ers, viz. that “George was the more plausible preacher, Robert the greater scholar; George the abler statesman, Robert the deeper divine; gravity did frown in George, and
The fame of Dr. Abbot’s lectures became very great;
and those which he delivered upon the supreme power of
kings against Bellarmine and Suarez afforded the king so
much satisfaction, that, when the see of Salisbury became
vacant, he named him to that bishoprick; and he was consecrated by his own brother, the archbishop of Canterbury,
Dec. 3, 1615. It would appear that he had enemies who
would have deferred his promotion for various reasons.
When he came to do homage, the king said, “Abbot, I
have had very much to do to make thee a bishop; but I
know no reason for it, unless it were because thou hast
written against one,
” alluding to Dr. Bishop before-mentioned. In his way to Salisbury, he took a solemn farewell
of Oxford, and was accompanied for some miles by the
heads of houses and other eminent scholars, who deeply
regretted his departure. On his arrival at Salisbury he bestowed much attention on his cathedral, which had been
neglected, and raised a considerable subscription for repairs. He afterwards visited the whole of his diocese, and
preached every Sunday while his health permitted, which
was not long, as the sedentary course he had pursued
brought on the stone and gravel, which ended his pious
and useful life, March 2, 1617. He had enjoyed his
bishoprick only two years and three months, and was interred in the cathedral. He was twice married; the last
time, which is said to have given offence to his brother the
archbishop, about half a year after his promotion to the
see. The lady, whose name seems to have escaped the
researches of his biographers, was Bridget Cheynell, wU
dow, and mother of the famous Francis Cheynell. By his
first wife he left one son, or more, and a daughter who was
married to sir Nathaniel Brent, warden of Merton college.
All his biographers concur in the excellence of his
character, his eminent piety, charity, and learning. One of them
has attempted a parallel between the two brothers, viz.
that “George was the more plausible preacher, Robert
the greater scholar; George the abler statesman, Robert
the deeper divine; gravity did frown in George, and smile
in Robert.
”
ry government, with a care and skill worthy of the great general, and the enlightened and beneficent statesman. But circumstances rendering it necessary that the civil and
Soon after the war broke out on the Continent in 1792-3, he was employed there, and had the local rank of lieutenant-general conferred upon him. He commanded the advanced guard in the action on the heights at Gateau, and was wounded at Nimeguen. On every occasion his bravery and skill procured him the warmest praise of the commander in chief, and of the army. In the unfortunate retreat from Holland, in the winter of 1794, the guards as well as the sick were left under his care, whom he conducted with the utmost humanity, amidst many painful scenes, during the disastrous march from Deventer to Oldensall. In 1795, he was made knight of the Bath, and appointed commander in chief of the forces in the West Indies. On his arrival, he obtained possession of the island of Grenada, in the month of March, and soon after of the settlements of Demarara and Essequibo, in South America. His next conquests were the islands of St. Lucia and St. Vincent’s; and in February 1797 the Spanish island of Trinidad capitulated to him. This successful campaign being concluded, he returned to Europe, and had the command conferred upon him of the 2d, or North British dragoons, and had been before his arrival promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and was appointed lieutenant-governor of the Isle of Wight, from which he was in 1798 removed to the higher office of governor of Fort Augustus and Fort St. George. Previous to this he was appointed commander in chief in Ireland. In this situation he laboured to maintain the discipline of the army, to suppress the rising rebellion, which had been concerted between the French government and a number of traitors at home; and he protected the people from the inconveniencies of military government, with a care and skill worthy of the great general, and the enlightened and beneficent statesman. But circumstances rendering it necessary that the civil and military command of that country should be invested in the same person (the marquis Cornwallis), he was removed to the chief command in Scotland, where his conduct gave universal satisfaction.
our books, with a great collection of his letters to foreign princes, which evince his sagacity as a statesman, and his politeness as a writer. He married Laura Frederigi,
, an eminent lawyer and historian of the fifteenth century, and the first of that ancient
Tuscan family who acquired a name for literary talents,
was born at Arezzo, in 1415. His father was Michel
Accolti, a civilian of Florence, and his mother a daughter
of Roselli of Arezzo, also a lawyer. After a classical
education, he studied the civil law, and was made professor
at Florence, where his opinions acquired him much popularity. The Florentines, after conferring on him the rights
of citizenship, chose him in 1459 to be secretary of the
republic, in the room of Poggius, which office he retained
until his death in 1466. The account of his transactions
in public affairs are preserved in four books, with a great
collection of his letters to foreign princes, which evince
his sagacity as a statesman, and his politeness as a writer.
He married Laura Frederigi, the daughter of a lawyer and
patrician of Florence, by whom he had a numerous family,
of whom Bernard and Peter will be noticed hereafter. His
memory is said to have been so retentive, that on one
occasion, after hearing the Hungarian ambassador pronounce a Latin address to the magistrates of Florence, he
repeated the whole word for word. His inclination for the
Study of history made him relax in the profession of the
law, and produced: 1. “De bello a Christianis contra Barbaros gesto, pro Christi sepulchre et Judaea recuperandis,
libri quatuor,
” Venice, De praestantia
virorum sui aevi,
” Parma, Vitae summorum dignitate et eruditione
virorum.
”
, a French statesman of great worth and talents, was born at Limoges, Nov. 7, 1668,
, a French statesman
of great worth and talents, was born at Limoges, Nov. 7,
1668, the son of Henry d'Aguesseau, then intendant of
the Limoisin, and afterwards counsellor of state. The
family was distinguished for having produced many able
magistrates, among whom was Anthony, the grandfather
of the chancellor, who was first president of the parliament
of Bourdeaux. Henry-Francis, the subject of the present
article, was educated under his father in every species of
knowledge which promised to qualify him for the office of
magistrate. After being admitted, in 1690, an advocate,
he became, a few months after, advocate-general of the
parliament of Paris, at the age of only twenty-two years.
The king, in appointing one so young to an office of very
great consequence, was guided solely by the recommendation of his father. “I know him,
” said his majesty, “to
be incapable of deceiving me, even in the case of his own
son;
” and the young advocate completely justified the confidence reposed in him. The celebrated Denis Talon, who
had obtained great reputation in the same office, declared
that he should have been willing to conclude his career as
that young man had begun his. After having performed
the functions of his office with reputation equal to his commencement, he became procurator-general; and the nature
of his new office furnished him with occasion to display
new talents in the public service. In particular, he introduced a complete system of reformation in the management of the hospitals, by which abuses were prevented
or corrected; and he restored order and discipline in the
tribunals, by which the criminal code was greatly improved.
In questions respecting estates, he discovered much acuteness and knowledge of antiquities.
nours long. In 1722, he refused to yield precedence to cardinal Dubois, the first minister; and this statesman, who wished to keep at a distance from court every man of virtue
Aguesseau himself considered it as an honour to be recalled in a time of danger, and immediately began to
repair the mischief done in his absence, by ordering the payment of the notes issued by the bank, as far as was possible;
and although the loss to individuals was great, this measure was less odious than a total bankruptcy, which had
been proposed. But a new storm burst forth in this corrupt court, which he was unable to oppose with his usual
firmness. The regent, who had cajoled the parliament to
nullify the will of Louis XIV. now solicited him to register
the declaration of the king in favour of the bull Unigenitus.
This was done in compliance with Dubois, now become
archbishop of Cambray, and wfro, expecting a cardinal’s
hat, had flattered the court of Rome with hopes of hayiug
the bull registered. D‘Aguesseau had refused this, as we
have seen, in the reign of Louis XIV. without being influenced by any spirit of party, but purely from his attachment to the rights of the crown. But now, when chancellor, he seemed to view the matter in another light; he
thought it his duty to negociate with the parliament; and
the parliament rejected his propositions, and was banished
to Pontoise. The regent then imagiued he might register
the declaration in the grand council. In this solemn assembly D’Aguesseau met with a repartee which he no doubt
felt. Perelle, one of the members, having opposed the
registration with much spirit, D'Aguesseau asked him
where he had found all his arguments against it “In the
pleadings of the deceased M. chancellor D'Aguesseau,
”
answered Perelle, very coolly; nor was this the only
instance in which he was treated with ridicule on this
change in his sentiments and conduct. In the mean time
the court having threatened to send the parliament to Blois,
the chancellor offered to resign the seals; but the regent
requested him to retain them: and at length the parliament
consented to register the disputed declaration with certain
modifications. D‘Aguesseau, however, did not enjoy his
honours long. In 1722, he refused to yield precedence to
cardinal Dubois, the first minister; and this statesman,
who wished to keep at a distance from court every man of
virtue and dignity of character, procured the chancellor to
be again banished, and he was not recalled until 1727,
but without having the seals restored to him. In the mean
time the court and parliament were still at variance on ecclesiastical affairs, and the cardinal Fleuri wished to engage
D’Aguesseau’s influence in favour of the court; but the
latter had unfortunately lost his credit in a great measure,
and was considered as a deserter from the cause which he
Jiad once defended with so much spirit.
, an eminent Spanish statesman, and cardinal, was born May 15, 1664. His birth and early employments
, an eminent Spanish statesman, and cardinal, was born May 15, 1664. His birth and early employments afforded no presage of his future ambition and fame. He was the son of a gardener near Parma, and when a boy, officiated as bell-ringer, and attended upon the parish church of his village. The rector, finding him a shrewd youth, taught him Latin. Alberoni afterwards took orders, and had a small living, on which he resided. While here, M. Campistron, a Frenchman^ secretary to the duke of Vendome, who commanded Louis XIV's armies in Italy, was robbed, and stripped of his clothes and money, by some ruffians near Alberon^s village. Alberoni, hearing of his misfortune, took him into his house, furnished him with clothes, and gave him as much money as he could spare, for his travelling expences. Campistron, no less impressed with the strength of his understanding than with the warmth of his benevolence, took him to the head quarters, and presented him to his general, as a man to whom he haxi very great obligations.
ifferent in their kind, are highly characteristic of the humorous pride and turbulent spirit of this statesman. When the marshal de Maillebois commanded the French troops
From the same authority, we shall conclude this article
with two anecdotes, which, although different in their kind,
are highly characteristic of the humorous pride and turbulent spirit of this statesman. When the marshal de Maillebois commanded the French troops at Parma, in 1746,
Alberoni waited upon him concerning some business, but
was refused admittance to him by his secretary, who told
him the marshal was engaged in some affairs of importance, and could not see him. “Mon ami,
” replied the
cardinal, very indignantly, and opening the door of the
marshal’s apartment at the same time, “sachez que M. de
Vendome me recevoit sur la chaise percee.
”
, an eminent Spanish statesman and cardinal, of the fourteenth century, descended from the
, an eminent
Spanish statesman and cardinal, of the fourteenth century,
descended from the royal families of Leon and Arragon,
was born at Cuen^a, and educated at Toulouse. Alphon$us XI. appointed him, in succession, almoner of his court,
and archdeacon of Calatrava; and lastly, although he was
then very young, promoted him to the archbishopric of
Toledo. He accompanied the king of Castille in his expedition against the Moors of Andalusia, in which his rank
of archbishop did not prevent him from carrying arms; and
he first displayed his bravery in saving the king’s life m
the hottest onset of the battle of Tarifa. Alphonsus, in
return, knighted him, and in 1343 gave him the command
at the siege of Algesiras; but on the death of this prince,
he lost his influence with his successor, Peter the cruel,
whom he reproved for his irregularities, and who would
have sacrificed him to the resentment of his mistress Maria
de Padilla, if he had not made his escape to Avignon.
Here the pope Clement VI. admitted him of his council,
and made him a cardinal; on which he resigned his archbishopric, saying, that he should be as much to blame in
keeping a wife with whom he could not live, as Peter king
of Castille, in forsaking his wife for a mistress. Innocent
VI. the successor of Clement, sent him to Italy in 1353,
both as pope’s legate and as general, to reconquer the
ecclesiastical states which had revolted from the popes
during the residence of the latter at Avignon. This commission Albornos executed in the most satisfactory manner,
either by force or intrigue; but in the midst of his career,
he was recalled in 1357, and another commander sent on
the expedition. He, however, having been unfortunate,
the pope saw his error, and again appointed Albornos,
who completed the work by securing the temporal power
of the popes over those parts of Italy which have been,
down to the present times, known by the name of the
Ecclesiastical States. Having thus achieved his conquest,
Albornos, as a minister of state, rendered himself for
many years very popular. To Bologna he gave a new
constitution, and founded in that city the magnificent
Spanish college; and for the other parts of the ecclesiastical dominions, he enacted laws which remained in force
for four centuries after. At length he announced to pope
Urban V. that he might now enter and reign at Rome
without fear, and was receiving him in pomp at Viterbo,
when the pope, forgetting for a moment the services Albornos had rendered to the holy see, demanded an
account of his expenditure during his legation. Albornos
immediately desired him to look into the court-yard of
the palace, where was a carriage full of keys, telling him
that with the money intrusted to him, he had made the
pope master of all the cities and castles of which he now
saw the keys. The pope on this embraced and thanked
him. He then accompanied Urban to Rome, but returned
afterwards to Viterbo, where he died August 24, 1367,
regretted by the people, and by the pope; who, finding
himself embarrassed with new cares, more than ever
wanted his advice. Albornos’s body was removed to Toledo, at his own request, and interred with great pomp.
He wrote a book on the constitutions of the Roman church,
which was printed at Jesi, in 1475, and is very rare. His
will also was printed, with this injunction, characteristic
of the man and the age he lived in, that the monks should
say 60,000 masses for his soul. His political life was written by Sepulveda, under the title “Historia de hello administrate in Italia per annos 15, et confecto abÆg. Albornotio,
” Bologna,
, a poet and statesman of Scotland, is said to have been a descendant of the ancient
, a poet and statesman of Scotland, is said to have been a descendant of the ancient family of Macdonald. Alexander Macdonald, his ancestor, obtained from one of the earls of Argyle a grant of the lands of Menstrie in the comity of Clackmanan, and our author’s sirname was taken from this ancestor’s proper name. He was born about the year 1580, and from his infancy exhibited proofs of genius, which his friends were desirous of improving by the best instruction which the age afforded, Travelling was at that time an essential branch of education, and Mr. Alexander had the advantage of being appointed tutor, or rather companion, to the earl of Argyle, who was then about to visit the continent.
a Prussian statesman, knight of the orders of the red and black eagle, lord of Hundisburgh,
a Prussian statesman, knight of the orders of the red and black
eagle, lord of Hundisburgh, &c. was born Dec. 12, 1745,
at Hanover, where his father was counsellor of war. During the seven years war he was brought up at Magdebourg
with the prince, afterwards Frederic-William II. He then
studied law at the university of Halle, and was appointed
referendary in the court of accounts at Berlin, and in 1775,
was sent as envoy extraordinary to the elector of Saxony,
with the title of king’s chamberlain. This proved the
commencement of a diplomatic career, for which he was
thought qualified by his extensive knowledge and accomplishments, and the address with which he retained the
good opinion of Frederic II. During the war for the succession of Bavaria, he acted as intermediate agent between
the king of Prussia and the old electorate court, and between the army of Frederic and that of Prince Henry.
After having been engaged in this office for twelve years,
he was sent as ambassador, in 1787, to the court of France.
In 1788 he was sent, in the same capacity, to Holland and
in 1789 to England. In 1790 he was recalled from the
latter, and appointed minister for foreign affairs, and his
zeal and activity rendered him highly acceptable in the
court of Berlin. During his administration he founded
several benevolent establishments. He died at Berlin in
1802. As a writer he is known by a historical work entitled “Essai d‘un tableau chronologique des evenements
cle la guerre, depuis la pair de Munster, jusqu’a celle de.
Hubertsbourg,
” Berlin,
a French cardinal and statesman of the illustrious house of Amboise in France, so called from
a French cardinal and statesman of the illustrious house of Amboise in France, so called
from their possessing the seignory of that name, was born
in 1460. Being destined at a very early age for the
church, he was elected bishop of Montauban when only
fourteen. He was afterwards made one of the almoners to
Lewis XI. to whom he behaved with great prudence. After
the death of this prince in 1480, he entered into some of
the intrigues of the court with a design to favour the duke
of Orleans, with whom he was closely connected; but
those intrigues being discovered, d‘Aniboise and his protector were both imprisoned. The duke of Orleans was
at last restored to his liberty; and this prince having negotiated the marriage of the king with the princess Anne
of Britanny, acquired great reputation and credit at court.
Of this his favourite d’Amboise felt the happy effect as,
soon after, the archbishopric of Narbonne was bestowed on
him; but being at too great a distance from the court, he
changed it for that of Rouen, to which the chapter elected
him in 1493. As soon as he had taken possession of his
new see, the duke of Orleans, who was governor of Normandy, made him lieutenant-general, with the same power
as if he had been governor in cbief. This province was
at that time in great disorder: the noblesse oppressed the
people, the judges were all corrupted or intimidated; the
soldiers, who had been licentious since the late wars, infested the high-ways, plundering and assassinating all
travellers they met; but in less-than a year, d‘Amboise by
his care and prudence established public tranquillity. The
king dying in 1498, the duke of Orleans ascended the
throne, by the name of Lewis XII. and d’Amboise became
his prime minister. By his first operation in that office, he
conciliated the affection of the whole nation. It had been
a custom when a new monarch ascended the throne, to lay
an extraordinary tax on the people, to defray the expences of the coronation, but by the counsel of d‘Amboise
this tax was not levied, and the imposts were soon reduced
one tenth. His virtues coinciding with his knowledge, he
made the French nation happy, and endeavoured to preserve the glory they had acquired. By his advice Lewis
XII. undertook the conquest of the Milanese in 1499.
Lewis the Moor, uncle and vassal of Maximilian, was then
in possession of that province. It revolted soon after the
conquest, but d’Amboise brought it back to its duty. Some
time after he was received at Paris with great magnificence, in quality of legate from the pope. During his
legation, he laboured to reform many of the religious orders, as the jacobins, the cordeliers, and those of St. Germain des Pres. His disinterestedness was equal to his zeal.
He never possessed more than one benefice, two thirds of
which he employed for the relief of the poor and the support of the churches. Contenting himself with his archbishopric of Rouen and his cardinal’s hat, he was not,
like his contemporaries, desirous to add abbeys to it. A
gentleman of Normandy having offered to sell him an estate
at a very low price, in order to portion his daughter, he
made him a present of a sum sufficient for that purpose,
and left him the estate. He obtained the purple after the
dissolution of the marriage between Lewis XII. and Joan
of France, to which he greatly contributed: and, on having
procured for Caesar Borgia, son of pope Alexander VI.
the duchy of Valentinois, with a considerable pension, his
ambition was to be pope, with a view to the reform of
abuses, and the correction of manners. After the death of
Pius III. he might have succeeded in his wishes, and
took measures to procure the tiara, but cardinal Julian de
Rovera (afterwards Julius II.) found means to circumvent
him; and the Venetians having contributed to his exclusion, he took the first opportunity to excite Lewis XII. to
make war on them, a circumstance which seems not a little
to detract from his character. This celebrated cardinal
died in 15 10, in the convent of the Celestines at Lyons,
of the gout in his stomach, aged 50 years. It is reported
that he often repeated to the friar who attended him in his
illness, “Brother John, why have I not during my whole
life been brother John?
” This minister has been greatly
praised for having laboured for the happiness of France;
but he has been equally censured for having advised his
master to sign the treaty of Blois in 1504, by which France
ran the risk of being dismembered. He governed both
the king and the state; laborious, kind, honest, he possessed good sense, firmness, and experience, but he was
not a great genius, nor were his views extensive. The
desire he had to ease the people in their taxes, procured
him during his life, but much more after his death, the
title of father of the people. He merited this title still
more, by the care he took to reform the administration of
justice. Most of the judges were venal, and the poor,
and those who had no support, could never obtain justice,
when their opposers were either powerful or rich. Another
evil not less enormous troubled the kingdom; law-suits
were spun out to such a length, were so expensive, and
accompanied by so much trick and chicanery, that most
people rather chose to abandon their rights than engage in
the recovery of them by suits which had no prospect of
coming to an end. D‘Amboise resolved to remedy this
abuse. He called to his assistance many lawyers and civilians, the most learned and of the greatest integrity;
and charged them to form a plan, by which justice might
be administered without partiality, the duration of lawsuits abridged and rendered less ruinous, and the corruption of the judges prevented. When these commissioners
had made their report, d’Amboise undertook the laborious
task of examining into the changes they had proposed in
the old laws, and the new regulations they designed to
establish; and after having made some changes, these new
regulations were published throughout the kingdom. As
he was governor of Normandy, he made a progress through
that province for the express purpose of seeing his new
code properly established.
Among his pupils were several eminent men, particularly the tragedian Euripides, and the orator and statesman Pericles; to whom some add Socrates and Themistocles.
, of Clazomene, one of the most eminent of the ancient philosophers, was born in the first year
of the seventieth olympiad, B. C. 500, and was a disciple
of Anaximenes. He inherited from his parents a patrimony which might have secured him independence and
distinction at home; but such was his thirst after knowledge, that, about the twentieth year of his age, he left his
country, without taking proper precautions concerning his
estate, and went to reside at Athens. Here he diligently
applied himself to the study of eloquence and poetry, and
was particularly conversant with the works of Homer, whom
be admired as the best preceptor, not only in style, but in
morals. Engaging afterwards in speculations concerning
nature, the fame of the Milesian school induced him to leave
Athens, that he might attend upon the public instructions
of Anaximenes. Under him he became acquainted with
his doctrines, and those of his predecessors, concerning
natural bodies, and the origin of things. So ardently did
he engage in these inquiries, that he said concerning himself that he was born to contemplate the heavens. Visiting
his native city, he found that, whilst he had been busy in
the pursuit of knowledge, his estate had run to waste, anct
remarked, that to this ruin he owed his prosperity. One
of his fellow-citizens complaining that he, who was so well
qualified, both by rank and ability, for public offices, had
shown so little regard for his country, he replied, “My
first care is for my country,
” pointing to heaven. After
remaining for some years at Miletus, he returned to Athens,
and there taught philosophy in private. Among his pupils
were several eminent men, particularly the tragedian Euripides, and the orator and statesman Pericles; to whom
some add Socrates and Themistocles.
atisfaction than to the advantage of the revenue. He continued in this employment under that eminent statesman, until his declining health rendered him incapable of intense
, F. R. S. an eminent mathematician, was born in 1746, and admitted of Westminster
school in 1759, from whence he was elected to Trinity
college, Cambridge, in 1765, where he took his bachelor’s
degree in 1769 and his master’s in 1772. He was for some
time a tutor, and for many years a fellow of that college,
and read to the whole university lectures upon several
branches of experimental philosophy, part of which he
published under the title of “An Analysis of a course of
Lectures on the principles of Natural Philosophy, read in
the university of Cambridge, by G. A. &c.
” .
The right hon. Wm. Pitt having been one of his auditors,
was induced to form a more intimate acquaintance with
him; and discovering that his talents might be eminently
useful in the public service, bestowed upon him, in 1784,
the place of patent searcher of the customs, London, that
he might be enabled to devote a larger portion of his time
to financial calculations, in which Mr. Pitt employed him,
not more to his own satisfaction than to the advantage of
the revenue. He continued in this employment under
that eminent statesman, until his declining health rendered
him incapable of intense application. In 1784, he also
published
” A treatise on the rectilinear Motion and Rotation of Bodies, with a description of original Experiments
relative to the subject," 8vo. He contributed several papers to the Philosophical Transactions, and was honoured,
on one occasion, with the Copleian medal. He died at
his house in Westminster, July 1807, and was interred in
St. Margaret’s church, justly esteemed by a numerous list
of friends, and by the friends of science.
the Councils, and on Tertullian. His brother Charles became marquis de Chateau-Neuf, and an eminent statesman in the seventeenth century.
, the son of William Aubespine, who was ambassador from the French court in
England, became bishop of Orleans in 1604. He was
remarkable for his zeal as a divine, and his great application as a student, and was employed, as his father had been,
in many public transactions. He died at Grenoble, Aug.
15, 1630, in the 52d year of his age. His writings are,
“De veteribus ecclesiae ritibus,
” Un traite de Tancienne police de l'Eglise,
” respecting
the administration of the eucharist. He published also
notes on the Councils, and on Tertullian. His brother
Charles became marquis de Chateau-Neuf, and an eminent statesman in the seventeenth century.
, a French statesman, was born at Paris in 1720. He was counsellor in the parliament
, a French statesman, was born at Paris in 1720. He was counsellor in
the parliament of Paris, and so distinguished for talent
and probity, that he was appointed minister of state, and
comptroller of the finances, by Lewis XV. in 1763; but
was unfortunate in his administration, having formed some
injudicious plans respecting grain, which ended in increasing the wants they were intended to alleviate. He afterwards retired to Gambais, where he employed himself in
rural improvements, until the fatal period of the
revolution, when he was arrested, brought to Paris, and guillotined Oct. 1794, on an accusation of having monopolised
corn. He had been a member of the academy, and published, 1. “Code penal,
” De la pleine
souverainete du roi sur la province de Bretagne,
” Memoire sur le proces criminel de Robert d'Artois, pair de France,
” inserted in the account of the Mss.
of the national library. 4. “Experiences de Gambais sur
les bles noirs ou caries,
”
, a Spanish statesman and writer, was born in 1731, at Barbanales, near Balbastro
, a Spanish statesman and writer, was born in 1731, at Barbanales, near Balbastro in Aragon. An early enthusiasm for the fine arts
procured him the friendship of the celebrated artist Mengs,
who was first painter to the king of Spain. After the death
of Charles III. A zara constructed, in honour of his memory,
a temple, in an antique form, in the church of St. James,
which, although not faultless, discovered very considerable
talents and taste in architecture. He was, however, soon
employed in political concerns, and was sent to Rome, under the pontificate of Clement XIII. as ecclesiastical agent
at the chancery of Rome. He was afterwards attached to
the Spanish embassy, and took a very active part in various
important negociations between the courts of Spain and
Rome. In 1796 he was employed in a more difficult undertaking, to solicit the clemency of the conqueror of Italy
in behalf of Rome, where the French nation had been insulted, and he at least acquired the esteem of general Buonaparte. About the same time he became acquainted with
Joseph Bonaparte, then French ambassador at Rome. Being afterwards sent to Paris, in a diplomatic character, he
was favourably received, and found some relief from the recollection that he had left behind him his valued friends,
his fine library, and museum of paintings and antiques.
During this mission he experienced alternate favour and
disgrace, being recalled by his court, exiled to Barcelona,
and sent again to Paris with the rank of ambassador. His
health, however, was now much impaired, and when he was
indulging the hope of being able to return to Italy, and
pass the rest of his time in the enjoyment of his friends
and favourite pursuits, his constitution suddenly gave way,
and he expired January 26, 1797. He left a very considerable fortune in furniture, pictures, busts, &c. but appears to have lost his other property. He translated, 1.
Middleton’s life of Cicero, and some fragments of Pliny
and Seneca, under the title of “Historia della Vida di M.
T. Ciceroni,
” Madrid, Introduzione alia storia naturale e alia Geografia fisica di Spagna,
” Parma, Opere di Antonio-Raffaele Mengs,
” Parma, by Bodoni,
etermined his father to send him to France, that he might improve himself under that able and honest statesman, sir Amias Powlet, then the queen’s ambassador at Paris, and
Such early judgment determined his father to send him
to France, that he might improve himself under that able
and honest statesman, sir Amias Powlet, then the queen’s
ambassador at Paris, and his behaviour while tinder the
roof of that minister, was so prudent as to induce sir Amias
to intrust him with a commission of importance to the
queen, which required both secrecy and dispatch and this
he executed so as to gain much credit both to the ambassador and to himself. He afterwards returned to Paris,
but made occasional excursions into the provinces, where
his attention appears to have been principally directed towards men and manners. He applied also with great assiduity to such studies as he conceived came within his
father’s intention, and when he was but nineteen, wrote a
very ingenious work, entitled, “A succinct view of the
state of Europe,
” which, it is plain, he had surveyed not
only with the eye of a politician, but also of a philosopher.
This work, it is probable, he improved on his return, when
he was settled in Gray’s Inn. While thus employed
abroad, the death of his father obliged him to return, and
apply to some profession for his maintenance, as the money he inherited formed a very narrow provision. Accordingly, on his return, he resolved on the study of the common law, and for that purpose entered himself of the honourable society of Gray’s Inn, where his superior talents
rendered him the ornament of the house, and the gentleness and affability of his deportment procured him the affection of all its members. The place itself was so agreeable
to him, that he erected there a very elegant structure,
which many years after was known by the name of “Lord
Bacon’s Lodgings,
” which he inhabited occasionally through
the greatest part of his life. During the first years of his
residence here, he did not confine his studies entirely to
law, but indulged his excursive genius in a survey of the
whole circle of science. It was here, and at that early
age, where he formed, at least, if he did not mature, the
plan of that great philosophical work, which has distinguished his name with such superior honour. Whether
this first plan, or outlines, have descended to us, is a point
upon which his biographers are not agreed. It was probably, however, the “Temporis Partus Masculus,
” some
part of which is preserved by Gruter in the Latin works of
Bacon, which he published. The curious reader may receive much satisfaction on this subject from note D. of the
Life of Bacon in the “Biographia Britannica.
”
siness, although the queen expressed her opinion, by a proclamation, ordering them to be burnt. As a statesman, he was remarkable for a clear head, and acute understanding;
, lord keeper of the great seal
in the reign of queen Elizabeth, descended from an ancient and honourable family in Suffolk. His rather was
Robert Bacon of Drinkstxm in that county, esq. and his
mother was Isabel, the daughter of John Gage of Pakenhain in the said county, esq. Nicholas, their second son,
was born in 1510, at Chislehurst in Kent. After having
received the first rudiments of learning, probably at home,
or in the neighbourhood, he was sent when very young to
Corpus Christi college in Cambridge, where having improved in all branches of useful knowledge, he went to
France, in order to give the last polish to his education.
On his return he settled in Gray VInn, and applied himself with such assiduity to the study of the law, that on the
dissolution of the monastery of St. Edmund’s-Bury in Suffolk, he had a grant from king Henry VIII. in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, of the manors of Redgrave, Botesdale, and Gillingham, with the park of Redgrave, and six
acres of land in Worthanf, as also the tithes of Redgrave
to hold in capite by knight’s service, a proof of the estimation in which he was held by his majesty. In the thirtyeighth of the same king, he was promoted to the office of
attorney in the court of wards, a place both of honour and
profit, and his patent was renewed in the first year of Edward VI. and in 1552, which was the last year of his reign,
Mr. Bacon was elected treasurer of Gray’s-Inn. His great
moderation and consummate prudence, preserved him
through the dangerous reign of queen Mary. In the very
dawn of that of Elizabeth he was knighted, and the great
seal of England being taken from Nicholas Heath, archbishop of York, was delivered to sir Nicholas Bacon, on
the 22d of December 1558, with the title of lord keeper.
He was also of the privy council to her majesty, who had
much regard to his advice. The parliament met Jan. 23,
but was prorogued on account of the queen’s indisposition to the 25th, when the lord keeper opened the session
with a most eloquent and solid speech. Some of the
queen’s counsellors thought it necessary that the attainder of the queen’s mother should be taken off; but the
lord keeper thought the crown purged all defects, and in
compliance with his advice, two laws were made, one for
recognizing the queen’s title, the other for restoring her
in blood as heir to her mother. The principal business of
this session was the settlement of religion, in which no
man had a greater share than the keeper, and he acted
with such prudence as never to incur the hatred of any
party. On this account he was, together with the archbishop of York, appointed moderator in a dispute between
eight Protestant divines, and eight Popish bishops and
the latter behaving very unfairly in the opinion of both
the moderators, and desiring, to avoid a fair disputation,
to go away, the lord keeper put that question to each of
them, and when all except one insisted on going, his lordship dismissed them with this memorandum, “For that ye
would not that we should hear you, perhaps you may shortly hear of us
” and accordingly for this contempt, the
bishops of Winchester and Lincoln were committed to the
tower, and the rest were bound to appear before the council, and not to quit the cities of London and Westminster
without leave. The whole business of the session, than
which there was none of greater importance during that
reign, was chiefly managed by his lordship, according to
his wise maxim, “Let us stay a little, that we may have
done the sooner.
” From this time he stood as high in the
favour of the queen as any of her ministers, and maintained
a cordial interest with other great men, particularly with
those eminent persons, who had married into the same
family with himself, viz. Cecil, Hobby, Rowlet, and Killigrew. By their assistance he preserved his credit at court,
though he sometimes differed in opinion from the mighty
favourite Leicester, who yet once bad fair his ruin, when
certain intrigues were carried on respecting the succession.
Some statesmen, and particularly the earl of Leicester,
pretended to favour the title of the queen of Scots, but
others were more inclined to the house of Suffolk. The
queen sometimes affected a neutrality, and sometimes
shewed a tenderness for the title of the Scottish queen.
In 1564, when these disputes were at the height, Mr. John
Hales, clerk of the Hanaper, published a treatise which
seems to have been written a considerable time before,
in favour of the Suffolk line, and against the title of the
queen of Scots. This book was complained of by the
bishop of Ross, ambassador from the queen of Scots, and
Ross being warmly supported by the earl of Leicester,
Hales was committed to prison, and so strict an inquiry
made after all who had expressed any favour for this piece,
that at last the lord-keeper came to be suspected, which
drew upon him the queen’s displeasure, and he was forbidden the court, removed from his seat at council, and
prohibited from meddling with any affairs but those of the
chancery nay, Camden says he was confined . At last,
however, Cecil, who is suspected to have had some share
in the above treatise, with much difficulty restored him to
the queen’s good opinion, as appears by her setting him at
the head of that commission, granted in the year 1568, for
hearing the difference between the queen of Scots, and her
rebellious subjects; and in 1571, we find him again acting
in the like capacity, though very little was done before the
commissioners at either time, which was what queen Elizabeth chiefly desired, and the covering her inclination with
a decent appearance of justice, was perhaps not a little
owing to the address of the lord-keeper. Afterwards he
continued at the head of her majesty’s councils, and had a
great hand in preventing, by his moderation, some violent measures afterwards proposed. The share, however,
that he had in the business of the duke of Norfolk, and his
great care for promoting the Protestant religion, created
him many bitter enemies among the Papists both at home
and abroad, who though they were able to do him no great
hurt, yet published some libels, particularly “A Detection of certain practices, &c.
” printed in Scotland, about
A treatise of Treason,
” both which gave him
considerable uneasiness, although the queen expressed her
opinion, by a proclamation, ordering them to be burnt.
As a statesman, he was remarkable for a clear head, and
acute understanding; and while it was thought of some
other great men that they seemed wiser than they were,
yet the common voice of the nation pronounced, that sir
Nicholas Bacon was wiser than he seemed. His great skill
lay in balancing factions, and it is thought he taught the
queen that secret, the more necessary to her because the
last of her family, and consequently without many of the
usual supports of princes. In the chancery he distinguished himself by a very moderate use of power, and the
respect he shewed to the common law. At his own request,
an act of parliament was made, to settle and establish the
power of a lord -keeper, though he might probably have
taken away all need of this, by procuring the title of lord
chancellor: but according to his motto, which was Mediocra firma, he he was content to be safe, and did not desire
to be great*. In that court, and in the star-chamber, he
made use, on proper occasions, of set speeches, in which
he was peculiarly happy, and gained the reputation of a
witty and a weighty speaker. His great parts and great preferment were far from raising him in his own opinion, as
appears from the modest answer he gave* queen Elizabeth,
when she told him his house at Redgrave was too little
for him, “Not so, madam,
” returned he, “but your majesty has made me too great for my house.
” Yet to shew
his respect for her majesty’s judgment, he afterwards added
wings to this house. His modesty in this respect was so
much the greater, since he had a great passion for building,
and a very fine taste, as appeared by his house and gardens at Gorhambury near St. Alban’s, now the seat of lord
viscount Grimston. Towards the latter end of his life, he
became very corpulent, which made queen Elizabeth say
merrily, that “sir Nicholas’s soul lodged well. To himself, however, his bulk was very inconvenient after walking from Westminster-hall to the star-chamber, which was
but a very little way, he was usually so much out of breath,
that the lawyers forbore speaking at the bar till he recocovered himself, and gave them notice by knocking
” with
his staff. After having held the great seal more than
twenty years, this able statesman and faithful counsellor
was suddenly removed from this life, as Mallett informs us,
by the following accident “He was under the hands of
his barber, and the weather being sultry, had ordered a
window before him to be thrown open. As he was become very corpulent, he presently fell asleep, in the cur* After he had been some monthsact of parliament, which declares,
in office, as keeper of the great seal,
” That the common law always was,
he began to doubt to what degree his that the keeper of the great seal always
authority extended, which seems to had, as of right belonging to his office,
have been owing to the general terms the same authority, jurisdiction, excused upon the delivery of the great cution of laws, and all other customs,
Heal, of which we have various in- as the lord chancellor of England lawstances in Rymer’s Foedera. Upon fully used.“What the true reason
this, he first applied himself to the was that made his lordship so uneasy,
queen, from whom he procured a pa- is not perhaps known to posterity.
tent, bearing date at Westminster, the But sir Henry Spelman has observed,
14th of April, in the first year of her that for the benefit of that wise counreign, whereby she declares him te seller sir Nicholas Bacon, the authobare as full powers as if he were rity of the keeper of the great seal
hancellor of England, and ratifies all was by this law declared to be in all
that he had already done. This, how- respects the same with that of th
ever, did not fully satisfy him but chancellor,
four years afterwards he procured an
rent of fresh air that was blowing in upon him, and awaked
after some time distempered all over. c Why,‘ said he to
the servant, < did you suffer me to sleep thus exposed’
The fellow replied, ‘ That he durst not presume to disturb
him.’ * Then,‘ said the lord keeper, * by your civility I
lose my life,’ and so removed into his bed-chamber, where
he died a few days after.
” But this story seems doubtful,
for all writers agree, that sir Nicholas Bacon died Feb. 20,
1579, when the weather could not be very sultry. On the
9th of March following he was buried with great solemnity,
under a sumptuous monument erected by himself in St.
Paul’s church, with an inscription written by the celebrated
Buchanan. Camden’s character of him is just and plain
“Vir praepinguis, ingenio acerrimo, singulari prudentia,
summa eloquentia, tenaci memoria, et sacris conciliis alterum columen
” i. e. A man of a gross body, but most quick
wit, singular prudence, supreme eloquence, happy memory,
and for judgment the other pillar of the state. His son’s
pharacter of him is more striking. He was “a plain man,
direct and constant, without all finesse and doubleness
and one that was of a mind that a man, in his private proceedings and estate, and in the proceedings of state, should
rest upon the soundness and strength of his own courses,
and not upon practice to circumvent others, according to
the sentence of Solomon, * Vir prudens advertit ad gressus suos stultus autem divertit ad dolos’ insomuch that
the bishop of Ross, a subtle and observing man, said of him,
that he could fasten no words upon him, and that it was
impossible to come within him, because he offered no play;
and the queen mother of France, a very politic princess,
said of him, that he should have been of the council of
Spain, because he despised the occurrents, and rested
upon the first plot.
” Nor is Puttenham’s short account to
be overlooked “I have come to the lord keeper, and
found him sitting in his gallery alone, with the works of
Quintilian before him. Indeed he was a most eloquent
man, of rare wisdom and learning, as ever I knew England
to breed, and one that joyed as much in learned men and
0'.;d wits, from whose lippes Ihave seen to proceed more
i;rave and natural eloquence than from all the orators of
Oxford and Cambridge.
”
, a statesman of some note in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. and Mary,
, a statesman of some note in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. and Mary, is said to have been the son of Thomas Baker, a Kentish gentleman, but his pedigree in the' college of arms begins with his own name. He was bred to the profession of the laws, and in 1526, when a young man, was sent ambassador to Denmark, in company with Henry Standish, bishop of St. Asaph, according to the fashion of those times, when it was usual to join in foreign negociations, the only two characters which modern policy excludes from such services. At his return he was elected speaker of the house of commons, and was soon after appointed attorney-general, and sworn of the privy council, but gained no farther preferment till 1545, when, having recommended himself to the king by his activity in forwarding a loan in London, and other imposts, he was made chancellor of the exchequer. Henry constituted him an assistant trustee for the minor successor, after whose accession his name is scarcely mentioned in history, except in one instance, which ought not to be forgotten he was the only privy counsellor who steadfastly denied his assent to the last will of that prince, by which Mary and Elizabeth were excluded from inheriting the crown. Sir John married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Dinely, and widow of George Barret, who brought him two sons sir Richard (whose grandson was created a baronet) and John and three daughters Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Scott; Cecily, married to the lord treasurer Dorset, and Mary to John Tufton, of Heathfield in Kent. He died in 1558, and was bu ied at Sissingherst in Kent, where he had a fine estate, formerly belonging to the family of De Berham; and a noble mansion built by himself, called Sissingherst Castle, which remained with his posterity till the family became extinct about sixty years since, and has since bowed down its battlements to the unfeeling taste of the present day.
for ever. He was a rigid disciplinarian, a learned controversialist, an excellent preacher, a great statesman, and a vigilant governor of the church, and filled the see of
, archbishop of Canterbury in,
the reign of king James I. the son of John Bancroft, gentleman, and Mary daughter of Mr. John Curvvyn, brother of
Dr. Hugh Curvvyn, archbishop of Dublin, was born at Farnworth in Lancashire, in September 1544. After being
taught grammar, he became a student of Christ college,
Cambridge, where, in 1566-7, he took the degree of B. A.
and thence he removed to Jesus’ college, where, in 1570,
he commenced M. A. Soon after, he was made chaplain to
Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, who, in 1575, gave him the rectory of Teversham in Cambridgeshire. The year following he was licensed one of the university preachers, and in
1580 was admitted B. D. September 14th, 1584, he was
instituted to the rectory of St. Andrew, Holborn, at the
presentation of the executors of Henry earl of Southampton. In 1585 he commenced D. D. and the same year was
made treasurer of St. Paul’s cathedral in London. The
year following he became rector of Cottingham in Northamptonshire, at the presentation of sir Christopher Hatton, lord chancellor, whose chaplain he then was. Feb.
25th, 1589, he was made a prebendary of St. Paul’s, in
1592 advanced to the same dignity in the collegiate church
of Westminster, and in 1594 promoted to a stall in the
cathedral of Canterbury. Not long before, he had distinguished his zeal for the church of England by a learned and
argumentative sermon against the ambition of the Puritans,
preached at St. Paul’s cross. In 1597, Dr. Bancroft, being
then chaplain to the archbishop of Canterbury, Whitgift, was
advanced to the see of London, in the room of Dr. Richard
Fletcher, and consecrated at Lambeth the 8th of May.
From this time he had, in effect, the archiepiscopal power:
for the archbishop, being declined in years, and unfit for
business, committed the sole management of ecclesiastical
affairs to bishop Bancroft. Soon after his being made
bishop, he expended one thousand marks in the repair of
his house in London. In 1600, he, with others, was sent
by queen Elizabeth to Embden, to put an end to a difference between the English and Danes but the embassy had
no effect. This prelate interposed in the disputes between
the secular priests and the Jesuits, and furnished some of
the former with materials to write against their adversaries.
In the beginning of king James’s reign^ he was present at
the conference held at Hampton court, between the bishops
and the Presbyterian ministers. The same year, 1603, he
was appointed one of the commissioners for regulating the
affairs of the church, and for perusing and suppressing
books, printed in England, or brought into the realm without public authority. A convocation being summoned to
meet, March 20, 1603-4, and archbishop Whitgift dying in
the mean time, Bancroft was. by the king’s writ, appointed
president of that assembly. October 9tb, 1604, he was
nominated to succeed the archbishop in that high dignity,
to which he was elected by the dean and chapter, Nov. 17,
and confirmedin Lambeth chapel, Dec. 10. Sept. 5, 1605,
he was sworn one of his majesty’s most honourable privy
council. This year, in Michaelmas term, he exhibited
certain articles, to the lords of the council, against the
judges. This was a complaint of encroachment, and a
contest for jurisdiction between the temporal and ecclesiastical judges, and as Collier has well observed, ought
to be decided by neither side but the decision was against
him. In 1608 he was elected chancellor of the university
of Oxford, in the room of the earl of Dorset. In ] 6 10 thisarchbishop offered to the parliament a project for the better providing a maintenance for the clergy, but without
success. One of our historians pretends, that archbishop
Bancroft set on foot the building a college near Chelsea,
for the reception of students, who should answer all Popish
and other controversial writings against the church of England. This prelate died Nov. 2, 1610, of the stone, in his
palace at Lambeth. By his will he ordered his body to be
interred in the chancel of Lambeth church, and besides
other legacies, left all the books in his library to the archbishops his successors for ever. He was a rigid disciplinarian, a learned controversialist, an excellent preacher, a
great statesman, and a vigilant governor of the church, and
filled the see of Canterbury with great reputation but as
he was most rigid in his treatment of the Puritans, it is not
surprising that the nonconformist writers and their successors have spoken of him with much severity; but whatever
may be thought of his general temper and character, his
abilities appear to have been very considerable. In his famous sermon against the Puritans, there is a clearness,
freedom, and manliness of style, which shew him to have
been a great master of composition. It was printed with a,
tract of his, entitled “Survey of the pretended Holy Discipline.
” He wrote also another tract, entitled “Dangerous Positions,
” and there is extant, in the Advocates’
library at Edinburgh, an original letter from him to king
James I. containing an express vindication of pluralities.
This letter has been printed by sir David Dalrymple, in
the first volume of his Memorials. Dr. Bancroft is also the
person meant as the chief overseer of the last translation of
the Bible, in that paragraph of the preface to it beginning
with “But it is high time to leave them,
” &c. towards the
end.
nt, that every kind of reader may find in it something suitable to his own taste and disposition the statesman, the philosopher, the soldier, the lover, the citizen, the friend
Barclay’s Latin style, in his Argenis, has been much
praised, and much censured but upon the whole it is
elegant. It is said, that cardinal Richelieu was extremely
fond of reading this work, and that from thence he derived
many of his political maxims. It is observed in the preface to the last English translation, that “Barclay’s Argenis affords such variety of entertainment, that every kind
of reader may find in it something suitable to his own taste
and disposition the statesman, the philosopher, the soldier, the lover, the citizen, the friend of mankind, each
may gratify his favourite propensity while the reader, who
comes for his amusement only, will not go away disappointed.
” It is also remarked of this work in the same
preface, that “it is a romance, an allegory, and a system
of politics. In it the various forms of government are investigated, the causes of faction detected, and the remedies
pointed out for most of the evils that can arise in a state.
”
Cowper, the celebrated poet, pronounced it the most amusing romance ever written. “It is,
” he adds in a letter to
Sam. Rose, esq. “interesting in a high degree; richer'trt
incident than can be imagined, full of surprizes, which the
reader never forestalls, and yet free from all entanglement
and confusion. The style too appears to me to be such as
would not dishonour Tacitus himself.
” In this political
allegory, “by the kingdom of Sicily, France is described
during the time of the civil wars under Henry the Third.
and until the fixing the crown upon the head of Henry the
Fourth. By the country over-against Sicily, and frequently
her competitor, England is signified. By the country, formerly united under one head, but now divided into several
principalities, the author means Germany; i. e. Mergania.
Several names are disguised in the same manner, by transposing the letters.
” As to the principal persons designed,
“by Aquilius is meant the emperor of Germany, Calvin is
Usinulca, and the Hugenots are called Hyperephanii, Under the person and character of Poliarchus, Barclay undoubtedly intended to describe that real hero, Henry of
Navarre, as he has preserved the likeness even to his features and complexion. By his rivals are meant the leaders
of the different factions’; by Lycogenes and his friends,
the Lorrain party, with the duke of Guise at their head.
Some features of Hyanisbe’s character are supposed to resemble queen Elizabeth of England Radirobanes is the
king of Spain, and his fruitless expedition against Mauritania is pointed at the ambitious designs of Philip the Second, and his invincible armada. Under Meleander, the
character of Henry the Third of France seems intended
though the resemblance is very flattering to him.
”
As a particular account of this arTair will more properly come under the article of that celebrated statesman, we shall take no other notice of it here than what may be necessary
As Mr. Barnard was so assiduous in discharging his duty
to his constituents, and took so constant a part in every
important affair that occurred during a very interesting
period, of the British annals, were we to take particular
notice of all the business wherein he was engaged, and of
all the debates in which he spoke, we should run too far
into the general history of the time, but the more distinguished instances of his parliamentary conduct will unavoidably be mentioned in the course of our narrative.
Violent disputes having arisen in the city of London,
about the choice of sheriffs and aldermen, it was thought
necessary to ascertain more clearly than they were then understood, the rights and modes of election for the future.
Accordingly, in 1725, a bill was brought into parliament
to effect that important purpose. But the citizens apprehending that it invaded their just privileges, formed a
strong opposition to it, in which they were supported by
three of their representatives, Child, Lock wood, and
Barnard. Mr. Barnard objected to it, that, by its making
an alteration in the city charter, it established a bad precedent for the crown to violate corporation charters at
their pleasure; that.it took away from a number of honest
citizens the right they had enjoyed, from time immemorial, of voting at wardmote elections that it abridged
the privileges of the common -council and that, by transferring too great a weight of authority and influence to
the court of mayor and aldermen, it subverted, in a considerable degree, the ancient constitution of the metropolis. The formal thanks of the citizens were presented,
by a deputation of four aldermen and eight commoners,
to Mr. Barnard and his two colleagues, for their cgnduct
in this affair. The bill, notwithstanding all opposition,
passed into a layv and it is the statute by which all elections in the city are now regulated. However, the most
obnoxious part of the act, which granted a negative power
to the lord mayor and aldermen, was repealed in 1746
and to this sir John Barnard greatly contributed. On the
4th of January 1728, Mr. Barnard was chosen alderman
of Dowgate Ward, upon the death of John Crawley, esq.
On the 14th of April, 1729, he presented a bill to the
house of commons, for the better regulation and gove'rnment of seamen in the merchants service which, having
passed in that house on the 6th of May, was sent up to the
lords, and received the royal assent on the 14th of the
same month. About this time, likewise, he took an active
part in the inquiry, which, in consequence of the iniquitous and cruel conduct of Thomas Bambridge, warden
of trie Fleet, was made into the state of the gaols in this
kingdom. When Bambridge and his agents were committed to Newgate, and the attorney-general was ordered
to prosecute them, alderman Barnard was very assiduous
as a magistrate, in procuring information concerning the
several abuses which had been practised in the Fleet to
the oppression of the debtors and he so pathetically represented the grievances under which they laboured, as
to be greatly instrumental in obtaining the act of insolvency, and the act for the relief of debtors, with respect
to the imprisonment of their persons, which were assented
to by the king, at the close of the session, on the 14th of
May, 1729. Another occasion which he had of displaying
his parliamentary abilities, was, when on the 24th of February 1729-30, the bill was read a second time, “To
prevent any persons, his majesty’s subjects, or residing
within this kingdom, to advance any sum of money to any
foreign prince, state, or potentate, without having obtained licence from his majesty under his privy seal, or
some greater authority.
” The bill had taken its rise from
a negotiation which had been set on foot by the emperor
of Germany, to obtain a loan in England, of 400,000/1
Mr. Barnard, who opposed the passing of the act, alleged in
the course of the debate, several important reasons against
it; which, however, were answered in a masterly manner by
sir Philip Yorke. The opposition so far prevailed, that
the bill was modified in a certain degree and an expla^
natiort was given by the ministry, that it was not his majesty’s intention to prevent his subjects from lending money
to the king of Portugal, or any other prince in alliance
with England and that the only reason for not naming
the emperor in the bill was, that by making it general,
there could be no foundation for an open rupture between
the courts of London and Vienna. On the 28th of September, 1732, Mr. Barnard having attended Francis
Child, esq. then lord mayor, to Kensington, with an address of congratulation to king George the Second, received from his majesty the honour of knighthood. Towards the beginning of the following year, the famous
excise scheme, which met with so vigorous an opposition,
was proposed by sir Robert Walpole. As a particular account of this arTair will more properly come under the
article of that celebrated statesman, we shall take no
other notice of it here than what may be necessary to complete the history of sir John Barnard. No one could
exceed him in the ability and zeal with which he oppose^
the design. He spoke several times against it, and condemned it both in a commercial and political light. He
considered it as introductory to such general and arbitrary
laws of excise as would be absolutely inconsistent with the
freedom of the constitution and thought that the question
upon the scheme would be, “Whether we shall endeavour
to prevent frauds in the collecting of the public revenues,
at the expence of the liberties of the people
” “For my
own part,
” said sir John, “I never was guilty of any fraud:
I put it to any man, be he who he will, to accuse me
of so much as the appearance of a fraud in any trade
I was ever concerned in I am resolved never to be
guilty of any fraud. It is very true, that these frauds
are a very great prejudice to all fair traders and,
therefore, I speak against my own interest, when I speak
against any methods that may tend towards preventing of
frauds. But I shall never put my private interest in balance with the interest or happiness of the nation. I had
rather beg my bread from door to door, and see my country
flourish, than be the greatest subject of the nation, and
see the trade of my country decaying, and the people
enslaved and oppressed.
” On the 14th of March, 1732-3,
in the grand committee of the house of commons “To
consider of the most proper methods for the better security and improvement of the duties and revenues, already charged upon, and payable from tobacco and
wines,
” the excise scheme was proposed. In the course
of the long and violent debate which took place on this
occasion, sir John Barnard, among other arguments, alledged that the scheme was such as could not, even by
malice itself, be represented to be worse than it really was;
that it was a pill, which, if the people of England were
obliged to swallow, they would find as bitter a pill v as ever
was swallowed by them since they were a people that
the intended remedy for preventing frauds in the collection of the revenue, was far more desperate than the
disease that the constitution of our government, and
the liberty of the subject, were never more nearly or more
immediately concerned in any question and that it was
a dangerous encroachment upon the ancient birthright of
Englishmen, the right of trial by jury. A great number
of the citizens having come down to the lobby of the house
of commons, and some of the crowd who had mixed with
them having behaved tumultuously, sir Robert Walpole
took notice of the extraordinary concourse of people who
were collected together at the door, and declared his disapprobation of the methods which had been used to bring
them thither. In doing this, he so far lost the usual moderation of his temper, as to drop an expression which
gave the highest offence to the city of London, and was
long remembered to his disadvantage. “Gentlemen,” he
observed,
” might say what they pleased of the multitudes
at the door, and in all the avenues leading to the house;
they might call them a modest multitude if they would
they might give them what names they thought fit; it
might be said that they came as humble supplicants but,“added sir Robert,
” I know whom the law calls Sturdy
Beggars and those who brought them hither could not
be certain but that they might have behaved in the same
manner.“Sir John Barnard rising up to answer this reflection, the committee, for a while, were in some confusion, in consequence of the question’s being loudly
called for. At length, however, order being restored, sir
John made the following reply
” Sir, I know of no irregular or unfair methods that were used to call people
from the city to your door. It is certain, that any set of
gentlemen or merchants may lawfully desire their friends,
they may even write letters, and they may send those
letters to whom they please, to desire the merchants of
figure and character to come down to the court of requests,
and to our lobby, in order to solicit their friends and acquairitance ngainst any scheme or project, which they
think may be prejudicial to them. This is the undoubted
right: of the subject, and what has been always practised
upon all occasions. The honourable gentleman talks of
Sturdy Beggars I do not know what sort of people may
be now at our door, because I have not lately been out of
the house. But I believe they are the same sort of people
that were there when I came last into the house and then,
I can assure you, that I saw none but such as deserve the
name of Sturdy Beggars as little as the honourable gentleman himself, or any gentleman whatever. It is well known
that the city of London was sufficiently apprized of what
we were this day to be about. Where they got their information, I do not know but I am very certain that they
had a right notion of the scheme which has been now
opened to us and they were so generally and zealously
bent against it, that whatever methods may have been used
to call them together, I am sure it would have been impossible to have found any legal method to have prevented
their coming hither." When four resolutions had been
formed by the committee, in pursuance of sir Robert
WalpoleV motion, relating to the excise-scheme, and were
reported to the house on the 16th of March, sir John Barnard took the lead with his usual spirit, in the fresh debate which arose upon the question of agreeing to the first
resolution. And the same vigorous opposition was continued by him through the whole progress of the bill, till,
as is well known, sir Robert Walpole himself found it
necessary to move, on the 11th of April, 1733, that the second reading of it should be deferred for two months.
