. His genius, though uncultivated and irregular, was original and comprehensive. Ardent in his wishes, yet calm in
Mr. Ledyard, as to his person, scarcely exceeded the
middle size, but he manifested very remarkable activity
and strength: and as to his manners, though they were
unpolished, they were neither uncivil nor unpleasing.
“Little attentive to difference of rank,
” says his biographer, “he seemed to consider all men as his equals,
and as such he respected them. His genius, though uncultivated and irregular, was original and comprehensive.
Ardent in his wishes, yet calm in his deliberations; daring
in his purposes, but guarded in his measures; impatient of
controul, yet capable of strong endurance; adventurous
beyond the conception of ordinary men, yet wary and considerate, and attentive to all precautions, he appeared to
be formed by nature for achievements of hardihood and
peril.
”
, archbishop of York, was born in 1482, and was the son of Richard Lee, of Lee Magna in
, archbishop of York, was born in 1482,
and was the son of Richard Lee, of Lee Magna in Kent,
esq. and grandson of sir Richard Lee, km. twice lordmayor of London. He was partly educated in both universities, being admitted of Magdalen college, Oxford,
about 1499, where he took his degrees in arts, and then
removed to Cambridge, and completed his studies. He
was accounted a man of great learning and talents, which
recommended him to the court of Henry VIII. in which,
among others, he acquired the esteem of sir Thomas More.
The king likewise conceived so high an opinion of his political abilities, that he sent him on several embassies to the
continent. In 1529 he was made chancellor of Sarum, and
in 1531 was incorporated in the degree of D. D. at Oxford,
which he had previously taken at some foreign university.
The same year he was consecrated archbishop of York, but
enjoyed this high station a very short time, dying at York,
Sept. 13, 1544. He was buried in the cathedral. He lived
to witness the dawn of the reformation, but adhered to the
popish system in all its plenitude, except, says his popish
biographer, that he “was carried away with the stream as
to the article of the king’s supremacy.
” He was a zealous
opponent of Luther, and had a controversy with Erasmus,
respecting his annotations on the New Testament. This
somewhat displeased sir Thomas More, who was greatly
attached to Erasmus, but it did not lessen his friendship
for Lee Wood says, “he was a very great divine, and
very well seen in all kinds of learning, famous as well for
his wisdom as virtue, and holiness of life; a continual
preacher of the gospel, a man very liberal to the poor, and
exceedingly beloved by all sorts of men.
” His works
were, 1. “Comment, in universum Pentateuchum,
” ms.
2. “Apologia contra quorundam calumnias, 11 Lovan, 1520,
4to. 3.
” Index annotationum prioris libri,“ibid. 1520.
4.
” Epistola nuncupatoriaad Desid. Erasmum,“ibid. 1520.
3.
” Annot. lib. duo in annotationes Novi Test. Erasmi.“6.
” Epistola apologetica, qua respondet D. Erasmi epistolis.“7.
” Epistolae sexcenta;.' 8. “Epiceuia clarorum
virorum.
” The two last articles are in ms. or partially
printed. Some of his Mss. are in the Harleian, and some
in the Cotton library."
, an English dramatic poet, was the son of Dr. Richard Lee, who had the living of Hatfield,
, an English dramatic poet, was the
son of Dr. Richard Lee, who had the living of Hatfield, in
Hertfordshire, where he died in 1684. He was bred at
Westminster-school under Dr. Busby, whence he removed
to Trinity-college, in Cambridge, and became scholar upon
that foundation in 1668. He proceeded B. A. the same
year; but, not succeeding to a fellowship, quitted the
university, and came to London, where be made an unsuccessful attempt to become an actor in 1672. The part
he performed was Duncan in sir William Davenant’s alteration of Macbeth. Cibber says that Lee “was so pathetic
a reader of his own scenes, that I have been informed by
an actor who was present, that while Lee was reading to
major Mohun at a rehearsal, Mohun, in the warmth of his
admiration, threw down his part, and said, Unless I were
able to play it as well as you read it, to what purpose,
should I undertake it! And yet (continues the laureat)
this very author, whose elocution raised such admiration
in so capital an actor, when he attempted to he an actor
himself, soon quitted the stage in an honest despair of ever
making any profitable figure there.
” Failing, therefore, in
this design, he had recourse to his pen for support; and
composed a tragedy, called “Nero Emperor of Rome,
”
in The Princess of
Cleve,
” in in 1690,
but, notwithstanding the profits arising from these performances, he was this year reduced to so low an ebb, that
a weekly stipend of ten shillings from the theatre royal was
his chief dependence. Nor was he so free from his
phrenzy as not to suffer some temporary relapses; and
perhaps his untimely end might be occasioned by one. He
died in 1691 or 1692, in consequence of a drunken frolic,
by night, in the street; and was interred in the parish of
Clement Danes, near Temple-Bar. He is the author of
eleven plays, all acted with applause, and printed as soon
as finished, with dedications of most of them to the earls of
Dorset, Mulgrave, Pembroke, the duchesses of Portsmouth and Richmond, as his patrons. Addison declares,
that among our modern English poets there was none better
turned for tragedy than Lee, if, instead of favouring his
impetuosity of genius, he had restrained and kept it within
proper bounds. His thoughts are wonderfully suited to
tragedy, but frequently lost in such a cloud of words, that
it is hard to see the beauty of them. There is infinite
fire in his works, but so involved in smoke, that it does
not appear in half its lustre. He frequently succeeds in
the passionate parts of the tragedy, but more particularly
where he slackens his efforts, and eases the style of those
epithets and metaphors with which he so much abounds.
His
” Rival Queens“and
” Theodosius“still keep possession of the stage. None ever felt the passion of love
pore truly; nor could any one describe it with more
tenderness; and for this reason he has been compared to Ovid
among the ancients, and to Otway among the moderns.
Dryden prefixed a copy of commendatory verses to the
” Rival Queens“and Lee joined with that laureat in
writing the tragedies of
” The duke of Guise“and
” CEdipus.“Notwithstanding Lee’s imprudence and eccentricities, no man could be more respected by his contemporaries. In Spence’s
” Anecdotes" we are told that ViU
liers, duke of Buckingham, brought him up to town, where
he never did any thing for him; and this is said to have
contributed to bring on insanity.
, an English nonconformist divine, was the son of an eminent citizen of London, from whom he inherited
, an English nonconformist divine, was
the son of an eminent citizen of London, from whom he
inherited some property, and was born in 1625. He was
educated under Dr. Gale at St. Paul’s school, and afterwards entered a commoner of Magdalen-bail about the
year 1647. The following year he was created M. A.
by the parliamentary visitors, and was made fellow of
Wadham college. In the latter end of 1650 he was elected
by his society one of the proctors, although he was not
of sufficient standing as master; but this the visitors, with
whom he appears to have been a favourite, dispensed with.
About that time he became a frequent preacher in or near
Oxford, and was preferred by Cromwell to the living of St.
Botolph’s, Bishopsgate- street, but ejected by the rump parliament. Afterwards he was chosen lecturer of Great St.
Helen’s church in Bishopsgate-street According to Wood,
he was not in possession of either of these preferments at
the restoration, but Calamy says he was ejected from St.
Botolph’s. His friend Dr. Wilkins, of Wadham college,
afterwards bishop of Chester, urged him much to conform,
but he was inflexible. He then lived for some time on an
estate he had near Bisseter in Oxfordshire, and preached
occasionally. About 1678 be removed to Newingtoii
Green near London, where he was for many years minister of a congregation of independents. In 1686, being
dissatisfied with the times, he went over to New England,
and became pastor of a church at Bristol. The revolution
in 1688 affording brighter prospects, he determined to
revisit his own country, but in his passage home, with his
family, the ship was captured by a French privateer, and
carried into St. Malo, where he died a few weeks after, in
Nov. 1691. His death is said to have been hastened by
his losses in this capture, and especially by his being kept
in confinement while his wife and children were permitted
to go to England. He was at one time a great dabbler in
astrology, but, disapproving of this study afterwards, he is
said to have burnt many books and manuscripts which he
had collected on that subject. It was probably when addicted to astrology, that he informed his wife of his having
seen a star, which, according to all the rules of astrology,
predicted that he should be taken captive. Mr. Lee’s
other studies were more creditable. He was a very considerable scholar; understood the learned languages well,
and spoke Latin fluently and eloquently. He was also a
good antiquary. He wrote “Chronicon Castrense,
” a
chronology of all the rulers and governors of Cheshire and
Chester, which is added to King’s “Vale Royal.
” Wood
suspects that he was of the family of Lee in Cheshire. His
other works are: 1. “Orbis Miraculum; or the Temple of
Solomon portrayed by Scripture light,
” Lond.
, a learned Scotch divine, was born at Dolphinston, in Lanerkshire, in 1706. He received his
, a learned Scotch divine, was
born at Dolphinston, in Lanerkshire, in 1706. He received his academical education at the university of Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself by his great proficiency in different branches of learning. He began his
theological studies in 1724, and in 1727 he undertook the
education of a young gentleman at Caldwell, in Renfrewshire, where he resided in the summer months, but during
the remainder of the year he lived at Glasgow, and was
honoured with the friendship of professors Hutcheson and
Dunlop. About the beginning of 1731 he was licensed as
a preacher, but it was not till 1736 that he was ordained
minister of Beith, on which charge he continued seven
years. In 1740 he was elected moderator of a meeting of
the synod at Irvine, and opened the assembly at Glasgow
on the 7th of April 1741, with a sermon to the clergy “On
the temper, character, and duty, of a minister of the gospel,
” which has passed through many editions, and is still
in high reputation. In 1743 he published a much longer
discourse on “The nature, reasonableness, and advantages of Prayer; with an attempt to answer the objections
against it.
” This, likewise, added much to his reputation,
and has been frequently reprinted. He was shortly after
elected to the professorship of theology at the university of
Glasgow; an honour which he obtained only by the casting vote of the president, owing to some suspicions entertained of the orthodoxy of his sentiments, founded on his
sermon on prayer, in which he v.a thought to have laid
too little stress on the atonement and intercession of Christ.
A prosecution for heresy was the consequence, which was
ultimately decided in his favour by the synod, the members
of which almost unanimously determined, that there was
no reason to charge him with any unsoundness in the passages of the sermon complained against. After this the
prejudices against him appear to have subsided, and his
character became very generally and highly respected,
even by some who had thought it their duty to promote the
prosecution. Soon after he had been established in the
professorship, he took the degree of doctor in divinity; and
continued in the theological chair seventeen years, vindicating and establishing the grand truths of natural and revealed religion, in answer to the principal objections made
to them by Mr. Hume, lord Bolingbroke, and other sceptical writers. He had, in his lectures, a remarkable talent
of selecting what was most important and striking on every
subject that he handled: his arguments were solid, founded on indisputable facts; and they were urged with a degree of warmth which carried his auditors along with him;
for they were addressed equally to the judgment and the
heart. Dr. Leechman’s fame extended far and wide, the
divinity-hall at Glasgow was crowded, in his time, with a
greater number of scholars than any other in Scotland:
and his numerous scholars, however they might differ in
their sentiments on speculative theology and church government, were all cordially united in their affection and
veneration for their master. In 1761, Dr. Leechman was
raised to the office of principal of the university of Glasgow by a presentation from the king. He had previously
to this been in a very bad state of health, and this change
in his avocations was probably the means of prolonging his
life; yet, though released from the more fatiguing part of
his duties, he gave a lecture, for some time, once a week,
to the students in divinity, and weekly lectures to the
whole university. Dr. Leechman’s faculties remained in
full vigour amidst the increasing infirmities of old age, and
his taste for knowledge continued as acute as ever. In
September and October 1785, he experienced two violent
paralytic strokes, from which he partially recovered; but
a third attack carried him off on the 3d of December, 1785,
when he was almost eighty years of age. Dr. Leechman
committed nothing to the press, except nine sermons,
which went through several editions during his life-time.
These were republished, with others, forming together two
volumes, in 1789. To the first of these volumes is prefixed an account of the author, by Dr. Wodrow, from which
the preceding particulars are taken.
, a learned Protestant divine, was born in 1594, at Ville Seiche, in the valley of St. Martin in
, a learned Protestant divine, was born in 1594, at Ville Seiche, in the valley of St. Martin in Piedmont. Going to Constantinople as chaplain to the ambassador from the States-general, he formed a friendship in that city with the famous Cyrillus Lucar, and obtained from him a confession of the faith of the Greek and Eastern churches. On his return to the Vallies he was appointed minister there; but being condemned to death by the duke of Savoy, took refuge in Geneva, where he was made professor of divinity, and died in 1661. He left an edition of the New Testament in the original Greek, and vulgar Greek, 2 vols. 4to. His son, Anthony Leger, born 1652, at Geneva, was a celebrated preacher, and five volumes of his sermons have been published since his death, which happened at Geneva, in 1719.
learned protestant divine, born in 1615, at Ville-Seiche, in the valley of St. Martin, in Piedmont, was nephew of Anthony Leger the elder. He was minister of several
, a learned protestant divine, born in 1615,
at Ville-Seiche, in the valley of St. Martin, in Piedmont,
was nephew of Anthony Leger the elder. He was minister of several churches, particularly that at St. Jean,
and escaped from the massacre of the Waldenses in 1655.
Having been deputed to several protestant powers in 1661,
the court of Turin ordered his house at St. Jean to be
razed to the ground, and declared him guilty of high treason. He became pastor afterwards of the Walloon church
at Leyden, in which city he was living in 1665, and there
published his “Hist, des Eglises Evangeliques des Vallees
de Piemont,
” fol. The year of his death is unknown.
, baron of Dartmouth, an eminent naval commander, was the eldest son of colonel William Legge, groom of the bed-chamber
, baron of Dartmouth, an eminent naval commander, was the eldest son of colonel William Legge, groom of the bed-chamber to king Charles I. and brought up under the brave admiral sir Edward Spragge. He entered the navy at seventeen years of age, and, before he was twenty, his gallant behaviour recommended him so effectually to king Charles II. that in 1667, he promoted him to the command of the Pembroke. In 1671, he was appointed captain of the Fairfax, and the next year removed to the Royal Catharine, in which ship he obtained high reputation, by beating off the Dutch after they had boarded her, though the ship seemed on the point of sinking; and then finding the means of stopping her leaks, he carried her safe into port. In 1673, he was made governor of Portsmouth, master of the horse, and gentleman to the duke of York. Several other posts were successively conferred upon him, and in December 1682, he was created baron of Dartmouth. The port of Tangier having been attended with great expence to keep the fortifications in repair, and to maintain in it a numerous garrison to protect it from the Moors, who watched every opportunity of seizing it, the king determined to demolish the fortifications, and bring the garrison to England; but the difficulty was to perform it without the Moors having any suspicion of the design. Lord Dartmouth was appointed to manage this difficult affair, and, for that purpose, was, in 1683, made governor of Tangier, general of his majesty’s forces in Africa, and admiral of the fleet. At his arrival he prepared every thing necessary for putting his design in execution, blew up all the fortifications, and returned to England with the garrison; soon after which, the king made him a present of ten thousand pounds. When James II. ascended the throne, his lordship was created master of the horse, general of the ordnance, constable of the tower of London, captain of an independent company of foot, and one of the privy-council. That monarch placed the highest confidence in his friendship; and, on his being thoroughly convinced that the prince of Orange intended to land in England, he appointed him commander of the fleet; and, had he not been prevented by the wind and other accidents from coming up with the prince of Orange, a bloody engagement would doubtless have ensued.
twithstanding he brought the fleet safe home, and had acted by order of king James when in power, he was deprived of all his employments at the revolution; and in 1691
After the prince landed, lord Dartmouth returned to Spithead, in November, with forty-three ships of war, the rest of the fleet being put into other ports. Yet, notwithstanding he brought the fleet safe home, and had acted by order of king James when in power, he was deprived of all his employments at the revolution; and in 1691 committed prisoner to the Tower of London, where, after three months imprisonment, he died suddenly of an apoplexy, Oct. 25 of that year, in the forty-fourth year of his age. When he was dead, lord Lucas, who was constable of the Tower, made some difficulty of permitting his body to be removed without order; on which, application being made to king William, he was pleased to direct that the same respect should be paid at his funeral, that would have been due to him if he had died possessed of all his employments in that place; and accordingly, the Towerguns were fired when he was carried out to be interred near his father, in the vault of the church in the Minories, where a monument of white marble is erected to his memory.
, a very eminent mathematician and philosopher, was born at Leipsic, July 4, 1646. His father, Frederic Leibnitz,
, a very eminent
mathematician and philosopher, was born at Leipsic, July
4, 1646. His father, Frederic Leibnitz, was professor of
moral philosophy, and secretary to that university; but
did not survive the birth of his son above six years. His
mother put him under messieurs Homschucius and Bachuchius, to teach him Greek and Latin; and he made so
quick a progress as to surpass the expectations of his
master; and not content with their tasks, when at home,
where there was a well-chosen library left by his father,
he read with attention the ancient authors, and “especially
Livy. The poets also had a share in his studies, particularly Virgil, many of whose verses he could repeat in his
old age, with fluency and accuracy. He had himself also
a talent for versifying, and is said to have composed in one
day’s time, a poem of three hundred lines, without an
elision. This early and assiduous attention to classical
learning laid the foundation of that correct and elegant
taste which appears in all his writings. At the age of
fifteen, he became a student in the university of Leipsic,
and to polite literature joining philosophy and the mathematics, he studied the former under James Thomasius,
and the latter under John Kuhnius, at Leipsic. He afterwards went to Jena, where he heard the lectures of professor Bohnius upon polite learning and history, and
those of Falcknerius in the law. At his return to Leipsic,
in 1663, he maintained, under Thomasius, a thesis,
” De
Principiis Individuationis.“In 1664, he was admitted
M. A.; and observing how useful philosophy might be in
illustrating the law, he maintained several philosophical
questions taken out of the
” Corpus Juris." At the same
time he applied himself particularly to the study of the
Greek philosophers, and engaged in the task of reconciling
Plato with Aristotle; as he afterwards attempted a like
reconciliation between Aristotle and Des Cartes. He was
so intent on these studies, that he spent whole days in meditating upon them, in a forest near Leipsic.
menced bachelor in that faculty in 1665, and the year after supplicated for his doctor’s degree; but was denied, as not being of sufficient standing, that is, not quite
His views being at this time chiefly fixed upon the law,
he commenced bachelor in that faculty in 1665, and the
year after supplicated for his doctor’s degree; but was
denied, as not being of sufficient standing, that is, not
quite twenty; but the real cause of the demur was his
rejecting the principles of Aristotle and the schoolmen,
against the received doctrine of that time. Resenting the
affront, he went to Altorf, where he maintained a thesis,
“De Casibus perplexis,
” with so much reputation, that
he not only obtained his doctor’s degree, but had an offer
of being made professor of law extraordinary. This, however, was declined; and he went from Altorf to Nuremberg, to visit the learned in that university. He had
heard of some literati there who were engaged in the pursuit of the philosopher’s stone; and his curiosity was raised
to be initiated into their mysteries. For this purpose he
drew up a letter full of abstruse terms, extracted out of
books of chemistry; and, unintelligible as it was to himself, addressed it to the director of that society, desiring
to be admitted a member. They were satisfied of his merit, from the proofs given in his letter; and not only admitted him into their laboratory, but even requested him
to accept the secretaryship, with a stipend. His office
was, to register their processes and experiments, and to
extract from the books of the best chemists such things as
might be of use to them in their pursuits.
About this time, baron Boinebourg, first minister of the
elector of Mentz, passing through Nuremberg, met Leibnitz at a common entertainment; and conceived so great
an opinion of his parts and learning from his conversation,
that he advised him to apply himself wholly to law and history; giving him at the same time the strongest assurances,
that he would engage the elector, John Philip of Schonborn, to send for him to his court. Leibnitz accepted the
kindness, promising to do his utmost to render himself
worthy of such a patronage; and, to be more within the
reach of its happy effects, he repaired to Francfort upon
the Maine, in the neighbourhood of Mentz. In 1668,
John Casimir, king of Poland, resigning his crown, the
elector palatine, among others, became a competitor for
that dignity; and, while baron Boinebourg went into Poland to manage the elector’s interests, Leibnitz wrote a
treatise to shew that the Polonnois could not make choice
of a better person for their king. With this piece the
elector palatine was extremely pleased, and invited our
author to his court. But baron Boinebourg, resolving to
provide for him at the court of Mentz, would not suffer him
to accept this last offer from the palatine; and immediately
obtained for him the post of counsellor of the chamber of
review to the elector of Mentz. Baron Boinebourg had
some connexions at the French court; and as his son, who
was at Paris, was not of years to be trusted with the management of his affairs, he begged Mr. Leibnitz to undertake that charge.
to finish, he invented a new one, as he called it; the use of which he explained to Mr. Colbert, who was extremely pleased with it and, the invention being approved
Leibnitz, charmed with this opportunity of shewing bit
gratitude to so zealous a patron, set out for Paris in 1672.
He also proposed several other advantages to himself in this
tour, and his views were not disappointed. He saw all the
literati in that metropolis, made an acquaintance with the
greatest part of them, and, besides, applied himself with
vigour to the mathematics, in which study he had not yet
made any considerable progress. He tells us himself, that
he owed his advancement in it principally to the works of
Pascal, Gregory, St. Vincent, and above all, to the excellent treatise of Huygens “De Horologio oscillatorio.
”
In this course, having observed the imperfection of Pascal’s
arithmetical machine, which, however, Pascal did not live
to finish, he invented a new one, as he called it; the use
of which he explained to Mr. Colbert, who was extremely
pleased with it and, the invention being approved
likewise by the Academy of sciences, he was offered a seat
there as pensionary member. With sucli encouragement
he might have settled very advantageously at Paris if he
would have turned Roman catholic; but he chose to adhere to the Lutheran religion, in which he was born. In
1673, he lost his patron, M. de Boim-bourg; and, being
at liberty by his death, took a tour to England, where he
became acquainted with Oldenburg, the secretary, and
John Collins, fellow of the royal society, from whom he
received some hints of the invention of the method of
fluxions, which had been discovered in 1664 or 1665, by
Mr. (afterwards) sir Isaac Newton .
While he was in England he received an account of the death of the elector
While he was in England he received an account of the death of the elector of Mentz, by which he lost his pension. He then returned to France, whence be wrote to the duke of Brunswick Lunenburg, to inform him of his circumstances. That prince sent him a very gracious answer, assuring him of his favour, and, for the present, appointed him counsellor of his court, with a salary; but gave him leave to stay at Paris, in order to complete his arithmetical machine, which, however, was not completed until after his death. In 1674 be went again to England, whence he passed, through Holland, to Hanover, and from his first arrival there made it his business to enrich the library of that prince with the best books of all kinds. That duke dying in 1679, his successor, Ernest Augustus, then bishop of Osnabrug, afterwards George I. extended the same patronage to Leibnitz, and directed him to write the history of the house of Brunswick. Leibnitz undertook the task; and, travelling through Germany and Italy to collect materials, returned to Hanover in 1690, with an ample store. While he was in Italy he met with a singular instance of bigotry, which, but for his happy presence of mind, might have proved fatal. Passing in a small bark from Venice to Mesola, a storm arose, during which the pilot, imagining he was not understood by a German, whom being a heretic he looked on as the cause of the tempest, proposed to strip him of his cloaths and money, and throw him overboard. Leibnitz hearing this, without discovering the least emotion, pulled out a set of beads, and turned them over with a seeming devotion. The artifice succeeded; one of the sailors observing to the pilot, that, since the man was no heretic, it would be of no use to drown him. In 1700 he was admitted a member of the royal academy of sciences at Paris. The same year the elector of Brandenburg, afterwards king of Prussia, founded an academy at Berlin, by the advice of Leibnitz, who was appointed perpetual president of it; and, though his other affairs did not permit him to reside constantly upon the spot, yet he made ample amends by the treasures with which he enriched their memoirs, in several dissertations upon geometry, polite learning, natural philosophy, and physic. He also projected to establish at Dresden another academy like that at Berlin. He communicated his design to the king of Poland in 1703, who was inclined to promote it; but the troubles which arose shortly after in that kingdom, hindered it from being carried into execution.
prove sufficient to complete it*. In the meantime, his name became famous over Europe; and his merit was rewarded by other princes, besides the elector of Hanover. In
Besides these projects to promote learning, there is
another still behind of a more extensive view, both in its
nature and use; he set himself to invent a language so
easy and so perspicuous, as to become the common language of all nations of the world. This is what is called
“The Universal Language,
” and the design occupied the
thoughts of our philosopher a long time. The thing had
been attempted before by d'Algarme, and Dr. Wilkins,
bishop of Chester; but Leibnitz did not approve of their
method, and therefore attempted a new one. His
predecessors in his opinion had not reached the point; they
might indeed enable nations who did not understand each
othe,r, to correspond easily together; but they had not attained the true real characters, which would be the beat
instruments of the human mind, and extremely assist both
the reason and memory. These characters, he thought,
ought to resemble as much as possible those of algebra,
which are simple and expressive, and never superfluous
and equivocal, but whose varieties are grounded on reason. In order to hasten the execution of this vast project,
he employed a young person to put into a regular order the
definitions of all things whatsoever; but, though he laboured in it from 1703, yet his life did not prove sufficient
to complete it*. In the meantime, his name became famous over Europe; and his merit was rewarded by other
princes, besides the elector of Hanover. In 1711, he was
made aulic counsellor to the emperor; and the czar of
Moscovy appointed him privy-counsellor of justice, with
a pension of a thousand ducats f. Leibnitz undertook at
the same time to establish an academy of sciences at Vienna; but that project miscarried a disappointment which
some have ascribed to the plague. However that be, it is
certain he only had the honour of attempting it, and the
emperor rewarded him for it with a pension of 2000
florins, promising him to double the sum, if he would
come and reside at Vienna, which his death prevented.
In the mean time, the History of Brunswick being interrupted by other works which he wrote occasionally, he
found at his return to Hanover, in 1714, that the elector
had appointed Mr. Eckard for his colleague in that history.
The elector was then raised to the throne of Great Britain;
and soon after his arrival, the electoral princess, then
princess of Wales, and afterwards queen Caroline, engaged Leibnitz in a dispute with Dr. Samuel Clarke upon
the subject of free-will, the reality of space, and other
philosophical subjects. This controversy was carried on
by letters which passed through her royal' high ness’s bands,
and ended only with the death of Leibnitz, Nov. 14, 1716,
occasioned by the gout and stone, at the age of seventy.
tie was contriving, which, it is very that Leibnitz refused the place
tie was contriving, which, it is very that Leibnitz refused the place of
universal language. him by cardinal Casanata, while hf Leibnitz was in person of a middle stature, and of a thin habit. He had a
universal language. him by cardinal Casanata, while hf
Leibnitz was in person of a middle stature, and of a thin
habit. He had a studious air, and a sweet aspect, though
short-sighted. He was indefatigably industrious, and so
continued to the end of his life. He ate and drank little.
Hunger alone marked the time of his meals, and his diet
was plain and strong. He loved travelling, and different
climates never affected his health. In order to impress
upon his memory what he had a mind to remember, he
wrote it down, and never read it afterwards. His temper
was naturally choleric, but on most occasions he had th
art to restrain it. As he had the honour of passing for
one of the greatest men in Europe, he was sufficiency
sensible of it. He was solicitous in procuring the favour
of princes, which he turned to his own advantage, as well
as to the service of learning. He was affable and polite in
conversation, and averse to disputes. He was thought to
love money, and is said to have left sixty thousand crowns,
yet no more than fifteen or twenty thousand out at interest;
the rest being found in crown-pieces and other specie,
hoarded in corn-sacks. He always professed himself a Lutheran, but never joined in public worship; and in his
last sickness, being desired by his coachman, who was his
favourite servant, to send for a minister, he would not
hear of it, saying he had no occasion for one. He was
never married, and never attempted it but once, when he
was about fifty years old; and the lady desiring time to
consider of it, gave him an opportunity of doing the same;
which produced this conclusion, “that marriage was a
good thing, but a wise man ought to consider of it all his
life.
” Mr. Lcefler, son of his sister, was his sole heir,
whose wife died suddenly with joy at the sight of so much
money left them by their uncle. It is said he had a natural son in his youth, who afterwards lived with him, was
serviceable to him in many ways, and had a considerable
share in his confidence. He went by the name of William
Dinninger, and extremely resembledhis father.
ved the disorder suddenly from his foot to his stomach, and killed him. At the time of his death, he was sitting on the side of his bed, with an ink-stand and Barclay’s
“This great man,
” says the abbé“,
” owed his death to
a medicine given him by a Jesuit at Vienna, which he
took from a desire to obtain a too speedy cure for the
gout. This removed the disorder suddenly from his foot
to his stomach, and killed him. At the time of his death,
he was sitting on the side of his bed, with an ink-stand and
Barclay’s Argenis beside him. They say that he was continually reading this book, the style of which pleased him
exceedingly; and that it was from this taste he intended
to form his history.
nd him twelve or thirteen thousand crowns in specie, and a bag full of gold medals. Among his papers was found a manuscript on the Cartesian method, which has not yet
"He left behind him twelve or thirteen thousand crowns in specie, and a bag full of gold medals. Among his papers was found a manuscript on the Cartesian method, which has not yet appeared; a political tract of Bud, the letters of pope Sylvester II. and Spinoza’s letters. His own manuscripts were in great disorder. There were found many papers filled with his thoughts, and with ban mots either his own, or collected by him. Leibnitz had passed part of his life with almost all the sovereigns of Europe, and expressed himself with much spirit and elegance. He left behind him poems, epigrams, and loveletters. He was connected with the learned of all countries; and carefully preserved all the letters he wrote and received. M. Eckard says, there were found in his letters the history of the inventions, discoveries, and literary disputes during the space of forty years. He applied himself to every thing; having left behind him a book of etymologies in the German language, and he laboured at an universal language to the time of his death. He loved chemistry; and to acquire the secrets of that art, he contrived a language chiefly composed of foreign words, which procured him the acquaintance of several chemists.
"He read all books without exception the more odd and whimsical the title was, the more curious he was to examine the contents. He found a
"He read all books without exception the more odd and whimsical the title was, the more curious he was to examine the contents. He found a romance written in German by Mr. Eckard: this romance contained the history of a father, who having consulted an astrologer about the future destiny of his son, learnt that to preserve him from death, there was no other method than to make him pass for the son of a hangman. Leibnitz found this romance so excellent that he read it through at one sitting.
e sacred Scriptures without reverence; they are full, he would say, of lessons useful to mankind. He was unwilling to engage in religious disputes, but when his own
“The first time he visited Hanover, he never went out
of his study. He never spoke of the sacred Scriptures
without reverence; they are full, he would say, of lessons
useful to mankind. He was unwilling to engage in religious disputes, but when his own principles were attacked,
he defended himself with much warmth. He was fond of
the Estern manners, had a great esteem for the Arabic
and Chinese languages, and recommended the study of
them. He formed a project for making a voyage to China,
and the Czar promised to fit him out; but on reflexion, he
found himself too far advanced in life to undertake it He
collected many Chinese books in which were contained the
antiquities of that empire.
”
Leibnitz was author of a great multitude of writings; several of which were
Leibnitz was author of a great multitude of writings;
several of which were published separately, and many
others in the memoirs of different academies. He invented
a binary arithmetic, and many other ingenious matters.
His claim to the invention of Fluxions, we have already
noticed. Hanschius collected, with great care, every thing
that Leibnitz had said, in different passages of his works,
upon the principles of philosophy; and formed of them a
complete system, under the title of “G. G. Leibnitzii
Principia Philosophise more geometrico demonstrate,
” &c.
E pis tolas ad diversos
theologici, juridici, medici, philosophic!, mathematici, historici, & philologici argument! e Mss. auctores^ cum annotationibus suis priuium divulgavit Christian Cortholtus,
”
and another collection of his letters was published in 1805
at Hanover, by M. Feder, under the title of “Commercii
epistolici Leibnitziani typis nondum vulgati selecta specimina,
” 8vo. Of his collected works, the best edition, distributed into classes by M. Dutens, was published at Geneva in six large volumes 4to, in 1768, entitled, “Gothofredi Guillelmi Leibnitzii Opera omnia,
” &c.
