aimed by the care of this religious and loyal gentleman, were sir Thomas Middleton and colonel Roger Pope, both persons of great credit with the party, and both very
, an eminent English divine, was
born at Wetherslack, in Westmoreland, April 20, 1612.
His parents were not considerable either for rank or riches;
but were otherwise persons of great merit, and happy in
their family. John, the third son, was intended for the
church, but being sent to school in the neighbourhood,
he lost much time under masters deficient in diligence
and learning. At length he was sent to Sedberg school,
in Yorkshire, where, under the care of a tolerable master,
he gave early marks both of genius and piety. In the
year 1631, and the eighteenth of his age, he was admitted
of St. John’s college, at Cambridge, under the tuition of
Mr. Thomas Fothergill, who proved at once a guardian
and a preceptor, supplying his necessities, as well as instructing him in learning. By this help Mr. Barwick
quickly so distinguished himself, that when a dispute arose
about the election of a master, which at last came to be
heard before the privy-council, the college chose Mr.
Barwick, then little above twenty, to manage for them,
by which he not only became conspicuous in the university, but was also taken notice of at court, and by the
ministry. In 1635 he became B. A. while these affairs
were still depending. April the 5th, 1636, he was created
Fellow, without opposition, and in 1638 he took the degree of M. A. When the civil war broke out, and the
king wrote a letter to the university, acquainting them
that he was in extreme want, Mr. Barwick concurred with
those loyal persons, who first sent him a small supply in
money, and afterwards their college-plate, and upon information that Cromwell, afterwards the protector, lay
with a party of foot at a place called Lower Hedges, between Cambridge and Huntington, in order to make himself master of this small treasure, Mr. Barwick made one
of the party of horse which conveyed it through by-roads
safely to Nottingham, where his majesty had set up his
standard. By this act of loyalty the parliament was so
provoked, that they sent Cromwell with a body of troops
to quarter in the university, where they committed the
most brutal outrages. Mr. Barwick also published a piece
against the covenant, entitled “Certain Disquisitions and
Considerations, representing to the conscience the unlawfuluess of the oath entitled A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation, &c. as also the insufficiency of
the urgiiments used in the exhortation for taking the said
covenant. Published by command,
” Oxford, distemper, so that
in November, 1662, he was confined to his chamber: he
heightened his disease by officiating at the sacrament the
Christmas-day following, after which he was seized with
a violent vomiting of blood. Upon this he was advised to a change of air, and retired to Therfield in Hertfordshire, of which he was rector, but finding himself
there too far from London, he returned to Chiswick, where
he in some measure recovered his health. As soon as he
found he had a little strength, he applied himself there to
the putting in order the archives of St. Paul’s church, but
this return of active employment was followed by an extraordinary flux of blood, which rendered him very weak,
and defeated his favourite design of retiring to Therfield.
When he first found his health declining, he made choice
of and procured this living, intending to have resigned
his deanery and office of prolocutor, to those who had
vigour enough to discharge them, and to spend the remainder of his days in the discharge of his pastoral office,
to which he thought himself bound by his taking orders.
But coming upon some extraordinary occasion to London,
he was seized with a pleurisy, which carried him off in
three days. He was attended in his last moments by Dr.
Peter Gunning, afterwards bishop of Ely, and as he lived,
so he died, with all the marks of an exemplary piety, on
the 22d of October, 1664, after he had struggled almost
twelve years with this grievous distemper. By hrs will he
bequeathed the greatest part of his estate to charitable
uses, and this with a judgment equal to his piety. His
body was interred in the cathedral of St. Paul’s, with an
epitaph composed by Mr. Samuel Howlet. The character
of Mr. Barwick may be easily collected from the preceding
sketch, but is more fully illustrated in his life published by
Dr. Peter Barwick, a work of great interest and amusement. His printed works are very few. Besides the tract
on the covenant, before mentioned, we have only his
” Life of Thomas Morton, bishop of Durham, and a funeral sermon,“1660, 4to; and
” Deceivers deceived,“a
sermon at St. Paul’s, Oct. 20, 1661,
” 1661, 4to. Many
of his letters to chancellor Hyde are among Thurloe’s State
Papers.
ate of a priest, that is half of the sum paid by a layman; and, at his departure from Jerusalem, the pope’s vicar gave him his diploma in parchment, under his own hand
, a learned divine of the seventeenth century, was born in 1607, in the island of Jersey, according to Wood, which an annotator on the Biog. Britannica contradicts without informing us of the place of his nativity. Grey, in his ms notes, says he was born at Rouen, in Normandy, but quotes no authority, nor do we know in what school or university he received his education. For some time, he was master of the college or free-school at Guernsey, and became chaplain to Thomas Morton bishop of Durham, who gave him the rectory of Stanhope, and the vicarage of EgglesclifF, b.oth in the county of Durham. In July 1640, he had the degree of doctor of divinity conferred upon him at Cambridge, by mandate; and was incorporated in the same at Oxford, the November following, about which time he was made chaplain in ordinary to king Charles I.; Dec. 12, 1643, he was installed into the seventh prebend of Durham, to which he was collated by his generous patron bishop Morton. The next year, August 24, he was also collated to the archdeaconry of Northumberland, with the rectory of Howiek annexed. But he did not long enjoy these great preferments, as in the beginning of the civil wars, being sequestered and plundered, he repaired to king Charles at Oxford, before whom, and his parliament, he frequently preached. In 1646, he had a licence granted him under the public seal of the university, to preach the word of God throughout England. Upon the surrender of the Oxford garrison to the parliament, he resolved with all the zeal of a missionary to propagate the doctrine of the EngJish church in the East, among the Greeks, Arabians, &c. Leaving therefore his family in England, he went first to Zante, an island near the Morea, where he made some stay; and had good success in spreading among the Greek inhabitants the doctrine of the English church, the substance of which he imparted to several of them, in a vulgar Greek translation of our church-catechism. The success of this attempt was so remarkable, that it drew persecution upon him from the Latins, as they are called, or those members of the Romish church, throughout the East, who perform their service in Latin. On this he went into the Morea, where the metropolitan of Achaia prevailed upon him to preach twice in Greek, at a meeting of some of his bishops and clergy, which was well received. At his departure, he left with him a copy of the catechism above mentioned. From thence, after he had passed through Apulia, Naples, and Sicily again (in which last, at Messina, he officiated for some weeks on board a ship) he embarked for Syria; and, after some months stay at Aleppo, where he had frequent conversation with the patriarch of Antioch, then resident there, he left a copy of our church-catechism, translated into Arabic, the native language of that place. From Aleppo he went in 1652 to Jerusalem, and so travelled over all Palestine. At Jerusalem he received much honour, both from the Greek Christians and Latins. The Greek patriarch (the better to express his desire of communion with the church of England, declared by the doctor to him) gave him his bull, or patriarchal seal, in a blank, which is their way of credence, and shewed him other instances of respect, while the Latins received him courteously into their convent, though he did openly profess himself a priest of the church of England. After some disputes about the validity of our English ordinations, they procured him entrance into the temple of the sepulchre, at the rate of a priest, that is half of the sum paid by a layman; and, at his departure from Jerusalem, the pope’s vicar gave him his diploma in parchment, under his own hand and public seal, styling him, a priest of the church of England, and doctor of divinity, which title occasioned some surprise, especially to the French ambassador at Constantinople. Returning to Aleppo, he passed over the Euphrates and went into Mesopotamia, where he intended to send the church-catechism in Turkish, to some of their bishops, who were mostly Armenians. This Turkish translation was procured by the care of sir Thomas Bendyshe, the English ambassador at Constantinople. After his return from Mesopotamia, he wintered at Aleppo, where he received several courtesies from the consul, Mr. Henry Riley. In the beginning of 1653, he departed from Aleppo, and came to Constantinople by land, being six hundred miles, without any person with him, that could speak any of the European languages. Yet, by the help of some Arabic he had picked up at Aleppo, he performed that journey in the company of twenty Turks, who used him courteously, because he acted as physician to them and their friends: a study (as he says) to which the iniquity of the times and the opportunity of Padua drove him. After his arrival at Constantinople, the French Protestants there desired him to be their minister, and though he declared to them his resolution to officiate according to the English liturgy (a translation whereof, for want of a printed copy, cost him no little labour) yet they orderly submitted to it, and promised to settle on him, in three responsible men’s hands, a competent stipend: and all this, as they told him, with the express consent of the French ambassador, but still under the roof and protection of the English ambassador. Before he quitted the Eastern parts, he intended to pass into Egypt, in order to take a survey of the churches of the Cophties, and confer with the patriarch of Alexandria, as he had done already with the other three patriarchs, partly to acquire the knowledge of those churches, and partly to publish and give them a true notion of the church of England; but whether he accomplished his design, is not certain. He went next into Transilvania, where he was entertained for seven years by George Ragotzi the Second, prince of that country; who honoured him with the divinity-chair in his new founded university of Alba Julia (or Weissenburg) and endowed him, though a mere stranger to him, with a very ample salary. During his travels he collated the several confessions of faith of the different sorts of Christians, Greeks, Armenians, Jacobites, Maronites, &c. which he kept by him in their own languages. His constant design and endeavour, whilst he remained in the East, was, to persuade the Christians of the several denominations there, to a canonical reformation of some errors; and to dispose and incline them to a communion or unity with the church of England, but his pious intentions were afterwards defeated by the artifices of court of France. Upon the restoration of king Charles II. Dr. Easier was recalled by his majesty to England, in a letter written to prince Ragotzi. But this unfortunate prince dying 'soon after, of the wounds he received in a battle with the Turks at Gyala, the care of his solemn obsequies was committed to the doctor by his relict, princess Sophia, and he was detained a year longer from England. At length returning in 1661 9 he was restored to his preferments and dignities; and made chaplain in ordinary to king Charles II. After quietly enjoying his large revenues for several years, he died on the 12th of Oct. 1676, in the 69th year of his age-, and was buried in the yard belonging to the cathedral of Durham, where a tomb was erected over his grave, with an inscription. His character appears to have been that of a learned, active, and industrious man; a zealous supporter of the church of England; and a loyal subject. His son, John Basire, esq. who had been receiver general for the four western counties, died ou the 2d of June 1722, in the 77th year of his age.
h difficulty: but suggested that the archbishop ought to examine himself whether he acknowledged the pope’s authority, or not: that in the first case he was obliged to
de Franquener, son of the preceding, and the most celebrated of his family, was born at Roan in Normandy, Aug. 8, 1653, and received an education suitable to the talents which his father discovered in him. He first studied under the celebrated Tanaquil Faber, who made him his favourite scholar, but endeavoured to dissuade him from engaging in the ministry. At seventeen years of age, after he had made the Greek and Latin authors familiar to him, and learned the English., Italian, and Spanish languages, he went to Geneva, where he passed through a course of philosophy under Mr. Chouet. He began his divinity studies there under Mestrezat, Turretin, and Tronchin, and finished them at Sedan under the professors Juricu and Le Blanc de Beaulieu. But disliking Mr. Jurieu’s less tolerant sentiments, he applied himself more particularfy to the latter, who was a divine of a moderate and pacific temper. He returned afterwards to Roan; and the learned Mr. Le Moine having been called to the professorship of divinity at Leyden, Mr. Basnage succeeded him, as pastor of the church of Roan in 1676, though he was then but twenty three years of age, and here studied ecclesiastical history and the fathers, and went on with the collections which he had begun at Geneva and Sedan. In 1684 he married Susanna du Moulin, daughter of Cyrus du Moulin, first cousin of Charles du Moulin, the Papinian of France, and grand-daughter of the famous Peter du Moulin. The exercise of the protestant religion being suppressed at Roan in 1685, and Mr. Basnage being no longer allowed to perform the functions of his ministry, hedesired leave of the king to retire into Holland, and obtained it for himself, his wife, and a nurse; but upon condition, that the nurse should return into France at the end of two years. He settled at‘Rotterdam, where he was a minister pensionary till 1691, when he was made pastor of the Walloon church of that city. The works which he wrote raised him a great reputation over all Europe and he kept a correspondence with a great many learned men both in the United Provinces, and in foreign countries. His studies employed the greater part of his time, and his only relaxation was a select society of men of learning-, who met once a week at each other’s houses. The principal members of this little society were Messrs. Paatz, Basnage, De Beauval, his brother, Bayle, Lufneu, and Leers. Their contests were sometimes sharp, but friendly, and there was that candid interchange of sentiment from which Basnage confessed that he had derived great advantage. He had frequent disputes with Mr. Jurieu, his brother-in-law, particularly on the subject of the revolt of the Cevennois, which Jurieu approved and Basnage condemned. The author of his life mentions a conference which they had upon that subject, in 1703, in which Jurieu was obliged by the reasons of his antagonist to condemn the cruelties of the Camisars, and he only urged in their justification, that they had been used with rigour, and had lost patience. In 1709 pensionary Heinsius, who had a great regard for him, procured him to be chosen one of the pastors of the Walloon church at the Hague. He was then employed to manage a secret negotiation with mareschal D’Uxelles, plenipotentiary of France at the congress of Utrecht; and he executed it with so much success, that he was afterwards entrusted with several important commissions. Cardinal de Bouillon, dean of the Sacred College, who was then in Holland, imparted to him all his concerns with the States. The abbe Du Bois, who was afterwards cardinal and first minister of France, having arrived at the Hague in 1716, with the character of ambassador plenipotentiary, to negotiate a defensive alliance between France, England, and the States General, was ordered by the duke of Orleans, regent of France, to apply to Mr. Basnage for his advice, the consequence of which was, that they acted in concert, and the alliance was concluded Jan. 14, As a reward for this service, he obtained the restitution of his estate in France. He corresponded with several princes, nohlemen, and statesmen, both catholic and protestant, and with a great many learned men in France, Italy, Germany, and England, upon subjects of a political or literary nature. The catholics appear to have confided as much in his opinion as the protestants, of which we have a remarkable instance in a French archbishop. This prelate, perplexed to know what step to take respecting the bull Unigenitus, the rigours of which put an end to the last hopes of reconciliation between the catholic and protestant churches, consulted Basnage, and requested to know how he would himself act, if in his place. Basnage replied, that it did not perhaps become him to give advice in a case of so much difficulty: but suggested that the archbishop ought to examine himself whether he acknowledged the pope’s authority, or not: that in the first case he was obliged to admit the constitution; that in the second case he might reject it; but he should consider, that if he argued consequentially, this would carry him farther than he would go. Basnage was a man of great sincerity and candour, and had a politeness seldom to be met with among learned men. He was affable and -easy in his behaviour, and always ready to use his interest in favour of the unfortunate. He answered every person who consulted him with the utmost affability and kindness. He was a good friend, a man of great probity, and though he confuted errors with zeal and spirit, yet he treated the persons themselves with peculiar moderation. His constitution, which before had been very firm, began to decline in 1722; and after a lingering illness he died with exemplary piety, Dec. 22, 1723, in the seventy-first year of his age. He left only one daughter, who was married to Mr. de la Sarraz, privy counsellor to the king of Poland.
&c.“1715, 8vo, without his name. 25.” L'etat present de TEglise Gallicane,“chiefly on the conduct of pope Clement XI. Amst. 1719, 12mo. 26.” Instructions pastorales aux
The favourite studies of his life, and much of his character, may be ascertained from his works, which were
very numerous: 1. “Examen des Methodes,
” &c. Cologne, Critical History.
” 2. “Consideration sur Tetat de ceux qui
sont tombez.
” This consists of letters sent to the church
of Koan respecting some faliing-off among its members.
Rotterdam, 1686, 12mo. 3. “Reponse a M. l'Eveque
de Meaux sur sa lottre pastorale,
” Cologne, Divi Chrysostomi Epistola ad Ciesariiun Monachum, &c.
” To this
epistle are added three dissertations on the heresy of
Apollinaris, on the works attributed to Athanasius, and
an answer to father Simon. It was printed at Rotterdam,
1687, 8vo, and reprinted there 1694, under the title of
“Dissertationes Historico-Theologicae.
” 5. “La Communion Sainte,
” a treatise on worthily communicating-,
Rotterdam, 1688, 8vo, reprinted at least ten times, and
even adopted as a pious and useful work, by some of the
popish clergy. 6. “Histoire de la Religion des Eglises
Reformees, &c.
” containing an account of the succession
of the reformed churches, the perpetuity of their faith,
especially since the eighth century, the establishment of
the reformation, the continuation of the same doctrines
from the reformation to the present time, with an history
of the origin and progress of the chief errors of the Roman
church, in answer to the bishop of Meaux.' s “History of
the variations of the Protestant churches.
” This was first
published at Rotterdam, 2 vols. 12mo, reprinted by the
author in his church history in 1699, but enlarged and
published separately in 1721, 5 vols. 8vo, and after the
author’s death, in 1725, 2 vols. 4to; the best and most
complete edition. 7. “Traite de la conscience,
” Amst.
Lett-res Pastorales,
” intended to animate the protestants on
the renewal of persecution, 1698, 4to. 9. “Histoire de
l‘Eglise depuis Jesus Christ jusqu’a present,
” Rotterdam,
2 vols. fol. 10. “Traite des prejugez,
” in answer to the
pastoral charges of the French prelates de Noailles, Colbert, Bossuet, and Nesmond, 1701, 3 vols. 8vo. 11.“Defense clu Tniite' des prejugez, &c.
” Delft, Dissertation historique sur l'usage de la Benediction
nuptiale,
” inserted in the History -of the Works of the
Learned, for 1703, an attack upon some of the popish marriage ceremonies. 13. “Dissertation sur la maniere dont
le Canon de PEcriture Sainte s’est forme, &c.
” intended
as an apology for what he had said in his Church History
against Mr. Richardson’s “Defence of the Canon of the
New Testament.
” 14. “Histoire de l'ancien et du nouveau Testament,
” Aoist. fol. Histoire des
Juifs,
” Rotterdam, L'Histoire des Juifs
reclamee et retabiie par son veritable auteur, &c.
” Rott.
Entretiens sur la Religion,
” Rotterdam, Sermons sur divers sujets, &c.
” Rott. 2 vols. 8vo,
on which Niceron makes a curious remark, that there is
more morality in them than is generally in those of the
Protestants. 19. “Prospectus novae editionis Canisii,
Dacherii, &c.
” He had undertaken an improved edition
of Canisius’s “Lectiones antiquoe,
” but his booksellers not
being able to support the expence, transferred it to the
Wetsteins, who published this great collection under the
title of “Thesaurus Monumentorum Eccl. et Hist. &c.
”
Antwerp, Preface sur la tluree
de la persecution,
” prefixed to Claude’s “Complaints of
the Protestants.
” 21. “Antiquitez Judaiques, ou Remarques critiques sur la Republique des Hebreux,
” Amst.
De Republica Hebracorum.
” 22. “Reflexions desinterress^es sur la Constitution du pape Clement XI. qui condamne le nouveau Testament du P. Quesnel,
” Amst. 1714,
8vo. 23. “L‘unite’, la visibilite
”, &c. de l'Eglise,“Amst.
1715, 8vo. 24.
” Avis sur la tenue d'un Concile National
en France, &c.“1715, 8vo, without his name. 25.
” L'etat
present de TEglise Gallicane,“chiefly on the conduct of
pope Clement XI. Amst. 1719, 12mo. 26.
” Instructions
pastorales aux Reformez de France,“concerning obedience due to the king, 1720, 12mo. This was written at
the desire of the regent duke of Orleans, yet it was attempted to be answered by Catelan, a French bishop.
The controversy, however, was carried on between him
and Basnage with great liberality. 27.
” Annales des
Provinces Unies,“vol.1. Hague, fol. 1719. This volume
contains the history of the united provinces from 1646 to
1667. The second, published in 1726, proceeds as far
as the peace of Nimeguen in 1678. This valuable work
was undertaken at the request of the counsellor deputies
of Holland and West Friesland, who furnished the author
with materials from their archives. 28.
” Nouveaux Sermons,“1720, 8vo. 29.
” Dissertation historique sur les
Duels et les ordres de Chevalerie." This dissertation on
duels is said to be a very curious work. Besides these,
M. Basnage was an occasional contributor to the literaryjournals, and left many manuscripts. His style, in the
greater part of his writings, is inferior to his matter, a remark which belongs generally to voluminous writers.
pleaded his cause in person; and, notwithstanding the English clergy, by their proctors, offered the pope four thousand marks to be exempted from the archiepiscopal visitation,
, bishop of London in the reign of king Henry III, was brother of Gilbert Basset, one of the barons, who died by a fall from his horse, leaving behind him one only son, an infant, by whose death soon alter, the inheritance devolved to Fulk. In 1225, he was made provost of the collegiate church of St. John of Beverly, and in 1230, dean of York. In December 1241, he was elected by the chapter of London, bishop of that see, in the room of Roger Niger, both in regard of his family and his great virtues, and notwithstanding the king’s recommendation of Peter de Egueblanche, bishop of Hereford. The see of Canterbury being vacant at the time of this prelate’s election, he was not consecrated till the 9th of October, 1244, at which time the solemnity was performed at London in the church of the Holy Trinity. In the year 1250, bishop Basset began to have a warm dispute with archbishop Boniface, concerning the right of metropolitical visitation. The see of Canterbury had from the beginning an undoubted authority over all the churches of that province, received appeals, censured offenders, and occasionally exercised a jurisdiction over the bishops and canons of the cathedral churches. But hitherto solemn metropolitical visitations at stated times were not in use. Boniface was the first who introduced them, and loaded the bishops and chapters with a prodigious expence, under the name of procurations. On the 12th of May, 1250, be visited the bishop of London, and, being intolerably insolent, as well as avaricious, treated the good prelate with the grossest indignities, and most opprobrious language. Designing to visit the chapter of St. Paul’s, and the priory of St. Bartholomew, he was opposed by the canons of both places, alleging that they had a learned and diligent bishop, who was their proper visitor, and that they neither ought, nor would submit to any other visitatorial power. The archbishop on hearing this, excommunicated the canons, and involved the bishop, as favouring their obstinacy, in the same sentence. Both sides appealed to Rome, where the archbishop, supported by money and the royal favour, pleaded his cause in person; and, notwithstanding the English clergy, by their proctors, offered the pope four thousand marks to be exempted from the archiepiscopal visitation, he obtained a confirmation of his visitatorial power, with this restriction only, that he should be moderate in his demand of procurations.
But Basset succeeded better in opposing Rustand, the pope’s legate. The king and the pope had agreed to extort a large
But Basset succeeded better in opposing Rustand, the
pope’s legate. The king and the pope had agreed to extort a large sum of money from the English clergy, and
to share the plunder. For this purpose Rustand summoned a council at London in October 1255, in which he
produced a commission from the pope to demand a certain
sum of them but the bishop of London rising up, said
“Before I will submit to such great servitude, injury, and
intolerable oppression of the church, I will lose my head.
”
The rest of the prelates, encouraged by his firmness, unanimously decreed, that the pope’s demand should not be
complied with, nor any regard paid to Rustand’s authority
or censures. The legate carried his complaints to the
king, who, sending for the bishop of London, reviled him
and threatened him with the severest papal censures. To
which Fulk replied, “The king and the pope, though
they cannot justly, yet, as being stronger than me,
may force my bishopric from me; they may take away
the mitre, but the helmet will remain:
” and this steadiness, and the decree of the council, totally disconcerted
the scheme.
; and so distinguished himself by his knowledge and exemplary behaviour, that he was promoted by the pope to the place of auditor of his palace. He was likewise advanced
, bishop of Norwich in the fourteenth century, and founder of Trinity hall in Cambridge, was born at Norwich, the son of a citizen of good repute in that place. He was, from his tenderest years, of a docile and ingenuous disposition, and having made good proficiency in learning, he was sent to the university of Cambridge. There he particularly studied the civil law, in which he took the degree of doctor before he was thirty years of age, a thing then uncommon. On the 8th of December 1328, he was collated to the archdeaconry of Norwich. Soon after this, he went and studied at Rome, for his further improvement; and so distinguished himself by his knowledge and exemplary behaviour, that he was promoted by the pope to the place of auditor of his palace. He was likewise advanced by him to the deanery of Lincoln, and twice sent by him as his nuncio, to endeavour to procure a peace between Edward III. king-of England, and the king of France. Upon the death of Anthony de Beck, bishop of Norwich, the pope conferred that bishopric upon Bateman, on the 23d of January 1343, after which he returned into his native country, and lived in a generous and hospitable manner. Of pope Clement VI. he obtained for himself and successors, the first fruits of all vacant livings within his diocese; which occasioned frequent disputes between hhnsJ.f and his clergy. In 1347, he founded Trinity-hall in Cambridge, for the study of the civil and canon laws, by purchasing certain tenements from the monks of Ely, for which he gave some rectories in exchange, and converted the premises into a hall, dedicated to the holy Trinity. He endowed it with the rectories of Briston, Kymberley, Brimmingham, Woodalling, Cowling, and Stalling, in the diocese of Norwich: and designed that it should consist of a master, twenty fellows, and three scholars; to study the canon and civil law, with an allowance for one divine. But being prevented by death, he left provision only for a master, three fellows, and two scholars. However, by the munificence of subsequent benefactors, it now maintains a master, twelve fellows, and fourteen scholars. Bishop Bateman, from his abilities and address, was often employed by the king and parliament in affairs of the highest importance; and particularly was at the head of several embassies, on purpose to determine the differences between the crowns of England and France. In 1354, he was, by order of parliament, dispatched to the court of Rome, with Henry duke of Lancaster, and others, to treat (in the pope’s presence) of a peace, then in agitation between the two crowns above mentioned. This journey proved fatal to him; for he died at Avignon, where the pope then resided, on the 6th of January 1354-5, and was buried with great solemnity, in the cathedral church of that city. With regard to his person, we are told that he was of an agreeable countenance; and tall, handsome, and well made. He was, likewise, a man of strict justice and piety, punctual in the discharge of his duty, and of a friendly and compassionate disposition. But he was a stout defender of his rights, and would not suffer himself to be injured, or imposed upon, by any one, of which we have the following instance upon record, which perhaps does not more display his resolution than the abject state into which the king and his nobles were reduced by the usurped powers of the church of Rome Robert lord Morley having killed some deer in his parks, and misused his servants, he made him do public penance for the same, by walking uncovered and barefoot, with a wax taper of six pounds in his hands, through the city of Norwich to the cathedral, and then asking his pardon. And all this was done notwithstanding an express order of the king to the contrary, and though his majesty had seized the bishop’s revenues for his obstinacy. But the king was soon after reconciled to him. It remains to be mentioned that bishop Bateman was executor to Edmund Gonville, the founder of the college so called, which gave rise to the report by Godwin and others that he had founded that college or hall, which is evidently a mistake.
and elegance. His wit, taste, and learning connected him with all persons eminent in this way, with Pope, Swift, Addison, &c. and from the few letters of his which are
The principal circumstances of his private life are as
follow: In 1704, he married Catherine, daughter of sir
Peter Apsley, son and heir of sir Allen aforesaid by whom
he had four sons and five daughters. In 1742, he was
made one of the privy council. In 1757, upon a change
in the ministry, he was constituted treasurer to the present
king, then prince of Wales, and continued in that office
till the death of George II. At his majesty’s accession, in
1760, he was constituted privy counsellor; but, on account
of his age, declined all employments: he had, however,
a pension of 2000/, per annum. “I have attended parliament,
” says he to Swift, “many years, and have never
found that I could do any good; I have, therefore, determined to look to my own affairs a little:
” and it has been
said, we believe justly, that no person of rank ever knew
better how to unite otium cum dignitate. To uncommon
abilities he added many virtues, integrity, humanity, generosity: and to these virtues, good breeding, politeness,
and elegance. His wit, taste, and learning connected him
with all persons eminent in this way, with Pope, Swift,
Addison, &c. and from the few letters of his which are
published among Swift’s, his correspondence must have
been a real pleasure to those by whom it was enjoyed. He
preserved, to the close of his life, his natural cheerfulness
and vivacity: he delighted in rural amusements, and enjoyed with philosophic calmness the shade of the lofty trees
himself had planted. Till within a month of his death, he
constantly rode out on horseback two hours in the morning, and drank his bottle of wine after dinner. He used
jocosely to declare, that he never could think of adopting
Dr. Cadogan’s regimen, as Dr. Cheyne had assured him
fifty years before, that he would not live seven years longer,
unless he abridged himself of his wine.
t he very seldom wore the ensigns of the order of knighthood, with which he had been invested by the pope; and always went very modestly habited. He never concerned himself
He was much devoted to religion, was liberal towards the poor, friendly to his pupils, and such an enemy to pomp and ostentation, that he very seldom wore the ensigns of the order of knighthood, with which he had been invested by the pope; and always went very modestly habited. He never concerned himself about any thing but his art, and enjoyed an amiable contentedness and ease, which he would suffer nothing in the world to disturb. He carried this disposition so far, that he avoided the meetings of the academy of St. Luke, though it would have been their greatest pleasure to have followed any hints he might have thought proper to give them. Simplicity and sincerity formed the basis of his moral character. Every one seemed to be convinced of this immediately on seeing him; and rarely did any person feel himself affronted when he told him disagreeable truths; as also no man construed it into a mark of his vanity, when he spoke of his own performances with selfr satisfaction, so much was he respected on account of his veracity.
of that city. He was afterwards governor of various towns, the last of which was Fabriano. In 1690, pope Alexander VIII. appointed him bishop of Nocera, and in 1703
was born at Rimini, March 25,
1645, of a noble family, and studied at Cesena, under the
most celebrated professors, and such was his proficiency,
that he was honoured with a doctor’s degree at the age of
sixteen. He next went to Rome, where Caspar de Carpegna, then auditor of the Rota, wished him to accept an
office in that tribunal, and employed him in some negotiations, but the air of Rome proving unfavourable to his
health, he removed to Ancona, where for five years he
filled the office of civil lieutenant of that city. He was
afterwards governor of various towns, the last of which was
Fabriano. In 1690, pope Alexander VIII. appointed him
bishop of Nocera, and in 1703 Clement XL commissioned
him to visit several dioceses. After being employed in
this for two years, the pope made him assistant prelate,
and gave him the abbey of St. Benedict of Gualdo. In
1716 he was translated to the see of Cesena, which he enjoyed but a short time, dying at St. Mauro, Sept. 19, 1717.
He wrote in Italian, 1. “II Legista Filosofo,
” Rome,
1680, 4to. 2. “Istoria universale di tutti i Concili Geiierali,
” Venice, Annali del
Sacerdozio,
” 4 vols. fol. Venice, 1701, 1704, 1709, 1711He wrote, also, some devotional tracts.
ni took him as his secretary at Rome, and he was present with his eminence at the conclave, in which pope Alexander VII. was elected; and afterwards at thaHn which Clement
, a celebrated French geographer, was born at Paris the 28th of July, 1633. His father, Stephen Baudrand, was first deputy of the procurator-general of the court of aids, treasurer of France for Montauban, and master of the requests of his royal highness Gaston of France, and his mother’s name was Frances Caule. He began his studies in the year 1640. His inclination for geography was first noticed when he studied at the Jesuits college of Clermont under father Briet, who was famous for his geography, which was then printing, the proof sheets of which were corrected by our author. After he had finished his course of philosophy at the college of Lisieux under Mr. Desperier, cardinal Antonio Barberini took him as his secretary at Rome, and he was present with his eminence at the conclave, in which pope Alexander VII. was elected; and afterwards at thaHn which Clement IX. was chosen pope. Upon his return to France, he applied himself to the revisal of Ferrarius’s Geographical Dictionary, which he enlarged by one half, and published at Paris, 1671, fol. In the same year he attended the marquis of Dangeau, who was employed by the king in the management of his affairs in Germany, and also went to England with the duchess of York, who was afterwards queen of England. His travels were of great advantage to linn in furnishing him with a variety of observations in geography. He returned to France in 1677, and composed his geographical dictionary in Latin. In 1691 he attended the cardinal of Camus, who was bishop of Grenoble, to Rome, and went with him into the conclave on the 27th of March, where he continued three months ancha half, till the election of pope Innocent XII. on July 12th, the same year. Upon his return to Paris he applied himself to the completing of his French geographical dictionary, but he was prevented from publishing it by his death, which happened at Paris the 29th of May 1700. He had been prior of Rouvres and Neuf-Marche. He left all his books and papers to the Benedictine monks of the abbey of St. Germain des Prez.
Bayard also made an expedition into Piedmont, where he took Prosper Colonnes, the pope’s lieutenant-general, prisoner. Chabannes, who was marshal of
Bayard also made an expedition into Piedmont, where he took Prosper Colonnes, the pope’s lieutenant-general, prisoner. Chabannes, who was marshal of France, and Humbercourt and d‘Aubigny, two general officers, all much superior in rank to Bayard, gave up the honour of conducting the expedition to him, and served in it under his orders. But the defence of Mezieres completed the military reputation of this extraordinary man. This place was far from being in a condition to sustain a siege, and it had been resolved in a council of war to burn it, and ruin the adjacent country, that the enemy might find neither shelter nor subsistence. But Bayard opposed this resolution,and told the king that no place was weak which had honest men to defend it. He then offered to undertake its defence, and engaged to give a good account of it. His proposal was accepted; and he went immediately and locked liimself up in the town. Two days after he had entered it, the count de Nassau, and capt.’ de Sickengen invested the place with 40,000 men. Bayard so animated his soldiers, sowed such dissention between the two generals who besieged him, and so effectually defeated all the attempts of the Imperialists, that in three weeks he obliged them to raise the siege, with the loss of many men, and without once making the assault. All France now resounded with the praises of Bayard: the king received him at Fervagues with caresses and encomiums of the most extraordinary kind: he created him a knight of his own order, and gave him, by way of distinction, a company of an hundred men armed in chief, which was scarce ever given but to princes of the blood.
uch respected. He published in 1737, “Eugenio, or virtuous and happy life,” 4to, a poem inscribed to Pope, and by no means destitute of poetical merit. He submitted it
, an English writer, was a wine
merchant at Wrexham, in Denbighshire, a man of learning, great humanity, of an easy fortune, and much respected. He published in 1737, “Eugenio, or virtuous
and happy life,
” 4to, a poem inscribed to Pope, and by
no means destitute of poetical merit. He submitted it in
manuscript to Swift, who wrote him a long and very candid
letter, now printed in his works, and Mr. Beach adopted Swift’s
corrections. He is said to have entertained very blameable
notions in religion, but his friends endeavoured to vindicate him from this charge, when his death took place, May
17, 1737, precipitated by his own hand.
power and authority of the archbishop; and in order to strengthen the catholic interest in Scotland, pope Paul III. raised him to a cardinalship, by the title of St.
Beaton, though at this time only coadjutor of St. Andrew’s, yet had all the power and authority of the archbishop; and in order to strengthen the catholic interest in Scotland, pope Paul III. raised him to a cardinalship, by the title of St. Stephen in Monte Ccelo, Dec. 20, 1538. King Henry VIII. having intelligence of the ends proposed! by the pope in creating him a cardinal, sent a very able ^minister to king James, with particular instructions for a deep scheme to procure the cardinal’s disgrace; but it did not take effect. A few months after, the old archbishop flying, the cardinal succeeded: and it was upon this promotion that he began to shew his warm and persecuting zeal for the church of Rome. Soon after his instalment, Jie got together, in the cathedral of St. Andrew’s, a great confluence of persons of the first rank, both clergy and laity; to whom, from a throne erected for the purpose, he made a speech, representing to them the danger wherewith tha church was threatened by the increase of heretics, who had the boldness to profess their opinions even in the king’scourt; where, said he, they find but too great countenance: and he mentioned by name sir John Borthwicl:, whom he had caused to be cited to that diet, for dispersing heretical books, ^nd holding several opinions contrary to the doctrine of the Roman church. Then the articles of accusation were read against him, and sir John appearing neither in person nor by proxy, was declared a heretic, his goodsconfiscated, and himself burnt in effigy. Sir John retired to England, where he was kindly received by king Henry, who seat him into Germany, in his name, to conclude a treaty with the protestant princes of the empire. Sir John Borthwick was not the^only person proceeded against for heresy; several others were also prosecuted, and among the rest, George Buchanan, the celebrated poet and historian: and as the king left all to the management of the cardinal, it is difficult to say to what lengths such a furious zealot might have gone, had not the king’s death put a stop to his arbitrary proceedings.
ith the regent, that he got him to solicit the court of Rome to appoint him legate a latere from the pope, which was accordingly done.
When the king died, there being none so near him as
the cardinal, it was suggested by his enemies that he forged
his will; and it was set aside, notwithstanding he had it
proclaimed at the cross of Edinburgh, in order to establish
the regency in the earls of Argyle, Huntley, Arran, and
himself. He was expressly excluded from the government,
and the earl of Arran was declared sole regent during the
minority of queen Mary. This was chiefly effected by the
noblemen in the English interest, who, after having-sent
the cardinal prisoner to Blackness-castle, managed the
public affairs as they pleased. Things did not remain long,
however, in this situation for the ambitious enterprising“cardinal, though confined, raised so strong a party, that
the regent, not knowing how to proceed, began to dislike
his former system, and having at length resolved to abandon it, released the cardinal, and became reconciled to
him. Upon the young
” queen’s coronation, the cardinal
was again admitted of the council, and had the high office
of chancellor conferred upon him; and such was now his
influence with the regent, that he got him to solicit the
court of Rome to appoint him legate a latere from the
pope, which was accordingly done.
rated in 1552, as some writers report, at Rome, whither he was very probably sent, to lay before the pope an acco.unt of the ecclesiastical affairs in Scotland after
, another nephew of the preceding, and archbishop of Glasgow, was educated chiefly at Paris, and was early employed in political affairs but we have no account of the various steps by which he arrived at the archbishopric of Glasgow, to which he was consecrated in 1552, as some writers report, at Rome, whither he was very probably sent, to lay before the pope an acco.unt of the ecclesiastical affairs in Scotland after the murder of his uncle. He was, however, no sooner advanced to this dignity than he began to be considered as one of the ablest as well as most powerful persons in the kingdom. In 1557, he was one of the commissioners appointed to witness the marriage of the young queen Mary to the dauphin of France, a commission to which the historians of the ti-ue affix great importance. After his return, he acted as a privy-counsellor to the queen dowager, who was appointed by her daughter regent of Scotland, and laboured, although in vain, to preserve internal peace. When the reformers became powerful enough to make a successful stand against the court, our archbishop retired to France, carrying with him the treasures and records or' the archiepiscopal see, and carefully deposited them in the Scots college in Paris. On his arrival in France, he was extremely well received by queen Mary, then sovereign of that country, and by the court of France. Immediately after his departure, the reformers in Scotland appointed a preacher at Glasgow, seized all the revenues of the archbishopric, and would no doubt have proceeded against his person had he appeared.
stomed to read with great delight in Ogi ivy’s and Dryden'g translations, as he did Homer in that of Pope; and these, with Thomson’s Seasons, and Milton’s Paradise Lost,
, LL. D. an eminent philosopher,
critic, and poet, was born at Laurencekirk, in the county
of Kincardine, Scotland, on the 25th day of October, 1735.
His father, who was a farmer of no considerable rank, is said
to have had a turn for reading and fur versifying; but, as
he died in 1742, when his son was only seven years of age,
could have had no great share in forming his mind. James
was sent early to the only school his birth-place afforded,
where he passed his time under the instructions of a tutor
named Milne, whoin he used to represent as a “good
grammarian, and tolerably skilled in the Latin language,
but destitute of taste, as well as of some other qualifications
essential to a good teacher.
” He is said to have preferred
Ovid as a school-author, whom Mr. Beattie afterwards
gladly exchanged for Virgil. Virgil he had been accustomed to read with great delight in Ogi ivy’s and Dryden'g
translations, as he did Homer in that of Pope; and these,
with Thomson’s Seasons, and Milton’s Paradise Lost, of
all which he was very early fond, probably gave him that
taste for poetry which he afterwards cultivated with so
much success. He was already, according to his biographer, inclined to making verses, and among his schoolfellows went by the name of The Poet.
ere a general council was held, he exhorted the prelates to union and agreement in the election of a pope; and his remonstrances contributed not a little to hasten the
, bishop of Winchester, and
cardinal priest of the church of Rome, was the son of
John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, by his third wife, Catherine S win ford. He studied for some years both at Cambridge and at Oxford, in the latter in Queen’s college, and
was afterwards a benefactor to University and Lincoln colleges, but he received the principal part of his education at
Aix la Chapelle, where he was instructed in civil and common law. Being of royal extraction, he was very young when
advanced to the prelacy, and was made bishop of Lincoln
in 1397, by an arbitrary act of Boniface IX. John Beckingham, bishop of that see, being, contrary to his wishes,
translated to Lichfield, to make room for Beaufort, but Beckingham, with becoming spirit, refused the proffered diocese, and chose to become a private monk of Canterbury.
In 1399 Beaufort was chancellor of the university of Oxford, and at the same time dean of Wells. He was lord
high chancellor of England in 1404, and in some years afterwards. The following year, upon the death of the celebrated Wykeham, he was, at the recommendation of the
king, translated to the see of Winchester. In 1414, the
second of his nephew Henry V. he went to France, as one
of the royal ambassadors, to demand in marriage Catherine,
daughter of Charles VI. In 1417 he lent the king twenty
thousand pounds (a prodigious sum in those days), towards
carrying on his expedition against France, but had the
crown in pawn as a security for the money. This year also
he took a journey to the Holy Land and in his way, being
arrived at Constance, where a general council was held, he
exhorted the prelates to union and agreement in the election of a pope; and his remonstrances contributed not a
little to hasten the preparations for the conclave, in which
Martin III. was elected. We have no farther account of
what happened to our prelate in this expedition. In 1421,
he had the honour to be godfather, jointly with John duke
of Bedford, and Jacqueline, countess of Holland, to prince
Henry, eldest son of his nephew Henry V. and Catherine
of France, afterwards Henry VI. M. Aubery pretends,
that James, king of Scots, who had been several years a
prisoner in England, owed his deliverance to the bishop of
Winchester, who prevailed with the government to set him
free, on condition of his marrying his niece, the granddaughter of Thomas Beaufort, earl of Somerset. This prelate
was one of king Henry Vlth’s guardians during his minority; and in 1424, the third of the young king’s reign, he
was a fourth time lord-chancellor of England. There were
perpetual jealousies and quarrels, the cause of which is not
very clearly explained, between the bishop of Winchester,
and the protector, Humphrey duke of Gloucester, which
ended in the ruin and death of the latter. Their dissensions
began to appear publicly in 1425, and to such a height,
that Beaufort thought it necessary to write a letter to his
nephew the duke of Bedford, regent of France, which is
extant in Holinshed, desiring his presence in England,
to accommodate matters between them. The regent accordingly arriving in England the 20th of December, was
met by the bishop of Winchester with a numerous train,
and soon after convoked an assembly of the nobility at St.
Alban’s, to hear and determine the affair. But the animosity on this occasion was so great on both sides, that it
was thought proper to refer the decision to the parliament,
which was to be held at Leicester, March 25, following.
The parliament being met, the duke of Gloucester produced six articles of accusation against the bishop, who
answered them severally, and a committee appointed for
the purpose, having examined the allegations, he was acquitted. The duke of Bedford, however, to give some satisfaction to the protector, took away the great seal from
his uncle. Two years after, the duke of Bedford, returning into France, was accompanied to Calais by the bishop
of Winchester, who, on the 25th of March, received there
with great solemnity, in the church of Our Lady, the cardinal’s hat, with the title of St. Eusebius, sent him by pope
Martin V. In September 1428, the new cardinal returned
into England, with the character of the pope’s legate lately
conferred on him; and in his way to London, he was met
by the lord-mayor, aldermen, and the principal citizens
on horseback, who conducted him with great honour and respect to his lodgings in Southwark; but he was forced, for
the present, to wave his legatine power, being forbidden
the exercise of it by a proclamation published in the king’s
name. Cardinal Beaufort was appointed, by the pope’s
bull, bearing date March 25, 1427-8, his holiness’s legate
in Germany, and general of the crusade against the Hussites, or Heretics of Bohemia. Having communicated the
pope’s intentions to the parliament, he obtained a grant of
money, and a considerable body of forces, under certain
restrictions; but just as he was preparing to embark, the
duke of Bedford having sent to demand a supply of men
for the French war, it was resolved in council, that cardinal Beaufort should serve under the regent, with the
troops of the crusade, to the end of the month of December,
on condition that they should not be employed in any siege.
The cardinal complied, though not without reluctance, and
accordingly joined the duke of Bedford at Paris. After a
stay of forty-five days in France, he marched into Bohemia, where he conducted the crusade till he was recalled
by the pope, and cardinal Julian sent in his place with a
larger army. The next year, 1430, the cardinal accompanied king Henry into France, being invested with the
title of the king’s principal counsellor, and bad the honour
to perform the ceremony of crowning the young monarch
irt the church of Notre Dame at Paris; where he had some
dispute with James du Chastellier, the archbishop, who
claimed the right of officiating on that occasion. During
his stay in France he was present at the congress of Arras
for concluding a peace between the kings of England and
France, and had a conference for that purpose with the
dutchess of Burgundy, between Calais and Gravelines,
which had no effect, and was remarkable only for the cardinal’s magnificence, who came thither with a most splendid train. In the mean time the duke of Gloucester took
advantage in England of the cardinal’s absence to give him
fresh mortification. For, first, having represented to the
council, that the bishop of Winchester intended to leave
the king, and come back into England to resume his seat
in council, in order to excite new troubles in the kingdom,
and that his intentions were the more criminal, as he made
use of the pope’s authority to free himself from the obligations of assisting the king in France; he procured an order
of council forbidding all the king’s subjects, of what condition soever, to accompany the cardinal, if he should leave
the king, without express permission. The next step the
protector took against him, was an attempt to deprive him
of his bishopric, as inconsistent with the dignity of cardinal; but the affair having been a long time debated in
council, it was resolved that the cardinal should be heard,
and the judges consulted, before any decision. Being returned into England, he thought it necessary to take some
precaution against these repeated attacks, and prevailed
with the king, through the' intercession of the commons,
to grant him letters of pardon for all offences by him committed contrary to the statute of provisors, and other acts
of prsemunire. This pardon is dated at Westminster, July
19, 1432. Five years after, he procured another pardon
under the great-seal for all sorts of crimes whatever, from
the creation of the world to the 26th of July 1437. Notwithstanding these precautions, the duke of Gloucester, in
1442, drew up articles of impeachment against the cardinal, and presented them with his own hands to the king,
but the council appointed to examine them deferred their
report so long that rhe protector discontinued the prosecution. The cardinal died June 14, 1447, having survived
the duke of Gloucester not above a mouth, of whose
murder he was suspected to have been one of the contrivers,
and it is said that he expressed great uneasiness at the approach of death, and died in despair; but for this there does
not appear much foundation, and we suspect the commonlyreceived character of Beaufort is mostly credited by those
who have considered Shakspeare as an authentic historian.
We rather agree with the historian of Winchester, that
there is no solid ground for representing him as that ambitious, covetous, and reprobate character which Shakspeare
has represented, and who has robbed his memory, in order
to enrich that of his adversary, popularly termed the “good
duke Humphrey
” of Gloucester. Being involved in the
vortex of worldly politics, it is true, that he gave too much
scope to the passions of the great, and did not allow himself sufficient leisure to attend to the spiritual concerns of
his diocese. He possessed, however, that munificent spirit,
which has cast a lustre on the characters of many persons
of past times, whom it would be difficult otherwise to present as objects of admiration. It he was rich, it must be
admitted that he did not squander away his money upon
unworthy pursuits, but chiefly employed it in the public
service, to the great relief of the subjects, with whom, and
with the commons’ house of parliament, he was popular.
He employed his wealth also in finishing the magnificent
cathedral of Winchester, which was left incomplete by his
predecessor, in repairing Hyde-abbey, relieving prisoners,
and other works of charity. But what, Dr. Milner says, has
chiefly redeemed the injured character of cardinal Beaufort, in Winchester and its neighbourhood, is the new foundation which he made of the celebrated hospital of St. Cross.
Far the greater part of the present building was raised by
him, and he added to the establishment of his predecessor,
Henry de Blois, funds for the support of thirty-five more
brethren, two chaplains, and three women, who appear to
have been hospital nuns. It appears also, says the same
writer, that he prepared himself with resignation and contrition for his last end; and the collected, judicious, and
pious dispositions made in his testament, the codicil of
which was signed but two days before his dissolution, may
justly bring into discredit the opinion that he died in despair. He was buried at Winchester in the most eleg-ant
and finished chantry in the kingdom.
ween 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
, 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.
omewhat singular. In his opposition to king James and the bishop of Ely, he carried the power of the pope so far, that Paul V. was obliged to have his book condemned
, an eminent Jesuit, born in 156J,
at Hilvarenbec, a small village of Brabant, entered the
society of Jesuits in 1583. He taught philosophy four
years, and divinity twenty-two years, at Mentz, Wirtzburgh, and Vienna, and was reckoned one of the ablest
professors of his time. The emperor Matthias maintained
him at Vienna, and he was made confessor to the emperor
Ferdinand II. The popish historians say he was happy in
a clear conception, and could express himself so intelligibly to his scholars, even upon the most intricate points,
that several universities contended which shoiil.l receive
him. He published a tract upon scholastic divinity, which
Dupin says is short and clear, and has been much esteemed,
and several treatises of controversy. He was the friend
and follower of Bellarmin, and supported him in his controversy with king James I. and bishop Andrews (see Andrews). It may supply a small defect in bishop Andrews’s
life, to note here that Becan wrote “Refutatio Apologias et Monitorix prefationis Jacobi regis Anglian,
”
Mentz, Refutatio Torturae Torti (bishop Andrews’s book. See his life, p. 219.) ibid. 1610, 8vo.
