Geoffry, and William. This prince, being sensible that his ovrn dominions would of course descend to his eldest son Henry, and that the kingdom of England and duchy
In 1148 Eugenius sent him legate to Denmark and Norway; where, by his fervent preaching and diligent instructions, he converted those barbarous nations to the Christian
faith; and we are told, that he erected the church of Upsal
into an archiepiscopal see. On his return to Rome, he was
received by the pope and cardinals with great marks of
honour: and pope Anastatius, who succeeded Eugenius,
happening to die at this time, Nicholas was unanimously
chosen to the holy see, in November, 1154, and took the
name of Adrian. When the news of his promotion reached
England, Henry II. sent Robert, abbot of St. Alban’s, and
three bishops, to Rome, to congratulate him on his election;
upon which occasion Adrian granted to the monastery of
St. Alban’s, the privilege of being exempt front all episcopal jurisdiction except that of Rome. Next year, king
Henry having solicited the pope’s consent that he might
undertake the conquest of Ireland, Adrian very readily complied, and sent him a bull for that purpose, of which the
following is a translation: “Adrian, bishop, servant of the
servants of God, to his most dear son in Christ, the illustrious king of England, sendeth greeting and apostolical
benediction. Your magnificence is very careful to spread
your glorious name in the world, and to merit an immortal
crown in heaven, whilst, as a good catholic prince, you form
a design of extending the bounds of the church, of instructing ignorant and barbarous people in the Christian
faith, and of reforming the licentious and immoral; and the
more effectually to put this design in execution, you desire
the advice and assistance of the holy see. We are confident, that, by the blessing of God, the success will answer
the wisdom and discretion of the undertaking. You have
advertised us, dear son, of your intended expedition into
Ireland, to reduce that people to the obedience of the
Christian faith; and that you are willing to pay for every
house a yearly acknowledgment of one penny to St. Peter,
promising to maintain the rights of those churches in the
fullest manner. We therefore, being willing to assist you
in this pious and laudable design, and consenting to your
petition, do grant you full liberty to make a descent upon
that island, in order to enlarge the borders of the church,
to check the progress of immorality, and to promote the
spiritual happiness of the natives: and we command the
people of that country to receire and acknowledge you as
their sovereign lord; provided the rights of the churches be
inviolably preserved, and the Peter pence duly paid: for
indeed it is certain (and your highness acknowledges it)
that all the islands, which are enlightened by Christ, the
sun of righteousness, and have embraced the doctrines of
Christianity, are unquestionably St. Peter’s right, and belong to the holy Roman church. If, therefore, you resolve
to put your designs in execution, be careful to reform the
manners of that people; and commit the government of the
churches to able and virtuous persons, that the Christian
religion may grow and flourish, and the honour of God and
the preservation of souls be effectually promoted; so shall
you deserve an everlasting reward in heaven, and leave a
glorious name to all posterity.
” His indulgence to this
prince was so great, that he even consented to absolve him
from the oath he had taken not to set aside any part of his
father’s will. The reason of this was, that Geoffry Plantagenet, earl of Anjou, had by the empress Maud, three
sons, Henry, Geoffry, and William. This prince, being
sensible that his ovrn dominions would of course descend to
his eldest son Henry, and that the kingdom of England and
duchy of Normandy would likewise fall to him in right of
his mother, thought fit to devise the earldom of Anjou to his
second son Geoffry; and to render this the more valid, he
exacted an oath of the bishops and nobility, not to suffer
his corpse to be buried till his son Henry had sworn to fulfil
every part of his will. When Henry came to attend his
father’s funeral, the oath was tendered to him; but for some
time he refused to swear to a writing, with the contents of
which he was unacquainted. Howerer, being reproached
with the scandal of letting his father lie unburied, he at last
took the oath with great reluctance. But after his accession
to the throne, upon a complaint to pope Adrian that the
oath was forced upon him, he procured a dispensation from
his holiness, absolving him from the obligation he had laid
himself under: and in consequence thereof, he dispossessed
his brother Geoffry of the dominions of Anjou, allowing
him only a yearly pension for his maintenance.
The king, attentive to his faithful servants, demonstrated his kindness to Mr. Aiton, by appointing his eldest son to his father’s places. There is a portrait of our
, an eminent botanist, was born m
1731, at a small village near Hamilton, in Lanarkshire.
He had been early initiated in horticulture; and in 1754,
coming for employment to the southern parts of the kingdom, he attracted, in the following year, the notice of Mr.
Philip Miller, author of the Gardener’s Dictionary, who was
at that time superintendant of the botanical garden at
Chelsea. The instructions which he received from that
eminent gardener, it is said, laid the foundation of his futnre fortune. His attention to his profession procured for
him a recommendation to the late princess dowager of
Wales, and his present majesty. In 1759, he consequently was appointed to superintend the botanical garden
at Kew, an opportunity for the exertion of his talents
which was not neglected. The most curious plants were
collected from every part of the world, and his skill in
the cultivation of them was evinced by his attention
to the various soils and degrees of warmth or cold which
were necessary for their growth. The borders in the garden were enlarged for the more free circulation of the air
where it was required, and the stoves were improved for
the reception of plants, and, as near as it was thought possible, adapted to the climates from which they were produced. His professional abilities were not unnoticed by
the most eminent botanists of the time; and in 1764 he
became acquainted with sir Joseph Banks, when, equally
honourable to both, a friendship commenced which subsisted for life. In 1783, Mr. Haverfield, having been advanced to a higher station, was succeeded by Mr. Aiton, in
the more lucrative office of superintending the pleasure
and kitchen gardens at Kew, with which he was permitted
to retain his former post. His labours proved that his majesty’s favours were not injudiciously bestowed; forin 1789
he published an ample catalogue of the plants at Kew,
with the title of “Hortus Kewensis,
” 3 vols. 8vo. In this
catalogue was given an account of the several foreign plants
which had been introduced into the English gardens at
different times. The whole impression of this elaborate
performance was sold within two years, and a second
and improved edition was published by his son William
Townsend Aiton in 1810. Though active and temperate, Mr. Aiton had for some time been afflicted with a
complaint which is thought by the faculty to be
incurable. It was that of a scirrhous liver, nor was it to be
surmounted by the aid of medicine, though every possible
assistance was liberally bestowed. He died on February
1st, 1793, in the 63d year of his age, having left behind
him a wife, two sons, and three daughters. He had been
distinguished by the friendship of those who were most
celebrated for their botanical science. The late earl of
Bute, sir Joseph Banks, the late Dr. Solander, and Mr.
Dryander, were the friends to whom he always was inclined
to declare his acknowledgements for their kindness, and to
the three latter for the assistance which they afforded hint
in completing the “Hortus Kewensis.
” He was assiduous in his employment, easy in his temper, and faithful to
his duty. As a friend, a husband, and a father, his character was exemplary. On his burial in the church-yard
at Kew, his pall was supported by those who knew and
esteemed him; by sir Joseph Banks, the Rev. Dr. Goodenough, Mr. Dryander, Dr. Pitcairn, Mr. Dundas of Richmond, and Mr. Zoffany. The king, attentive to his faithful servants, demonstrated his kindness to Mr. Aiton, by
appointing his eldest son to his father’s places. There is a
portrait of our author in the library at sir Joseph Banks’ s,
Soho square, which is thought a good likeness. He holds
in his hand a plant called, in compliment to him, Aitonia,
by the celebrated Thunberg.
He left, by his lady, 1. William, lord Alexander, viscount Canada, his eldest son, who died in the office of his majesty’s resident
He left, by his lady, 1. William, lord Alexander, viscount Canada, his eldest son, who died in the office of his majesty’s resident in Nova Scotia, during his father’s lifetime: William, the son of this young nobleman succeeded his grandfather in the earldom, but died about a month after him 2. Henry Alexander, afterwards earl of Stirling 3. John, and two daughters, lady Margaret and lady Mary. Henry Alexander settled in England, and was succeeded in titles and estate by his grandson Henry, who died in 1739, and was the last male descendant of the first earl. A claimant appeared in 1776, but, being unable to prove his descent before the house of peers, was ordered not to assume the title .
m, he could not perform the duties of his function. Having therefore settled a curate, he retired to his eldest son’s house at Hammersmith, where shortly after he died,
was born in Russia, of the imperial line. When that country was disturbed by intestine quarrels, in the latter end of the 16th century, and the royal house particularly was severely persecuted by impostors, this gentleman and his two brothers were sent over to England, and recommended to the care of Mr. Joseph Bidell, a Kussia merchant. Mr. Bidell, when they were of age fit for the university, sent them all three to Oxford, where the small-pox unhappily prevailing, two of them died of it. We know not whether this surviving brother took any degree, but it is very probable he did, since he entered into holy orders; and, in the year 1618, had the rectory of Wot) ley in Huntingdonshire, a living of no very considerable value, being rated at under 10l. in the king’s books. Here he did his duty with great cheerfulness and alacrity; and notwithstanding he was twice invited back to his native country, by some who would have ventured their utmost to have set him on the throne of his ancestors, he chose rather to remain with his flock, and to serve God in the humble station of a parish priest. Yet in 1643 he underwent the severest trials from the rage of the fanatic soldiery, who, not satisfied with depriving him of his living, insulted him in the most barbarous manner; for, having procured a file of musqueteers to pull him out of his pulpit, as he was preaching on a, Sunday, they turned his wife and young children out into the street, into which also they threw his goods. The poor man in this distress raised a tent under some trees in the church-yard, over against his house, where he and his family lived for a week. One day having gotten a few eggs, he picked up some rotten wood and dry sticks, and with these made a fire in the church porch, in order to boil them; but some of his adversaries, to show how far they could carry their rage against the church (for this poor man was so harmless, they could have none against him), came and kicked about his fire, threw down his skillet, and broke his eggs. After this, having still a little money, he made a small purchase in that neighbourhood, built a house, and lived there some years. He was encouraged to this by a presbyterian minister who came in his room, and honestly paid him a fifth part of the annual income of the living, which was the allowance made by parliament to ejected ministers, treated him with great humanity, and did him all the services in his power. It is a great misfortune that this gentleman’s name is not preserved, his conduct in this respect being the more laudable, because it was not a little singular. Walker calls him Mr. B, and the living is not mentioned by Calamy. Afterwards, probably on the death or removal of this gentleman, Mr. Alphery left Huntingdonshire, and came and resided at Hammersmith, till the Restoration pu,thim in possession of his living again. He returned on this occasion to Huntingdonshire, where he did not stay long; for, being upwards of 80, and very infirm, he could not perform the duties of his function. Having therefore settled a curate, he retired to his eldest son’s house at Hammersmith, where shortly after he died, full of years and of honour. It must be owned that this article is very imperfect; but the singularity of a Russian prince’s being a country minister in England is a matter of too much curiosity to be wholly omitted.
his family to Embden, and afterwards to the Hague, where the king of Bohemia engaged him to instruct his eldest son, but permitted him at the same time to accept a
He distinguished himself by his learning at the synod
of Dort, whither he. was sent with two other deputies of
the Palatinate, Scultetus and Tossanus. He appears to
have conceived great hopes soon after his return to Heidelberg, the elector Palatine having gained a crown by the
troubles of Bohemia, but he met with a dreadful disappointment. Count Tilli took Heidelberg by storm in
Sept. 1622, and allowed his soldiers to commit every species of outrage and violence. Alting escaped almost by a
miracle, which is thus related: He was in his study, when
news was brought that the enemy was master of the town,
and ready to plunder it. Upon his bolting his door he had
recourse to prayer. One of his friends, accompanied by
two soldiers, advised him to retire by the back door into
the chancellor’s house, which was protected by a strong
guard, because count Tilli designed the papers that were
lodged there should come entire into his hands. The lieutenant-colonel of the regiment of Hohenzollen was upon
this guard, and addressing himself to Alting, said, “With
this axe I have killed to-day ten men, and Dr. Alting shall
be the eleventh, if I can discover where he has hid himself,
” and concluded this barbarous speech by asking Alting, “who are you?
” Alting, with great presence of
mind, answered, “I have been regent in the college of
Sapience.
” This expression the savage murderer did not
understand, and permitted him to escape. On this he
contrived to retire to his family, which he had sent some
time before to Heilbrun. He rejoined it at Schorndorf,
but was not allowed to continue there more than a few
months, owing to the illiberal conduct of some Lutheran
ministers. In 1623 he retired with his family to Embden,
and afterwards to the Hague, where the king of Bohemia
engaged him to instruct his eldest son, but permitted him
at the same time to accept a professorship of divinity at
Groningen, which he entered upon, June 16, 1627, and
kept to the day of his death.
of his sons, by whom they were published. All his editions are valued for their accuracy. Boniface, his eldest son, who died in 1562, was for thirty years law professor
, a learned printer of the fifteenth
century, was born at Rutlingen, in Suabia, and settled at
Basil. He was the first who made use of the round type,
instead of the Italic and Gothic. In 1506, he published
the first edition of the works of St. Augustine, corrected by
himself, with a type known long by the name of the St.
Augustine type. He began also the works of St. Jerome;
but his death, which took place in 1515, prevented his
finishing them, and he left them to the care of his sons, by
whom they were published. All his editions are valued
for their accuracy. Boniface, his eldest son, who died in
1562, was for thirty years law professor at Basil, five times
rector of the university, and went through the different
offices of magistracy with the reputation of a man of great
integrity. In 1659, was printed at Basil, 4to, the “Bibliotheca Amerbachiana,
” a scarce work, which throws considerable light on the history of printing, and mentions many
early editions omitted in our largest catalogues. Erasmus
and Boniface Amerbach contributed to this Bibliotheca.
Boniface had a son Basil, also a man of learning, syndic of
the city, and rector of the university. He contributed much
to the cabinet of pictures, and medals, and to the library
which his father had founded. He founded likewise some
charitable establishments, and a new professorship in the
university, called the Amerbachian.
rom the elector of Brandenbourg. He was also made minister of Berlin, and had the pleasure of seeing his eldest son made judge and director of the French who were in
, an eminent divine, of the reformed church at Metz, was born March 17, 1617. He studied from the ninth or tenth year of his age in the Jesuits’ college, then the only one at Metz where there was an opportunity of being instructed in polite literature. In this college he gave such proofs of genius, that the heads of the society left nothing unattempted in order to draw him over to their religion and party, but he continued firm against their attacks, and that he might be the more enabled to withstand them, took the resolution of studying divinity, in which he was so indefatigable, that his father was often obliged to interpose his authority to interrupt his continual application, lest it suould injure his health. He went to Geneva in the year 1633, and performed his course of philosophy there under Mr. du Pattr, and his divinity studies under Spanheim, Diodati, and Tronchin, who had a great esteem for him. He left Geneva in April 1641, and offered himself to the synod of Charenton, in order to take upon him the office of a minister. His abilities were greatly admired by the examiners, and his modesty by the ministers of Paris; and the whole assembly was so highly satisfied with him, that they gave him one of the most considerable churches, which was unprovided for, that of Meaux, where he exercised his ministry till the year 1653, and became extremely popular, raising an extensive reputation by his learning, eloquence, and virtue, and was even highly respected by those of the Roman catholic communion. He displayed his talents with still greater reputation and success in his own country, where he was minister from the year 1653, till the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685. He retired to Francfort after that fatal blow; and having preached in the French church at Hanau, the whole assembly was so edified by it, that they immediately called together the heads of the families, in order to propose that he might be desired to accept of the office of minister among them. The proposition was agreed to; and they sent deputies who prevailed on him, and he began the exercise of his ministry in that church about the end of the year 1685. It was now that several persons who had quitted the French church, for some disgust, returned to it again. The professors of divinity, and the German and Dutch ministers, attended frequently upon his sermons. The count of Hanau himself, who had never before been seen in that church, came thither to hear Mr. Ancillon. His auditors came from the neighbouring parts, and even from Francfort, and people, who understood nothing of French, flocked together with great eagerness, and said, that they loved to see him speak; a degree of popularity which excited the jealousy of two other ministers, who at length rendered his situation so uneasy that he was induced to abandon voluntarily a place from which they could not force him. If he had chosen to rely upon the voice of the people, he might have still retained his situation, but it was his opinion that a faithful pastor ought not to establish his own interests upon any division between a congregation and its ministers, and as through his whole life he had been averse to parties, and had remonstrated often against cabals and factions, he would not take advantage of the disposition which the people were in towards him, nor permit them to act. Having therefore attempted every method which charity suggested without success, he resolved to quit Hanau, where he had to wrangle without intermission, and where his patience, which had supported several great trials, might possibly he at last overcome; and for these reasons he left it privately. He would now have returned to Francfort to settle, but in consideration of his numerous family, he preferred Berlin, where he received a kind reception from the elector of Brandenbourg. He was also made minister of Berlin, and had the pleasure of seeing his eldest son made judge and director of the French who were in that city, and his other son rewarded with a pension, and entertained at the university of Francfort upon the Oder, and at last minister in ordinary of the capital. He had likewise the satisfaction of seeing his brother made judge of all the French in the states of Brandenbourg, and Mr. Cayart, his son-in-law, engineer to his electoral highness. He enjoyed these circumstances undisturbed, till his death at Berlin, September 3, 1692, aged seventy-five years. His marriage was contracted in a very singular way: The principal heads of families of the church of Meaux seeing how much their minister distinguished himself, and hearing him sometimes saying, that he would go to Metz to see his father and relations, whom he had not seen for several years, were apprehensive lest they should lose him. They thought of a thousand expedients in order to fix him with them for a long time; and the surest way in their opinion was to marry him to some rich lady of merit, who had an estate in that country or near it. One of them recollected he had heard, that Mr. Ancillon having preached one Sunday in the morning at Charenton, he was universally applauded; and that Mr. Macaire especially, a venerable old gentleman, of very exemplary virtue and piety, and possessed of a considerable estate at Paris and about Meaux, had given him a thousand blessings and commendations, and said aloud to those who sat near him in the church, that he had but one daughter, who was an only child, and very dear to him; but if that gentleman, speaking of Mr. Ancillon, should come and ask her in marriage, he would give her with all his heart. Upon this, they went to ask him, whether he still continued in that favourable opinion of him; he replied, that he did; and accompanied that answer with new expressions of his esteem and affection for Mr. Ancillon; so that the marriage was concluded in the year 1649, and proved a very happy one, although there was a great disparity of years, the young lady being only fourteen.
stored the credit and splendour of this ancient family, and was so happy as to see Henry Arden, esq. his eldest son, knighted by king James, and married to Dorothy the
was descended of a most ancient and honourable family, seated at Parkhall, in Warwickshire. He was born' in 1532, and his father dying when he was an infant of two years old, he became, before he inherited the estate of the family, the ward of sir George Throkmorton, of Coughton, whose daughter Mary he afterwards married. In all probability, it was his engagement with this family, and being bred in it, that made him so firm a papist as he was. However, succeeding his grandfather, Thomas Arden, esq. in 1562, in the familyestate, he married Mary (Throkmorton), and settled in the country, his religion impeding his preferment, and his temper inclining him to a retired life. His being a near neighbour to the great earl of Leicester, occasioned his having some altercations with him, who affected to rule all things in that county, and some persons, though of good families, and possessed of considerable estates, thought it no discredit to wear that nobleman’s livery, which Mr. Arden disdained. In the course of this fatal quarrel, excessive insolence on one side produced some warm expressions on the other; insomuch that Mr. Arden npenly taxed the earl with his conversing criminally with the countess of Essex in that earl’s lite-time; and also inveighed against his pride, as a thing more inexcusable in a nobleman newly created. These taunts having exasperated that minister, he projected, or at least forwarded, his destruction. Mr. Arden had married one of his daughters to John Somerville, esq. a young gentleman of an old family and good fortune, in the same county, but who was a man of a hot rash temper, and by many thought a little insane. He was drawn in a strange manner to plot (if it may be so called) against the queen’s life; and thus the treason is alleged to have been transacted. In the Whitsun-holidays, 1583, he with his wife was at Mr. Arden’s, where Hugh Hall, his father-in-law’s priest, persuaded him that queen Elizabeth being an incorrigible heretic, and growing daily from bad to worse, it would be doing God and his country good service to take her life away. When the holidays were over, he returned to his own house with his wife, where he grew melancholy and irresolute. Upon this his wife wrote to Hall, her father’s priest, to come and strengthen his purpose. Hall excused his coming, but wrote at large, to encourage Somerville to prosecute what he had undertaken. This letter induced Somerville to set out for London, but he proceeded no farther than Warwick, where, drawing his sword and wounding some protestaats, he was instantly seized. While he was going to Warwick, his wife went over to her father’s, and shewed him and her mother Hall’s treasonable letter, which her father threw into the fire; so that only the hearsay of this letter could be alleged against him and his wife, by Hall who wrote it, who was tried and condemned with them. On Somerville’s apprehension, he said somewhat of his father and mother-in-law, and immediately orders were sent into Warwickshire for their being seized and imprisoned. October 30, 1583, Mr. Somerville was committed to the Tower for high-treason. November 4, Hall, the priest, was committed also; and on the seventh of the same month, Mr. Arden. On the sixteenth, Mary the wife of Mr. Arden, Margaret their daughter, wife to Mr. Somerville, and Elizabeth, the sister of Mr. Somerville, were committed. On the twenty-third Mr. Arden was racked in the Tower, and the next day Hugh Hall the priest was tortured likewise. By these methods some kind of evidence being brought out, on the sixteenth of December Edward Arden, esq. and Mary his wife, John Somerville, esq. and Hugh Hall the priest, were tried and convicted of high-treason at Guildhall, London; chiefly on Hall’s confession, who yet received sentence with the rest. On the nineteenth of December, Mr. Arden and his son-in-law, Somerville, were removed from the Tower to Newgate, for a night’s time only. In this space Somerville was strangled by his own hands, as it was given out; but, as the world believed, by such as desired to remove him silently. The next day, being December 20, 1583, Edward Arden was executed at Smithfield with the general pity of all spectators. He died with the same high spirit he had shewn throughout his life. After professing his innocence, he owned himself a papist, and one who died for his religion, and want of flexibility, though under colour of conspiring against the state. He strenuously insisted, that Somerville was murdered, to prevent his shaming his prosecutors; and having thus extenuated things to such as heard him, he patiently submitted to an ignominious death. His execution was according to the rigour of the law, his head being set (as Somerville’s also was) upon London-bridge, and his quarters upon the city gates; but the body of his son-in-law was interred in Moornelds. Mrs. Arden was pardoned; but the queen gave the estate which fell to her, by her and her husband’s attainder, to Mr. Darcy. Hugh Hall, the priest, likewise was pardoned; but Leicester, doubting his secrecy, would have engaged chancellor Hatton to send him abroad; which he refusing, new rumours, little to that proud earl’s honour, flew about. Holinshed, Stowe, and other writers, treat Mr. Arden as a traitor fairly convicted; but Camden. was too honest to write thus, and it may be probable, that he died for being a firm Englishman, rather than a bad subject. His son and heir Robert Arden, esq. being bred in one of the inns of court, proved a very wise and fortunate person: insomuch that by various suits he wrung from Edward Darcy, esq. the grantee, most of his father’s estates, and by marrying Elizabeth, daughter of Reginald Corbet, esq. one of the justices of the king’s bench, he restored the credit and splendour of this ancient family, and was so happy as to see Henry Arden, esq. his eldest son, knighted by king James, and married to Dorothy the daughter of Basil Fielding of Kewnham, esq. whose son became earl of Denbigh. On this account, the last editor of the Biographia Britannica remarks, that the conduct of lord Burleigh in Mr. Arden’s fate is somewhat equivocal. If that great man. was convinced of Mr. Arden’s innocence, it was totally unworthy of his character to charge him with having been a traitor. It is more 'honourable, therefore, to lord Burleigh’s reputation, and more agreeable to probability, to suppose that he believed Mr. Arden to be guilty, at least in a certain degree, of evil designs against the queen. Indeed, Arden was so bigoted a papist, that it is not unlikely but that by some imprudent words, if not by actions, he might furnish a pretence for the accusations brought against him. We can scarcely otherwise imagine how it would have been possible for the government to have proceeded to such extremities. We do not mean, by these remarks, to vindicate the severity with which this unfortunate gentleman was treated; and are sensible that, during queen Elizabeth’s reign, there was solid foundation for the jealousy and dread which were entertained of the Roman catholics.
died in 1774, and was buried in Yoxal church, where is a neat mural monument erected to his memory. His eldest son, the subject of this article, imbibed an early taste
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of the same name, resident at, and lords of the manor of Fauld in Staffordshire. His father, Daniel Astle, who was keeper of Needwood forest, died in 1774, and was buried in Yoxal church, where is a neat mural monument erected to his memory. His eldest son, the subject of this article, imbibed an early taste for the study of antiquities, particularly that abstruse and laborious part of it, the decyphering of ancient records, in which the profession of an attorney, to which he was brought up at Yoxal, gave him an opportunity of excelling, far beyond any of his contemporaries. His father was about to fix him in a good country situation, to practise in the profession he had so aptly learnt; but his genius and enthusiasm, fortunately for himself and the public at large, frustrated that design, and induced him to come to London, where alone his taste could be indulged and his talents rewarded. About 1763, he obtained the patronage of Mr. Grenville, then first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, who employed him as well in his public as private affairs, and joined him in a commission with the late sir Joseph Ayloffe, bart. and Dr. Ducarel, for superintending the regulation of the public records at Westminster. On the death of his colleague, Mr. Topham was substituted, and both were removed by Mr. Pitt during his administration". Previously, however, to this, if we mistake not, he had enjoyed the patronage of lord Townshend, and soon after he was introduced to the rev. Philip Morant, author of the History of Essex, a gentleman of good property in that country, whose daughter and heiress he soon after married, and by that means, at her father’s death, possessed his estate.
ounty of Essex, was knighted by James I. May 1, 1603, and created a baronet, Nov. 25, 1612; and from his eldest son by his third wife, the late baronet was the fourth
, bart. V.P.A.S. and F.R.S.
of Framfield in Sussex, was descended from a Saxon family, anciently seated at Bocton Alof near Wye, in the
county of Kent, in the reign of Henry III. who removed to
Hornchurch, in the county of Essex, in that of Henry IV.
and to Sudbury in that of Edward IV. Sir William Ayloffe
of Great Braxtead, in the county of Essex, was knighted
by James I. May 1, 1603, and created a baronet, Nov. 25,
1612; and from his eldest son by his third wife, the late
baronet was the fourth in descent, and fifth in title. His
father Joseph, a barrister, who married a daughter of Bryan Ayliffe, an eminent merchant of London, and died in
1717, and his grandfather, were both of Gray’s Inn. He
was born about 1703, received the early part of his education at Westminster school, admitted of Lincoln’s Inn
1724, and in the same year was entered a gentleman-commoner at St. John’s college, Oxford, which college he
quitted about 1728; elected F.A.S. Feb. 10, 1731-2, one
of the first council under their charter, 1751
vice-president, 17; and F.R.S. June 3, 1731. He prevailed on
Mr. Kirby, painter in Ipswich, to make drawings of a great
number of monuments and buildings in Suffolk, of which
twelve were engraved, with a description, 1748, and others
remain unpublished. He had at that time an intention to
write a history of the county, and had drawn up proposals
for that purpose but, being disappointed of the materials
which he had reason to expect for so laborious a work, they
were never published. On the building of Westminsterbridge he was appointed secretary to the commissioners,
1737 and on the establishment of the Paper-office on the
respectable footing it at present is, by the removal of the
state-papers from the old gate at Whitehall to new apartments at the Treasury, he was nominated the first in the
commission for the care and preservation of them. In 1747
he circulated “Proposals for printing by subscription, Encyclopaedia; or, a rational Dictionary of Arts, Sciences,
and Trade. By several eminent hands. Methodized, digested, and now publishing at Paris, by M. Diderot, fellow
of the Imperial and Royal Academies of Paris and St. Petersburgh and, as to the mathematical part, by M. d'Alembert, member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris
and Berlin, aud F. R. S. Translated from the French, with
additions and improvements;
” in which was to be included
a great variety of new articles, tending to explain and illustrate the antiquities, history ecclesiastical, civil, and military, laws, customs, manufactures, commerce, curiosities, &c.
of Great Britain and Ireland by sir Joseph Ayloffe, bart.
F. R. S. and of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and
author of “The Universal Librarian.
” Of this work a
prospectus was published, in one large sheet, dated Dec.
14, 1751 and the first number of the work itself, June 11,
1752. This nuftiber being badly received by the public,
the further prosecution of the business seems to have been
dropped. See some account of it in the Gentleman’s Mag.
1752, p. 46. It was proposed to have been finished by
Christmas 1756, in ten quarto volumes, price nine guineas,
the last two to contain upwards of six hundred plates. In
1772 he published, in 4to, “Calendars of the Ancient
Charters, &c. and of the Welsh and Scottish Rolls now remaining in the Tower ofLondon, &c.
” (which was begun to be printed by the late Rev. Mr. Morant), and in the introduction gives a most judicious and exact account-of our
public records. He drew up the account of the ehapel of
London-bridge, of which an engraving was published by
Vertue, 1748, and again by the Society of Antiquaries,
1777. His historical description of the interview between
Henry VIII. and Francis I. on the Champ de Drap d'Or,
from an original painting at Windsor, and his account of
the paintings of the same age at Cowdray, were inserted in
the third volume of the Archaeologia, and printed separately, to accompany engravings of two of these pictures by
the Society of Antiquaries, 1775. His account of the body
of Edward I. as it appeared on opening his tomb, 1774, was
printed in the same volume, p. 376. Having been educated, as has been observed, at Westminster, he acquired
an early affection for that venerable cathedral and his intimate acquaintance witfi every part of it displayed itself in
his accurate description of five monuments in the choir,
engraved in 1779 by the same society; who must reckon,
among the many obligations which they owe to his zeal and
attention to their interests, the last exertions of his life to
put their affairs on the most respectable and advantageous
footing, on their removal to their new apartments in Somerset Place. He superintended the new edition of Leland’s Collectanea, in 9 vols. 8vo, 1770, and also of the
Liber Niger Scaccarii, in 2 vols. 8vo, 1771, to each of
which he added a valuable appendix to the latter the
charters of Kingston-on-Thames, of which his father was
recorder. He also revised through the press a new edition
of Hearne’s “Curious Discourses,
” Registrum Roffense,
” published by Mr.
Thorpe in A Collection of
Debates in Parliament before the Restoration, from Mss.
by sir Joseph Ayloffe, bart.
” which is supposed never to
have appeared. In January 1734, he married Mrs. Margaret Railton (daughter and heiress of Thomas Railton, esq. of Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland, and relict of Thomas Railton, esq. who died in the commission of the peace for the city of Westminster, Sept. 4, 1732) and by
this lady he had one son of his own name, who died of the
small-pox, at Trinity hall, Cambridge, at the age of twentyone, Dec. 19, 1756. Sir Joseph died at his house at Kennington-lane, Lambeth, April 19, 1781, aged seventy-two;
and was buried in a vault in Henclon church, with his father
and his only son. His extensive knowledge of our national
antiquities and municipal rights, and the agreeable manner
in which he communicated it to his friends and tjie public,
made him sincerely regretted hy all who had the pleasure
of his acquaintance. Such of his Mss. as had not been
claimed by his friends, were sold by auction, February 27,
1782.
their various researches and endeavours for the advancement of knowledge and the benefit of society. His eldest son, David Erskine Baker, was a young man of genius and
Mr. Baker was a constant and useful attendant at the
meetings of the royal and antiquary societies, and in both
was frequently chosen one of the council. He was peculiarly attentive to all the new improvements which were
made in natural science, and very solicitous for the prosecution of them. Several of his communications are printed
in the Philosophical Transactions and, besides the papers
written by himself, he was the means, by his extensive
correspondence, of conveying to the society the intelligence and observations of other inquisitive and philosophical men. His correspondence was not confined to his
own country. To him we are obliged for a true history of the
coccus polonicus, transmitted by Dr. Wolfe. It is to Mr.
Baker’s communications that we owe the larger alpine
strawberry, of late so much cultivated and approved of in
England. The seeds of it were sent in a letter from professor Bruns of Turin to our philosopher, who gave them
to several of his friends^ by whose care they furnished an
abundant increase. The seeds likewise of the true rhubarb,
or rheum palmatum, now to be met with in almost every
garden in this country, were first transmitted to Mr. Baker
by Dr. Mounsey, physician to the empress of Russia.
These, like the former, were distributed to his various
acquaintance, and some of the seeds vegetated very kindly.
It is apprehended that all the plants of the rhubarb now in
Great Britain were propagated from this source. Two or
three of Mr. Baker’s papers, which relate to antiquities,
may be found in the Philosophical Transactions. The society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures, and
commerce, is under singular obligations to our worthy naturalist. As he was one of the earliest members of it, so
he contributed in no small degree to its rise and establishment. At its first institution, he officiated for some time
gratis, as secretary. He was many years chairman ^of the
committee of accounts and he took an active part in the
general deliberations of the society. In his attendance he
was almost unfailing, and there were few questions of any
moment upon which he did not deliver his opinion. Though,
fronl the lowness of his voice, his manner of speaking was
not powerful, it was clear, sensible, and convincing; what
he said, being usually much to the purpose, and always
proceeding from the best intentions, had often the good
effect of contributing to bring the society to rational determinations, when many of the members seemed to have lost
themselves in the intricacies of debate. He drew up a
short account of the original of this society, and of the
concern he himself had in forming it; which was read before the society of antiquaries, and would be a pleasing
present to the public. Mr*. Baker was a poetical writer in
the early part of his life. His “Invocation of Health
”
got abroad without his knowledge; but was reprinted by
himself in his “Original Poems, serious and humourous,
”
Part the first, 8vo, The Universe^
a poem, intended to restrain the pride of man,
” which has
been several times reprinted. His account of the water
polype, which was originally published in the Philosophical
Transactions, was afterwards enlarged into a separate treatise, and hath gone through several editions. In 1728 he
began, and for five years conducted the “Universal Spectator,
” a periodical paper, under the assumed name of
Henry Stonecastle a selection of these papers was afterwards printed in 4 vols. 12mo. In 1737 he published “Medulla Poetarum Romanorum,
” 2 vols. 8vo, a selection from
the Roman poets, with translations. But his principal publications are, “The Microscope made easy,
” and “Employment for the Microscope.
” The first of these, which
was originally published in 1742, or 1743, has gone through
six editions. The second edition of the other, which, to
say the least of it, is equally pleasing and instructive, appearedin 1764. These treatises, and especially the latter,
contain the most curious and important of the observations
and experiments which Mr. Baker either laid before the
royal society, or published separately. It has been said
of Mr. Baker, “that he was a philosopher in little things.
”
If it was intended by this language to lessen his reputation,
there is no propriety in the stricture. He was an intelligent, upright and benevolent man, much respected by
those who knew him best. His friends were the friends of
science and virtue and it will always be remembered by
his contemporaries, that no one was more ready than himself to assist those with whom he was conversant in their
various researches and endeavours for the advancement of
knowledge and the benefit of society. His eldest son, David Erskine Baker, was a young man of genius and learning, and, like his father, a philosopher, an antiquary, and
a poet. Being very partial to mathematical and geometrical studies, the duke of Montague, then master of the ordnance, placed him in the drawing-room in the Tower, to
qualify him for the royal engineers. In a letter to Dr.
Doddridge, dated 1747, his father speaks of him in these
terms: “He has been somewhat forwarder than boys usually
are, from a constant conversation with men. At twelve
years old he had translated the whole twenty-four books of
Telemachus from the French before he was fifteen, he
translated from the Italian, and published, a treatise on
physic, of Dr. Cocchi, of Florence, concerning the diet
and doctrines of Pythagoras and last year, before he was
seventeen, he likewise published a treatise of sir Isaac
Newton’s Metaphysics, compared with those of Dr. Leibnitz, from the French of M. Voltaire. He is a pretty
good master of the Latin, understands some Greek, is
reckoned no bad mathematician for his years, and knows
a great deal of natural history, both from reading and observation, so that, by the grace of God, I hope he will
become a virtuous and useful man.
” In another letter he
mentions a singular commission given to his son, that of
making drawings of all the machines, designs, and operations employed in the grand fire- works to be exhibited on
occasion of the peace of 1748. It is to be regretted, however, that his father’s expectations were disappointed by a
reverse of conduct in this son, occasioned by his turn for
dramatic performances, and his marrying the daughter of
a Mr. Clendon, a clerical empiric, who had, like himself,
a similar turn. In consequence of this unhappy taste, he
repeatedly engaged with the lowest strolling companies, in
spite of every effort of his father to reclaim him. The
public was, however, indebted to him for “The Companion to the Playhouse,
” Biographia Dramatica
”) been considerably improved,
first in 2 vols. 8vo, and left ready for the
press an arranged collection of all the statutes relating to
bankruptcy, with cases, precedents, &c. entitled
” The
Clerk to the Commission," a work which is supposed to
have been published under another title in 1768.
ch he occupied with honour and credit to himself, and from which he derived very handsome emolument. His eldest son Thomas, evincing a strong partiality for the arts,
, an eminent English sculptor, born in 1735, was the son of Mr. William Banks, land-steward to the then duke of Beaufort, a situation which he occupied with honour and credit to himself, and from which he derived very handsome emolument. His eldest son Thomas, evincing a strong partiality for the arts, was placed with Mr. Kent, whose name is well known in the architectural annals of that period but, shewing afterwards a preference for sculpture, he studied that art with greater success in the royal academy, then lately instituted, and obtained the geld medal and other prizes for his productions he was also elected to be sent for three years to pursue his studies on the continent, at the expence of that establishment which was one of its regulations previous to the French revolution, when the disturbances in Italy rendered it difficult, if not impossible, for Englishmen to travel in that country. The residence of Mr. Banks was prolonged beyond the limits allowed by the academy for his enthusiastic admiration of the antique, which could then be seen only in perfection in that now despoiled country, and his eager endeavours to imitate the simplicity and elegance of its best specimens, made him unwilling to quit a spot where he could contemplate its beauties with unremitting delight. He met with some patronage from his countrymen who visited Rome and among others of his productions which were sent to this country, was a basso-relievo in marble, representing Caractacus with his family broughtprisoners before Claudius which now ornaments the entrance-hall at Stowe, the seat of the marquis of Buckingham a beautiful little figure of Pysche stealing the golden fleece, in marble also, which was intended as a portrait of the princess Sophia of Gloucester, and is still in her family and an exquisite figure of Cupid catching a butterfly, an emblem of loye tormenting the soul, the size of life, which perhaps for grace, symmetry of form, and accuracy of contour, has scarcely been equalled by a modern hand, and might almost vie with those productions of the ancients, to which his admiration, as well as emulation, had been so constantly directed.
h been known to style him the great Commoner and lord Palmerston requested his youngest daughter for his eldest son, as an honour done to his family.
When, during lord Granville’s being secretary of state,
any applications were made by the merchants to administration, his lordship was accustomed to ask, “What does
sir John Barnard say what is his opinion
” That celebrated nobleman and Mr. Pulteney used frequently to visit
him at Clapham, to request his advice with regard to any
important affairs in which they were engaged. Lord Chatham, when Mr. Pitt, hath been known to style him the
great Commoner and lord Palmerston requested his youngest daughter for his eldest son, as an honour done to his
family.
Anne, eldest daughter of sir William Daines, by whom he left six sons and three daughters. William, his eldest son, succeeded to his father’s honours; was elected,
Lord Barrington married Anne, eldest daughter of sir William Daines, by whom he left six sons and three daughters. William, his eldest son, succeeded to his father’s honours; was elected, soon after he came of age, member for the town of Berwick, and afterwards for Plymouth; and, in the late and present reigns, passed through the successive offices of lord of the admiralty, master of the wardrobe, chancellor of the exchequer, treasurer of the navy, and secretary at war. He died in 1793. Francis, the second, died young. John, the third, was a majorgeneral in the army, commanded the land forces at the reduction of the island of Guadaloupe in 1758, and died in 17CM-. Of Daines and Samuel some notice will follow; Shutc, the sixth, is now bishop of Durham. Of the three daughters, who survived their father, Sarah married Robert Price, esq. of Foxley in Herefordshire Anne, Thomas Clarges, esq. only son of sir Thomas Clarges, bart. and Mary died unmarried.
Roschild. He died of a violent colic, the 13th of July 1629, at Sora, whither he had gone to conduct his eldest son. His works are, 1. “Problematum philosophicorum et
Bartholine now began his travels; and, after having
gone through part of Germany, Flanders, and Holland, he
passed over to England, whence he removed to Germany,
iii order to proceed to Italy. After his departure from
Wirtemberg, he had made physic his principal study, and
neglected nothing to improve himself in the different universities through which he passed. He received everywhere marks of respect at Naples particularly they solicited him to be anatomical professor, but he declined it.
In France he was offered the Greek professorship at Sedan,
which he also refused. After he had travelled as far as the
frontiers of Spain, he returned to Italy, in order to perfect
himself in the practice of medicine. He went from thence
to Padua, where he applied with great care to anatomy
and dissection. After some stay in this place he removed
to Basil, where he had studied physic some time before;
and here he received his doctor’s degree in physic in 1610.
He next went to Wirtemberg and Holland, and intended
to have extended his travels still farther, had he not been
appointed professor of the Latin tongue at Copenhagen;
but he did not enjoy this long; for, at the end of six
months, in 1613, he was chosen professor of medicine,
which was much more adapted to his talents and disposition. He held this professorship eleven years, when he
fell into an illness, which made him despair of life: in this
extremity he made a vow, that if he was restored to health,
he would apply himself to no other study than that of divinity. He recovered, and kept his promise. Conrad
Aslach, the professor of divinity, dying some years after
Caspar was appointed his successor, the 12th of March
1624; the king also gave him the canonry of Roschild.
