st of the Christian aera. Having been educated with the greatest care by his father, who was himself a man of learning, and resided in a capital which abounded with
, an eminent Persian historian and philosopher, was born at Bagdad, in the 557th year of the Hegira, or the 1161st of the Christian aera. Having been educated with the greatest care by his father, who was himself a man of learning, and resided in a capital which abounded with the best opportunities of instruction, he distinguished himself by an early proficiency, not only in rhetoric, history, and poetry, but also in the more severe studies of Mahommedan theology. To the acquisition of medical knowledge he applied with peculiar diligence; and it was chiefly with this view that he left Bagdad, in his 28th year, in order to visit other countries. At Mosul, in Mesopotamia, whither he first directed his course, he found the attention of the students entirely confined to the chemistry of that day, with which he was already sufficiently acquainted. He therefore removed to Damascus, where the grammarian Al Kindi then enjoyed the highest reputation; and with him Abdcllatiph is said to have engaged in a controversy on some subjects of grammar and philology, which was ably conducted on both sides, but terminated in favour or our author.
June 27, 1516, and afterwards proceeding in divinity, became doctor of that faculty. He was not only a man of learning, but a great master of instrumental music, and
, an English divine, was
educated at Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A.
July 4, 1513, and that of M. A. June 27, 1516, and afterwards proceeding in divinity, became doctor of that faculty. He was not only a man of learning, but a great
master of instrumental music, and well skilled in the modern languages. These qualifications introduced him at
court, where he became domestic chaplain to queen Catherine, wife of Henry VIII. and tauoht her music and grammar. Strype calls him “the lady Marie’s chaplain.
” In
Tractatus de
non dissolvendo Henrici et Catherinæ matrimonio.
” Tanner mentions this, or perhaps another tract, by the name
of “Invicta Veritas: An answer, that by no manner of
Jaw it may be lawful for the king to be divorced from the
queen’s grace, his lawful and very wife.
” It is not improbable that this was a distinct tract from the former, as in
the Stat. 25 Henry VIII. c. 12, he is mentioned as having
“caused to be printed divers books against the said divorce and separation animating the said lady Catherine
to persist in her opinion against the divorce procured
divers writings to be made by her by the name of Queen-abetted her servants to call her Queen.
” In 1534 he was
prosecuted for being concerned in the affair of Elizabeth
Barton, called the Holy Maid of Kent, and was found
guilty of misprision of treason. He was also one of those
who denied the king’s supremacy over the church; for
which he was imprisoned, and afterwardshanged, drawn,
and quartered in Smithfield, July 30, 1540. In a room in
Beauchamp’s Tower, in the Tower of London, anciently a
place of confinement for state prisoners, are a great number of inscriptions on the wall, written by the prisoners,
and among others, under the word Thomas a great A upon
a bell, a punning rebus on his name.
, D. D. a man of learning, and benefactor to the university of Oxford,
, D. D. a man of learning, and benefactor to the university of Oxford, was born in 1651, and educated at Lincoln College, where he took his master’s degree, June 4, 1675; that of bachelor of divinity, Jan. 23; and doctor of divinity, July 3, 1685. He was inducted to the rectory of Waddington, Sept. 29, 1683; and elected rector of Lincoln College, May 2, 1685. The same year he was installed a prebendary of the sixth stall, Durham, was removed to the tenth in 1695, and from that to the eleventh, in 1711. He served the office of vice-chancellor in 1695, and died June 17, 1719. As rector of Lincoln, he held the living of Twiford; and having received £.1500 for renewing the lease, he laid out the whole in beautifying the chapel of his college, and the rector’s lodgings. He bequeathed his library also to the college, and was a benefactor to All Saints church, Oxford, where he lies buried, contributing £.200 to purchase a parsonage house. He deserves yet more praise for his activity in promoting discipline and learning during the long time he presided over Lincoln College, and for the excellence of his life, and the urbanity of his manners.
shop Hall answered this tract; yet, whenever he mentions Ainsworth, it is with the highest praise as a man of learning. 2. “An Animadversion on Mr. Richard Clyfton’s
His most esteemed works are his annotations on some
books of the Bible. Those on the Psalms were printed
1612, 4to; on the Pentateuch, 2 vols. 4to, 1621, and again
in 1627, fol. and 1639; which last edition Wendler and
Vogt have inserted among scarce books. The Song of
Solomon, which makes part of this volume, was printed
separately in 1623, 4to. He published also several treatises of the controversial kind, as, 1. “A Counter-poison
against Bernard and Crashaw,
” An Animadversion on Mr. Richard Clyfton’s
Advertisement, who, under pretence of answering Charles
Lawne’s book, hath published another man’s private letter,
with Mr, Francis Johnson’s answer thereto; which letter is
here justified, the answer hereto refuted, and the true
causes of the lamentable breach that has lately fallen out
in the English exiled church at Amsterdam, manifested:
printed at Amsterdam, by Giles Thorp, Aid. 1613,
” 4to;
3. “A treatise of the Communion of Saints;
” 4. “A treatise
of the Fellowship that the Faithful have with God, his
Angels, and one with another, in this present life, 1615,
”
8vo; 5. “The trying out of the Truth between John Ainsworth and Henry Ainsworth, the one pleading for, and the
other against popery,
” 4to; 6. “An Arrow against Idolatry;
” 7. “Certain Notes of Mr. Ainsworth’s last Sermon
on 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5, printed in 1630,
” 8vo.
Aleander’s memory is now to be respected only as a man of learning. He wrote a considerable number of works, the
Aleander’s memory is now to be respected only as a man
of learning. He wrote a considerable number of works,
the greater part of which have not been published. Those
which have, are but insignificant: 1. “Lexicon GraecoLatinum,
” Paris, Tabulae sane utiles Graecarum musarum adyta compendio ingredi volentibus,
” Argent. De Concilio habendo,
”
a work of which he wrote only four books, and which was
consulted as authority in the proceedings of the council of
Trent, remains among his unpublished writings; and in
the Vatican there is another manuscript, which Mazzuchelli considers as his best. It contains letters and papers
respecting his offices of nuncio and legate, and his transactions against the heresies, as they are called, of Luther;
and their importance appears by the use which cardinal
Pallavicino made of them in his history of the council of
Trent. Aleander ranks likewise among Latin poets from
his verses “Ad Julium et Neasram,
” published in Toscanus’s collection, entitled “Carmina illustrium poetarum
Italorum.
” The reason given by his admirers for the few
works published by him, is his frequent and active employments in the church, and his being more familiar with
extempore eloquence than with composition.
attended the court of king James VI. as a private gentleman, but not without being distinguished as a man of learning and personal accomplishments, and particularly
Soon after his marriage, he attended the court of king
James VI. as a private gentleman, but not without being
distinguished as a man of learning and personal accomplishments, and particularly noticed as a poet by his
majesty, who, with all his failings, had allowable pretensions to the discernment, as well as the liberality, of a patron of letters. James was fond of flattery, and had no
reason to complain that his courtiers stinted him in that
article; yet Mr. Alexander chose at this time to employ his
pen on subjects that were new in the palaces of kings.
Having studied the ancient moralists and philosophers, he
descanted on the vanity of grandeur, the value of truth,
the abuse of power, and the burthen of riches. Against a11
that has ever been objected to courts and ministers, to
minions and flatterers, he advised and remonstrated with
prolix freedom in those Tragedies which he calls “Monarchic,
” and which, however unfit for the stage, seem to
have been written for the sole purpose of teaching sovereigns how to rule, if they would render their subjects happy
and loyal, and their reigns prosperous and peaceful.
ogues. Erasmus and Boniface Amerbach contributed to this Bibliotheca. Boniface had a son Basil, also a man of learning, syndic of the city, and rector of the university.
, a learned printer of the fifteenth
century, was born at Rutlingen, in Suabia, and settled at
Basil. He was the first who made use of the round type,
instead of the Italic and Gothic. In 1506, he published
the first edition of the works of St. Augustine, corrected by
himself, with a type known long by the name of the St.
Augustine type. He began also the works of St. Jerome;
but his death, which took place in 1515, prevented his
finishing them, and he left them to the care of his sons, by
whom they were published. All his editions are valued
for their accuracy. Boniface, his eldest son, who died in
1562, was for thirty years law professor at Basil, five times
rector of the university, and went through the different
offices of magistracy with the reputation of a man of great
integrity. In 1659, was printed at Basil, 4to, the “Bibliotheca Amerbachiana,
” a scarce work, which throws considerable light on the history of printing, and mentions many
early editions omitted in our largest catalogues. Erasmus
and Boniface Amerbach contributed to this Bibliotheca.
Boniface had a son Basil, also a man of learning, syndic of
the city, and rector of the university. He contributed much
to the cabinet of pictures, and medals, and to the library
which his father had founded. He founded likewise some
charitable establishments, and a new professorship in the
university, called the Amerbachian.
grammarian, born at Oasis in Egypt, was a professor at Rome in Tiberius’ s reign. He was undeniably a man of learning, had made the most diligent inquiries into the
, a famous grammarian, born at Oasis in Egypt,
was a professor at Rome in Tiberius’ s reign. He was undeniably a man of learning, had made the most diligent
inquiries into the abstrusest subjects of antiquity, and was
master of all those points which give to erudition the character of accuracy and variety. But he appears to have
often been an arrogant boaster, and most importantly busied in difficult and insignificant inquiries. Bayle quotes
Julius Africanus, as calling him “the most minutely curious of all grammarians;
” and he might have applied tohim, what Strabo has to a pedant, “who vainly trifles’
about the reading of a passage,
” though the sense was
exactly the same, as-far as they were concerned with
it, whichever way it was read. An idea may be formed of
this writer from his imagining that he had performed something extraordinary, when he discovered that the two first
letters of the Iliad, taken numerically, made up 48; and
that Homer chose to begin his Iliad with a word, the two
first letters of which would shew, that his two poems would
contain 48 books.
His character is said to have been that of a man of learning and genius, of considerable abilities in his
His character is said to have been that of a man of learning and genius, of considerable abilities in his profession,
of great benevolence and goodness of heart, fond of associating with men of parts and genius, but indolent and
inactive, and therefore totally unqualified to employ the
means that usually lead to medical employment, or to
make his way through a crowd of competitors. An intimate friendship always subsisted between him and Thomson the poet, as well as other gentlemen of learning
and genius; and he was intimate with, and respected by
sir John Pringle, at the time of his death. In 1753, Dr.
Theobald addressed two Latin Odes, “Ad ingenuum viriim, turn naedici^, tum-poeticis facultatibus praestantem,
Joannem Armstrong, M. D.
”
e of historiographer of the order of St. Lazarus. He died at Paris Dec. 2, 1784. The abbé Arnaud was a man of learning, much information, and taste, but too much a
, a French miscellaneous writer of
considerable note, was born at Aubignan, near Carpentras,
July 27, 1721, and afterwards became an ecclesiastic. In
1752 he came to Paris, and in 1762 was admitted into the
Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres. He was for
some time attached to prince Louis of Wirtemberg, afterwards sovereign of that duchy, but then in the service of
France. The advocate Gerbier, his friend, having in 1765,
gained an important cause for the clergy of France against
the Benedictines, he demanded, as his reward, that Arnaud should be placed at the head of the abbey of Grandchamp. In 1771 he was elected a member of the French
academy, and became librarian to Monsieur, with the reversion of the place of historiographer of the order of St.
Lazarus. He died at Paris Dec. 2, 1784. The abbé Arnaud was a man of learning, much information, and taste,
but too much a man of the world, and too indolent, to give
his talents fair play. His “Lettre sur la Musique, au
Comte de Caylus,
” L‘Histoire ancienne des peuples de l’Europe par de Buat,
” Journal Etranger,
” with M. Suard, from Jan. Gazette litteraire
de l'Europe,
” also with M. Suard, Varietes litteraires, ou Ilecueil des pieces tant originales que traduites, concernant la philosophic, la litterature, et les arts,
” Melanges de litterature,
” Varietes
”
only, that we find Bissy’s translation of Young’s Night
Thoughts. 4. “Description des principales pierres gravees
du cabinet du due d'Orleans,
” Memoires
de l'Academie des inscriptions,
” collected and published
under the title of “Œuvres completes de l'abbé Arnaud,
”
3 vols. 8vo, but incorrectly printed. The
“Memoires pour servir a l'histoire de la revolution opere dans
la Musique par le chevalier Gluck,
”
tise on vocal and mental Prayer.” His father, Nicholas Arrighetti, died at Florence in 1639, and was a man of learning, and skilled in mathematics. There was also
, a native of Florence, where
he was born in 1582, and died in 1662, was appointed by
pope Urban VIII. canon of the cathedral. He wrote a
great many books, among which are, 1. “The Rhetoric
of Aristotle,
” divided into fifty-six lessons; 2. “A translation of the Poetic
” of the same author; 3. “Four Academical discourses,
” on pleasure, laughter, spirit, and
honour. 4. “A life of St. Francis.
” 5. Some pious writings, particularly a “Treatise on vocal and mental
Prayer.
” His father, Nicholas Arrighetti, died at Florence
in 1639, and was a man of learning, and skilled in mathematics. There was also a Jesuit of the same name, who
published “The theory of Fire,
” in
to Salisbury, and about that time was made chancellor of the most noble order of the Garter. He was a man of learning, and of a generous spirit. In 1518, he gave
, an English prelate, was the son of James, lord Audley, by Eleanor his wife, but in what year he was born does not appear. He was educated in Lincoln college in Oxford, and in the year 1463 took the degree of bachelor of arts in that university, and it is presumed, that of master of arts also, but the register at that period is imperfect. In 1471, he became prebendary of Farendon in the church of Lincoln, and in October, 1475, attained the like preferment in the church of Wells. On Christmas day the same year, he became archdeacon of the East riding of Yorkshire, and had other considerable preferments, which he quitted, on his being promoted to the bishopric of Rochester, in 1480, In 1492, he was translated to Hereford, and thence in 1502, to Salisbury, and about that time was made chancellor of the most noble order of the Garter. He was a man of learning, and of a generous spirit. In 1518, he gave four hundred pounds to Lincoln college to purchase lands, and bestowed upon the same house the patronage of a chantry, which he had founded in the cathedral church of Salisbury. He was a benefactor likewise to St. Mary’s church in Oxford, and contributed towards erecting the curious stone pulpit therein. Bishop Godwin likewise tells us, that he gave the organs but Anthony Wood says, that does not appear. He gave, however, 200l. to Chichele’s chest, which had been robbed a very considerable benefaction at that time. He died Aug. 23, 1524, at Ramsbury in the county of Wilts, and was buried in a chapel which he erected to the honour of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in the cathedral of Salisbury, being then, doubtless, a very old jnan, as he had sat forty-four years a bishop.
, duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, was a man of learning, and a patron of men of learning. He published
, duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, was
a man of learning, and a patron of men of learning. He
published several works, among which his “Evangelical
Harmony,
” written in German, is much esteemed by Protestants. He published also, in 1636, a “Treatise on the
Cultivation of Orchards, which is still consulted in Germany. The
” Steganographia," under the name of Gustavus Selenus, which was published in Latin, at Lunenburg,
in 1624, folio, was also the work of this prince, who died
in 1666, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.
was the proper person for him, if he could excuse his awkwardness. Lamoignon answered that he wanted a man of learning, and did not regard his outward appearance.
In 1676, he received holy orders, and passed his examinations with high approbation. Monnoye, one of his
biographers, mentions a circumstance very creditable to his
superiors, that, although they were satisfied with his learning, they would not have admitted him into orders, if they
had not discovered that he was superior to the vanity which
sometimes accompanies a reputation for learning. The
bishop of Beauvais now gave him the vicarage of Lardieres,
which netted only 30l. yearly, yet with this pittance, Baillet, who maintained a brother, and a servant, contrived to
indulge his humanity to the poor, and his passion for books,
to purchase which he used to go once a year to Paris. His
domestic establishment was upon the most temperate scale,
no drink but water, and no meat, but brown bread, and
sometimes a little bacon, and a few herbs from his garden
boiled in water with salt, and whitened with a little milk.
The cares of his parish, however, so much interrupted his
favourite studies that he petitioned, and obtained another
living, the only duties of which were singing at church,
and explaining the catechism. A higher and more grateful
promotion now awaited him, as in 1680, he was made
librarian to M. Lamoignon, not the first president of the
parliament, as Niceron says, for he was then dead, but his
son, who at that time was advocate-general. To this place
he was recommended by M. Hermant, a doctor of the Sorbonne, who told Lamoignon that Baillet was the proper
person for him, if he could excuse his awkwardness. Lamoignon answered that he wanted a man of learning, and
did not regard his outward appearance. To Baillet such
an appointment was so gratifying that for some time he
could scarcely believe M. Hermant to be serious. When
he found it confirmed, however, he entered upon his new
office with alacrity, and one of his first employments was
to draw up an index of the library, which extended to
thirty-five folio volumes, under two divisions, subjects and
author’s names. The Latin preface to the index of subjects, when published, was severely, but not very justly censured by M. Menage, as to its style. After this, he completed four volumes of his celebrated work “Jugemens des
Savans,
” and gave them to the bookseller with no other
reserve than that of a few copies for presents. The success of the work was very great, and the bookseller
urged him to finish the five volumes that were, to follow.
He did not, however, accomplish the whole of his design,
which was to consist of six parts. I. In the first he was to
treat of those printers, who had distinguished themselves
by their learning, ability, accuracy, and fidelity. Of
critics, that is, of those who acquaint us with authors, and
their books, and in general those, who give an account
of the state of literature, and of all that belongs to the republic of letters. Of philologists, and all those who treat
of polite literature. Of grammarians and translators of all
kinds. II. Poets, ancient and modern writers of romances and tales in prose rhetoricians, orators, and writers
of letters, either in Latin, or in any of the modern languages. III. Historians, geographers, and chronologists
of all sorts. IV. Philosophers, physicians, and
mathematicians. V. Authors upon the civil and canon law, poJitics, and ethics. VI. Writers on divinity particularly
the fathers, school-divinity heretics, &c. He published,
however, only the first of these divisions, and half of the
second, under the title of “Jugemens des Savans sur les
principaux ouvrages des Auteurs,
” Paris, Asinus in Parnasso,
” the Ass on
Parnassus, followed afterwards by “Asinus ad Lyram,
”
and “Asinus Judex,
” all in defence of Menage and the
poets and an anonymous poet wrote “Asinus Pictor.
”
It does not appear, however, that these injured the sale of
the work; and in 1686, the five other volumes, upon the
poets, were published, with a preface, in which the author
vindicates himself with ability. M. Menage now published
his “Anti-Baillet,
” in which he endeavoured to point out
Baillet' s errors and another author attacked him in “Reflexions sur le Jugemens des Savans, [envoy 6ez a l'auteur
par un Academicien,
” Jugemens,
” attributes this letter to another Jesuit, a young man not
named. Of these censures some are undoubtedly just, but
others the cavils of caprice and hypercriticism.
, an Italian count, and a man of learning, was a native of Placentia, where he was born
, an Italian count, and a man of learning, was a native of Placentia, where he was born July 3, 1654. After studying philosophy and the classics in the college of St. Francis Xavier at Bologna, he went to Rome, and passed through a course of theology, law, and mathematics. He was so pleased with Rome as to determine to take up his abode there and when the pope offered him the‘ place of nuncio at Brussels, and in Poland, he preferred a life of literary employment. Some time after, however, he accompanied cardinal d’Estrees to Paris, and the marchioness of Montecuculi to St. Germain and afterwards went to Poland, to be present at the election of a successor to king John Sobieski, then deceased. In 1698, duke Francis, of Parma, sent him to Madrid, as his deputy; and in 1710 Sophia Dorothy duchess of Placentia employed him in the same honourable office at Vienna, and at several courts in Germany, England, and Utrecht. On his return, he passed the rest of his life in a retired manner, and died Feb. 23, 1725. When in England he was elected a member of the royal society, with M. Bianchini. His rich cabinet of natural history, and his extensive library, were always open to men of learning, many of whom he assisted in their pursuits with great liberality. We know of none of his writings, except a discourse on the maps in the Atlas Historique, published at Amsterdam in 1719.
ourt of the edict, who gave him a lodging in his house, and a proper pension, happy to have with him a man of learning, by whose instructions and conversation he might
, a man of great learning
and merit, was born about 1588, and applied himself
chiefly to the study of ecclesiastical history, which gave
him a disgust to the Romish, and a desire to embrace the
Protestant religion. He had a considerable post, that of
king’s advocate, in the presidial of Auxerre; and as he
must either resolve to abandon it, or not change his religion, he was some time perplexed, but at last he conscientiously determined to leave Auxerre, his estate, his
post, his relations, and friends, and go to Charenton,
where he publicly joined himself to the reformed church,
and continued in it till his death, edifying his brethren,
both by his exemplary life, and his discourses. The expence which he was obliged to be at in Paris, being too
great for his circumstances, and his conversion rendering
him too obnoxious in that city, he accepted an invitation
to Castres from M. de Faur, a rich young counsellor of
the bipartite court of the edict, who gave him a lodging
in his house, and a proper pension, happy to have with
him a man of learning, by whose instructions and conversation he might profit. But as Balthasar had an inclination to labour for the public, he wished to have all his
time at his own disposal, and for that reason took his
leave of his host. His design was favoured by the national
synod of Loudun, in the year 1659 for that assembly
granted him a pension of 750 livres to be paid by all the
churches of France, according to the repartition that was
made of them. He had prepared, before that synod was
held, a considerable number of dissertations upon important subjects, against cardinal Baronius, which he entitled “Diatribse.
” He put four or five into the hands of a
minister of Castres, who was one of the deputies of the
province of Upper Languedoc and Upper Guienne.
They were presented to Mr. Daille, moderator of that
national synod, an excellent judge, who was extremely
pleased with them, and gave a very advantageous character of them to the whole assembly. He then carried
them to Paris, where it was hoped they would be printed,
but either proper measures were not taken, or could not
be taken, for that purpose. The author, who was very
old, and troubled with the stone, died in 1670. Pvlr.
Daille* died too and after that, the church of Castres sent
repeated letters to recover those dissertations, but could
never discover what became of them. Mr. Balthasar left
others, which were not finished, and a great many collections, the greatest part of which consisted of separate
pieces of paper, in which he had noted clown the authorities
and testimonies which he designed to make use of against
cardinal Baronius. He wrote also, 1. an eloge on M. Fouquet, in Latin, 1655, 4to. 2. “Traite des usurpations
des rois de' Espagne sur la couronne de France, depuis
Charles VIII. &c.
” Paris, 1626, 8vo, and reprinted in
1645, with an additional discourse on the pretensions of
the court of France. 3. “Justice des armes du roi treschretien contre le roi d'Espagne,
” Paris,
gree in 1649, and in this place he settled, and acquired very great reputation as a practitioner and a man of learning. In his practice he appears to have attained
, an eminent French physician
of the seventeenth century, was born at Cereste in
Provence, and studied at Aix and Montpellier, at which last
university he took his doctor’s degree in 1649, and in this
place he settled, and acquired very great reputation as a
practitioner and a man of learning. In his practice he appears to have attained the simplicity and sound principles
of modern times, founded on experience. The celebrated
Locke, who visited him at Montpellier, compared him to
cur Sydenham in manners and opinions. He died in 1699.