, the celebrated Dutch statesman, and one of the founders of the civil liberty of Holland, was
, the celebrated Dutch
statesman, and one of the founders of the civil liberty of
Holland, was born in 1547. His patriotic zeal inducing
him to limit the authority of Maurice prince of Orange,
the second stadtholder of Holland, the partisans of that
prince falsely accused him of a design to deliver his country into the hands of the Spanish monarch. On this absurd charge he was tried by twenty-six commissaries, deputed from the seven provinces, condemned, and beheaded
in 1619. His sons, William and Réné, with a view of revenging their father’s death, formed a conspiracy against
the usurper, which was discovered. William fled; but
Réné was taken and condemned to die; which fatal circumstance has immortalized the memory of his mother, of
whom the following anecdote is recorded. She solicited
a pardon for Réné, upon which Maurice expressed his surprise that she should do that for her son, which she had
refused to do for her husband. To this remark she replied
with indignation, “I would not ask a pardon for my husband, because he was innocent. I solicit it for my son,
because he is guilty.
”
ion which shewed the opinion entertained of his abilities, and influenced by the greatest lawyer and statesman of the age, he readily sacrificed the opening prospects of his
, first lord viscount
Harrington, a nobleman of considerable learning, and
author of several books, was the youngest son of Benjamin
Shute, merchant (youngest son of Francis Sbute, of Upton, in the county of Leicester, esq.) by a daughter of the
Kev. Jos. Caryl, author of the commentary on Job. He
was born at Theobalds in Hertfordshire, in 1678, and received part of his education at Utrecht, as appears from a
Latin oration which he delivered at that university, and
published there in 1698, in 4to, under the following title
“Oratio de studio Philosophise conjungendo cum studio
Juris Roman!; habita in inclyta Academia Trajectina Kalendis Junii, 1698, a Johanne Shute, Anglo, Ph. D. et
L. A. M.
” He published also three other academical exercises; viz. 1. “Exercitatio Physica, de Ventis,
” Utrecht,
Dissertatio Philosophica, de Theocratia
morali,
” Utrecht, Dissertatio Philosophica Inauguralis, de Theocratia civili,
” Utrecht, An essay upon the
interest of England, in respect to Protestants dissenting
from the Established Church,
” 4to. This was reprinted two
years after, with considerable alterations and enlargements,
and with the title of “The interest of England considered,
”
&c. Some time after this he published another piece in.
4to, entitled “The rights of Protestant Dissenters,
” in
two parts. During the prosecution of his studies in the
law, he was applied to by queen Anne’s whig ministry, at
the instigation of lord Sorners, to engage the Presbyterians in Scotland to favour the important measure then in
agitation, of an union of the two kingdoms. Flattered at
the age of twenty-four, by an application which shewed
the opinion entertained of his abilities, and influenced by
the greatest lawyer and statesman of the age, he readily
sacrificed the opening prospects of his profession, and undertook the arduous employment. The happy execution
of it was rewarded, in 1708, by the place of commissioner
of the customs, from which he was removed by the Tory
administration in 1711, for his avowed opposition to their
principles and conduct. How high Mr. Shute’s character
stood in the estimation even of those who differed most
widely from him in religious and political sentiments, apyears from the testimony borne to it by Dr. Swift, who
writes thus to archbishop Kitig, in a letter dated London,
Nov. 30, 1708. “One Mr. Shute is named for secretary
to lord Wharton. He is a young man, but reckoned the
shrewdest head in England, and the person in whom the
Presbyterians chiefly confide; and if money be necessary
towards the good work, it is reckoned he can command as
far as 100,000l. from the body of the dissenters here. As
to his principles, he is a moderate man, frequenting the
church and the meeting indifferently.
” In the reign of
queen Anne, John Wildman, of Becket, in the county of
Berks, esq. adopted him for his son, after the Roman custom, and settled his large estate upon him, though he was
no relation, and said to have been but slightly acquainted
with him. Some years after, he had another considerable
estate left him by Francis Harrington, of Tofts, esq. who
had married his tirst cousin, and died without issue. This
occasioned him to procure an act of parliament, pursuant
to the deed of settlement, to assume the name and bear the
arms of Barrington. On the accession of king George
he was chosen member of parliament for the town of Berwick-upon-Tvveed. July 5, 1717, he had a reversionary
grant of the office of master of the rolls in Ireland, which.
he surrendered Dec. 10, 1731. King George was also
pleased, by privy seal, dated at St. James’s, June 10, and
by patent at Dublin, July 1, 1720, to create him baron
Barrington of Newcastle, and viscount Barrington of Ardglass. In 1722 he was again returned to parliament as
member for the town of Berwick; but in 1723, the house
of commons, taking into consideration the affair of the Harburgh lottery, a very severe and unmerited censure of expulsion was passed upon his lordship, as sub-governor of
the Harburgh company, under the prince of Wales.
. One may safely affirm, from the perusal of this single epistle, that our prelate was as thorough a statesman as the deputy, and that he knew how to becurne all things to
His first business was to compose divisions among the
fellows, to rectify disorders, and to restore discipline; and
as he was a great promoter of religion, he catechised the
youth once a week, and divided the church catechism into
fifty -two parts, one for every Sunday, and explained it in a
way so mixed with speculative and practical matters, that
his sermons were looked upon as lectures of divinity. He
continued about two years in this employment, when, by
the interest of sir Thomas Jermyn, and the application of
Laud, bishop of London, he was advanced to the sees of
Kilmore and Ardagh, and consecrated on the 13th of September, 1629, at Drogheda, in St. Peter’s church, in the
fifty-ninth year of his age. In the letters for his promotion, the king made honourable mention of the satisfaction
he took in the services he had done, and the reformation he
had wrought in the unirersity. He found his dioceses
tinder vast disorders, the revenues wasted by excessive dilapidations, and all things exposed to sale in a sordid manner. The cathedral of Ardagh, and the bishop’s houses,
were all flat to the ground, the parish churches in ruins, and
the insolence of the Popish clergy insufferable; the oppressions of the ecclesiastical courts excessive; and pluralities and non-residence shamefully prevailing. Yet he had
the courage, notwithstanding these difficulties, to undertake a thorough reformation; and the first step he took
was, to recover part of the lands of which his sees had been
despoiled by his predecessors, that he might be in a condition to subsist, while he laboured to reform other abuses.
In this he met with such success, as encouraged him to
proceed upon his own plan, and to be content with nothing
less than an absolute reformation of those which he esteemed
capital and enormous abuses, particularly with regard to
pluralities, showing an example in his own case by resigning the bishopric of Ardagh, which he had the satisfaction to see followed in instances of a more flagrant
nature. On the arrival of the lord-deputy Wentworth
in 1633, our prelate had the misfortune to fall under
his displeasure, for setting his hand to a petition for redress of grievances and so high and open was the lorddeputy’s testimony of this displeasure, that the bishop
did not think fit to go in person to congratulate him (as others did) upon his entering into his government. It
is, however, very improbable, that he should write over to
sir Thomas Jermyn and his friends in England, or procure,
by their interest, injunctions to the lord-deputy, to receive
him into favour, a report which suits very ill with the character either of the men or of the times. On the contrary,
it appears from his own letter to the lord deputy, that it
was he, not the bishop, who had complained in England;
that he meant to justify himself to the deputy, and expected, on that justification, he should retract his complaints.
One may safely affirm, from the perusal of this single
epistle, that our prelate was as thorough a statesman as the
deputy, and that he knew how to becurne all things to all
men, without doing any thing beneath him, or inconsistent
with his dignity. This conduct had its effect, and in three
weeks it appears that he stood well with the deputy, and
probably without any interposition but his own letter before
mentioned. He then went on cheerfully in doing his duty,
and for the benefit of the church, and was very successful.
His own example did much: he loved the Christian power
of a bishop, without affecting either political authority or
pomp. Whatever he did was so visibly for the good of his
fiock, that he seldom failed of being well supported by his
clergy; and such as opposed him did it with visible reluctance, for he had the esteem of the good men of all parties,
and was as much reverenced as any bishop in Ireland. In
1638 he convened a synod, and made some excellent canons that are yet extant, and when offence was taken at
this, the legality of the meeting questioned, and the bishop
even threatened with the star-chamber, archbishop Usher,
who was consulted, said, “You had better let him alone,
for fear, if he should be provoked, he should say much
more for himself than any of his accusers can say against
him.
” Amongst other extraordinary things he did, there
was none more worthy of remembrance than his removing
his lay-chancellor, sitting in his own courts, hearing causes,
and retrieving thereby the jurisdiction which anciently belonged to a bishop. The chancellor upon this filed his bill
in equity, and obtained a decree in chancery against the
bishop, with one hundred pounds costs. But by this time
the chancellor saw so visibly the difference between the
bishop’s sitting in that seat and his own, that he never
called for his costs, but appointed a surrogate, with orders
to obey the bishop in every thing, and so his lordship went
on in his own way. Our bishop was no persecutor of Papists, and yet the most successful enemy they ever had;
and if the other bishops had followed his example, the Protestant religion must have spread itself through every part
of the country. He laboured to convert the better sort of
the Popish clergy, and in this he had great success. He
procured the Common-prayer, which had been translated
into Irish, and caused it to be read in his cathedral, in his
own presence, every Sunday, having himself learned that
language perfectly, though he never attempted to speak it.
The New Testament had been also translated by William.
Daniel, archbishop of Tuam, but our prelate first procured
the Old Testament to be translated by one King; and because the translator was ignorant of the original tongues,
and did it from the English, the bishop himself revised and
compared it with the Hebrew, and the best translations,
He caused, likewise, some of Chrysostom’s and Leo’s homilies, in commendation of the scriptures, to be rendered
both into English and Irish, that the common people might
see, that in the opinion of the ancient fathers, they had not
only a right to read the scriptures as well as the clergy, but
it was their duty so to do. He met with great opposition
in this work, from a persecution against the translator,
raised without reason, and carried on with much passion by
those from whom he had no cause to expect it. But, however, he got the translation finished, which he would have
printed in his own house, and at his own charge, if the
troubles in Ireland had not prevented it; and as it was, his
labours were not useless, for the translation escaped the
hands of the rebels, and was afterwards printed at the expence of the celebrated Robert Boyle.
rable family. His father, Bernardo, who died in 1518, was an accomplished scholar, and distinguished statesman, who maintained a friendly intercourse with many illustrious
, in Lat. Petrus Bembus, one of the
restorers of polite literature in Italy, was born at Venice in
1470, of an ancient and honourable family. His father,
Bernardo, who died in 1518, was an accomplished scholar,
and distinguished statesman, who maintained a friendly intercourse with many illustrious and learned persons of the
age, and is honourably spoken of by various writers. On
one of his embassies to Florence he carried his son, then
in his eighth year, to improve him in the Italian language,
which was supposed to be spoken and written in that city
with the greatest purity. Atter two years, he returned
home with his father, and was placed under the tuition of
Joannes Alexander Urticius, and continued to apply to his
studies with great assiduity, acquiring in particular a critical knowledge of the Latin tongue. Being solicitous of
acquiring a knowledge also of the Greek, the study of
which was at that time confined to very few, he resolved to
undertake a voyage to Messina, and avail himself of the
instructions of the celebrated Constantino Lascaris. Accordingly he set out in 1492, accompanied by Agnolo Gabrielii, a young Venetian of distinction, his friend and fellow-student, and profited greatly by the instructions of
Lascaris. During this residence in Sicily, which lasted
more than two years, he composed a work in Latin, entitled “P. Bembi de vEtna ad Angelum Chabrielem liber,
”
which was published the same year in which he returned,
1495, 4to, and is said to have been the first publication
from the Aldine press “in literis rotundis.
” His compositions both in Latin and Italian soon began to extend his
reputation, not only through the different states of Italy,
but also to distant countries. His father, flattered with the
approbation bestowed on his son, was desirous of employing his talents in the service of his country in some public
station, and for some time Bembo occasionally pleaded as
an advocate with success and applause, until being disappointed in obtaining a place which was given to a rival
much inferior in merit, he discovered that reluctance for
public life, which, in obedience to his father, he had but
imperfectly concealed, and determined to devote his whole
attention to literature, as connected with the profession of
the church. About this time, it is said, that his resolution
was confirmed by accidentally going into a church when
the officiating priest was reading a portion of the evangelical history, and had just come to the words, “Peter, follow
me,
” which Bembo looked upon as a divine admonition.
There is nothing in his character, however, that can give
much credibility to this story, which, it ought to be mentioned, some say occurred long after, when he was hesitating whether he should accept the office of cardinal.
in this difficult and important affair, shewed all the prudence and sagacity of the most consummate statesman. It was he that was applied to, as the person in the greatest
, earl of Portland, &c. one of the greatest statesmen of his time, and
the first that advanced his family to the dignity of the
English peerage, was a native of Holland, of an ancient
and noble family in the province of Guelderland. After a
liberal education, he was promoted to be page of honour
to William, then prince of Orange (afterwards king William III. of England), in which station his behaviour and
address so recommended him to the favour of his master,
that he preferred him to the post of gentleman of his bedchamber. In this capacity he accompanied the prince into
England, in the year 1670, where, going to visit the university of Oxford, he was, together with the prince, created
doctor of civil law. In 1672, the prince of Orange being
made captain-general of the Dutch forces, and soon after
Stadtholder, M. Bentinck was promoted, and had a share
in his good fortune, being made colonel and captain of the
Dutch regiment of guards, afterwards esteemed one of the
finest in king William’s service, and which behaved with
the greatest gallantry in the wars both in Flanders and
Ireland. In 1675, the prince falling ill of the small-pox,
M. Bentinck had an opportunity of signalizing his love and
affection for his master in an extraordinary manner, and
thereby of obtaining his esteem and friendship, by one of
the most generous actions imaginable: for the small-pox
not rising kindly upon the prince, his physicians judged it
necessary that some young person should lie in the same
bed with him, imagining that the natural heat of another
would expel the disease. M. Bentinck, though he had
never had the small-pox, resolved to run this risque, and
accordingly attended the prince during the whole course
of his illness, both day and night, and his highness said
afterwards, that he believed M. Bentinck never slept; for
in sixteen days and nights, he never called once that he
was not answered by him. M. Bentinck, however, upon
the prince’s recovery, was immediately seized with the
same distemper, attended with a great deal of danger, but
recovered soon enough to attend his highness into the field,
where he was always next his person; and his courage and
abilities answered the great opinion his highness had formed of him, and from this time he employed him in his most
secret and important affairs. In 1677, M. Bentinck was
sent by the prince of Orange into England, to solicit a
match with the princess Mary, eldest daughter of James,
at that time duke of York (afterwards king James II.) which
was soon after concluded. And in 1685, upon the duke
of Monmouth’s invasion of this kingdom, he was sent over
to king James to offer him his master’s assistance, both of
his troops and person, to head them against the rebels,
but, through a misconstruction put on his message, his
highness’s offer was rejected by the king. In the year
1688, when the prince of Orange intended an expedition
into England, he sent M. Bentinck, on the elector of Brandenburgh'a death, to the new elector, to communicate to
him his design upon England, and to solicit his assistance.
In this negociation M. Bentinck was so successful as to
bring back a more favourable and satisfactory answer than
the prince had expected; the elector having generously
granted even more than was asked of him. M. Bentincfc
had also a great share in the revolution; and in this difficult and important affair, shewed all the prudence and sagacity of the most consummate statesman. It was he that
was applied to, as the person in the greatest confidence
with the prince, to manage the negociations that were set
on foot, betwixt his highness and the English nobility and
gentry, who had recourse to him to rescue them from the
danger they were in. He was also two months constantly
at the Hague, giving the necessary orders for the prince’s
expedition, which was managed by him with such secrecy,
that nothing was suspected, nor was there ever so great a
design executed in so short a time, a transport fleet of
500 vessels having been hired in three days. M. Bentinck
accompanied the prince to England, and after king James’s
abdication, during the interregnum, he held the first place
among those who composed the prince’s cabinet at that
critical time, and that, in such a degree of super-eminence,
as scarcely left room for a second: and we may presume
he was not wanting in his endeavours to procure the crown
for the prince his master; who, when he had obtained it,
was as forward on his part, in rewarding the faithful and
signal services of M. Bentinck, whom he appointed groom
of the stole, privy purse, first gentleman of the royal bedchamber, and first commoner upon the list of privy counsellors. He was afterwards naturalised by act of parliament; and, by letters patent bearing date the 9th of April
1689, two clays before the king and queen’s coronation, he
was created baron of Cirencester, viscount Woodstock,
and earl of Portland. In 1690, the earl of Portland,
with many others of the English nobility, attended king
William to Holland, where the earl acted as envoy for his majesty, at the grand congress held at the
Hague the same year. In 1695, king William made this
nobleman a grant of the lordships of Denbigh, Bromtield,
Yale, and other lands, containing many thousand acres, in
the principality of Wales, but these being part of the
demesne thereof, the grant was opposed, and the house
of commons addressed the king to put a stop to the passing
it, which his majesty accordingly complied with, and recalled the grant, promising, however, to find some other
way of shewing his favour to lord Portland, who, he said,
had deserved it by long and faithful services. It was to
this nobleman that the plot for assassinating king William
in 1695 was first discovered; and his lordship, by his indefatigable zeal, was very instrumental in bringing to light
the whole of that execrable scheme. The same year another affair happened, in which he gave such a shining proof
of the strictest honour and integrity, as has done immortal
honour to his memory. The parliament having taken into
consideration the affairs of the East India company, who,
through mismanagement and corrupt dealings, were in
danger of losing their charter, strong interest was made
with the members of both houses, and large sums distributed, to procure a new establishment of their company by
act of parliament. Among those noblemen whose interest
was necessary to bring about this affair, lord Portland’s was
particularly courted, and an extraordinary value put upon
it, much beyond that of any other peer; for he was offered no less than the sum of 50,000l. for his vote, and his
endeavours with the king to favour the design. But his
lordship treated this offer with all the contempt it deserved, telling the person employed in it, that if he ever
so much as mentioned such a thing to him again, he would
for ever be the company’s enemy, and give them all the
opposition in his power. This is an instance of public
spirit not often mst with, and did not pass unregarded;
for we find it recorded in an eloquent speech of a member
of parliament, who related this noble action to the house
of commons, much to the honour of lord Portland. It was
owing to this nobleman, also, that the Banquetting-house at
Whitehall was saved, when the rest of the Palace was destroyed by fire. In February 1696, he was created a knight
of the garter, at a chapter held at Kensington, and was installed at Windsor on the 25th of March, 1697, at which
time he was also lieutenant-general of his majesty’s forces:
for his lordship’s services were not confined to the cabinet;
he likewise distinguished himself in the field on several
occasions, particularly at the battle of the Boyne, battle of
Landen, where he was wounded, siege of Limerick, Namur, &c. As his lordship thus attended his royal master
in his wars both in Ireland and Flanders, and bore a principal command there, so he was honoured by his majesty
with the chief management of the famous peace of Ryswick; having, in some conferences with the marshal
BoufHers, settled the most difficult and tender point, and
which might greatly have retarded the conclusion of the
peace. This was concerning the disposal of king James;
the king of France having solemnly promised, in an open
declaration to all Europe, that he would never lay down his
arms tilt he had restored the abdicated king to his throne,
and consequently could not own king William, without
abandoning him. Not long after the conclusion of the
peace, king William nominated the earl of Portland to be
his ambassador extraordinary to the court of France; an,
honour justly due to him, for the share he had in bringing
about the treaty of Hysvvick; and the king could not have
fixed upon a person better qualified to support his high
character with dignity and magnificence. The French
likewise had a great opinion of his lordship’s capacity and
merit; and no ambassador was ever so respected and caressed in France as his lordship was, who, on his part, filled
his employment with equal honour to the king, the British
nation, and himself. According to Prior, however, the
earl of Portland went on this embassy with reluctance, having been for some time alarmed with the growing favour of
a rival in king William’s affection, namely, Keppel, afterwards created earl of Albermarle, a DutchmLin, who had
also been page to his majesty. “And,
” according to Prior,
“his jealousy was not ill-grounded for Albemarle so prevailed in lord Portland’s absence, that he obliged him, by
several little affronts, to lay down all his employments,
after which he was never more in favour, though the king
always shewed an esteem for him.
” Bishop Burnet says
“That the earl of Portland observed the progress of the
king’s favour to the lord Albemaiie with great uneasiness
they grew to be not only incompatible, as all rivals for favour must be, but to hate and oppose one another in every
thing; the one (lord Portland) had more of the confidence,
the other more of the favour. Lord Portland, upon his
return from his embassy to France, could not bear the visible superiority in favour that the other was growing up to;
so he took occasion, from a small preference given lord
Albemarle in prejudice of his own post, as groom of the
stole, to withdraw from court, and lay down all his employments. The king used all possible means to divert
him from this resolution, but could not prevail on him to
alter it: he, indeed, consented to serve his majesty still in
his state affairs, but would not return to any post in the
household.
” This change, says bishop Kennet, did at first
please the English and Dutch, the earl of Albermarle having cunningly made several powerful friends in both nations, who, out of envy to lord Portland, were glad to see
another in his place; and it is said that lord Albemarle was
supported by the earl of Sutherland and Mrs. Villiers to
pull down lord Portland: however, though the first became
now the reigning favourite, yet the latter, says bishop
Kennet, did ever preserve the esteem and affection of king
William. But king William was not one of those princes
who are governed by favourites. He was his own minister
in all the greater parts of government, as those of war and
peace, forming alliances and treaties, and he appreciated
justly the merit of those whom he employed in his service.
It is highly probable, therefore, that lord Portland never
Jost the king’s favourable opinion, although he might
be obliged to give way to a temporary favourite. The
earl of Albemarle had been in his majesty’s service from
a youth, was descended of a noble family in Guelderland, attended king William into England as his page of
honour, and being a young lord of address and temper,
with a due mixture of heroism, it is no wonder his majesty took pleasure in his conversation in the intervals of
state business, and in making his fortune, who had so
long followed his own. Bishop Burnet says, it is a difficult matter to account for the reasons of the favour shewn
by the king, in the highest degree, to these two lords,
they being in all respects, not only of different, but of
quite opposite characters; secrecy and fidelity being the
only qualities in which they did in any sort agree. Lord
Albetnarle was very cheerful and gay, had all the arts of
a court, was civil to all, and procured favours for many;
but was so addicted to his pleasures that he could scarcely
submit to attend on business, and had never yet distinguished himself in any thing. On the other hand, lord
Portland was of a grave and sedate disposition, and indeed,
adds the bishop, was thought rather too cold and dry, and
had not the art of creating friends; but was indefatigable
in business, and had distinguished himself on many occasions. With another author, Mackey, his lordship has the
character of carrying himself with a very lofty mien, yet
was not proud, nor much beloved nor hated by the people.
But it is no wonder if the earl of Portland was not acceptable to the English nation. His lordship had been for ten
years entirely trusted by the king, was his chief favourite
and bosom-friend, and the favourites of kings are seldom
favourites of the people, and it must be owned king William was immoderately lavish to those he personally loved.
But as long as history has not charged his memory with
failings that might deservedly render him obnoxious to the
public, there can be no partiality in attributing this nobleman’s unpopularity partly to the above reasons, and partly
to his being a foreigner, for which he suffered not a little
from the envy and malice of his enemies, in their speeches,
libels, &c. of which there were some levelled as well
against the king as against his lordship. The same avereion, however, to foreign favourites, soon after shewed itself
against lord Albemarle, who, as he grew into power and
favour, like lord Portland, began to be looked upon with
the same jealousy; and when the king gave him the order
of the garter, in the year 1700, we are told it was generally disliked, and his majesty, to make it pass the better,
at the same time conferred the like honour on Jord Pembroke (an English nobleman of illustrious birth). Yet it
was observed, that few of the nobility graced the ceremony
of their installation with their presence, and that many
severe reflections were then made on his majesty, for giving the garter to his favourite. The king had for a long
time given the earl of Portland the entire and absolute government of Scotland; and his lordship was also employed,
in the year 1698, in the new negociation set on foot for
the succession of the Crown of Spain, called by the name
of the partition treaty > the intention of which being frustrated by the treachery of the French king, the treaty itself fell under severe censure, and was looked upon as a
fatal slip in the politics of that reign; and lord Portland
was impeached by the house of commons, in the year
1700, for advising and transacting it, as were also the
other lords concerned with him in it. This same year,
lord Portland was a second time attacked, together with
lord Albemarle, by the house of commons, when the affair of the disposal of the forfeited estates in Ireland was
under their consideration; it appearing upon inquiry, that
the king had, among many other grants, made one to lord
Woodstock (the earl of Portland’s son) of 135,820 acres of
land, and to lord Albemarle two grants, of 108,633 acres
in possession and reversion; the parliament came to a resolution to resume these grants; and also resolved, that
the advising and passing them was highly reflecting on the
king’s honour; and that the officers and instruments concerned in the procuring and passing those grants, had
highly failed in the performance of their trust and duty;
and also, that the procuring or passing exorbitant grants,
by any member now of the privy-council, or by any other
that had been a privy -counsellor, in this, or any former
reign, to his use or benefit, was a high crime and misdemeanour. To carry their resentment still farther, the
commons, immediately impeached the earls of Portland and
Albemarle, for procuring for themselves exorbitant grants.
This impeachment, however, did not succeed, and then
the commons voted an address to his majesty, that no person who was not a native of his dominions, excepting his
royal highness prince George of Denmark, should be admitted to his majesty’s councils in England or Ireland, but
this was evaded by the king’s going the very next day to
the house of lords, passing the bills that were ready, and
putting an end to the session. The partition treaty was
the last public transaction we find lord Portland engaged
in, the next year after his impeachment, 1701, having
put a period to the life of his royal and munificent master,
king William III.; but not without having shewn, even in
his last moments, that his esteem and affection for lord
Portland ended but with his life: for when his majesty
was just expiring, he asked, though with a faint voice, for
the earl of Portland, but before his lordship could come,
the king’s voice quite failed him. The earl, however,
placing his ear as near his majesty’s mouth as could be, his
lips were observed to move, but without strength to express his mind to his lordship; but, as the last testimony
of the cordial affection he bore him, he took him by the
hand, and carried it to his heart with great tenderness,
and expired soon after. His lordship had before been a
witness to, and signed his majesty’s last will and testament,
made at the Hague in 1695; and it is said, that king
William, the winter before he died, told lord Portland, as
they were walking together in the garden at Hampton
court, that he found his health declining very fast, and
that he could not live another summer, but charged his
lordship not to mention this till after his majesty’s death.
We are told, that at the time of the king’s death, lord
Portland was keeper of Windsor great park, and was displaced upon queen Anne’s accession to the throne: we are
not, however, made acquainted with the time when his
lordship became first possessed of that post. After king
William’s death, the earl did not, at least openly, concern
himself with public affairs, but betook himself to a retired
life, in a most exemplary way, at his seat at Bulstrode in
the county of Bucks, where he erected and plentifully
endowed a free-school; and did many other charities.
His lordship had an admirable taste for gardening, and
took great delight in improving and beautifying his own
gardens, which he made very elegant and curious. At
length, being taken ill of a pleurisy and malignant fever,
after about a week’s illness he died, November 23, 1709,
in the sixty-first year of his age, leaving behind him a very
plentiful fortune, being at that time reputed one of the
richest subjects in Europe. His corpse being conveyed to
London, was, on the third of December, carried with,
great funeral pomp, from his house in St. James’s square
to Westminster-abbey, and there interred in the vault
under the east window of Henry the Seventh’s chapel.
inguished persons of the realm, easy of access, and consequently of real use to the philosopher, the statesman, the historian, and the scholar. She died July 17, 1785, and
Henry, his son, second earl, was created duke of Portland, 1716, and having incurred great loss of fortune by the South Sea bubble, went over as governor to Jamaica, 1722, and died there 1726, aged forty-five. William his son, second duke, who died in 1762, married lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, only child of the second earl of Oxford, and heiress to the vast estates of the Cavendishes, formerly dukes of Newcastle. This lady, after the duke’s death, lived with splendid hospitality at Bulstrode, which was the resort not only of persons of the highest rank, but of those most distinguished for talents and eminence in the literary world. To her, posterity will ever be indebted, for securing to the public the inestimable treasures of learning contained in the noble manuscript library of her father and grandfather, earls of Oxford, now deposited in the British museum, by the authority of parliament, under the guardianship of the most distinguished persons of the realm, easy of access, and consequently of real use to the philosopher, the statesman, the historian, and the scholar. She died July 17, 1785, and the following year her own museum, collected at vast expence to herself', and increased by some valuable presents from her friends, was disposed of by auction, by the late Mr. Alderman Skinner. The sale lasted thirty-seven days. Among the books was the fine Missal, known by the name of the Bedford Missal, of which Mr. Gough published an account, as will be noticed in his life. This splendid volume was purchased by, and is now in the very curious and valuable library of James Edwards, esq. of Harrow-on-the-hill.
, count of Lyons, and a cardinal and statesman of France, was born at MarceJ de l'Ardeche, May 22, 1715, of
, 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,
to set out for Copenhagen when he died of an apoplexy, Feb. 19, 1772. The political measures of this statesman belong to history, but his private character has been the theme
, minister of state in Denmark, was born at Hanover, May 13, 1712.
Some relations he happened to have in Denmark invited
him thither, where his talents were soon noticed, and employed by the government. After having been ambassador in several courts, he was placed by Frederick V. at
the head of foreign affairs. During the seven years war
(1755 62) he preserved a system of strict neutrality, which
proved eminently serviceable to the commerce and internal prosperity of Denmark. In 1761, when the emperor
of Russia, Peter III. threatened Denmark with war, and
inarched his troops towards Holstein, Bernstorf exerted
the utmost vigour in contriving means for the defence of
the country, and the“sudden death of Peter having averted
this storm, he employed his skill in bringing about an alliance between the courts of Copenhagen and St. Petersburgh. In 1767 he succeeded in concluding a provisional
treaty, by which the dukedom of Holstein, which Paul,
the grand duke of Russia, inherited by the death of Peter
III. was exchanged for Oldenburgh, which belonged to
the king of Denmark. This finally took place in 1773,
and procured an important addition to the Danish territories. Soon after Bernstorf put a stop to the long contest
that had been maintained respecting the house of Holstein
having a right of sovereignty over Hamburgh, and that city
vVas declared independent on condition of not claiming repayment of the money the city had advanced to the king of
Denmark and the dukes of Holstein. These measures contributed highly to the reputation of count Bernstorf as a
politician, but perhaps he derived as much credit from his
conduct in other respects. He had acquired a large estate
in the neighbourhood of Copenhagen, the peasants on
which, as was the case in Denmark at that time, were
slaves, and transferred like other property. Bernstorf,
however, not only gave them their liberty, but granted
them long leases, and encouraged them to cultivate the
land, and feel that they had an interest in it. His tenants,
soon sensible of the humanity and wisdom of his conduct,
agreed to express their gratitude by erecting an obelisk
in honour of him on the side of the great road leading to
Copenhagen. Bernstorf was likewise a liberal patron of
manufactures, commerce, and the fine arts. It was he
who induced Frederick V. to give a pension for life to the
poet Klopstock. On the death of that monarch, Bernstorf
was continued in the ministry lor the first years of the
new reign, until 1770, when Struenzee being placed at
the head of the council, Bernstorf was allowed to resign
with a pension. He then retired to Hamburgh, but, after
the catastrophe of Struenzee, he was recalled, and was
about to set out for Copenhagen when he died of an
apoplexy, Feb. 19, 1772. The political measures of this statesman belong to history, but his private character has been
the theme of universal applause. Learned, social, affable,
generous, and high spirited, he preserved the affections
of all who knew him, and throughout his whole administration had the singular good fortune to enjoy at the same
time courtly favour and popular esteem. His nephew,
count Andrew Peter Bernstorf, who was born in 1735, and
eventually succeeded him as foreign minister for Denmark,
displayed equal zeal and knowledge in promoting the true
interests of his country, which yet repeats his name with
fervour and enthusiasm. It was particularly his object to
preserve the neutrality of Denmark, after the French revolution had provoked a combination of most of the powers
of Europe; and as long as neutral rights were at all respected, he succeeded in this wise measure. His state
papers on the
” principles of the court of Denmark concerning neutrality,“in 1780, and his
” Declaration to the
courts of Vienna and Berlin," in 1792, were much admired. In private life he followed the steps of his uncle,
by a liberal patronage of arts, commerce, and manufactures,
and like him was as popular in the country as in the court.
He died Jan. 21, 1797.
, an eminent German philosopher and statesman, was born at Camstadt in Wirtemberg, Jan. 23, 1693; his father
, an eminent German
philosopher and statesman, was born at Camstadt in Wirtemberg, Jan. 23, 1693; his father was a Lutheran minister. By a singular hereditary constitution in this family,
Biliinger was born with twelve fingers and eleven toes,
which, in his case, is said to have been remedied by amputation when he was an infant. From his earliest years,
he showed an uncommon capacity for study, joined to a
retired and thinking turn of mind. Happening, when
studying at Tubingen, to learn mathematics in the works
of Wolf, he imbibed likewise a taste for the sceptical philosophy of that writer, and for the system of Leibnitz,
which for a time took off his attention from his other studies. When entered on his theological course, he found
himself disposed to connect it with his new ideas on philosophy, and with that view wrote a treatise, “De Deo,
anima, et mundo,
” which procured him considerable fame,
and was the cause of his being chosen preacher at the
castle of Tubingen, and repeater in the school of divinity.
But fancying Tubingen a theatre too contracted, he obtained of one of his friends a supply of money, in 1719,
which enabled him to go to Halle to study more particularly under Wolf himself. This, however, did not produce all the good consequences expected. When after
two years he returned to Tubingen, the Wolfian philosophy was no longer in favour, his patrons were cold, his
lessons deserted; himself unable to propagate his new doctrines, and his promotion in the church was likely to suffer.
In this unpleasant state he remained about four years,
when, by Wolf’s recommendation, he received an invitation from Peter I. to accept the professorship of logic and
metaphysics in the new academy at St. Petersburgh. Thither accordingly he went in 1725, and was received with
great respect, and the academical memoirs which he had
occasion to publish increased his reputation in no small
degree. The academy of sciences of Paris having about
that time proposed for solution the famous problem, on
the cause of gravity, Bilfinger carried off the prize, which
was one thousand crowns. This made his name be known
in every part of Europe, and the duke Charles of Wirtemberg having been reminded that he was one of his subjects,
immediately recalled him home. The court of Russia,
after in vain endeavouring to retain him, granted him a
pension of four hundred florins, and two thousand as the
reward of a discovery he had made in the art of fortification. He quitted Petersburgh accordingly in 1731, and
being re-established at Tubingen, revived the reputation
of that school not only by his lectures, but by many salutary changes introduced in the theological class, which he
effected without introducing any new opinions. His
greatest reputation, however, rests on his improvements
in natural philosophy and mathematics, and his talents
as an engineer seem to have recommended him to the
promotion which the duke Charles Alexander conferred
upon him. He had held many conversations with Bilfinger
on the subject of fortifications, and wished to attach him
to government by appointing him a privy-councillor in
1735, with unlimited credit. For some time he refused a
situation which he thought himself not qualified to fill, but
when he accepted it, his first care was to acquire the knowledge necessary for a member of administration, endeavouring to procure the most correct information respecting
the political relations, constitution, and true interests of
the country. By these means, he was enabled very essentially to promote the commerce and agriculture of his
country, and in other respects to improve her natural resources, as well as her political connections, and he is
still remembered as one of the ablest statesmen of Germany. The system of fortification which he invented is
yet known by his name, and is now the chief means of
preserving it, as he died unmarried, at Stuttgard, Feb. 18,
1750. He is said to have been warm in his friendships,
but somewhat irascible; his whole time during his latter
years was occupied in his official engagements, except an
hour in the evening, when he received visits, and his only
enjoyment, when he could find leisure, was in the cultivation of his garden. To his parents he was particularly affectionate, and gratefully rewarded all those who had
assisted him in his dependent state. His principal works
are 1. “Disputatio de harmonia praestabilita,
”
Tubinguen, De harmonia animi et corporis
humani maxime prsestabilita commentatio hypothetica,
”
Francfort, De
origine et permissione Mali, &c.
” ibid. Specimen doctrinae veterum Sinarum moralis et politicae,
”
ibid. Dissertatio historico-catoptrica de
speculo Archimedis,
” Tubingen, Dilucidationes philosophies; de Deo, anima, &c.
” before
mentioned, ibid. Bilfingeri et Holmanni
epistolae de barmonia praestabilita,
” Disputatio de natura et legibus studii in theologica Thetici,
”
ibid. Disputatio de cuku Dei rationali,
”
ibid. Notae breves in Spinosae methodum.
explicandi scripturas,
” ibid. De mysteriis Christianae fidei generatim spectatis sermo,
” ibid. La Citadelle coupee,
” Leipsic, Elementa physices,
” Leipsic,
immortal countryman most remarkably resembled as an orator, a philosopher, a writer, a lawyer, and a statesman. Though this, perhaps, is speaking too highly of a collection,
Having related the more personal and private circumstances of Dr. Birch’s history, we proceed to his various
publications. The first great work he engaged in, was
“The General Dictionary, historical and critical
” wherein
a new translation of that of the celebrated Mr. Bayle was
included and which was interspersed with several thousand lives never before published. It was on the 29th of
April, 1734, that Dr. Birch, in conjunction with the rev.
Mr. John Peter Bernard, and Mr. John Lockman, agreed
with the booksellers to carry on this important undertaking; and Mr. George Sale was employed to draw up the
articles relating to oriental history. The whole design
was completed in ten volumes, folio; the first of which
appeared in 1734, and the last in 1741. It is universally
allowed, that this work contains a very extensive and useful body of biographical knowledge. We are not told
what were the particular articles written by Dr. Birch
but there is no doubt of his having executed a great part
of the dictionary neither is it, we suppose, any disparagement to his coadjutors, to say, that he was superior
to them in abilities and reputation, with the exception of
Mr. George Sale, who was, without controversy, eminently
qualified for the department he had undertaken. The
next great design in which Dr. Birch engaged, was the
publication of “Thurloe’s State Papers.
” This collection,
which comprised seven volumes in folio, came out in 1742.
It is dedicated to the late lord chancellor Hardwicke, and
there is prefixed to it a life of Thurloe but whether it
was written or not by our author, does not appear. The
same life had been separately published not long before.
The letters and papers in this collection throw the greatest
light on the pe'riod to which they relate, and are accompanied with proper references, and a complete index to
each volume, yet was a work by which the proprietors
were great losers. In 1744, Dr. Birch published, in octavo,
a “Life of the honourable Robert Boyle, esq
” which
hath since been prefixed to the quarto edition of the works
of that philosopher. In the same year, our author began
his assistance to Houbraken and Vertue, in their design of
publishing, in folio, the “Heads of illustrious persons of
Great Britain,
” engraved by those two artists, but chiefly
by Mr. Houbraken. To each head was annexed, by Dr,
Birch, the life and character of the person represented.
The first volume of this work, which came out in numbers,
was completed in 1747, and the second in 1752. Our
author’s concern in this undertaking did not hinder his
prosecuting, at the same time, other historical disquisitions: for, in 1747, appeared, in octavo,“His inquiry
into the share which king Charles the First had in the
transactions of the earl of Glamorgan.
” A second edition
ef the Inquiry was published in Miscellaneous works of sir Walter Raleigh
” to which was prefixed the life of that unfortunate and injured man. Previously to this, Dr. Birch
published “An historical view of the negociations between
the courts of England, France, and Brussels, from 1592
to 1617; extracted chiefly from the ms State Papers of
sir Thomas Edmondes, knight, embassador in France, and
at Brussels, and treasurer of the household to the kings
James I. and Charles I. and of Anthony Bacon, esq. brother to the lord chancellor Bacon. To which is added, a
relation of the state of France, with the character of Henry
IV. and the principal persons of that court, drawn up by
sir George Carew, upon his return from his embassy there
in 1609, and addressed to king James I. never before
printed.
” This work, which consists of one volume, in
octavo, appeared in 1749; and, in an introductory discourse
to the honourable Philip Yorke, esq. (the late earl of Hardwicke), Dr. Birch makes some reflections on the utility of deducing history from its only true and unerring
sources, the original letters and papers of those eminent
men, who were the principal actors in the administration
of affairs; after which he gives some account of the lives
of sir Thomas Edmondes, sir George Carew, and Mr. Anthorry Bacon. The “Historical View
” is undoubtedly a
valuable performance, and hath brought to light a variety
of particulars relative to the subjects and the period treated
of, which before were either not at all, or not so fully
known. In 17.51, was published by our author, an edition,
in two volumes, 8vo, of the “Theological, moral, dramatic, and poetical works of Mrs. Catherine Cockburn
”
with an account of her life. In the next year came out
his “Life of the most reverend Dr. John Tillotson, lord
archbishop of Canterbury. Compiled chiefly from his
original papers and letters.
” A second edition, corrected
and enlarged, appeared in 1753. This work, which was
dedicated to archbishop Herring, is one of the most pleasing and popular of Dr. Birch’s performances; and he has
done great justice to Dr. Tillotsou’s memory, character,
and virtues. Our biographer hath likewise intermixed
with his narrative of the good prelate’s transactions, short
accounts of the persons occasionally mentioned; a method
which he has pursued in some of his other publications.
In 1753, he revised. the quarto edition, in two volumes, of
Milton’s prose works, and added a new life of that great
poet and writer. Dr. Birch gave to the world', in the following year, his “Memoirs of the reign of queen Elizabeth, from the year 1581, till her death. In which the
secret intrigues of her court, and the conduct of her favourite, Robert earl of Essex, both at home and abroad,
are particularly illustrated. From the original papers of
his intimate friend, Anthony Bacon, esq. and other manuscripts never before published.
” These memoirs, which
are inscribed to the earl of Hardwicke, give a minute account of the letters and materials from which they are
taken and the whole work undoubtedly forms a very valuable collection in which our author has shewn himself
(as in his other writings) to be a faithfnl and accurate compiler and in which, besides a full display of the temper
and actions of the earl of Essex, much light is thrown on
the characters of the Cecils, Bacons, and many eminent
persons of that period. The book is now becoming scarce,
and, as it may not speedily be republished, is rising in its
value. This is the case, likewise, with regard to the edition of sir Walter Raleigh’s miscellaneous works. Dr.
Birch’s next publication was “The history of the Royal
Society of London, for improving of natural knowledge,
from its first rise. In which the most considerable of those
papers, communicated to the society, which have hitherto
not been published, are inserted in their proper order, as
a supplement to the Philosophical Transactions.
” The
twq first volumes of this performance, which was dedicated
to his late majesty, appeared in 1756, and the two other
volumes in 1757. The history is carried on to the end of
the year 1687 and if the work had been continued, and
had been conducted with the same extent and minuteness,
it would have been a very voluminous undertaking. But,
though it may, perhaps, be justly blamed in this respect,
it certainly contains many curious and entertaining
anecdotes concerning the manner of the society’s proceedings
at their first establishment. It is enriched, likewise, with
a number of personal circumstances relative to the members, and with biographical accounts of such of the more
considerable of them as died in the course of each year.
In 1760, came out, in one volume, 8vo, our author’s “Life
of Henry prince of Wales, eldest son of king James I.
Compiled chiefly from his own papers, and other manuscripts, never before published.
” It is dedicated to his
present majesty, then prince of Wales. Some have objected to this work, that it abounds too much with trifling
details, and that Dr. Birch has not given sufficient scope
to such reflections and disquisitions as arose from his subject. It must, nevertheless, be acknowledged, that it affords a more exact and copious account than had hitherto
appeared of a prince whose memory has always been remarkably popular; and that various facts, respecting several other eminent characters, are occasionally introduced. Another of his publications was, “Letters, speeches,
charges, advices, &c. of Francis Bacon, lord viscount St.
AJban, lord chancellor of England.
” This collection,
which is comprised in one volume, 8vo, and is dedicated
to the honourable Charles Yorke, esq. appeared in 1763.
It is taken from some papers which had been originally in
the possession of Dr. Rawley, lord Bacon’s chaplain, whose
executor, Mr. John Rawley, having put them into the
hands of Dr. Tenison, they were, at length, deposited in
the manuscript library at Lambeth. Dr. Birch, speaking
of these papers of lord Bacon, says, that it can scarcely
be imagined, but that the bringing to light, from obscurity
and oblivion, the remains of so eminent a person, will be
thought an acquisition not inferior to the discovery (if the ruins of Herculaneum should afford such a treasure) of a
new set of the epistles of Cicero, whom our immortal
countryman most remarkably resembled as an orator, a
philosopher, a writer, a lawyer, and a statesman. Though
this, perhaps, is speaking too highly of a collection, which
contains many things in it seemingly not very material, it
must, at the same time, be allowed, that nothing can be
totally uninteresting which relates to so illustrious a man,
or tends, in any degree, to give a farther insight into his
character. To this catalogue we have still to add “Professor Greaves’s miscellaneous works,
” Intellectual System,
” (improved from the Latin edition of Mosheim) his discourse on the
true notion of the Lord’s Supper, and two sermons, with
an account of his life and writings, 1743, in two vols. 4to.
An edition of Spenser’s “Fairy Queen,
” Letters
between col. Robert Hammond, governor of the Isle of
Wight, and the committee of lords and commons at Derbyhouse, general Fairfax, lieut.-general Cromwell, commissary general Ireton, &c. relating to king Charles I. while
he was confined in Carisbrooke-castle in that island. Now
first published. To which is prefixed a letter from John
Ashburnham, esq. to a friend, concerning his deportment
towards the king, in his attendance on his majesty at
Hampton-court, and in the Isle of Wight,
” The life of Dr. Ward,
” which
was finished but a week before his death, was published
by Dr. Maty, in 1766.
ot have been conferred upon a person more worthy of them for he was both an excellent magistrate and statesman, as he faithfully and assiduously executed the duties of his
Boethius was advanced a second time to the dignity of consul, in the eighteenth year of the reign of king Theodoric. Power and honour could not have been conferred upon a person more worthy of them for he was both an excellent magistrate and statesman, as he faithfully and assiduously executed the duties of his office and employed, upon every occasion, the great influence he had at court, in protecting the innocent, relieving the needy, and in procuring the redress of such grievances as gave just cause of complaint. The care of public affairs did not however engross his whole attention. This year, as he informs us himself, he wrote his commentary upon the Predicaments, or the Ten Categories of Aristotle. In imitation of Cato, Cicero, and Brutus, he devoted the whole of his time to the service of the commonwealth, and to the cultivation of the sciences. He published a variety of writings, in which he treated upon almost every branch of literature. Besides the commentary upon Aristotle’s Categories, he wrote an explanation of that philosopher’s Topics, in eight books; another, of his Sophisms, in two books; and commentaries upon many other parts of his writings. He translated the whole of Plato’s works: he wrote a commentary, in six books, upon Cicero’s Topics: he commented also upon Porphyry’s writings he published a discourse on Rhetoric, in one book a treatise on Arithmetic, in two books and another, in five books, upon Music he wrote three books upon Geometry, the last of which is lost he translated Euclid and wrote a treatise upon the quadrature of the circle neither of which performances are now extant he published also translations of Ptolomy of Alexandria’s works and of the writings of the celebrated Archimedes: and several treatises upon theological and metaphysical subjects, which are still preserved.
, a celebrated statesman, descended from an ancient and honourable family, and distinguished
, a celebrated statesman, descended
from an ancient and honourable family, and distinguished
by the title of the great earl of Cork, was the youngest
son of Mr. Roger Boyle of Herefordshire, by Joan, daughter of Robert Naylor of Canterbury, and born in the city
of Canterbury, Oct. 3, 1566. He was instructed in grammar learning by a clergyman of Kent; and after having
been a scholar in Ben'et college, Cambridge, where he
was remarkable for early rising, indefatigable study, and
great temperance, became student in the Middle Temple.
He lost his father when he was but ten years old, and his
mother at the expiration of other ten years; and being
unable to support himself in the prosecution of his studies,
he entered into the service of sir Richard Manwood, chief
baron of the exchequer, as one of his clerks: but perceiving few advantages from this employment, he resolved
to travel, and landed at Dublin in June 1588, with a very
scanty stock, his whole property amounting, as he himself
informs us, to 271. 3s. in money, two trinkets which his
mother gave him as tokens, and his wearing apparel. He
was then about two-and-twenty, had a graceful person,
and all the accomplishments for a young man to succeed in
a country which was a scene of so much action. Accordingly he made himself very useful to some of the
principal persons employed in the government, by penning
for them memorials, cases, and answers; and thereby acquired a perfect knowledge of the kingdom and the state
of publia affairs, of which he knew well how to avail himself. In 1595 he married at Limeric, Joan, the daughter
and coheiress of William Ansley of Pulborough, in Sussex,
<esq. who had fallen in love with him. This lady died 1599,
in labour of her first child (born dead) leaving her husband an estate of 500l. a year in lands, which was the beginning of his fortune. Some time after, sir Henry Wallop, of Wares, sir Robert Gardiner, chief justice of the
king’s bench, sir Robert Dillam, chief justice of the common pleas, and sir Richard Binghim, chief commissioner
of Connaught, envious at certain purchases he had made in
the province, represented to queen Elizabeth that he was
in the pay of the king of Spain (who had at that time some thoughts of invading Ireland), by whom he had been furnished with money to buy several large estates; and that
he was strongly suspected to be a Roman catholic in his
heart, with many other malicious suggestions equally
groundless. Mr. Boyle, having private notice of this,
determined to come over to England to justify himself:
but, before he could take shipping, the general rebellion
in Minister broke out, all his lands were wasted, and he
had not one penny of certain revenue left. In this distress
he betook himself to his former chamber in the Middle
Temple, intending to renew his studies in the law till the
rebellion should be suppressed. When the earl of Essex
was nominated lord-deputy of Ireland, Mr. Boyle, being
recommended to him by Mr. Anthony Bacon, was received
by his lordship very graciously; and sir Henry Wallop,
treasurer of Ireland, knowing that Mr. Boyle had in his
custody several papers which could detect his roguish
manner of passing his accounts, resolved utterly to depress
him, and for that end renewed his former complaints
against him to the queen. By her majesty’s special directions, Mr. Boyle was suddenly taken up, and committed
close prisoner to the Gatehouse: all his papers were
seized and searched; and although nothing appeared to
his prejudice, yet his confinement lasted till two months
after his new patron the earl of Essex was gone to Ireland,
At length, with much difficulty, he obtained the favour of
the queen to be present at his examination; and having
fully answered whatever was alledged against him, he gave
a short account of his behaviour since he first settled in
Ireland, and concluded with laying open to the queen
and her council the conduct of his chief enemy sir Henry
Wallop. Upon which her majesty exclaimed with, her
usual intemperance of speech, “By God’s death, these are
but inventions against this young man, and all his sufferings are for being able to do us service, and these
complaints urged to forestal him therein. But we find him to
be a man fit to be employed by ourselves; and we will employ him in our service: and Wallop and his adherents
shall know that it shall not be in the power of any of them,
to wrong him. Neither -shall Wallop be our treasurer any
longer.
” Accordingly, she gave orders not only for Mr.
Boyle’s present enlargement, but also for paying all the
charges and fees his confinement had brought upon him,
and gave him her hand to kiss before the whole assembly.
A few days after, the queen constituted him clerk of the
council of Munster, and recommended him to sir George
Carew, afterwards earl of Totness, then lord president of
Munster, who became his constant friend; and very soon,
after he was made justice of the peace and of the quorum,
throughout all the province. He attended in that capacity
the lord president in all his employments, and was sent by
his lordship to the queen with the news of the victory
gained in December 1601, near Kinsate, over the Irish,
and their Spanish auxiliaries, who were totally routed,
1200 being slain in the field, and 800 wounded. “I
made,
” says he, “a speedy expedition to the court, for I
left my lord president at Shannon -castle, near Cork, on
the Monday morning about two of the clock; and the next
day, being Tuesday, I delivered my packet, and supped
with sir Robert Cecil, being then principal secretary of
state, at his house in the Strand; who, after supper, held
me in discourse till two of the clock in the morning; and
by seven that morning called upon me to attend him to
the court, where he presented me to her majesty in her
bedchamber.
” A journey so rapid as this would be thought,
even in the present more improved modes of travelling,
requires all his lordship’s authority to render it credible.
act. He died in October 1679, aged fifty-eight; leaving behind him the character of an able general, statesman, and writer. He had issue by his lady, two sons and five daughters.
Soon after this affair, his lordship, with sir Charles
Coote, lately made earl of Montrath, and sir Maurice
Eustace, were constituted lords justices of Ireland, and
commissioned to call and hold a parliament. Some time
before the meeting of the parliament, he drew with his
own hand the famous act of settlement, by which he fixed
the property, and gave titles to their estates to a whole nation. When the duke of Ormond was declared lord lieutenant, the earl of Orrery went into Munster, of which
province he was president. By virtue of this office, he
heard and determined causes in a court called the residency-court; and acquired so great a reputation in his
judicial capacity, that he was offered the seals both by the
king and the duke of York after the fall of lord Clarendon;
but, being very much afflicted with the gout, he declined
a post that required constant attendance. During the first
Dutch war, in which France acted as a confederate with
Holland, he defeated the scheme formed by the duke de
Beaufort, admiral of France, to get possession of the harbour of Kinsale, and took advantage of the fright of the
people, and the alarm of the government, to get a fort
erected under his own directions, which was named Fort
Charles. He promoted a scheme for inquiring into, and
improving the king’s revenue in Ireland; but his majesty
having applied great sums out of the revenue of that kingdom which did not come plainly into account, the inquiry was never begun. Ormond, listening to some malicious insinuations, began to entertain a jealousy of
Orrery, and prevailed with the king to direct him to lay
down his residential court; as a compensation for which,
his majesty made him a present of 8000l. Sir Thomas
Clifford, who had been brought into the ministry in England, apprehensive that he cpuld not carry his ends in
Ireland whilst Orrery continued president of Munster,
procured articles of impeachment of high treason and misdemeanours to be exhibited against him in the English
house of commons; but his lordship being heard in his
place, gave an answer so clear, circumstantial, and ingenuous, that the affair was dropt. The king laboured in
vain to reconcile him to the French alliance, and the reducing of the Dutch. At the desire of the king and the
duke of York, he drew the plan of an act of limitation,
by which the successor would have been disabled from encroaching on civil and religious liberty; but the proposing
thereof being postponed till after the exclusion-bill was
set on foot, the season for making use of it was past. The
iing, to hinder his returning to Ireland, and to keep him
about his person, offered him the place of lord-treasurer;
but the earl of Orrery plainly told his majesty that he was
guided by unsteady counsellors, with whom he could not
act. He died in October 1679, aged fifty-eight; leaving
behind him the character of an able general, statesman,
and writer. He had issue by his lady, two sons and five
daughters. His writings are these: 1. “The Irish colours
displayed; in a reply of an English Protestant to a letter
of an Irish Roman catholic,
” London, An
answer to a scandalous letter lately printed, and subscribed
by Peter Walsh, procurator for the secular and regular
popish priests of Ireland, entitled A letter desiring a just
and merciful regard of the Roman catholics of Ireland,
given about the end of October 1660, to the then marquis,
now duke of Ormond, and the second time lord lieutenant of
that kingdom. By the right honourable the earl of Orrery, &c. being a full discovery of the treachery of the
Irish rebels since the beginning of the rebellion there, necessary to be considered by all adventurers, and other
persons estated in that kingdom,
” Dublin, A poem on his majesty’s happy restoration.