He died of a violent colic, the 13th of July 1629, at Sora,
whither he had gone to conduct his eldest son. His works
are, 1. “Problematum philosophicorum et medicorum miscellaneae observationes,
” Opuscula quatuor singularia, de lapide nephritico, &c.
” Hafniye, Anatomicac institutiones,
” Controversial Anatomicat,
” Syntagma medicum et chirurgicum de cauteriis,
” Enchiridion physicum,
” Systema physicum,
”
Manuductio ad veram phycologiam ex sacr.
litter. &c.
”
the vault under Pentonville chapel. The ingenuity and integrity of this able artist are inherited by his eldest son, of whose works it may be enough to mention only
, an eminent English engraver, son of
Isaac Basire, who was an engraver and printer, was born
Oct. 6, 1730; and bred from infancy to his father’s profession, which he practised with great reputation for sixty years.
He studied under the direction of Mr. Richard Dalton; was
with him at Rome made several drawings from the pictures
of Raphael, &c. at the time that Mr. Stuart, Mr. Brand
Hollis, and sir Joshua Reynolds, were there. He was appointed engraver to the society of antiquaries about 1760;
and to the royal society about 1770. As a specimen of his
numerous works, it may be sufficient to refer to the beautiful plates of the “Vetusta Monumenta,
” published by the
society of antiquaries, and to Mr. Cough’s truly valuable
“Sepulchral Monuments.
” With the author of that splendid work he was most deservedly a favourite. When he
had formed the plan, and hesitated on actually committing
it to the press, Mr. Gough says, “Mr. Basire’s specimens
of drawing and engraving gave me so much satisfaction,
that it was impossible to resist the impulse of carrying such
a design into execution.
” The royal portraits and other
beautiful plates in the “Sepulchral Monuments
” fully
justified the idea which the author had entertained of his
engraver’s talents; and are handsomely acknowledged by
Mr. Gough. The Plate of “Le Champ de Drap d'Or
” was
finished in antiquarian paper. Besides the numerous plates which he
engraved for the societies, he was engaged in a great number of public and private works, which bear witness to the
fidelity of his burin. He engraved the portraits of Fielding
and Hogarth in 1762; earl Camden, in 1766, after sir
Joshua Reynolds; Pylades and Orestes, 1770, from a picture by West; portraits of the Rev. John Watson, and sir
George Warren’s family; portraits also of dean Swift, and
Dr. Parnell, 1774; sir James Burrow, 1780; Mr. Bowyer,
1782; portraits also of Dr. Munro, Mr. Gray, Mr.
Thonxpson, Lady Stanhope, Sir George Savile, Bishop Hoadly,
Rev. Dr. Pegge, Mr. Price, AlgernonSydney, Andrew
Marvell, William Camden, William Brereton,1790,&c. &c.;
Captain Cook’s portrait, and other plates, for his First and
Second Voyages a great number of plates for Stuart’s
Athens (which are well drawn). In another branch of his art,
the Maps for general Roy’s
” Roman Antiquities in Britain“are particularly excellent. He married, first, Anne
Beaupuy; and, secondly, Isabella Turner. He died Sept.
6, 1802, in his seventy-third year, and was buried in the
vault under Pentonville chapel. The ingenuity and integrity of this able artist are inherited by his eldest son, of
whose works it may be enough to mention only the
” Cathedrals," published by the society of antiquaries, from the
exquisite drawings by Mr. John Carter. A third James Basirc, born in 1796, has already given several proofs of superior excellence in the arts of drawing and engraving.
, his eldest son, was born at Basil in 1541, took his doctor’s degree
, his eldest son, was born at Basil in
1541, took his doctor’s degree in 1562, and afterwards became principal physician to Frederick duke of Wirtemberg.
In 1561 he attached himself to the celebrated Gessner,
under whom he studied botany with great perseverance
and success. The principal works by which he gained a
lasting name in the annals of that and other sciences, were
his 1. “Memorabilis historia luporum aliquot rabidorum,
” De plantis a divis, sanctisque nomen habentibus,
” Basil, Vivitur ingenio,
caetera mortis erunt,
” the inscription of a work on insects
and plants, but which has no other title, 1592, oblong form.
4. “. De plantis absynthii nomen habentibus,
” Montbelliard,
1593, 1599, 8vo. 5. Historia novi et admirabilis fontis, balneique Bollensis,“ib. 1598, 4to. 6.
” Historian plantarum
prodromus,“Ebroduni (Brinn) 1619, 4to. 7.
” Historia
plantarum universalis,“3 vols. folio, 1650, 1651. This edition is enriched with the notes of Dominic Chabrans, a physician of Geneva, and the remarks of Robert Moryson, which
he first published in his
” Hortus Blesensis,“and which, it
is now allowed, were unreasonably severe. 8.
” De Aquis
medicatis, nova methodus, quatuor libris comprehensa,"
Montbeliarcf, 1605, 1607, 1612, 4to. Bauhin, after being
physician to the duke of Wirtemberg for forty years, during which he resided at Montbeliard, died there in 1613.
weetness of temper, and filial affection, he was compelled to resign them both to an untimely gravey His eldest son died November 19, 1790, in his twentysecond year;
With this lady Dr. Beattie enjoyed for many years as much felicity as the married state can add; and when she visited London with him, she shared amply in the respect paid to him, and in the esteem of his illustrious friends. By her he had two sons, James Hay, so named from the earl of Errol, one of his old and steady friends; and Montagu, from the celebrated Mrs. Montagu, in whose house Dr. Beattie frequently resided when in London. While these children were very young, Mrs. Beattie was seized with an indisposition, which, in spite of all care and skill, terminated in the painful necessity of separation from her husband*. The care of the children now entirely devolved on the father, whose sensibility received such a shock from the melancholy circumstance alluded to, as could only be aggravated by an apprehension that the consequences of Mrs. Beattie’s disorder might not be confined to herself This alarm, which often preyed on his spirits, proved happily without foundation. His children grew up without the smallest appearance of the hereditary evil; but when they had just begun to repay his care by a display of early genius, sweetness of temper, and filial affection, he was compelled to resign them both to an untimely gravey His eldest son died November 19, 1790, in his twentysecond year; and his youngest on March 14, 1796, in his eighteenth year.
father, who died in 16 53, had been a woollen manufacturer at Hadleigh in Suffolk, where our author, his eldest son, was born March 13, 1615. His father, who discovered
, D. D. master of Peter-house,
Cambridge, and king’s professor of divinity, was a descendant of the ancient family of Beaumont in Leicestershire.
His father, who died in 16 53, had been a woollen manufacturer
at Hadleigh in Suffolk, where our author, his eldest son, was
born March 13, 1615. His father, who discovered in him
a turn for letters, placed him at the grammar school of his
native place, where he made uncommon proficiency in
classical learning, and in his sixteenth year was removed to
Peterhouse in Cambridge, and distinguished himself, not
more by his literary acquirements than by his pious and
orderly deportment, acquiring the high esteem of Dr. Cosins, then master of that college, and afterwards bishop of
Durham. After taking his degree of A. B. he was elected
fellow, and afterwards tutor and moderator. In 1643, as
he adhered loyally to his sovereign, he was obliged to leave
the university, then in possession of the usurping powers,
and being ejected from his fellowship, he retired to Hadleigh, where he associated with some other persons of his
own sentiments, chiefly his former pupils and the sons of
his friend and patron bishop Wren; and here he appears
to have amused himself in writing his “Psyche,
” which
was begun in April Intercourse between Christ and the Soul,
”
which was much admired in his time, but has not preserved
its popularity. Pope is reported to have said of it, that
“there are in it a great many flowers well worth gathering,
and a man who has the art of stealing wisely will find his
account in reading it.
” His biographer, however, confesses that he has generally preferred the effusions of fancy to
the corrections of judgment, and is often florid and affected,
obscure and perplexed. His Latin poems, although
perhaps superior in style, are yet below the purity of
the Augustan age. All his poetical efforts were the
amusement of his leisure hours during the rebellion, by
which he lost, besides his fellowship, some preferments
which bishop Wren had bestowed on him, as the rectory of
Kelshall in Hertfordshire in 1643, that of Elm with the
chapel of Emneth in 1646, and the seventh canonry and
prebend in the cathedral of Ely in 1647. And so zealous
was bishop Wren for his interest and happiness, that he
took him into his house as his domestic chaplain, and married him to his step-daughter in 1650. With her Mr.
Beaumont retired to Tatingston-place, where they lived in
a private manner until the restoration. On that event he
took possession of his former livings, and was also admitted
into the first list of his majesty’s chaplains, and by his majesty’s mandamus was created D. D. in 1660. In 1661 he
removed, at bishop Wren’s desire, to Ely, where he had the
misfortune to lose his wife in 1662. In April of that year,
on the resignation of Dr. Pearson, master of Jesus’ college,
Cambridge, the bishop of Ely appointed him successor,
and in 1663, on the death of Dr. Hale, master of Peterhouse, he was removed to the headship of that college,
which he governed with great care and liberality. The
same year he was instituted to the rectory of Teversham
near Cambridge, and in 1664 to that of Barley in Hertfordshire, where he alternately resided in the vacation
months every summer, feeding the poor, instructing the
ignorant, and faithfully discharging his pastoral charge. In
1665 he was drawn into a controversy with Dr. Henry
More, who had advanced some doctrines in his “Mystery
of Godliness,
” which our author thought subversive of our
constitution in church and state, and productive of manyevils to the Christian religion; Dr. More replied to
this charge, but Dr. Beaumont received the thanks of the
university for his services on this occasion. In 1670 he
was elected to the divinity chair. In the course of his
leetures, which he read for twenty-nine years, he went through
the two epistles to the Romans and Colossians, with a view
to explain the difficulties and controversies occasioned by
some passages hi them. In 1689, when the Comprehension was attempted, in order to unite the church and dissenters, he was one of the commissioners appointed for that
purpose, but never took his place at the board, convinced
of the little probability that such a scheme should succeed.
He continued to discharge the several duties of his office,
even when advanced to his eighty-fourth year, and preached
before the university in turn, Nov. 5, 1699; but a high fever came on the same evening, which, with the addition of
the gout in his stomach, proved fatal on the 23d of the same
month. His biographer sums up his character in these
words “He was religious without bigotry, devout without superstition, learned without pedantry, judicious without censoriousness, eloquent without vanity, charitable
without ostentation, generous without profusion, friendly
without dissimulation, courteous without flattery, prudent
without cunning, and humble without meanness.
” Mr.
Cole informs us, that in Psyche
” was reprinted, with many
of the author’s corrections, and the addition of four cantos,
in 1702, by his son Charles Beaumont, A.M. of Peterhouse, who informs us that his father left all his works, critical and polemical, to the college, strictly forbidding the
printing of any of them. In 1749 was published his lesser
“Poems in English and Latin, with an appendix, containing some dissertations and remarks on the Epistle to the
Colossians,
” 4to. To this is prefixed an account of his
life, from which the present sketch has been taken.
nd son, doctor of the civil law, and master in chancery; and Matthew, third son, who died unmarried. His eldest son, sir John Bennet of Dawley, received the honour of
, knt. grandfather to the preceding, and second son of sir Richard Bennet, was created on the 6th of July, 1589, doctor of laws by the university of Oxford, having been one of the proctors there. He was afterwards vicar-general in spirituals to the archbishop of York, and prebendary of Langtoft in the church of York. In the 24th of ELz. bearing the title of doctor of laws, he was in commission with the lord-keeper Egerton, the lord-treasurer Buckhurst, and several other noblemen, for the suppression of heresy. He was also in that reign returned to parliament for the city of York, and was a leading member of the house of commons, as appears from several of his speeches in Townshend’s collections. He received the honour of knighthood from king James before his coronation, on the 23d of July 1603, at Whitehall, and was made in that reign chancellor to queen Anne (consort of king James), judge of the prerogative court of Canterbury, and chancellor to the archbishop of York. In the beginning of 1617, he was sent ambassador to Brussels to question the archduke, in behalf of his master the king of Great Britain, concerning a libel written and published, as it was supposed, by Erycius Puteanus, but he neither apprehended the author, nor suppressed the book, until he was solicited by the king’s agent there: he only interdicted it, and suffered the author to fly out of his dominions. In 1620, sir John Bennet being entitled judge of the prerogative court of Canterbury, was in a special commission with the archbishop of Canterbury, and other noblemen, to put in execution the laws against all heresies, great errors in matters of faith and religioH, &c. and the same year bearing the title of chancellor to the archbishop of York, he was commissioned with the archbishop of York, and others, to execute all manner of ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the province of York. He died in the parish of Christ church in London, in the beginning of 1627, having had issue by Anne his wife, daughter of Christopher Weekes of Salisbury, in the county of Wilts, esq. sir John lien net, his son and heir; sir Thomas Bennet, knt. second son, doctor of the civil law, and master in chancery; and Matthew, third son, who died unmarried. His eldest son, sir John Bennet of Dawley, received the honour of knighthood in the life-time of his father, at Theobalds, on the 15th of June, 1616. He married Dorothy, daughter of sir John Crofts of Saxham, in the county of Norfolk, knt. by whom he had issue six sons, the second of whom was afterwards created earl of Arlington. This account drawn up also by Dr. Campbell as a note to his life of Arlington, partakes of the partiality of that account by suppressing that in 1621, certain mal-practices were detected in the judicial conduct of sir John, and he was committed to the custody of the sheriffs of London, and afterwards to prison, fined 20,000l. and deprived of his offices. In consequence of this, according to Mr. Lodge, he died in indigence and obscurity, in the parish of Christ church, in Surrey, not in London, at the time mentioned above; but another account says that he was merely required to find security to that amount for his appearance to answer to the charges brought against him. If the fine was imposed, we may conclude it was remitted; for in a letter from lord Bacon to king James, we read these words, “Your majesty hath pardoned the like (corruption) to sir John Bennet, between whose case and mine (not being partial to myself, but speaking out of the general opinion), there was as much difference, I will not say, as between black and white, but as between black and grey or ash-coloured.”
he should resign Havant to enable his lordship to appoint some friend of the family to hold it, till his eldest son, then about years of age, could be collated to it.
In 1712, sir Jonathan Trelawny, at that time bishop of Winchester, was pleased to collate our learned divine to the rectory of Havant, near Portsmouth, as a reward for his diligence which preferment, together with the sums he was daily receiving from the sale of his works, seemed i n some measure to have removed the narrowness of his circumstances, and to promise a comfortable maintenance for his numerous family; but this pleasing prospect shortly disappeared he lost almost or quite the whole of his hardly earned gains in 1720, by the bursting of the wellknown South Sea bubble. Yet such was the tranquillity of his disposition, that he continued his studies without intermission almost to the very end of his life for though but a few months elapsed between the publication of the last volume of Origines and his death, yet that short time was employed in preparing materials for other laborious works, and in making preparations for a new edition of Origiaes. With this view he inserted many manuscript observations, in a set of the Antiquities which he preserved for his own use, and which are now in the possession of the furnisher of this article. But from this and all other employments he was prevented by death. His constitution, which was by nature extremely weak and delicate, could not be otherwise than much impaired by so unremitted a course of laborious studies, in a life wholly sedentary and recluse, which brought on at an early period all the symptoms and infirmities of a very advanced age. The approach of his dissolution being clearly visible both to himself and friends, it was settled between the then bishop of Winchester, Dr. Trimnell, and himself, that he should resign Havant to enable his lordship to appoint some friend of the family to hold it, till his eldest son, then about years of age, could be collated to it. As this however was not carried into execution, it is probable that his death came on more hastily than had been expected, and prevented Dr. Trimnell from giving him what he fully intended, the first vacant prebend in Winchester.
r of the person whose life we have been writing, was the means of procuring the living of Havant for his eldest son, and the late learned and excellent bishop of London,
Of such importance have the works of this eminent writer been esteemed in foreign countries, that they have all
been correctly translated into Latin by Grichow, a divine
of Halle in Germany, 11 vols. 4to, 1724 38, and were
reprinted in 1751—61. But he did not live to receive
this flattering mark of approbation, for he died in 1723.
Here it may not be amiss to observe how frequently it occurs that the merits of an eminent ancestor derive honour
and emolument on their posterity. It is presumed that
the character of the person whose life we have been writing, was the means of procuring the living of Havant for
his eldest son, and the late learned and excellent bishop
of London, Dr. Lowth, expressly assigns that reason for
bestowing a comfortable living on his grandson. “I venerate (says he in a letter which conveyed the presentation)
the memory of your excellent grandfather, my father’s
particular and most intimate friend. He was not rewarded
as he ought to have been I therefore give you this living
as a small recompense for his great and inestimable merits.
”
We shall conclude this article by giving the general character of this divine As a writer his learning was extensive
and acute his style zealous and persuasive, and his application uncommonly persevering. His temper, on all
common and indifferent occasions, was mild and benevolent and to these he united great zeal in the cause in
which he was engaged. Though his passions were so
wholly subject to the guidance of religion and virtue, that
no worldly losses were sufficient to discompose him, yet
whenever he believed the important interests of the church
to be in danger, he was always eager to step forth in its
defence.
676, he removed into the family of Ralph Freeman of Aspenden-hall in Hertfordshire, esq. as tutor to his eldest son, and there continued till 1678, when, going with
After this son, the object of the present article, had
been instructed in the first rudiments of learning at Dublin,
he was sent to Trim school, where he was eminent for
sweetness of temper, and for a most innocent, gentle, and
religious behaviour. At fourteen years of age he left that
place, and was sent to a private philosophy school at Nettlebed in Oxfordshire, kept by Mr. William Cole, who had
formerly been principal of St. Mary Hall in Oxford, and
remained there two years and a half. But finding his
master was too remiss in matters of morality and religion ,
a thing quite unsuitable with his strict temper; and observing there were in that place all the dangers and vices
of the university, without the advantages, he removed to
Catherine-hall in Cambridge, where he prosecuted his
studies with indefatigable diligence, and performed all his
exercises with general approbation. After taking the degrees of A.B. in 1672, and A. M. 1676, he removed into
the family of Ralph Freeman of Aspenden-hall in Hertfordshire, esq. as tutor to his eldest son, and there continued till 1678, when, going with his pupil into Holland,
he stayed about a year in sir Leoline Jenkyns’s family at
Nimeguen. From Nimeguen he went, in the ambassador’s
company, through Flanders and Holland: and returning
to England, continued with his pupil till 16S5, when Mr.
Freeman was sent into France and Italy. In 1684, Mr.
Bonnell went into France, and met Mr. Freeman at Lyons,
and in his company visited several parts of that country.
From thence, however, he went directly to Ireland, and
took his employment of accountant-general into his own
hands, which had, since his father’s death, been managed
by others for his use. In the discharge of it he behaved
with so much diligence and fidelity, that he soon acquired
the esteem of the government, and the love of all who
were concerned with him. During the troublesome reign
of king James II. he neither deserted his employment, as
others did, nor countenanced the arbitrary and illegal measures of the court, and yet was continued in his office,
which proved a great advantage to the protestant interest
in Ireland, for whatever he received out of his office, he
liberally distributed among the poor oppressed protestants.
He also took every opportunity to relieve the injured, and
boldly to plead their cause with those who were in power.
But though his place was very advantageous, and furnished
him with ample means of doing good, yet either the weight
of the employment, or his ill state of health, or perhaps
his desire of entering into holy orders, which he had long
designed, but never effected, made him resolve to quit it;
and he accordingly parted with it to another person in
1693. In the whole course of his life he behaved in so
upright and worthy a manner, that he was courted by his
superiors and reverenced by his equals. In piety, justice, charity, sobriety, and temperance, few have excelled
him. His devotion was confined within the strictest bounds
of sobriety and reason, and free from the least appearance
of affectation. He commonly gave away the eighth part
of his yearly income to the poor, and his charity was not
only extensive but impartial. His learning was very considerable; he thoroughly digested the Greek and Roman
authors, understood French perfectly, and had made great
progress in the Hebrew language. In philosophy and
oratory he exceeded most of his contemporaries in the
university, and applied himself with success to mathematics and music. In the course of his studies he read
several of the fathers, and translated some parts of Synesius into English. There is nothing, however, of his
published, but some Meditations and Prayers inserted in
his Life, and a “Harmony of the Gospels,
” written by
another hand, but “improved by James Bonnell, esq. for
his own use,
” Lond. 1705, 8vo. This excellent man died
of a malignant fever, April 23, 1699, and was buried in
St. John’s church in Dublin. In 1693 he married Jane,
daughter of sir Albert Conyngham, by whom he had three
children, of whom only one daughter survived him a very
short time. A neat monument was erected to his memory
by his relict. “Such a character,
” says Mr. Granger,
“may, perhaps, be overlooked by some, because there is
nothing remarkably striking in it. But the man who is
uniformly good, and that to such a degree as Mr. Bonnell
was, ought to stand high in our opinion, and to be esteemed what he certainly was, a great man.
”
Grey, eldest daughter of Henry earl of Stamford, by whom he had issue seven sons and five daughters. His eldest son, William, died young, and he was succeeded in his
He was afterwards set at liberty, upon giving bail; and
being member of parliament for Chester, he was the first
of the twelve members sent by the house of commons, in
May 1660, to carry to king Charles II. the answer of that
house to his majesty’s letter, as appears by the journals of
the house of commons, May 7, 1660. And on the 13th of
July following, the house of commons ordered, that the
sum of ten thousand pounds should be conferred on him,
as a mark of respect for his eminent services, and great
sufferings for the public. In this resolution the lords afterwards concurred. It appears, that the first motion was for
twenty thousand pounds, which the house of commons
was about to agree to, had not sir George Booth himself,
in his place, requested of the house, that it might be no
more than ten; declaring, that what he had done was
purely with intention of serving his king and country, as
became him in duty to do, without view of any reward.
After the restoration, his services were also considered as
so meritorious, that the king gave him liberty to propose
six gentlemen to receive the honour of knighthood, and
two others to have the dignity of baronet conferred on
them. He was also himself created baron Delamer of Dunham-Massey; and on the 30th of July, 1660, he was appointed custos rotulorum for the county of Cheshire, but
on the 30th of May, 1673, he resigned this office to
Henry, his son and heir. “After this,
” says Collins, “he
not being studious to please the court in those measures
which were taken in some parts of that reign, both he and
his family were soon afterwards disregarded by the king,
and ill used by his successor king James the Second.
” His
lordship died at Dunham-Massey, in the 63d year of his
age, on the 8th of August, 1684, and was buried in a very
splendid manner at Bowdon, in the burial-vault of the
family. He was twice married: his first wife was the lady
Catherine Clinton, daughter and co-heir to Theophilus
earl of Lincoln, who died in child-bed in 1643, by whom
he had issue one daughter, Vere, who Belied unmarried at
Canonbury-house, in 1717, in the seventy-fourth year of
her age, and was buried in Islington church. His second
wife was the lady Elizabeth Grey, eldest daughter of
Henry earl of Stamford, by whom he had issue seven sons
and five daughters. His eldest son, William, died young,
and he was succeeded in his honours and estate by his second son, Henry, who is the subject of the following
article.
be content, since the pope, he found, Was determined to confer the best of his secular dignities on his eldest son Francis, who at that time was made duke of Gandia
, a monster of ambition and cruelty, was a natural son of pope Alexander VI. What year he was born in, we do not find: but he was at his studies in the university of Pisa, when Alexander was elected pope, in August 1492. Upon the news of his father’s advancement, he banished all thoughts of his former private condition of life; and, full of ambition, as if himself was to be made emperor of the world, he hastened directly to Rome, where Alexander received him with formality and coldness, but whether it was real or but affected, is not easy to determine. Cscsar, however, took it to be real; and, greatly disgusted as well as disappointed, went immediately and complained to his mother Vanozza, who bid him not be cast down; and told him, that she knew the pope’s mind better than any body, and for what reasons his holiness had given him that reception. In the mean time the courtflatterers solicited the pope to make Cæsar a cardinal, which he absolutely refused; but, that he might not seem altogether forgetful of him, he created him archbishop of Valenza, a benefice which his holiness had enjoyed in his younger days. This preferment was by no means acceptable to Cæsar, yet he affected to be content, since the pope, he found, Was determined to confer the best of his secular dignities on his eldest son Francis, who at that time was made duke of Gandia by Fertlinand king of Castile and Arragon.
rd Collins, vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter, commenced an acquaintance with the Rev.
When Mr. Borlase was fixed at Ludgvan, which was a
retired, but delightful situation, he soon recommended
himself as a pastor, a gentleman, and a man of learning.
The duties of his profession he discharged with the most
rigid punctuality and exemplary dignity. He was esteemed
and respected by the principal gentry of Cornwall, and
lived on the most friendly and social terms with those of
his neighbourhood. In the pursuit of general knowledge
he was active and vigorous; and his mind being of an inquisitive turn, he could not survey with inattention or
indifference the peculiar objects which his situation pointed
to his view. There were in the parish of Ludgvan rich
copper works, belonging to the late earl of Godolphin.
These abounded with mineral and metallic fossils, which
Mr. Borlase collected from time to time; and his collection increasing by degrees, he was encouraged to study
at large the natural history of his native county. While
he was engaged in this design, he could not avoid being
struck with the numerous m'onuments of remote antiquity
that are to be met with in several parts of Cornwall; and
which had hitherto been passed over with far less examination than they deserved. Enlarging, therefore, his plan,
he determined to gain as accurate an acquaintance as possible with the Druid learning, and with the religion and
customs of the ancient Britons, before their conversion to
Christianity. To this undertaking he was encouraged by
several gentlemen of his neighbourhood, who were men of
literature and lovers of British antiquities; and particularly by sir John St. Aubyn, ancestor of the present baronet of that family, and the late rev. Edward Collins,
vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter,
commenced an acquaintance with the Rev. Dr. Charles
Lyttelton, late bishop of Carlisle, then come to be installed into the deanry, and the Rev. Dr. Milles, the late
dean, two eminent antiquaries, who, in succession, have
so ably presided over the society of antiquaries in London.
Our author’s correspondence with these gentlemen was a
great encouragement to the prosecution of his studies; and
he has acknowledged his obligations to them, in several
parts of his works. In 1750, being at London, he was
admitted a fellow of the royal society, into which he had
been chosen the year before, after having communicated
an ingenious Essay on the Cornish Crystals. Mr. Borlase
having completed, in 1753, his manuscript of the Antiof Cornwall, carried it to Oxford, where he finished
the whole impression, in folio, in the February following.
A second edition of it, in the same form, was published
at London, in 1769. Our author’s next publication was,
“Observations on the ancient and present state of the
Islands of Scilly, and their importance to the trade of
Great Britain, in a letter to the reverend Charles Lyttelton, LL. D. dean of Exeter, and F. R. S.
” This work,
which was printed likewise at Oxford, and appeared in
1756, in quarto, was an extension of a paper that had
been read before the royal society, on the 8th of February
1753, entitled, “An Account of the great Alterations
which the Islands of Scilly have undergone, since the time
of the ancients, who mention them, as to their number,
extent, and position.
” It was at the request of Dr. Lyttelton, that this account was enlarged into a distinct
treatise. In 1757, Mr. Borlase again employed the Oxford press, in printing his “Natural History of Cornwall,
” for which he had been many years making collections, and which was published in April 1758. After this,
he sent a variety of fossils, and remains of antiquity, which
he 'had described in his works, to be placed in the Ashmolean museum; and to the same repository he continued
to send every thing curious which fell into his hands.
For these benefactions he received the thanks of the university, in a letter from the vice-chancellor, dated November 18, 1758; and in March, 1766, that learned body conferred on him the degree of doctor of laws, by diploma,
the highest academical honour.
had the honours of first gentleman to the king, and the reversion of the government of Flanders for his eldest son. When he entered the parliament for his first reception
, peer and maréchal, distinguished in the French history, was born Jan.
10, 1644. His dispositions for the art of war having displayed themselves at a very early period, he was chosen
in 1669 to be colonel of a regiment of dragoons, at the
head of which he demonstrated his bravery under the
marechal de Crequi, and under Turenne. He received a
dangerous wound at the battle of Voerden; and another in
the affair of Entsheim, to the capture whereof he contributed much, by the confession of Turenne. After several
signal exploits, he gained immortal renown by the defence
of Lille in 1708. The siege lasted near four months.
Bouflers said to his officers, “Gentlemen, I trust to you;
but I answer for myself.
” Prince Eugene carried on the
siege with so much vigour that it was obliged to submit.
“I am very vain,
” said he to Bouflers, “on having taken
Lille; but I had rather still have the glory of having defended it like you.
” The king rewarded him for this service as if he had gained a battle. He was created a peer
of France; had the honours of first gentleman to the king,
and the reversion of the government of Flanders for his
eldest son. When he entered the parliament for his first
reception in it, turning to a crowd of officers who had
defended Lille with him, he said, “It is to you that I am
indebted for all the favours that are heaped upon me, and
on you I reflect them I have nothing to glory in but the
honour of having been at the head of so many brave men.
”
During the siege, one of his party having proved tojiim
that he could easily kill prince Eugene, “Your fortune is
made,
” returned Bouflers, “if you can take him prisoner:
but you shall be punished with the utmost severity if you
make an attempt on his life; and if I but suspected that
you had any such intention, I would have you shut up for
the rest of your life.
” This generosity, which formed a
part of his character, induced him to ask permission to
serve under the orders of marechal de Villars, though he
was his senior. At the battle of Malplaquet in 1709, he
made the retreat in such good order, that he left behind
him neither cannon nor prisoners. The marquis de Bouflers
united the virtues of a good citizen with the activity of a
general; serving his prince as the ancient Romans served
their republic; accounting his life as nothing when the
safety of his country was in question. The king having
ordered him to go and succour Lille, and having left to
himself the choice of his lieutenants; he set out that instant, without settling his affairs, or taking leave of his
family, and chose for his officers a man that had been disgraced, and a prisoner of the Bastille. His magnificence
was equal to his love for his country and his sovereign.
When Louis XIV. formed the camp of Compiegne, to
serve as a lesson to his grandson the duke of Burgundy,
and as a spectacle to the court, Bouflers lived there in
such a splendid style, that the king said to Livri, his
maitre-d'hotel, “The duke of Burgundy must not keep a
table; we cannot outdo the marechal; the duke of Burgundy shall dine with him when he goes to the camp.
”
This patriot general died at Fontainbleau, Aug. 22, 1711,
aged 68. “In him (writes madame de Maintenon) the
heart died last.
” We read in the continuation of the
history of England by Rapin, an anecdote too honourable
to the memory of this great man to be passed over here in
silence. King William having taken Namur, in 169,
made Bouflers prisoner, in violation of the articles that
had been agreed on. Surprised at so unjust a proceeding, the marechal, fresh from the glorious defence he
had made, demanded the reason of this perfidious treatment. He was answered that it was by way of reprisals
for the garrison of Dixmude and of Deinse, which the
French had detained contrary to capitulation. “If that be
the case (said Bouflers), then my garrison ought to be
arrested, and not I.
” “Sir (he was answered), you are
valued at more than ten thousand men.
”
of his lordship’s writing, are in the Gent. Mag. On September the 16th, 1759, the earl of Cork lost his eldest son, Charles lord viscount Dungarvan, already mentioned.
When Dr. Swift’s “History of the four last years of
Queen Anne
” appeared in Memoirs of the Life of Robert
Cary, earl of Monmouth,
” with a preface, and explanatory
notes, and a short but tender dedication to his youngest
son. It is dated Marlborough-street, January 13, 1759,
and signed, “Now, alas! your only parent.
” There is,
also, as a frontispiece, engraved from an old painting by
Marc Garrard, “The Royal Procession of queen Elizabeth,
to visit her cousin german, Henry lord Hunsdon, governor
of Berwick.
” A second edition of the Memoirs appeared
in The Discourse upon the Theatre of the
Greeks,
” “The Original of Tragedy,
” and “The Parallel of the Theatres.
” Some smaller things, of his lordship’s writing, are in the Gent. Mag. On September
the 16th, 1759, the earl of Cork lost his eldest son,
Charles lord viscount Dungarvan, already mentioned. The
earl survived him about three years, during which he divided his lime between his house in Great George-street,
Westminster, and his seat in Somersetshire. An hereditary gout, which. all his temperance could only parry, not
subdue, put a comparatively early period to his life, at
Marston house, on the 16th of November, 1762, in the
56th year of his age. His remains were deposited near to
those of his second lady, in the burial-place of his family
in Frome church.
mons," three volumes of which were published by himself in 1704, 1706, and 1713, and three others by his eldest son, who was a clergyman at Tooting, in Surry, London,
, an English divine of good
parts and learning, the son of Nicholas Brady, an officer
in the king’s army in the civil wars of 1641, was born at
Bandon, in the county of Cork, Oct. the 28th, 1659; and
continued in Ireland till he was 12 years of age. Then he
was sent over to England to Westminster-school; and from
thence elected stuJent to Christ-church in Oxford. After
continuing there about four years, he went to Dublin,
where his father resided; at which university he immediately commenced B. A. When he was of due stanuing,
his diploma for the degree of D. D. was, on account of his
uncommon merit, presented to him by that university while
he was in England; and brought over by Dr Pratt, then
senior travelling fellow, afterwards provost of that college.
His first ecclesiastical preferment was to a prebend in the
cathedral of St. Barry, at Cork; to which he was collated
by bishop Wettenhal, whose domestic chaplain he was.
He was a zealous promoter of the revolution, and in consequence of his zeal suffered for it. In 1690, when the
troubles broke out in Ireland, by his interest with king
Tatnes as general, M'Carty, he thrice prevented the burning of the town of Bandon, after three several orders given
by that prince to destroy it. The same year, having been
deputed by the people of Bandon, he went over to England, to petition the parliament for a redress of some grievances they had suffered while king James was in Ireland;
and afterwards quitting his preferments in Ireland, he settled in London; where, being celebrated for his abilities in
the pulpit, he was elected minister of St. Catherine Cree
church, and lecturer of St. Michael’s Wood-street. He
afterwards became minister of Richmond in Surry. and
Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire, and at length rector
of Clapham in Surry; which last, together with Richmond, he held till his death. His preferments amounted
to 600l. a year, but he was so little of an Œconomist as to
be obliged to keep a school at Richmond. He was also
chaplain to the duke of Ormond’s troop of horse-guards, as
he was to their majesties king William and queen Mary.
He died May 20, 1726, aged 66, leaving behind him the
character of being a person of an agreeable temper, a polite gentleman, an excellent preacher, and a good poet.
He has no high rank, however, among poets, and would
have long ere now been forgotten in that character, if his
name was not so familiar as a translator of the new version
of the “Psalms,
” in conjunction with Mr. Tate, which version was licensed 1696. He translated also the Æneids of
Virgil,“published by subscription in 1726, 4 vols. 8vo,and a tragedy, called
” The Rape, or the Innocent Impos-tors,“neither performances of much character. His prose
works consist of
” Sermons," three volumes of which were
published by himself in 1704, 1706, and 1713, and three
others by his eldest son, who was a clergyman at Tooting,
in Surry, London, 1730, 8vo.
and was accordingly consecrated in Lambeth-chapel, the 29th of April, 1705. Two years after, he lost his eldest son, Mr. George Bull, who died of the small-pox the 11th
Whilst he remained minister of this parish, the providence of God wonderfully interposed for the preservation
of his life; for his lodgings being near a powder-mill, Mr.
Morgan, a gentleman of the parish, represented to him.
the danger of his situation, and at the same time invited
him to his own house. Mr. Bull, at first, modestly declined the offer, but after some importunity accepted it;
and, not many days after his removal to Mr. Morgan’s, the
mill was blown up, and his apartment with it. In this part
of his life he took a journey once a year to Oxford, where
he stayed about two months, to enjoy the benefit of the
public libraries. In his way to and from Oxford, he always
paid a visit to sir William Masters, of Cirencester, by
which means he contracted an intimacy with Mr. Alexander pregory, the minister of the place, and after some
time married Bridget, one of his daughters, on the 20th
of May, 1658. The same year he was presented by the
lady Pool, to the rectory of Suddington St. Mary, near
Cirencester, in Gloucestershire. The next year, 1659,
he was made privy to the design of a general insurrection in favour of king Charles II. and several gentlemen
of that neighbourhood who were in the secret, chose
his house at Suddington for one of the places of their
meeting. Upon the restoration, Mr. Bull frequently
preached for his father-in-law, Mr. Gregory, at Cirencester, where there was a large and populous congregation; and his sermons gave such general satisfaction,
that, upon a vacancy, the people were very solicitous to
have procured for him the presentation; but the largeness
of the parish, and the great duty attending it, deterred
him Trom consenting to the endeavours they were making
for that purpose. In 1662, he was presented by the lord
high-chancellor, the earl of Clarendon, to the vicarage of
Suddington St. Peter, which lay contiguous to Suddington
St. Mary, at the request of his diocesan Dr. Nicholson,
bishop of Gloucester, both livings not exceeding 100l. a
year. When Mr. Bull came first to the rectory of Suddington, he began to be more open in the use of the liturgy of the church of England, though it was not yet
restored by the return of the king; for, being desired to
marry a couple, he performed the ceremony, on a Sunday
morning, in the face of the whole congregation, according
to the form prescribed by the book of common -prayer.
He took the same method in governing these parishes, as
in that of St. George’s, and with the same success; applying himself with great diligence to the discharge of his
pastoral functions, and setting the people an admirable
example in the government and œconomy of his own
family. During his residence here, he had an opportunity of confirming two ladies of quality in the protestant
communion, who were reduced to a wavering state of mind
by the arts and subtleties of the Romish missionaries. The
only dissenters he had in his parish were quakers; whose
extravagances often gave him no small uneasiness. In
this part of his life, Mr. Bull prosecuted his studies with
great application, and composed most of his works during
the twenty-seven years that he was rector of Suddington.
Several tracts, indeed, which cost him much pains, are entirely lost, through his own neglect in preserving them;
particularly a treatise on the posture used by the ancient
Christians in receiving the Eucharist; a letter to Dr. Pearson concerning the genuineness of St. Ignatius’ s epistles; a
long one to Mr. Glanvil, formerly minister of Bath, concerning the eternity of future punishments; and another,
on the subject of popery, to a person of very great quality.
In 1669, he published his Apostolical Harmony, with a
view to settle the peace of the church, upon a point of the
utmost importance to all its members; and he dedicated it
to Dn William Nicholson, bishop of Gloucester. This
performance was greatly disliked, at first, by many of the
clergy, and others, on account of the author’s departing
therein from the private opinions of some doctors of the
church, and his manner of reconciling the two apostles St.
Paul and St. James, as to the doctrine of justification. It
was particularly opposed by Dr. Morley, bishop of
WinChester; Dr. Barlow, Margaret-professor of divinity at Oxford; Mr. Charles Gataker, a presbyterian divine; Mr. Joseph Truman, a non-conformist minister; Dr. Tully, principal of St. Edmund’s-hall; Mr. John Tombes, a famous
anabaptist preacher; Dr. Lewis Du Moulin, an independent; and by M. De Marets, a French writer, who tells
us, “that the author, though a professed priest of the
church of England, was more addicted to the papists, remonstrants, and Socinians, than to the orthodox party.
”
Towards the end of 1675, Mr. Bull published his “Examen Censuræ,
” &c. in answer to Mr. Gataker, and his
“Apologia pro Harmonia,
” &c. in reply to Dr. Tully. Mr.
Bull’s notion on this subject was “That good works, which
proceed from faith, and are conjoined with faith, are a
necessary condition required from us by God, to the end
that by the new and evangelical covenant, obtained by
and sealed in the blood of Christ the Mediator of it, we
may be justified according to his free and unmerited
grace.
” In this doctrine, and throughout the whole book,
Mr. Bull absolutely excludes all pretensions to merit on
the part of men; but the work nevertheless excited the
jealousy of many able divines both in the church and
among the dissenters, as appears from the above list.
About three years after, he was promoted by the earl of
Nottingham, then lord chancellor, to a prebend in the
church of Gloucester, in which he was installed the 9th of
October, 1678. In 1680, he finished his “Defence of
the Nicene Faith,
” of which he had given a hint five years
before in his Apology. This performance, which is levelled
against the Arians and Socinians on one hand, and the
Tritheists and Sabellians on the other, was received with
universal applause, and its fame spread into foreign countries, where it was highly esteemed by the best judges of
antiquity, though of different persuasions. Five years after
its publication, the author was presented, by Philip Sheppard, esq. to the rectory of Avening in Gloucestershire, a
very large parish, and worth two hundred pounds per annum. The people of this parish, being many of them
very dissolute and immoral, and many more disaffected to
the church of England, gave him for some time great trouble and uneasiness; but, by his prudent conduct and diligent discharge of his duty, he at last got the better of their
prejudices, and converted their dislike iuto the most cordial love and affection towards him. He had not been
long at Avening, before he was promoted, by archbishop
Sancroft, to the archdeaconry of Landaff, in which he was
installed the 20th of June, 1686. He was invited soon
after to Oxford, where the degree of doctor in divinity
was conferred upon him by that university, without the
payment of the usual fees, in consideration of the great
and eminent services he had done the church. During the
reign of James II. the doctor preached very warmly against
popery, with which the nation was then threatened. Some
time after the revolution, he was put into the commission
of the peace, and continued in it, with some little interruption, till he was made a bishop. In 1694, whilst he
continued rector of Avening, he published his “Judicium
Ecclesia? Catholicse, &c.
