on of the Egyptian with the Chinese hieroglyphics, engraved on twenty-six plates. In 1768 Dr. Morton was appointed, jointly with Mr. Farley, to superintend the publication
Dr. Morton published in 1759 an improved edition of
Dr. Barnard’s engraved “Table of Alphabets,
” and Bulstrode Whitlock’s “Journal of the Swedish Embassy in
1653 and 1654,
”
, an eminent prelate a ntt statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was the eldest son of Richard Morton, of Milbourtie St. Andrew’s
, an eminent prelate a ntt statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was the eldest son of Richard Morton, of Milbourtie St. Andrew’s in Dorsetshire, and was born in 1410 at Bere in that county. The first part of his education he received among the monks of Cerne abbey, and thence removed to Baliol college, Oxford, where in 1446 he was one of the commissaries of that university, and had been also moderator of the civil law school, and principal of Peckwater inn in 1453. In 1458 he was collated to the prebend of Fordington with Writhlington in the cathedral of Salisbury, which he resigned in 1476. In the same year he was installed prebendary of Covingham in the church of Lincoln, and on this occasion. resigned the sub-deanery to which he had been collated in 1450. In October 1472 he was collated by archbishop Bouchier to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in the East, London, which he held only two years; and the same month was collated to the prebend of Isledon in the church of St. Paul, which he exchanged in the following year for that of Chiswick in the same church.
In 1473 he was appointed master of the rolls, and in 1474 archdeacon of Winchester;
In 1473 he was appointed master of the rolls, and in 1474 archdeacon of Winchester; in both which offices he was succeeded by his nephew Robert Morton, afterwards bishop of Worcester. In May of the same year, 1474, he was collated to the archdeaconry of Chester, and not to that of Chichester, as Browne Willis has inadvertently said. In March 1475 he was installed by proxy archdeacon of Huntingdon; and the same year collated to the prebend of St. Decuman in the cathedral of Weils. In April 1476 he was installed prebendary of South Newbald in the metropolitan church of York, which he resigned the same year, in which he was also further promoted to the archdeaconry of Berkshire; and in January 1477 to that of Leicester. This list of promotions, in various quarters of the kingdom, and from various patrons, may serve to shevr the high esteem in which he was held. His eminent abilities, as a civilian, during his practice as an advocate in the Court of Arches, recommended him to the notice of cardinal Bourchier, who, besides conferring many of the above preferments on him, introduced him to Henry VI. who made him one of his privy council. To this unfortunate prince he adhered with so much fidelity, while others deserted him, that even his successor Edward IV. could not but admire and reward his attachment; took him into his council, and was much guided by his advice. He also, ' in the same year, 1478, made him both bishop of Ely and lord chancellor of England; and at his death appointed him one of his executors.
On this account, however, he was considered in no very favourable light by the protector, afterwards
On this account, however, he was considered in no very
favourable light by the protector, afterwards Richard III.
who had no hopes of alluring him to his interests. When
bishop Morton and others were assembled in the Tower on
June 13, 1483, to consult about the coronation of Edward V. the protector came among them, and after some
general discourse turned to the bishop of Ely, and said,
“My lord, you have very good strawberries in your garden
at Holborn, I require you let me have a mess of them.
”
“Gladly, my lord,
” the bishop answered; “I wish I had
some better thing as ready to your pleasure as that.
” Yet,
notwithstanding this apparent civility, Morton, with archbishop Rotheram, lord Stanley, and others, were the same
day taken into custody, as known enemies to the measures
then in agitation. As soon as this was known, the university of Oxford, to which Morton had been a benefactor,
sent a petition in Latin to Richard, pleading for his liberty;
whether with effect does not appear; but it is certain that
for this or some other reason he was soon released from
prison, and given in ward to the duke of Buckingham, then
a warm partizan of Richard, but completely brought over
to the other side by conversation with the bishop. He was
sent to th.e duke’s castle at Brecknock, whence he escaped
to the isle of Ely, and soon after, disguising himself, went
to the Continent to Henry earl of Richmond; and it was
agreed among the friends of the late king’s family and the
well-wishers to the peace and harmony of the kingdom,
that king Edward’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, should be
pnited to Henry by marriage; and thus, by joining the interests of the white and red rose in one, a coalition might
be formed between the jarring parties of York and Lancaster. All this is said to have been the plan recommended
by Morton, and he lived to see it happily accomplished.
It is indeed that transactiou of his life which gives him a
very honourable place in English history. Horace Walpole
only, in his “Historic Doubts,
” has obliquely accused him.
of violating his allegiance to Richard III.; but to Richard
III. no allegiance was either due, or paid. As Morton
was imprisoned before Richard was crowned, and never set
at liberty until he made his escape, it seems highly probable that no oath of allegiance was ever tendered to him.
by the usurper.
as 1473 had the custody of the great seal committed to his care for a time, in the same year that he was constituted master of the rolls, which last office was renewed
He had before this, in the time of Edward IV. been employed in many important affairs of state; and so early as 1473 had the custody of the great seal committed to his care for a time, in the same year that he was constituted master of the rolls, which last office was renewed to him in May 1476. In 1474 he was sent ambassador to the emperor of Germany and to the king of Hungary, to concert a league with them against Lewis of France: and in, the next year he attended the king, who was in France with his army. At this time Lewis sent him proposals of a truce, which was agreed on; and soon after Morton, with Sir Thomas Howard and two others, were appointed commissioners in a negociation for peace, which they concluded on terms very honourable and advantageous for England.
Among the public-spirited schemes which his liberality induced him to execute, was the famous cut or drain from Peterborough to Wisbeche, a track
Among the public-spirited schemes which his liberality induced him to execute, was the famous cut or drain from Peterborough to Wisbeche, a track of upwards of twelve miles across a fenny country, which proved of great benefit to his diocese and to the public, and was completed entirely at his expence. This still is known by the name of Morton’s Leame, As soon as Henry VII. was seated on the throne, after the death of Richard III. he sent for Morton, who was still abroad, and immediately on his arrival made him one of his privy council; and on the death of cardinal Bourchier, in 1486, he was, probably on the king’s recommendation, elected by the prior and convent of Canterbury to be archbishop. In the mean time the king granted him. the whole profits of the see, until the pope’s confirmation could be obtained, and the disposal of all the preferments annexed to it; and having received the pope’s bull, dated Oct. 6, 1436, he was, by the king, admitted to the temporalities on Dec. 6 following In August 1487 he was constituted lord chancellor of England, which office he retained to his death. In a ms. in the British Museum, (Mss. Harl. 6100. fol. 54.) he is said to have been made chancellor in 1485, which was the first year of Henry VII.; and we have already mentioned, from another authority, that he filled that office while bishop of Ely. In 1493 he was creiited a cardinal by pope Alexander VI. by the title of St. Anastasia. In Hall’s Chronicle this promotion is placed in 1489, which is a mistake.
Cardinal Morton’s high favour with Henry VII. brought him into much disrepute with the people. Henry was parsimonious and avaricious, and in the choice of his ministers
Cardinal Morton’s high favour with Henry VII. brought him into much disrepute with the people. Henry was parsimonious and avaricious, and in the choice of his ministers looked much to their capacity for raising money. Accordingly, the cardinal and sir Reginald Bray, being the leading men in the privy council, the odium of the king’s avarice fell upon them; and when, in the twelfth year of his reign, a subsidy was levied for war against Scotland, they were accused, by the Cornish insurgents, as the promoters of it.
sbeche church, five or six times, either because he built it, which is not improbable, or because he was a benefactor to the tower which thus commemorated his services.
Leland informs us, that, while archbishop, he employed his fortune in building and repairing his houses at Canterbury, Lambeth, Maidstone, Allington park, and Charing; and at Ford he almost built the whole house. At Oxford, too, it is said that he repaired the canon- law school, completed the building of the divinity school, and the rebuilding of St. Mary’s church; in all which places his arms were formerly to be seen, as they are at this day on the stone tower of Wisbeche church, five or six times, either because he built it, which is not improbable, or because he was a benefactor to the tower which thus commemorated his services. In February 1494 he was elected chancellor of the university of Oxford; in which year Fuller says he greatly promoted the re-building of Rochester bridge. One of the last acts of his life was to procure the canonization of Anselm archbishop of Canterbury; and he also endeavoured, but without effect, to procure the same honour for his old master Henry VI. He died, according to the Canterbury obituary, Tuesday 16 kal. Oct.; but, according to the register of Ely, Sept. 15, 1500, and in his ninetieth year. As he had provided for his relations in his life-time, he bequeathed all his remaining wealth to pious uses, or to be distributed among such of his servants as had not yet tasted of his bounty. He founded a chauntry at Bere, his native place, with a chaplain, who was to officiate for twenty years; and for th'e same space of time he bequeathed exhibitions for poor scholars at both the universities, twenty for Oxford and ten for Cambridge. He was interred in Canterbury cathedral, where a heavy but sumptuous monument was erected to his memory. His remains were afterwards disturbed by the falling-in of the pavement upon his coffin, and some of them, wrapt up in cerecloths, were carried away; and the head being almost the only part remaining, it was begged of archbishop Sheldon in 1670, by Ralph Sheldon of Beolie in Worcestershire, esq. who, after preserving it with great reverence till his death, bequeathed it to his niece, Mrs. Frances Sheldon, one of the maids of honour to Catherine of Portugal, wife to king Charles II. What became of this relic afterwards is not known.
rs, as a statesman of great talents and a man of learning, probity, liberality, and spirit. His life was written by Dr. John Budden in 1607, 8vo; but the eulogium that
Archbishop Morton’s character is highly spoken of by
his contemporaries and successors, as a statesman of great
talents and a man of learning, probity, liberality, and
spirit. His life was written by Dr. John Budden in 1607,
8vo; but the eulogium that confers most honour upon him
is that which occurs in sir Thomas More’s “Utopia,
” and
in some of the lives of that illustrious man, who, as we
have noticed in our account, was educated by Morton.
Parker may also be consulted in his “Antiq. Ecclesiast.
”
Although he derived much unpopularity from the high favour he enjoyed with king Henry VII. yet it was owing to
his advice and interference that the exactions made by
that monarch were not far more severe; and he had at all
times the courage to give the king his fair and honest opinion on such measures. The life of Richard III.
attribated to Sir Thomas More, is said to have been written
by our prelate.
, an eminent physician, was born in the county of Suffolk; and became a commoner in Magdalen-hall,
, an eminent physician, was born
in the county of Suffolk; and became a commoner in
Magdalen-hall, Oxford, afterwards one of the chaplains of
New college, and M. A. On leaving the university, where
he took orders, he was for some time chaplain in the family
of Foley, in Worcestershire. Having, however, adopted
the principles of the nonconformists, he found it necessary,
after tue restoration of Charles II. to abandon the profession of theology, and adopted that of medicine. He accordingly was admitted to the degree of doctor in this faculty in 1670, having in that year accompanied the prince
of Orange to Oxford, as physician to his person. He afterwards settled in London, became a fellow of the college of
physicians, and obtained a large share of city practice.
He died at his house in Surrey, in 1698. The works of
Dr. Morton had a considerable, reputation, but they lean
too much to the humoral pathology, which was prevalent
in that age; and his method of treatment in acute diseases,
is now generally discarded. His first publication was entitled “Phthisioiogia, seu Exercitationes de Phthisi,
” Pyretologia, seu Exercitationes de Morbis universalibus acutis,
” published in
, a learned English bishop in the seventeenth century, was of the same family with cardinal Morton, and was the sixth son
, 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.
”
While Morton sat in the see of Coventry and Lichfield, which was above fourteen years, he educated, ordained, and presented to
While Morton sat in the see of Coventry and Lichfield,
which was above fourteen years, he educated, ordained,
and presented to a living, a youth of excellent talents and
memory, who was born blind . He also acquired no little
reputation by detecting the imposture of the famous boy of
Bilson in Staffordshire, who pretended to be possessed with
a devil; but who, in reality, was only suborned by some
Romish priests, to assume the appearance of possession,
according to the common notions of it, for the sake of promoting their own private purposes. In 1632, he was translated to the bishopric of Durham, which he held with great
reputation till the opening of the Long-parliament, when he
met with great insults from the common people, and was
once in extreme hazard of his life at Westminster, some
crying, “Pirll him out of his coach
” others, “Nay, he
is a good man
” others, “But for all that he is a bishop.
”
He used often to say that he believed he should not have
escaped alive, if a ringleader among the rabble had not
cried out, “let him go and hang himself.
” He was then
committed to the custody of the usher of the black rod;
and, as Whitlocke tells us, “April 1645, was brought before the Commons for christening a child in the old way,
and signing it with the sign of the cross, contrary to the
directory; and, because he refused to deliver up the seal
of the county-palatine of Durham, he was committed to
the Tower.
” Here he continued six months, and then returned to his lodgings at Durham-house; the parliament,
upon the dissolution of the bishoprics, voted him an annuity. Whitlocke informs us, that, in May 1649, an ordinance passed for 800l. per annum to bishop Morton; but
Barwick observes, that, while he^vas able to subsist without it, he never troubled himself with looking after it;
and, at last, when he had no alternative but to claim this,
or be burthcnsome to his friends, he determined upon the
former, and procured a copy of the vote, but found it to
contain no more than that such a sum should be paid, but
no mention either by whom or whence. And before he
could obtain an explanation of the order to make the pension payable out of the revenues of his own bishopric, all
the lands and revenues of it were sold or divided among
members of parliament themselves. Only by the importunity of his friends he procured an order to have a thousand pounds out of their treasury at Goldsmitbs’-hall, with
which he paid his debts, and purchased to himself an annuity of 200l. per annum, during life; which annuity was
ity of her son sir George, and afterwards confirmed by himself when he came to be of age. At last he was obliged to quit Durham-yard, by the soldiers who came to garrison
out of the Old and New Testament, he over to him. He died at about twentycotnmitted them perfectly to memory, six years of a$e,
iipon his uncle’s twice reading them
granted at first by the lady Saville, in the minority of her
son sir George, and afterwards confirmed by himself when
he came to be of age. At last he was obliged to quit
Durham-yard, by the soldiers who came to garrison it, a
little before the death of Charles I.; and then went to
Exeter-house in the Strand, at the invitation of the earl of
Rutland, where he continued but a short time. After several removals, he took up his abode with sir Henry Yelverton, at Easton Mauduit in Northamptonshire, where he
died Sept. 22, 1659, in his ninety-fifth year. His funeral
sermon was preached by Dr. John Barwick, afterwards dean
of St. Paul’s, and printed at London, in 1660, under this
title, “Ιερονικησ: or, The Fight, Victory, and Triumph,
of St. Paul, accommodated to the Right Rev. Father in
God, Thomas, late Lord Bishop of Duresme.
”
Bishop Morton was of low stature, but of an excellent constitution, which he preserved
Bishop Morton was of low stature, but of an excellent
constitution, which he preserved to the last. Dr. Barwick represents him as a man of extensive learning, great
piety, hospitality, and charity, and of great temperance
and moderation in matters of controversy. He carried on
an extensive correspondence with the learned men of his
time, and was himself distinguished for his liberal patronage of such. He was particularly the friend and patron of
the celebrated Dr. Donne. On one occasion he gave
Donne a sum of money, saying, “Here Mr. Donne, take
this, gold is restorative:
” Donne replied, “Sir, I doubt I
shall never restore it back again.
” Bishop Morton! s greatest
blemish seems to have been his acceding to, or, in truth, in
some measure drawing up, king James’s declaration, usually
called the "Book of Sports/' allowing and enjoining public amusements on Sunday, by way of counteracting the
endeavours of the popish party, who countenanced such
amusements in order to draw the people from the church,
By this declaration, the appearing at church was made a
qualification for the sports, an absurdity so gross, as to be
equalled only by the injustice of compelling clergymen to
proclaim it in the pulpit. The readers will find this curious law in the note*, and we are sorry to add, on the
ormists in religion, are not uthority of Dr. Barwick, that all the articles but one, which he thinks was the first, were originally drawn up by bishop Morton.
tpaen or women, as abstained from though conformists in religion, are not uthority of Dr. Barwick, that all the articles but one, which he thinks was the first, were originally drawn up by bishop Morton.
liberty. 4. " Ah such as, in abuse of this was in all probability the likeliest,
liberty. 4. " Ah such as, in abuse of this was in all probability the likeliest,
d or used in the declaration (taking it as it is still, and said times of recreation." Dr. Bar- ever was restrained by these limitawick, who shews as much want of tions
pons should be carried or used in the declaration (taking it as it is still, and said times of recreation." Dr. Bar- ever was restrained by these limitawick, who shews as much want of tions and conditions), are grounded up.
ion, and satisfying all scrupulous objections, which have been urged against it,“Lond, 1610, fol. He was engaged in writing this work by archbishop Bancroft, as he observes
the temper of the people ia those parts Day“author, father Parsons having made a reply under the title
of
” A sober Reckoning with Mr. Tho. Morton,“printed
in 160y, 4to; the latter wrote, 6.
” The Encounter against
Mr. Parsons,“Lond. 1609, 4to. 7.
” An Answer to the
scandalous Exceptions of Theophiltis Higgons,“London,
1609, 4to. 8.
” A Catholike Appeale for Protestants out
of the Confessions of the Romane Doctors, particularly
answering the misnamed Catholike Apologie for the Romane Faith out of the Protestants, manifesting the antiquitie of our Religion, and satisfying all scrupulous objections, which have been urged against it,“Lond, 1610, fol.
He was engaged in writing this work by archbishop Bancroft, as he observes in his dedication; and Dr. Thomas
James took the pains to examine some of his quotations in
the Bodleian library. It has never yet been answered. 9.
” A Defence of the Innocencie of the three Ceremonies
of the Church of England, viz. the Surplice, Crosse after
Baptisme, and Kneeling at the receiving of the blessed
Sacrament. Divided into two parts. In the former whereof
the generall arguments urged by the nonconformists, and
in the latter part their particular accusations against these
three ceremonies, are severally answered and refuted. Published by authority.“Second edit. London, 1619, in 4to.
This was attacked by an anonymous author, generally supposed to be Mr. William Ames; which occasioned a Defence of it, written by Dr. John Burges of Sutton Colefield in Warwickshire, and printed at London in 1631, 4to,
under the title of
” An Answer to a Pamphlet entitled A
Reply to Dr. Morton’s general Defence of three innocent
Ceremonies.“10.
” Causa Regia,“London, 1620, 4to,
written against cardinal Be) tannin’s book,
” De Officio
Principis Christiani.“11.
” The Grand Imposture of the
now Church of Rome, concerning this Article of their
Creed, The holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church.“The second edition enlarged was printed at London in
1628, 4to. There was an answer published to this, under
the name of J. S. and entitled
” Anti-Mortonns.“12.
” Of
the Institution of the Sacrament, &c. by some called the
Mass,“&c. Lond. 1631, reprinted with additions in 1635,
folio. As some strictures were published on the first edition by a Romish author, under the name of an English
baron, Dr. Morton replied in, 13.
” A Discharge of five
Imputations of Mis- allegations charged upon the bishop of
Duresme by an English baron,“London, 1633, 8vo. 14.
” Antidotum adversus Ecclesiae Romans de Merito ex:
Condigno Venenum,“Cambridge, 1637, 4to. 15.
” Replica sive Refutatio Confutationis C. R.“Lond. 1638, 4to.
This is an answer to a piece published by C. R. who was
supposed to be the bishop of Chakedon, against the first
part of our author’s Catholic Apology. 16. A Sermon
preached before the king at Newcastle, upon Rom. xiii. 1.
Lond. 1639, 4to. 17.
” De Eucharistia Controversiae Decisio,“Cambridge, 1640, 4to. 18.
” A Sermon on the
Resurrection,“preached at the Spittle in London April 26.
Lond. 1641, 8vo. 1.9. A Sermon preached at St. Paul’s
June 19, 1642, upon 1 Cor. xi. 16. and entitled
” The Presentment of a Schismatic.!*,“” Lond. 1642, 4to. 20. “Confessions and Proofs of Protestant Divines,
” &c. Oxford,
Ezekiel’s Wheels,
” &c. Lond. some in my custody,
” says
Dr. Barwick, “which 1 found by him at his death; and some
(that I hear of) in the hands of others: all of them once
intended for the press, whereof some have lost their first
perfection by the carelessness and negligence of some that
should have kept them others want his last hand and eye
to perfect them and others only a seasonable time to publish them. And he might and would have left many more,
considering how vigorous his parts were even in his extreme
old age, if the iniquity of the times had not deprived him
of most of his notes and papers.
” Among these unpublished Mss. were: 1. “Tractatus de externo Judice iniallibili ad Doctores Pontificios, imprimis vero ad Sacerdotes Wisbicenses.
” 2. “Tractatus de Justificatione.
”
Two copies, both imperfect. 3. “Some Papers written
upon the Controversy between bishop Montague and the
Gagger.
” 4. “A Latin edition of his book called the
Grand Imposture.
” Imperfect. 5. Another edition of both
the parts of his book called “Apologia Catholica.
” 6. “An
Answer to J. S. his Anti-Mortonus.
” Imperfect. 7. His
treatise concerning Episcopacy above mentioned, revised
and enlarged. 8. A treatise concerning Prayer in art tinknown tongue. 9. A Defence of Infants 1 Baptism against
Mr. Tombes and others. 10. Several Sermons. II. “A
Kelation of the Conference held at York by our author,
with Mr. Young and Mr. Stillington; and a further confutation of R. G. in defence of the Articles of the church
of England.
” Almost the last act of his life was to procure
from the few remaining bishops in England, a refutation
of the fable of the Nag’s Head ordination, which was revived by some of the popish persuasion in 1658. What he
procured on the subject was afterwards published by bishop
Uramhai.
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
, 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.
, a native of Lincolnshire, was born in 1566, and educated in the university of Cambridge, of
, a native of Lincolnshire, was born
in 1566, and educated in the university of Cambridge, of
which he became a fellow, and studied civil law. Obtaining from the master and fellows of his house a licence to
travel, he set out, and spent about ten years abroad. He
had previously been incorporated M. A. in the university
of Oxford. Soon after his return he went to Ireland in
1598, where his brother, sir Richard Moryson, was vicepresident of Minister, and was there made secretary to the
lord deputy, sir Charles Blount, lord Mountjoy. He died
about 1614, and three years after, his travels appeared
under the title of “An Itineraty, containing ten years travels through the twelve dominions of Germany,
” &c.
Lond. An History of Ireland from 1599 to 1603;
with a short narration of the state of the kingdom from the
year 1169,
” 2 vok. 8vo. The only copy we have seen of
this work (to which Harris gives no date) is dated Dublin,
1735.
als of Bion’s life, as well as the most perfect composition of its kind. We learn from it, that Bion was of Smyrna, that he was a pastoral poet, and that he unhappily
Moschus and Bion, for they have usually been
joined together, were two Grecian poets of antiquity, who
flourished about 200 years B. C. and were contemporaries
of Theocritus. The prodigious credit of Theocritus as a
pastoral poet enabled him to engross not only the fame of
his rivals, but their works too. In the time of the latter
Grecians, all the ancient idyliiums were heaped together
into one collection, and Theocritus’s name prefixed to the
whole volume; but learned men having adjudged some of the
pieces to their proper owners, the claims of Moschus and
Bion have been admitted to a few little pieces, sufficient
to make us inquisitive about their character and story.
Yet all that can be known of them must be collected from
their own small remains for Moschus, by composing his
exquisite “Elegy on Bion,
” has given the best memorials of
Bion’s life, as well as the most perfect composition of its kind.
We learn from it, that Bion was of Smyrna, that he was a
pastoral poet, and that he unhappily perished by poison, and,
as it should seem, not accidentally, but by the command
of some great person. Moschus and Theocritus have by
some critics been supposed the same person; but there
are irrefragable testimonies against it. Moschus, in the
“Elegy on Bion,
” introduces Theocritus bewailing the
same misfortune in another country and Servius says that
Virgil chose to imitate Theocritus preferably to Moschus,
and others who had written pastorals. Some will have it
that Moschus, as well as Bion, lived later than Theocritus,
upon the authority of Suidas, who affirms Moschus to have
been the scholar of Aristarchus, in the reign of Ptolemy
Philometor; while others suppose him to have been the
scholar of Bion, and probably his successor in governing
the poetic school. The latter supposition is collected from
the elegy of Moschus, and does not seem improbable.
The few but inimitable remains of these two poets are to
be found in all editions of the “Poetas Minores,
” and of
separate editions there are some very valuable ones, particularly the rare and curious one of Mekerchus, printed
at Bruges, 1565, 4to; and those of Schwebelius, Venice,
1746, 8vo; of Heskin, Oxford, 1748, 8vo, and of Gilbert Wake field, 1795, 8vo.
, an artist of much reputation and amiable character, was born at Shafhausen, in Switzerland, in 1705. When young, he
, an artist of much reputation and amiable character, was born at Shafhausen, in Switzerland, in 1705. When young, he visited a distant Canton, where he met with one of his townsmen, and being inclined to travel, was soon persuaded to make a tour to England, and followed the profession of a chaser in gold, in which art he was always considered as holding the first rank. But his skill was not confined to this alone; he possessed an universal knowledge in all branches of painting and sculpture, which perfectly qualified him for the place of Keeper, to which he was appointed when the Royal Academy was first instituted in 1768, the business of which principally consists in superintending and instructing the students, who draw or model from the antique figures. He may be truly said to have been the father of the present race of artists; for long before the royal academy was established, he presided over the little societies which met. first in Salisbury court, and afterwards in St. Martin’s-lane, where they drew from living models. Perhaps nothing that can be said will more strongly imply his amiable disposition, than that all the different societies with which he was connected, always turned their eyes upon him for their treasurer and chief manager; when, perhaps, they would not have contentedly submitted to any other authority. His early society was composed of men whose names are well known in the world; such as Hogarth, Rysbrach, Roubiliac, Wills, Ellis, Vanderbank, &c.; and though he outlived all the companions of his youth, he might to the last have boasted of a succession equally numerous; for all that knew him were his friends.
productions, particularly some watch-cases, were most elegant and classical in their enrichments. He was aLo well skilled in the construction of the human figure.
As an artist, his abilities were not confined merely to chasing; he might also be considered as one of our best medallists, and painted in enamel with great beauty and accuracy, and many of his productions, particularly some watch-cases, were most elegant and classical in their enrichments. He was aLo well skilled in the construction of the human figure.
When appointed keeper of the royal academy, his conduct was ex'emplary, and worthy to be imitated by whoever shall succeed
When appointed keeper of the royal academy, his conduct was ex'emplary, and worthy to be imitated by whoever shall succeed him in that office. As he loved the employment of teaching, he could not fail of discharging that duty with diligence. By the propriety of his conduct he united the love and respect of the students; he kept order in the academy, and made himself respected, without the austerity or importance of office all noise and tumult immediately ceased on his appearance at the same time there was nothing forbidding in his manner, which might restrain the pupils from freely applying to him for advice or assistance. All this excellence, says sir Joshua Reynolds, had a firm foundation; he was a man of sincere and ardent piety, and has left an illustrious example of the exactness with which the subordinate duties may be expected to be discharged by him whose first care is to please God. Few men have passed a more inoffensive, or perhaps a more happy life; if happiness or enjoyment of life consists in having the mind always occupied, always intent upon some useful art, by which fame and distinction may be acquired. Mr. Moser’s whole attention was absorbed, either in practice, or something that related to the advancement of art.
, a celebrated Armenian archbishop, who flourished about the year 462, was esteemed one of the most learned men of his nation, having studied
, a celebrated Armenian archbishop, who flourished about the year 462, was esteemed
one of the most learned men of his nation, having studied
Greek at Athens, from which language he made many versions into the Armenian. His principal work is “A History of Armenia,
” from the deluge to the middle of the
fifth century, first published in Armenian in 1695, by
Thomas Vanandensis, an Armenian bishop, from one single manuscript, and that f a very faulty one. It was reprinted with a Latin version, in 1736, by William and
George, the sons of the famous William Whiston, with a
preface concerning the literature of the Armenians, and
their version of the Bible; and an appendix containing two
epistles, the one of the Corinthians to Paul the Apostle,
the other of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, entire,
from a ms. 4to. Of Moses, Messrs. Whiston say that he
appears to have been a man of probity, simplicity, and
sincerity, but of moderate learning, and rather too credulous. They think it was written in the latter end of the
fifth century. They speak also of “An Abridgment of
Geography,
” published at Amsterdam in Sacred Canticles,
” to be sung in the Armenian language
on the anniversary of Christ’s presentation at the temple.
His history was the first book published in England in the
Armenian language, at a time when no person here understood that language, and but two on the continent, La
Croze, librarian to the king of Prussia, and Schroder, professor of the Oriental languages at Marpurg in Germany.
It is a work now of rare occurrence.
, an illustrious German divine, was born at Lubeck, in 1695, of a noble family, which might seem
, an illustrious German
divine, was born at Lubeck, in 1695, of a noble family,
which might seem to open to his ambition a fair path to
civil promotion; but his zeal for the interests of religion,
his thirst after knowledge, and particularly his taste for
sacred literature, induced him to consecrate his talents to
the service of the church. Where he was educated we have
Dot learned; fcut he is said to have given early indications
of a promising capacity, and of a strong desire of mental
and literary improvement; and, when his parents proposed
to him the choice of a profession, the church suggested
itself to him as a proper department for the exercise of that
zeal which disposed him to be useful to society. Being
ordained a minister in the Lutheran church, he soon distinguished himself as an eloquent and useful preacher.
His reputation in this character, however, was local and
confined, but the fame of his literary ability diffused itself
among all the nations of Christendom. The German universities loaded him with literary honours the king of
Denmark invited him to settle at Copenhagen the duke
of Brunswick called him thence to Helmstadt, where he
filled the academical chair was honoured with the character of ecclesiastical counsellor to the court an,d presided over the seminaries of learning in the duchy of Wolfembuttle and the principality of Blakenburg. When a
design was formed of giving an uncommon degree of lustre
to the university of Gottingen, by filling it with men of
the first rank in letters, king George II. considered Dr.
Mosheim as worthy to appear at the head of it, in quality
of chancellor; and he discharged the duties of that station
with zeal and propriety, and his conduct gave general satisfaction. Here he died, universally lamented, in 1755.
In depth of judgment, in extent of learning, in purity of
taste, in the powers of eloquence, and in a laborious application to all the various branches of erudition and philosophy, he is said to have had very few superiors. His
Latin translation of Cud worth’s “Intellectual System,
”
enriched with large annotations, discovered a profound
acquaintance with ancient learning and philosophy. His
illustrations of the Scriptures, his labours in defence of
Christianity, and the light he cast upon religion and philosophy, appear in many volumes of sacred and prophane
literature. He wrote, in Latin, 1. “Observationes sacra?,
et historico- critic^,
” Amst. Vindicise antiquae Cnristianorum discipline, adv. J, Tolandi Nazarenum,
” Hamb. De aetate apologetici Tertulliani et initio persecutionis Christianorum sub Severo,
commentatio,
” Helm. Gallus glorias J.