” 4. “A
poem on the death of the celebrated Mr. Abraham CowJey,
” London, The history of Henry V.
a tragedy,
” London, Mustapha, the son
of Soliman the Magnificent, a tragedy,
” London, Ifi67,
fol. and 1668. 7. “The Black Prince, a tragedy,
”
London, Triphon, a tragedy,
” London,
Parthenissa, a romance in three volumes,
” London,
A Dream.
” In this piece
he introduces the genius of France persuading Charles II.
to promote the interest of that kingdom, and act upon
French principles. He afterwards introduces the ghost of
his father, dissuading him from it, answering all the arguments the genius of France had urged, and proving to him
from his own misfortunes and tragical end, that a kind’s
cant curiosity; for your judicious remarks and reflections, says he, may not a little improve both a statesman, a critic, and a divine, as well as they will make the writer
In June 1686, his friend Dr. Gilbert Burnet, afterwards
bishop of Salisbury, transmitted to him from the Hague the
manuscript account of his travels, which he had dra.vn up
in the form of letters, addressed to Mr. Boyle: who, in
his answer to the doctor, dated the 14th of that month, expresses his satisfaction in “finding, that all men do not
travel, as most do, to observe buildings and gardens, and
modes, and other amusements of a superficial and almost
insignificant curiosity; for your judicious remarks and reflections, says he, may not a little improve both a statesman, a critic, and a divine, as well as they will make the
writer pass for all three.
” In 1687, Mr. Boyle published,
36. “The martyrdom of Theodora and Dydimia,
” 8vo; a
work he had drawn up in his youth. 37. “A disquisition
about the final causes of natural things; wherein it is enquired, whether, and, if at all, with what caution, a naturalist should admit them.
” With an appendix, about vitiated light,
” 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
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.
h ‘the post of honour’ which he chose and preferred was ‘a private station,’ though he was neither a statesman nor a soldier, like the first lord Cork, the first lord Orrery,
His last work was posthumous, “Letters from Italy,
”
written in The
character of John earl of Cork, as a writer and as a man,
may partly be collected from his own works, and partly
from the testimonies which have been given of him by some
of the most distinguished among his contemporaries. I
shall only beg leave to add, that, in every domestic and
social relation, in alltthe endearing connections of life, as
a husband, a father, a friend, a master, he had few equals.
The lustre which he received from rank and title, and from
the personal merit of his family, he reflected back, unimpaired and undhninished; and though ‘the post of honour’
which he chose and preferred was ‘a private station,’
though he was neither a statesman nor a soldier, like the
first lord Cork, the first lord Orrery, and his own father;
the rival of Palladio, like the late lord Burlington; or the
rival of Bacon, like Mr. Robert Boyle; yet in a general
taste for literature, or, as they are commonly called, polite studies, he was by no means inferior to his ancestors.
Being much in the great world at the beginning of his life,
he despised and detested it when he arrived at years of reflection. His constitution was never strong, and he was
very thankful that it was not so; as his health was a true
and no very irksome excuse to avoid those scenes, by
which his body would have been hurt, and his mind offended. He loved truth even to a degree of adoration. He
was a real Christian; and. as such, constantly hoped for a
better life, there trusting to know the real causes of those
effects, which here struck him with wonder, but not with
doubt.
”
is military preferments, in order to attend to his principality, and was not more distinguished as a statesman and a soldier than as a patron of learning and learned men,
, a general of infantry in the Prussian army, an honorary member of the royal academy of sciences of Berlin, and second cousin to his Britannic majesty, was born at Brunswick, Oct. 20, 1741. He was the second son of Charles, reigning duke of Brunswick, by the duchess PhilippineCharlotte, daughter of Frederick William I. king of Prussia, and sister to Frederick the Great. His education was intrusted to men of talents and virtue, and his progress was in proportion. He entered the military service in 1761, as colonel of his father’s regiment of infantry in the allied army, under the commander in chief, his uncle, the duke Ferdinand. In that year, and in 17 2, he distinguished himself in several actions. In 1763, he entered into the service of Frederick II. king of Prussia, and in 1768 married the only daughter of the reigning duke of Wirtemberg-Oels. From that time he fixed his residence entirely at Berlin, where he devoted his time to military and literary studies. His father-in-law dying about the end of the year 1792, he succeeded him in the principality of Oels, to which he went in the month of June 1793. The following year he resigned all his military preferments, in order to attend to his principality, and was not more distinguished as a statesman and a soldier than as a patron of learning and learned men, contributing liberally to the publication of many useful works. He died at Weimar Oct. 8, 1805.
force and variety of his talents; and the house began to perceive, that to whatever side this young statesman threw in his weight, it must add consideration and respect to
An administration, of which he had this opinion, was
not likely to proceed uncensured; particularly, when his
favourite repealing act “began to be in as bad an odour
in the house as the stamp act had the session before.
”
Other revenue acts following this, called out the force and
variety of his talents; and the house began to perceive,
that to whatever side this young statesman threw in his
weight, it must add consideration and respect to his party.
for, lord Shelburne (afterwards marquis of Lansdowne) being appointed first lord of the treasury, a statesman who had incessantly and powerfully co-operated with the party
Upon the meeting of parliament after the recess, the
new ministry, which stood pledged to the country for many
reforms, began to put them into execution. They first
began with the affairs of Ireland; and as the chief ground
of complaint of the sister kingdom was the restraining
power of the 6th of George the First, a bill was brought in
to repeal this act, coupled with a resolution of the house,
“That it was essentially necessary to the mutual happiness
of the two countries tha& a firm and solid connection should
be forthwith established by the consent of both, and that
his majesty should be requested to give the proper directions for promoting the same.
” These passed without opposition, and his majesty at the same time appointed his
grace the duke of Portland lord lieutenant of that kingdom. They next brought in bills for disqualifying revenue
officers for voting in the election for members of parliament; and on the 15th of April, Mr. Burke brought forward his great plan of reform in the civil list expenditure,
by which the annual saving (and which would be yearly increasing) would amount to 72,368l. It was objected by
some members that this bill was not so extensive as it was
originally framed; but Mr. Burke entered into the grounds
of those omissions which had been made either from a
compliance with the opinions of others, or from a fuller
consideration of the particular cases; at the same time he
pledged himself, that he should at all times be ready to
dbey their call, whenever it appeared to be the general
sense of the house and of the people to prosecute a more
complete system of reform. This bill was followed by
another for the regulation of his own office; but the lateness of the season did not afford time for the completion of
all plans of regulation and retrenchment, which were in
the contemplation of the new ministry, and indeed all their
plans were deranged by the death of the marquis of Rockingham July 1, 1782. On this event it was discovered
that there was not that perfect union of principles among
the leaders of the majority, to which the country had
looked up; for, lord Shelburne (afterwards marquis of Lansdowne) being appointed first lord of the treasury, a
statesman who had incessantly and powerfully co-operated
with the party in opposition to the late war, except in the
article of avowing the independence of America, this gave
umbrage to the Rockingham division of the cabinet, who
were of opinion that “by this change the measures of the
former administration would be broken in upon.
” Mr.
Fox, therefore, lord John Cavendish, Mr. Burke, and others,
resigned their respective offices, and Mr. Pitt, then a very
young man, succeeded lord George Cavendish as chancellor of the exchequer, lord Sidney succeeded Mr. Fox
as secretary of state, and colonel Barre Mr. Burke as paymaster of the forces, lord Sherburne retaining his office as
first minister.
, duke of Ormond, an eminent statesman, the son of Thomas Butler, esq. a branch of the Ormond family,
, duke of Ormond, an eminent statesman, the son of Thomas Butler, esq. a branch of the Ormond family, was born at Newcastle house, in Clerkenwell, 1610. Oh the decease of Thomas, earl, of Ormond, his grandfather Sir Walter Butler, of Kilcash, assumed the title, and his father was styled by courtesy viscount Thurles. After the death of his father, in 1619, who left a widow and seven children in embarrassed circumstances, this title devolved upon him. In 1620 he was sent over to England by his mother, and educated partly at a school at Finchtey, in Middlesex, but king James claiming the wardship of him, he was put under the tuition of. archbishop Abbot, who instilled in him that love for the protestant religion which he afterwards displayed on so many occasions. On the death of king James he was taken home by his grandfather the carl of Ormond; and in 1629 he married his cousin, lady Elizabeth Preston, a match which terminated some disputes that had long been agitated between the families. In 1630 he purchased a troop of horse in Ireland, and two years after succeeded, by the death of his grandfather, to the earldom of Ormond. During the earl of Stratford’s viceroyalty in Ireland, his talents were much noticed by that nobleman, who predicted his future fame. On the commencement of the rebellion in Ireland in 1641, he was appointed lieutenant-generaJ and commander in chief of an army of only 3000 men, but with this inconsiderable force, and a few additional troops raised by himself, he resisted the progress of the rebels, and in 1642 dislodged them from the Naes near Dublin, raised the blockade of Drogheda, and routed them at Kiirush. His exertions, however, being impeded by the jealousies of the lords justices and of the lord lieutenant, the king, that he might act without controui, gave him an independent commission under the great seal, and created him marquis of Ormond. In 1643 he obtained a considerable victory with a very inferior force over the rebels under the command of the Irish general Preston, but for want of suitable encouragement, he was under a necessity of concluding a cessation of hostilities, for which measure he was much blamed in England; though he availed himself of it by sending over troops to the assistance of the king, who was then at war with the parliament. His majesty, however, duly appreciating his services, appointed him lord lieutenant of Ireland, in the room of the earl of Leicester, in the beginning of the year 1644; but in the exercise of this office, he had to contend both with the rebellious spirit of the old Irish, and the machinations of the English parliament, and after maintaining an unsuccessful struggle for three years, he was, in 1647, obliged to sign a treaty with the parliament’s commissioners, and to come over to England, where he waited on 'the king at Hampton-court, and obtained his majesty’s full approbation of all his proceedings; but in the hazardous state of public affairs he thought it most prudent to provide for his own safety by embarking for France.
ncel of Su Dunstan’s in the west, in Fleet-street. As to his character, Lloyd says, “he was the only statesman, that, being engaged to a decried party (the Roman catholics),
George, the first lord, was buried in the chancel of Su
Dunstan’s in the west, in Fleet-street. As to his character,
Lloyd says, “he was the only statesman, that, being engaged to a decried party (the Roman catholics), managed
his business with that great respect for all sides, that all
who knew him applauded him, and none that had any
thing to do with him complained of him.
” But archbishop
Abbot, in a letter to sir Thomas Roe (Roe’s Letters, p. 372) seems to impute his turning Roman catholic to political discontent. This nobleman wrote, 1. “Carmen funebre in D. Hen. Untonum ad Gallos bis h-gatuiu, ibique
nuper fato functum.
” 2. “Speeches in Parliament.
” 3.
“Various Letters of State.
” 4. “The Answer of Tom
Tell Truth.
” 5. “The Practice of Princes
” and 6. “The
Lamentation of the Kirk.
” There are some of his letters
in the Harleian ms collection, and some in Howard’s
collection, 4to, p. 53—61.
, a German poet and statesman, and privy counsellor of state, was of an ancient and illustrious
, a German poet and statesman, and privy counsellor of state, was of an ancient and illustrious family in Brandenburg, and born at Berlin in 1654, five months after his father’s death. After his early studies, he travelled to France, Italy, Holland, and England; and upon his return to his country, was charged with important negociations by Frederic II. and Frederic III. Canitz united the statesman with the poet; and was conversant in many languages, dead as well as living. His German poems were published for the tenth time, 1750, in 8vo. He is said to haVe taken Horace for his model, "and to have written purely and delicately; and the French biographers complimented him with the title of the Pope of Germany. He not only cultivated the fine arts himself, but gave all the encouragement he could to them in others. He died at Berlin in 1699, highly praised for the excellence of his private character.
and passions of the world, he presents not a confession, but an apology, of the life of an ambitious statesman. Instead of unfolding the true counsels and characters of men,
Besides this history, he wrote also some theological
works, particularly an apology for the Christian religion
against that of Mahomet, in four books: this he did at the
request of a monk and friend of his, who had been solicited by a mussulman of Persia to desert Christianity, and
embrace Muimmetanism. In this he does not content himself with replying to the particular objection of the musulman to Christianity, but writes a general defence of it
against the Koran. He calls himself Christodulus as a
writer. This apology was printed in Greek and Latin at
Basil, 1543, by Bibliander and Gualtharus, from Greek Mss.
Gibbon, in his “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,
”
says, that the name and situation of the emperor John Cantacuzenus might inspire the most lively curiosity. His memorials of forty years extend from the revolt of the younger
Andronicus to his own abdication of the empire and it is
observed, that, like Moses and Cresar, he was the principal
actor in the scenes which he describes. But in this eloquent work, “we should vainly seek the sincerity of an
hero or a penitent. Retired in a cloister from the vices
and passions of the world, he presents not a confession,
but an apology, of the life of an ambitious statesman. Instead of unfolding the true counsels and characters of men,
he displays the smooth and specious surface of events,
highly varnished with his -own praises and those of his
friends. Their motives are always pure their ends always
legitimate they conspire and rebel without any views of
interest and the violence which they inflict or suffer is
celebrated as the spontaneous effect of reason and virtue.
”
, Lord Dorchester, an eminent statesman in the beginning of the seventeenth century, the eldest surviving
, Lord Dorchester, an
eminent statesman in the beginning of the seventeenth
century, the eldest surviving son of Anthony Carleton, esq.
of Baldwin Briglitweli, near Watlington,Oxon. was born at his
father’s seat, March 10, 1573. He was educated at Westminster school, and at Oxford, where he became a student
of Christ church about 1591, and distinguished as a young
man of parts. From hence, after taking a bachelor’s degree in 15L<5, he set out on his travels, and on his return
to Oxford, was created master of arts in July loOO. In
the same year we find him appointed secretary to sir Thomas Parry, our ambassador in France and in 1603 he served
in the same capacity in the house of Henry earl of Northumberland. He probably became afterwards a courtier,
as he speaks in one of his letters of holding the place of
gentleman usher. In the first parliament of James I. he
represented the borough of St. Mawes in Cornwall, and
was considered as an active member and an able speaker.
In April 1605, he accompanied lord Norris intoSpain, but
in the latter end of that year was summoned to England,
and on his arrival imprisoned, as being implicated in the
gunpowder treason but his innocence being proved, he
was honourably discharged. In 1607 he married a niece
of sir Maurice Carey, with whom he resided some time in
Chancery- lane, and afterwards in Little St. Bartholomew’s,
near West Smitlitield. At this period he appears to have
been unprovided for, as in one of his letters he complains
of an “army of difficulties, a dear year, a plaguy town, a
growing w if e and a poor purse.
” After being disappointed,
from political reasons, in two prospects, that of going to
Ireland, and that of going to Brussels, in an official capacity, he was nominated to the embassy at Venice, and
before setting out, in Sept. 1610, received the honour of
knighthood. The functions of this appointment he discharged with great ability, and soon proved that he was
qualified for diplomatic affairs. In 1615, he returned to
England, sir Henry Wotton being appointed in his room,
and on his arrival found all ministerial power and favour
centered in sir George Villiers, afterwards duke of Buckingham. Soon after, on the recommendation of sir Ralph
Win wood, one of the secretaries of state, he was employed
in what was then one of the most important embassiesin
the gift of the crown, that to the States General of Holland
and in this he continued from 1616 to 1628, and was the
last English minister who had the honour of sitting in the
council of state for the United Provinces, a privilege which
queen Elizabeth had wisely obtained, when she undertook
the protection of these provinces, and which was annexed
to the possession of the cautionary towns.
died much lamented by the public in general, and with the reputation of an honest and well-deserving statesman, is declared by sir Thomas Roe, in a manuscript letter to a
With regard to the general abilities and character of
lord Dorchester, it appears from alt his political remains,
that he was a judicious, faithful, and diligent minister, and
better qualified for his department than any who were his
immediate predecessors or successors in the same office.
King Charles himself, who was a good judge of his servants’ abilities, used to say, as sir P. Warwick relates in
his Memoirs, “that he had two secretaries of state, the
lords Dorchester and Falkland; one of whom was a dull
man in comparison of the other, and yet pleased him the
best for he always brought him his own thoughts in his
own woreds: the latter cloathed them in so fine a dress, that
he did not always know them again.
” Allowing for some
defects of stiffness and circumlocution, which are common
to all the writings of that time, lord Dorchester’s dispatches
are drawn up in that plain, perspicuous, and unaffected
stile which was fittest for business. Domestic concerns
were no part of his province, but entirely managed by the
lord treasurer Weston and archbishop Laud. He held the
pen singly in foreign affairs, and was regretted by those
who were used to receive the instructions of government
from a secretary of state, upon whom they could depend
that he would make a just report of their services, and that
he would not mislead or misrepresent the ministers with
whom he corresponded. That he died much lamented by
the public in general, and with the reputation of an honest
and well-deserving statesman, is declared by sir Thomas
Roe, in a manuscript letter to a friend in Holland. The
earl of Clarendon’s assertion, that lord Dorchester was
unacquainted with the government, laws, and customs of
his own country, and the nature of the people, is disputed
by Dr. Birch, in his “Review of the Negociations,
” who
considers it as absolutely incompatible with the experience
which he must have acquired in the house of commons.
But, not to mention that the noble historian, who had no
prejudice against his lordship, could not well be deceived
in the fact, it is, we think, confirmed by the figure he
made in the parliament of 1626, and by his acquiescence
in all the obnoxious measures of Buckingham, Weston,
and Laud. The following articles are attributed to his
pen, by Anthony Wood and lord Orford: 1. “Balance
pour peser en toute equite & droicture la Harangue fait
vagueres en L'Assemblee des illustres & puissans Seignoures
Messeigneurs les Estats generaux des Provinces Unies du
Pais has, &c.
” Harangue fait au Counseile
de Mess, les Estats generaux des Provinces Unies, touchant le Discord & le Troubles de PEglise & la Police,
causes par la Doctrine d'Arminius,
” 6 Oct. 1617, printed
with the former. 3. Various Letters in the “Cabala, or
Scrinia sacra,
” London, Cabala, or Mysteries of
State,
” London, Ger. Jo. Vossii
& clarorum Virorum ad.eum Epistoiae,
” London, Sir Ralph Winwood’s Memorials,
” published at
London, in folio, Howard’s Collection.
” 9. Memoirs
for Dispatches of political Affairs relating to Holland and
England, arm. 1618; with several Propositions made to the
States. Manuscript. 10. Particular Observations of the
military Affairs in the Palatinate, and the Low Countries,
annis 1621, 1622. Manuscript. 11. Letters relating to
State Affairs, written to the king and viscount Rochester,
from Venice, ann. 1613. Manuscript. The manuscript
pieces here mentioned, are probably no more than parts of
the collections preserved in the Paper office. The letters
from and to sir Dudley Carleton, during his embassy in
Holland, from January 1615-16, to December 1620, properly selected, and as occasion required, abridged, or only
noted, were published by the late earl of Hardwicke, in
1757, in one vol. 4to, with an historical preface. The second edition of the same work, with large additions to the
historical preface, appeared in 1775, and has been twice
reprinted since. These letters, if some allowances be made
for party violences and prejudices, contain more clear,
accurate, and interesting accounts of that remarkable period of Dutch history to which they relate, than are anj
where extant. There are, likewise, discussed in the
course of them, many points of great importance, at that
time, to the English commerce. Lord Hardwicke’s excellent preface has furnished the materials of the present
sketch.
c affairs.” After a pause he desired to hear the treaty read and gave it the approbation of a “dying statesman (his own words) on the most glorious war, and most honourable
We now come to a part of lord Carteret’s life, including
nearly twelve years, from 1730 to 1742, during which he
engaged in the grand opposition, that was carried on so
long, and with so much pertinacity, against sir Robert
Walpole. In this opposition he took a very distinguished
part, and was one of its ablest and most spirited leaders.
There was scarcely any motion or question on which his
eloquence was not displayed. His powers of oratory are
allowed to have been eminently great; and it is highly
probable, that they were invigorated and increased by
that superior ardour which naturally accompanies an attack
upon the measures of government. In the session of parliament, 1730-1, he supported the bill against pensioners
being permitted to sit in that house; and the motion for
discharging the twelve thousand Hessian forces in the pay
of Great Britain. In the subsequent session, which opened
on the 13th of January, 1731-2, besides speaking in
favour of the pension bill, lord Carteret exerted his whole
ability against the passing of the act for reviving the salt
duty. This tax he asserted to be grievous, pernicious,
and insupportable; oppressive to the lower part of the
people; and dangerous to public liberty, by the numerous
dependents it would create upon the crown. In the next
year, the grand objects that engaged the attention of the
minority were, the motion for the reduction of the land
forces; the produce of the forfeited estates of the SouthSea directors in 1720; and the bill for granting eightythousand pounds for the princess-royal’s marriage settlement, and a sum out of the sinking fund; on which occasions lord Carteret displayed his usual energy and eloquence. In the session which began on the 17th of January, 1733-4, his lordship made the motion for an address
to the king, to know who had advised the removal of the
duke of Bolton and lord Cobham from their regiments;
and took the lead in the memorable debate which arose
upon that question, and an, active part in the other matters that were agitated in this and the following sessions.
It is observable that, about this time, Dr. Swift had some
doubts concerning lord Carteret’s steadiness in the cause
of opposition, yet, in the session>f parliament which
opened on the 1st of February, 1736-7, his lordship distinguished himself greatly in the several question-s concerning the riots at Edinburgh, and the affair of captain
Porteus; and he was the mover, in the house of peers,
for the settlement of an hundred thousand pounds a year,
out of the civil list, upon the prince of Wales; a matter
which excited a very long and violent debate. He exercised the same vigour with regard to all the motions and
questions of that busy session; and it is evident, from the
records of the times, that he was the prime leader of opposition in the upper house. This character was preserved
by lord Carteret in the parliament which met on the 15th
of November, 1739; and in the following session, when
the minority exerted their whole strength to overturn the
administration, he made the motion in the house of peers,
Feb. 13, 1740-1, to address his majesty, that he would
graciously be pleased to remove sir Robert Walpole from
his presence and councils for ever, and prefaced his proposal with the longest, as well as the ablest speech that, he
ever appears to have delivered. A year after, when
views of opposition were attained, so far as related to the
displacing of sir Robert Walpole, lord Carteret, Feb. 12>
1741-42, was appointed one of his majesty’s principal secretaries of state, and then began to change his parliamentary language, opposing the motion for the commitment of the pension -bill, and the bill to indemnify
evidences against Robert earl of Orford, not consistently,
although with some reason. In September 1742, he was
sent to the States General, to concert measures with them,
for the maintenance of the liberties of the United Provinces, and the benefit of the common cause and soon
after his return, he opposed the motion for discharging the
Hanoverian troops in British pay and distinguished himself in favour of the bill for retailing spirituous liquors. In
1743 he waited upon his majesty at Hanover, and attended
him through the whole interesting campaign of that year;
and the king placed the greatest confidence in his counsels,
to which he was the more entitled, as he was eminently
^killed in foreign affairs. On the death of his mother,
upon the 18th of October, 1744, he succeeded to the titles
of viscount Carteret and earl Granville, and, a few weeks
after, resigned the seals as secretary of state, unable to
oppose the patriotic party, whom he had suddenly forsaken, and the duke of Newcastle and his brother, Mr.
Pelham, who formed analliance with them against him.
George II. however, with reluctance parted with a minister who had gained his personal affection by his great
knowledge of the affairs of Europe, by his enterprizing
genius, and, above all, by his ready compliance with the
king’s favourite views. In the beginning of 1746, his
lordship made an effort to retrieve his influence in the cabinet, but the duke of Newcastle and Mr. Pelham, who
knew his aspiring disposition, refused to admit him into
administration, yet mismanaged their intrigues so much,
that at first they were themselves obliged to resign, and
earl Granvilie was appointed secretary of state, and resumed the reins of administration, in February 1745-6:
finding, however, that he could not counteract the accumulated opposition that preponderated against him, he resigned the seals four days after they had' been put into his
hands. Still lord Granville’s political antagonists were not
able to prevent his receiving,. personal marks of royal favour. On the 22d of June, 1749J he was elected at Kensington, one of the knights companions of the most noble
order of the garter, and next year was again brought into
the ministry, in connection with the very men by whom
he had been so long and so warmly opposed. He was
then constituted president of the council, and notwithstanding the various revolutions of administration, was continued in this high post till his decease. When his majesty went to Hanover, in 17- r >2, earl Granville was appointed
one of the lords justices of the kingdom and he was in
the commissions for opening and concluding the session of
parliament, which began on the 31st of May, 1754, and
ended on the 5th of June following. The Ifist time in
which he spoke in the house of peers, was in opposition to
the third reading of the militia-bill, on the 24th of May,
1756, but not with his usual effect. When, in October
1761, Mr. Pitt proposed in council, an immediate declaration of war with Spain, and urged the measure with his
usual energy, threatening a resignation, if his advice should
not be adopted; lord Granville is said to have replied to
him in terms both pointed and personal. Mr. Wood, in
the preface to his “Essay on the original Genius and
Writings of Homer,
” informs us, that “being directed to
wait upon his lordship, a few days before he died, with
the preliminary articles of the treaty of Paris, he found
him so languid, that he proposed postponing his business
for another time; but earl Granville insisted that he should
stay, saying, it could not prolong his life to neglect his
duty; and repeating a passage out of Sarpedon’s speech
in Homer, he dwelled with particular emphasis on one of
the lines which recalled to his mind the distinguishing part
he had taken in public affairs.
” After a pause he desired
to hear the treaty read and gave it the approbation of a
“dying statesman (his own words) on the most glorious
war, and most honourable peace, this nation ever saw.
”
In other respects, lord Granville so much retained his vivacity to the close of his life, as to be able to break out
into sallies of wit and humour. He died Jan. 2, 1763, in.
the seventy-third year of his age. He was twice married;
first at Long-Leat, on the 17th of October, 1710, to
Frances, only daughter of sir Robert Worsley, bart.; and
secondly, on the 14th of April, 1744, to lady Sophia,
daughter of Thomas earl of Pomfret. By his former wife
he had three sons and five daughters; by the latter, only
one daughter.
Lord Granville’s character has been drawn as follows,
by the late earl of Chesterfield: “Lord Granville had
great parts, and a most uncommon share of learning for a
man of quality. He was one of the best speakers in the
house of lords, both in the declamatory and the argumentative way. He had a wonderful quickness and precision
in seizing the stress of a question, which no art, no sophistry, could disguise in him. In business he was bold,
enterprizing, and overbearing. He had been bred up in
high monarchical, that is, tyrannical principles of government, which his ardent and impetuous temper made him
think were the only rational and practicable ones. He
would have been a great first minister in France, little inferior, perhaps, to Richelieu; in this government, which is
yet free, he would have been a dangerous one, little less
so, perhaps, than lord Strafford. He was neither ill-natured nor vindictive, and had a great contempt for money.
His ideas were all above it. In social life he was an agreeable, good-humoured, and instructive companion; a great
but entertaining talker. He degraded himself by the vice
of drinking, which, together with a great stock of Greek
and Latin, he brought away with him from Oxford, and
retained and practised ever afterwards. By his own industry, he had made himself master of all the modern languages, and had acquired a great knowledge of the law.
His political knowledge of the interest of princes and of
commerce was extensive, and his notions were just and
great. His character may be summed up, in nice precision, quick decision, and unbounded presumption.
”
d right in the supreme court; and on any important affair his speeches were smooth and weighty. As a statesman, his whole deportment came up to his noble birth and his eminent
In the case of sir John Fenwick, though he had a conviction of his guilt, yet he was so averse to any extraordinary judicial proceedings, that he opposed the bill, as
he did likewise another bill for the resumption of the forfeited estates in Ireland. At the accession of queen Anne,
he was confirmed in all his offices. April 1705 he attended her majesty to Cambridge, and was there created
LL. D. In 1706, himself and his son the marquis of
Harrington were in the number of English peers appointed
commissioners for concluding an union with Scotland; this
was the last of his public employments. He died August
18, 1707. His mien and aspect were engaging and commanding: his address and conversation civil and courteous
in the highest degree. He judged right in the supreme
court; and on any important affair his speeches were
smooth and weighty. As a statesman, his whole deportment came up to his noble birth and his eminent stations:
nor did he want any of what the world call accomplishments. He had a great skill in languages; and read the
Roman authors with great attention: Tacitus was his
favourite. He was a true judge of history, a critic in
poetry, and had a fine hand in music. He had an elegant
taste in painting, and all politer arts; and in architecture
in particular, a genius, skill, and experience beyond any
one person of his age; his house at Chatsworth being a
monument of beauty and magnificence that perhaps is not
exceeded by any palace in Europe. His grace’s genius for
poetry shewed itself particularly in two pieces that are published, and are allowed by the critics to be written with
equal spirit, dignity, and delicacy. 1. “An Ode on the
Death of queen Mary.
” 2. “An allusion to the bishop of
Cambray’s supplement to Homer.
” He married the lady
Mary, daughter of James duke of Ormond, by whom he
had three sons and a daughter.
, lord Burleigh, an illustrious statesman of the sixteenth century, descended from the ancient and honourable
, lord Burleigh, an illustrious statesman of the sixteenth century, descended from the ancient and honourable family of Sitsilt, or Cecil, of Alterennes, in Herefordshire, was the son of Richard Cecil, master of the robes to Henry VIII. by Jane, daughter and heiress of William Hickington, of Bourne, co. Lincoln, esq. He was born in the house of his grandfather, David Cecil, at Bourne, in Lincolnshire, Sept. 13, 1520, and was first educated at the grammar-school at Grantham, whence he afterwards removed to Stamford. On May 27, 1535, he entered of St. John’s-college, Cambridge, and was no less distinguished by the regularity of his life, than by an uncommonly diligent application to his studies. Finding several persons of eminent talents at that time students there, this inspired him with such a thirst for learning, that he made an agreement with the bell-ringer to call him up at four o'clock every morning, and this sedentary life brought on a humour in his legs, which, although removed with some difficulty, his physicians considered as one of the principal causes of that inveterate gout with which he was tormented in the latter part of his life. Dr. Nicholas Medcalfe, who was at this time master of the college, was his principal patron, and frequently gave him money to encourage him; but the strong passion he had to excel his contemporaries, and to distinguish himself early in the university, was the chief spur to his endeavours. At sixteen he read a sophistry lecture, and at nineteen a Greek lecture, not for any pay or salary, but as a gentleman for his pleasure, and this at a time when there were but few who were masters of Greek, either in that college or in the university. But though he applied himself with so much assiduity to Greek literature, he laid up at the same time a considerable stock of general knowledge, having then no particular predilection to any single branch of science.
, a gallant soldier, an able statesman, and a very learned writer in the sixteenth century, was descended
, a gallant soldier, an able
statesman, and a very learned writer in the sixteenth century, was descended from a good family in Wales, and
born at London about 1515. His quick parts discovered
themselves even in his infancy; so that his family, to promote that passionate desire of knowledge for whidh he was
so early distinguished, sent him to the university of Cambridge, where he remained some years, and obtained great
credit, as well by the pregnancy of his wit as his constant
and diligent application, but especially by his happy turn
for Latin poetry, in which he exceeded most of his contemporaries. Upon his removing from college he came
up to court, and being there recommended to the esteem
and friendship of the greatest men about it, he was soon
sent abroad into Germany with sir Henry Knevet, as the
custom was in the reign of Henry VIII. when young men
of great hopes were frequently employed in the service of
ambassadors, that they might at once improve and polish
themselves by travel, and gain some experience in business. He was so well received at the court of the emperor
Charles V. and so highly pleased with the noble and generous spirit of that great monarch, that he attended him in
his journies, and in his wars, particularly in that fatal expedition against Algiers, which cost the lives of so many
brave men, and was very near cutting short the thread of
Mr. Chaloner’s; for in the great tempest by which the
emperor’s fleet was shattered on the coast of Barbary in
1541, the vessel, on board of which he was, suffered shipwreck, and Mr. Chaloner having quite wearied and exhausted himself by swimming in the dark, at length beat
his head against a cable, of which laying hold with his
teeth, he was providentially drawn up into the ship to which
it belonged. He returned soon after into England, and as
a reward of his learning and services, was promoted to the
office of first clerk of the council, which he held during
the remainder of that reign. In the beginning of the next
he came into great favour with the duke of Somerset,
whom he attended into Scotland, and was in the battle of
Mussleburgh, where he distinguished himself so remarkably in the presence of the duke, that he conferred upon
him the honour of knighthood Sept. 28, 1547, and after
his return to court, the duchess of Somerset presented
him with a rich jewel. The first cloud that darkened his
patron’s fortune, proved fatal to sir Thomas Chaloner’s
pretensions; for being a man of a warm and open temper,
and conceiving the obligation he was under to the duke as
a tie that hindered his making court to his adversary, a
stop was put to his preferment, and a vigilant eye kept
upon his actions. But his loyalty to his prince, and his
exact discharge of his duty, secured him from any farther
danger, so that he had leisure to apply himself to his
studies, and to cultivate his acquaintance with the worthiest
men of that court, particularly sir John Cheke, sir Anthony Coke, sir Thomas Smith, and especially sir William
Cecil, with whom he always lived in the strictest intimacy.
Under the reign of queen Mary he passed his time, though
safely, yet very unpleasantly; for being a zealous protestant, he could not practise any part of that complaisance
which procured some of his friends an easier life. He
interested himself deeply in the affair of sir John Cheke,
and did him all the service he was able, both before and
after his confinement. This had like to have brought sir
Thomas himself into trouble, if the civilities he had shewn
in king Edward’s reign, to some of those who had the
greatest power under queen Mary, had not moved them,
from a principle of gratitude, to protect him. Indeed, it
appears from his writings, that as he was not only sincere,
but happy in his friendships, and as he was never wanting
to his friends when he had power, he never felt the want
of them when he had it not, and, which he esteemed the
greatest blessing of his life, he lived to return those kindnesses to some who had been useful to him in that dangerous season. Upon the accession of Elizabeth, he appeared at court with his former lustre; and it must afford
us a very high opinion of his character as well as his capacity, that he was the first ambassador named by that wise
princess, and that also to the first prince in Europe, Ferdinand I. emperor of Germany. In this negociation, which
was of equal importance and delicacy, he acquitted himself with great reputation, securing the confidence of the
emperor and his ministers, and preventing the popish
powers from associating against Elizabeth, before she
was well settled on the throne, all which she very
gratefully acknowledged. After his return from this embassy, he was very soon thought of for another, which was
that of Spain; and though it is certain the queen could
not give a stronger proof than this of her confidence in
his abilities, yet he was very far from thinking that it was
any mark of her kindness, more especially considering the
terms upon which she then stood with king Philip, and
the usage his predecessor, Chamberlain, had met with at
that court. But he knew the queen would be obeyed,
and therefore undertook the business with the best grace
he could, and embarked for Spain in 1561. On his first
arrival he met with some of the treatment which he dreaded.
This was the searching of all his trunks and cabinets, of
which he complained loudly, as equally injurious to himself as a gentleman, and to his character as a public minister. His complaints, however, were fruitless; for at that
time there is great probability that his Catholic majesty
was not over desirous of having an English minister, and
more especially one of sir Thomas’s disposition, at his
court, and therefore gave him no satisfaction. Upon this
sir Thomas Chaloner wrote home, set out the affront that
he had received in the strongest terms possible, and was
very earnest to be re-called; but the queen his mistress
contented herself with letting him know, that it was the
duty of every person who bore a public character, to bear
with patience what happened to them, provided no personal indignity was offered to the prince from whom they
came. Yet, notwithstanding this seeming indifference on
her part, the searching sir Thomas Chaloner’s trunks was,
many years afterwards, put into that public charge which
the queen exhibited against his Catholic majesty, of injuries done to her before she intermeddled with the affairs of
the Low Countries. Sir Thomas, however, kept up his
spirit, and shewed the Spanish ministers, and even that
haughty monarch himself, that the queen could not have
entrusted her affairs in better hands than his. There were
some persons of very good families in England, who, for
the sake of their religion, and no doubt out of regard to
the interest to which they had devoted themselves, desired
to have leave from queen Elizabeth to reside in the Low
Countries or elsewhere, and king Philip and his ministers
made it a point to support their suit. Upon this, when a
conference was held with sir Thomas Chaloner, he answered very roundly, that the thing in itself was of very
little importance, since it was no great matter where the
persons who made this request spent the remainder of their
days; but that considering the rank and condition of the
princes interested in this business, it was neither fit for the
one to ask, nor for the other to grant; and it appeared
that he spoke the sense of his court, for queen Elizabeth
would never listen to the proposal. In other respects he
was not unacceptable to the principal persons of the
Spanish court, who could not help admiring his talents as
a minister, his bravery as a soldier, with which in former
times they were well acquainted, his general learning and
admirable skill in Latin poetry, of which he gave them
many proofs during his stay in their country. It was here,
at a time when, as himself says in the preface, he spent
the winter in a stove, and the summer in a barn, that he
composed his great work of “The right ordering of the
English republic.
” But though this employment might in
some measure alleviate his chagrin, yet he fell into a very
grievous fit of sickness, which brought him so low that his
physicians despaired of his life. In this condition he
addressed his sovereign in an elegy after the manner of
Ovid, setting forth his earnest desire to quit Spain and
return to his native country, before care and sickness
forced him upon a longer journey. The queen granted
his petition, and having named Dr. Man his successor in
his negociation, at length gave him leave to return home
from an embassy, in which he had so long sacrificed his
private quiet to the public conveniency. He accordingly
returned to London in the latter end of 1564, and published
the first five books of his large work before-mentioned,
which he dedicated to his good friend sir William Cecil;
but the remaining five books were probably not published.
in his life-time. He resided in a fair large house of his
own building in Clerkenwell-close, over-against the decayed nunnery; and Weever has preserved from oblivion
an elegant fancy of his, which was penciled on the frontispiece of his dwelling. He died Oct. 7, 1565, and was
buried in the cathedral church of St. Paul with great funeral
solemnity, sir William Cecil, then principal secretary of
state, assisting as chief mourner, who also honoured his
memory with some Latin verses, in which he observes,
that the most lively imagination, the most solid judgment,
the quickest parts, and the most unblemished probity,
which are commonly the lot of different men, and when so
dispersed frequently create great characters, were, which
very rarely happens, all united in sir Thomas Chaloner,
justly therefore reputed one of the greatest men of his
time. He also encouraged Dr. William Malim, formerly
fellow of King’s college in Cambridge, and then master of
St. Paul’s school, to collect and publish a correct edition
of our author’s poetical works; which he accordingly did,
and addressed it in an epistle from St. Paul’s school, dated
August 1, 1579, to lord Burleigh. Sir Thomas Chaloner
married Ethelreda, daughter of Edward Frodsham of EJton,
in the county palatine of Chester, esq. by whom he had
issue his only son Thomas, the subject of the next article.
This lady, not long after sir Thomas’s decease, married
sir * * * Brockett, notwithstanding which the lord Burleigh continued his kindness to her, out of respect to that
friendship which he had for her first husband. Sir Thomas’s epitaph was written by one of the best Latin poets of
that age, Dr. Walter Haddon, master of requests to queen
Elizabeth.
the siege of that place by a cannon ball in 1621. He was no less distinguished among his party as a statesman than as a divine. No man opposed the artifices employed by the
, an eminent French protestant
divine, was born in Dauphiny, and was long minister at
Montelimart, in that province, from whence he removed
in 16 12 to Montaubon, to be professor of divinity; and
was killed at the siege of that place by a cannon ball in
1621. He was no less distinguished among his party as a
statesman than as a divine. No man opposed the artifices
employed by the court to distress the protestants with
more steadiness and inflexibility. Varillas says it was he
who drew up the edict of Nantz. Though politics took up
a great part of his time, he acquired a large fund of extensive learning, as appears from his writings. His treatise “De œcumenico pontifice,
” and his “Epistolæ Jesuiticæ,
” are commended by Scaliger. Hjs principal
work is his “Catholica Panstratia, or the Wars of the
Lord,
” in which the controversy between the protestants
and Roman catholics is learnedly handled. It was written
at the desire of the synod of the reformed churches in
France, to confute Bellarmine. The synod of Privas, in
1612, ordered him 2900 livres to defray the charges of the
impression of the first three volumes. Though this work
makes four large folio volumes, it is not complete: for it
wants the controversy concerning the church, intended
for a fifth volume, which the author’s death prevented
him from finishing. This body of controversy was printed
at Geneva in 1626, under the care of Turretin, professor
of divinity. An abridgment of it was published in the
same city in 1643, in one vol. folio, by Frederick Spanheim,
the father. His “Corpus Theologicum,
” and his “Epistolae Jesuiticae,
” were printed in a small folio volume, De cecumenico pontifice
” was also published in
8vo, Genev.
. Being at the height of his reputation, Richelieu, who was fond of being thought a wit as well as a statesman, and was going to publish something which he would have pass
Chapelain died at Paris, Feb. 22, 1674, aged seventynine. He was of the king’s counsellors; very rich, and
had some amiable qualities, but was covetous. “Pelisson
and I,
” says Menage, “had been at variance a long time
with Chapelain; but, in a fit of humility, he called upon
me and insisted that we should go and offer a reconciliation
to him, for that it was his intention,
” as much as possible,
to live in peace with all men.“We went, and I protest I
saw the very same billets of wood in the chimney which I
had observed there twelve years before. He had 50,Ooo
crowns in ready cash by him; and his supreme delight was
to have his strong box opened and the bags taken out,
that he might contemplate his treasure. In this manner
were his bags about him when he died; which gave occasion to a certain academician to say,
” there is our friend
Chapelain just dead, like a miller among his bags.“He
had no occasion therefore to accept of cardinal Richelieu’s
offer. Being at the height of his reputation, Richelieu,
who was fond of being thought a wit as well as a statesman,
and was going to publish something which he would have
pass for an excellent performance, could not devise a better expedient than prefixing Chapelain’s name to it.
” Chapelain,“says he,
” lend me your name on this occasion, and I will lend you my purse on any other.“The
learned Huet endeavoured to vindicate his great poem,
but could not succeed against the repeated attacks of
Boileau, Racine, and Fontaine. Chapelain, however, was
a man of learning, and a good critic, and he has found an
able defender in the abbe cT Olivet, in his History of the
French Academy, It was at the desire of Malherbe and
Vaugelas that Chapelain wrote the famous preface to the
” Adone“of Marino; and it was he who corrected the
very first poetical composition of Racine, his
” Ode to the
Queen," who introduced Racine to Colbert, and procured
him a pension, for which Racine repaid him by joining
the wits in decrying his poem.
lar object of his journey, the philosopher finds in it the history of mankind and of nature; and the statesman the political system and interest of nations. The great labour
The abbe set out for the place of his destination in the month of November 1760. After encountering a variety of almost incredible difficulties, he arrived at Tobolsk, where ignorance and superstition prepared new danger for him. The simple Russians, attentive to all his actions, beheld his preparations with the utmost terror; the observatory which he caused to be erected, and the instruments he transported thither, increased their alarm; and the overflowing of the river Irtish, which inundated part of the city, a natural consequence of the thaw that took place, served still more to confirm them in their suspicions. The governor of Tobolsk, a man of education, to whom the world is indebted for a correct chart of the Caspian, was obliged to give the abb a guard for his protection. The moment so long wished for, and purchased by such fatigue and peril, being at length arrived, the abbe", on the 5th of June, made every necessary preparation for observing the transit; but the pleasure which he anticipated from the success of his expedition was not free from a mixture of pain, for the sky, during the night, became quite overcast. This was a new source of uneasiness to the abbe; but luckily for science, a favourable wind, which sprung up at sun-rise, revived his hopes, by withdrawing the veil that obscured the object of his researches. The observation was made with the necessary precision, in presence of M. Ismailof, count Poushkin, and the archbishop of Tobolsk: and the academy of sciences at Paris, as well as that of Petersburg, received the particulars of this event soon after by a courier whom M. Ismailof immediately dispatched. The glory of this observation had preceded the abbé, and prepared new honours for him at St. Petersburg. The empress, with a view of inducing him to settle there, made him an offer, by means of baron de Breteuil, of the distinguished place which had been occupied by M. Delisle. But choosing rather to pass his days at home, he rejected the offers made him. On his arrival in France hebegan, to prepare an account of his journey, which was published in 1768, in 3 vols. 4to, elegantly printed and adorned with engravings. Besides the account of the particular object of his journey, the philosopher finds in it the history of mankind and of nature; and the statesman the political system and interest of nations. The great labour required to prepare this work for publication did not interrupt the abba’s astronomical pursuits. He enriched the memoirs of the academy with several instructive pieces; and that which he presented in 1767 is the more valuable, as it confirms the experiments made upon electricity at Tobolsk, and demonstrates the identity of the electric fluid with lightning.
in order to engage him in his interest.” But although the assistance of learned men to an ambitious statesman is very well understood in modern times, it is somewhat difficult
Chaucer’s biographers have given some particulars of his life, before the office just mentioned was conferred upon him. He is said to have been in constant attendance on his majesty, and when the court was at Woodstock, resided at a square stone house near the park gate, which long retained the name of Chaucer’s house; and many of the rural descriptions in his works have been traced to Woodstock park, the favourite scene of his walks and studies. But besides his immediate office near the royal person, he very early attached himself to the service of the celebrated John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and from this connection his public life is to be dated. The author of the life prefixed to Urry’s edition observes, that the duke’s “ambition requiring all the assistance of learned men to give it a plausible appearance, induced him to do Chaucer many good offices, in order to engage him in his interest.” But although the assistance of learned men to an ambitious statesman is very well understood in modern times, it is somewhat difficult to conceive what advantage could be derived from such assistance before the invention of printing. It is more probable that the duke had a relish for the talents and taste of Chaucer, and became his patron upon the most liberal grounds, although Chaucer might afterwards repay his favours by exposing the conduct of the clergy, who were particularly obnoxious to the duke by their monopoly of power.
esiding on his diocese, or paying occasional visits to the metropolis, which his high character as a statesman rendered no less necessary than grateful to his royal master.
On our founder’s return, he passed some months in discharging the functions of his diocese. In May 1410, he was again sent to France, with other negociators, to obtain a renewal of the truce between the two kingdoms; but this was not accomplished until the year following, nor without considerable difficulties. For nearly two years after this, we find him residing on his diocese, or paying occasional visits to the metropolis, which his high character as a statesman rendered no less necessary than grateful to his royal master.
exert his native talents and superior powers of thinking, we discover the measures of an enlightened statesman, and that liberal and benevolent disposition which would confer
His character, when assimilated to that of the age in which he lived, is not without a portion of the dark sentiment, and barbarous spirit of persecution, which obstructed the reformation; but on every occasion where he dared to exert his native talents and superior powers of thinking, we discover the measures of an enlightened statesman, and that liberal and benevolent disposition which would confer celebrity in the brightest periods of our history.
te, who was in a fair way of supplanting the duchess; and that she listened to the insinuations of a statesman who was no friend to him. He is said to have borne all this
These points adjusted, the duke made haste to return to
his charge, it being thought especially necessary he should
acquaint the foreign ministers at the Hague, that the
queen of Great Britain would hearken to no proposals for
a peace, but what would firmly secure the general tranquillity of Europe. The campaign of the year 1707 proved
the most barren he ever made, which was chiefly owing to
a failure on the part of the allies, who began to be remiss
in supporting the common cause. Nor did things go on
more to his mind at home; for upon his return to England,
after the campaign was over, he found that the fire, which
he suspected the year before, had broke out in his absence;
that the queen had a female favourite, who was in a fair
way of supplanting the duchess; and that she listened to
the insinuations of a statesman who was no friend to him.
He is said to have borne all this with firmness and patience,
though he easily saw whither it tended; and went to Holland as usual, early in the spring of 1708, arriving at the
Hague March 19. The ensuing campaign was carried on
by the duke, in conjunction with prince Eugene, with
such prodigious success, that the French king thought fit,
in the beginning of 1709, to set on foot a negotiation for
peace. The house of commons this year gave an uncommon testimony of their respect for the duke of Marlborough; for, besides addressing the queen, they, January 22, 1709, unanimously voted him thanks, and ordered
them to be transmitted to him abroad by the speaker. He
returned to England Feb. 25, and on his first appearance
in the house of lords, received the thanks of that august
assembly. His stay was so very short, that we need not
dwell upon what passed in the winter. It is sufficient to
say, that they who feared the dangerous effects of those
artful proposals France had been making for the conclusion of a general' peace, were also of opinion, that nobody
was so capable of setting their danger, in a true light in
Holland as his grace of Marlborough. This induced the
queen to send Mm thither, at the end of March, with the
character of her plenipotentiary, which contributed not a
little to the enemy’s disappointment, by defeating all their
projects.
Marshal Villars commanded the French army in the campaign of 1709; and Lewis XIV. expressed no small hopes
of him, in saying a little before the opening of it, that
“Villars was never beat.
” However the siege of Tournay,
and the battle of Malplaquet, convinced the monarch that
Villars was not invincible. Upon the news of the glorious
victory gained Aug. 1, 1709, the city of London renewed
their congratulatory addresses to the queen; and her majesty in council, Oct. 3, ordered a proclamation for a general thanksgiving. The duke of Marlborough came t6
St. James’s Nov. 10, and soon after received the thanks of
both houses: and the queen, as if desirous of any occasion
to shew her kindness to him, appointed him lord lieutenant
and custos rotulorum of the county of Oxford. But amidst
these honours, preferments, and favours, he was really
chagrined to the last degree. He perceived that the
French intrigues began to prevail both in England and
Holland: the affair of Dr. Sacheverell had thrown the nation into a ferment: and the queen was not only estranged
from the duchess of Marlborough, but had taken such a
dislike to her that she seldom appeared at court.
torian, however, seems with great justice to characterise him as possessing the accomplishments of a statesman and courtier in a degree inferior to none of his contemporaries;
Various characters have been given of this illustrious nobleman, whom party prejudice misrepresented in his life-time, and who has since been censured by succeeding writers, some of whom seem to have become more bold in proportion to their distance from his time, and from all opportunities of judging with impartiality. A late historian, however, seems with great justice to characterise him as possessing the accomplishments of a statesman and courtier in a degree inferior to none of his contemporaries; while his military talents raised him far above all rivalship and competition. The natural advantages of a fine figure and dignified mien, embellished with all the graces of the court, to which he was introduced at an early stage of life, hefore his more useful qualifications were discovered, made lord Churchill the first object of notice and admiration in every polite circle. While these exterior excellencies recommended him as the fittest person to be employed on business of compliment at foreign courts, his fascinating address, his political knowledge, and his acute penetration into characters, rendered him the most able and successful negociator in the more weighty affairs of state. His early proficiency in every branch of warlike science, and his meritorious exploits in the station of a subaltern commander, had excited a general expectation of his ascending to distinguished superiority in the line of his profession. The history of ten eventful campaigns demonstrated that nothing was expected from him which he did not perform; and that there was not a single accomplishment of a general, in which he did not excell. His comprehensive and various capacity was equally adapted to complicated and detached objects. In the several departments of plan and stratagem, and of enterprize and action, he was alike successful. The general arrangement of the campaign, and the dispositions which he made in the day of battle, the choice of ground, his composure and presence of mind in the heat of an. engagement, his improvement of victory, and" his ready expedients under bad fortune, for a defeat he never knew, were all evidences of such diversity of talents, and such a stupendous pitch of military genius, as never were surpassed by those of the greatest commanders in ancient and modern times.
he forum, was placed under the care of Q. Mucius Scoevola the augur, the principal lawyer as well as statesman of that age; and after his death under that of Scaevola, who
After finishing the course of his juvenile studies, he took
the manly gown, or the ordinary robe of the citizens, at
the accustomed age of sixteen: and being then introduced
into the forum, was placed under the care of Q. Mucius
Scoevola the augur, the principal lawyer as well as statesman of that age; and after his death under that of Scaevola,
who had equal probity and skill in the law. Under these
masters he acquired a complete knowledge of the laws of
his country; which was thought to be of such consequence
at Rome, that boys at school learned the laws of the twelve
tables by heart, as a school exercise. In the mean time
he did not neglect his poetical studies, which he had pur'sued under Archias: for he now translated “Aratus on the
phenomena of the Heavens,
” into Latin verse, of which
many fragments are still extant; and published also an
original poem of the heroic kind, in honour of his countryman C. Marius. This was much admired and often read
by Atticus; and old Sca3vola was so pleased with it, that
in the epigram, which he seems to have made upon it, he
fondly declares, that it would live as long as the Roman
name and learning subsisted. But though some have said,
that Cicero’s poetical genius would not have been inferior
to his oratorial, if it had been cultivated with the same
diligence, it is more generally agreed that his reputation
is least of all indebted to his poetry. He may, however,
have been a critic, and it is certain jhat Lucretius submitted his poem to him for correction.
y 'be said, that by his death the church lost an excellent bishop; the kingdom a consistent and able statesman; the protestant religion, at home and abroad, an ornament and
Among the many excellent features of his character
given by Dr. Gooch, his munificence stands conspicuous.
“He disposed of money to every one who could make out
(and it was very easy to make that out to him) that he was
a proper object of charity. He answered literally the
apostle’s character, poor enough himself, yet making many
rich. He had divers ancient people, men and women^
whom he supported by constant annual pensions; and several chiklren at school, at his own cost and charge, besides
those educated from children, and brought up to the universities, to the sea, or to trades, &c. The poor of his
parish were always attending his gate for their dole, and
for the remains of his constant hospitable table, which was
always furnished, and free to those whom respect or business drew to him. His hall was frequented in the morning with petitioners of all sorts. More particularly, he
spared no cost nor pains to serve the church and clergy.
He bought many advowsons out of lay-hands. He gave
great sums for the rebuilding of churches, and greater still
for the buying in impropriations, and settling them on the
poor vicars. There was no poor honest clergyman, or his
widow, in want, but had his benevolence when applied for:
not any in the reformed churches abroad, to whom he was
not a liberal patron, steward, and perpetual solicitor for.
The French refugees drank deep of his bounty for many
years; so did the Irish in their day of affliction and likewise the Scotch episcopal party,
” when ejected from their
livings at the revolution. It may truly 'be said, that by
his death the church lost an excellent bishop; the kingdom
a consistent and able statesman; the protestant religion,
at home and abroad, an ornament and refuge; and the
whole Christian world, an eminent example of virtue and
piety.
nd Peissonel announced a periodical collection, entitled “Bibliotheque de I'liomme Public, &c.” (The statesman’s library, or the analysis of the best political works.) This
The political labours of Condorcet entirely occupied the
last years of his existence. Among them were, his work,
“Sur les assemblies provinciales,
” and his “Reflexions
sur le commerce des bk-s,
” two of the most harmless.