” in defence of the “Anathema,
”
as his former book had been of the Faith, decreed by the
first council of Nice. The last treatise which Dr. Bull
wrote, was his “Primitive Apostolical Tradition,
” &c.
against Daniel Zwicker, a Prussian. All Dr. Bull’s Latin
works, which he had published by himself at different times,
were collected together, and printed in 1703, in one volume in folio, under the care and inspection of Dr. John
Ernest Grabe, the author’s age and infirmities disabling
him from undertaking this edition. The ingenious editor
illustrated the work with many learned annotations, and
ushered it into the world with an excellent preface. Dr,
Bull was in the seventy-first year of his age, when he was
acquainted with her majesty’s gracious intention of conferring on him the bishopric of St. David’s; which promotion he at first declined, on account of his ill state of health
and advanced years; but, by the importunity of his friends,
and strong solicitations from the governors o*f the church,
he was at last prevailed upon to accept it, and was accordingly consecrated in Lambeth-chapel, the 29th of April,
1705. Two years after, he lost his eldest son, Mr. George
Bull, who died of the small-pox the 11th of May, 1707, in,
the thirty-seventh year of his age. Our prelate took his
seat in the house of lords in that memorable session, when
the bill passed for the union of the two kingdoms, and
spoke in a debate which happened upon that occasion, in
favour of the church of England. About July after his
consecration, he went into his diocese, and was received
with all imaginable demonstrations of respect by the gentry and clergy. The episcopal palace at Aberguilly being
much out of repair, he chose the town of Brecknock for
the place of his residence; but was obliged, about half a
year before his death, to remove from thence to Abermarless, for the benefit of a freer air. He resided constantly in his diocese, and carefully discharged all the episcopal functions. Though bishop Bull was a great admirer
of our ecclesiastical constitution, yet he would often lament the distressed state of the church of England, chiefly
owing to the decay of ancient discipline, and the great
number of lay-impropriations, which he considered as a
species of sacrilege, and insinuated that he had known instances of its being punished by the secret curse which
hangs over sacrilegious persons. Some time before his
last sickness, he entertained thoughts of addressing a circular letter to all his clergy; and, after his death, there was
found among his papers one drawn up to that purpose. He
had greatly impaired his health, by too intense and unseasonable an application to his studies, and, on the 27th of
September, 1709, was taken with a violent fit of coughing,
which brought on a spitting of blood. About the beginning of February following, he was seized with a distemper, supposed to be an ulcer, or what they call the inward
piles; of which he died the 17th of the same month, and
was buried, about a week after his death, at Brecknock/
leaving behind him but two children out of eleven.
is pen upon serious subjects.” Of his family we are told only that he had several children, and that his eldest son was taken early into the shop of his grandfather,
He first taught short-hand at Manchester, but afterwards
came to London during the winter months, and not only
had great success as a teacher, but became distinguished
as a man of general learning. In 1723-4, he was elected
a fellow of the royal society, and communicated to that
learned body, two letters, one containing some remarks on
the elements of short-hand, by Samuel Jeake, esq. which
was printed in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 488,
and another letter, printed in the same volume, containing remarks on Mr. Lodwick’s alphabet. The summer
months he was enabled to pass with his family at Manchester. By the death of his elder brother, Edward Byrom, without issue, the family estate at Kersall devolved
to him. At what time this happened, his biographer has
not informed us, but in consequence of this independence,
he began to relax from teaching, and passed the remainder
of his days in the enjoyment of the quiet comforts of domestic life, for which he had the highest relish, and which
were heightened by the affectionate temper of his wife. It
is said by Dr. Nichols, that he employed the latter part of
his life in writing his poems, but an inspection of their
dates and subjects will shew that a very considerable part
must have been written much sooner. Some he is said to
have committed to the flames a little before his death;
these were probably his juvenile effusions. What remain
were transcribed from his own copies. He died at Manchester, Sept. 28, 1763, in the 72d year of his age. His
character is given briefly in these words: “As the general
tenor of his life was innocent and inoffensive, so he bore
his last illness with resignation and cheerfulness. The
great truths of Christianity had made from his earliest years
a deep impression on his mind, and hence it was that he
had a peculiar pleasure in employing his pen upon serious
subjects.
” Of his family we are told only that he had
several children, and that his eldest son was taken early
into the shop of his grandfather, where he acquired a handsome fortune. His opinions and much of his character are
discoverable in his poems. At first he appears to have
been a disciple of Mr. Law, zealously attached to the
church of England, but with pretty strong prejudices
against the Hanoverian succession. He afterwards held
some of the opinions which are usually termed methodistical, but he rejected Mr. Hervey’s doctrine of imputed
righteousness, and entertained an abhorrence of predestination. His reading on subjects of divinity was extensive,
and he watched the opinions that came from the press with
the keenness of a polemic: whenever any thing appeared
adverse to his peculiar sentiments, he immediately opposed
it in a poem, but as scarcely any of his writings were published in his life-time, he appears to have employed his pen
chiefly for his own amusement, or that of his friends. At
what time he began to lean towards the mysticism of Jacob
Behmen is uncertain. An anonymous writer in the Gentleman’s Magazine (vol. LI.) says, that in 1744 he learned
High Dutch of a Russian at Manchester, in order to read
Jacob’s works in the original; and being asked whether
Jacob was more intelligible in that than in the English
translation, he affirmed that “he was equally so in both;
that he himself perfectly understood him, and that the reason others do not, was the blindness and naughtiness of
their hearts.
” If this account be true, Byrom was farther
gone in Behmenism than we should conjecture from his
works. It certainly does not appear by them that he really
thought he understood Jacob perfectly, for he adopts,
concerning him, the reply of Socrates concerning Heraclitus’s
writings:
eminent divine among the nonconformists, grandson to Mr. Edmund Calamy, minister of Aldermanbury, by his eldest son Mr. Edmund Calamy (who was ejected out of the living
, a very eminent divine among the
nonconformists, grandson to Mr. Edmund Calamy, minister
of Aldermanbury, by his eldest son Mr. Edmund Calamy
(who was ejected out of the living of Moreton in Essex, on St. Bartholomew’s day, 1662), was born April 5, 1671.
Having made a considerable progress in grammar learning
at several private schools, and under Mr. Hartcliffe at Merchant Taylors, where he contracted a close friendship with
Mr. Dawes, afterwards sir William Dawes, and archbishop
of York, as also with Mr. Hugh Boulter, the primate of
Ireland, he went through a course of logic, natural philosophy, and metaphysics, under the tuition of Mr. Samuel
Craddock at the academy kept by him at Wickham Brook
in Suffolk. In March 1688, he went over to the university of Utrecht, where he studied philosophy under De
Vries, and civil law under Vander Muyden, and attended
Graevius’s lectures upon Sophocles and Puffendorf’s Introduction. His application to his studies at this place
was so great, that he spent one whole night every week
among his books; and his proficiency gained him -the
friendship of two of his countrymen at that university, who
rose afterwards to very high stations in church and state,
lord Charles Spencer, the famous earl of Sunderland, and
his tutor Mr. Charles Trimnell, afterwards successively
bishop of Norwich and of Winchester, with both of whom
he kept up his acquaintance as long as he and they lived.
Whilst he resided in Holland, an oiler of a professor’s chair
in the university of Edinburgh was made him by Mr. Carstairs, principal of that university, sent over on purpose to
find a person properly qualified lor such an office; which
he declined, and returned to England in 1691, bringing
with him letters from Graevius to Dr. Pocock, canon of
Christ-church, and regius professor of Hebrew, and to Dr.
Edward Bernard, Savilian professor of astronomy, who obtained leave for him to prosecute his studies in the Bodleian
library; and his resilience at Oxford procured him the acquaintance of the learned Mr. Henry Dodvvell. Having
resolved to make divinity his principal study, he entered
into an examination of the controversy between the conformists and nonconformists, and was led to join the latter.
Coming to London in 1692, he was unanimously chosen
assistant to Mr. Matthew Sylvester at Blackfriars; and oa
June 22, 1694, was ordained at Mr. Annesley’s meetinghouse in Little St. Helen’s, which was the first public transaction of the kind, after the passing of the act of uniformity, and was not undertaken without some timidity on
the part of the elder nonconformists, such as Mr. Howe
and Dr. Bates, who seemed afraid of giving offence to government. Six other young ministers were ordained at
the same time, and the ceremony lasted from ten o'clock
in the morning to six in the evening. He was soon after
invited to become assistant to Mr. Daniel Williams in
Hand-alley, Bishupsgate-street. Oct. 20, 1702, he was chosen
one of the lecturers at Salters’-lmll, and in 1703 succeeded
Mr. Vincent Alsop, as pastor of v. congregation in Westminster. He drew up the table of contents to Mr. Baxter’s
History of his life and times, which was sent to the press
in 1696, made some remarks on the work itself, and added
to it an index; and reflecting on the usefulness of the
book, he saw the expediency of continuing it, for Mr.
Baxter’s history came no lower than 1684. Accordingly
he composed an abridgment of it; with an account of many
others of those ministers who were ejected after the restoration of Charles II. their apology for themselves and their
adherents; containing the grounds of their nonconformity
and practice, as to stated and occasional communion witlx
the church of England; and a continuation of their history
till the year 1691. This work was published in 1702. The
following year Mr. Hoadly (afterwards bishop of
Winchckter) published the two parts of his “Reasonableness of
Conformity to the Church of England, &c. in answer to Mr.
Calamy’s Abridgement of Mr. Baxter’s history, &c.
” As a
reply to these treatises, Mr. Calamy published the same
year, “A Defence of moderate Nonconformity;
” and soon
after Mr. Hoadly sent abroad, “A serious admonition to
Mr Calamy,
” occasioned by the first part of his “Defence,
of moderate Nonconformity.
”
intelligent persons, to which he belonged. By his wife, who survived him, he left several children. His eldest son, Mr. William Canton, succeeded him in the academy
The close and sedentary life of Mr. Canton, arising from an unremitted attention to the duties of his profession, and to the prosecution of his philosophical inquiries and experiments, probably contributed to shorten his days. The disorder into which he fell, and which carried him off, was a dropsy. It was supposed, by his friend Dr. Milner, to be a dropsy in the thorax. His death was on March 22, 1772, in the 54th year of his age, to the great regret of his family, and of his literary and other acquaintance. Nor was his decease a small loss to the interests of knowledge; since from the time of life in which he died, and his happy and successful genius in philosophical pursuits, he might have been expected to have enriched the world of science with new discoveries. Mr. Canton was a man of very amiable character and manners. In conversation he was calm, mild, and rather sparing than redundant: what he did say was remarkably sensible and judicious. He had much pleasure in attending the meetings of the Royal Society, and some voluntary private societies of learned and intelligent persons, to which he belonged. By his wife, who survived him, he left several children. His eldest son, Mr. William Canton, succeeded him in the academy in Spital -square, which he carried on with great reputation; and he also pursued with advantage the same philosophical studies to which his ingenious and worthy father was so eminently devoted.
72. Sir Philip determined, whilst many others left the ship, to share the fate of his father-in-law. His eldest son George was the first lord Carteret, and father to
, a loyalist in the time of
Charles f. of uncommon firmness and bravery, the descendant of an ancient family, originally from Normandy,
but afterwards settled at Guernsey and Jersey, was born
at Jersey in 1599, his father Ilelier Carteret, esq. being
at that time deputy governor of the island. He entered
early into the sea service, and had acquired the character
of an experienced officer, when king Charles I. ascended
the throne. This circumstance recommending him to the
notice and esteem of the duke of Buckingham, he was
appointed, in 1626, joint governor of Jersey, with Henry,
afterwards lord Jermyn and, in 1C '6 9, he obtained a grant
of the office and place of comptroller of all his Majesty’s
ships. At the commencement of the civil war, when the
parliament resolved to send out the earl of Warwick as
admiral of the fleet, they also resolved, that captain Carteret should be vice-ad miral. But he, thinking that he
ought not to accept the command without knowing the
royal pleasure, addressed himself to the king for direction,
who ordered him to decline the employment; and captain,
Batten, surveyor-general, was substituted in his place.
His Majesty was probably mistaken in this advice; for, if
captain Carteret had accepted of the charge, he might
probably have prevented the greater part of the fleet from
engaging in the cause of the parliament. Captain Carteret, however, likewise quitted the post of comptroller, and
retired, with his family, to the island of Jersey, the inhabitants of which were confirmed by him in their adherence
to the king; and desirous of more active service, he transported himself into Cornwall, with the purpose of raising a
troop of horse. When he arrived in that country, finding
there was a great want of powder, he went into France to
procure that and other necessary supplies; and was so successful, that, through the remainder of the war, the Cornish army was never destitute of ammunition. This was so
important and seasonable a service, that the king acknowledged it by particular approbation; and by conferring
upon him, at Oxford, the honour of knighthood, which
was speedily followed by his being advanced, on the 9th
of May 1645, to the dignity, of a baronet. Returning the
same year into Jersey, he found that several of the inhabitants had been induced to embrace the cause of the parliament, on which account he threw some of them into
confinement. This was so alarming and offensive to the
members at Westminster, that an order was made, that if,
for the future, he should put to death any of the island
whom he should take prisoners, for every one so slain,
three of the king’s men should be hung up. From the
words here used, it seems implied that sir George Carteret
had actually executed some one or more of the people of
Jersey who had appeared for the Parliament; a step highly
injudicious, whence, in all the subsequent propositions for
peace with the king, sir George was excepted from pardon.
When the prince of Wales, and many persons of distinction with him, came into Jersey in 1646, and brought with
them very little for their subsistence, they were all chear
fully entertained, and at a large expence, by sir George
Carteret who, being sensible how much it behoved him
to take care for supplies, equipped about half a score small
frigates and privateers, which soon struck a terror through
the whole channel, and made a number of captures. Upon
the prince’s leaving the island, at the positive command of
the queen, several of the council chose to stay with sir
George; au<=! the chancellor of the exchequer (afterwards earl of Clarendon) resided with him above two years.
After the death of the king, sir George Carteret, though
the republican party was completely triumphant, and
though Charles II. was at the Hague in a very destitute condition, immediately proclaimed him at Jersey, with all
his titles. Some months afterwards his Majesty determined
to pay a second visit to the island of Jersey, and arrived
in the latter end of September 1649, accompanied by his
brother the duke of York, with several of the nobility.
Here they were supplied by sir George with all necessaries.
The king, when prince of Wales, had procured his father’s
leave for making sir George Carteret his vice-chamberlain,
and he now appointed him treasurer of his navy; which however, at this time, chiefly consisted of the privateers that sir
George hue! provided, and of the men of war with prince Rupert. Charles II. staid in the island till the latter end of March
1650, when he embarked for Holland, in order to be more
commodiously situated for treating with the Scots, who had
invited him into that kingdom. This defiance of sir George
Carteret in harbouring the king, and taking many of their
trading vessels, enraged the republicans so much, that they
determined to exert every nerve for the reduction of Jersey.
A formidable armament being prepared, it put to sea in
October 1651, under the command of admiral Blake, and
major-general Holmes, to the last of whom the charge of
the forces for the descent was committed. In this crisis,
sir George Carteret prevented the landing of the republican army as long as possible; and when that was effected,
and the remaining forts of the island were taken, he retired
into Elizabeth castle, resolving to hold it out to the last extremity. The king being safely arrived in France, after the,
fatal battle of Worcester, sir George informed him of the
state of the garrison, but the king not being able to assist
him, he advised sir George Carteret, rather to accept of a
reasonable composition, than, by too obstinate a defence,
to bring himself and the loyal gentlemen who were with
him into danger of being made prisoners of war. Sir
George was ambitious that Elizabeth castle should be the
last of the king’s garrisons (as was in fact the case) which
should yield to the prevailing powers. He determined,
therefore, to conceal his majesty’s permission to treat, that
the knowledge of it might not renew the cry for a surrender. But, at length, provisions growing scarce, the
number of defenders lessening daily by death and desertion, and there being no possibility of supplies or recruits,
Elizabeth castle was surrendered in the? latter end of December, and sir George went first to St. Maloes, and
afterwards travelled through several parts of Europe. To
facilitate his reception at the different courts and places he
might be disposed to visit, he obtained from his royal
master a very honourable and remarkable certificate of recommendation. In 1657, sir George had given such offence
to Oliver Cromwell, by some hostile design or attempt
against the English vessels trading to the French ports,
that, by the Protector’s interest with cardinal Mazarine, he
was committed prisoner to the Bastile from which he was,
after some time, released by the intercession of his friends,
upon condition of his quitting France. In 1659, however,
we find him at Rheims, from whence, he repaired to the
king at Brussels, and followed him to Breda. Upon his
majesty’s being restored to his kingdoms, sir George Carteret rode, with him in his triumphant entry into the city of
London, on the 2<nh of May 1660, and next day he was
declared vice-chamberlain of the hoiishold, an-d sworn of
the privy council. He was also constituted treasurer of
the navy; and at the coronation of the king, he had the
honour of being almoner for the day. In the first parliament called by Charles II. in May, 1661, sir George Carteret
was elected representative for the corporation of Portsmouth; and it appears, that he was au active member of
the house. When the duke of York, 1673, resigned the
office of high admiral of England, sir George was constituted one of the commissioners of the admiralty; and“in
1676, he was appointed one of the lords of the committee
of trade. He was also vice-treasurer of Ireland, and
treasurer of the military forces there. At length, in consequence of his merit and services, the king determined
to raise him to the dignity of a peerage; but before the
design could be accomplished, he departed this life, on the
14th of January, 1679, being nearly eighty years of age.
On the 11th of February following, a royal warrant was
issued, in which it is recited,
” That whereas sir George
Carteret died before his patent for his barony was sued out,
liis Majesty authorizes Elizabeth, his widow, and her
youngest children, James Carteret, Caroline, wife of sir
Thomas S<:ot, kut. and Louisa, wife of sir Robert Atkins,
knt. to enjoy their precedency and pre-eminency, as if the
said sir George Carterei hail actually been created a baron."
Sir George’s rldest son, by his jady Elizabeth, who was his
cousin-gr nnan, being the daughter of sir PhiUp Carteret,
was ijained Philip after his grandfather. This gentleman
eminently distinguished himself in the civil wars, and was
khighted by Charles II on his arrival in Jersey. After the
king’s restoration, sir Philip Carteret married Jemima,
daughter of Edward Montague, the first earl of Sandwich,
and perished with that illustrious nobleman, in the great
sea-fight with the Dutch, in Solbay, on the 28th of May,
1672. Sir Philip determined, whilst many others left the
ship, to share the fate of his father-in-law. His eldest son
George was the first lord Carteret, and father to the subject
of the following article.
ne was the murder of king Henry IV. which deprived him of all hopes of keeping his place; the other, his eldest son’s embracing popery. This made him resolve to come
Casaubon is to be ranked amongst those learned men
who, in the beginning of the last century, were very solicitous to have an union formed between the popish and
protestant religions. This is expressly asserted by Burigny, in his life of Grotius. According to that biographer, Casaubon, who wished to see all Christians united in
one faith, ardently desired a re-union of the protestants
with the Roman catholics, and would have set about it,
had he lived longer in France. He greatly respected the
opinions of the ancient church, and was persuaded that its
sentiments were more sound than those of the ministers of,
Charentou. Grotius and he had imparted their sentiments
to each other before the voyage to England, which we are
to mention, and Arminius had a project of the same kind,
which he communicated to Casaubon, by whom it was approved. In the year 1610 two things happened that afflicted Casaubou extremely; one was the murder of king
Henry IV. which deprived him of all hopes of keeping his
place; the other, his eldest son’s embracing popery. This
made him resolve to come over into England, where he
had often been invited by king James I.; and having obtained leave of absence from the queen-regent of France,
he arrived in England October 1610,along with sir Henry
Wotton, ambassador-extraordinary from king James I. and
was received with the utmost civility, by most persons of
learning and distinction, although he complains of being
ill used by the rabble in the streets. He waited upon
the king, who took great pleasure in discoursing with him,
and even did him the honour of admitting him several times
to eat at his own table. His majesty likewise made him a
present of a hundred and fifty pounds, to enable him to
visit the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. On the
Christmas day after he arrived in England, he received
the communion in the king’s chapel, though he did not
understand the language. In his diary he says, that he had
carefully considered the office for the sacrament the day
before, and preferred it and the manner of receiving to that
of other churches. The 3d ofJanuary, 1611, he was naturalized, and the 19th of the same month, the king
granted him a pension of three hundred pounds; as also
two prebends, one at Canterbury, and the other at Westminster. He likewise wrote to the queen regent of Franc*-,
to desire Casaubon might stay longer in England than she
had at first allowed him. But Casaubon did not long enjoy
these great advantages, as a painful distemper in the bladder proved fatal July 1, 1614, in the 55th year of his
age. He was buried in Westminster-abbey, where a monument was erected to his memory, with a Latin epitaph
in a high style of panegyric. Of his twenty children, John,
the eldest, turned Roman catholic, as has been mentioned
above. Another, named Augustin, became a capuchin,
at Calais, where he was poisoned, with eleven oihers of
the same order. Mr. Dupin relates, upon the authority
of Mr. Cotelier, that before he took the vow of capuchiu,
/he went to ask his father’s blessing, which the father readily
granted him; adding, “My son, I do not condemn thee;
nor do thou condemn me; we shall both appear before the
tribunal of Jesus Christ.
” What became of the rest of his
children (except Meric, mentioned in the next article),
is not known. In 1612, he had a son born in England,
to which the king and the archbishop of Canterbury were
godfathers, and sir George Gary’s lady, godmother. This
great man received the highest encomiums from persons
of learning in his time, which he amply deserved by his
extensive knowledge, modesty, sincerity, and probity.
ed not only an honourable salary for himself, but offered to settle three hundred pounds a year upon his eldest son during life: but this also he waved, being fully
, son of the preceding, was born
at Geneva, August 14, 1599, and had the name of Meric
from Meric de Vicq, a great friend and benefactor to his
father. His first education he received at Sedan, but
coming to England with his father, in the year 1610, he
was instructed by a private master till 1614, when he was
sent to Christ Church, Oxford; and being put there under
a most careful tutor, Dr. Edward Meetkirk (afterwards Regius Hebrew professor), was soon after elected a student
of that house. He took the degree of bachelor of arts,
May 8, 1618, and that of master, June 14, 1621, being
even then eminent for his extensive learning; and the
same year, though he was but two and twenty, he published a book in defence of his father, against the calumnies of certain Roman catholics, entitled “Pietas contra
maledicos, &c.
” Loud. Vindicatio Patris, &c.
” Exercitations against Baronius’s Annals,
” but was diverted
by some accident. At length, when he came to maturity
of years for such a work, and had acquainted archbishop
Laud, his great friend and patron, with his design, who
was very ready to place him conveniently in Oxford or
London, according to his desire, that he might be furnished
with books necessary for such a purpose, the rebellion
broke out in England. Having now no fixed habitation, he
was forced to sell a good part of his books; and, after
about twenty years’ sufferings, became so infirm, that he
could not expect to live many years, and was obliged to
relinquish his design. Before this, however, in June
1628, he was made prebendary of Canterbury, through
the interest of bishop Laud; and when that prelate was
promoted to the archbishopric of Canterbury, he collated
him, in Oct. 1634, to the vicarage of Minster, in the Isle
of Thanet; and in the same month, he was inducted into
the vicarage of Monckton, in that island. In August 1636,
he was created doctor in divinity, by order of king
Charles I. who was entertained at the same time, with his
queen, by the university of Oxford. About the year 1644,
during the heat of the civil wars, he was deprived of his
preferments, abused, fined, and imprisoned. In 1649,
one Mr. Greaves, of Gray’s inn, an intimate acquaintance
of his, brought him a message from Oliver Cromwell, then
lieutenant-general of the parliament forces, desiring him to
come to Whitehall, on purpose to confer with him about
matters of moment; but his wife being lately dead, and
not, as he said, buried, he desired to be excused. Greaves
came again afterwards, and Dr. Casaubon being somewhat
alarmed, desired him to tell him the meaning of the matter; but Greaves refusing, went away the second time.
At length he returned again, and told him, that the lieutenant-general intended his good and advancement; and
his particular errand was, that he would make use of his
pen to write the history of the late war; desiring withal,
that nothing but matters of fact should be impartially set
down. The doctor answered, that he desired his humble
service and hearty thanks should be returned for the great
honour done unto him; but that he was uncapable in several respects for such an employment, and could not so
impartially engage in it, as to avoid such reflections as
would be ungrateful, if not injurious, to his lordship.
Notwithstanding this answer, Cromwell seemed so sensible
of his worth, that he acknowledged a great respect for him;
and, as a testimony of it, ordered, that upon the first demand there should be delivered to him three or four hundred pounds, by a bookseller in London, whose name was
Cromwell, whenever his occasions should require, without
acknowledging, at the receipt of it, who was his benefactor.
But this ofter he rejected, although almost in want. At
the same time, it was proposed by Mr. Greaves, who belonged to the library at St. James’s, that if our author
would gratify him in the foregoing request, Cromwell
would restore to him all his father’s books, which were then
in the royal library, having been purchased by king James;
and withal give him a patent for three hundred pounds a
year, to be paid to the family as long as the youngest sou
of Dr. Casaubon should live, but this also was refused.
Not long after, it was intimated to him, by the ambassador
of Christiana, queen of Sweden, that the queen wished
him to come over, and take upon him the government of
one, or inspection of all her universities; and, as an encouragement, she proposed not only an honourable salary
for himself, but offered to settle three hundred pounds a
year upon his eldest son during life: but this also he
waved, being fully determined to spend the remainder of
his days in England. At the restoration of king Charles II.
he recovered his preferments; namely, his prebend of
Canterbury in July 1660, and his vicarages of Monckton
and Minster the same year: but, two years after, he exchanged this last for the rectory of Ickham, near Canterbury, to which he was admitted Oct. 4, 1662. He had a
design, in the latter part of his days, of writing his own
life; and would often confess, that he thought himself
obliged to do it, out of gratitude to the Divine Providence,
which had preserved and delivered him from more hazardous occurrences than ever any man (as he thought) besides
himself had encountered with; particularly in his escape
from a fire in the night-time, which happened in the house
where he lived, at Geneva, while he was a boy: in his recovery from a sickness at Christ Church, in Oxford, when
he was given over for dead, by a chemical preparation administered to him by a young physician: in his wonderful
preservation from drowning, when overset in a boat on the
Thames near London, the two watermen being drowned,
and himself buoyed up by his priest’s coat: and in his
bearing several abuses, fines, imprisonments, &c. laid
upon him by the republicans in the time of his sequestration: but this he did not execute. He died July 14, 1671,
in the seventy-second year of his age, and was buried in the
south part of the first south cross aile of Canterbury cathedral. Over his grave was soon after erected a handsome
monument with an inscription. He left by will a great
number of manuscripts to the university of Oxford. His
character is thus represented. He was a general scholar,
but not of particular excellence, unless in criticism, in
which probably he was assisted by his father’s notes and
papers. According to the custom of the times he lived in,
he displays his extensive reading by an extraordinary mixture of Greek and Latin quotations and phrases. He was
wont to ascribe to Descartes’s philosophy, the little inclination people had in his time for polite learning. Sir William Temple very highly praises his work, hereafter mentioned, on “Enthusiasm;
” and unquestionably it contains
in any curious and learned remarks; buthisbeingamaintainer
of the reality of witches and apparitions, shews that he was
not more free from one species of enthusiasm than most of
his contemporaries. In his private character he was eminent for his piety, charity to the poor, and his courteous
and affable disposition towards scholars. He had several
children, but none made any figure in the learned world;
one, named John, was a surgeon at Canterbury .
ut into the commission of the peace for the county of Middlesex. Towards the latter end of his life, his eldest son, William, being in partnership with him, he retired
, eminent in an art of the greatest consequence to literature, that of letter-founding, was born in 1692, in the part of the town of Hales-Owen which is situated in Shropshire. Though he justly attained the character of being the Coryphaeus in letter-founding, he was not brought up to the business; and it is observed by Mr. Mores, that this handiwork is so concealed among the artificers of it, that he could not discover that any one had taught it to another; but every person who had used it had acquired it by his own ingenuity. Mr. Caslon served a regular apprenticeship to an engraver of ornaments on gun-barrels, and, after the expiration of his term, carried on this trade in Vine-street, near the Minories. He did not, however, solely confine his ingenuity to that instrument, but employed himself likewise in making tools for the book-binders, and for the chasing of silver plate. Whilst he was engaged in this business, the elder Mr. Bowyer accidentally saw in a bookseller’s shop, the lettering of a book uncommonly neat; and inquiring who the artist was by whom the letters were made, was thence induced to seek an acquaintance with Mr. Caslon. Not long after, Mr. Bowyer took Mr. Caslon to Mr. James’s foundery, in Bartholomew-close. Caslon had never before that time seen any part of the business; and being asked by his friend if he thought he could undertake to cut types, he requested a single day to consider the matter, and then replied that he had no doubt but he could. Upon this answer, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bettenham, and Mr. Watts, then eminent printers, had such a confidence in his abilities, that they lent him 500l. to begin the undertaking, and he applied himself to it with equal assiduity and success. In 1720, the society for promoting Christian knowledge, in consequence of a representation from Mr. Solomon Negri, a native of Damascus, in Syria, who was well skilled in the Oriental tongues, and had been professor of Arabic, in places of note, deemed it expedient to print, for the use of the eastern churches, the NVw Testament and Psalter in the Arabic language. These were intended for the benefit of the poor Christians in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and vEgypt, the constitution of which countries did not permit the exercise of the art of printing. Upon this occasion, Mr. Caslon was pitched upon to cut the fount; in his specimens of which he distinguished it by the name of English Arabic. After he had finished this fount, he cut the letters of his own name in pica Roman, and placed them at the bottom of one of the Arabic specimens. The name being seen by Mr. Palmer (the reputed author of a history of printing, which was, in fact, written by Psalmanaazar), he advised our artist to cut the whole fount of pica. This was accordingly done, and the performance exceeded the letter of the other founders of the time. But Mr. Palmer, whose circumstances required credit with those whose business would have been hurt by Mr. Caslon’s superior execution, repented of the advice he had given him, and endeavoured to discourage him from any farther progress. Mr. Caslon, being justly disgusted at such treatment, applied to Mr. Bowyer, under whose inspection he cut, in 1722, the beautiful fount of English which was used in printing Selden’s works, and the Coptic types that were employed in Dr. Wilkins’s edition of the Pentateuch. Under the farther encouragement of Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Bettenham, and Mr. Watts, he proceeded with vigour in his employment, and Mr. Bowyer was always acknowledged by him to be his master, from whom he had learned his art. In letter-founding he arrived at length to such perfection, that he not only relieved his country from the necessity of importing types from Holland, but in the beauty and elegance of those made by him, he so far exceeded the productions of the best artificers, that his workmanship was frequently exported to the continent. Indeed, it may with great justice and confidence be asserted, that a more? beautiful specimen than his is not to be found in any part of the world. Mr. Caslon’s first foundery was in a small house in Helmet-row, Old-street. He afterwards removed into Ironmonger-row; and about 1735, into Chiswell-street, where his foundery became, in process of time, the most capital one that exists in this or in foreign countries. Having acquired opulence in the course of his employment, he was put into the commission of the peace for the county of Middlesex. Towards the latter end of his life, his eldest son, William, being in partnership with him, he retired in a great measure from the active execution of business. His last country residence was at Bethnal-green, where he died Jan. 23, 1766, aged seventy-four. He was interred in the church-yard of St. Luke, Middlesex, in which parish all his different founderies were situated, and where they are still carried on by one of his descendants, under the firm of Caslon and Cattierwood. Mr. Caslon was universally esteemed as a fist-rate artist, a tender master, and an nonest, friendly, and benevolent man and sir John Hawkins has particularly celebrated his hospitality, his social qualities, and his love of music.
died November 17, 1615, and was buried in the parish church of Chiswick in the county of Middlesex. His eldest son William. Chaloner, esq. was by letters patents dated
the younger, the son of
the former by his wife Ethelreda, daughter of Mr. Frodsham of Elton in Cheshire, was born in 1559, and being
very young at the time of his father’s decease, and his
mother soon after marrying a second husband, he owed his
education chiefly to the care and protection of the lordtreasurer Burleigh, by whom he was first put under the
care of Dr. Malim, master of St. Paul’s school, and afterwards removed to Magdalen college in Oxford, where he
closely pursued his studies at the time when his father’s
poetical works were published; and as a proof of his veneration for his father’s friend, and gratitude for the many
kindnesses himself had received, he prefixed a dedication
to this work to his patron the lord Burleigh, He left the
college before he took any degree, but not before he had
acquired a great reputation for parts and learning. He
had, like his father, a great talent- for poetry, which he
wrote with much facility both in English and in Latin, but
it does not appear that he published any thing before he
left England, which was probably about the year 1580.
He visited several parts of Europe, but made the longest
stay in Italy, fprmed an acquaintance with the gravest and
wisest men in that country, who very readily imparted to
him their most important discoveries in natural philosophy,
which he had studied with much diligence and attention.,
At his return home, which was some time before 1584, he
appeared very much at court, and was esteemed by the
greatest men there, on account of his great learning
and manners. About this time he married his first
wife, the daughter of his father’s old friend sir William
Fleetwood, recorder of London, by whom he had several
children. In the year 1591 he had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him, as well in regard to his own personal merit“as the great services of his father; and some
years after, the first alum mines that were ever known to
be in this kingdom, were discovered, by his great sagacity,
not far from Gisborough in Yorkshire, where he had an
estate. In the latter end of queen Elizabeth’s reign, sir
Thomas Chaloner made a journey into Scotland, whether
out of curiosity, with a view to preferment, or by the
direction of sir Robert Cecil, afterwards earl of Salisbury,
who was his great friend, is uncertain; but he soon grew
into such credit with king James, that the most considerable persons in England addressed themselves to him for
his favour and recommendation. Amongst the rest, sir
Francis Bacon, afterwards chancellor, wrote him a very
warm letter, which is still extant, which he sent him by his
friend Mr. Matthews, who was also charged with another
to the king; a copy of which was sent to sir Thomas Chaloner, and Mr. Matthews was directed to deliver him the
original, if he would undertake to present it. He
accomparried the king in his journey to England, and by his
learning, conversation, and address, fixed himself so effectually in that monarch’s good graces, that, as one of the
highest marks he could give him of his kindness and confidence, he thought fit to intrust him with the care of
prince Henry’s education, August 17, 1603, not as his
tutor, but rather governor or superintendant of his household and education. He enjoyed this honour, under several
denominations, during the life-time of that excellent
prince, whom he attended in 1605 to Oxford, and upon
that occasion was honoured with the degree of master of
arts, with many other persons of distinction. It does not
appear that he had any grants of lands, or gifts in money,
from the crown, in consideration of his services, though
sir Adam Newton, who was preceptor to prince Henry,
appears to have received at several times the sum of four
thousand pounds by way of free gift. Sir Thomas Chaloner had likewise very great interest with queen Anne,
and appears to have been employed by her in her private
affairs, and in the settlement of that small estate which she
enjoyed. What relation he had to the court after the
death of his gracious master prince Henry, does no where
appear; but it is not at all likely that he was laid aside.
He married some years before his death his second wife
Judith, daughter to Mr. William Biount of London, and
by this lady also he had children, to whom he is said to
have left a considerable estate, which he had at SteepleClaydon in the county of Buckingham. He died November 17, 1615, and was buried in the parish church of Chiswick in the county of Middlesex. His eldest son William.
Chaloner, esq. was by letters patents dated July 20, in
the 18th of James I. in 1620, created a baronet, by the
title of William Chaloner of Gisborough in the county of
York, esq. which title was extinct in 1681. Few or none,
either of our historians or biographers, Anthony Wood
excepted, have taken any notice of him, though he was
so considerable a benefactor to this nation, by discovering
the alum mines, which have produced vast sums of
money, and still continue to be wrought with very great
profit. Dr. Birch, indeed, in his
” Life of Henry Prince
of Wales,“has given a short account of sir Thomas, and
has printed two letters of his, both of which shew him to
have been a man of sagacity and reflection. In the Lambeth library are also some letters of sir Thomas Chaloner’s,
of which there are transcripts by Dr. Birch in the British
Museum. The only publication by sir Thomas Chalouer
is entitled
” The virtue of Nitre, wherein is declared the
sundry cures by the same effected," Lond. 1584, 4to. In
this he discovers very considerable knowledge of chemistry
and mineralogy.
Kendal school, where he received a good classical education. But his father, who had already placed his eldest son at Oxford, and could not afford the same expence
, author of the scientific dictionary which goes under his name, was born at Kendal
in the county of Westmorland, the youngest of three brothers. His parents were dissenters of the presbyterian
persuasion; and not quakers, as has been reported; and
their occupation was that of farming. He was sent early
to Kendal school, where he received a good classical education. But his father, who had already placed his eldest
son at Oxford, and could not afford the same expence a
second time, determined to bring up Ephraim to trade.
He was accordingly, at a proper age, sent to London, and
spent some time in the shop of a mechanic in that city;
but, having an aversion to the business, he tried another, to
which he was equally averse, and was at last put apprentice to Mr. Senex the globe-maker, a business which is
connected with literature, and especially with astronomy
and geography. It was during Mr. Chambers’s residence
with this skilful mechanic, that he contracted that taste
for science and learning which accompanied him through
life, and directed all his pursuits, and in which his master
very liberally encouraged him. It was even at this time
that he formed the design of his grand work, the “Cyclopaedia;
” and some of the first articles of it were written behind the counter. Having conceived the idea of so great
an undertaking, he justly concluded that the execution of
it would not consist with the avocations of trade; and,
therefore, he quitted Mr. Senex, and took chambers at
Gray’s-inn, where he chiefly resided during the rest of his
days. The first edition of the “Cyclopædia,
” which was
the result of many years intense application, appeared in.
1728, in 2 vols. folio. It was published by subscription,
the price being 4l. 4s.; and the list of subscribers was very
numerous. The dedication, to the king, is dated Oct. 15,
1727. The reputation that Mr. Chambers acquired by his
execution of this undertaking, procured him the honour of
being elected F. R. S. Nov. 6, 1729. In less than ten
years’ time, a second edition became necessary; which
accordingly was printed, with corrections and additions,
in 1738. It having been intended, at first, to give a new
work instead of a new edition, Mr. Chambers had prepared
a considerable part of the copy with that view, and more
than twenty sheets were actually printed off. The purpose
of the proprietors, according to this plan, was to have
published a volume in the winter of 1737, and to have
proceeded annually in supplying an additional volume, till
the whole was completed. But from this design they were
diverted, by the alarm they took at an act then agitated in
parliament, in which a clause was contained, obliging the
publishers of all improved editions of books to print the
improvements separately. The bill, which carried in it
the appearance of equity, but which, perhaps, might have
created greater obstructions to the cause of literature than
a transient view of it could suggest, passed the house of
commons, but was rejected in the house of lords. In an
advertisement prefixed to the second edition of the “Cyclopaedia,
” Mr. Chambers endeavoured to obviate the complaints of such readers as might have been led to expect
(from a paper of his published some time before) a newwork, instead of a new edition. So favourable was the
public reception of the second edition of Chambers’s dictionary, that a third was called for in the very next year,
1739; a fourth two years afterwards, in 1741; and a fifth
in 1746. This rapid sale of so large and expensive a work,
is not easily to be paralleled in the history of literature:
and must be considered, not only as a striking testimony
of the general estimation in which it is held, but likewise
as a strong proof of its real utility and merit.
s a calamity in which the private share of sir Robert Chambers was disproportionately heavy. He lost his eldest son, a promising youth, then going to England for education
The unfortunate loss of the Grosvenor East Indiaman, in 1782, was a calamity in which the private share of sir Robert Chambers was disproportionately heavy. He lost his eldest son, a promising youth, then going to England for education and the uncertain circumstances of the case left to imagination the most dreadful materials for conjecture. In this, as in every other situation, in proportion to the exigence, the firm and truly Christian piety of sir Robert Chambers afforded a great example; and he appeared a worthy son of that excellent national church which, on some occasions, he had strenuously defended while he was an advocate. On the resignation of sir Elijah Impey, in 1791, sir Robert Chambers was advanced to the office of chief justice: and in 1797 he became president of the Asiatic society. At length, after having remained in India twenty-five years, he also obtained permission to resign, and was succeeded by sir John Anstruther.
y to the council in the north, and knighted by queen Elizabeth: he died about the year 1586. Thomas, his eldest son and heir, was knighted by
In the beginning of the year 1556, his wife being come
to Brussels, he resolved, chiefly upon a treacherous invitation he received from the lord Paget and sir John Mason,
to go thither. But first he consulted astrology, in which
he was very credulous, to know whether he might safely
undertake that journey; and being deceived by that delusive art, he fell into a fatal snare between Brussels and Antwerp. For, by order of king Philip II. being way- laid there
by the provost-marshal, he was suddenly seized on the 15th
of May, unhorsed, blindfolded, bound, and thrown into a
waggon; conveyed to the nearest harbour, put on board a
ship under hatches, and brought to the Tower of London,
where he was committed close prisoner. He soon -found
that this was on account of his religion; for two of the
queen’s chaplains were sent to the Tower to endeavour to
reconcile him to the church of Rome, though without success. But the desire of gaining so great a man, induced
the queen to send to him Dr. Feckenham, dean of St. Paul’s,
a man of a moderate temper, and with whom he had been
acquainted in the late reign. This man’s arguments being
inforced by the dreadful alternative, “either comply, or
burn,
” sir John’s frailty was not able to withstand them.
He was, therefore, at his own desire, carried before cardinal Pole, who gravely advised him to return to the unity
of the church: and in this dilemma of fear and perplexity,
he endeavoured to escape by drawing up a paper, consisting of quotations out of the fathers that seemed to
countenance transubstantiation, representing them as his own
opinion, and hoping that would suffice to procure him his
liberty, without any other public declarations of his change.
This paper he sent to cardinal Pole, with a letter dated
July 15, in which he desired him to spare him from making
an open recantation but that being refused, he wrote a
letter to the queen the same day, in which he declared his
readiness to obey her laws, and other orders of religion.
