tion and higher indignities done towards God’s people in any nation than in this, since the death of queen Elizabeth. He called the prelacy of the church anti-christian,
, a Scotch divine, was born
at Edinburgh, in 1568, and educated in the university of
that city, under the direction of the pious and learned
Mr. Rollock. In 1603 he took the degree of M. A. and
was appointed professor of moral philosophy in his own
college, a place which he enjoyed till the laureation of his
class, in 1613. At that time he came to London, and
procured a lectureship, which he enjoyed till 1629, when
he wrote two books, the one entitled “Zion’s Plea,
” and
the other, “The Looking-glass of the Holy War.
” In
the former of these books, he spoke not only with freedom, but with rudeness and indecency against bishops,
calling them “men of blood,
” and saying that we do not read
of a greater persecution and higher indignities done towards
God’s people in any nation than in this, since the death of
queen Elizabeth. He called the prelacy of the church
anti-christian, and declaimed vehemently against the canons and ceremonies. He styled the queen a daughter of
Heth, and concluded with expressing his pity that so ingenuous and tractable a king should be so monstrously
abused by the bishops, to the undoing of himself and his
subjects. This brought him under the vengeance of the
star-chamber, and a more cruel sentence was probably
never pronounced or executed. After receiving sentence,
he made his escape, but was soon re-taken and brought
back to London. Historians have recorded the manner of
his shocking punishment in these words: “He was severely whipped before he was put in the pillory. 2. Being
set in the pillory, he had one of his ears cut off. 3. One
side of his nose slit. 4. Branded on the cheek with a red
hot iron with the letters S S (a sower of sedition). On
that day seven-night, his sores upon his back, ear, nose,
and face, being not yet cured, he was whipped again at
the pillory in Cheapside, and had the remainder of his sentence executed upon him, by cutting off the other ear,
slitting the other side of his nose, and branding the other
cheek.
” This happened in tanquam infamis
” he having before been sentenced
in the star-chamber to lose his ears. But in this account:
there is some inaccuracy. He did not lose his ears until
1630, and then underwent his long imprisonment.
e with the view of being married to Louis XV. Soon after his return to Paris 'he was honoured by the queen of Spain with the title of her consulting physician. In 1731
, son of the preceding, was born at Paris in January 1677, and was intended lor the profession of the law; but he had imbibed from the pursuits of his father so great a taste for those sciences, that he entered the faculty of medicine of his native city, and received the degree of doctor in 1698. Two years afterwards he was admitted into the academy of sciences, and in 1708 h delivered lectures on chemistry in the royal garden. In 1710 he was appointed physician to the Hotel-Dieu, a post which he occupied during the remainder of his life. In 1712 he obtained the rank of associate in the academy, and succeeded his father as pensionary in 1715. He purchased the office of king’s physician in 1722; and in that capacity he accompanied the infanta of Spain on her return from France, whither she had gone with the view of being married to Louis XV. Soon after his return to Paris 'he was honoured by the queen of Spain with the title of her consulting physician. In 1731 he was appointed professor of chemistry in the royal garden, in the place of Geoffroy. At a subsequent period he became particularly attached to the establishment of the duchess of Brunswick, whom he frequently visited in the palace of Luxembourg; and he likewise obtained the patronage of the princess of Conti, in whose hotel he regularly passed a part of every day, and there composed several of the chemical papers which he read before the academy of sciences. These papers treat of the subjects of iron, of nitre, and some other salts, of vegetable and animal analyses, of the origin and formation of monsters, &c. He died on June 9, 1743, and the loss of him was much regretted; for to the mild and polished manners of the gentleman, he united great sincerity and constancy in his attachments, and sentiments of liberality and generosity in all his proceedings.
as to be rewarded with every mark of distinction suitable to his profession. He was preacher to the queen of Prussia, Charlotta-Sophia, who was eminent for her sense
, a learned French writer in the
eighteenth century, was born at Bazoches, in Beausse,
April 13, 1661. He was son of Paul Lenfant, minister at
Chatillon, who died at Marbourg, in June 1686. He studied
divinity at Saumur, where he lodged at the house of James
Cappel, professor of Hebrew, by whom he was always
highly esteemed; and afterwards went to Geneva, to continue his studies there. Leaving Geneva towards the end
of 1683, he went to Heidelberg, where he was ordained
in August, 1684. He discharged the duties of his function
there with great reputation as chaplain of the electress
dowager of Palatine, and pastor in ordinary to the French
church. The descent of the French into the Palatinate,
however, obliged him to depart from Heidelberg in 1688.
Two letters which he had written against the Jesuits, and
which are jnserted at the end of his “Preservatif,
” ren r
dered it somewhat hazardous to continue at the mercy of
a society whose power was then in its plenitude. He left
the Palatinate, therefore, in October 1688, with the consent of his church and superiors, and arrived at Berlin in
November following. Though the French church of Berlin had already a sufficient number of ministers, the elector
Frederic, afterwards king of Prussia, appointed Mr. Lenfant one of them, who began his functions on Easter-day,
March the 21st, 1689, and continued them thirty-nine
years and four months, and during this time added greatly
to his reputation by his writings. His merit was so fully
acknowledged, as to be rewarded with every mark of distinction suitable to his profession. He was preacher to the
queen of Prussia, Charlotta-Sophia, who was eminent for
her sense and extensive knowledge, and after her death he
became chaplain to the king of Prussia. He was counsellor of the superior consistory, and member of the French
council, which were formed to direct the general affairs of
that nation. In 1710 he was chosen a member of the society for propagating the gospel established in England;
and March the 2d, 1724, was elected member of the academy of sciences at Berlin. In 1707 he took a journey to
Holland and England, where he had the honour to preach
before queen Anne; and if he had thought proper to leave
his church at Berlin, for which he had a great respect, he
might have had a settlement at London, with the rank of
chaplain to her majesty. In 1712, he went to Helmstad;
in 1715 to Leipsic; and in 1725, to Breslaw, to search
for rare books and manuscripts necessary for the histories
which he was writing. In those excursions he was honoured with several valuable materials from the electress
of Brunswic-Lunebourg, princess Palatine; the princess
of Wales, afterwards Caroline queen of Great Britain;
the count de Fleming; mons. Daguesseau, chancellor of
France; and a great number of learned men, both protestants and papists, among the latter of whom was the abbé
Bignon. It is not certain whether he first formed thedesign of the “Bibliotheque Germanique,
” which began
in Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die,
and not live.
” He related this dream to some of his
friends, and although not a credulous man, it is thought
to have made some impression on him, for he applied with
additional vigour to finish his “History of the War of the
Hussites and the Council of Basil.
” On Sunday July the
25tn following, he had preached in his turn at his church;
but on Thursday, July the 29th, he had a slight attack
of the palsy, which was followed by one more violent, of
which he died on the 7th of the next month, in his sixtyeighthyear. He was interred at Berlin, at the foot of the pulpit of the French church, where he ordinarily preached since
1715, when his Prussian majesty appointed particular ministers to every church, which before were served by the
same ministers in their turns. His stature was a little below the common height. His eye was very lively anil penetrating. He did not talk much, but always well. Whenever any dispute arose in conversation, he spoke without
any heat; a proper and delicate irony was the only weapon
he made use of on such occasions. He loved company,
and passed but few days without seeing some of his friends.
He was a sincere friend, and remarkable for a disinterested
and generous disposition. In preaching, his voice was
good; his pronunciation distinct and varied; his style
clear, grave, and elegant without affectation; and he entered into the true sense of a text with great force. His
publications were numerous in divinity, ecclesiastical history, criticism, and polite literature. Those which are
held in the highest estimation, are his Histories of the
Councils of Pisa, Constance, and Basil, each in 2 vols.
4to. These are written with great ability and impartiality,
and they abound with interesting facts and curious researches. Lenfant, in conjunction with M. Beausobre,
published “The New Testament, translated from the original Greek into French,
” in 2 vols. 4to, with notes, and
a general preface, or introduction to the reading of the
Holy Scriptures, useful for students in divinity. He is
known also by his “De iuquirenda Veritate,
” which is a
translation of Malebranche’s “Search after Truth
”
“The History of Pope Joan
” “Poggiana or, the life,
character,- opinions, c. of Poggio the Florentine, with
the History of the Republic of Florence,
” and the abovementioned “History of the Wars of the Hussites,
” Utrecht,
Dissertation upon the Adamites of Bohemia.
”
his nephew Lorenzo, who left an infant daughter, afterwards the celebrated Catherine de Medicis, the queen and regent of France. The death of Lorenzo led to the immediate
The warlike disposition of Selim. the reigning Turkish
emperor, excited great alarms in Europe, and gave occasion to Leo to attempt a revival of the ancient crusades, by
means of an alliance between all Christian princes; he probably hoped, by this show of zeal for the Christian cause,
that he should recover some of his lost credit as head of
the church. He had, likewise, another object in view,
viz. that of recruiting his finances, by the contributions
which his emissaries levied upon the devotees in different
countries. By the death of Maximilian in 1519, a competition for the imperial crown between Charles V. and Francis 1. took place. Leo was decidedly against the claims of
both the rival candidates, and attempted to raise a competitor in one of the German princes, but he was unable
to resist the fortune of Charles. At this period he incurred
a very severe domestic misfortune in the death of his nephew Lorenzo, who left an infant daughter, afterwards the
celebrated Catherine de Medicis, the queen and regent of
France. The death of Lorenzo led to the immediate annexation of the duchy of Urbino, with its dependencies,
to the Roman see, and to the appointment of Julius, Leo’s
cousin, to the supreme direction of the state of Florence.
The issue of his contest with Luther will occur hereafter
in our account of that reformer. It may here, however,
be noticed that Leo conferred on Henry VIII. of England,
the title of “Defender of the Faith,
” for his appearance on
the side of the church as a controversial writer. The tranquil state of Italy, at this period, allowed the pope to
indulge his taste for magnificence in shows and spectacles.
His private hours were chiefly devoted to indolence, or to
amusements, frequently of a kind little suited to the dignity of his high station. He was not, however, so much
absorbed in them as to neglect the aggrandizement of his
family and see. Several cities and districts in the vicinity
of the papal territories, and to which the church had
claims, had been seized by powerful citizens, or military
adventurers; some of these the pope summoned to his
court to answer for their conduct; which not being able to
do, he caused them to be put to death. Having next set
his heart on the possession of the territory of Ferrara, he
had recourse to treachery, and is thought to have even
meditated the assassination of the duke, but his plot being
discovered by the treachery of one whom he had bribed,
he was disappointed in his plans. Another of his designs
was the expulsion of the French from Italy,* and he had
made some progress in this when he was seized with an
illness which put an end to his life in a few days. He died
Dec. 1, 1521, in the forty-sixth year of his age.
took the degree 01 doctor of laws. He continued abroad till 1554, when he was commanded home by the queen-regent, and made official and vicar-general of the diocese of
, the celebrated bishop of Ross in Scotland, was descended from a very ancient family, and bora in 1527. He had his education in the university of Aberdeen; and, in 1547, was made canon of the cathedralchurch of Aberdeen and Murray. After this, he travelled into France; and pursued his studies in the universities of Thoulouse, Poictiers, and Paris, at which place he took the degree 01 doctor of laws. He continued abroad till 1554, when he was commanded home by the queen-regent, and made official and vicar-general of the diocese of Aberdeen; and, entering into the priesthood, became parson of Une, or Oyne. About this time the doctrines of the reformation having reached Scotland, were zealously opposed by our author; and, a solemn dispute being held between the protestants and papists in 1560, at Edinburgh, Lesley was a principal champion on the side of the latter, and had Knox for one of his antagonists. This, however, was so far from putting an end to the divisions, that they daily increased; which occasioning many disturbances and commotions, both parties agreed to send deputations, inviting home the queen, who was then absent in France. It was a matter of importance to be expeditious in this race of politic courtesy; and Lesley, who was employed by the Roman catholics, made such dispatch, that he arrived several days before lord James Stuart, who was sent by the protestants, to Vitri, where queen Mary was then lamenting the death of her husband, the king of France. Having delivered to her his credentials, he told her majesty of lord James Stuart’s (who was her natural brother) coming from the protestants in Scotland, and of his designs against the Roman catholic. religion; and advised her to detain him in France by some honourable employment till she could settle her affairs at home; thus infusing suspicions of her protestant subjects into the queen’s mind, with a view that she should throw herself entirely into the hands of those who were of her own religion. The queen, however, not at all distrusting the nobility, who had sent lord James, desired Lesley to wait, till she could consult with her friends upon the methods most proper for her to take. At first, the court of France opposed her return home; but, finding her much inclined to it, they ordered a fleet to attend her; and Lesley embarked with her at Calais for Scotland, Aug. 19, 1561.
ws were growing obsolete, for want of being collected into a body, he represented this matter to the queen, and prevailed with her majesty to appoint proper persons for
Soon after his arrival, he was appointed one of the senators of the college of justice, and sworn into the privycouncil. In 1564, the abbey of Lundores was conferred upon him; and, upon the death of Sinclair bishop of Ross, he was promoted to that see. This advancement was no more than he merited from the head of the Roman church in Scotland, in whose defence he was always an active and able disputant with the reformed party. His learning was not inferior to his other attainments; nor was his attention so entirely absorbed in ecclesiastical matters, as to prevent his introducing some important improvements in the civil state of the kingdom. To this end, having observed that all the ancient laws were growing obsolete, for want of being collected into a body, he represented this matter to the queen, and prevailed with her majesty to appoint proper persons for the work. Accordingly, a commission was made out, granting to Lesley, and fifteen others, privycounsellors and advocates in the law, authority to print the same. Thus it is to the care principally of the bishop of Ross, that the Scots owe the first impression of their laws at Edinburgh, in 1566, commonly called the black acts of parliament, from their being printed in the black Saxon character. Upon the queen’s flying into England from her protestant subjects, who had taken up arms against her, queen Elizabeth appointed commissioners at York to examine the case between her and them, and bishop Lesley was one of those chosen by Mary, in 1568, to defend her cause, which he did with great vigour and strength of reasoning; and, when this method proved ineffectual, appeared afterwards in the character of ambassador at the English court, to complain of the injustice done to his queen. Finding no notice taken of his public solicitations, he began to form schemes to procure her escape privately, and at the same time seems to have been concerned with foreign courts in conspiracies against queen Elizabeth. With a view, however, to serve queen Mary, he hit upon the unfortunate expedient of negotiating her marriage with the duke of Norfolk; which being discovered, the duke was convicted of treason, and executed. Lesley being examined upon it, pleaded the privileges of an ambassador; alleging, that he had done nothing but what his place and duty demanded for procuring the liberty of his princess; and that he came into England with sufficient warrant and authority, which he had produced, and which had been admitted. It was answered, that the privileges of ambasjadors could not protect those who offended against the majesty of the princes to whom they were sent; and that they werfe to be considered in no other light than as enemies who practised rebellion against the state. To this our prelate replied, that he had neither raised nor practised rebellion; but, perceiving the adversaries of queen Mary countenanced, and her deprived of all hope of liberty, he could not abandon his sovereign in her afflictions, but do his best to procure her freedom; and that it would never be found that the privileges of ambassadors were violated, via juris, by course of law, but only via facti, by way of fact, which seldom had good success.
ds prescribed to an ambassador; yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the privileges of an ambassador Queen Elizabeth and her cdunsel being satisfied with these answers
At length, after several debates, five civilians, Lewis, Dale, Drury, Aubry, and Jones, were appointed to ejamine the bishop of Ross’s case, and to give in answers to the following queries. 1. Whether an ambassador, who raises rebellion against the prince to whom he is sent, should enjoy the privileges of an ambassador, and not rather be liable to punishment as an enemy? To this it was answered, that such an ambassador, by the laws of nations, and the civil law of the Romans, has forfeited the privileges of an ambassador, and is liable to punishment. 2. Whether the minister or agent of a prince deposed from his public authority, and in whose stead another is substituted, may enjoy the privileges of an ambassador? To this it was answered, if such a prince be lawfully deposed, his agent cannot challenge the privileges of an ambassador, since none but absolute princes, and such as enjoy a royal prerogative, can constitute ambassadors. 3. Whether a prince, who comes into another prince’s country, and is there kept prisoner, can have his agent, and whether that agent can be reputed an ambassador? To this it was answered, if such a prince have not lost his sovereignty, he may have an agent; but whether that agent may be reputed an ambassador, dependeth upon the authority of his commission. 4. Whether if a prince declare to such an agent, and his prince in custody, that he shall no longer be reputed an ambassador, that agent may, by law, challenge the privileges of an ambassador? To this it was answered, that a prince may forbid an ambassador to enter into his kingdom, and may command him to depart the kingdom, if he keep himself not within the bounds prescribed to an ambassador; yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the privileges of an ambassador Queen Elizabeth and her cdunsel being satisfied with these answers of the civilians, sent bishop Lesley prisoner to the isle of Ely, and afterwards to the Tower of London; but at length he was set at liberty in 1573, and being banished England, he retired to the Netherlands. The two following years he employed in soliciting the kings of France and Spain, and all the German princes, to interest themselves in the deliverance of his mistress. Finding them tardy in their proceedings, he went to Rome, to solicit the pope’s interference with them, but all his efforts being fruitless, he had recourse to his pen, and published several pieces to promote the same design. In 1579, he was made suffragan and vicar-general of the archbishopric of Rouen in Normandy, and, in his visitation of that diocese, was apprehended and thrown into prison, and obliged to pay three thousand pistoles for his ransom, to prevent his being given op to queen Elizabeth. He then remained unmolested under the protection of Henry III. of France; but, upon the accession of Henry IV. a protestant, who was supported in his claim to that crown by queen Elizabeth, he was apprehended, in his visitation through his diocese, in 1590; and, being thrown into prison, was again obliged to pay three thousand pistoles, to save himself from being given up to Elizabeth. In 1593, he was declared bishop of Constance, with licence to hold the bishopric of Ross, till he should obtain peaceable possession of the church of Constance and its revenues. Some time after this, he went and resided at Brussels; and when no hopes remained of his returning to his bishopric of Ross, by the establishment of the reformation under king James, he retired into a monastery at Guirtenburg, about two miles from Brussels, where he passed the remainder of his days, died May 31, 1596, and lies buried there under a monument erected to his memory by his nephew and heir, John Lesley.
g of him as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly honourable in its motive, although it is impossible
His character is represented much to his advantage, by several writers, both at home and abroad; and all parties agree in speaking of him as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly honourable in its motive, although it is impossible to defend all his proceedings. Dodd informs us that when at Paris he laid the foundation of three colleges for the education of popish missionaries; one for his countrymen at Paris, which was completed; another at Home, which fell into the hands of the Jesuits; and a third at Doway, the superior of which, for some years, was a Scotch Jesuit.
78, 4to. It consists of ten books, of which the three last, making half the volume, are dedicated to queen Mary; to whom they had been presented in English, seven years
Bishop Lesley’s writings are, 1. “Afflicti Aninw Consolationes, & tranquilli Animi Conservatio,
” Paris, De Origine, Moribus, & Rebus gestis Scotorum,
”
Romae, Some things,
” says he, “savoured so much of
ingratitude and perfidy, that, although it were very proper
they should be known, yet it were improper for me to record them, because often, with the danger of my life, I
endeavoured to put a stop to them; and I ought to do all
that is in me, not to let them be known unto strangers.
”
With this work are published, 3. “Paraenesis ad Nobilitatem
Populumque Scotorum
” and, 4. “Regionum & Insularum
Scotiae Descriptio.
” 5.“” Defence of the Honour of Mary
Queen of Scotland; with a Declaration of her right, title,
and interest, to the crown of England,“Liege, 1571, 8vo,
which was immediately suppressed. 6.
” A Treatise, shewing, that the Regimen of Women is conformable to the
Law of God and Nature.“These two last are ascribed, by
Parsons the Jesuit, to Morgan Philips, but Camden asserts
them to be our author’s, Annal. Eliz. sub. ann. 1569. 7.
” DeTitulo & Jure Marias Scotorum Reginae, quo Anglias
Successionem Jure sibi vindicat,“Rheims, 1580, 4to. 8.
There is a ms. upon the same subject in French, entitled
” Remonstrance au Pape,“&c. Cotton library, Titus, cxii.
1. and F. 3. 14. 9.
” An Account of his Embassage in.
England, from 1568 to 1572,“ms. in the advocates’ library in Scotland. Catal. of Oxford Mss. 10.
” An Apology for the Bishop of Ross, as to what is laid to his Charge
concerning the Duke of Norfolk,“ms. in the library of
the lord Longueville. 11.
” Several Letters in the hands
of Dr. George Mackenzie," who wrote his life.
s issued out against Leslie. 11. “A Letter to the Bishop of Sarum, in answer to his Sermon after the Queen’s Death, in Defence of the Revolution,” 1715. 12. “Salt for
His works may be divided into political and theological.
Of the former, he wrote, I. “Answer to the State of the
Protestants of Ireland,
” &c. already mentioned. 2. “Cassandra, concerning the new Associations,
” &c. Rehearsals;
” at first a weekly paper, published afterwards twice a week in a half-sheet, by way of dialogue on
the affairs of the times; begun in 1704, and continued for
six or seven years. 4. “The Wolf stripped of his Shepherd’s
Cloathing, in answer to * Moderation a Virtue,'
” The Bishop of Sarum’s [Burnet’s] proper Defence, from
a Speech said to be spoken by him against occasional Conformity,
” The new Association of those
called Moderate Churchmen,
” &c. occasioned by a
pamphlet entitled “The Danger of Priestcraft,
” The new Association,
” part II. 1705, 4to. 8.
“The principles of Dissenters concerning Toleration,
and occasional Conformity,
” A Warning
for the Church of England,
” The
good Old Cause, or lying in truth; being a second Defence
of the bishop of Sarum from a second Speech,
” &c. A
Letter to the Bishop of Sarum, in answer to his Sermon
after the Queen’s Death, in Defence of the Revolution,
”
Salt for the Leech.
” 13. “The Anatomy
of a Jacobite.
” 14. “Gallienus redivivus.
” 15. “Delenda Carthago.
” 16. A Letter to Mr. William
Molyneux, on his Case of Ireland’s being bound by the English Acts of Parliament.“17.
” A Letter to Julian Johnson." 18. Several Tracts against Dr. Higden and Mr,
Hoadly.
fter the revolution, he seems to have been left out of the commission of the peace; and, it is said, queen Mary shewed her contempt of him by the following anagram she
This appearance at the court of Cromwell was much
censured, after the restoration, by some of the royal party,
who also objected to him, that he had once been heard
playing in a concert where the usurper was present, and,
therefore, they nick-named him “Oliver’s Fidler.
” He
was charged also with having bribed some of the protector’s
people, but he positively disavows it; averring, he never
spoke to Thurloe but once in his life about his discharge;
and that, though during the dependency of that affair he
might well be seen at Whitehall, yet he never spoke to
Cromwell on any other business, or had the least
commerce of any kind with him. From this to the time of
the restoration, he seems to have lived free from any disturbance from the then governing powers; and perhaps
the obscurity into which he had fallen made him be overlooked by Charles II. and his ministry, on that prince’s
recovering his throne. He did not, however, so undervalue his own sufferings and merits, as to put up quietly
with this usage, and therefore addressed a warm expostulation to the earl of Clarendon, in the dedication to that
minister of his “Memento,
” published in The Public Intelligencer, and the News;' f the first of which came out
the 1st of August, and continued to be published twice a
week, till January 19, 1665; when he laid it down, on
the design then concerted of publishing the
” London Gazette,“the first of which papers made its appearance on.
Saturday Feb. 4.
After the dissolution of Charles’s second parliament, in
1679, he set up a paper, called
” The Observator;“the
design of which was to vindicate the measures of the court,
and the character of the king, from the charge of being
popislily affected. With the same spirit he exerted himself in 1681, in ridiculing the popish plot; which he did
with such vehemence, that it raised him many enemies,
who endeavoured, notwithstanding his known loyalty, to
render him obnoxious to the government. But he appeared with no less vehemence against the fanatic plot in
1682; and, in 1683, was particularly employed by the
court to publish Dr. Tillotson’s papers exhorting lord Russel to avow the doctrine of non-resistance, a little before
his execution. In this manner he weathered all the storms
raised against him during that reign, and, in the next, unrewarded with the honour of knighthood, accompanied
with this declaration,
” that it was in consideration of his
eminent services and unshaken loyalty to the crown, in all
extremities; and as a mark of the singular satisfaction of
his majesty, in his present as well as his past services.“In 1687, he was obliged to lay down his
” Observator,“now swelled to three volumes; as he could not agree with
the toleration proposed by his majesty, though, in all other
respects, he had gone the utmost lengths. He had even
written strenuously in defence of the dispensing power,
claimed by that infatuated prince; and this was probably one
reason, why some accused him of having become a proselyte to the church of Home, an accusation which gave him
much uneasiness, and which was heightened by his daughter’s defection to that church. To clear himself from this
aspersion, he drew up a formal declaration, directed to his
kinsman, sir Nicolas L'Estrange, on the truth of which he
received the sacrament at the time of publishing the same,
which is supposed to be in 1690 . By this declaration we
find he was married his lady’s name was Anne Doleman
but what issue he had by her, besides the just- mentioned
daughter, has not come to our knowledge. After the revolution, he seems to have been left out of the commission
of the peace; and, it is said, queen Mary shewed her contempt of him by the following anagram she made upon his
name,
” Lying- Strange Roger:" and it is certain he met
with some trouble, for the remainder of his life, on account
of his being a disaffected person.
Life of Philip 11. king of Spain,” 6 vols. 12mo; “Of Charles V.”. Amsterdam, 1730, 4 vols. 12mo; “Of Queen Elizabeth,” Amsterdam, 1741, 2 vols. 12mo, plates; “History
, a voluminous writer of history, was
born at Milan, May 29, 1630, of a family once of considerable distinction at Bologna. He was intended for the
church, but was induced to make open profession of the
protestant religion at Lausanne in 1657. This so pleased
Guerin, an eminent physician, with whom he lodged, that
he gave him his daughter for a wife; and Leti, settling at
Geneva in 1660, passed nearly twenty years in that city
employed on many of his publications. In 1674, the freedom of the city was presented to him, which had never
before been granted to any stranger. Five years after he
went to France, and in 1680, to England, where he was
very graciously received by Charles II.; received a large
present in money, and was promised the place of historiographer. On this he wrote his “Teatro Britannico,
” a
history of England; but, this work displeasing the court,
he was ordered to quit the kingdom. Leti then went to
Amsterdam, had the office of historiographer in that city,
and died suddenly June 9, 1701, aged seventy-one. He
was an indefatigable writer, and tells us in his “Belgic
Theatre,
” that three days in the week he spent twelve hours
in writing, and six hours the other three days; whence the
number of his works is prodigious. The greatest part are
written in Italian; among which are, “The Nepotism of
Rome,
” 2 vols. 12mo; “The Universal Monarchy of Louis
XIV.
” 2 vols. 12mo; “The Life of Pope Sixtus V.
” in
Italian, Amsterdam, The
Life of Philip 11. king of Spain,
” 6 vols. 12mo; “Of Charles
V.
”. Amsterdam, Of Queen Elizabeth,
” Amsterdam, History
of Cromwell,
” Life of Giron, duke d'Ossone,
” 3 vols. 12mo; “The French Theatre,*'
7 vols. 4to, a bad work;
” The Belgic Theatre,“2 vols.
4to, equally bad;
” The British Theatre, or History of
England, 11 Amsterdam, 1684, 5 vols. 12mo; in which there
is a capital portrait of queen Elizabeth. It was for this
work that he was sent out of England. “L'ltalia regnante,
”
4 vols. 12mo; “History of the Roman Empire in Germany,
”
4 vols. 4to; “The Cardinalism of the Holy Church,
” 3
vols. 12mo, a violent satire; “History of Geneva,
” 5 vols.
12mo; “The just balance in which are weighed all the
maxims of Rome, and the actions of the living cardinals,
”
4 vols. 12mo; “The Historical Ceremonial,
” 6 vols. 12mo;
“Political Dialogues on the means used by the Italian Republics for their preservation,
” 2 vols. 12mo “An Abridgment of Patriotic virtues,
” 2 vols. 8vo “Fame jealous of
Fortune a panegyric on Louis XIV,
” 4to “A Poem on
the enterprize of the Prince of Orange in England,
” An Eulogy on Hunting,
” 12mo; “Letters,
” 1 vol.
12mo; “The Itinerary of the Court of Rome,
” 3 vols.
8vo “History of the House of Saxony,
” 4 vols. 4to
“History of the House of Brandenburg,
” 4 vols. 4to “The
slaughter of the Innocent reformed,
” 4to “The Ruins of
the Apostolical See,
” Life of pope Sixtus V.
”
Granger, whose character of him we have partly adopted,
relates that Leti being one day at Charles II.'s levee, the
king said to him, “Leti, I hear you are writing the history
of the court of England.
” “Sir,
” said he, “I have been
for some time preparing materials for such a history.
”
“Take care,
” said the king, “that your work give no offence.
” “Sir,
” replied Leti, “I will do what 1 can but
if a man were as wise as Solomon, he would scarce be able
to avoid giving some offence.
” “Why then,
” rejoined the
king, “be as wise as Solomon, write proverbs, not
tories.
”
c plants. The whole was bought after his death, for 100 guineas, by his majesty, as a present to the queen, and deposited at Frogmore, the price being fixed by an intelligent
Mr. Lightfoot was for some years a fellow of the royal society, and was one of the original fellows of the Linnaean society, the formation of which he contemplated with great pleasure, though his death happened before he could attend any of its public meetings. Having married the daughter of Mr. William Burton Raynes, an opulent miller at Uxbridge, he resided in that town, and died there suddenly, Feb. 18, 1788, aged fifty-three, leaving a widow, two sons, and three daughters. Mrs. Lightfoot was married in 1802 to John Springett Harvey, esq. barrister at law. He was buried in Cowley church, where his grave remained, for some time at least, without any memorial. He is supposed never to have recovered from a disappointment respecting a living which his patron, the late duke of Portland, solicited from lord chancellor Thurlow, but which the latter did not think fit to bestow. Mr. Lightfoot had in the course of his botanical studies collected an excellent British herbarium, consisting of abundant specimens, generally gathered wild, and in many cases important for the illustration of his work. He had also amassed from sir Joseph Banks and other friends, a number of exotic plants. The whole was bought after his death, for 100 guineas, by his majesty, as a present to the queen, and deposited at Frogmore, the price being fixed by an intelligent friend of the family.
On some disgust, he removed to Cambridge; and thence went to court, where he was taken notice of by queen Elizabeth, and hoped to have been preferred to the post of master
, another dramatic writer, of
lesi fame and merit, was born in the Wilds of Kent, about
1553, according to the computation of Wood, who says,
“he became a student in Magdalen-college in the beginning of 1569, aged sixteen or thereabouts, and was afterwards one of the demies or clerks of that house.
” He
took the degree of B.A.April 27, 1573, and of M. A. in 1575.
On some disgust, he removed to Cambridge; and thence
went to court, where he was taken notice of by queen Elizabeth, and hoped to have been preferred to the post of
master of the revels, but after many years of anxious attendance, was disappointed, and was forced to write to the
queen fot some little grant to support him in his old age. Of
his two letters, or petitions, to her, many copies are preserved in manuscript. In what year he died is unknown; but
Wood says, he was alive in 1597. His attachment to the dramatic Muses produced nine dramatic pieces, none of which,
however, have preserved their reputation in our times. Even
Phillips, in his “Theatrum,
” calls them “old-fashioned
tragedies and comedies.
” Besides these, Lilly has been
celebrated for his attempt, which was a very unhappy one,
to reform and purify the English language. For this purpose he wrote a book entitled “Euphues,
” which met with
a degree of success very unusual, and certainly not less
unmerited, being almost immediately and universally followed; at least, if we may give credit to the words of Mr.
Blount, who published six of Lilly’s plays together, in one
volume in twelves. In a preface to that book he says,
“our nation are in his debt for a new English, which he
taught them * Euphues and his England ' began first
that language all our ladies were his scholars and that
beauty at court, which could not parley Euphuisme, that
is to say, who was unable to converse in that pure and reformed English, which he had formed his work to be the
standard of, was as little regarded as she which now there
speaks not French.
”
to James V. then an infant. In this situation he continued until 1524, when, by the intrigues of the queen mother, the young king was deprived of his servants, Bellenden,
, an ancient
Scotch poet, descended from a noble family, was born in
1490, at Garmylton in Hadingtonshire, and received his
early education probably at the neighbouring school of
Coupar. In 1505 he was sent to the university of St. Andrew’s, which he is supposed to have left in 1509. He
then entered into the service of the court, where, in 1512,
he was an attendant, or page of honour to James V. then
an infant. In this situation he continued until 1524, when,
by the intrigues of the queen mother, the young king was
deprived of his servants, Bellenden, Lindsay, and others,
for whom he seems always to have entertained a just regard, and whom he dismissed with a pension, the payment
of which his majesty was studious to enforce, while his
means were few, and his power was little. From 1524 to
1528, Lindsay was a witness of the confusions and oppressions arising from the domination of the Douglasses over
both the prince and his people. From that thraldom the
king, at the age of sixteen, made his escape, by his own
address and vigour, in July of 1528, after every other
exertion had failed. Lindsay had now liberty and spirits
to support him in the cultivation of his muse, and about
the end of the year just mentioned, produced his “Dreme.
”
In the following year he presented his “Complaynt
” to
the king, and in The
Complaynt of the Papingo.
”
About this period the queen of Sweden, Louisa Ulrica, having a taste for natural history,
About this period the queen of Sweden, Louisa Ulrica,
having a taste for natural history, which her- royal consort,
king Adolphus Frederick, also patronized, shewed much
favour to Linnæus. He was employed in arranging her
collection of insects and shells, in the country palace of
Drotningholm, or Ulricksdahl, and was frequently honoured
with the company and conversation of their majesties,
during his attendance there. The queen interested herself in the education of his son, and promised to send him
to travel through Europe at her own expence. She also
listened very graciously to any recommendation or petition,
of Linnæus, in the service of science. Linnæus devoted
some of his leisure time in winter, to the arragement of his
friend count Tessin’s collection of fossils, at Stockholm, of
which an account in Latin and Swedish, making a small
folio, with plates, came out in 1753. The result of his
labours at Drotningholm was not given to the public [until]
1764, when his “Museum Reginse
” appeared, in 8Vo, be-,
ing a sort of Prodromus of an intended more splendid work,
that was never executed. His most magnificent publication appeared in 1754, being a large folio, entitled “Museum Regis Adolphi Frederici,
” comprehending descripr:
tions of the rarer quadrupeds, birds, serpents, fishes, &c.
of the king’s museum, in Latin and Swedish, with plates,
and an excellent preface, which was translated by Dr. (now; sir James) Smith, and first printed in 1786; appearing,
again, in a volume of “Tracts relating to Natural History,
”
in Species Plantarum,
” of which the first editiqn was
primed in Pan Sueciciw,
”
a dissertation printed in Museum Tessinianum,
” and subsequently to all the departments of zoology, has perhaps rendered his works more
popular than any one of their merits besides. His specific
differences were intended to be used as names; but their
unavoidable length rendering this impracticable, and the
application of numeral figures to each species, in Haller’s
manner, being still more burthensome to the memory, all
natural science would have been ruined for want of a common language, were it not for this simple and happy invention. By this means we speak of every natural production in two words, its generic and its specific name. No
ambiguous comparisons or references are wanted, no presupposition of any thing already known. The philosophical tribe of naturalists, for so they are called by themselves
and their admirers, do not therefore depreciate Linnæus,
when they call him a nomenclator. Whatever may have
been thought of the Linnæun trivial names at their first
appearance, they are now in universal use, and their principle has been, with the greatest advantage, extended to
chemistry, of which the celebrated Bergman, the friend
of Linnæus, originally set the example.
London.” In 1709, upon the indisposition of Dr. Hannes, he was made second physician in ordinary to queen Anne; in which post he continued to his death, Feb. 2, 1711-12.
In 1698, he attended the earl of Portland in his embassy
from king William to the court of France; and having
the pleasure to see his “Synopsis Conchyliorum
” in the
king’s library, he presented that monarch with a second
edition of the treatise, much improved, in 1699, not long
after his return from Paris. Of this journey he published an
account, with observations on the state and curiosities of that
metropolis; which, containing some things of a trifling nature, was pleasantly ridiculed by Dr. Wm. King, in another,
entitled “A Journey to London.
” In Historiae Animalium Angliae
tres Tractatus,
” &c. John Goedertius of Insects,
” &c. De Fontibus medicalibus AnglitE,
” Ebor. Exercitatio anatomica, in qua
de Cochleis agitur,
” &c. Cochlearum &
Limacum Exercitatio anatomica; accedit de Variolis Exercitatio,
” Conchy liorum Bivalvium
utriusque Aquae Exercitatio anatom. tertia,
” &c. Exercitationes medicinales,
” &c.
ing behind him a widow and three daughters; for whose benefit, under the favour and encouragement of queen Caroline, his “Discourses” were first printed by Dr. Morell,
, LL. D. an English divine
and poet, was educated upon the royal foundation at Etonschool, where, under the care of that learned and excellent
master. Dr. Snape, his school-exercises were much admired, and when his turn came, he was elected to King’s
college, Cambridge, in 1716, with equal applause. Here he
took his degrees of A. B. 1720, A.M. 1724, and LL.D. 1728.
Having some talent for poetry, he had not been long at
the university, before he diverted a school-fellow, whom
he had left at Eton, with a humourous poem on the subject
of his various studies, and the progress he had made in
academical learning, which was followed by his more celebrated one “on a spider.
” Dr. Morell, the editor of his
“Discourses,
” and his biographer, procured a genuine
copy of them, as transcribed by a gentleman then at Eton
school from the author’s own writing, with such remains
as could be found of a Pastoral Elegy, written about the
same time by Mr. Littleton, on the death of R. Banks,
scholar of the same college. The two former are now correctly printed in the edition of Dodsley’s Poems of 1782,
edited by Isaac Reed. Dr. Morell found also a poetical
epistle sent from school to Penyston Powney, esq.; but
as this was scarcely intelligible to any but those who were
then at Eton, he has not printed it. In 1720 Mr. Littleton was recalled to Eton as an assistant in the school; in
which office he was honoured and beloved by his pupils,
and so esteemed by the provost and fellows, that on the
death of the rev. Mr. Malcher, in 1727, they elected him
a fellow, and presented him to the living of Mapledurham,
in Oxfordshire. He then married a very amiable woman,
Frances, one of the daughters of Barnham Goode, who
was under-master of Eton school. In June 1730, he was
appointed chaplain in ordinary to their majesties. Though
an admired preacher and an excellent scholar, he seems to
have been little ambitious of appearing in print. He died
of a fever in 1734, and was buried in his own parish church
of Mapledurham, leaving behind him a widow and three
daughters; for whose benefit, under the favour and encouragement of queen Caroline, his “Discourses
” were
first printed by Dr. Morell, with an account of the author,
from which the above particulars are taken. Dr. Burton,
Mr. Littleton’s successor in the living of Mapledurham,
afterwards married his widow, as we have noticed in his
Jife. 1 -.;.
, and his power to depose kings, excluding the rest, a method which had been put in practice both by queen Elizabeth and king James with good success, he was suspected
Our author had shown his zeal in several tracts against
popery; and in the same spirit he published in 1677, “Considerations touching the true way to suppress Popery in
this kingdom,
” &c. with an historical account of the reformation here in England; but having proposed to tolerate such papists as denied the pope’s infallibility, and his
power to depose kings, excluding the rest, a method which
had been put in practice both by queen Elizabeth and king
James with good success, he was suspected of complying
with the court measures. This suspicion increasing upon
his being promoted to the bishopric of St. Asaph, in 1680,
he thought it necessary to vindicate himself by shewing,
that at the very time he made the above proposal, the papists themselves were in great apprehension of the thing,
as being the most likely to blast their hopes, and to preserve the nation from that ruin which they were then
bringing upon it*.
f Worcester, a complaint was made to the House of Commons, and a resolution passed of addressing the queen “to remove William lord bishop of Worcester from being lord
* Coleman at that time wrote to the those that require it, on conditions
pope’s internuncio thus: “There is prejudicial to the authority of the pope,
but one thing to be feared (whereof! and so to persecute the rest of them with have a great apprehension) that ran more appearance of justice, and ruin
hinder the success of our designs; which the one half of them more easily than
is, a division among the catholics them- the whole body at once.
” And carselves; by propositions to the parlia- dinal Howard delivered it as their
ment to accord their conjunction to judgment at Rome. ' Division of
CaAll suspicion, however, of his principles vanished in
James IPs reign, when the nation saw him one of the six
prelates, who, with archbishop Sancroft, were committed
to the Tower in June 1688, for resisting his majesty’s
order to distribute and publish in all their churches the
royal declaration for liberty of conscience; and about the
end of the same year, having concurred heartily in therevolution, he was made lord almoner to king William III. In
1692 he was translated to the see of Litchfield and Coventry, and thence to Worcester in 1699. He continued in
the office of lord almoner till 1702, when, together with
his son, having too warmly interested himself in the election for the county of Worcester, a complaint was made to
the House of Commons, and a resolution passed of addressing the queen “to remove William lord bishop of Worcester from being lord almoner to her majesty; and that
Mr. Attorney General do prosecute Mr. Lloyd, the lord
bishop of Worcester’s son, for his said offence, after his
privilege as a member of the lower house of convocation
is out.
” In consequence of this vote, an address Was presented to the queen, with which her majesty complied,
and dismissed the bishop from his office.
me imbecility of mind; as appears from the account given by Swift of the good old prelate’s going to queen Anne, “to prove to her majesty, out of Daniel, and the Revelations,
Bishop Lloyd lived to the age of ninety-one; but in the
latter part of his life seems to have fallen into some imbecility of mind; as appears from the account given by
Swift of the good old prelate’s going to queen Anne, “to
prove to her majesty, out of Daniel, and the Revelations,
that four years hence there would be a war of religion, that
the king of France would be a protestant, and that the popedom should be destroyed.
” He died at Hartlebury- castle,
August 30, 1717, and was buried in the church of Fladbury, near Kvesham, in Worcestershire, of which his son
was rector; where a monument is erected to his memory
with a long inscription, setting him forth " as an excellent
pattern of virtue and learning, of quick invention, firm
memory, exquisite judgment, great candour, piety, and
gravity; a faithful historian, accurate chronologer, and
skilled in the holy scriptures to a miracle; very charitable, and diligent in a careful discharge of his episcopal
rsaria,” the first edition of which was published, at London, in 1570, small folio, and dedicated to queen Elizabeth. The few cuts dispersed through this volume are mostly
, or L'Obel (Matthias de), a botanist, was
born in 1538, at Lisle, in Flanders, where his father practised in the law. He bad an early taste for plants, and
had good opportunities of advancing his knowledge at
Montpelier, where he studied physic under the learned
Rondeletius, as well as by making some botanical excursions over the south of France. At Narbonne he became
acquainted with Pena, afterwards his fellow^labourer in
the “Adversaria,
” the first edition of which was published,
at London, in 1570, small folio, and dedicated to queen
Elizabeth. The few cuts dispersed through this volume
are mostly original, but inferior in style and accuracy, as
well as in size, to those of Clusius, with whom he was contemporary. Before the publication of the “Adversaria,
”
our author had extended his travels to Switzerland, the
Tyrol, some parts of Germany, and Italy; had settled as a
physician -at Antwerp, afterwards at Delft; and had been
appointed physician to the illustrious William prince of
Orange, and to the States of Holland. Dr. Pulteney has
not been able to ascertain the time of Lobel’s removal to
England, but justly concludes it to have been before 1570,
or most probably some years earlier. The aim of the authors of the “Adversaria
” was to investigate the botany
and materia medica of the ancients, and especially of Dioscorides. It was reprinted at Antwerp in 1576, the dedication being, of course, there suppressed, and new titlepages were printed to help the sale of the original in 1571
and 1572. Some copies of the Antwerp impression appear
to have been made up into a new edition at London in
1605, with an ample Pharmacopeia, and an appendix.