The only works he published are, 1. “Traites de Medicine,
” 12mo, Questiones Medicae duodecim,
”
irginity; and some other lesser pieces, of which no remains are extant, but he had the reputation of a man of learning and eloquence. Although he is placed by some
, bishop of Ancyra in the year 336, was ordained to that office by the bishops of Eusebius’s party, in room of Marcellus, whom they had deposed: but Basil was excommunicated, and his ordination declared void in the council of Sardica, although he continued still in the possession of his see. He disputed against Photinus in the council of Sirmium, in the year 351, and there confounded that heretic. He was one of the greatest enemies to the Arians, or Anomseans, i. e. those who openly vindicated the opinion of Arius, and maintained that the Word was not like to the Father. But he was, notwithstanding, considered as the head of the Semi-Arians, who maintained that the Son was similar to the Father in his essence, not by nature, but by a peculiar privilege. Basil maintained this opinion and procured it to be established by the authority of a council, which was held at Ancyra in the year 358, and defended it at Seleucia and Constantinople, against the Eudoxians and Acacians, who deposed him in the year 360, after charging him with many crimes. St. Jerome informs us, that Basil wrote a book against Marcellus, his predecessor; a treatise of Virginity; and some other lesser pieces, of which no remains are extant, but he had the reputation of a man of learning and eloquence. Although he is placed by some at the head of the Semi-Arians, yet it is not quite certain that he was deemed a heretic. St. Basil speaks of him as a Catholic bishop, and Athanasius confesses, in his book of Synods, that Basil of Ancyra and those of his party, did not differ from them that professed the consubstantiality, but only in words, and therefore Hilary and Philastrius call the bishops of the council of Sirmium, held against Photinus, of which Basil of Ancyra was the chief, orthodox bishops.
nowing him in this disguise, but he forced himself in by main force. Upon the whole, however, he was a man of learning, benevolence, and skill.
Dr. Battie, it may already be surmised, was of that class called humourists, and he had also a turn for speculations a little out of the way of his profession. His house at Harlow was built under his own direction, but he forgot the stair-case, and all the offices below were constantly under water. A favourite scheme of his, for having the barges drawn up the river by horses instead of men, rendered him unpopular among the bargemen, and at one time he narrowly escaped being thrown over the bridge by them, but he pacified them by acting Punch. In this sclu ae he is said to have lost 1000l. and for fear of future insults, he always carried pocket-pistols about him. He affected in the country to be his own day-labourer, and to dress like one, and was, on one occasion, refused admittance to a gentleman’s house, where he was intimate, the servants not knowing him in this disguise, but he forced himself in by main force. Upon the whole, however, he was a man of learning, benevolence, and skill.
author in the last edition of this Dictionary. It is necessary, however, to add that he was esteemed a man of learning in his day, was principal of the college of
, a divine of Amiens, the place
of his birth, acquired the notice of the learned by his dissertation “De la chaussure des Anciens,
” published in
Calceus antiquus et mysticus,
”
8vo. This work was the occasion of the false notion that
he was the son of a shoemaker, and had followed the trade
himself, to which he intended to do honour by this publication. Such is the brief notice of this author in the last
edition of this Dictionary. It is necessary, however, to add
that he was esteemed a man of learning in his day, was
principal of the college of Troyes; and on his return to
Amiens, accepted the charge of master of the Hotel-Dieu,
and died here Nov. 1632. Whether he was the son of a
shoemaker, and bred to that business himself, seems doubtful. The Dict. Hist, asserts it on the authority of Daire
in his “Hist. Litt. de ia ville d' Amiens,
” p. Antiquités de la ville d'Amiens,
” and
informs us that the “Calceus antiquus
” was a work compiled by the author as an exercise on a curious question in
ancient manners and dress. From la Morliere, we learn
also that Baudouin translated Seneca’s tragedies into French
verse, which translation was published at Troyes in 1629.
, an English writer, was a wine merchant at Wrexham, in Denbighshire, a man of learning, great humanity, of an easy fortune, and much
, an English writer, was a wine
merchant at Wrexham, in Denbighshire, a man of learning, great humanity, of an easy fortune, and much respected. He published in 1737, “Eugenio, or virtuous
and happy life,
” 4to, a poem inscribed to Pope, and by
no means destitute of poetical merit. He submitted it in
manuscript to Swift, who wrote him a long and very candid
letter, now printed in his works, and Mr. Beach adopted Swift’s
corrections. He is said to have entertained very blameable
notions in religion, but his friends endeavoured to vindicate him from this charge, when his death took place, May
17, 1737, precipitated by his own hand.
He was also a man of learning, and gave proofs of his abilities and genius
He was also a man of learning, and gave proofs of his
abilities and genius as a writer. The most remarkable of
his works was the “History of his own times,
” in Latin:
of this, however, nothing remains except a few fragments,
sand three or four books, which Martin du Bellay, William’s brother, has inserted in his memoirs.
, was chief physician to king James II. He was a man of learning, and what is now termed an able bibliographer.
, was chief physician to king
James II. He was a man of learning, and what is now termed
an able bibliographer. His private collection of books,
which were scarce and curious, sold for upwards of 1600l.
in 1698; a large sum at that time, when the passion for
rare books was much more moderate than now. He died
Feb. 9, 1697, aged 69 years. Mr Charles Bernard, brother to Francis, and surgeon to the princess Anne, daughter of king James, had also a curious library, which was
sold by auction in 1711. The “Spaccio della Bestia triomfante,
” by Jordano Bruno, an Italian atheist, which is
said in number 389 of the Spectator to have sold for 30l.
was in this sale. Mr. Ames informs us that this book was
printed in England by Thomas Vautrollier in 1584. An
English edition of it was printed in 1713.
, an Italian physician, and a man of learning and skill, yet perhaps less known for these
, an Italian physician,
and a man of learning and skill, yet perhaps less known
for these qualities, than for his literary disputes, was born at
Castel Fiorentino Dec. 28, 1658. After studying at
Sienna and Pisa a complete course, not only of medicine,
but mathematics, astronomy, belles-lettres, &c. he was,
in 1678, created doctor in philosophy and medicine, and
then settled at Florence, where after very successful practice for many years, he died Dec. 10, 1726. His first
publication was entitled “La Medicina difesa contra la
calunnie degli nomini volgari e dalle opposizioni del dotti,
divisa in due dialoghi,
” Lucca, Dell' uso esterno e interno del Mercurio, discorso, &c.
”
4to.
enty anatomical subjects, published at Turin in 1757, was the work of Bianchi. He was unquestionably a man of learning and skill in his profession; but Morgagni, in
a celebrated Italian anatomist, was born at Turin, Sept. 12, 1681, and at the age
of seventeen was honoured with a doctor’s degree. He
was a long time professor of anatomy at Turin, where the
king of Sardinia, in 1715, caused a very commodious amphitheatre to be built for his lectures. In 1718 he also
taught pharmacy, chemistry, and the practice of physic,
He was offered a professor’s chair in the university of Bologna, but refused it from an attachment to his native
place, Turin. He died much esteemed, Jan. 2, 1761.
He wrote a great many works; among which were, 1.
“Ductus lacrymalis, &c. anatome,
” Turin, De lacteorum vasorum positionibus
et fabrica,
” Turin, Storia del mostro di
due corpi,
” Turin, 1719, 8vo. 4. “Lettera sull' insensibilita,
” Turin, Histofia hepatica, seu de Hepatis
structura, usibus et morbis,
” Turin, De natural! in humane corpore,
vitiosa, morbosaque generatione historia,
” ibid. Epistolas Anatomicse duse,
” printed
in
very early riser, and thus had done the business of a morning before others had begun it. He was not a man of learning, properly so called he understood the Latin
We have seen that it has been objected to Dr. Birch,
that he was sometimes too minute in his publications, and
that he. did not always exercise, with due severity, the
power of selection. The charge must be confessed not to
be totally groundless. But it may be alleged in our author’s favour, that a man who has a deep and extensive acquintance with a subject, often sees a connection and importance in some smaller circumstances, which may not
immediately be discerned by others and, on that account,
may have reasons for inserting them, that will escape the
notice of superficial minds. The same circumstance is noticed in the following character of Dr. Birch by one of our
predecessors in this Dictionary, Dr. Heathcote, who knew
Dr. Birch well, and consorted with him, for the last thirteen years of his life. Dr. Heathcote “believes him to
have been an honest, humane, and generous man warm
and zealous in his attachments to persons and principle,
but of universal benevolence, and ever ready to promote
the happiness of all men. He was cheerful, lively, and
spirited, in the highest degree; and, notwithstanding the
labours and drudgery he went through in his historical pursuits, no man mixed more in company but he was a very
early riser, and thus had done the business of a morning before others had begun it. He was not a man of learning,
properly so called he understood the Latin and French
languages, not critically, but very well of the Greek he
knew very little. He was, however, a man of great general
knowledge, and excelled particularly in modern history.
As a collector and compiler, he was in the main judicious
in the choice of his materials but was sometimes too
minute in uninteresting details, and did not always exercise, with due severity, the power of selection. He had
a favourite position, that we could not be possessed of too
many facts and he never departed from, it, though it was
often urged to him, that facts, which admit of no reasoning, and tend to no edification, which can only serve to
encumber, and, as it were, smother useful intelligence,
had better be consigned to oblivion, than recorded. And
indeed, in this very way of biographical compilation, we
have always been of opinion, that, if it were less fashionable to relate particulars of every man, which are common
to almost all men, we should be equally knowing, and our
libraries would be by far less crowded. In his manners,
Dr. Birch was simple and unaffected; very communicative,
and forward to assist in any useful undertaking; and of a
spirit perfectly disinterested, and (as his friends used to tell him) too inattentive to his own emolument.
”
absurd and unlucky adventure. The abbé de la Bleterie died at an advanced age, June 1, 1772. He was a man of learning, attached to religion, and his morals did not
This translation is in other respects sufficiently exact.
5. “Letters occasioned by the account of Quietism given
by M. Phelipeaux,
” Most humble Remonstrances of M. de Montempuis;
” an obscure and indifferent work, in favour of a
pedant, who had made himself ridiculous by an absurd and
unlucky adventure. The abbé de la Bleterie died at an
advanced age, June 1, 1772. He was a man of learning,
attached to religion, and his morals did not belie his
principles. His knowledge being solid and diversified,
rendered his conversation useful and interesting. With
sound rather than brilliant talents, endowed with more
judgment than imagination, he had the merit of knowing
how to choose his friends, and how to retain them.
h was a retired, but delightful situation, he soon recommended himself as a pastor, a gentleman, and a man of learning. The duties of his profession he discharged
When Mr. Borlase was fixed at Ludgvan, which was a
retired, but delightful situation, he soon recommended
himself as a pastor, a gentleman, and a man of learning.
The duties of his profession he discharged with the most
rigid punctuality and exemplary dignity. He was esteemed
and respected by the principal gentry of Cornwall, and
lived on the most friendly and social terms with those of
his neighbourhood. In the pursuit of general knowledge
he was active and vigorous; and his mind being of an inquisitive turn, he could not survey with inattention or
indifference the peculiar objects which his situation pointed
to his view. There were in the parish of Ludgvan rich
copper works, belonging to the late earl of Godolphin.
These abounded with mineral and metallic fossils, which
Mr. Borlase collected from time to time; and his collection increasing by degrees, he was encouraged to study
at large the natural history of his native county. While
he was engaged in this design, he could not avoid being
struck with the numerous m'onuments of remote antiquity
that are to be met with in several parts of Cornwall; and
which had hitherto been passed over with far less examination than they deserved. Enlarging, therefore, his plan,
he determined to gain as accurate an acquaintance as possible with the Druid learning, and with the religion and
customs of the ancient Britons, before their conversion to
Christianity. To this undertaking he was encouraged by
several gentlemen of his neighbourhood, who were men of
literature and lovers of British antiquities; and particularly by sir John St. Aubyn, ancestor of the present baronet of that family, and the late rev. Edward Collins,
vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter,
commenced an acquaintance with the Rev. Dr. Charles
Lyttelton, late bishop of Carlisle, then come to be installed into the deanry, and the Rev. Dr. Milles, the late
dean, two eminent antiquaries, who, in succession, have
so ably presided over the society of antiquaries in London.
Our author’s correspondence with these gentlemen was a
great encouragement to the prosecution of his studies; and
he has acknowledged his obligations to them, in several
parts of his works. In 1750, being at London, he was
admitted a fellow of the royal society, into which he had
been chosen the year before, after having communicated
an ingenious Essay on the Cornish Crystals. Mr. Borlase
having completed, in 1753, his manuscript of the Antiof Cornwall, carried it to Oxford, where he finished
the whole impression, in folio, in the February following.
A second edition of it, in the same form, was published
at London, in 1769. Our author’s next publication was,
“Observations on the ancient and present state of the
Islands of Scilly, and their importance to the trade of
Great Britain, in a letter to the reverend Charles Lyttelton, LL. D. dean of Exeter, and F. R. S.
” This work,
which was printed likewise at Oxford, and appeared in
1756, in quarto, was an extension of a paper that had
been read before the royal society, on the 8th of February
1753, entitled, “An Account of the great Alterations
which the Islands of Scilly have undergone, since the time
of the ancients, who mention them, as to their number,
extent, and position.
” It was at the request of Dr. Lyttelton, that this account was enlarged into a distinct
treatise. In 1757, Mr. Borlase again employed the Oxford press, in printing his “Natural History of Cornwall,
” for which he had been many years making collections, and which was published in April 1758. After this,
he sent a variety of fossils, and remains of antiquity, which
he 'had described in his works, to be placed in the Ashmolean museum; and to the same repository he continued
to send every thing curious which fell into his hands.
For these benefactions he received the thanks of the university, in a letter from the vice-chancellor, dated November 18, 1758; and in March, 1766, that learned body conferred on him the degree of doctor of laws, by diploma,
the highest academical honour.
an edition of Josephus. When, however, he had made considerable progress in this, he understood that a man of learning in Holland was employed on a similar design,
, an eminent French historian and antiquary, was a Benedictine of the congregation of St. Maur, and born at Amiens, Aug. 6, 1685. After finishing his course of philosophy and divinity, he studied the learned languages with great success, and his superiors observing his decided taste for literature, made him librarian of St. Germain- des-prez. He afterwards assisted the celebrated Montfaucon in some of his works, and undertook himself an edition of Josephus. When, however, he had made considerable progress in this, he understood that a man of learning in Holland was employed on a similar design, and therefore, with a liberality not very common, sent to him all the collections he had formed for the work. On the death of father Le Long, of the oratory, in 1721, Bouquet was employed in making a collection of the historians of France. Of this important work, a brief account will not be uninteresting.
happiness to be contemporary with many prelates of distinction in English history. He was certainly a man of learning; though nothing written by him has come down
Bourchier, we are told, was strangely imposed upon by the specious pretences of Richard duke of Gloucester, when he undertook to persuade the queen to deliver up the duke of York, her son, into the protector’s hands. He presided over the church thirty-two years, in the most troublesome times of the English government, those of Henry VI. and Edward IV. He also performed the marriage ceremony between Henry VII. and the daughter of Edward IV.; and had the happiness to be contemporary with many prelates of distinction in English history. He was certainly a man of learning; though nothing written by him has come down to us, if we except a few Sy nodical decrees. Dart tells us, he founded a chantry, which was afterwards surrendered to king Henry VIII. Archbishop Bourchier died at his palace of Knowle, on Thursday the thirtieth of March 1486, and was buried on the north side of the choir of his cathedral, by the high altar, in a tomb of marble, on which is an inscription merely recording the event.
his death; and that he never saw any thing in his wife’s conduct that deserved censure; that he was a man of learning; and when in company with those by whom he was
Although there is too much reason to believe that no
part of Boyse’s character has been misrepresented in the
preceding narrative, he must not be deprived of the evidence which Mr. Nichols’s correspondent has advanced in
his favour. He assures us that he knew him from the year
1732 to the time of his death; and that he never saw any
thing in his wife’s conduct that deserved censure; that he
was a man of learning; and when in company with those
by whom he was not awed, an entertaining companion;
but so irregular and inconsistent in his conduct, that it
appeared as if he had been actuated by two different souls
on different occasions. These last accounts are in some
degree confirmed by the writer of his life in Gibber’s collection, who says that while Boyse was in his last illness
he had no notion of his approaching end, nor “did he
expect it until it was almost past the thinking of.
” His
mind, indeed, was often religiously disposed; he frequently thought upon that subject; and probably suffered
a great deal from the remorse of his conscience. The early
impressions of his good education were never entirely
obliterated; and his whole life was a continual struggle
between his will and reason, as he was always violating his
duty to the one, while he fell under the subjection of the
other. It was, adds the same author, in consequence of
this war in his mind, that he wrote a beautiful poem called
“Recantation.
”
considered.” This is a more fanciful performance than the other, but still it exhibits the fancy of a man of learning. Besides these, he left some papers prepared
The reputation of Browne encouraged some low writer
to publish, under his name, a book called “Nature’s cabinet unlocked,
” translated, according to Wood, from the
physics of Magirus, but Browne advertised against it. In
1658, the discovery of some ancient urns in Norfolk gave
him occasion to write “Hydriotaphia, Urn -burial, or a
discourse of Sepulchral Urns,
” 8vo, in which he treats
with his usual learning, on the funeral rites of the ancient
nations; exhibits their various treatment of the dead; and
examines the substances found in these Norfolk urns.
There is, perhaps, none -of his works which better exemplifies his reading or memory. To this treatise was
added “The Garden of Cyrus, or the Quincunxial lozenge, or net-work plantation of the ancients, artificially,
naturally, mystically considered.
” This is a more fanciful
performance than the other, but still it exhibits the fancy
of a man of learning. Besides these, he left some papers
prepared for the press, of which two collections have been
published, the first by Dr. Thomas Tennison, afterwards
archbishop of Canterbury, in 1684, 8vo, entitled, “A
Collection of Miscellaneous Tracts,
” and these, with what
had been published in his life-time, were printed in one
vol. fol. in 1686. In 1690 his son, Dr. Edward Browne,
of whom we have already spoken, published a single tract,
entitled “A Letter to a friend upon occasion of the death
of his intimate friend,
” 8vo. The second collection was
of the “Posthumous Works,
” edited in
, a man of learning in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and
, a man of learning in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and the friend of Erasmus,
who corresponded with him by the name of Bovillus, was
a native of Berkshire, according to Fuller. He was educated at Queen’s college, Cambridge, where he took his
bachelor’s degree in 1504, and his master’s in 1507, and
was chosen fellow in the last mentioned year. He commenced D. D. in 1520, and was vice-chancellor in 1524—5.
He was esteemed a man of abilities, and chosen by cardinal
Wolsey to answer Luther. The cardinal also made him
his chaplain, but we do not find that he raised him to any
higher dignity, yet the oration he spoke in favour of the
cardinal, now printed in Fiddes’s life of that great churchman, seems to have merited a higher reward. By his letters to Erasmus, it appears that he was an able Grecian at
a time when that language was little known. In 1513, in
conjunction with Mr. Walden, he read a mathematical lecture, and had a salary from the university for it. He was
also one of the twelve preachers sent out by that university in 1515. The biographers of Erasmus profess their
ignorance of the time of his death. Tanner fixes it in
1526, but Dodd says he was living in 1530. He wrote,
1. “De Captivitate Babylonica contra Lutherum.
” 2.
“Epistolse et Orationes.
” 3. “De Serpentibus siticulosis,
” a translation from the Greek of Lucian, printed at
Cambridge, 1521, 4to. 4. “Oratio coram Archiepiscopo
Eboracensi,
” ibid.
ch he earnestly laboured. His “Irenicum” was one of the last subjects upon which he preached. He was a man of learning, candour, and modesty, and of irreproachable
, a puritan divine, was
born in 1599, and educated at Cambridge, but was obliged
to quit that university for nonconformity. He sheltered
himself for some time under the hospitable roof of the earl
of Warwick, and afterwards retired to Holland, where he
was chosen minister of an English congregation at Rotterdam. In 1642 he returned to England, and became
preacher of two of the largest and most numerous congregations in London, Stepney and Cripplegate. It was not
his object to spread sedition, but peace, for which he earnestly laboured. His “Irenicum
” was one of the last
subjects upon which he preached. He was a man of learning, candour, and modesty, and of irreproachable life. A
considerable number of his writings are in print, many of
Vhich were published after his death, which happened November 14, 1646. When the assembly of divines reformed
the church by placing that of Scotland in lieu of that of
England, Mr. Burroughes was a dissenter from their decrees, and lamented that after all the mischiefs of rebellion
and revolution, men were not allowed to have liberty of
conscience any more than before. These divisions are
said to have shortened his days. Baxter used to say that
if all presbyterians had been like Mr. Marshall, and all independents like Mr. Burroughes, their differences might
easily have been compromised. Such men, however, in
those distracted times were the “rari nantes in gurgite
vasto.
” We have before us a list of twelve quartos, and
four octavos, mostly published from his Mss. after his
death, among which is an “Exposition on Hosea,
” 3 vols.
but none of them seem, to have attained any great degree
of popularity.
deprived Campegio of his see of Salisbury. He died at Rome in August 1539, leaving the character of a man of learning, and a patron of learned men, and much esteemed
, an eminent cardinal of the Romish church, and an English bishop,
was a native of Bologna, the son of John Campegio, a learned
lawyer, and was himself professor of law at Padua. After
the death of his wife, he went into the church, and in
1510 became auditor of the Rota, and in 1512 bishop of
Feltria. Being afterwards, in 1517, created cardinal, he
was sent as pope’s legate into England in the following
year. His chief business at the English court was to persuade Henry VIII. to join the confederation of Christian
princes against the Turks. He was very favourably received on this occasion, and had several spiritualities bestowed upon him, among which was the bishoprick of Salisbury, but not having been able to accomplish the business of his mission, he returned to Rome. When the controversy respecting Henry’s divorce began, in 1527, -cardinal Campegio was sent a second time into England, to
call a legantine court, where he and his colleague cardinal
Wolsey were to sit as judges. Having arrived in London
Oct. 1528, the first session began at Blackfriars, May 31,
1529, and the trial lasted until July 23, when the queen
Catherine appealing to the pope, the court was adjourned
until Sept. 28, and was then dissolved. Afterwards Campegio was recalled to Rome, the king making him considerable presents upon his departure; but a rumour being
spread, that he carried along with him a treasure belonging to cardinal Wolsey, whose downfall was at this time
contrived, and who, it was suspected, intended to follow
him to Rome, he was pursued by the king’s orders, and
overtaken at Calais. His baggage was searched, but nothing being found of the kind suspected, he complained
louilly of this violation of his sacred character. In this,
however, he obtained no redress, and when king Henry
understood that the see of Rome was not disposed to favour
him with a divorce from his queen, he deprived Campegio
of his see of Salisbury. He died at Rome in August 1539,
leaving the character of a man of learning, and a patron of
learned men, and much esteemed by Erasmus, Sadolet,
and other eminent men of that time. His letters only remain, which contain many historical particulars, and were
published in “Epistolarum miscellanearum, libri decem,
”
Basil,
ontroversies, Castalio is so imprudent in the verbosity of his paraphrases, that if his character as a man of learning and piety were not thoroughly established, we
Castalio’s learning has been highly extolled. He was
undoubtedly an able Latin, Greek, and Hebrew scholar, but
aiming at classical taste, he betrayed the greatest want of
judgment in the two works for which he is now principally
known, his translation of the Bible into Latin, and his
Dialogues. The quaintness of his Latin style in the former,
evinces a deplorable inattention to the simple majesty of
the original. In the song of Solomon he is particularly
injudicious. This book he wished expunged from the
canon, which was one of the causes of his differences with
Calvin and Beza; when that could not be done, he contrived to debase the magnificence of the language and the
subject by diminutives, which, though expressive of familiar endearment, are destitute of dignity, and therefore
improper on solemn occasions . This incongruous mixture of sublime ideas and words comparatively mean, degrades the noblest poetry almost to the level of burlesque.
