who speaks of him in his “Britannia” as a learned old man. Holinshed also mentions him as a learned antiquary, in the first edition of hia “Chronicle;” but this notice is
, one of a family of Oxford antiquaries,
was the grandson of sir Brian Twyne, of Long Parish, in
Hampshire, knight, and was born at Bolingdon, in the
same county. He was educated at New Inn hall, Oxford,
and admitted to the reading of the institutions in 1524, at
a time when that society could boast of many excellent civilians. After he left the university he was appointed head
master of the free-school at Canterbury, and in 1553 rose
to be mayor of the city, in the time of Wyat’s rebellion.
By the school he became so rich as to be able to purchase
lands at Preston and Hardacre, in Kent, which he left to
his posterity. He was a good Greek and Latin scholar, and
devoted much of his time to the study of history and antiquities. He was held in great esteem by men able to judge
of his talents, particularly by Leland, who introduces him
among the worthies of his time in his “Encomia,
” and by
Camden, who speaks of him in his “Britannia
” as a
learned old man. Holinshed also mentions him as a learned
antiquary, in the first edition of hia “Chronicle;
” but this
notice is for some reason omitted in the edition of 1587.
It is said he was a violent papist, but Tanner has produced
evidence of a charge more disgraceful to his character as
a tutor and magistrate. This appears in a ms. in Bene't
college library, Cambridge, No. CXX. “Anno 1560, Mr.
Twyne, school- master, was ordered to abstain from riot
and drunkenness, and not to intermeddle with any public
office in the town.
” He died in an advanced age, Nov.
24, 1581, and was buried in the chancel of the church of
St. Paul, Canterbury, with an inscription, in which he is
styled armiger. His only publication, which, however,
did not appear until after his death, was his work “De
rebus Albionicis, Britannicis atque Anglicis commentariorum libri duo,
” Lond. History of king Boccus
and Sydracke,
”
. He died in January 1627-8. Sir Roger, his eldest son, had also a learned education, and was a good antiquary. He assisted Mr. Philpot in his Survey of Kent, who returns
, the second baronet of the family, of Roydon hall, East Peckham, in Kent, was born in
1597. His father, William Twysden, esq. was one of those
who conducted king James to London, when he first came
from Scotland, to take possession of the English crown,
and was first knighted and afterwards created a baronet by
his majesty. Sir William had a learned education, understood Greek and Hebrew well, and accumulated a valuable
collection of books and Mss. which he made useful to the
public, both in defence of the protestant religion and the
ancient constitutions of the kingdom. He died in January
1627-8. Sir Roger, his eldest son, had also a learned education, and was a good antiquary. He assisted Mr. Philpot
in his Survey of Kent, who returns him acknowledgments,
as a person to whom, “for his learned conduct of these his
imperfect labours, through the gloomy and perplexed paths
of antiquity, and the many difficulties that assaulted him,
he was signally obliged.
” He was a man of great
accomplishments, well versed in the learned languages, and exemplary in his attachment to the church of England. He
made many important additions to his father’s library, which
seems seldom to have been unemployed by his family or his
descendants. His brother, Thomas, was brought up to the
profession of the law, and became one of the justices of the
King’s Bench after the restoration, and was created a baronet, by which he became the founder of the family of
Twisdens (for he altered the spelling of the name) of Bradbourn in Kent. Another brother, John, was a physician,
and a good mathematician, and wrote on both sciences.
he autumn of 1766 he attended a young gentleman of his college, Mr. Gough (afterwards the celebrated antiquary) in a tour through the north of England and Scotland, and made
, a learned divine and ingenious artist, was the only child of the rev. Michael Tyson, dean of Stamford, archdeacon of Huntingdon, &c. who died in 1794, aged eighty-four, by his first wife, the sister of Noah Curtis, of Wolsthorp, in Lincolnshire, esq. He was born in the parish of All Saints, in Stamford, Nov. 19, 1740, and received his grammatical education in that country. He was then admitted of Bene‘t college, Cambridge, and passed regularly through his degrees; that of B. A. in 1764, of M. A. in 1767, and of B. D. in 1775; and after taking his bachelor’s degree was elected a fellow of his college. In the autumn of 1766 he attended a young gentleman of his college, Mr. Gough (afterwards the celebrated antiquary) in a tour through the north of England and Scotland, and made an exact journal of his several stages, with pertinent remarks on such places as seemed most interesting. At Glasgow and Inverary he had the freedom of the corporations bestowed upon him. After his return, in the following year he was elected a fellow of the society of antiquaries, and in 1769 a fellow of the royal society. In 1770 he was ordained deacon at Whitehall chapel, by Dr. Green, bishop of Lincoln. In 1773, his father being promoted to the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, he gave the officiality of it to his son, which was worth about 50l. per ann. and about the same time, being bursar of the college, he succeeded Mr. Cohnan in the cure of St. Benedict’s church, in Cambridge, as he did also in 1776, in the Whitehall preachership, at the request of the late Dr. Hamilton, sori-in-law of bishop Terrick, who had formerly been of Bene’t college.
e. As a mjjn of learning, and a patron of learned merr, he has generally been praised; but he was no antiquary, and was justly censured for having destroyed some Roman antiquities,
, one of those pontiffs who deserve
some notice on account of his learning, and attention to
the interests of literature, was born at Florence in 1568.
His family name was Maffei Barbarini, and his family was
of the most ancient and honourable. His father dying
while Maffei was an infant, he was entrusted to the care of
his uncle Francis, a prothonotary of the Roman court, who
sent for him to Rome, and placed him for education in the
Jesuits’ college. Here he made great proficiency in classical studies under Tursellino and Benci, and was particularly distinguished for his taste for poetry. But as his
uncle intended him for active life, he took him from his
beloved studies, and sent him to Pisa, where he might acquire a knowledge of the law, so neoessary then to those
who would rise to preferment; and here he applied with
such diligence, that in his twentieth year the degree of
doctor was deservedly conferred upon him. He then returned to Rome, where his uncle received him with the
greatest kindness, and having always treated him as his
son, bequeathed him, on his death, which happened soon
after, a handsome fortune, as his sole heir. His first patron was cardinal Farnese, and by his interest and his own
talents he soon passed through the various gradations of
preferment which led, in 1606, to the rank of cardinal,
bestowed on him by Paul V. In 1623, while cardinal legate of Bologna, he was elected pope, and took the name
of Urban VIII. It is not our intention to detail the historical events in which he was concerned. The errors in his
government, which were fewer than might have been expected in one so zealous for the church, arose from two
circumstances, his early attachment to the Jesuits, and his
nepotism, or family partiality. The latter was so powerful,
that he bestowed on his relations red hats and temporal
employments with a very liberal hand, and often entrusted
the management of affairs to them; and the chief errors
of his pontificate were imputed to them by the candid,
although he only was blamed by the people at large.
As a mjjn of learning, and a patron of learned merr, he
has generally been praised; but he was no antiquary, and
was justly censured for having destroyed some Roman antiquities, which the barbarous nations had spared when
masters of Rome; and this gave occasion to the famous
pasquinade, “Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barherini.
” He wrote many Latin poems in an elegant style,
of which an edition was published at Paris in 1642, fol. and
a very beautiful one at Oxford, in 1726, 8vo, edited by
Joseph Brown, M. A. of Queen’s college, and afterwards
provost of that college, with a life and learned notes. Urban’s patronage of learned men was very liberal, and he received those of all nations with equal respect. Among others
he extended his patronage to Ciampolo, Cesarini, Herman
Hugo, and to Dempster and Barclay, two learned Scotchmen. The latter has celebrated him in his “Argenis
”
under the name of Ibburranis, the transposition of Barberini. Urban published a remarkable edition of the Romish breviary, aud several bulls and decrees which are in
“Cherubini bullarium.
” Among the most noticeable is
that which abolishes the order of female Jesuits, and certain festivals; and others which relate to image worship;
those by which, in compliance with the Jesuits, he condemns Jansenius; and that by which the title of eminence
was conferred upon the cardinal-legates, the three ecclesiastical electors, and the grand master of Malta. Among
his foundations was the college “De propaganda fide.
”
In the article of cardinals he was profuse, for he created
no less than seventy-four. He died July 29, 1644, and
was buried in St. Peter’s, in the stately tomb erected by
his own orders by the celebrated Bernini.
, an eminent classical scholar and antiquary, was the illegitimate son of a commander of the order of Malta,
, an eminent classical scholar and
antiquary, was the illegitimate son of a commander of the
order of Malta, of the Ursin family, and was born at Rome
Dec. 2, 1529. His education would probably have been
neglected, as his mother and himself were turned out of
doors by the unnatural father, and were in great poverty,
had not some early appearance of talents recommended him
to the notice of a canon of the Lateran, Gentilio Delfini,
who took him under his protection, and instructed him in
classical literature; after which, by this benevolent patron’s
interest, he obtained considerable preferment in the church
of St. John of Lateran. His talents afterwards made him
be taken into the service of the cardinals Ranutius and
Alexander Farnese, who rewarded him liberally; and by
this means an opportunity was afforded him of collecting a
great number of books and ancient manuscripts, and employing them for the benefit of literature. He was in habits of correspondence with the most eminent literary characters of Italy, and he contributed much valuable assistance to the authors of that period. He had attained to
great skill in discovering the antiquity and value of Mss.,
which he seems to have considered as an important secret.
Cardinal Frederic Borromeo, being once in his company,
requested Ursinus to point out from a book that lay before
them, the rules by which he distinguished ancient from
modern manuscripts; but he immediately shut the book,
and turned the discourse. He died at Rome Jan. 18, 1600,
at the age of seventy. He was author of several learned
works, as “De Familiis Romanis;
” and an Appendix to
Ciaconio’s treatise “De Triclinio.