This was answered by Robert Burhill, in
” Responsio pro
Torlura Torti, contra M. Becanum,“Lond. 1611, 8vo.
3.
” Controversia Anglicana de potestate regis et pontificis, contra Lancelotum Andream,“Mentz, 1612, 8vo.
All Becan’s works were published at Mentz, 1630, 2 vols.
fol.; and at Doway, 1641, but in this collection his
” Analogy of the Old and New Testament," one of the most
esteemed of his productions, is omitted. He died at Vienna, Jan. 24, according to Dnpin, but in May, according to others, 1624. The fate of his works has been somewhat singular. In his opposition to king James and the
bishop of Ely, he carried the power of the pope so far,
that Paul V. was obliged to have his book condemned at
Rome, Jan. 3, 1613; and a century and a half after this,
in 1762, the parliament of Paris ordered the whole of his
works to be burnt.
d such superior talents for negociation, that archbishop Theobald dispatched him as his agent to the pope, on a point he thought of great moment, which was to get the
, archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Henry II. was born in London 1119, the son of Gilbert, a merchant, and Matilda, a Saracen lady, who is said to have fallen in love with him, when he was a prisoner to her father in Jerusalem. Thomas received the first part of his education at Merton-abbey in Surrey, whence he went to Oxford, and afterwards studied at Paris. He became in high favour with Theobald archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him to study the civil law at Bononia in Italy, and at his return made him archdeacon of Canterbury, and provost of Beverley. Before this he had discovered such superior talents for negociation, that archbishop Theobald dispatched him as his agent to the pope, on a point he thought of great moment, which was to get the legantine power restored to the see of Canterbury. This commission was performed with such dexterity and success, that the archbishop entrusted to him all his most secret intrigues with the court of Rome, and particularly a matter of the highest importance to England, the soliciting from the pope those prohibitory letters against the crowning of prince Eustace, by which that design was defeated. This service, which raised Becket’s merit not only with the prelate by whom he was employed, but also with king Henry, was the original foundation of his high fortune. It is remarkable, that he was the first Englishman, since the latter years of the reign of William the Conqueror, on whom any great office, either in church or state, had been conferred by the kings of the Norman race; the exclusion of the English from all dignities having been a maxim of policy, which had been delivered down by that monarch to his sons. This maxim Henry the Second wisely and liberally discarded, though the first instance in which he deviated from it happened to be singularly unfortunate.
hbishopric, as his master could be to raise him to that dignity. After he had received his pall from pope Alexander III. then residing in France, he immediately sent
It has been said that it was with the utmost difficulty
Becket could be prevailed upon to accept of this dignity,
and that he even predicted it would be the cause of a
breach between the king and him. But this is greatly
doubted by lord Lyttelton in his History of Henry II. and
it stands contradicted by the affirmation of Foliot, bishop
of London, and ill agrees with the measures which were
taken to procure Becket' s election. His biographers themselves acknowledge, that one reason which induced Henry
to promote him to Canterbury, was, “because he hoped,
that, by his means, he should manage ecclesiastical, as
well as secular affairs, to his own satisfaction.
” Indeed,
no other reasonable motive can be found. Nothing could
incline that prince to make so extraordinary and so exceptionable a choice, but a firm confidence, that he should be
most usefully assisted by Becket, in the important reformation he meant to undertake, of subjecting the clergy
to the authority of the civil government. Nor is it credible
that he should not have revealed his intention, concerning
that affair, to a favourite minister, whom he had accustomed to trust, without reserve, in his most secret counsels.
But if such a declaration had been made by that minister,
as is related by the historians, it is scarcely to be supposed,
that a king so prudent as Henry would have forced him into
a station, in which he certainly might have it in his power
to be exceedingly troublesome, instead of being serviceable
to his royal master. It was by a different language that the
usual sagacity of this prince could have been deceived.
Nor, indeed, could the most jealous and penetrating eye
have discovered in Becket, after he was elected archbishop
of Canterbury, any marks of an enthusiastic or bigotted
zeal. That several indications of a contrary temper, and
different principles, had appeared in his conduct, is shewn
by lord Lyttelton, who produces two remarkable instances
in support of his assertion. The same noble writer hath
brought, likewise, satisfactory evidence, to prove that
Becket was almost as eager for procuring the archbishopric,
as his master could be to raise him to that dignity.
After he had received his pall from pope Alexander III.
then residing in France, he immediately sent messengers
to the king in Normandy, with his resignation of the seal
and office of chancellor. This displeased the king; so that
upon his return to England, when he was met at his landing by the archbishop, he received him in a cold and indifferent manner.
nterbury; and in many cases proceeded with so much warmth and obstinacy, as raised him many enemies. Pope Alexander III. held a general council of his prelates at Tours
Becket now betook himself to a quite different manner of life, and put on all the gravity and austerity of a monk. He began likewise to exert himself with great zeal, in defence of the rights and privileges of the church of Canterbury; and in many cases proceeded with so much warmth and obstinacy, as raised him many enemies. Pope Alexander III. held a general council of his prelates at Tours in April 1163, at which Becket was present, and was probably animated by the pope in his design of becoming the champion for the liberties of the church and the immunities of the clergy. It is certain that on his return he prosecuted this design with such zeal that the king and he came to an open rupture Henry endeavoured to recall certain privileges of the clergy, who had greatly abused their exemption from the civil courts, concerning which the king had received several complaints; while the archbishop stood up for the immunities of the clergy. The king convened a synod of the bishops at Westminster, and here demanded that the clergy, when accused of any capital offence, might take their trials in the usual courts of justice. The question put to the bishops was, Whether, in consideration of their duty and allegiance to the king, and of the interest and peace of the kingdom, they were willing to promise a submission to the laws of his grandfather, king Henry? To this the archbishop replied, in the name of the whole body, that they were willing to be bound by the ancient laws of the kingdom, as far as the privileges of the order would permit, salvo ordine suo. The king was highly displeased with this answer, and insisted on having an absolute compliance, without any reservation whatever; but the archbishop would by no means submit, and the rest of the bishops adhered for some time to their primate. Several of the bishops being at length gained over, and the pope interposing in the quarrel, Becket was prevailed on to acquiesce; and soon after the king summoned a convention or parliament at Clarendon, in 1164, wheje several laws were passed relating to the privileges of the clergy, called from thence, the Constitutions of Clarendon. But before the meeting of this assembly, Becket had again changed his rnind, and when he appeared before the council, he obstinately refused to obey the laws as he had before agreed. This equally disappointed and enraged the king, and it was not until after some days debate, and the personal entreaties, and even tears, of some of his particular friends, that Becket was again softened, and appearing before the council, solemnly promised and swore, in the words of truth and without any reserve, to obey all the royal laws and customs which had been established in England in the reign of his majesty’s grandfather Henry L The constitutions of Clarendon were then put in writing, read in the council, and one copy of them delivered to the primate, another to the archbishop of York, and a third deposited among the records of the kingdom. By them ecclesiastics of all denominations were reduced to a due subjection to the laws of their country; they also limited the jurisdiction of spiritual courts, guarded against appeals to Rome, and the pronouncing of interdicts and excommunications, without the consent of the king or his judiciary.
f his function. He also dispatched a special messenger, with an account of what had happened, to the pope, who sent him a bull, releasing him from the obligation of his
As it was with visible reluctance that Becket had sworn to obey these constitutions, he soon began to give indications of his repentance, by extraordinary acts of mortification, and by refraining from performing the sacred offices of his function. He also dispatched a special messenger, with an account of what had happened, to the pope, who sent him a bull, releasing him from the obligation of his oath, and enjoining him to resume the duties of his sacred office. But though this bull reconciled his conscience to the breach of his oath, it did not dispel his fears of the royal indignation, to avoid which he determined to retire privately out of the kingdom. Accordingly he went aboard a ship, in order to make his escape beyond sea but before he could reach the coast of France, the wind shifting about, he was driven back to England, and, conscious that he had done amiss, he waited upon the king at Woodstock, who received him without any other expression of displeasure than asking him if he had left England because he thought it too little to contain both? Notwithstanding the mildness of this rebuke, Becket persisted in setting the clergy above the laws; and therefore the king summoned a parliament at Northampton, 1165, where the archbishop having been accused of failure of duty and allegiance to the king, was sentenced to forfeit all his goods and chattels. Becket made an appeal to the pope but this having availed nothing, and finding himself deserted by his brethren, he withdrew privately from Northampton, and went aboard a ship for Graveline in Holland, from whence he retired to the monastery of St. Bertin in Flanders.
him his protection. Soon after the archbishop went to Sens; where he was honourably received by the pope, into whose hands he in form resigned the archbishopric of Canterbury,
The king seized upon the revenues of the archbishopric, and sent an ambassador to the French king, desiring him not to give shelter to Becket: but the French court espoused his cause, in hopes that the misunderstanding betwixt him and Henry might embarrass the affairs of England; and accordingly when Becket came from St. Bertin to Soissons, the French king paid him a visit, and offered him his protection. Soon after the archbishop went to Sens; where he was honourably received by the pope, into whose hands he in form resigned the archbishopric of Canterbury, and was presently re-instated in his dignity by the pope, who promised to espouse his interest. The archbishop removed from Sens to the abbey of Pontigny in Normandy, from whence he wrote a letter to the bishops of England, informing them, that the pope had annulled the Constitutions of Clarendon. From hence too he issued put excommunications against several persons, who had violated the rights of the church. This conduct of his raised him many enemies. The king was so enraged against him for excommunicating several of his officers of state, that he banished all Becket’s relations, and compelled them to take an oath, that they would travel directly to Pontigny, and shew themselves to the archbishop. An order was likewise published, forbidding all persons to correspond with him by letters, to send him any money, or so much as to pray for him in the churches. He wrote also to the general chapter of the Cistertians, threatening to Seize all their estates in England, if they allowed Becket to continue in the abbey of Pontigny. The archbishop thereupon removed to Sens; and from thence, upon the king of France’s recommendation, to the abbey of St. Columba, where he remained four years. In the mean time, the bishops of the province of Canterbury wrote a letter to the archbishop, entreating him to alter his behaviour, and not to widen the breach, so as to render an accommodation impracticable betwixt him and the king. This, however, no effect on the archbishop. The pope also sent two cardinals to try to reconcile matters but the legates finding both parties inflexible, gave over the attempt, and re*turned to Rome.
ordered all his English subjects to take an oath, whereby they renounced the authority of Becket and pope Alexander: most of the laity complied with this order, but few
In 1169, endeavours were again used to accommodate matters, but they proved ineffectual. The archbishop refused to comply, because Henry would not give him the customary salute, or kiss of peace, which his majesty would have granted, had he not once swore in a passion never to salute the archbishop on the cheek; but he declared that he would bear him no ill will for the omission of this ceremony. Henry became at length so irritated against this prelate, that he ordered all his English subjects to take an oath, whereby they renounced the authority of Becket and pope Alexander: most of the laity complied with this order, but few of the clergy acquiesced. The following year king Henry, upon his return to England, ordered his son, prince Henry, to be crowned at Westminster, and the ceremony was performed by the archbishop of York: this office belonged to the see of Canterbury; and Becket complained of it to the pope, who suspended the archbishop of York, and excommunicated the bishops who assisted him.
ng to eat or drink with them. They at length took a voyage to Home, and being admitted to penance by pope Alexander III. they went to Jerusalem; where, according to the
The assassins, conscious of their crime, and dreading its consequences, durst not return to the king’s court at Normandy, but retired to Knaresburgh in Yorkshire; where every body avoided their company, hardly any person even choosing to eat or drink with them. They at length took a voyage to Home, and being admitted to penance by pope Alexander III. they went to Jerusalem; where, according to the pope’s order, they spent their lives in penitential austerities, and died in the Black Mountain. They were buried at Jerusalem, without the church door belonging to the Templars, and this inscription was put over them:
church of Canterbury; and this for a year, excepting nine days, at the end of which, by order of the pope, it was re-consecrated. Two years after, Becket was canonized;
King Henry was much disturbed at the news of Becket’s death, and immediately dispatched an embassy to Rome-to clear himself from the imputation of being the cause of it. Immediately all divine offices ceased in the church of Canterbury; and this for a year, excepting nine days, at the end of which, by order of the pope, it was re-consecrated. Two years after, Becket was canonized; an'd the following year, Henry, returning to England, went to Canterbury, where he did penance as a testimony of his regret for the murder of Becket. When he came within sight of the church, where the archbishop was buried, he alighted off his horse, and walked barefoot, in the habit of a pilgrim, till he came to Becket’s tomb; where, after he had prostrated himself, and prayed for a considerable time, he submitted to be scourged by the monks, and passed all that day and night without any refreshment, and kneeling upon the bare stone. In 1221, Becket’s body was taken up, in the presence of king Henry III. and several nobility, &nd deposited in a rich shrine on the east side of the church. The miracles said to be wrought at his tomb were so numerous, that we are told two large volumes of them were kept in that church. His shrine was visited from all parts, and enriched with the most costly gifts and offerings.
is extensive and various learning, that his fame reached the continent, and particularly Rome, where pope Sergius made earnest applications to the abbot Ceolfrid, that
Nor were these lessons thrown away. Beda became so
exemplary for his great diligence and application, and his
extensive and various learning, that his fame reached the
continent, and particularly Rome, where pope Sergius
made earnest applications to the abbot Ceolfrid, that Beda
might be sent to him; but Beda, enamoured of his studies,
remained in his monastery, exerting his pious labours only
in the Northumbrian kingdom, although tradition, and
nothing but tradition, insinuates that he at one time resided at the university of Cambridge, a place which in his
day probably had no existence, or certainly none that deserved the name of university. Remaining thus in his own
country, and improving his knowledge by all the learning
his age afforded, animated at the same time with a wish to
contribute to the improvement of his brethren and countrymen, he concentrated his attentions to that point in which
he could be most useful. The collections he made for his
“Ecclesiastical History
” were the labour of many years, a
labour scarcely conceivable by modern writers in the amplitude and facilities they possess for acquiring information.
This history was in some respects a new work, for although,
as he owns, there were civil histories from which he could
borrow some documents, yet ecclesiastical affairs entered
so little into their plan, that he was obliged to seek for
materials adapted to his object, in the lives of particular
persons, which frequently included contemporary history:
in the annals of their convents, and in such chronicles as
were written before his time. He also availed himself of
the high character in which he stood with many of the prelates, who procured for him such information as they possessed or could command. They foresaw, probably, what
has happened, that this would form a lasting record of
ecclesiastical affairs, and making allowance for the legendary matter it contains, without a mixture of which it
is in vain to look back to the times of Beda, few works
have supported their credit so long, or been so generally
known, and consulted by the learned world. He published
this history in the year 731, when as he informs us, he was
fifty-nine years of age, but before this he had written many
other books on various subjects, a catalogue of which he
subjoined to this history. By these he obtained such reputation as to be consulted by the most eminent churchmen
of his age, and particularly by Egbert bishop of York, who
was himself a very learned man. To him Beda wrote an
epistle, which illustrates the state of the church at that
time. It was one of the last, and indeed probably the very
last of Beda’s writings, and in it he expresses himself with
much freedom, both in the advice he gave to Egbert, and
with respect to the inconveniencies which he wisely foresaw would arise from the multiplication of religious houses,
to the prejudice both of church and state.
of the clergy there, especially by the seven divines appointed by the republic to preach against the pope, during the time of the interdict, and which they intended for
, bishop of Kilmore in Ireland, and
one of the most pious and exemplary prelates of the seventeenth century, was descended from a good family, and
born in the year 1570, at Black Notley in Essex, and being designed for the church, was sent to Emanuel college
in Cambridge, where he was matriculated pensioner, March
12, 1584. He was placed under the care of Dr. Cbadderton, who was for many years head of that house, made
great progress in his studies, and went early into holy
orders. In 1593 he was chosen fellow of his college, and
in 1599 took his degree of bachelor in divinity. He then
removed from the university to St. Ednmndsbury in Suffolk, where he had a church, aud by an assiduous application to the duties of his function, was much noticed by
many gentlemen who lived near that place. He continued
there for some years, till an opportunity offered of his
going as chaplain with sir Henry Wotton, whom king James
had appointed his ambassador to the state of Venice, about
the year 1604. While he resided in that city, he became
intimately acquainted with the famous father Paul Sarpi,
who took him into his confidence, taught him the Italian
language, of which he became a perfect master, and translated into that tongue the English Common Prayer Book,
which was extremely well received by many of the clergy
there, especially by the seven divines appointed by the
republic to preach against the pope, during the time of
the interdict, and which they intended for their model, in
case they had broken absolutely with Rome, which was
what they then sincerely desired. In return for the favours he received from father Paul, Mr. Bedell drew up
an English grammar for his use, and in many other respects assisted him in his studies. He continued eight
years in Venice, during which time he greatly improved
himself in the Hebrew language, by the assistance of the
famous rabbi Leo, who taught him the Jewish pronunciation, and other parts of rabbinical learning; and by his
means it was that he purchased a very fair manuscript of
the Old Testament, which he bequeathed, as a mark of
respect, to Emanuel-college, and which, it is said, cost
him its weight in silver. He became acquainted there
likewise, with the celebrated Antonio de Dominis, archbishop of Spalata, who was so well pleased with his conversation, that he communicated to him his secret, and
shewed him his famous book “de Kepublica Ecclesiastica,
”
which he afterwards printed at London. The original ms.
is, if we mistake not, among bishop Tanner’s collections
in the Bodleian. Bedell took the freedom which he allowed him, and corrected many misapplications of texts
of scripture, and quotations of fathers; for that prelate,
being utterly ignorant of the Greek tongue, committed
many mistakes, both in the one and the other; and some
escaped Bedell’s diligence. De Dorninis took all this in
good part from him, and entered into such familiarity with
him, and found liis assistance so useful, and indeed so necessary to himself, that he used to say, he could do nothing
without him. At Mr. Bedell’s departure from Venice,
father Paul expressed great concern, and assured him, that
himself and many others would most willingly have accompanied him, if it had been in their power. He, likewise,
gave him his picture, a Hebrew Bible without points, and
a small Hebrew Psalter, in which he wrote some sentences
expressing the sincerity of his friendship. He gave him,
also, the manuscript of his famous “History of the Council of Trent,
” with the Histories of the Interdict and Inquisition, all written by himself, with a large collection of
letters, which were written to him weekly from Rome,
during the dispute between the Jesuits and Dominicans,
concerning the efficacy of grace, which it is supposed are
lost. On his return to England, he immediately retired
to his charge at St. Edmundsbury, without aspiring to any
preferment, and went on in his ministerial labours. It was
here he employed himself in translating the Histories of
the Interdict and Inquisition (which he dedicated to the king); as also the two last books of the History of the
Council of Trent into Latin, sir Adam Newton having
translated the two first. At this time, he mixed so seldom
with the world, that he was almost totally forgotten. So
little was he remembered, that, some years after, when the
celebrated Diodati, of Geneva, came over to England, he
could not, though acquainted with many of the clergy, hear
of Mr. Bedell from any person with whom he happened to
converse. Diodati was greatly amazed, that so extraordinary a man, who was so much admired at Venice by the
best judges of merit, should not be known in his own country; and he had given up all hopes of finding him out,
when, to their no small joy, they accidentally met each
other in the streets of London. Upon this occasion, Diodati presented his friend to Morton, the learned and ancient bishop of Durham, and told him how highly he had
been valued by father Paul, which engaged the bishop to
treat Mr. Bedell with very particular respect. At length
sir Thomas Jermyn taking notice of his abilities, presented
him to the living of Horingsheath, A. D. 1615: but he
found difficulties in obtaining institution and induction from
Dr. Jegon, bishop of Norwich, who demanded large fees
upon this account. Mr. Bedell was so nice in his sentiments
of simony, that he looked upon every payment as such,
beyond a competent gratification, for the writing, the wax,
and the parchment; and, refusing to take out his title
upon other terms, left the bishop and went home, but in a
few days the bishop sent for him, and gave him his title
without fees, and he removed to Horingsheath, where he
continued unnoticed twelve years, although he gave a singular evidence of his great capacity, in a book of controversy with the church of Rome, which he published and
dedicated to king Charles I. then prince of Wales, in 1624.
It is now annexed to Burnet’s Life of our author". However neglected he lived in England, yet his fame had reached
Ireland, and he was, in 1627, unanimously elected provost
of Trinity-college in Dublin, but this he declined, until
the king laid his positive commands on him, which he
obeyed, and on August 16th of that year, he was sworn
provost. At his first entrance upon this scene, he resolved
to act nothing until he became perfectly acquainted with
the statutes of the house, and the tempers of the people
whom he was appointed to govern; and, therefore,
carTied himself so abstractedly from all affairs, that he passed
some time for a soft and weak man, and even primate
Usher began to waver in his opinion of him. When he
went to England some few months after, to bring over his
family, he had thoughts of resigning his new preferment,
and returning to his benefice in Suffolk: but an encouraging letter from primate Usher prevented him, and he
applied himself to the government of the college, with
a vigour of mind peculiar to him.
er to her sex, or her nation. Her plays abound with obscenity; and her novels are little better. Mr. Pope speaks thus of her:
The disappointments she met with at Surinam, by losing
her parents and relations, obliged her to return to England; where, soon after her arrival, she was married to
Mr. Behn, an eminent merchant of London, of Dutch extraction. King Charles II. whom she highly pleased by
the entertaining and accurate account she gave him of the
colony of Surinam, thought her a proper person to be intrusted with the management of some affairs during the
Dutch war, in other words to act as a spy; which was the
occasion of her going over to Antwerp. Here she discovered the design formed by the Dutch, of sailing up the
river Thames, in order to burn the English ships; which
she learnt from one Vander Albert, a Dutchman. This
man, who, before the war, had been in love with her in
England, no sooner heard of her arrival at Antwerp, than
he paid her a visit; and, after a repetition of all his former professions of love, pressed her extremely to allow
him by some signal means to give undeniable proofs of his
passion. This proposal was so suitable to her present aim
in the service of her country, that she accepted of it, and
employed her lover in such a manner as* made her very serviceable to the king. The latter end of 1666, Albert sent
her word by a special messenger, that he would be with
her at a day appointed, at which time he revealed to her,
that Cornelius de Witt and De Ruyter had proposed the
above-mentioned expedition to the States. Albert having
mentioned this affair with all the marks of sincerity, Mrs.
Behn coukl not doubt the credibility thereof; and when
the interview was ended, she sent express to the court of
England; but her intelligence (though well grounded, as appeared by the event) being disregarded and ridiculed,
she renounced all state affairs, and amused herself during
her stay at Antwerp with what was more suited to her talents, the gallantries of the city. After some time she
embarked at Dunkirk for England, and in her passage the
ship was driven on the coast four days within sight of land;
but, by the assistance of boats from that shore, the crew
were all saved; and Mrs. Behn arrived safely in -London,
where she dedicated the rest of her life to pleasure and
poetry, neither of the most pure kind. he published
three volumes of miscellany poems; the first in 1684, the
second in 1685, and the third in 1688, consisting of songs
and miscellanies, by the earl of Rochester, sir George
Etherege, Mr. Henry Crisp, and others, with some pieces
of her own. To the second collection is annexed a translation of the duke de Rochefoucauld s moral reflections,
under the title of “Seneca unmasked.
” She wrote also
seventeen plays, some histories and novels, which are extant in two volumes, 12mo, 1735, 8th edition, published
by Mr. Charles Gildon, and dedicated to Simon Scroop,
esq. to which is prefixed the history of the life, and memoirs of Mrs. Behn, written by one of the fair sex. She
translated Fontenolle’s History of oracles, and Plurality of
worlds, to which last she annexed an essay on translation and
translated prose, not very remarkable for critical acumen.
The paraphrase of CEnone’s epistle to Paris, in the English translation of Ovid’s Epistles, is Mrs. Behn’s; and Mr.
Dryden, in the preface to that work, compliments her with
more gallantry than justice, when he adds, “I was desired
to say, that the author, who is of the fair sex, understood
not Latin; but if she does not, I am afraid she has given
us occasion to be ashamed who do.
” She was also the
authoress of the celebrated Letters between a nobleman
and his sister, printed in 1684; and we have extant of hers,
eight love-letters, to a gentleman whom she passionately
loved, and with whom she corresponded under the name of
Lycidas. They are printed in the Life and Memoirs of
Mrs. Behn, prefixed to her histories and novels. She died
between forty and fifty years of age, after a long indisposition, April 16, 1689, and was buried in the cloisters of
Westminster-abbey. Mrs. Behn, upon the whole, cannot
be considered as an ornament either to her sex, or her nation. Her plays abound with obscenity; and her novels
are little better. Mr. Pope speaks thus of her:
Germany, to conclude a treaty with that prince, against the increasing power of France. In 1295, the pope having sent two cardinals on an embassy to the English court,
, bishop of Durham in the reigns of Edward I. and II. was advanced, with
the king’s consent, from the archdeaconry of Durham and
other preferments to the bishopric. Of his extraction and
education we have no account. He was elected by the
monks on the 9th of July 1283, and consecrated, in the
presence of the king and several of the nobles, by William
Wicwane, archbishop of York, on the 9th of January following. At the time of his consecration, the archbishop,
having had a dispute, during the vacancy of the see, with
the chapter of Durham, obliged the prior to go out of the
church; and the next day enjoined the new bishop, upon
his canonical obedience, to excommunicate the superior
and several of the monks: but Bek refused to obey the
archbishop, saying, “I was yesterday consecrated their
bishop, and shall 1 excommunicate them to-day? 110 obedience shall force me to this.
” He was enthroned on
Christmas eve,
s dedicated by the author to king Henry VIII. He did not venture to publish it, till he saw that the pope’s power was wholly exterminated in England. It was printed at
, author of a book entitled “De
Supremo et Absolute Regis Imperio,
” was born at Broadchalke in Wiltshire, and educated at Wykeham’s school
near Winchester: from whence he was sent very early to
New-college in Oxford; where, having served two years
of probation, he was admitted perpetual fellow in 1520.
In 1526 he took the degree of master of arts, being that
year (as one of the university registers informs us) “about
to take a journey beyond the seas for the sake of study.
”
In his college he distinguished himself by his extraordinary
skill in the Greek language. In 1538 he resigned his fellowship, and married. What preferment or employment
he had afterwards is uncertain. He was familiarly acquainted with, and highly esteemed by, the most learned
men of the nation, particularly Leland, who has bestowed
an encomium on him. He was also in good esteem with
king Henry VIII. and king Edward VI. When queen
Mary came to the crown, and endeavoured to destroy all
that her father and brother had done towards the reformation of the church, Bekinsau became a zealous Roman catholic. After Queen Elizabeth’s accession, he retired to
an obscure village in Hampshire, called Sherbourne; where
he spent the remainder of his life in great discontent, and
was buried in the church of that place, the 20th of Dec.
1559, aged sixty-three years; leaving behind him this
character among the Roman catholics, that, “as he was
a learned man, so might he have been promoted according
to his deserts, if he had been constant to his principles.
”
The work abovementioned is a defence of the king’s supremacy against the claims of the church of Rome, and is
dedicated by the author to king Henry VIII. He did not
venture to publish it, till he saw that the pope’s power was
wholly exterminated in England. It was printed at London in 1546, in 8vo, and afterwards in the first volume of
“Monarchia Romani Imperil,
” &c. by Melchior Goldast
Hamensfeldius, at Francfort, 1621, fol.
ted Roman catholics at Kilkenny, to which he was principal secretary, and was sent ambassador to the pope and other Italian princes in 1645, tocraveaid for the support
, was born in 1613, atBelingstown, in the barony of Balrothery in the county of Dublin,
the son of sir Henry Beling, knight, and was educated in
his younger years at a grammar-school in the city of Dublin, but afterwards put under the tuition of some priests of
his own religion, which was Popish, who so well cultivated
his good genius, that they taught him to write in a fluent
and elegant Latin style. Thus grounded in the polite
parts of literature, his father removed him to Lincoln’s Inn,
to study the municipal laws of his country, where he abode
some years, and returned home a very accomplished
gentleman, but it does not appear that he ever made the
law a profession. His natural inclination inclining him to
arms, he early engaged in the rebellion of 1641, and though
but about twenty-eight years old, was then an officer of
considerable rank. He afterwards became a leading member in the supreme council of the confederated Roman
catholics at Kilkenny, to which he was principal secretary, and
was sent ambassador to the pope and other Italian princes in
1645, tocraveaid for the support of their cause. He brought
back with him a fatal present in the person of the nuncio,
John Baptist Rinuccini, archbishop and prince of Fermo;
who was the occasion of reviving the distinctions between
the old Irish of blood, and the old English of Irish birth,
which split that party into factions, prevented all peace
with the marquis of Ormond, and ruined the country he
was sent to save. When Mr. Beling had fathomed the
mischievous schemes of the nuncio and his party, nobody
was more zealous than he in opposing their measures, and
in promoting the peace then in agitation, and submitting
to the king’s authority, which he did with such cordiality,
that he became very acceptable to the marquis of Ormond,
who intrusted him with many negociations. When the
parliament army had subdued the royal army, Mr. Beling
retired to France, where he continued several years. His
account of the transactions of Ireland during the period of
the rebellion, is esteemed by judicious readers more worthy
of credit than any written by the Romish party, yet he is
not free from a partiality to the cause he at first embarked
in. He returned home upon the restoration, and was repossessed of his estate by the favour and interest of the duke
of Ormond. He died in Dublin in September 1677, and
was buried in the church-yard of Malahidert, about five
miles from that city. During his retirement in France, he
wrote in Latin, in two books, “Vindiciarum Catholicorum
Hiberniae,
” under the name of Philopater Irenacus, the first
of which gives a pretty accurate history of Irish affairs, from
1641 to 1649, and the second is a confutation of an epistle
written by Paul King, a Franciscan friar and a nunciotist,
in defence of the Irish rebellion. This book of Mr. Beling’s being answered by John Ponce, a Franciscan friar
also, and a most implacable enemy to the Protestants of
Ireland, in a tract entitled “Belingi Vindiciae eversae,
”
our author made a reply, which he published under the
title of “Annotationes in Johannis Poncii librum, cui titulus, Vindiciae Eversae: accesserunt Belingi Vindiciae,
” Parisiis, Innocentiae suae impetitae per Reverendissimum
Fernensem vindiciae,
” Paris, The Eighth Day,
” which has escaped our searches.
When a student, however, at Lincoln’s Inn, he wrote and
added a sixth book to sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, which
was printed with that romance, London, 1633, folio, with
only the initials of his name.
ten months after, where he had several offices conferred on him by his own society as well as by the pope, and in 1599 was created cardinal. Three years after, he had
, an Italian Jesuit, and one of the most celebrated controversial writers of his time, was born in Tuscany, 1542, and admitted amongst the Jesuits in 1560. In 1569 he was ordained priest, at Ghent, by Cornelius Jansenius, and the year following taught divinity at Louvain. After having lived seven years in the Low Countries, he returned to Italy, and in 1576 began to read lectures at Rome on points of controversy. This he did with so much applause, that Sixtus V. appointed him to accompany his legate into France, in 1590, as a person who might be of great service, in case of any dispute concerning religion. He returned to Rome about ten months after, where he had several offices conferred on him by his own society as well as by the pope, and in 1599 was created cardinal. Three years after, he had the archbishopric of Capua given him, which he resigned in 1605, when pope Paul V. desired to have him near himself. He was now employed in the affairs of the court of Rome, till 1621, when, finding himself declining in health, he left the Vatican, and retired to the house belonging to the Jesuits, where he died the 17th of Sept. 1621. It appeared on the day of his funeral that he was regarded as a saint, and the Swiss guards belonging to the pope were obliged to be placed round his coffin, in order to keep off the crowd, which pressed to touch and kiss the body; but they could not prevent every thing he made use of from being carried away a venerable relic.
at Bellarmin did great honour to his order, and that no man ever defended the church of Rome and the pope with more success. The Protestants have so far acknowledged
It is generally allowed that Bellarmin did great honour
to his order, and that no man ever defended the church of
Rome and the pope with more success. The Protestants
have so far acknowledged his abilities, that during the
space of forty or fifty years, there was scarce any considerable divine amongst them, who did not think it necessary
to write against Bellarmin, and some of his antagonists accused him without much foundation, in their publications,
a circumstance from which his party derived great advantage. Bellarmin, however, though a strenuous advocate
for the Romish religion, did not agree with the doctrine of
the Jesuits in some points, particularly that of predestination, nor did he approve of many expressions in the Romish litanies; and notwithstanding he allowed many passages in his writings to be altered by his superiors, yet in
several particulars he followed the opinions of St. Augustin.
He wrote most of his works in Latin, the principal of which
is his body of controversy, consisting of four volumes in
folio; the best edition that of Cologne, 1615. He there
handles the questions in divinity with great method and
precision, stating the objections to the doctrines of the Romish church with strength and perspicuity, and answering
them in the most concise manner. Some of the Roman
Catholics have been of opinion, that their religion has
been hurt by his controversial writings, the arguments of
the heretics not being confuted with that superiority and
triumph, which, they imagined, the goodness of the cause
merited. Father Theophilus Raynaud acknowledges some
persons to have been of opinion, that Bellarmin’s writings
ought to be suppressed, because the Protestants might
make an ill use of them, by taking what they found in
them for their purpose, and the Catholics might be deluded by not understanding the answers to the objections.
Hence it was that our countryman, sir Edward Sandys, not
being able to meet with Bellarmin’s works in any bookseller’s shop in Italy, concluded that they were prohibited,
lest they should spread the opinions which the author confutes. Besides his body of controversy, he wrote also several other books. He has left us a “Commentary on the
Psalms;
” “A biography of Ecclesiastical Writers;
” “A
discourse on Indulgences, and the Worship of Images;
”
Two treatises in answer to a work of James I. of England;
“A dissertation on the Power of the Pope in temporal
matters,
” against William Barclay; and several treatises
on devotion, the best of which is that on the duties of
bishops, addressed to the bishops of France.
Notwithstanding the zeal which Bellarmin had shewed in maintaining the power of the pope over the temporalities of kings, yet his book “De Romano Pontifice”
Notwithstanding the zeal which Bellarmin had shewed in
maintaining the power of the pope over the temporalities
of kings, yet his book “De Romano Pontifice
” was condemned by Sixtus V. who thought he had done great prejudice to the dignity of the pope, by not insisting that the
power which Jesus Christ gave to his vicegerent, was direct, but only indirect. What he wrote against William
Barclay upon the same subject, was treated with great indignity in France, as being contrary to the ancient doctrine, and the rights of the Galilean church.
wed many preferments on him. He owed this favour to an accidental circumstance: The night before the pope made his public entrance into Marseilles, to meet the French
, cardinal, was born in 1492, and made early proficiency in learning. Francis I. who highly esteemed him, bestowed many preferments on him. He owed this favour to an accidental circumstance: The night before the pope made his public entrance into Marseilles, to meet the French king, it was discovered that the president of the parliament, who had been appointed to receive him with a Latin oration, had unluckily chosen a subject which would certainly give the pontiff offence; and yet there was no tune for a new composition. In this extremity, when the whole business of the ceremonial was deranged, Bellay offered his services to speak extempore, and did it with such uncommon propriety and elegance, that he was marked, from that time, as a man of the first genius in France. He was first bishop of Bayonne, and afterwards of Paris in 1532. The year following, Henry VIII. of England having raised just apprehensions of a schism on account of a quarrel with his queen, du Bellay, who had been sent to him in 1527, in quality of ambassador, and who is said to have managed his boisterous temper with great address, was dispatched to him a second time. He obtained of that prince that he would not yet break with Rome, provided time was granted him to make his defence by proxy. Du Bellay set out immediately, to ask a respite of pope Clement VII. which he obtained, and sent a courier to the king of England for his procuration, but the courier not returning, Clement VII. fulminated the bull of excommunication against Henry VIII. and laid an interdict on his dominions. It was this bull that furnished Henry with an opportunity, fortunately for England, of withdrawing that nation from the church of Rome, and a great source of revenue from the coffers of the pope. Du Bellay continued to be entrusted with the affairs of France under the pontificate of Paul III. who made him cardinal in 1535. The year afterwards, Charles V. having entered Provence with a numerous army, Francis I. in order to appose so formidable an enemy, quitted Paris, whither du Bellay was just returned, and the king appointed him his lieutenant-general, that he might have a watchful eye over Picardy and Champagne. The cardinal, no less intelligent in matters of war than in the intrigues of the cabinet, undertook to defend Paris, which was then in confusion, and fortified it accordingly with a rampart and boulevards, which are still to be seen. He provided with equal promptitude for the security of the other towns, which important services procured him new benefices, and the friendship and confidence of Francis I. After the death of that prince, the cardinal de Lorraine became the channel of favour at the court of Henry II., but du Bellay, too little of a philosopher, and too much affected by the loss of his influence, could no longer endure to remain at Paris. He chose rather to retire to Rome, where the quality of bishop of Ostia procured him, under Paul IV. the title of dean of the sacred college, and where his riches enabled him to build a sumptuous palace; but by some means he took care to keep the bishopric of Paris in his family, obtaining that see for Eustache du Bellay, his cousin, who was already provided with several benefices, and president of the parliament. The cardinal lived nine years after his demission; and, whether from patriotism or from the habit of business, he continued to make himself necessary to the king. He died at Rome, Feb. 16, 1560, at the age of 68, with the reputation of a dexterous courtier, an able negociator, and a great wit. Literature owed much to him. He concurred with his friend Budæus in engaging Francis I. to institute the college royal. Rabelais had been his physician. Of his writing are Several harangues, An apology for Francis I. Elegies, epigrams, and odes, collected in 8vo, and printed by Robert Stephens in 1546.
, if we mistake not, had been before pointed out by Dr. Warton in the second volume of his “Essay on Pope.”
, more generally known by his
Latin name of Gulielmus Belendenus, a native of Scotland, was born in the sixteenth century. We find him
mentioned by Dempster as humanity professor atParis, in
1602. He is reported by the Scots to have possessed an
eminent degree of favour with James VI. to whom he was
master of requests, and “Magister Supplicum Libellortim,
”
or reader of private petitions, which, it is conceived, must
have been only a nominal office, as his more constant residence was in France. By the munificence of that monarch, Bellenden was enabled to enjoy at Paris all the conveniences of retirement. While he continued thus free
from other cares, he suffered not his abilities to languish;
but employed his time in the cultivation of useful literature. His first work, entitled “Ciceronis princeps,
” was
printed at Paris in Tractatus de processu et
scriptoribus rei politicae.
” “Ciceronis Consul
” was the
next publication of Bellenden. It appeared also at Paris
in 1612, and both were inscribed to Henry prince of
Wales. In 1616 was published a second edition, to which
was added “Liber de statu prisci orbis,
” with a dedication to prince Charles, the surviving brother of Henry.
While Bellenden was occupied in the composition of these
three treatises, he was so much attracted by the admiration of Cicero, that he projected a larger work, “De Tribus Luminibus Romanorum,
” and what he had already
written concerning Cicero he disposed in a new order.
Death, however, interrupted his pursuit, before he could
collect and arrange the materials which related to Seneca
and Pliny, but of the time of his death we have no account.
The treatises of Bellenden which remain, have been esteemed as highly valuable, and worthy the attention of the
learned. They were extremely scarce, but had been much
admired by all who could gain access to them. At length
they were rescued from their obscure confinement in the
cabinets of the curious, by a new edition which appeared
at London in 1787, in a form of typography and an accuracy of printing which so excellent an author may jusily
be said to merit. It was accompanied with an eloquent
Latin preface in honour of three modern statesmen. Dr.
Samuel Parr, the author of the preface, and to whom literature is indebted for the restoration of such a treasure, has
charged Middleton with having meanly withheld his acknowledgments, after having embellished the life of Cicero
by extracting many useful and valuable materials from the
works of Bellenden. This, if we mistake not, had been
before pointed out by Dr. Warton in the second volume of
his “Essay on Pope.
”
gain into Italy, lived a considerable time at Rome, and had the honour of conversing familiarly with pope Adrian IV. who was an Knglishman by birth. Alexander III. who
, commonly called Joannes Eboracensis, or John of York, an eminent divine in the twelfth century, was born of a good family. After having laid the foundation of learning in his own country, he travelled abroad, and visited the most famous universities of France and Italy, where he acquired the reputation of being the most learned man of his age. He then returned home, and was made a canon, and treasurer of the cathedral church of York: but he soon quitted this post, and went back again into Italy, lived a considerable time at Rome, and had the honour of conversing familiarly with pope Adrian IV. who was an Knglishman by birth. Alexander III. who succeeded Adrian in 1159, made him bishop of Poitou in France, and he was consecrated at the abbey of Dole, in the diocese of Berry. He sat there above twenty years, and was translated to the archbishopric of Lyons, and became thereby primate of all France. He was archbishop of that city nearly eleven years. It is said, he returned into England in 1194, being then a very old man; but we are not told when or where he died. Bale informs us, that he vehemently opposed archbishop Becket in the contests he had with king Henry II. and that he was very expert in controversial writing. Bale and Pits mention the titles of some of his works, but it does not appear that any of them are extant. Leland could not discover any thing certainly written by him.
ve a church already endeared to him by the sacrifices of life and property which he had offered. The pope honoured him with the pallium (a mark of distinction in dress
, bishop of
Marseilles. This illustrious prelate was of a noble family in
Guienne, had been of the order of Jesuits, and was made bishop of Marseilles in 1709. The assistance he gave his flock
during the plague of 1720, that desolated the city of Marseilles, deserves to be commemorated. He was seen every
where during that terrible calamity, as the magistrate, the
physician, the almoner, the spiritual director of his flock. In
the town-house of Marseilles there is a picture representing
him giving his benediction to some poor wretches who are
dying at his feet; in this he is distinguished from the rest
of his attendants by a golden cross on his breast. Louis
the XVth, in 1723, in consideration of his exemplary behaviour during the plague, made him an offer of the bishopric of Laon, in Picardy, a see of greater value and of higher
rank than his own. Of this, however, he would not accept, saying, that he refused this very honourable translation that he might not leave a church already endeared to
him by the sacrifices of life and property which he had
offered. The pope honoured him with the pallium (a mark of distinction in dress worn only by archbishops), and Louis
XV. insisted upon his acceptance of a patent, by which,
even in the first instance, any law-suit he might be so unfortunate as to have, either for temporal or spiritual matters, was permitted to be brought before the parliament of
Paris. He died in 1755, closing a life of the most active
benevolence with the utmost devotion and resignation. He
founded at Marseilles a college, which still bears his name.
He wrote “L'histoire des Eveques de Marseille;
” “Des
Instructions Pastorales;
” and in La vie de Mademoiselle de Foix
andale,
” a relation of his, who had been eminent for her
piety. A particular account of the exertions of this benevolent prelate during the terrible calamity that afflicted
Marseilles is to be found in the *' Relation de la Peste de
Marseilles, par J. Bertrand,“12mo, and in
” Oratio funebris illust. domini de Belsunce Massiliensium episcopi,"
with the translation by the abbe Lanfant, 1756, 8vo.
d upon to quit for a more lucrative one. Father Vanier, in his poem of the “Prsedi an Rusticum,” and Pope, in his Essay on Man, Ep. iv. v. 107, 108, have paid that tribute
When the plague had ceased, M. de Lauzun asked an
abbey in commendarn for the humane and benevolent prelate who had attended his flock with such assiduity during
the time of that dreadful visitation. The regent, to whom
the request was made, had forgotten M. de Lauzun’s request, and appeared much embarrassed at having neglected
to prefer a man of such transcendant virtue as M. de Belsunce was. When M. de Lauzun iterated his request to
him, the latter, looking archly at him, said merely, “Monseigneur, il sera mieux un autrefois
” The regent, however, soon afterwards gave him a benefice to hold with the
bishopric of Marseilles, which he could never be prevailed
upon to quit for a more lucrative one. Father Vanier, in
his poem of the “Prsedi an Rusticum,
” and Pope, in his
Essay on Man, Ep. iv. v.
other persons of distinction to that city; and among other literary services rendered by him to the pope, he decyphered an ancient manuscript written in abbreviated
After the lapse of a few years, which he spent partly at
Venice and partly at Padua in the prosecution of his studies,
his father being appointed vicedomino of Ferrara, young
Bembo accompanied him thither, where he had an opportunity of attending the philosophical lectures of Nicolao
Leoniceno, and commenced an acquaintance with Sadoleto,
other learned men. He was also favourably received
court, but did not desist from the prosecution of his
studies. When about twenty -eight years of age, he began his “Asolani,
” so called from its having been finished
at Asolo, a town in the Venetian territory. This work, in
which the subject of love is attempted in a moral and philosophical point of view, soon became so popular as to
contribute much to his fame. It was first printed at the
Aldine press in 1505, 4to, and was often reprinted. He
afterwards returned with his father to Venice, where, and
at Padua, he continued his studies principally with a view
of improving his native language. At length, unwilling
to continue burthensome to his father, he determined to
try his fortune at the court of Urbino, at that time the centre of genius, fashion, and taste, and where Castiglioni laid
the scene of his “II Cortegiano,
” and introduced Bembo
as one of the speakers. Bembo was recommended here in
1506, and soon became admired for his address, eloquence,
and manners, while he still prosecuted his favourite studies,
and produced his “Rime,
” and various Latin compositions. He also occasionally visited the court of Rome,
where the duchess of Urbino Elizabetha Gonzaga zealously endeavoured to promote his interest. In the last year
of the pontificate of Julius II. he accompanied Sadoleto
and other persons of distinction to that city; and among
other literary services rendered by him to the pope, he
decyphered an ancient manuscript written in abbreviated
characters, a task which others had in vain attempted, and
which the pope appears to have rewarded by some ecclesiastical preferments of the sinecure kind.
In 1513, when Leo X. became pope, he appointed Bembo one of his secretaries, who, now in his
In 1513, when Leo X. became pope, he appointed Bembo one of his secretaries, who, now in his forty-third year, settled at Rome in this character, and had his friend Sadoleto for his colleague. By them the pope’s correspondence was carried on in pure and classical Latin, a thing which Casa says was neither practised before nor thought practicable, former secretaries having compounded their Latin of all manner of languages and provincialisms. Bembo in other respects rendered himself so acceptable to Leo, that he employed him in commissions of the highest trust, which he rewarded with liberality. But the court of this pope was at the same time the seat of voluptuousness, and what Bembo gained in courtly promotion and literary fame, he lost in morals and moral character. All the excuse Casa can make is that he was not yet in holy orders. He here formed an illicit connexion with, a, girl of sixteen years of age, by whom he had three sons and a daughter. Among other objections to Bembo’s character, it is said that he participated in Leo’s ill-concealed contempt for religion, and, what was perhaps true, because characteristic, he professed to avoid the perusal of his bible and breviary, for fear of spoiling his Latinity.
of his epistles. Among other commissions of importance in which he was engaged, he undertook at the pope’s instance an embassy to Venice, for the purpose of detaching
The letters which Bembo wrote in Latin in the name of Leo X. were published with the rest of his epistles. Among other commissions of importance in which he was engaged, he undertook at the pope’s instance an embassy to Venice, for the purpose of detaching his countrymen from their alliance with the king of France, and engaging them to take a part in the coalition formed against that monarch by the emperor, the king of Spain, and the pope.
ituation for higher preferment, particularly by the university of Bologna, the king of Portugal, the pope, and other sovereigns, but he preferred living in his own country,
, in Latin Marcus Mantua Benavidius,
an eminent lawyer, the son of John Peter Benavidio, a physician, was born at Padua, in 1489. He
excelled in the study of polite literature and the civil and
canon law, which last he taught for sixty years at Padua,
with distinguished approbation. During this honourable
career, he was often solicited to leave his situation for
higher preferment, particularly by the university of Bologna, the king of Portugal, the pope, and other sovereigns, but he preferred living in his own country, where
he received and deserved so much respect. He was three
times honoured by the title of chevalier, by the emperor
Charles V. in 1545, by Ferdinand 1. in 1561, and by pope
Pius IV. in 1564. He died March 28, 1582, in the ninety-third year of his age. His principal works are: 1. “Dialogus de concilio,
” Venice, Epitome illustriumjurisconsultorum,
” Padua,
Illustrium jurisconsultorum
imagines,
” Rome, Observationes legales,
” Venice, Polymatbise Libri duodecim,
” Venice, Collectanea super jus Csesareum,
” Venice, Observationes legales,
” is said to have been in compliment to
his father, who was a native or' that city.
seria,” Oxon. 1673, printed on one side of a large sheet of paper, a Latin poem, chiefly against the pope, the Papists, Jesuits, &c. 12. “Truth’s touch-stone,” consisting
Among his poetical pieces Wood mentions the following,
1. “Sphinx Theologica, seu Musica Templi, ubi discordia
concurs,
” Camb. Honorifica armorurii
cessatio, sive pacis et fidei associatio,
” Feb. 11, 1643, 8vo.
3. “Theophila, or Love-Sacrifice,
” a divine poem, Lond.
A summary
of Divine Wisdom,
” London, A glance at
the glories of Sacred Friendship,
” London, De Sacra Amicitia,
” printed with the former in Latin verse and prose.
7. “Threnothriambeuticon, or Latin poems on king Charles
II.'s Restoration,
” London, 1660, printed on a side of a
large sheet of paper. A few were printed on white satin,
one copy of which, in a frame suitable to it, he gave to the
public library at Oxford. 8. “Oxonii Encomium,
” Oxon.