In his “Sacred Dialogues,
” says an author, who cannot
be supposed prejudiced against him on account of his
ancient controversies, Castalio is so imprudent in the
verbosity of his paraphrases, that if his character as a man
of learning and piety were not thoroughly established, we
should be tempted to think he had meant to burlesque some
passages of the Old Testament. Indeed these dialogues
are so frequently farcical, not to say indecent, that the
reading of them seems to be very improperly continued in
some schools.
d not succeed against the repeated attacks of Boileau, Racine, and Fontaine. Chapelain, however, was a man of learning, and a good critic, and he has found an able
Chapelain died at Paris, Feb. 22, 1674, aged seventynine. He was of the king’s counsellors; very rich, and
had some amiable qualities, but was covetous. “Pelisson
and I,
” says Menage, “had been at variance a long time
with Chapelain; but, in a fit of humility, he called upon
me and insisted that we should go and offer a reconciliation
to him, for that it was his intention,
” as much as possible,
to live in peace with all men.“We went, and I protest I
saw the very same billets of wood in the chimney which I
had observed there twelve years before. He had 50,Ooo
crowns in ready cash by him; and his supreme delight was
to have his strong box opened and the bags taken out,
that he might contemplate his treasure. In this manner
were his bags about him when he died; which gave occasion to a certain academician to say,
” there is our friend
Chapelain just dead, like a miller among his bags.“He
had no occasion therefore to accept of cardinal Richelieu’s
offer. Being at the height of his reputation, Richelieu,
who was fond of being thought a wit as well as a statesman,
and was going to publish something which he would have
pass for an excellent performance, could not devise a better expedient than prefixing Chapelain’s name to it.
” Chapelain,“says he,
” lend me your name on this occasion, and I will lend you my purse on any other.“The
learned Huet endeavoured to vindicate his great poem,
but could not succeed against the repeated attacks of
Boileau, Racine, and Fontaine. Chapelain, however, was
a man of learning, and a good critic, and he has found an
able defender in the abbe cT Olivet, in his History of the
French Academy, It was at the desire of Malherbe and
Vaugelas that Chapelain wrote the famous preface to the
” Adone“of Marino; and it was he who corrected the
very first poetical composition of Racine, his
” Ode to the
Queen," who introduced Racine to Colbert, and procured
him a pension, for which Racine repaid him by joining
the wits in decrying his poem.
children. About the year 1750, he was first noticed by Dr. Kirwan Wright, an eminent physician, and a man of learning, who encouraged him to direct his mind to the
, an ingenious professor of the veterinary art, was born at Norwich, Aug. 12, 1725. His father was a blacksmith, in humble life, and could only afford to allow his son a short time for instruction, in the elements of reading, writing, and arithmetic. He was taken from school before he had made much progress in his education; and when he was seventeen years old, he was obliged, by the death of his father, to carry on the business for the benefit of his mother and her family, which consisted of four children. About the year 1750, he was first noticed by Dr. Kirwan Wright, an eminent physician, and a man of learning, who encouraged him to direct his mind to the investigation and treatment of the diseases of horses. To this pursuit he devoted his attention with great zeal and success. Through the same friend he was induced to acquire a knowledge of the Latin and French languages, in. order to make himself acquainted with the best authors on farriery and medicine, but particularly Vegetius and La Fosse. His Latin teacher was a Mr. Pagan, under whose tuition he made a rapid progress: and in French he instructed himself without the help of any master. He was much assisted in his Latin studies by acting as an amanuensis, and sometimes read in^ Latin books, to Dr. Wright, who had the misfortune to be deprived of his sight. During this time he was a hard worker as well as a hard student. He used to work at the forge, the regular hours, from sixo'clock in the morning until eight at night, and then frequently got ready the nails requisite for his men the next day. To his labours as a blacksmith, a veterinary practitioner, a student of Latin and French, he added others, as a student of mathematics. He became a member of a society established in Norwich, among men of original minds and small incomes, for improvement in mathematics and experimental philosophy, under the direction of Mr. Peter Bilby. Here ho associated with John Fransham, with Mr. Arderon, F. 11. S. a friend and correspondent of Baker, whose inquiries with the microscope excited general interestat that time, and with other working and thinking men. Mr. Clover had a greater quickness of apprehension, and excelled Fransham in mathematics; but the latter had made a greater proficiency in the classics, and was therefore qualified to become his master. After his return from his eccentric excursion to Newcastle, Mr. Clover employed Fransham occasionally to ride the horses home after they were shod, and whilst the iron was heating, they used both to be employed in Latin exer^ses and mathematical problems, worked upon a slate hung against the forge. Thus the tutor assisted in all the labours of his pupil, and, ' after correcting an exercise, or discussing the properties of a circle, he earned his frugal meal by conducting home the horses which his pupil had shod. Natural philosophy, natural history, and botany, engaged much of this little Bilbean society’s attention. Mr. Clover demonstrated at several of their meetings the origin and progress of the bots found in the stomach and intestines of horses, so early as 1753. He discovered the manner in which the larvae of these insects f&strus equij are conveyed from the coat of the horse, where they are deposited by the fly, into the animal’s stomach; and he illustrated, by many experiments, the whole progress of their transformation, which has been since so well described by Mr. B. Clarke, in the Linnean Transactions for 1796. In 1765, Mr. Clover’s reputation had increased so much that he relinquished working at the forge, and devoted himself wholly to the veterinary art. In this he was assisted by the most eminent medical practitioners of those days, particularly Mr. Gooch, who has inserted in the second volume of his surgical cases, a letter from Mr. Clover, giving a description and a drawing of an ingenious machine invented by him for the cure of ruptured tendons and fractured legs in horses. For many years Mr. Clover was severely afflicted with giddiness and pain in his head, which obliged him to decline business in 178!. He continued, however, to interest himself in every improvement that was made, and always took delight in recounting the results of his extensive experience. One of his greatest amusements was to talk with those who studied physic and surgery; and he continued to read the new medical publications, and to deliver short private lectures on the theory and practice of the healing art, with a lively interest, until the very day of his death. It is to be regretted that he never could be prevailed upon to extend the usefulness of his knowledge and experience in the diseases of animals, by any publication of his observations; but he felt a diffidence and fastidiousness in writing that could never be overcome, though his readiness to communicate information was universally acknowledged. The latter end of his life was cheered by the amusement of gardening, in which he excelled. He marked the gradual decay of his bodily organs with perfect tranquillity and composure, and watched his declining pulse when he expired Feb. 19, 1811, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. With an understanding vigorous and acute, and n. power of discrimination and discernment peculiar to himself, Mr. Clover possessed the external advantage of a strong muscular frame of body, which was tall and well proportioned.
have ever since been monuments of his taste and magnificence. He was a lover of learning, though not a man of learning himself, and liberally conferred do r nations
This great minister died of the stone, Sept. 6, 1683, in his 65th year, leaving behind him six sons and three daughters. He was of a middle stature, his mien low and dejected, his air gloomy, and his aspect stern. He slept little, and was extremely temperate. Though naturally sour and morose, tie knew how to act the lover, and had mistresses. He was of a slow conception, but spoke judiciously of every thing after he had once comprehended it. He understood business perfectly well, and he pursued it with unwearied application. This enabled him to fill the most important places with high reputation and credit^ while his influence diffused itself' through every part of the government. He restored the finances, the navy, the commerce of France; and he erected those various works of art, which have ever since been monuments of his taste and magnificence. He was a lover of learning, though not a man of learning himself, and liberally conferred do r nations and pensions upon scholars in other countries, while he established and protected academies in his own. He invited into France painters, statuaries, mathematicians, and eminent artists of all kinds, thus giving new life to the sciences. Upon the whole, he was a wise, active, generous-spirited minister; ever attentive to the interests of his master, the happiness of the people, the progress of arts and manufactures, and to every thing that could advance the credit and interest of his- country, while his failings were such as could not injure him in the opinion of his age and country.
ce in this character, his Letters, the only part of his works which are printed, evidently prove him a man of learning and research, and no inconsiderable contributor
In the midst of his more serious functions, he found leisure to cultivate poetry, and particularly to make a collection of ancient manuscripts, in which he was so successful, that at his death his library consisted of eight hundred volumes, a princely collection before the invention of printing. His contemporaries speak of him in terms of the highest admiration, as a second Cicero and Virgil; but although modern critics cannot acquiesce in this character, his Letters, the only part of his works which are printed, evidently prove him a man of learning and research, and no inconsiderable contributor to the revival of letters. He died May 4, 1406; and his remains, after being decorated with a crown of laurel, were interred with extraordinary pomp in the church of St. Maria de Fiore.
ions agreed with his own. He wrote in some of the weekly journals of the time, and was considered as a man of learning and abilities. He is supposed to have attacked
, a poet and miscellaneous writer,
was born at Braintree in Essex, in 1702 or 1703, where
his father was an inn-keeper, and as Pope used to say, a
Muggletonian. He was educated at Felsted school, where
he made considerable proficiency, but how long he remained here, or what was his destination in life is not
known. For some time he appears to have been domesticated in the family of lord Pembroke, who died in 1733,
and who probably suggested to him a translation of Hesiod,
to which his lordship contributed some notes. Before this
nobleman’s death, he came to London in 1722, and became a writer by profession, and a strenuous supporter
of revolution-principles, which formed a bond of union
between him and Tickell, Philips, Welsted, Steele, Dennis,
and others, whose political opinions agreed with his own.
He wrote in some of the weekly journals of the time, and
was considered as a man of learning and abilities. He is
supposed to have attacked Pope from political principles,
but it is fully as probable, that, as he was a good Greek
scholar, he wished to derive some reputation from proving
that Pope, in his translation of Homer, was deficient in
that language. In 1725 he published a poem entitled
“The Battle of the Poets,
” in which Pope, Swift, and
some others were treated with much freedom and translated and published in the Daily Journal, 1727, the episode
of Thersites, from the second book of the Iliad, to show
how much Pope had mistaken his author. For this attack
Pope gave him a place in the “Dunciad,
” and notices
him with equal contempt in his Epistle to Dr. Arbutlmot.
In a note likewise he informs us that Cooke “wrote letters
at the same time to him, protesting his innocence;
” but
Cooke’s late biographer, sir Joseph Mawbey, is inclined
to doubt this, and rather to believe that he was regardless
of Pope’s enmity. In a subsequent edition of “The Battle of the Poets
” Cooke notices the Dunciad with becoming spirit, and speaks with little respect of Pope’s
“philosophy or dignity of mind, who could be provoked
by what a boy writ concerning his translation of Homer,
and in verses which gave no long promise of duration.
”
In 1725 or 172G, Cooke published “The Knights of
the Bath,
” and “Philander and Cydippe,
” both poetical
tales; and several other pieces of poetry the former evidently meant to attract the public attention, on the revival,
about that time, of the order of the Bath. He wrote soon
after “The Triumphs of Love and Honour,
” a play; “The
Eunuch,
” a farce; and “The Mournful Nuptials,
” a tragedy; all performed at Drury-lane theatre, but with little
success. In 1726 he published an account of the “Life
and Writings of Andrew Marvell, esq.
” prefixed to an
edition of the poetical works of that celebrated politician,
2 vols. 12mo, and in 1728 his translation of “Hesiod.
”
In A Translation of Cicero on the Nature of the Gods,
” with philosophical, critical, and explanatory notes, to which is added
an examination into the astronomy of the ancients, 8vo.
In 1741 he encreased his classical reputation by an edition
of Virgil, with an interpretation in Latin, and notes in
English. In 1742 he published a volume of his original
“Poems,
” with imitations and translations, and in
hat queen, to whom he had the honour of being allied, placed him with her son, the duke of Anjou, as a man of learning, and a good counsellor. Corbinelli paid his
, a man of wit and learning of
the sixteenth century, was born of an illustrious family at
Florence. He went into France in the reign of Catherine
de Medicis; and that queen, to whom he had the honour
of being allied, placed him with her son, the duke of Anjou, as a man of learning, and a good counsellor. Corbinelli paid his court without servility, and was compared
to those ancient Romans who were full of integrity, and
incapable of baseness. Chancellor de l'Hospital had a
high esteem for him. He was a professed friend and patron of the learned, and frequently printed their works at
his own expence, adding notes to them, as he did to Fra.
Paolo del Rosso’s poem, entitled “La Fisica,
” Paris, De Vulgari Eloquentia,
” where he supped such a day
” “I think I do not remember,
” replied Corbinelli, yawning. “Are you not
acquainted with such and such princes
” “I forget.
”
“Have you not supped with them
” “I remember nothing
of it.
” “But I think such a man as you ought to remember
things of this kind.
” “Yes, sir; but in the presence of
such a man as you, I am not such a man as myself.
” He
left “Les anciens Historiens Latins reduits en Maximes,
”
with a preface, which was attributed to P. Bouhours, printed
1694, 12mb; “Hist, genealogique de la Maison de Gondi,
” Paris,
sier, by insinuating that Moliere designed him in the person of the Misanthrope. Cotin, however, was a man of learning, understood the learned languages, particularly
, a member of the French academy,
so ill-treated by Boileau in his satires, and by Moliere in
his comedy of the “Femmes Savantes,
” under the name of
Trissotiu, was born at Paris, and has at least as good a title
to a place in this work, as some of Virgil’s military heroes
in the Æneid, who are celebrated purely for being knocked
on the head. It is said, that he drew upon him the indignation of Boileau and Moliere: of the former, because he
counselled him in a harsh and splenetic manner, to devote
his talents to a kind of poetry different from satire; of the
latter, because he had endeavoured to hurt him with the
duke de Montausier, by insinuating that Moliere designed
him in the person of the Misanthrope. Cotin, however,
was a man of learning, understood the learned languages,
particularly the Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac, was respected
in the best companies, where merit only could procure
admittance, and preached sixteen Lents, in the principal
pulpits of Paris. He died in that city in 1682, leaving
several works tolerably well written the principal are, K
“Theoclee, on la vraie Philosophie des principes du
monde.
” 2. “Traite de l'Ame immortelle.
” 3.
“Oraison funeb. pour Abel Servien.
” 4. “Reflexions
sur la conduite du roi Louis XIV. quand il prit le soin des
affaires par lui-meme.
” 5. “Salomon, ou la Politique
Royale.
” 6. “Poesies Chretiennes,
” CEuvres galantes,
” Femmes Savantes
” of Molitjre, was
really written by abbe Cbtin: he composed it for Madame de Nemours, and was reading it to that lady when
Menage entered, who disparaging the sonnet, the two
scholars abused each other, nearly in the same terms as
Trissotin and Vadius in Moliere.
hich he dedicated to his patron Manuel Sorrel, esq. In this dedication Mr. Sorrel is complimented as a man of learning and judgment, in whose approbation of his works
After this the doctor returned to the studies belonging
to his profession and in 1706 published a tract, entitled
“Ophthalmiatria,
” which he dedicated to his patron Manuel Sorrel, esq. In this dedication Mr. Sorrel is complimented as a man of learning and judgment, in whose approbation of his works our author declares himself satisfied
and happy, and enabled to despise the idle and profane
mob of sciolists, whom “certain pious agents of sedition
”
had encouraged to calumniate him. Dr. Coward, in the
first chapter of his “Ophthalmiatria,
” the title of which is
“De oculo ejusque partibus,
” speaking of the manner in
which vision is performed and accounted for, diverts himself with the notion of an immaterial substance residing in
the pineal gland; by the help of which, he tells us, the
philosophers of the day accounted for every phenomenon
relating to sensation. Having exposed this hypothesis as
empty and unphilosophical, so far as relates to vision, he
adds, that he has said enough on the subject elsewhere;
and exhorts the learned of all countries to examine, thoroughly and candidly, wha.t absurd and ridiculous, and
almost blasphemous opinions, follow from this doctrine of
an immaterial substance. He hints, at the same time, that
his domestic adversaries, not being able to confute him.
by reasoning, had endeavoured to silence him by fire and
faggot.
, fol. and reprinted in 1582, 1597, and 1609. Moreri and Foppen, while they allow Crispin’s merit as a man of learning and an useful and accurate printer, cannot forgive
, an ingenious printer
in the sixteenth century, and a native of Arras, was originally clerk to Charles du Moulin, and admitted advocate
to the parliament of Paris; but afterwards, forming a
friendship with Beza, he embraced the reformed religion,
and retired to Geneva, where he gained great reputation
by his printing, and died of the plague, 1572. Crispin
was author of a Greek Lexicon, Geneva, 1562, 4to, and
reprinted in folio. He also published a martyrology under
the title of “Histoire des vrais temoings de la verité, &c.
depuis Jean Hus, jusqu'au tems present,
” ibid.
at number of controversial pamphlets, and some sermons, few of which have outlived their day. He was a man of learning, and acuteness in controversy; but, Calamy allows,
, a non-conformist divine, of the family of sir Edward Crofton, was born in Ireland, and for the most part had his education in Dublin. When the Irish troubles broke out, he came over to England; and having but one groat in his pocket, he spent it the first night at his quarters. His first living in the church was at Wrenbury in Cheshire, from whence he was expelled for refusing to take the engagement, 1648. He then came to London, and after being for some time minister at St. James’s Garlike-hithe, obtained the living of St. Botolph’s near Aldgate, where he continued until the restoration, when he was ejected for non-conformity. Not long after he entered into a controversy with bishop Gauden concerning the solemn league and covenant, for his defence of which he was imprisoned in the Tower, until he was obliged to petition for his liberty. He afterwards went into Cheshire, where he was again imprisoned; but obtaining his liberty, took a small farm, or as Calamy says, kept a grocer’s shop, for the support of his family. In 1667 he returned to London, and taught a school near Aldgate, where he died about 1672. He published a great number of controversial pamphlets, and some sermons, few of which have outlived their day. He was a man of learning, and acuteness in controversy; but, Calamy allows, of a warm and hasty temper.
e interest he had been elected; but having while at St. Petersburgh contracted habits too social for a man of learning, he now indulged them to such a degree as to
, professor of eloquence at Wittemberg, and an eminent philologer, was born at Wolbech, where his father was a clergyman, in 1715. He was
first educated at Hall, whence he removed to Leipsic, and
studied polite literature under Mascovius. His principal
attachment was to the classics, which he read with the eye
of a critic and antiquary. While at Leipsic, he contributed some of his first remarks on classical history and antiquities to the “Acta Eruditorum.
” In Commentarius de originibus pecunise a pecore ante
nummum signatum: accedit ejusdem oratio habita in conventu Academico, cum auspicaret munus Professoris,
”
Petrop. Probabilia critica, in quibus veteres Graeci et Latini scriptores emendantur & declarantur,
”
Leipsic, Opuscula ad historiam et humanitatis
literas spectantia,
” Altenburgh,
5, and was buried at East Bavnet, where lady Cuming had been buried in 1743. He appears to have been a man of learning., and to have possessed talents, which, if they
, bart. a man of considerable talents, unhappily, in some respects, misapplied, was the son of Alexander Cuming of Coulter, who was created a baronet in 1695, and was born probably about the beginning of the last century. It appears by his Journal, which was in the possession of the late Isaac Reed, esq. that he was bred to the law of Scotland, but was induced to quit that profession in consequence of a pension of 300l. per annum being assigned him by government, either, as he intimates, for services done by his family, or expected from himself. This pension was withdrawn in 1721, at the instance, according to his account, of sir Robert Walpole, who had conceived a pique against his father, for opposing him in parliament. It is mors probable, however, that he was found too visionary a schemer to fulfil what was expected from him. In 1129 he was induced, by a dream of lady Cunaing’s, to undertake a voyage to America, for the purpose of visiting the Cherokee nations. He left England on Sept. 13, and arrived at Charlestown Dec. 5. On March 11 following, he set out for the Indians country; and on April 3, 1730, he was crowned commander, and chief ruler of the Cherokee nations in a general meeting of chiefs at Nequisee among the mountains; he returned to Charlestown April 13, with six Indian chiefs, and on June 5, arrived at Dover. On the 18th he presented the chiefs to George II. at Windsor, where he laid his crown at his majesty’s feet: the chiefs also did homage, laying four scalps at the king’s feet, to show that they were an overmatch for their enemies, and five eagles’ tails as emblems of victory. These circumstances are confirmed by the newspapers of that time, which are full of the proceedings of the Cherokees whilst, in England, and speak of them as brought over by sir Alexander Cuming. Their portraits were engraved on a single sheet. Sir Alexander says in his Journal, that whilst he was in America in 1729, he found such injudicious notions of liberty prevail, as were inconsistent with any kind of government, particularly with their dependence on the British nation. This suggested to him the idea of establishing banks in each of the provinces dependent on the British exchequer, and accountable to the British parliament, as the only means of securing the dependency of the colonies. But it was not till 1748 (as it appears) that he laid his plans before the minister (the right hon. Henry Pelham) who treated him as a visionary enthusiast, which his journal indeed most clearly indicates him to have been. He connected this scheme with the restoration of the Jews, for which he supposed the time appointed to be arrived, and that he himself was alluded to in various passages of Scripture as their deliverer. He was not, like a late enthusiast, to conduct them to the Holy Land, but proposed to take them to the Cherokee mountains: wild as his projects were, some of the most learned Jews (among whom was Isaac Netto, formerly grand rabbi of the Portuguese synagogue) seem to have given him several patient hearings upon the subject. When the minister refused tollsten to his schemes, he proposed to open a subscription himself for 500,000l. to establish provincial banks in America, and to settle 300,000 Jewish families among the Cherokee mountains. From one wild project he proceeded to another; and being already desperately involved in debt, he turned his thoughts to alchemy, and began to try experiments on the transmutation of metal. He was supported principally by the contributions of his friends: till at length, in 1766, archbishop Seeker appointed him one of the pensioners in the Charter-house, where he died at a very advanced age in August 1775, and was buried at East Bavnet, where lady Cuming had been buried in 1743. He appears to have been a man of learning., and to have possessed talents, which, if they had not been under a wrong bias, might have been beneficial to himself and useful to his country. His son, who succeeded him in his title, became deranged in his intellects, and died some years ago, in a state of indigence, in the neighbourhood of Red-lionstreet, Whitechapel. He had been a captain in the army: the title became extinct at his death.