As Leibnitz was long the successful teacher of a new system of philosophy, it
As Leibnitz was long the successful teacher of a new system of philosophy, it may be now necessary to give some account of it, which was formed partly in emendation of the Cartesian, and partly in opposition to the Newtonian philosophy. In this philosophy, the author retained the Cartesian subtile matter, with the vortices and universal plenum; and he represented the universe as a machine that should proceed for ever, by the laws of mechanism, in the most perfect state, by an absolute inviolable necessity. After Newton’s philosophy was published, in 1687, Leibnitz printed an essay on the celestial motions in the Act. Erud. 1689, where he admits the circulation of the ether with Des Cartes, and of gravity with Newton; though he has not reconciled these principles, nor shewn how gravity arose from the impulse of this ether, nor how to account for the planetary revolutions in their respective orbits. His system is also defective, as it does not reconcile the circulation of the ether with the free motions of the comets irt all directions, or with the obliquity of the planes of the planetary orbits; nor does it resolve other objections to which the hypothesis of the vortices and plenum is liable.
s and wisdom of the Deity, and his principle of a sufficient reason, he concluded, that the universe was a perfect work, or the best that could possibly have been made;
Soon after the period just mentioned, the dispute commenced concerning the invention of the method of fluxions, which led Mr. Leibnitz to take a very decided part in opposition to the philosophy of Newton. From the goodness and wisdom of the Deity, and his principle of a sufficient reason, he concluded, that the universe was a perfect work, or the best that could possibly have been made; and that other things, which are evil or incommodious, were permitted as necessary consequences of what was best: that the material system, considered as a perfect machine, can never fall into disorder, or require to be set right; and to suppose that God interposes in it, is to lessen the skill of the author, and the perfection of his work. He expressly charges an impious tendency on the philosophy of Newton, because he asserts, that the fabric of the universe and course of nature could not continue for ever in its present state, but in process of time would require to be re-established or renewed by the hand of its first framer. The perfection of the universe, in consequence of which it is capable of continuing for ever by mechanical laws in its present state, led Mr. Leibnitz to distinguish between the quantity of motion and the force of bodies; and, whilst he owns in opposition to Des Cartes, that the former varies, to maintain that the quantity of force is for ever the same in the universe; and to measure the forces of bodies by the squares of their velocities.
ion, and the scope to which all his dispensations are directed, so they concluded, that, if this end was proposed, it must be accomplished. Hence the doctrine of necessity,
The translator of Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History observes, that the progress of Arminianism has declined in Germany and several parts of Switzerland, in consequence of the influence of the Leibnitzian and Wolfian philosophy. Leibnitz and Wolf, by attacking that liberty of indifference, which is supposed to imply the power of acting not only without, but against motives, struck, he says, at the very foundation of the Arminian system. He adds, that the greatest possible perfection of the universe, considered as the ultimate end of creating goodness, removes from the doctrine of predestination those arbitrary procedures and narrow views, with which the Calvinists are supposed to have loaded it, and gives it a new, a more pleasing, and a more philosophical aspect. As the Leibnitzians laid down this great end as the supreme object of God’s universal dominion, and the scope to which all his dispensations are directed, so they concluded, that, if this end was proposed, it must be accomplished. Hence the doctrine of necessity, to fulfil the purposes of a predestination founded in wisdom and goodness; a necessity, physical and mechanical, in the motions of material and inanimate things; but a necessity, moral and spiritual, in the voluntary determinations of intelligent beings, in consequence of prepollent motives, which produce their effects with certainty, though these effects be contingent, and by no means the offspring of an absolute and essentially immutable fatality. Tbese principles, says the same writer, are evidently applicable to the main doctrines of Calvinism; by them predestination is confirmed, though modified with respect to its reasons and its end; by them irresistible grace (irresistible in a moral sense) is maintained upon the hypothesis of prepollent motives and a moral necessity; the perseverance of the saints is also explicable upon the same system, by a series of moral causes producing a series of moral effects. But Maclaine adds, that the Leibnitzian system has scarcely been embraced by any of the English Calvmists, because, as he supposes, they adhere firmly to their theology, and blend no pnilosophical principles with their system.
of Augsburgh. Yet the philosopher betrayed his love of union and toleration* his faith in revelation was accused, while he proved the Trinity by the principles of logic;
Gibbon has drawn the character of Leibnitz with great
force and precision, as a man whose genius and studies
have ranked his name with the first philosophic names of
his age and country; but he thinks his reputation, perhaps, would have been more pure and permanent, if he
had not ambitiously grasped the whole circle of human
science. As a theologian, says Gibbon (who is not, perhaps, the most impartial judge of this subject), he successively contended with the sceptics, who believe too little,
and with the papists who believe too much; and with the
heretics, who believe otherwise than is inculcated by the
Lutheran confession of Augsburgh. Yet the philosopher
betrayed his love of union and toleration* his faith in revelation was accused, while he proved the Trinity by the
principles of logic; and in the defence of the attributes
and providence of the Deity, he was suspected of a secret
correspondence with his adversary Bayle. The metaphysician expatiated in the fields of air; his pre-established
harmony of the soul and body might have provoked the
jealousy of Plato; and his optimism, the best of all possible worlds, seems an idea too vast for a mortal mind. He
was a physician, in the large and genuine sense of the
word like his brethren, he amused him with creating a
globe and his Protogæa, or primitive earth, has not been
useless to the last hypothesis of Buffon, which prefers the
agency of fire to that of water. “I am not worthy,
” adds
Gibbon, “to praise the mathematician; but his name is
mingled in all the problems and discoveries of the times;
the masters of the art were his rivals or disciples; and if
he borrowed from sir Isaac Newton, the sublime method of
fluxions, Leibnitz was at least the Prometheus who imparted to mankind the sacred fire which he had stolen from the
gods. His curiosity extended to every branch of chemistry, mechanics, and the arts; and the thirst of knowledge was always accompanied with the spirit of improvement. The vigour of his youth had been exercised in the
schools of jurisprudence; and while he taught, he aspired
to reform the laws of nature and nations, of Rome and
Germany. The annals of Brunswick, and of the empire,
of the ancient and modern world, were presented to the
mind of the historian; and he could turn from the solution
of a problem, to the dusty parchments and barbarous style
of the records of the middle age. His genius was more
nobly directed to investigate the origin of languages and
nations; nor could he assume the character of a grammarian, without forming the project of an universal idiom
and alphabet. These various studies were often interrupted
by the occasional politics of the times; and his pen was
always ready in the cause of the princes and patrons to
whose service he was attached; many hours were consumed
in a learned correspondence with all Europe; and the philosopher amused his leisure in the composition of French
and Latin poetry. Such an example may display the exte^nt and powers of the human understanding, but even his
powers were dissipated by the multiplicity of his pursuits.
He attempted more than he could finish; he designed more
than he could execute: his imagination was too easily satisfied with a bold and rapid glance on the subject, which
he was impatient to leave; and Leibnitz may be compared
to those heroes, whose empire has been lost in the ambition of universal conquest.
”
, a naturalist and physician of the seventeenth century, was born at Grange, in Lancashire. He entered in 1679, of Brazen-nose
, a naturalist and physician of the
seventeenth century, was born at Grange, in Lancashire.
He entered in 1679, of Brazen-nose college, Oxford, and
took a bachelor’s degree in arts, whence he removed to
Cambridge, and proceeding in the faculty of medicine,
afterwards practised in London with considerable reputation. He was admitted a member of the royal society in
May 1685. He left the following works: “The Natural
History of the Counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire, &c.
” London, Phtbisiologia Lancastrieusis, cum tentamine philosophico de Miueralibus Aquis in eodem comitatu observatis,
”
London, Exercitationes quinque de Aquis
Mineralibus, Thermis calidis, Morbis acutis, Morbis intermittentibus, Hydrope,
” ibid. History of Virginia,
”
drawn up from observations made during a residence in
that country, London, 1705, 12mo. Of his “Natural History of Lancashire,
” bishop Nicolson speaks with great,
and, as Mr. Gough thinks, deserved contempt. The coini
described in this book were left to Mr. Prescot of Catherine-hall, Cambridge. The time of his death is not mentioned
in any of the accounts we have seen of him.
, a learned theological writer of the seventeenth century, the son of Henry Leigh, esq. was born at Shawell in Leicestershire, March 24, 1602-3. He had
, a learned theological writer of the
seventeenth century, the son of Henry Leigh, esq. was
born at Shawell in Leicestershire, March 24, 1602-3. He
had his grammatical learning under a Mr. Lee of Waishall in Staffordshire; and when removed td Oxford, became a commoner of Magdalen-hall, in 1616, under Mr.
William Pemble, a very celebrated tutor of that society.
After completing his degrees in arts in 1623, he removed
to the Middle Temple for the study of the law. During
the violence of the plague in 1625, he took that opportunity to visit France; and on his return to the Temple,
added to his law studies those of divinity and history, in
both which he attained a great stock of knowledge. He
was in fact a sort of lay divine, and superior to many of the
profession. About 1636, we find him representing the
borough of Stafford in parliament, when some of the members of that, which was called the Long parliament, had
withdrawn to the king at Oxford. Mr. Leigh’s sentiments
inclining him to remain and to support the measures of the
party in opposition to the court, he was afterwards appointed to a seat in the assembly of divines, and certainly
sat with no little propriety in one respect, being as ably
skilled in matters of divinity and ecclesiastical history as
most of them. He was also a colonel of a regiment in the
parliamentary service, and custos rotulorum for the county
of Stafford. He was not, however, prepared to approve of
all the proceedings of the parliament and army; and having, in Dec. 1648, voted that his majesty’s concessions were
satisfactory, he and some others, who held the same
opinion, were turned out of parliament. From that time he
appears to have retired from public life, and to have employed his time in study. He died June 2, 1671, at Rushall Hall in Staffordshire, and was buried in the chancel of
that church. His works, which afford abundant proofs of
his learning and industry, are, 1. “Select and choice Observations concerning the first twelve Cssars,
” Oxon, Analecta Ccesarum Romanorum.
”
Two other editions, with farther improvements and plates
of coins, &c. appeared in 1664 and 1670, 8vo. 2. “Treatise of Divine promises,
” Lond. Scripture Promises,
” and other
collections of the same kind. 3. “Critica Sacra, or the
Hebrew words of the Old, and of the Greek of the New
Testament,
” Lond. A Treatise of Divinity,
” ibid. The
Saint’s encouragement in evil times or observations concerning the martyrs in general,
” ibid. Annotations on all the New Testament,
” ibid. A philological Commentary; or, an illustration of
the most obvious and useful words in the Law, &c.
” ibid.
A System or Body of Divinity,
” Treatise of Religion and Learning,
”
ibid. Fcelix consortium, or
a fit conjuncture of Religion and Learning.
” H). “Choice
French Proverbs,
” ibid. Annotations on the five poetical books of the Old Testament, viz.
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles,
” ibid.
Second considerations of the high court
of Chancery,
” England described,
” Choice observations on
all the kings of England, from the Saxons to the death of
Charles I.
” Three Diatribes, or Discourses, of travel, money, and measuring, &c.
” Gentleman’s Guide.
”
16. “Two Sermons,
” on the magistrate’s authority, by
Christ. Cartwright, B. D. To these sir Edward prefixed a
preface in vindication of his own character for appearing
in the assembly of divines. This gentleman is by some
writers called Sir Edward Leigh, but not so by Wood, nor
can we find any information respecting his being knighted.
In all his works, that we have seen, he is styled Edward
Leigh, Esq.
, a Scotch divine, was born at Edinburgh, in 1568, and educated in the university of
, a Scotch divine, was born
at Edinburgh, in 1568, and educated in the university of
that city, under the direction of the pious and learned
Mr. Rollock. In 1603 he took the degree of M. A. and
was appointed professor of moral philosophy in his own
college, a place which he enjoyed till the laureation of his
class, in 1613. At that time he came to London, and
procured a lectureship, which he enjoyed till 1629, when
he wrote two books, the one entitled “Zion’s Plea,
” and
the other, “The Looking-glass of the Holy War.
” In
the former of these books, he spoke not only with freedom, but with rudeness and indecency against bishops,
calling them “men of blood,
” and saying that we do not read
of a greater persecution and higher indignities done towards
God’s people in any nation than in this, since the death of
queen Elizabeth. He called the prelacy of the church
anti-christian, and declaimed vehemently against the canons and ceremonies. He styled the queen a daughter of
Heth, and concluded with expressing his pity that so ingenuous and tractable a king should be so monstrously
abused by the bishops, to the undoing of himself and his
subjects. This brought him under the vengeance of the
star-chamber, and a more cruel sentence was probably
never pronounced or executed. After receiving sentence,
he made his escape, but was soon re-taken and brought
back to London. Historians have recorded the manner of
his shocking punishment in these words: “He was severely whipped before he was put in the pillory. 2. Being
set in the pillory, he had one of his ears cut off. 3. One
side of his nose slit. 4. Branded on the cheek with a red
hot iron with the letters S S (a sower of sedition). On
that day seven-night, his sores upon his back, ear, nose,
and face, being not yet cured, he was whipped again at
the pillory in Cheapside, and had the remainder of his sentence executed upon him, by cutting off the other ear,
slitting the other side of his nose, and branding the other
cheek.
” This happened in tanquam infamis
” he having before been sentenced
in the star-chamber to lose his ears. But in this account:
there is some inaccuracy. He did not lose his ears until
1630, and then underwent his long imprisonment.
Be this as it may, after eleven years imprisonment in the Fleet, he was set at liberty by the parliament, 1640, and appointed keeper
Be this as it may, after eleven years imprisonment in the Fleet, he was set at liberty by the parliament, 1640, and appointed keeper of Lambeth-palace, which at that time was made use of as a state-prison. There he remained till 1644, when he died rather insane of mind from the hardships he had suffered. He has no works extant, except those already mentioned. He was the father of archbishop Leighton, the subject of the next article.
, sometime bishop of Dunblane, and afterwards archbishop of Glasgow, son to the preceding, was born at London in 1613, but educated at the university of Edinburgh,
, sometime bishop of Dunblane,
and afterwards archbishop of Glasgow, son to the preceding, was born at London in 1613, but educated at the
university of Edinburgh, where his talents were not more
conspicuous than his piety and humble temper. He afterwards spent some time in France, particularly at Doway,
where some of his relations lived. Our accounts, however,
of his early years, are very imperfect. All we know with
certainty of the period before us is, that when he had
reached his thirtieth year, in 1643, he was settled in Scotland, according to the presbyterian form, as minister of
the parish of Newbottle, near Edinburgh. Here he
remained several years, and was most assiduous in discharging the various duties of his office. He did not, however, conceive it to be any part of that office to add to
the distractions of that unhappy period, by making the
pulpit the vehicle of political opinions. His object was
to exhort his parishioners to live in charity, and not to
trouble themselves with religious and political disputes.
But such was not the common practice; and it being the
custom of the presbytery to inquire of the several brethren,
twice a year, “whether they had preached to the times?
”
“For God’s sake,
” answered Leighton, “when all my
brethren preach to the times, suffer one poor priest to
preach about eternity.
” Such moderation could not fail
to give offence; and finding his labours of no service, he
retired to a life of privacy. His mind was not, however,
indifferent to what was passing in the political world, and
he was one of those who dreaded the downfall of the monarchy, and the subsequent evils of a republican tyranny,
and having probably declared his sentiments on these subjects, he was solicited by his friends, and particularly by
his brother, sir Elisha Leighton, to change his connexions.
For this he was denounced by the presbycerians as an apostate, and welcomed by the episcopalians as a convert. In
his first outset, however, it is denied that he was a thorough
presbyterian, or in his second, entirely an episcopalian;
and it is certain that his becoming the latter could not bo
imputed to motives of ambition or interest, for episcopacy
was at this time the profession of the minority, and extremely unpopular. His design, however, of retiring to
a life of privacy, was prevented by a circumstance which
proved the high opinion entertained of his integrity, learn
ing, and piety. The office of principal in the university
of Edinburgh becoming vacant soon after Leighton’s resignation of his ministerial charge, the magistrates, who
had the gift of presentation, unanimously chose him to
fill the chair, and pressed his acceptance of it by urging
that he might thereby be of great service to the church,
without taking any part in public measures. Such a motive to a man of his moderation, was irresistible; and accordingly he accepted the offer, and executed the duties
of his office for ten years with great reputation. It was
the custom then for the principal to lecture to the students
of theology in the Latin tongue; and Leighton’s lectures
delivered at this period, which are extant both in Latin
and English, are very striking proofs of the ability and assiduity with which he discharged this part of his duty.
After the death of the king, Dr. Leighton sometimes visited London during the vacations, but was disgusted with the proceedings there, and particularly conceived
After the death of the king, Dr. Leighton sometimes visited London during the vacations, but was disgusted with the proceedings there, and particularly conceived a dislike to the conduct of the independents as well as to their form of church-government. He made several excursions, likewise, to Flanders, that he might observe the actual state of the Romish church on the spot, and carried on a correspondence with some of his relations at Doway, who were in popish orders; but with the exception of some Jansenists, of whom he entertained a favourable opinion, his general aversion to popish divines and popery appears to have been increased by his experience abroad.
When Charles II. after the restoration determined to establish episcopacy in Scotland, Dr. Leighton was persuaded to accept a bishopric. This his presbyter! an biographers
When Charles II. after the restoration determined to
establish episcopacy in Scotland, Dr. Leighton was persuaded to accept a bishopric. This his presbyter! an
biographers seem to consfder as a part of his conduct
which is not to be reconciled with his general character
for wisdom and caution. They deduce, however, from
the following circumstances, that he did not enter cordially
into the plan, and was even somewhat averse to it. “He
chose the most obscure and least lucrative see, that of
Dunblane; he disapproved of the feasting at the time of
consecration, and plainly testified against it; he objected
to the title of Lord; he refused to accompany the other
Scotch bishops in their pompous entry into Edinburgh.
He hastened to Dunblane; did not accept of the invitation
to parliament, and almost the only time he took his seat
there Whs for the purpose of urging lenity toward the presbyterians he detested all violent measurespersecuted
uo man, upbraided no man; had little correspondence
with his brethren, and incurred their deep resentment by
his reserve and strictness; acknowledged that Providence
frowned both ou the scheme and the instruments; and
confined himself to his diocese.
”
r and olrice of a bishop which could hinder the success of the gospel; on the contrary, bishop as he was, for which these biographers cannot forgive him, he exhibited
All this might be true, and yet not interfere with the conclusion, that Dr. Leighton saw nothing in the character and olrice of a bishop which could hinder the success of the gospel; on the contrary, bishop as he was, for which these biographers cannot forgive him, he exhibited such an example of pious diligence as could not be exceeded by the divines of any church and although during his holding this sec, the presbyterians were persecuted with the greatest severity in other dioceses, not one individual was molested in Dunblane on account of his religious principles. But as he had no power beyond his own boundaries, anil could not approve the conduct of Sharp and others of his brethren, he certainly became in time dissatisfied with his situation, and it is possible he might be so with himself for accepting it. In an address to his clergy, in 1665, not four years after his settlement at Dunblane, he intimated to them that it was his intention to resign, assigning as a reason, that he was weary of contentions.
ings in Scotland protested against any concurrence in such measures; declared that being a bishop he was in some degree accessary to the rigorous deeds of others in
Before taking this step, however, he had the courage to try the effect of a fair representation of the state of matters to the king, and notwithstanding his natural diffidence, went to London, and being graciously received by Charles, detailed to him the violent and cruel proceedings in Scotland protested against any concurrence in such measures; declared that being a bishop he was in some degree accessary to the rigorous deeds of others in supporting episcopacy, and requested permission to resign his bishopric. The king heard him with attention, and with apparent sorrow for the state of Scotland; assured him that lenient measures should be adopted, but positively refused to accept his resignation. Leigbton appears to have credited his majesty’s professions, and returned home in hopes that the violence of persecution was over; but, finding himself disappointed, he made a second attempt in 1667, and was more urgent with the king than before, although still without effect.
It may seem strange that Leighton, who was so disgusted with the proceedings of his brethren as now to
It may seem strange that Leighton, who was so disgusted with the proceedings of his brethren as now to think it a misfortune to belong to the order, and who had so earnestly tendered his resignation, should at no great distance of time (in 1670) be persuaded to remove from his sequestered diocese of Dunblane, to the more important province of Glasgow. This, however, may be accounted for to his honour, and not to the discredit of the court which urged him to accept the archbishopric. The motive of the king and his ministers was, that Leighton was the only man qualified to allay the discontents which prevailed in the west of Scotland; and Leighton now thought he might have an opportunity to bring forward a scheme of accommodation between the Episcopalians and Presbyterians, which had been for years the object of his study, and the of his heart. The king had examined this scheme, and promised his aid. It had all the features of moderation; and if moderation had been the characteristic of either party, might have been successful. Leighton wished that each party, for the sake of peace, should abate somewhat of its opinions, as to the mode of church-government and worship; that the power of the bishops should be reduced considerably, and that few of the ceremonies of public worship should be retained; that the bishop should only be perpetual moderator, or president in clerical asemblies; and should have no negative voice; and that every question should be determined by the majority of presbyters. Both parties, however, were too much exasperated, and too jealous of each other to yield a single point, and the scheme came to nothing, for which various reasons may be seen in the history of the times. The only circumstance not so well accounted for, is that Charles II. and his ministers should still persist in retaining a man in the high office of bishop, whose plans they disliked, and who formed a striking contrast to his brethren whom they supported.
t time being expired, and all hope of uniting the different parties having vanished, his resignation was accepted. He now retired to Broadhurst, in Sussex, where his
Disappointed in his scheme of comprehension, archbishop Leighton endeavoured to execute his office with his usual care, doing all in his power to reform the clergy, to promote piety among the people, to suppress violence, and to soothe the minds of the presbyterians. For this last purpose he held conferences with them at Glasgow, Paisley, and Edinburgh, on their principles, and on his scheme of accommodation, but without effect. The parties could not be brought to mutual indulgence, and far less to religious concord. Finding his new situation therefore more and more disagreeable, he again determined to resign his dignity, and went to London for that purpose in the summer of 1673. The king, although he still refused to accept his resignation, gave a written engagement to allow him to retire, after the trial of another year; and that time being expired, and all hope of uniting the different parties having vanished, his resignation was accepted. He now retired to Broadhurst, in Sussex, where his sister resided, the widow of Edward Lightmaker, esq. and here he lived in great privacy, dividing his time between study, devotion, and acts of benevolence, with occasional preaching. In, 1679 he very unexpectedly received a letter, written in the king’s own hand, requesting him to go to Scotland and promote concord among the contending parties, but it does not appear that he complied with his majesty’s pleasure. It is certain that he never again visited Scotland, nor intermeddled with ecclesiastical affairs, but remained quietly in his retirement until near his death. This event, however, did not take place at Broadhurst. Although he had enjoyed this retirement almost without interruption for ten years, he was unexpectedly brought to London to see his friends. The reason of this visit is not very clearly explained, nor is it of great importance, but it appears that he had been accustomed to express a wish that he might die from home, and at an inn; and this wish was gratified, for be died at the Bell-inn, in Warwick-lane, far apart from his relations, whose concern, he thought, might discompose his mind. He was confined to his room about a week, and to his bed only three days. Bishop Burnet, and other friends, attended him constantly during this illness, and witnessed his tranquil departure. He expired Feb. 1, 1684, in the seventy-first year of his age. By his express desire, his remains were conveyed to Broadhurst, and interred in the church; and a monument of plain marble, inscribed with his name, office, and age, was erected at the expence of his sister.
g example of unfeigned piety, extensive learning, and unbounded liberality. Every period of his life was marked with substantial, prudent, unostentatious charity; and
Archbishop Leighton is celebrated by all who have written his life, or incidentally noticed him, as a striking example of unfeigned piety, extensive learning, and unbounded liberality. Every period of his life was marked
with substantial, prudent, unostentatious charity; and that
be might be enabled to employ his wealth in this way,
he practised the arts of frugality in his own concerns. He
enjoyed some property from his futher, but his income as
bishop of Dunblane was only 200l., and as archbishop of
Glasgow about 400l.; yet, besides his gifts of charity during his life, he founded an exhibition in the college of
Edinburgh at the expence of 150l. and three more in the
college of Glasgow, at the expence of 400l. and gave
300l. for the maintenance of four paupers in St. Nicholas’s
hospital. He also bequeathed at last the whole of his
remaining property to charitable purposes. His library
and Mss. he left to the see of Dunblane. His love for
retirement we have often mentioned; he carried it perhaps
to an excess, and it certainly unfitted him for the more
active duties of his high station. Although a prelate, he
nnver seemed to have considered himself as more than a
parish priest, and his diocese a large parish. He was not
made for the times in which he lived, as a public character.
They were too violent for his gentle spirit, and impressed
him with a melancholy that checked the natural cheerfulness of his temper and conversation* As a preacher, he
was admired beyond all his contemporaries, and his works
have not yet lost their popularity. Some of them, as his
“Commentary on St. Peter,
” have been often reprinted,
but the most complete edition, including many pieces never before published, is that which appeared in 1808, in 6
vols. 8vo, with a life of the author by the Rev. G. Jerment. Of this last we have availed ourselves in the preceding sketch, but must refer to it for a more ample account of the character and actions of this revered prelate.
, an eminent English antiquary, was born in London, in the beginning of the sixteenth century, but
, an eminent English
antiquary, was born in London, in the beginning of the
sixteenth century, but in what parish or year is uncertain.
He was bred at St. Paul’s school, under the famous William
Lilly. Having lost both his parents in his infancy, he
found a foster-father in one Mr. Thomas Myles, who both
maintained him at school, and sent him thence to Christ’s
college, in Cambridge. Of this society, it is said, he became fellow; yet, it is certain that he afterwards removed
to Oxford, and spent several years in All Souls college,
where he prosecuted his studies with great assiduity, not
only in the Greek and Latin tongues, but in the Saxon
and Welch, the ancient languages of his country. For
farther improvement he travelled to Paris, where he had
the conversation and instruction of Budaeus, Faber, Paulus
yEmilius, Ruellius, and Francis Sylvius; by whose assistance he not only perfected himself in the Latin and Greek
tongues, but learned French, Italian, and Spanish. He
also improved hia natural diposition to poetry, On his
return home he entered into holy orders, and being esteemed
an accomplished scholar, king Henry VIII. made him one
of his chaplains, gave him the rectory of Popeling, Popering, or Pepling, in the marches of Calais, appointed
him his library- keeper, and by a commission dated 1533,
dignified him with the title of his antiquary. By this commission his majesty laid his commands on him to make
search after “England’s antiquities, and peruse the libraries of all cathedrals, abbies, priories, colleges, &c. and
places where records, writings, and secrets of antiquity
were reposited.
” For this purpose he had an honourable
stipend allotted him, and obtained, in 1536, a dispensation for non-residence upon his living at Popeling. Being
now at full liberty, he spent above six years in travelling
about England and Wales, and collecting materials for the
history and antiquities of the nation. He entered upon
his journey with the greatest eagerness; and, in the execution of his design was so inquisitive, that, not content
with what the libraries of the respective houses afforded,
nor with what was recorded in the windows and other monuments belonging to cathedrals and monasteries, &c. he
wandered from place to place where he thought there were
any footsteps of Roman, Saxon, or Danish buildings, and
took particular notice of all the tumuli, coins, inscriptions,
&c. In short, he travelled every where, both by the seacoasts and the midland parts, sparing neither pains nor
cost; insomuch that there was scarcely either cape or bay,
haven, creek, or pier, river, or confluence of rivers,
breaches, washes, lakes, meres, fenny waters, mountains,
valleys, moors, heaths, forests, chaces, woods, cities, boroughs, castles, principal manor- places, monasteries, and
colleges, which he had not seen, and noted, as he says, a
whole world of things very memorable.
inters. This pilferage, together with the havock made of them at the dissolution of the monasteries, was observed by our antiquary with great regret; and he wrote a
Leland not only sought out and rescued antique monuments of literature from the destructive hands of time, by
a faithful copy and register of them, but likewise saved
many from being despoiled by the hands of men. In those
days the English were very indifferent and negligent in this
particular: they took little heed and less care about these
precious monuments of learning; which, being perceived
by foreigners, especially in Germany, young students were
frequently sent thence, who cut them out of the books in
the libraries; and, then, returning home, published therti
at the press of Frobenius, and other printers. This pilferage, together with the havock made of them at the dissolution of the monasteries, was observed by our antiquary
with great regret; and he wrote a letter to Cromwell, then
secretary of state, begging his assistance to bring to light
many ancient authors buried in dust, and sending them to
the king’s library. His majesty was truly sensible of the
indefatigable industry and labour of his antiquary, and on
his return from his travels in 1542, presented him to the
rich rectory of Basely, in Oxfordshire, and the year
following gave him, by the name of John Leland, scholar,
and king’s chaplain, a canonry of King’s college, now
Christ Church, in Oxford; and, about the same time, the
prebend of East and West Knowle, in the church of
Sarum. In 1545 he lost the canonry of Christ Church,
upon the surrendry of that college to the king, and had
no pension allowed him in the lieu of it, as other canons
had, yet as he is said to have been “otherwise prov ided
for,
” it was probably at this time that the prebend of East
and West Knowle was given him. In 1545, having digested
into four books that part of his collections which contains
an account of the illustrious writers in the realm, with their
lives and monuments of literature, he presented it to his
majesty, under the title of “A Newe Year’s Gifte;
” with
a scheme of what he intended to do farther *. For that
purpose he retired to a house of his own, in the parish of
St Michael le Querne, London; where he spent near six
years in digesting and bringing into form and order, the
immense collections he had with so great assiduity amassed
together. It appears by a letter of his published by
Hearne, that he was desirous of procuring an able assistant,
but we are not informed whether he succeeded. It is certain that some assistance was necessary; for though he was
a person of a clear judgment, and of great insight, to discern the difference “between substantial and superstitious
learning,
” notwithstanding these and other natural endowments of his mind, it is no wonder this double labour, this
augaean task, to realize these undigested heaps, should
overpower the strength of his constitution, and the spirits
submit to what nature could no longer support. This was
the fate of Leland; and by this unfortunate event an end
was put to his labours, “a fatal stop to the satisfaction he
was anxious to give to his king and country.
”
* This was, to gire a map of Eng- books as there are shires in England
* This was, to gire a map of Eng- books as there are shires in England
n with the antiqui- in three books, ties or civil history of it in as many know his history, that he was a man entirely abstracted from the world, pecuniary considerations
of places in Britain with the antiqui- in three books, ties or civil history of it in as many know his history, that he was a man entirely abstracted from the world, pecuniary considerations could scarce be the object of his views. However, to whatever primary or secondary cause ins disorder may be assigned, he fell into a deep melancholy, and, in a short time alter, was totally deprived of his senses.
ver recovering his senses, two years, when tue disorder put a period to his life, April 18, 1552. He was interred in the church of St. Michael le Querne, which stood
His distemper being made known to Edward VI. his majesty, by letters patents, dated March 5, 1550, granted the custody of him, by the name of John Lay I on d, junior, of St. Micuael’s parish in le Q aerne, clerk, to his hrother John Laylond, senior and, for his maintenance, to receive the profits of Hasely, Popeling, and his Salisbury prebend above-mentioned. In this distraction he continued) without ever recovering his senses, two years, when tue disorder put a period to his life, April 18, 1552. He was interred in the church of St. Michael le Querne, which stood at the west end of Cheapside, between the conduit there and Paternoster- row but, being burnt in the gri-at tire of 1666, the site of it was laid out to enlarge the street.
This event, as his illness before had, was deemed a national misfortune, greatly lamented by contemporaries,
This event, as his illness before had, was deemed a national misfortune, greatly lamented by contemporaries,
and by succeeding ages. On his demise, Leland’s papers
were sought after by persons of the lirst rank and learning
in the kingdom. King Edward, aware of their value, committed them to the custody of sir John Cheke, his tutor,
who probably would have made some important use of them
had he not been hindered by the confusions which followed
the death of his sovereign. Sir John, being then obliged
to go abroad, left four folio volumes of Leland’s collections
to Humphrey Purefoy, esq. and these descended to Burton,
the author of the History of Leicestershire, who obtained
possession also of eight other volumes of Leland’s Mss.
called his “Itinerary,
” all which he deposited, in Itinerary,
” and “Collectanea,
” both too
well known to require a more minute description. To
these may be added a work not so well edited, “Commentarii tie scriptoribus Britannicis,
” Oxon. De Antiquitate Britannica, sive, Historia
Civilis.
” It also appears that he had made large collections towards the antiquities of London, but these have
long been lost to the public, as well as his quadrate table
on silver, mentioned in the preceding note, and the “Description of England,
” which he said would be published
in twelve months.
, an eminent writer in defence of Christianity, was born at Wigan, in Lancashire, Oct. 18, 1691. Soon after, his
, an eminent writer in defence of
Christianity, was born at Wigan, in Lancashire, Oct. 18,
1691. Soon after, his father, who had lived in good repute for many years, being involved in pecuniary difficulties, gave up his effects to his creditors, and removed to
Dublin. Finding here an opportunity for settling in business, he sent over for his wife and family of three sons,
and was enabled to support them in a decent manner.
John, the subject of this memoir, was his second son, and
when in his sixth year, which was before they left England, as our account states, he met with a singular misfortune. He was seized with the small pox, which proved of so
malignant a kind that his life was despaired of; and when,
contrary to all expectation, he recovered, he was found
to be deprived of his understanding and memory, which
last retained no traces of what he had been taught. In this
state he remained a year, when his faculties returned; but
having still no remembrance of the past, he began anew
to learn his letters, and in this his second education, made
so quick a progress, and gave such proofs of superior memory and understanding, that his parents resolved to breed
him up to one of the learned professions. In this, from
their situation in life, they probably had not much choice,
from the great expenses necessary to law or physic; and
this, with their religious principles, induced them to decide in favour of divinity. He was therefore educated for
the ministry among the dissenters; and having first exhibited his talents to advantage in a congregation of dissenters in New- row, Dublin, was, in a few months, invited to become joint-pastor with the Rev. Mr. Weld, to
which office he was ordained in 1716. As he entered upon
this station from the best and purest motives, he discharged
the duties of it with the utmost fidelity; and, by indefatigable application to his studies, he made at the same
time such improvements in every branch of useful knowledge, that he soon acquired a distinguished reputation in
the learned world. In 1730 Tindal published his “Christianity as old as the Creation,
” and although several excellent answers appeared to that impious work, Mr. Leland
was of opinion that much remained to be said, in order to
expose its fallacious reasonings and inconsistencies. Accordingly he first appeared as an author in 1733, by publishing “An Answer to a late book entitled ‘ Christianity
as old as the Creation, &c.’
” in 2 vols. In 1737 he embarked in a controversy with another of the same class of
writers, Dr. Morgan, by publishing “The Divine Authority of the Old and New Testament asserted against the
unjust aspersions and false reasonings of a Book entitled
* The Moral Philosopher.'
” The learning and abilities
displayed by Mr. Leland in these publications, and the
service which he rendered by them to the Christian cause,
procured him many marks of respect and esteem from persons of the highest rank in the established church, as well
as from the most eminent of his dissenting brethren; and
from the university of Aberdeen he received, in the most
honourable manner, the degree of D. D. In 1742 Dr.
Leland published an answer to a pamphlet entitled “Christianity not founded on Argument;
” and in Reflections on the late lord
Bolingbroke’s Letters on the study and use of History;
especially so far as they relate to Christianity and the Holy
Scriptures.
” It is said to have been with some reluctance
that he was persuaded to exert himself upon this occasion;
for although, as he himself observes, no man needs make
an apology for using his best endeavours in defence of
Christianity when it is openly attacked, yet he was apprehensive that his engaging again in this cause, after having
done so on some former occasions, might have an appearance of too much forwardness. But these apprehensions
gave way to the judgment and advice of his friend, the late
Dr. Thomas Wilson, rector of St. Stephen’s, Walbrook; and
in complying with his recommendation, he performed an
acceptable service to the Christian world, and added not a
little to the reputation he had already acquired.
t and present century, with observations upon them, &c. In several letters to a friend.” This friend was Dr. Wilson, to whom the letters were sent by the author, in
Dr. Leland being now justly considered a master in this
branch of controversy, at the desire of some valuable friends
he sent to the press, in 1754, “A View of the principal
Deistical Writers that have appeared in England, in the
last and present century, with observations upon them,
&c. In several letters to a friend.
