The cardinal de Richelieu was induced from these services to conceive an esteem for him, while
The cardinal de Richelieu was induced from these services to conceive an esteem for him, while Barberini was
equally attached to him, and prevailed upon Urban VIII.
to make him keeper of the seals. He went in 1634 to Avignon, in quality of vice- legate, and to France in that of
nuncio extraordinary, where he acquired a profound knowledge of state affairs, and with much art cultivated at the
same time, the friendship of Richelieu, and the good-will
of Louis XIII. In compliment to the nomination of this
monarch, the pope added him to the number of cardinals
in 1641. When Richelieu died, the same king made Mazarin his minister of state, and one of the executors to his
will. In these departments, he took upon him the administration of affairs, during the minority of Louis XIV. and
the regency of the queen Anne of Austria. The dawnings
of his power were attended with the happiest success; and
the good fortune of the king’s armies was to our cardinal a
source of much national applause. But these advantages
were very soon succeeded by the murmurs of an oppressed
people, and the envious combination of the great nobles,
who were jealous of his high advancement. Hence arose
the civil wars in 1649, and the three following years; and
the dissatisfaction becoming more general, it was insisted
upon, that he should be dismissed from the royal presence.
Mazarin, who knew how necessary it was for him to retire,
demanded that he might take his leave; and immediately
departed from the kingdom. He was stili so conscious of
fortune’s always attending him, that he mentioned even
this event as one of the chief incidents contributing to
his greatness; and although decrees were issued out against
him, his fine library was sold, and a price was fixed upon
his head, he contrived to quell this fury with most astonishing dexterity. He even was enabled to return to court,
and with a double share of power; and so mutable is popular opinion, that many who once had been his bitterest
enemies, were now become his warmest friends. After this,
he continued to render the state many important services,
the chief of which was the obtaining of peace between
France and Spain: for this purpose, he went in person to
hold a conference with the Spanish minister, don Louis de
Haro, in 1659. The successful termination of this affair,
was followed by the king’s marriage, with the Infanta. The
continual application of Mazarin to business brought on a
very dangerous iUness: he was at that time at the Louvre,
but gave orders to be carried to Vincennes, where he died
March 9, 1661, aged 59. When sensible of his danger,
he began to feel scruples concerning the wealth which he
had heaped together, and his confessor plainly told him
that restitution was necessary for his salvation. He gave
the whole to the king, in the hope that, as was the case,
his majesty would restore it to him. His wealth is said to
have amounted to eight millions sterling, all collected in a
time of war, or national commotion. The king paid the
highest honours to his memory. His body was magnificently entombed in the college usually called after his
name, but sometimes by that of “the four nations,
” having been designed as a place of education for the youth of
the four conquered nations.
e at Paris in 1691; and, in 1693, a second volume came out, containing seventy-seven more: the whole was reprinted in two parts in 1694. These letters are not arranged
Mazarin had a brother and two sisters. His letters have
been published; thirty-six of them made their appearance
at Paris in 1691; and, in 1693, a second volume came out,
containing seventy-seven more: the whole was reprinted
in two parts in 1694. These letters are not arranged in
the order of their dates; but this error was amended in a
later edition, published (as the title-page informs us) at
Amsterdam, by Zachary Chatelain, in 1745, in 2 vols. 12mo.
For this we are indebted to the care of the abbe“d'Alainval; but this edition is rendered more valuable than the
others, being augmented by more than fifty letters, which
had never before appeared, and which are all placed in
their just order. The title of this work is,
” Letters of
cardinal Mazarin, containing the Secrets of the Negociations concerning the Pyrenean Peace, and the Conferences which he had on that subject with Don Louis de
Haro, the Spanish minister; the whole enriched with historical Notes." The character of Mazarin has been compared with that of Richelieu, but unjustly. In Mazarin’s
there was nothing amiable or great, and his ambition was
too nearly allied to avarice to command respect.
, an Italian philologer and antiquary, was born in 1684, at Santa Maria, a village near Capua. He was ordained
, an Italian philologer and antiquary, was born in 1684, at Santa Maria, a
village near Capua. He was ordained priest in 1709, and
became professor of the Greek and Hebrew languages in
the archiepiscopal seminary at Naples. In 1711 he was
made a canon of Capua: and successively theological professor at Naples, and royal interpreter of the Holy Scriptures. He is said through humility to have refused the
archbishopric of Rossano, which was offered to him by the
king. He died in 1771. Mazoclu wrote many works,
particularly on the subjects of ancient inscriptions, and of
medals. He published, 1. “Commentarium in mutilum
Campanioe Atnphitheatri titulum, aliasque nonnullas Inscriptiones,
” Neapoli, Ad Bernardum Tanuccium Epistola de
dedicatione sub ascia,
” Neap. Commentarium in vetus marmoreuin S. Neap. Eccles. Calendarium,
”
Neap. Notes on the New Testament.
”
5. “Dissertations on the Poetry of the Hebrews.
” 6.
“Antiquities of the Campagna of Rome.
” He left besides
in manuscript, a book on the origin of the city of Capua.
, a nobleman of Brescia, in the territory of Venice, and celebrated as a philologer and historian, was born in 1707, and educated principally at Bononia; but after
, a nobleman of Brescia, in the territory of Venice, and celebrated as a philologer and historian, was born in 1707, and educated principally at Bononia; but after his marriage, he appears
to have devoted himself to his private studies, which
turned chiefly on subjects of antiquity and biography.
He accumulated a very curious collection of medals of
learned men, an account of which was published in Latin
and Italian by a writer who styles himself Petrus Antonius de Comitibus Gaetanis, Brixianus Presbyter, & Patricius Romanus. This work is in 2 vols. folio, printed in
1761 and 1763. Mazzuchelli died in November 1765. His
principal writings are, 1. “Notizie Historiche e Critiche,
intorno alia vita, alle inventione, ed agli Scritti di Archimede Siracusano,
” Brescia, La vita di Pietro Aretino,
” Padua, Gli Scrittori
d'ltalia, cioe Notitie Storiche e Critiche intorno alle vite,
e agli Scritti dei Letterati Italiahi,
”
, a nonconformist divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from a reputable family in Buckinghamshire, where
, a nonconformist divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from a reputable family in Buckinghamshire, where he was born in 1629. Of
his early life no account has been preserved, and the first
notice we have of him, is as possessing the living of Great
Brickhiil in his native county. In Jan. 1658 he was appointed by Oliver Cromwell, to the cure of the new chapel at Shadwell, from which he was ejected for non-conformity in 1662. In 1663 he resided in Worcester-house,
at Stepney, where he brought up a family of thirteen
children, one of whom was the illustrious subject of our
next article, and alone sufficient to give celebrity to the
name of Mead. When a temporary liberty was granted to
the dissenters, Mr. Mead returned from Holland, where he
had resided some time; and in 1674 the spacious meetinghouse at Stepney was erected for him, the four large pillars of which were presented to him by the States of Holland, as was frequently related by one of his successors.
In 1683, he was accused of being concerned in the Ryehouse plot, for which lord Russel and others were executed; but after an examination before the privy council,
in the presence of Charles II. he vindicated his innocence
in a manner so satisfactory, that his majesty himself ordered him to be discharged. He died at Stepney, Oct. 16,
1699, aged seventy. He published some sermons and
pious tracts, the most popular of which are his, I. “Almost
Christian.
” 2. “The good of early obedience.
” 3. “The
Young Man’s Remembrancer,
” &c.
ndered him an ornament, not only to his own profession, but to the nation and age in which he lived, was born at Stepney, Aug. 11, 1673, and received the early part
, a most distinguished physician, whose
abilities and eminence in his profession, united with his
learning and fine taste for those arts which embellish and
improve human life, long rendered him an ornament, not
only to his own profession, but to the nation and age in
which he lived, was born at Stepney, Aug. 11, 1673, and
received the early part of his education under his father,
the subject of the preceding article, who, with the assistance of Mr. John Nesbitt, superintended the education of
his large family. In 1688, he was placed under the care
of Mr. Thomas Singleton and in 1689 under Grsevius, at
Utrecht. His eldest brother had been a pupil of this professor, and recommended Richard to him as a modest
young man, who had made some progress in good literature. In 1692 he removed to Leyden, xvhere he attended
for three years the lectures of Herman and Pitcairn, and
applied himself most successfully to the study of physic.
This last named professsor was seldom very communicative
out of college, yet Mr. Mead found the art of recommending himself so far to his good graces, that he drew from him
several observations, which he afterwards introduced in his
writings, but never without acknowledging to whom he
was indebted for them. He there also formed an intimacy
with Boerhaave, with whom he afterwards maintained the
most friendly intercourse through life. Mr. Mead’s eldest
brother, Samuel, having projected a visit to Italy, in company with David Polhill, esq. and Dr. Thomas Pellet, afterwards president of the college of physicians, invited our
student to make a fourth, which was indeed the summit of
his wishes, for he had already contracted that taste which
distinguished him in after-life, and which he hoped to gratify in a country abounding with objects of the first curiosity. Nor was he unprepared to make the necessary inquiries. At Florence he asked to see the Mensa Isiaca,
but not being able to obtain any information about it, he
desired leave to search for it in a lumber-room over the
gallery; where he found this valuable piece of antiquity,
buried in rubbish, and for many years given over as lost.
He took his degree of doctor of philosophy and physic at
Padua, Aug. 16, 1695; and passed sorne time afterwards
at Naples and Rome. On his return, about Midsummer
1696, he settled in the very house where he was born;
married Ruth, the daughter of Mr. John Marsh, merchant
of London; and practised in his profession there for seven
years with great success. In 1702 he published his “Mechanical Account of Poisons.
” These essays, however
justly esteemed on their first appearance, did their author
still more honour in the edition he published of them more
than forty years afterwards, as he then had the candour to
retract some opinions too hastily advanced. In 1703 he
communicated to the Royal Society, an analysis of Dr.
Bonomo’s discoveries, relative to the cutaneous worms that
generate the itch, which was inserted in the Philosophical
Transactions of that year. The original letter of Bonomo
to Redi was published in Italian, in 1687; and Dr. Mead
met with it in his travels in Italy. This, with his “Account
of Poisons,
” produced him a place in the Royal Society in
. D. conferred on him by the university of Oxford, by diploma. On the last illness of queen Anne, he was called in consultation, two days before her death. Cautious
Dr. Mead’s reputation now greatly increased his business, and recommended him to the patronage of the most eminent of the faculty. In 1707 he had the degree of M. D. conferred on him by the university of Oxford, by diploma. On the last illness of queen Anne, he was called in consultation, two days before her death. Cautious and reserved as physicians usually are on such occasions, Dr. Mead, either more discerning or more bold, no sooner saw the queen than he declared her in immediate danger; and when he found his brethren demur on this opinion, he said it would be sufficient to send to Hanover an account of the present symptoms, by which the physicians of that court would immediately perceive that, before the account came to them, the queen would be no more. Having opened his mind freely on this subject to his friend and protector Dr. Radcliffe, the latter made use of that friendship to excuse his own attendance. Radcliflfe surviving the queen but three months, Mead removed to his house, and resigned his office in St. Thomas’s hospital.
Dr. Mead was not more to be admired for the qualities of his head than to
Dr. Mead was not more to be admired for the qualities
of his head than to be loved for those of his heart. Though
he was himself a zealous whig, yet party principles did
not prevent his attachment to men of merit, by whatever
denomination they might happen to be distinguished. Thus
he was intimate with Garth, with Arbuthnot, and with
Freind. Of his connexion with, and liberal conduct to,
the latter, we have already given an account (vol. XV. p. 112, 113). Dr. Mead, however, amidst so many excellent qualities, was not without resentments equally steady.
That against Woodward was certainly carried to a length
highly exceptionable; as we find by Mead’s preface to his
treatise on the small pox, it had not subsided twenty years
after Woodward’s death. The first quarrel between Mead
and Woodward was of a personal kind, but in what it originated we know not. Mead felt it, however, in such a
manner, that he went to Woodward’s lodgings to demand
satisfaction; and meeting him at Gresham college, under
the arch in the way from the outer court to the green court,
he drew his sword, and bid Woodward defend himself, or
beg pardon, which, it is supposed, he did. This rencontre
is recorded in the view of the college, prefixed to Ward’s
“Lives of the Gresham Professors,
” in which Woodward
is represented kneeling, and laying his sword at the feet
of his antagonist. Mead was the friend and patron of
Ward, which may account, although it cannot well excuse, his introducing and perpetuating a foolish circumstance so foreign to the nature of his work.
Dr. Mead was admitted fellow of the college of physicians, April 9, 1716;
Dr. Mead was admitted fellow of the college of physicians, April 9, 1716; and executed the office of censor
in 1716, 1719, and 1724. In 1719, on an alarm confirmed
by the fatal plague at Marseilles, the lords of the regency
directed Mr. Craggs, then secretary of state, to apply to
Dr. Mead, to give the best directions for preventing the
importation of the plague, or stopping its progress. His
opinion was approved; and quarantine directed to be performed. Of his “Discourse concerning Pestilential Contagion,
” no less than seven editions were printed in
As Dr. Mead was ever anxious to support the honour of his profession by his
As Dr. Mead was ever anxious to support the honour of
his profession by his liberal' conduct, and by associating
with it the character of a friend and patron of learning,
he took an opportunity to assert its dignity in his “Harveian Oration,
” read before the college in October
On the accession of George II. to the throne in 1727, Dr. Mead was appointed physician in ordinary to his majesty, and had afterwards
On the accession of George II. to the throne in 1727, Dr. Mead was appointed physician in ordinary to his majesty, and had afterwards the satisfaction of seeing his two sons-in-law (Dr. Wilmot and Dr. Nicholls) his associates in the same station.
Busied as Dr. Mead was in the duties of his profession, he never lost sight of the
Busied as Dr. Mead was in the duties of his profession, he never lost sight of the interests of literature, and was most liberal in the promotion of it. Mr. Carte, the historian, who, on account of political suspicions, had retired to France in 1722, having employed himself there in collecting materials for an English translation of Thuanus, Dr. Mead quickly perceived that this plan might be enlarged. He looked on this country as too disinterested to desire to possess this foreign treasure alone, and was willing England might do for Thuanus more than France itself, by procuring for all Europe the first complete edition of this excellent history. He therefore remunerated Carte for the pains he had taken, and employed Mr. Buckley, as an editor equal to the task, whose three letters written in English to Dr. Mead, contain many curious particulars concerning the history itself, and the plan of this new edition. These letters were translated into Latin by professor Ward, and prefixed to the splendid edition of Thuanus, published in 1733, in 7 vols. folio.
when retirement becomes necessary, he declined the presidentship of the college of physicians, which was offered him in October 1744, and now employed his leisure in
Being arrived at the time of life when retirement becomes necessary, he declined the presidentship of the college of physicians, which was offered him in October 1744,
and now employed his leisure in revising his former, and
composing new works. He had, so early as 1712, communicated to Dr. Freind his opinions respecting the importance of purgatives in the secondary fever of small-pox,
upon which subject Dr. Freind published a letter in 1719.
But it was not till 1747, that Dr. Mead printed his treatise
“De Variolis et Morbillis,
” which contains many valuable
observations on both these diseases, and also strong recommendations of the practice of inoculation. To this
treatise, which was written in a pure Latin style, he subjoined a translation of Rhazes’s commentary on the Smallpox, into the same language, a copy of which be had
obtained from Leyden, through the assistance of his fellowstudent Boerhaave, with whom he had maintained a constant correspondence. In 1749 he published his “Medicina Sacra, seu de Morbis insignioribus qui in Bibliis memorantur,
” 8vo. The object of this work was to shew that
the diseases, mentioned in the Bible, were explicable on
natural grounds and in this he particularly attempted to
prove that the daemoniacs mentioned in the gospel were only
insane, or epileptic persons. His last work, a summary of
the experience of his professional life, was published in
1751, under the title of “Monita et Praecepta Medica,
”
8vo. This little volume was almost purely practical, consisting of detached observations on a variety of diseases
and medicines, many of which have stood the test of subsequent experience: it was frequently reprinted, and was
translated into English, under his inspection, by Dr. Stack.
This was the last, and perhaps the most useful, of all his works, which
This was the last, and perhaps the most useful, of all his works, which have been since collected and published in 1762, 4to. He died on Feb. 16, 1754; and on the 23d he was buried in the Temple church, near his elder brother Samuel, whose property he had inherited, and to whose memory the doctor had caused an elegant monument to be placed, with his bust, and a suitable inscription, by Dr. Ward. To Dr. Mead there is no monument in the Temple; but an honorary one was placed by his son in the north aile of Westminster-abbey. Over the tomb is the doctor’s bust; at his right hand a wreathed serpent, darting its tongue, and on his left several books. Below the bust are his arms and crest. The inscription to this was also written by Dr. Ward.
Dr. Mead was twice married. By his first lady, whom we have mentioned, he
Dr. Mead was twice married. By his first lady, whom
we have mentioned, he had ten children (of whom three survived him, two daughters married to Dr. Wilmot and Dr. Nicholls, and his son Richard, heir to his father’s and uncle’s fortunes): by the second lady, Miss Anne Alston,
sister to sir Rowland Alston of Odell in Bedfordshire
(whom he married in 1724), he had no issue. Dr. Mead
raised the medical character to a higher dignity than ever
was known in this or any other country. During almost
half a century he was at the head of his profession, which
is said to have brought him in one year upwards of seven
thousand pounds, and between five and six for several
years. The clergy, and in general all men of learning,
were welcome to his advice; and his doors were open every
morning to the most indigent, whom he frequently assisted
with money; so that, notwithstanding his great income, he
did not die very rich. He was a most generous patron of
learning and learned men, in all sciences, and in every
country; by the peculiar munificence of his disposition,
making the private gains of his profession answer the end
of a princely fortune, and valuing them only as they enabled him to become more extensively useful, and thereby
to satisfy that greatness of mind which will transmit his
name to posterity with a lustre not inferior to that of the
most distinguished characters of antiquity. To him the
several counties of England, and our colonies abroad, applied for the choice of their physicians. No foreigner of
any learning, taste, or even curiosity, ever came to England without being introduced to Dr. Mead; and he was
continually consulted by the physicians of the continent.
His large and spacious house in Great Ormond street became a repository of all that was curious in nature or in
art, to which his extensive correspondence with the learned
in all parts of Europe not a little contributed. The king
of Naples sent to request a collection of all his works; presented him with the two first volumes of signor Bajardi,
and invited him to his own palace: and, through the hands
of M. de Boze, he frequently had the honour of exchanging presents with the king of France. He built a gallery
for his favourite furniture, his pictures, and his antiquities. His library, as appears by the printed catalogue of
it, consisted of 6592 numbers, containing upwards of
10,000 volumes, in which he had spared no expence for
scarce and ancient editions. It was at that time mentioned as remarkable, although it will not be thought so
now, that many of his books sold for much more than they
had cost him. The sale of the whole amounted to 5500l.
His pictures also were chosen with so much judgment, that
they produced 3417l. 11s. about six or seven hundred
pounds more than he gave for them; and the total amount
of his books, pictures, coins, &c. &c. was 16,069l. 8s. Md.
Nor did he make this great collection for his own use only,
but freely opened it to public inspection. Ingenious men
were sure of finding at Dr. Mead’s the best helps in all
their undertakings; and scarcely any thing curious appeared in England but under his patronage. By his singular humanity and goodness, “he conquered even Envy
itself;
” a compliment which was justly paid him in a
dedication, by the editor of lord Bacon’s Works, in 1730. But
the most elegant compliment he received, or couid receive,
was in the dedication written by Dr Johnson for Dr James,
which we have inserted in vol. XVIII. art. James. Dr.
Johnson once said of Dr. Mead, that “he lived more in
the broad sunshine of life than almost any man.
” He constantly kept in pay a great number of scholars and artists of
all kinds, who were at work for him or for the public. He
was the friend of Pope, of Halley, and of Newton; and
placed their portraits in his house, with those of Shakspeare and Milton, near the busts of their great masters, the
ancient Greeks and Romans. A marble bust of Dr. Harvey, the work of an excellent artist, from an original picture in his possession, was given by him to the college of
physicians: and one of Dr. Mead, by Roubillac, was presented to the college in 1756, by the late Dr. Askew. A
portrait of him was etched by Pond, another by Richardson; a mezzotinto by Houston, from a painting of Ramsay;
and an engraved portrait by Baron. There was also a medal of him struck in 1773, long after his decease, by Lewis
Pingo.
same time such and such a prescription of Cheyne; which Mead took ill. When the well-meaning patient was got pretty well again, he asked the doctor what fees he desired
Among the many characteristic anecdotes of Dr. Mead,
which have been published, one is, that he never took a
fee of any clergyman, except of Mr. Robert Leake, fellow
of St. John’s college, Cambridge; who, falling into a valetudinarian state, dabbled rather too much with the writings,
and followed too closely some of the prescriptions, of the
celebrated Dr. Cheyne. Being greatly emaciated in a
course of time, by keeping too strictly to that gentleman’s
regimen, misapplying perhaps his rules, where the case
required a different treatment, his friends advised him to
apply to Dr. Mead; which he did, going directly to London to wait on the doctor, and telling him that “he had
hitherto observed Cheyne’s directions, as laid down in his
printed books.
” Mead (a proud man and passionate), spoke
with contempt of Cheyne and his regimen. “Follow my
prescriptions,
” said he, “and I will set you up again.
”
Mr. Leake submitted; and beginning to find some benefit,
he asked the doctor every now and then, whether it might
not be proper for him to follow at the same time such and
such a prescription of Cheyne; which Mead took ill.
When the well-meaning patient was got pretty well again,
he asked the doctor what fees he desired or expected from
him. “Sir,
” said the physician, “I have never yet, in the
whole course of my practice, taken or demanded any the
least fee from any clergyman. But since you have been
pleased, contrary to 'what I have met with in any other
gentleman of your profession, to prescribe to me, rather
than to follow my prescriptions, when you had committed
the care of your recovery tomy skill and trust, you must
not take it amiss, nor will, I hope, think it unfair, if I
demand ten guineas of you.
” The money, though not
perhaps without some little reluctance, was paid down.
The doctor at the sa.ne time told Leake, “You may come
to me again, belore you quit London.
” He did so; and
Mead returned to him six guineas out of the ten which he
had received.
, an English critic, was born in Staffordshire in 1697, and was educated at Mertoncollege
, an English critic, was
born in Staffordshire in 1697, and was educated at Mertoncollege in Oxford, of which he became a fellow. In 1732,
hepublished notes on Milton’s Paradise Regained, and in
the following year was promoted to a canonry in the church
of Worcester. He was author of several small tracts, containing critical remarks on the English poets; and his
notes were not neglected by the late bishop Newton, in
publishing his edition of Milton He was greatly esteemed
by the learned in general, and died at Worcester in 1769,
aged 72. Dr. Newton thus speaks of him in his preface
to the Paradise Regained. After enumerating the assistance
given by friends, he adds, “I had the honour of all these
for my associates and assistants before, but I have been
farther strengthened by some new recruits, which were
the more unexpected, as they were sent me by gentlemen
with whom. I never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance. The Rev. Mr. Meado-vcourt, canon of Worcester,
in 1732 published a critical dissertation, with notes, upon
the Paradise Regained, a second edition of which was published in 1748; and he likewise transmitted to me a sheet
of his manuscript remarks, wherein he hath happily explained a most duficult passage in Lycidas, better than any
man had done before him
” The passage alluded to is
the 160th line of that poem, in which Mr Mtad.nvcourt
explained the words “Bellerus,
” and “Bayonu’s hold.
” He
was author also of eleven printed sermons, which are enumerated in Cooke’s Preacher’s Assistant.
, an Irish physician and poet, was born at Ormond, about the close of the sixteenth century, in
, an Irish physician
and poet, was born at Ormond, about the close of the sixteenth century, in the county of Tipperary, and educated
at Oxford. Wood doubts this, because he could find no
record of his matriculation or degrees; but in one of his
writings he styles himself “lately a member of the university of Oxford,
” and it is probable that he took his medical
degrees there, as immediately on his leaving Oxford, he
settled in his own country, and soon attained the highest
eminence in his profession. He was living in 1620, but
the time of his death is not specified in our authorities.
He wrote a heroic poem, in Latin, on the earl of Ormond
and Ossory, entitled “Ormonius, sive illust. herois et Domini D. Thomse Butler, &c. prosapia, &c.
” printed at
London in Pathologia hereditaria generalis, &c.
” Dublin,
Examen Diatribae Thomae Willisii, de Febribus,
” London, Vindicatio
Diatribae Willisii,
” written with much controversial bitterness.
, a very able French mathematician and astronomer, was born at Laon in 17 44, where his father was an architect, and
, a very able
French mathematician and astronomer, was born at Laon
in 17 44, where his father was an architect, and at one time
a man of considerable property. At an early age he discovered a strong inclination for mathematical pursuits,
and while he was under the instruction of his tutors, corresponded with Lalande, whom he was desirous of assisting
in his labours. In 1772, Mechain was invited to Paris,
where he was employed at the depot of the marine, and
assisted M. Darquier in correcting his observations. Here
his merit brought him acquainted with M. Doisy, director
of the depot, who gave him a more advantageous situation
at Versailles. At this place he diligently observed the
heavens, and, in 1774, sent to the Royal Academy of
Sciences “A Memoir relative to an Eclipse of Aldebaran,
”
observed by him on the 15th of April. He calculated the
orbit of the comet of 1774, and discovered that of 1781.
In 1782, he gained the prize of the academy on the subject
of the comet of 1661, the return of which was eagerly expected in 1790; and in the same year he was admitted a
member of the academy, and soon selected for the superintendance of the Connoissance des Tems. In 1790, M.
Mechain discoveredhis eighth comet, and communicated
to the academy his observations on it, together with his
calculations of its orbit. In 1792 he undertook, conjointly
with M. Delambre, the labour of measuring the degrees of
the meridian, for the purpose of more accurately determining the magnitude of the earth and the length of a
metre. In the month of June 1792, M. Mechain set out
to measure the triangles between Perpignan and Barcelona;
and notwithstanding that the war occasioned a temporary
suspension of his labours, he was enabled to resume and
complete them during the following year. He died on the
20th of September 1805, at Castellon de la Plana, in the
sixty-second year of his age. Lalande deplores his loss as
that of not only one of the best French astronomers, but
one of the most laborious, the most courageous, and the
most robust. His last observations and calculations of the
eclipse of the sun on the llth of February, are inserted in
the Connoissance des Tems for the year 15; and he also
published a great many in the Ephemerides of M. Bode,
of Berlin, which he preferred to a former work after Lalande became its editor. A more extensive memoir of his
labours may be seen in Baron von Zach’s Journal for July
1800, and Lalande’s History of Astronomy for 1804.
, a learned -English divine, was born in 1586, of a good family, at Berden, in Essex. When he
, a learned -English divine,
was born in 1586, of a good family, at Berden, in Essex.
When he was about ten years old, both he and his father
fell sick of the small pox; which proving mortal to the
father, the son fell under the care of a Mr. Gower, to whom
his mother was soon after married. He was sent to school
first to Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire, and then to Wethersfield, in Essex. While he was at this last school, going to
London upon some occasion, he bought “Bellarmine’s
Hebrew Grammar
” and though his master, who had no
skill in that language, told him it was a book not fit fof
him, yet he studied it with so much eagerntss, that in a
little time he attained considerable skill in Hebrew. In
1602, he was sent to Christ’s-college, in Cambridge; where,
although he had an uncommon impediment in his speech,
which would not suffer him to shew himself to advantage,
he was soon distinguished for his abilities and learning.
Not long after his entrance upon philosophical studies, he
became disquieted with scepticism: for, meeting with a
book in a fellow-student’s chamber, either “Sextus Empiricus,
” or some other of the Pyrrhonic school, he began,
upon the perusal of it, to move strange questions to himself, and even to doubt whether the To Ilav, the whole
frame of things, as it appears to us, were any thing more
than a mere phantasm, or imagination; and, till his principles were settled, his life, as he professed, was utterly
without comfort.
By the time he had taken the degree of master of arts, which was in 1610, he had made such progress in all kinds of academical
By the time he had taken the degree of master of arts,
which was in 1610, he had made such progress in all kinds
of academical study, that he was universally esteemed an
accomplished scholar. He was an acute logician, an accurate philosopher, a skilful mathematician, an excellent
anatomist, a great philologer, a master of many languages,
and a good proficient in history and chronology. His first
public effort was an address that he made to bishop Andrews, in a Latin tract “De sanctitate relativa;
” which, in
his maturer years, he censured as a juvenile performance,
and therefore never published it. That great prelate, however, who was a good judge and patron of learning, liked
it so well, that he not only was the author’s firm friend
upon an occasion that offered soon after, but also then desired him to be his domestic chaplain. This Mede very
civilly refused; valuing the liberty of his studies above
any hopes of preferment, wnd esteeming that freedom
which he enjoyed in his cell, so he used to call it, as the
haven of all his wishes. These thoughts, indeed, had possessed him. betimes: for, when he was a school-boy, he
was invited by his uncle, Mr. Richard Mede, a merchant,
who, being then without children, offered to adopt him for
his son, if he would live with him: but he refused the
offer, preferring, as it should seem, a life of study to a
life of gain.
He was not chosen fellow of his college till after he was master of
He was not chosen fellow of his college till after he was
master of arts, and then not without the assistance of his
friend bishop Andrews: for he had been passed over at
several elections, on account of a groundless suspicion
which Dr Cary, then master of the college, afterwards
bishop of Exeter, had conceived of him, that “he looked
too much towanis Geneva;
” that is, was inclined to the
tenets of that church. Being made fellow, he became an
eminent and faithful tutor. After he had well grounded
his pupils in classics, logic, and philosophy, his custom
was to set every one his dnily task; which he rather chose,
than to confine himself and them to precise hours for lectures. In the evening they all came to his chamber; and
the first question he put to each was, “Quid dubitas?
What doubts have you met with in your studies to-day?
”
For he supposed, that to doubt nothing and to understand
nothing was the same thing. By this method he taught
the young men to exercise their reasoning powers, and not
acquiesce in what they learn mechanically, with an indolence of spirit, which prepares them to receive implicitly
whatever is offered them. In the mean time he was appointed reader of the Greek lecture of Sir Walter Mildmay’s foundation; an office which he held during the remainder of his life. While at college, he was so entirely
devoted to study that he made even the time he spent in
his amusements serviceable to his purpose. He allowed
himself little or no exercise but walking; and often, in
the fields or college garden, would take occasion to speak
of the beauty, distinctions, virtues, or properties, of the
plants then in view: for he was a curious florist, an accurate herbalist, and thoroughly versed in the book of nature.
The chief delight he took in company was to discourse with
learned friends; and he used to spend much time with his
worthy friend Mr. William Chappel, afterwards provost of
Trinity-college, Dublin, and bishop of Cork and Ross, a
man of great learning, and who had a high regard for Mr.
Mede.
He was a curious inquirer into the most abstruse parts of learning,
He was a curious inquirer into the most abstruse parts of learning, and earnestly pursued the knowledge of those things which are most remote from the vulgar track. Among other things, he spent no small pains and time in sounding the depths of astrology, and consumed much paper in calculating the nativities of his near relations and fellow-students but this was in his juvenile years, and he afterwards discovered the absurdity of such employment He applied himself to the more useful study of history and antiquities, particularly to those difficult sciences which made the ancient Chaldeans, Egyptians, and other nations so famous; tracing them, as far as he could have any light to guide him, in their oriental schemes and figurative expressions, as likewise in their hieroglyphics; not forgetting to inquire also into the oneirocritics of the ancients, because of the affinity which he conceived they might have with the language of the prophets. He was a curious and laborious searcher into antiquities relating to religion, Pagan, Jewish, Christian, and Mahometan: to which he added other attendants, necessary for understanding the more difficult parts of Scripture.
inity-college, Dublin, into which he had been elected at the recommendation of archbishop Usher, who was his particular friend; as he did also when it was offered him
In 1618 he took the degree of bachelor in divinity, but
his modesty restrained him from proceeding to that of
doctor. In 1627, a similar motive induced him to refuse
the provostship of Trinity-college, Dublin, into which he
had been elected at the recommendation of archbishop
Usher, who was his particular friend; as he did also when
it was offered him a second time, in 1630. The height of
his ambition was, only to have had some small donative
sinecure added to his fellowship, or to have been preferred
to some place of quiet, where, retired from the noise and
tumults of the world, and possessed of a competency,
he might be entirely at leisure for study and acts of piety.
When, therefore, a report was spread that he was made
chaplain to the archbishop of Canterbury, he thus expressed
himself in a letter to a friend: that “he had lived, till the
best of his time was spent, in tranquillitate et secessu; and
now, that there is but a little left, should 1,
” said he, “be
so unwise, suppose there was nothing else, as to enter into
a tumultuous life, where I should not have time to think
my own thoughts, and must of necessity displease others
or myself? Those who think so, know not my disposition
in this kind to be as averse, as some perhaps would be
ambitious.
” In the mean time, though his circumstances
were scanty, for he had nothing but his fellowship and the
Greek lecture, his charity was diffusive and uncommon;
and, extraordinary as it may now seem, he devoted the
tenth of his income to pious and charitable uses. But his
frugality and temperance always afforded him plenty. His
prudence or moderation, either in declaring or defending
his private opinions, was very remarkable; as was also his
freedom from partiality, prejudice, or prepossession, pride,
anger, selfishness, flattery, and ambition. He died Oct. 1,
1638, in his 52d year, having spent above two-thirds of
his time in college, to which he bequeathed the residue of
his property, after some small legacies. He was buried
next day in the college chapel. As to his person, he was
of a comely proportion, and rather tall than otherwise. His
eye was full, quick, and sparkling-; his whole countenance
sedate and grave; awful, but at the same time tempered
with an inviting sweetness: and his behaviour was friendly,
affable, cheerful, and upon occasion intermixed with pleasantry. Some of his sayings and bon mots are recorded
by the author of his life; one of which was, his calling
such fellow-commoners as came to the university only to
see it, or to be seen in it, “the university tulips,
” that
made a gaudy shew for a while; but, upon the whole, his
biographers have made a better estimate of his learning
than of his wit. In his life-time he produced three treatises only: the first entitled “Clavis Apocalyptica ex innatis & insitis visionum characteribus eruta et demonstrata,
” Cant. In sancti Joannis Apocalypsin.
commentarius, ad amussim Clavis Apocalypticse.
” This is
the largest and the most elaborate of any of his writings.
The other two were but short tracts: namely, “About the
name vtriao-lyfiov, anciently given to the holy table, and
about churches in the apostles’ times.
” The rest of his
works were printed after his decease; and in the best edition published by Dr. Worthington, in 1672, folio, the
whole are divided into five books, and disposed in the following order. The first book contains fifty-three “Discourses on several texts of Scripture' the second, such
” Tracts and discourses as are of the like argument and
design“the third, his
” Treatises upon some of the prophetical Scriptures, namely, The Apocalypse, St. Peter’s
prophecy concerning the day of Christ’s second coming,
St. Paul’s prophecy touching the apostacy of the latter
times, and three Treatises upon some obscure passages in
Daniel:“the fourth, his
” Letters to several learned men,
with their letters also to him :“the fifth,
” Fragmenta
Sacra, or such miscellanies of divinity, as could not well
come under any of the aforementioned heads.“
These are the works of this pious and profoundly learned
man, as not only his editor calls him in the title-page, but
the best livin: s have allowed him to be. His comments
on the book of Revelation, are still considered as containing the mo-t satisfactory explanation of those obscure
prophecies, so far as they have been yet fulfilled: and, in
every other [>a< t of iiis works, the talents of a sound and
learned divine are eminently conspicuous. It is by no
means the least considerable testimony toiis merit, that
he has been highly and frequently commended by Jortin
but the writer of our times who has bestoweJ most pains on
the character and writings of Mr Mede, and who has done
the most honour to both, is the late learned bishop Hurd.
This prelate has devoted the greater part of his tenth sermon
” On the Study of the Prophecies“to the consideration of the
” Clavis Apocalyptica.“It would be superfluous to extract at much length from a work so well
known; but we may be permitted to conclude with Dr.
Kurd’s manner of introducing Mr. Mede to his hearers.