After this, he made his solemn submission before the cardinal, suing to be absolved, and received into the bosom
of the Roman catholic church; which was granted him as
a great favour. But still he was forced to make a public
recantation before the queen, on the 4th of October, and
another long one before the whole court; and submitted to
whatever penances should be enjoined him by the pope’s
legate, i. e. the cardinal. After all these mortifications,
his lands were restored to him, but upon condition of an
exchange with the queen for others*. The papists, by
way of triumph over him and the protestants, obliged him
to keep company generally with catholics, and even to be
present at the examinations and convictions of those they
called heretics. But his remorse, and extreme vexation
for what he had done, sat so heavy upon his mind, that
pining away with shame and regret, he died September 13,
1557, aged forty-three, at his friend Mr. Peter Osborne’s
house, in Wood-street, London, and was buried in St. Alban’s church there, in the north chapel of the choir, the
16th of September. A stone was set afterwards over his
grave, with an inscriptionf. He left three sons; John and
Edward, the two youngest, died without issue; Henry,
the eldest, was secretary to the council in the north, and
knighted by queen Elizabeth: he died about the year
1586. Thomas, his eldest son and heir, was knighted by
d the same degree of favour from court, during the short reign of James II.; and having lived to see his eldest son raised to the peerage, he departed this life, March
After the dissolution of the parliament in 1678, sir Winston was dismissed from the post of clerk of the green cloth, much against his master’s will, who restored him again, and continued him in it during the rest of his reign. He enjoyed the same degree of favour from court, during the short reign of James II.; and having lived to see his eldest son raised to the peerage, he departed this life, March 26, 1688. Besides three sons, and as many daughters, who died in their infancy, sir Winston had several sons and daughters, who lived to grow up. The eldest of his sons was John Churchill, afterwards duke of Marlborough, of whom we shall speak largely in the next article. Arabella, the eldest of his children, born in March 1648,. was maid of honour to the duchess of York, and mistress to the duke, afterwards James II. by whom she had two sons and two daughters. The eldest, James Fitz-James, was created by his father duke of Berwick: he was also knight of the garter and of the golden fleece, marshal of France, and grandee of Spain of the first class. He was reputed one of the greatest officers in his time; and when generalissimo of the armies of France, fell by a cannon-shot at the siege of Phillipsburg in 1734. Henry Fitz-James, grand prior of France, lieutenant-general and admiral of the French gal lies, Was born in 1673, and died in 1702. Henrietta, born in 1670, married sir Henry Waldgrave of Cheuton, and died 1730. The youngest daughter was a nun but afterwards married colonel Godfrey, by whom she had two daughters.
esq. of Chopwell, in the bishopric of Durham. By this lady he had issue two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, William, succeeded him in his titles and estate;
Earl Cowper was one of the governors of the Charterhouse, and a fellow of the royal society. He was twice
married. By his first wife, Judith, who was daughter and
heiress of sir Robert Booth, of London, knight, he had
one son, who died young. Mary, his second wife, who
did not long survive him, was daughter of John Clavering,
esq. of Chopwell, in the bishopric of Durham. By this
lady he had issue two sons and two daughters. His eldest
son, William, succeeded him in his titles and estate; and
his second son, Spencer, became dean of Durham. His
eldest daughter, lady Sarah Cowper, who is said to have
been “distinguished for her sense and accomplishments,
”
died unmarried in 1758. His. youngest, lady Anne, was
married in 1731 to James Edward Colleton, esq. of Hayneshill in Berkshire, and died in 1750.
ne years of age, as appears from the parish register of St. John, Huntingdon; in which we find, that his eldest son Robert, who died a child, was born Oct. 8, 1621;
From Huntingdon he was removed to Sidney college in
Cambridge, where he was admitted fellow-commoner,
April 23, 1616. The entry of his admission is in these
words “Oliverus Cromwell, Huntingdonensis, admissus
ad commeatum sociorum coll. Siden. Aprilis 23, 1616;
tutore M. Kicardo Howlet.
” We have very different accounts of the progress he made in his studies while a member of the university. It is certain that he was acquainted
with Greek and Roman history; but whether he acquired
this knowledge at Cambridge, is a point that may be
doubted; since, as several writers inform us, he spent
much of his time there at foot-ball, cricket, and other robust exercises, for his skill and expertness in which he was
famous. His father dying about two years after he had
been at college, he returned home; where the irregularity
of his conduct so disturbed his mother, that, by the advice of friends, she sent him to London, and placed him
in Lincoln’s-inn. But here, instead of applying to the
study of the law, he gave himself up to wine, women, and
play; so that he quickly dissipated what his father had left
him. His stay at Lincoln’s-inn could not be long, nor was
this season of wildness of much continuance; for he was
married when he was twenty-one years of age, as appears
from the parish register of St. John, Huntingdon; in
which we find, that his eldest son Robert, who died a child,
was born Oct. 8, 1621; so that if he staid but two years
at the university, and it is very probable that he did not
stay there longer, there was not above two years more for
his going to Lincoln’s-inn, and running through the whole
circle of his follies. The lady he married was Elizabeth,
daughter of sir James Bouchier of Essex, knt. descended
from the ancient earls of Essex of that name; whom he
gained more by the interest of his relations Hampden, Barrington, Stewart, &c. than by his own. She was a woman
of spirit and parts, but had not many personal charms,
and it is said, was not without a considerable share of
pride.
ut when in a drowsy fit he answered out of purpose, they again asked him, if he did not name Richard his eldest son for his successor To which he answered, Yes. Then
It is impossible to have a better account of his last sickness, than that given by Dr. Bates, who was his physician.
After mentioning the circumstance of making his will, he
tells us, that the next morning early, when one of his physicians came to visit him, he asked him, “why he looked
so sad?
” and, when answer was made, that so it became
any one, who had the weighty care of his life and health
upon him; “Ye physicians,
” said he, “think I shall die:
I tell you, I shall not die this time; I am sure of it. Do
not think,
” said he to the physician, looking more attentively at him on these words; “do not think that I am
mad; I speak the words of truth upon surer grounds than
Galen or your Hippocrates furnish you with. God Almighty himself hath given that answer, not to my prayers
alone, but also to the prayers of those who entertain a
stricter commerce and greater interest with him. Go on
cheerfully, banishing all sadness from your looks; and
deal with me as you would do with a serving-man. Ye may
have a skill in the nature of things, yet nature can do
more than all physicians put together; and God is far
more above nature.
” He was then desired to take his rest,
because he had not slept the greatest part of the night;
and this physician left him. But as he was coming out of
the chamber, he accidentally met another; to whom said
he, I am afraid our patient will be light-headed. “Then
(replied the other) you are certainly a stranger in this
house. Do not you know what was done last night? The
chaplains, and all who are dear to God, being dispersed
into several parts of the palace, have prayed to God for his
health: and have brought this answer, he shall recover.
”
Nay, to such a degree of madness they came, that a public fast heing for his sake kept at Hampton-court, they did
not so much pray to God for his health, as thank him for
the undoubted pledges of his recovery; and they repeated
the same at Whitehall. These oracles of his deluded chaplains were the cause that the physicians spake not a word
of his danger. Being removed to London, he became
much worse, grew first lethargic, then delirious; and after
recovering a little, but not enough to give any distinct directions about public affairs, he died Sept. 2, 1658, aged
somewhat more than 59 years. A little before his death,
the physicians awakened the privy-council, by representing
the danger he was in; and at an appointed time he was
urged to name his successor. But when in a drowsy fit he
answered out of purpose, they again asked him, if he did
not name Richard his eldest son for his successor To
which he answered, Yes. Then being asked where his will
was, which heretofore he had made concerning the heirs of
the kingdom, he sent to look for it in his closet and other
places; but in vain for he had either burnt it, or somebody had stolen it. It has been imagined that Cromwell
was poisoned, but without any reason. Dr. Bates gives us
the following account of his disorder: “His body being
opened, in the animal parts the brain seemed to be overcharged in the vitals the lungs a little inflamed but in
die natural, the source of the distemper appeared the
spleen, though sound to the eye, being within filled with
alter like to the lees of oil. Nor was that inconsistent
the disease he had for a long time been subject to;
since, for t least thirty years, he had at times complained
of hypochondriaeal indispositions. Though his bowels
were taken out, and his body filled with spices, wrapped
in a fourfold cere-cloth, put first into a coffin of lead, and
then into one of wood, yet it purged and wrought through
all, so that there was a necessity of interring it before the
solemnity of the funeral.
” A very pompous funeral was
ordered at the public ex pence, and performed from Somerset-house, with a splendour superior to any that has
been bestowed on crowned heads. Some have related,
that his body was, by his own particular order, secretly
buried in Naseby field; others that it was wrapped in lead,
and sunk in the deepest part of the Thames, to prevent
any insult that might be offered to it; others that it was
taken from the gallows after the restoration, and deposited
in the family-vault of the Claypoles, at Narborough near
Peterborough. From the account of what passed upon,
the order to disinter him after the restoration, it seems that
his body was interred at Westminster. “In the middle
aile of Henry VII's chapel,at the east end, in a vault,
was found his corpse. In the inside of the coffin, and upon
the breast of the corpse, was laid a copper-plate finely
gilt, inclosed in a thin case of lead; on the side whereof
were engraven the arms of England, impaled with the arms
of Oliver; and on the reverse the following legend: Oli
verius protector reipublicæ Angliæ, Scotiæ, & Hiberniæ,
uatus 25 April 1599, inauguratus 16 Decembris 1653,
mortuus 3 Septembris ann. 1658. Hic situs est.
” But
this in some writers is considered as a delusion; and that
some other, if not the body of Charles I. was inclosed in
this coffin, which is still a greater delusion and absurdity,
as a very recent discovery proves. It has also been said,
that the body of his daughter Claypole was found at the
same time and place, with a silver plate with an inscription; but the workmen quarrelling about this plate, it was
thrown into the vault again. The inscription on it, however, was shewn to the Society of Antiquaries, 1738, by
Dr. Cromwell Mortimer, whose father married to his first
wife a daughter of Richard Cromwell. The plate on Oliver’s coffin was in 1773 in the possession of the hon. George
Hobart, of Nocton, in Lincolnshire, and shewn to the
same society by Mr. Wills, and is engraved in Mr. Noble’s
Memoirs .
whom six, Richard, Henry, Bridget, Elizabeth, Mary, and Frances, survived to advanced age. Richard, his eldest son, was born Oct. 4, 1626. His father has been censured
He had many children, of whom six, Richard, Henry,
Bridget, Elizabeth, Mary, and Frances, survived to advanced age. Richard, his eldest son, was born Oct. 4,
1626. His father has been censured for keeping him at a
distance from business, and giving him no employment
but for this perhaps there was not any just ground. He
married him to a daughter and coheir of Richard Major,
of Hunley, in Hampshire, esq. who brought him a good
fortune. He suffered him to pursue the bent of his inclinations, and to lead the life of a plain, honest, country
gentleman; which for a time was highly suitable to his
own interest, as it seemed to correspond with the terms of
the Instrument of Government; and with the dislike which
the protector, when first so called, had expressed of hereditary right. When he had afterwards brought about a
change in affairs, he altered his conduct towards his son;
named him the first lord in his other house; resigned to
him the chancellorship of Oxford; and conferred upon him
all the honours he could. His weak and harmless reign is
well known. On his dismission from the protectorate, he
resided some time at Pezenas, in Languedoc, and afterwards went to Geneva. Sometime in 1680, he returned
to England, and for some time took the name of Richard
Clark, and resided at Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, where
he died July 13, 1712. In 1705 he lost his only son, and
became in right of him possessed of the manor of Horsley,
which had belonged to his mother. Richard, then in an
advanced age, sent or.c of his daughters to take possession
of the estate for him. She kept it for herself and her
sisters, allowing her father only a small annuity out of it,
till she was dispossessed of it by a sentence of one of the
courts of Westminster-hall. It was requisite for this purpose, that Richard should appear in person; and tradition
says, that the judge who presided, lord Cowper, ordered
a chair for him in court, and desired him to keep on his
hat: this last circumstance appears wholly incredible. As
Richard was returning from this trial, curiosity led him to
see the house of peers, when, being asked by a person to
whom he was a stranger, if he had ever seen any thing like
it before, he replied, pointing to the throne, “Never since
I sat in that chair.
”
h, where his learning and moral conduct induced the late earl of Lautierdale to appoint him tutor to his eldest son, lord Maitland, the present earl. With this young
, M. A. F. R. S. Edin. Greek
professor in the university of Edinburgh, keeper of the
university library, &c. was born in 1750, in the parish of
Rathos near Edinburgh, and was educated partly at the
parish school, but principally at Edinburgh, where his
learning and moral conduct induced the late earl of
Lautierdale to appoint him tutor to his eldest son, lord
Maitland, the present earl. With this young nobleman, he
attended a course of the lectures of the celebrated professor
Millar at Glasgow, and afterwards accompanied his lordship to Paris. On his return from the continent, Mr. Dalzcll, at the recommendation of the late earl of Landerdale,
was appointed to the professorship of Greek at Edinburgh,
an office which he rilled for many years with the highest
reputation and advantage to the university. He has thfe
credit indeed of reviving a taste for that language, which
from various causes, had been disused at Edinburgh, or
studied very superficially. To enable his pupils to prosecute this accomplishment with the more effect, and imbibe
a taste for what was elegant in the language, he compiled
and printed, at a great expence, a series of collections out
of the Greek authors, including all those passages which
he wished to explain in the course of his teaching. These
were printed in several 8vo volumes, under the titles of
“Collectanea Minora,
” and “Collectanea Majora.
” He
added to each volume short notes in Latin, explanatory of
the difficult places, and the text was printed with great
accuracy. The notes, which are in elegant Latin, are admirable for brevity, perspicuity, and judgment. He at
the same time composed and read to the students a series
of lectures on the language and antiquities, the philosophy
and history, the literature, eloquence, poetry, and fine arts
of the Greeks. By these means he became eminently successful in disseminating a taste for classical literature in the
university, nor was he less happy in the art of engaging
the affections and fixing the attention of his pupils on the
objects which he considered as the fundamentals of all
genuine scholarship.
as buried at Mortlake. He left behind him a numerous posterity both male and female, and among these his eldest son Arthur, who is mentioned in our next article.
This book made a great noise upon its first publication; and many years after, the credit of it was revived by one of the ablest mathematicians and philosophers of his time, the celebrated Dr. Hooke; who believed, that not only Casaubon, but archbishop Usher, and other learned men, were entirely mistaken in their notions about this book; and that, in reality, our author Dee never fell under any such delusions, but being a man of great art and intrigue, made use of this strange method of writing to conceal things of a political nature, and, instead of a pretended enthusiast, was a real spy. But there are several reasons which will not suffer us to suppose this. One is, that Dee began these actions in England; for which, if we suppose the whole treatise to be written in cypher, there is no account can be given, any more than for pursuing the same practices in king James’s time, who cannot be imagined to have used him as a spy. Another, that he admitted foreigners, such as Laski, Rosenberg, &c. to be present at these consultations with spirits; which is not reconcileable with the notion of his being intrusted with political secrets. Lastly, upon the return of Dee from Bohemia, Kelly did actually send an account to the queen of practices against her life; but then this was in a plain and open method, which would never have been taken, if there had been any such mysterious correspondence between Dee and her ministers, as Hooke suggests. In the latter end of his life he became miserably poor. It is highly probable that he remained under these delusions to his death; for he was actually providing for a new journey into Germany, when, worn out by age and distempers, he died in 1608, aged eighty, and was buried at Mortlake. He left behind him a numerous posterity both male and female, and among these his eldest son Arthur, who is mentioned in our next article.
imperial majesty, with an annuity of 500l. the rank of a baron of the Russian empire, to descend to his eldest son, and a black wing of the Russian eagle in a gold
Having fully satisfied himself about the new method of
treating persons under inoculation for the small-pox, he
published his treatise on the subject in 1766, which was
soon circulated over the continent, and translated into all
languages. His particular opinion may be learned from
the conclusion, in which he says that, “although the whole
process may have some share in the success, it consists
chiefly in the method of inoculating with recent fluid matter, and the management of the patients at the time of
eruption.
” This proof of his professional knowledge occasioned his being invited to inoculate the empress Catherine of Russia, and her son, in 1768, of which he gives a
very particular and interesting account in his “Tracts on
Inoculation,
” printed in Thoughts on general and partial Inoculation,
” 8vo;
and two years after, “Observations on the Introduction to
the plan of the Dispensary for general Inoculation,
” 8vo.
This involved him in a controversy with Dr. Lettsom, in
which he opposed the above plan for inoculating the poor
at their own houses; and opened an inoculation-house,
under his own direction, for persons of all ranks in the
neighbourhood of Hertford, which was resorted to with
success. His controversy with Dr. Lettsom was carried on
in the following pamphlets “Dr. Lettsom’s letter on General Inoculation
” “Remarks on Ditto,
” 8vo; “Review
of Dr. Lettsom’s observations on the Baron’s Remarks
”
“Letter to Dr. Lettsom on his Remarks, &c.
” “Answer to
Baron Dimsdale’s Review,
” and “Considerations on the
plan, &c.
” In Tracts on Inoculation,
” already mentioned, which were liberally distributed,
but not sold.
e the eminence of his sons, nor to complete his own career of advancement; for he died in 1631, when his eldest son John was only six years old, being himself nominated,
, archbishop of York, was a prelate of considerable worth, abilities, and eminence, in the reigns of Charles II. and James II. a man who, to the courage and fidelity which had first deserved a military reward, united all those talents and qualifications which could justify his subsequent advancement to the honours of the church. He was born at Stanwick, in Northamptonshire, March 20, 1625, being the fifth in descent from William Dolben of Denbighshire; and descended from an ancient family of that name, settled at Segrayd, in the same county. Dr. William Dolben, the father of the archbishop, was at that time rector of Stanwick, and of Benefield, to both of which he was instituted in one day; and prebendary of Lincoln, through the interest of the lord keeper Williams, whose niece Elizabeth Williams he had married. Few marriages have been more fortunate in their issue: besides the subject of the present article, their second son William proved highly eminent in the profession to which he was educated. He became recorder of London, received the honour of knighthood, and in 1678 was appointed one of the judges in the court of common pleas. In 1683 he was removed from that situation, very highly to his honour, being the only judge that gave his opinion against the legality of dissolving corporations by quo warranto. His rank was justly restored by king William; who, in 1689, appointed him a judge of the king’s bench; and in that station he remained till his death, which happened in 1693, the 65th year of his age. He was buried in the Temple church, and left a character of high estimation for strict integrity, and the most penetrating discernment. Dr. William Dolben, however, neither lived to see the eminence of his sons, nor to complete his own career of advancement; for he died in 1631, when his eldest son John was only six years old, being himself nominated, at the time, for the succession to a vacant bishopric, but his death produced an affecting testimony to his merit, of no small value in the moral estimate , of honours. This was conferred by his parishioners of Stanwick, by whom he was so sincerely beloved, that on his falling ill at London of the sickness which proved fatal to him, they plowed and sowed his glebe lands at their own expence, that his widow might have the benefit of the crop which she accordingly received after his decease; an anecdote more felt and valued by his family than any thing that usually adorns the page of the biographer.
fant), survived him till 1706, when she died at Finedon, in Northamptonshire, in her eightieth year. His eldest son, Gilbert, who furnished Dryden with the various editions
The wife of archbishop Dolben (by whom he had three children, Gilbert and John, and a daughter Catharine, who died an infant), survived him till 1706, when she died at Finedon, in Northamptonshire, in her eightieth year. His eldest son, Gilbert, who furnished Dryden with the various editions of Virgil, when about to translate that poet, was afterwards created a baronet by queen Anne, and for many years represented the city of Peterborough in parliament. He was appointed a justice of the common pleas in Ireland by William III. and held that office for twenty years. He died in 1722. The probity and worth of the present representatives of this family are well known.
He designed his eldest son, Peter Dollond, for the same business with himself;
He designed his eldest son, Peter Dollond, for the same business with himself; and for several years they carried on their manufactures together in Spital -fields; but the employment neither suited the expectations nor disposition of the son, who, having received much information upon mathematical and philosophical subjects from the instruction of his father, and observing the great value which was set upon his father’s knowledge in the theory of optics by professional men, determined to apply that knowledge to the benefit of himself and his family; and, accordingly, under the directions of his father, commenced optician. Success, though under the most unfavourable circumstances, attended every effort; and in 1752, John Dollond, embracing the opportunity of pursuing a profession congenial with his mind, and without neglecting the rules of prudence towards his family, joined his son, and in consequence of his theoretical knowledge, soon became a proficient in the practical parts of optics.
ch he continued to labour with great zeal, until old age and infirmities obliged him to desist, when his eldest son, Paul, was appointed his successor. After a residence
, an enterprising Danish missionary, was a native of Denmark, horn Jan. 31, 1686, and
was for some time a preacher at Trundheim, in Norway.
Having heard that lung before his time some families of
Norway had established themselves in Greenland, where
the Christian religion was propagated by them, and even
churches and convents built, be felt himself interested in
the welfare of this colony, and curious to know its actual
state; and although he was told that the ice rendered that
country intolerable, that the people were savages, and
that no traces were now to be found of the religion which
they had been taught, he still persisted in his design of
reviving an establishment there, and for some years made
many unsuccessful attempts to procure the necessary means.
At length Frederic IV. king of Denmark seemed disposed
to second his efforts, and called together the body of merchants of Bergen, to know what assignee and what privileges they would grant to a company disposed to make the
experiment of establishing a colony in Greenland. But
these merchants could not be made to comprehend the
utility of the plan, and nothing was done by them as a body.
Egede, however, was not wholly disheartened, but visited
the merchants individually, and by dint of solicitation, obtained a subscription amounting to 10,000 crowns, to
which he added 300, which wasthe whole of his own
property. He then built vessels fit for the voyage, and
provided all necessaries the king appointed him missionary, with a salary of 300 crowns, and in May 1721, Egede
Bet sail with his wife and children, full of ardent hopes.
After many dangers, he landed on the Baals river, in West
Greenland, and built a house. He now endeavoured to
gain the confidence of the natives by kind approaches;
be learned their language, and took every method to soften
their manners, and enlighten their understandings. He
also, as a very necessary step towards civilization, endeavoured to form a commercial establishment with them, and,
some time after, the king sent other vessels and two more
ecclesiastics to assist Egede in his undertaking. The colony then began to prosper; above 150 children were
baptised and taught the principles of the Christian religion,
and every thing wore a promising appearance, when, on
the accession of Christian VI. to the throne, an order came
to discontinue their proceedings. On this the greater part
of the colonists returned home; but Egede persisted in
remaining on the spot, and having persuaded about a
dozen seamen to share his lot, he renewed his endeavours
with success, and the following year a vessel arrived from
the mother-country with provisions and men, and an order
to persevere in the objects of the mission. Every succeeding year a vessel arrived with similar assistance, and
Egede received 2000 crowns by each, for the annual expences of the colony, in the promotion of which he continued to labour with great zeal, until old age and infirmities obliged him to desist, when his eldest son, Paul, was
appointed his successor. After a residence of fifteen
years, the good old man returned to Copenhagen, and
employed the remainder of his days in teaching the Greenland language to young missionaries. He died in the
island of Falster, Nov. 5, 1758. A short time before this
event, he published his “Description and Natural History of Greenland,
” of which there has been a French
translation by Roches de Parthenay, printed at Geneva,
1763, 8vo, and the same year a German translation by
Knrnitz. There is also a German translation of “The
Journal of his Mission,
” printed at Hamburgh, Account of
his own Mission,
” which appeared in
March 24, 1698, in the forty-fifth year of his age. He had by his wife two sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Richard, -died an infant at Sayes-court, as did
, third son of the former, was born at his
father’s house at Sayes-court, near Deptford, January 14,
1654-5, and was there very tenderly educated in his infancy, being considered (after the death of his brother Richard Evelyn, January 27, 1657, who, though but five years of age, was esteemed a kind of prodigy) as the heir
of the family. He was likewise universally admired for
the pregnancy of his parts, of which he gave a pleasing
proof in a Latin letter written to his father in Dec. 1665,
and which induced his father to send him in 1666 to Oxford, where he remained in the house of the ingenious and
learned Dr. Ralph Bathurst, then president of Trinity-college, before he was admitted a gentleman-commoner, which
was in Easter term 1663. It is not clear at what time he
left Oxford; but Mr. Wood seems to be positive that he took
no degree there, but returned to his father’s house, where
he prosecuted his studies under the directions of that great
man. There is, however, good reason to believe that it
was during his residence in Trinity-college, and when he
was not above fifteen years of age, that he wrote that elegant Greek poem which is prefixed to the second edition
of the Sylva, and is a noble proof of the strength of his
genius, and wonderful progress in learning in the early
part of his life. In Nov. 1675, he set out for Paris with
lord Berkley, ambassador to the French court; and in May
1676, returned to England. He discovered his proficiency
soon afterwards, both in the learned and modern languages,
by his elegant translations, as well as his intimate acquaintance with the muses, in some original poems which were
very justly admired. If we consider the father’s turn of
mind, we need not wonder that he should employ his pen
first upon gardening, especially in the easy way of translation, and from a book so justly as well as generally admired as the French Jesuit’s has ever been. The title of
our author’s little treatise was, 1. “Of gardens, four
books, first written in Latin verse, by Renatus Rapinus;
and now made English by John Evelyn, esq.
” Sylva,
” and it must be allowed that the sense is very
faithfully rendered, and the poetry is more easy and harmonious than could have been expected from a youth of
his age. 2. “The life of Alexander the great,
” translated from the Greek of Plutarch, printed in the fourth
volume of Plutarch’s lives by several hands. 3. “The history of the grand visiers, Mahomet and Achmet Coprogli;
of the three last grand signiors, their sultanas, and chief
favourites; with the most secret intrigues of the seraglio,
”
&c. Lond. 1677, 8vo. This was a translation from the
French, and has been esteemed an entertaining and instructive history. Our author wrote also several poems
occasionally, of which two are printed in Dryden’s Miscellanies, and more are in Nichols’s Collection of Poems.
The one entitled “On virtue,
” has been esteemed excellent in its kind by the best judges and the other, styled
“The remedy of love,
” has been also much admired. On
Feb. 24, 1679-80, he married Martha, daughter and coheiress of Richard Spenser, esq. Turkey merchant, whose
widow married sir John Stonehouse, of Radley, in Berks,
bart. Mr. Evelyn, who had a turn for business as well as
study, and had been introduced to the prince of Orange
in 1688, was in 1690 made one of the chief clerks of the
treasury, and quitting that situation in 1691, became one
of the commissioners of the revenue in Ireland, which
country he visited in 1692. He would probably have been
advanced to higher employments if he had not been cut
off in thd flower of his age, dying at his house in Berkeleystreet, London, March 24, 1698, in the forty-fifth year of
his age. He had by his wife two sons and three daughters.
His eldest son, Richard, -died an infant at Sayes-court, as
did his eldest daughter Martha Mary. His second daughter, Elizabeth, married Simon Harcourt, esq. eldest son
and heir of Simon lord viscount Harcourt, lord high chancellor of Great Britain, by whom she became mother to
the first earl Harcourt. Jane, his third daughter, died an
infant at his house in the parish of St. Martin’s in the fields,
and was interred at Kensington. John Evelyn, his second
and only surviving son, born at Sayes-court, March 2,
1681, succeeded to his grandfather’s estate. He was married at Lambeth chapel, September 18,- 1705, to Anne,
daughter of Edward Boscawen, of Worthivil, co. Cornwall, esq. He was by letters-patent bearing date July 30,
1713, created a baronet. This worthy gentleman, who inherited the virtue and learning as well as the patrimony of
his ancestors, made several alterations and additions to the
family-seat at Wotton, in 1717, one of which was the
erecting a beautiful library, forty-five feet long, fourteen
feet broad, and as many high, for the reception of that
large ajtd curious collection of books made by his grandfather, his father, and himself, and where they still remain. He was long one of the commissioners of the
customs, a fellow of the royal society, and was succeeded by
his eldest son, John, who dying in 1767, was succeeded
by sir Frederick Evelyn, on whose death, in 1812, the
title descended to Mr. John Evelyn, the grandson of
Charles, a younger son of the first baronet of the Wotton
branch.
n the county of York, in the year 1621.” Fairfax left several children, sons and daughters. William, his eldest son, before mentioned, was a scholar, and of the same
None of Fairfax’s writings in prose have ever been published. They most of them related to the controversy of
religion with the church of Rome, and are represented as
having afforded signal proofs of his learning and judgment.
The person with whom the controversy was carried on was
one John Dorrell, a Romish priest of no ordinary fame,
at that time a prisoner in the castle of York. Between
him and Mr. Fairfax a variety of letters passed, relative to
the most distinguished tenets of popery. A copy of our
author’s treatise on Dsemonology was in the possession of
Isaac Reed, esq. entitled, “A Discourse of Witchcraft, as
it was acted in the family of Mr. Edward Fairfax, of Fuyistone [Fewston], in the county of York, in the year 1621.
” Fairfax left
several children, sons and daughters. William, his eldest
son, before mentioned, was a scholar, and of the same
temper with his father, but more cynical. He translated
Diogenes Laertius out of Greek into English. This gentleman was grammatical tutor to Mr. Stanley, the celebrated author of the History of Philosophy. It is asserted
by Mrs. Cooper, that the greatest part of that work, as
well as the notes on Euripides, truly belonged to Mr. William Fairfax, though his modesty and friendship declined
the reputation of them. To such vague assertions little
regard, we apprehend, is to be paid; and it was not Euripides, but Æschylus, that was published by Mr. Stanley.
y Nevill, bishop of Exeter, (on Nov. 3, 1464 ) then chancellor. On his death, in 1466, he left it to his eldest son sir John Paston. July 6, the king granted him a warrant
Sir John Fastolff had by his will appointed John Paston,
esq. eldest son and heir of sir William Paston, the judge,
one of his executors; and had given to them all his manors,
lands, &c. in trust, to found the college of the seven
priests, and seven poor men, in the manor-house at Castre,
c. “For the singular trust and love,
” says sir John,
“that I have to my cousin John Paston before all others,
being in every belief that he will execute this my last will.
”
Edward IV. 1464, for 300 marks, 100 in hand, and the
remainder when the foundation takes place, granted John
Paston, sen. esq. licence to found the college before mentioned, and his favour and protection against Yelverton,
Jenney, and others; but it appears that this John Paston,
esq. had entered on this manor of Castre, and was imprisoned in the Fleet of London by Nevill, bishop of Exeter,
(on Nov. 3, 1464 ) then chancellor. On his death, in 1466,
he left it to his eldest son sir John Paston. July 6,
the king granted him a warrant under his hand and privy
seal, to take possession of all the lands and inheritance of
his late father, or of Agnes his grandmother, or of Margaret his mother, or of William Paston, and Clement
Paston, his uncles; also the manor and place of Castre,
or of any other estate which his father had, by way of gift,
or purchase, of the late sir John Fastolff; which lands had
been seized by the king, on evil surmises made to him,
against his deceased father, himself and uncles, of all
which they were sufficiently, openly, and worshipfully
cleared before the king. “So that all yee now being in
the said place of Caster, or in any liBihode, late the sir
John Paston' s, by way of gift or purchase, of the late sir
John Fastolff, that was seized into our hands, avoid the
possession of the same, and suffer our truly and well beloved knight, sir John Paston, to enjoy the profits thereof,
with all the goods and chattels there, and pay all the issues
and profits thereof, as yee did unto his father, at any time
in his life.
”
g the increase of nonconformity in the university. His father had provided a match for him, as being his eldest son; but his not taking orders being made an indispensable
, an eminent English divine, was born Oct. 15, 1561, in the parish of Hempsted in the county of Hertford, of an ancient family of good repute in that county. The estate which came to him from his father and grandfather had been in the family many years before, and it is recorded as somewhat singular that out of his grandfather’s house, there had died but three owners of this estate in 160 years. He received his first education in the free school of Berkhampstead, and was afterwards admitted of Magdalen-hall, Oxford; and such was the character he left behind him, that his chambers and study there were shewn, for a long time after he quitted them. But according to Wood’s account, he was first admitted of Magdalen college in the year 1577, and proceeded A. B. before he went to Magdalen-hall, where he took his master’s degree, and was esteemed the best disputant in the schools. After some time spent in the study of divinity, he read the catechetical lecture in Magdalen-hall, which, though a private lecture, was in his hands rendered so inieresting as to be much frequented by the whole university. Dr. John Reynolds, though greatly his senior, and either then or soon after Margaret professor, and president of Corpus Christi college, was a constant auditor. Field was well skilled in school divinity, and a frequent preacher while he lived in Oxfordshire, and is said to have been very instrumental in preventing the increase of nonconformity in the university. His father had provided a match for him, as being his eldest son; but his not taking orders being made an indispensable requisite, he thought fit to decline the choice, and returned to Oxford and after he had spent seven years there, he became divinity reader in Winchester cathedral.
e poor, moderate in his pursuits, never aiming at greatness for himself or his posterity; he left to his eldest son very little more than what descended to him from
About 1610 the king bestowed on him the deanery of
Gloucester, where he never resided long, but in order to
preach four or 6ve times a year to a full auditory who respected and loved him. The greatest part of his time he
spent at his parsonage, and the winter at Windsor, where
his house in the cloister was the resort of all who were
eminent for learning, to enjoy his conversation, and profit by his sentiments on ecclesiastical affairs, and on the
parties and sects which divided the Christian world. Dr.
Barlow, dean of Wells, and Dr. Crakenthorp were among
his correspondents. He rejoiced when any man noted for
learning was made prebendary of Windsor; and often
visited sir Henry Savile at Eton college, and other eminent persons in that neighbourhood. He often preached
before the king, who, the first time he heard him, said,
“Is his name Field This is a field for God to dwell in
”
and Fuller, in the same punning age, calls him “that
learned divine,whose memory swelleth like a field which
the Lord hath blessed.
” In the king’s progress through
Hampshire, in 1609, the bishop of Winchester appointed
him among those who were to preach before him; and in
1611, the king having a mind to hear the prebendaries of
Winchester in their order, the dean wrote to him first, and
he preached oftener than any of them, and to crowded audiences. The king, who delighted to discourse with him
on points of divinity, proposed to send him into Germany
to compose the differences between the Lutherans and
Calvinists, but, for whatever reason, this appointment did
not take place; and not long before his death, the king
would have made him bishop of Salisbury, and gave him a
promise of the see of Oxford on a vacancy. Bishop Hall
tells us, that about the same time he was to have been
made dean of Worcester. On Oct. 27, 1614, he lost his
wife, who left him six sons and a daughter. After continuing a widower about two years, he married the only
daughter of Dr. John King, prebendary of Windsor and
Westminster, widow of Dr. John Spenser, some time president of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, but with her he
lived not much above a month. She however bred up his
only daughter, and married her to her eldest son, of which
match there were three sons and five daughters.
Dr. Field had reached the beginning of his fifty-sixth
year, when, on Nov. 15, 1616, he died of an apoplexy, or
some imposthume breaking inwardly, which suddenly deprived him of all sense and motion. He was buried in the
outer chapel of St. George at Windsor, below the choir.
Over his grave was laid a black marble slab, with his figure
in brass, and under it an inscription on a plate of the same
metal, recording the deaths of him and his first wife. His
whole life was spent in the instruction of others, both by
precept and example. He was a good and faithful pastor,
an affectionate husband and parent, a good master and
neighbour; charitable to the poor, moderate in his pursuits, never aiming at greatness for himself or his posterity;
he left to his eldest son very little more than what descended to him from his ancestors. He had such a memory that
he used to retain the substance of every book he read; but
his judgment was still greater. Although he was able to
penetrate into the most subtle and intricate disputes, he
was more intent on composing than increasing controversies. He did not like disputes about the high points of
predestination and reprobation, yet appears rather to have
inclined to the Calvinistic views of these matters. When
he first set about writing his books “Of the Church,
” his
old acquaintance Dr. Kettle dissuaded him, telling him
that when once he was engaged in controversy, he would
never live quietly, but be continually troubled with answers
and replies. To this he said, “I will so write that they
shall have no great mind to answer me;
” which proved to
be nearly the case, as his main arguments were never refuted. This work was published at London in 1606, folio,
in four books, to which he added a fifth in 1610, folio,
with an appendix containing a defence of each passage of
the former books that were excepted against, or wrested to
the maintenance of Romish errors. All these were reprinted at Oxford in 1628, folio. This second edition is
charged hy the Scots in their “Canterburian’s Self-conviction,
” A view of the Controversies
in Religion, which in these last times have caused the
lamentable divisions in the Christian world
” but it was never
completed, though the preface was written by the author,
and is printed at large in the Life of him by his Son, together with some propositions laid down by him on election
and reprobation. This Life was published from the original by John Le Neve, author of the “Monumenta Anglicana,
” in I should have done more for that man
” His
son, who wrote his life, was the Rev. Nathaniel Field,
rector of Stourton in the county of Wilts. Another son, Giles,
lies buried, under a monumental inscription, against
the east wall of New college Ante-chapel. He died in
1629, aged twenty-one.
ly increased by his second marriage, it became impossible for him to make such appointments for this his eldest son as he could have wished; his allowance was therefore
General Fielding’s family being very greatly increased
by his second marriage, it became impossible for him to
make such appointments for this his eldest son as he could
have wished; his allowance was therefore either very ill paid
or entirely neglected. This unhappy situation soon produced all the ill consequences which could arise from poverty and dissipation. Possessed of a strong constitution,
a lively imagination, and a disposition naturally but little
formed for Œconomy, Henry Fielding found himself his
own master, in a place where the temptations to every
expensive pleasure are numerous, and the means of gratifying them easily attainable. From this unfortunately
pleasing situation sprang the source of every misfortune or
uneasiness that Fielding afterwards felt through life. He
very soon found that his finances were by no means proportioned to the brisk career of dissipation into which he
had launched; yet, as disagreeable impressions never continued long upon his mind, but only rouzed him to struggle through his difficulties with the greater spirit, he flattered himself that he should find resources in his wit and
invention, and acccordingly commenced writer for the
stage in 1727, at which time he had not more than attained the completion of his twentieth year.
His first dramatic attempt was a piece called “Love in
several Masques,
” which, though it immediatetysucceeded
the long and crowded run of the “Provoked Husband,
”
met with a favourable reception, as did likewise his second play, “The Temple Beau,
” which came out in the
following year. He did not, however, meet with equal
success in all his dramatic works, for he has even printed,
in the title-page of one of his farces, “as it was damned
at the theatre-royal Drury-lane;
” and he himself informs
us, in the general preface to his miscellanies, that for the
“Wedding-Day,
” though acted six nights, his profits from
the house did not exceed fifty pounds. Nor did a much
better fate attend some of his earlier productions, so that,
though it was his lot always to write from necessity, he
would, probably, notwithstanding his writings, have laboured continually under that necessity, had not the severity of the public, and the malice of his enemies, met
with a noble alleviation from the patronage of several persons of distinguished rank and character, particularly the
late dukes of Richmond and Roxburgh, John duke of
Argyle, the first lord Lyttelton, &c. the last-named of
which noblemen, not only by his friendship softened the
rigour of our author’s misfortunes while he lived, but also
by his generous ardour has vindicated his character, and
done justice to his memory, after death.
pington, in the county of Cambridge, who died 1689, and by whom he had three sons and a daughter. To his eldest son he left his noble library of choice and valuable
Dr. Gale married Barbara daughter of Thomas Pepys,
esq. of Impington, in the county of Cambridge, who died
1689, and by whom he had three sons and a daughter. To
his eldest son he left his noble library of choice and valuable books, besides a curious collection of many esteemed
manuscripts, a catalogue of which is printed in the “Catalogus MSStorum Anglia; & Hiberniae,
” Hi. p. 185.
t into the province of Carniola, where he received his doctor’s degree, and then into England, after his eldest son Albericus, who was born in 1550. He was educated
, an eminent civilian at Oxford,
was the son of Matthew Gentilis, an Italian physician, the
descendant of a noble family of the Marcbe of Ancona, who
left his country about the end of the sixteenth century, on
account of his having embraced the protestant religion.
Taking with him his sons Albericus and Scipio, he went
into the province of Carniola, where he received his doctor’s degree, and then into England, after his eldest son
Albericus, who was born in 1550. He was educated chiefly
in the university of Perugia, where, in 1572, he was made
doctor of civil law. He came into England probably about
1580, as in that year he appears to have been kindly received by several persons here; and among others, by
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, then chancellor of the
university of Oxford, who gave him letters of recommendation to the university, stating that he had left his country
for the sake of his religion, and that it was his desire to
bestow some time in reading, and other exercises of his
profession, at the university, &c. He accordingly went
to Oxford, and by favour of Dr. Donne, principal of New
inn Hall, had rooms allowed him there, and at first was
maintained by contributions from several colleges, but afterwards had an allowance from the common funds of the
university. In the latter end of the same year, 1580, he
was incorporated LL. D. and for some years employed his
time on his writings, most of which were published at
London or Oxford. He resided also some time either in.
Corpus or Christ Church, and, as Wood says, “became
the flower of the university for his profession.