This volume is dedicated to Edward lord Zouch, whom
Lobel had attended on his embassy to Denmark in 1592,
and he calls himself, in the title, botanist to king James I.
Dr. Pulteney observes, after Haller, that this work exhibits
some traces of a natural distribution of plants, but without
any remarks, and with little precision. His work is much
more valuable for the accounts of new plants discovered
by himself in England or elsewhere, although Ray accuses
him of having made several mistakes, from having trusted
too much to his memory.
land; but it is certain that he went over to the Romish communion afterwards, and became organist to queen Catherine of Portugal, the consort of Charles II. and died a
It is presumed that when he was appointed composer in ordinary to the king, he was professionally a member of the church of England; but it is certain that he went over to the Romish communion afterwards, and became organist to queen Catherine of Portugal, the consort of Charles II. and died a papist in 1677.
9, 4to, and 16l>0, 12mo. It involved Mr. Locke in a controversy with the rev. Jonas Proast, M. A. of Queen’s-college, Oxford; and some pamphlets passed between them, to
During this concealment Mr. Locke wrote his “Letter
on Toleration,
” in Latin, which was printed at Gouda,
Epistola de Tolerantia, ad clarissimum virum T. A. R. P. T. o. L. A. (i. e. Theologiae apud remonstrautes professorem, tyrannidis osorem, Limburgium Amstelodamensem) scripta a. P. A. p. o. I. L. A. (i. e. Pacis amico, persecutions osore, Joanne Lockio Anglo). This
letter was translated into English by Mr. Popple (who was nephew to Andrew Marvell, and author of the
” Rational Catechism,") and printed twice in London, 1689,
4to, and 16l>0, 12mo. It involved Mr. Locke in a controversy with the rev. Jonas Proast, M. A. of Queen’s-college,
Oxford; and some pamphlets passed between them, to the
last of which, published by Mr. Proast, a short time before
Mr. Locke’s death, the latter left a reply unfinished, which
was published in his posthumous works. While at
Amsterdam, Mr. Locke formed a weekly assembly, consisting
of Limborch, Le Clerc, and others, for conversation upon
important subjects, and had drawn up in Latin rules to be
observed by them; but those conferences were much interrupted by the frequent changes he was obliged to make
of his places of residence.
on to be entitled to the degree of doctor in that university, he returned, and, in the latter end of queen Elizabeth’s reign, was incorporated in the university of Cambridge.
, a dramatic poet, descended from a family which had its residence in Lincolnshire; but whether the doctor himself was born there, seems not very easy to be ascertained. Langbaine and Jacob, and, after them, Wincop and Chetwood, who, in the general, are little more than copiers, say that he was educated at Cambridge, but Wood informs us, that it was at Oxford, where he made his first appearance about 1573, and was afterwards a scholar under the learned Dr. Hobye, of Trinitycollege. Here he made very considerable advances in learning, dedicating his leisure time to the reading the poets of antiquity; and, having himself a turn to poetry, especially of the satirical kind, he became known by various compositions of that nature, which obtained him no 1 inconsiderable reputation as a wit and poet. Mr. Lodge, however, sensible how seldom the study of poetry yields a competent provision to its professors, after having taken one degree in arts, applied himself, with great assiduity, to the more profitable study of physic, and for further improvement went abroad. After staying a sufficient time at Avignon to be entitled to the degree of doctor in that university, he returned, and, in the latter end of queen Elizabeth’s reign, was incorporated in the university of Cambridge. He afterwards settled in London, where, by his skill and interest with the Roman Catholic party, in which persuasion, it is said, he was brought up, he attained great practice. In what year Dr. Lodge was born does not evidently appear; but be died in 1625, and had tributes paid to his memory by many of his contemporary poets, who have characterized him as a man of very considerable genius.
indication of an injured lady, F. M. Lucretia Plunket, one of the ladies of the privy chamber to the queen mother of England,” Lond. 1667, J-to. i I Two pamphlets of the
His learning, indeed, and his industry appear very evident by his many writings. Besides the ^thiopic New
Testament which he translated into Latin, at the request of
Usher and Selden, for the Polyglot, and which procured
him from Walton the character of “vir doctissimus, tain
generis prosapia, quam linguaruoi orientalium scientia,
nobilis,
” he published, 1. “Logica Armeniaca in Latinam
traducta,
” Dublin, Introductio in totam
Aristotelis Philosophiam,
” ibid. 1657, 12mo. 3. “The
Proceedings observed in order to, and in the consecration
of, the twelve Bishops in St. Patrick’s Church in Dublin,
Jan. 27, 1660,
” Lond. Liber Psalmorum
Davidis ex Armeniaco idiotnate in Latinum traductus,
”
Dublin, Oratio funebris habita post
exuvias nuperi Rev. jbatris Joan. (Bramhall) archiepiscopi
Armacbani,
” ibid. The Speech of James
duke of Ormond, made in a parliament at Dublin, Sept.
17, 1662, translated into the Italian,
” ibid. Reductio litium de libero arbitrio, proedestinatione, et
reprobatione ad arbitrium boni viri,
” ibid. A, Book demonstrating that it was inconsistent with the
English government, that the Irish rebels should be admitted to their former condition with impunity, by topics
drawn from principles of law, policy, and conscience,
”
published under the name of Philo-Britannicus. 9. “Lettera esortatoria di mettere opera a fare sincera penitenza
mandata alia signora F. M. L. P. &c.
” The Vindication of an injured lady,
F. M. Lucretia Plunket, one of the ladies of the privy
chamber to the queen mother of England,
” Lond. Case of Ware and Shirley,
” a gentleman who married an heiress against her
will. 12. “A Speech delivered at the Visitation held in
the diocese of Clogher, se.de vacant e, Sept. 27, 1671,
”
Dublin, The first marriage of Katherine
Fitzgerald (now lady Decies), &c. asserted,
” Lond. Sponsa nondum uxor,
” Lond.
Several Chapters of Dionysius Syrus’s
Comment on St. John the Evangelist, concerning the Life
and Death of our Saviour,
” Dublin, 4 to. 15. “The
Commentary on the Four Evangelists, by Dionysius Syrus, out
of the Syriac tongue.
” 16. “Commentary on St. Paul’s
Epistles, by Moses Bar-Cepha, out of the Syriac.
” 17.
“Exposition of Dionysius Syrus, on St. Mark,
” Dublin,
History of the Eastern and Western Churches, by Gregory Maphrino, translated into Latin from the Syriac.
”
19. “Commentary on the general Epistles, and Acts of
the Apostles, by Gregory Maphrino.
” 20 “Praxis cultusdivini juxta ritus primoevorum Christianorum,
” containing various ancient liturgies, &c. Dublin, 1693, 4to. 21.
“A clear and learned Explication of the History of our
Blessed Saviour, taken out of above thirty Greek, Syriac,
and other oriental authors, by way of Catena, by Dionysius Syrus, translated into English,
” Dublin,
of the great to noble ends; to struggle for, and, at last, to die in, the cause of liberty. Zenobia, queen of the East, prevailed upon him to undertake the education of
His stay at Athens seems to have been of long continuance; and, whilst he taught there, he had, amongst others,
the famous Porphyry for his pupil. The system of philosophy, which he adopted, was the academic; for whose
founder (Plato) he had so great a veneration, that he celebrated the anniversary of his birth with the highest solemnity. But it was his lot to be drawn from the contemplative shades of Athens, to mix in more active scenes: to
train up young princes to virtue and glory; to guide the
busy and ambitious passions of the great to noble ends;
to struggle for, and, at last, to die in, the cause of liberty.
Zenobia, queen of the East, prevailed upon him to undertake the education of her sons. He quickly gained an uncommon share in her esteem; and in his conversation she
spent the vacant hours of her life, modelling her sentiments by his instructions, and steering herself by his counsels in the whole series of her conduct. Zenobia was at
war with the emperor Aurelian, was defeated by him near
Antioch, and was compelled to retire to her fortified capital, Palmyra. The emperor sent her a written summons
to surrender; to which she returned an answer drawn up
by Longinus, which raised his highest indignation. The
emperor exerted every effort, and the Palmyrians were at
length obliged to open their gates, and receive the conqueror. The queen and Longinus endeavoured to fly into
Persia, but were overtaken and made prisoners as they
were crossing the Euphrates. When the captive qoeen
was brought before the emperor, her spirits sunk; she
laid the blame of her conduct on her counsellors, and fixed
the odium of the affronting letter on its true author. This
was no sooner heard, than Aurelian, who was hero enough
to conquer, but not to forgive, poured all his vengeance
on the head of Longinus. He was carried away to immediate execution, amidst the generous condolence of those
who knew his merit. He pitied Zenobia, and comforted
his friends. He looked upon death as a blessing, since it
rescued his body from slavery, and gave his soul the most
desirable freedom. “This world,
” said he, with his expiring breath, “is nothing but a prison; happy therefore
he, who gets soonest out of it, and gains his liberty.
”
His death took place in the year 273.
habe.” De Lorme, who understood little Latin, complained of this inscription, as levelled at him, to queen Catharine de Medicis, who, inquiring into the matter, was told
Ronsard, the poet, out of envy, published a satire, or
satirical sonnet, against him, under the title of “LaTruelle
crosse'e,
” the Trowel crosier'd. De Lorme revenged himself, by causing the garden-door of the Thuilleries, of
which he was governor, to be shut against the poet; and
Ronsard, with a pencil, wrote upon the gate these three
words: “Fort, reverent, habe.
” De Lorme, who understood little Latin, complained of this inscription, as levelled
at him, to queen Catharine de Medicis, who, inquiring
into the matter, was told by Ronsard, that, by a harmless
irony, he had made that inscription for the architect when
read in French; but that it suited him still better in Latin,
these being the first words abbreviated of a Latin epigram
of Ausonius, which begins thus: “Fortunam reverenter
habe.
” Ronsard added that he only meant that De Lorme
should reflect on his primitive grovelling fortune, and not
to shut the gate against the Muses. De Lorme died in
1557; leaving several books of architecture, greatly esteemed. These are, 1. “Nouvelles Inventions pour bien
bastir & a petit frais,
” Paris, Ten Books of Architecture,
”
, an able advocate in the seventeenth century, and master of requests to queen Margaret, was born at Reinville, a village two leagues from
, an able advocate in the seventeenth
century, and master of requests to queen Margaret, was
born at Reinville, a village two leagues from Beauvais. He
died in 1646. His works are, I. “L'Histoire et les Antiqnités de Beauvuis,
” vol. I. Nomenclatura et Chronologia rerum Ecclesiasticarum
Dioecesis Bellovacensis,
” Paris, Hist, des
Antiquity’s du Diocese de Beauvais,
” Beauvais, lh.3.5, 8vo.
4. “Anciennes Remarques sur la Noblesse Beaiuoisme, et
de plusieurs Families de France,
” Abrég6 d: s Constitutions et Reglemens
pour les Etu;les et Reformes du Convent des Jacobins de
Beauvais,
” and addressed it to tht- king, in Remarques sur l'Histoire
de Langnedoc,
” 4to 2.“Abrégé de l‘Histoire d’Aquitaine,
Guienne, et Gascogne, jusqu'à present,
” foourdeaux, La France dans sa Splendeur,
” 2 vols. 12mo.
4. “Ahrege* de I'Histoire de Provence,
” 2 vols. 12mo, with
additions to the same history in 2 vols. folio. 5. “Projet
de I'Histoire du Pays de beanjolots,
” 8vo. 6. “Hist, des
Troubles de Provence deputs 1481 jusqu'en 159S,
” 2 vols.
12mo. 7. “Le Mercure Hollandois. ou Ifs Conquetes du
Roi, lepuisn7J, jusqira la fin de 1679,
” 10 vols 12mo.
This last may be useful, and is the best of Peter Louvet’s
works; but Hoik of the rest are much esteemed.
ly 3, 1720, when he was buried in the new cemetery belonging to the parish of St. George the Martyr, Queen Square. He published, 1. “Letters between Dr. Gilbert Burnet
, an English clergyman, was born iir
Northamptonshire about 1630, and is supposed to have
been the son of Simon Lowth, a native of Thurcaston in
Leicestershire, who was rector of Dingley in that county in
1631, and was afterwards ejected by the usurping powers.
This, his son, was educated at Clare Hall, Cambridge,
where be took his master’s degree in 1660. He was afterwards rector of St. Michael Harbledown in 1670, and vicar
of St. Co.Miius and Damian on the Blean in 1679, both in,
Kent. On Nov. 12, 1688, king James nominated him,
and he was instituted by bishop Sprat, to the deanery of
Rochester, on the death of Dr. Castillon, but never obtained possession, owing to the following circumstances.
The mandate of installation bad issued in course, the
bishop not having allowed himself time to examine whether
the king’s presentee was legally qualified; which happened
not to be the case, Mr. Lowth being only a master of arts,
and the statute requiring that the dean should be at least
a bachelor of divinity. The bishop in a day or two discovering that he had been too precipitate, dispatched letters
to the chapter clerk, and one of the prebendaries, earnestly
soliciting that Mr. Lowth might not be installed; and afterwards in form revoked the institution till he should have
taken the proper degree. On Nov. 27 Mr. Lowth attended
the chapter, and produced his instruments, but the prebendaries present refused to obey them. He was admitted
to the degree of D.D.Jan. 18 following, and on March
19 again claimed instalment, but did not obtain possession,
for which, in August of this year, another reason appeared,
viz. his refusing to take the oaths of allegiance; in consequence of which he was first suspended from his function,
and afterwards deprived of both his livings in Kent. He
lived very long after this, probably in London, as his death
is recorded to have happened there on July 3, 1720, when
he was buried in the new cemetery belonging to the parish
of St. George the Martyr, Queen Square. He published,
1. “Letters between Dr. Gilbert Burnet and Mr. Simon.
Lowth,
” History of the Reformation.
” 2. “The subject
of Church Power, in whom it resides,
” &c. A Letter to Edward Stillingfleet, D. D. in answer to the
Dedicatory Epistle before, his ordination-sermon, preached
at St. Peter’s Cornhill, March 15, 1684, with reflections.
on some of Dr. Burnet’s letters on the same subject,
” an honour,
” bishop
Nicolson says, “which he (Lowth) had no right to expect;
”
Lowth had submitted this letter both to Stillingfleet and
Tillotson, who was then dean of Canterbury, but, according to Birch, “the latter did not think proper to take the
least public notice of so confused and unintelligible a
writer.
” Dr. Hickes, however, a suffering nonjuror like
himself, calls Lowfeh “a very orthodox and learned divine,
”
and his book an excellent one. His only other publication,
was “Historical Collections concerning Deposing of Bishops,
”
Hamburgh, whither he sent his family the next year, 1662. He had now three, several conferences with queen Christina, upon points of Socinianism, in the presence of some
On this, instead of returning into Poland, he embarked for Copenhagen, in order to seek a settlement there for his exiled brethren, and arrived in that city in Nov. 1-660, where he made himself very acceptable to the Danish nobility. He had an extensive epistolary correspondence, which furnished him with many particulars from foreign countries. With this news he entertained the nobility; and, when it was read to the king (Frederic III.) he was so delighted with it, that he created a new place for him, that of secretary for transcribing these news-letters for his majesty’s use, and he was promised an annual pension for it. The king, who never received him at court, but often heard him discourse on religious subjects, engaged his confessor in a controversy with Lubienietski in the royal presence. But this giving umbrage to the Lutheran divines, Frederick found it necessary to tell him privately that all he could grant him was to connive at his followers settling at Altena. On this he returned, in 1661, to Stetin, in Pomerania, but his principles being equally obnoxious there, he was obliged to go to Hamburgh, whither he sent his family the next year, 1662. He had now three, several conferences with queen Christina, upon points of Socinianism, in the presence of some princes; and the king endeavoured to persuade the magistrates to suffer him to live quietly, but his intercession did not prove sufficient; and being several times commanded to retire, he went to the king at Copenhagen, in 1667.
height at this time, he soon returned to Holland. The baron de Rosenhahn, ambassador from Christina queen of Sweden at the court of France, happened to have in his retinue
, a learned orientalist, was born at Erfurt in Thuringia, June 15, 1624, of one of the best families in the city, then in reduced circumstances. He began
his studies at home, under very insufficient masters, and
having acquired some knowledge of the Greek and Latin
languages, applied himself to the French, Italian, and
Spanish, and afterwards to those of the East. He also
made some progress in physic and law, but without any
view to a profession. In 1645 he went to Leyden, a
studied the languages under Erpenius, Golius, and other:
eminent teachers, and likewise maintained some disputations in law. After residing here ahove a year, he was appointed travelling tutor to a young man of family, with
whom he went to France, and at Caen contracted a friendship with Bochart, and taught t him the elements of the
Ethiopic language. He afterwards went with his pupil to
England but the rebellion being at its height at this time,
he soon returned to Holland. The baron de Rosenhahn,
ambassador from Christina queen of Sweden at the court
of France, happened to have in his retinue a brother of Ludolf, who recommended our author to that nobleman so
effectually, that he sent for him from Holland to Paris, to
be preceptor to his two sons. Soon after, in 1619, he sent.
him to Rome, to search for papers and memoirs, which
John Magnus, archbishop of Upsal, was said to have conveyed formerly to Rome, and which Christina was desirous
to recover. Ludolph performed this journey in company
with two Polish gentlemen, of whom he learned their language. At Rome he found no manuscripts relating to
Sweden; but this journey was not useless to himself, for
by his conversation with four Abyssinians, then at Rome,
be perfected himself in the knowledge of the Ethiopic language. Immediately after his return to Paris he was obliged to go to Sweden with the ambassador, where he found
a great many learned men at queen Christina’s court, and
had an opportunity of learning there the Portuguese, Moscovite, an. I Finland languages. In 1652, Ernest duke of
Saxe-Gotha sent for him to his court, and made him his
Aulic-counsellor, and governor to the princes his sons, and
employed him in various political affairs and negociations.
In 1678 he desired leave to retire, resolving upon a private
life, and went to Fraucfort, where he had a commission
from the dukes of Saxony to act in their names in the conferences held there in 1681 and 1682, in order to settle a
pacification between the emperor, the empire, and France.
The elector palatine likewise gave him the direction of
some of his revenues; and the electors of Saxony honoured
him with the titles of their counsellor and resident. But
Abyssinia was the chief object of the attention of our author,
who concerted measures to form an alliance between that
remote nation and the powers of Europe. He had addressed
himself for that purpose, in 1679, to the court of Vienna,
who referred him to the English and Dutch, as more
capable of contributing to that great design. He vyent, there- i
fore, to England in 168,'i, but did not find any disposition
there to execute his scheme for establishing a commerce
with the Abyssinians, and although he found rather more
encouragement in Holland, the scheme was defeated by
the Abyssinians themselves. In 1684, Ludolph returned
to Francfort, having passed through France, and began to
apply himself vigorously to the writing of his “History of
Ethiopia.
” In
s replete with the high spirit of French nobility.” When Matthew of Montmorenci,“said he,” married a queen of France, he addressed himself, not to the devil, but to the
, a very
celebrated general and mareschal of
France, was a posthumous son of the famous Bouteville,
who was beheaded under Louis XIII. for fighting a duel.
He was born in 1628, and in 1643 was present at the battle
of Rocroi, under the great Conde, whose pupil he was,
and whom he followed in all his fortunes. He also resembled that great man in many of his eminent qualities,
in acuteness of perception, thirst for knowledge, promptness in action, and ardour of genius. These qualities he
displayed in the conquest of Franche-Comte in 1668, where
he served as lieutenant-general. He served also in the
Dutch campaign of 1672, took many towns, and gained
some trophies in the field. He closed this expedition by a
retreat more famous than his victories, which he accomplished with an awny of 20,000 men, against the opposition,
of 70,000. After distinguishing himself in another expedition in Franche-Comte, he was advanced in 1675, to
the dignity of mareschal of France. He fought, during
the remainder of that war, with various success. In the
second war of Louis XIV. against the allied powers in
1690, he gained the battle of Fleurus, and it was generally allowed that he prevailed in it chiefly by the superiority of his genius to that of his antagonist the prince of
Waldeck. In the ensuing year, 1691,“he gained the
battles of Leufen and Steinkirk; and, continuing to be opposed to king William of England, he was again successful, in the bloody battle of Nerwinde, where there fell on
the two sides near 20,000 men. It was said in France
that on this occasion they should not sing Te Deum, but
De profundis, the mass for the dead. The duke of Luxembourg is said to have had an ordinary countenance and a
deformed figure, in consequence of which William III.
whose constant antagonist he was, is reported to have said
once with some impatience,
” What! shall I never beat
this hump-backed fellow?“This speech being repeated to
the duke,
” How should he know,“said he,
” the shape
of my back? I am sure he never saw me turn it to him.“The last great action of the duke’s life was a second famous
retreat, in the presence of superior forces, through a considerable extent of country, to Tournay. This was in
1694, and he died the following year, Jan. 4, at the age
of sixty-seven. Notwithstanding the disadvantages of his
person, Luxembourg is said to have been much involved
in intrigues of gallantry. He had some powerful enemies,
particularly the minister Louvois, who once had him confined very unjustly in the Bastille. Among other frivolous
calumnies on which he was then interrogated, he was asked
whether he had not made a league with the devil, to marry
His son to the daughter of the marquis de Louvois. His
answer was replete with the high spirit of French nobility.
” When Matthew of Montmorenci,“said he,
” married a
queen of France, he addressed himself, not to the devil,
but to the states-general; and the declaration of the states
was, that in order to gain the support of the house of
Montmorenci for the young king in his minority, it would
be right to conclude that marriage." Idle as the accusations against him were, they cost him a confinement of
fourteen months, and he had no subsequent redress.
Protector, instead of that of king. It is added, that he had the virtue to resist the offers of the queen, who would have married him, with the dreadful promise that
, the celebrated lawgiver of Sparta, flourished, according to the most judicious modern chronologers, about 898 years before the Christian aera. Plutarch seems to think that he was the fifth in descent from Procles, and the tenth from Hercules. When the sceptre devolved to him by the death of his brother Polydectes, the widow of that prince was pregnant. He was no sooner assured of this, than he determined to hold the sovereign power in trust only, in case the child should prove a son, and took the title of Prodicus or Protector, instead of that of king. It is added, that he had the virtue to resist the offers of the queen, who would have married him, with the dreadful promise that no son should be born to intercept his views. A son at length was born, and publicly presented by him to the people, from whose joy on the occasion he named the infant Charilaus, i. e. the people’s joy. Lycurgus was at this time a young man, and the state of Sparta was too turbulent and licentious for him to introduce any system of regulation, without being armed with some more express authority. How long he continued to administer the government is uncertain; probably till his nephew was of age to take it into his own hands. After resigning it, howeyer, he did not long remain in Sparta, but went as a traveller to visit other countries and study their laws, particularly those of Crete, which were highly renowned for their excellence, and had been instituted by Rhadamanthus and Minos, two illustrious legislators, who pretended to have received their laws from Jupiter. Lycurgus passed some years in this useful employment, but he had left behind him such a reputation for wisdom and justice, that when the corruption and confusion of the state became intolerable, he was recalled by a public invitation to assume the quality of legislator, and to new model the government.
VI. to East Friezland, to settle the affairs of the dowager princess, Sophia Caroline, sister to the queen. This mission he discharged to the satisfaction of his sovereign;
, a Danish statesman and scholar, was descended from an ancient family, a
branch of the counts of Guerini, in the dukedom of Tuscany, which had settled in Germany. He was born in
1703, at the castle of Lubbenau, and educated at Jena and
Halle, at both which places he applied with the utmost
assiduity to the Greek and Latin languages, and even to
theology. After travelling in various parts of Europe, and
visiting England in 1732, he obtained an appointment at
the court of Denmark; but, being ambitious of a more
public station, he volunteered his services in the home and
foreign department, and displayed so much activity that
he was dispatched by Christian VI. to East Friezland, to
settle the affairs of the dowager princess, Sophia Caroline,
sister to the queen. This mission he discharged to the
satisfaction of his sovereign; and was appointed in 1735
ambassador extraordinary to the court of Stockholm, where
he resided until 1740. On his return to Denmark the
king conferred on him an office in Holstein, and a few
years after he was sent as ambassador extraordinary to Petersburgh. On his return in 1752 he was appointed governor of the counties of Oldenburg and Delmanhorsr, to
which he retired with his family, and where he spent his
time in the composition of literary works, the first of which,
a translation of “Seneca de Beneficiis,
” with excellent
notes, was printed in The Epistles of
St. Paul,
” &c. which was afterwards published. He wrote
also several moral essays.
. He rose by his merit to the highest offices in his order, and also gained the esteem of the great; queen Jane, countess of Burgundy, and wife of Philip the Long, appointed
, or Lyranus, a celebrated
Franciscan, in the 14th century, and one of the most
learned men of his time, was born of Jewish parents at
Lyre, a town in Normandy, in the diocese of Evreux.
After having been instructed in rabbinical learning, he embraced Christianity, entered among the Franciscans at
Verneuil, 1291, and taught afterwards at Paris with great
credit. He rose by his merit to the highest offices in his
order, and also gained the esteem of the great; queen
Jane, countess of Burgundy, and wife of Philip the Long,
appointed him one of her executors in 1325. He died at
a very advanced age, October 23, 1340, leaving some
“Postils,
” or short Commentaries on the whole Bible,
which were formerly in considerable reputation the most
scarce edition of them is that of Rome, 1472, seven vols,
folio; and the best that of Antwerp, 1634, six vols. folio.
These commentaries are incorporated in the “Biblia Maxima,
” Paris, A Disputation against the
Jews,
” in 8vo, a treatise against a particular rabbi, who
made use of the New Testament to combat Christianity.
These, and his other works not printed, show the author
to have had a much more perfect knowledge of the Holy
Scriptures than was common at that time.
out this time he was appointed secretary to the council for managing the domains and finances of the queen, consort to Lewis XIV.; and when he took holy orders, in 1685,
, a learned French priest, was born at
Paris about 1640, and pursued his divinity studies at the
university of his native city, where he took his degrees.
About this time he was appointed secretary to the council
for managing the domains and finances of the queen, consort to Lewis XIV.; and when he took holy orders, in 1685,
he was immediately appointed canon and rector of the
church of St. Opportune, at Paris. He was a very diligent student as well in profane as in sacred literature, and
was celebrated for his popular talents as a preacher. He
died in 1721, leaving behind him a great number of works
that do honour to his memory, of which we shall mention
“A chronological, historical, and moral abridgment of
the Old and New Testament,
” in 2 vols. 4to “Scriptural
Knowledge, reduced into four tables;
” a French version
of the apocryphal “Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs;
”
of which Grosseteste, bishop of Lincoln, gave the first
Latin translation, Grabe the first Greek edition, from
Mss. in the English universities, and Whiston an English
version (S The History of the Four Ciceros,“in which he attempts to prove, that the sons of Cicero were as illustrious as their father. Mace (Thomas), a practitioner on the lute, but more
distinguished among lovers of music by a work entitled
” Music’s Monument, or a Remembrancer of the best
practical Music, both divine and civil, that has ever been
known to have been in the world," 1676, folio, was born
in 1613, and became one of the clerks of Trinity-college,
Cambridge. He does not appear to have held any considerable rank among musicians, nor is he celebrated
either as a composer or practitioner on the lute: yet his
book is a proof that he was an excellent judge of the instrument; and contains such variety of directions for the
ordering and management of it, and for performing on it,
as renders it a work of great utility. It contains also many
particulars respecting himself, many traits of an original
and singular character; and a vein of humour which, far
from being disgusting, exhibits a lively portraiture of a
good-natured gossiping old man. Dr. Burney recommends
its perusal to all who have taste for excessive simplicity
and quaintness, and can extract pleasure from the sincere
and undissembled happiness of an author, who, with exalted notions of his subject and abilities, discloses to his
reader every inward working of self-approbation in as undisguised a manner, as if he were communing with himself
in all the plenitude of mental comfort and privacy. There
is a print of him prefixed to his book, from an engraving
of Faithorne, the inscription under which shews him to
have been sixty-three in 1676: how long he lived afterwards, is not known. He had a wife and children.
e, until king William III. was pleased to restore it in 1692, being no stranger to his abilities. In queen Anne’s reign, 1702, he was constituted secretary of state, and
, viscount Tarbat, and first earl of Cromerty, a person eminent for his learning and for his abilities as a statesman, was descended from a branch of the family of Seaforth. He succeeded to the family estate on the death of his father sir John Mackenzie, and also to his unshaken fealty for Charles II. during whose exile he had a commission to levy what forces he could procure, to promote the restoration. After that event, he was made one of the senators of the college of justice, clerk register of the pri% 7 y council, and justice-general, an office which had been hereditary in the family of Argyle, till it was surrendered in the preceding reign. James II. made him a baron and viscount, but on the abdication of that monarch, whom it woukl appear he had favoured too much, he lost his office of lord-register for some time, until king William III. was pleased to restore it in 1692, being no stranger to his abilities. In queen Anne’s reign, 1702, he was constituted secretary of state, and the following year was advanced to the dignity of earl of Cromerty. He died in 1714, at the age of eighty-three, or, according to another account, eighty-eight.
g to take orders in that church, was afterwards, through the patronage of bishop Gibson, admitted to Queen’s-college, Cambridge, and was favoured with a doctor’s degree
, a famous English prelate, born at
London, July 27, 1697, of obscure parents, whom he lost
while he was young, was taken care of by an aunt, who
placed him in a charity-school, and afterwards put him on
trial to a pastry-cook; but, before he was bound apprentice, the master told her that the boy was not fit for trade;
that he was continually reading books of learning above his
(the master’s) comprehension, and therefore advised that
she should take him away, and send him back to school, to
follow the bent of his inclination. He was on this sent, by
an exhibition of some dissenting friends, to one of the
universities of Scotland, Cole says, that of Aberdeen; but,
not caring to take orders in that church, was afterwards,
through the patronage of bishop Gibson, admitted to
Queen’s-college, Cambridge, and was favoured with a
doctor’s degree at Lambeth. After entering into orders,
he first was curate of St. Bride’s, then domestic chaplain
to Dr. Waddington, bishop of Chichester, whose niece he
married, and was afterwards promoted to the rectory of St.
Vedast, in Foster-lane, London. In 1729, he was appointed clerk of the closet to queen Caroline. In 1733,
he became dean of Wells, and was consecrated bishop of
St. Asaph, in 1736. He was translated to the see of Worcester, in 1743. In 1733 he published the first part of
the “Review of Neal’s History of the Puritans,
” under
the title of, “A Vindication of the Government, Doctrine,
and Worship of the Church of England, established in the
reign of queen Elizabeth:
” of which the late bishop Hallifax said, “a better vindication of the reformed church
of England, I never read.
” He was a great benefactor to
the London hospitals, and the first promoter of the Worcester Infirmary in 1745, which has proved of singular
benefit to the poor, and a great advantage to medical and
surgical knowledge in that neighbourhood. He was also a
great encourager of trade, engaging in the British fishery,
by which he lost some money. He likewise was a strong
advocate for the act against vending spirituous liquors.
He married Elizabeth daughter of Richard Price, esq. of
Hayes in Middlesex, in 1731; and had two daughters and
a son, of whom only one daughter survived him, and was
afterwards married to the hon. James Yorke, bishop of
Gloucester, and late bishop of Ely. He died Sept. 27,
1739. Bishop Madox published fourteen occasional sermons preached between the years 1734 and 1752. Among
other instances of his benevolence, we may mention his assigning 200l.perann. during his life, for the augmentation of
the smaller benefices of his diocese. He corresponded with
Dr. Doddridge with affectionate familiarity, and visited him
when at Bristol, offering in the most obliging manner to convey him to the Wells in his chariot, at the stated times of
drinking. He used to anticipate any hints respecting his
origin by a joke which he was fond of repeating. When
tarts wera on his table, he pressed the company to partake,
saying “that he believed they were very good, but that they
were not of his own making
” This he varied, when John
Whiston dined with him, into, “some people reckon me a
good judge of that article!
” Upon the whole he appears
to have been an amiable and benevolent man, and to have
employed his wealth as well as his talents to the best purposes. His widow survived him thirty years, dying Feb.
19, 1789.
y styled the roll of Quinto Regis Stephani,” folio; reprinted in 1769, in 4to. This was dedicated to queen Anne; but there is likewise prefixed to it a long prefatory
, the learned exchequer antiquary,
and historiographer royal, of whose personal history we
have no information, is well known among antiquaries and
lawyers for his valuable collection of records relating to the
ancient laws and constitution of this country; the knowledge of which tends greatly to the illustration of English
history. In 1702, under the patronage of the learned
lord Somers, he published the first fruits of his researches,
under the title of “A Collection of antique Charters and
Instruments of divers kinds taken from the originals, placed
under several heads, and deduced (in a series according to the order of time) from the Norman conquest, to the end
of the reign of king Henry VIII.
” This is known by the
name of the “Formulare AngJicanum.
” To it is prefixed
a dissertation concerning “Ancient Charters and Instruments,
” replete with useful learning upon that subject.
He was prompted to this work, by considering that there
was no methodical history or system of ancient charters
and instruments of this nation then extant; and that it
would be acceptable to curious persons, and useful to the
public, if something were done for supplying that defect.
Having entertained such a design, and being furnished
with proper materials from the archives of the late court of
augmentations, he was encouraged to proceed in it, especially by lord Somers and prosecuted it with so much application, that out of an immense heap of original charters
and writings, remaining in that repository, he selected
and digested the chief substance of this volume. In 1711,
he proceeded to a work of still greater importance than the
foregoing, “The History and Antiquities of the Exchequer of the Kings of England, in two periods, viz. from
the Norman conquest, to the end of the reign of king
John; and from the end of the reign of king John, to
the end of the reign of king Edward II. Taken from
records. Together with a correct copy of the ancient
dialogue concerning the Exchequer, generally ascribed
to Gervasius Tilburiensis and a Dissertation concernlag the most ancient great roll of the exchequer, commonly styled the roll of Quinto Regis Stephani,
” folio;
reprinted in 1769, in 4to. This was dedicated to queen
Anne; but there is likewise prefixed to it a long prefatory
epistle to the lord Somers, in which he gives that illustrious
patron some account of this unprecedented undertaking.
He observes, that though some treatises had been written
concerning the exchequer, yet no history [of it had been
yet attempted by any man; that he had pursued his subject to those ancient times, to which, he thinks, the original of the exchequer in England may properly be assigned; and thence had drawn down an orderly account of
it through a long course of years; and, having consulted,
as well the books necessary to be perused upon this occasion, as a very great number of records and manuscripts,
he had endeavoured all along x to confirm what he offered
by proper vouchers, which are subjoined column-wise in
each page, except where their extraordinary length made
it impracticable. The records. which he here attests were,
as he adds, taken by his own pen from the authentic
parchments, unless where it appears by his references to
be otherwise. He has contrived throughout the whole (as far as the subject-matter would permit) to make use of
such memorials as serve either to make known or to explain the ancient laws and usages of this kingdom. For
which reason, as he notes“, this work may be deemed, not
merely a history of the exchequer, but likewise a promptuary towards a history of the ancient law of England. He
afterwards acquaints
” his lordship in what method he began
and proceeded in compiling this work. First, he made as
full a collection from records as he could, of materials relating to the subject. Those materials being regularly
arranged in several books of collectanea, he reviewed them,
and, weighing what they imported, and how they might
be applied, he drew from thence a general scheme of his
design. When he had pitched upon the heads of his discourse, he took materials for them out of the aforesaid
fund, and digested them into their proper rank and order.
In do ng this, it was his practice for the most part to write
down, in the draught of his book, the respective records
or testimonies first of all; i. e. before he wrote his own
text or composition; and from them formed his history or
accouit of things; connecting and applying them afterwards, as the case would admit. At the end of this history (as we have expressed it in the title) Mr. Maddox has
publisteti a copy of the treatise concerning the exchequer,
written in the way of dialogue, and generally ascribed to
Gervasius Tilburiensis. This treatise is certainly very
ancient, and intrinsically valuable. Our author introduces
it by an epistolary dissertation, in Latin, to the then lord
Halifax. The dialogue is followed by another epistolary
dissertation, in the same language, addressed to the lord
Somers, relating to the great roll of the exchequer, commonly styled the “Roll of Quinto Regis Stephani.
” No
historical account has been given, in this volume, of the
records reposited in the exchequer. Mr. Madox thought
that it might be more properly done if there was occasion
for it, hereafter, in a continuation of this work; which he
seems to have had some intention of performing himself
when he published this part; or hoped some other hand
would supply, if he did not. The concluding chapter
of the history is a list of the barons of this court from the
first year of William the Conqueror to the 20th of Edward
II. The last work this laborious historiographer published
himself, was the “Firma Burgi, or historical essay concerning the cities, towns, and boroughs of England. Taken
from records.
” This treatise was inscribed to king George
I. The author warns his readers against expecting to find
any curious or refined learning in it; in regard the matter
of it is low. It is only one part of a subject, which, however, is extensive and difficult, concerning which, be tells
us, much has been said by English writers to very little
purpose, serving rather to entangle than to clear it. When
he first entered upon the discussion of it, he found himself
encompassed with doubts, which it hath been his endeavour, as he says, to remove or lessen as he went along.
He has throughout mixed history and dissertation together,
making these two strengthen and diversify each other.
However modestly Mr. Madox might express himself concerning the learning of this work, it is in reality both curious and profound, and his inquiries very useful. The
civil antiquities of this country would, in all probability,
have been further obliged than they are to this industrious
person, if his life had been of a somewhat longer continuance; for it may be presumed, from two or three
passages in the prefaces of those books he published
himself, that he meditated and intended some others to follow
them, different from this posthumous History of Baronies,
which his advertisement of it apparently suggests to be
the only manuscript left finished by the author. This is
compiled much in the manner of his other writings. In
the first book he discourses largely of land baronies; in
the second book he treats briefly of titular baronies and
in the third of feudal tenure in capite.
one of the two little galleries, or gilt doors, which appeared only to be designed for the king and queen: besides this, she had not any exterior appearance of grandeur.
About the end of 1683, Louis married madam de Maintenon; and certainly acquired an agreeable and submissive
companion. He was then in his forty-eighth year, she in
her fiftieth. The only public distinction which made her
sensible of her secret elevation (for nothing could be conducted more secretly then, or kept a greater secret afterwards, than this marriage) was, that at mass she sat in one
of the two little galleries, or gilt doors, which appeared
only to be designed for the king and queen: besides this,
she had not any exterior appearance of grandeur. That
piety and devotion, with which she had inspired the king,
and which she had applied very successfully to make herself a wife, instead of a mistress, became by degrees a
settled disposition of mind, which age and affliction confirmed. She had already, with the king and the whole
court, given herself the merit of a foundress, by assembling at Noisy a great number of women of quality; and
the king had already destined the revenues of the abbey of
St. Denis, for the maintenance of this rising community.
St. Cyr was built at the end of the park at Versailles, in
1686 She then gave the form to this establishment; and,
together with Desmarets, bishop of Chartres, made the
rules, and was herself superior of the convent. Thither
she often went to pass away some hours; and, as we learn
from herself, melancholy determined her to this employment. “Why cannot I,
” says she in a letter to madam
de la Maisonfort, “why cannot I give you my experience?
Why cannot I make you sensible of that uneasiness, which
wears out the great, and of the difficulties they labour
under to employ their time? Do not you see that I am
dying with melancholy, in a height of fortune, which once
my imagination could scarcely have conceived? I have
been young and beautiful, have had a relish for pleasures,
and have been the universal object of love. In a more
advanced age, I have spent my time in intellectual amusements. I have at lastrisen to favour but I protest to
you, my dear girl, that every one of these conditions
leaves in the mind a dismal vacuity.
” If any thing, says
Voltaire, could shew the vanity of ambition, it would certainly be this letter. She could have no other uneasiness
than the uniformity of her manner of living with a great
king; and this made her say once to the count d'Aubigne,
her brother, “I can hold it no longer; I wish I was dead.
”
is Ballenden. Sir Richard died March 20, 1586. His eldest son, sir William Mait-. land, secretary to queen Mary, makes a considerable figure in the history of that princess.
, a cultivator and preserver of Scotch poetry, the son of William Maitland of Lethington, and of Martha, daughter of George lord Seaton, was born in 1496. Having finished his course of literature and philosophy in the university of St. Andrews, he visited France in order to prosecute the study of the law. In 1554 he appears to have been one of the extraordinary lords of session. About 1561 he was deprived of his sight, a misfortune which, however, did not prevent his being admitted in that year to the office of an ordinary lord of session, by the title of lord Lethington; and in 1562, he xvas appointed lord privy-seal, and a member of the privycouncil. His office as keeper of the privy seal he resigned in 1567, in favour of his second son, the subject of our next article. In 1583 he was excused from attendance as a judge, unless when it suited his convenience; but from a sense of the importance of the duties of that office, he resigned it in favour of sir Lewis Ballenden. Sir Richard died March 20, 1586. His eldest son, sir William Mait-. land, secretary to queen Mary, makes a considerable figure in the history of that princess.
gned the privyseal in his favour; but in 1570 he was deprived of that office, from his attachment to queen Mary. In 1581 he was made a senator of the college of justice.
, lord of Thirlstone, and afterwards
chancellor of Scotland, one of the Latin poets of that
country, the second son of the preceding, was born about
1537. He was educated in Scotland, and afterwards sent
to France to study the law. On his return to his native
country, he practised that profession with great success.
In 1567, as already noticed, his father resigned the privyseal in his favour; but in 1570 he was deprived of that
office, from his attachment to queen Mary. In 1581 he
was made a senator of the college of justice. In 1584 he
became secretary of state to king James VI. and the year
following, on the death of the earl of Arran, was created
lord chancellor of Scotland. The power and influence of
the chancellor created him many enemies among the
Scotch nobility, who made several unsuccessful attempts
to destroy him. In 1589 he attended the king on his
voyage to Norway, where his royal bride, the princess of
Denmark, was detained by contrary winds. The marriage
was there completed, and they passed the winter at Copenhagen. During this residence in Denmark, Maitland
became intimately acquainted with Tycho Brahe. In 1590
he was created lord Maitland of Thirlstone. Towards the
end of 1592, the chancellor incurred the queen’s displeasure for refusing to relinquish his lordship of Musselburgh, which she claimed as part of Dumferling. He absented himself from court for some time, but was at length
restored to favour. He died of a lingering illness Oct. 4,
1595, and was much regretted by the king. He is spoken
of by Spotiswood and Johnston as a man of great learning,
and eminent political abilities. Of his works, we have
“Johannis Metellani, Thirlstoni domini, epigrammata
Latina,
” published in the second volume of the “Delicioe
Poetarum Scotorum,
” Amst. aganist sklanderous toungis,
” and an “admonitioun
” to the regent Mar, published in Mr. Pinkerton’s
collection of“Ancient Scotish Poems.
”
gn employments and negociations; and that a third part of all the offices and places about the king, queen, and prince, should be conferred upon persons of that nation;
, duke of Lauderdale, grandson of
the preceding, was a statesman of great power and authority, but of most inconsistent character. On the breaking
out of the wars in Scotland in the reign of Charles I. he
was a zealous covenanter; and in Jan. 1644-5, one of the
commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge, during which,
upon the death of his father the earl of Lauderdale, he
succeeded to his titles and estate. He took an active but
not very useful part in the above treaty; “being,
” says
lord Clarendon, “a young man, not accustomed to an orderly and decent way of speaking, and having no gracious
pronunciation., and full of passion, he made every thing
much more difficult than it was before.