Sjie iking of the many attempts to explain the Apocalypse,
in the infancy of the reformed church, he says,
” The
issue of much elaborate enquiry was, that the book itself
was disgraced by the fruitless efforts of its commentators,
and on the point of being given up, as utterly impenetrable, when a Sublime Genius arose, in the beginning of
the last century, and surprized the learned world with that
great desideratum, a * Key to the Revelations’." 1
, a celebrated citizen of Florence, born in that city iii 1389, was the eldest son of John de Metlici, the founder of his illustrious
, a celebrated citizen of Florence,
born in that city iii 1389, was the eldest son of John de
Metlici, the founder of his illustrious family. 4i The
maxims,“says Mr. Roscoe,
” which, m iformly pursued,
raised the house of Medici to the splendour which it afterwards enjoyed, are to be found in the charge given by this
venerable old man on his death-bed to his two sons “I
feel,
” said John de Medici, “that I have lived the time
prescribed me. I die content; leaving you, my sons, in
affluence and in health, and in such a station, that while
you follow my example, you may live in your native place
honoured and respected. Nothing affords me more pleasure
than the reflection that my conduct has not given offence
to any one; but that, on the contrary, I have endeavoured
to serve all persons to the best of my abilities. I advise
you to do the same. With respect to the honours of the
state, if you would live with security, accept only such as
are bestowed on you by the laws, and the favour of your
fellow-citizens; for it is the exercise of that power which is
obtained by violence, and not of that which is voluntarily
conferred, that occasions hatred and violence.
” At the
death of this venerable man, in 1428, Cosmo had already
obtained distinction both in the political and commercial
world. In 1414, when the pope, John XXIII., was
summoned to attend the council of Constance, he chose
to be accompanied by Cosmo de Medici, among other men
of eminence, whose high characters might countenance his
cause. On the death of his father, Cosmo succeeded to
the influence possessed by him as head of that powerful
family, which rendered him the first citizen of the state,
though without any superiority of rank or title, and his
conduct being marked by urbanity and generosity to all
ranks, he acquired numerous and zealous partizans. Such
was the influence of his family, that while the citizens of
Florence fancied they lived under a pure republic, the Medici generally assumed to themselves the first offices of the
state, or nominated such persons as they esteemed fit for
those employments. Cosmo exerted this influence with
great prudence and moderation; yet, owing to the discontent of the Florentines, with the bad success of the war
against Lucca, a party arose, led on by Rinaldo de' Albizi,
which, in 1433, after filling the magistracies with their
own adherents, seized the person of Cosmo, and committed
him to prison, and he was afterwards banished to Padua
for ten years, and several other members and friends of
the Medici family underwent a similar punishment. He
was received with marked respect by the Venetian government, and took up his abode in the city of Venice. Within
a year of his retreat, Rinaldo was himself obliged to quit
Florence; and Cosmo being recalled, he returned amidst
the acclamations of his fellow-subjects. Some victims
were offered to his future security, and the gonfaloniere
who had pronounced his sentence, with a few others of
that party, were put to death. Measures were now taken
to restrict the choice of magistrates to the partizans of the
Medici, and alliances were formed with the neighbouring
powers for the avowed purpose of supporting and perpetuating the system by which Florence was from that time to
be governed. The manner in which Cosmo employed his
authority, has conferred upon his memory the greatest
honour. From this time his life was an almost uninterrupted series of prosperity. The tranquillity enjoyed by
the republic, and the satisfaction and peace of mind which
he experienced in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, enabled him to indulge his natural propensity
to the promotion of science, and the patronage and encouragement of learned men. The richest private citizen
in Europe, he surpassed almost all sovereign princes in the
munificence with which he patronized literature and the
fine arts. He assembled around him some of the most
learned men of the age, who had begun to cultivate the
Grecian language and philosophy. He established, at
Florence, an academy expressly for the elucidation of the
Platonic philosophy, at the head of which he placed the
celebrated Marsilius Ficinus. He collected from all parts
by means of foreign correspondences, manuscripts of the
Greek, Latin, and Oriental languages, which formed the
foundation of the Laurentian library nor was he less liberal in the encouragement of the fine arts. During the retirement of his latter days, his happiest hours were devoted to the study of letters and philosophy, and the conversation of learned men. He also endowed numerous
religious houses, and built an hospital at Jerusalem for the
relief of distressed pilgrims. While the spirit of his government was moderate, he avoided every appearance of
state which might excite the jealousy or discontent of the
Florentines; and therefore, byway of increasing his interest among them, restricted the marriages of his children
to Florentine families: By such wise measures, and the
general urbanity of his behaviour to all orders of men, he
attained the title of “Father of his country,
” which was
inscribed on his tomb. He died Aug. 1, 14-64, aged seventyfive years, deeply lamented by the citizens of Florence.
, grandson of the preceding, was born Jan. 1, 1448. From his earliest years he gave proofs of
, grandson of
the preceding, was born Jan. 1, 1448. From his earliest
years he gave proofs of a vigorous mind, which was carefully cultivated, and exhibited many traits of that princely
and liberal spirit which afterwards procured him the title of
“Magnificent.
” In polite literature he cultivated poetry,
and gave some proofs of his talents in various compositions. At the death of Cosmo, on account of the infirmities of his father Peter de Medici, he was immediately
initiated into political life, although then only in his sixteenth year. He was accordingly sent to visit the principal courts in Italy, and acquire a personal knowledge of
their politics and their rulers. In 1469 his father died,
leaving his two sons Lorenzo and Julian heirs of his power
and property; but it was Lorenzo who succeeded him as
head of the republic. Upon the accession of Sixtus IV. to
the papal throne, he went, with some other citizens, to
congratulate the new pope, and was invested with the office of treasurer of the holy see, and while at Rome took
every opportunity to add to the remains of ancient art
which his family had collected. One of the first public
occurrences after he conducted the helm of government,
was a revolt of the inhabitants of Volterra, on account of
a dispute with the Florentine republic; by the recommendation of Lorenzo, means of force were adopted, which
ended in the sack of the unfortunate city, an event that
gave him much concern. In 1472, he re-established the
academy of Pisa, to which he removed in order to complete the work, exerted himself in selecting the most eminent professors, and contributed to it a large sum from his
private fortune, in addition to that granted by the state of
Florence. Zealously attached to the Platonic philosophy,
he took an active part in the establishment of an academy
for its promotion, and instituted an annual festival in honour of the memory of Plato, which was conducted with
singular literary splendour. While he was thus advancing
in a career of prosperity and reputation, a tragical incident was very near depriving his country of his future services. This was the conspiracy of the Pazzi, a numerous
and distinguished family in Florence, of which the object
was the assassination of Lorenzo and his brother. In the
latter they were successful; but Lorenzo was saved, and
the people attached to the Medici collecting in crowds,
putto death or apprehended the assassins, whose designs were thus entirely frustrated, and summary justice
was inflicted on the criminals. Salviati, archbishop of
Pisa, was hanged out of the palace window in his sacerdotal robes; and Jacob de Pazzi, with one of his nephews, shared the same fate. The name and arms of the
Pazzi family were suppressed, its members were banished,
and Lorenzo rose still higher in the esteem and affection of
his fellow-citizens. The pope, Sixtus IV. who was deep
in this foul conspiracy, inflamed almost to madness by the
defeat of his schemes, excommunicated Lorenzo and the
magistrates of. Florence, laid an interdict upon the whole
territory, and, forming a league with the king of Naples,
prepared to invade the Florentine dominions. Lorenzo
appealed to all the surrounding potentates for the justice
of his cause; and he was affectionately supported by his
fellow-citizens. Hostilities began, and were carried on with
various success through two campaigns. At the close of
1479, Lorenzo took the bold resolution of paying a visit
to the king of Naples, and, without any previous security,
trusted his liberty and his life to the mercy of a declared
enemy. The monarch was struck with this heroic act of
confidence, and a treaty of mutual defence and friendship
was agreed upon between them, and Sixtus afterwards
consented to a peace. At length the death of Sixtus IV.
freed him from an adversary who never ceased to bear him
ill-will; and he was able to secure himself a friend in his
successor Innocent VIII. He conducted the republic of
Florence to a degree of tranquillity and prosperity which
it had scarcely ever known before; and by procuring the
institution of a deliberative body, of the nature of a
senate, he corrected the democratical part of his constitution.
hich he imitated the rustic dialect, became extremely popular. His regard to literature, in general, was testified by the extraordinary attention which he paid to the
Lorenzo distinguished himself beyond any of his predecessors in the encouragement of literature and the arts:
and his own productions are distinguished by a vigour of
imagination, an accuracy of judgment, and an elegance of
style, which afforded the first great example of improvement, and entitle him, almost exclusively, to the honourable appellation of the “restorer of Italian literature.
”
His compositions are sonnets, canzoni, and other lyric
pieces, some longer works in stanzas, some comic satires,
and jocose carnival songs, and various sacred poems, the
latter as serious as many of the former are licentious.
Some of these pieces, especially those of the lighter kind,
in which he imitated the rustic dialect, became extremely
popular. His regard to literature, in general, was testified by the extraordinary attention which he paid to the
augmentation of the Laurentian library. Although the ancestors of Lorenzo laid the foundation of the immense collection of Mss. contained in this library, he may claim
the honour of having raised the superstructure. If there
was any pursuit in which he engaged more ardently and
persevered in more diligently than the rest, it was that of
enlarging his collection of books and antiquities: for this
purpose he employed the services of learned men, in different parts of Italy, and especially of his intimate friend
and companion Poiitian, who took several journeys in order
to discover and purchase the valuable remains of antiquity.
“I wish,
” said Lorenzo to him as he was proceeding on
one of these expeditions, “that the diligence of Picus
and yourself would afford me such opportunities of purchasing books that I should be obliged even to pledge
my furniture to possess them.
” Two journeys, undertaken
at the instance of Lorenzo, into the east, by John Lascar,
produced a great number of rare and valuable works. On
his return from his second expedition, he brought with
him two hundred copies, many of which he had procured
from a monastery at mount Athos; but this treasure did not
arrive till after the death of Lorenzo, who, in his last moments, expressed to Politian and Picus his regret that he
could not live to complete the collection which he was
forming for their accommodation. On the discovery of the
invaluable art of printing, Lorenzo was solicitous to avail
himself of its advantages in procuring editions of the best
works of antiquity corrected by the ablest scholars, whose
labours were rewarded b5 T his munificence. When the
capture of Constantinople by the Turks caused the dispersion of many learned Greeks, he took advantage of
the circumstance, to promote the study of the Greek language in Italy. It was now at Florence that this tongue
was inculcated under the sanction of a public institution,
either by native Greeks, or learned Italians, who were their
powerful competitors, whose services were procured by the
diligence of Lorenzo de Medici, and repaid by his bounty.
“Hence,
” says Mr. Roscoe, “succeeding scholars have
been profuse of their acknowledgments to their great patron, who first formed that establishment, from which,
to use their own classical figure, as from the Trojan
horse, so many illustrious champions have sprung,
and by means of which the knowledge of the Greek
tongue was extended, not only through all Italy, but
through France, Spain, Germany, and England; from all
which countries numerous pupils attended at Florence, who
diffused the learning they had there acquired throughout
the rest of Europe.
”
perfect in their kind that he could procure. The attention of the higher rank of his fellow-citizens was incited to these pursuits by the example of Lorenzo; that of
The services of Lorenzo to the fine arts were not less conspicuous than those which he rendered to letters, by augmenting his father’s collection of the remains of antient taste and skill. It is not, however, on this account only that he is entitled to the esteem of the professors and admirers of the arts. He determined to excite, among his countrymen, a good taste, and, by proposing to their imitation the remains of the ancient masters, to elevate their views beyond the forms of common life, to the contemplation of that ideal beauty which alone distinguishes works of art from, mere mechanical productions. With this view he appropriated his gardens in Florence to the establishment of an academy for the study of the antique, which he furnished with a profusion of statues, busts, and other relics of art, the most perfect in their kind that he could procure. The attention of the higher rank of his fellow-citizens was incited to these pursuits by the example of Lorenzo; that of the lower class by his liberality. To the latter he not only allowed competent stipends, while they attended to their studies, but appointed considerable premiums as rewards of their proficiency. To this institution, more than any other circumstance, Mr. Roscoe ascribes the sudden and astonishing proficiency which, towards the close of the 15th century, was evidently made in the arts, and which, commencing at Florence, extended itself to the rest of Europe. In 1488, his domestic comfort was much impaired by the loss of his wife; and after that his constitution appears to have given way, and in April 1492, he sunk under the debilitating power of a slow fever, and expired in the fortyfourth year of his age. For his general character, as well as the history of his "age, we must refer to the very interesting work from which this brief account has been taken.
, a portrait-painter, was the son of Medina de TAsturias, a Spanish captain, who had settled
, a portrait-painter, was the son of Medina de TAsturias, a Spanish captain, who had settled at Brussels, where this son was born in 1659, and was instructed in painting by Du Chatel. He married young, and came into England in 1686, where he drew portraits for several years. The earl of Leven encouraged him to go to Scotland, and procured him a subscription of five hundred pounds worth of business. He accepted the otFer, and, according to Walpole, carried with him a large number of bodies and postures, to which he painted heads. He returned to England for a short time, but went again to Scotland, where he died in 1711, aged fifty-two, and was buried in the Grey Friars church-yard. He was knighted by the duke of Queensbury, lord high commissioner, being the last instance of that honour conferred in Scotland while a separate kingdom. He painted most of the Scotch nobility; but was not rich, having twenty children. The portraits of the professors in the Surgeons’ hall at Edinburgh were painted by him. Walpole notices other portraits by him in England, and adds, that he was capable both of history and landscape. The duke of Gordon presented his portrait to the grand duke of Tuscany, who pLiced it in the gallery at Florence, among the series of eminent artists painted by themselves. The prints in an octavo edition of Milton were designed by him, but Mr. Walpole does not tell us of what date. Sir John’s grandson, John Medina, the last of the family, died at Edinburgh in 1796. He practised painting in some measure, although all we have heard specified is the repair he gave to the series of Scottish kings in Holy rood -house, which are well known to be imaginary portraits.
, a very learned lawyer and pensionary of Rotterdam was born at Leyden in 1722; of his early history, pursuits, &c.
, a very learned lawyer and pensionary of Rotterdam was born at Leyden in 1722; of his
early history, pursuits, &c. our authorities give no account, nor have the bibliographers of this country, to whom
he is so well known, supplied this deficiency. All we know
is, that he died December 15, 1771, in the forty-ninth year
of his age, after a life spent in learned research and labour, which produced the following works: 1. “De rebus
mancipi et nee mancipi.
” Leyden, Specimen calculi fluxionalis,
” ibid. Specimen animadversionum in Cazi institutiones,
” Mantuae Carpetunorum (i. e. Madrid), reprinted with additions by the
author, at Paris, 1747, 8vo. 4. “Conspectus novi thesauri juris civilis et canonici,
” Hague, Novus Thesaurus juris civilis,
” &c. Conspectus
OriginumTypographicarum proxime in lucem edendarum,
”
Origines Typographic^,
” Hague, 2 vols. 4to. An analysis of
this valuable work was dratvn up by Mr.Bowyer, and printed
in “The Origin of Printing, in tsvo Essays, 1. The substance of Dr. Middleton’s Dissertation on the origin of
printing in England. 2. Mr. Meerman’s account of the
first invention of the art,
”
, a French historian, of Irish extraction, as his name sufficiently denotes, was born in 1721 at Salle in the Cevennes. He addicted himself very
, a French historian, of Irish extraction, as his name sufficiently denotes, was born in 1721 at Salle in the Cevennes. He
addicted himself very early to letters, and the' history
of his life is only the history of his publications. He
produced in 1752, 1. “The origin of the Guebres, or
natural religion put int;o action.
” This book has too much
of the cast uf modern philosophy to deserve recommendation, and has now become very scarce. 2. In 1755 he
published “Considerations on the Revolutions of Arts,
” a
work more easily to be found; and, 3. A small volume of
“Fugitive Pieces
” in verse, far inferior to his prose. In
the ensuing year appeared, 4. His “Memoirs of the Marchioness de Terville, with the Letters of Aspasia,
” 12rno.
The style of these memoirs is considered as affected, which,
indeed, is the general fault prevalent in his works. In his
person also he is said to have been affected and finical;
with very ready elocution, but a mode of choosing both
his thoughts and expressions that was rather brilliant than
natural. His style, however, improved as he advanced in
life. In 1759 he gave the world a treatise on, 5. “The
origin, progress, and decline of Idolatry,
” 12mo; a production in which this improvement in his mode of writing
is very evident. It is still more so in his, 6. “Picture of
modern History,
” “Tableau de THistoire moderne,
” which
was published in
, is the name of several learned men, who were Germans. John-Henry Meibomius was a professor of physic at Heimstadt, where he was born in 1590,
, is the name of several learned men, who
were Germans. John-Henry Meibomius was a professor
of physic at Heimstadt, where he was born in 1590, and
was afterwards first physician at Lubeck, where he died in
1655. He was the author of several learned works on medical subjects, such as “Jusjurandum Hippocratis,
” Gr.
& Lat. De usu flagrorum in re medica,
”
Leyden, Maecenas, sive de C. Cilnii Maecenatis vita, moribus, &
rebus gestis,
” in which he seems to have quoted every
passage from antiquity, where any thing is said of Maecenas; but having employed neither criticism nor method,
he cannot claim any higher merit than that of a mere collector.
, son of the former, was born at Lubeck in 1638; and after laying a proper foundation
, son of the former, was born at
Lubeck in 1638; and after laying a proper foundation in
literature at home, went in 1655 to the university of
Heimstadt, where he applied himself to philosophy and
medicine. Afterwards he went to study under the professors at Groningen, Franeker, and Leyden; and upon
his return to Germany, projected a larger tour through
Italy, France, and England, which he executed; he contracted an acquaintance with the learned wherever he
went; and took a doctor of physic’s degree in 1663, as
he passed through Angers in France. He was offered a
professorship of physic at Heimstadt in 1661: but his travelling scheme did not permit him to take possession of it
till 1664. This, and the professorships of history and
poetry, joined to it in 1678, he held to the time of his
death, which happened in March, 1700. Besides a great
number of works relating to his own profession, he published, in 3 vols. folio, in 1688, “Scriptores rerum Germanicarnm,
” a very useful collection, which had been
begun, but not finished, by his father.
, a very learned man, of the same family as the preceding, was born in 1611. He devoted himself to literature and criticism,
, a very learned man, of the
same family as the preceding, was born in 1611. He devoted himself to literature and criticism, but particularly
to the learning of the ancients; as their music, the structure of their galleys, &c. In 1652 he published a collection of seven Greek authors, who had written upon ancient
music, to which he added a Latin version by himself. It
was entitled “Antiques Musicae auctores septem Greece et
Latine, Marcus Meibomius restituit ac Nods explicavit.
”
Amst. The first volume contains: I. Aristoxeni Harmonicorum Elementorum, libri iii. II. Euclidis Introductio
Harmonica. III. Nichomachi Geraseni, Pythagorici, Harmon. Manuale. IV. Alypii Introductio Musica. V. Gaudentii Philosophi Introductio Harmonica. VI. Bacchii
Senioris Introductio Artis Musicae. The second volume:
Aristidis Quintiliani de Musica, libri iii. Martiani Capellse
de Musica, liber ix. This, says Dr. Burney, is the most
solid and celebrated of his critical works, in which all subsequent writers on the subject of ancient music place implicit faith. It is from these commentaries on the Greek
writers in music, particularly Alypius, that we are able to
fancy we can decipher the musical characters used by the
ancient Greeks in their notation; which, before his time,
had been so altered, corrupted, disfigured, and confounded,
by the ignorance or negligence of the transcribers of
ancient Mss., that they were rendered wholly unintelligible.
Meibomius, after this learned and elegant publication, was invited to the court of the queen of Sweden, to whom be had
Meibomius, after this learned and elegant publication, was invited to the court of the queen of Sweden, to whom be had dedicated it; but this visit was not followed by the most pleasing consequences. Having by his enthusiastic account of the music of the ancients, impressed this princess with similar ideas, the younger Bourdelot, a physician, and his rival (as a classical scholar) in the queen’s favour, instigated her majesty to desire him to sing an ancient Grecian air, while Naudet, an old Frenchman, danced a la Grec to the sound or his voice. But the performance, instead of exciting admiration, produced loud bursts of laughter from all present; which so enraged Meibomius, that seeing the buffoon Bourdelot in the gallery among the scoffers, and having no doubt but that it was he who, with a malicious design, had persuaded her majesty to desire this performance, immediately flew thither, and exercised the pugilist’s art on his face so violently, without being restrained by the presence of the qneen, that he thought it necessary to quit the Swedish dominions before he could be called to an account for his rashness; and immediately went to Copenhagen, where being well received, he fixed his residence there, and became a professor at Sora, a Danish college for the instruction of the young nobility. Here too he was honoured with the title of aulic counsellor, and soon after was called to Elsineur, and advanced to the dignity of Architesorie, or president of the board of maritime taxes or customs; but, neglecting the duty of his office, he was dismissed, and upon that disgrace quitted Denmark'. Soon after, he settled at Amsterdam, and became professor of history in the college of that city; but refusing to give instructions to the son of a burgomaster, alleging that he was not accustomed to instruct boys in the elements of knowledge, but to finish students arrived at maturity in their studies, he was dismissed from that station. After quitting Amsterdam, he visited France and England; then returning to Holland, he led a studious and private life at Amsterdam till 1710 or 1711, when he died at near 100 years of age.
Meibomius pretended that the Hebrew copy of the Bible was full of errors, and undertook to correct them by means of a
Meibomius pretended that the Hebrew copy of the
Bible was full of errors, and undertook to correct them by
means of a metre, which he fancied he had discovered in
those ancient writings; but this drew upon him no small
raillery from the learned. Nevertheless, besides the work
above mentioned, he produced several others, which shewed
him to be a good scholar; particularly his “Diogenes
Laertius,
” Amst. Liber de Fabrica
Triremium,
”
, a German writer on philosophical subjects, was born in 1718, at Ammendorff, near Halie in Saxony. He appeared
, a German writer on philosophical subjects, was born in 1718, at Ammendorff,
near Halie in Saxony. He appeared first as an author in
1745, when he published, in German, 1. His “Representation of a Critic,
” being his delineation of the character
of a perfect critic. In the same year he produced, 2. “Instructions how any one may become a Modern Philosopher,
” 8vo. We have a translation in this country, called
“The Merry Philosopher, or Thoughts on Jesting,
” published in Introduction to the elegant arts and sciences;
” and was printed at
Halle, in 8vo, Isagoge,
” is frequently severe against this, author,
and particularly derides his form of Æsthetics, which had
been much applauded. Meier died in 1777.
, an ancient Latin writer, was born in the province of Boctica in Spain, and flourished in
, an ancient Latin writer, was born
in the province of Boctica in Spain, and flourished in the
first century, in the reign of the emperor Claudius. His
three books of “Cosmography, or De situ Orbis,
” are
written in a concise, perspicuous, and elegant manner;
and have been thought worthy of the attention and labours
of the ablest critics. Isaac Vossius gave an edition of
them in 1658, 4to, with very large and copious notes, in
which he takes frequent occasion to criticize “Salmasius’s
Commentaries upon Solinus.
” James Gronovius published
“Mela,
” in Julii Honorii
oratoris excerptum cosmographioe,
” first published from
the manuscript; and “Æthici Cosmographia.
” Vossius
answered the castigations of Gronovius, in an “Appendix
to his Annotations,
” De geographia,
” written by some later author;
by Jornandes, as Fabricius conjectures. Perhaps one of
the best editions of Pomponius Mela, is that by Reynolds,
printed at Exeter in 1711, 4to, illustrated with 27 maps,
and which was reprinted at London, 1719 and 1739, and
at Eton, 1761 and 1775, 4to. The last edition, collated
with many Mss. is that by C. H. Tzschuckius, printed at
Leipsic, 1807, 7 vols. 8vo.
common consent of all ecclesiastical historians has placed among the most eminent of the reformers, was born at Bretten, in the Palatinate upon the Rhine, Feb. 16,
, whom the common consent
of all ecclesiastical historians has placed among the most
eminent of the reformers, was born at Bretten, in the
Palatinate upon the Rhine, Feb. 16, 1497. His family
name, Schwartserd, in German, means literally black earth,
which, according to the custom of the times (as in the case of Oecolampadius, Erasmus, Chytraeus, Reuchlin, c.),
was exchanged for Melancthon, a compound Greek word
of the same signification. His education was at first
chiefly under the care of his maternal grandfather Reuter,
as his father’s time was much engrossed by the affairs of
the elector Palatine, whom he served as engineer, or commissary of artillery. He first studied at a school in Bretten, and partly under a private tutor, and gave very early
proofs of capacity. He was afterwards sent to Pfortsheim,
a city in the marquisate of Baden, where was a flourishing
college, and here he became known to the celebrated
Reuchlin, to whom it would appear he was distantly related, and who assisted him in learning the Greek language. Probably by his advice, Melancthon went to the
university of Heidelberg, where he was matriculated on
Oct. 13, 1509. Such was his improvement here that his
biographers inform us he was admitted to his bachelor’s
degree, although under fourteen years of age, and that he
was intrusted to teach the sons of count Leonstein. Yet,
notwithstanding his extraordinary proficiency, he was refused his degree of master on account of his youth; and,
either disappointed in this, or because the air of Heidelberg did not agree with his constitution, he left that university in 1512, and went to Tubingen, where he resided
six years.
Baillet has with much propriety classed Melancthon
among the enfans celebres, or list of youths who became
celebrated for early genius and knowledge. It is said that
while at Heidelberg he was employed in composing the
greatest part of the academical speeches, and Baillet adds,
that at thirteen he wrote a comedy, and dedicated it to
Reuchiin. With such capacity and application he could
not fail to distinguish himself during his residence at Tubingen, where he studied divinity, law, and mathematics,
and gave public lectures on the Latin classics, and on the
sciences. About this time Reuchiin had made him a present of a small edition of the Bible, printed by Frobenius,
in reading which, we are told, he took much delight. In
1513 he was created doctor in philosophy, or master of
arts, and had attracted the notice of Erasmus, who conceived the highest hopes of him “What hopes, indeed,
”
he said about may we not entertain of Philip Melancthon, who though as yet very young, and almost a
boy, is equally to be admired for his knowledge in both
languages What quickness of invention what purity of
diction what powers of memory what variety of reading
what modesty and gracefulness of behaviour!
”
Greek professorship in the university of Wittemberg; and his learned and elegant inauguration speech was highly applauded, and removed every prejudice which might be
In 1518, Frederic elector of Saxony, on the recommendation of Reuchiin, presented him to the Greek professorship in the university of Wittemberg; and his learned and
elegant inauguration speech was highly applauded, and removed every prejudice which might be entertained against
his youth. Here he read lectures upon Homer and part
of the Greek Testament to a crowded audience, and here
also he first formed that acquaintance with Luther, then
divinity professor at Wittemberg, which was of so much
importance in his future life. He became also known to
Caroiostadt, one of Luther’s most zealous adherents in
opposing the corruptions of popery, and who was at this
time archdeacon of Wittemberg. Finding that, some of the
sciences had been taught here in a very confused and imperfect manner for want of correct manuals, or text-books,
he published in 1519 his “Rhetoric,
” which was followed
by similar works on “Logic
” and “Grammar.
” In the
above-mentioned year (
reat zeal and force of argument, and affirmed Luther’s doctrine to be sound and orthodox. In 1527 he was appointed by the elector of Saxony, to visit all the churches
In 1520, Meiancthon read lectures on St. Paul’s epistle
to the Romans, which were so much approved by. Luther,
that he caused them to be printed for the good of the
church, and introduced them by a preface. In the following year, hearing that the divines of Paris had condemned
the works and doctrine of Luiher by a formal decree,
Meiancthon opposed them with great zeal and force of
argument, and affirmed Luther’s doctrine to be sound and
orthodox. In 1527 he was appointed by the elector of
Saxony, to visit all the churches within his dominions. He
was next engaged to draw up, conjointly with Luther, a
system of laws relating to church government, public worship, the ranks, offices, and revenues of the priesthood,
and other matters of a similar nature, which the elector
promulgated in his dominions, and which was adopted by
the other princes of the empire, who had renounced the
papal supremacy and jurisdiction. In 1529 he accompanied the elector to the diet at Spire, in which the princes
and members of the reformed communion acquired the
denomination of Protestants, in consequence of their protesting against a decree, which declared unlawful every
change that should be introduced into the established religion, before the determination of a general council was
known. He was next employed by the protestant princes
assembled at Cobourg and Augsburgh to draw up the celebrated confession of faith, which did such honour to his
acute judgment and eloquent pen, and is known by the
name of the Confession of Augsburgh, because presented to
the emperor and German princes at the diet held in that
city in June 1530. The princes heard it with the deepest
attention: it confirmed some in the principles they had
embraced, and conciliated those who from prejudice or misrepresentation, had conceived more harshly of Luther’s
sentiments than they deserved. The style of this confession is plain, elegant, grave, and perspicuous, such as
becomes the nature of the subject, and such as might be
expected from Melancthon’s pen. The matter was undoubtedly supplied by Luther, who, during the diet, resided at Cobourg; and even the form it received from the
eloquent pen of his colleague, was authorized by his approbation and advice. This confession contains twentyeight chapters) of which twenty-one are employed in
representing the religions opinions of the protestants, and
the other seven in pointing out the corruptions of the
church of Rome. To the adherents of that church it could
not therefore be acceptable, and John Faber, afterwards
bishop of Vienne in Dauphine“, with Eckius and Cochlaeus,
were selected to draw up a refutation, to which Melancthon replied. In the following year he enlarged his reply,
and published it with the other pieces that related to the
doctrine and discipline of the Lutheran church, under the
title of
” A Defence of the Confession of Augsburgh."
Melancthon made a very distinguished figure in the many conferences which followed this diet. It was in these that the spirit and character of Melancthon appeared
Melancthon made a very distinguished figure in the
many conferences which followed this diet. It was in these
that the spirit and character of Melancthon appeared in
their true colours; and it was here that the votaries of
Rome exhausted their efforts to gain over to their party
this pillar of the reformation, whose abilities and virtues
added a lustre to the cause in which he had embarked.
His gentle spirit was apt to sink into a kind of yielding
softness, under the influence of mild and generous treatment. Accordingly, while his adversaries soothed him
with fair words and flattering promises, he seemed ready 1
to comply with their wishes; but, when they so far forgot
themselves as to make use of threats, Melancthon appeared in a very different point of light, and showed a spirit of
intrepidity, ardour, and independence. It was generally
thought that he was not so averse to an accommodation
with the church of Rome as Luther, which is grounded
upon his saying that they “ought not to contend scrupulously about things indifferent, provided those rites and
ceremonies had nothing of idolatry in them; and even to
bear some hardships, if it could be done without impiety.
”
But there is no reason to think that there was any important difference between him and Luther, but what arose
from the different tempers of the two men, which consisted in a greater degree of mildness on the part of Melancthon. It was, therefore, this moderation and pacific
disposition which made him thought a proper person to
settle the disputes about religion, which were then very
violent in France; and for that purpose he was invited
thither by Francis I. Francis had assisted at a famous
procession, in Jan. 1535, and had caused some heretics to
be burnt. Melancthon was exhorted to attempt a mitigation of the king’s anger; he wrote a letter therefore to
John Sturmius, who was then in France, and another to
Du Bellai, bishop of Paris. A gentleman, whom Francis
had sent into Germany, spoke to Melancthon of the journey to France; and assured him, that the king would write
to him about it himself, and would furnish him with all the
means of conducting him necessary for his safety. To this
Melancthon consented, and the gentleman upon his return was immediately dispatched to him with a letter. It
is dated from Guise, June 28, 1535, and declares the pleasure the king had, when he understood that Melancthon
was disposed to conie into France, to put an end to their
controversies. Melancthon wrote to the king, Sept. 28,
and assured him of his good intentions; but was sorry, he
could not as yet surmount the obstacles to his journey.
The truth was, the duke of Saxony had reasons of state
for not suffering this journey to the court of Francis I. and
Melancthon could never obtain leave of him to go, although
Luther had earnestly exhorted that elector to consent to
it, by representing to him, that the hopes of seeing Melancthon had put a stop to the persecution of the protestants
in France; and that there was reason to fear, they would
renew the same cruelty, when they should know that he
would not come. Henry VIII. king of England, had also
a desire to see Melancthon, but neither he nor Francis I.
ever saw him.
His time was now chiefly employed in conferences and disputes about religion.
His time was now chiefly employed in conferences and
disputes about religion. In 1539, there was an assembly
of the protestant princes at Francfort, concerning a reformation; and another in 1541, at Worms, where there
happened a warm dispute between Melancthon and Eckius
respecting original sin. But, by the command of the emperor, it was immediately dissolved, and both of them
appointed to meet at Reinspurg; where Eckius proposing
a sophism somewhat puzzling, Melancthon paused a little,
and said, “that he would give an answer to it the next
day.
” Upon which Eckius represented to him the disgrace
of requiring so long a time; but Melancthon replied, that
he sought not his own glory, but that of truth. In 1543
he went to the archbishop of Cologne, to assist him in introducing a reformation into his diocese but without
effect. He attended at seven conferences in 1548 and
was one of the deputies whom Maurice, elector of Saxony,
was to send to the council of Trent, in 1552. His last
conference with the doctors of the Romish communion
was at Worms, in 1557. He died at Wittemberg, April
19, 1560, in his sixty-third year; and was buried near
Luther, in the church of the castle, two days after. Some
days before he died, he wrote upon a piece of paper the
reasons which made him look upon death as a happiness;
and the chief of them was, that it “delivered him from
theological persecutions.
” Nature had given him a peaceable temper, which was but ill-suited for the time in
which he lived. His moderation greatly augmented his
uneasiness. He was like a lamb in the midst of wolves.
Nobody liked his mildness it looked as if he was lukewarm and even Luther himself was sometimes angry at
it. It was, indeed, considering his situation, very inconvenient; for it not only exposed him to all kinds of slander, but would not suffer him to “answer a fool according
to his folly.
” The only advantage it procured him, was
to look upon death without fear, by considering, that it
would secure him from the “odium theologicum,
” the
hatred of divines, and the discord of false brethren. He
was never out of danger, but might truly be said, “through
fear, to be all his life-time subject to bondage.
” Thus he
declared, in one of his works, that he “had held his professor’s place forty years without ever being sure that he
should not be turned out of it before the end of the
week.
”
e, in 1536, became the wife of George Sabinus, one of the best poets of his time. His other daughter was married, in 1550, to Caspar Peucer, who was an able physician,
He married a daughter of a burgomaster of Wittemberg
in 1520, who lived with him till 1557. He had two sons
and two daughters by her; and his eldest daughter Anne,
in 1536, became the wife of George Sabinus, one of the
best poets of his time. His other daughter was married,
in 1550, to Caspar Peucer, who was an able physician,
and very much persecuted. Melancthop was a very affectionate father; and there is an anecdote preserved of him,
which perfectly agrees with his character for humility. A
Frenchman, it is said, found him one day, holding a book
in one hand, and rocking a child with the other; and upon
his expressing some surprise, Melancthon made such a
pious discourse to him about the duty of a father, and the
state of grace in which the children are with God, “that
this stranger went away,
” says Bayle, “much more edified
than he came.
” Melchior Adam relates a curious dialogue
which passed between his son-in-law Sabinus, and cardinal
Bembus, concerning Melancthon. When Sabinus went to
see Italy, Melancthon wrote a letter to cardinal Bembus,
to recommend him to his notice. The cardinal laid a great
stress upon the recommendation; for he loved Melancthort
for his abilities and learning, however he might think himself obliged to speak of his religion. He was very civil
therefore to Sabinus, invited him to dine with him, and in
the time of dinner asked him a great many questions, particularly these three “Wliat salary Melancthon had
what number of hearers and what he thought concerning
the resurrection and a future state
” To the first question Sabinus replied, “that his salary was not above 30O
florins a year. 1
” Upon hearing this, the cardinal cried out,
“Ungrateful Germany to value at so low a price so
many labours of so great a man.
” The answer to the
second was, “that he had usually 1500 hearers.
” “I
cannot believe it,
” says the cardinal: “I do not know an
university in Europe, except that of Paris, in which one
professor has so many scholars.
” To the third, Sabinus
replied, “that Melancthon’s works were a full and sufficient proof of his belief in those two articles.
”— “I should
think him a wiser man,
” said the cardinal, “if he did not
believe any thing about them.