le in his case to dispense a little with the form and discipline of it. Besides his known talents as a man of learning, he had acquired a high reputation of sanctity
Cyprian’s behaviour, both before and after his baptism,
was so highly pleasing to the bishop of Carthage, that he
ordained him priest a few months after, although it was
rather irregular to ordain any person in his noviciate: But
Cyprian was so extraordinary a person, and thought capable of doing such singular service to the church, that it
might seem allowable in his case to dispense a little with
the form and discipline of it. Besides his known talents as
a man of learning, he had acquired a high reputation of
sanctity since his conversion; having not only separated
himself from his wife, which in those days was thought an
extraordinary act of piety, but also consigned over all his
goods to the poor, and given himself up entirely to the
things of God; and on this account, when the bishop of
Carthage died the year after, that is, in the year 248, none
was judged so proper to succeed him as Cyprian. Cyprian
himself, as Pontius tells us, was extremely against it, and
kept out of the way on purpose to avoid being chosen;
but the people insisted upon it, and he was forced to comply. The quiet and repose which the Christians had enjoyed for the last forty years, had, it seems, greatly corrupted their manners; and therefore Cyprian’s first care,
after his advancement to the bishopric, was to correct disorders and reform abuses. Luxury was prevalent among
them; and many of their women were remarkable indecorous in the article of dress. This occasioned him to draw
up his piece, “De habitu virginum, or, concerning the
dress of young women;
” in which, besides what he says
on that particular head, he inculcates many lessons of modesty and sobriety.
ruary 5, 1625-6; and made of his privy council; and knight of the order of the garter. Being himself a man of learning, as well as a great encourager of it, and observing
, a brave warrior in the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth century, and created earl of Dariby by king Charles I. was the second son of sir John Danvers, knight, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter and coheir to John Nevil the last lord Latimer. He was born at Dantesey in Wiltshire, on the 28th of June, 1573. After an education suitable to his birth, he went and served in the Low Country wars, under Maurice count of Nassau, afterwards prince of Orange; and was engaged in many military actions of those times, both by sea and land. He was made a captain in the wars of France, occasioned in that kingdom by the League; and there knighted for his good service under Henry IV. king of France. He was next employed in Ireland, as lieutenantgeneral of the horse, and serjeant-major of the whole army, under Robert earl of Essex, and Charles Baron of Montjoy, in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Upon the accession of king James I. he was, on account of his family’s deserts and sufferings, advanced, July 21, 1603, to the dignity of a peer of this realm, by the title of Baron of Dantesey: and in J 605, by a special act of parliament, restored in blood as heir to his father, notwithstanding the attainder of his elder brother, sir Charles Danvers, knight. He was also appointed lord president of Munster in Ireland; and in 1620 made governor of the Isle of Guernsey for life. By king Charles I. he was created earl of Danby, February 5, 1625-6; and made of his privy council; and knight of the order of the garter. Being himself a man of learning, as well as a great encourager of it, and observing that opportunities were wanting in the university of Oxford for the useful study of botany, he purchased for the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, five acres of ground, opposite Magdalen college, which had formerly served for a burying-place to the Jews (residing in great numbers at Oxford, till they were expelled England by king Edward I. in 1290), and conveyed his right and title to that piece of land to the university, on the 27th of March, 1622. The ground being first considerably raised, to prevent its being overflowed by the river Cherwell, the heads of the university laid the first stones of the walls, on the 25th of July following. They were finished in 1633, being fourteen feet high: and cost the noble benefactor about five thousand pounds. The entrance into the garden is on the north side under a stately gate, the charge of building which amounted to between rive and fix hundred pounds. Upon the front of that gateway, is this Latin inscription: Gloriie Dji Opt. Max. Honori Caroli Regis, in usum Acad. et Keipub. Henricus Comes Danby, D.D. MDCXXXII. For the maintenance of it, and of a gardener, the noble founder left, by will, the impropriate rectory of Kirkdale in Yorkshire: which was afterwards settled for the same purpose, by his brother and heir sir John Danvers, knt. The earl of Danby’s will bore date the 14th of December, 1640.
ed off by a violent fever at Rome in 1513, before the treaty was concluded between them. He was also a man of learning; and published a translation of “Alexander Aphrodiseus
, a nobleman of Venice, who died
in the beginning of the sixteenth century, was very useful
to his country; served it as a commander more than once;
and was, in 1510, the means of reconciling that republic
and pope Julius II. though he had the misfortune to he
carried off by a violent fever at Rome in 1513, before the
treaty was concluded between them. He was also a man
of learning; and published a translation of “Alexander
Aphrodiseus de Anima.
” His letters are likewise well
written; which made Erasmus say of him, that he was capable of any literary exertion, if his mind had not been
dissipated by other employments. Pierius Valerianus has
placed him in the list of unfortunate learned men, for
which he gives three reasons: first, because his domestics
obeyed him ill; secondly, because he did not live to see
the happiness, which would arise to his country from the
conclusion of his treaty; thirdly, because a great many
books, which he had written to immortalize kis name, remained unpublished. We have not much reason, hovever,
for thinking that any of these misfortunes gave him much
uneasiness. An ingenious reply is, we know not upon
what authority, attributed to him, when ambassador from
Venice to pope Julius II. who asked him for the title of the
claims of his republic to the sovereignty of the Adriatic.
“Your holiness will find the concession of the Adriatic,
”
said he to the pontiff, “at the back of the original record
of Constantine’s donation to pope Sylvester, of the city of
Rome and the other territories of the church.
” A bold
answer, when we consider how dangerous it was to dispute
the authenticity of this writ of donation, insomuch that, in
1478, several persons were condemned to the flames at
Strasburg for expressing their doubts of it.
better skilled in Aristotle and Ramus, and terms him “the top-twig of that branch.” He was esteemed a man of learning, and was chaplain to James I. by whom he was
, bishop of Derry in Ireland,
the son of William Downham, bishop of Chester, was born
there. He was educated at Cambridge, was elected a fellow of Christ college in 1585, and was afterwards professor
of logic. Fuller says that no man was better skilled in
Aristotle and Ramus, and terms him “the top-twig of that
branch.
” He was esteemed a man of learning, and was
chaplain to James I. by whom he was advanced to the see
of Derry, by letters dated Sept. 6, 1616, and was consecrated Oct. 6, of the same year. During the government
of the lord chancellor Loftus, and the earl of Cork, he obtained a commission, by an immediate warrant from himself to arrest, apprehend, and attach the bodies of all people within his jurisdiction, who should decline the same,
or should refuse to appear upon lawful citation, or appearing should refuse to obey the sentence given against
them, and authority to bind them in recognizances, with
sureties or without, to appear at the council-table to answer
such contempts. The like commission was renewed to
him by the lord deputy Wentworth, Oct. 3, 1633. Both
were obtained upon his information, that his diocese
abounded with all manner of delinquents, who refused obedience to all spiritual processes. He died at Londonderry
April 17, 1634, and was buried there in the cathedral. He
had a brother named John, who was an eminent divine and
a writer. His own works are very numerous, and evince
his theological abilities and piety. 1. “A treatise concerning Antichrist, in two books,
” Lond. The Christian’s Sanctuary,
” ibid. Lectures upon the Fifteenth Psalm,
” ibid. Sermon at the consecration of the Bishop of Bath and
Wells, upon Apocalypse i. 20,
” ibid. 160S, 4to. 5. “Defence of the same Sermon against a nameless author,
” ibid.
Two Sermons, the one commending the
ministry in general, the other, the office of bishops in particular,
” ibid. Papa
Antichristus, sen Diatriba de Antichristo,
” ibid. The Covenant of Grace, or an Exposition upon Luke i.
73, 74, 75,
” Dublin, A treatise on Justification,
” Lond. The Christian’s Freedom, or the doctrine of Christian Liberty,
” Oxford, An Abstract of the Duties commanded, and
sins forbidden in the Law of God,
” Lond. A godly and learned Treatise of Prayer,
” Lond. The Christian Warfare.
” He died in
ns, and the reverence of his countrymen. He appears to have been eminent as a prelate and statesman, a man of learning, aud an able promoter of it by his munificent
James IV. having precipitated the country into a war with England, in opposition to Elphinston’s advice, who was cautious from experience, lost his life at Flodden-field, where the better part of the Scotch nobility shared a similar fate. This circumstance so afflicted the venerable prelate’s mind, that his wonted cheerfulness entirely forsook him, and his debilitated frame fast verged to the grave. The affairs of Scotland, however, being again in a distracted state, Elphinstou, ever anxious to do good, made an exertion to attend parliament, that he might offer his advice; but the fatigue of the journey exhausted his wearied body, and he died Oct. 25, 1514. His corpse was brought from Edinburgh, and interred in the collegiate church at Aberdeen near the high altar. This eminent prelate has justly obtained the encomium of historians, and the reverence of his countrymen. He appears to have been eminent as a prelate and statesman, a man of learning, aud an able promoter of it by his munificent endowment of the college.
Q,uintus Vargonteius, who digested them into books; and they were read at Puteoli in the theatre by a man of learning, who assumed the name of the Ennianist. He translated
Ennius is said to have been perfectly well skilled in the
Greek language, and to have endeavoured to introduce the
treasures of it among the Latins. Suetonius tells us, that
“he and Livius Andronicus were half Greeks, and taught
both the Greek and Latin languages at home and abroad.
”
He was the first among the Romans who wrote heroic
verses, and greatly polished the Latin poetry. He wrote the
Annals of Rome, which were so highly esteemed, that
they were publicly recited with unusual applause by Q,uintus Vargonteius, who digested them into books; and they
were read at Puteoli in the theatre by a man of learning,
who assumed the name of the Ennianist. He translated
several tragedies from the Greek, and wrote others. He
published likewise several comedies; but, whether of his
own invention, or translated by him, is uncertain. He
gave a Latin version of Evemerus’s sacred history, and
Epicharmus’s philosophy and wrote Phagetica, epigrams;
Scipio, a poem Asotus or Sotadicus, satires Protreptica & Praecepta, and very probably several other works.
It appears from his writings, that he had very strong sentiments of religion. The fragments of Ennius, for there
are nothing but fragments left, were first collected by the
two Stephenses; and afterwards published by Jerom Columna, a Roman nobleman, with a learned commentary,
and the life of Ennius, at Naples, 1590, 4to. Columna’s
edition was reprinted at Amsterdam, 1707, 4to, with several additions by Hesselius, professor of history and
eloquence in the school at Rotterdam, and this is by far the
best edition of Ennius.
e first time, to fulfill a promise which he had made to his noble disciple Montjoy. This noble lord, a man of learning, and patron of learned men, was never easy,
How he spent his time with the bishop of Cambray, with
whom he continued some years, we have no account.
bishop, however, was, now his patron, and apparently
very fond of him; and he promised him a pension to maintain him at Paris. But the pension, as Erasmus himself
relates, was never paid him; so that he was obliged to
have recourse to taking pupils, though a thing highly disagreeable to him, purely for support. Many noble English became his pupils, and, among the rest, William Blunt,
lord Montjoy, who was afterwards his very good friend and
patron. Erasmus tells us, that he lived rather than studied,
“vixit verius qnam studuit,
” at Paris; for, his patron forgetting the promised pension, he had not only no books to
carry on his studies, but even wanted the necessary comforts and conveniences of life. He was forced to take up
with bad lodgings and bad diet, which brought on him a
fit of illness, and changed his constitution so much for the
worse, that, from a very strong one, it continued ever
after weak and tender. The plague too was in that city,
anl had been for many years; so that he was obliged, after
a short stay, to leave it, almost without any of that benefit
he might naturally have expected, as the university at that
time was famous for theology. Leaving Paris, therefore,
in the beginning of 1497 he returned to Cambray, where
he was received kindly by the bishop. He spent some
days at Bergis with his friend James Battus, by whom he
was introduced to the knowledge of Anne Borsala, marchioness of Vere. This noble lady proved a great benefactress to him; and he afterwards, in gratitude, wrote
her panegyric. This year he went over to England for
the first time, to fulfill a promise which he had made to
his noble disciple Montjoy. This noble lord, a man of
learning, and patron of learned men, was never easy, it is
said, while Erasmus was in England, but when he was in
his company. Even after he was married, as Knight relates, he left his family, and went to Oxford, purely to
proceed in his studies under the direction of Erasmus. He
also gave him the liberty of his house in London, when he
was absent; but a surly steward, whom Erasmus, in a letter to Colet, calls Cerberus, prevented his using that privilege often. Making but a short stay in London, he went
to Oxford; where he studied in St. Mary’s college, which
stood nearly opposite New-Inn hall, and of which there
are some few remains still visible. Here he became very
intimate with all who had any name for literature: with
Colet, Grocyn, Linacer, William Latimer, sir Thomas
More, and many others. Under the guidance of these he
made a considerable progress in his studies; Colet engaging him in the study of divinity, and Grocyn, Linacer,
and Latimer teaching him Greek. Greek literature was
then reviving at Oxford; although much opposed by a
set of the students, who called themselves Trojans, and,
like the elder Cato at Rome, opposed it as a dangerous
novelty.
, president of the parliament of Bourdeaux, a man of learning in the seventeenth century, acquired considerable
, president of the parliament of
Bourdeaux, a man of learning in the seventeenth century,
acquired considerable fame by publishing in 1623, a book
entitled “Enchyridion physicse restitutae.
” He did not
put his name to this, but it is proved to be his by several
of his acquaintance, as well as by the device at the beginning, “Spes mea est in agno,
” and before the treatise
of chemistry, “Pene nos unda Tagi,
” which are both anagrams of his name. It was the first work that appeared in
France, professing to contain a complete system of physics
contrary to that of Aristotle. The author, however, while
he says that he has only re-established the ancient philosophy, has added many things of his own invention. He
confutes the opinion of materia prima, which was held to
be extended every where without being any where perceived, and incessantly tending to the uuion of forms
without having any, being the basis and support of contraries, viz. of the elements which are said to be produced
out of it. He shows that this system of nature is imaginary, that there is no contrariety in the elements, and
that which is observed in them proceeds from the excess of
their qualities, and that when they are tempered there is
no contrariety in them. Yet he believes that there is a
materia prima from whence the elements result and become
the second matter of things, which are earth and water;
for he holds neither air nor fire for elements. The elements, according to his notion, are not transformed into
each other: water only becomes vapour, and vapour water,
by circulation. He places the real fire of the world in the
sun, which he calls not only the eye of the universe, but
the eye of the creator of the universe, by which he beholds
in a sensible manner his creatures, and which is the first
agent of the world. The rest of his book abounds in curious particulars concerning the origin of things, their subsistence and various alterations, relating to the design of
this philosopher to treat of chemical matters. He therefore subjoins another treatise, entitled “Arcanum Hermeticae philosophic opus,
” in which he discourses of the matter of the philosopher’s stone and its digestions, of the
degrees of fire, of the figure of the vessels and furnace, of
the composition of the elixir and its multiplication. This
book was translated into French under the title of “La
Philosophic des Anciens retablie en sa purete.
” In Le Rozier des
Guerres;
” and added to it a treatise of his own upon the
institution of a young prince. This ms. was found at
Nerac in the king’s closet. Mr. d'Espagnet thought his
edition to be the first, but it had been printed in 1523, in
folio, which edition is more complete than this of 1616.
In the ms. of Nerac, was wanting all the second part, and
the three last chapters of the first. For this account the
reader is referred to Naude“'s
” Addition a Phistoire de
Louis XI.“p. 72; and to
” Syntagma de studio militari,“p. 73. The prologue alone suunces to convince us that
Louis XI. is not the author of that work, as the title pretends, though he speaks in it as giving instructions to the
dauphin his son. See the
” Bibliotheque Choisie“of M.
Colomie’s. In the publication of the
” Rozier des Guerres,“he punctually retains the old spelling and in his advertisement to the reader gives this reason for it
” This little
tract, du Rozier,“says he,
” seemed to me so good that I
would not embellish or disguise it, but have left in its native simplicity: and though the language of it is not in use
in our times, yet it may be understood, being so full of
good sense and meaning, that with all its jargon it may
silence the affected diction of the court and bar. 1 have
also carefully preserved the orthography; because in adding or diminishing a letter, a word is often changed, and
of ancient made modern. By this means, in my judgment, the language of Philip de Commines, in his history,
has been corrupted: the editors, thinking to mend the
spelling, and polish the diction, have destroyed the marks
of its antiquity, so that the style of his book is not the
style of his times; as we may judge both by this little
manuscript, and by many others of the same age, which are
to be found in famous libraries, especially by the history of
Charles VI. written by John Juvenal des Ursins, and
lately published by the sieur de Godefroy. I imagine this
error proceeds from the insufficiency of the correctors;
who, pretending to correct the orthography, have adulterated it, and thereby rendered themselves plagiaries."
, the patriarch of Alexandria, a man of learning and piety, succeeded John IV. in that office
, the patriarch of Alexandria, a man of learning and piety, succeeded John IV. in that office in the year 581. He exerted himself with great effect against the heresies of his time, and wrote an able exposition of the orthodox faith, in a letter which he addressed to Eutychius, patriarch of Constantinople. He wrote also against the Novatians; but of his works there are only a few fragments remaining. He is said to have died in the year 608.
, having proposed to spell according to pronunciation; and upon the whole, it appears that, although a man of learning as well as probity, he was a better magistrate
, president of the parliament of
Grenoble, was born Dec. 22, 1561, at Voiron in Dauphiny.
His father Claude Expilli had acquired great reputation in
the army. This his son studied first at Turin, and in 1581
and 1582 went through a course of law studies at Padua,
where he became acquainted with many of the most learned
men of his time, particularly Speroni, Torniel, Decianus,
I'ancirollus, Pinelli, Zabarella, Picolomini, &c. On his
return to France, he took his doctor’s degree at Bourges,
where the celebrated James Cujas bestowed high praise on.
him. He then settled at Grenoble, and acquired such distinction among the advocates of the parliament, that the
king Henry IV. considered him as fit for the highest offices
in law. Expilli was accordingly promoted to that of king’s
procurator in the chamber of finances, king’s advocate in
parliament, and lastly that of president. The same monarch, as well as Louis XIII. employed him in many important affairs in thecomte Venaissin, Piedmont, and Savoy,
where he was first president of the parliament of Chamberi, after that city was taken in 1C 30. Three years after,
the king made use of his services at Piguerol; but on his
return to Grenoble, he died July 22 or 23, 1636, in the
seventy- fifth year of his age. James Philip Thomasini,
bishop of Citta Nova, wrote his eloge, and his life was
written by Antony Boniel de Catilhon, his nephew, and
advocate general of the chamber of accounts in Dauphiny.
It was printed at Grenoble in 1660, 4to. Cherier, in his
History of that province, says of him, that his works are an
incontestable proof of his learning, which was by no means
confined. He. was an orator, lawyer, historian, and poet,
a man of excellent private character, and a liberal patron
of merit, which alone was a sure introduction to his favour.
His works are both in prose and verse. His “Pleadings
” were printed at Paris, French orthography,
” Lyons,
nt person, and one of the first rank of learned men of that age. Nicholas Heinsius represents him as a man of learning and genius, but somewhat conceited. Morhof says,
The character of this critic has been very variously represented. Bochart calls him a man excellently skilled in.
the Latin and Greek learning, and of uncommon sagacity
and penetration. Tollius tells us, that he was a person of
great wit and pleasantry, and wonderfully polished by all
the elegance of the. Greek and Roman literature. Guy
Patin, in a letter dated at Paris Sept. 21, 1666, gives him
the character of an excellent person, and one of the first rank
of learned men of that age. Nicholas Heinsius represents
him as a man of learning and genius, but somewhat conceited. Morhof says, that he “was very learned, a good
philologer, well skilled in the Greek language, of a very
fine and enterprizing genius, who from his own imagination made a great many alterations in authors, though destitute of manuscripts; which rashness, however, sometimes
succeeded very well with him, who by his own sagacity
saw, what others search for with great labour in manuscripts.
But he is more than once severely animadverted upon by
other writers on account of his presumption; for he frequently corrects at his pleasure corrupt passages, and
makes prodigious alterations in writers. Many of his conjectures are contained in his epistles, of which there are
two books, in which he explains the passages of the ancients contrary to the opinion of every body; though he
is highly to be valued on account of the elegance and
acuteness of his genius.
” Morhof also applies to him,
the line
veral authors have mentioned him and his works in a very honourable manner. He had a son Peter, also a man of learning, who died in 1706, and left his fine library
He published in 1645, a small Latin treatise entitled
<c De claris Fori Burgundici Oratoribus,“and his
” Traité
de l'Abus“in 1653, which last celebrated work was written
at the solicitation of the second Lewis de Bourbon prince
of Conde. He enlarged it afterwards by one half, which
occasioned a second edition of it after his death, in 1667.
It was reprinted a third time ten years after; but the best
edition is that of Lyons, 1736, in two volumes, folio. He
made an excellent translation of Pibrac’s (See Faur)
Quatrains, in Latin verses, printed at Lyons, 1667, with
a commentary under this title,
” De officiis vitas humanae,
give, in Pibraci Tetrasticha Commentarius." Several authors have mentioned him and his works in a very honourable manner. He had a son Peter, also a man of learning,
who died in 1706, and left his fine library to the Jesuits
of Dijon, with funds for increasing it. In. 1708, a catalogue of it was published in 4to, with a preface by father
Oudin.
who first changed the family name to Flaminio on entering a literary society at Venice, was himself a man of learning, and professor of belles-lettres in different
, an
eminent Latin poet, whose family name was Zarrabini,
was born at Serevalle in 1498. His father, John Anthony,
who first changed the family name to Flaminio on entering
a literary society at Venice, was himself a man of learning,
and professor of belles-lettres in different academies in
Italy, and has left some works both in prose and verse,
particularly twelve books of letters, in which are many particulars of literary history. He bestowed great pains on the instruction of his son, and sent him, when at the age of sixteen,
to Rome, with a poem addressed to Leo X. exhorting him
to make war against the Turks, and a critical work entitled
“Annotationum Sylvae.
” Leo appears to have been so
pleased with the appearance of young Flaminio, as to request that he might remain at Rome, promising to encourage his studies there; but although this did not take place,
in his after-visits to Rome, the pope patronized him with
great liberality, and Flaminio answered every expectation
that had been formed of his talents. In 1515 he accompanied the count Castiglione to Urbino, where he resided
some months, and was held in the highest esteem by that
accomplished nobleman for his amiable qualities and great
endowments, but particularly for his. early and astonishing
talents for Latin poetry. In this year he published at Fano,
the first specimen of his productions, with a few poems of
Marullus, not before printed, in a very rare volume in
8vo. entitled, “Michaelis Tardaaniotas Marulli Neniae.
Ejusdem epigrammata nunquarn alias impressa. M. Antonii Flaminii carminum libellus. Ejusdem Ecloga Thyrsis.
”
Of these poems some have been printed, often with variations, in the subsequent editions of his works; but several
pieces appear there which are not to be found in the edition by Mancurti, published at Padua, by Comino, in 1727,
which is considered as the most complete; whence it is
probable this early publication of Flaminio was not known
to his editors.