” In 1587
queen Elizabeth gave him the professorship of civil law,
on which he lectured for twenty-four years with great xeputation. Hre he died, in the latter end of March or the
beginning of April 1611, although others say at London,
June 19, 1608, and was buried near his father, who also
died in England, but where is uncertain. Wood’s account
seems most probable. He left a widow, who died at Rickmansworth in 1648, and two sons, one of which will be
noticed in the next article. Wood enumerates twentyseven volumes or tracts written by him, all in Latin, and
mostly on points of jurisprudence, on which, at that time,
his opinion appears to have had great weight. Grotius
praises and acknowledges his obligations to his three books
“De Jure Belli
” and his “Lectiones Virgilianae,
” addressed to his son, prove that he had cultivated polite literature with success.
nd into Greek. He left a numerous family, some of whom became distinguished as divines, particularly his eldest son, John Ernest, who was born at Jena in 1621, and studied
, an eminent German Lutheran divine, was born at Quedlinburgh, in Saxony, Oct. 17, 1582,
where he was partly educated, but in 1599, was sent to
Wittemberg, and studied philosophy and divinity under
the ablest masters. In 1601, by the advice of Rauchbach,
a counsellor and vice-chancellor of Saxony (for his father died in 1598) he went through a course of medical studies,
but about two years after, recollecting a vow he had made
during a fit of sickness, he returned again to divinity, the
study of which he farther prosecuted at Jena, to which
he first went as tutor to his friend llauchbach’s son. In
1603 he took his master’s degree here, and in 1604 removing with his pupil to Marpurg, he continued his theological studies, and learned Hebrew. In 1605 he returned
to Jena, took his degree in philosophy, and having been
ordained, was appointed by John Casimir, duke of Saxony,
to a church in Franconia, and at the same time to be professor of divinity in the Casimirian college of Cobourg.
In 1616. by consent of his liberal patron, he accepted the
professorship of divinity at Jena, and continued in that office during the remainder of his life. He was four times
chosen rector of the university, and encreased his reputation by a vast variety of publications which made him
known to all the literati of Europe, many of whom, both
protestants and catholics, bore testimony to his extensive
learning, piety, and usefulness, both as a divine and
teacher. He died of a fever, Aug. 17, 1637. His works,
which are written in Latin and German, consist of treatises
on various theological subjects, critical and polemical;
commentaries on various books of the Old and New Testament common-places, &c. &c. One only of these, his
“Meditations,
” is well known in this country, having gone
through many editions, and having also been translated
into most European languages and into Greek. He left a
numerous family, some of whom became distinguished
as divines, particularly his eldest son, John Ernest, who
was born at Jena in 1621, and studied at Altdorf. He was
appointed professor of philosophy at Wittemberg in 1616,
and in 1652 was nominated professor of history at Jena.
Like his father he devoted mucli of his time to biblical and
theological learning. He died in 1688. Among his works
are, “Harmonia Linguarnm Orientalium;
” “Dispurationum theologicarum Fasciculus;
” De F.cclesiae Copticæ
Ortu, Progressu, et Doctrina." There is a very minute
and curious history of this family in the work from which
these particulars have been taken, with much collateral information respecting the theological writers and controversies during the life of the elder Gerhard.
the rev. Oliver Jones, master of the diocesan school of Elphin, he had five sons, and two daughters. His eldest son, Henry, went into the church, and is the gentleman
, an eminent poet and miscellaneous writer, was born on Nov. 29, 1728, at a place
called Pallas, in the parish of Forney and county of Longford in Ireland. His father, the rev. Charles Goldsmith,
a native of the county of Roscommon, was a clergyman of
the established church, and had been educated at Dublin
college. He afterwards held the living of Kilkenny West
in the county of Westmeath. By his wife, Anne, the
daughter of the rev. Oliver Jones, master of the diocesan
school of Elphin, he had five sons, and two daughters.
His eldest son, Henry, went into the church, and is the
gentleman to whom our poet dedicated his “Traveller.
”
Oliver was the second son, and is supposed to have faithfully represented his father in the character of the Village
Preacher in the “Deserted Village.
” Oliver was originally intended for some mercantile employment, as his
father found his income too scanty for the expences of the
literary education which he had bestowed on his eldest son.
With this view he was instructed in reading, writing, and
arithmetic, at a common school, the master of which was an
old soldier, of a romantic turn, who entertained his pupil
with marvellous stories of his travels and feats, and is supposed to have imparted somewhat of that wandering and
unsettled turn which so much appeared in his pupil’s future life. It is certain that Oliver had not been long at
this humble school before he proved that he was “no vulgar boy.
” He made some attempts in poetry when he was
scarcely eight years old, and by the inequalities of his
temper and conduct, betrayed a disposition more favourable io the flights of genius than the regularity of business.
This after some time became so obvious, that his frfends,
who had at first pleaded for his being sent to the university, now determined to contribute towards the expence,
and by their assistance, he was placed at a school of reputation, where he might be qualified to enter the college
with the advantages of preparatory learning.
perhaps none could boast of having fewer enemies. He left behind him three sons and five daughters-, his eldest son, Archibald Grant, esq. in his father’s life-time,
In his private character he was as amiable as he was respectable in the public. There were certain circumstances that determined him to part with an estate that was left him by his father; and it being foreseen that he would employ the produce of it, and the money he had acquired by his profession, in a new purchase, there were many decayed families who solicited him to take their lands upon his own terms, relying entirely on that equity which they conceived to be the rule of his actions. It appeared that their opinion of him was perfectly well grounded; for, being at length prevailed upon to lay out his money on the estate of an unfortunate family, who had a debt upon it of more than it was worth, he first put their affairs into order, and by classing the different demands, and compromising a variety of claims, secured some thousand pounds to the heirs, without prejudice to arty, and of which they never could have been possessed but from his interposition and vigilance in their behalf, so far was he either from making any advantage to himself of their necessities, or of his own skill in his profession; a circumstance justly mentioned to his honour, and which is an equal proof of his candour, generosity, and compassion. His piety was sincere and unaffected, and his love for the church of Scotland was shewn in his recommending moderation and charity to the clergy as well as laity, and engaging the former to insist upon moral duties as the clearest and most convincing proofs of men’s acting upon religious principles; and his practice, through his whole life, was the strongest argument of his being thoroughly persuaded of those truths, which, from his love to mankind, he laboured to inculcate. He was charitable without ostentation, disinterested in his friendships, and beneficent to all who had any thing to do with him. He was not only strictly just, but so free from any species of avarice, that his lady, who was a woman of great prudence, finding him more intent on the business committed to him by others than on his own, took the care of placing out his money upon herself; and, to prevent his postponing, as he was apt to do, such kind of affairs, when securities offered, she caused the circumstances of them to be stated in the form of cases, and so procured his opinion upon his own concerns, as if they had been those of a client. These little circumstances are mentioned as more expressive of his temper than actions of another kind could be; because, in matters of importance, men either act from habit, or from motives that the world cannot penetrate; but, in things of a trivial nature, are less upon their guard, shew their true disposition, and stand confessed for what they are. He passed a long life in ease and honour. His sincerity and steady attachment to his principles recommended him to all parties, even to those who differed from him most; and his charity and moderation converted this respect into affection, so that not many of his rank had more friends, and perhaps none could boast of having fewer enemies. He left behind him three sons and five daughters-, his eldest son, Archibald Grant, esq. in his father’s life-time, represented in parliament the shire of Aberdeen; and becoming by his demise sir Archibald Grant, bait, was chosen again for the same county in 1717, His second son, William, followed his father’s profession, was several years lord-advocate for Scotland; and, in 1757, one of the lords of session, by the title of lord Prestongrange. Francis, the third son, was a merchant, and three of the daughters were married to gentlemen of fortune.
m lord Forbes: he lost this amiable lady in 1761 she left the doctor three sons and three daughters. His eldest son, James Gregory, M. D. now professor of medicine in
Dr. Gregory married in 1752, Elizabeth, daughter of William lord Forbes: he lost this amiable lady in 1761 she left the doctor three sons and three daughters. His eldest son, James Gregory, M. D. now professor of medicine in Edinburgh, is likely to perpetuate the honours of this learned family, which has given sixteen professors to British universities.
er to Gryphius, which is printed at the head of the work: but the dedication is to Silvius Scaliger, his eldest son, to whom he also addressed his” Ars Poetica." Gryphius
, a celebrated printer of Lyons,
in France, was a German, and born at Suabia, near Augsburg, in 1493. He performed the duties of his profession
with so much honour as to receive the approbation of the
most learned men. Conrad Gesner has even “dedicated
one of his books, namely, the twelfth of his pandects, to
him and takes occasion to bestow the following praises on
him
” You, most humane Gryphius, who are far from
meriting the last place among the excellent printers of this
age, came first into my mind: and especially on this account, because you have not only gained greater fame than
any foreigner in France, by a vast number of most excellent works, printed with the greatest beauty and accuracy,
but because, though a German, you seem to be a countryman, by youV coming to reside amon<r us.“Baillet says,
that Julius Scaliger dedicated also to him his work
” De
Causis Linguae Latinae:“but this seems a mistake. Scaliger wrote a kind letter to Gryphius, which is printed at
the head of the work: but the dedication is to Silvius Scaliger, his eldest son, to whom he also addressed his
” Ars
Poetica." Gryphius is allowed to have restored the art of
printing at Lyons, which was before exceedingly corrupted;
and the great number of books printed by him are valued
by the connoisseurs. He printed many books in HebreV,
Greek, and Latin, with new and very beautiful types;
and his editions are no less accurate than beautiful. He
was himself a very learned man, and perfectly versed in
the languages of such books as he undertook to print.
Vulteius, of Reims, an epigrammatist, has observed, that
Robert Stephens was a very good corrector, Colinaeus a
very good printer, but that Gryphius was both an able
printer and corrector.
ty was disturbed by a domestic affair, in which he fancied he had been improperly treated;Alexander, his eldest son, who, in 1587, had married a rich heiress, niece
Having accepted this offer, he was employed, as formerly, on missions to Umbria, Milan, and other places, but now his tranquillity was disturbed by a domestic affair, in which he fancied he had been improperly treated;Alexander, his eldest son, who, in 1587, had married a rich heiress, niece to cardinal Canani, being weary of living under the subjection of his father, and disgusted, whether justly or not, with the treatment he met with from him, resolved to leave his house, and live apart with his wife. Guarino was so highly offended at their departure, that he immediately seized their income, on pretence of debts due to him for money expended at their marriage. His son, deprived of his income for nine months, at last applied to the duke of Ferrara to interpose his authority, which he did, commanding the chief judge to take cognizance of the affair, who immediately decided it in favour of Alexander. This sentence exasperated the father still more; so that, looking on it as a proof that the duke had no regard for him, he addressed a letter to him in the most respectful but strongest terms, to be dismissed the service; which the duke granted, though not without intimating some displeasure at Guarino, for shewing so little regard to the favours he had conferred on him. The treatment, however, which Tasso had suffered was a recent lesson for the poets who iiad the misfortune to be patronized by Alphonso, and Guarino immediately went into the service of the duke of Savoy, where he had some reason to expect a better lot; but here he did not remain many months; and during a year of repose in the country, he resumed his labours on his favourite pastoral, which at length was published in 1590, at Venice, 4to, and the same year at Ferrara, in 12mo. The great applause which he received from this poem, was followed by a most severe loss in the death of his wile, Dec. 25, 1590, at Padua. This misfortune appears to have greatly affected him. His two eldest sons had left him two of his daughters were married three others he had placed in convents and from being surrounded by a numerous family, he was now left with one boy only often years old. In this desolate state he appears to have entertained thoughts of going to Home and becoming an ecclesiastic. He was, however, diverted from this step by an invitation received in 1592 from the duke of Mantua, who sent him to Inspruck to negociate some affairs at the archduke’s court. But he afterwards was dismissed this service, as he had been that of Ferrara, by the solicitations of duke Alphonso; who, it is said, could not bear that a subject of his, of Guarino’s merit, should serve other princes. Thus persecuted, he went to Rome apparently with the design just mentioned, but was again prevented from executing it by a reconciliation with Alphonso, which brought him back to Ferrara in 1595. This reconciliation was obtained by his son Alexander, who was very much beloved at court. However, fresh quarrels between father and son soon broke out again, which were afterwards carried to a great height; and, great changes happening upon the death of Alphonso in 1597, Guarino thought himself ill used, and left Ferrara to go to Ferdinand de Medicis, grand duke of Tuscany, who expressed a great esteem for him.
William Habington, his eldest son, was born at Hindlip, Nov. 5, 1605, and was educated
William Habington, his eldest son, was born at Hindlip,
Nov. 5, 1605, and was educated in the Jesuits’ college at
St. Omer’s, and afterwards at Paris, with a view to induce
him to take the habit of the order, which he declined. On
his return from the continent he resided principally with,
his father, who became his preceptor, and evidently sent him
into the world a man of elegant accomplishments and virtues.
Although allied to some noble families, and occasionally
mixing in the gaieties of high life, his natural disposition
inclined him to the purer pleasures of rural life. He wa
probably very early a poet and' a lover, and in both successful. He married Lucy, daughter of William Herbert,
first lord Powis, by Eleanor, daughter of Henry Percy,
eighth earl of Northumberland, by Katharine, daughter
and coheir of John Neville, lord Latimer. It is to this
lady that we are indebted for his poems, most of which were
written in allusion to his courtship and marriage. Sha>
was the Castara who animated his imagination with tenderness and elegance, and purified it from the grosser
opprobria of the amatory poets. His poems, as was not
unusual in that age, were written occasionally, and dispersed confidentially. In 1635 they appear to have been
first collected into a volume, which Oidys calls the second
edition, under the title of “Castara.
” Another edition
was published in Censura Literaria.
” His other works are, the
“Queen of Arragon,
” a tragi-comedy, which was acted
at court, and at Black-friars, and printed in 1640. It has
since been reprinted among Dodsley’s Old Plays. The
author having communicated the manuscript to Philip earl
of Pembroke, lord chamberlain of the household to king
Charles I. he caused it to be acted, and afterwards published against the author’s consent. It was revived, with
the revival of the stage, at the restoration, about 1666,
when a new prologue and epilogue were furnished by the
author of Hudibras.
d at Lichfield, October 21, 1670, and was buried in the cathedral, under a handsome tomb, erected by his eldest son sir Andrew Hacket, a muster in chancery: he was twice
After the restoration of Charles II. he recovered all his preferments, and was offered the bishopric of Gloucester, which he refused; but he accepted shortly after that of Lichfield and Coventry, and was consecrated December 22, 1661. The spring following he repaired to Lichfield, where, finding the cathedral almost battered to the ground, he rebuilt it in eight years, in a very magnificent style, at the expence of 20,000l. of which he had 1000l. from the dean and chapter; and the rest was of his own charge, or procuring from benefactors. He laid out lOOOl. upon a prebendal house, which he was forced to live in, his palaces at Lichfield and Ecclestiall having been demolished during the civil war. He added to Trinity college, in Cambridge, a building called Bishop’s hostel, which cost him 1200l. ordering that the rents of the chambers should be laid out in books for the college library. Besides these acts of munificence, he left several benefactions by will; as 50l. to Clare-hall, 50l. to St. John’s college, and all his books, which cost him about 1500l. to the university library. He died at Lichfield, October 21, 1670, and was buried in the cathedral, under a handsome tomb, erected by his eldest son sir Andrew Hacket, a muster in chancery: he was twice married, and had several children by both his wives.
him. He left eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom he lived to see established. His eldest son, Gotlieb Emmanuel, who was born in 1735, followed
Haller was three times married first to Marianne Wytsen, in 1731, who died in 1736; secondly to Elizabeth
Buchers, in 1738, who died in childbed the same or the
following year; both natives of Berne; and lastly in 1739,
to Amelia Frederica Teichmeyer, a German lady, who survived him. He left eight children, four sons and four
daughters, all of whom he lived to see established. His
eldest son, Gotlieb Emmanuel, who was born in 1735,
followed his father’s example in dedicating himself to the
service of his country, and to the pursuits of literature,
He was elected member of the great council, and obtained
various employments under government, particularly the
baillage of Nyon, in which situation he died in 1786. He
distinguished himself as an author by various publications
tending to illustrate the history and literature of Swisserland, and particularly by his “Swiss Library,
” in 6 vols.
8vo, of which he lived to publish only the first Another
valuable work of his was entitled " Cabinet of Swiss Coins
and Medals.
eet-prison, where he was confined for debt, and so preserved what he had not spent of his estate for his eldest son. His second son is the subject of the following article.
, descended from a family
long situated at Somersham-place, in Huntingdonshire,
was born in 16u3, and educated at St. John’s college,
Cambridge. He was a commissioner of the navy, a good
speaker in parliament, had the name of “silver-tongued
Hammond
” given him by lord Bolingbroke, and was a
man of note among the wits, poets, and parliamentary
writers, in the beginning of the last century. A volume of
“Miscellany Poems,
” was inscribed to him, in A new Miscellany of Original Poems,
” in which he had
himself no small share. His own pieces, he observes in
his preface, “were written at very different times, and
were owned by him, lest in a future day they should be
ascribed to other persons to their prejudice, as the ‘ Ode
on Solitude’ has been, in wrong, to the earl of Roscommon, and as some of the rest have been to others.
” He
was the intimate friend of Mr. Moyle, and wrote the “Account of his Life and Writings,
” prefixed to his works in
rendered him afterwards so conspicuous in the world. At the revolution, sir Edward Harley, and this his eldest son, raised a troop of horse at their own expence; and,
, afterwards earl of Oxford and earl
Mortimer, and lord high treasurer in the reign of queen
Anne, was eldest son of sir Edward Harley, and born at
London, in Bow-street, Covent Garden, December 5, 1661.
He was educated under the rev. Mr. Birch, at Shilton, near
Burford, Oxfordshire, which, though a private school, was
remarkable for producing at the same time, a lord high
treasurer, viz. lord Oxford a lord high chancellor, viz.
lord Harcourt a lord chief justice of the common pleas,
viz. lord Trevor and ten members of the house of commops, who were all contemporaries, as well at school as
in parliament. Here he laid the foundation of that extensive knowledge and learning, which rendered him afterwards so conspicuous in the world. At the revolution, sir
Edward Harley, and this his eldest son, raised a troop of
horse at their own expence; and, after the accession of king
William and queen Mary, he was first chosen member of
parliament for Tregony in Cornwall, and afterwards served
for the town of Radnor till he was called to the house of
lords. In 1690 he was chosen by ballot one of the nine
members of the house of commons, commissioners for
stating the public accounts; and also one of the arbitrators
for uniting the two India companies. In 1694 the house
of commons ordered Mr. Harley, November 19, to prepare and bring in a bill “For the frequent meeting and
calling of parliaments;
” which he accordingly did upon the
22d, and it was received and agreed to by both houses,
without any alteration or amendment. On February 11,
1701-2, he was chosen speaker of the house of commons;
and that parliament being dissolved the same year by king
William, and a new one called, he was again chosen
speaker, December 31st following, as he was in the first
parliament called by queen Anne.
and v.as much in the confidence of the Long-parliament, and of Cromwell and his statesmen. Abraham, his eldest son, was born April 18, 1633, at his father’s house,
, a learned English gentleman, fellow
and treasurer of the royal society, one of the lords of trade,
and comptroller to the archbishop of Canterbury, was descended of an ancient and honourable family of that name,
seated at Shilston, in Devonshire, and was the son of Richard Hill, of Shilston, esq. His father was bred to mercantile business, which he pursued with great success, was
chosen an alderman of London, and v.as much in the
confidence of the Long-parliament, and of Cromwell and his
statesmen. Abraham, his eldest son, was born April 18,
1633, at his father’s house, in St. Botolph’s parish by Billingsgate, and after a proper education, was introduced
into his business. He was also an accomplished scholar in
the Greek, Latin, French, Dutch, and Italian languages,
and was considered as one of very superior literary attainments. On his father’s death in 1659, he became possessed of an ample fortune, and that he might, with more
ease, prosecute his studies, he hired chambers in Gresham
college, where he had an opportunity of conversing with
learned men, and of pursuing natural philosophy, to which
he was much attached. He was one of the first eucouragers of the royal society, and on its first institution became a fellow, and in 1663 their treasurer, which office
he held for two years. His reputation, in the mean time,
was not confined to his native country, but by means of
the correspondence of his learned friends, was known over
most part of Europe. Having, like his father, been biassed
in favour of the republican party from which he recovered
by time and reflection, his merit was in consequence overlooked during the reigns of Charles II. and James II. but
on the accession of king William, he was called to a seat
at the board of trade, where his knowledge of the subject
made his services of great importance; and when Dr. Tillotson was promoted to the see of Canterbury in 1691, he
prevailed on Mr. Hill to take on him the office of his
comptroller, which he accordingly accepted, and lived in
Jiigh favour with that distinguished prelate, who would frequently term him “his learned friend and his instructing
philosopher.
” On the accession of queen Anne, Mr. Hill
resigned his office in the Board of Trade, and retired to
his seat of St. John’s in Sutton, at Hone in the county of
Kent, which he had purchased in 1665, and which was
always his favourite residence. Here he died Feb. 5, 1721.
In 1767 a volume of his “Familiar Letters
” was published,
which gives us a very favourable idea of his learning, public spirit, and character; and although the information
these letters contain is not of such importance now as when
written, there is always an acknowledged charm in unreserved epistolary correspondence, which makes the perusal
of this and all such collections interesting.
ually married before the commencement of his travels in pursuit or in defence of Geraldine’s beauty. His eldest son, Thomas, third duke of Norfolk, was eighteen years
Mr. Warton observes, that “it is not precisely known
at what period the earl of Surrey began his travels;
” but
this is a matter of little consequence in refuting the account usually given of those travels, because all his biographers are agreed that he did not set out before 1536,
At this time he had ten years only of life before him, which
have been filled up in a very extraordinary manner. First,
he travels over a part of Europe, vindicating the beauty
of Geraldine in 1540 he is celebrated at the justs at
Westminster in 1542 he goes to Scotland with his father’s
army in 1543 (probably) he is imprisoned for eating
flesh in lent ^in 1544 5, he is commander at Boulogne
and lastly, amidst all these romantic adventures, or serious
events, he has leisure to marry the daughter of the earl of
Oxford, and beget five children, which we may suppose
would occupy at least five or six of the above ten years,
and those not the last five or six years, for we find him a
widower a considerable time before his death. Among
other accusations whispered in the ear of his jealous sovereign, one was his continuing unmarried (an expression which usually denotes a considerable length of time) after
the period when a second marriage might be decent, in
order that he might marry the princess Mary, in the event
of the king’s death, and so disturb the succession of Edward.
The placing of these events in this series would render
the story of his knight-errantry sufficiently improbable,
were we left without any information respecting the date
of Surrey’s marriage, but that event renders the whole impossible, if we wish to preserve any respect for the consistency of his character. Surrey was actually married
before the commencement of his travels in pursuit or in
defence of Geraldine’s beauty. His eldest son, Thomas,
third duke of Norfolk, was eighteen years old when his
grandfather died in 1554. He was consequently born in
1536, and his father, it is surely reasonable to suppose,
was married in 1535. It would, therefore, be unnecessary to examine the story of Surrey’s romantic travels any
farther, if we had not some collateral authorities which
may still show that whatever may be wrong in the present statement, it is certain that there is nothing right in
the common accounts, which have been read and copied
without any suspicion.
Dr. James was married, and left sons and daughters. His eldest son, Robert Harcourt James, was educated at Merchant
Dr. James was married, and left sons and daughters. His eldest son, Robert Harcourt James, was educated at Merchant Taylors’ school, and afterwards at St. John’s college, Oxford, for the profession of physic.
red in the family vault at Hawksbury, in Gloucestershire, and was succeeded in honours and estate by his eldest son, Robert Banks, second earl of Liverpool, and now
* Some of the city were so much freedom, and afterwards chose master satisfied with the part he acted in this of the Sailers’ company, Wynne, p. affair, that he was presented with his 57. Colonel Jenkinson, who died in 1750, had married Amantha, daughter of Wolfran Cornwall, a captain in the royal navy, by whom he had the subject of this memoir, who was born May 16, 1727, and educated at the Charter-house. He went afterwards to University college, Oxford, where he took the degree of M. A. in Nov. 1752, and thence came to London, having previously distinguished himself by the active part he took in an election controversy for the county of Oxford, where his alliances were numerous, and not unconnected with the contending parties. On this occasion his literary talents were supposed to have contributed materially to the interests of the side he espoused; and those talents are likewise said to have been sometimes displayed in the Monthly Review about the period of its commencement. By the first earl of Harcourt, who was governor to the king, when prince of Wales, he was introduced to his majesty, and through the same channel obtained the notice and confidence of the eail of Bute, to jvhom he was private secretary. In 1761 he sat in parliament for Cockermouth, and held the office of under-secretary of state. In 1763 and 1764 he was secretary to the treasury; in 1766 he was nominated one of the lords of the admiralty; and from 1767 to 1773, was a lord of the treasury. In 1772 he was appointed joint vice-treasurer of Ireland, and called to the privy-council; and in exchange for this office, had afterwards the clerkship of the pells in Ireland, which had been purchased back by government of Mr. Charles Fox. In 1778 he was made secretary at war, which he held until the dissolution of lord North’s administration in 1782. On this occasion his principles led him to join that branch of the old administration which supported Mr. Pitt; and when that minister came into power in 1783-4, Mr. Jenkinson was appointed president of the board of trade, of which office he continued to discharge the duties with uncommon industry and abilities until age and bad health incapacitated him, in 18CU, from farther exertions in this department. In 1786 he obtained the situation of chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, which he held till 1803. He was elevated to the peerage in 1786 by the title of baron Hawksbury, of Hawksbury, in the county of Gloucester; and advanced to be carl of Liverpool in 1796. His lordship died at his house in Hertford-street, May Pair, Dec. 17, 1808. At that time he held the place of collector of the customs inwards, in the port of London, and clerk of the pells in Ireland. He was interred in the family vault at Hawksbury, in Gloucestershire, and was succeeded in honours and estate by his eldest son, Robert Banks, second earl of Liverpool, and now first lord of the treasury.
r one who might be thought qualified to succeed him. He settled at Appledore in 1703, and as soon as his eldest son was fit for the university (which was in 1705) he
, an eminent divine among the nonjurors, the only son of the rev. Thomas Johnson, vicar of
Frindsbury, near Rochester, was born Dec. 30, 1662, and
was educated in the king’s school in Canterbury, where
he made such progress in the three learned languages,
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, under Mr. Lovejoy, then master of that school, that when he was very little more than
fifteen years of age, he was sent to the university of Cambridge, where he was admitted in the college of St. Mary
Magdalen, under the tuition of Mr. Turner, fellow of that
house, March the 4th, 1677-8. In Lent term 1681-2,
he took the degree of B. A. and soon after was nominated
by the dean and chapter of Canterbury to a scholarship in
Corpus Christi college' in that university, of the foundation of archbishop Parker, to which he was admitted April
the 29th, 1682, under the tuition of Mr. Beck, fellow of that
house. He took the degree of M. A. at the commencement 1685. Soon after he entered into deacon’s orders, and
became curate to the rector of Upper and Lower Hardres,
near Canterbury. He was ordained priest by the right rev.
Dr. Thomas Sprat, lord bishop of Rochester and dean of
Westminster, December the 19th, 1686 and July the 9th,
1687, he was collated to the vicarage of Bough ton under the
Blean, by Dr. Sancroft, archbishop of Canterbury, and at the
same time he was allowed by the same archbishop to hold the
adjoining vicarage of Hern-hill by sequestration; both which
churches he supplied himself. About 1689 one Sale,
a man who had counterfeited holy orders, having forged
letters of ordination both for himself and his father,
came into this diocese, and taking occasion from the confusion occasioned by the revolution during the time archbishop Bancroft was under suspension, and before Dr. Tin
lotson was consecrated to the archbishopric, made it his
business to find out what livings were held by sequestration
only, and procured the broad seal for one of these for himself, and another for his father. On this Mr. Johnson
thought it necessary to secure his vicarage of Hern -hi II,
that he might prevent Sale from depriving him of that benefice; and archbishop Sancrot't being then deprived ah
officio only, but not a bencficio, presented him to Hern-hill,
to which he was instituted October the 16th, 1689, by Dr.
George Oxenden, vicar-general to the archbishop, but at
that time to the dean and chapter of Canterbury, guardians
of the spiritualities during the suspension of the archbishop.
But as the living had been so long held by sequestration
that it was lapsed to the crown, he found it necessary to
corroborate his title with the broad seal, which was given
him April the 12th, 1690. In 1697. the vicarage of St.
John in the Isle of Thanet, to which the town of Margate
belongs, becoming void, archbishop Tenison, the patron,
considering the largeness of the cure, was desirous to place
there a person better qualified than ordinary to supply it,
and could think of no man in his diocese more fit than
Mr. Johnson, and therefore entreated him to undertake
the pastoral care of that large and populous parish. And
because the benefice was but small, and the cure very
great, the archbishop, to induce him to accept of it, collated
him to the vicarage of Appledore (a good benefice) on the
borders of Romney Marsh, on the 1st of May, 1697: but
Mr. Johnson chose to hold Margate by sequestration only.
And having now two sons ready to be instructed in learning, he would not send them to school, but taught them
himself; saying that he thought it as much the duty of a
father to teach his own children, if he was capable of doing
it, as it was of the mother to suckle and nurse them in
their infancy, if she was able; and because he believed
they would learn better in company than alone, he took
two or three boarders to teach with them, the sons of some
particular friends. He was much importuned by several
others of his acquaintance to take their sons, but he
refused. At length, finding he could not attend the
he had, his great cure, and his studies, in such a manner
as he was desirous to do, he entreated his patron the archbishop, to give him leave entirely to quit Margate, and
to retire to his cure of Appledore, which, with some difficulty, was at last granted him; but not till his grace had
made inquiry throughout his diocese and the university of
Cambridge for one who might be thought qualified to succeed him. He settled at Appledore in 1703, and as soon
as his eldest son was fit for the university (which was in 1705) he sent him to Cambridge, and his other son to
school till he was of age to be put out apprentice; and
dismissed all the rest of his scholars. He seemed much
pleased with Appledore at his first retirement thither, as a
place where he could follow his studies without interruption. But this satisfaction was not of long continuance;
for that marshy air, in a year or two, brought a severe sickness on himself and all his family, and his constitution (which till then had been very good) was so broken, that he never
afterwards recovered the health he had before enjoyed.
This made him desirous to remove from thence as soon as
he could; and the vicarage of Cranbrook becoming void,
he asked the archbishop to bestow it on him, which his
grace readily did, and accordingly collated him to it April
the 13th, 1707, where he continued till his death, holding
Appledore with it. In 1710, and again in 1713, he was
chosen by the clergy of the diocese of Canterbury to be
one of their proctors for the convocation summoned to
meet with the parliament in those years. And as the first
of these convocations was permitted to sit and act, and to
treat of matters of religion (though they brought no business to any perfection, owing to the differences that had been raised between the two houses) he constantly attended
the house of which he was a member whilst any matter was
there under debate; and his parts and learning came to
be known and esteemed by the most eminent clergy of the
province, as they had been before by those of the diocese
where he lived; so that from this time he was frequently
resorted to for his opinion in particular cases, and had letters sent to him from the remotest parts of the province of
Canterbury, and sometimes from the other province also,
requiring his opinion in matters of learning, especially as
to what concerned our religion and ecclesiastical laws. He
continued at Cranbrook about eighteen years; and as he
had been highly valued, esteemed, and beloved at all
other places where he had resided, so was he here also by
all that were true friends, says his biographer, “to the pure
catholic religion of Jesus Christ, as professed and established in the church of England. But as there were many
dissenters of all denominations in that place, and some
others, who (though they frequented the church, yet)
seemed to like the Dissenters better, and to side with them
upon all occasions, except going to their meetings for religious worship, I cannot say how they loved and esteemed
him. However, he was so remarkably upright in his life
and conversation, that even they could accuse him of no
other fault, except his known hearty zeal for the church
of England, which all impartial persons would have judged
a virtue. For certainly those that have not an hearty
affection for a church ought not to be made priests of it.
Some of those favourers of the dissenters studied to make
him uneasy, by endeavouring to raise a party in his parish
against him, merely because they could not make him,
like themselves, a latitudinarian in matters of religion; but
they failed in their design, and his friends were too many
for them *.
” A little before he left Appledore, he began
to discover that learning to the world, which till this time
was little known beyond the diocese where he lived, except to some particular acquaintance, by printing several
tracts; though his modesty was such, that he would not
put his name to them, till they had at least a second edition. The first of these was a “Paraphrase with Notes
on the Book of Psalms according to the Translation retained in our Common Prayer- Book,
” published in Clergyman’s Vade-Mecum,
” Propitiatory Oblation in the Eucharist;
” in The Unbloody Sacrifice/' part I.; and in 1717, part II.;
in 1720,
” A Collection of Ecclesiastical Laws."
Kidderminster Dr. Johnstone continued to act in a wide sphere of country practice, till the death of his eldest son, a physician fast rising into eminence, who fell
At Kidderminster Dr. Johnstone continued to act in a wide sphere of country practice, till the death of his eldest son, a physician fast rising into eminence, who fell a martyr to humanity in attending the prisoners at Worcester infected with jail-fever; and the coincidence of the death of his dearest friend the rev. Job Orton, induced him to remove to Worcester. In this city, famous from the days of Dr. Cole, the friend of Sydenham, for its physicians, he continued, vigorous, active, and sprightly, useful to the community, and beloved by his friends, to practise till a few days previous to his death. He had been subject to pulmonary complaints in his youth, which had been averted by temperance and caution. In his later years they recurred, and during the last spring he had bied himself rather too profusely. In the last attack, which was aggravated by excessive fatigue and exertion, his weakness was such as to forbid the repetition of more than one bleeding; and his strength gradually decayed, leaving his intellect clear and unimpaired. His death was a perfect euthanasia: he expired April 28, 1802, after a short and in no wise painful struggle, having sat up and conversed with his family, till within a few hours of the awful change, cheerful, patient, and resigned. He survived his wife, with whom he lived fifty years, only two months.
Camden recommended (Jonson) to sir Walter Raleigh, who trusted him with the care and instruction of his eldest son Walter, a gay spark, who could not brook Ben’s rigorous
“Mr. Camden recommended (Jonson) to sir Walter
Raleigh, who trusted him with the care and instruction of
his eldest son Walter, a gay spark, who could not brook
Ben’s rigorous treatment, but, perceiving one foible in his
disposition, made use of that to throw oft* the yoke of his
government. And this was an unlucky habit Ben had contracted, through his love of jovial company, of being overtaken with liquor, which sir Walter did of all vices most
abominate, and hath most exclaimed against. One day,
when Ben had taken a plentiful dose, and was fallen into a
sound sleep, young Raleigh got a great basket, and a
touple of men, who laid Ben in it, and then with a pole
carried him between their shoulders to sir Walter, telling
him their young master had sent home his tutor. This I
had from a ms memorandum-book written in the time of
the civil wars by Mr. Oldisworth, who was secretary, I
think, to Philip earl of Pembroke. Yet in 1614, when
sir Walter published his History of the World, there was a
good understanding between him and Ben Jonson; for the
verses, which explain the grave frontispiece before that
history, were written by Jonson, and are reprinted in his
” Underwoods,“where the poem is called
” The Mind
of the frontispiece to a book;“but he names not this
book.
”
he (Ben Jonson) being in the country at sir Robert Cotton’s house, with old Camden, saw in a vision his eldest son, then a young child, and at London, appear unto him
The account Jonson gave of himself to Drummond is
jiot uninteresting. It was first published in the folia
editiort of Drummond’s Works, 1711. “He,
” Ben Jonson,
"said that his grandfather came from Carlisle, to which
he had come from Annandale in Scotland that he served
king Henry VIII. and was a gentleman. His father lost
his estate under queen Mary, having been cast in prison
and forfeited; and at last he turned minister. He was
posthumous, being born a month after his father’s death,
and was put to school by a friend. His master was Camden. Afterwards he was taken from it, and put to another
craft, viz. to be a bricklayer, which he could not endure,
but went into the Low Countries, and returning home he
again betook himself to his wonted studies. In his service
in the Low Countries, he had, in the view of both the
armies, killed an enemy, and taken the opima spolia from
him; and since coming to England, being appealed to in.
a duel, he had killed his adversary, who had hurt him in
the arm, and whose sword was ten inches longer than his.
For this crime he was imprisoned, and almost at the gallows. Then he took his religion on trust of a priest, who
visited him in prison. He was twelve years a papist; but
after this he was reconciled to the church of England, and
left off to be a recusant. At his first communion, in token
of his true reconciliation, he drank out the full cup of wine.
He was master of arts in both universities. In the time of
his close imprisonment under queen Elizabeth, there were
spies to catch him, but he was advertised of them by the
keeper. He had an epigram on the spies. He married a
wife, who was a shrew, yet honest to him. When the
king came to England, about the time that the plague was
in London, he (Ben Jonson) being in the country at sir
Robert Cotton’s house, with old Camden, saw in a vision
his eldest son, then a young child, and at London, appear
unto him with the mark of a bloody cross on his forehead,
as if it had been cut with a sword; at which, amazed, he
prayed unto God, and in the morning he came to Mr.
Camden’s chamber to tell him, who persuaded him it was
but an apprehension, at which he should not be dejected.
In the mean time came letters from his wife, of the death
of that boy in the plague. He appeared to him, he said,
of a manly shape, and of that growth he thinks he shall be
at the resurrection.
college. His father soon after died, and was succeeded in his honours in the Florentine republic by his eldest son Peter. The young cardinal’s opposition to the election
was a pontiff whose history is so connected with
that of literature and the reformation, that more notice
of him becomes necessary than we usually allot to his
brethren, although scarce any abridgment of his life will
be thought satisfactory, after the very luminous and interesting work of Mr. Roscoe. Leo was born at Florence
in December 1475, the second son of Lorenzo de Medici,
the Magnificent, and was christened John. Being originally destined by his father for the church, he was prorooted before he knew what it meant, received the tonsure
at the age of seven years, two rich abbacies, and before
he ceased to he a boy, received other preferments to the
number of twenty-nine, and thus early imbibed a taste for
aggrandizement which never left him. Upon the accession of Innocent VIII. to the pontificate, John, then thirteen years of age only, was nominated to the dignity of
cardinal. Having now secured his promotion, his father
began to think of his education, and when he was nominated to the cardinalate, it was made a condition that he
should spend three years at the university of Pisa, in professional studies, before he was invested formally with the
purple. In 145>2 this solemn act took place, and he immediately went to reside at Rome as one of the sacred
college. His father soon after died, and was succeeded
in his honours in the Florentine republic by his eldest son
Peter. The young cardinal’s opposition to the election of
pope Alexander VI. rendered it expedient for him to withdraw to Florence, and at the invasion of Italy by Charles
VIII. he and the whole family were obliged to take refuge
in Bologna. About 1500 he again fixed his residence at
Rome, where he resided during the remainder of Alexander’s pontificate, and likewise in the early part of that of
Julius II. cultivating polite literature, and the pleasures of
elegant society, and indulging his taste for the fine arts,
for music, and the chase, to which latter amusement he
was much addicted. In 1505 he began to take an active
part in public affairs, and was appointed by Julius to the
government of Perugia. By his firm adherence to the
interest of the pope, the cardinal acquired the most unlimited confidence of his holiness, and was entrusted with
the supreme direction of the papal army in the Holj
League against the French in 1511, with the title of legate of Bologna. At the bloody battle of Ravenna, in
1512, he was made prisoner, and wos conveyed to Milan,
but afterwards effected his escape. About this time he
contributed to the restoration of his family at Florence, by
overthrowing the popular “constitution of that republic,
and there he remained until the death of Julius II. in 1513,
when he was elected pope in his stead, in the thirty-eighth
year of his age. He assumed the name of Leo X. and
ascended the throne with greater manifestations of goodwill, both from Italians and foreigners, than most of his
predecessors had enjoyed. One of his first acts was to interpose in favour of some conspirators against the house of
Medici, at Florence, and he treated with great kindness
the family of Sodorini, which had long been at the head
of the opposite party in that republic. He exhibited his
taste for literature by the appointment of two of the most
elegant scholars of the age, Bembo and Sadoleti, to the
ffice of papal secretaries. With regard to foreign politics,
he pursued the system of his predecessor, in attempting
to free Italy from the dominion of foreign powers: and
in order to counteract the antipapal council of Pisa, which
was assembled at Lyons, he renewed the meetings of
the council of Lateran, which Julius II. had begun, and
he had the good fortune to terminate a division which
threatened a schism in the church. Lewis XII. who had
incurred ecclesiastical censure, made a formal submission,
and received absolution. Having secured external tranquillity, Leo did not delay to consult the interests of literature by an ample patronage of learned studies. He restored to its former splendour the Roman gymnasium or
university, which he effected by new grants of its revenues
and privileges, and by filling its professorships with eminent
men invited from all quarters. The study of the Greek
language was a very particular object of his encouragement. Under the direction of Lascaris a college of noble
Grecian youths was founded at Rome for the purpose of
editing Greek authors; and a Greek press was established
in that city. Public notice was circulated throughout Europe, that all persons who possessed Mss. of ancient authors would be liberally rewarded on bringing or sending
them to the pope. Leo founded the first professorship in
Italy of the Syriac and Chaldaic languages in the university
of Bologna. With regard to the politics of the times, the
pope had two leading objects in view, viz. the maintenance
of that balance of power which might protect Italy from
the over-bearing influence of any foreign potentate; and
the aggrandizement of the house of Medici. When Francis I. succeeded to the throne of France, it was soon apparent that there would necessarily be a new war in the
north of Italy.' Leo attempted to remain neuter, winch.
being found to be impracticable, he joined the emperor,
the Swiss, and other sovereigns against the French king
and the state of Venice. The rapid successes of the French
arms soon brought him to hesitate, and after the Swiss
army had been defeated, the pope thought it expedient to
abandon his allies, and form an union with the king of
France. These two sovereigns, in the close of 1515, had
an interview at Bologna, when the famous Pragmatic
Sanction was abolished, and a concordat established in it
stead. The death of Leo’s brother left his nephew Lorenzo the principal object of that passion for aggrandizing
his family, which this pontiff felt full as strongly as any
one of his predecessors, and to gratify which he scrupled
no acts of injustice and tyranny. In 1516 he issued a monitory against the duke of Urbino, and upon his non-appearance, an excommunication, and then seized his whole
territory, with which, together with the ducal title, he
invested his nephew. In the same year a general pacification took place, though all the efforts of the pope were
made to prevent it. In 1517 the expelled duke of Urbino
collected an army, and, by rapid movements, completely
regained his capital and dominions. Leo, excessively chagrined at this event, would gladly have engaged a crusade
of all Christian princes against him. By an application,
which nothing could justify, of the treasures of the church,
he raised a considerable army, under the command of his
nephew, and compelled the duke to resign his dominion,
upon what were called honourable terms. The violation of
the safe conduct, granted by Lorenzo to the duke’s secretary, who was seized at Rome, and put to torture, in order
to oblige him to reveal his master’s secrets, imprints on the
memory of Leo X. an indelible stain. In the same year
his life was endangered by a conspiracy formed against
him, in which the chief actor was cardinal Petrucci. The
plan failed, and the cardinal, being decoyed to Rome,
from whence he had escaped, was put to dt-ath; and his
agents, as many as were discovered, were executed with
horrid tortures. The conduct of Leo on this occasion was
little honourable to his fortitude or clemency, and it was
believed that several persons suffered as guilty who were
wholly innocent of the crimes laid to their charge. To
secure himself for the future, the pope, by a great stretch
of his high authority, created in one day thirty-one nevr
cardinals, many of them his relations and friends, who had
not even risen in the.church to the dignity of. the episcopal
office; but many persons also, who, from their talents and
virtues, were well worthy of his choice. He bestowed
upon them rich benefices and preferments, as well in the
remote parts of Christendom, as in Italy, and thus formed
a numerous and splendid court attached to his person, and
adding to the pomp and grandeur of the capital. During
the pontificate of Leo X. the reformation under Luther
took its rise, humanly speaking, from the following circumstances. The unbounded profusion of this pope had rendered it necessary to devise means for replenishing his exhausted treasury; and one of those which occurred was the
sale of indulgences, which were sold in Germany with
such ridiculous parade of their efficacy, as to rouse the
spirit of Luther, who warmly protested against this abuse
in his discourses, and in a letter addressed to the elector
of Mentz. He likewise published a set of propositions, in
which he called in question the authority of the pope to
remit sins, and made some very severe strictures on this
method of raising money. His remonstrances produced
considerable effect, and several of his cloth undertook to
refute him. Leo probably regarded theological quarrels
with contempt, and from his pontifical throne looked down
upon the efforts of a German doctor with scorn; even
when his interference was deemed necessary, he was inclined to lenient measures. At length, at the express desire of the emperor Maximilian, he summoned Luther to
appear before the court of Rome. Permission was, however, granted for the cardinal of Gaeta to hear his defence at
Augsburg. Nothing satisfactory was determined, and the
pope, in 1518, published a bull, asserting his authority to
grant indulgences, which would avail both the living, and
the dead in purgatory. Upon this, the reformer appealed
to a general council, and thus open war was declared, in
which the abettors of Luther appeared with a strength
little calculated upon by the court of Rome. The sentiments of the Christian world were not at all favourable to
that court.