”
Melancthon was a man in whom many good as well as great qualities were wonderfully
Melancthon was a man in whom many good as well as
great qualities were wonderfully united. He had great
abilities, great learning, great sweetness of temper, moderation, contentedness, and other qualities, which would
have made him very happy in any other times but those
in which he lived. He never affected dignities, honours,
or riches, but was rather negligent of them too much so,
in the opinion of some, considering he had a family and
his son-in-law Sabinus, who was of a more ambitious disposition, was actually at variance with him upon this subject. Learning was infinitely obliged to him on many accounts; on none more than this, that he reduced almost
all the sciences, which had been taught before in a vague
irregular manner, into systems. We have mentioned that
he compiled compendiums for the use of his scholars; and
also a treatise “On the Soul, 11 the design of which was,
to free the schools from the nugatory subtleties and idle
labours of the scholastics, and to confine the attention of
young men to useful studies. He industriously ransacked
the writings of the ancients, to collect from them, in every
branch of learning, whatever was most deserving of attention. Mathematical studies he held in high estimation, as
appears from his declamation De Mathematicis Disciplinis,
” On Mathematical Learning,“which will very well repay
the trouble of perusal. In philosophy he followed Aristotle as, in his judgment, the most scientific and methodical guide, but always in due subordination to Revelation,
and only so far as was likely to answer some valuable purpose.
” I would have no one,“says he,
” trifle in philosophising, lest he should at length even lose sight of common sense; rather let him be careful both in the study of
physics and morals, to select the best things from the best
sources."
timidity, of his temper, he proceeded no further, it ought not to be forgotten, that while religion was much indebted to his cool and temperate, but honest exertions,
If the particular cast of Melancthon’s mind be considered, it will not be thought surprising, that in philosophy he preferred a moderate attachment to a particular sect, to any bold attempt at perfect innovation. Though he possessed a sound understanding and amiable temper, he wanted that strength and hardiness of spirit, which might have enabled him to have done in philosophy, what Luther did in religion. He therefore chose rather to correct the established mode of philosophising, than to introduce a method entirely new. If it be a just occasion of regret, that in consequence of the natural gentleness, and perhaps timidity, of his temper, he proceeded no further, it ought not to be forgotten, that while religion was much indebted to his cool and temperate, but honest exertions, philosophy was not without obligation to him, for the pains which he took to correct its eccentricities, and adorn it with the graces of eloquence.
ation, and the favour of the reigning elector of Saxony, gave him in the German schools, in which he was considered as a kind of common preceptor, to unite the study
Melancthon made use of the extensive influence, which his high reputation, and the favour of the reigning elector of Saxony, gave him in the German schools, in which he was considered as a kind of common preceptor, to unite the study of the Aristotelian philosophy with that of ancient learning in general. And he was much assisted in the execution of this design, by the labours of many learned protestants of the Germanic schools from Italy and Great Britain, who brought with them an attachment to the Peripatetic system, and, wherever they were appointed public preceptors, made that system the basis of their philosophical instructions. From Wittemberg, Tubingen, Leipsic, and other seminaries, conducted after the manner which was introduced by Melancthon, many learned men arose, who, becoming themselves preceptors, adopted the same plan of instruction, which from Melancthon was called the Philippic method; and thus disseminated the Peripatetic doctrine, till at length it was almost every where taught in the German protestants schools, under the sanction of civil and ecclesiastical authority. Considering the distractions of his life, and the infinity of disputes and tumults in which he was engaged, it is astonishing, how he could find leisure to write so many books. Their number is prodigious, insomuch that it was thought necessary to publish a chronological catalogue of them in 1582. They are theological, moral, and philosophical; some, however, relate to what is usually denominated the belles lettres, and others are illustrative of various classical authors. The most complete edition was published by the author’s son-in-law, Jasper Peucer, 1601, in 4 vols. fol.
, a Greek epigrammatic poet, and the first collector of the epigrams that form the Greek Anthologia, was the son of Eucrates, and is generally considered as a native
, a Greek epigrammatic poet, and the first
collector of the epigrams that form the Greek Anthologia,
was the son of Eucrates, and is generally considered as a
native of Gadara in Syria, where he chiefly lived; but,
according to Harles, was born rather at Atthis, an inconsiderable place, in the territory of Gadara. The time in
which he lived has been a subject of controversy. Vavassor,
in some degree, with the consent of Fabricius, and Reiske,
in his Notitia Poetarum Anthologicorum, p. 131, contend,
that he lived under Seleucus VI. the last king of Syria,
who began to reign in olym. 170. 3. A. C. 96. This is
confirmed by an old Greek scholiast, who says, ἤχμασεν ἐπὶ
Σελεύχ τᾶ ἐσχάτα. “He flourished under Seleucus the last.
”
Saxius accordingly inserts his name at the year abovementioned. Some would carry him back to the 148th
olympiad, A. C. 186, which, however, is not incompatible
with the other account; and Schneider would bring him
down to the age of Augustus, from a supposed imitation of
an epigram of Strato, who lived then. But, as it may
equally be supposed that Strato imitated him, this argument is of little validity. One of his epigrams in praise of
Antipater Sidonius, seems to prove that he was contemporary with him (Epig. cxxiii*. ed. Brunck.) and another,
in which he speaks of the fall of Corinth as a recent event,
which happened in olym. 158. 4. may be thought to fix him
also to that time. As he calls himself Kokuetw, or aged, in
one of his compositions, there will be no inconsistency between these marks, and the account of the scholiast.
There was a Cynic of Gadara, of the name of Meleager, whom some confound
There was a Cynic of Gadara, of the name of Meleager, whom some confound with this poet, and others distinguish; it seems very unlikely that this elegant writer was a Cynic. Meleager formed two collections of Greek verses, under the name of Anthologia - t one, it is melancholy to say, was entirely dedicated to that odious passion of the Greeks, which among us it is a shame even to mention. To this infamous collection was prefixed a poem, still extant, in which the youths whose beauty was celebrated, are described as flowers. A poet named Strato, increased this collection, and prefixed to it his own name: but Agathias and Planudes, to their honour, rejected this part altogether, and formed their collections from the second Anthologia of Meleager, which consisted of compositions entirely miscellaneous. On this the present collections of Greek epigrams are founded. The poems of Meleager in Brunck’s edition, amount to 129, the greater part of which are epigrams. They display great elegance of genius, and do as much honour to the collection, as most of those which it contains. Lord Chesterfield’s indiscriminate censure of the Greek epigrams, must be the result of mere ignorance, since many of them are of the highest elegance. He had seen, probably, a few of the worst, and knew nothing of the rest. Of the epigrams of Meleager, many are truly elegant, but those numbered, in Brunck’s Analecta, 50, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 61, 63, 109, 111, 112, and several others, have beauty enough to rescue the whole collection from the unjust censure of the witty, but not learned earl.
bishop of Lycopolis in Thebais, who is known in church history as the chief of the sect of Mdctiansy was convicted of sacrificing to idols, during the Dioclesian persecution,
, bishop of Lycopolis in Thebais, who is known in church history as the chief of the sect of Mdctiansy was convicted of sacrificing to idols, during the Dioclesian persecution, and imprisoned and degraded by a council held by Peter, bishop of Alexandria. Upon his release, Meletius caused a schism about the year 301, separating himself from Peter, and the other bishops, charging them, but particularly Peter, with too much indulgence in the reconciliation of apostates. By the council of Nice, A. D. 325, he was permitted to remain in his own city, Lycopolis, but without the power either of electing, or prdaining, or appearing upon that account either in the country or city; so that he retained only the mere title of bishop. His followers at this time were united with the Arians. Meletius resigned to Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, the churches over which he had usurped superiority, and died some time after. When he was dying, be named one of his disciples his successor,- Thus the schism began again, and the Meletians subsisted as far as the fifth century, but were condemned by the first council of Nice.
, a philosopher of Samos, of the Eleatic sect, who flourished about the year 444 B. C. was a disciple of Parmenides, to whose doctrines he closely adhered.
, a philosopher of Samos, of the Eleatic sect, who flourished about the year 444 B. C. was a disciple of Parmenides, to whose doctrines he closely adhered. He was likewise a man of political wisdom and courage, which gave him great influence among his countrymen, and inspired them with a high veneration for his talents and virtues. Being appointed by them to the command of a fleet, he obtained a great naval victory over the Athenians. As a philosopher, he maintained that the principle of all things is one and immutable, or that whatever exists is one being that this one being includes all things, and is infinite, without beginning or end that there is neither vacuum nor motion in the universe, nor any such thing as production or decay, that the changes which it seems to suffer, are only illusions of our senses, and mere appearances; and that we ought not to lay down any thing positively concerning the gods, since our knowledge of them js so uncertain. Dr. Cudworth, in his *' Intellectual System," has opposed these opinions.
, an ancient Christian father, was bishop of Sardis in Asia, and composed several works upon the
, an ancient Christian father, was bishop of
Sardis in Asia, and composed several works upon the doctrine and discipline of the church; of which we have nothing now remaining but their titles, and some fragments
preserved by Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical Hist, book IV.
The most valuable of these is part of an humble petition,
which he presented to the emperor Marcus Antoninus; in
which he beseeches him, “to examine the accusations
which were brought against the Christians, and to stop the
persecution, by revoking the edict which he had published
against them.
” He represents to him, that “the Roman,
empire was so far from being injured or weakened by
Christianity, that its foundation was more firmly established, and its bounds considerably enlarged, since that
religion had taken footing in it;
” that “the Christian religion had been persecuted by none but the worst emperors, such as Nero and Domitian that Adrian and Antoninus had granted privileges in its favour and that he
hoped from his clemency and goodness, that they should
obtain the same protection of their lives and properties
from him.
” This petition was presented, according to
Eusebius, in the year 170; but other authors give it the
date of 175 or 177, and Dupin 182. Melito died before
the pontificate of Victor, probably about the year 192, as
we learn from a letter of Polycrates to that pope, where he
speaks of Melito as of a man dead, and in the following
terms: “What shall I say of Melito, whose actions were
all guided by the operations of the Holy Spirit? who was
interred at Sardis, where he waits the resurrection and the
judgment.
” He passed, it seems, for a prophet in his
day; that is, for a man inspired by God; according to
the testimony of Tertullian, as Jerome represents it. The
same Tertullian observes also, that he was an elegant
writer and a good orator; which, however, it would not
be easy to discover from the fragments that remain of him.
rquis Justiniani, and a set of the Justiniani gallery, all of which are highly esteemed. Charles II. was desirous of inviting him to settle in England; but an attachment
, a French engraver and designer, particularly celebrated for a mode of engraving peculiar to himself, and of his own invention, that of forming a whole head by one line of the graver, swelling it in various places to produce the shades. A head of our Saviour, formed of one spiral line, beginning at the tip of the nose, is his most famous work in this style. There are also portraits by him, of pope Clement VIII. and of the marquis Justiniani, and a set of the Justiniani gallery, all of which are highly esteemed. Charles II. was desirous of inviting him to settle in England; but an attachment to his country, and a happy marriage in it, fixed him at home. He was born at Abbeville in 1601, and died at Paris in 1688.
, a learned and worthy bencher of LincolnVinn, was born in 1666. In conjunction with Mr. Peere Williams, Mr. Melmoth
, a learned and worthy
bencher of LincolnVinn, was born in 1666. In conjunction with Mr. Peere Williams, Mr. Melmoth was the publisher of “Vernon’s Reports,
” under an order of the court
of chancery. He had once an intention of printing his own
“Reports;
” and a short time before his death, advertised
them at the end of those of his coadjutor Peere Williams,
as then actually preparing for the press. They have, however, not yet made their appearance. But the performance for which he justly deserves to be held in perpetual
remembrance, is, “The Great Importance of a Religious
Life.
” It is a singular circumstance that the real author
of this most admirable treatise should never have been
publicly known until mentioned in the Anecdotes of
Bowyer. It was ascribed by Walpole in his “Royal and
Noble Authors,
” to the first earl of Egmont. Of this work
Mr. Melmoth’s son says, in the short preface which accompanies it, that “It may add weight, perhaps, to the reflections contained in the following pages, to inform the
reader, that the author’s life was one uniform exemplar of
those precepts, which, with so generous a zeal, and such
an elegant and affecting simplicity of style, he endeavours
to recommend to general practice. He left others to contend for modes of faith, and inflame themselves and the
world with dndless controversy; it was the wiser purpose
of his more ennobled aim, to act up to those clear rules of
conduct which Revelation hath graciously prescribed. He
possessed by temper every moral virtue; by religion every
Christian grace. He had a humanity that melted at every
distress; a charity which not only thought no evil, but
suspected none. He exercised his profession with a skill
and integrity, which nothing could equal, but the disinterested motive that animated his labours, or the amiable
modesty which accompanied all his virtues. He employed
his industry, not to gratify his own desires no man indulged himself less not to accumulate useless wealth no
man more disdained so unworthy a pursuit it was for the
decent advancement of his family, for the generous assistance of his friends, for the ready relief of the indigent.
How often did he exert his distinguished abilities, yet refuse the reward of them, in defence of the widow, the fatherless, and him that had none to help him In a word, few
have ever passed a more useful, not one a more blameless
life y and his whole time was employed either in doing
good, or in meditating it. He died on the 6th day of
April, 1743, and lies buried under the cloister of Lincoln’sinn chapel.
” This passage is repeated in a short tract entitled “Memoirs of a late eminent Advocate,
” published in
from early youth performed the paiuful but indispensable
duty of communing with his own heart, with the severest
and most impartial scrutiny.
” This appears by a copy of
a letter from some eminent casuit, whom he had consulted
respecting certain religious scruples. He was afterwards
perplexed respecting taking the oaths at the revolution,
which happened when he had the prospect of being admitted to the bar. On this occasion he consulted the celebrated Mr. Norris of Bemerton, and a correspondence took
place, part of which is* published in the “Memoirs.
” It
is probable that he was at last convinced of the lawfulness
of the oaths, as he was called to the bar in 1693. There
are other letters and circumstances given in these “Memoirs,
” which tend to raise the character of Mr. Melmoth
as a man of sincerity and humility, not, however, perhaps,
unmixed with what may now be reckoned a degree of superstitious weakness.
, son of the above, by his second wife, was born in 1710. Of his early history little is known. He probably
, son of the above, by his second wife, was born in 1710. Of his early history little is
known. He probably received a liberal education, although
we do not find that he studied at either university. He
was bred to the law, as appears by his being appointed a
commissioner of bankrupts in 1756, by sir John Eardley
Wilmot, at that time one of the commissioners of the great
seal, and an excellent discerner and rewarder of merit.
The greater part of Mr. Melmoth’s life, however, was
spent in retirement from public business, partly at Shrewsbury, and partly at Bath, where he was no less distinguished
for integrity of conduct, than for polite manners and elegant taste. He first appeared as a writer about 1742, in
a volume of “Letters
” under the name of Fitzosborne,
which have been much admired for the elegance of their
language, and their just and liberal remarks on various topics, moral and literary. In 174-7 he published “A Translation of the Letters of Pliny,
” in 2 vols. 8vo, which was
regarded as one of the best versions of a Latin author that
had appeared in our language. In 1753, he gave a translation of the “Letters of Cicero to several of his Friends,
with Remarks,
” in 3 vols. He had previously to this, write
ten an answer to Mr. Bryant’s attack, in his Treatise on
the Truth of the Christian Religion, on his remarks on
Trajan’s Persecution of the Christians in Bithynia, which
made a note to his translation of Pliny’s Letters. He was
the translator likewise of Cicero’s treatises “De Amicitia
”
and “De Senectute,
” which were published in The Pursuits of Literature
”
says, “Mr. Melmoth is a happy example of the mild influence of learning on a cultivated mind; I mean that
learning which is declared to be the aliment of youth, and
the delight and consolation of declining years. Who would
not envy this fortunate old man, his most finished translation and comment on Tully’s Cato? Or rather, who would
not rejoice in the refined and mellowed pleasure of so accomplished a gentleman, and so liberal a scholar
” Dr.
Warton, in a note on Pope’s works, mentions his translation
of Pliny as “one of the few that are better than the original.
” Birch, in his Life of Tillotson, had made nearly the
satae remark, which was the more liberal in Birch, as Melmoth had taken' great liberties with the style of Tillotson.
To Mr. Melmoth’s other works we may add a few poetical
efforts, one in Dodsley’s Poems (vol. I. p. 216, edit. 1782),
entitled “Of active and retired life;
” and three in
Pearch’s poems (vol. II.) “The Transformation of Lycou
and Euphormius;
” a Tale,“in p. 149; and Epistle to
Sappho.
”
, called Melozzo of Foiii, flourished about 1471, and was probably the scholar of Ansovino da Forli, a pupil of Squarcione.
, called Melozzo
of Foiii, flourished about 1471, and was probably the scholar of Ansovino da Forli, a pupil of Squarcione. The memory of Melozzo is venerated by artists as the inventor of
perspective representation and true foreshortening on
arched roofs and ceilings, of what the Italians style “di
Sotto in Sti;
” the most difficult and most rigorous branch
of execution. A tolerable progress had been made in perspective after Paolo Uccelio, by means of Piero della
Francesca, an eminent geometrician, and some Lombards;
but the praise of painting roofs with that charming illusion
which we witness, belongs to Melozzo. Scannelli and
Orlandi relate, that, to learn the art, he studied the best
antiques; and, though“born to affluence, let himself as
servant and colour-grinder to the masters of his time. Some
make him a scholar of Piero della Francesco: it is at least
not improbable that Melozzo knew him and Agostino di
Bramantino, when they painted in Rome for Nicolas V.
towards 1455. Whatever be the fact, Melozzo painted on
the vault of the largest chapel in Ss. Apostoli, an Ascension, in which, says Vasari, the figure of Christ is so well
foreshortened, that it seems to pierce the roof. That picture was painted for cardinal Riario, nephew of Sixtus IV.
about 1472 and at the rebuilding of that chapel, was cut
out and placed in the palace of the Quirinal, 1711, where
it is still seen with this epigraphe
” Opus Melotii Foroliviensis, qui summos fornices pingendi artem vel primus
invenit vel illustravit.“Some heads of the apostles were
likewise sawed out and placed in the Vatican. His taste
on the whole resembles that of Mantegna and the Padouati
schools more than any other. The heads are well formed,
well coloured, well turned, and almost always foreshortened; the lights duly toned and opportunely relieved by
shadows which give ambience and almost motion to his
figures on that space; there is grandeur and dignity in the
principal figure, and the lightsome drapery that surrounds
him; with finish of pencil, diligence, and grace in every
part. It is to be lamented, that so uncommon a genius
has not met with an exact historian, of whom we might
have learned his travels and labours previous to this great
work painted for Riario. At Forli, they shew, as his work,
the front of an apothecary’s shop, painted in arabesque, of
exquisite style, with a half-length figure over the door
pounding drugs, very well executed. We are informed
by Vasari, that Francesco di Mirozzo da Forli painted before Dosso, in the villa of the dukes of Urbino, called
L'lmperiale; we ought probably to read Melozzo, and to
correct the word in the text, as one of that writer’s usual
negligences, of which Vasari gives another instance in
Marco Palmegiani, of Forli, whom he transforms to Parmegiano; a good and almost unknown artist, though many
of his works survive, and he himself seems to have taken
every precaution not to be forgotten by posterit3 T inscribing
most of his altar-pieces and oil-pictures with Marcus pictor
Foroliviensis, or, Marcus Palmasanus P. Foroliviensis pinsebat. Seldom he adds the year, as in two belonging to
prince Ercolani, 1513 and 1537. In those, and in his
works at Forli, we recognise two styles. The first differs
little from the common one of Quattrocentist’s, in the extreme simplicity of attitude, in the gilding, in minute attention, and even in anatomy, which extended its researches at that time seldom beyond a S. Sebastian, or a
S. Jerome. Of his second style the groups are more artificial, the outline larger, the proportions grander, but the
heads perhaps less varied and more mannered. He used
to admit into his principal subject others that do not belong
to it thus in the crucifix at St. Agostino, in Forli, he
placed two or three groups in different spots in one of
which is S. Paul visited by S. Anthony in another, S. Augustine convinced, by an angel, of the absurdity of his attempt to fathom the mystery of the Trinity; and in those
small figures he is finished and graceful beyond belief.
Nor is his landscape or his architecture destitute of charms.
His works abound in Romsagna, and are met with even in
Venetian galleries: at Vicenza there is, in the palace Vicentini, a Christ of his between Nicodemus and Joseph;
an exquisite performance, in which, to speak with Dante,
” il morto par morto e vivi i vivi.
, a statesman and historian, was descended from an honourable family in Scotland, and born at
, a statesman and historian, was descended from an honourable family in Scotland, and born at Halhill in Fifeshire, in 1530. At fourteen, he was sent by the queen regent of Scotland, to be page to her daughter Mary, who was then married to the dauphin of France: but by her leave he entered into the service of the duke of Montmorenci, great constable and chief minister of France, who earnestly desired him of her majesty, having a high opinion of his promising talents. He was nine years employed by him, and had a pension settled on him by the king. Then, obtaining leave to travel, he went into Germany; where being detained by the elector palatine, he resided at his court three years, and was employed by him on several embassies. After this, prosecuting his intentions to travel, he visited Venice, Rome, and the most famous cities of Italy, and returned through Switzerland to the elector’s court; where, finding a summons from queen Mary, who had taken possession of the crown of Scotland, after the death of her husband Francis II. he set out to attend her. The queen-mother of France at the same time offered him a large pension to reside at her court; for she found it her interest, at that juncture, to keep up a good understanding with the protestant princes of Germany; and she knew sir James Melvil to be the properest person to negociate her affairs, being most acceptable to them all; but this he declined.
Upon his arrival in Scotland, in 1561, he was admitted a, privy-counsellor and gentleman of queen Mary’s bedchamber;
Upon his arrival in Scotland, in 1561, he was admitted a, privy-counsellor and gentleman of queen Mary’s bedchamber; and was employed by her majesty in her most important concerns, till her unhappy confinement at Lochleven; all which he discharged with an exact fidelity; and from his own account there is reason to think that, had she taken his advice, many of her misfortunes might have been avoided. He maintained a correspondence in England in favour of Mary’s succession to the crown of that kingdom; but upon the discovery of her unhappy partiality for Bothwell, after her husband’s murder, he ventured upon the strongest remonstrances with her, which she not only disregarded, but communicated them to Both well, in consequence of which Melvil’s endeavours were fruitless, and he was himself obliged to escape from Bothwell’s fury. He was, however, afterwards regarded by the four successive regents in a special manner, and trusted by them with negociations of the greatest moment; though, after the queen’s imprisonment, he had ever adhered to her son. When James came to the government, Melvil was especially recommended to him by the queen, then a prisoner in England, as one most faithful, and capable of doing him service: and was made by his majesty a member cf his privy council, of his exchequer, and a gentleman of his chamber. He always continued in favour and employment; and the king would gladly have taken him into England, at the death of Elizabeth, promising him considerable promotion: but sir James, now advanced in years, and desirous of retirement from business, begged his majesty to excuse him. He thought it right, however, to pay his duty to his majesty, and accordingly went to England: and then returning to his own house, he died soon after, in 1606.
reigns of queen Elizabeth, Mary queen of Scots, and king James: in all which transactions the author was personally and publicly concerned. Now published from the original
His “Memoirs
” were accidentally found in the castle of
Edinburgh, in 1660, somewhat imperfect, and injured by
time and civil confusion. They passed thence into the
hands of sir James Melvil of Halhill, the author’s grandson,
from whom the editor George Scott received them, and
published them in 1683, in folio, under this title, “The
Memoirs of sir James Melvil, of Halhill, containing an impartial account of most of the remarkable affairs of state,
during the last age, not mentioned by other historians:
more particularly relating to the kingdoms of England and
Scotland, under the reigns of queen Elizabeth, Mary queen
of Scots, and king James: in all which transactions the
author was personally and publicly concerned. Now published from the original manuscript.
” There is an epistle
to the reader, prefixed by the editor, from which we have"
made this extract. It is remarkable, that nobody knew how
these memoirs came to be deposited in the castle of Edinburgh, or when they were so: and also, that they were
preserved almost entire, in a place which could not secure
the public records of the kingdom from the rude incursions of civil discord. Notwithstanding some mistakes,
owing to the advanced age of the writer^ they are much
esteemed, and have been reprinted both in French and
English.
death of an Heraclean ambassador to Julius Caesar, then emperor. A Latin translation of his history was published at Oxford in 1597, under the title “Memnonis historicorum,
, a Greek historian, who is thought to have
flourished in the time of Augustus, wrote a history of the
affairs of Heraclea in Pontus, sixteen books of which were
abridged by Photius. They come down to the death of an
Heraclean ambassador to Julius Caesar, then emperor. A
Latin translation of his history was published at Oxford in
1597, under the title “Memnonis historicorum, quae supersunt omnia, e Gr. in Lat. traducta per R. Brett,
” 16mo.
Richard Brett was a fellow of Lincoln, of whom we have
given some account in vol. VI.
, called, from his great learning, the Varro of his times, was born at Angers, Aug. 15, 1613. He was the son of William Menace,
, called, from his great
learning, the Varro of his times, was born at Angers, Aug.
15, 1613. He was the son of William Menace, the king’s
advocate at Angers; and discovered so early an inclination to letters, that his father was determined to spare
no cost or pains in his education. He was accordingly
taught the belles lettres and philosophy, in which his progress fully answered the expectations of his father, who,
however, thought it necessary to divert him from too severe application, by giving him instructions in music and
dancing; but these were in a great measure thrown away,
and he had so littie genius for music, that he never could
learn a tune. He had more success in his first profession,
which was that of a barrister at law, and pleaded various
causes, with considerable eclat, both in the country, and
in the parliament of Paris. His father had always designed
him for his profession, the law, and now resigned his
place of king’s advocate in his favour, which Menage, as
soon as he became tired of the law, returned to him.
Considering the law as a drudgery, he adopted the vulgar
opinion that it was incompatible with an attention to polite
literature. He now declared his design of entering into
the church, as the best plan he could pursue for the gratification of his love of general literature, and of the company of literary men; and soon after he had interest to
procure some benefices, and among the rest the deanery
of St. Peter at Angers. In the mean time his father, displeased at him for deserting his profession, would not
supply him with the money which, in addition to what his
livings produced, was necessary to support him at Paris.
This obliged him to look out for some means of subsistence
there, independent of his family; and at the recommendation of Chapelain, a member of the French academy, he
was taken into the family of cardinal de Retz, who was then
only coadjutor to the archbishop of Paris. In this situation
he enjoyed the repose necessary to his studies, and had
every day new opportunities of displaying his abilities and
learning. He lived several years with the cardinal; but
having received an affront from some of his dependants, he
desired of the cardinal, either that reparation might be
made him, or that he might be suffered to depart. He
obtained the latter, and then hired an apartment in the
cloister of Notre Dame, where he held every Wednesday
an assembly, which he called his “Mercuriale.
” Here he
had the satisfaction of seeing a number of learned men,
French and foreigners; and upon other days he frequented
the study of Messieurs du Puy, and after their death that
of Thuanus. By his father’s death, which happened Jan.
18, 1648, he succeeded to an estate, which he converted
into an annuity, for the sake of being entirely at leisure
to pursue his studies. Soon after, he obtained, by a decree of the grand council, the priory of Montdidier; which
he resigned also to the abbe de la Vieuville, afterwards
bishop of Rennes, who procured far him, by way of amends,
a pension of 4000 livres upon two abbeys. The king’s
consent, which was necessary for the creation of this pension, was not obtained for Menage, till he had given assurances to cardinal Mazarin, that he had no share in the
libels which had been dispersed against that minister and
the court, during the troubles at Paris. This considerable
addition to his circumstances enabled him to prosecute his
studies with more success, and to publish la great many
works, which he generally did at his own expence. The
excessive freedom of his conversation, however, and his
total inability to suppress a witty thought, whatever hiight
be the consequence of uttering it, created him many enemies; and he had contests with several men of eminence,
who attacked him at different times, as the abbe d'Aubignac, Boileau, Cotin, Salo, Bohours, and Baillet. But all
these were not nearly so formidable to him, as the danger
which he incurred in 1660, by a Latin elegy addressed to
Mazarin; in which, among his compliments to his eminence, it was pretended, that he had satirized a deputation
which the parliament had sent to that minister. It was
carried to the grand chamber by the counsellors, who proposed to debate upon it; but the first president, Lamoignon, to whom Menage had protested that the piece had
been written three months before the deputation, and that
he could not intend the parliament in it, prevented any ill
consequences from the affair. Besides the reputation his
works gained him, they procured him a place in the academy della Crusca at Florence; and he might have been
a member of the French academy at its first institution, if
it had not been for his “Requete des dictionnaires.
” When
the memory of that piece, however, was effaced by time,
and most of the academicians, who were named in it, were
dead, he was proposed, in 1684, to fill a vacant place in
that academy, and was excluded only by the superior interest of his competitor, M. Bergeret: there not being one
member, of all those who gave their votes against Menage,
who did not own that he deserved the place. After this he
would not suffer his friends to propose him again, nor indeed was he any longer able to attend the academy, if he
had been chosen, on account of a fall, which had put his
thigh out of joint; after which he scarcely ever went out of
his chamber, but held daily a kind of an academy there.
In July 1692, he began to, be troubled with a rheum, which
was followed by a defluxion on the stomach, of which he
died on the 23d, aged seventy- nine.
the academy’s dictionary will be their utter ruin, and join in an humble petition to prevent it. It was not written from the least malignity against the academy, but
He composed several works, which had much reputation
in their day 1. “Origines de la langue Franchise,
” Miscellanea,
” La requete des dictionnaires,
” an
ingenious piece of raillery, in which he makes all the dictionaries complain that the academy’s dictionary will be
their utter ruin, and join in an humble petition to prevent
it. It was not written from the least malignity against the
academy, but merely to divert himself, and that he might
not lose several bon mots which came into his head upon
that occasion. He suppressed it for a long time; but at
last it was stolen from him, and published by the abbé
Montreuil, without his knowledge, and prevented him, as
we have observed, from obtaining a place in the academy,
at its first institution; which made de Monmor say, “that
he ought to be obliged to be a member, on account of that
piece, as a man, who has debauched a girl, is obliged to
marry her.
” 3. “Osservazioni sopra TAminta del Tasso,
”
Diogenes Laertius Graece et Latine cum
commentario,
” Lond. Poemata,
”
ta Lingua Italiana,” 1669, foL He undertook this work only to shew the academy della Crusca, that he was not unworthy of the place with which they had honoured Inm.
6, “Recueil des Eloges faits pour M. le cardinal Mazarin,
”
Origine delta Lingua Italiana,
” and in his
” Origine della Lingua Italiana,“curious inquirers after the musical language of the middle ages wilt
find more information than in any other lexicons or philosophical works with which we are acquainted, except lathe Glossarium of Ducange. 8.
” Juris civilis amcenitates,“Paris, 1677, 8vo, reprinted with a preface by J. G. Hoffmann, Francfort, 1737, 8vo. 9.
” Les poesies de Malherbe, avec des notes,“1666,
” 8vo, reprinted more than
once. Io. “Observations sur la Langue Francois,
” in 2 vols. 12mo. 11. Histoire de Sable, contenant les seigneurs de la ville de Sable, jusqu‘a Louis I,
due d’Anjou et roy de Sicile; premiere partie,
” 1686,
folio. He was very much prejudiced in favour of this history, and was engaged in the second part at his death. In
the “Menagiana,
” he is represented as saying, that it is
an incomparable book that one may find every thing in it;
and that in every page there are many learned observations?;
kut the public have not been of this opinion. 12. “Historia mulierum philosopher urn,
” Lugd. 1690: a criticism of the
” Jugemens des Sgavans“of M. Baillet, who in that work had spoken of Menage in a manner that displeased him. 14.
” Menagiana,"
not published till after his death, and printed at first in one
volume, afterwards in two. But M. de la Monnoye published an edition with great additions, at Paris, 1715, in 4
rols. 12mo. This is a very amusing collection, but will
admit of abridgment without any injury to the memory of
Menage.
Menage was possessed of a most tenacious memory, which he retained, except
Menage was possessed of a most tenacious memory,
which he retained, except during a short interval, to a
great age. Among his “Poems
” is one addressed to the
goddess of memory, petitioning her to restore to him her
former favours; and another, in which he pours forth his
gratitude for the welcome return. This uncommon talent
of memory made Menage a very agreeable companion tQ
the ladies, in whose company he took "delight, and for
whose amusement he repeated, with great readiness and
humour, all the anecdotes, verses, &c. which he thought
would entertain the company.
, one of the most celebrated of the ancient Greek poets, was born at Athens in the year 342 before the Christian aera. He
, one of the most celebrated of the ancient Greek poets, was born at Athens in the year 342 before the Christian aera. He was educated in the school of Theophrastus the peripatetic, Aristotle’s successor, and began to write for the stage at the early age of twenty, when his passions seem to have been no less forward and impetuous than his genius. His attachment to the fair sex, and especially to his mistress Glycera, is upon record, and was vehement in the extreme; several of his epistles to that celebrated courtezan, written in a very ardent style, were collected and made public after his decease; his genius, however, is thought to have been a greater recommendation to Glycera’s favour, than his personal merit, which has not been represented as favourable to his addresses, although he is said to have added the recommendations of luxurious dress and manners. His intrigues, however, are of little importance compared to the fame he acquired as one, if not the principal, of the authors of the comedy, which if it possessed less wit and lire than the old, was superior to it in delicacy, regularity, and decorum, came nearer to nature,and to what we conceive of the legitimate drama. Among his contemporaries, who wrote upon this reformed plan, were Philemon, Diphilus, Apollodorus, Philippides and Posidippus; and from many fragments which remain, it appears that they were not Only bold declaimers against the vice and immorality of the age they lived in, but that they ventured upon truths and doctrines in religion totally irreconcileable to the popular superstition and idolatries of the heathen world; and therefore, says Cumberland, or rather Bentley, we cannot but admire at the extraordinary toleration of their pagan audiences.
m. A few fragments only remain, which, says Warton, ought “to be as highly prized by the curious, as was the Coan Venus, which Apelles left imperfect and unfinished.”
By the lowest account Menander wrote eighty plays;
but some authorities more than double them, an improbable number to have been composed by a poet who died
at the age of fifty, or very little after; whatever their
number, it has been thought that morality, taste, and literature, scarcely ever suffered more irreparably than by
the loss of them. A few fragments only remain, which,
says Warton, ought “to be as highly prized by the curious,
as was the Coan Venus, which Apelles left imperfect and
unfinished.
” Terence is supposed to have copied all his
comedies from Menander, except the “Phormio
” and
“Hecyra;
” and therefore from him we are enabled to
form some idea of Menander’s manner. His general character we must still take from his contemporaries, or immediate successors; for all that we can deduce from his
fragments will not raise him to the high rank to which he
belongs* Some of these are excellent morals, and some
of a more elevated cast, but the greater part are of a morose, gloomy, and acrimonious character.
We have many testimonies to the admiration in which he was held during his life-time. Pliny informs us that the kings of
We have many testimonies to the admiration in which
he was held during his life-time. Pliny informs us that the
kings of Egypt and Macedon gave a noble testimony to his
fiierit, by sending ambassadors to invite him to their courts,
and even fleets to convey him; but that Menander preferred the free enjoyment of his studies to the promised
favours of the great. Yet the envy and corruption of his
countrymen sometimes denied his merit the justice athome,
which it found abroad; for he is said to have won but eight
prices, though he wrote at least fourscore, if not, according
to some accounts, above an hundred plays. Philemon, aeontemporary and much inferior dramatic poet, by the partiality
the judges, often disappointed him of the prize; which
made Menander once say to him, “Tell me fairly, Philemon, if you do not blush when the victory is decreed to
you against me
” The ancient critics have bestowed the
highest praises on Menander, as the true pattern of every
beauty and every grace of public speaking. Quintilian
declares that a careful imitation of Menander only will
enable a writer to comply with all the rules in his Institutions. It is in Menander, that he would have his orator
search for copiousness of invention, an elegance of expression, and especially for that universal genius, which is
able to accommodate itself to persons, things, and affections. Menander’s wonderful talent at expressing nature
in every condition, and under every accident of life, gave
occasion to that extraordinary question of Aristophanes the
grammarian: “O Menander and Nature, which of you
copied your pieces from the other’s work
” And Ovid has
made choice of the same excellency to support the immortality he has given him:
Menander was drowned in the harbour of Piraeus, in the year 293 B. C. according
Menander was drowned in the harbour of Piraeus, in the
year 293 B. C. according to some accounts, which make
him only forty-nine years of age, but others, as we have
noticed, think he was a little above fifty. His tomb, in
the time of Pausanias, was to be seen at Athens, in the
way from Piraeus to the city, close by the honorary monujnent of Euripides. The fragments and sentences of Menander were first collected by Morel, 153, Paris, and
again edited by Henry Stephens, Grotius, &c. but the
best edition is that by Le Clerc at Amsterdam, in 1709.