” He also published
notes oti Sallust, Cecsar, Livy, and most of the Roman historians, the writers de Re Rustica, Cicero, &c. He also
caused engravings to be made of a large collection of statues, busts, and other monuments of antiquity, and published them under the title of “Imagines et Elogia Virorum illustrium et eruditorum ex antiquis lapidibus et numismatibus expressa, cum annotationibus Fulvii Ursini.
”
Mr. Pinkerton, however, says that this work is not to be
depended on, and prefers that of Canini, which is better,
although far from perfect. Ursinus, in order to keep together the books which, with great labour and at vast expence, he had accumulated, bequeathed them to the Vatican. Castalio published a Life of Ursinus, at Rome, 1657,
8vo. In his will, which is appended to this Life, be bequeaths two thousand crowns to Delfini, bishop of Camenuo, probably a near relation of his early patron.
, principally known as an antiquary, was the grandson of Richard Roland Verstegan, of an ancient
, principally known as an antiquary, was the grandson of Richard Roland Verstegan,
of an ancient family in the duchy of Guelderland, who being
driven out of his own country by the confusions of war,
came to England in the time of Henry VII. Here he
married, and dying soon after, left an infant son, who was
afterwards put apprentice to a cooper, and was father to
the subject of this article. Richard was born in St. Catherine’s parish, near the Tower of London, and after receiving the rudiments of education, was sent to Oxford, where
he was generally called Roland. It does not appear what
college he belonged to, cr whether he is to be considered
as a regular member of any, but he seems to have
distinguished himself in Saxon literature, then very little studied.
He was, however, a zealous Roman catholic, and finding
no encouragement in his studies without taking oaths adverse to his principles, he quitted the university, and settled
at Antwerp, and practised drawing and painting. About
1592 he published a work, now very rare, entitled “Theatrum crudelitatum Hsereticorum nostri temporis,
” a thin
quarto, with curious cuts representing the deaths of the
Jesuits, and other missionaries who were hanged or otherwise put to death for their machinations against the church
and state. This effort of zeal does not appear to have been
in all respects agreeable to some of his own party; and
either his fears on this account, or some other causes, induced him to leave Antwerp for Paris. There being complained of by the English ambassador as a calumniator of
his royal mistress, he was thrown into prison by the French
king’s orders. How long he was confined is not known,
but when released he returned to Antwerp, and resumed his
studies, which produced his “Restitution of decayed Antiquities,
” The successive regal
Governments of England,
” Antwerp, A Dialogue on Dying well,
” a translation
from the Italian; and a collection of very indifferent poetry,
entitled “Odes; in imitation of the seven penitential
Psalmes. With sundry other poems and ditties, tending to
devotion and pietie,
” imprinted
, an eminent engraver and antiquary, was born in the parish of St. Martin’s-in-the-fields, London,
, an eminent engraver and antiquary, was born in the parish of St. Martin’s-in-the-fields,
London, in 1684. His parents, he says himself, were
more honest than opulent; but, according to his biographer, “if vanity had entered into his composition, he might
have boasted the antiquity of his race: two of his name
were employed by Henry VIII. in the board of works.
”
He might have added, that in Ashmole’s “History of the
Order of the Garter,
” p.
panied sometimes by the earl of Leicester, sometimes by lord Oxford, and sometimes by Roger Gale the antiquary; and between 1734—38, visited St Albans, Northampton, Oxford,
He now renewed his topographical journeys, accompanied sometimes by the earl of Leicester, sometimes by lord Oxford, and sometimes by Roger Gale the antiquary; and between 1734—38, visited St Albans, Northampton, Oxford, Penshurst, Warwick, Coventry, Stratford, and travelled through the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, where he made various sketches, drawings, and notes, always presenting a duplicate of his observations to his patron lord Oxford. In 1739 he travelled eastward with lord Coleraine, through the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, stopping as usual to make drawings and observations at every memorable church, seat, or other spot congenial to his pursuits. In 1741 he lost his noble friend and patron the earl of Oxford, who died on the loth of June. But his merit and modesty still raised him benefactors. The countess dowager of Oxford, even, alleviated his loss, and the duchess of Portland (their daughter), the duke of Richmond, and lord Burlington, did not forget him among the artists whom they patronized.
rtue’s engravings are, he would have had more admirers, if his style had been more spirited; yet the antiquary and the historian who prefer truth to elegance of design, and
Valuable as Vertue’s engravings are, he would have had
more admirers, if his style had been more spirited; yet the
antiquary and the historian who prefer truth to elegance of
design, and correctness to bold execution, have properly
appreciated his works, and have placed him, in point of
professional industry at least, next to his predecessor Hollar. But the public owe another obligation to Vertue.
After his death the late lord Orford purchased the manuscript notes and observations which he had put down, as
materials for a history of artists, and from them published
that very useful and entertaining work, which he entitled
“Anecdotes of Fainting in England; with some account
of the principal Artists, and incidental notes on other Arts,
collected by Mr. George Vertue,
” Vertue,
” says Mr.
Walpole, “had for several years been collecting materials
for a work ‘ upon Painting and Painters:’ he conversed
and corresponded with most of the virtuosi in England he
was personally acquainted with the oldest performers in the
science: he minuted down every thin^ he heard from
them. He visited every collection of them, attended sales,
copied every paper he could find relative to the art,
searched offices, registers of parishes, and registers of
wills for births and deaths, turned over all our own authors,
and translated those of other countries which related to his
subject. He wrote down every thing he heard, saw, or
read. His collections amounted to near forty volumes,
large and small. In one of his pocket-books I found a
note of his first intention of compiling such a work: it was
in 1713, and he continued it assiduously to his death in
1757. These Mss. I bought of his widow after his decease.
” Venue’s private character, it must not be omitted,
was of the most amiable kind; friendly, communicative,
upright in all his dealings, a most dutiful son, and an affectionate husband. He laboured almost to the last, solicitous to leave a decent competence to a wife, with whom
he lived many years in tender harmony, and who died in
1776, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. He had a
brother James, who followed the same profession at Bath,
and died about 1765.
, a French abbe, related to the celebrated Montfaucon the antiquary, appears to have been a native, or to have been educated at
, a French abbe, related to
the celebrated Montfaucon the antiquary, appears to have
been a native, or to have been educated at Toulouse,
whence he came to Paris, in hopes of recommending himself by his talents in the pulpit, which were of no mean
kind, and by his lively conversation, which perhaps fully as
much contributed to procure him friends. He also entertained the public with his pen, and published various works
of imagination and criticism, written in a peculiar style of
humour, one of which at least entitles him to the notice of
the English reader. This, which was first published at
Paris in 1670, was entitled “Le eomte de Gabalis, ou entretiens sur les sciences secrettes,
” with an addition entitled
“Les genies assistans et les gnomes irreconciliables.
”
D'Argonne, in his “Melanges d'Histoire et de Litterature,
”
gives the following account of this singular work, as quoted
by Dr. Warton: “The five dialogues of which it consists,
are the result of those gay conversations in which the abbe
was engaged with a small circle of men, of fine wit and
kumour, like himself. When the book first appeared, it
was universally read as innocent and amusing. But at
length its consequences were perceived, and reckoned
dangerous, at a time when this sort of curiosities began to
gain credit. Our devout preacher was denied the pulpit,
and his book forbidden to be read. It was not dear whether the author intended to be ironical, or spoke all seriously. The second volume, which he promised, would
have decided the question; but the unfortunate abbe was
soon afterwards assassinated by ruffians on the road to
Lyons. The laughers gave out, that the gnomes and
sylphs, disguised like ruffians, had shot him, as a punishment for revealing the secrets of the Cabala; a crime not
to be pardoned by those jealous spirits, as Villars himself
has declared in his book.
” It was from this book that
Pope took the machinery of the sylphs, of which he has
made such admirable use in his “Rape of the Lock,
” although it does not appear that he borrowed any particular
circumstances relating to those spirits, but merely the
general idea of their existence. The abbe* was killed in
1675, and it is said that the fatal shot came from one of
his relations.
vantages attending the perusal of the productions of Wace, his biographer says very truly, that “The antiquary will at first remark with astonishment, that their language
Of Wace’s personal history we have no farther account,
but with regard to the advantages attending the perusal of
the productions of Wace, his biographer says very truly,
that “The antiquary will at first remark with astonishment,
that their language (that of the Normans) has been preserved even to our own days in the countries of Lower
Normandy. He will perceive their progress in the various
arts; their attainments in that of war; their arms and their
military customs their method of attacking castles and
strong holds the state of their marine and their commerce;
the height to which they have carried architecture and
other sciences, together with the monuments they have left
us. The genealogist will find many curious and interesting
facts relating to ancient families; he will feel himself rewarded in the perusal of the names of the knights who were
present at the battle of Hastings; and of the noble actions
by which each of them signalized his valour. In a word,
the historian will learn with pleasure many circumstances
and details which are not to be found in any other writer.
”
piled from the papers of Mr. George Vertue, purchased at the sale of the effects of that industrious antiquary. It will be allowed, that the remains of Mr. Vertue could not
This year he set up a printing-press at Strawberry-hill,
at which most of his own performances, and some curious
works of other authors were printed. Its first production
was Gray’s Odes, and this was followed by the edition and
translation of part of Hentzner’s Travels, lord Wliitworth’s
account of Russia, Life of Lord Herbert of Cherbury, &c.
By limiting the number of copies of each work, and parting with them only as presents, he created a species of
fame and curiosity after the productions of his press, which
was then quite new, and unquestionably very gratifying to
himself. We need not analyze this kind of reputation, as
it is now better known in ours than in his days. In this
way, in 1761, he printed at Strawberry-hill two volumes of
his “Anecdotes of Painting in England,
” compiled from
the papers of Mr. George Vertue, purchased at the sale of
the effects of that industrious antiquary. It will be allowed, that the remains of Mr. Vertue could not have
fallen into better hands. In 1763, another volume was
added, and also the Catalogue of Engravers; and, in 1771,
the whole was completed in a fourth volume, to which was
added “The History of the Modern Taste in Gardening.