” In April 1647,
he came with the earl of Dumfermling to London, with a
commission to join with the parliament commissioners in
persuading the king to sign the covenant and propositions
offered to him; and in the latter end of the same year, he,
in conjunction with the earl of Loudon, chancellor of Scotland, and the earl of Lanerick, conducted a private treaty
with his majesty at Hampton court, which was renewed
and signed by him on Dec. 26 at Carisbrook castle. By
this, among other very remarkable concessions, the king
engaged himself to employ the Scots equally with the
English in all foreign employments and negociations; and
that a third part of all the offices and places about the
king, queen, and prince, should be conferred upon persons of that nation; and that the king and prince, or one
of them, should frequently reside in Scotland. In August
the year following, the earl of Lauderdale was sent by the
committee of estates of Scotland to the prince of Wales,
with a letter, in which, next to his father’s restraint, they
bewailed his highness’s long absence from that kingdom;
and since their forces were again marched into England,
they desired his presence to countenance their endeavours
for religion and his father’s re-establishment. In 1649, he
opposed with great vehemence the propositions made by
the marquis of Montrose to king Charles II.; and in 1651
attended his majesty in his expedition into England, but
was taken prisoner after the battle of Worcester in September the same year, and confined in the Tower of London, Portland-castle, and other prisons, till the 3d of
March, 1659-60, when he was released from his imprisonment in Windsor-castle.
he was called to court, and enrolled among the pensioners of that monarch. After the death of Henry, queen Mary of Medicis became his patroness, and settled upon him a
Malherbe was born at Caen, about 1555, of an ancient
and illustrious family, who had formerly borne arms in,
England, under Robert duke of Normandy. He lived to
be old; and, about 1601, he became known to Henry the
Great, from a very advantageous mention of him to that
prince by cardinal du Perron. The king asked the cardinal one day, “if he had made any more verses?
” To
which the cardinal replied, that “he had totally laid aside
all such amusements since his majesty had done him the
honour to take him into his service; and added, that every
body must now throw away their pens for ever, since a
gentleman of Normandy, named Malherbe, had carried
the French poetry to such a height, as none could hope to
reach.
” About four years after, he was called to court, and
enrolled among the pensioners of that monarch. After
the death of Henry, queen Mary of Medicis became his
patroness, and settled upon him a very handsome pension.
This he enjoyed to the time of his death, which happened
at Paris in 1628. It was the misfortune of this poet, that
he had no great share in the affection of cardinal Richelieu.
It was discovered, that, instead of taking more than ordinary pains, as he should have done, to celebrate the
glory of that great minister, he had only patched together
old scraps, which he had found among his papers. This
was not the way to please a person of so haughty a spirit;
and therefore he received this homage from Malherbe very
coldly, and not without disgust. “I learned from M. Racan,
” says Menage, “that Malherbe wrote those two
stanzas above thirty years before Richelieu, to whom he
addressed them, was made a cardinal; and that he changed
only the four first verses of the first stanza, to accommodate them to his subject. I learned also from the same
Racan, that cardinal Richelieu knew that these verses had
not been made for him.
” His apparent indolence upon such
an occasion was probably owing to that extreme difficulty
with which he always wrote. All writers speak of the time
and labour it cost Malherbe to produce his poems.
onourable offices of professor of medicine in the college of Paris, and physician in ordinary to the queen. He was also a member of the academy of sciences, and of our
, an eminent French chemist
and physician, was born at Caen in 1701, and was the son
of a counsellor, who sent him, when of a proper age, to
study law at Paris. Young Malouin, however, as soon as
he arrived there, without ever informing his father, began
the study of medicine, and pursued it with such success
as well as secrecy, that on his return home in 1730, his
father, whom he had always satisfied in every respect as
to moral conduct, expenses, &c. and who expected to see
him return as a licentiate in law, was astonished to find
him a doctor of medicine, but was obliged at the same
time to yield to a choice which indicated so much zeal
and decision. Nor was this a new profession in the family,
his uncle and grandfather having both been physicians.
After remaining at home about three years, he went again,
to Paris, and assisted Geoffroi in his chemical lectures,
and would probably have succeeded him had he been on
the spot when he died; but it was not until 1767 that he
was appointed in the room of Astruc, who was the
immediate successor of Geoffroi. At Paris, where he got iiitd
practice, it lay much among literary men, whom he found
generally very incredulous in the virtues of medicine.
Malouin, who was a perfect enthusiast in his art, had
many contests with them on this account. When a certain
great philosopher had been cured by taking Malouin’s prescriptions for a considerable time, and came to acknowledge the obligation, Malouin embraced him and exclaimed, “you deserve to be sick.
” (Vous etes digne d'etre maladej. He could not, however, bear those who, after being cured, indulged their pleasantries at the expehce of the faculty, and he broke off his acquaintance with an eminent writer* who had been his patient, on this account. On another occasion, when one of these wits with whom he had had a warm dispute about his favourite art, and had quarrelled, fell ill, Malouin sought him out, and
his first address was, “I know you are ill, and that your
case has been improperly treated; I am now come to visit
you, although I hate you; but I will cure you, and after
that never see your face more,
” and he kept his word in all
these points. This was, however, in him pure enthusiasm,
without any mixture of quackery. His liberal conduct and
talents were universally acknowledged, and he filled with
great reputation the honourable offices of professor of medicine in the college of Paris, and physician in ordinary to
the queen. He was also a member of the academy of
sciences, and of our royal society. His love of medicine
did not hinder him from paying equal attention to preventatives, and he was distinguished for a habit of strict temperance, which preserved his health and spirits to the advanced age of seventy-seven, without any of its infirmities.
His death was at last occasioned by a stroke of apoplexy,
which happened Dec. 31, 1777. He left a legacy to the
faculty on condition of their assembling once a year, and
giving an account of their labours and discoveries. His
principal works were, 1. “Traite
” de Chimie,“1734, 12mo.
2.
” Chimie medicinale,“1755, 2 vols. 12mo, a work iti
a very elegant style, and including maiiy valuable observations. He wrote also several articles in the dictionary
” Des arts et metiers,“published by the academy of
sciences* and the chemical part of the
” Encyclopedic."
called the” Lost Lover, or the Jealous Husband,“acted in 1696. She was also employed in writing for queen Anne’s ministry, certainly with the consent and privity, if
, an English lady, authoress
of a noted piece of scandal called “The Atalantis,
” was
born in Guernsey, or one of those small islands, of which
her father, sir Roger Mauley, was governor. He wa* the
second son of an ancient family, and had been a great sufferer for his loyalty in the reign of Charles I. without receiving either preferment or recompense in that of Charles
II. He was a man of considerable literary talents, wnich
appeared in several publications, particularly his Latin
commentaries on the rebellion, under the title of “Commentaria de Rebelhone Anglicana, ab anno 1640 ad annum
1685,
” Lond. History of the late
wars of Denmark,
” Turkish Spy,
” which
was found among his papers, and continued to its present
number of volumes by Dr. Midgley, a physician, who had
the care of his papers; but this has been justly doubted
(See Marana). His daughter, the subject of this article,
received an education suitable to her birth, and gave indications of genius above her years, and, as her biographer
says, “much superior to what is usually to be found
amongst her sex.
” The loss of her parents before she
was settled in life, seems to have been peculiarly unfortunate, for her father confided the care of her to his nephew,
a married man, who first pretended that his wife was dead,
then by a series of seductive manoeuvres cheated her into
a marriage. When he could no longer conceal his infamy,
he deserted her, and the world tamed its back upon her.
While in this situation, she accidentally acquired the
patronage of the duchess of Cleveland, one of Charles II.'s
mistresses, having been introduced to her by an acquaintance to whom she was paying a visit; but the duchess, a
woman of a very fickle temper, grew tired of Mrs. Manley
in six months, and discharged her upon a pretence that
she intrigued with her son. When this lady was thus dismissed, she was solicited by general Tidcomb to pass
some time with him at his country-seat; but she excused
herself by saying, “that her love of solitude was improved
by her disgust of the world; and since it was impossible
for her to be in public with reputation, she was resolved
to remain concealed.
” In this solitude she wrote her first
tragedy, called “The Royal Mischief,
” which was acted
at the theatre in Lincoln’s-inn-fields, in 1696. This play
succeeded, and she received such unbounded incense from
admirers, that her apartment was crowded with men of wit
and gaiety, which proved in the end very fatal to her
virtue, and she afterwards engaged in various intrigues.
In her retired hours she wrote her four volumes of the
“Memoirs of the New Atalantis,
” in which she was very
free with her own sex, in her wanton description of loveadventures, and with the characters of many high and distinguished personages. Her father had always been attached to the cause of Charles I. and she herself having a
confirmed aversion to the Whig ministry, took this method
of satirising those who had brought about the revolution.
Upon this a warrant was granted from the secretary of state’s
office, to seize the printer and publisher of those volumes.
Mrs. Mauley had too much generosity to let innocent persons suffer on her account; and therefore voluntarily presented herself before the court of King’s -bench, as the
author of the “Atalantis.' 1 When she was examined before lord Sunderland, then the secretary, he was curious
to know from whom she got information of some particulars
which they imagined to be above her own intelligence.
She pleaded that her only design in writing was her own
amusement and diversion in the country, without intending
particular reflections and characters; and assured them
that nobody was concerned with her. When this was not
believed, and the contrary urged against her by several
circumstances, she said,
” then it must be by inspiration,
because, knowing her own innocence, she could account
for it no other way.“The secretary replied, that
” inspiration used to be upon a good account; but that her writings
were stark naught.“She acknowledged, that
” his lordship’s observation might be true; but, as there were evil
angels as well as good, that what she had wrote might still
be by inspiration.“The consequence of this examination
was, that Mrs. Manley was close shut up in a messenger’s
house, without being allowed pen, ink, and paper. Her
counsel, however, sued out her habeas corpus at the
King’s-bench bar, and she was admitted to bail. Whether
those in power were ashamed to bring a woman to a trial
for this book, or whether the laws could not reach her,
because she had disguised her satire under romantic names,
and a feigned scene of action, she was discharged, after
several times exposing herself in person, to oppose the
court before the bench of judges, with her three attendants, the printer, and two publishers. Not long after, a
total change of the ministry ensued, when she lived in high
reputation and gaiety, and aroused herself in writing poems
and letters, and conversing with wits. To her dramatic
pieces she now added
” Lucius,“the first Christian king
of Britain, a tragedy, acted in Drury-lane, in 1717. She
dedicated it to sir Richard Steele, whom she had abused
in her
” New Atalantis,“but was now upon such friendly
terms with him, that he wrote the prologue to this play,
as Mr. Prior did the epilogue. This was followed by her
comedy called the
” Lost Lover, or the Jealous Husband,“acted in 1696. She was also employed in writing for queen
Anne’s ministry, certainly with the consent and privity, if
not under the direction, of Dr Swift, and was the author
of
” The Vindication of the Duke of Maryborough,“and
other pamphlets, some of which would not disgrace the best
pen then engaged in the
” defence of government. After
dean Swift relinquished “The Examiner,
” she continued
it with great spirit for a considerable time, and frequently
finished pieces begun by that excellent writer, who also
often used to furnish her with hints for those of her own
composition. At this season she formed a connection with
Mr. John Barber, alderman of London, with whom she
lived in a state of concubinage, as is supposed, and at whose
house she died July 11, 1724.
“A Stage-coach Journey to Exeter,” 1725, 8vo. 7. “Bath Intrigues,” 1725, 8vo. 7. "Secret History of Queen Zarah/' 1745, 8vo. The two last, from the dates, must be posthumous,
The superior accomplishments of her sex in our days
must now place her very low in the scale of female authors;
and she seems to have owed her fame in a great measure
to her turn for intrigue and for recording intrigues. This
will probably ba the opinion of those who will take the
trouble to peruse any of the works already mentioned, of
the following: 1. “Letters, one from a supposed nun in
Portugal,
” Lond. Memoirs of Europe
towards the close of the eighth century,
” Court Intrigues,
” Adventures of Rivelle,
” The Power of Love,
in seven novels,
” A Stage-coach Journey
to Exeter,
” Bath Intrigues,
”
f Mr. Owen Manning, of Orlingbury, co. Northampton, was born there Aug. 11, 1721. He was admitted of Queen’s-college, Cambridge, where he proceeded B. A. in 1740; and
, an excellent antiquary and topographer, the son of Mr. Owen Manning, of Orlingbury,
co. Northampton, was born there Aug. 11, 1721. He was
admitted of Queen’s-college, Cambridge, where he proceeded B. A. in 1740; and about this time met with two
extraordinary instances of preservation from untimely death.
Having been seized with the small pox, he was attended
by Dr. Heberden, who thinking he could not survive, desired that his father might be sent for. On his arrival he
found the young man to all appearance dying, and next
day he was supposed to have expired, and was laid out,
as a corpse, in the usual manner. An undertaker was sent
for, and every preparation made for his funeral. His
father, however, who had not left the house, could not
help frequently viewing the seemingly lifeless body; and
in one of his visits, without seeing any cause for hope,
said, “I will give my poor boy another chance,
” and at
the same time raised him up, which almost immediately
produced signs of life. Dr. Heberden was then sent for,
and by the use of proper means, the young man recovered.
As it was customary for the scholars of every college to
make verses on the death of any one of their own college,
which are pinned to the pall at the funeral, like so many
escutcheons, this tribute of respect was prepared for Mr.
Manning, who was much beloved by his fellow students; and it
is said that the verses were presented to him afterwards, and
that he kept them for many years as memoranda of his
youthful friendships. Scarcely had he met with this narrow escape, when, his disorder having made him for some
time subject to epileptic fits, he was seized with one of
these while walking by the river, into which he feJl, and
remained so long that he was thought to be drowned, and
laid out on the grass, until he could be conveyed to the
college, where Dr. Heberden being again called in, the
proper means of recovery were used with success.
pletoft, was many years rector. He was educated at the free grammar school of Louth, and admitted of Queen’s college in Cambridge. When he had taken the degree of B. A.
, an English divine, was born at North Thoresby in the county of Lincoln, in the beginning of 1610, of which place his father, Henry Mapletoft, was many years rector. He was educated at the free grammar school of Louth, and admitted of Queen’s college in Cambridge. When he had taken the degree of B. A. he removed to Pembroke hall, and was there made fellow January 6, 1630; and in or about 1633 was appointed chaplain to bishop Wren. He was one of the university preachers in 1641, and was some time after one of the proctors of the university. In 1644 (being then bachelor in divinity) he was ejected from his fellowship for not taking the covenant. After this he retired, and lived privately among his friends, and particularly with sir Robert Shirley in Leicestershire, where he became acquainted with Dr. Sheldon, who became archbishop of Canterbury. He had afterwards a private congregation in Lincoln, where he used to officiate according to the Liturgy of the church of England: this had like to have produced him much trouble; but it being found that he had refused a considerable sum of money offered him by his congregation, he escaped prosecution. On the restoration he returned to Cambridge, and was re-instated in his fellowship, and was presented by the Crown, August 1, 1660, on the death of Dr. Newell, to the prebend of Clifton in Lincoln cathedral, to which he was installed August 23, 1660: and then resigning it, he was also on the same day installed to the sub-deanery of the same church, which he resigned in 1671; and about the same time he became rector of Clayworth in Nottinghamshire, which living he afterwards exchanged for the vicarage of Soham, in Cambridgeshire. In 1661 he resigned his fellowship, and about that time was invited by archbishop Sheldon to be chaplain to the duchess of York, then supposed to be inclining to popery, and in want of a person of Dr. Mapletoft’s primitive stamp to keep her steady to her religion; but he could not be prevailed upon to accept the appointment. In 1664 he was elected master of Pembroke hall, and became doctor in divinity, and was by the king, August 7, 1667, promoted to the deanery of Ely. He served the office of vice-chancellor of the university of Cambridge in 1671, and died at Pembroke hall, August 20, 1677. His remains, according to his own desire, were deposited in a vault in the chapel of that college, near the body of bishop Wren, the founder of it, his honoured friend and patron, without any memorial.
, queen of Navarre, and sister to Francis I. of France, celebrated as
, queen of Navarre, and sister
to Francis I. of France, celebrated as an author yet more
than for her rank, was born at Angouleme, April 11, 1492;
being the daughter of Charles of Orleans, duke of Angouleme, and Louisa of Savoy. In 1509 she married Charles
the last duke of Alen^on, who died at Lyons, after the
battle of Pavia, in 1525. The widow, inconsolable at once
for the loss of her husband, and the captivity of her beloved brother, removed to Madrid, to attend the latter
during his illness. She was there of the greatest service
to her brother, by her firmness obliging Charles and his
ministers to treat him as his rank demanded. His love and
gratitude were equal to her merits, and he warmly promoted her marriage with Henry d‘Albret, king of Navarre.
The offspring of this marriage was Joan d’Albret, mother
of Henry IV. Margaret filled the character of a queen
with exemplary goodness; encouraging arts, agriculture,
and learning, and advancing by every means the prosperity
of the kingdom. She died at the castle of Odos, in Bigorre, Dec. 2, 1549. She had conversed with protestant
ministers, and had the sagacity to perceive the justness of
their reasonings; and their opinions were countenanced
by her in a little work entitled “Le Miroir de l'Ame pecheresse,
” published in Heptameron,
” or,
Novels of the queen of Navarre, Les Marguerites de la Marguerite
des Princesses;
” a collection of her productions, formed
by John de la Haye, her valet de chambre, and published
at Lyons, in 1547, 8vo; a very rare edition, as is that of
1554. In this collection there are four mysteries, or sacred
comedies, and two farces, according to the taste of the
times. A long poem entitled “The Triumph of the
Lamb,
” and “The Complaints of a Prisoner,
” apparently
intended for Francis I.
er, or the More’s Revenge,” Lond. 1677. 5. “The Tragedy of King Edward II.” 6. “The Tragedy of Dido, queen of Carthage,” in the composition of which he was assisted by
Rape of Helen
” into
English rhyme. He also translated the elegies of Ovid,
which book was ordered to be burnt at Stationers’-hall,
1599, by command of the archbishop of Canterbury and
the bishop of London. Before 1598 appeared his translation of the “Loves of Hero and Leander,
” the elegant
prolusion of an unknown sophist of Alexandria, but commonly ascribed to the ancient Musseus. It was. left unfinished by Marlow’s death; but what was called a second
part, which is nothing more than a continuation from the
Italian, appeared by one Henry Petowe, in 1598. Another
edition was published, with the first book of Lucan, translated also by Marlow, and in blank verse, in 160O. At
length Chapman, the translator of Homer, completed, but
with a striking inequality, Marlow’s unfinished version,
and printed it at London in 1606, 4to. His plays were,
1. “Tamerlane the great Scythian emperor, two parts,
”
ascribed by Phillips erroneously to Newton. 2. “The
rich Jew of Maltha.
” 3. “The Tragical History of the
Life and Death of Dr. John Faustus.
” 4. “Lnst’s Dominion,
” Lond. Abdelazer, or the More’s
Revenge,
” Lond. The Tragedy of King Edward II.
” 6. “The Tragedy of Dido, queen of Carthage,
”
in the composition of which he was assisted by Thomas
Nash, who published it in 1594.
year, from which this drama might possibly be taken 2. “A fine Companion, acted before the King and Queen at Whitehall, and sundrie times with great applause at the private
, a dramatic writer, was born
of an ancient family at Aynhoe in Northamptonshire, about
the beginning of January, 1602. He went to school at
Thame in Oxfordshire, and was thence removed to
Wadham-college, Oxford, as a gentleman-commoner, and took
his master of arts’ degree in 1624. Wood says, that “he
was a goodly proper gentleman, and had once in his possession seven hundred pounds per annum at least.
” The
whole of this he dissipated, and afterwards went to serve
in the Low Countries. Not being promoted there, after
three campaigns, he returned to England, and was admitted in 1639, by sir John Suckling, into a troop raised for
Charles I. in his expedition against Scotland, but at York
he fell sick, and was obliged to return to London, where
he died the same year. Marmion, although not a voluminous writer, for he produced only four dramas, is considered by the author of the Biographia Dramatica as one
of the best among the dramatic writers of his time. “His
plots are ingenious,
” says that author, “his characters
well drawn, and his language not only easy and dramatic,
but full of lively wit and solid understanding.
” His plays
are, 1 “Holland’s Leaguer, an excellent comedy, as it
hath bin lately and often acted with great applause, by
the high and mighty prince Charles his servants, at the
private house in Salisbury court,
” Holland’s
Leaguer,
” in the same year, from which this drama might
possibly be taken 2. “A fine Companion, acted before
the King and Queen at Whitehall, and sundrie times with
great applause at the private house in Salisbury-court, by
the Prince his servants,
” The Antiquary,
a comedy, acted by her Majesty’s servants at the Cockpit,
”
The Crafty
Merchant, or the Souldier'd Citizen;
” which, as welt
as the rest, was a comedy; but they all state that it was
never printed, and neglect to tell where it is extant in
manuscript. He also published, 5. “Cupid and Psiche;
or an epic poem of Cupid and his Mistress, as it was lately
presented to the Prince Elector.
” Prefixed to this are
complimentary verses, by Richard Brome, Francis Tuckyr,
Thomas N abbes, and Thomas Hey wood. He wrote, be
sides these, several poems, which are scattered in different publications; and Wood says that he left some things
in ms. ready for the press, but what became of them is
not known.
circumstances, when his abilities and good behaviour recommended him to Anne of Bretagne, afterwards queen of France; a princess who greatly encouraged and patronized
, a French poet, was born near Caen, in Normandy, in 1463, with a strong inclination to the belles lettres and poetry, which he happily cultivated, although his education was much neglected. He was but in low circumstances, when his abilities and good behaviour recommended him to Anne of Bretagne, afterwards queen of France; a princess who greatly encouraged and patronized letters. She shewed a particular regard to Marot, by making him her poet; and by commanding him to attend Louis XII. to Genoa and Venice, that he might draw up a relation of those travels. He was afterwards in the service of Francis I. and died in 1523. He was a tolerable poet, but infinitely exceeded by his son Clement. His poems are to be found in the later editions of the works of Clement Marot.
holic. After his release he retired to his old mistress, the duchess of Alen^on, who was then become queen of Navarre, by her marriage with John d'Albret. In 1536 he obtained
, son of the preceding, was born at Cahors, in Querci, about 1496. In his youth he was page to seigneur Nicholas de Neusville, secretary of state; and afterwards to princess Margaret, the king’s sister, and the duke of Alen.con’s wife. He followed the duke to the army in 1521, and was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Pavia. While Francis I. was Charles the Fifth’s’ prisoner in Spain, Marot was imprisoned at the instigation of Dr. Bouchard, who accused him of being a protestant; but in an epistle to that doctor, he assured him that he was orthodox, and a very good catholic. After his release he retired to his old mistress, the duchess of Alen^on, who was then become queen of Navarre, by her marriage with John d'Albret. In 1536 he obtained leave of Francis I. to return; but, being suspected for a follower of the new opinions, he was obliged to make his escape to Geneva, where, whatever his religious principles might be, his moral conduct was highly exceptionable. After remaining here some years, he went into Piedmont, where he died at Turin, in 1544, in his forty-ninth year; and as some say, very poor.
ed in 1730, 3 vols. 8vo, to which another was added in 1750. These were posthumous, and inscribed to queen Caroline by the author’s widow, who was left with eight children,
, a celebrated preacher at
the beginning of the last century, was of Emanuel college,
Cambridge, where he took his degree of D. D. in 1717.
He was lecturer at Aldermanbury church, and curate of
Kentish-town, in Jan. 1715, when, at the recommendation
of the princess of Wales, who was pleased with his manner of preaching, he was appointed one of the king’s
chaplains in 1717, he was rector of the united parishes of St.
Veclast and St. Mich;iel-le-Q.nerne, London and, in Feb.
1731, rector of St. Vedast, lecturer of St. Lawrence Jewry,
and St. Martin Ironmonger-lane, prebendary of Windsor,
and king’s chaplain. These dates and preferments are
collected from his title-pages. He died Feb. 4, 1729. His
principal publications are, “The genuine Works of St.
Cyprian,
” A Defence of our Constitution in
Church and State,
” &c. Remarks;
” and which was also replied to by Matt. Earbury in a tract added to his “Serious Admonition to Dr. Kennett.
” Dr. Marshall’s “Sermons on several occasions
” appeared in Letters to his Nephew,
” recommends
Dr. Marshall’s Sermons, as preferable to Sherlock’s and
Atterbury’s for pathos, and for lively and warm applications.
d Dodd, but is scarcely worth transcribing. Camden says that in 1584 a book of his appeared in which queen Elizabeth’s gentlewomen were exhorted to serve her as Judith
, a learned popish writer, whose
name is so much connected with some protestant writers of
eminence as to deserve a brief notice here, was born at
Maxfield, near Winchelsea, in Sussex, and was admitted
one of the original scholars of St. John’s college, Oxford,
in 1557, by sir Thomas White, the founder. In 1564 he
proceeded M. A. and was afterwards taken into the family
of Thomas, duke of Norfolk, as tutor to his children, and
particularly to Philip, earl of Surrey. Such had been
Martin’s reputation at college, that when the duke paid a
visit to St. John’s, one of the society, in a Latin address to
his grace, introduced his name with this panegyric: “Habes,
illustrissime dux, Hebraeum nostrum, Grsecum nostrum,
poetam nostrum, decus et gloriam nostrum,
” implying
that Martin was their best Hebrew and Greek scholar and
poet, and an ornament to their college. Having embraced
the Roman catholic religion, which he chose no longer to
conceal, he went to the English college at Douay in 1570,
where he was ordained priest in 1573, and licentiate in
divinity in 1575. After a visit in the following year to
Rome, he returned to Doway and taught Hebrew, and
gave lectures on the Scriptures. When the college was
removed to Rheims, he undertook to translate the Bible
into English from the Vulgate, and Dodd is of opinion
that what is called “The Rheims translation,
” may be
entirely ascribed to him. It was. not, however, published
at one time. The New Testament appeared first atRheims
and Antwerp, with Bristow’s notes, and the Old Testament several years afterwards, with the editor, Dr. Worthington’s notes. The New Testament, as we have noticed,
under their respective articles, was answered by Fulk and
Cartwright. Martin died Oct. 28, 1582, atRheims. He
published some other works, a list of which may be seen,
in Wood and Dodd, but is scarcely worth transcribing.
Camden says that in 1584 a book of his appeared in which
queen Elizabeth’s gentlewomen were exhorted to serve her
as Judith had served Holofernes. The catholic "writers,
however, deny this, and apparently with justice.
t very justly, as he found him a ready and useful assistant in the persecution of the protestants in queen Mary’s time. Among other instances, he was joined in commission
, an eminent civilian, the son of
Thomas Martin, was born at Cerne, in Dorsetshire, and
educated at Winchester school, whence he was admitted
fellow of New college, Oxford, in 1539. He applied himself chiefly to the canon and civil law, which he likewise
studied at Bourges, and was admitted doctor. On entering upon practice in Doctors’ Commons, he resigned his
fellowship; and in 1555, being incorporated LL. D. at
Oxford, he was made chancellor of the diocese of Winchester. This he owed to the recommendation of bishop
Gardiner, who had a great opinion of his zeal and abilities,
and no doubt very justly, as he found him a ready and
useful assistant in the persecution of the protestants in
queen Mary’s time. Among other instances, he was joined
in commission with Story in the trial of archbishop Cranmer at Oxford. His proceedings on that occasion may be
seen in Fox’s “Acts and Monuments
” under the years Life of William of
Wykeham,
” the munificent founder of New college, the
ms. of which is in the library of that college. It was first
published in 1597, 4to, and reprinted, without any correction or improvement, by Dr. Nicholas, warden of Winchester, in 1690, who does not seem to have been aware
how much more might be recovered of Wykeham, as Dr.
Lowth has proved. This excellent biographer says that
Martin seems not so much to have wanted diligence in
collecting proper materials, as care and judgment in digesting and composing them. But it is unnecessary to say
much of what is now rendered useless by Dr. Lowth’s work.
Dr. Martin bequeathed, or gave in his life-time, several
valuable books to New college library.
, professor of botany at Cambridge, was born Sept. 12, 1699, in Queen-street, London, where his father Thomas was a merchant. His
, professor of botany at Cambridge,
was born Sept. 12, 1699, in Queen-street, London, where
his father Thomas was a merchant. His mother, whose
maiden name was Catharine Weedon, died Nov. 1, 1700.
After being educated at a private school in the neighbourhood, he was taken, at the age of sixteen, into the counting-house of his father; but, without neglecting the duties of this station, he had already so strong a taste for literature, that he constantly devoted much of the night to
study, allowing himself, for many years, only four hours
for sleep. In the summer of 1718 he first acquired a taste
for botany, in consequence of his acquaintance with Mr.
Wilmer, an apothecary, who afterwards became demonstrator in the Chelsea-garden, Dr. Patrick Blair, and Dr.
William Sherard, under whose instructions his progress
was rapid. He soon became desirous of commencing author, and began by translating Tournefort’s History of the
plants growing about Paris, from French into English, in
1720. This, however, he did not print till 1732, when the
title was “Tournefort’s History of Plants growing about
Paris, with their uses in Physic, and a mechanical account
of the operation of medicines. Translated into English,
with many additions. And accommodated to the plants
growing in Great Britain,
” 2 vols. 8vo. This year he undertook various botanical excursions, which were chiefly
performed on foot, that he might observe plants in their
natural situations, as ueU as insects, which had now likewise excited his attention. The leading character of his
mind seems to have been a taste for inquiry, which prompted
him to examine every thing for himself. His observation
of the works of God directed his thoughts to the divine
origin of all things, and his perusal of the writings of some
of the most famous adversaries of revealed religion, served
but to confirm him in its truth. About the year 1721 he
became acquainted with the celebrated Dillenius, and in
conjunction with him and several others, amongst whom we
find the names of Deering, Thomas Dale, and Philip Miller, established a botanical society, which met every Saturday evening, first at the Rainbow coffee-house in Watlingstreet, and afterwards in a private house. Dillenius was
president, and Martyn, who was secretary, read before this
society a course of lectures, upon the technical terms of
the science, the foundation, as it is presumed, of what he
afterwards published. These meetings were continued for
about five years only.
He continued at Oxford till queen Mary came to the throne; when he was suffered to depart the
He continued at Oxford till queen Mary came to the throne; when he was suffered to depart the kingdom, and passed undiscovered through Brabant, and other popish territories, to Strasburg; though it is said, not without considerable risk. Thence he went to Zurich, upon an honourable invitation from the magistrates of that place, to be their divinity professor; and was accompanied thither by Jewel, afterwards bishop of Salisbury, who was then an exile for his religion. At Zurich Martyr lived seven years in high esteem with the inhabitants of the place, and in great friendship with Bullinger, and other learned men. He was afterwards invited to Geneva, to be pastor of the Italian church there; and in queen Elizabeth’s reign, when protestantism was re-established in England, bishop Jewel endeavoured to prevail on him to return, but in vain; he continued at Zurich to the time of his death, Nov. 12, 1562, in his sixty-third year. The year before he died, however, he was prevailed upon by letters from the queenmother of France, the king of Navarre, the prince of Conde", and other peers of that realm, to go over into France to the solemn conference at Poissy, where he disputed against the papists, with Beza and others. Not long after his arrival at Zurich, he took a second wife, who was recommended to him from the Italian church at Geneva, where she lived an exile for religion. He had two children by her, who both died very young, and before him; and he left her with child of a third, which proved a daughter.
as accordingly taken up and buried in the dunghill near the dean’s stable, and remained there, until queen Elizabeth was settled on the throne, when a singular act of
The body was accordingly taken up and buried in the
dunghill near the dean’s stable, and remained there, until
queen Elizabeth was settled on the throne, when a singular act of retaliation took place. The archbishop of Canterbury, bishop of London, and others, having ordered
some of the society of Christ church to replace the body,
Dr. Calfhill, the subdean, not content with this, made
search for the relics of St. Frideswyde, and having found
them, put them into the coffin along with the remains of
Martyr’s wife, that in time they might become (indistinguishable. In this state the coffin was solemnly interred in Christ church. On this occasion one of the Oxford wits proposed by way of epitaph, “Hie jacet religio cum superstitione.
” Dr. Calfhiil published in the following year (Historia cte
exhuumione Katherinee nuper uxoris Petri Martyris,
”
in 8vo.
, queen of England, and eldest daughter of Henry VIII. by his first
, queen of England, and eldest daughter of
Henry VIII. by his first wife, Catharine of Arragon, was
born at Greenwich in Kent, Feb. 18, 1517. Her mother
was very careful of her education, and provided her with
tutors to teach her what was fitting. Her first preceptor
was the famous Linacer, who drew up for her use “The
rudiments of Grammar,
” and afterwards, “De emendata
structura Latini sermonis libri sex.
” Linacer dying when
she was but six years old, Ludovicus Vives, a very learned
man of Valencia in Spain, became her next tutor; and
composed for her, “De ratione studii puerilis.
” Under
the direction of these excellent men, she became so great
a mistress of Latin, that Erasmus commends her for her
epistles in that language.
Towards the end of her father’s reign, at the earnest solicitation of queen Catharine Parr, she undertook to translate Erasmus’s “Paraphrase
Towards the end of her father’s reign, at the earnest solicitation of queen Catharine Parr, she undertook to translate Erasmus’s “Paraphrase on the gospel of St. John*'
but being cast into sickness, as Udall relates, partly by
overmuch study in this work, after she had made some
progress therein, she left the rest to be done by Dr. Maliet,
her chaplain. This translation is printed in the first volume of
” Erasmus’s Paraphrase upon the New Testament,“London, 1548, folio; and before it is a Preface, written
by Udall, the celebrated master of Eton-school, and addressed to the queen dowager. This Preface contains some
remarks illustrative of the history of the times. Among
other things, Udall takes occasion in it to observe to her
majesty,
” the great number of noble women at that time
in England, not only given to the study of human sciences
and strange tongues, but also so thoroughly expert in the
Holy Scriptures, that they were able to compare with the
best writers, as well in enditing and penning of godly and
fruitful treatises, to the instruction and edifying of realms
in the knowledge of God, as also in translating good books
out of Latin or Greek into English, for the use and commodity of such as are rude and ignorant of the said tongues.
It was now,“he said,
” no news in England, to see young
damsels in noble houses, and in the courts of princes, instead of cards, and other instruments of idle trifling, to
have continually in their hands either Psalms, Homilies,
and other devout meditations, or else Paul’s epistles, or
some book of Holy Scripture matters, and as familiarly
both to read or reason thereof in Greek, Latin, French, or
Italian, as in English. It was now a common thing to see
young virgins so trained in the study of good letters, that
they willingly set all other vain pastimes at nought for
learning’s sake. It was now no news at all, to see queens
and ladies of most high estate and progeny, instead of
courtly dalliance, to embrace virtuous exercises of reading
and writing, and with most earnest study, both early and
late, to apply themselves to the acquiring of knowledge,
as well in all other liberal arts and disciplines, as also most
especially of God and his holy word. And in this behalf,“says he,
” like as to your highness, as well for composing
and setting forth many godly Psalms, and divers other
contemplative meditations, as also for causing these paraphrases to be translated into our vulgar tongue, England
can never be able to render thanks sufficient; so may it
never be able, as her deserts require, enough to praise
and magnify the most noble, the most virtuous, the most
witty, and the most studious lady Mary’s grace, for taking
such pain and travail in translating this paraphrase of Erasmus upon the gospel of St. John. What could be a more
plain declaration of her most constant purpose to promote
God’s word, and the free grace of his gospel“&c.
Udall, however, was mistaken; as she never entertained
any such purpose; for, soon after her accession to the
throne, a proclamation was issued for calling in and suppressing this very book, and all others that had the least
tendency towards furthering the Reformation. And Walpole is of opinion, that the sickness which came upon her
while she was translating St. John, was all affected;
” for,“says he,
” she would not so easily have been cast into
sickness, had she been employed on the Legends of St.
Teresa, or St. Catharine of Sienna."
King Edward her brother dying the 6th of July, 1553, she was proclaimed queen the same month, and crowned in October, by Stephen Gardiner,
King Edward her brother dying the 6th of July, 1553,
she was proclaimed queen the same month, and crowned
in October, by Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester.
In July 1754, she was married to Philip prince of Spain,
eldest son of the emperor Charles the Fifth; and now
began that persecution against the Protestants, for which
her reign is so justly infamous. Until her marriage with
that tyrant, she appears to have been merciful and humane,
for Holinshed tells us, that when she appointed sir Richard
Morgan chief justice of the Common Pleas, she told him,
“that notwithstanding the old error, which did not admit
any witness to speak, or any other matter to be heard,
(her majesty being party,) her pleasure was, that whatsoever could be brought in favour of the subject should be
admitted to be heard; and moreover, that the justices
should not persuade themselves to put in judgment otherwise for her highness than for her subject.
” Hence some
have carried their good opinion of her so far, as to suppose that most of those barbarities were transacted by her
bishops, without her knowledge or privity; but as this was
impossible, it would be a better defence, if she must be
defended, to plead that a strict adherence to a false religion, and a conscientious observance of its pernicious and
cruel dictates, overruled and got the better of that goodness of temper, which was natural to her. Yet neither
this can be reasonably admitted when we consider her unkind and inhuman treatment of her sister, the lady Elizabeth; her admitting a council for the taking up and burning of her father’s body; her most ungrateful and perfidious
breach of promise with the Suffolk men; her ungenerous
and barbarous treatment of judge Hales, who had strenuously defended her right of succession to the crown; and
of archbishop Cranmer, who in reality had saved her life.
These actions were entirely her own; her treatment of
Cranmer becomes aggravated by the obligations she had
been under to him. Burnet says, “that her firm adherence
to her mother’s cause and interest, and her backwardness in
submitting to the king her father, were thought crimes of
such a nature by his majesty, that he came to a resolution,
to put her openly to death; and that, when all others were
unwilling to run any risk in saving her, Cranmer alone
ventured upon it. In his gentle way he told the king,
That she was young and indiscreet, and therefore it was
no wonder if she obstinately adhered to that which her
mother and all about her had been infusing into her for
many years; but that it would appear strange, if he should
for this cause so far forget the father, as to proceed to
extremities with his own child; that, if she were separated
from her mother and her people, in a little time there
might be ground gained on her; but that to take away her
life, would raise horror through all Europe against him;
”
by which means he preserved her. Queen Catharine,
hearing of the king’s bloody intention, wrote a long letter
to her daughter, in which she encouraged her to suffer
cheerfully, to trust to God, and keep her heart clean.
She charged her in all things to obey the king’s commands,
except in the matters of religion. She sent her two Latin
books; the one, “De vita Christi, with the Declaration of
the Gospels;
” the other, “St. Jerome’s Episles to Paula
and Eustochium.
” This letter of Catharine may be seen
in the Appendix to Burnet’s second volume of the “History of the Reformation.
” She fell a sacrifice, however, at
last to disappointed expectations, both of a public and
domestic kind, and especially the absence and unkindness
of Philip; which are supposed, by deeply affecting her
spirits, to have brought on that fever of which she died,
Nov. 7, 1558, after a reign of five years, four months,
and eleven days. “It is not necessary,
” says Hume,
“to employ many words in drawing the character of this
princess. She possessed few qualities either estimable
or amiable, and her person was as little engaging, as her
behaviour and address. Obstinacy, bigotry, violence,
cruelty, malignity, revenge, tyranny; every circumstance
of her character took a tincture from her bad temper and
narrow understanding. And amidst that complication of
vices, which entered into her composition, we shall scarcely
find any virtue but sincerity; a quality which she seems
to have maintained throughout her whole life; except
in the beginning of her reign, when the necessity of
her affairs obliged her to make some promises to the
Protestants which she certainly never intended to perform. But in these cases a weak bigoted woman, under
the government of priests, easily finds casuistry sufficient
to justify to herself the violation of a promise. She appears
also, as well as her father, to have been susceptible of
some attachments of friendship; and even without the caprice and inconstancy which were so remarkable in the
conduct of that monarch. To which we may add, that in
many circumstances of her life she gave indications of resolution and vigour of mind, a quality which seems to have
been inherent in her family.
”
andate from Philip, when he had a mind to marry the lady Elizabeth to the duke of Savoy, against the queen and princess’s inclination: it is written in a most abject manner,
There are some of her writings still extant, Strype has
preserved three prayers or meditations of her composition
the first, “Against the assaults of vice
” the second, “A
Meditation touching adversity;
” the third, “A prayer
to be read at the hour cf death.
” In Fox’s “Acts
and Monuments
” are printed eight of her letters to king
Edvvard and the lords of the council, on her nonconformity,
and on the imprisonment of her chaplain Dr. Mallet. In
the “Sylloge epistolarum,
” are several more of her letters,
extremely curious: one on the subject of her delicacy in
never having written but to three men; one of affection
for her sister; one after the death of Anne Boleyn; and
one very remarkable of Cromwell to her. In “Haynes’s
State papers,
” are two in Spanish, to the emperor Charles
the Fifth. There is also a French letter, printed by Strype
from the “Cotton library,
” in answer to a haughty mandate from Philip, when he had a mind to marry the lady
Elizabeth to the duke of Savoy, against the queen and
princess’s inclination: it is written in a most abject manner,
and a wretched style. Bishop Tanner ascribes to her “A
History of her own life and death,
” and “An Account of
Martyrs in her reign,
” dated
, queen of Scots, celebrated for her beauty, her wit, her learning,
, queen of Scots, celebrated for her beauty, her wit, her learning, and her misfortunes, was born Dec. 8, 1542, and was the daughter and sole heiress of James the Fifth king of Scots, by Mary of Lorrain, his second queen, and dowager of Longueville. She was not eight days old when her father died; and therefore, after great animosities among the nobility, it was agreed, that the earl of Arran, as being by proximity of blood the next heir to the crown in legitimate descent, and the first peer of Scotland, should be made governor of the kingdom, and guardian of the queen: who remained, in the mean time, with her mother, in the royal palace of Linlithgow. Urgent application being made by Henry VIII. in the behalf of his son Edward, for this princess in her childhood, it was at last agreed between the chief peers of both kingdoms, that she should be given in marriage to that prince; but this was afterwards refused by her governor. She was, according to the custom of the day taught the Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian tongues; in which she afterwards arrived at so great perfection, that few were found equal to her in any of them, and none superior in them all.
The queen-mother being inclined to the interest of France, the young queen,
The queen-mother being inclined to the interest of France, the young queen, by her care, was conveyed thither when but about six years old. After staying a few days with the king and queen at court, she was sent to a monastery, where the daughters of the chief nobility of the kingdom were educated. Here she spent her time in all the offices and duties of a monastic life; being constant in her devotions, and very observant of the discipline. She employed much of her study in learning languages; and she acquired so consummate a skill in Latin, that she spoke an oration of her own composing in that language, in the great guard- room at the Louvre, before the royal family and nobility of France*. She was naturally inclined to poetry, and made so great a progress in the art, as to be a writer herself. Her compositions were much esteemed by Ronsard, who was himself at that time accounted an excellent poet. She had a good taste for music, and played well upon several instruments; was a fine dancer, and sab a horse gracefully. But these last accomplishments she pursued rather out of necessity than choice; and, when she most followed her own inclinations, was employed among her women in needle-work.
hese accomplishments, added to a fine person, rendered her so amiable to Henry II. of France and his queen, as to make them desirous of marrying her to the dauphin, which
All these accomplishments, added to a fine person, rendered her so amiable to Henry II. of France and his queen, as to make them desirous of marrying her to the dauphin, which was accordingly arranged: and the nuptials were solemnized the 20th of April, 1558. But this happy marriage, for such it seems to have been, lasted only a little while; as Francis II. as he then was, died Dec. 5, 1560. His disconsolate queen, being left without issue, returned soon after to Scotland; where she had not been long, before Charles archduke of Austria was proposed to her as an husband, by the cardinal of Lorrain. But queen Elizabeth interposed, and desired she would not marry with any foreign prince, but make choice of an husband out of her own nobility. She recommended to her either the earl of Leicester, or the lord Dandy; giving her to understand, that her succession to the crown of England would be very pred&rious, if she did not comply. Being thus overawed by Elizabeth, and not a little pleased with lord Darnly, who was extremely handsome, she consented to marry him; and creating him earl of Ross and duke of Rothesay, July 28, 1565, he was the same day proclaimed king at Edinburgh, and married to the queen the day after. By this husband she had one son, born at Edinburgh, June 19, 1566, who was afterwards James the Sixth of Scotland, and the First of England. Queen Elizabeth congratulated her upon this occasion; though, as Camden says, she inwardly grieved at being prevented by her rival in the honour of being a mother. She openly favoured her title to the succession; and the prince was commended to her majesty’s protection.
tland was murdered in a very barbarous manner, by the contrivance of the earl of Murray, who was the queen’s illegitimate brother; and, in May following she was married
In Feb. 1567, the new king of Scotland was murdered
in a very barbarous manner, by the contrivance of the earl
of Murray, who was the queen’s illegitimate brother; and,
in May following she was married to John Hepburn, earl
of Bothwell, a man of an ambitious temper and dissolute
manners, and who in reality had been lord Darnly’s murderer. From this time a series of infelicities attended her
to the end of her life. The different views and interests of
the nobility, clergy, and gentry, in regard to religious
and political affairs, had so broken the peace of the kingdom, that all things appeared in the greatest disorder and
confusion. The earl of Bothwell was forced to fly into
Denmark to save his life; the queen was seized, carried
prisoner to Lochleven, and was treated on the road with
such scorn and contempt, as her own personal dignity
might, one would think, have prevented. She was conveyed to the provost’s lodgiogs, and committed to the
care of Murray’s mother; who, “having been James
the Fifth’s concubine, insulted much,
” says Camden, “over
the unfortunate and afflicted =queen, boasting that she was
the lawful wife of James the Fifth, and that her son Murray
was his lawful issue.