Christi, Spiritusque Sancti obtrectator, publicae contemtioni expositus,
” Helm. Historia Tartarorum ecclesiastica,
” Helm. De rebus
Christianorum ante Constantinum Magnum commentarii,
”
ibid. 1753, 4to. 7. “Historia Mich. Served,
” &c. But
that by which he is best known in this country is his
church-history. This was at first a small work, which appeared under the title of “Institutiones Historic Christiana?,
” and passed through several editions. He was repeatedly urged by his learned friends to extend a work
which they represented as too meagre for the importance
of the subject. He acknowledged the objection, but alleged various avocations as an excuse for non-compliance.
At length, however, he acceded to the wish of the public,
and having employed two years in the augmentation and
improvement of his history, he published it in 1755, before the end of which year he died. This was soon after
translated into English by Dr. Maclaine, of whom we have
recently given some account, and is now a standard book
in our libraries. The best edition, as we have noticed in
Maclaine’s article, is that of which Dr. Charles Coote was
the editor and contimlator, in 1811, 6 vols. 8vo. This
edition is also enriched by a masterly dissertation from the
pen of Dr. Gteig, of Stirling, on the primitive form of the
church, calculated to obviate certain prejudices which
Mosheim had discovered in various parts of his otherwise
Valuable history.
, a learned English clergyman, the eldest son of Robert Moss, of Posswick, in Norfolk, was born at Gillingham in that county, in or about 1666. His father
, a learned English clergyman, the eldest son of Robert Moss, of Posswick, in Norfolk, was born at Gillingham in that county, in or about 1666. His father had an estate which enabled him to provide handsomely for his four sons; Robert, the subject of this article, Samuel, who was brought up- as a merchant William, who died possessed of his father’s estate at Posswick and Charles Moss, M. D. Robert, after being educated at the public school at Norwich, was entered as a sizar of Bene‘t college, Cambridge, in 1682, and distinguished himself so much in his academical studies, that, after having taken his bachelor’s degree, he was chosen to a Norfolk fellowship, and became eminent also as a successful tutor. H’e received deacon’s orders in 1688, and priest’s in 1690. In 1693 he was appointed one of the twelve university preachers. His sermons at St. Mary’s were always attended by a full audience, as well as his disputations in the schools, in which he shewed a clear and distinguishing head, reasoned justly and closely in defending a question, and urged his objections with great acuteness when he bore the part of the opponent, always expressing himself with great ease and fluency, and in elegant Latin. After he had kept a divinity-act in the schools, in 1696, for the degree of B. D. there being a public commencement that year, he voluntarily undertook another on that occasion in St. Mary’s, where the commencement was held before the erection of the new regent-house, and acquitted himself in both to the general satisfaction; particularly, in maintaining the necessity of believing our Saviour as the true God, against the doctrine of Episcopius.
His first remove from the university was in consequence of his being appointed preacher to the honourable
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.
His constitution had been impaired by frequent and severe returns of the gout, with which he was afflicted early in life, and which at last deprived him of the
His constitution had been impaired by frequent and severe returns of the gout, with which he was afflicted early in life, and which at last deprived him of the use of his limbs. This, however, has partly been attributed to an injudicious regimen which he adopted, and the use of sulphur, although his brother, Dr. Charles Moss, physician at Hull, had endeavoured to point out the consequences, which proved to be exactly what he foretold. He died at a house in which he had for some time resided at Cambridge, March 26, 1729, in the sixty-third year of his age.
the bulk of his fortune to his third brother’s son, Mr. Charles Moss, who, as his biographer says, “ was a promising youth, and student of Caius college, Cambridge.”
By his widow, a Mrs. Hinton, of Cambridge, he had no
issue; but left her a comfortable provision, and after some
legacies, bequeathed the bulk of his fortune to his third
brother’s son, Mr. Charles Moss, who, as his biographer
says, “was a promising youth, and student of Caius college, Cambridge.
”
This “promising youth” was afterwards a fellow of his college, B. A. 1731, M. A. 1735,
This “promising youth
” was afterwards a fellow of his
college, B. A. 1731, M. A. 1735, and D. D. 1747. He
became archdeacon of Colchester, prebendary of Salisbury,
rector of St. Andrew Under.shaft, of St. James’s, Westminster, 1750, and of St. George’s, Hanover-square, in
1759. He was elected bishop of St. David’s in 1766, and
translated to Bath and Wells in 1774. He died April 13,
1802. Besides four or five sermons preached on public
occasions, he printed “A Charge to the Clergy of the
archdeaconry of Colchester, occasioned by the uncommon
Mortality and quick succession of Bishops in the see of
London, at a visitation holden in May 1764;
” and twenty
years before, an admirable tract in defence of bishop Sherlock’s celebrated “Tryal of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus.
” This tract was entitled, “The Evidence
of the Resurrection cleared from the exceptions of a late
pamphlet, entitled * The Resurrection of Jesus considered
by a moral philosopher, in answer to the Tryal of the
Witnesses,'
” &c. Lond. The Sequel of the Tryal of the
Witnesses of the Resurrection being an answer to the
exceptions of a late pamphlet, &c. &c. revised by the
author of the Tryal of the Witnesses,
” ibid. The
title-page, however, alone is new; as the impression is
identically the same as in 1744; but the inscription signed
” C. M." is omitted in 1749. It was to Sherlock he owed
his promotions, to whom he had been chaplain. His son,
Dr. Charles Moss, to whom he left a vast property, was
educated at Christ Chnrch, Oxford, of which diocese he
became bishop in 1807, and died in 1811.
Dr. Robert Moss was buried, agreeably to his will, without much ostentation or expence,
Dr. Robert Moss was buried, agreeably to his will, without much ostentation or expence, in the presbytery of the
cathedral church of Ely, where the bishops, deans, and
prebendaries are usually interred. After his death, Dr.
Snape, provost of King’s college, published eight volumes
of his sermons, the first four in 1736, with this character
of him, “that he was of so open and generous a disposition, and such a stranger to all artificial disguise, that
he affirmed, and you believed him he promised, and you
trusted him you knew him, and you loved him that he
was very communicative both of his substance and his
knowledge, and a man of so much honour and integrity,
candour and humanity, as, joined with his other Christian
virtues and intellectual endowments, as well as a graceful
person, genteel address, and engaging conversation, gained
him universal respect;.
” In his early college days he wrote
some poetry. A Latin ode of his is printed in cc Moestissimae ac Iretissimse Academic Cantabrigiensis affectus decedente Carolo II. succedente Jacobo II.“and a Latin,
poem and an English ode in the
” Lacrymse Gantabrigienses in Obitum serenissimse Reginae Marix." Besides
which he wrote several other poems, three of which were
printed for the first time in the General Dictionary, 1Q
vols. fol. Among his lesser legacies, it ought to be mentioned that he left a perpetual annuity of 5L issuing out of
lands in Cheshire, to the master’s sizar of Caius college,
as an augmentation of his salary. This sizar is to be of
the name of Moss, if there be such an one of the college,
otherwise of Norfolk, and of the free-school of Norwich,
and may hold the place for seven years.
, was a learned and pious Irish prelate, of whose early history we
, was a learned and pious Irish
prelate, of whose early history we find no account. Mr.
Nichols, in his “Anecdotes,
” says that he “appears to
have been appointed to be minister of St. Peter’s, Paul’s
Wharf, London, after the sequestration of Edward Merbury;
” but this is quite, inconsistent with bishop Kenn’s
account of him, in his funeral sermon on lady Margaret
Maynard. There he says that Dr. Mossom, during the
usurpation, was silenced, plundered, and persecuted. After the restoration we can trace him more exactly. He
was made, in 1660, dean of Christ Church, Dublin, and
in 1662, prebendary of Knaresborough in the cathedral of
York. From thence he was promoted to the see of Derry
in March 1666, with which he held his deanery of Christ
Church, but resigned his prebend. He died at Londonderry, Dec. 21, 1679, and was buried in the cathedral.
Harris mentions his book entitled “The Preacher’s Tripartite,
” Lond. Variae colloquendi Formulas, in usum condiscipulorum in palaestra
literaria sub paterno moderamine vires Minervales exercentium, parthn collects, partim composite a Roberto
Mossom,
” Lond. Narrative panegyrical
on the life, &c. of George Wild, bishop of Derry,
” Zion’s prospect in its first view, in a summary
of divine truths, viz. of God, Providence, decrees,
” &c.
th 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
, 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."
in, which he did the same year, 1664, at the age of seventy-six He died in 1672, aged eightyfour. He was a voluminous writer, and upon all subjects, ancient, modern,
Having thus failed in obtaining the first situation in which
a man of letters could be placed, he succeeded, in 1647,
in being appointed to what might be considered as the second, that of preceptor to Philip, then duke of Anjou, and
afterwards duke of Orleans, the king’s brother. He had
also conferred on him the titles of historiographer of France
and counsellor of state. By his first wife he had an only
son, who died in 1664, in the thirty-fifth year of his age.
His wife also being dead long before, he is said to have
been so much afflicted at the loss of his son, as to determine to marry again, which he did the same year, 1664, at
the age of seventy-six He died in 1672, aged eightyfour. He was a voluminous writer, and upon all subjects,
ancient, modern, sacred and profane. We cannot, perhaps, to some of our readers, give a better idea of his
works, than by comparing them to those of Bayle. We
find in them the same scepticism and the same indecencies;
and on this account Bayle expatiates on his character with
congenial pleasure. In his private character, he was somewhat of a humourist, but his moral conduct was more
correct than might have been expected from his writings.
He is mentioned hy Guy Patin as a Stoic, who would neither
praise nor be praised, and who followed his own fancies
and caprices without any regard to the opinions of the world,
and his dress and usual demeanour distinguished him from
other men. In the court he lived like a philosopher, immersed in books, simple and regular in his manner of living, and void of ambition and avarice. His treatise which
we have mentioned, “On the Virtue of Pagans/' was
answered by Arnauld. La Mothers bookseller complaining
that his book did not sell,
” I know a secret,“said the
author,
” to quicken the sale:" he procured an order from
government for its suppression, which was the means of
selling the whole edition. His works were collected in
two volumes folio; and there was an edition, we believe the
last, printed at Dresden, in 1756, in 14 vols. 8vo, so lowpriced, in the French catalogues, that there seems now
little value placed on them.
, an ingenious French writer, was born at Paris, Jan. 17, 1672. He was educated in a seminary
, an ingenious
French writer, was born at Paris, Jan. 17, 1672. He was
educated in a seminary of Jesuits, and afterwards entered
on the study of the law, which he quitted for the stage,
as in his opinion affording the more brilliant prospect. His
first attempt, however, a comedy, miscarried, and he felt
the disgrace so acutely as to throw himself into the celebrated monastery of La Trappe, where he fancied he could
comply with its austerities; but after a few months he returned to the world, and produced some operas and pastorals, which had considerable success. His lyric efforts
were particularly applauded, and he now published a volume of odes; but in these, says D'Alembert, “the images
are scanty, the colouring feeble, and the harmony often
neglected.
” Dr. Warton had pronounced, long before,
that these odes, although highly praised by Sanadon, and
by Fontenelle, were fuller of delicate sentiment, and philosophical reflection, than of imagery, figures, and poetry.
There are particular stanzas eminently good, but not one
entire ode. So far the French and English critics seem to
agree. We learn also, from D'Alembert, that La Motte’s
odes were soon effaced by those of the celebrated Rousseau, who, with less wit, perhaps, than La Motte, had superior qualifications for the higher poetry. Yet, when these
rivals became competitors for a seat in the academy in 1710,
La Motte was preferred, from his having friends who loved
him, while Rousseau, from his repulsive temper, did not
possess one. La Motte succeeded Corneille in the academy, and, like him, was at this time nearly blind. He
very ingeniously made use of this calamity, in his discourse
at his reception, to interest his auditors. After having
spoken of the merit of his predecessor, he proceeded
“You have beheld him faithful to your duties till extreme
old age, infirm as he was, and already deprived of sight.
The mention of this circumstance makes rne feel the condition to which I am myself reduced. What age ravished
from my predecessor, I have lost from my youth. I must,
however, confess, that this privation of which I complain,
will no longer serve me as an excuse for ignorance you,
gentlemen, have restored me my sight you, by associating me with yourselves, have laid all books open to me;
and, since I am able to hear you, I no longer envy the
happiness of those who can read.
” La Motte soon after
became totally deprived of sight. He next ventured to
appear on a theatre more worthy of a poet’s ambition, and
produced the tragedy of the “Maccabees,
” concealing his
name. The critics found a great deal of merit in it while
this concealment lasted and some went so far as to conceive it a posthumous work of Racine but when he discovered himself, they withdrew their praises, or changed
them into censures; and the tragedy, being really of the
mediocre kind, disappeared from the stage. It was followed by others, of which “Ines de Castro
” obtained a
permanent place on the stage, notwithstanding many attacks from wit, malice, and arrogance; all which he bore
with good-humour. He was one day in a coffee-house, in
the midst of a swarm of literary drones, who were abusing
his work without knowing the author. He patiently heard
them a long time in silence, and then called out to a friend
who accompanied him, “Let us go and yawn at the fiftieth
representation of this unfortunate piece.
” At another
time, when told of the numerous criticisms made on his
tragedy, “It is true,
” said he, “it has been much criticised, but with tears.
”
m of prose tragedies, so ingeniously supported, and so warmly refuted; the result of the controversy was, that all the menof let ers in France deckled in favour of verse.
He wrote also six comedies, of which the “Magnifique
”
still pleases by the ingenuity of its details, and the charms
of its style. All his cornddies are written in prose: and
when he produced his tragedy of “Œdipus,
” after having
first written it in verse, he turned it into prose, which gave
occasion to the publication of his system of prose tragedies, so ingeniously supported, and so warmly refuted;
the result of the controversy was, that all the menof let ers
in France deckled in favour of verse. In 1714, he published his translation of Homer’s Iliad, in which he was still
less successful then in his anti- poetical paradoxes. He
presumed also to write against Homer, and was answered
by madame Dacier; but by this, says D'Alembert, he offered Homer a less injury than by translating him into
French verse. He had attacked the subject, the disposition-,
and the entire plan of the Iliad, with much ingenuity, but he
did not render sufficient justice to the sublime beauties of
Homer, and still less was he able to transfer these beauties
to his version. He substituted a bare skeleton to the monster he meant to combat; and as he had raised the public
laughter against his adversaries, he exposed himself to their
shafts by an unskilful travesty of the object of their worship. The powerful diversion he afforded them by this
mistake lost him almost all his advantages; and the French
Iliad consoled madam Dacier for the ridicule which had
been thrown upon her by the answer of la Motte to her
criticisms, which was undoubtedly a very witty and ingenious defence of a bad cause. Some years after, in 1719,
he produced his “Fables,
” which were praised for invention and moral, while it was allowed that they were in other
respects not to be compared with those of La Fontaine.
Besides these he wrote, at different times, many other species of poetry, eclogues, cantatas, psalms, hymns, &c. of
which, as well as his other productions, D'Alembert says,
“he wished to make verses, and felt that nature tiad not
made him a poet he wished to compose odes, and felt
that he had more good sense than warmth, more reason
than enthusiasm; he wished to write tragedies, and saw
himself at an immense distance from Corneille and Racine;
he wished to produce fables, and felt that his genius, the
character of which was artful refinement, would in vain aim
at the charming simplicity of la Fontaine.
” If, however,
La Motte’s verses are not master-pieces of poetry, his prosewritings may be regarded as models of style. The talent
of writing prose well is a merit that scarcely any French
poet possessed before la Motte. His answer to madame
Dacier, entitled “Reflections on Criticism,
” and his prefaces to his works, are master-pieces of elegance. All his
academical discourses, delivered on different occasions,
were excellent; but the most applauded was his eulogy
on Lewis XIV. pronounced at a public sitting after the
death of that prince, which, of all the funeral orations
made on him, is the only one which is not yet entirely
forgotten.
Such was the versatility of la Motte’s genius, that he wrote charges
Such was the versatility of la Motte’s genius, that he
wrote charges for bishops; and though the secret was kept
by both parties, his touch and manner betrayed him. He
was also the author of several other writings, which his enemies would have treated with severity had they known the
real father, but for which the supposed father received their
profound homage. But while some prelates employed the
pen of la Motte in the service of religion, by composing
their charges, others accused him of being an unbeliever.
Among his works has been printed “A Plan of Evidence
for Religion,
” which D'Alembert mentions with praise,
and which was praised by much better judges of the subject.
Satire only was the kind of composition in which la Motte
did not exercise himself: and this his eulogist attributes
to the mildness and honour of his character. It certainly
was not from want of ability; and he was so frequently
the object of satire, as to have sufficient provocation. This
forbearance, however, and the general sweetness of his
temper, gained him many partisans. No one more sincerely than he applauded the success even of his rivals;
no one encouraged rising talents with more zeal and interest no one praised good works with more genuine satisfaction if he pointed out faults in them, it was not to
enjoy the easy glory of mortifying another’s vanity it was
with the feeling to which critics are strangers, and which
common readers rarely entertain, that of being really concerned to find a blot It was therefore said of him, that
“justice and justness
” was his motto. Of both these qualities he exhibited a distinguished proof when he gave, as
censor, his approbation to Voltaire’s first tragedy; for he
did not hesitate to add to it, “that this work gave promise
of a worthy successor on the theatre to Corneille and Racine.
” Such candour and mildness were all he opposed, not
only to literary insults, but to personal affronts. A young 1
man, upon whose foot he once happened to tread in a
crowd, gave him a blow on the face. “Sir,
” said la Motte
to him, “you will be very sorry for what you have done:
I am blind.
” With the same patience he endured the painful infirmities under which he laboured, and which terminated his life on December 26, 1731. In 1754, a complete edition of all his works was published in eleven large
volumes, 8vo, but such is the declension of his popularity
that no edition has since been called for. La Harpe (in his “Lyceum
”) says, that when he first entered life, la
Motte had already descended into the class of authors who
are never read but by men of letters, who must read everything. Some passages in his operas, a few strophes of his
odes, and occasionally one of his fables, were quoted:
and his tragedy of “Ines,
” though held in no great value,
retained its place on the stage. The harshness of his versification was admitted on all hands, and his paradoxes were
never mentioned but in order to be ridiculed.
, a native of France, was born in 1660, at Rouen, in Normandy, where also he received
, a native of France, was
born in 1660, at Rouen, in Normandy, where also he
received his education, on the revocation of the edict of
Nantz he came over to England, and lived at first with his
godfather and relation, Paul Dominique, esq. but afterwards grew a considerable trader himself, kept a large
East-India warehouse in Leadenhall-street, and had a good
place in the foreign post-office. During his residence in
this kingdom, he acquired a great knowledge of the English language, and not only published a good translation of
“Don Quixote,
” but also wrote several “Songs,
” “Prologues,
” “Epilogues,
” &c. dedicated a poem “On Tea,
”
to the Spectator, and, what was still more extraordinary,
became a successful dramatic writer in the language of a
country of which he was not a native. The respective
titles of his numerous pieces of that kind may be seen in
the “Biographia Dramatica.
” Although married to a
very beautiful woman, his morals were licentious, and he
was one day found dead in a brothel in the parish of St.
Clement Danes, not without suspicion of having been
murdered; though other accounts state that he was in
some measure accessary to his death. This happened Feb.
19, 1717-18, which, being his birth-day, exactly completed his fifty-eighth year. His body was interred in his
parish-church, that of St. Andrew Undershaft, in the city
of London.
, a celebrated French lady, was born in Normandy about 1615. She was the daughter of a gentleman
, a celebrated
French lady, was born in Normandy about 1615. She was
the daughter of a gentleman who belonged to the court;
and her wit and amiable manners recommended her to
Anne of Austria, who kept her constantly near her. Cardinal Richelieu, who was always jealous of the favourites of
this princess, having disgraced her, she retired, with her
mother, to Normandy, where she married Nicolas Langlois, lord of Motteviile, an old man, who died in about
two years. After the death of Richelieu, Anne of Austria,
having been declared regent, recalled her to court. Here
gratitude induced her to write the history of this princess,
which has been printed several times under the title of
“Memoires pour servir a I‘Histoire d’Anne d' Austriche
”
in 5 and 6 volumes, 12mo. These Memoirs describe the
minority of Lewis XIV. and are written in a natural, unaffected style; and, says Gibbon, it is a proof of the author’s sincerity, that though she had a very high opinion
of her mistress, the candour with which she relates facts,
shews us Anne of Austria as she really was. Madame de
Motteviile died at Paris, Dec. 29, 1689, aged seventyfive. There was a very great confidence and even intimacy between Henrietta, the widow of our Charles I. and
madame de Motteviile.
, a dramatic and miscellaneous writer, was the son of colonel Mottley, who was a great favourite with king
, 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,
”
, a physician and naturalist of the sixteenth century, was born in London, in or near St. Leonard’s-* parish, Shoreditch,
, 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.
nto practice in England. He published in 1584, at Francfort, an apology for the chemical seer, which was then beginning to prevail in Germany, though much opposed by
Dr. Moufet appears to have been among the first physicians who introduced chemical medicines into practice in
England. He published in 1584, at Francfort, an apology
for the chemical seer, which was then beginning to prevail
in Germany, though much opposed by the adherents of
the school of the ancients: it was entitled “De jure et
praestantia Chemicorum Medicamentorum, Dialogus Apologeticus.
” The work, which displays a good deal of
learning and skill in argumentation, was republished in
the “Theatrum Chemicum,
” in Epistolae quinque Medicinales, ab eodem Auctore
conscript,
” which are all dated from London in Nosomantica Hippocratica, sive Hippocratis Prognostica cuncta, ex
omnibus ipsius scriptis, methodice digesta, Libri ix.
”
Franc. Health’s Improvement; or, rules comprising and
discovering the nature, method, and manner of preparing
all sorts of food used in this nation.
” A corrected and
enlarged edition of this book was printed by Christopher
Bennet at London, 1655, 4to. It is a curious and entertaining performance, on account of the information which
it contains respecting the diet used in this country at that
time. He was, however, most particularly distinguished
as a naturalist; and he enlarged and finished, with great
labour and expence, a work entitled “Insectorum, sive
minimorum Animalium Theatrum; olina ab Edw. Wottono,
Conrado Gesnero, Thomaque Pennio inchoatum.
” It was
left in manuscript, and published in London, in 1634, by
sir Theodore Mayerne, who complains of the difficulty he
found in getting a printer to undertake it. An English
translation of it was published in 1658. Though not free
from the imperfections of an infant science, this was really.
a respectable and valuable work; and Haller does not
scruple to place the author above all other entomologists
previous to Swammerdam.
, in Latin Molinæus, a celebrated lawyer, was born at Paris in 1500. His family was noble, and Papyrius mentions
, 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.
It was in 1552 that he first began to be involved in troubles, which
It was in 1552 that he first began to be involved in troubles, which lasted more or less during his whole life. Some
years before, Henry II. had issued an edict to repress the
frauds and abuses practised at Rome by the conveyancers
of benefices, to the great detriment of the ecclesiastical
order; and this having occasioned a dispute between his
majesty and pope Julius II. he published a new edict forbidding money to be sent to Rome on any pretence. This
gave great offence to the pope, who insisted that kings had
no right to pass edicts which interfered with ecclesiastical
jurisdiction, and that the authority of the holy see was injured by such proceedings. Yet, says Thuanus, our kings
always had such a right, and now Du Moulin maintained
it with all the force of his profound legal knowledge, and
produced not only arguments, but precedents for it; and
in treating of the spiritual power of the pope, he traced it
to foundations which were by no means of the most honourable kind. This was, in that age, a very bold attempt,
and in fact so disconcerted the pope, as to make him willing to listen to the pacific overtures made by the king. It
was on this occasion that the marshal de Montmorency (afterwards constable of France) introduced Du Moulin to
the king, with these words, “Sire, what your majesty has
not been able to do with 300,000 men, has been effected
by this little man (Du Moulin was of short stature) with his
little book.
” The court of Rome, however, never forgot
the injury: Clement VIII. ordered his works to be burnt,
and they were placed in the “Index expurgatorius,
” in
the first class of prohibited books. In the permissions
which used to be given to read certain works in the Index,
those of Machiavel and the impious Du Moulin“were
always excepted. Those, however, who in the countries
where the Index of prohibited books was respected, were
unwilling to be thus totally deprived of the benefit arising
from Du Moulin’s able writings on jurisprudence, contrived
to have them reprinted under the fictitious name of Gaspar
Caballinus de Cingulo; and it was under that name that they
used to be quoted for many years. But it was not only at
Rome where Du Moulin had to encounter the prejudices
of the times; even in France, although his
” Observa-f
tionssur TEdit du Roi Henry II." (for such was the title of the work) was dedicated to the king, and printed with the
royal privilege, it did not fail to render him very obnoxious
to such of his countrymen as preferred the interests of
Rome to the independent rights of the kingdom; and the
authority of parliament was scarcely sufficient to protect
him from their vengeance, which proceeded to such acts
of violence, that after the mob had pillaged his house, and
attempted his life, he was obliged to seek an asylum in
Germany, where he was very kindly received. After residing for some time at Tubingen, where people flocked
from all quarters for the benefit of his advice, he was encouraged to return to Paris, but had scarcely resumed his
accustomed pursuits, when the religious commotions which
broke out in that city, obliged him again to leave it, after
seeing his house a second time pillaged. He now retired
to Orleans, and afterwards to Lyons, where his enemies
procured him to be imprisoned. On being released, he returned to Paris, where new troubles awaited him. He
first became obnoxious to the Jesuits, whose society was
now rising into consequence, and who wanted to be permitted to establish a college for education. This was opposed by the university oY Paris, and Du Moulin supported
their opposition. The Jesuits, however, backed by the
ciL.nceilor Hospital, gained their point, as the parliament
was induced to believe that the mode of education among
the Jesuits would be an effectual check to the introduction
of the new errors, i. e. the principles of the reformation.
The next opportunity which Du Moulin had to give his advice, was attended with more serious consequences to him. The council
The next opportunity which Du Moulin had to give his
advice, was attended with more serious consequences to
him. The council of Trent had just broken up, anrl the
question was, whether its proceedings should be recognized
in France. The papal ambassadors, and those of the most
powerful princes in Europe, were for this measure but it
was opposed by the leading members of the French king’s
administration, who were of opinion that it would render
those civil dissentions which had been in some degree
quieted, and that the council of Trent had made certain
regulations contrary to the liberties and royal privileges of
France, which they could by no means approve. In a
council held at Fontainbleau, Feb. 27, 1564-, this subject
occasioned a very warm altercation between the chancellor
Hospital and the cardinal of Lorraine; and chiefly by the
persuasive influence of the former, it was determined that
the proceedings of the council of Trent should not be published in France. Du Moulin, being solicited for his advice on this occasion, published his “Conseil sur le fait du,
Concile de Trente,
” Lyons,
While the public was interested with these contests, Du Moulin was released from
While the public was interested with these contests, Du Moulin was released from any farther concern in them. He died Dec. 27, 1566, surrounded, we are told, by three doctors of the Sorbonne, to whom, in his last moments, he explained the mysterious doctrine of predestination with great clearness and precision. Thuanus says that he had some time before his death become a genuine catholic, for which he assigned as a reason the factious conduct of many of the reformed.
Du Moulin was not only one of the most profound lawyers, but one of the most
Du Moulin was not only one of the most profound
lawyers, but one of the most learned men of his time, and
his works were long held in the highest estimation, while
the study of law, upon liberal principles, was encouraged
in France. Bernardi, one of the writers in the “Biog.
Universelle,
” published in Ib 14, has ventured to entertain
hopes that the happy event of that year which restored to
France her legitimate sovereign, would also restore to her
that system of laws which had so long been her glory and
happiness; and in that hope (too soon disappointed) he
predicts that the reputation of Du Moulin would revive.
Du Moulin’s works, most of which were published separately, were collected in 1612, in an edition of a vols. folio,
and again, in 1654, in 4 vols.; but the most valuable is
that of Paris, 1681, 5 vols. folio, edited by Francis Pinson.
In 1773, Garrigan, a bookseller of Avignon, issued a prospectus for a new edition, which has not yet appeared.
This prospectus contained an eloge on Du Moulin, which
Henrion de Pensey pronounced in an assembly of the advocates, and had prefixed to his edition of the “Analyse
des Fiefs,
” taken from Du Moulin’s commentary on the
law of Paris. Several other writers have written the life
of this very eminent jurist, particularly Brodeau, 1654, 4to.
, 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
, 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.
to Paris, to be minister at Charenton, and chaplain to Catharine of Bourbon, the king’s sister, who was then married to Henry of Lorraine, duke of Bar, and continued
In 1599 he went to Paris, to be minister at Charenton, and chaplain to Catharine of Bourbon, the king’s sister, who was then married to Henry of Lorraine, duke of Bar, and continued a determined protestant in spite of all attempts to convert her. The pope applied to Henry IV. concerning the conversion of his sister, and Henry employed his divines to argue with her; but Du Moulin strengthened her sentiments against all their artifices. Perron and Cotton were the men chiefly employed, with whom Du Moulin had frequent conflicts; and when Henry begged her only to hear his chaplains preach, she consented to hear father Cotton, who was immediately ordered to preach before the king and his sister in the very place where Du Moulin had preached before. On this occasion, to secure herself the better against the wiles of this Jesuit, she contrived to have Du Moulin so placed that he might hear all that Cotton said.
he murder of that monarch upon Cotton and the whole order of Jesuits. It had been said that Ravillac was excited to that desperate act by some opinions derived from
Though Henry IV. did not much relish Du Moulin’s
endeavours to convert his sister, yet he had always a great
regard for him, of which Du Moulin retained a very grateful remembrance; and after the death of Henry, in 1610,
he publicly charged the murder of that monarch upon
Cotton and the whole order of Jesuits. It had been said
that Ravillac was excited to that desperate act by some
opinions derived from the writings of the Jesuits, of Mariana in particular, touching the persons and authority of
kings: upon which account father Cotton published an
“Apologetical Piece,
” to shew that the doctrine of the Jesuits was exactly conformable to the decrees of the council
of Trent. This was answered by Du Moulin in a book
entitled “Anticotton or, a Refutation of Father Cotton
” in which he endeavoured to prove that the Jesuits
were the real authors of that execrable parricide though
some indeed have doubted whether he was the author of
that book. In 1615, James I. who had long corresponded
with Du Moulin by letters, invited him to England; but
this invitation his church at Paris would not suffer him to
accept till he had given a solemn promise, in the face of
his congregation, that he would return to them at the end
of three months. The king received him with great affection took him to Cambridge at the time of the commencement, where he was honoured with a doctor’s degree and,
at his departure from England, presented him with a prebend in the church of Canterbury. Du Moulin had afterwards innumerable disputes with the Jesuits, who, when
they found him deaf to their promises of great rewards,
attempted more than once his life, so that he was obliged
at length always to have a guard. In 1617, when the
United Provinces desired the reformed churches of England, France, and Germany to send some of their ministers
to the synod of Dort, Du Moulin and three others were
deputed by the Gallican church, hut were forbidden to go
by the king upon pain of death. In 1618 he had an invitation from Leyden to fill their divinity chair, which was
vacant, but refused to accept of it. In 1620, when he
was preparing to go to the national synod of the Gallican
church, lord Herbert of Cherbury, then ambassador from
Britain at the court of France, asked him to write to king
James, and to urge him, if possible, to undertake the defence of his son-in-law the king of Bohemia, who then
stood in need of it. Du Moulin at first declined the office;
but the ambassador, knowing his interest with James, would
not admit of any excuse. This brought him into trouble;
for it was soon after decreed by an order of parliament, that
he should be seized and imprisoned, for having solicited a
foreign prince to take up arms for the protestant churches.