”
In A
Counter Address to the Public, on the late dismission of a
general officer,
” 8vo.
although they are of very opposite merits. He was alternately a poet, an historian, a politician, an antiquary, and a writer of dramas and romances. Of all his works his own
His intervals of leisure, health, and spirits, he employed in the works above mentioned, most of which have been favourites with the public, although they are of very opposite merits. He was alternately a poet, an historian, a politician, an antiquary, and a writer of dramas and romances. Of all his works his own opinion appeared to be humble but this was mere affectation, for he was pertinacious in maintaining what he had once asserted and being possessed of' kee*n powers of controversy, he betrayed all the irascibility of the author, while he affected to be considered only is a gentleman writing for his amusement. In his latter days he determined to vindicate his claims to literary rank, and employed himself in preparing for the press that splendid and complete edition of his works, which was published the year after his death, and was bought up with avidity, as an important addition to every library. He had begun to print this edition as far back as 1768, and nearly two volumes were completed at his private press.
, a literary antiquary of great learning and accuracy, was the son of the rev. Nathanael
, a literary antiquary of great
learning and accuracy, was the son of the rev. Nathanael
Wanley, some time vicar of Trinity-church in Coventry.
This Nathanael Wanley was born at Leicester in 1633,
and died in 1680. Besides the vicarage of Trinity-church,
it is probable that he had another in Leicestershire, from
the following title-page, “Vox Dei, or the great duty of
self reflection upon a man’s own wayes, by N. Wanley,
M. A. and minister of the gospel at Beeby in Leicestershire,
” London, 1658. He was of Trinity-college, Oxford, B. A. 1653, M. A. 1657, but is not mentioned by
Wood. The work which now preserves his name is his
“Wonders of the Little World,
” Examples,
” 2 vols. fol. or Turner’s
“Remarkable Providences,
” containing a vast assemblage
of remarkable anecdotes, &c. many of which keep credulity
on the stretch. As these were collected by Mr. Wanley
from a number of old books, little known, or read, it is
not improbable that such researches imparted to his son
that taste for bibliographical studies which occupied his
whole life. At least it is certain that Humphrey, (who was born at Coventry, March 21, 1671-2, and was bred first a limner, and afterwards some other trade), employed all his
leisure time, at a very early period, in reading old books
and old Mss. and copying the various hands, by which he
acquired an uncommon faculty in verifying dates. Dr.
Lloyd, then bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, sent him to
Edmund-hall, Oxford, of which Dr. Mill was then principal, whom he greatly assisted in his collations of the New
Testament. Hearne says, that during his stay in this hall,
he attended but one lecture, which was in logic, which he
swore he could not comprehend. Dr. Charlett, master of
University-college, hearing of Wanley’s attention to matters of antiquity, induced him to remove to his own college, which he soon did, residing at the master’s lodgings,
who, says Hearne, “employed him in writing trivial things,
so that he got no true learning.
” He certainly acquired
the learned languages, however, although it does not appear that he attended much to the usual course of academic studies, or was ambitious of academic honours, as his
name does not appear in the list of graduates. By Dr.
Charlett’s means he was appointed an under-keeper of the
Bodleian library, where he assisted in drawing up the indexes to the catalogue of Mss. the Latin preface to which
he also wrote. Upon leaving Oxford, he removed to London, and became secretary to the society for propagating
Christian knowledge; and at Dr. Hickes’s request, travelled
ovor the kingdom, in search of Anglo-Saxon Mss. a catalogue of which he drew up in English, which was afterwards translated into Latin by the care of Mr. Thwaites,
and printed in the “Thesaurus Ling. Vet. Septen.
” Oxon.
, a heraldic writer and antiquary, was the son of Benjamin Warburton, of Bury in Lancashire, by
, a heraldic writer and antiquary,
was the son of Benjamin Warburton, of Bury in Lancashire,
by Mary, his wife, eldest daughter, and at length heiress of
Michael Buxton, of Buxton, in Derbyshire. He was born
Feb. 28, 1681-2. According to Mr. Grose, he received no
education, and was originally an exciseman; Mr. Grose
adds that he was ignorant not only of the Latin, but of
his native language, and so far from understanding mathematics, he did not even understand guaging, which, “like
navigation, as practised by our ordinary seamen, consists
only in multiplying and dividing certain numbers, or writing by an instrument, the rationale of both which they are
totally ignorant of.
” It appears from Mr. Brooke Somerset’s notes, that Toms, who owed his rise to him, told that
gentleman that he had great natural abilities, but no education. Grose observes, that “his life was one continued
scene of squabbles and disputes with his brethren, by whom
he was despised and detested.
” Toms remarks, that
“though his conduct was faulty, yet he was extremely illused, especially by the younger Anstis, who was of a violent tyrannical disposition,
” and there seems reason to
suspect that his quarrelsome disposition, rather than his incapacity, has occasioned many of the discreditable reports
which have accompanied his name. As a collector of antiquities he appears to have been indefatigable.
, when he published his map of Northumberland. In 1719 he was elected a fellow both of the Royal and Antiquary societies, and could not then, we presume, have been thought
The first appearance he made in public was in 1716,
when he published his map of Northumberland. In 1719
he was elected a fellow both of the Royal and Antiquary
societies, and could not then, we presume, have been
thought the ignoramus which he has since been represented. He remained a member of the Society of Antiquaries to the last, but was ejected from the Royal in June
1757, in consequence of not having made his annual payments for a great number of years. In June 1720 he was
created Somerset herald, and appears to have been constantly at variance with the superiors of the college. In
1722-3 he published in four closely printed 4to pages, “A
List of the Nobility and Gentry of the counties of Middlesex, Essex, and Hertford, who have subscribed, and ordered their coats of arms to be inscribed on a new map of
those counties, which is now making by John Warburton,
esq.
” In August he keeps a
register of lands, houses, &c. which are to be bought,
sold, or mortgaged, in England, Scotland, or Wales, and
if required, directs surveys thereof to be made: also solicits grants of arms, and performs all other matters relating
to the office of a herald. For which purpose daily attendance is given at his chambers in the Heralds’ office, near
Doctors Commons, London. He answers letters post-paid,
and advertises, if required.
” This quackery did not probahly raise him very high in the opinion of his brethren.
In 1749, he published a map of Middlesex on two sheets
of imperial atlas, with the arms of the nobility and gentry
on the borders. But the earl marshal, supposing these to
be fictitious, by his warrant commanded him not to take in
any subscriptions for arms, nor advertise or dispose of any
maps, till the right of such person respectively to such arms
were first proved, to the satisfaction of one of the kings of
arms. In his book of “London and Middlesex illustrated,
”
after observing the above injunction of the earl marshal, he
subjoins, “which person’s (Anstis) partiality being well
known to this author, he thought it best to have another
arbitrator joined with him, and therefore made choice of
the impartial public, rather than submit his performance
wholly to the determination of a person so notoriously
remarkable for knowing nothing at all of the matter. 7 '
After censuring the notion, that trade and gentility are
incompatible, as a doctrine fitted only for a despotic government, and judiciously remarking the moral impossibility there would soon be of proving descents and arms
for want of visitations, he returns to attack the heads of the
college, by saying, that such proofs are obstructed by the
exorbitant and unjustifiable fees of three heralds, called
kings at arms, who receive each 30l. for every new grant.
In his
” London and Middlesex illustrated," he gave the
names, residences, genealogy, and coat- armour of the nobility, principal merchants, and other eminent families,
emblazoned in their proper colours, with references to
authorities.
, an eminent antiquary, was descended from the ancient family of De Ware, or De Warr
, an eminent antiquary, was descended from the ancient family of De Ware, or De Warr in Yorkshire, the only remains of which are, or lately were, in Ireland. His grandfather, Christopher Ware, was an early convert to the protestant religion in the beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth, and that principally by the arguments and persuasion of Fox, the celebrated martyrologist. His father James, who was liberally educated, was introduced to the court of queen Elizabeth, where he soon because noticed by the ministers of state, and in 1588 was sent to Ireland as secretary to sir William Fitz-Wiiliams, the lord deputy. He had not filled this office long before he was made clerk of the common pleas in the exchequer, and afterwards obtained the reversion of the patent place of auditor general, a valuable appointment, which remained nearly a century in his family, except for a short time during the usurpation; and his income having enabled him to make considerable purchases in the county and city of Dublin, &c. his family may be considered as now removed finally to Ireland. While on a visit ui E;i^l md, James I. bestowed on him the honour of knighthood, and as a particular mark of favour, gave his eldest son the reversion of the office of auditor general. He also sat in the Irish parliament which began May 1613, for the borough of Mallow in the county of Cork. He died suddenly, while walking the street in Dublin, in 1632. By his lady, Mary, sister of sir Ambrose Briden, of Maidstone in Kent, he had five sons and five daughters. His eldest son, the subject of this article, was born in Castlestreet, Dublin, Nov. 26, 1594, and discovering early a love of literature, his father gave him a good classical education as preparatory to his academical studies. In 1610, when sixteen years of age, he was entered a fellow commoner in Trinity college, Dublin, under the immediate tuition of Dr. Anthony Martin, afterwards bishop of Meath, and provost of the college; but his private tutor and chamber-fellow was Dr. Joshua Hoyle, an Oxford scholar, and afterwards professor of divinity. Here Mr. Ware applied to his studies with such success, that he was admitted to his degree of M. A. much sooner than usual.
equent recourse to the collections of Usher, and of Daniel Molyneux, Ulster king at arms, an eminent antiquary, and his particular friend, whom in one of his works he calls
After continuing about six years at college, he improved
what he had learned at his father’s house. It was here
that he became acquainted with the celebrated Dr. Usher,
then bishop of Meath, who discovering in him a taste for
antiquities, gave him every encouragement in a study in
which himself took so much delight. From this time a
close friendship commenced between them, and Usher, in
his work “De Primordiis,
” took occasion to announce to
the public what might be expected from sir James Ware’s
labours. In the mean time his father proposed a match to
him, which proved highly acceptable to all parties, with
Mary, the daughter of Jacob Newman, of Dublin, esq*
But this alteration in his condition dicf not much interrupt
his favourite studies. He had begun to collect Mss. and
to make transcripts from the libraries of Irish antiquaries
and genealogists, and from the registers and chartularies
of cathedrals and monasteries, in which he spared no e*pence, and had frequent recourse to the collections of
Usher, and of Daniel Molyneux, Ulster king at arms,
an eminent antiquary, and his particular friend, whom in
one of his works he calls “venerandee antiquitatis cultorem.