” What aggravated Mary’s misfortunes was, that she was believed to have been the cause of
lord Darnly’s death, in order to revenge the loss of David
Rizzio, an Italian musician, supposed her gallant, and
whom lord Darnly had killed on that account. Be this as
it will, when queen Elizabeth heard of this treatment of
the queen of Scots, she seemed fired with indignation at
it; and sent sir Nicholas Throgmorton into Scotland, to
expostulate with the conspirators, and to consult by what
means she might be restored to her liberty. But Elizabeth,
as we have noticed in her article, was by no means in.
earnest: she was not the friend to the queen of Scots which
she pretended to be; and, if not in some measure the contriver of these troubles, there is great reason to think that
she secretly rejoiced at them. When queen Elizabeth was
crowned, the queen of Scots had assumed the arms and
title of the kingdom of England, 'an indignity Elizabeth
could never forget, as not thinking herself quite safe while
Mary harboured such pretensions.
y of at least 6000. On the other side, Murray, with great expedition, made preparation to attack the queen’s forces before they became too formidable; and, when they joined
Having been detained a prisoner at Lochleven eleven months, and forced to comply with many demands which she conceived to be highly detrimental to her honour and interest, she escaped thence on May 2, 1568, to Hamiltoncastle. Here, in an assembly of many of the nobility, a declaration was drawn up, stating that the grants extorted from her majesty in prison, among which was a resignation of the crown, were actually void from the beginning: upon which such numbersof people came in to her assistance, that, within two or three days, she acquired an army of at least 6000. On the other side, Murray, with great expedition, made preparation to attack the queen’s forces before they became too formidable; and, when they joined battle, her majesty’s army consisting of raw soldiers, was soon defeated, and she obliged to save herself by flight, travelling in one day sixty miles, to the house of Maxwell lord Herris. Thence she dispatched a messenger to queen Elizabeth with a diamond, which she had formerly received from her, as a pledge of mutual amity; signifying, that she would come into England, and beg her assistance, if her rebellious subjects continued to persecute her any further. Elizabeth returned her a very kind answer, with large but not very sincere promises of doing her the most friendly offices. Before the messenger came back, she, rejecting the advice of her friends, found means to convey herself into England, landing, May 17, at Workington, in Cumberland; and on the same day wrote letters in French, with her own hand, to queen Elizabeth, in which she gave her a long detail of her misfortunes, desiring her protection and aid against her rebellious subjects. Elizabeth affected to comfort her; promised to protect her according to the equity of her cause; and, under pretence of greater security, commanded that she should be carried to Carlisle. The unfortunate queen of Scots began now to perceive her own error, in not following the advice of her friends. England, instead of being a sanctuary, was perhaps the worst place she could have visited: for, being denied access to queen Elizabeth from the first, and tossed from one prison to another for the space of about eighteen years, in which she had often struggled for liberty, she was at length brought to trial, condemned, and beheaded, for being concerned in a conspiracy against the life of queen Elizabeth. She professed to die for the Romish religion, and has since been considered as a saint by that church. She was executed within the castle of Fotheringay, on Feb. 8, 1587, and interred, some time after, in the cathedral of Peterborough; but her remains were taken up afterwards by her son, and removed to a vault in Henry the Vllth’s chapel in Westminster-abbey, where a most magnificent monument was erected to her memory.
ors have always differed, and do still differ, in the judgments they pass upon the character of this queen; and notwithstanding the mass of evidence produced within the
Authors have always differed, and do still differ, in the judgments they pass upon the character of this queen; and notwithstanding the mass of evidence produced within the last half century by Hume, Robertson, Stuart, Whitaker, and others, a new discussion has been excited by Mr. Laing’s History of Scotland, which perpetuates the original differences of opinion as to her real character. Connected likewise as her character is with that of the church establishment in Scotland, she has acquired a new race of defenders in the episcopal clergy of that country, who will not tamely suffer historical animosities to abate. If we might, during the raging of this war, presume to offer an opinion, it would be that the prominent features of her character, and the great events of her life, cannot be defended, although many palliating circumstances may reasonably be advanced.
, queen of England, and wife of William III. with whom she reigned jointly,
, queen of England, and wife of William III.
with whom she reigned jointly, was born at the royal palace
of St. James’s, Westminster, the 30th of April, 1662. She
was the daughter of James the Second, by a daughter of
lord Clarendon, whom that prince married secretly, during
the exile of the royal family. She proved a lady of most
uncommon qualities: she had beauty, wit, good-nature,
virtue, and piety, all in an eminent degree; and she shone
superior to all about her, as well at the ball and the masque,
as in the presence and the drawing-room. When she was
fifteen, William prince of Orange, and afterwards king of
England, made his addresses to her in person, and married
her. Many suppose that the prince was so sagacious as to
foresee all which afterwards came to pass; as that Charles
II. would leave no children; that the duke of York, when
he came to the throne, would, through his bigoted attachment to popery, be unable to keep possession of it; and
that himself, having married the eldest daughter of England, would naturally be recurred to, as its preserver and
deliverer in such a time of danger. If he had really any
motives of policy, he had art enough to conceal them;
for, having communicated his intentions to sir William
Temple, then ambassador at the Hague, he frankly expressed his whole sentiments of marriage in the following
terms; namely, that “the greatest things he considered
were the person and disposition of the young lady; for,
though it would not pass in the world for a prince to seem
concerned in those particulars, yet for himself without affectation he declared that he was so, and in such a degree,
tljat no circumstances of fortune or interest could engage
him, without those of the person, especially those of humour or disposition: that he might, perhaps, be not very
easy for a wife to live with; he was sure he should not be
so to such wives as were generallj 7 in the courts of this age;
that if he should meet with one to give him trouble at
home, it was what he should not be able to bear, who was
likely to have enough abroad in the course of his life; and
that, after the manner he was resolved to live with a wife,
which should be the best he could, he would have one that
he thought likely to live well with him, which he thought
chiefly depended upon their disposition and education.
”
put on their heads, as next heirs, April 11, 1689. They reigned jointly till Dec. 28, 1694, when the queen died of the small-pox at her palace of Kensington. It would
They were married at St. James’s, Nov. 4, 1677; and,
after receiving the proper congratulations from those who
were concerned to pay them, embarked for Holland about
a fortnight after, and made their entrance into the Hague
with the utmost pomp and magnificence. Here she lived
with her consort, practising every virtue and every duty;
till, upon a solemn invitation from the states of England,
she followed him thither, and arrived at Whitehall, Feb.
12, 1689. The prince of Orange had arrived Nov. 5 preceding; and the occasion of their coming was to deliver
the kingdom from that popery and slavery which were just
ready to oppress it. King James abdicated the crown;
and it was put on their heads, as next heirs, April 11, 1689.
They reigned jointly till Dec. 28, 1694, when the queen
died of the small-pox at her palace of Kensington. It
would lead to an excursion of too much extent, to describe
the many virtues and excellences of this amiable princess;
a picture of her, however, may be seen in Burnet’s Essay
on her memory, printed in 1695, which contains a delineation of every female virtue, and of every female grace.
He represents her saying, that she looked upon idleness as
the great corrupter of human nature, and as believing,
that if the mind had no employment given it, it would
create some of the worst to itself: and she thought that
any thing which might amuse and divert, without leaving
a dreg and impression behind it, ought to fill up those
vacant hours that were not claimed by devotion or business. When her eyes, adds the bishop, were endangered
by reading too much, she found out the amusement of
work; and in all those hours that were not given to better
employments, she wrought with her own hands, and that
sometimes with so constant a diligence, as if she had been
to earn her bread by it. It is said by another writer, that
when reflections were once made before queen Mary of
the sharpness of some historians who had left heavy imputations on the memory of certain princes, she answered,
“that if these princes were truly such as the historians
represented them, they had well deserved that treatment
and others who tread their steps might look for the same
for truth would be told at last.
”
This excellent princess was so composed upon her deathbed, that when archbishop Tillotson, who assisted her in
her last moments, stopped, with tears in his eyes, on
coming to the commendatory prayer in the office for the
sick, she said to him, “My lord, why do you not go on?
I am not afraid to die.
”
sed with her during the course of their marriage. After his demise a locket, containing some hair of queen Mary, was found hanging near his heart.
King William has been supposed not to have been a very kind husband to his consort. He was, however, much affected by her death, and said she had never once given him any reason to be displeased with her during the course of their marriage. After his demise a locket, containing some hair of queen Mary, was found hanging near his heart.
college, Oxford: at which time, being in high reputation as a preacher, he was appointed one of the queen’s chaplains in ordinary. On December lOth, 175S, he was admitted
, an eminent English prelate, was the son of John Matthew, a merchant of Bristol, and born in that part of the city which lies in Somersetshire, in 1546. He received the first rudiments of learning in the city of Wells, and at the age of thirteen became a student in the university of Oxford, in the beginning of 1558-9. In Christ Church college he took the degree of bachelor of arts, Feb. 11, 1563, and in June 1566, was made master of arts; about which time he entered into holy orders, and was greatly respected for his learning, eloquence, conversation, friendly disposition, and the sharpness of his wit. On the 2nd of November 1569, he was unanimously elected public orator of the university; which office he filled with great applause. In 1570, he was made canon of the second stall in the cathedral of Christy-church, and November 28 following was admitted archdeacon of Bath. In 1571, he petitioned for his degree of bachelor of divinity, but was not admitted to it for two years. In 1572, he was made prebendary of Teynton-Regis with Yalmeten in the church of Salisbury; and in July following was elected president of St. John’s college, Oxford: at which time, being in high reputation as a preacher, he was appointed one of the queen’s chaplains in ordinary. On December lOth, 175S, he was admitted bachelor of divinity; and next year, May 27, proceeded doctor. On the 14th of June, 1576, being archdeacon at Bath, he was commissioned by archbishop Grindal, with some others, to visit the church, city, and deanry of Bristol. In the same year, he was made dean of Christ-church; and then obtained, from the pen of Camden, the distinguished character of " Theologus praestantissimus/' Camden adds, that learning and piety, art and nature, vied together in his composition. Sir John Harrington is also full of his praises, and even Campian the Jesuit speaks highly of his learning and virtues.
chancellor of the university. At a convocation held in 1580, archbishop Grindal being then under the queen’s displeasure, it was agreed, that our prelate, then dean of
In 1579, he served the office of Vice-chancellor of the
university. At a convocation held in 1580, archbishop
Grindal being then under the queen’s displeasure, it was
agreed, that our prelate, then dean of Christ-church,
should, in the name of that assembly, draw up an humble
address to her majesty, for the archbishop’s restitution;
but it was not favourably received. June 22, 1583, he was
collated to the precentorship of Salisbury; and Sept. 3
following, was made dean of Durham, being then thirtyseven years of age, on which he resigned his precentorship. From this time, says Le Neve, to the twenty-third
Sunday after Trinity in 1622, he kept an account of all the
sermons he preached, the place where, the time when,
the text what, and if any at court, or before any of the
prime nobility; by which it appears, that he preached,
while dean of Durham, seven hundred and twenty-one;
while bishop of Durham five hundred and fifty; and while
archbishop of. York, to the time above mentioned, seven
hundred and twenty-one; in all one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-two sermons; and among them several extempore. This prelate, adds Le Neve, certainly thought
preaching to be the most indispensible part of his duty;
for in the diary before quoted, wherein, at the end of
each year, he sets down how many sermons he had preached at the end of 1619, “Sum. Ser. 32, eheu! An. 1620,
sum. ser. 35, eheu! An. 1621, sore afflicted with a rheume
and coughe diverse months together, so that I never could
preach until Easter-daye. The Lord forgive me!
” On
the 28th of May, 1590, he was inducted to the rectory of
Bishopwearmouth, co. Durham; and in 1595, April 13,
was consecrated bishop of Durham, and resigned Bishopwearmouth.
rince who was shortly to come to the throne of England. In 1596, commissioners were appointed by the queen to treat with Scotland, and redress grievances on the borders:
Our prelate was much engaged in political matters:
Strype gives a letter of his, dated April 9, 1594, whilst
dean of Durham, to lord Burleigh, touching Bothwell’s
protection; in which he says, “I pray God the king’s protestations be not too well believed, who is a deep dissembler, by all men’s judgement that know him best, than is
thought possible for his years.
” Such was the character
he gave of the prince who was shortly to come to the
throne of England. In 1596, commissioners were appointed by the queen to treat with Scotland, and redress
grievances on the borders: the English commissioners were
the bishop of Durham, sir William Bowes, Francis Slingsby, esq. and Clement Colmer, LL.D. The place of
convention was Carlisle, and many months were spent on
that duty; but the good effect of their assiduous
application to the work of peace was much retarded, and almost
rendered abortive, by the outrages repeatedly committed on
the eastern and middle marches. The first article of this
treaty, however, says Ridpath, in his “Border History,
”
does honour to the character of the prelates of the church,
one of whom stood first in the list of commissioners from
each nation. In this article it was resolved, “that the
sovereigns of each king should be addressed, to order
the settlement of ministers at every border-church, for the
sake of reforming and civilizing the inhabitants, by their
salutary instructions and discipline: and for this purpose,
the decayed churches should be repaired: and for the safety
of the persons of their pastors, and due respect to be paid
them in the discharge of their offices, the principal inhabitants of each parish should give security to their
prince.
”
urned to Berlin in 1744, when a marriage was negociated and brought about by the good offices of the queen mother, between our author and mademoiselle de Borck, a lady
He went soon after to Berlin; but as the reform of the academy which the king of Prussia then meditated was not yet mature, he repaired to Paris, where his affairs called him, and was chosen in 1742 director of the academy of sciences. In 1743 he was received into the French academy; which was the first instance of the same person, being a member of both the academies at Paris at the same time. Maupertuis again assumed the soldier at the siege of Fribourg, and was pitched upon by marshal Coigny and the count d'Argenson to carry the news to the French king of the surrender of that citadel. Maupertuis returned to Berlin in 1744, when a marriage was negociated and brought about by the good offices of the queen mother, between our author and mademoiselle de Borck, a lady of great beauty and merit, and nearly related to M.de Borck, at that time minister of state. This determined him to settle at Berlin, as he was extremely attached to his new spouse, and regarded this alliance as the most fortunate circumstance of his life.
particularly, “that his desertion from the court was owing to his being disappointed of the place of queen’s poet, to which sir William Davenant, his competitor, was preferred
His skill is in parody; and he was
breaking out of the civil wars, joined himself very heartily
to the parliament. Fuller gives a reason for this when he
says that “some disgust at court was given to, or taken
by him, as some would have it, because his bays were not
gilded richly enough, and his verses rewarded by king
Charles according to expectation.
” Others, as Phillips
and Winstanley, say more particularly, “that his desertion from the court was owing to his being disappointed of
the place of queen’s poet, to which sir William Davenant,
his competitor, was preferred before him;
” and Clarendon
seems to have suggested this opinion. Whatever was
the cause, it is certain that he threw himself under the
protection, and into the service of the parliament; and
recommended himself so effectually to them, as to be appointed their secretary and historiographer. Agreeably
to the duties of this last office, he published, in 1647,
“The History of the Parliament of England, which began
Nov. 3, 1640; with a short and necessary view of some
precedent years,
” folio. The first book of this history
begins with short characters of queen Elizabeth and king
James, passing through the former part of king Charles’s
reign, to 1641; and the last ends with a narrative of the
first battle of Newbury, in 1643. He afterwards made an
abstract of this history, and a continuation of it to the
death of king Charles I. in Latin, in 16^-9; and then
an English translation of it, entitled “A Breviary of the
History of the Parliament of England,
” 1650, 8vo. Echard
calls this history, “one of the genteelest and handsomest
libels of those times.
” Granger is of opinion that there is
more candour in this history than the royalists were willing to allow him, but less elegance than might have been
expected from the pen of so polite and classical a scholar.
Warburton’s praise of this work is perhaps of more value.
In a letter to Dr. Hurd he says, “May’s History of the
Parliament is a just composition, according to the rules of
history. It is written with much judgment, penetration,
manliness, and spirit. And with a candour that will greatly
increase your esteem, when you understand that he wrote
by order of his masters the parliament. It breaks off (much to the loss of the history of that time) just when their armies
were new modelled by the self-denying ordinance
”
him his first physician, if the Jesuits, who were aware of it, had not prevented him by the means of queen Mary de Medicis. Of this circumstance and intended favour, Mayerne
, baron of Albone, first
physician to their Britannic majesties James I. and Charles I.
was the son of Louis de Mayerne, author of a “General
History of Spain,
” and of the “Monarchic aristo-democratique,
” dedicated to the States-general. His mother
was Louisa, the daughter of Antoine le Masson, treasurer
of the army to Francis I. and Henry II. in Piedmont.
Louis de Mayerne retired to Geneva about the end of 1572,
after having had two houses at Lyons pulled down on account of his religion. On Sept. 28, 1573, his son Theodore was born, and had for his godfather Theodore Beza.
He learnt polite literature in his own country, and he was
thence sent to Heidelberg, where he stayed some years;
after which, as he had made choice of physic for his profession, he went to Montpellier, and there he took the
degree of bachelor in 1596, and of doctor in 1597. Thence
he went to Paris, where, by way of introducing himself
into practice, he gave lectures in anatomy to the young
surgeons, and in pharmacy to the apothecaries. He acquired reputation by his prescriptions, and became known
to Riverius, first physician to Henry IV. who recommended him so effectually to the king, that he made him
one of his physicians in ordinary; and, in 1600, appointed
him to attend Henry duke of Rohan, in his embassies from
France to the princes of Germany and Italy. Upon his
return, he acquitted himself in the exercise of his office
very much to his credit, and was in high favour with the
king, who promised to do great things for him, provided
he would change his religion; and, it is said, notwithstanding that obstacle, would have appointed him his first physician, if the Jesuits, who were aware of it, had not prevented him by the means of queen Mary de Medicis. Of
this circumstance and intended favour, Mayerne knew
nothing till he learnt it, in 1642, in England, from Caesar
duke of Vendosme, a natural son of France. In 1607, he
had under his care an Englishman of quality, who after
his recovery carried him into England, where he had a
private conference with king James. He then returned to
Paris, and remained there till after the assassination of
Henry IV. in May 1610. In the following year, the king
of England caused him to be invited by his ambassador, to
serve in quality of first physician to himself and his queen,
and gave him a patent, sealed with the great seal of England; in which office he served the whole royal family
with great honour and approbation, till the day of his
death. He was admitted to the degree of doctor in both
universities, and into the college of physicians, and treated
with the greatest respect by these learned bodies. He incurred some obloquy on account of the fatal sickness of
Henry prince of Wales, in October 1612; in the treatment of which he differed in opinion from the other physicians, with respect to the use of blood-letting. But his
conduct obtained the approbation of the king and council,
of which certificates, couched in the most satisfactory
terms, were given him. He received the honour of knighthood from James, in 1624; and on the accession of
Charles I. he was appointed first physician to him and his
queen, and rose to high favour, particularly with the latter.
During the civil commotions he still adhered to the royal
party, for he was appointed first physician to Charles II.
after the death of his father, although the office was not
merely nominal. Thus he enjoyed the extraordinary
honour of serving four kings successively in his medical
capacity; and during all this period he -was most extensively employed by persons of the first rank in this kingdom, by which he accumulated a large fortune. He made
an exact collection of his prescriptions. He composed a
very curious dispensatory of medicines, galenical and chemical but never published any of his works, except an
“Apology
” for himself, against the faculty of physic at
Paris, who had attacked him for his application to the
practice of chemistry, which was greatly cried down by
the physicians of that place. Guy Patin has given an account of this dispute; in which he has shewn himself
greatly prejudiced against Mayerne, and calls him a quack,
on account of his pretensions to chemistry. He died
March 15, 1655, at Chelsea, of the effects of bad wine, a
slow, which, says Granger, the weakness of old age rendered a quick poison. He foretold the time of his death to
his friends, with whom he had been moderately drinking at
a tavern in the Strand; and it happened according to his prediction. He was buried at St. Martin’s-in-the-tields. He
left behind him one only daughter, who brought her great
fortune in marriage to the marquis de Montpouvillan,
grandson of the marshal duke de la Force; but she died
in childbed at the Hague, in 1661.
my, was the son of a counsellor of the parliament of Toulouse, and born in 1582. He was secretary to queen Margaret, and pleased the court of that princess by his wit
, a French poet, and one of the
forty of the French academy, was the son of a counsellor
of the parliament of Toulouse, and born in 1582. He was
secretary to queen Margaret, and pleased the court of
that princess by his wit and gaiety. Noailles, the
ambassador to Rome, took him with him in 1634-; and pope
Urban VIII. was very much pleased with him. Returning
to France, he made his court to the great, but was too
sanguine in the expectations he formed from them; which
lead in general to disappointment. This was his case. He
commended cardinal Richelieu, in order to obtain something; and abused him for giving him nothing. He had
the same success at the court of Anne of Austria; and,
after a variety of disappointments, he retired to his province, where he died in 1646. He wrote songs, odes,
epigrams, some of them rather licentious, and a poem,
entitled, “Philander,
” &c. Malherbe says of him, and
it has generally been allowed, that his verses were well
turned, but wanted force.
aversion to the government of king William, which he displayed in a satire against king William and queen Mary, entitled “Tarquin and Tullia,” printed in the “State Poems,”
, esq. a political and miscellaneous writer, descended from an ancient family in
Shropshire, was born at Ightfield in that county in 166S.
He was instructed in grammar learning at Shrewsbury,
and thence removed, at seventeen, to Christ-church, Oxford; where he was placed under the care of Smalridge,
afterwards bishop of Bristol. He staid several years at
Oxford, and then went into the country, where he prosecuted his studies in polite literature with great vigour;
and afterwards, coming to London, applied himself to the
law. During his residence in the country, he had contracted from an uncle, with whom he lived, an extreme
aversion to the government of king William, which he displayed in a satire against king William and queen Mary,
entitled “Tarquin and Tullia,
” printed in the “State
Poems,
” vol. III. p. 319. He also wrote several pieces in
favour of James the Second’s party but, upon being
introduced to the acquaintance of the duke of Somerset, and
the earls of Dorset and Burlington, he began to entertain
very different notions in politics. He studied the law till
he was five-and-twenty; and, upon the conclusion of the
peace of Ryswick, went to Paris, where be became acquainted with Boileau. That poet invited him to his
country-house, gave him a very handsome entertainment,
and spoke much to him of the English poetry; but all by
way of inquiry: for he affected to be as ignorant of the
English Muse, as if the English were as barbarous as Laplanders. Thus a gentleman, a friend of Maynwaring’s,
visiting him some time after, upon the death of Dryden,
Boileau said that he was wonderfully pleased to see, by
the public papers, that the English nation had paid such
extraordinary honours to a poet in England, burying him
at the public charge; and then asked the gentleman who
that poet was, with as much indifference as if he had
never heard of Dryden’s name.
long as he -could help it, that man should never have this nor any other place.” In the beginning of queen Anne’s reign, he was made auditor of the imprests, by the lord
After his return from France, he was made one of the
commissioners of the customs, in which office he distinguished himself by his skill and fidelity. Of the latter,
Oldmixon gives a remarkable instance, in his treatment of
a person who solicited to be a tide-waiter. This man,
understanding that Mr. May 11 waring had the best interest
at the board of any of the commissioners, with the lords of
the treasury, left a letter for him with a purse of fifty
guineas, desiring his favour towards obtaining the place
for which he applied. After that, he delivered a petition
to the board, which was read, and several of the commissioners spoke on the subject; upon which Mr. Maynwaring
took out the purse of fifty guineas, and the letter, and
told them, that, “as long as he -could help it, that man
should never have this nor any other place.
” In the beginning of queen Anne’s reign, he was made auditor of the
imprests, by the lord -treasurer Godolphin, an office worth
2000l. per annum in a time of business. In the parliament which met in 1705, he was chosen a burgess for
Preston in Lancashire. He died at St. Alban’s, Nov. 13,
1712, leaving Mrs. Oldfield, the celebrated actress, his
executrix. This lady had lived with him as his mistress,
and by her he had a son, named Arthur Maynwaring. He
divided his estate, which did not amount to much more
than 3000l. equally between that child, Mrs. Oldfield, and
his sister. He published a great number of compositions
in verse and prose, which gained him credit and reputation. Sir Richard Steele dedicated to him the first volume
of the Tatler. Even his adversaries could not deny him
merit. Thus the Examiner, his antagonist in politics,
allowed that he wrote with “a tolerable spirit, and in a
masterly style.
” He was severely reflected upon for his
will, particularly by the “Examiner;
” in answer to which,
there came out a paper, two months after his death, in
defence of him; and this defence was in a few days followed by another, in a letter to a friend, supposed to be
written by Robert Walpole, esq. In 1715 Mr. Oldmixon
published “The Life and Posthumous Works of Arthur
Maynwaring, esq. containing several original pieces and
translations, in prose and verse, never before published,
”
8vo, dedicated to sir Robert Walpole, of whom Mr. Maynwaring was a firm adherent, and, according to Mr. Coxe,
the first who predicted the figure that statesman would one
day make. This volume contains many curious particulars
of the political history of the times; but, like all Oldmixon’s writings, must be read with caution.
ook 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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
rable 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
, 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; and was employed by her majesty in her most
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.
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
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.
f 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
, 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.
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
, 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,
”
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,
, 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.
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.
, 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.
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
, 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:
tries, 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
, 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.
”
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
, 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.
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;
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 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
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.
”
ation 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
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.
isfaction 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
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 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,
, 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.
ng sufficiently supplied with water, three acts of parliament were obtained for that purpose; one in queen Elizabeth’s, and two in king James the First’s reign; granting
, a public-spirited man, and
a great benefactor to the city of London, by bringing in
thither the New River, was a native of Denbigh in North
Wales, and a citizen tind goldsmith of London. This city
not being sufficiently supplied with water, three acts of
parliament were obtained for that purpose; one in queen
Elizabeth’s, and two in king James the First’s reign;
granting the citizens of London full power to bring a river
from any part of Middlesex and Hertfordshire. The project, after much calculation, w r as laid aside as impracticable, till sir Hugh Middleton undertook it: in consideration
of which, the city conferred on him and his heirs, April 1,
1606, the full right and power of the act of parliament;
granted unto them in that behalf. Having therefore taken
an exact survey of all springs and rivers in Middlesex and
Hertfordshire, he made choice of two springs, one in the
parish of Am well near Hertford, the other near Ware, both
about twenty miles from London; and, having united their
streams, conveyed them to the city with very great labour
and expence. The work was begun Feb. 20, 1608, and
carried on through various soils, some oozy and muddy,
others extremely hard and rocky. Many bridges in the
mean time were built over his New River; and many
drains were made to carry off land-springs and commonsewers, sometimes over and sometimes under it. Besides
these necessary difficulties, he had, as may easily be imagined, many others to struggle with; as the malice and
derision of the vulgar and envious, the many hindrances
and complaints of persons through whose grounds the
channel was to be cut, &c. When he had brought the
water into the neighbourhood of Enfield, almost his whole
fortune was spent upon which he applied to the lord
mayor and commonalty of London but they refusing to
interest themselves in the affair, he applied next to king
James. The king, willing to encourage that noble work,
did, by indenture under the great seal, dated May 2, 1612,
between him and Mr. Middleton, covenant to pay half the
expence of the whole work, past and to come; and thus
the design was happily effected, and the water brought
into the cistern at Islington on Michaelmas-day, 1613.
Like all other projectors, sir Hugh greatly impaired his
fortune by this stupendous work: for though king James
had borne so great a part of the expence, and did afterwards, in 1619, grant his letters-patent to sir Hugh Middleton, and others, incorporating them by the name of
“The Governors and Company of ttfe New River, brought
from Chadwell and Am well to London
” impowering them
to choose a governor, deputy-governor, and treasurer, to
grant leases, &c. yet the profit it brought in at first was
very inconsiderable. There was no dividend made among
the proprietors till the year 1633, when III. 195. Id. was
divided upon ea^h share. The second dividend amounted
only to 3l. 4s. 2d. and instead of a third dividend, a call
being expected, king Charles I. who was in possession of
the royal moiety aforesaid, re-conveyed it again to sir Hugh,
by a deed under the great seal, Nov. 18, 1636; in consideration of sir Hugh’s securing to his majesty and his successors a fee-farm rent of 500l. per annum, out of the profits of the company, clear of all reprises. Sir Hugh charged
that sum upon the holders of the king’s shares. He was at
last under the necessity of engaging in the business of a
surveyor, or what is now denominated a civil engineer, and
in that capacity rendered essential services to his country,
by various schemes of mining, draining, &c. In 1622 he
was created a baronet, and he died in the year 1631; since
which, the value of the shares in this New River, as it is
still called, advanced so much as to create large fortunes
to thje heirs of the original holders. A hundred pounds
share, some years since, sold as high as fifteen thousand
pounds. Of late, however, there have been several acts
of parliament passed in favour of other projects, which
have reduced the value of the New River shares full one
half. It is the fashion now to decry the company as extravagant in their charges for supplies of water; but it should
be remembered, that the shares of this corporation, like
those of other commercial companies, are perpetually
changing their masters; and it is probable that the majority of share-holders, when their value was even at the
highest, had paid their full price, so as to gain only a maderate interest upon their purchase money.
es sir Walter’s conduct and its consequences: “Being employed by virtue of his place, to advance the queen’s treasure, he did it industriously, faithfully, and conscionably,
, an eminent statesman of
the sixteenth century, and founder of Emmanuel college,
Cambridge, was the fourth son of Thomas Mildmay, esq.
by Agnes, his wife, daughter of Read. He was educated at Christ’s college, Cambridge, where he made great
proficiency in learning, and to which college he afterwards
became a benefactor. In the reign of Henry VIII. he
succeeded to the office which had been held by his father,
that of surveyor of the court of augmentation, erected by
statute 27 Henry VIII. for determining suits and controversies relating to monasteries and abbey-lands. It took
its name from the great augmentation that was made to the
revenues of the crown by the suppression of the religious
houses. In 1547, immediately after the coronation of
Edward VI. he was made one of the knights of the carpet.
He had also in this reign the chief direction of the mint,
and the management, under several special commissions,
of the king’s revenues, particularly of those which arose
from the crown lands, the nature and value of which he
had made his chief study. In 1552 he represented the
town of Maldon, Essex, in parliament, and was a burgess
in the first parliament of Mary for the city of Peterborough,
and sat afterwards as one of the knights for the county of
Northampton. How he came co escape during this detestable reign we are not told, unless, as some think, that
“he concealed his affection to the protestant religion*;
”
but that was probably well known, and he was afterwards
not only a zealous protestant, but a friend, on many occasions, to the puritans. Q.ueen Elizabeth, on the lieath of
sir Richard Sackville in 1566, gave him the otiice of chancellor of the exchequer, and he became a most useful, but
not a favoured servant, for his integrity was too stiff to
bend to the politics of that reign, and his consequent popularity excited the continual jealousy of his mistress: he
was therefore never advanced to any higher post, though
in one of the letters published by Mr. Lodge, he is mentioned as a candidate fof the seals. Honest Fuller, in his
quaint way, thus expresses sir Walter’s conduct and its
consequences: “Being employed by virtue of his place, to
advance the queen’s treasure, he did it industriously, faithfully, and conscionably, without wronging the subject;
being very tender of their privileges, insomuch that he
once complained in parliament, that many subsidies were
granted, and no grievances redressed; which words being
represented with disadvantage to the queen, made her to
disaffect him, setting in a court-cloud, but in the sunshine of his country, and a clear conscience.
” In
e gradually to its present flourishing state. Fuller tells us that the founder “coming to court, the queen told him,” Sir Walter, I hear you have erected a puritan foundation."
He was a very learned man, and an eminent encourager
of literature, as appears by his founding Emmanuel college, Cambridge, which, by the additional assistance of
other benefactors, arose gradually to its present flourishing state. Fuller tells us that the founder “coming to
court, the queen told him,
” Sir Walter, I hear you have
erected a puritan foundation." No madam,‘ sayth he,
c far be it from me to countenance any thing contrary to
your established laws; but I have set an acorn, which
when it becomes an oak, God alone knows what will be
the fruit thereof.’ ' He had so much of the puritan about
him, however, as to make the chapel stand north and
south, instead of east and west.
articulars. His father being in indifferent circumstances, he was, in 1661, entered as a servitor of Queen’s college, Oxford, where we may suppose his application soon
, the learned editor of the Greek Testament, was the son of Thomas Mil!, of Banton or Bampton,
near the town of Snap in Westmoreland, and was born at
Shap about 1645. Of his early history our accounts are
very scanty; and as his reputation chiefly rests on his Greek
Testament, which occupied the greater part of his life,
and as he meddled little in affairs unconnected with his
studies, we are restricted to a very few particulars. His
father being in indifferent circumstances, he was, in 1661,
entered as a servitor of Queen’s college, Oxford, where we
may suppose his application soon procured him respect.
Bishop Kennet tells us, that in his opinion, he “talked
and wrote the best Latin of any man in the university, and
was the most airy and facetious in conversation — in all
respects a bright man.
” At this college he took the degree of B. A. in May 1666, and while bachelor, was selected to pronounce an “Oratio panegyrica
” at the opening of the Sheldon theatre in ready extempore preacher.
” In 1676 his countryman and fellowcollegian, Dr. Thomas Lamplugh, being made bishop of
Exeter, he appointed Mr. Mill to be one of his chaplains,
and gave him a minor prebend in the church of Exeter.
In July 1680 he took his degree of B. D.; in August 1681
he was presented by his college to the rectory of Blechingdon, in Oxfordshire; and in December of that year he
proceeded D. D. about which time he became chaplain in
ordinary to Charles II. by the interest of the father of one
of his pupils. On May 5, 1685, he was elected and admitted principal of St. Edmund’s Hall, a station particularly convenient for his studies. By succeeding Dr. Crossthwaite in this office, bishop Kennet says he had the advantage of shining the brighter; but “he was so much
taken up with the one thing, ‘his Testament,’ that he had
not leisure to attend to the discipline of the house, which
rose and fell according to his different vice-principals.
”
In 1704 archbishop Sharp obtained for him from queen
Anne, a prebend of Canterbury, in which he succeeded
Dr. Beveridge, then promoted to the see of St. Asaph.
He had completed his great undertaking, the new editiuu
of the Greek Testament, when he died of an apop'ectie
fit, June 23, 1707, and was buried in the chancel of Blechingdon church, where, in a short inscription on his monument, he is celebrated for what critics have thought the
most valuable part of his labours on the New Testament,
his “prolegomena marmore perenniora.
”
rtune to his nephew, Jeremiah, who was born in 1714, and educated at Eton school, when he entered of Queen’s college, Oxford, as a gentleman commoner, and took his degrees
Bishop Milles left his fortune to his nephew, Jeremiah,
who was born in 1714, and educated at Eton school, when
he entered of Queen’s college, Oxford, as a gentleman
commoner, and took his degrees of M. A. in 1735, and B.
and D. D. in 1747, on which occasion he went out grand
compounder. He was collated by his uncle to a prebend
in the cathedral of Waterford, and to a living near that
city, which he held but a short time, choosing to reside in
England. Here he married Edith, a daughter of archbishop
Potter, by whose interest he obtained the united rectories
of St. Edmund the King and St. Nicholas Aeon in Lombard-street, with that of Merstham, Surrey, and the sinecure rectory of West Terring, in Sussex. To Merstham
he was inducted in 1745. From the chantorship of Exeter
he was promoted to the deanery of that cathedral, in 1762,
on the advancement of Dr. Lyttelton to the see of Carlisle,
whom he also succeeded as president of the society of
antiquaries in 176.5. He had been chosen a fellow of this
society in 1741, and of the Royal Society in 1742. His
speech, on taking upon him the office of president of the
Society of Antiquaries, was prefixed to the first volume of
the Archoeologia. In other volumes of that work are some
papers communicated by him, one of which, “Observations on the Wardrobe Account for the year 1483, wherein are contained the deliveries made for the coronation of
king Richard III. and some other particulars relative to the
history,
” was answered by Mr. Walpole, afterwards lord
Orford, in a paper or essay, very characteristic of his lordship’s ingenuity and haughty petulance. In the early part
of his life, Dr. Milles had made ample collections for a
history of Devonshire, v*hich are noticed by Mr. Gough in
his Topography. Ha was also engaged in illustrating the
Da ish coinage, and the Domesday Survey, on both which
subjects, it is thought, he left much valuable matter. His
worst attempt was to vindicate the authenticity of Rowley’s
poems, in an edition which he printed in 1782, 4to. After
what Tyrwhitt and Warton had advanced on this subject, a
grave answer to this was not necessary; but it was the
writer’s misiortune to draw upon himself the wicked wit
of the author of “An Archaeological Epistle,
” and the more
wicked irony of George Steevens in the St. James’s Chronicle. The dean died Feb. 13, 1784, and was buried in
the church of St. Edmund, which, as well as his other preferments, he retained until his death, with the exception
of the rectory of West Terring, which he resigned to his
son Richard. His character is very justly recorded on his
monument, as one conspicuous for the variety and extent
of his knowledge, and for un remitted zeal and activity in
those stations to which his merit had raised him; nor was
he in private life less distinguished for sweetness of disposition, piety, and integrity.
n teaching the lower boys of his crowded school at Hull. By his brother’s means also, he was sent to Queen’s college, Cambridge, in 1770, of which he is now master, professor
When he had obtained deacon’s orders, he applied for
the place of head-master of the grammar-school at Hull,
and having obtained it, was soon after chosen afternoon,
lecturer in the principal church in that town. Under his
auspices, the school, which had decayed through the negligence of his immediate predecessors, soon acquired and
retained very considerable celebrity, and as the master’s
salary rose in proportion to the increase of scholars, his
income now, on the whole, amounted to upwards of 200L
a year. The first use he made of this great change of circumstances was to discharge those duties that arose from
the situation of his father’s family. His pious affection instantly led him to invite his mother (then living at Leeds in poverty) to Hull, where she became the manager of his
house. He also sent for two indigent orphans, the children
of his eldest brother, and took effectual care of their education. At this time his youngest brother, Isaac, whose
prospects of advancement in learning were ruined by his
father’s death, was now humbly employed in the woollen
manufactory at Leeds. From this situation his brother Joseph instantly removed him, and employed him as his assistant in teaching the lower boys of his crowded school at
Hull. By his brother’s means also, he was sent to Queen’s
college, Cambridge, in 1770, of which he is now master,
professor of mathematics, and dean of Carlisle. Of the
affection between those brothers, the survivor thus speaks,
“Perhaps no two brothers were ever more closely bound
to each other. Isaac, in particular, remembers no earthly 7
thing without being able to connect it, in some way, tenderly with his brother Joseph. During all his life
” he has
constantly aimed at enjoying his company as much as circumstances permitted. The dissolution of such a connection could not take place without being severely felt by
the survivor. No separation was ever more bitter and
afflicting; with a constitution long shattered by disease, he
never expects to recover from That wound."
al. This piece was greatly resented by prince George of Denmark, consort to the princess, afterwards queen Anne; and Scheel, the Danish envoy, first presented a memorial
, viscount Molesworth of
Swordes in Ireland, an eminent statesman and polite writer, was descended from a family, anciently seated in the
counties of Northampton and Bedford in England; but his
father having served in the civil wars in Ireland, settled
afterwards in Dublin, where he became an eminent merchant, and died in 1656, leaving his wife pregnant with
this only child, who raised his family to the honours they
now enjoy. He was born in Dec. at Dublin, and bred in
the college there; and engaged early in a marriage with a
sister of Richard earl of Bellamont, who brought him a
daughter in 1677. When the prince of Orange entered
England in 1688, he distinguished himself by an early and
zealous appearance for the revolution, which rendered him
so obnoxious to king James, that he was attainted, and his
estate sequestered by that king’s parliament, May 2, 1689.
But when king William was settled on the throne, he called
this sufferer, for whom he had a particular esteem, into
his privy council; and, in 1692, sent him envoy extraordinary to the court of Denmark. Here he resided above
three years, till, some particulars in his conduct disobliging his Danish majesty, he was forbidden the court.
Pretending business in Flanders, he retired thither without any audience of leave, and came from thence home:
where he was no sooner arrived, than he drew up “An
Account of Denmark;
” in which he represented the government of that country as arbitrary and tyrannical. This
piece was greatly resented by prince George of Denmark,
consort to the princess, afterwards queen Anne; and
Scheel, the Danish envoy, first presented a memorial to
king William, complaining of it, and then furnished materials for an answer, which was executed by Dr. William
King. From King’s account it appears, that Molesworth’s
offence in Denmark was, his boldly pretending to some
privileges, which, by the custom of the country, are denied to every body but the king; as travelling the king’s
road, and hunting the king’s game: which being done, as
is represented, in defiance of opposition, occasioned the
rupture between the envoy and that count. If this allegation have any truth, the fault lay certainly altogether on
the side "of Molesworth whose disregard of the customs:
of the country to which he was sent, cannot be defended.
being always firm and steady to the principles he embraced. He was a member-of the privy-council to queen Anne, till the latter end of her reign when, party running high,
Molesworth served his country in the House of Commons in both kingdoms, being chosen for the borough of
Swordes in Ireland, and for those of Bodmyn, St. Michael,
and East Retford in England; his conduct in the senate
being always firm and steady to the principles he embraced.
He was a member-of the privy-council to queen Anne, till
the latter end of her reign when, party running high, he
was removed from the board in Jan. 1713. This was upon
a complaint against him from the lower, house of convocation, presented Dec.^2, by the prolocutor, to the House of
Peers, charging him- with speaking these words, in the
hearing of many persons: “They jhat have turned the
world upside down, are come hither also;
” and for affronting the clergy in convocation, when they presented their
address to lord chancellor Phipps. Steele’s “Crisis
” was
written partly in vindication of Molesworth, and severely
animadverted upon by Swift in his “Public Spirit of the
Whigs.