, it does him great honour that, at length by dint of industry alone, he became a man of science and a man of learning. He was of a thinking, inquisitive mind; and,
, a man of some celebrity and talents, was born at Little Bronghton, in the parish of Bridekirk, Cumberland, in 1714. His father, who was a tobacco-pipe maker, had a small paternal estate; on which, with his trade, he was barely enabled to live, and bring up his family, without their becoming burthensome to their parish. It is not certain, that his son Abraham ever went to any school, although there is a tradition, that, very early in life, before he was able to do any work, his parents once spared him for three weeks, to attend a school in the village, where y^uth were taught at the rate of a shilling for the quarter. If this report be well-founded, all the education he ever had that was paid for, cost three-pence. By some means or other however he learned to read: and, before he haJ. arrived at manhood, he had also learned to write. With these humble attainments to set out with, it does him great honour that, at length by dint of industry alone, he became a man of science and a man of learning. He was of a thinking, inquisitive mind; and, having taught himself arithmetic, in preference to any other science, only because he met with a book of arithmetic and no other, for the same reason he applied himself to mathematical investigations. Whatever he attempted, he attempted with all hio might, and pursued with unwearied diligence. In the day-time, he was employed in husbandry, or in making pipes: and, at night, eagerly betook himself to work the theorems (which word he long used to pronounce theorems) on which, during the day, he had been intensely ruminating. Often has he sat up all night, delineating diagrams; to the serious grief of his parents, who considered only the apparent unprofitableness of such pursuits, and the certain loss of the lump or two of cannel-coal, incurred by his lucubrations. Hardly ever, even in the subsequent more prosperous periods of his life, did he aspire to any thing beyond a rush light. The parents, contented in their ignorance, felt no ambition to have their son pass through life otherwise than they had done, in the midst of hard work and hard fare. And, as his midnight studies, and abstractedness of mind, seemed not to them likely to qualify him either to work more, or to eat less, they thought it their duty, and for his interest, to discountenance and discourage his passion for theorems his books and his slate were hid and he was double-tasked with labour. It was this poor man’s fate to begin and continue through life his pursuit after knowledge, under almost every possible disadvantage: yet difficulties and discouragements seemed but to increase his ardour. He used to relate, with vast self-complacence and satisfaction, a device he had formed, by which he flattered himself he should be permitted to stick to his studies without interruption, at his few intervals of leisure. He married early; and his wife, adopting the opinions and maxims of his parents, was no friend to studies, which appeared to her little likely to lead to any thing that might help to feed and clothe themselves, or their children. Over his house of one room, there was a kind of loft, or hoarded floor, (in Cumberland called a banks), which, however, had neither door, window, nor stairs. Hither, by means of a single rope, which he always drew up after him, he mounted with his book and his slate; and here he went through Euclid. This anecdote (says his biographer) is but simple, yet it is not insignificant.
ty at Louvaine, and canon and archdeacon of Mechlin, where he died July 16 1761, highly respected as a man of learning and virtue, but of his private history we have
, an eminent historian and
biographer, was professor of divinity at Louvaine, and
canon and archdeacon of Mechlin, where he died July 16
1761, highly respected as a man of learning and virtue,
but of his private history we have no further particulars.
His first publication appears to have been “Batavia Sacra,
sive res gestae Apostolicorum virorum,
” fol. Historia Episcopatus Antverpiensis,
”
Brussels, Historia Episcopatus Sylvicducensis,
” ibid. Auberti Minci Opera Diplomatics et Historica,
” with large additions,
ibid, Diplomatum Belgicorum novu
collectio,
” being a supplement to the former, Chronologia sacra Episcoporum Belgii, ab anno 1561 ad annum 1761,
” 12mo, a work in verse,
with prose notes. He also published a new edition of the
“Basilica Bruxellensis
” of J. B. Christian, at Mechlin in
Bibliotheca
Belgica,
” or lives of the Belgic authors, Dictionnaire Historique.
” The
inaccuracies, as far as we have examined the work, are
few, and for an occasional want of liberality, we must seek
an apology in his religion. He has, however, taken some
credit to himself, for not omitting those epitaphs on protestant writers in which their principles are commended
and of this merit he ought not to be deprived.
, a man of learning, and an elegant Latin poet, was the son of Richard
, a man of learning, and an elegant Latin poet, was the son of Richard Ford, of East Ogwell, a
small parish near Newton-Bushell, in that part of Devonshire called the South-Hams, and was born there in 1619.
By the Worths, his mother’s family, he was descended
from the founder of Wadham college, Oxford. He was
some time at the high-school at Exeter, but finished his
education at the free-school of Dorchester, in Dorsetshire,
under Gabriel Reeve, fellow of New College. He was
admitted of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, in 1636, and in the
next year was candidate for a scholarship at Wadham
college, probably as a founder’s kinsman, but was unsuccessful. In 1641, being then B. A. he retired to London,
and during the rebellion joined the disaffected party. At
the close of the war he returned to the university, and
took his master’s degree in 1648; in which year, by the
favour of Dr. Edward Reynolds, dean of Christ Church,
one of the visitors of the university appointed by parliament, he became a student of that house, and distinguished
himself as a tutor. He was created B. D. Feb. 16, 1649,
by dispensation of the delegates, who had before decreed,
that, having been “expelled the university with great
injury, he should be restored with all academical honour
imaginable.
” He then became a frequent preacher at the
university; but, for preaching at St. Mary’s against the
oath of the Independents called the engagement, as he
himself informed Anthony Wood, he was expelled from his
studentship.
Scots.“Dr. Francklin died at his house in Great Queen-street, March 15, 1784. He was unquestionably a man of learning and abilities, but from peculiarities of temper,
In 1753, he published a poem called “Translation,
” in
which he announced his intention of giving a translation of
“Sophocles.
” In January The World
” being finished, he engaged to publish a similar one, under the title of “The Centinel,
” but
after extending it to twenty-seven numbers, he was obliged
to drop it for want of encouragement, The next year he
published “A Fast Sermon
” preached at Queen-street
chapel, of which he was minister, and at St. Paul’s Coveut-garden, of which he was lecturer; and he afterwards
published a few sermons on occasional topics, or for charities. In 1759 appeared his translation of “Sophocles,
”
2 vols. 4to, which was allowed to be a bold and happy transfusion into the English language of the terrible simplicity
of the Greek tragedian. This was followed by a “Dissertation on ancient Tragedy,
” in which he mentioned
Arthur Murphy by name, and in terms not the most courtly.
Murphy, a man equally, or perhaps more irritable, replied
in a poetical “Epistle addressed to Dr. Johnson,
” who
calmly permitted the combatants to settle their disputes in
their own way, which, we are told, amounted to a cessation of hostilities, if not to an honourable peace. At this
time Francklin is said to have been a writer in the Critical
Review, which indeed is acknowledged in an article in that
review, and might perhaps be deduced from, internal evidence, as, besides his intimacy with Smollet, his works
are uniformly mentioned with very high praise. In 1757
he had been preferred by Trinity-college to the livings of
Ware and Thundrich, in Hertfordshire, and although his
mind was more intent on the stage than the pulpit, he
published in 1765 a volume of “Sermons on the relative
duties,
” which was well received by the publick. Next
year he produced at Drury-lane theatre, the tragedy of
“The Earl of Warwick,
” taken, without any acknowledgement, from the French of La Harpe. In Nov. 1767, he
was enrolled in the list of his majesty’s chaplains. In
1768 he published apiece of humour, without his name,
entitled “A Letter to a Bishop concerning Lectureships,
”
exposing the paltry shifts of the candidates for this office
at their elections; and next year he wrote “An Ode on
the Institution of the Royal Academy.
” In March of the
same year, he translated Voltaire’s “Orestes
” for the
stage. In July Electra,
” “Matilda,
” and “The Contract,
” a farce. About which he published in 1780, in 2 vols. 4to. He
was also concerned with Smollet, in a translation of Voltaire’s works, but, it is said, contributed little more than
his name to the title-pages. There is a tragedy of his still
in ms. entitled
” Mary Queen of Scots.“Dr. Francklin
died at his house in Great Queen-street, March 15, 1784.
He was unquestionably a man of learning and abilities,
but from peculiarities of temper, and literary jealousy,
seems not to have been much esteemed by his contemporaries. After his death 3 volumes of his
” Sermons" were
published for the benefit of his widow and family. Mrs.
Francklin died in May 1796. She was the daughter of
Mr. Venables, a wine-merchant.
ther countries as well as in France. The abbé François, however, appears from his works to have been a man of learning, and an able disputant. He died at Paris, far
, a French abbé and very useful writer, was born at Arinthod, in Franche-comte, Nov.
2, 1698, and for some time belonged to the chevaliers of
St. Lazarus, but quitting that society, came to Paris and
engaged in teaching. He afterwards wrote several works,
in a style perhaps not very elegant, but which were admired either for their intrinsic usefulness, or as antidotes
to the pernicious doctrines of the French philosophers and
deists, who, conscious of his superiority in argument, affected to regard him as a man of weak understanding, and
a bigot; reproaches that are generally thrown upon the
advocates of revealed religion in other countries as well as
in France. The abbé François, however, appears from his
works to have been a man of learning, and an able disputant. He died at Paris, far advanced in years, Feb.
24, 1782, escaping the miseries which those against whom
he wrote, were about to bring on their country. His principal works are, I. “Geographic,
” 12tno, an excellent
manual on that subject, often reprinted, and known by
the name of “Crozat,
” the lady to whom he dedicated it,
and for whose use he first composed it. 2. “Prenves de
la religion de Jesus Christ,
” 4 vols. 12mo. 3. “Defense
de la Religion,
” 4 vols. 12mo. 4. “Examen du Catechisme de i'honnete homme,
” 12mo. 5. “Examen des
faits qui servent de fondement a la religipn Chretienne,
”
Observation sur la philosophic
de i'histoire,
” 8vo. He left also some manuscripts, in refutation of the “.Philosophical Dictionary,
” the “System
of Nature,
” and other works which emanated from the
philosophists of France.
entitled to some respect, not from its morality, for he is said to have been, licentious; but he was a man of learning, and in some remarkable instances a patron of
In his private character, Gardiner is entitled to some
respect, not from its morality, for he is said to have been,
licentious; but he was a man of learning, and in some remarkable instances a patron of learned men. Thomas
Smith, who had been secretary to Edward VI. was permitted by him to live in Mary’s days, in a state of privacy
unmolested, and with a pension of 100l. a year for his better
support, though he had a good estate of his own. Roger
Ascham, another secretary to the same prince, of the
Latin tongue, was continued in his office, and his salary inCreased by this prelate’s favour; which he fully repaid, by
those elegant epistles to him, that are extant in his works.
Strype, who notices this circumstance, adds: “Thus lived
two excellent protestants, under the wings, as it were, of
the sworn enemy and destroyer of protestants.
” He is said
also to have been of a liberal and generous disposition;
kept a good house, and brought up several young gentlemen, some of whom became afterwards men of the first
rank in the state.
rch against the Latins, and was consulted as an oracle on the points in debate, being unquestionably a man of learning and acuteness. He is principally noticeable
, an eminent Greek philosopher,
palled also Pletho, was born at Constantinople, in 1390,
He was a zealous advocate for Platonism, and maintained
a violent controversy with the Aristotelians. He was a
strenuous defender of the Greek church against the Latins,
and was consulted as an oracle on the points in debate,
being unquestionably a man of learning and acuteness.
He is principally noticeable as being the first Greek who
gave occasion to the revival of Platonism in Italy, where
he made many illustrious converts, and was the means of
laying the foundation of a Platonic academy at Florence.
He afterwards returned to Greece, where he died at the
advanced age of nearly one hundred and one years. His
heretical and philosophical writings afford unquestionable
proofs of his learning, and particularly of his intimate
knowledge of the Alexandrian philosophy. In his “Kxplanation of the Magic Oracles of Zoroaster,
” Gr. and Lat.
Paris, On the Virtues,
”
Oxon. On the difference between the Platonic and Aristotelian Philosophy,
” Paris, He had a profound acquaintance with Grecian history, as appears by
his
” De iis qu post pugnam ad Mantinaam gesta sunt,“printed with the Venice edition of
” Herodian,“1503, foL
and with the Aldus
” Xenophon" of the same year.
which his method of education is said to have been eminently successful. He was not more esteemed as a man of learning, and an excellent Latin scholar, than as a divine
, head master of St. Paul’s school,
was born in Lincolnshire, Feb. 27, 1564, and admitted
scholar of Corpus college, Oxford, in Sept. 1583. He
took his master’s degree in 1590, when he left college,
and is supposed to have taught school at Norwich, as he
was in that city in 1597, and there wrote his “Treatise
concerning the Trinity,
” 8vo, to which Wood gives the
date of Logonomia Anglica,
” Sacred
Philosophy of Holy Scripture; or a Commentary on the
Creed,
” fol.
rprizes. Horneck gave a large, and apparently very just character of Glanvil, who was unquestionably a man of learning and genius, and although he retained the belief
He published a great number of tracts besides what have
been mentioned. Among which are, 1. “A Blow at Modern Sadducism,
” &c. A
Relation of the fancied Disturbances at the house of Mr.
Mumpesson;
” as also, 3. “Reflections on Drollery and
Atheism.
” 4. “Palpable Evidence of Spirits and Witchcraft,
” &c. A Whip for the Droll Fidler to
the Atheist,
” Essays on several important
subjects in Philosophy and Religion,
” An
Essuy concerning Preaching,
” A seasonable Defence of Preaching, -and the
plain way of it.
” 9. “Letters to the Duchess of Newcastle.
” 10. Three single Sermons, besides four printed
together, under the title of “Seasonable Reflections and
Discourses, in order to the Conviction and Cure of the
scoffing Infidelity of a degenerate age.
” As he had a
lively imagination, and a flowing style, these came from
him very easily, and he continued the exercise of his pen
to the last; the press having scarcely finished his piece
entitled “The zealous and impartial Protestant,
” &c. Some Discourses, Sermons, and Remains,
”
ia regum et imperatorum a diluvii tempore ad Henricum VI. imperatorem.” Godfrey appears to have been a man of learning and observation, and is thought to deserve credit
, the author of an ancient
chronicle, is supposed to have been born in the twelfth
century, at Viterbo, in Italy, and educated in his youth,
at least, at Bamberg. He was afterwards chaplain and
secretary to king Conrad III. the emperor Frederick, and
his son Henry VI. He informs us that he spent forty years
in searching among the manuscripts of the Greeks, Latins,
Jews, Chaldeans, and barbarians, for materials proper for
his Chronicle, had made himself acquainted with all these
languages, and performed many voyages and travels in the
same pursuit. This Chronicle, which does not, however,
gratify all the expectations that might be formed from such
learning and industry, begins with the creation of the
world, and ends with 1186. It is written in Latin prose
and verse, and entitled “Pantheon.
” It was first printed
at Basil, by Basilius John Herold, 1559, reprinted at
Francfort in 1584, and at Hanover in 1613, in Pistorius’s
collection of German writers; and Muratori has inserted
in his great collection, that part which respects Italy.
Lambecius speaks of another work by Godfrey, which
exists in ms. in the imperial library at Vienna, entitled
“Speculum regium, sive de genealogia regum et imperatorum a diluvii tempore ad Henricum VI. imperatorem.
”
Godfrey appears to have been a man of learning and observation, and is thought to deserve credit as to his relation of the events which occurred in his own time, and
with which his situation at court enabled him to be acquainted.
osal might be accepted. In this situation Salvius, vice-chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of learning, being then at this city, Grotius was introduced
He had always entertained a very high opinion of Gustavus king of Sweden; and that prince having sent to Paris Benedict Oxenstiern, a relation of the chancellor, to bring to a final conclusion the treaty between France and Sweden, this minister became acquainted with Grotius, and resolved, if possible, to draw him to his master’s court: and Grotius writes, that if that monarch would nominate him ambassador, with a proper salary for the decent sup* port of the dignity, the proposal might be accepted. In this situation Salvius, vice-chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of learning, being then at this city, Grotius was introduced to him, and saw him frequently. Polite literature was the subject of their conversation. Salvius conceived a great esteem for Grotius, and the favourable report he made of him to the high-chancellor Oxenstiern determined the latter to write to Grotius to come to him, that he might employ him in affairs of the greatest importance. Grotius accepted of this invitation; and setting out for Francfort on the Maine, where that minister Avas, arrived there in May 1634. He was received with the; greatest politeness by Oxenstiern, who did not yet, how-> ever, explain his intentions. In confidence of the highchancellor’s character, and apparent sincerity, he sent for his wife, who arrived at Francfort with his daughters and son, in the beginning of August The chancellor after for some time continuing to heap civilities upon him, without mentioning a word of business, ordered that he should follow him to Mentz, and at length declared him counsellor to the queen of Sweden, and her ambassador to the court of France.
ame pensionary of Amsterdam and de* puty of the states-general. His brother William was a lawyer and a man of learning, and was the correspondent and confident of
Of the surviving sons of Grotius, Cornelius and Dier cleric followed the profession of arms, and Peter was bred to the law, and became pensionary of Amsterdam and de* puty of the states-general. His brother William was a lawyer and a man of learning, and was the correspondent and confident of Grotius during his whole life, and it was to him he addressed the last letter in his collection, dated a few months before his death.
, a Swedish states. man and a man of learning, was descended of an ancient and respectable
, a Swedish states. man and a man of learning, was descended of an ancient and respectable family, one of the members of which was created a count in the reign of Charles XII. The display of count Gyllenborg 7 s political fame was first made at London, where he resided for several years in quality of ambassador from the court of Stockholm, and where his conduct brought upon him a very singular misfortune. In 1716, Charles XII. irritated against George I. for his purchasing of the king of Denmark the duchies of Bremen and Verdeii (conquered from the Swedish monarch) formed a project of invading Scotland from Gottenburg, with 16,000 men, and placing the Pretender on the throne of Great Britain. After the very recent defeat of a plan of this kind, this new one may appear somewhat romantic. It was conducted, however, in concert with the English malcontents and refugees, by count Gyllenborg at London baron Goertz, the Swedish envoy, at the Hague, and baron Sparre, at Paris. But the English ministry being apprized of it, intercepted, copied, and then forwarded their correspondence; and just as the plot was ripe for execution (the Habeas Corpus act having been purposely suspended) caused the Swedish ambassador to be arrested in London, and published in their own justification, all the intercepted letters in French and English. Gyllenborg was first sent to a house in the country, where he was strictly guarded, and was afterwards conveyed to a sea-port, and dismissed the kingdom, in July 1717. As soon as he arrived at Stockholm, the British ambassador was likewise liberated from confinement, as the Swedish court had thoyght proper to use reprisals.
by which he was most generally known, and by which he is likely to survive to posterity, is that of a Man of Learning. His profound knowledge of Greek, which he applied
"The distinction by which he was most generally known, and by which he is likely to survive to posterity, is that of a Man of Learning. His profound knowledge of Greek, which he applied more successfully, perhaps, than any modern writer has done, to the study and explanation of ancient philosophy, arose from an early and intimate acquaintance with the excellent poets and historians in that language. They, and the best writers in the Augustan age, were his constant and never-failing recreation. By his familiarity with them, he was enabled to enliven and to illustrate his deeper and more abstruse speculations, as every page almost (of his works) will abundantly testify. But his attainments were not confined to ancient philosophy and classical learning. He possessed likewise a general knowledge of modern history, with a very distinguishing taste in the line arts, in one of which, as before observed, he was an eminent, proficient. His singular industry empowered him to make these various acquisitions, without neglecting any of the duties which he owed to his family, his friends, or his country. I am in possession of such proofs, besides those already given to the public, of my father’s laborious study and reflection, as I apprehend, are very rarely to be met with. Not only was he accustomed, through a long series of years, to make copious excts from the different books which he read, and to write critical remarks and conjectures on many of the passages extracted, but he was also in the habit of regularly cammuting to writing such reBections as arose out of his study, which evince a mind carefully disciplined, and anxiously bent on the attainment of self-knowledge and self-government. And yet, though habituated to deep thinking and laborious reading, he was generally cheerful even to playfulness. There was no pedantry in his manners or conversation, nor was he ever seen either to display his learning with ostentation, or to treat with slight or superciliousness those less informed than himself. He rather sought to make them appear partakers of what he knew, than to mortify tnern by a parade of his own superiority. Nor had he any of that miserable fastidiousness about him which too often disgraces men of learning, and prevents their being amused or interested, at least their choosing to appear so, by common performances and common events.
ear following he was made fellow of Merton college, Oxford, where he commenced M. A. in 1718. He was a man of learning, virtue, and spirit, and continued a batcheior
, A. M. an English controversial writer,
was a native of Suffolk, and admitted pensioner of Corpus
Christi college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr.
Fawcett, Oct. 29, 1711; he was made scholar of the house
next year, and proceeded A. B. in 1715. About this time
he was recommended to the duchess of Bedford, who took
him into her family, for the instruction of her sons, Wrotthesly, the third, and John, the fourth duke of Bedford;
and the year following he was made fellow of Merton college, Oxford, where he commenced M. A. in 1718. He
was a man of learning, virtue, and spirit, and continued a
batcheior and a layman till the time of his death, which
happened at Woburn about the year 1722. He published
“The False notion of a Christian priesthood, &c.
” in answer to Mr. Law, A Letter to the Prolocutor,
”
jjo answer to one from him to Dr. Tenison, A
Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tenison concerning Citations out of
Arch. Wake’s Preliminary Discourse to the Apostolic Fathers,
” Lond. Under this name he was one of the writers in the Bangorian controversy, of which he began in some measure the
history, by publishing an account of all the considerable
pamphlets to which it gave rise, with a continuation and
occasional observations, to the end of the year 1719, by
the name of Philonagnostes Criticus. He published also,
w An account of all the considerable books and pamphlets
written in the controversy concerning the Trinity,
” from
Vindication
of the Archbishop of Canterbury from being the author of
a Letter on the State of Religion in England, printed at
Zurich,
” Lond. Two letters to Dr. Mangey
on his Sermon upon Christ’s Divinity,
” published about
the same time.
ed in 4to, at Wolfenbuttel, in 1759. J. F. Heusinger was twice married, and left a son, who was also a man of learning.
, was a nephew of the
former, under whom he made his principal studies at Gotha. He was born in 1719, at Usingen in Wetteravia,
near Eisenach; and, when prepared by his uncle for academical lectures, completed his education at Jena. There,
after some time, he began to teach philology, and continued his lectures for six years; -but in 1750 removed to
Wolfenbuttel, where he was at first second master of the
principal school but in 1759 became head-master. These
situations he filled with the greatest credit being a good
grammarian, a sound critic, and an admirable interpreter
of Greek and Latin authors. He died in 1778, having
made himself famous by several very learned publications;
the chief of which are, 1. “A specimen of observations on
the Ajax and Electra of Sophocles,
” An edition of Plutarch on Education, with the version of
Xylander corrected, and his own annotations,
” Leipsic,
Flavii Mallii Theodori, de metris liber;.
” from old manuscripts. This was printed in 4to, at Wolfenbuttel, in
1759. J. F. Heusinger was twice married, and left a son,
who was also a man of learning.