” This friend was Dr.
Wilson, to whom the letters were sent by the author, in
the form in which they appear. When the work was ready
for the press, the copy was so little esteemed that no bookseller would give more than 50l. for it; on which Dr. Wilson generously printed a numerous edition at his own
risque, and the subsequent editions sold with great rapidity
and profit. The design of this work was to give some idea
of the productions of the deistical writers, and of the several schemes which they have advanced, as far as the cause
of revealed religion is concerned. He afterwards published
a supplement relating to the works of Mr. Hume and lord
Bolingbroke, and this was followed by a third volume, comprehending the author’s additions and illustrations, with a
new edition of “Reflections upon lord Bolingbroke’s Letters,
” &c. The whole of this work is now comprised in
two volumes; it secured the author general public approbation, and encouraged him to continue his exertions to a
very advanced age. Accordingly, when he was upwards
of seventy years old, he published, in 2 vols. 4to, “The
advantage and necessity of the Christian Revelation, shewn
from the state of religion in the ancient heathen world,
especially with respect to the knowledge and worship of
the one true God; a rule of moral duty, and a state of
t'uture rewards and punishments,
” &c. This work was afterwards reprinted in two volumes, 8vo. Dr. Leland died
in'his seventy-fifth year, on the 16th of January 1766; he
was distinguished by considerable abilities, and very extensive learning; he had a memory so tenacious, that he was
often called “the walking library.
” After his death a
collection of his sermons was published in four volumes octavo,
with a preface containing some account of the life, character, and writings of the author, by the Rev. Dr. Isaac
Weld, who preached his funeral sermon at the meeting in
Eustace-street, Dublin, of which Dr. Leland had for ma-jy
years been the pastor. The extensive circulation 01 luticiel
writings about twenty years ago, induced the Rev. Dr.
W. L. Brown, principal of Marishal college, Aberdeen, to
superintend a new edition of the “View of the Deistieal
writers,
”
, a learned uivine and translator, the son of a citizen of Dublin, was born in that city in 1722. The first rudiments of classical
, a learned uivine and translator,
the son of a citizen of Dublin, was born in that city in 1722.
The first rudiments of classical education he received at
the seuool kept by the celebrated Dr. Sheridan, whose talents and success in forming excellent scholars, were then
well known. In 17^7 he entered a pensioner in Trinity
college; and in 1741 was elected a scholar commenced
bachelor of arts in 1742, and was a candidate for a fellowship in 1745, in which he failed at this time, but succeeded
the following year by the unanimous voice of the electors,
On bein^ thus placed in a state of independence, he did
not resign himself to ease and indolence, but was conspicuous for the same ardent love of knowledge which appeared in the commencement of his studies, and was predominant throughout his whole life. In 1748 he entered
into holy orders, and from a deep sense of the importance
of his profession, drew up a discourse “On the helps and
impediments to the acquisition of knowledge in religious
and moral subjects,
” wtiich was much admired at that time,
but no copy is now to be found In 1754, in conjunction
with Dr. John Stokes, he published, at the desire of the
university, an edition of the “Orations of Demosthenes,
”
with a Latin version and notes, which we do not find mentioned by any of our classical bibliographers, except Harwood, who says it is in 2 vols. 12mo. In 1760 Dr. Leiand
published the first volume of his English “Translation of
Demosthenes,
” 4to, with notes critical and historical; the
second volume of which appeared in 1761, and the third in
1770. This raised his reputation very high as a classical
scholar and critic, and public expectation was farther gratified in 1758 by his “History of the Life and Reign of
Philip king of Macedon, the father of Alexander,
” 2 vols.
4to. His attention to the orations of Demosthenes and
Æschmes, and to Grecian politics, eminently qualified
him for treating the life of Philip with copiousness and accuracy. After this he proceeded with translations of Æschines, and the other orations of Demosthenes. In 1762,
he is supposed to have written, although he never formally
avowed it, the ingenious historical romance of “Longsword, earl or Salisbury.
”
In 1763, he was appointed by the board of senior fellows of Trinity college,
In 1763, he was appointed by the board of senior fellows
of Trinity college, professor of oratory. His course of
study, and the labour he had bestowed on his translations,
had furnished turn with a perspicuous and energetic style,
which he displayed both in the professor’s chair and in the
pulpit, being the most admired preacher of his time in
Dublin; nor was he less esteemed for his talents as a controversial writer, of which he now afforded a specimen.
Bishop Warburton having noticed in his “Doctrine of
Grace,
” the argument used by infidel writers against the
divine inspiration of the New Testament, from its want of
purity, elegance, &c. opposed this opinion by some of his
own which appeared equally untenable; namely, 1. That
the evangelists and apostles, writing in a language, the
knowledge of which had been miraculously infused, could
be masters of the words only, and not of the idioms; and
therefore must write barbarously. 2. That eloquence was
not any real quality; but something merely fantastical
and arbitrary, an accidental abuse of human speech. 3.
That it had no end but to deceive by the appearance of
vehement inward persuasion, and to pervert the judgment
by inflaming the passions; and that being a deviation from,
the principles of logic and metaphysics, it was frequently
vicious. Dr. Leland quickly perceived the danger of these
positions, and in 1764 published “A Dissertation on the
principles of human Eloquence; with particular regard to
the style and composition of the New Testament; in which
the observations on this subject by the lord bishop of Gloucester, in his discourse on the Doctrine of Grace, are distinctly considered; being the substance of several lectures
read in the oratory school of Trinity college, Dublin,
” 4to.
In this he refuted Warburton’s positions in a candid and
liberal manner, but was attempted to be answered by Dr.
Hurd (without his name), in a manner grossly illiberal
and unmanly, from which Dr. Hurd could derive no other
advantage than that of flattering Warburton; and from
the manner in which he notices his controversial tracts
(See Hurd, vol. Xvhl p. 342) in the latter part of his
life, it would appear that he was himself of this opinion.
Dr. Leland published a reply to Dr. Hurd, in which, by
still preserving the dignity of the literary character, he
gained, in manners as well as argument, a complete victory over his antagonist.
a letter to Dr. Leland, which may be seen in the last edition of Boswell’s Life. In 1768, Dr. Leland was appointed chaplain to lord Townsend, lord lieutenant of Ireland
In 1765, through the suggestion of Dr. Leland, the university of Dublin bestowed on Dr. Johnson their highest
honour, by creating him doctor of laws, a favour which he
acknowledged in a letter to Dr. Leland, which may be
seen in the last edition of Boswell’s Life. In 1768, Dr.
Leland was appointed chaplain to lord Townsend, lord lieutenant of Ireland and his friends entertained hopes that
his merits would have raised him to the episcopal bench
but he obtained only in that year the prebend of Rathmichael, in the cathedral church of St. Patrick, Dublin,
united with the vicarage of Bray, both of small value, but
tenable with his fellowship. In 1773, appeared his “History of Ireland, from the invasion of Henry II. with a preliminary discourse on the ancient state of that kingdom,
”
3 vols. 4to. The merit of this work has been disputed by
critics. It may be pronounced, however, an elegant sketch
of Irish history, and calculated for common use; but he
appears to have taken no pains to consult original materials,
and therefore has brought very little accession to our knowledge of Irish affairs.
, a most capital painter of the reign of Charles II. was born at Soest, in Westphalia, in 1617. His family name was Vander
, a most capital painter of the reign of Charles II. was born at Soest, in Westphalia, in 1617. His family name was Vander Vaas; but from the circumstance of his father, who was a captain of foot, being born in a perfumer’s shop, whose sign was a lily, and receiving the appellation of captain Du Lys, or Lely, our artist obtained it as a proper name. He was first instructed in the art by Peter Grebber, at Haerlem; and having acquired a very considerable degree of skill in execution, he came to England in 1641, and commenced portrait-painter. After the restoration he was appointed state-painter to Charles II. and continued to hold that office with great reputation till his death, which happened in 1680. He was seized by an apoplexy while painting a portrait of the duchess of Somerset, and died instantly, at the age of sixty-three.
, a celebrated chemist, was born Nov. 17, 1645, at Rouen in Normandy, of which parliament
, a celebrated chemist, was born Nov. 17, 1645, at Rouen in Normandy, of which parliament his father was a proctor, and of the reformed religion. Having received a suitable education at the place of his birth, he was put apprentice to an apothecary, who was a relation; but, finding in a short lime that his master knew little of chemistry, he left him in 1666, and went to improve himself in that art at Paris, where he applied to Mr. Glazer, then demonstrator of chemistry in the royal gardens; but as Mr. Glazer was one of those professors who are full of obscure ideas, and was also far from being communicative, Lemery stayed with him only two months, and then proceeded to travel through France in quest of some better masters. In this resolution he went to Montpelier, where he continued three years with Mr. Vernant, an apothecary, who gave him an opportunity of performing several chemical operations, and of reading lectures also to some of his scholars. By these means he made such advances in chemistry, that in a little time he drew all the professors of physic, as well as other curious persons at Montpelier, to hear him; having always some new discoveries, which raised his reputation so high, that he practised physic in. that university without a doctor’s degree.
ented by so great a number of scholars, that he had scarce room to perform his operations. Chemistry was then coming into great vogue in that metropolis; and Lemery
In 1672, having made the tour of France, he returned
to Paris, where he commenced an acquaintance with Mr.
Marty n, apothecary to monsieur the prince; and making use of the laboratory which this apothecary had in the
hotel de Conde, he performed several courses of chemistry,
which brought him into the knowledge and esteem of the
prince. At length he provided himself with a laboratory
of his own, and might have been made a doctor of physic,
but his attachment to chemistry induced him to remain an
apothecary, and his lectures were frequented by so great
a number of scholars, that he had scarce room to perform
his operations. Chemistry was then coming into great
vogue in that metropolis; and Lemery contributed greatly
to its advancement, by treating it in a simple and perspicuous manner, divesting it of the jargon of mysticism in
which it had been hitherto obscured, and, by the dexterity
of his experiments, exhibiting the facts which it discloses
to the comprehension of every understanding. By these
means he established such a character for superior chemical skill, as enabled him to make a fortune by the sale of
his preparations, which were in great request both in Paris
and the provinces. One article in particular was the source
of great profit, namely, the oxyd, or, as it was then called,
the magistery of bismuth, and known as a cosmetic by the
name of Spanish white, which no other person in Paris
knew how to prepare. In 1675 he published his “Coura
de Chymie,
” which was received with general approbation
and applause, and passed through numerous editions: indeed seldom has a work on a subject of science been so popular. It sold, says Fontenelle, like a novel or a satire; netf
editions followed year after year; and it was translated into
Latin, and into various modern languages. Its chief value
consisted in the clearness and accuracy with which the processes and operations were detailed: the science was not
yet sufficiently advanced for a rational theory of them.
Indeed he seems to have worked rather with the view of
directing apothecaries how to multiply their preparations,
than as a philosophical chemist; and his materials are not
arranged in the most favourable manner for the instruction
of beginners "in the science. Nor did he divulge the whole
of his pharmaceutical knowledge in this treatise; he kept
the preparation of several of his chemical remedies secret,
in order to obtain the greater profit by their sale.
some exception that would be obtained in his favour, hindered him from accepting that offer, and he was indulged to read some courses after the time limited by the
In 1681 his tranquillity began to be disturbed on account of his religion; and he received orders to quit his employ. At this time the elector of Brandenburgh, by Mr. Spanheini, his envoy in France, made him a proposal to go to Berlin, with a promise of founding a professorship in chemistry for him there; but the trouble of transporting hu family to such a distance, added to the hopes of some exception that would be obtained in his favour, hindered him from accepting that offer, and he was indulged to read some courses after the time limited by the order was expired; but at length, this not being suffered, he came to England in 1G83, where Charles II. gave him great encouragement. Yet, as the face of the public affairs here appeared not more promising of quiet than in France, he resolved to return thither, though without being able to determine what course he should then take.
to Paris, had a great deal of business for a while, but the edict of Nantz being revoked in 1685, he was forbid to practise his profession, as well as other protestants.
In this dilemma, imagining that the title of doctor of physic might procure him some tranquillity, he took that degree at Caen about the end o/ the year; and, repairing to Paris, had a great deal of business for a while, but the edict of Nantz being revoked in 1685, he was forbid to practise his profession, as well as other protestants. He read, however, two courses of chemistry afterwards, under some powerful protections; and having no longer courage to support his religious principles, entered into the Romish church, in the beginning of 1686. This change procured him a full right to practise physic, and having obtained the king’s letters for holding his course of chemistry, and for the sale of his medicines, although not now an apothecary, what uith his pupils, his patients, and the sale of his chemical secrets, he made considerable gains.
Upon the revival of the royal academy of sciences, in 1699, he was made associate chemist, and at the end of the year became a
Upon the revival of the royal academy of sciences, in
1699, he was made associate chemist, and at the end of
the year became a pensionary. In 1707 he began to feel
the infirmities of age, and had a slight attack of apoplexy,
which not being so severe as to hinder him from going
abroad, he attended the academy for a considerable time,
but at length being confined to his house, he resigned his
pensionary’s place. Another stroke of apoplexy in 1715,
after seven days, put a period to his life June 19, at 4ie
age of seventy. His principal works are, 1. The “Cours
cle Chymie
” before mentioned. 2. “An universal Pharmacopeia.
” 3. “Diet. Universel des Drogues simples,
”
a very useful work. 4. “A Treatise of Antimony; containing the chemical analysis of that mineral,
” which involved him in a controversy with an anonymous critic, irv
which he was not very successful.
, son of the preceding, was born at Paris in January 1677, and was intended lor the profession
, son of the preceding, was born at Paris in January 1677, and was intended lor the profession of the law; but he had imbibed from the pursuits of his father so great a taste for those sciences, that he entered the faculty of medicine of his native city, and received the degree of doctor in 1698. Two years afterwards he was admitted into the academy of sciences, and in 1708 h delivered lectures on chemistry in the royal garden. In 1710 he was appointed physician to the Hotel-Dieu, a post which he occupied during the remainder of his life. In 1712 he obtained the rank of associate in the academy, and succeeded his father as pensionary in 1715. He purchased the office of king’s physician in 1722; and in that capacity he accompanied the infanta of Spain on her return from France, whither she had gone with the view of being married to Louis XV. Soon after his return to Paris 'he was honoured by the queen of Spain with the title of her consulting physician. In 1731 he was appointed professor of chemistry in the royal garden, in the place of Geoffroy. At a subsequent period he became particularly attached to the establishment of the duchess of Brunswick, whom he frequently visited in the palace of Luxembourg; and he likewise obtained the patronage of the princess of Conti, in whose hotel he regularly passed a part of every day, and there composed several of the chemical papers which he read before the academy of sciences. These papers treat of the subjects of iron, of nitre, and some other salts, of vegetable and animal analyses, of the origin and formation of monsters, &c. He died on June 9, 1743, and the loss of him was much regretted; for to the mild and polished manners of the gentleman, he united great sincerity and constancy in his attachments, and sentiments of liberality and generosity in all his proceedings.
the Memoirs of the academy, he left the following works: 1. “Trait des Alimens,” Paris, 1702, which was frequently reprinted, and greatly augmented by Bruhier, in the
In addition to the papers published in the Memoirs of
the academy, he left the following works: 1. “Trait des
Alimens,
” Paris, 1702, which was frequently reprinted,
and greatly augmented by Bruhier, in the edition of 1755,
2 vols. 12mo. 2. “Dissertation sur le Nourriture des Os,
”
Paris,
, a celebrated Spanish Dominican, was born about 1550, of an illustrious family at Rivadavia, in Gallicia.
, a celebrated Spanish Dominican,
was born about 1550, of an illustrious family at Rivadavia,
in Gallicia. He defended so forcibly the doctrine of the
Thomists, on grace, in opposition to the opinions of Molina, that he was sent with Alvarez, by the general chapter of his order, held at Naples, 1600, to support this doctrine against the Jesuits at Rome, and excited the famous
disputes held in the congregations de Auxiliis, assembled
in that city under pope Clement VIII. and Paul V. in
which he had the principal part. This made him so celebrated, that the king of Spain offered him a bishopric; but
he refused it, being contented with a pension, and died at
Rome, August 23, 1629, aged eighty-four, in the convent
de la Minerve. He lost his sight three years before.
Many of his writings on the subject of grace remain, composed during the congregation de Auxiliis; and a very
minute journal of what passed there, printed at Kheims,
under the name of Louvain, 1702, fol. He also compiled
a large work, entitled “Panoplia Gratise,
” 2 vols. fol.
printed at Beziers, under the name of Leige, 1676.
, a learned French writer in the eighteenth century, was born at Bazoches, in Beausse, April 13, 1661. He was son of
, a learned French writer in the
eighteenth century, was born at Bazoches, in Beausse,
April 13, 1661. He was son of Paul Lenfant, minister at
Chatillon, who died at Marbourg, in June 1686. He studied
divinity at Saumur, where he lodged at the house of James
Cappel, professor of Hebrew, by whom he was always
highly esteemed; and afterwards went to Geneva, to continue his studies there. Leaving Geneva towards the end
of 1683, he went to Heidelberg, where he was ordained
in August, 1684. He discharged the duties of his function
there with great reputation as chaplain of the electress
dowager of Palatine, and pastor in ordinary to the French
church. The descent of the French into the Palatinate,
however, obliged him to depart from Heidelberg in 1688.
Two letters which he had written against the Jesuits, and
which are jnserted at the end of his “Preservatif,
” ren r
dered it somewhat hazardous to continue at the mercy of
a society whose power was then in its plenitude. He left
the Palatinate, therefore, in October 1688, with the consent of his church and superiors, and arrived at Berlin in
November following. Though the French church of Berlin had already a sufficient number of ministers, the elector
Frederic, afterwards king of Prussia, appointed Mr. Lenfant one of them, who began his functions on Easter-day,
March the 21st, 1689, and continued them thirty-nine
years and four months, and during this time added greatly
to his reputation by his writings. His merit was so fully
acknowledged, as to be rewarded with every mark of distinction suitable to his profession. He was preacher to the
queen of Prussia, Charlotta-Sophia, who was eminent for
her sense and extensive knowledge, and after her death he
became chaplain to the king of Prussia. He was counsellor of the superior consistory, and member of the French
council, which were formed to direct the general affairs of
that nation. In 1710 he was chosen a member of the society for propagating the gospel established in England;
and March the 2d, 1724, was elected member of the academy of sciences at Berlin. In 1707 he took a journey to
Holland and England, where he had the honour to preach
before queen Anne; and if he had thought proper to leave
his church at Berlin, for which he had a great respect, he
might have had a settlement at London, with the rank of
chaplain to her majesty. In 1712, he went to Helmstad;
in 1715 to Leipsic; and in 1725, to Breslaw, to search
for rare books and manuscripts necessary for the histories
which he was writing. In those excursions he was honoured with several valuable materials from the electress
of Brunswic-Lunebourg, princess Palatine; the princess
of Wales, afterwards Caroline queen of Great Britain;
the count de Fleming; mons. Daguesseau, chancellor of
France; and a great number of learned men, both protestants and papists, among the latter of whom was the abbé
Bignon. It is not certain whether he first formed thedesign of the “Bibliotheque Germanique,
” which began
in Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die,
and not live.
” He related this dream to some of his
friends, and although not a credulous man, it is thought
to have made some impression on him, for he applied with
additional vigour to finish his “History of the War of the
Hussites and the Council of Basil.
” On Sunday July the
25tn following, he had preached in his turn at his church;
but on Thursday, July the 29th, he had a slight attack
of the palsy, which was followed by one more violent, of
which he died on the 7th of the next month, in his sixtyeighthyear. He was interred at Berlin, at the foot of the pulpit of the French church, where he ordinarily preached since
1715, when his Prussian majesty appointed particular ministers to every church, which before were served by the
same ministers in their turns. His stature was a little below the common height. His eye was very lively anil penetrating. He did not talk much, but always well. Whenever any dispute arose in conversation, he spoke without
any heat; a proper and delicate irony was the only weapon
he made use of on such occasions. He loved company,
and passed but few days without seeing some of his friends.
He was a sincere friend, and remarkable for a disinterested
and generous disposition. In preaching, his voice was
good; his pronunciation distinct and varied; his style
clear, grave, and elegant without affectation; and he entered into the true sense of a text with great force. His
publications were numerous in divinity, ecclesiastical history, criticism, and polite literature. Those which are
held in the highest estimation, are his Histories of the
Councils of Pisa, Constance, and Basil, each in 2 vols.
4to. These are written with great ability and impartiality,
and they abound with interesting facts and curious researches. Lenfant, in conjunction with M. Beausobre,
published “The New Testament, translated from the original Greek into French,
” in 2 vols. 4to, with notes, and
a general preface, or introduction to the reading of the
Holy Scriptures, useful for students in divinity. He is
known also by his “De iuquirenda Veritate,
” which is a
translation of Malebranche’s “Search after Truth
”
“The History of Pope Joan
” “Poggiana or, the life,
character,- opinions, c. of Poggio the Florentine, with
the History of the Republic of Florence,
” and the abovementioned “History of the Wars of the Hussites,
” Utrecht,
Dissertation upon the Adamites of Bohemia.
”
, a learned English prelate, was born at Norwich in 1665, and educated at St. Paul’s school,
, a learned English prelate, was born at
Norwich in 1665, and educated at St. Paul’s school, London, whence he removed to Catherine-hall, Cambridge;
and took his degrees of A. B. in 1636, A.M. 1690, and
B. D. 1698. He was, in 1708, presented to the rectory of
Beddington in Surrey, by sir Nicholas Carew, bart. who
had been his pupil; and he was appointed chaplain to king
George I. who also promoted him to the see of Norwich
in 1723. He died Oct. 26, 1727, of the small-pox, which
he caught at the coronation of George II. He lies buried
in the church of St. Margaret, Westminster, where is a
monument to his memory. Richardson, in his continuation
of Godwin, calls him a man of the first-rate genius and
abilities. In 1695, he published two of the comedies of
Aristophanes, the “Plutus
” and “Nubes,
” Gr. & Lat.
8vo, with notes; and in Terence,
” that printed
at Cambridge in De ratione
et licentia metri Terentiani.
” It was reprinted at Cambridge, in octavo,
, a voluminous French writer, was born October 5, 1674, at Beauvais. He entered the Sorbonne,
, a voluminous
French writer, was born October 5, 1674, at Beauvais.
He entered the Sorbonne, as a student, under M. Pirot, a
celebrated doctor of that house; but, being convicted of
having privately obtained from this gentleman’s bureau,
some papers relative to what was then transacting in the
Sorbonne, respecting Maria d'Agreda’s “Mystical city of
God,
” and having published, Letter addressed
to Messieurs the Syndics and doctors in divinity of the
faculty of Paris,
” concerning this censure, M. Pirot expelled him. Lenglet then went to the seminary of St.
Magloire, entered into sacred orders, and took his licentiate’s degree, 1703. He was sent to Lisle, 1705, by M.
Torcey, minister for foreign affairs, as first secretary for
the Latin and French languages, and with a charge to
watch that the elector of Cologn’s ministers, who were
then at Lisle, might do nothing against the king’s interest;
and was also entrusted by the elector with the foreign
correspondence of Brussels and Holland. When Lisle was
taken in 1708, Lenglet obtained a safeguard for the elector of Cologn’s furniture and property from prince Eugene.
Having made himself known to that prince through M.
Hoendorf, he desired the latter to tell his highness, that he
would give up the memoirs of the Intendants for fifty pistoles, which the prince sent him; but be wrote to M. Hoendorf eight days after, to say that the papers had been seized
at his house by the minister’s order, and kept the money.
He discovered a conspiracy formed by a captain at the
gates of Mons, who had promised not only to deliver up
that city, but also the electors of Cologn and Bavaria, who
had retired thither, for a hundred thousand piastres. Lenglet was arrested at the Hague fur his “Memoirs sur la
Collation des Canonicats de Tournay,
” which he had published there, to exclude the disciples of Jansenius from
this collation; but he obtained his liberty six weeks after,
at prince Eugene’s solicitation. After his return to France,
the prince de Cellemare’s conspiracy, which cardinal Albtjroni had planned, being discovered in Dec. 1718, he was
chosen to find out the number and designs of the conspirators, which he did, after receiving a promise that none
of those so discovered should be sentenced to death; this
promise the court kept, and gave Lenglet a pension. In
1721, he went to Vienna, pretending to solicit the removal
of M. Ernest, whom the Dutch had made dean of Tournay;
but having no orders from France for the journey, was arrested at Strasburgh on his return, and confined six months
in prison. This disgrace the abbé Lenglet attributed to
the celebrated Rousseau, whom he had seen at Vienna, and
from whom he had received every possible service in that
city; and thence originated his aversion to him, and the
satire which he wrote against him, under the title of “Eloge
historique de Rousseau, par Brossette,
” which that friend
of Rousseau’s disavowed, and the latter found means to
have suppressed in Holland, where it had been printed,
in 1731. Lenglet refused to attach himself to cardinal
Passionei, who wished to have him at Rome, and, indeed,
he was so far from deriving any advantage from the favourable circumstances he found himself in, or from the powerful patrons which he had acquired by his talents and services, that his life was one continued series of adventures
and misfortunes. His passion was to write, think, act, and
live, with a kind of cynical freedom; and though badly
lodged, clothed, and fed, he was still satisfied, while at
liberty to say and write what he pleased; which liberty,
however, he carried to so great an extreme, and so strangely
abused, that he was sent to the bastille ten or twelve times.
Lenglet bore all this without murmuring, and no sooner
found himself out of prison, than he laboured to deserve a
fresh confinement. The bastille was become so familiar to
him, that when Tapin (one of the life guards) who usually
conducted him thither, entered his chamber, he did not
wait to hear his commission, but began himself by saying,
“Ah M. Tapin, good morning
” then turning to the
woman who waited upon him, cried, “Bring my little
bundle of linen and snuff directly,
” and followed M. Tapin
with the utmost cheerfulness. This spirit of freedom and
independence, and this rage for writing, never left him;
he chose rather to work and live alone in a kind of garret,
than reside with a rich sister, who was fond of him, and
offered him a convenient apartment at her house in Paris,
with the use of her table and servants. Lenglet would
have enjoyed greater plenty in this situation, but every
thing would have fatigued him, and he would have thought
regularity in meals quite a slavery. Some have supposed
that he studied chymistry, and endeavoured to discover the
philosopher’s stone, to which operations he desired no witnesses. He owed his death to a melancholy accident; for
going home about six in the evening, Jan. 15, 1755, after
having dined with his sister, he fell asleep, while reading a
new book which had been sent him, and fell into the tire.
The neighbours went to his assistance, but too late, his head
being almost entirely burnt. He had attained the age of
eighty-two. The abbé Lenglet’s works are numerous their
subjects extremely various, and many of them very extravagant. Those which are most likely to live are his, “Méthode pour etudier l'Histoire, avec un Catalogue des principaux Historiens,
” 12 vols.; “Methode pour Etudier la
Geographic,
” with maps; “Histoire de la Philosophic
Hermetique,
” and “Tablettes Chronologiques de T Histoire Universelle,
” Chronological
Tables
” were published in English, in 8vo. It is a work of
great accuracy, and of some whim, for he lays down a
calculation according to which a reader may go through an
entire course of universal history, sacred and profane, in
the space of ten years and six months at the rate of six
hours per day.
, an English writer, was related to Sampson Lennard, who married Margaret baroness Dacre,
, an English writer, was related
to Sampson Lennard, who married Margaret baroness
Dacre, and of whom honourable mention is made in Camden’s Britannia. In early life he followed the profession of
arms, and was attached to sir Philip Sidney, with whom
he fought at the battle of Zutphen. He was afterwards
distinguished as a man of letters, and published various
translations from the Latin and French, particularly Perrin’s “History of the Waldenses;
” Du Plessis Mornay’s
History of Papacie;“and Charron
” On Wisdom.“He
was of some note as a topographer, and of considerable
eminence as a herald, having been, in the latter part of
his life, a member of the college of arms. Some of his
heraldical compilations, which are justly esteemed, (see
” Catalogue of the Harleian Mss.") are among the manuscripts in the British Museum. He died in August 1633,
and was buried at St. Bennet’s, Paul’s Wharf. Mr. Granger received this brief memoir of Lennard, from Thomas
the late lord Dacre.
ong distinguished for her genius and literary merit, and highly respected by Johnson and Richardson, was born in 1720. Her father, colonel James Ramsay, was a field-officer,
, a lady long distinguished for her genius and literary merit, and highly respected by Johnson and Richardson, was born in 1720. Her father, colonel James Ramsay, was a field-officer, and lieutenant-governor of New-York, who sent her over, at the age of fifteen, to. England, to an opulent aunt, but whom, on ner arrival, she found incurably insane. The father died soon after, leaving his widow (who died at New York in Aug. 1765), and this daughter, without any provision. Who Mr. Lennox was, or when she married, we have not been able to learn, and, indeed, very little is known of her early history by her few surviving friends, who became acquainted with her only in her Tatter days. We are told, that from the death of her father she supported herself by her literary talents, which she always employed usefully.
e latter of these novels, the character of Arabella is the counter-part of Don Quixote; and the work was very favourably received. Dr. Johnson wrote the dedication to
She published, in 1751, “The Memoirs of Harriot
Stuart,
” and, in In the
latter of these novels, the character of Arabella is the
counter-part of Don Quixote; and the work was very
favourably received. Dr. Johnson wrote the dedication to
the earl of Middlesex. In the following year she published
” Shakespeare illustrated,“in 2 vols. J2mo, to wnich she
afterwards added a third. This work consists of the novels
and histories on which the plays of Shakspeare are founded,
collected and translated from the original authors: to which
are added critical notes, censuring the liberties which
Shakspeare has generally taken with the stories on which
his plays are founded. In 1756, Mrs. Lennox published,
” The Memoirs of the Countess of Berci, taken from the
French,“2 vols. 12mo; and,
” Sully’s Memoirs,“translated, 3 vols. 4to; which have since been frequently reprinted in 8vo, and are executed with no small ability.
In 1757, she translated
” The Memoirs of Madame Maintenon.“In 1758, she produced
” Philander, a Dramatic
Pastoral,“and
” Henrietta,“a novel of considerable merit,
2 vols. 12mo; and, in 1760, with the assistance of the
earl of Cork and Orrery, and Dr. Johnson, she published a translation of
” Father Brumoy’s Greek Theatre,“3
vols. 4to; the merit of which varies materially in different
parts of the work. In 1760-1, she published a kind of
Magazine, under the name of the
” Ladies Museum,“which extended to two volumes, octavo, and seems to have
been rather an undertaking of necessity than choice. Two
years after, she published
” Sophia, a Novel,“2 vols.
12mo, which is inferior to her earlier performances; and,
after an interval of seven years, she brought out, at Covent-garden theatre,
” The Sisters, a Comedy,“taken
from her novel of Henrietta, which was condemned on the
first night of its appearance. In 1773, she furnished Drurylane theatre with a comedy, entitled,
” Old City Manners.“Her last performance, not inferior to any of her
former in that species of composition, was
” Euphemia, a
Novel, 17yO,“4 vols. 12mo. In 1775, we find Dr. Johnson assisting her in drawing up proposals for an edition of
her works, in 3 vols. 4to; but it does not appear to have
been published. Dr. Johnson had such an opinion of Mrs.
Lennox that, on one occasion, not long before his death,
he went so far as to pronounce her superior to Mrs. Carter, miss Hannah Moore, and miss Burney. Sir John
Hawkins has given a ludicrous account of the doctor’s celebration of the birth of Mrs. Lennox’s first literary child,
' The Life of Harriot Stuart.
” This, however, was certainly not her first production, for in 1747, she published
“Poems on several occasions,
” printed for Sam. Paterson.
She was then Miss Ramsay.
names of the right hon. George Rose, and the rev. W. Beloe. But the most effectual aid she received was from The Literary Fund society, in consequence of which her
It is to be regretted, that the latter days of this ingenious lady were clouded by penury and sickness; calamities which were in a considerable degree alleviated by the kindness of some friends, who revered alike her literary and her moral character. Among these it would be unjust not to mention the names of the right hon. George Rose, and the rev. W. Beloe. But the most effectual aid she received was from The Literary Fund society, in consequence of which her only son was, a few years since, enabled to fit himself out for an employment in the Anglo-American States; and from the same source the means of decent subsistence were, for the last twelvemonth of her life, afforded to the mother. She died Jan. 4, 1804.
The Great, a doctor of the church, and one of the most eminent popes who have filled the Roman see, was born in Tuscany, or rather at Rome. He made himself very useful
, surnamed The Great, a doctor of the church,
and one of the most eminent popes who have filled the Roman see, was born in Tuscany, or rather at Rome. He made
himself very useful to the church under pope St. Celestine,
and Sixtus III. and was concerned in all important affairs
while but a deacon. The Roman clergy recalled him from
Gaul, whither he was gone to reconcile Albums and Ætius,
generals of the army, and raised him to the papal chair Sept.
1, 440. He condemned the Manicheans, in a council held at
Rome in the year 444, and completely extirpated the remains of the Pelagian heresy in Italy: “Let those
Pelagians,
” said he, “who return to the church, declare by a clear
and public profession, that they condemn the authors of their
heresy, that they detest that part of their doctrine which
the universal church has beheld with horror, and that they
receive all such decrees of the councils as have been passed
for exterminating the Pelagian heresy, and are confirmed
by the authority of the apostolical see, acknowledging by
a clear and full declaration, signed by their hand, that they
admit these decrees, and approve them in every thing,
”
Leo also condemned the Priscillianists, and annulled all
the proceedings in the council of Ephesus, which was
called “the band of Ephesian robbers,
” in the year Sermons,
” on the principal festivals throughout the year,
and one hundred and forty-one Letters, which may be
found in the library of the fathers. The best edition of
his works is that by Pere Quesnel, Lyons, 1700, fol. They
have been printed at Rome, by father Cacciaci, 3 vols.
fol. and at Venice, by Messrs. Ballarimi, 3 vols. fol. but
these editions have not sunk the credit of Quesnel’s. P.