”
As an antiquary, sir James Ware must ever be held in veneration by his countrymen.
As an antiquary, sir James Ware must ever be held in
veneration by his countrymen. He was the Camden of
Ireland, and was deficient only in not understanding the
Irish language; yet major Vallancey observes, that considering his ignorance of that language, he did much.
“His works are the outlines and materials of a great plan,
which he enjoyed neither life nor abilities to finish; and it
is much to be lamented that he had not the good fortune to
meet with so experienced and intelligent an amanuensis as
Mac Terbiss sooner.
” He found, however, an excellent
editor in Walter Harris, esq. who married his grand-daughter, and published all his works, except the Annals of
Ireland, in 1739 1745, 3 vols. fol. ornamented with engravings. These were reprinted in 1764, 2 vols. foi. a
work which now bears a very high price. Sir James Ware’s
ms collections relative to Ireland were purchased of his
heir by lord Clarendon, when lord-lieutenant in 1686, and
after his death by the duke of Chandos, whom the public
spirited dean of St. Patrick’s in vain solicited to deposit
them in the public library at Dublin. These underwent a
second dispersion by public auction. Dr. Milles, dean of
Exeter, whose uncle had considerable property in Ireland,
purchased a large part, and deposited them in the British
Museum; Dr. Rawlinson bought others, and bequeathed
them to the library of St. John’s-college, Oxford, and
some part fell into the hands of lord Newport, chancellor of
Ireland. Of these Mss. a catalogue was printed at Dublin about 1641, and another at Oxford in 1697, in the
“Catalogue of Mss. of England and Ireland.
” Sir James
was a man of a charitable disposition, and frequently contributed considerable sums of money to the relief of the
indigent, especially to decayed royalists, whom he also
often invited to his hospitable table. Harris says he always
forgave the fees of office to widows, clergymen, and clergymen’s sons, as we have already noticed; and adds, that
he was frequently known to lend -money, where he had no
prospect of repayment, not knowing how to deny any
body who asked. On one occasion, a house in Dublin,
forfeited by the rebellion, being granted to him, he sent
for the widow and children of the forfeiting person, and
conveyed it back to them.
igated the progress of ancient architecture f, gave him undoubtedly high claims to the honours of an antiquary but as he stood of Holboro, 1800. pledged for the completion
In 1781 he seems to have devoted his mind to a plan as arduous as his History of Poetry. He had been for some time making collections for a parochial history, or, as it is more usually called, a c'ounty history of Oxfordshire. As a specimen, he printed a few copies of the History of the parish of Kiddington, which were given to his friends, but in 1782 an edition was offered to the public. Topography had long formed one of his favourite studies, and the acuteness with which he had investigated the progress of ancient architecture f, gave him undoubtedly high claims to the honours of an antiquary but as he stood of Holboro, 1800. pledged for the completion of his poetical history, it is to be regretted that he should have begun at this advanced period of life to indulge the prospect of an undertaking which he never could complete.
alities of mind, a taste for the sublime and the pathetic, the gay and humorous, the pursuits of the antiquary, and the pleasures of amusement, the labours of research, and
“The Suicide
” perhaps deserves a yet higher character,
rising to the sublime by gradations which speak to every
imagination. It has indeed been objected that it is imperfect, and too allegorical. It appeals, however, so forcibly
to the heart, awakens so many important reflections, and
contains so happy a mixture of terror and consolation, that
it seems difficult to lay it down without unmixed admiration. The ' Crusade,“and the
” Grave of Arthur,“are
likewise specimens of genuine poetical taste acting on materials that are difficult to manage. Both in invention and
execution these odes may rank among the finest cf their
species in our language.
Warton has afforded many proofs of an exquisite relish
for humour in his
” Panegyric on Oxford Ale,“the
” Progress of Discontent,“and other pieces classed under that
denomination. His success in these productions leads once
more to the remark that few men have combined so many
qualities of mind, a taste for the sublime and the pathetic,
the gay and humorous, the pursuits of the antiquary, and
the pleasures of amusement, the labours of research, and
the play of imagination. Upon the whole, it may be
allowed that, as a poet, he is original, various, and elegant, but that in most of his pieces he discovers the taste
that results from a studied train of thought, rather than
the wild and enraptured strains that arise from passion, inspired on the moment, ungovernable in their progress, and
grand even in their wanderings. Still he deserves to be
classed among the revivers of genuine poetry, by preferring
” fiction and fancy, picturesque description, and romantic
imagery,“to
” wit and elegance, sentiment and satire,
sparkling couplets, and pointed periods."
, a distinguished antiquary, born in 1700, was regularly bred to the profession of the law:
, a distinguished antiquary,
born in 1700, was regularly bred to the profession of the
law: and was admitted an attorney before Mr. Justice
Price, June 20, 1724: he lived then in the Old Jewry, but
afterwards removed to Budge-row, and thence to Great
Queen-street, Lincoln’s-Inn fields. He was peculiarly
learned in the records of this kingdom, and particularly
able as a parliamentary and constitutional lawyer. In 1747,
he published “Observations on the Course of Proceedings
in (he Admiralty-courts,
” 8vo. In The North Briton,
” No.
45, Mr. Webb became officially a principal actor in that
memorable prosecution, but did not altogether approve of
the severity with which it was carried on; and printed, on
that occasion, “A Collection of Records about General
Warrants;
” and also “Observations upon discharging Mr.
Wilkes from the Tower.
” He held the office of solicitor
to the Treasury till June 1765, and continued secretary of
bankrupts till lord Northington quitted the seals in 1766.
He died at Busbridge, June 22, 1770, aged seventy; and
his Library (including that of John Godfrey *, esq. which he had purchased entire) was sold, with his Mss. on vellum, Feb. 25, and the sixteen following days, 1771. A
little before his death he sold to the House of Peers thirty
ms volumes of the rolls of parliament. His ms& on paper were sold, by his widow and executrix, to the late
marquis of Lansdowne, and are now in the British Museum,
The coins and medals were sold by auction the same year,
three days sale; in which were all the coins and medals
found in his collection at the time of his decease; but he
had disposed of the most valuable part to different persons.
The series of large brass had been picked by a nobleman.
The noble series of Roman gold (among which were Pompey, Lepidus, &c.) and the collection of Greek kings and
towns, had been sold to Mr. Duane, and afterwards formed
part of the valuable museum collected by the late Dr.
Hunter. The ancient marble busts, bronzes, Roman
earthen-ware, gems, seals, &c. of which there were 96 lots,
were sold in the above year. On the death of the late
Mrs. Webb, the remainder of the curiosities was sold by
Mr. Langford, Mr. Webb’s publications were, 1. “A Letter to the Rev. Mr. William Warburton, M. A. occasioned
by some passages in his book, entitled ‘The Divine Legation of Moses demonstrated.’ By a gentleman of Lincoln’s
Inn,
” Remarks on the Pretender’s Declaration and Commission,
” Remarks
on the Pretender’s eldest Son’s second Declaration,
dated the 10th of October 1745, by the author of the
Remarks on his first Declaration,
”
, an industrious antiquary, is supposed to have been born in Lancashire in 1576; but the
, an industrious antiquary, is supposed to have been born in Lancashire in
1576; but the exact place of his birth does not appear to
have been ascertained by his biographers. He was educated at Queen’s college, Cambridge, where he was admitted April 30, 1594, under doctor Robert Pearson, archdeacon of Suffolk, and shortly after went abroad in search
of antiquities, a study to which he was peculiarly attached.
He appears to have been at Liege and at Rome. At his
return to England he travelled over most parts of that
country, and of Scotland, under the protection and encouragement of sir Robert Cotton and the learned Selden.
In 1631 he published his “Funeral Monuments,
” and the
next year died at his house in Clerkenwell-close, aged
fifty-six. He was buried in St. James’s, Clerkenwell, with
an inscription, In Strype’s Survey. The following epitaph
is of his own composition:
nd D. D, in 1704. He was a tutor in his college, and among others had under his care, the celebrated antiquary Browne Willis, who presented him to the rectory of Blechley
, a learned English divine, of whom
we are sorry our materials are so scanty, was admitted a
scholar at Westminster school in 1680, and was thence
elected to Christ-church, Oxford, in 1686, where he proceeded M.A. in 1693, and B. and D. D, in 1704. He was
a tutor in his college, and among others had under his
care, the celebrated antiquary Browne Willis, who presented him to the rectory of Blechley in Buckinghamshire,
where his nephew, Edward Wells, was his curate. Dr. Wells
also obtained the rectory of Cottesbach in Leicestershire in
1717, and died in August 1727. Among Dr. Wells’s useful publications are, l.'“An historical Geography of the
Old and New Testament, illustrated xvith maps and
chronological tables,
” 4 vols. 8vo. 2. “The young gentleman’s course of Mathematics,
” 3 vols. 8vo. 3. “An historical Geography of the New Testament,
” 8vo. 4. “Arithmetic and Geometry,
” 3 vols. 8vo. 5. “A paraphrase,
with annotations on all the books of the Old and New
Testament,
” 6 vols. 4to. 6. “An help for the right understanding of the several divine laws and covenants,
” 8vo.