, a man of learning of the sixteenth century, was born in 1566,
, a man of learning of the sixteenth
century, was born in 1566, atTredington, in Worcestershire, and in 1579 entered of St. Mary hall, Oxford, which
he left after taking his bachelor’s degree, and appears to
have lived the life of a country gentleman, relieving his
agricultural pursuits by study. His favourite object was
the Greek language. He died while on a visit to a relation
at Sutton, in Gloucestershire, Jan. 9, 1630. His translation of “Lucian
” was published by his son Thomas Hicks,
A. M. chaplain of Christ Church, Oxford, in Ifc34, 4to,
who also presented to the library of that college manuscript translations by his father of “Thucydides
” and
“Herodian.
” The Life of Lucian and the notes were
written by this son, who died young, in 1634, and had
been, as Wood says, esteemed a good poet and an excellent limner.
e time when Hooker was chosen master of the Temple, one Walter Truvers was afternoon-lecturer there; a man of learning and good manners, it is said, but ordained by
Hooker, having now lost his fellowship by this marriage,
remained without preferment, and supported himself as
well as he could, till the latter end of 1584, when he was
presented by John Cheny, esq. to the rectory of DraytonBeauchamp, in Buckinghamshire, where he led an uncomfortable life with his wife Joan for about a year. In this
situation he received a visit from his friends and pupils
Sandys and Cranmer, who found him with a Horace in his
hand, tending a small allotment of sheep in a common
field; which he told them he was forced to do, because his
servant was gone home to dine, and assist his wife in the
household business. When the servant returned and released him, his pupils attended him to his house, where
their best entertainment was his quiet company, which was
presently denied them, for Richard was called to rock the
cradle, and the rest of their welcome being equally repulsive, they stayed but till the next morning, which was
long enough to discover and pity their tutor’s condition.
At their return to London, Sandys acquainted his father
with Hooker’s deplorable state, who entered so heartily
into his concerns, that he procured him to be made master
of the Temple in 1585. This, though a valuable piece of
preferment, was not so suitable to Hooker’s temper, as the
retirement of a living in the country, where he might be
free from noise; nor did he accept it without reluctance.
At the time when Hooker was chosen master of the Temple,
one Walter Truvers was afternoon-lecturer there; a man
of learning and good manners, it is said, but ordained by
the presbytery of Antwerp, and warmly attached to the
Geneva church discipline and doctrines. Travers had
some hopes of establishing these principles in the Temple,
and for that purpose endeavoured to be master of it; but
not succeeding, gave Hooker all the opposition he couid
in his sermons, many of which were about me doctrine,
discipline, and ceremonies of the church; insomuch that
they constantly withstood each other to the face; for, as
somebody said pleasantly, “The forenoon sermon spake
Canterbury, and the afternoon Geneva.
” The opposition
became so visible, and the consequences so dangerous,
especially in that place, that archbishop Whitgift caused
Travers to be silenced by the high commission court.
Upon that, Travers presented his supplication to the privycouncil, which being without effect, he made it public.
This obliged Hooker to publish an answer, which wa.s inscribed to the archbishop, and procured him as much reverence and respect from some, as it did neglect and
hatred from others. In order therefore to undeceive and
win these, he entered upon his famous work “Of the
Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity ;
” and laid the foundation
and plan of ir, while he was at the Temple. But he found
the Temple no fit place to finish what he had there designed; and therefore intreated the archbishop to remove
him to some quieter situation in the following letter:
ve been wished in that critical time. In doctrinal matters, however, he was an able assistant, being a man of learning,. and a good philosopher and critic. When Bonner
On the accession of king Edwar.d in 1547, Hooper was enabled to return to England, and settled in London, where he frequently preached the doctrines of the reformation; but had imbibed abroad such notions on the subject of church government, and the habits, as rendered his principles somewhat suspected by archbishop Cranmer, and Kidley, and prevented his co-operating with them so cordially as could have been wished in that critical time. In doctrinal matters, however, he was an able assistant, being a man of learning,. and a good philosopher and critic. When Bonner was to be deprived of his bishopric, he was one of his accusers; which, no doubt, would recommend him as an acceptable sacrifice in the following bloody reign. By the interest of trie earl of Warwick, he was nominated and elected bishop of Gloucester; but, when he came to be consecrated or invested by archbishop Cranmer and bishop Ridley, he refused to wear a canonical habit; and it was not until these ceremonies were dispensed with by the king’s authority, that he was consecrated bishop, in 1550; and about two years after, he had the bishopric of Worcester given to him, to keep in commendam with the former. He now preached often, visited his dioceses, kept great hospitality for the poor, and was beloved by many. But in the persecution under Mary, being then near sixty years of age, and refusing to recant his opinions, he was burned in the city of Gloucester, Feb. 9, 1554, and suffered death with admirable constancy.
at the Hot-Wells, Bristol, on the 27th of October, 1802, in the 62d year of his age. Dr. Hunter was a man of learning: his writings are eloquent, and shew how well
, a popular preacher and writer, was
born at Culross, in Perthshire, in 1741. He had the best
education that the circumstances of his parents would permit, and at the age of thirteen was sent to the university
of Edinburgh, where, by his talents and proficiency, he
attracted the notice of the professors, and when he left
Edinburgh he accepted the office of tutor to lord Dundonald’s sons at Culross abbey. In 1764 he was licensed
to preach, having passed the several trials with great applause: and very quickly became much followed on account of his popular talents. He was ordained in 1766,
and was appointed minister of South Leith. On a visit to
London in 1769, he preached in most of the Scotch meeting-houses with great acceptance, and soon after his return he received an invitation to become pastor of the Scotch
church in Swallow-street, which he declined; but in 1771
he removed to London, and undertook the pastoral office
in the Scotch church at London-wall. He appeared first
as an author in 1783, by the commencement of his “Sacred Biography,
” which was at length extended to seven
volumes octavo. While this work was in the course of publication, he engaged in the translation of Lavater’s “Essays
on Physiognomy,
” and in order to render his work as complete as possible, he took a journey into Swisserland, for
the purpose of procuring information from Lavater himself.
He attained, in some measure, his object, though the author did not receive him with the cordiality which he expected, suspecting that the English version must injure the
sale of the French translation. The first number of this
work was published in 1789, and it was finished in a style
worthy the improved state of the arts. From this period
Dr. Hunter spent much of his time in translating different
works from the French language. In 1790 he was elected
secretary to the corresponding board of the “Society for
propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands and
Islands of Scotland.
” He was likewise chaplain to the
“Scotch Corporation;
” and both these institutions Were
much benefited by his zealous exertions in their behalf.
In 1795, he published two volumes of Sermons; and in
1798 he gave the world eight “Lectures on the Evidences
of Christianity,
” being the completion of a plan begun by
Mr. Fell. The whole contains a popular and useful elucidation of the proofs in favour of the Christian religion,
arising from its internal evidence, its beneficial influence,
and the superior value of the information which it conveys
with respect to futurity. During the latter years of his
life, Dr. Hunter’s constitution suffered the severest shocks
from the loss of three children, which, with other causes,
contributed to render him unable to withstand the attacks
of disease. He died at the Hot-Wells, Bristol, on the
27th of October, 1802, in the 62d year of his age. Dr.
Hunter was a man of learning: his writings are eloquent,
and shew how well he had studied human nature. In the
pulpit his manner was unaffected, solemn, and impressive.
He indulged his liberal and friendly heart in the exercise
of hospitality, charity, and the pleasures of social intercourse, but the latter frequently beyond the limits which a
regard to prudence and economy should have prescribed.
He was the translator of “Letters of Euler to a German
Princess, on different subjects in Physics and Philosophy
”
“The Studies of Nature by St. Pierre
” “Saurin’s Sermons;
” “Sonnini’s Travels.
” Miscellaneous pieces and
sermons of his own have been published since his death, to
which are prefixed memoirs: from these the foregoing particulars have been taken. Dr. Hunter, about 1796 or 7,
began “A History of London and its Environs,
” which
came out in parts, but did little credit to him, as he evidently had no talents or research for a work of this description.
printed in his “Reliques,” and declares that it would not dishonour any writer of that time. Both as a man of learning, and as a patron of learned men, sufficient
No circumstance, however, in James’s reign was more
unpopular than his treatment of the celebrated sir Walter
Raleigh, after the detection of a conspiracy with lord
Grey, and lord Cobham, to set aside the succession in favour of Arabella Stuart: he was tried and capitally convicted, but being reprieved, he was kept thirteen years in
prison. In 1615 he obtained by bribery his release from
prison, but the king would not grant him a pardon. He
went out on an expedition with the sentence of death hanging over his head; he was unsuccessful in his object, and
on his return the king ordered him to be executed on
his former sentence. James is supposed to have been
more influenced to this deed by the court of Spain than by
any regard to justice. The influence of that court on James
appeared soon after in his negociations for marrying his
son prince Charles to the infanta. The object was, however, not attained, and he afterwards married him to the
French princess Henrietta, with the disgraceful stipulation,
that the children of that marriage should be educated by
their mother, a bigoted papist, till they were thirteen years
of age. As he aavanced in years he was disquieted by a
concurrence of untoward circumstances. The dissentions
of his parliament were very violent, and the affairs of his
son-in-law, the elector palatine, now king of Hungary,
also were in a very disastrous state. He had undertaken
the cause of the protestants of Germany, but instead of
being the arbiter in the cause of others, he was stripped of
his own dominions. In his defence, James declared war
against the king of Spain and the emperor, and sent troops
over to Holland to act in conjunction with prince Maurice
for the recovery of the palatinate; but from mismanagement, the greater part of them perished by sickness, and
the whole enterprise was defeated. Oppressed with grief
for the failure of his plans, the king was seized with an
intermitting fever, of which he died in March 1625. It
would be difficult, says Hume, to find a reign less illustrious, yet more unspotted and unblemished, than that of
James in both kingdoms. James possessed many virtues,
but scarcely any of them pure or free from the contagion
of neighbouring vices. His learning degenerated into
pedantry and prejudice, his generosity into profusion, his
good nature into pliability and unmanly fondness, his love
of peace into pusillanimity, and his wisdom into cunning.
His intentions were just, but more adapted to the conduct
of private life than to the government of kingdoms. He
was an encourager of learning, and was himself an author
of no mean genius, considering the times in which he
lived. His chief works were, “Basilicon Doron
” and
“The true Law of free Monarchies
” but he is more
known for his adherence to witchcraft and demoniacal possessions in his “Demonology,
” and for his “Counterblast
to Tobacco.
” He was also a poet, and specimens of his
talent, such as it was, are to be found in many of our miscellanies. He also wrote some rules and cautels t for the
use of professors of the art, which, says Mr. Ellis, have
been long, and perhaps deservedly disregarded. The best
specimen of his poetical powers is his “Basilicon Doron,
”
which bishop Percy has reprinted in his “Reliques,
” and
declares that it would not dishonour any writer of that time.
Both as a man of learning, and as a patron of learned men,
sufficient justice, in our opinion, has never been done to
the character of James I.; and although a discussion on the
subject would extend this article too far, it would not be
difficult to prove that in both respects he was entitled to a
considerable degree of veneration.
stination. “In this book,” says Mosheim, “which even the Jesuits acknowledge to be the production of a man of learning and piety, the doctrine of Augustine, concerning
Jansen was no sooner possessed of the bishopric of Ypres,
than he undertook to reform the diocese; but before he
had completed this good work, he fell a sacrifice to the
plague, May 16, 1638. He was buried in his cathedral,
where a monument was erected to his memory; but in
1665, his successor, Francis de Robes, caused it to be
taken down privately in the night; there being engraved
on it an eulogium of his virtue and erudition, and particularly on his book entitled “Augustinus;
” declaring, that
this faithful interpreter of the most secret thoughts of St.
Austin, had employed in that work a divine genius, an indefatigable labour, and his whole life-time; and that the
church would receive the benefit of it upon earth, as he did
the reward of it in heaven; words that were highly injurious to the bulls of Urban VIII. and Innocent X. who then
had censured that work. The bishop destroyed this monument by the express orders of pope Alexander VII. and
with -the consent of the archduke Leopold, governor of
the Netherlands, in spite of the resistance of the chapter,
which went such lengths that one of the principal canons
had the courage to say, “it was not in the pope’s nor the
king’s power to suppress that epitaph;
” so dear was Jansen to this canon and his colleagues. He wrote several
other books besides those already mentioned: 1. “Oratio
de interioris hominis reformatione.
” 2. “Tetrateuchus
sive commentarius in 4 evangelica.
” 3. “Pentateuchus
sive commentarius in 5 libros Mosis.
” 4. The Answer of
the Divines of Louvain, “de vi obligandi conscientias quam
habent edicta regia super re monetaria.
” 5. Answer of
the Divines and Civilians, “De juramento quod publica
auctoritate magistratui designate imponi solet.
” But his
“Augustinus
” was his principal work, and he was employed
upon it above twenty years. He left it finished at his
death, and submitted it, by his last will, in the completes!
manner, to the judgment of the holy see. His executors,
Fromond and Calen, printed it at Louvain, in 1640, but
suppressed his submission. The subject is divine grace, freewill, and predestination. “In this book,
” says Mosheim,
“which even the Jesuits acknowledge to be the production
of a man of learning and piety, the doctrine of Augustine,
concerning man’s natural corruption, and the nature and
efficacy of that divine grace which alone can efface this
unhappy stain, is unfolded at large, and illustrated, for the
most part, in Augustine’s own words. For the end which
Jansenius proposed to himself in this work, was not to
give his own private sentiments concerning these important
points; but to shew in what manner they had been understood and explained by that celebrated father of the
church, whose name and authority were universally revered
in all parts of the Roman Catholic world. No incident
could be more unfavourable to the Jesuits, and the progress of their religious system, than the publication of this
book; for as the doctrine of Augustine differed but very
little from that of the Dominicans; as it was held sacred,
nay almost respected as divine, in the church of Rome, on
account of the extraordinary merit and authority of that
illustrious bishop; and at the same time was almost diametrically opposed to the sentiments generally received among
the Jesuits; these latter could scarcely consider the book
of Jansenius in any other light, than as a tacit but formidable refutation of their opinions concerning human liberty and divine grace; and accordingly they not only drew
their pens against this famous book, but also used their
most strenuous endeavours to obtain, a public condemnation of it from Rome.
” In Louvain, where it was first
published, it excited prodigious contests. It obtained several violent advocates, and was by others opposed with no
less violence, and several theological theses were written
against it. At length they who wished to obtain the suppression of it by papal authority, were successful; the
Roman inquisitors began by prohibiting the perusal of it,
in Ihe year 1641; and, in the following year, Urban VIII.
condemned it as infected with several errors that had been
long banished from the church.This bull, which was published at Louvain, instead of pacifying, inflamed matters
more; and the disputes soon passed into France, where they
were carried on with equal warmth. At length the bishops
of France drew up the doctrine, as they called it, of Jansen, in five propositions, and applied to the pope to condemn them. This was done by Innocent X. by a bull published May 31, 1653; and he drew up a formulary for that
purpose, which was received by the assembly of the French
clergy. These propositions contained the following doctrines:
1. That there are divine precepts, which good men,
notwithstanding their desire to observe them, are nevertheless absolutely unable to obey; nor has God given
them that measure of grace which is essentially necessary
to render them capable of such obedience. 2. That no
person, in this corrupt state of nature, can resist the influence of divine grace, when it operates upon the mind.
3. That in order to render human actions meritorious, it is
not requisite that they be exempt from necessity, but only
that they be free from constraint. 4. That the Semipelagians err grievously in maintaining that the human will is
endowed with the power of either receiving or resisting the
aids and influences of preventing grace. 5. That whoever
affirms that Jesus Christ made expiation by his sufferings
and death, for the sins of all mankind, is a Semipelagian.
celebrated among the violent partizans for unbounded liberty, religious and political; and certainly a man of learning and talents, though they were both so much absorbed
, son of Dr. John Jebb, dean of Casbell,
was born in London, early in 1736. He was a man much
celebrated among the violent partizans for unbounded
liberty, religious and political; and certainly a man of
learning and talents, though they were both so much absorbed in controversy as to leave little among his writings
of general use. His education was begun in Ireland, and
finished in England. His degrees were taken at Cambridge,
where he bore public offices, and obtained the vicarage of
St. Andrew’s, and where he married a daughter of Dr. Torkington, of Huntingdonshire, who was grand-daughter to
the earl of Harborough. His college was Peter-house. He
early took up the plan of giving theological lectures, which
were attended by several pupils, till his peculiar opinions
became known in 1770, when a prohibition was published
in the university. How soon he had begun to deviate from
the opinions he held at the time of ordination is uncertain,
but in a letter dated Oct. 21, 1775, he says, “I have for
seven years past, in my lectures, maintained steadily the
proper unity of God, and that he alone should be the
object of worship.
” He adds, that he warned his hearers
that this was not the received opinion, but that his own was
settled, and exhorted them to inquire diligently. This
confession seems rather inconsistent with the defence he
addressed to the archbishop of Canterbury in 1770. He
was a strenuous advocate for the establishment of annual
examinations in the university, but could not prevail. In.
1775, he came to the resolution of resigning his ecclesiastical preferments, which he did accordingly; and then, by
the advice of his friends, took up the study of physic. For
this new object he studied indefatigably, and in 1777, obtained his degree by diploma from St. Andrew’s, and was
admitted a licentiate in London.
where young gentlemen were to be boarded and taught the Latin and Greek languages. Gilbert Walmsley, a man of learning and worth, whom he has celebrated by a character
She had a fortune of eight hundred pounds, and with
part of this, he hired a large house at Edial near Lichfield,
which he fitted up as an academy where young gentlemen
were to be boarded and taught the Latin and Greek languages. Gilbert Walmsley, a man of learning and worth,
whom he has celebrated by a character drawn with unparalleled elegance, endeavoured to promote this plan, but
it proved abortive. Three pupils only appeared, one of
whom was David Garrick. With these he made a shift to
keep the school open for about a year and a half, and was
then obliged to discontinue it, perhaps not much against
his inclination. No man knew better than Johnson. what
ought to be taught, but the business of education was confessedly repugnant to his habits and his temper. During
this short residence at Edial, he wrote a considerable part
of his “Irene,
” which Mr. Walmsley advised him to prepare for the stage, and it was probably by this gentleman’s
advice that he determined to try his fortune in London.
His pupil Garrick had formed the same resolution; and in
March 1737, they arrived in London together. Garrick,
after some farther preparatory education, was designed far
the study of the law, but in three or four years went on the
stage, and obtained the highest honours that dramatic fame
could confer, with a fortune splendid beyond all precedent. The difference in the lot of these two young men
might lead to many reflections on the taste of the age, and
the value of its patronage; but they are too obvious to be
obtruded on any reader of feeling or judgment, and to
others they would be unintelligible.
,” Giessae, 1623, 4to. He died June 7, 1653, at Altorf. Gaspard Jungerman, another brother, was also a man of learning.
, a native of Leipsic, was the
first who published an ancient Greek translation of “Caesar’s Commentaries,
” Francfort, Pastorals
” of Longus, with notes, Han. Hortus Eystettensis,
” “Catalogus plantarum
quae circa Altorfinuui nascuntur,
” Altorf, Cornucopias Floras Giessensis,
” Giessae,
e days of the apostles, who added to an unquestionable zeal and love of the gospel, the character of a man of learning and philosophy, both which were employed in
He was the first Christian, after the days of the apostles, who added to an unquestionable zeal and love of the gospel, the character of a man of learning and philosophy, both which were employed in propagating and defending his principles. He stands at the head of the Christian Platonists, or those who endeavoured to reconcile the Platonic principles with the dictates of Christianity; and the consequence of this attempt was his holding some opinions not altogether agreeable to the genius of the gospel. There are several valuable editions of his works, the first of which was that of Rob. Stephens, Paris, 1551, fol. and the best are those of Maran, printed at Paris, 1742, fol. and of Oberthur, at Wurtzburg, 1777, 3 vols. 8vo. There is an edition of his second Apology by Hutchinson, Oxon. 1703, 8vo; of his Dialogue with Trypho, by Jebb, London, 1719, 8vo; of his Apologies, by Ashton, Cambridge, 1768, 8vo; of his ftrst Apology, by Grabe, Oxon, 1700; and of both Apologies, and his Dialogue, by Thirl by, London, 1722, fol.
r. Nichols has given an account; and appears to have been an accurate antiquary, and in all respects a man of learning and distinction.
In 1579 Lambarde was appointed a justice of peace for
the county of Kent, an office which he not only performed
with great diligence and integrity, but endeavoured to explain and illustrate for the benefit of other magistrates, in his
“Eirenarcha, or the Office of the Justices of Peace, in
four books,
” The Duties of Constables,
” &c. Pandecta Rotulorum.
” In the mean time he had written,
though not published, another work, entitled “Archeion,
or a Discourse upon the high courts of justice in England.
”
It was not published until
a seat in the House of Commons in several parliaments; but he is entitled to a place in this work as a man of learning, and author of several books, which had considerable
, a learned English gentleman, was descended from a family in Dorsetshire, and born
in 1579. Being sent to Westminster school, he was admitted scholar upon the foundation, and thence elected
student of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1596. Four years
afterwards he commenced B. A. about which time he became heir to a considerable estate, was made a justice of
peace, and knighted by king James in 1613. He obtained
a seat in the House of Commons in several parliaments; but
he is entitled to a place in this work as a man of learning,
and author of several books, which had considerable reputation in their day. He died June 14, 1636, and was
interred in the chancel of the church at Cobham in Surrey.
The night before he died, being exhorted by a friend to
give some testimony of his constancy in the reformed religion, because it was not unlikely that his adversaries
might say of him, as they did of Beza, Reynolds, King
bishop of London, and bishop Andrews, that they recanted
the protestant religion, and were reconciled to the church
of Rome before their death; he professed, that if he had a
thousand souls, he would pawn them all upon the truth of
that religion established by law in the church of England,
and which he had declared and maintained in his “Via
tuta.
” Accordingly, in his funeral sermon by Dr. Daniel
Featly, he is not only styled “a general scholar, an accomplished gentleman, a gracious Christian, a zealous patriot, and an able champion for truth; but
” one that
stood always as well for the discipline, as the doctrine of
the church of England; and whose actions, as well as writings, were conformable both to the laws of God and canons
and constitutions of that church."
Sir Richard Maitland is celebrated as a man of learning, talents, and virtue. His compositions breathe
Sir Richard Maitland is celebrated as a man of learning,
talents, and virtue. His compositions breathe the genuine
spirit of piety and benevolence. The chearfulness of his
natural disposition, and his affiance in divine aid, seem to
have supported him with singular equanimity under the
pressure of blindness and old age. His poem “On the
Creation and Paradyce Lost
” is printed in Allan Ramsay’s
“Ever-Green.