In The
Wealth of Nations,
” with notes by Condorcet, who, however, had but little concern with it, and on this and other
occasions he was not unwilling to sell his name to the
booksellers to give a reputation to works with which he
had no concern. Chapelier and Peissonel announced a
periodical collection, entitled “Bibliotheque de I'liomme
Public, &c.
” (The statesman’s library, or the analysis of the best political works.) This indeed was one way of
enabling the deputies of the assembly to learn what it was
important for them, to become acquainted with; it was supposed that the name of Condorcet might be useful on this
occasion also, and it was accordingly made use of. The
work itself contained one of his compositions which had
been transmitted to the academy at Berlin. The subject
discussed was, “Est il permis de tromper le peuple r
”
(Ought the people to be deceived?) This question, we
presume, must have always been decided in the affirmative by such politicians as Condorcet, since what amounts
to the same effect) almost all his writings tended to pave
the way for a revolution in which the people were completely deceived. He was afterwards a member of the
popular clubs at Paris, particularly that of the jacobins,
celebrated for democratic violence, where he was a frequent but by no means a powerful speaker. He was chosen a representative for the metropolis, when the constituent assembly was dissolved, and joined himself to the
Brissotine party, which finally fell the just victims to that
revolutionary spirit which they had excited. Condorcet at
this period was the person selected to draw up a plan for
public instruction, which he comprehended in two memoirs,
and which it is acknowledged were too abstract for general
use. He was the author of a Manifesto addressed from the
French people to the powers of Europe, on the approach
of war; and of a letter to Louis XVI. as president of the
assembly, which was dictated in terms destitute of that
respect and consideration to which the first magistrate of a
great people has, as such, a just claim. He even attempted to justify the insults offered to the sovereign by the
lowest, the most illiterate, and most brutal part of a delirious populace. On the trial of the king, his conduct was
equivocal and unmanly; he had declared that he ought
not to be arraigned, yet he had i^t courage to defend h\s
opinion, or justify those sentiments which he had deliberately formed in the closet.
, an English officer and statesman, the second son of Francis, first lord Conway, was born in 1720,
, an English officer and
statesman, the second son of Francis, first lord Conway,
was born in 1720, and appeared first in public life in 1741
as one of the knights for the county of Antrim, in the parliament of Ireland; and in the same year was elected
for Higham Ferrers, to sit in the ninth parliament of Great
Britain. He was afterwards chosen for various other places
from 1754 to 1780, when he represented St. Edmund’s
Bury. In 1741 he was constituted captain-lieutenant in
the “first regiment of foot-guards, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel; and in April 1746, being then aid-de-camp
to the duke of Cumberland, he got the command of the
xorty-eighth regiment of foot, and the twenty-ninth in July
1749. He was constituted colonel of the thirteenth regiment of dragoons in December 1751, which he resigned
upon being appointed colonel of the first, or royal regiment of dragoons, Septembers, 1759. In January 1756
he was advanced to the rank of major-general; in March
1759, to that of lieutenant-general; in May 1772, to that
of general; and in October 12, 1793, to that of field
marshal. He served with reputation in his several military
capacities, and commanded the British forces in Germany,
under prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, in 1761, during the
absence of the marquis of Granby. He was one of the
grooms of the bed-chamber to George II. and likewise to
his present majesty till April 1764, when, at the end of
the session of parliament, he resigned that office and his
military commands, or, more properly speaking, was dismissed for voting against the ministry in the question of
general warrants. His name, however, was continued in
the list of the privy counsellors in Ireland; and William,
the fourth duke of Devonshire, to whom he had been secretary when the duke was viceroy in Ireland, bequeathed
him at his death, in 1764, a legacy of 5000l. on account of
his conduct in parliament. On the accession of the Rockingham administration in 1765, he was sworn of the privy
council, and appointed joint- secretary of state with the
duke of Grafton, which office he resigned in January 1768.
In February following, he was appointed colonel of the
fourth regiment of dragoons; in October 1774, colonel of
the royal regiment of horse-guards; and in October 1772,
governor of the island of Jersey. On March 30, 1782, he
was appointed commander in chief of his majesty’s forces,
which he resigned in December 1783. He died at his seat
at Park-place, near Henley upon Thames, July 9, 1795.
General Conway was an ingenious man, of considerable
abilities, but better calculated to be admired in the private and social circle, than to shine as a great public character. In politics, although we believe conscientious, he
was timid and wavering. He had a turn for literature, and
some talent for poetry, and, if we mistake not, published,
but without his name, one or two political pamphlets. In
his old age he aspired to the character of a dramatic writer,
producing in 1789, a play, partly from the French, entitled
” False Appearances," which was not, however, very successful. His most intimate friend appears to have been
the late lord Orford, better known as Horace Walpole,
who was his cousin, and addressed to him a considerable
part of those letters which form the fifth volume of his
lordship’s works. This correspondence commenced in
1 7-1-0, when Walpole was twenty-three years old, and Mr.
Couway twenty. They had gone abroad together with the
celebrated poet Gray in 1739, had spent three months
together at Rheims, and afterwards separated at Geneva.
Lord Orford’s letters, although evidently prepared for the
press, evince at least a cordial and inviolable friendship
for his correspondent, of which also he gave another proof
in 3 letter published in defence of general Couway when
dismissed from his offices; and a testimony of affection
yet more decided, in bequeathing his fine villa of Strawberry Hill to Mrs. Darner, general Con way’s daughter, for
her life.
article of William Cecil, lord Burleigh, remarking that she was long the faithful wife of that great Statesman; that she was learned in the Greek tongue, and wrote a letter
, the eldest of these daughters, we mentioned in the article of William Cecil, lord Burleigh, remarking that she was long the faithful wife of that great Statesman; that she was learned in the Greek tongue, and wrote a letter to the University of Cambridge in that language; that she was a patroness of literature; and that she was distinguished by her numerous charities. To this we may now add, that her preceptor was Mr. Lawrence, an eminent Grecian; and she fully answered the care and pains that were taken in her education: but her reading was not confined to the classic writers of Greece only, but extended, likewise, to the ancient Christian fathers, particularly Basil, Cyril, Chrysostom, and Gregory Nazianzen. A piece of Saint Chrysostom’s was translated by her, from the original, into the English language. It was on the 21st of December, 1546, and in the 20th year of her age, that she was married to sir William Cecil. Her death, as we have seen in her husband’s article, was on the 4th of April, 1589. She had an admirable understanding, and is said to have been a good politician. Nor is this at all surprising, considering her intellectual powers, and that, for more than forty and two years, she was the wife of such an illustrious statesman as Lord Burleigh. As an evidence of her political talents, Mr. Ballard has produced a letter written by her, on the 26th of October, 1573, to sir William Fitzwilliams, at that time lord deputy of Ireland. The letter contains some excellent advice; and shews, that she was not only a woman of great good sense, but well acquainted with the world. Five days after her decease, lord Burleigh wrote what he calls a meditation on the death of his lady, which contains several farther particulars concerning her, and is a striking testimony of his affection to her memory.
, earl of Shaftesbury, an eminent statesman of very dubious character, was son of sir John Cooper, of llockborn
, earl of Shaftesbury, an
eminent statesman of very dubious character, was son of
sir John Cooper, of llockborn in the county of Southampton, bart. by Anne, daughter of sir Anthony Ashley of Winborne St. Giles in the county of Dorset, bart. where he
was born July 22, 1621. Being a boy of uncommon parts,
he was sent to Oxford at the age of fifteen, and admitted
a gentleman commoner of Exeter college, under Dr. John
Prideaux, the rector of it. He is said to have studied hard
there for about two years; and then removed to Lincoln’s
inn, where he applied himself with great vigour to the law,
and especially that part of it which related to the constitution of the kingdom. He was elected for Tewksbury in
Gloucestershire, in the parliament which met at Westminster, April 13, 1640, but was soon dissolved. He seems
to have been well affected to the king’s service at the beginning of the civil war: for he repaired to the king at
Oxford, offered his assistance, and projected a scheme,
not for subduing or conquering his country, but for reducing such as had either deserted or mistaken their duty
to his majesty’s obedience. He was afterwards invited to
Oxford by a letter from his majesty; but, perceiving that
he was not in confidence, that ins behaviour was disliked,
and his person in danger, he retired into the parliament
quarters, and soon after went up to London, where he was
well received by that party “to which,
” says Clarendon,
“he gave himself up body and soul.
” He accepted a
commission from the parliament and, raising forces, took
Wareham by storm, October 1644, and soon after reduced
all the adjacent parts of Dorsetshire. This, and some other
actions of the same nature, induced the above-mentioned
historian to say that he “became an implacable enemy to
the royal family.
” The next year he was sheriff of Wiltshire, in 1651 he was of the committee of twenty, appointed to consider of ways and means for reforming the
law. He was also one of the members of the convention
that met after Cromwell had turned out the long parliament. He was again a member of parliament in 1654, and
one of the principal persons who signed that famous protestation, charging the protector with tyranny and arbitrary
government; and he always opposed the illegal measures
of that usurper to the utmost. When the protector Richard
was deposed, and the Rump came again into power, they
nominated sir Anthony one of their council of state, and a
commissioner for managing the army. He was at that very
time engaged in a secret correspondence with the friends
of Charles II. and greatiy instrumental in promoting his
restoration; which brought him into peril of his life with
the powers then in being. He was returned a member for
Dorsetshire, in that which was called the healing parliament, which sat in April 1660; and a resolution being
taken to restore the constitution, he was named one of the
twelve members of the house of commons to carry their
invitation to the king. It was in performing this service
that he had the misfortune to be overturned in a carriage
upon a Dutch road, by which he received a dangerous
wound between the ribs, which ulcerated many years after,
and was opened when he was chancellor.
the whole an introduction of considerable length, wherein he passed very high encomiums on our great statesman, and strengthened them by the testimonies of Mr. Locke and Mons.
For the loss which was occasioned by Mr. Locke’s timidity
or prudence, he was solicitous to make some degree of
reparation. Accordingly, he formed an intention of writing, at large, the history of his noble friend; and if he
had accomplished his intention, his work would undoubtedly
have been a very valuable present to the public. But
there was another biographer, who wrote a life of the earl,
soon after his decease. This was Thomas Stringer, esq. of
Ivy church, near Salisbury, a gentleman of great integrity
and excellent character; who had held, we believe, under
his lordship, when high-chancellor of England, the office
of clerk of the presentations; and who was much esteemed
by some of the principal persons of the age. With Mr.
Locke in particular, he maintained an intimate friendship
to the time of his death, which happened in 1702. Mr.
Stringer’s account has been the ground-work on which the
narrative intended for the public eye, by the noble family,
has been built. It contained a valuable history of the earl’s
life; but was probably much inferior in composition to
what Mr. Locke’s would have been; and indeed, in its
original form, it was too imperfect for publication. Sometime about the year 1732, this manuscript, together with
the rest of the Shaftesbury papers, was put into the hands
of Mr. Benjamin Marty n, a gentleman who was then known
in the literary world, in consequence of having written a
tragedy, entitled “Timoleoh,
” which had been acted with
success at the theatre royal in Drury-lane. Mr. Martyn
made Mr. Stringer’s manuscript the basis of his own work,
which he enriched with such speeches of the earl as are
yet remaining, and with several particulars drawn from
some loose papers left by his lordship. He availed himself, likewise, of other means of information, which more
recent publications had afforded; and prefixed to the
whole an introduction of considerable length, wherein he
passed very high encomiums on our great statesman, and
strengthened them by the testimonies of Mr. Locke and
Mons. Le Clerc. He added, also, strictures on L' Estrange,
sir William Temple, bishop Burnet, and others, who had
written to his lordship’s disadvantage. One anecdote,
which we well remember, it cannot but be agreeable to
the public and to the noble family to see related. It is
well known with what severity the earl of Shaftesbury’s
character is treated by Dryden, in his Absalom and Achitophel. Nevertheless, soon after that fine satire appeared,
his lordship having the nomination of a scholar, as governor
of the Charter-house, gave it to one of the poet’s sons,
without any solicitation on the part of the father, or of any
other person. This act of generosity had such an effect
upon IXryden, that, to testify his gratitude, he added, in
the second edition of the poem, the four following lines,
in celebration of the earl’s conduct as lord chancellor.
, earl of Essex, an eminent statesman in the sixteenth century, was the son of Walter Cromwell, a
, earl of Essex, an eminent statesman in the sixteenth century, was the son of Walter Cromwell, a blacksmith, at Putney, near London, and in his latter days a brewer; after whose decease, his mother was married to a sheerman in London. What education he had, was In a private school: and all the learning he attained to, was (according to the standard of those times), only reading and writing, and a little Latin. When he grew up, having a very great inclination for travelling, he went into foreign countries, though at whose expence is not known; and by that means he had an opportunity of seeing the world, of gaining experience, and of learning several languages, which proved of great service to him afterwards. Coming to Antwerp, where was then a very considerable English factory, he was by them retained to be their clerk, or secretary. But that office being too great a confinement, he embraced an opportunity that offered in 1510, of taking a journey to Rome. Whilst he remained in Italy he served for some time as a soldier under the duke of Bourbon, and was at the sacking of Rome: and at Bologna he assisted John Russel, esq. afterwards earl of Bedford, in making his escape, when he had like to be betrayed into the hands of the French, being secretly in those parts about our king’s affairs. It is also much to his credit, as an early convert to the reformation, that, in his journey to and from Rome, he learned by heart Erasmus’s translation of the New Testament. After his return from his travels he was taken into the family and service of cardinal Wolsey, who is said to have first discovered him in France, and who made him his solicitor, and often employed him in business of great importance. Among other things, he had the chief hand in the foundation of the two colleges begun at Oxford and Ipswich by that magnificent prelate; and upon the cardinal’s disgrace in 1529, he used his utmost endeavours and interest to have him restored to the king’s favour: even when articles of high-treason against him were sent down to the house of commons, of which Cromwell was then a member, he defended his master with so much wit and eloquence, that no treason cauld be laid to his charge: which honest beginning procured Cromwell great reputation, and made his parts and abilities to be much taken notice of. After the cardinal’s household was dissolved, Cromwell was taken into the king’s service (upon the recommendation of sir Christopher Hales, afterwards master of the rolls, and sir John Russel, knt. above-mentioned) as the fittest person to manage the disputes the king then had with the pope; though some endeavoured to hinder his promotion, and to prejudice his majesty against him, on account of his defacing the small monasteries that were dissolved for endowing Wolsey’s colleges. But he discovering to the king some particulars that were very acceptable to him respecting the submission of the clergy to the pope, in derogation of his majesty’s authority, he took him into the highest degree of favour, and soon after he was sent to the convocation, then sitting, to acquaint the clergy, that they were all fallen into a praemunire on the above account, and the provinces of Canterbury and York were glad to compromise by a present to the king of above 100,000l. In 1531 he was knighted; made master of the king’s jewel-house, with a salary of 50l. per annum; and constituted a privy-counsellor. The next year he was made clerk of the Hanaper, an office of profit and repute in chancery; and, before the end of the same year, chancellor of the exchequer, and in 1534, principal secretary of state, and master of the rolls. About the same time he was chosen chancellor of the university of Cambridge; soon after which followed a general visitation of that university, when the several colleges delivered up their charters, and other instruments, to sir Thomas Cromwell. The year before, he assessed the fines laid upon those who having 40l. per annum estate, refused to take the order of knighthood. In 1535 he was appointed visitor-general of the monasteries throughout England, in order for their suppression; and in that office is accused of having acted with much violence, although in other cases promises and pensions were employed to obtain the compliance of the monks and nuns. But the mode, whatever it might be, gave satisfaction to the king and his courtiers, and Cromwell was, on July 2, 1536, constituted lord keeper of the privy seal, when he resigned his mastership of the rolls . On the 9th of the same month he was advanced to the dignity of a baron of this realm, by the title of lord Cromwell of Okeham in Rutlandshire; and, six days after, took his place in the house of lords. The pope’s supremacy being now abolished in England, lord Cromwell was made, on the 18th of July, vicar-general, and vicegerent, over all the spirituality, under the king, who was declared supreme head of the church. In that quality his lordship satin the convocation holden this year, above the archbishops, as the king’s representative. Being-invested with such extensive power, he employed it in discouraging popery, and promoting the reformation. For that purpose he caused certain articles to be enjoined by the king’s authority, differing in many essential points from the established system of the Roman-catholic religion; and in September, this same year, he published some injunctions to the clergy, in which they were ordered to preach up the king’s supremacy; not to lay out their rhetoric in extolling images, relics, miracle*, or pilgrimages, but rather to exhort their people to serve God, and make provision for their families: to put parents and other directors of youth in mind to teach their children the Lord’s-prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments in their mother-tongue, and to provide a Bible in Latin and English, to be laid in the churches for every one to read at their pleasure. He likewise encouraged the translation of the Bible into English; and, when finished, enjoined that one of the largest volume should be provided for every parish church, at the joint charge of the parson and parishioners. These alterations, with the dissolution of the monasteries, and (notwithstanding the immense riches gotten from thence) his demanding at the same time for the king subsidies both from the clergy and laity, occasioned very great murmurs against him, and indeed with some reason. All this, however, rather served to establish him in the king’s esteem, who was as prodigal of money as he was rapacious and in 1537 his majesty constituted him chief justice itinerant of all the forests beyond Trent and on the 26th of August, the same year, he was elected knight of the garter, and dean of the cathedral church of Weils. The year following he obtained a grant of the castle and lordship of Okeham in the county of Rutland; and was also made constable of Carisbrook-castle in the Isle of Wight. In September he published new injunctions, directed to all bishops and curates, in which he ordered that a Bible, in English, should be set up in some convenient place in every church, where the parishioners might most commodiously resort to read the same: that the clergy should, every Sunday and holiday, openly and plainly recite to their parishioners, twice or thrice together, one article of the Lord’s Prayer, or Creed, in English, that they might learn the same by heart: that they should make, or cause to be made, in their churches, one sermon every quarter of a year at least, in which they should purely and sincerely declare the very gospel of Christ, and exhort their hearers to the works of charity, mercy, and faith not to pilgrimages, images, &c. that they should forthwith take clown all images to which pilgrimages or offerings were wont to be made: that in all such benefices upon which they were not themselves resident, they should appoint able curates: that they, and every parson, vicar, or curate, should for every church keep one book of register, wherein they should write the day and year of every wedding, christening, and burying, within their parish; and therein set every person’s name that shall be so wedded, christened, or buried, &c. Having been thus highly instrumental in promoting the reformation, and in dissolving the monasteries, he was amply rewarded by the king in 1539, with many noble manors and large estates that had belonged to those dissolved houses. On the 17th of April, the same year, he was advanced to the dignity of earl of Essex; and soon after constituted lord high chamberlain of England. The same day he was created earl of Essex he procured Gregory his son to be made baron Cromwell of Okeham. On the 12th of March 1540, he was put in commission, with others, to sell the abbey-lands, at twenty years’ purchase: which was a thing he had advised the king to do, in order to stop the clamours of the people, to attach them to his interest, and to reconcile them to the dissolution of the monasteries. But as, like his old master Wolsey, he had risen rapidly, he was now doomed, like him, to exhibit as striking an example of the instability of human grandeur; and au unhappy precaution to secure (as he imagined) his greatness, proved his ruin. Observing that some of his most inveterate enemies, particularly Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, began to be more in favour at court than himself, he used his utmost endeavours to procure a marriage between king Henry and Anne of Cleves, expecting great support from a queen of his own making; and as her friends were Lutherans, he imagined it would bring down the popish party at court, and again recover the ground he and Cranmer had now lost. But this led immodiaieiy to his destruction; for the king, not liking the queen, began to hate Cromwell, the great promoter of the marriage, and soon found an opportunity to sacrifice him; nor was this difficult. Cromwell was odious to all the nobility by reason of his low binh: hated particularly by Gardiner, and the Roman catholics, for having been so busy in the dissolution of the abbies: the reformers themselves found he could not protect them from persecution; and the nation in general was highly incensed against him for his having lately obtained a subsidy of four shillings in the pound from the clergy, and one tenth and one fifteenth from the laity; notwithstanding the immense sums that had flowed into the treasury out of the monasteries. Henry, with his usual caprice, and without ever considering that Cromwell’s faults were his own, and committed, if we may use the expression, for his own gratification, caused him to be arrested at the council table, by the duke of Norfolk, on the 10th of June, when he least suspected it. Being committed to the Tower, he wrote a letter to the king, to vindicate himself from the guilt of treason; and another concerning his majesty’s marriage with Anne of Cleves; but we do not find that any notice was taken of these: yet, as his enemies knew if he were brought to the bar he would justify himself by producing the king’s orders and warrants for what he had done, they resolved to prosecute him by attainder; and the bill being brought into the house of lords the 17th of June, and read the first time, on the 19th was read the second and third times, and sent down to the commons. Here, however, it stuck ten days, and at last a new bill of attainder was sent up to the lords, framed in the house of commons: and they sent back at the same time the bill the lords had sent to them. The grounds of his condemnation were chieHy treason and heresy; the former very confusedly expressed. Like other falling favourites, he was deserted by most of his friends, except archbishop Cranmer, who wrote to the king in his behalf with great boldness and spirit. But the duke of Norfolk, and the rest of the popish party, prevailed; and, accordingly, in pursuance of his attainder, the lord Cromwell was brought to a scaffold erected on Tower-hill, where, after having made a speech, and prayed, he was beheaded, July 28, 1540. His death is solely to be attributed to the ingratitude and caprice of Henry, whom he had served with great faithfulness, courage, and resolution, in the most hazardous, difficult, and important undertakings. As for the lord Cromwell’s character, he is represented by popish historians as a crafty, cruel, ambitious, and covetous man, and a heretic; but their opponents, on better grounds, assert that he was a person of great wit, and excellent parts, joined to extraordinary diligence and industry; that his apprehension was quick and clear; his judgment methodical and solid; his memory strong and rational; his tongue fluent and pertinent; his presence stately and obliging; his heart large and noble; his temper patient and cautious; his correspondence well laid and constant; his conversation insinuating and close: none more dextrous in finding out the designs of men and courts; and none more reserved in keeping a secret. Though he was raised from the meanest condition to a high pitch of honour, he carried his greatness with wonderful temper; being noted in the exercise of his places of judicature, to have used much moderation, and in his greatest pomp to have taken notice of, and been thankful to mean persons of his old acquaintance. In his whole behaviour he was courteous and affable to all; a favourer in particular of the poor in their suits; and ready to relieve such as were in danger of being oppressed by powerful adversaries; and so very hospitable and bountiful, that about two hundred persons were served at the gate of his house in Throgmorton-strcet, London, twice every day, with bread, meat, and drink sufficient. He must be regarded as one of the chief instruments in the reformation; and though he could not prevent the promulgation, he stopped the execution, as far as he could, of the bloody act of the six articles. But when the king’s command pressed him close, he was not firm enough to refuse his concurrence to the condemnation and burning of John Lambert. In his domestic concerns he was very regular; calling upon his servants yearly, to give him an account of what they had got under him, and what they desired of him; warning them to improve their opportunities, because, he said, he was too great to stand long; providing for them as carefully, as for his own son, by his purse and credit, that they might live as handsomely when he was dead, as they did when he was alive. In a word, we are assured, that for piety towards God, fidelity to his king, prudence in the management of affairs, gratitude to his benefactors, dutifulness, charity, and benevolence, there was not any one then superior to him in England.
tor. Among his pupils, who were numerous, was Mr. William Temple, afterwards the celebrated baronet, statesman, and writer. About 1641 he was presented to the rectory of North
, a learned English divine and
philosopher, was son of Dr. Ralph Cudworth, and born
at Alley, in Somersetshire, of which place his father
was rector. His mother was of the family of Machell, and
had been nurse to prince Henry, eldest son of James I.
His father dying when he was only seven yeaVs of age,
and his mother marrying again, his education was superintended by his father-in-law, Dr. Stoughton, who was
very attentive to the promising genius of his scholar. In
1630, he was admitted pensioner of Emanuel college,
Cambridge; of which, after taking the degrees of B. A.
and M. A. he was chosen fellow, and became an eminent
tutor. Among his pupils, who were numerous, was Mr.
William Temple, afterwards the celebrated baronet, statesman, and writer. About 1641 he was presented to the
rectory of North Cadbury, in Somersetshire. In 1642 he
published “A discourse concerning the true notion of the
Lord’s Supper,
” printed at London, in 4to, with only the
initial letters of his name. In this he contends that the
Lord’s supper is not a sacrifice, but a feast upon a sacrifice; and endeavours to demonstrate, that “the Lord’s
supper in the Christian church, in reference to the true
sacrifice of Christ, is a parallel to the feasts upon sacrifices, both in the Jewish religion and heathenish superstition.
” Bochart, Spencer, Selden, and other eminent
writers, quote this discourse with great commendations,
but his opinions have been controverted by the majority
of divines. The same year likewise appeared his treatise
entitled “The Union of Christ and the Church, in a
shadow, by R. C.
” printed at London, in 4to.
nd affinity between the two courts. At Paris he was equally valued in the character of churchman and statesman, and became highly popular by his works of piety and charity.
, an Irishman by birth, was born in the
county of Kerry in 1595, and became a Dominican, adopting the name of Dominicus a Rosario. He was at first
educated in a convent of his order at Tralee, but studied
principally in Flanders. The fame which he acquired for
learning and piety procured him an invitation to Lisbpn, to
assist in founding a convent for the Irish Dominicans,
which had been projected by Philip IV. then master of
Portugal. This being accomplished, he was elected the
first superior. He also assisted at the foundation of a second, for the natives of Ireland, and so entirely gained
the good opinion and confidence of the duke of Braganza
when he ascended the throne, that in 1655, his majesty
honoured him with the appointment of ambassador to
Louis XIV. of France, to negociate a treaty of alliance and
affinity between the two courts. At Paris he was equally
valued in the character of churchman and statesman, and
became highly popular by his works of piety and charity.
He died at Lisbon June 30, 1662, and was interred in the
chapel of his convent, with a monument and inscription;
from which we learn that at the time of his death he was
bishop elect of Coimbra. He had before refused the
archbishopric of Goa. Among his ecclesiastical dignities,
he was censor of the inquisition, visitor-general and vicargeneral of the kingdom. One book only of his is known,
which is probably a very curious one, “Initium, incrementum, et exitus fainiliae Giraldinorum Desmoniae comitum.
Palatinorum Kyerria in Hibernia, ac persecutionis hsereticorum descriptio, ex nonnullis fragmentis collecta'ac latinitate donata,
” Lisbon,
, a poet and statesman, was the third son of John Davies, of Tisbury, in Wiltshire,
, a poet and statesman, was the third son of John Davies, of Tisbury, in Wiltshire, not a tanner, as Anthony Wood asserts, but a gentleman, formerly of New Inn, and afterwards a practitioner of law in his native place. His mother was Mary, the daughter of Mr. Bennett, of Pitt-house in the same county. When not fifteen years of age he was sent to Oxford, in Michaelmas term 1585, where he was admitted a commoner of Queen’s college, and prosecuted his studies with perseverance and success. About the beginning of 1588 he removed to the Middle Temple, but returned to Oxford in 1590, and took the degree of B. A. At the Temple, while he did not neglect the study of the law, he rendered himself obnoxious to the discipline of the place by various youthful irregularities, and after being fined, was at last removed from commons. Notwithstanding this, he was called to the bar in 1595, but was again so indiscreet as to forfeit his privileges by a quarrel with Mr. Richard Martin, whom he beat in the Temple hall. For this offence he was in Feb. 1597-8 expelled by the unanimous sentence of the society. Martin was, like himself, a wit and a poet, and had once been expelled for improper behaviour. Both, however, outlived their follies, and rose to considerable eminence in their profession. Martin became reader of the society, recorder of London, and member of parliament, and enjoyed the esteem of Selden, Ben Jonson, and other men of learning and genius, who lamented his premature death in 1618.
, a very eminent statesman, and secretary of state in the reign of queen Elizabeth, was,
, a very eminent statesman, and
secretary of state in the reign of queen Elizabeth, was, if not
a native of Scotland, at least descended from those who were,
as himself professed to sir James Mel vile. At what time he
came into the court of queen Elizabeth, or in what state, is
uncertain. It is most probable, that his parts and learning, together with that extraordinary diligence and wonderful address for which he was always distinguished, recommended
him to Mr. Killigrew, afterwards sir Henry Kiiligrew, with
whom he went in quality of secretary, at the time he was sent
into Scotland, to compliment queen Mary upon the birth of
her son. This was in 1566, and there is a good reason to believe that he remained from that time about the court, and was
employed in several affairs of great consequence. In 1575,
when the states of Brabant and Flanders assumed to themselves the administration of all affairs till his catholic majesty should appoint a new governor of the Low Countries,
Mr. Davison was sent over with a public character from
the queen to those states, under the plausible pretence of
exhorting them to continue in their obedience to his catholic majesty; but, in reality, to see how things actually
stood in that part of the world, that her majesty might be
the better able to know how to proceed in respect to the
several applications made to her from the prince of Orange,
and the people of Holland. He executed this commission
very successfully, and therefore the queen sent him over
as her minister, to pacify the troubles that had arisen at
Ghent; and when his presence was no longer necessary
there, he was commissioned on her behalf to the States of
Holland, in 1579. His conduct there gave equal satisfaction to the queen his mistress, and to those with whom he
negotiated. He gave them great hopes of the queen’s assistance and support, and when a sum of money was desired, as absolutely necessary towards providing for their
defence, he very readily undertook to procure it upon
reasonable security; in consequence of which, a very considerable sum was sent from England, for which all the
valuable jewels and fine plate that had been pledged by
Matthias of Austria to the States of Holland, and which
were the remains of the magnificence of the house of Burgundy, were transported to England. These journies,
and the success attending them, gave Mr. Davison great
reputation at court, insomuch, that in all matters of a nice
and difficult nature, Davison was some way or other continually employed. Thus in 1583, when matters wore a
serious aspect in Scotland, he was sent thither as the
queen’s ambassador, in order to counteract the French
ministers, and to engage the king of Scots and the people,
both to slight the offers made them from that country, and
to depend wholly upon assistance from England. Affairs
in the Low Countries coming at last to a crisis, and the
states resolving to depend upon queen Elizabeth, in the
bold design they had formed of defending their freedom
by force of arms, and rendering themselves independent,
Mr. Davison, at this time clerk of the privy council, was
chosen to manage this delicate business, and to conclude
with them that alliance which was to be the basis of their
future undertakings. In this, which, without question,
was one of the most perplexed transactions in that whole
reign, he conducted things with such a happy dexterity,
as to merit the strongest acknowledgments on the part of
the States, at the same time that he rendered the highest
service to the queen his mistress, and obtained ample security for those expences which that princess thought
necessary in order to keep danger at a distance, and to encourage the flames of war in the dominions of her enemy,
whom at that juncture she knew to be meditating how he
might transfer them into her own. Upon the return of
Mr. Davison into England, after the conclusion of this
treaty, he was declared of the privy-council, and appointed
one of her majesty’s principal secretaries of state, in conjunction with sir Francis Walsingham; so that, at this
time, these offices may be affirmed to have been as well
filled as in any period that can be assigned in our history,
and yet by persons of very different, or rather opposite
dispositions; for Walsingham was a man of great art and
intrigue, one who was not displeased that he was thought
such a person, and whose capacity was still deeper than
'those who understood it best apprehended it to be. Davison, on the other hand, had a just reputation for wisdom
and probity; and, though he had been concerned in many
intricate affairs, yet he preserved a character so unspotted,
that, to the time he came into this office, he had done nothing that could draw upon him the least imputation. It
is an opinion countenanced by Camden, and which has
met with general acceptance, that he was raised in order
to be ruined, and that, when he was made secretary of
state, there was a view of obliging him to go out of his
depth in that matter, which brought upon him all his misfortunes. This conjecture is very plausible, and yet there
is good reason to doubt whether it is well founded. Mr.
Davison had attached himself, during the progress of his fortunes, to the potent earl of Leicester; and it was chiefly to
his favour and interest that he stood indebted for this high
employment, in which, if he was deceived by another great
statesman, it could not be said that he was raised and
ruined by the same hands. But there is nothing more probable than that the bringing about such an event by an
instrument which his rival had raised, and then removing
him, and rendering his parts useless to those who had
raised him, gave a double satisfaction to him who managed
this design. It is an object of great curiosity to trace the
principal steps of this transaction, which was, without
doubt, one of the finest strokes of political management in
that whole reign. When the resolution was taken, in the
beginning of October 1586, to bring the queen of Scots?
to a trial, and a commission was issued for that purpose,
secretary Davison’s name was inserted in that commission;
but it does not appear that he was present when that commission was opened at Fotheringay castle, on the llth of
October, or that he ever assisted there at all. Indeed,
the management of that transaction was very wisely left in
the hands of those who with so much address had conducted the antecedent business for the conviction of Anthony Babington, and his accomplices, upon the truth and
justice of which, the proceedings against the queen of
Scots entirely depended. On the 25th of October the
sentence was declared in the star-chamber, things proceeding still in the same channel, and nothing particularly
done by secretary Davison. On the 29th of the same
month the parliament met, in which Serjeant Puckering
was speaker of the house of commons; and, upon an application from both houses, queen Elizabeth caused the
sentence to be published, which, soon after, was notified
to the queen of Scots; yet hitherto all was transacted by
the other secretary, who was considered by the nation in
general as the person who had led this prosecution from
beginning to end. The true meaning of this long and solemn proceeding was certainly to remove, as far as possible, any reflection upon queen Elizabeth; and, that it
might appear in the most conspicuous manner to the world,
that she was urged, and even constrained to take the life
of the queen of Scots, instead of seeking or desiring it.
This assertion is not founded upon conjecture, but is a
direct matter of fact; for, in her first answer to the parliament, given at Richmond the 12th of November, she
complained that the late act had brought her into a great
strait, by obliging her to give directions for that queen’s
death; and upon the second application, on the 24th of
the same month, the queen enters largely into the consequences that must naturally follow upon her taking that
step, and on the consideration of them, grounds her returning no definitive resolution, even to this second application. The delay which followed after the publication
of the sentence, gave an opportunity for the French king,
and several other princes, to interpose, but more especially
to king James, whose ambassadors, and particularly sir
Robert Melvile, pressed the queen very hard. Camden
says, that his ambassadors unseasonably mixing threatenings with intreaties, they were not very welcome; so that
after a few days the ambassadors were dismissed, with
small hopes of succeeding. But we are elsewhere told,
that, when Melvile requested a respite of execution for
eight days, she answered, “Not an hour.
” This seemed
to be a plain declaration of her majesty’s final
determination, and such in all probability it was, so that her death
being resolved, the only point that remained under debate
was, how she should die, that is, whether by the hand of
an executioner, or otherwise. In respect to this, the two
secretaries seem to have been of different sentiments. Mr.
Davison thought the forms of justice should go on, and
the end of this melancholy transaction correspond with the
rest of the proceedings. Upon this, sir Francis Walsingham pretended sickness, and did not come to court, and
by this means the whole business of drawing and bringing
the warrant to the queen to sign, fell upon Davison, who,
pursuant to the queen’s directions, went through it in the
manner that Camden has related. But it is very remarkable, that, while these judicial steps were taking, the other
method, to which the queen herself seemed to incline,
proceeded also, and secretary Walsingham, notwithstanding
his sickness, wrote the very day the warrant was signed,
which was Wednesday, February 1st, 1586-7, to sir Amiss
Pawlet and sir Drew Drury, to put them in mind of the
association, as a thing that might countenance, at least,
if not justify, this other way of removing the queen of
Scots. It is true, that Mr. Davison subscribed this letter,
and wrote another to the same persons two days after; but
it appears plainly from the anssver, that the keepers of
the queen of Scots considered the motion as coming from
Walsingharn. The warrant being delivered to the lords
of the council, they sent it down by Mr. Beale, their clerk,
a man of sour and stubborn temper, and who had always
shewn a great bitterness against the queen of Scots. The
day of his departure does not appear; but queen Mary
had notice given her on the Monday, to prepare for death
on the Wednesday, which she accordingly suffered. As
soon as queen Elizabeth was informed of it, she expressed
great resentment against her council, forbad them her presence and the court; and caused some of them to be
examined, as if she intended to call them to an account
for the share they had in this transaction. We are not
told particularly who these counsellors were, excepting the
lord treasurer Burleigh, who fell into a temporary disgrace about it, and was actually a witness against Mr. Davison. As for the earl of Leicester and secretary Walsingharn, they had prudently withdrawn themselves at the last
act of the tragedy, and took care to publish so much, by
their letters into Scotland; but secretary Davison, upon whom
it was resolved the whole weight of this business should fall,
v.-deprived of his office, and sent prisoner to the Tower, at
which nobody seerus to have been so much alarmed as the lord
treasurer, who, though himself at that time in disgrace, wrote
to the queen in strong terms, and once intended to have
written in much stronger. This application bad no effect,
for the queen having sent her kinsman Mr. Cary, son to the
lord Hunsdon, into Scotland, to excuse the matter to king
James, charged with a letter to him under her own hand, in
which she in the strongest terms possible asserted her own
innocence, there was a necessity of doing something that
Davison[?] carry an air of evidence, in support of the turn she
had now given to the death of that princess. On the 28th
of March following, Davison, after having undergone various examinations, was brought to his trial in the star
chamber, for the contempt of which he had been guilty,
in revealing the queen’s counsels to her privy counsellors,
and performing what he understood to be the duty of his
office in quality of her secretary. We have several accounts of this trial, which, in a variety of circumstances,
differ from each other. In this, however, they all agree,
that the judges, who fined him ten thousand marks, and
imprisonment during the queen’s pleasure, gave him a very
high character, and declared him to be, in their opinions,
both an able ana an honest man. One thing is very remarkable, that, in the conclusion of this business, sir Christopher Wray, chief justice of the queen’s bench, told the
court, that though the queen had been offended with her
council, and had left them to examination, yet now she
forgave them, being satisfied that they were misled b? this
man’s suggestions. Sir James Melvile, who wrote at that
time, and who seems to have had some prejudice against
Davison, said very candidly and fairly upon this occasion,
that he was deceived by the council. As soon as the proceeding was over, the queen, to put it out of doubt with
the king of Scots, that his mother was put to death without her privity or intention, sent him the judgment given
against Davison, subscribed by those who had given it, and
exemplified under the great seal, together with another
instrument, under the hands of all the judges of England,
that the sentence against his mother could not in the least
prejudice his title to the succession. As for Mr. Davison,
now left to a strange reward for his past services, a long
imprisonment, which reduced him to indigence, he comforted himself with the thoughts of his innocence; and, to
secure his memory from being blasted by that judgment
which had withered his fortune, he had long before written
an apology for his own conduct, which he addressed to
secretary Walsingham, as the man most interested in it,
and who could best testify whether what he affirmed was
truth or not. In this he gave a very clear and natural detail of the transaction which cost him all his sufferings. It
is allowed by all who have written on this subject, and
especially by Camden, that he was a very unhappy, though
at the same time a very capable and honest man. As
such we have seen him recommended to queen Elizabeth
by the treasurer Burleigh, and as such he was strongly
recommended by the earl of Essex to king James I. It
seems, that noble person stuck fast by him under his misfortunes, which plainly shews the party to which he had
always adhered. That lord lost no opportunity of soliciting
the queen in his favour, and never let slip any occasion of
testifying for him the warmest and thesincerest affection. At
length, it seems he was not altogether unsuccessful; for
though, upon the death of secretary Walsingham, the
queen absolutely rejected his motion, that Mr. Davison
should come into his place, yet, afterwards, it seems that
she yielded in some degree, as plainly appears by the earl’s
letter to king James. That we are under an incapacity of
tracing him farther, is owing to the profound silence of the
writers of those times.
the memory of Demosthenes has chiefly been on account of his eloquence, he was likewise a very able statesman, and a patriot; and, from the accounts we have of the embassies
Although the regard that has been paid to the memory of Demosthenes has chiefly been on account of his eloquence, he was likewise a very able statesman, and a patriot; and, from the accounts we have of the embassies and expeditions, the treaties and alliances, and other various negotiations in which he was employed, together with the zeal and integrity with which he acted in them, we may conclude that he excelled as much in those capacities, as in that of an orator; though it must be confessed that his eloquence was the foundation of his advancement in other respects. But though he arrived to such perfection in this arc, he set out under great disadvantages; having an impediment in his speech, which for a long time would not suffer him to pronounce the letter R. He had likewise a weak voice, a short breath, and a very uncouth and ungracious manner, yet by dint of resolution and infinite pains, he overcame all these defects. He accustomed himself to climb up steep and craggy places to facilitate his breathing, and strengthen his voice; he declaimed with pebbles in his mouth, to remedy the imperfection in his speech; he placed a looking-glass before him, to correct the awkwardness of his gesture; and he learned of the best players the proper graces of action and pronunciation, which he thought of so much consequence, that he made the whole art of oratory in a manner to consist of them. But whatever stress he laid upon tt;e exterior part of speaking, he was also very careiul about the matter and the style, the latter of which he formed upon the model of Thucydides, whose history, for that purpose, he transcribed eight several times. He was so intent upon his study, that he would often retire into a cave of the earth, and shave half his head, so that he could not with decency appear abroad till his hair was grown again. He also accustomed himself to harangue at the seashore, where the agitation of the waves formed to him an idea of the commotions in a popular assembly, and served to prepare and fortify him against them. From this strict discipline, which he imposed upon himself, he became an instance how far parts and application may go towards perfection in any profession, notwithstanding the strongest natural impediments.
from Ireland, stating the situation of that country in a most masterly manner, both as a general and statesman, and concluding with strains of the tenderest eloquence, on
Lord Orford has entered into a long disquisition on the
proofs of queen Elizabeth’s love for the earl of Essex, and
certainly proves that she had a more than ordinary attachment to him, although in some of the circumstances it ap
pears to savour more of the fondness of a capricious mother, than of a mistress. His lordship has done wiser in
having placed the earl of Essex among the noble authors of
England. The various pieces enumerated by lord Orford
justly entitle him to that distinction; and he has a farther
claim to it from the numerous letters of his which occur in
the different collections of state papers, and especially in
Birch’s “Memoirs of the Reign of queen Elizabeth.
” “But
of all his compositions,
” says Mr. Walpole, “the most excellent, and in many respects equal to the performances
of the greatest geniuses, is a long letter to the queen
from Ireland, stating the situation of that country in a
most masterly manner, both as a general and statesman,
and concluding with strains of the tenderest eloquence, on
finding himself so unhappily exposed to the artifice of his
enemies during his absence. It cannot fail to excite admiration, that a man ravished from all improvement and
reflection at the age of seventeen, to be nursed, perverted,
fondled, dazzled in a court, should, notwithstanding, have
snatched such opportunities of cultivating his mind and
understanding:
” In another letter from Ireland, he says
movingly, “I provided for this service a breast-plate, but
not a cuirass; that is, I am armed on the breast, but not
On the back.
”
which post he held above twenty years, and then resigned it. But Dousa was not only a scholar and a statesman, but likewise a soldier; and he behaved himself so well in that
, a very learned man, was born of a
noble family at Nortwick in Holland, 1545. He lost his
parents when very young, and was sent to several schools;
and to one at Paris among the rest, where he made a great
progress in Greek and Latin. When he had finished his
education, he returned to his own country, and married;
and though he was scarcely grown up, he applied himself
to affairs of state, and was soon made a curator of the
banks and ditches, which post he held above twenty years,
and then resigned it. But Dousa was not only a scholar
and a statesman, but likewise a soldier; and he behaved
himself so well in that capacity at the siege of Leyden in
1574, that the prince of Orange thought he could commit
the government of the town to none so properly as to him.
In 1575 the university was founded there, and Dousa made
first curator of it; for which place he was well fitted, as
well on account of his learning as by his other deserts.
His learning was indeed prodigious and he had such a
memory, that he could at once give an answer to any
thing that was asked him, relating to ancient or modern
history, or, in short, to any branch of literature. He was,
says Melchior Adam, and, after him, Thuanus, a kind of
living library; the Varro of Holland, and the oracle of the
university of Leyden. His genius lay principally towards
poetry, and his various productions in verse were numerous: he even composed the annals of his own country,
which he had collected from the public archives, in verse,
which was published at Leyden 1601, 4to, and reprinted
in 1617 with a commentary by Grotius. He wrote also
critical notes upon Horace, Sallust, Plautus, Petronius,
Catullus, Tibullus, &c. His moral qualities are said to
have been no less meritorious than his intellectual and
literary; for he was modest, humane, benevolentj and
affable. He was admitted into the supreme assembly of the
nation, where he kept his seat, and discharged his office
worthily, for the last thirteen years of his life. He died
Oct. 12, 1604, and his funeral oration was made by Daniel
Heinsius. Of his works, we have seen, 1. “Couiin. in
Catullum, Tibullum, et Horatium,
” Antwerp, Libri tres Prascidaneorum in Petronium Arbitrmn,
”
Leyden, Epodon ex puris lambis,
” Ant.
Plautinae Explicationes,
” Leyden, Poemata,
” ibid. Odarum
Britannicarum liber, ad Elizabetham reginam, et Jani
Dousae filii Britannicorum carminum silva,
” Leyden,
rit and truth by Mr. llastal, the topographer of Southwell, who styles him “peculiarly virtuous as a statesman, attentive to his duties as a churchman, magnificent as an archbishop,
In 1753 when a severe attack was made on the political
character of his two intimate friends Mr. Stone and Mr.
Murray, afterwards the great earl of Mansfield, the bishop
vindicated his old school-fellows before a committee of the
privy council, directed to inquire into the charge, with
that persuasive energy of truth, which made the king exclaim on reading the examination, “That is indeed a man
to make a friend of.
” In May that
he was sorry to say that the very reason which would induce himself to assist them, prevented his considering them
as objects of his majesty’s charity their near relationship
to his lordship.
” His conduct in the metropolitan see of
York is described with great spirit and truth by Mr. llastal,
the topographer of Southwell, who styles him “peculiarly
virtuous as a statesman, attentive to his duties as a churchman, magnificent as an archbishop, and amiable as a man.
”
This character appears to be confirmed by all who knew
him. As a statesman he acted upon manly and independent principles, retiring from parliament in 1762, when
new men and measures were promoted, averse, in his opinion, to that system of government under which the country
had so long flourished. When, however, any question was
introduced, in which the interference of a churchman was
proper, he was sedulous in his attendance, and prompt in
delivering his sentiments. His munificence in his see deserves to be recorded. When he was translated to York,
he found the archiepiscopal palace, small, mean, and incommodious; and the parish church in a state of absolute
decay. To the former he made many splendid additions,
particularly in the private chapel. The latter he rebuilt
from its foundation, with the assistance of a small contribution from the clergyman of the parish, and two or three
neighbouring gentlemen. He died at his palace at Bishopsthorpe, Dec. 10, 1776, in the 66th year of his age, and
was buried by his own desire, in a very private manner,
under the altar of the church. Although his literary attainments were very considerable, he published only six
occasional sermons, which were much admired, and of
which his son, rev. George Hay Drummond, M. A. prebendary of York, published a correct edition in 1803: to
this edition are prefixed “Memoirs of the Archbishop’s
Life,
” and it also contains “A Letter on Theological
Study,
” addressed to the son of an intimate friend, then a
candidate for holy orders, which evinces an intimate acquaintance with many of the best writers on theological
subjects. His own principles appear to have been rather
more remote from those contained in the articles and homilies than could have been wished, because they are
thereby not so consistent with some of the writers whom
he recommends; and he speaks with unusual freedom of
certain doctrines which have been held sacred by some of
the wisest and best divines of the established church. Of
the “Memoirs
” prefixed to this new edition of his Sermons, we have availed ourselves in this brief record of a
prelate whose memory certainly deserves to be rescued
from oblivion. His Sermons are composed in an elegant
and classical style, and contain many admirable passages,
and much excellent advice on points of moral and religious
practice.
, a celebrated lawyer and statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was born in 1462. Some have said,
, a celebrated lawyer and statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was born in 1462. Some
have said, that he was the son of a mechanic: but this notion probably took its rise from prejudices conceived
against him for his mal-administrations in power; for he
was of the ancient family of the Dudleys, and his father
was sir John Dudley, second son of John Dudley, baron
of Dudley, and knight of the garter. About the age of
sixteen he was sent to Oxford, where he spent some time
and afterwards removed to Gray’s-inn in London, in order
to prosecute the study of the law. This he did with great
diligence, and came at length to be considered as so able
a person in his profession, as to induce Henry VII. to take
him very early into his service. It is said that fur his singular prudence and fidelity he was sworn of the king’s
privy-council in his 23d year, which some think too early
a period: it is, however, asserted by Polydore Vergil, who
was then in England. In 1492 we find him one of those
great men in the king’s army near Boiogne, who were
chiefly instrumental in making a peace with France; and
that two years after he obtained the wardship and marriage
of Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Grey, viscount L‘lsle,
sister and coheiress of John viscount L’lsle, her brother.
In 1499 he was one of those who signed the ratification of
the peace just mentioned, by the authority of parliament;
which shows that he was, if not in great credit with his
country, at least in high favour with his prince, whom he
particularly served in helping to fill his coffers, under the
colour of law, though with very little regard to equity and
justice. All our general histories have handled this matter
so in the gross, that it is very difficult to learn from them
wherein the crimes of Empson and Dudley consisted: but
Bacon, who understood it well, relates every circumstance
freely and fully in the following manner: “As kings do
more easily find instruments for their will and humour,
than for their service and honour, he had gotten for his
purpose, or beyond his purpose, two instruments, Empson
and Dudley, bold men, and careless of fame, and that took
toll for their master’s grist. Dudley was of a good family,
eloquent, and one that could put hateful business into
good language; but Empson, that was the son of a sievemaker, triumphed always in the deed done, putting off all
other respects whatsoever. These two persons, being
lawyers in science, and privy-counsellors in authority,
turned law and justice into wormwood and rapine. For,
first, their manner was to cause divers subjects to be indicted for sundry crimes, and so far forth to proceed in
form of law; but, when the bills were found, then presently to commit them: and, nevertheless, not to produce
them in any reasonable time to their answer, but to suffer
them to languish long in prison, and, by sundry artificial
devices and terrors, to extort from them great fines and
ransoms, which they termed compositions and mitigations.
Neither did they, towards the end, observe so much as the
half face of justice in proceeding by indictment, but sent
forth their precepts to attach men, and convent them before themselves and some others, at their private houses,
in a court of commission; and there used to shuffle up a
summary proceeding by examination, without trial of jury,
assuming to themselves there, to deal both in pleas of the
crown and controversies civil. Then did they also use to
enthral and charge the subjects’ lands with tenures in capite, by finding false offices, and thereby to work upon
them by wardships, liveries, premier seisins, and alienations, being the fruits of those tenures, refusing, upon
divers pretexts and delays, to admit men to traverse those
false offices according to the law. Nay, the king’s wards,
after they had accomplished their full age, could not be
suffered to have livery of their lands, without paying excessive fines, far exceeding all reasonable rates. They did
also vex men with informations of intrusion, upon scarce
colourable titles. When men were outlawed in personal
actions, they would not permit them to purchase their
charters of pardon, except they paid great and intolerable
sums, standing upon the strict point of law, which, upon
outlawries, giveth forfeiture of goods: nay, contrary to all
law and colour, they maintained the king ought to have the
half of men’s lands and rents, during the space of full two
years, for a pain, in case of outlawry. They would also
ruffle with jurors, and enforce them to find as they would
direct and, if they did not, convent them, imprison them,
and fine them.
”
ears to have abandoned all thoughts of rising in his profession as a lawyer. In his new pursuit as a statesman, he was highly favoured by natural sense and talents, which
, Lord Viscount Melville, brother to the preceding, by a different mother, was born about 1741, and was educated at the high school and university of Edinburgh. Having studied the law, he was, in 1763, admitted a member of the faculty of advocates, and soon rose to a considerable degree of eminence, and very extensive practice. In 1773 he was appointed solicitorgeneral, and in 1775, lord advocate of Scotland, which office he retained till 1783. In March 1777, he was appointed joint keeper of the signet for Scotland. His office as lord advocate necessarily requiring a seat in parliament, he was elected for the county of Mid- Lothian, and soon distinguished himself as a supporter of administration in all the measures which were pursued in the conduct of the war with America, and from this time appears to have abandoned all thoughts of rising in his profession as a lawyer. In his new pursuit as a statesman, he was highly favoured by natural sense and talents, which were indeed so powerful as to form a balance to his defects in elocution, which were striking. He had taken no
on the other hand, a large number of comprehensive minds will consider him a powerful and efficient statesman, who, if he was sometimes excessive in his profusion, and too
In 1791, Mr. Dundas became a member of the cabinet, as secretary of state for the home department, an office which he filled with peculiar energy and vigour, when it became necessary to adopt measures for the internal defence of the country against a portion of revolutionary spirit derived from the temporary successes of the French in what they called reforming the vices of their government. To Mr. Dundas has also been ascribed the origin of the volunteer system, which has unquestionably served to display the loyalty and energies of the nation in a manner which its greatest enemy has felt severely. In 1794, when the duke of Portland, with a large proportion of the whig party, joined the administration, Mr. Dundas resigned his office of secretary for the home department to his grace, and was made secretary of the war department. The whole of his transactions in this, as well, indeed, as in his former office, belong so strictly to history, that we know not how to separate them, and even if our limits permitted, the leading events of that most eventful period are too recent to admit of any detail superior in authority to the annals of the day. A man so long in possession of uncommon power must necessarily have excited much envy and malice; and few had more of it than Mr. Dundas. They who disapprove of the political system pursued by Mr. Pitt, will of course be equally unfriendly to his coadjutor, and, in many measures, certainly his adviser; but, on the other hand, a large number of comprehensive minds will consider him a powerful and efficient statesman, who, if he was sometimes excessive in his profusion, and too careless in his means and instruments, lost nothing by a cold, narrow, and unwise œconomy, which, for the sake of small savings, sacrifices mighty and productive ends; which is entangled by the minute formalities of office; and wrapping itself up in forbidding ceremonies, and hanging fearfully over the precedents of the file, is unable to look abroad, when the storm is out, and the banks and mounds are thrown down. The candid biographer from whom we have borrowed these remarks adds, with great justice, that until it shall he proved, that the evils, which even this country has suffered from the French revolution, would not have been a thousand times worse by Battering and yielding to it, surely nothing is proved against the wisdom of Mr. Pitt’s administration.
ler of the queen’s household; and, being initiated into public business under that most accomplished statesman, sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state, he was, undoubtedly
, knt. memorable for his embassies at several courts,
was born at Plymouth, in Devonshire, about 1563. He
was the fifth and youngest son of Thomas Edmondes,
head customer of that port, and of Fowey, in Cornwall,
by Joan his wife, daughter of Antony Delabare, of Sherborne, in Dorsetshire, csq. who was third son of Henry
Edmondes, of New Sarum, gent by Juliana his wife,
daughter of William Brandon, of the same place. Where
he had his education is nut known. But we are informed
that he was introduced to court by his name-sake, sir
Thomas Edmonds, comptroller of the queen’s household;
and, being initiated into public business under that most
accomplished statesman, sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state, he was, undoubtedly through his recommendation, employed by queen Klizabcth in several embassies.