Maimbourg has written a history of his pontificate, 4to, or
2 vols. 12mo.
was a pontiff whose history is so connected with that of literature
was a pontiff whose history is so connected with
that of literature and the reformation, that more notice
of him becomes necessary than we usually allot to his
brethren, although scarce any abridgment of his life will
be thought satisfactory, after the very luminous and interesting work of Mr. Roscoe. Leo was born at Florence
in December 1475, the second son of Lorenzo de Medici,
the Magnificent, and was christened John. Being originally destined by his father for the church, he was prorooted before he knew what it meant, received the tonsure
at the age of seven years, two rich abbacies, and before
he ceased to he a boy, received other preferments to the
number of twenty-nine, and thus early imbibed a taste for
aggrandizement which never left him. Upon the accession of Innocent VIII. to the pontificate, John, then thirteen years of age only, was nominated to the dignity of
cardinal. Having now secured his promotion, his father
began to think of his education, and when he was nominated to the cardinalate, it was made a condition that he
should spend three years at the university of Pisa, in professional studies, before he was invested formally with the
purple. In 145>2 this solemn act took place, and he immediately went to reside at Rome as one of the sacred
college. His father soon after died, and was succeeded
in his honours in the Florentine republic by his eldest son
Peter. The young cardinal’s opposition to the election of
pope Alexander VI. rendered it expedient for him to withdraw to Florence, and at the invasion of Italy by Charles
VIII. he and the whole family were obliged to take refuge
in Bologna. About 1500 he again fixed his residence at
Rome, where he resided during the remainder of Alexander’s pontificate, and likewise in the early part of that of
Julius II. cultivating polite literature, and the pleasures of
elegant society, and indulging his taste for the fine arts,
for music, and the chase, to which latter amusement he
was much addicted. In 1505 he began to take an active
part in public affairs, and was appointed by Julius to the
government of Perugia. By his firm adherence to the
interest of the pope, the cardinal acquired the most unlimited confidence of his holiness, and was entrusted with
the supreme direction of the papal army in the Holj
League against the French in 1511, with the title of legate of Bologna. At the bloody battle of Ravenna, in
1512, he was made prisoner, and wos conveyed to Milan,
but afterwards effected his escape. About this time he
contributed to the restoration of his family at Florence, by
overthrowing the popular “constitution of that republic,
and there he remained until the death of Julius II. in 1513,
when he was elected pope in his stead, in the thirty-eighth
year of his age. He assumed the name of Leo X. and
ascended the throne with greater manifestations of goodwill, both from Italians and foreigners, than most of his
predecessors had enjoyed. One of his first acts was to interpose in favour of some conspirators against the house of
Medici, at Florence, and he treated with great kindness
the family of Sodorini, which had long been at the head
of the opposite party in that republic. He exhibited his
taste for literature by the appointment of two of the most
elegant scholars of the age, Bembo and Sadoleti, to the
ffice of papal secretaries. With regard to foreign politics,
he pursued the system of his predecessor, in attempting
to free Italy from the dominion of foreign powers: and
in order to counteract the antipapal council of Pisa, which
was assembled at Lyons, he renewed the meetings of
the council of Lateran, which Julius II. had begun, and
he had the good fortune to terminate a division which
threatened a schism in the church. Lewis XII. who had
incurred ecclesiastical censure, made a formal submission,
and received absolution. Having secured external tranquillity, Leo did not delay to consult the interests of literature by an ample patronage of learned studies. He restored to its former splendour the Roman gymnasium or
university, which he effected by new grants of its revenues
and privileges, and by filling its professorships with eminent
men invited from all quarters. The study of the Greek
language was a very particular object of his encouragement. Under the direction of Lascaris a college of noble
Grecian youths was founded at Rome for the purpose of
editing Greek authors; and a Greek press was established
in that city. Public notice was circulated throughout Europe, that all persons who possessed Mss. of ancient authors would be liberally rewarded on bringing or sending
them to the pope. Leo founded the first professorship in
Italy of the Syriac and Chaldaic languages in the university
of Bologna. With regard to the politics of the times, the
pope had two leading objects in view, viz. the maintenance
of that balance of power which might protect Italy from
the over-bearing influence of any foreign potentate; and
the aggrandizement of the house of Medici. When Francis I. succeeded to the throne of France, it was soon apparent that there would necessarily be a new war in the
north of Italy.' Leo attempted to remain neuter, winch.
being found to be impracticable, he joined the emperor,
the Swiss, and other sovereigns against the French king
and the state of Venice. The rapid successes of the French
arms soon brought him to hesitate, and after the Swiss
army had been defeated, the pope thought it expedient to
abandon his allies, and form an union with the king of
France. These two sovereigns, in the close of 1515, had
an interview at Bologna, when the famous Pragmatic
Sanction was abolished, and a concordat established in it
stead. The death of Leo’s brother left his nephew Lorenzo the principal object of that passion for aggrandizing
his family, which this pontiff felt full as strongly as any
one of his predecessors, and to gratify which he scrupled
no acts of injustice and tyranny. In 1516 he issued a monitory against the duke of Urbino, and upon his non-appearance, an excommunication, and then seized his whole
territory, with which, together with the ducal title, he
invested his nephew. In the same year a general pacification took place, though all the efforts of the pope were
made to prevent it. In 1517 the expelled duke of Urbino
collected an army, and, by rapid movements, completely
regained his capital and dominions. Leo, excessively chagrined at this event, would gladly have engaged a crusade
of all Christian princes against him. By an application,
which nothing could justify, of the treasures of the church,
he raised a considerable army, under the command of his
nephew, and compelled the duke to resign his dominion,
upon what were called honourable terms. The violation of
the safe conduct, granted by Lorenzo to the duke’s secretary, who was seized at Rome, and put to torture, in order
to oblige him to reveal his master’s secrets, imprints on the
memory of Leo X. an indelible stain. In the same year
his life was endangered by a conspiracy formed against
him, in which the chief actor was cardinal Petrucci. The
plan failed, and the cardinal, being decoyed to Rome,
from whence he had escaped, was put to dt-ath; and his
agents, as many as were discovered, were executed with
horrid tortures. The conduct of Leo on this occasion was
little honourable to his fortitude or clemency, and it was
believed that several persons suffered as guilty who were
wholly innocent of the crimes laid to their charge. To
secure himself for the future, the pope, by a great stretch
of his high authority, created in one day thirty-one nevr
cardinals, many of them his relations and friends, who had
not even risen in the.church to the dignity of. the episcopal
office; but many persons also, who, from their talents and
virtues, were well worthy of his choice. He bestowed
upon them rich benefices and preferments, as well in the
remote parts of Christendom, as in Italy, and thus formed
a numerous and splendid court attached to his person, and
adding to the pomp and grandeur of the capital. During
the pontificate of Leo X. the reformation under Luther
took its rise, humanly speaking, from the following circumstances. The unbounded profusion of this pope had rendered it necessary to devise means for replenishing his exhausted treasury; and one of those which occurred was the
sale of indulgences, which were sold in Germany with
such ridiculous parade of their efficacy, as to rouse the
spirit of Luther, who warmly protested against this abuse
in his discourses, and in a letter addressed to the elector
of Mentz. He likewise published a set of propositions, in
which he called in question the authority of the pope to
remit sins, and made some very severe strictures on this
method of raising money. His remonstrances produced
considerable effect, and several of his cloth undertook to
refute him. Leo probably regarded theological quarrels
with contempt, and from his pontifical throne looked down
upon the efforts of a German doctor with scorn; even
when his interference was deemed necessary, he was inclined to lenient measures. At length, at the express desire of the emperor Maximilian, he summoned Luther to
appear before the court of Rome. Permission was, however, granted for the cardinal of Gaeta to hear his defence at
Augsburg. Nothing satisfactory was determined, and the
pope, in 1518, published a bull, asserting his authority to
grant indulgences, which would avail both the living, and
the dead in purgatory. Upon this, the reformer appealed
to a general council, and thus open war was declared, in
which the abettors of Luther appeared with a strength
little calculated upon by the court of Rome. The sentiments of the Christian world were not at all favourable to
that court.
” The scandal,“says the biographer,
” incurred by the infamy of Alexander VI., and the violence
of Julius II., was not much alleviated in the reign of a
pontiff who was characterized by an inordinate love of
pomp and pleasure, and whose classical taste even caused
him to be regarded by many as more of a heathen than a
Christian."
lian in 1519, a competition for the imperial crown between Charles V. and Francis 1. took place. Leo was decidedly against the claims of both the rival candidates, and
The warlike disposition of Selim. the reigning Turkish
emperor, excited great alarms in Europe, and gave occasion to Leo to attempt a revival of the ancient crusades, by
means of an alliance between all Christian princes; he probably hoped, by this show of zeal for the Christian cause,
that he should recover some of his lost credit as head of
the church. He had, likewise, another object in view,
viz. that of recruiting his finances, by the contributions
which his emissaries levied upon the devotees in different
countries. By the death of Maximilian in 1519, a competition for the imperial crown between Charles V. and Francis 1. took place. Leo was decidedly against the claims of
both the rival candidates, and attempted to raise a competitor in one of the German princes, but he was unable
to resist the fortune of Charles. At this period he incurred
a very severe domestic misfortune in the death of his nephew Lorenzo, who left an infant daughter, afterwards the
celebrated Catherine de Medicis, the queen and regent of
France. The death of Lorenzo led to the immediate annexation of the duchy of Urbino, with its dependencies,
to the Roman see, and to the appointment of Julius, Leo’s
cousin, to the supreme direction of the state of Florence.
The issue of his contest with Luther will occur hereafter
in our account of that reformer. It may here, however,
be noticed that Leo conferred on Henry VIII. of England,
the title of “Defender of the Faith,
” for his appearance on
the side of the church as a controversial writer. The tranquil state of Italy, at this period, allowed the pope to
indulge his taste for magnificence in shows and spectacles.
His private hours were chiefly devoted to indolence, or to
amusements, frequently of a kind little suited to the dignity of his high station. He was not, however, so much
absorbed in them as to neglect the aggrandizement of his
family and see. Several cities and districts in the vicinity
of the papal territories, and to which the church had
claims, had been seized by powerful citizens, or military
adventurers; some of these the pope summoned to his
court to answer for their conduct; which not being able to
do, he caused them to be put to death. Having next set
his heart on the possession of the territory of Ferrara, he
had recourse to treachery, and is thought to have even
meditated the assassination of the duke, but his plot being
discovered by the treachery of one whom he had bribed,
he was disappointed in his plans. Another of his designs
was the expulsion of the French from Italy,* and he had
made some progress in this when he was seized with an
illness which put an end to his life in a few days. He died
Dec. 1, 1521, in the forty-sixth year of his age.
as produced, when we consider how much in all ages has been produced without it. But Leo’s patronage was not general, for it excluded Ariosto and Erasmus, two of the
From the preceding circumstances, gleaned from Mr. Roscoe’s elaborate account of Leo, a judgment may be formed
of his character, in which, although some things may have
been exaggerated by the enemies of the Romish church,
enough remains uncontested to prove that he had many of
the worst vices, and, when it became necessary to his aggrandizement, practised the worst crimes of his predecessors. His biographer, by embodying the history of literature and the arts in the life of Leo, one of the most
pleasing and truly valuable parts of the work, has, we
think, failed, in attributing much of their advancement to
Leo. And indeed it has been too much a fashion to speak
of the “age of Leo
” as of a glorious period which his
patronage created. Too much stress, perhaps, is frequently laid on patronage; and we ought to hesitate in
declaring how much it has produced, when we consider
how much in all ages has been produced without it. But
Leo’s patronage was not general, for it excluded Ariosto
and Erasmus, two of the greatest men of the age; nor was
it judicious in selection, for he bestowed it on such worthless characters as Aretin and Niso, not to speak of a number of less known characters, whose merit rises no higher
than that of being able to write amorous Italian sonnets,
and panegyrical Latin verses. With respect to the arts, it
has been justly remarked, that when he ascended the throne
they were at their meridian. He found greater talents than
he employed, and greater works commenced than he completed. Leonard Da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and Raffaello, performed their greatest works before the accession
of Leo X.; Bramante, the architect of St. Peter’s, died in
the second year of his pontificate; and Da Vinci and Michael Angelo shared none of his favours. It is from his
attachment to Raflfaello that he derives his strongest claims
as a patron of art; yet a part of his conduct to this great
artist makes us question whether Leo had a refined taste.
Raffaello made thirteen cartoons of religious subjects to
complete the decoration of the hall of Constantine, and
had sent them into Flanders, to be returned in worsted
copies, without any care to preserve the originals, nor any
inquiry made concerning them after the subjects were manufactured into tapestry. By accident, seven of these are
yet to be seen in this country, and may enable us to estimate the taste of the pontiff who could so easily forget
them. Yet Leo must not be deprived of the merit that
justly belongs to him. He drew together the learned men
of his time, and formed eminent schools, and he did much
in promoting the art of printing, then of incalculable importance to literature. In these respects, and upon account of the share he had in precipitating the reformation,
his short pontificate of eight years and eight months must
be allowed to form one of the most interesting periods in
papal history, and worthy of the illustration it has received.
ans and Bulgarians, and died June 11, 911, leaving one son> Constantine Porphyrogeneta. This emperor was surnamed The Philosopher, from his attachment to learning, and
emperor of the East, surnamed The Wise, and
the Philosopher, succeeded his father Basilius the Macedonian, March 1, 886. He drove Photius from the see of
Constantinople, fought with success against the Hungarians and Bulgarians, and died June 11, 911, leaving one
son> Constantine Porphyrogeneta. This emperor was surnamed The Philosopher, from his attachment to learning,
and not from his manners, which were very irregular. He
was fond of writing sermons, and there are several of his
composing in the library of the fathers. The following works
are also attributed to him; a treatise on Tactics, a useful
work for those who would acquire a knowledge of the lower
empire it was printed in German by Bourscheid, at Vienna, and in French by M. de Maiserrti, 1770, 2 vols. 8vo
“Novelise Constitutiones,
” in which several of the novels
introduced by Justinian are abolished; “Opus Basilicon,
”
where all the laws contained in Justinian’s works are new
modelled. This system of law was adopted by the Greeks
afterwards. In Constantine Manasses, printed at the Louvre,
may be found “Leonis sapientis oracula.
”
, a skilful geographer, born at Grenada, retired into Africa when his native place was taken in 1492, whence he had the surname of A fricanus. After
, a skilful geographer, born at Grenada,
retired into Africa when his native place was taken in 1492,
whence he had the surname of A fricanus. After having
travelled a considerable time in Europe, Asia, and Africa,
he was taken at sea by some pirates, and abjured the Mahometan religion under pope Leo X. He died about 1526.
He wrote a “Description of Africa,
” in Arabic, which he
afterwards translated into Italian. Marmol has translated
this work, almost entirely, without mentioning it. There
is a Latin translation by John Florian, not very accurate,
and a French one by John Temporal, Lyons, 1556, fol.
John Leo. also left the “Lives of the Arabian Philosophers,
” which was printed by Hottinger in Latin, at Zurich,
1664, and is in torn. 13 of the Bibliotheca of Fabricius,
from a copy which Cavalcanti sent from Florence.
, whose proper name was R. Jehudah Arie, was born at Modena about 1574 was for a considerable
, whose proper name was R. Jehudah Arie, was born at Modena about 1574 was for a considerable time chief of the synagogue, and esteemed a
good poet both in Hebrew and Italian. He was author of
a valuable work on the ceremonies and customs of the
Jews, which is held in estimation by the learned of all
nations. It is entitled “Istoria de Riti Hebraici vita et
Osservanze de gli Hebre'i di questi Tempi;
” the best edition
of which is that of Venice, The Mouth of the Lion,
” was published at Venice in
, a French monk, was born at Rennes in the year 1600. Before he entered into the
, a French monk, was born at Rennes
in the year 1600. Before he entered into the religious profession his name was John Mace. He was nominated to
all the honourable and confidential posts of his order, and
for his eloquence had the honour of preachjng before
Louis XIII. and Louis XIV. His early patrons were popes
Leo XL and Alexander VIII.; and in France cardinal
Richelieu was his friend. He died in 1671, leaving behind
him numerous works, the principal of which are, “Studium Sapientise Universalis,
” 3 vols. fol. A “History of
the Carmelites
” “Lives of different Romish Saints
” and
“Journal of what took place during the last Sickness, and
at the Death of cardinal Richelieu.
”
, an Italian mathematician, who flourished at the commencement of the thirteenth century, was the first person who brought into Europe the knowledge of the
, an Italian mathematician, who flourished at the commencement of the thirteenth century, was the first person who brought into Europe the knowledge of the Arabic cyphers and algebra. He travelled into the East for instruction, and being at Bugia, a town in Africa, was taught the Arabic method of keeping accounts, and finding it more convenient and preferable to the European method, he drew up a treatise for the purpose of introducing it into Italy, where it was cultivated with success, and became speedily known to all mathematicians From Italy the knowledge of the Arabic cyphers and algebra was afterwards communicated to the other countries of Europe. He was author of a treatise on surveying,preserved in the Magliabecchi library at Florence.
, principal organist of the chapel royaj at Naples, was not only admired and respected by his contemporaries, but his
, principal organist of the chapel
royaj at Naples, was not only admired and respected by
his contemporaries, but his memory still continues to be
held in reverence by every professor that is acquainted
with his works. He was born in 1689. The first opera of
his composition is thought to be “Sofonisba,
” which was
performed in Naples in Siface,
” in
Bologna, Olimpiade
” of Metastasio. “Dirti ben mio vovice
” was
in extreme high favour, as set by Leo, about the middle
of the last century, in England, where it was sure to be
heard at every musical performance, both public and private. Leo likewise set Metastasio' s oratorio of “St. Elena
al Calvario,
” in which there are some very fine airs. His
celebrated “Miserere,
” in eight real parts, though imperfectly performed in London at the Pantheon, for Ansani’s
benefit, 1781, convinced real judges that it was of the
highest class of choral compositions.
ry part of Europe, where singing is regularly taught. This great musician died about 1742. His death was unhappily precipitated by an accident which at first was thought
The purity of his harmony, and elegant simplicity of his
melody, are no less remarkable in such of these dramas as
Dr. Burney examined, than the judicious arrangement of
the parts. But the masses and motets, which are carefully
preserved by the curious, and still performed in the
churches at Naples, have all the choral learning of the
sixteenth century. There are likewise extant, trios, for
two violins and a base, superior in correctness of
counterpoint and elegance of design to any similar productions of
the same 'period. This complete musician is equally celebrated as an instructor and composer; and the “Solfeggi,
”
which he composed for the use of the vocal students, in the
conservatorio over which he presided at Naples, are still
eagerly sought and studied, not only in Italy, but in every
part of Europe, where singing is regularly taught. This
great musician died about 1742. His death was unhappily
precipitated by an accident which at first was thought
trivial; for, having a tumour, commonly called a bur, on
his right cheek, which growing, in process of time, to a
considerable magnitude, he was advised to have it taken
off; but whether from the unskilfulness of the operator, or
a bad habit of body, a mortification ensued, which cost him
his life.
, an eminent Italian phy-, sician, was born in one of the Venetian states in 1428. He was professor
, an eminent Italian phy-,
sician, was born in one of the Venetian states in 1428. He
was professor of medicine at Ferrara during upwards of,
sixty years, and was the first person who undertook to
translate the works of Galen into Latin. His attachment
to literary pursuits alienated him from practice; and in
excuse he used to say, “I do more service to the public
than if I visited the sick, by instructing those who are
to cure them.
” Extending his attention also to the belles
lettres, he wrote some poetry, and translated into Italian
the history of Dion Cassius, and the dialogues of Lucian.
Until the age of thirty, Leonicenus was tormented with
frequent attacks of epilepsy, which reduced him at times
to melancholy and despair. This disease, however, afterwards left him, and, by means of great regularity and temperance, he attained the age of ninety-six years, and died
in 1524, possessed of all his faculties. To one who in
quired, with astonishment, by what secret he had preserved
this entire possession of his faculties, together with an erect
body and vigorous health, at so great an age, he replied,
that it was the effect of innocence of manners, tranquillity
of mind, and frugality in diet. The duke and senate of.
Ferrara erected a monument to his memory. He left several works, most of which have been several times reprinted, but are not now in request, except perhaps his
examination of the errors of Pliny, &c. “Plinii et aliorurn
plurimum auctorum qui de simplicibus medicaminibui
scripserunt, crrores notati,
” Bude, 1532, folio, which involved him in a controversy, sustained with his usual
tranquillity; and his “Liber de Epidemia quam Itali morbum Gallicum vocant,
” Venice,
, a celebrated astronomer in the sixteenth century, was born in Bohemia, and was appointed mathematician to Otho Henry,
, a celebrated astronomer in the
sixteenth century, was born in Bohemia, and was appointed
mathematician to Otho Henry, elector palatine. He acquired a high reputation by his astronomical productions,
of which the principal were, “Ephemerides ab anno 1556
ad ann. 1606;
” “Expedita Ratio constituendi Tin-mat is
coelestis
” “Loca stellarum fixarum ab anno Dom. 1549
usque in ann. 2029
” and “De Eclipsibus Liber.
” Tycho Brahe paid him a visit in
of his life is involved in much obscurity. What has been unravelled may be seen in our authority. He was a prophet as well as a poet. His merit in the former character
, a poet of Scotland, who flourished in the thirteenth century, is familiarly known by
the name of Thomas the Rhymer. The history of his life
is involved in much obscurity. What has been unravelled
may be seen in our authority. He was a prophet as well
as a poet. His merit in the former character may be disputed, but of his poetical talents, Mr. Walter Scott has
enabled the public to judge, by giving an excellent edition
of his metrical romance of “Sir Tristrem,
” published in
, a native of Mitylene, who flourished in the first century of the Christian aera, was a disciple of Timocrates, afterwards became a teacher of philosophy
, a native of Mitylene, who flourished in
the first century of the Christian aera, was a disciple of
Timocrates, afterwards became a teacher of philosophy
in his native city, and obtained a great number of scholars. He was author of many books of philosophy, and
Photius says he had read sixteen orations written by
him. Two of these were first published by Aldus, in
his edition of the ancient orators, in 1513; afterwards
by Henry Stephens, with the orations of JEschines, Lysias,
and others; and in 1619, by Gruter. Lesbonax is said.
to have been the author of a treatise “De Figuris
Grammaticis,
” printed with Ammonius, Leyden,
, a celebrated Dutch printer, was born in 1610 of an illustrious family at Geneva, which removed
, a celebrated Dutch printer, was born in 1610 of an illustrious family at Geneva, which removed to Holland, where his press became famous for the number of beautiful and accurate editions which issued from it. He was also esteemed an excellent poet; and his daughter, Catherine Lescaille, who died June 8, 1711, was so much admired for her poetical talents, as to be called the Dutch Sappho, and the tenth Muse. A collection of her Poems was printed in 1728, with the following tragedies: Genseric, Wenceslaus, Herod and Mariamne, Hercules and Deianira, Nicomedes, Ariadne, Cassandra, &c. which, although they are not written according to the ordinary rules of the drama, frequently discover marks of superior genius. James Lescaille was honoured with the poetic crown by the emperor Leopold in 1663, and died in 1677.
, an able lawyer, and celebrated advocate of the parliament of Paris, was born in that city in 1550, of a reputable family. When Henry
, an able lawyer, and celebrated advocate of the parliament of Paris, was born in
that city in 1550, of a reputable family. When Henry IV.
to whom he had remained faithful during the fury of the
League, wanted to support the annuities charged on the
H6tel de Ville, Leschassier had influence enough to dissuade him from his design by two very able petitions. He
was consulted by the Venetian republic, in 1605, respecting their disputes with pope Paul V. and replied by his
“Consultatio Parisini cujusdam,
” printed in
arechal, and constable of France, governor of Dauphiny, and one of the greatest generals of his age, was born April 1, 1543, at St. Bonnet de Chamsaut, in Dauphiny,
, peer,
marechal, and constable of France, governor of Dauphiny,
and one of the greatest generals of his age, was born April
1, 1543, at St. Bonnet de Chamsaut, in Dauphiny, of a
noble and ancient family. He was among the chiefs of the
protestants, for whom he took several places, and when
Henry IV. ascended the throne, received fresh marks of
his esteem, being appointed lieutenant-general of his
forces in Piedmont, Savoy, and Dauphiny. Lesdiguieres
defeated the duke of Savoy at the battle of Esparon, April
15, 1591, and in several other engagements; and when
the king blamed him for having suffered that prince to build
Fort Barreaux, he replied, “Let the duke of Savoy be at
that expence; your majesty wants a fortress opposite to
Montmelian, and when it is built and stored, we will take
it.
” He kept his word, and conquered Savoy. This brave
man received the marechal’s staff in 1607, and his estate
of Lesdiguieres was made a dukedom, as a reward for his
services. At length he abjured protestantism at Grenoble,
and was afterwards presented by his son-in-law, the maredial de Crequi, with letters, in which the king appointed
him constable, July 24, 1622. He commanded the troops
in Italy in 1625, and died at Valence in Dauphiny, Sept.
28, 1626, aged eighty-four. His secretary, Lewis Videl,
has written his life, or rather his eulogy, 1638, folio. There
were, however, many defects in his moral character, and
his apostacy is said to have been founded in avarice.
, the celebrated bishop of Ross in Scotland, was descended from a very ancient family, and bora in 1527. He had
, the celebrated bishop of Ross in Scotland, was descended from a very ancient family, and bora in 1527. He had his education in the university of Aberdeen; and, in 1547, was made canon of the cathedralchurch of Aberdeen and Murray. After this, he travelled into France; and pursued his studies in the universities of Thoulouse, Poictiers, and Paris, at which place he took the degree 01 doctor of laws. He continued abroad till 1554, when he was commanded home by the queen-regent, and made official and vicar-general of the diocese of Aberdeen; and, entering into the priesthood, became parson of Une, or Oyne. About this time the doctrines of the reformation having reached Scotland, were zealously opposed by our author; and, a solemn dispute being held between the protestants and papists in 1560, at Edinburgh, Lesley was a principal champion on the side of the latter, and had Knox for one of his antagonists. This, however, was so far from putting an end to the divisions, that they daily increased; which occasioning many disturbances and commotions, both parties agreed to send deputations, inviting home the queen, who was then absent in France. It was a matter of importance to be expeditious in this race of politic courtesy; and Lesley, who was employed by the Roman catholics, made such dispatch, that he arrived several days before lord James Stuart, who was sent by the protestants, to Vitri, where queen Mary was then lamenting the death of her husband, the king of France. Having delivered to her his credentials, he told her majesty of lord James Stuart’s (who was her natural brother) coming from the protestants in Scotland, and of his designs against the Roman catholic. religion; and advised her to detain him in France by some honourable employment till she could settle her affairs at home; thus infusing suspicions of her protestant subjects into the queen’s mind, with a view that she should throw herself entirely into the hands of those who were of her own religion. The queen, however, not at all distrusting the nobility, who had sent lord James, desired Lesley to wait, till she could consult with her friends upon the methods most proper for her to take. At first, the court of France opposed her return home; but, finding her much inclined to it, they ordered a fleet to attend her; and Lesley embarked with her at Calais for Scotland, Aug. 19, 1561.
Soon after his arrival, he was appointed one of the senators of the college of justice, and
Soon after his arrival, he was appointed one of the senators of the college of justice, and sworn into the privycouncil. In 1564, the abbey of Lundores was conferred upon him; and, upon the death of Sinclair bishop of Ross, he was promoted to that see. This advancement was no more than he merited from the head of the Roman church in Scotland, in whose defence he was always an active and able disputant with the reformed party. His learning was not inferior to his other attainments; nor was his attention so entirely absorbed in ecclesiastical matters, as to prevent his introducing some important improvements in the civil state of the kingdom. To this end, having observed that all the ancient laws were growing obsolete, for want of being collected into a body, he represented this matter to the queen, and prevailed with her majesty to appoint proper persons for the work. Accordingly, a commission was made out, granting to Lesley, and fifteen others, privycounsellors and advocates in the law, authority to print the same. Thus it is to the care principally of the bishop of Ross, that the Scots owe the first impression of their laws at Edinburgh, in 1566, commonly called the black acts of parliament, from their being printed in the black Saxon character. Upon the queen’s flying into England from her protestant subjects, who had taken up arms against her, queen Elizabeth appointed commissioners at York to examine the case between her and them, and bishop Lesley was one of those chosen by Mary, in 1568, to defend her cause, which he did with great vigour and strength of reasoning; and, when this method proved ineffectual, appeared afterwards in the character of ambassador at the English court, to complain of the injustice done to his queen. Finding no notice taken of his public solicitations, he began to form schemes to procure her escape privately, and at the same time seems to have been concerned with foreign courts in conspiracies against queen Elizabeth. With a view, however, to serve queen Mary, he hit upon the unfortunate expedient of negotiating her marriage with the duke of Norfolk; which being discovered, the duke was convicted of treason, and executed. Lesley being examined upon it, pleaded the privileges of an ambassador; alleging, that he had done nothing but what his place and duty demanded for procuring the liberty of his princess; and that he came into England with sufficient warrant and authority, which he had produced, and which had been admitted. It was answered, that the privileges of ambasjadors could not protect those who offended against the majesty of the princes to whom they were sent; and that they werfe to be considered in no other light than as enemies who practised rebellion against the state. To this our prelate replied, that he had neither raised nor practised rebellion; but, perceiving the adversaries of queen Mary countenanced, and her deprived of all hope of liberty, he could not abandon his sovereign in her afflictions, but do his best to procure her freedom; and that it would never be found that the privileges of ambassadors were violated, via juris, by course of law, but only via facti, by way of fact, which seldom had good success.
njoy the privileges of an ambassador, and not rather be liable to punishment as an enemy? To this it was answered, that such an ambassador, by the laws of nations, and
At length, after several debates, five civilians, Lewis, Dale, Drury, Aubry, and Jones, were appointed to ejamine the bishop of Ross’s case, and to give in answers to the following queries. 1. Whether an ambassador, who raises rebellion against the prince to whom he is sent, should enjoy the privileges of an ambassador, and not rather be liable to punishment as an enemy? To this it was answered, that such an ambassador, by the laws of nations, and the civil law of the Romans, has forfeited the privileges of an ambassador, and is liable to punishment. 2. Whether the minister or agent of a prince deposed from his public authority, and in whose stead another is substituted, may enjoy the privileges of an ambassador? To this it was answered, if such a prince be lawfully deposed, his agent cannot challenge the privileges of an ambassador, since none but absolute princes, and such as enjoy a royal prerogative, can constitute ambassadors. 3. Whether a prince, who comes into another prince’s country, and is there kept prisoner, can have his agent, and whether that agent can be reputed an ambassador? To this it was answered, if such a prince have not lost his sovereignty, he may have an agent; but whether that agent may be reputed an ambassador, dependeth upon the authority of his commission. 4. Whether if a prince declare to such an agent, and his prince in custody, that he shall no longer be reputed an ambassador, that agent may, by law, challenge the privileges of an ambassador? To this it was answered, that a prince may forbid an ambassador to enter into his kingdom, and may command him to depart the kingdom, if he keep himself not within the bounds prescribed to an ambassador; yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the privileges of an ambassador Queen Elizabeth and her cdunsel being satisfied with these answers of the civilians, sent bishop Lesley prisoner to the isle of Ely, and afterwards to the Tower of London; but at length he was set at liberty in 1573, and being banished England, he retired to the Netherlands. The two following years he employed in soliciting the kings of France and Spain, and all the German princes, to interest themselves in the deliverance of his mistress. Finding them tardy in their proceedings, he went to Rome, to solicit the pope’s interference with them, but all his efforts being fruitless, he had recourse to his pen, and published several pieces to promote the same design. In 1579, he was made suffragan and vicar-general of the archbishopric of Rouen in Normandy, and, in his visitation of that diocese, was apprehended and thrown into prison, and obliged to pay three thousand pistoles for his ransom, to prevent his being given op to queen Elizabeth. He then remained unmolested under the protection of Henry III. of France; but, upon the accession of Henry IV. a protestant, who was supported in his claim to that crown by queen Elizabeth, he was apprehended, in his visitation through his diocese, in 1590; and, being thrown into prison, was again obliged to pay three thousand pistoles, to save himself from being given up to Elizabeth. In 1593, he was declared bishop of Constance, with licence to hold the bishopric of Ross, till he should obtain peaceable possession of the church of Constance and its revenues. Some time after this, he went and resided at Brussels; and when no hopes remained of his returning to his bishopric of Ross, by the establishment of the reformation under king James, he retired into a monastery at Guirtenburg, about two miles from Brussels, where he passed the remainder of his days, died May 31, 1596, and lies buried there under a monument erected to his memory by his nephew and heir, John Lesley.
im as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly honourable in its motive, although it is impossible
His character is represented much to his advantage, by several writers, both at home and abroad; and all parties agree in speaking of him as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly honourable in its motive, although it is impossible to defend all his proceedings. Dodd informs us that when at Paris he laid the foundation of three colleges for the education of popish missionaries; one for his countrymen at Paris, which was completed; another at Home, which fell into the hands of the Jesuits; and a third at Doway, the superior of which, for some years, was a Scotch Jesuit.
th a Declaration of her right, title, and interest, to the crown of England,“Liege, 1571, 8vo, which was immediately suppressed. 6.” A Treatise, shewing, that the Regimen
Bishop Lesley’s writings are, 1. “Afflicti Aninw Consolationes, & tranquilli Animi Conservatio,
” Paris, De Origine, Moribus, & Rebus gestis Scotorum,
”
Romae, Some things,
” says he, “savoured so much of
ingratitude and perfidy, that, although it were very proper
they should be known, yet it were improper for me to record them, because often, with the danger of my life, I
endeavoured to put a stop to them; and I ought to do all
that is in me, not to let them be known unto strangers.
”
With this work are published, 3. “Paraenesis ad Nobilitatem
Populumque Scotorum
” and, 4. “Regionum & Insularum
Scotiae Descriptio.
” 5.“” Defence of the Honour of Mary
Queen of Scotland; with a Declaration of her right, title,
and interest, to the crown of England,“Liege, 1571, 8vo,
which was immediately suppressed. 6.
” A Treatise, shewing, that the Regimen of Women is conformable to the
Law of God and Nature.“These two last are ascribed, by
Parsons the Jesuit, to Morgan Philips, but Camden asserts
them to be our author’s, Annal. Eliz. sub. ann. 1569. 7.