7. “Controversial Treatises against the Dissenters.
” 8.
“An Exposition of 'the Church Catechism.
” 9. “Prayers
on common occasions,
” a sequel to the preceding. 10.
“Harmonia Grammaticalis or a view of the agreement
between the Latin and Greek tongues, as to the declining
of words,
” &c. 11. “A Letter to a friend concerning the
great sin of taking God’s name in vain.
” 12. “Elementa
Arithmetics numerosoe et speciosae.
” He published also
some other tracts on subjects of practical religion, particularly specified in our authority; and was the editor of a
good edition of “Dionysius’s Geography,
” Gr. and Lat.
Oxford,
arton, upon the whole, is certainly a man to be venerated for his uncommon zeal as an ecclesiastical antiquary, and his incessant labours. Perhaps no man ever applied so diligently,
This letter seems to confirm what Burnet had asserted of
Wharton’s temper, and which, indeed, will be found confirmed by other passages in our authorities. But Wharton,
upon the whole, is certainly a man to be venerated for his
uncommon zeal as an ecclesiastical antiquary, and his incessant labours. Perhaps no man ever applied so diligently, or produced so much in the short space allotted to
him, for he was little more than thirty years old. He probably began his researches early, and it is certain that he
was a mere youth when Cave employed him, and conceived
that high opinion of his talents which he so liberally expressed in the preface to his “Historia Literaria.
” The
second edition of this work, it must not be forgot, has
many additions from Wharton’s Mss. at Lambeth, which
have improperly been ascribed to Tenison. Mr. Wharton
had some property, and by his will ordered the greatest
part of it “to be disposed of to a religious use in the parish
of Worstead, in which he was born.
” His executors were
his father, the rev. Edmund Wharton, the rev. Dr. Thorp,
one of the prebendaries of Canterbury, and Mr. Charles
Battely. His biographer informs us that “he never undertook any matter of moment without first imploring the
divine assistance and blessing thereupon,
” and that “in
all his journeys, which his learned designs engaged him
in, he was ever wont so to order his affairs, as not to omit
being present at the monthly sacrament wherever he came.
”
To such a man some irregularities of temper and displays
of conceit may be forgiven.
ed for their authenticity, and are replete with sound and instructive erudition to the medallist and antiquary. Sir George also appears, on all occasions, to have been attentive
, a learned
traveller, was the son of colonel Wheler of Charing in
Kent, and born in 1650 at Breda in Holland, his parents
being then exiles there for having espoused the cause of
Charles I. In 1667 he became a commoner of Lincolncollege in Oxford, under the tuition of the learned Dr.
Hi kes, the deprived dean of Worcester,; but, before he
had a degree conferred upon him. went tq travel; and, in
the company of Dr. James Spon of -Lyonsj tpok a voyage
from Venice to Constantinople, through the Lesser Asia,
and from Zante through several parts of Greece tg Athens,
and thence to Attica, Corinth, &c. They made great use
of Pausanias as they journeyed through- the >; $jpumries of
Greece and corrected and explained several traditions by
means of this author. The primary object of these leaned
travellers was to copy the inscriptions, and describe the
antiquities and coins of Greece and Asia Minor, and particularly of Athens, where they sojourned a month. Some
time after his return, he presented to Lincoln college, Oxford, a valuable collection of Greek and Latin Mss. which
he had collected in his travels; upon which, in 1683, the
degree of master of arts was conferred upon him, he being
then a knight. He then took orders; and, in 1634, was
installed into a prebend of the church of Durham. He was
also made vicar of Basingstoke, and afterwards presented
to the rich rectory of Houghton-le-Spring by bishop Crew
his patron. He was created doctor of divinity by diploma,
May 18, 1702; and died, Feb. 18, 1723-4.“He was interred at the west end of the nave of Durham cathedral,
and by his own desire, as near as possible to the tomb of
the venerable Bede, for whom he had an enthusiastic veneration In 1682, he published an account of his
” Journey into Greece, in the company of Dr. Spoil of Lyons, in
six books," folio. These travels are highly valued for their
authenticity, and are replete with sound and instructive
erudition to the medallist and antiquary. Sir George also
appears, on all occasions, to have been attentive to the
natural history of Greece, and particularly to the plants,
of which he enumerates several hundreds in this volume,
and gives the engravings of some. These catalogues sufficiently evince his knowledge of the botany of his time.
He brought fVom the East several plants which had not
been cultivated in Britain before. Among these, the Hypericum-Olympicum, (St. John’s Wort of Olympus) is a
well-known plant, introduced by this learned traveller.
Ray, JVJorison, and Plukenet, all acknowledge their obligations for curious plants received from him.
, a learned English divine, and able antiquary, was born at Manchester, about 1735. He went early to Oxford,
, a learned English divine, and
able antiquary, was born at Manchester, about 1735. He
went early to Oxford, where he was elected fellow of Corpus Chrisii college, and where he discovered, in a very
short tune, those fine originalities, those peculiarities of
rniiui, which afterwards so strongly marked him as an author and as a man. He took the degree of' M. A. 1759;
and proceeded B. D. 1767. His uncommon vigour of intellect at once displayed itself among hisacquaintance
but, whilst his animated conversation drew many around
him, a few were repelled from the circle by his impatience
of contradiction (a failing which frequently accompanies powers like his), and by the consciousness, his biographer
thinks, of their own inferiority. The character of his gepjus, however, was soon decided in literary composition.
In 1771, Mr. W. published the first volume of his “History of Manchester,*' in quarto; a work which, for acute*
ness of research, bold imagination, independent sentiment,
and correct information, has scarcely its parallel in the literature of the country. Nor does its composition less merit
our applause, whether we have respect to the arrangement
of the materials, the style, or the language. In some passages there is
” supreme elegance;“in others a magnificence of thought, a force of expression, a glow of diction, truly astonishing. The introduction of Christianity
into this island, in particular, is uncommonly beautiful.
With regard to the general subject of the
” Manchester,“he was the first writer who could so light up the region of
antiquarianism as to dissipate its obscurity, even to the eyes
pf ordinary spectators; his
” Manchester“being perhaps
the book in which the truth of our island history has been
test elucidatedr It is rather singular that this work was
in the order of merit, as well as time, the first of Mr.Wbitaker’s publications. In proportion as he advanced in life,
his imagination seems, by a strange inversion of what is
characteristic of our nature, to have gained an ascendancy
pver his judgment; and we shall perceive more of fancy
and passion, of conjecture and hypothesis, in some of his
subsequent productions, than of just opinion, or deliberate
investigation. Mr. Whitaker’s
” Genuine History of the
Britons asserted,“an octavo volume, published in 1772,
may be considered as a sequel to the
” Manchester.“It
contains a complete refutation of
” the unhappy Macpherson,“whose
” Introduction to the History of Great Britain
and Ireland" is full of palpable mistakes and misrepresentations.
o FlindelPs Bible.“This has been much admired as a masterly piece of eloquence. In the mean time the antiquary was not at rest. His” Mary, queen of Scots,“published in 1787,
In 1773 we find Mr. Whi taker the morning preacher of
Berkeley chapel, London; to which office he had been appointed in November, by a Mr. Hughes; but in less than
two months he was removed from that situation. This gave
occasion to “The Case between Mr. W. and Mr. Hughes,
relative to the Morning Preachership of Berkeley Chapel;
”
in which Mr. W. declares himself “unalterably determined
to carry the matter into Westminster-hall.
” But the fervour of his resentment threw him off his guard; and he expressed himself so indiscreetly, that his Case was considered
as a libel by the Court of King’s Bench. During his residence in London, he had an opportunity of conversing
with several of our most celebrated writers; among whom
were Dr. Johnson, and Gibbon, the historian of the Roman
Empire. It does not appear, indeed, that Johnson was much
attached to Whitaker. Both strong in understanding,
equally tenacious of opinion, and equally impassioned in
conversation, it is not probable that they should amicably
coalesce on all occasions. In the Ossianic controversy
they were decidedly hostile. With Gibbon Mr.Whitaker
was well acquainted; and the ms. of the first volume of
“The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
” was sub r
rnitted to his inspection. But he was greatly surprised
when, as he read the same volume in print, that chapter
which has been so obnoxious to the Christian world, was
then first introduced to his notice! That chapter Gibbon
had suppressed in tjie ms. overawed by Mr. Whitaker’s
high character, and afraid of his censure. And, in fact,
that the deist should have shrunk from his indignant eye,
may well be conceived, when we see his Christian principle and his manly spirit in the rejection of a living of considerable value, which was at this time offered him by an
Unitarian patron. Of his integrity, however, some recompense was now at hand: and about 1778, he succeeded as
fellow of Corpus Christi college, to the rectory of RuanLanyhorne, one of the most valuable livings in the gift of
that College; and into Cornwall he went, to reside upon
his rectory. There, it might have been expected that retirement and leisure would greatly favour the pursuits of
literature; and that, though “the converser
” (to use an expression of Mr. Whitaker’s) had disappeared, the author
would break forth with new energies. But Ruan-Lany-r
home was, for several years, no tranquil seat of the muses.
That pleasant seclusion was now the scene of unavoidable
contest. Mr. W. had proposed a tithe-composition with
his par shiontTs, by no means unreasonable. This they refused to pay: but he was steady to his purpose. A rupture ensued between the parties; the tithes were demanded
in kind; disputes arose upon disputes; animosities were
kindled; and litigations took place. That Mr. Whitaker
was finally victorious, afforded pleasure to the friends of
the rector, and to the friends of justice and truth; yet it
was long before harmony was restored to Ruan-Lanyhorne.