Apprised of this, he secretly betook himself to the ambassador lord Herbert, who suspected that his letters to the
king were intercepted; and who advised him to fly, as the
only means of providing for his safety. He went to Sedan,
where he accepted the divinity-professorship and the ministry of the church; both which he held to the time of his
death, which happened March 10, 1658, in his ninetieth
year. He took a journey into England in 1623, when cardinal Perron’s book was published against king James;
and, at that king’s instigation, undertook to answer it.
This answer was published at Sedan, after the death of
James, under the title of “Novitas Papismi, sive Perronii
confutatio, regisque Jacobi, sed magis sacrae veritatis de-<
fensio.
” He was the author of many other learned works,
of whiph the principal are, “The Anatomy of Arminianism;
” “A Treatise on the Keys of the Church
” “The
Capuchin, or History of the Monks
” “A Defence of the
Reformed Churches,
” &c. &c.
, son of the preceding, and a clergyman of the church of England, was born at Paris, about 1600. He studied at Leyden, where he was
, son of the preceding, and a
clergyman of the church of England, was born at Paris,
about 1600. He studied at Leyden, where he was admitted
to the degree of doctor of divinity. He afterwards came
to England, and was incorporated in the same degree at
the university of Cambridge. He was patronized by Richard, earl of Cork, who appointed him governor to his
sons, whom he afterwards accompanied to Oxford. Here
Du Moulin remained two years or more, and preached frequently in the church of St. Peter in the East. After the
restoration of Charles II. he was appointed chaplain in
ordinary to his majesty, and a prebendary of Canterbury,
in which city he spent the remainder of his life. He died
in 1684, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was
author of several works, of which we may mention, 1.
“The Peace of the Soul;
” a translation of which was
published by Dr. John Scrope, in 1765, 2 vols. 2. “A
Defence of the, Protestant Religion.
” Of this book the
reader may see a curious account in Gent. Mag. vol. XLIII.
p. 369. He was author of the famous work entitled “Regii Sanguinis Clamor ad Coelum,
” which was published at
the Hague, in
, a learned English divine, born in 1578, at Dorney in Buckinghamshire, was the son of the rev. Lawrence Mountague, vicar of that place.
, a learned
English divine, born in 1578, at Dorney in Buckinghamshire, was the son of the rev. Lawrence Mountague, vicar
of that place. He was educated at Eton school, on the
foundation, and was elected thence to King’s college,
Cambridge, in 1594, where he obtained a fellowship. After
taking his bachelor’s degree in 1598, and that of M. A. in
1602, he entered into orders, and obtained the living of
Wotton-Courtney in the diocese of Wells, and also a prebend of that church. The editor of his life in the Biog.
Brit, says that his next promotion was to a fellowship of
Eton college, where he assisted sir Henry Savile in preparing his celebrated edition of St. Chrysostom’s works;
and in 1610, he published there, in 4to, “The two Invectives of Gregory Nazianzen against Julian,
” with the notes
of Nonnus; but although the latter part of this may be true,
he was not chosen fellow of Eton until April 29, 1613, in
which year also (May 14) he was inducted into the rectory
of Stamford Rivers in Essex, then in the gift of Eton college. On the death of Isaac Casaubon, he was requested
by the king to write some animadversions on the Annals of
Baronius, for which he was well qualified, having made
ecclesiastical history very much his study from his earliest
years. He had in fact begun to make notes on Baronius
for his private use, which coming to the ears of the king,
James I., himself no contemptible theologian, he intimated
his pleasure on the subject to Mr. Mountagu, who began
to prepare for the press in 1615. He was at this time
chaplain to his majesty, and the following year was promoted to the deanery of Hereford, which he resigned soon
after for the archdeaconry, and was admitted into that
office Sept. 15, 1617. In July 1620, he proceeded bachelor of divinity, and with his fellowship of Eton held, by
dispensation, a canonry of Windsor.
rors, and of obligations to other authors which he has neglected to acknowledge. The king, at least, was so much pleased with it, as to order Selden to desist from the
In 1621, he preached a sermon before the king at Windsor, upon Ps. 1. 15, in which there were some expressions
supposed by some of his hearers to favour the Romish doctrine of invocation of saints; and this obliged him to publish his sentiments more fully in a treatise On the Invocation of Saints,“which, although he fancied it a complete
defence, certainly gave rise to those suspicions which his
enemies afterwards urged more fully against him. The
same year, he published his
” iatribae upon the first part
of Mr. Selden’s History of Tythes.“In this work he endeavours, and certainly not unsuccessfully, to convict Selden of many errors, and of obligations to other authors
which he has neglected to acknowledge. The king, at
least, was so much pleased with it, as to order Selden to
desist from the dispute. It appears by this work that Mr.
Mountagu availed himself of many manuscripts which he
had been at the expence of procuring from abroad, and it
is said that there were a great many of these in his library
when he died, but that they were taken away by Millicent,
his chaplain, who became a Jesuit. In 1622 he published
his animadversions on the annals of Baronius, under the
title of
” Analecta Ecclesiasticarum Exercitationum," fol.
e popish priests and Jesuits were executing their mission at Stamford -Rivers, in Essex, of which he was then rector; and to secure his flock against their attempts,
In 1624 he became involved in those controversies and
imputations on his character as a divine, which, more or
less, disturbed the tranquillity of the whole of his life.
They were occasioned by the following circumstance:?.
Some popish priests and Jesuits were executing their mission at Stamford -Rivers, in Essex, of which he was then
rector; and to secure his flock against their attempts, he
]eft some propositions at the place of their meeting, with
an intimation that, if any of those missionaries could give a
satisfactory answer to the queries he had put, he would
immediately become their proselyte. In these, he required of the papists to prove, that the present Roman
church is either the catholic church, or a sound member of
the catholic church that the present church of England is
not a true member of the catholic church and that all
those points, or any one of those points which the church
of Rome maintains against the church of England, were,
or was, the perpetual doctrine of the catholic church, the
decided doctrine of the representative church in any general council, or national approved by a general council, or
the dogmatical resolution of any one father for 500 years
after Cnrist. On their proving all this in the affirmative,
he promised to subscribe to their faith. Instead, however,
of returning any answer, a small pamphlet was left at last
for him, entitled “A new Gag for the old Gospel.
” To
this he replied, in “An Answer to the late Gagger of the
Protestants,
” Appello Ccesarem a just Appeal against two unjust Informers
” which, having the approbation of Dr. White, dean of Carlisle, whom king James
ordered to read, and give his sense of it, was published in
1625, 4to, but addressed to Charles I. James dying before
the book was printed off.
other points in which he afforded just ground for the suspicions alleged against him; and that this was the opinion of many divines of that period appeared from the
In this work many of the acknowledged doctrines of the
church of England are undoubtedly maintained with great
force of argument, but there are other points in which he
afforded just ground for the suspicions alleged against him;
and that this was the opinion of many divines of that period
appeared from the answers to his “Appeal
” published by,
It Dr. Matthew Sutcliffe, dean of Exeter. 2. Mr. Henry
Burton in his “Plea to an Appeale,
” Lond. Testis Veritatis,
” ibid. Ibis ad Caesarem,
” ibid. Pelagius Redivivus; or, Pelagius raked out of the ashes by Arminius and his scholars,
”
ibid. Examination of those
things, wherein the author of the late Appeale holdeth the
doctrines of the Pelagians and Arminians to be the doc-
”
trines of the church of England," ibid. 1626, 4to.
The controversy, however, was not to be left to divines, who may be supposed judges of the
The controversy, however, was not to be left to divines,
who may be supposed judges of the subject. The parliament which met June 18, 1625, thought proper to take up
the subject, and Mr. Mountagu was ordered to appear
before the House of Commons, and being brought to the
bar July 17, the speaker told him, that it was the pleasure
of the House, that the censure of his books hould be postponed for some time; but that in the interim he should be
committed to the custody of the serjeant at arms. He was
afterwards obliged to give the security of 2000l. for his
appearance. The king, however, was displeased with the
parliament’s proceedings against our author and bishop
Laud applied to the duke of Buckingham in his favour
Mr. Mountagu also wrote a letter to that duke, entreating
him to represent his case to his majesty; and this application was seconded some few days after by a letter of the
bishops of Oxford, Rochester, and St. David’s, to the duke.
In the next parliament, in 1626, our author’s Appello Ca3sarem“was referred to the consideration of the committee
for religion, from whom Mr. Pym brought a report on the
18th of April concerning several erroneous opinions contained in it. Upon this it was resolved by the House of
Commons, 1.
” That Mr. Mountagu had disturbed the
peace of the church, by publishing doctrines, contrary to
the articles of the church of England, and the book of
homilies. 2. That there are clivers passages in his book,
especially against those he calleth puritans, apt to move
sedition betwixt the king and his subjects, and between
subject and subject. 3. That the whole frame and scope
of his books is to discourage the well-affected in religion
from the true religion established in the church, and to
incline them, and, as much as in him lay, to reconcile them
to popery." And accordingly articles were exhibited
against him; but it does not appear, that this impeachment was laid before the House of Lords, or in what manner the Commons intended to prosecute their charge, or
how far they proceeded. Rush worth, after much inquiry,
could not find that Mr. Mountagu was brought to his defence, or that he returned any answer to the articles.
ution from the parliament seems to have recommended him more strongly to the court, for, in 1628, he was advanced to the bishopric of Chichester, on the death of one
This prosecution from the parliament seems to have recommended him more strongly to the court, for, in 1628,
he was advanced to the bishopric of Chichester, on the
death of one of his opponents, Dr. Carleton. On August
22, 1628, the day appointed for his confirmation, a singular scene took place. On such occasions it is usual to give
a formal notice, that if any person can object either against
the party elected, or the legality of the election, they are
to come and offer their exceptions at the day prefixed.
This intimation being given, one Mr. Humphreys, and
William Jones, a stationer of London, excepted against
Mountagu as a person unqualified for the episcopal function, charging him with popery, Arrninianism, and other
heterodoxies, for which his books had been censured in
the former parliament. Fuller tells us, “that exception
was taken at Jones’s exceptions (which the record calls 4 prætensos Articulos)' as defective in some legal formalities. I have been informed,
” continues he, “it was alledged against him for bringing in his objections viva vocc,
and not by a proctor, that court adjudging all private persons effectually dumb, who speak not by one admitted to
plead therein. Jones returned, that he could not get any
proctor, though pressing them importunately,
” and profering them their fee to present his exceptions, and therefore
was necessitated ore tenus there to alledge them against Mr.
Mountagu. The register mentioneth no particular defects in his exceptions; but Dr. Rives, substitute at that
time for the vicar- general, declined to take any notice of
and concludeth Jones amongst the contumacious,
e quod nullo modo legitime comparuit, nee aliquid in hac
partejuxta Juris exigentiam diceret, exciperet, vel opponeret.' Yet this good Jones did bishop Mountagu, that he
caused his addresses to the king to procure a pardon, which
was granted unto him, in form like those given at the coronation, save that some particulars were inserted therein,
for the pardoning of all errors heretofore committed either
in speaking, writing, or publishing, whereby he might
hereafter be questioned."
With the bishopric of Chichester, he was allowed to hold the rectory of Petworth, and having now a protection
With the bishopric of Chichester, he was allowed to
hold the rectory of Petworth, and having now a protection
from his enemies, he applied himself closely to his favourite study of ecclesiastical history; and first published
his “Originum Ecclesiasticarum Apparatus,
” at Oxford,
Originum Ecclesiasticarum, Tomus Primus,
” Lond. fol. In Theanthropicon; seu de vita
Jesu Christi originum ecclesiasticarum libri duo. Accedit
Groecorum versio, et index utriusque partis,
” Lond. The Acts and Monuments of the Church
before Christ incarnate,
” Versio
et notae in Photii epistolas,
” Gr. Lat. fol.
Bishop Mountagu was allowed by his opponents to be a man of extensive learning,
Bishop Mountagu was allowed by his opponents to be
a man of extensive learning, particularly in ecclesiastical
history; but of a warm temper, and from his attachment
to the writings of the fathers, holding some peculiar opinions, which were acceptable neither to churchmen or sectaries. Fuller says of him, that “his great parts were attended with a tartness of writing; very sharp the nib of his
pen, and much gall in the ink, against such as opposed
him. However, such the equability of this sharpness of
his style, he was impartial therein: be he ancient or modern writer, papist or protestant, that stood in his way,
they should equally taste thereof.
” Selden was one of
those against whom he exercised not a little of this sharpness of style; and yet, which is a considerable testimony
in his favour, “he owns him to have been a man well
skilled in ancient learning.
”
, an English dramatic writer, but in much greater eminence as an actor, was born in 1659, in Staffordshire. It is probable, that he went
, an English dramatic writer,
but in much greater eminence as an actor, was born in
1659, in Staffordshire. It is probable, that he went early
upon the stage, as it is certain that he died young; and
Jacob informs us, that, after his attaining a degree of excellence in his profession, he was entertained for some
time in the family of the lord-chancellor JerTeries, “who,
”
says sir John Reresby, “at an entertainment of the lordmayor and court of aldermen, in the year 1685, called for
Mr. Mountfort to divert the company (as his lordship was pleased to term it): he being an excellent mimic, my lord
made him plead before him in a feigned cause, in which he
aped all the great lawyers of the age in their tone of voice,
and in their action and gesture of body, to the very great
ridicule not only of the lawyers, but of the law itself;
which, to me (says the historian) did not seem altogether
prudent in a man of his lofty station in the law: diverting
it certainly was; but prudent in the lord high-chancellor
I shall never think it. 7 ' After the fall of Jefferies, our
author again returned to the stage, in which profession he
continued till his death, in 1,692. Gibber, in his
” Apology,“says that he was tall, well made, fair, and of an
agreeable aspect; his voice clear, full, and melodious; a
most affecting lover in tragedy, and in comedy gave the
truest life to the real character of a fine gentleman. In
scenes of gaiety, he never broke into that respect that was
due to the presence of equal or superior characters, though
inferior actors played them, nor sought to acquire any advantage over other performers by finesse, or stage-tricks,
but only by surpassing them in true and masterly touches
of nature. He might perhaps have attained a higher degree of excellence and fame, had he not been untimely
cut off, by the hands of an assassin, in the thirty-third
year of his age. His death is tlius related. Lord Mohun,
a man of loose morals, and of a turbulent and rancorous
spirit, had, from a kind of sympathy of disposition, contracted the closest, intimacy with one captain Hill, a still
more worthless character, who had long entertained a
passion for that celebrated actress Mrs. Bracegirdle. This
lady, however, had rejected him, with the contemptuous
disdain which his character justly deserved; and this treatment, Hill’s vanity would not suffer him to attribute to
any other cause than a pre-engagement in favour of some
other lover. Mountfort’s agreeable person, his frequently
performing the counter-parts in love scenes with Mrs.
Bracegirdle, and the respect which he used always to pay
her, induced captain Hill to fix on him, though a married
man, as the supposed bar to his own success. Grown
desperate then of succeeding by fair means, he determined to attempt force: and, communicating his design
to lord Mohun, whose attachment to him was so great as
to render him the accomplice in all his schemes, and the
promoter even of his most criminal pleasures, they determined on a plan for carrying her away from the play-house;
but, not finding her there, they got intelligence where
she was to sup, and, having hired a number of soldiers and
a coach for the purpose, waited near the door for her
coming out; and, on her so doing, the ruffians actually
seized her, and were going to force her into the coach;
but her mother, and the gentleman whose house she came
out of, interposing till farther assistance could come up,
she was rescued from them, and safely escorted to her own
house. Lord Mohun and captain Hill, however, enraged
at their disappointment in this attempt, immediately resolved on one of another kind, and, with violent imprecations, openly vowed revenge on Mr. Mountfort. Mrs.
Bracegirdle’s mother, and a gentleman, who were earwitnesses to their threats, immediately sent to inform Mrs.
Mountfort of her husband’s danger, with their opinion that
she should warn him of it, and advise him not to come
home that night; but, unfortunately, no messenger Mrs.
Mountfort sent was able to find him. In the mean time,
his lordship and the captain paraded the streets with their
swords drawn, till about midnight, when Mr. Mountfort,
on his return home, was met and saluted in a friendly
manner by lord Mohun; but, while that scandal to the
rank and title which he bore was treacherously holding
him in a conversation, the assassin Hill, being at his back,
first gave him a desperate blow on the head with his left
hand, and immediately afterwards, before Mr Mountfort
had time to draw and stand on his defence, he, with the
sword he held ready in his right, ran him through the body.
This last circumstance Mr. Mountfort declared, as a dying
man, to Mr. Bancroft, the surgeon who attended him.
Hill immediately made his escape; but lord Mohun was
seized, and stood his trial: but as it did not appear that
he immediately assisted Hill in the perpetrating this
assassination, and that, although lord Mohun had joined
with the captain in his threats of revenge, yet the actual
mention of murder could not be proved, his lordship was
acquitted by his peers. He afterwards, however, himself
lost his life in a duel with duke Hamilton, in which it has
been hinted that some of the same kind of treachery,
which he had been an abettor of in the above-mentioned
affair, was put in practice against himself. Mr. Mountfort’s death happened in Norfolk-street in the Strand, in
the winter of 1692. His body was interred in the churchyard of St. Clement Danes. He left behind him six dramatic pieces, which are enumerated in the
” Biographia
Dramatica."
, an English lawyer, and classical editor, the son of Richard Mounteney of Putney in Surrey, was born there in 1707, and educated at Eton school, whence he went,
, an English lawyer, and classical editor, the son of Richard
Mounteney of Putney in Surrey, was born there in 1707,
and educated at Eton school, whence he went, in 1725,
to King’s college, Cambridge, and took his degrees of
A. B. in 1729, and A. M. 1735, and obtained a fellowship.
He then studied law in the Inner Temple, and became, in
1737, one of the barons of the exchequer in Ireland. In
1743 he distinguished himself in the famous trial between
James Annesley, esq. and Richard earl of Anglesey. In
1759 he married the countess dowager of Mount Alexander, and died in 1768. To these scanty memoirs, we
have only to add that, in 1731, he published the first edition of his “Select Orations
” of Demosthenes, which has
been often reprinted, but seldom with accuracy. The best
part of the work is the critical observations upon the Ulpian commentary by Dr. Chapman, fellow of King’s college,
Cambridge; and perhaps the most curious is his dedication
to the deceased sir Robert Walpole, in the edition of
1748. It was to the Walpoles he owed his promotions.
In 1748 he also published “Observations on the probable
issue of the Congress,
” 8vo, printed by Mr. Bowyer.
Mounteney’s Demosthenes was long a favourite book with
the university students to give up, as it is called, on their
examinations, but at Oxford it has of late been rejected
by the examiners, as an insufficient proof of classical proficiency.
became a professor of rhetoric and mathematics in different seminaries belonging to the Jesuits, and was at length appointed professor- royal at the university of Toulouse.
, a French mathematician,
born in the province of Auvergne about 1643, became a
professor of rhetoric and mathematics in different seminaries belonging to the Jesuits, and was at length appointed
professor- royal at the university of Toulouse. He died, in
1713, a sacrifice to his exertions in the cause of humanity,
during the dreadful pestilential disorder which then raged
at Toulouse. To very profound as well as extensive erudition, he united the most polished and amiable manners,
and the most ardent piety, which made him zealous in his
attempts to reform the age in which he lived. He was a
considerable writer: his most celebrated pieces are, “New
Elements of Geometry, comprised in less than fifty Propositions;
” “A Parallel between Christian Morality and that
of the Ancient Philosophers;
” “An Explanation of the
Theology of the Pythagoreans, and of the other learned
Sects in Greece, for the Purpose of illustrating the Writings of the Christian Fathers
” and “A Treatise on
French Poetry.
”
, an ingenious and learned English writer, was son of sir Walter Moyle, and born in Cornwall in 1672. After
, an ingenious and learned
English writer, was son of sir Walter Moyle, and born in
Cornwall in 1672. After he had made a considerable progress in school-learning, he was sent to Oxford; and
thence removed to the Temple, where he applied himself
chiefly to such parts of the law as led to the knowledge of
our constitution and government; “for there was a drudgery,
” says Mr. Hammond, “in what he called law-lucrative, which he could never submit to.
” He came into the
world with a firm zeal for the protestant settlement, and a
great contempt of those who imagined that the liberty of
our constitution and the reformation could subsist under a
popish king; nor did he ever vary from these sentiments.
From the Temple he removed to Covent- Garden, in order
to be nearer the polite and entertaining part or the town
and here it was, as Dryden observes in his “Life of Lucian,
” that “the learning and judgment above his age,
which every one discovered in Mr. Moyle, were proofs of
those abilities he has shewn in his country’s service, when
he was chosen to serve it in the senate, as his father sir
Walter had done.
”
ry where inculcated throughout the whole course of this treatise.” And I believe,“he adds,” Xenophon was the first author that ever argued by political arithmetic, or
In 1697 he joined with Mr. Trenchard in writing a
pamphlet entitled “An Argument, shewing that a standing Army is inconsistent with a free Government, and
absolutely destructive to the constitution of the English
Monarchy.
” The same year, at the request of Dr. Davenant, he translated Xenophon’s “Discourse upon improving the Revenue of the State of Athens,
” and sent it
to him, to be annexed to his “Discourses on the public
Revenues and Trade of England.
” Moyle tells Davenant,
in the dedication of this translation, that he “fancies it
Will be no unwelcome entertainment to him, to find his
own admirable observations upon these matters confirmed
by the authority of one of the greatest men that ever antiquity produced, and the only ancient author upon this
subject which is now extant. This admirable maxim, that
the true wealth and greatness of a nation consists in numbers of people well-employed, is every where inculcated
throughout the whole course of this treatise.
” And I believe,“he adds,
” Xenophon was the first author that ever argued
by political arithmetic, or the art of reasoning upon things
by figures; which has been improved by some able heads
of our own nation, and carried to the highest perfection
by your own successful inquiries.“As to the translation,
Davenant has given the following account of it in the
thirty-fourth page of his work:
” It was made English by
a young gentleman, whose learning and ripe parts promise
greater matters hereafter; since, in his first essay, he has
shewn himself so great a master, both in his own and the
Greek language. And it is hoped this example will excite other persons of his age, rank, and fortune, to study
the business of trade, and the revenues of their country.
The original is highly esteemed by all the learned world;
and the reader will find Xenophon has suffered nothing in
this version."
He was for some time a member of parliament for the borough of Saltash,
He was for some time a member of parliament for the borough of Saltash, where he always acted a very honourable and disinterested part; but he was so bent upon his private studies, that he never had any relish for that station. His favourite study was history; from which he collected and loved to speculate upon the forms, constitutions, and laws, of governments. In parliament he appeared, however, most to advantage in questions respecting the improvement and regulation of trade, foreign and domestic; the employment of the poor, which has so near a connection with the augmenting of our domestic trade: and he took great patois in promoting a bill for the encouraging of seameo y and the effectual and speedy manning of the royal navy.
is, those who wrote before the birth of Christ, and about 440 years after. From the year 440 to 1440 was a long, but dark period of time; and he aimed only to preserve
He afterwards retired to his seat at Bake in Cornwall, where, it is said, he read all the original authors, both Greek and Latin, that is, those who wrote before the birth of Christ, and about 440 years after. From the year 440 to 1440 was a long, but dark period of time; and he aimed only to preserve a thread of the history of that middle age. The schoolmen and scholastic divinity which flourished then, be neglected; but it appears, that, in the latter part of his life, he extended his researches to ecclesiastical history. It was his custom frequently to make a review of the best systems in all sciences, being used to say, that 41 it was necessary for every man who applies himself to matters of learning, to have a general knowledge of the elements of them;" and hence he was incessantly collecting fundamental maxims, and forming divisions in all parts of learning. Early in life he contrived a scheme of so disposing books in his library, that they might give him, even by their disposition, a regular and useful view of all the several walks of learning and knowledge. In order to this, a distribution was made of them into four grand divisions; the first containing theology, the second law, the third arts and sciences, and the fourth history. He penetrated deep into all the authors he read; and he was very nice in the choice of them. An exactness of reasoning was his peculiar talent, to which was joined an uncommon vivacity of expression. He used often to regret the not having the advantage of travelling abroad; but, to make amends for this, he read the best accounts he could get of all the parts of the world, and made his reflections upon them.
undering Legion examined, in several letters between Mr. Moyle and Mr. K.” On this subject Mr. Moyle was completely sceptical.
Mr. Moyle died June 9, 1721, aged forty-nine. In
1726 his unpublished Works were printed in 2 vols. 8vo,
and dedicated to his brother Joseph Moyle, esq. by Thomas Serjeant, esq. The first volume contains, l.“An
Essay upon the Constitution of the Roman Government,
in two parts.
” 2. “A Charge to the Grand Jury at Leskard, April 1706.
” 3. “Letters to Dr. William Musgrave,
of Exeter, upon subjects of Criticism and Antiquity.
” 4.
“A Dissertation upon the Age of Philopatris, a dialogue,
commonly attributed to Lncian, in several letters to Mr.
K.
” 5. “Letters from and to Mr. Moyle upon various
subjects.
” The second volume contains, 1. “Remarks
upon Prideaux’s Connection of the Old and New Testament, &c. in several letters between the doctor and himself.
” In Prideaux’s third letter to his cousin Moyle, for
so he addresses him, he tells him that “he is sure his book
will no where find a more observing and judicious reader
than himself; that he had sufficient experience of this in
his learned remarks on the former part; and that they had
instructed him for the making of seme alterations against
another edition:
” and, in a fourth letter, he “thanks him
heartily for the observations he had sent him of his mistakes, in the last part of his history. I must confess,
” says
he, “That about Octavius’s posterity is a very great one.
It is a downright blunder of my old head, and I am glad so
accurate and learned a reader has not observed more of
them. This makes me hope that no more such have
escaped me.
” This volume also contains, 2. “The Miracle
of the Thundering Legion examined, in several letters
between Mr. Moyle and Mr. K.
” On this subject Mr.
Moyle was completely sceptical.
In 1727 was published by his friend Antony Hammond, esq. a third volume,
In 1727 was published by his friend Antony Hammond,
esq. a third volume, in 8vo, entitled “The whole Works
of Walter Moyle, esq. that were published by himself.
”
The editor complains that, “when his. posthumous works
came from the press, these valuable tracts of his, which were
printed in his life-time, and passed his last hand, should
be dropt, as it were, in oblivion, as they must have been,
had they been covered in those volumes, wherein they were
by himself originally interspersed; and observes, that the
principal intention of collecting them was to do justice to
the memory of Mr. Moyle.
” We have already mentioned
two of the pieces which compose this volume; the rest are,
“An Essay on the Lacedemonian Government, addressed
to Antony Hammond, esq. in 1698.
” “Translations from
Lucian,
” first printed in 17 10. “Letters between Mr.
Moyle and several of his friends,
” first printed in Philopatris,
” by
Dr. Drake, which is here inserted, on account of there
being so much criticism concerning it in the first volume
of Mr. Moyle’s posthumous works above mentioned.
, a political character, was born at Lanerk, in Scotland, 1573, and, while very young, became
, a political character, was born at
Lanerk, in Scotland, 1573, and, while very young, became one of the pages to king James, and afterwards one
of the gentlemen of his privy chamber. In that station he
continued many years, and became well acquainted with
most of the secrets at court. He was present with king
James at Perth, 1600, when the famous conspiracy of the
earl of Gowry took place; but the account he has given
us of that problematical affair contains nothing either interesting or satisfactory. He accompanied king James into
England, where he remained some years; but afterwards
returned to Scotland, and spent his days in retirement. He
kept a diary of what passed at court, the ms. of which is
now in the advocates’ library in Edinburgh; and an edition of it was printed in 1753, under the title of “Memoirs
of the affairs of Scotland from 1577 to 1603, with a discourse on the conspiracy of Cowrie,
” Edin. 12mo. It
contains many curious particulars, which have not been
taken notice of by general historians. He died at Edinburgh, 1630, aged fifty-seven.
, an eminent musician, was the son of Leopold Mozart, vice-chapel-master to the prince
, an eminent musician, was the son of Leopold Mozart, vice-chapel-master to the prince archbishop of Salzburg. This Leopold, who was born at Augsburg in 1719, became early in life a musician and composer; and in 1757 published a treatise on the art of playing the violin; but what, according to Dr. Burney, did him most honour was his being father of such an incomparable son as Wolfgang, and educating him with such care. His son was born at Salzburg, Jan. 17, 1756, and at seven years old went with his father and sister to Paris, and the year following to London. In 1769 he went to Italy; and in 1770 he was at Bologna, in which city Dr. Burney first saw him, and to which city he had returned from Rome and Naples, where he had astonished all the great professors by his premature knowledge and talents. At Rome he was honoured by the pope with the order of Speron d'Oro. From Bologna he went to Milan, where he was engaged to compose an opera for the marriage of the princess of Modena with one of the archdukes. Two other composers were employed on this occasion, each of them to set an opera; but that of the little Mozart, young as he was, was most applauded.
During his residence in London, which was when he was but eight years old, he evinced his extraordinary
During his residence in London, which was when he was but eight years old, he evinced his extraordinary talents and profound knowledge in every branch of music, was able to play at sight in all keys, to perform extempore, to modulate, and play fugues on subjects given in a way that there were very few masters then in London able to do. But there is in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. LX, (for 1770) a minute and curious account, by the Hon. JDaines Barrington, of the musical feats of this child in London, during 1765, when he was no more than eight years and five months old, to which we refer our readers. His progress in talents and fame, contrary to all experience, continued to keep pace with the expectations of the public to the end of his life.