” DeTitulo & Jure Marias Scotorum Reginae, quo Anglias
Successionem Jure sibi vindicat,“Rheims, 1580, 4to. 8.
There is a ms. upon the same subject in French, entitled
” Remonstrance au Pape,“&c. Cotton library, Titus, cxii.
1. and F. 3. 14. 9.
” An Account of his Embassage in.
England, from 1568 to 1572,“ms. in the advocates’ library in Scotland. Catal. of Oxford Mss. 10.
” An Apology for the Bishop of Ross, as to what is laid to his Charge
concerning the Duke of Norfolk,“ms. in the library of
the lord Longueville. 11.
” Several Letters in the hands
of Dr. George Mackenzie," who wrote his life.
, bishop of Cloghcr in Ireland, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Balquhaine, in
, bishop of Cloghcr in Ireland, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Balquhaine, in the north of Scotland. The first part of his education was at Aberdeen, whence he removed to Oxford. Afterwards he travelled into Spain, Italy, Germany, and France: he spoke French, Spanish, and Italian, with the same propriety and fluency as the natives; and was so great a master of the Latin, that it was said of him, when in Spain, Solus Lcsleius Latine loquitur. He continued twenty-two years abroad; and, during that time, was at the siege of Rochelle, and the expedition to the isle of Rhee, with the duke of Buckingham. He was all along conversant in courts, and at home was happy in that of Charles I. who admitted him into his privy. council both in Scotland and Ireland; in which stations he was continued by Charles II. after the restoration. His chief preferment in the church of Scotland was the bishopric of the Orkneys, whence he was translated to Raphoe in Ireland, in 1633; and, the same year, sworn a privy-counsellor in that kingdom. He built a stately palace in his diocese, in the form and strength of a castle, one of the finest episcopal palaces in Ireland, and proved to be useful afterwards in the rebellion of 1641, by preserving a good part of that country. The good bishop exerted himself, as much as he could, in defence of the royal cause, and endured a siege in his castle of Raphoe, before he would surrender it to Oliver Cromwell, being the last which held out in that country. He then retired to Dublin, where he always used the liturgy of the church of Ireland in his family, and even had frequent confirmations and ordinations. After the restoration, he came over to England; and, in 1661, was translated to the see of Clogher. He died in 1671, aged above 100 3'ears, having been above 50 years a bishop; and was then consequently the oldest bishop in the world.
, the second son of the preceding, and a very distinguished writer, was born in Ireland, we know not in what year; and admitted a f
, the second son of the preceding, and a very distinguished writer, was born in Ireland, we know not in what year; and admitted a fellow-commoner in Dublin college in 1664, where he continued till he commenced M. A. In 1671, on the death of his father, he came to England and entered himself in the Temple at London, where he studied the law for some years; but afterwards relinquished it, and applied himself to divinity. In 1680 he was admitted into holy orders; and in 1687 became chancellor of the cathedral-church or diocese of Connor. About this time he rendered himself particularly obnoxious to the Popish party in Ireland, by his zealous opposition to them, which was thus called forth. Roger Boyle, bishop of Clogher, dying in 1687, Patrick Tyrrel was made titular popish bishop, and had the revenues of the see assigned him by king James. He set up a convent of friars in Monaghan; and, fixing his habitation there, held a public visitation of his clergy with great solemnity; when, some subtle logicians attending him, he ventured to challenge the protestant clergy to a public disputation. Leslie accepted the challenge, and disputed to the satisfaction of the protestants; though it happened, as it generally does at such contests, that both sides claimed the victory. He afterwards held another public disputation with two celebrated popish divines in the church of Tynan, in the diocese of Armagh, before a very numerous assembly of persons of both religions; the issue of which was, that Mr. John Stewart, a popish gentleman, solemnly renounced the errors of the church of Rome.
had got possession of an episcopal see, they engrossed other offices too; and a popish high-sheriff was appointed for the county of Monaghan. This proceeding alarmed
As the papists had got possession of an episcopal see,
they engrossed other offices too; and a popish high-sheriff
was appointed for the county of Monaghan. This proceeding alarmed the gentlemen in that country; who, depending much on Leslie’s knowledge as a justice of peace,
repaired to him, then confined by the gout to his house.
He told them, that it would be as illegal in them to permit the sheriff to act, as it would be in him to attempt it.
But they insisted that himself should appear in person on
the bench, at the approaching quarter-sessions, and all
promised to act as he did; so he was carried there with
much difficulty, and in great pain. Upon the question,
whether the sheriff was legally qualified, the latter replied,
“That he was of the king’s own religion, and it was his
majesty’s will that he should be sheriff.
” Leslie then observed, “That they were not inquiring into his majesty’s
religion, but whether he (the pretended sheriff) had qualified himself according to law, for acting as a proper officer; that the law was the king’s will, and nothing else
to be deemed such; that his subjects had no other way of
knowing his will but as it is revealed to them in his laws;
and it must always be thought to continue so, till the
contrary is notified to them in the same authentic manner.
”
This argument was so convincing, that the bench unanimously agreed to commit the sheriff for his intrusion and
arrogant contempt of the court. Leslie also committed
gome officers of that tumultuous army which the lord Tyrconnel raised, for robbing the country.
t and learning, he became a very formidable champion of the nonjurors. His first piece in this cause was an answer to Abp. King’s “State of the Protestants in Ireland,
In this spirited conduct Leslie acted like a sound divine
and an upright magistrate; but, while he thought himself
authorized to resist the illegal mandates of his sovereign,
be never approved of carrying these principles of resistance so far as to deprive the king of the supreme power;
and persevering steadily in that opinion, he continued,
after the revolution, in allegiance to king James. In consequence, refusingto take the new oaths appointed upon
that change, he lost all his preferments and in 1689,
when the troubles began to arise in Ireland, withdrew, with
his family, into England. Here he employed his time in
writing a great many political pieces in support of the cause
he had embraced; and being confessedly a person of extraordinary wit and learning, he became a very formidable
champion of the nonjurors. His first piece in this cause
was an answer to Abp. King’s “State of the Protestants in
Ireland, under the late King James’s Government,
” in
which he shewed himself as averse from the principles and
practices of the Irish and other Papists, as he was from
those of the author whom he refuted. Neither did his
sufferings make him forget his duty to the church of England; in defence of which he shewed himself a strenuous
champion against the quakers, many of whom were converted by him. But, as these converts were desirous of
returning to presbytery, whence they had last sprung, he
was obliged to treat the subject of church government in
defence of episcopacy. He likewise employed his pen in
the general cause of the Christian religion, against Jews,
Deists, and Socinians. In the mean time, however, these
writings, and his frequent visits to the courts of St. Germain’s and Bar le Due, rendered him obnoxious to the
government; but he became more so upon the publication of the “Hereditary Right of the Crown of England
asserted;
” of which he was the reputed author. Finding
himself, on this account, under a necessity of leaving the
kingdom, he repaired to the Pretender at Bar le Due;
where he was allowed to officiate, in a private chapel, after
the rites of the Church of England; and it is said he took
much pains to convert the Pretender to the Protestant religion, but in vain . However, to promote the said Pretender’s interest, when some hopes of his restoration were
entertained by his party in England, he wrote a letter from
Bar le Due, dated April 23, 1714, which was printed and
dispersed among his adherents, in which, after giving a
flattering description of the Pretender’s person and character, his graceful mien, magnanimity of spirit, devotion
free from bigotry, application to business, ready apprehension, sound judgment, and affability, so that none conversed with him without being charmed with his good
sense and temper; he concludes with a proposal, “on
condition of his being restored to his crown, that, for the
security of the church of England as by law established,
he would so far wave his prerogative, in the nomination of
bishops, deans, and all other ecclesiastical preferments in
the gift of the crown, that five bishops should be appointed,
of which the archbishop of Canterbury for the time being
always to be one, who, upon any vacancy, might name
three persons to him, from whom he would chuse.
” Many
other proposals of the like nature were made soon after,
and several projects were concerted not only in England,
but an actual insurrection begun in Scotland by his party,
in 1715, all which ended in the crushing and dispersing
of the rebels, and in the Pretender’s being obliged to
leave the French dominions.
and that he would hear what he should represent to him on the subject of religion. But the Chevalier was far from keeping the word he had given, and on the faith of
In this exigence he withdrew to Italy, whither Leslie attended him, notwithstanding the ill-usage he met with at that court. The Pretender had given him a promise that he should celebrate the church of England service in his family; and that he would hear what he should represent to him on the subject of religion. But the Chevalier was far from keeping the word he had given, and on the faith of which our divine had come over; for, though he allowed him, for form’s sake, to celebrate the church of England service in his family, yet he never was present there; and not only refused to hear Leslie himself, but sheltered the ignorance of his priests, or the badness of his cause, or both, behind his authority, and absolutely forbad all discourse concerning religion. However, Leslie put up with every thing, in dutiful submission to his avowed sovereign, till 1721, when he returned to England, resolving, whatever the consequences might be, to die in his own country. Some of his friends, acquainting lord Sunderland with his purpose, implored his protection for the good old man, which his lordship readily and generously promised; and when a member of the House of commons officiously waited on lord Sunderland with the news that Mr. Leslie had arrived, he met with such a reception from his lordship as his illiberal errand deserved. Our author then went over to Ireland, where he died April 13,' 1722, at his own house at Glaslough, in the county of Monaghan.
As to his character, Bayle styles him “a man of merit and learning,” and tellsus, that he was the first who wrote in Great Britain against the errors of madam
As to his character, Bayle styles him “a man of merit
and learning,
” and tellsus, that he was the first who wrote
in Great Britain against the errors of madam Bourignon.
His books, adds he, are much esteemed, and especially
his treatise of “The Snake in the Grass.
” Salmon observes, that his works must transmit him to posterity as a
man thoroughly learned and truly pious. Mr. Harris,
the continuator of Ware, informs us that Leslie made several converts from popery; and says, that notwithstanding
his mistaken opinions about government, and a few other
matters, he deserves the highest praise for defending the
Christian religion against Deists, Jews, Quakers, and for
admirably well supporting the doctrines of the church of
England against those of Rome. The author of the “Freeholder’s Journal/' immediately after the death of Mr,
Leslie, observed, that when the popish emissaries were
most active in poisoning the minds of the people, Mr.
Leslie was equally vigilant in exposing, both in public
and private, the errors and absurdities of the Romish doctrines. Yet, upon the abdication of king James, he resigned his livings, followed his fortunes, and adhered
firmly to his interests; and, after his demise, to those of
the Pretender. Notwithstanding his well-known attachment to the Jacobite interest, and, his frequent visits to
the court of St. Germain’s, he was not much molested by
the government till a little before Sacheverell’s trial, when
he attacked Bp. Burnet rather warmly, in a pamphlet
called
” The good Old Cause, or Lying in Truth," in
which he endeavoured to prove, from the bishop’s former
works, the truth of that doctrine for which the doctor was
prosecuted by the Commons, and violently inveighed against
the bishop himself.
ong the works of the abbé St. Real, who died in 1692; and therefore it has been said, that unless it was published in English prior to that period, Charles Leslie must
“A charge, however,
” says the writer whom we have
already quoted in the preceding note, “has been lately
brought against him of such a nature, as, if well founded,
must detract, not only from his literary fame, but also
from his integrity. `The short and easy Method with the
Deists’ is unquestionably his most valuable, and, apparently, his most original work; yet this tract is published
in French among the works of the abbé St. Real, who died
in 1692; and therefore it has been said, that unless it was
published in English prior to that period, Charles Leslie
must be considered as a shameless plagiary.
”
In answer to this Dr. Gleig observes, that “The English work was certainly not published prior to the death of the abbé St. Réal;
In answer to this Dr. Gleig observes, that “The English work was certainly not published prior to the death of
the abbé St. Réal; for the first edition bears date July 17th,
1697 and yet many reasons conspire to convince us, that
our countryman was no plagiary. There is, indeed, a
striking similarity between the English and the French works;
but this is no complete proof that the one was copied from
the other.
” Dr. Gleig, after stating some remarkable intances of a similar coincidence, asks, “After these instances of apparent plagiarism, whsch we know to be only
apparent, has any man a right to say that Charles Leslie
and the abbé St. Réal might not have treated their subject in the way that they have done, without either borrowing
from the other
” And adds:
abbe*, and this work in particular, were published before 1697. At that period the English language was very little read or understood on the continent; whilst in Britain
"But this is not all that we have to urge on the subject If there be plagiarism in the case, and the identity of titles looks very like it, it is infinitely more probable that the editor of St. Real’s works stole from Leslie, than that Leslie stole from St. Réal, unless it can be proved that the works of the abbe*, and this work in particular, were published before 1697. At that period the English language was very little read or understood on the continent; whilst in Britain the French language was by scholars as generally understood as at the present. Hence it is, that so many Frenchmen, and indeed foreigners of different nations, thought themselves safe in pilfering science from the British philosophers; whilst there is not, that we know, one well-authenticated instance of a British philosopher appropriating to himself the discoveries of a foreigner. If, then, such men as Leibnitz, John Bernouilli, and Des Cartes, trusting to the improbability of detection, condescended to pilfer the discoveries of Hooke, Newton, and Harriot, is it improbable that the editor of the works of St. Real should claim to his friend a celebrated tract, of which he knew the real author to be obnoxious to the government of his own country, and therefore not likely to have powerful friends to maintain his right?
“But farther, Burnet bishop of Sarum was an excellent scholar, and well-readj as every one knows, in
“But farther, Burnet bishop of Sarum was an excellent scholar, and well-readj as every one knows, in the
works of foreign divines. Is it conceivable, that this prelate, when smarting under the lash of Leslie, would have
let slip so good an opportunity of covering with disgrace
his most formidable antagonist, had he known that antagonist to be guilty of plagiarism from the writings of the
abbé St. Réal? Let it be granted, however, that Burnet
was a stranger to these writings and to this plagiarism; it
can hardly be supposed that Le Clerc was a stranger to
them likewise. Yet this author, when, for reasons best
known to himself, he chose (1706) to depreciate the argument of the
” Short Method,“and to traduce its author
as ignorant of ancient history, and as having brought forward his four marks for no other purpose than to put the
deceitful traditions of popery on the same footing with the
most authentic doctrines of the gospel, does not so much
as insinuate that he borrowed these marks from a popish
abbe, though such a charge, could he have established it,
would have served his purpose more than all his rude
railings and invective. But there was no room for such a
charge. In the second volume of the works of St. Real,
published in 1757, there is indeed a tract entitled
” Methode courte et aisee pour combattre les Deistes,“and
there can be little doubt but that the publisher wished it to be
considered as the work of his countryman. Unfortunately,
however, for his design, a catalogue of the abbe’s works
is given in the first volume; and in that catalogue the
* Methode courte et aisee' is not mentioned.
”
f his Shepherd’s Cloathing, in answer to * Moderation a Virtue,'” 1704, 4to. The pamphlet it answers was written by James Owen. 5. “The Bishop of Sarum’s [Burnet’s]
His works may be divided into political and theological.
Of the former, he wrote, I. “Answer to the State of the
Protestants of Ireland,
” &c. already mentioned. 2. “Cassandra, concerning the new Associations,
” &c. Rehearsals;
” at first a weekly paper, published afterwards twice a week in a half-sheet, by way of dialogue on
the affairs of the times; begun in 1704, and continued for
six or seven years. 4. “The Wolf stripped of his Shepherd’s
Cloathing, in answer to * Moderation a Virtue,'
” The Bishop of Sarum’s [Burnet’s] proper Defence, from
a Speech said to be spoken by him against occasional Conformity,
” The new Association of those
called Moderate Churchmen,
” &c. occasioned by a
pamphlet entitled “The Danger of Priestcraft,
” The new Association,
” part II. 1705, 4to. 8.
“The principles of Dissenters concerning Toleration,
and occasional Conformity,
” A Warning
for the Church of England,
” The
good Old Cause, or lying in truth; being a second Defence
of the bishop of Sarum from a second Speech,
” &c. A
Letter to the Bishop of Sarum, in answer to his Sermon
after the Queen’s Death, in Defence of the Revolution,
”
Salt for the Leech.
” 13. “The Anatomy
of a Jacobite.
” 14. “Gallienus redivivus.
” 15. “Delenda Carthago.
” 16. A Letter to Mr. William
Molyneux, on his Case of Ireland’s being bound by the English Acts of Parliament.“17.
” A Letter to Julian Johnson." 18. Several Tracts against Dr. Higden and Mr,
Hoadly.
nd easy Method with the Jews.” This is dated at the end, “Good-Friday,” 1689; and the fourth edition was published in 1715.
IV. Against the Jews: 15. “A short and easy Method
with the Jews.
” This is dated at the end, “Good-Friday,
”
the rights of convocation, between Wake, &c. on one side, and Atterbury and his friends, among whom was Leslie, on the other. All his theological pieces, except that
26. “A Dissertation concerning the Use and Authority of
Ecclesiastical History.
” 27. “The Case of the Regal and
the Pontificate.
” 2f8. “A Supplement, in answer to a
book entitled t The regal Supremacy in Ecclesiastical
Affairs asserted',
” &c. These two last pieces were occasioned by the dispute about the rights of convocation, between Wake, &c. on one side, and Atterbury and his
friends, among whom was Leslie, on the other. All his
theological pieces, except that against Tillotson, were
collected and published by himself in two vols. fol. 1721.
, a distinguished German writer, was born at Kamenz, in Pomerania, in 1729. His father, who was a
, a distinguished German writer, was born at Kamenz, in Pomerania, in 1729.
His father, who was a man of talents and learning, had
destined himself to an academical life, but was called to
take charge of a congregation at Kamenz, the place of his
nativity. Here he was in correspondence with the most
famous preachers of his time, published some works of his
own, and translated several treatises of AbjJ. Tillotson. He
also left behind him a manuscript refutation of some prejudices against the reformation. There can be no doubt but
the example and cares of so learned and thoughtful a
father had no inconsiderable influence on the early turn
which Lessing shewed for literature. When, in his sixth
year, his father chose to have his picture drawn, in which
he was to be represented sitting under a tree playing with
a bird, young Lessing shewed his utter dislike to the plan,
and said, “if I am to be painted, let me be drawn with a
great heap of books about me, otherwise I had rather not
be painted at all;
” which was accordingly done. He
passed five entire years at the high-school at Meissen, to
which, by his own account, he was indebted for whatever
learning and solidity of thinking he possessed. Though
the Latin poetry belongs to the officiis perfectis of a scholar
in this academy, and the German poetry to the imperfectis,
yet he pursued the latter much more than the former, and
celebrated the battle of Kesseldorf in German verse, at
the request of his father. Professor Klemm particularly
encouraged him to the-study of mathematics and
philosophy while Grabner, the rector of the academy, wrote to
his father concerning them “He is a colt that requires a
double allowance of provender. The lessons that are
found too difficult for others, are but child’s play to him.
We shall hardly be sufficient for him much longer.
” Being
removed to Leipsic, he soon displayed his inclination to
write for the stage, and likewise made great proficiency in
the bodily exercises of horsemanship, fencing, dancing,
and leaping. Mr. Weisse was his first and principal friend at
this place; and their friendship was only dissolved by
death. Lessing frequented the college-exercises but little,
and that irregularly: none of the professors gave him satisfaction, excepting Ernesti, whose lectures he sometimes
attended; but he was himself an extensive reader, and
was especially partial to the writings of Wolff in German.
He kept up a great intimacy with Naumann, the author of
“Nimrod,
” on account of his possessing many singular
qualities, which were always more agreeable to Lessing,
than the common dull monotony of character, even though
mingled with some weaknesses and defects. Under Kastner he exercised himself in disputation; and here began
his close connection with Mylius, whose works he after-,
wards published. His intercourse with this free-thinker,
and with the company of comedians, however, gave great
uneasiness to his parents. His first literary productions
appeared in a Hamburgh newspaper. In company with
M. Weisse, he translated “Hannibal,
” the only tragedy
of Marivaux, into rhyming Alexandrines. His comedy of
the “Young Scholar,
” which he had begun while a schoolboy, was finished at Leipsic, from an actual event that
happened to a young scholar disappointed in his hopes of
the prize from the academy at Berlin. His father about
this time thought proper to recall him home for a time, in
order to wean him from the bad company he was thought
to frequent. In this interval, he composed a number of
Anacreontics on love and wine. One day, his pious sister
coming into his room, in his absence, saw these sonnets,
read them over, and, not a little angry that her brother
could so employ his time, threw them into the fire. A
trifling burst of resentment was all he felt on the occasion.
He took a handful of snow, and threw it into her bosom,
in order to cool her zeal. He now went back to Leipzig;
which place he soon after quitted, going by Wittenberg to
Berlin. This gave his father fresh uneasiness; and
produced those justificatory letters of his son, which at least
display the frankness of his character. At Berlin, in conjunction with Mylius, he compiled the celebrated “Sketch
of the History and Progress of the Drama.
” The father of
a writer who had been sharply criticised in this work, made
complaint of it to Lessing’s father. To this person he wrote
in answer: “The critique is mine, and I only lament that
I did not make it more severe. Should Gr. complain of
the injustice of my judgment, I give him full liberty to retaliate, as he pleases on my works.
” One of his first acquaintances in Berlin was a certain Richier de Louvain,
who, in 1750, from a French teacher, was become secretary
to Voltaire, with whom he brought our author acquainted.
From Berlin he went to Wittenberg, where he plied his
studies with great diligence, and took the degree of master,
but remained only one year, and then returned to Berlin.
At Berlin he undertook the literary article for the periodical publication of Voss, in which employment he both
wrote and translated a great variety of pieces, and formed
several plans which were never executed. Among others,
he agreed with Mendelsohn to write a journal, under the
title of “The best from bad Books:
” with the motto taken
from St. Ambrose, “Legimus aliqua ne legantur.
” “We
read some books to save others the trouble.
” Jn Law’s serious Call,
” which
was finished and published by Mr. Weisse. At the beginning of 1759, Lessing went again to Berlin, where he very
much addicted himself to gaming. This has been attributed to his situation at Breslaw, where he was in the
seven years war for some time in quality of secretary to
general Tauenzien. Even the care for his health was conducive to it. “Were I able to play calmly,
” said he, “I
would not play at all; but it is not without reason that I
play with eagerness. The vehement agitation sets my
clogged machine in motion, by forcing the fluids into circulation; it frees me from a bodily torment, to which I
am often subject.
” His intimate friends among the learned
at Breslaw were Arletius and Klose. Here he was attacked
by a violent fever. Though he suffered much from the
disease, yet be declared that his greatest torment arose
from the conversations of his physician, old Dr. Morganbesser, which he could scarcely endure when he was well.
When the fever was at its height, he lay perfectly quiet,
with great significance in his looks. This so much struck
his friend standing by- the bed, that he familiarly asked
him what he was thinking of? “I am curious to know
what will pass in my mind when I am in the act of dying.
”
Being told that was impossible, he abruptly replied: “You
want to cheat me.
” On the day of his reception into the
order of free-masons at Hamburgh, one of his friends, a
zealous free-mason, took him aside into an adjoining room,
and asked him, “Is it not true, now, that you find nothing among us against the government, religion, or morals
” “Yes,
” answered Lessmg, with great vivacity,
“would to heaven I had I should then at least have found
something
” The extent of his genius must be gathered
from his numerous writings. Mendelsohn said of him in
a letter to his brother, shortly after his death, that he
was advanced at least a century before the age in which
he lived.
lu 1762, he accompanied his general to the siege of Schweidnitz; but after the peace, he was introduced to the king of Prussia, and then resumed his literary
lu 1762, he accompanied his general to the siege of
Schweidnitz; but after the peace, he was introduced to
the king of Prussia, and then resumed his literary occupations at Berlin. Though he produced many works, yet
they were not the source of much profit, and, in 1769, his
circumstances were so narrow, that he was obliged to sell
his library for support. At this critical juncture he met
with a generous patron in Leopold, heir-apparent to the
duke of Brunswick, through whose means he was appointed
librarian at Wolfenbuttle. One of the fruits of this very
desirable situation was a periodical publication, entitled
“Contributions to Literary History,
” containing notices
and extracts of the most remarkable Mss. The “Contributions
” were made the vehicle of “Fragments of an
anonymous Writer discovered in the Library at Wolfenbuttle,
” which consisted of direct attacks upon the Christian
revelation. They occasioned a great commotion among
the German theologians, and would not have been printed
but for the interference of prince Leopold with the licensers of the press. In 1778 they were suppressed. Lessing,
from his rising fame, and connection with prince Leopold,
with whom he went on a tour to Italy, was so distinguished
among the German literati, that several potentates of that
country made him offers. of an advantageous settlement.
Nothing, however, could lead him to break his connection
with his liberal patron the prince of Brunswick, who, by
his accession in 1730 to the sovereignty, was enabled to
augment his favours towards him. His latter publications
were “Nathan the Wise;
” a second part of the same
drama, entitled “The Monk of Lebanon;
” and “A Dissertation on the Education of the Human Race.
” He died
at Hamburgh in the month of February,
L‘Estrange (Sir Roger), was descended from an ancient and reputable family, seated at H
L‘Estrange (Sir Roger), was descended from an ancient and reputable family, seated at Hunstanton-hall, Norfolk; where he was born Dec. 17, 1616. He was the youngest son of sir Hamond L’Estrange, knt. a zealous royalist during the disputes between king Charles and his parliament; who, having his estate sequestered, retired to Lynn, of which town he was made governor. The son had a liberal education, which was completed probably at Cambridge; and adopted his father’s principles with uncommon zeal, and in 1639, when about two-and- twenty, attended king Charles upon his expedition to Scotland, his attachment to whom some years after neatly cost him his life. In 1644, soon after the earl of Manchester had reduced the town of Lynn in Norfolk, Mr. L'Estrange, thinking he had sorpe interest in the place, as his father had been governor of it, formed a plan for surprizing it, and received a commission from the king, constituting him governor of the town in case of success: but, being seized, in consequence of the treachery of two of his associates, Leman and Hager, and his majesty’s commission found upon him, he was carried first to Lynn, thence to London, and there transmitted to the city court-martial for his trial; where, after suffering all manner of indignities, he was, as Whitlocke says, condemned to die as a spy, coming from the king’s quarters without drum, trumpet, or pass.
His sentence being passed, he * was cast into Newgate; whence he dispatched a petitionary appeal
His sentence being passed, he *was cast into Newgate;
whence he dispatched a petitionary appeal to the lords,
the time appointed for his execution being the Thursday
following; but with great difficulty he got a reprieve for
fourteen days, and, after that, a prolongation for a farther
hearing. In this condition he lay almost four years a
prisoner, in continual fear of being executed. He published in the mean time, “An Appeal from the Courtmartial to the Parliament:
” and about the time of the
Kentish insurrection, in 1648, he escaped out of the
prison, with the keeper’s privity, and went into Kent. He
retired into the house of Mr. Hales, a young gentleman,
heir to a great estate in that county, and spirited him to
undertake an insurrection; which miscarrying, L'Estrange
with much difficulty was enabled to reach the continent,
where he continued till 1653. Upon the long parliament’s
being dissolved by Cromwell, he returned into England,
and immediately dispatched a paper to the council at
Whitehall to this effect; “that, finding himself within the
act of indemnity, he thought it convenient to give them
notice of his return.
” On his being summoned to that
board, he was told by one of the commissioners, that his
case was not comprehended in the act of indemnity, and
he therefore formed the bold resolution of applying in
person to Cromwell himself, which he effected in the
Cockpit; and, shortly after, received his discharge by
the following order, dated October 31 1653: “Ordered,
that Mr. Roger L 1 Estrange be dismissed from his farther
attendance upon the council, he giving in two thousand
pounds security to appear when he shall be summoned
so to do, and to act nothing prejudicial to the commonwealth. Ex. John Thurloe, secretary.
”
This appearance at the court of Cromwell was much censured, after the restoration, by some of the royal party,
This appearance at the court of Cromwell was much
censured, after the restoration, by some of the royal party,
who also objected to him, that he had once been heard
playing in a concert where the usurper was present, and,
therefore, they nick-named him “Oliver’s Fidler.
” He
was charged also with having bribed some of the protector’s
people, but he positively disavows it; averring, he never
spoke to Thurloe but once in his life about his discharge;
and that, though during the dependency of that affair he
might well be seen at Whitehall, yet he never spoke to
Cromwell on any other business, or had the least
commerce of any kind with him. From this to the time of
the restoration, he seems to have lived free from any disturbance from the then governing powers; and perhaps
the obscurity into which he had fallen made him be overlooked by Charles II. and his ministry, on that prince’s
recovering his throne. He did not, however, so undervalue his own sufferings and merits, as to put up quietly
with this usage, and therefore addressed a warm expostulation to the earl of Clarendon, in the dedication to that
minister of his “Memento,
” published in The Public Intelligencer, and the News;' f the first of which came out
the 1st of August, and continued to be published twice a
week, till January 19, 1665; when he laid it down, on
the design then concerted of publishing the
” London Gazette,“the first of which papers made its appearance on.
Saturday Feb. 4.
After the dissolution of Charles’s second parliament, in
1679, he set up a paper, called
” The Observator;“the
design of which was to vindicate the measures of the court,
and the character of the king, from the charge of being
popislily affected. With the same spirit he exerted himself in 1681, in ridiculing the popish plot; which he did
with such vehemence, that it raised him many enemies,
who endeavoured, notwithstanding his known loyalty, to
render him obnoxious to the government. But he appeared with no less vehemence against the fanatic plot in
1682; and, in 1683, was particularly employed by the
court to publish Dr. Tillotson’s papers exhorting lord Russel to avow the doctrine of non-resistance, a little before
his execution. In this manner he weathered all the storms
raised against him during that reign, and, in the next, unrewarded with the honour of knighthood, accompanied
with this declaration,
” that it was in consideration of his
eminent services and unshaken loyalty to the crown, in all
extremities; and as a mark of the singular satisfaction of
his majesty, in his present as well as his past services.“In 1687, he was obliged to lay down his
” Observator,“now swelled to three volumes; as he could not agree with
the toleration proposed by his majesty, though, in all other
respects, he had gone the utmost lengths. He had even
written strenuously in defence of the dispensing power,
claimed by that infatuated prince; and this was probably one
reason, why some accused him of having become a proselyte to the church of Home, an accusation which gave him
much uneasiness, and which was heightened by his daughter’s defection to that church. To clear himself from this
aspersion, he drew up a formal declaration, directed to his
kinsman, sir Nicolas L'Estrange, on the truth of which he
received the sacrament at the time of publishing the same,
which is supposed to be in 1690 . By this declaration we
find he was married his lady’s name was Anne Doleman
but what issue he had by her, besides the just- mentioned
daughter, has not come to our knowledge. After the revolution, he seems to have been left out of the commission
of the peace; and, it is said, queen Mary shewed her contempt of him by the following anagram she made upon his
name,
” Lying- Strange Roger:" and it is certain he met
with some trouble, for the remainder of his life, on account
of his being a disaffected person.
Among others who attacked the character of sir Roger, was the noted Miles Prance, who was convicted of perjury in the
Among others who attacked the character of sir Roger,
was the noted Miles Prance, who was convicted of perjury
in the affair of the murder of sir Edmundbury Godfrey.
Echard, in his History of England, gives us an anecdote of
these two worthies which seems characteristic of both parties. Echard says that Dr. Sharp told him, when archbishop of York, that while he was rector of St. Giles’s in
the Fields, L‘Estrange, the famous Richard Baxter, and
Miles Prance, on a certain sacrament-day, all approached
the communion-table; L’Estrange at one end, Prance at
the other, and Baxter in the middle; that these two by
their situation, were administered to before L‘Estrange, who,
when it came to his turn, taking the bread in his hand,
asked the doctor if he knew who that man (pointing to Prance) on the other side of the rails was, to which the
doctor answering in the negative, L’Estrange replied,
“That is Miles Prance, and I here challenge him, and
solemnly declare before God and this congregation, that
what that man has sworn or published concerning me is
totally and absolutely false; and may this sacrament be
my damnation if all this declaration be not true.
” Echard
adds, “Prance was silent, Mr. Baxter took special notice
of it, and Dr. Sharp declared he would have refused
Prance the sacrament had the challenge been made in time.
”
Sir Roger L'Estrange died Sept. 11, 1704, in the eightyeighth year of his age, during the latter part of which his
faculties were impaired. His corpse was interred in the
church of St. Giles’s in the Fields, where there is an
inscription to his memory. He was author of many political tract*,
and translated several works from the Greek, Latin, and
Spanish. Among his political effusions are, “Roger L'Estrange’s Apology
” “Truth and Loyalty vindicated,
” c<
“The Memento
” “The Reformed Catholic
” “The
free-born Subject
” “Answer to the Appeal,
” &c.; “Seasonable Memorial
” “Cit and Bumpkin,
” in two parts
“Farther Discovery;
” “Case put;
” “Narrative of the
Plot;
” “Holy Cheat;
” “Toleration discussed;
” “Discovery on Discovery;
” “L'Estrange’s Appeal,
” &c.
“Collections in defence of the King
” “Relapsed Apostate
” “Apology for Protestants
” “Richard against Baxter;
” “Tyranny and Popery;
” “Growth of Knavery
”
“L' Estrange no Papist,
” &c. “The Shammer shammed
”
“Account cleared
” “Reformation reformed
” “Dissenters Sayings,
” two parts “Notes on College, i. e
Stephen College;
” the “Protestant Joiner;
” “Zekieland
Ephraim;
” “Papist in Masquerade;
” “Answer to the
Second Character of a Popish Successor;
” “Considerations on lord RussePs Speech.
” All these were printed in
4to. “History of the Plot
” “Caveat to the Cavaliers;
”
“Plea for the Caveat and its Author.
” These were in folio.
His translations were, “Josephus’s Works,
” his best
performance “Cicero’s Offices
” “Seneca’s Morals
”
“Erasmus’s Colloquies
” “Æsop’s Fables
” “Quevedo’s
Visions
” “Bona’s Guide to Eternity
” and “Five Letters from a Nun to a Cavalier.
” Besides these, he wrote
several news-papers, and occasional pieces.