” A considerable number of his productions are to be found among Mr. Pinkerton’s “Ancient
Scotish Poetry,
” The Selected Poemes of
Sir Richard Metellan
” was presented by Drummond to the
university of Edinburgh; but it seems merely to consist of
gleanings from the two volumes deposited in the library of
Magdalen -college, Cambridge. Two of his unpublished
works, a genealogical history of the family of Seaton, and
decisions of the court of session from 1550 to 1565, are
preserved in the Advocates’ library, Edinburgh. It is supposed that he did not write his poems before he had nearly
attained his sixtieth year. On that and other accounts
they afford some gratification to curiosity, but little to
taste. The Maitland Collection of Poems in the Pepysian
library has served to connect his name with the history of
early Scotish poetry.
uried in the chancel of the church of Orford, where is a monument to his memory; and was lamented as a man of learning and piety. His writings in defence of the church
, an English divine, and able vindicator of his church, was born in 1566, in the county of Durham, and was educated in grammar learning at home. In
1583, he entered of Merton-college, Oxford, where, after
taking his bachelor’s degree, he was chosen probationerfellow in 1586. He then received orders, and, besides
teing presented to the rectory of Orford, in Suffolk, was
made chaplain to king James I. who, in his punning humour, usually styled him a “wise builder (Mason) in
God’s house.
” In 1619, he was installed archdeacon
of Norfolk. He died 1621, and was buried in the chancel
of the church of Orford, where is a monument to his
memory; and was lamented as a man of learning and piety.
His writings in defence of the church of England, are, 1.
“The authority of the Church in making canons and constitutions concerning things indifferent,
” a Sermon, Lond.
Vindication of the Church
of England concerning the consecration and ordination of
Priests and Deacons, in five books,
” Lond.
, he passed through part of Germany into England, carefully observing whatever merited the notice of a man of learning and taste. After quitting Italy he paid a second
Dr. John Monro was the eldest son of Dr. James, and was educated at Merchant-Taylors school in London, whence he was removed in 1723* to St. John’s college, Oxford, of which he became a fellow. In 1743, by the favour of sir Robert Walpole, with whom his father lived on terms of friendship, he was elected to one of the travelling fellowships founded by Dr. Radcliffe, and soon after went abroad. He studied physic, first at Edinburgh, and afterwards at Leyden, under the celebrated Boerhaave; after which he visited various parts of Europe. He resided some time at Paris in 1745, whence he returned to Holland; and, after a short stay in that country, he passed through part of Germany into England, carefully observing whatever merited the notice of a man of learning and taste. After quitting Italy he paid a second visit to France, and, having continued some time in that country, returned to England in 1751.
of the ancient lords of Montfaucon-le-Vieux, first barons of the comte de Comminges. The pedigree of a man of learning is not of much importance, but Montfaucon was
, a Benedictine of the
congregation of St. Maur, and one of the most learned antiquaries France has produced, was born Jan. 17, 1655, at
Soulage in Langnedoc, whither his parents had removed
on some business; and was educated at the castle of Roquetaillade in the diocese of Alet, where they ordinarily resided. His family was originally of Gascony, and of the
ancient lords of Montfaucon-le-Vieux, first barons of the
comte de Comminges. The pedigree of a man of learning
is not of much importance, but Montfaucon was an antiquary, and has given us his genealogy in his “Bibl. Bibliothecarum manuscriptorum,
” and it must not, therefore, be
forgotten, that besides his honourable ancestors of the
thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, he was the son of Timoleon de Montfaucon, lord of Roquetaillacle and Conillac
in the diocrse of Alet, by Flora de Maignan, daughter of
the baron d'Albieres. He was the second of four brothers.
From his early studies in his father’s house he was removed
to Limoux, where he continued them under the fathers of
the Christian doctrine, and it is said that the reading of
Plutarch’s Lives inspired him first with a love for history
and criticism. A literary profession, however, was not his
original destination, for we find that he set out with being
a cadet in the regiment of Perpignan, and served one or
two campaigns in Germany in the army of marshal Turenne.
He also gave a proof of his courage by accepting a challenge from a brother bfficer who wished to put it to the
tfcst. About two years after entering the army, the death
of his parents, and of an officer of distinction under whom
he served, with other circumstances that occurred about
the same time, appear to have given him a dislike to the
military life, and induced him to enter the congregation
of St. Maur in 1675 at the age of twenty. In this learned
society, for such it was for many years, he had every opportunity to improve his early education, and follow the
literary pursuits most agreeable to him. The first fruits of
his application appeared in a kind of supplement to Cottelerius, entitled “Analecta Graeca sive vuria opuscula,
Gr. & Lat.
” Paris, 4to, La verite de l'Histoire de Judith,
”
in which he attempts to vindicate the authenticity of that
apocryphal book, and throws considerable light on the
history of the Medes and Assyrians. His next publication
of much importance was a new edition in Gr. & Lat. of
the works of St. Athanasius, which came out in 1698, 3 vols.
fol. This, which is generally known by the name of the
Benedictine edition, gave the world the first favourable
impression of Montfaucon’s extensive learning and judgment. He had some assistance in it from father Lopin,
before-mentioned, who, however, died before the publication.
Ciceronianus,“and” A Translation of Boetius de Consolatione." Morabin’s works shew him to have been a man of learning but his style is not good, and in his translations
, a man of letters, and secretary to
the lieutenant-general of the police in Paris, was a native
of La Flche, and died September 9, 1762. He published
u A Translation of Cicero’s Treatise on Laws,“and of the
dialogue on orators generally attibuted to Tacitus;
” Histoire de l'Exil de Ciceron,“which is said to have been
translated into English;
” Histoire de Ciceron,“1745,
2 vols, quarto. This work appeared nearly at the same
time with that of our own countryman Dr. Middleton on
the same subject, and it is no small praise that it shared
with it in reputation
” Nomenclator Ciceronianus,“and
” A Translation of Boetius de Consolatione." Morabin’s
works shew him to have been a man of learning but his
style is not good, and in his translations he fails of transfusing the spirit of the original.
uence of having been induced, by a mistaken piety, to follow Origen’s example. He was unquestionably a man of learning, and had many of the best qualities of a historian,
, a pious and learned Spanish
priest, born in 1513 at Cordova, was one of those who
greatly contributed to restore a taste for the belles lettres
in Spain. He taught with reputation in the university of
Alcala, was appointed historiographer to Philip II. king of
Spain, and died 1590, at Alcala, aged 77, leaving several
works relative to Spanish antiquities besides other valuable
books. The principal are, “The general Chronicle of
Spain,
” which had been begun by Florian Ocampo, The Antiquities of
Spain,
” folio, in the same language, a curious and very
valuable work “Scholia,
” in Latin, on the works of Eulogius the “Genealogy of St. Dominick,
” &c. He was
originally a Dominican, but obliged to quit that order in
consequence of having been induced, by a mistaken piety,
to follow Origen’s example. He was unquestionably a
man of learning, and had many of the best qualities of a
historian, but he scarcely rose above the grossest superstitions of his age and religion. A complete edition of his
works was published at Madrid in 1791—92.
racter 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
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.
iversity of Aberdeen. He died at his apartments in Gray’s Inn, April 27, 1772, with the character of a man of learning, industry, and contented temper. The first of
, a miscellaneous writer and translator of the last century, was a native of Ireland, who
merits some notice, although we have not been able to
recover many particulars of his history. He appears to
have resided the greater part of his life in London, and
employed his pen on various works for the booksellers,
principally translations. In 1765 he received the degree
of LL. D. from the university of Aberdeen. He died at
his apartments in Gray’s Inn, April 27, 1772, with the
character of a man of learning, industry, and contented
temper. The first of his translations which we have met
with, was that of Burlamaqui’s “Principles of Politic Law,
”
Essay on the origin of Human Knowledge,
” Chronological abridgment of the Roman History,
” Chronological abridgment of the History of France,
” History of Vandalia,
” which he
completed in 3 vols. 4to, in 1776. This tour also occasioned his publishing “Travels through Germany,
” &c. 2
vols. 8vo. We find him afterwards appearing as compiler
or translator of a “Historyof France
” “New Observations on Italy;
” “The present state of Europe;
” the
“Life of Benv^nuto Cellini
” Grossley’s “Tour to London
” a French Dictionary, &c. &c. His translations were
generally admired for elegance and accuracy; his principal faifure was in tjr^translation of Rousseau' “Emilius,
”
but it seems doubtful whether he translated this, or only
permitted his name to be used.
Pare was not a man of learning, although we meet with learned references and
Pare was not a man of learning, although we meet with
learned references and numerous quotations from the
ancients, in his writings; but he must be considered as a
bold and successful operator, and a real improver of his
art; particularly in the practice of tying divided arteries,
which he effected by drawing them out naked, and passing
a ligature over them; and in the treatment of gun-shot
wounds. Even in anatomy, in which he did not excel, he
was, by frequent dissections, enabled to add some observations of his own to what he had borrowed from Vesalius.
As an author he had high fame, and his works were universally read and translated into most of the languages of
Europe. His first treatise, “Maniere de trailer les playes
faites par harquebuses, fleches, &c.
” was published at Paris in Ambrosii Paraei, Opera,
novis iconibus elegantissimis illustrata, et Latinitate donata.
” This volume contains twenty -six treatises, and
there is no branch of surgery which is not touched upon in
the collection.
en. He died unlamented at Magdalen college, May 20, 1687, and was buried in the outer chapel. He was a man of learning, and in some instances an acute writer. Of that
His character was now become contemptible, and his
authority in his diocese so very insignificant, that when he
assembled his clergy and desired them to subscribe an
“Address of Thanks to the king for his declaration of Liberty of Conscience,
” they rejected it with such unanimity,
that he got but one clergyman to concur with him in it.
The last effort he made to serve the court was his
publishing “Reasons for abrogating the Test
” and this produced a controversy, in which he was completely foiled,
his character despised, and his spirit broken. He died unlamented at Magdalen college, May 20, 1687, and was
buried in the outer chapel. He was a man of learning,
and in some instances an acute writer. Of that character
MarvelPs wit cannot deprive him. But it may be allowed,
with Burnet, that he was a man of no judgment, and of as
little virtue; and as to religion, rather impious; that he
was covetous and ambitious, and seemed to have no other
sense ofreligion but as a political interest, and a subject
of party and faction. He seldom came to prayers, or to
any exercises of devotion; and was so lifted up with pride
that he grew insufferable to all that came near him.
in in ms. except his “Treatise of Faith,” published by Wharton in 1688, 4to. He appears to have been a man of learning, and an acute reasoner. The opinions for which
In 1449, he was translated to the see of Chichester, and
now began to give opinions which were ill suited to the
times in which he lived. Although he had taken great
pains both in his preaching and writings to defend the established church against the disciples of Wickliffe, now called
Lollards, he gave it as his opinion, that the most probable
means of reclaiming them was by allowing them the use of
their reason, and not insisting on the infallibility of the
church. The clergy, we may suppose, were not satisfied
with such doctrine; and many of the learned men of the
universities were so highly offended with it, and with his
writing in the English language on subjects which ought
to be concealed from the laity, that they at last prevailed
with the archbishop of Canterbury to cite him. The archbishop accordingly issued his mandate, in Oct. 1457, ordering all persons to appear who had any thing to allege
against the bishop of Chichester; and his books being
found to contain various heretical opinions, he read a recantation, first in the archbishop’s court at Lambeth, and
afterwards at St. Paul’s cross, where his books were burnt,
as they also were at Oxford. He was likewise deprived of
his bishopric, and confined in Thorney abbey, in Cambridgeshire, where it is supposed he died about 1460. His
biographer has given an ample account of his writings, all
of which remain in ms. except his “Treatise of Faith,
”
published by Wharton in The
Li/e
” of this prelate, which, as he justly styles it, forms a
“sequel to the Life
” of Wickliff, and is an useful introduction to the history of the English reformation.
e canton of Berne, where he was born, Nov. 25, 1556. His father, Julian Davy, an able physician, and a man of learning, instructed him till he was ten years of age,
, a cardinal more eminent for great talents and learning than for principle, was descended from ancient and noble families on both sides. His parents, having been educated in the protestiint religion, found it necessary to remove from Lower Normandy to Geneva; and settled afterwards in the canton of Berne, where he was born, Nov. 25, 1556. His father, Julian Davy, an able physician, and a man of learning, instructed him till he was ten years of age, and taught him mathematics and the Latin tongue. Young Perron seems afterwards to have built upon this foundation, for, while his parents were obliged to remove from place to place by civil wars and persecution, he taught himself the Greek tongue and philosophy, beginning that study with the logic of Aristotle: thence he passed to the orators and poets; and afterwards applied to the Hebrew language with such success, that he could read it without points, and lectured on it to the protestant clergy.
, a man of learning, a patron of learning, and a distinguished statesman,
, a man of learning, a patron of learning, and a distinguished statesman, in the four discordant reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. queen Mary, and queen Elizabeth, was the son of John Petre, of Tornewton, in the parish of Tor-brian, in Devonshire, and born either at Exeter or Tor-newton. After some elementary education, probably at his native place, he was entered of Exeter college, Oxford; and when he had studied there for a while with diligence and success, he was, in 1523, elected a fellow of All Souls. We may suppose that he became sensible of the importance of learning, and of the value of such seminaries, as he afterwards proved a liberal benefactor to both these colleges. His intention being to practise in the civil law courts, he took his bachelor’s degree in that faculty in July 1526, ant) his doctor’s in 1532, and the following year was admitted into the college of Advocates. It does not appear, however, that he left Oxford on this account, but was made principal of Peckwater Inn, now part of Christ Church; and he became soon after tutor to the son of Thomas Boleyn, earl of Wiltshire.
Sir William Petre was unquestionably a man of learning and talents, and an able minister and negociator.
Sir William Petre was unquestionably a man of learning and talents, and an able minister and negociator. Without talents, without political skill and address, he never could have retained a confidential situation under four such sovereigns as Henry, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. Whether all this was accompanied by a sacrifice of principle, is not quite clear. It is in his favour, however, that his conduct has been censured by the popish historians, and that the balance of his virtues must therefore be on the Protestant side.
ller, No. 158, but with infinitely too satirical a vein, was a great collector of books; and himself a man of learning, as well as patron of learned men. Mattairehas
, knt eldest surviving son of
Daniel Rawlinson, citizen and wine-merchant of London, descended from the ancient family of that name at
Graisdale, in the county of Lancaster, was born in the
parish of St. Dionis Backchurch, in Fenchurch-street,
London, March 1647 appointed sheriffof London by James II.
1687, colonel of the white regiment of trainee! bands, and
govt rnor of Bridewell and Bethlem hospitals, 1705; and,
in 1706, lord mayor of London, when he beautified and
repaired Guildhall, as appears by an inscription in the
great porch. He married Mary, eldest daughter of Richard
Taylor, esq. of Turnham-green, with whom he lived 27
years, and by whom he had 15 children. She died at
Chelsea, Feb. 21, 1724-5, aged sixty-three. He died in
his own parish, November 2, 1705, and was buried with
his father, who died in 1679, aged sixty-six, Of his children, four daughters, Anne- Maria, Mary, Margaret, Susan;
and two sons, both named Daniel, died before him. William died in 1732, and was buried at Antwerp. John, of
Little Leigh in Cheshire, esq. died January 9, 1753.
Tempest, the youngest son, by profession a dry-salter, died
January 1, 1737. Sir Thomas Rawlinson, it maybe added,
had been foreman of the grand jury at the trial of alderman
Cornish; and was elected sheriff by royal mandate. His
eldest son, Thomas, for whom Mr. Addison is said to have
intended his character of Tom Folio, in the Taller, No. 158,
but with infinitely too satirical a vein, was a great collector
of books; and himself a man of learning, as well as patron
of learned men. Mattairehas dedicated to him his edition
of Juvenal; and Hearne’s publication, entitled “Aluredi
Beverlacensis Annales, &c.
” was printed from the original
ms. in this gentleman’s possession. Very numerous indeed
were the communications that editor received from Mr.
Thomas Rawlinson, for all which he takes every opportunity of expressing his gratitude. While Mr. Rawlinson
lived in Gray’s inn, he had four chambers so completely
filled with books, that his bed was removed out into the
passage. He afterwards removed to London-house, the
ancient palace of the bishops of London, in Aldersgate-street, where he died August 6, 1725, aged forty-four,
and was buried in the church of St. Botolph Aldersgate.
In London-house his library was sold after his decease;
and there also lived and died his brother Richard, who left
a portrait of his brother Thomas in crayons, another of
himself, and another of Nicolas Salmon, LL. D. the antiquary, to the Society of Antiquaries, all afterwards revoked.
His Mss. took sixteen days to sell, from March 4, 1733-4.
The catalogue of his library consists of nine parts. The
amount of the fiva first parts was 2409l. Mr. Charles
Marsh, late bookseller at Charing-cross, used to say,
that the sale of Mr. Thomas Rawlinson’s library was one of
the first events he remembered upon engaging in business;
and that it was the largest collection at that time known to
have been offered to the public.
Oppian,” Greek and Latin, appeared in 1657, 8vo. His son Nicholas, born at Altdorf in 1597, was also a man of learning and a jurist, and particularly applied to historical
He was a man of extensive learning, and perfectly skilled
in the Greek and Latin tongues. He is said to have had
Homer and Hesiod so well by heart, as once, in a conversation with a learned young gentleman, to have expressed
all he had occasion to say in the verses of Homer. He
was also a judicious critic, and wrote notes upon many
ancient Greek and Latin authors, Petronius, Phacdrus,
Oppian, &c. which have been inserted in the best editions
of those authors. Thus Burinan, in his edition of “Phsedrus,
” Germanise
suae quondam ornamentum, & noil minoris Gallice-decus.
”
He published a great number of works, sixty-six of which
are enumerated by Niceron, many on civil law, but most
on the belles lettres and criticism. His edition. of “Oppian,
” Greek and Latin, appeared in Hanno’s Periplws.
” v ' He was the
author of a large work, entitled “Genealggia? Jmperatorum, Regum, Ducum, Comitum, &c. ab anno 1400 ad
annum 1664,
” 7 vols. in 4, folio, a work of rare occurrence.
Several of his letters are printed in the “Epistolse celebrium Virorum,
”
of philosophers, if his genius had not been perverted in early life. He does not appear to have been a man of learning: his education, we have seen, was neglected,
In 1768, he resumed his botanical pursuits, which he conducted with equal taste and judgment, by collecting and studying the plants on the mountains of Dauphine. During the year 1770, he appeared at a coffee-house in Paris in his ordinary dress, and took much pleasure in the admiration of the surrounding crowd. This seems always to be his ambition, and he was never content unless when occupying the public attention, even while he seemed conscious he could not draw the public respect. The conclusion of his life we have given before. The influence of his opinions was once most extensive in France, and reached even this country in a greater degree than could have been wished. One reason might be, that in England, for many years we were accustomed to contemplate Rousseau only as a man persecuted for freedom of opinion, and this excited a sympathy which tolerated more than mature reflection could justify. Rousseau was naturally a man of great talents, and might have been one of the first of philosophers, if his genius had not been perverted in early life. He does not appear to have been a man of learning: his education, we have seen, was neglected, and irregular: but imagination was his forte; and this, under the guidance of a sensual appetite, which never forsook him, led him to be the great master of seduction in morals, while his early association with Voltaire, D'Alembert, and Diderot, tempted him to rival them in impiety; and even when he quarrelled with them, as he did with all his contemj-or ies, he still pursued the object by himself; and his s -phistries, perhaps more than the wit and argument of his former colleagues, powerfully contributed to that delusion which afflicted the continent with so much misery.—Although Kousseau’s works are less read now, he must ever be considered by the French as one of their first writers: and they continue to print very splendid editions of his works, the last and finest of which is that printed by Dulot, 1796—1801, 25 vols. royal eighteens, of which only 100 copies were struck off.
ble disposition of Rubens, he soon left him also, and attached himself to Otho Venius, whom he found a man of learning, candour, and congeniality of taste; and although
, an illustrious artist, was of a distinguished family at Antwerp, where some say he was born in 1577; but according to others he was barn at Cologne, to which place his father had retired for security, to avoid the calamities of civil war. On his return to Antwerp, our artist was educated with the greatest care, and as he had shown some turn for design, was placed for instruction under Tobias Verhaecht, a landscape painter of some note, but soon exchanged this master in order to study historical painting under Adam Van Oort. But as the surly temper of this artist was incompatible with the more amiable disposition of Rubens, he soon left him also, and attached himself to Otho Venius, whom he found a man of learning, candour, and congeniality of taste; and although he rose infinitely above this preceptor, he ever preserved the highest esteem for him. From Venius, Rubens probably acquired his taste for allegory, one of his least merits, it is true, but one to which he was indebted for a considerable share of popularity, in an age when allegory was in fashion.
own neglect, a client had lost his cause, he sent him a sum of money equivalent to that loss. He was a man of learning, and a good antiquary, and employed much of
, the historian of Marseilles, was
born there in 1607, and bred to the law. Being appointed
counsellor to the seneschalcy of his native place, he practised in that court for some years, and with a scrupulous
integrity rather uncommon; for we are told that on one
occasion when, by his own neglect, a client had lost his
cause, he sent him a sum of money equivalent to that loss.
He was a man of learning, and a good antiquary, and employed much of his time in collecting materials for his
“History of Marseilles,
” which he published in Dissertations Historiques et Critiques sur POrigine des Comtes des Provence,
de Venaissin, de Forcalquier, et des Vicomtes de Marseille
” and in Une Dissertation.
Historique, Chronologique, et Critique sur les Evéques de
Marseille.
” Both these were intended as preludes to more
elaborate works on the subject, which he was prevented
from completing by his death, March 26, 1724, in the
sixty-sixth year of his age.
1794, a new edition of his brothers “Natural History of Aleppo,” upon a very enlarged scale. He was a man of learning and wit: spoke the Arabic, which he acquired
His brother, Dr. Patrick Russel, who died July 2,
1805, in his seventy-ninth year, succeeded him as physician to the English factory at Aleppo. He published a
copious “Treatise on the Plague,
” in Descriptions and figures of two hundred Fishes collected
on the coast of Coromandel,
” Natural History of Aleppo,
” upon a very enlarged scale. He
was a man of learning and wit: spoke the Arabic, which he
acquired during his residence at Aleppo, with the fluency
of his mother-tongue: and was, like his brother, of a
friendly and benevolent disposition.
, a man of learning and ingenuity, the son of Christopher Russel,
, a man of learning and ingenuity,
the son of Christopher Russel, esq. of Minorca, was born
in 1728. He was bred at Westminster-school, and in 1746
was admitted a member of St. Mary’s hall, Oxford. He
commenced a poet in 1744, or before; for in his collection
are verses on seeing lady Elizabeth Boyle dance at Marston on her father’s birth-day in that year. In April 1750
he was admitted bachelor of arts, but. did not determine or
complete his decree until 1752. About 1753 he obtained
the rectory of Skull, in the diocese of Cork, in Ireland, by r
the patronage of John, fifth earl of Oork and Orrery. With
that nobleman he appears to have lived in intimacy, as well
as with his second son, Hamilton Boyle, and frequently
visited Marston. He died in 1767; and two years after,
were published, in 2 vols. 8vo, “The Works^of the late
Rev. George Russel, Rector of Skull, in the diocese of
Cork.