Oxonii Elogia,
” Oxon. Oxonii Elegia
” II. “Academicis Serenitas
” III. “Academicis Temperantia
” IV. “Studiosis
Cautela,
” and some other pieces. 10. “Magia Caelestis,
”
Oxon. Echo veridica joco-seria,
”
Oxon. Truth’s touch-stone,
” consisting of an hundred distichs, printed on one side of a long sheet of paper,
and dedicated to his niece Mrs. Phiiippa Blount. 13. “Annotations for the better confirming the several truths in the
said poem;
” uncertain when printed. 14. Mr. Bendlowes
wrote a “Mantissa
” to Richard 'Fenn’s “Panegyricon Inaugurale,
” entitled, “De celeberrima et florentiss. Trinobantiados Augustoe Civ. Praetori, reg. senatui populoque,
”
Lond. Turmae Equestris in Com. Essex. Prsefectus.
” These
writings, according to Wood, acquired Mr. Bendlowes the
name of a Divine Author, but we fear the value of that character is considerably suok; although we cannot agree with
Pope, that “Bendlowes, propitious to blockheads, bows,
”
nor with his commentator Warburton, that “Bendlowes
was famous for his own bad poetry, and for patronising bad
poets.
” In his “Theophila
” there are many uncommon
and excellent thoughts, but it must be allowed that his metaphors are often strained and far-fetched, and he sometimes loses himself in mystic divinity. Granger, who
thinks his Latin verses better than his English, quotes a
passage from his prayer in “Theophila,
” which has been
deservedly admired for piety and sense.
died; some say at Mount Cassino, others affirm it to have been at Rome, when he was sent thither by pope Boniface. Nor is the year ascertained, some asserting it to
, the founder of the order of the Benedictin monks, was a native of Norcia, formerly an episcopal see in Umbria, and was born about the year 480. He
was sent to Rome when he was very young, and there received the first part of his education. At fourteen years
of age he was removed from thence to Sublaco, about forty
miles distant. Here he lived a most retired life, and shut
himself up in a cavern, where nobody knew any thing of
him except St. Romanus, who, we are told, used to descend
to him by a rope, and supply him with provisions; but
being afterwards discovered by the monks of a neighbouring
monastery, they chose him for their abbot. Their manners,
however, not agreeing with those of Benedict, he returned to
his solitude, whither many persons followed him, and put
themselves under iiis direction, and in a short time he was
enabled to build twelve monasteries. About the year 528,
he retired to Mount Cassino, where idolatry was still prevalent, a temple of Apollo being erected there. He instructed the people in the adjacent country, and having converted
them, broke the image of Apollo, and built two chapels on
the mountain. Here he founded also a monastery, and instituted the order of his name, which in time became so
famous, and extended over all Europe. It was here too
that he composed his “Regula Monachorum,
” which Gregory the Great speaks of as the most sensible and best
written piece of that kind ever published. Authors are not
agreed as to the place where Benedict died; some say at
Mount Cassino, others affirm it to have been at Rome,
when he was sent thither by pope Boniface. Nor is the
year ascertained, some asserting it to have been in 542 or
543, and others in 547, but the calendar fixes the day on
Saturday, March 25. St. Gregory the Great has written
his life in the second book of his Dialogues, where he has
given a long detail of his pretended miracles. Du Pin
says, that the “Regula Monachorum
” is the only genuine
work of St. Benedict. There have been several editions
of these rules. Several other tracts are, however, ascribed
to him, as particularly a letter to St. Maurus; a sermon
upon the decease of St. Maurus a sermon upon the passion
of St. Placidus and his companions and a discourse “De
ordine monasterii.
”
he continued about two years in a strict observance of the monastic discipline. He was sent back by pope Vitalian, and upon his return, took upon himself the government
, a famous abbot in
the seventh century, was born of a noble family among
the English Saxons, and flourished under Oswi and Egfrid
kings of Northumberland. In the twenty-fifth year of his
age, he abandoned all temporal views and possessions, to
devote himself wholly to religion, and for this purpose travelled to Rome in the year 653, where he acquired a
knowledge of ecclesiastical discipline, which, upon his return home, he laboured to establish in Britain. In the
year 665, he took a second journey to Rome; and after
some months stay in that city, he received the tonsure in.
the monastery of Lerins, where he continued about two
years in a strict observance of the monastic discipline. He
was sent back by pope Vitalian, and upon his return, took
upon himself the government of the monastery of Canterbury, to which he had been elected in his absence. Two
years after, he resigned the abbey to Adrian, an abbot,
and went a third time to Rome, and returned with a very
large collection of the most valuable books. Then he went
to the court of Egfrid, king of Northumberland, who had
succeeded Oswi. That prince, with whom he was highly
in favour, gave him a tract of land on the east side of the
mouth of the river Were; where he built a large monastery, called, from its situation, Weremouth; in which, it
is said, he placed three hundred Benedictine monks.
The church of this convent was built of stone after the
Roman architecture, and the windows glazed by artificers
brought from France, in the year of Christ 674, and the
fourth of king Egfrid; and both the monastery and the
church were dedicated to St. Peter. In the year 678,
Benedict took a fourth journey to Rome, and was kindly
received by pope Agatho. From this expedition he returned loaded with books, relics of the apostles and
martyrs, images, and pictures, when, with the pope’s consent, he brought over with him John, arch-chanter of St.
Peter’s, and abbot of St. Martin’s, who introduced the
Roman manner of singing mass. In the year 682 kingEgfrid gave him another piece of ground, on the banks of
the Tyne, four miles from Newcastle where he built
another monastery called Girwy or Jarrow, dedicated to
St. Paul, and placed therein seventeen monks under an
abbot named Ceolfrid. About the same time he appointed
a Presbyter named Easterwinus to be a joint abbot with
himself of the monastery of Weremouth soou after which,
he took his fifth and last journey to Rome, and, as before,
came back enriched with a farther supply of ecclesiastical
books and pictures. He had not been long at home before he was seized with the palsy, which put an end to his
life on the 12th of January, 690. His behaviour during
his sickness appears to have been truly Christian and exemplary. He was buried in his own monastery of Weremouth. He wrote some pieces, but Leland ascribes to
him only a treatise on the Agreement of the rule of the
Monastic life. Bale and Pits give this book N the title of
“Concordia Regularum,
” and the last-mentioned author
informs us, that the design of this book was to prove, that
the rules of all the holy fathers tallied exactly with that of
St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictines. He wrote
likewise “Exhortationes ad Monachos;
” “De suo Privilegio.
” And “De celebratione Festorum totius anni.
”
Mr. Warton, in his History of Poetry, mentions Benedict
Biscop as one of the most distinguished of the Saxon ecclesiastics. The library which he added to his monastery,
was stored with Greek and Latin volumes. Bede has
thought it worthy to be recorded, that Ceolfrid, his successor in the government of Weremouth abbey, augmented
this collection with three volumes of Pandects, and a book
of cosmography, wonderfully enriched with curious workmanship, and bought at Rome. The historian Bede, who
wrote the lives of four of the abbots of Weremouth and
Jarrow, was one of the monks in those convents, and pronounced a homily on the death of Benedict. His body
was deposited in the monastery of Thorney, in Cambridgeshire.
e was one of the two cardinals who remained with him, when all the others fled. On the death of that pope, in 1303, our cardinal bishop was chosen to succeed him, and
, was a native of Trevigi, belonging to the state of Venice, and the son of a shepherd,
or, as some say, of a notary. His name was Nicholas
Bocasini. For some time he earned a livelihood by teaching children at Venice, but becoming afterwards a Dominican, he applied himself diligently to his studies, and
acquired such superiority among his order, that in 1298
he was appointed general; and, by Boniface VIII. created
cardinal bishop of Sabina, from which he was soon after
translated to that of Ostia. He discharged likewise several embassies with great reputation, and having returned
from Hungary when Boniface was taken and imprisoned in
his own palace at Anagni, he was one of the two cardinals
who remained with him, when all the others fled. On the
death of that pope, in 1303, our cardinal bishop was
chosen to succeed him, and took the name of Benedict,
the Christian name of his predecessor, in honour of him
who had been the cause of his advancement from a low
station. Among his first measures he granted absolution
to the king of France, and annulled the decrees of Boniface against him, which restored peace to that country, and
this he farther promoted by reinstating the Colonna family
in all their honours and possessions. He made it his study
to quiet the disturbances that his predecessor had raised,
not only in France, but in most other kingdoms, and to
regain by conciliatory measures those whom the haughty
and imperious behaviour of his predecessor had alienated
from the apostolic see; but his pontificate was short. He
died the year following his election, July 6, 1304, not
without suspicion of poison, administered, as some think,
by the relations of Boniface? in revenge for his having received that pope’s enemies into favour, but others impute
this crime to the Florentines, whose city he had laid under
an interdict, when it was distracted by two barbarous factions, called the Neri and the Bianchi. The writers of
Benedict’s time concur in reporting that he was a man
exemplary in every respect, inclined to peace and conciliation, and one who had no desire to enrich his family.
One trait of his character seems to support this last instance
of forbearance. His mother approaching him in a very
rich dress to congratulate him on his promotion, he affected to consider her as an impostor, and said: “My
mother is not a princess, but a poor woman;
” but next
day, when she returned in her ordinary dress, he embraced
her with affection, and treated her with every mark of respect. He wrote comments on the gospel of St. Matthew,
the book of Job, and the Revelations, besides several
sermons, and letters to the king of France and other
princes, concerning the reformation of abuses that had
crept into the church in their respective kingdoms; but of
his works, the only one printed is a comment on the fifth
chapter of Matthew, and some letters in Rainald, Wadding, and Cherubini.
he was made first bishop of Pamiers, and nine years after translated to Mirepoix. In December 1327, pope John XXII. created him cardinal presbyter of St. Prisca, and
, whose name was James
Fournier, was a native of Saverdun, in the diocese of Pamier, the son of a miller, or of an obscure person; but
some are of opinion that he was descended of a noble family. He embraced a religious Hie when young, among
the Cistertians, and having afterwards received the degree
of master of divinity in the university of Paris, he was
made abbot of Fontfroide, in Narbonne, and when he had
governed that monastery for six years, with great applause,
he was made first bishop of Pamiers, and nine years after
translated to Mirepoix. In December 1327, pope John
XXII. created him cardinal presbyter of St. Prisca, and in
1334, he was elected pope, contrary to all expectation.
The conclave had chosen Comminge, cardinal bishop of
Porto, as the most proper person, but the French cardinal
insisting that he should promise never to go to Rome, he
refused to accept the office on a condition so prejudicial to
the church. In this dilemma, the cardinals being at a loss
whom to nominate, some of them proposed James Fournier, the most inconsiderable of the whole college, “omnium infimus,
” and he was unanimously elected: this
unexpected turn gave occasion to some of the writers of
his days to attribute the whole to divine inspiration, with
as good reason, no doubt, as in the case of any of his predecessors or successors.
en they came to congratulate him on his promotion. He used to say “James Fournier had relations, but pope Benedict has none,” and contented himself with ordering the
Benedict was as much surprised as any of his brethren,
and either out of humility, or because he was conscious he
knew little of public affairs, candidly told them that they
had elected an ass. His actions, however, did not justify
this comparison. He was indeed a stranger to the arts of
the court, but he was a learned divine, well versed in the
civil and canon law, and a man of exemplary life and probity. His first act was that of liberality. The day after
his election, he distributed among the cardinals 100,000
florins out of the treasure left by his predecessor; and a
few days after gave 50,000 for repairing the churches of
Rome. In nis first public sermon he preached on the
beatific vision, and maintained that the just on their death
saw God face to face, before the day of the general resurrection, contrary to the doctrine held by his predecessor;
and he was so impressed with the necessity of establishing
this doctrine, that he published in 1336 a constitution, as
it was called, directly in opposition to the notion of
purgatory in any shape. The whole of his political administration appears to have been of the pacific kind, and in
providing for the interests of the church, he preferred
men of merit to vacant benefices, and was an enemy to
pluralities; and in some of the religious orders he introduced reformations which we may be certain were beneficial and wise, because they raised the indignation of the
monks, who have on that account painted his character in,
the blackest colours. His last effort for the peace of Europe was to reconcile the kings of France and England,
then at war, but while employed on this, he died of a short
illness, the consequence of suppressed evacuation, April
25, 1342. Like his predecessor, he avoided aggrandizing
his family, as most other popes had done, and could
scarcely be prevailed upon to admit his relatives into his
presence, when they came to congratulate him on his promotion. He used to say “James Fournier had relations,
but pope Benedict has none,
” and contented himself with
ordering the expences of their journey to be defrayed out
of the apostolic chamber. The monks whom he had reformed, however, contrary to all contemporary evidence,
have accused him of avarice, debauchery, and in particular, of an intrigue with the sister of the celebrated Petrarch. On the other hand, all the best historians havei
extolled him as a man of sanctity and a pattern of every
virtue. He wrote two volumes on the state of the soul
before the general judgment; eleven questions upon the
same subject sermons for the chief festivals of the year;
all which are in ms. in the Vatican library. He wrote,
likewise, several constitutions relating to the reformation
of some religious orders, commentaries upon the psalms,
various letters, and some poetical pieces.
yet the purity of his intentions was visible. It has been said that he was more of a monk than of a pope, by which we may probably understand, that he was more attached
One leading object with him was to unite the four religious communities in Christendom. He proposed that four
councils should be held at different places, each consisting
of a certain number of representatives of the Romish,
Greek, Lutheran, and Calvinist churches; but it is unnecessary to add that this scheme was found impracticable.
In all his transactions, however, with the catholic sovereigns
of Europe, he endeavoured to operate by a conciliatory
temper, and although not always successful, yet the purity
of his intentions was visible. It has been said that he was
more of a monk than of a pope, by which we may probably understand, that he was more attached to what he
conceived to be the genuine interests of the church, than
to her political influence. Indefatigable in his apostolical
duties, he continued to preach and pray, attended to all
pontifical and sacerdotal functions, and directed the conduct of subordinate prelates, and ministers of the church.
He frequently visited the poor, and not only gave them
spiritual comfort, but relieved them by his bounty, selling
for that purpose the presents which he received. He
habituated himself to the plainest fare, and lived in the
most frugal manner, like a hermit in his cell, that he might
more liberally bestow upon others the blessings of fortune.
His chief blemish was that easiness of temper, and
reluctance to active business, which led him to suffer cardinal
Coscia, an unprincipled Neapolitan, to have the entire
management of the government, and would listen to no
complaints against him, although Coscia was guilty of the
most enormous and notorious extortions. Yet he died,
without losing his popularity, Feb. 21, 1730, in the
sixth year of his pontificate. His works were published in
3 vols. 1728, fol. under the title of “Opera di Benedetto XIII.
”
e congregation of the holy office the same year, became archbishop of Bologna in 1731, and succeeded pope Clement XII. August 17, 1740. He then took the name of Benedict
, whose name was Prosper Lambertini, was
born in 1675, at Bologna. He was appointed canon of the Basilicon, or great church of St. Peter, then successively archbishop of Theodosia, and bishop
of Ancona. He received the cardinal’s hat in 1728, was
deputy of the congregation of the holy office the same year,
became archbishop of Bologna in 1731, and succeeded
pope Clement XII. August 17, 1740. He then took the
name of Benedict XIV. zealously endeavoured to calm the
dissensions which had arisen in the church, patronised arts
and sciences, founded several academies at Rome, and declared openly in favour of the Thomists. This pope did
justice to the memory of the celebrated cardinal Noris; published the bull “Omnium sollicitudinum
” against certain
ceremonies, and addressed a brief to cardinal Saldanha for
the reformation of the Jesuits, which was the foundation
of their destruction. He had also established a congregation to compose a body of doctrine, by which the troubles
of the church might be calmed. This pontiff was a very
able canonist, and well acquainted with ecclesiastical history and antiquities. Though he governed with great wisdom, and was very zealous for religion, he was lively in his
conversation, and fond of saying bonmots. He died 1758,
aged 83. His works were published before his death in
16 vols. 4to, by Azevedo. The four last contain his briefs,
bulls, &c. The five first are, “A treatise on the Beatification and Canonization of haints,
” in which the subject is exhausted; an abridgement of it was published in
French, 1759, 12mo. The sixth contains the actions of
the saints whom he canonized. The two next consist of
supplements, and remarks on the preceding ones. The
ninth treats on the “Sacrifice of the Mass,
” and the tenth
on the “Festivals instituted in honour of Jesus Christ and
the Holy Virgin.
” The eleventh is entitled “Ecclesiastical Institutions;
” an excellent work, containing his instructions, mandates, letters, &c. while he was hishop of
Ancona, and afterwards archbishop of Bologna. The
twelfth is a “Treatise on Diocesan Synods.
” All the above
are in Latin. Caraccioli published his life at Paris, 1784,
12mo. It was begun in the life time of Benedict, and part
of it submitted to him by the author, to whom the pope
said, “If you were a historian, instead of a panegyrist, I
should thank you for the picture you have drawn, and with
which I am perfectly satisfied.
”
ic religion, he wrote to Benedict, commanding him to meet him, The doctor on this consulted with the pope’s legate, who was then at Paris, and advised him to answer the
, a famous doctor of
the Sorbonne, and curate of St. Eustathius at Paris in the
sixteenth century, was born at Sevenieres near Angers.
He was a secret favourer of the protestant religion; and
that his countrymen might be able to read the Bible in their
own tongue, he published at Paris the French translation
which had been made by the reformed ministers at Geneva.
This translation was approved by several doctors of the
Sorbonne before it went to the press; and king Charles IX.
had granted a privilege for the printing of it, yet when
published it was immediately condemned. In 1587 king
Henry III. appointed Benedict to be reader and regius
professor of divinity in the college of Navarre at Paris.
He had been before that time confessor to the unhappy
Mary queen of Scotland, during her stay in France, and
attended her when she returned into Scotland. Some time
before the death of Henry III. Benedict, or some of his
friends with his assistance, published a book, entitled
“Apologie Catholique,
” to prove that the protestant religion, which Henry king -of Navarre professed, was not a
sufficient reason to deprive him of his right of succeeding
to the crown of France; first, because the Huguenots admitted the fundamental articles of the catholic faith, and
that the ceremonies and practices which they exploded had
been unknown to the primitive church. Secondly, because the council of Trent, in which they had been condemned, was neither general, nor lawful, nor acknowledged
in France. After the murder of Henry III. a factious divine wrote an answer to that book, which obliged Benedict to publish a reply. When king Henry IV. was
resolved to embrace the Roman Catholic religion, he wrote
to Benedict, commanding him to meet him, The doctor
on this consulted with the pope’s legate, who was then at
Paris, and advised him to answer the king, that he could
not go to him without the pope’s leave, which exasperated
the people at Paris, because they understood by this advice, that he favoured the Spanish faction, and endeavoured only to protract the civil war. However, Benedict
assisted some time after at the conference which was held
at St. Dennis, and in which it was resolved, that the king,
having given sufficient proofs of his fa^h and repentance,
might be reconciled to the church, without waiting for the
pope’s consent. Benedict also assisted at that assembly, in
which king Henry abjured the reformed religion, and having embraced the Roman Catholic faith, was absolved by
the archbishop of Bourges. The king promoted him afterwards, about 15^7, to the bishopric of Troyes in Champagne,
but he could never obtain the pope’s bulls to be installed,
and only enjoyed the temporalities till 1604, when he resigned it with the king’s leave to Renatus de Breslay, archdeacon of Angers, He died at Paris, March 7, 1608, and
was buried near the great altar in his parish church of St.
Eustathius. Dr. Victor Cayet made his funeral oration.
Besides the books, which we have mentioned, he wrote
three or four other pieces, the titles of which are mentioned
by father le Long, but they are of little note, except perhaps his history of the coronation of king Henry III. “Le
Sacre et Couronnement du roi Henry III. Pan 1575, par
Rene Benoit, docteur en theologie,
” Reims, 1575, 8vo,
and inserted in Godefrey’s “Ceremonial de France,
” Paris,
, or Benno, a writer of the eleventh century, was created a cardinal by the anti- pope Guibert, who assumed the name of Clement III. Benno, who was
, or Benno, a writer of the eleventh century, was created a cardinal by the anti-pope Guibert, who
assumed the name of Clement III. Benno, who was one
of his most zealous partisans, made many attacks on the
popes, accusing Sylvester II. of magic, Gregory VI. of
simony, &c. and wrote, under the title of a “Life of Gregory VII.
” a bitter satire against that pontiff. He died
about the close of the eleventh century. His life of Gregory was printed in the “Fasciculus rerum Expetendarum
et Fugiendarum,
”
would willingly have forgot. Dr. Warton, however, has endeavoured to do him justice in his notes on Pope. “Benson,” says that amiable critic, “is here spoken of too
He became member of parliament for Shaftesbury in
the first parliament of George I. and in 17 Is was made
surveyor general, in the place of sir Christopher Wren, on
which occasion he vacated his seat in parliament. Why
such a disgrace should be inBicted on sir Christopher
Wren, now full of years and honours, cannot be ascertained. Benson, however, gained only an opportunity,
and that soon, to display his incapacity, and the amazing
contrast between him and his predecessor. Being em-ployed to survey the house of lords, he gave in a report
that that house and the painted-chamber adjoining were
in immediate danger of falling. On this the lords were
about to appoint some other place for their meeting, when
it was suggested that it would be proper to take the opinion of some other builders, who reported that the building was in very good condition. The lords, irritated at
Benson’s ignorance and incapacity, were about to petition
the king to remove him, when the earl of Sunderland,
then secretary, assured them that his majesty would anticipate their wishes. Benson was accordingly dismissed.
He was in some measure consoled, however, by the assignment of a considerable debt due to the crown in Ireland, and by the reversion of one of the two offices of
auditor of the imprests, which he enjoyed after the death
of Mr, Edward Harley. In 1724, he published “Virgil’s
Husbandry, with notes critical and rustic;
” and in Letters concerning poetical translations, and Virgil’s
and Milton’s arts of verse.
” This last was followed by an
edition of “Arthur Johnston’s Psalms,
” accompanied with
the Psalms of David, according to the translation in the
English Bible, printed in 4to, 8vo, and 12mo; with a
“Prefatory discourse,
” A conclusion
to his prefatory discourse
” and in the same year, “A
supplement to it, in which is contained, a comparison betwixt Johnston and Buchanan.
” In this comparison, given
in favour of Johnston, he was so unlucky, or, rather for
the sake of taste, so lucky as to excite the indignation of
the celebrated Ruddiman, who wrote an elaborate and unanswerable defence of Buchanan, in a letter to Mr. Benson,
under the title of “A Vindication of Mr. George Buchanan’s
Paraphrase of the Book of Psalms,
” Edinburgh, Benson,
” says that amiable critic, “is here
spoken of too contemptuously. He translated faithfully,
if not very poetically, the second book of the Georgics,
with useful notes he printed elegant editions of Johnston’s
psalms; he wrote a discourse on versification he rescued
his country from the disgrace of having no monument
erected to the memory of Milton in Westminster-abbey;
he encouraged and urged Pitt to translate the yEneid; and
he gave Dobson of.1000 for his Latin translation of Paradise Lost.
” Another testimony we have of his liberality
which ought not to be suppressed. In 1735, a book was
published, entitled “The cure of Deism.
” The author,
Mr. Elisha Smith, was at that time confined in the Fleet
prison for a debt of ^^Oo. Benson, pleased with the
work, inquired who was the author, and having received
an account of his unfortunate state, not only sent him a
handsome letter, but discharged the whole debt, fees, &o.
and set him at liberty.
most illustrious families of that city and of all Italy. His father, Hannibal II. being obliged, by pope Julius II. to leave his country, of which his ancestors had
, one of the best Italian
poets of the sixteenth century, was born at Bologna in
1506, of one of the most illustrious families of that city and
of all Italy. His father, Hannibal II. being obliged, by
pope Julius II. to leave his country, of which his ancestors
had been masters from the commencement of the fifteenth
century, and to go to Milan, he took his son with him, then
an infant. Seven years after, he settled with his whole family at Ferrara, under the protection of the princes of the
house of Este, to whom he was nearly related. His son
here made rapid progress in his studies, and became distinguished at the court of duke Alphonso I. He was accomplished in music, singing, and the sports and exercises
of manly youth; and to all this he added a solidity of judgment which procured him to be employed by the dukes of
Ferrara in state-affairs of importance. He was employed
on one of these negociations when he died, Nov. 6, 1573.
His works, which were printed at first separately, and inserted in many of the collections, were published together
under the title of “Opere poetiche del sig. Ercole Bentivoglio,
” Paris,
or some time, he went to Padua, where he soon had occasion to display his prudence and address. When pope Clement VIII. was determined to take possession of Ferrara,
, celebrated in the Romish church as a cardinal, and in literature as a historian, was of the same family with the preceding, and born at Ferrara in 1579. After studying there for some time, he went to Padua, where he soon had occasion to display his prudence and address. When pope Clement VIII. was determined to take possession of Ferrara, under the pretence that Caesar of Este, who succeeded the childless duke Alphonsus, was of an illegitimate branch, the marquis Hippolyto Bentivoglio, brother to Guy, a general officer in the service of Alphonsus, and attached to Caesar, excited the anger of cardinal Aldobrandini, who commanded the expedition, under the title of General of the holy church. Guy, who was now only nineteen years old, went immediately to the cardinal, to negociate for his brother, by the mediation of cardinal Bandini, a friend to his family, and contributed very essentially to make his brother’s peace, after the treaty had been concluded between the pope and the duke in January 1598. The pope having gone in person to take possession of Ferrara, admitted young Bentivoglio into his presence, and gave him the title of his private chamberlain.
After he had passed some years at Rome, where he made many friends, pope Paul V. appointed him his referendary, and sent him, with the
After he had passed some years at Rome, where he made
many friends, pope Paul V. appointed him his referendary,
and sent him, with the title of archbishop of Rhodes, as
apostolic nuncio, into Flanders, where he arrived in 1607.
After remaining there nine years, he was, in 1617, appointed nuncio in France, and acted with so much dexterity
with respect to the affairs of both courts, that when he was
made cardinal, Jan. 11, 1621, Louis XIII. chose him to be
the agent of France at the court of Rome. Here he soon
became the confidential friend of pope Urban VIII. who,
in 1641, bestowed on him the bishopric of Palestrina. On
the death of this pope in 1644, it was generally thought that
cardinal Bentivoglio would be his successor; but he had
scarcely entered the conclave when the heat overpowered
him, and brought on a fever, of which he died September
7, of that year. He was interred in the church of the
Theatins of St. Silvester, in a private manner, agreeably to
his own desire, owing to his affairs being deranged. He
owed large sums at his death, in order to pay part of which
he had been obliged, some time before, to sell his palace
at Rome. A magnificent style of living was then one of
the means by which the Romish ecclesiastics endeavoured
to acquire the humble title of “Servant of servants,
” and
Bentivoglio had not neglected this or any other expedient.
He was in truth a consummate politician, knew how to re^
concile clashing interests, and how to assume every necessary change of character; his historical memoirs partake
of this character, being cautious, reserved, yet amusing
and illustrative of the characters and events of the times
in which he lived. His works are, 1. “Relazioni del
card. Bentivoglio in tempo delle sue nunziature di Fiandra e di Francia, date in luce da Ericio Puteano (Henry Dupuy), Antwerp, 1629; Cologne, 1630; Paris, 1631; all
in 4to; translated into English by Henry earl of Monmouth, London, 1652, folio. 2.
” Delia guerra di Fiandra,“in six books, printed at various times, but all included
in the edition of Cologne, 1639, 4to, which is considered as
the best. This likewise was translated into English by the
earl of Monmouth, 1654, folio. 3.
” Kaccolta di lettere
scritte in tempo delle sue nunziature di Fiandra et di Francia,“Cologne, 1631, 4to. A fine edition of this was lately
published by M. Biagioli, at Didot’s press, Paris, 1807,
12mo, with French notes, grammatical and philosophical,
and a literal translation was published at London, 1764, for
the use of learners of the Italian tongue, but it was feebly
executed. In 1727, an edition of the original was printed
at Cambridge. 4.
” Memorie^ owero diario del cardinal
Bentivoglio,“Amst. 1648, 8vO. He wrote these memoirs
in 1642, with a view, as he says in his preface, to please
himself, and he relates what he would wish posterity to
know of his history and character. The whole of his works,
with the exception of his
” Memoirs," were published together at Paris, 1645, folio, and apparently reprinted 1648,
but this is the same publication with a new title-page.
They were also printed, including the Memoirs, at Venice,
1668, 4to.
h favour at the court of Louis XIV. vvhicii he did not preserve after the death of that monarch. The pope, on that event, recalled him from Paris, and at Ferrara he was
, of Arragon, a cardinal
and poet, one of the sons of the preceding, was born at
Ferrara, March 27, 1668, and in the course of his studies,
distinguished himself by the progress he made in the belleslettres, philosophy, theology, and law, and was an able and
successful supporter of the literary establishments of his
country. Having afterwards gone to reside at Rome, he
was promoted by Clement XI. to be his domestic prelate,
and clerk of the apostolic chamber, and in 1712 was sent as
nuncio to France, with the title of archbishop of Carthage.
There, having discovered much zeal in the affair of the bull
Unigenitus, he acquired high favour at the court of Louis
XIV. vvhicii he did not preserve after the death of that monarch. The pope, on that event, recalled him from Paris,
and at Ferrara he was made cardinal in November, 1719.
He then settled at Rome, where many other dignities were
conferred upon him, and where he died, December 30,
1732. Amidst his whole career of ecclesiastical promotions
and duties, he found leisure to cultivate his taste for polite
literature. There are extant several of his harangues pronounced on various occasions; that which he delivered at
Rome, in the academy of design, in which he investigates
the uses, to taste and morals, of the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture, was printed under the title “Utile
delle belle arti riconosciuto per l'accademia del disegno,
orazione,
” &c. liome, 1707, and reprinted in vol. II. of the
“Prose degli A-rcadi.
” The work, however, which entitles him to a place among the poets of Italy, is his beautiful translation of Statius, “La Tebaidadi Stazio tradotto
in verso sciolto da Seivaggio Porpora,
” (a fictitious name),
Rome,
e of the question, and making him the object of their satire and ridicule. The “slashing Bentley” of Pope will be remembered and repeated by thousands who know nothing
The life of this eminent scholar and critic, as given in
the Biographia Britannica, although professedly corrected
from the first edition of that work, remains a confused collection of materials, from which we have found it difficult
to form anything like a regular sketch. Few names were
more familiar to the scholar and the wit in the first
three reigns of the eighteenth century, than that of Bentley, but no approach has yet been made to a regular and
impartial narrative of his life. This is the more to be regretted, because he occupied a large space of the literary
world, and was connected by friendship or controversy
with some of the most eminent writers of his age, both at
home and abroad. It has been justly observed, that when
we consider the great abilities and uncommon eruvlition of
Dr. Bentley, it reflects some disgrace on our country, that
even his literary reputation should so long be treated with
contempt, that he should be represented as a mere verbal
critic, and as a pedant without genius. The unjust light
in which he was placed, was not entirely owing to the able
men who opposed him in the Boylean controversy. It
arose, perhaps, principally from the poets engaging on
the same side of the question, and making him the object
of their satire and ridicule. The “slashing Bentley
” of
Pope will be remembered and repeated by thousands who
know nothing of the doctor’s real merit. Perhaps it may
be found that this asperity of Mr. Pope was not entirely
owing to the combination of certain wits and poets against
Dr. Bentley, but to personal resentment. We are told
that bishop Atterbury having Bentley and Pope both at
dinner with him, insisted on knowing what opinion the
doctor entertained of the English Homer; he for some
time eluded the question, but, at last, being urged to
speak out, he said: “The verses are good verses; but the
work is not Homer, it is Spondanus.
”
im of his heresy, and his writings, which were taken to Rome, were condemned in two councils held by pope Leo IX. in 1050, and himself excommunicated. He then went to
, or Berenger, the celebrated archdeacon of Angers, was born at Tours in the beginning of
the eleventh century, of an opulent family, and became
the disciple of the famous Fulbert of Chartres, under whom
he made rapid progress in grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, and
what were then called the liberal arts. On his return to his
country in 1030, he was appointed scholastic, or master
of the school of St. Martin. His reputation soon reaching
foreign parts, the number of his scholars greatly increased,
and many of them were afterwards advanced to high rank
in the church; nor did he quit his school when made archdeacon of Angers in 1039. The opinions, which have
given him a name in ecclesiastical history, were said to
have been first occasioned by a pique. In a dispute with
Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbury, on a very trivial question, he happened to be defeated, and what was worse,
his scholars began to go over to that rival. Berengarius,
on this, took Erigena for his model, and attacked the mystery of the eucharist, as the popish writers term it, but in
plain language, the doctrine of transubstantiation. Bruno,
bishop of Angers, Hugh, of Langres, and Adelman, of
Brescia, in vain endeavoured to cure him of his heresy,
and his writings, which were taken to Rome, were condemned in two councils held by pope Leo IX. in 1050, and
himself excommunicated. He then went to the abbey of
Preaux in Normandy, hoping to be protected by duke
William, surnamed the Bastard, but that young prince
summonsed a meeting of the ablest bishops and divines,
who again condemned Berengarius, and the council of
Paris, in Oct. 1050, deprived him of all his benefices.
This loss he is said to have felt more severely than their
spiritual inflictions, and it disposed him to retract his sentiments in the council of Tours, in 1055, in consequence
of which he was received into church-communion. In 1059
he was cited to the council at Rome, by pope Nicholas II.
and having been confuted by Abbo and Laniranc, he
abjured his errors, burnt his books, yet had no sooner
reached France, than he protested against his recantation,
as extorted by fear, and returned to his studies with the
same spirit of inquiry. At length, however, Gregory VII
having called a new council at Rome in 1078, Berengei
more seriously abjured his opinions, returned to France,
and passed the remaining years of his life in privacy and
penance. He died Jan. 6, 1088, aged ninety. There
have been many disputes betwixt protestant and popish
authors, as to the reality or sincerity of his final recantation. His sentiments, however, did not perish on his recantation, or his death, and he may be considered as having contributed to that great reformation in the church
which afterwards was carried into lasting effect by his successors. The greater part of his works are lost, but some
are preserved among the works of Lanfranc, in the collections of d'Acheri and Martenne; and, in 1770, Lessing discovered and published his answer to Lanfranc, “De corpore et sanguine Jesu Christi.
”
ift. For the former he wrote several papers in the Guardian, and at his house became acquainted with Pope, with whom he afterwards lived in friendship. It is said he
In 1710 appeared “The Principles of human knowledge;
” and, in Dialogues between Hylas and
Philonous
” but to them the same praise has not been
given, and to this day their real tendency is a disputed
point. The object of both pieces is to prove that the commonly received notion of the existence of matter is false
that sensible material objects, as they are called, are not
external to the mind, but exist in it, and are nothing more
than impressions made upon it by the immediate act of
God, according to certain rules termed laws of nature,
from which, in the ordinary course of his government, he
never deviates and that the steady adherence of the Supreme Spirit to these rules is what constitutes the reality
of things to his creatures. These works are declared to.
Lave been written in opposition to sceptics and atheists
and the author’s inquiry is into the chief cause of error
and difficulty in the sciences, with the grounds of scepticism, atheism, and irreligion which cause and grounds
are found to be the doctrines of the existence of matter.
He seems persuaded that men never could have been deluded into a false opinion of the existence of matter, if
they had not fancied themselves invested with a power of
abstracting substance from the qualities under which it is
perceived and hence, as the general foundation of his
argument, he is led to combat and explode a doctrine
maintained by Locke and others, of there being a power
in the mind of abstracting general ideas. Mr. Hume says,
that these works “form the best lessons of scepticism,
which are to be found either among the ancient or modern
philosophers, Bayle not excepted.
” Dr. Beattie also considers them as having a sceptical tendency. He adds, that
if Berkeley’s argument be conclusive, it proves that to b
false which every man must necessarily believe, every moment of his life, to be true, and that to be true which no
man since the foundation of the world was ever capable of
believing for a single moment. Berkeley’s doctrine attacks
the most incontestable dictates of common sense, and pretends to demonstrate that the clearest principles of human
conviction, and those which have determined the judgment
of men in all ages, and by which the judgment of all reasonable men must be determined, are certainly fallacious.
It may just be observed, that Berkeley had not reached
his 27th year when he published this singular system. The
author of his life in the Biog. Brit, asserts that “the airy
visions of romances, to the reading of which he was much
addicted, disgust at the books of metaphysics then received
in the university, and that inquisitive attention to the
operations of the mind which about this time was excited
by the writings of Locke and Malebranche, probably gave
birth to his disbelief of the existence of matter.
” Whatever influenre the oth^r causes here assigned might have
had, we have the authority of his relict, Mrs. Berkeley,
that he had a very great dislike to romances, and indeed
it would be difficult to discover in any of these volumes
of absurd fiction the grounds of such a work as Berkeley’s.
In 1712 he published three sermons in favour of passive
obedience and non-resistance, which underwent at least
three editions, and afterwards had nearly done him sonic
injury in. his fortune. They caused him to be represented
as ajlacobite, and stood in his way with the house of Hanover, till Mr. Molineux, above-mentioned, took off the
impression, and first made him known to queen Caroline,
whose secretary, when princess, Mr. -Molineux had been.
Acuteness of parts and beauty of imagination were so conspicuous in his writings, that his reputation was now established, and his company courted even where his opinions
did not find admission. Men of opposite parties concurred
in recommending him sir Richard Steele, for instance,
and Dr. Swift. For the former he wrote several papers in
the Guardian, and at his house became acquainted with
Pope, with whom he afterwards lived in friendship. It is
said he had a guinea and a dinner with Steele for every
paper he wrote in the Guardian. Swift recommended him
to the celebrated earl of Peterborough, who being appointed
ambassador to the king of Sicily and the Italian states,
took Berkeley with him as chaplain and secretary in November 1713. He returned to England with this nobleman in August 1714, and towards the close of the year
had a fever, which gave occasion to Dr. Arbuthnot to indulge a little pleasantry on Berkeley’s system. “Poor
philosopher Berkeley,
” says he to his friend Swift, “has
now the idea of health, which was very hard to produce in
him; for he had an idea of a strange fever on him so strong,
that it was very hard to destroy it by introducing a contrary one.
”
ay be collected from the specimen of his talents for observation and description, in a letter to Mr. Pope concerning the island of Inarime (now Ischia) dated October
His hopes of preferment expiring with the fall of queen
Anne’s ministry, he some time after embraced an offer
made him by Dr. St. George Ashe, bishop of Clogher, of
accompanying his son in a tour through Europe. When he
arrived at Paris, having more leisure than when he first
passed through that city, Mr. Berkeley took care to pay
his respects to his rival in metaphysical sagacity, the illustrious Pere Malebranche. He found this ingenious father
in his cell, cooking in a small pipkin a medicine for a
disorder with which he was then troubled, an inflammation
on the lungs. The conversation naturally turned on our
author’s system, of which the other had received some
knowledge from a translation just published. But the
issue of this debate proved tragical to poor Malebranche.
In the heat of disputation he raised his voice so high, and.
gave way so freely to the natural impetuosity of a man of
parts and a Frenchman, that he brought on himself a
violent increase of his disorder, which carried him off a
few days after. In this excursion Mr. Berkeley employed
four years and, besides those places which fall within,
the grand tour, visited some that are less frequented. He
travelled over Apulia (from which he wrote an account of the tarantula to Dr. Freind), Calabria, and the whole
island of Sicily. This last country engaged his attention
so strongly, that he had with great industry collected very
considerable materials for a natural history of it, but unfortunately lost them in the passage to Naples. What injury the literary world has sustained by this mischance,
may be collected from the specimen of his talents for observation and description, in a letter to Mr. Pope concerning the island of Inarime (now Ischia) dated October 22,
1717; and in another from the same city to Dr. Arbuthnot,
giving an account of an eruption of Vesuvius. On his
way homeward, he drew up at Lyons a curious tract “De
Motu,
” which was inserted in the memoirs of the royal
academy of sciences at Paris, who had proposed the subject. He arrived at London in 1721; and, being much
affected with the miseries of the nation, occasioned by the
South Sea scheme in 1720, published the same year “An
essay towards preventing the ruin of Great Britain;
” reprinted in his miscellaneous tracts.
His way was open now into the very first company. Mr. Pope introduced him to lord Burlington, and lord Burlington recommended
His way was open now into the very first company. Mr.
Pope introduced him to lord Burlington, and lord Burlington recommended him to the duke of Grafton who,
being lord-lieutenant of Ireland, took him over as one of
his chaplains in 1721, and November this year he is said
to have accumulated the degrees of bachelor and doctor in
divinity; but a writer in the Gent. Mag. 1776 asserts that
he never went to Ireland as chaplain to any lieutenant, and
that he was created D. D. by his college in 1717, when he
was in Italy. The year following he had a very unexpected increase of fortune from Mrs. Vanhomrigh, the
celebrated Vanessa, to whom he had been introduced by
Swift this lady had intended Swift for her heir, but, perceiving herself to be slighted by him, she left near 8000l.
between her two executors, of whom Berkeley was one.
In his life in the Biog. Brit, it is said that Swift had often
taken him to dine at this lady’s house, but Mrs. Berkeley,
his widow, asserts that he never dined there but once, and
that by chance. Dr. Berkeley, as executor, destroyed as
much of Vanessa’s correspondence as he could find. Mr.
Marshal, the other executor, published the “Cadenus and
Vanessa,
” which, according to Dr. Delany, proved fatal
to Stella. May 18, 1724, he was promoted to the deanery
of Derry, worth 1100l. per annum, and resigned his fellowship.
began to open the case, when Abelard very unexpectedly put an end to the matter by appealing to the pope. Bernard, who afterwards wrote to the same pope an account of
His power, however, was not always employed to the best purposes. The crusade of Louis VII. was supported by Bernard’s eloquence, who unhappily prevailed to draw numbers to join that monarch in his absurd expedition, which was, in its consequences, pregnant with misery and ruin. In his dispute with the celebrated Abelard, he appears more in character. At a council called at Soissons in 1121, Abelard was’ charged with tritheism, and with having asserted, that God the father was alone Almighty. He was ordered to burn his books, and to recite the symbol of Athanasius, with all which he complied, and was set at liberty: but it was long after this before Bernard took any particular notice of Abelard, having either heard little of the controversy, or not being called upon to deliver his sentiments. Abelard, however, notwithstanding his retractations, persevered in teaching his heresies, and it became, at length, impossible for his errors to escape the observation of the abbot of Clairv.il. Having studied the subject, his first step was to admonish Abeiard in a private conference, but finding that that had no effect, he opposed him in some of his writings, on which Abelard challenged him to dispute the matter at a solemn assembly which was to be held at the city of Sens in 1140. Bernard was at first unwilling to subu-it these important doctrines to a decision which was rather that of personal talent, than of deliberative wisdom, and would have declined appearing, had not his friends represented that his absence might injure the cause. He accordingly met his antagonist, and began to open the case, when Abelard very unexpectedly put an end to the matter by appealing to the pope. Bernard, who afterwards wrote to the same pope an account of Abelard’s conduct, very justly blames him for appealing from judges whom he had himself chosen. Notwithstanding this tippeal, however, Abelard’s sentiments were condemned, and the pope ordered his books to be burned, and himself confined in some monastery; and that of Cluni being chosen, he remained in it until his death about two years after.
to Italy, visited several cities, where he preached with great applause. His enemies accused him to pope Martin V. of having advanced in his sermons erroneous propositions
, an ecclesiastic and saint, was born at Massa, in Tuscany, Sept. 8, 1380. Having lost his mother at three years of age, and his father at seven, his relations in 1392 sent for him to Sienna, where he learned g ammar under Onuphrius, and philosophy under John JSpoletanus. In 1396 he entered himself among the confraternity of the disciplinaries in the hospital de la Scala in that city and in 1400, when the plague ravaged all Italy, he attended upon the sick in that hospital with the utmost diligence and humanity. In 1404 he entered into a monastery of the Franciscan order, near Sienna, and, having been ordained priest, became an eminent preacher. He was afterwards sent to Jerusalem, as commissary of the holy land and upon his return to Italy, visited several cities, where he preached with great applause. His enemies accused him to pope Martin V. of having advanced in his sermons erroneous propositions upon which he was oidered to Rome, where he vindicated himself, and was allowed to continue his preaching. The cities of Ferrara, Sienna, and Urbino, desired pope Eugenius IV. to appoint him their bishop but Bernardine refused to accept of ibis honour. He repaired and founded above 300 monasteries in that country. He died at Aquila in AbruzzO, May 20, 1444, and was canonised in 1450, by pope Nicholas.
He was then obliged to take the office of secretary to Giberti, bishop of Verona, who was datary to pope Leo X. On this he assumed the ecclesiastical habit, in hopes
, called by some writers Berna or Bernia, was
one of the most celebrated Italian poets of
the sixteenth century. He was born about the conclusion
of the fifteenth, at Lamporecchio, in that part of Tuscany
called Val-di-Nievole, of a noble but impoverished family
of Florence. In his nineteenth year he went to Koine, to
his relation cardinal Bibiena, who according to his own account, did him neither good nor harm. He was then obliged
to take the office of secretary to Giberti, bishop of Verona,
who was datary to pope Leo X. On this he assumed the
ecclesiastical habit, in hopes of sharing some of that prelate’s patronage, but the mean and dull employment of his
office of secretary, and for which he was ill paid, was very
unsuitable to his disposition. There was at Rome what he
liked better, a society or academy of young ecclesiastics as
gay as himself, and lovers of wit and poetry like himself,
who, no doubt in order to point out their taste for wine,
and their thoughtless habits, were called Vignajuoli, vinedressers. To this belonged Mauro, Casa, Firenzuola, Capilupij and many others. In their meetings they laughed
at every thing, and made verses and witticisms on the most
grave and solemn subjects. The compositions Berni contributed on these occasions, were so superior to the others,
that verses composed in the same style began to be called
“La poesia Bernesca.
”
en professor of the belles lettres, then first secretary, and in that quality was sent to compliment pope Innocent X. on his election to the papal chair. He lived in
, a lawyer, philosopher, orator,
and poet, of Ferrara, was born in 1610. After having pursued his studies with great success, and taken his law degrees, in the university of his native city, he was chosen
professor of the belles lettres, then first secretary, and in
that quality was sent to compliment pope Innocent X. on
his election to the papal chair. He lived in considerable
favour with that pope, as well as with Alexander VII. and
Clement IX. his successors, and the dukes of Mantua,
Charles I. and II. who conferred upon him the title of
Count. His poetical talents were principally devoted to
the drama and one of his plays “Gli Sforzi del Desiderio,
”
represented at Ferrara in Accademia,
” Ferrara, 2 vols. 4to,
without date, and reprinted in 1658. Many of his lyric
poems are in the collections.
t masters, which he never altogether lost, although in the sequel he did not follow their track. The pope expressed a desire to see this extraordinary child who had astonished
, called the Cavalier BerNiN, and by some styled the modern Michael Angelo, because he united the knowledge and practice of painting,
statuary, and architecture, owes his extensive reputation
prinqipally to his excellence in the latter, branch. His
father Peter Bernini, left Tuscany when young, and went
to Rome to study painting and sculpture. Having acquired
considerable skill in both, he removed to Naples, and practised with great success. There in, 15.98, his son, the subject of this memoir, was born, and from his earliest years
discovered a surprising capacity for the fine arts, having at
the age of eight executed a head in marble, which was
considered as a prodigy. His father, desirous of cultivating so promising a genius, brought him to Rome, and
imparted to him a taste for the great masters, which he
never altogether lost, although in the sequel he did not
follow their track. The pope expressed a desire to see
this extraordinary child who had astonished the artists, and
when introduced, asked him if he knew how to sketch a
head, “Whose head
” said Bernini. “You know then
how to draw any let it be that of St. Paul,
” replied the
pope.' The boy performed the task before him in about
half an hour, and the pope, enchanted with the specimen,
recommended him warmly to cardinal Barberini, that celebrated patron of the arts. “Direct his studies,
” added his
holiness, “and he will become the Michael Angelo of the
age.
” About the same time, happening to be in St. Peter’s church, with Annibal Carrache, and some other celebrated artists, Carrache, looking to the cupola, said it would
be very desirable to find a man of genius great enough to
form and erect two objects in the middle, and at the end
of that temple, which should correspond to its dimensions.“The young Bernini instantly exclaimed with enthusiasm,
” Would I were that man," little thinking that one day he
was to fulfil Carrache’s wish.
o, a likeness so striking, that it was said to be Montajo petrified. He afterwards made busts of the pope, some of the cardinals, and some large figures after nature;
One of Bernini’s first works was a portrait in marble of the prelate Montajo, a likeness so striking, that it was said to be Montajo petrified. He afterwards made busts of the pope, some of the cardinals, and some large figures after nature; a St. Laurence, a groupe of ^neas and Anchises, and David about to sling the stone at Goliath, of which our great artist sir Joshua Reynolds observes, that Bernini has given a very mean expression to David, representing him as biting his under lip, which is far from being a general expression, and still farther from being dignified but Bernini, who was as yet young, might have seen it in one or two instances, and mistook accident for generality. He was but in his eighteenth year when he executed his Apollo and Daphne, a work, from which, as sir Joshua remarks, the world justly expected he would rival the best productions of ancient Greece, but this was not ultimately the case. We are told, however, that when, about the close of his life, he surveyed this groupe, he allowed that since that time he had made very little progress. In truth his style was now more pure, and had less of manner in it than afterwards.