In 1592, she appointed him her resident at the court of
France, or rather agent for her affairs in relation to king
Henry IV. with a salary of twenty shillings a day, a sum
so ill paid, and so insufficient, that we find him complaining to the lord treasurer, in a letter dated 1593, of the
greatest pecuniary distress. The queen, however, in May
1596, made him a grant of the office of secretary to her
majesty for the French tongne, “in consideration of his
faithful and acceptable service heretofore done.
” Towards
the end of that year he returned to England, when sir
Anthony Mild may was sent ambassador to king Henry;
but he went back again to France in the beginning of May
following, and in less than a month returned to London.
In October, 1597, he was dispatched again M agent for
her majesty to the king of France and returned to EngJand about the beginning of May 1598, where his stay
Was extremely short, for he was at Paris in the July following. But, upon sir Henry Neville being appointed
ambassador to the French court, he was recalled, to his
great satisfaction, and arrived at London in June 1597.
Sir Henry Neville gave him a very great character, and
recommended him to the queen in the strongest terms.
About December the 26th of that year, he was sent to
archduke Albert, governor of the Netherlands, with a
letter of credence, and instructions to treat of a peace.
The archduke received him with great respect; but not
being willing to send commissioners to England, as the
queen desired, Mr. Edmondes went to Paris, and, having
obtained of king Henry IV. Boulogne for the place of
treaty, he returned to England, and arrived at court on
Sunday morning, February 17. The llth of March
following, he embarked again for Brussels and, on the 22d,
had an audience of the archduke, whom having prevailed
upon to treat with the queen, he returned home, April
9, 1600, and was received by her majesty with great favour, and highly commended for his sufficiency in his negotiation. Soon after he was appointed one of the commissioners for the treaty of Boulogne, together with sir
Henry Neville, the queen’s ambassador in France, John
Herbert, esq. her majesty’s second secretary, and Robert
Beale, esq. secretary to the council in the North; their
commission being dated the 10th of May, 1600. The two
last, with Mr. Edmondes, left London the 12th of that
month, and arrived at Boulogne the 16th, as sir Henry
Neville did the same day from Paris. But, after the commissioners had been above three months upon the place,
they parted, July 28th, without ever assembling, owing
to a dispute about precedency between England and Spain.
Mr. Edmondes, not long after his return, was appointed
one of the clerks of the privy-council; and, in the end of
June 1601, was sent to the French king to complain of
the many acts of injustice committed by his subjects
against the English merchants. He soon after returned to
England but, towards the end of August, went again,
and waited upon king Henry IV. then at Calais to whom
he proposed some measures, both for the relief of Ostend,
then besieged by the Spaniards, and for an offensive alliance
against Spain. After his return to England he was appointed
one of the commissioners for settling, with the two French
ambassadors, the depredations between England and
France, and preventing them for the future. The 20th of
May, 1603, he was knighted by king James I; and, upon
the conclusion of the peace with Spain, on the 18th of
August, 1604, was appointed ambassador to the archduke
at Brussels. He set out for that place the 19th of April,
1605; having first obtained a reversionary grant of the
office of clerk of the crown and, though absent, was
chosen one of the representatives for the Burgh of Wilton,
in the parliament which was to have met at Westminster,
Nov. 5, 1605, but was prevented by the discovery of the
gunpowder-plot. During his embassy he promoted, to the
utmost of his power, an accommodation between the king
of Spain and the States-General of the United Provinces .
He was recalled in 1609, and came back to England about
the end of August, or the beginning of September. In
April 1610, he was employed as one of the assistant-commissioners, to conclude a defensive league with the crown
of France; and, having been designed, ever since 1608,
to be sent ambassador into that kingdom , he was dispatctyed thither in all haste, in May 1610, upon the new
of the execrable murder of king Henry IV. in order to
learn the state of affairs there. He arrived at Paris, May
24th, where he was very civilly received; and on the 27th
of June, had his audience of Mary de Medicis, queen
regent; the young king (Lewis XIII.) being present. In
November following he caused an Italian to be apprehended at Paris for harbouring a treasonable design against
his master, king James I. There being, in 1613, a competition between him and the Spanish ambassador about
precedency, we are told that he went to Home privately,
and brought a certificate out of the pope’s ceremonial,
shewing that the king of England is to precede the king of
Castile. He was employed the same year in treating of a
marriage between Henrv prince of Wales and the princess
Christine, sister of Lewis XIII. king of France; but the
death of that prince, on the 6th of November 1612, put
an end to this negotiation. And yet, on the 9th of the
same month, orders were sent him to propose a marriage
between the said princess and our prince Charles, but he
very wisely declined opening such an affair so soon after
the brother’s death. About the end of December 1613,
sir Thomas desired leave to return to England, but was
denied till he should have received the final resolution of
the court of France about the treaty of marriage; which
being accomplished, he came tp England towards the end
or' January 1613-14. Though- the privy-council strenuously
opposed this match because they had not sooner been
made acquainted with so important an affair, yet, so zealous
was the king for it, that he sent sir Thomas again to Paris
with instructions, dated July 20, 1614, for bringing it ta
a conclusion. But, after all, it appeared that the court of
France were not sincere in this affair, and only proposed it
to amuse the protestants in general. In 1616 sir Thomasassisted at the conference at Loudun, between the protestants and the opposite party; and, by his journey to
liochelle, disposed the protestants to accept of the terms
offered them, and was of great use in settling the pacification. About the end of October, in the same year, he
was ordered to England; not to quit his charge, but, after
he should have kissed the king’s hand, and received such
honour as his majesty was resolved to confer upon him, in
acknowledgment of his long, painful, and faithful services,
then to go and resume his charge; and continue in France,
till the affairs of that kingdom, which then were in an uncertain state, should be better established. Accordingly
he came over to England in December; and, on the 21st
of that month, was made comptroller of the king’s household; and, the next day, sworn a privy-counsellor. He
returned to the court of France in April 1617; but took
his leave of it towards the latter end of the same year.
And, on the 19th of January, 1617-18, was advanced to
the place of treasurer of the household; and in 1620 was
appointed clerk of the crown in the court of king’s bench,
and might have well deserved the post of secretary of state
that he had been recommended for, which none was better
qualified to discharge. He was elected one of the burgesses
for the university of Oxford, in the first parliament of king
Charles I. which met June 18, 1623, and was also returned
for the same in the next parliament, which assembled at
Westminster the 26th of February following; but his election being declared void, he was chosen for another place.
Some of the speeches which he made in parliament are
primed. On the 11th of June 1629, he was commissioned
to go ambassador to the French court, on purpose to carry
king Charles’s ratification, and to receive Lewis the XIIIth’s
oath, for the performance of the treaty of peace, then
newly concluded between England and France: which he
did in September following, and with this honourable commission concluded all his foreign employments. Having,
after this, enjoyed a creditable and peaceful retreat for
about ten years, he departed this life, September 20, 1639.
His lady was Magdalen, one of the daughters and co-heirs
of sir John Wood, knight, clerk of the signet, by whom
he had one son, and three daughters. She died at Paris,
December 31, 1614, with a character amiable and exemplary in all respects. Sir Thomas had with her the manor
of Albins, in the parishes of Stapleford-Abbot, and Navestoke in Essex, where Inigo Jones built for him a mansion house, delightfully situated in a park, now the seat of the
Abdy family. Sir Thomas was small of stature, but great
in understanding. He was a man of uncommon sagacity,
and indefatigable industry in his employments abroad;
always attentive to the motions of the courts where he
resided, and punctual and exact in reporting them to his
own; of a firm and unshaken resolution in the discharge of
his duty, and beyond the influence of terror, flattery, or
corruption. The French court, in particular, dreaded his
experience and abilities; and the popish and Spanish
party there could scarcely disguise their hatred of so
zealous a supporter of the protestant interest in that kingdom. His letters and papers, in twelve volumes in folio,
were once in the possession of secretary Thurloe, and
afterwards of the lord chancellor Somers. The style of
them is clear, strong, and masculine, and entirely free
from the pedantry and puerilities which infected the
most applauded writers of that age. Several of them,
together with abstracts from the rest, were published by
Dr. Birch in a work entitled “An historical view of the
Negotiations between the Courts of England, France, and
Brussels, from the year 1592 to 1617. Extracted chiefly
from the ms State-papers of sir Thomas Edmondes, kt.
ambassador in France, &c. and of Anthony Bacon, esq.
brother to the lord chancellor Bacon,
” London, 1749, 8vo.
Several extracts of letters, written by him in the early
part of his political life, occur in Birch’s “Memoirs of
queen Elizabeth,
” and other letters are in Lodge’s “Illustrations of British History.
”
, lord Ellesmere, an eminent English statesman and lawyer, the son of Richard Egerton, of Ridley, in Cheshire,
, lord Ellesmere, an eminent English statesman and lawyer, the son of Richard Egerton, of Ridley, in Cheshire, was born in Cheshire, about the year 1540. In 1556 he was admitted a commoner of Brasencse college, in Oxford, where he continued about three years; and having laid a good foundation of classical and logical learning, he removed thence to Lincoln’s-inn, and applied himself with such success to the study of the law, that he soon became a noted counsellor. The superior abilities he displayed in the line of his profession, and his distinguished eminence at the bar, attracted the notice of queen Elizabeth, and on June 28, 1581, she appointed him her solicitor-general: the year after he was chosen Lent reader of the society of Lincoln’s-inn, and was made also one of the governors of that society, in which office he continued for twelve years successively. His conduct and proficiency in the law, promoted him on June 2, 1594, to the office of attorney-general, and he was knighted soon after. On the 10th of April, 1593, he was appointed master of the rolls, when he shewed his great friendship to Mr. Francis Bacon, afterwards lord Verulam, by assisting him with his own observations in regard to the office of solicitor-general, then likely to become vacant by the advancement of Mr. Edward Coke to that of attorneygeneral, which was acknowledged by sir Robert Cecil as a favour done personally to himself. Upon the death of sir John Puckering, he had the great eal of England delivered to him at Greenwich on the 6th of May, 1596, with the title of lord keeper, by the special choice and favour of the queen, without any mediator or competitor, and even against the interest of the prime minister and his son; and at the same time he was sworn of her majesty’s privycouncil. He was permitted to hold the mastership of the rolls till May 15, 1603, when James I. conferred it on Edward Bruce, afterwards baron of Kmloss.
; so that, while be lived, he was excelled by none, and, when he died, he vyas lamented by all. As a statesman, he was able, faithful, and sincere, on all occasions; and,
His person, as to its exterior, was possessed of such
grave and striking dignity, as to excite the curiosity of
many to go to the chancery in order to see and admire
his venerable presence. His apprehension was keen and
ready, his judgment deep and sound, his reason clear and
comprehensive, his method and elocution elegant and easy.
As a lawyer, he was prudent in counsel, extensive in information, just and honest in principle; so that, while be
lived, he was excelled by none, and, when he died, he
vyas lamented by all. As a statesman, he was able, faithful, and sincere, on all occasions; and, as a judge, impartial and incorrupt. In his private character he was generous, beneficent, and condescending to his friends; and
to his enemies, who were tew, he was merciful and forgiving; and the same spirit of benevolence and affection
which distinguished the whole of his public character,
pervaded his more intimate and domestic connections, and
displayed themselves in every act of his private life.
Though uncommonly successful in every occurrence of his
life, and promoted through the merit of superior parts and
application to the highest honours, neither the insolence
of fortune, nor the splendour of these honours, could, in
his enlarged and exalted mind, efface the sentiments of
the Christian, nor deaden the feelings of the man. Fine
sensibility, the inseparable attendant on fine genius, cultivated by philosophy and religion, was his privilege and
ornament and the pain which it necessarily and
occasionally experienced from the feelings and distresses of
humanity, was abundantly repaid, and often heightened
into enjoyment, by the exercise of a benevolent, and by
the reflections of a Christian and conscientious mind. His
heart was full of faith, and his hope of immortality was
frequently expressed in the apostolic language, “Cupio
dissolvi et ease cuin Christo.
”
of historians, and the reverence of his countrymen. He appears to have been eminent as a prelate and statesman, a man of learning, aud an able promoter of it by his munificent
James IV. having precipitated the country into a war with England, in opposition to Elphinston’s advice, who was cautious from experience, lost his life at Flodden-field, where the better part of the Scotch nobility shared a similar fate. This circumstance so afflicted the venerable prelate’s mind, that his wonted cheerfulness entirely forsook him, and his debilitated frame fast verged to the grave. The affairs of Scotland, however, being again in a distracted state, Elphinstou, ever anxious to do good, made an exertion to attend parliament, that he might offer his advice; but the fatigue of the journey exhausted his wearied body, and he died Oct. 25, 1514. His corpse was brought from Edinburgh, and interred in the collegiate church at Aberdeen near the high altar. This eminent prelate has justly obtained the encomium of historians, and the reverence of his countrymen. He appears to have been eminent as a prelate and statesman, a man of learning, aud an able promoter of it by his munificent endowment of the college.
alogue of Lucian, called “Somnium, sive Gallus,” to Dr. Christopher Ursewick, an eminent scholar and statesman; the Hecuba of Euripides, to Warham, archhishop of Canterbury,
He had now spent three years in close application to
the Greek tongue, which -he looked upon as so necessary,
that he could not fancy himself a tolerable divine without
it. Having rather neglected it when he was young, he
after wards studied it at Oxford, under Grocyn and Linacer,
but did not stay long enough there to reap any considerable
benefit from their assistance; so that, though he attained
a perfect knowledge of it, it was in a great measure owing
to his own application; and he might truly be called, in
respect to Greek, what indeed he calls himself, “prorsus
autodidactus;
” altogether self-taught. His way of acquiring this language was by translating; and hence it is
that we come to have in his works such a number of pieces
translated from Lucian, Plutarch, and others. These
translations likewise furnished him with opportunities of writing
dedications to his patrons. Thus he dedicated to our king
Henry VIII. a piece of Plutarch, entitled “How to distinguish a friend from a flatterer;
” a dialogue of Lucian,
called “Somnium, sive Gallus,
” to Dr. Christopher Ursewick, an eminent scholar and statesman; the Hecuba of
Euripides, to Warham, archhishop of Canterbury, which
he presented to him at Lambeth, after he had been introduced by his friend Grocyn; another dialogue of Lucian,
called “Toxaris, sive de arnicitia,
” to Dr. Richard Fox,
bishop of Winchester; and a great number of other pieces
from different authors to as many different patrons, both
in England and upon the continent. The example which
Erasmus had set in studying the Greek tongue was eagerly
and successfully followed; and he had the pleasure of seeing in a very short time Grecian learning cultivated by the
greater part of Europe.
lan will not suffer us to enlarge upon the many memorable actions which were performed by this great statesman and soldier during the course of this war, which proved so fatal
The queen of England now concerted measures with the
emperor for declaring and carrying on a war with France.
Her Britannic majesty highly resented the indignity offered to herself, and the wrong done the house of Austria,
by the duke of Anjou’s usurping the crown of Spain. She
acted, therefore, to preserve the liberty and balance of
Europe, to pull down the exorbitant power of France, and
at the same time to revenge the affront offered her, by
the king of France’s owning the pretended prince of Wales
for king of her dominions. Eugene was made president of
the council of war by the emperor, and all the world approved his choice; as indeed they well might, since this
prince no sooner entered on the execution of his office than
affairs took quite a new turn. The nature and limits of our
plan will not suffer us to enlarge upon the many memorable
actions which were performed by this great statesman and
soldier during the course of this war, which proved so fatal
to the glory of Louis XIV. The battles of Schellenburg,
Blenheim, Turin, &c. are so particularly related in almost
every history, that we shall not insist upon them here. In
1710 the enemies of Eugene, who had vowed his destruction, sent him a letter, with a paper inclosed, which was
poisoned to such a degree, that it made his highness, with
two or three more who did but handle it, ready to swoon;
and killed a dog immediately, upon his swallowing it after
it was greased. The next year, 1711, in April, the emperor Joseph died of the small-pox; when Eugene marched
into Germany, to secure the election of his brother to the
throne. The same year, the grand visier sent one of his
agas in embassy to his highness, who gave him a very
splendid audience at Vienna, and received from him a
letter written with the grand visier’s own hand, wherein
he styles his highness “the great pattern of Christian
princes, president of the Aulic council of war to the emperor of the Romans, the most renowned and most excellent among the Christian princes, first peer among all the
nations that believe in Christ, and best beloved visier of
the emperor of the Romans.
”
n, had not the extreme narrowness of his genius, in every thing but war, obstructed his shining as a statesman. We have already noticed that he had some taste for literature,
Hitherto, the crafty and ambitious Cromwell had permitted him to enjoy in all respects the supreme command,
at least to outward appearance. And, under his conduct,
the army’s rapid success, after their new model, had much
surpassed the expectation of the most sanguine of their
masters, the parliament* The question now was, to disband the majority of them after their work was done, and
to employ a part of the rest in the reduction of Ireland.
But either of the two appeared to all of them intolerable.
For, many having, from the dregs of the people, risen to
the highest commands, and by plunderings and violence
amassing daily great treasures, they could not bear the
thoughts of losing such great advantages. To maintain
themselves therefore in the possession of them, Cromwell,
and his son-in-law Ireton, as good a contriver as himself,
but a much better writer and speaker, devised how to raise
a mutiny in the army against the parliament. To this end
they spread a whisper among the soldiery, “that the parliament, now they had the king, intended to disband
them; to cheat them of their arrears; and to send them,
into Ireland, to be destroyed by the Irish.
” The army,
enraged at this, were taught by Ireton to erect a council
among themselves, of two soldiers out of every troop and
every company, to consult for the good of the army, and
to assist at the council of war, and advise for the peace and
safety of the kingdom. These, who were called adjutators,
or agitators, were wholly under Cromwell’s influence and
direction, the most active of them being his avowed creatures. Sir Thomas saw with uneasiness his power on the
army usurped by these agitators, the forerunners of confusion and anarchy, whose design (as he observes) was to
raise their own fortunes upon the public ruin; and that
made him resolve to lay down his commission. But he
was over-persuaded by the heads of the Independent faction to hold it till he had accomplished their desperate
projects, of rendering themselves masters not only of the
parliament, but of the whole kingdom; for, he joined in
the several petitions and proceedings of the army that
tended to destroy the parliament’s power. About the beginning of June, he advanced towards London, to awe the
parliament, though both houses desired his army might not
come within fifteen miles of the same; June 15, he was a
party in the charge against eleven of the members of the
house of commons; in August, he espoused the speakers
of both houses, and the sixty -six members that had fled to
the army, and betrayed the privileges of parliament: and,
entering London, August 6, restored them in a kind of
triumph; for which he received the thanks of both
houses, and was appointed constable of the Tower. On
the other hand it is said that he was no way concerned in,
the violent removal of the king from Holmby, by cornet
Joyce, on the 3d of June; and waited with great respect
upon his majesty at sir John Cutts’s house near Cambridge.
Being ordered, on the 15th of the same month, by the
parliament, to deliver the person of the king to such persons as both houses should appoint; that he might be brought
to Richmond, where propositions were to be presented to
him for a safe and well-grounded peace; instead of complying (though he seemed to do so) he carried his majesty
from place to place, according to the several motions of
the army, outwardly expressing, upon most occasions, a
due respect for him, but, not having the will or resolution
to oppose what he had not power enough to prevent, he
resigned himself entirely to Cromwell. It was this undoubtedly that made him concur, Jan. 9, 1647-8, in that
infamous declaration of the army, of “No further addresses or application to the king; and resolved to stand by
the parliament, in what should be further necessary for
settling and securing the parliament and kingdom, without
the king and against him.
” His father dying at York,
March 13, he became possessed of his title and estate
and was appointed keeper of Pontefract-castle, custos
rotulorum of Yorkshire, &c. in his room. But his father’s
death made no alteration in his conduct, he remaining
the same servile or deluded tool to Cromwell’s ambition.
He not only sent extraordinary supplies, and took all
pains imaginable for reducing colonel Poyer in Wales, but
also quelled, with the utmost zeal and industry, an insurrection of apprentices and others in London, April 9, who
had declared for God and king Charles. The 1st of the
same month he removed his head-quarters to St. EdmundV
bury; and, upon the royalists seizing Berwick and Carlisle,
and the apprehension of the Scots entering England, he
was desired, May 9, by the parliament, to advance in person into the North, to reduce those places, and to prevent
any danger from the threatened invasion. Accordingly
he began to march that way the 20th. But he was soon
recalled to quell an insurrection in Kent, headed by George
Goring, earl of Norwich, and sir William Waller. Advancing therefore against them from London in the latter
end of May, he defeated a considerable party of them at
Maidstone, June 2, with his usual valour. But the earl
and about 500 of the royalists, getting over the Thames at
Greenwich into Essex, June 3, they were joined by several
parties brought by sir Charles Lucas, and Arthur lord
Capel, which made up their numbers about 400; and went
and shut themselves up in Colchester on the 12th of June.
Lord Fairfax, informed of their motions, passed over with
his forces at Gravesend with so much expedition, that he
arrived before Colchester June 13. Immediately he summons the royalists to surrender; which they refusing, he
attacks them the same afternoon with the utmost fury,
but, being repulsed, he resolved, June 14, to block up
the place in order to starve the royalists into a compliance.
These endured a severe and tedious siege of eleven weeks,
not surrendering till August 28, and feeding for about five
weeks chiefly on horse-flesh; all their endeavours for obtaining peace on honourable terms being ineffectual. This
affair is the most exceptionable part in lord Fairfax’s
conduct, if it admits of degrees, for he granted worse
terms to that poor town than to any other in the whole
course of the war he endeavoured to destroy it as much
as possible he laid an exorbitant fine, or ransom, of
J2,000l. upon the inhabitants, to excuse them from being
plundered; and he vented his revenge and fury upon sir
Charles Lucas and sir George Lisle, who had behaved in
the most inoffensive manner during the siege, sparing that
buffoon the earl of Norwich, whose behaviour had been
quite different: so that his name and memory there ought
to be for ever detestable. After these mighty exploits
against a poor and unfortified town, he made a kind of
triumphant progress to Ipswich, Yarmouth, Norwich, St.
Edmund’s-bui y, Harwich, Mersey, and Maldon. About
the beginning of December he came to London, to awe
thatcity and the parliament, and to forward the proceedings against the king quartering himself in the royal
palace of Whitehall: and it was by especial order from
him and the council of the army, that several members of
the house of commons were secluded and imprisoned, the
6th and 7th of that month; he being, as Wood expresses
it, lulled in a kind of stupidity. Yet, although his name
stood foremost in the list of the king’s judges, he refused
to act, probably by his lady’s persuasion. Feb. 14, 1648-9,
he was voted to be one of the new council of state, but
on the 19th he refused to subscribe the test, appointed
by parliament, for approving all that was done concerning
the king and kingship. March 31 he was voted general
of all the forces in England and Ireland; and in May he
inarched against the levellers, who were grown very numerous, and began to be troublesome and formidable in
Oxfordshire, and utterly routed them atBurford. Thence,
on the 22d of the same month, he repaired to Oxford with
Oliver Cromwell, and other officers, where he was highly
feasted, and created LL.D. Next, upon apprehension of
the like risings in other places, he went and viewed the
castles and fortifications in the Isle of Wight, and at Southampton, and Portsmouth; and near Guildford had a rendezvous of the army, which he exhorted to obedience.
June 4, he was entertained, with other officers, &c. by the
city of London, and presented with a large and weighty
bason and ewer of beaten gold. In June 1650, upon the
Scots declaring for king Charles II. the juncto of the
council of state having taken a resolution to be beforehand,
and not to stay to be invaded from Scotland, but to carry
first the war into that kingdom; general Fairfax, being
consulted, seemed to approve of the design: but afterwards,
by the persuasions of his lady, and of the presbyterian
ministers, he declared himself unsatisfied that there was a
just ground for the parliament of England to send their
army to invade Scotland and resolved to lay down his
commission rather than engage in that affair and on the
26th that high trust was immediately committed to Oliver
Cromwell, who was glad to see him removed, as being no
longer necessary, but rather an obstacle to his farther ambitious designs. Being thus released from all public employment, he went and lived quietly at his own house in
Nun-Appleton in Yorkshire; always earnestly wishing and
praying (as we are assured) for the restitution of the royal
family, and fully resolved to lay hold on the first opportunity to contribute his part towards it, which made him
always looked upon with a jealous eye by the usurpers of
that time. As soon as he was invited by general Monk to
assist him against Lambert’s army, he cheerfully embraced
the occasion, and appeared, on the 3d of December 1659,
at the head of a body of gentlemen of Yorkshire and,
upon the reputation and authority of his name, the Irish
brigade of 1200 horse forsook Lambert’s army, and joined
him. The consequence was, the immediate breaking of
all Lambert’s forces, which gave general Monk an easy
inarch into England. The 1st of January 1659-60, his
lordship made himself master of York; and, on the 2d of
the same month, was chosen by the rump parliament one
of the council of state, as he was again on the 23d of February ensuing. March '29 he was elected one of the
knights for the county of York, in the healing parliament;
and was at the head of the committee appointed May 3,
by the house of commons, to go and attend king Charles
II. at the Hague, to desire him to make a speedy return
to his parliament, and to the exercise of his kingly office.
May 16 he waited upon his majesty with the rest, and
endeavoured to atone in some measure for all past offences,
by readily concurring and assisting in his restoration. After
the dissolution of the short healing parliament, he retired
again to his seat in the country, where he lived in a private
manner till his death, which happened November 12, 1671,
in the sixtieth year of his age. Several letters,
remonstrances, and other papers, subscribed with his name, are
preserved in Rushworth and other collections, being published during the time he was general; but he disowned
most of them. After his decease, some “short memorials,
written by himself,
” were published in 1699, 8vo, by
Brian Fairfax, esq. but do his lordship no great honour,
either as to principle, style, or accuracy. Lord Fairfax,
as to his person, was tall, but not above the just proportion,
and of a gloomy and melancholy disposition. He stammered a little, and was a bad orator ou the most plausible
occasions. As to the qualities of his mind, he was of a
good natural disposition; a great lover of learning, having
contributed to the edition of the Polygiott, and other large
works; and a particular admirer of the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, as appears by the encouragement
he gave to Mr. Dodsvrorth. In religion he professed Presbyterianismn, but where he first learned that, unless ia
the army, does not appear. He was of a meek and humble
carriage, and but of few words in discourse and council;
yet, when his judgment and reason were satisfied, he was
unalterable; and often ordered things expressly contrary
to the judgment of all his council. His valour was unquestionable. He was daring, and regardless of self-interest, and, we are told, in the field he appeared so highly
transported, that scarcely any durst speak a word to him,
and he would seem like a man distracted and furious. Had
not the more successful ambition and progress of Cromwell
eclipsed lord Fairfax’s exploits, he would have been considered as the greatest of the parliamentary commanders;
and one of the greatest heroes of the rebellion, had not
the extreme narrowness of his genius, in every thing but
war, obstructed his shining as a statesman. We have already noticed that he had some taste for literature, and
that both at York and at Oxford he endeavoured to
preserve the libraries from being pillaged. He also presented
twenty-nine ancient Mss. to the Bodleian library, one of
which is a beautiful ms. of -Cower' s “Confessio Amantis.
”
When at Oxford we do not find that he countenanced any
of the outrages committed there, but on the contrary,
exerted his utmost diligence in preserving the Bodleian
from pillage; and, in fact, as Mr. Warton observes, that
valuable repository suffered less than when the city was in'
the possession of the royalists. Lord Orford has introduced lord Fairfax among his “Royal and Noble Authors,
”
“not only as an historian, but a poet. In Mr. Thoresby’s museum were preserved in manuscript the following
pieces:
” The Psalms of David;“”The Song of Solomon“” The Canticles;“and
” Songs of Moses, Exod.
15. and Deut. 32.“and other parts of scripture versified.
” Poem on Solitude.“Besides which, in the same collection were preserved
” Notes of Sermons by his lordship, by his lady, and by their daughter Mary,“the wife
of the second duke of Buckingham; and
” A Treatise on
the Shortness of Life.“But, of all lord Fairfax’s works,
by far the most remarkable were some verses which he
wrote on the horse on which Charles the Second rode to
liis coronation, and which had been bred and presented to
the king by his lordship. How must that merry monarch,
not apt to keep his countenance on more serious occasions,
have smiled at this awkward homage from the old victorious
hero of republicanism and the covenant
” Besides these,
several of his Mss. are preserved in the library at Denton,
of which Mr. Park has given a list in his new edition of the
“Royal and Noble Authors.
”
the authors of the celebrated collection under the title of “Polyanthea.” He was distinguished as a statesman, an orator, and an historian, as well as a poet, and was deputed
, an Italian poet of the sixteenth
century, was a native of Savona, in the state of Genoa.
He published in 1557 a poem, in ottava rima, on the wars
of Charles V. in Flanders, and other miscellaneous poems;
and in 1558, twelve of his orations were published at Venice by Aldus, in folio. He wrote on the causes of the
German war under Charles V. and an Italian translation of
Athenagoras on the resurrection, 1556, 4to. He was also
one of the authors of the celebrated collection under the
title of “Polyanthea.
” He was distinguished as a statesman, an orator, and an historian, as well as a poet, and
was deputed on an embassy to Venice by Hercules Antestini, duke of Ferrara.
, a statesman, negociator, and poet of the last century, was the youngest
, a statesman, negociator, and poet of the last century, was the youngest son, and tenth child, of sir Henry Fanshawe, knt. remembrancer of the exchequer, and brother of lord viscount Fanshawe, of Dromore, in the kingdom of Ireland, and was born at Ware-park in Hertfordshire, in the month of June 1608. Being only seven years of age when his father died, the care of his education devolved upon his mother, who placed him under the famous schoolmaster Thomas Farnaby. November 12, 1623, he was admitted a fellow-commoner of Jesus college, Cambridge, under the tuition of Dr. Beale, where he prosecuted his studies with success, and discovered a genius for classical learning. Thence he was removed to the Inner Temple, Jan. 22, 1626; but at his mother’s death he resolved to pursue a line of life better adapted to his genius and inclination, and accordingly he travelled to France and Spain, for the purpose of acquiring the languages, and studying the manners of those countries. On his return home he was appointed secretary to the embassy at Madrid, under lord Aston, and was left resident there from the time of lord Aston’s resignation to the appointment of sir Arthur Hopton in 1638.
his memory. He was remarkable for his meekness, sincerity, humanity, and piety; and also was an able statesman and a great scholar, being in particular a complete master of
Sir Richard was preparing for his return to England; when, June 4, 1666, he was seized at Madrid with a violent fever, which put an end to his life the 16th of the same month, the very day he had designed to set out on his return home. Hfts body, being embalmed, was conveyed by his lady, with all his children then living, by land to Calais, and afterwards to All Saints church in Hertford, where it was deposited in the vault of his father-in-law, sir John Harrison, till May 18, 1671, and then was removed into a new vault, made on purpose for him and his family in thl parish-church of Ware. Near the vault there is a handsome monument erected to his memory. He was remarkable for his meekness, sincerity, humanity, and piety; and also was an able statesman and a great scholar, being in particular a complete master of several modern languages, especially Spanish, which was perfectly familiar to him.
, an eminent writer and statesman during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. was brother to the
, an eminent writer and
statesman during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. was
brother to the preceding, but the time of his birth does not
appear. He was certainly educated liberally, though we
cannot tell where; since, while a young man, he gave
many proofs of his acquaintance with ancient and modern
learning, and of his being perfectly versed in the French,
Spanish, and Italian languages. He is well known for a
translation from the Italian of “The History of the Wars
of Italy, by Guicciardini,
” the dedication of which to
queen Elizabeth bears date Jan. 7, 1579. This was, however, his last work. He had published before, 1. “Certaine Tragical Discourses written oute of French and Latin,
” An Account of a Dispute
at Paris, between two Doctors of the Sorbonne, and two
Ministers of God’s Word,
”An
Epistle, or Godly Admonition, sent to the Pastors of the
Flemish Church in Antwerp, exhorting them to concord
with other Ministers: written by Antony de Carro, 1578,
”
a translation. 4. “Golden Epistles; containing variety
of discourses, both moral, philosophical, and divine, gathered as well out of the remainder of Guevara’s works,
as other authors, Latin, French, and Italian. Newly corrected and amended. Mon heur viendra, 1577.
” The
familiar epistles of Guevara had been published in English, by one Edward Hellowes, in 1574; but this collection of Fenton’s consists of such pieces as were not contained in that work. The epistle dedicatory is to the right
honourable and vertuous lady Anne, countess of Oxen ford;
and is dated from the author’s chamber in the Blackfriars,
London, Feb. 4, 1575. This lady was the daughter of
William Cecil lord Burleigh; and it appears from the
dedication, that her noble father was our author’s best
patron. Perhaps his chief purpose in translating and publishing this work, was to testify his warm zeal and absolute
attachment to that great minister.
ellor Weston; leaving behind him the character of a polite writer, an accomplished courtier, an able statesman, and a true friend to the English nation, and protestant interest
In 1603, sir Geoffrey married his only daughter Katherine to Mr. Boyle, afterwards the great earl of Corke; and died at his house in Dublin, Oct. 19, 1608. He was interred with much funeral solemnity at the cathedral church of St. Patrick, in the same tomb with his wife’s father, the lord chancellor Weston; leaving behind him the character of a polite writer, an accomplished courtier, an able statesman, and a true friend to the English nation, and protestant interest in Ireland. His translation of Guicciardini, and his Guevara’s Epistles, have lately risen in price, since the language of the Elizabethan period has been more studied; and the style of Fenton, like that of most of his contemporaries, is far superior to that of the authors of the succeeding reign, if we except Raleigh and Knowlles.
, an eminent statesman, almoner to Henry VIII. and bishop of Hereford, was born at
, an eminent statesman, almoner to
Henry VIII. and bishop of Hereford, was born at Dursley,
in Gloucestershire; but it is not mentioned in what year.
After passing through Eton school he was admitted of
King’s college in Cambridge, 1512, where he was elected
provost in 1528, and continued in that office till his death.
Being recommended to cardinal Wolsey as a man of an
acute spirit and political turn, he was taken into his service; and, according to Lloyd, was the person who encouraged the cardinal to aspire to the papacy. In 1528 he
was sent ambassador to Rome, jointly with Stephen Gardiner, afterwards bishop of Winchester, in order to obtain
bulls from Clement VII. for Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Arragon. He was then almoner to the king;
and reputed, as Burnet says, one of the best diviues ia
England. He was afterwards employed in embassies both
in France and Germany; during which, as he was one day
discoursing upon terms of peace, he said, “honourable
ones last long, but the dishonourable, no longer than till
kings have power to break them the surest?way, therefore,
to peace, is a constant prepared ness for war.
” Two things,
he would say, must support a government, “gold and iron:
gold, to reward its friends; and iron, to keep under its
enemies.
” It was to him that Cranmer owed his first introduction to court, with all its important results.
portant turn to his life, and introduced him to that eminence which he preserved for many years as a statesman. In Paris he became acquainted with Dr. Morton, bishop of Ely,
, an eminent prelate, and the munificent founder of Corpus Christi college, Oxford, was the son of Thomas Fox, and born at Ropesley, near Grantham, in Lincolnshire, about the latter end of the reign of Henry VI. His parents are said to have been in mean circumstances, but they must at least have been able to afford him school education, since the only dispute on this subject between his biographers, is, whether he was educated in grammar learning at Boston, or at Winchester. They all agree that at a proper age he was sent to Magdalen-college, Oxford, where he was acquiring distinction for his extraordinary proficiency, when the plague, which happened to break out about that time, obliged him to go to Cambridge, and continue his studies at Pembrokehall. After remaining some time at Cambridge, he repaired to the university at Paris, and studied divinity and the canon law, and here, probably, he received his doctor’s degree. This visit gave a new and important turn to his life, and introduced him to that eminence which he preserved for many years as a statesman. In Paris he became acquainted with Dr. Morton, bishop of Ely, whom Richard III. had compelled to quit his native country, and by this prelate he was recommended to the earl of Richmond, afterwards Henry VII. who was then providing for a descent upon England. Richmond, to whom he devoted himself, conceived such an opinion of his talents and fidelity, that he entrusted to his care a negotiation with France for supplies of men and money, the issue of which he was not able himself to await; and Fox succeeded to the utmost of his wishes. After the defeat of the usurper at the battle of Bosworth, in 1485, and the establishment of Henry on the throne, the latter immediately appointed Fox to be one of his privy-council, and about the same time bestowed on him the prebends of Bishopston and South Grantham, in the church of Salisbury. In 1487, he was promoted to the see of Exeter, and appointed keeper of the privy seal, with a pension of twenty shillings a day. He was also made principal secretary of state, and master of St. Cross, near Winchester. His employments in. affairs of state both at home and abroad, were very frequent, as he shared the king’s confidence with his early friend Dr. Morton, who was now advanced to the archbishopric of Canterbury. In 1487, Fox was sent ambassador, with sir Richard Edgecombe, comptroller of the household, to James III. of Scotland, where he negociated a prolongation of the truce between England and Scotland, which was to expire July 3, 1488, to Sept. 1, 1489. About the beginning of 1491, he was employed in an embassy to the king of France, and returned to England in November following. In 1494 he went again as ambassador to James IV. of Scotland, to conclude some differences respecting the fishery of the river Esk, in which he was not successful. Having been translated in 1492 from the see of Exeter to that of Bath and Wells, he was in 1494 removed to that of Durham. Jn 1497, the castle of Norham being threatened by the king of Scotland, the bishop caused it to be fortified and supplied with troops, and bravely defended it in person, until it was relieved by Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, who compelled the Scots to retire. Fox was then, a third time, appointed to negociate with Scotland, and signed a, seven years truce between the two kingdoms, Sept. 30, 1497. He soon after negociated a marriage between James IV. and Margaret, king Henry’s eldest daughter, which was, after many delays, fully concluded Jan. 24, 1501-.
ness, formed for social and convivial intercourse; of an unruffled temper, and frank disposition. No statesman acquired more adherents, not merely from political motives,
, Lord Holland, the first nobleman of
that title, was the second and youngest son of the second
marriage, of sir Stephen Fox, and brother of Stephen
first earl of Ilchester. He was born in 1705, and was
chosen one of the members for Hendon, in Wiltshire, on
a vacancy, in March 1735, to that parliament which met
Jan. 23, 1734; and being constituted surveyor-general of
his majesty’s board of works, a writ was ordered June 17,
1737, and he was re-elected. In the next parliament,
summoned to meet June 25, 1741, he served for Windsor; and in 1743, being constituted one of the commissioners of the treasury, in the administration formed by
the Pelhams, a writ was issued Dec. 21st of that year, for
a new election, and he was re-chosen. In 1746, on the
restoration of the old cabinet, after the short administration
of earl Granville, he was appointed secretary at war, and
sworn one his majesty’s most honourable privy-council.
On tbis occasion, and until he was advanced to the peerage, he continued to represent Windsor in parliament.
In 1754, the death of Mr. Pelham produced a vacancy in
the treasury, which was filled up by his broker the duke
of Newcastle, who, though a nobleman of high honour,
unblemished integrity, and considerable abilities, yet was
of too jealous and unstable a temper to manage the house
of commons with equal address and activity, and to guide
the reins of government without a coadjutor at so arduous
a conjuncture. The seals of chancellor of the exchequer
and secretary of state, vacant by the death of Mr. Pelham, and by the promotion of the duke of Newcastle, became therefore the objects of contention. The persons
who now aspired to the management of the house of commons, were Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt (afterwards earl of Chatham) whose parliamentary abilities had for some time
divided the suffrages of the nation; who had so long fosterod reciprocal jealousy, and who now became public
rivals for power. Both these rival statesmen were younger
brothers, nearly of the same age; both were educated at
Eton, both distinguished for classical knowledge, both
commenced their parliamentary career at the same period,
and both raised themselves to eminence by their superior
talents, yet no two characters were ever more contrasted.
Mr. Fox inherited a strong and vigorous constitution, was
profuse and dissipated in his youth, and after squandering
his private patrimony, went abroad to extricate himself
from his embarrassment*. On his return he obtained a
seat in parliament, and warmly attached himself to sir
Robert Walpole, whom he idolized; and to whose patronage he was indebted for the place of surveyor-general
of the board of works. His marriage in 1744 with lady
Caroline Lennox, daughter of the duke of Richmond,
though at first displeasiug to the family, yet finally
strengthened his political connections. He was equally a
man of pleasure and business, formed for social and convivial
intercourse; of an unruffled temper, and frank disposition.
No statesman acquired more adherents, not merely from
political motives, but swayed by his agreeable manners,
and attached to him by personal friendship, which he fully
merited by his zeal in promoting their interests. He is
justly characterized, even by Lord Chesterfield, “as having
no fixed principles of religion or morality, and as too unwary in ridiculing and exposing them.
” As a parliamentary orator, he was occasionally hesitating and perplexed;
but, when warmed with his subject, he spoke with an animation and rapidity which appeared more striking from
his former hesitation. His speeches were not crowded
with flowers of rhetoric, or distinguished by brilliancy of
diction; but were replete with sterling sense and sound
argument. He was quick in reply, keen in repartee, and
skilful in discerning the temper of the house. He wrote
without effort or affectation; his public dispatches were
manly and perspicuous, and his private letters easy and
animated. Though of an ambitious spirit, he regarded
money as a principal object, and power only as a secondary concern. He was an excellent husband, a most indulgent father, a kind master, a courteous neighbour, and
one whose charities demonstrated that he possessed in
abundance the milk of human kindness. Such is said to
have been the character of lord Holland, which is here introduced as a prelude to some account of his more illustrious son. It may therefore suffice to add, that in 1756
he resigned the office of secretary at war to Mr. Pitt, and
in the following year was appointed paymaster of the forces,
which he retained until the commencement of the present
reign; his conduct in this office was attended with some
degree of obloquy; in one instance, at least, grossly
overcharged. For having accumulated a considerable fortune by the perquisites of office, and the interest of money
in hand, he was styled in one of the addresses of the city
of London, “the defaulter of unaccounted millions.
” On
May 6, 1762, his lady was created baroness Holland; and
on April 16, 1763, he himself was created a peer by the
title of lord Holland, baron Holland, of Foxley, in the
county of Wilts. In the latter part of his life he amused
himself by building, at a vast expence, a fantastic villa at
Kingsgate, near Margate, His lordship was also a lord
of the privy-council, and clerk of the Pells, in Ireland,
granted him for his own life and that of his two sons.
Lord Holland died at Holland-house, near Kensington,
July 1, 1774, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, leaving
three sons, Stephen, his successor; Charles James, the
subject of the next article; and Henry Edward, a general
in the army. Stephen, second lord Holland, survived his
father but a few months, dying Dec. 26, 1774, and was
succeeded by Henry Richard, the present peer.
o lord Holland, however, the world is indebted for an important posthumous publication of this great statesman, entitled “A History of the early part of the Reign of James
To lord Holland, however, the world is indebted for an
important posthumous publication of this great statesman,
entitled “A History of the early part of the Reign of James
the Second, with an introductory chapter,
” &c. It is not
known when Mr. Fox first formed the design of writing a
history; but in 1797 he publicly announced in parliament
his intention of devoting a greater portion of his time to his
private pursuits, and when he had determined to oonscv
crate a part in writing history, he was naturally led, from
his intimate knowledge of the English constitution, to prefer the history of his own country, and to select a period
favourable to the general illustration of the great principles
of freedom on which it is founded. With this view he
fixed on the revolution pf 1688, but had made a small
progress in this work when he was called to take a principal part in the government of the country. The volume
comprehends only the history of the transactions of the
first year of the reign of James II. with an introductory
chapter on the character and leading events of the times
immediately preceding. Whatever opinion may be entertained of the views Mr. Fox takes of those times, or of
some novel opinions advanced, there is enough in this
work to prove that he might have proved an elegant and
sound historian, and to make it a subject of regret that he
did not employ his talents on literary composition when
they were in their full vigour.
Gardiner, says an excellent modern biographer, was one of those motley ministers, half statesman and half ecclesiastic, which were common in those needy times,
Gardiner, says an excellent modern biographer, was
one of those motley ministers, half statesman and half
ecclesiastic, which were common in those needy times,
when the revenues of the church were necessary to support
the servants of the crown. It was an inviduous support;
and often fastened the odium of an indecorum on the
king’s ministers; who had, as ministers always have, opposition enough to parry in the common course of business;
and it^is very probable that Gardiner, on this very ground,
has met with harder measure in history, than he might
otherwise have done. He is represented as having nothing
of a churchman about him but the name of a bishop. He
had been bred to business from his earliest youth; and was
thoroughly versed in all the wiles of men, considered
either as individuals, or embodied in parties. He knew
all the modes of access to every foible of the human heart;
his own in the mean time was dark, and impenetrable.
He was a man, “who,
” as Lloyd quaintly says, “was to
be traced like the fox; and, like the Hebrew, was to be
read backwards;
” and though the insidious cast of his eye
indicated, that he was always lying in wait, yet his strong
sense, and persuasive manner, inclined men to believe he
was always sincere; as better reasons could hardly be
given, than he had ready on every occasion. He was as
little troubled with scruples as any man, who thought it
not proper entirely to throw off decency. What moral
virtues, and what natural feelings he had, were all under
the influence of ambition; and were accompanied by a
happy lubricity of conscience, which ran glibly over every
obstacle. Such is the portrait, which historians have given
us of this man; and though the colouring may be more
heightened in some than in others; yet the same turn of
feature is found in all.
r the conscientious discharge of his duty on this occasion, reflects no credit on the memory of that statesman. His esteem for Gibson had been so great, that when he was reproached
The biographer of sir Robert Walpole allows that the
inveteracy displayed against this eminent prelate for the
conscientious discharge of his duty on this occasion, reflects no credit on the memory of that statesman. His
esteem for Gibson had been so great, that when he was
reproached with giving him the authority of a pope, he
replied, “And a very good pope he is.
” Even after theii;
disagreement, he never failed to pay an eulogium to tha
learning and integrity of his former friend. About this
time, great pains were taken to fix upon this worthy prelate, the character of a haughty persecutor, and even of a
Secret enemy to the civil establishment. To this end a
passage in the introduction to his “Codex,
” which suggested the groundlessness of the modern practice of sending prohibitions to the spiritual from the temporal courts,
was severely handled, in a pamphlfet written by the recorder of Bristol, afterwards sir Michael Foster, as derogatory from the supreme power and superintendency of
the court of king’s bench; and other writers, with less
reason and no moderation, attacked our prelate in pamphlets and periodical journals. It is said also that he was
obnoxious to the king, on a personal account, because he
had censured, with a freedom becoming his character, the
frequent recurrence of masquerades, of which his majesty
was very fond. Bishop Gibson had preached against this
diversion in the former reign: and he now procured an
address to the king from several of the bishops, for the
entire suppression of such pernicious amusements. In all
this his zeal cannot be too highly commended; and to his
honour be it recorded, that neither the enmity of statesmen, nor the frowns of princes, could divert his attention
from the duties of his pastoral office; some of which consisted in writing and printinrg pastoral letters to the clergy
and laity, in opposition to infidelity and enthusiasm; in
visitation-charges, as well as occasional sermons, besides
less pieces of a mixt nature, and some particular tracts
against the prevailing immoralities of the age.
sit to Mr. Gilpin, but the reconomy of his house was not easily disconcerted, and he entertained the statesman nnd his retinue in such a manner as made him acknowledge “he
His hospitable manner of living was the admiration of the
whole country, and strangers and travellers met with a
cheerful reception. Even their beasts had so much care
taken of them, that it was humorously said, “if a horse
was turned loose in any part of the country, it would immediately make its way to the rector of Moughton’s.
” Every
Sunday, from Michaelmas to Easter, was a sort of public
day with him. During this season, he expected to see all
his parishioners and their families, whom he seated, according to their ranks, at three tables; and when absent
from home, the same establishment was kept up. When
lord Burleigh, then lord treasurer, was sent on public
affairs into Scotland, he unexpectedly paid a visit to Mr.
Gilpin, but the reconomy of his house was not easily disconcerted, and he entertained the statesman nnd his retinue in such a manner as made him acknowledge “he
could hardly have expected more at Lambeth.
” On looking back from an eminence, after he had left Houghton,
Btirleigh eould not help exclaiming, “There is the enjoyment of life indeed! who can blame that man for not accepting of a bishopric! what doth he want to make him
greater, or happier, or more useful to mankind!
” Mr.
Gilpin’s labours extended beyond his own parish; he every
year visited divers neglected parishes in Northumberland,
Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmoreland, and Cumberland;
and that his own flock might not suffer, he was at the expence of a constant assistant. In all his journeys he did
not fail to visit the gaols and places of confinement; and
by his labours and affectionate manner of behaviour, he is
said to have reformed many abandoned persons in those
abodes of human misery. He had set places and times
for preaching in the different parts of the country, which
were as regularly attended as the assize towns of a circuit.
If he came to a place in which there was a church, he made
use of it; if not, of barns, or any other large building,
where great crowds of persons were sure to attend him,
some for his instructions, more, perhaps, to partake of
his bounty; but in his discourses he had a sort of enthusiastic warmth, which roused many to a sense of religion
who had never thought of any thing serious before. The
dangers and fatigues attending this employment were, in
his estimation, abundantly compensated by the advantages which he hoped would accrue from them to his uninstructed fellow-creatures. He did not spare the rich;
and in a discourse before Barnes, bishop of Durham, who
had already conceived a prejudice against him, he spoke
with so much freedom, that his best friends dreaded the
result; they rebuked him for giving the prelate a handle
against him, to which he replied, “If the discourse should
do the good he intended by it, he was regardless of the
consequences to himself.
” He then waited on the prelate,
who said, “Sir, I propose to wait upon you home myself.
”
When they arrived at the rectory, and entered the house,
the bishop turned suddenly round, and grasped him eagerly by the hand, saying, “Father Gil pin, I know you
are fitter to be bishop of Durham, than I am to be parson
of this church of yours. I ask forgiveness for past injuries.
Forgive me, father, I know you have enemies, but while
I live bishop of Durham, none of tjiem shall cause you
any further trouble.
”
bute, unsolicited and unpurchased but as it appears justly due to the memory of so excellent a poet, statesman, and true philosopher, in life and death the same.”
His character was drawn up by the late Dr. Brocklesby
for the Gentleman’s Magazine, and as far as respects his
amiable disposition, was confirmed to us by Dr. VVarton,
who knew him well. “Through the whole of his life Mr.
Glover was by all good men revered, by the wise esteemed, by the great sometimes caressed and even flattered,
and now his death is sincerely lamented by all who had the
happiness to contemplate the integrity of his character.
Mr. Glover, for upwards of 50 years past through every
vicissitude of fortune, exhibited the most exemplary simplicity of manners; having early attained that perfect
equanimity, which philosophy often recommends in the
closet, but which in experience is too seldom exercised by
other men in the test of trial. In Mr. Glover were united
a wide compass of accurate information in all mercantile
concerns, with high intellectual powers of mind, joined to
a copious flow of eloquence as an orator in the house of
commons. Since Milton he was second to none of our
English poets, in his discriminating judicious acquaintance
with all ancient as well as modern literature witness his
Leon i das, Medea, Boadicea, and London for, having
formed his own character upon the best models of the
Greek writers, he lived as if he had been bred a disciple
of Socrates, or companion of Aristides. Hence his political turn of mind, hence his unwarped affection and active
zeal for the rights and liberties of his country. Hence his
heartfelt exultation whenever he had to paint the impious
designs of tyrants in ancient times frustrated, or in modern
defeated in their nefarious purposes to extirpate liberty, or
to trample on the unalienable rights of man, however remote in time or space from his immediate presence. In a
few words, for the extent of his various erudition, for his
unalloyed patriotism, and for his daily exercise and constant practice of Xenophou’s philosophy, in his private as
well as in public life, Mr. Glover has left none his equal
in the city, and some time, it is feared, may elapse before
such another citizen shall arise, with eloquence, with
character, and with poetry, like his, to assert their rights,
or to vindicate with equal powers the just claims of freeborn men. Suffice this testimony at present, as the wellearned meed of this truly virtuous man, whose conduct was
carefully marked, and narrowly watched by the writer of
the foregoing hasty sketch, for his extraordinary qualities
during the long period in human life of upwards of 40
years and now it is spontaneously offered as a voluntary
tribute, unsolicited and unpurchased but as it appears
justly due to the memory of so excellent a poet, statesman,
and true philosopher, in life and death the same.
”
gnity, the proposal might be accepted. In this situation Salvius, vice-chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of learning, being then at this city, Grotius was
He had always entertained a very high opinion of Gustavus king of Sweden; and that prince having sent to Paris Benedict Oxenstiern, a relation of the chancellor, to bring to a final conclusion the treaty between France and Sweden, this minister became acquainted with Grotius, and resolved, if possible, to draw him to his master’s court: and Grotius writes, that if that monarch would nominate him ambassador, with a proper salary for the decent sup* port of the dignity, the proposal might be accepted. In this situation Salvius, vice-chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of learning, being then at this city, Grotius was introduced to him, and saw him frequently. Polite literature was the subject of their conversation. Salvius conceived a great esteem for Grotius, and the favourable report he made of him to the high-chancellor Oxenstiern determined the latter to write to Grotius to come to him, that he might employ him in affairs of the greatest importance. Grotius accepted of this invitation; and setting out for Francfort on the Maine, where that minister Avas, arrived there in May 1634. He was received with the; greatest politeness by Oxenstiern, who did not yet, how-> ever, explain his intentions. In confidence of the highchancellor’s character, and apparent sincerity, he sent for his wife, who arrived at Francfort with his daughters and son, in the beginning of August The chancellor after for some time continuing to heap civilities upon him, without mentioning a word of business, ordered that he should follow him to Mentz, and at length declared him counsellor to the queen of Sweden, and her ambassador to the court of France.
ained two years at that court. Here he had an opportunity of exerting and improving his talents as a statesman. Many events happened in that time, the consequences whereof
He continued thus employed in the proper business of his profession till 1511; but that year the cKsis of the public affairs gave occasion to call forth his abilities for more important matters. The Florentines were thrown into great difficulties by the league, which the French and Spaniards had entered into against the pope. Perplexed about their choice to remain neuter or engage in the league* they had recourse to our advocate, whom they sent ambassador to Ferdinand, king of Spain, to treat of this matter; and at the same time charged him with other affairs of the highest importance to the state. With this character he left Florence in 1512, and arriving safely afc Bruges, where his Spanish majesty then resided, remained two years at that court. Here he had an opportunity of exerting and improving his talents as a statesman. Many events happened in that time, the consequences whereof came within his province to negociate; such as the taking and plundering Ravenna and Prato by the Spaniards, the deposing of Piero Soderini, and the restoration of the family of Medici. In these and several other occurrences, which happened at that time, he adopted such measures, and with such address, that the republic found no occasion to employ any other minister; and the king testified his satisfaction by a great quantity of fine-wrought plate, which he presented to him at his departure. On his arrival at Florence in 1514, he was received with, uncommon marks of honour; and, in 15 15, constituted advocate of the consistory by Leo X. at Cortona. The pope’s favours did not stop here. Guicciardini’s extraordinary abilities, with a hearty devotion to the interest of the church, were qualifications of necessary use in the ecclesiastical state. Leo, therefore, that he might reap the full advantage of them, sent for him not long after to Rome, resolving to employ him where his talents might be of most service. In 1518, when Modena and Reggio were in great danger of being lost, he was appointed to the government of those cities, and proved himself equal to the charge.
, a statesman of some note, was the only son of William Hamilton, esq. an
, a statesman of some
note, was the only son of William Hamilton, esq. an advocate of the court of session in Scotland, who after the union
came to London, and was admitted to the English bar.