” But as Molesworth constantly asserted, and strenuously maintained the right of succession in the house of
Hanover, George I. on the forming of his privy-council in
Ireland, made him a member of it, Oct. 9, 1714, and the
next month a commissioner of trade and plantations. His
majesty also advanced him to the peerage of Ireland in
1716, by the title of Baron of Philipstown, and viscount
Molesworth of Swordes. He was fellow of the Royal Society and continued to serve his country with indefatigable industry, till the two last years of his life when,
perceiving himself worn out with constant application to
public affairs, he passed these in a studious and learned
retirement. His death happened on May 22, 1725, at his
seat at Breedenstown, in the county of Dublin. He had
a seat also in England, at Edlington, near Tickill, in Yorkshire. By his will he devised 50l. towards building a
church at Philipstown. He had by his wife seven sons and
four daughters; one of whom, Mary, married to Mr. Monk,
an Irish gentleman, acquired some reputation as the authoress of poems published after her death, in 1715, by
her father, under the title of “Marinda, Poems and Translations upon several occasions.
” See Mo>Ik hereafter.
g him his protection, and making his company his own, introduced him in that quality to the king and queen-mother. That company began to appear before their majesties
, the celebrated comic writer of France, whose original name was
Pocquelin, was born at Paris about 1620. He was both
son and grandson to valets de chambres on one side, and
tapissiers on the other, to Louis XIII. and was designed for
the latter business, that of a domestic upholsterer, whose
duty was to take care of the furniture of the royal apartments. But the grandfather being very fond of the boy,
and at the same time a great lover of plays, used to take
him often with him to the hotel de Bourgogne; which presently roused up Moliere’s natural genius and taste for dramatic representations, and created in him such a disgust to
his intended employment, that at last his father consented
to let him study under the Jesuits, at the college of Clermont. During the five years that he resided here, he made
a rapid progress in the study of philosophy and polite literature, and, if we mistake not, acquired even now much
insight into the varieties of human character. He had
here also an opportunity of contracting an intimate friendship with Chapelle, Bernier, and Cyrano. Chapelle, with
whom Bernier was an associate in his studies, had the famous Gassendi for his tutor, who willingly admitted Moliere to his lectures, as he afterwards also admitted Cyrano.
When Louis XIII. went to Narbonne, in 1641, his studies
were interrupted: for his infirm father, not being able to
attend the court, Moliere was obliged to go there to supply his place. This, however, he quitted on his fathers
death; and his passion for the stage, which had induced
him first to study, revived more strongly than ever. Some
have said, that he for a time studied the law, and was admitted an advocate. This seems doubtful, but, if true, he
soon yielded to those more lively pursuits which made him
the restorer of comedy in France, and the coadjutor of
Corneille, who had rescued the tragic Muse from barbarism. The taste, indeed, for the drama, was much improved in France, after cardinal de Richelieu granted a
peculiar protection to dramatic poets. Many little societies now made it a diversion to act plays in their own
houses; in one of which, known by the name of “The
illustrious Theatre,
” Moliere entered himself; and it was
then, in conformity to the example of the actors of that
time, that he changed his name of Pocquelin for that of
Moliere, which he retained ever after. What became of
him from 1648 to 1652 we know not, this interval being
the time of the civil wars, which caused disturbances in
Paris; but it is probable, that he was employed in composing some of those pieces which were afterwards exhibited to the public. La Bejart, an actress of Champagne,
waiting, as well as he, for a favourable time to display her
talents, Moliere was particularly kind to her; and as their
interests became mutual, they formed a company together, and went to Lyons in 1653, where Moliere produced
his first play, called “L'Etourdi,
” or the Blunderer, and
appeared in the double character of author and actor.
I his drew almo_st all the spectators from the other company of comedians, which was settled in that town; some
of which company joined with Moliere, and followed him
to Beziers in Languedoc, where he offered his services to
the prince of Co'nti, who gladly accepted them, as he had
known him at college, and was among the first to predict
his brilliant career on the stage. He now received him as
a friend; and not satisfied with confiding to him the management of the entertainments which he gave, he offered
to make him his secretary, which the latter declined, saying, “I am a tolerable author, but I should make a very
bad secretary.
” About the latter end of were so well approved, that his majesty gave orders for
their settlement at Paris. The hall of the Petit Bourbon
was granted them, to act by turns with the Italian players.
In 1663, Moliere obtained a pension of a thousand livres:
and, in 1665, his company was altogether in his majesty’s
service. He continued all the remaining part of his life
to give new plays, which were very much and very justly
applauded: and if we consider the number of works which
he composed in about the space of twenty years, while he
was himself all the while an actor, and interrupted, as he
must be, by perpetual avocations of one kind or other,
we cannot fail to admire the quickness, as well as fertility
of his genius; and we shall rather be apt to think with
Boileau,
” that rhime came to him,“than give credit to
some others, who say he
” wrote very slowly."
ve life, and applied himself to the sea-service, in which he became very expert. In the beginning of queen Elizabeth’s war with Spain, he entered on board of ship without
, a brave English admiral,
was the third son of sir John Monson, of South Carlton, in.
Lincolnshire, and born in 1569. For about two years he
studied at Baliol college, Oxford: but, being of an active
and martial disposition, he soon grew weary of a contemplative life, and applied himself to the sea-service, in which
he became very expert. In the beginning of queen Elizabeth’s war with Spain, he entered on board of ship without the knowledge of his parents; but in 1587 we find he
went out commander of a vessel, and in 1588, he served
in one of the queen’s ships, but had not the command of
it. In 1589, he was vice-admiral to the earl of Cumberland, in his expedition to the Azores islands, and at the
taking of Fayal; but, in their return, suffered such hardships, and contracted such a violent illness from them, as
kept him at home the whole year 1590. “The extremity
we endured,
” says he, “was more terrible than befel any
ship during the eighteen years’ war: for, laying aside the
continual expectation of death by shipwreck, and the daily
mortality of our men, I will speak of our famine, that exceeded all men and ships’ I have known in the course of my
life. For sixteen days together we never tasted a drop of
drink, either beer, wine, or water;and though we had
plenty of beef and pork of a year’s saltirxg, yet did we forbear eating of it for making us the drier. Many drank salt
water, and those that did, died suddenly, and the last words
they usually spake, was, ‘drink, drink, drink’ And I dare
boldly say, that, of five hundred men that were in that
ship seven years before, at this day there is not a man
alive but myself and one more.
”
Elizabeth’s reign. Military men were not king James’s favourites: therefore, after the death of the queen, he never received either recompence or preferment, more than
In 1591, he served a second time under the earl of
Cumberland; and the commission was, as all the former
were, to act against the Spaniards. They took several of
their ships; and captain Monson, being sent to convoy one
of them to England, was surrounded and taken by six
Spanish gallies, after a long and bloody fight. On this
occasion they detained him as an hostage for the performance of certain covenants, and carried him to Portugal,
where he was kept prisoner two years at Cascais and Lisbon. Not discouraged by this ill-luck, he entered a third
time into the earl’s service, in 1593; and he behaved himself in this, as in all other expeditions, like a brave and
able seaman. In 1594, he was created master of arts at
Oxford; in 151)5, he was married; in 1596, he served in
the expedition to Cadiz, under Walter Devereux, earl of
Essex, to whom he did great service by his wise and moderate counsel, and was deservedly knighted. He was
employed in several other expeditions, and was highly honoured and esteemed during Elizabeth’s reign. Military
men were not king James’s favourites: therefore, after the
death of the queen, he never received either recompence
or preferment, more than his ordinary entertainment or
pay, according to the services he was employed in. However, in 1604-, he was appointed admiral of the Narrow
Seas, in which station he continued till 1616: during which
time he supported the honour of the English flag, against
the insolence of the infant commonwealth of Holland, of
which he frequently complains in his “Naval Tracts;
” and
protected our trade against the encroachments of France.
At the accession of queen Anne he was dismissed from the council: and in the first parliament
At the accession of queen Anne he was dismissed from the council: and in the first parliament of her reign was again attacked by the Commons, and again escaped by the protection of the Lords. In 1704, he wrote an answer to Bromley’s speech against occasional conformity. He headed the inquiry into the danger of the church. In 1706, he proposed and negociated the union with Scotland; and wheu the elector of Hanover had received the garter, after the act had passed for securing the protestant successipr, he was appointed to carry the ensigns of the order to the electoral court. He sat as one of the judges of Sacheverell; but voted for a mild sentence. Being now no longer in favour, he contrived to obtain a writ for summoning the electoral prince to parliament as duke of Cambridge. At the queen’s death he was appointed one of the regency, during her successor’s absence from his kingdoms; and, as soon as George I. had taken possession of the throne, he was created earl of Halifax, installed knight of the garter, and expected to have been appointed lord high treasurer; but as he was only created first commissioner, he was highly chagrined, nor was he pacified by the above honours, or by the transfer of the place of auditor of the exchequer to his nephew. Inflamed, says Mr. Coxe, by disappointed ambition, he entered into cabals with the tory leaders, for the removal of those with whom he had so long cordially acted; but his death put an end to his intrigues. While he appeared to be in a very vigorous state of health, he was suddenly taken ill, May 15, and died on the 19th, 1715.
mployment, on account of his musical talents, in the suite of Philip II.; and was also patronized by queen Catherine, sister to the emperor Charles V. He died in the prime
, a celebrated Castillian poet, was born at Monte-mayor, whence he took his
name, probably in the early part of the sixteenth century,
one authority says in 1520. It is thought he owed his reputation more to genius than study; in his early years he
was in the army, and amidst the engagements of a military
life, cultivated music and poetry. He appears to have afterwards obtained an employment, on account of his musical talents, in the suite of Philip II.; and was also patronized by queen Catherine, sister to the emperor Charles V.
He died in the prime of life in 1562. His reputation now
rests on his “Diana,
” a pastoral romance, which has always been admired on the continent, and translated into
various languages. The last edition of the original is that
of Madrid, 1795, 8vo. Caspar Polo published a continuation, “La Diana enamoradacinco libros que prosequen los
VII. de Jorge de Montemayor,
” Madrid, 1778, 8vo, a work
which, Brunet says, is more esteemed than that of Montemayor.
the most distinguished characters of the day. He in particular received many marks of attention from queen Caroline. In the portrait of Montesquieu, written by himself,
A place in the French academy becoming vacant by the
death of monsieur de Sacy, in 1728, Montesquieu, by the
advice of his friends, and supported also by the voice of
the public, offered himself for it. Upon this, the minister,
cardinal Fleury, wrote a letter to the academy, informing
them, that his majesty would never agree to the election of
the author of the “Persian Letters
” that he had not himself read the book but that persons in whom he placed
confidence, had informed him of its dangerous tendency.
Montesquieu, thinking it prudent immediately to encounter this opposition, waited on the minister, and declared
to him, that, for particular reasons, he had not owned the
“Persian Letters,
” but that he would be still farther from,
disowning a work, for which he believed he had no reason
to blush; and that he ought to be judged after a reading,
and not upon information. At last, the minister did what
he ought to have begun with; he read the book, loved the
author, and learned to place his confidence better. The
French academy, says D'Alembert, was not deprived of
one of its greatest ornaments, nor France of a subject, of
which superstition or calumny was ready to deprive her;
for Montesquieu, it seems, had frankly declared to the
government, that he could not think of continuing in
France after the affront they were about to offer, but should
seek among foreigners for that safety, repose, and honour,
which he might have hoped in his own country. He was
received into the academy, Jan. 24, 1728; and his discourse upon that occasion, which was reckoned a very fine
one, is printed among his works.
As before his admission into the academy, he had giveatip his civil employments, and devoted himself entirely to
his genius and taste, he resolved to travel, and went first,
in company with lord Waldegrave our ambassador, to
Vienna, where he often saw prince Eugene; in whom he
thought he could discover some remains of affection for his
native country. He left Vienna to visit Hungary; and,
passing thence through Venice, went to Rome. There he
applied himself chiefly to examine the works of Raphael,
of Titian, and of Michael Angelo, although he had not
made the fine arts a particular study. After having travelled over Italy, he came to Switzerland, and carefully
examined 1 those vast countries which are watered by the
Rhine. He stopped afterwards some time in the United
Provinces; and, at last, went to England, where he stayed
three years, and contracted intimate friendships with many
of the most distinguished characters of the day. He in
particular received many marks of attention from queen
Caroline. In the portrait of Montesquieu, written by himself, and published lately among some posthumous pieces,
he gives the following proof of his gallantry in reply
“Dining in England with the duke of Richmond, the
French envoy there La Boine, who was at table, and was
ill qualified for his situation, contended that England was
not larger than the province of Guienne. I opposed the
envoy. In the evening, the queen said to me, `I am
informed, sir, that you undertook our defence against M.
de la Boine.‘ `Madam,’ I replied, `I cannot persuade
myself that a country over which you reign, is not a great
kingdom.'
”
had herself a poetical turn. By this lady, who in 1758 obtained the place of necessary-woman to the queen’s apartments, and who still survives, he had a son Edward, who
In 1750, he married Miss Hamilton, daughter of Mr.
Charles Hamilton, table-decker to the princesses; a lady
who had herself a poetical turn. By this lady, who in
1758 obtained the place of necessary-woman to the queen’s
apartments, and who still survives, he had a son Edward,
who died in the naval service in 1773. Moore’s personal
character appears to have been unexceptionable, and his
pleasing manners and humble demeanour rendered his
society acceptable to a very numerous class of friends. His
productions were those of a genius somewhat above the
common order, unassisted by learning. His professed exclusion of Greek and Latin mottoes from the papers of the
World (although they were not rejected when sent), induces us to think that he had little acquaintance with the
classics, and there is indeed nothing in any of Ins works
that indicates the study of a particular branch of science.
When he projected the Magazine above mentioned, he
told the Wartons, “in confidence, that he wanted a dull
plodding fellow of one of the universities, who understood
Latin and Greek.
”
admitted Dec, 3, 1687, but he quitted that Oct. 26, 1689, on his being presented by king William and queen Mary (to whom he was then chaplain in ordinary) to the rectory
, an eminent English prelate, was the son of Thomas Moore of Market- Harborough in Leicestershire, where he was born. He was admitted June 28, 1662, of Clare-hall college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1665, M. A. in 1669, and D. D. in 1681. He was also fellow of that college, and afterwards became chaplain to Heneage Finch, earl of Nottingham, by whose interest he rose to considerable preferments, and in particular, was promoted to the first prebendal stall in the cathedral church of Ely. His next preferment was the rectory of St. Austin’s, London, to which he was admitted Dec, 3, 1687, but he quitted that Oct. 26, 1689, on his being presented by king William and queen Mary (to whom he was then chaplain in ordinary) to the rectory of St. Andrew’s, Holborn, vacant by the promotion of Dr. Stillingfleet to the see of Worcester. On the deprivation of Dr. William Lloyd, bishop of Norwich, for not taking the oaths to their majesties, he was advanced to that see, and consecrated July 5, 1691, and was thence translated to Ely, July 31, 1707, in which he remained until his death f He died'at Ely-house, in Holborn, July 31, 1714, in his sixty-eighth year. He was interred on the north side of the presbytery of his cathedral church, near his predecessor bishop Patrick, where an elegant monument was erected to his memory.
eath of his uncle Henry earl of Peterborough, he succeeded to that title; and, upon the accession of queen Anne, was designed for the West-Indies, being invested with
In 1688 he accompanied his highness in his expedition into England; and, upon his advancement to the throne, was sworn of the privy council, made one of the lords of the bedchamber, and, in order to attend at the coronation as an earl, advanced to the dignity of earl of Monmouth, April 9, 1689, having the clay before been constituted first commissioner of the treasury. He had likewise the command of the royal regiment of horse, which the city of London had raised for the public service, and of which his majesty was colonel: but, in the beginning of Nov. 1690, he was removed from his post in the treasury. On Juno 19, 1697, upon the death of his uncle Henry earl of Peterborough, he succeeded to that title; and, upon the accession of queen Anne, was designed for the West-Indies, being invested with the commission of captain-general and governor of Jamaica, and commander of the army and fleet for that expedition. In March 1705, he was sworn of the privy-council; and the same year declared general and commander in chief of the forces sent to Spain, and joint admiral of the fleet with sir Cloudsley Shovell, of which, the year following, he had the sole command, sir Cloudsley remaining in the British seas. His taking Barcelona with an handful of men, and relieving it afterwards, when greatly distressed by the enemy; his driving out of Spain the duke of Anjou and the French army, which consisted of twenty-five thousand men, though his own troops never amounted to ten thousand; the possession he gained of Catalonia, of the kingdoms of Valencia, Arragon, and Majorca, with part of Murcia and Castile, and thereby giving opportunity to the earl of Galway of advancing to Madrid without a blow; were all astonishing instances of valour, prudence, and conduct in military affairs, and, together with his wit, ready address, and singularities of character, made him be considered as one of the ablest servants of the public, and one of the most extraordinary characters of his time.
fterwards emperor of Germany; and, the war being thought likely to be concluded, he was appointed by queen Anne ambassador extraordinary, with power and instructions for
For his services abroad his lordship was declared general
in Spain by Charles III. afterwards emperor of Germany;
and, the war being thought likely to be concluded, he was
appointed by queen Anne ambassador extraordinary, with
power and instructions for treating and adjusting all matters of state and traffic between the two kingdoms. The
king of Spain, however, having transmitted some charges
against him, his conduct was examined by parliament, and
cleared up to their entire satisfaction. The House of
Lords, in particular, who were pleased with his justification, resolved, Jan. 12, 1710-11, “that his lordship, during the time he commanded the army in that kingdom, had
performed many great and eminent services; and that, if
the opinion, which he had given to the council of war at
Valencia, had been followed, it might very probably have
prevented the misfortunes that had since happened in
Spain:
” and upon this foundatiorrthey voted thanks to his
lordship in the most solemn manner. In 1710 and 1711,
Jie was employed in embassies to Vienna, Turin, and several
of the courts in Italy. On his return to England, he was
made colonel of the royal regiment of horse-guards; and
being general of the marines, and lord-lieutenant of the
county of Northampton, was, on August 4, 1713, installed
at Windsor a knight of the garter. Soon after which he
was sent ambassador extraordinary to the king of Sicily,
and to negociate affairs with other Italian princes; and in
March 1713-14, was made governor of the island of Minorca. In the reign of George I. he was general of all the
marine forces in Great Britain, in which post he was liker
wise continued by George II. He died in his passage to
Lisbon, whither he was going for thp recovery of his
health, Oct. 25, 1735, aged seventy-seven. A very interesting account of his last illness, which was excruciating,
js given in vol. X. of Bowles’s edition of Pope’s Works.
tillions than any man in Europe.” He was indeed so active a traveller, according to Dean Swift, that queen Anne’s ministers used to say, they wrote at him, and not to
Lord Peterborough was a man of great courage and
skill as a commander, and was successful in almost all
his undertakings. As a politician, he appears also to much,
advantage, being open, honest, and patriotic in the genuine sense. Lord Or ford has characterized him well in
other respects, as “one of those men of careless wit and
negligent grace, who scatter a thousand bon-mots and
idle verses, which (such) painful compilers (as lord Orford)
gather and hoard, till the owners stare to find themselves
authors. Such was this lord of an advantageous figure,
and enterprizing spirit as gallant as Amadis, and as brave,
but a little more expeditious in his journeys; for he is said
to have seen more kings and more postillions than any man
in Europe.
” He was indeed so active a traveller, according to Dean Swift, that queen Anne’s ministers used to
say, they wrote at him, and not to him . What lord
Peterborough wrote, however, seems scarcely worth notice,
unless in such a publication as the “Royal and Noble
Authors,
” where the freedom of that illustrious company is
bestowed on the smallest contributors to literary amusement. He is said to have produced “La Muse de Cavalier; or, an apology for such gentlemen as make poetry
their diversion, and not their business,
” in a letter inserted
in the “Public Register,
” a periodical work by Dodsley,
A copy of verses on the duchess of Marl-'
borough
” <c Song, by a person of quality,“beginning
” I said to my heart, between sleeping and waking, &c.“inserted in Swift’s Works.
” Remarks on a pamphlet,“respecting the creation of peers, 1719, 8vo; but even for
some of these trifles, the authority is doubtful. His correspondence with Pope is no little credit to that collection.
He was the steady friend and correspondent of Pope, Swift,
and other learned men of their time, as he had been of
Pryden, who acknowledges his kindness and partiality.
The
” Account of the Earl of Peterborough’s conduct in
Spain,“taken from his original letters and papers, was
drawn up by Dr. Freind, and published in 1707, 8vo. Dr.
Jf reind says, that
” he never ordered off a detachment of
a hundred men, without going with them himself.“Of
his own courage his lordship used to say, that it proceeded
from his not knowing his danger; agreeing in opinion with.
Turenne, that a coward had only one of the three faculties
of the mind apprehension. Of his liberality, we have this
instance, that the remittances expected from England, not
coming to his troops when he commanded in Spain, he is
said to have supplied them for some time with money from
his own pocket. In this he differed considerably from his
great contemporary the duke of Marlborough, and the difference is stated in one of his best bon-mots. Being once
taken by the mob for the duke, who was then in disgrace
with them, he would probably have been roughly treated
by these friends to summary justice, had he not addressed
them in these words:
” Gentlemen, I can convince you
by two reasons that I am not the duke. In the first place,
I have only five guineas in my pocket; and in the second,
they are heartily at your service." So throwing his purse
among them, he pursued his way amid loud acclamations.
Many other witticisms may be seen in our authorities,
which are less characteristic.
Charles V. who sent him to Portugal, where he painted John III. the king, Catharine of Austria, his queen, and the infanta Mary, first wife of Philip. For these three
, an eminent artist of the sixteenth century, was born at Utrecht in 1519, and was the
scholar of John Schorel, but seems to have studied the
manner of Holbein, to which he approached nearer than
to the freedom of design in the works of the great masters
that he saw at Rome. Like Holbein he was a close imitator of nature, but did not arrive at his extreme delicacy of
finishing; on the contrary, Antonio sometimes struck into
a bold and masculine style, with a good knowledge of
chiaro-scuro. Among other portraits he drew Philip II.
and was recommended by cardinal Granvelle to Charles V.
who sent him to Portugal, where he painted John III. the
king, Catharine of Austria, his queen, and the infanta
Mary, first wife of Philip. For these three pictures he
received six hundred ducats, besides a gold chain of a
thousand florins, and other presents. He had one hundred
ducats for his common portraits. But still ampler rewards
were bestowed on him when sent into England to draw the
picture of queen Mary, the intended bride of Philip. They
gave him one hundred pounds a quarter as painter to their
majesties. He made various portraits of the queen one
was sent by cardinal Granvelle to the emperor, who ordered
two hundred florins to Antonio. He remained in England
during the reign of Mary, and was much employed; but
having neglected, as is frequent, to write the names on the
portraits he drew, most of them have lost part of their
value, by our ignorance of the persons represented.
Though portraits was the branch in which More chiefly excelled, he was not without talent for history. In this he
had something of the Italian style in his design, and his
colouring resembled that of Titian. A very fine work of
his, representing the Ascension of our Saviour, is in the
gallery of the Louvre at Paris. The style of the composition, which consists of Jesus Christ ascending, crowned
by two angels, and accompanied by the figures of St.
Peter and St. Paul, is of the severe and grand cast employed by Fra. Bartolomeo; the colouring is exceedingly
fine, and correspondent to the style of design; he has
been least successful in the expression of the principal
figure; if that had been more just and grand, this picture
would alone place More among the very first class of artists.
On the death of the queen, he followed Philip into Spain,
where he was indulged in so much familiarity, that one
day the king slapping him pretty roughly on the shoulder,
More returned the sport with his handstick. A strange
liberty t& be taken with a Spanish monarch, and with such
a monarch His biographer gives but an awkward account
of the sequel, and, says Mr. Walpole, “1 repeat it as I
find it. A grandee interposed for his pardon, and he was
permitted to retire to the Netherlands, but on the promise
of returning again to Spain. I should rather suppose that
he was promised to have leave to return hither after a temporary banishment; and this supposition is the more likely,
as Philip for once forgetting majesty in his love of the arts,
dispatched a messenger to recal him before he had finished
his journey. But the painter, sensible of the danger he
had escaped, modestly excused himself. And yet, says
the story, the king bestowed noble presents and places on
his children.
” At Utrecht, Antonio found the duke of
Alva, and was employed by him to paint some of his mistresses, and was made receiver of the revenues of West
Flanders, a preferment with which they say he was so
elated, that he burned his easel, and gave away his painting-tools. He was a man of a stately and handsome figure;
and often went to Brussels, where he lived magnificently.
He died at Antwerp, in 1575, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.
e, in his dedication, that his father used to read to his children on winter nights “Spenser’s Fairy Queen,” with which our author was highly delighted, and which, he
The pretensions, which such authors as we have just
mentioned, make of arriving at extraordinary degrees of
illumination by their institutes, entirely captivated More’s
fancy who pursued their method with great seriousness
and intense application and, in three or four years, had
reduced himself to so thin a state of body, and began to
talk in such a manner of experiences and communications,
as brought him into a suspicion of being touched with enthusiasm. Ib 1640, he composed his “Psycho-Zoia, or
the Life of the Soul;
” which, with an addition of other
poems, he republished in 1647, 8vo, under the title of
“Philosophical Poems,
” and dedicated to his father. He
takes notice, in his dedication, that his father used to read
to his children on winter nights “Spenser’s Fairy Queen,
”
with which our author was highly delighted, and which, he
says in the dedication, “first turned his ears to poetry.
”
In 1639, he had taken his master of arts’ degree; and, being chosen fellow of his college, became tutor to several
persons of great quality. One of these was sir John Finch,
whose sister lady Con way was an enthusiast of his own
stamp, and became at length a quaker, although he laboured for many years to reclaim her. He still, however,
had a great esteem for her and drew up some of his
“Treatises
” at her particular request and she, in return,
left him a legacy of 400l. He composed others of his
works at Ragley, the seat of her lord in Warwickshire,
where, at intervals, he spent a considerable part of his
time. He met here with two extraordinary persons, the
famous Van Helmont, and the no less famous Valentine
Greatrakes; for, it seems, lady Conway was frequently
afflicted with violent pains in her head, and these two persons were called in, at different times, to try their powers
upon her; and, at last, Van Helmont lived in the family.
There was once a design of printing some remains of this
lady after her death; and the preface was actually written
by our author under the person of Van Helmont; in which
disguise he draws her character with so much address, that
we are told the most rigid quaker would see every thing
he could wish in it, and yet the soberest Christian be entirely satisfied with it. It is printed at large in his life.
, was the son of Arthur More, esq. one of the lords-commissioners of trade in the reign of queen Anne; and his mother was the daughter of Mr. Smyth, who left
, was the son of Arthur More, esq. one of the lords-commissioners of trade in
the reign of queen Anne; and his mother was the daughter of Mr. Smyth, who left this, his grandson, an handsome
estate, upon which account he obtained an act of parliament to change his name from More to Smyth; and, besides this estate, at the death of his grandfather, he had
his place of pay-master to the band of gentlemen-pensioners, with his younger brother Arthur More, esq. He
was bred at Worcester college, Oxford; and, while he was
there, wrote a comedy, called “The Rival Modes.
” This
play was condemned in the acting, but he printed it in
1727, with the following motto, which the commentator
on the Dunciad, by way of irony, calls modest: “Hie
csestus artemque repono.
” Being of a gay disposition, he
insinuated himself into the favour of the duke of Wharton;
and being also, like him, destitute of prudence, he joined
with that nobleman in writing a paper, called “The Inquisitor;
” which breathed so much the spirit of Jacobitism,
that the publisher thought proper to sacrifice his profit to
his safety, and discontinue it. By using too much freedom
with Pope, he occasioned that poet to stigmatize him in
his Dunciad:
the motions of the planets; and, because sir Thomas was of a very pleasant disposition, the king and queen used to send for him after supper, or in supper-time, to be
The fame of More’s learning, ability in the law, and dexterity in the management of business, having reached the ears of Henry VI II. he ordered cardinal Wolsey to engage him in the service of the court. With this view the cardinal ottered him a pension, which sir Thomas then refused, as not thinking it equivalent to his present advantages: but the king soon after insisted upon his entering into his service, and, for want of a better vacancy, obliged him, for the present, to accept the place of master of the requests. Within a month after, he was knighted, and appointed one of the privy council. In 1520, he was made treasurer of the exchequer; and soon after this bought a house by the river-side at Chelsea , where he settled with his family, having buried his first wife, and married a second, who was a widow and somewhat in years. With all his excellent endowments for public business, sir Thomas had far less relish for the bustle of a court, than for the calmer and more substantial pleasures of the domestic circle. He thought it therefore rather a misfortune tiiat the king at this time took an extraordinary liking to his company, and began to engross all his leisure time. The moment he had finished his devotions on holidays, he used to send for sir Thomas into his closet, and there confer with him, sometimes about astronomy, geometry, divinity, and other parts of learning, as well as about his own affairs. He would frequently in the night carry him up to his leads on the top of his house, and discourse with him about the motions of the planets; and, because sir Thomas was of a very pleasant disposition, the king and queen used to send for him after supper, or in supper-time, to be merry with them. Sir Thomas perceiving, by this fondness, that he could not once a month get leave to go home to his wife and children, or be absent from court two days together, without being sent for, is said to have had recourse to a singular expedient, suppressing his accustomed facetiousness, and assuming a dullness and gravity, which is said to have put an end to his invitations. It is, however, not improbable that he really felt the uneasiness which he displayed.
erruption. He knew the capricious and arbitrary temper of his royal master, who had already divorced queen Catherine, married Anne Boleyn, and expected that what he had
He now resigned himself to that plan of retirement, study,
and devotion, which had always been most agreeable to him;
but he could no longer expect to enjoy this without interruption. He knew the capricious and arbitrary temper of
his royal master, who had already divorced queen Catherine, married Anne Boleyn, and expected that what he
had done should be approved with more than silent acquiescence. The coronation of the new queen being fixed
for May 31, 1533, sir Thomas received an invitation to
attend the ceremony; but this he declined, as he still retained his former opinions on the unlawfulness of the divorce. This, which Henry would naturally construe into
an insult, provoked him extremely, conscious as he was
that the opinions of sir Thomas would have great weight
with the people. Various means were therefore tried to
gain him over, and when these proved ineffectual, a more
^harsh, but in those days, not a very extraordinary proceeding took place. In the ensuing parliament a bill was
: brought into the House of Lords, attainting sir Thomas,
bishop Fisher, and some others, of misprision of treason,
for countenancing and encouraging Elizabeth Barton, tlje
maid of Kent (See Eliz. Barton, vol. IV.) in her treasonable practices. When this bill came to be read a third
time, the House of Lords addressed the king to know his
pleasure, whether sir Thomas might not be suffered to
speak in his own defence; but Henry would not consent to
this, nor when he desired to be admitted into the House
of Commons, to defend himself there, would the king
permit him: but he assigned a committee of the privycouncil to hear his justification. The affair of Barton,
however, was a mere pretence, the object of this committee being to draw from him, either by fair words or
threatenings, an assent to the divorce and the second marriage. When the commissioners, who were Cranmer, now
archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor Audley,
the duke of Norfolk, and secretary Cromwell, found that
their persuasions were of no avail, they told him, that
their instructions were to charge him with ingratitude,
and “to inform him, that his majesty thought there never
was a servant so villainous, or a subject so traitorous to
his prince, as he was;
” and, ft in support of this heavy
charge against him, they were to allege his subtle and sinister devices, in procuring his majesty to set forth a book
to his great dishonour throughout all Christendom: by
which he had put a sword into the pope’s hand to fight against
himself."
compunction at sir Thomas More’s death, and that when the news of it was brought to him, he said 'to queen Anne Boleyn, “Thou art the cause of this man’s death,” and rising
He lived in habits of intimacy and friendship with the
most learned men of his time, particularly, as already
mentioned, with Erasmus, and also with Colet, Grocyn,
Linacre, William Latimer, Lily, Tonstal, Pole, Fisher,
&c. Nor was he less respected and admired abroad .
When the emperor Charles V. heard of his death, he said
to sir Thomas Elliot, the ambassador from England at his
court, “My lord ambassador, we understand that the king
your master has put to death his faithful servant, and grave
and wise counsellor, sir Thomas More.
” The ambassador
answered that he had heard nothing of it. “Well,
” resumed the emperor, “it is too true; and this we will say,
that if we had been master of such a servant, of whose
abilities ourself have had these many years no small experience, we would rather have lost the best city in our
dominions, than so worthy a counsellor.
” We are even
told that Henry himself felt some compunction at sir
Thomas More’s death, and that when the news of it was
brought to him, he said 'to queen Anne Boleyn, “Thou
art the cause of this man’s death,
” and rising hastily, shut
himself up in an adjoining chamber, in great perturbation,
of mind. The queen, it has been thought by some, was
not entirely innocent of this charge , but the accusation
from the king was rather a pretence on his part. In pursuing sir Thomas to the scaffold, we have seen that he was
zealous and inflexible.
a cause which could not be supported. His English works were collected and published by the order of queen Mary, in 1557; his Latin, at Basil, in 1563; and at Louvain,
Sir Thomas More was the author of various works,
though nothing but his “Utopia
” has long been read;
which is owing to their having been chiefly of the polemic
kind, and written in defence of a cause which could not be
supported. His English works were collected and published by the order of queen Mary, in 1557; his Latin, at
Basil, in 1563; and at Louvain, in 1566; and show that
he was admirably skilled in every branch of polite learning.
5; and, two years after, was printed in 4to, with a dedication to Henrietta Maria, king Charles I.'s queen, his “Life of sir Thomas More,” his great grandfather. The learned
As to his family, by his first wife he had four children,
who all survived him; three daughters and one son, named
John, after his grandfather. Sir Thomas had the three
daughters first, and his wife very much desired a boy: at
last she brought him this son, who appearing weak in his
intellects, sir Thomas said to his lady, “Thou hast prayed
so long for a boy, that thou hast one now who will be a
boy as long as he lives.
” By a liberal education, however,
his natural parts seem to have been much improved.
Among Erasmus’s letters, there is one written to him, in
which that great scholar calls him “Optimae Spei Adolescens.
” Erasmus also inscribed to him the “Nux of
Ovid,
” and “An Account of Aristotle’s Works.
” After
the death of his father he was committed to the Tower for
refusing the same oath of supremacy, and condemned, but
afterwards pardoned, and set at liberty, which favour he
did not long survive. He was married very young to a
Yorkshire heiress, by whom he had five sons. His eldest
son Thomas had a son of the same name, who, being a
zealous Roman catholic, gave the family estate to his
younger brother, and took orders at Rome; whence, by
the pope’s command, he came a missionary into England.
He afterwards lived at Rome; where, and in Spain, he
negociated the affairs of the English clergy at his own expence. He died, aged fifty-nine years, in April 1625;
and, two years after, was printed in 4to, with a dedication
to Henrietta Maria, king Charles I.'s queen, his “Life of
sir Thomas More,
” his great grandfather. The learned
author of the “Life of Erasmus
” says, that “this Mr.
More was a narrow-minded zealot, and a very fanatic;
”
and afterwards adds, very justly, that “there is no relying
on such authors as these, unless they cite chapter and
verse.
”
s and learning almost as herself. This Mary was one of the gentlewomen, as they were then called, of queen Mary’s privy chamber. She translated into English part of her
As for sir Thomas’s daughters, the eldest of them, Margaret, was married to William Roper, esq. of Well-hall,
in the parish of Eltham, in Kent; who wrote the “Life
”
of his father-in-law, which was published by Hearne at
Oxford, in 1716, 8vo. She was a woman of great talents
and amiable manners, and seems to have been to More
what Tullia was to her father Cicero, his delight and comfort. The greatest care was taken of her education; and
she became learned not only in the Greek and Latin
tongues, but in music, arithmetic, and other sciences.
She wrote two “Declamations
” in English, which her father and she turned into Latin; and both so elegantly, that
it was hard to determine which was best. She wrote also a
treatise of the “Four last Things;
” and, by her sagacity,
corrected a corrupt place in “St. Cyprian,
” reading “nervos sinceritatis,
” for “nisi vos sinceritatis.
” Erasmus
wrote a letter to her, as to a woman famous not only for
virtue and piety, but also for true and solid learning.
Cardinal Pole was so affected with the elegance of her Latin style, that he could not at first believe what he read to
be penned by a woman. This deservedly-illustrious lady
died in 1544, and was buried at St. Dunstan’s church in
Canterbury, with her father’s head in her arms, according
to her desire; for she had found means to procure his
head, after it had remained upon London-bridge fourteen
days, and had carefully preserved it in a leaden box, till
there was an opportunity of conveying it to Canterbury, to
the burying-place of the Ropers in the church above mentioned. Of five children which she brought, there was a
daughter Mary, as famous for parts and learning almost as
herself. This Mary was one of the gentlewomen, as they
were then called, of queen Mary’s privy chamber. She
translated into English part of her grandfather’s “Exposition of the Passion of our Saviour;
” and also “Eusebius’s
Ecclesiastical History
” from the Greek into Latin; but
this latter translation was never published, being anticipated by Christopherson’s Version.
rench advocate, counsellor of the aides of Provence, historiographer of France, and librarian to the queen, was born at St. Florentine, Dec. 20, 1717. Of his early life
, a French advocate, counsellor of the aides of Provence, historiographer of France,
and librarian to the queen, was born at St. Florentine,
Dec. 20, 1717. Of his early life we have little account,
but it appears that he quitted his professional engagements
in the country when young, and came to Paris to indulge
his taste for study and speculation. Having acquired considerable fame by his writings, he was appointed historiographer of France, and was long employed in collecting
and arranging all the charters, historical documents, and
edicts and declarations of the French legislature from the
time of Charlemagne to the present day. This vast collection being reduced to order was put under his especial
care, under the title of “Depot des chartres et de legislation:
” whether it was dispersed at the revolution does not
appear. He also employed his pen on a variety of subjects,
some arising from temporary circumstances, and others
suggested probably in the course of his researches. Among
these are: 1. “Observateur Holiandais,
” a kind of political journal, consisting of forty-five papers, written against
the measures of the English court, at what period we know
not, as our authority does not specify its date. 2. “Memoire pour servir a l'histoire des Cacouac,
” Memoires pour servir a Phistoire de riotre
temps,
” Devoirs d'un prince,
”
Principes de morale politique et du droit public, ou Discours sur l'histoire de France,
”
so was published” Notes and Annotations on Locke on the Human Understanding, written by order of the queen (Caroline), corresponding in section and page to the edition
He was an early contributor to the Gentleman’s Magazine; assisted Hogarth in his “Analysis of Beauty,
” and
published some occasional sermons. His other publications followed in this order, 1. “The Life of Dr. Edward
Littleton,
” prefixed to the first volume of his sermons, in
Poems on Divine Subjects; original and translated from the Latin of Marcus Hieronymus Vida, with large
annotations, more particularly concerning the being and
attributes of God,
” Loud. The Canterbury Tales of Chaucer, in the original, from
the most authentic Mss. and as they are turned into modern language by the most eminent hands,
” ibid. 1737.
4. “A copy of English congratulatory verses on the
maryiage of the prince of Orange with the princess Anne,
”
1737. 5. “Philalethes and Theophanes; or a summary
view of the last controversy occasioned by a book entitled
The Moral Philosopher,' parti.
” Lond. The Christian’s Epinikion, or Song of
Triumph; a paraphrase on I Cor. xv. attempted in blank
Terse; with annotations, explanatory and critical,
” ibid.
Hope, a poetical essay, in blank verse,
on that Christian grace, in three books,
” Spenser’s Works,
” by subscription, Euripidis Hecnba, Orestes, et Phenissce, cum scholiis antiquis, &c.
”
Hecuba,
” translated from the Greek, with
annotations. 10. A speciaien of his “Thesaurus,
” Philoctetes,
” Thesaurus Graecse
Poeseos, sive Lexicon Grreco-prosodiacum,
” &c. 4to, with
Hogarth’s portrait of the author. The value of this work
has been so long and so often acknowledged, that it is only
necessary to add that a much improved edition is now in
the hands of an eminent scholar, and nearly ready for publication. 13. The “Prometheus
” of jschylus/&e. A Dissertation on the Corbridge
altar now in the British Museum,
” &c. in a Latin letter to
the hon. Daines Barrington,“1774, printed in the Archasologia, vol. III. 15.
” Sacred Annals; or the Life of
Christ, as recorded by the Four Evangelists,“&c. 1776,
4to. He also published a corrected edition of Hederick’s
Lexicon, and three editions of Ainsworth’s Dictionary;
and compiled the words for Handel’s Oratorios. After his
death was published a translation of
” Seneca’s Epistles,“with annotations, 1786, 2 vols. 4to. This is a correct and
faithful translation, but never attracted much public attention. In 1794 also was published
” Notes and Annotations
on Locke on the Human Understanding, written by order
of the queen (Caroline), corresponding in section and page
to the edition of 1793," 8vo. This, which was written by
the author while in the prime of life, does great credit to
his talents as a metaphysician, and has been judged a very
necessary aid in the perusal of Locke.
s rector for near 30 years. He was educated at Merchant Taylors’ school*; and admitted a commoner of Queen’s college, Oxford, June 24, 1746. While he resided at Oxford,
, an English antiquary descended from an ancient family, which had been seated
from the beginning of the sixteenth century at Great
Coxwell, in the county of Berks, and allied by his grandmother to that of Rowe, which had been settled at Higham-Bensted in Waltbamstow, in the county of Essex, ever
since the middle of the same century), was born Jan. 13,
1730, at Tunstall in Kent, where his father was rector for
near 30 years. He was educated at Merchant Taylors’
school*; and admitted a commoner of Queen’s college,
Oxford, June 24, 1746. While he resided at Oxford, in
1746, he assisted in correcting an edition of “Calasio’s
Concordance,
” projected by Jacob Hive the printer, who
afterwards associated with the rev. William Romaine, and
published this “Concordance
” in Nomina & Insignia gentilitia Nobilium Equitumque sub Edvardo primo rege Militantium;
” the oldest
treasure, as he styles it, of our nobility after “Domesday
”
and the “Black Book of the Exchequer.
” He had also
printed, except notes and preface, a new edition in 8vo,
of Dionysius Halicarnassensis “De claris Rhetoribus,
”
with vignettes engraved by Green, the few copies of which
were sold after his death f. In 1752, he printed, in half a
quarto sheet, some corrections made by Junius in his own
copy of his edition of “Cadmon’s Saxon Paraphrase of
Genesis, and other parts of the Old Testament,
” Amst.
Figurae quaedam antiquse ex Caedmonis Monaclii Paraphraseos in Genesim exemplari pervetusto in
Bibliotheca Bodleiana adservato delineatae ad Anglo- Sax* Mr. Mores had made a few collec- tides there are several mutilations,
lions for a history of this school, and Mr. Mores, in the interval from the
lists of persons educated there. A first publication, had written to several
view of it was engraved by Mynde. in learned men in different parts of Eu1756, for IVlaitland’stdition of
” JStowe’s rope, in order to procure any informaSurvey,“1736, inscribed
” Sdiolae tiun, which might be of service to him
Mercatorum Scissorum Lond. facies in completing his edition, but met with
orientalis. Negatam a Patronis D. no success. It is said that he intended
Scholaris, Kdw. Rowe Mores, arm. to subjoin annotations, but nothing of
A.M. S. A. S." A history of this --chool that nature was found among his pahas just been ably executed by the pers, except some remaiks on the marRev. H. B. Wilson, B. I>. 1812 1815, gin of a copy of Hudson’s edition,
2 vols. 4to. which was sold at the sale of his books,
dedicatory; the one from the author to Jesus Christ; the other addressed to Louisa Maria de Gonzaga, queen c~f Poland. That princess encouraged Morin to undertake this
His abilities in his profession gave him access to the
great, even to cardinal Richelieu; and, under the administration of cardinal Mazarin, he obtained a pension
of 2000 livres. Richelieu is said at first to have admitted
him to his most secret councils, and to have consulted him
about matters of the greatest importance; but during the
greater part of his life, he appears to have gained most
fame by his astrological predictions, which, right or wrong,
were suited to the credulity of the times. He died at
Paris, Nov. 6, 1656. He wrote a great number of books,
not forgotten; but did not live to publish his favourite
performance, his “Astrologia Gallica,
” which had cost
him thirty years’ labour. It was printed, however, at the
Hague, 1661, in folio, with two epistles dedicatory; the
one from the author to Jesus Christ; the other addressed
to Louisa Maria de Gonzaga, queen c~f Poland. That
princess encouraged Morin to undertake this great work,
and paid the charges of the impression. At the time when
it was said that she was to be married to the prince, Morin
affirmed, that that marriage should never take place, and
that she was destined to the bed of a monarch; and it is
thought that she the more readily engaged to bear the expences of a work whose author had flattered her with the
hopes of a crown, which she afterwards wore. Of his
“Astrologia Gallica,
” Guy Patin says, “I understand,
that the
” Astrologia Gallica“of the sieur Morin is at last
finished at the Hague. I am told, that it abuses the Parisian and other physicians, who give no credit to judicial
astrology; and I do riot wonder, that the author should
behave in this manner, for he was a fool. The book is
printed in one volume, folio. The queen of Poland gave
2000 crowns to carry on the edition, at the recommendation
of one of her secretaries, who is a lover of astrology. You
see in what manner crowned heads are imposed upon. If it
had been a book which might have been of use to the public,
the author would not have found one, either to print it, or to
bear the charges of the press.