He went again to Paris soon after his return from Italy. But on the death of his father in 1778, he was called to Salzburg, and appointed principal concert-master to
He went again to Paris soon after his return from Italy.
But on the death of his father in 1778, he was called to
Salzburg, and appointed principal concert-master to the
prince archbishop, in his stead; but he resigned this office
in 1780, and went to Vienna, where he settled, and was
admired and patronized by the court and city; and in
1788 he was appointed chapel-master to the emperor
Joseph. His first opera at Vienna was the “Rape of the
Seraglio,
” in Le
Nozze di Figaro,
” in four acts. The third, the “Schauspiel Director,
” or the Manager at the Playhouse, in II Don Giovanni,
” in 1787. “La Clemenza di Tito,
”
a serious opera. “Cori Fantutti,
” comic. “Flauto Magico.
” “Idomeneo,
” a serious opera, &c. It was not till
ead and increase all over Europe to the end of his life, which, unfortunately for the musical world, was allowed to extend only to 36 years, at which period he died,
Dr. Burney observes, that the operas of this truly great musician are much injured by being printed in half scores, with so busy and constantly loaded a part for the piano forte. Some of the passages we suppose taken from the instrumental parts in the full score; but there is no contrast; the piano forte has a perpetual lesson to play, sometimes difficult, and sometimes vulgar and common, which, however soft it may be performed, disguises the vocal melody, and diverts the attention from it, for what is not worth hearing. A commentary, says the same author, on the works of this gifted musician, would fill a volume. His reputation continued to spread and increase all over Europe to the end of his life, which, unfortunately for the musical world, was allowed to extend only to 36 years, at which period he died, in 1791.
After his decease, when Haydn was asked by Broderip, in his music-shop, whether Mozart had left
After his decease, when Haydn was asked by Broderip,
in his music-shop, whether Mozart had left any ms compositions behind him that were worth purchasing, as his
widow had offered his unedited papers at a high price to
the principal publishers of music throughout Europe;
Haydn eagerly said, “purchase them by all means. He
was truly a great musician. I have been often flattered by
my friends with having some genius; but he was much my
superior.
” Though this declaration had more of modesty
than truth in it, yet if Mozart’s genius had been granted
as many years to expand as that of Haydn, the -assertion
might perhaps have been realised in many particulars.
, an eminent mechanist, was born at Exeter, September 1715. He was the second son of the
, an eminent mechanist, was born
at Exeter, September 1715. He was the second son of
the rev. Zachariah Mudge, prebendary of Exeter, and
vicar of St. Andrew’s, Plymouth, who died April 3, 1769,
and was honoured by Dr. Johnson with a very elegant
testimony of respect, which was inserted in the London
Chronicle at that time, and may be seen in Mr. Boswell’s
Life of the doctor. Mr. Z. Mudge had three other sons
besides the subject of this article. The eldest, Zachariah,
was a surgeon and apothecary at Taunton, and afterwards
surgeon on board an East Indiaman; he died in 1753 on
ship-board, in the river Canton in China. The third, the
rev. Richard Mudge, was officiating minister of a chapel
of ease at Birmingham, and had a small living presented
to him by the earl of Aylesford. He was not only greatly
distinguished by his learning, but by his genius for music.
He excelled as a composer for the harpsichord; and as a
performer on that instrument is said to have been highly
complimented by Handel himself. The fourth son, John,
was originally a surgeon and apothecary at Plymouth, but
during the latter part of his life practised as a physician
with great success. Like his brother Thomas, he had great
mechanical talents; and, until prevented by the enlargement of his practice, he found time to prosecute improvements in rectifying telescopes. In 1777 the Royal Society
adjudged to him Sir Godfrey Copley’s gold medal, for a
paper which he presented to that learned body on the best
methods of grinding the specula of reflecting telescopes.
He also considerably improved the inhaler, an ingenious
contrivance for the curing of coughs, by inhaling steam.
In 1777 he published “A Dissertation on the inoculated
Small-pox;
” which was followed, some years after, by
“A Treatise on the Catarrhous Cough and Vis Vitae.
” He
died in
Soon after the birth of Thomas, his father was appointed master of the free grammar-school at Biddeford, in
Soon after the birth of Thomas, his father was appointed
master of the free grammar-school at Biddeford, in the
north of Devonshire, whither he removed with his family;
and here, under his own immediate care, his son Thomas
received his education. At a very early period of life he
gave strong indications of that mechanical genius by which
he has since been so eminently distinguished; for, while
he was yet a school-boy, he could with ease take to pieces
a watch, and put it together again, without any previous
instruction. At the age of fourteen he was bound apprentice to Mr. George Graham, watch-maker, a distinguished
philosopher, and the most celebrated mechanic of his time.
He soon attracted the particular attention of his master,
who so highly estimated his mechanical powers, that, upon
all occasions, he assigned to him the nicest and most difficult work; and once, in particular, having been applied
to by one of his friends to construct a machine new in its
mechanical operation, his friend, some time after it had
been sent home, complained that it did not perform its
office. Mr. Graham answered, that he was very certain the
complaint could not be well founded, the work having
been executed “by his apprentice, Thomas;
” and, indeed, it appeared, upon examination, that Mr. Graham
was fully justified in this implicit confidence in his apprentice, the work having been executed in a very masterly manner, and the supposed defect arising entirely from
the unskilful management of the owner.
rcumstance which first rescued him, as it were, from obscurity, is very remarkable: Mr. Ellicot, who was one of the most distin guished watch-makers of his time, and
On the expiration of his apprenticeship, Mr. Mudge took lodgings, and continued to work privately for some years. About 1757 he married Miss Hopkins, the daughter of a gentleman at Oxford. The circumstance which first rescued him, as it were, from obscurity, is very remarkable: Mr. Ellicot, who was one of the most distin guished watch-makers of his time, and who had been often employed by Ferdinand VI. king of Spain, was desired by that prince to make him an equation watch. Mr. Ellicot, not being able to accomplish the undertaking, applied to Mr. Shovel, an ingenious workman, to assist him; but he also being unequal to the task, mentioned it to Mr. Mudge, with whom he was very intimate, and who readily undertook to make such a watch. He not only succeeded to his own satisfaction, but to the admiration of all who had the opportunity of inspecting it. This watch having been made for Mr. Ellicot, his name was affixed to it (as is always customary in such cases), and he assumed the whole merit of its construction. An unfortunate accident, however, did justice to the real inventor: Mr. Ellicot being engaged, one day, in explaining his watch to some men of science, it happened to receive an injury, by which its action was entirely destroyed; and he had also the mortification to find, upon inspecting the watch, that he himself could not repair the mischief. This compelled him to acknowledge that Mr. Mudge was the real inventor of the watch, and that to him it must be sent to be repaired.
This transaction having by some means come to the knowledge of his Catholic majesty, who was passionately fond of all mechanical productions, and particularly
This transaction having by some means come to the
knowledge of his Catholic majesty, who was passionately
fond of all mechanical productions, and particularly of
watches, that monarch immediately employed his agents
in England to engage Mr. Mudge to work for him; and
such was his approbation of his new artist’s performances,
that he honoured him with an unlimited commission to
make for him at his own price, whatever he might judge
most worthy of attention. Accordingly, among the several
productions of Mr. Madge’s genius which thus became the
property of the king of Spain, was an equation watch,
which not only shewed the sun’s time, and mean time, but
was also a striking watch and a repeater; and what was
very singular, and had hitherto been unattempted, it struck
and repeated by solar, or apparent time. As a repeater,
moreover, it struck the hours, quarters, and minutes.
From a whim of the king’s this watch was made in the
crutch end of a cane, in the sides of which were glasses
covered with sliders, on the removal of which the work
might be seen at any time; and his majesty being very
fond of observing the motion of the wheels at the time the
watch struck, it was his practice as he walked, to stop for
that purpose. Those who have seen him on these occasions, observed that he ever showed signs of the most lively
satisfaction. The price of this watch was 480 guineas,
which, from the expensive materials and nature of the
work, afforded Mr. Mudge but a moderate profit for his
ingenuity; and he was strongly urged by several of his
friends to charge 500 guineas for it, which the king would
have readily paid. To this Mr. Mudge answered, that,
“as 480 guineas gave him the profit to which he was fairly
entitled, as an honest man, he could riot think of increasing it, and he saw no reason why a king should be charged
more than a private gentleman.
” Indeed the king of Spain
had such a high opinion of his integrity, that he not only
used to speak of him as by far the most ingenious watchmaker he had ever employed, but excelling also in his
sense of honour and justice. Mr. Townsend, then secretary to the embassy at Madrid, once told Mr. Mudge that
his Catholic majesty had often expressed to him his great
admiration of his character, and would frequently ask his
assistance to enable him to express the name of Mudge.
. In 1760, an event happened which he ever considered as one of the most fortunate in his life. This was his introduction to the count de Bruhl, who first came to England
In 1750, Mr. Mudge entered into partnership with Mr.
William Dutton, who had also been an apprentice of Mr.
Graham’s, and took a house in Fleet-street, opposite
Water-lane. In 1760, an event happened which he ever
considered as one of the most fortunate in his life. This
was his introduction to the count de Bruhl, who first came
to England that year, as envoy extraordinary from the
court of Saxony. This nobleman, who to many other
valuable qualities united great knowledge of mechanical
operations, ever after treated Mr. Mudge with the most
generous and condescending friendship; evincing on every
occasion the most ardent zeal for his fame and fortune, by
the most active services.
About this period Mr. Mudge appears to have first turned
his thoughts to the improvement of time-keepers; for, in
1765 he published a small tract entitled “Thoughts on
the Means of improving Watches, and particularly those
for the use of the Sea.
” In
The first time-keeper, after it had been tried by Mr. Maskelyne, astronomer-royal, was in possession of M. de Zach (astronomer to the duke of Saxe
The first time-keeper, after it had been tried by Mr. Maskelyne, astronomer-royal, was in possession of M. de Zach (astronomer to the duke of Saxe Gotha) from May 1786 to July 1788, during which time he carried it from London to Gotha, thence to Hieres, thence by sea to Genoa, thence by land to Pisa, Milan, and back to Hieres. At the end of about a year’s absence from Gotha (to which he returned by Geneva) after having travelled over several thousand miles, he found that it had preserved the same regularity of going which it had when it first came into his possession; and by its very great accuracy, he was enabled to ascertain the longitude of several places with a greater degree of precision than had ever been done before.
In 1784 and 1785, this time-keeper was carried two royages to Newfoundland by the late admiral Campbell,
In 1784 and 1785, this time-keeper was carried two royages to Newfoundland by the late admiral Campbell, and in each voyage went so well as to determine the longitude within one mile and a quarter on the first voyage, and to six miles and an eighth on the second. In consequent e of this, it was the admiral’s opinion that such time-keepers were capable of answering every nautical purpose tin; could be required of them. After Mr. Mudge had received the 5001. instead of making only one more time-keeper, which would have been sufficient to answer the purposes of the act, he immediately set about making two, and when completed, they likewise^ pursuant to the act, underwent a trial by the astronomer-royal.
year’s trial required by the act expired, about a fortnight previously to which a board of longitude was held, when Dr. Maskelyne’s report of the going of the time-keepers
In July 1790, the year’s trial required by the act expired, about a fortnight previously to which a board of longitude was held, when Dr. Maskelyne’s report of the going
of the time-keepers was so favourable, that it was declared
that directions should be given at the next board to apply
to the admiralty for a ship, in which they might be sent to
sea, in further compliance with the act. At the meeting
of the next board, however, Dr. Maskelyne produced certain calculations, in order to prove that neither of them
had gone within any of the limits of the act; and therefore
at another board held the same year, it was determined
that no further trial of them should take place. This occasioned an unpleasant controversy, which will be found
discussed in “A narrative of facts relative to the Time-keepers constructed by Mr. Thomas Mudge, by Thomas
Mudge, jun. of Lincoln’s-inn:
” Dr. Maskelyne’s “Answer to a Narrative of Facts,
” &c. and Mr. Mudge’s “Reply,
” with which the dispute ended.
Bertoud, intending it as a present to his majesty. This watch, however, not performing its offices, was sent back to the inventor, in or$|er to be rectified. After
Two anecdotes deserve to be recorded, as striking proofs of Mr. Mudge’s great mental powers: count Bruhl, when he first came to England in his diplomatic capacity, brought an ingenious watch from Paris, made by the celebrated Bertoud, intending it as a present to his majesty. This watch, however, not performing its offices, was sent back to the inventor, in or$|er to be rectified. After its return, it still continued imperfect; and, on further applications to M. Bertoud, that artist acknowledged, with great candour, that, although he thought the principles on which his watch was constructed were good, he was himself unable to carry them into effect. The count then applied to Mr. Mudge, requesting him to undertake the task but, deeming it an indelicate circumstance to interfere with the inventions of another artist, Mr. Mudge expressed the greatest reluctance on the occasion. The importunity of the 'count, however, added to the gratitude which he feit for the distinguishing marks of esteem he had already received, induced Mr. Mudge, at last, to wave his objections; and he had the satisfaction to be completely successful. The other anecdote relates to a large and complicated watch belonging to his majesty, which had long gone so ill that it had been repeatedly put into the hands of the most distinguished watchmakers, to be repaired; all of whom, though confident in their abilities to give it the requisite perfection, had been obliged to abandon the watch as incapable of amendment. It was then put into the hands of Mr. Mudge, who happily succeeded. This circumstance gave his majesty a very high opinion of his superiority over every other watch maker. In 1777, he appointed him his watchmaker, and often honoured him with conferences on mechanical subjects. Her majesty likewise expressed a great esteem, not only for his talents as an artist, but for his character as a man. At one time, she presented him with fifty guineas for only cleaning a watch; and it was through her recommendation to the lord chancellor, that his second son obtained the living of Bramford Speke, as he did afterward that of Lustleigh through count BruhPs interest with the hon. Percy Charles Wyndham, brother to the earl of Egremont.
We shall close these memoirs in the words of his excellency the count de Bruhl: Mr. Mudge “ was a man whose superior genius as an artist, united with the liberality
We shall close these memoirs in the words of his excellency the count de Bruhl: Mr. Mudge “was a man whose
superior genius as an artist, united with the liberality of a
mind replete with candour, simplicity, modesty, and integrity, deserve the highest admiration and respect; whose
name will he handed down to the remotest posterity, with
the same veneration which attends the names of his predecessors in the same line, Tompion, Graham, and Harrison,
who, while living, were admired by their contemporaries,
and whose fame adds to the splendour and glory of this
great nation.
”
, Hebrew professor of the Royal College of France, and one of the ablest scholars in that language, was born at Orleans in 1587. Few particulars are known of his life,
, Hebrew professor of the Royal
College of France, and one of the ablest scholars in that
language, was born at Orleans in 1587. Few particulars
are known of his life, except that he was educated for the
church, and attained the preferments of canon and archdeacon of Soissons. His skill in the Hebrew language
made him be considered as a proper person to succeed
Cayet as Hebrew professor, and he was accordingly promoted by his majesty to that office in July 1614. He
fulfelled its duties with great reputation for thirty years, and
died in 1644, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. Dupin
says, that he joined to a perfect knowledge of the Hebrevr, a solid and acute judgment, and wrote in a pure,
concise, and easy style, and had such acquaintance
with sacred history, and the fundamentals of religion,
that few could be better qualified to interpret scripture.
The most esteemed of his works is his commentary on the
Psalms, “Commentarius litteralis et historicus in omnes
Psalmos,
” &c. Varia Sacra,
” explaining the most
difficult passages of the Old Testament from Genesis to
Judges: his “Assertio yeVitatis Hebraicae,
” against father
Morin, &c. &c.
, an eminent school -master, was descended from an ancient family in Cumberland. His father,
, 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.
Of his private character few particulars have been preserved: his temper was warm, but not hasty; and though. Fuller has accused him of using
Of his private character few particulars have been preserved: his temper was warm, but not hasty; and though.
Fuller has accused him of using his scholars too harshly,
we may make some allowance when we find he was educated under the same master with Ascham, Dr. Nicholas
Udall, whose severity he perhaps imbibed. Like Ascham,
he was fond of archery, a science once of national concern, and was a member of a society of archers, called
Prince Arthur’s Knights, from that prince (brother of Henry VIII.), who was so fond of this amusement that his
name became the proverbial appellation of an expert bowman. Mulcaster was an adherent of the reformed religion,
a man of piety, and “a priest in his own house, as well as
in the temple.
” As a scholar he ranks high. His English
productions boast an exuberance of expression not often
found in the writers of his day; and his Latin works, not
inelegant, were celebrated in their times. He enjoyed,
likewise, very high reputation as a Greek and Oriental scholar, and on this last account was much esteemed by the celebrated Hugh Broughton.
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
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.
er for skill in theire book, or health in their bodie,” Lond. 1581, 1587, 4to. To this a second part was promised, which seems to have been completed in 1582, by the
His separate works were his “Positions, wherein those
primitive circumstances be examined which are necessarie
for the training up of children, either for skill in theire
book, or health in their bodie,
” Lond. the first
part of the Elementarie, which entreateth chefely of the
right writing of the English Tung.
” These contain some
peculiarities of spelling, and innumerable quaintnesses of
writing, joined to many judicious crsticisms on the English
language. By the spelling he seems frequently anxious to
fix the pronounciation of his words, and in some parts we
may be inclined to think he was desirous that his words
should be written as they are spoken. In 1601, he published his “Catechismus Paulinus, in usum scholas Paulinae conscriptus, ad formam parvi illius Anglici catechismi
qui pueris in comruuni precum Anglicarum libro ediscendus proponitur,
” 8vo. This is in long and short verse,
sometimes closely, and at others diffusely, translated; and,
though now forgotten, was once in high esteem. Among
the letters at Penshurst, is one from Mulcaster to sir Philip
Sidney, in Latin, dated Nov. 3, 1575, the year sir Philip
went upon his travels. In the Harleian Mss No. 6996, is
a letter from Edward Heyborn to the lord-keeper, in behalf
of Richard Mulcaster, who begged his interest to secure
to him the prebend of Gatesbury, which, we have already
noticed, he received. And in ms. Smith, in the Bodleian
library, No. Ixxvii. p. 397, is one from Mulcaster to Peter
Junius, in Latin, dated May 13, 1604.
, a German divine, whose surname was Greiffenhagen, was a native of Pomerania, and born in 1630.
, a German divine, whose surname
was Greiffenhagen, was a native of Pomerania, and born in
1630. He studied at Rostocb, and at the age of sixteen
was distinguished for his compositions in the Hebrew,
Greek, and Latin poetry. After this he pursued his studies
with great success at Gripswald, Konigsberg, and Wittemberg, and became so completely master of the Oriental
languages, that, according to Moreri, he was invited to
England by Walton and Castell to assist in his famous Polyglott bible; but in what department his services were employed is not mentioned in the usual histories of that undertaking. Moreri says he lived ten years in CastellV
house, where his application was so intense that when Charles
II. made his triumphal entry into London, he would not go
to the window to look at it. After his return to Germany,
he became inspector at Bernau, and provost at Berlin.
He found the duties of these offices incompatible with his
oriental studies, resigned them in a short time, and devoted himself wholly to his favourite pursuits. At Stettin,
whither he retired, he published, with observations, specimens of the Lord’s Prayer, in sixty-six alphabets. He was
intimately acquainted with the Chinese, and promised to
draw up a * Clavis Sinica,“which he thought would enable
a person of ordinary capacity to read Chinese and Japanese
books in the course of a few months; but this work never
appeared. He died in 1694, and by his last will bequeathed
his Chinese printing materials to the library at Berlin. He
was author of many very learned works particularly
” Abdallae Beidavei Historia Sinensis Persice et Latine
cum notis“” Monumentum Sinicum cum Commentario“”Hebdomas Observationum de rebus Sinicis,“in 1674,
Col. Brand, 4to.
” Æconomia Bibliothecae Sinicse “Symbola Syriaca, cum duabus Dissertationibus,
” Syr. Lat.
Berol. 4to. Some of his works were collected together and
published in 1695, with the title of “Mulleri Opuscula
nonnulla Orientalia.
”
, a celebrated German traveller and writer, was born in 1705, in Herforden, in Westphalia, and was educated
, a celebrated German
traveller and writer, was born in 1705, in Herforden, in
Westphalia, and was educated at the age of seventeen at
llinteln and Leipsic, at which last place he so distinguished
himself, that professor Mencke obtained for him the place
of adjunct in the historical class of the academy founded
at Petersburgh by Peter the Great. In tbat city he was
some time employed in teaching Latin, geography, and
history, and as assistant secretary to the institution. In
1728, he was made under-keeper of the imperial library,
and in 1730 he was chosen professor of history. He now
applied for leave of absence, in order to gratify his wish of
seeing foreign countries. In the year 1731 he visited
London, and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and
after his return to Petersburgh he was appointed to accompany Gmelin and De l'Isle de la Croyere on their travels through Siberia, which occupied ten years, during
which they travelled 4480 German miles, or more than
three times that number of English miles. An account of
their travels was published by Gmelin, in four volumes,
8vo. After this, Mullef, who was not rewarded in any degree equal to the labours and sufferings which he had undergone, undertook, at the desire of prince Jusupof, “A
Dissertation on the Trade of Siberia,
” which, though written, or at least begun, in He collected during his travels the most ample
materials for the history and geography of this extensive
empire, which was scarcely known to the Russians themselves before his valuable researches were given to the
world in various publications. His principal work is
” A
Collection of Russian Histories,“in nine volumes octavo,
printed at different intervals at the press of the Imperial Academy of Sciences. The first part came out in
1732, and the last in 1764. This storehouse of information
pnd literature in regard to the antiquities, history,
geography, and commerce of Russia, and many of the neighbouring countries, conveys the most indisputable proofs of the
author’s learning, diligence, and fidelity. To this work
the accurate and indefatigable author has successively added
many other valuable performances upon similar subjects,
both in the German and Russian languages, which elucidate
various parts in the history of this empire.
” Mr. Coxe adds,
that he spoke and wrote the German, Russian, French,
and Latin tongues, with surprizing fluency; and read the
English, Dutch, Swedish, Danisn, and Greek, with great
facility His memory was surprising; and his accurate acquaintance with the minutest incidents of the Russian annals almost surpassed belief. His collection of state papers
and manuscripts were all arranged in the exactest order,
and classed into several volumes, distinguished by the
names of those illustrious personages to whom they principally relate; such as Peter L, Catherine I. Menzikof, Osterman, &c."
monly called Regiomontanus, from his native place, Mons Regius, or Koningsberg, a town in Franconia, was born in 1436, and became the greatest astronomer and mathematician
, commonly called Regiomontanus, from his native place, Mons Regius, or Koningsberg, a town in Franconia, was born in 1436, and became the greatest astronomer and mathematician of his time. He was indeed a very prodigy for genius and learning. Having first acquired grammatical learning in his own country, he was admitted, while yet a boy, into the academy at Leipsic, where he formed a strong attachment to the mathematical sciences, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, &c. But not finding proper assistance in these studies at this place, he removed, at only fifteen years of age, to Vienna, to study under the famous Purbacb, the professor there, who read lectures in those sciences with the highest reputation. A strong and affectionate friendship soon took place between these two, and our author made such rapid improvement in the sciences, that he was able to be assisting to his master, and to become his companion in all his labours. In this manner they spent about ten years together, elucidating obscurities, observing the motions of the heavenly bodies, and comparing and correcting the tables of them, particularly those of Mars, which they found to disagree with the motions, sometimes as much as two degrees.
for that purpose to return with him into Italy, to make himself master of the Greek tongue, which he was as yet unacquainted with. To these proposals Purbach only assented,
About this time the cardinal Bessarion arrived at Vienna,
to negociate some affairs for the pope, and being a lover
of astronomy, soon formed an acquaintance with Purbich
and Regiomontanus. He had begun to form a Latin version of Ptolomy’s Almagest, or an Epitome of it; but not
having time to go on with it himself, he requested Purbach to complete the work, and for that purpose to return
with him into Italy, to make himself master of the Greek
tongue, which he was as yet unacquainted with. To these
proposals Purbach only assented, on condition that Regiomontanus would accompany him, and share in all the labours, which were, however, soon interrupted by the death
of Purbach, which happened in 1461. The whole task
then devolved upon Regiomontanus, who finished the work
at Rome, to which city he accompanied the cardinal Bessarion, and applied himself diligently to the study of the
Greek language; not neglecting, however, to make astronomical observations, and compose various works in that
science, as his <f Dialogue against the Theories of Cremonensis.“The cardinal going to Greece soon after, Regiomontanus went to Ferrara, where he continued the study
of the Greek language under Theodore Gaza; who explained to him the text of Ptolomy, with the commentaries of Theon; till at length he could compose verses in
Greek, and read it critically. In 1463 he went to Padua,
where he became a member of the university; and, at the
request of the students, explained Alfraganus, an Arabian
philosopher. In 1464 he removed to Venice, to meet and
attend his patron Bessarion. Here he wrote, with great
accuracy, his
” Treatise of Triangles,“and a
” Refutation
of the Quadrature of the Circle," which Cardinal Cusan
pretended he had demonstrated. The same year he returned with Bessarion to Rome where he made some stay,
to procure the most curious books those he could not
purchase, he took the pains to transcribe, for he wrote
with great facility and elegance; and others he got copied
at a great expence. For as he was certain that none of
these books could be had in Germany, he intended, on his
return thither, to translate and publish some of the best of
them. During this time too he had a warm contest with
George Trapezonde, whom he had greatly offended by
animadverting on some passages in his translation of
Theon’s Commentary.
Having now procured a great number of manuscripts, which was one great object of his travels, he returned to Vienna, and
Having now procured a great number of manuscripts, which was one great object of his travels, he returned to Vienna, and for some time read lectures; after which he went to Buda, on the invitation of Matthias king of Hungary, who was a patron of learned men, and had founded a rich and noble library there, from the purchase of the Greek books found on the sacking of Constantinople, and others brought from Athens, or wherever else they could be met with through the whole Turkish dominions. But a war breaking out in this country, he retired to Nuremberg, which he preferred, because the artists there were dextrous in fabricating his astronomical machines, and he could from thence easily transmit his letters by the merchants into foreign countries. Being now well versed in all parts of learning, and made the utmost proficiency in mathematics, he determined to occupy himself in publishing the best of the ancient authors, as well as his own lucubrations. For this purpose he set up a printing-house, and formed a nomenclature of the books he intended to publish, which still remains.
Here Bernard Walther, one of the principal citizens, who was well skilled in the sciences, especially astronomy, cultivated
Here Bernard Walther, one of the principal citizens, who was well skilled in the sciences, especially astronomy, cultivated an intimacy with Regiomontanus; and as soon as he understood those laudable designs of his, he took upon himself the expence of constructing the astronomical instruments, and of erecting a printing-house. And first he ordered astronomical rules to be made of tin, for observing the altitudes of the sun, moon, and planets. He next constructed a rectangular, or astronomical radius, for taking the distances of those luminaries. Then an armillary astrolabe, such as was used by Ptolomy and Hipparchus, for observing the places and motions of the stars. Lastly, he made other smaller instruments, as the torquet, and Ptolomy’s meteoroscope, with some others which had more of curiosity than utility in them. From this apparatus it evidently appears, that Regiomontanus was a most diligent observer of the laws and motions of the celestial bodies, if there were not still stronger evidences of it in the accounts of the observations themselves which he made with them.
With regard to the printing-house, which was the other part of his design in settling at Nuremberg, as soon
With regard to the printing-house, which was the other
part of his design in settling at Nuremberg, as soon as he
hadcompletedit, he put to press two works of his own, besides
“The New Theories
” of his master Purbach, and the “Astronomicon
” of Manilius. His own were, the “New Calendar,
” in which were given the true conjunctions and oppositions of the luminaries, their eclipses, their true places every
day, &c. His other work was his “Epbemerides,
” of
which he thus speaks in the said index “The Ephemerides, which they vulgarly call an Almanac, for 30 years
where you may every day see the true motion of all the
planets, of the moon’s nodes, with the aspects of the moon
to the sun and planets, the eclipses of the luminaries; and
in the fronts of the pages are marked the latitudes.
” He
published also most acute commentaries on Ptolomy’s Almagest: a work which cardinal Bessarion so highly valued,
that he scrupled not to esteem it worth a whole province.
He prepared also new versions of Ptolomy’s Cosmography
and at his leisure hours examined and explained works of
another nature. He inquired how high the vapours are
carried above the earth,which he fixed to be not more
than 12 German miles; and set down observations of two
comets that appeared in 1471 and 1472.
Purbach was the first who reduced the trigonometrical table of sines, from
Purbach was the first who reduced the trigonometrical
table of sines, from the old sexagesimal division of the
radius, to the decimal scale; but Regiomontanus brought
this to a much greater degree of perfection. He also introduced the tangents into trigonometry, and enriched that
science with so many theorems and precepts, that if we
except the use of logarithms, the trigonometry of Regiomontanus is but little inferior to that of our own time. His
treatise, both on “Plane and Spherical Trigonometry,
” in
5 books, was written about 1464, and printed at Nuremberg in 1533, folio. In the fifth book are various problems
concerning rectilinear triangles, some of which are resolved
by means of algebra; a proof that this science was not
wholly unknown in Europe, before the treatise of Lucas
de Burgo.
Regiomontanus was the author of some other works besides those before mentioned.
Regiomontanus was the author of some other works besides
those before mentioned. Peter Ramus, in -the account he
gives of him, tells us, that in his work-shop at Nuremberg-,
was an automaton in perpetual motion; that he made an
artificial fly, which taking its flight from his hand, would
fly round the room, and at last, as if weary, would return
to his master’s hand; that he fabricated an eagle, which,
on the emperor’s approach to the city, he sent out, hi< r h
in the air, a great way to meet him, and that it kept him
company to the gate of the city. “Let us no more wonder,
” adds Ramus, “at the dove of Archytas, since Nuremberg can shew a fly, and an eagle, armed with geometrical wings. Therefore, those famous artificers, who
were formerly in Greece, and Egypt, are no longer of any
account, since Nuremberg can boast of her Regiomontanuses. For the senate and people of this city did all in
their power to have a continual succession of RegiomontaDuses. For Wernerus first, and then the Schoneri, father
and son, afterwards revived the spirit of Regiomontanus.