His son was born in Lincoln’s-inn Jan. 28, 1728-9, and
was educated at Winchester school, and at Oriel college,
Oxford, where he was admitted a gentleman commoner,
March 1, 1744-5. During his residence at Oxford, it is
supposed he wrote those poems which were printed in
1750, 4to> for private distribution only, but have lately
been published by Mr. Malone. On leaving Oxford, he
became a member of Lincoln’s-inn, with a view to study
the law; but on his father’s death in 1754, he betook hifnself to a political life, and in the same year was chosen,
member of parliament for Petersfield in Hampshire. His
first effort at parliamentary eloquence was made Nov. 13,
1755, when, to use the words of Waller respecting Denham, “he broke out, like the Irish rebellion, threescore
thousand strong-, when nobody was aware, or in the least
suspected it.
” Certainly no first speech in parliament
ever produced such an effect, or acquired such eulogies,
both within and without the house of commons. Of this
speech, however, no copy remains. For many years it was
supposed to have been his only attempt, and hence the
familiar name of Single-speech was fixed upon him; but he
spoke a second time, Feb. 1756, and such was the admiration which followed this display of his talents, that Mr,
P\>jc, then one of the principal secretaries of state, procured him to be appointed, in April of the same year, one
of the lords of trade. At this board he sat five years without ever exerting his oratorical talents; and in 1761 accepted the office of principal secretary to George earl of
Halifax, then appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland. In the
Irish parliament, as he filled an office of responsibility, it
was necessary for him to support the measures of administration; and accordingly in 1761 and 1762, he made five
speeches on various occasions, which fully gratified the
expectations of his auditors. Mr. Hamilton continued secretary to the succeeding lord lieutenant, Hugh earl of
Northumberland, in 1763, but it is believed his exertions
in that session were less splendid and less frequent; and
before it concluded, on some disgust he resigned his office.
On his return to England, and for a long time afterwards, he meditated taking an active part in the political
warfare of the house of commons, but he never again addressed the chair, though he was chosen into every new
parliament that was summoned from that time till May 1796,
a little before his death. In this period, the only office hg
filled was that of chancellor of the exchequer in Ireland,
which he held from Sept. 1763 to April 1784. During
this interval he was one of those on whom common rumour
bestowed the authorship of Junius’s letters, and perhaps
never was any rumour so completely devoid of a probable
foundation. He died at his house in Upper Brook-street,
July 16, 1796, and was buried in the chancel vault of the
church of St. Martin in the Fields. In 1803, Mr. Malona
published his works under the title of “Parliamentary
Logic; to which are subjoined two Speeches delivered in
the House of Commons in Ireland, and other pieces,
” 8vo f
with a life of the author prefixed. These speeches give
us but a faint idea of the splendid abilities which once so
enraptured his hearers, nor does his poetry entitle him to
rank above the elegant versifiers of his time. His Parliamentary Logic“is a performance of a more singular cast.
It consists of a string of maxims, or rules, for managing a
debate in parliament, in which the author appears serious,
else we should have supposed parliamentary logic
” to
imply a ridicule on the language of that house. These
maxims, however, seem admirably qualified to make a partizan; although we much doubt whether they have a tendency to make that more valuable character, an honest man.
, a distinguished statesman and polite writer, was born about 1676, and had his education
, a distinguished statesman and polite writer, was born about 1676, and had his education at Westminster-school, and Christ-church, Oxford. When he arrived at years of maturity, he was chosen knight of the shire for the county of Suffolk, and sat in parliament near thirty years, either as a representative for that county, or for Flintshire, or for the borough of Thetford. In this venerable assembly he was soon distinguished; and his powerful elocution and unbiassed integrity drew the attention of all parties. In 17 13 he was chosen speaker of the house of commons; which office, difficult at all times, but at that time more particularly, he discharged with becoming dignity. All other honours and emoluments he declined. Having withdrawn himself by degrees from public business, he spent the remainder of his life in an honourable retirement amongst his books and friends; and there prepared an elegant and correct edition of the works of Shakspeare. This he presented to the university of Oxford; and it was printed there 1744, in 6 vols. 4to, with elegant engravings, by Gravelot, at the expence of sir Thomas. He died at his seat in Suffolk, April 5, 1746.
a rope-maker by trade, was of a good family, and nearly related to sir Thomas Smith, the celebrated statesman. He was educated at Christ’s college, Cambridge, and for some
, a caustic wit of the Elizabethan
period, and the butt of the wits of his time, was born about
1545. His father, although a rope-maker by trade, was
of a good family, and nearly related to sir Thomas Smith,
the celebrated statesman. He was educated at Christ’s
college, Cambridge, and for some time at Pembroke hall,
and took both his degrees in arts. He afterwards obtained
a fellowship in Trinity-hall, and served the office of proctor in the university. Having studied civil law, he obtained his grace for a degree in that faculty, and in 1585
was admitted doctor of laws at Oxford, which he completed in the following year, and practised as an advocate
in the prerogative court of Canterbury at London. As a
poet and a scholar, he had great merit. His beautiful
poem, signed Hobbinol, prefixed to the “Faerie Queene,
”
bespeaks an elegant and well-turned mind; and among his
works are several productions of great ingenuity and profound research. But he had too much propensity to vulgar abuse; and having once involved himself with his
envious and railing contemporaries Nash and Greene,
came their equal in this species of literary warfare. He
afforded the ai, howe?er, sufficient advantage, by having
turned almanack-maker and a prophetic dealer in earthqu ikes and prodigies, things which must not be altogether
reierred to the credulity of the times, since they were as
aptly ridiculed then by his opponents, as they would be
now, did any man of real knowledge and abilities become
so absurd as to propagate the belief in them. His highest
honour was in having Spenser for his intimate friend; nor
was he less esteemed by sir Philip Sidney, as appears by
the interesting account Mr. Todd has given of Harvey’s
correspondence in his excellent Life of Spenser. For an
equally curious account of Harvey’s literary quarrels with
Nash, &c. the reader may be referred with confidence to
one of the most entertaining chapters in Mr. DTsraeli’s
“Calamities of Authors.
” He is supposed to have died in
Three proper and
wittie letters touching the Earthquake, and our English reformed versifying,
” Lond. 1.080, 4to. 2. “Two other very
commendable Letters touching artificial versifying,
” ibid.
15SO, 4to. Harvey boasted his being the inventor of
English hexameters, which very jnstly exposed him to
ridicule. 3. “Foure Letters, and certain Sonnets, touching Robert Greene and others,
” ibid. and by Mr. Haselwood in his life
of that poet in the
” Censura Literaria.“5.
” Pierce’s
Supererogation, or a new prayse of the old Asse, with an
advertisement for Pap. Hatchet and Martin Marprelate,“ibid. 1593, &c. This war ol scurrility was at length terminated by an order of the archbishop of Canterbury,
” that all Nashe’s books and Dr. Harvey’s bookes be taken
wheresoever they be found, and that none of the said
bookes be ever printed hereafter.“Among his more creditable performances, Tanner has enumerated, 1.
” Rhetor,
sive dtiorutn dterum oratio de natura, arte et exercitatione
rbetorica,“Lond. 1577, 4to. 2.
” Ciceronianus, vel oratio
post reditum habita Cantabrigise ad suos auditores,“ibid.
1577, <Ko. 3.
” Gratulatio Vatdenensium, lib. IV. ad Elizabetham reginam,“ibid. 1578. 4.
” Smithus, vel musarum
lachrymze pro obitu honoratiss. viri Thorn se Smith," ibid.
1578, 4to.
, a statesman and lawyer in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was the third and youngest
, a statesman and lawyer
in queen Elizabeth’s reign, was the third and youngest son,
of William Hatton, of Holdenby in Northamptonshire, by
Alice, daughterof Lawrence Saunders, of Horringworth,
in the same county. He was entered a gentleman commoner of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, but removed, without
taking a degree, to the society of the Inner Temple, not
to study law, but that his mind might be enlarged by an
intercourse with those who were at once men of business
and of the world, for such was the character of the lawyers
of that day. He came on one occasion to the court at a
masque, where queen Elizabeth was struck by the elegance
of his person, and his graceful dancing. It is not improbable also that his conversation corresponded with his outward appearance. He was from this time, however, in the
way to preferment; from one of the queen’s pensioners he
became successively a gentleman of the privy chamber,
captain of the guard, vice-chamberlain, and privy-counsellor, and by these unusual gradations rose to the office
of lord chancellor in 1587, when he was likewise elected a
knight of the garter. His insufficiency is said at first to
have created strong prejudices among the lawyers against
him, founded, perhaps, on some degree of envy at his
sudden advancement without the accustomed studies; but
his good natural capacity supplied the place of experience
and study; and his decisions were not found deficient
either in point of equity or judgment. In all matters of
great moment he is said to have consulted Dr. Swale, a
civilian. “His station,
” says one of his biographers, “was
great, his dispatches were quick and weighty, his orders
many, yet all consistent: being very seldom reversed ijii
thartcery, and his advice opposed more seldom in council.
He was so just, that his sentence was a law to the subject,
and so wise, that his opinion was an oracle to the queen.
”
When, in 1586, queen Elizabeth sent a new deputation to
queen Mary of Scotland, informing her that the plea of
that unhappy princess, either from her royal dignity, or
from her imprisonment, could not be admitted, sir Christopher Hatton was one of the number, along with Burleigh, and Bromley the chancellor; and it was by Hatton’s
advice chiefly, that Mary was persuaded to answer before
the court, and thereby give an appearance of legal procedure to the trial.
, a civilian and statesman of some note, was educated both at Magdalen-hall and college,
, a civilian and statesman of some note, was educated both at Magdalen-hall and college, Oxford, where he commenced M. A. May 31, 1673, and LL. D. June 26, 1675. Engaging in the profession of the civil law, he acquired considerable eminence, and in March 1686 was appointed chancellor and vicar-general of Rochester, by a patent, for life, probably upon the resignation of sir William Trumball, who was going as ambassador to the Ottoman court. This promotion was soon after followed by his acquisition of the mastership of the faculties, and the dignity of judge of the high court of admiralty, of which sir Richard Raines was dispossessed, and on whose demise some years afterwards, he became judge of the prerogative court of Canterbury. His progress in political life was equally successful, for he received the honour of knighthood, and served in parliament for Orford in Suffolk in 1698, for Malmsbury in Wilts in 1701 and 1702; for Calne, in 1702; and for two Cornish boroughs from 1705 to 1713. He was advanced to be one of the principal secretaries of state, Nov. 5, 1700, under king William, and again, May 2, I 1 ) 02, under queen Anne. It was he that drew up the much-debated act of abjuration in 1701. In parliament, it is said, he voted with the whigs or tories, as his interest prompted, but his attachment was to the tories, who procured his promotion to the office of secretary of state. The whigs, however, prevailed on queen Anne to dismiss him from tliat trust in 1706, with a proviso that he should be judge of the prerogative court on the death of sir Richard Raines, which, we have already said, he lived to enjoy, although for a short time. He died at Richmond, June 10, 1714.
The man, however, whom Pope thus affected to despise, possessed very considerable talents both as a statesman and a man of literature. Dr. Middleton, in his dedication to
The man, however, whom Pope thus affected to despise,
possessed very considerable talents both as a statesman and
a man of literature. Dr. Middleton, in his dedication to
the “Life of Tuily,
” has praised his good sense, consummate politeness, real patriotism, his knowledge and defence of the laws of his country, his accurate skill in
history, and his unexampled and unremitted diligence in
literary pursuits. To Middleton’s work he contributed the
translations of the passages from Cicero. Lord Hervey
also wrote some of the best political pamphlets in defence
of Sir Robert Walpole’s administration, of which lord
Orford has given a long list. One attributed to him was
entitled, “Sedition and Defamation displayed,' 7 and contained a severe invective against Pulteney and Bolingbroke.
In answer to this, Pulteney wrote
” A proper reply to a
late scurrilous libel, &c.“and treated lord Hervey with
such contempt, that the latter challenged him: a duel
ensued, and Pulteney slightly wounded his antagonist.
It afterwards appeared that lord Hervey did not compose
this pamphlet, and Pulteney acknowledged his mistake.
It was written by Sir William Yonge, secretary at war, a
circumstance of which lord Orford appears to have bea
ignorant.
Though sometimes too florid and pompous, lord Hervey
was a frequent and able speaker in parliament, and possessed more than ordinary abilities, and much classical
erudition. He was remarkable for his wit, and the number
and appositeness of his repartees. Although his manner
and figure were, at first acquaintance, highly forbidding,
yet he seldom failed to render himself, by his lively conversation, an entertaining companion to those whom he
wished to conciliate. Hence he conquered the extreme
prejudice which the king had conceived against him; and
from being detested, became a great favourite. He was
particularly agreeable to queen Caroline, as he helped to
enliven the uniformity of a court with sprightly repartees,
and lively sallies of wit. His defects were, extreme affectation, bitterness of invective, prodigality of flattery, and
great servility to those above him. Of his poetical effusions, which are easy, elegant, and sufficiently satirical to
” have made Pope feel, the best are in Dodsley’s collection.
The advice of George II. to him must not be forgotten,
although in our days it is less likely to be taken than at
that period “My lord Hervey, you ought not to write
verses 'tis beneath your rank leave such work to little
Mr. Pope it is his trade
”
e latter, for being the greatest patron of learned men in that time, and himself a great scholar and statesman.
, or Geoffrey, of Monmouth (ap Arthur), the famous British historian, who flourished in the time of Henry I. was born at Monmouth, and probably educated in the Benedictine monastery near that place; for Oxford and Cambridge had not yet risen to any great height, and bad been lately depressed by the Danish invasion so that monasteries were at this time the principal seminaries of learning. Tradition still points out a small apartment of the above monastery as his library; it bears in the ceiling and windows remains of former magnificence, but is much more modern than the age of Jeffery. He was made archdeacon of Monmouth, and afterwards promoted to the bishopric of St. Asaph in 1152. He is said by some to have been raised to the dignity of a cardinal also, but on no apparent good grounds. Robert earl of Gloucester, natural son of Henry I. and Alexander bishop of Lincoln, were his particular patrons; the first a person of great eminence and authority in the kingdom, and celebrated for his learning; the latter, for being the greatest patron of learned men in that time, and himself a great scholar and statesman.
, a learned civilian and able statesman, was descended from a family in Wales, being the son of Leoline
, a learned civilian and able statesman, was descended from a family in Wales, being the son of Leoline Jenkins, who was possessed of an estate of 40l, a year, at Llantrisaint, in Glamorganshire, where this son was born about 1623. He discovered an excellent genius and disposition for learning, by the great progress he made in Greek and Latin, at Cowbridge-school, near Llantrisaint; whence he was removed in 1641 to Jesus-r college, in Oxford, and upon the breaking out of the civil war soon after, took up arms, among other students, on the side of the king. This, however, did not interrupt his studies, which he continued with all possible vigour; not leaving Oxford till after the death of the king. He then retired to his own country, near Llantrythyd, the seat of sir John Aubrey, which, having been left void by sequestration, served as a refuge to several eminent loyalists; among whom was Dr. Mansell, the late principal of his college. This gentleman invited him to sir John Aubrey’s house, and introduced him to the friendship of the rest of his fellow-sufferers there, as Frewen, abp. of York, and Sheldon, afterwards abp. of Canterbury; a favour which through his own merit and industry, laid the foundation of all his future fortunes. The tuition of sir John Aubrey’s eldest son was the first design in this invitation; and he acquitted himself in it so well, that he was soon after recommended in the like capacity to many other young gentlemen of the best rank and quality in those parts, whom he bred up in the doctrine of the church of England, treating them like an intimate friend rather than a master, and comforting them with hopes of better times.
The late earl of Liverpool made a very conspicuous figure during the whole of the present reign as a statesman; and for the greater part of it, shared the severe obloquy which
The late earl of Liverpool made a very conspicuous
figure during the whole of the present reign as a statesman;
and for the greater part of it, shared the severe obloquy
which attached to all the confidential friends of the Bute
administration; and as he possessed the favour and confidence of his sovereign, he was called the king’s secret adviser. A suspicion of this kind the people were taught to
cherish with uncommon animosity. Burke’s celebrated
pamphlet on “Popular Discontents
” encouraged the notipn; and the leaders of this party of supposed private
power, were the incessant objects of clamour with the multitude and the disaffected. His lordship, however, lived
long enough to weather this storm; to see his solid powers
of mind, and solid services, crowned with the reward of
high honours and great wealth; and to behold his ancient
family, which in early life he had seen sadly decline in its
property and consideration, placed by his own efforts near
the pinnacle of ambition. Senseless cries and prejudices
had gradually died away; and he was allowed to have deserved, as a laborious and profound statesman, the splendid public recompeuces which his sovereign had conferred
upon him.
, an eminent French statesman, who flourished about 1260, was descended from one of the noblest
, an eminent French statesman, who flourished about 1260, was descended from one
of the noblest and most ancient families at Champagne.
He was seneschal, or high-steward, of Champagne, and one
of the principal lords of the court of Louis IX. whom he
attended in all his military expeditions; and was greatly
beloved and esteemed for his valour, his wit, and the
frankness of his manners. That monarch placed so much
confidence in him, that all matters of justice, in the palace,
were referred to his decision; and his majesty undertook nothing of importance without consulting him. He
died about 1318, at not much less than ninety years of age.
Joinviile is known as an author by his “History of St.
Louis,
” in French, which he composed in
Of this eminent statesman we have some works not wholly unknown in this country. The first
Of this eminent statesman we have some works not
wholly unknown in this country. The first mentioned is a
history in Latin of the siege of Gotha, which Schardius
has inserted in his History of Germany during the reign of
Ferdinand I. but without mentioning Languet’s name. 2.
“Epistolae ad principem suum Auguscum Saxonise dueem,
”
Halle, Epistolu; Political et historical ad Philippum Sydnaeum,
” 12mo. Of this collection of letters to
our sir Philip Sydney, the late lord Hailes published a correct
edition in 1775, 8vo. They are 91 in number, dated from
1573 to 1580, and are remarkable for purity of language
and excellence of sentiment. 4. “Kpistolae ad Joachim
Camerarium, &c.
” and other learned men, 12mo. Carpzovius published a new edition of these at Leipsic, with
additions. 5. “Hist, descriptio snscejHflR a Caesarea majestate executionU Augusto Saxoniae-iduce contra S. Romani imperil rebelles,
” &0. 1568, 4to. 6. “Vindiciae contra
Tyrannos, sive de principis in populum, populique in principem legitima potestate,
”
on was to discharge the pastoral functions of a bishop, neither aiming to display the abilities of a statesman, nor those of a courtier. How very unqualified he was to support
While his endeavours to reform were thus confined to
his diocese, he was called upon to exert them in a more
public 'manner, by a summons to parliament and convocation in 1536. This session was thought a crisis by the
Protestant party, at the head of which stood the lord
Cromwell, whose favour with the king was now in its meridian. Next to him in power was Cranmer archbishop
of Canterbury, after whom the bishop of Worcester was
the most considerable man of the party; to whom were
added the bishops of Ely, Rochester, Hereford, Salisbury,
and St. David’s. On the other hand, the popish party was
headed by Lee archbishop of York, Gardiner, Stokesley,
and Tunstal, bishops of Winchester, London, and Durham. The convocation was opened as usual by a sermon,
or rather an oration, spoken, at the appointment of Cranmer, by the bishop of Worcester, whose eloquence was at
this time everywhere famous. Many warm debates passed
in this assembly; the result of which was, that four sacraments out of the seven were concluded to be insignificant:
but, as the bishop of Worcester made no figure in them,
for debating was not his talent, it is beside our purpose to
enter into a detail of what was done in it. Many alterations were made in favour of the reformation; and, a few
months after, the Bible was translated into English, and
recommended to general perusal in October 1537.
In the mean time the bishop of Worcester, highly satisfied with the prospect of the times, repaired to his diocese,
having made a longer stay in London than was absolutely
necessary. He had no talents for state affairs, and therefore meddled not with them. It is upon that account that
bishop Burnet speaks very slightingly of his public character at this time, but it is certain that Latimer never desired
to appear in any public character at all. His whole ambition was to discharge the pastoral functions of a bishop,
neither aiming to display the abilities of a statesman, nor
those of a courtier. How very unqualified he was to support the latter of these characters, will sufficiently appear
from the following story. It was the custom in those days
for the bishops to make presents to the king on New-year’sday, and many of them would present very liberally, proportioning their gifts to their expectations. Among the
rest, the bishop of Worcester, being at this time in town,
waited upon the king with his offering; but instead of a
purse of gold, which was the common oblation, he presented a New Testament, with a leaf doubled down, in a
very conspicuous manner, to this passage, “Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
”
oth at home and abroad; and all parties agree in speaking of him as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly
His character is represented much to his advantage, by several writers, both at home and abroad; and all parties agree in speaking of him as a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a zealons churchman. His fidelity to his queen was certainly honourable in its motive, although it is impossible to defend all his proceedings. Dodd informs us that when at Paris he laid the foundation of three colleges for the education of popish missionaries; one for his countrymen at Paris, which was completed; another at Home, which fell into the hands of the Jesuits; and a third at Doway, the superior of which, for some years, was a Scotch Jesuit.
but soon after made president of the council. Lloyd says he had better abilities for a judge than a statesman. He died at Lincoln’sinn, March 14, 1628, and was buried in
In 1609, being then a knight, sir James was made the
king’s attorney in the court of wards. In 1620 he was
created a baronet; in 1621, chief justice of the court of
king’s bench, England; and in 1625, lord high treasurer.
From this office he was removed, under pretence of his
great age, to make room for sir Richard VVeston. Lord
Clarendon seems to intimate that his disability as well as
age might be the cause, and that upon these accounts
there was little reverence shewn towards him. This, however, is scarcely reconcileable with the honours bestowed
on him immediately afterwards, for he was not only created
baron Ley, and earl of Marlborough, but soon after made
president of the council. Lloyd says he had better abilities for a judge than a statesman. He died at Lincoln’sinn, March 14, 1628, and was buried in the church at
Westbury, where a sumptuous monument was erected to
his memory. We have noticed his attention to Irish history while in that country. Lloyd has given us another
trait of his character while there, which is highly honourable to him. “Here he practised the charge king James
gave him at his going over (yea, what his own tender conscience gave himself), namely, not to build his estate upon
the ruins of a miserable nation, hut aiming, by the impartial execution of justice, not to enrich himself, but civilize
the people. But the wise king would no longer lose him
out of his own land, and therefore recalled him home about
the time when his father’s inheritance, by the death of
his five elder brethren, descended upon him.
”
te his studies at Wratislow, or Breslaw, in Silesia, recommending him to the care of that celebrated statesman, Andreas Dudithius; and during his residence at Breslaw, Liddel
, professor of mathematics, and of medicine, in the university of Helmstadt, the son of John Liddel, a reputable citizen of Aberdeen, was born there in 1561, and educated in the languages and philosophy at the schools and university of Aberdeen. In 1579, having a great desire to visit foreign countries, he went from Scotland to Dantzic, and thence through Poland to Francfort on the Oder, where John Craig, afterwards first physician to James VI. king of Scotland, then taught logic and mathematics. By his liberal assistance Mr. Liddei was enabled to continue at the university of Francfort for three years, during which he applied himself very diligently to mathematics and philosophy under Craig and the other professors, and also entered upon the study of physic. In 1582, Dr. Craig being about to return to Scotland, sent Liddel to prosecute his studies at Wratislow, or Breslaw, in Silesia, recommending him to the care of that celebrated statesman, Andreas Dudithius; and during his residence at Breslaw, Liddel made uncommon progress in his favourite study of mathematics, under Paul Wittichius, an eminent professor.
minister of the marine; but his manner was so absurd, that notwithstanding the unpopularity of that statesman, the assembly treated it with contempt, and Linguet indignantly
, a French advocate and political writer, was born at Rheims, July 14,
1736. His father was one of the professors of the college
of Beauvais, at Paris, and had his son educated under him,
v who made such proficiency in his studies as to gain the
three chief prizes of the college in 1751. This early celebrity was noticed by the duke de Deux-Pont, then at
Paris, who took him with him to the country; but Linguet
soon left this nobleman for the service of the prince de
Beavau, who employed him as his aide-de-camp in the war
in Portugal, on account of his skill in mathematics.
During his residence in that country, Linguet learned the
language so far as to be able to translate some Portuguese
dramas into French. Returning to France in 1762, he was
admitted to the bar, where his character was very various;
but amongst the reports both of enemies and friends, it
appears that of an hundred and thirty causes, he lost only
nine, and was allowed to shine both in oiatory and compo*sidon. He had the art, however, of making enemies by
the occasional liberties he took with characters; and at
one time twenty-four of his brethren at the bar, whether
from jealousy or a better reason, determined that they
would take no brief in any cause in which he was concerned, and the parliament of Paris approved this so far
as to interdict him from pleading. We are not sufficiently
acquainted with the circumstances of the case to be able to
form an opinion on the justice of this harsh measure. It
appears, however, to have thrown Linguet out of his profession, and he then began to employ his pen on his numerous political writings but these, while they added to
his reputation as a lively writer, added likewise to the
number of his enemies. The most pointed satire levelled
at him was the “Theory of Paradox,
” generally attributed
to the abbe Morellet, who collected all the absurd paradoxes to be found in Linguet’s productions, which it must
be allowed are sufficiently numerous, and deserve the castigation he received. Linguet endeavoured to reply, but
the laugh was against him, and all the wits of Paris enjoyed his mortification. His “Journal,
” likewise, in which
most of his effusions appeared, was suppressed by the minister of state, Maurepas; and Linguet, thinking his personal liberty was now in danger, came to London; but the
English not receiving him as he expected, he went to
Brussels, and in consequence of an application to the count
de Vergeunes, was allowed to return to France. He had not
been here long, before, fresh complaints having been made
of his conduct, he was, Sept. 27, 1780, sent to the Bastille,
where he remained twenty months. Of his imprisonment
and the causes he published a very interesting account,
which was translated into English, and printed here in
1783. He was, after being released, exiled to Rethel,
but in a short time returned to England. He had been
exiled on two other occasions, once to Chartres, and the
other to Nogent-le-Kotrou. At this last place, he seduced
a madame But, the wife of a manufacturer, who accompanied him to England. From England he went again to
Brussels, and resumed his journal, or “Annales politiques,
”
in which he endeavoured to pay his court to the emperor
Joseph, who was so much pleased with a paper he had
written on his favourite project of opening the Scheldt,
that he invited him to Vienna, and made him a present of
1000 ducats. Linguet, however, soon forfeited the emperor’s favour, by taking part with Varider Noot and the other
insurgents of Brabant. Obliged, therefore, to quit the
Netherlands, he came to Paris in 1791, and appeared at
the bar of the constituent assembly as advocate for the colonial assembly of St. Domingo and the cause of the blacks.
In February 1792, he appeared in the legislative assembly
to denounce Bertrand de Moleville, the minister of the
marine; but his manner was so absurd, that notwithstanding the unpopularity of that statesman, the assembly treated
it with contempt, and Linguet indignantly tore in pieces
his memorial, which he had been desired to leave on the
table. During the reign of terror, he withdrew into the
country, but was discovered and brought before the revolutionary tribunal, and condemned to death June 27, 1794,
for having in his works paid court to the despots of Vienna
and London. At the age of fifty-seven he went with serenity and courage to meet his fate. It is not very easy
to form an opinion of Linguet’s real character. His
being interrupted in his profession seems to have thrown
him upon the public, whose prejudices he alternately
opposed and flattered. His works abound in contradictions, but upon the whole it may be inferred that he was a
lover of liberty, and no inconsiderable promoter of those
opinions which precipitated the revolution. That he was
not one of the ferocious sect, appears from his escape, and
his death. His works are very numerous. The principal
are, 1. “Voyage au labyrinthe du jardin du roi,
” Hague,
(Paris,) Histoire du siecle d'Alexandre,
” Paris, Projet d‘un canal et
d’un pont sur les cotes de Picardie,
” Le Fanatisme de Philosophes,
” Necessit6 d‘une reforme dans l’administration de la justice
et des lois civiles de France,
” Amst. La
Dime royale,
” Histoire
des Revolutions de l'empire Remain,
” Theorie des Lois,
” Histoire impartiale des Jesuites,
” Hardion’s Universal History,
” vols. 19th and 20th. 11.
“Theatre Espagnole,
” Theorie
du Libelle,
” Amst. (Paris), Du plusheureux gouvernment,
” &c.
Essai philosophique sur le
Monachisme,
”
he held until 1673, when his lordship resigned the great seal. As he had been the confidant of this statesman in his most secret affairs, he now assisted his lordship in
In 1670, and the year following, our author began to
form the plan of his celebrated “Essay on Human Understanding,
” at the earnest request of Mr. Tyrrell, Dr. Thomas, and some other friends, who met frequently in his
chamber to converse together on philosophical subjects;
but his employments and avocations prevented him from
finishing it then. In 1668 he had been elected a fellow
of the royal society, and appears to have been now looked
up to as a man of superior talents, and an authority in
those pursuits to which he more particularly addicted himself. In 1672, his patron Lord Ashley, being created earl
of Shaftesburj', and lord high chancellor of England, appointed Mr. Locke secretary of the presentations to benefices; which place he held until 1673, when his lordship
resigned the great seal. As he had been the confidant of
this statesman in his most secret affairs, he now assisted
his lordship in publishing some treatises, which were designed to excite the people to watch the Roman catholics,
and to oppose the arbitrary measures of the court.
, a Danish statesman and scholar, was descended from an ancient family, a branch
, a Danish statesman and scholar, was descended from an ancient family, a
branch of the counts of Guerini, in the dukedom of Tuscany, which had settled in Germany. He was born in
1703, at the castle of Lubbenau, and educated at Jena and
Halle, at both which places he applied with the utmost
assiduity to the Greek and Latin languages, and even to
theology. After travelling in various parts of Europe, and
visiting England in 1732, he obtained an appointment at
the court of Denmark; but, being ambitious of a more
public station, he volunteered his services in the home and
foreign department, and displayed so much activity that
he was dispatched by Christian VI. to East Friezland, to
settle the affairs of the dowager princess, Sophia Caroline,
sister to the queen. This mission he discharged to the
satisfaction of his sovereign; and was appointed in 1735
ambassador extraordinary to the court of Stockholm, where
he resided until 1740. On his return to Denmark the
king conferred on him an office in Holstein, and a few
years after he was sent as ambassador extraordinary to Petersburgh. On his return in 1752 he was appointed governor of the counties of Oldenburg and Delmanhorsr, to
which he retired with his family, and where he spent his
time in the composition of literary works, the first of which,
a translation of “Seneca de Beneficiis,
” with excellent
notes, was printed in The Epistles of
St. Paul,
” &c. which was afterwards published. He wrote
also several moral essays.
erence and esteem, but to insure him the love and admiration of all who knew him. Look upon him as a statesman, and a public man; where shall we find another, who always thought
We have more pleasure, however, in returning to the character of George lord Lyttelton, which has been uniformly
delineated by those who knew him best, in favourable
colours. Of the various sketches which we have seen, we
are inclined to give a place to the following, which,
although somewhat long, is less known than those to be
found in the accounts of his biographers, and appears to
have been written by a near observer “Few chapters,
”
says the writer, “recorded in the annals of this country,
ever united so many rare, valuable, and amiable qualities,
as that of the late lord Lyttelton. Whether we consider
this great man in public or private life, we are justified in
affirming, that he abounded in virtues not barely sufficient
to create reverence and esteem, but to insure him the love
and admiration of all who knew him. Look upon him as a
statesman, and a public man; where shall we find another,
who always thought right and meant well, and who so seldom acted wrong, or was misled or mistaken in his ministerial, or senatorial conduct? Look upon his lordship in
the humbler scene of private and domestic life; and if
thou hadst the pleasure of knowing him, gentle reader,
point out the breast warm or cold, that so copiously
abounded with every gift and acquirement which indulgent
nature could bestow, or the tutored mind improve and refine, to win and captivate mankind.
especting the marriages of protestants. The abbe wished him to view this question with the eyes of a statesman only, but the cardinal would consider it only as a prince of
His success in these affairs had nearly fixed him in political life, when a dispute with the cardinal changed his
destination, and the circumstance does credit to his liberality. The cardinal was not only minister of state, but
archbishop of Lyons, when the question was agitated respecting the marriages of protestants. The abbe wished
him to view this question with the eyes of a statesman
only, but the cardinal would consider it only as a prince of
the Romish church, and as he persisted in this opinion,
the abbe saw him no more. From this time he gave himself up to study, without making any advances to fortune,
or to literary men. He always said he was more anxious
to merit general esteem than to obtain it. He lived a long
time on a small income of a thousand crowns, and an annuity; which last, on the death of his brother, he gave up
to his relations. The court, however, struck with this disinterested act, gave him a pension of 2800 Jivres, without
the solicitation or knowledge of any of his friends. Mably
not only inveighed against luxury and riches, but showed
by his example that he was sincere; and to these moderate
desires, he joined an ardent love of independence, which
he took every opportunity to evince. One day when a
friend brought him an invitation to dine with a minister of
state, he could not prevail on him to accept it, but at
length the abbe said he would visit the gentleman with
pleasure as soon as he heard that he was “out of office.
”
He had an equal repugnance to become a member of any
of the learned societies. The marshal Richelieu pressed
him much to become a candidate for the academy, and
with such arguments that he could not refuse to accept the
offer; but he had fio sooner quitted the marshal than he
ran to his brother the abbe Condillac, and begged he would
get him released, cost what it would. “Why all this
obstinacy?
” said his brother. “Why!
” rejoined the abbe“Mably,
” because, if I accept it 1 shall be obliged to praise
the cardinal de Uichelieu, which is contrary to my principles, or, it I do not praise him, as I owe every thing to
his nephew, I shall be accused of ingratitude.“In the
same spirit, he acquired a bluntness of manner that was not
very agreeable in the higher circles, where he never tailed
to take the part of men of genius who were poor, against
the insults of the rich and proud. His works, by which
the booksellers acquired large sums of money, contributed
very little to his own finances, for he demanded no return
but a lew copies to give as presents to his friends. He appeared always dissatisfied with the state of public affairs,
and had the credit of predicting the French revolution.
Political sagacity, indeed, was that on which he chiefly
rested his fame, andhaving formed his theory from certain
systems which he thought might be traced to the Greeks
and Romans, and even the ancient Gauls, he went as far
as must of his contemporaries in undervaluing the prerogatives of the crown, and introducing a representative government. In his latter works his own mind appears to
have undergone a revolution, and he pro\ed that if he was
before sincere in his notions of freedom, he was now
equally illiberal. After enjoying considerable reputation,
and bein^ considered as one of the most popular French
writers on the subjects of politics, morals, and history, he
died at Paris, April 23, 1785. The abbe Barruel ranks
him among the class of philosophers, who wished to be
styled the Moderates, but whom Rousseau calls the Inconsistents. He adds, that
” without being impious like a
Voltaire or a Condorcet, even though averse to their impiety, his own tenets were extremely equivocal. At times
his morality was so very disgusting, that it was necessary
to suppose his language was ambiguous, and that he had
been misunderstood, lest one should be obliged to throw
off all esteem for his character." Such at least was the
defence which Barruel heard him make, to justify himself
from the censures of the Sorbonne.
unt Tarbat, and first earl of Cromerty, a person eminent for his learning and for his abilities as a statesman, was descended from a branch of the family of Seaforth. He succeeded
, viscount Tarbat, and first earl of Cromerty, a person eminent for his learning and for his abilities as a statesman, was descended from a branch of the family of Seaforth. He succeeded to the family estate on the death of his father sir John Mackenzie, and also to his unshaken fealty for Charles II. during whose exile he had a commission to levy what forces he could procure, to promote the restoration. After that event, he was made one of the senators of the college of justice, clerk register of the pri% 7 y council, and justice-general, an office which had been hereditary in the family of Argyle, till it was surrendered in the preceding reign. James II. made him a baron and viscount, but on the abdication of that monarch, whom it woukl appear he had favoured too much, he lost his office of lord-register for some time, until king William III. was pleased to restore it in 1692, being no stranger to his abilities. In queen Anne’s reign, 1702, he was constituted secretary of state, and the following year was advanced to the dignity of earl of Cromerty. He died in 1714, at the age of eighty-three, or, according to another account, eighty-eight.
ular endowments, great learning, well versed in the laws and antiquities of his country, and an able statesman. Macky, or rather Davis, adds, that “he had a great deal of
Douglas describes him as a man of singular endowments,
great learning, well versed in the laws and antiquities of
his country, and an able statesman. Macky, or rather
Davis, adds, that “he had a great deal of wit, and was the
pleasantest companion in the world; had been very handsome in his person; was tall and fair complexioned; much
esteemed by the royal society, a great master in philosophy, and well received as a writer by men of letters.
”
Bishop Nicolson notices a copy of the continuation of
Fordun’s “Scotichronicon
” in the hand-writing of this
nobleman, whom he terms “a judicious preserver of the
antiquities of his country.
” He wrote, 1. “A Vindication of Robert, the third king of Scotland, from the imputation of bastardy, &c.
” Edin. Synopsis
Apocalyptica; or a short and plain Explication and Application of Daniel’s Prophecy, and St. John’s Revelation, in
consent with it, and consequential to it; by G. E. of C.
tracing in the steps of the admirable lord Napier of Merchiston,
” Edin. An historical Account of the
Conspiracies, by the earls of Gourie, and Robert Logan
of Restalrig, against king James VI. of glorious memory,
&c.
” Edin. 1713, 8vo. Mr. Gough has pointed out three
papers on natural curiosities, by lord Cromerty, in the
“Philosophical Transactions
” and “A Vindication,
” by
him, of the reformation of the church of Scotland, with
some account of the Records, was printed in the Scots’
Magazine, for August 1802, from a ms. in the possession
of Mr. Constable, bookseller, of Edinburgh.
, duke of Lauderdale, grandson of the preceding, was a statesman of great power and authority, but of most inconsistent character.
, duke of Lauderdale, grandson of
the preceding, was a statesman of great power and authority, but of most inconsistent character. On the breaking
out of the wars in Scotland in the reign of Charles I. he
was a zealous covenanter; and in Jan. 1644-5, one of the
commissioners at the treaty of Uxbridge, during which,
upon the death of his father the earl of Lauderdale, he
succeeded to his titles and estate. He took an active but
not very useful part in the above treaty; “being,
” says
lord Clarendon, “a young man, not accustomed to an orderly and decent way of speaking, and having no gracious
pronunciation., and full of passion, he made every thing
much more difficult than it was before.
” In April 1647,
he came with the earl of Dumfermling to London, with a
commission to join with the parliament commissioners in
persuading the king to sign the covenant and propositions
offered to him; and in the latter end of the same year, he,
in conjunction with the earl of Loudon, chancellor of Scotland, and the earl of Lanerick, conducted a private treaty
with his majesty at Hampton court, which was renewed
and signed by him on Dec. 26 at Carisbrook castle. By
this, among other very remarkable concessions, the king
engaged himself to employ the Scots equally with the
English in all foreign employments and negociations; and
that a third part of all the offices and places about the
king, queen, and prince, should be conferred upon persons of that nation; and that the king and prince, or one
of them, should frequently reside in Scotland. In August
the year following, the earl of Lauderdale was sent by the
committee of estates of Scotland to the prince of Wales,
with a letter, in which, next to his father’s restraint, they
bewailed his highness’s long absence from that kingdom;
and since their forces were again marched into England,
they desired his presence to countenance their endeavours
for religion and his father’s re-establishment. In 1649, he
opposed with great vehemence the propositions made by
the marquis of Montrose to king Charles II.; and in 1651
attended his majesty in his expedition into England, but
was taken prisoner after the battle of Worcester in September the same year, and confined in the Tower of London, Portland-castle, and other prisons, till the 3d of
March, 1659-60, when he was released from his imprisonment in Windsor-castle.
t son, the still more celebrated Anthony Malone, who as a lawyer, an orator, and an able and upright statesman, was confessedly one of the most illustrious men that his country
, a gentleman of great literary research, and one of the ablest commentators on Shakspeare, was descended from an Irish family of the highest antiquity, an account of which may be found in the seventh volume of Archdall’s Peerage of Ireland, which, it is believed, was drawn up by Mr. Malone himself. All his immediate predecessors were distinguished men. His grandfather, while only a student at the Temple, was entrusted with a negotiation in Holland and so successfully acquitted himself, that he was honoured and rewarded by king William for his services. Having been called to the Irish bar about 1700, he became one of the most eminent barristers that have ever appeared in that country. His professional fame has only been eclipsed by that of his eldest son, the still more celebrated Anthony Malone, who as a lawyer, an orator, and an able and upright statesman, was confessedly one of the most illustrious men that his country has produced. Edmond, the second son of Richard, and the father of the late Mr. Malone, was born on the 16th of April, 1704. He was called to the English bar in 1730, where he continued for ten years to practise; and, in 1740, removed to the Irish bar. After having sat in several parliaments, and gone through the usual gradations of professional rank, he was raised, in 1766, to the dignity of one of the judges of the court of common pleas in Ireland, an office which he filled till his death in 1774. He married, in 1736, Catherine, only daughter and heir of Benjamin Collier, esq. of liuckholts, in the county of Essex, by whom he had four sons, Richard, now lord Sunderlin; Edmond, the subject of our present memoir Anthony and Benjamin, who died in their infancy and two daughters, Henrietta and Catherine.
, a statesman and elegant writer, was born at Borgo Taro, a small town of
, a statesman and elegant writer, was born at Borgo Taro, a small town of the dukedom of Parma, on the 14th April, 1714. He was the eldest son of Marcel marquis of Ozzano, of an ancient family amongst the Parmesan nobility, and of a lady named Pellegrini, of birth equally illustrious. As soon as he arrived at an age competent for a learned education, he was placed in the college of Parma, where he went through all his studies with assiduity and success; and in the earliest period of his youth displayed that peculiar fondness for the belles lettres and fine arts, which afterwards constituted his predominant and almost exclusive passion. On quitting college, he repaired to his native place, where his father, with a view of giving him some knowledge of domestic economy, associated him in the management of his large estate, and thus gave him for some time rather more occupation than was compatible with his literary pursuits. After his father’s death he married a lady of noble birth, of the name of Antini; and soon added to his other occupations that of superintending the education of his children. In this way he spent many years, on his manor of Borgo Taro, and occasionally gave specimens of his talents in painting and poetry. His performances in the former art were not numerous or highly distinguished, and were only intended as presents to his friends; but in poetry he reached the highest degree of merit, and seemed to have well availed himself of those favourable circumstances which the spirit of the age had introduced. The abbe" Frugoni was then one of the most conspicuous leaders of the new poetical band; and having fixed his residence at Parma, he naturally became, in that small metropolis, the head of a school, in which, by exploding the frequent antitheses, the inflation of style, the wantonness of conceits, and the gigantic strains of imagination, he introduced an easy, regular, descriptive, sentimental, and elegant poesy, and what was more remarkable, gave to blank verse a strength and harmony till then unknown. Mr. Manara, although a professed admirer of Frugoni and his disciples, did not choose to be of their number as far as regarded their enthusiasm, imagery, rapidity of thoughts, and luxury of versification. He was conscious that his own poetical fire was like his temper, endowed with gentleness and sensibility; and with this spirit wrote those elegant eclogues, which soon proved rivals to the pastoral songs of the celebrated Pompei; and in the opinion of the best judges, united the flowing style of Virgil with the graces of Anacreon. His sonnets, too, though not numerous, might be put in competition with those of Petrarch.
lished in 1782, expresses the sanguine hopes he entertained of the virtues and talents of that young statesman. When be prepared this ode for a new edition in 1795, he altered
In 1779, he published his political creed in the shape of
an animated “Ode to the Naval Officers of Great Britain,
”
written immediately after the trial of admiral Kepjjel in
February of that year. Although attached to a retired life,
he became tired of forbearance, when the disappointments
of the American war had incited the whig party to discover the more distant or latent sources of national misfortune,
and to propose remedies by which Britain should be always,
prosperous, and always victorious. He was already one of
those who thought the decision of parliament on the Middlesex election, a violation of the rights of the people; and
when the counties began, in 1779, to associate for parliamentary reform, he took an active part in assisting their
deliberations, and wrote several patriotic manifestos, which
raised him as high in the opinion of his own party, as they
degraded him in the eyes of the other. He is even said to
have given so much offence at court, that he found it convenient to resign his chaplainship. It appears, however,
by the poems he wrote in his latter days, that the fever of
reform bad abated, and that his cure, which was begun by
Mr. Fox’s India bill, was afterwards completed by the
French revolution. His “Ode to Mr. Pitt,
” published in
Maynwaring was a firm adherent, and, according to Mr. Coxe, the first who predicted the figure that statesman would one day make. This volume contains many curious particulars
After his return from France, he was made one of the
commissioners of the customs, in which office he distinguished himself by his skill and fidelity. Of the latter,
Oldmixon gives a remarkable instance, in his treatment of
a person who solicited to be a tide-waiter. This man,
understanding that Mr. May 11 waring had the best interest
at the board of any of the commissioners, with the lords of
the treasury, left a letter for him with a purse of fifty
guineas, desiring his favour towards obtaining the place
for which he applied. After that, he delivered a petition
to the board, which was read, and several of the commissioners spoke on the subject; upon which Mr. Maynwaring
took out the purse of fifty guineas, and the letter, and
told them, that, “as long as he -could help it, that man
should never have this nor any other place.
” In the beginning of queen Anne’s reign, he was made auditor of the
imprests, by the lord -treasurer Godolphin, an office worth
2000l. per annum in a time of business. In the parliament which met in 1705, he was chosen a burgess for
Preston in Lancashire. He died at St. Alban’s, Nov. 13,
1712, leaving Mrs. Oldfield, the celebrated actress, his
executrix. This lady had lived with him as his mistress,
and by her he had a son, named Arthur Maynwaring. He
divided his estate, which did not amount to much more
than 3000l. equally between that child, Mrs. Oldfield, and
his sister. He published a great number of compositions
in verse and prose, which gained him credit and reputation. Sir Richard Steele dedicated to him the first volume
of the Tatler. Even his adversaries could not deny him
merit. Thus the Examiner, his antagonist in politics,
allowed that he wrote with “a tolerable spirit, and in a
masterly style.
” He was severely reflected upon for his
will, particularly by the “Examiner;
” in answer to which,
there came out a paper, two months after his death, in
defence of him; and this defence was in a few days followed by another, in a letter to a friend, supposed to be
written by Robert Walpole, esq. In 1715 Mr. Oldmixon
published “The Life and Posthumous Works of Arthur
Maynwaring, esq. containing several original pieces and
translations, in prose and verse, never before published,
”
8vo, dedicated to sir Robert Walpole, of whom Mr. Maynwaring was a firm adherent, and, according to Mr. Coxe,
the first who predicted the figure that statesman would one
day make. This volume contains many curious particulars
of the political history of the times; but, like all Oldmixon’s writings, must be read with caution.
, a statesman and historian, was descended from an honourable family in Scotland,
, a statesman and historian, was descended from an honourable family in Scotland, and born at Halhill in Fifeshire, in 1530. At fourteen, he was sent by the queen regent of Scotland, to be page to her daughter Mary, who was then married to the dauphin of France: but by her leave he entered into the service of the duke of Montmorenci, great constable and chief minister of France, who earnestly desired him of her majesty, having a high opinion of his promising talents. He was nine years employed by him, and had a pension settled on him by the king. Then, obtaining leave to travel, he went into Germany; where being detained by the elector palatine, he resided at his court three years, and was employed by him on several embassies. After this, prosecuting his intentions to travel, he visited Venice, Rome, and the most famous cities of Italy, and returned through Switzerland to the elector’s court; where, finding a summons from queen Mary, who had taken possession of the crown of Scotland, after the death of her husband Francis II. he set out to attend her. The queen-mother of France at the same time offered him a large pension to reside at her court; for she found it her interest, at that juncture, to keep up a good understanding with the protestant princes of Germany; and she knew sir James Melvil to be the properest person to negociate her affairs, being most acceptable to them all; but this he declined.
, an eminent statesman of the sixteenth century, and founder of Emmanuel college, Cambridge,
, an eminent statesman of
the sixteenth century, and founder of Emmanuel college,
Cambridge, was the fourth son of Thomas Mildmay, esq.
by Agnes, his wife, daughter of Read. He was educated at Christ’s college, Cambridge, where he made great
proficiency in learning, and to which college he afterwards
became a benefactor. In the reign of Henry VIII. he
succeeded to the office which had been held by his father,
that of surveyor of the court of augmentation, erected by
statute 27 Henry VIII. for determining suits and controversies relating to monasteries and abbey-lands. It took
its name from the great augmentation that was made to the
revenues of the crown by the suppression of the religious
houses. In 1547, immediately after the coronation of
Edward VI. he was made one of the knights of the carpet.
He had also in this reign the chief direction of the mint,
and the management, under several special commissions,
of the king’s revenues, particularly of those which arose
from the crown lands, the nature and value of which he
had made his chief study. In 1552 he represented the
town of Maldon, Essex, in parliament, and was a burgess
in the first parliament of Mary for the city of Peterborough,
and sat afterwards as one of the knights for the county of
Northampton. How he came co escape during this detestable reign we are not told, unless, as some think, that
“he concealed his affection to the protestant religion*;
”
but that was probably well known, and he was afterwards
not only a zealous protestant, but a friend, on many occasions, to the puritans. Q.ueen Elizabeth, on the lieath of
sir Richard Sackville in 1566, gave him the otiice of chancellor of the exchequer, and he became a most useful, but
not a favoured servant, for his integrity was too stiff to
bend to the politics of that reign, and his consequent popularity excited the continual jealousy of his mistress: he
was therefore never advanced to any higher post, though
in one of the letters published by Mr. Lodge, he is mentioned as a candidate fof the seals. Honest Fuller, in his
quaint way, thus expresses sir Walter’s conduct and its
consequences: “Being employed by virtue of his place, to
advance the queen’s treasure, he did it industriously, faithfully, and conscionably, without wronging the subject;
being very tender of their privileges, insomuch that he
once complained in parliament, that many subsidies were
granted, and no grievances redressed; which words being
represented with disadvantage to the queen, made her to
disaffect him, setting in a court-cloud, but in the sunshine of his country, and a clear conscience.
” In
f his life almost entirely dependent. He received, indeed, so many obligations from that open-handed statesman, and, from a sense of gratitude which seems to have been strongly
, was the son of a stone-cutter in
North-Britain, and was born about 1684. Cibber tells us
that he received an university education while he remained
in that kingdom, but does not specify where. He quitted
his own country, however, and repaired to London, with
a view of improving his fortune. Here he got into favour
with the earl of Stair and sir Robert Walpole; on the latter of whom he was for great part of his life almost entirely
dependent. He received, indeed, so many obligations
from that open-handed statesman, and, from a sense of
gratitude which seems to have been strongly characteristic
of his disposition, was so zealous in his interest, that he
was distinguished by the title of “Sir Robert Walpole’s
poet.
” Notwithstanding this valuable patronage, his natural dissipation of temper, his fondness for pleasure, and
eagerness in the gratification of every irregular appetite,
threw him into perpetual distresses, and all those uneasy
situations which are the inevitable consequences of extravagance. Nor does it appear that, after having experienced, more than once, the fatal effects of those dangerous
follies, he thought of correcting his conduct at a time he
had it in his power: for when, by the death of his wife’s
uncle, several thousand pounds devolved to him, instead
of discharging those debts which he had already contracted,
he lavished the whole away, in the repetition of his former
follies. As to the particulars of his history, there are not
many on record, for his eminence in public character not
rising to such an height as to make the transactions of his
life important to strangers, and the follies of his private
behaviour inducing those who were intimate with him,
rather to conceal than publish his actions, there is a cloud
of obscurity hanging over them, which is neither easy,
nor indeed much worth while, to withdraw from them.
His genius was of the third or fourth rate, yet he lived in
good correspondence with most of the eminent wits of his
time , particularly with Aaron Hill, who on a particular
occasion finding himself unable to relieve him by pecuniary assistance, presented him with the profits and reputation also of a successful dramatic piece, in one act,
entitled “The Fatal Extravagance.
” It was acted and
printed in Mitchell’s name; but he was ingenuous enough
to undeceive the world with regard to its true author, and
on every occasion acknowledged the obligations he lay
under to Hill. The dramatic pieces, which appear under
this gentleman’s name are, 1. “The Fatal Extravagance,
a tragedy,
” The Fatal Extravagance, a
tragedy, enlarged,
” The Highland Fair,
ballad opera,
” He seems to have been a poet of the third rate
he has seldom reached the sublime his humour, in which
he more succeeded, is not strong enough to last his versification holds a statd of mediocrity he possessed but
little invention and if he was not a bad rhimester, he
cannot be denominated a fine poet, for there are but few
marks of genius in his writings.
” His poems were printed
, viscount Molesworth of Swordes in Ireland, an eminent statesman and polite writer, was descended from a family, anciently seated
, viscount Molesworth of
Swordes in Ireland, an eminent statesman and polite writer, was descended from a family, anciently seated in the
counties of Northampton and Bedford in England; but his
father having served in the civil wars in Ireland, settled
afterwards in Dublin, where he became an eminent merchant, and died in 1656, leaving his wife pregnant with
this only child, who raised his family to the honours they
now enjoy. He was born in Dec. at Dublin, and bred in
the college there; and engaged early in a marriage with a
sister of Richard earl of Bellamont, who brought him a
daughter in 1677. When the prince of Orange entered
England in 1688, he distinguished himself by an early and
zealous appearance for the revolution, which rendered him
so obnoxious to king James, that he was attainted, and his
estate sequestered by that king’s parliament, May 2, 1689.
But when king William was settled on the throne, he called
this sufferer, for whom he had a particular esteem, into
his privy council; and, in 1692, sent him envoy extraordinary to the court of Denmark. Here he resided above
three years, till, some particulars in his conduct disobliging his Danish majesty, he was forbidden the court.
Pretending business in Flanders, he retired thither without any audience of leave, and came from thence home:
where he was no sooner arrived, than he drew up “An
Account of Denmark;
” in which he represented the government of that country as arbitrary and tyrannical. This
piece was greatly resented by prince George of Denmark,
consort to the princess, afterwards queen Anne; and
Scheel, the Danish envoy, first presented a memorial to
king William, complaining of it, and then furnished materials for an answer, which was executed by Dr. William
King. From King’s account it appears, that Molesworth’s
offence in Denmark was, his boldly pretending to some
privileges, which, by the custom of the country, are denied to every body but the king; as travelling the king’s
road, and hunting the king’s game: which being done, as
is represented, in defiance of opposition, occasioned the
rupture between the envoy and that count. If this allegation have any truth, the fault lay certainly altogether on
the side "of Molesworth whose disregard of the customs:
of the country to which he was sent, cannot be defended.
, an English statesman and poet, was born April 16, 1661, at Horton in Northamptonshire.
, an English statesman and poet, was born April 16, 1661, at Horton in Northamptonshire. He was the son of Mr. George Montague, a younger son of the earl of Manchester. He was educated first in the country, and then removed to Westminster, where, in 1677, he was chosen a king’s scholar, and recommended himself to the celebrated master of the school, Busby, by his felicity in extemporary epigrams. He contracted a very intimate friendship with Mr. Stepney; and, in 1682, when Stepney was elected to Cambridge, the election of Montague not being to proceed till the year following, he was afraid lest by being placed at Oxford, he might be separated from his companion, and therefore solicited to be removed to Cambridge, without waiting for the advantages of another year. He was now in his twenty-first year, and his relation, Dr. Montague, was then master of Trinity college in which he was placed a fellow-commoner, and took him under his particular care. Here he commenced an acquaintance with, the great Newton, which continued through his life, and was at last attested by a legacy.