That his literary schemes had been so sadly interrupted,
was the subject of general regret. But the conscientious
pastor looked with a deeper concern to the spiritual welfare of his parishioners. He saw with sorrow their aversion to his preaching; their indifference to his instructions;
their repugnance“to his authority; and
” he laboured more
abundantly;“till, after a few years, he had the satisfaction
to perceive a visible alteration in the behaviour of the principal parishioners; and a mutual good understanding was
established between the pastor and his flock. His cordial,
his familiar manner, indeed, was always pleasing to those
whom prejudice had not armed against him; and, in proportion as they became acquainted with his kind disposition, the transitoriness of his resentments, and, after injuries, his promptness to forgive, and anxious wish to be
forgiven; they endeavoured more and more to cultivate
his friendship, and at length loved and revered him as
their father. Kothing can more fully display the warmth
of his affections, his zeal as a minister of Christ, or his impassioned style of eloquence, than those
” Sermons“upon
death, judgment, heaven, and hell, which he published in
1783, after having preached them to his parishioners, we
doubt not, with a voice and manner calculated to penetrate the conscience. That he should have published so
little in the line of his profession, is perhaps to be regretted. His
” Origin of Arianism,“however, is a large
volume, full of erudition and ingenious argumentation.
We have read no other work of Mr. W. in divinity, except
” The Real Origin of Government“(expanded into a v considerable treatise, from a sermon which he had preached before bishop Buller, at his lordship’s primary visitation),
and
” The Introduction to FlindelPs Bible.“This has
been much admired as a masterly piece of eloquence.
In the mean time the antiquary was not at rest. His
” Mary, queen of Scots,“published in 1787, in three octavo volumes; his
” Course of Hannibal over the Alps“his
” Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall;“and his
” Supplement to Polwhele’s Antiquities of Cornwall;“furnish good
evidence of an imagination continually occupied in pursuits which kindled up its brightest flame; though not
always of that judgment, discretion, or candour, which (if human characters had been ever perfect) we should have
expected from a Whitaker. But not even here were his
antiquarian stores exhausted.
” The Life of St Neot,“”The History of Oxford,“and
” The History of London,"
were works all at once projected, and no sooner projected
than executed in imagination, and more than half executed
in reality.
f his favourite village, and in his history of the priory of Selborne has proved himself a very able antiquary. What renders the book more valuable than works of this kind
Mr. White is known to the learned world by a very elegant publication “The Natural History and Antiquities of
Selborne, in the county of Southampton. In a series of
letters to the hon. Daines Barrington and Thomas Pennant,
esq.
”
Besides his skill in the law, he is said to have been an able antiquary, and in this character is chiefly known by his “Historiarum
Besides his skill in the law, he is said to have been an
able antiquary, and in this character is chiefly known by
his “Historiarum Britannise insulae ab origine mundi ad
ann. Dom. octingentesimum, libri noveui,
” Douay, Ælia Laelia Crispis. Epitaphium antiquum in agro
Bononiensi adhuc videtur a diversis interpretation varienovissime autem a Richardo Vjto Basingstochio, amicorum precibus explicatum.
” Padua, 4to, 1568. Two other
publications are attributed to him, “Orationes quinque,
”
Notse ad leges Decemvirorum in xii tabulas,
”
Explicatio brevis privilegiorum juris et consuetudinis circa ven. sacramentum eucharistiae,
” Douay,
De reliquiis et veneratione Sanctorum,
”
ibid.
, an English antiquary and physician, was the eldest son of Mr. Richard Wilkes, of
, an English antiquary and physician, was the eldest son of Mr. Richard Wilkes, of
Willenhall, in the county of Stafford, a gentleman who lived upon
his own estate, and where his ancestors had been seated
since the time of Edward IV. His mother was Lucretia,
youngest daughter of Jojias Asteley, of Woodeaton, in Staffordshire, an ancient and respectable family. He was born
March 16, 1690-91, and had his school-education at Trentham. He was entered of St. John’s college, Cambridge,
March 13, 1709- 10, and was admitted scholar in 1710. On
April 6, 1711, he attended Mr. Saunderson’s mathematical
lectures, aud ever after continued a particular friendship
with that gentleman. In the preface to “Saunderson’s
Elements of Algebra,
” the reader is told, that whatever
materials had been got together for publishing Saunderson’s life, had been received, among other gentlemen, from
Mr. Richard Wilkes. He took the degree of B.A. January 1713-14; and was chosen fellow Jan. 21, 1716-17;
and April 11, 1716, was admitted into lady Sadler’s Algetra Lecture, and took the degree of M. A. at the commencement of 1717; also July 4, 1718, he was chosen
Linacre Lecturer. It does not appear that he ever took
any degrees in medicine. He seems to have taken pupils
and taught mathematics in the college from 1715 till tfet
time thathe left it. It is not known when he took deacon’s orders, but a relation of his remembered his having
preached at Wolverhampton. He also preached some time
at Stow, near Chartley. The disgust he took to the ministry has been imputed to his being disappointed in the
hope of preferment in the church, and he thought he could
make his talents turn to better account, and accordingly
began to practise physic at Wolverhampton, Feb. 1720,
and became veryeminent in his profession. On the 24th
June 1,725, he married Miss Rachel Manlove, of Lee’s-hill,
near Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire, with whom he had
a handsome fortune, and from that time he dwelt with his
father at Willenhall. In the beginning of 1747 he had a
severe fit of illness, during which, among other employments, he composed a whimsical epitaph on himself, which
may be seen in Shaw’s History of Staffordshire. His wife
dying in May 1756, he afterwards married in October the
same year, Mrs. Frances Bendish (sister to the late Rev. sir Richard Wrottesley, of WYottesley, bart.) who died Dec.
24, 1798, at Froxfield, Hampshire, at a very advanced age.
Dr. Wilkes died March 6, 1760, of the gout in his stomach,
greatly lamented by his tenants, to whom he had been an
indulgent landlord, and by the poor to whom he had been
a kind and liberal physician and friend.
t terrible plague. Among other things, he meditated a new edition of Hudibras, with notes, &c. As an antiquary he is principally known by his valuable collections for the
He published an excellent “Treatise on the Dropsy,
”
and during the time that the distemper raged in Staffordshire among the horned cattle, he published a pamphlet,
entitled “A Letter to the Gentlemen, Farmers, and Graziers, in the county of Stafford,
” calculated to prevent, or
cure that terrible plague. Among other things, he meditated a new edition of Hudibras, with notes, &c. As an
antiquary he is principally known by his valuable collections for the history of Staffordshire. His chef-d'oeuvre,
says Mr Shaw, is a general history from the earliest and
most obscure ages to his own times, drawn up with great
skill and erudition, which Mr. Shaw has made the basis of
his own introduction. This, with his other manuscripts,
were long supposed to have been lost, and were not indeed
brought to light until 1792, when they fell into the hands
of Mr. Shaw, who has incorporated them in his valuable
history.
, an eminent antiquary, was born Sept. 14, 1682, at Blandford in Dorset. He was grandson
, an eminent antiquary, was born
Sept. 14, 1682, at Blandford in Dorset. He was grandson
to the preceding Dr. Willis, and eldest son of Thomas
Willis, esq. of Bletchley, in Bucks. His mother was daughter of Robert Browne, esq. of Frampton, in Dorsetshire.
He had the first part of his education under Mr. Abraham
Freestone at Bechampton, whence he was sent to Westminster-school, and during his frequent walks in the adjoining abbey imbibed that taste for architectural, particularly
Ecclesiastical, antiquities, which constituted the pleasure
and employment of his future life. At the age of seventeen he was admitted a gentleman commoner of Christ
church, Oxford, wilder the tuition of the famous geographer Edward Wells, D. D. and when he left Oxford, he
lived for three years with the famous Dr. Will. Wotton. In
1702, he proved a considerable benefactor to Fenny-Stratford, by reviving the market of that town. In 1705, he
was chosen for the town of Buckingham; and, during the
short time he was in parliament, was a constant attendant,
and generally upon committees. In 1707, he married Catharine, daughter of Daniel Elliot, esq. of a very ancient
family in Cornwall, with whom he had a fortune of 8000l.
and by whom he had a numerous issue. She died Oct. 2,
1724. This lady had some literary pretensions. She wrote
a book entitled “The established Church of England the
true catholick church, free from innovations, or diminishing the apostolic doctrines, the sacraments, and doctrines
whereof are herein set forth,
” Lond.
many extracts from his correspondence. It is now necessary to give some account of his labours as an antiquary, which, in general, do the highest credit to his talents, industry,
Many other curious particulars of Dr. Willis’s character
and singularities may be seen in Mr. Nichols’s “Literary
Anecdotes,
” vols. VI. and VIII. and many extracts from
his correspondence. It is now necessary to give some
account of his labours as an antiquary, which, in general,
do the highest credit to his talents, industry, and perseverance, yet perhaps, could not have been carried on without a considerable proportion of that enthusiasm which
sometimes embarrassed his fortune, and created many
oddities of character and behaviour.