To which the “Etnendationes
” of Phileleutherus Lipsiensis,“that is, Dr. Bentley, the
” Infamia emendationuni,“JLeiden, 1710, by J. Gronovius, and
” Philargyrius Cantabrigiensis," by De Pauw, must be considered as indispensable supplements, although it is somewhat difficult to
collect the four.
, better known by the name of Marsilius of Padua, the place of his birth, was one of the most celebrated philosophers and lawyers of the 14th
, better known by the name
of Marsilius of Padua, the place of his birth, was one of
the most celebrated philosophers and lawyers of the 14th
century. He was educated at the university of Orleans;
was afterwards made counsellor to the emperor Louis of
Bavaria; and wrote an apology entitled “Defensor pacis,
”
for that prince, in Defensor
pacis, seu de re imperatoria et pontifica, adversus usurpatam Romani Pontificis jurisdictionem, libri tres,
” Marsilius wrotea treatise entitled “De translatione imperil
”
and also another, “De jurisdictione imperial! in causis
matrimonialibus.
” He died at Monternalto, in
, a French magistrate and antiquary, was one of several authors of the name of Menard who obtained considerable
, a French magistrate and antiquary, was one of several authors of the name of Menard
who obtained considerable reputation in France. Claude,
who was born in 1582, had a situation in the magistracy of
Angers (lieutenant de la prevote), and was distinguished
for his knowledge and virtue. Having had the misfortune
to lose his wife towards the latter end of his career, he
quitted the world, became an ecclesiastic, and led a very
austere life. He was passionately attached to the study of
antiquities, and rescued from oblivion several curious
pieces. He died Jan. 20, 1652, at the age of seventytwo. He published, 1. “Joinville’s History of St. Louis,
”
The two books of St. Austin against Julian,
” which he
discovered in the library at Angers. 3. “Researches concerning the body of St. James the greater,
” who, as is
pretended, was buried in the collegiate church of Angers.
The credulity of this casts some shade upon his other
works. It is also heavily written. 4. “History of Bertrand du Gueschiin,
”
, a writer on the history of the saints, was born at Paris in 1587, and became a Benedictine of the congregation
, a writer on the history
of the saints, was born at Paris in 1587, and became a
Benedictine of the congregation of St. Maur, among whom
he was one of the first who applied severely to study. He
died Jan. 21, 1644, at the age of fifty-seven. We have
by him, 1. “Marty rologium San m ordinis S. Benedicti,
”
Concordia Regularum,
” a comparison of the
life of St. Benedict, with the rules of his order. 3. “Sacramentarium Sancti Gregorii Magni,
” Diatriba deunico Dionysio,
”
, a counsellor in the presidial court at Nismes, was born at Tarascon, in 1706, and died in 1767. He lived chiefly
, a counsellor in the presidial court at
Nismes, was born at Tarascon, in 1706, and died in 1767.
He lived chiefly at Paris, and employed himself in the
study of history and antiquities, and in writing books,
which, though approved for their learning, did not rescue
him from the inconveniences of poverty. They are these:
1. “The civil, ecclesiastical, and literary History of the
city of Nismes,
” 7 vols. 4to, published in 1750, and the
following years. This work has no fault but that of prolixity. 2. “Mceurs et Usages cles Grecs,
” The Amours of Calisthenes and Aristoclea,
” A collection of fugitive pieces, illustrative of French history,
” 3 vols. 4to, published in 1748. The materials were
communicated to him by the marquis d'Aubais. There
was also a chronologer, named Peter Menard, who died
the first year of the last century a James Menard, a lawyer of the sixteenth century and one or two more of interior note.
, a celebrated rabbi, not un-: known in this country, was born in Portugal about 1604. His father, Joseph Ben Israel,
, a celebrated rabbi, not un-:
known in this country, was born in Portugal about 1604.
His father, Joseph Ben Israel, a rich merchant, having suffered greatly both in person and property, by the Portuguese inquisition, made his escape with his family into
Holland, where this son was educated, under the rabbi
Isaac Uriel, and pursued his studies with such diligence
and success, that at the age of eighteen he was appointed
to succeed his tutor as preacher and expounder of the Talmud in the synagogue of Amsterdam, a post which he
occupied with high reputation for many years. He was
not quite twenty-eight years of age when he published in
the Spanish language the first part of his work entitled
“Conciliador:
” of which was published a Latin version,
in the following year, by Dionysius Vossius, entitled “Conciliator, sive de Convenientia Locorum S. Scriptune, quas
pugnare inter se videntur, opus ex vetustis et recentioribus omnibus Rabbinis magna industria ac fide congestum;
” a work which was recommended to the notice of
biblical scholars by the learned Grotius. The profits of
his situation as preacher and expounder, being inadequate
to the expences of a growing family, he engaged with his
brother, who was settled at Basil, in mercantile concerns;
and also set up a printing-press in his own house, at which
he printed three editions of the Hebrew Bible, and a number of other books. Under the protectorate of Cromwell
he came over to England, in order to solicit leave for the
settlement of the Jews in this country, and actually obtained greater privileges for his nation than they had ever
enjoyed before in this country; and in 1656 published an
“Apology for the Jews,
” in the English language, which
may be seen in vol. II. of the “Phcenix,
” printed from the
edition of De Resurrectione
Mortuorum.
” 4. “Esperanza de Israel,
” dedicated to the
parliament of England in
, in Latin Menckenius, a learned German writer, was born of a good family at Oldenburg, in Westphalia, in 1644.
, in Latin Menckenius, a learned
German writer, was born of a good family at Oldenburg,
in Westphalia, in 1644. He cultivated his first studies in
his native place; and at seventeen went to Bremen, where
he applied himself to philosophy. He stayed there one
year, and removed to Leipsic, where he was admitted master of arts in 1664; and afterwards visited the other universities, Jena, Wittemberg, Groningen, Franeker, Utrecht,
Leyden, and Kiel. Upon his return to Leipsic, he applied himself for some time to divinity and civil law. In
1668 he was chosen professor of morality in that university;
and, in 1671, took the degree of licentiate in divinity.
He discharged the duties of his professorship with great
reputation till his death, which happened in 1707. He was
five times rector of the university of Leipsic, and seven
times dean of the faculty of philosophy. He published
several works; many of his own, and some of other people.
The edition of sir John Marsham’s “Canon Chronicus,
”
at Leipsic, in 4to, and a new edition of “Camden’s Annals of queen Elizabeth,
” were procured by him. But his
most considerable work, and what alone is sufficient to
perpetuate his name, is the “Acta eruditorum
” of Leipsic,
of which he was the first author, and in which he was
engaged till his death. When he had formed that design,
he began a correspondence with the learned men of all
nations, in order to inform himself of what passed in the
republic of letters. For the same purpose he took a journey to Holland, and thence to England. He afterwards
formed a society of several persons of eminent abilities, to
assist him in the work, and took all proper measures to
render it lasting. The elector of Saxony contributed, by
his generosity, to the success of the design. The first
volume was published at Leipsic, in 1682, in 4to. Our
author continued to publish, with the assistance of colleagues, every year a volume while he lived, with supplements from time to time, and an index once in ten years.
His share ends with the thirtieth volume.
, the son of the preceding, was born at Leipsic, April 8, 1674, and was admitted master of arts
, the son of the preceding, was born at Leipsic, April 8, 1674, and was admitted master of arts in that university in 1694. He spent some time there in the study of divinity, and then travelled into Holland and England. The reputation of his father, and his own great merit, procured him access to all the men of learning in the places through which he passed. He spent one year in his travels; and immediately upon his return to Leipsic in 1699, was appointed professor of history. His first intention was to have fixed himself to divinity; but he quitted it soon after for the law, in which he succeeded so well that he received the degree of doctor in that faculty at Halle, in 1701. After this he returned to Leipsic, to continue his lectures in history, by which he gained great reputation as well as by his writings. Frederic Augustus, king of Poland, and elector of Saxony, conceived so high an esteem for him, that in 1708 he appointed him his historiographer. In 1709 he became counsellor to that king; and, in 1723, aulic counsellor. His health began to decline early in life, and he died April 1, 1732, aged fifty-eight. He had been chosen, in 1700, fellow of the royal society of London, and some time after of that of Berlin.
musum, de circumforanea literatorum vanitate, Leipsic, 1715,” 8vo. It has been said that there never was a worse book with a better title. It has, however, been translated
The books he wrote were very numerous, and very
learned; one of which, in particular, had it been as well
executed as planned, would have been very curious and
entertaining. Its title is the following: “De Charlataneria eruditorum declamationes duae; cum notis variorum.
Accessit epistola Sebastiani Stadelii ad Janum Philomusum, de circumforanea literatorum vanitate, Leipsic, 1715,
”
8vo. It has been said that there never was a worse book
with a better title. It has, however, been translated into
French, and is entitled “De la Charlatanerie des
par M. Mencken: avec des remarques critiques de differens auteurs, Hague,
” 1721, in Bvo. Mencke’s design here
was to expose the artifices used by false scholars to raise
to themselves a name; but, as he glanced so evidently at
certain considerable persons that they could not escape
being known, some pains were taken to have his book
seized and suppressed: which, however, as usual, made
the fame of it spread the faster, and occasioned editions to
be multiplied. In 1723 he published at Leipsic, “Bibliotheca Menckeniana,
” &e. or, “A catalogue of all the
books and manuscripts in all languages, which had been
collected by Otto and John Mencke, father and son.
”
Mencke himself drew up this catalogue, which is digested
in an excellent method, with a design to make his library,
which was very magnificent and valuable, public: but in
1728 he thought proper to expose it to sale and for that
purpose published catalogues, with the price of every book
marked. Mencke had a considerable share in the “Dictionary of learned men,
” printed at Leipsic, in German,
in
, a Jewish philosophical writer, was born at Dessau, in Anhalt, in 1729. After being educated under
, a Jewish philosophical writer,
was born at Dessau, in Anhalt, in 1729. After being
educated under his father, who was a schoolmaster, he devoted every hour he could spare to literature, and obtained
as a scholar a distinguished reputation; but his father ber
ing unable to maintain him, he was obliged, in search of
labour, or bread, to go on foot, at the age of fourteen, to
Berlin, where he lived for some years in indigence, and
frequently in want of necessaries. At length he got employment from a rabbi as a transcriber of Mss, who, at the
same time that he afforded him the means of subsistence,
liberally initiated him into the mysteries of the theology,
the jurisprudence, and scholastic philosophy of the Jews.
The study of philosophy and general literature became
from this time his favourite pursuit, but the fervours of
application to learning were by degrees alleviated and
animated by the consolations of literary friendship. He
formed a strict intimacy with Israel Moses, a Polish Jew,
who, without any advantages of education, had become
an able, though self-taught, mathematician and naturalist.
Hg very readily undertook the office of instructor of Mendelsohn, in subjects of which he was before ignorant; and
taught him the Elements of Euclid from his own Hebrew
version. The intercourse between these young men was
not of long duration, owing to the calumnies propagated
against Israel Moses, which occasioned his expulsion from
the communion of the orthodox; in consequence of this
he became the victim of a gloomy melancholy and despondence, which terminated in a premature death. His
loss, which was a grievous affliction to Mendelsohn, was
in some measure supplied by Dr. Kisch, a Jewish physician,
by whose assistance he was enabled to attain a competent
knowledge of the Latin language. In 1748 he became
acquainted with another literary Jew, viz. Dr. Solomon
Gumperts, by whose encouragement and assistance he
attained a general knowledge of the living and modern
languages, and particularly the English, by which he was
enabled to read the great work of our immortal Locke in
his own idiom, which he had before studied through the
medium of the Latin language. About the same period
he enrolled the celebrated Lessing among his friends, to
whom he was likewise indebted for assistance in his literary
pursuits. The scholar amply repaid the efforts of his intructor, and soon became his rival and his associate, and
after his death the defender of his reputation against Jacobi, a German writer, who had accused Lessing of atheism.
Mendelsohn died Jan. 4, 1785, at the age of fifty-seven,
highly respected and beloved by a numerous acquaintance,
and by persons of very different opinions. When his remains were consigned to the grave, he received those honours from his nation which are commonly paid to their
chief rabbies. As an author, the first piece was published
in 1755, entitled “Jerusalem,
” in which he maintains that
the Jews have a revealed law, but not a revealed religion,
but that the religion of the Jewish nation is that of nature.
His work entitled “Phaedon, a dialogue on the Immortality of the Soul,
” in the manner of Plato, gained him
much honour: in this hepresents the reader with all the
arguments of modern philosophy, stated with great force
and perspicuity, and recommended by the charms of elegant writing. From the reputation which he obtained by
this masterly performance, he was entitled by various periodical writers the “Jewish Socrates.
” It was translated
into French in Philosophical
Pieces;
” “A Commentary on Part of the Old Testament;
” “Letters on the Sensation of the Beautiful.
”
, a cardinal, archbishop of Seville, and afterwards of Toledo, chancellor of Castille and Leon, was born at Guadalajara, in 142S, of an ancient and noble family.
, a cardinal, archbishop of Seville, and afterwards of Toledo, chancellor of
Castille and Leon, was born at Guadalajara, in 142S, of
an ancient and noble family. He made a great progress
in the languages, in civil and canon law, and in the belles
lettres. His uncle, Walter Alvarez, archbishop of Toledo,
gave him an archdeaconry in his church, and sent him to
the court of John II. king of Castille, where his merit soon,
acquired him the bishopric of Calahorra. Henry IV. who
succeeded John, trusted him with the most important
affairs of state; and, besides the bishopric of Siguença,
procured a cardinal’s hat for him from Sixtus IV. in 1473.
When Henry died the year after, he named cardinal Mendoza for his executor, and dignified him at the same time
with the title of the cardinal of Spain. He did great services afterwards to Ferdinand and Isabella, in the war
against the king of Portugal, and in the conquest of the
kingdom of Granada over the Moors. He was then made
archbishop of Seville and Toledo successively; and after
governing some years, in his several provinces, with great
wisdom and moderation, he died Jan. 11, 1495. It is said
that in his younger days he translated “Sallust,
” “Homer’s Iliad,
” “Virgil,
” and some pieces of “Ovid.
”
, an Augustine friar of the province of Castille, was chosen by the king of Spain to be ambassador to the emperor
, an Augustine friar of
the province of Castille, was chosen by the king of Spain
to be ambassador to the emperor of China, in 1584. He
was made bishop of Lipari in Italy in 1593, bishop of
Chiapi in New Spain in 1607, and bishop of Propajan in
the West Indies in 1608. He wrote “A History of China,
”
in Spanish, which has been translated into several languages. A general idea of it may be taken from the mere
title of the French translation, published at Paris, in 1589,
which runs thus “The history of the great kingdom of
China, in the East Indies, in two parts the first containing the situation, antiquity, fertility, religion, ceremonies,
sacrifices, kings, magistrates, manners, customs, laws, and
other memorable things of the said kingdom; the second,
three voyages to it in 1577, 1579, and 1581, with the most
remarkable rarities either seen or heard of there; together
with an itinerary of the new world, and the discovery of
New Mexico in 1583.
”
, a Greek philosopher, was a native of Eretria in the island of Euboea, who, going to study
, a Greek philosopher, was a native of Eretria in the island of Euboea, who, going to study at Athens, became first a hearer of Plato, and then of Xenocrates; but, not being satisfied with their doctrines, went over to the Cyrenaic philosopher Parsebates, and by him was led to the Megarensian Stilpo. Here, being delighted by the free manner of his new master, he learned to despise all scholastic forms and arts. He had now become so famous by his studies, that his countrymen, who at first had held him in no estimation, now voluntarily committed to him the direction of the state, with a large stipend; and he in return was able to render them essential services by the credit in which he stood with the kings of Macedon. After a time, however, he was exposed to the attacks of envy, that usual concomitant of greatness; and, "being accused of a design to betray his country, died of grief at the imputation. He died in the year 284 B. C. in the reign of Alexander the Great; and the masters under whom he studied mark sufficiently the earlier period of his life.
Menedemus was of a strong constitution, acute and penetrating in understanding;
Menedemus was of a strong constitution, acute and penetrating in understanding; in dispute he was vehement,
Lut in his manners gentle. He was fond of convivial
meetings; but it was those in which philosophy, not
luxury, presided. His most intimate friend and fellowstudent was Asclepiades, whose steadiness of regard was
highly honourable to b9th. After the death of Menedemus, his countrymen erected a statue to his memory.
Some sarcastically called him the Eretrian Bull, from the
gravity of his countenance. Being told one day, that it is
a great felicity to have whatever we desire, “Yes,
” said
he, “but it is a much greater to desire nothing but what
we have.
”
was a Cynic philosopher, rather of a later period, just before that
was a Cynic philosopher, rather of a later period, just before that sect sunk into disrepute, and that of the Stoics under Zeno rose out of its ruins. It is probable that the extravagance of this very man contributed very materially to bring his sect into disrepute; for he went about, says Diogenes Laertius, dressed like a fury, and saying that he was sent by the infernal gods, to report to them the transgressions of men. His dress was a long black robe, reaching to his feet; a scarlet girdle; a large Arcadian cap, with the twelve signs of the zodiac embroidered on it; tragic buskins, a vast beard, and a strong ashen staff in his hand. Laertius says that he was a pupil of Colotes of Lampsacus, of whom, however, he gives no particular account. Others make him the disciple of Echecles an Ephesian, another Cynic. Suidas, by mistake, applies to Menippus the extravagant dress here attributed to Menedemus. Menippus, however, was a disciple of Menedemus.
, of Dijon, one of the most learned and curious antiquaries of his time, was born in 1564, and died in 1634, at the age of seventy. His principal
, of Dijon, one of
the most learned and curious antiquaries of his time, was
born in 1564, and died in 1634, at the age of seventy. His
principal works are, 1. “Medals, Coins, and ancient Monuments of the emperors of Rome,
” folio. 2. " Illustrious
Medals of the ancient emperors and empresses of Rome,' 7
4to. They are both written in French, and are not much
esteemed, according to the Diet. Hist.; but Moreri says that
all modern antiquaries speak of them with the highest
praise (grands eloges).
, a Jesuit, was born at Lyons in 1633. Besides his skill in the ancient languages,
, a Jesuit, was born
at Lyons in 1633. Besides his skill in the ancient languages, and acquaintance with the classic authors, he had
a particular talent for heraldry, and for the arrangement
and marshalling of all splendid ceremonies, such as canonizations, &c. so that his plans for those occasions were
sought with great avidity. The fertility of his imagination
constantly displayed itself in an incredible variety of inscriptions, devices, medals, and other ornaments. He travelled in Italy, Flanders, Germany, and England; and in
all places gained improvement and amusement. His memory was so prodigious, that, in order to try it, Christina
queen of Sweden, pronounced in his presence at Lyons,
and had written down, 300 unconnected words, the strangest
she could think of, and it is said that he repeated them all
exactly in the same order. This wonderful memory supplied him with an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes; and he
spoke Greek and Latin with as much facility as French.
He died Jan. 31, 1705, being then seventy-four. His
works that remain are, 1. “History of Louis the Great, by
medals, emblems, devices, &c.
” 2. “Consular History
of the city of Lyons,
” Methode de Blason,
” an edition of which was published
at Lyons, in La Philosophic des Images,
”
om the Italians ascribe the invention of the first principles of the infinitesimal calculus. Mengoli was appointed professor of “mechanics” in the college of nobles
, an able Italian mathematician in
the seventeenth century, concerning whose birth there is
no trace, studied mathematics under Cavalieri, to whom
the Italians ascribe the invention of the first principles of
the infinitesimal calculus. Mengoli was appointed professor
of “mechanics
” in the college of nobles at Bologna, and
acquired high reputation by the success with which he
filled that post. His principal works are, “Geometriae
SpeciosgR Elementa
” “Novae Quadrature Arithmetics,
sen de additione Fractionum
” “Via regia ad Mathematicas ornata
” “Rerrazzione e paralasse Solare
” “Speculation! de Musica;
” “Arithmetics rationalis Elementa
”
“Arithmetica realis.
” Of these Dr. Burney notices his
“Speculationi di Musica,
” a desultory and fanciful work,
published at Bologna, 1670. An account of this treatise was
given in the Phil. Trans, vol. VIII. No. c. p. 6194, seemingly by Birchensha. The speculations contained in Mengoli’s work are some of them specious and ingenious; but
the philosophy of sound has been so much more scientifically and clearly treated since its publication, that the
difficulty of finding the book is no great impediment to
the Advancement of music. He was still living in 1678.
, a celebrated modern painter, was born at Aussig in Bohemia, in 1726. His lather was painter to
, a celebrated modern
painter, was born at Aussig in Bohemia, in 1726. His
lather was painter to Augustus 111. king of Poland, and
he, observing the talents of his son for the same art,
took him to Rome in 1741. After studying about four
years, the young painter returned to Dresden, where
he executed several works for Augustus with uncommon
success. But his greatest patron was Charles III. king of
Spain, who having, while only king of Naples, become
acquainted with Mengs and his merits, in 1761, within
two years after his accession to the throne of Spain, settled
upon him a pension of 2000 doubloons, and gave him an
house and an. equipage. Mengs, nevertheless, did not go
to Spain, but resided chiefly at Rome, where he died in
1779. The labours of his art, grief for the loss of a most
beautiful and amiable wife, and the injudicious medicines
of an empiric, his countryman, who pretended to restore
his health, are said to have occasioned his death. His character was very amiable, with no great fault but that which
too commonly attends genius, a total want of reconomy;
so that, though his profitsin various ways,forthe last eighteen years of his life, were very considerable, he hardly left
enough to pay for his funeral. In his address, he was timid
and aukward, with an entire ignorance of the world, and
an enthusiasm for the arts, which absorbed almost all his
passions. He left five daughters, and two sons, all of
whom were provided for by his patron the king of Spain.
He was an author as well as a painter, and his works were
published at Parma in 1780, by the chevalier d'Azara,
with notes, and a life of Mengs, in 2 vols. 4to, which were
translated into English, and published in 2 vols. 1796, 8vo.
They consist chiefly of treatises and letters on taste, on
several painters, and various subjects connected with the
philosophy and progress of the arts. They were partly
translated into French, in 1782, and more completely in
1787. All that is technical on the subject of painting, in
the work of his friend Winckelman, on the history of art,
was supplied by Mengs. He admired the ancients, but
without bigotry, and could discern their faults as well as
their beauties. As an artist, Mengs seems to have been
mostly admired in Spain. In this country, recent connoisseurs seem disposed to under-rate his merit, merely, as
it would appear, because it had been over-rated by
Azara and Winckelman. The finest specimen of his art in
this country is the altar- piece of All Souls Chapel, Oxford.
The subject of this picture is our Saviour in the garden
it consists of two figures in the foreground, highly finished,
and beautifully painted. It was ordered by a gentleman
of that college whilst on his travels through Spain; but
being limited to the price, he was obliged to choose a
subject of few figures. This gentleman relates a singular
anecdote of Mengs, which will further show the profundity
of his knowledge and discernment in things of antiquity.
While Dr. Burney was abroad collecting materials for his
History of Music, he found at Florence an ancient statue
of Apollo, with a bow and riddle in his hand: this, he considered, would be sufficient to decide the long-contested
point, whether or not the ancients had known the use of the
bow. He consulted many people to ascertain the certainty if
this statue were really of antiquity; and at last Mengs was
desired to give his opinion, who, directly as he had examined it, without knowing the cause of the inquiry,
said, “there was no doubt but that the statue was of antiquity, but that the arms and fiddle had been recently
added.
” This had been done with such ingenuity that no
one had discovered it before Mengs; but the truth of the
same was not to be doubted.
, or Menin, a most celebrated German orientalist, was born in Lorraine, then subject to the emperor, in 1623; and
, or Menin, a
most celebrated German orientalist, was born in Lorraine,
then subject to the emperor, in 1623; and for copiousness
of learning, elegance of genius, and profound knowledge
of languages, particularly those of the East, proved
undoubtedly one of the principal ornaments of the age in
which he lived. He studied at Rome under Giattino. When
he was about thirty, his love of letters induced him to accompany the Polish ambassador to Constantinople, where
he studied the Turkish language under Bobovius and Ahmed, two very skilful teachers. So successful was he in
this study, that when he had been there only two years,
the place of first interpreter to the Polish embassy at the
Porte was promised to him. When the place became vacant, he was accordingly appointed to it, and obtained so
much credit by his conduct, that, after a time, he was sent
for into Poland, and again sent out with full powers as ambassador to the Porte. For his able execution of this office,
he was further honoured, by being naturalized in Poland,
on which occasion he added the Polish termination of ski
to his family name, which was Menin. Being desirous
afterwards to extend his sphere of action, he went to the
court of the emperor, as interpreter of oriental languages,
in 1661. Here also, as in other instances, his talents and
behaviour obtained the highest approbation; on which account he was not only sent as interpreter to several imperial ambassadors at the Porte, but was entrusted in many
important and confidential services, and, in 1669, having
paid a visit to the holy sepulchre at Jerusalem, was made
one of the knights of that order. After his return to Vienna
he was advanced to further honours; being made one of
the counsellors of war to the emperor, and first interpreter of oriental languages. He died at Vienna, at the
age of seventy-five, in 1698. His great work, 1. The
“Thesaurus linguarum orientalium,
” was published at
Vienna, in Complenaentum Thesauri linguarum orientalium, seu onomasticum Latino-Turcico-Arabico-Persicum.
”* The former volumes having
become extremely scarce, partly on account of the destruction of a great part of the impression in the siege of
Vienna by the Turks in 1683, a design was formed some
time ago in England of reprinting the work, by a society of
learned men, among whom was sir William Jones. But as
this undertaking, probably on account of the vast expenee
which must have been incurred, did not proceed, the empress queen, Maria Theresa, who had heard of the plan,
took it upon herself, and with vast liberality furnished every
thing necessary for its completion. In consequence of this,
it was begun to be splendidly republished at Vienna in
1780, with this title, “Francisci a Mesgnien Meninski
Lexicon Arabico-Persico-Turcicum, adjecta ad singulas
voces et phrases interpretatione Latina, ad usitatiores,
etiam Italica,
” and has been completed in four volumes,
folio. In this edition, say the editors, the Lexicon of Meninski may be said to be increased, diminished, and
Amended. Increased, because many Arabic and Persian
words are added, from Wankuli and Ferhengi, the best
Arabic and Persic Lexicographers whom the East has produced; and, from Herbelot, are inserted the names of
kingdoms, cities, and rivers, as well as phrases in common
use among the Turks, &c. diminished, because many useless synonyma are omitted, which rather puzzled than assisted the student; as well as all the French, Polish, and
German interpretations, the Latin being considered as sufficient for all men of learning amended, with respex?t to
innumerable typographical errors which, from a work of
this naturej Ho care can perhaps altogether exclude, Brunei
remarks, however, that this edition does not absolutely
supplant the preceding, as the grammar and onomasticon
are not reprinted in it. There is a Vienna edition of the
grammar, entitled “Institutiones linguae Turcicae,
” Prodromus novi linguarum Orientalium collegii, jussu
Aug. &c. erigendi, in Univ. Viennensi
” to which Meninski opposed, 2. “Meninskii Antidotum in Prodromum
novi ling*, orient collegii, &c.
” 4to. But such was the credit of his antagonist in the university, that soon after there
came out a decree, in the name of the rector and consistory, in which that antidote of Meninski’s is proscribed
and prohibited, for six specific reasons, as impious and infamous. Meninski was defended against this formidable attack by a friend, in a small tract, entitled “Veritasdefensa,
seu justitia causae Dn. F. de M. M. [Meninski] contra infame decretum Universitatis Viennensis, anno 1674, 23
Novernbris, &c. ab Amico luci exposita, anno 1675,
” in
which this friend exposes, article by article, the falsehood
of the decree, and exclaims strongly against the arts of
Podesta. This tract is in the British Museum. Podesta
was oriental secretary to the emperor, and professor of
those languages at Vienna but is described in a very
satirical manner by the defender of Meninski “Podesta,
natura Semi-Italus, statura nanus, caecutiens, balbus, imo
bardus repertus, aliisque vitiis ac stultitiis plenus, adeoque
ad discendas linguas Orientales inhabilis.
” A list of the
works of Podesta, is, however, given by the late editors of
Meninski.
, a Cynic, and a disciple of the second Menedemus before mentioned, was a native of Gadara in Palestine. His writings were chiefly of
, a Cynic, and a disciple of the second Menedemus before mentioned, was a native of Gadara in Palestine. His writings were chiefly of a ridiculous kind, and
very satirical; so much so, that Lucian, himself no very
lenient satirist, calls him in one passage “the most barking and snarling of all the Cynic dogs.
” For this reason
he is introduced into two or three of Lucian’s dialogues,
as a vehicle for the sarcasms of that author. It appears,
that the satires of Menippus were written in prose, with
verses occasionally intermixed; for which reason the satires
of Varro, who wrote in the same style, were called Menippean; and the same title, that of “Satyre Menippe'e,
” was
given, for the same reason, to a famous collection, written in France against the faction of the league; in which
compositions Pierre le Roy, Nicolas Rapin, and Florent
Chretien, bore a principal share. Varro himself lias been therefore called Mtnippeus, and sometimes Cynicus Romanus.
Menippus was imitated also by his countryman Meleager,
of whom an account has been given before. It is said by
Laertius, that Menippus, having been robbed of a large sum
of money, which he had'amassed by usury, hanged himself
in despair. The same author mentions some of his works,
of which, however, no part is now extant. He had been
originally a slave, but purchased his freedom, and procured
himself to be made a citizen of Thebes.
a celebrated seaman, traveller, and poet, the third son of Andrew Mennes, esq. of Sandwich in Kent, was born there March 1, 159S. He was educated at Corpus Christ!
a celebrated seaman, traveller, and poet, the third son of Andrew Mennes,
esq. of Sandwich in Kent, was born there March 1, 159S.
He was educated at Corpus Christ! college, Oxford, where
he distinguished himself by his literary acquirements; and
afterwards became a great traveller, and well skilled in
naval architecture. In the reign of James I. he had a place
in the Navy-office, and by Charles i. was appointed its
comptroller. In the subsequent troubles he took an active
part, both military and naval, in favour of his royal master: and being a vice-admiral, in 1641 was knighted at
Dover. In 1642, he commanded the Rainbow: but was
afterwards displaced from his services at sea for his loyalty,
and was implicated in the Kentish insurrection in favour
of the king in 1648. After the Restoration he was made
governor of Dover-castle, and chief comptroller of the
navy, which he retained till his death. In 1661 he was appointed commander of the Henry, and received a commission to act as vice-admiral and commander in chief of
his majesty’s fleet in the North Seas. He died Feb. 18,
1670-1, at the Navy-office in Seething-lane, London,
with the character of an honest, stout, generous, and religious man, whose company had always been delightful to
the ingenious and witty. He was buried in the church of
St. Olave, Hart-street, where a monument and inscription
were erected over his grave, and are there still. Wood
says he was the author of a poem entitled “Epsom Wells,
”
and several other poems scattered in other men’s works.
What can with most certainty be attributed to him are
contained in a volume entitled “Musarum Deliciae, or the
Muses Recreation,
” second edit. Sir John got
him an ambling nag,
” &c. was written by Mennes. The
poems in this volume are the joint compositions of sir John
Mennes and Dr. James Smith.
, surnamed Simon, or Simonson, was the founder of a sect called from him Mennonites. He was born
, surnamed Simon, or Simonson, was the founder of a sect called from him Mennonites. He was born at Witmarsum, in Friesland, in 1505. He was at first a Romish priest, and a notorious profligate, and resigned his rank and office in the Romish church, and publicly embraced the communion of the anabaptists. He died in 1561, in the duchy of Holstein, at the country-seat of a certain nobleman, not far from the city of Oldesloe, who, moved with compassion by a view of the perils to which Menno was exposed, and the snares that were daily laid for his ruin, took him, with certain of his associates, into his protection, and gave him an asylum. He began to propagate his opinions in 1636, and had many followers, whose history may be found in Mosheim. They split afterwards into parties, but the opinions that are held in common by the Mennonites, seem to be all derived from this fundamental principle, that the kingdom which Christ established upon earth is a visible church or community, into which the holy and just alone are to be admitted, and which is consequently exempt from all those institutions and rules of discipline, that have been invented by human wisdom, for the correction and reformation of the wicked. This principle, indeed, was avowed by the ancient Mennonites, but it is now almost wholly renounced; nevertheless, from this ancient doctrine, many of the religious opinions, that distinguish the Mennonites from all other Christian communities, seem to be derived: in consequence of this doctrine, they admit none to the sacrament of baptism, but persons that are come to the full use of their reason; they neither admit civil rulers into their communion, nor allow any other members to perform the functions of magistracy; they deny the lawfulness of repelling force by force, and consider war, in all its shapes, as unchristian and unjust: they entertain the utmost aversion to the execution of justice, and more especially to capital punishments; and they also refuse to confirm their testimony by an oath. Menno’s writings, in Dutch, were published in 1651, folio.
, a native of Pavia, was born in 1532, and acquired such skill in the law, that he was
, a native of Pavia, was born in
1532, and acquired such skill in the law, that he was surnamed the. Baidus and the Bartholus of his age. He
taught law in Piedmont, at Pisa, at Padua, and lastly at
Pavia. Philip II. king of Spain, appointed him counsellor,
afterwards president of the council at Milan. He died
Aug. 10, 1607, aged seventy-five, leaving, “De recuperanda possessione, de atiipiscenda possessione,
” 8vo; “De
Praesumptionibus,
” Geneva,
, was a prince of the Russian empire, deeply concerned in the politics
, was a prince of the Russian empire, deeply concerned in the politics of his time. The general opinion of the origin of Menzikoff is, that his father was a peasant, who had placed him at Moscow with a pastry-cook, and that he carried little pies about the streets, singing as he went. In this situation, he was seen by the emperor Peter, who, pleased with the wit and liveliness which on examination he found in him, took him about his person, and thus opened the way to his fortune. Others, however, say, that his father was an officer in the service of the czar Alexis Michaelowitz, and that, as it was not extraordinary for gentlemen to serve in the stables of the czar, Menzikoff was there employed as one of the head grooms, and that in this situation his talents were noticed by the czar, and his advancement begun. Whatever may in this respect be true, it is certain that when he had begun to attend the emperor, he soon made himself agreeable, and finally necessary to that prince, whose projects he seconded with great address; and, having studied several languages, was able to be useful in various situations. Being appointed to the government of Ingria, his services in that situation obtained him the rank of prince, with the title of major-general in the army. He signalized himself in Poland in 1708 and 1709; but in 1713, he was accused of peculation, and condemned to pay a fine of three hundred thousand crowns. The czar, however, remitted the fine, and having received him again into his favour, sent him with a command into the Ukraine in 1719, and ambassador to Poland in 1722. When the czar died, in 1725, Menzikoff had already contrived the means of continuing and increasing his own power. He was aware of the design of Peter, to give his throne to his empress Catherine, and therefore to secure her gratitude, MenzikofF prepared all parties to acquiesce in this arrangement. Catherine was not insensible of her obligations to him, and agreed that her son, afterwards Peter II. should marry the daughter of Menzikoff, which she made an article in her will. At her death in 1727, the prince being then under twelve years, Menzikoff was also one of the regency appointed by her will, and the most active member in it.