, eari of Sandwich, an English general, admiral, and statesman, was the only surviving son of sir Sidney Montague^ the youngest
, eari of Sandwich, an English general, admiral, and statesman, was the only surviving son of sir Sidney Montague^ the youngest son of Edward lord Montague of Bough ton. He was born July 27, 1625, and after a liberal education was very early introduced into public life. His career may be said to have commenced at the age of eighteen; for in August 1643 he was commissioned to raise a regiment in the service of the parliament, and to act against Charles I. He then joined the army, and acquitted himself with great courage at the storming of Lincoln, the battles of Marston-moor and Naseby, and on other occasions, before he had arrived at his twentieth year. He sat also in the House of Commons as representative for Huntingdonshire before he was of age, and had afterwards a seat at the board of treasury under Cromwell. After the Dutch war he went from the army to the navy, had a command in the fleet, and Cromwell had so good an opinion of him, as to associate him with the celebrated admiral Blake in his expedition to the Mediterranean. In 1656 he returned to England with some rich prizes, and received the thanks of the parliament, as well as renewed instances of Cromwell’s favour. In the following year he was appointed to command the fleet in the Downs, the object of which was to watch the Dutch, to carry on the war with Spain, and to facilitate the enterprize of Dunkirk. After the death of Cromwell, he accepted, under Richard, the command of a large fleet which was sent to the North, on board of which he embarked in the spring of 1659. In April he wrote to the kings of Sweden and Denmark, and to the Dutch admiral Opdam, informing them that his instructions were, not to respect the private advantage of England by making war, but the general tranquillity of Europe, by engaging the Powers of the North to enter into an equitable peace; and in the negocrations which he carried on with other ministers to effect this purpose, he is said to have displayed the talents of a consummate statesman.
obleman may be inferred from the above particulars. Of his bravery and skill both as a commander and statesman, there cannot be any difference of opinion; but there are the
The character of this nobleman may be inferred from the above particulars. Of his bravery and skill both as a commander and statesman, there cannot be any difference of opinion; but there are the strongest inconsistencies in his political career, and perhaps greater inconsistencies in the dispensation of courf-favours after the restoration. He had contributed to dethrone the father, and had offered the son’s crown to the usurper; yet for his slow services at the very eve of the restoration, Charles II. heaped rewards and honours upon him, while he neglected thousands who had, at the risk of life and property, adhered to the royal cause through all its vicissitudes.
such a favourite with cardinal Richlieu, that few foreigners were held in equal esteem by that great statesman. According to Anthony Wood, sir Robert Moray was general of
, one of the founders of the Royal Society, was descended of an ancient and noble family in the Highlands of Scotland, and had his education partly in the university of St. Andrews, and partly in France. In this last country he entered into the army, in the service of Lewis XIII, and became such a favourite with cardinal Richlieu, that few foreigners were held in equal esteem by that great statesman. According to Anthony Wood, sir Robert Moray was general of the ordnance in Scotland, against king Charles 1, when the presbyterians of that kingdom first set up and maintained their covenant. But if this be true, which we apprehend to be very doubtful, he certainly returned to France, and was raised to the rank of colonel, from which country he came over to England for recruits, at the time that king Charles was with the Scotch army at Newcastle. Here he grew into much favour with his majesty, and, about December 1646, formed a design for his escape, which was to have been executed in the following manner: Mr. William Moray, afterwards earl of Dysert, had provided a vessel near Tinmouth, and sir Robert Moray was to have conducted the king thither in a disguise. The matter proceeded so far, that his majesty put himself in the disguise, and went down the back-stairs with sir Robert. But, apprehending that it was scarcely possible to pass all the guards without being discovered, and judging it highly indecent to be taken in such a condition, he changed his resolution, and returned back. Upon the restoration of king Charles II. sir Robert Moray was appointed a privycounsellor for Scotland. Wood says, that, though sir Robert was presbyterianly affected, he had the king’s ear as much as any other person. He was, undoubtedly, in no small degree of esteem with his majesty but this was probably more upon a philosophical than apolitical account for he was employed by Charles the Second in his chymical processes, and was, indeed, the conducter of his laboratory. When the design was formed, in 1661, of restoring episcopacy in Scotland, sir Robert was one, among others, who was for delaying the making of any such change, till the king should be better satisfied concerning the inclinations of the nation. In the next year, sir Robert Moray was included in an act, passed in Scotland, which incapacitated certain persons from holding any place of trust under the government. This act, which was carried by the management of a faction, and to which the lord commissioner (the earl of Middleton) gave the royal assent, without acquainting his majesty with the whole purport of it, was very displeasing to the king, who, when it was delivered to him, declared, that it should never be opened by him. In 1667, sir Robert Moray was considerably entrusted in the management of public affairs in Scotland, and they were then conducted with much greater moderation than they had been for some time before. It is a circumstance highly to his honour, that though the earl of Lauderdale, at the instigation of lady Dysert, had used him very unworthily, yet that nobleman had such an opinion of his virtue and candour, that, whilst he was in Scotland, in 1669, as his majesty’s high commissioner, he trusted all his concerns in the English court to sir Robert’s care. Sir Robert Moray had been formerly the chief friend and main support of the earl of Lauderdale, and had always been his faithful adviser and reprover. Anthony Wood says, that sir Robert was a single man; but this is a mistake; for he had married a sister of lord Balcarras. He died suddenly, in liis pavilion, in the garden of Whitehall, on the 4th of July, 1673, and was interred, at the king’s expence, in Westminster-abbey, near the monument of Sfir William Davenant.
, an eminent prelate a ntt statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was the eldest son of Richard Morton,
, an eminent prelate a ntt statesman, in the reign of Henry VII. was the eldest son of Richard Morton, of Milbourtie St. Andrew’s in Dorsetshire, and was born in 1410 at Bere in that county. The first part of his education he received among the monks of Cerne abbey, and thence removed to Baliol college, Oxford, where in 1446 he was one of the commissaries of that university, and had been also moderator of the civil law school, and principal of Peckwater inn in 1453. In 1458 he was collated to the prebend of Fordington with Writhlington in the cathedral of Salisbury, which he resigned in 1476. In the same year he was installed prebendary of Covingham in the church of Lincoln, and on this occasion. resigned the sub-deanery to which he had been collated in 1450. In October 1472 he was collated by archbishop Bouchier to the rectory of St. Dunstan’s in the East, London, which he held only two years; and the same month was collated to the prebend of Isledon in the church of St. Paul, which he exchanged in the following year for that of Chiswick in the same church.
Archbishop Morton’s character is highly spoken of by his contemporaries and successors, as a statesman of great talents and a man of learning, probity, liberality,
Archbishop Morton’s character is highly spoken of by
his contemporaries and successors, as a statesman of great
talents and a man of learning, probity, liberality, and
spirit. His life was written by Dr. John Budden in 1607,
8vo; but the eulogium that confers most honour upon him
is that which occurs in sir Thomas More’s “Utopia,
” and
in some of the lives of that illustrious man, who, as we
have noticed in our account, was educated by Morton.
Parker may also be consulted in his “Antiq. Ecclesiast.
”
Although he derived much unpopularity from the high favour he enjoyed with king Henry VII. yet it was owing to
his advice and interference that the exactions made by
that monarch were not far more severe; and he had at all
times the courage to give the king his fair and honest opinion on such measures. The life of Richard III.
attribated to Sir Thomas More, is said to have been written
by our prelate.
, a statesman of great learning, prudence, and integrity, is supposed by some
, a statesman
of great learning, prudence, and integrity, is supposed by
some to have been born in Essex, and by others in Oxfordshire; but the visitations of Hertfordshire inform us
that he was the son of Thomas Morysin of that county
(descended from a Yorkshire family), by a daughter of
Thomas Merrey of Hatfield. Wood having supposed him
born in Oxfordshire, asserts that he spent several years at
Oxford university, in “Log;cals and philosophical,
” and
took a degree in arts. But Mr. Lodge says that he was
educated at Eton, and in the university of Cambridge,
from whence he went, with the reputation of an excellent
Greek and Latin scholar, to the inns of court, where he
became a proficient in the common and civil law. According, however, to Wood and others, he had previously to
this, travelled to Italy, with an intention to improve his
knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages. Padua, in
particular, was one of the places he visited, and he remained there until 1537, and soon after his return was
made prebendary of Yatminster Secunda in the church of
Salisbury, which dignity he kept until 1539. About 1541,
Henry VI 11. is said to have given him the library belonging to the Carmelites in London. The same sovereign sent
him ambassador to the emperor Charles V. and he had acquired by long habit, so thorough a knowledge of the various factions which distracted the empire, that the ministers of king Edward VI. found it necessary to continue
him in that court much against his inclination. In 1549
he was joined with the earl of Warwick, viscount Lisle, sir
William Paget, sir William Petre, bishops Holbeach and
Hethe, and other personages, in a commission to hold
visitation at Oxford, in order to promote the reformation,
and their commission also extended to the chapel of Windsor and Winchester college. The celebrated Peter Martyr
preached before them, on their entering on business, and
was much noticed and patronized by Morysin. From Edward VI. he received the honour of knighthood, and appears to have gone again abroad, as Mr. Lodge gives us a
long letter from him relating to the affairs of the imperial
court, dated Brussels, Feb. 20, 1553. He returned not
long before that prince’s death, and was employed in building a superb mansion at Cashiobury, in Hertfordshire, a
manor which had been granted to him by Henry VIIL
when queen Mary’s violent measures against the protestants compelled him to quit England, and after residing
a short time in Italy, he returned to Strasburgh, and died
there, March 17, 1556. He married Bridget, daughter
of John lord Hussey, and left a son and three daughters
sir Charles, who settled at Cashiobury Elizabeth, married, first, to William Norreys, son and heir to Henry
lordNorreys; secondly, to Henry Clinton, earl of Lincoln Mary, to Bartholomew Hales, of Chesterfield in
Derbyshire and Jane, to Edward lord Russel, eldest son
of the earl of Bedford, and afterwards to Arthur lord
Grey of Wilton. The family of Morysin ended in an
heiress, Mary (great grand-daughter of sir Richard), who
married Arthur lord Capel of Hadham, an ancestor of the
present earl of Essex.
, a statesman in the reign of James I. was of an ancient family in Suffolk,
, a statesman in the reign of
James I. was of an ancient family in Suffolk, and educated
a fellow-commoner of Trinity-college, Cambridge, whence
he removed to Trinity -hall, and was chosen a fellow.
When his uncle, William Asriby, esq. was sent ambassador from queen Elizabeth into Scotland in 1589, he accompanied him, probably in the office of secretary; and
was sometimes sent by him on affairs of trust and importance to the court of England, where we find him in July
of that year, discontented with his unsuccessful dependance
on courtiers, and resolved to hasten back to his uncle, to
whom he returned in the beginning of the month following, and continued with him till January 1589, when Mr.
Ashby was succeeded in his embassy by Robert Bowes, esq.
Mr. Naunton was in France in 15.96 and 1597, whence he
corresponded frequently with the earl of Essex, who does
not appear to have had interest enough to advance him to
any civil post; for which reason it is probable that, after
his lordship’s disgrace, Mr. Naunton returned to college,
and, in 1601, was elected public orator of the university.
Lloyd observes, that his speeches, “both while proctor
and orator of Cambridge, discovered him more inclined to
public accomplishments than private studies.
” A speech
which he had to deliver before James I. at Hinchinbroke,
is said to have pleased the king very much, and paved the
way to his obtaining employment at court. Accordingly
he was first made master of the requests, then surveyor of
the court of wards, by the interest of sir Thomas Overbury
and sir George Villiers, and, in January 1618, was advanced to be secretary of state. He was lastly promoted to
be master of the court of wards, which office he resigned
in March 1635, and died in the same month. He was buried in the church of Letheringham in Suffolk.
, a celebrated statesman and financier of France, brother to the preceding Louis Necker,
, a celebrated statesman and financier
of France, brother to the preceding Louis Necker, was
born at Geneva in 1732. After such an education as might
qualify him for business, he was in his fifteenth year sent
to Paris, where he was employed, first in the bankinghouse of Vernet, and then in that of Thelluson, of which
last he became first cashier, and afterwards a partner.
Upon the death of Thelluson he established a bank of his
own, in partnership with Girardot and Haller, in which,
we have just noticed, his brother had a concern. In 1776,
when the French finances were in a disordered state, he was
appointed director, and soon after comptroller-general of
that department. Besides his reputation for financial
knowledge and probity, which was now at its height, he
had in the reign of Louis XV. adjusted some differences
subsisting between the East India company and the crown
in such a manner as to obtain, what rarely occurs in such
cases, the approbation of both parties. His appointment
to the comptrollership of the finances was hailed as an
instance of enlargement of mind and liberality of
sentiment, and as honourable to the reign of Lewis XVI.;
Necker being the first protestant since the revocation of
the edict of Nantes, who had held any important place in
the French administration. Of the wisdom of his plans, in
this critical situation, various opinions have been entertained, which this is not the place to examine, but it seems
generally agreed that his intentions were pure, and his
conduct disinterested. He refused all emolument for his
services, and advanced a large sum to government from
his private property, which he never drew from the public
funds. His administration was generally popular, but he
had enemies at court, and alter having filled the office of
minister of finance for five years, he resigned. Previously
to this he had published his “Compte Rendu,
” in explanation of his financial system, which was followed by a
work entitled “De P Administration des Finances.
” This
was read and circulated with great avidity, and unhappily
scattered opinions on matters of government, by which
the people knew not how to profit. M. Calonne, who was
his successor, made an attack, before the assembly of
notables, upon the veracity of his statements. Necker
drew up a reply, which he transmitted to the king, who
intimated that if he would forbear making it public, he
should shortly be restored to his place. This he refused,
and appealed to the nation by publishing his defence,
which was so displeasing to the court, that he was exiled
to his country-seat at St. Ouen, at the distance of 120
miles from the capital. During his retreat he wrote his
work entitled “De l'Importance des Opinions R6ligieuses,
”
in which he speaks of religion like one who felt its power
operating on his own mind, and who was fully convinced of
its importance both to individuals and society. Calonne,
however, and Brienne, another minister, finding it impossible to lessen the deficiencies of the revenue, thev resigned in their turn; and in August 1788, Necker was
reinstated in his former post, to the apparent satisfaction
of the court, as well as to the joy of the people; but the
acclamations of the latter could not banish from his mind
the difficulties with which he had to struggle. He was
aware that de Calonne and the archbishop of Sens had both
sunk under the public distress, and the impracticability of
raising the necessary supplies; and he well knew that the
evil was not diminished, and unless some expedient could
be hit on to re-establish public credit, he foresaw his
own fate must be similar to that of his predecessors.
first intentions were to recal the banished members of the
parliament of Paris, and to restore that body to its functions; to replenish the treasury, which he found almost
empty; and to relieve the scarcity of corn under which the
kingdom, and the capital in particular, then laboured.
His next plan was the convocation of the states-general,
which had been already promised by the king, and which,
in fact, proved the immediate fore-runner of the revolution. Necker was particularly blamed for having consented
that the number of members of the tiers etat should be
equal to that of the nobles and clergy united, as the nobility and clergy would very naturally insist on voting by
orders, while the tiers etat would contend with equal
obstinacy for a plurality of voices. The consequences
were therefore exactly such as had been foreseen. When
the assembly of the states opened, Necker addressed them
in a studied speech that pleased no party; even the tiers
etat, already taught the sentiments of democracy, resented
his saying that the meeting was the effect of royal favour,
instead of a right. Nor was he more successful in the plan
of government which he drew up, and which the king was
to recommend in a speech, for this underwent so many
alterations that he absented himself when it was delivered.
At this time the prevalence of the democratic party was
such as to induce the king to assemble troops around Paris,
which measure Necker opposed, and on July 11, 1789,
was therefore ordered to quit the kingdom within twenty four hours. This he immediately obeyed, and went to
Brussels. As soon as his absence was known, the populace assembled, destroyed the Bastille, and proceeded to
such other outrages, that the king thought it necessary to
recal Necker to appease their fury. He accordingly returned in triumph, but his triumph was short. The populace was no longer to be flattered with declamations on their
rights, nor was Necker prepared to adopt the sentiments
of the democratic leaders, while it became now his duty to
propose financial expedients that were obnoxious to the
people. He that had just before been hailed as the friend
of the people, was now considered as an aristocrat, and his
personal safety was endangered. In this dilemma he desired to resign, offering to leave, as pledges for his integrity, the money which he had advanced to government,
viz. about 80,000l. sterling, and his house and furniture.
His resignation being accepted, he left Paris, and in his
retreat he was more than once insulted by the very people
whu, but a few months before, had considered him as their
saviour. Gibbon, who passed four days with him at this
period, says, “I could have wished to have exhibited him
as a warning to any aspiring youth possessed with the
demon of ambition. With all the means of private happiness in his power, he is the most miserable of human
beings; the past, the present, and the future, are equally
odious to him. When I suggested some domestic amusements, he answered, with a deep tone of despair, * in the
state in which I am, I can feel nothing but the blast which
has overthrown me.'
” Shortly after this, his mind was
diverted from public disappointment by the more poignant
grief of domestic calamity; his wife died, after a long illness, in which he had attended her with the most affectionate assiduity. He now had recourse to hia favourite
occupation of writing, and several works of different kinds
were the product of his solitary hours. His principal
pieces are entitled “Sur I' Administration de M. Necker,
par lui-meme;
” “Reflections,
” &c. which were intended
to benefit the king during his captivity and trial; “Du
Pouvoir Exécutif,
” being an essay that contained his own
ideas on the executive part of government; “Dernieres
Vue’s de Politiques, et de Finance,
” of which the chief
object was to discuss what was the best form of government
France was capable of receiving. Besides these, he published a “Course of Religious Morality,
” and a novel,
written at the suggestion of his daughter, entitled “The
fatal Consequences of a single Fault.
” Though deprived
of three- fourths of his fortune, he had sufficient for all his
wants, and also to indulge his benevolent disposition. He
had been placed on the list of emigrants, but the directory
unanimously erased his name, and when the French army
entered Swisserland, he was treated by the generals with
every mark of respect. His talents and conduct have been
alike the subject of dispute, and perhaps the time is not
yet come when the latter can. be fully understood. It is
well known that all who suffered by the revolution blamed
Necker as a principal cause of that event; but it may be
questioned whether any talents, guided by the utmost probity and wisdom, could have averted the evils that had
been prepared by so long a course of infatuation. Necker
passed the latter years of his life in the rational pursuits of
a philosopher and a man of sound judgment and true taste,
His only daughter, who married the baron de Stael, ambassador from Sweden to France, and who has made herself known to the literary world by several publications,
published some “Memoirs of the Character and Private
Life of her Father,
” written in a high style of panegyric.
of Russia. He was not only eminent as a priest, but discovered the great and energetic talents of a statesman; and to them he fell a victim. In 1658 he was compelled to abdicate
, an eminent Russian prelate, was born in a village under the government of Nishnei Novogorod, in
1613. His parents were so obscure that neither their
names nor stations are known. He was educated under
the care of a monk in the convent of St. Macarius, and
here he imbibed a strong and increasing prejudice in fa*vour of the monastic life. In compliance, however, with
the wishes of his family, he married, and was ordained a
secular priest. The loss of his children by death disgusted
him with the world, and he persuaded his wife to take the
veil, whilst he became a monk. He retired into an island
in the White Sea, and instituted a society in this solitude
remarkable for its great austerities. He had not been in
this place many years before he was made, after a series
of ecclesiastical dignities, archbishop of Novogorod; and,
finally, patriarch of Russia. He was not only eminent as
a priest, but discovered the great and energetic talents of
a statesman; and to them he fell a victim. In 1658 he
was compelled to abdicate his dignity of patriarch, on
which he returned to his cell, and lived over his former
austerities; but his degradation did not satisfy the malice
of his enemies, who procured his imprisonment. He obtained, after a number of years, his release, with permission to return to his favourite cell; but, whilst on the road
to this spot, he expired in his 66th year, in 1681. Nicon
did not spend his whole time in the performance of useless
austerities, but occasionally employed himself in compiling
a regular series of Russian annalists from Nestor, the earliest historian of that country, to the reign of Alexey Michaelovitch. This collection is sometimes called, from its
author, “The Chronicle of Nicon,
” and sometimes, from
the place where it was begun and deposited, “The Chronicle of the Convent of Jerusalem.
” It is considered as a
work of authority.
Bute, as first lord. In the same year lord North began to contribute his more active services, as a statesman, by taking the management of the measures adopted in consequence
On lord North’s return home, he commenced his parliamentary career in 1754, as representative for the family
borough of Banbury, in Oxfordshire. On June 2, 175y,
during the administration of Mr. Pitt, afterwards lord
Chatham, he was appointed one of the commissioners of
the treasury, and continued in that office until 1763, in
which last year Mr. George Grenville succeeded the earl of
Bute, as first lord. In the same year lord North began to
contribute his more active services, as a statesman, by
taking the management of the measures adopted in consequence of the publication of Mr. Wilkes’s “North Briton,
”
and other parts of that gentleman’s political conduct, to
his final expulsion from the House of Commons. It must
be confessed that these measures afford but an inauspicious
commencement of his lordship’s political career, for without answering their purpose, or suppressing the spirit of
faction, they served only to give that importance to Wilkes
which he then could not otherwise have attained. In the
same year lord North was a supporter of the right of taxing American commodities, and of the memorable stamp act.
In 1765, on the dissolution of Mr. Grenville’s administration, which was succeeded by that of the marquis of
Rockingham, lord North retired from office with his
colleagues, but persisted in his sentiments respecting the taxation of the colonies, and divided with the minority against
the repeal of the stamp act. The Rockingham administration scarcely survived this well-intentioned measure, and
when succeeded by that of the duke of Grafton, lord
North was, in August 1766, appointed joint receiver (with George Cooke, esq.) and paymaster of the forces; and in
Dec. 1767, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer,
and a lord of the treasury. The talents he had already
displayed were thought to qualify him in an eminent degree for those situations, especially that of chancellor of
the exchequer; and his abilities for debate were often displayed to advantage. During a period of considerable
political turbulence, he was advanced Jan 28, 1770, to the
place of first lord of the treasury, which he held with that
of chancellor of the exchequer during the whole of his
eventful administration, which finally terminated in March
1782.
of his wit. But as an orator, there were men of far more brilliant talents opposed to him; and as a statesman in general, he cannot be compared to his successor Pitt. He
In March 1756, he married Anne, daughter and co-heir of George Speke, of White Lackington, in the county of Somerset, esq. by whom he had a numerous issue. He was succeeded in titles and estate by his eldest son, George Augustus, who dying without male issue in 1794, was succeeded by his brother Francis, present and fourth earl of Guilford. Of the talents of lord North, much was said during his administration, and it is perhaps his highest praise, that against such a force of opposition, he could act so well upon the defensive. With many personal defects, he contrived to exhibit a species of eloquence which seemed easy and habitual, and always commanded attention. On subjects of finance, his abilities were generally acknowledged^ he reasoned closely and he replied with candour and temper, not unfrequently, however, availing himself of his wit. But as an orator, there were men of far more brilliant talents opposed to him; and as a statesman in general, he cannot be compared to his successor Pitt. He perhaps approaches the nearest to sir Robert Walpole, and like him seldom displayed the commanding energies of mind, but was content to follow the track of official duties, and to defend individual measures, arising out of temporary necessities, without professing any general system applicable to all occasions. But whatever were the errors or defects in lord North’s public conduct,' there lies no impeachment on his integrity. He neither enriched himself nor his family, nor was he ever accused of turning ministerial information. or influence to the purposes of pecuniary emolument. To the last moment of his life, he reviewed his conduct and his principles with satisfaction, and professed his readiness to defend them against any inquiry that could be instituted. What such inquiry can produce, must be the subject of future discovery. All we know at present is, that the moment he resigned, his public accusers became silent.
s biographer, Dr. Paley frequently indulged in sarcastic and disrespectful notice of that celebrated statesman. What truth may be in this, or what justice in the complaints
In private life, Dr. Paley is said to have had nothing
of the philosopher. He entered into little amusements
with a degree of ardour which formed a singular contrast with the superiority of his mind. He was fond of
company, which he had extraordinary powers of entertaining; nor was he at any time more happy, than when
communicating the pleasure he could give by exerting his
talents of wit and humour. No man was ever more beloved by his particular friends, or returned their affection
with greater sincerity and ardour. That such a man, and
such a writer, should not have been promoted to the bench
of bishops, has been considered as not very creditable to
the times in which we live. It is generally understood
that Mr. Pitt recommended him to his majesty some years
ago for a vacant bishopric, and that an opposition was
made from a very high quarter of the church, which rendered the recommendation ineffectual. If this be true, it
is a striking proof of Mr. Pitt’s liberality; for, according
to his biographer, Dr. Paley frequently indulged in sarcastic and disrespectful notice of that celebrated statesman. What truth may be in this, or what justice in the
complaints of his friends, we shall not inquire. Judging
from his writings, we should be inclined to regret, with
them, that he had not higher preferment; but, contemplating his character, as given in the “Memoirs of William Paley, D. D. by George Wilson Meadley,
” we must
rather wonder that he had so much. It will, however, be
universally acknowledged, that no author ever wrote more
pleasingly on the subjects he has treated than Dr. Paley.
The force and terseness of his expressions are not less
admirable than the strength of his conceptions; and there
is both in his language and his notions a peculiarity of manner, stamped by the vigour of his mind, which will perpetuate the reputation of his works.
he took as much liberty in advising the queen, and in contending with her humours, as any prelate or statesman of her reign, and that what he did to promote uniformity in
It might have been expected that these ordinances
would have pleased the queen, as being in conformity with
her wishes, and, in fact, in answer to her orders; but the
opponents of the habits, who began to be called Puritans,
applied to their friends at court, and especially to her
great favourite Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, who prevailed so far with her majesty, that all her former resolution disappeared, and she refused to sanction the ordinances with her authority, telling the archbishop, that the
oath of canonical obedience was sufficient to bind the inferior clergy to their duty, without the interposition of the
crown. The archbishop, hurt at such capricious conduct,
and at being placed in such a situation between the court
and the church, told Cecil, that if the ministry persisted
in their indifference, he would “no more strive against
the stream, fume or chide who would;
” and it is most probable his remonstrances prevailed, for the above ordinances were a few days after published, under the name
of Advertisements; and he then proceeded upon them with
that zeal which procured him from one party the reproach
of being a persecutor, and from the other the honour of
being a firm friend and supporter of the church-establishment. The particular steps he took, the trials he instituted, and the punishments he inflicted, are detailed at
length by Strype and other church-historians; but on the
merit of his conduct there is great diversity of opinion.
It has been said, both in excuse and in reproach of his
measures, that he was too subservient to the queen. To us
it appears, that he took as much liberty in advising the
queen, and in contending with her humours, as any prelate
or statesman of her reign, and that what he did to promote uniformity in the church arose from a sincere, however mistaken opinion, that uniformity was necessary to the
advancement of the reformation, and in itself practicable.
All that is wrong in this opinion must be referred to the
times in which he lived, when no man conceived that an
established church could flourish if surrounded by sectaries, and when toleration was not at all understood in its
present sense.
as preceded by a tedious illness, during which he received a present of five hundred crowns from the statesman Colbert, as a mark of the esteem which the king had for him.
Patru was in his personal character honest, generous,
sincere; and preserved a gaiety of temper which no adversity could affect: for this famous advocate, in spite of all
his talents, lived almost in a state of indigence. The love
of the belles lettres made him neglect the law; and the
barren glory of being an oracle to the best French writers
had more charms for him, than all the profits of the bar.
Hence he became so poor, as to be reduced to the necessity of selling his books, which seemed dearer to him than
his life; and would actually have sold them for an underprice, if Bqileau had not generously advanced him a larger
sum, with this further privilege, that he should have the
use of them as long as he lived. His death was preceded
by a tedious illness, during which he received a present of
five hundred crowns from the statesman Colbert, as a
mark of the esteem which the king had for him. He died
Jan. 16, 1681. He had been elected a member of the
French academy in 1640, by the interest of cardinal Richelieu, and made a speech of thanks on his reception, with
which the academicians were so much pleased, as to order
that every new member should in future make one of a
similar kind on being admitted; and this rule has been observed ever since. When M. Conrart, a member of the
French academy died, one of the first noblemen at court,
but whose mind was very moderately cultivated, having
offered for the vacant place, Patru opened the meeting
with the following apologue: “Gentlemen, a.:mcien
Grecian had an admirable Lyre; a string broke, but instead of replacing it with one of catgut, he would have a
silver one, and the Lyre with its silver string was no longer
harmonious.
” The fastidious care with which he retouched
and finished every thing he wrote, did not permit him to
publish much. His miscellaneous works were printed at
Paris in 1670, 4to; the third edition of which, in 1714,
was augmented with several pieces. They consist of
<f Pleadings,“” Orations,“” Letters,“” Lives of some of
his Friends,“” Remarks upon the French Language,“&c.
A very ingenious tract by him was published at Paris in
1651, 4to, with this title,
” Reponse du Cure a la Lettre
du Mar^uillier sur la conduite de M. le Coadjuteur."
with him respecting the re-building of death of this statesman, who sat then
with him respecting the re-building of death of this statesman, who sat then
, a man of learning, a patron of learning, and a distinguished statesman, in the four discordant reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. queen
, a man of learning, a patron of learning, and a distinguished statesman, in the four discordant reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. queen Mary, and queen Elizabeth, was the son of John Petre, of Tornewton, in the parish of Tor-brian, in Devonshire, and born either at Exeter or Tor-newton. After some elementary education, probably at his native place, he was entered of Exeter college, Oxford; and when he had studied there for a while with diligence and success, he was, in 1523, elected a fellow of All Souls. We may suppose that he became sensible of the importance of learning, and of the value of such seminaries, as he afterwards proved a liberal benefactor to both these colleges. His intention being to practise in the civil law courts, he took his bachelor’s degree in that faculty in July 1526, ant) his doctor’s in 1532, and the following year was admitted into the college of Advocates. It does not appear, however, that he left Oxford on this account, but was made principal of Peckwater Inn, now part of Christ Church; and he became soon after tutor to the son of Thomas Boleyn, earl of Wiltshire.
tations he acquitted himself with a distinction suitable to his great abilities for he was a refined statesman, as well as a profound scholar.
, patriarch of Constantinople in the ninth
century, was descended from an illustrious family, and
born in that city. He had great natural talents, which he
cultivated with the utmost application, and there was no
branch of literature, sacred or profane, or scarcely any art
or science, with which he was not intimately acquainted.
He seems to have been by far the greatest man of the age
in which he lived; and was so intimately concerned in the
chief transactions of it, that ecclesiastical writers have thence
called it “Seculum Photianum.
” He was first raised to
the chief dignities of the empire, being made principal
secretary of state, captain of the guards, and a senator;
in all which stations he acquitted himself with a distinction suitable to his great abilities for he was a refined
statesman, as well as a profound scholar.
ading him more decisively to another field of action, he quitted the life of a soldier for that of a statesman, and became a member of parliament for the borough of Old Sarum,
, earl of Chatham, one of the most
illustrious statesmen whom this country has produced, was
the son of Robert Pitt, esq. of Boconnock in Cornwall, and
grandson of Thomas Pitt, governor of Madras, who was
purchaser of the celebrated diamond, afterwards called the
Regent. The family was originally of Dorsetshire, where
it had been long and respectably established. William
Pitt was born Nov. 15, 1708, and educated at Eton;
whence, in January 1726, he went as a gentleman-commoner to Trinity-college, Oxford. It has been said, that
he was not devoid of poetical talents, of which a few specimens have been produced; but they do not amount to
much, and of his Latin verses on the death of George the
First, it is natural to suspect that the whole merit was not
his own. When he quitted the university, Pitt was for a
time in the army, and served as a cornet; but his talents
leading him more decisively to another field of action, he
quitted the life of a soldier for that of a statesman, and
became a member of parliament for the borough of Old
Sarum, in February 1735. In this situation his abilities
were soon distinguished, and he spoke with great eloquence
against the Spanish convention in 1738. It was on the occasion of the bill for registring seamen in 1740, which he
opposed as arbitrary and unjustifiable, that he is said to
have made his celebrated reply to Mr. Horatio Walpole,
who had attacked him on account of his youth (though then thirty-two), adding, that the discovery of truth is
little promoted by pompous diction and theatrical emotion.
Mr. Pitt retorted, with great severity, “I will not undertake to determine whether youth can justly be imputed
to any man as a reproach; but I will affirm, that the
wretch who, after having seen the consequences of repeated
errors, continues still to blunder, and whose age has only
added obstinacy to stupidity, is surely the object of
either abhorrence or contempt, and deserves not that his
grey head should secure him from insults. Much more is
he to be abhorred, who, as he has advanced in age, has
receded from virtue, and becomes more wicked with less
temptation; who prostitutes himself for money which he
cannot enjoy; and spends the remains of his life in the
ruin of his country.
” Something like this Mr. Pitt might
have said, but the language is that of Dr. Johnson, who
then reported the debates for the Gentleman’s Magazine.
ulk of his estate. It was certainly a remarkable proof of the very uncommon estimation in which this statesman was held, that a circumstance of this nature should have happened
When the discontents in America began to appear, on the occasion of the stamp act, Mr. Pitt again found a subject for his exertions. The repeal of that act being proposed in March 1766, by the new ministry of the Rockingham-party, Mr. Pitt, though not connected with them, very forcibly supported the measure, which was carried; whether wisely or fortunately, is still a matter of dispute. About this time died sir William Pynsent, of Burton Pynsent, in Somersetshire, a man of considerable property, who, through mere admiration of Mr. Pitt in his public character, disinherited his own relations, and made him heir to the bulk of his estate. It was certainly a remarkable proof of the very uncommon estimation in which this statesman was held, that a circumstance of this nature should have happened to him at two different periods of his life.
unk, in a kind of fit, into the arms of those who were near him. This extraordinary scene of a great statesman, almost dying in the last exertion of his talents, has been
The Rockingham ministry proving unable to maintain its ground, a new administration was formed, and Mr. Pitt, in 1766, was made lord privy seal. At the same time he was created a peer, by the titles of viscount Pitt, of Burton Pynsent, in the county of Somerset, and earl of Chatham, in the county of Kent. Whatever might be his motives for accepting this elevation, he certainly sunk by it in popularity, at least as much as he rose in nominal dignity. The great commoner, as he was sometimes styled, had formed a rank to himself, on the sole basis of his talents and exertions, for which the titular honours, which he was now to participate with many others, could not in the public opinion compensate. Still it must be owned that the high and hereditary distinction of the peerage is a just and honourable object of ambition to a British commoner; which, if he attains it, as Mr. Pitt appears to have done, without any improper concession or stipulation, may be considered as the fair reward of past services, and the most permanent monument of public gratitude. Lord Chatham, whatever might be the cause, did not long continue in office; he resigned the place of lord privy seal on the 2d of November, 1768, and it was the last public employment which he ever accepted. He does not indeed appear to have been desirous of returning to office. He was now sixty; and the gout, by which he had been long afflicted, had become too frequent and violent in its attacks, to allow of close or regular application to business. In the intervals of his disorder he continued occasionally to exert himself, on questions of great magnitude, and was particularly strenuous in 1775, and the ensuing years, against the measures pursued by the ministers in the contest with America. Nevertheless, in all things he maintained his native spirit. When France began to interfere in the contest, he fired with indignation at the insult; and when, in 1778, it was thought necessary, after the repeated misfortunes of the war, to acknowledge the independence of America, he summoned up all the strength that remained within him, to pour out his disapprobation of a measure so inglorious. He did so in a speech of considerable energy, and being answered in the course of the debate by the duke of Richmond, seemed agitated with a desire to reply: but when he attempted to rise, the effort proved too violent for his debilitated constitution, and he sunk, in a kind of fit, into the arms of those who were near him. This extraordinary scene of a great statesman, almost dying in the last exertion of his talents, has been perpetuated by the pencil, and will live for ever in the memory of his countrymen. He did not long survive this effort. This debate happened on the 8th of April, 1778, and he died on the 11th of May ensuing.
fit, as a mark of the sense the nation entertains of the services done to this kingdom by that able statesman.” A pension of 4,000l. a-year was accordingly appointed by his
All parties appeared now to contend to do honour to his
memory: a public funeral and a monument in Westminster
abbey, at the national expence, were immediately voted by
parliament, and his majesty was addressed to settle upon
his family “such a lasting provision as he in his wisdom
and liberality should think fit, as a mark of the sense the
nation entertains of the services done to this kingdom by
that able statesman.
” A pension of 4,000l. a-year was accordingly appointed by his majesty, out of the civil list
revenue, and confirmed in perpetuity by parliament, to the
heirs of the earl of Chatham, to whom the title should descend. The monument raised to his memory is highly
worthy of the occasion, being perhaps the noblest effort of
British sculpture. His figure appears upon it, at full
length, in his parliamentary robes, and in the attitude of
speaking; the accompaniments are grand and appropriate,
and the inscription has a simple dignity, much more impressive than any pomp of words, announcing merely,
that the king and parliament have paid this tribute to his
merits.
tering into those details which belong to history, although convinced that Mr. Pitt’s character as a statesman can never be duly appreciated, if detached from the events which
In this sketch, we have avoided entering into those details which belong to history, although convinced that Mr. Pitt’s character as a statesman can never be duly appreciated, if detached from the events which he attempted to controul. Something yet remains to be added respecting his personal character.
anishment he pronounced, have defamed by all possible means, and others have extolled as a most able statesman, was born in 1699, in the territory of Coimbra a robust and
, marquis of,
a famous Portuguese minister of state, whom the Jesuits,
whose banishment he pronounced, have defamed by all
possible means, and others have extolled as a most able
statesman, was born in 1699, in the territory of Coimbra a robust and distinguished figure seemed to mark
him for the profession of arms, for which, after a short
trial, he quitted the studies of his native university. He
found, however, a still readier path to fortune, by marrying, in spite of opposition from her relations, Donna
Teresa de Noronha Almada, a lady of one of the first families in Spain. He lost her in 1739, and being sent on a
secret expedition in 1745 to Vienna, he again was fortunate in marriage, by obtaining the countess of Daun, a relation of the marshal of that name. This wife became a
favourite with the queen of Portugal, who interested herself to obtain an appointment for Carvalho, in which, however, she did not succeed, till after the death of her husband, John V. in 1750. Her son Joseph gave Carvalho the
appointment of secretary for foreign affairs, in which situation he completely obtained the confidence of the king.
His haughtiness, as well as some of his measures, created
many enemies; and in 1758, a conspiracy headed by the
duke d'Aveiro, who had been the favourite of John V.
broke out in an attempt to murder the king as he returned
from his castle of Belem. The plot being completely discovered, the conspirators were punished, not only severely
but cruelly; and the Jesuits who had been involved in it,
were banished from the kingdom. At the death of Joseph,
in 1777, Pombal fell into disgrace, and many of the persons
connected with the conspirators, who had been imprisoned
from the time of the discovery, were released. The enemies of Pombal did not, however, succeed in exculpating
the principal agents, though a decree was passed in 1781,
to declare the innocence of those who had been released
from prison. Carvalho was banished to one of his estate?,
where he died in May 1782, in his eighty-fifth year. His
character, as was mentioned above, was variously represented, but it was generally allowed that he possessed great
abilities. A book entitled “Memoirs of the Marquis of
Pombal,
” was published at Paris in
cquaintance and friendship of Sir William Trumbull, who had formerly been much, in public life, as a statesman, and was then retired within a short distance of Binfield. TrwnbuH,
How early Pope began to write cannot be ascertained
some think the “Ode to Solitude,
” written at twelve years
of age, was his earliest production but Dodsley, who lived
in intimacy with him, had seen pieces of a still earlier date.
I At fourteen, he employed himself in some of those transis lations and imitations which appear in the first volume of
his works and still zealous in the prosecution of his poetical studies, he appears at this time ambitious to exhibit
specimens of every kind of poetry. He wrote a comedy,
a tragedy, and an epic poem, with panegyrics on all the
princes of Europe; and, as he confesses, “thought himself
the greatest genius that ever was.
” Most, however, of these
puerile productions he afterwards destroyed. At sixteen
he wrote his “Pastorals,
” which laid the foundation of lasting hostility between Philips and himself, but were the
means of introducing him to the acquaintance and friendship of Sir William Trumbull, who had formerly been much,
in public life, as a statesman, and was then retired within
a short distance of Binfield. TrwnbuH, who was pleased to
find in his neighbourhood a youth of such abilities and taste
as young Pope, circulated his “Pastorals
” among his
friends, and introduced him to Wycherley and Walsh, and
the wits of that time. They were not however published
until 1709, and then only in Tonsori’s Miscellany. Of
their poetical merit, it seems now agreed that their chief
excellence lies in correctness and melody of versification,
and that the discourse prefixed to them, although much of
it is borrowed from Rapin and other authors, is elegantly
and elaborately written. From this time the life of Pope,
as an author, may be computed, and having now declared
himself a candidate for fame, and entitled to mix with his
brethren, he began at the age of seventeen to frequent
the places where they used to assemble. This was done
without much interruption to his studies, his own account
of which was, that from fourteen to twenty he read only
for amusement, from twenty to twenty-seven for improvement and instruction that in the first part of his time he
desired only to know, and in the second he endeavoured
to judge. His next performance greatly increased his reputation this was the “Essay on Criticism,
” written in
such extent of comprehension,
such nicety of distinction, such acquaintance with mankind,
and such knowledge both of ancient and modern learning,
as are not often attained hy the maturest age and longest
experience.
” It found its way, however, rather slowly
into the world but when the author had sent copies to Lord
Lansdowne, the Duke of Buckingham, and other great
men, it began to be called for. It was in this “Essay
” he
made his attack on Dennis, which provoked those hostilities
between them that never were completely appeased. Dennis’s reply was sufficiently coarse, but he appears to have
been the first who discovered that leading characteristic of
Pope, his propensity to talk too frequently of his own virtues, and that sometimes when they were least visible' to
others.
, Earl Of Bath, an eminent English statesman, was descended from an ancient family, who took their surname
, Earl Of Bath, an eminent English statesman, was descended from an ancient family, who took their surname from a place of that appellation in Leicestershire. His grandfather, sir William Pulteney, was member of parliament for the city of Westminster, and highly distinguished himself in the House of Commons by his manly and spirited eloquence. Of his father, little is upon record. He was born in 1682, and educated at Westminster school and Christ-church, Oxford, where his talents and industry became so conspicuous, that dean Aldrich appointed him to make the congratulatory speech to queen Anne, on her visit to the college. Having travelled through various parts of Europe, he returned to his riative country with a mind highly improved, and came into parliament for the borough of Heydon in Yorkshire, by the interest of Mr. Guy, his protector and great benefactor, who left him 40,000l. and an estate of 500l. a year.
, as to disclose some secret conversation with Walpole, and some contemptuous expressions which that statesman uttered against the king, when prince of Wales; but this, instead
The “Craftsman
” involved Pulteney in other controversies, in one of which he wrote his famous pamphlet,
entitled “An Answer to one part of a late infamous libel,
intituled ‘ Remarks on the Craftsman’s vindication of his
two honourable patrons,’ in which the character and conduct of Mr. P. is fully vindicated.
” In this Mr. Pulteney
was so irritated, as to disclose some secret conversation
with Walpole, and some contemptuous expressions which
that statesman uttered against the king, when prince of
Wales; but this, instead of producing the effect which
Pulteney probably expected, only raised his majesty’s
resentment higher against himself. Franklin, the printer
of the pamphlet, was arrested; Pulteney’s name was struck
out of the list of privy-counsellors, and he was put out of
all commissions of the peace; measures which tended to
render the breach irreparable, while they added considerable popularity to Pulteney, It was some time after this
that he made that celebrated speech, in which he compared
the ministry to an empiric, and the constitution of England to his patient. This pretender in physic,“said he,
” being consulted, tells the distempered person, there
were but two or three ways of treating his disease, and be
was afraid that none of them would succeed. A vomit
might throw him into convulsions, that would occasion
immediate death: a purge might bring on a diarrhoea, that
would carry him off in a short time: and he had been
already bled so much, and so often, that he could bear it
no longer. The unfortunate patient, shocked at this decla-,
ration, replies, Sir, you have always pretended to be a
regular doctor, but I now find you are an errant quack,:
I had an excellent constitution when I first fell into your
hands, but you have quite destroyed it; and now, I find,
I have no other chance for saving my life, but by calling
for the help of some regular physician."
n illicit amour with a beautiful young lady, Elizabeth, daughter of sir Nicolas Throgmorton, an able statesman and ambassador which so offended the queen, that they were both
About the same time, 1593, Ralegh had an illicit amour
with a beautiful young lady, Elizabeth, daughter of sir
Nicolas Throgmorton, an able statesman and ambassador
which so offended the queen, that they were both confined
for several months and, when set at liberty, forbidden the
court. Sir Walter afterwards made the most honourable
reparation he could, by marrying the object of his affection; and he always lived with her in the strictest conjugal
harmony. The next year he was so entirely restored to the
queen’s favour, that he obtained a grant from her majesty
of the manor of Sherborne, in Dorsetshire, which had been
alienated from the see of Salisbury by bishop Caldwell,
and was doubtless one of those church- lands, for accepting
which he was censured, as mentioned above. During his
disgrace he projected the discovery and conquest of the
large, rich, and beautiful empire of Guiana, in South
America; and, sending first an old experienced officer to
collect information concerning it, he went thither himself
jn 1595, destroyed the city of San Joseph, and took the
Spanish governor. Upon his return, he mote a discourse
t)f his discoveries in Guiana, which was printed in 1596,
4to, and afterwards inserted in the third volume of Hakluyt’s voyages, in Birch’s works of Ralegh, and in Mr.
Cayley’s late “Life of Ralegh.
” His second attempt on
Guiana was conducted by Lawrence Keymis, who sailed in
Jan. 1596, and returned in June following. An account
of this also is to be found in Hakluyt. The same year,
sir Walter had a chief command in the Cadiz action, under
the earl of Essex, in which he took a very able and gallant
part. In the “Island Voyage,
” in Ralegh, in this dreadful letter, is pressing forward for a
rival that snare by which he afterwards perished himself.
He urges Cecil to get rid of Essex! By that riddance he
himself became no longer necessary to Cecil, as a counterppise to Essex’s power.
” “Then, I have no doubt it was,
”
adds sir Egerton, “that Cecil, become an adept in the
abominable lesson of this letter, and conscious of his minor
talents, but more persevering cunning, resolved to disencumber himself of the ascendant abilities, and aspiring and
dangerous ambition of Ralegh.
” But whatever share \ftalegh had in defeating the designs of Essex, his sun set
at queen Elizabeth’s death, which happened March 24,
1602-3.
mended him to Doddington, lord Melcombe, or was written in consequence of his acquaintance with that statesman, does not appear but from Doddington’s celebrated (< Diary,“we
At length he became an attendant on the “levees of
great men,
” and luckily applied himself to political writing, for which he was well qualified. When the duchess
of Marlborough, about 1742, published memoirs of her
life, Ralph was employed to write an answer, which he
called “The other side of the question.
” This, says Davies, was written with so much art, and made so interesting, by the author’s management, that it sold very well.
His pamphlets and political papers at length appeared of
so much importance^ that towards the latter end of the
Walpole administration, it was thought proper to buy him
off with an income. Whether his paper called “The Remembrancer,
” recommended him to Doddington, lord
Melcombe, or was written in consequence of his acquaintance with that statesman, does not appear but from Doddington’s celebrated (< Diary,“we learn that he was much in the confidence of the party assembled round the prince of Wales, and was not only constantly employed to carry messages and propositions to the leaders of the party, but was frequently, consulted as to the subject of such messages. Nor indeed do his talents as a politician seem much inferior to those who employed him. He had like-r wise before this acquired considerable fame by his
” Use and Abuse of Parliaments,“174-4, 2 vols. 8vo, and still
more by his
” History of England, during the reign of William III.; with an introductory review of the reigns of
Charles II. and James II.“1744 6, 2 vols. folio, written
upon principles avowed by his party. This was always
considered as an useful work. Ralph had read a great
deal, and was very conversant in the history and politics
of this country. He applied himself, with great assiduity,
to the study of all writings upon party matters: and had
collected a prodigious number of pamphlets relating to the
contests of whig and tory, the essence of which he incorporated in his work so as to make it a fund of curious information and opinions, of which more regular historians
might afterwards avail themselves. Mr. Fox, in his late
” Historical Work,“pronounces him
” an historian of great
acuteness, as well as diligence, but who falls sometimes
into the common error of judging too much from the
event."
, a statesman in queen Elizabeth’s reign, the son of Avery Randolph of Badlesmere
, a statesman in queen Elizabeth’s reign, the son of Avery Randolph of Badlesmere in
Kent, was born in that county in 1523. He was, according to his own account, a pupil of George Buchanan,
but had his academical education at Christ Church, Oxford,
then newly founded; where he took the degree of bachelor
of law in 1547, about which time he was made a public
notary. In Nov. 1549, he became principal of Broadgatehall (now Pembroke college), and continued in that office
until 1553, when the persecution of the protestants under
queen Mary, obliged him to retire to France. On the
accession of queen Elizabeth, he came into high favour,
and his talents recommended him to be employed in various
embassies, particularly in Scotland during the commotions
there: he was sent thrice to queen Mary, and afterwards
seven times to her son and successor James VI. We find
him also several times supporting the same character at the
courts of Russia and France. Eiis first mission to Scotland, in
1561, had for its professed object to promote a mutual friendship between the two nations, and to endeavour that queen
Mary, who hadj ust lost her husband, Francis II. king of France,
should not again marry a foreigner; but according to Sir
James Melvil and others, his real business was to intrigue
between the two parties which then divided Scotland, and
rather to increase than allay their animosities. In this plan
secretary Cecil was supposed to be the director, and Randolph the executor. By a letter published by Mr. Lodge,
who says that Randolph was a man of “a dark intriguing spirit, full of cunning, and void of conscience,
” we
learn that at one time he was confined in prison at Edinburgh; but probably for a short time, as the circumstance
is not mentioned in any history. In Russia, to which he
was sent in 1560, his conduct merits greater approbation,
as in the following year, he brought to conclusion a commercial treaty highly advantageous to the English merchants,
who were then enabled to establish the “Russia Company.
”
His secretary on this embassy was George Turberville the
poet, who has described the manners and customs of the
Moscovites in some epistles to his friends, which are inserted
in Hakluyt’s voyages. In 1571, during one of his embassies to Scotland, he had the spirit to challenge Virac, the
French ambassador in that kingdom, who had taken some
liberties with queen Elizabeth’s character and with his own.
For all these services the queen is accused of having rewarded Mr. Randolph rather niggardly, having bestowed
on him only the order of knighthood, the office of chamberlain of the exchequer, and that of postmaster, to neither
of which last was much profit annexed, and a few small
estates. Yet with these he is said to have been content,
although he had a large family. He died at his house on
St. Peter’s hill, near Thames-street, London, June 8,
1590, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and was buried
in the church of St. Peter, Paul’s wharf. In his latter days
he appears to have lived retired, “setting his mind,
” as he
expresses it, “upon the heavenly country, and reconciling
himself to the divine mercy by a timely repentance.
” Such
likewise is the advice he gave to sir Francis Walsingham,
whose sister he had married. He tells him, “how worthy.
yea, how necessary a thing it was, that they should at length
bid farewell to the tricks, he of a secretary, and himself of
an ambassador.
” Several of his letters and dispatches are
in the Cotton collection in the British Museum, and among
bishop More’s books in the public library at Cambridge.
Two of his letters were published by James Oliphant,
among Buchanan’s Letters, 1711, 8vo, and have been inserted since in the Leyden and Edinburgh edition of Buchanan’s works, one to Buchanan himself, and the ether to
Peter Yonge, school- master to James VI. There are also
some of his letters, instructions, and dispatches, printed in
Strype’s “Annals,
” Goodall’s “Examination of the Letters said to be written by Mary queen of Scots,
” and in
Robertson’s History of Scotland," &C.
, Earl of Sussex, a statesman of the sixteenth century, was the eldest son of Henry Ratcliffe,
, Earl of Sussex, a statesman of the sixteenth century, was the eldest son of Henry Ratcliffe, the second earl of Sussex, by Elizabeth, one of the daughters of Thomas Howard, second duke of Norfolk. His first public service was in an honourable embassy to the emperor Charles the Fifth, to treat of the projected marriage of Queen Mary to Philip, which he afterwards ratified with the latter in Spain. Upon his return he was appointed lord deputy of Ireland, and chief justice of the forests north of Trent. The order of the garter, and the office of captain of the pensioners, were likewise conferred on him in that reign, a little before the conclusion of which he succeeded to his father’s honours. Elizabeth continued him for a while in the post of lord deputy, and recalled him to assume that of the president of the North, a situation rendered infinitely difficult by the delicacy of her affairs with Scotland, and the rebellious spirit of the border counties. The latter, however, was subdued by his prudence and bravery in 1569; and the assiduity and acuteness with which he studied the former, will appear from his own pen. The unfortunate affair of the duke of Norfolk, to whom he was most firmly attached, fell out in the course of that year, and would have ended happily and honourably if the duke had followed his advice. That nobleman’s last request was, that his best george, chain, and gafter, might be given to my lord of Sussex. He was the prime negociator in those two famous treaties of marriage with the archduke Charles and the duke of Alenson, Elizabeth’s real intentions in which have been so frequently the subject of historical disquisition. In 1572, he retired from the severer labours of the public service, in which he had wasted his health, to the honourable office of lord chamberlain, and the duties of a cabinet minister; and died at his house in Bermondsey, June 9, 1583, leaving little to his heirs but the bright example of a character truly noble. The earl of Sussex was twice married; first, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Wriothesley, earl of Southampton, by whom he had two sons, Henry and Thomas, who died young; secondly, to Frances, daughter of sir William Sydney, afterwards the celebrated foundress of Sydney-Sussex college in Cambridge; by whom having no children, he was succeeded by Henry, his next brother.
m for Lord Burghley. In one of his letters, dated June 28, 1580, he expresses himself, to that great statesman, in the following terms: “The trevve fere of God w^h yo r actyons
“This great man’s conduct,
” says Mr. Lodge, “united
all the splendid qualities of those eminent persons who
jointly rendered Elizabeth’s court an object of admiration
to Europe, and was perfectly free from their faults. Wise
and loyal as Burghley, without his blind attachment to
the monarch; vigilant as Walsingham, but disdaining his
low cunning; magnificent as Leicester, but incapable of
hypocrisy; and brave as Ralegh, with the piety of a primitive Christian; he seemed above the common objects of
human ambition, and wanted, if the expression may be allowed, those dark shades of character which make nien the 1
heroes of history. Hence it is, probably, that our writers
have bestowed so little attention on this admirable person,
who is but slightly mentioned in most historical collections,
unless with regard to his disputes with Leicester, whom he
hated almost to a fault.