” Morin, however, received
several testimonies of esteem from the great Des Cartes.
He became acquainted with this philosopher in 1626,
and, some time after, maole him a present of his book
upon the longitude, which was acknowledged by a very
obliging letter. He sent him also, in 1638, some objections to his “Theory of Light,
” which Des Cartes thought
worthy of his consideration.
s being sent, in 1653, with Whitelock and a retinue of other gentlemen, on the famous embassy to the queen of Sweden, the purpose of which was to conclude an offensive
a man of very considerable celebrity in his day, but whose history has been
almost totally neglected where we might have expected an
account of him as a machinist, was the son of the rev.
Thomas Morland, rector of Sulhamstead in Berkshire,
and was born about 1625, as we learn from one of his
works, dated 1695, in which he says he had then passed
the seventieth year of his age. He was educated at Winchester school, whence he was removed to Cambridge,
and, according to Cole, to Magdalen college. He says
himself, that, after passing nine or ten years at the university, he was solicited by some friends to take orders; but,
not thinking himself “fitly qualified,
” he devoted his time
to the study of mathematics, which appears, in one shape
or other, to have been his first and last pursuit, a few
years only of the interval being employed on political affairs. That he was thought qualified for such, appears by
his being sent, in 1653, with Whitelock and a retinue of
other gentlemen, on the famous embassy to the queen of
Sweden, the purpose of which was to conclude an offensive and defensive alliance with that princess. Of their
success an ample account may be seen in Whitelocke’s
“Journal,
” published in
After they had thus continued about a year together, sir Charles being invited to be steward to the queen of Bohemia, and Dr. Earle to attend upon James duke of York
, a learned English bishop, first of Worcester and afterwards of Winchester, was sou of Francis Morley, esq. by a sister of sir John Denham, one of the barons of the Exchequer, and born in Cheapside, London, Feb. 27, 1597. He lost his parents when very young, and also his patrimony, by his father being engaged for other people’s debts. However, at fourteen, he was elected a king’s scholar at Westminster-school, and became a student of Christ-church, Oxford, in 1615; where he took the first degree in arts in 1618, and that of M. A. in 1621. After a residence of seven years in this college, he was invited to be chaplain to Robert earl of Carnarvon and his lady, with whom he lived till 1640, without seeking any preferment in the church. At the end of that time, and in his forty-third year, he was presented to the rectory of Hartfield in Sussex, which being a sinecure, he exchanged for the rectory of Mildenhall in Wiltshire; but, before this exchange, Charles I. to whom he was chaplain in ordinary, had given him a canonry of Christ-church, Oxford, in 1641, the only preferment he ever desired; and of which he gave the first year’s profit to his majesty, towards the charge of the war, then begun. In 1642 he took his degree of D. D. and preached one of the first solemn sermons before the House of Commons; but so little to their liking, that he was not commanded to print it, as all the preachers had been. Yet he was nominated one or the assembly of divines, but never appeared among them, as he preferred to remain with the king, and promote his majesty’s interest. Among other services the king employed him to engage the university of Oxford not to submit to the parliamentary visitation; and such was his success, that the convocation had the spirit to pass an act for that purpose, with only one dissenting voice, although they were then under the power of the enemy. Afterwards he was appointed by the university, with other assistants named by himself, to negociate the surrender of the Oxford garrison to the parliamentary forces, which he managed with great address. Such a decided part, however, could not fail to render him obnoxious; and accordingly in 1647, the committee for reforming the university voted his cauonry vacant. He was offered at the same time to hold it and what else he had, if he would give his word not to appear openly against them and their proceedings; but he preferred suffering with his celebrated colleagues Fell, Sanderson, Hammond, &c. Accordingly in 1648 he was deprived of all his preferments, and imprisoned for some little time. Some months before, he ha been permitted to attend upon the king at Newmarket, a one of his chaplains, and he was one of the divines who as sisted the king at the treaty of Newport in the Isle of Wight. In March 1648-9, he prepared the brave lord Capel for death, and accompanied him to the scaffold on Tower-hill. In 1649 he left England, and waited upon king Charles II. at the Hague, who received him very graciously, and carried him first into France, and afterwards to Breda, with him. But, the king not being permitted to take his own divines with him, when he set out upon his expedition to Scotland, in June 1650, Morley withdrew to the Hague; and, after a short stay there, went and lived with his friend Dr. John Earle at Antwerp, in the house of sir Charles Cotterel. After they had thus continued about a year together, sir Charles being invited to be steward to the queen of Bohemia, and Dr. Earle to attend upon James duke of York in France, Morley then removed into the family of the lady Frances Hyde, wife of sir Edward Hyde, in the same city of Antwerp; and during his residence there, which was three or four years, he read the service of the Church of England twice every day, catechised once a week, and administered the communion once a month, to all the English in that city who would attend; as he did afterwards at Breda, for four years together, in the same family. But, betwixt his going from Antwerp and his coming to Breda, he officiated at the Hague about two years, as chaplain to the queen of Bohemia, without expecting or receiving any reward. As he had been happy at home in the acquaintance and friendship of many eminent men, such as lord Falkland, sir Edward Hyde, Dr. Hammond, Dr. Sanderson, Mr. Chillingworth, Dr. Sheldon, Waller, with whom he had resided at Beaconsfield, &c. so he was also abroad, in that of Bochart, Salmasius, Daniel Heinsius, Rivet, &c.
risons, of that country, and afterwards passed, over to England, where he was graciously received by queen Elizabeth; for, his parts, his knowledge, his uncommon capacity
In 1572 he went into Flanders, to survey the situation,
the strength, the fortifications, and garrisons, of that country, and afterwards passed, over to England, where he was
graciously received by queen Elizabeth; for, his parts,
his knowledge, his uncommon capacity for the management of great affairs, had spread his name far and wide,
and made him courted, especially by the great. In 1575
he married, and published the same year a treatise “Concerning Life and Death;
” for, though often employed in
civil affairs, and oftener solicited to engage in them, yet
he passed much of his time in reading and writing. Previously to his marriage he had engaged in an unsuccessful
contest with part of the king’s troops; was wounded and
taken prisoner; but after the confinement of a few days,
and by assuming a false name, he was allowed to ransom
himself on easy terms. In 1576, he again took arms, and
now his adherents were so powerful, that the king’s partydeemed it expedient to propose a negociation, which was
accepted. After this, he went to the court of the king of
Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. of France, who received
him very graciously, gave him one of the first places in his
council, and, upon all occasions, paid great deference to
his judgment. Du Plessis, on his part, did the king great
services. He went into England to solicit the assistance
of Elizabeth for him in 1577, into Flanders in 1578, and
to the diet of Augsburg in 1579. In 1578 he published a
treatise “Concerning the Church;
” in which he explained
his motives for leaving the popish, and embracing the protestant religion; and, in 1579, began his book “Upon
the Truth of the Christian Religion.
” But, before he had
made any progress in this, he was seized with an illness,
which was thought to be the efiect of some poison that
had been given him at Antwerp the year before, with a
view of destroying him. He recovered, though
dangeronsly ill, and continued to do service to the king of Navarre and the protestant religion. From 1585, when the
league commenced, he was more intimately connected
with the affairs of the king; and, in 1590, was made his
counsellor of state, after having been invested with the
government of Sauinur the year before. In 1592, the
king appointed him to confer with M. de Villeroy upon
the subject of the king’s religion; but the extravagant
demands of De Villeroy rendered their conference of no
effect. Du Piessis, however, opposed the king’s embracing the popish religion, as long as he could and, when
he could prevent it no longer, withdrew himself gradually
from court, and resumed his studies.
he North, who selected him for his zeal and acuteness in disputing with the Romish recusants. It was queen Elizabeth’s command to his lordship, to prefer arguments to
, a learned English bishop in the
seventeenth century, was of the same family with cardinal
Morton, and was the sixth son of nineteen children of Mr.
Richard Morton, an eminent mercer and alderman of York,
by Elizabeth Leedale his wife. He was born at York,
March 20, 1564, and was 6rst educated there under Mr. Pullen, and afterwards at Halifax under Mr. Maud. In 1582
he was sent to St. John’s college in Cambridge, and placed
under the tuition of Mr. Anthony Higgon, afterwards dean
of Rippon, who left him to the care of Mr. Henry Nelson,
afterwards rector of Hougham ia Lincolnshire, who lived
to see his pupil bishop of Durham, and many years after.
In the beginning of November 1584, he was chosen to a
scholarship of Constable’s foundation, peculiar to his native county of York; and in 1586 took the degree of bachelor of arts, and in 1590 that of master, having performed the exercises requisite to each degree with great
applause. He continued his studies at his father’s charge
until March 17, 1592, when he was admitted fellow, of the
foundation of Dr. Keyson, merely on account of his merit,
against eight competitors for the place. About the same
time he was chosen logic lecturer of the university, which,
office he discharged with ^reat skill and diligence, as appeared from his lectures found among his papers. The
same year he was ordained deacon, and the year following
priest by Richard Rowland, bishop of Peterborough. He
continued five years after this in the college, pursuing his
private studies, and instructing pupils. In 1598 he took
the degree of bachelor of divinity; and ahout the same
year was presented to the rectory of Long Marston four
miles from York. He was afterwards made chaplain to the
earl of Huntingdon, lord president of the North, who selected him for his zeal and acuteness in disputing with the
Romish recusants. It was queen Elizabeth’s command to
his lordship, to prefer arguments to force with these people: and this she expressed, as the earl used to say, in the
words of scripture, “Nolo mortem peccatoris.
” Afterwards, when lord Huntingdon was dead, and lord Sheffield
was appointed lord president, Morton held a public conference before his lordship and the council, at the manor-,
house at York, with two popish recusants, then prisoners
in the castle. In 1602, when the plague raged in that
city, he behaved with the greatest charity and resolution.
The year following, the lord Eure being appointed ambassador-extraordinary to the emperor of Germany, and king
of Denmark, Morton attended him as chaplain, along with
Mr. Richard Crakenthorp, and took this opportunity to
make a valuable collection of books, as well as to visit the
universities of Germany. At his return he became chapJain to Roger earl of Rutland, and was afterwards presented
by archbishop Matthews to a prebend in the cathedral of
York. In 1606 he took the degree of doctor of divinity;
and about the same time was sworn chaplain in ordinary to
king James I. and preferred to the deanery of Gloucester,
June 22, 1607. While he was dean there, the lord Eure
above mentioned, then lord president of Wales, appointed
him one of his majesty’s council for the marches. In 1609,
he was removed to the deanery of Winchester; and while
there, the bishop (Bilson) collated him to the rectory of
Alesford. In the same year, Dr. Sutcliff, dean of Exeter,
founding a college at Chelsea, for divines to be employed
in defending the protestant religion against the papists, he
was appointed one of the fellows. About this time, he
became acquainted with Isaac Casaubon. In 1615, he
was advanced to the see of Chester and, in 1618, to that
of Lichfield and Coventry about which time he became
acquainted with Antonio de Dominis, abp. of Spalato,
whom he endeavoured to dissuade from returning to Rome.
The archbishop’s pretence for going thither was, to attempt
an unity between the church of Rome and that of England, upon those terms which he had laid down in his
book entitled “De Repnblica Christiana.
”
rb mansion at Cashiobury, in Hertfordshire, a manor which had been granted to him by Henry VIIL when queen Mary’s violent measures against the protestants compelled him
, a statesman
of great learning, prudence, and integrity, is supposed by
some to have been born in Essex, and by others in Oxfordshire; but the visitations of Hertfordshire inform us
that he was the son of Thomas Morysin of that county
(descended from a Yorkshire family), by a daughter of
Thomas Merrey of Hatfield. Wood having supposed him
born in Oxfordshire, asserts that he spent several years at
Oxford university, in “Log;cals and philosophical,
” and
took a degree in arts. But Mr. Lodge says that he was
educated at Eton, and in the university of Cambridge,
from whence he went, with the reputation of an excellent
Greek and Latin scholar, to the inns of court, where he
became a proficient in the common and civil law. According, however, to Wood and others, he had previously to
this, travelled to Italy, with an intention to improve his
knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages. Padua, in
particular, was one of the places he visited, and he remained there until 1537, and soon after his return was
made prebendary of Yatminster Secunda in the church of
Salisbury, which dignity he kept until 1539. About 1541,
Henry VI 11. is said to have given him the library belonging to the Carmelites in London. The same sovereign sent
him ambassador to the emperor Charles V. and he had acquired by long habit, so thorough a knowledge of the various factions which distracted the empire, that the ministers of king Edward VI. found it necessary to continue
him in that court much against his inclination. In 1549
he was joined with the earl of Warwick, viscount Lisle, sir
William Paget, sir William Petre, bishops Holbeach and
Hethe, and other personages, in a commission to hold
visitation at Oxford, in order to promote the reformation,
and their commission also extended to the chapel of Windsor and Winchester college. The celebrated Peter Martyr
preached before them, on their entering on business, and
was much noticed and patronized by Morysin. From Edward VI. he received the honour of knighthood, and appears to have gone again abroad, as Mr. Lodge gives us a
long letter from him relating to the affairs of the imperial
court, dated Brussels, Feb. 20, 1553. He returned not
long before that prince’s death, and was employed in building a superb mansion at Cashiobury, in Hertfordshire, a
manor which had been granted to him by Henry VIIL
when queen Mary’s violent measures against the protestants compelled him to quit England, and after residing
a short time in Italy, he returned to Strasburgh, and died
there, March 17, 1556. He married Bridget, daughter
of John lord Hussey, and left a son and three daughters
sir Charles, who settled at Cashiobury Elizabeth, married, first, to William Norreys, son and heir to Henry
lordNorreys; secondly, to Henry Clinton, earl of Lincoln Mary, to Bartholomew Hales, of Chesterfield in
Derbyshire and Jane, to Edward lord Russel, eldest son
of the earl of Bedford, and afterwards to Arthur lord
Grey of Wilton. The family of Morysin ended in an
heiress, Mary (great grand-daughter of sir Richard), who
married Arthur lord Capel of Hadham, an ancestor of the
present earl of Essex.
8vo. 4. “Comfortable consolation for the birth of prince Edward, rather than sorrow for the death of queen Jane.” Bale ascribes other pieces to him, and some translations.
1539, 8vo. 3. “Invective against the great and detestable vice, Treason,
” ibid. Comfortable consolation for the birth of prince Edward, rather than sorrow
for the death of queen Jane.
” Bale ascribes other pieces
to him, and some translations. In Ayscough’s Catalogue,
and in the Harieian collection are some of his ms letters,
maxims, and sayings.
nd continued in the same office in the following reign. He was one of the chaplains in waiting, when queen Anne, in April 1705, visited the university of Cambridge, and
His first remove from the university was in consequence of his being appointed preacher to the honourable society of Gray’s. Inn, July 11, 1698, which preferment he enjoyed till 1714. In the following year, January 1699, he was named preacher-assistant of St. James’s, Westminster, by the rector, Dr. Wake, afterwards archbishop of Canterbury. In April 1701 he was appointed chaplain in ordinary to king William, and continued in the same office in the following reign. He was one of the chaplains in waiting, when queen Anne, in April 1705, visited the university of Cambridge, and he was on that occasion created D. D. In 1708 he was chosen, by the parish, Tuesday lecturer at St. Lawrence’s Jewry, near Guildhall, in the room of Dr. Stanhope, who then resigned it, and supported the credit and character of that lecture with great approbation until 1727, when his growing infirmities induced him to resign it. In 1708-9 he was involved in a dispute with Dr. Thomas Greene, afterwards bishop of Norwich, but then master of Bene't college, who expected Dr. Moss to resign his fellowship on account of his non-residence and preferments in town. The debate was carried on by letter, and with too much warmth on both sides; but it appears, without ultimately creating any breach of friendship. On the death of Dr. Roderick, in 1712, Dr. Moss was appointed by her majesty to the deanery of Ely, and on this occasion quitted his fellowship in the college, and about 1714- resigned the preachership of Gray’s Inn, and at the same time was collated by Dr. Robinson, bishop of London, to the living of Gilston, alias Geddleston, a small rectory on the Eastern side of Hertfordshire, which, though of no great value, was of great service to him when incapacitated from taking long journeys, being a convenient distance between London and Ely, and an agreeable retirement.
on the education of the dauphin, and the reputation his other writings had acquired to him; but the queen having determined not to bestow the place on a married man>
, a distinguished French writer in the seventeenth century, to be classed with those whose scepticism and indelicacies have disgraced their talents, was born at Paris in 1588, of a family of gentlemen of the long robe. He was himself educated for the bar, and long held the office which his father resigned to him, of substitute procurator-general to the parliament; but his love of polite literature induced him to desert his profession, and employ his time in study and writing. By this he acquired such reputation as to be received into the French academy in 1639, of which he was accounted one of the ablest members. When a tutor was to be appointed for Louis XIV. in 1644, it was generally supposed that La Alothe le Vayer would have been the man, and it certainly was so intended by cardinal Richelieu, both on account of an excellent work he had published on the education of the dauphin, and the reputation his other writings had acquired to him; but the queen having determined not to bestow the place on a married man> the design was dropt. It is probable that the queen’s object, in refusing a married man, was to prefer an ecclesiastic, of whose religious principles she might be secure; for those of Le Vayer were already more than suspected by his work De la Vertu de Payens."
notwithstanding the tenderest affection for her husband, and repeated invitations from the king and queen, then at St. Germains, preferred living at home on the scanty
, a dramatic and miscellaneous
writer, was the son of colonel Mottley, who was a great
favourite with king James II. and followed the fortunes of
that prince into France. James, not being able himself to
provide for him so well as he desired, procured for him,
by his interest, the command of a regiment in the service
of Louis XIV. at the head of which he lost his life in the
battle of Turin, in 1706. The colonel married a daughter
of John Guise, esq. of Abload’s Court, in Gloucestershire,
with whom, by the death of a brother, who left her his
whole estate, he had a very considerable fortune. The
family of the Guises, however, being of principles diametrically opposite to those of the colonel, and zealous friends
to the revolution, Mrs. Mottley, notwithstanding the tenderest affection for her husband, and repeated invitations
from the king and queen, then at St. Germains, preferred
living at home on the scanty remains of what he had left
behind. The colonel was sent over to England three or
four years after the revolution, on a secret commission
from king James; and during his stay our author was born,
in 1692. Mr. Mottley received the first rudiments of his
education at St. Martin’s library-school, founded by archbishop Tenison; but was placed in the excise-office at
sixteen years of age, under the comptroller, lord viscount
Howe, whose brother and sister were both related by marriage to his mother. This situation he retained till 1720,
when, in consequence of an unhappy contract he had
made, probably in pursuit of some of the bubbles of that
infatuated year, he was obliged to resign it. Soon after
the accession of George I. Mr. Mottley had been promised
by the lord Halifax, at that time first lord of the treasury,
the place of one of the commissioners of the wine-licence
office; but when the day came that his name should have
been inserted in the patent, a more powerful interest, to
his great surprize, had stepped in between him and the
preferment, of which he had so positive a promise. This,
however, was not the only disappointment of that kind
which this gentleman met with; for, at the period above
mentioned, when he parted with his place in the excise,
he had one in the exchequer absolutely given to him by
sir Robert Walpole, to whom he lay under many other
obligations; but in this case as well as the preceding, he
found that the minister had made a prior promise of it to
another, and he was obliged to relinquish it. Other domestic embarrassments induced him to employ his pen,
which had hitherto been only his amusement, for the
means of immediate support; and he wrote his first play,
“The Imperial Captives,
” which met witU tolerable success. From that time he depended chiefly on his literary
abilities for a maintenance, and wrote five dramatic pieces,
with various success. He had also a hand in the composition of that many-fathered piece, “The Devil to Pay.
”
He published in Life of the great Czar Peter,
”
3 vols. 8vo, by subscription, in which he met with the
I sanction of some of the royal family, and great numbers of
the nobility and gentry; and, on occasion of one of his
benefits, which happened Nov. 3, queen Caroline, on the
30th of the preceding month (being the prince of Wales’s birth-day), did the author the singular honour of disposing
of a great number of his tickets, with her own hand, in the
drawing-room, most of which were paid for in gold, into
the hands of colonel Schutz, his royal highness’s privypurse, from whom Mr. Mottley received it, with the addition of a very liberal present from the prince himself. Jn
1744 he published in 2 vols. 8vo, “The History of the
Life and Reign of the empress Catherine of Russia.
” Both
this and the preceding are compilations from the journals
and annals of the day, but are now valuable from the
scarcity of those authorities. He died Oct. 30, 1750. It
has been surmised, with some appearance of reason, that
Mr. Mottley was the compiler of the lives of the dramatic
writers, published at the end of Whincop’s “Scanderbeg.
”
It is certain that the life of Mr. Mottley, in that work, is
rendered one of the most important in it, and is particularized by such a number of various incidents, as it seems
improbable should be known by any but either himself or
some one nearly related to him. Among others he relates
the following humourous anecdote. When colonel Mottley, our author’s father, came over, as has been before
related, on a secret commission from the abdicated monarch, the government, who had by some means intelligence of it, were very diligent in their endeavours to have
him seized. The colonel, however, was happy enough to
elude their search; but several other persons were, at different times, seized through mistake for him. Among the
rest, it being very well known that he frequently supped
at the Blue Posts tavern, in the Hay-Market, with one
Mr. Tredenhatn, a Cornish gentleman, particular directions
were given for searching that house. Colonel Mottley,
however, happening not to be there, the messengers found
Mr. Tredenham alone, and with a heap of papers before
him, which being a suspicious circumstance, they immediately seized, and carried him before the earl of Nottingham, then secretary of state. His lordship, who, however,
could not avoid knowing him, as he was a member of the
House of Commons, and nephew to the famous sir Edward
Seymour, asked him what all those papers contained. Mr.
Tredenham made answer, that they were only the several
scenes of a play, which he had been scribbling for the
amusement of a few leisure-hours. Lord Nottingham then
only desired leave just to look over them, which having
done for some little time, he returned them again to the
author, assuring him that he was perfectly satisfied; “for,
upon my word,
” said he, “I can find no plot in them,
”
broke family, from which he received an annual pension. He died in that retirement, about the end of queen Elizabeth’s reign.
, a physician and
naturalist of the sixteenth century, was born in London,
in or near St. Leonard’s-* parish, Shoreditch, as Wood
conjectures, where he received his early education. He
was then sent to Cambridge, as we learn from his “Health’s
Improvement,
” and not to Oxford, as Wood says; and
afterwards travelled through several of the countries of
Europe, contracting an acquaintance with many of the
most eminent foreign physicians and chemists. Before his
return he had taken the degree of M. D. in which he was
incorporated at Cambridge in 1582, and settled in London,
where he practised ph) sic with considerable reputation.
It appears also, that he resided for some time at Ipswich.
He was particularly patronized by Peregrine Bertie, lord
Willoughby, and accompanied him on his embassy, to
carry the ensigns of the order of the ganer to the king of
Denmark. He likewise was in camp with the earl of Essex
in Normandy, probably in 1591. He spent much of the
latter part of his life at Bulbridge, near Wilton, in Wiltshire, as a retainer to the Pembroke family, from which
he received an annual pension. He died in that retirement, about the end of queen Elizabeth’s reign.
amily was noble, and Papyrius mentions “that those of the family of Moulin were related to Elizabeth queen of England;” which she acknowledged herself in 1572, when conversing
, in Latin Molinæus, a celebrated lawyer, was born at Paris in 1500. His family was
noble, and Papyrius mentions “that those of the family of
Moulin were related to Elizabeth queen of England;
”
which she acknowledged herself in 1572, when conversing
with Francis duke of Montmorency, marshal of France and
ambassador to England. This relation probably came by
Thomas Bullen, or Boleyn, viscount of Rochefort, the
queen’s grandfather by the mother’s side; for Sanderus
and others say, “that this Rochefort being ambassador to
France, gave his daughter Anne of Bulloigne to a gentleman of Brie, a friend and relation of his, to take care of
her education; and this gentleman is supposed to be the
lord of Fontenay in Brie, of the family of du Moulin.
”
This branch came from Denys du Moulin, lord of Fontenay in Brie, archbishop of Thoulouse, patriarch of Antioch,
and bishop of Paris, where he died in 1447. The subject
of our memoir was at first educated at the university of
Paris, and afterwards studied law at Poitiers and Orleans,
at the latter of which cities he gave lectures on the subject
in 1521. In the following year he was received as an
advocate of parliament; but, owing to a defect in his speech,
was obliged to give up pleading, and confine himself to
chamber practice, and the composition of those works
which gained him so much reputation. He was an indefatigable student, and set such a value on time, that, contrary to the custom of his age, he had his beard close
shaven, that he might not lose any precious moments in
dressing it; but in his latter days he permitted it again to
grow. From the same love of study, he refused some valuable employments, and even took the resolution never to
marry; and that he might be equally free from every other
incumbrance, he gave the whole of his property to <rn
elder brother, reserving only for his maintenance the profits of his studies. It was not long, however, before he
had cause to repent of this uncommon liberality, as his
brother behaved to him in a brutal and unnatural way. To
revenge himself, he had recourse to an expedient suggested by his professional knowledge. He married, and
having children, he resumed, according to the law, the
possession of that property with which he had parted so
freely when a bachelor. It was in 1538 that he married
Louise de Beldon, daughter of the king’s secretary, a lady
of a most amiable and affectionate temper, who, instead of
being an incumbrance, as he once foolishly thought, proved
the great comfort of his life, and in some respect, the promoter of his studies, by her prudent care of those domestic
affairs of which literary men are generally very bad managers. She was also his consolation in the many difficulties in which he soon became embroiled. He was a man of
an ardent mind and warm temper, totally incapable of concealing his sentiments, particularly in the cause of truth
and justice, or regard to his country. Like many other
eminent men of that age, he embraced the principles of
the reformed religion, first according to the system of Calvin, but afterwards he adopted that of Luther, as contained
in the Augsburgh confession. On this account it is said
that the Calvinists endeavoured to make him feel their resentment, and even suspended their animosity against the
Roman catholics, that they might join with the latter in
attacking Du Moulin.
IV. at that time sent protestant ambassadors into protestant countries), and recommended him to the queen- mother, by whose interest he obtained the professorship of
, a very celebrated French protestant minister, and of the same family with Charles da
Moulin, was born at Vexin Oct. 18, 1568. He imbibed
the rudiments of literature at Sedan; and, when he arrived at twenty years of age, was sent to finish his education in England, where he became a member of Christ
college in Cambridge. After a residence of four years in
England, he went to Holland in the retinue of the duke
of Wirtemberg, but was shipwrecked in his passage, and
lost all his books and baggage. This occasioned his elegant poem entitled “Votiva Tabula,
” which did him great
credit, and procured him many friends. The French ambassador became one of his patrons (for Henry IV. at that time sent protestant ambassadors into protestant countries),
and recommended him to the queen- mother, by whose interest he obtained the professorship of philosophy at Leyden, then vacant. This he held for five or six years; and
among other disciples, who afterwards became celebrated,
be had Hugo Grotius. He read lectures upon Aristotle,
and disciplined his scholars in the art of disputing; of
which he made himself so great a master, that he was
enabled to enter with great spirit and success into the controversies with the catholics. Scaliger was very much his
patron; and when Du Moulin published his Logic at Ley.
den in 1596, said of the epistle prefatory, “haec epistola
non est hujus sevi.
” He taught Greek also in the divinity
schools, in which he was extremely well skilled, as appears
from his book entitled “Novitas Papismi,
” where he exposes cardinal Perron’s ignorance of that language.
rich rectory of StamfordRivers, in Essex, to which he had been instituted at the presentation of the queen. His retirement might also have been hastened by the loss of
, an eminent school -master, was descended from an ancient family in Cumberland. His father, William Mulcaster, resided at Carlisle, where, according to Wood, his son Richard was born. He was educated on the foundation at Eton, whence, in 1548, he gained his election to King’s college, Cambridge. Here he took no degree, but while scholar removed to Oxford; for what reason we know not. In 1555, he was elected student of Christ-Church; and, in the next year, was licensed to proceed in arts, and became eminent for his proficiency in Eastern literature. He began to be a teacher about 1559, and on Sept. 24, 1561, for his extraordinary accomplishments in philology was appointed the first master of Merchant Taylors’ school, then just founded; and he provided the first usher, and divided the boys into forms, &c. In this school he passed nearly twenty-six years; a severe disciplinarian, according to Fuller, but beloved by his pupils when they came to the age of maturity and reflected on the benefit they had derived from his care. Of these, bishop Andrews appears always to have preserved the highest respect for him, had his portrait hung over his study-door, behaved with great liberality to him, and by his will bequeathed a handsome legacy to his son. In April 1594, he was collated to the prebendal-stall of Gatesbury in the cathedral of Sarum; and, in 1596, he resigned the mastership of Merchant Taylors. The company were desirous that he should remain with them; but Fuller has recorded that he gave for answer, Fidelis semus, perpetuus asinus; and it appears from Mr. Wilson’s History that he had at last reason to think himself slighted . With his profession he certainly was not dissatisfied, nor, able to give it up for when he left the Merchant Taylors, he was chosen, in the same year, 1596, upper master of St. Paul’s School, in which office he remained for twelve years, and then retired to the rich rectory of StamfordRivers, in Essex, to which he had been instituted at the presentation of the queen. His retirement might also have been hastened by the loss of an affectionate wife, as well as by the decaying state of his own health; for, two years after putting up a plate with an inscription to her memory, in the church of Stamford, he died April 15, 1611, and was buried in the same church, but without any memorial.
addicted to dramatic composition, and occurs among those who assisted in the plays performed before queen Elizabeth in 1572 and 1576. Whether he was a student of the
He appears to have been early addicted to dramatic
composition, and occurs among those who assisted in the
plays performed before queen Elizabeth in 1572 and 1576.
Whether he was a student of the classic drama, or still adhered to the Gothic spectacles, is a desideratum; but it is
highly probable that he united both. In 1575, when Elizabeth was on one of her progresses at Kenelworth,
Mulcaster produced some Latin verses which were spoken
before her, and have been printed in Gascoyne’s “Princely
Pleasures at Kenelworth,
” and in Mr. Nichols’s “Progresses of queen Elizabeth.
” They are short and easy,
but, as was usual with the court productions of the time,
completely mythological. In 1580, he prefixed some
commendatory verses to Ocland’s “Anglorum proelia,
” and
others, two years afterwards, to his “Eifwaf%ia
” More,
perhaps, may be found in the works of his contemporaries: but we must not omit to notice his verses to queen
Elizabeth on her skill in music, printed in Tallis and Bird’s
tf Discantus Cantiones," &c. 1575, 4to, and inserted by
Bailard in his memoirs of queen Elizabeth.
observe, that our author was, after this time, servant to the earl of Oxford, and a messenger of the queen’s bed-chamber, posts which he would scarcely have held had his
It will take from the credit of this narrative to observe, that our author was, after this time, servant to the earl of Oxford, and a messenger of the queen’s bed-chamber, posts which he would scarcely have held had his character been so infamous as is represented above.
,“or” Common Places," which, with other tracts by him, were published in English during the reign of queen Elizabeth, along with the writings of the principal foreign
He was a man of great application and deep learning,
and a considerable master of the Greek and Hebrew languages, although he was at the least thirty-two when he
began to study the latter, and forty when he first applied
to the former. He published several books, the first of
which were translations from the Greek into Latin, particularly the “Comment of St. Chrysostom upon St. Paul’s
Epistles to the
” Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians,“printed at Basil in 1536 the
second volume of the
” Works of St. Basil“the
” Scholia
of -the same father upon the Psalms;“several
” Treatises
of St. Athanasius and St. Cyril;“and the
” Ecclesiastical
History of Eusehius, Socrates, Sozomen, Theodoret, Evagrius, and Polybius.“He published
” Comments upon
some parts of both the Old and New Testament;“and
father Simon says, that
” he was acquainted with the true
way of explaining the Scriptures, but had not all the necessary accomplishments to enable him to succeed perfectly in it, because he was not sufficiently exercised in
the study of the languages and of critical learning. However,“he adds,
” Musculus examines the ancient Greek
and Latin translations without prejudice; and he has shewn
well enough, that the points which are now printed in the
Hebrew text, were not used at the time of the Septuagint
and St Jerome.“He was the author of some original
works, both in Latin and German, particularly his
” Loci
Communes,“or
” Common Places," which, with other
tracts by him, were published in English during the reign
of queen Elizabeth, along with the writings of the principal
foreign reformers, and contributed not a little to strengthen,
the principles of the reformation.
to his cabinet, with a salary of 1000 livres per annum. Nantueil afterwards did the portrait of the queen-mother in the same manner, as also that of cardinal Mazarine,
, a celebrated engraver, was born
in 1630, at Rheims, where his father kept a petty shop,
suitable to his fortune, which was small, but sufficient to
enable him to give his son a liberal education. Accordingly, Robert was put to the grammar-school at a proper
age; and, as soon as he had made the necessary progress
in classical learning, went through a course of philosophy.
He had, from his childhood, a strong inclination to drawing; and he applied to it with such success, that being to
maintain, according to custom, his philosophical thesis at
the end of two years, he drew and engraved it himself.
As he continued to cultivate his genius, his productions
became the delight of the town. But finding more fame
than profit at Rheims, and having married while young, he
was under the necessity of seeking a situation where his
talents might be more amply rewarded. With this view he
left his wife and repaired to Paris, probably without introduction to any friends, as we are told he had no better
way to make himself known, than the following device
Seeing several young abbes standing at the door of a
victualling-house, near the Sorbonne, he asked the mistress if there was not an ecclesiastic of Rheims there?
telling her that he had unfortunately forgot his name, but
that she might easily know him by the picture that he had
of him, shewing her at the same time a portrait, well
drawn, and which had the air of being an exact likeness.
This drew the attention of some of the abbes, who were
profuse in their praises of the portrait. “If you please,
messieurs,
” said Nantueil, “I will draw all your pictures
for a trifle, as highly finished as this is.
” The price which
he asked was so moderate, that all the abbes sat to him
one after another; and then bringing their friends, customers came in so fast, that he took courage to raise his
price: and having in a short time acquired a considerable
sum, he returned to Rheims, disposed of his little property
there, and brought his wife to Paris, where his character
soon became established.
He applied himself particularly to drawing portraits
in crayons, which he afterwards engraved for the use of
the academical theses; and succeeded beyond all his predecessors in that branch. He never failed to catch the
likeness; and even pretended that he had certain rules
which ascertained it. His portrait of the king, as large as
life, which he afterwards engraved, so pleased his majesty that he rewarded him with a present of a hundred
louis d'ors, and made him designer and engraver to his
cabinet, with a salary of 1000 livres per annum. Nantueil
afterwards did the portrait of the queen-mother in the
same manner, as also that of cardinal Mazarine, the duke
of Orleans, marshal Turenne, and others. The grand
duke of Tuscany hearing of his fame, requested to have
Nantueil’s own portrait by himself, in crayons, in order to
place it in his gallery. His works consist of 240 prints,
including the portraits of almost all the persons of the first
rank in France. Of his filial affection we have the following anecdote. As soon as he had made an easy fortune,
his first object was to invite his father to share it; and the
manner in which he received him, which happened to be
before many witnesses, drew tears of joy from all. From
this time the son’s greatest happiness was to comfort the
declining years, and supply the wants, of his father. Nantueil died at Paris, Dec. 18, 1678, aged forty-eight.
, a dramatic poet and satirist of queen Elizabeth’s reign, was born at the sea-port town of Leostoff,
, a dramatic poet and satirist of queen
Elizabeth’s reign, was born at the sea-port town of Leostoff,
in Suffolk, probably about 1564, and was descended from
a family whose residence was in Hertfordshire. He received his education at St. John’s college, Cambridge,
where he took the degree of B. A. 1585. If we may judge
from his pamphlet, entitled “Pierce Penniless,
” which,
though written with a considerable spirit, seems to breathe
the sentiments of a man in the height of despair and rage
against the world, it appears probable that he had met
with many disappointments and much distress, which, from
the character of his companion Robert Greene (see Greene), it is most likely arose from his own indiscretions; his “Pierce Penniless
” might be no less a picture
of himself, than the recantation pieces we have noticed in
our account of Greene. It appears from a very scarce
pamphlet, entitled “The Trimming of Tho. Nashe, gentleman, by the high tituled patron Don Richardo de Medico Campo, Barber Chirurgeon to Trinity college in Cambridge,
” The
Isle of Dogs;
” that while he was at Cambridge, he wrote
part of a show, called “Terminus et noji Terminus,
” for
which the person, who was concerned with him in that
composition, was expelled; that Nash left his college
when he was seven years standing, and before he had
taken his master’s degree, about 1587; and that after his
arrival in London, he was often confined in different gaols.
ith you to Saffron-Walden,” which was Harvey’s residence. His dramatic pieces were only three “Dido, queen of Carthage,” a tragedy, 1594, 4to 2. “Summer’s Last Will and
As a satirist, his most virulent paper-war was carried on
with Gabriel Harvey, particularly in his tract, entitled
“Have with you to Saffron-Walden,
” which was Harvey’s
residence. His dramatic pieces were only three “Dido,
queen of Carthage,
” a tragedy, Summer’s Last Will and Testament,
” a comedy, The Isle of Dogs,
” above-mentioned, not published.
He engaged on the side of the church against Martin Marprelate; and the following are supposed to have formed
his share of this controversy: “A Countercuffe given to
Martin, junior,
” &c.; “Martin’s month’s minde
” “The
Returne of the renowned cavaliero Pasquill of England,
”
&c. all published in Bibliographer.
” Nash wrote
with considerable ease, harmony, and energy, yet Ma lone
says, that “of all the writers of the age of queen Elizabeth, Nash is the most licentious in his language; perpetually distorting words from their primitive signification,
in a manner often puerile and ridiculous, but more frequently incomprehensible and absurd.
” He pleased his
own age, however, for we find that his “Have with you
to Saffron-Walden,
” passed through six editions; and an
eminent poetical critic and antiquary thinks that Malone
must have formed his severe censure of Nash from this
piece, which was intended to ridicule the inflated and
turgid language of Harvey, in his astrological tracts. The
style of “Pierce Penniless,
” adds sir E. Brydges, is very
dissimilar, and his “Address to the two Universities,
” published in
ht all the medical books it contained for 3500 livres Isaac Vossius now recommended him to Christina queen of Sweden, with whom he resided a few months as librarian, or
While at Padua he lost his father, which obliged him to
return to Paris to settle his affairs. In 1628, the faculty of
medicine chose him to make the ordinary harangues at the
admission of licentiates, which he performed entirely to
their satisfaction. One of these, in Latin, on the origin
and dignity of the medical school at Paris, was printed
there in 1628, in octavo. He was then recommended by
one of his friends to cardinal Bagni, who appointed him
his librarian and Latin secretary. He took him also to
Rome in 1631, and Naud had an opportunity of forming
an acquaintance with the celebrated Peiresc, as the cardinal
travelled by the way of Beaugensier, on purpose to see his
old friend, who complimented him very warmly on having
acquired for a librarian a young man of Naude’s extensive
knowledge of books. While on this journey, Naude went
to Padua, where, in 1633, he received the degree of
doctor of philosophy and medicine, in order to support
the character of physician to Louis XIII. with which he
had been honoured. On the death of cardinal Bagni, in
1640, he intended to return to France, but had so many
liberal offers to remain in Italy, that he changed his mincl,
and determined to attach himself to cardinal Barberini.
There is much difference of dates amongst his biographers
respecting his return from Paris. All we can decide is,
that he acted there as librarian to cardinal Mazarine, and
that he collected for him a library of 40,OO0 volumes, the
greatest that had then appeared in France. But the cardinal died in 1642, and he consequently could not have
long been in his service. Perhaps he was employed to
make purchases for this library when in Italy, &c. The
cardinal appears not to have rewarded him with much liberality, and in 1648 we find him complaining of being
neglected. He had, however, a greater mortification to
undergo in 1652, when this fine collection was sold by order of the parliament. He is said to have been greatly irritated on this occasion, and bought all the medical books
it contained for 3500 livres Isaac Vossius now recommended him to Christina queen of Sweden, with whom
he resided a few months as librarian, or rather to fill up
that station in the absence of Vossius, who was at this time
in disgrace. Isiaude, however, neither liked the employment nor the people, and took an early opportunity to give
in his resignation; on which occasion the queen, and some
other persons of rank, testified their regard for him by various presents. The fatigue of his journey on returning
brought on a fever, which obliged him to stop at Abbeville,
where he died July 29, 1653. Naude was a man of great
learning, and in his private conduct, correct, prudent, and
friendly. His sentiments, as we have noticed, were on
some subjects, very liberal, but on others he deserves less
praise. While he played the freethinker so far as to despise
some parts of the belief of his church, he could gravely
vindicate the massacres of St. Bartholomew, as a measure
of political expedience. His works are very numerous.
To the few already mentioned we may add, 1. “Le Marfore, ou Discours contre les libelles.
” Paris, Instruction & la France sur la verit de l'histoire des
freres de la Rose-croix,
” ibid. Addition a Thistoire de
Louis XI.
” ibid. 1630. 4. “Consideration politique sur
les coups d'Etat, par G. N. P.
” Rome, (i. e. Paris), Bibliographia Politica,
”
Leyden, Hieronymi Cardani vita,
” Paris, Jugement de tout ce qui a ete imprim6 contre le
cardinal Mazarin depuis Jan. 6, jusqu'au 1 Avril, 1649,
”
Paris, 1641, 4to. This curious work, which is of great rarity,
is sometimes called “Mascurat,
” and consists of a dialogue
between St. Ange, a librarian, L e. Naude, and Mascurat,
a printer, i. e. Camusat. 7. “Avis a Nosseigneurs du
pariement sur la vente de la Bibliotheque du cardinal Mazarin,
” 1G52, 4to. 8. “Nundaeana et Patiniana,
” Paris,
rinity -hall, and was chosen a fellow. When his uncle, William Asriby, esq. was sent ambassador from queen Elizabeth into Scotland in 1589, he accompanied him, probably
, a statesman in the reign of
James I. was of an ancient family in Suffolk, and educated
a fellow-commoner of Trinity-college, Cambridge, whence
he removed to Trinity -hall, and was chosen a fellow.
When his uncle, William Asriby, esq. was sent ambassador from queen Elizabeth into Scotland in 1589, he accompanied him, probably in the office of secretary; and
was sometimes sent by him on affairs of trust and importance to the court of England, where we find him in July
of that year, discontented with his unsuccessful dependance
on courtiers, and resolved to hasten back to his uncle, to
whom he returned in the beginning of the month following, and continued with him till January 1589, when Mr.
Ashby was succeeded in his embassy by Robert Bowes, esq.