Soon after the accession of Peter II. that prince was affianced publicly to the daughter of Menzikoff, who then thought
Soon after the accession of Peter II. that prince was affianced publicly to the daughter of Menzikoff, who then thought himself almost at the summit of happiness and elevation; he was made generalissimo by sea and land, duke of Cozel, and had the chief appointment in the household of the czar. Intoxicated at length with this extraordinary elevation, he behaved with a haughtiness towards the young czar, and with an imprudent ostentation in himself, which gave his enemies, particularly the princes Dolgorucki, the means of supplanting him in the affections of his sovereign, and compassing his final overthrow. His disgraces now followed fast upon each other. The emperor removed from the palace of Menzikoff, where he had hitherto resided, and he was ordered to quit Petersburg!), and pass the remainder of his days at Oranienburgh, a petty town on the frontiers of the Ukraine, which he had built, and partly fortified. On his departure, he added to his other imprudences, that of setting out in great pomp; but on his journey he was overtaken by an order to seal up all his effects, and leave him nothing but necessaries. Many complaints being now preferred against him, he was condemned to live altogether, for the rest of his life, at Beresowa, situated on the most distant frontiers of Siberia. His wife, grown blind with weeping, died upon the journey. His three children fell sick of the small pox, and one of them, a daughter, died of it. Menzikoff bore his misfortunes with more firmness than might have been expected. He even recovered his health for a time, which, had been injured by a grossness of hahit; and being allowed ten roubles a day, he not only found them sufficient for his wants, but saved enough to build a small church, at which he worked himself. Yet he did not long survive his disgrace, for he died Nov. 2, 1729, and, it is said, of a plethora, there being ho person at Beresowa skilful enough to open a vein. Some time after his death, the Dolgorucki’s being in their turn disgraced, his surviving son and daughter were recalled by the czarina Anne; the son was made an officer in the guards, with a restoration of the fifth part of his father’s fortune; and the daughter had the appointment of maid of honour to the empress, and soon after married advantageously.
off had a very strong attachment to Peter I. and to his maxims for civilizing the Russian nation. He was affable and polite towards strangers, that is, to all who were
Menzikoff had a very strong attachment to Peter I. and to his maxims for civilizing the Russian nation. He was affable and polite towards strangers, that is, to all who were submissive, and not ambitious of eclipsing him in wit, or other talents. His inferiors, in general, he treated with gentleness, and never forgot a service rendered to him. His courage was incontestible, and proved on many trying occasions. His friendship, when once fixed, was steady and zealous. On the other hand, his ambition was boundless; he could not bear a superior, or an equal; much less a rival in any quality or advantage. He was not destitute of wit; but for want of an early polish it was rather coarse. His avarice was insatiable, and led him into several difficulties, even with his indulgent master Peter I.; and when he was disgraced, he was found to possess the value of three millions of roubles, in jewels, plate, and money, besides his vast estates. There are many features of resemblance between Menzikoff and Wolsey, not only in his rise from a low origin, but more particularly in the imprudence, haughtiness, and ostentation, which accelerated his fall.
, an Italian poet, was born at Florence in 1646, of poor and humble parents. Notwithstanding
, an Italian poet, was born at
Florence in 1646, of poor and humble parents. Notwithstanding the disadvantage of his circumstances, he began
his studies under Miglioraccio, and pursued them with ardour; till, being noticed for his talents by Vincentio SaU
viati, he, was removed from the difficulties of poverty, received into the house of that patron, and encouraged to
indulge his genius in writing. In 1674, he inscribed a
volume of poems to Cosmo III. of Medicis, but obtained
Do great approbation from that depraved man. In 1679,
he published a book, entitled “Construzione irregolare
della linga Toscana;
” on the irregular construction of the
Tuscan language; and, in the following year, a volume of
lyric poems, by way of illustrating his own precepts. His
first patron seems now to have deserted him, or not to have
afforded him sufficient support, for we find hirn at this
period, after several disappointments, and particularly that
of not obtaining a professorship at Pisa, venting his discontent in twelve satires. These, however, were not published in his life, but given to a friend, Paulo Falconeri.
When they did appear, they went through several editions.
In 1685, Menzini obtained the notice and patronage of
Christina queen of Sweden, whom he celebrated in Latin
as well as in Italian. Under her protection he lived at
Rome, and enjoyed the best period of his life. It was at
this period, in 1688, that he published his “Arte Poetiea,
”
which he dedicated to cardinal Azzolini. Being always
more or less in want, owing to mismanagement, he contrived
by these dedications to lay some of the chief nobility of
his country under contribution: but he did not so succeed
with cardinal Atestini, who received his dedication of “II
Paradiso terrestre,
” without granting him any remuneration. As he had a wonderful vein of ready eloquence, one
of his resources was that of composing sermons for
preachers who were not equally able to supply themselves.
To this there is an allusion in one of the satires of his con<temporary Sectanus.
ated his kindness with no little anxiety; and thus, it may be supposed, obtained this compliment. He was now appointed by the pope, canon of St. Angelo in Piscina; and
We are told, by his biographer Fabroni, that being not
a little in awe of the satirical talents of that writer, he had
cultivated his kindness with no little anxiety; and thus, it
may be supposed, obtained this compliment. He was now
appointed by the pope, canon of St. Angelo in Piscina;
and continued to publish several works, in Latin as well as
in Italian as, “Orationes de morum, philosophise, humanarumque literarum studiis, et de Leonis X. P. M. laudtbus.
” But his Latin compositions did not so well satisfy
the learned as those he produced in his own language; and
their criticisms led him to write and publish a tract, “De
poesis innocentia, et de literatorum hominum invidia.
”
This, however, was prior to the present period, as it bears
date in 1675. He published now a poetical version of the
Lamentations of Jeremiah, in Italian, which was so much
approved by pope Clement XI. that he ordered it to be
distributed to the cardinals in passion-week. Menzini was
admitted a member *of the society of Arcadi, under the
name of Euganius, under which we have seen him mentioned by the satirist: and being also admitted of the academy Delia Crusca, he was very anxious to have his verses
cited in their dictionary, as authority. In this he could
not prevail, except after a time for his satires, in which he
had revived some classical Italian expressions then growing
obsolete. In 1731, however, long after his death, and in
the fourth edition of that vocabulary, all his Italian works
were admitted, as affording classical citations. Towards
the end of life he became dropsical, and died at the age of
fifty-eight, in 1704. He left the fortune of a poet, his
works only, which he bequeathed to a friend and they
were in 1730 1734, published collectively, in 4 vols. 8vo,
the contents of which are recited by Fabroni. An edition
of his “Art of Poetry
” has lately been published by Mr.
Mathias, perhaps the most accomplished Italian scholar
and critic in this kingdom. His satires were published
with Salvini’s notes, in 1759, 8vo, and with those of Rinaldo Maria Bracci, at Naples in 1763, 4to.
, a physician and naturalist, the son of Peter Mercati, a physician of St. Miniato, in Tuscany, was born April 8, 1541. After having finished his scholastic education
, a physician and naturalist, the son of Peter Mercati, a physician of St. Miniato, in Tuscany, was born April 8, 1541. After having finished his scholastic education at his native place, he was sent to Pisa, and placed under the tuition of Cesalpini, from whom he derived his taste for the study of nature. Having received his degree of doctor in philosophy and medicine ia that university, he went to Rome, where pope Pius V. appointed him superintendant of the botanical garden of the Vatican, at the age of twenty-six, but Niceron says he was not more than twenty. Afterwards Ferdinand I. the grand duke of Tuscany, raised him to the rank of nobility; and soon afterwards the same dignity was conferred upon him by the senate of Rome. Among his other honours, Sixtus V. conferred upon him the office of apostolical prothonotary, and sent him into Poland with cardinal Aldobrandini, that he might enjoy the opportunity of increasing his collections in natural history. The same cardinal, when elected pope in 1592, under the title of Clement VIII. nominated Mercati his first physician, and had in contemplation higher honours to bestow upon him, when this able physician died, in 1593, in the fifty-third year of his age. His character in private life was universally esteemed, and the regret of the most distinguished persons of Rome followed him to his grave.
bjects of natural history, particularly of mineralogy, contained in the museum of the Vatican, which was formed under the auspices of Gregory XIII. and Sixtus V. and
Mercati wrote in Italian, at the request of his patron
pope Gregory, a work “On the Plague, on the Corruption
of the Air, on the Gout, and on Palsy,
” Rome, Dissertation on the Obelisks of Rome,
”
Metallotheca, opus posthumnm authoritate et
mnnificentia dementis XI. Pont. Max. e tenebris in lucem
eductum opera & stud. J. M. Lancisi Archiat. Prat, illustratum,
” folio. An “Appendix ad Metallothecam
” was
published in
Besides his father and grandfather, both men of learning and eminence in their day, there was a Louis Mercati, a physician of the same century, whose medical
Besides his father and grandfather, both men of learning and eminence in their day, there was a Louis Mercati, a physician of the same century, whose medical and surgical works were printed in 1605, and often reprinted, but are not now held in much esteem.
, an eminent geographer and mathematician, was born in 1512, at Ruremonde in the Low Countries. He applied
, an eminent geographer and
mathematician, was born in 1512, at Ruremonde in the
Low Countries. He applied himself with such industry to
the sciences of geography and mathematics, that it has
been said he often forgot to eat and sleep. The emperor
Charles V. encouraged him much in his labours; and the
tluke of Juliers made him his cosmographer. He composed
and published a chronology; a larger and smaller atlas;
and some geographical tables besides other books in philosophy and divinity. He was also so curious, as well as
ingenious, that he engraved and coloured his maps himself. He made various maps, globes, and other mathematical instruments for the use of the emperor; and gave
the most ample proofs of his uncommon skill in what he
professed. His method of laying down charts is still used,
which bear the name of “Mercator’s Charts;
” also a part
of navigation is from him called Mercator’s Sailing. He
died at Duisbourg in 1594, at eighty-two years of age.
, an eminent mathematician and astronomer, whose name in High-Dutch was Kauffman, was born about 1640, at Holstein in Denmark. From
, an eminent mathematician
and astronomer, whose name in High-Dutch was Kauffman,
was born about 1640, at Holstein in Denmark. From his
works we learn, that he had an early and liberal education,
suitable to his distinguished genius, by which he was enabled to extend his researches into the mathematical sciences,
and to make very considerable improvements: for it appears from his writings, as well as from the character given
of him by other mathematicians, that his talent rather lay
in improving, and adapting any discoveries and improvements to use, than invention. However, his genius for
the mathematical sciences was very conspicuous, and introduced him to public regard and esteem in his own
country, and facilitated a correspondence with such as
were eminent in those sciences, in Denmark, Italy, and
England, In consequence, some of his correspondents
gave him an invitation to this country, which he accepted; and he afterwards continued in England till hi
death. In 1666 he was admitted F. R. S. and gave frequent proofs of his close application to study, as well as
of his eminent abilities in improving some branch or other
of the sciences. But he is charged sometimes with borrowing the inventions of others, and adopting them as his
own, and it appeared upon some occasions that he was not
of an over-liberal mind in scientific communications. Thus,
it had some time before him been observed, that there was
an analogy between a scale of logarithmic tangents and
Wright’s protraction of the nautical meridian line, which
consisted of the sums of the secants; though it does not
appear by whom this analogy was first discovered. It appears, however, to have been first published, and introduced into the practice of navigation, by Henry Bond, who
mentions this property in an edition of Norwood’s Epitome
of Navigation, printed about 1645; and he again treats of
it more fully in an edition of Gunter’s works, printed in
1653, where he teaches, from this property, to resolve all
the cases of Mercator’s sailing by the logarithmic tangents,
independent of the table of meridional parts. This analogy
had only been found to be nearly true by trials, but not
demonstrated to be a mathematical property. Such demonstration seems to have been first discovered by Mercator, who, desirous of making the most advantage of this and
another concealed invention of his in navigation, by a paper
in the Philosophical Transactions for June 4, 1666, invites
the public to enter into a wager with him on his ability to
prove the truth or falsehood of the supposed analogy. This
mercenary proposal it seems was not taken up by any one;
and Mercator reserved his demonstration. Our author,
however, distinguished himself by many valuable pieces on
philosophical and mathematical subjects. His first attempt
was, to reduce astrology to rational principles, which
proved a vain attempt. But his writings of more particular
note, are as follow: 1. “Cosmographia, sive Descriptio
Cceli & Terrse in Circulos, qua fundamentum sterniter sequentibus ordine Trigonometric Sphericorum Logarithmicse, &c. a
” Nicolao Hauffman Holsato,“Dantzic, 1651,
12mo. 2.
” Rationes Mathematics subductse anno Copenhagen, 4to. 3.
” De Emendatione annua Diatribae
duae, quibus exponuntur & demonstrantur Cycli Soiis &
Lunce,“&c. 4to. 4.
” Hypothesis Astronomica nova, et
Consensus ejus cum Observationibus,“Lond. 1664, folio.
5.
” Logarithmotechnia, sive Method us construendi Logarithmos nova, accurata, et facilis; scripto antehac communicata anno sc. 1667 nonis Augusti; cui nunc accedit,
Vera Quadratura Hyperbolae, & inventio summae Logaritbmorum. Auctore Nicolao Mercatore Holsato e Societate
Regia. Huic etiam jungitur Michaelis Angeli Riccii Exercitatio Geometrica de Maximis et Minimis, hie ob argument! praestantiam & exemplarium raritatem recusa,“Lond. 1668, 4to. 6.
” Institutionum Astronomicarum libri duo, de Motu Astrorum communi & proprio, secundum
hypotheses veterum & recentiorum praecipuas deque Hypotheseon ex observatis constructione, cum tabulis Tychonianis, Solaribus, Lunaribus, Lunae-solaribus, & Rudolphinis Solis, Fixarum &*quinque Errantium, earumque usu
prajceptis et exemplis commonstrato. Quibus accedit Appendix de iis, quae uovissimis temporibus coelitus innotuerunt,“Lond. 1676, 8vo. 7.
” Euclidis Elementa Geometrica, novo ordine ac methodo fere, demonstrata. Una
cum Nic. Mercatoris in Geometriam Introductione brevi,
qua Magnitudinum Ortus ex genuinis Principiis, & Ortarum Affectiones ex ipsa Genesi derivantur," Lond. 1678,
12mo. His papers in the Philosophical Transactions are,
1. A Problem on some Points of Navigation vol. I. p. 215.
2. Illustrations of the Logarithmo-technia vol. Hi. p. 759.
3. Considerations concerning his Geometrical and Direct
Method for finding the Apogees, Excentricities, and Anomalies of the Planets; vol. V. p. 1168. Mercator died in
1594, about fifty-four years of age.
, a major in the army, and a very elegant and accomplished scholar, was the son of a private gentleman in Aberdeenshire, who, having
, a major in the army, and a very elegant and accomplished scholar, was the son of a private gentleman in Aberdeenshire, who, having joined the Highland army in the year 1745, retired to France after the battle of Culloden, where he resided till his death. His son, who was born Feb. 27, 1734, was educated at Marischal college, Aberdeen, and afterwards went to reside with his father at Paris. There he spent his time in elegant society, and devoted his leisure hours to the cultivation of letters, and thus acquired those polished manners, and that taste for study, by which he was ever after so highly distinguished. He possessed, too, a very high degree of elegant and chastised wit and humour, which made his company to be universally sought after by those who had the happiness of his friendship or acquaintance.
war, during the greatest part of which he served in Germany under prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and was in one of the six British regiments of infantry, that gained
On the death of his father, he returned to Scotland, and soon afterwards entered into the army at the commencement of the seven-years war, during the greatest part of which he served in Germany under prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and was in one of the six British regiments of infantry, that gained such reputation for their gallantry at the memorable battle of Minden. The regiment in which he afterwards served, being reduced at the peace of Paris, he returned to Aberdeen, where he married Miss Katherine Douglas, sister to the present lord Glenbervie, a beautiful and accomplished woman, with whom he lived many years in much happiness. In order to fill up the vacant hours of his then unemployed situation, he devoted his time chiefly to books, and, in particular, recommenced the study of the Greek language (of which he had acquired the rudiments at college) with such assiduity, that his intimate friend, Dr. Beattie, was of opinion there were not six gentlemen in Scotland, at that time, who knew Greek so well as major Mercer. Then it was likewise, that by attention to the purest models of antiquity, he corrected that partiality for French literature, which he had strongly imbibed by his early habits of study at Paris.
Mercer’s acquaintance with books, especially of poetry and belles lettres, both ancient and modern, was not only uncommonly extensive, but he himself possessed a rich
Major Mercer’s acquaintance with books, especially of
poetry and belles lettres, both ancient and modern, was
not only uncommonly extensive, but he himself possessed
a rich and genuine poetical vein, that led him, for his own
amusement only, to the composition of some highly finished
lyric poems. These he carefully concealed, however, from
the knowledge of his most intimate friends; and it was
with much difficulty that his brother-in-law, lord Glenbervie, at length could prevail on him to permit a small collection to be printed, first anonymously, afterwards with
his name; the latter edition, with the title of “Lyric Poems.
Bv James Mercer, esq. Second edition, with some additional poems,
”
lly, he had lived much in society of various sorts), and being one of the pleasantest companions, he was a man of much piety, strict in the observance of all the ordinances
In 1802 major Mercer had the misfortune to lose his wife, after a long course of severe indisposition, during which he had attended her with the most anxious assiduity. Of this loss, indeed, he may be said never to have got the better, and he survived her little more than two years. He had long been in a very valetudinary, nervous state, till at last his constitution entirely failed: and he expired without a struggle or a pang, Nov. 18, 1804, in the seventyfirst year of his age. Besides possessing no ordinary share of knowledge both of books and men (for in the course of his military life especially, he had lived much in society of various sorts), and being one of the pleasantest companions, he was a man of much piety, strict in the observance of all the ordinances of religion, and of high honour in every transaction of life.
ographer and miscellaneous writer, familiarly known in France by the title of the abbe de St. Leger, was born at Lyons, April 1, 1734. He entered when young, into the
, a learned bibliographer
and miscellaneous writer, familiarly known in France by
the title of the abbe de St. Leger, was born at Lyons,
April 1, 1734. He entered when young, into the congregation of St. Genevieve, of which he became librarian, at
the time that the learned Pingre, his predecessor in that
office, went to observe the transit of Venus. In 1764,
when Louis XV. visited this library, he was so much
pleased with Mercier’s intelligent manner of displaying its
treasures, that he appointed him abbe of St. Leger at
Soisson, a preferment which then happened to be vacant
Mercier often travelled to Holland and the Netherlands to
visit the libraries and learned men of those countries, and
was industriously following his various 'literary pursuits,
when the revolution interrupted his tranquillity, and reduced him to a state of indigence. This he could have
borne; but the many miseries he witnessed around him,
and particularly the sight of his friend the abbe Poyer
dragged to the scaffold, proved too much for his constitution. He continued to linger on, however, until May 13,
1799, when death relieved him. He was a man of great
learning and research, as his works evidently shew, and in
his private character, social, communicative, and amiable.
His works are, 1. “Lettre sur la Bibliographic de Debure,
”
Lettre a M. Capperonier,
” on the
same subject, which was followed by a third, printed in
the “Journal de Trevoux.
” 3. “Lettre sur le veritable
auteur du Testament Politique du cardinal de Richelieu,
”
Paris, Supplement a l‘Histoire de l’imprimerie de Prosper Marchand,
” Lettre sur la Pucelle D'Orleans,
” Dissertation sur Pauteur du livre de
PImitation de Jesus-Christ.
” 7. “Notice du livre rare,
intitule* Pedis Admirandte, par J. d'Artis.
” 8. “Notice
de la Platopodologie d'Antoine Fiance, medecin de Besangon,
” a curious satire by Fiance. 9. “Lettre a un ami,
sur la suppression de la Charge de Bibliothecaire du roi en
France,
” (Paris), Notice sur les tornbeaux des dues de Bourgogne.
” 11. '“Lettres sur differentes editions rares du 15 siecle,
” Paris, Observations
surPEssai d'un projet de Catalogue de Bibliotheque.
” 13.
“Description* d'une giraffe vue a Fano.
” 14. “Notice
raisonnée des ouvrages de Gaspard Schott, Jesuite,
” Bibliotheque de Romans traduits du Grec.
”
Lettre sur le projet de decret
concernant les religieux, proposee a PAssemblee Nationale
par M. Treilhard,
” Lettre sur un nouveau Dictionnaire Historique portatif en 4 vols. 8vo.
” This,
wbich appeared in the *' Journal de Trevoux," contains a
sharp critique upon the first volumes of Cbaudon’s Dictionary. Mercier bestowed great pains in correcting and
improving his copy of this work, which fell in the hands of
thcs editors of the last edition of the Diet. Hist. Mercier
was frequently employed in the public libraries; and those
of Soubise and La Valliere owe much of their treasures to
his discoveries of curious books. He was also a frequent
writer in the Journal de Trevoux, the Journal des S9avans,
the Magazin Encyclopedique, and the Annee Litteraire.
He left some curious manuscripts, and manuscript notes
and illustrations of many of his books.
, or Mercerus, a celebrated philologer, uas a native of Usez in Languedoc. He was bred to. the study of jurisprudence, which he quitted for that
, or Mercerus, a celebrated
philologer, uas a native of Usez in Languedoc. He was
bred to. the study of jurisprudence, which he quitted for
that of the learned languages, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and
Chaldee; and in 1549, succeeded Vatablus in the professorship of Hebrew in the royal college at Paris. Being
obliged to quit the kingdom during the civil wars, he retired to Venice, where his friend Arnoul du Ferrier resided
as French ambassador; but returned with him afterwards
to France, and died at Usez, his native place, in 1572.
He was a little man, worn by excess of application, but
with a voice which he could easily make audible to a large
auditory. His literature was immense, and among the
proofs of it are the following works: 1. “Lectures on
Genesis, and the Prophets,
” Geneva, Commentaries on Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Canticles,
” Tables of the Chaldee Grammar,
” Paris, Nonnius Marcellus;
” notes on Aristae netus, Tacitus, DictysCretensis, and Apuleius’s book “De
Deo Socratis,
” and an “Eulogy,
” on Peter Pithon; some
of his letters are in Goldast’s collection. Salmasius was
his son-in-law.
, a learned and eminent physician, was born at Forli, in Romagna, Sept 30, 1530. He was educated according
, a learned and eminent physician, was born at Forli, in Romagna, Sept 30, 1530.
He was educated according to Niceron at Padua, and according to Eloy at Bologna. It seems, however, agreed
that he received his doctor’s degree in 1555, and began to
practice at Forli. In 1562 he was sent as ambassador to
pope Pius IV. at Rome, where he was honoured with the
citizenship, and upon a pressing invitation determined to
reside in a place which presented so many opportunities
for the pursuit of his favourite studies. During his abode
at Rome, besides his professional concerns, he studied
classical literature, and the monuments of antiquity, and
produced a learned and elegant work, which acquired him
much celebrity in the literary world, and which was first
published at Venice in 1569, under the title of “De Arte
Gymnastica Libri sex,
” 4to. It was many times reprinted,
and its merit occasioned his being appointed professor of
medicine in the university of Padua. In 1573 he was
called to Vienna by the emperor Maximilian II., to consult respecting a severe illness under which that personage
laboured; and his treatment was so successful, that he returned loaded with valuable presents, and honoured with
the dignities of a knight and count palatine. In 1587 he
removed to a professorsip at Bologna, which has been
partly attributed to a degree of dissatisfaction or self-accusation, in consequence of an error of judgment, which had
been committed by him and Capivaccio, several years
before, when they were called to Venice, in order to give
their advice respecting a pestilential disorder which prevailed in that city. On this occasion both he and his colleague seem to have fallen into the mistake of several
medical theorists, of denying the reality of contagion;
and their counsels were said to have been productive of
extensive mischief. Nevertheless his reputation appears
to have suffered little from this error; for he was invited
by Ferdinand, the grand duke of Tuscany, to settle at
Pisa in 1599, where he was ordered a stipend of eighteen:
hundred golden crowns, which was ultimately raised to two
thousand. Here he died Nov. 9, 1606, and was interred,
with great honours, in a chapel, which he had himself
erected at Forli. He left a large property in money and
effects, among which was a valuable collection of pictures;
and he made a great number of charitable bequests.
Mercuriali was a voluminous writer, as the following catalogue of his works
Mercuriali was a voluminous writer, as the following
catalogue of his works will evince. He was a learned commentator on Hippocrates, and edited a classified collection
of his works. Like the learned of his age, however, he
was bigotted to the doctrines of the ancients, and fond of
hypothetical reasoning, to the disparagement of sound
observation; and he strongly imbued his pupils with the
same erroneous principles. His first publication was a
tract entitled “Nomothesaurus, seu Ratio lactandi Infantes.
” His second, the work “De Arte Gymnastica,
”
before-mentioned. 3. “Variarum Lectionum in Medicinse
Scriptoribus et aliis, Libri iv.
” Venice, De
Morbis Cutaneis, et omnibus corporis humani Excrementis,
” ib. Tractatus de Maculis pestiferis et Hydrophobia,
” Basle, De Pestilentia in universum, proesertim vero de Veneta et Patavina,
” Venice Hippocratis Opera Grsece et Latine,
” ibid. De Morbis Muliebribus Praelectiones,
” Basle, De Morbis puerorum Tractatus locupletissimi,
” Venice, De Venenis et Morbis venenosis,
” ibid.
De Decoratione liber,
” ib. Consultationes et Responsa Medicinalia.
” Four volumes were
successively published in Tractatus de
Compositione Medicamentorum, De Morbis oculorum et
auriura,
” ibid. De Hominis Generatione,
”
Commentarii in Hippoc. Coi Prognostica,
Prorrhetica,
” &c. ibid. Medicina Practica,
seu, de cognoscendis, discernendis, et curandis omnibus
humani corporis affectibus,
” Francfort, Opuscula aurea et selectiora,
” Venice,
, perpetual secretary of the academy of sciences at Berlin, was born at Leichstal, near Basil, Sept. 27, 1723, of a reputable
, perpetual secretary of the academy of sciences at Berlin, was born at Leichstal, near Basil, Sept. 27, 1723, of a reputable family, and received a learned education, with the particulars of which, however, we are unacquainted. In 1750 he was invited from Holland to Berlin, on the recommendation of Maupertuis, and died in that city Feb. 12, 1807, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. The best known of his works were French translations of Claudian, and of Hume’s Essays, the latter, published at Amsterdam, 1759 1764, 5 vols. 12mo, enriched with commentaries and refutations of the most objectionable principles. He translated also some of Michaelis’s works. The Memoirs of the Academy of Berlin contain several of his pieces on philosophical subjects and on geometry. One of the best is a parallel between the philosophy of Leibnitz and Kant, which was much noticed on its first appearance. Merian bore an estimable private character, and preserved all the activity and vigour of youth to a very advanced age. A few days before his death he officiated as secretary at a sitting of the academy, to celebrate, according to custom, the memory of the Great Frederic.
justly ceJebrated for her skill in drawing insects, flowers, and other subjects of natural history, was born at Francfort on the Maine, in 1647; being the grand-daughter
, a lady much and justly ceJebrated for her skill in drawing insects, flowers, and other subjects of natural history, was born at Francfort on the Maine, in 1647; being the grand-daughter and daughter of Dutch engravers of some celebrity, whose talents were continued and improved in her. She was instructed by Abraham Mignon. She married John Andriez Graff, a skilful painter and architect of Nuremberg, but the fame she had previously attached to her own name, has prevented that of her husband from being adopted. They had two children, both daughters, who were also skilful in drawing. By liberal offers from Holland, this ingenious couple were induced to settle there; but Sibylla, whose great object was the study of nature, had the courage to travel in various parts, for the sake of delineating the insects, and several other productions peculiar to each country. She ventured to take the voyage to Surinam, where she remained two years, for the express purpose of making the drawings which have since added so considerably to her fame; and, though it does not appear that there was any kind of disagreement between her and her husband, she went, if we mistake not, without him. His own occupations, probably, precluded such a journey. Madame Merian died at Amsterdam in 1717, at the age of seventy.
pillars, their nourishment and changes” written in Dutch; Nuremberg, 1679–1688, in 2 vols. 4to. This was afterwards translated into Latin, and published at Amsterdam,
The drawings of this lady have a delicacy and a beauty
of colour, which have seldom been equalled, and her designs are still in high estimation, notwithstanding the great
attention which has since been paid to the accurate execution of such works. She published, 1. “The origin of
Caterpillars, their nourishment and changes
” written in
Dutch; Nuremberg, Histoire des
Insectes d'Europe.
” 2. “Dissertatio de Generatione et
Metamorphosibus insectorum Surinamensium,
” Anise. Histoire des Insectes de PEurope et de PAmerique,
” Amst.
fifth century, but of whom little memorial remains, except such as is wholly disfigured by fiction, was reputed to be both an enchanter and a prophet, and to have been
, a British writer, who flourished towards the latter end of the fifth century, but of whom little memorial remains, except such as is wholly disfigured by fiction, was reputed to be both an enchanter and a prophet, and to have been begotten by an incubus. For want of more authentic materials, we may be allowed to give the account of Spenser, in his Faery Queen, b. iii. canto 3. where, after speaking of his supposed magical powers, he thus tells his progeny:
And sooth men say that he was not the sonne
Who was the lord of Mathtraval by right,
Whence he indued was with skill so marvellous.
It was supposed that Merlin did not die, but was laid asleep by magic,
It was supposed that Merlin did not die, but was laid
asleep by magic, and was, after a long period, to awake
and live again. Spenser alludes to this fable also. Extravagant prophecies, and other ridiculous works are
ascribed to Merlin, and some authors have written Commentaries on them, as ridiculous as the text. In the
British Museum is “Le compte de la vie de Merlin et de
ses faiz, et compte de ses prophecies,
” 2 vols. fol. on
vellum, without date or place. There is a French edition,
3 vols. small folio, black letter, dated 1498. There are
also other French and Italian editions. In English we have
46 The Life of Merlin, surnamed Ambrosius. His prophesies and predictions interpreted: and their truth made
good by our English annals, published by T. Heywood,"
Lond. 1641, 4to. This was Hey wood the actor, of whom
some notice is taken in our seventeenth volume.
, a learned doctor of the Sorbonne, born in the diocese of Limoges, was curate of Montmartre, and afterwards canon and grand penitentiary
, a learned doctor of the Sorbonne,
born in the diocese of Limoges, was curate of Montmartre,
and afterwards canon and grand penitentiary of Paris.
Having preached against some persons belonging to the
court, who were supposed to be favourable to the reformed
religion, he was confined in the castle at the Louvre, 1527,
by order of Francis I. and then banished to Nantes, from
whence he returned to Paris, 1530. Merlin was appointed
grand vicar of Paris, and curate of la Magdelaine. He
died September 26, 1541. He was the first who published
a “Collection of Councils;
” of which there are three editions. It is said to be a compilation of great accuracy and
impartiality. Merlin also published editions of “Richard
de St. Victor, Peter de Blois, Durand de St. Pour$ain, and
Origen;
” and has prefixed to the works of the latter an
Apology, in which he undertakes to clear Origen from the
errors imputed to him. He had a violent dispute on this
subject with Noel Beda.
, a physician and naturalist, born at Winchcombe, in Gloucestershire, in February 1614, was educated at Gloucester-hall, and Oriel-college, Oxford, and
, a physician and naturalist,
born at Winchcombe, in Gloucestershire, in February
1614, was educated at Gloucester-hall, and Oriel-college,
Oxford, and after taking the degree of M. D. in 1642,
settled in London. He appears to have had a considerable
share of practice, was a fellow of the college of physicians,
and one of the original members of the philosophical society, which after the restoration became the royal society.
He died in 1695. His first publication was “A Collection
of Acts of Parliament, Charters, Trials at Law, and Judges’
Opinions, concerning those Grants to the College of Physicians,
” A short View of the Frauds and Abuses committed by
Apothecaries, in relation to Patients and Physicians,
”
which involved him in an angry controversy with Henry
Stubbe. He also, in 1662, published a translation of Neri’s
work, “De arte vitriaria,
” with notes; but his principal
work was entitled “Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum, continens Vegetabilia, Animalia, et Fossilia in hac
Insula reperta,
” Lond.
ne and poet, whom bishop Lowth characterised as one of the best of men and most eminent of scholars, was the second son of John Merrick, M. D. He was born Jan. 8, 1720,
, an English divine and poet, whom bishop Lowth characterised as one of the best of men and most eminent of scholars, was the second son of John Merrick, M. D. He was born Jan. 8, 1720, and was educated at Reading school. After being opposed, (very unjustly according to his biographer) as a candidate for a scholarship at St. John’s, on sir Thomas White’s foundation, he was entered at Trinity-college, Oxford, April 14, 1736, and admitted a scholar June 6, 1737. He took the degree of B. A. in Dec. 1739, of M. A. in Nov. 1742, and was chosen a probationer fellow in May 1 744. The celebrated lord North, and the late lord Dartmouth, were his pupils at this college. He entered into holy orders, but never engaged in any parochial duty, being subject 10 acute pains in his head, frequent lassitude, and feverish complaints; but, from the few manuscript sermons which he left behind him, appears to have preached occasionally in 1747, 1748, and 1749. His life chiefly passed in study and literary correspondence, and much of his time and property were employed on acts of benevolence. Few men have been mentioned with higher praise by all who knew him*. He had an extraordinary faculty of exact memory; had great good nature, and a flow of genuine wit; his charity was extensive, and his piety most exemplary. He died after a short illness at Reading, where he had principally resided, Jan. 5, 1769; and was buried at Caversham church, near the remains of his father, mother, and brothers.
He was early an author. In 1734, while he was yet at school, he published
He was early an author. In 1734, while he was yet at
school, he published “Messiah, a Divine Essay,
” printed
at Reading; and in April Tryphiodorus,
” is
dated Oct. 26, 1739, before he had taken his bachelor’s
degree. In Alberti’s last volume of Hesychius, published
by Ruhnkenius, are many references to Mr. Merrick’s
notes on Tryphiodorus, which are all ingenious, and serve
to illustrate the Greek writer by historical and critical explanations; many of them have a reference to the New
Testament, and show how early the author had turned his
thoughts to sacred criticism. The translation itself is correct and truly poetical. It is indeed, for his years, a very
." yond comparison great for his years) is extraordinary proof of classical erudition and taste, and was deservedly supported by a more numerous list of subscribers
cannot be a more deserving man in all only a good scholar, but (which is iarespects. His learning (which is be- finitely better) a good Christian." yond comparison great for his years) is extraordinary proof of classical erudition and taste, and was deservedly supported by a more numerous list of subscribers than perhaps any work of the time. It was handsomely printed in an 8vo volume, at the Clarendon press, but without date or publisher’s name.
this, which is esteemed the best poetical English version of the Psalms now extant, the only defect was, that not being divided into stanzas, it could not be set to
The rest of Mr. Merrick’s works were published in the
following order: 1. “A Dissertation on Proverbs, chapter
ix. containing occasional remarks on other passages in sacred and profane writers,
” Prayers for a
time of Earthquakes and violent Floods,
” a small tract,
printed at London in An encouragement to a good life; particularly addressed to some soldiers quartered at Reading,
” Christian Monitor,
” of which he says Mr.
Merrick distributed near 10,000 copies “chiefly among
the soldiers, many of whom he brought to a sense of religion.
” 4. “Poems on Sacred subjects,
” Oxford, 'A Letter to the rev. Joseph Warton, chiefly relating to the composition of Greek Indexes,
” Reading,
1764. In this letter are mentioned many indexes to Greek
authors, some of which were then begun, and others completed. Mr. Robert Robinson, in the preface to his “Indices Tres,
” of words in Longinus, Eunapius, and Hierocles, printed at the Clarendon press in 1772, mentions
these as composed by the advice of Mr. Merrick, by whose
recommendation to the delegates of the press they were
printed at the expence of the university; and they rewarded the compiler with a very liberal present. 6. “Annotations, critical and grammatical, on chap. I. v. 1 to 14
of the Gospel according to St. John,
” Reading, Annotations, critical, &c. on the Gospel of St. John,
to the end of the third chapter,
” Reading, The Psalms translated, or paraphrased, in English
verse,
” Reading, Annotations on the Psalms,
” Reading, A Manual of Prayers for common occasions,
”
ibid.
elaborate and ingenious account, in English, of all the Greek authors, in alphabetical order, which was left unfinished at his death. It extends as far as letter H:
Mr. Merrick occasionally composed several small poems,
inserted in Dodsley’s Collection; and some of his classical
effusions may be found among the Oxford gratulatory
poems of 1761 and 1762. In the second volume of Dodsley’s “Museum,
” is the “Benedicite paraphrased
” by
him. Among his Mss. in the possession of the Loveday
family at Williamscot, near Banbury, are his ms notes orj
the whole of St. John’s Gospel, being a continuation 'of
what he published during his life. He had begun an elaborate and ingenious account, in English, of all the Greek
authors, in alphabetical order, which was left unfinished at
his death. It extends as far as letter H: the manuscript
ending with “Hypsicles.
” The late rev. William Etwall,
editor of three dialogues of Plato, with various ind exes, in
1771, mentions, in his preface, his obligation,^ to Mr.
Merrick, who was always happy to communicate information *, and encourage genius. The indexes of. that work
were composed according to the plan recopjmended by
him in his letter to Dr. Warton, whose broUier, Thomas,
in his edition of “Theocritus,
” in various passages, expresses his obligations to Mr. Merrick, an d pays a just
compliment to his skill in the Greek language. His knowledge both of the Greek and Hebrew was truly critical;
and was applied with great success to the ill ustration of the
sacred writings; as his annotations on the P'salms, and his
notes upon St. John, abundantly testify. It remains to be
mentioned that in the former of these works, the “Annotations,
” he was assisted by Dr. Lowth, then bishop of
of the observations, and by a person whom he described 'as “virum summa eruditione, summo loco” who was afterwards known to have been archbishop Seeker. Some remarks
tbor, with whom h appears to have th same work, p. 310.