Mr. Granger has very justly remarked that L'Estrange was one of the great corruptors of the English language, and he
Mr. Granger has very justly remarked that L'Estrange
was one of the great corruptors of the English language,
and he might have added, exhibits one of the worst models
of political controversy. He had, however, often to contend with men whose language was equally vulgar and intemperate; and having at all times more zeal than judgment, we can but just discover real talents in a vast mass
of declamation, which few will now have patience to examine. His newspapers, and some of his political pieces,
may yet be consulted with advantage for the information
they contain, and the many traits of characters and manners which they exhibit; but a cautious reader will find it
often necessary to verify his reports by contemporary evidence. Coarse, virulent, and abusive writers have sometimes been thought necessary to the support of political
parties, and the present age is not without them; but such
men leave no impression of respect on the minds even of
those who employ them, and are generally condemned as
the mercenary tools of a party. In the character of sir
Roger L' Estrange we see not much to distinguish him from
this class of writers, except that he sometimes discovers a
portion of ease, elegance, and perspicuity, and might
probably have displayed these qualities more frequently
had he not written more from passion than reflection. It
may be added too, that he was more consistent than some
of his successors; and being the first who regularly “enlisted himself under the banners of a party for pay, he
fought for the cause through right and wrong for upwards
of forty campaigns.
” This intrepidity gained him the
esteem of Cromwell himself, and the papers which he wrote
even just before the revolution, with almost a rope about
his neck, have the same character of perseverance.
, gentleman-commoner of Trinity college, Oxford, was the second son of John Lethieullier, esq. of Aldersbrook, in
, gentleman-commoner
of Trinity college, Oxford, was the second son of John
Lethieullier, esq. of Aldersbrook, in Essex, where he had
a noble collection of Mss. choice books, medals, and na-,
tural curiosities, which he had collected in his travels
through France, Italy, and Germany. His father dying
Jan. 1, 1736-7, and his elder brother being dead before,
he became heir to the paternal estates, which were very
considerable. He was elected F. S. A. in July 1724. He
married, Feb. 6, 1725-6, Margaret, daughter of William
Sloper, esq. of Woodhay, in Berkshire; but died Aug.
27, 1760, aged fifty-nine, without issue. He was succeeded in his estates, to which he had added the manor
of Birch- hall in They don Bois, by Mary, only daughter
of his next brother Charles Lethieullier, LL.D. fellow of
All Souls college, F. A. S. and counsellor at law, who died
the year before him. He was an excellent scholar, a
polite gentleman, and universally esteemed by all the
learned men of his time. Some papers of his are printed
in Phil. Trans. No. 497, and Archseologia, I. p. 26, 57, 73,
75; II. 291. His library was sold by auction, 1760.
The following eloge was written by the late Mr. Collinson immediately after the death of Mr. Lethieullier: “He
was descended from an ancient family from France in time
of persecution, and a gentleman every way eminent for his
excellent endowments. His desire to improve in the civil
and natural history of his country led him to visit all parts
of it; the itineraries in his library, and the discoveries he
made relating to its antiquities, with drawings of every
thing remarkable, are evidences of his great application to
rescue so many ancient remains from mouldering into oblivion. His happy turn of mind was not confined solely to
antiquities, but in these journeys he was indefatigable in
collecting all the variety of English fossils, with a view to
investigate their origin: this great collection, which excels
most others, is deposited in two large cabinets, disposed
under their proper classes. The most rare are elegantly
drawn, and described in a folio book, with his observations
on them. As the variety of ancient marbles had engaged
his attention, and he found so little said of them with respect to their natural history, it was one of his motives, iti
visiting Italy, to furnish himself with such materials as he
was able to procure from books, and learned men, relating
to them. He collected specimens of the most curious, and
had drawings, finely painted, of the most remarkable monuments of the ancient marbles; they are bound up in a
folio volume, with all the observations he could gather relating to their natural history and antiquity. His cabinet
of medals, his collection of antiquities of various kinds,
and most elegant books of the finest engravings, are ‘instances of the fine taste with which he has enriched his
library and cabinet with the spoils of Italy. This short but
imperfect memoir is candidly offered as a tribute due to a
Jong friendship. It is wished it may excite an abler pen
’to do more justice to the memory of this great and good
man. But it is humbly hoped that these hints will be accepted not only as a testimony of respect, but may also
inform an inquisitive genius in these branches of science
where he may be assisted with such valuable materials for
the prosecution of his future studies.
”
His cousin, Colonel William Lethieullier, who was also F. A. S. travelled into Egypt, and brought over a very
His cousin, Colonel William Lethieullier, who was also F. A. S. travelled into Egypt, and brought over a very perfect mummy, now in the British museum, with most of the colonel’s collections, the rest having been in Mr. Smart Lethieullier' s hands. A committee of the trustees waited on the colonel’s executors, Feb. 23, 1756, toreturn thanks for the valuable legacy of a fine mummy, and a curious collection of English antiquities. On this occasion Pitt Lethieullier; esq. nephew to the colonel, presented them with several antiquities, which he himself had collected during his residence at Grand Cairo.
, a voluminous writer of history, was born at Milan, May 29, 1630, of a family once of considerable
, a voluminous writer of history, was
born at Milan, May 29, 1630, of a family once of considerable distinction at Bologna. He was intended for the
church, but was induced to make open profession of the
protestant religion at Lausanne in 1657. This so pleased
Guerin, an eminent physician, with whom he lodged, that
he gave him his daughter for a wife; and Leti, settling at
Geneva in 1660, passed nearly twenty years in that city
employed on many of his publications. In 1674, the freedom of the city was presented to him, which had never
before been granted to any stranger. Five years after he
went to France, and in 1680, to England, where he was
very graciously received by Charles II.; received a large
present in money, and was promised the place of historiographer. On this he wrote his “Teatro Britannico,
” a
history of England; but, this work displeasing the court,
he was ordered to quit the kingdom. Leti then went to
Amsterdam, had the office of historiographer in that city,
and died suddenly June 9, 1701, aged seventy-one. He
was an indefatigable writer, and tells us in his “Belgic
Theatre,
” that three days in the week he spent twelve hours
in writing, and six hours the other three days; whence the
number of his works is prodigious. The greatest part are
written in Italian; among which are, “The Nepotism of
Rome,
” 2 vols. 12mo; “The Universal Monarchy of Louis
XIV.
” 2 vols. 12mo; “The Life of Pope Sixtus V.
” in
Italian, Amsterdam, The
Life of Philip 11. king of Spain,
” 6 vols. 12mo; “Of Charles
V.
”. Amsterdam, Of Queen Elizabeth,
” Amsterdam, History
of Cromwell,
” Life of Giron, duke d'Ossone,
” 3 vols. 12mo; “The French Theatre,*'
7 vols. 4to, a bad work;
” The Belgic Theatre,“2 vols.
4to, equally bad;
” The British Theatre, or History of
England, 11 Amsterdam, 1684, 5 vols. 12mo; in which there
is a capital portrait of queen Elizabeth. It was for this
work that he was sent out of England. “L'ltalia regnante,
”
4 vols. 12mo; “History of the Roman Empire in Germany,
”
4 vols. 4to; “The Cardinalism of the Holy Church,
” 3
vols. 12mo, a violent satire; “History of Geneva,
” 5 vols.
12mo; “The just balance in which are weighed all the
maxims of Rome, and the actions of the living cardinals,
”
4 vols. 12mo; “The Historical Ceremonial,
” 6 vols. 12mo;
“Political Dialogues on the means used by the Italian Republics for their preservation,
” 2 vols. 12mo “An Abridgment of Patriotic virtues,
” 2 vols. 8vo “Fame jealous of
Fortune a panegyric on Louis XIV,
” 4to “A Poem on
the enterprize of the Prince of Orange in England,
” An Eulogy on Hunting,
” 12mo; “Letters,
” 1 vol.
12mo; “The Itinerary of the Court of Rome,
” 3 vols.
8vo “History of the House of Saxony,
” 4 vols. 4to
“History of the House of Brandenburg,
” 4 vols. 4to “The
slaughter of the Innocent reformed,
” 4to “The Ruins of
the Apostolical See,
” Life of pope Sixtus V.
”
Granger, whose character of him we have partly adopted,
relates that Leti being one day at Charles II.'s levee, the
king said to him, “Leti, I hear you are writing the history
of the court of England.
” “Sir,
” said he, “I have been
for some time preparing materials for such a history.
”
“Take care,
” said the king, “that your work give no offence.
” “Sir,
” replied Leti, “I will do what 1 can but
if a man were as wise as Solomon, he would scarce be able
to avoid giving some offence.
” “Why then,
” rejoined the
king, “be as wise as Solomon, write proverbs, not
tories.
”
of atoms, is said by Diogenes Laertius, who has written his life, to have been a native of Elea. He was a disciple of Zeno the Eleatic philosopher. Dissatisfied with
, a philosopher of considerable eminence in the fifth century B. C. the first propagator of the system of atoms, is said by Diogenes Laertius, who has written his life, to have been a native of Elea. He was a disciple of Zeno the Eleatic philosopher. Dissatisfied with the attempts of former philosophers to account for the nature and origin of the universe metaphysically, Leucippus, and his follower Democritus, determined to restore the alliance between reason and the senses, which metaphysical subtleties had dissolved, by introducing the doctrine of indivisible atoms, possessing within themselves a principle of motion; and although several other philosophers, before their time, had considered matter as divisible into indefinitely small particles, Leucippus and Democritus were the first who taught, that these particles were originally destitute of all qualities except figure and motion, and therefore may justly be reckoned the authors of the atomic system of philosophy. They looked upon the qualities, which preceding philosophers had ascribed to matter, as the mere creatures of abstraction; and they determined to admit nothing into their system, which they could not establish upon the sure testimony of the senses. They were also of opinion, that both the Eleatic philosophers, and those of other sects, had unnecessarily encumbered their respective systems, by assigning some external or internal cause of motion, of a nature not to be discovered by the senses. They therefore resolved to reject all metaphysical principles, and, in their explanation of the phenomena of nature, to proceed upon no other ground than the sensible and mechanical properties of bodies. By the help of the internal principle of motion, which they attributed to the indivisible particles of matter, they made a feeble and fanciful effort to account for the production of all natural bodies from physical causes, without the intervention of Deity. But, whether they meant entirely to discard the notion of a divine nature from the universe, is uncertain. This first idea of the atomic system was improved by Democritus, and afterwards carried to all the perfection which a system so fundamentally defective would admit of, by Epicurus. The following summary of the doctrine of Leucippus will exhibit the infant state of the atomic philosophy, and at the same time sufficiently expose its absurdity.
h revolved about its centre, and which included within itself all kinds of bodies. This central mass was gradually increased by a perpetual accession of particles from
The universe, which is infinite, is in part a. plenum, and in part a vacuum. The plenum contains innumerable corpuscles or atoms, of various figures, which falling into the vacuum, struck against each other; and hence arose a variety of curvilinear motions, which continued till, at length, atoms of similar forms met together, and bodies were produced. The primary atoms being specifically of equal weight, and not being able, on account of their multitude, to move in circles, the smaller rose to the exterior parts of the vacuum, whilst the larger, entangling themselves, formed a spherical shell, which revolved about its centre, and which included within itself all kinds of bodies. This central mass was gradually increased by a perpetual accession of particles from the surrounding shell, till at last the earth was formed. In the mean time, the spherical shell was continually supplied with new bodies, which, in its revolution, is gathered up from without. Of the particles thus collected in the spherical shell, some in their combination formed humid masses, which, by their circular motion, gradually became dry, and were at length ignited, and became stars. The sun was formed in the same manner, in the exterior surface of the shell; and the moon, in its interior surface. In this manner the world was formed; and by an inversion of the process, it will at length be dissolved.
, a native of Amelbrun in Westphalia, descended from a noble family, was born about 1533. He visited almost all the European courts,
, a native of Amelbrun in Westphalia, descended from a noble
family, was born about 1533. He visited almost all the
European courts, and, during his stay in Turkey, collected
such excellent materials for an Ottoman history, that the
public are indebted to him for their best information respecting that empire. His knowledge of law, as well as of
the learned languages, enabled him also to succeed in
translating the “Abridgment of the Basilica,
” The Mussulman History,
” Annals of the Ottoman Sultans,
” folio, which he translated into Latin, from
the translation made of it, by John Gaudier, otherwise
Spiegel, from Turkish into German. The supplement to
these Annals he continued to 1588, under the title of
, an eminent oriental and classical scholar, was born at Utrecht, April 26, 1624, of reputable parents, who died
, an eminent oriental and classical scholar, was born at Utrecht, April 26, 1624, of reputable parents, who died when he was very young. He studied at the schools and university of Utrecht, and took his degree of master of arts in 1647. To his philosophical course, he then added the study of theology, and particularly the oriental languages, in which he made great proficiency. In 1649, he was admitted among the number of candidates for the ministry, and then went to Amsterdam to acquire a more perfect knowledge of the Hebrew, and of the Jewish customs, availing himself of the instructions of two learned Jews, one of whom, being an Arabian, gave him a favourable opportunity of adding that language to his stock. On his return to Utrecht in January 1650, he was licensed to teach the oriental languages, an honour which induced him to return once more to Amsterdam, to study the Talmud and the Rabbins. In July of the same year, the curators of the university of Utrecht appointed him professor extraordinary of Hebrew. He was required to give only two lectures per week, which, however, he increased to three, and included the oriental languages and theology; and when he received a call to a congregation in Flanders, the curators of the university, unwilling to part with a man of such ability, promoted him to the chair of professor in ordinary, which he filled with great reputation. In 1658 he travelled through the Palatinate and the neighbourhood, and afterwards visited France and England. On his return he married, and had a numerous family. Three of his sons attained considerable eminence, Rodolph as a physician, John William as a counsellor and burgomaster, and James as a divine. After long enjoying a good state of health, the result of temperance and exercise, he was attacked by the nephritic colic, which, afte'r tormenting him for some weeks, occasioned his death, Sept. 30, 1699, in his seventy-fifth year. He was a man of a frank, liberal temper, and benevolent he was very kind to foreign students, particularly those from Hungary, and used to be called the Father of the Hungarians. His manner of teaching was clear and methodical; and by that, and a strict discipline, he produced many eminent scholars.
Leusden, as far as we know, published very little that was original; but as a critical editor, he is entitled to high
Leusden, as far as we know, published very little that
was original; but as a critical editor, he is entitled to high
commendation for skill and accuracy, and many of his
publications are well known in this country. Among these
we may notice, 1. “Philologus Hebraeus,
” Utrecht, Jonas illustratus Heb. dial,
et Latin.
” &c. ibid. Joel explicatus per paraplirasim Chaldaicam,
” ibid. Philologus
Hebraeo-mixtus, una cum spicilegio Philologico,
” containing various critical dissertations, ibid. 1663, Leyden,
1682, and 1699, 4to. 5. “Onomasticum Sacrum,
” au
explanation of all the names in the Old and New Testament, ibid. 1665, and 1684, 8vo. Crenius notices a singular mistake of his, making Bernice the name of a man.
6. “Psalterium Hebrseum,
” Amst. Biblia
Hebraea,
” Amst. Clavis Grxca
Nov. Test.
” Nov. Test. Gracum,
”
Utrecht, Versio Septuaginta Interpretum,
”
Amst. Lexicon novum Hebroeo-Latinum,
” in
the manner of Schrevelius, Utrecht, Pool’s Synopsis,
” ibid. 5 vols. fol.; an edition
of Bochart’s works, and another of Lightfoot’s.
, a celebrated Dutch philosopher, was born at Delft, in 1632 and acquired a great reputation throughout
, a celebrated Dutch philosopher, was born at Delft, in 1632 and acquired a great reputation throughout all Europe, by his experiments and discoveries in natural history, by means of the microscope. He particularly excelled in making glasses for microscopes and spectacles; and he was a member of most of the literary societies of Europe; to whom he sent many memoirs. Those in the Philosophical Transactions, and in the Paris Memoirs, extend through many volumes; the former were extracted and published at Leyden in 1722. He died in 1723, at ninety -one years of age. His Select Works have lately been translated into English from the Dutch and Latin editions published by the author, by Mr. Samuel Boole, 1798 1800, 3 parts 4to.
, the founder of a valuable museum, was the son of sir D'Arcy Lever of Alkington, near Manchester. He
, the founder of a valuable museum, was the son of sir D'Arcy Lever of Alkington, near Manchester. He finished his education at Corpus Christi college, Oxford; and on leaving the university went to reside with his mother, and afterwards settled at his family-seat, which he rendered famous by the best aviary in the kingdom. He next extended his views to all branches of natural history, and became at length possessed of one of the finest museums in the world, sparing no expence in procuring specimens from the most distant regions. This was removed to London about 1775, and opened for the public in Leicester-house, Leicester-square; but for want of suitable patronage, sir Ashton was in 1785 obliged to dispose of it by way of lottery, to his very great loss. It fell to the lot of a Mr. Parkinson, who built rooms on the Surrey side of Black-friars bridge for its reception, and did every thing in his power to render it interesting to the public, but after some years, was obliged to dispose of it by auction, when the whole of the articles were dispersed. Sir Ashton died in 1788, of an apoplectic attack while sitting with the other magistrates at Manchester.
, a celebrated divine of the sixteenth century, was born at Little Lever, in Lancashire, and educated at Cambridge,
, a celebrated divine of the sixteenth
century, was born at Little Lever, in Lancashire, and
educated at Cambridge, where after taking his degrees,
he was chosen fellow, and then master of St. John’s college. He was ordained both deacon and priest in 1550,
by bishop Ridley, and became a most eloquent and popular preacher in the reign of king Edward. He is, indeed, on his monument called by way of distinction,
“preacher to king Edward.
” Under his mastership St.
John’s college greatly flourished, and in it the reformation gained so much ground, that on the commencement
of the Marian persecution, he and twenty-four of the fellows resigned their preferments. Mr. Lever went abroad,
and resided with the other exiles for religion at Francfort,
where he in vain endeavoured to compose the differences
which arose among them respecting church discipline and
the habits. He resided also for some time in Switzerland,
at a place called Arrow, where he was pastor to a congregation of English exiles. Here he became so much a favourer of Calvin’s opinions, as to be considered, on his
return to England, as one of the chiefs of the party who
opposed the English church-establishment. The indiscreet
conduct of some of them soon made the whole obnoxious
to government; and uniformity being strictly pressed, Mr.
Lever suffered among others, being convened before the
archbishop of Ydrk, and deprived of his ecclesiastical preferments. Many of the cooler churchmen thought him
hardly dealt with, as he was a moderate man, and not forward in opposing the received opinions, Bernard Gilpin,
his intimate friend, was among those who pitied, and expressed his usual regard for him. His preferments were
a prebend of Durham, and the mastership of Sherburn
hospital; Strype mentions the archdeaconry of Coventry,
but is not clear in his account of the matter. He appears
to have been allowed to retain the mastership of the hospital, where he died in July 1577, and was buried in its
chapel. Baker in his ms collections gives a very high
character of him as a preacher. “In the days of king
Edward, when others were striving for preferment, no man
was more vehement, or more galling in his sermons, against
the waste of church revenues, and other prevailing corruptions of the court; which occasioned bishop Ridley to
rank him with Latimer and Knox. He was a man of as
much natural probity and blunt native honesty as his college ever bred; a man without guile and artifice; who
never made suit to any patron, or for any preferment; one
that had the spirit of Hugh Latimer. No one can read
his sermons without imagining he has something before
him of Latimer or Luther. Though his sermons are bold
and daring, and full of rebuke, it was his preaching that
got him his preferment. His rebuking the courtiers made
them afraid of him, and procured him reverence from the
king. He was one of the best masters of feis college, as
well as one of the best men the college ever bred.
” He
was succeeded in the mastership of his hospital by his brother Ralph, whom some rank as a puritan, although his
title seems doubtful. He was however, of less reputation
than his brother. Mr. Thomas Lever’s printed works are
a few “Sermons,
” which, like Latimer’s, contain many particulars of the manners of the times and three treatises
“The right way from the danger of sin and vengeance in
this wicked world,
” Commentary on the Lord’s
Prayer
” and “The Path-way to Christ.
”
, a learned French writer, who spent a long life in the study of history and general literature, was born at Paris, March 28, 1736. Of his private life we have no
, a learned French writer, who spent a long life in the study of history and general literature, was born at Paris, March 28, 1736. Of
his private life we have no account; and our authority
apologizes for this by assuring us that it contained none of
those incidents that are interesting in biography, and that
he was known only by his numerous publications. He
was, however, in the course of his life, professor of morals
and history in the college of France, a member of the old
academy of inscriptions and belles-lettres, a member of the
institute of the class of ancient history, and a knight of the
legion of honour. He died at Paris, March 12, 1812,
leaving the following proofs of his talents and industry.
1. “Le reves d‘Aristobule, philosophe Grec, suivis d’un
abrege de la vie de Formose, philosophe Francais,
” Paris,
Choix-de poesies de Petrarque,
” translated from the Italian, L'homme moral,
”
Amst. L‘homme pensant, ou Essai sur
l’histoire de l'esprit humain,
” Amst. Histoire de Russie,
” Paris, Histoire des differens
peuples soumis a la domination des Russes,
” 2 vols. Both
were reprinted in 1800, with a continuation to the end of
the reign of Catherine, 8 vols. 8vo. In this last, he offers
a very able vindication of the conduct of that empress in
the early part of her reign. 7. “Eloge historique de
l'abbé Mably,
” Paris, La
France sous les cinq premier Valois,
” Paris, Dictionnaire des arts, de peinture, sculpture,
et gravure,
” Paris, Thucydides,
” Paris, L‘etude de l’histoire de la Grece,
” 4 vols. 8vo;
not, as is said, a learned work, but a popular introduction
to the knowledge of Grecian history.
, a learned Jew, and zealous defender of the opinions of that people, was born in London in 1740, and after a regular apprenticeship to
, a learned Jew, and zealous defender
of the opinions of that people, was born in London in
1740, and after a regular apprenticeship to a shoemaker,
settled in that business; but, not succeeding in it, commenced hat-dresser; and in this new profession, though
surrounded with domestic cares, still finding time for
study, produced a volume on the “Rites and Ceremonies
of the Jews,
” Lingua
Sacra,
” 3 vols. 8vo, containing an Hebrew Grammar with
points, clearly explained in English, and a complete Hebrew-English Dictionary, which came out in numbers,
1785 1789. This performance, though by no means the
most perfect of its kind that might be produced, is a great
instance of industry and perseverance in a person who was
confined all the time to a mechanical business to supply
domestic wants. In 1787 he published his first “Letters
to Dr. Priestley,
” in answer to his “Letters addressed to
the Jews,
” inviting them to an amicable discussion of the
evidences of Christianity; in which he says, “I am not
ashamed to tell you that I am a Jew by choice, and not
because I was born a Jew; far from it; for I am clearly of
opinion that every person endowed with ratiocination ought
to have a clear idea of the truth of revelation, and a just
ground of his faith, as far as human evidence can go.
”
In Letters to Dr. Priestley,
” and also “Letters to Dr. Cooper, of Great Yarmouth,
” in answer to his one great argument in favour of
Christianity from a single prophecy; 2. to Mr. Bicheno;
3. to Dr. Krauter; 4. to Mr. Swain; 5. to Anti-Socinus,
alias Anselm Bailey; occasioned by their Remarks on his
first Letters to Dr. Priestley. In this year he published the
“Pentateuch, in Hebrew and English,
” with a translation
of the notes of Lion Socsmaan, and the 613 precepts contained in the law, according to Maimonides. At the end
of the same year, at the earnest request of the most considerable of the Portuguese Jews, he undertook to translate their prayers from Hebrew into English; which he
accomplished in four years (though confined to his bed by illness twenty-seven weeks), the last of six volumes appearing in 1793. The first volume of his “Dissertations
on the Prophecies
” was also published in Letters
to Nathaniel Brassey Halhed, M. P. in answer to his Testimony of the Authenticity of the Prophecies of Richard
Brothers, and his pretended mission to recall the Jews.
”
A second volume of his “Dissertations on the Prophecies
”
appeared in Defence of the Old Testament,
” in a series of letters addressed to Thomas Paine, in answer to
his Age of Reason, part II. For the German Jews he
translated their Festival Prayers, as he had done those of
the Portuguese, in 6 vols. 8vo; a labour of four years.
By all the synagogues in London Mr. Levi was regularly
employed to translate the prayers composed on any particular occasion, as those used during the king’s illness in
1788, and the thanksgiving in 1789; with various others
for the use of the several synagogues. He wrote also a
sacred ode in Hebrew, 1795, on the king’s escape from
assassination. On Nov. 14, 1798, he had a violent stroke
of the palsy, which nearly deprived him of the use of his
right hand. He died in July 1799, in the fifty-ninth year
of his age, and was interred in the Jews’ burial-ground
near Bethnal-green, with a Hebrew epitaph, of which the
following is a translation “And David reposed with his
fathers, and was buried. Here lieth a correct and proper
person, of perfect carriage, who served the Lord all his
days, turned away from evil, and was supported by his
own industry all the days of his life; Rabbi David the son
of Mordecai the Levjte, of blessed memory, who departed
for the rtext world on the Sabbath night, 3d of Ab., and
was buried with good reputation on Monday the fourth;
the days of his life were 59 years. May his soul be
enveloped with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mayest tbon
come to the grave at full age.
”
, an eminent French surgeon and accoucheur, was born in 1703, and was admitted a member of the royal academy
, an eminent French surgeon and
accoucheur, was born in 1703, and was admitted a member
of the royal academy of surgery at Paris in February 1742.
He obtained a hiu;h and extensive reputation in his department of the art by the improvements which he made in
some of the instruments necessary to be employed in certain difficult cases (especially the forceps), and by the prodigious number of pupils whom he instructed. He was
employed and honoured with official appointments by all
the female branches of the royal family. He published
several works, which underwent various editions and translations. 1 “Observations sur les causes et les accidens
deplusieurs accouchemens laborieux,
” Paris, Observations on the
lever of Roonhuysen.
” 2. “Observations sur la cure radicale de plusieurs polypes de la matrice, de la gorge, et du
nez, operée par de nouveaux nioyens,
” ibid. Suite des observations sur les causes et les accidens
de plusieurs accouchemens laborieux,
” ibid. Explication de plusieurs figures sur le mechanisme de la
grossesse, et de Paccouchement,
” ibid. L'Art
des accouchemens démontré par des principes de physique
et de mechanique,
” ibid. Essai sur Tabus
des regies generales, et centre les prejuges qui s’opposent
aux progres de Tart des accouchemens,
” ibid.
, a learned English divine and antiquary, was the eldest son of John Lewis, wine-cooper, in the parish of
, a learned English divine and antiquary, was the eldest son of John Lewis, wine-cooper, in the parish of St Nicholas, Bristol, where he was born, Aug. 29, 1675. His father dying while he was in his infancy, he was committed to the care of his maternal grandfather John Eyre, merchant of Poole in Dorsetshire, who instilled into his infant mind the first principles of religion. Losing this relation, however, before he was seven years old, he was taken into the house of the rev. Samuel Conant, rector of Liichet Matravers (an intimate acquaintance of his grandfather Eyre), and educated along with a nephew whom Mr. Conant was preparing for a public school. This was an assistance peculiarly acceptably to Mr. Lewis’s mother, who appears to have been left in circumstances which were not adequate to a liberal education. After remaining with Mr. Conant two years, he was placed under the instruction of the learned Mr. John Moyle, at the grammar-school of Winborne, in 1687, upon whose decease the year following, he was removed to Poole, but reaped little benefit there, until he was put under the care of Mr. John Russel, who was encouraged to establish a grammar-school there. Mr. Russel, finding him to be a youth of talents and industry, employed him as his assistant: and after his removal to Wapping in London, conr tinued his favours to him, placing him at the free-school of Ratcliffe-cross, belonging to the Coopers’ company.
Two years after, when he was about sixteen years old, Mr. Daniel Wigfall, a merchant, took
Two years after, when he was about sixteen years old,
Mr. Daniel Wigfall, a merchant, took him into his family
as tutor to his sons, and after continuing here until 1694,
he went to Oxford, and was admitted batteler of Exetercollege: but his scanty fortune not allowing him to reside
constantly, he was recommended to Mr. William Churchey,
then minister at Poole, to be assistant in the free-school of
that town. By this gentleman’s indulgence in allowing
him to keep his terms in the university, he proceeded A. B.
in 1697, when he returned to Mr. Russel at Wapping,
and was ordained deacon by bishop Compton soon after.
In April following he took upon him the cure of Acryse in
Kent, and lived at the same time in the family of Philip
Papillon, esq. to whom his behaviour rendered him so acceptable, that although he had left the parish, and was
then chaplain to Paul Foley, esq. upon the recommendation of Dr. Barton, prebendary of Westminster, yet, upon
the death of the incumbent, he procured him a presentation from the lord chancellor Somers, upon which he was
instituted Sept. 4, 1699. He now applied himself to re-,
pair a dilapidated parsonage-house, as well as to discharge
his pastoral duties with all diligence, particularly that of
catechising the young, which he looked upon as a very important part of his ministry. While here, he soon after
met with a singular instance of unfair dealing. Being appointed to preach at the archdeacon’s visitation at Canterbury in 1701, his sermon (on 2 Cor. vi. 4.) was lent to
William Brockman, esq. upon his earnest request, wb.o
printed it under the title of a “Summary,
” &c. with a
preface calculated to injure him.
He found a kinder friend, however, in archbishop Tenison, who had heard a good character of him, and granted
him the sequestration of the little rectory of Hawkinge,
near Dover, in 1702, telling him at the same time, that
he hoped he should live to consider him farther. It was at
that time his acquaintance began with Mr. Johnson of Margate, who recommended him for his successor in that laborious cure; but his old friend and patron Mr. Papillon
being unwilling to part with him, he excused himself to
the archbishop at that time: afterwards, upon Mr. Warren’s resignation, he accepted it in 1705. On his becoming a member of the society for promoting Christian
knowledge, he was desired to draw up a short and plain
exposition of the Church Catechism, fit for the children
educated in charity-schools; and this, which he executed
to the entire satisfaction of the society, has passed through
many editions. In 1706, archbishop Tenison collated him
to the rectory of Saltwood with the chapel of Hythe, and
the desolate rectory of Eastbridge; but, being here disturbed by a dispute with a neighbouring 'squire, his patron removed him to the vicarage of Mynstre, on the cession of Dr. Green, in March 1708, where he rebuilt the
house, in a more elegant and commodious manner.
711, he attacked the veracity of the historian of the nonconformists, by asserting, “that Mr. Calamy was too much biassed to have any thing he said concerning the party
In his “Apology for the Clergy of the Church of England,
” published in that Mr.
Calamy was too much biassed to have any thing he said concerning the party he espoused believed on his bare word.
”
This harsh opinion naturally provoked Calamy to make
some very severe reflections on him, both in the preface
to the second edition of “Baxter’s Life abridged,
” in
Continuation,
” in
In May 1712, he was appointed to preach at the archbishop’s visitation, and took
In May 1712, he was appointed to preach at the archbishop’s visitation, and took his subject from Isa. xi. 9.
but such was the violence of party spirit at that time, that
both he and his sermon were roughly treated by some of
the audience. It was this year that he commenced M. A.
as a member of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge. Not
long after he incurred the displeasure of his friend Mr!
Johnsou by writing against his “Unbloody Sacrifice,
” and
was treated by him with more contempt than he deserved.
Archbishop Tenison, however, and Dr. Bradford approved
of his pamphlet, and Dr. Waterland considered it as containing much in a little, and as being close, clear, and judicious. His sermon preached at Canterbury cathedral on
January 30, 1717, being severely reflected upon, he printed
it in his own defence, and it was so highly approved by
archbishop Wake that he rewarded him with the mastership of Eastbridge- hospital soon after. From that time he
was continually employed on his various publications and
correspondence with the literary men of his time. He died
Jan. 16, 1746, and, at his own desire, was buried in the
chancel of his church at Mynstre (where he had been vicar upwards of thirty-seven years), under a plain black marble
with an inscription.
Archbishop Wake’s character of him was that of vir sobrius, et bonus pradicator: and a considerable
Archbishop Wake’s character of him was that of vir sobrius, et bonus pradicator: and a considerable dignitary in
the church used to say, that he looked upon his life to have
been spent in the service of learning and virtue, and thought
the world to be more concerned for its continuance than
himself: that it would be happy for us if there were many
more of the profession like him, &c. It was his misfortune, however, to live in a time of much party violence, and
being a moderate man, he met with ill usage from both
parties, particularly from the clergy of his own diocese.
His only object was the security of our church-establishment as settled at the Revolution. He was so diligent a
preacher, that we are told he composed more than a thousand sermons. He was always of opinion that a clergyman
should compose his own sermons, and therefore ordered
his executor to destroy his stock, lest they should contribute to the indolence of others. Having no family, for
his wife died young without issue, he expended a great
deal of money on his library and the repairs of his dilapidated parsonage-houses; and was, at the same time, a liberal benefactor to the poor. His chief, and indeed only,
failing was a warmth of temper, which sometimes hurried
him on to say what was inconsistent with his character and
interest, and to resent imaginary injuries. Of all this, however, he was sensible, and deeply regretted it. Hearne
and Mr. Lewis Vvere, it appears, accustomed to speak,
disrespectfully of each other’s labours, but posterity has
done justice to both. The political prejudices of antiquariss
are of very little consequence.
Mr. Lewis’s works are, 1> “The Church Catechism efcplained,
” already mentioned, 1700, 8vo. 3.
” A serious
Address to the Anabaptists,“a single sheet, 1701, with a
second in 1702. 4.
” A Companion for the afflicted,“1706. 5.
” Presbyters not always an authoritative part of
provincial synods,“1710, 4to. 6.
” An apologetical Vindication of the present Bishops,“1711. 7.
” The Apology
for the Church of England, in an examination of the rights
of the Christian church,“published about this time, or
perhaps in 1714. 8.
” The poor Vicar’s plea against- his
glebe being assessed to the Church,“1712. 9.
” A Guide
to young Communicants,“1715. 10.
” A Vindication of
the Bishop of Norwich“(Trimnell), 1714. 11.
” The
agreement of the Lutheran churches with the church of
England, and an answer to some exceptions to it,“1715.
12.
” Two Letters in defence of the English liturgy and
reformation,“1716. 13.
” Bishop Feme’s Church of England man’s reasons for not making the decisions of ecclesiastical synods the rule of his faith,“1717, 8vo. 14.
” An
Exposition of the xxxivth article of Religion,“1717.
