on, he tells us, he performed with extraordinary secrecy, not being accompanied by any one servant, ( for so he was commanded), nor with any other letters than such as
Upon the accession of queen Elizabeth in 1558, he returned into England with his father 'and family, who
settled at London and soon after, he was sent to Magdalen college, in Oxford, under the tuition of Dr. Humphrey, afterwards president of that society. In 1563he took
the degree of B. A. and the same year was chosen probationer of Merton college, and the year following admitted
fellow. In 1565, by persuasion of some of the fellows,
he undertook the public reading of a Greek lecture in the
hall of that college, which he continued for some time
without expecting or requiring any stipend but afterwards
the society of their own accord allowed him a salary of
four marks per annum and from that time continued the
lecture to the college. In 1566 he took the degree of
M. A. and the same year read natural philosophy in the
public schools. In 1569 he was elected one of the proctors of the university and after that, for a considerable
time, supplied the place of university orator. Hitherto
Mr. Bodley applied himself to the study of various faculties, without the inclination to profess any one more than
the rest; but, in 1576, being desirous to improve himself
in the modern languages, and to qualify himself for public
business, he began his travels, and spent nearly four years
in visiting France, Germany, and Italy. Afterwards, returning to his college, he applied himself to the study of
history and politics. In 1583 he was made gentleman
usher to queen Elizabeth; and in 1585, married Anne,
daughter of Mr. Carew, of Bristol, and widow of Mr. Ball,
a lady of considerable fortune. Soon after, he was employed by queen Elizabeth in several embassies to Frederick king of Denmark, Julius duke of Brunswick, William landgrave of Hesse, and other German princes, to
erfgage them to join their forces with those of the English,
for the assistance of the king of Navarre, afterwards
Henry IV. of France and having discharged that commission, he was sent to king Henry III. at the time when
that prince was forced by the duke of Guise to quit Paris.
This commission, he tells us, he performed with extraordinary secrecy, not being accompanied by any one servant,
(for so he was commanded), nor with any other letters
than such as were written with the queen’s own hand to
the king, and some select persons about him. “The effect,
” he adds, “of that message it is fit I should conceal;
but it tended greatly to the advantage of all the Protestants
in France, and to the duke’s apparent overthrow, which
also followed soon upon it.
” Camden says nothing more
of this embassy than that queen Elizabeth “not only assisted the king of Navarre, when he was entangled in a
dangerous and difficult war, with money and other military
provisions, but sent over sir Thomas Bodley to support or
encourage the French king when his affairs seemed to be
in a very desperate condition.
”
, or rather Cleiveland ( for so he and his family spelt their name) (John), a noted loyalist
, or rather Cleiveland (for so he and his family spelt their name) (John), a noted loyalist
and popular poet in the reign of Charles I. was the eldest
son of the rev. Thomas Cleiveland, M. A. some time vicar
of Hinckley, and rector of Stoke, in the county of Leicester. He was born in 1613, at Loughborough, where his
father was then assistant to the rector; but educated at
Hinckley, under the rev. Richard Vynes, a man of genius
and learning, who was afterwards as much distinguished
among the presbyterian party as his scholar was among the
cavaliers. In his fifteenth year our poet was removed to
Cambridge, and admitted of Christ’s college, Sept. 4,
1627, where he took the degree of B. A. in 163 1 He was
thence transplanted to the sister foundation of St. John’s
college in the same university, of which he was elected
fellow March 27, 1634, and proceeded to the degree of
M. A. in 1635. Of this society he continued many years a
principal ornament, being one of the tutors, and highly
respected by his pupils, some of -whom afterwards attained
to eminence. By the statutes of that college, he should
have taken orders within six years after his being elected
fellow: but he uas admitted on the law line (as the phrase there is) November 2, 1640, and afterwards on that of
physic, January 31, 1642, which excused him from complying with this obligation; though it does not appear that
he made either law or physic his profession: for, remaining at
college, he became the rhetoric reader there, and was usually
employed by the society in composing their speeches and
epistles to eminent persons (of which specimens may be seen in his works), being in high repute at that time for
the purity and terseness of his Latin style. He also became celebrated for his occasional poems in English, and,
at the breaking out of the civil wars, is said to have been
the first champion that appeared in verse for the royal
cause; which he also supported by all his personal influence: particularly by exerting his interest in the town of
Cambridge, to prevent Oliver Cromwell (then an obscure candidate, but strongly supported by the puritan partv)
from being elected one of its members. Cromwell’s
stronger genius in this, as hi every other pursuit, prevailing, Cleveland is said to have shown great discernment,
by predicting at so early a period, the fatal consequences
that long after ensued to the cause of royalty. Cromwell
got his election by a single vote, which Cleveland declared
“had ruined both church and kingdom.