Bernini’s good fortune. Immediately after that event he said to Bernini, “If you are happy to see me pope, I am more proud yet that you live under my pontificate,” and
His success in the mean time was great, and Gregory
XV. who succeeded Paul V. being equally struck with his
merit, created him a knight; but it was left for cardinal
Barberini, when he came to the pontificate, to complete
Bernini’s good fortune. Immediately after that event he
said to Bernini, “If you are happy to see me pope, I am
more proud yet that you live under my pontificate,
” and
from that time began to employ him in designs for embellishing Rome, and gave him a pension of three hundred
crowns per month. Without altogether quitting statuary,
therefore, Bernini now employed his talents on architecture, and recollecting Carrache’s wish, he designed the
canopy for the principal altar, called the confessional of
St. Peter, supported by four wreathed columns, enriched
with figures and ornaments of exquisite taste. When this
magnificent work was completed, in about nine years, the
pope rewarded him with six thousand crowns, besides increasing his pensions, and extending his liberality to Bernini’s brothers. Another work of his was the fountain of
Barcaccia, which has been praised more than it merits, at
least it is inferior to that of the Barberini palace.
del of the tomb of the countess Matilda, which was executed by his pupils and that of his benefactor pope Urban VIII. When his reputation reached England, Charles I.
It would be perhaps tedious to enumerate all the productions of Bernini’s genius at this time, but the following are the principal the Barberini palace the campanile of Su Peter the model of the tomb of the countess Matilda, which was executed by his pupils and that of his benefactor pope Urban VIII. When his reputation reached England, Charles I. was desirous of having a bust of himself by an artist of such eminence, and sent him three portraits by Vandyke of different positions. By this means Bernini was enabled to make an excellent likeness, with which the king was so pleased that he took from his finger a diamond ring valued at six thousand crowns, and sent it to Bernini to adorn the hand that could perform such wonders. About the same time an Englishman came to Italy, and had his bust executed by our artist, for which he also paid six thousand crowns. The bust of Charles I. was originally placed in Greenwich hospital, but is now in Westminster hall, in a circular recess over the stairs, leading to the chancellor’s chamber, between the court of chancery and that of the king’s bench, yet it is doubted whether this be really Bernini’s celebrated bust, or only one taken from it. Vertue was of opinion that the bust now existing was of an earlier date, and that Bernini’s was 'destroyed during the civil war.
erated, it became necessary to remove the campanile, and the enemies of Bernini triumphed, while the pope, prejudiced against him, deprived him of one part of his labours,
In 1644, cardinal Mazarin, who had known Bernini at Rome, endeavoured, but in vain, to induce him to visit France, and offered him, on the part of Louis XIV. places to the value of 12,000 crowns. Yet he was not happy at home. When Urban VIII. his steady patron, died, and Innocent X. succeeded, envy at his superior talents and high favour with the pontiff, began to appear. The campanile which he had constructed for St. Peter’s, over the portico, which it appeared was not on a secure foundation, threatened to fall, and immediately it was industriously reported that the weight of the campanile would endanger the portico, and perhaps even the dome itself. Although all this was exaggerated, it became necessary to remove the campanile, and the enemies of Bernini triumphed, while the pope, prejudiced against him, deprived him of one part of his labours, and allowed the rest to be suspended. In the mean time he executed for the church of St. Mary the fine groupe of St. Theresa and the angel, one of his most admired works; and became at length a favourite with the pope by a stratagem of his holiness’s nephew. The pope, having an intention of building a new fountain in the piazza. Navona, consulted all the artists of Rome, with the exception of Bernini, whom he affected to forget but his nephew prince Ludovisi having procured a model from our artist, contrived to shew it to the pope, who was so much struck with it, as to receive Bernini into favour, and appoint him to the work, which he executed with his usual taste. About the same time he built the palace of Monte Citorio.
Alexander VII. who succeeded pope Innocent X. and who had a high respect for Bernini, and was
Alexander VII. who succeeded pope Innocent X. and who had a high respect for Bernini, and was an encourager of the arts, requested him to make a design for the further decoration of St. Peter’s, which produced the celebrated circular colonnade, so appropriate to the building as to seem part of the scheme of the original architect. Ha was not, however, so successful in the composition of the pulpit of St. Peter’s, supported by colossal figures representing the four doctors of the church, which, although altered from his first model, has neither the freedom nor spirit of his other works among which may now be enumerated the Odechalchi palace, the rotunda of St. Riccio, and the noviciate of the Jesuits at Monte Cavallo.
ainted, with so illustrious a character, provided this did not interfere with his engagements to the pope, or his personal convenience. Such condescension our artist
Although he had refused to come to France, Louis XIV.
was still desirous to avail himself of his talents, as well as
to pay him a compliment, by consulting him on the restoration of the Louvre. His minister, Colbert, accordingly
sent him the plans of that palace, and requested him to put
upon paper “some of those admirable thoughts which were
so familiar to him.
” Bernini immediately made a sketch
for the new building, which afforded so much satisfaction
to the king, that he wrote to inform him of the very great
desire he had to see, and become acquainted, with so
illustrious a character, provided this did not interfere
with his engagements to the pope, or his personal convenience. Such condescension our artist could no longer
resist; and although now in his sixty-eighth year, departed
from Rome, in 1665, with one of his sons, two of his
pupils, and a numerous suite. No artist ever travelled
with so much pomp or pleasure. All the princes through
whose dominions he passed loaded him with presents. In
France he was received and complimented by the magistrates at the gates of each city, and that even at Lyons,
where it was customary to restrict such a compliment to
princes of the blood only. As he approached Paris, the
king’s maitre d'hotel was sent to meet him, with instructions to do the honours of receiving him and conducting
him every where. This gentleman, M. de Chautelon, was
so sensible of the importance of his commission, that he
wrote a joutnal of all his proceedings while in company
with Bernini, a curious work still preserved in manuscript.
On his arrival, our artist was conducted to a hotel prepared
for him, and where Colbert visited him as representative
of the king, to whom he was afterwards introduced at St.
Germains, received with great honour, had a long conversation with the king, and, as well as his son, was admitted
to the minister’s table.
have met with some disgust, which inclined him to return to Rome. Accordingly, on pretence that the pope required his presence, he took leave of the king, who made him
Bernini, however, was not wholly reconciled to his errand here. The“great work for which he came was not
carried on after his designs, and he is said to have met
with some disgust, which inclined him to return to Rome.
Accordingly, on pretence that the pope required his presence, he took leave of the king, who made him a
present of ten thousand crowns, and settled a pension on
him of two thousand, and another of four hundred on his
son. The expenses of his return were also defrayed by his
majesty, who, with a view to immortalize the visit, caused
a medal to be struck, with a portrait of the artist, and on
the reverse the muses of his art, with this inscription,
” Singularis in singulis, in omnibus unicus." Before his
departure, Bernini engaged to make an equestrian statue
of Louis XIV. in marble, and of colossal proportion, which
he finished in four years but whether from its having no
resemblance of the king, or from some fault found with
the composition, it was, soon after its arrival, changed into
Curtius leaping into the gulph, and is now in the gardens at Versailles.
On his return to Rome, he was received with the greatest demonstrations of joy, and the pope appointed his son canon of St. Maria Maggiore, and gave him
On his return to Rome, he was received with the greatest demonstrations of joy, and the pope appointed his son canon of St. Maria Maggiore, and gave him several benefices. Cardinal Rospigliosi having become pope by the title of Clement IX. Bernini was admitted into his favour, and employed in several works, particularly the embellishment of the bridge of St. Angelo, and when he had attained his seventieth year, he executed one of his masterpieces, the tomb of Alexander VII. At the age of eighty, he made a beautiful demi-figure in bas-relief, for Christina queen of Sweden, of our Saviour. Being even after this engaged on some architectural works, particularly the repairs of the old palace of the chancery, he applied himself with so much zeal and ardour, as to injure his health. He became restless and weak, and at length totally exhausted, dying Nov. 28, 1680, in the eighty-second year of his age. He was interred in the church of St. Maria Maggiore, with great pomp. By his will, he left to the pope a large painting of our Saviour, executed by himself when he practised that art formerly; and to the queen of Sweden, the piece of sculpture we have just mentioned, which her majesty had refused before, thinking she could not afford to pay for it. He left to his children a statue of Truth, and a fortune of 400,000 Roman crowns.
pointments of this description, and of this they gave him a strong proof, in a contest they had with pope Benedict XIV. who appointed Bernis as his negociator. On this
, count of
Lyons, and a cardinal and statesman of France, was born
at MarceJ de l'Ardeche, May 22, 1715, of a noble and
ancient family, but not very rich which circumstance
induced his friends to bring him up to the church, as the
most likely profession in which he might rise. In this they
were not disappointed, as he gradually attained the highest
ecclesiastical dignities. When young he was placed at
the seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris, and after remaining
there some years, he appeared in the world with every
personal accomplishment that could introduce him into
notice; but his morals appear to have been for some time
an obstruction to promotion. The cardinal de Fleury,
then prime-minister, who had the patronage of all favours,
and who had promised him his countenance, thinking him
of a spirit too worldly for the church, sent for him and
gave him a lecture on his dissipated conduct, concluding
with these words “You can have no expectations of promotion, while I live,
” to which the young abbé“Bernis,
making a profound bow, replied,
” Sir, I can wait"
Some think this bon mot, which became very current, was
not original but it is certain that Bernis remained for a
long while in a state not far removed from poverty, and
yet contrived, by means of strict parsimony, to make a
decent figure at the houses to which he was invited.
Being a writer of verses, and consequently a dealer in
compliments, he was always acceptable, and at length by
madame Pompadour’s interest, was introduced to Louis XV.
The good effects of this, at first, were only an apartment
in the Tuileries, to which his patroness added the furniture,
and a pension of fifteen hundred livres yet it soon led to
greater matters. Having been appointed ambassador to
Venice, he was remarked to have acquired the good opinion
and confidence of a state rather difficult to please in appointments of this description, and of this they gave him a
strong proof, in a contest they had with pope Benedict XIV.
who appointed Bernis as his negociator. On this occasion
the state of Venice approved the choice, the consequence
of which was, that Bernis effected a reconciliation to the
entire satisfaction of both parties. On his return, he became a great favourite at court, acquired considerable influence, and at length, being admitted into the council,
was appointed foreign minister. But in this situation he
was either unskilful or unfortunate the disasters of the
seven years war, and the peace of 1763, were laid to his
charge but according to Duclos, he was less to blame than
his colleagues, and it is certain that in some instances he
has been unjustly censured. It was said, in particular,
that he argued for a declaration of war against Prussia, because Frederick the Great had ridiculed his poetry in the
following line,
of Bologna, and some years after made one of a deputation from the city, with Galeas Bentivoglio, to pope Alexander VI. He was also for several years, secretary of the
, the elder, one of the most eminent scholars of the fifteenth century, descended from an ancient and noble family of Bologna, was born there, Dec. 7, 1453. Having lost his father in his infancy, he was brought up by his mother with the greatest care, able masters being provided for his education, whose pains he rewarded by an uncommon proficiency, aided by an astonishing memory. Besides the lessons which they gave him, he studied so hard by himself, that at the age of eighteen, he fell into a very dangerous disorder, from which he recovered with much difficulty. When it was discovered that he could learn nothing more from his tutors, it was thought that the best way to increase his knowledge was to employ him in teaching others. When only nineteen, therefore, he opened a school first at Bologna, and afterwards at Parma and Milan. After continuing this for some time, the high reputation of the university of Paris made him very anxious to visit that city, which accordingly he accomplished, and gave public lectures for some months to a very large auditory, some say, of six hundred scholars. Every thing in science then was done by lecturing, and Beroaldo, no doubt gratified by the applause he had met with, would have remained longer at Paris had he not been recalled to his own country, his return to which created a sort of public rejoicing. His first honour was to be appointed professor of belles-lettres in the university of Bologna, which he retained all his life, and although he would have been content with this, as the summit of his literary ambition, yet this promotion was followed by civic honours. In 1489 he was named one of the ancients of Bologna, and some years after made one of a deputation from the city, with Galeas Bentivoglio, to pope Alexander VI. He was also for several years, secretary of the republic.
araphrase of the epistles, was printed in 1758, notwithstanding it was censured and condemned by the pope and clergy as containing abominable errors. Abominable absurdities
, a celebrated French writer, of the order of Jesus, was born at Rouen in Normandy, Nov. 7, 1681. He was designed for the pulpit,
but the weakness of his frame not allowing him to declaim,
he gave himself up to the quiet but severe studies of the
closet, and produced some critical works of importance,
which his countrymen in their spirit of intolerance thought
fit to suppress and the reading of his “Histoire du peuple de Dieu
” was forbid by the archbishop of Paris, which
the Sorbonne were six years reviewing. The first part of
this work made its appearance in 8 vols. 4to, with a supplement, 1728, reprinted in 1733, 8 vols. 4to, and 10 vols.
12mo; this ends with the times of the Messiah: the second
part came out in 1753 in 4 vols. 4to, and 8 vols. 12mo;
and the third part in 2 vols. 4to, or 5 vols. in 12mo, containing a literal paraphrase of the epistles, was printed in
1758, notwithstanding it was censured and condemned by
the pope and clergy as containing abominable errors.
Abominable absurdities it certainly contained, the history
of the Jews being detailed with all the affectation of sentimental romance. The author died at Pans, Feb. 18,
1758.
s redivivus in scriptis pp. Bellelli et Berti,” in 4to. At the same time father Berti was accused to pope Benedict XIV. as a disciple of Ba'ius and of Jansenitis. The
, a famous Augustine monk,
born May 28, 1696, at Serravezza, a small village in Tuscany, was called to Rome by his superiors, and obtained
the title of assistant-general of Italy, and the place of prefect of the papal library. His great proficiency in theological studies procured him these distinctions, and appeared
to advantage in his grand work, “De disciplinis theologicis,
” printed at Rome in 8 vols. 4to. He here adopts the
sentiments of St. Augustine in their utmost rigour, after
the example of Bellelli his brother- monk. The archbishop
of Vienna [Salmon], or rather the Jesuits who managed
him, published under his name in 1744, two pieces against
the two Augustine theologues, inveighing against them as
being too severely Augustine. The first is entitled,
“Ba'ianismus redivivus in scriptis pp. Bellelli et Berti,
” in
4to. The second bore this title “Jansenismus redivivus
in scriptis pp. Bellelli et Berti,
” in 4to. At the same time
father Berti was accused to pope Benedict XIV. as a disciple of Ba'ius and of Jansenitis. The prudent pontiff, without returning any answer to the accusers, advised Berti to
defend himself; which he accordingly did in a work of
two vols. 4to, 1749. In this apology, rather long, though
learned and lively, he laid down the difference there is
between Jansenism and Augustinianism. After this piece
Berti brought out several others, the principal of which is
an ecclesiastical history in Latin, in 7 vols. 4to: it made
however but little way out of Italy, by reason of the dryness of the historian, and of his prejudices in favour of
exploded tenets. He speaks of the pope, both in his theology and in his history, as the absolute monarch of kingdoms and empires, and that all other princes are but his
lieutenants. Berti wrote also dissertations, dialogues, panegyrics, academical discourses, and some Italian poems,
which are by no means his best productions. An edition
in folio of all his works has been printed at Venice. He
died at the age of 70, May 26, 1766, at Pisa, whither he
had been called by Francis I. grand duke of Tuscany.
the famous conference of Fontainbleau, where du Perron contended with du Plessis-Mornay, called the pope of the Huguenots. He was sent by Henry IV. to whom he was chaplain,
, an eminent cardinal, was born in
1575, at the chateau de Serilli, near Troyesin Champagne,
of a noble family, and. having embraced the ecclesiastical
state, distinguished himself early in life by his piety and
his learning. He got great reputation in the famous conference of Fontainbleau, where du Perron contended with
du Plessis-Mornay, called the pope of the Huguenots. He
was sent by Henry IV. to whom he was chaplain, into
Spain, for the purpose of bringing some Carmelites to
Paris, and it was by his means that this order flourished so
much in France. Some time afterwards he founded the
Congregation of the Oratory of France, of which he was the
first general. This new institution was approved by a bull
of pope Paul V. in 1613, and has always been reckoned by
the catholics a great service done to the church. In that
gregation, according to the expression of Bossuet, the
members obey without dependance, and govern without
commanding; their whole time is divided between study
and prayer. Their piety is liberal and enlightened, their
knowledge useful, and almost always modest. Urban VIII.
rewarded the merit of Berulle by a cardinal’s hat. Henry
IV. and Louis XIII. vainly strove to make him accept of
considerable bishoprics on Louis’s telling him that he
should employ the solicitation of a more powerful advocate
than himself (meaning the pope) to prevail upon him to
accept the bishopric of Leon, he said, “that if his majesty continued to press him, he should be obliged to quit
his kingdom.
” This cardinal came over with Henrietta
Maria, queen of Charles I. to England, as her confessor,
to the court of which he endeared himself by the sanctity
of his morals, and the extreme propriety of his behaviour,
although his errand had afterwards its weight in encreasing
the fatal unpopularity of the royal family. He died suddenly, Oct. 2, 1629, aged fifty-five, while he was celebrating the sacrament, and had just repeated the words,
“bane igitur obiationem,
” which gave occasion to the following distich:
court of Austria, whence he went to Ingolstadt, and died there Sept. 15, 1638. At this juncture the pope was about to have offered him a professor’s chair at Bologna,
, an eminent
lawyer, and law-professor at Ingolstadt, was born at
Tubingen in 1577, and was professor of law in 1635, when he
turned Roman catholic, and left his place to become counsellor at the court of Austria, whence he went to Ingolstadt,
and died there Sept. 15, 1638. At this juncture the pope
was about to have offered him a professor’s chair at Bologna, with a pension of four thousand ducats. He was
the author of a great many works on subjects of law and
history, all which shew that he had accumulated a greater
stock of learning than he had time or judgment to methodize. 1. “Synopsis rerum ab orbe condito gestarum,
usque ad Ferdinandi imperium,
” Franeker r Synopsis doctriiwe politico.
” 3. “Historia imperil
Constantinopolitani et Turcici.
” 4. “Series et succinqta
narratio rerum a regibus Hierosolymarum, Neapoleos et
Siciliae gestarum.
” 5. “Dissertationes philologies,
” Monumenta typographical' 6.
” Prodromus vindiciarum ecclesiast. Wirtenbergicarum,“1636,
4to. 7.
” Documenta rediviva monasteriorum Wirtemb.“Tubing. 1636, 4to. These two works, although surreptitiously printed at Vienna in 1723 and 1726, fol. are uncommonly rare, as they were suppressed along with the
following articles. 8.
” Virginum sacrarum monumenta,
&c.“9.
” Documenta concernentia ecclesiam collegiatarn Stuttgardiensem.“10.
” Documenta ecclesise Backhenang.“These last five, which the Germans enumerate
among their rarest bibliographical curiosities, are all in 4to,
and printed at Tubingen, 1636. Saxius mentions a work
omitted in the above list, and probably Besold’s first production,
” Discussiones quaestionum aliquot de usuris et
annuis reditibus," Tubing. 1598, 4to.
ins, which was the side the emperor took. The union was accordingly announced, and in December 1439, pope Eugenius IV. to reward the zeal of Bessarion, created him a
, one of the revivers of literature in the fifteenth century, was born, not at Constantinople, as some writers assert, but at Trebisond, in 1389, a date which is ascertained by his epitaph written by himself, but as all the copies of this epitaph do not agree, Bandini, one of his biographers, gives 1395, as the time of his birth. He entered into the order of St. Basil, and passed twentyone years in a monastery of Peloponnesus, employed in the study of divinity and polite literature. The philosopher Gemistus Pletho was one of his masters. In 1438, when the emperor John Paleologus formed the design of going to the council of Ferrara, to re-unite the Greek with the Latin church, he drew Bessarion from his retirement, made him bishop of Nice, and engaged him to accompany him into Italy with Pletho, Marcus Eugenius, archbishop of Ephesus, the patriarch of Constantinople, and several other Greeks eminent for talents or rank. In the sittings of this council, the archbishop of Ephesus distinguished himself by his powers of reasoning, and Bessarion by the charms of his eloquence, but unfortunately from being rivals in talents, they soon became enemies. Eugenius was not favourable to the scheme of uniting the Greek and Latin churches; and Bessarioii, after having been of a contrary opinion, declared for the Latins, which was the side the emperor took. The union was accordingly announced, and in December 1439, pope Eugenius IV. to reward the zeal of Bessarion, created him a cardinal priest. ‘ Being now, in consequence of his new dignity, fixed in, Italy, a step which was at the same time rendered necessary by the commotions in Greece, where he was very unpopular, and the union universally rejected, Bessarion returned to the studious and simple life he had led in his convent in the Peloponnesus. His house became the resort of the learned, and when he appeared abroad, his train was composed of such men as Argyropulus, Philelphus, Valla, Theodore Gaza, George of Trebisonde, and Calderino. He obtained the confidence and friendship of several popes. Nicholas V. appointed him archbishop of S’ponto, and cardinal-bishop; and Pius II. in 1463, conferred upon him the title of Patriarch of Constantinople. On the death of Nicholas V. the college of cardinals would have elected him his successor, but this purpose was defeated by the intrigues of cardinal Alain. Some years after, Bessarion, was likely to have succeeded Paul II. but to accomplish this, it was necessary to secure the vote of the cardinal Orsini by an act of injustice, which he refused. Orsini, however, tendered his vote on the same terms to the cardinal de Rovere, who had none of Bessarion’s scruples, and was elected. Paul Jovius tells a foolish story of Bessarion’s having lost this election, by the blundering reply of his servant; and Gibbon, credulous enough when the object of belief is worth nothing, has repeated it after him, nor knowing that our countryman Hody had amply refuted it.
r at least, according to Bandini’s calculation, seventy-seven. His body was brought to Rome, and the pope attended the funeral, an honour never bestowed before on any
Bessarion was employed on four embassies of a delicate and difficult kind. Three of them he conducted with success, but the fourth was less fortunate. Being sent into France by Sixtus IV. to reconcile Louis XI. with the duke of Burgundy, and obtain assistance against the Turks, he not only failed in these undertakings, but it is said that the king, in full court, offered him the grossest personal indignities. Bessarion on this set out on his way to Rome, and died at Ravenna, Nov. 19, 1472, of chagrin, according to some authors, but more probably from age and infirmity, being now eighty-three years old, or at least, according to Bandini’s calculation, seventy-seven. His body was brought to Rome, and the pope attended the funeral, an honour never bestowed before on any cardinal. He was celebrated in Latin by Platiua, and in Greek by Michael Apostoiius. Of PJatina’s eloge there have been many editions, but that of Aposiolius was not published until 1793, by M. Fulleborn. Bessarion bequeathed his library to the senate of Venice. It was particularly rich in manuscripts, which he collected at a great expence from all parts of Greece. Tomasini drew up a catalogue of the whole.
and Pits, tells us, that he was sent in the year 1424 to the council held at Sienna in Italy, under Pope Martin V. where he distinguished himself to great advantage.
, a learned English
divine of the fifteenth century, was prior of the monastery
of Carmelite friars at Lynn in Norfolk, and distinguished
for the works which he published, and the great character
which he raised by his merit. It seems probable from
Leland’s account of him, that he studied first at Cambridge,
and afterwards at Paris, as he had the honour of receiving
the degree of doctor of divinity in both those universities.
The same author tells us, that he was extremely well
skilled in natural philosophy, and a considerable divine;
and Bale adds, that he was a very fluent and elegant
preacher in his own language, and an acute disputant in
the schools. Pits likewise observes, that he had a very
happy genius, and a solid judgment, and was eminent for
his piety and knowledge both in divine and human learning that he was highly applauded for his subtilty in disputation, and his eloquence in the pulpit and that Alan
de Lynn affirmed of him, that he used in his sermons to
open and explain the four-fold sense of the Scriptures with
the utmost perspicuity. Thomas Waldensis, in his Epistles
quoted by Bale and Pits, tells us, that he was sent in the
year 1424 to the council held at Sienna in Italy, under
Pope Martin V. where he distinguished himself to great
advantage. He died at Lynn in the year 1428 under the
reign of king Henry VI. His works are, 1. “Compendium Theologiae Moralis.
” 2. “Ordinariac Quaestiones.
”
3. “Super Universalibus Holcothi.
” 4. “Sermonesin Evangelia.
” 5. “Sermones in Epistolas.
” 6. “Lecturae sacrse
Scripturse.
” 7. “Rudimenta Logices.
” 8. “De Virtutibus
et Vitiisoppositis.
” 9. “Epistolarum ad diversosLibri duo.
”
to excite the Protestants to arm in their defence. Opposed to this party, was a league formed by the pope, the emperor, the king of Spain, and the catholic Swiss cantons.
Beza did not return to Geneva when the conference ended: being a Frenchman, queen Catherine de Medicis would have him stay in his own country, where he preached frequently before the king of Navarre, and the prince of Conde, in Paris. The king of Navarre, though of the religion of the Protestants, declared himself against them, in order to preserve the title of viceroy; but the prince of Conde, the illustrious family of Coligny, and others, more zealous for the reformation, began to excite the Protestants to arm in their defence. Opposed to this party, was a league formed by the pope, the emperor, the king of Spain, and the catholic Swiss cantons. This soon brought on the civil war, in the course of which Beza attended the prince of Conde, and was at the battle of Dreux, in 1562, in which the generals of both armies were taken prisoners and during the imprisonment of the prince of Conde, Beza remained with admiral Coligny, and did not return to Geneva, until after the peace of 1563, when he Tesumed his place in the academy or college which Calvin bad founded. That celebrated reformer died in the following year, and Beza succeeded him in all his offices, and was now considered as the ostensible head and main support of the reformed party both in France and Geneva. In 1570 he returned again to France to be present at the synod of Kochelle. The queen of Navarre and the admiral Coligny had requested the council of Geneva to permit bim to take this journey, and when he arrived at Rochelle he was unanimously chosen president of the synod, which was a kind of general assembly of deputies from all the reformed churches in France. He was afterwards frequently interrupted in his academical business at Geneva, particularly in 1574, when sent on an important negociation to Germany, and he frequently assisted at conferences on religious points both in Germany and Swisserland.
annone,” Rome, 1745 1751, 5 vols. 4to, a voluminous work in vindication of the temporal power of the pope, which had been attacked by Giannone in his History of Naples,
, called by Fabroni Blanchius, a
religious of the order of the Minorites, was bora
Oct. 2, 1686. For some years he taught philosophy and
theology, and was afterwards provincial of his order in the
Roman province, visitor of that of Bologna, one of the
counsellors of the inquisition at Rome, and an examiner of
the Roman clergy. He died Jan. 18, 1758. Amidst all
these graver employments, he found leisure to indulge his
taste for the belles lettres, and especially dramatic poetry,
which procured him admission into the academy of the
Arcadjans. His works were published under his assumed
name of Farnabio Gioachino Annutini, a childish anagram
of Fra Giovanni Antonio Bianchi. They are, principally,
1. “Tragedie sacre e morali,
” four in number, one upon
the history of sir Thomas More, and all in prose, Bologna,
1725, 8vo. 2. Other tragedies “La Dina,
” “II Demetrio,
” &c. published separately from 1734 to 1738. 3.
“De‘ vizj e dei diflfeti del moderno teatro, e del modo di
corregerli e d’emendarli, ragionamenti vi,
” Rome, 17.53.
In this, which he published under his academic name, Lauriso Tragiense, he defends the opinion of Maffei against
that of Concilia, who had published a dissertation “De
spectaculis theatralibus,
” in which he maintained that dramatic exhibitions were unfriendly to religion and morals,
an opinion which has not been confined, as usually said,
to the puritans or methodists of England. 4. “Delia poteste e polizia deila Chiesa, trattati due contro le nuove
opinion! di Pietro Giannone,
” Rome,
monuments of antiquity. On the death of Innocent XI. cardinal Ottoboni, his protector, being chosen pope by the name of Alexander VIII. continued to interest himself
In 1686 he returned to his own country, and was very active in re-founding the academy of the Aletophili, or lovers of truth, recommending to them more attention to mathematical studies, and to assist them, he presented the society with the instruments which Montanari had bequeathed for him; but this academy entirely depended on his presence, and on his return to Rome two years after, gradually dissolved. Settled after this at Rome, he became connected with the most eminent men of his time, and enriched his stores of knowledge, by an acquaintance with Greek, Hebrew, and French. Antiquities likewise became one of his favourite pursuits. He often passed whole days among the splendid ruins of Rome, assisted at every research, and digging among them, visited all the museums, and made elegant and correct drawings of all the monuments of antiquity. On the death of Innocent XI. cardinal Ottoboni, his protector, being chosen pope by the name of Alexander VIII. continued to interest himself in the fortune of Bianchini, gave him a canonry in the church of St. Mary Rotunda, appointed him guardian and librarian to cardinal Peter Ottoboni his nephew, gave him two pensions, and would have promoted him yet farther, if he had lived, and if Bianchini would have taken orders but he had not made up his mind to take deacon’s orders until 1699, and never would proceed farther. On the death of Alexander VIII. in 1691, the cardinal, his nephew, continued his kindness, and besides bestowing a canonry on him in the cfiurch of St. Lawrence in Damaso, invited him to reside in his palace. Clement XI. who was elected pope in 1700, bestowed on him, the year following, the title of chamberlain of honour, authorized him to wear that dress of a prelate called the mantellone, and assigned him apartments in the palace of Monte-Cavallo.
In 1702, the pope appointed him, with the title of historiographer, to accompany
In 1702, the pope appointed him, with the title of historiographer, to accompany cardinal Barberini the legate
a latere to Naples, when the king of Spain, Philip V.
came to take possession of that kingdom. Bianchini
profiled by this opportunity to visit mount Vesuvius, and
ascended to the summit of the crater. On his return to
Rome, in 1703, the senate of Rome conferred upon him,
his family, and descendants, the rank of the Roman nobility and the patrician order. At the same time the pope
chose him secretary of the committee for the reformation
of the calendar. In order to regulate with precision the
course of the year, it was necessary to establish and fix
with the greatest accuracy the equinoxial points. Bianchini being employed to trace a meridian line, and to construct a gnomon on one of the churches, performed this
with great success, with the assistance of the learned PhiJip Maraldi. The pope commemorated the construction of
the gnomon by a medal, and Bianchini wrote a treatise on
both, “De Nunnnis et Gnomone Clementine.
”
Having, in 1703, been appointed president of antiquities, he exhibited to the pope, a plan for forming a collection of sacred antiques, or an
Having, in 1703, been appointed president of antiquities, he exhibited to the pope, a plan for forming a collection of sacred antiques, or an ecclesiastical museum, intended to furnish materials for ecclesiastical history but as this, would have been attended with very great expence, and the papal treasury was at this time very low, the scheme was abandoned. The pope, however, to console Bianchini, who had it very much at heart, gave him a canonry in the church of St. Mary Maggiore, and, in 1712, sent him to Paris with a cardinal’s hat for Armand de Rohan-Soubise, who was promoted to that dignity. The object was trifling, but the journey was important, as serving to introduce Bianchini to the literati of France, who received him with the utmost respect. At Paris he was constant in his attendance at the sittings of the academy of sciences, who had many years betore elected him an honorary member, and he presented them witii a very ingenious improvement in the construction of the larger telescopes, to prevent those of uncommon length from, bending in the middle, an inconvenience which had been thought without remedy. Reaumur wrote a description of this, which is inserted in the memoirs of the academy for 1713. Before returning to Rome, Bianchini took a trip to Lorraine, Holland, and Flanders, and thence into England, visiting and examining every museum and place where objects of curiosity were to be seen, and was every where received with the respect due to his talents. During his residence at Oxford, it is said that the university defrayed the expenses of his lodging such is his biographer’s ao count, by which is probably meant that he was invited to lodge in one of the colleges.
es dusc,” Rome, 1703, 1704, fol. This also contains an account of the gnomon he constructed, and the pope’s medal struck on that occasion. 10. Two papers explanatory
His works were numerous: the following list of the
principal is arranged, rather according to the connexion
of the subjects, than the chronological order, which in
general it is convenient to preserve. 1. Three memoirs
in the “Acta eruditorum,
” of Leipsic, for Memoirs of the academy of Paris,
” Relazione della Hnea meridiana orizzontale e
della ellissi polarefabbricata in Roma l'anno 1702,
” without
his name in the Journal “de‘ Letterati d’ltalia,
” vol. IV.
4. “Epistola de eclipsi soils die Maii, 1724,
” Rome,
Hesperi et Phosphori nova phenomena, sive
observationes circa planetam Veneris,
” Rome, Fr. Bianchini astronomicæ et geographicæ observationes selectæ ex ejus autographis, &c. cura et studio Eustachii Manfredi,
” Verona, De emblemate, nomine atque instituto Alethophilorum, dissertatio
publice habita in eorundem academia,
” Verona, Istoria universale provata con monument! e figurata
con simboli degli antichi,
” Rome, De Kalendario et
Cyclo Ciesaris ac de Paschali canone S. Hippolyti martyris,
dissertationes dusc,
” Rome, Memorie concernenti la citta d'Urbino,
” Rome, Camera et iscrizioni sepolcrali, &c.
” the history of
the discoveries he made in the sepulchral building before
mentioned, Rome, 1727, fol. 12. “Del palazzo de' Cesari, opera postuma,
” Verona, Dissertatio posthuma de tribus generibus instrumentorum musicse veterum orgatiicse,
” Rome, Opuscula
varia,
” Rome, Academici concordi,
” of Ravenna, published at Bologna, History of the Academy of the Sciences,
” for the
years
e end of a third volume. In 1730, he went to the court of Dresden, with a strong recommendation from pope Benedict XIV. to Augustus III. king of Poland, who received
, a celebrated Italian philosopher and physician, was born at Bologna, Sept. 30, 1717.
After having studied physic with great diligence and success, he was in his nineteenth year appointed medical assistant in one of the hospitals, and after four years, was,
in 1742, admitted to the degree of doctor. In 1743 and
1744 he published a valuable translation into Italian of
Winslow’s Anatomy, 6 vols. 8vo. In the last mentioned
year, his reputation induced the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, prince and bishop of Augsburgh, to give him an invitation to reside with him, which Bianconi accepted, and
remained there for six years. During this time he published “Due lettere di Fisica,
” &c. Venice, Essay on Electricity,
” addressed to another
learned friend, count Algarotti. He also began, in French,
“Journal des nouveautes litteraires d' Italic,
” printed
at Leipsie, but with Amsterdam on the title, 1748, 1749,
8vo, which he continued to the end of a third volume.
In 1730, he went to the court of Dresden, with a strong
recommendation from pope Benedict XIV. to Augustus
III. king of Poland, who received him into his confidence, and appointed him his aulic counsellor, and in
1760 sent him to France on a political affair of considerable delicacy, which he transacted with skill and satisfaction to his employer. In 1764, his majesty appointed
him his resident minister at the court of Rome, where he
felt his literary taste revive with its usual keenness, and
was a contributor to various literary Journals. That of the
“Effemeridi letterarie di Roma
” owed its rise principally
to him, and for sometime, its fame to his contributions. It
was in this he wrote his eloges on Lupacchini, Piranesi,
and Mengs, which last was published separately, with additions, in 1780. In his twelve Italian letters on the history of Cornelius Celsus, printed at Rome in 1779, he
restores that celebrated physician to the age of Augustus,
contrary to the common opinion, and to that of Tirasboschi
(to whom they were addressed), who places him in what is
called the silver age. He was projecting a magnificent
edition of Celsus, a life of Petrarch, and some other literary undertakings, when he died suddenly at Perugia, Jan.
1, 1781, universally regretted. He left ready for the
press, a work in Italian and French, on the circus of Caracalla, which was magnificently printed at Rome in 1790,
with nineteen beautiful engravings.
, a priest of Rome, who in the year 634 obtained leave of pope Honorius to preach the gospel to the idolaters in Britain, at
, a priest of Rome, who in the year 634 obtained leave of pope Honorius to preach the gospel to the idolaters in Britain, at which the pope was so much pleased, that he caused him to be ordained bishop. This missionary landing in the kingdom of the West Saxons, with many others baptised king Cynegilsus, who began to reign in the year 6 11, and filled the throne thirty-one years. St. Birinus fixed his see at Dercis, now Dorchester, in Oxfordshire, in the windows of which beautiful church are still some remains of painting relative to the history of his mission. He built and consecrated many churches, and had great success in converting the natives, until his death, about the year 650. November 29 is his day in the calendar. He was first buried at Dorchester, but his remains were afterwards translated to Winchester.
best authors in our own language and some of his writings prove that he had perused Milton, Dryden, Pope, and Swift, at an early age, with much discrimination and critical
, late head-master of Merchant Taylors’ school, and a poet of considerable merit, was descended from a respectable family, originally of Worcestershire, and was born in St. John’s street, London, his father’s residence, Sept. 21, O. S. 1731. He was tender and delicate in his constitution, yet gave early indications of uncommon capacity and application, as appears from his having been called, when only nine years old, to construe the Greek Testament for a lad of fourteen, the son of an opulent neighbour. With this promising stock of knowledge, he was sent to Merchant Taylors’ school, June 1743, when between eleven and twelve years of age, and soon evinced a superiority over his fellows which attracted the notice and approbation of his masters. He read with avidity, and composed with success. His first essays, however imperfect, shewed great natural abilities, and an original vein of wit. History and poetry first divided his attention, but the last predominated. He not only acquired that knowledge of the Latin and Greek classics, which is usually obtained in a public seminary, but also became intimately acquainted with the best authors in our own language and some of his writings prove that he had perused Milton, Dryden, Pope, and Swift, at an early age, with much discrimination and critical judgment. In June 1750, he was elected to St. John’s college, Oxford, and admitted a scholar of that society, on the 25th of the same month. During his residence here, he not only corrected his taste by reading with judgment, but also improved his powers by habitual practice in composition. Besides several poetical pieces, with which he supplied his friends, he wrote a great number of college exercis.es, hymns, paraphrases of scripture, translations from the ancients, and imitations of the moderns.
e arising among the popish clergy here, he was sent to Rome with another missionary to appeal to the pope. In 1612 we find him again in England, and in confinement, on
, vicar apostolical in England, and
the first popish bishop that was sent thither after the reformation, was born in 1553, at Brayles in Warwickshire.
He studied in the university of Oxford; Wood thinks,
either in Gloucester-hall (now Worcester college), or in
Lincoln college, the heads of both which were secret favourers of popery from Oxford he went to Rheims and
Rome, and having been sent back to England, as a missionary, he was arrested at Dover, and confined in prison
in London until the end of the year 1584. Being then released, he went to Paris, took his degree of licentiate, and
came again to England in 1591. In two years he returned
to Paris, completed his degree of doctor, and soon after
his arrival in England, a dispute arising among the popish
clergy here, he was sent to Rome with another missionary
to appeal to the pope. In 1612 we find him again in England, and in confinement, on account of the oath of allegiance, to which, however, he was not so averse as many
of his brethren. He had, in fact, written against the bull
of pope Pius V. to prove that the catholics were bound to
be faithful to their sovereigns, and in 1602 he had signed
a declaration of the same principle, without any equivocacation or mental reservation, which gave great offence to
the Jesuits. Out of respect, however, to the authority of
the pope, who had proscribed that oath, he refused to take
it, and was committed to prison. On his release he went
to Paris, and wrote some tracts against those eminent protestant divines, Perkins and Abbot. Since the death of
Watson, bishop of Lincoln, the last of the popish bishops
who outlived the reformation, it had often been intended
to re-establish the episcopal government in England; and
the marriage of the prince Charles, afterwards Charles I.
with the Infanta of Spain, seemed to offer a fair opportunity for carrying this scheme into execution, the hopes of
the catholics being considerably raised by that match. Accordingly, Dr. Bishop was consecrated at Paris, in 1623,
by the title of bishop of Chalcedon, and being sent to England, began his career by forming a chapter, appointing
grand vicars, archdeacons, and rural deans, &c. but did
not enjoy his promotion long, as he died April 16, 1624.
His party speak liberally of his zeal, virtues, and learning,
and he undoubtedly was the more useful to their cause in
England, as he contrived to exercise his functions without giving much offence to government. Dodd and Wood
have given a list of his controversial writings, which are
now in little request, but it must not be forgot that he was
the publisher of Pits’ s very useful work, “De illustribus
Anglic Scriptoribus,
”
o others which he appeared to relish and remember, particularly the works of Spenser, Milton, Prior, Pope, and Addison. And such was the kindness which his helpless situation
, a very extraordinary poet, was born in 1721, at Annan in the county of Dumfries, in Scotland. His parents were natives of Cumberland, of the lower order, but industrious and well-informed. Before he was six months old he lost his sight by the small-pox, and therefore, as to all purposes of memory or imagination, may be said never to have enjoyed that blessing. His father and friends endeavoured to lessen the calamity by reading to him those books which might convey the instruction suitable to infancy, and as he advanced, they proceeded to others which he appeared to relish and remember, particularly the works of Spenser, Milton, Prior, Pope, and Addison. And such was the kindness which his helpless situation and gentle temper excited, that he was seldom without some companion who carried on this singular course of education, until he had even acquired some knowledge of the Latin tongue. It is probable that he remembered much of all that was read to him, but his mind began very early to make a choice. He first discovered a predilection for English poetry, and then, at the age of twelve, endeavoured to imitate it in various attempts, one of which is preserved in his works, but rather with a view to mark the commencement than the perfection of his talent.
els. And as if to be at enmity with Blackmore had been hereditary to our greatest poets, we find Mr. Pope taking up the quarrel where Dryden left it, and persecuting
, physician to king William III. and queen Anne, and a very voluminous writer,
was son of Mr. Robert Blackmore, an attorney at law. He
received the first part of his education at a country school,
from whence he was removed to Westminster in the thirteenth
year of his age. He was afterwards sent to St. Edmund’shall, in the university of Oxford, where he continued
thirteen years. He is said to have been engaged for some
time in the profession of a school -master but it is probable he did not long continue in that situation and, says
Dr. Johnson, to have been once a schoolmaster, is the
only reproach which all the perspicacity of malice, animated
by wit, has ever fixed upon his private life. It appears
that he travelled afterwards into Italy, and took the degree of doctor in physic, at the university of Padua. He
also visited France, Germany, and the Low Countries,
and having spent about a year and a half abroad, he returned again to England. On his arrival in London, he
engaged in the practice of physic there, and was chosen,
fellow of the royal college of physicians. He early discovered his attachment to the principles of the revolution;
and this circumstance, together with the eminence which
he had attained in his profession, recommended him to
the notice and favour of king William. Accordingly, in
1697, he was appointed one of his majesty’s physicians in
ordinary he had also a gold medal and chain bestowed
on him by that prince, and received from him the honour of knighthood. Upon the king’s death, he was one
of the physicians who gave their opinions at the opening
of his majesty’s body. When queen Anne ascended the
throne, he was appointed one of her physicians, and continued in that station for some time. Sir Richard Blackmore was the author of a variety of pieces both in prose
and verse and the generality of his productions had
many admirers in his own time for the third edition
of his “Prince Arthur, an heroic poem in ten books,
”
was published in King Arthur, an heroic poem, in twelve
books.
” In A Paraphrase on the book of Job as likewise on the songs of
Moses, Deborah, David on four select Psalms some
chapters of Isaiah and the third chapter of Habbakuk.
”
He appears to have been naturally of a very serious turn,
and therefore took great offence at the licentious and immoral tendency of many of the productions of his contemporary authors. To pass a censure upon these was the
design of his poem, entitled “A Satire upon Wit,
” or
rather the abuse of it, which was first published in 1700.
But this piece was attacked and ridiculed by many different writers, and there seemed to be a kind of confederacy of the wits against him. How much, however,
they felt his reproof, appears from the following circumstance. In Tom Brown’s works are upwards of twenty
different satirical pieces in verse against Blackmore, said
to be written by colonel Codrington, sir Charles Sedley,
colonel Blount, sir Samuel Garth, sir Richard Steele, Dr.
Smith, Mr. William Burnaby, the earl of Anglesea, the
countess of Sandwich, Mr. Manning, Mr. Mildmay, Dr.
Drake, colonel Johnson, Mr. Richard Norton, &c. and
most of these pieces are particularly levelled at our author’s “Satire upon Wit.
” One topic of abuse against
Blackmore was, that he lived in Cheapside. He was
sometimes called the “Cheapside Knight,
” and the “City
Bard;
” and Garth’s verses, in the collection just cited,
are addressed “to the merry Poetaster at Sadlers Hall in
Cheapside.
” In Gibber’s lives we are also told, that “sir
Richard had, by the freedom of his censures on the libertine writers of his age, incurred the heavy displeasure of
Dryden, who takes all opportunities to ridicule him, and
somewhere says, that he wrote to the rumbling of his
chariot-wheels. And as if to be at enmity with Blackmore
had been hereditary to our greatest poets, we find Mr.
Pope taking up the quarrel where Dryden left it, and persecuting this worthy man with yet a severer degree of
satire. Blackmore had been informed by Curl, that Mr.
Pope was the author of a Travestie on the first Psalm,
which he takes occasion to reprehend in his ‘ Essay on PoJite Learning,’ vol. II. p. 270. He ever considered it as
the disgrace of genius, that it should be employed to burlesque any of the sacred compositions, which, as they
speak the language of inspiration, tend to awaken the soul
to virtue, and inspire it with a sublime devotion.
”
newly erected to receive the exiled English catholics andwas at last in 1598, with the permission of pope Clement VIII. constituted by Henry cardinal Cajetan, protector
, a learned English writer of
the church of Rome, in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, was born in the county of Middlesex, and admitted a scholar of Trinity college in Oxford at seventeen years of age, May 27, 1562, probationer in 1565,
being then bachelor of arts, perpetual fellow the year following, and master of arts in 1567. But being more inclined to the Roman catholic than the Protestant religion,
he left his fellowship, and retired to Gloucester hall, where
he continued for some time, and was highly esteemed by
Edmund Rainolds and Thomas Allen, two learned seniors
of that hall. He afterwards went beyond sea, and spent
some time in one of the English seminaries newly erected
to receive the exiled English catholics andwas at last in
1598, with the permission of pope Clement VIII. constituted by Henry cardinal Cajetan, protector of the English
nation at Rome, and superior of the English clergy, with
the authority and name of Archpriest of England, and was
appointed by that pope notary of the apostolic see. This
affair being resented by the English catholic clergy, especially as they imagined that our author was absolutely under the influence of Henry Garnet, provincial of the Jesuits
of England, it occasioned a warm contest between them in
England. The Jesuits wrote and spoke against the secular
priests in so virulent a manner, as to detract very much
from BlackwelPs authority who upon this degraded them
of their faculties, so that when they afterwards appealed
to the pope, he caused them to be declared in a book
schismatics and heretics. They vindicated themselves
from this charge, and procured the censure“of the university of Paris in their favour; which was answered by our
author. He also declared his abhorrence of the Powder
Plot in 1605, and wrote two letters to dissuade the Roman
catholics from all violent practices against the king and
government. He held the office of archpriest till 1607,
when he was succeeded by George Birket. The reason of
this change was, because our author having been seized at
London June 24 the same year, he was committed to prison, and consequently deprived of the liberty required to
act in his office. He was released soon after upon his
taking the oath of allegiance. An account of this aft'air
was published at London, 1607, in 4to, entitled
” The
examination of George Blackwell, upon occasion of his
answering a letter sent by cardinal Bellarmine, who blamed
him for taking the oath of allegiance." He died suddenly
January 12, 1612-3, and was buried, as Mr. Wood supposes, in some church in London. He was esteemed by
those of his own persuasion, and by others likewise, a man
of great learning and piety, and a good preacher.
d in correcting it. He was buried in Stepney church, with a very handsome inscription to his memory. Pope introduces him in the Uunciad as a gamester, for what reason
, of Albro'-hatch, in the county of
Essex, was early in life an officer in the army, bearing the
commission of lieutenant-colonel in queen Anne’s reign,
under the great duke of Marlborough. In 1714, he was
made comptroller of the. Mint, and in 1717, one of the
lords commissioners of trade and plantations. In the same
year he was appointed envoy extraordinary to the court of
Spain, but declined it, and retained the office he held
until his death, Feb. 14, 1746. He satin the fifth, sixth,
and seventh parliaments of Great Britain for Stockbridge,
in the eighth for Maiden, and in the ninth for Portsmouth.
Coxeter hints that he was secretary of state for Ireland,
but this is doubtful. He wrote two very indifferent dramatic pieces, “Orpheus and Euridice,
” and “Solon
” which
were printed in
civil history; and particularly offended at the book he published to shew that what is related about pope Joan is a ridiculous fable.
, a protestant minister, celebrated for his knowledge in ecclesiastical and civil
history, was born at Chalons in Champagne, 1591. He
was admitted minister at a synod of the isle of France in
1614. A few years afterwards he began to write in
defence of protestantism, for in 1619 he published a treatise
entitled “Modeste declaration de la sincerite et verite des
Eglises Reformees de France.
” This was an answer to several of the catholic writers, especially to the bishop of
Lucon, so well known afterwards under the title of cardinal Richelieu. From this time he was considered as a
person of great hopes. He was secretary more than twenty
times in the synods of the isle of France, and was deputed
four times successively to the national synods. That of
Castres employed him to write in defence of the Protestants. The national synod of Charenton appointed him
honorary professor in 1645, with a handsome salary, which
had never been granted to any professor before. He wrote
several pieces; but what gained him most favour amongst
the Protestants are, his “Explications on the Eucharist
”
his work entitled “De la primaute d'Eglise
” his “Treatise of the Sybils
” and his piece “De episcopis et presbyteris.