” The scandal,“says the biographer,
” incurred by the infamy of Alexander VI., and the violence
of Julius II., was not much alleviated in the reign of a
pontiff who was characterized by an inordinate love of
pomp and pleasure, and whose classical taste even caused
him to be regarded by many as more of a heathen than a
Christian."
octor was twice married; his first wife, already mentioned, brought him four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, John, who was chaplain to Bryan Walton, bishop of
As to his rabbinical learning, he was excelled by none,
and had few equals; and foreigners who came to England
for assistance in their rabbinical studies, usually paid their
court to him, as one of the most eminent scholars in that
branch. Among these were Frederic Miege and Theodore Haak, who were peculiarly recommended also to Dr.
Pocock, with whom our author had a correspondence as
also Dr. Marshal of Lincoln-college, in Oxford Samuel
Clarke, keeper of the Bodleian library Dr. Bernard, of
St. John’s; and the famous Buxtorf were all correspondents of his. Castell acknowledges his obligations to him,
when he had little encouragement elsewhere. It is true,
he is charged with maintaining some peculiar opinions t;
of which he says, “Innocua, ut spero, semper proponens;
”
yet he bore the reputation of one of the most ingenious as
well as learned of our English commentators, and has been
of great service to his successors. He bequeathed his
whole library of rabhinical works, oriental books, &c. to
Harvard college, in America, where the whole were burnt
in 1769.
nnæus had by his wife Sarah Elizabeth, who survived to extreme old age, two sons and four daughters. His eldest son Charles succeeded him in the botanical professorship.
Linnæus had by his wife Sarah Elizabeth, who survived to extreme old age, two sons and four daughters. His eldest son Charles succeeded him in the botanical professorship. The younger, John, died March 7, 1757, in the third year of his age. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth Christina, is recorded as having discovered a luminous property in the flowers of the nasturtium, tropaeolum majus, which are sometimes seen to flash like sparks of fire in the evening of a warm summer’s day. Of the other daughters we know nothing materially worthy of record.
rd son, Thomas, was knighted by Henry VII. for taking Lambert Simnel, the pretended earl of Warwick. His eldest son and successor, sir William Littleton, after living
, a celebrated English judge, descended of an ancient family, was
the eldest son of Thomas Westcote, of the county of Devon, esq. by Elizabeth, daughter and sole-heir of Thomas
Littleton or Lyttleton, of Frankley in Worcestershire, in
compliance with whom she consented that the issue, or at
least the eldest son, of that marriage should take the name
of Lyttleton, and bear the arms of that family. He was
born about the beginning of the fifteenth century at Frankley. Having laid a proper foundation of learning at one
of the universities, he removed to the Inner-Temple; and,
applying himself to the law, became very eminent in that
profession. The first notice we have of his distinguishing
himself is from his learned lectures on the statute of Westminster, “de donis conditionalibus,
” “of conditional
gifts.
” He was afterwards made, by Henry VI. steward
or judge of the court of the palace, or marshalsea of the
king’s household, and, in May 1455, king’s serjeant, in
which capacity he went the Northern circuit as a judge of
the assize. Upon the revolution of the crown, from the
house of Lancaster to that of York) in the time of Edward
IV. our judge, who was now made sheriff of Worcestershire, received a pardon from that prince; was continued
in his post of king’s serjeant, and also in that of justice of
assi/r for the same circuit. This pardon passed in 1462,
the second year of Edward IV.; and, in 1466, he was appointed one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas.
The same year, he obtained a writ to the commissioners of
the customs of London, Bristol, and Kingston-upon-Hull,
enjoining them to pay him a hundred and ten marks annually, for the better support of his dignity; a hundred and
six shillings and eleven pence farthing, to furnish him
whh a furred robe; and six shillings and six-pence more,
for another robe called Li num. In 1473, we find him residing near St. Sepulchre’s church, London, in a capital
mansion, the property of the abbot of Leicester, which he
held on lease at the yearly rent of 1 <'>.-. In 1475 he was
created, among others, knight of the Hath, to grace the
solemnity of conferring that order upon the king’s eldest
son, then prince of Wales, afterwards Edward V. He
continued to enjoy the esteem of his sovereign and the nation, on account of his profound knowledge of the laws of
England, till his death, Aug. 23, 1481, the day after the
date of his will. He was then said to be of a good old
age, but its precise length has not been ascertained. He
was honourably interred in the cathedral church of Worcester, where a marble tomb, with his statue, was erected
to his memory; his picture was also placed in the church
of Frankley; and another in that of Hides-Owen, where
his descendants purchased a good estate. He married,
and had three sons, William, Richard, and Thomas.
Kichard, bred to the law, became eminent in thut profession; and it was for his use that our judge drew up his
celebrated treatise on tenures or titles, which will probably hand his name down to the latest posterity. The
judge’s third son, Thomas, was knighted by Henry VII.
for taking Lambert Simnel, the pretended earl of Warwick. His eldest son and successor, sir William Littleton,
after living many years in great splendour, at Frankley,
died in 1508; and from this branch the late celebrated lord
Lyttelton of Frankley co. Worcester, who was created a
baron of Great Britain, Nov. 1756, derived his pedigree;
but who, owing to the alteration in the spelling of the
name (which, however, appears unnecessary) will occur in
a future part of this work.
Bristol;” immediately the cup and her hand fell together upon the salver, and she instantly expired. His eldest son also, of whom he was led to form the highest expectations,
His second daughter, Frances, died as she was presiding
at the tea-table, in July 1783; she was going to place a
cup of coffee on the salver. “Take this,
” said she, “to
the bishop of Bristol;
” immediately the cup and her hand
fell together upon the salver, and she instantly expired.
His eldest son also, of whom he was led to form the highest
expectations, was hurried to the grave in the bloom of
youth. Amid these scenes of distress, the venerable bishop,
animated by the hopes which the religion of Jesus alone
inspires, viewed, with pious resignation, the king of terrors
snatching his dear and amiable children from his fond
embrace, and at length met the stroke with fortitude,
and left this world in full and certain hope of a better. He
died Nov. 3, 1787, aged seventy-seven, and was buried at
Fulham.
of the king of Great Britain at the congress of Cambray, engaged him to go as tutor and companion to his eldest son, who was then to set out on his travels. After a
In 1722, lord Polwarth, plenipotentiary of the king of
Great Britain at the congress of Cambray, engaged him to
go as tutor and companion to his eldest son, who was then
to set out on his travels. After a short stay at Paris,“and
visiting other cities in France, they fixed in Lorrain; where
Maclaurin wrote his treatise
” On the percussion of
Bodies,“which gained the prize of the royal academy of
sciences, for 1724; but his pupil dying soon after at Montpelier, he returned immediately to his professorship at
Aberdeen. He was hardly settled here when he received
an invitation to Edinburgh; the patrons of that university
being desirous that he should supply the place of Mr.
James Gregory, whose great age and infirmities had rendered him incapable of teaching. On this occasion he had
some difficulties to encounter, arising from competitors,
who had great interest with the patrons of the university,
and also from the want of an additional fund for the new
professor; all which, however, at length were surmounted,
in consequence of two letters from sir Isaac Newton. In
one, addressed to himself, with allowance to shew it to
the patrons of the university, sir Isaac expresses himself
thus:
” I am very glad to hear that you have a prospect
of being joined to Mr. James Gregory, in the professorship
of the mathematics at Edinburgh, not only because you
are my friend, but principally because of your abilities;
you being acquainted as well with the new improvements
of mathematics, as with the former state of those sciences.
I heartily wish*you good success, and shall be very glad to
hear of your being elected.“In a second letter to the lord
provost of Edinburgh, he writes thus:
” I am glad to understand that Mr. Maclaurin is in good repute amongst you
for his skill in mathematics, for I think he deserves it very
well; and to satisfy you that I do not flatter him, and also
to encourage him to accept the place of assisting Mr.
Gregory, in order to succeed him, I am ready, if you
please to give me leave, to contribute 20l. per annum
towards a provision for him, till Mr Gregory’s place becomes void, if I live so long, and I will pay it to his order
in London."
es of that office, he resigned it in favour of sir Lewis Ballenden. Sir Richard died March 20, 1586. His eldest son, sir William Mait-. land, secretary to queen Mary,
, a cultivator and preserver of Scotch poetry, the son of William Maitland of Lethington, and of Martha, daughter of George lord Seaton, was born in 1496. Having finished his course of literature and philosophy in the university of St. Andrews, he visited France in order to prosecute the study of the law. In 1554 he appears to have been one of the extraordinary lords of session. About 1561 he was deprived of his sight, a misfortune which, however, did not prevent his being admitted in that year to the office of an ordinary lord of session, by the title of lord Lethington; and in 1562, he xvas appointed lord privy-seal, and a member of the privycouncil. His office as keeper of the privy seal he resigned in 1567, in favour of his second son, the subject of our next article. In 1583 he was excused from attendance as a judge, unless when it suited his convenience; but from a sense of the importance of the duties of that office, he resigned it in favour of sir Lewis Ballenden. Sir Richard died March 20, 1586. His eldest son, sir William Mait-. land, secretary to queen Mary, makes a considerable figure in the history of that princess.
ers that have ever appeared in that country. His professional fame has only been eclipsed by that of his eldest son, the still more celebrated Anthony Malone, who as
, a gentleman of great literary research, and one of the ablest commentators on Shakspeare, was descended from an Irish family of the highest antiquity, an account of which may be found in the seventh volume of Archdall’s Peerage of Ireland, which, it is believed, was drawn up by Mr. Malone himself. All his immediate predecessors were distinguished men. His grandfather, while only a student at the Temple, was entrusted with a negotiation in Holland and so successfully acquitted himself, that he was honoured and rewarded by king William for his services. Having been called to the Irish bar about 1700, he became one of the most eminent barristers that have ever appeared in that country. His professional fame has only been eclipsed by that of his eldest son, the still more celebrated Anthony Malone, who as a lawyer, an orator, and an able and upright statesman, was confessedly one of the most illustrious men that his country has produced. Edmond, the second son of Richard, and the father of the late Mr. Malone, was born on the 16th of April, 1704. He was called to the English bar in 1730, where he continued for ten years to practise; and, in 1740, removed to the Irish bar. After having sat in several parliaments, and gone through the usual gradations of professional rank, he was raised, in 1766, to the dignity of one of the judges of the court of common pleas in Ireland, an office which he filled till his death in 1774. He married, in 1736, Catherine, only daughter and heir of Benjamin Collier, esq. of liuckholts, in the county of Essex, by whom he had four sons, Richard, now lord Sunderlin; Edmond, the subject of our present memoir Anthony and Benjamin, who died in their infancy and two daughters, Henrietta and Catherine.
uaker, mercer, of Huntingdon, he had three sons and five daughters, all of whom survived him, except his eldest son, George Owen, and one of the daughters.
In 1741 he was elected to a fellowship of his college, in right of which he had the living of St. Botolph, in Cambridge, which he held until his marriage, in 1755. He took the degree of M. A. in 1744, and that of B. D. in 1753. In 1760, Dr. Thomas, bishop of Lincoln, to whom he was chaplain, gave him the prebend of Milton Ecclesia, in the church of Lincoln, consisting of the impropriation and advowson of the parish of Milton, co. Oxford. In 1763 he was presented by Dr. Greene, dean of Salisbury, to the vicarage of Godalming, in Surrey, and was instituted Dec. 22, he preferring the situation to that of St. Nicholas in Guildford (though a better living) which was offered to him by the same patron. Here he constantly resided till the time of his death, beloved and respected by his parishioners, and discharging his professional duty in the most punctual and conscientious manner. In 1769 he was presented to the rectory of Pepperharrow, an adjoining parish, by viscount Middleton. He was elected F. R. S. in 1767, and F. S. A. in 1770. To the sincere regret of his parishioners, and of all who knew him, Mr. Manning died Sept. 9, 1801, after a short attack of pleurisy, having entered his eighty-first year. By Catherine, his wife, daughter of Mr. Reade Peacock, a quaker, mercer, of Huntingdon, he had three sons and five daughters, all of whom survived him, except his eldest son, George Owen, and one of the daughters.
After a second journey to Rome, in 1546, he married Margarita, the daughter of Jerome Odonus. His eldest son, Aldus, the subject of our next article, was the
After a second journey to Rome, in 1546, he married
Margarita, the daughter of Jerome Odonus. His eldest
son, Aldus, the subject of our next article, was the firstfruit of this marriage: he had also two other sons, who died
young, and a daughter, who is often mentioned in his letters, and was married in 1573. In 1556 an academy was
established at Venice, in the house of Frederick Badoarus,
one of the principal senators of the republic, which was
composed of about an hundred members, who endeavoured
to unite every species of literary and scientific excellence.
Belonging to this academy was a printing-house, in which
it was proposed to print good editions of all books and
manuscripts already known to exist, as well as the original
writings of the academicians. Over this establishment,
Paul was appointed to preside, and it was completely furnished with new founts of his own types, and he had under
him several other skilful printers, particularly Dominick
Bevilacqua. In 1558 and 1559, fifteen different books
were printed in this house, none very large, but intended
as a prelude to greater undertakings, of which a catalogue
was published both in Italian and Latin, and may be seen
in Renouard’s “Annales de Plmprimerie des Aides,
”
vol. I. The books printed in this academy were all executed with admirable correctness and beauty, and are become exceeding scarce, and valuable. Paul was farther
honoured with the professorship of eloquence in this academy, which, however, did not exist long. It was probably thought to have been an engine in Badoarus’s hands,
by which he might have become dangerous to the state;
or perhaps its expences might exceed his resources, and
drive him to pecuniary shifts of the discreditable kind. In
August 1562, however, the academy was dissolved by a
public decree.
abroad in France, Flanders, and Holland. Some time after their return, Mr. Strode married, and when his eldest son was about six years old, Mr. Markland undertook the
After several years residence at St. Peter’s college, he undertook in 1728 the education of William Strode, esq. of Punsborn in Herts, with whom he continued above two years at his house, and as long abroad in France, Flanders, and Holland. Some time after their return, Mr. Strode married, and when his eldest son was about six years old, Mr. Markland undertook the care of his education, and was with him seven years. This pupil, who was afterwards a gentleman of the bed-chamber to his majesty, a man of extensive benevolence and generosity, and always very attentive to Mr. Markland, died in 1800.
, who was in very moderate circumstances, and had a very large family, bestowed great pains on this, his eldest son, and was ably assisted in the cultivation of his
, one of the most distinguished French writers of the eighteenth century, was born in 1723, at Bort, a small town in Limosin. His father, who was in very moderate circumstances, and had a very large family, bestowed great pains on this, his eldest son, and was ably assisted in the cultivation of his talents, by his wife, who appears to have been a woman of superior sense and information. Young Marmoutel first studied the classics and rhetoric in the Jesuits’ college of Mauriac, and at fifteen was placed by his father with a merchant at Clermont. As this, however, was very little to his taste, he applied for admission into the college of Clermont, and having been received into the philosophical class, maintained himself by teaching some of the junior scholars. He afterwards went to Toulouse, and became teacher of philosophy in a seminary of the Bernardines, where his abilities acquired considerable distinction.
great part of his fortune in the purchase of the brewery, and continued the business in the name of his eldest son. Our poet was then taken from school, employed as
About two years after the rev. Mr. Mickle came to reside in Edinburgh, upon the death of a brother-in-law, a
brewer in the neighbourhood of that city, he embarked a
great part of his fortune in the purchase of the brewery,
and continued the business in the name of his eldest son.
Our poet was then taken from school, employed as a clerk
under his father, and upon coming of age in 1755, took
upon him the whole charge and property of the business,
on condition of granting his father a share of the profits
during his life, and paying a certain sum to his brothers
and sisters at, stated periods, after his father’s decease,
which happened in 1758. Young Mickle is said to have
entered into these engagements more from a sense of filial
duty, and the peculiar situation of his family, than from
any inclination to business. He had already contracted
the habits of literary life; he had begun to feel the enthusiasm of a son of the Muses, and while he was storing his
mind with the productions of former poets, and cultivating
those branches of elegant literature not usually taught at
schools at that time, he felt the employment too delightful to admit of much interruption from the concerns of
trade. In 1761, he contributed, but without his name,
two charming compositions, entitled “Knowledge, an
Ode,
” and a “Night Piece,
” to a collection of poetry published by Donaldson, a bookseller of Edinburgh; and about
the same time published some observations on that impious
tract “The History of the Man after God’s own heart,
” but
whether separately, or in any literary journal, is not now
known. He had also finished a dramatic poem of considerable length, entitled “The Death of Socrates,
” and had
begun a poem on “Providence,
” when his studies were interrupted by the importunities of his creditors.
on of the rev. Isaac Milles, rector of High Clear in Hampshire, probably by his second son Jeremiah. His eldest son was Dr. Thomas Milles, bishop of Waterford and Lismore,
, an English divine and antiquary, was the grandson of the rev. Isaac Milles, rector of High Clear in Hampshire, probably by his second son Jeremiah. His eldest son was Dr. Thomas Milles, bishop of Waterford and Lismore, of whom it may be necessary to give some account, as Mr. Harris the editor and continuator of Ware has admitted a few mistakes, calling him Mills, and stating that he was the son of Joseph Mills. He was educated at Wadham college, Oxford, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1692, and that of M. A. in 1695. He was ordained by bishop Hough. In 1704 he took the degree of B. D. and in 1706 was appointed Greek professor of Oxford. In 1707 he attended the earl of Pembroke, lord lieutenant of Ireland, into that kingdom, and by him was promoted to the see of Waterford and Lismore. He died at Waterford May 13, 1740. He published a few controversial tracts, enumerated by Harris, but is best known by his valuable edition of the works of St. Cyril, published at Oxford in 1703, folio.
, grand-daughter to the preceding, by Camillo, his eldest son, wa born at Modena in 1542. She was instructed in
, grand-daughter to the preceding, by Camillo, his eldest son, wa born at Modena in 1542. She was instructed in the classsics, in Hebrew, and in the belles lettres, became an adept in some of the abstruser branches of science, and was a proficient in music; and with all these, was distinguished by the graces and amiable qualities of her sex. She was married, in 1560, to> Paul Porrino, but never had any children; and after his death, in 1578, she passed her life in literary retirement at Modena, where she died in 1617. Her writings, consisting of Latin and Italian poems, translations from Plato, and other classics, were printed in the Bergamo edition of her grandfather’s works. This lady was the subject of numerous eulogies from contemporary writers; but the most extraordinary honour that she received, was that of being presented with the citizenship of Rome, by the senate and people of that city, in a patent reciting her singular merits, and conferring upon her the title of Unica. The honour is extended to the whole noble family of Molza.
er a short illness, at St. John’s college, Oxford, in 1779, in the 25th year of his age. The loss of his eldest son was severely felt by Dr. Monro, to whom he was endeared
In 1753, Dr. Monro married Miss Elizabeth Smith, second daughter of Mr. Thomas Smith, merchant, of London, by whom he had six children. The eldest of these, John, was designed for the profession of physic, and had made a considerable progress in his studies, but died, after a short illness, at St. John’s college, Oxford, in 1779, in the 25th year of his age. The loss of his eldest son was severely felt by Dr. Monro, to whom he was endeared by his many amiable qualities and promising abilities; and this loss was aggravated by that of his only daughter, Charlotte, who was carried off in the 22d year of her age, by a rapid consumption, within four years afterwards. She was a young lady, who, to a native elegance of manners, added excellent sense, and an uncommon sweetness of disposition. It is not wonderful, therefore, that her loss should prove a severe blow to a father who loved her with the most lively affection. He was now in his 63th year, and had hitherto enjoyed an uncommon share of good health; but the constant anxiety he was under during his daughter’s illness, preyed upon his mind, and brought on a paralytic stroke in January 1783. The strength of his constitution, however, enabled him to overcome the first effects of this disorder, and to resume the exercise of his profession; but his vigour, both of mind and body, began from this time to decline. In 1787, his youngest son, Dr. Thomas Monro (who, on the death of his eldest brother, had applied himself to the study of physic,) was appointed his assistant at Bethlem hospital; and he thenceforward gradually withdrew himself from business, till the beginning of 1791, when he retired altogether to the village of Hadley, near Barnet; and in this retirement he continued till his death, which happened, after a few days illness, on the 27th of December, in the same year, and in the 77th year of his age.
he did not long survive. He was married very young to a Yorkshire heiress, by whom he had five sons. His eldest son Thomas had a son of the same name, who, being a zealous
As to his family, by his first wife he had four children,
who all survived him; three daughters and one son, named
John, after his grandfather. Sir Thomas had the three
daughters first, and his wife very much desired a boy: at
last she brought him this son, who appearing weak in his
intellects, sir Thomas said to his lady, “Thou hast prayed
so long for a boy, that thou hast one now who will be a
boy as long as he lives.
” By a liberal education, however,
his natural parts seem to have been much improved.
Among Erasmus’s letters, there is one written to him, in
which that great scholar calls him “Optimae Spei Adolescens.
” Erasmus also inscribed to him the “Nux of
Ovid,
” and “An Account of Aristotle’s Works.
” After
the death of his father he was committed to the Tower for
refusing the same oath of supremacy, and condemned, but
afterwards pardoned, and set at liberty, which favour he
did not long survive. He was married very young to a
Yorkshire heiress, by whom he had five sons. His eldest
son Thomas had a son of the same name, who, being a
zealous Roman catholic, gave the family estate to his
younger brother, and took orders at Rome; whence, by
the pope’s command, he came a missionary into England.
He afterwards lived at Rome; where, and in Spain, he
negociated the affairs of the English clergy at his own expence. He died, aged fifty-nine years, in April 1625;
and, two years after, was printed in 4to, with a dedication
to Henrietta Maria, king Charles I.'s queen, his “Life of
sir Thomas More,
” his great grandfather. The learned
author of the “Life of Erasmus
” says, that “this Mr.
More was a narrow-minded zealot, and a very fanatic;
”
and afterwards adds, very justly, that “there is no relying
on such authors as these, unless they cite chapter and
verse.
”
cal labours. He died on the 14th of November 1794, in the eightieth year of his age, at the house of his eldest son, Mr. Thomas Mudge, in Newington-place, Surrey. On
He did not long survive this honourable testimony to the utility of his mechanical labours. He died on the 14th of November 1794, in the eightieth year of his age, at the house of his eldest son, Mr. Thomas Mudge, in Newington-place, Surrey. On the death of his wife, in 1789, he had given up house-keeping, residing afterward, sometimes with his eldest son in London, and sometimes in the country with his other son, the rev. John Mudge, M. A. rector of Lustleigh, and vicar of Bramford Speke, both in Devonshire. To speak of Mr. Mudge, in general terms only, as the first watchmaker of his age, would be unjust. Besides his superior merits in bringing time-keepers to a greater degree of perfection than had been hitherto attained, he has done the mechanical world no small service by the invention of a scapement for pocket- watches, which is one of the most considerable improvements that have been introduced for many years.
reformes,” 2 vols. 8vo, against Bayle; “Examen de deux Traités de M. de la Placette,” 2 vols. 12mo. His eldest son distinguished himself as his successor, and died
, an able mathematician, was born
in 1654, of poor parents, at Metz. He retired to Berlin
after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and there forming a friendship with Langerfield, mathematician to the
court, who taught the pages, succeeded him in 1696, was
admitted into the society of sciences at Berlin in 1701,
and into the academy of the princes, as professor of
mathematics, in 1704. He died in 1729, at Berlin. His
particular study 'as divinity, on which he has written much
more than on mathematics; his only work on that science
being a system of geometry, in German, 4to, and some
other small pieces in the “Miscellanea,
” of the society at
Berlin. His theological works are, “Meditationes Saintes,
”
12mo, “Morale Evangelique,
” 2 vols. 8vo. “La souveraine perfection de Dieu dans ses divins attributs, et la
parfaite intégrité de l'Ecriture prise au sens des anciens
reformes,
” 2 vols. 8vo, against Bayle; “Examen de deux
Traités de M. de la Placette,
” 2 vols. 12mo. His eldest son
distinguished himself as his successor, and died 1745. He
was a skilful mathematician, member of the societies of
Berlin and London; and several memoirs of his may be
found in the “Miscellanea Berolinensia,
”
ion of the Government” of the Germanic Body,“Geneva, 1742, 8vo, and a few other professional tracts. His eldest son, Louis Necker, a pupil of D'Alembert’s, became professor
, professor of civil law
at Geneva, about 1724, was created a citizen of Geneva
in 1726, and died there in 1760. He published “Four
letters on Ecclesiastical Discipline,
” Utrecht, A
description of the Government
” of the Germanic Body,“Geneva, 1742, 8vo, and a few other professional tracts.
His eldest son, Louis Necker, a pupil of D'Alembert’s,
became professor of mathematics at Geneva in 1757, but
quitted that city for Paris, where he entered into partnership
with the bankers Girardot and Haller, the son of the celebrated physician; and in 1762 settled at Marseilles, whence
in 1791 he returned to Geneva. In 1747 he published
” Theses de Electricitate,“4to, and wrote in the French
Encyclopaedia, the articles of Forces and Friction. There
is also a solution of an algebraical problem by him in the
” Memoirs des savans etrangers," in the collection of the
Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences. He died about the
end of the last century.
f the Needham family, but died young, leaving only a small fortune to his four children. Our author, his eldest son, studied in the English college of Douay, where he
, a philosopher and divine of the Roman catholic persuasion, was born at London Sept. 10, 1713. His father possessed a considerable patrimony at Hilston, in the county of Monmouth, being of the younger or catholic branch of the Needham family, but died young, leaving only a small fortune to his four children. Our author, his eldest son, studied in the English college of Douay, where he took orders, and taught rhetoric for several years, but was particularly distinguished for his knowledge of experimental philosophy.
s have formed their theological studies upon them. Mr. Norris left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His eldest son was rector of Little Langford, and vicar of the two
In much of this panegyric we cordially agree, but doubt whether the revival of Mr. Norris’s works would be benerjcial either to religion or philosophy. It cannot, however, be denied, that men of a similar cast of mind may be greatly benefited by some of his works; and we know that some of our most eminent divines have formed their theological studies upon them. Mr. Norris left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His eldest son was rector of Little Langford, and vicar of the two Chilterns, in Wiltshire. His second son, Thomas, was also a clergyman, and some time minister of Stroud, in Gloucestershire. They have both long been dead, as well as their mother, who died at the house of Mr. Bowyer, vicar of Martock, in Somersetshire, who married her daughter.
e county of Somerset, esq. by whom he had a numerous issue. He was succeeded in titles and estate by his eldest son, George Augustus, who dying without male issue in
In March 1756, he married Anne, daughter and co-heir of George Speke, of White Lackington, in the county of Somerset, esq. by whom he had a numerous issue. He was succeeded in titles and estate by his eldest son, George Augustus, who dying without male issue in 1794, was succeeded by his brother Francis, present and fourth earl of Guilford. Of the talents of lord North, much was said during his administration, and it is perhaps his highest praise, that against such a force of opposition, he could act so well upon the defensive. With many personal defects, he contrived to exhibit a species of eloquence which seemed easy and habitual, and always commanded attention. On subjects of finance, his abilities were generally acknowledged^ he reasoned closely and he replied with candour and temper, not unfrequently, however, availing himself of his wit. But as an orator, there were men of far more brilliant talents opposed to him; and as a statesman in general, he cannot be compared to his successor Pitt. He perhaps approaches the nearest to sir Robert Walpole, and like him seldom displayed the commanding energies of mind, but was content to follow the track of official duties, and to defend individual measures, arising out of temporary necessities, without professing any general system applicable to all occasions. But whatever were the errors or defects in lord North’s public conduct,' there lies no impeachment on his integrity. He neither enriched himself nor his family, nor was he ever accused of turning ministerial information. or influence to the purposes of pecuniary emolument. To the last moment of his life, he reviewed his conduct and his principles with satisfaction, and professed his readiness to defend them against any inquiry that could be instituted. What such inquiry can produce, must be the subject of future discovery. All we know at present is, that the moment he resigned, his public accusers became silent.
e solid, though less alluring. Placentia and Milan possess his best works. He flourished about 1608. His eldest son, Charles Francis, was born in 1608, at Milan, and
, is the name of a family of painters, of whom Panfilo, the father, a Cremonese, was the favourite scholar of Trotti, and for some time the imitator of his style, but afterwards relinquished it for one more solid, though less alluring. Placentia and Milan possess his best works. He flourished about 1608. His eldest son, Charles Francis, was born in 1608, at Milan, and left the principles of G. C. Procaccino for the graces of Guido with a success that still insures him the name of the Lombard Guido. More choice than copious in composition, he forms his figures with grace and delicacy, and sweetly animates their countenances; hence his Madonnas always occupy a distinguished place in galleries. He died in. 1651. His younger brother, Joseph, who was born in 1619, with more fire and fancy, delighted in numerous composition, and sacrificed choice and delicacy to energy and effect. He painted much more than his brother, not only in Lombardy, but through theVenetian state and in various churches of Brescia. The large picture of a dead man resuscitated by S. Dominic, at Cremona, for expression and magnificence of arrangement, may be considered as one of his most powerful productions totally exempt from those symptoms of decay which disfigure or debilitate many of his later works; for he lived to a great age, and continued to paint till death surprised him in 1703.
ey he fell in with the son of bishop Burnet. In November of next year he had the satisfaction to see his eldest son appointed pastor at Basil.
In 1703 Ostervald went to Zurich with his son John Rodolphus, whom he placed for education under his friend
Mr. Ott; from Zurich he went to Basil to visit his friend
Werenfels, and other learned men of that place; and to
Geneva, where he saw for the last time his friends Tronchin, Pictet, and Turretin. In all these places he preached
to crowded audiences, attracted by the reputation of his
talents for the pulpit. These were afterwards (in 1707)
admired by an audience of royal and noble personages
drawn to Neufcliatel to settle the sovereignty of that state,
in consequence of the death of the duchess de Nemours.
The decision was in favour of the king of Prussia, before
whom he preached with such eloquence on the duties of
subjects to their sovereign, that his majesty requested his
sermons might be printed; but this was declined on the
part of Ostervald. This year, however, he published his
“Traite contre PImpurite,
” which was translated into English, under the title of “A Discourse against the sin of
Uncleaiiness,
” and went through many editions both in
English, French, and German. In 1708 he again, accompanied by Werenfels, went to Geneva, where they lodged
with their friend Alphonsus Turretin the younger in this
journey he fell in with the son of bishop Burnet. In November of next year he had the satisfaction to see his eldest
son appointed pastor at Basil.
little man, had black hair and black eyes, with a great deal of spirit. His witt was always working. His eldest son Benjamin told me that his father did use to lye a
whom he had nine sons (most lived to be men) and four daughters. None of his sons he could make any great scholars. He was a little man, had black hair and black eyes, with a great deal of spirit. His witt was always working. His eldest son Benjamin told me that his father did use to lye a bed till eleven or twelve o‘clock, with his doublet on, ever since he can remember. Studied late at night; went not to bed till 11 o’clock; had his tinder-box by him; and on the top of his bed-staffe he had his inkhorn fixt. He slept but little. Sometimes he went not to bed in two or three nights, and would not come down to meals till he had found out the qu&situm.
Dormer, of Ashcot, in the parish of Great Milton, took him into his family as chaplain, and tutor to his eldest son, a task for which he was eminently fitted; and he
With this dislike to the discipline of the university, he appears to have connected at the same time many perplexing thoughts respecting his spiritual state, which ended in a sort of melancholy that lasted about five years, during which he seemed alienated from his friends and accustomed pursuits. He was roused to activity, however, as soon as the rebellion broke out, on which occasion he appeared a decided supporter of the measures of the parliament. The first consequence of this was, that his uncle, who was a zealous royalist, resented his conduct, settled his estate upon another, and died without leaving him any thing. About this time, however, sir Robert Dormer, of Ashcot, in the parish of Great Milton, took him into his family as chaplain, and tutor to his eldest son, a task for which he was eminently fitted; and he afterwards became chaplain to John lord Lovelace of Hurley, in Berkshire, a loyalist, who treated Mr. Owen with respect, from an opinion of his great learning; but when this nobleman went to joint the king’s army, Mr. Owen came up to London, and took lodgings in Charter-house yard. While here, going one day to Aldermanbury church, with a view of hearing Mr. Caiamy, it happened that a stranger preached, and the effect of his discourse was to remove all those doubts with which Mr. Owen had been perplexed for some years, and to restore the tranquillity of his mind on religious matters.
principal men of the place. He lodged in this gentleman’s house, and wrote a poem upon the death of his eldest son, which so highly pleased the father, that he not
, a celebrated divine of the reformed religion, was born Dec. 30, 1548, at Frankenstein in Silesia, and put to the grammar-school there, apparently with a design to breed him to learning; but his father marrying a second time, a capricious and narrow-minded woman, she prevailed with him to place his son apprentice to an apothecary at Breslau; and afterwards changing her mind, the boy was, at her instigation, bound to a shoemaker. Some time after, however, his father resumed his first design, and his son, about the age of sixteen, was sent to the college-school of Hirchberg, in the neighbourhood of Frankenstein, to prosecute his studies under Christopher Schilling, a man of considerable learning, who was rector of the college. It was customary in those times for young students who devoted themselves to literature, to assume a classical name, instead of that of their family. Schilling was a great admirer of this custom, and easily persuaded his scholar to change his German name of Wangler for the Greek one of Pareus, from wa^ice, a cheek, which Wangler also means in German. Pareus had not lived above three months at his father’s expence, when he was enabled to provide for his own support, partly by means of a tutorship in the family, and partly by the bounty of Albertus Kindler, one of the principal men of the place. He lodged in this gentleman’s house, and wrote a poem upon the death of his eldest son, which so highly pleased the father, that he not only gave him a gratuity for it, but encouraged him to cultivate his poetical talents, prescribing him proper subjects, and rewarding him handsomely for every poem which he presented to him.
nts, which he filled with his usual reputation, and resigned it some time after to Theodore Paquier, his eldest son. He was naturally beneficent and generous; agreeable
, a learned Frenchman, was born in 1528 at Paris; of which city he was an advocate in parliament, afterwards a counsellor, and at last advocate-general in the chamber of accounts. He pleaded many years with very great success before the parliament, where he was almost constantly retained in the most difficult causes, and every day consulted as an oracle. He did not, however, confine his studies to the law; but was esteemed a general scholar. Henry III. gave him the, post of advocate of the chamber of accounts, which he filled with his usual reputation, and resigned it some time after to Theodore Paquier, his eldest son. He was naturally beneficent and generous; agreeable and easy in conversation his manner sweet, and his temper pleasant. He died at Paris, at the advanced age of eighty -seven, Aug. 31, 1615, and was interred in the church of St, Severin.
church, and gradually in the heuie of lords as carl of Ba’.h, ld, I shall come to his estate, being his eldest son, which will enable me to resign my vicarage; and
S‘. Martin’s church, and gradually in the heuie of lords as carl of Ba’.h, ld, I shall come to his estate, being his eldest son, which will enable me to resign my vicarage; and the profits of the deanry alone, with my father’s estate, will make me quite contented.' The archbishop smiled, and said, " Well, if you will not help yourself, your friends must do it for you.' Accordingly he spoke to the earl of Bath, and they two agreed to try what they could do to make the dean of Winchester a bishop.
ease in the case of oaths. In the early part of 1696, he married a second Wife, and soon after lost his eldest son, Springett Penn, who appears, from the character
been that he was the dupe, either of the been the boast of him and his secy
king, or of his own vanity and interest.
after which came out the king’s proclamation for a general
pardon; which was followed, the next year, by his suspension of the penal laws. Penn presented an address of
the Quakers on this occasion. He also wrote a book ort
occasion of the objections raised against the repeal of penal
laws and test; and, the clamour against him continuing,
he was urged to vindicate himself from it, by one of his
friends, Mr. Popple, secretary to the Plantation -office,
which he did in a long reply, dated 1688. But he had
now to cope with more powerful opponents than rumour.
The revolution took place, and an intimate of James was of
course a suspected person. As he was walking in Whitehail, he was summoned before the council then sitting;
and, though nothing was proved against him, he was bound
to appear the first day of the following term; but, being
continued to the next on the same bail, he was then discharged in open court: nothing being laid to his charge.
In the beginning of 1690, he was again brought before
the council, and accused of corresponding with James.
They required bail of him as before; but he appealed to
the king himself, who, after a long conference, inclined
to acquit him; nevertheless, at the instance of some of the
council, he was a second time held a while to bail, but at
length discharged. Soon after this, in the same year, he
was charged with adhering to the enemies of the kingdom,
but proof failing, he was again cleared by the court of
King’s-bench. Being now, as he thought, at liberty, he
prepared to go again to Pennsylvania, and published proposals for another settlement there; but his voyage was
prevented by another accusation, supported by the oath
of one William Fuller (a man whom the parliament afterwards declared to be a cheat and impostor); upon which a
warrant was granted, for arresting him, and he narrowly
escaped it, at his return from the burial of George Fox.
Hitherto he had successfully defended himself; but now,
not choosing to expose his character to the oaths of a profligate man, he withdrew from public notice, till the latter
part of 1693; when, through the mediation of his friends
at court, he was once more admitted to plead his own cause
before the king and council; and he so evinced his innocence, that he uas a fourth time acquitted. He employed
himself in his retirements in writing. The most generally
known production of his seclusion, bears the title of
'“Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims relating
to the conduct of human life;
” and another not less valued
by his sect is his “Key, &c. to discern the difference between the religion professed by the people called Quakers,
and the perversions, &c. of their adversaries, c.
” which
has gone through twelve editions at least. Not long after
his restoration to society, he lost his wife, which affected
him so much, that he said all his other troubles were nothing in comparison of this; and he published a short account of her character, dyr?g expressions, and pious end.
The following year, he appeared as the eulogist of Geor.ge
Fox, in a long preface to Fox’s Journal, then published.
The preface, giving a summary account of the people
whom Fox had been so much the means of uniting, has
been several times printed separately, under the title of
“A brief Account of the rise and progress of the people
called Quakers.