Oxford, who supplied many of the observations, and by a
person whom he described 'as “virum summa eruditione,
summo loco
” who was afterwards known to have been archbishop Seeker. Some remarks introduced here in opposition
to Dr. Gregory Sharpe’s criticism on the 1-1 Oth Psalm, produced from that gentleman “A Letter to the right rev. the
Lord Bishop of Oxford, from the Master of the Temple,
containing remarks upon some strictures made by his grace
the late archbishop of Canterbury, in the rev. Mr. Merrick’s Annotations on the Psalms,
”
, an English poet of considerable merit, was born in London, April 1755, and was descended in a right line
, an English poet of considerable
merit, was born in London, April 1755, and was descended
in a right line from sir Henry Merry, who was knighted
by James I. at Whitehall. Mr. Merry’s father was governor of the Hudson’s Bay company. His grandfather, who
was a captain in the royal navy, and one of the elder brethren of the Trinity-house, established the commerce of
the Hudson’s Bay company upon the plan which it now
pursues. He made a voyage to Hudson’s Bay, and discovered the island in the North seas, which still bears the
name of Merry’s island. He also made a voyage to the
East Indies, and was, perhaps, the first Englishman who
returned home over land; in which expedition he encountered inconceivable hardships. Mr. Merry’s mother was
the eldest daughter of the late lord chief justice Willes,
who presided for many years with great ability in the
court of Common Pleas, and was for some time first lord
commissioner of the great seal. Mr. Merry was educated
at Harrow, under Dr. Sumner, and had the celebrated
Dr. Parr as his private tutor. From Harrow he went to
Cambridge, and was entered of Christ’s college. He left
Cambridge without taking any degree, and was afterwards
entered of Lincoln’s-inn, but was never called to the bar.
Upon the death of his father he bought a commission in
the horse-guards, and was for several years adjutant and
lieutenant to the first troop, commanded by lord Lothian.
Mr. Merry quitted the service, and went abroad, where he
remained nearly eight years; during which time he visited
most of the principal towns of France, Switzerland, Italy,
Germany, and Holland. At Florence he stayed a considerable time, enamoured (as it is said) of a lady of
distinguished rank and beauty. Here he studied the Italian
language, encouraged his favourite pursuit, poetry, and
was elected a member of the academy Delia Crusca. Here
also he was a principal contributor to a collection of poetry,
by a few English of both sexes, called “The Florence Miscellany.
” The name of the academy he afterwards used
as a signature to many poems which appeared in the periodical journals, and the newspapers, and excited so many
imitators as to form a sort of temporary school of poets,
whose affectations were justly ridiculed by the author of
the “Baviad and Maeviad,
” and soon despised by the public. Mr. Merry, however, had more of the qualities of a
poet than his imitators, although not much more judgment.
His taste, originally good, became vitiated by that love of
striking novelties which exhausts invention. Of his poems
published separately, scarcely one is now remembered or
read.
lady’s talents, and his own pen; but the pride of those relations upon whom he had most dependence, was wounded by the alliance; and he was constrained, much against
In 1791 he married miss Brunton, an actress, who performed in his tragedy of “Lorenzo,
” and a prospect
opened to him of living at his ease, by the joint production of that lady’s talents, and his own pen; but the
pride of those relations upon whom he had most dependence, was wounded by the alliance; and he was constrained, much against Mrs. Merry’s inclination, to take
her from the stage. This he did as soon as her engagement at the theatre expired, which was in the spring of
1792. They then visited the continent, and returned in
the % summer of 1793. They retired to America in 1796,
and our author died suddenly at Baltimore, in Maryland,
Dec. 24, 1798, of an apoplectic disorder, which proceeded,
as is supposed, from a plethora, and the want of proper
exercise. He was author of the following dramatic pieces,
viz. “Ambitious Vengeance;
” “Lorenzo;
” “The Magician no Conjurer;
” and “Fenelon,
” a serious drama,
none of which had great success.
Mr. Merry was an accomplished gentleman, and for many years highly esteemed
Mr. Merry was an accomplished gentleman, and for many years highly esteemed by a numerous circle of friends of rank and learning, but in his latter years he unfortunately became enamoured of those loose and theoretical principles which produced the French revolution; and this change gave a sullen gloom to his character, which made him relinquish all his former connexions, and attach himself to company far beneath his talents, and unsuitable to his habits. There is reason to think, however, that his mind recovered somewhat of its better frame after he had resided a few months in America, and had leisure to reflect on what he had exchanged for the gay visions of republican fancy. Mrs. Merry, who married Mr. Warren, the manager of a theatre in America, died in 1808.
, a learned French writer, was born at Oyse, in the province of Maine, Sept. 8, 1588. He cultivated
, a learned French writer, was born at Oyse, in the province of Maine, Sept. 8, 1588. He cultivated the belles lettres at the college of la Flche; and afterwards went to Paris, and studied divinity at the Sorbonne. Upon his leaving the schools of the Sorbonne, he entered himself among the Minims, and received the habit of that order, July 17, 1611. In 1612 he went to reside in the convent of Paris, where he was ordained priest. He then applied himself to the Hebrew language, which he learned of father John Bruno, a Scotch Minim. From 1615 to 1619, he taught philosophy and theology in the convent of Nevers; and then returned to Paris, where he spent the remainder of his life. Study and conversatioa were afterwards his whole employment. He held a correspondence with most of the principal men of his time; being as it were the very centre of communication between literary men of all countries, by the mutual correspondence which he managed between them; and was in France what Mr. Collins was in England. He omitted no opportunity to engage them to publish their works; and the world is obliged to him for several excellent discoveries, which would probably have been lost, but for his encouragement; and on all accounts he had the reputation of being one of the best men, as well as philosophers, of his time. He was the chief friend and literary agent of Des Cartes, in particular, with whom he had contracted a friendship while he studied at la Flche, which continued to his death. He was that philosopher’s chief agent at Paris. Thus, when Mersenne gave out in that city, that Des Cartes was erecting a new system of physics upon the foundation of a vacuum, and found the public very indifferent to it on that very account, it was said, that he immediately sent intelligence to Des Cartes, that a vacuum was not then the fashion at Paris; which made that philosopher change his system, and adopt the old doctrine of a plenum. In the mean time, Mersenne’s residence at Paris did not hinder him from making several journies into foreign countries; for he went to Holland in 1629, and stayed a year there; and he was in Italy four times; in 1639, 1641, 1644, and 1646. He fell sick, in 1648, of an abscess in the right side, which the physicians took to be a bastard pleurisy and bled him several times to no purpose. At last it was thought proper to open the side but he expired in the midst of the operation, when he was almost sixty years of age. He ordered the physicians at his death to open his body, which they did, and found an abscess two inches above the place where they had opened his side; so that, if the incision had been made at the proper place, his life might possibly have been saved.
He was a man of universal learning, but excelled so much in physical
He was a man of universal learning, but excelled so
much in physical and mathematical knowledge, that Des
Cartes scarcely ever did any thing, or at least was not
perfectly satisfied with any thing he had done, without first
knowing what Mersenne thought of it. He published a
great many books, the first of which occasioned him some
trouble. The title is, “Qusestiones celeberrimse in Genesim, cum accurata textus explicatione: in quo volumine
athei & deisti impugnantur,
” &c. Paris, Opus theologis, philosophis, medicis, jurisconsuhis, mathematicis, musicis vero & catoptricis praesertim utile.
” His largest digression relatesao music, which
be had studied, and upon which he wrote several books.
He attacks also Dr. Robert Fludd, fellow of the college of
physicians in London; the severity of whose answers raised
up many defenders for Mersenne, and among the rest the
illustrious Gassendi, whose tract on this subject was printed
at Paris in 1628, under this title: “Epistolica exercitatio,
in qua proecipua principia philosophise Robert! Fludd deteguntur, & ad recentes illius libros ad versus patrem Marimim Mersennum scriptos respondetur.
” This piece is reprinted in the third volume of Gassendi’s works at Paris,
in 1658, under the title of “Examen philosophic Fltiddanae,
” &c.
Mersenne was a man of good invention; and had a peculiar talent in forming
Mersenne was a man of good invention; and had a peculiar talent in forming curious questions, though he did not always succeed in resolving them; however, he at least gave occasion to others to do it. It is said* he invented the Cycloid, otherwise called the Roulette. Presently the chief geometricians of the age engaged in the contemplation of this new curve, among whom Mersenne himself held a distinguished rank.
Mersenne was author of many useful works, particularly the following: 1.
Mersenne was author of many useful works, particularly
the following: 1. “Questiones celeberrimae in Genesim,
”
already mentioned. 2. “Harmonicorum Libri.
” 3. “De
Sonorum Natura, Causis, et Effectibus.
” 4. “Cogitata
Physico-Mathematica,
” 2 vols. 4to. 5. “La Verite des
Sciences.
” 6. “Les Questions inouies.
” He has also many
letters in the works of Des Cartes, and other authors.
ounder of Merton college, Oxford, which became the model of all other societies of that description, was bishop of Rochester and chancellor of England in the thirteenth
, the illustrious founder of Merton college, Oxford, which became the model of all other societies of that description, was bishop of Rochester and chancellor of England in the thirteenth century. Of his personal history very little is known. From a pedigree of him, written about ten years after his death, we learn, that he was the son of William de Merton, archdeacon of Berks in 1224, 1231, and 1236, by Christina, daughter of Walter Fitz-Oliver, of Basingstoke. They were both buried in the church of St. Michael, Basingstoke, where the scite of their tomb has lately been discovered. Their son was born at Merton, in Surrey, and educated at the convent there. So early as 1239 he was in possession of a family estate, as well as of one acquired. From his mother he received the manor of St. John, with which he commenced a public benefactor, by founding, in 1261, the hospital of St. John, for poor and infirm clergy; and after the foundation of Merton college, it was appointed in the statutes, that the incurably sick fellows or scholars of that college should be sent thither; and the office of master was very early annexed to that of warden of Merton. Not many years ago, part of the chapel roof of this hospital remained, pannelled with the arms of Merton college in the intersections, and one of the gothic windows stopped up; but all this gave way to a new brick building in 1778.
St. Paul’s, London. He held in 1259 a prebend in Exeter cathedral; and, according to Browne Willis, was vicar of Potton in Bedfordshire at the time of his promotion
According to Mr. Denne (Custumale Roffense, p. 193), he occurs prebendary of Kentish town, and afterwards had the stall of Finsbury, both of them in the church of St. Paul’s, London. He held in 1259 a prebend in Exeter cathedral; and, according to Browne Willis, was vicar of Potton in Bedfordshire at the time of his promotion to the see of Rochester. Other accounts say, that he was first canon of Salisbury, and afterwards rector of Stratton. He became eminent in the court of Chancery, first as king’s clerk, then as prothonotary, and lastly rose to be chancellor of England in 1258. Of this office he was deprived in the same year by the barons, but restored in 1261, with a yearly salary of four hundred marks; and held it again in 1274, in which year he was consecrated bishop of Rochester. He appears to have been of high credit in affairs of state, and consulted on all matters of importance, as a divine, a lawyer, and a financier. His death was occasioned by a fall from his horse, in fording a river in his diocese; soon after which accident he died, Oct. 27th, 1277. Notwithstanding his liberality, at his death he was possessed of goods valued by inventory at 5110l. of which he left legacies to the amount of 2126l. His debts amounted to 746l., and he had owing to him about 622l. He was interred on the north side of St. William’s chapel, at the north end of the cross aile in Rochester cathedral, with a marble monument, which had probably been injured or decayed, as in 1598, the present beautiful alabaster monument was erected by the society of Merton college, at the suggestion of the celebrated sir Henry Savile, then warden of the college.
pinion has long prevailed, which the inquiries of some recent antiquaries have rendered doubtful. It was stated by Wood and others, that Walter de Merton first founded
With respect to the foundation of this college, an opinion has long prevailed, which the inquiries of some recent antiquaries have rendered doubtful. It was stated by Wood and others, that Walter de Merton first founded a college at Maldon, as a nursery for that at Oxford; that at a certain age the scholars were removed from Maldon to Oxford, where the founder provided a house for them on the site of the present college, and that the whole establishment was not removed from Maldon to Oxford until the year 1274, when the third and last charter was obtained. On the other hand, his original intention appears to have been to establish a religious house at Maldon, consisting of a warden and priests, who were to appropriate certain funds, with which he entrusted them, to the maintenance and education of twenty scholars at Oxford or elsewhere, and that when he founded Merton college, he removed the warden and priests thither. What seems to confirm this account is, that the founder appointed a fellow of Merton college to instruct such of his students as were ignorant of grammar, which would not probably have been the case had they been brought from a preparatory school.
rlon. This first charter, with the statutes prescribed in it, continued in force until 1270, when it was confirmed by a second, in which great additions were made to
Nothing could be more satisfactory than to be able to trace the progress of this great work from these small beginnings, but all that can be now collected is, that having purchased several tenements, on the ground where the college stands, he began his erection, and by charter dated Jan. 7, 1264, established it by the name of Domus Scholarium da Merlon. This first charter, with the statutes prescribed in it, continued in force until 1270, when it was confirmed by a second, in which great additions were made to the endowment by estates in Oxford, Oxfordshire, and other counties; the scholars were increased, and the term f rat res became used as a farther step towards the present form. A third charter was granted in 1274. All these which respect the creation in 1264, the enlargement in 1270, and the completion in 1274, and refer to, and confirm one another, are now perserved in the library, and were consulted as precedents in the foundation of Peterhouse, the earliest college of the sister university, and probably of others in both universities. The first officers of Merton were appointed in 1276. It yet remains to be noticed that Walter de Merton’s preference of Oxford is thought to have been owing to his better acquaintance with the place, there being a tradition that he studied some time among the canons regular of Oseney, or in Mauger hall, in St. Martin’s parish, Oxford. By the assistance of subsequent benefactors, Merton college was progressively raised to its present state, in which it consists of a warden, twenty- four fellows, two chaplains, fourteen. portionista or postmasters, four scholars, and two clerks.
, an Italian of very uncommon talents and learning, was born at Alexandria, in the duchy of Milan, about 1420. His family
, an Italian of very uncommon talents and learning, was born at Alexandria, in the duchy
of Milan, about 1420. His family name was Merlani,
which he exchanged for Merula. He was the disciple of
Philephus, and taught polite literature at Venice and at
Milan for forty years, and laboured with great success in
restoring and correcting ancient authors. Jovius calls him
“Grammaticorum exactissimus,
” the most exact of grammarians and Erasmus, in his “Ciceronianus,
” represents
him as a man, who translated the Greek authors with a
dignity and elegance sufficient to rank him with many of
the ancients. He died at Milan in 1494. His original
works are of the historical kind, the most distinguished of
which is his “Antiquitates Vicecomiturn, lib. X.
” fol. without place or date, but printed at Milan about the beginning of the sixteenth century. This only extends to the
death of Matthew, whom the Italians are accustomed to call
*' the Great.“The style is pure, but he has adopted too
many of the fabulous reports of the old chronicles, and is
in other respects incorrect as to dates and facts. It is not,
however, to this, or his other historical pieces that he owes
his reputation, which was more substantially built on the
aid he gave in the restoration of classical learning, as one
of the first editors of ancient authors. It is to him we are
indebted for the first edition, collectively, of the
” Scriptores de re Rustica,“Gato, Varro, Columella, and Palladius, which he published at Venice, 1472, fol. with notes.
He also published the first edition of Plautus, at Venice,
1472, fol. and assisted in the publication of the early
editions of Juvenal, Martial, and Ausonius, and translated
several of the Greek authors. His Juvenal is entitled
” Enarrationes Satyrarum Juvenalis, per GeorgiumMerulam
Alexandrinum," Tarvisii (Trevigny) 1478, fol.
From these works the character of Merula justly stood high; but whether he was naturally vain and arrogant, or spoiled by flattery, his disposition
From these works the character of Merula justly stood high; but whether he was naturally vain and arrogant, or spoiled by flattery, his disposition was jealous and irritable, and he treated some of his learned contemporaries with that species of harshness and contempt which, although in all ages the disgrace of literature, seems reviving in our own. In our authorities may be found an account of his quarrels with his old master Philephus, with Politian, whom he once declared the only scholar in Italy that had any share of merit, and with others, in whose cases his provocations were so trifling, that we may be justified in ascribing the virulence of his style in controversy to the worst of sources. It is said, however, that at his death he repented of his conduct towards Politian, at least; earnestly desired to be reconciled to him, and ordered that every thing he had written against that illustrious scholar should be expunged from his works.
, or Van Merle, a very learned Hollander, was born at Dort, Aug. 19, 1558; and went to France and Geneva,
, or Van Merle, a very learned Hollander, was born at Dort, Aug. 19, 1558; and went to
France and Geneva, to study the law. Afterwards he traTelled to Italy, Germany, and England; and, having been
absent nine years, returned to Dort. Here he frequented
the bar four years, and then quitted it for the professorship
of history, which was vacated by the cession of Justus Lipsius in 1592. It has been thought a sufficient encomium
on him that he was doemed worthy to succeed so great a
man. In 1598, the curators of the university of Leyden
joined to his professorship the office of public librarian, vacant by the death of the younger Dousa. He married in
1589, and had several children. He hurt his constitution so
much by an overstrained application to books, that he died
July 20, 1607, when he was no more than forty-nine.
Merula was the author or editor of several works, some of
the principal of which are, 1. “Q. Ennii annalium librorum xviii. fragmenta collecta & commentariis illustrata,
”
L. Bat. Eutropii Historiae Rom an Sb, libri x.
”
1592, 8vo; but more complete with the entire notes of
Glareanus and Merula, Leyden, 1594, 8vo. 3. “Urbi$
Romae delineatio & methodica ex variis authoribus descriptio,
” Vita Desiderii Eras on ex ipsius manu
fideliter representata. Additi sunt epistolarum ipsius libri
duo,
” Cosmographiae generalis libri tres.
Item geographies particularis libri quatuor, quibus Europa
in genere, speciatim Hispania, Galiia, Italia describuntur,
cum tabuiis geographicis,
”
, a French divine, was born at Beauvais, August 22, 1677. After having been a literary
, a French divine, was
born at Beauvais, August 22, 1677. After having been
a literary professor for several years, in the college of
that place, he was invited by his friends to Paris, and
there soon became coadjutor to Coffin, then principal of
the college of Beauvais. His zeal for some points, not
approved at court, particularly his opposition to the bull
Unigenitus, having undermined his favour there, he quitted
the college in 1728, and lived the remainder of his days in
literary retirement, though still at Paris; and from this
time employed himself in several considerable works.
This mode of life was so congenial to his feelings, which
were of a candid and tranquil kind, that he attained the
age of eighty-six, and died Feb. 19, 1763. He wrote,
1. for the use of his pupils, while employed in the college,
his “Exposition de la doctrine Chretienne,
” 6 vols. 12mo.
This work, though written with clearness and precision,
contained some passages not approved at Rome, and
therefore was condemned by Clement XIII. in 1761. 2.
“Abrege de THistoire, & de la morale de PAncien Testament,
” Paris, Abrége de l‘Histoire de l’Ancien Testament, avec des
eclaircissemens et des reflexions,
” Paris, 10 vols. in 12mo.
This is also a useful work, and, as may be supposed,
chiefly an extension of the former plan. 4. An edition of
the New Testament, with short notes. 5. “La constitution Unigenitus avec des remarques,
” 12mo, 6. “Lettres a un Ami sur la constitution Unigenitus
” also in 12mo.
7: “Entretiens sur la Religion,
” 12mo. This author had
also a large share in the lives of the saints, published by
the abbe Goujet; and in the Missal of Paris.
, an ingenious burlesque poet of Scotland, was born in the parish of Midmar in Aberdeenshire, about 1688. He
, an ingenious burlesque poet of
Scotland, was born in the parish of Midmar in Aberdeenshire, about 1688. He received a liberal education at the
Marischal college in Aberdeen, and, after finishing his
studies, became one of the teachers in the high-school of
New Aberdeen. Thence he removed into the family of
Marshal, to be preceptor to the young earl of that name,
and his brother, afterwards marshal Keith; and, in 1714,
by the interest of the countess, was appointed professor of
philosophy in the Marischal college. He did not long retain this situation, for, when the rebellion broke out in
1715, he followed the fortunes of his noble patrons, who
made him governor of Dunotter castle. After the defeat
at Sheriffmuir, he lurked among the mountains, till the act
of indemnity was passed, with a few fugitive companions,
for whose amusement and his own, he composed several of
the burlesque poems, which he called “Mother Grim’s
tales.
” He appears to have remained steady to his principles, and consequently was not restored to his professorship but, while the countess of Marshal lived, resided
chiefly in her family where his great pleasantry and liveliness made him always an acceptable guest. After her
death, he must have been for some time without much
provision, till he commenced an academy at Elgin, in conjunction with his brother Mr. Samuel Meston. He was,
however, little formed for prudence and regularity, but
much more given to conviviality; for which cause probably, among others, this academy at Elgin after a time
began to decline. He then successively settled at Turiff,
in Aberdeenshire, and* at Montrose, where he lost his
brother and coadjutor. He made the same attempt at
Perth, but soon after entered as preceptor into the family
of a Mr. Oliphant, Here he continued till his health declined, when he removed to Peterhead for the benefit of
the mineral waters. There he was chiefly supported by
the bounty of the countess of Errol, under whose patronage he had formerly undertaken the academy at TuriflF.
At length he removed to Aberdeen, where he was taken
care of by some relations, till he died of a languishing distemper in the spring of 1745.
cal scholars of his time, and by no means a contemptible philosopher and mathematician. His wit also was very lively, and shone particularly in jovial meetings, to which
Meston is said to have been one of the best classical
scholars of his time, and by no means a contemptible philosopher and mathematician. His wit also was very lively,
and shone particularly in jovial meetings, to which unhappily he was rather too strongly addicted. His poems
were first published separately, as they were written, and
doubtless by way of assisting him in his necessities.
That called “the Knight/* appears to have been first
printed in 1723; and, after it had received several corrections, a second edition was printed at London. The
first decade of
” Mother Grim’s Tales,“afterwards appeared; and next, the second part, by Jodocus, her grandson. Some years after, the piece called,
” Mob contra
Mob.“The whole were first collected in a small volume,
12 mo, at Edinburgh, in 1767, to which a short account of
his life is prefixed, whence the present memoirs have been
extracted. The Knight,
” and several others of his
poems, are in the style of Butler, whom he greatly adinired and imitated, perhaps too servilely, yet with some
success. In the second decade, written under the name
of Jodocus, there are several poems in Latin, and the
title was in that language. It runs thus: “Decadem alteram, ex probatissimis auctoribus, in usum Juventutis
Jinguse Latinse, prsesertim verse poeseos studiosse, selectam,
et in scholis ad propagandam fidem legendam: admixtis
subinde nonnullis, in gratiam Pulchrioris Sexus, vernaculis,
subjunxit Jodocus Grimmus Aniculae nostrae pronepos.
”
His Latin poetry is of no great excellence.
, the most illustrious poet of modern Italy, whose true name was Trapassi, was born at Rome Jan. 6, 1698, the second son of Felice
, the most illustrious poet of modern Italy, whose true name was Trapassi, was born at Rome Jan. 6, 1698, the second son of Felice Trapassi of Assisi. Felice, though a free citizen of Assisi, was very poor, and settled at Rome in a small way of business. His son was very early distinguished for an extraordinary talent at speaking extemporary verses; and, at ten years old, used to attract a little audience in the street by the melody of his voice, and the sweetness of his unpremeditated poetry. The celebrated Gravina, among others, accidentally heard him, and was so charmed with his talents, that, with the consent of his parents, he undertook to give him an education; and changed his name from Trapassi to Metastasio, a kind of Italianized Greek translation of the former name: and so much was he pleased with his disposition and talents, that he finally adopted him, and made him his heir.
Though Gravina had first noticed his young friend for his extraordinary poetical talents, he was very desirous afterwards to wean him from that delightful art,
Though Gravina had first noticed his young friend for
his extraordinary poetical talents, he was very desirous
afterwards to wean him from that delightful art, and fix
him to his own profession of the law an attempt which
has equally failed in the case of many other celebrated
poets. Metastasio struggled hard to obey his patron; but
his passion for poetry was insuperable, and Gravina was
obliged to give way a little, and put the best poets into his
hands. Thus indulged, he produced at fourteen the tragedy of “Giustino,
” written to please his master, exactly
on the Greek model. Gravina appears to have been so
mollified by this, as to be still more indulgent to his natural propensity, and carried him at eighteen to Naples,
that he might contend, in singing extemporaneous verses,
with the most celebrated improvisator! of Italy. This he
did with a success that confirmed and much extended his
fame. The order, clearness, and learning, with which he
treated the subjects, the sweetness of his voice, the grace
of his action, his modest deportment, with the expression,
beauty, and dignity of his countenance, gained him universal admiration. But with his poetical studies, Metastasio continued to pursue that of die law; and in order to
obtain a passport to the two most promising roads to preferment ia Rome, assumed the clerical habit, and took the
minor order of priesthood. Hence he is usually styled
Abate.
bewailed his death in the celebrated elegy called “La strada della Gloria,” and found when the will was examined, that he was made heir to all his fortune. Being now
At the age of twenty he lost his excellent preceptor and
patron, Gravina, who died in 1718. Metastasio, whose
writings evince him to have been all tenderness, bewailed
his death in the celebrated elegy called “La strada della
Gloria,
” and found when the will was examined, that he
was made heir to all his fortune. Being now become a
patron, instead of a dependant, he kept a handsome table,
at which, as may be supposed, he easily obtained guests
he abandoned the law, and cultivated poetry and in about
two years found himself nearly at the end of his 15,000
crowns, which had been the bequest of his patron. He
now went to Naples, with a serious intention to return to
the study of the law; but his instructor Paglietti was harsh,
the admirers of his poetry were numerous, and, in 1721,
we find him addressing an epithalamium to the marquis
Pignatelli, at the desire of the countess of Althan. His
drama of Endymion, the first that he produced expressly
for music, was written about the same time. He went on,
though partly by stealth, on account of the inexorable
lawyer under whom he was studying; till the acquaintance
of the Romanina, the greatest singer and actress of the
time, finally determined him to quit both his preceptor
and that profession which he had ever studied so unwillingly. The effect of his first opera, “The Garden of the
Hesperides,
” upon the audience, is described as singular
in the extreme. By the beauties of the verse, the excellence of the sentiments, and every species of merit, the
audience, usually noisy, was charmed into profound attention, and the whole was heard with a silence then perfectly
uncommon in the Italian theatres.
a short period, three more dramas; “Catone in Utica,” “Ezio,” and “Semiramide riconosciuta.” But it was now, in 1729, the thirty-second year of Metastasio’s life, that
From this time Metastasio united his family establishment
with that of the Romanina and her husband, and lived the
life of a poet, amidst harmony and poetry. Thus situated,
he wrotewithin a short period, three more dramas; “Catone
in Utica,
” “Ezio,
” and “Semiramide riconosciuta.
”
But it was now, in He studied from eight in the morning till noon;
then he visited his friends, and those families and individuals from whom he had received civilities. He dined
at two; and at five received his most familiar and intimate
friends. At nine, in summer, he went out in his carnage,
visited, and sometimes played at ombre; a game which
he liked better than those of mere chance, as it afforded
him exercise of mind in calculation. He returned home
at ten o'clock, supped, and went to bed before eleven.
”
This monotonous mode of life has by some been ridiculed,
and certainly would not be expected in a poet; but the
varieties of human nature are endless, and in him the love
of order had superseded the more common passion for
change and variety. A very interesting part of the history
of Metastasio, is his long and steady friendship with the
celebrated Farinelli. From appearing first before the public about the same time, the one as a singer, the other as
a poet, in 1723, they called each other Gemelli, or twins;
and their attachment, which was of the most sincere and
ardent kind, ended only with their lives, which were extended nearly to the same period. His other tuneful friend
died early, namely, in the beginning of 1734, and, as
a mark of her regard, left him heir to all her property,
after the death of her husband, to the amount of 25,000
crowns; but Metastasio, with his usual sense of propriety,
and with great generosity, relinquished the whole bequest,
and restored it to the disposal of her husband.
“Whether Metastasio’s connection with the Romanina was purely Platonic,” says Dr. Burney, “or of a less seraphic kind,
“Whether Metastasio’s connection with the Romanina
was purely Platonic,
” says Dr. Burney, “or of a less seraphic kind, I shall not pretend to determine; but the
husband residing in the same house with them, both at
Naples and at Rome, and the friendly manner in which the
poet always mentioned him in his letters to the wife, with,
the open manner in which he expressed his affliction, in
writing to him after her death, would, in England, be
thought indications favourable to conjugal fidelity. But a
chaste actress, and opei^, singer,
” he adds, “is a still
more uncommon phenomenon in Italy, than in Britain.
”
The ideas of that country are indeed totally different from
those which we entertain on these subjects; and it is very
probable, that the mutual attachment of Metastasio and
his wife gave great pleasure to the husband Bulgarini, as
an honour conferred upon his family.
In 1738 Metastasio was honoured by the voluntary gift of nobility, from the city of
In 1738 Metastasio was honoured by the voluntary gift of nobility, from the city of Assisi. In 1740 he lost his patron, the emperor Charles VI. His place was, however, continued under Charles VII. and Francis I. the successor of that prince. Through the interest of Farinelli he afterwards enjoyed also the regard and patronage of the court of Spain, for which, though he did not visit the country, he was often employed to write.
etz, gives the most exact account of his death, lived only to September of the same year. Metastasio was interred in the parish church of St. Michael, in Vienna. His
Thus lived Metastasio. Always employed in writing,
sometimes by imperial, sometimes by regal command: always anxious about the merit of his productions, and
always composing such as ought to have removed all
anxiety. He died, after a short illness, on the 12th of
April, 1782, being just eighty-four. Farinelli, aletterto
whom, from mademoiselle Martinetz, gives the most exact account of his death, lived only to September of the
same year. Metastasio was interred in the parish church
of St. Michael, in Vienna. His funeral rites were performed with splendor by signior Joseph Martinetz, whom
he had made his heir. The inheritance he left, “consisted
in a well furnished habitation, a coach, horses, a great
quantity of princely presents, a very ample and select collection of books, with a capital of 130,000 florins; from,
which, however, were to be deducted twenty thousand for
each of Metastasio’s sisters, and three thousand for each of
his younger brothers.
” The circumstances of his life are
chiefly preserved by means of his letters, a large collection of which has been published; and they are used by
his English biographer for amplifying the narrative. His
correspondents are among the most extraordinary men of
his time, and, in all points of view, his character was respectable, and indeed amiable. His life has frequently
been written, and his works appear united in editions published in several parts of Europe. He was an enemy to
that pompous, verbose, and obscure style which prevailed
in his country a few years ago; and he was persuaded that
the first duty of a writer, in prose or verse, is to be understood. “The style of Metastasio,
” says an Italian critic, “never fails to please those who give way to their own
feelings, more than persons of profound meditation; and
I would rather be accused of partiality to him whom I venerate and love, than ranked with cold philosophers and
deep thinkers, whom I may respect but cannot love.
” He
regarded “Atilio Regolo,
” as his best opera; “Betnlia
liberata,
” as his best oratorio; and “Artaserse,
” as the
most fortunate of his dramas; for, however set or sung, it
was always successful. To give a list of his works, as they
are always found collectively, would be superfluous. Dr.
Burney has given one that is very ample, and arranged in
chronological order, with the character and peculiarities of
each. Hence it appears, that he produced twenty- six
operas, eight oratorios, or sacred dramas, besides occasional pieces, such as we should call masques, in great
numbers; with cantatas, canzonets, sonnets, and every
kind of miscellaneous poetry. He wrote also, some translations from classics; an excellent analysis of Aristotle’s
poetics, entitled “Estrato delP Arte Poetica d'Aristotile,
et consideration! sur la medesima;
” with short accounts of
all the Greek dramas, tragic and comic, and his own critical remarks. Few authors have been more prolific, and
none, perhaps, so completely successful in every effort of
the mind. It is a pleasing reflection that Metastasio was
always as much beloved for his amiable qualities, as admired for those by which he was constituted a poer, and
one of the most enchanting of all poets. Perfectly master
of the resources of his art, he reduced the opera to rules.
He banished from it machines, and other improbabilities,
which amuse the eye without affecting the heart;
substitnting natural situations of interesting personages, which
often produce the full effect of tragedy. His actions are
great, his characters well conceived and supported, and
his plots conducted with address. There are scenes of
Metastasio’s, says Voltaire, worthy of Corneille when he
avoids declamation, or of Racine when he is not languid.
Never, therefore, was patronage better bestowed than that
of Gravina; and though such talents could not have been
hidden, their early maturity and final perfection must be
in a great part attributed to the culture and attentions of
that able master.
a protestant historian, was born at Antwerp July 9, 1535. His father, Jacob de Meteren,
a protestant historian, was
born at Antwerp July 9, 1535. His father, Jacob de Meteren, was of Balda; his mother, Ortelia, was the daughter
of William Ortelis, or Ortelius, of Augsburgh, grandfather of the celebrated geographer, Abraham Ortelins.
He was carefully educated in the languages and sciences,
and when a youth, is reported to have attempted to translate the Bible into English, which, says Bullart, made his
religious principles to be suspected. His father, who had
embraced the protestant religion, being obliged to take
refuge in England, took this son with him, and gave him
the choice of continuing his studies, or embarking in commerce. Emanuel, having preferred the latter, was sent to
Antwerp, and engaged with a merchant in that city, where
he continued about ten years, but his father had not the
happiness to witness his progress, as he and his wife were
drowned in their passage from Antwerp to London. Emanuel, during his residence at Antwerp, after this disaster,
employed his leisure hours in collecting information respecting the history of the Netherlands; and having acquired the confidence of various persons of eminence in
the government, he succeeded in obtaining much secret
history of the times, which he published under the title of
“Historia rerum potissimum in Belgio gestarum,
” &c. It
appears that he had sent some copies of this work in German to a friend, who was to procure engravings for it, but
who caused it to be printed for his own benefit in Latin
and German, yet with the name of the author, whose reputation he did not value so much as the profits of the
work. Meteren, on hearing this, procured an order from
the States to suppress this edition, which is dated 1599,
and afterwards published it himself. He was enabled to
revisit London again in the reign of James I. as consul for
the Flemings. In this office he acquitted himself with
spirit and ability, and wrote an ample volume of the treaties of commerce which formerly subsisted betwixt the
English nation, the house of Burgundy, and the states of
Holland. He died at London, April 8, 1612, and was
interred in the church of St. Dionis Back-Church, Fenchurch-street, where his relict erected a monument to his
memory, which was destroyed in the great fire.
Greece, towards the end of Dioclesian’s persecution in the year 302 or 303. Epiphanius says “that he was a very learned man, and a strenuous assertor of the truth.”
, a father of the church, bishop of Olympus, or Patara, in Lycia, and afterwards of Tyre in Palestine, suffered martyrdom at Chalcis, a city of Greece,
towards the end of Dioclesian’s persecution in the year 302
or 303. Epiphanius says “that he was a very learned
man, and a strenuous assertor of the truth.
” St. Jerome
has ranked him in his catalogue of church writers; but
Eusebius has not mentioned him; which silence is attributed by some, though merely upon conjecture, to Methodius’s having written very sharply against Origen, who
was favoured by Eusebius. Methodius composed in a
clear and elaborate style several works i a large one “Against
Porphyry the philosopher;
” “A Treatise on the Resurrection,
” against Origen; another on “Pythonissa,
” against
the same a book entitled “The banquet of Virgins
” one
on “Free-will
” “Commentaries upon Genesis and the
Canticles
” and several other pieces extant in St. Jerome’s
time. Father Combesis collected several considerable fragments of this author, cited by Epiphanius, Photius, and
others, and printed them with notes of his own at Paris, in
1644, together with the works of Amphilochius and Andreas Cretensis, in folio. But afterwards Possinus, a Jesuit,
found “The Banquet of Virgins
” entire, in a manuscript
belonging to the Vatican library; and sent it, with a Latin
version of his own, into France, where it was printed in
1657, folio, revised and corrected by another manuscript
in the library of cardinal Mazarin. We cannot doubt
that this is the true and genuine work of Methodius; as
it not only carries all the marks of antiquity in it, but
contains word for word all the passages that Photius had
cited out of it. It is written in the way of dialogue, after
the manner of “Plato’s Banquet of Socrates;
” with this
difference, that the speakers here are women, who indeed
talk very learnedly and very elegantly.