” The parliament
party carrying all before them in the eastern counties,
Cleveland retired to the royal army, and with it to the
king’s head quarters at Oxford, where he was much admired and caressed for his satirical poems on the opposite
faction, especially for his satire on the Scottish covenanters, entitled “The Rebel Scot.
” In his absence he was
deprived of his fellowship, Feb. 13, 1644, by the earl of
Manchester, who, under the authority of an ordinance of
parliament, for regulating and reforming the university of
Cambridge, ejected such fellows of colleges, &c. as refused to take the solemn league and covenant. From Oxford Cleveland was appointed to be judge-advocate in the
garrison at Newark, under sir Richard Willis the governor,
and has been commended for his skilful and upright conduct in this difficult office, where he also distinguished his
pen occasionally, by returning smart answers to the
summons, and other addresses to the garrison. Newark, after
holding out the last of all the royal fortresses, was at
length, in 1646, by the express command of the king
(then a prisoner in the Scots army), surrendered upon
terms, which left Cleveland in possession of his liberty,
but destitute of all means of support, except what he derived from the hospitality and generosity of his brother
loyalists, among whom he lived some years, obscure and
unnoticed by the ruling party, till, in November 1655,
he was seized at Norwich, as “a person of great abilities,
”
adverse and dangerous to the reigning government; and
being sent to Yarmouth, he was there imprisoned for some
time, till he sent a petition to the lord-protector, wherein
the address of the writer has been much admired, who,
while he honestly avows his principles, has recourse to
such moving topics, as might sooth his oppressor, and procure his enlargement: in which he was not disappointed,
for the protector generously set him at liberty, disdaining
to remember on the throne the opposition he had received
in his canvass for parliament as a private burgess. Cleveland thence retired to London, where he is said to have
found a generous Maecenas; and, being much admired
among all persons of his own party, became member of a
club of wits and loyalists, which Butler, the author of Hiir
dibras, also frequented. Cleveland then lived in chambers
at Gray’s-inn (of which Butler is said to have been a member), and, being seized with an epidemic intermitting
fever, died there on Thursday morning, April 29, 1659.
His friends paid the last honours to his remains by a splendid funeral: for his body was removed to Hunsdon -house,
and thence carried for interment, on Saturday May 1, to
the parish church of St. Michael Royal, on College-hill,
London, followed by a numerous attendance of persons
eminent for their loyalty or learning: to whom his funeral
sermon was preached by his intimate friend Dr. John Pearson, afterwards bishop of Chester, author of the Exposition of the Creed.
is body, he fell on a church, and broke his thigh. Bayle fancies, that the history of this Daedalus, for so he was called, will not generally be credited; yet he observes,
, of the same family, probably, with the preceding, and native also of Perugia, was
an excellent mathematician, and is memorable for having
fitted a pair of wings so exactly to his body, as to be able
to fly with them. He made the experiment several times
over the lake Trasimenus; and succeeded so well, that he
had the courage to perform before the whole city of Perugia, during the solemnity of the marriage of Bartholomew
d'Alviano with the sister of John Paul Baglioni. He shot
himself from the highest part of the city, and directed his
flight over the square, to the admiration of the spectators:
but unfortunately the iron, with which he managed one of
his wings, failed; and then, not being able to balance the
weight of his body, he fell on a church, and broke his
thigh. Bayle fancies, that the history of this Daedalus, for
so he was called, will not generally be credited; yet he
observes, that it is said to have been practised at other
places, for which he refers us to the “Journal des Sgavans
” of
, or Johnson, for so he, as well as some of his friends, wrote his name, was born
, or Johnson, for so he, as
well as some of his friends, wrote his name, was born in
Hartshorn-lane near Charing-cross, Westminster, June 11,
1574, about a month after the death of his father. Dr.