” Some of his party, however, were dissatisfied
with him for engaging in disputes relating to civil history;
and particularly offended at the book he published to
shew that what is related about pope Joan is a ridiculous
fable.
, younger son of sir Henry Blount, and brother to sir Thomas Pope Blount hereafter mentioned, an eminent writer in the last century,
, younger son of sir Henry Blount,
and brother to sir Thomas Pope Blount hereafter mentioned,
an eminent writer in the last century, was born at his
grandfather’s seat at Upper Holloway, in the county of
Middlesex, April 27, 1654. He was endowed by nature
with a great capacity, and with a strong propensity to
learning; which excellent qualities were properly cultivated
by the assiduous care of his father, and under so able an
instructor, he quickly acquired an extraordinary skill in
the arts and sciences, without any thing of that pedantry,
which is too frequently the consequence of young men’s
application to study in the common course. His pregnant
parts and polite behaviour brought him early into the
world, so that his father, who was a true judge of men,
thought fit, when he was about eighteen, to marry him to
Eleanora, daughter of sir Timothy Tyrrel, of Shotover in
the county of Oxford, and gave him a very handsome estate, having always respected him as a friend, as well as
loved him with the affection of a father. The year after
his marriage, he wrote a little treatise, which he published
without his name, in defence of Dryden, whose “Conquest of Granada
” was attacked by Richard Leigh, a player.
In Anima
Mnndi,
” in which it is said, and with great probability,
that he had the assistance of his father. It had been long
before handed about in manuscript among the acquaintance
of its author, with several passages in it much stronger than
in that which was transmitted to the press, and licensed by
sir Roger L'Estrange. This, however, did not hinder its
giving great offence, insomuch that complaint was made to
Dr. Compton, then Lord Bishop of London, who, upon
perusal, signified that he expected it should be suppressed,
and intimating, that he would thereupon rest satisfied. But
afterwards, when the Bishop was out of town, an opportunity was taken by some zealous person to burn the book,
which however has been reprinted since. The same year
he published a broad sheet under the title of “Mr.
Hobbes’s last Words and dying Legacy.
” It was extracted
from the “Leviathan,
” and was intended to weaken and
expose his doctrine yet he could be no very warm antagonist, since there is still extant a letter of his to Mr.
Hobbes, wherein he professes himself a great admirer of his
parts, and one who would readily receive his instructions. He
afterwards gave a strong testimony in favour of liberty, in
a pamphlet on the Popish Plot, and the fearof a Popish
successor, entitled, “An Appeal from the country to the
city for the preservation of his majesty’s person, liberty,
property, and the Protestant religion.
” This treatise is
subscribed Junius Brutus, and is the strongest invective
against Popery and Papists that was published even in that
age, when almost all the wit of the nation was pointed that
way. There are in it likewise such express recommendations of the Duke of Monmouth, as might well hinder the
author from owning it, and give it, in the eyes of the lawyers of those times, an air of sedition at least, if not of
treason. In 1680, he printed that work which made
him most known to the world, “The Life of Apollonius
Tyaneus,
” which was soon after suppressed, and only a
few copies sent abroad. It was held to be the most dangerous attempt, that had been ever made against revealed
religion in this country, and was justly thought so, as
bringing to the eye of every English reader a multitude of
facts and reasonings, plausible in themselves, and of the
fallacy of which, none but men of parts and learning can
be proper judges. For this reason it is still much in esteem
with the Deists, and the few copies that came abroad contributed to raise its reputation, by placing it in the lists of
those that are extremely rare. In the same year he published his “Diana of the Ephesians,
” which, as the author
foresaw, raised a new clamour, many suggesting that, under colour of exposing superstition, he struck at all Revelation, and while he avowed only a contempt of the Heathen, seemed to intimate no great affection for the Christian priesthood. The wit, learning, and zeal of our author, had, by this time, raised him to be the chief of his
sect; and he took a great deal of pains to propagate and
defend his opinions in his discourses and familiar letters,
as well as by his books, but he had the usual inconsistency
of the infidel, and we find him owning, in a letter to Dr. Sydenham, that in point of practice, Deism was less satisfactory than the Christian scheme. The noise his former
pieces had made, induced him to conceal, industriously,
his being the author of a book, entitled, “Religio Laici,
”
published in Janus Scientiarum or an Introduction to Geography,
Chronology, Government, History, philosophy, and all
genteel sorts of Learning,
” London, 8vo. He concurred
heartily in the Revolution, and seems to have had very honest intentions of punishing those who were king James’s
evil counsellors, after the government was re-settled, by
declaring the prince and princess of Orange king and
queen. He gave another strong testimony of his sincere
attachment to his principles, and inviolable love to freedom, by a nervous defence of the liberty of the press
wherein he shews that all restraints on it can have no other
tendency than to establish superstition and tyranny, by
abasing the spirits of mankind, and injuring the human understanding. This little piece, therefore, has been always
esteemed one of the best he ever wrote; and has furnished
their strongest arguments to many succeeding writers. The
warmth of Mr. Blount’s temper, his great affection for king
William, and his earnest desire to see certain favourite projects brought about, led him to write a pamphlet, in which,
he asserted king William and queen Mary to be conquerors, which was not well relished by the house of commons. The title of this very singular and remarkable
piece at large, runs thus: “King William and queen
Mary conquerors; or, a discourse endeavouring to prove
that their majesties have on their side, against the late
king, the principal reasons that make conquest a good
title; shewing also how this is consistent with that declaration of parliament, king James abdicated the government, &c. Written with an especial regard to such as
have hitherto refused the oath, and yet allow of the title
of conquest, when consequent to a just war,
”
ded from a very ancient and honourable family, and born December 15, 1602, at his father, sir Thomas Pope Blount’s, seat at Tittenhanger, in Hertfordshire. He received
, father to the preceding, and
a considerable writer in the last century, was descended
from a very ancient and honourable family, and born December 15, 1602, at his father, sir Thomas Pope Blount’s,
seat at Tittenhanger, in Hertfordshire. He received the
first tincture of letters in the free-school of St. Alban’s,
where he manifested an unusual quickness of parts, and
having qualified himself for the university, was removed
to Trinity-college, in Oxford, and entered a gentleman
commoner there in 1616, before he was full fourteen years
of age. Some years he spent in that learned society, with
great reputation and universal respect, not so much on
account of his family, by which he was nearly related to
the founder, sir Thomas Pope, as from his personal merit.
For in his youth he was of a cheerful disposition, a sprightly
wit, an easy address, and frank and entertaining in conversation, charmed all who were of his acquaintance, and
was justly esteemed as promising a genius as any in the
university. In the year 1618 he took the degree of B.A.
and soon after left Oxford for Gray’s-inn, where for some
time he applied himself to the study of the law, and set
out on his travels in the spring of the year 1634, being
then lately become of age. He made first the tour of France,
part of Spain and Italy, and then passing to Venice, he
there contracted an acquaintance with a Janizary, with
whom he resolved to pass into the Turkish dominions.
With this view he embarked on the 7th of May, 1634, on
board a Venetian galley, in which he sailed to Spalatro,
and thence continued his journey by land to Constantinople. There he was very kindly received by sir Peter
Wich, then our ambassador at the Port. His stay at Constantinople was short, because, having an earnest desire
to see Grand Cairo, and meeting with a sudden opportunity, he readily embraced it, and after a peregrination of
near two years, returned safely into England, where, in
1636, he printed an account of his travels, London, 1636,
4to, which soon after came to a second edition, and in
1638 to a third, in the same size. It was then printed in
12mo, and reached many editions the title of the eighth
runs thus “A Voyage into the Levant, being a brief relation of a Journey lately performed from England by the
way of Venice, into Dalmatia, Sclavonia, Bosnia, Hungary, Macedonia, Thessaly, Thrace, Rhodes, and Egypt,
unto Grand Cairo; with particular observations concerning
the modern condition of the Turks, and other people under
that empire. By sir Henry Blount, knight.
” This book
made him known to the world, and so much noticed, that
shortly after, king Charles I. who desired to fill his court
with men of parts, appointed him one of the band of pensioners, then composed of gentlemen of the first families
in the kingdom. In 1638, his father, sir Thomas Pope
Blount, died, and left him the ancient seat of Blount’s
hall, in Staffordshire, and a very considerable fortune.
On the 21st of March in the succeeding year, the king
conferred on him the honour of knighthood. At the first
breaking out of the civil war, he, following the example
of the elder branches of his illustrious family, who were
eminently loyal, attended the king at York, at Oxford,
and other places, was present at the battle of Edgehill,
and had there (according to a tradition in the family) the
honour of taking care of the young princes. Afterwards
he quitted his majesty’s service, and returned to London,
where he was questioned for his adhering to the king
but he being now grown a very wary and dexterous
speaker, so well excused himself, by alleging his duty on
account of his post, that he escaped all censure, and was
thenceforward well received. It appears, however, that
he had not the courage to be faithful, or that Ije had seriously repented his loyalty to the king, for he complied
with the usurping government so implicitly, that in 1651
he was named on a committee of twenty persons, for inspecting the practice of the law, and remedying its abuses.
He declared himself very warmly against tithes, and
would willingly have reduced the income of parish ministers to one hundred pounds a year. A man of this opinion
must have been very acceptable at that time. His next appearance, however, was more to his credit. He sat with Dr.
Hichard Zouch, Dr. William Clarke, Dr. William Turner, civilians, and with several other eminent persons in the court
of king’s (then called the upper) bench, in Westminster
hall, on the 5th of July, 1654, by virtue of a commission
from Oliver Cromwell, for trying Don Pantalion Saa,
brother to the Portuguese ambassador, for murder, of
which, being found guilty, he was, much to the honour
of the justice of this nation, by sentence of that court, adjudged to suffer death, and was executed accordingly,
Jn, the same year, by the death of his elder brother Thomas Pope Blount, esq. the estate of Tittenhanger descended to him. His great reputation for general knowledge and uncommon sagacity was the reason that his
name was inserted in the list of twenty-one commissioners
appointed, November 1, 1655, to consider of the trade and
navigation of the commonwealth, and how it might be best
encouraged and promoted, in which station he did his
country eminent service. But whatever his compliances
with the forms of government set up between 1650 and
1660, he was received into favour and confidence on the
ling’s restoration, and appointed high sheriff of the county
of Hertford, in 1661. He lived after that as an English
gentleman, satisfied with the honours he had acquired, and
the large estate he possessed, and having passed upwards
uf twenty years in this independent state, be died on the
9th of October, 1682, when he wanted but four months of
four-score, and was two days afterwards interred in the
vault of his family, at Ridge in Hertfordshire. As to what
appears from his writings, he seems to have had strong
parts, a lively imagination, and, in consequence of these,
some very singular opinions. His style was manly, flowing,
and less affected than could be expected, considering the
times in, and the subjects on, which he wrote. A Latin
fragment, published by his son, in his “Oracles of Reason,
” better explains his sentiments than all the rest of his
works, and demonstrates that he was a man of an irregular
way of thinking.
lph Nevil, bishop of Chichester and chancellor of England, and John, sub-prior of Canterbury, by the pope, Dr. Blount was, by the chapter of Canterbury, elected archbishop.
, called in Latin Blondus, or Blundus, a very eminent divine in the thirteenth century, was educated in the university of Oxford, and went afterwards for his improvement to Paris, where he quickly distinguished himself, among many of his learned contemporaries, by the vivacity of his wit. On his return into England, he again settled himself at Oxford, and read divinity lectures there with universal applause. Wood says he was the first that lectured on Aristotle both in Paris and Oxford. The reputation of his learning obtained him also several other preferments, particularly those of prebendary andhancellor in the church of York. In 1232, the archiepiscopal see of Canterbuiy being vacant by the death of Richard Wethershed, and the rejection of two of his successors, Ralph Nevil, bishop of Chichester and chancellor of England, and John, sub-prior of Canterbury, by the pope, Dr. Blount was, by the chapter of Canterbury, elected archbishop. He did not, however, enjoy that dignity; for the pope immediately objected to him, and after a summary inquiry into the validity of his election, declared it void, for several reasons, of which our historians take notice, though very probably Bale has hit upon the true, although not the ostensible cause, namely, that his abilities rendered him obnoxious to the court of Rome, or, as Bale expresses it, that he was more learned than that court wished an archbishop to be.
h the approbation of lord Mul grave, the most elegant critic of that age. Upon the whole, sir Thomas Pope Blount, as he was the most learned, appears to have been the
His “Censura Celebrium Authorum
” was first printed
at London, Jugement des Savans,
”
Baillet reporting the opinions of others in his own words,
but Blount transcribes them literally, which adds considerably to their value. His “Essays,
” which were published Natural History, containing many, not common observations, extracted out of the best modern authors,
” was
published Remarks on Poetry,
”
put on the ecclesiastical habit, (for which, as being a natural son, he was obliged to apply to the pope for a dispensation) and resumed the study of theology; but he
On the death of his father, being entirely at liberty, and with some little property, to pursue his inclination, he first settled at Florence, where his studies were interrupted only by his pleasures, and some very honourable employments confided to him by his fellow citizens. Among others, one must have been peculiarly gratifying to him. This was his being sent to Padua in 1350, to announce to Petrarch the news of his recall, and the restitution of his father’s property, who had formerly been banished from Florence, and died in exile. Such an errand had a natural tendency to cement their friendship, Some years after, when Boccaccio had spent his little property, partly in purchasing books, and partly in gratifying his taste for pleasure, he found in Petrarch a friend, who, besides assisting his wants, gave him such affectionate and judicious advice as produced a very salutary change in his conduct. Before this, while suffering under the reflections of his follies, in 1361, a friar had persuaded him to renounce the world, and all that could be called profane learning. The fact seems to have been, that Boccaccio, in his Decamerone, which first appeared in 1353, had satirized the licentious lives of the monks, and this friar came to him with a story of his having seen a vision, and being commissioned to warn him of his danger, if he did not renounce his sins, and burn his Decamerone: and Boccaccio was so alarmed, that he actually put on the ecclesiastical habit, (for which, as being a natural son, he was obliged to apply to the pope for a dispensation) and resumed the study of theology; but he soon found that this was too late, and too averse from his habits, and he therefore had recourse to Petrarch, who persuaded him to remove to Certaldo, where he had a small estate, and pursue his literary labours in that retirement.
h character he had already attained induced the republic of Florence to send him on two embassies to pope Urban V. which he accomplished to their satisfaction, but after
While at Certaldo, he was not forgot. The high character he had already attained induced the republic of Florence to send him on two embassies to pope Urban V. which he accomplished to their satisfaction, but after his return to Certaldo, he experienced a long illness, which left a great degree of langour and dejection. Recovering, however, from this, he took upon him an employment peculiarly gratifying to him in every respect. He had always been a great admirer of Dante, had often copied his works, and inew them almost by heart . The Florentines, who had persecuted and banished that celebrated poet, were now disposed to make some reparation, by instituting, by a decree of the senate, a professorship for lectures on his poems, and Boccaccio was appointed to this new chair. How much he was delighted in an employment, not only highly honourable, but congenial to his habits, may easily be conceived. The pains he took, however, retarded his recovery from his late illness, and the death of Petrarch, of which he was at this time informed, appears tohave'hastened his own. He became more and more weak, and did not survive his illustrious friend and master above a year, dying at Certaldo, Dec. 21, 1375. He was buried there in the church of St. James and St. Philip, and the following inscription, written by himself, was engraven on his tomb
t corrected by the academicians of Florence, by order of the grand duke, and with the approbation of pope Gregory XIII. and published at Florence by the Junti, 1573,
The third edition,of Mantua, 1472, fol. Salviati thinks the best of all the early editions, the scarcity of which may now be accounted for by the following extraordinary fact. As soon as they appeared, and became generally read, the monks who felt that much of the satire was directed against them, issued their anathemas and prohibitions and in 1497, Savonarola excited the abhorrence of the Florentines to such a degree, that they collected all the Decamerons, Dantes, and Petrarchs they could find, and burnt them together the last day of the carnival. It is of importance to notice that, of the edition of 1527, a very well executed counterfeit was printed at Venice in 1729, with the date of Florence 1527 at the end. The next valuable edition is that corrected by the academicians of Florence, by order of the grand duke, and with the approbation of pope Gregory XIII. and published at Florence by the Junti, 1573, 4to. Longuerue observes that it is a curious thing to see at the head of this edition a privilege of Gregory XIII. who says, that in this he follows the steps of Pius V. his predecessor of blessed memory, and which threatens with severe punishments, all those who shall dare to give any disturbance to those booksellers to whom this privilege is granted. There is also a decree of the inquisition in favour of this edition. The edition of Salviati, which was also subjected to reform, Venice, 1584, 4to, maybe consulted with the preceding for the sake of the curious corrections and amendments introduced; and perhaps the reader may discover a great difference in the purity of the style between the original and the reformed part. With respect to the translations of the Decameron, they are too numerous, and in general too unimportant, for a particular detail. Every nation has its Decameron, but as the purpose of the translators was mere amusement, they seem to have been little anxious about the author’s reputation. The English editions particularly have conveyed his Tales in a most vulgar and ungraceful style. They were first translated in 1566, by "William Paynter, and have been often reprinted since in various forms the best, we think, was an edition in two volumes, Loud. 1804, 8vo, in which the editor has taken much pains in repressing the licentiousness of our author, and has omitted entirely those tales which could not be rendered proper for general perusal. In a critical view, however, the work must be allowed to be the production of a great genius. The generality of the beaux esprits in. Italy agree that the Decameron is the best book in their language, at least in point of style. It is surely very remarkable that Boccaccio should' carry a barbarous language to its perfection all at once a language left entirely to the people, and which had orly a small part of its rust rubbed off by the immortal Dante.
early age, she studied the English language, that she might be enabled to transfuse the beauties of Pope’s Temple of Fame into French but she concealed her performance
, an eminent
literary lady of France, and a member of the academies of
Rome, Bologna, Padua, Lyons, and Rouen, was born at
Rouen, Oct. 22, 1710. She was educated at Paris in the
convent of the Assumption, where she made a very rapid
progress in every branch of education. At a very early
age, she studied the English language, that she might be
enabled to transfuse the beauties of Pope’s Temple of Fame
into French but she concealed her performance for many
years, nor did it appear till 1764, in the collection of her
works. She had, however, given an ample proof of her
poetical talents in 1746, by gaining the first prize givea
by the academy of Rouen, which was founded the year
preceding by the duke of Luxembourg. This procured
her the homage and the society of the most eminent nits
and scholars of the day. From this time she published
nothing without her name. Having acquired an uncommon relish for the “Paradise Lost
” of Milton, she endeavoured to translate a part of it into French, and was highly
complimented by Voltaire on her success. She imitated
also, but with much more success and more ease, Gesner’s
“Death of Abel.
” In The Amazons
” was represented on one of the Paris stages with considerable applause: but her fame rests principally on an
epic poem, entitled “The Columbiad, or Discovery of
America,
” in ten cantos, which procured her the highest
reputation at that time from the critics of her own country,
although the execution is very far from corresponding with
the magnitude of the undertaking.
le, 1747, 2 vols. 4to. This, which is written in a spirit of moderation and candour, he dedicated to pope Benedict XIV. who received the compliment very graciously. He
, a very celebrated German lawyer, was born in 1674 at Hanover. He became professor of law at Halle, and afterwards director of the university and in 1743 was appointed chancellor of the duchy
of Magdeburgh, and chancellor in ordinary of the faculty
oflaw. He died Aug. 11, 1749. His chief study was the
canon law, but he was also equally distinguished for his
knowledge of the civil law and in all his writings displays
profound sense and learning. Among the most approved
of his works, we may enumerate: 1 “Tractatus ecclesiasticus de jure parochiali,
” Halle, Jus
Ecclesiasticum Protestantium,
” ibid. Corpus juris canonici,
”
Halle, De precavenda polyporum generatione.
” His next dissertation, which was published in Situs uteri gravidi, ac foetus, ac sede placentae in utero.
”
In this he has given a critical examination of the midwifery
forceps used in England, which he compares with and
prefers to Leuret’s. These pieces were added by the author to his edition of sir Richard Manningham’s “Compendium artis Obstetricoe,
” published in Institutiones Osteologicse, in usum prelectionum,
” 8vo. Haller particularly commends in this work
the engravings of the embryos, and some foetal skeletons.
His “Observationum Anatomicarum fasciculus primus,
”
folio, was published in
rians, depriving them of all their churches. Theodoric was highly offended at this edict. He obliged pope John I. together with four of the principal senators of Rome
During the course of these transactions, Boethius lost
his beloved wife Elpis, but married a second time Rusticiana, the daughter of Symmachus, and was elected consul with his father in law, in the thirtieth year of Theodoric’s reign and it was during this consulship that he
fell under the displeasure of king Theodoric. Rich in
health, affluence, domestic happiness, and the love of his
fellow citizens, and the highest reputation, all these circumstances probably contributed in some degree to accelerate his ruin. King Theodoric, who had long held him
in the highest esteem, was an Arian and Boethius, who
was a catholic, published about this time a book upon the
unity of the Trinity, in opposition to the three famous
sects of Arians, Nestorians, and Eutychians. This treatise was universally read, and created our author a great
many enemies at court; who insinuated to the prince, that
Boethius wanted not only to destroy Arianism, but to
effectuate a change of government, and deliver Italy from
the dominion of the Goths and that, from his great credit
and influence, he was the most likely person to bring about
such a revolution. Whilst his enemies were thus busied
at Ravenna, they employed emissaries to sow the seeds of
discontent at Rome, and to excite factious people openly
to oppose him in the exercise of his office as consul. Boethius, in the mean while, wanting no other reward than
a sense of his integrity, laboured both by his eloquence
and his authority to defeat their wicked attempts and
persisted resolutely in his endeavours to promote the public welfare, by supporting the oppressed, and bringing
offenders to justice. But his integrity and steadiness
tended only to hasten his fall. King Theodoric, corrupted
probably by a long series of good fortune, began now to
throw off the mask. Though an Arian, he had hitherto
preserved sentiments of moderation and equity with regard
to the catholics; but fearing, perhaps, that they had a
view of overturning his government, he began now to treat
them with seventy, and Boethius was one of the first, that
fell a victim to his rigour. He had continued long in favour with his prince, and was more beloved by him than
any other person but neither the remembrance of former affection, nor the absolute certainty the king had of
his innocence, prevented him from prosecuting our philosopher, upon the evidence of three abandoned profligates,
infamous for all manner of crimes. The offences laid to
his charge, as we are informed in the first book of the
Consolation of Philosophy, were, “That he wished to preserve the senate and its authority that he hindered an
informer from producing proofs, which would have convicted that assembly oftreason and that he formed a
scheme for the restoration of tha Roman liberty.
” In
proof of the last article, the above mentioned profligates
produced letters forged by themselves, which they falsely
averred were written by Boethius. For these supposed
crimes, as we learn from the same authority, he was, unheard and undefended, at the distance of five hundred
miles, proscribed and condemned to death. Theodoric,
conscious that his severity would be universally blamed,
did not at this time carry his sentence fully into execution
but contented himself with confiscating Boethius’s effects, with banishing him to Pavia, and confining him to
prison.
Soon after this, Justin, the catholic emperor of the East,
finding himself thoroughly established upon the throne,
published an edict against the Arians, depriving them of
all their churches. Theodoric was highly offended at
this edict. He obliged pope John I. together with four
of the principal senators of Rome (one of whom was Symmachus, father-in-law to Boethius), to go on an embassy to
Constantinople and commanded them to threaten that he
would abolish the catholic religion throughout Italy, if the
emperor did not immediately revoke his edict against the
Arians. John was received at Constantinople with extraordinary pomp, but being able to produce no effect as to
the object of his embassy, on his return, Theodoric threw
him and his colleagues into prison at Ravenna, and Boethius was ordered to be more strictly confined at Pavia.
It was here that he wrote his five books of the “Consolation of Philosophy,
” on which his fame chiefly rests. He
had scarcely concluded his work, when pope John being
famished to death in prison, and Symmachus and the other
senators, put to death, Theodoric ordered Boethius to
be beheaded in prison, which was accordingly executed
Oct. 23, 526. His body was interred by the inhabitants
of Pavia, in the church of St. Augustine, near to the steps
of the chancel, where his monument was to be seen until
the last century, when that church was destroyed.
dgment, and good sense, which predominate in the best of his works as they do in the most popular of Pope’s writings. The resemblance between these two poets is in many
Boileau 1 s character as a poet is now generally allowed
to be that of taste, judgment, and good sense, which predominate in the best of his works as they do in the most
popular of Pope’s writings. The resemblance between
these two poets is in many respects very striking, and in
one respect continues to be so; they are, in France and
England, more read and oftener quoted than any other
poets. Both were accused of stealing from the ancients;
but says an elegant critic of our nation, those who flattered themselves that they should diminish the reputation
of Boileau, by printing, in the manner of a commentary
at the bottom of each page of his works, the many lines he
has borrowed from Horace and Juvenal, were grossly deceived. The verses of the ancients which he has turned
into French with so much address, and which he has happily made so homogeneous, and of a piece with the rest of
the work, that every thing seems to have been conceived
in a continued train of thought by the very same person,
confer as much honour on him, as the verses which are
purely his own. The original turn which he gives to his
translations, the boldness of his expressions, so little forced
and unnatural, that they seem to be born, as it were, with
his thoughts, display almost as much invention as the first
production of a thought entirely new. The same critic,
Dr. Warton, is of opinion that Boileau’s “Art of Poetry
”
is the best composition of that kind extant. “The brevity
of his precepts,
” says this writer, “enlivened by proper
imagery, the justness of his metaphors, the harmony of
his numbers, as far as alexandrine lines will admit, the
exactness of his method, the perspicuity of his remarks,
and the energy of his style, all duly considered, may render this opinion not unreasonable. It is to this work he
owes his immortality, which was of the highest utility to
his nation, in diffusing a just way of thinking and writing,
banishing every species of false wit, and introducing a
general taste for the manly simplicity of the ancients, on
whose writings this poet had formed his taste.
”
now queen Catharine was dead, his majesty might marry another wife, and be fully reconciled with the pope and the emperor, and the issue by any other marriage would never
, second wife of king
Henry VIII. was born in 1507. She was daughter of sir
Thomas Bolen, afterwards earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde,
by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk. When she was but seven years of age, she was carried
over to France with the king’s sister Mary, who was married to Lewis XII. And though, upon the B'rench king’s
death, the queen dowager returned to England, yet Anne
Bolen was so highly esteemed at the court of France, that
Claude, the wife of Francis I. retained her in her service
for some years; and after her death in 1524, the duchess
of Alenzon, the king’s sister, kept her in her court during
her stay in that kingdom. It is probable, that she returned
from thence with her father, from his embassy in 1527; and
was soon preferred to the place of maid of honour to the
queen. She continued without the least imputation upon
her character, till her unfortunate fall gave occasion to
some malicious writers to defame her in all the parts of it.
Upon her coming to the English court, the lord Percy,
eldest son of the earl of Northumberland, being then a
domestic of cardinal Wolsey, made his addressee to her,
and proceeded so far, as to engage himself to marry her;
and her consent shews, that she had then no aspirings to
the crown. But the cardinal, upon some private reasons,
using threats and other methods, with great difficulty put
an end to that nobleman’s design. It was prohably about
1528, that the king began to shew some favour to her,
which caused many to believe, that the whole process with
regard to his divorce from queen Catherine was moved by
the unseen springs of that secret passion. But it is not reasonable to imagine, that the engagement of the king’s affec
tion to any other person gave the rise to that affair; for so
sagacious a courtier as Wolsey would have infallibly discovered it, and not have projected a marriage with the
French king’s sister, as he did not long before, if he had
seen his master prepossessed. The supposition is much
more reasonable, that his majesty, conceiving himself in a
manner discharged of his former marriage, gave a full
liberty to his affections, which began to settle upon Mrs.
Bolen; who, in September 1532, was created marchioness
of Pembroke, in order that she might be raised by degrees
to the height for which she was designed; and on the 25th
of January following was married to the king, the office
being performed by; Rowland Lee, afterwards bishop of
Coventry and Lichfield, with great privacy, though in the
presence of her uncle the duke of Norfolk, her father,
mother, and brother. On the 1st of June, 1533, she was
crowned queen of England with such pomp and solemnity,
as was answerable to the magnificence of his majesty’s
temper; and every one admired her conduct, who had so
long managed the spirit of a king so violent, as neither to
surfeit him with too much fondness, nor to provoke with too
much reserve. Her being so soon with child gave hopes of
a numerous issue; and those, who loved the reformation,
entertained the greatest hopes from her protection, as they
knew she favoured them. On the 13th or 14th of September following, she brought forth a daughter, christened
Elizabeth, afterwards the renowned queen of England,
Cranmer, archbishop of Canterb ry, being her god-father.
But the year 1536 proved fatal to her majesty; and her
ruin was in all probability occasioned by those who began
to be distinguished by the name of the Romish party. For
the king now proceeding both at home and abroad in the
point of reformation, they found that the interest which
the queen had in him was the grand support of that cause.
She had risen, not only in his esteem, but likewise in that
of the nation in general; for in the last nine months of
her life, she gave above fourteen thousand pounds to the
poor, and was engaged in several noble and public designs.
But these virtues could not secure her against the artifices
of a bigoted party, which received an additional force
from several other circumstances, that contributed to her
destruction. Soon after queen Catharine’s death in Jan.
1535-6, she was brought to bed of a dead son, which was
believed to have made a bad impression on the king’s mind;
and as he had concluded from the death of his sons by
his former queen, that the marriage was displeasing to
God, so he might upon this misfortune begin to have the
same opinion of his marriage with queen Anne. It was
also considered by some courtiers, that now queen Catharine was dead, his majesty might marry another wife, and
be fully reconciled with the pope and the emperor, and
the issue by any other marriage would never be questioned;
whereas, while queen Anne lived, the ground of the controversy still remained, and her marriage being accounted
null from the beginning, would never be allowed by the
court of Rome, or any of that party. With these reasons
of state the king’s own passions too much concurred; for
he now entertained a secret love for the lady Jane Seymour, who had all the charms of youth and beauty, and
an humour tempered between the gravity of queen Catharine, and the gaiety of queen Anne. Her majesty therefore perceiving the alienation of the king’s heart, used all
possible arts to recover that affection, the decay of which
she was sensible of; but the success was quite contrary to
what she designed. For he saw her no more with those
eyes which she had formerly captivated; but gave way to
jealousy, and ascribed her caresses to some other criminal
passion, of which he began to suspect her. Her chearful
temper indeed was not always limited within the bounds of
exact decency and discretion; and her brother the lord
Rochford’s wife, a woman of no virtue, being jealous of
her husband and her, possessed the king with her own apprehensions. Henry Norris, groom of the stole, William
Brereton, and sir Francis W'eston, who were of the king’s
privy chamber, and Mark Smeton, a musician, were by
the queen’s enemies thought too officious about her; and
something was pretended to have been sworn by the lady
Wingfield at her death, which determined the king; but
the particulars are not known. It is reported likewise,
that when the king held a tournament at Greenwich on the
1st of May, 1536, he was displeased at the queen for
letting her handkerchief fall to one, who was supposed a
favourite, and who wiped his face with it. Whatever the
case was, the king returned suddenly from Greenwich to
Whitehall, and immediately ordered her to be confined to
her chamber, and her brother, with the four persons abovementioned, to be committed to the Tower, and herself to
be sent after them the day following. On the river some
privy counsellors came to examine her, but she made deep
protestations of her innocence; and as she landed at the
Tower, she fell down on her knees, and prayed Heaven
so to assist her, as she was free from the crimes laid to
her charge.“The confusion she was in soon raised a storm
of vapours within her; sometimes she laughejj, and at
other times wept excessively. She was also devout and
light by turns; one while she stood upon her vindication,
and at other times confessed some indiscretions, which
upon recollection she denied. All about her took advantage from any word, that fell from her, and sent it immediately to court. The duke of Norfolk and others, who
came to examine her, the better to make discoveries, told
her, that Morris and Smeton had accused her; which,
though false, had this effect on her, that it induced her to
own some slight acts of indiscretion, which, though no ways
essential, totally alienated the king from her. Yet whether even these small acknowledgments were real truths,
or the effects of imagination and hysterical emotions, is
very uncertain. On the 12th of May, Morris, Brereton,
Weston, and Smeton, were tried in Westminster-hall.
Smeton is said by Dr. Burnet to have confessed the fact;
but the lord Herbert’s silence in this matter imports him to
have been of a different opinion; to which may be added,
that Cromwell’s letter to the king takes notice, that only
some circumstances were confessed by Smeton. However,
they were all four found guilty, and executed on the 17th
of May. On the 15th of which month, the queen, and her
brother the lord Rochford, were tried by their peers in
the Tower, and condemned to die. Yet all this did not
satisfy the enraged king, who resolved likewise to illegitimate his daughter Elizabeth; and, in order to that, to annul his marriage with the queen, upon pretence of a precontract between her and the lord Percy, now earl of Northumberland, who solemnly denied it; though the queen
was prevailed upon to acknowledge, that there were some
just and lawful impediments against her marriage with the
king; and upon this a sentence of divorce was pronounced
by the archbishop, and afterwards confirmed in the convocation and parliament. On the 19th of May, she was
brought to a scaffold within the Tower, where she was
prevailed upon, out of regard to her daughter, to make no
reflections on the hardships she had sustained, nor to say
any thing touching the grounds on which sentence passed
against her; only she desired, that
” all would judge the
best." Her head being severed from her body, they were
both put into an ordinary chest, and buried in the chapel
in the Tower.
placed in Twickenham church-yard, where she was buried. This epitaph gave occasion to some verses by Pope, which appear in Uuff'head’s life of that poet, and were communicated
, dean of Carlisle, was born in London in April 1697, and was the only surviving child of Mr. John Bolton, a merchant in that city, whom he lost when he was but three years old. He was first educated in a school at Kensington, and was admitted a commoner at Wadham college, Oxford, April 12, 1712. He was afterwards elected a scholar of that house, where he took his degree of B. A. in 1715, and of M. A. June 13, 1718, expecting to be elected fellow in his turn; but in this he was disappointed, and appealed, without success, to the bishop of Bath and Wells, the visitor. In July 1719 he removed to Hart Hall; and on the 20th December following, was ordained a deacon, in the cathedral church of St. Paul, by Dr. John Robinson, bishop of London. He then went to reside at Fulham, and seems to have passed two years there: for he was ordained priest by the same bishop in the chapel of Fulham palace, April 11, 1721. While at Fulham he became acquainted with Mrs. Grace Butler of Rowdell in Sussex, on whose daughter Elizabeth he wrote an epitaph, which is placed in Twickenham church-yard, where she was buried. This epitaph gave occasion to some verses by Pope, which appear in Uuff'head’s life of that poet, and were communicated to the author by the hon. Mr. Yorke, who probably did not know that they first appeared in the Prompter, a periodical paper, No. VIII. and afterwards in the works of Aaron Hill, who by mistake ascribes the character of Mrs. Butler to Pope.
he left Rome, and returning to Mondovi in order to profess divinity, cardinal Chigi, who was chosen pope under the name of Alexander VII. appointed our author general
, an eminent cardinal of the church of
Rome, and author of several derotional pieces, was born
the 19th of October, 1609, at Mondovi, a little city in
Piedmont, of a noble family. Having finished his first
studies with great success, he entered himself in a monastery of the order of St. Bernard near Pignerol in July 1625,
when he was but fifteen years of age, and was professed
there the 2d of August the year following, according to
Bertolot, who wrote his Life; though Moroti, in “Cistercii
reflorescentis Historia,
” places this. in
eal and prudence, that he perfectly restored the discipline of it, which had been greatly neglected. Pope Clement IV. nominated him to the archbishopric of York in England;
, a celebrated doctor, cardinal, and saint of the church of Rome, was born
at Bagnarea in Tuscany, 1221. He was admitted into the
order of St. Francis, about 1243; and studied divinity at
the university of Paris under the celebrated Alexander de
Hales, with so much success, that at the end of seven
years he was thought worthy to read public lectures upon
the Sentences. He was created doctor in 1255 along with
St. Thomas Aquinas, and the year after appointed general
of his order, in which office he governed with so much
zeal and prudence, that he perfectly restored the discipline
of it, which had been greatly neglected. Pope Clement IV.
nominated him to the archbishopric of York in England;
but Bonaventure disinterestedly refused it. After the death
of Clement the see of Rome lay vacant almost three years,
and the cardinals not being able to agree among themselves
who should be pope, came at length to a most solemn engagement, to leave the choice to Bonaventure; and to
elect whoever he should name, though it should be even
himself, which, from his modest character, was not very
probable. Accordingly, he named Theobald, archdeacon
of Liege, who was at that time in the Holy land, and who
took the title of Gregory X. By this pope he was made a
cardinal and bishop of Albano; and appointed to assist at
a general council, which was held at Lyons soon after. He
died there in 1274, and was magnificently and honourably
conducted to his grave; the pope and whole council attending, and the cardinal Peter of Tarantais, afterwards
pope Innocent V. making his funeral oration. Sixtus IV.
canonized him in 1482. He. has had the good fortune to
be almost equally praised by popish and protestant writers,
Bellarmine has pronounced Bonaventure a person dear to
God and men; and Luther calls him “vir prtestantissimus,
” a most excellent man. His works were printed at
Rome in 1588, in 8 vols. folio. Excepting his commentary upon the master of the Sentences, they are chiefly on
pious and mystical subjects, and have gained him the name
of the Seraphic doctor. Brucker gives us the following
account of his method of philosophizing, from his treatise
“De reductione Artium ad Theologiam;
” on the “application of Learning to Theology:
” Human knowledge he
divides into three branches, logical, physical and moral.
Each of these he considers as the effect of supernatural
illumination, and as communicated to men through the
medium of the holy scriptures. The whole doctrine of
scripture he reduces to three heads; that which respects
the eternal generation and incarnation of Christ, the study
of which is the peculiar province of the doctors of the
church; that which concerns the conduct of life, which is
the subject of preaching; and that which relates to the
union of the soul with God, which is peculiar to the monastic and contemplative life. Physical knowledge he applies to the doctrine of scripture emblematically. For example, the production of the idea of any sensible object
from its archetype, is a type of the generation of the Logos;
the right exercise of the senses typifies the virtuous conduct of life; and the pleasure derived from the senses represents the union of the soul with God. In like manner,
logical philosophy furnishes an emblem of the eternal
generation and the incarnation of Christ: a word conceived in the mind resembling the eternal generation; its
expression in vocal sounds, the incarnation. Thus the
multiform wisdom of God, according to this mystical writer, lies concealed through all nature; and all human
knowledge may, by the help of allegory and analogy, be
spiritualised and transferred to theology. How wide a
door this method of philosophising opens to the absurdities
of mysticism the reader will easily perceive from this specimen.
was of the order of St. Augustin, of which he was made general in 1377, on the death of Beauregard. Pope Urban VI. gave him a cardinal’s cap the year after, or as some
, a cardinal, was born in that city June 22, 1332, and descended from a noble and illustrious family. He studied divinity at Paris, where he distinguished himself by his uncommon parts and application, and afterwards taught divinity. He was of the order of St. Augustin, of which he was made general in 1377, on the death of Beauregard. Pope Urban VI. gave him a cardinal’s cap the year after, or as some say, in 1384. This engaging him to stand up for the rights of the church against Francis de Carrario of Padua, that petty tyrant contrived to have him murdered. He was dispatched with the shot of an arrow, as he was passing St. Angelo’s bridge at Rome. This event some place in 1385, others in 1389, 1396, and 1398. The manner of his death gave occasion to the following Latin distich, which cannot be translated so as to be intelligible to an English reader:
logna in 1744, with his letters and miscellaneous works, “Lettere famigliari, &c.” 8vo, dedicated to pope Benedict XIV. with a life of the unfortunate author, and a curious
, an elegant Italian scholar of the
sixteenth century, was born at Gorzano in the Brescian
territory, but in what year is not known. He was three
years secretary to cardinal Bari at Rome; but lost the
fruits of his services by the death of his master. He then
served cardinal Glinucci in the same capacity; but long
sickness made him incapable of that employment. When
he was recovered, he found himself so disgusted with the
court, that he resolved to seek his fortune by other means.
He continued a good while in the kingdom of Naples, then
went to Padua, and to Genoa; where he read public lectures on Aristotle’s politics. He was ordered to read some
likewise upon his rhetoric, which he did with great success to a numerous auditory. His reputation increasing
daily, the republic of Genoa made him their historiographer, and assigned him a handsome pension for that
office. He now applied himself laboriously to compose
the annals of that state, and published the five first books;
but by speaking too freely and satirically of some families,
he created himself enemies who resolved to ruin him, by a
prosecution for an unnatural crime, and being convicted,
he was condemned to be first beheaded, and then burnt,
or as some say, sentence of burning was changed into that
of beheading. Some have attributed this prosecution to
the freedom of his pen; but the generality of writers have
agreed that Bonfadio was guilty, yet are of opinion, that
he had never been accused, if he had not given offence by
something else. He was executed in 1560. Upon the
day of his execution he wrote a note to John Baptist Grimaldi, to testify his gratitude to the persons who had endeavoured to serve him, and recommended to them his
nephew Bonfadio, who is perhaps the Peter Bonfadio,
author of some verses extant in the “Gareggiamento poetico del confuso accademico ordito,
” a collection of verses,
divided into eight parts, and printed at Venice in 1611.
The first five books of Bonfadio’s history of Genoa were
printed at Padua, 1586, 4to, under the title “I. Bonfadii
annales Genuensium ab anno 1528, ubi desinit Folieta, ad
annum 1550,
” and was in Lettere famigliari, &c.
” 8vo, dedicated to
pope Benedict XIV. with a life of the unfortunate author,
and a curious Latin poem by Paul Manutius, in honour of
those persons who used their interest to save Bonfadio
from punishment.
ved recommendatory letters from the bishop of Winchester, went to Rome, and presented himself to the pope Gregory II. who encouraged his design, and gave him a commission
, a celebrated saint of the eighth century, and usually styled the Apostle of Germany, was an Englishman, named Wilfrid, and born at C red ton or Kirton in Devonshire, about the year 680. He was educated from the age of thirteen in the monastery of Escancester or Exeter, and about three years after removed to Nutcell, in the diocese of Winchester, a monastery which was afterwards destroyed by the Danes, and was never rebuilt. Here he was instructed in the sacred and secular learning of the times; and at the age of thirty, was ordained priest, and became a zealous preacher. The same zeal prompted him to undertake the functions of a missionary among the pagans and with that view he went with two monks into Friezeland, about the year 716; but a war which broke out between Charles Martel, mayor of the French palace, and Radbod, king of Friezeland, rendering it impracticable to preach the gospel at that time, he returned to England with his companions. Still, however, zealously intent on the conversion of the pagans, he refused being elected abbot of Nutcell, on a vacancy which happened on his return; and having received recommendatory letters from the bishop of Winchester, went to Rome, and presented himself to the pope Gregory II. who encouraged his design, and gave him a commission for the conversion of the infidels, in the year 719. With this he went into Bavaria and Thuringia, and had considerable success: and Radbod, king of Friezeland, being now dead, he had an opportunity of visiting that country, where he co-Operated with Willibrod, another famous missionary, who would have appointed him his successor, which Wilfrid rt fused, because the pope had particularly enjoined him to preach in the eastern parts of Germany. Through Hesse, or a considerable part of it, even to the confines of Saxony, he extended his pious labours, and had considerable success, although he suffered many hardships, and was often exposed to danger from the rage of the infidels.
oman name, which Gregory probably thought might procure from the German converts more respect to the pope, than an English one. Solicitous also to preserve his dignity,
After some time he returned to Rome, where Gregory II.
consecrated him bishop of the new German churches,
by the name of Boniface, a Roman name, which Gregory
probably thought might procure from the German converts more respect to the pope, than an English one.
Solicitous also to preserve his dignity, Gregory exacted
from Boniface an oath of subjection to the papal authority,
drawn up in very strong terms. Boniface then returned to
the scenes of his mission, and had great success in Hesse,
encouraged now by Charles Martel, the dominion of the
French extending at this time a considerable way into Germany. We do not, however, find that he derived any
other assistance from the civil authority, than personal
protection, which doubtless was of great importance. If
he complied with the instructions sent from England, he
employed no means but what became a true missionary.
These, instructions, or rather advice sent to him by Daniel,
bishop of Winchester, about the year 723, afford too
striking an instance of good sense and liberality in that
dark age, to be omitted. Daniel’s method of dealing with
idolaters was conceived in these words, “Do not contradict in a direct manner their accounts of the genealogy of
their gods; allow that they were born from one another
in the same way that mankind are: this concession will
give you the advantage of proving, that there was a time
when they had no existence. Ask them who governed the
world before the birth of their gods, and if these gods have
ceased to propagate? If they have not, shew them the
consequence; namely, that the gods must be infinite in
number, and that no man can rationally be at ease in worshipping any of them, lest he should, by that means, offend
one, who is more powerful. Argue thus with them, not
in the way of insult, but with temper and moderation: and
take opportunities to contrast these absurdities with the
Christian doctrine: let the pagans be rather ashamed than
incensed by your oblique mode of stating these subjects.
Shew them the insufficiency of their plea of antiquity; inform them that idolatry did anciently prevail over the
world, but that Jesus Christ was manifested, in order to
reconcile men to God by his grace.
” From this same prelate he received other instructions respecting reforming the
church, and exercising discipline 'with the refractory and
scandalous priests, who occasioned much obstruction to
his mission. In the mean time, the report of his success
induced many of his countrymen to join him, who dispersed
themselves and preached in the villages of Hesse and Thuringia.
pen. He appointed Lullus, an Englishman, his successor as archbishop of Mentz, a privilege which the pope had granted him, and ordained him with the consent of king Pepin.
In the year 732, he received the title of archbishop from
Gregory II f. who supported his mission with the same
spirit as his predecessor Gregory II.; and under this encouragement he proceeded to erect new churches, and
extend Christianity. At this time, he found the Bavarian
churches disturbed by one Eremvolf, who would have seduced the people into idolatry, but whom he condemned,
according to the canons, and restored the discipline of the
church. In the year 738, he again visited Rome; and
after some stay, he induced several Englishmen who resided there, to join with him in his German mission. Returning into Bavaria, he established three new bishoprics,
at Salczburgh, Frisinghen, and Ratisbon. At length he
was fixed at Mentz, in the year 745, and although afterwards many other churches in Germany have been raised
to the dignity of archbishoprics, Mentz has always retained the primacy, in honour of St. Boniface. He also
founded a monastery at Fridislar, another at Hamenburgh,
and one at Ordorfe, in all which the monks gained their
livelihood by the labour of their hands. In the year 746,
he laid the foundation of the great abbey of Fulda, which
continued long the most renowned seminary of religion
and learning in all that part of the world. The abbot is
now a prince of the empire. In the mean time his connection with England was constantly preserved; and it is
in the epistolary correspondence with his own country,
that the most striking evidence of his pious views appears.
Still intent on his original design, although now advanced
in years, he determined to return into Friezeland, and
before his departure, acted as if he had a strong presentiment of what was to happen. He appointed Lullus, an
Englishman, his successor as archbishop of Mentz, a privilege which the pope had granted him, and ordained him
with the consent of king Pepin. He went by the Rhine to
Friezeland, where, assisted by Eoban, whom he had ordained bishop of Utrecht, he brought great numbers of
pagans into the pale of the church. He had appointed a
day to confirm those whom he had baptized; and in
waiting for them, encamped with his followers on the banks of
the Bordue, a river which then divided East and West
Friezeland. His intention was to confirm, by imposition
of hands, the converts in the plains of Dockum. On the
appointed day, he beheld, in the morning, not the new
converts whom he expected, but a troop of enraged pagans, armed with shields and lances. The servants went
out to resist; but Boniface, with calm intrepidity, said to
his followers, “Children, forbear to fight; the scripture
forbids us to render evil for evil. The day which I have
long waited for is come; hope in God, and he will save
your souls.
” The pagans immediately attacked them
furiously, and killed the whole company, fifty-two in
number, besides Boniface himself. This happened on
June 5, 755, in the fortieth year after his arrival in Germany. His body was interred in the abbey of Fulda, and
was long regarded as the greatest treasure of that monastery. Boniface’s character has been strangely misrepresented by Mosheim, and by his transcribers, but ably vindicated by Milner, who has examined the evidence on
both sides with great precision. His works, principally
sermons and correspondence, were published under the title
“S. Bonifacii Opera, a Nicolao Serrario,
” Mogunt.
ege of Rovigo, where he first lectured on the institutes of Justinian. He afterwards accompanied the pope’s nuncio Jerome Portia, as secretary, and was himself employed
, the son of a lawyer of the
same name, was born at Crema, in the Venetian state
about 1584. In his thirtieth year he went to study at Padua,
and made such proficiency as to be created doctor of laws
at the age of eighteen. About two years after he was appointed law professor in the college of Rovigo, where he
first lectured on the institutes of Justinian. He afterwards
accompanied the pope’s nuncio Jerome Portia, as secretary, and was himself employed in some affairs of importance. On his return to Venice, he had several preferments, and among others that of archpriest of Rovigo. In
Oct. 1619, he was elected Greek and Latin professor at
Padua, but declined accepting the office. In 1620, he
assisted at Venice, in the establishment of an academy
for the education of the young nobility, and gave lectures
on the civil law. Pope Urban VIII. bestowed on him the
archdeaconry of Trevisa, which he held, with the office of
grand vicar of that diocese, under four successive bishops.
He assisted also very essentially in founding a new academy
at Padua for the Venetian nobility, in 1636, and was the
first director or president of it, and founded a similar establishment at Trevisa. In 1653 he was appointed bishop
of Capo d'Istria, which he held until his death in 165i).