, or Meetkercke, or Mekerchus (Adolphus), a learned writer, was born at Bruges in 1528, and passed the greater part of his life
, or Meetkercke, or Mekerchus
(Adolphus), a learned writer, was born at Bruges in 1528,
and passed the greater part of his life in the service of the
revolted states of the Low Countries, as counsellor of state,
and envoy to the foreign potentates. He was employed
on an embassy to queen Elizabeth in the latter part of his
life, an office which was probably very agreeable to him, as
he was a protestant, and had resided here for the quiet enjoyment of his religion for some time before he was appointed on the embassy. He appears to have been an ornament and delight of the age in which he lived, second to
none in literary accomplishments, and was a man also of
great benevolence and amiable temper. Grief for the loss
of his son is said to have hastened his death, which took
place at London in 1591, in his sixty-fourth year. He was
buried in the church of St. Botolph, Aldersgate, under a
monument which, when that church was rebuilt, was conveyed to Julians, near Buntingford, in Hertfordshire, the
seat of his descendants who settled in this country, and
where some of them are still living. The present owner
of the estate is in possession, among others, of a folio ms.
of Greek and Latin poetry by his ancestor, the subject of
this article, with additions by his son Adolphus, who died
without issue, and by his son Edward, D. D. of Christchurch, Oxford, professor of Hebrew in that university, and
prebendary of Winchester. He became professor in 1621,
and died in 1660. Foppen asserts that sir Adolphus, as
the ambassador was called, declared in writing, on his
death-bed, that there was no true religion out of the catholic church, and that his daughter was so struck with this
as to return to Bruges, and to the Roman catholic religion.
As far as respects the daughter, this may be true, but her
father certainly died in the protestant faith, as appears by
the inscription on his monument, which Foppen is obliged to confess, is written “stylo acatholico.
” Sir AdoU
phus published in 1565, not a translation of some pieces of
Bion and Moschus, as it has been erroneously called, but
the first edition of “Bion and Moschus,
” printed at Bruges
in Theocriti Epigrammata,
” and published a treatise “De veteri et recta
pronuntiatione linguae Graecas Commentarius,
” Bruges,
Fasti Consulares,
” “Vitae Caesarum,
”
“Magna Grsecia,
” &c. and in his political character published “A Collection of the Proceedings at the Peace of
Cologne, in 1579.
”
, or Meton, a celebrated mathematician of Athens, who flourished 432 B. C. was the son of Pausanias. He observed, in the first year of the
, or Meton, a celebrated mathematician of Athens, who flourished 432 B. C. was the son of Pausanias. He observed, in the first year of the 87th olympiad, the solstice at Athens, and published his cycle of 19 years, by which he endeavoured to adjust the course of the sun and moon, and to make the solar and lunar years begin at the same point of time. This is called the Metonic period, or cycle. It is also called the golden number, from its great use in the calendar. Meton was living about the year 412 B. C. for when the Athenian fleet was sent to Sicily, he escaped from being embarked on that disastrous expedition by counterfeiting an appearance of idiotism.
, of Constantinople, was one of the most learned Grecians in the fourteenth century.
, of Constantinople, was
one of the most learned Grecians in the fourteenth century. He held considerable offices under the emperor Andronicus the Elder, but in the reign of his successor, was
banished, and his goods confiscated. He was afterwards
recalled, and died in 1332, in a monastery which he had
founded. He was called a living Library, from his great
erudition; and left several valuable works, the principal
among which are, “An Abridgement of the Roman History,
from Julius Caesar to Constantine the Great,
” The Sacred History,
” in two books,“translated by Herve,
Paris, 1555, 4to
” The History of Constantinople“and
” A Paraphrase on Aristotle’s Physics.“In 1790, was
published
” Specimina operum Theod. Metochitae, cum
praefatione et nods primum vulgata ab Jano Bloch," Haunise, in 8vo.
, the patriarch of Alexandria in the seventeenth century, was sent into England by Cyrillus Lucar, to be instructed in the
, the patriarch of
Alexandria in the seventeenth century, was sent into England by Cyrillus Lucar, to be instructed in the doctrine and
discipline of our church, and to learn the English and Latin languages. For these purposes he applied to archbishop
Abbot, who procured him admission into Baliol college,
Oxford, where he remained until 1622, at which time he
was chancellor to the patriarch of Constantinople; but on
his return to his own country, was chosen patriarch of
Alexandria. On his way home, and while in Germany, he
drew up “A Confession of Faith of the Greek Church,
”
printed at Helmstadt, Gr. and Lat. in
, a very eccentric French author and physician, was born at St. Maloes in 1709. He studied physic under Boerhaave,
, a very eccentric
French author and physician, was born at St. Maloes in
1709. He studied physic under Boerhaave, after which
he removed to Paris, and became an army-surgeon in the
French guards. The duke of Grammont, who was his protector, being taken very ill at the siege of Fribourg, he
began, in his attendance upon him, to speculate upon the
nature of the soul, and to perceive, as he fancied, that it
is mortal. He wrote “The Natural History of the Soul,
”
which being highly impious in its doctrines, raised a storm
against him from which his patron with difficulty could
defend him. He then turned his pen against his brethren,
and wrote “Penelope, or the Machiavel in medicine,
” in
3 vols. 12mo. The rage of the faculty, in consequence of
this satire, drove him out of France; and he retired to
Leyden, where he published “L'Homme Machine,
” a
treatise of materialism, in which the philosophy is as incorrect and ill argued as it is pernicious. But he declaims
with an ardour too likely to captivate weak minds, and
draw them over to his opinions. This book could not obtain toleration even in Holland; it was publicly burnt, and
the author obliged, in 1748, to fly for refuge to Berlin,
and at this court he was protected, made a member of the
academy, and honoured with places under the king. Here
he lived in tranquillity, till his violent system of bleeding,
very like that of Dr. Sangrado, put an early period to his
life, as it had to those of several patients; and he died in
1.751, being then only 48. His works were published collectively at Berlin the same year, in one vol. 4to, and two
12mo. The same kind of false philosophy pervades them
all. The king of Prussia, however, conferred on him a
very singular honour, even after his death; for he wrote
his funeral oration, which he caused to be pronounced in
the academy by one of his secretaries. Voltaire said of
him, that he was a madman who wrote in a state of intoxication.
, a Dutch painter of small portraits, was born at Leyden in 1615. His master is not known, but he studiously
, a Dutch painter of small portraits, was born at Leyden in 1615. His master is not known, but he studiously imitated Gerard Dow, and Mieris. The beauty of his colouring is particularly esteemed, and he finished his paintings with great labour. His subjects were usually taken from low life, but they were all designed after nature, and represented with astonishing skill; such as women selling fish, fowls, or game; sick persons attended by the physician; chemists in their laboratories; painters rooms, shops, and drawing-schools, hung with prints and pictures; all which he finished with extraordinary neatness. They are not scarce in this country, although highly valued. By confining himself so closely to a sedentary life, he became violently afflicted with the stone. He submitted to the operation of cutting for it, but had not strength of constitution to survive the operation, and died in 1658, at the age of forty-three.
, an eminent artist, was born at Brussels in 1634. He was a disciple of Peter Snayers,
, an eminent artist, was born at Brussels in 1634. He was a disciple of Peter Snayers, a battle painter of considerable note, and his early progress gave strong promise of his future eminence. His ingenious pictures attracted the attention of M. Colbert, the minister of Louis XIV., who induced V. Meulen to settle in Paris; and soon afterwards introduced him to the king, who appointed him to attend and paint the scenes of his military campaigns, gave him a pension of '2000 livres, and paid him besides for his performances. He made sketches of almost all the most remarkable events that occurred in these expeditions of Louis; designing upon the spot the encampments, marches, sieges, &c. of the armies the huntings of the king; the assembling of the officers, &c.: from these he composed his pictures, which are skilfully arranged, with great bustle, animation, and spirit, and executed with a very agreeable, though not always a natural tone of colour, and with a sweet and delicate pencil. Some of his pictures exhibit uncommon skill and taste in composition. Frequently the scene he had to paint was flat and insipid, such as a marshy country before long extended walls; even these he contrived to render agreeable by his judicious management of the chiaroscuro, and the pleasing groups which he displayed with his figures, which, though dressed in the stiff uncouth frippery of the French court of that period, are handled with so much delicacy and corresponding taste, that they never fail ^o please. He was particularly skilful in pourtraying the actions of the horse, of which he has left behind him a number of excellent studies, drawn with great care from nature. His pictures frequently include a great extent of country, and an immense number of objects. His perfect knowledge of perspective enabled him to manage the objects and distances with the greatest ease and effect, so that the eye accompanies the figures without confusion, and assigns to each its due action and distance. He lived not beyond the age of 56, but left a great number of pictures, most of which are in France, but they are not very unfrequent in this country.
, was born at a little town of that name, situated on the river Loire,
, was born at a little
town of that name, situated on the river Loire, near Orleans,
in 1280, and on account of his 'lameness acquired the name
of Clopinel. His range of study appears to have been
very extensive, including philosophy, astronomy, chemistry, arithmetic, but above all, poetry. His talents recommended him to the court of Philip le Bel, which he enlivened by his wit, but often at the same time, created
enemies by his satirical remarks. He is supposed to have
died about 1364. His name is preserved on account of
the share he had in the celebrated “Roman de la Rose
”
(see Lorris), which the French esteem the most valuable
piece of their old poetry. It is, says Warton, far beyond
the rude efforts of all their preceding romancers. John of
Meun’s share in this poem, however, is inferior in poetical
merit to that of Lorris, as he had little of his predecessor’s
inventive and poetical vein; but it has strong satire and
great liveliness. Chaucer, who translated all that was
written by William of Lorris, gives only part of the continuation of John de Meun. Some other works are attributed to the latter, which are of little value unless as curiosities.
, a learned Dutchman, was born in 1579 at Losdun, a town near the Hague, where his father
, a learned Dutchman, was born
in 1579 at Losdun, a town near the Hague, where his
father was minister. At six years of age his father began
to teach him the elements of the Latin language; and the
year after sent him to a school at the Hague, where he
continued four years. He was then removed to Leyden,
and made so great a progress in literature, that at twelve
he could write with fluency in Latin. He advanced with
no less rapidity in the Greek language, for which he conceived a particular fondness; insomuch that at thirteen he
made Greek verses, and at sixteen wrote a “Commentary
upon Lycophron,
” the most obscure of all the Greek
authors. When he had finished the course of his studies,
and gained the reputation of a person from whom much
might be expected, the famous John Barnevelt intrusted
him with the education of his children; and he attended
them ten years, at home and in their travels. This gave
him an opportunity of seeing almost all the courts in Europe, of visiting the learned in their several countries, and
of examining the best libraries. As he passed through
Orleans, in 1608, he was made doctor of law. Upon his
return to Holland, the curators of the academy of Leyden
appointed him, in 1610, professor of history, and afterward of Greek; and the year following, the States of
Holland chose him for their historiographer. In 1612 he
married a lady of an ancient and good family, by whom
he had a son, called after his own name, who died in the
flower of his age, yet not till he had given specimens of
his uncommon learning, by several publications.
rty of the Remonstrants, which he had protected. Meursius, as having been preceptor to his children, was unjustly ranked in this number, although he had never interfered
Barnevelt having been executed in 1619, they proceeded to molest all who had been any way connected with
him, and who were of the party of the Remonstrants,
which he had protected. Meursius, as having been preceptor to his children, was unjustly ranked in this number,
although he had never interfered in their theological disputes: but as he had always acquitted himself well in his
professorship, they had not even a plausible pretence to
remove him from the chair. They used, however, all the
means of ill treatment they could devise, to make him quit
it of himself: they reproached him with writing too many
books, and said that the university, on that account, did
not reap any benefit from his studies. Meursius, thus
ill-treated, only waited for an opportunity of resigning his
post with honour and, at last, in 1625, the following failone- presented itself Christieni IV. king of Denmark,
offered him at that time the professorship of history and
politics, in the university of Sora, which he had just reestablished; and also the place of his historiographer.
These Meursius accepted with pleasure, and went immediately to Denmark, where he fully answered all the expectations which had been conceived of his capacity, and
was highly respected by the king and the chief men at
court. He was greatly afflicted with the stone at the
latter end of his life, and died Sept. 20, 1639, a* his
epitaph at Sora shews; and not in 1641, as Valerius Andreas says in his “Bibliotheca Belgica.
”
had been published by Meursius alone than by all the learned together for the last hundred years. He was the author and editor of above sixty works, many of which are
Most authors have agreed in extolling the ingenuity,
learning, and merit of Meursius he excelled particularly
in the knowledge of the Greek language and antiquities
and applied himself with such indefatigable pains to correct, explain, translate, and publish many works of the
ancients, that John Imperialis asserted that more Greek
authors, with Latin versions and emendations, had been
published by Meursius alone than by all the learned together for the last hundred years. He was the author and
editor of above sixty works, many of which are inserted in
the collection of Greek and Latin antiquities by Graevius
and Gronovius. His “Eleusinia, sive de Cereris Eleusinae
sacro et festo,
” to which all who have since written upon
that subject have been greatly indebted, is a very valuable
work, but now become scarce. We do not know that it
has been printed more than twice: first at Leyden, 1619,
in 4to, and afterwards in the seventh volume of Gronovius’s Greek Antiquities. The entire works of Meursius,
however, edited by Lami, were published in twelve large
volumes in folio, at Florence, in 1741—63.
observe, that the shamefully obscene Latin work, entitled “Meursius de elegantiis Latinae linguae,” was not written either by this author or his son; but was, as the
It seems almost needless to observe, that the shamefully
obscene Latin work, entitled “Meursius de elegantiis Latinae linguae,
” was not written either by this author or his
son; but was, as the French biographers assures us, the
production of Nicolas Chorier, an attorney at Grenoble.
It probably had the name of John Meursius prefixed by
way of throwing a ridicule upon the grave and learned professor. His son produced, as we have said, some learned
works, but not such as to rival those of his father.
, a historian of some note in Spain, when history was mere compilation, was a native of Seville, of a family of some
, a historian of some note in Spain,
when history was mere compilation, was a native of Seville,
of a family of some rank, and liberally educated. His
inclination being principally for historical studies, he was
made chronographer, perhaps what we should call, historiographer to Charles V. He is also said to have been a
poet. Antonio has collected from various authors, his contemporaries, opinions highly favourable to his learning and
knowledge. The only fault imputable seems to be that of
mixing Latin words too frequently with his Spanish. He
died about 1552. His principal work, for which he is
known in this country, is entitled “Silvade varia Leccion,
”
which with the additions of the Italian and French translators, was published at London under the title of the
“Treasury of ancient and modern Times,
” fol. The
original was first printed at Seville, in black-letter, in 1542,
fol. often reprinted, and translated into most European
languages, with additions. His other writings were, a
“History of the Caesars,
” Seville, Colloquies o Dialogos,
” or “Laus
Asini,
” in imitation of Lucian and Apuleius, Seville Parenesis de Isocrates.
” He left some Mss. and an unfinished life of Charles V.
, a Flemish historian of some note, was born near Bailieul in Flanders, Jan. 7, 14yi, whence he is sometimes
, a Flemish historian of some note,
was born near Bailieul in Flanders, Jan. 7, 14yi, whence
he is sometimes called Baliolanus. He became an ecclesiastic, and finally rector of Blackenbergh, but had undertaken the education of youth as an additional source of support. He died Feb. 5, 1552. His principal productions
are, 1. “Annales rerum Flandricarum,
” folio, published
at Antwerp, in Flandricarum rerutn
decas,
” printed at Bruges, in
, an excellent miniature painter, was born at Tubingen, in the duchy of Wirtemberg, in 1735, and came
, an excellent miniature painter, was born at Tubingen, in the duchy of Wirtemberg, in 1735, and came to England in 1749, with his father, who was portrait-painter to the duke of Wirtemberg, a painter, says Edwards, of small subjects, but of no great talent. His son studied two years (1757 and 1758), under Zink, the eminent painter in enamel, to whom he paid two hundred pounds for instruction, and two hundred pounds more for materials of his art; but Meyer soon surpassed his master, in the elegance and gusto of his portraits, a superiority which he acquired by his attention to the works of sir Joshua Reynolds, who, as well as himself, was at that time rising to fame. In 1761, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts offered a premium of twenty guineas for the best drawing of a profile of the king, for the purpose of having a die engraved from it; and Meyer obtained the prize. He was afterwards appointed miniature painter to the queen. In 1762, he was naturalized by act of parliament, and in the following year married a lady of considerable fortune and great accomplishments. In 1764, he was appointed painter in enamel to his majesty.
at gentleman soon quitted miniature painting, he left Meyer without a rival in his department. Meyer was many years a member of the academy in St. Martin’s-lane; and
He wrought both in enamel and water-colours, and had
no competitor until Mr. Humphrey, in the latter process,
produced some performances of exquisite merit: but as
that gentleman soon quitted miniature painting, he left
Meyer without a rival in his department. Meyer was many
years a member of the academy in St. Martin’s-lane; and
at the institution of the royal academy he was chosen one
of the founders. He long resided in Covent-garden, but
at the latter part of his life he retired to Kew, where he
died Jan. 20, 1789. This event was the consequence of a
fever contracted by friendly zeal, in the service of a gentleman in a contested election. Mr. Hayley says he was
no less admirable as a friend than as an artist: and endeared
to all who knew him by a pleasant social vivacity, and by
an indefatigable spirit of extensive beneficence. “Were
I required,
” adds Mr. Hayley, “to name the individual
whom I believe to have been most instrumental in promoting the prosperity of others (without the advantages of official authority, or of opulence), I should say, without
hesitation, Meyer.
”
, an eminent French historian, was born at Ry, near Argentau in Lower Normandy, in 1610. He was
, an eminent French historian, was born at Ry, near Argentau in Lower Normandy,
in 1610. He was educated in the university of Caen, where
he discovered an early inclination for poetry; and had himself so high an opinion of his talent in that art, that he
thought he should be able to raise both a character and a
fortune by it. But, upon going to Paris, he was dissuaded
from pursuing poetry, by Vauquelin des Yveteaux, who had
been the preceptor of Louis XIII. and advised to apply
himself earnestly to history and politics, as the surest means
of succeeding in life. In the mean time, that gentleman
procured him the place of commissary of war, which he
held for two or three campaigns, and then quitted it.
Upon his return to Paris, he resolved to spend the remainder
of his life there; and, changing the name of his family as
being an obscure one, he took the name of Mezerai, which
is a cottage in the parish of Ry. But his little stock of
money made him apprehensive that he should not be able
to continue long at Paris; and therefore, to support himself, he had recourse to writing satires against the ministry,
articles which were then extremely well received, and for
which he had naturally a turn. M. Larroque, in his Life of
Mezerai, assures us, that he was author of all the pieces
published against the government under the name of Sandricourt. They are written in a low and burlesque style,
and adapted merely to please the populace. Larroque has
given us the titles of nineteen of these pieces, but would
not give those of others which Mezerai wrote, either
during the minority of Louis XIV. or against cardinal
Richelieu; “because,
” he says, “they ought to be
forgotten, out of reverence to the persons whom they attacked.
”
l the peace of Vervins, in 1598; all in folio. This history procured him a pension from the king. It was received with extraordinary applause, as if there had been no
By these satires Mezerai gained a considerable sum in
less than three years; and being now in easy circumstances,
applied himself, at the age of twenty-six, to compile an
“History of France.
” Cardinel Richelieu, hearing of his
character and circumstances, made him a present of two
hundred crowns, with a promise to remember him afterwards. He published the first volume of his history in
1643, which extends from Pharamond to Charles VI.; the
second in 1646, which contains what passed from Charles
VI. to Charles IX.; and the third in 1651, which comprehends the history from. Henry Hi. till the peace of Vervins, in 1598; all in folio. This history procured him a
pension from the king. It was received with extraordinary applause, as if there had been no history of France
before: and perhaps there was none more agreeable as to
Teracity. In 1668, he published, in 3 vols. 4to, an
“Abridgement of the history of France:
” in which there
being several bold passages, which displeased Colbert, that
minister ordered Perrault, of the French academy, to tell
Mezerai, in his name, that “the king had not given him
a pension of 4000 livres to write in so free a manner; that
his majesty had indeed too great a regard to truth, to require
his historiographers to disguise it, out of fear or hope; but
that he did not think they ought to take the liberty of reflecting, without any necessity, upon the conduct of his
ancestors, and upon a policy which had long been established, and confirmed by th.e suffrages of the whole nation.
” Upon this remonstrance, the author promised to
retouch the passages complained of, which he did in a
new edition, 1672, in 6 vols. 12mo. In this, however, he
was so unfortunate as neither to satisfy the public, who
were displeased to see the truth altered, nor the minister,
who retrenched half his pension. Mezerai was extremely
piqued at this, and complained of Colbert in such severe
terms, as induced that minister to deprive him of the remainder of his pension. Mezerai then declared that he
would write history no longer; and that the reason of his
silence might not be concealed, he put the last money
which he recieved as historiographer, into a box by itself
with this note “Here is the last money I have received of
the king he has ceased to pay me, and 1 to speak of him
either good or ill.
” * Mezerai had designed at first to revise
his great work; but some friends giving him to understand
that a correct abridgement would be more acceptable, he
followed their advice, as we have related, and spent ten
whole years in drawing it up. The first edition of it “met
with greater applause than even his larger work, and was
much sought after by foreigners as well as Frenchmen.
Learned men, and critics in historical matters, have remarked many errors in it; but he did not value himself at
all upon correctness; and used to tell his friends, who reproached him with the want of it, that
” very few persons
could perceive the difference between a history that is correct and one that is not so; and that the glory which he
might gain by greater accuracy was not worth the pains it
would cost."
In 1649, he was admitted a member of the French academy, in the room of Voiture;
In 1649, he was admitted a member of the French academy, in the room of Voiture; and, in 1675, chosen perpetual secretary of that academy. Besides the works abovementioned, he wrote a “Continuation of the general history of the Turks,
” in which he is thought not to have succeeded “L'Origine des Francois,
” printed at Amsterdam, in Les Vanites de la Cour,
” translated from
the Latin of Johannes Sarisburiensis, in 1640; andaFrench
translation of “Grotius de Veritate Christianse Religionis,
”
in he was not able to walk on foot, but that,
as soon as a new wheel was put to his chariot, he would
attend them wherever they thought proper.
” He used to
study and write by candle-light, even at noon-day in summer; and always waited upon his company to the door
with a candle in his hand. He had a brother, father Eudes,
a man of great simplicity and piety, whom he insidiously
drew in to treat of very delicate points before the queen mother, regent of the kingdom, who was of the Medici
family; and to lay down some things relating to government and the finances, which could not fail of displeasing
that princess; and must have occasioned great trouble to
father Eudes, if the goodness of the queen had not excused
the indiscretion of the preacher. But of all his humours,
none lessened him more in the opinion of the public, than
the unaccountable fondness he conceived for a man who
kept a public house at Chapellein, called Le Faucheur.
He was so taken with this man’s frankness and pleasantry,
that he used to spend whole days with him, notwithstanding the admonition of his friends to the contrary; and not
only kept up an intimate friendship with him during his
life, but made him sole legatee at his death. With regard
to religion, he affected Pyrrhonism; which, however, was
not, it seems, so much in his heart as in his mouth. This
appeared from his last sickness; for, having sent for those
friends who had been the most usual witnesses of his licentious talk about religion, he made a sort of recantation,
which he concluded by desiring them “to forget what he
might formerly have said-upon the subject of religion, and
to remember, that Mezerai dying, was a better believer
than Mezerai in health.
” These particulars are to be found
in his life by M. Larroque: but the abbe Olivet tells us,
that he “was surprised, upon reading this life, to find Mezerai’s character drawn in such disadvantageous colours.
”
Mezerai was certainly a man of many singularities, and
though agreeable when he pleased in his conversation, yejfc
full of whim, and not without ill-nature. It was a constant
way with him, when candidates offered themselves for vacant places in the academy, to throw in a black ball instead
of a white one: and when his friends asked him the reason
of this unkind procedure, he answered, “that it was to
leave to posterity a monument of the liberty of the elections in the academy.
” As an historian, he is valued very
highly and deservedly for his integrity and faithfulness, in
relating facts as he found them; but for this solely: for as
to his style, it is neither accurate nor elegant, although he
had been a member of the French academy long before he
wrote his “Abridgment.
”
, a very able scholar, was born at Bresse in 1581. At the age of twenty he was admitted
, a
very able scholar, was born at Bresse in 1581. At the age
of twenty he was admitted into the order of Jesuits, but on
his recovery from an illness, he returned to a secular life
again. About this time, he resided occasionally both at
Paris and Rome; and at Rome wrote a small collection
of Italian poems, in competition with Vaugelas, who was
there at the same time; among which there are imitations
of the most beautiful similies in the eight first books of the
^neid. He published also Latin and French poetry in
1621, and translated some of Ovid’s epistles, which he
illustrated with commentaries, esteemed more valuable
than his translation. He is also said to have been well
versed in the controversies, both in philosophy and religion; and an able algebraist and geometrician. Of the
latter we have a proof in his edition of “Diophantus,
” enriched with a very able commentary and notes, Paris,
1621, and reprinted several times in Germany. Des Cartes
had a very high opinion of his knowledge in mathematical
science. Such was his fame at one time, that he was proposed as preceptor to Louis XIII. upon which account he
left the court in great haste, and declared afterwards, that
he never felt so much pain upon any occasion in his life:
for that he seemed as if he had had already upon his
shoulders the weight of a whole kingdom. He was, though
absent, made a member of the French academy, when in
its infancy; and, when it came to his turn to make a discourse in it, he sent up one, which was read to the assembly by Mr. de Vaugelas. He died at Bourg in Bresse,
Feb. 26, 1638. He left several Mss. in a finished state,
but which have never been printed, and had brought a
translation of all Plutarch’s works with notes almost to a
conclusion when he died.
, a celebrated biblical critic, and professor of divinity and the oriental languages, was born at Halle, in Lower Saxony, in 1717. His first education
, a celebrated biblical critic, and professor of divinity and the oriental languages,
was born at Halle, in Lower Saxony, in 1717. His first
education was private, but in 1729 he was sent to the public school of the orphan-house, where he studied diviniiy
and philosophy, and at the same time he occasionally attended the lectures of his father, who was professor of divinity and the oriental languages. During the latter part
of his time at school, he acquired a great facility in speaking Latin, and in thinking systematically, from the practice of disputation, in which one of the masters frequently
exercised him. In 1733, he entered into the university of
Halle, where he applied himself to the study of mathematics, metaphysics, theology, and the oriental languages.
He also prepared himself for pulpit services, and preached
with great approbation at Halle and other places. In 1739
he took a degree in philosophy, and soon after was appointed assistant lecturer under his father, having shewn
how well qualified he was for that situation, by publishing
a small treatise “De Antiquitate Punctorum Vocalium.
”
In De Sacra Poesi Hebraeorum
” he attended.
Upon his return to Halle, he resumed his labours as assistant to his father, and delivered lectures on the historical
books of the Old Testament, the Syriac and Chaldee
languages, and also upon natural history, and the Roman
classics; but seeing no prospect of a fixed establishment,
he left Halle in 1745, and went to Gottingen, in the capacity of private tutor. In the following year he was made
professor extraordinary of philosophy in the university of
Gottingen, and, in 1750, professor in ordinary in the same
faculty. In 1751 he was appointed secretary to the newly
instituted Royal Society of Gottingen, of which he afterwards became director, and about the same time was made
aulic counsellor by the court of Hanover. During 1750,
he gained the prize in the Royal Academy of Berlin, by a
memoir “On the Influence of Opinions on Language, and
Language on Opinions.
” While the seven years’ war
lasted, Michaelis met with but little interruption in his
studies, being exempted,in common with the other professors, from military employment; and when the new regulations introduced by the French in 1760, deprived them
of that privilege, by the command of marshal Broglio it
was particularly extended to M. Michaelis. Soon after
this, he obtained from Paris, by means of the marquis de
Lostange, the manuscript of Abulfeda’s geography, from,
which he afterwards edited his account of the Egyptians;
and by the influence of the same nobleman, he was chosen
correspondent of the “Academy of Inscriptions at Paris,
”
in Compendium
of dogmatic Theology,
” consisting of doctrinal lectures
which he had delivered by special licence from the government. Shortly after this, Michaelis shewed his zeal for
the interests of science and literature, by the part which
he took in the project of sending a mission of learned men
into Egypt and Arabia, for the purpose of obtaining such
information concerning the actual state of those countries,
as might serve to throw light on geography, natural history,
philology, and biblical learning. He first conceived the
idea of such a mission, which he communicated by letter
to the privy counsellor Bernstorf, who laid it before his
sovereign Frederic V. king of Denmark. That sovereign
was so well satisfied of the benefits which might result from
the undertaking, that he determined to support theexpence
of it, and he even committed to Michaelis the management
of the design, together with the nomination of proper travellers, and the care of drawing up their instructions. Upow
the death of Gesner in 1761, Michaelis succeeded in the
office of librarian to the Royal Society, which he held
about a year, and was then nominated to the place of director, with the salary for life of the post, which he then
resigned. Two years afterwards he was invited by the
king of Prussia to remove to Berlin, but his attachment to
Gottingen led him to decline the advantages which were
held out to him as resulting from the change. In 1766 he
was visited at Gottingen by sir John Pringle, whom he had
known in England, and Dr. Franklin. With the first he
afterwards corresponded on the subject of the leprosy,
spoken of in the books of Moses, and on that of Daniel’s
prophecy of the seventy weeks. The latter subject was
disscussed in the letters which passed between them during
1771, and was particularly examined by the professor.
This correspondence was printed by sir John Pringle in
1773, under the title of “Joan. Dav. Michaelis de Epistolse, &c. LXX. Hebdomadibus Danielis, ad D. Joan. Pringle, Baronettum; primo privatim missse, nunc vero utriusque consensu publice editae.
” In 1770, some differences having arisen between Michaelis and his colleagues
in the Royal Society, he resigned his directorship. In
1775 his well-established reputation had so far removed the
prejudices which had formerly been conceived against him
in Sweden, that the count Hbpkin, who some years before
had prohibited the use of his writings at Upsal, now prevailed upon the king to confer upon him the order of the
polar star. He was accordingly decorated with the ensignia of that order, on which occasion he chose as a motto
to his arms, “libera veritas.
” In 1782 his health began to
decline, which he never completely recovered; in 1786 he
was raised to the rank of privy counsellor of justice by the
court of Hanover; in the following year the academy of
inscriptions at Paris elected him a foreign member of that
body; and in 178S he received his last literary honour by
being elected a member of the Royal Society of London.
He continued his exertions almost to the very close of life,
and a few weeks before his death, he shewed a friend several sheets in ms. of annotations which he had lately written on the New Testament. He died on the 22d of August, 1791, in the seventy- fifth year of his age. He was a
man of very extensive and profound erudition, as well as
of extraordinary talents, which were not less brilliant than
solid, as is evident from the honours which were paid to
his merits, and the testimony of his acquaintance and contemporaries. His application and industry were unwearied, and his perseverance in such pursuits as he conceived
would prove useful to the world, terminated only with the
declension of his powers. His writings are distinguished
not only by various and solid learning, but by a profusion
of ideas, extent of knowledge, brilliancy of expression,
and a frequent vein of pleasantry. In the latter part of his
life he was regarded not only as a literary character, but as
a man of business, and was employed in affairs of considerable importance by the courts of England, Denmark, and
Prussia. His works are very numerous, and chiefly upon
the subjects of divinity and oriental languages. A part of
them are written in Latin, but by far the greater number
in German. Of the Conner class there are these 1.
“Commentatio de Battologia, ad Matth. vi. 7.
” Bremen,
Paralipomena contra Polygamiam,
” ibid.
Syntagma commentationum,
” Goett. Curse in versionem Syriacam Actuurn
Apostolorum,
” Goett, Compendium Theologize dogmatics?,
” ib. Commentationes
resize soc. Scientiarum Goettingerrsis, per annos 1758
1762,
” Bremen, Vol. II. Ejusdem, 1769.
”
8. “Spicilegium Geographies Hebrseorum exterae, post
Bochartum,
” Goett. Grammatica Chaldaica,
” ib. Supplementa ad
Lexicon Hebraicum,
” Grammatica Syriaca,
” Halae, Hebrew Grammar,
” Halle, Elements of Hebrew accentuation,
” ib. Treatise on the Law of Marriage, according
to Moses,
” Goett. Paraphrase and Remarks on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians, Ephesians,
Colossians, Thessalonians, Titus, Timothy, and Philemon,
”
Bremen, Introduction to the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament,
” Bremen, Prophetical plan of the preacher Solomon,
” ib. Thoughts on the Doctrine of Scripture concerning Sin,
” Hamb. Plan of typical Divinity,
” Brem. Criticism of the means
employed to understand the Hebrew language.
” 21. “Critical Lectures on the principal Psalms which treat of
Christ,
” Frankf. Explanation of the
Epistle to the Hebrews,
” Frankf. Questions proposed to a society of learned Men, who
went to Arabia by order of the king of Denmark,
” ib. Introduction to the New Testament,' 7 a second
edition, Goett. 1788, 2 vols. 4to. 25.
” Miscellaneous
Writings,“two parts, Frankf. 1766 8, 8vo. 26.
” Programma concerning the seventy-two translators,“Goett.
1767, 8vo. 27.
” Dissertation on the Syriac language,
and its use,“Goett. 1768, 8vo. 28.
” Strictures concerning the Protestant Universities in Germany,“Frankf. 1775,
8vo. 29.
” Translation of the Old Testament,“Goett.
1769 83, 13 parts. 30.
” Fundamental Interpretation of
the Mosaic Law,“Frankf. 1770-5, 6 parts, with additions,
8vo. 31.
” Of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel,“Goett.
1772, 8vo. 32.
” Arabic Grammar and Chrestomathy,“ib. 1781, 8vo. 33.
” Oriental and exegetical Library,“Frankf. 1771—89, 24 parts, and two supplements, 8vo.
34.
” New Oriental and exegetical Library,“Goett. 1786
91, 9 parts. 35.
” Of the Taste of the Arabians in their
Writings,“ib. 1781, 8vo. 36.
” Dissertation on the Syriac
Language and its uses, together with a Chrestomathy,“ib.
1786, 8vo. 37.
” On the Duty of Men to speak Truth,“Kiel, 1773, 8vo. 38.
” Commentary on the Maccabees,“Frankfort, 1777, 4to. 39.
” History of Horses, and of the
breeding of Horses in Palestine,“&c. ib. 1776, 8vo. 40.
” Thoughts on the doctrine of Scripture concerning Sin
and Satisfaction,“Bremen, 1779, 8vo. 41.
” Illustration
of the History of the Burial and Resurrection of Christ,“Halle, 1783, 8vo. 42.
” Supplement, or the fifth Fragment of Lessing’s Collections,“Halle, 1785, 8vo. 43.
” German Dogmatic Divinity,“Goett. 1784, 8vo. 44.
” Introduction to the Writings of the Old Testament,“Hamb. 1787, 1st vol. 1st part, 4to: 45.
” Translation of
the Old Testament, without remarks,“Goett. 1789, 2 vols.
4to. 46.
” Translation of the New Testament,“ib. 1790,
2 vols. 4to 47.
” Remarks for the unlearned, relative to
his translation of the New Testament,“ib. 1790 92, 4
parts, 4to. 48.
” Additions to the third edition of the Introduction to the New Testament,“ibid. 1789, 4to. 49.
” Ethics," a posthumous work, published by C. F. Steudlin, Goett. 1792, 2 parts, 8vo.
glish from the first edition, and published in 1761, in a quarto volume. In 1788, the fourth edition was published in two volumes quarto. The object of this work, which
Of those with which the English scholar has been
brought acquainted, one of the principal is the “Introduction to the New Testament,
” translated into English from
the first edition, and published in 1761, in a quarto volume.
In 1788, the fourth edition was published in two volumes
quarto. The object of this work, which is purely critical
and historical, is to explain the Greek Testament, with
the same impartiality, and the same unbiassed love of
truth, with which a critic in profane literature would examine the writings of Homer, Virgil, &c. The first volume
contains an examination of the authenticity, inspiration,
and language of the New Testament. The second volume
contains a particular introduction to each individual book
of the New Testament. An English translation of it has
been published by the rev. Herbert Marsh, in six volumes,
royal 8vo. To this we may add another very important
translation of his “Mosaisches Recht,
” or “Commentaries
on the Laws of Moses,
” by Alexander Smith, D. D. minister
of the Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire, 1814, 4 vols. 8vo.