”
, a celebrated German enthusiast, called sometimes Moncerus and Monetardus, was born at Stollberg in the Hartz, towards the end of the fifteenth
, a celebrated German enthusiast, called sometimes Moncerus and Monetardus, was born at Stollberg in the Hartz, towards the end of the fifteenth century. His father is said to have been executed for some crime, and on this account the son was thought desirous of taking his revenge on the government of Stollberg. He studied probably at Wirtemberg, and acquired that knowledge in divinity which Melancthon praises, and which appears in his writings. By his own account he taught, in early life, in the schools of Aschersleben and Halle in Saxony; and most probably he was then in orders. It is certain, however, that he soon became attached to the mystics, and entertained the wildest notions of fanaticism, which pleased the lower classes of the people, while he preached at Stollberg and Zwickau, where he was settled as a preacher in 1520. Here, while he was violent against popery, he was as little contented with the progress of Luther’s reformation; the church, he maintained, was but half reformed, and a new and pure church of the true sons of God remained to be established. About this time he connected himself with Nicholas Storck, a leader among the baptists, who pretended to have communications with the Almighty, and to hold greater purity of doctrine than the r^st of the party. Muncer was a convert to his notions, and became ardent in making proselytes. He maintained that for men to avoid vice, they must practise perpetual mortification. They must put on a grave countenance, speak but little, wear a plain garb, and be serious in their whole deportment. Such as prepared their hearts in this manner, might expect that the Supreme Being would direct all their steps, and by visible signs discover his will to them; if that illumination be at any time withheld, he says we may expostulate with the Almighty, and remind him of his promises. This expostulation will be acceptable to God, and will at last prevail on him to guide us with the same unerring hand which conducted the patriarchs of old. He also maintained, that all men were equal in the sight of God, and that, therefore, they ought to have all things in common, and should on no account exhibit any marks of subordination or pre-eminence. With these sentiments he endeavoured to establish in Alstadt a new kingdom upon earth, or a society of pious, holy, and awakened people. With these people he was accused, in 1524, of having plundered a church in a neighbouring village, burnt a chapel, and committed many other outrages; and as the affair made a great noise, he was cited to answer to the charges at Weimar; but finding that the utmost severity was to be used against him, he remained at Alstadt, where his companions were so riotous, that he was under the necessity of removing to a distance. After some little time he settled at Nuremberg, where he published a vehement censure upon Luther, which, with some irregularities, occasioned his expulsion by the government. Taking then a journey into Swabia, he found every where numerous and attentive hearers. His stay in Swabia gave rise to the report that he was the author of the famous twelve articles of the peasants; but his biographer endeavours to prove that he had no part in the insurrection which broke out in that part of the country. In the beginning of 1525, he returned back into Saxony, and was received with great favour by the citizens of Muhlhausen, and, against the consent of their council, appointed their preacher. Here his influence soon became predominant: the old council was entirely set aside, and a new one chosen: the monks were driven away, and their estates sequestered. Muncer himself was elected into the council, and proposed an equal communication of property, and similar reforms, agreeable to the taste of the people. The tumults in Swabia and Franconia were the signal ta Muncer to attempt the same in Thuringia. Churches, monasteries, castles, were plundered and the success attending these first attempts increased the popular fury and the monks, the nuns, and the nooility, were the particular objects of their resentment. It is unnecessary to repeat here the history of these troubles; suffice it, that Muncer was at last overpowered in 1526, and put to death. At his execution he is said to have shewn signs of penitence.
e looked upon them as an inroad into his reformation; but it is more consistent to infer that Luther was fearful of the consequences which must attend the impetuosity
His biographer says that among his writings, three on the establishing of the new reform at Alstadt, are of considerable value, and strives to prove that the grounds of Luther’s opposition to these changes lay in his consent not being first requested; from which he looked upon them as an inroad into his reformation; but it is more consistent to infer that Luther was fearful of the consequences which must attend the impetuosity of Muncer. His biographer has accumulated testimonies of Muncer’s learning, given by Melanchthon, Luther, Spangenberg, Camerarius, and others; and from his own writings on faith, on the scriptures, and on baptism. He also gives some proofs of the dreadful oppressions under which the peasants laboured in the time of Muncer; from which there may be reason to conclude that an explosion would have taken place even if Muncer had not existed. This is not improbable, for men of Muncer’s turbulent disposition generally mix something that is real with their imaginary complaints and ambitious designs.
“Munday was first a stage-player, after an apprentise, which tyme he wel
“Munday was first a stage-player, after an apprentise,
which tyme he wel served with deceaving of his master, then
wandring towardes Italy, by his own report became a cosener in his journey. Comming to Rome, in his short
abode there, was charitably relieved, but never admitted
in the seminary, as he pleseth to lye in the title of his
booke, and being wery of well doing returned home to his
first vomite, and was hist from his stage for his folly.
Being therby discouraged he set forth a balet against
plays, though (o constant youth) he afterwards began again
to ruffle upon the stage. I omit (continues this author)
among other places his behaviour in Barbican with his
good mistress and mother. Two things, however, must
not be passed over of this boy’s infelicitie, two several
ways of late notorious. First he writing upon the death of
Everard Haunse, was immediately controled and disproved
by one of his owne batche, and shortly after setting forth
the apprehension of M. Campion was disproved by George
(I was about to say Judas) Eliot, who writing against him,
proved that those things he did were for lukers sake only,
and not for the truthe thogh he himself be a person of the
same predicament, of whom I muste say that if felony be
honesty, then he may for his behaviore be taken for a lawful witness against so good men.
”
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
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.
pecimens of his works, may be seen in our authorities, died m his eightieth year, Aug. 10, 1633, and was buried in the parish church of St. Stephen, Coleman-street,
This author, of whom various particulars, with specimens of his works, may be seen in our authorities, died m
his eightieth year, Aug. 10, 1633, and was buried in the
parish church of St. Stephen, Coleman-street, with a monument, on which he is styled citizen and draper of London, and a learned antiquary. It appears that he collected
the arms of the county of Middlesex, lately transferred
from sir Simeon Stuart’s library to the British Museum
and was in 1618 the editor of a reprint of Stow’s “Survey
of London,
” with additions.
, or Mondino, a physician deservedly celebrated in the dark ages, was born at Milan, according to Freind and Douglas, and flourished
, or Mondino, a physician deservedly
celebrated in the dark ages, was born at Milan, according
to Freind and Douglas, and flourished early in the fourteenth century. He held the professorship of medicine at
Bologna in 1316, and enjoyed an extensive reputation
throughout Italy, principally for his anatomical pursuits,
in which, however, Eloy thinks he shewed more zeal than
success, although he was the first among the moderns who
dissected human bodies. He was the author of a work,
entitled “Anatomia omnium humani Corporis interiorum
Membrorum,
” first printed at Pavia in
, a celebrated military officer, was born at New Huntorf, in the county of Oldenburgh, in 1683. He
, a celebrated military officer, was born at New Huntorf, in the county of Oldenburgh, in 1683. He was the son of a Danish officer, and received an excellent education. When only seventeen he entered into the service of the landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt. He was present at the siege of Landau, and learned the art of war under the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene. He was always remarkable for his braveryj for which, at the battle of Malplaquet, he was made a lieutenant-colonel. In 1716 he quitted the Hessian, and entered into the Polish service; but, in 1721, on some disgust, he went into Russia, and was honourably received by Peter I. After many offices of trust in the army and state, he was made a marshal by the empress Anne, and placed at the head of the war-department; and, in 1737-8, served with great success against the Turks. Soon after the death of the empress, not being appointed generalissimo as he expected, he resigned his employments, but remained in Russia, though strongly invited to the court of Prussia. In 1741 he was arrested, by order of Elizabeth, and, when examined, was so disgusted by the questions proposed to him, that he desired his judges, who appeared resolved to convict him, to put down the answers they wished him to make, and he would sign them. He was thus, after a mock trial, condemned to lose his life; but Elizabeth changed this into perpetual imprisonment, which he suffered for twenty years at Pelim in Siberia. At the accession of Peter III. an order arrived for his release, which so affected him that he fainted away. Departing for Petersburgh, he appeared there in the same sheep-skin dress he had worn during. his captivity. The emperor received him with kindness, and restored him to his former rank. He enjoyed the favour of Peter and Catharine till the time of his death, which happened in October 1767, at the age of eighty -five. He was a man of great talents, and possessed many and distinguished virtues, but he was not without his defects. His faults, however, scarcely injured any but himself, but his excellencies were of vast benefit to Russia. He favoured literature, and frequented the company of learned men. He was acquainted with the arts, for which he had a considerable taste, but he distinguished himself most as a general, and by his knowledge of tactics: he has, however, been accused of exercising too much severity to those who were under his command. It is said that a system of fortifications, and some other writings of count Munich’s have been published, but we have not met with them in this country, nor with a life of him published in German at Oldenburgh in 1803.
, a Spanish historian, was born in 1745 at Museros, a village near Valentia, and studied
, a Spanish historian, was born
in 1745 at Museros, a village near Valentia, and studied
in the university of Madrid. From his earliest years he
discovered a taste superior to what was inculcated in the
usual course of academic studies, and made uncommon
progress in the sciences and in polite literature. At the
age of twenty-two, he wrote prefaces to the Rhetoric of
Louis of Grenada, and the Logic of Vernei, in both which
he displayed great erudition. He was afterwards, doubtless from having turned his thoughts to that branch, appointed by government cosmographer of the Indies, and
filled this office with distinguished ability, until the prime
minister Galvez, by order of the king, employed him on a
history of America. This undertaking he commenced in
1779, and obtained access, not only to all the papers and
documents preserved in the archives of the India department at Madrid, and in the Escurial, but likewise, on a
farther recommendation of his Catholic majesty, to all the
public and private libraries at Simancas, Seville, Salamanca, Valladolid, Grenada, &c. &c. and even in the
Torre di tombo at Lisbon, and other places to which preceding writers had not obtained access. This research
occupied above five years, in the course of which he collected a vast mass, in one hundred and thirty volumes, of
original and hitherto undescribed documents, letters of
Columbus, Pizarro, Ximenes, &c. from which he composed his “Historia del nuovo Mondo,
” published at Madrid, De recto philosophies recentis in theologia
'usu, dissertatio,
” Valent. De scriptorum gentilium lectione, et profanarum disciplinarum studiis ad
Christianaepietatisnormam exigendis,
” ibid. Institutiones philosophies,
” ibid. A Treatise on
the Philosophy of Aristotle,
” &c.
, an eminent German divine and mathematician, was born at Inghelheim in 1489; and, at fourteen commenced his studies
, an eminent German divine
and mathematician, was born at Inghelheim in 1489; and,
at fourteen commenced his studies at Heidelberg. Two
years after, he entered the convent of the Cordeliers,
where he laboured assiduously; yet did not content him
self with the studies relating to his profession, but applied
himself also to mathematics and cosmography. He was
the first who published a “Chaldee Grammar and Lexicon;
” and gave the world, a short time after, a “Talmudic Dictionary.
” He went afterwards to Basil, and succeeded Pelicanus, of whom he had learned Hebrew, in
the professorship of that language. He was one of the
first who attached himself to Luther, but meddled little in
the controversies of the age, employing his time and attention chiefly to the study of the Hebrew and other Oriental languages, mathematics, and natural philosophy. He
published a great number^ of works on these subjects, of
which the principal is a Latin version from the Hebrew of
all the books of the Old Testament, with learned notes,
printed at Basil in 1534 and 1546. This is thought more
faithful than the versions of Pagninus and Arias Montanus; and his notes are generally approved, though he
dwells a little too long upon the explications of the rabbins.
For this version he was called the German Esdras, as he
was the German Strabo for an “Universal Cosmography,
”
in six books, which he printed at Basil in Tabulae novae ad geog. Ptolemaei,
” “Rudimenta mathematica,
” &c. He was a pacific, studious, retired man, and, Dupin allows, one of the
most able men that embraced the reformed religion. For
this reason Beza and Verheiden have placed him among
the heroes of the reformation, although he wrote nothing
expressly on the subject. He died at Basil, of the plague,
May 23, 1552.
, a learned Italian antiquary, and one of the most voluminous writers of his age and country, was born at Vignola in the duchy of Modena, Oct. 21, 1672. He was
, a learned Italian antiquary, and one of the most voluminous writers of his age
and country, was born at Vignola in the duchy of Modena,
Oct. 21, 1672. He was educated at Modena, and his inclination leading him to the church, as a profession, he
went through the regular courses of philosophy and divinity, but without neglecting polite literature, to which he
was early attached. Bacchiiri recommended the ecclesiastical writers to his attention, and he at length became
so devoted to general reading, as to pay little attention to
his destined profession. In 1695, the knowledge of books
which he had accumulated, procured him the place of one
of the librarians of the celebrated Ambrosian collection at
Milan; and although he had by this time received his doctor’s degree and been admitted into orders, it was now
that he entered upon that course of study and research
which distinguished him in future life. His first publication was vols. I and II. of his “Anecdota Latina,
” printed
at Milan in Vita et Rime di Carlo M. Maggi,
” printed at Milan,
5 vols. and in 1703 published his “Primi disegni della
Republica Letteraria d'ltalia;
” this was followed by “Prolegomena, &c. in librum, cui titulus, Elucidatio Augustiniange de divina gratia doctrinae,
” Cologn, Lettere ai generosi e cortesi Letterati d'ltalia,
” Venice, Delia Perfetta Poesia Italiana, &c.
” 2 vols. a very ingenious dissertation on Italian poetry, which occasioned a
prolonged controversy, now no longer interesting. Two
editions, however, were afterwards published, with critical
notes by Salvini, the one in 1724, 2 vols. 4to. and the
other, which is esteemed the best, in 1748. He published
also at Bologna in 1707, “Lettera in disesa del March.
G. G. Orsi;
” and “Introduzione alle paci private,
” Modena, Riflessioni
SDpra il buon gusto, &c.
” of which a second part appeared
at Naples in Osservazioni sopra una lettera intitolata, II dominio temporale della sede Apostolica sopra la citta di
Comacchio,
” &c. Modena, 1708; and “Epistola ad Jo.
Albert. Fabricium,
” Anecdota Grseca,
” Gr. & Lat. 4to, which, as well as his
“Anecdota Latina,
” (completed in 4 vols. at Padua, 1713)
were taken from Mss. in the Ambrosian library. He
published also before 1715 some other works of lesser value,
which, however, showed how intense his labours were, for
he had accepted of some preferments in the church, the
duties of which he performed with great assiduity, and wai
particularly distinguished for his humane care of the poor,
who indeed shared the greater part of the profits of his
benefices, and the rest went to the repairs or furniture of
the churches under his care.
ori addressed to him about 1711, on the connection between the houses of Brunswick and Este; and. he was encouraged in his present inquiries by the duke of Modena, and
In 1715 and 1716 he visited various libraries in Italy, in
order to collect materials for a history of the house of Este,
and that of Brunswick which arose from it. In Leibnitz’s
works we find a Latin epistle which Muratori addressed to
him about 1711, on the connection between the houses of
Brunswick and Este; and. he was encouraged in his present
inquiries by the duke of Modena, and by George I. king
of Great Britain. The result of his labours appeared in 2
vols. fol. under the title of “Del I'Antichita Estense et
Italiane,
” Modena, Liturgia Romana vetus, tria Sacrarnentaria compiectens,
” Venice, De Paradise, regnique celestis gloria liber, ad versus Burnetii librum de
statu mortuorum,
” Verona, Antiquitates
Italicae medii aevi, post declinationem Romani imperii ad
ann. 1500,
” Milan, Rerum Italicarum Scriptores prsecipui ab anno aerae
Christ. D. ad MD.
” ibid. 1723 51, 25 vols. usually bound
in 28 or 29, fol. Complete copies of this vast work are
not easily met with. Tartini’s supplement, in 2 vols. fol.
1748 70, and Mittarelli’s “Accessiones ad script, rerum
Italic.
” Novus Thesaurus veterum Inscriptionum,
”
Milan, Supplement
” published at Lucca, Veterum Inscriptionum Gr. et Lat. novissimus thesaurus,
” Dissertazioni
sopra le antichita Italiana, da Lod. Ant. Muratori, opera
postuma data in luce da Gian. Fran. Soli Muratori,
” (his nephew) Milan, Antiquitates Italicae medii aevi,
” by the author. 7.
“Annali d‘ Italia dal principio dell’ era volgare, sino all'
anno 1749,
” Milan,
Among the many subjects which engaged the pen of this laborious writer, was that of religion, in which he was so unfortunate as to excite
Among the many subjects which engaged the pen of this laborious writer, was that of religion, in which he was so unfortunate as to excite suspicions of his orthodoxy; but although this involved him in temporary controversies, it does not appear that he was brought into very serious trouble. Having thought it necessary to vindicate himself to pope Benedict IV. he appears to have succeeded, and was much esteemed by that pontiff. He was enabled by a course of temperance to enjoy good health to a very advanced period of life, and felt little decay until a few months before his death, Jan. 21, 1750, in his seventyeighth year. During the period of his authorship he enjoyed a most extensive reputation, principally as an antiquary, and carried on a correspondence with the most distinguished men of learning in Europe. He was also a member of many learned societies, and was chosen into our royal society as early as 1717. He has been called the Montfaucon of Italy, and ranks with that eminent antiquary, as having performed the most important services to the history of his country.
, a very ingenious and learned critic, was descended from a good family, and born at Muret, a village near
, a very ingenious and
learned critic, was descended from a good family, and
born at Muret, a village near Limoges, in France, April
11, 1526. We know not who were his masters, nor what
the place of his education; but it was probably Limoges.
JJencius, in his funeral oration on him, and Bullart say
that be spent his youth at Agen, where he had Julius
Caesar Scaliger for his preceptor; but Joseph Scaliger, his
son, denies this, and affirms that Muretus was eighteen
when he first came to Agen, to see his father. He adds,
that he passed on thence to Auch, where he began to teach
in the archiepiscopal college, and to read lectures upon
Cicero and Terence. After some stay in this place, he
went to Villeneuve; where he was employed by a rich
merchant in the education of his children, and at the same
time taught Latin in a public school. Two years after his
settling here, he went to Agen, to pay a visit to Scaliger,
who had the highest opinion and affection for him, and who
ever kept up a most intimate correspondence with him.
He removed from Villeneuve to Paris, from Paris to Poictiers, from Poictiers to Bourdeaux in 1547, and from Bourdeaux to Paris again in 1552. This year he recited in the
church of the Bernardins, his first oration, “De dignitate
ac praestantia studii theologici;
” and this year also he
printed his poems, entitled “Juvenilia;
” from the dedication of which we learn, that he taught at that time philosophy and civil law.
It seems to have been the year after, that he was accused of a detestable crime, and thrown into prison. Shame,
It seems to have been the year after, that he was accused of a detestable crime, and thrown into prison. Shame, and the fear of punishment, affected him so, that he resolved to starve himself to death; but he was deterred from this by his friends, who laboured to procure his release, and after much pains, effected it. He could not, however, continue any longer at Paris, and therefore withdrew to Thoulouse, where he read lectures in civil law. But here he was exposed to fresh suspicions; and the accusation brought against him at Paris being renewed, he again fled in 1554, and was condemned to be burned in effigy.
tand Latin, they consulted a long time in that language, upon the application of some medicine which was not in the way of regular practice; and agreed at last to try
He now retired to Italy, and falling sick at a town in
Lombardy, he applied to a physician, who, not understanding his case, called a consultation. As they did not
know Muretus, and fancied him too ignorant to understand
Latin, they consulted a long time in that language, upon
the application of some medicine which was not in the
way of regular practice; and agreed at last to try it upon
Muretus, saying, “Faciamus periculum in corpore vili;
”
;t Let us make an experiment upon this mean subject.“This threat is said to have so far effected a cure, that he
paid his host, and set forwards on his journey, as soon as
they were withdrawn. This story is told somewhat
differently in the first volume of the
” Menagiana.“He
spent several years at Padua and Venice, and taught the
youth in those cities. Joseph Scaliger says that the charge
above-mentioned was renewed at Venice, but others caution us against Scaliger’s reports, who had a private pique
against Muretus on the following account. Muretus had
composed for his amusement some verses entitled
” Attius
et Trabeas;“which Scaliger supposing to be ancient,
cited under the name of
” Trabeas,“in his notes upon
” Varro de Re Rustica;“but, finding afterwards that he
had been imposed on, he removed them from the second
edition of his
” Varro;" and, to be revenged on Muretus,
substituted in their place the following distich against
him
Muretus was thirty-four, when the cardinal Hippolite d'Est called him to
Muretus was thirty-four, when the cardinal Hippolite
d'Est called him to Rome, at the recommendation of the
cardinal Francis de Tournon, and took him into his service: and from that time his conduct was such as to procure him universal regard. In 1562 he attended his patron, who was going to France in quality of a legate a latere; but did not return with him to Rome, being prevailed on to read public lectures at Paris upon Aristotle’s
“Ethics;
” which he did with singular applause to
r the title of tf Juvenilia," at Paris, in 1552, and were reprinted in Latin and French, in 1682. He was the editor of several of the classics, which he enriched with
His works were collected, and printed in 5 vols. 8vo, at Verona, in 1727 30; a selection from them by Checotius, in 1741 but the best edition is that of the learned Ruhnkenius, printed at Leyden, in 1789, 4 vols. 8vo. They consist of orations, poems, epistles, various readings, and translations of Greek authors, Aristotle in particular. He composed with great purity and elegance; and he pronounced his orations with a grace which charmed his hearers. His poems, which have been highly applauded, were, as already noticed, published under the title of tf Juvenilia," at Paris, in 1552, and were reprinted in Latin and French, in 1682. He was the editor of several of the classics, which he enriched with notes. All his works are written in elegant Latin, but they are now thought to be more creditable to his judgment than his genius.
, one of the most pleasing painters Spain ever produced, was born at Pilas, near Seville, in 1613, and be.came a disciple
, one of the most pleasing painters Spain ever produced, was born at Pilas, near Seville, in 1613, and be.came a disciple of Juan del Castillo, whose favourite subjects were fairs and markets; of which Murillo painted many pictures before he left him to go to Madrid. There he studied and copied the works of Titian, Rubens, and Vandyke, in the royal palaces, and the houses of the nobility; and having very much advanced himself in the knowledge and practice of his art, returned to Seville, where he was employed to paint for most of the principal churches there, as well as at Granada, Cadiz, and Cordova. The style of Murillio is his own. He copied his objects from nature, but combined them ideally; that is, his back-grounds are generally confused and indistinct, and the parts very much blended together, with a loose pencil and indeterminate execution; but most of them have a very pleasing effect, and perhaps the principal objects acquire a degree of finish and beauty from this very circumstance. An instance may be recollected in his very pleasing picture of the good shepherd, an excellent copy of which is at the marquis of Stafford’s gallery. But it was in small pictures of familiar life that this artist most completely succeeded, for in his large pictures, skilfully wrought as they are, he does not appear to have penetrated the arcana of grandeur or style; but in the amiable and tender sentiments which are expressed by the silent actions of the human features, he was eminently successful. He died in 1685.
, a dramatic and miscellaneous writer, was born at Clooniquin, in the county of Roscommon, in Ireland,
, a dramatic and miscellaneous
writer, was born at Clooniquin, in the county of Roscommon, in Ireland, Dec. 27, 1727. His father, Richard
Murphy, who was a merchant, perished in 1729, in one of
his own trading-vessels for Philadelphia, probably in a violent storm, but no intelligence of the ship, or any of its
passengers or crew, ever transpired. From this time the
care of the subject of the present article devolved upon his
mother, who, in 1735, removed, with her children, to London but Arthur was sent, at the age of ten, to the English
college at St. Omer’s, where he remained six years and
made very extraordinary proficiency in Greek and Latin, a
love for which he retained all his life, and particularly improved his acquaintance with the Latin classics. On his
return to England, in 1744, he resided with his mother
till August 1747, when he was sent to Cork, to an uncle
Jeffery French, in whose counting-house he was employed
till April 1749. After this his uncle destined him to go to
Jamaica to overlook a large estate which he possessed in
that island; but his inclination was averse to business of
every kind, and he returned to his mother in London, in
1751. Here he either first contracted, or began at least
to indulge, his predominant passion for the theatre, although
placed in the counting-house of Ironside and Belchier,
bankers. In October 1752, he published the first number
of “The Gray’s-Inn Journal,
” a weekly paper, which he
continued for two years, and which served to connect him
much with dramatic performers and writers, as well as to
make him known to the public as a wit and a critic. On
the death of his uncle, he was much disappointed in not
finding his name mentioned in his will, and the more so as
he had contracted debts, in faith of a good legacy, to the
amount of three hundred pounds. In this embarrassed state,
by the advice of the celebrated Foote, he went on the stage,
and appeared for the first time in the character of Othello.
Jn one season, by the help of strict economy, he paid off
his debts, and had at the end of the year four hundred
pounds in his pocket. With this sum he determined to
quit the stage, on which, as a performer, notwithstanding
the advantages of a fine person, and good judgment, he
made no very distinguished figure, and never used to be
more offended than when reminded of this part of his
career.
e had the mortification to be refused admission, on the ground of his having acted on the stage; but was soon after, in 1757, received as a member of Lincoln’s-Inn.
He now determined to study the law; but on his first
application to the society of the Middle-Temple, he had the
mortification to be refused admission, on the ground of his
having acted on the stage; but was soon after, in 1757,
received as a member of Lincoln’s-Inn. In this year he
was engaged in a weekly paper, called “The Test,
” undertaken chiefly in favour of Mr. Fox, afterwards lord Holland, which ceased on the overthrow of the administration
to which his lordship was attached. This paper was answered by Owen Ruffhead, in the “Contest.
” During
his study of the law, the stage was, either from inclination
or necessity, his resource; and in the beginning of 1758,
he produced the farce of “The Upholsterer,
” which was
very successful; and before the end of the same year he
finished “The Orphan of China,
” which is founded on a
dramatic piece, translated from this Chinese language, in
Du Halde’s “History of China.
” The muse, as he says,
“still keeping possession of him,
” he produced, in 1760
the “Desert Island,
” a dramatic poem; and his “Way to
keep Him,
” a comedy of three acts, afterwards enlarged
to five acts, the most popular of all his dramatic compositions. This was followed by the comedy of “All in the
Wrong,
” “The Citizen,
” and “The Old Maid;
” all of
which were successful, and still retain their rank among
acting-pieces. Having finished his preparatory law-studies,
he was called to the bar in Trinity-Term, 1762. About
this time, he engaged again in political controversy, by
writing “The Auditor,
” a periodical paper, intended to
counteract the influence of Wilkes’s “North-Briton;
”
but in this he was peculiarly unfortunate, neither pleasing
the public, nor deriving much support from those on whose
behalf he wrote. Wilkes and Churchill, who were associated in politics, contrived to throw a degree of ridicule
on Murphy’s labours, which was fatal. Murphy appearing
to his antagonists to meddle with subjects which he did
not understand, they laid a trap to make him discover
his want of geographical knowledge, by sending him a
letter signed “Viator,
” boasting of the vast acquisition, by
lord Bute’s treaty of peace, of Florida to this country,
and representing that country as peculiarly rich in fuel for
domestic uses, &c. This Arthur accordingly inserted,
with a remark that “he gave it exactly as he received it,
in order to throw all the lights in his power upon the solid
value of the advantages procured by the late negociation.
”
Wilkes immediately reprinted this letter in his “North
Britain;
” and the “Auditor
” found it impossible to bear up
against the satires levelled at him from all quarters.
uits he continued till 1787, when, to his great astonishment, a junior to him on the Norfolk circuit was appointed king’s counsel. Disappointed at this, he sold his
In the summer of 1763, Mr. Murphy went his first,
the Norfolk, circuit; but with little success; and afterwards
appeared occasionally as a pleader in London. The Muse,
however, he confesses, “still had hold of him, and occasionally stole him away from ‘ Coke upon Littleton.’
” In
his law pursuits he continued till 1787, when, to his great
astonishment, a junior to him on the Norfolk circuit was appointed king’s counsel. Disappointed at this, he sold his
chambers in Lincoln’s-Inn, in July 1788, and retired altogether from the bar. The intermediate time, however,
had been filled up by the production of his “Three Weeks
after Marriage,
” “Zenobia,
” “The Grecian Daughter,
”
and other dramatic pieces, generally acted with great applause, and which are yet on the stock list. After he retired from the bar he bought a house at Hammersmith,
and there prepared various publications for the press, among
which, in 1786, was an edition of his works collectively,
in seven volumes, octavo. In 1792, he appeared as one
of the biographers of Dr. Johnson, in “An Essay on his
Life and Genius;
” but this was a very careless sketch, copied almost verbatim from the account of sir John Hawkins’s Life of Johnson, in the Monthly Review. In the
following year he published a translation of Tacitus, in four
volumes, quarto, dedicated to the late Edmund Burke. To
this work, which is executed in a masterly manner, he
added “An Essay on the Life and Genius of Tacitus;
”
with historical supplements and frequent annotations and
comments. Mr. Murphy continued to write to an advanced
age, and in 1798 he published his “Arminius,
” intended
to justify the war then carried on against the ambition of
France, and which, with the majority of the nation, he considered as both just and necessary. Through his interest
with lord Loughborough, he obtained the office of one of
the commissioners of bankrupts, to which, during the last
three years of his life, was added a pension of two hundred
pounds a year. In his latter days, after he had published
a “Life of Garrick,
” a very sensible decay of mental
powers became visible. He continued, however, to be occasionally cheered and assisted by a few friends, until his
death, at his lodgings at Knightsbridge, June 18, 1805.
From his biographer’s account it appears he had perfectly
reconciled his mind to the stroke of death: when he had
made his will, and given plain and accurate directions respecting his funeral, he said, “I have been preparing for
my journey to another region, and now do not care how
soon I take my departure.
” On the day of his death he
frequently repeated the lines of Pope:
Besides the works already mentioned and alluded to, Mr. Murphy was author of a translation of Sallust, which has appeared as a
Besides the works already mentioned and alluded to, Mr. Murphy was author of a translation of Sallust, which has appeared as a posthumous work.
Mr. Murphy, in his better days, was a man of elegant manners, and of a well-informed mind, rich
Mr. Murphy, in his better days, was a man of elegant manners, and of a well-informed mind, rich also in anecdotes of the literature of his period, which he related with great humour and accuracy, and there was a time when the company of few men was more courted, or was in itself more entertaining. As a dramatic writer he may be deemed both fortunate and unfortunate fortunate as he established a very high character, and produced more stock pieces than any man of his time; and unfortunate, as the stage detached him from a profession by which he might have attained ease and independence. The consciousness of this had visible effects on his temper in his last years. It was a painful recollection that he had lived to see the companions and familiar friends of his youth advanced to the highest ranks in the state, while he was left to derive a scanty support from talents now in their decay.