Mr. Naunton was in France in 15.96 and 1597, whence he
corresponded frequently with the earl of Essex, who does
not appear to have had interest enough to advance him to
any civil post; for which reason it is probable that, after
his lordship’s disgrace, Mr. Naunton returned to college,
and, in 1601, was elected public orator of the university.
Lloyd observes, that his speeches, “both while proctor
and orator of Cambridge, discovered him more inclined to
public accomplishments than private studies.
” A speech
which he had to deliver before James I. at Hinchinbroke,
is said to have pleased the king very much, and paved the
way to his obtaining employment at court. Accordingly
he was first made master of the requests, then surveyor of
the court of wards, by the interest of sir Thomas Overbury
and sir George Villiers, and, in January 1618, was advanced to be secretary of state. He was lastly promoted to
be master of the court of wards, which office he resigned
in March 1635, and died in the same month. He was buried in the church of Letheringham in Suffolk.
eserve his memory. This tract, printed first in 1641, 4to, contains some interesting observations on queen Elizabeth, and her principal courtiers, apparently written with
Sir Robert Naunton, for so he was created by James I.
was a man of considerable learning, and well qualified for
political affairs; and his letters contain many curious facts
and just observations on the characters and parties of his
day. His “Fragmenta Regalia
” continues to preserve his
memory. This tract, printed first in 1641, 4to, contains
some interesting observations on queen Elizabeth, and her
principal courtiers, apparently written with impartiality;
but in an uncouth and rugged style.
an interview with their royal highnesses the prince and princess of Wales, afterwards George II. and queen Caroline.
In 1722 he published a pamphlet, entitled “A Letter
to the Rev. Dr. Francis Hare, dean of Worcester, occasioned by his reflections on the Dissenters, in his late visitation Sermon and Postscript,
” 8vo. In the same year he
published a tract which excited considerable attention from
the novelty and importance of its subject, “A Narrative
of the method and success of inoculating the Small-pox, in
New-England, by Mr. Benjamin Colman; with a reply to
the objections made against it from principles of conscience, in a letter from a minister at Boston. To which
is now prefixed, an historical introduction.
” This procured him an interview with their royal highnesses the
prince and princess of Wales, afterwards George II. and
queen Caroline.
on of the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Church of England, as established in the reign of queen Elizabeth, from the injurious reflections of Mr. Neal’s first
From this time he published only five occasional sermons, till 1732, when the first volume of his “History of
the Puritans
” appeared; and continued to be published,
the second volume in 1733, the third in 1736, and the
fourth in 1738, in 8vo. Of the impartiality of this work
various opinions were then and are still entertained. We
have had repeated occasions to examine it, and we think
it exhibits as much impartiality as could have been expected from a writer whose object was to elevate the character of the puritans and non-conformists, at the expence
of the members of the established church. And when it
was discovered that he represented the church of England
as almost uniformly a persecuting church, it was not surprizing he should meet with answers from those who, in
surveying the history of the puritans, when they became
known by the name of non-conformists, considered that
the ejected were at one time the ejectors; the right of the
usurping powers in Cromwell’s time to throw down the
whole edifice of the church, being the main principle on
which the controversy hinges. Mr. Neal’s representation of
that event, and of the sufferings of his brethren, first called
forth the abilities of Dr. Maddox, bishop of St. Asaph,
who published “A Vindication of the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Church of England, as established in the reign of queen Elizabeth, from the injurious
reflections of Mr. Neal’s first volume,
” &c. 8vo. To this
Mr. Neal replied in “A Review of the Principal Facts objected to in the first volume of the History of the Puritans.
”
The subject was then taken up by Dr. Zachary Grey, in
“An Impartial Examination of the second volume of Mr.
Daniel Neal’s History of the Puritans. In which the reflections of that author, upon king James I. and king
Charles I. are proved to be groundless; his misrepresentations of the conduct of the prelates of those times, fully
detected; and his numerous mistakes in history, and unfair
way of quoting his authorities, exposed to public view,
”
ectory of Thenford in Northamptonshire, and became chaplain to bishop Bonner but on the accession of queen Elizabeth, according to Dodd, he suffered himself to be deprived
, an Oxford divine, was
born at Yeate, in Gloucestershire, in 1519, and was educated under the care of his uncle Alexander Belsire, who
was afterwards first president of St. John’s college, at
Winchester school. From this he was removed to New
college, Oxford, in 1538, and admitted fellow in 1540.
He also took his degree of M. A. and six years afterwards
was admitted into holy orders. He was reckoned an able
divine, but was most noted for his skill in Greek and Hebrew, on which account sir Thomas White, the founder
of St. John’s college, encouraged him by a yearly pension often pounds. His adherence to the popish religion
induced him to go to the university of Paris, during king
Edward the Sixth’s reign, where he took his degree of bachelor of divinity. On his return during Mary’s reign, he
held the rectory of Thenford in Northamptonshire, and
became chaplain to bishop Bonner but on the accession
of queen Elizabeth, according to Dodd, he suffered himself to be deprived of his spiritualities, retired to Oxford,
and entered himself a commoner in Hart-hall. He had
not been long here before he professed conformity to the
newly-established religion, and in 1559 was appointed
Hebrew professor of the foundation of Henry VIII. in
which office he remained until 1569. When first appointed
he built lodgings opposite Hart-hall, joining to the westend of New college cloister, which were for some time
known by the name of Neal’s lodgings. During queen
Elizabeth’s visit to the university in 1566, he presented to
her majesty, a ms. now in the British Museum, entitled
“Rabbi Davidis Kimhi commentarii super Hoseam, Joellem, Amos, Abdiam, Jonam, Micheam, Nahum, Habacuc,
et Sophonian; Latine redditi per Thomam Nelum, Heb.
linguae profess. Oxonii; et R, Elizabethse inscripti.
” He
presented also to her majesty a little book of Latin verses,
containing the description of the colleges, halls, &c.; and a
few days after exhibited a map of Oxford, with small views
very neatly drawn with a pen by Bereblock. These views,
with the verses, were published by Hearne at the end of
“Dodwell de parma equestri.
” The verses are in the
form of a dialogue between the queen and the earl of Leicester, chancellor of the university, and are not wanting
in that species of pedantic flattery so frequently offered to
her majesty. Neal, however, was never a conformist irr
his heart, and in 1569 either resigned, or being known to
be a Roman catholic, was ejected from his professorship,
and then retired to the village of Cassington near Oxford,
where he lived a private and studious life. Wood can
trace him no further, but Dodd says that he was frequently
disturbed while at Cassington on account of his religion,
and being often obliged to conceal, or absent himself,
went abroad. The records of Doway mention that one
Thomas Neal, an ancient clergyman, who had suffered
much in prison in England, arrived there June 1, 1578,
and returned again to England January 7, 1580. How
long he lived afterwards is uncertain. He was certainly
alive in 1590, as appears by an inscription he wrote for
himself to be put upon his tomb-stone in Cassington
church, which also states that he was then seventy-one
years old. In the British Museum, among the royal Mss.
is another ms. of his, entitled “Rabbinicae qusedam Observationes ex praedictis commentariis.
” Wood speaks of
one of his names, of Yeate in Gloucestershire, who dying
in 1590, his widow had letters of administration granted,
and adds, “whether it be meant of our author I cannot
justly say, because I could never learn that he was married.
” But nothing can be more improbable than the marriage of -a man who had suffered so much for a religion
that prohibits the marriage of the clergy, and who was so
inveterate against the reformed religion, that we are told
the fable of the Nag’s-head ordination was first propagated
by him.
ne piece, dated 1676. The others, lord Orford says, were small ovals, on copper, of king William and queen Mary, painted just before the Revolution, which, however, is
The subjects he chose, when his talents were matured, were generally conversation-pieces, with figures selected from among the better ranks of his countrymen. These, while he touched and finished them with great neatness, he treated with a breadth unknown till then among the Flemish painters. He finished all the parts of his pictures with great perfection, and the most characteristic imitation of nature. The rich siik and sattin dresses of his figures, the gold and silver utensils, carpets, &c. &c. which he introduced in his compositions, are exquisitely wrought, and with uncommon brilliancy and lustre. He painted many portraits of a small size, but they exhibit too much of the restraint which belongs to portrait painting. He was invited to England by sir William Temple, and recommended to the king, Charles II. bat did not stay long here. Vertue mentions five of his pictures; one, a lady and dog, with his name to it: another of a lady, her hands joined, oval, on copper; the third, lord Berkeley of Stratton, his lady, and a servant, in one piece, dated 1676. The others, lord Orford says, were small ovals, on copper, of king William and queen Mary, painted just before the Revolution, which, however, is impossible, as Netscher died four years before that event. These must have been the production of his son, Theodore. Gaspard died in 1684.
-college by the then patron of that office, Thomas lord Howard, first earl of Suffolk. In 1587, the queen, to whom he was chaplain, conferred on him the second prebend
, dean of Canterbury, and an eminent benefactor to Trinity college, Cambridge, brother to the preceding, was born in Canterbury, to which city his father, who had spent his younger days at court, had, in his declining years, retired. He entered early at Pembroke-hall, Cambridge, of which he was elected a fellow in November 1570. In 1580, he was senior proctor of the university, and in 1582 was presented to the mastership of Magdalen -college by the then patron of that office, Thomas lord Howard, first earl of Suffolk. In 1587, the queen, to whom he was chaplain, conferred on him the second prebend in the church of Ely, at which time he was also rector of Doddington cum Marchj in the isle of Ely. In 158S, he was elected vice-chancellor of the University, but relinquished the office, in the following year, to Dr. Preston, master of Trinity-hall. While he presided in this station, he took the degree of D. D. During his being vice-chancellor, it is only recorded, that he had occasion to repress the freedoms which two of the university preachers took when speaking in their sermons of the established church.
The character of Nevile was now held in such estimation by queen Elizabeth, that, on the death of Dr. Rogers, she promoted him
The character of Nevile was now held in such estimation by queen Elizabeth, that, on the death of Dr. Rogers, she promoted him to the deanery of Canterbury, in which he was installed June 28, 1597. On her majesty’s death, he was sent by archbishop Whitgift into Scotland to address her successor, in the name of all the clergy, with assurances of their loyalty and affection. He was also commissioned to inquire what commands his majesty had to enjoin as to causes ecclesiastical; and, at the same time, to recommend the church of England to his favour and protection. To this message James returned an answer, declaring, that he would maintain the government of the church as Elizabeth left it. The king afterwards, when on a visit to Cambridge, in 1615, was entertained at Trinity-college, by Dr. Nevile, who was then much enfeebled by the palsy, and did not long survive the royal visit. He died at Cambridge May 2, 1615, advanced in life, but his age we have not been able to ascertain.
r of Milton,” 1723, folio, adorned with a fine metzotinto portrait; of another, “To her late majesty queen Anne, upon the Peace of Utrecht;” “An Ode to the memory of Mr.
, M. A. son of a worthy clergy,
man in Herefordshire, and great grandson, by his mother’s
side, to the famous Spenser, was born in 1675, and was,
for some time, educated at Corpus Christi college, Oxford; but we do not find his name among the Graduates.
He was afterwards chaplain to the second duke of Richmond, and rector of Stopham in Sussex, in 1734, when
he published a translation of “Velleius Paterculus.
” For
some time before this he lived at Hackney, in rather distressed circumstances. So early as 1718, he was author
of an excellent poem, under the title of “Bibliotheca,
”
which is preserved in the third volume of Nichols’s “Select Collection of Miscellany Poems,
” and on which Dr.
Warton thinks Pope must have formed his goddess
Dulness, in the “Dunciad.
” Besides the many productions of
Dr. Newcomb reprinted in that collection, he was author of
several poems of merit; particularly of “The last Judgment
of Men and AngeU, in twelve books, after the manner of
Milton,
” To her late majesty queen Anne, upon
the Peace of Utrecht;
” “An Ode to the memory of Mr.
Rowe;
” and another, “To the memory of the countess of
Berkeley.
” He also translated several of Addison’s Latin
poems, and Philips’s “Ode to Mr. St. John.
”
very intimate with him, printed, 1. “The Manners of the Times, in seven Satires.” 2. “An Ode to the Queen, on the happy accession of their Majesties to the Crown,” 1727.
After Dr. Young had published his celebrated satires,
Mr. Newcomb, who was very intimate with him, printed, 1.
“The Manners of the Times, in seven Satires.
” 2. “An
Ode to the Queen, on the happy accession of their Majesties
to the Crown,
” An Ode to the Right Honourable the Earl of Orford, on Retirement,
” A
Collection of Odes and Epigrams, &c. occasioned by the
Success of the British and Confederate Arms in Germany,
”
An Ode inscribed to the Memory of the late
Earl of Orford,
” 1746. 7.
” A
Paraphrase on some Select Psalms.“8.
” The Consummation, a Sacred Ode on the final Dissolution of the World,
inscribed to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury,“1752,
4to. 9.
” A Miscellaneous Collection of Original Poems,
Odes, Epistles, Translations, &c. written chiefly on political
and moral subjects; to which are added, Occasional Letters
and Essays, formerly published in defence of the present
government and administration,“1756, a large volume in
4to. 10.
” Vindicta Britannicn, an Ode on the Royal Navy,
inscribed to the King,“1759, 4to, 11.
” Novus Epigrammatum Delectus, or Original State Epigrams and Minor
Odes, suited to the Times,“1760, 8vo. 12.
” The Retired
Penitent, being a poetical Version of one of the Rev. Dr.
Young’s Moral Contemplations. Revised, approved, and
published, with the Consent of that learned and eminent
Writer,“1760, 12mo. 13.
” A congratulatory Ode to the
Queen, on her Voyage to England,“1761, 4to. 14.
” On
the Success of the British Arms;, A congratulatory Ode
addressed to his Majesty,“1763, 4to. 15.
” The Death
of Abel, a Sacred Poem, written originally in the German
language, attempted in the style of Milton,“1763, 12mo.
16. In 1757, he published
” Versions of two of Hervey’s
Meditations,“in blank verse. And, in 1764, the whole of
them were printed in two volumes, 12mo, inscribed to the
right hon. Arthur Onslow, sir Thomas Parker, and lady
Juliana Penn. Mr. Nichols also supposes, that Dr. Newcomb was the author of
” A Supplement to a late excellent
poem, entitled Are these things so?“1740; and of
” Preexistence and Transmigration, or the new Metamorphosis;
a Philosophical Essay on the Nature and Progress of the
Soul; a poem, something between a panegyric and a satire," 1743. Dr. Newcomb died probably about 1766^ in
which year his library was sold, an4 when he must have
been in his ninety-first year.
of Oxford he was a steady friend and frequent benefactor. The admired cast of the Florentine boar in Queen’s college library, the Florentine museum, and other books in
To the university of Oxford he was a steady friend and frequent benefactor. The admired cast of the Florentine boar in Queen’s college library, the Florentine museum, and other books in the library of University college, Piranesi’s works in the Bodleian, and those exquisite spe r cimens of ancient sculpture, the Candelabra in the Radciiffe library (which cost 1800/,) were some of his donations. In 1755 he was honoured by the countess dowager of Pomfret (who was aunt to the first lady Newdigate) with a commission to intimate to the university her ladyship’s intention of presenting them with what are now called the Arundelian marbles. In 1805 sir Roger made an offer to the university of the sum of 2000l. for the purpose of removing them to the Radcliffe library, but some unexpected difficulties were started at that time, which prevented the plan from being executed, although it is to be hoped, it is not finally abandoned. He gave also 1000l. to be vested in the public funds, in the name of the vice-chancellor and the master of University college, for the time being, in trust, part of it to go for art annual prize for English verses on ancient sculpture, painting, and architecture, and the remainder to accumulate as a fund towards the amendment of the lodgings of the master of University college. His charitable benefactions in the neighbourhood of his estate were extensive, and have proved highly advantageous, in ameliorating the state of the poor, and furnishing them with education and the means of industry. But we must refer. to our authority for these and other interesting particulars of this worthy baronet.
to fill that honourable situation till the time of his death. On April 16, 1705, he was knighted by queen Anne, at Trinity college lodge, Cambridge.
In 1701 he made Mr. Whiston his deputy professor of mathematics at Cambridge; and gave him all the salary from that time, though he did not absolutely resign the professorship till 1703, in which year he was chosen president of the royal society, and continued to fill that honourable situation till the time of his death. On April 16, 1705, he was knighted by queen Anne, at Trinity college lodge, Cambridge.
lexible attachment to the cause of liberty, and to the constitution of Great Britain. George II. and queen Caroline shewed him particular marks of their favour and esteem,
While at the university, he spent the greatest part of
his time in his closet, and when he was tired with the
severer studies of philosophy, his relief and amusement
was going to some other study, as history, chronology,
divinity, chemistry; all which he examined with the greatest attention, as appears by the many papers which he
left behind him on those subjects. After his coming to
London , all the time he could spare from his business,
and from the civilities of life, in which he was scrupulously
exact and complaisant, was employed in the same way;
and he was hardly ever alone without a pen in his hand,
and a book before him: and in all the studies which he
undertook, he had a perseverance and patience equal to
his sagacity and invention. His niece, afterwards married
to Mr. Conduitt, who succeeded him as master of the mint,
lived with him about twenty years during his residence in
London. He always lived in a very handsome, generous
manner, though without ostentation or vanity always hospitable, and, upon proper occasions, he gave splendid
entertainments. He was generous and charitable without
bounds; and he used to say that they who gave away
nothing till they died, never gave. This, perhaps, was
one reason why he never made a will. Scarcely any
man of his circumstances ever gave away so much during
his own life-time, in alms, in encouraging ingenuity and
learning, and to his relations nor, upon all occasions,
showed a greater contempt of his own money, or a more
scrupulous frugality of that which belonged to the public,
or to any society he was entrusted for. He refused pensions and additional employments that were offered him;
he was: highly honoured and respected in all reigns, and
under all administrations, even by those whom he opposed y
for in every situation he shewed an inflexible attachment
to the cause of liberty, and to the constitution of Great
Britain. George II. and queen Caroline shewed him particular marks of their favour and esteem, and often conversed with him for hours together. The queen in particular, used to take delight in his company, and was accustomed to congratulate herself that she lived in the same
country, and at the same time, with so illustrious a person.
Yet, notwithstanding the extraordinary honours that were
paid him, he had so humble an opinion of himself, that
he had no relish for the applause which he received. In
Spence’s “Anecdotes
” we are told, that when Ramsay
was one day complimenting him on his discoveries in philosophy, he answered, “Alas! I am only like a child picking up pebbles on the shore of the great ocean of truth.
”
He was so little vain and desirous of glory from any of his
works, that he would have let others run away with the credit of those inventions which have done so much honour to
human nature, if his friends and countrymen had not been
more jealous than he was of his own glory, and the honour
of his country. He was exceedingly courteous and affable,
even to the lowest, and never despised any man for want
of capacity: but always expressed freely his resentment
against immorality or impiety. He not only shewed a great
and constant regard to religion in general, as well by an
exemplary life, as in all his writings, but was also a firm
believer in revealed religion, with one exception, an important one indeed, that his sentiments on the doctrine of
the Trinity by no means coincided with what are generally
held. He left many papers behind him on religious subjects, which Dr. Horsley, who examined them, declined
publishing, probably on account of the opinions which we
have just hinted. Sir Isaac had such a mildness of
temper that a melancholy story would often draw tears from
him, and he was exceedingly shocked at any act of cruelty
to man or beast; mercy to both being the topic that he
loved to dwell upon. An innate modesty and simplicity
showed itself in all his actions and expressions. His whole
life was one continued series of labour, patiejrce, charity,
generosity, temperance, piety, goodness, and every other
virtue, without a mixture of any known vice whatsoever.
y piety, and extensive charity. No one man was called forth so often to preach, in the latter end of queen Anne’s time, and in the beginning of king George I. as Dr. Newton.
, D. D. founder of Hertford college, Oxford, was descended from a family that had long been of considerable repute, and of good fortune, but much injured during the civil wars. His father enjoyed a moderate estate at Lavendon Grange, in Bucks, (which is now in the family,) and lived in a house of lord Northampton’s in Yardlv-chase, where Dr. Newton is said to have been born about 1676. He was educated at Westminsterschool, and elected from that foundation in 1694 to a studentship of Christ-church, Oxford, where he executed the office of tutor very much to his own and the college’s honour and benefit. Here he became M. A. April 12, 1701; and B. D. March 18, 1707. He was inducted principal of Hart-hall, by Dr. Aldrich, in 1710, and took the degree of D. D. Dec. 7, that year. He was received into lord Pelham’s family, to superintend the education of the late duke of Newcastle, the minister, and his brother Mr. Pelham, who ever retained a most affectionate regard for him. Of this, however, he was long without any substantial proofs. Being a man of too independent and liberal principles ever to solicit a favour for himself, he was overlooked by these statesmen, till, in 1752, a short time before his death, when he was promoted to a canonry of Christ-church, which he held with his principalship of Hertford-college. He was honoured with the esteem of the late lord Granville, than whom none at that timfe a better judge of merit and men of learning. He was aU lowed to be as polite a scholar and as ingenious a writer as any of the age. In closeness of argument, and perspicuity and elegance of language, he had not his equal. Never was any private person employed in more trusts, or discharged them with greater integrity. He was a true friend to religion, the university, and the clergy; a man of exemplary piety, and extensive charity. No one man was called forth so often to preach, in the latter end of queen Anne’s time, and in the beginning of king George I. as Dr. Newton.
l Newton was first sent in his thirteenth year to Trinity-college, Oxford, but removed soon after to Queen’s college, Cambridge. In his return to his native country, he
and commemorates him also in his “Encomia
” in equally
high terms. From this school Newton was first sent in his
thirteenth year to Trinity-college, Oxford, but removed
soon after to Queen’s college, Cambridge. In his return
to his native country, he stopt at Oxford for a considerable time, and was re-admitted to Trinity-college, and took
ordei-s. He was patronised by Robert earl of Essex, and,
probably through his influence, was elected master of the
grammar-school at Macclesfield. He likewise practised
physic, and published some treatises on that subject. In
1583 he left Macclesfield, on being instituted to the rectory
of Little Jlford in Essex, where he taught school, continued the practice of physic, and acquired considerable
property. Here he died in 1607, and was buried in his
church, to which he left a legacy for ornaments. At
Cambridge he became eminent for Latin poetry, and was
regarded by scholars as one of the best poets in that language, certainly one of the purest of that period.
ined “England’s Eliza; or the victorious and triumphant reigneof that virgin Empress, &c. Elizabeth, queen of England,” &c. His other writings are, “The Cuckow, a Poem,”
, whom Mr. Headley considers as a poet of great elegance and imagination,
and one of the ornaments of the reign of Elizabeth, was
born in London, of genteel parents, in 1584. In 1602 he
entered a student of Magdalen college, Oxford, whence,
after a short time, he removed to Magdalen hall, and took
the degree of B. A. in 1606. After remaining at the university some years, and being esteemed among the most
ingenious men of his day, according to Wood, he quitted
Oxford for London, where he “obtained an employment
suitable to his faculty.
” What this employment was, we
are left to conjecture. The time of his death is also uncertain, but he appears to have been alive at least in 1616,
and was then but young. The most material of his works
are his additions to “The Mirror for Magistrates,
” a book
most popular in its time (see Higgins), containing a series
of pieces by Sackville, Baldwyne, Ferrers, Churchyard,
Phayer, Higgins, Drayton. It was ultimately completed,
and its contents new arranged by Nichols, whose supplement to the edition of 1610 is entitled “A Winter Night’s
Vision,
” To this likewise is improperly subjoined “England’s Eliza; or the victorious and triumphant reigneof that
virgin Empress, &c. Elizabeth, queen of England,
” &c.
His other writings are, “The Cuckow, a Poem,
” London,
Monodia, or Waltham’s complaint upon the death
of the most vertuous and noble lady, late deceased, the
lady Honor Hay,
” ibid. TheTwynnes
Tragedye
” is attributed to him in the Biog. Dram.; but we
can, on better authority, add “London’s Artillery, briefly
containing the noble practice of that worthie Society,
” &c.
&c. The Three Sisters’ Tears, shed at the
late solernne Funerals of the royal Henry, prince of Wales,
”
&c. The Furies, with Vertue’s encomium,
&c. in two books of epigrammes, satirical and encomiastic,
” Beauties,
” and the “Bibliographer.
”
be a Gibeonite in the church without any regard or relief. Pray f my lord, represent my case to the queen; and I shall never be wanting to make my most ample acknowledgment
"I was in hopes that her majesty would have bestowed the prebend of Westminster upon me, being the place where I live, and that I might be nearer to books, _to finish my work on the liturgy and articles, for which she was pleased to tell to me, with her own mouth, she would consider me. My good lord, I have taken more pains in this matter than any divine of our nation, whjch I hope may bespeak the favour of a church-of-England ministry. Therefore I most humbly beseech your lordship for your interest for the next prebend of that church (if this be disposed of) that shall be void; for if I had merited nothing, my circumstances want it. I am now forced on the drudgery of being the editor of Mr. Selden’s books, for a little money to buy other books to carry on my liturgical work. I have broken my constitution by the pains of making my collections myself throughout that large work, without the help of an amanuensis, which I am not in a condition to keep, though the disease of my stomach (being a continual cholic of late, attended by the rupture of a vein) might plead pity, and incline my superiors not to suffer me all my days to be a Gibeonite in the church without any regard or relief. Pray f my lord, represent my case to the queen; and I shall never be wanting to make my most ample acknowledgment for so great a favour. I could long since have made my way to preferment without taking all this pains, by a noisy cry for a party; but as this has been often the reproach, and once the ruin of our clergy, so I have always industriously avoided it, quietly doing what service I could to the church I was born in, and leaving the issue thereof to God’s Providence, and to the kind offices of some good man, who some time or other might befriend me in getting some little thing for me to make my circumstances easy, which is the occasion that your lordship has the trouble of this application, from,
hapel at Tunbridge Wells,“1702, 4to. 9.” A Conference with a Theist, in five parts; dedicated to the Queen’s most excellent Majesty,“1703, 8vo; of which a third edition,
That he deserved more attention, will appear from the
following list of his useful publications. 1. “An Answer
to an Heretical Book called `The naked Gospel,' which
was condemned and ordered to be publicly burnt by the
Convocation of the University of Oxon, Aug. 19, 1690,
with some Reflections on Dr. Bury’s new edition of that
book,
” A short History of Socinianism,
”
printed with the answer before-mentioned; and dedicated
to his patron the earl of Montague. 3, “A Practical
Essay on the Contempt of the World,
” sir John Trevor, master of the rolls,
” to whom
the author acknowledges his obligations for “a considerable preferment, bestowed in a most obliging and generous
manner.
” 4. “The Advantages of a learned Education,
”
a sermon preached at a school-feast, The
Duty of Inferiors towards their Superiors, in five practical
discourses; shewing, I. The Duty of Subjects to their
Princes. II. The Duty of Children to their Parents.
III. The Duty of Servants to their Masters. IV. The
Duty of Wives to their Husbands. V. The Duty of Parishioners and the Laity to their Pastors and Clergy. To
which is prefixed a dissertation concerning the divine
right of Princes,
” 1701, 8vo. 6. “An Introduction to a
Devout Life, by Francis Sales, bishop and prince of Geneva; translated and reformed from the Errors of the
Romish edition. To which is prefixed, a Discourse of the
Rise and Progress of the Spiritual Books in the Romish.
Church,
” A Treatise of Consolation to
Parents for the Death of theirChildren written upon the
occasion of the Death of the Duke of Gloucester and addressed to the most illustrious Princess Anue of Denmark,
”
God’s Blessing on Mineral Waters;
” a
Sermon preached at the chapel at Tunbridge Wells,“1702,
4to. 9.
” A Conference with a Theist, in five parts; dedicated to the Queen’s most excellent Majesty,“1703,
8vo; of which a third edition, with the addition of two
Conferences, the one with a Machiavelian, the other with
an Atheist, all carefully revised and prepared for the pres$
by the author, was published in 1723, 2 vols. 8vo. This
was particularly designed, says Leland, by the learned and
ingenious author, in opposition to the
” Oracles of Reason,“published by Blount; and he has not left any material part of that work unanswered. 10.
” A Practical Essayon the Contempt of the World; to which is prefixed, a Preface to the Deists and vicious Libertines of the
Age,“1704, 2d edit. 8vo. 11.
” The Religion of a Princes
shewing that the Precepts of the Holy Scriptures are the
best maxims of Government,“1704, 8vo, in opposition to
Machiavel, Hobbes, c. and written when the queen gave
up the tenths and first fruits to the inferior clergy. 12.
” Defensio Ecclesiae Anglicanae,“1707, 12mo. 13.
” A
Paraphrase on the Common Prayer, with Notes on the
Sundays and Holidays,“1708, 8vo. 14.
” Afflictions the
lot of God’s children, a Sermon on the Death of Prince
George,“1709, 8vo. 15.
” A Comment on the Book of
Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments,“&c. 1710, folio. This volume has the royal licence prefixed, and a list of more than 900 subscribers. In his
dedication to the queen, he notices, as what never happened before, that all the copies were bespoke or paid for
before the day of publication. It still continues to be
printed in 8vo. The late sir James Stonhouse, in a letter
to the rev. Thomas Stedman, dated 1793, says of this
work,
” I would have you recommend it to every family
in your parish as it will shew them the use of the common
prayer and psalms, as read in our churches, and be a
standard book from father to son.“16.
” A Supplement
to the Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer,“1711, folio. In the preface to this supplement, Dr. Nichols mentions
” a long fit of illness with which God had
pleased to visit him, and a very unestablished state of
health both before and after it.“This illness appears soon
to have ended in his death. 17.
” Historic Sacroe Libri
VII. Ex Antonii Cocceii Sabellici Eneadibus concinnatum,
in usum Scholarurn et Juventutis Christianae,“1711, 12mo.
18
” A Commentary on the first fifteen, and part of the
sixteenth Articles of the Church of England,“1712, fol.
39.
” A Defence of the Doctrine and Discipline of the
Church of England; first written in Latin, for the use of
foreigners, by William Nichols, D. D. and translated into
English by himself,“1715, 12mo. Dr. Nichols was
reckoned a very excellent scholar, and was known abroad as
well as at home by the learned correspondence he kept
with foreigners of eminence. A volume of such correspondence with JaUlonski, Osterwald, Wetstein, &c. was
presented by his widow Catharine Nichols to the archbishop
of Canterbury, Oct. 28,* 1712, to be deposited either in
Lambeth or St. Martin’s library, and is now among the
valuable Mss. at Lambeth, No. 676. He died in the end
of April 1712, and was buried in St. Swithin’s church
May 5. It may not be improper to distinguish this pious
divine from his name-sake William Nichols, M. A. and
rector of Stockport, in Cheshire, who was a student
of Christ church, Oxford, and. published, 1.
” De Literis
jnventis Libri sex ad illustrissinuum Principem Thomam,
Herbertum, Pembrokiae Comitem,“&c. 1711, 8vo. 2.
” Oratio corarn venerabili Spcietate promovenda Religione
Christiana habita Londini, Dec. 29, 171.&,“12mo; and,
3.
” Περι Αρχων Libri Septem. Accedunt Liturgica,"
1717, 12mo.
r prelate. His father, who married Mary daughter of John Brisco of Grofton, esq. was a clergyman, of Queen’s college, Oxford; and rector of Orton near Carlisle. He was
, a learned English prelate and antiquary, was both by the father and mother’s side of Cumberland extraction. His grandfather was Joseph Nicolson, of Averas Holme in that county, who married Radigunda- Scott, heiress to an estate at Park Broom, in the parish of Stanvvix which estate descended to Catherine eldest surviving daughter of our prelate. His father, who married Mary daughter of John Brisco of Grofton, esq. was a clergyman, of Queen’s college, Oxford; and rector of Orton near Carlisle. He was born at Orton in 1655, and in 1670 was entered of Queen’s college, under the tuition of Dr. Thos. Barlow, afterwards bishop of Lincoln, and took his degree of B. A. in 1676. While here he became known to sir Joseph Williamson, then secretary of state, the great benefactor to Queen’s college, and the patron of many of its scholars, who in 1678 sent him to Leipsic to learn the septentrional languages. While there he translated into Latin an essay of Mr. Hook’s, containing a proof of the motion of the earth from the sun’s parallax, which was printed at Leipsic by the professor who had recommended the task.
ompleted his degree of M. A. July 23, 1679, and in the. same year was elected and admitted fellow of Queen’s college. He received deacon’s orders in December. In 1680,
After a short tour into France, he returned to college,
and completed his degree of M. A. July 23, 1679, and in
the. same year was elected and admitted fellow of Queen’s
college. He received deacon’s orders in December. In
1680, he furnished an account of the kingdoms of Poland,
Denmark, Norway, and Iceland, for the first volume of
Pitt’s English Atlas, and he compiled also the principal
part, if 'not the whole, of the second and third volumes.
In February of the same year, he was sent by the vicechancellor to wait on George Lewis., prince of Brunswick,
afterwards George I. who was then at Tetsworth, in his way
to the university, where next day his highness was complimented with the degree of LL. D. In Sept. 1681, Mr.
Nicolson was ordained priest, and was in that year collated by bishop Rainbow to a vacant prebend in the cathedral church of Carlisle, and also to the vicarage of Torpenhow, and in the year following to the archdeaconry of Carlisle, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Thomas Musgrave.
His attachment to the study of antiquities began to appear early, and although we cannot minutely trace the
progress of his studies at Oxford, it is evident from his correspondence, that in addition to the ordinary pursuits of
classical, philosophical, and theological information, he
had accumulated a great stock of various learning. He
had, among other branches, studied botany with much attention, and had paid particular attention to the natural
history of the earth, the effects of the deluge, the authority of the scripture account of that event, and other subjects connected with it, which at that time were agitated
by Dr. Woodward and his contemporaries. He made also
great proficiency in ancient northern literature; and in
matters of antiquarian research, had a great portion of that
enthusiasm, without which no man can form an accomplished or successful antiquary. In one place we find him,
speaking of a journey to Scotland, where “he met with a
most ravishing Runic monument;
” and it indeed appears
that he spared neither labour or expence in investigating
the remains of antiquity wherever they could be found.
In 1685 he wrote a letter to Mr. Obadiah Walker, master
of University college, Oxford, concerning a Runic inscription at Bewcastle in Cumberland, which is printed in
the Philosophical Transactions, No. 178, and in Hutch inson’s Hist. of Cumberland, with the opinions of subsequent
antiquaries. He likewise sent a letter to sir William Dugdale, printed in the same number of the Transactions,
concerning a Runic inscription on the font in the church of
Bride-kirk. Dr. Hickes, in the preface to his “Thesaurus,
” acknowledges the able, polite, and prompt aid he
received from Mr. Nicolson in preparing that great work.
In 1696 he published the first part of his “English Historical Library,
” a work intended to point out the sources
whence all information respecting English history and aniiqu ties,- whether printed or in manuscript, was to be derived. The whole, in three parrs, was completed in 1699,
and was followed by a similar “Library
” for Scotland, in
. The bishop, however, declared at the same time that the affair should be laid forthwith before the queen; and that, if her majesty should, notwithstanding these objections,
In 1702, on the eve of Ascension day, our author was
elected bishop of Carlisle, confirmed June 3, and
consecrated June 14, at Lambeth. This promotion he owed to
the interest of the house of Edenhall. On Sept. 15, 1704,
the celebrated Dr. Atterbury, who had reflected with
much harshness on some parts of the “Historical Library,
”
waited upon bishop Nicolson at Rose, for institution to the
deanery of Carlisle; but the letters patent being directed
to the chapter, and not to the bishop, and the date thereof
being July 15, though the late dean (Grahme,) did not resign till the 5th of August, and some dispute also arising
about the regal supremacy, institution was then refused.
The bishop, however, declared at the same time that the
affair should be laid forthwith before the queen; and that,
if her majesty should, notwithstanding these objections, be
pleased to repeat her commands for giving Dr. Atterbury
possession of the deanery, institution should be given,
which was accordingly done in consequence of her intimation to the bishop through the secretary of state. This
preferment, however, was followed by many unpleasant
consequences, as we shall have occasion to notice, a^ter
enumerating the remaining productions of our learned prelate.
est against any such visitation, insisting upon the invalidity of Henry VIII's statutes and that the queen, and not the bishop, was the local visitor. Nicolson, conscious
The vice-chancellor, who communicated this paper to
bishop Nicolson, added that he would notwithstanding
propose the degree, if “he would please to order him what
to say in answer.
” Nicolson, however, irritated at the
superiority thus given to his antagonist, determined to send
no answer. His own words on this occasion are: “Mr.
Vice-chancellor not having acquainted me who the masters
or members of the venerable convocation are, that presented this libellous memorial to him: the most civil treatment, which (as I thought, by advice of my friends) could
be given to it, was, to take no manner of notice of its
coming to my hand.
” He accordingly applied to Cam-bridge, where the degree in question was readily granted;
and, what must have been yet more gratifying, he received
the same honour from the university of Oxford, on July 25
following. The former refusal seems to have been that of
a party, and not of the convocation at large. In one of
his letters written at this time to Dr. Charlett, master of
University-college, he enters upon a defence of his vindication of the “Historical Library,
” and not unsuccessfully.
The objection that he had called the doctor Mr. Atterbury
was certainly trifling and unjust, for he was Mr. Atterbury
when he wrote against Nicolson. He also alludes to the
coarse treatment of himself in the above paper, where he
is styled only William Nicolson, although at that time a
bishop elect. But whatever may be thought of bishop Nicolson’s conduct, or that of these members of the convocation, it was not to be expected that when Atterbury was
made dean of Carlisle, there could be much cordiality between them. Nicolson knew to whom he had been indebted for the affront he had received from the university;
and Atterbury was equally out of humour with the bishop,
in addition to his usual turbulence of disposition. In 1707,
when the bishop found that Atterbury was continually raising fresh disputes with his chapter, he endeavoured to appease them once for all, by visiting the chapter in pursuance of the power given by the statutes of Henry VIII. at
the foundation of the corporation of the dean and chapter.
But Dr. Todd, already mentioned, one of the prebendaries, was instigated by Atterbury to protest against any
such visitation, insisting upon the invalidity of Henry
VIII's statutes and that the queen, and not the bishop,
was the local visitor. Nicolson, conscious of his strength
in a point which he had probably studied more deeply than
any of the chapter, during the course of his visitation
suspended and afterwards excommunicated Dr. Todd on
which the latter moved the court of common pleas for a
prohibition, and obtained it unless cause shown. In the
mean time such proceedings alarmed the whole bench of
bishops; and the archbishop of Canterbury, Tenison, wrote
a circular letter on the subject to all his suffragans, considering the cause of the bishop of Carlisle as a common
cause, and of great concern to the church, which, he added,
“will never be quiet so long as that evil generation of men
who make it their business to search into little flaws in ancient charters and statutes, and to unfix what laudable
custom hath well fixed, meet with any success.
” Soon
afterwards a bill was carried into parliament, and passed
into a law, which established the validity of the local statutes given by Henry VIII. to his new foundations. Bishop
Nicolson published on this occasion, “Short Remarks on
a paper of Reasons against thepassing of a bill for avoiding
of doubts and questions touching the statutes of divers cathedrals and collegiate churches,
” 4to, in one half sheetj
without date. His triumph was now compleat, and a fevr
years afterwards, when Atterbury was preferred to the
deanry of Christ-church, his old friends of the university
of Oxford had reason to change their sentiments of him.
1570, fol. with a translation. 8. “Disputatio super reginse Britannorum divortio,” 4to, Henry Vlll’s queen. Freher also mentions a work entitled “Oratio pro Vicentinis
He published, 1. “Joannis Damasceni libellus de his,
qui in fide dormierunt, ex Gr. in Lat. versus,
” Verona,
Apostolicae Institutiones in parvum libellum collectse.
” Venice, De Nili ipcremento dialogus,
” ibid. Timotheus, sive de Nilo.
” Timotheus is
one of the four interlocutors in the dialogue. 4. “Platoni
cæ Plutarchi questiones;
” translated into Latin, with notes,
Venice, Ocelli Lucani de universa natura
libellus, L. N. interprete.
” Venice, Epistola ad Adamum Fumenum canonicum Veronensem super viris illustribus genere
Italis, qui Greece scripserunt.
” This appeared first with
his translation of Lucanus, and was reprinted in Gale’s
“Opuscula,
” Supplementa
” to Vossius. 7. “Scholia ad Themistii Paraphrasim in Aristotelis Librum tertium de anima,
” Venice, Disputatio super
reginse Britannorum divortio,
” 4to, Henry Vlll’s queen. Freher also mentions a work entitled “Oratio pro Vicentinis ad Maximilianum.
”
yrus,” from Xenophon, Lond. 1685, 8vo. The four first books were translated by Mr. Francis Digby, of Queen’s college. 8.“A collection of Miscellanies, consisting of Poems,
His works were, 1. “The picture of Love unveiled,
”
already mentioned. 2. “Hierocles upon the golden verses
of the Pythagoreans,
” Oxford, An idea
of Happiness, in a letter to a friend, inquiring wherein the
greatest happiness attainable by man in this life doth consist,
” London, A Murnival of Knaves;
or Whiggism plainly displayed and burlesqued out of countenance,
” London, Tractatus adversus
Reprobationis absolutae Decretum, nova methodo & snccinctissimo compendio adornatus, & in duos libros digestus,
” London, Poems and discourses occasionally written,
”
Lond. The institution and life of Cyrus,
” from
Xenophon, Lond. A collection of Miscellanies, consisting of Poems,
Essays, Discourses, and Letters occasionally written,
” Oxford, 1637, 8vo. The fifth edition, carefully revised, corrected, and improved by the author, was printed at London, 1710, in 8vo. - This has been the most popular of all
his works, and affords the picture of a truly amiable mind.
9. “The theory and regulation of Love, a moral essay,
”
Oxford, Reason and Religion; or the
grounds and measures of Devotion considered from the nature of God and the nature of man, in several contemplations. With exercises of devotion applied to every contemplation,
” Lond. Reflections upon
the conduct of human life with reference to the study of
learning and knowledge; in a letter to the excellent lady,
the lady Mashana,
” Lond. Visitation sermon on John xi. 15. preached at
the Abbey Church at Bath, July the 30th, 1689. The
” Reflections*' were reprinted with large additions, in 1691,
8vo. 12. “Christian blessedness; or discourses upon the
Beatitudes of our Lord and Saviour 4 Jesus Christ,
” Lond.
Cursory reflections
upon a book called e An Essay concerning Human Understanding.'
” 13. “The charge of Schism continued;
being a justification of the author of * Christian Blessedness,' for his charging the Separatists with Schism, notwithstanding the toleration. In a letter to a city friend,
”
Lond. Practical discourses upon several divine subjects, vols. II. and III.
” The third volume
was printed in 1693, 8vo. 15. “Two treatises concerning
the divine light. The first being an answer to a letter of
a learned Quaker (Mr. Vickris), which he is pleased to call
A just reprehension to John Morris for his unjust reflections
on the Quakers in his book entitled Reflections upon the
conduct of human life, &c. The second being a discourse
concerning the grossness of the Quakers’ notion of the
light within, with their confusion and inconsistency in explaining it,
” Lond. Spiritual counsel;
or the father’s advice to his children,
” Lond. Letters concerning the Love of God, between the author
of the `Proposal to the Ladies,' and Mr. John Norris
wherein his Jate discourse, shewing that it ought to be
intire and exclusive of all other loves, is further cleared
and justified,
” Lorid. Practical Discourses; vol. IV.
” Lond. 1698, 8vo. To
which he subjoined “An Admonition concerning two late
books, called ‘ A Discourse of the Love of God,’
” &c.
19. “An Essay towards the Theory of the Ideal or Intelligible World; considering it absolutely in itself. Part I.