This, says the learned translator, has always been esteemed
the chef d* cewvre of Michaelis, but although a work of very
great importance, demands the application of somewhat of
that precautionary chastening, which Dr. Marsh has so judiciously applied in the “Introduction to the New Testament.
” From Dr. Smith, also, the public have reason to
expect a memoir of the life and writings of Michaelis,
more ample than has yet appeared in this country.
professor of divinity, Greek, and oriental languages, and director of the divinity school of Halle, was born at Kettenburg, in Hohenstein, July 26, 1668. His father
, a learned orientalist, professor of divinity, Greek, and oriental languages, and director of the divinity school of Halle, was born at Kettenburg, in Hohenstein, July 26, 1668. His father sent him
in 1683 to Brunswick, to learn trade, but a few months
after, he allowed him to be placed at the school of St. Martin in that city, where the rector, M. Msering, cultivated
his talents, and found him capable of instructing some of
the younger scholars. An illness obliging him to leave this
place, he continued his studies at Nordhausen, and in
1688 at Leipsic, where he went through courses of philosophy and divinity, and also studied the oriental languages and rabbinical Hebrew. In 1694 he quitted Leipsic for the university of Halle, where he taught the Greek,
Hebrew, and Chaldeewith great reputation. Here he published, with the assistance of professor Francke, who mentions him respectfully in his “Pietas Hallensis,
” a work
entitled “Conamina brevioris Manuductionis ad
Doctrinam de Accentibus Hebraeorum Prosaicis.
” In 1696 he
published another piece, entitled “Epicrisis philologica de
reverendi Michaelis Beckii, Ulmensis, Disquisitionibus philologicis, cum responsionibus ad Examen XIV. Dictor.
Gen.
” In 1699, he succeeded Francke in the Greek professorship at Halle, and in 1707 was made keeper of the
university library. He was afterwards nominated professor
of divinity in ordinary, and admitted to the degree of D. D.
In 1732 he was made senior of the faculty of divinity, and
inspector of the theological seminary. He died in 1738,
at about the age of seventy. He was author of many works
besides those already mentioned, the titles of which are
enumerated in our authority.
Italian botanist of great celebrity, particularly in what is now called the cryptogamic department, was born at Florence, December 11, 1679. His parents were indigent,
, an Italian botanist of
great celebrity, particularly in what is now called the cryptogamic department, was born at Florence, December 11,
1679. His parents were indigent, and took but little care
of his education. He is said, nevertheless, to have been
destined to the occupation of a bookseller, but an insatiable thirst after natural knowledge over-ruled all other objects, and his good character, and distinguished ardour,
soon procured him the notice and favour of the marquis
Cosmo da Castiglione, in whose family a taste for botany
has been almost hereditary, and for whom Micheli in his
early youth made a collection of Umbelliferous plants,
which even then proved his accuracy and discernment.
This gentleman introduced him to the celebrated count
Lawrence Magalotti, by whom he was presented to his sovereign, the grand duke Cosmo III. The “Institutiones
Itei Herbanae
” of Tournefort had just appeared at Paris;
and the first pledge of the grand duke’s favour, was a present of that book, which to Micheli, who had hitherto
found the want of some systematic guide, was a most important and welcome acquisition. He speedily adopted
the tone of his leader, with respect to generic distinctions
and definitions, and improved upon him in a more frequent
adaptation of original specific ones.
In the autumn of 1706, the care of the public garden at Florence, founded by Cosmo 1. was confided to Micheli, and he was commissioned to travel, not
In the autumn of 1706, the care of the public garden at Florence, founded by Cosmo 1. was confided to Micheli, and he was commissioned to travel, not only in Italy, but in various distant countries, to collect plants, and to establish a correspondence, for the benefit of his trust. By the co-operation of his friends Franchi and Gualtieri, ^the garden was enriched from the then more flourishing one at Pisa; and a botanical society was instituted at Florence in 1717, which greatly promoted the interests of the science. In the summer of that year, the great William Sherard, returning from Smyrna to England, visited Florence in his way, and formed a friendship with Micheli, that continued till his own decease in 172S. A frequent correspondence, and interchange of specimens, took place between them, as amply appears by the collections preserved at Oxford, and by the writings of Micheli.
is scientific studies, as well as his bodily exertions in frequent journies. The fruit of the former was the publication of his great work, entitled “Nova Plantarum
Micheli continued his scientific studies, as well as his
bodily exertions in frequent journies. The fruit of the
former was the publication of his great work, entitled
“Nova Plantarum Genera,
”
less ready to communicate, than eager to acquire, knowledge. His friend Cocchi informs us, that “he was endued with a clear and concise natural eloquence; and although
Micheli is described by his contemporaries as a man of
the most pleasing, modest, and liberal manners, no less
ready to communicate, than eager to acquire, knowledge.
His friend Cocchi informs us, that “he was endued with a
clear and concise natural eloquence; and although the
poverty of his parents deprived him of the advantages of a
learned education, he had, by his own application, acquired, with wonderful felicity, a knowledge of Latin.
”
“The writings of the most eminent botanists were so familiar to him, that he had learned to express his ideas in Latin,
by no means amiss, he having a very quick perception as
to any barbarous expressions.
”
, an ingenious poet, was the son of the rev. Alexander Mickle or Meikle, who exchanging
, an ingenious poet, was the son of the rev. Alexander Mickle or Meikle, who exchanging the profession of physic for that of divinity, was admitted, at an age more advanced than usual, into the ministry of the church of Scotland. From that country he removed to London, where he preached for some time in various dissenting meetings, particularly that of the celebrated Dr. Watts. He was also employed by the booksellers in correcting the translation of Bayle’s Dictionary, to which he is said to have contributed the greater part of the additional notes. In 1716 he returned to Scotland, on being presented to the living of Langholm in the county of Dumfries; and in 1727, he married Julia, daughter of Mr. Thomas Henderson, of Ploughlands near Edinburgh, and first cousin to the late sir William Johnstone, bart. of Westerhall. By this lady, who appears to have died before him, he had ten children.
Our poet, his fourth, or as some say, his third, son, was born Sunday Sept. 29, 1734, and educated at the grammar school
Our poet, his fourth, or as some say, his third, son, was
born Sunday Sept. 29, 1734, and educated at the grammar
school of Langholm, where he acquired that early taste for
works of genius which frequently ends, in spite of all obstacles, in a life devoted to literary pursuits. He even attempted, when at school, a few devotional pieces in rhyme,
which, however, were not superior to the common run of
puerile compositions. About his thirteenth year, he accidentally met with Spenser’s “Faerie Queene,
” which fixed
a lasting impression on his mind, and made him desirous of
being enrolled among the imitators of that poet. To this
he joined the reading of Homer and Virgil, during his education at the high school of Edinburgh, in which city his
father obtained permission to reside in consideration of his
advanced age and infirmities, and to enable him to give a
proper education to his children.
e in the purchase of the brewery, and continued the business in the name of his eldest son. Our poet was then taken from school, employed as a clerk under his father,
About two years after the rev. Mr. Mickle came to reside in Edinburgh, upon the death of a brother-in-law, a
brewer in the neighbourhood of that city, he embarked a
great part of his fortune in the purchase of the brewery,
and continued the business in the name of his eldest son.
Our poet was then taken from school, employed as a clerk
under his father, and upon coming of age in 1755, took
upon him the whole charge and property of the business,
on condition of granting his father a share of the profits
during his life, and paying a certain sum to his brothers
and sisters at, stated periods, after his father’s decease,
which happened in 1758. Young Mickle is said to have
entered into these engagements more from a sense of filial
duty, and the peculiar situation of his family, than from
any inclination to business. He had already contracted
the habits of literary life; he had begun to feel the enthusiasm of a son of the Muses, and while he was storing his
mind with the productions of former poets, and cultivating
those branches of elegant literature not usually taught at
schools at that time, he felt the employment too delightful to admit of much interruption from the concerns of
trade. In 1761, he contributed, but without his name,
two charming compositions, entitled “Knowledge, an
Ode,
” and a “Night Piece,
” to a collection of poetry published by Donaldson, a bookseller of Edinburgh; and about
the same time published some observations on that impious
tract “The History of the Man after God’s own heart,
” but
whether separately, or in any literary journal, is not now
known. He had also finished a dramatic poem of considerable length, entitled “The Death of Socrates,
” and had
begun a poem on “Providence,
” when his studies were interrupted by the importunities of his creditors.
This confusion in his affairs was partly occasioned by his intrusting that to servants which it
This confusion in his affairs was partly occasioned by his
intrusting that to servants which it was in their power to
abuse without his knowledge, and partly by imprudently
becoming a joint security for a considerable sum with a
printer in Edinburgh, to whom one of his brothers was
then apprentice, which, on his failure, Mickle was unable
to pay. In this dilemma, had he at once compounded with
his creditors, and disposed of the business, as he was advised, he might have averted a series of anxieties that
preyed on his mind for many years; and he perhaps might
have entered into another concern more congenial to his
disposition, with all the advantage of dear-bought experience. But some friends interposed at this crisis, and
prevailed on his creditors to accept notes of hand in lieu of
present payment, a measure which, however common, is in
general futile, and seldom fails to increase the embarrassment which it is kindly intended to alleviate. Accordingly
within a few months, Mickle was again insolvent, and almost distracted with a nearer view of impending ruin ready
to fall, not only on himself, but on his whole family. Perhaps an unreserved acknowledgment of iasolvency might
not yet have been too late to shorten his sufferings, had
not the same friends again interfered, and again persuaded
his creditors to allow him more time to satisfy their demands. This interference, as it appeared to be the last
that was possible, in some degree roused him to a more
close application to business; but as business was ever secondary in his thoughts, he was induced at the same time
to place considerable reliance on his poetical talents which,
as far as known, had been encouraged by some critics of
acknowledged taste in his own country. He therefore began to retouch and complete his poem on “Providence/'
from which he conceived great expectations, and at length
had it published in London by Becket, in August 1762,
under the title of
” Providence, orArandusand Emilee.“The character given of it in the Critical Review was highly
flattering; but the opinion of the Monthly, which was then
esteemed more decisive, being less satisfactory, he determined to appeal to lord Lyttelton. Accordingly', he sent
to this nobleman a letter dated January 21, 1763, under
the assumed name of William More, begging his lordship’s
opinion of his poem,
” which,“he tells him,
” was the
work of a young man friendless and unknown, but that,
were another edition to have the honour of lord Lyttelton’s
name at the head of a dedication, such a pleasure w r ould
enable him to put it in a much better dress than what it
then appeared in." He concluded with requesting the favour of an answer to be left at Seagoe’s Coffee-house, Hoiborn. This letter he consigned to the care of his brother
in London, who was to send it in his own hand and call for
the answer. But before this could arrive, his affairs became
so deranged that, although he experienced many instances
of friendship and forbearance, it was no longer possible to
avert a bankruptcy; and suspecting that one of his creditors
intended to arrest him for an inconsiderable debt, he was
reduced to the painful necessity of leaving his home, which
he did in the month of April, and reached London on the
3th day of May. Here for some time he remained friendless and forlorn, reflecting with the utmost poignancy that
he had in all probability involved his family and friends in,
irremediable distress.
ing to Jamaica, but in what capacity, or with what prospects, he perhaps did not himself know. There was, however, no immediate plan soeabily practicable, by which he
Among other schemes w hich he hoped might eventually
succeed in relieving his embarrassments, he appears to
have now had some intentions of going to Jamaica, but in
what capacity, or with what prospects, he perhaps did not
himself know. There was, however, no immediate plan soeabily practicable, by which he could expect at some
distant period to satisfy his creditors, and the consciousness
of this most painful of all obligations was felt by him in a
manner which can be conceived only by minds of the nicest
honour and most scrupulous integrity. While in this perplexity, he was cheered by a letter from lord Lyttelton, in
which his lordship assured him that he thought his genius
in poetry deserved to be cultivated, but would not advise
the republication of his poem without considerable alterations. He declined the offer of a dedication, as a tiling
likely to be of no use to the poet, “as nobody minded dedications;
” but suggested that it might be of some use if
he were to come and read the poem with his lordship, when
they might discourse together upon what he thought its
beauties and faults. In the mean time he exhorted Mickle
to endeavour to acquire greater harmony of versification;
and to take care that his diction did not loiter into prose ^ or
become hard by new phrases, or words unauthorized by
the usage of good authors. In answer to this condescending and friendly letter, Mickle informed his lordship of his
real name, and inclosed the elegy of “Pollio
” for his lordship’s advice. This was followed by another kind letter
from lord Lyttelton, in which he gave his opinion, that the
correction of a few lines would make it as perfect as any
thing of that kind in our language, and promised to point
out its faults when he had the pleasure of seeing the author.
An interview accordingly took place in the month of February 1764, when his lordship, after receiving him with
the utmost politeness and affability, begged him not to be
discouraged at such difficulties as a young author must naturally expect, but to cultivate his very promising poetical
powers; and, with his usual condescension, added, that
he would become his schoolmaster. Other interviews followed this very flattering introduction, at which Mickle
read with him the poem on “Providence,
” and communicated his plan for treating more fully a subject of so much
intricacy, intimating that he had found it necessary to discard the philosophy of Pope’s ethics. But, as in order to
render his talents as soon productive as possible, he had
now a wish to publish a volume of poems, he sent to his
noble friend that on “Providence,
” “Pollio,
” and an
“Elegy on Mary Queen of Scots.
” This produced a long
letter from his lordship, in which after much praise of the
two former, he declined criticising any part of the elegy
on Mary, because he wholly disapproved of the subject.
He added, with justice, that poetry should not consecrate
what history must condemn; and in the view his lordship
had taken of the history of Mary, he thought her entitled
to pity, but not to praise. In this opinion Mickle acquiesced, from convenience, if not from conviction, and again
sent his lordship a copy of “Providence,
” with further
improvements, hoping probably that they might be the
last; but he had the mortification to receive it back from
the noble critic so much marked and blotted, that he began
to despair of completing it to his satisfaction. He remitted,
therefore, a new performance, the “Ode on May Day,
”
begging his lordship’s opimion “if it could be made proper to appear this spring (1765) along with the one already
approved.
”
Whether any answer was returned to this application, we are not told. It is certain
Whether any answer was returned to this application,
we are not told. It is certain no volume of poems appeared,
and our author began to feel how difficult it would be to
justify such tardy proceedings to those who expected that
he should do something to provide for himself. He had
now been nearly two years in London, without any other
subsistence than what he received from his brothers, or
procured by contributing to some of the periodical publications, particularly the British and St. James’s Magazines.
All this was scanty and precarious, and his hopes of greater
advantages from his poetical efforts were considerably
damped by the fastidious opinions of the noble critic who
had voluntarily undertaken to be his tutor. It now occurred to Mickle to try whether his lordship might not
serve him more essentially as a patron; and having still
some intention of going to Jamaica, he took the liberty to
request his lordship’s recommendation to his brother William Henry Lyttelton, esq. who was then governor of that
island. This produced an interview, in which lord Lyttelton intimated that a recommendation to his brother would
be of no real use, as the governor’s patronage was generally bespoke long before vacancies take place; he promised, however, to recommend Mickle to the merchants,
and to one of them then in London, whom he expected to
see very soon. He also hinted that a clerkship at home
would be desireable, as England was the place for Mickle,
but repressed all hopes from this scheme, by adding, that
as he (lord Lyttelton) was in opposition, he could ask no
favours. He then mentioned the East Indies, as a place
where perhaps he could be of service; and after much
conversation on these various schemes, concluded with a promise, which probably appeared to his client as a kind of
anti-climax, that he would aid the sale of his “Odes
” with
his good opinion when they should be published.
This was the last interview Mickle had with his lordship. He afterwards
This was the last interview Mickle had with his lordship.
He afterwards renewed the subject in the way of correspondence, but received so little encouragement, that he
was at length compelled, although much against the fond
opinion he had formed of his lordship’s zeal in his cause,
to give up all thoughts of succeeding by his means. It
cannot be doubted that he felt this disappointment very
acutely, but whether he thought, upon more mature reflection, that he had not sufficient claims on lord Lyttelton’s
patronage, that his lordship could not be expected to provide for every one who 'solicited his opinion, or that he was
really unable to befriend him according to his honest professions, it is certain that he betrayed no coarse resentment, and always spoke, respectfully of the advantages he
had derived from his critical opinions. The conclusion of
their correspondence, indeed, was in some respect owing
to Mickle himself. Lord Lyttelton so far kept his word as
to write to his brother in his favour at the time when Mickle
was bent on going to Jamaica, but the latter had, in the
mean time, “in order to avoid the dangers attending an
uncertainty,
” accepted the offer of going as a merchant’s
clerk to Carolina, a scheme which, being delayed by some
accident, he gave up for a situation more agreeable to his
taste, that of corrector of the Clarendon press at Oxford.
ent, and dependant on the printer employed, it required no extraordinary interference of friends. He was already known to the Wartons, and it is not improbable that
To whom he owed this appointment we are not told.
As it is a situation, however, of moderate emolument, and
dependant on the printer employed, it required no extraordinary interference of friends. He was already known to
the Wartons, and it is not improbable that their mentioning him to Jackson, the printer, would be sufficient. He
removed to Oxford in 1765; and in 1767, published “The
Concubine,
” in the manner of Spenser, which brought
him into more notice than any thing he had yet written,
and was attributed to some of the highest names on the
list of living poets, while he concealed his being the author.
It may here be noticed, that when he published a second
edition in 1778, he changed the name to “Sir Martyn,
”
as “The Concubine
” conveyed a very improper idea both
of the subject and spirit of the poem. Living now in a
society from which some of the ablest defenders of
Christianity have risen, he was induced to take up his pen in its
defence, by attacking a “Translation of the New Testament
” published by the late Dr. Harwood. Mickle’s
pamphlet was entitled “A Letter to Dr. Harwood, wherein some of his evasive glosses, false translations, and blundering criticisms, in support of the Arian heresy, contained in his liberal translation of the New Testament, are
pointed out and confuted.
” Harwood had laid himself so
open to ridicule as well as confutation by his foolish translation, that perhaps there was no great merit in exposing
what it was scarcely possible to read with gravity; but our
author, while he employed rather more severity than was
necessary on this part of his subject, engaged in the vindication of the doctrine of the Triraity with the acuteness of
a man who had carefully studied the controversy, and considered the established opinion as a matter of essential
importance. This was followed by another attempt to vindicate revealed religion from the hostility of the deists,
entitled “Voltaire in the Shades, or Dialogues on the
Deistical Controversy.
”
In 1772, he formed that collection of fugitive poetry, which was published in four volumes by George Pearch, bookseller, as a
In 1772, he formed that collection of fugitive poetry,
which was published in four volumes by George Pearch,
bookseller, as a continuation of Dodsley’s collection. In
this Mickle inserted his “Hengist and Mey,
” and the
“Elegy on Mary queen of Scots.
” He contributed about
the same time other occasional pieces, both in prose and
verse, to the periodical publications, when he could spare
leisure from his engagements at the Clarendon press, and
from a more important design which he had long revolved
in his mind, and had now the resolution to carry into execution in preference to every other employment. This
was his justly celebrated translation of the “Lusiad
” of
Camoens, a poem which he is said to have read when a boy
in Castera’s French translation, and which at no great distance of time he determined to familiarize to the English,
reader. For this purpose he studied the Portuguese language, and the history of the poem and of its author, and
without greatly over-rating the genius of Camoens, dwelt
on the beauties of the “Lusiad,
” until he caught the
author’s spirit, and became confident that he could transfuse
it into English with equal honour to his original andto
himself. But as it was necessary that the attention of the
English public should be drawn to a poem at this time very
little known, he first published proposals for his translation to be printed by subscription, and afterwards sent a
small specimen of the fifth book to be inserted in the Gentleman’s Magazine, which was then, as now, the common
vehicle of literary communications. This appeared in the
Magazine for March 1771, and a few months after he
printed at Oxford the first boo.k of the “Lusiad.
” These
specimens were received with indulgence sufficient to encourage him to prosecute his undertaking with spirit; and
that he might enjoy the advantages of leisure and quiet,
he relinquished his situation at the Clarendon press, and
retired to an old mansion occupied by a Mr. Tomkins, a
farmer at Forrest- hill, about five miles from Oxford. Here
be remained until the end of 1775, at which time he was
enabled to complete his engagement with his numerous
subscribers, and publish the work complete in a quarto
volume printed at Oxford.
from the sale were far from being inconsiderable to a man in his circumstances; yet the publication was attended by some unforeseen circumstances of a less pleasing
With the approbation bestowed on this work by the critical world, he had every reason to be satisfied, and the profits he derived from the sale were far from being inconsiderable to a man in his circumstances; yet the publication was attended by some unforeseen circumstances of a less pleasing kind, for he had again the misfortune to be teazed by the prospect of high patronage, which again ended in disappointment. It had at first been suggested to him that he might derive advantage from dedicating his Translation of the Lusiad to some person of rank in the East India department, but before he had made a choice, his friend the late commodore Johnstone, persuaded him to inscribe it to the late duke of Buccleugh. This nobleman, however, we are told, had been a pupil of Dr. Adam Smith, some of whose doctrines respecting the Eastern trade, Mickle had controverted; and upon this account the nobleman is said to have treated the dedication and the poem with neglect. Mickle’s biographers have expatiated on this subject at great length, and with much acrimony; but as his grace of Buccleugh was universally esteemed for his public and private worth, and above all for his liberality, we must abstain from any further notice of a story, of which probably, one half only cau ever be known. One thing is certain, that Mickle did not publish on the East India trade until 1779.
Soon after the publication of the “Lusiad,” he returned to London, and was advised by some who probably in this instance consulted his
Soon after the publication of the “Lusiad,
” he returned
to London, and was advised by some who probably in this
instance consulted his fame less than his immediate interest, to write a tragedy, The story of his tragedy, which
was entitled “The Siege of Marseilles,
” was taken from
the French history in the reign of Francis I. When completed, his friends recommended it to Garrick, wbo allowed
its general merit, but complained of the want of stage
effect, and recommended him to take the advice of Dr.
Warton. This able critic was accordingly called in, with
his brother Thomas, and with Home the author of
“Douglas.
” In compliance with their opinion, Mickle
made great alterations, and Thomas Warton earnestly recommended the tragedy to Garrick, but in vain; and
Mickle, his biographers inform us, was so incensed at this,
that he resolved to appeal to the judgment of the public
by printing it.
some officious person that Garrick had followed his refusal by sentiments of personal disrespect, he was so enraged as to threaten to write a new “Dunciad,” of which
His conduct on this occasion must be ascribed to irritation arising from other disappointments. The mere printing
would have been a harmless, and might have been a profitable experiment, but Mickle threatened to go farther. Having been told by some officious person that Garrick had followed his refusal by sentiments of personal disrespect, he
was so enraged as to threaten to write a new “Dunciad,
”
of which Garrick should be the hero. His more sensible
friends naturally took the alarm at a threat so impotent,
and persuaded him to lay aside his design. Yet he drew
up an angry preface, and sent a copy of it to Mr. Garrick.
It is unnecessary to say more of this play, than that it was
afterwards rejected by Mr. Harris and Mr. Sheridan.
ad,” consisting of a thousand copies, had so rapid a sale, that a second edition, with improvements, was published in June 177S. About the same time, as he had yet no
The first edition of the “Lusiad,
” consisting of a thousand copies, had so rapid a sale, that a second edition,
with improvements, was published in June 177S. About
the same time, as he had yet no regular provision, some
means were employed, but ineffectually, to procure him a
pension from the crown, as a man of letters. Dr. Lowth,
then bishop of London, had more than once intimated, that
he was ready to admit him into holy orders, and provide
for him; but Mickle refused the offer, lest his hitherto uniform support of revealed religion should be imputed to
interested motives. This offer was highly honourable to
him, as it must have proceeded from a knowledge of the
excellence of his character, and the probable advantages
which the church must have derived from the accession of
such a member. Nor was his rejection of it less honourable, for he was still poor. Although he had received
nearly a thousand pounds from the sale and for the copyright of the “Lusiad,
” he appropriated all of that sum
which he could spare from his immediate necessities to the
payment of his debts, and the maintenance of his sisters,
He now issued proposals for printing an edition of his original poems, by subscription, in quarto, at one guinea
each copy. For this he had the encouragement of many
friends, and probably the result, would have been very advantageous, but the steady friendship of the late commodore Johnstone relieved him from any farther anxiety on
this account.
mediately nominated Mickle to be his secretary, by which, though only a non-commissioned officer, he was entitled to a considerable share of prize-money. But what probably
In 1779 this gentleman being appointed commander of the Romney man of war, and commodore of a squadron, immediately nominated Mickle to be his secretary, by which, though only a non-commissioned officer, he was entitled to a considerable share of prize-money. But what probably afforded him most delight, in the commencement of this new life, was the destination of the squadron to the native shores of his favourite Camoens, which the fame of his translation had already reached. On his landing at Lisbon in November 1779, he was received with the utmost politeness and respect by prince don John of Braganza, duke of Lafoens, and was introduced to the principal nobility, gentry, and literati of Portugal.
On his arrival in England, in November 1780, he was appointed joint agent for the disposal of the valuable prizes
On his arrival in England, in November 1780, he was appointed joint agent for the disposal of the valuable prizes taken during the Commodore’s cruize; and by the profits of this place, and his share of the prize-money, he was enabled to discharge his debts. This had long been the ardent wish of his heart, the object of all his pursuits, and an object which he at length accomplished with the strictest honour, and with a satisfaction to his own mind the most pure and delightful. Jn 1782 our poet published /'The Prophecy of Queen Emma," a ballad, with an ironical preface, containing an account of its pretended author and discovery, and hints for vindicating the authenticity of the poems of Ossian and Rowley. This irony, however, lost part of its effect by the author’s pretending that a poem, which is modern both in language and versification, was the production of a prior of Durham in the reign of William Rufus, although he endeavours to account for this with some degree of humour, and is not unsuccessful in imitating the mode of reasoning adopted by dean Milles and Mr. Bryant, in the case of Chatterton.
at view he took a house at Wheatly, near Oxford; but the failure and death of a banker, with whom he was connected as agent for the prizes, and a chancery suit in which
In the same year he married Mary, the daughter of Mr.
Robert Tomkins, with whom he resided in Oxfordshire
while employed in translating the “Lusiad.
” The fortune
which he obtained by his marriage, and what he acquired
under commodore Johnstone, would have enabled him to
pass the remainder of his days in ease and independence,
and with that view he took a house at Wheatly, near Oxford; but the failure and death of a banker, with whom he
was connected as agent for the prizes, and a chancery
suit in which he engaged rather too precipitately, in order
to secure a part of his wife’s fortune, involved him in
many delays and much anxiety and expence. He still,
however, employed his pen on occasional subjects, and
contributed essays entitled “The Fragments of Leo,
” and
some other articles, to the European Magazine. His last
production was ' Eskdale Braes," a song in commemoration of the place of his birth.
He died after a short illness at Forrest-hill, on the 28th of October, 1788, and was buried in the church-yard of that parish. His character, as
He died after a short illness at Forrest-hill, on the 28th
of October, 1788, and was buried in the church-yard of
that parish. His character, as drawn by Mr. Isaac Reed
and Mr. John Ireland, who knew him well, may be adopted
with safety. “He was in every point of view a man of the
utmost integrity, warm in his friendship, and indignant
only against vice, irreligion, or meanness. The compliment paid by lord Lyttelton to Thomson, might be applied
to him with the strictest truth; not a line is to be found
in his works, which, dying, he would wish to blot During
the greatest part of his lire, he endured the pressures of a
narrow fortune, without repining, never relaxing in his industry to acquire, by honest exertions, that independence
which at length he enjoyed. He did not shine in conversation; nor would any person, from his appearance, have
been able to form a favourable judgment of his talents. In
every situation in which fortune placed him, he displayed
an independent spirit, undebased by any meanness; and
when his pecuniary circumstances made him, on one occasion, feel a disappointment with some force, he even
then seemed more ashamed at his want of discernment of
character, than concerned for his loss. He seemed to entertain with reluctance an opinion, that high birth could
be united with a sordidmind. He had, however, the satisfaction of reflecting, that no extravagant panegyric had
disgraced his pen. Contempt certainly came to his aid,
though not soon: he wished to forget his credulity, and
never after conversed on the subject by choice. To conclude, his foibles were but few, and those inoffensive:
his virtues were many; and his genius was very considerable. He lived without reproach, and his memory will
always be cherished by those who were acquainted with
him.
”
otherwise; but neither his countenance nor manners were such as attract the multitude. When his name was announced, he has been more than once asked if the translator
To this Mr. Ireland adds, “His manners were not of
that obtrusive kind by which many men of the second or
third order force themselves into notice. A very close observer might have passed many hours in Mr. Mickle’s company, without suspecting that he had ever written a line of
poetry. A common physiognomist would have said that
he had an unmasked face. Lavater would have said otherwise; but neither his countenance nor manners were such
as attract the multitude. When his name was announced,
he has been more than once asked if the translator of
Camoens was any relation to him. To this he usually
answered, with a good-natured smile, that they were of the
same family. Simplicity, unaffected simplicity, was the
leading feature in his character. The philosophy of Voltaire and David Hume was his detestation. He could not
hear their names with temper. For the Bible he had the
highest reverence, and never sat silent when the doctrines
or precepts of the Gospel were cither ridiculed or
of with contempt.
”
In
, professor of divinity at Stetin, and a very learned man, was born at Cuslin in Pomerania, in 1597. He began his studies in
, professor of divinity at Stetin,
and a very learned man, was born at Cuslin in Pomerania,
in 1597. He began his studies in the college of his own
country; and, in 1614, removed to Stetin, where he studied
theology under professor Cramer. In 1616, he maintained a dispute “de Deo uno & trino,
” which gained him
great reputation; and went the year after to the university
of Konintrsberg, where he disputed again “de veritate.
transcendentali.
” He received, in 1621, the degree of
master of philosophy at the university of Gripswald, after
having maintained a thesis “de meteoris;
” and, some
time after, went to Leipsic to finish his studies. He was
made professor of rhetoric in the royal college at Stetin in
1624, rector of the senate school in 1627, and rector of
the royal college, and professor of theology, in 1649. The
same year he received his doctor of divinity’s degree, in
the university of Gripswald, and which he was, we are
told, led to ask; because, in a dispute he had with John
Bergius, first preacher at the court of the elector of Brandenburg, upon the differences between the Lutherans and
Calvinists, the latter arrogantly boasted of his being an
old doctor in divinity; to which Micrelius could only answer, “that he had received the degree of master in philosophy before Bergius.
” He had obtained by his solicitations in 1642, when he was made professor of rhetoric, that
there might be also professors of law, physic, and mathematics, in the royal college; and that a certain number of
students might be maintained there at the public charge.
He made a journey to Sweden in 1653, and had the honour
to pay his respects to queen Christina, who gave him very
obliging marks of her liberality, and who had before defrayed
the charges of his doctor’s degree. He died Dec. 3, 1658.
, a celebrated English divine, was the son of William Middleton, rector of Hinderwell near Whitby
, a celebrated English divine, was the son of William Middleton, rector of Hinderwell near Whitby in Yorkshire, and born at York Dec. 27, or, as Mr. Cole says, Aug. 2, 1633. His father, who possessed an easy fortune, gave him a liberal education; and at seventeen he was admitted a pensioner of Trinity college, Cambridge, and two years after was chosen a scholar upon the foundation. After taking his degree of A. B. in 1702, he took orders, and officiated as curate of Trumpington, near Cambridge. In 1706 he was elected a fellow of his college, and next year commenced master of arts. Two years after he joined with other fellows of his college in a petition to Dr. John More, then bishop of Ely, as their visitor, against Dr. Bentley their master. But he had no sooner done this, than he withdrew himself from Bentiey’s jurisdiction, by marrying Mrs, Drake, daughter of Mr. Morris, of Oak-Morris in Kent, and widow of counsellor Drake of Cambridge, a lady of ample fortune. After his marriage, he took a small rectory in the Isle of Ely, which was in the gift of his wife; but resigned it in little more than a year, on account of its unhealthy situation.
In Oct. 1717, when George the First visited the university of Cambridge, Middleton was created, with several others, a doctor of divinity by mandate;
In Oct. 1717, when George the First visited the university of Cambridge, Middleton was created, with several
others, a doctor of divinity by mandate; and was the person who gave the first cause of that famous proceeding
against Dr. Bentley, which so much occupied the attention of the nation. Although we have given an ample
account of this in the life of Bentley, some repetition
seems here necessary to explain the part Dr. Middleton
was pleased to take in the prosecution of that celebrated
scholar. Bentley, whose office it was to perform the ceremony called Creation, made a new and extraordinary demand of four guineas from each of the doctors, on pretence
of a fee due to him as divinity-professor, over and above a
broad piece, which had by custom been allowed as a present on this occasion. After a warm dispute, many of the
doctors, and Middleton among the rest, consented to pay
the fee in question, upon condition that the money should
be restored if it were not afterwards determined to be his
right. But although the decision was against Bentley, he
kept the money, and Middleton commenced an action
against him for the recovery of his share of it. Bentley
behaving with contumacy, and with contempt to the authority of the university, was at. first suspended from his
degrees, and then degraded. He then petitioned the
king for relief from that sentence: which induced Middleton, by the advice of friends, to publish, in the course of
the year 1719, the four following pieces: 1. “A full and
impartial Account of all the late Proceedings in the University of Cambridge, against Dr. Bentley.
” 2. “A Second Part of the full and impartial Account, &c.
” 3.
“Some Remarks upon a Pamphlet, entitled The Case of
Dr. Bentley farther stated and vindicated, &c.
” The author of the piece here remarked, was the well-known Dr.
Sykes, whom Dr. Middleton treats here with great contempt, but afterwards changed his opinion of him, and in
his “Vindication of the Free Enquiry into the Miraculous
Powers,
” published after his death, he appeals to Dr.
Sykes’s authority, and calls him “a very learned and judicious writer.
” The last tract is entitled, 4. “A true
Account of the present State of Trinity-college in Cambridge, under the oppressive Government of their Master
Richard Bentley, late D. D.
” This, which relates only to
the quarrel betwixt him and his college, is employed in
exposing his misdemeanors in the administration of college
affairs, in order to take off a suspicion which many then
had, that the proceedings of the university against Dr.
Bentley did not flow so much from any real demerit in the
man, as from a certain spirit of resentment and opposition,
to the court, the great promoter and manager of whose interest he was thought to be there: for, it must be remembered that, in that part of his life, Dr. Middleton was a
strong tory; though like other of his contemporaries in
the university, he afterwards became a very zealous whig.
rsonal animosity, and could have been thought “happily chosen,” only at a time when Bentley’s temper was better known than his learning. Bentley defended his “Proposals”
Middleton’s animosity to Bentley did not end here. The
latter having in 1720 published “Proposals for a new
edition of the Greek Testament, and Latin Version,
” Middleton, the following year, published, 5. “Remarks, Paragraph by Paragraph, upon the Proposals, &c.
” and at
setting out, “only desires his readers to believe, that they
were not drawn from him by personal spleen or envy to
the author of them, but by a serious conviction, that he
had neither talents nor materials proper for the work he had
undertaken.
” Middleton might believe himself sincere in
all this, but no such conclusion can be drawn from the
pamphlet, which carries every proof of malignant arrogance.
The very motto which he borrowed from one of Burmairs
orations, “Doctus criticus & adsuetus urere, secare, inclementer omnis generis librns tractare, apices, syllabas,
”
&c. implies the utmost personal animosity, and could have
been thought “happily chosen,
” only at a time when
Bentley’s temper was better known than his learning.
Bentley defended his “Proposals
” against these “Remarks,
” which, however, he dkl not ascribe to Middleton,
but to Dr. Colbatch, a learned fellow of his college, and
casuistical professor of divinity in the university. It has
been said that he very well knew the true author, but was
resolved to dissemble it, for the double pleasure it would
give him, of abusing Colbatch, and shewing his contempt
of Middleton. His treatment of Colbatch, however, being
as unjustifiable as that which he had received from Dr.
Middleton, provoked the vice-chancellor and heads of the
university, at a meeting in Feb. 1721, to pronounce his
book a most scandalous and malicious libel, and they resolved to inflict a proper censure upon the author, as soon
as he should be discovered: for no names had yet appeared in the controversy. Middleton then published,
with his name, an 'answer to Bentley’s Defence, entitled,