, a clergyman of Scotland, was born at Dunkeld in that country, in 1702, and educated in the
, a clergyman of Scotland, was born
at Dunkeld in that country, in 1702, and educated in the
Marishal college, Aberdeen, where he took his degrees,
and was licensed as a probationer in the ministry. Being
of a romantic turn of mind, although an excellent classical
scholar, he refused a living in Scotland, and came to London, where, it is said, but we know not upon what authority, he was made choice of as an assistant-preacher to the
congregation in Swallow-street, Westminster. But his
pulpit-oratory did not acquire him popularity, and his sentiments were rather disgustful to his hearers. This induced him to solicit the protection of James late duke of
Athol, who took him into his family, where he wrote a
work, entitled “Aletheia, or a System of Moral Truths,
”
which has been published in the form of letters, in 2 vols.
12mo. He died in London in 1758, aged fifty-five.
, an eminent English lawyer, was fourth son of David, earl of Stormont, and was born March 2,
, an eminent English lawyer, was fourth son of David, earl of Stormont, and was born March 2, 1705, at Perth, in Scotland. He was brought to England at the age of three years, for his education, which accounts for his always being free from the accent so peculiar in the natives of that country. He was educated at Westminster-school, being admitted a king’s scholar at the age of fourteen years. During the time of his being at school, he afforded proofs of his ability, not so much in poetry, as in declamation, and other exercises, which gave promise of the eloquence that grew up to such perfection when at the bar, and in parliament. At the election in May 1723, he stood first on the list of those scholars who were to go to Oxford, and was entered of Christ church June 18 of that year, where in 1727, he appears to have taken the degree of bachelor of arts; and, on the death of king George I. he was amongst those who contributed their poetical compositions, in Latin, on that event.
made a tour on the continent. On his return, he became a member of Lincoln’s-inn; and, in due time, was called to the bar. Mr. Murray is among those rare instances
On June 26, 1730, he took the degree of master of ar,ts, and soon after made a tour on the continent. On his return, he became a member of Lincoln’s-inn; and, in due time, was called to the bar. Mr. Murray is among those rare instances of persons who very 'early attained to reputation and practice in the profession. His talent was for public speaking, which gave him a superiority that enabled him to rival and excel those who were far beyond him in knowledge and experience. A reputation early attained gives a character which it is very difficult for time to change or eradicate. Mr. Murray’s premature success created an early impression that he was more of a speaker than a lawyer; and, while he was readily acknowledged to excel both old and young, in the one qualification, the world were long unwilling to allow him an ascendancy in the other. His attachment to the belles lettres, and society with Mr. Pope and other wits of his time, gave countenance to the idea, that little time was left for Coke, Plowden, and the Year-hooks. But time and experience, as they improved Mr. Murray, gradually convinced the world, that his mind was equally made for jurisprudence or oratory.
1738, he married lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter of the earl of Winchelsea and, in November 1742, he was appointed solicitor- general in the room of sir John Strange,
We find him employed, so early as 1736, as an advocate against th bill of pains and penalties, which afterwards passed into a law, against the lord-provost and city of Edinburgh, for the riotous murder of captain Porteus. On Nov. 20, 1738, he married lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter of the earl of Winchelsea and, in November 1742, he was appointed solicitor- general in the room of sir John Strange, who resigned. He was also chosen representative of the town of Boroughbridge; and was afterwards returned for the same place in 1747 and 1754. In March 1746, he? was appointed one of the managers for the impeachment of lord Lovat by the House of Commons. It was his part to observe upon the evidence in reply to the prisoner; in this he displayed so much candour, as well as so much ability, that he was complimented by the prisoner no less than by the lord-chancellor Talbot, who presided at the trial.
In 1753, a most injurious attack was made upon Mr. Murray’s character on the following occasion:
In 1753, a most injurious attack was made upon Mr.
Murray’s character on the following occasion: It had been
said, that Dr. Johnson, a person then thought of for considerable preferment, and afterwards bishop of Worcester,
a very intimate friend of Mr. Murray, was of Jacobitical
principles, and had even drank the pretender’s health in a
company near twenty years before. This story was thought
of sufficient importance to induce Mr. Pelham, then minister, to write down to Newcastle to Mr. Fawcett, the recorder, who was the author of the story, to learn the truth.
Mr. Fawcett answered this inquiry in an evasive manner;
but, in a subsequent conversation with lord Ravensworth,
added, that Mr. Murray and Mr. Stone had done the same
several times. Lord Ravensworth thought, that, Mr. Stone
holding an office about the prince, such a suggestion as to
his loyalty and principles ought not to be slighted; and he
made it so much a matter of conversation, that the ministry
advised the king to have the whole information examined;
and a proceeding was had in the council, and afterwards in,
the House of Lords, for that purpose. When Mr. Murray
heard of the committee being appointed to examine this
idle affair, he sent a message to the king, humbly to acquaint him, that, if he should be called before such a tribunal on so scandalous and injurious account, he would resign his office, and would refuse to answer. It came, however, before the House of Lords, on the motion of the
duke of Bedford, on Jan. 22, 1753, who divided the house
upon it, but the house was not told; and thus ended a
transaction, which, according to lord Melcombe, was “the
worst judged, the worst executed, and the worst supported
point, he ever saw of such expectation.
”
Mr. Yorke, son of the lord chancellor, made him a compliment of regret, in an elegant speech, which was answered by Mr. Murray, in one which abounds with panegyric
On the advancement of sir Dudley Ryder to be chief
justice of the king’s bench in 1754, Mr. Murray succeeded
him as attorney-general, and, on his death in Nov. 1756,
he succeeded him as chief justice of the King’s Bench. On
his leaving Lincoln’s-inn, Mr. Yorke, son of the lord chancellor, made him a compliment of regret, in an elegant
speech, which was answered by Mr. Murray, in one which
abounds with panegyric on Mr. Yorke’s father, the then
chancellor, whose merit he extols before those of Bacon,
Clarendon, and Somers. He was sworn into his office on
November 8, and took his seat on the bench Nov. 11. The
motto on his Serjeant’s rings was “Servate Domum.
” He
was immediately after created baron of Mansfield, to him,
and the heirs-male of his body.
had no doubt, they ought not to put the parties to the delay and expence of a farther argument. Such was the general satisfaction during the time he presided there,
From the first of his coming upon the bench of that
court, he set himself to introduce regularity, punctuality;
and dispatch in business. On the fourth day after his appointment, he laid it down, that, where the court had no
doubt, they ought not to put the parties to the delay and
expence of a farther argument. Such was the general
satisfaction during the time he presided there, that the
business of the court increased in a way never before
known, and yet was dispatched as had never before been
seen, whether in bank, or at nisi prius. “At the sitting
for London and Middlesex,
” says sir James Burrow, in
the preface to his Reports, “there are not so few as eight
hundred causes set down in a year, and all disposed of.
”
Respecting the business in barjk, he says, “notwithstanding the immensity of business, it is notorious, that, in
consequence of method, and a very few rules, which have
been laid down to prevent delay (even where the parties themselves would willingly consent to it), nothing now
hangs in court. Upon the last day of the very last term,
if we exclude such motions of the term as by the desire of
the parties went over of course, as peremptories; there
was not a single matter of any kind that remained undetermined, excepting one case relating to the proprietary
lordship of Maryland, which was professedly postponed on
account of the present situation of America. One might
speak to the same effect concerning the last day of any
former term for some years backward.
” The same reporter says, that, except in the c^se of Perrin and Blake,
and the case of Literary Property, there had not been,
from Nov. 6, 1756, to May 26, 1776, a final difference of
opinion in the court in any case, or upon any point whatsoever; and it is remarkable too, that, excepting these
two cases, no judgment given during the same period had
been reversed, either in the exchequer chamber, or parliament; and even these two reversals were with great difference of opinion among the judges.
lord Mansfield accepted, on April 9, the office of chancellor of the exchequer. At this juncture he was the means of effecting a coalition of parties, which formed
During the unsettled state of the ministry in 1757, lord Mansfield accepted, on April 9, the office of chancellor of the exchequer. At this juncture he was the means of effecting a coalition of parties, which formed an administration that carried to a high point of splendour the glory of the British arms. In the same year, on the retirement of lord Hardwicke, he was offered the great seal, which he refused.
At the commencement of the present reign, this noble lord was marked as an object of party rancour; and he continued exposed
At the commencement of the present reign, this noble lord was marked as an object of party rancour; and he continued exposed to the most malicious slander and invective for many years; but this made no interruption in the sedulous attention he ever paid to the duties of his office. For one short period of his life, he shewed himself in opposition to the government. During the administration of lord Rockingham, in 1765, he opposed the bill for repealing the stamp-act, and is supposed to have had some share in the composition of the protests on that occasion, though he did not sign them.
The affair of Mr. Wilkes’s outlawry was the next thing which brought upon this noble person the malicious
The affair of Mr. Wilkes’s outlawry was the next thing
which brought upon this noble person the malicious attacks
of party and faction. Whether this outlawry should be
reversed or not, was a dry question of law, upon the wording of the record, and nothing could be more remote from
considerations of expediency, and reasons of political moment; it was a matter wholly clerical, and better understood by the subordinate officers ol the court than by most
on the bench. But this point of special pleading was made
an object of much popular expectation; and, on the
judgment was to be given, not only the court, but the
whole of Westminster-hall, and Palace-yard, were crowded
with anxious spectators. The court had made up their
minds to reverse the outlawry, so that Mr. Wilkes was let
in to receive judgment on the conviction. Upon this occasion lord Mansfield took notice of the unusual appearance
of popular heat that had been discovered and directed
against the judges of that court, and, more especially,
against himself, with a manliness that will ever do honour
to his character. He declared his contempt of all the
threats that had been used to intimidate the court from
doing its duty. He said that such attempts could have no
effect but that which would be contrary to their intent;
leaning against their impression might give a bias the other
way; but he hoped, and knew, that he had fortitude
enough to resist even that weakness. “No libels, no
threats, nothing that has happened, nothing that can happen, will weigh a feather against allowing the defendant,
upon this and every other question, not only the whole advantage he is entitled to from substantial law and justice,
but every benefit from the most critical nicety of form,
which any other defendant could claim under the like objection. The only effect I feel,
” says he, “is an anxiety
to be able to explain the grounds upon which we proceed,
so as to satisfy all mankind, that a flaw of form given way
to, in this case, could not have been got over in any other.
”
It was upon this occasion that he delivered the following
striking sentiment “I honour the king, and respect the
people; but many things acquired by the favour of either,
are, in my account, objects not worth ambition. I wish
popularity, but it is that popularity which follows, not that
which is run after.
”
In Jan. 1770 he was offered the great seal, which he declined; and it was put into
In Jan. 1770 he was offered the great seal, which he declined; and it was put into commission again. In Hilary term, 1771, he declined the same offer, and it was delivered to Mr. Justice Bathurst. In 1770 an attack was made on this noble judicial character, both in the House of Lords and Commons. His direction to the jury, in the case of Woodfall, the printer, who was prosecuted for a libel, was called in question; but his lordship’s opinion, and that of the whole court, stood its ground. On Oct. 19, 1776, he was made an earl of Great Britain, by the title of earl of Mansfield, to him and his issue male; with remainder to Louisa viscountess Stormont, and to her heirs-male by David viscount Stormont, her husband.
In the month of June, 1780, when the metropolis of the kingdom was exposed, for several days, to the depredations of a banditti,
In the month of June, 1780, when the metropolis of the
kingdom was exposed, for several days, to the depredations of a banditti, that took advantage of the tumultuous
assemblies brought together by the protestant association,
lord Mansfield was made an object of popular fury, and his
house in Bloomsbury-square, with every thing in it, was
burnt. This attack was so unexpected, that no preparation
was made against it and he escaped only with his life.
This was on Tuesday night, June 7 and he did not appear
in court till June 14, the last day of term. When he took
his seat, Mr. Douglas informs us, in his Reports, “the reverential silence that was observed was expressive of sentiments of condolence and respect more affecting than the
most eloquent address the occasion could have suggested.
”
His lordship was entitled, amongst others, to recover the
amount of his loss against the hundred. There was also a
vote of the House of Commons, in consequence of which
the treasury directed the surveyor of the board of works to
apply to lord Mansfield, as one of the principal sufferers,
requesting him to state the nature and amount of -his loss:
but he declined this offer of compensation. “It does not
become me,
” says he, in his answer to the surveyorgeneral, “however great the loss may be, to claim or expect reparation from the state.
”
er, in which they lamented their loss, but remembered, with peculiar satisfaction, that his lordship was not cut off from them by the sudden stroke of painful distemper,
From this time, it seemed, as if popular odium had spent its fury, and had no longer any malice to direct against this noble person. Party rage seemed to be softened by this last act of mischief; and, during the remainder of his days, lord Mansfield seemed to unite all parties in one uniform sentiment of approbation and reverence for a tried and ancient servant of the public. The increase of years did not bring on such infirmities as to disable him from, discharging the duties of his station till about 1787: these, at length, bore so much upon him that he came to the resolution to resign his office, which he did in the month of June, 1788. Upon that occasion the gentlemen who practised at the bar of the court where he had so long presided, addressed to his lordship a letter, in which they lamented their loss, but remembered, with peculiar satisfaction, that his lordship was not cut off from them by the sudden stroke of painful distemper, or the more distressing of those extraordinary faculties which had so long disv tinguished him among men; but, that it had pleased God to allow to the evening of a useful and illustrious life the purest enjoyment that nature had ever allotted to it. The unclouded reflections of a superior and unfading wind over its varied events, and the happy consciousness that it had been faithfully and eminently devoted to the highest duties of human society, in the most distinguished nation upon, earth. They expressed a wish that the season of this high satisfaction might bear its proportion to the lengthened days of his rctivity and strength. This letter had many signatures, and was, atthe desire of Mr. Bearcroft, the senior counsel in that court, transmitted to the venerable peer by Mr. (now lord) Erskine. Lord Mansfield instantly returned an answer, in which he said, that, if he had given any satisfaction, it was owing to the learning and candour of the bar; the liberality and integrity of their practice freed the judicial investigation of truth and justice from difficulties. The memory of the assistance he had received from them, and the deep impression which the extraordinary mark they had no v given him of their approbation and affection, had made upon his mind, would be a source of perpetual consolation in his decline of life, under the pressure of bodily infirmities, which made it his duty to retire.
health continued to decline; but his mental faculties remained to the last very little impaired; he was glad to receive visitors, and talk upon the events of the time.
His health continued to decline; but his mental faculties remained to the last very little impaired; he was
glad to receive visitors, and talk upon the events of the
time. Of the French revolution he is reported to have
said, that it was an extraordinary event and, as it was
without example, so it was without a prognostic no conjectures could be formed of its consequences. He lived
to March 20, 1793, and departed this life in the eightyninth year of his age. He left no children; and the earldom, which was granted again by a new patent, in 1792,
descended on his nephew, lord Stormont, together with
his immense fortune. His will was dated April 17, 1782;
it was written in his own hand, upon little more than a
half sheet of paper. It begins thus: “When it shall
please Almighty God to call me to that state, to which, of
all I now enjoy, I can carry only the satisfaction of my
own conscience, and a full reliance on his mercy, through
Jesus Christ: I desire that my body may be interred as
privately as may be; and, out of respect for the place of
my early education, I should wish it to be in Westminster
abbey.
” He was buried, about nine o'clock in the morning of March 28, in the same vault with his countess, who
died April 10, 1784, in Westminster-abbey, between the
late earl of Chatham and lord Robert Manners.
"Mr. Murray, afterwards earl of Mansfield, and lord chief justice of England, was so extraordinary a person, and made so great a figure in the
"Mr. Murray, afterwards earl of Mansfield, and lord chief justice of England, was so extraordinary a person, and made so great a figure in the world, that his name must go down to posterity with distinguished honour in the public records of the nation; for, his shining talents displayed themselves in every department of the state as well as in the supreme court of justice, his peculiar province, which he filled with a lustre of reputation, not equalled perhaps, certainly not exceeded, by any of his predecessors.
eak from my own observation. Too goad to be the leader, and too able to be the dupe of any party, he was believed to speak his own sense of public measures; and the
"Of his conduct in the House of Lords I can speak with the more confidence, because I speak from my own observation. Too goad to be the leader, and too able to be the dupe of any party, he was believed to speak his own sense of public measures; and the authority of his judgment was so high, that, in regular limes, the house was usually decided by it. He was no forward or frequent speaker, but reserved himself, as was fit, for occasions worthy of him. In debate he was eloquent as well as wise, or rather he became eloquent by his wisdom. His countenance and tone of voice imprinted the ideas of penetration, probity, and candour; but what secured yow attention and assent to all he said was his constant good sense, flowing in apt terms, and in the clearest method. He affected no sallies of the imagination, or bursts of passion; much less would he condescend to personal abuse, or to petulant altercation; All was clear candid reason, letting itself so easily into the minds of his hearers as to carry information and conviction with it. In a word, his public senatorial character very much resembled that of Messala, of whom Cicero says, addressing himself to Brutus, < Do not imagine, Brutus, that for worth, honour, and a warm love of his country, any one is comparable to Messala;' so that his eloquence, in which he wonderfully excels, is almost eclipsed by those virtues: and even in his display of that faculty his superior good sense shews itself most; with so much care and skill hath he formed himself to the truest manner of speaking His powers of genius and invention are confessedly of the first size, yet he almost owes less to them, than the diligent and studious cultivation of judgment.
“In the commerce of a private life lord Mansfield was easy, friendly, and very entertaining, extremely sensible of
“In the commerce of a private life lord Mansfield was
easy, friendly, and very entertaining, extremely sensible
of worth in other men, and ready on all occasions to countenance and patronize it.
”
, in a letter to Dr. Freind, endeavours to prove that the lapis mentioned by Virgil (Eneid XII. 391) was our Musa; but Dr. Templeman and others have differed from him
, an eminent physician at Rome, acquired such reputation as to be appointed physician to the
emperor Augustus, about 21 B. C. He is said to have
been the first who prescribed the use of the cold bath;
but whatever may be in this, he advised cold bathing and
a cool regimen in the case of his imperial master, which
effected the cure of many disorders with which Augustus
had been previously afflicted, and made him a great favourite both with the emperor and the people. Little is
Known of his history besides, and none of his writings have
descended to posterity. The tract, printed among others
on the materia medica at Basil in 1528 and 1549, “Libellus de Botanica,
” and attributed to Musa, is thought to
have been the production of a later pen. Bishop Atterbury, in a letter to Dr. Freind, endeavours to prove that
the lapis mentioned by Virgil (Eneid XII. 391) was our
Musa; but Dr. Templeman and others have differed from
him in this opinion, for reasons which cannot easily be rejected.
, celebrated by ancient writers as a philosopher, astronomer, and poet, was, according to Plato and Diodorus Siculus, an Athenian, the son
, celebrated by ancient writers as a philosopher, astronomer, and poet, was, according to Plato and
Diodorus Siculus, an Athenian, the son of Orpheus, and
chief of the Eleusinian mysteries, instituted at Athens in
honour of Ceres; or, according to others, he was only the
disciple of Orpheus. He is allowed to have been one of
the first poets who versified the oracles. He is placed in
the Arundelian marbles, Epoch 15, 1426 B.C. at which
time his hymns are there said to have been received in the
celebration of the Eleusinian mysteries. Laertius tells us,
that Musæus not only composed a theogony, but formed
the first sphere but he was probably misled by the title of
a poem said to have been written by Mnsaeus, “de Sphaera.
”
The doctrine which he taught was, that all things are produced fiom one, and shall be resolved into the same; an
Orphic doctrine, which is the first principle of the system
of emanation, and the foundation of all the ancient theogonies. He is celebrated by Virgil in the character of
Hierophant, or priest of Ceres, among the most illustrious
mortals who have merited a place in Elysium, and is made
the conductor of Æneus to the recess, where he meets the
shade of his fatber Anchises.
A hill near the citadel of Athens was called Musæum, according to Pausamas, from Musæus, who used
A hill near the citadel of Athens was called Musæum,
according to Pausamas, from Musæus, who used to retire
thither to meditate, and compose his religious hymns, and
at which place he was afterwards buried. The works
which went under his name, like those of Orpheus, were
by many attributed to Onomacritus. Nothing remains of
this poet now, nor were any of his writings exta-nt in the
time of Pansanias, except a hymn to Ceres, which he
made for theLycomedes. There is another Musæus, called
the grammarian, author of a Greek poem on “The Loves
of Hero and Leander.
” He is supposed to have lived as
late as the fourth century, since he is not referred to by
any of the older scholiasts, and some of his verses appear
borrowed from the Dionysiacs of Nonnius. Nothing is
known of him personally, yet his work is in a pure and
elegant style, with much delicacy of sentiment. It has
been frequently reprinted, both in collections and separately, and has been translated into various languages.
, a celebrated German divine and reformer, was the son of a cooper, and born at Dieuze, upon Lorrain Sept.
, a celebrated German divine and reformer, was the son of a cooper, and born at Dieuze, upon Lorrain Sept. 8, 1497. His father being unable to furnish him with education, Musculus was obliged to provide for his own subsistence, as was the case with poor scholars at that time, by singing from door to door; and his talents having attracted the notice of a convent of Benedictines, they offered him the habit of their order, which he accepted, applied himself to study, and became a good preacher. He embraced Luther’s principles, and so strenuously supported them upon all occasions, as to induce many of his brethren to forsake the order. When this, as may be expected, raised him enemies, he made an open profession of Lutheranism, fled to Strasburgin i 527, and the same year married. Having now no provision whatever, he was reduced to the necessity of sending his wife to service in a clergyman’s family, and of binding himself apprentice to a weaver, who dismissed him in two months for discovering part of that zeal which had already induced him to make so many sacrifices. He then resolved to earn his bread by working at the fortifications of Strasburg; but, the evening before he was to begin this drudgery, he was informed that the magistrates had appointed him to preach every Sunday in the village of Dorlisheim. Having complied with this offer, he lodged during the rest of the week at Strasburg with Martin Bucer, and increased
nscribing the works of that reformer for the press. Some months after, when this resource failed, he was obliged to reside at Dorlisheim, where he continued to suffer
his poor pittance by transcribing the works of that reformer for the press. Some months after, when this resource failed, he was obliged to reside at Dorlisheim, where he continued to suffer the rigours of poverty with great constancy. His only moveable was the little bed he brought from the convent; which, however, was soon occupied by his wife, who was ready to lie-in. At this t me he lay on the ground upon a little straw, and must have perished through want, if the magistrates of Strasburg had not at length assigned him a sum out of the public treasury. He was then invited again to Strasburg, as officiating deacon in the principal church, and, after he had acquitted himself in this character for about two years, he went to preach at Augsburg in 1531. Here, after sustaining many controversies with the papists, he by degrees prevailed upon the magistrates to banish popery entirely, which was finally accomplished in 1537. Musculus served the church of Augsburg till 1548; when Charles V. having entered the city, and re-established popery in the church of Notre Dame, he found it necessary for his safety to retire to Switzerland, his wife and children following soon after; and was invited by the magistrates of Bern in 1549 to the professorship of divinity. Here he was so successful in his ministry and teaching, and so kindly treated, that he never would accept of any other situation, though several were offered him elsewhere, He died at Bern, Aug. 30, 1563. His talents occasioned him to be employed in some very important ecclesiastical concerns: he was deputed by the senate of Augsburg m 1536, to the synod at Eynach, for the re- union of the protestants upon the doctrine of the supper he was deputed to assist a*the conferences which were held between the protestant and Roman catholic divines, during the diet of Worms, and that of Ratisbon, in 1540 and 1541 he was one of the secretaries of the conference at Ratisbon, between Melancthon and Eccius, and drew up the acts of it: and he was sent to the inhabitants of Donawert, who embraced the reformation in 1544, to promote that design.
He was a man of great application and deep learning, and a considerable
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.
, an English physician and antiquary, was descended from an ancient family in Westmorland, but born at
, an English physician
and antiquary, was descended from an ancient family in
Westmorland, but born at Charlton-Musgrave in Somersetshire, in 1657. Being educated, as is supposed, at
Winchester-school, he became, in 1675, a probationerfellow of New college, in Oxford, where he took the degree of LL. B. in 1682; but afterwards studying physic,
distinguished himself greatly by his knowledge in that profession and in natural philosophy; and was elected fellow
of the royal society. He was made secretary to it in 1684,
in which quality he continued, and published the “Philosophical Transactions,
” from No.
ork much praised by Mr. Moyle. 4. “De Legionibus Epistola.” This letter concerning the Roman legions was addressed to sir Hans Sloane. 5. “De Aquilis Romania Epistola,
Being a man of very extensive learning, he composed, at
his leisure-hours, several curious works, as, 1. “De Arthritide symptomatica Dissertatio, 1703,
” 8vo. 2. “De Arthritide^anomala sive interna Dissertatio, 1707,
” 8vo. Of
these two books, one upon the regular, the other upon the
irregular or inward gout, he gave an account in the “Philosophical Transactions.
” 3. “Julii Vitalis Epitaphitim:
cum Commentario, 1711,
” 8vo, a work much praised by
Mr. Moyle. 4. “De Legionibus Epistola.
” This letter
concerning the Roman legions was addressed to sir Hans
Sloane. 5. “De Aquilis Romania Epistola, 1713,
” 8vo,
addressed to Gisbert Cuper, consul of Deventer, who had
affirmed that the Roman eagles were of massy gold or
silver; while Musgrave maintained, that they were only
plated over, in which opinion he was joined by Moyle. 6.
“Inscriptio Terraconensis; cum Commentario.
” 7. “Geta
Britannicus. Accedit Domus Severianae Synopsis chronologica; et de Icuncula quondam M. Regis jElfridi Dissertatio, 1715,
” 8vo. That is, “Observations upon a
fragment of an equestrian stone Statue, found near Bath,
which Musgrave believes to have been set up in honour of
Geta, after his arrival in Britain; together with a chronological Synopsis of the family of Severus; and a dissertation upon a piece of Saxon antiquity found at Athelney in
Somersetshire, being king Alfred the Great’s Amulet.
” 8.
“Belgium Britannicum;
” or, “An account of that part of
South Britain which was anciently inhabited by a people
called Belgae, and now comprehends Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Somersetshire,
” De Arthritide primogenia et regulari,
”
8vo. He had left the manuscript to his son William Musgrave, M. B. by whom it was committed to the press, but
he dying when the work was nearly completed, the sheets
remained in the warehouse of the Clarendon press until
the above-mentioned period, when it was published by the
author’s grandson, the late Dr. Samuel Musgrave, of Exeter, a gentleman once noted (about 1761) for his pretended political discoveries respecting the private history
of the peace, and afterwards as a Greek scholar and critic.
He studied at Leyden, where in 1762 he published “Exercitationum in Euripidem libri duo,
” 8vo, and when he
took his degree, “Apologia pro medicina Empirica,
”
Two Dissertations,
” on the Grecian mythology, and the
chronology of the Olympiads.
, an Italian historian and poet, was born at Padua in 1261. When young he lost his father, and was
, an Italian historian and poet, was born at Padua in 1261. When young he lost his father, and was left with a numerous family of brothers and sisters, whom he at first endeavoured to maintain by copying books for the scholars of the university. He was also permitted to attend the lectures there, and made very considerable progress in belles lettres and the law. Theiatterhe chose as the profession most likely to enable him to maintain his family, nor was he disappointed; and the very great ability he displayed at other times occasioned his being employed in political affairs. His talents in this respect were first called forth when Henry VII. made a descent on Italy; on which event he was five times se nt by the Paduans to that prince, who conceived a very high opinion of him. In his history we find the speeches he ma ie to Henry, and those he addressed to the senate of Padua. He also distinguished himself in the war which the Paduans carried on against Can Grande de la Scala, and when wounded and taken prisoner in 1314, Can Grande paid him the attention due to his merit, and restored him to liberty. The war raging more furiously, Mussato went first to Tuscany to negociate an alliance with the Tuscans and Paduans against Can Grande, but not succeeding, went next to Austria and Carint*hia, where he partially achieved his purpose, and at last, in 1324, had the honour of concluding a peace between Can Grande and his country.
hed to his house, intending to murder him. He had the good fortune to escape, and when the commotion was ended and the ringleaders put to death, the senate and people
The services, however, which he performed to Padua, were not always sufficient to protect him against the intrigues of his countrymen, who, living under a popular government, were always exposed to commotions excited by the artful and ambitious; and in 1314, particularly, the mob rushed to his house, intending to murder him. He had the good fortune to escape, and when the commotion was ended and the ringleaders put to death, the senate and people recalled him, and, ashamed of the treatment he had received, bestowed many honours upon him. He was again, however, exposed to danger by the ingratitude of his fellow citizens, and banished to Chiozzo in 1325. Here he passed the rest of his life, in hopes of better fortune, which it was not his lot to experience. He died May 29, 1330.
During his exile he employed his time in writing his history, which was printed at Venice, 1636, fol. under the title “Historia Augusta
During his exile he employed his time in writing his
history, which was printed at Venice, 1636, fol. under the
title “Historia Augusta Henrici VII. Imp. et alia quse extant opera, cum notis Laur. Pignorii, &c. additis aliis rerum Tarvisianarum et Patavinarum scriptoribus.
” This
history is written in Latin, and with much judgment
and regard to truth. Had his style been equal, he would
have deserved the appellation which some bestowed upon
him, that of being the second Livy of Padua. Of this
history there are three books written in heroic verse,
on the subject of the siege of Padua. His prose style,
although, as we have just hinted, not unexceptionable on.
the score of purity, was yet the best that had appeared
since the decline of letters; and Scipio Maffei goes so far
as to say that the restoration of the purity of the Latin
language was not so much owing to Petrarch, which is the
general opinion, as to Mussato, who died thirty-five years
before Petrarch. Mussato’s poetical works consist of
eclogues, elegies, epistles in verse, and an Ovidian Cento.
He also wrote two tragedies in Latin, the first that had
appeared in Italy, the one entitled “Eccerinis,
” the other
“Achilles.
” Jn these he imitates the manner of Seneca,
and with success, but some critics object to the model.
They are, with his other works, reprinted in the “Thesaurus Histor. Ital.
” vol. VI. part II. Muratori, in his “Script.
Rer. Ital.
” vol. X. has given only his historical writings, and
the tragedy of “Eccerinis.
” Scardonius, in his “Antiquities of Padua,
” p.
, an eminent mathematician and natural philosopher, was born at Leyden in 1692. He appears first to have studied medicine,
, an eminent mathematician and natural philosopher, was born at Leyden in
1692. He appears first to have studied medicine, as he
took his doctor’s degree in that faculty in 1715, but natural philosophy afterwards occupied most of his attention.