” It has passed through many editions in
English, two in French, and has been translated into German by A. F. Wenderborn. The same year he travelled
as a minister in some of the western counties; and in the
next, we find him the public advocate of the Quakers to
parliament, before whom a bill was then depending /for
their ease in the case of oaths. In the early part of 1696,
he married a second Wife, and soon after lost his eldest son,
Springett Penn, who appears, from the character given
to him by his father, to have been a hopeful and pious
young man, just coming of age. The same year he added
one more to his short tracts descriptive of Quakerism,
under the title of “Primitive Christianity revived,
” &c.
and now began his paper cpntroversy with the noted
George Keith, who from a champion of Quakerism, and
the intimate of Barclay, had become one of its violent opponents. Keith’s severest tract accuses Penn and his
brethren of deism. In 1697, a bill depending in parliament against blasphemy, he presented to the House of
Peers, “A Caution requisite in the consideration of that
Bill
” wherein he advised that the term might be so defined, as to prevent malicious prosecutions under that pretence. But the bill was dropped. In 1698, he travelled as
a preacher in Ireland, and the following winter resided at
Bristol. In 1699, he again sailed for his province, with
his wife and family, intending to make it his future residence; but, during his absence, an attempt was made to
undermine proprietary governments, under colour of advancing the king’s prerogative. A bill for the purpose was
brought into parliament, but the measure was postponed
until his return, at the intercession of* his frienrls; who
also gave him early information of the hostile preparations,
and he arrived in England the latter part of 1701. After
his arrival, the measure was laid aside, and Penn once
more became welcome at court, by the death of king William, and the consequent acce>sion of queen Anne. On
this occasion, he resided once more at Kensington, and
afterwards at Knightsbridge, till, in 1706, he removed to
a convenient house about a mile from Brentford. Next
year he was involved in a law-suit with the executors of a
person who had been his steward; and, though many
thought him aggrieved, his cause was attended with such
circumstances, as prevented his obtaining relief, and he
was driven to change his abode to the rules of the Fleet,
until the business was accommodated; which did not happen until the ensuing year. It was probably at this time,
that he raised 6,600l. by the mortgage of his province.
ughter of sir Philip Parker a Morley, by whom he had seven children, who all died before him, except his eldest son and successor, of whom we shall take some notice.
, fifth baronet of the family, and first earl of Egmont, was born at Barton, in the county of York, July 12, 1683, and received his education at Magdalen college, Oxford. On quitting the university, in June 1701, he made the tour of England, and was admitted F. R. S. at the age of nineteen. Upon the death of king William, and the calling of a new parliament in Ireland, he went over with the duke of Ormorid, and though not of age, was elected for the county of Cork, and soon after appointed a privy-counsellor. In July 1705, he began the tour of Europe, which he finished in October 1707; and returning to Ireland in May 1708, was again, representative for the county of Cork. In 1713, he erected a lasting monument of his charity, in a free-school at Burton. On the accession of George I. he was advanced to the peerage of Ireland by the title of baron Perceval, in 1715, and viscount in 1722. In the parliament of 1722 and 1727, he was member for Harwich, in Essex, and in 1728 was chosen recorder of that borough. Observing, by the decay of a beneficial commerce, that multitudes incapable of finding employment at home, mightbe rendered serviceable to their country abroad, he and a few others applied to the crown for the grant of a district of land in America, since called Georgia, which they proposed to people with emigrants from England, or persecuted Protestants from other parts of Europe, by means of private contribution and parliamentary aid. The charter being granted, in June 1732, Lord Perceval was appointed first president; and the king having long experienced his fidelity to his person and government, created him earl of Egmont in. Nov. 1733. Worn out by a paralytic decay, he died May 1, 1748. His lordship married Catherine, daughter of sir Philip Parker a Morley, by whom he had seven children, who all died before him, except his eldest son and successor, of whom we shall take some notice.
James, his eldest son, was born at Dam, Oct. 26, 1651. He studied first
James, his eldest son, was born at Dam, Oct. 26, 1651. He studied first under Gisbert Cuper, at Deventer, and was afterwards, in 1671, removed to Utrecht, where he attended the lectures of Gracvius. His father designed him for the church, but after his death he preferred the mixed studies of polite learning, history, and antiquity, and went, in 1674, to Leyden, where his preceptor was Theodore Ryckius, professor of history and eloquence in that city. He became afterwards rector of the Latin school at Delft, from which he was promoted in 1681 to the professorship of history and eloquence at Franeker. His reputation bringing a great concourse of scholars to this university, he was complimented by the addition to his stipend of an hundred crowns, and when on the death of Ryckius in 1690, Perizonius was offered the vacant professorship, the curators of Franeker were so desirous of his continuing with them that they added another hundred crowns to his stipend. He was, however, in 1693, persuaded to goto Leyden to fill the place of professor of history, eloquence, and the Greek language and in this employment continued till his death. He was a man of incredible diligence as well as accuracy, never committing any thing to the press without the strictest revisal and examination. Such uninterrupted application is said by his biographers to have shortened his life, which, however, extended to sixty-six years. He died April 6, 1717, and left a will that savoured a little of that whim and peculiarity which sometimes infects the learned in their retirements. He ordered, that as soon as he should expire, his body should be dressed in his clothes, then set up in a chair, and that a beard should be made for him. Some say this was done that a painter might finish his picture, already begun, in order to be placed over the manuscripts and books which he left to the library of the university. He was a man of a good mien, well made, of a grave and serious air, but far from any thing of pedantry and affectation; and so modest, that he never willingly spake of himself and his writings.
was son of the czar Alexis Michaelowitz by a second wife. Alexis dying in 1672, Feodor, or Theodore, his eldest son by his fivst wife, succeeded to the throne, and died
, czar of Russia, who civilized that nation, and raised it from ignorance and barbarism, to politeness, knowledge, and power, a man of a wonderful composition and character, was born the 30th of May, 1672, and was son of the czar Alexis Michaelowitz by a second wife. Alexis dying in 1672, Feodor, or Theodore, his eldest son by his fivst wife, succeeded to the throne, and died in 1682. Upon his decease, Peter, though but ten years of age, was proclaimed czar, to the exclusion of John his elder brother, who was of a weak body, and a weaker mind. The strelitzes, who were the established guard of the czars, as the janisaries are of the grand seigniors, made an insurrection in favour of John, at the instigation of the princess Sophia, who, being own sister to John, hoped, perhaps, to be sole regent, since John was incapable of acting; or at least to enjoy a greater share of authority under John, than if the power was lodged solely in her half-brother Peter. The matter, however, was at last compromised; and it was agreed, that the two brothers should jointly share the imperial dignity. The Russian education was, at that time, like the country, barbarous, so that Peter had no advantages; and the princess Sophia, who, with considerable talents, was a woman of great ambition and intrigue, took all imaginable pains to stifle his natural desire of knowledge, to deprave and corrupt his mind, and ta debase and enervate him with pleasures. Yet his abhorrence of pageantry, and love of-military exercises, discovered itself in his tenderest years; and, to gratify this inclination, he formed a company of fifty men, commanded by foreign officers, and clothed and exercised after the German manner. He entered himself among them in the lowest post, and performed the duties of it with the utmost diligence. He ordered them entirely to forget that he was czar, and paid the utmost deference and submission to the commanding officers. He lived upon his pay only, and lay in a lent in the rear of his company. He was some time after raised to be a serjeant, but only as he was entitled to it by his merit; for he would have punished his soldiers, had they discovered the least partiality in his favour: and he never rose otherwise, than as a soldier of fortune. The strelitzes looked upon all this as the amusement of a young prince: but the czar, who saw they wer too formidable, and entirely in the interest of the princes Sophia, had secretly a design of crushing them; which he wisely thought could not be better effected, than by securing to himself a body of troops, more strictly disciplined, and on whose fidelity he could more fully rely.
His eldest son, Thomas Philipott, or Philpot, M. A. was educated
His eldest son, Thomas Philipott, or Philpot, M. A. was
educated at Clare-hall, and published the “Villare Cantianum,
” London, A brief Historical Discourse of the original and
growth of Heraldry, demonstrating upon what rational
foundations that noble and heroic science is established,
”
London, Monasticon
Favershamiensis,
” Lond. 1646, vo, is a volume of rare occurrence. The elder Ptiilipot is supposed to have been
the author of
” The Citie’s great concern in this case, or
question of Honour and Arms, whether Apprenticeship extinguisheth Gentry? discoursed; with a clear refutation of
the pernicious error that it doth,“1674, 12mo. Another
production of John Philipot was,
” A perfect Collection
or Catalogue of all Knights Bachelours made by king
James,“&c. 1660, 8vo. Mr. Lysons gives an extract from
the parish register of Greenwich, which has been supposed
to relate to him:
” Mr. Thomas Philipott, buried September 30, 1682;“adding,
” that besides the above works, he
wrote on the origin and growth of the Spanish Monarchy,
and a Life of jsop," and remarking, that Anthony Wood
attributes to him some theological works; but Mr. Lysons
thinks it is more probable that they were the production of
his contemporary, Thomas Philipott, D. D. rector of Turveston and Akeley, Bucks. Wood places his death in
1684-.
n of his brother Louis, entered his castle by night with forty armed men, and assassinated him, with his eldest son Albert Picus. He died embracing the crucifix, and
, was the son of Galeoti Picus, the eldest brother of John Picus, just recorded, and born fcbout 1409. He cultivated learning and the sciences, after the example of his uncle; but he had dominions and a principality to superintend, which involved him in great troubles, and at last cost him his life. Upon the death of his father, in 1499, he succeeded, as eldest son, to his estates; but was scarcely in possession, when his brothers Louis and Frederic combined against him; and, by the assistance of the emperor Maximilian I. and Hercules I. duke of Ferrara, succeeded. John Francis, driven from his principality in 1502, was forced to seek refuge in different countries for nine years; till at length pope Julius II. becoming master of Mirandula, put to flight Frances Trivulce, the widow of Louis, and re-established John Francis in 1511. But he could not long maintain his post; for the pope’s troops being beaten by the French at Ravenna, April 11, 1512, John James Trivulce, general of the French army, forced away John Francis again, and set up Frances Trivulce, who was his natural daughter. John. JFrancis now became a refugee a second time, and so continued for two years; when, the French being driven out of Italy, he was restored again in 1515. He lived from that time in the quiet possession of his dominions, till October 1533; and then Galeoti Picus, the son of his brother Louis, entered his castle by night with forty armed men, and assassinated him, with his eldest son Albert Picus. He died embracing the crucifix, and imploring pardon of God for his sins,
Kentish gentleman descended from a Walloon family. His father, having a plentiful estate, gave this his eldest son a liberal education, and would have had him bred
, an English comic painter, was the son of a Kentish gentleman descended from a Walloon family. His father, having a plentiful estate, gave this his eldest son a liberal education, and would have had him bred a scholar, or else a merchant; but his genius leading him wholly to designing, he could not fix to any particular science or business but the art to which he naturally inclined. Drawing took up all his time and all his thoughts; and being of a gay facetious humour, his manner partook of it. He delighted in drawing ugly faces; and had a talent so particular for it, that he would by a transient view of any remarkable face he met in the street, retain the likeness so exactly in his memory, that it might be supposed the person had sat several times for it. It was said of him, that he would steal a face and a man, who was not handsome enough to desire to see his picture, sat in danger in his company. He had a fancy peculiar to himself in his travels: he would often go away, and let his friends know nothing of his departure; make the tour of France and the Netherlands, a-foot; and sometimes his frolic carried him as far as Grand Cairo. He never advertised his friends of his return, any more than he did of his intended absence, delighting to baffle their conjectures, or tantalize their feelings. In this manner he travelled, at several times, through Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Holland; in which several countries he examined the works of the several painters with pleasure and judgment, and formed to himself a manner of design which no man in that kind ever excelled, or perhaps equalled.
own right, and a pension of three thousand pounds was settled on the lives of himself, his lady, and his eldest son.
Though he held no place immediately from the crown, Mr. Pitt had for some time enjoyed that of groom of the bedchamber to Frederick prince of Wales, but resigned it in 1745; and continuing steady in his opposition to the measures of the ministry, experienced about the same time that fortune, which more than once attended him, of having his public services repaid by private zeal. The dowager duchess of Marlborough left him by will 10,000l. expressly for defending the laws of his country, and endeavouring to prevent its ruin. It was thought soon after an object of importance to obtain his co-operation with government, and in 1746 he was made joint vice-treasurer of Ireland; and in the same year treasurer, and pay-master-general of the army, and a privy-counsellor. In 1755, thinking it necessary to make a strong opposition to the continental connections then formed by the ministry, he resigned his places, and remained for some time out of office. But in December 1756, he was called to a higher situation, being appointed secretary of state for the southern department. In this high office he was more successful in obtaining the confidence of the public, than that of the king, some of whose wishes he thought himself bound to oppose. In consequence of this he was soon removed, with Mr. Legge, and some others of his friends. The nation, however, was not disposed to be deprived of the services of Mr. Pitt. The most exalted idea of him had been taken up throughout the kingdom: not only of his abilities, which were evinced by his consummate eloquence, but of his exalted, judicious, and disinterested patriotism. This general opinion of him, and in some degree of his colleagues, was so strongly expressed, not merely by personal honours conferred on them, but by addresses to the throne in their favour, that the king thought it prudent to restore them to their employments. On June 29, 1757, Mr. Pitt was again made secretary of state, and Mr. Legge chancellor of the exchequer, with other arrangements according to their wishes. Mr. Pitt was now considered as prime minister, and to the extraordinary ability of his measures, and the vigour of his whole administration, is attributed the great change which quickly appeared in the state of public affairs. It was completely shewn how much the spirit of one man may animate a whole nation. The activity of the minister pervaded every department. His plans, which were ably conceived, were executed with the utmost promptitude; and the depression which had arisen from torpor and ill success, was followed by exertion, triumph, and confidence. The whole fortune of the war was changed; in every quarter of the world we were triumphant; the boldest attempts were made by sea and land, and almost every attempt was fortunate. In America the French lost Quebec; in Africa their principal settlements fell; in the East-Indies their power was abridged, and in Europe their armies defeated; while their navy, their commerce, and their finances, were little less than ruined. Amidst this career of success king George the Second died, Oct. 25, 1760. His present majesty ascended the throne at a time when the policy of the French court had just succeeded in obtaining the co-operation of Spain. The family compact had been secretly concluded; and the English minister, indubitably informed of the hostile intentions of Spain, with his usual vigour of mind, had determined on striking the first blow, before the intended enemy should be fully prepared for action. He proposed in the privy council an immediate declaration of war against Spain, urging, with great energy, that this was the favourable moment, perhaps never to be regained, for humbling the whole house of Bourbon. In this measure he was not supported, and the nation attributed the opposition he encountered to the growing influence of the earl of Bute. Mr. Pitt, of much too high a spirit to remain as the nominal head of a cabinet which he was no longer able to direct, resigned his places on the 5th of October, 1761; when, as some reward for his eminent services, his wife was created baroness of Chatham in her own right, and a pension of three thousand pounds was settled on the lives of himself, his lady, and his eldest son.
while he was resident upon his living in Berkshire and had nine children. We have only an account of his eldest son Edward Pocock, who, under his father’s direction,
Dr. Pocock had married in 1646, while he was resident
upon his living in Berkshire and had nine children. We
have only an account of his eldest son Edward Pocock,
who, under his father’s direction, published, in 1671, 4to,
with a Latin translation, an Arabic work, entitled “Philosophus Autodidactus sive, Epistola Abu Jaafar Ebn
Tophail de Hai Ebn Yokdhan. In qua ostenditur, quomod ex inferiorum contemplationead superiorum notitiam
ratio humana ascendere possit.
” In The Improvement of Human Reason, exhibited
in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan,
” &c. 8vo and dedicated
it to Mr. Pocock, then rector of Minal in Wiltshire. Mr.
Pocock had also prepared an Arabic history, with a Latin
version, and put, to it the press at Oxford but not being
worked off when his father died, he withdrew it, upon a
disgust at not succeeding his father in the Hebrew professorship. The copy, as much of it as was printed, and the
manuscript history, were, in 1740, in the hands of Mr.
Pocock’s son, then rector of Minal.
task of fixing the attention of his children, three sons and a daughter; and he had taught Richard, his eldest son, all the common rules of arithmetic, without the
, a late eminent Greek scholar and
most accomplished critic, was born at East Ruston, in Norfolk, Dec. 25, 1759, and was first initiated in knowledge by
his father, Mr. Huggin Person, the parish-clerk of East
Ruston, who, though in humble life, and without the advantages himself of early education, 'laid the basis of his
son’s unparalleled acquirements. From the earliest dawn
of intellect, Mr. Person began the task of fixing the attention of his children, three sons and a daughter; and he
had taught Richard, his eldest son, all the common rules
of arithmetic, without the use of a book or slate, pen or
pencil, up to the cube root, before he was nine years of
age. The memory was thus incessantly exercised; and by
this early habit of solving a question in arithmetic, he acquired such a talent of close and intense thinking, and such
a power of arranging every operation that occupied his
thought, as in process of time to render the most difficult
problems, which to other men required the assistance of
written figures, easy to the retentive faculties of his memory. He was initiated in letters by a process equally efficacious, and which somewhat resembled Dr. Bell’s admirable plan. His father taught him to read and write at one
and the same time. He drew the form of the letter either
with chalk on a board, or with the finger in sand; and
Richard was made at once to understand and imitate the
impression. As soon as he could speak he could trace the
letters; and this exercise delighting his fancy, an ardour
of imitating whatever was put before him was excited to
such a degree that the walls of the house were covered
with characters delineated with great neatness and fidelity.
At nine years of age, he and his youngest brother, Thomas, were sent to the village school, kept by a Mr. Summers, a plain but intelligent man, who having had the
misfortune in infancy to cripple his left hand, was educated
for the purpose of teaching, and he discharged his duties
with the most exemplary attention. He professed nothing
beyond English, writing, and arithmetic but he was a
good accountant, and an excellent writing-master. He
perfected Mr. Richard Porson in that delightful talent
of writing, in which he so peculiarly excelled but which
we are doubtful whether to consider as an advantage, or
a detriment to him, in his progress through life. It certainly had a considerable influence on his habits, and made
him devote many precious moments in copying, which
might have been better employed in composition. It has
been the means, however, of enriching his library with annotations, in a text the most beautiful, and with such perfect imitation of the original manuscript or printing, as to
embellish every work which his erudition enabled him to
elucidate. He continued under Mr. Summers for three
years; and every evening during that time he had to repeat
by heart to his father the lessons and the tasks of the day;
and this not in a loose or desultory manner, but in the rigorous order in which they hadbeen taught; and thus
again the process of recollection was cherished and
strengthened, so as to become a quality of his mind. It
was impossible that such a youth should remain unnoticed,
even in a place so thinly peopled, and so obscure, as the
parish of East Ruston. The reverend Mr. Hewitt, vicar of
the parish, heard of his extraordinary propensities to study,
his gift of attention to whatever was taught him, and the
wonderful fidelity with which he retained whatever he had
acquired. He took him and his brother Thomas under his
care, and instructed them in the classics. The progress
of both was great, but that of Richard was most extraordinary, and when he had reached his fourteenth year, had
engaged the notice of all the gentlemen in the vicinity.
Among others, he was mentioned as a prodigy to an opulent and liberal man, the late Mr- Norris, or‘ Grosvenorplace, who, after having put him under an examination of
the severest kind, from which an ordinary boy would have
shrunk dismayed, sent him to Eton in August 1774, when
he was in his 15th year. In that great seminary, he almost,
from the commencement of his career, displayed such a superiority of intellect, such facility of acquirement, such
quickness of perception, and sucli a talent of bringing
forward to his purpose all that he had ever read, that the
upper boys took him into their society, and promoted the
cultivation of his mind by their lessons, as well, probably,
as by imposing upon him the performance of their own exercises . He was courted’ by them as the never-failing
resource in every difficulty and in all the playful excursions of the imagination, in their frolics, as well as in their
serious tasks, Person was the constant adviser and support.
He used to dwell on this lively part of his youth with peculiar complacency, and used to repeat a drama which he
wrote for exhibition in their long chamber, and other compositions, both of seriousness and drollery, with a zest that
the recollection of his enjoyment at the time never failed to
revive in him. A very learned scholar, to whom the public
was indebted for “A short account of Mr. Person,
” published soon after his death, has the following remarks on his
progress at Eton “By his own confession he learnt nothing, or added little to his stock, at school and perhaps for a good reason, since he had every thing that was
given him to read, where he was first placed, by heart;
that is, he could repeat all the Horace, and all the Virgil,
commonly read at Eton, and the Iliad, and extracts from
the Odyssey, Cicero, and Livy, with the Ambubaiarum of
Horace, the Eclogues and Georgics, and the Culex, Ciris,
and Catalecta, which they do not read. But still, though
he would not own it, he was much obliged to the collision of a public school for the rapidity with which he
increased his knowledge, and the correction of himself by
the mistakes of others.
”
His eldest son, John Potter, born in 1713, after a private education,
His eldest son, John Potter, born in 1713, after a private education, was entered a member of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1727, and took his master’s degree in 1734. After he went into orders, he obtained from his father the vicarage of Blackburne, in the county of Lancaster, and in 1739, the valuable sinecure of Elme cum Emneth, in the isle of Ely, In 1741 his father presented him to the archdeaconry of Oxford. His other promotions were the v y icarage of Lydde in Kent, the twelfth prebend of Canterbury, and the rich benefice of Wrotham in Kent, with which he retained the vicarage of Lydde. In 1766 he was advanced to the deanery of Canterbury, on which he resigned the archdeaconry of Oxford. He died at Wrotham Sept. 20, 1770. He offended his father very much by marrying one of his servants, in consequence of which, although the archbishop, as we have seen, gave him many preferments, he left his personal fortune, which has been estimated at 70,000l. some say 90,000l. to his second son, Thomas Potter, esq. who followed the profession of the law, became recorder of Bath, joint vice-treasurer of Ireland, and member of parliament for Aylesbury and Oakhampton. He died June 17, 1759.
th July 1617 but his design, being by some secret means betrayed to the Spaniards, was defeated and, his eldest son Walter being killed by the Spaniards at St. /Thome,
Some have fancied, that the merit of this work procured
his releasement from the Tower; but there seems little
foundation for that opinion, since king James is known to
have expressed some dislike to it. It is more likely that
the king’s hopes from the mine-adventure to Guiana produced this effect; and accordingly we find sir Walter at
large, after twelve years confinement, in March 1616. In
August he received a commission from the king to go and
explore the golden mines at Guiana. It is said that he
was offered a formal pardon for Too/, but this he declined,
by the sdvice of sir Francis Bacon, who said, “Sir, the
knee-timber of your voyage is money. Spare your
purse in this particular; for upon my life you have a
sufficient pardon for all that is past already the king
having, under his broad seal, made you admiral of your
fleet, and given you power of martial law over your officers
and soldiers.
” Sir Walter set off from Plymouth July
1617 but his design, being by some secret means betrayed
to the Spaniards, was defeated and, his eldest son Walter
being killed by the Spaniards at St. /Thome, the town was
burnt by captain Keymis, who, being reproached by Sir
Walter for his ill conduct in this affair, committed suicide.
On this, the Spanish ambassador Gundomar making heavy
complaints to the king, as if the peace had been broken between Britain and Spain, a proclamation was published immediately against Ralegh and his proceedings, threatening
punishment in an exemplary manner. Notwithstanding
this, Ralegh, who landed at Plymouth in July 1618, and
heard that the court was exasperated by the Spanish ambassador, firmly resolved to go to London. In this, however, he was anticipated by being arrested on his journey
thither and finding, as he approached, that no apology
could save him, repented of not having made his escape
while he had it in his power. He attempted it indeed after
ie was confined in the Tower, but was seized in a boat
upon the Thames. It was found, however, that his life
could not be touched for any thing which had been done at
Guiana: therefore a privy seal was sent to the judges,
forthwith to order execution, in consequence of his former
attainder.
oreman of the grand jury at the trial of alderman Cornish; and was elected sheriff by royal mandate. His eldest son, Thomas, for whom Mr. Addison is said to have intended
, knt eldest surviving son of
Daniel Rawlinson, citizen and wine-merchant of London, descended from the ancient family of that name at
Graisdale, in the county of Lancaster, was born in the
parish of St. Dionis Backchurch, in Fenchurch-street,
London, March 1647 appointed sheriffof London by James II.
1687, colonel of the white regiment of trainee! bands, and
govt rnor of Bridewell and Bethlem hospitals, 1705; and,
in 1706, lord mayor of London, when he beautified and
repaired Guildhall, as appears by an inscription in the
great porch. He married Mary, eldest daughter of Richard
Taylor, esq. of Turnham-green, with whom he lived 27
years, and by whom he had 15 children. She died at
Chelsea, Feb. 21, 1724-5, aged sixty-three. He died in
his own parish, November 2, 1705, and was buried with
his father, who died in 1679, aged sixty-six, Of his children, four daughters, Anne- Maria, Mary, Margaret, Susan;
and two sons, both named Daniel, died before him. William died in 1732, and was buried at Antwerp. John, of
Little Leigh in Cheshire, esq. died January 9, 1753.
Tempest, the youngest son, by profession a dry-salter, died
January 1, 1737. Sir Thomas Rawlinson, it maybe added,
had been foreman of the grand jury at the trial of alderman
Cornish; and was elected sheriff by royal mandate. His
eldest son, Thomas, for whom Mr. Addison is said to have
intended his character of Tom Folio, in the Taller, No. 158,
but with infinitely too satirical a vein, was a great collector
of books; and himself a man of learning, as well as patron
of learned men. Mattairehas dedicated to him his edition
of Juvenal; and Hearne’s publication, entitled “Aluredi
Beverlacensis Annales, &c.
” was printed from the original
ms. in this gentleman’s possession. Very numerous indeed
were the communications that editor received from Mr.
Thomas Rawlinson, for all which he takes every opportunity of expressing his gratitude. While Mr. Rawlinson
lived in Gray’s inn, he had four chambers so completely
filled with books, that his bed was removed out into the
passage. He afterwards removed to London-house, the
ancient palace of the bishops of London, in Aldersgate-street, where he died August 6, 1725, aged forty-four,
and was buried in the church of St. Botolph Aldersgate.
In London-house his library was sold after his decease;
and there also lived and died his brother Richard, who left
a portrait of his brother Thomas in crayons, another of
himself, and another of Nicolas Salmon, LL. D. the antiquary, to the Society of Antiquaries, all afterwards revoked.
His Mss. took sixteen days to sell, from March 4, 1733-4.
The catalogue of his library consists of nine parts. The
amount of the fiva first parts was 2409l. Mr. Charles
Marsh, late bookseller at Charing-cross, used to say,
that the sale of Mr. Thomas Rawlinson’s library was one of
the first events he remembered upon engaging in business;
and that it was the largest collection at that time known to
have been offered to the public.
lessons by the abbe“, his younger son, and having reason to expect an establishment in the train of his eldest son, ambassador to Venice, he absurdly relinquished all
, an eccentric genius of our
own times, has enabled us to give an account of him by a
publication which himself left behind him, under the title
of “Les Confessions de J. J. Rousseau, suivies des Reveries
du Promeneur Solitaire,
” Geneve, born almost dying,
” but was preserved and reared by the tenderness of an
aunt (his father’s sister). He remembers not how he learned
to read, but only recollects that his first studies were some
romances left by his mother, which engaged his father, as
well as himself, whole nights, and gave him a very early
knowledge of the passions, and also wild and romantic
notions of human life. The romances ended with the summer of 1719. Better books succeeded, furnished by the
library of his mother’s father, viz. “Le Sueur’s History of
the Church and the Empire;
” “Bossuet’s Discourses on
Universal History;
” “Plutarch’s Lives;
” ' Nani’s History
of Venice;“”Ovid’s Metamorphoses;“”La Bruyere;“
”Fontenelle’s Worlds, and Dialogues of the Dead“and
some volumes of
” Moliere.“Of these
” Plutarch“were
his favourite; and he soon preferred Agesilaus, Brutus,
and Aristides, to Oroondates, Artamenes, aud Juba; and
to these lives, and the conversations that they occasioned
with his father, he imputes that free and republican spirit,
that fierce and intractable character, which ever after was
his torment. His brother, who was seven years older, and
followed his father’s business, being neglected in his education, behaved so ill, and was so incorrigible, that he fled
into Germany, and was never heard of afterwards. On the
contrary, the utmost attention was bestowed on John James,
and he was almost idolized by all. Yet he had (he owns)
all the faults of his age he was a prater, a glutton, and
sometimes a liar; he stole fruit, sweetmeats, and victuals
but he never delighted in being mischievous or wasteful, hi
accusing others, or in tormenting poor animals. He re^
Jates, however, an indelicate trick he played one Madame
Clot while she was at prayers, which still, he says, diverts
him, because
” she was the most fretful old woman he ever
knew.“His
” taste, or rather passion, for music“he owed
to his aunt Susan, who sang most sweetly; and he paints
her in most pleasing colours. A dispute, which his father
had with a French captain obliging him to quit Geneva,
our author was left under the care of his uncle Bernard, then
employed on the fortifications, who having a son of the
same age, these cousins were boarded together at Bossey,
at M. Lambercier’s, a clergyman, to learn Latin, and other
branches of education. In this village he passed two happy years, and formed an affectionate friendship with his
cousin Bernard. A slight offence, the breaking the teeth
of a comb, with which he was charged, but denied it, and
of which now, fifty years after, he avows his innocence, bub
for which he was severely punished, and a like chastisement, which, for a like offence, was also unjustly inflicted
on his cousin, gave both at last a distaste for this paradise,
and great pleasure in being removed from it. This incident made a deep and lasting impression upon him, as did
another about planting a willow and a walnut tree, for which
we must refer to his own account. At his return to Geneva he continued two or three years wiih his uncle, losing
his time, it not being determined whether he should be a
watch-maker, an attorney, or a minister. To the last he
was most inclined, but that the small remains of his
mother’s fortune would not admit. In the mean time he learned to draw, for which he had a taste, and read
” Euclid’s
Elements“withes Cousin. Thus they led an idle, but not
a vicious life, making cages, flutes, shuttle-cocks, drums,
houses, cross-bows, and puppets, imitating Punch, acting
plays, and at last makiog sermons. He often visited his
father, wlxo was then settled at Nion, a small town in the
country of Vaud, and there he recounts two amours (as he calls them) that he had, at the age of eleven, with two
grown misses, whom he archly describes. At last he
was placed with M. Massiron, register of the city, to
learn his business; but, being by him soon dismissed
for his stupidity, he was bound apprentice, not, however, to a watch-maker, but to an engraver, a brutal
wretch, who not only treated him most inhumanly, but
taught him to lie, to be idle, and to steal. Of the latter
he gives some instances. In his sixteenth year, having
twice on a Sunday been locked out of the city-gates, and
being severely threatened by his master if he stayed out a
third time, by an unlucky circumstance this event happening, he swore never to return again, sending word privately
to his cousin Bernard of what he proposed, and where he
might once more see him; which he did, not to dissuade
him, but to make him some presents. They then parted
with tears, but never met or corresponded more,
” which
was a pity, as they were made to love each other.“After
making some reflections on what would have been his fate
if he had fallen into the hands of a better master, he informs us that at Consignon, in Savoy, two leagues from Geneva, he had the curiosity to see the rector, M. de Pontverre,
a name famous in their history, and accordingly went to visit
him, and was well received, and regaled with such a good dinner as prevented hisreplyingto his host’s arguments in favour
of holy mother Church, and against the heresy of Geneva.
Instead of sending him back to his family, this devout
priest endeavoured to convert him, and recommended him
to mad. de Warens, a good charitable lady, lately converted, at Annecy, who had quitted her husband, her family, her country, and her religion, for a pension of 1500
Piedmontese livres, allowed her by the King of Sardinia.
He arrived at Annecy on Palm- Sunday, 1728 and saw madam de Warens. This epoch of his life determined his
character. He was then in the middle of his 16th year;
though not handsome, he was well made, had black hair,
and small sparkling eyes, &c. charms, of which, unluckily,
he was not unconscious. The lady too, who was then 28,
he describes as being highly agreeable and engaging, and
having many personal charms, although her size was small,
and her stature short. Being told she was just gone to the
Cordeliers church, he overtook her at the door, was struck
with her appearance, so different from that of the old
crabbed devotee which he had imagined, and was instantly
proselyted to her religion. He gave her a letter from M.
de Pontverre, to which he added one of his own. She
glanced at the former, but read the latter, and would have
read it again, if her servant had not reminded her of its
being church-time. She then bade John James go to her
house, ask for some breakfast, and wait her return from
mass. Her accomplishments he paints in brilliant colours;
considers her as a good Catholic; and, in short, at first
sight, was inspired by her with the strongest attachment,
and the utmost confidence. She kept him to dinner, and
then inquiring his circumstances, urged him to go to
Turin, where, in a seminary for the instruction of catechumens, he might be maintained till his conversion was accomplished; and engaged also to prevail on M. de Bernet,
the titular bishop of Geneva, to contribute largely to the
expence of his journey. This promise she performed. He
gave his consent, being desirous of seeing the capital, and
of climbing the Alps. She also reinforced his purse, gave
him privately ample instructions; and, entrusting him to
the care of a countryman and his wife, they parted on AshWednesday. The day after, his father
” came in quest of
him, accompanied by his friend M. Rixal, a watch-maker,
like himself, and a good poet. They visited madam de
Warens, but only lamented with her, instead of pursuing
and overtaking him, which they might, they being on
horseback, and he on foot. His brother had been lost by
a like negligence. Having some independent fortune
from their mother, it seemed as if their father connived at
their flight in order to secure it to himself, an idea which
gave our author great uneasiness. After a pleasantjourney
with his two companions, he arrived at Turin, but without
money, cloaths, or linen. His letters of recommendation
admitted him into the seminary; a course of life, and a
mode of instruction, with which he was soon disgusted. In
two months, however, he made his abjuration, was baptized
Ht the cathedral, absolved of h f eresy by the inquisitor^ and
then dismissed, with about 20 livres in his pocket; thus, at
once, made an apostate and a dupe, with all his hopes in
an instant annulled. After traversing the streets, and
viewing the buildings, he took at night a mean lodging,
where he continued some days. To the king’s chapel, in
particular, he was frequently allured by his taste for music,
which then began to discover itself. His purse, at last,
being almost exhausted, he looked out for employment,
and at last found it, as an engraver of plate, by means of a
young woman, madame Basile, whose husband, a goldsmith, was abroad, and had left her under the care of a
clerk, or an jEgisthus, as Rousseau styles him. Nothing, he
declares, but what was innocent, passed betwixt him and
this lady, though her charms made great impression on
him; and soon after, her husband returning, and finding
him at dinner with her confessor, the clerk, &c. immediately dismissed him the house. His landlady, a soldier’s wife,
after this procured him the place of footman to the countess
dowager of Vercullis, whose livery he wore; but his business was to write the letters which she dictated, a cancer
in her breast preventing her writing them herself; letters,
he says, equal to those of madam de Sevigne. This service
terminated, in three months, with his lady’s death, who left
him nothing, though she had great curiosity to know his
history, and to read his letters to madam de Warens. He
saw her expire with many tears her life having been that
of a woman of wit and sense, her death being that of a
sage. Her heir and nephew, the count de la Roque,
gave him 30 livres and his new cloaths; but, on leaving
this service, he committed, he owns, a diabolical action, by
falsely accusing Marion, the cook, of giving him a rosecoloured silver ribbon belonging to one of the chambermaids, which was found upon him, and which he himself
had stolen. This crime, which was an insupportable load
on his conscience, he says, all his life after, and which he
never avowed before, not even to Madam de Warens, was
one principal inducement to his writing his “Confessions,
”
and he hopes, “has been expiated by his subsequent misfortunes, and by forty years of rectitude and honour in the
most difficult situations.
” On leaving this service, he returned to his lodgings, and, among other acquaintances
that he had made, often visited M. Gaime, a Savoyard abbé,
the original of the “Savoyard Vicar,
” to whose virtuous
and religious instructions, he professes the highest
obligations. The count de la Roque, though he neglected to call
upon him, procured him, however, a place with the count
de Gouvon, an equerry to the queen, where he lived much
at his ease, and out of livery. Though happy in this family, being favoured by all, frequently waiting on the
count’s beautiful grand -daughter, honoured with lessons by
the abbe“, his younger son, and having reason to expect an
establishment in the train of his eldest son, ambassador to
Venice, he absurdly relinquished all this by obliging the
count to dismiss him for his attachment to one of his countrymen, named Bacle, who inveigled him to accompany
him in his way back to Geneva; and an artificial fountain,
which the abbe* de Gouvon had given him, helped, as their
purse was light, to maintain them till it broke. At Annecy
he parted with his companion, and hastened to madam de
Warens, who, instead of reproaching, lodged him in her
best chamber, and
” Little One“(Petit) was his name, and
” Mama“hers. There he lived most happily and innocently, he declares, till a relation of
” Mama,“a M. d'Aubonne, suggested that John-James was fit for nothing but
the priesthood, but first advised his completing his education by learning Latin. To this the bishop not only consented, but gave him a pension. Reluctantly he obeyed,
carrying to the seminary of St. Lazarus no book but Clerambault’s cantatas, learning nothing there but one of his
airs, and therefore being soon dismissed for his insufficiency. Yet madam de Warens did not abandon him. His
taste for music then made them think of his being a musician, and boarding for that purpose with M. le Maitre, the
organist of the cathedral, who lived near
” Mama,“and
presided at her weekly concerts. There he continued for
a year, but his passion for her prevented his learning even
music. Le Maitre, disgusted with the Chapter, and determined to leave them, was accompanied in his flight, as
far as Lyons, by John-James; but, being subject to fits,
and attacked by one of them in the streets, he was deserted
in distress by his faithless friend, who turned the corner,
and left him. This is his third painful
” Confession.“He
instantly returned to Annecy and
” Mama; but she, alas!
was gone to Paris. After this, he informs us of the many
girls that were enamoured of him: of his journey with one
of them, on foot, to Fribourg; of his visiting his father, in
his way, at Nion; and of his great distress at Lausanne,
which reduced him to the expedient of teaching music,
which he knew not, saying he was of Paris, where he had
never been, and changing his name to Voussore, the anagram of Rousseau. But here his ignorance and his imprudence exposed him to public shame, by his attempting
what he could not execute. Being thus discomfited, and
unable to subsist at Lausanne, he removed to Neufchatel,
where he passed the winter. There he succeeded better,
and, at length, by teaching music, insensibly learned it.
hen lord-chief-jqstice of the King’s-bench, and afterwards earl of Hardwicke, for the instruction of his eldest son the second earl, who, with three of his brothers,
, a learned English divine, was the
eldest son of Dr. Samuel Salter, prebendary of Norwich,
and archdeacon of Norfolk, by Anne-Penelope, the daughter of Dr. John Jeffery, archdeacon of Norwich. He was
educated for some time in the free-school of that city,
whence he removed to that of the Charter-house, and was
admitted of Bene't-college, Cambridge, June 30, 1730,
under the tuition of Mr. Charles Skottowe. Soon after his
taking the degree of B. A. in 1733, he was chosen into a
fellowship, and took his master’s degree in 1737. His natural and acquired abilities recommended him to sir Philip
Yorke, then lord-chief-jqstice of the King’s-bench, and
afterwards earl of Hardwicke, for the instruction of his
eldest son the second earl, who, with three of his brothers,
in compliment to abp. Herring, was educated at that college. As soon as that eminent lawyer was made Jordehancellor, he appointed Mr. Salter his domestic chaplain,
and gave him a prebend in the church of Gloucester, which
he afterwards exchanged for one in that of Norwich. About
the time of his quitting Cambridge, he was one of the writers
in the “Athenian Letters.
” Soon after the chancellor gave
Mr. Salter the rectory of Burton Goggles, in the county of
Lincoln, in 1740; where he went to reside soon after, and,
marrying Miss Seeker, a relation of the then bishop of
Oxford, continued there till 1750, when he was nominated
minister of Great Yarmouth by the dean and chapter of
Norwich. Here he performed the duties of that large
parish with great diligence, till his promotion to the
preachership at the Charter-house in January 1754, some
time before which (in July, 1751), abp. Herring had honoured him with the degree of D. D. at Lambeth. In 1756,
he was presented by the lord-chancellor to the rectory of
St. Bartholomew near the Royal Exchange, which was the
last ecclesiastical preferment he obtained; but in Nov.
1761, he succeeded Dr. Bearcroft as master of the Charter-house, who had been his predecessor in the preachership. While he was a member of Bene't college, he
printed Greek Pindaric odes on the nuptials of the princes
of Orange and Wales, and a copy of Latin verses on the
death of queen Caroline. Besides a sermon preached on
occasion of a music-meeting at Gloucester, another before
the lord-mayor, Sept. 2, 1740, on the anniversary of the
fire of London, a third before the sons of the clergy, 1755,
which was much noticed at the time, and underwent several alterations before it was printed; and one before the
House of Commons, Jan. 30, 1762; he published “A
complete Collection of Sermons and Tracts
” of his grandfather Dr. Jeffery, Moral and Religious Aphorisms,
” by Dr. Whichcote, with large additions of some
letters that passed between him and Dr. Tuckney, “concerning the Use of Reason in Religion,
” &c. and a biograpiiical preface, 1751, 8vo. To these may be added,
“Some Queries relative to the Jews, occasioned by a late
sermon,
” with some other papers occasioned by the
“Queries,
” published the same year. In Letters of Ben Mordecai;
” written by the rev. Henry
Taylor, of Crawley in Hants. In 1776, Dr. Salter printed
for private use, “The first 106 lines of the First Book of
the Iliad; nearly as written in Homer’s Time and Country;
” and printed also in that year, “Extract from the
Statutes of the House, and Orders of the Governors, respecting the Pensioners or poor Brethren
” (of the Charterhouse), a large single sheet in folio; in 1777, he corrected
the proof-sheets of Bentley’s “Dissertation on Phalaris;
”
and not long before his death, which happened May 2,
1773, he printed also an inscription to the memory of his
parents, an account of all which may be seen in the
“Anecdotes of Bowyer.