He was a man of various learning, as appears by his “Historia Trevigiena,
” 4to, his “Historia Ludicra,
” Latin poems
” in
De Romanae Historian Scriptoribus excerpta ex Bodino, Vossio et aliis,
” Venice,
or by cardinal Norris in 1695, he became distinguished by his learning and piety. He was employed by pope Clement XI. in several matters of importance, and particularly
, a learned Augustin, was born
at Toulouse in 1670; and at Rome, whither he was sent
for by cardinal Norris in 1695, he became distinguished
by his learning and piety. He was employed by pope
Clement XI. in several matters of importance, and particularly in the examination of the Gregorian calendar.
Bonjour had also the superintendence of the seminary
established by cardinal Barbarigo at Montefiascone, and
denominated the academy of sacred letters. He was acquainted with almost all the oriental tongues, and especially with the Coptic, or ancient Egyptian. Actuated by
a zeal for acquiring knowledge, and for propagating the
gospel, he visited China, where he died in February 1714,
whilst he was employed in forming a map of that empire,
which he undertook to conciliate the favour of the emperor, and thereby promote the objects of his mission. He
published, 1. “Dissertatio de nomine patriarch! Joseph! a
Pharaone imposito, in defensionem vulgatoe editionis, et
patrum qui Josephum in Serapide adumbratuni tradiderunt,
” &c. Rome, Select dissertationes
in Sac. Scripturam,
” Rome, In monumenta Coptica, seu
Ægyptiacæ bibliothecæ Vatican brevis exercitatio,
” ibid.
Calendarium Romanum chronologorum
causa constructum, &c.
” ibid.
the king’s divorce from queen Catherine of Spain, and of great use to his majesty in abrogating the pope’s supremacy. He was also in high favour with lord Cromwell,
After the cardinal’s death, he got into the good graces of king Henry VIII. who appointed him one of his chaplains. On this he began his career in a manner not very consistent with his after-conduct. He was not only a favourer of the Lutherans, but a promoter of the king’s divorce from queen Catherine of Spain, and of great use to his majesty in abrogating the pope’s supremacy. He was also in high favour with lord Cromwell, secretary of state, by whose recommendation he was employed as ambassador at several courts. In 1532, he was sent to Rome, along with sir Edward Karne, to excuse king Henry’s personal appearance upon the pope’s citation. In 1533, he was again sent to Rome to pope Clement VII. then at Marseilles, upon the excommunication decreed against king Henry VIII. on account of his divorce; to deliver that king’s appeal from the pope to the next general council. But in this he betrayed so much of that passionate temper which appeared afterwards more conspicuously, and executed the order of his master in this affair with so much vehemence and fury, that the pope talked of throwing him into a caldron of melted lead, on which he thought proper to make his escape. He was employed likewise in other embassies to the kings of Denmark and France, and the emperor of Germany. In 1538, being then ambassador in France, he was nominated to the bishopric of Hereford, Nov. 27; but before consecration he was translated to London, of which he was elected bishop Oct. 20, 1539, and consecrated April 4, 1540.
assador with the emperor Charles V.; and though during Henry’s reign he appeared zealous against the pope, and had concurred in all the measures taken to abrogate his
At the time of the king’s death in 1547, Bonner was ambassador with the emperor Charles V.; and though during Henry’s reign he appeared zealous against the pope, and had concurred in all the measures taken to abrogate his supremacy, yet these steps he appears to have taken merely as the readiest way to preferment; for his principles, as far as such a man can be said to have any, were those of popery, as became evident from his subsequent conduct. On the 1st of September 1547, not many months after the accession of Edward VI. he scrupled to take an oath, to renounce and deny the bishop of Rome, and to swear obedience to the king, and entered a protestation against the king’s injunction and homilies. For this behaviour he was committed to the Fleet; but having submitted, and recanted his protestation, was released, and for sometime complied outwardly with the steps taken to advance the reformation, while he used privately all means in his power to obstruct it. After the lord Thomas Seymour’s death, he appeared so remiss in putting the court orders in execution, particularly that relating to the use of the common prayer book, that he was severely reproved by the privy council. He then affected to redouble his diligence: but still, through his remissness in preaching, and his connivance at the mass in several places, many people in his diocese being observed to withdraw from the divine service and communion, he was accused of neglect in the execution of the king’s orders. He was summoned before the privy council on the llth of August, when, after a reproof for his negligence, he was enjoined to preach the Sunday three weeks after at Paul’s cross, on certain articles delivered to him; and also to preach there once a quarter for the future, and be present at every sermon preached there, and to celebrate the communion in that church on all the principal feasts: and to abide and keep residence in his house in London, till he had licence from the council to depart elsewhere. On the day appointed for his preaching, he delivered a sermon to a crowded audience on the points assigned to him. But he entirely omitted the last article, the king’s royal power in his youth; for which contempt he was complained of to the king by John Hooper, afterwards bishop of Worcester: and archbishop Cranmer, bishop Ridley, sir William Petre, and sir Thomas Smith, secretaries of state, and William May, LL. D. and dean of St. Paul’s, were appointed commissioners to proceed against him. Appearing before them several days in September, he was, after a long trial, committed to the Marshalsea; and towards the end of October deprived of his bishopric.
ut into a commission to search and raze all registers and records containing professions against the pope, scrutinies taken in religious houses, &c. And the 8th of February
On the accession of queen Mary, Bonner had an opportunity of shewing himself in his proper character, which indeed had been hitherto but faintly-concealed. He was restored to his bishopric by a commission read in St. Paul’s cathedral the 5th of September 1553; and in 1554, he was made vicegerent, and president of the convocation, in the room of archbishop Cranmer, who was committed to the Tower. The same year he visited his diocese, in order to root up all the seeds of the Reformation, and behaved in the most furious and extravagant manner; at Hadham, he was excessively angry because the bells did not ring at his coming, nor was the rood-loft decked, or the sacrament hung up. He swore and raged in the church at Dr. Bricket, the rector, and, calling him knave and heretic, went to strike at him; but the blow fell upon sir Thomas Joscelyn’s ear, and almost stunned him. On his return he set up the mass again at St. Paul’s, before the act for restoring it was passed. The same year, he was in commission to turn out some of the reformed bishops. In 1555, and the three following years, he was the occasion of above two hundred of innocent persons being put to death in the most cruel manner, that of burning, for their firm adherence to the Protestant religion. On the 14th of February 1555-6, he came to Oxford (with Thirlby bishop of Ely), to degrade archbishop Cranmer, whom he used with great insolence. The 29th of December following he was put into a commission to search and raze all registers and records containing professions against the pope, scrutinies taken in religious houses, &c. And the 8th of February 1556-7, he was also put in another commission, or kind of inquisition, for searching after and punishing all heretics.
. D. 410; but his doctrine did not die with him, being maintained by some 200 years after his death. Pope Gregory makes mention of the Bonosians in the latter end of
, an ancient prelate of the fourth century, is known in church history as the heretical bishop of Naissus in Dacia, though some authors say of Sardica, the metropolis of that province. In the year 391 he was accused of crimes against the canons of the chnrch and the law of God, and was reported for heresy at the council of Capua, which met the latter end of that year. The particulars of his crimes cannot now be known, but his heresy may be gathered from St. Augustin and St. Ambrose. He had, before, been condemned by Damasus, bishop of Rome, who died A. D. 384. The council of Capua committed the hearing of his cause to the bishops of Mecodon, his neighhours, under their metropolitan Anysius, bishop of Thessalonica. The bishops assembled, agreeably to the order of the council, and Bonosus appeared before them; after examination, they were so well convinced of the truth of the charge, that they immediately suspended him from all episcopal functions; at the same time writing a letter to Syricius bishop of Rome, declaring their abhorrence of the detestable error, that the virgin Mary should have other children than Christ. Bonosus died A. D. 410; but his doctrine did not die with him, being maintained by some 200 years after his death. Pope Gregory makes mention of the Bonosians in the latter end of the sixth century.
, 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
, 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.
in concert with his father, and was an useful instrument in executing all the schemes of that wicked pope, as he had no scruples of honour or humanity, nor was there
Alexander VI. had five children by his mistress Vanozza; Francis and Cæsar, already mentioned, two other sons,
and a daughter named Lucretia. Francis was a gentleman
of good disposition and probity, and in every respect opposite to his brother Cæsar; but Cæsar seems to have possessed abilities superior to those of Francis: which made a
certain historian say, “that Cæsar was great among the
wicked, and Francis good among the great.
” Cæsar however was the mother’s favourite, as having a temper and
principles more conformable to hers: for which reason, at
the time when Alexander was undetermined on which of
these brothers he should bestow the cardinal’s cap, Vanozza declared herself in favour of Cæsar, who was accordingly made a cardinal in the second year of Alexander’s
pontificate. From this time he acted in concert with his
father, and was an useful instrument in executing all the
schemes of that wicked pope, as he had no scruples of
honour or humanity, nor was there any thing too atrocious
for him to perpetrate, to promote his insatiable ambition.
This is said to have even incited him to the murder of his
elder brother Francis, duke of Gandia. All the secular
dignities, which then were much more coveted than the
ecclesiastical, were heaped upon Francis, which obstructed
Cæsar’s projects so entirely, that he was resolved at all adventures to remove him. TJjfle story is, that in 1497, hiring assassins, he caused him to be murdered, and thrown
into the Tiber; where his body was found some days after,
full of wounds and extremely mangled. The pope was
afflicted to the last degree; for though he made use of
Cæsar as the abler, he loved Francis as the better man. He
caused therefore strict inquiry to be made after the murderers; upon which Vanozza, who for that and other reasons
was justly suspected to be privy to the affair, went privately
to the pope, and used all the arguments she could, to dissuade him from searching any further. Some say, that she
went so far as to assure his holiness, that if he did not desist,
the same person who took away his son’s life would not spare
his own. The whole of this story, however, appears doubtful;
nor, indeed, is there any positive proof that Borgia was even
privy to his brother’s death. Gordon, only, has asserted
it with accompanying proofs, but the latter -appear to be
historic fictions. It cannot be necessary to add to Cesar’s
crimes. He now, however, succeeded to his brother’s
fortunes and honours, began to be tired of ecclesiastical
matters, and grew quite sick of the cardinalate, and therefore determined to throw it off as soon as possible, that he
might have the greater scope for practising the excesses,
to which his natural ambition and cruelty prompted him:
for cruel as well as ambitious he was in the highest degree.
Numbers he caused to be taken off by poison or the sword;
and it is recorded, that assassins were constantly kept in
pay by him at Rome, for the sake of removing all who
were either obnoxious or inconvenient to him. Getting
rid of the cardinalate, he was soon after made duke of Valentinois by Lewis XII. of France: with whom he entered
into a league for the conquest of the Milanese. From this
time he experienced various turns of fortune, being sometimes prosperous, sometimes unfortunate. He very narrowly escaped dying of poison in 1503; for, having con-,
certed with the pope a design of poisoning nine newly
created cardinals at once (or, as some say, only one cardinal), in order to possess their effects, the poisoned wine
destined for the purpose was by mistake brought to themselves and drank. The pope died of it; but Cæsar, by
the vigour of his youth, and the force of antidotes, after
many struggles, recovered. He only recovered, however,
to outlive his fortune and grandeur, to see himself depressed, and his enemies exalted; for he was soon after
divested of all his acquisitions, and sent a prisoner to
Spain, in order to free Italy from an incendiary, and the
Italian princes from those dangers which his turbulent and
restless spirit made them fear, even though he was unarmed. From Spain he escaped to Navarre to king John
his brother-in-law, where he met with a very friendly reception. From hence he designed to go into France; and
there, with the assistance of Lewis, to try if he could once
more re-establish his fortune, but Lewis refused to receive
him, not only because he and Spain had concluded a
truce, but because they were also at enmity with the king
of Navarre. The French king also, in order to gratify
Spain, had confiscated Cæsar’s duchy of Valentinois, and
taken away the yearly pension which he had from France.
So that this fallen tyrant, in a poor and abandoned condition, without revenue or territory, was forced to be dependent upon his brother-in-law, who was then at war
with his subjects. Borgia served as a volunteer in that
war; and, while the armies were engaged in battle, and
fighting under the walls of Viana, was wounded, and
died in consequence, March 12, 1507. On his death-bed
he is said to have exclaimed, “I had provided in the course
of my life for every thing but death; and now, alas! I am
to die, though completely unprepared for it.
” Cæsar
Borgia took these words for his device, “Aut Cæsar aut
nihil;
” which gave occasion to the following epigrams:
he emperor <?f Germany, was thought to be sheltered from robbery. Here he remained till the death of pope Pius VI. after which he repaired, with his colleagues, to Venice,
In 1788 he published his “Vindication of the rights of
the Holy See on the kingdom of Naples,
” 4to, a work now
of little importance, and relating to a dispute which will
probably never be revived. On the 30th of March, 1789,
he was promoted to the rank of cardinal, and about the
same time was appointed prefect of the congregation of
the Index; and, what was more analogous to his pursuits,
he held the same office in the Propaganda, and in the
congregation for the correction of the books of the oriental
churches. After these promotions, he continued to be the
liberal patron of all who had any connection either with
his offices or with his literary pursuits, until Italy was inTaded by the French, when, like the greater part of his
colleagues, he was involved in losses and dangers, both
with respect to his fortune and to his pursuits. He forfeited all his benefices, and was near witnessing the destruction of all the establishments committed to his care,
especially the Propaganda. He was soon, however, extricated from his personal difficulties; and, by his timely
measures, the invaluable literary treasures of the Propaganda were also saved. He was allowed a liberal pension
from the court of Denmark, and he soon obtained the removal of the establishment of the Propaganda to Padua, a
city which, being then under the dominion of the emperor
<?f Germany, was thought to be sheltered from robbery.
Here he remained till the death of pope Pius VI. after
which he repaired, with his colleagues, to Venice, to attend the conclave; and, a new pope being elected, he
returned to Rome. When the coronation of the emperor
of France was ordered, cardinal Borgia was one of those
individuals who were selected by the pope as the companions of his intended journey to Paris, but having caught
a, violent cold on his way, he died at Lyons, Nov. 23, 1804.
Cardinal Stephen Borgia was not much favoured by nature with respect to person. He was so clumsy, and his
motions so much embarrassed, as to have little of the appearance of a person of birth and rank. He was far, also,
from being nice in his house or equipage. These little
defects, however, were compensated by the superior qualities of his mind. From, the time of Alexander Albani,
no Roman cardinal had so many distinguished connections
and correspondents in every part of Europe: and a great
similarity (elegance of manners excepted) was remarked
between the character of that illustrious prelate and his
own. The Borgian ms. so called by Michaelis, is a fragment of a Coptic-Greek manuscript, brought by a monk
from Egypt, consisting of about twelve leaves, and sent to
cardinal Borgia. The whole of it is printed in “Georgii
Fragmentum Graeco-Copto-Thebaicum,
” Rome,
ed with most of the ingenious men of his time. He had a particular intercourse of this kind with Mr. Pope; and there is still existing a large collection of letters,
Besides Dr. Borlase’s literary connections with Dr. Lyttelton and Dr. Milles, before mentioned, he corresponded
with most of the ingenious men of his time. He had a particular intercourse of this kind with Mr. Pope; and there is
still existing a large collection of letters, written by that
celebrated poet to our author. He furnished Mr. Pope
with the greatest part of the materials for forming his grotto
at Twickenham, consisting of such curious fossils as the
county of Cornwall abounds with: and there might have
been seen, before the destruction of that curiosity, Dr.
Borlase’s name in capitals, composed of crystals, in the
grotto. On. this occasion a very handsome letter was written
to the Doctor by Mr. Pope, in which he says, “I am much
obliged to you for your valuable collection of Cornish diamonds. I have placed them where they may best represent
yourself, in a shade, but shining;
” alluding to the obscurity
of Dr. Borlase’s situation, and the brilliancy of his talents.
The papers which he communicated at different times
to the Royal Society are numerous and curious.
recovery drew near: a happy time, wherein there would be but one sheepfold on the earth, whereof the pope was to be the only shepherd. “Whosoever shall refuse, said he,
, a famous chemist, quack,
and heretic, was a Milanese, and born in the beginning of
the seventeenth century. He finished his studies in the seminary at Rome, where the Jesuits admired him as a prodigy for his parts and memory. He applied himself to
chemistry, and made some discoveries; but, plunging himself into the most extravagant debaucheries, was obliged
at last, in 1654, to take refuge in a church. He then set
up for a pietist; and, affecting an appearance of great
zeal, lamented the corruption of manners which prevailed
at Rome, saying, that the distemper was come to the
height, and that the time of recovery drew near: a happy
time, wherein there would be but one sheepfold on the
earth, whereof the pope was to be the only shepherd.
“Whosoever shall refuse, said he, to enter into that sheepfold, shall be destroyed by the pope’s armies. God has
predestinated me to be the general of those armies: I am
sure, that they shall want nothing. I shall quickly finish
my chemical labours by the happy production of the philosopher’s stone; and by that means I sball have as much
gold as is necessary for the business. I am sure of the
assistance of the angels, and particularly of that of Michael
the archangel. When I began to walk in the spiritual life,
I had a vision in the night, attended with an angelical
voice, which assured me, that I should become a prophet.
The sign that was given me for it was a palm, that seemed
to me surrounded with the light of paradise.
”
velations which he boasted to have received: but after the death of Innocent X. finding that the new pope Alexander XII. renewed the tribunals, he despaired of succeeding,
He communicated to his confidants, in this manner, the revelations which he boasted to have received: but after the death of Innocent X. finding that the new pope Alexander XII. renewed the tribunals, he despaired of succeeding, left Rome, and returned to Milan. There too he acted the devotee, and gained credit with several people, whom he caused to perform certain exercises, which carried a wonderful appearance of piety. He engaged the members of his new congregation, to take an oath of secrecy to him; and when he found them confirmed in the belief of his extraordinary mission, he prescribed to them certain vows, one of which was that of poverty; for the performance of which he very ingeniously caused all the money that every one had to be consigned to himself. The design of this crafty impostor was, in case he could get a sufficient number of followers, to appear in the great square of Milan; there to represent the abuses of the ecclesiastical and secular government; to encourage the people to liberty; and then, possessing himself of the city and country of Milan, to pursue his conquests. But his design miscarried, in consequence of the imprisonment of some of his disciples; and as soon as he saw that first step of the inquisition, he fled, on which they proceeded against him for contumacy in 1659 and 1660; and he was condemned as an heretic, and burnt in effigy, with his writings, in the field of Flora at Rome, on the 3d of January 1661. He is reported to have said, that he never was so cold in his life as on the day that he was burnt at Rome: a piece of wit, however, which has been ascribed to several others. He had dictated a treatise on his system to his followers: but took it from them as soon as he perceived the motions of the inquisition, and hid all his papers in a nunnery, from which they fell into the hands of the inquisition, and were found to contain doctrines very absurd and very impious.
as secured, and his name sent to his Imperial majesty, to see if he was one of the conspirators. The pope’s nuncio, who happened to be present, as soon as he heard Borri
Borri staid some time in the city of Strasburgh, to which he had fled; and where he found some assistance and support, as well because he was persecuted by the inquisition, as because he was reputed a great chemist. But this was not a theatre large enough for Borri: he went therefore to Amsterdam, where he appeared in a stately and splendid equipage, and took upon him the title of Excellency: people flocked to him, as to the physician who could cure all diseases; and proposals were concerted for marrying him to great fortunes, &c. But his reputation began to sink, as his impostures became better understood, and he fled in the night from Amsterdam, with a great many jewels and sums of money, which he had pilfered. He then went to Hamburgh, where queen Christina was, and put himself under her protection: persuading her to venture a great sum of money, in order to find out the philosopher’s stone. Afterwards he went to Copenhagen, and inspired his Danish majesty to search for the same secret; by which means he acquired that prince’s favour so far, as to become very odious to all the great persons of the kingdom. Immediately after the death of the king, whom he had cheated out of large sums of money, he left Denmark for fear of being imprisoned, and resolved to go into Turkey. Being come to the frontiers at a time when the conspiracy of Nadasti, Serini, and Frangipani, was discovered, he was secured, and his name sent to his Imperial majesty, to see if he was one of the conspirators. The pope’s nuncio, who happened to be present, as soon as he heard Borri mentioned, demanded, in the pope’s name, that the prisoner should be delivered to him. The emperor consented to it, and ordered that Borri should be sent to Vienna; and afterwards, having first obtained from the pope a promise that he should not be put to death, he sent him to Rome; where he was tried, and condemned to perpetual confinement in the prison of the inquisition. He made abjuration of his errors in the month of October, 1672. Some years after he obtained leave to attend the duke d‘Estree, whom all the physicians had given over; and the unexpected cure he wrought upon him occasioned it to be said, that an arch-heretic had done a great miracle in Rome. It is said also, that the queen of Sweden sent for him sometimes in a coach; but that, after the death of that princess, he went no more abroad, and that none could speak with him without special leave from the pope. The Utrecht gazette, as Mr. Bayle relates, of the 9th of September, 1695, informed the public, that Borri was lately dead in the castle of St. Arigelo, being 79 years of age. It seems that the duke d’ Estre*e, as a recompence for recovering him, had procured Borri’s prisou to be changed, from that of the inquisition to the castle of St. Angelo.
ducated under St. Charles, who afterwards placed him in his newly-founded college at Pavia. Jn 1587, pope Pius V. made him a cardinal, and in 1595, Clement VIII. promoted
, cousin german to the preceding, and also a cardinal and archbishop of Milan, was
first educated under St. Charles, who afterwards placed
him in his newly-founded college at Pavia. Jn 1587, pope
Pius V. made him a cardinal, and in 1595, Clement VIII.
promoted him to the archbishopric of Milan. He died in
1632, leaving various pious works, written in Italian, the
principal of which is “Sacri Ragionamenti,
” Milan, Ragionamenti Spiritual!,
”
ibid. De Piacere della mente Christiana,
”
ibid.
ly accepted. But cardinal Valenti, unwilling to lose his services, commanded him, in the name of the pope, to dismiss the project, and persuaded him to undertake the
Benedict XIV. who was a great encourager of learning,
and a beneficent patron of learned men, gave Boscovich
many proofs of the esteem he had for him; and both he
and his enlightened minister, cardinal Valenti, consulted
Boscovich on various important objects of public economy,
the clearing of harbours, and the constructing of roads and
canals. On one occasion, he was joined in a commission
with other mathematicians and architects, invited from different parts of Italy, to inspect the cupola of St. Peter’s,
in which a crack had been discovered. They were divided
in opinion; but the sentiments of Boscovich, and of the
marquis Poleni, prevailed. In stating, however, the result of the consultation, which was to apply a circle of
iron round the building, Poleni forgot to refer the idea to
its real author, and this omission grievously offended Boscovich, who was tenacious of fame, and somewhat irritable“in temper. About the same time other incidents had concurred to mortify his pride; and he became at last disgusted with his situation, and only looked for a convenient
opportunity of quitting Rome. While in this temper of
mind, an application was made by the court of Portugal to
the general of the Jesuits, for ten mathematicians of the
society to go out to Brazil, for the purpose of surveying
that settlement, and ascertaining the boundaries which divide it from the Spanish dominions in America. Wishing
to combine with that object the mensuration of a degree of
latitude, Boscovich offered to embark in the expedition,
and his proposition was readily accepted. But cardinal
Valenti, unwilling to lose his services, commanded him,
in the name of the pope, to dismiss the project, and persuaded him to undertake the same service at home in the
Papal territory. In this fatiguing, and often perilous operation, he was assisted by the English Jesuit, Mayer, an
excellent mathematician, and was amply provided with the
requisite instruments and attendants. They began the
work about the close of the year 1750, in the neighbourhood of Rome, and extended the meridian line northwards,
across the chain of the Appennines as far as Rimini. Two
whole years were spent in completing the various measurements, which were performed with the most scrupulous
accuracy. The whole is elaborately described by Boscovich in a quarto volume, full of illustration and minute
details’, and with several opuscules, or detached essays,
which display great ingenuity, conjoined with the finest
geometric taste. We may instance, in particular, the discourse on the rectification of instruments, the elegant synthetical investigation of the figure of the earth, deduce^
both from the law of attraction, and from the actual measurement of degrees, and the nice remarks concerning the
curve and the conditions of permanent stability. This last
tract gave occasion, however, to some strictures from
D'Alembert, to which Boscovich replied, in a note annexed to the French edition of his works. The arduous
service which Boscovich had now performed was but poorly
rewarded. From the pope he received only a hundred sequins, or about forty-five pounds sterling, a gold box, and
” abundance of praise." He now resumed the charge of
the mathematical school, and besides discharged faithfully
the public duties of religion, which are enjoined by his order.
A trifling circumstance will mark the warmth of his temper, and his love of precedence. He had recourse to the
authority of cardinal Valenti, to obtain admission into the
oratory of Caravita, from which his absence excluded him,
and which yet afforded only the bent-fit of a free, but frugal supper. In presiding at that social repast, the philosopher relaxed from the severity of his studies, and shone
by his varied, his lively, and fluent conversation.
us attached himself to him, in hopes of being promoted to the same honour, when Petrochini should be pope; but the latter being overlooked at the next election for the
, a native of Milan, and servitor of the
order of Malta, lived about the end of the sixteenth century, when he was appointed agent for the religion of
Malta at Rome, and discharged the duties of this office
with fidelity. The knowledge he found it necessary to acquire, appears to have suggested the design of writing a
history of that celebrated order, which was published under
the title “Historia dell' ordine di S. Giovanni Gierosolimitano,
” in three parts or volumes, the first two at
Rome, 1594, and the third in 1602, a work in which he is
said to have been assisted by two monks, and which contains many curious facts, that have been highly serviceable to the subsequent historians of Malta. It happened
that Bosius resided with Petrochini at Rome, and when he
was made cardinal by Sixtus V. Bosius attached himself
to him, in hopes of being promoted to the same honour,
when Petrochini should be pope; but the latter being
overlooked at the next election for the papal chair, Bosius
went home and passed the remainder of his days, how
many we are not told, in exercises of devotion. He appears
to have had much of the superstition of his order, and of the
age in which he lived, as he wrote a history of the sacred
cross on which our Saviour suffered, from its discovery in
the reign of Constantine the great.; and decorated the
church of St. Blaise with this choice morsel of authentic
history. His nephew,
h belonging to it that Bosso delivered the ensigns of the cardinalship to John de Medici, afterwards pope Leo X. Sixtus VI. also employed him in many important affairs,
, an Italian scholar and writer of
considerable eminence, was born at Verona in 1427, and
in 1451 entered the congregation of the regular canons of
St. John of Lateran, where he bore several employments,
as visitor of the order, procurator-general, and abbot of
Fiesole in Tuscany. Cosmo de Medici, who had a high
respect for him, spent seventy thousand crowns in the
repairs of that monastery, and it was in the church belonging to it that Bosso delivered the ensigns of the cardinalship to John de Medici, afterwards pope Leo X. Sixtus VI. also employed him in many important affairs, particularly in reforming the religious houses of Genoa, and
other neighbouring districts, and he thrice offered him a
valuable bishopric, which he refused. He vigorously opposed the decree of pope Innocent VIII. which ordered
all sorts of monks to pay part of their yearly revenues to
the clerks of the apostolic chamber. Hermolaus Barbarus
was his pupil and guest at Fiesole, and Picus of Mirandula,
his friend. He died at Padua in 1502. Mr. Roscoe says
he was a profound scholar, a close reasoner, and a convincing orator; and to these united a candid mind, an inflexible integrity, and an interesting simplicity of life and
manners. His literary productions were, l.“De Instituendo Sapientia animo,
” Bologna, De veris
et salutaribus animi gaudiis,
” Florence, Epistolar. Lib. tres,
” or rather three volumes, printed Recuperationes Fsesulanse,
” a rare and beautiful book, said to have been printed in 1483. His whole
works were published by P. Ambrosini, at Bologna, 1627,
with the exception of the third book, or volume, of letterS|
which, on account of its extreme rarity, was at that time
unknown to the editor. His moral writings were very
highly esteemed; and one of his pieces on female dress,
“de vanis mulierum ornamentis,
” excited a considerable
interest. The editor of Fabricius throws some doubts on
the date of the “Recuperationes,
” and if there be letters
in it dated
dauphin; upon which occasion, and the applause he gained in the discharge of so delicate an office, pope Innocent XI. congratulated him in a very polite letter. When
, bishop of Meaux, an eminent French
writer and preacher, was born at Dijon, 27th of September 1627. He received the first rudiments of his education
there, and in 1642 was sent to Paris to finish his studies at
the college of Navarre. In 1652 he took his degrees in
divinity, and soon after went to Metz, where he was made
a canon. Whilst he resided here, he applied himself
chiefly to the study of the scriptures, and the reading of
the fathers, especially St. Augustine. In a little time he
became a celebrated preacher, and was invited to Paris,
where he had for his hearers many of the most learned men
of his time, and several persons of the first rank at court.
In 1669 he was created bishop of Condom, and the same
month was appointed preceptor to the dauphin; upon
which occasion, and the applause he gained in the discharge of so delicate an office, pope Innocent XI. congratulated him in a very polite letter. When he had almost finished the education of this prince, he addressed
to him his “Discours surl'Histoire Universelle,
” which was
published in
sly represented by protestant writers. Nine years, however, passed before this book could obtain the pope’s approbation. Clement X. refused it positively; and several
His celebrated “Exposition of the Roman Catholic
Faith,
” mentioned above, was designed to show the protestants, that their reasons against returning to the Romish
church might be easily removed, if they would view the
doctrines of that church in their true light, and not as
they had been erroneously represented by protestant
writers. Nine years, however, passed before this book
could obtain the pope’s approbation. Clement X. refused
it positively; and several catholic priests were rigorously
treated and severely persecuted, for preaching the doctrine
contained in the exposition of Bossuet, which was likewise
formally condemned by the university of Louvain in the
year 1685, and declared to be scandalous and pernicious.
All this we should have thought a proof of the merit of the
work, if it had not been at length licensed and held up as
unanswerable by the protestants. The artifice, however,
employed in the composition of it, and the tricks that were
used in the suppression and alteration of the first edition,
have been detected with great sagacity by archbishop Wake
in the introduction to his “Exposition of the Doctrine of
the Church of England,
” and in his two “Defences
” of
that Exposition, in which the perfidious sophistry of Bossuet is unmasked and refuted in the most satisfactory manner. There was also an excellent answer to Bossuet' s book
by M. de la Bastide, one of the most eminent protestant
ministers in France. Of this answer the French prelate
took no notice during eight years: at the end of which he
published an advertisement, in a new edition of his “Exposition,
” which was designed to remove the objections of
La Bastide. The latter replied in such a demonstrative
manner, that the learned bishop, notwithstanding all his
eloquence and art, was obliged to quit the field of controversy. There is a very interesting account of this insidious work of Bossuet, and the controversies it occasioned, in
the “Bibliotheque des Sciences,
” published at the Hague,
vol. XV Ih. This account, which is curious, ample, accurate, and learned, was given partly on occasion of a new
edition of the “Exposition
” printed at Paris in Lite of Bossuet,
” published the
same year at Paris.
Clement XII. made him librarian of the Vatican, in which he arranged a cabinet of medals, which that pope wished to be considered as a part of the library. On his death,
, a very learned prelate of the court
of Rome, was born at Florence, Jan. 15, 1689, and became early distinguished for the purity of his style, and
his intimate knowledge of the Tuscan dialect. He studied
rhetoric and Latin uiuier Antonio-Maria Biscioni, who was
afterwards dictator of the Mediceo-Lorenzian library. (See Biscioni). He then studied philosophy, divinity, mathematics, and Greek, the latter under the learned Salvini.
His proficiency in these branches of knowledge soon made
him noticed, and he was appointed by the academy della
Crusca, to superintend the new edition of their dictionary, in which labour he was assisted by Andrea Alamaorni
and Rosso Martini. He had afterwards the direction of the
printing-ofBce belonging to the Grand Duke, from which
several of his works issued. Clement XII. made him librarian of the Vatican, in which he arranged a cabinet of
medals, which that pope wished to be considered as a part
of the library. On his death, Bottari entered the conclave
Feb. 6, 1740, with the cardinal Neri Corsini. Next year
was published by P. Marmoreus, the edition of Virgil^
Rome, 1741, fol. a fac-simile of the famous Codex Vaticanus, to which Bottari prefixed a learned preface. He
was the first who had the curiosity to examine this valuable
manuscript, which belonged formerly to Pontanus, afterwards to Bembus, and lastly to Fulvius Ursinus, who deposited it in the Vatican, when he became librarian there.
Benedict XIV. being elected pope, who had long been
the friend of Bottari, he conferred on him the canonry of
St. Maria-Transteverini, and that he might reside in his
palace, appointed him his private almoner. He was also
a member of all the principal academies of Italy; and Fontanini, Apostolo Zeno, Gori, and others, have written his
eloges, having all profited, in the publication of their
works, by his valuable communications. His long and
studious life terminated June 3, 1775, in his eighty-sixth
year. Among his works, of which Mazzuchelli has given a
long list, are, 1. Vita di Francesco Sacchetti,“Vicenza
(Naples) 1725, with Sacchetti’s
” Novelle,“8vo. 2.
”
L'Ercolano, dialogodi Benedetto Varchi,“Florence, 1730, 4to.
3.
” Lezione tre sopra il tremuoto,“Rome, 1733 and 1748,
4to. 4.
” Sculture, e Pitture sacre estratte dai cimeteri
di Roma, &c.“Rome, 1737, 1747, 1753, 3 vols. fol. 5.
” Vocabularia della Crusca,“Florence, 1738, 6 vols. 6.
The Virgil already noticed. 7.
” De Museo Capitolino,“1750, 3 vols fol. 8.
” Raccolta di lettere sulla Pittura,
Sculrura, ed Architettura,“Rome, 1754, 1757, and 1759,
3 vols. 4to; and again, an enlarged edition at Naples,
1772. 9.
” Dialog hi sopra tre arti del Disegno," Lucca,
1754, 4to. He also contributed to a new edition oi Vasari and Passori’s Lives of the Painters.
published a metrical translation by him of the Hymn of Cleanthes, which appears to have suggested to Pope his Universal Prayer.
, born at Paris Dec. 1, 1722^ was educated with great care. His talents thus improved procured him celebrity at an early period, and obtained for him the places most flattering to literarymen at Paris. He became pensionary and secretary to the royal academy of inscriptions, member of the French academy, and some other foreign societies, censor-royal, keeper of the hall of antiquities at the Louvre, and one of the secretaries in ordinary to the duke of Orleans. His extraordinary industry impaired his health, and brought on premature old age, of which he died at the chateau de Loches, June 22, 1763, at the age of forty-one. His talents and personal virtues acquired him zealous patrons and affectionate friends. In his writings, as in his man'ners, all was laudable, and yet nothing shewed the desire of being praised. With the talents that contribute to fame, he principally aspired at the honour of being useful. Nevertheless, literary ambition, which is not the weakest of ambitions, found him not insensible. Accordingly he was desirous of being admitted of the French academy; he made vigorous application to Duclos, at that time secretary; mentioning, among other things, that he was afflicted with a disorder that was sapping his constitution, and that consequently his place would soon be vacant again; the secretaiy, an honest man, but of a hard and rough character, replied, with more wit than feeling, that it was not the business of the French academy to administer extreme unction. He wrote, 1. A translation of the AntiLucretius of the cardinal de Polignac, 2 vols. 8vo, or one vol. 12mo, preceded by a very sensible preliminary discourse. 2. Parallel between the expedition of Kouli Khan in the Indies, and that of Alexander, a work of great learning, abounding in ideas, flights of imagination and eloquence; but sometimes rather bombastic. He also wrote several papers of very superior merit in the Memoirs of the French Academy. In his twenty-fifth year he wrote a tragedy on the death of Philip, father of Alexander, which is said to evince considerable talents for poetry; and in the Magazin Encyclopedique was lately published a metrical translation by him of the Hymn of Cleanthes, which appears to have suggested to Pope his Universal Prayer.
of dean of the collegiate church of St. Martin’s in London; from which, in 1433, he was advanced, by pope Eugenius IV. to the see of Worcester but his consecration was
, archbishop of Canterbury in the successi^eio-ns of
Henry VI. Edward IV. Edward V. Richard III. tf Henry
VII. was son of William Bourchier earl of Ewe in Normandy, and the countess of Stafford, and brother of Henry
earl of Essex, and, consequently, related to the preceding
lord Berners. He had his education in Neville’s-inn at
Oxford, and was chancellor of that university three ears
viz. from 1433 to 1437. His first dignity in the church
was that of dean of the collegiate church of St. Martin’s in
London; from which, in 1433, he was advanced, by pope
Eugenius IV. to the see of Worcester but his consecration
was deferred to May 15, 1436, by reason (as is supposed)
of a defect in age. He had not sat a full year, before he
was elected by the monks of Ely bishop of that see, and
confirmed by the pope: but, the king refusing his consent,
Bourchier did not dare to comply with the election,' for
fear of incurriig the censure of the laws, which forbad,
under very sevtfe penalties, the receiving the pope’s bull
without the khg’s leave. Nevertheless, seven or eight
years after, the see of Ely still continuing vacant, and the
king consenting, he was translated thither, the 20th of
December 1443. The author of the “Historia Eliensis
”
speaks very disadvantageously of him, as an oppressor,
and neglectfi of his duty during his residence on that see,
which was ten years twenty-three weeks and five days. At
last he was elected archbishop of Canterbury, in the
room of John Kemp, the 23d of April 1454. This election
was the irre remarkable, as the monks were left entirely to trir liberty of choice, without any interposition
either frc the crown or the papal chair. On the contrary, pof Nicolas Vth’s concurrence being readily obtained, t> archbishop was installed with great solemnity.
In the m^th of December following, he received the red
hat from vome, being created cardinal-priest of St. Cyriacus in Ttemis, but Bentham thinks this was not till 1464,
The next ear, he was made lord high chancellor of England, but‘esigned that office in October the year following. So’ after his advancement to the see of Canterbury,
he be^aia visitation in Kent, and made several regulations fothe government of his diocese. He likewise
publish* 3 - constitution for restraining the excessive abuse
of papa'rovisions, but deserved most highly of the learned
world, r being the principal instrument in introducing
the no 2 art of printing into England. Wood’s account^
althou not quite correct, is worth transcribing. Bourchier being informed that the inventor, Tossan^ alias
John -ithenberg, had set up a press at Harlem, was extremely desirous that the English might be made masters
of s^ 6116 ^ ^ an art. To this purpose he persuaded
fcino Henry VI. to dispatch one Robert Tournour, belong to the wardrobe, privately to Harlem. This man,
f ur ed with a thousand marks, of which the archbishop
suried three hundred, embarked for Holland, and, to
disise the matter, went in company with one Caxton, a,
nnhant of London, pretending himself to be of the same
profession. Thus concealing his name and his business, he
went first to Amsterdam, then to Leyden, and at last settled
at Harlem where having spent a -great deal of time and
money, he sent to the king for a fresh supply, giving his
Highness to understand, that he had almost compassed the
enterprize. In short, he persuaded Frederic Corselli, one
of the compositors, to carry off a set of letters, and embark
with him in the night for London. When they arrived, the
archbishop, thinking Oxford a more convenient place for
printing than London, sent Corselli down thither. And,
lest he should slip away before he had discovered the whole
secret, a guard was set upon the press. And thus the mystery of printing appeared ten years sooner in the university
of Oxford than at any other place in Europe, Harlem and
Mentz excepted. Not long after, there were presses set up
at Westminster, St. Alhan’s, Worcester, and other monasteries of note. After this manner printing was introduced
into England, by the care of archbishop Bourchier, in the
year of Christ 1464, and the third of king Edward IV."
. “This re-union is not so easy a matter (said the tzar); there are three points that divide us: the pope, the procession of the Holy Ghost” As he had forgot the third
, doctor of the Sorbonne, was born at Ecoven in the diocese of Paris, in
1679, and died at Paris in 1749, at the age of 70. He
published, 1. “L'action de Dieu-sur les creatures,
” Paris,
2 vols. 4to, or 6 vols. 12mo. This treatise, in which he
endeavours to establish physical premotion by argument,
was attacked by Malebranche; but it discovers the powers
of a profound metaphysician. 2. A memoir presented to
Peter the Great by the doctors of Sorbonne for the reunion of the Greek and Latin churches.- When the tzar
appeared in the Sorbonne, Boursier addressed him on the
subject of this memoir. The monarch immediately answered, that he Was but a soldier. Boursier replied, that
he was a hero and that, as a prince, he was a protector of
religion. “This re-union is not so easy a matter (said the tzar); there are three points that divide us: the pope, the
procession of the Holy Ghost
” As he had forgot the
third point, which is the unleavened bread and the cup,
Boursier recalled it to his mind. “As for that article,
” returned the emperor, “we shall have no difficulty in coming
to an agreement.
” At the end of the conversation, the
Russian sovereign asked for a memorandum of it: it was
given him; but nothing more was ever heard of it. 3. An
enormous quantity of publications on subjects of ecclesiastical controversy, enumerated by Moreri. There was
another of the name, almost a contemporary, Philip Boursier, deacon of Paris, where he was born in 1693, and died
in 1768, aged 77. He was the first author, in 1727, of
the “Nouvelles ecclesiastiques;
” in which work he had
several coadjutors, as Messrs. d'Etemare, de Fernanville,
Bergfer, de Russye, de Troya, Fontaine. But he alone
composed the greatest part of the discourses that annually
precede this periodical work.
h any, and fearing to come near any house, as I was not far from the borders of the dominions of the pope I thought I should be able to hold out till I got into the Modenese,
"I had passed two whole days without any kind of subsistence whatever, meeting nobody in the by-roads that would supply me with any, and fearing to come near any house, as I was not far from the borders of the dominions of the pope I thought I should be able to hold out till I got into the Modenese, where I believed I should be in less danger than while I remained in the papal dominions; but finding myself about noon of the third day extremely weak, and ready to faint, I came into the high road that leads from Bologna to Florence, at a few miles distance from the former city, and alighted at a post house that stood quite by itself. Having asked the woman of the house whether she had any victuals ready, and being told that she had, I went to open the door of the only room in the house (that being a place where gentlemen only stop to change horses), and saw, to my great surprise, a placard pasted on it with a most minute description of my whole person, and the promise of a reward of 800 crowns, about 200l. English money, for delivering me up alive to the inquisition, being a fugitive from the holy tribunal, and 600 crowns for my head. By the same placard all persons were forbidden, on the pain of the greater excommunication, to receive, harbour, or entertain me, to conceal or to screen me, or to be any way aiding and assisting to me in making my escape. This greatly alarmed me, as the reader may well imagine; but I was still more affrighted when entering the room I saw two fellows drinking there, who, fixing their eyes upon me as soon as I came, continued looking at me very steadfastly. I strove, by wiping my face, by blowing- my nose, by looking out at the window, to prevent their having a full view of me. But one of them saying, ‘ The gentleman seems afraid to be seen,’ I put up my handkerchief, and turning to the fellow said boklly, ‘ What do you mean, you rascal? Look at me; I am not afraid to be seen.’ He said nothing, but, looking again steadfastly at me, and nodding his head, went out, and his companion immediately followed him. I watched them; and seeing them with two or three more in close conference, and, no doubt, consulting whether they should apprehend me or not, I walked that moment into the stable, mounted my horse unobserved by them, and, while they were deliberating in an orchard behind the house, rode off full speed, and in a few hours got into the Modenese, where I refreshed both with food and with rest, as I was there in no immediate danger, my horse and myself. I was indeed surprised to find that those fellows did not pursue me; nor can I any other way account for it but by supposing, what is not improbable, that as they were strangers as well as myself, and had all the appearUnce of banditti or ruffians fly ing out of the dominions of the pope, the woman of the house did not care to trust them with her horses. From the Modenese I continued my journey more leisurely through the Parmesan, the Milanese, and part of the Venetian territory, to Chiavenna, subject, with its district, to the Grisons, who abhor the very name of the inquisition, and are ever ready to receive and protect all who, flying from it, take refuge, as many Italians do, in their dominions. However, as I proposed getting as soon as I could to the city of Bern, the metropolis of that great protestant canton, and was informed that my best way was through the cantons of Ury and Underwald, and part of the canton of Lucern, all three popish cantons, I carefully concealed who I was and from whence I came. For though no inquisition prevails among the Swiss, yet the pope’s nuncio, who resides at Lucern, might have persuaded the magistrates of those popish cantons to stop me as an apostate and deserter from the order.
n of this work at that period he professes to have received the first unfavourable sentiments of the pope’s supremacy. On the 13th of May 1748, he presented to the king
Being thus disengaged from his literary employment,
though he had not then received back his money from the
Jesuits, he, on the 25th of March 1747, put forth the
proposals for his “History of the Popes;
” a work, winch,
he says, he undertook some years since at Rome, and then
brought it down to the pontificate of Victor, that is, to
the close of the second century. In the execution of this
work at that period he professes to have received the first
unfavourable sentiments of the pope’s supremacy. On
the 13th of May 1748, he presented to the king the first
volume; and on the death of Mr. Say, keeper of queen
Caroline’s library (10th of September), one of his friends
(Mr. Lyttelton, afterwards lord Lyttelton) applied to Mr.
Pelham for that place for him, and obtained it. The next
year, 1749, on the 4th of August, he married a niece of
bishop Nicolson, and daughter of a clergyman of the
church of England, a younger son of a gentleman’s family
in Westmoreland, who had a fortune of 4000l. sterling,
and then had a child by a former husband; which child he
afterwards deposed on oath was no way injured by his marriage. He had been engaged in a treaty of marriage,
which did not take effect, in 1745. In 1751, the second
volume of the History of the Popes made its appearance.
In the same year, 1751, Mr. Bower published by way of
supplement to his second volume, seventeen sheets, which
were delivered to his subscribers gratis; and about the
latter end of 1753 he produced a third volume, which
brought down his history to the death of pope Stephen, in
757. His constant friend Mr. Lyttelton, at this time become a baronet, in April 1754 appointed him clerk of the
buck warrants, instead of Henry Read, esq. who held that
place under the earl of Lincoln. This office was probably
of no great emolument. His appointment to it, however, serves to shew the credit he was in with his
patron.
ge. We already have had occasion to mention the earls of Macclesfield and Marchmont, Dr. Wotton, Mr. Pope, Mr. Chishull, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Markland, bishop Warburton, the
Mr. Bowyer had always been subject to a bilious colic;
and during the last ten years of his life, he was afflicted
with the palsy and the stone. But, notwithstanding these
infirmities, he preserved, in general, a remarkable cheerfulness of disposition; and received great satisfaction from
the conversation of a few literary friends, by whom he continued to be visited. The faculties of his mind, though
somewhat impaired, were strong enough to support the labour of almost incessant reading, which had ever been his
principal amusement; and he regularly corrected the
learned works, and especially the Greek books, which came
from his press. This he did till within a very few weeks of
his death; which happened on the 18th of November,
1777, when he had nearly completed his 78th year. The
publications of Mr. Bowyer are an incontrovertible evidence
of his abilities and learning; to which may be added that
he was honoured with the friendship and patronage of many
of the most distinguished ornaments of his age. We already have had occasion to mention the earls of Macclesfield and Marchmont, Dr. Wotton, Mr. Pope, Mr. Chishull,
Mr. Clarke, Mr. Markland, bishop Warburton, the right
honourable Arthur Onslow, Mr. Hollis, Dr. Salter, Mr,
De Missy, Dr. Owen, and Dr. Heberden. To these, among
other respectable names, might be added those of archbishop Seeker, bishop Kennett, bishop Tanner, bishop Sherlock, bishop Hoadly, bishop Lyttelton, bishop Pearce, bishop Lowth, bishop Barrington, bishop Hurd, bishop
Percy, lord Lyttelton, lord Sandys, dean Prideaux, doctors
Robert and John Freind, dean Freind, dean Milles, the very
learned Dr. Taylor, chancellor of Lincoln, Dr. Barnard, Dr.
Powell, Dr. Wilkins, Mr. Maittaire, Messrs. R. and S.
Gale, Mr. Browne Willis, Mr. Spelman, Mr. Morant, Dr.
Ducarel, Dr. Pegge, Mr. Garrick, and most of the distinguished scholars and antiquaries of his time. His connec^
tion with the late eminent and excellent Richard Gough,
esq. so well known by his acquaintance with British topography and antiquities, is apparent from his last will;
where his obligations to Dr. Jenkin, dean Stanhope, and
Mr. Nelson, are acknowledged. The late excellent Dr.
Robert Clayton, bishop of Clogher, so highly esteemed his
friendship, that he not only honoured him by a regular
epistolary intercourse, but presented him with the copy-right
of all his valuable writings. Mr. Bowyer stood unrivalled,
for more than half a century, as a learned printer; and
some of the most masterly productions of this kingdom have
undoubtedly appeared from his press. To his literary and
professional abilities, he added an excellent moral character.
His regard to religion was displayed in his publications, and
in the course of his life and studies; and he was particularly
distinguished by his inflexible probity, and an uncommon
alacrity in assisting the necessitous. His liberality in relieving every species of distress, and his endeavours to conceal
his benefactions, reflect great honour on his memory.
Though he was naturally fond of retirement, and seldom
entered into company, excepting with men of letters, he
was, perhaps, excelled by few in the talent of justly discriminating the real characters of mankind. He judged of the
persons he saw by a sort of intuition; and his judgments
were generally right. From a consciousness of literary superiority, he did not always pay that particular attention tQ
the booksellers which was expedient in the way of his business. Too proud to solicit the favours in that way which he
believed to be his due, he was often disappointed in his expectations. On the other hand, he' frequently experienced
friendships in cases where he had much less reason to have
hoped for them so that, agreeably to his own expression,
“in what he had received, and what he had fyeen denied,
he thankfully acknowledged the will of Heaven.