After visiting London, where he became acquainted with
Newton and Desaguliers, probably about 1734, when he
was chosen a fellow of the royal society, he returned home,
and was appointed professor of mathematics and natural
philosophy at Utrecht, which he rendered as celebrated for
those sciences as it had long been for law studies. He was
afterwards placed in the same chair at Leyden, and obtained great and deserved reputation throughout all Europe. Besides being elected a member of the Paris academy and other learned bodies, the kings of England,
Prussia, and Denmark, made him tempting offers to reside
in their dominions; but he preferred his native place, where
he died in 1761. He published several works in Latin, all
of them demonstrating his great penetration and accuracy:
1. “Disputatio de Aeris praesentia in humoribus animalibus,
” Leyd. Epitome Elementorum Pbysico-mathematicorum,
” ib. Physicx, experimentales, et geometries Dissertationes: ut et Ephemerides meteorologicae Utrajectenses,
” ibid. Tentamina Experinientorurn naturalium, in academia del
Cimento, ex Ital. in Lat. conversa,
” ibid. Elementa Physicsc,
” Introduction to Natural
Philosophy,
” which he began to print in Memoirs of the Academy of
Sciences
” for
, one of the revivers of literature, was a. native of Candia, and came to Italy about the beginning of
, one of the revivers of literature,
was a. native of Candia, and came to Italy about the beginning of the sixteenth century, where he understood
that encouragement would be given to men of ability in
the languages and grammatical studies. After exhibiting
proofs of his talents at Venice, the senate appointed him
to teach publicly at Padua in 1503, and a great concourse
of scholars gathered around him, until his labours were
interrupted by the war. He had been the disciple of Lascaris, who recommended him to the notice of Leo X.; and
that pontiff addressed a letter to him when he was at Venice in 1513, requesting that he would invite from Greece
ten young men, of education and virtuous disposition, who
might instruct the Italians in the proper use and knowledge
of the Greek language. This establishment accordingly
was formed, and Lascaris was placed at the head of it. At
this time Musurus was finishing the first edition of the
works of Plato, in Greek, which was printed by Aldus in
1513. To this edition Musurus prefixed some Greek
verses that have been much admired, and published separately, by Muncker, Amsterdam, 1676, 4to, by our
Foster, in his ingenious work on the Greek accents (see Foster), and more recently at Cambridge, by Samuel
Butler, A. B. 1797. It is also reprinted in Mr. Rescue’s
“Leo X.
” with an elegant English translation.
Leo was so pleased with these verses, and the services Musurus had rendered
Leo was so pleased with these verses, and the services Musurus had rendered to literature, as to confer upon him the bishopric of Malvasia, in the Morea, about a year before his death, which happened at Rome in the autumn of 1517. Besides his Plato, the learned world is indebted to him for the first editions of Aristophanes and Athenaeus. The Aristophanes was published at Venice in 1498, fol. The Athenaeus, a far less correct work, and perhaps the most incorrect princeps editio, was published in 1514, fol. at Venice.
, a learned Spanish physician, divine, and botanist, was born at Cadiz in 1734. He studied medicine at his native place
, a learned Spanish physician, divine, and botanist, was born at Cadiz in 1734.
He studied medicine at his native place and at Seville, and
having obtained much reputation, was appointed professor
of anatomy at Madrid, where he signalized himself by his
physiological knowledge. In 1760 the marquis della Vega,
being appointed viceroy of New Granada, solicited Mutis
to accompany him as his physician. On his arrival at
Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of New Granada, Mutis,
by permission of the viceroy, undertook to introduce the
mathematics as a branch of study in the university, and his
lectures on that subject were heard with attention and admiration, and he was at length, by the authority of the
Spanish government, established professor of philosophy,
mathematics, and natural history, at Santa Fe. While
enjoying this post, some unfortunate speculations in the
mines, which exhausted his pecuniary resources, occasioned his taking orders in the church, and his clerical
duties now shared a considerable portion of his time. Part
of it likewise was employed in botanical researches, and
he corresponded with Linnæus, to whom he sent numerous
specimens [of his own discover) 7 particularly the Mutisia,
so named in honour of him by Linnæus. In 1776 he
settled at Sapo, in the government of Mariquita, where he
had many enviable opportunities of discovering and collecting singular plants and flowers. In 1778 don Antonio
Caballeroy Gorgora, the new archbishop, on his arrival at
Santa Fe, discovered the superior merits of Mutis, and
determined to extricate him from his difficulties, and procure him a pension, with the appointment of botanist and
astronomer to the king. Accordingly, under the patronage of this liberal prelate, he became the superintendant
of a botanical school for investigating the plants of America.
In 1783, attended by some of his pupils, and several
draughtsmen, he made a tour through the kingdom of New
Granada; and by his diligence much new light was thrown
upon the history of the Peruvian bark, and its various
species. He also taught his countrymen the culture and
the value of indigo. His health having suffered from the
climate of Mariquita, he was directed to repair to Santa
F, and to fix on some of his pupils, whose y; uth and
constitutions might be more adequate to such labours. In
1797 he had an opportunity to visit Paris, to consult with
Jussieu, and the other eminent botanists of that capital,
concerning the composition of a “Flora Bogotensis,
” and
to make himself master of all the new improvements and
discoveries. He remained at Paris till 1801, when he went
back to Madrid. Whether he subsequently returned to
his native country, we know not, but in 1804 he was appointed to the professorship of Botany, and superintendance of the royal garden at Madrid. Although his advancing age made repose now in some measure necessary,
he continued to be serviceable to the government of his
native country, and to the prosperity of that in which he
had so long been naturalized. He lived to an advanced
age, but of the precise date of his death we are not
informed.
, an able mathematician, was born at Paris in 1585, and was educated to the law. He became
, an able mathematician, was
born at Paris in 1585, and was educated to the law. He
became counsellor to the Chatelet, and afterwards treasurer of France in the generality of Amiens, but was too
much attached to mathematical pursuits, and master of too
ample a fortune, to pursue his profession as a source of
emolument. He was the friend and acquaintance of Des
Cartes, and entered into a vindication of him, in the dispute which he had with M. Fermat, and was afterwards a
mediator of the peace which was made between those
learned men in 1638. In the same year Mydorge published
a Lutin treatise “On Conic Sections,
” in four bt oks,
which Meisenne has inserted in his “Abridgment of
Universal Geometry.
” In 1642, he and Des Cartes received
an invitation from sir Charles Cavendish to settle in England, which he declined, on the approach of the rebellion.
He died at Paris in 1647, in the sixty-third year of his
age. He was a practical mechanic, as well as an able mathematician, and spent more than a thousand crowns on
the fabrication of glasses for telescopes, burning mirrors,
mechanical engines, and mathematical instruments.
, an eminent architect, to whose memory Black Friars Bridge will be a lasting monument, was born at Edinburgh, Jan. 4, 1734. His father, Thomas Mylne, was
, an eminent architect, to whose memory Black Friars Bridge will be a lasting monument, was born at Edinburgh, Jan. 4, 1734. His father, Thomas Mylne, was an architect, and a magistrate of that city; and his family, it has been ascertained, held th office of master-masons to the kings of Scotland for five hundred year’s, till the union of the crowns of England and Scotland. Mr. Mylne was educated at Edinburgh, and travelled early in life for improvement in h;s hereditary science. At Rome he resided five years, and in September 1758, gained the first prize in the first class of architecture, adjudged by the academy of St. Luke, and was also unanimously elected a member of that body. On this occasion prince Altieri, distinguished for his knowledge of the fine arts, obtained from the pope the necessary dispensation, Mr. Mylne being a protestant. He was also elected a member of the academies of Florence and Bologna. He visited Naples, and viewed the interior of Sicily with an accuracy never before employed; and from his skill in his profession, and his classical knowledge, was enabled to illustrate several very obscure passages in Vitruvius. His fine collection of drawings, with his account of this tour, which he began to arrange for publication in 1774, but was interrupted by his numerous professional engagements, are still in the possession of his son, and will, it is hoped, at no very distant period, be given to the public. He was often heard to remark in his latter days, that in most of his observations and drawings, he had neither been anticipated by those who traversed the ground before him, nor followed by those who came after him.
or constructing a bridge at Black Friars, and Mr. Mylne, among twenty others, became a candidate. It was well known that one of his rivals was befriended by lord Bute,
After making a complete tour of Europe, which he began
by going through France, and finished by returning through
Switzerland and Holland, he arrived in London, with every
possible testimonial of his talents, but without a friend
or patron. At this time plans were requested by the city
of London for constructing a bridge at Black Friars, and
Mr. Mylne, among twenty others, became a candidate. It
was well known that one of his rivals was befriended by
lord Bute, who had then great influence, but Mr. Mylne
succeeded by the impartial verdict of the judges appointed
to examine the respective plans; and the first stone was laid
in 1761, with a pomp becoming the vast undertaking. A
writer of no common talents, in the supplement to the
“Encyclopaedia Britannica,
” after a very close examination of the details of this structure, pronounces it to be the
most perfect of any that is upon record, and at large points
out the great superiority of the centering employed by
Mr. Mylne. The learned author seerns, however, to suppose that this ingenious architect made a secret of his
mode of centering; but few men had a more liberal spirit,
or more aversion to professional quackery of every kind,
and therefore, he deposited in the British Museum, an exact model of the centering employed at Blackfriars bridge,
which gives a most precise and satisfactory idea of the work.
When the bridge was first proposed, Mr. Mylne engaged
in a short controversy with Dr. Johnson, on the form of
the arch; but they were afterwards intimate friends, and
in conversation agreed in a certain sturdy independence
of mind which perhaps cemented that friendship. It is
much to the honour of Mr. Mylne’s accuracy, as well as
integrity, that Blackfriars-bridge was completed in 1765,
for the exact sum specified in his estimate, namely, one
hundred and fifty-three thousand pounds. On his proposals being accepted, the city committee, in February 1760,
voted him an annual salary of three hundred pounds; and
his farther remuneration was to be five per cent, on the
money laid out on the bridge. To obtain this, however,
he hud a long struggle with the city, which he maintained
with his characteristic firmness and spirit; and, in answer
to a question several times put to him, with no great delicacy, uniformly declared, that what he claimed, he
claimed as a matter of right, and not of favour. At
length, but not until 1776, his claims were allowed; on
which occasion he sent to the corporation a letter of
thanks.
Immediately after completing the bridge, he was appointed surveyor of St. Paul’s cathedral, by the archbishop
Immediately after completing the bridge, he was appointed surveyor of St. Paul’s cathedral, by the archbishop
of Canterbury, the bishop of London, and the lord-mayor;
and not only directed the repairs that have been found necessary in that noble fabrick, but those temporary erections required by the anniversaries of the sons of the clergy,
and that most interesting spectacle, the annual assemblage
of the charity-children of the metropolis, as well as those
more elegant preparations made for the visits of the royal
family and the two houses of parliament in 1789, 1797,
&c. &c. It was by his suggestion that the noble inscription in honour of sir Christopher Wren, ending, “Si
monumentum requiras,
” &c. was placed over the entrance
of the choir. Among the other edifices which Mr. Mylne
erected, or was concerned in the repairs, we may enumerate Rochester cathedral, Greenwich hospital, of which
he was clerk of the works for fifteen years Kings- Weston,
the seat of lord De Clifford Blaze castle, near Bristol
Addington, the seat of the archbishop of Canterbury;
Wormlybury, sir Abraham Hume’s; Lying-in hospital,
City road the duke of Northumberland’s pavillion, on the
banks of the Thames at Sion general Skene’s house, in
Fifeshire lord Frederic Campbell’s at Ardincaple; Inverary castle, the duke of Argyle’s; the embankment at
the Temple gardens, &c. &c. He was also consulted on
almost all the harbours in England. Mr. Milne died, May
5, 1811, at the New River Head, where he had long resided, as engineer to that company; an office to which
he was appointed in 1762. He was interred, by his own
desire, in St. Paul’s cathedral, near the tomb of his illustrious predecessor, Wren.
Mr. Mylne was a man of most extensive professional knowledge, and while his
Mr. Mylne was a man of most extensive professional knowledge, and while his Blackfriars bridge, and many other structures shewed him an excellent practical builder, he was no less acute and eloquent on the theory of his art. His conversation, always entertaining and edifying, assumed a higher tone, when he was invited to speak on architectural subjects, the history of the Grecian or Gothic styles, or any disputed point respecting the origin of the art. On such, almost to the latest hour of his life, we have heard him dilate with a precision and copious flow of reasoning, that would have been astonishing in the ablest men in the prime of life. His personal character is said to have had some peculiarities. Such as we have observed seemed to arise from a consciousness of superior talent, and a lofty independent e of spirit. Placed often at the head of a tribe of inferior workmen, of contending interests and passions, his orders were peremptory, and were to be obeyed without a murmur; while he could vet listen with patience, if an objection was started on reasonable grounds. What he most disliked was that adherence to custom and practice which made every improvement be considered as a dangerous, impracticable, or inconvenient innovation. Against this he bent the whole force of his authority, and always endeavoured to introduce a more liberal spirit. The common workmen, who looked up to him with some degree of terror, and whom he certainly did not always address in the gentlest terms, were amply recompensed by the care he took that, whoever were his employers, these humble artisans should be paid their wages with the utmost punctuality. Dearly as he loved his profession, he was not avaricious of its emoluments, and after all his distinguished employments, he did not die rich.
, of Campania, an ancient Latin poet, was bred a soldier, but quitted the profession of arms, in order
, of Campania, an ancient Latin poet, was bred a soldier, but quitted the profession of arms, in order to apply himself with more leisure to poetry. Accordingly, he prosecuted that art with great diligence, and gave the first specimen of a heroic poem in Latin, in a description of the first Punic war, and the Iliad of Cyprus, mentioned by Cicero. He wrote also some tragedies, a few fragments of which are extant with Livius Andronicus, and somje comedies, the first of which appeared in the year 235 B.C., but this, it is said, when played at Rome, so highly incensed Metellus by the satirical strokes in it, that this nobleman, who wus then very powerful, procured him to be banished from the city. In this condition, he retired to Utica in Africa, where he died in the year 203 B. C. We have only some fragments of his works; unless his epitaph, which is said to have been composed by himself, may be ranked among them. Of these fragments there is an edition by Henry Stephens, Paris, 1569, 8vo.
, an historical writer, was born probably about 1638, and educated at Cambridge, of which
, an historical writer, was born probably about 1638, and educated at Cambridge, of which he
became LL. D. We have discovered very few particulars
of his life. He appears to have been zealous in the royal
cause during the usurpation, and became rector of Doddington cum March, in the Isle of Ely. He was also in
1684 collated to a prebend in that cathedral. Wood and
Bentham say that he died March 24, 1685-6, aged
fortyeight years, and was buried in Ely cathedral. If Bentham
did not copy this date from Wood, but took it from the
registers of Ely, we know not how to reconcile it with a
letter from Dr. Nalson, printed in Gutch’s “Collectanea,
”
and dated An Impartial Collection of the Great Affairs
of State, from the beginning of the Scotch rebellion in
1639, to the murder of king Charles I, &c.
” Lond. 1685, fbl. Besides this
historical collection, Dr. Nalson wrote, 1.
” The Countermine: or, a short, but true discovery of the dangerous
principles, and secret practices of the dissenting party,
especially the presbyterians; shewing, that religion is pretended, but rebellion intended,“&c. Lond. 1677, 8vo.
2.
” The Common Interest of King and People, shewing
the original, antiquity, and excellency, of monarchy compared with aristocracy and democracy, and particularly of
our English monarchy; and that absolute, papal, and presbyterian popular supremacy are utterly inconsistent with
prerogative, property, and liberty;“ibid. 1678, 8vo. 3.
” A True Copy of the Journal of the High Court of Justice, for the' trial of Charles I. as it was read in the
House of Commons, and attested under the hand of Phelps,
clerk to that infamous court,“with an introduction, ibid.
1684, fol. He also translated Maimbourg’s
” History of
the Crusade," &c. ibid. 1685, fol.
, so called from the village of Nancel, his native place, between Noyon and Soissons, was born in 1539. He studied at the college de Presles at Paris,
, so called from the village of
Nancel, his native place, between Noyon and Soissons,
was born in 1539. He studied at the college de Presles
at Paris, and was employed to teach Greek and Latin there
when scarcely eighteen years of age, probably by the interest of Peter Ramus, principal of the college, who conceived very highly of his talents. He was afterwards proKssor in the university of Douay, where he made two
pei.:ches “On the excellence and importance of the Greek
Language.
” Being invited to return to Paris, he was
again professor in the college de Presles, and took a doctor’s degree in physic. He went afterwards to practise at
Soissons; but principally at Tours, which he found an
eligible situation. He was lastly appointed physician to
the abbey of Fontevrauld, in 1587; and died there in 1610,
leaving a son, who wrote some sacred tragedies. His
principal works are, 1. “Stichologia Grseca Latinaque informanda et reformanda,
” 8vo. In this work he endeavours to subject the French poetry to the rules of the
Greek and Latin, for the purpose, as he says, of rendering it more difficult and less common; a whimsical project,
which, it may be supposed, did not succeed. 2. A treatise
“On the Plague,
” 8vo. 3. “Tr. de Deo, de immortalitate animse contra Galenum, et de sede anima? in corpore,
” 8vo. 4. “Declamationuin Liber, eas complectens
orationes quas vel ipse juvenis habuit ad populum, vel
per discipulos recitavit,
” &c. 8vo. 5. “Petri Kami vita,
”
8vo. This Life is curious and interesting, and the best of
Nancel’s works.
, a French historian, who flourished in the fourteenth century, was a Benedictine monk of the abbey of St. Denis, and supposed to
, a French historian, who flourished in the fourteenth century, was a Benedictine monk
of the abbey of St. Denis, and supposed to have taken his
name from the place where he was born. He wrote the
lives of St. Lewis, and of Philip le Hardi, and two chronicles; the first from the creation to 1300, the second a
chronicle generally of the kings of France. The lives
were printed, for the first time, in Pithou’s collection in
1596, and the chronicle from 1113, in the “Spicilegium
”
of D. Luc d' Archery. The life of St. Lewis was again reprinted along with Joinville’s history of the same prince,
with a glossary, &c. by J. B. Mellot, Ch. Sallier, and J.
Capperonier, at Paris in 1761, fol.
, a noble Venetian, and proctor of St. Mark, was the son of John Nani, once possessed of the same post, and born
, a noble Venetian, and proctor of St. Mark, was the son of John Nani, once possessed of the same post, and born Aug. 30, 1616. He studied polite learning under Peter Renzoli of Arezzo, a secular priest; and went through his course of philosophy among the Dominicans of St. Paul and St. John at Venice. His brother, Augustine Nani, being made commandant of Vicenza, he followed him to that city, and continued his studies there. Upon his return to his own country, in 1637, he was one of the thirty who are drawn every year by lot, to assist at the election of magistrates. His father, who was a person of good abilities, formed his son for business himself; and, in that view, carried him to Rome, where he went ambassador from the republic of Venice to Urban VI I L That pontiff, a man of discernment, predicted, that John Baptist Nani would make an extraordinary person: and his holiness’s prediction was verified. He was admitted into the college of senators in 1641; and not long after went ambassador to France, which character he sustained at Paris for the space of five years, with great reputation. Mazarine, who then was prime minister there, had frequent conferences with him, and received some excellent advice from him, upon the affairs discussed in the treaty of Munster, which was concluded in 1648; in which year Nani returned home, having obtained from France considerable succours both of men and money, for carrying on the war against the Turks in Candia. His merit raised him soon after to be a member of the grand council of the republic, in which he was appointed superintendant of the marine and the finances. In 1654 he was sent ambassador to the imperial court of Germany; did the republic considerable services; and made a second journey to that court^ upon the election of the emperor Leopold. While he was here, he received orders to go again to France, in 1660. He was there at the marriage of Lewis XIV. after the Pyrenean treaty, and obtained fresh succours for the war of Candia. The Venetian senate were greatly satisfied with his conduct, and appointed him proctor of St. Mark. Not long after, in 1663, the great council nominated him captain-general of the marine; but, the air of the sea not at all agreeing with his constitution, it was resolved not to expose a life so valuable, and even necessary to the republic, to such imminent danger; and the nomination was withdrawn.
He continued, however, to serve his country upon many considerable occasions, and was appointed by the senate to write the “History of Venice;” an
He continued, however, to serve his country upon many
considerable occasions, and was appointed by the senate
to write the “History of Venice;
” an employment which
is given only to the principal nobility of that republic. He
published the first part; and the second was in the press,
when he died, Nov. 5, 1678, in his 63d year. His “History of Venice
” was much esteemed, and translated into
French. There is an English translation of the first part,
by sir Robert Honey wood, 1673, fol. There are some
partialities in his history, and his style is considerably embarrassed with parentheses, but it is still a favourite with
his countrymen. He also published “An Account of his
second Ambassage into France in 1660,
” and composed
other pieces, which are extant in manuscript only. Several authors have spoken advantageously of him.
annius, or in his native language, Nanningh (Peter), a very learned philologer, and general scholar, was born at Alcmaer, in Holland, in 1500; he studied at Louvain,
, or Nannius, or in his native language, Nanningh (Peter), a very learned philologer, and general
scholar, was born at Alcmaer, in Holland, in 1500; he
studied at Louvain, and then was employed in the private
education of some young men until the death of Conrad
Goclenius, when the university unanimously appointed
him to pronounce a funeral oration on that eminent teacher,
and to succeed him as Latin professor. In this office he
gave such satisfaction, that all his scholars, who were exceedingly numerous, ever preserved the highest respect
for him, and acknowledged that the care he took was the
foundation of their future advancement and fame. He
was also much esteemed by the cardinal de Granvelle, and
by Nicholas Everard, president of the great council of
Mechlin. The cardinal preferred him to a canonry in his
church of ArraS, and the president placed his children
under his care, and rewarded him munificently. With the
patronage of these two personages, he was so satisfied as
to refuse many liberal offers to remove to Italy, and remained the whole of his life at Louvain. He was a most
industrious writer, as well as teacher, and in the numerous
list given by Foppen of his publications, we find commentaries on Cicero, on Virgil, and Horace’s Art of Poetry;
paraphrases on the Song of Solomon, and on the Proverbs;
annotations on civil law, of which he acquired a profound
knowledge; translations of some part of Demosthenes, Synesius, Apollonius, Plutarch, St. Athanasius, St. N Basil,
Chrysostom; prefaces introductory and illustrative of Homer, and Demosthenes, &c. He also translated the Psalms
into Latin verse, and, in the opinion of his contemporaries,
with equal elegance and fidelity. Among his separate
publications his “Miscellaoeorum decas,
” a collection of
critical remarks on ancient authors, and his “Dialogismi
Heroinarum,
” were much esteemed. This eminent scholar died at Louvain, July 21, 1557, and was buried in the
church of St. Peter, where one of his scholars, Sigismond
Frederic Fugger, placed a monument to his memory. He
is mentioned in terms of the highest praise by Miræus,
Thuanus, Melchior Adam, Gyraldus, Huet, and many
other learned men.
, a celebrated engraver, was born in 1630, at Rheims, where his father kept a petty shop,
, 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.
n and admired above all others, in the excellent portraits of the illustrious Nantueil.” This artist was a man of pleasing manners and address, had some share of learning
Carlo Dati, in the life of Zeuxis, speaking of our engraver’s works, says, “These words of Apollonius remind
us to contemplate the astonishing art of the prints of the
modern gravers in France, where every thing is represented so naturally, the quality of the drapery, the colour
of the flesh, the beard, the hair with the powder upon it,
and, what is most important, the age, the air, and the
lively resemblance of a person, though nothing is made
use of besides the black of the ink and the white of the
paper; which not only make the light and the shade, but
do the office of all the colours. Ail this is seen and admired above all others, in the excellent portraits of the
illustrious Nantueil.
” This artist was a man of pleasing
manners and address, had some share of learning and wit,
and his conversation recommended him much to people of
fashion. He was well respected at court; and Mazarine,
then prime minister, retained him as his designer and engraver, and honoured him with the title of Monsieur. But
he never was an œconomist; and of upwards of 500,000
crowns which he had gained, he left only 20,000 to his
heirs. The portraits by this excellent artist are well known,
and although Strutt has given a short list of the bejt,he
allows that it is not easy to say with any degree of precision, among so many beautiful ones, which are the best.
, a celebrated genealogist, was born in 1692, at Saulx le Due in Burgundy. He studied at Dijon
, a celebrated genealogist, was born in 1692, at Saulx le Due in Burgundy. He
studied at Dijon and Paris, and at the latter city he was
entrusted with the education of some young men of rank.
His general turn for history settled at last in the genealogical branch, and -he employed all his leisure in drawing
up genealogical tables. From 1736 to 1738 he published
a work entitled “Genealogies Historiques des Hois, des
Empereurs, et de toutes les Maisons Souveraignes,
” 4 vols.
4to. He also published “Tablettes Geographiques,
” Tablettes Historiques, Genealogiques, et Chronologiques,
” Tablettes de
Themis,
”
, baron of Merchiston in Scotland, and the celebrated inventor of the Logarithms, was the eldest son of sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston, and born
, baron of Merchiston in
Scotland, and the celebrated inventor of the Logarithms,
was the eldest son of sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston,
and born in 1550. After going through the ordinary course
of education at the university of St. Andrew’s, he made the
tour of France, Italy, and Germany. On his return he
applied himself chiefly to the study of mathematics, to
which he joined that of the Scriptures; and in both discovered the most extensive knowledge and profound penetration. His “Essay upon the book of the Apocalypse
”
indicates the most acute investigation; though time has
discovered that his calculations concerning particular events
had proceeded upon fallacious data. But what his fame now
solely rests upon is his great and fortunate discovery of logarithms in trigonometry, by which the ease and expedition
in calculation have so wonderfully assisted the science of
astronomy and the arts of practical geometry and navigation. Napier, having much attachment to astronomy and
spherical trigonometry, had occasion to make many numeral calculations of such triangles, with sines, tangents,
&c. which being expressed in large numbers, occasioned
a great deal of labour and trouble: To spare themselves
part of this labour, Napier, and other authors about his
time, endeavoured to find out certain short modes of calculation, as is evident from many of their writings. To
this necessity, and these endeavours it is, that we owe several ingenious contrivances; particularly the computation
by Napier’s Rods, or Bones, as they are called, and several other curious and short methods that are given in his
“Rabdologia
” and at length, after trials of many other
means, the most complete one of logarithms, in the actual
construction of a large table of numbers in arithmetical
progression, adapted to a set of as many others in geometrical progression. The property of such numbers had
been long known, viz. that the addition of the former answered to the multiplication of the latter, &c. but it
wanted the necessity of such very troublesome calculations
as those abovementioned, joined to an ardent disposition,
to make such a use of that property. Perhaps also this
disposition was urged into action by certain attempts of this
kind which it seems were made elsewhere; such as the following, related by Wood 'in his “Athenae Oxonienses,
”
under the article Briggs, on the authority of Oughtred and
Wingate, viz. “That one Dr. Craig, a Scotchman, coming
out of Denmark into his own country, called upon John
Neper baron of Marcheston near Edinburgh, and told him,
among other discourses, of a new invention in Denmark,
(by Longomontanus as ‘tis said) to save the tedious multiplication and division in astronomical calculations. Neper
being solicitous to know farther of him concerning this
matter, he could give no other account of it, than that it
was by proportionable numbers. Which hint Neper taking,
he desired him at his return to call upon him again. Craig,
after some weeks had passed, did so, and Neper then
shewed him a rude draught of that he called ’ Canon Mirabilis Logarithmorum.' Which draught, with some alterations, he printed in 1614; it came forthwith into the
hands of our authorBriggs, and into thoseof William Oughtred, from whom the relation of this matter came.
”
unto me by John Marr, an excellent mathematician and geometrician, whom I conceive you remember. He was, servant to king James and Charles the First. At first when
The following passage, from the life of Lilly the astrologer, contains a curious account of the meeting of those two
illustrious men. “I will acquaint you,
” says Lilly, “with
one memorable story related unto me by John Marr, an excellent mathematician and geometrician, whom I
conceive you remember. He was, servant to king James and
Charles the First. At first when the lord Napier, or Marchiston, made public his logarithms, Mr. Briggs, then
reader of the astronomy lectures at Gresham college in
London, was so surprised with admiration of them, that he
could have no quietness in himself until he had seen that
noble person the lord Marchiston, whose only invention
they were: he acquaints John Marr herewith, who went
into Scotland before Mr. Briggs, purposely to be there
when these two so learned persons should meet. Mr. Briggs
appoints a certain day when to meet at Edinburgh; but
failing thereof, the lord Napier was doubtful he would not
come. It happened one day as John Marr and the lord
Napier were speaking of Mr. Briggs; `Ah, John,‘ said
Marchiston, `Mr. Briggs will not now come.’ At the very
instant one knocks at the gate; John Marr hasted down,
and it proved Mr. Briggs, to his great contentment. He
brings Mr. Briggs up into my lord’s chamber, where almost one quarter of an hour was spent, each beholding
other almost with admiration before one word was spoke.
At last Mr. Briggs began: ‘My lord, I have undertaken
this long journey purposely to see your person, and to
know by what engine of wit or ingenuity you came first to
think of this most excellent help into astronomy, viz. the
logarithms; but, my lord, being by you found out, I wonder no body else found it out before, when now known it
is so easy.’ He was nobly entertained by the lord Napier;
and every summer after that, during the lord’s being alive,
this venerable man Mr. Briggs went purposely into Scotland
to visit him.
”
The last literary exertion of this eminent person was the publication of his “Rabdology and Promptuary,” in 1617;
The last literary exertion of this eminent person was
the publication of his “Rabdology and Promptuary,
” in
A Plain Discovery of
the Revelation of St. John,
” Logarithmorum
Canonis Descriptio,
” Mirifici Logarithmorum
Canonis Constructio; et eorum ad Naturales ipsorum nu*meros habitudines; una cum appendice, de alia eaque
praestantiore Logarithmorum specie condenda. Quibus accessere propositiones ad triangula sphserica faciliore calculo
resolvenda. Una cum Annotationibus aliquot doctissimi
D. Henrici Briggii in eas, et memoratam appendicem.
”
Published by the author’s son in Rabdologia,
sen Numerations per Virgulas, libri duo,
” Se
”cret Inventions, profitable and necessary in these days
for the Defence of this Island, and withstanding strangers
enemies to God’s truth and religion" dated June 2,
1596.