Bathurst, whose life was written by Mr. Warton, informed
Aubrey that Jonson was born in Warwickshire, but all
other accounts fix his birth in Westminster. Fuller says,
that “with all his industry 'he could not find him in his
cradle, but that he could fetch him from his long coats:
when a little child, he lived in Hartshorne-lane near
Charing-cross.
” Mr. Malone examined the register of
St. Margaret’s Westminster, and St. Martin’s in the Fields,
but without being able to discover the time of his baptism.
His family was originally of Annandale in Scotland, whence
his grandfather removed to Carlisle in the time of Henry
VIII. under whom he held some office. But his son being
deprived both of his estate and liberty in the reign of
queen Mary, went afterwards in holy orders, and, leaving
Carlisle, settled in Westminster.
in several letters between the doctor and himself.” In Prideaux’s third letter to his cousin Moyle, for so he addresses him, he tells him that “he is sure his book
Mr. Moyle died June 9, 1721, aged forty-nine. In
1726 his unpublished Works were printed in 2 vols. 8vo,
and dedicated to his brother Joseph Moyle, esq. by Thomas Serjeant, esq. The first volume contains, l.“An
Essay upon the Constitution of the Roman Government,
in two parts.
” 2. “A Charge to the Grand Jury at Leskard, April 1706.
” 3. “Letters to Dr. William Musgrave,
of Exeter, upon subjects of Criticism and Antiquity.
” 4.
“A Dissertation upon the Age of Philopatris, a dialogue,
commonly attributed to Lncian, in several letters to Mr.
K.
” 5. “Letters from and to Mr. Moyle upon various
subjects.
” The second volume contains, 1. “Remarks
upon Prideaux’s Connection of the Old and New Testament, &c. in several letters between the doctor and himself.
” In Prideaux’s third letter to his cousin Moyle, for
so he addresses him, he tells him that “he is sure his book
will no where find a more observing and judicious reader
than himself; that he had sufficient experience of this in
his learned remarks on the former part; and that they had
instructed him for the making of seme alterations against
another edition:
” and, in a fourth letter, he “thanks him
heartily for the observations he had sent him of his mistakes, in the last part of his history. I must confess,
” says
he, “That about Octavius’s posterity is a very great one.
It is a downright blunder of my old head, and I am glad so
accurate and learned a reader has not observed more of
them. This makes me hope that no more such have
escaped me.
” This volume also contains, 2. “The Miracle
of the Thundering Legion examined, in several letters
between Mr. Moyle and Mr. K.
” On this subject Mr.
Moyle was completely sceptical.
Sir Robert Naunton, for so he was created by James I. was a man of considerable learning,
Sir Robert Naunton, for so he was created by James I.
was a man of considerable learning, and well qualified for
political affairs; and his letters contain many curious facts
and just observations on the characters and parties of his
day. His “Fragmenta Regalia
” continues to preserve his
memory. This tract, printed first in 1641, 4to, contains
some interesting observations on queen Elizabeth, and her
principal courtiers, apparently written with impartiality;
but in an uncouth and rugged style.
heighten his melancholy. At length he resolved to take the first opportunity to fly from his prison, for so he esteemed it, which after about a year’s detention he effected,
Though writers have left us very much in the dark with
regard to the real motives that induced the duke to keep
Tasso in confinement, yet, every thing being weighed, it
seems highly probable that the affair of a delicate nature,
said to have been divulged by his friend, must have related
to the princess Leonora, the duke’s sister : and indeed it
will be extremely difficult, from any other consideration,
to account for the harsh treatment he received from a
prince, who had before shown him such peculiar marks of
esteem and friendship. However, Tasso himself had undoubtedly secret apprehensions that increased upon him
every day, while the continual attacks which were made
upon his credit as an author, not a little contributed to
heighten his melancholy. At length he resolved to take
the first opportunity to fly from his prison, for so he esteemed it, which after about a year’s detention he effected,
and retired to Turin, where he endeavoured to remain concealed; but notwithstanding all his precautions, he was
soon known, and recommended to the duke of Savoy, who
received him into his palace, and showed him every mark
of esteem and affection. But Tasso’s apprehensions still
continued; he thought that the duke of Savoy would not
refuse to give him up to the duke of B'errara, or sacrifice
the friendship of that prince to the safety of a private person. Full of these imaginations he set out for Rome, alone
and unprovided with necessaries for such a journey. At
his arrival there he went directly to his old friend Mauritio
Cataneo, who received him in such a manner as entirely
to obliterate for some time the remembrance of the fatigue
and uneasiness he had undergone. He was not only welcomed by Cataneo, but the whole city of Rome seemed
to rejoice at the presence of so extraordinary a person.