”
Lond. The Second Part, being the relative part of it; wherein the intelligible World is considered
with relation to human understanding; whereof some account is here attempted and proposed,
” was printed at
London, A Philosophical Discourse
concerning the Natural Immortality of the Soul, wherein
the great question of the Soul’s Immortality is endeavoured
to be rightly stated and cleared,
” Lond. The natural Mortality of the
Human Souls clearly demonstrated from the Holy Scriptures, and the concurrent Testimonies of the Primitive
Writers,
” Lond. A Treatise concerning
Christian Prudence; or the Principles of Practical Wisdom
fitted to the use of Human Life, designed for the better
Regulation of it,
” Lond. A Practical
Treatise concerning Humility; designed for the Furtherance and Improvement of that great Christian Virtue, both
in the Minds and Lives of Men,
” Lond. 8vo. There are
some of his letters to Mrs. Thomas, in “Pylades and Corinna,
” vol. II. p. 199.
who believed him to be really endued with the supernatural gift of prophecy. However, Henry II. and queen Catharine of Medicis, his mother, very graciously received him
In 1546, Aix being afflicted with the plague, he went thither, at the solicitation of the inhabitants, and was of so great service, by a powder of his own invention, that the town gave him a considerable pension for several years after the contagion ceased. He appears to have been equally successful in 1547, when the city of Lyons, being visited with the same distemper, had recourse to him; but upon his return to Salon, found that his popularity had decreased. This occasioned his having more leisure to apply to his studies; and now he began to think himself inspired, and miraculously illuminated with a prospect into futurity, notions which he had partially entertained for some time. When these pretended illuminations discovered to him any future evenl, he entered it in writing, in prose, but he afterwards thought the sentences would savour more of a prophetic spirit, if they were expressed in verse. This opinion determined him to throw them all into quatrains, and he afterwards ranged them into centuries. When this was done, he resolved to print them, with a dedication addressed to his son Caesar, an infant only some months old, in the form of a letter, or preface. This first edition, which is included in seven centuries, was printed by Rigault at Lyons in 1568, 8vo. He prefixed his name in Latin, but gave to his son Caesar the name as it is pronounced, Notradame. This work was reprinted twice in the same year, and while some considered him as an impostor, there were others, and among them persons of considerable rank aud influence, who believed him to be really endued with the supernatural gift of prophecy. However, Henry II. and queen Catharine of Medicis, his mother, very graciously received him at court; and, besides other marks of respect paid to him, he received a present of 200 crowns. He was sent afterwards to Blois, to visit his majesty’s children there, and report what he should be able to discover concerning their destinies; and thence he returned to Salon loaded with honours and presents. Animated with this success, he augmented his work from 300 quatrains to the number of a complete miliiade, and published it with adedication to the king in 1558. That prince dying the next year of a wound which he received, as is well known, at a tournament, the book of our prophet was immediately consulted; and this unfortunate event was found in the 35th quatrain of the first century, in these lines:
In the first parliament of queen Mary, in 1553, Nowell was returned one of the burgesses for
In the first parliament of queen Mary, in 1553, Nowell
was returned one of the burgesses for Loo, in Cornwall;
but a committee being appointed to inquire into the validity of the return, they reported that *' Alexander Nowell
being a prebendary of Westminster, and thereby having a
voice in the convocation-house, cannot be a member of
this house,“and a new writ was directed to
” be issued accordingly. Nowell quietly submitted to this decision, although it was not correct as to the law; for none
below the dignity of dean or archdeacon were bound to
personal appearance in the convocation; but these were
not times for men desirous of retaining peace and a good
conscience, to insist rigidly on their right, against the prevailing party; and he soon afterwards found it necessary to
join his countrymen who were exiles in Germany, from
the persecuting spirit of popery. Of this event we are
only told, that Bonner, having intended him as one of his
victims, he was assisted in his escape by Francis Bowyer,
at that time a merchant, and afterwards sheriff of London.
In 1554, we find him at Strasburgh, with Jewell, Poinet,
Grindal, Sandys, and other men of future eminence in the
Reformed Church. In the unfortunate disputes which
afterwards took place among these exiles, respecting church
discipline, Nowell took a moderate part, sometimes, for
the sake of peace, conceding to the presbyterian party:
but at last, with equal wisdom and firmness, pressing unity
in essentials, and’submission in smaller matters to authority
duly appointed and legally exercised.
On the accession of queen Elizabeth, Nowell returned to England, and was soon fixed upon,
On the accession of queen Elizabeth, Nowell returned to England, and was soon fixed upon, with Parker, Bill, Whitehead, Pilkington, Sandys, &c. to be promoted to the chief preferments then vacant. His first employment seems to have been that of one of the commissioners for visiting the various dioceses, in order to introduce such regulations as might establish the Reformation. One of these commissions, in which NowelL's name appears, was dated July 22, 1559. In December of that year, he was appointed chaplain to Grindal, and preached the sermon on the consecration of that divine to the bishopric of London. Preferments now began to flow in upon him. On Jan. 1, 1559-60, Grindal collated him to the archdeaconry of Middlesex; in February, archbishop Parker gave him the rectory of Saltwood, with the annexed chapel of Hythe, in Kent, and a prebend of Canterbury. Saltwood he resigned within the year, as he did a prebend of St. Peter’s Westminster, then erected into a collegiate church; but was promoted to the deanery of St. Paul’s in November 1560, and about the same time was collated to the prebend of Wildland or Willand in the same church.
ecretary Cecil the choice of several persons fit to supply the place, with this remark, “that if the queen would have a married minister, none comparable to Mr. Nowell.”
He now became a frequent preacher at St. Paul’s cross,
and on one occasion, a passage of his sermon was much
talked of, and grossly misrepresented by the papists, as
savouring of an uncharitable and persecuting spirit. He
had little difficulty, however, in repelling this charge,
which at least shews that his words were considered as of
no small importance, and were carefully watched. One of
his sermons at St. Paul’s cross was preached the Sunday
following a very melancholy event, the burning of St. Paul’s
cathedral by lightning, June 4, 1561. Such was. his reputation now, that in September of this year, when archbishop
Parker visited Eton college, and ejected the provost,
Richard Bruerne, for nonconformity, he recommended to
secretary Cecil the choice of several persons fit to supply
the place, with this remark, “that if the queen would have
a married minister, none comparable to Mr. Nowell.
” The
bishop of London also seconded this recommendation; but
the queen’s prejudice against the married clergy inclined
her to give the place to Mr. Day, afterwards bishop of
Winchester, who was a bachelor, and in all respects worthy
of the promotion.
In the course of the ensuing year, 1562, No well was
frequently in the pulpit on public occasions, before large
auditories; but his labours in one respect commenced a
little inauspiciously. On the new-year’s day, before the
festival of the circumcision, he preached at St. Paul’s,
whither the queen resorted. Here, says Strype, a remarkable passage happened, as it is recorded in a great
man’s memorials (sir H. Sidney), who lived in those times.
The dean having met with several fine engravings, representing the stories and passions of the saints and martyrs,
had placed them against the epistles and gospels of their
respective festivals, in a Common Prayer-book; which he
caused to be richly bound, and laid on the cushion for the
queen’s use, in the place where she commonly sat; intending it for a new-year’s gift to her majesty, and thinking
to have pleased her fancy therewith. But it had a quite
contrary effect. For she considered how this varied from
her late injunctions and proclamations against the superstitious use of images in churches, and for the taking away
all such reliques of popery. When she came to her place,
and had opened the book, and saw the pictures, she frowned
and blushed; and then shutting the book (of which several took notice) she called for the verger, and bade him bring
her the old book, wherein she was formerly wont to read.
After sermon, whereas she used to get immediately on
horseback, or into her chariot, she went straight to the
vestry, and applying herself to the dean, thus she spoke
to him: “Mr. Dean, how came it to pas’s, that a new service-book was placed on my cushion r
” To which the dean
answered, “May it please your majesty, I caused it to be
placed there.
” Then said the queen, “Wherefore did
you so
” “To present your majesty with a new year?s
gift.
” “You could never present me with a worse.
” “Why
so, madam?
” “You know I have an aversion to idolatry,
to images, and pictures of this kind.
” “Wherein is the
idolatry, may it please your majesty?
” “In the cuts resembling angels and saints; nay, grosser absurdities, pictures resembling the blessed Trinity.
” “I meant nq
harm; nor did I think it would offend your majesty, when
I intended it for a new-year’s gift.
” *“You must needs
be ignorant then. Have you forgot our proclamation
against images, pictures, and Romish reliques, in the
churches? Was it not read in your deanery?
” “It was
read. But be your majesty assured I meant no harm when
I caused the cuts to be bound with the service-book.
” “You
must needs be very ignorant to do this after our prohibition
of them.
” “It being my ignorance, your majesty may the
better pardon me.
” “I am sorry for it; yet glad to hear
it was your ignorance rather than your opinion.
” “Be
your majesty assured it was my ignorance.
” “If so, Mr.
dean, God grant you his spirit, and more wisdom for the
future.
” “Amen, I pray God.
” “I pray, Mr. Dean,
how came you by these pictures who engraved them
”
“I know not who engraved them I bought them.
” “From
whom bought you them
” “From a German.
” “It is
well it was from a stranger. Had it been any of our subjects, we should have questioned the matter. Pray let no
more of these mistakes, or of this kind, be committed
within the churches of our realm for the future.
” “There
shall not.
” Strype adds to this curious dialogue, that it
caused all the clergy in and about London, and the churchwardens of each parish, to search their churches and
chapels; and to wash out of the walls all paintings that
seemed to be Romish and idolatrous; in lieu whereof,
suitable texts of Holy Scripture were written.
ed) as it was already received and enforced by the authority of parliament, in the first year of the queen. During the plague, the ravages of which this year were very
Towards the close of 1562, his patron Grindall, bishop of London, collated him to the valuable rectory of Great Hadham, in Hertfordshire, where the ample tithe-bara which he built still remains. Nowell was one of those eminent men mentioned by Isaac Walton, who were fond of angling; and to enable him more commodiously to indulge in this amusement, Dr. Sandys, the succeeding bishop of London, conferred on him a grant of the custody of the river, within the manor of Hadham, with leave to take fish, and to cut down timber, to make pits and dams, free of all expence whatsoever. When the memorable convocation, in which the Articles of Religion were revised and subscribed, met in 1563, Nowell was chosen prolocutor of the lower house. Among other more important matters, rites and ceremonies were warmly agitated in this house. On this occasion, Nowell, with about thirty others, chiefly such as had been exiles during queeu Mary’s reign, proposed that some other long garment should be used instead of the surplice, or that the minister should, in time of divine service, use the surplice only; that the sign of the cross should be omitted in baptism, and that kneeling at the holy communion should be left to the discretion of the ordinary; that saints’ days should be abrogated, and organs removed. But the majority would allow of no alterations in the liturgy or rules of Edward the Sixth’s service-book (knowing the wisdom, deliberation, and piety, with which it had been framed) as it was already received and enforced by the authority of parliament, in the first year of the queen. During the plague, the ravages of which this year were very extensive, he was appointed to draw up a homily suitable to the occasion, and a form of prayer for general use, both of which were set forth by the queen’s special commandment, July 10, 1563.
nity of informing himself, reported the matter to secretary Cecil; desiring him to be a means to the queen, and to her honourable council, to give the dean thanks for
NowelPs preaching as well as writing, appears to have greatly assisted the reformation. In 1568 we find him among his friends in Lancashire; where, by his continual preaching in divers parts of the country, he brought many to conformity; and obtained singular commendation and praise, even of those who had been great enemies to his religion. So Downham, bishop of Chester, who this year visited his whole diocese, and therefore had the better opportunity of informing himself, reported the matter to secretary Cecil; desiring him to be a means to the queen, and to her honourable council, to give the dean thanks for his great pains, taken among his countrymen.
ty also of her free bounty encouraging and assisting him), he chose that the school should be called queen Elizabeth’s school, and the scholars queen Elizabeth’s scholars.
In 1572 he completed the endowment at one and the
same time, of a free- school at Middleton in Lancashire,
and of thirteen scholarships in Brazen-nose college and
as these benefactions were both of them established by
royal patent (her majesty also of her free bounty encouraging and assisting him), he chose that the school should
be called queen Elizabeth’s school, and the scholars queen
Elizabeth’s scholars. This benefaction to the college was
peculiarly seasonable, as in consequence of a severe plague
at Oxford, in the preceding year, and for want of exhibitions to assist them in their studies, some of the scholars
were compelled to go about requesting alms, having licence so to do, as an act of parliament required, under
the common seal of the university. Nowell was at all times
a zealous patron of learning, and was much looked up to
in that character, as appears not only by his being frequently consulted on schemes for the promotion of liberal
education, but also by the numerous dedications of learned
books to him. Books that had a tendency to inculcate the
principles of the reformation were also frequently published
under the protection of his name, as one acknowledged
“to be a learned and faithful preacher of God’s word, and
an earnest furtherer of all godliness.
” In 1580 the queen
granted him a licence of non-residence for three months
and fourteen days, that he might visit his scholars of Brasen-nose, and the school at Middleton, her majesty “having long, by sure proof, known his experience and skill in
business, as well as earnest desire and constant solicitude
for the training up of youth in learning and virtue.
” It
was indeed his great success as a preacher, and his eminence as an opponent of popery, that procured him the
honour of having his works proscribed in the “Index librorum prohibitorum;
” and his name, together with that of
Fox, Fleetwood the recorder, and others; inserted at Rome
in a “bede-roll,
” or list of persons, that were to be dispatched, and the particular mode of their death, as by
burning or hanging, pointed out. Campion, the great
emissary from Rome, being apprehended, Nowell, and May
dean of Windsor, held, in August 1581, a conference with
him in the Tower, of which an account was afterwards
published under the title of “A True Report of the disputation or rather private conference had in the Tower of
London, with Ed. Campion Jesuite, &c.
” Lond. in
consideration of his constant preaching of the word of God,
during the space of almost forty years;
” and because he
had lately resigned the rectory of Hadham and prebend of
Willand, as being, through age and imbecility of body,
not equal to the duties of them; nor likely, on account of
his extreme age and infirm health, long to enjoy either his
present or any future preferment. He lived, however, to
succeed to a canonry of Windsor in 1594. In 1595, on
the death of Mr. Harris, the fourth principal of Brasennose college, Nowell was chosen to succeed him. This
election of a man now on the verge of ninety was perhaps
intended or accepted rather as a compliment, than with a
view to the performance of much actual service, and ac-r
cordingly he resigned it in a few months.
ealed for some time in the house of sir John Perrot, at Carewcastle in Pembrokeshire; but before the queen died, he went to his brother Alexander and the exiles in Germany.
During the troubles in Mary’s days he was concealed
for some time in the house of sir John Perrot, at Carewcastle in Pembrokeshire; but before the queen died, he
went to his brother Alexander and the exiles in Germany.
On his return he was made archdeacon of Derby and dean
of Lichfield, in April 1559; had the prebend of Ferring in
the cathedral of Chichester in August 1563, and of Ampleford in York in 1566, and the rectory of Haughton and
Drayton Basset, in the county of Stafford. He died in
or about the month of October, 1576.
He was, as Wood justly observes, “a most diligent
searcher into venerable antiquity.
” He bad also this peculiar merit, that he revived and encouraged the neglected
study of the Saxon language, so essential to the accurate
knowledge of our legal antiquities, as well as to the elucidation of ecclesiastical and civil history. In these studies,
while he resided, as is said, in the chambers of his brother
Robert Nowell (the queen’s attorney- general of the court of wards), he had the celebrated William Lambarde for his
pupil, who availed himself of his notes and assistance in
composing his learned work on the ancient laws of England.
He wrote a Saxon vocabulary or dictionary, still extant in
manuscript, which he gave to his pupil Lambarde, from
whom it passed to Somner, the learned antiquary of Canterbury, who made use of it in compiling his Saxon dictionary. It then came into the hands of Mr. Selden, and
is now, with other books of that great man, printed and
manuscript, reposited in the Bodleian library at Oxford.
Mr. Thoresby, the historian of Leeds, had a quarto ms.
entitled “Polychronicon,
” a miscellaneous collection, as
it seems, containing perambulations of forests and other
matters, in the hand-writing of Lawrence Nowell, 1565.
There are also “Collectanea
” by him, relating chietiy to
ecclesiastical affairs, in the Cotton library. He appears to
have been in learning, piety, and meekness of spirit, the
worthy brother of the dean of St. Paul’s.
Conveyancer; or, several select and choice Precedents,” 1655, 4to. “Reports of Cases in the time of Queen Elizabeth, K. James, and K. Charles the First; containing the
The king is said to have been much affected with attorney-general Noy’s death, and Laud paid him this compliment in his. “Diary:
” “I have lost a near friend of him,
and the Church the greatest she had of his condition, since
she needed any such.
” But the commons in general rejoiced; and the vintners, says Wood, or rather Howell,
drank carouses, in hopes to dress meat again, and sell tobacco, beer, &c. which by a sullen capricio Noy restrained
them from. The players too, for whom he had done no
kindness, introduced him on the stage, and made him the
subject of ridicule, in a comedy entitled, “A Projector
lately dead, &c.
” He was allowed, however, to have been
a very profound lawyer . This character of him appears
justifiable from the writings he left behind, and from the
following books afterwards published, mostly during the
common-wealth, when their merit only could have recommended them. 1. “A Treatise of the principal Grounds
and Maxims of the Laws of England,
” Perfect Conveyancer; or, several select and choice Precedents,
” Reports of Cases in the time of Queen Elizabeth, K. James,
and K. Charles the First; containing the most excellent
Exceptions for all manner of Declarations, Pleadings, and
Demurs, exactly examined and laid down,
” Complete Lawyer or, a Treatise concerning Tenures and Estates in Lands of Inheritance for Life, and other Hereditaments and Chattels real
and personal,
” c. Arguments of Law
and Speeches.
”
interests. This he evinced rather whimsically on one occasion in 1775, by addressing “Verses to the Queen, with a New Year’s Gift of Irish Manufacture,” a 4to poem, accompanied
Earl Nugent cultivated literature not unsuccessfully,
had agreeable talents for poetry, but never rose to great
eminence as a politician. Yet he was a steady friend to
his country (Ireland), and always a powerful pleader for
her interests. This he evinced rather whimsically on one
occasion in 1775, by addressing “Verses to the Queen,
with a New Year’s Gift of Irish Manufacture,
” a 4to poem,
accompanied by a present of Irish grogram. The wits of
the time asserted that her majesty was graciously pleased to
thank the noble author for both his pieces of stuff. Lord
Orford says that Earl Nugent “was one of those men of
parts whose dawn was the brightest moment of a long life;
and who, though possessed of different talents, employed
them in depreciating his own fame, and destroying all
opinion of his judgment, except in the point of raising
bimself to honours. He was first known by the noble ode
on his own conversion from popery; yet, strong as was the
energy and reasoning in it, his arguments operated but
temporary conviction on himself, for he died a member of
the church he had exposed so severely.
” So much was this
ode admired that, as he was known to associate with the
wits of Pope’s circle, and those who adorned the court of
Frederick prince of Wales, he was supposed to have been
assisted by some of them; but for this there seems no
reasonable ground. Many of his poetical productions are
good, and he was certainly known to be capable of the
best of them, while he could at the same time descend to
the worst, inconscious of their inferiority. A volume of
his poems was published anonymously by Dodsley, and
entitled “Odes and Epistles,
” Lond. His
” Verses to the
Queen,“and his
” Faith, a poem," were the only ones
published separately, the latter in 1774, and the former
in 1775. The latter was a strange attempt to overturn the
Epicurean doctrine by that of the Trinity, and was certainly one of those productions by which, as lord Orford
observes, he depreciated his own fame.
. 11.” The Lawfulness of the Oath of Supremacy and Power of the King in Ecclesiastical Affairs, with queen Elizabeth’s admonition,“&c. 1683. It was then reprinted, and,
He died in the parish of St. Michael, Cornhill, London,
in Sept. 27, 1672, and was buried in the upper vault of
the said church. Wood represents him to have been a
dangerous and seditious person, a politic pulpit-driver of
independency, an insatiable esurient after riches, and what
not, to raise a family, and to heap up wealth; and his
friends, while they give him the praise of considerable
learning and abilities, allow that he engaged more in politics than became his profession. Calamy says but little in
favour of his character. His works were, 1. “A Letter
from Scotland, to his Brethren in England, concerning his
success of affairs there,
” 1643. Stephen Marshall’s name
is also subscribed to it. 2. “Exhortation to the taking of
the Solemn League and Covenant, &c.
” The
excellency and lawfulness of the Solemn League and Covenant,
” Apologetical Narration, submitted to the honourable Houses of Parliament,
” An Anatomy
of Independency,
” An Epistolary Discourse
about Toleration,
” &c. 1664. 7.
” Mr. Anthony Sadler examined,“&c. by our author’s son, assisted
by his father, 1654. 8.
” The Principles of Faith presented by Thomas Goodwin, Philip Nye, &c. to the Committee of Parliament for Religion,“&c. 1654. 9.
” Beams
of former Light,“&c. 1660. 10.
” Case of great and present Use,“1677. 11.
” The Lawfulness of the Oath of
Supremacy and Power of the King in Ecclesiastical Affairs,
with queen Elizabeth’s admonition,“&c. 1683. It was
then reprinted, and, being printed again in 1687, was
dedicated by Henry Nye, our author’s son, to James II.
12.
” Vindication of Dissenters,“&c. printed with the
preceding, in 1683. 13.
” Some account of the Nature,
Constitution, and Power, of Ecclesiastical Courts," printed
also with the former, in 1683, and other tracts,
born at Exeter in 1678. After a proper foundation laid in school-learning, he was sent, in 1693, to Queen’s college in Cambridge, where he soon distinguished himself
, an eminent Orientalist, and professor of Arabic in Cambridge, was of a gentleman’s family, at Great Ellingham in Norfolk, where his father lived; but was accidentally born at Exeter in 1678. After a proper foundation laid in school-learning, he was sent, in 1693, to Queen’s college in Cambridge, where he soon distinguished himself by great quickness of parts as well as intense application to literature; to the Oriental languages more particularly, for his uncommon skill in which he afterwards became famous. He took, at the usual time, the degrees in arts, and that of bachelor in divinity. Having taken orders also, he was, in 1705, through the interest of Simon Patrick, bishop of Ely, presented by Jesus college, in Cambridge, to the vicarage of Swavesey, in that county; and, in 1711, chosen Arabic professor of the university. These preferments he held to the day of his death, which happened at Swavesey, Aug. 9, 1720, immaturely to himself, but more so to his family.
ife was soon changed, as in the same year we find he was captainlieutenant in the first troop of the queen’s guards. He afterwards employed himself in acquiring the art
, a distinguished English officer, was the fourth and youngest son of sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, of Godalmin, in the county of Surrey, by Eleonora his wife, daughter of Richard Wall, of Rogane, in Ireland. He was born in the parish of St. James, iri 1698, and admitted of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, in 1714, but it would appear that his destination in life was soon changed, as in the same year we find he was captainlieutenant in the first troop of the queen’s guards. He afterwards employed himself in acquiring the art of war under the famous prince Eugene of Savoy, and other eminent commanders, among whom the great duke of Argyle, his patron, may be named. In his several campaigns in Germany and Hungary, having been recommended by John duke of Marlborough, he acted as secretary and aid-de-camp to the prince, and stored up much useful knowledge and if we are not mistaken, he received some preferment in the German service, in which he might have continued with as great advantages as his companion, the Veldth Marshal, afterwards obtained. But with a man of his sentiments, the obligations due to his native country, and the services it required, could not be dispensed with: he quitted his foreign engagements, and long exercised the virtues of the unbiassed senator at home. In the parliament which met May 10, 1722, he was returned member for Haslemere; as he was again in 1727, 1734, 1741, and 1747; and during that period many regulations in our laws, for the benefit of our trade, &c. were proposed and promoted by him in the senate. In the committee of parliament for inquiring into the state of the jails, formed in Feb. 1728, and of which he was chairman, he was enabled to detect many horrible abuses in some of the jails of the metropolis. But he was most instrumental in founding the colony of Georgia, situate between South Carolina and Florida, which was established by a royal charter; the fund for settling it was to arise from charitable contributions: collections were made throughout the kingdom, the bank contributed a handsome sum, and the parliament gave 10,000l. which enabled the trustees, of whom general Oglethorpe was one, to entertain many poor families, and provide for their accommodation and removal to America.
years before he published an excellent edition of Minutius Felix, in quarto, dedicated to Christina queen of Sweden. Both Niceron and Morhoff accuse him of plagiarism
, a learned civilian, was
born at Dantzic May 4, 1631. His father originally intended him for commercial life, and sent him to Holland
with that view; but as he betrayed a stronger inclination
to study, and employed all his leisure hours in acquiring
knowledge that could be of no use in trade, he was permitted to enter upon a regular course of academic instruction at Leyden. At this university, which he entered in
1650, he was enabled to profit by the instructions of those
learned contemporaries, Salmasius, Daniel Heinsius, Boxhornius, Golius, &c. and he had not been here above two
years before he published an excellent edition of Minutius
Felix, in quarto, dedicated to Christina queen of Sweden. Both Niceron and Morhoff accuse him of plagiarism in this work; but Chaufepie defends him, and apparently with justice. Besides the belles-lettres, he studied law, both at Leyden and Utrecht, and took his doctor’s degree at the former in 1654. Next year he visited
England and France, and meant to have proceeded to
Italy; but hearing at Geneva that the plague raged there,
he went a second time to England and France, and
returned to Holland in 1657. He afterwards resided, partly
at Utrecht, and partly at Leyden and the Hague, until
1667, when he was appointed professor of law at Grofiingen. The conformity of his ideas with those of Puffendorf occasioned a great intimacy between them. Oisel
accumulated a large library, a catalogue of which was
published about the time of his death, which happened
June 20, 1686. His other works were principally an edition of Aulus Gellius, Leyden, 1666, 8vo, and a treatise
entitled “Thesaurus selectorum numismatum antiquorum
aere expressorum,
” Amst.
, a writer well known in the reigns of queen Anne and George I. but of whom little is remembered, unless
, a writer well known
in the reigns of queen Anne and George I. but of
whom little is remembered, unless the titles of some few
of his literary productions. One of his names took the
degree of M. A. at Hart-hall, Oxford, in 1670. He was
one of the original authors of “The Examiner,
” and continued to write in that paper as long as it was kept up. He
published, “A Vindication of the Bishop of Exeter
” (Dr. Blackall), against Mr. Hoadly. 2. A volume called “State
Tracts
” and another called “State and Miscellany Poems,
by the author of the Examiner,
” Odes, Epodes, and Carmen Seculare, of
Horace;
” wrote, 4. The “Life of Edmund Smith,
” prefixed to his works, Timothy and Philatheus, in which the principles and projects of a late whimsical book, entitled The Rights of the Christian Church,
&c. are fairly stated and answered in their kind, &c. By
a Layman,
” 1709, 1710, 3 vols. 8vo. This is the work to
which Pope makes Lintot the bookseller allude, in their
pleasant dialogue on a journey to Oxford, and which perhaps may also convey one of Pope’s delicate sneers at
Oldisworth’s poetry . He also published a translation of
“The Accomplished Senator,
” from the Latin of Gozliski,
bishop of Posnia, State and Miscellany Poems
” were of
that number. His attachment to the Stuart family occasioned a report that he was killed at the battle of Preston
in 1715; but it is certain that he survived this engagement
many years, and died Sept. 15, 1734.
cted by Mr. Oldmixon in 1715, and whom he had considerably assisted in “The Medley.” 4. “The Life of Queen Anne.” 5. “A Review of Dr. Grey’s Defence of our ancient and
Mr. Oldmixon, though rigid to others, is far from unblameable himself, in the very particulars concerning which
he is so free in his accusations, and that sometimes even
without the least regard to truth; one remarkable instance
of this kind was his infamous attempt to charge three eminent persons with interpolation in Lord Clarendon’s “History.
” This, however, was fully and satisfactorily disproved by bp. Atterbury, the only survivor of them; and
the pretended interpolation, after a space of almost ninety
years, was produced in his lordship’s own hand-writing.
Yet, notwithstanding Oldmixon’s indignation against this
pretended crime, it is a fact that when employed by bishop
Kennet in publishing the historians in his “Collection,
”
he made no scruple to pervert “Daniel’s Chronicle
” in
numberless places, which renders Rennet’s first edition of
little value. His principal works were, the “History of
the Stuarts,
” folio, and “the Critical History of England;
”
besides which he wrote, 1. “Reflections on Dr. Swift’s
Letter to the Earl of Oxford about the English Language,
”
A volume of Poems,
” The
Life of Arthur Maynwaring, esq.
” whose “Posthumous
Works
” were collected by Mr. Oldmixon in The Medley.
”
4. “The Life of Queen Anne.
” 5. “A Review of Dr.
Grey’s Defence of our ancient and modern Historians.
”
He wrote also a tragedy, an opera, and two pastorals; and
his name is to one of Curll’s infamous publications, called
“Court tales, or a History of the Amours of the present
Nobility,
” of which a second edition was published in
entry. Dr. Mead’s collection was very rich in them: some of them are portraits of himself, others of queen Elizabeth, Mary queen of Scots, prince Henry, and Ben Jonson,
, one of the first English miniature
painters, was born in this country in 1556, and studied
under Hilliard, but received some farther instructions from
Frederick Zucchero, and became a painter of great eminence, His principal employment was in portraits, which
he painted for the most distinguished personages of his
time; but he likewise attempted historical subjects with
success. He was a good designer, and very correct; his
touch was neat and delicate; and although he generally
worked in miniature, yet he frequently painted in a large
size. His drawings are highly finished, and exceedingly
valued, many of them being copies after Parmigiano. Several very fine miniatures of this master are to be seen in
the collections of the English nobility and gentry. Dr.
Mead’s collection was very rich in them: some of them
are portraits of himself, others of queen Elizabeth, Mary
queen of Scots, prince Henry, and Ben Jonson, which
are admirably finished. There is also a whole length of
sir Philip Sidney, of great merit. These are now in the
king’s collection. At Strawberry-hill are some fine specimens, and in the closet of queen Caroline at Kensington,
there is a capital drawing of Oliver’s, of which the subject
is, the placing of Christ in the Sepulchre; and another
drawing after Raphael’s design of the Murder of the Innocents, which has a great deal of merit. He died in 1617,
aged sixty- one, and was buried in St. Anne’s, Blackfriars,
where his son erected a monument to his memory, which
was destroyed in the great fire. He wrote a treatise on
limning, partly printed in Sanderson’s “Graphice.
”
ter Oliver in the collection of Charles I. and of James II.; and that seven of them are preserved in queen Caroline’s closet at Kensington; and he also speaks of a portrait
, son and disciple of the preceding, was born in 1601, and by the precepts and example of his father, he arrived at a degree of perfection in miniature portrait painting confessedly superior to his instructor, or any of his contemporaries, as he did not confine his subjects to a head only. His pictures, like his father’s, are spread among the houses of the nobility and gentry, and are alike justly esteemed. The works which he executed upon a larger scale are much more valuable than those of his father, and are also more numerous, though not very frequently to be met with. L6rd Orford mentions that there were thirteen works of Peter Oliver in the collection of Charles I. and of James II.; and that seven of them are preserved in queen Caroline’s closet at Kensington; and he also speaks of a portrait of Mrs. Oliver by her husband, in possession of the duchess of Portland, as his finest work. Lord Orford thinks it extraordinary that more of the works of this excellent master are not known, as he commonly made duplicates of his pictures, reserving one of each for himself. On this subject, he adds, that Russel the painter, related to or connected with the Olivers, told Vertue a remarkable story. The greater part of the collection of king Charles I. being dispersed in the troubles, among which were several of the Olivers, Charles II. who remembered, and was desirous of recovering them, made many inquiries about them after the Restoration; at last, he was told by one Rogers of Islevvorth, that both the father and son were dead, but that the son’s widow was living at Isleworth, and had many of their works. The king went very privately and unknown with Rogers, to see them; the widow shewed several finished and unfinished; with many of which the king being pleased, he asked if she would sell them; she replied she had a mind the king should see them first, and if he did not purchase them, she should think of disposing of them. The king discovered himself; on which she produced some more pictures, which she seldom shewed. The king desired her to set a price she said she did not care to make a price with his majesty she would leave it to him but promised to look over her husband’s books, and let his majesty know what prices his father, the late king, had paid. The king took away what he liked, and sent Rogers to Mrs. Oliver with the options of \OOOl. or an annuity of 30Q/. for her life. She chose the latter. Some years afterwards it happened that the king’s mistresses having begged aril or most of these pietures r Mrs. Oliver said, on hearing it, that if she had thought the king would have given them to such whores and strutn* pets and bastards, he never should have had them. This reached the court, the poor woman’s salary was stopped* and she never received it afterwards. The rest of the Winnings which the king had not taken, fell into the hands of Mrs. Russel’s father. Peter Oliver is supposed to have died before the restoration, probably about 1654. Isaac Oliver, the glass -painter, appears to have been of this family.
prince of Wales, which was continued by the princess dowager, and after her decease, by the present queen. He also acknowledges his obligations to Dr. Majendie, lord
After four years residence in Holland, having obtained but a partial redress from the court of Portugal in the matter of his dispute with count de Tarouca, he came in 1744 to London, to avail himself of the interest of the Porttu guese envoy, Mons. de Carvalho, afterwards marquis of Ponabal, but although this gentleman professed to admit the justice of his claims, he did him no substantial service. The chevalier, however* had another affair at this time more at heart, and after carefully weighing all the consequences of the step he was about to take, he determined to sacrifice every thing to the dictates of his conscience, and accordingly in June 1746 he publicly abjured the Roman catholic religion, and embraced that of the church of England. As he was now cut off from all his resources in Portugal, he for socoe time encountered many difficulties; but that Providence in which he always trusted, raised him several friends in this country, and to the interest of some of these it is supposed he owed the pension granted him by the late Frederick, prince of Wales, which was continued by the princess dowager, and after her decease, by the present queen. He also acknowledges his obligations to Dr. Majendie, lord Grantham, lord Townshend, the duchess dowager of Somerset, and the archbishops Seeker and Herring.
, and promoted to the bishopric of Culm. After the death of Ladislaus he fell into disgrace with the queen, because he opposed the design she had of setting a prince of
, an eminent Polish divine,
was descended from an ancient family in Prussia, and born
about 1618. In the course of his studies, which were passed
at Kalisch, he applied himself particularly to poetry; for
which he had an early taste. After he had finished his
courses of divinity and jurisprudence, he travelled to Italy;
where he visited the best libraries, and took the degree of
doctor of law at Rome. Thence he went to France, and
was introduced at Paris to the princess Mary Louisa; who
being about to marry Ladislaus IV. king of Poland, Olzoffski had the honour of attending her thither. On his arrival, the king offered him the secretary’s place; but he declined it, for the sake of following his studies. Shortly after
he was made a canon of the cathedral church at Guesne,
and chancellor to the archbishopric: in which post he managed all the affairs of that see, the archbishop being very
old and infirm. After the death of this prelate, he was called
to court, and made Latin secretary to his majesty; which
place he filled with great reputation, being a complete master of that language. In the war between Poland and Sweden, he wrote a piece against that enemy to his country,
entitled “Vindiciae Polonicae.
” He attended at the election of Leopold to the imperial crown of Germany, in
quality of ambassador to the king of Poland, and went afterwards in the same character to Vienna, to solicit the withdrawing of the imperial troops from the borders of the Polish territories. Immediately on his return he was invested
with the high office of prebendary to the crown, and promoted to the bishopric of Culm.
After the death of Ladislaus he fell into disgrace with
the queen, because he opposed the design she had of setting a prince of France upon the throne of Poland however, this did not hinder him from being made vice-chancellor of the crown. He did all in his power to dissuade
Casimir II. from renouncing the crown; and, after the resignation of that king, several competitors appearing to fill
the vacancy, Olzoffski on the occasion published a piece,
called “Censura,
” &c. This was answered by another,
entitled “Censura Censurse Candidatorum;
” and the liberty which our vice-chancellor had taken in his “Censura
”
brought him into some danger. It was chiefly levelled
against the young prince of Muscovy, who was one of the
competitors, though no more than eight years of age; and
the czar was highly incensed, and made loud complaints
and menaces, unless satisfaction were given for the offence.
Upon the election of Michel Koribut to the throne, Olzoffski was dispatched to Vienna, to negotiate a match between the new-elected king and one of the princesses of
Austria; and, on his return from that embassy, was made
grand chancellor of the crown. He did not approve the
peace concluded with the Turks in 1676, and wrote to the
grand vizir in terms of which the grand seignor complained
to the king of Poland.
on public occasions. It is well known with how much magnificence he went into Alsace to espouse the queen in his majesty’s name; how liberal he was to the soldiers while
When Orleannois was laid waste by the overflowing of
the Loire in 1733, the duke, by his speedy help, saved a
multitude of men who were perishing in the water, and
furnished even the necessary grain for sowing the lands.
It is universally known that, in 1739 and 1740, his liberality had no bounds but the people’s wants. He extended his alms not only to the poor catholics in Berlin,
and throughout Silesia, but to those of the Indies and
America. This great man also founded charity-schools in
several places, and communities of men and women for
the instruction of youth; a college at Versailles; a divinity
chair in the Sorbonne, for explaining the Hebrew text of
the holy scriptures. At Orleans he established foundations
of midwives, and of surgeons for cutting for the stone.
He purchased several very useful secrets, which he made
public; and his gardens were filled with scarce and valuable simples from the most remote climates, for the relief
of the sick. Anxious about. the public good to his last
moments, he bequeathed to the seminary of the Trentetrois, a sum sufficient for the re-establishment of the scholarships; and from that time the young divines of this
seminary have been taught Hebrew in the Sorbonne. These
charitable occupations did not prevent his acquiring great
learning. He applied with incredible success to the study
of St. Thomas, Estius, the most valuable treatises in defence of religion, the fathers, the best ecclesiastical authors, the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, and Greek languages,
that he might have the satisfaction of reading the hoi?
scriptures in the original text. He also devoted some time
to studying history, geography, botany, chemistry, natural philosophy, and painting. So rapid was his progress,
that, in the last seven or eight years of his life, he cited
texts of scripture almost always from memory, with the
variations of the Hebrew, Greek, anoWulgate. The Greek
fathers were as familiar to him as the Latin; and he explained with facility Plato’s Dialogues, and other profane
authors. The duke of Orleans honoured the literati with
his patronage, and encouraged them by his bounty, preferring those whose researches contributed to the glory of
religion, or the public welfare. In the codicil of his* will.,
he leaves an annuity to the abb Frangois, and explains
his motive in the following terms: “Being desirous to take
upon myself to return the obligation which the public are
under to S. abbe
” Francois, author of a late work on the
proofs of our religion, and to enable him to continue such
useful labours, I give and bequeath to the foresaid S. Abbe
Francois, five hundred livres annual-rent and annuity.“Ivlothwiths’tanding the immense sums which this prince
spent, both in France and in foreign counrries, he discharged the accumulated debts of his own house,
” restored
its exhausted finances, and considerably increased its domains. Though humble and plain in his private life,
he was grand and noble on public occasions. It is well
known with how much magnificence he went into Alsace to espouse the queen in his majesty’s name; how
liberal he was to the soldiers while colonel-general of the
French infantry, and in what manner he celebrated the
dauphin’s birth, the marriage of the duke of Chartres, &c.
Gay and lively in conversation, he became serious the moment that any one began to talk to him on business. His
austerities and application to study having brought on a
long and painful illness, he waited for the approach of
death with an incredible firmness and courage, speaking of
it with the greatest tranquillity. He died February 4, 1752,
aged forty-eight years and six months, universally regretted. He left many works in manuscript, principally
literal translations, paraphrases, and commentaries on part
of the Old Testament; a literal translation of the Psalms
from the Hebrew, with a paraphrase, and notes; several
dissertations against the Jews; a literal translation of St.
Paul’s Epistles from the Greek, with a paraphrase, notes,
and pious reflections, and several other curious treatises
and dissertations on different subjects. His modesty would
not permit him to print any of his writings he bequeathed
them, with his library, to the Dominicans.
vindication of Martin Luther.” Besides these were published, 1. “Historical Memoirs on the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James.” 2. “A Miscellany of sundry Essays,
, an English writer of considerable abilities, was born about 1589. He was descended
from an ancient family, who had been long seated at Chicksand, near Shefford, in Bedfordshire, where his grandfather, and father, sir John Osborne, were men of fortune,
and, according to Wood, puritans, who gave him what
education he had at home, but never sent him to either
school or university. This he appears to have afterwards
much regretted, on comparing the advantages of public
and private education. As soon, however, as he was of
age, he commenced the life of a courtier, and being taken
into the service of the Pembroke family, became master of
the horse to William earl of Pembroke. Upon the breaking
out of the civil wars, he sided with the parliament, but not
in all their measures, nor all their principles; yet they
conferred some public employments upon him; and, having
married a sister of one of Oliver’s colonels, he was enabled
to procure his son John a fellowship in All-souls’ college,
Oxford, by the favour of the parliamentary visitors of that
university, in 1648. After this he resided there himself,
purposely to superintend his education; and also to print
some books of his own composition. Accordingly, among
others, he published there his “Advice to a Son,
” the first
part in godly ministers,
” as Wood calls them,
they drew up a complaint against the said books, as instilling atheistical principles into the minds of the youth,
and proposed to have them publicly burnt. Although this
sentence was not carried into execution, there appeared so
many objections to the volumes, that an order passed the
27th of July, 1658, forbidding all booksellers, or any other
persons, to sell them. But our author did not long survive this order, dykig Feb. 11, 1659, aged about seventy.
For the accusation of atheism there seems little foundation;
but many of his sentiments are otherwise objectionable,
and the quaintness of his style, and pedantry of his expression, have long ago consigned the work to oblivion. His
other publications were, 1. “A seasonable Expostulation,
with the Netherlands,
” &c. Persuasive
to mutual compliance under the present government.
”
3. “Plea for a free State compared with Monarchy.
” 4.
“The private Christian’s non ultra,
” &c. 1G56, 4to. 5.
A volume in 8vo, containing, “The Turkish policy, &c.
a Discourse upon Machiavel, &c. Observations upon the
King of Sweden’s descent into Germany a Discourse upon
Piso and Vindex, &c. a Discourse upon the greatness
and corruption of the Court of Rome another upon the
Election of Pope JLeo X. Political occasion for the defection from the Church of Rome a Discourse in vindication
of Martin Luther.
” Besides these were published, 1.
“Historical Memoirs on the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth
and King James.
” 2. “A Miscellany of sundry Essays,
&c. together with political deductions from the History
of the Earl of Essex,
” c. Other pieces have been ascribed to him on doubtful authority. A collection of his
works was published in 1689, 8vo and again, 1722, in 2
vols. 12mo.
e Visconti, they were dispersed over several countries of Europe, even Poland, whither they followed queen Bona Sforza. From this branch, according to their account, descended
, a celebrated orator, born
July 12, 1587, at Milan, taught the languages and belles
lettres, became eminent for his eloquence, and was a long
time professor of rhetoric at Padua, where he died July
24, 1631. He left several works in prose and verse: the
principal are, 1. “Rornano-Graecia;
” 2. “Tractatus de
Sepuichris et Epitaphiis Ethnicorum et Christianorum;
”
3. “Elogia Scriptorum illustrium
” 4. “Orationes
” 5,
“Epistolarum Libri duo;
” 6. Notes and corrections to the
“History of the time of Frederic Barbarossa,
” written by
Morenas, in torn. III. of the Thesaurus Italiae, and to Albert
Mussato’s “History of the Emperor Henry VII.
” Venice,
1635, fol.; 7. A collection of authors of the history of
Padua, &c. Tbeodatus Osius, his brother, also wrote
various tracts. This family, which has produced many
other distinguished men, boasted of having been eminent
from the time of St. Ambrose; and that being driven from
Milan for joining the Turriani against the Visconti, they
were dispersed over several countries of Europe, even Poland, whither they followed queen Bona Sforza. From this
branch, according to their account, descended cardinal Stanislaus Osius, or more properly Hozros, an account of
whom may be found under the article Sosius.