, an Italian historian, was born of a noble family of Florence, in 1476. Having espoused
, an Italian historian, was born of a noble family of Florence, in 1476. Having espoused the
cause of the liberties of his country, when the Medici family gained the ascendancy, he was banished, and his property confiscated. He then went to Venice, where he
passed the rest of his days in composing his various works,
particularly his history of Florence, “L'Istorie de Firenze,
dal 1494 sino al 1531,
” &c.
r whom some of the first musicians of the present day received the whole or part of their education, was tfce son of Mr. Nares, who was, for many years, steward to Montague
, doctor of music, an eminent composer and teacher in that science, under whom some of the
first musicians of the present day received the whole or
part of their education, was tfce son of Mr. Nares, who
was, for many years, steward to Montague and Willoughby,
earl* of Abingdon. He was born, as well as his brother,
the late Mr. Justice Nares, at Stanwell in Middlesex; the
former in 1715, the latter in 1716. His musical education he commenced under Mr. Gates, then master of the
royal choristers; and completed it under the celebrated
Dr. Pepusch. Thus prepared, he officiated, for some time,
as deputy to Mr. Pigott, organist of Windsor; but, on
the resignation of Mr. Salisbury, organist of York, in
1734, was chosen to succeed him, being then only nineteen. It is related, on undoubted authority, that, when
the old musician first saw his intended successor, he said,
rather angrily, “What! is that child to succeed me?
”
which being mentioned to the organist-elect, he took an
early opportunity, on a difficult service being appointed,
to play it throughout half a note below the pitch, which
brought it into a key with seven sharps; and went through
it without the slightest error. Being asked why he did so,
he said, that “he only wished to shew Mr. Salisbury what
a child could do.
” His knowledge in all branches of
his profession was equal to his practical skill in this instance; and, during his residence at York, where he
was abundantly employed as a teacher, and where he
married, Mr. Nares, by his good conduct, as well as
professional merit, obtained many powerful friends.
Among the foremost of these was Dr. Fontayne, the
late venerable dean of York; who, when Dr. Green died,
towards the latter end of 1755, exerted his interest so
successfully, that he obtained for him the united places of
organist and composer to his majesty. He removed,
therefore, to London in the beginning of 1756; and,
about the same time, was created doctor in music at Cambridge.
ving been, for a long time, without increase, notwithstanding the increase of expences attending it, was, by royal favour, augmented about 1775, first with the salary
On the resignation of Mr. Gates, in 1757, Dr. Nares
obtained also the place of master of the choristers; which
having been, for a long time, without increase, notwithstanding the increase of expences attending it, was, by
royal favour, augmented about 1775, first with the salary
of the violist, and, on the revival of that place for Mr.
Crosdill, in 1777, with that of lutanist, which was annexed to it for ever. It was in this situation, that Dr.
Nares superintended the education of many pupils, who
have since become famous particularly Dr. Arnold, who,
though with him only for a short time, was highly distinguished by him for talents and application. The anthems
and services which Dr. Nares produced, as composer to
the royal chapel, were very numerous; many of them
have since been printed, and many which exist only in
ms. still continue to be performed in the choirs with much
effect. Having been originally a musician rather by accident than choice, with very strong talents and propensities
also for literature, Dr. Nares was particularly attentive to
express the sense of the words he undertook to set; and
was the first who attempted to compose the Te Deum, for
the choir- service, in such a manner as to set off the sentiments it contains to advantage. Before his lime, it had
been set rather to a regular strain of chaunt than to any
expressive melodies. The merits of Dr. Nares were not
overlooked by his royal patrons, whom he had occasionally
the honour to attend in private, though not a part of his
regular duty. To manifest his respect and gratitude for
them, he composed his dramatic ode, entitled “The
Royal Pastoral,
” the words of which were written by Mr.
Bellamy, author of a book entitled “Ethic Amusements.
”
In July History of Music.
” Throughout
life, he was not less respected as a man than admired as a
musician; he had a vivacity that rendered his society always pleasing; and a generous contempt for every thing
base, that manifested itself on all proper occasions, and
very justly commanded esteem.
all size. 5. “II Principio” or “.A regular introductionto playing on the Harpsichord or Organ.” This was the first set of progressive lessons published on a regular
His printed works are these 1 “Eight sets of Lessons
for the Harpsichord dedicated to the right honourable
Willoughby earl of Abingdon printed in 1748, reprinted
in 1757.
” 2. “Five Lessons for the Harpsichord, with a
sonata in score for the harpsichord or organ; dedicated to
the right honourable the countess of Carlisle;
” published
in A set of easy Lessons for the Harpsichord,
” three in number; with a dedication to the public, signed J. N. 4. “A Treatise on Singing,
” small size.
5. “II Principio
” or “.A regular introductionto playing
on the Harpsichord or Organ.
” This was the first set of
progressive lessons published on a regular plan. 6. “The
Royal Pastoral, a dramatic ode; dedicated to his royal
highness the prince of Wales; printed in score, with an
overture and choruses. 7.
” Catches, Canons, and Glees;
dedicated to the late lord Mornington.“8.
” Six Fugues,
with introductory voluntaries forMhe Organ or Harpsichord.“9.
” A concise and easy treatise on Singing, with
a set of English Duets for beginners;“- a different work
from the former small treatise. 10.
” Twenty Anthems,
in score, for one, two, three, four, and rive voices composed for the use of his majesty’s chapels royal,“1778.
11.
” Six, easy Anthems, with a favourite Morning and
Evening Service,“left for publication at his death, and
published in 1738, with a portrait and a concise account of
the author. Of these compositions the following short
character is given by an eminent musician, to whom they
are all well known.
” The Lessons are composed in a
masterly and pleasing style; free from those tricks and
unmeaning successions of semitones, to which a good ear
and sound judgment never can be reconciled. The treatises
on singing contain duets composed for the use of the
children of the royal chapels, superior to any thing yet published and such as every teacher ought to peruse. His
catches, canons, and glees, are natural and pleasing
especially the glee to all Lovers of Harmony, which gained
the prize-medal at the catch-club in 1770. The Royal
Pastoral is composed throughout in a very masterly manner; particularly the choruses, with which each part concludes. This ode, containing 108 pages, was written, and
all the vocal and instrumental parts transcribed for performing, within twelve days. The six fugues, with introductory voluntaries for the organ, contain the strongest
proofs of ingenuity and judgment; few, if any, have ever
been written that can be preferred to them. In both sets
of the anthems, the same characteristics appear; and the
service in the latter very justly acquired the title of favourite; nor can there be any doubt that the works of this
author will be admired as long as a taste for music shall
subsist."
io; from which work Dr. Nares desisted out of regard to his friend and pupil, Dr. Arnold, by whom it was also undertaken, and completed in a masterly manner.
Besides the pieces above mentioned, a complete set of
church services, in the key of F, and three full anthems,
were published in 1790, by Dr. Arnold, in his “Collection of Cathedral Music,
” vol. III. In these services the
doctor first displayed his great skill in setting words. Several other compositions of much merit still remain in
manuscript. The chief of these are an “Ode on the Death
of Handel, in score, with choruses
” and a great part of
Dr. Brown’s “Cure of Saul,
” composed as a regular oratorio; from which work Dr. Nares desisted out of regard
to his friend and pupil, Dr. Arnold, by whom it was also
undertaken, and completed in a masterly manner.
, an Irish Roman catholic divine, of great learning, was born in the county of Kildare in 1660, and educated at Naas,
, an Irish Roman catholic divine, of
great learning, was born in the county of Kildare in 1660,
and educated at Naas, in that county. In 1684 he received
priest’s orders in the town of Kilkenny, and the year following went to Paris to pursue his studies in the Irish college, of which he was made afterwards provisor for about
seven years. He took the degree of LL. D. in 1694, in
the college of Cambray, and returning to London two
years after, was appointed tutor to the earl of Antrim.
He was afterwards made parish priest of St. Michan’s in
Dublin, in which station he continued till his death, March
3, 1738. His principal works, rather numerous, were of
the controversial kind, in defence of popery against Mr.
Clayton and others, who acknowledged his learning as
well as the politeness of his style and moderation of his
sentiments. It was this quality which enabled him to have
his works printed both at Dublin and London without molestation. Those that are not strictly of the controversial
kind were, 1 “The New Testament translated into English from the Latin, with marginal notes,
” Lond. A new History of the World; containing
an historical and chronological account of the times and
transactions from the creation to the birth of Christ, according to the computation of the Septuagint,
” &c. Dublin,
a very extraordinary personage, was born at Swansea, in Glamorganshire, Oct. 18, 1674. His father
a very extraordinary personage, was born at Swansea, in Glamorganshire, Oct. 18, 1674. His father was a gentleman, whose principal income arose from a partnership in a glass-house: his mother was niece to colonel Poyer, who was killed by Oliver Cromwell, for defending Pembroke-castle against the rebels. He was educated at Carmarthen-school, and thence sent to Jesus college, Oxford, in order to prepare him for the study of the law. His father had strained his little income to give his son such an education; and from the boy’s natural vivacity, he hoped a recompence from his future preferment. In college, however, he soon shewed, that, though much might be expected from his genius, nothing could be hoped from his industry. The first method Nash took to distinguish himself at college was not by application to study, but by assiduity in intrigue. Our hero was quickly caught, and went through all the mazes and adventures of a college intrigue, before he was seventeen he offered marriage, the offer was accepted but, the affair coming to the knowledge of his tutors, his happiness, or perhaps misery, was prevented, and he was sent home from college, with necessary advice to him, and proper instructions to his father. He now purchased a pair of colours, commenced a professed admirer of the sex, and dressed to the very edge of his finances; but soon becoming disgusted with the life of a soldier, quitted the army, entered his name as a student in the Temple-books, and here went to the very summit of second-rate luxury. He spent some years about town, till at last, his genteel appearance, his constant civility, and still more his assiduity, gained him the acquaintance of several persons qualified to lead the fashion both by birth and fortune. He brought a person genteelly dressed to every assembly; he always made one of those who are called good company; and assurance gave him an air of elegance and ease.
When king William was upon the throne Nash was a member of the Middle Temple. It had
When king William was upon the throne Nash was a
member of the Middle Temple. It had been long customary for the inns of court to entertain our monarchs,
upon their accession to the crown, or any remarkable occasion, with a revel and pageant. In the early periods of
our history, poets were the conductors of these entertainments; plays were exhibited, and complimentary verses
were then written but, by degrees, the pageant alone
was continued^ sir John Davis being the last poet that
wrote verses upon such an occasion, in the reign of James
I. This ceremony, which has been at length totally discontinued, was last exhibited in honour of king William;
and Nash was chosen to conduct the whole with proper
decorum. He was then but a very young man; but at an
early age he was thought proper to guide the amusements
of his country, and be the arbiter elegantiarum of his time.
In conducting this entertainment he had an opportunity of
exhibiting all his abilities; and king William was so well
satisfied with his performance, that he made him an offer
of knighthood. This, however, he thought proper torefuse, which, in a person of his disposition, seems strange.
“Please your majesty,
” replied he, “if you intend to
make me a knight, I wish it may be one of your poor
knights of Windsor; and then I shall have a fortune, at
least able to support my title.
” Yet we do not find that
the king took the hint of increasing his fortune; perhaps
he could not; he had, at that time, numbers to oblige,
and he never cared to give money without important
services.
nswer the end as well, and, besides his assurance, he had in reality some merit and some virtues. He was, if not a brilliant, at least an agreeable companion. He never
But though Nash acquired no riches by his late office,
he gained many friends; or, what is more easily obtained,
many acquaintances, who often answer the end as well,
and, besides his assurance, he had in reality some merit and
some virtues. He was, if not a brilliant, at least an
agreeable companion. He never forgot good manners,
even in the highest warmth of familiarity, and, as we
hinted before, never went in a dirty shirt, to disgrace
the table of his patron or his friend. “These qualifications,
” says his biographer, “might make the furniture of
his head; but, for his heart, that seemed an assemblage
of the virtues which display an honest benevolent mind;
with the vices which spring from too much goocl nature.
”
He had pity for every creature’s distress, but wanted prudence in the application of his benefits. He had generosity for the wretched in the highest degree, at a time when
his creditors complained of his justice*. An instance of
his humanity is told us in the “Spectator,
” though his
name is not mentioned. When he was to give in his accounts to the masters of the Temple, among other articles,
he charged, "For making one man happy, Jo/. Being
questioned about the meaning of so strange an item, he
frankly declared, that, happening to over-hear a poor man
declare to his wife and a large family of children, that lOl.
would make him happy, he could not avoid trying the
experiment. He added, that, if they did not -chuse to
acquiesce in his charge, he was ready to refund the money.
The masters, struck with such an uncommon instance of
good nature, publicly thanked him for his benevolence,
and desired that the sum might be doubled, as a proof of
their satisfaction.
Nash was now fairly for life entered into a new course of gaiety and
Nash was now fairly for life entered into a new course
of gaiety and dissipation, and steady in nothing but in the
pursuit of variety. He was thirty years old, without fortune, or useful talents to acquire one. He had hitherto
only led a life of expedients; he thanked choice alone for
his support; and, having been long precariously
supported, he became, at length, totally a stranger to prudence or precaution. Not to disguise any part of his
character, he was now, hy profession, a gamester; and
went on from day to day, feeling the vicissitudes of rapture and anguish in proportion to the fluctuations of fortune. About 1703 the city of Bath became, in some measure, frequented by people of distinction. The company
was numerous enough to form a country-dance upon the
bowling-green; they were amused with a fiddle and hautboy, and diverted with the romantic walks round the city.
They usually sauntered in fine weather in the grove,
between two rows of sycamore trees. Several learned
physicians, Dr. Jordan and others, had even then praised
the salubrity of the wells; and the amusements were put
under the direction of a master of the ceremonies. Captain Webster was the predecessor of Mr. Nash. This gentleman, in 1704, carried the balls to the town-hall, each
man paying half-a-guinea each ball. One of the greatest
physicians of his age conceived a design of ruining the
city, by writing against the efficacy of the waters; and
accordingly published a pamphlet, by which, he said, “he
would cast a toad into the spring.
”
son of the doctor’s toad, as they usually charmed the venom of the tarantula, by music. He therefore was immediately empowered to set up a band of music against the
In this situation things were when Nash first came into the city; and, hearing the threat of this physician, he humourously assured the people, that if they would give him leave, he would charm away the poison of the doctor’s toad, as they usually charmed the venom of the tarantula, by music. He therefore was immediately empowered to set up a band of music against the doctor’s reptile; the company very sensibly increased, Nash triumphed, and the sovereignty of the city was decreed to him by every rank of people. None could possibly conceive a person more fit to fill this employment than Nash: he had some wit, but it was of that sort which is rather happy than permanent. He was charitable himself, and generally shamed his betters into a similitude of sentiment, if they were not naturally so before. His first care, when made master of the ceremonies, or king of Bath, as it is called, was to promote a music subscription, of one guinea each, for a band, which was to consist of six performers, who were to receive a guinea a week each for their trouble. He allowed also two guineas a week for lighting and sweeping the rooms, for which he accounted to the subscribers by receipt. By his direction, one Thomas Harrison erected a handsome assembly-house for these purposes. A better band of music was also procured, and the former subscription of one guinea was raised to two. Harrison had three guineas a week for the room and candles, and the music two guineas a man. The money Nash received and accounted for with the utmost exactness and punctuality. The balls, by his direction, were to begin at six, and to end at eleven. Nor would he suffer them to continue a moment longer, lest invalids might commit irregularities, to counteract the benefit of the waters. The city of Bath, by such assiduity, soon became the theatre of summer amusements for all people of fashion; and the manner of spending the day there must amuse any but such as disease or spleen had made uneasy to themselves. In this manner every amusement soon improved under Nash’s administration. The magistrates of the city found that it was necessary and useful, and took every opportunity of paying the same respect to his fictitious royalty, that is generally extorted by real power. His equipage was sumptuous, and he used to travel to Tunbridge in a postchariot and six greys, with out-riders, footmen, French horns, and every other appendage of expensive parade. He always wore a white hat; and, to apologize for this singularity, said he did it purely to secure it from being stolen; his dress was tawdry, and not perfectly genteel; he might be considered as a beau of several generations; and, in his appearance, he, in some measure, mixed the fashions of a former age with those of his own. He perfectly understood elegant expence, and generally passed his time in the very best company, if persons of the first distinction deserve that title.
edy adventurers were generally found in waiting. With such Bath swarmed, and, among this class, Nash was certainly to be numbered in the beginning; only with this difference,
But perhaps the reader may demand, what finances were to support all this finery, or where the treasures that gave him such frequent opportunities of displaying his benevolence, or his vanity? To answer this, we must now enter upon another part of his character, his talents as a gamester; for, by gaming alone, at the period of which we speak, he kept up so very genteel an appearance. Wherever' people of fashion came, needy adventurers were generally found in waiting. With such Bath swarmed, and, among this class, Nash was certainly to be numbered in the beginning; only with this difference, that he wanted the corrupt heart, too commonly attending a life of expedients; for he was generous, humane, and honourable, even though by profession a gamester. But, whatever skill Nash might have acquired by long practice in play, he was never formed by nature for a successful gamester. He was constitutionally passionate and generous. While others made considerable fortunes at the gaming-table, he was ever in the power of chance; nor did even the intimacy with which he was received by the great, place him in a state of independence. The considerable inconveniences that were found to result from a permission of gaming, at length attracted the attention of the legislature; and, in the twelfth year of his late majesty, the most prevalent games at that time were declared fraudulent and unlawful. The Eo was at first set up at Tunbridge, and was reckoned extremely profitable to the bank, as it gained two and a half per cent, on all that was lost or won. As all gaming was suppressed but this, Nash was now utterly destitute of any resource from superior skill and long experience in the art. The money to be gained in private gaming is at best but trifling, and the opportunity precarious. The minds of the generality of mankind shrink with their circumstances and Nash, upon the immediate prospect of poverty, was now mean enough to enter into a base confederacy to evade the law, and to share the plunder. Nash had hitherto enjoyed a fluctuating fortune; and, had he taken the advantage of the present opportunity, he might have been for the future not only above want, but even in circumstances of opulence. In the mean time, as the Eo table thus succeeded at Tunbridge, he was resolved to introduce it at Bath; and previously asked the opinion of several lawyers, who declared it no way illegal. The legislature thought proper to suppress these seminaries of vice. It was enacted, that, after the 24th of June 1745, none should be permitted to keep a house, room, or place for playing, upon pain of such forfeitures as were declared in former acts instituted for that purpose.
ndeavouring to obviate its effects. Nature had by no means formed him for a beau garq on: his person was clumsy, too large, and awkward, and his features harsh, strong,
By this wise and just act, all Nash’s future hopes of
succeeding by the tables were blown up. From that time,
we find him involved in continual disputes, every day calumniated with some new slander, and continually endeavouring to obviate its effects. Nature had by no means
formed him for a beau garq on: his person was clumsy, too
large, and awkward, and his features harsh, strong, and
peculiarly irregular; yet even with those disadvantages he
made love, became an universal admirer of the sex, and
was universally admired. He was possessed, at least, of
some requisites of a lover. He had assiduity, flattery, fine
clothes, and as much wit as the ladies he addressed. Wit,
flattery, and fine clothes, he used to say, were enough to
debauch a nunnery. He did not long continue an universal gallant but,in the earlier years of his reign, entirely gave up his endeavours to deceive the sex, in order
to become the honest protector of their innocence, the
guardian of their reputation, and a friend to their virtue.
This was a character he bore for many years, and supported it with integrity, assiduity, and success; and he
not only took care, during his administration, to protect
the ladies from the insults of our sex, but to guard them
from the slanders of each other. He, in the first place,
prevented any animosities that might arise from place and
precedence, by being previously acquainted with the rank
and quality of almost every family in the British dominions.
He endeavoured to render scandal odious, by marking it
as the result of envy and folly united. Whatever might
have been his other excellences, there was one in which
few exceeded him, his extensive humanity. None felt
pity more strongly, and none made greater efforts to relieve
distress. “If we were,
” says his biographer, “to name
any reigning and fashionable virtue in the present age, it
should be charity. We know not whether it may not be
spreading the influence of Nash too widely, to say, that
he was one of the principal causes of introducing this
noble v emulation among the rich; but certain it is, no
private man ever relieved the distresses of so many as he.
”
Before gaming was suppressed, and in the meridian of
his life and fortune, his benefactions were generally found
to equal his other expences. The money he got without
pain, he gave away without reluctance; and, when unable
to relieve a wretch who sued for assistance, he has been
often seen to shed tears. A gentleman of broken fortune,
one day standing behind his chair, as he was playing a
game of piquet for 200l. and observing with what indifference he won the money, could not avoid whispering these
words to another who stood by, “Heavens! how happy
would all that money make me!
” Nash, overhearing him,
clapped the money into his hand, and cried, “Go, and be
happy.
” In the severe winter of
ng life. His health began to fail. He had received from nature a robust and happy constitution, that was scarcely even to be impaired by intemperance. For some time
A variety of causes concurred to embitter his departing life. His health began to fail. He had received from nature a robust and happy constitution, that was scarcely even to be impaired by intemperance. For some time before his decease, nature gave warning of his approaching dissolution. Theworn machine had run itself down to an utter impossibility of repair he saw that he must die, and shuddered at the thought. Fortitude was not among the number of his virtues. Anxious, timid, his thoughts still hanging on a receding world, he desired to enjoy a little longer that life, the miseries of which he had experienced so long. The poor unsuccessful gamester husbanded the wasting moments with an increased desire to continue the game; and, to the last, eagerly wished for one yet more happy throw. He died at his house in St. John’s court, Bath, Feb. 3, 1761, aged 87. His death was sincerely regretted by the city, to which he had been so long and so great a benefactor. After the corpse had lain four days, it was conveyed to the abbey-church in that city, with a solemnity peculiar to his character. The few things he was possessed of were left to his relations. A small library of well- chosen books, some trinkets and pictures, were his only inheritance. Among the latter were, a gold box, given by the late countess of Burlington, with lady Euston’s picture in the lid; an agate etui, with a diamond on the top, by the princess dowager of Wales; and some things of no great value. The rings, watches, and pictures, which he formerly received from others, would have come to a considerable amount; but these his necessities had obliged him to dispose of: some family-pictures, however, remained, which were sold by advertisement, for five guineas each, after his decease.
In domestic life, among his servants and dependants, where no gloss was required to colour his sentiments and disposition, nor any ma^k
In domestic life, among his servants and dependants, where no gloss was required to colour his sentiments and disposition, nor any ma^k necessary to conceal his foibles, he was ever fond of promoting the interests of his servants and dependants, and making them happy. In his own house, no man was perhaps more regular, cheerful, and beneficent. His table was always free to those who sought his friendship, or wanted a dinner. As his thoughts were entirely employed in the affairs of his government, he was seldom at home but at the time of eating or of rest. His table was well served, but his entertainment consisted principally of plain dishes. He generally arose early in the morning, being seldom in bed after five; and, to avoid disturbing the family, and depriving his servants of their rest, he had the fire laid after he was in bed, and, in the morning, lighted it himself, and sat down to read some of his few, but well-chosen books. His generosity and charity in private life, though not so conspicuous, was as great as that in public, and indeed far more considerable than his little income would admit of. Such is nearly the account given of this singular character in the preceding editions of this Dictionary, the omission of which might perhaps be felt by some of our readers, while others may justly doubt if the life of such a man has fair claims on our attention. It contains, however, some portion of amusement, and some of moral tendency. Our account is a very brief abridgment of the Life of Nash, published by Goldsmith, who, it has been observed, tortured his genius to give substance to inanity, and strained to describe the gaudy hue of a butterfly, the glittering tinsel of a beau, the sentiments of a man devoid of all reflection, and the principles of an idler, whose walk of life never transgressed the eternal circle of gallantry, gambling, and the insipid round of fashionable dissipation. This account, however, is perhaps not more a satire on Nash, than on the age in which he lived.
, a dramatic poet and satirist of queen Elizabeth’s reign, was born at the sea-port town of Leostoff, in Suffolk, probably
, 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.
ets in 1599, and he is spoken of as dead in an old comedy, called “The Return from Parnassus,” which was written in 1602. But before 1600, he seems to have altered the
He died either in 1600 or 1601; for he published one
of his pamphlets in 1599, and he is spoken of as dead in
an old comedy, called “The Return from Parnassus,
”
which was written in Christ’s Tears over Jerusalem,
” printed before the end of the sixteenth century, he
says, in a dedication to lady Elizabeth Gary, “A hundred unfortunate farewels to fantasticall satirisme. In those vaines
heretofore I mis-spent my spirit, and prodigally conspired
against good houres. Nothing is there now so much in
my vowes as to be at peace with all men, and make submissive amends where I have most displeased. Again.
To a little more wit have my increasing yeeres reclaimed
mee then I had before: those that have beene perverted
by any of my workes, let them reade this, and it shall
thrice more benefit them. The autumne I imitate, in
sheading my leaves with the trees, and so doth the peacock shead his taile,
” &c.
As a satirist, his most virulent paper-war was carried on with Gabriel Harvey, particularly in his tract, entitled
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
as Nash, but of himself few memorials have been given to the public. His “History of Worcestershire” was published in 2 vols. fol. 1781 and 1784 and his edition of “Hudibras,”
The late historian of Worcestershire, Dr. Treadway-Russel Nash, appears to have been a descendant, or somehow related to Thomas Nash, but of himself few memorials have been given to the public. His “History of
Worcestershire
” was published in 2 vols. fol. 1781 and
1784 and his edition of “Hudibras,
” in
, a learned divine and antiquary, was born in 1740, at Norwich, of reputable parents. His father,
, a learned divine and antiquary, was born in 1740, at Norwich, of reputable parents. His father, who was of a Scotch family, had his son’s grammatical education completed at Amsterdam. Thence he was removed to Bene't college, Cambridge, where his ingenuous and open temper gained him the love and esteem of the whole society, who elected him a fellow, after he had taken his degree of B. A. in 1764. In 1767 he took the degree of M. A. and was frequently honoured for his application and proficiency in every branch of academic studies. Having entered into holy orders, he served the sequestration of Hinxton in Cambridgeshire for some years, to which he was presented by bishop Mavvson, and was junior proctor of the university in 1771. He was afterwards elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and became one of his majesty’s justices of peace for the county of Cambridge. In this situation he was eminently conspicuous for his correct knowledge and mild administration of the laws; and he filled the office of chairman at the sessions of Cambridge and Ely with moderation, justice, and impartiality, at once distinguishing himself as the gentleman, the lawyer, and the divine.
. John Warren, afterwards bishop of Bangor. He took his degree of D. D. in 1797. His last preferment was the rectory of Leveringtori, in the Isle of Ely, where he died
Having been early engaged to a daughter of Mr. Salmon, a clergyman near Norwich, and sister to Mr. Salmon, a fellow of his own college, and then chaplain to one of our factories in the East Indies, he accepted the rectory of St. Mary Abchurch in London, in 1773, which Mr. Forster had vacated by preferment in Devonshire. This, however, he held only about a year, when, by permission of the college and the bishop of Ely, he exchanged it for Snailwell in Cambridgeshire, with Dr. John Warren, afterwards bishop of Bangor. He took his degree of D. D. in 1797. His last preferment was the rectory of Leveringtori, in the Isle of Ely, where he died Oct. 16, 1808, in the sixtyeighth year of his age.
, a learned rabbi, who flourished in the fifteenth century, was the first Jew who compiled a Hebrew concordance to the bible,
, a learned rabbi, who flourished in the
fifteenth century, was the first Jew who compiled a Hebrew concordance to the bible, principally, as he allowed,
from Latin concordances. It was entitled “Light to the
Path,
” or “Meir Netib,
” and was first printed at Venice
in
, an Italian lawyer, who flourished about the middle of the sixteenth century, was born of a noble family, at Asti, and studied law at Pavia. He
, an Italian lawyer, who flourished about the middle of the sixteenth century, was born
of a noble family, at Asti, and studied law at Pavia. He
made so great progress in literature, as to receive the
academical honours of his profession before he had reached
his twenty-fourth year, and was at the same time advanced
to be senator at Casal. Pavia offered him the professorship of civil law, but he preferred his studious retirement at Genoa, where he probably died. His principal
works are “De Pulchro
” “De Deo,
” in fifteen books“”De immortalitateAnimi“”De Passione Domini." Each
of these makes a folio, printed 1553 1587.
, a learned French writer and bibliographer, was born at Paris in the beginning of February 1600, and having
, a learned French
writer and bibliographer, was born at Paris in the beginning of February 1600, and having discovered a strong
inclination in his earliest years for reading, his parents
determined to give him every benefit of education. After
studying Latin, and being initiated in the principles of religion, in a community of the religious, he was sent to the
university, where he made such proficiency in humanity
and philosophy, as to be admitted to the degree of master
of arts much before the usual age. He then, principally
by the advice of his friends, began to study with a view to
the church; but this was not agreeable to his sentiments,
which were more free in matters of religion than consisted
with a cordial profession of the prevailing tenets. He
therefore soon preferred the study of medicine, and in 1626
attended the lectures with such application as to acquire a
name in the world. Henry de Mesmes, president-a-mortier, hearing of him, appointed him to that for which it
appeared afterwards he was best qualified, the office of librarian; and it was for this patron’s use that he wrote his
excellent little work, entitled “Avis pour dresser une
Bibliotheque,
” printed at Paris in Traite des plus belles Bibliotheques.
”
According to Niceron, he went in 1626 to study at Padua; but others think this was in 1624, and that on his return he printed one of his most curious
According to Niceron, he went in 1626 to study at Padua; but others think this was in 1624, and that on his
return he printed one of his most curious works, his
“Apologie pour les grands hommes soupgonnes de magie.
”
heir 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
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,
, an able mathematician, was born in 1654, of poor parents, at Metz. He retired to Berlin
, an able mathematician, was born
in 1654, of poor parents, at Metz. He retired to Berlin
after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and there forming a friendship with Langerfield, mathematician to the
court, who taught the pages, succeeded him in 1696, was
admitted into the society of sciences at Berlin in 1701,
and into the academy of the princes, as professor of
mathematics, in 1704. He died in 1729, at Berlin. His
particular study 'as divinity, on which he has written much
more than on mathematics; his only work on that science
being a system of geometry, in German, 4to, and some
other small pieces in the “Miscellanea,
” of the society at
Berlin. His theological works are, “Meditationes Saintes,
”
12mo, “Morale Evangelique,
” 2 vols. 8vo. “La souveraine perfection de Dieu dans ses divins attributs, et la
parfaite intégrité de l'Ecriture prise au sens des anciens
reformes,
” 2 vols. 8vo, against Bayle; “Examen de deux
Traités de M. de la Placette,
” 2 vols. 12mo. His eldest son
distinguished himself as his successor, and died 1745. He
was a skilful mathematician, member of the societies of
Berlin and London; and several memoirs of his may be
found in the “Miscellanea Berolinensia,
”
, a statesman in the reign of James I. was of an ancient family in Suffolk, and educated a fellow-commoner
, 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.