” The two
great objects of Mr. Bowyer’s view, in the decline of his
life, were to repay the benefactions his father had met
with, and to be himself a benefactor to the meritorious of
his own profession. These purposes are fully displayed in
his last will: for which reason, and because it illustrates
the turn of his mind in other respects, we shall insert it at
large. After a liberal provision for his son, among other
legacies are these “I likewise give to my son all my plate;
except the small silver cup which was given to my father
(after his loss by fire) by Mrs. James, and which I give to
the Company of Stationers in London, hoping they will
preserve it as a memorial. Having committed my body to
the earth, I would testify my duty and gratitude to my few
relations and numerous benefactors after my father’s loss by
fire. I give and bequeath to my cousin Scott, lately of
Westminster, brewer, and to his sister, fifty pounds each.
I give and bequeath to my relations Mr. Thomas Linley and
his wife one thousand pounds four per cent, consolidated annuities, to be transferred to them, or to the survivor of them;
and which I hope they will take care to settle, at their
deaths, for the benefit of their son and daughter. I give
to the two sons and one daughter of the late reverend Mr.
Maurice of Gothenburgh iuSweden, who married the only
daughter of Mr. Richard Williamson, bookseller (in return for her father’s friendship to mine), one thousand pounds
four per cent, consolidated annuities, to be divided equally
between them. Among my father’s numerous benefactors,
there is not, that I can hear of, one alive: to several of
them I made an acknowledgement. But one respectable
body I am still indebted to, the University of Cambridge;
to whom I give, or rather restore, the sum of fifty pounds,
in return for the donation of forty pounds made to my father
at the motion of the learned and pious master of Saint John’s
college, doctor Robert Jenkin: to a nephew of his I have
already given another fifty pounds, as appears by his receipt
of the thirty-first of May, one thousand seven hundred and
seventy. The benefactions which my father received from
Oxford I can only repay with gratiiude; as he received
them, not from the university as a body, but from particular members. I give thirty pounds to the dean and chapter
of Canterbury, in gratitude for the kindness of the worthy
doctor Stanhope (sometime dean of Canterbury) to my father; the remembrance of which amongst the proprietors of
his works I have long out-lived, as I have experienced by not
being employed to print them: the like I might say of the
works of Mr. Nelson, another respectable friend and patron of
my father’s, and of many others. I give to doctor William
Heberden my little cabinet of coins, with H ickes’s Thesau rus,
Tristan, and the odd volume, Spanheim’s Numismata, Harduin’s Opera Selecta, in folio, Nummi Populorum et Urbium, in quarto, and any other of my books he chooses to
accept: to the reverend doctor Henry Owen, such of my
Hebrew books and critical books on the New Testament,
as he pleases to take: to Richard Gough, esq. in like manner, my books on topographical subjects: to Mr. John
Nichols, all books that relate to Cicero, Livy, and the Roman
history, particularly the * Cenotaphia' of Noris and Pighius, my grammars and dictionaries, with Swift’s and
Pope’s works: to my son, whatever books (not described above) he thinks proper to take. And now I hope I may
be allowed to leave somewhat for the benefit of printing.
To this end, I give to the master and keepers or wardens
and commonalty of the mystery or art of a stationer of the
city of London, such a sum of money as will purchase two
thousand pounds three per cent, reduced Bank annuities,
upon trust, to pay the dividends and yearly produce thereof,
to be divided for ever equally amongst three printers, compositors or pressmen, to be elected from time to time by
the master, wardens, and assistants, of the said company,
and who at the time of such election shall be sixty-three
years old or upwards, for their respective lives, to be paid
half-yearly; hoping that such as sha.ll be most deserving
will be preferred. And whereas I have herein before given
to my son the sum of three thousand pounds four per cent,
consolidated annuities, in case he marries with the consent
of my executors: Now, I do hereby give and bequeath the
dividends and interest of that sum, till such marriage take
place, to the said company of stationers to be divided
equally between six other printers, compositors or pressmen, as aforesaid, in manner as aforesaid; and, if my said
son shall die unmarried, or married without such consent as
aforesaid, then I give and bequeath the said capital sum of
three thousand pounds to the company of stationers, the
dividends and yearly produce thereof to be divided for ever
equally amongst six other such old printers, compositors or
pressmen, for their respective lives, to be qualified, chosen,
and paid in manner as aforesaid. It has long been to me
matter of concern, that such numbers are put apprentices
as compositors without any share of school-learning, who
ought to have the greatest: in hopes of remedying this,
I give and bequeath to the said company of stationers such
a sum of money as will purchase one thousand pounds three
per cent, reduced bank annuities, for the use of one journeyman compositor, such as shall hereafter be described; with
this special trust, that the master, wardens, and assistants,
shall pay the dividends and produce thereof half-yearly to
such compositor: the said master, wardens, and assistants
of the said company, shall nominate for this purpose a compositor who is a man of good life and conversation, who shall
usually frequent some place of public worship every Sunday unless prevented by sickness, and shall not have worked
on a newspaper or magazine for four years at least before
such nomination, nor shall ever afterwards whilst he holds
this annuity, which may be for life, if he continues a journeyman; he shall be able to read and construe Latin, and at
least to read Greek fluently with accents; f which he shall
bring a testimonial from the rector of St. Martin’s Ludgate
for the time being: I could wish that he shall have been
brought up piously and virtuously, if it be possible, at Merchant Taylors, or some other public school, from seven
years of age till he is full seventeen, and then to serve seven years faithfully as a compositor, and work seven years
more as a journeyman, as I would not have this annuity bestowed on any one under thirty -one years of age: if after
he is chosen he should behave ill, let him be turned out,
and another be chosen in his stead. And whereas it may
be many years before a compositor may be found that shall
exactly answer the above description, and it may at some
times happen that such a one cannot be found; I would
have the dividends in the mean time applied to such person
as the master, wardens, and assistants, shall think approaches
nearest to what I have described. And whereas the above
trusts will occasion some trouble: I give to the said company, in case they think proper to accept the trusts, two
hundred and fifty pounds.
” It is almost superfluous to add,
that the trust was accepted, and is properly executed.
. His political principles involved him with Swift, who often speaks contemptuously of him, and with Pope, who has given him a place in the Dunciad. He died Nov. 16,
, a lexicographer and miscellaneous writer, was born June 13, 1667, at the city of Castres in Upper
Languedoc. His great-grandfather and grandfather were
masters of the riding-school at Nismes; his father was
president of the supreme court at Castres, and his mother
was Catherine, daughter of Campdomerius, a celebrated
physician, circumstances which have been recorded to
prove that he was of a good family. He was certainly of a
conscientious one, his relations being exiles for their adherence to the protestant religion. He was first educated
by his mother’s brother, Campdomerius, a noted divine
and preacher of the reformed church, and then was sent to
the protestant school at Puy Laurent, where he applied
assiduously, and excelled all his schoolfellows in Greek
and Latin. In 1685, when the persecution prevailed
against the protestants in France, he followed his uncle to
Holland, and pressed by want, was obliged to enter into
the military service in 1687; but soon, by the advice of
his relations, returned to his studies, and went to the university of Franeker, where he went through a regular course
of education, and added to philosophy, divinity, history,
&c. the study of the mathematics. In 1689 he came over
to England, and the hopes of being able to return to France,
which the protestants in general entertained, being disappointed, he was obliged to have recourse to his pen for a
livelihood. His first employment appears to have been to
transcribe and prepare for the press Camden’s letters from
the Cotton ian library, for Dr. Smith, who afterwards published them. In 1692, he became French and Latin tutor
to Allen Bathurst, esq. eldest son of sir Benjamin Bathurst,
who, being much in favour with the princess Anne of Denmark, afterwards queen of Great Britain, he had hopes of
some preferment at court. With this view he paid great
attention to his pupil’s education (who was afterwards lord Bathurst), and for his use composed two compendious
grammars, the one Latin, the other French; but the latter
only was printed, and to this da,y is a standard book. His
hopes of preferment, however, Appear to have been fallacious, which his biographer attributes to his siding with
a different party from the Bathurst family in the political
divisions which prevailed at that time in the nation, Boyer,
like the rest of his countrymen who had fled hither for religion, being a zealous whig. After this, having made
himself master of the English tongue, he became an author
by profession, and engaged sometimes alone, and sometimes in conjunction with the booksellers, in various compilations, and periodical works of the political kind, particularly a newspaper called the “Post-Boy;
” the “Political
State of Great Britain,
” published in volumes from History of William III.
” 3 vols. 8vo “Annals of the reign of Queen Anne,
” 11 vols. 8vo, and a
“Life of Queen Anne,
” fol. all publications now more
useful than when published, as they contain many state
papers, memorials, &c. which it would be difficult to find
elsewhere; but his name is chiefly preserved by his French
Dictionary, 1699, 4to, and a French Grammar, of both
which he lived to see several editions, and which still continue to be printed. His political principles involved him
with Swift, who often speaks contemptuously of him, and
with Pope, who has given him a place in the Dunciad. He
died Nov. 16, 1729, at a house he had built in Five Fields,
Chelsea, and was buried in Chelsea church-yard.
ainst the authority both of the late and present king; and had offered the kingdom of Ireland to the pope, to the king of Spain, and the king of France. Lastly, to the
After the king’s return the Irish Roman catholics sent over sir Nicholas Plunket, and some other commissioners, with a petition to his majesty, praying to be restored to their estates. As this would in effect have ruined the Protestants, they therefore chose the earl of Orrery, Montrath, and six more, to oppose theif adversaries before the king and his council. The Irish commissioners were so apprehensive of the earl’s eloquence and address upon this occasion, that they offered him eight thousand pounds in money, and to settle estates of seven thousand pounds a year upon him, if he would not appear against them; which proposal the earl rejected with proper disdain. When the cause came to a hearing, after the Irish commissioners had offered all they thought proper, the earl of Orrery boldly affirmed to the king that his Protestant subjects in Ireland were the first who formed an effectual party for restoring him; that the Irish had broken all the treaties which had been made with them; that they had fought against the authority both of the late and present king; and had offered the kingdom of Ireland to the pope, to the king of Spain, and the king of France. Lastly, to the great surprise, not only of the Irish, but of his own brother-commissioners, he proved his assertions by producing several original papers signed by the Irish supreme council, of which sir Nicholas Plunket himself was one. This last unexpected blow decided the dispute in favour of the Protestants; and obliged his majesty to dismiss the Irish commissioners with some harsher expressions than he commonly made use of.
surveyed the numerous curiosities of that city; among which, he tells us, “he had the fortune to see pope Urban VIII. at chapel, with the cardinals; who, severally appearing
March 1642, he began his journey from Florence to
Rome, which took up but five days. He surveyed the numerous curiosities of that city; among which, he tells us,
“he had the fortune to see pope Urban VIII. at chapel,
with the cardinals; who, severally appearing mighty
princes, in that assembly looked like a company of common friars.
” He visited the adjacent villages, which had
any thing curious or antique belonging to them; and had
probably made a longer stay, had of the heat of the
climate disagreed with his brother. He returned to Florence,
from thence to Leghorn, and so by sea to Genoa. Then
passing through the county of Nice, he crossed the sea at
Antibes, where he incurred some danger for refusing to
honour the crucifix: from whence he went to Marseilles
by land. He was in that city in May 1642, when he received his father’s letters, which informed him of the rebellion broke out in Ireland, and how difficultly he had
procured the 250l. then remitted to them, in order to help
them home. But they never received this money; and
were obliged to go to Geneva with their governor Marcombes, who supplied them with as much at least as carried them thither. They continued there a considerable
time, without either advices or supplies from England:
upon which Mr. Marcombes was obliged to take up some
jewels on his own credit, which were afterwards disposed
of with as little loss as possible; and with the money thus
raised, they continued their journey for England, whither
they arrived in 1644. On his arrival Mr. Boyle found his
father dead; and though the earl had made an ample provision for him, as well by leaving him his manor of Stalbridge in England, as other considerable estates in Ireland,
yet it was some time before he could receive any money.
However, he procured protections for his estates in both
kingdoms from the powers then in being; from whom also
he obtained leave to go over to France for a short space,
probably to settle accounts with his governor Mr. Marcombes: but he could not be long abroad, since we find
him at Cambridge the December following.
put early under the tuition of Mr. Fenton, the author of Mariamne, and one of the coadjutors of Mr. Pope in the translation of the Odyssey, by whom he was instructed
, earl of Cork and Orrery, a nobleman
who added fresh lustre to his name and family, was the
only son and heir of Charles, the fourth earl of Orrery (the subject of the preceding article), by the lady Elizabeth
Cecil, daughter of John earl of Exeter. He was born on
the 2d of January, 1706-7, and put early under the tuition
of Mr. Fenton, the author of Mariamne, and one of the
coadjutors of Mr. Pope in the translation of the Odyssey,
by whom he was instructed in English; and carried through
the Latin tongue from the age of seven to thirteen. Between this amiable poet and his noble pupil a constant
friendship subsisted; and his lordship always spoke of him
after his decease, and often with tears, as “one of the
worthiest and modestest men that ever adorned the court
of Apollo.
” After passing through Westminster school,
lord Boyle was admitted as a nobleman at Christ-church,
Oxford, of which college, as we have already seen, his
father had been a distinguished ornament. One of his
first poetical essays was an answer to some verses by Mrs.
Howe, on an unsuccessful attempt to draw his picture.
lord resided in Ireland, he commenced a friendship with dean Swift, which produced also that of Mr. Pope. The earl having sent a copy of verses to the dean on his birth-day,
Whilst our noble lord resided in Ireland, he commenced
a friendship with dean Swift, which produced also that of
Mr. Pope. The earl having sent a copy of verses to the
dean on his birth-day, they were so pleasing to that celebrated genius, that he begged the author “to accept his
most humble thanks for the honour done him by so excellent a performance on so barren a subject.
” “In spite,
”
says the dean, “of those who love me not, it will be said
in future ages, that one of lord Orrery’s first essays in
poetry was these verses on Dr. Swift.
” There are, indeed, several evidences in Pope’s and Swift’s letters, of
the sincere esteem they entertained for his lordship.
was about that time in a wretched condition. As a proof of it, the dean asserted in a letter to Mr. Pope, that lord Orrery had 3000l. a year in the neighbourhood of
In October 1733, lord Orrery returned to England, and
having now no attachment to London, he disposed of his
house in Downing-street, Westminster, as likewise of his
seat at Britwell, near Windsor, and retired to his seat at
Marston, in Somersetshire. As this place had been much
neglected by his ancestors, and was little more than a shell
of a large old house, he amused himself in building offices,
in fitting out and furnishing apartments, and laying out
gardens and other plantations. Study and retirement
being his principal pleasures, he took care to supply the
loss he had sustained from his father’s will, by furnishing
his library anew with the best authors. In the summer of
1734, probably in his way to France, where he sometimes
went, he visited the tomb of his ancestors, Roger Boyle,
esq, and Joan his wife, in Preston church, near Feversham.
This monument, when the title of earl of Cork devolved
upon him, he intended to have repaired, if his life had been
prolonged. In the middle of the year 1735, we find him
again in Ireland. On the 31st of October, in the same
year, an amiable relation, and a most promising youth,
Edmund duke of Buckingham, died at Rome, upon which
melancholy event, lord Orrery paid a just tribute to the
memory of the young nobleman, in an elegiac poem. It
was printed in 1736, and is one of the most pleasing specimens which our author has afforded of his poetical abilities. In the winter of 1735-6, the duke of Dorset being
then lord lieutenant of Ireland, the eail of Orrery neglected no opportunity of endeavouring to render his administration easy. If Dr. Swift is to be credited, Ireland
was about that time in a wretched condition. As a proof
of it, the dean asserted in a letter to Mr. Pope, that lord
Orrery had 3000l. a year in the neighbourhood of Cork,
and that more than three years rent was unpaid. In
April 1737, his lordship, who was then at Cork, earnestly
pressed Dr. Swift to accompany him to England; but the
doctor, who never saw Marston, did not accept the invitation. Lord Orrery took over with him to Mr. Pope all
the letters of that great poet to Swift, which the dean had
preserved or could find, which were not more in number
than twenty-five. About this time, our noble author,
that his sons might be educated under his own eye, and
also have the benefit of attending Westminster-school,
took a small house in Duke-street, Westminster. On the
30th of June, 1738, the earl of Orrery, after having been
six years a widower, married, in Ireland, Mrs. Margaret
Hamilton, only daughter and heiress of John Hamilton,
esq. of Caledon, in the county of Tyrone, grand-daughter
of Dr. Dopping, bishop of Meath, and niece of Dr. Dopping, bishop of Ossory. Swift, in a letter to Miss Hamilton, on her intended nuptials, after pretending a prior
claim, as she had made so many advances to him, and
confessed “herself to be nobody’s goddess but his,
” archly
waves it, and politely “permits lord Orrery to make himself the happiest man in the world; as I know not,
”
he adds, “any lady in this kingdom of so good sense or
so many accomplishments.
” He gives a great character
of her, likewise, in his last printed letter to Mr. Pope.
In this lady, the earl of Orrery, with gratitude to Heaven,
acknowledged that the loss of his former countess was repaired. In 1739 he published a new edition, 2 vols. 8vo,
of the dramatic works of his great-grandfather. Though
these volumes cannot be particularly valuable, they are
now become exceedingly scarce. In 1741 he published
separately, in folio, “The first Ode of the first book of
Horace imitated, and inscribed to the earl of Chesterfield;
”
and “Pyrrha, an imitation of the fifth Ode of the first
book of Horace.
” In the preface to the last, lord Orrery
characterises Dacier’s and Sanadon’s translations, and
makes some observations on Horace, which shew that he
entered with taste and spirit into the peculiar excellencies
of that poet. In 1742 he published in one volume, folio,
the “State Letters
” of his great-grandfather, the first
earl; to which were prefixed Morrice’s memoirs of that
eminent statesman. On the 25th of August, 1743, his lordship was presented by the university of Oxford to the
honorary degree of D. C. L.; and he was, likewise, F.R. S.
Lord Boyle, in 1746, being settled at Oxford, and Mr.
Boyle in the college at Westminster, their father quitted
London, and fixed his residence at Caledon, in Ireland.
During one of his occasional visits to England, after the
publication of the second volume of the Biographia Britannica, he thanked Dr. Campbell, “in the name of all the
Boyles, for the honour he had done to them, and to his
own judgment, by placing the family in such a light as to
give a spirit of emulation to those who were hereafter to
inherit the title.
” Lord Orrery resided in Ireland, with
very little intermission, from 1746 to 1750; happy in that
domestic tranquillity, that studious retirement and inactivity, from which, as he himself expressed it, he was
scarcely ever drawn, but with the utmost reluctance.
“Whenever,
” as he observed in a private letter, “we step
out of domestic life in search of felicity, we come back
again disappointed, tired, and chagrined. One day passed
under our own roof, with our friends and our family, is
worth a thousand in any other place. The noise and
bustle, or, as they are foolishly called, the diversions of
life, are despicable and tasteless, when once we have experienced the real delight of a fire-side.
” These sentiments, which do so much honour to the rectitude of his
lordship’s understanding, and the goodness of his heart,
reflect, at the same time, a just reproach on the absurd and
criminal dissipation that prevails for the most part among
persons of rank and fortune. During the earl of Orrery’s
residence in Ireland, he employed his leisure in laying out
gardens and plantations at Caledon, and in improving and
adorning its fine situation. On his return to Marston, he
continued his alterations and improvements in the house
and gardens at that place, many of the plans for which
were designed by lord Boyle, who had a taste for architecture. In the mean while, the amusement of our noble
author’s winter evenings was his translation of “The Letters of Pliny the Younger, with observations on each letter,
and an Essay on Pliny’s life, addressed to Charles lord
Boyle.
” The essay is dated Leicester-fields, January 27,
1750-1; and, together with the translation, was published
at London, in the following April, in 2 vols. 4to. This
work met with so good a reception from the public, that
three editions of it in octavo have since been printed. In
the summer of the same year, lord Orrery addressed
to his second son Hamilton a series of letters, containing
“Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Swift, dean of
St. Patrick’s, Dublin.
” This work gave rise to many strictures and censures on his lordship for having professed
himself Swift’s friend while he was exposing his weaknesses. Subsequent inquiries into Swift’s character have
proved that the portrait he drew was not unfaithful. To
this, however, we shall have occasion to recur in our account of Swift.
eral could not live in it to his ease, he had better take a house over against it, and look at it.”, Pope dedicated to him his Epistle IV. and addressed to him his incomparable
Lord Burlington’s house at Chiswick, the idea of which
was borrowed from a well-known villa of Palladio, is a
model of taste, though not without faults. Other works
designed by lord Burlington were, the dormitory at Westminster-school, the assembly-room at York, lord Harrington’s at Petersham (afterwards lord Camelford’s), except
the octagon buildings at each end, which were added by
Shepherd; the duke of Richmond’s house at Whitehall,
and general Wade’s in Cork-street. Both these last were
ill-contrived and inconvenient; but the latter has so beautiful a front, that lord Chesterfield said, “as the general
could not live in it to his ease, he had better take a house
over against it, and look at it.
”, Pope dedicated to him his
Epistle IV. and addressed to him his incomparable letter oa
a Journey to Oxford with Lintot. He is also to be noticed with honour as the first patron of bishop Berkeley,
whom he loved for his taste in architecture. He died
December 1753, and by his death the title of Earl of Burlington became extinct. His lady, Dorothy Saville, had no
less attachment to the arts than her lord. She drew in
crayons, and succeeded admirably in likenesses, but working with too much rapidity, did not do justice to her
genius.
han some of his contemporaries. His main object was opposition to popery. He accordingly attacks the pope both with unsparing ridicule. and with elaborate argument. In
If we examine his “Postils,
” or the Defence of our
Liturgy, we shall have reason to admire his unwearied diligence, and his profound knowledge; to respect him as a
scholar and a divine. His style, indeed, partakes of the
quaintness of the age, but upon the whole we think him
less blameable on this score than some of his contemporaries. His main object was opposition to popery. He accordingly attacks the pope both with unsparing ridicule.
and with elaborate argument. In a sermon preached on
the Gunpowder treason, he introduced a parody on the
Lord’s Prayer in Latin, “Papa noster qui es llomae, maledicetur nomen tuum, intereat regnum tuum, impediatur
voluntas tua, sicut in coelo sic et in terra. Potum nostrum
in ccena dominica da nobis hodie, et remitte nummos
nustros quos tibi dedimus ob indulgentias, et ne nos indticas in haeresin, sed libera nos a miseria, quoniam tuum
est infernum, pix et sulphur in saecula sseculorurn.
” Granger gives this prayer in English, as if Dr. Boys had used
it in that language, and adds, what he certainly could not
know, that “he gained great applause by turning the
Lord’s Prayer into an execration.
” The truth is, he only
quoted it, saying “I have another prayer, and forasmuch
as it is in Latin, &c.
” It occurs in a ms. of sir Henry
Fynes, who says he found it in an old book. Sir Henry
Fynes was born in 1587, and Dr. Boys’s works could not
be deemed an old book in his time.
d his design of going to England, than the duchess of Gordon gave him a recommendatory letter to Mr. Pope, and obtained another for him to sir Peter King, then lord chancellor.
While any prospect, however, remained of a more advantageous lot, he could still depend on the friends who first noticed him, and he had no sooner communicated his design of going to England, than the duchess of Gordon gave him a recommendatory letter to Mr. Pope, and obtained another for him to sir Peter King, then lord chancellor. Lord Stormont also recommended him to his brother, the solicitor general, afterwards the celebrated lord Mansfield. On his arrival in London, in 1737, he waited on Pope, but, as he happened to be from home, he never repeated the visit. By the lord chancellor he is said to have been received with kindness, and to have occasionally been admitted to his lordship’s table; so sordid were his habits, however, and such his aversion to polite company, that this latter part of his historv, which he used to relate himself, has been doubted by those who lived near enough to the time to have known the fact. But whatever advantage he derived from the recommendations he brought from Scotland, it does not appear that it made any alteration in his habits. In London he was soon reduced to indigence, from which he attempted no means of extricating himself, but by writing complimentary poems, or mendicant letters, except that he frequently applied for assistance to some of the more eminent dissenters, from whom he received many benefactions, in consequence of the respect which they paid to the memory of his father. But such supplies were soon dissipated in the lowest gratifications, and his friends were at length tired of exerting their bounty that was so useless to the object of it. The author of his life in Gibber’s work informs us, that often, when he had received half a guinea, in consequence of a supplicating letter, he would go into a tavern, order a supper to be prepared, drink of the richest wines, and spend all the money that had been just given him in charity, without having any one to participate and regale with him, and while his wife and child were starving at home.
alian poet of some celebrity, known by the name of Bracciolini Dell’ Api, a surname given him by the pope, was born at Pistoia, in Tuscany, 1566, and was fellow-student
, an Italian poet of some celebrity, known by the name of Bracciolini Dell’ Api, a
surname given him by the pope, was born at Pistoia, in
Tuscany, 1566, and was fellow-student with Maffei Barberini, whose love of poetry and polite literature resembled
his own, and increased their friendship. When Barberini
was afterwards appointed nuncio in France, under the
pontificate of Clement VIII. he engaged Bracciolini as his
secretary, who accepted the office in hopes that his patron
might become a cardinal, and serve his interest more essentially, for Bracciolini was not free from the unpoetical
failing of avarice; but this event not taking place so soon
as he expected, he retired to Pistoia, where he composed
a part of his works. Barberini, however, being not only
made cardinal, but also pope in 1622, under the title of
Urban VIII. Bracciolini waited upon him with a poem of
congratulation, amounting to twenty-three books, which
the pope liked so well, that he ordered him to adopt the
surname Dell' Api, and to add to his arms three bees,
which are the arms of the Barberini family. He gave him
at the same time more substantial rewards, and placed him
as secretary under his brother, cardinal Antonio Barberini.
After the death of Urban VIII. in 1644, Bracciolini again
retired to Pistoia, where he died the following year. He
wrote a great number of poems of every species, epics, tragedies, comedies, pastorals, lyrics, satires, and burlesque
verses. Of these, the only ones worthy of notice, seem to
be: 1. “La Croce Racquistata,
” a heroic poem in fifteen
cantos, Paris, Lo Scherno degli
Dei,
” a mock-heroic, in ridicule of the heathen mythology, Florence, 1618, 4to, a better edition in 1625, 4to.
This poem has given him some title to the invention of the
mock-heroic, because in the preface it is asserted that the
“Lo Scherno
” although printed some years after Tassoni’s
“La Secchia Rapita,
” was written many years sooner. It
is, however, a poem of considerable merit in that style.
e was secretary to the republic of Genoa, but refused the honour of that appointment when offered by pope Nicholas V. who was his countryman. He died in 1460. He wrote
, an Italian historian and antiquary,
was a native of Sarzano, in Tuscany, in the fifteenth century. He was secretary to the republic of Genoa, but refused the honour of that appointment when offered by pope
Nicholas V. who was his countryman. He died in 1460.
He wrote in elegant Latin five books, “De Bello inter
Hispanos et Genuenses,
” from De Claris Genuensibus,
” and “Orae Ligusticae descriptio,
” Rome,
Jter Italicum,
” has printed
a small work by Bracelli, “De praecipuis Genuensis urbis
familiis.
” His letters, “Epistoloe,
” were printed at Pc.ris,
ford us of their excellence. Even when he was consecrated at Avignon, cardinal Hugh, a nephew of the pope, ridiculed the prelate by introducing into the hall a person
, archbishop of Canterbury,
is supposed to have been born at Hortfield, in Cheshire,
about the middle of the reign of king Edward I. in the fourteenth century. He was of Merton colle'ge, Oxford, and
was one of the proctors of that university in 1325. He
excelled in mathematical knowledge, and was in general
distinguished for his accurate and solid investigations in divinity, which procured him the title of the “profound Doctor.
” He was confessor to Edward III. and attended that
monarch in his French wars, often preaching before the
army. Sir Henry Savile informs us that some writers of
that time attributed the signal victories of Edward, rather
to the virtues and holy character of his chaplain, than to>
the bravery or prudence of the monarch or of any other
person. He made it his business to calm and mitigate the
fierceness of his master’s temper when he saw him eitherimmoderately fired with warlike rage, or improperly flushed
with the advantages of victory. He also often addressed
the army, and with so much meekness and persuasive discretion, as to restrain them from those insolent excesses
which are too frequently the attendants of military success.
When the see of Canterbury became vacant, the monks
of that city chose him archbishop, but Edward, who was
fond of his company, refused to part with him. Another vacancy happen ing soon after, the monks again elected him^
and Edward yielded to their desires. The modesty and innocence of his manners, and his unquestionable piety and
integrity, seem to have been the principal causes of his advancement. He was, however, by no means adapted to
'a court, where his personal manners and character became
an object of derision, the best proof history can afford us
of their excellence. Even when he was consecrated at
Avignon, cardinal Hugh, a nephew of the pope, ridiculed
the prelate by introducing into the hall a person in a peasant’s habit, ridiog on an ass, petitioning the pope to make
him archbishop of Canterbury, but the jest was so ill relished that the pope and cardinals resented the indignity,
and frowned on the insolent contriver. Bradwardine was
consecrated in 1349; but not many weeks after his consecration, and only seven days after his return into England,
he died at Lambeth. His principal work “De Causa Dei,
”
against the Pelagian heresy, was edited from the ms. in
Merton college library by sir Henry Savile, 1618, fol. with
a biographical preface, in which he informs us that Bradwardine devoted his principal application to theology and
mathematics; and that particularly in the latter he distanced, perhaps, the most skilful of his contemporaries.
These mathematical works are, 1. “Astronomical tables,
”
in ms. in the possession of Sir Henry. 2. “Geometria
Speculativa, cum Arithmetica specuiativa,
” Paris, De proportionibus,
” Paris, De quadratura circuli,
” Paris,
lvidere with the Vatican, by means of two galleries extended across a valley. In 1504 he accompanied pope Julius to Bologna, and was engaged in fortifying the town; and
His talents, however, being more strongly 'turned for architecture, he devoted himself to it with great success. His first patron, after his arrival at Rome, was cardinal Oliver Carafta, for whom he designed and completed the choir in the convent of the Frati della pace. This specimen of his talents recommended him to the notice of Alexander VI. in whose service he executed many designs. Under Julius II. he was employed as superintendant of his buildings, in accomplishing the grand project of joining the Belvidere with the Vatican, by means of two galleries extended across a valley. In 1504 he accompanied pope Julius to Bologna, and was engaged in fortifying the town; and during the war of Mirandola, he had several opportunities of exercising his talents in the military art. After his return to Rome, he adorned the city with many fine buildings; and at length undertook to demolish the cathedral of St. Peter’s, and to supply its place with another edifice suited to the capital of the Christian world. His plan for this purpose was adopted; and before the death of the pope, in 1513, the new structure was advanced as far as the entablature; and at the time of his own death, in 1514, the four great arches for the support of the dome were erected. The original design was abandoned by the architects who succeeded him, not without injury to the structure; but the prosecution of the work was entrusted with Michael Angelo, who praised his plan, and conformed as much as possible to his ideas. Bramante was no less estimable for his general character than for his extraordinary talents as an artist. Obliging in his disposition, he took pleasure in encouraging young persons of the profession; and he invited the celebrated Raphael, who was his cousin, to Rome, instructed him in architecture, and procured for him employment in the Vatican. He was also skilled in poetry and music, and composed extemporaneously for his harp. To him is ascribed the invention of constructing arches by casting in wooden moulds a mixture of lime, marble dust, and water, supposed to be a revival of the stucco of the antients. His poetical works were printed at Milan, in 1756. The knowledge and practice of the art of engraving may also be added to his other accomplishments. This art he probably acquired at Milan, and his execution of it exactly resembles the style of Andrea Mantegna, that is, with the strokes running from one corner of the plate to the other, without any crossing. He died in 1514.
“The Art of Politics,” in imitation of Horace’s Art of Poetry, and “the Man of Taste,” occasioned by Pope’s Epistle on that subject; both in Dodsley’s Collection, vol.
, vicar of Starting in Sussex. Of
this gentleman we have only been able to discover that he
was educated at Westminster-school, whence he was elected
to Christ church, Oxford, in 1713, and took his degree of
A. M. in that university, April 5, 1720. He died March
16, 1744. He wrote two excellent poetical satires, “The
Art of Politics,
” in imitation of Horace’s Art of Poetry,
and “the Man of Taste,
” occasioned by Pope’s Epistle on
that subject; both in Dodsley’s Collection, vol. I.; and
ft The Crooked Sixpence,“in imitation of Phillips’s Splendid Shilling, inserted in the
” Repository,“vol. I. Dr.
Warton objects to his
” Man of Taste," that he has made
his hero laugh at himself and his own follies. The satire,
however, in other respects, is truly legitimate.
fter marriage,” which, though with only Gay’s name to it, was certainly the joint production of Gay, Pope, and Arbuthnot, Breval, under the assumed name of Joseph Gay,
, son of Francis Durant de Breval, D. D. prebendary
of Westminster, was educated at Westminster-school, to which he was admitted
1693, and removed thence to Trinity-college, Cambridge,
in 1697. He was elected fellow of it about the year 1702;
but, upon some disagreement between him and Dr. Bentley, the master, he quitted his fellowship, and went into
the army, then in Flanders, as an ensign. The ease with
which he acquired the Flemish and German languages,
his great knowledge, his exquisite pencil, and genteel behaviour, were soon noticed by the duke of Marlborough;
who promoted him to the rank of captain, and also employed him in jdivers negotiations with several German
princes. He began his travels about 1720, published the
two first volumes of them in 1723 and 1725, and the third
and fourth in 1738, all in folio. It may be matter of surprise to see Mr. Breval’s name among the gentlemen of
the Dunciad; but, soon after the unsuccessful exhibition
of the “Three hours after marriage,
” which, though with
only Gay’s name to it, was certainly the joint production
of Gay, Pope, and Arbuthnot, Breval, under the assumed name of Joseph Gay, produced a farce called “The
Confederates,
” and this exposed him to Pope’s resentment.
He published also in 1734: 1. “The History of the house
of Nassau,
” 8vo. 2. “The Hoop-petticoat, a poem,
”
The Art of Dress, an heroi-eomical poem,
”
Mac Dermot, or the Irish Fortune-hunter,
”
Calpe, or Gibraltar,
” apoem, The Play
is the Plot,
” which not succeeding in that shape, he reduced it to a farce called “The Strollers,
” which met
with more favour. In The Rape of Helen.
”
As to what is said above, of his quitting his fellowship, the
fact is, that he and a Mr. Miller were expelled. Breval,
speaking of the conduct of Dr. Bentley on this occasion,
used the remarkable expression of “Tantum non jugulavit.
”
nt to study at Rome, and in a very few years manifested so much merit in landscape and history, that Pope Gregory XIII. employed him to work in the Vatican, and allowed
, an artist of whom very few particulars are mentioned; the most material are, that he was born at Antwerp, in 1550, and learned the rudiments of his art in that city; that he went to study at Rome, and in a very few years manifested so much merit in landscape and history, that Pope Gregory XIII. employed him to work in the Vatican, and allowed him an honourable pension as long as he lived. He died in 1584, aged thirtyfive.
entleman of noble extraction, and a Protestant, that a Protestant prince would quickly overthrow the Pope’s kingdom, and make himself the head of all the united Christians.
, a man of a visionary turn, was a native of Venice, born in the beginning of the sixteenth century. He embraced the Protestant religion, and expressed a great zeal against Popery. He published several books in Holland, in which he maintained that the particular events of the sixteenth century had been foretold by the prophets, and after he had applied scripture, as his fancy directed, to things that had already happened, he took the liberty to apply it to future events. In this he succeeded so far as to persuade a French gentleman of noble extraction, and a Protestant, that a Protestant prince would quickly overthrow the Pope’s kingdom, and make himself the head of all the united Christians. This gentleman, Segur Pardaillan, was a faithful servant to the ing of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. and thought heaven designed his master for the glorious enterprise which Brocardus had foretold. Big with these hopes, he proposed to him to send an embassy to the Protestant princes, offering to be his ambassador; and there being nothing in his proposal but what suited with the exigencies of the time, it was approved of, and he was actually deputed to those princes in 1583.
i, and other Italian poets, into German, and had some thoughts of translating Milton, as he had done Pope’s Essay on Man, a proof at least of his taste for English poetry.
, a German lawyer
and poet, was born at Lubeck, Sept. 22, 1680, and after
having studied and taken his degrees in the civil and canon
law, settled and practised at Hamburgh, where his merit
soon raised him to the senatorial dignity, to which the
emperor, without any solicitation, added the rank of Aulic
counsellor, and count Palatine. These counts Palatine
were formerly governors of the imperial palaces, and had
considerable powers, being authorized to create public
notaries, confer degrees, &c. Brockes published in five
parts, from 1724 to 1736, 8vo, “Irdisches Vergnugen in
Gott, &c.
” or “Earthly Contentment in God,
” consisting
of philosophical and moral poems, which were much
praised by his countrymen. He also published translations
from Marini, and other Italian poets, into German, and had
some thoughts of translating Milton, as he had done Pope’s
Essay on Man, a proof at least of his taste for English
poetry. His works form a collection of 9 vols. 8vo, and
have been often reprinted. He appears to have carefully
divided his time between his public duties and private
studies, and died much esteemed and regretted, Jan. 16,
1747.
the sons of opulent persons, this employment proved very beneficial. His biographer informs us that Pope, the celebrated poet, was one of his pupils. He afterwards travelled
, an English clergyman, was a native
of Shropshire, but where educated is not known. In the
beginning of king James II.'s reign he was curate of St.
Giles’s in the Fields, London, but afterwards turned Roman catholic, and was employed as a corrector of the press
in the king’s printing-house, which afforded him a comfortable subsistence. When obliged to quit that, after the
revolution, he undertook a boarding-school for the instruction of young gentlemen, some of whom being the sons of
opulent persons, this employment proved very beneficial.
His biographer informs us that Pope, the celebrated poet,
was one of his pupils. He afterwards travelled abroad with
some young gentlemen, as tutor, but retired at last to his
own country, where he died Jan. 10, 1717. He published
only a translation of the “Catechism of the Council of
Trent,
” Lnhd.
aw in the Temple. Dr. Sheridan was probably the means of his being introduced in London to Swift and Pope, who regarded him as a young man of very promising talents.
, an amiable and ingenious writer,
was a native of Ireland, where he was born in the year 1706.
His father, the rev. William Brooke of Rantavan, rector
of the parishes of Killinkare, Mullough, Mybullough, and
Licowie, is said to have been a man of grent talents and
worth; his mother’s name was Digby. His education appears to have been precipitated in a manner not very usual:
after being for some time the pupil of Dr. Sheridan, he
was sent to Trinity college, Dublin, and from thence removed, when only seventeen years old, to study law in
the Temple. Dr. Sheridan was probably the means of
his being introduced in London to Swift and Pope, who
regarded him as a young man of very promising talents.
How long he remained in London we are not told*, but on
his return to Ireland he practised for some time as a chamber counsel, when an incident occurred which interrupted
his more regular pursuits, and prematurely involved him
in the cares of a family. An aunt, who died at Westmgath
about the time of his arrival in Ireland, committed to him
the guardianship of her daughter, a lively and beautiful
girl between eleven and twelve years old. Brooke, pleased
with the trust, conducted her to Dublin, and placed her
at a boarding-school, where, during his frequent visits, he
gradually changed the guardian for the lover, and at length
prevailed on her to consent to a private marriage. In the
life prefixed to his works, this is said to have taken place
before she had reached her fourteenth year: another account, which it is neither easy nor pleasant to believe,
informs us that she was a mother before she had completed
that year. When the marriage was discovered, the ceremony was again performed in the presence of his family.
For some time this happy pair had no cares but to please
each other, and it was not until after the birth of their
third child that Brooke could be induced to think seriously
how such a family was to be provided for. The law had
long been given up, and he had little inclination to resume a profession which excluded so many of the pleasures
of imagination, and appeared inconsistent with the feelings
of a mind tender, benevolent, and somewhat romantic.
Another journey to London, however, promised the advantages of literary society, and the execution of literary
schemes by which he might indulge his genius, and be
rewarded by fame and wealth. Accordingly, soon after
his arrival, he renewed his acquaintance with his former
friends, and published his philosophical poem, entitled
“Universal Beauty.
” This had been submitted to Pope,
who, probably, contributed his assistance, and whose manner at least is certainly followed. At what time this occurred is uncertain. The second part was published in
1735, and the remainder about a year after. What fame
or advantage he derived from it we know not, as no mention is made of him in the extensive correspondence of
Pope or Swift. He was, however, obliged to return to
Ireland, where for a short time he resumed his legal profession.
ght he could now afford to wait the slow progress of events, he hired a house at Twickenham, near to Pope’s, furnished it genteelly, and sent for Mrs. Brooke and his
The fame Brooke acquired by this play, which has certainly many beauties, seemed the earnest of a prosperous career, and as he thought he could now afford to wait the slow progress of events, he hired a house at Twickenham, near to Pope’s, furnished it genteelly, and sent for Mrs. Brooke and his family. But these flattering prospects were soon clouded. He was seized with an ague so violent and obstinate that his physicians, after having almost despaired of his life, advised him, as a last resource, to try his native arr. With this he complied, and obtained a complete recovery. It was then expected that he should return to London, and such was certainly his intention, but to the surprize of his friends, he determined to remain in Ireland. For a conduct so apparently inconsistent not only with his interest, but his inclination, he was long unwilling to account. It appeared afterwards, that Mrs. Brooke was alarmed at the zeal with which he espoused the cause of the opposition, and dreaded the consequences with which his next intemperate publication might be followed. She persuaded him therefore to remain in Ireland, and for so singular a measure at this favourable crisis in his history, he could assign no adequate reason without exposing her to the imputation of caprice, and himself to that of a too yielding temper.
ondence with his London friends, but all their letters were consumed by an accidental fire. Two from Pope, we are told, are particularly to be lamented, as in one of
During his residence in Ireland, he kept up a literary
correspondence with his London friends, but all their letters were consumed by an accidental fire. Two from Pope,
we are told, are particularly to be lamented, as in one of
these he professed himself in heart a protestant, but apologized for not publicly conforming, by alleging that it
would render the eve of his mother’s life unhappy. Pope’s
filial affection is the most amiable feature in his character;
but this story of his declining to conform because it would
give uneasiness to his mother, falls to the ground when,
the reader is told that his mother had been dead six: or
seven years before Brooke went to Ireland. In another
letter, he is said, with more appearance of truth, to have
advised Brooke to take orders, “as being a profession
better suited to his principles, his disposition, and his genius, than that of the law, and also less injurious to his
health.
” Why he did not comply with this advice cannot
now be known; but, before this time, he appears to have
been of a religious turn, although it is not easy to reconcile his principles, which were those of the strictest kind,
with his continual ambition to shine as a dramatic writer.
production, Universal Beauty, has a noble display of fancy in many parts. It is not improbable that Pope, to whom he submitted it, gave him some assistance, and he certainly
As a poet, he delights his readers principally by occasional flights of a vivid imagination, but has in no instance given us a poem to which criticism may not suggest many reasonable objections. The greater part of his life, he lived remote from the friends of whose judgment he might have availed himself, and by whose taste his own might have been regulated. His first production, Universal Beauty, has a noble display of fancy in many parts. It is not improbable that Pope, to whom he submitted it, gave him some assistance, and he certainly repaid his instructor by adopting his manner; yet he has avoided Pope’s monotony, and would have done this with more effect, if we did not perceive a mechanical lengthening of certain lines, rather than a natural variety of movement. On the other hand, the sublimity of the subject, by which he was inspired and which he hoped to communicate, sometimes betrays him into a species of turgid declamation. Harmony appears to be consulted, and epithets multiplied to please the ear at the expence of meaning.
t known. This is the translation of which Ozell boasted as superior, in Toland’s opinion, to that of Pope: it has long since vanished, and is now in no danger from the
He appeared early in the world as a translator of the
Iliads into prose, in conjunction with Ozell and Oldisworth. How their several parts were distributed is not
known. This is the translation of which Ozell boasted as
superior, in Toland’s opinion, to that of Pope: it has long
since vanished, and is now in no danger from the critics.
He was introduced to Mr. Pope, who was then visiting sir
John Cotton at Madingley, near Cambridge, and gained
so much of his esteem, that he was employed to make extracts from Eustathius for the notes to the translation of
the Iliad; and in the volumes of poetry published by
Lintot, commonly called Pope’s Miscellanies, many of his
early pieces were inserted. Pope and Broome were to be
yet more closely connected. When the success of the
Iliad gave encouragement to a version of the Odyssey,
Pope, weary of the toil, called Fenton and Broome to his
assistance; and, taking only half the work upon himself,
divided the other half between his partners, giving four
books to Fenton, and eight to Broome. Fenton’s books
are enumerated in Dr. Johnson’s Life of him. To the lot
of Brooine fell the 2d, 6th, 8th, llth, 12th, 16th, 18th,
and 23d; together with the burthen of writing all the
notes. The price at which Pope purchased this assistance was three hundred pounds paid to Fenton, and five
hundred to Broome, with as many copies as he wanted for
his friends, which amounted to one hundred more. The
payment made to Fenton is known only by hearsay;
Broome’s is very distinctly told by Pope, in the notes to
the Dunciad. It is evident that, according to Pope’s own
estimate, Broome was unkindly treated. If four books
could merit three hundred pounds, eight, and all the
notes, equivalent at least to four, had certainly a right to
more than six. Broome probably considered himself as
injured, and there was for some time more than coldness
between him and his employer. He always spoke of Pope
as too much a lover of money, and Pope pursued him with
avowed hostility, for he not only named him disrespectfully
in the “Dunciad,
” but quoted him more than once in the
Bathos, as a proficient in the Art of Sinking; and in his
enumeration of the different kinds of poets distinguished
for the profound, he reckons Broome among “the parrots
who repeat another’s words in such a hoarse odd tone as
makes them seem their own.
” It has been said that they
were afterwards reconciled; but we are afraid their peace
was without friendship. He afterwards published a Miscellany of poems, and never rose to very high dignity in
the church. He was some time rector of Sturston in Suffolk, where he married a wealthy widow; and afterwards,
when the king visited Cambridge, 1728, became LL, D.
He was, 1733, presented by the crown to the rectory of
Pulham in Norfolk, which he held with Oakley Magna
in Suffolk, given him by the lord Cornwallis, to whom he
was chaplain, and who added the vicarage of Eye in Suffolk; he then resigned Pulham, and retained the other
two. Towards the close of his life he grew again poetical,
and amused himself with translating odes of Anacreon,
which he published in the Gentleman’s Magazine, under
the name of Chester. He died at Bath, Nov. 16, 1745,
and was buried in the abbey church.
oet. What he takes, however, he seldom makes worse; and he cannot be justly thought a mean man, whom Pope chose for an associate, and whose co-operation was considered
Of Broome, says Dr. Johnson, though it cannot be said that he was a great poet, it would be unjust to deny that he was an excellent versifier; his lines are smooth and sonorous, and his diction is select and elegant. His rhymes are sometimes unsuitable, but such faults occur but seldom, and he had such power of words and numbers as fitted him for translation; but in his original works, recollection seems to have been his business more than invention. His imitations are so apparent, that it is a part of his reader’s employment to recall the verses of some former poet. What he takes, however, he seldom makes worse; and he cannot be justly thought a mean man, whom Pope chose for an associate, and whose co-operation was considered by Pope’s enemies as so important, that he was attacked by Henley with this ludicrous distich:
" Pope came off clean with Homer; but they say
ng of this sermon.” The year after, appeared the “Essay on Satire,” prefixed to the second volume of Pope’s Works by Warburton; with which it still continues to be printed,
Thus distinguished, he fell under the notice of Dr.
Osbaldeston; who, when raised to the see of Carlisle, made
him one of his chaplains; he had before obtained for him
from the chapter of Carlisle the living of Moreland in
Westmoreland. It is probably about this time that he wrote
his poem entitled “Honour;
” to shew, that true honour
can only be founded in virtue: it was inscribed to lord
Lonsdale. His next poetical production, though not immediately published, was his “Essay on Satire,
” in three
parts, afterwards addressed to Dr. Warburton, who introduced him to Mr. Allen of Prior Park near Bath. While
at Mr. Alien’s he preached at Bath, April 22, 1750, a sermon for promoting the subscription towards the general
hospital in that city, entitled “On the pursuit of false
pleasure, and the mischiefs of immoderate gaming;
” and
there was prefixed to it, when published, the following
advertisement: “In justice to the magistrates of the city
of Bath, it is thought proper to inform the reader, that
the public gaming-tables were by them suppressed there,
soon after the preaching of this sermon.
” The year after,
appeared the “Essay on Satire,
” prefixed to the second
volume of Pope’s Works by Warburton; with which it still
continues to be printed, as well as in Dodsley’s collection.
d as to be printed a fifth time in 1764. This was suggested to him by Warburton, and to Warburton by Pope, who told Warburton that to his knowledge the Characteristics
Brown now began to make no small figure as a writer 5
and in 1751, published Jiis “Essays on Shaftesbury’s Characteristics,
” 8vo, a work written with elegance and spirit,
aud so applauded as to be printed a fifth time in 1764.