” Dr. Salter was buried, by his
own express direction, in the most private manner, in the
common burial-ground belonging to the brethren of the
Charter-house.
ungest daughter of William Palmer, of Winthorp, in the county of Lincoln, esq. by whom he had issue. His eldest son, John Sharp, esq. a learned and ingenious gentleman,
He died at Bath, Feb. 2, 1713-14, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His remains were removed to York, and interred privately in the cathedral on the 16th following, where a marble monument of the Corinthian order, was afterwards placed to his memory, with an elegant Latin inscription by bishop Smalridge, one of his intimate friends. Archbishop Sharp had married, in 1676, Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of William Palmer, of Winthorp, in the county of Lincoln, esq. by whom he had issue. His eldest son, John Sharp, esq. a learned and ingenious gentleman, is said to have been member of parliament for Rippon, in the county of York, but this must have been before the union, as we find no such name in the list of members for Rippon since that event. His son Thomas we shall soon have occasion to notice.
folk. He married Frances, daughter of William Sanders of Ewell in Surrey, by whom he had our author, his eldest son, who was born in 1562, and educated at the school
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of his name, which flourished in the time of Henry III. at Bekington in Hampshire, and in the fifteenth century was settled in Norfolk, where our author’s great-grandfather was possessed of a considerable estate. This great-grandfather married the heiress of the Narborough family, by whom he had a son who became sir John Spelman, knt. of Narborough, and our author’s father, Henry, was the fourth son of sir John, and lived at Conghata near Lynn-regis in Norfolk. He married Frances, daughter of William Sanders of Ewell in Surrey, by whom he had our author, his eldest son, who was born in 1562, and educated at the school of Walsinghatn in the neighbourhood. In his fourteenth year, when according to his own modest account he was scarcely ripe for academical studies, he was entered of Trinity-college, Cambridge. Here he applied with great diligence for two years ana a half, but upon the death of his father, he was obliged to return home, and assist his mother, in managing the affairs of the family.
n publishing the first part. Upon his death, all his papers came into the hands of sir John Spelman, his eldest son; a gentleman, who had abilities sufficient to complete
About the time that he disposed of the unsold copies of
his “Glossary,
” sir William Dugdale acquainted sir Henry
Spelman, that many learned men were desirous to see the
second part published, and requested of him to gratify the
world with the work entire. Upon this, he shewed sir William the second part, and also the improvements which he
had made in the first; but told him, at the same time, the
discouragement he had met with in publishing the first
part. Upon his death, all his papers came into the hands
of sir John Spelman, his eldest son; a gentleman, who had
abilities sufficient to complete what his father had begun,
if death had not prevented him. After the restoration of
Charles II. archbishop Sheldon and chancellor Hyde inquired of sir William Dugdale, what became of the second
part, and whether it was ever finished; and, upon his answering in the affirmative, expressed a desire that it might
be printed. Accordingly it was published by sir William
in 1664; but, as Gibson says, “the latter part in comparison of the other is jejune and scanty; and everyone must
see, that it is little more than a collection, out of which he
intended to compose such discourses, as he has all along
given us in the first part, under the words of the greatest
import and usefulness.
” It was surmised, for it never was
proved, that because sir William Dugdale had the publishing of the second part, he inserted many things of his own,
which were not in sir Henry Spelman’s copy; and particularly some passages, which tend to the enlargement of the
prerogative, in opposition to the liberties of the subject.
This- is noticed by Mr. Atwood, in his “Jus Anglorum ab
antique
” and the authenticity of it is vindicated, and some
curious particulars are related concerning it, by Dr. Brady,
in his “Animadversions on Jani Anglorum f'acies nova,
”
Bishop Gibson also assures us, that the very copy from which
it was printed, is in the Bodleian library in sir Henry’s own
hand, and exactly agrees with the printed book; and particularly under the word “Parlamentum,
” and those other
passages, upon which the controversy was raised. So far
then as the copy goes, for it ends at the word “Riota,
” it
is a certain testimony, that sir William Dugdale did no
more than mark it for the printer, and transcribe here and
there a loose paper; and, though the rest of the copy was
lost before it carne to the Oxford library, on which account
there is not the same authority for the Glossary’s being genuine of the letter R; yet it is not likely, that sir William
had any more share in these last letters of the alphabet,
than he had in any of the rest. There was a third edition
in 1687, illustrated with commentaries, and much enlarged.
In 1627, sir Henry compiled a history of the civil affairs
of the kingdom, from the conquest to Magna Charta, taken
from the best historians, and generally in their own words.
This was printed by Wilkins at the end of his edition of the
Saxon laws. His next great work was his “Collection of
the Councils, Decrees, Laws, and Constitutions of the English church from 1066 to 1531.
” In this he was particularly encouraged by the archbishops Abbot, Laud, and
especially Usher. The deceased bishop Andrews had suggested this scheme to Dr. Matthew Wren, who had made
some progress, but desisted when he heard that sir Henry
Spelman was engaged in the same design. Archbishop
Abbot lived to see some part of the copy, and greatly approved of it. He branched his undertaking into three
parts, assigning an entire volume to each division: I. “From
the first plantation of Christianity to the coming in of the
Conqueror in 1066.
” 2. “From the Norman conquest to
the casting off the pope’s supremacy, and the dissolution
of monasteries by Henry VIII.
” 3. “The History of the
Reformed English Church, from Henry VIII. to his own
time.
” The volume, which contained the first of these
heads, was published in 1639, about two years befoiv
death, with his own annotations upon the more difficult
places. The second volume of the “Councils,
” was put
into the hands of sir William Dugdale, by the direction of
Sheldon and Hyde. Sir William made considerable additions to it ont of the archbishop’s registers and the Cottonian library; and it was published in 1664, but with abundance of faults, occasioned by the negligence of either the
copier, or corrector, or both. His revival of Saxon literature was of great importance to the study of antiquities.
He had found the excellent use oi" that language in the
whole course of his studies, and much lamented the neglect
of it both at home and abroad; which was so very general,
that he did not then know one man in the world, who perfectly understood it. This induced him to found a Saxon
lecture in the university of Cambridge, allowing lOl. per
annum to Mr. Abraham Wheelocke, presenting him to the
vicarage of Middleton in the county of Norfolk, and giving
him likewise the profits of the impropriate rectory of the
same church; both which were intended by him to be settled in perpetuity as an endowment of that lecture: but sir
Henry and his eldest son dying in the compass of two years,
the civil wars breaking forth, and their estate being sequestered, the family became incapable of accomplishing
his design.
On the death of sir Henry, his papers became the property of his eldest son, sir John Spelman, whom he calls “the heir of his
On the death of sir Henry, his papers became the property of his eldest son, sir John Spelman, whom he calls
“the heir of his studies.
” Sir John, whom, by the way,
Wood erroneously calls sir Henry’s youngest son, received
great encouragement and assurance of favour from Charles
I. That king sent for sir Henry Spelman, and offered him
the mastership of Sutton’s hospital, with some other advantages, in consideration of his good services both to church
and state; but sir Henry, thanking his majesty, replied,
“that he was very old, and had one foot in the grave, but
should be more obliged, if he would consider his son
” on
which, the king sent for Mr. Spelman, and conferred that
and the honour of knighthood upon him at Whitehall in
1611. After the rebellion commenced, his majesty, by a
letter under his own hand, commanded him from his house in
Norfolk, to attend at Oxford where he resided in
Brazennose college, and was often called to private conncii, and
employed to write several p.ipers in vindication of the proceeding of the court. He wis the author of “A view of a
pretende book, entitled, ' Observations upon his Majesty’s
late Answers and Epistles,
” Oxford, 'e also
” The case of our affairs in law, religion,
and other circumstances, briefly ex mined and presented
to the cmisc ence,“1643, 4to. While he vva^ thus attending the aduirs of the public, and his own private studies,
as those ' >uld iiive him leave, he died July 25, 1643. His
funeral sermon, by his majesty’s special order, was preached
by archbishop Usher. He published the Saxon Psalter
under the title of
” Phaltenum Davidis Latino-Saxonicum
Vetus,“1641, 4to, from an old manuscript in his father’s
library, collated with three other copies. He wrote also
the
” Life of king Alfred the Great" in English, which was
published by Hearne at Oxford, 1709, 8vo. It had been
translated into Latin by Mr. Wise, and was published by
Obadiah Walker, master of University college at Oxford
in 1678, fol.
in some measure, embittered with domestic troubles, arising from the extravagance and ill conduct of his eldest son, the marquis of Rosni. He died Dec. 22, 1641, aged
After the death of his master, by which he was greatly
afflicted, Sully retired from court; for, a new reign introducing new men and new measures, he was no longer regarded. The life he led in retreat was accompanied with
decency, grandeur, and even majesty; yet it was, in some
measure, embittered with domestic troubles, arising from
the extravagance and ill conduct of his eldest son, the marquis of Rosni. He died Dec. 22, 1641, aged eighty-three,
and his duchess caused a statue to be erected over his
burying-place, with this inscription: “Here lies the body
of the most high, most puissant, and most illustrious lord,
Maximilian de Bethune, marquis of Rosni, who shared in,
all the fortunes of king Henry the Great; among which
was that memorable battle, which gave the crown to the
victor; where, by his valour, he gained the white standard,
and took several prisoners of distinction. He was by that
great monarch, in reward of his many virtues and distinguished merit, honoured with the dignities of duke, peer,
and marshal of France, with the governments of the Upper
and Lower Poitou, with the office of grand master of the
ordnance; in which, bearing the thunder of his Jupiter,
he took the castle of Montmelian, till then believed impregnable, and many other fortresses of Savoy. He was
likewise made superintendant of the finances, which office
he discharged singly, with a wise and prudent occonomy;
and continued his faithful services till that unfortunate day,
when the Caesar of the French nation lost his life by the
hand of a parricide. After the lamented death of that great
king, he retired from public affairs, and passed the remainder of his life in ease apd tranquillity. He died at
the castle of Villebon, Dec. 22, 1641, aged 82.
”
Though he lived to such an age, no life could be more
frequently exposed to perils than that of Sully. One of
these was of a very extraordinary kind, and deserves to be
particularly mentioned. It was at the taking of a town in
Cambray, in 1581, when, to defend the women from the
brutality of the soldiers, the churches, with gu.irds about
them, were given them for asylums; nevertheless, d very
beautiful young girl suddenly threw herself into the arms
of Sully, as he was walking in the streets, and, holding
him fast, conjured him to guard her from some soldiers,
who, she said, had concealed themselves as soon as they
saw him. Sully endeavoured to calm her fears, and offered
to conduct her to the next church; but she tpld him she
had been there, and had asked for admittance, which they
refused, because they knew she had the plague. Sully
thrust her from him with the utmost indignation as well as
horror, and expected every moment to be seized with the
plague, which, however, did not happen.
Aquitaine, having under him these captains of his men at arms and archers, viz. John Viscount Lisle ( his eldest son by his second wife), sir Robert Hungerford, lord
In 1450, being again in the wars of France, where the good success of the English then more and more declined, he was at the surrender of Falaize, and quitted that; place on honourable terms. In 145 1 he was made general of the English fleet, then going out, having four thousand soldiers with him in that expedition; and the year following, 1452, lieutenant of the duchy of Aquitaine, having under him these captains of his men at arms and archers, viz. John Viscount Lisle (his eldest son by his second wife), sir Robert Hungerford, lord Molins, sir Roger Camoys, sir John Lisle, and the bastard of Somerset: and in consideration of his great charge in that high employment, had a grant of the thirds, and third of the thirds, which were reserved to the king upon his retainer therein. He then marched thither; took Bourdeaux, and put a garrison into it, which success caused several remote cities to submit to his authority. Hearing that the French had besieged Chastillon, he advanced thither, and gave them battle, on July 20; but the event of that day (though for a while it stood doubtful) at length proved fatal to the English; this renowned general being killed by a cannon ball, and his whole army routed.
He was first buried at Roan in France, together with his eldest son, and the inscription for him is thus translated “Here
He was first buried at Roan in France, together with his
eldest son, and the inscription for him is thus translated
“Here lyeth the right noble knt. John Talbot, earl of
Shrewsbury, earl of Wexford, Waterford, and Valence,
lord Talbot of Goderich and Orchenfield, lord Strange of
Blackmere, lord Verdon of Alton, lord Cromwell of Wingfield, lord Lovetofte of Worsop, lord Furnival of Sheffield,
lord Faulconbridge, knight of the noble orders of the garter,
St. Michael, and the golden fleece, great marshal to Henry
VI. of his realm of France, who died in the battle of Bourdeaux, 1453.
”
t into Sidbury-gate, and Thomas, when dean ef Worcester, a cry being made for a horse to re- married his eldest son to a daughter mount thfcking, a Mr. William Bag-
* The king’s escape after the de- out his own horse ready saddled, upon feat in this battle is thus related his which his majesty fled through St. Matmajesty being forced to alight from tin’s gate, and so to Boscobrl. Dr. his horse to get into Sidbury-gate, and Thomas, when dean ef Worcester, a cry being made for a horse to re- married his eldest son to a daughter mount thfcking, a Mr. William Bag- of this Mr. Bngi.il. u* I, who then li\cd in Skibury, turned cloth on which his majesty walked from the palace gate to the stairs leading to the great hall, cost his lordship 27/: it was rolled up after his majesty, and taken away by his attendants as belonging to his wardrobe.
Sept. 1768, at the earnest request of his friend and patron, Mr. Drake, Dr. Townson went abroad with his eldest son, Mr. William Drake, a gentleman-commoner of Brazen
In Sept. 1768, at the earnest request of his friend and
patron, Mr. Drake, Dr. Townson went abroad with his
eldest son, Mr. William Drake, a gentleman-commoner of
Brazen Nose college, and performed nearly the same tour
which he went over twenty-six years before. After his return to Malpas in October 1769, he studied and produced
his “Discourses on the Four Gospels.
” They originated
in a sermon first preached in the parish church of Biithfiold, and afterwards before the university, June 2, 1771,
where he was desired to publish what had been heard with
so much satisfaction. This induced him to re-consider the
subject; and, by a progress which every literary man will
readily understand, it grew under his revision to its present
form and size, and was published in 1778, in a quarto volume, and received with the universal approbation of his
learned brethren. Bishop Lowth’s testimony to its merit
may be selected from a number: “It is a capital performance, and sets every part of the subject it treats of in a
more clear and convincing light than ever it appeared in
before.
” But, adds his biographer, he received testimony
to the merit of his book, on which he set a higher value
than on the commendation of any individual, however exalted in character, or dignified by station. This was the
degree of D. D. by diploma, which was with perfect unanimity conferred on him in full convocation, by the university of Oxford, February 23, 1779. This honour will
appear the greater to our readers, when they are told that
diploma degrees are very rarely conferred by this university.
testant 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.
, 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.
prince’s death, which happened in 1577, produced a great revolution in the palatinate; prince Lewis, his eldest son, who succeeded him, not permitting any clergyman
, one of the most celebrated Protestant divines of the 16th century, was born at Breslau,
in Silesia, July 28, 1534. He had already made a considerable progress, for one so young, when he was sent to
Wittemberg in 1550, where he studied seven years, and,
as his father was not rich, he was assisted by gratuities
both private and public, and by the profits of taking pupils. At the same time, he applied himself so closely to
study, that he acquired great skill both in poetry, lan-r
guages, philosophy, and divinity. Melancthon, who was
the ornament of that university, had a particular esteem
and friendship for him. Ursinus accompanied him in 1557
to the conference of Worms, whence he went to Geneva,
and afterwards to Paris, where he made some stay, in order
to learn French, and improve himself in Hebrew under
the learned John Mercerus. He was no sooner returned
to Melancthon at Wittemberg, than he received letters
from the magistrates of Breslaw in September 1558, offering him the mastership of their great school; and having
accepted it, he discharged the duties of his employment
in so laudable a manner, that he might have continued in
it as long as he pleased, had he not been prosecuted by
the clergy, the instant they perceived he was not a Lutheran. When he explained Melancthon’s book, “De
examine ordinandorum ad Ministerium,
” he handled the
subject of the Lord’s supper in such a manner, as made
the demagogues or factious orators (for so the author of his Life calls them) term him Sacramentarian. He wrote,
however, a justification of himself, in which he discovered
what his opinions were with regard to Baptism and the
Lord’s Supper; and when he found that this did not pacify his adversaries, he obtained an honourable leave from
the magistrates; and as he could not retire to his master
Melancthon, he being dead a little before, in April 1560,
he went to Zurich, where Peter Martyr, Bullinger, Simler, Gesner, and some other eminent personages, had a
great friendship for him. From this place he was soon removed by the university of Heidelberg, which was in
want of an able professor; and in September 1561 was
settled in the Collegium Sapientiae (College of Wisdom)
to instruct the students. He also attempted to preach,
but finding he had not the talents requisite for the pulpit,
he laid that aside. As a professor, he evinced, in the
most eminent elegree, the qualifications requisite: a lively
genius, a great fund of knowledge, and a happy dexterity
in explaining things, and therefore, besides the employment he already enjoyed, he exercised the professorship
of the loci communes, or common places in that university.
To qualify him for this place, it was necessary for him,
agreeably to the statutes, to be received doctor of divinity,
and accordingly he was solemnly admitted to that degree
the 25th of August, 1562, and he was professor of the
common places till 1568. It was he who wrote the Catechism of the Palatinate, which was almost universally adopted by the Calvinists, and drew up an apology for it by ordtr of the elector Frederic III. in opposition to the clamours which Flacius Illyricus, Heshusius, and some other
rigid Lutherans, had published in 1563. The elector, finding himself exposed, not only to the complaints of the
Lutheran divines, but likewise to those of some princes, as
if he had established a doctrine concerning the Eucharist,
which was condemned by the Augsburg Confession, was
obliged to cause to be printed an exposition of the
une doctrine concerning the Sacraments. Ursinus the
following year was at the conference of Maulbrun, where
he spoke with great warmth against the doctrine of Ubiquity. He afterwards wrote on that subject, and against
some other tenets of the Lutherans. The plan and statutes
which he drew up for the elector, for the establishment of
some schools, and several other services, raised him so
high in his esteem, that finding him resolved to accept of
a professorship in divinity at Lausanne in 1571, he wrote
a letter to him with his own hand, in which he gave several
reasons why it would not be proper for him to accept of
that employment. This prince’s death, which happened
in 1577, produced a great revolution in the palatinate;
prince Lewis, his eldest son, who succeeded him, not permitting any clergyman to be there, unless he was a sound
Lutheran; so that Ursinus and the pupils educated by
him in the Collegium Sapientiae were obliged to quit it.
He retired to Neustadt, to be divinity-professor in the illustrious school which prince Casimir, son to Frederic III.
founded there at that time. He began his lectures there
the 26th of May, 1578. He also taught logic there in his
own apartment; published some books, and was preparing
to write several more, when his health, which had been frequently and strongly attacked, occasioned by his incredible
application to study, yielded at last to a long sickness, of
which he died in Neustadt, the 6th of March, 1583, in the
forty-ninth year of his age. His works were collected after
his death, by the care of his only son, a minister, and by
that of David Pareus and Quirinus Reuterus, his disciples;
and to the last of these we are indebted for the publication
of them in 1612, 3 vols. folio.
les, in that terrible catastrophe^ He was for twenty-seven years deputy of Lime-street Ward, London. His eldest son, Francis, continued the business of a packer, and
, the late learned dean of Westminster, was born in London, Nov. 2, 1739. His father was a citizen of London, in commercial business, first as a packer, and afterwards as a Portugal'merchant, in which last concern he acquired opulence, but was impoverished by the failures consequent upon the great earthquake at Lisbon, in 1755. He lost also his second son, Giles, in that terrible catastrophe^ He was for twenty-seven years deputy of Lime-street Ward, London. His eldest son, Francis, continued the business of a packer, and prospered in it; and by him William was assisted in his expenses at college. His school education, excepting a mere infantine initiation at Cavendish, in Suffolk, was received entirely at Westminster; and from fourteen years old, when he entered the school, to the day of his death, he was never unconnected with that seminary, nor long personally absent from its precincts, except for the five years in which he was pursuing his academical studies. Passing through every gradation in the school, and collegiate foundation, he was thence elected scholar of Trinity college, Cam.bridge, in 1757. In 1761 he took his first degree in arts, and was chosen a fellow of his college; soon after which (1762), he returned to Westminster, as usher, or assistant in the school. In that capacity he proceeded from, the lowest to the highest situation, so justly approved, in all respects, by the patrons of the school, that, on the resignation of Dr. Lloyd, the veteran second master in 1771, he was appointed to that office. In the same year he was nominated one of the chaplains in ordinary to his majesty.
followed upon this destitution were happily prevented by the interposition of his nearest relatives. His eldest son, with his truly amiable wife, and a growing family,
While the second edition of his great work was passing through the press, he suffered a domestic loss, which they only who are equally attached to their home can justly estimate. Mrs. Vincent died early in 1807: and his sense of her merits has been strongly expressed in a Latin inscription, which he wrote to be placed over her grave at Westminster. But the heaviest evils that would otherwise have followed upon this destitution were happily prevented by the interposition of his nearest relatives. His eldest son, with his truly amiable wife, and a growing family, immediately relinquished house-keeping, alid became his constant inmates, both in town and country; omitting no possible attention that duty and affection could suggest, to make his home again delightful to him. They succeeded, as they deserved, to the utmost of their wishes. The dean recovered his spirits, resumed his usual labours and his usual relaxations, and persevered in both, to almost the latest hour of his life.
of which place his father of the same names was then minister, but did not survive the birth of this his eldest son above six years. He was now left to the care of his
, an eminent English mathematician,
was born Nov. 2S, 1616, at Ashford in Kent, of which
place his father of the same names was then minister, but
did not survive the birth of this his eldest son above six
years. He was now left to the care of his mother, who
purchased a house at Ashford for the sake of the education
of her children, and placed him at school there, until the
plague, which broke out in 1625, obliged her to remove
him to Ley Green, in the parish of Tenterden, under the
tuition of one James Movat or Mouat, a native of Scotland, who instructed him in grammar. Mr. Movat, says
Dr. Wallis, “was a very good schoolmaster, and his
scholar I continued for divers years, and was by him well
grounded in the technical part of grammar, so as to understand the rules and the grounds and reasons of such rules,
with the use of them in such authors, as are usually read
in grammar schools: for it was always my affectation even
from a child, in all parts of learning or knowledge, not
merely to learn by rote, which is soon forgotten, but to
know the grounds or reasons of what I learn, to inform my
judgment as well as furnish my memory, and thereby make
a better impression on both.
” In 1630 he lost this instructor, who was engaged to attend two young gentlemen
on their travels, and would gladly have taken his pupil
Wallis with them; but his mother not consenting on account
of his youth, he was sent to Felsted school in Essex, of
which the learned Mr. Martin Holbeach was then master.
During the Christmas holidays in 1631, he went home to
his mother at Ashford, where finding that one of his brothers had been learning to cypher, he was inquisitive to
know what that meant, and applying diligently was enabled to go through all the rules with success, and prosecuted this study at spare hours on his return to Felsted,
where also he was instructed in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew tongues, and in the rudiments of logic, music, and
the French language.
sole secretary of state. About this time he received another distinguished mark of the royal favour; his eldest son, then on his travels, being created a peer, by the
It was not long before he acquired full ministerial power,
being appointed first lord commissioner of the treasury and
chancellor of the exchequer; and, when the king went
abroad in 1723, he was nominated one of the lords justices
for the administration of government, and was sworn sole
secretary of state. About this time he received another
distinguished mark of the royal favour; his eldest son, then
on his travels, being created a peer, by the title of Baron
Walpole of Walpole. In 1725 he was made knight of the
bath; and, the year after, knight of the garter. Into any
detail of the measures of his administration, during the
Jong time he remained prime or rather sole minister, it
would be impossible to enter in a work like this. They
are indeed so closely involved in the history of the nation
and of Europe, as to belong almost entirely to that department. His merit has been often canvassed with all the
severity of critical inquiry and it is difficult to discern the
truth through the exaggerations and misrepresentations of
party. But this difficulty has been lately removed in a
very great measure by Mr. Coxe’s elaborate “Memoirs of
sir Robert Walpole,
” a work admirably calculated to abate
the credulity of the public in the accounts of party-writers.
Although sir Robert had been called “the father of corruption
” (which, however, he was not, but certainly a great improver of it), and is said to have boasted that he
knew every man’s price *, yet, in 1742, the opposition
ec. 24, 1698. His father was George Warburton, an attorney and town-clerk of the place in which this his eldest son received his birth and education. His mother was
, an English prelate of great
abilities and eminence, was born at Newark-upon-Trent,
in the county of Nottingham, Dec. 24, 1698. His father
was George Warburton, an attorney and town-clerk of the
place in which this his eldest son received his birth and
education. His mother was Elizabeth, the daughter of
William Hobman, an alderman of the same town; and his
parents were married about 1696. The family of Dr.
Warburton came originally from the county of Chester,
where his great-grandfather resided. His grandfather,
William Warburton, a royalist during the rebellion, was
the first that settled at Newark, where he practised the
law, and was coroner of the county of Nottingham. George
Warburton, the father, died about 1706, leaving his widow
and five children, two sons and three daughters, of which
the second son, George, died young; but, of the daughters, one- survived her brother. The bishop received the
early part of his education under Mr. Twells, whose son
afterwards married his sister Elizabeth; but he was principally trained under Mr. Wright, then master of Okehamschool in Rutlandshire, and afterwards vicar of Campden
in Gloucestershire. Here he continued till the beginning
of 1714, when his cousin Mr. William Warburton being
made head -master of Newark-school, he returned to his
native place, and was for a short time under the care of
that learned gentleman. During his stay at school, he did
not distinguish himself by any extraordinary efforts of
genius or application, yet is supposed to have acquired a
competent knowledge of Greek and Latin. His original
designation was to the same profession as that of his father
and grandfather; and he was accordingly placed clerk to
Mr. Kirke, an attorney at East Markham in Nottinghamshire, with whom he continued till April 1719, when he
was qualified to engage in business upon his own account.
He was then admitted to one of the courts at Westminster,
and for some years continued the employment of an attorney and solicitor at the place of his birth. The success he
met with as a man of business was probably not great. It
was certainly insufficient to induce him to devote the rest
of his life to it: and it is probable, that his want of encouragement might tempt him to turn his thoughts towards
a profession in which his literary acquisitions would be
more valuable, and in which he might more easily pursue the
bent of his inclination. He appears to have brought from
school more learning than was requisite for a practising
lawyer. This might rather impede than forward his
progress; as it has been generally observed, that an attention
to literary concerns, and the bustle of an attorney’s office,
with only a moderate share of business, are wholly incompatible. It is therefore no wonder that he preferred retirement to noise, and relinquished what advantages he might
expect from continuing to follow the law. It has been
suggested by an ingenious writer, that he was for some
time usher to a school, but this probably was founded on
his giving some assistance to his relation at Newark, who
in his turn assisted him in those private studies to which
he was now attached; and his love of letters continually
growing stronger, the seriousness of his temper, and purity of his morals, concurring, determined him to quit his
profession for the church. In 1723 he received deacon’s
orders from archbishop Dawes and his first printed
work then appeared, consisting of translations from Cæsar,
Pliny, Claudian, and others, under the title of “Miscellaneous Translations in Prose and Verse, from Roman Poets,
Orators, and Historians,
” 12mo. It is dedicated to hig
early patron, sir Robert Sutton, who, in 1726, when Mr.
Warburton had received priest’s orders from bishop Gibson, employed his interest to procure him the small vicarage of Gryesly in Nottinghamshire. About Christmas,
1726, he came to London, and, while there, was introduced to Theobald, Concanen, and other of Mr. Pope’s
enemies, the novelty of whose conversation had at this
time many charms for him, and he entered too eagerly
into their cabals and prejudices. It was at this time that
he wrote a letter to Concanen, dated Jan. 2, 1726, very
disrespectful to Pope, which, by accident, falling into the
hands of the late Dr. Akenside, was produced to most of
that gentleman’s friends, and became the subject of much
speculation. About this time he also communicated to
Theobald some notes on Shakspeare, which afterwards appeared in that critic’s edition of our great dramatic poet.
In 1727, his second work, entitled “A Critical and Philosophical Enquiry into the Causes of Prodigies and Miracles, as related by Historians,
” &c. was published in 12mo,
and was also dedicated to sir Robert Sutton in a prolix article of twenty pages. In 1727 he published a treatise,
under the title of “The Legal Judicature in Chancery
stated,
” which he undertook at the particular request of
Samuel Burroughs, esq. afterwards a master in Chancery,
who put the materials into his hands, and spent some time
in the country with him during the compilation of the
work. On April 25, 1728, by the interest of sir Robert
Sutton, he had the honour to be in the king’s list of masters of arts, created at Cambridge on his majesty’s visit to
that university. In June, the same year, he was presented
by sir Robert Sutton to the rectory of Burnt or Brand
Broughton, in the diocese of Lincoln, and neighbourhood
of Newark, where he fixed himself accompanied by his
mother and sisters, to whom he was ever a most affectionate
relative. Here he spent a considerable part of the prime
of life in a studious retirement, devoted entirely to letters,
and there planned, and in part executed, some of his most
important works. They, says his biographer, who are unacquainted with the enthusiasm which true genius inspires,
will hardly conceive the possibility of that intense application, with which Mr. Warburton pursued his studies in
this retirement. Impatient of any interruptions, he spent
the whole of his time that could be spared from the duties
of his parish, in reading and writing. His constitution was
strong, and his temperance extreme; so that he needed no
exercise but that of walking; and a change of reading, or
study, was his only amusement.
;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
, 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.
gland. Having chosen France for the place of his exile, Jones furnished him with a pass for himself, his eldest son, and one servant, signed April 4, 1649. He landed
“During the remainder of the troubles, sir James remained
firm to the king’s interest, and zealously adhered to the
marquis of Ormond, who ever after entertained a great
affection for him. He continued, in Dublin, till the marquis, by the king’s orders, surrendered that place to the
parliamentary power in June 1647. At this time sir James
Ware was considered as a man of such consequence, that
the parliament insisted on his being one of the hostages for
the performance of the treaty; and accordingly he repaired,
with the earl of Roscommon, and col. Arthur Chichester,
to the committee for the management of Irish affairs at
Derby-house, London; but as soon as the treaty was 'concluded, and the hostages permitted to depart, he returned
to Dublin, and lived for some time in a private station,
being deprived of his employment of auditor- general. He
was, however, disturbed in this retirement by Michael
Jones, the governor of Dublin, who, jealous of his chafacter and consequence, sent him a peremptory order to depart the city, and transport himself beyond seas into what
country he pleased, except England. Having chosen
France for the place of his exile, Jones furnished him with
a pass for himself, his eldest son, and one servant, signed
April 4, 1649. He landed at St. Malo’s, whence he removed not long after to Caen in Normandy, and then to
Paris, and contracted an acquaintance there with some of
the literati, and particularly with Bochart, whose works he
much esteemed, and thought his
” Hierozoicon" a suitable
present for the library of the university of Dublin. After
continuing in France about two years, he left it in 1651,
and by licence from the parliament came to London on
private business, and two years after went to Ireland to look
after his estates.
r, Mary was married to sir Edward Crofton, bart. and Rqse to lord Lambert, afterwards earl of Cavan. His eldest son James succeeded him in his estate and office, and
By his wife, sir James Ware had ten children, of whom only two sons and two daughters arrived at maturity. Of the latter, Mary was married to sir Edward Crofton, bart. and Rqse to lord Lambert, afterwards earl of Cavan. His eldest son James succeeded him in his estate and office, and married the daughter of Dixie Hickman, of Kew, in the county of Surrey, esq. and sister to Thomas lord Windsor, who was afterwards created earl of Plymouth. By a general entail raised on this marriage, the estate of the family afterwards came to an only daughter, Mary, who took for her second husband sir John St, Leger, knt. one of the barons of his majesty’s court of exchequer in Ireland, in whom the estate vested. Sir James Ware’s youngest son Robert was in his youth troubled with epilepsy, and afforded no hopes to his father, which induced him to consent to the general entail before mentioned; but this son afterwards recovering a vigorous state of health, sir James had little pleasure in reflecting on what he had done, and to make Robert every amends in his power, laid up 1000l. for every remaining year of his life, which was not above six or seven. Robert married Elizabeth, daughter to sir Henry Piers, of Tristernagh, in the county of Westmeath^ bart. and from this marriage one only son, Henry, survived. Henry married Mary, the daughter of Peter Egerton, of Shaw, in Lancashire, esq. by whom he had two sons, and a daughter Elizabeth, married to Walter Harris, esq. editor of sir James Ware’s works.
ed the House of Lords to have compassion on his innocent children. He wrote his last instructions to his eldest son, exhorting him to be obedient and grateful to those
Strafford, notwithstanding his voluntary surrender of his
life, in the letter he wrote to the king, was not quite prepared to expect so sudden a dereliction by his sovereign*
When secretary Carleton waited on him with the intelligence, and stated his own consent as the circumstance that
had chiefly moved the king, the astonished prisoner inquired it' his majesty had indeed sanctioned the bill? and
when assured of the fatal truth, he exclaimed: “Put not
your trust in princes, nor in the sons of men; for in them
there is no salvation.
” Resuming, however, his accustomed fortitude, he began now to prepare for his fate, and
employed the short interval of three days, which was allowed him, in the concerns of his friends and his family.
He humbly petitioned the House of Lords to have compassion on his innocent children. He wrote his last instructions to his eldest son, exhorting him to be obedient
and grateful to those entrusted with his education; to be sincere and faiiliful towards his sovereign, if he should ever be
called into public service; and, as he foresaw that the revenues of the church would be despoiled, he charged him
to take no part in a sacrilege which would certainly be followed by the cnrse of Heaven. He shed tears over the
untimely fate of Wandesford, whom he had entrusted with
the care of his government, and the protection ofhis family, and who, on learning the dangers of his friend and
patron, had fallen a victim to grief and despair. In a parking letter to his wife, he endeavoured to support her courage; and expressed a hope, that his successor, lord Dillofy would behave with tenderness to her and her orphans.
On being refused an interview with sir George Radcliffe and
archbishop Laud, his fellow-prisoners in the Tower, he
conveyed a tender adieu to the one, and to the other an
earnest request for his prayers and his parting blessing.
e time must have been a man of some property or some interest, as he bestowed a liberal education on his eldest son, John, wtio after entering into the church, held
, another English poet, of a more estimable character, was born at Cambridge in the beginning of 1715. His father was a baker in St. Botolph’s parish, and at one time must have been a man of some property or some interest, as he bestowed a liberal education on his eldest son, John, wtio after entering into the church, held the living of Pershore in the diocese of Worcester. He would probably have been enabled to extend the same care to William, his second son, had he not died when the boy was at school, and left his widow involved in debts contracted by extravagance or folly. A few acres of land, near Grantchester, on which he expended considerable sums of money, without, it would appear, expecting much return, is yet known by the name of White head’s Folly* William received the first rudiments of education at some common school at Cambridge, and at the age of fourteen was removed to Winchester, having obtained a nomination into that college by the interest of Mr. Bromley, afterwards lord MonttorC. Of his behaviour while at school his biographer, Mr. Mason, received the following account from Dr. Balguy. " He was always of a delicate turn, and though obliged to go to the hills with the other boys, spent his time there in reading either plays or poetry; and was also particularly fond of the Atalantis, and all other books of private history or character. He very early exhibited his taste for poetry; for while other boys were contented with shewing up twelve or fourteen lines, he would till half a sheet, but always with English verse. This Dr. Burton, the master, at first discouraged; but, after some time, he was so much charmed, that he spoke of them with rapture. When he was sixteen he wrote a whole comedy. In the winter of the year 1732, he is said to have acted a female part in the Andria, under Dr. Burton’s direction. Of this there are some doubts; but it is certain that he acted Marcia, in the tragedy of Cato, with much applause. In the year 1733, the earl of Peterborough, having Mr. Pope at his house near Southampton, carried him to Winchester to shew him the college, school, &c. The earl gave ten guineas to be disposed of in prizes amongst the boys, and Mr. Pope set them a subject to write upon, viz. Peterborough. Prizes of a guinea each were given to six of the boys, of whom Whitehead was one. The remaining sum was laid out for other boys in subscriptions to Pine’s Horace, then about to be published. He never excelled in writing epigrams, nor did he make any considerable figure in Latin verse, though he understood the classics very well, and had a good memory. He was, however, employed to translate into Latin the first epistle of the Essay on Man; and the translation is still extant in his own hand. Dobson’s success in translating Prior’s Solomon had put this project into Mr. Pope’s head, and he set various persons to work upon it.
ould complete his education abroad, and the late lord Harcourt having the same intentions concerning his eldest son lord viscount Nuneham, a young nobleman of nearly
About this time, lord Jersey determined that his son should complete his education abroad, and the late lord Harcourt having the same intentions concerning his eldest son lord viscount Nuneham, a young nobleman of nearly the same age, Mr. Whitehead was appointed governor to both, and gladly embraced so favourable an opportunity of enlarging his views by foreign travel. Leipsic was the place where they were destined to pass the winter of 1754, in order to attend the lectures of professor Mascow on the Droit publique. They set off in June, and resided the rest of the summer at Rheims, that they might habituate themselves to the French language, and then passed seven months at Leipsic, with little satisfaction or advantage, for they found the once celebrated Mascow in a state of dotage, without being quite incapacitated from reading his former lectures.
he manors of which places his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and which descended to his eldest son Browne Willis of Whaddon-hall, esq. eminent for his
Dr. Willis was one of the first members of the Royal Society, and soon made his name as illustrious by his writings
as it was already by his practice. In 1666, after the fire
of London, he removed to Westminster, upon an invitation
from archbishop Sheldon, and took a house in St. Martin’slane. As he rose early in the morning, that he might be
present at divine service, which he constantly frequented
before he visited his patients, he procured prayers to be
read out of the accustomed times while he lived, and at his
death settled a stipend of 20l. per annum to continue them,
He was a liberal benefactor to the poor wherever he came,
having from his early practice allotted part of his profits
to charitable uses. He was a fellow of the college of physicians, and refused the honour of knighthood. He was
regular and exact in his hours; and his table was the resort of most of the great men in London. After his settlement there, his only son Thomas falling into a consumption, he sent him to Montpellier in France for the recovery of his health, which proved successful. His wife also
labouring under the same disorder, he offered to leave the
town; but she, not suffering him to neglect the means of
providing for his family, died in 1670. He died, at his
house in St. Martin’s, Nov. 11, 1675, and was buried near
her in Westminster-abbey. His son Thomas, above mentioned, was born at Oxford in Jan. 1657-8, educated some
time in Westminster-school, became a student a Christ
church, and died in 1699. He was buried in Bletcbley
church, near Fenny-Stratford, the manors of which places
his father had purchased of the duke of Buckingham, and
which descended to his eldest son Browne Willis of Whaddon-hall, esq. eminent for his knowledge in antiquities, and
of whom some memoirs will be given. Wood tells us, that
“though Dr. Willis was a plain man, a man of no carriage,
little discourse, complaisance, or society, yet for his deep
insight, happy researches in natural and experimental philosophy, anatomy, and chemistry, for his wonderful success and repute in his practice, the natural smoothness,
pure elegancy, delightful unaffected neatness of Latin
style, none scarce hath equalled, much less outdone, him,
how great soever. When at any time he is mentioned by
authors, as he is very often, it is done in words expressing
their highest esteem of his great worth and excellency, and
placed still as first in rank among physicians. And, further, also, he hath laid a lasting founJation of a body of
physic, chiefly on hypotheses of his own framing.
” These
hypotheses, by far too numerous and fanciful for his reputation, are contained in the following works: 1. “Diatribse
duae Medico-philosophicae de ft-rmentatione, altera de febribus,
” Hague, Diatribse Thomas
Wiilisii Med. Doct. & Profess. Oxon de Febribus Vindicatio contra Edm. de Meara,
” London, Dissertatio Epistolica de Uriuis
” printed with the Diatribes
above mentioned. 3. “Cerebri Anatome,
” London, De ratione motus
musculorum,
” printed with the “Cerebri Anatome.
” 5.
“Pathologise Cerebri & nervosi generis specimina, in quo
agiiur de morbis convulsivis & descorbuto,
” Oxford, Affectionum quae dicuntur hystericae & hypochondriacae Pathologia spasmodica, vindicata contra responsionem Epistolarem Nath. Highmore, M. D.
” London, Exercitationes Medico-physicae
duae, 1. De sanguinis accensione. 2.
” De motu musculari,“printed with the preceding book. 8.
” De anim&
Brutorum, quag hominis vitalis ac sensativa est, exercitationes duac, &c.“London, 1672, 4to and 8vo, Amsterdam,
1674, 12mo, All these books, except
” Affection um quae
dicuntur hystericae, &c.“and that
” de am ma Brutorum,“were translated into English by S. Pordage, esq. and printed
at London, 1681, folio. 9.
” Pharmaceutice Rationalis:
sive Diatriba de medicamentorum operationibus in humano
corpore." In two parts, Oxford, 1674 and 1675, 12mo,
4to. Published by Dr. John Fell. In the postscript to the
second part is the following imprimatur put to it by Dr.
Ralph Bathurst, the author dying the day before.
He was succeeded in dignity and estate by his eldest son, sir Charles Wyndham, who succeeded to the titles
He was succeeded in dignity and estate by his eldest son, sir Charles Wyndham, who succeeded to the titles of earl of Egremont, and baron of Cockermouth, by the death of his grace, Algernon, duke of Somerset, without heir male, who had been created earl of Egremont, and baron of Cockermouth, in the county of Cumberland, by George II. with limitation of these honours to \r Charles Wyndham. His lordship, whilst he was a commoner, was elected to parliament as soon as he came of age, for the borough of Bridgewater in Somersetshire. He sat afterwards for Appleby, in Westmoreland, Taunton,. in Somersetshire, and Cockermouth, in Cumberland. In 1751 he was appointed lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Cumberland. In April 1761 he was nominated the first of the three plenipotentiaries on the pnrfc of Great Britain to the intended congress at Augsburg, for procuring a general pacification between the belligerent powers; and in the same year was constituted one of the principal secretaries of state, in which it was his disadvantage to succeed Mr. Pitt (afterwards lord Chatham). In 1762 he was made lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Sussex. He died of an apoplectic fit in June 1763. He was succeeded by his son, George, the second and present earl of Egremont.