” From the few specimens Mr. Malone has given,
he seems justified in saying that these work?, though little
known, owing probably to their having been published only
in Ireland, have very considerable merit.
ificate of Clement IV. He died at Paris in 1272. His works were published there in 1632, 4to. He was a man of learning and correct manners, of great zeal, and, in
Some years before the pope had decided in favour of the
mendicants, a fanatical book under the title of an “Introduction to the Everlasting Gospel
” was published by a
Franciscan, who exalted St. Francis above Jesus Christ,
and arrogated to his order the glory of reforming mankind
by a new gospel. The universal ferment, excited by this
impious book, obliged Alexander IV. to suppress it, but he
ordered it to be burnt in secret, being willing to spare the
reputation of the mendicants. The university of Paris,
however, insisted upon a public condemnation of the book;
and Alexander, great as he was in power, was obliged to
submit. He then took revenge by condemning St. Amour’s
work to be burnt, and the author to be banished from
France. St. Amour retired to his native place, and was
not permitted to return to Paris until the pontificate of Clement IV. He died at Paris in 1272. His works were published there in 1632, 4to. He was a man of learning and
correct manners, of great zeal, and, in the opinion of a
late writer, wanted only a more favourable soil, in which
he might bring to maturity the fruits of those protestant
principles, the seeds of which he nourished in his breast.
rence to popery, and died at Rome in 1598. He was educated also at Corpus, and had the reputation of a man of learning. He left some Mss. on catholic subjects, and
, a celebrated Latin
poet and linguist, was born at Sugworth, in the parish of
Radley, near Abington in Berks, about 1509. He was
educated in Corpus Christ! college, Oxford, of which he
was admitted probationer fellow in 1528, and completed
his degrees in arts in 1533. At that time he was Greek
reader in his college, and succeeded Robert Wakefield in
the Hebrew professorship of the university of Oxford about
1538. Three years afterwards, by leave from the heads of
the university, he began to expound in the public schools
the book of Genesis in Hebrew, and would have proceeded
through the other books of the Pentateuch, had he not
been prevented by death. He died at Agmondesham in
Buckinghamshire, in 1542. He was thought to have surpassed Origen for memory, and Ovid for expedition in
versifying; it having been but an ordinary matter with him
to compose one hundred good verses every day, at vacant
hours. Leland cejebrates him in his “Encomia,
” and in
his “Cygnea Cantio,
” in which he calls him “clecus
utriusque linguae.
” He is praised likewise in White’s
“Diacosiomartyrion,
” and by Pits. His works are, 1. Summa et synopsis Novi Test, distichis ducentis sexaginta comprehensa,“Strasb. 1556, 8vo, reprinted at London and Oxford. 2.
” Hippolytus Ovidianae Phaedrae respondens.“Oxon. 1584. 3.
” Vita et epicedion Joannis Claymundi,“a ms. in Corpus college library. He wrote also some
translations from the Greek, and some poems and orations
which remain in ms. He had a nephew William, who in
the beginning of queen Elizabeth’s reign left England on
account of his adherence to popery, and died at Rome in
1598. He was educated also at Corpus, and had the reputation of a man of learning. He left some Mss. on catholic subjects, and one 4to printed at Rome in 1596, entitled
” The literal connexion of the Psalms of our lady’s office,
and their confirmation, from the Greek, Hebrew, Syriac,
Chaldaic, Arabic, Æthiopic, &c." If acquainted with all
these languages, he could have been no common scholar in
the sixteenth century.
s chambers in the Middle Temple. Being plundered of all his property, and what is ever most dear* to a man of learning, his ample library, he would probably have sunk
On his release he determined to follow the fortunes of
his royal master, who made him commissary-general of the
artillery, in which post he witnessed the battle of Edge-hill,
and afterwards attended the king at Oxford, where he was
created master of arts, Dec. 20, 1642. Here he took such
opportunities as his office permitted of pursuing his studies,
and did not leave Oxford untilJune 1646, when it was surrendered to the parliamentary forces. He then went to
London, and was entertained by a near relation, John
Povey, esq. at his chambers in the Middle Temple. Being
plundered of all his property, and what is ever most dear*
to a man of learning, his ample library, he would probably
have sunk under his accumulated sufferings, had he not
met with his kinsman, Thomas Stanley, esq. father of the
learned Thomas Stanley, esq. who was a sufferer in the
same cause, and secreted near the same place. But some
degree of toleration must have been extended to him soon
after, as in 1648, he published his translation of Seneca’s
“Medea,
” and in the same year, Seneca’s answer to
Lucilius’s question “Why good men suffer misfortunes,
seeing there is a divine providence?
” In Poems and Translations,
” with a Latin dedication to Mr. Stanley; and when sir George Savile, afterwards
marquis of Halifax, returned from his travels about that
time, he appointed Mr. Sherburne superintendant of his
affairs; and by the recommendation of his mother, kidy
Savile, he was afterwards made travelling tutor to her
nephew, sir John Coventry. With this gentleman he visited
various parts of the continent, from March 1654 to October
1659. On the restoration, sir Anthony Ashley Cooper,
afterwards lord Shaftesbury, put another into his place in
the ordnance, but on Mr. Sherburne’s application to tlve
House of Peers, it was restored to him, although its emoluments were soon greatly retrenched.
. This alone, says his biographer, would have amply sufficed to establish the fame of Mr. Smellie as a man of learning and talents, if his name had never been, conjoined
In 1790, Mr. Smellie published the first volume of the
only work, except his translation of Buffon, for which he
is likely to be remembered, “The Philosophy of Natural
History,
” 4to. This alone, says his biographer, would
have amply sufficed to establish the fame of Mr. Smellie as
a man of learning and talents, if his name had never been,
conjoined with any other literary enterprize. A second
volume was left by him in manuscript, which was published
after his death by his son, in 1799. Mr. Smellie proposed
to have undertaken the composition of a series of biographical memoirs of the lives and writings of such authors as
bad employed him to print their works. In this he had
made some progress; and his lives of Hume, Smith, Monro,
and Kames, have been since published, in one volume octavo; and although we are far from thinking them models
in that species of composition, and consider the author as
rather partial, we should have been happy to have the list
completed which his biographer gives of intended lives.
The Scotch literati have been too neglectful of their
eraihent men; but some excellent specimens have lately appeared, as Forbes’s Life of Beattie, and lord Woodhouslee’s Life of Kames; and we hope for more from men of
equal talents.
ear Naples in 1657. His father Angelo, who had been a scholar of Massimo, and was a good painter and a man of learning, discerned an uncommon genius in his son; who
, called L‘Abate Ciccio, from his mode of dressing like an abbot, an illustrious Italian painter, was descended of a good family, and born at Nocera de’ Pagani near Naples in 1657. His father Angelo, who had been a scholar of Massimo, and was a good painter and a man of learning, discerned an uncommon genius in his son; who is said to have spent whole nights in the studies of poetry and philosophy. He designed also so judiciously in chiaro obscure, tiiat his performances surprised all who saw them. Angelo intended him for the Jaw, and did not alter his purpose, though he was informed of his other extraordinary talents, till cardinal Orsini advised him. This cardinal, afterwards Benedict Xiji. at a visit happened to examine the youth in philosophy, and, although satisfied with his answers, observed, that he would do better, if he did not waste so much of his time in drawing; but when these drawings were produced, he was so surprised, that he told the father how unjust he would be both to his son and to the art, if he attempted to check a genius so manifestly displayed. Ou this, Solimene had full liberty given him to follow his inclination. Two years passed on, while he studied under his lather, after which, in 1674, he went to Naples, and put himself under the direction of Francesco di Maria. Thinking, however, that this artist laid too great a stress on design, he soon left him, and guided himself by the works of Lanfranc and Calabrese in composition and chiaro obscuro, while those of Pietro Cortona and Luca Jordano were his standards for colouring, and Guido and Carlo Maratti for drapery. By an accurate and well-managed study of these masters, he formed to himself an excellent style, and soon distinguished himself as a painter. Hearing that the Jesuits intended to paint the chapel of St. Anne in the church Jesu Nuovo, he sent them a sketch by an architecture painter; not daring to carry it himself, lest a prejudice against his youth might exclude him. His design was nevertheless accepted, and, while he was employed on this chapel, the best painters of Naples visited him, astonished to h'nd themselves surpassed by a mere boy. This was his first moment of distinction, and his reputation increased so fast, that great works were offered him from every quarter. His fame extending to other countries, the kings of France and Spain made him very advantageous proposals to engage him in their service, all which he declined. Philip V. arriving at Naples, commanded him to paint his portrait, and allowed him to sit in his presence: and the emperor Charles VI. knighted him on account of a picture he sent him. In 1701, he resided at Rome during the holy year: when the pope and cardinals took great notice of him. This painter is also known by his sonnets, which have been often printed in collections of poetry; and, at eighty years of age, he could repeat from memory the most beautiful passages of the poets, in the application of which he was very happy. He died in 1747, at almost ninety. He painted entirely after nature; being fearful, as he said, that too servile an attachment to the antique might damp the fire of his imagination. He was a man of a good temper, who neither criticised the works of others out of envy, nor was blind to his own defects. He told the Italian author of his life, that he had advanced many falsities in extolling the character of his works: which had procured him a great deal of money, but yet were very far short of perfection. The grand duke of Tuscany with difficulty prevailed on Solimene’s modesty to send him his picture, which he wanted to place in his gallery among other painters.
d of scepticism, and this suspicion was probably some check to his promotion: for, otherwise, he was a man of learning, and not destitute of good qualities. He was
In the mean time, it is supposed that Sorbiere’s connections would have advanced him higher in the church, if he had been sound in his principles; but he was more of a philosopher than a divine. He revered the memory of such writers as Rabelais, whom he made his constant study: Montaione and Charron were heroes with him, nor would he suffer them to be ill spoken of in his presence: and he had a known attachment to the principles and person of Gassendi, whose life, prefixed to his works, was written by Sorbiere. These connections and attachments made him suspected of scepticism, and this suspicion was probably some check to his promotion: for, otherwise, he was a man of learning, and not destitute of good qualities. He was very well skilled in languages and polite literature, and had some knowledge in many sciences. He died of a dropsy, the 9th of April, 1670.
ge I. of England. That princess, being highly pleased to meet with one whom she had already known as a man of learning, and corresponded with upon subjects of politics
In 1660, he published at Heidelberg a French translation of the emperor Julian’s “Caesars,
” with notes and illustrations from medals and other monuments of antiquity.
He had always an extraordinary turn for antiquities and
medals; but had not yet seen Italy, where the study of
them was much cultivated, and therefore was highly gratified in receiving a commission from the elector, to go to
Rome, in order to watch the intrigues of the catholic electors at that court On his arrival he gained the esteem of
that general patroness queen Christina, at whose palace
was held an assembly of learned men every week; and in
1664, he complimented her with the dedication of his
“Dissertationes de praestantia & usu numismatum antiquorum,
” printed at Rome, in 4to. The same year he took a
journey to Naples, Sicily, and Malta, and then returned to
Rome, where he found the princess Sophia, mother of
George I. of England. That princess, being highly pleased
to meet with one whom she had already known as a man of
learning, and corresponded with upon subjects of politics
and literature, was desirous of enjoying his conversation at
leisure, and, therefore, wish the leave of the elector her
brother, carried him with her into Germany.
ardo Tasso accompanied him into Germany; but, before his departure, committed the care of his son to a man of learning; under whom, at three years of age, they tell
Toward the end of his third year, Bernardo his father was obliged to follow the prince of Salerno into Germany, which journey proved the source of all the sufferings of Tasso and his family. The occasion was this Don Pedro of Toledo, viceroy of Naples for the emperor Charles V, had formed a design to establish the inquisition in that city. The Neapolitans, alarmed at this, resolved to send a deputation to the emperor, and made choice of the prince of Salerno, who seemed most able, by his authority and riches, to oppose the viceroy. The prince having consented, Bernardo Tasso accompanied him into Germany; but, before his departure, committed the care of his son to a man of learning; under whom, at three years of age, they tell us, he began to study grammar; and, at four, was sent to the college of the Jesuits, where he made so rapid a progress, that at seven he was pretty wellacquainted with the Latin and Greek tongues; at the same age he made public orations, and composed some pieces of poetry, of which the style is said to have retained nothing of puerility.
nown all over Italy, and acquainted with all the learned of Rome, Venice, and Padua. He was not only a man of learning, but of business also; and hence, after returning
, in his native language called
Vander Beken, a very learned man, who flourished not
long after the restoration of letters, was born at Ghent, in
Flanders, in 1525, and educated at Louvain, Thence he
went to Bologna, in order to study the civil law and antiquities; where he so distinguished himself by his skill in
polite literature, and particularly in poetry, that he became
known all over Italy, and acquainted with all the learned of
Rome, Venice, and Padua. He was not only a man of
learning, but of business also; and hence, after returning
to his own country, was thought a fit person to be employed
in several embassies. He took holy orders, and at length
was raised to the bishopric of Antwerp. Hence he was
translated to the metropolitical church of Mechlin, where
he died in 15;<5, at seventy years of age. He* founded a
college of Jesuits at Louvain, the place of his education, to
which he left his library, coins, &c. Besides an octavo
volume of “Latin poems,
” printed by Plantin, at Antwerp,
in Commentaries upon Suetonius and
Horace;
” the former printed in Commentaries.
” Fabricius, speaking of explications and emendations of Horace, says, that he and Lambinus were men of great learning and critical talents, and had carefully consulted the
best manuscripts, but it is thought that Torrentius had intrusted the collation to some person who had not his own
accuracy
een named, was born at Florence, March 9, 1451, of a distinguished family, and educated by an uncle, a man of learning- who had the care of the education of the Florentine
, or Amerigo Vespucci, a navigator from whose name the largest quarter of the world has very unjustly been named, was born at Florence, March 9, 1451, of a distinguished family, and educated by an uncle, a man of learning- who had the care of the education of the Florentine nobility. Vespucci made great progress in natural philosophy, astronomy, and cosmography, the principal branches in which the Florentine nobility were instructed, because being for the most part destined for commerce, it was necessary they should become acquainted with the sciences connected with navigation. Commerce had been the foundation of the grandeur and prosperity of the republic, and as each family educated some member who was to serve his country in that pursuit, that of Vespucci chose Amerigo, or Americus, to follow the example of their ancestors in this respect. Accordingly he left Florence in 1490, and went to Spain, to be initiated in mercantile life. He is said to have been at Seville in 1492, when Columbus was preparing for a new voyage, and the rage for new discoveries was at its height. The success of that celebrated navigator raised this passion in Americus, who determined to give up the pursuit of trade, in order to go and reconnoitre the new world, of whose existence Europe had just heard.
nabled to form from an attentive perusal of his Life and Letters, but principally because written by a man of learning and candour, on whom we could have relied without
Mr. WakefieWs character has been- drawn by various pens some of these portraits which make directly for him may be found in his Life lately published and many just, although sometimes discordant, remarks are interspersed in the literary journals of his time. The following we have selected, as according best with the opinion we have been enabled to form from an attentive perusal of his Life and Letters, but principally because written by a man of learning and candour, on whom we could have relied without previous examination.
n a tour to the south of France. For this, Mr. Wooll informs us, he had two motives, “the society of a man of learning and taste, and the accommodation of a Protestant
In 1751, his patron the duke of Bolton invited him to be
his companion on a tour to the south of France. For this,
Mr. Wooll informs us, he had two motives, “the society
of a man of learning and taste, and the accommodation of a
Protestant clergyman, who, immediately on the death of
his duchess, then in a confirmed dropsy, could marry him
to the lady with whom he lived, and who was universally
known and distinguished by the name of Polly Peachum.
”
Whichever of these motives predominated in the duke’s
mind, it is much to be regretted that our author so far
forgot what was due to his character and profession as to
accept the offer. But if any circumstance, besides the
consciousness of doing wrong, could embitter the remembrance of this solitary blemish in his public life, it was,
that, after all, the only hopes which could justify his compliance were very ungraciously disappointed. For some
reason or other, he was obliged to leave his patron, and
come to England before the duchess died, and when that
event took place, and he solicited permission to return to
the duke, he had the mortification to learn that the ceremony had been performed by Mr. Devisme, chaplain to the
embassy at Turin.
ster does not appear to have been entitled to much more respect than he received. He was undoubtedly a man of learning and acuteness, but so eager for profit and promotion,
Dr. Webster does not appear to have been entitled to
much more respect than he received. He was undoubtedly
a man of learning and acuteness, but so eager for profit
and promotion, as seldom to regard the means by which they
were acquired. One instance may suffice to give an idea
of his character in this respect. In his “Plain narrative of
Facts,
” he informs us that he wrote a pamphlet (on the woollen trade) which had such great reputation all over the
kingdom, that, without knowing who was the author of it,
it was said that “he deserved to have his statue set up in
every trading town in England.
” Yet, when the demand
for this pamphlet subsided, he actually published an answer
to it, under the title of “The Draper’s Reply,
” of which
two or three editions were sold!
several times mayor. He was educated at Christ’scollege, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr. Potman, a man of learning and piety, and was a constant hearer of Dr.
, an eminent puritan divine, was
born at Banbury in Oxfordshire, in May 1583, where his
father, Thomas Whately, was justice of the peace, and had
been several times mayor. He was educated at Christ’scollege, Cambridge, under the tuition of Mr. Potman, a
man of learning and piety, and was a constant hearer of
Dr. Chaderton, Perkins, and other preachers of the Puritan-stamp. It does not appear that he was originally destined for the church, as it was not until after his marriage
with the daughter of the Rev. George Hunt that he was
persuaded to study for that purpose, at Edmund -hall,
Oxford. Here he was incorporated bachelor of arts, and,
according to Wood, with the foundation of logic, philosophy, and oratory, that he had brought with him from Cambridge, he became a noted disputant and a ready orator.
In 1604, he took his degree of M. A. as a member of
Edmund-hall, “being then esteemed a good philosopher
and a tolerable mathematician.
” He afterwards entered
into holy orders, and was chosen lecturer of Banbury, his
native place. In 1610, he was presented by king James
to the vicarage of Banbury, which he enjoyed until his
death. He also, with some of his brethren, delivered a
lecture, alternately at Stratford-upon-Avon. In his whole
conduct, Mr. Leigh says, he “was blameless, sober, just, holy,
temperate, of good behaviour, given to hospitality
”,&c.
Fuller calls him “a good linguist, philosopher, mathematician, and divine;
” and adds, that he “was free from
faction?' Wood, who allows that he possessed excellent
parts, was a noted disputant, an excellent preacher, a
good orator, and well versed in the original text, both
Greek and Hebrew, objects, nevertheless, that,
” being a
zealous Calvinist, a noted puritan, and much frequented
by the precise party, for his too frequent preaching, he
laid such a foundation of faction at Banbury, as will not
easily be removed.“Granger, who seems to have considered all these characters with some attention, says,
that
” his piety was of a very extraordinary strain; and his
reputation as a preacher so great, that numbers of different
persuasions went from Oxford, and other distant places,
to hear him. As he ever appeared to speak from his heart,
his sermons were felt as well as heard, and were attended
with suitable effects.“In the life of Mede, we have aa
anecdote of him, which gives a very favourable idea of his
character. Having, in a sermon, warmly recommended his
hearers to put in a purse by itself a certain portion from
every pound of the profits of their worldly trades, for
works of piety, he observed, that instead of secret grudging, when objects of charity were presented, they would
look out for them, and rejoice to find them. A neighbouring clergyman hearing him, and being deeply affected
with what he so forcibly recommended, consulted him as to
what proportion of his income he ought to give.
” As to
that,“said Whately,
” lam not to prescribe to others;
but I will tell you what hath been my own practice. You
know, sir, some years ago, I was often beholden to you
for the loan of ten pounds at a time; the truth is, I could
not bring the year about, though my receipts were not
despicable, and I was not at all conscious of any unnecessary expenses. At length, I inquired of my family
what relief was given to the poor; and not being satisfied,
I instantly resolved to lay aside every tenth shilling of all
my receipts for charitable uses; and the Lord has made
me so to thrive since I adopted this method, that now, if
you have occasion, I can lend you ten times as much as I
have formerly been forced to borrow."
White was a benefactor to both Wykeham’s colleges, and was a man of learning and eloquence, and no inelegant Latin poet,
White was a benefactor to both Wykeham’s colleges,
and was a man of learning and eloquence, and no inelegant
Latin poet, as appears by his “Diacosio-martyrion, sive
ducentorum virorum testimonia de veritate corporis et sanguinis Christi in eucharista, adversus Petrum Martyrem,
”
Lond. Epigrammatum lib. I.
” “Carmina in matrimon. Philippi Regis, cum Maria Regina Anglise,
” (See Holingshed’s Chron. Sermon preached at the
funeral of queen Mary, Dec. 13, 1558,
” a ms. now in the
British Museum, and printed in Strype’s Memorials, but
from an incorrect copy. There are many of his orations,
&c. preserved in Fox’s Acts and Monuments.
Although a man of learning and address, of a very charitable disposition,
Although a man of learning and address, of a very charitable disposition, and enjoying distinguished patronage, he seems frequently to have been involved in disputes which cast some shade on his character. At one time he received a great accession of property, by the will of sir George Markham, but was obliged to publish a defence of himself, in a quarto pamphlet, against the insinuations of sir George’s relations. In 1747 he was prosecuted for breach of promise of marriage by a Miss Davids of Castleyard, Holborn, and the case appeared to the jury in such a light, that they gave 7000l. damages, yet we see that be was at this time fifty-eight years of age. Some pamphlets were also published concerning his disputes with the parish of Newark, to which he left ample benefactions, but these were lost to the poor by the Mortmain act. He translated some parts of Fleury, but his greatest undertaking was a translation of Thuanus, of which he published vol.1, in 1729, and vol. II. in 1730. It is perhaps to be regretted that want of encouragement obliged him to resist, for these are two elegantly printed folios, and the completion would have done credit to the age.
ret, Heinsius, Selclen, &c. all men of letters and tracers of languages. Wotton lived at a time when a man of learning would have been better preferred than he was;
What distinguished him from other men chiefly was his
memory: his superiority seems to have lain in the strength
pf that faculty; for, by never forgetting any thing, he
became immensely learned and knowing; and, what is
more, his learning (as one expresses it) was all in ready
cash, which he was able to produce at sight. When he
was very young he remembered the whole of- almost any
discourse he had heard, and often surprised a preacher
with repeating his sermon to him. This first recommended
him to bishop Lloyd, to whom he repeated one of his own
sermons, as Dr. Burnet had engaged that he should. But
above all, he had great humanity and friendliness of temper. His time and abilities were at the service of any person who was making advances in real learning. The narrowness of a party-spirit never broke in upon any of his
friendships; he was as zealous in recommending Dr. Hickes’s
great work as if it had been his own-, and assisted Mr.
Spinkes in his replies to Mr. Collier in the controversy
about the necessity of mixing wine and water in the sacrament, in 1718 and 1719. He was a great lover of etymology; and 'Mr. Thwaites in his Saxon Grammar, takes
notice of his skill and acuteness that way, which he was
extremely well qualified for, by knowing most of the languages from east to west. Mr. John Chapman, chaplain
to the archbishop of Canterbury (in “Remarks upon the Letter to Dr. Waterland in relation to the natural account of Languages,
” pag. 8, 9.) has done him the honour to
place him in a list of great names after Bochart, Walton,
Vossius, Scaliger, Duret, Heinsius, Selclen, &c. all men
of letters and tracers of languages. Wotton lived at a time
when a man of learning would have been better preferred
than he was; but it is supposed that some part of his conduct, which was very exceptionable, prevented it.