15.
” Short Remarks on the prolocutor’s answer, &c.“16.
” The History, &c. of John Wicliffe, D. D.“1720, 8vo.
17.
” The case of observing such Fasts and Festivals as are
appointed by the king’s authority, considered,“1721. 18.
” A Letter of thanks to the earl of Nottingham, &c.“1721.
19.
” The History and Antiquities of the Isle of Thanet in
Kent,“1723, 4 to, and again, with additions, in 1736. 20.
” A Specimen of Errors in the second volume of Mr. Collier’s Ecclesiastical History, being a Vindication of Bur-net’s
History of the Reformation,“1724, 8vo. 21.
” History and
Antiquities of the abbey church of Faversham, &c.“1727,
$to. 22.
” The New Testament, &c. translated out of the
Latin vulgate by John WicklifFe; to which is prefixed, an
History of the several Translations of the Holy Bible,“&c.
1731, folio. Of this only 160 copies were printed by subscription, and the copies unsubscribed for were advertised
the same year at I/. 1*. each. Of the
” New Testament“the rev. H. Baber, of the British Museum, has lately printed
an edition, with valuable preliminary matter, in 4to. 23.
” The History of the Translations, &c.“reprinted separately in 1739, 8vo. 24.
” The Life of Caxton,“1737,
8vo. For an account of this work we may refer to Dibdiu’s
new edition of Ames. 25.
” A brief History of the Rise
and Progress of Anabaptism, to which is prefixed a defence
of Dr. Wicliffe from the false charge of his denying Infant-baptism,“1738. 26.
” A Dissertation on the antiquity and use of Seals in England,“1710. 27.
” A Vindication of the ancient Britons, &c. from being Anabaptists,
with a letter of M. Bucer to bishop Hooper on ceremonies,“1741. 28.
” A Defence of the Communion office and Catechism of the church of England from the charge of favouring transubstantiation,“1742. 29.
” The Life of Reynold Pecock, bishop of St. Asaph and Chichester,“1744,
8vo. Mr. Lewis published also one or two occasional sermons, and an edition of Roper’s Life of sir Thomas More.
After his death, according to the account of him in the‘
Biog. Britannica (which is unpardonably superficial, as Masters’s History of Bene’t College had appeared some years before), was published
” A brief discovery of some
of the arts of the popish protestant Missioners in England,“1750, 8vo. But there are other curious tracts which Mr.
Lewis sent for publication to the Gentleman’s Magazine,
and which, for reasons stated in vol. X. of that work, were
printed in
” The Miscellaneous Correspondence," 1742
1748, a scarce and valuable volume, very little known to
the possessors of the Magazine, no set of which can be
complete without it. Of these productions of Mr. Lewis,
we can ascertain, on the authority of Mr. Cave, the following: an account of William Longbeard, and of John Smith,
the first English anabaptist; the principles of Dr. Hickes,
and Mr. Johnson; and an account of the oaths exacted by
the Popes. Mr. Lewis left a great many manuscripts, some
of which are still in public or private libraries, and are
specified in our authorities,
, an eminent lawyer in the early part of the seventeenth century, was the sixth and youngest son of Henry Ley, esq. of Tesfont Evias,
, an eminent lawyer in
the early part of the seventeenth century, was the sixth
and youngest son of Henry Ley, esq. of Tesfont Evias, in
Wiltshire, and was born about 1552. In 1569 he entered
of Brazen-nose college, Oxford, whence he removed to
Lincoln’s-inn, studied the law, and was appointed Lent
reader in 1601, after which his learning and abilities raised
him to the highest rank of his profession. In 1603, he
was made serjeant at law, and the year following chief justice of the king’s bench in Ireland; on the ancient history
of which country he appears to have bestowed some attention, and collected with a view to publication, “The An.nals of John Clynne, a Friar Minor of Kilkenny,
” who lived
in the reign of Edward III.; the “Annals of the Priory of
St. John of Kilkenny,
” and the “Annals of Multiferman,
Rosse, and Clonmell.
” All these he had caused to be transcribed, but his professional engagements prevented his
preparing them for the press. They afterwards fell into
the hands of Henry earl of Bath. Extracts from them are
in Dublin college library.
In 1609, being then a knight, sir James was made the king’s attorney in the court of wards. In 1620 he was
In 1609, being then a knight, sir James was made the
king’s attorney in the court of wards. In 1620 he was
created a baronet; in 1621, chief justice of the court of
king’s bench, England; and in 1625, lord high treasurer.
From this office he was removed, under pretence of his
great age, to make room for sir Richard VVeston. Lord
Clarendon seems to intimate that his disability as well as
age might be the cause, and that upon these accounts
there was little reverence shewn towards him. This, however, is scarcely reconcileable with the honours bestowed
on him immediately afterwards, for he was not only created
baron Ley, and earl of Marlborough, but soon after made
president of the council. Lloyd says he had better abilities for a judge than a statesman. He died at Lincoln’sinn, March 14, 1628, and was buried in the church at
Westbury, where a sumptuous monument was erected to
his memory. We have noticed his attention to Irish history while in that country. Lloyd has given us another
trait of his character while there, which is highly honourable to him. “Here he practised the charge king James
gave him at his going over (yea, what his own tender conscience gave himself), namely, not to build his estate upon
the ruins of a miserable nation, hut aiming, by the impartial execution of justice, not to enrich himself, but civilize
the people. But the wise king would no longer lose him
out of his own land, and therefore recalled him home about
the time when his father’s inheritance, by the death of
his five elder brethren, descended upon him.
”
, a voluminous polemic in the seventeenth century, was born at Warwick, Feb. 4, 1583, and edu r cated at Christ church,
, a voluminous polemic in the seventeenth
century, was born at Warwick, Feb. 4, 1583, and edu r
cated at Christ church, Oxford. After his admission into
holy orders he was presented to the vicarage of Great Budworth in Cheshire, where he continued a constant preacher
for several years. He was afterwards made prebendary
and subdean of Chester, and had a weekly lecture at St.
Peter’s church. He was also once or twice a member of
the convocation. On the commencement of the rebellion,
he espoused the cause of the parliament, took the covenant, was chosen one of the assembly of divines, appointed
Latin examiner of young preachers, and by his writings,
encouraged all the opinions and prejudices of his party,
with whom his learning gave him considerable weight. He
accepted of various livings under the republican government, the last of which was that of Solihull, in Warwickshire, which he resigned on being disabled by breaking of
a blood-vessel, and retired to Sutton Colfield? in the same
county, where he died May 16, 1662. His works, of which
Wood enumerates about thirty articles, relate mostly to
the controversies of the times, except his sermons; and his
share in the “Assembly’s Annotations on the Bible,
” tp
which he contributed the annotations on the Pentateuch
and the four Evangelists.
, who was originally a printer in London, published several of the mathematical
, who was originally a printer
in London, published several of the mathematical works of
Samuel Foster, astronomical professor in Gresham college.
He afterwards became an eminent author himself, and
appears to have been the most universal mathematician of
his time. He published many mathematical treatises in
the seventeenth century. Among these his “Cursus Mathematicus
” was esteemed the best system of the kind extant. His “Panarithmologia; or, Trader’s sure Guide,
”
being tables ready cast up, was long in use. It was formed
upon a plan of his own, and has been adopted by Mr.
Bareme in France. The seventh edition was published in
1741. We have no account of his birth or death.
, an eminent protestant divine, was born January 25, 1652, at Middleburg. He acquired great skill
, an eminent protestant divine, was born January 25, 1652, at Middleburg. He
acquired great skill in controversy and ecclesiastical antiquity, and wrote much against the Socinians and other sectaries. He was one of Frederic Spanheim’s friends, and
appointed professor of divinity at Utrecht, 1678. He died
January 6, 1721, aged sixty-nine. The following are the
principal among his numerous Latin works: 1. a treatise
“On the Hebrew Republic,
” Amsterdam, 17 14 and 1716, 2
vols. fol. a very valuable work for the history of Judaism.
2. “Fax veritatis,
” Ludg. Batav. A Continuation of the Ecclesiastical History began by Hornius,
”
Francfort, curious, and full of interesting inquiries. 5.
” Synopsis
controversiarum de fredere.“6. A
” Commentary in the
Heidelburg Catechism.“7. A
” Dissertation against Becker’s World bewitched.“8.
” An Analysis of Scripture,“with the
” Art of Preaching.“9. A
” History of Jansenism,“Utrecht, 1695, 8vo. What Leydecker says in this work
against the sovereignty of kings, has been refuted by P.
Quesnel, in his
” Sovereignty of Kings defended," Paris,
1704, 12mo.
, an eminent antiquary, born about 1670, was a native of South Wales, and the son of Charles Lhuyd, esq.
, an eminent antiquary, born about
1670, was a native of South Wales, and the son of Charles
Lhuyd, esq. of Lhanvorde. In 1687 he commenced his
academical studies at Jesus college, Oxford, where he was
created M. A. July 21, 1701. He studied natural history
under Dr. Plot, whom he succeeded as keeper of the Ashmolean museum in 1690. He bad the use of all Vaughan’s
collections, and, with incessant labour and great exactness,
employed a considerable part of his life in searching into
the Welsh antiquities, had perused or collected a great
deal of ancient and valuable matter from their Mss. transcribed all the old charters of their monasteries that he
could meet with, travelled several times over Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland, Armoric Bretagne, countries inhabited by the same people, compared their antiquities,
and made observations on the whole. In March 1708-9,
he was elected, by the university of Oxford, esquire beadle
of divinity, a place of considerable profit, which, however,
he enjoyed but a few months. He died July 1709, an
event which prevented the completion of many admirable
designs. For want of proper encouragement, he did very
little towards understanding the British bards, having seert
but one of those of the sixth century, and not being able
to procure access to two of the principal libraries in the
country. He communicated, however, many observations
to bishop Gibson, whose edition of the Britannia he revised; and published “Archasologia Britannica, giving
some account additional to what has been hitherto published of the languages, histories, and customs, of the
original inhabitants of Great Britain, from collections and
observations in travels through Wales, Cornwall, Bas Bretagne, Ireland, and Scotland, Vol, I. Glossography *.
”
Oxford, Lithophylacii Britannici Iconographia,
” prselectio
” on the same subject.
r press, though he could not fix the time of publication. His collections for a second volume, which was to give an account of the antiquities, monuments, &c. in the
He left in ms. a Scottish or Irish-English dictionary,
proposed to be published in 1732 by subscription, by Mr.
David Malcolme, a minister of the church of Scotland, with
additions; as also the elements of the said language, with
necessary and useful information for propagating more
effectually the English language, and for promoting the
knowledge of the ancient Scottish or Irish, and many
branches of useful and curious learning. Lhuyd, at the
end of his preface to the “Archaeologia,
” promises an historical dictionary of British persons and places mentioned
in ancient records It seems to have been ready for press,
though he could not fix the time of publication. His collections for a second volume, which was to give an account
of the antiquities, monuments, &c. in the principality of
Wales, were numerous and well-chosen; but, on account
re, whose grandson dispersed them by auction in 1807. Of the sale and the chief articles, an account was given by Mr. Gough in the Gentleman’s Magazine for May of that
Armorick English Vocabulary.“5. uf Irish Manuscripts.
”
"Some Welsh Words omitted in Dr.
of a quarrel between him and Dr. Wynne, then fellow,
afterwards principal of the college, and bishop of St. Asaph,
the latter refused to buy them, and they were purchased
by sir Thomas Seabright, of Beachwood, in Hertfordshire,
whose grandson dispersed them by auction in 1807. Of
the sale and the chief articles, an account was given by
Mr. Gough in the Gentleman’s Magazine for May of that
year. Carte made extracts from Mr. Lhuyd’s Mss. about or
before 1736; but these were chiefly historical. Many of
his letters to Lister, and other learned contemporaries,
were given by Dr. Fothergill to the university of Oxford,
and are now in the Ashmolean museum. Lhuyd undertook
more for illustrating this part of the kingdom than any
one man besides ever did, or than any one man can be
equal to.
"He was certainly a very extraordinary man, both for natural abilities,
"He was certainly a very extraordinary man, both for natural abilities, and sedulous and successful application, He deserved more encouragement.
"This little story of him was told me lately by a very knowing person, who had it from good
"This little story of him was told me lately by a very knowing person, who had it from good hands; viz. ‘ That during his travels in Bretagny, in the time of our wars with France, he was taken up for a spy, confined for a few days to prison, and all his papers seized. The papers being examined by the priests and Jesuits, and found to be to them unintelligible, raised die greater suspicion. But the principal managers against him, receiving assurances, by letters from learned and respectable men in England, that he was only pursuing inquiries relating to the antiquities of Britain, and had not the least concern with state-affairs, honourably dismissed him.’ I wish I had more little anecdotes of this kind to add, relating to that truly great man. He would have done wonders if he bad lived to complete his designs; and posterity would have wondered, and thanked him.
"I remember I was told formerly at Oxford, by a gentleman that knew and honoured
"I remember I was told formerly at Oxford, by a gentleman that knew and honoured him, ' that his death was in all probability hastened, partly by his immoderate application to researches into antiquity, and more so by his chusing, for some time before his decease, to lie in a room at the Museum, which, if not very damp, was at least not well-aired, nor could be.' This, it seemjs, was then the current opinion; for he was naturally, as I have heard, of a very robust constitution. It would probably have been better, if he could have contented himself with, a chamber or two in his college, though only a sojourner there, and paying rent. He well deserved to have lived rent-free in any part of Great Britain though I do not; know that his college denied him this piece of small respect so evidently due to nis great merit.
s) told me, in 1756,” that, in a year or two after his admission into the university, a consultation was held by the fellows of Jesus- college, about a proper person
“The ingenious and learned Mr. Thomas Richards (formerly a member of that college, and afterwards the most worthy rector of Lhanvyllin in North Wales) told me, in
1756,
” that, in a year or two after his admission into the
university, a consultation was held by the fellows of
Jesus- college, about a proper person of that college, or
any other native of Wales, (though of another college,) to
answer the celebrated * Muscipula,‘ then lately published
by the ingenious Mr. Holdsworth, of Magdalen-college, at
the request, and by the direction, of Dr. Sacheverell.
Those who knew, and had often observed, the collegiate
exercises of Mr. Richards, were pleased to propose him,
though of so low standing, as the fittest person that they
could think of for such an undertaking. Mr. Lhuyd, being
present, asked, ’ Has he the caput poeticum?‘ They assuring
him that he usually wrote in a strong Virgilian verse,
’ Theji,‘ said Mr. Lhuyd, * I will give him a plan,’ which
was that of the * Hoglandia,‘ since published and well
known. Mr. Richards, as he told me (and a friend of his said the same), retired with leave, for about a week, out
of college, taking lodgings at St. Thomas’s, and completed
the poem. When finished, and corrected by Mr. Lhuyd,
and Mr. Anthony Alsop, of Christ-church, Mr. Lhuyd
drew up a preface, or dedication, in very elegant Latin,
but in terms by much too severe, which made Mr. Richards
very uneasy, for he must obey. Before the poem was
sent to the press, Mr. Lhuyd died; Richards was then at
liberty. He consulted with his friend Mr. Alsop (who was greatly offended with Dr. S.’s haughty carriage), and both
together drew up the dedication as it now stands.
the British Museum in London, or the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, of which latter the said Mr. Lhuyd was keeper.
“A friend of Mr. Richards informed me, * that, upon
the publication of the * Muscipula,‘ Dr. 8. gave a cppy of
it to Mr. Lhuyd, with these haughty words: * Here, Mr.
Lhuyd, I give you a poem of banter upon your country;
and 1 defy all your countrymen to answer it.’ This provoked the old Cambrian,' &c.
”He had prepared many other valuable materials, but
did not live to finish and publish them. His apparatus, in
rough draughts, are now in the possession of the family of
the Seabrights at Beach-wood, in the county of Hertford.
1 wish they were bestowed upon the British Museum in
London, or the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, of which
latter the said Mr. Lhuyd was keeper.
formations, subservient to his great and laudable designs. This, I have been informed by good hands, was his general manner. His travels furnished him with many more
"At evenings, after his hard study in the day-time, he used to refresh himself among men of learning and inquiry, and more particularly Cambro-Britons, in friendly conversations upon subjects of British antiquity; communicating his extensive knowledge therein, with much good humour, freedom, and cheerfulness, and, at the same time, receiving from them farther and more particular informations, subservient to his great and laudable designs. This, I have been informed by good hands, was his general manner. His travels furnished him with many more materials for his work, and he knew how to make the best use of them all.
, a learned English antiquary in the sixteenth century, was son and heir of Mr. Robert Lhwyd alias Rossenhall of Denbigh
, a learned
English antiquary in the sixteenth century, was son and
heir of Mr. Robert Lhwyd alias Rossenhall of Denbigh in
Denbighshire, by Joan his wife, daughter of Lewis Pigott.
He was born at Denbigh, and was educated in the university of Oxford; but in what college is not known. It is
certain, however, that after he had taken the degree of
bachelor of arts, which was in 1547, he was commoner of
Brasen-nose college; and in 1551 took the degree of
master of arts as a member of that college; at which time
he studied physic. Afterwards retiring to his own country,
he lived mostly within the walls of Denbigh castle, but,
Granger thinks, never practised as a physician, employing
his time chiefly in his antiquarian researches. He died
about 1570, and was interred near the church of Whitchurch near Denbigh; where a monument was erected to
him. He had married Barbara daughter of George Lmnley, and sister of John lord Lumley, by whom he had issue
Splendian and John, who both died without issue, Henry,
who lived at Cheam in Surrey, and Jane the wife of Rob.
Coytmore. Camden gives him a very great character, as
one of the best antiquaries of his time; and be is by
Daines Barrington esteemed very accurate in what relates
to the history of Wales. He had a taste for the arts, particularly music, and executed the map of England for the
“Theatrum Orbis.
” He collected a great number of curious and useful books for his brother-in-law lord Lumley,
which were purchased by James I. and became the foundation of the royal library. They are now a very valuable
part of the British Museum.
2. “Commentarioli Britannicae Descriptionis Fragmentuni. Colon. Agrip.” 1572: of which a new edition was published by Mr. Moses Williams, under the title of “Humfredi
His writings are, 1. “An Almanack and Kalendar; containing the day, hour, and minute, of the change of the
moon for ever,
” &c. 8vo. 2. “Commentarioli Britannicae
Descriptionis Fragmentuni. Colon. Agrip.
” Humfredi Lhwyd, Armigeri, Britannicie Descriptionis Comrnentariolum: necnon de Monfi Insula, &
Britannica Arce sive Armamentario Romano Disceptatio
Epistolaris. Accedunt^raa Cambro-Britannicae. Accurante
Mose Gulielmo, A.M. R. S. Soc.
” Lond. The Breviary of Britain,
” Lond. De
JVionfi Druidum Insula, Antiquitati sine restitutfi;
” in a
letter to Abraham Ortelius, April 5, 1568. 4. “De
mentario Romano.
” These two last are printed at the end
of “Historic Britannicae Defensio; written by sir John
Price,
” Lond. Chronicon Wallisr, a Rege
Cadtvalladero, usque ad Ann. Dom. 1294,
” ms. in the
Cottontail library. 6. “The History of Cambria, now called
Wales, from Caradoc of Lancarvan, the Registers of Con^ray and Stratflnr; with a Continuation, chiefly extracted
from Mat. Paris, Nic. Trivet, &c.
” He died before this
was quite finished; but sir Henry Sidney, lord -president
of Wales, having procured a copy of it, employed Dr.
David Powel to prepare it for the press, who published
it under this title: “The Historic of Cambria, now called
Wales; a part of the most famous yland of Britaine; written in the Brytish language above two hundred years past;
translated into English by H. Lloyd, gent, corrected, augmented, and continued out of Records and best approved
Authors,
” Lond. The Treasure of Health; containing many profitable
Medicines, written by Peter Hispanus.
” To which were
added, “The Causes and Signs of every Disease, with
the Aphorisms of Hippocrates,
” Lond. The Judgment of Urines,
” Lond.
, a celebrated sophist of antiquity, was born of an ancient and noble family at Antioch, on the Orontes,
, a celebrated sophist of antiquity, was born
of an ancient and noble family at Antioch, on the Orontes,
in the year 314. Suidas calls his father “Phasganius
” but
this was the name of one of his uncles; the other, who was
the elder, was named Panolbius. His great-grandfather,
who excelled in the art of divination, had published some
pieces in Latin, which occasioned his being supposed by
some, but falsely, to be an Italian. His maternal and paternal grandfathers were eminent in rank and in eloquence;
the latter, with his brother Brasidas, was put to death by
the order of Dioclesian, in the year 303, after the tumult
of the tyrant Eugenius. Libanius, the second of his father’s three sons, in the fifteenth year of his age, wishing
to devote himself entirely to literature, complains that he
met with some “shadoxvs of sophists.
” Then, assisted
by a proper master, he began to read the ancient writers
at Antioch; and thence, with Jasion, a Cappadocian, went
to Athens, and residing there for more than four years,
became intimately acquainted with Crispinus of Heraclea,
who, he says, “enriched him afterwards with books at
Nicomedia, and went, but seldom, to the schools of Diophantus.
” At Constantinople he ingratiated himself with
Nicocles of Lacedosmon (a grammarian, who was master to the emperor Julian), and the sophist Bermarchius. Returning to Athens, and soliciting the office of a professor,
which the proconsul had before intended for him when he
was twenty- five years of age, a certain Cappadocian happened to be preferred to him. But being encouraged by
Dionysius, a Sicilian who had been prefect of Syria, some
specimens of his eloquence, that were published at Constantinople, made him so generally known and applauded,
that he collected more than eighty disciples, the two sophists, who then filled the chair there, raging in vain, and
Bermarchius ineffectually opposing him in rival orations,
and, when he could not excel him, having recourse to the
frigid calumny of magic. At length, about the year 346,
being expelled the city by his competitors, the prefect
Limenius concurring, he repaired to Nice, and soon after
to Nicomedia, the Athens of Bithynia, where his excellence in speaking began to be more and more approved by
all; and Julian, if not a hearer, was a reader and admirer
of his orations. In the dame'city, he says, “he was particularly delighted with the friendship of Aristaenetus;
” and
the five years which he passed there, he styles “the spring
or any thing else that can be conceived pleasanter than
spring, of his whole life.
” Being invited again to Constantinople, and afterwards returning to Nicomedia, being
also tired of Constantinople, where he found Phoenix and
Xenobius, rival sophists, though he was patronised by
Strategius, who succeeded Domitian as prefect of the East,
not daring on account of his rivals to occupy the Athenian
chair, he obtained permission from Gallus Cassar to visit
for four months, his native city Antioch, where, after Gallus was killed, in the year 354, he fixed his residence for
the remainder of his life, and initiated many in the sacred
rites of eloquence. He was also much beloved by the emperor Julian, who heard his discourses with pleasure, received him with kindness, and imitated him in his writings.
Honoured by that prince with the rank of quaestor, and
with several epistles of which six only are extant, the‘ last
written by the emperor during’ his fatal expedition against
the Persians, he the more lamented his death in the flower
of Ms age, as from him he had promised himself a certain
and lasting support both in the worship of idols and in his
own studies. There was afterwards a report, that LibaIhus, with the younger Jamblichus, the master of Proclus,
inquired by divination who would be the successor of Valens, and ia consequence with difficulty escaped his cruelty, Irenaeus attesting the innocence of Libanius. In like
manner he happily escaped another calumny, by the favour
of duke Lupicinus, when he was accused by his enemy
Fidelis, or Fidustius, of having written an eulogium on the
tyrant Procopius. He was not, however, totally neglected
by Valens, whom he not only celebrated in an oration,
but obtained from him a confirmation of the law against
entirely, excluding illegitimate children from the inheritance of their paternal estates, which he solicited from the
emperor, no doubt for a private reason, since, as Eunapius
informs us, he kept a mistress, and was never married.
The remainder of his life he passed as before mentioned,
at Antioch, to an advanced age, amidst various wrongs
and oppressions from his rivals and the times, which he
copiously relates in his life, though, tired of the manners
of that city, be had thoughts, in his old age, of changing
his abode, as he tells Eusebius. He continued there, however, and on various occasions was very serviceable to the
city, either by appeasing seditions, and calming the disturbed minds of the citizens, or by reconciling to them
the emperors Julian and Theodosius. That Libanius lived
even to the reign of Arcadius, that is, beyond the seventieth year of his age, the learned collect from his oration
on Lucian, and the testimony of Cedrenus; and of the
same opinion is Godfrey Olearius, a man not more respectable for his exquisite knowledge of sacred and polite
literature than for his judgment and probity, in his’ ms
prelections, in which, when he was professor of both languages in the university of his own country, he has given
an account of the life of this sophist.
Reiske undertook a new edition, collated with six Mss. which he did not live to complete, but which was at last published by his widow in 1791—1797, 4 vols. 8vo. Of
The writings of Libanius are numerous, and he composed and delivered various orations, as well demonstrative
as deliberative, and also many fictitious declamations and
disputations. Of these Frederic Morell published as many
as he could collect in 2 vols. folio, in Greek and Latin.
In the first vol. Paris, 1606, are XIII “Exercises
” (Progymnasmala) XLIV “Declamations;
” and in “Moral
Dissertations
” and in the second vol. Paris, Life of Libanius,
” and xxxvi other orations, most of
them long and on serious subjects. This edition of Morcll
having long been discovered to be very erroneous, the
learned Reiske undertook a new edition, collated with six
Mss. which he did not live to complete, but which was
at last published by his widow in 1791—1797, 4 vols. 8vo.
Of the productions of Libanius, Gibbon says that they
are, for the most part, the vain and idle compositions of
an orator who cultivated the science of words; the productions of a recluse student, whose mind, regardless of his
contemporaries, was incessantly fixed on the Trojan war
and the Athenian commonwealth.
, a physician and chemist, born at Hall, in Saxony, was professor of history and poetry at Jena, in 1588, but removed
, a physician and chemist, born
at Hall, in Saxony, was professor of history and poetry at
Jena, in 1588, but removed to Rothenburg, on the Tauber,
in 1591, and to Coburg, in Franconia, in 1605, where he
was appointed principal of the college of Casimir, at that
place. He died at Coburg in 1616. Libavius obtained a
considerable reputation in his time by his chemical works,
having pursued that science upon better principles than
most of his contemporaries, although he did not altogether
escape the delusions of alchemy. Although he employed
many chemical preparations in medicine, he avoided the
violence of Paracelsus and his disciples, against whom he
frequently defends the doctrines of the Galenical school.
He left his name long attached, in the laboratories, to a
particular preparation of tin with muriatic acid, which was
called “the fuming liquor of Libavius.
” It is unnecessary to
enumerate the titles of his many works, which have now
become obsolete, and are almost forgotten. His last work,
published at Francfort in 1615, under the title of “Exarnen Philosophise Novae, quae veteri abrogandac opponitur,
”
folio, is remarkable for the first mention of the transfusion
of blood from the vessels of one living animal to those of
another, of which he speaks with great confidence, and
which once excited great expectations, which have confessedly been disappointed.
, a celebrated physician and philosopher, was born at Rapallo, in the state of Genoa, Oct. 3, 1577, where
, a celebrated physician and
philosopher, was born at Rapallo, in the state of Genoa,
Oct. 3, 1577, where his father was also a physician. After
completing his education at Bologna, in 15J9, he obtained
the professorship of philosophy at Pisa, which he filled with
so. much reputation that he was invited to the same chair in
the university of Padua in 1609, and occupied it until
1636. He removed at that time to Bologna, in consequence of failing to obtain the professorship of medicine,
when vacant by the death of Cremonini. But the Venetian
states very soon acknowledged the loss which the university
of Padua had sustained by the retirement of Licetus; and
the same vacancy occurring in 1645, he was induced, by
the pressing invitations which were made to him, to return to Padua, and held that professorship till his death in
1657. He was a very copious writer, having published
upwards of fifty treatises upon medical, moral,
philosophical, antiquarian, and historical subjects; but they are no
longer sufficiently interesting to require a detail of their
titles, as, notwithstanding his erudition, he displays little
acuteness in research or originality of conception. His
treatise “De Monstrorum Causis, Natur&, et Differentiis,
”
which is best known, is replete with instances of credulity,
and with the fables and superstitions of his predecessors,
and contains a classification of the monsters which had
been previously described, without any correction from his
own observations. The best edition is that of Gerard Blasius, in 1668.
f medicine, in the university of Helmstadt, the son of John Liddel, a reputable citizen of Aberdeen, was born there in 1561, and educated in the languages and philosophy
, professor of mathematics, and of medicine, in the university of Helmstadt, the son of John Liddel, a reputable citizen of Aberdeen, was born there in 1561, and educated in the languages and philosophy at the schools and university of Aberdeen. In 1579, having a great desire to visit foreign countries, he went from Scotland to Dantzic, and thence through Poland to Francfort on the Oder, where John Craig, afterwards first physician to James VI. king of Scotland, then taught logic and mathematics. By his liberal assistance Mr. Liddei was enabled to continue at the university of Francfort for three years, during which he applied himself very diligently to mathematics and philosophy under Craig and the other professors, and also entered upon the study of physic. In 1582, Dr. Craig being about to return to Scotland, sent Liddel to prosecute his studies at Wratislow, or Breslaw, in Silesia, recommending him to the care of that celebrated statesman, Andreas Dudithius; and during his residence at Breslaw, Liddel made uncommon progress in his favourite study of mathematics, under Paul Wittichius, an eminent professor.
attracted the esteem of Brucseus, and Caselius, which last observes, that, as far as he knew, Liddel was the first person in Germany who explained the motions of the
In 1584 Liddel returned to Francfort, and again applied to physic, and at the same time instructed some pupils in various branches of mathematics and philosophy. In 1587, being obliged to leave Francfort on account of the plague, he retired to the university of Rostock, where his talents attracted the esteem of Brucseus, and Caselius, which last observes, that, as far as he knew, Liddel was the first person in Germany who explained the motions of the heavenly bodies according to the three different hypotheses of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe. With these learned men he lived more like a companion than a pupil; and Brucxus, himself an excellent mathematician, acknowledged that he was instructed by Liddel in the more perfect knowledge of the Copernican system, and other astronomical questions. It was probably during his residence here that Licldel became acquainted with Tycho Brahe. In 1590, having taken his master’s degree at Rostock, he returned once more to Francfort; but, hearing of the increasing reputation of the new university at Helmstadt, where his friend Caselius had accepted the chair of philosophy, he removed thither, and in 1591 was appointed to the first or lower professorship of mathematics, and in 1594 to the second and more dignified mathematical chair, which he filled with great reputation to himself and to the university. In 1596 he obtained the degree of doctor of medicine, and both taught and practised physic, and was employed as first physician at the court of Brunswick. His reputation being now at its height, he was several times chosen dean of the faculties, both of philosophy and physic, and in 1604, pro-rector of the university, the year before he resigned his mathematical professorship.
t act of his life, for he died Dec. 17th of that year, 1613, in the fiftysecond year of his age, and was buried in the West church of Aberdeen, where the magistrates
In 1607, having a strong inclination to pass the remainder of his days in his native country, which he had frequently visited during his residence at Helmstadt, he took a final leave of that city, and after travelling for some time through Germany and Italy, at length settled in Scotland. The first account we have of him after his return relates to his giving some lands, purchased by him near Aberdeen, to the university there for the education and support of six poor scholars. This occurred in 1612, and the following year he gave a sum to found a professorship of mathematics, and bequeathed his whole collection of books and mathematical instruments to Marischal college, directing a small sum to be expended annually in adding to the collection, and another to be distributed among the poor. This appears to have been the last act of his life, for he died Dec. 17th of that year, 1613, in the fiftysecond year of his age, and was buried in the West church of Aberdeen, where the magistrates placed in memory of him a large tablet of brass, upon which is engraved a figure of the deceased in his professor’s gown and cap, surrounded by books and instruments, and accompanied by a suitable inscription. An engraved portrait, taken from this plate at the expeiice of the late sir David Dairy mple, lord Hailes, is prefixed to the life of Dr. Liddel, drawn up by professor Stuart, of Aberdeen, and published in 1790, 4to. To this we are indebted for the present sketch.
, a Prusian anatomist, was bnrn at Berlin in 1711. His inclinations led him early to cultivate
, a Prusian anatomist, was bnrn at Berlin in 1711. His inclinations led him
early to cultivate philosophy and anatomy: but it was not
until he was about his twenty-fifth year that he was permitted entirely to indulge them. His acquisitions before
that period had, indeed, been considerable; and after it
he pursued his studies at Hall, Jena, Leyden, Paris, and
London. In 1740, he was elected a member of the royal
society of London, and of other learned societies on the
continent. He returned to Berlin in that year, by the express command of the king of Prussia, and became celebrated for his anatomical researches, and a fine museum of
anatomical preparations which he accumulated. He died
at Berlin of a peripneumony, in 1756. The only works he
left were reprinted at London, in 1782, by John Sheldon,
esq. lecturer on anatomy, 4to, under the title of “Dissertationes quatuor.
” The first is the author’s thesis on the
structure of the valve of the colon, and the use of the processus vermicularis; the second, on the structure and action of the villi of the small intestines of the human body:
the third, on the proper methods of discovering the structure of the viscera: the fourth, on the anatomical microscope. It is said that his eye-sight had almost the power
of a microscope, and that he could perceive with the naked
eye objects to which other men were obliged to apply microscopes and magnifiers. This account may perhaps
have been a little exaggerated, but we cannot doubt that
a description of his anatomical microscope will affect every
humane mind with horror. To it belongs an apparatus
for the purpose of crucifying living animals, and fixing
them and their bowels in such a manner, with pointed
hooks, as that they cannot move, in the midst of their protracted tortures, so as to disturb the operator, after he has
opened their bellies, and dragged out their intestines, for
his deliberate inspection. We have no words to express
our detestation of such cruelty, nor, we trust, are any
necessary. 1
LflEUTAUD (Joseph), a celebrated physician and anatomist, was born at Aix, in Provence, June 21, 1703. His family, long established
LflEUTAUD (Joseph), a celebrated physician and anatomist, was born at Aix, in Provence, June 21, 1703. His
family, long established at Aix, had produced many distinguished officers, ecclesiastics, lawyers, &c. He was at
first intended by his parents for the church; but the reputation of his maternal uncle Garidel, the professor of
medicine at Aix, gave him a bias to the study of medicine, and particularly botany, in which his researches and
skill soon occasioned him to be promoted to the chairs of
botany and anatomy at Aix, which his uncle had long
filled. His lectures on anatomy were much attended, and
by an audience comprising many persons not engaged in
the study of medicine, and among others, the marquis
d'Argens, the intimate friend of the king. M. Lieutaud
published, in 1742, a syllabus of anatomy for the use of
his pupils, entitled “Essais auatomiques, contenant l'Histoire exacte de toutes les parties qui composent le corps
humaine;
” it was several times reprinted, with improvements, and in 1777 was edited by M. Portal, in 2 volumes.