He was visited by princes, cardinals, prelates, and by all
the learned in general. But the desire of revisiting his
native country, and seeing his sister Cornelia, soon made
him uneasy in this situation. He left his friend Mauritio
Cataneo one evening, without giving him notice; and, beginning his journey on foot, arrived by night at the mountains of Veletri, where he took up his lodging with some
shepherds: the next morning, disguising himself in the
habit of one of these people, he continued his way, and in
four days time reached Gaieta, almost spent with fatigue:
here he embarked on board a vessel bound for Sorrento, at
which place he arrived in safety the next day. He entered
the city and went directly to his sister’s house: she was a
widow, and the two sons she had by her husband being at
that time absent, Tasso found her with only some of hr
i <-n:ale attendants. He advanced towards her, without discovering himself, and pretending he came with news from
her brother, gave her a letter which he had prepared for
that purpose. This letter informed her that her brother’s
life was in great danger, and that he begged her to make
use of all the interest her tenderness might suggest to her,
in order to procure letters of recommendation from some
powerful person, to avert the threatened misfortune. For
further particulars of the affair, she was referred to the
messenger who brought her this intelligence.The lady,
terrified at the news, earnestly entreated him to give her
a detail of her brother’s misfortune. The feigned messenger then gave her so interesting an account of the pretended story, that, unable to contain her affliction, she
fainted away. Tasso was sensibly touched at this convincing proof of his sister’s affection, and repented that he had
gone so far: he began to comfort her, and, removing her
fears by little and little, at last discovered himself to her.
Her joy at seeing a brother whom she tenderly loved, was
inexpressible after- the first salutations were over, she was
very desirous to know the occasion of his disguising himself in that manner. Tasso acquainted her with his reasons, and, at the same time, giving her to understand, that
he would willingly remain with her unknown to the world,
Cornelia, who desired nothing further than to acquiesce in
his pleasure, sent for her children and some of her nearest
relations, whom she thought might be entrusted with the
secret. They agreed that Tasso should pass for a relation
of theirs, who came from Bergamo to Naples upon his private business, and from thence had come to Sorrento to
pay them a visit. After this precaution, Tasso took up his
residence at his sister’s house, where he lived for some
time in tranquillity, entertaining himself with his two
nephews Antonio and Alessandro Sersale, children of great
hopes. The princess Leonora of Este, however, who was
acquainted with the place of his retreat, invited him to
return to Ferrara, which he did in company with Gualingo,
ambassador from the duke to the pope. Concerning the
motive of Tasso’s return to Ferrara, some authors think
that, weary of living in obscurity, he had resolved to throw
himself upon the duke’s generosity. This opinion seems
indeed drawn from Tasso’s own words in a letter written by
him to the duke of Urbino, in which he declares, “that
he had endeavoured to make his peace with the duke, and
had for that purpose written severally to him, f the duchess
of Ferrara, the duchess of Urbino, and the princess Leonora; yet never received any answer but from the last, who
assured him it was not in her power to render him any service.
” We see here that Tasso acknowledges himself the
receipt of a letter from the princess; and in regard to what
he says to be the purport of it, it is highly reasonable to
suppose, that he would be very cautious of divulging the
real contents to the duke of Urbino, when his affairs with
that lady were so delicately circumstanced. This apparent
care to conceal the nature of his correspondence with her,
seems to corroborate the former suppositions of his uncommon attachment to her; and when all circumstances are
considered, it seems more than probable that he returned
to Ferrara at the particular injunction of Leonora.