This was suggested to him by Warburton, and to Warburton by Pope, who told Warburton that to his knowledge
the Characteristics had done more harm to revealed religion in England than all the works of infidelity put together. He is imagined to have had a principal hand in
another book, published also the same year, and called
w An essay on musical expression;“though the avowed
author was Mr. Charles Avison. (See Avison.) In 1754
he printed a sermon,
” On the use and abuse of externals
in religion: preached before the bishop of Carlisle, at. the
consecration of St. James’s church in Whitehaven, and soon
after he was promoted to Great Horkesiey in Essex; a living conferred upon him by the late earl of Hard wick e. His
next appearance was as a dramatic writer. In 1755, hk
tragedy “Barbarossa,
” was produced upon the stage, and
afterwards his “Athelstan
” in
rawings, the one from Mr. Townley’s celebrated bust of Homer, the other from a fine original bust of Pope, supposed to have been the work of Rysbrac. From these drawings
Mr. Brown was not only known as an exquisite drafts.man, he was also a good philosopher, a sound scholar, and
endowed with a just and refined taste in all the liberal and
polite arts, and a man of consummate worth and integrity.
Soon after his death his “Letters on the Poetry and Music
of the Italian Opera,
” 12mo, were published. They were
originally written to his friend lord Monboddo, who wished
to have Mr. Brown’s opinion on those subjects, which have
so intimate a connection with his work on the Origin and
Progress of Language; and who was so pleased with the
style and observations contained in them, that he wrote
an introduction, which was published with them, in one
volume, 12mo, 1789, for the benefit of his widow. The
letters, written with great elegance and perspicuity, are
certainly the production of a strong and fervid mind, acquainted with the subject; and must be useful to most of
the frequenters of the Italian opera, by enabling them to
understand the reasons on which the pleasure they receive
at that musical performance is founded, a knowledge in
which they are generally very deficient. Not being written
for publication, they have that spirit and simplicity which
every man of genius diffuses through any subject which he
communicates in confidence, and which he is but too apt
to refine away when he sits down to compose a work for
the public. Lord Monboddo, in the fourth volume of the
Origin and Progress of Language, speaking of Mr. Brown,
says, “The account that I have given of the Italian language is taken from one who resided above ten years in
Italy; and who, besides understanding the language perfectly, is more learned in the Italian arts of painting,
sculpture, music, and poetry, than any man I ever met
with. His natural good taste he has improved by the study
of the monuments of ancient art, to be seen at Rome and
Florence; and as beauty in all the arts is pretty much the
same, consisting of grandeur and simplicity, variety, decorum, and a suitableness to the subject, I think he is a
good judge of language, and of writing, as well as of
painting, sculpture, and music.
” A very well-written character in Latin, by an advocate of Edinburgh, is appended
to the Letters. Mr. Brown left behind him several very
highly-finished portraits in pencil, and many very exquisite sketches in pencil and in pen and ink, which he had
taken of persons and of places in Italy; particularly a book
of studies of heads, taken from the life, an inestimable
treasure to any history painter, as a common-place book
for his pictures, the heads it contained being all of them
Italian ones, of great expression, or of high character.
He was so enraptured with his art, and so assiduous in the
pursuit of it, that he suffered no countenance of beauty,
grace, dignity, or expression, to pass him unnoticed; and
to be enabled to possess merely a sketch for himself, of
any subject that struck his fancy, he would make a present
of a high-finished drawing to the person who permitted his
head to be taken by him. The characteristics of his hancl
were delicacy, correctness, and taste, as the drawings he
made from many of Mr. Townley’s best statues very plainly
evince. Of his mind, the leading features were acuteness,
liberality, and sensibility, joined to a character firm, vigorous, and energetic. The last efforts of this ingenious
artist were employed in making two very exquisite drawings, the one from Mr. Townley’s celebrated bust of Homer, the other from a fine original bust of Pope, supposed
to have been the work of Rysbrac. From these drawings
two very beautiful engravings have been made by Mr. Bartolozzi and his pupil Mr. Bovi. After some stay in London, his health, which had never been robust, yielded to
extraordinary application, and he was forced to try a seavoyage, and return on a visit to Edinburgh, to settle his
father’s affairs, who was then dead, having been some time
before in a state of imbecility. On the passage from
London to Leith, he was somehow neglected as he lay
sick on his hammock, and was on the point of death
when he arrived at Leith. With much difficulty he was
brought up to Edinburgh, and laid in the bed of his friend
Runciman, the artist, who had died not long before in the
same place. Here he died, Sept. 5, 1787. His portrait
with Runciman, disputing about a passage in Shakspeare’s
Tempest, is in the gallery at Dryburgh abbey. This was
the joint production of Brown and Runciman before the
death of the latter in 1784.
effort to prevent any alterations in Ireland with regard to religious matters; for this purpose the pope sent over a bull of excommunication against all such as had
, the first bishop that embraced
and promoted the Reformation in Ireland, was originally
an Austin friar of London. He received his academical
education in the house of his order, near Halywell, in
Oxford, and becoming eminent for his learning and other
good qualities, was made provincial of the Austin monks
in England. In 1523 he supplicated the university for the
degree of B. D. but it does not appear that he was then
admitted. He took afterwards the degree of D. D. in some
university beyond sea, and was incorporated in the same
degree at Oxford, in 1534, and soon after at Cambridge.
Before that time, having read some of Luther’s writings,
he took a liking to his doctrine; and, among other things,
was wont to inculcate into the people, “That they should
make their applications solely to Christ, and not to the
Virgin Mary, or the saints.
” King Henry VIII. being informed of this, took him into his favour, and promoted
him to the archbishopric of Dublin, to which he was consecrated March 19, 1534-5, by Cranmer, archbishop of
Canterbury, assisted by the bishops of Rochester and Salisbury. A few months after his arrival in Ireland, the
lord privy-seal, Cromwell, signified to him that his majesty having renounced the Papal supremacy in England,
it was his highness’ s pleasure that his subjects of Ireland
should obey his commands in that respect as in England,
and nominated him one of the commissioners for the execution thereof. On November 28, 1535, he acquainted
the lord Cromwell with his success; telling him that he
had “endeavoured, almost to the danger and hazard of
his life, to procure the nobility and gentry of the Irish
nation to due obedience, in owning the king their supreme
head, as-well spiritual as temporal.
” In the parliament
which met at Dublin, May l, 1536, he was very instrumental in having the Act for the king’s supremacy over
the church of Ireland passed; but he met with many obstacles in the execution of it; and the court of Rome used
every effort to prevent any alterations in Ireland with regard
to religious matters; for this purpose the pope sent over a
bull of excommunication against all such as had ownedj or
should own, the king’s supremacy within that kingdom, and
the form of an oath of obedience to be taken to his holiness,
at confessions. Endeavours were even used to raise a rebellion there; for one Thady é Birne, a Franciscan friar,
being seized by archbishop Browne’s order, letters were
found about him, from the pope and cardinals to O'Neal;
in which, after commending his own and his father’s faithfulness to the church of Rome, he was exhorted “for the
glory of the mother church, the honour of St. Peter, and
his own security, to suppress heresie, and his holiness’s
enemies.
” And the council of cardinals thought fit to encourage his country, as a sacred island, being certain
while mother church had a son of worth as himself, and
those that should succour him and join therein, she would
never fall, but have more or less a holding in Britain in
spite of fate. In pursuance of this letter, O'Neal began
to declare himself the champion of Popery; and having
entered into a confederacy with others, they jointly invaded the Pale, and committed several ravages, but were
soon after quelled. About the time that king Henry VIII.
began to suppress the monasteries in England and Ireland,
archbishop Browne completed his design of removing all
superstitious reliques and images out of the two cathedrals
of St. Patrick’s and the Holy Trinity, in Dublin, and out
of the rest of the churches within his diocese, and in their
room placed the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten
Commandments in gold letters. And in 1541, the king
having converted the priory of the Holy Trinity into a
cathedral church, consisting of a dean and chapter, our
archbishop founded three prebends in the same in 1544,
namely, St. Michael’s, St. John’s, and St. Michan’s, from
which time it has generally been known by the name of
Christ-church. King Edward VI. having caused the Liturgy to be published in English, sent an order to sir Anthony St. Leger, governor of Ireland, dated February 6,
1550-1, to notify to all the clergy of that kingdom, that
they should use this book in all their churches, and the
Bible in the vulgar tongue. When sir Anthony imparted
this order to the clergy (on the 1st of March), it was vehemently opposed by the Popish party, especially by
George Dowdall, primate of Armagh, but archbishop
Browne received it with the utmost satisfaction; and on
Easter-day following the Liturgy was read, for the first time
within Ireland, in Christ -church, Dublin, in presence of the
mayor and bailiffs of that city, the lord deputy St. Leger,
archbishop Browne, &c. On this occasion the archbishop
preached a sermon against keeping the Scriptures in the
Latin tongue, and the worship of images, which is printed
at the end of his life, and is the only part of his writings
extant, except the letters mentioned above . But Dowdall, in consequence of his violent and unseasonable opposition to the king’s order, was deprived of the title of
primate of all Ireland, which, by letters patent bearing
date the 20th of October, 1551, was conferred on archbishop Browne, and his successors in the see of Dublin
for ever. However, he did not long enjoy this dignity,
for he was deprived both of it and his archbishopric in
1*554, the first of queen Mary I. under pretence that he
was married, but in truth because he had zealously promoted the Reformation; and archbishop Dowdall, who had
lived in exile during part of the reign of king Edward VI.
recovered the title of primate, and also the archbishopric
of Armagh, which had been given to Hugh Goodacre.
While archbishop Browne enjoyed the see of Dublin, the
cathedral of St. Patrick’s was suppressed for about the
space of eight years; but queen Mary restored it to its
ancient dignity, towards the end of the year 1554. The
exact time of archbishop Browne’s death is not recorded;
only we are told that he died about the year 1556. He
was a man, says Usher, of a cheerful countenance; meek
and peaceable: in his acts and deeds plain and downright;
of good parts, and very stirring in what he judged to be
for the interest of religion, or the service of his king; merciful and compassionate to the poor and miserable; and
adorned with every good and valuable qualification.
dition of cardinal Barberini’s Latin poems, with notes and a life of the author, (who was afterwards pope Urban VIII.) and a dedication to his friend Edward Hassel, esq.
, D.D. provost of Queen’s-college, Oxford, was born at a place called the Tongue, in Watermillock, Cumberland, in 1700, and was baptised Dec. 19, of that year. His father, George Browne, was a reputable yeoman, who was enabled to give his son a classical education at Barton school, and afterwards sent him to Queen’s-college, where he was admitted a member March 22, 1716-17. Here his good behaviour and rapid progress in knowledge, procured him many friends that were of great service to him. In due time he was elected taberdar upon the foundation; and having gone through that office with honour, he took the degree of M. A. Nov. 4th, 1724, and was chosen one of the chaplains of the college. In 1726 he published, from the university press, a most beautiful edition of cardinal Barberini’s Latin poems, with notes and a life of the author, (who was afterwards pope Urban VIII.) and a dedication to his friend Edward Hassel, esq. of Dalemain* his friend and patron. In April 1731, he was elected fellow, and became an eminent tutor, having several young noblemen of the first rank intrusted to his care. In this useful and important station he continued many years, exercising strict discipline, and assiduously studying to promote the prosperity of the college. He took the degree of D. D. July 9, 1743, and was presented by the provost and society to the rectory of Bramshot, in Hampshire, May 1, 1746, The university also conferred upon him the professorship of natural philosophy in 1747, which he held till his death. At his living at Bramshot, he resided more than ten years, during which time he was collated to the chancellorship of Hereford, and was made a canon-residentiary by the right rev. lord James Beauclerk, bishop of that diocese, who had formerly been his pupil.
popular of which was his “Pipe of Tobacco,” an imitation of Gibber, Ambrose Philips, Thomson, Young, Pope, and Swift, who were then all living; the peculiar manner of
Mr. Browne’s application to the law did not prevent his
occasionally indulging himself in the exercise of his poetical talents. It was not long after his settlement at Lincoln’s-inn that he wrote his poem on “Design and Beauty,
”
addressed to Highmore the painter, for whom he had a
great friendship. In this, one of the longest of his poems,
he shews an extensive knowledge of the Platonic philosophy; and pursues, through the whole, the idea of beauty
advanced by that philosophy. By design is here meant,
in a large and extensive sense, that power of genius which
enables the real artist to collect together his scattered
ideas, to range them in proper order, and to form a regular plan before he attempts to exhibit any work in architecture, painting, or poetry. He wrote several other
poetical pieces during the interval between his fixing at
LincolnVinn and his marriage one of the mostpleasing
and popular of which was his “Pipe of Tobacco,
” an
imitation of Gibber, Ambrose Philips, Thomson, Young,
Pope, and Swift, who were then all living; the peculiar
manner of these several writers is admirably hit off by our
author, who evidently possessed an excellent imitative genius. Indeed, nothing but a nice spirit of discrimination,
and a happy talent at various composition, could have enabled him to have succeeded so well as he hath done in
the “Pipe of Tobacco.
” The imitation of Ambrose Philips
was not written by our poet, but by an ingenious friend,
the late Dr. John Hoaclly, chancellor of the diocese of
Winchester, and second son of -the bishop. Dr. Hoadlyy
however, acknowledged that his little imitation was altered
so much for the better by Mr. Browne, that he fairly made
it his own.
n 1522 in the plot formed by some Florentine citizens against cardinal Julius de Medicis, afterwards pope Ciement VII. he was obliged to expatriate himself, and withdrew
, a laborious Italian writer, was
born at Florence towards the conclusion of the fifteenth
century. Having meddled in 1522 in the plot formed by
some Florentine citizens against cardinal Julius de Medicis,
afterwards pope Ciement VII. he was obliged to expatriate
himself, and withdrew into France. The Medici being
driven out of Florence in 1527, this revolution brought
him back to his country, where the liberty with which he
chose to speak against the monks and priests, raised a
suspicion of his being attached to the opinions of Luther.
He was put into prison, and would not have escaped an
ignominious death but for the kind offices of his friends;
who procured a mitigation of his punishment to an exile of
two years. He then retired to Venice with his brothers,
who were printers and booksellers, and employed their
presses in printing the greater part of his works, of which
the most known and the most in request, is the, whole Bible
translated into Italian, with annotations and remarks, which
was put by the papists in the number of heretical books of
the first class; but the protestants held it in such high
esteem that it passed through several editions. The most
ample and the most scarce is that of Venice, 1546 and
1548, 3 vols. folio. Brucioli pretends to have made his
translation from the Hebrew text: but the truth is, that,
being but moderately versed in that language, he made
use of the Latin version of Pagnini. His other works are,
1. Italian translations of the natural history of Pliny, and
several pieces of Aristotle and Cicero. 2. Editions of Petrarch and Bocace, with notes. 3. “Dialogues,
” Venice,
emolument in the Roman chancery, took every opportunity of recommending him. In consequence of this, pope Innocent VII. invited him to Rome, where he arrived March 24,
, a very eminent scholar and historian, derived his name of Aretine, or Aretino,
from Arezzo, in which city he was born in the year 1370,
of parents sufficiently wealthy to bestow on him a good
education. In his early youth he was incited to a love of
letters by an extraordinary accident. A body of French
troops, who were marching to Naples to assist Louis of
Anjou in maintaining his claim to trie sovereignty of that
kingdom, at the solicitation of the partizans of a faction
which had been banished from Arezzo, made an unexpected attack upon that city; and, after committing a
great slaughter, carried away many of the inhabitants into
captivity; and, among the rest, the family of Bruni. Leonardo being confined in a chamber in which hung a portrait of Petrarch, by daily contemplating the lineaments of
that illustrious scholar, conceived so strong a desire to signalize himself by literary acquirements, that immediately
upon his enlargement he repaired to Florence, where he
prosecuted his studies with unremitting diligence, under
the direction of John of Ravenna, and Manuel Chrysoloras.
During his residence at Florence, he contracted a strict
intimacy with the celebrated Poggio Bracciolini, and the
latter being afterwards informed by Leonardo that he
wished to procure a presentation to some place of honour
or emolument in the Roman chancery, took every opportunity of recommending him. In consequence of this,
pope Innocent VII. invited him to Rome, where he arrived March 24, 1405, but was at first disappointed in his
hopes, the place at which he aspired being intended for
another candidate, Jacopo d'Angelo. Fortunately, however, the pope having received certain letters from the
duke of Berry, determined to assign to each of the competitors the task of drawing up an answer to them, and the
compositions being compared, the prize was unanimously
adjudged to Leonardo, who was instantly advanced to the
dignity of apostolic secretary, and by this victory considerably increased his reputation, as his competitor was a
man of very considerable talents. (See Angelo, James.)
In 1410 Leonardo was elected chancellor of the city of
Florence, but finding it attended with more labour than
profit, resigned it in 1411, and entered into the service of
pope John XXII. and soon after went to Arezzo, where
he married a young lady of considerable distinction in that
city. He was thought by his contemporaries rather too
attentive to the minutiae of economy, and having married a
lady who loved dress and ornaments, was somewhat disappointed. In a letter to his friend Poggio, after giving an
account of his marriage expences, he adds, “In short, I
have in one night consummated my marriage, and consumed my patrimony.
” In
n of that church, induced him to join with some others in accusing Manasses in a council held by the pope’s legate at Autun. Manasses accordingly was deposed, and the
, founder of the Carthusian monks, was descended from an ancient and honourable family, and born at Cologn about the year 1030. He was educated first among the clergy of St. Cunibert’s church at Cologn, and afterwards at Rheims, where he attracted so much notice by his learning and piety, that on a vacancy occurring, he was promoted to the office or rank of Scholasticus, to which dignity then belonged the direction of the studies, and all the great schools of the diocese. In this office, which he filled with great reputation, he continued until 1077, when the scandalous conduct of Manasses, archbishop of Rheims, who, by open simony had got possession of that church, induced him to join with some others in accusing Manasses in a council held by the pope’s legate at Autun. Manasses accordingly was deposed, and the church of Rheims was about to choose Bruno for his successor in the archbishopric, when he resigned his office, and persuaded some of his friends to accompany him into solitude. After searching for some time to discover a proper place, they arrived at Grenoble in 1084, and requested the bishop to allot them some place where they might serve God, remote from worldly affairs. The bishop having assigned them the desert of Chartreuse, and promised them his assistance, Bruno and his companions, six in number, built an oratory there, and small cells at a little distance one from the other like the ancient Lauras of Palestine, in which they passed the six days of the week, but assembled together on Sundays. Their austerities were rigid, generally following those of St. Benedict; and, among other rules, perpetual silence was enjoined, and all their original observances, it is said, were longer preserved unchanged than those of any other order. Before the late revolution in France, they had 172 convents divided into sixteen provinces, of which five only are said to have been nunneries, all situated in the catholic Netherlands, and where the injunction of silence was dispensed with. There were nine monasteries of this order in England at the dissolution under Henry VIII.
After St. Bruno had governed this infant society for six years, he was invited to Rome by pope Urban II. who had formerly been his scholar at Rheims, and now
After St. Bruno had governed this infant society for six
years, he was invited to Rome by pope Urban II. who had
formerly been his scholar at Rheims, and now received him
with every mark of respect and confidence, and pressed him
to accept the archbishopric of Reggio. This however he
declined, and the pope consented that he should withdraw
into some wilderness on the mountains of Calabria. Bruno
found a convenient solitude in the diocese of Squiiiaci,
where he settled in 1090, with some new disciples, until
his death, Oct. 6. 1101. There are only two letters of his
remaining, one to Raoul le Verd, and the other to his
monks, which are printed in a folio volume, entitled “S.
Brunonis Qpera et Vita,
”
errors, he obtained a further respite for forty days. At last, it appearing that he imposed upon the pope in order to prolong his life, sentence was finally passed upon
, an Italian writer to whom atheism
has been generally, but unjustly, imputed, was born atNola
in the kingdom of Naples, about the middle of the sixteenth century. His talents are said to have been considerable, but this is hardly discoverable from his works: he
early, however, set up for an inquirer and innovator, and
very naturally found many things in the philosophy and
theology then taught in Italy, which he could not comprehend. Being fond of retirement and study, he entered
into a monastery of Dominicans, but the freedom of his
opinions, and particularly of his censures on the irregularities of the fraternity, rendered it soon necessary to
leave his order and his country. In 1582, he withdrew to
Geneva, where his heretical opinions gave offence to Calvin and Beza, and he was soon obliged to provide for his
safety by flight. After a short stay at Lyons he came to
Paris, and his innovating spirit recommended him to the
notice of multitudes, who at this time declared open hostilities against the authority of Aristotle. In a public disputation, held in the royal academy, in 1586, he defended,
three days successively, certain propositions concerning
nature and the world, which, together with brief heads of
the arguments, he afterwards published in Saxony, under
the title of “Acrotismus,
” or “Reasons of the physical
articles proposed against the Peripatetics at Paris.
” The
contempt with which Bruno, in the course of these debates,
treated Aristotle, exposed him to the resentment of the academic professors, who were zealous advocates for the old system; and he found it expedientto leave thekingdom of France.
According to some writers, he now visited England, in the
train of the French ambassador Castelneau, wherehe was hospitably received by sir Philip Sydney and sir Fulke Gre.ville,
and was introduced to queen Elizabeth. But though it is
certain from his writings that he was in England, he probably made this visit in some other part of his life, and we
should suppose before this, in 1583 or 1584. For, about
the middle of the same year in which he was at Paris, we
find him, at Wittenburg, a zealous adherent of Luther.
In this city he met with a liberal reception, and full permission to propagate his doctrines: but the severity with
which he inveighed against Aristotle, the latitude of his
opinions in religion as well as philosophy, and the contempt
with which he treated the masters of the public schools,
excited new jealousies; and complaints were lodged
against him before the senate of the university. To escape
the disgrace which threatened him, Bruno, after two years
residence in Wittenburg, left that place, and took refuge
in Helmstadt, where the known liberality of the duke of
Brunswick encouraged him to hope for a secure asylum.
But either through the restlessness of his disposition, or
through unexpected opposition, he went next year to
Francfort, to superintend an edition of his works, but before it was completed was obliged again, probably from
fear of persecution, to quit that city. His next residence
was at Padua; where the boldness with which h.e taught
his new doctrines, and inveighed against the court of
Rome, caused him to be apprehended and brought before
the inquisition at Venice. There he was tried, and convicted of his errors. Forty days being allowed him to deliberate, he promised to retract them, and as at the expiration of that term, he still maintained his errors, he obtained
a further respite for forty days. At last, it appearing that
he imposed upon the pope in order to prolong his life, sentence was finally passed upon him on the 9th of February
1600. He made no offer to retract during the week that
was allowed him afterwards for that purpose, but underwent his punishment on the 17th, by being burnt at a stake.
ical work, “Dispatches from the Beast triumphant,” is the mot celebrated. Dr. Warton, in a note upon Pope’s Works, asserts on the authority of Toland, that sir Philip
His most celebrated philosophical pieces are the following: l. De Umbris Idearum, “On Shadows of Ideas.
” 2.
De rinfmito, Universe, et Mondi, “Of Infinity, the Universe, and World.
” 3. Spaccio della Bestia triomfante,
“Dispatches from the Triumphant Beast.
” 4. Oratio
valedictoria habita in Academia Wittebergensi, “A farewell Oration delivered in the University of Wittenberg.
”
5. De Monade, Numero, et Figura, “Of Monad, Number, and Figure.
” 6. Summa Terminorum Metaphysicorum, “Summary of Metaphysical Terms.
” Of these
the satirical work, “Dispatches from the Beast triumphant,
”
is the mot celebrated. Dr. Warton, in a note upon Pope’s
Works, asserts on the authority of Toland, that sir Philip
Sidney was “the intimate friend and patron of the famous
atheist Giordano Bruno, who was in a secret club with him
and sir Fulk Greville, held in London in 1587, and that
the
” Spaccio“was at that time composed and printed in
London, and dedicated to sir Philip.
” But, besides that
this date must be wrong, sir Philip Sidney having died the
preceding year, it appears evidently from the account of
the “Spaccio
” given in the Spectator, No.
in agitation. In 1533 he was one of those sent by Henry to be witnesses to the interview between the pope and the king of France at Marseilles. He was gentleman of the
, an English poet and warrior, was born of a genteel family, educated at Oxford, and afterwards spent some time in travelling abroad. In 1522, he attended, in a military capacity, the earl of Surrey on his expedition to the coast of Britany, and commanded the troops in the attack of the town of Morlaix, which he took and burnt. For this service he was knighted on the spot by the earl, which Tanner says took place in Germany, 1532, instead of Britany, 1522. In 1528 he was in Spain, but in what service is doubtful. In 1529 he was sent ambassador to France, and the following year ta Rome on account of the king’s divorce. He had also been therein 1522, in the same capacity, when cardinal Wolsey’s election to the holy see was in agitation. In 1533 he was one of those sent by Henry to be witnesses to the interview between the pope and the king of France at Marseilles. He was gentleman of the privy chamber to Henry VIII. and to his successor Edward VI. in the beginning of whose reign he marched with the protector against the Scots, and after the battle of Musselborough in 1547, in which he commanded the light horse with great bravery, he was made banneret. In 1549 he was appointed chief governor of Ireland, by the title of lord chief justice, and there he married the countess of Ormond. He appears to have died in 1550, and was buried at Walerford. He was nephew to John Bourchier, lord Berners, the translator of Froissart.
learnedly, to the satisfaction of all the hearers, only it grieved the Scotch ministers to hear the pope and presbytery so often equalled in their opposition to sovereign
, an eminent English prelate, was the son of William Buckeridge, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Thomas Keblewhyte of Basilden in Berks, son of John Keblewhyte, uncle to sir Thomas White, founder of St. John’s college, Oxford. He was educated in Merchant Taylors’ school, and thence sent to St. John’s college, Oxon, in 1578, where he was chosen fellow, and proceeded, through other degrees, to D. D. in the latter end of 1596. After leaving the university, he became chaplain to Robert earl of Essex, and was rector of North Fambridge in Essex, and of North Kiiworth in Leicestershire, and was afterwards one of archbishop Whitgii't’s chaplains, and made prebendary of Hereford, and of Rochester. In 1604, he was preferred to the archdeaconry of Northampton; and the same year, Nov. 5, was presented by king James to the vicarage of St. Giles’s, Cripplegate, in which he succeeded Dr. Andrews, then made bishop of Chichester. About the same time he was chaplain to the king; was elected president of St. John’s college, 1605, and installed canon of Windsor, April 15, 1606. His eminent abilities in the pulpit were greatly esteemed at court; insomuch that he was chosen to be one of the four (Dr. Andrews, bishop of Chichester, Dr. Barlow of Rochester, and Dr. John King, dean of Christ-church, Oxford, being the other three) who were appointed to preach before the king at Hampton-court in September 1606, in order to bring the two Melvins and other presbyterians of Scotland to a right understanding of the church of England. He took his text out of Romans xiii. 1. and managed the discourse (as archbishop Spotswood, who was present, relates), both soundly and learnedly, to the satisfaction of all the hearers, only it grieved the Scotch ministers to hear the pope and presbytery so often equalled in their opposition to sovereign princes.
And write whatever he please——except my Will." Pope.
ho fled into Switzerland from the persecution raised in England by queen Mary, and ably confuted the pope’s bull excommunicating queen Elizabeth. The magistrates of Zurich,
, one of the reformers, was born,
at Bremgarten, “a village near Zurich, in Switzerland,
July 18, 1504. At the age of twelve he was sent by his
father to Emmeric, to be instructed in grammar-learning,
and here he remained three years, during which his father,
to make him feel for the distresses of others, and be more
frugal and modest in his dress, and temperate in his diet,
withdrew that money with which he was wont to supply
him; so that Bullinger was forced, according to the custom of those times, to subsist on the alms he got by singing from door to door. While here, he was strongly inclined to enter among the Carthusians, but was dissuaded
from it by an elder brother. At fifteen years of age he
was sent to Cologn, where he studied logic, and commenced
B. A. at sixteen years old. He afterwards betook himself
to the study of divinity and canon law, and to the reading
of the fathers, and conceived such a dislike to the schooldivines, as in 1520, to write some dialogues against them;
and about the same time he began to see the errors of the
church of Rome, from which, however, he did not immediately separate. In 1522, he commenced M. A. and returning home, he spent a year in his father’s house, wholly
employing himself in his studies. The year after, he was
called by the abbot of La Chapelle, a Cistercian abbey
near Zurich, to teach in that place, which he did with great
reputation for four years, and was very instrumental in
causing the reformation of Zuinglius to be received. It is
very remarkable that while thus teaching and changing the
sentiments of the Cistercians in this place, it does not appear that he was a clergyman in the communion of the see
of Rome, nor that he had any share in the monastic
observances of the house. Zuinglius, assisted by Oecolampadius and Bucer, had established the reformed doctrines
at Zurich in 1523; and in 1527, Bullinger attended the
lectures of Zuinglius in that city, for some months, renewed his acquaintance with Greek, and began the study
of Hebrew. He preached also publicly by a licence from
the synod, and accompanied Zuinglius at the famous disputation held at Bern in 1528. The year following, he
was called to be minister of the protestant church, in his
native place at Bremgarten, and married a wife, who
brought him six sons and five daughters, and died in 1564.
He met with great opposition from the papists and anabaptists in his parish, but disputed publicly, and wrote several
books against them. The victory gained by the Romish
cantons over the protestants in a battle fought 1531, forced
him, together with his father, brother, and colleague, to
fly to Zurich, where he was chosen pastor in the room of
Zninglius, slain in the late battle. He was also employed
in several ecclesiastical negociations, with a view to reconcile the Zuiuglians and Lutherans, and to reply to the,
harsh censures which were published by Luther against the
doctrine of the Swiss churches respecting the sacrament.
In 1549, he concurred with Calvin in drawing up a formulary, expressing the conformity of belief which subsisted
between the churches of Zurich and Geneva, and intended
on the part of Calvin, for obviating any suspicions that he
inclined to the opinion of Luther with respect to the sacra,
ment. He greatly assisted the English divines who fled
into Switzerland from the persecution raised in England
by queen Mary, and ably confuted the pope’s bull excommunicating queen Elizabeth. The magistrates of Zurich,
by his persuasion, erected a new college in 1538. He
also prevailed with them to erect, in a place that had formerly been a nunnery, a new school, in which fifteen
youths were trained up under an able master, and supplied
with food, raiment, and other necessaries. In 1549, he
by his influence hindered the Swiss from renewing their
league with Henry It. of France; representing to them,
that it was neither just nor lawful for a man to suffer himself to be hired to shed another man’s blood, from whom
himself had never received any injury. In 1551 he wrote
a book, the purport of which was to shew, that the council
of Trent had no other design than to oppress the professors
of sound religion; and, therefore, that the cantons should
pay no regard to the invitations of the pope, which solicited their sending deputies to that council. In 1561 he
commenced a controversy with Brentius concerning the
ubiquity of the body of Christ, zealously maintained by
Brentius, and as vehemently opposed by Bullinger, which
Continued till his death, on the 17th of September, 1575.
His funeral oration was pronounced by John Stukius, and
his life was written by Josias Simler (who had married one of his daughters), and was published at Zurich in 1575,
4to, with Stukius’s oration, and the poetical tributes of
many eminent men of his time. Bullinger' s printed works
are very numerous, doctrinal, practical, and controversial,
but no collection has ever been made of them. His high
reputation in England, during the progress of the reformation, occasioned the following to be either translated into
English, or published here: 1.
” A hundred Sermons
upon the Apocalypse,“1561, 4to. 2.
” Bullae papisticae
contra reginam Elizabetham, refutatio,“1571, 4to. 3.
” The Judgment of Bullinger, declaring it to be lawful for the ministers of the church of England to wear the
apparel prescribed by the laws, &c.“Eng. and Lat. 1566,
8vo. 4.
” Twenty-six Sermons on Jeremiah,“1583. 5.
” An epistle on the Mass, with one of Calvin’s,“1548, 8vo.
6.
” A treatise or sermon, concerning Magistrates and
Obedience of Subjects, also concerning the affairs of War,“1549, 8vo. 7,
” Tragedies of Tyrants, exercised upon
the church of God from the birth of Christ unto this present year 1572,“translated by Tho. Twine, 1575, 8vo. 8.
” Exhortation to the ministers of God’s Word, &c.“1575,
8vo. 9.
” Two Sermons on the end of the World,“1596,
8vo. 10.
” Questions of religion cast abroad in Helvetia
by the adversaries of the same, and answered by M. H. Bullinger of Zurich, reduced into seventeen common places,“1572, 8vo. 11.
” Common places of Christian Religion,“1572 and 158J, 8vo. 12.
” Bullinger’s Decades, in Latin,“1586. 13.
” The Summe of the Four Evangelists,“1582,
8vo. 14.
” The Sum or Substance pf St. Paul’s Epistle to
the Thessalonians,“1538, 8vo. 15.
” Three Dialogues
between the seditious Libertine or rebel Anabaptist, and
the true obedient Christian,“1551, 8vo. 16.
” Fifty godly
and learned Sermons, divided into five decades, containing the chief and principal points of Christian religion," a
very thick 4to vol. 1577, particularly described by Ames.
This book was held in high estimation in the reign of queen
Elizabeth. In 1586, archbishop Whitgift, in full convocation, procured an order to be made that every clergyman of
a certain standing should procure a copy of them, read one
of the sermons contained in them every week, and make
notes of the principal matters.
On the accession of pope Julius II. a patron of genius and learning, Michel Angelo was
On the accession of pope Julius II. a patron of genius and learning, Michel Angelo was among the first invited to his court, and after some time the pope, gave him an unlimited commission to make a mausoleum. Having received full powers, he commenced a design worthy of himself and his patron. The plan was a parallelogram, and the superstructure to consist of forty statues, many of which were to be colossal, interspersed with ornamental figures and bronze basso-relievos, besides the necessary architecture, with appropriate decorations, to unite the composition into one stupendous whole. When this magnificent design was completed, it met with the pope’s entire approbation, and Michel Angelo was desired to go into St. Peter’s to see where it could be conveniently placed. Michel Angelo fixed upon a particular spot, but the church itself, now old, being considered as ill-adapted, for so superb a mausoleum, the pope, after many consultations with architects, determined to rebuild St. Peter’s; and this is the origin of that edifice which took a hundred and fifty years to complete, and is now the grandest display of architectural splendour that ornaments the Christian world. To those, says his late excellent biographer, who are curious in tracing the remote causes of great events to their source, Michel Angelo perhaps may be found, though very unexpectedly, to have thus laid the first stone of the reformation. His monument demanded a building of corresponding magnificence; to prosecute the undertaking money was wanting, and indulgences were sold to supply the deficiency of the treasury. A monk of Saxony (Luther) opposed the authority of the church, and this singular fatality attended the event, that whilst the most splendid edifice which the world had ever seen was building for the catholic faith, the religion to which it was consecrated was shaken to the foundation.
met with some affront from the servants of the papal palace, who were jealous of his favour with the pope, and not being admitted to his holiness when he came on business,
The work was begun, but before it had proceeded far, Michel Angelo met with some affront from the servants of the papal palace, who were jealous of his favour with the pope, and not being admitted to his holiness when he came on business, set off from Rome for Florence. As soon as this was known, couriers were dispatched after him, but, as he had got beyond the pope’s territories, they could not use force, and only obtained of Michel Angelo a letter to the pope explaining the cause of his departure. But after some time, and the intercession of friends, Michel Angelo consented to return to Rome, where, to his great disappointment, he found that the pope had changed his mind, and instead of completing the monument, had determined to decorate with pictures the ceilings and walls of the Sistine chapel, in honour of the memory of his uncle Sixtus IV. The walls of this chapel were already ornamented with historical paintings by various masters, but these were now to be effaced, and the entire chapel to be painted by Michel Angelo, so as to correspond in its parts, and make one uniform whole. Michel Angelo was diffident of his powers in fresco-painting, and recommended Raffaello, but the pope was peremptory, and our artist obliged to yield. He accordingly prepared the cartoons, and endeavoured to engage persons experienced in frescopainting, but being disappointed in the first specimen of their abilities, he determined himself to try how far he could overcome the difficulties which made it necessary for him to seek their aid, and succeeded in painting the ceiling to the astonishment and admiration even of his enemies. For the description of this stupendous monument of human genius, we must refer to our authority, but the circumstance not the least remarkable, was, that the whole was completed in twenty months, and on AllSaints-Day, 1512, the chapel was opened, and the pope officiated at high mass to a crowded and admiring audience. Michel Angelo next applied himself to make designs for other pictures for the sides of the chapel, to complete the original plan: but on Feb. 21, 1513, the pope died, and to ^Michel Angelo his loss was not supplied. The old paintings still remain on the walls of this chapel.
ldrence without making a road of many miles to the sea, through mountains, and over marshes, &c. The pope, however, flattered with the prospect of procuring marble* from
Julius II. was succeeded by the celebrated Leo X. who professed the same warmth of attachment, and the same zeal to promote the talents of Michel Angelo. But we have already seen that the attachment of this great artist’s patrons was mixed with a degree of caprice which reduced him often to a state of servitude. Michel Angelo had received instructions to construct a monument for Julius II. on a lesser scale than the mausoleum which we have already mentioned. This Leo X. immediately interrupted, by insisting on his going to Florence to build the fagade of the church of S. Lorenzo, which remained unfinished from the time of his grandfather Cosmo de Medici, and Michel Angelo, after in vain pleading the engagement he was under, was obliged to comply. Nor was this all. While at Carrara, ordering the necessary marble, he received a letter from Leo desiring him to go to Pietra Santa, where his holiness had been told there was marble equal to that of Carrara. Michel Angelo obeyed, and reported that the marble was of an inferior quality, and that there was no means of conveying it to Fldrence without making a road of many miles to the sea, through mountains, and over marshes, &c. The pope, however, flattered with the prospect of procuring marble* from a territory which he could at any time call his own, ordered him to proceed, the result of which was that the talents of this great man were buried in those mountains, and his time consumed during the whole reign of Leo X. (above eight years) in little other than raising stone out of a quarry, and making a road to convey it to the sea. At the death of Leo the fagade of S. Lorenzo was not advanced beyond its foundation, and the time of Michel Angelo had been consumed in making a road, in seeing that five columns were made at the quarry of Pietra Santa, in conducting them to the sea-side, and in transporting one of them to Florence this employment, with occasionally making some models in wax, and some trifling designs for the interior of a room in the Medici palace, appears to have been all the benefit. that was derived from his talents during the whole of this pontificate.
t committed to his charge, he returned, and resumed his situation, until the city surrendered to the pope, when he was obliged to secrete himself in an obscure retreat.
During the pontificate of Adrian VI. who succeeded Leo, the facade of S. Lorenzo was altogether laid aside, and Michel Angelo endeavoured to resume his labours on the monument of Julius II. for which the heirs of Julius were impatient, and threatened to make the artist accounjt for the monies received in the pontificate of Julius. He found a friend, however, in the cardinal Giuliano de Medici, who commissioned him to build a library and new sacristy to the church of S. Lorenzo, to serve as a mausoleum for the Medici family; and also to execute monuments to the memory of the dukes Giuliano and Lorenzo, to be placed in it; and these works took up the whole Of Michel Angelo’s attention during the short pontificate of Adrian VI. which lasted only twenty months, ending Sept. 14, 1523. During the first part of the pontificate of his successor Clement VII. formerly Giuliano de Medici, Michel Angelo went on with the chapel and library of S. Lorenzo, which Giuliano had ordered, and executed a statue of Christ, of the size of nature, to be placed on an altar in the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, at Rome, and which is still in that church, but on a pedestal at the entrance of the choir. During the wars which succeeded, we find him employing his talents on works of fortification at Florence, when besieged by the prince of Orange, but hearing of some treacherous plans to undermine the republic, he withdrew secretly to Ferrara, and thence to Venice. Being, however, solicited by persons high in office not to abandon the post committed to his charge, he returned, and resumed his situation, until the city surrendered to the pope, when he was obliged to secrete himself in an obscure retreat. The pope having by a public manifesto given him assurances, that if he would discover himself he should not be molested, qn condition that he would furnish the two monuments in St. Lorenzo, already begun, Michel Angelo, on this, with little respect for the persons his genius was to commemorate, and with less affection for his employer, hastened to complete his labour; not with any ardour of sentiment, but as a task which was the price of his liberty.
o complete the monument of Julius II, agreeable to the last design, and was again interrupted by the pope, who wished to employ him at Florence, and Afterwards ordered
Tranquillity being restored in Italy, Michel Angelo was again called upon by the duke of Urbino, to complete the monument of Julius II, agreeable to the last design, and was again interrupted by the pope, who wished to employ him at Florence, and Afterwards ordered him to paint the two end walls of the Sistine chapel. Our artist being unable openly to oppose the will of the pope, procrastinated the work as much as possible, and while he was engaged in making a cartoon for the chapel, secretly employed as much of his time as circumstances would allow, in forwarding the monument to Julius II. But this was again interrupted by the next pope, Paul III. although at length, after much riegociation, and after changing the design three times, he was permitted to complete, his task, which was placed, not in St. Peter’s, as originally intended, but in the church of S. Pietro, in Vincoli.
As there now remained no objection to Michel Angelo’s devoting his time to the service of the pope, he commenced painting the great work of the Last Judgment,
As there now remained no objection to Michel Angelo’s devoting his time to the service of the pope, he commenced painting the great work of the Last Judgment, in the Sistine chapel, which was finished in 1541, and the chapel opened on Christmas day. Persons are described to have come from the most distant parts of Italy to see it, and the public and the court were rivals in admiration, which must have been peculiarly grateful to Michel Angelo, not only from that pleasure common to all men who are conscious of deserving well, and having those claims allowed, but in succeeding to give the pope Paul III. entire satisfaction, who, in the first year of his pontificate, liberally provided him with a pension for his life of six hundred pounds a year, to enable him to prosecute the undertaking to his own satisfaction.
uilt another by the order of Paul III. which is called after its founder the Paoline chapel, and the pope being solicitous to render it more honourable to his name, desired
Near to the Sistine chapel, in the Vatican, Antonio de San Gallo built another by the order of Paul III. which is called after its founder the Paoline chapel, and the pope being solicitous to render it more honourable to his name, desired Michel Angelo would paint the walls in fresco. Although he now began to feel he was an old man, he undertook the commission, and on the sides opposite to each other painted two large pictures, representing the martyrdom of St. Peter, and the conversion of St. Paul. These pictures, he said, cost him great fatigue, and in their progress declared himself sorry to find fresco painting was not an employment for his years; he therefore petitioned his holiness that Perino del Vaga might finish the ceiling from his designs, which was to have been decorated with painting and stucco ornaments; but this part of the work was not afterwards carried into execution. The pope often consulted Michel Angelo as an architect, although Antonio de San Gallo was the architect df St. Peter’s church, and promoted to that situation by his interest when cardinal Farnese, and now employed in his private concerns. The Farnese palace in Rome was designed by San Gallo, and the building advanced by him during his life; yet Michel Angelo constructed the bold projecting cornice that surrounds the top, in conjunction with him, at the express desire of the pope. He also consulted Michel Angelo in fortifying the Borgo, and made designs for that purpose; but the discussion of this subject proved the cause of some enmity between these two rivals in the pope’s esteem. In 1546 San Gallo died, and Michel Angelo was called upon to fill his situation as architect of St. Peter’s: he at first declined that honour, but his holiness laid his commands upon him, which admitted neither of apology nor excuse; however he accepted the appointment upon those conditions, that he would receive no salary, and that it should be so expressed in the patent, as he undertook the office purely from devotional feelings; and that, as hitherto the various persons employed in all the subordinate situations had only considered their own interest to the extreme prejudice of the undertaking, he should be empowered to discharge them, and appoint others in their sjead; and lastly, that he should be permitted to make whatever alterations he chose in San Gallo’s design, or entirely supply its place with what he might consider more simple, or in a better style. To these conditions his holiness acceded, and the patent was made out accordingly: vi
ngelo made an original design upon a reduced scale, on the plan of a Greek cross, which met with the pope’s approbation; for, although the dimensions were less, the form
San Gallo’s model being more conformable to the principles of Saracenic than of Grecian or Roman architecture in the multiplicity and division of its parts, Michel Angelo made an original design upon a reduced scale, on the plan of a Greek cross, which met with the pope’s approbation; for, although the dimensions were less, the form was more grand than that of San Gallo’s model. Having commenced his labours on this edifice, it advanced with considerable activity, and before the end of the pontificate of Paul III. began to assume its general form and character. This, however, was only a part of his extensive engagements. He was commissioned to carry on the building of the Farnese paictfee, left unfinished by the death of San Gallo; and employed to build a palace on the Capitoline-hill for the senator of Rome, two galleries for the reception of sculpture and pictures, and also to ornament this celebrated site with antique statues and relics of antiquity, from time to time dug up and discovered in Rome and its environs.
rably disposed towards him than his predecessor; however, they presented a memorial, petitioning the pope to hold a committee of architects in St. Peter’s at Rome, to
As in proceeding with St. Peter’s, he had, agreeably to
his patent, chosen his own workmen, and dismissed others,
the latter seldom failed of exerting such malice against
him as they could display with impunity; and being exasperated by disappointments, they endeavoured to represent him as an unworthy successor of San Gallo, and upon
the death of Paul III. an effort was mad^ to remove him
from his situation, but Julius III. who succeeded to the
pontificate, was hot less favourably disposed towards him
than his predecessor; however, they presented a memorial,
petitioning the pope to hold a committee of architects in
St. Peter’s at Rome, to convince his holiness that their
accusations and complaints were not unfounded. At the
head of this party was cardinal Salviati, nephew to Leo X.
and cardinal Marcello Cervino, who was afterwards pope
by the title of Marcellus II. Julius agreed to the investigation, and the parties appeared in his presence. The
complainants stated, that the church wanted light, and the
architects had previously furnished the two cardinals with
a particular example to prove the basis of the general position, which was, that he had walled up a. recess for three
chapels, and made only three insufficient windows; upon
which the pope asked Michel Angelo. to give his reasons
for having done so; he replied, “I should wish first to
hear the deputies.
” Cardinal Marcello immediately said
for himself and cardinal Salviati, “We ourselves are the
deputies.
” Then said Michel Angelo, “In the part of
the church alluded to, over those windows are to be placed
three others.
” “You never said that before,
” replied
the cardinal; to which he answered with some warmth:
“1 am not, neither will I ever be obliged to tell your
eminence, or any one else, what I ought or am disposed
to do; it is your office to see that the money be provided,
to take care of the thieves, and to leave the building of St.
Peter’s to me.
” Turning to the pope, “Holy father, you
see what I gain; if these machinations to which I am exposed are not for my spiritual welfare, I lose both my
labour and my time.
” The pope replied, putting his
hands upon his shoulders, “Do not doubt, your gain is
Dpw, and will be hereafter;
” and at the same time gave
him assurance of his confidence and esteem.
Julius prosecuted no work in architecture or sculpture
without consulting him. What was done in the Vatican,
or in his villa on the Flaminian way, was with Michel Angelo’s advice and superintendance. He was employed also
to rebuild a bridge across the Tiber, but as his enemies
artfully pretended to commiserate his advanced age, he so
far fell into this new snare as to leave the bridge to be
completed by an inferior artist, and in five years it was
washed away by a flood, as Michel Angelo had prophesied. In 1555 his friend and patron pope Julius died,
and perhaps it would have been happier for Michel Angelo
if they had ended their days together, for he was now
eighty-one years old, and the remainder of his life was
interrupted by the caprices of four successive popes, and
the intrigues under their pontificates. Under all these
vexations, however, he went on by degrees with his great
undertaking, and furnished designs for various inferior
works, but his enemies were still restless. He now sawthat his greatest crime was that of having lived too long;
and being thoroughly disgusted with the cabals, he was
solicitous to resign, that his last days might not be tormented by the unprincipled exertions of a worthless faction. That he did not complain from the mere peevishness
of age will appear from a statement of the last effort of
his enemie.s, the most formidable of whom were the directors of the building. Their object was to make Nanni
Biggio the chief architect, which they carefully concealed,
and the bishop of Ferratino, who was a principal director,
began the contrivance by recommending to Michel Angelo
not to attend to the fatigue of his duty, owing to his advanced age, but to nominate whomever he chose to supply
his place. By this contrivance Michel Angelo willingly
yielded to so courteous a proposition, and appointed Daiiiello da Volterra. As soon as this was effected, it was
made the basis of accusation against him, for incapacity,
which left the directors the power of choosing a successor,
and they immediately superseded da Volterra, by appointing Biggio in his stead. This was so palpable a trick,
go untrue in principle, and so injurious in its tendency,
that in justice to himself, he thought it necessary to represent it to the pope, at the same time requesting that
it might be understood there was nothing he more solicited
than his dismission. His holiness took up the discussion
with interest, and begged he would not recede until he
Vol. VII. X
had made proper inquiry, and a day was immediately appointed for the directors to meet him. They only stated
in general terms, that Michel Angelo was ruining the
building, and that the measures they had taken were essentially necessar}*, but the pope previously sent Signor
Gabrio Serbelloni to examine minutely into the affair,
who was a man well qualified for that purpose. Upon this
occasion he gave his testimony so circumstantially, that the
whole scheme was shown in one view to originate in falsehood, and to have been fostered by malignity. Biggio
was dismissed and reprimanded, and the directors apologized, acknowledging they had been misinformed, but
Michel Angelo required no apology; all he desired was,
that the pope should know the truth; and he would have
now resigned, had not his holiness prevailed upon him to
hold his situation, and made a new arrangement, that his
designs might not only be strictly executed as long as he
lived, but adhered to after his death.