He communicated also several papers on morbid anatomy,
and on physiology, to the academy of sciences, of which
he was elected a corresponding member. In 1749, however, he quitted his post at Aix, and went to Versailles,
at the instance of the celebrated Senac, who then held the
highest appointment at court, and who obtained for Lieutaud the appointment of physician to the royal infirmary.
This act of friendship is said to have originated from the
private communication of some errors, which Lieutaud
had detected in a work of M. Senac, and which he did not
deem it proper to publish. At Versailles he continued his
anatomical investigations with unabated zeal, and was soon
after his arrival elected assistant anatomist to the royal
academy, to which he continued to present many valuable
memoirs. He also printed a volume entitled “Elementa
Physiologice,
” &c. Paris, which underwent several editions, with great augmentations, the best of which is that of Paris, 1770, in
2 vols. 4to. In 1766, he published a
” Precis de la Matiere medicale,“in 8vo, afterwards reprinted in 2 vols.
But his most important work, which still ranks high in the
estimation of physicians, is that which treats of the seats
and causes of diseases, ascertained by his innumerable dissections. It was entitled
” Historia Anatomico-medica,
sistens numerosissima cadaverum humanorum extispicia,"
Paris, 1767, in 2 vols. 4to. M. Lieutaud died September 6, 1780, after an illness of five days.
, a historical painter of great merit, was born in 1607, at Ley den, and placed under the care of Joris
, a historical painter of great
merit, was born in 1607, at Ley den, and placed under
the care of Joris Van Schooten, and afterwards of Peter
Lastman. Portrait was perhaps that branch of the art in
which he uniformly excelled, yet some of his historical pieces
are deserving of the highest praise. His,“Resurrection of
Lazarus
” is a work, Mr. Fuseli says, which, in sublimity
of conception, leaves all attempts of other masters on the
same subject far behind. His “Contiqence of Scipio,
” is
also celebrated in very high terms. Another of his performances, applauded by the poets as well as the artists of
his time, is his “Student in his library,
” the figures as
large as life. This was purchased by the prince of Orange,
and presented by him to Charles I. It was the means of
procuring him a favourable reception at the English court,
where he painted the portraits of the royal family and
many of the nobility. After residing in England for three
years, he went to Antwerp, and was incessantly employed.
The time of his death is not specified.
, a learned English divine, was born on the 19th or 29th of March, 1602, at Stoke upon Trent,
, a learned English divine, was born on the 19th or 29th of March, 1602, at Stoke upon Trent, in Staffordshire. His father was Thomas Lightfoot, vicar of Uttoxeter in that county . After having finished his studies at a school kept by Mr. Whitehead on Mortongreen, near Congleton in Cheshire, he was removed in 1617, to Cambridge, and put under the tuition of Mr. William Chappel, then fellow of Christ’s college there, and afterwards bishop of Cork in Ireland, who was also the tutor of Henry More, Milton, &c. At college he applied himself to eloquence, and succeeded so well as to be thought the best orator of the undergraduates in the uni versity. He also made an extraordinary proficiency in the Latin and Greek; but neglected the Hebrew, and even lost that knowledge he brought of it from school. His taste for the Oriental languages was not yet excited; and, as for logic, the study of it, as managed at that time among the academics, was too contentious for his quiet and meek disposition.
genius for the Hebrew tongue. Norton, lies near Bellaport, then the seat of sir Rowland Cotton, who was his constant hearer, made him his chaplain, and took him into
As soon as he had taken the degree of B. A. he left the
university, and became assistant to his former master, Mr.
Wbitehead, who then kept a school at Repton, in Derbyshire. After he had supplied this place a year or two, he
entered into orders, and became curate of Norton under
Hales, in Shropshire. This curacy gave an occasion of
awakening his genius for the Hebrew tongue. Norton,
lies near Bellaport, then the seat of sir Rowland Cotton,
who was his constant hearer, made him his chaplain, and
took him into his house. This gentleman being a perfect
master of the Hebrew language, engaged Lightfoot in that
study; who, by conversing with his patron, soon became
sensible, that, without that knowledge, it was impossible
to attain an accurate understanding of the Scriptures. He
therefore applied himself to it with extraordinary vigour
and success; and his patron removing, with his family, to
reside in London, at the request of sir Allan Cotton, his
uncle, who was lord-mayor of that city, he followed his
preceptor thither. He had not been long in London before he conceived the design of going abroad for farther
improvement; and with that view he went into Staffordshire, and took leave of his father and mother. Passing,
however, through Stone in that county, he found the place
destitute of a minister; and the pressing instances of the
parishioners prevailed upon him to undertake that cure.
He now laid aside all thoughts of going abroad, and having in 1628 become possessed of the living, he married
the daughter of William Crompton, of Stone-park, esq.
After a time, his excessive attachment to rabbinical learning occasioned another removal to London, for the sake of
Sion-college-library, which he knew was well stocked with
books of that kind. He therefore quitted his charge at
Stone, and removed with his family to Hornsey, near
London, where he gave the public a specimen of his ad-?
vancement in those studies, by his “Erubhirn, or Miscellanies Christian and Judaical,
” in
in the public affairs, brought him into a share of the administration relating to the church; for he was nominated a member of the memorable assembly of divines, for
Thinking himself now fixed for life, he built a study in
the garden, retired from the noise of the house; and applied himself for twelve years with indefatigable diligence
in searching the Scriptures. Thus employed, the days
passed very agreeably; and he continued quiet and unmolested till the great change which happened in the public
affairs, brought him into a share of the administration relating to the church; for he was nominated a member of
the memorable assembly of divines, for settling a new
form of ecclesiastical polity. This appointment was purely
the effect of his distinguished merit; and he accepted it
purely with a view to serve his country as far as lay in his
power; but, although he contended on some points with
many of the most able innovators in that assembly, it cannot be denied that he had a favourable opinion of the Presbyterian form of church- government. The necessity for
residing in London, in consequence of this appointment,
induced him to resign his rectory; and, having obtained
the presentation for a younger brother, he set out for
London in 1642. He had now satisfied himself in clearing
up many of the abstrusest passages in the Bible, and had
provided the chief materials, as well as formed the plan,
of his “Harmony;
” and an opportunity of inspecting it
at the press was, no doubt, an additional motive. for his
going to the capital. Here, however, he had not beert
long, before he was chosen minister of St. Bartholomew’s,
behind the Royal Exchange. He lived at this time at the
upper end of Moore-lane, whence he dedicated to his
parishioners of St. Bartholomew, his “Handful of Gleanings out of the Book of Exodus.
” The assembly of divines
meeting in lf>43, our author gave his attendance diligently
there, and made a distinguished figure in their debates;
where he used great freedom, and gave signal proofs of
his courage as well as learning, in opposing many of those
tenets which the divines were endeavouring to establish.
His learning recommended him to the parliament, whose
visitors, having ejected Dr. William Spurstow from the
mastership of Catharine-hall in Cambridge, put Lightfoot
in his room this year, 1643; and he was also presented to
the living of Much-Mundeii, in Hertfordshire, void by the
death of Dr. Samuel Ward, Margaret- professor of divinity
in that university, before the expiration of this year. In
the mean time he had taken his turn with other favourites
in preaching before the House of Commons, most of which
sermons were printed; and in them we see him warmly
pressing the speedy settlement of the church in the Presbyterian form, w^ich he cordially believed to be according
to the pattern in the Mount. His leisure hours he employed in preparing and publishing the several branches of
his “Harmony;
” all which, although decidedly proving
the usefulness of human learning to true religion, occasioned to him great difficulties and discouragements, chiefly
owing to the vulgar prejudices of the illiterate part of the
revolutionists, which threatened even the destruction of
the universities. In 1655, he entered upon the office of
vice-chancellor of Cambridge, to which he was chosen that
year, having taken the degreeof doctor of divinity in
1652. He performed all the regular exercises for his degree with great applause*, and executed the vice-chancellor’s office with exemplary diligence and fidelity; and,
particularly at the commencement, supplied the place of
professor of divinity, then undisposed of, at an act which
was kept for a doctor’s degree in that profession f. At the
same time he was engaged, with others, in completing the
celebrated Polyglott Bible, then in the press; which being
encouraged by Oliver Cromwell, he expressed his joy at
this high patronage, in his speech at the commencement.
He also took occasion to commiserate the oppressed state
of the clergy of the church of England, and to extol their
learning, zeal, and confidence, in God.
* His thesis was upon this question: nor extraordinary gifts, in the church.
* His thesis was upon this question: nor extraordinary gifts, in the church.
turn non sunt novae Revelationes ex- the state of innocency was a state of
turn non sunt novae Revelationes ex- the state of innocency was a state of
subject. It was his opinion, that, after Both which be maintained in the affirthe
subject. It was his opinion, that, after Both which be maintained in the affirthe closing of the canon of Scripture, mature,
there was neither prophecy, miracles,
from the crown, both of his place, and of his living.
Soon after this, he was appointed one of the assistants
at the conference upon the liturgy, which was held
in the beginning of 1661, but attended only once or
twice, being more intent on completing his “Harmony;
”
and, being of a strong and healthy constitution, and remarkably temperate, he prosecuted his studies with unabated vigour to the last, and continued to publish, notwithstanding the many difficulties he met with from the
expence of it . Not long, however, before he died, some
booksellers got a promise from him to collect and methodize his works, in order to print them; but the fulfilment
was prevented by his death, which happened at Ely Dec.
6, 1675. He was interred at Great Munden, in Hertfordshire.
As to his rabbinical learning, he was excelled by none, and had few equals; and foreigners who came
As to his rabbinical learning, he was excelled by none,
and had few equals; and foreigners who came to England
for assistance in their rabbinical studies, usually paid their
court to him, as one of the most eminent scholars in that
branch. Among these were Frederic Miege and Theodore Haak, who were peculiarly recommended also to Dr.
Pocock, with whom our author had a correspondence as
also Dr. Marshal of Lincoln-college, in Oxford Samuel
Clarke, keeper of the Bodleian library Dr. Bernard, of
St. John’s; and the famous Buxtorf were all correspondents of his. Castell acknowledges his obligations to him,
when he had little encouragement elsewhere. It is true,
he is charged with maintaining some peculiar opinions t;
of which he says, “Innocua, ut spero, semper proponens;
”
yet he bore the reputation of one of the most ingenious as
well as learned of our English commentators, and has been
of great service to his successors. He bequeathed his
whole library of rabhinical works, oriental books, &c. to
Harvard college, in America, where the whole were burnt
in 1769.
Df. Lightfoot was comely in his person, of 'full proportion, and of a ruddy complexion.
Df. Lightfoot was comely in his person, of 'full proportion, and of a ruddy complexion. “He was exceeding
temperate in his diet. He ordinarily resided among his
parishioners at Munden, with whom he lived in great harmony and affection, and in a hospitable and charitable
manner. He never left them any longer than to perform,
the necessary residence at Cambridge and Ely; and during
that absence would frequently say
” he longed to be with
his russet coats." He was a constant preacher; and Munderr being a large parish, and the parsonage-house a mile
from the church, and as he attended there every Sunday,
read prayers and preached morning and afternoon, he frequently continued all day in the church, not taking any
refreshment till the evening service was over. He was
easy of access, grave, but yet affable and communicative.
His countenance was expressive of his disposition, which
was uncommonly mild and tender.
. Lightfoot’s works were collected and published first in 1684, in 2 vols. folio. The second edition was printed at Amsterdam, 1686, in 2 vols. folio, containing all
Dr. Lightfoot’s works were collected and published first
in 1684, in 2 vols. folio. The second edition was printed
at Amsterdam, 1686, in 2 vols. folio, containing all his
Latin writings, with a Latin translation of those which he
wrote in English. At the end of both these editions there
is a list of such pieces as he left unfinished. It is the chief
of these, in Latin, which make up the third volume, added
to the former two, in a third edition of his works, by John
Leusden, at Utrecht, in 1699, fol. They were communicated by Mr. Strype, who in 1700 published another
collection of these papers, under the title of “Some genuine Remains of the late pious and learned Dr. John
Lightfoot.
” This contains some curious particulars of his
life.
, a distinguished botanist* was born at Newent, in the forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Dec.
, a distinguished botanist* was born at Newent, in the forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Dec. 9, 1735. His father, Stephen Lightfoot, was a reputable yeoman or gentleman farmer, who died in 1769, with a very amiable character, expressed on a small marble monument in the parish church of Newent His son was educated at St. Crypt’s school,Jat Gloucester; from whence he became an exhibitioner in Pembroke-college, Oxford; where he continued his studies with much reputation, and took his master’s degree in July 1766. He was first appointed curate at Colnbrook, and afterwards at Uxbridgef which he retained to his dying day.
His first patron was the honourable Mr. Lane, son to the late lord Bingley. Lord
His first patron was the honourable Mr. Lane, son to the late lord Bingley. Lord chancellor Northington presented him to the living of Shelden, in Hants, which he resigned on taking the rectory of Gotham, co. Nottingham. He had also Sutton in Lownd, in the same county; to both of which he was presented by his grace the duke of Portland. His ecclesiastical preferments amounted to above 500l. a year. He was also domestic chaplain to his illustrious patroness the late duchess dowager of Portland, and by her liberality enjoyed during her grace’s life, an annuity of a hundred a year. During her grace’s summer residence at Bulstrode, he performed duty in the family twice a week, and at other times was of very considerable use to her grace in arranging her magnificent collection of natural history, particularly the shells and the botanical part. He also drew up the catalogue of her museum for sale. He was an excellent scholar in many branches of literature, but, next to the study of his profession, he addicted himself chiefly to botany and conchy I iology, excelling in both, but particularly in botany, and he was equally versed in the knowledge of foreign as of British botany.
expence. Mr. Lightfoot gladly complied, and besides the knowledge acquired by his own observations, was ably assisted by the collections and communications of Dr. Hope,
In 1772, the late Mr. Pennant invited Mr. Lightfoot to
be the companion of his second tour to Scotland and the
Hebrides, advising him to undertake the compilation, as
he himself modestly calls it, of a “Flora Scotica,
” which
Mr. Pennant offered to publish at his own expence. Mr.
Lightfoot gladly complied, and besides the knowledge acquired by his own observations, was ably assisted by the
collections and communications of Dr. Hope, professor of
botany at Edinburgh, the rev. Dr. John Stuart of Luss;
the rev. Dr. Burgess of Kirkmichael, in Dumfriesshire, and
of other gentlemen in England. The “Flora Scotica
”
was published in
Mr. Lightfoot was for some years a fellow of the royal society, and was one of
Mr. Lightfoot was for some years a fellow of the royal society, and was one of the original fellows of the Linnaean society, the formation of which he contemplated with great pleasure, though his death happened before he could attend any of its public meetings. Having married the daughter of Mr. William Burton Raynes, an opulent miller at Uxbridge, he resided in that town, and died there suddenly, Feb. 18, 1788, aged fifty-three, leaving a widow, two sons, and three daughters. Mrs. Lightfoot was married in 1802 to John Springett Harvey, esq. barrister at law. He was buried in Cowley church, where his grave remained, for some time at least, without any memorial. He is supposed never to have recovered from a disappointment respecting a living which his patron, the late duke of Portland, solicited from lord chancellor Thurlow, but which the latter did not think fit to bestow. Mr. Lightfoot had in the course of his botanical studies collected an excellent British herbarium, consisting of abundant specimens, generally gathered wild, and in many cases important for the illustration of his work. He had also amassed from sir Joseph Banks and other friends, a number of exotic plants. The whole was bought after his death, for 100 guineas, by his majesty, as a present to the queen, and deposited at Frogmore, the price being fixed by an intelligent friend of the family.
, a remarkable English enthusiast, was descended from an ancient family in the county of Durham, where
, a remarkable English enthusiast, was descended from an ancient family in the county of Durham, where his father, Richard Lilburne, was possessed of a handsome estate*, especially at Thickney-Purcharden, the seat of the family upon which he resided, and Lad this son, who was born in 1613. Being a younger child, he was designed for a trade; and was put apprentice at twelve years of age, to a wholesale clothier in London, who, as well as his father, was disaffected to the hierarchy. The youth, we are told, had a prompt genius and a forward temper above his years, which shewed itself conspicuously, not long after, in a complaint to the citychamberlain of his master’s ill-usage; by which, having obtained more liberty, he purchased a multitude of books favourable to his notions of politics and religion; and having his imagination warmed with a sense of suffering and resentment, he became at length so considerable among his party, as to be consulted upon the boldest of their undertakings against the hierarchy, while yet an apprentice.
the bishops, to Holland, and get it printed there. Lilburne, having dis* It is worth police that he was the when the trial was put off by the
The consequence he attained flattered his vanity, and he could no longer think of following his trade. In 1636, being introduced by the teacher of his congregation, to Dr. Bastwick, then a star-chamber prisoner in the Gatehouse for sedition, Bastwick easily prevailed with him to carry a piece he had lately written against the bishops, to Holland, and get it printed there. Lilburne, having dis* It is worth police that he was the when the trial was put off by the
last person who joined itsue in the an- judge* till at last it was ordered, at
last person who joined itsue in the an- judge* till at last it was ordered, at
was with one Ralph Auxton, for lands a bill should be brought in
was with one Ralph Auxton, for lands a bill should be brought in to take
ant affair, returned to England in a few months with the pamphlet, Bastwick’s “Merry Liturgy,” as it was called, and a cargo of other pieces of a similar kind. These
two champions appeared in the court, “Collections,
” vol. I.
armed cap-a-pie, with sand l>ag, &c.
patched this important affair, returned to England in a few
months with the pamphlet, Bastwick’s “Merry Liturgy,
”
as it was called, and a cargo of other pieces of a similar
kind. These he dispersed with much privacy, until, being
betrayed by his associate, he was apprehended; and, after
examination before the council-board and high commission
court, to whose rales he refused to conform, he was found
guilty of printing and publishing several seditious books, particularly “News from Ipswich,
” a production of Prynne’s.
Lilburne was condemned Feb. 1637, to be whipped at the
cart’s tail from the Fleet-prison to Old Palace Yard, Westminster; then set upon the pillory there for two hours;
afterwards to be carried back to the Fleet, there to remain
till he conformed to the rules of the court; also to pay a
fine of 500l. to the king; and, lastly, to give security for
his good behaviour. He underwent this sentence with an
undismayed obstinacy, uttering many bold speeches against
the bishops, and dispersing many pamphlets from the pillory, where, after the star-chamber then sitting had ordered him to be gagged, he stamped with his feet. The
spirit he shewed upon this occasion procured him the nickname of “Free-born John
” among the friends to the government, and among his own party the title of Saint. In
prison he was loaded with double irons on his arms and
legs, and put into one of the closest wards; but, being
suspected to have occasioned a fire which broke out near
that ward, he was removed into a better, at the earnest solicitation both of the neighbours and prisoners. The first
nse he made of his present more convenient situation, was
to publish a piece of his own writing, entitled “The
Christian Man’s Trial,
” in 4to, “Nine arguments against
episcopacy,
” and several “Epistles to the Wardens of the
Fleet.
”
1, at the head of a savage mob, who clamoured for justice against the earl of Stratford. Next day he was seized and arraigned at the bar of the House of Lords, for an
He wrote several other pamphlets, before the long parliament granted him the liberties of the Fleet, Nov. 1640, which indulgence he likewise abused by appearing on May 3, 1641, at the head of a savage mob, who clamoured for justice against the earl of Stratford. Next day he was seized and arraigned at the bar of the House of Lords, for an assault upon colonel Lunsford, the governor of the Tower; but the temper of the times being now in his favour, he was dismissed, and the same day a vote passed in the House of Commons, declaring his former sentence illegal and tyrannical, and that he ought to have reparation for his sufferings and losses. This reparation was effectual, although slow. It was not until April 7, 1646, that a decree of the House of Lords passed for giving him two thousand pounds out of the estates of lord Cottington, sir Banks Windehank, and James Ingram, warden of the Fleet; and it was two years after before he received the money, in consequence of a petition to the House of Commons, when he obtained an ordinance for 3000l. worth of the delinquents’ lands, to be sold to him at twelve years purchase. This ordinance included a grant for some part of the sequestered estates of sir Henry Bellingham and Mr. Bowes, in the counties of Durham or Northumberland, from which he received about 1400l.; and Cromwell, soon after his return from Ireland, in May 1650, procured him a grant of lands for the remainder. This extraordinary delay was occasioned entirely by himself.
When the parliament had voted an army to oppose the king, Lilburne entered as a volunteer, was a captain of foot at the battle of Edge-hill, and fought well
When the parliament had voted an army to oppose the
king, Lilburne entered as a volunteer, was a captain of
foot at the battle of Edge-hill, and fought well in the engagement at Brentford, Nov. 12, 1612, but being taken
prisoner, was carried to Oxford, and would have been
tried and executed for high treason, had not his parliamentary friends threatened retaliation. After this, as he
himself informs us, he was exchanged very honourably
above his rank, and rewarded with a purse of 300l. by the
earl of Essex. Yet, when that general began to press the
Scots’ covenant upon his followers, Lilburne quarrelled
with him, and by Cromwell’s interest was made a major
of foot, Oct. 1643, in the new-raised army under the earl
of Manchester. In this station he behaved very well, and
narrowly escaped with his life at raising the siege of Newark by prince Rupert; but at the same time he quarrelled
with his colonel (King), and accused him of several misdemeanours, to the earl, who immediately promoted him
to be lieutenant-colonel of his own regiment of dragoons.
This post Lilburne sustained with signal bravery at the
battle of Marston-moor, in July; yet he had before that
quarrelled with the earl for not bringing colonel King to
a trial by a court* martial; and upon Cromwell’s accusing
his lordship to the House of Commons, Nov. 1644, Lilburne appeared before the committee in support of that
charge. Nor did he rest until he had procured an impeachment to be exhibited in the House of Commons in August
this year, against colonel King for high crimes and
misdemeanours. Little attention being paid to this, he first
offered a petition to the House, to bring the colonel
to his trial, and still receiving no satisfaction, he published a coarse attack upon the earl of Manchester, in
1646. Being called before the House of Lords, where
that nobleman was speaker, on account of this publication,
he not only refused to answer the interrogatories, but protested against their jurisdiction over him in the present
case; on which he was first committed to Newgate, and
then to the Tower. He then appealed to the House of
Commons; and upon their deferring to take his case into
consideration, he charged that House, in print, not only
with having done nothing of late years for the general good, but also with having made many ordinances notoriously unjust and oppressive. This pamphlet, which
was called “The Oppressed man’s oppression,
” being
seized, he printed another, entitled “The Resolved
man’s resolution,
” in which he maintained “that the
present parliament ought to be pulled down, and a new
one called, to bring them to a strict account, as the
only means of saving the laws and liberties of England
from utter destruction,
” This not availing, he applied to
the agitators in the army; and at length, having obtained
liberty every day to go, without his keeper, to attend the
committee appointed about his business, and to return
every night to the Tower, he made use of that indulgence
to engage in some seditious practices. For this he was recommitted to the Tower, and ordered to be tried; but,
upon the parliament’s apprehensions from the Cavaliers,
on prince Charles’s appearing with a fleet in the Downs,
he procured a petition, signed by seven or eight thousand
persons, to be presented to the House, which made an order, in August 1648, to discharge him from imprisonment*,
and to make him satisfaction for his sufferings. This was
not compassed, however, without a series of conflicts and
quarrels with Cromwell; who, returning from Ireland in
* See the trial, which was printed power of the law, as well as fact. In
* See the trial, which was printed power of the law, as well as fact. In
singular address to the jury, that in October 26, 1649." them alone was inherent the judicial May 1650, and finding Lilburne in a peaceable
singular address to the jury, that in October 26, 1649." them alone was inherent the judicial May 1650, and finding Lilburne in a peaceable disposition witli regard to the parliament, procured him the remainder of his grant for reparations above-mentioned. This was gratefully acknowledged by his antagonist, who, however, did not continue long in that humour; for, having undertaken a dispute in law, in which his uncle George Lilburne happened to be engaged, he petitioned the parliament on that occasion with his usual boldness in 1651; and this assembly fined him in the sum of 7000l. to the state, and banished him the kingdom. Before this, however, could be carried into execution, he went in Jan. 1651-2, to Amsterdam; where, having printed an apology for himself, he sent a copy of it, with a letter, to Cromwell, charging him as the principal promoter of the act of his banishment. He had also several conferences with some of the royalists, to whom he engaged to restore Charles II. by his interest with the people, for the small sum of 10,000l. but no notice was taken of a design which, had it been plausible, could never have been confided to such a man. He then remained in exile, without hopes of re-visiting England, till the dissolution of the long parliament; on which event, not being able to obtain a pass, he returned without one, in June 1657; and being seized and tried at the Old Bailey, he was a second time acquitted by his jury. Cromwell, incensed by this contempt of his power, which was now become despotic, had him curried to Portsmouth, in order for transportation; but the tyrant’s wrath was averted, probably by Lilburne* s brother Robert, one of his major-generals, * upon whose bail for his behaviour he was suffered to return. After this, he settled at Khham, in Kent, where he passed the short remainder of his days in tranquillity, giving, however, another proof of his versatile principles, by joining the quakers, among whom he preached, in and about Eltham, till his death, Aug. 29, 1657, in his forty- ninth year. He was interred in the then new burial place in Moor-fields, near the place now called Old Bedlam; four thousand persons attending his burial.
of state, and publisher of several seditious pamphlets, and of so quarrelsome a disposition, that it was appositely said of him (by judge Jenkins), * that, if there
Wood characterizes him as a person “from his youth
much addicted to contention, novelties, opposition of government, and to violent and bitter expressions;
” “the
idol of the factious people;
” “naturally a great troubleworld in all the variety of governments, a hodge-podge of
religion, the chief ring-leader of the levellers, a great
proposal-maker, and a modeller of state, and publisher of
several seditious pamphlets, and of so quarrelsome a disposition, that it was appositely said of him (by judge Jenkins), * that, if there was none living but he, John would
be against Lilburne, and Ltlburne against John.‘ ’ Lord
Clarendon instances him
” as an evidence of the temper of
the nation; and how far the spirits at that time (in 1653)
were from paying a submission to that power, when nobody had the courage to lift up their hands against it.“Hume says that he was
” the most turbulent, but the most
upright and courageous of human kind;“and more recent
biographers have given him credit for the consistency of
his principles. We doubt, however, whether this consistency will bear a very close examination: it is true that he
uniformly inveighed against tyranny, whether that of a
king, a protector, or a parliament; but such was his selfish
love of liberty, that he included under the name of tyranny, every species of tribunal which did not acquit men.
of his turbulent disposition, and it would not be easy from
his writings to make out any regular form of government,
or system of political principles, likely to prove either
permanent or beneficial. In these, however, may be found
the models of all those wild schemes which men of similartempers have from time to time obtruded upon public attention. As matters of curiosity, therefore, we shall add
a list of his principal publications: i.
” A.Salva Libertate.“2.
” The Outcry of the young men and the apprentices of London; or an inquisition after the loss of
the fundamental Laws and Liberties of England,“&c.
London, 1645, August 1, in 4to. 3.
” Preparation to an
Hue and Cry after sir Arthur Haselrig.“4.
” A Letter to
a Friend,“dated the 20th of July, 1645, in 4to. 5.
” A
Letter to William Prynne, esq.“dated the 7th of January,
1645. This was written upon occasion of Mr. Prynne’s
” Truth triumphing over Falshood, Antiquity over Novelty.“6.
” London’s Liberty in Chains discovered,“&c.
London, 1646, in 4to. 7.
” The free man’s freedom vindicated; or a true relation of the cause and manner of
Lieutenant-Colonel John Lilburne’s present Imprisonment
in Newgate,“&c. London, 1646. 8.
” Charters of London, or the second part of London’s Liberty in Chains
discovered,“&c. London, 1646, 28 Decemb. 9.
” Two
Letters from the Tower of London to Colonel Henry Martin, a member of the House of Commons, upon the 13th
and 15th of September 1647.“10.
” Other Letters of
great concern,“London, 1647. 11.
” The resolved man’s
resolution to maintain with the last drop of his blood his
civil liberties and freedoms granted unto him by the great,
just, and truest declared Laws of England,“&c. London,
1647, in 4to. 12.
” His grand plea against the present
tyrannical House of Lords, which he delivered before an
open Committee of the House of Commons, 20 Octob.
1647,“printed in 1647, in 4to. 13.
” His additional Plea
directed to Mr. John Maynard, Chairman of the Committee,“1647, in 4to. 14.
” The Outcries of oppressed
Commons, directed to all the rational and understanding in
the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales,“&c.
Febr. 1647, in 4to. Richard Overton, another Leveller,
then in Newgate, had an hand in this pamphlet. 15.
” Jonah’s Cry out of the Whale’s Belly, in certain Epistles
unto Lieutenant General Cromwell and Mr. John Goodwin, complaining of the tyranny of the Houses of Lords
and Commons at Westminster,“&c. 16.
” An Impeachment of High Treason against Oliver Cromwell and his
son-in-law Henry Ireton, esquires, late Members of the
forcibly dissolved House of Commons, presented to publick view by Lieutenant-Colonel John Lilburne, close prisoner in the Tower of London, for his zeal, true and zealous affection to the liberties of this nation,“London,
1649, in 4to. 17.
” The legal fundamental Liberties of
the People of England revived, asserted, and vindicated,“&c. London, 1649. 18.
” Two Petitions presented to the
supreme authority of the nation from thousands of the
lords, owners, and commoners of Lincolnshire,“&c. London, 1650, in 4to. In a paper which he delivered to the
House of Commons, Feb. 26, 1648-9, with the hands of
many levellers to it, in the name of
” Addresses to the
Supreme Authority of England,“and in
” The Agreement
of the people," published May 1, 1649, and written by
him and his associates Walwyn, Prince, and Overton, are
their proposals for a democratic form of government.
, a celebrated dramatic writer, was by profession a jeweller, and was born in the neighbourhood
, a celebrated dramatic writer, was by
profession a jeweller, and was born in the neighbourhood
of Moorgate in London, Feb. 4, 1693, where he pursued
his occupation for many years with the fairest and most
unblemished character. He was strongly attached to the
Muses, and seems to have laid it down as a maxim, that
the devotion paid to them ought always to tend to the promotion of virtue and mortality. In pursuance of this aim,
Lillo was happy in the choice of his subjects, and showed
great power of affecting the heart, and of rendering the
distresses of common and domestic life equally interesting
to the audiences as those of kings and heroes. His
“George Barnwell,
” “Fatal Curiosity,
” and “Arden of
Feversham,
” are all planned on common and well-known
stories; yet they have perhaps more frequently drawn tears
from an audience than more pompous tragedies, particularly the first of them. Nor was his management of his
subjects less happy than his choice of them. If there is
any fault to be objected to his style, it is that sometimes
he affects an elevation rather above the simplicity of his
subject, and the supposed rank of his characters; but tragedy seldom admits an adherence to the language of common life, and sometimes it is found that even the most
humble characters in real life, when under peculiar circumstances of distress, or the influence of any violent passion,
will employ an aptness of expression and power of language, not only greatly superior to themselves, but even
to the general language and conversation of persons of much
higher rank in life, and of minds more cultivated.
In the prologue to “Elmerick,” which was not acted till after the author’s death, it is said, that, when
In the prologue to “Elmerick,
” which was not acted till
after the author’s death, it is said, that, when he wrote that
play, he “was depressed by want,
” and afflicteJ by disease; but in the former particular there appears to be
evidently a mistake, as he died possessed of an estate of
60l. a year, besides other effects to a considerable value.
The late editor of his works (Mr. T. Davies) in two volumes, 1775, 12mo, relates the following story, which, however, we cannot think adapted to convey any favourable impression of the person of whom it is told: “Towards the
latter part of his life, Mr. Lillo, whether from judgment or
humour, determined to put the sincerity of his friends,
who professed a very high regard for him, to a trial. In
order to carry on this design, he put in practice an odd
kind of stratagem: ha asked one of his intimate acquaintance to lend him a considerable sum of money, and
for this he declared he would give no bond, rior any
other security, except a note of hand; the person to
whom he applied, not liking the terms, civilly refused
him. Soon after, Lillo met his nephew, Mr. Underwood,
with whom he had been at variance some time. He put
the same question to him, desiring him to lend him money
upon the same terms. His nephew, either from a sagacious apprehension of his uncle’s real intention, or from
generosity of spirit, immediately offered to comply with
his request. Lillo was so well pleased with this ready compliance of Mr. Underwood, that he immediately declared
that he was fully satisfied with the love and regard that his
nephew bore him; he was convinced that his friendship
was entirely disinterested; and assured him, that he should
reap the benefit such generous behaviour deserved. In
consequence of this promise, he bequeathed him the bulk
of his fortune.
” The same writer says, that Lillo in his
person was lusty, but not tall; of a pleasing aspect, though
unhappily deprived of the sight of one eye.
rrow bounds. He had the spirit of an old Roman, joined to the innocence of a primitive Christian: he was content with his little state of life, in which his excellent
Lillo died Sept. 3, 1739, in the forty -seventh year of his
age; and, a few months after his death, Henry Fielding
printed the following character of him in “The Champion:
” “He had a perfect knowledge of human nature,
though his contempt of all base means of application, which
are the necessary steps to great acquaintance, restrained
his conversation within narrow bounds. He had the spirit
of an old Roman, joined to the innocence of a primitive
Christian: he was content with his little state of life, in
which his excellent temper of mind gave him an happiness
beyond the power of riches; and it was necessary for his
friends to have a sharp insight into his want of their services, as well as good inclination or abilities to serve him.
In short, he was one of the best of men, and those who
knew him best will most regret his loss.
”