, an artist and antiquary of great taste and talents, was born August 21, 1739, at Twickenham,
, an artist and antiquary of great
taste and talents, was born August 21, 1739, at Twickenham, in the house afterwards the residence of Richard
Owen Cambridge, esq. He was educated at Eton school,
from which he went to Christ’s-college, Cambridge, but
took no degree. He returned from an extensive tour
through France, Italy, Istria, and Switzerland, in 1769;
and soon after married the honourable Charlotte De Grey,
sister to the lord Walsingham; by whom he has left no
issue. In all which is usually comprehended under the
denomination of Belles Lettres, Mr. Windham may claim a
place among the most learned men of his time. To an indefatigable diligence in the pursuit of knowledge, he joined
a judgment clear, penetrating, and unbiassed, and a memory uncommonly retentive and accurate. An ardent love
for truth, a perfect freedom from prejudice, jealousy, and
affectation, an entire readiness to impart his various and
copious information, united with a singular modesty and
simplicity, marked his conversation and manners. Few
men had a more critical knowledge of the Greek and Latin
languages, or a deeper feeling for the beauties of style
and sentiment in the classic writers; but in his minute and
comprehensive acquaintance with every thing in them illustrative of human life and manners, especially all that relates to the fine arts, he scarcely had an equal. The history of art in the middle ages, and every circumstance relative to the revival of literature and the arts, from the
fourteenth century to the present time, were equally familiar to him; and his acquaintance with the language of
modern Italy was surpassed by few. He had very particularly studied the antiquities of his own country, and was
eminently skilled in the history of English architecture.
His pencil, as a draftsman from nature, was exquisite. His
portraits of mere natural scenery were peculiarly spirited
and free, and his drawings of architecture and antiquities
most faithful and elegant. During his residence at Rome,
he studied and measured the remains of ancient architecture there, particularly the baths, with a precision which
would have done honour to the most able professional architect. His numerous plans and sections of them he gave
to Mr. Cameron, and they are engraved in his great work
on the Roman baths. To this work he also furnished a
very considerable and valuable part of the letter-press.
He also drew up the greater portion of the letter-press of
the second volume of the “Ionian Antiquities,
” published
by the society of Dilettanti; and Mr. Stuart received material assistance from him in the second volume of his
Athens. In his own name he published very little. His
accuracy of mind rendered it difficult to him to please
himself; and, careless of the fame of an author, he was
better content that his friends should profit by his labours,
than that the public should know the superiority of his own
acquirements. He had been long a fellow of the Royal
and Antiquarian Societies; and in the latter, was for many
years of the council, and one of the committee for the
publication of the Cathedrals of England. He more than
once declined the honourable office of vice-president. Of
the society of Dilettanti he was one of the oldest members;
and to his zeal it was principally owing that the publications of that society were continued, after a suspension of
many years.
Mr. Windham died at Earsham-house, Norfolk, Sept. 21,
181U. In private life, he was the most amiable of men.
Benevolent, generous, cheerful, without caprice, above
envy, his temper was the unclouded sun-shine of virtue
and sense. If his extreme modesty and simplicity of character prevented his striking at the first acquaintance,
every hour endeared him to those who had the happiness of
his intimacy. In every relation of life he was exemplary.
A kind husband, a firm friend, a generous landlord, an
indulgent master.
, an eminent antiquary, was born at Stendall, in the old Marche of Brandenbourg, in
, an eminent antiquary,
was born at Stendall, in the old Marche of Brandenbourg,
in the beginning of 1718. He was the son of a shoemaker,
but although to all appearance destined by his birth to superintend a little school in an obscure town in Germany,
he raised himself to the office of president of antiquities in
the Vatican. After having been seven years professor in
the college of Seehausen near Salswedel, he went into
Saxony,where he resided seven years more, and was Jibrarian to count Bonau at Nothenitz. The count was author of an “History of the Empire,
” and died History of Art.
”
In Restoration of Ancient Statues,
”
and a larger work on the “Taste of the Greek Artists;
”
$od designed an account of the galleries of Rome and Italy,
beginning with a volunqe on the Belvedere statues, in the
manner of Richardson, who, he says, only ran over Rome.
In. the preface he intended to mention the fate of these
statues at the sacking of Rome in 1527, when the soldiers
made a fire in Raphael’s lodge, which spoiled many things.
He also intended a history of the corruption of taste in art,
the restoration of statues, and an illustration of the obscure
points of mythology. All these different essays led him to
his “History of Art,
” and his “Monumenti Inediti.
” It
must, however, be confessed, that the first of these works
has not all the clearness and precision that might be expected in its general plan, and division of its parts and objects; but it has enlarged and extended the ideas both of
antiquaries ancj collectors. The description of the gems
and sulphurs of the Stosch cabinet contributed not a little
to extend Mr. Winkelman’s knowledge. Few persons have
had opportunities of contemplating such vast collections.
The engravings of Lippet and count Caylus are all that
many can arrive at. Mr. Winkelman’s “Monumenti Inediti,
” of which he had begun the third vol. History of Art
” is full of anachronisms.
, a learned antiquary, and Radcliffe librarian at Oxford, was born in the house of
, a learned antiquary, and Radcliffe librarian at Oxford, was born in the house of his father
Francis Wise, a mercer at Oxford, June 3, 1695. He received the first part of his education in New college school,
under the care of Mr. James Badger, a man very eminent
as a schoolmaster. In January 1710-11 he was admitted
a. member of Trinity college, and in the summer following
was elected scholar of that house. He took the degree of
M.A. in 1717, and about this period was employed by
Mr. Hudson, as an underkeeper or assistant in the Bodleian
library, an admirable school for Mr. Wise, who had a turn
for literary history and antiquities. In 1718 he became
probationer, and in the following year actual fellow of his
college. In 1722 he published “Asser Menevensis de rebus gestis Alfredi magni,
” 8vo, very elegantly printed, and
with suitable engravings, &c. The year preceding this,
(172 J) the hon. Francis North, afterwards earl of Guildford, entered of Trinity college under die tuition of Mr.
Wise, for whom he entertained a great esteem through
life. From this nobleman he received the living of Eljesfield near Oxford, a very small piece of preferment, and
not worth above 251. a year at most, but peculiarly agrefeable to our author, who contrived to make it a place of
some importance to curious visitors. He took a small
estate there, on a long lease, under lord Guildford, and
converted a cottage upon it into an agreeable retirement,
by building one or two good rooms, and laying out a garden with a piece of ground adjoining, scarcely before of
any use, in a very whimsical but pleasing manner. In this
little spot of a few acres, his visitors were surprised to
meet with ponds, cascades, seats, a triumphal arch, the
tower of Babel, a Druid temple, and an Egyptian pyramid.
These buildings, which were designed to resemble the
structures of antiquity, were erected in exact scale and
measure, to give, as far as miniature would permit, a just
idea of the edifice they were intended to represent. From
the time that his illustrious pupil left Oxford, Mr. Wise constantly resided in his family at intervals, and divided his
time between the seat of the Muses, and the elegant mansion of his friend and patron. In 1726 he was elected
custos archivorum; and in 1727 took his degree of bachelor of divinity.
unded on an expression in the printed work of Cavendish, it has been amply refuted by a late eminent antiquary, who examined the whole of the evidence with much acuteness.
Nor can we blame Wolsey for his credulity, since Henry, although he had stripped the cardinal of all his property, and the income arising from all his preferments, actually granted him, Feb. 12, 1530, a free pardon for all crimes and misdemeanors, and a few days after restored to him the revenues, &c. of the archbishopric of York, except York place, before-mentioned, and one thousand marks yearly from the bishopric of Winchester. He also sent him a present of 3000l. in money, and a quantity of plate and furniture exceeding that sum, and allowed him to remove from Esher to Richmond, where he resided for some time in the lodge in the old park, and afterwards in the priory. His enemies at court, however, who appear to have influenced the king beyond his usual arbitrary disposition, dreaded Wolsey’s being so near his majesty, and prevailed on him to order him to reside in his archbishopric. In obedience to this mandate, which was softened by another gracious message from Henry, he first went to the archbishop’s seat at Southwell, and about the end of September fixed his residence at Cawood castle, which he began to repair, and was acquiring popularity by his hospitable manners and bounty, when his capricious master was persuaded to arrest him for high treason, and order him to be conducted to London. Accordingly, on the first of November he set out, but on the road he was seized with a disorder of the dysenteric kind, brought on by fatigue and anxiety, which put a period to his life at Leicester abbey on the 28th of that mouth, in the fifty-ninth year of his age . Some of his last words implied the awful and just reflection, that if he had served his God as diligently as he had served his king, he would not have given him over to his enemies. Two days after he was interred in the abbey church of Leicester, but the spot is not now known. As to the report of his having poisoned himself, founded on an expression in the printed work of Cavendish, it has been amply refuted by a late eminent antiquary, who examined the whole of the evidence with much acuteness. Modern historians have formed a more favourable estimate of Wolsey’s character than their predecessors, yet it had that mixture of good and evil which admits of great variety of opinion, and gives to ingenious party-colouring all the appearance of truth. Perhaps Shakspeare, borrowing from Holinshed and Hall, has drawn a more just and comprehensive sketch of his perfections and failings than is to be found in any other writer.
, an eminent English antiquary and biographer, was the son of Thomas Wood, bachelor of arts
, an eminent English antiquary and
biographer, was the son of Thomas Wood, bachelor of arts
and of the civil law; and was born at Oxford, December
17, 1632. He was sent to New-college school in that city
in 1641; and three years after removed to the free-school
at Thame in Oxfordshire, where he continued till his admission at Merton, 1647. His mother in Tain endeavoured
to prevail on him to follow some trade or profession; his
prevailing turn was to antiquity: “heraldry, music, and
painting, he says, did so much crowd upon him, that he
could not avoid them; and he could never give a reason
why he should delight in those studies more than others;
so prevalent was nature, mixed with a generosity of mind,
and a hatred to all that was servile, sneaking, or advantatageous, for lucre-sake.
” He took the degree of B.A.
1652, and M.A. in 1655, As he resided altogether at Oxford, he perused all the evidences of the several colleges
and churches, from which he compiled his two great worts,
and assisted all who were engaged in the like designs; at
the same time digesting and arranging all the papers he
perused; thus doing the cause of antiquity a double service. His drawings preserved many things which soon
after were destroyed. In 1665, he began to lay the foundation of “Historia & Antiquitates Universitatis Oxoniensis;
” which was published in But at length having obtained the knack,
”
says Wood, “he went forward with the work; yet all the
proofs, that came from the press, went through the doctor’s hands, which he would correct, alter, or dash out, or
put in what he pleased; which created a great deal of
trouble to the composer and author, but there was no help.
He was a great man, and carried all things at his pleasure
so much, that many looked upon the copy as spoiled and
vitiated by him. Peers was a sullen, dogged, clownish, and
perverse, fellow; and when he saw the author concerned
at the altering of his copy, he would alter it the more, and
study to put things in that might vex him, and yet please
his dean, Dr. Fell.
” And he afterwards complains, how
“Dr. Fell, who printed the book at his own charge, took
so much liberty of putting in and out what he pleased, that
the author was so far from dedicating or presenting the
book to any one, that he would scarcely own it.
” Among
the “Genuine Remains of Barlow, bishop of Lincoln, published by sir Peter Pett in 1693,
” 8vo, are two letters of
that prelate, relating to this work. In the first letter we
have the following passage: “What you say of our late
antiquities is too true. We are alarmed by many letters,
not only of false Latin, but false English too, and many bad
characters cast on good men; especially on the Anti-Arminians, who are all made seditious persons, schismatics, if
not heretics: nay, our first reformers are made fanatics.
This they tell me; and our judges of assize, now in town,
say no less^. I have not read one leaf of the book yet; but
I see I shajl be necessitated to read it over, that I may
with my own eyes see the faults, and (so far as I am able)
endeavour the mending of them. Nor do I know any
other way but a new edition, with a real correction of all
faults; and a declaration, that those miscarriages cannot
justly be imputed to the university, as indeed they cannot,
but to the passion and imprudence, if not impiety, of one
or two, who betrayed the trust reposed in them in the managing the edition of that book.
” In the second letter,
after taking notice that the translation was made by the
order and authority of the dean of Christ-church; that not
only the Latin, but the history itself, is in many things
ridiculously false; and then producing passages as proofs
of both; he concludes thus: “Mr. Wood, the compiler of
those antiquities, was himself too favourable to papists;
and has often complained to me, that at Christ-church
some things were put in which neither were in his original
copy nor approved by him. The truth is, not only th
Latin, but also the matter of those antiquities, being erroneous in several things, may prove scandalous, and give
our adversaries some occasion to censure, not only the university, but the church of England and our reformation.
Sure I am, that the university had no hand in composing
or approving those antiquities; and therefore the errors
which are in them cannot de jure be imputed to the university, but must lie upon Christ-church and the composer
of them.
” This work, however, is now in a great measure
rescued from misapprehension by the publication of Wood’s
ms. in English by the rev. John Gutch, 3 vols. 4to.
ainting and painters, of poets and poetry,” Lond. 1694, 12mo. He appears also to have been a skilful antiquary, and had formed a very curious collection, which was unfortunately
He left a son, James Wright, known to dramatic antiquaries, as one of the earliest historians of the stage, and
perhaps one of the first collectors of old plays after Cartwright, whbse collection was at Dulwich-college. His
work on this subject, which is extremely scarce, is entitled
“Historia Histrionica; an historical account of the English
stage, shewing the ancient use, improvement, and perfection, of dramatic representations in this nation. In a dialogue of plays and players,
” Lond. Old Plays,
” but the preface has been omitted which
Warton says is a sensible one, and certainly points out the
only use of most old plays, 'as exhibiting the manners of
the times. Wright wrote likewise “Country conversations,
being an account of some discourses that happened on a
visit to the country last summer, on divers subjects; chiefly,
of the modern comedies, of drinking, of translated verse,
of painting and painters, of poets and poetry,
” Lond. Itinerary,
” of the age of queen Elizabeth, and consequently made before the present mutilations and corruptions. On this he had much correspondence with Hearne.
His other works were, 1. “A poem, being an Essay on
the present ruins of St. Paul’s cathedral,
” Lond. History and Antiquities of the county of Rutland,
”
ibid. Additions
” in Farther Additions,
” A new der
scription of the city of Paris, in two parts, out of the
French,
” ibid. Verses anniversary to the
venerable memory of his ever honoured father, &c.
” Monasticon Anglicanum, &c.
” an accurate epitome in English of Dugdale’s “Monasticon,
” ibid. Three poems of St. Paul’s cathedral, viz. The
Ruins (mentioned above), The re-building, The Choir,
”
Phcenix Paulina, a poem on St. Paul’s
cathedral,
” Burley on the hill, a poem,
”
4to, no date, but reprinted in his last additions to his Rutlandshire. Hearne, who knew and respected Wright, informs us, that he wrote strictures on Wood’s “Athenæ,
”
but that they remained in manuscript. Wright, a few years
before his death, gave Hearne a complete catalogue of his
works, which on application he had refused to Wood, “as
an injudicious biographer.
”
Staffordshire, having assumed the name and arms of that family. In early life he was noticed by the antiquary Sampson Erdeswick, of Sandon, who took him into his house; t
, Rouge-Croix pursuivant, was son of Augustine of Wyrley, of Nether Seile,
in the county of Leicester, by Mary his wife, daughter of
William Charnells of Snareston, in that county, esq. which
Augustine was second son of William Wyrley, of Handsworth, in Staffordshire, esq. of an ancient family in that
county, which of late years expired in an heiress married
into the family of Birch, of Birch, in Lancashire, who have
since sold their ancient paternal estate in that county, and
reside at the Wyrley seat in Staffordshire, having assumed
the name and arms of that family. In early life he was noticed by the antiquary Sampson Erdeswick, of Sandon,
who took him into his house; t and Wyrley having for many
years laboured in the study of heraldry, was, upon the 15th
of May, 1604, appointed Rouge-Croix pursuivant of arms,
which office he held, without higher promotion, till the beginning of February 1617-18, when he died in the Heralds’
college, and was buried in the burial-place belonging to
that corporation in the church of St. Bene't, Paul’s Wharf,
London. In 1592, he published a book, intituled, “The
true Use of Armory shewed by History, and plainly proved
by example. London,
” 4to; but the fame derivable from
this work was somewhat injured by Erdeswick, in his dotage,
laying claim to the authorship of it. Wyrley also made
many collections for a history of his native county of Leicester, which Burton made use of. In 1569 he began
to survey the churches there. His original ms. written by
himself, containing also many churches in Warwickshire, is
now in the library of the Heralds’ college, bearing the mark
V. 197. It appears also, that he afterwards accompanied
Burton in his survey of the churches there, in the years
1603, 1608, &c. In V. No. 127, in the same library, is a
fair and beautiful copy of their labours in this way, with the
arms, monuments, and antiquities, well drawn. At the end
of his “True Use of Armory
” are two dull creeping metrical narratives, one on the life and death of lord Chandos,
the other on Sir John de Gralhy, Capitall de Buz; but it
seems doubtful whether these were the production of Erdeswick or of Wyrley. It is certain they are not worth
contending for.
, a learned poet, critic, and antiquary, was born in 1669, and descended from <an illustrious Venetian
, a learned poet, critic, and antiquary, was born in 1669, and descended from <an illustrious
Venetian family, which had been long settled in the island
of Candia. He early applied himself to literature, and the
study of Italian history and antiquities. In 1696 he instituted at Venice the academy Degli Animosi, and was the
editor of the “Giornale de‘ Letterati d’ltalia,
” of which he
published thirty volumes between the years 1710 and 1719.
His first musical drama, “L'Inganni Felici,
” was performed
at Venice in Bibl. dell' Eloquenza Italiana di Foutanini,
”
which was published in safe,
” as he
says, “if not sound and cured,
” after twelve days of excessive suffering on the road. Most of the dramas, sacred
and secular, which he wrote for the imperial court, were
set by Caldara, a grave composer and sound harmonist,
to whose style Zeno seems to have been partial. But thii
excellent antiquary and critic seems never to have been
satisfied with his own poetical abilities. So early as 1722,
in writing to his brother from Vienna, he says, “I find
more and more every day, that I grow old, not only in
body, but in mind; and that the business of writing verses
is no longer a fit employment for me.
” And afterwards
he expressed a wish that he might be allowed a partner in
his labours, and was so just and liberal as to mention the
young Metastasio as a poet worthy to be honoured with -the
emperor’s notice. If the musical dramas of Apostolo Zeno
are compared with those of his predecessors and contemporaries, they will be found infinitely superior to them in
conduct, regularity, character, sentiment, and force. But
Metastasio’s refined sentiments, selection of words, and
varied and mellifluous measures, soon obscured the theatrical glory of Zeno, who, after the arrival of his young
colleague, seems to have attempted nothing but oratorios.
till continued to him. Zeno corresponded with the learned of Italy, and other countries; was an able antiquary, and had made an excellent collection of literary anecdotes.
In 1731 he returned to Venice, and his place at court
was entirely supplied by Metastasio, but the salaries of
poet and historiographer were still continued to him. Zeno
corresponded with the learned of Italy, and other countries;
was an able antiquary, and had made an excellent collection
of literary anecdotes. His candour, sincerity, affability, and
other amiable qualities, rendered him universally esteemed,
and highly agreeable in society. He died at Venice, November 11, 1750, in the eighty-second year of his age,
and was buried at the convent of the Dominicans of the
strict observance, to whom he had left his library. He is
universally allowed to have possessed great talents for dramatic poetry, and is the first Italian poet who gave his
countrymen good rules for tragedy, and taught them to
consider music only as an embellishment. He discovers
genius, spirit, and feeling; but his style, as has been
remarked, is far inferior to that of Metastasio. Zeno also
left a great number of works on Antiquities, &c. “Dissertationi Vossiani,
” 3 vols. 8vo “Letters,
” Venice,