” Mr. Lodge justly esteems himself peculiarly fortunate in having been the instrument of disclosing the earl of Sussex’s letters to the public. They form
a very valuable part of the “Historical Illustrations,
” and,
a small number excepted, are the only ones to be met with
in print. These letters display both his integrity and ability in a very striking light, and are written in a clear and
manly style. Four of them are particularly curious two to
the queen, onthe treaty of marriage with the archduke of
Austria; one to sir William Cecil, on the state of parties
in Scotland; and one to her Majesty, concerning the duke of
Alen$on. The letter on the affairs of Scotland is considered
by Mr. Lodge as an inestimable curiosity. Farther light
will be thrown on the earl of Sussex’s character, by transcribing the manly language in which he complains that
his services were neglected, and declares his purpose
of retiring to private life. It is in a letter to sir William Cecil. “I was firste a Lieuten‘te; I was after
little better than a Marshal; I had then nothing left to me
but to direct hanging matters (in the meane tyme all was disposed that was w th in my comission), and nowe I ame
offered to be made a Shreif’s Bayly to deliver over possessions. Blame me not, good Mr. Secretarie, though my
pen utter somewhat of that swell in my stomake, for I see
I ame kepte but for a brome, and when I have done my
office to be throwen out of the dore. I ame the first nobel
man hathe been thus used. Trewe service deserveth honor
and credite, and not reproche and open defaming; but,
seeing the one is ever delivered to me in the stede of the
other, I must leave to serve, or lose my honor; w^h, being
continewed so long in my howse, I wolde be lothe shoolde
take blemishe wth me. These matters I knowe procede not
from lacke of good and honorable meaning in the Q,’ ma 1
towards me, nor from lacke of dewte' and trewthe in me
towards her, which grevethe me the more and, therefore,
seing I shall be still a camelyon, and yelde no other shewe
then as it shall please others to give the couller, I will content my self to live a private lyfe. God send her Mate others
that meane as well as I have done; and so I comitt you to
th* Almightie.
” From the next letter it appears that the
queen had too much wisdom to part with so faithful a counsellor and servant. The earl of Sussex had a high regard
and esteem for Lord Burghley. In one of his letters,
dated June 28, 1580, he expresses himself, to that great
statesman, in the following terms: “The trevve fere of
God w^h yo r actyons have alwayes shewed to be in yo r harte,
the grete and deepe care wch you have always had for the
honor and salfty of the Q‘. Ma*’s most worthy p’son; the
co‘tinual troubell w ch yqu have of long tyme taken for the
benefyting of the com’on-welthe and the upryght course
wich ye have alwaye’s taken, respectying the mattr and not
the p’son, in all causes (wch be the necessary trusts of him that ferethe God trewly, s’rveth his Soverayne faythfully, and lovethe his countrey clerely) have tyed me to yo r L. in
that knotte w cli no worldly fraylty can break; and, therfor,
I wyll never forbere to runne any fortune that may s’rve
you, and further you' godly actyons. And so, my good L.
forberyng to entrobell you w th words, I end; and wysh
unto you as to my self, and better, yf I may.
”
, a German statesman, but more known as an accomplished scholar and bibliographer,
, a German statesman, but more known as an accomplished scholar and bibliographer, was born in Hungary Nov. 4, 1737. Among his other diplomatic appointments he resided for some years in London as envoy from the Imperial court, and afterwards in a private capacity. He died at Vienna in August 1793.
hought (what he was not) the best poet, than with being thought (what he certainly was) the greatest statesman in Europe; and affairs stood still, while he was concerting
In 1619 the king recalled Richelieu, and sent him into
Angouleme, where he persuaded the queen to a reconciliation, which was concluded in 1620; and in consequence
of this treaty, the duke de Luynes obtained a cardinal’s
hat for him from pope Gregory XV. Richelieu, continuing his services after the duke’s decease, was admitted, in
1624, into the council, through the interest of the queen,
and almost against the will of the king, who, devout and
scrupulous, considered him as a knave, because he had
been informed of his gallantries. It is even said that he
was insolent enough to aspire to queen Anne of Austria,
and that the railleries to which this subjected him were the
cause of his subsequent aversion to her. Cardinal Richelieu was afterwards appointed prime minister, head of the
councils, high steward, chief, and superintendant-generai
of the French trade and navigation. He preserved the
Isle of Rhe in 1627, and undertook the siege of Rochelle
against the protestants the same year. He completed the
conquest of Rochelle in October 1628, in spite of the
king of Spain, who had withdrawn his forces, of the king
of England, who could not relieve it, and of the French
king, who grew daily more weary of the undertaking, by
means of that famous mole, executed by his orders, but
planned by Lewis Metezeau and John Tiriot. The capture of Rochelle proved a mortal blow to the protestants,
but in France was reckoned the most glorious and beneficial circumstance of cardinal Richelieu’s administration.
He also attended his majesty to the relief of the duke of
Mantua in 1629, raised the siege of Casal, and, at his return, compelled the protestants to accept the treaty of
peace which had been concluded at Alais, and completed
the ruin of their party. Six months after this, cardinal
Richelieu, having procured himself to be appointed lieutenant-general of the army beyond the mountains, took Pignerol, relieved Casal a second time, which was besieged
by the marquis Spinola, defeated general Doria, by means
of the duke de Monttnorenci at Vegliana, July 10, 1630,
and made himself master of all Savoy. Louis XIII. having
returned to Lyons, in consequence of sickness, the queenmother, and most of the nobility, took advantage of this
circumstance to form plots against Richelieu, and speak
ill of his conduct to the king, which they did with so much
success, that Louis promised the queen to discard him.
The cardinal’s ruin now seemed inevitable, and he was
actually preparing to set out for Havre-de Grace, which
he had chosen for his retreat, when cardinal de la Valette,
knowing that the queen had not followed her son to Versailles, advised him first to see his majesty. In this interview, he immediately cleared himself from all the accusations of his enemies, justified his conduct, displayed the
advantages and necessity of his administration, and wrought
so forcibly upon the king’s mind by his reasoning, that,
instead of being discarded, he became from that moment
more powerful than ever. He inflicted the same punishments upon his enemies which they had advised for him;
and this day, so fortunate for Richelieu, was called “The
Day of Dupes.
” Those who had the misfortune to incur
his displeasure, certainly did not all deserve the penalties
to which he doomed them; but he knew how to make himself master of their fate, by appointing such judges to try
them as were at his disposal. That abominable method of
taking the accused from their lawful judges, had, in the
preceding century, served as a means for the families of
condemned persons to get their characters restored; after
which the French had no reason to fear its revival; but
Richelieu hesitated not to adopt it, though at the risque of
general odium, as being favourable to his designs. By
thus making himself master of the lives and fortunes of the
mal-contents, he imposed silence even on their murmurs.
This artful minister, being now secure of his lasting ascendancy over the king, and having already accomplished
one of the two great objects which he had proposed to
himself from the beginning of his administration, which
were, the destruction of the protestants, and the humbling
the too great power of the house of Austria, began now
to contrive means for executing this second undertaking.
The principal and most efficacious method employed by
the cardinal with that view, was a treaty he concluded,
January 23, 1631, with Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, for currying the war into the heart of Germany. He
also formed a league with the duke of Bavaria, secured to
himself Lorrain, raised part of the German princes against
the emperor, treated with Holland to continue the war
wirh Spain, favoured the Catalonians and Portuguese
when they shook off the Spanish yoke, and, in short,
made use of so many measures and stratagems, that he
completely accomplished his design. Cardinal Richelieu
was carrying on the war with success, and meditating on
that glorious peace, which was not concluded till 1648,
when h died in his palace at Paris, worn out by his long
toils, December 4,“1642, aged fifty-eight. He was buried
at the Sorbonne, where his mausoleum (the celebrated Girardon’s master-piece) may be seen. He is considered
as one of the most complete statesmen, and ablest politicians, that France ever had. Amidst all the anxieties
which the fear of his enemies must necessarily occasion,
he formed the most extensive and complicated plans, and
executed them with great superiority of genius. It was
cardinal Richelieu who established the throne, while yet
shaken by the protestant factions, and the power of the
House of Austria, and made the royal authority completely
absolute, and independent, by the extinction of the petty
tyrants who wasted the kingdom. In the mean time he
omitted nothing which could contribute to the glory of
France. He promoted arts and sciences; founded the
botanical garden at Paris called the king’s garden; also
the French academy, and the royal printing-office; built
the palace since called the Palais Royal, and gave it to his
majesty; rebuilt the Sorbonne (of which he was provisor)
in a style of kingly magnificence; and prepared for all the
splendour of Louis the Fourteenth’s reign. His enemies,
says the abbe L'Atocat, unable to deny his great talents,
have reproached him with great faults; irregularity of conduct, unbounded ambition, universal despotism, from which
even the king, his master, did not escape; for he left
him, as they express it, only the power of curing the evil;
a vanity and ostentation which exceeded the dignity of the
throne itself, where all was simplicity and negligence,
while the cardinal’s court exhibited nothing but pomp and
splendour; unexampled ingratitude to his benefactress,
queen Mary de Medicis, whom he inhumanly compelled
to end her da*ys in Germany, in obscurity and indigence;
and, finally, his revengeful temper, which occasioned so
many cruel executions; as those of Chalais, Grandier, the
marechal de Marillac, M. de Montmorenci, Cinqmars, M.
de Thou, &c. Even the queen, for having written to the
duchess de Chevreuse, Richelieu’s enemy, and a fugitive,
saw all her papers seized, and was examined before the
chancellor Sequier. Mad. de la Fayette, mad. de Hautefort, and father Caussin, the king’s confessors, were all
disgraced in consequence of having offended this despotic
minister. But, says his apologist, there are many points
to be considered with respect to these accusations: it appears certain, from a thousand passages in the life of this
celebrated cardinal, that he was naturally very grateful,
and never proceeded to punishment but when he thought
state affairs required it; for which reason, when in his last
sickness, his confessor asked
” if he forgave his enemies?“he replied,
” I never had any but those of the state.“At
the head of his
” Political Testament“may be seen his
justification of himself on the subject of these bloody executions, with which he has been so much reproached. It
is equally certain, that he never oppressed the people by
taxes or exorbitant subsidies, notwithstanding the long
wars he had to carry on; and that, if he was severe in
punishing crimes, he knew how to distinguish merit, and
reward it generously. He bestowed the highest ecclesiastical dignities on such bishops and doctors as he knew to
be men of virtue and learning; placed able and experienced generals at the head of the armies, and entrusted public business with wise, punctual, and intelligent men. It
was this minister who established a navy. His vigilance
extended through every part of the government; and,
notwithstanding the cabals, plots, and factions, which were
incessantly forming against him during the whole course of
his administration (and which must have employed great part of his time) he left sufficient sums behind him to carry
on the war with glory; and France was in a more powerful
and flourishing state at the time of his decease than when
Louis XIV. died. After stating these facts, Richelieu’s
enemies areinvited to determine whether France would have
derived more advantage from being governed by Mary de
Medicis, Gaston of Orleans, &c. than by this cardinal
The estate of Richelieu was made a dukedom in his favour,
in 1631, and he received other honours and preferments.
Besides the
” Method of Controversy“he wrote, 2.
” The
principal points of the Catholic Faith defended, against
the writing addressed to the king by the ministers of Charenton.“3.
” The most easy and certain Method of converting those who are separated from the Church.“These
pieces are written with force and vivacity. He wrote also,
” A Catechism,“in which he lays down the doctrine of
the church, in a clear and concise manner and a treatise
of piety, called,
” The Perfection of a Christian.“These
are his theological works; and they have been often
printed: but that which is most read, and most worthy of
being read, is his
” Political Testament," the authenticity
of which has been doubted by some French writers, particularly Voltaire. The cardinal also had the ambition to
be thought a dramatic poet; and, says lord Chesterfield,
while he absolutely governed both his king and country,
and was, in a great degree, the arbiter of the fate of all
Europe, he was more jealous of the great reputation of
Corneille, than of the power of Spain; and more flattered
with being thought (what he was not) the best poet, than
with being thought (what he certainly was) the greatest
statesman in Europe; and affairs stood still, while he was
concerting the criticism upon the Cid.
, a distinguished English prelate and statesman, was born at Cleasby, in Yorkshire, Nov. 7, 1650, and educated
, a distinguished English prelate and
statesman, was born at Cleasby, in Yorkshire, Nov. 7, 1650,
and educated at Oriel college, Oxford, to which he was
afterwards a liberal benefactor. After he had completed
his master’s degree, and taken orders, he went about 1683
to Sweden, as domestic chaplain to the British ambassador
at that court; and in his absence was appointed first resident, then envoy extraordinary, and lastly ambassador.
He remained in this rank until 1708. During this time he
published his “Account of Sweden, as it was in 1688,
”
which is generally printed with lord Molesvvorth’s account
of Denmark. On his return to England, her majesty, queen
Anne, was so sensible of the value of his services, that she
made him dean of Windsor, registrar of the order of the
garter, and prebendary of Canterbury. He was also in
1710 preferred to the bishopric of Bristol. His political
knowledge recommended him to the confidence of the earl
of Oxford, then at the head of administration, who resolved
to have him of the privy council. For this purpose, he was
first made lord privy seal, and afterwards was admitted to a
seat at the council board, where he so distinguished himself that queen Anne made choice of him as one of her plenipotentiaries at the memorable treaty of Utrecht. With
what spirit he behaved on this occasion, appears from the
common histories of the treaty, and Swift’s “Four last years
of the Queen.
” He was also appointed one of the commissioners for finishing St. Paul’s cathedral, and for building fifty new churches in London; was a governor of the
Charter-house, and dean of the chapel royal. On the
death of Dr. Compton in 1714, he was translated to the see
of London, and the qneen, indeed, had such regard for
him, that had she outlived the archbishop of Canterbury,
she would have made Dr. Robinson primate.
, an able statesman and ambassador, was born at Low-Layton in Essex, about 1580,
, an able statesman and ambassador, was born at Low-Layton in Essex, about 1580, and admitted into Magdalen college, Oxford, in 1593. He was taken from the university in a year or two; and, after spending some time in one of the inns of court, and in France, was made esquire of the body to queen Elizabeth. In 1604, he was knighted by king James; and soon after sent, by Henry prince of Wales, to make discoveries in America. In 1614, he was sent ambassador to the great mogul, at whose court he continued till 1618. During his residence there, he employed himself zealously in the service of the East India merchants, but gave a singular offence to the grand mogul. This monarch, happy in his pride and ignorance, fancied his dominions to be the greater part of the habitable world. But his mortification was great when, in Mercator’s maps, presented to him by sir Thomas Roe, he found that he possessed but a small part of it; and he was so chagrined, that he ordered the maps to be given to sir Thomas again.
iligence in studying the originals. In 1605, he was honoured with one of those mixed commissions, of statesman and artist, with which he was frequently entrusted, and which
On his return to Mantua, he painted three magnificent pictures for the church of the Jesuits, which, in point of execution and freedom of force in effect, rank nearly among his best productions. His patron, wishing to have copies of some of the most celebrated pictures at Rome, sent Rubens thither for that purpose, which while he performed with great skill, he employed no less diligence in studying the originals. In 1605, he was honoured with one of those mixed commissions, of statesman and artist, with which he was frequently entrusted, and which place the various powers of Rubens in a very singular light. This was no less than an embassy from Mantua to the court of Spain. Carrying with him some magnificent presents for the duke of Lerma, the favourite minister of Philip III. he painted at the same time the picture of this monarch, and received from him such flattering marks of distinction, as probably facilitated the political purpose of his errand. Soon after his return to Mantua, he again visited Rome, and there and at Genoa painted some pictures for the churches, which greatly advanced his reputation. On the death of his mother, whom he appears to have deeply regretted, he formed the design of settling in Italy, bnt by the persuasion of the archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella, was induced to take up his residence at Antwerp. Here he married his first wife, Elizabeth Brants, and built a magnificent house, which he enriched with the choicest specimens of the antique, and with valuable pictures.
, lord Buckhurst and earl of Dorset, an eminent statesman and poet, was born at Withyam in Sussex, in 1527. He was the
, lord Buckhurst and earl of
Dorset, an eminent statesman and poet, was born at Withyam in Sussex, in 1527. He was the son of sir Richard
Sackville, who died in 1566, by Winifred Brydges (afterwards marchioness of Winchester), and grandson of John
Sackville, esq. who died in 1557, by Anne Boleyne, sister
of sir Thomas Boleyne, earl of Wiltshire and great grandson of Richard Sackviiie, esq. who died in 1524, by Isabel,
daughter of John Digges, of Digues 1 s place in Barham,
Kent, of a family which for many succeeding generations
produced men of learning and genius. He was first of the
university of Oxford, and, as it is supposed, of Hart-hall,
now Hertford-college; but taking no degree there, he removed to Cambridge, where he commenced master of arts,
and afterwards was a student of the Inner Temple. At
both universities he became celebrated both as a Latin and
English poet, and carried the same taste and talents to the
Temple, where he wrote his tragedy of “Gorboduc,
” which
was exhibited in the great hall by the students of that society, as part of a Christmas entertainment, and afterwards
before queen Elizabeth at Whitehall^ Jan. 18, 1561. It
was surreptitiously printed in 1563, under the title of
“The Tragedy of Gorboduc,
” 4to; but a correct edition
under the inspection of the authors (for he was assisted by Thomas Norton), appeared in 1571, entitled “The Tragedie of Ferrex and Porrex.
” Another edition appeared
in the dawn of our English poetry was in Chaucer’s time,
but that it shone out in him too bright all at once to last
long. The succeeding age was dark and overcast. There
was indeed some glimmerings of genius again in Henry
VIII's time but our poetry had never what could be called
a fair settled day-light till towards the end of queen Elizabeth’s reign. It was between these two periods, that lord
Buckhurst wrote; after the earl of Surrey, and before
Spenser.
” Warton’s opinion of this tragedy is not very
favourable. He thinks it never was a favourite with our
ancestors, and fell into oblivion on account of the nakedness anil uninteresting nature of the plot, the tedious
length of the speeches, the want of discrimination of character, and almost a total absence of pathetic or critical
situations. Yet he allows that the language of “Gorboduc
” has great merit and perspicuity, and that it is entirely free from the tumid phraseology of a subsequent age
of play-writing.
eputation of being the best poet in his time, he laid down his pen, and assumed the character of the statesman, in which he also became very eminent. He found leisure, however,
Having by these productions established the reputation
of being the best poet in his time, he laid down his pen,
and assumed the character of the statesman, in which he
also became very eminent. He found leisure, however,
to make the tour of France and Italy; and was on some
account or other in prison at Rome, when the news arrived
of his father sir Richard Sackville’s death in 1566. Upon
this, he obtained his release,‘ returned home, ente’red into
the possession of a vast inheritance, and soon after was
promoted to the peerage by the title of lord Buckhurst.
He enjoyed this accession of honour and fortune too liberally for a while, but soon saw his error. Some attribute
his being reclaimed to' the queen,- but others say, that the
indignity of being kept in waiting by an alderman, of
whom he had occasion to 1 borrow money, made so deep an
impression oft him,“ibat he resolved from that moment to
be an eeconomisi. By the queen he was received into
particalar favour, and employed in many very important
affairs- In 1587 he was sent ambassador to the United
Provinces’,
” upon 1 their complaints against the earl of Leicester 'j and y though he discharged that nice and hazardous
trust with- great integrity, yet the favourite prevailed with
his mistress to call him home, and confine him to his house
for nine Or ten months; which command lord Buckhurst is
said to have submitted to so obsequiously, than in all the
time he never would endure, openly or secretly, by day
or by night, to see either wife or child. His enemy, however, dying, her majesty’s favour returned to him more
strongly than ever. He was made knight of the garter in
1590; and chancellor of Oxford in 1591, by the queen’s
special interposition. In 1589 he was joined with the treasurer Burleigh in negotiating a peace with Spain; and,
upon the death of Burleigh the same year, succeeded him
in his office; by virtue of which he became in a manner
prime minister, and as such exerted himself vigorously for
the public good and her majesty’s safety.
, an eminent English statesman, was born in 1507, at Hackney, in Middlesex. He was the son
, an eminent English statesman, was born in 1507, at Hackney, in Middlesex. He was the son of Henry Sadler, who, though a gentleman by birth, and possessed of a fair inheritance, seems to have been steward or surveyor to the proprietor of the manor of Gillney, near Great Hadham, in Essex. Ralph in early life gained a situation in the family of Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex, and by him was introduced to the notice of Henry VIII. who took him into his service, but at what time is not very clear. He was employed in the great work of dissolving the religious houses, and had his full share of the spoil. In 1537, he commenced a long course of diplomatic services, byan embassy to Scotland, whose monarch was then absent in France. The objects of his mission were to greet the queen dowager, to strengthen the English interests in the councils of regency which then governed Scotland, and to discover the probable consequences of the intimate union of Scotland with France. Having collected such information as he could procure on these topics, he returned in the beginning of the following year, but went again to Scotland soon after, ostensibly to maintain a good correspondence between the two crowns, but really, as appears from his state-papers, to detach the king of Scotland from the councils of cardinal Beaton, who was at the head of the party most in the interest of France. He was instructed also to direct the king’s attention to the overgrown possessions of the church as a source of revenue, and to persuade him to imitate his uncle Henry VHIth’s conduct to the see of Rome, and to make common cause with England against France. In all this, however, he appears to have failed, or at least to have left Scotland without having materially succeeded in any part of his. mission.
, lord viscount Bolingbroke, an eminent statesman and writer, was descended from an ancient and noble family,
, lord viscount Bolingbroke, an
eminent statesman and writer, was descended from an
ancient and noble family, and born, as all his biographers
say, in 1672, but it appears by the register of Battersea
parish that he was baptised Oct. 10, 1678. His father, sir
Henry St. John, son of sir Walter St. John, died at Battersea, his family-seat, July 3, 1708, in his eighty- seventh
year his mother was lady Mary, second daughter and coheiress of Robert Rich, earl of Warwick. He was bred
up, with great care, under the inspection of his grandfather, as well as his father, who neglected no means to
cultivate his mind. It was once noticed in parliament that
he was educated in dissenting principles, and it is very
certain that the first director of his studies was the famous
Daniel Burgess, who, with all his oddities (See Burgess)
was frequently employed as tutor to the sons of men of
rank. Goldsmith seems desirous to impute Bolingbroke’s
infidelity to this divine, and to his being obliged to read
Manton’s Sermons on the 119th Psalm but such an opinion is as dangerous as it is absurd. From Burgess or
Manton, he could have imbibed only a higher reverence
for religion than was to be expected from a lively youth;
and as to the disgust he felt, to which his biographer
seems inclined to trace his infidelity, it is probable that a
boy would not have entertained much less dislike to a voluminous history of England, if obliged to read it when he
wished to be idle. But, whatever instruction he might receive from his first tutors, it is very certain, that he had a
regular and liberal education. He was sent to Eton,
where he had for his companion and rival sir Robert Waipole. “The parts of Mr. St. John,
” says Coxe, “were
more lively and brilliant, those of Walpole more steady
and solid. Walpole was industrious and diligent, because
his talents required application; St. John was negligent,
because his quickness of apprehension rendered labour
less necessary.
” These characteristics prevailed in both
throughout life. From Eton Mr. St. John was removed to
Christ-church, Oxford, where he made a shining figure as
a polite scholar, and when he left the university, he was
considered as a youth highly accomplished for public life.
His person was agreeable, and he had a dignity mixed with
sweetness in his looks, and a manner very prepossessing,
and, as some of his contemporaries said, irresistible. He
had much acuteness, great judgment, and a prodigious
memory. Whatever he read he retained so as to make
it entirely his own; but in youth, he was not in general
much given either to reading or reflection. With great
parts, he had, as it usually happens, great passions
which hurried him into those indiscretions and follies that
distinguish the libertine. He does not, however, appear
to have been without his serious moments, nor always unwilling to listen to the voice of conscience. “There has
been something always,
” says he, “ready to whisper in
my ear, while I ran the course of pleasure and of business,
* Solve senescentem mature sanus equum;‘ < and while ’tis
well, release thy aged horse.' But my genius, unlike the
demon of Socrates, whispered so softly, that very often I
heard him not, in the hurry of those passions with which I
was transported. Some calmer hours there were in them
I hearkened to him. Reflection had often its turn and
the love of study and the desire of knowledge have never
quite abandoned me. I am not, therefore, entirely unprepared for the life I will lead; and it is not without reason
that I promise myself more satisfaction in the latter part of
it than I ever knew in the former.
”
upon which he published a poem in the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” entitled, “The Poet’s Dependence on a Statesman.”
Some time after this, Savage formed a resolution of applying to the queen: she had given him his life, and he
hoped her goodness might enable him to support it. He
published a poem on her birth-day, which he entitled
“The Volunteer Laureat.
” She graciously sent him fifty
pounds, with an intimation that he might annually expect
the same bounty. His conduct with regard to this pension
was very characteristic; as soon as he had received it, he
immediately disappeared, and lay for some time out of the
reach of his most intimate friends. At length he was seen
again, pennyless as before, but never informed any person
where he had been, nor was his retreat ever discovered.
His perpetual indigence, politeness, and wit, still raised him
new friends, as fast as his misbehaviour lost him his old
ones; and sir Robert Walpole, the prime minister, was
warmly solicited in his favour. Promises were given, but
ended in disappointment; upon which he published a
poem in the “Gentleman’s Magazine,
” entitled, “The
Poet’s Dependence on a Statesman.
”
, marquis of Halifax, a celebrated statesman, but of equivocal character, was descended from an ancient family
, marquis of Halifax, a celebrated statesman, but of equivocal character, was descended from an ancient family in Yorkshire. He was the son of sir William Savile, bart. and Anne, daughter of Thomas lord Coventry, lord keeper of the great seal. He was born, probably about 1630. Upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the title of baronet, and soon distinguished himself by his abilities in public affairs; and being zealous in bringing about the restoration, was created a peer, in consideration of his own and his father’s merits. In 1668 he was appointed of that remarkable committee, which sat at Brook-hall for the examination of the accounts of the money which had been given during the Dutch war, of which no member of the House of Commons was admitted. In April 1672 he was called to a seat in the privy council; and, June following, went over to Holland with the duke of Buckingham and the earl of Arlington, as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, to treat about a peace with France, when he met with great opposition from hi* colleagues.
, an Italian, eminent as a statesman and man of letters, when letters were just reviving in Europe,
, an Italian, eminent as a statesman and man of letters, when letters were just reviving in Europe, was born about 1424, some say 1430. He was only the son of a miller but, going early to Florence, he fell under the notice of Cosmo de Medici who, observing uncommon parts in him and a turn for letters, took him under his protection, and gave him an education. He studied the law; and, taking a doctor’s degree in that faculty, frequented the bar. After the death of Cosmo in 1464, Peter de Medici shewed the same regard for him; and Scala, through his means, was trusted by the republic in the most important negociations. In 1471, the freedom of the city was conferred on him and his Descendants; and the year after he obtained letters of nobility; he was then secretary or chancellor of the republic. In 1484, the Florentines sent a solemn embassy to Innocent VIII, to congratulate him on his being raised to the pontificate; when Scala, one of the embassy, delivered a speech so very pleasing to the pope, that he was made by him a knight of the golden spur, and senator of Rome. In 1436, he was made holy-standard-bearer to the republic. He died at Florence in 1497; and left, among other children, a daughter, named Alexandra, who afterwards became famous for her learning and skill in the Greek and Latin tongues.
ory, but he managed them all with so much of the sagacity and discretion <of an able and experienced statesman, that it was justly said, that “from a child he started into
He had not been long at home before what may be termed his political life comnrienr.edj by his being appointed in
1576, ambassador to the couit of Vienna, to condole with
the emperor Rodnlph, on the death of his father Maximilian II. The queen’s own penetration and discernment
had promoted him to this appointment, but it was not intended to be confined to the mere ceremonial mentioned
above. It had in view the union of all the protestant states
in defence of their common cause against the ruin that
menaced them from the popish powers, from the superstition of Rome, and the tyranny of Spain. Sidney succeeded
in this attempt: and they were induced to conclude a religious league with England, with that country which was
then justly acknowledged to be the firm support and the invincible bulwark of the reformation. He was directed at
the same time to visit the court of John Casimir, count
palatine of the Rhine, to whom he was earnestly and affectionately recommended by his uncle lord Leicester. His
other transactions belong to history, but he managed them
all with so much of the sagacity and discretion <of an able
and experienced statesman, that it was justly said, that
“from a child he started into a man, without ever being a
youth.
” When entrusted with these negociations of so
much importance, he had scarcely reached his twenty^
fifth year.
ce appears to have deserted him, as he felt bold enough to Stigmatize the personal character of that statesman, then irt the plenitude of his power. Whether such attacks were
With respect, however, to Wolsey, his prudence
appears to have deserted him, as he felt bold enough to Stigmatize the personal character of that statesman, then irt
the plenitude of his power. Whether such attacks were
made in any small poems or ballads, or only in his poem of
“Why come ye not to Court?
” is not certain, but the latter does not appear to have been printed until 1555, and
was too long to have been easily circulated in manuscript.
Wolsey, however, by some means or other, discovered the
abuse and the author, and ordered him to be apprehended.
Skelton took refuge in the sanctuary of Westminster-abbey,
where the abbot, Islip, afforded him protection until his
death, which took place June 21, 1529, not long before
the downfall of his illustrious persecutor. He was interred
in St. Margaret’s church-yard, with the inscription,
, a very learned writer and statesman, in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth, was born ^larch
, a very learned writer and statesman, in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth, was born ^larch 28, 1514, at Saffron-Walden in Essex. He was the son of John Smith, a gentleman of that place, who was much inclined to the principles of the reformation, which had then made but a very small progress. After attending a grammar-school, Thomas was sent about 1528 to Queen’s college, Cambridge, where he greatly distinguished himself, and had a king’s scholarship at the same time with the celebrated John Cheke. Queen’s college was one of those which favoured the opinions of Erasmus and Luther, and many of the members used to confer privately together about religion, in which they learned to detect the abuses of the schools, and the superstitions of popery. In such conferences Mr. Smith probably took his share, when of sufficient standing to be admitted, which was very soon, for in 1531 he was chosen a fellow of the college. In the mean time he had formed a strict friendship with Cheke, and they pursued their classical studies together, reading Cicero, Plato, Demosthenes, and Aristotle: and such was Smith’s proficiency, that about 1533 he was appointed Greek professor in the university.
of the last age, and its best authors, represent him as the most incorrupt lawyer, and the honestest statesman, as a master-orator, a genius of the finest taste, and as a
fora g'iceque. Nor did any ri:aii-ever exactness in his family.“
Many are the encomiums which have been bestowed
upon this noble and illustrious person. Burnet tells us
that
” he was very learned in his own profession, with a
great deal more learning in other professions; in divinity,
philosophy, and history. He had a great capacity for
business, with an extraordinary temper; for he was fair
and gentle, perhaps to a fault, considering his post: so
that he ru:d all the patience and softness, as well as the
justice and equity, becoming a great magistrate.“Lord
Orford calls him
” one of those divine men, who, like a
chapel in a palace, remain unprofaned, while all the rest i
tyranny, corruption, and folly. All the traditional accounts of him, the historians of the last age, and its best
authors, represent him as the most incorrupt lawyer, and
the honestest statesman, as a master-orator, a genius of the
finest taste, and as a patriot of the noblest and most extensive views; as a man who dispensed blessings by his
life, and planned them for posterity.“He was a very great
patron of men of parts and learning, and particularly of Mr.
Addison, who has drawn his character at large in one of
his
” Freeholders,“in that of May 4, 1716, where he has
chosen -his lordship’s motto for that of his paper,
” Prodesse quam conspici.“Lord Somers was one of those
who first redeemed Milton’s
” Paradise Lost“from that
obscurity in which party-prejudice and hatred had suffered it long to lie neglected, and who pointed out the
merits of that noble poem. The most unfavourable character of lord Somers is that drawn by Swift, once his
friend, as appears by the dedication of the
” Tale of a Tub,“if that be Swift’s; and here we may notice that lord Somers’s biographer, Mr. Cooksey, offers some arguments, and
combines some facts, to prove that this satire was the production of his lordship, and of his gay young friend lord
Shrewsbury. The characters of Peter, Jack, and Martin,
are said to have been sketched from living persons, and
these sketches of character, after many years remaining in
ms. and passing through the hands of lord Shaftesbury
and sir William Temple, are said to have been published
by dean Swift. That this work was the sportive production of Mr. Somers,
” I have no doubt,“says Mr. Cooksey,
” from the private tradition of the family, and drawn by him
from real life, and originals within his own observation.“Blurton, the uncle of Mr. Somers, a good and pious man,
furnished, it is said, the portrait of the church of England
man. The character of Jack, the Calvinist, exhibited that
of his grandfather, Somers, who was so devoted an admirer of Richard Baxter, of presbyterian memory, as to be
induced to spend most of his latter days with him at Kidderminster, and to direct his remains to be deposited under
a cross in the church-yard there, as he supposed the
ground hallowed by die sanctity of Baxter. Peter had his
lineaments from father Petre, the Jesuit. Lord Somers’s
later biographer, Mr. Maddock, after examining the probability of this story, discredits it, and leaves the
” Tale of
a Tub" the property of its generally reputed author, dean
Swift; and most readers, we apprehend, will be more inclined to acquiesce in the opinion of Mr. Maddock than in
that of Mr. Cooksey.
favour of the attempt to exclude the duke of York, and was re-printed in 1714. The Mss. of this able statesman and lawyer filled above sixty folio volumes, which were destroyed
The other works attributed to lord Somers, with more
or less authority, are, 1. “Dryden’s Satire to his Muse;
”
but this has been disputed. Mr. Malone says, the author of
this severe attack on Dryden has never been discovered.
Pope assures us that lord Somers “was wholly ignorant of
it;
” but, says Mr. Maione, “if Somers had written any
part of this libel (we cannot suppose him to have written the scandalous part of it) thirty years before he was acquainted with Pope, is it probable that he would have made
a young author of four-and-twenty the depositary of his
secret? Two years before this satire was published, he
had appeared as a poet; and near two hundred lines of it,
that is, nearly two parts out of three, are a political encomium and vindication of the whigs, without any offensive
personality, couched in such moderate poetry as is found
in Somers’s acknowledged poetical productions.
” Lord
Somers’s other and acknowledged poems were, 2. “Translation of the Epistle of Dido to Æneas.
” 3. “Translation
of Ariadne to Theseus.
” Of the prose kind were, 4.
“Translation of Plutarch’s life of Alcibiades.
” 5. “A just
and modest Vindication of the proceedings of the two last
Parliaments,
” The Security of Englishmen’s Lives, or the trust, power, and duty of the Grand
Juries of England explained according to the fundamentals
of the English government, &c.
”Lord
Somers’s Judgment of whole kingdoms in the power, &c.
of Kings,
” A
Speech at the conference on the word Abdicated,'
” in the
General Dictionary, and probably published separately.
9. “Another on the same occasion.
” 10. “Speeches at
the trial of lord Preston.
” 11. “His letter to king William on the Partition-treaty.
” 12. “His answer to his Impeachment.
” 13. “Extracts from two of his Letters to lord
Wharton.
” 14. “Addresses of the Lords in answer to Addresses of the Commons.
” 15. “The Argument of the lord
keeper Somers on his giving judgment in the Banker’s Case,
delivered in the exchequer chamber, July 23, 1696.
” He
is supposed likewise to have written “The preface to Dr.
Tindal’s Rights of the Christian Church,
” a “Brief History of the Succession, collected out of the records, written for the satisfaction of the E. of H.
” This was in
favour of the attempt to exclude the duke of York, and
was re-printed in 1714. The Mss. of this able statesman
and lawyer filled above sixty folio volumes, which were
destroyed by fire in Lincoln’s Inn, in 1752. Some remains, which the fire had spared, were published by lord
Hardwicke in 1778, 4to, entitled “State Papers, from 1501
to 1726.
” This noble editor informs us that the treatise on
Grand Jurors, the Vindication of the last Parliament of
Charles II. above-mentioned, and the famous last Speech
of king William, were all found in the hand-writing of
lord Somers. The “Somers Tracts,
” so frequently referred to, are a collection of scarce pieces in four sets of
four volumes each, 4to, published by Cogan from pamphlets chiefly collected by lord Somers. His lordship left a
large and well-chosen library of books, and many curious
Mss. Of this collection Whiston, the bookseller, gives
the following account " Sir Joseph Jekyll, master of the
rolls, married one of his sisters the other was married to
, a very learned writer, as well as excellent statesman, the eldest son of the preceding, was born at Geneva in 1625).
, a very learned writer, as well
as excellent statesman, the eldest son of the preceding,
was born at Geneva in 1625). He distinguished himself so
much in his earliest youth by his progress in literature,
that, on a visit to Leyden with his father in 1642, he gained
immediately the friendship of Daniel Heinsius and Salmasius, and preserved it with both, notwithstanding the mutual animosity of these two celebrated scholars. Like his
father he was not satisfied with making himself master of
Greek and Latin, but also applied himself with great vigour
to the oriental languages. Ludovicus Capellus had published, at Amsterdam, in 1645, a dissertation upon the ancient Hebrew letters against John Buxtorf; in which he
maintains, that the true characters of the ancient Hebrews
were preserved among the Samaritans, and lost among the
Jews. Spanheim undertook to refute Capellus in, certain
theses, which he maintained and published at sixteen years
of age; but which afterwards, out of his great candour and
modesty, he called “unripe fruit;
” and frankly owned,
that Bochart, to whom he had sent them, had declared himself for Capellus against Buxtorf.
himself laments, which was that of gaming. Still his leading object was that of becoming an eminent statesman, and of this, among all his dissipations, he never lost sight.
, fourth earl of Chesterfield, was born in London, on the 22d of September 1694.
He was the son of Philip third earl of Chesterfield by his
wife lady Elizabeth Savile, daughter of George marquis
of Halifax. He received his first instructions from private
tutors, under the care of his grandmother, lady Halifax
and, at the age of eighteen, was sent to Trinity- hall,
Cambridge. $ere he studied assiduously, and became,
according to his own account, an absolute pedant. “When
I talked my best,
” he says, “I talked Horace; when I
aimed at being facetious, I quoted Martial; and when I had
a mind to be a fine gentleman, I talked Ovid. I was convinced that none but the ancients had common sense; that
the classics contained every thing that was either necessary,
or useful, or ornamental to men: and I was not without
thoughts of wearing the toga virilis of the Romans, instead
of the vulgar and illiberal dress of the moderns.
” He was,
however, only two years exposed to this danger, for in the
spring of 1714, lord Stanhope left the university for the
tour of Europe, but without a governor. He passed the
summer of that year at the Hague, among friends who
quickly laughed him out of his scholastic habits, but taught
him one far more disgraceful and pernicious, as he himself
laments, which was that of gaming. Still his leading object was that of becoming an eminent statesman, and of
this, among all his dissipations, he never lost sight. From
the Hague he went to Paris, where, he informs us, he received his final polish, under the tuition of the belles of
that place.
ll revered by all ranks and orders of men, indicates his integrity, vigilance, and sound policy as a statesman. His speeches in parliament fix his reputation as a distinguished
Anxious to support a literary character, lord Chesterfield wished also to be considered as a patron of literature,
but, occupied by other cares, and not willing to make any
great sacrifices for that object, he managed his advances
to Dr. Johnson on the subject of his Dictionary so ill, that
they procured for him only a rebuff, accompanied by that
letter of dignified severity, which, though he affected to
despise, he could not but feel at the time. It must be
owned, however, that the two papers which he published
on the occasion, in the World (No. 100 and 101), gave an
honourable and useful recommendation to the work. In
November, 1768, he lost that son whose education and
advancement had been, for many years, the principal objects of his care; and, his own infirmities increasing very
fast upon him, the remainder of his life wore a cast of melancholy and almost of despondency. He represents himself, in some letters at that period, as “totally unconnected with the world, detached from life, bearing the
burthen of it with patience, from instinct rather than reason, and, from that principle alone, taking all proper methods to preserve it.
” This, indeed, was not uniform;
his natural vivacity still occasionally displayed itself; but
in his moments of seriousness he presents a melancholy
picture, of a mind destitute of the only effectual supports
under natural decay and pain. He lived, with increasing
infirmities, to the 24th of March 1773. His character is
thus briefly summed up by Dr. Maty. “A nobleman unequalled in his time for variety of talents, brilliancy of wit,
politeness, and elegance of conversation. At once a man
of pleasure ancl of business; yet never suffering the former
to encroach upon the latter. His embassy in Holland
marks his skill, dexterity, and address as an able negotiator. His administration in Ireland, where his name is still
revered by all ranks and orders of men, indicates his integrity, vigilance, and sound policy as a statesman. His
speeches in parliament fix his reputation as a distinguished
orator, in a refined and uncommon species of eloquence.
His conduct in public life was upright, conscientious, and
steady: in private, friendly and affectionate; in both, pleasant, amiable, and conciliating.
” He adds, “these were
his excellencies; let those who surpass him speak of his
defects.
” This friendly artifice to close the mouths of objectors, ought not, however, to prevent an impartial biographer from saying, for the benefit of mankind at large,
that the picture he has exhibited of himself in hisLetters
to his Son,“proves him to have been a man in whose
mind the applause of the world was the great, and almost
the sole governing principle. No attack of an enemy could
have degraded his character so much as the publication of
these letters; which, if they do not quite deserve the severe reprehension of Johnson, that they
” inculcate the
morals of a strumpet, with the manners of a dancing-master," certainly display a relaxation of principle, for which
no talents can make amends.
Walter de Stapledon was not more eminent for the judgment and firmness which he displayed as a statesman, in times of peculiar difficulty, than for his love of learnia<r.
Walter de Stapledon was not more eminent for the judgment and firmness which he displayed as a statesman, in times of peculiar difficulty, than for his love of learnia<r. After he had engaged Hart, or Hart-hall, for the accommodation of his scholars, he purchased a tenement on the scite of the present college, called St. Stephen’s hall, in 1315, and having purchased also some additional premises, known then by the names of Scot-hall, Leding- Park-Hall, and Baltaye-Hall, he removed the rector and scholars of Stapledon, or Hart-hall to this place, in pursuance of the same foundation charter which he had obtained of the king for founding that hall in the preceding year. According to the statutes which he gave to this society, the number of persons to be maintained appears to have been thirteen, one to be instructed in theology or canon law, the rest in philosophy. Eight of them were to be of the archdeaconries of Exeter, Totness, and Barnstaple, four of the archdeaconry of Cornwall, and one, a priest, might be nominated by the dean and chapter of Exeter from any other part of the kingdom. In 1404, Edmund Stafford, bishop of Exeter, a great benefactor, changed the name from Stapledon to Exeter Hall, but it did not rise to the consequence of a corporate body until the time of sir William Petre, who, in 1565, procured a new body of statutes, and a regular deed of incorporation, increasing also the number of fellowships, &c.
, an English poet and statesman, was descended from a family at Pendigrast in Pembrokeshire,
, an English poet and statesman,
was descended from a family at Pendigrast in Pembrokeshire, but born at London in 1663. It has been conjectured that he was either son or grandson of Charles third
son of sir John Stepney, the first baronet of that family:
Mr. Cole says his father was a grocer. He received his
education at Westminster-school, and was removed thence
to Trinity-college, Cambridge, in 1682; where he took
his degree of A.B. in 1685, and that of M.A. in 1689.
Being of the same standing with Charles Montague, esq.
afterwards earl of Halifax, a strict friendship grew up between them, and they came to London together, and are said
to have been introduced into public life by the duke of Dorset. To this fortunate incident was owing all the preferment
Stepney afterwards enjoyed, who is supposed not to have
had parts sufficient to have risen to any distinction, without such patronage. When Stepney first set out in life,
he seems to have been attached to the tory interest; for
one of the first poems he wrote was an address to James II.
upon his accession to the throne. Soon after, when Monmouth’s rebellion broke out, the Cambridge men, to shew
their zeal for the king, thought proper to burn the picture
of that prince, who had formerly been chancellor of the
university, and on this occasion Stepney wrote some good
verses in his praise.
Upon the Revolution, he embraced another interest,
and procured himself to be nominated to several foreign
embassies. In 1692 he went to the elector of Brandenburg’s court, in quality of envoy; in 1693, to the Imperial court, in the same character; in 1694, to the elector
of Saxony; and, two years after, to the electors of Mentz,
Cologn, and the congress at Francfort; in 1698, a second
time to Brandenburg; in 1699, to the king of Poland; in
1701, again to the emperor; and in 1706, to the States
General; and in all his negotiations, is said to have been
successful. In 1697 he was made one of the commissioners of trade. He died at Chelsea in 1707, and was buried
in Westminster-abbey; where a fine monument was erected
over him, with a pompous inscription. At his leisure
hours he composed poetical pieces, which are republished
in the general collection of English poets. He likewise
wrote some political pieces in prose, particularly, “An
Essay on the present interest of England, in 1701: to
which are added, the proceedings of the House of Commons in 1677, upon the French king’s progress in Flanders.
” This is reprinted in the collection of tracts, called
“Lord Somers’s collection.
”
and also his pupil Mr. Windham. The latter left him guardian to his only son, the late much lamented statesman William Windham, esq. His feelings were not u little tried also,
In 1746 Mr. Stillingfleet took up his residence at Foxley,
the seat of the above-mentioned Mr. Price, or rather in a
neighbouring cottage, where he was master of his time and
pursuits; and passed his leisure hours with the family.
An indifferent state of health first led him to the pursuit of
Natural History, which forms his principal distinction as
an author; and he soon became one of the first defenders
and earliest propagators of the Linnsean system in England.
This zeal produced, in 1759, his “Miscellaneous Tracts
in Natural History,
” with a Preface, which contains a
spirited eulogium of the study of nature, and a just tribute
of applause to the talents and discoveries of the great
Swede. The publication of this miscellany may be considered as the sera of the establishment of Linnaean Botany
in England. His biographer has also published the Journal of Mr. Stillirigfleet’s excursion into part of North Wales,
which is illustrative of his character and observations, and
is curious as one of the first of those local tours which are
since become so fashionable.
In 1760, Mr. Stillingfleet received an addition to his income by obtaining the place of barrack -master at Kensington, through the interest of his friend Mr. Price, brotherin-law to lord Harrington, then secretary at war. But in
1761 he had the misfortune to lose, by death, his friend
Mr. Price, and also his pupil Mr. Windham. The latter
left him guardian to his only son, the late much lamented
statesman William Windham, esq. His feelings were not
u little tried also, about this time, by the death of his
sisters and their husbands, whose history, as well as that
of Messrs. Price, Windham, and Williamson, form a very
interesting part of Mr. Coxe’s memoirs. That of his nephew, capt. Locker, is particularly so, as he was one of
those who contributed to form the wonderful mind of our
gallant hero, lord Nelson.
ntinued to attend him to the end of his life, serving him in the different capacities of sofdier and statesman, as the various conditions of his affairs required. Henry’s
In 1576, the king of Navarre made his escape from the
court of France, while on a hunting-party near Senlis;
from whence, his guards being dispersed, he instantly
passed the Seine at Poissy, and went to Tours, where he
no sooner arrived than he resumed the exercise of the Protestant religion. A war was now expected; and Catharine
de Medicis began to tremble in her turn: and, indeed,
from that time to 1S89, Henry’s life presents us only with
a mixture of battles, negociations, and love-intrigues, which
last made no inconsiderable part of his business. Sully- was
one of those who attended him in his flight, and who continued to attend him to the end of his life, serving him in
the different capacities of sofdier and statesman, as the various conditions of his affairs required. Henry’s wife whom
Catharine had brought to him in 1578, was a great impediment to him yet by his management she was sometimes
of use also. There were frequent ruptures between him
and the court of France; but at last Henry III. confederated with him sincerely, and in good earnest, to resist the
League, which was more furious than ever, after the death
of the duke of Guise and the cardinal his brother. The
reconciliation and confederacy of these two kings was concluded in April 1589: their interview was at Tours the 30th
of that month, attended with great demonstration of mutual
satisfaction. They joined their troops some time after to
lay siege to Paris: they besieged it in person, and were
upon the point of conquering that great city, when the king
of France was assassinated by James Clement, a Dominican
friar, the 1st of August, at the village of St. Cloud. “The
league,
” says Renault, “is perhaps the most extraordinary
event in history; and Henry III. may be reckoned the
weakest prince in not foreseeing, that he should render
himself dependant on that party by becoming their chief.
The Protestants had made war against him, as an enemy
of their sect; and the leaguers murdered him on account
of his uniting with the king of Navarre, the chief of the
Huguenots.
”
r war; who writes and speaks in a style that pleases me, because it is at once that of a soldier and statesman. In a word, I confess to you, that, notwithstanding all his
The character of Sully, as it was given by his master
Henry IV. is thus preserved in his memoirs. “Some persons,
” said Henry, “complain, and indeed 1 do myself,
sometimes, of his temper. They say he is harsh, impatient, and obstinate: he is accused of having too enterprising a mind, of presuming too much upon his own
opinions, exaggerating the worth of his own actions, and
lessening that of others, as likewise of eagerly aspiringafter honours and riches. Now, although I am well convinced that part of these imputations are true, and that I
am obliged to keep a high hand over him, when he offends
me with those sallies of ill humour yet I cannot cease to
love him, esteem him, and employ him in all affairs of consequence, because I am very sure that he loves my person,
that he takes an interest in my preservation, and that he
is ardently solicitous for the honour, the glory, and grandeur of me and my kingdom. I know also that he has no
malignity in his heart; that he is indefatigable in business,
and fruitful in expedients; he is a careful manager of my
revenue, a man laborious and diligent, who endeavours to
be ignorant of nothing, and to render himself capable of
conducting all affairs, whether of peace or war; who writes
and speaks in a style that pleases me, because it is at once
that of a soldier and statesman. In a word, I confess to
you, that, notwithstanding all his extravagances and little
transports of passion, I find no one so capable as he is of
consoling me under every uneasiness.
”
, a very eminent statesman and writer, was the son of sir William Temple, of Sheen, in
, a very eminent statesman and writer, was the son of sir William Temple, of Sheen, in Surrey, master of the rolls and privy-counsellor in Ireland, 1 in the reign of Charles II. by a sister of the learned Dr.' Henry Hammond. His grandfather, sir William Temple, the founder of the family, was the younger son of the Temples, of Temple-hall, in Leicestershire. He was fellow of King’s college, in Cambridge, afterwards master of the free-school at Lincoln, then secretary successively to sir Philip Sidney, to William Davison, esq. one of queen Elizabeth’s secretaries, and to the celebrated earl of Essex, whom he served while he was lord-deputy of Ireland. In 1609, upon the importunate solicitation of Dr. James Usher, he accepted the provostship of Trinity college, in Dublin; after which he was knighted, and made one of the masters in chancery of Ireland. He died about 1626, aged sevetity-two, after having given proof of his abilities and learning, by several publications in Latin.
ty in speaking and reading those modern languages, which then formed a necessary accomplishment in a statesman. In 1654, on his return, he married the above-mentioned Mrs.
His travels extended to France, Holland, Flanders, and Germany; during which he acquired a facility in speaking and reading those modern languages, which then formed a necessary accomplishment in a statesman. In 1654, on his return, he married the above-mentioned Mrs. Osborn, and passed his time for some years with his father and family in Ireland, improving himself in the study of history and philosophy, and cautiously avoiding any employment during the usurpation. At the restoration, in 1660, he was chosen a member of the convention in Ireland, and first distinguished himself by opposing the poll-bill, a very unpopular ministerial measure; which he did with so much independence of spirit, as to furnish a presage of his future character. In the succeeding parliament, in 1661, he was chosen, with his father, for the county of Carlow, where he distinguished himself by voting and speaking indifferently, as he approved or disapproved their measures, without joining any party. In 1662 he was chosen one of the commissioners to be sent from that parliament to the king, and took this opportunity of waiting on the lord lieutenant, the duke of Ormond, then at London, and seems at the same time to have now formed the design of quitting Ireland altogether, and residing in England. It was necessary, however, to return to Ireland, where on a second interview with the duke of Ormond, then at Dublin, the duke made extraordinary professions of respect for him, complaining, with polite irony, that he was the only man in Ireland who had never asked him any thing: and when he found him bent on going to England, insisted on giving him letters of recommendation to Clarendon, the lord chancellor, and to Arlington, secretary of state.
o lady Essex, as a proof of his piety. Burnet, however, we perceive, allows him to have been a great statesman; and, in the very next words to those just cited, refers his
Sir William Temple died towards the end of 1700, in his
seventy-second year, at Moor Park; where, according to
express directions in his will, his heart was buried in a silver box, under the sun-dial in his garden. This sun-dial,
we are told, was opposite to the window whence he used
to contemplate and admire the works of nature with his sister, the ingenious lady Giffard who, as she shared and
eased the fatigues of his voyages and travels during his
public employments, was the chief delight and comfort of
his retirement in old age, as he had the misfortune to lose
his lady in 1694. As to his person, his stature was above
the middle size: he was well-set and well-shaped; his hair
chesnut brown, his face oval, his forehead large, a quick
piercing eye, and a sedate and philosophical look. Those
who have endeavoured to set sir William’s character in the
best light, have allowed him to have had some tincture of
vanity and spleen. Bishop Burnet has painted him most
unfavourably, allowing him to possess a true judgment in
all affairs, and very good principles with relation to government, but in nothing else. The bishop adds, that “he
seemed to think, that things were as they are from all eternity; at least, he thought religion was fit only for the mob.
He was a great admirer of the sect of Confucius in China,
who were atheists themselves, but left religion to the
rabble. He was a corrupter of all that came near him: and
he delivered himself up wholly to study, ease, and pleasure.
” Burnet’s dislike to sir William Temple seems,
therefore, to have arisen from a very sufficient cause;
from his holding and propagating irreligious principles; but
this, others have not only doubted, but peremptorily denied, and have cited his beautiful letter to lady Essex, as a
proof of his piety. Burnet, however, we perceive, allows
him to have been a great statesman; and, in the very next
words to those just cited, refers his reader for “an account
of our affairs beyond sea, to his letters; in which,
” says
Burnet, “they are very truly and fully set forth.
”
Sir William Temple was not only a very able statesman and negotiator, but also a polite and elegant writer. As many
Sir William Temple was not only a very able statesman
and negotiator, but also a polite and elegant writer. As
many of his works have been published, at different times,
as amount to two volumes in folio; which have also been
printed more than once in octavo. His “Observations
upon the United Provinces of the Netherlands,
” were
published in one volume, 8vo, in Miscellanea,
” consisting of ten tracts upon different subjects, were
originally published in two volumes, 8vo. One of these
tracts is upon ancient and modern learning; and what he
advanced there, as it in some measure gave occasion to, so
it involved him in, the controversy, which was soon after
agitated here in England, concerning the superiority of
the ancients and the moderns, His “Memoirs
” also, of
what had passed in his public employments, especially those
abroad, make a very interesting part of his works. They
were written in three parts; the first of which began with
his journey to Munster, contained chiefly his negotiations
of the triple alliance, and ended with his first retirement
from public business, in 1671, a little before the second
Dutch war. He began the second part with the approaches
of the peace between England and Holland, in 1673, and
concluded it with his being recalled from Holland in February 1678-9, after the conclusion of that of Nimeguen.
The third part contains what passed from this peace to sir
William’s retirement. The second part of these “Memoirs
” was published in his life-time, and, it is believed,
with his consent; though it is pretended that they were
written only for the use of his son, and sent into the world
without his knowledge. The third part was published by
Swift, in 1709, many years after his death. The first
part was never published at all; and Swift, in the preface
to the third, tells us, that “Sir William often assured
him he had burnt those Memoirs; and for that reason was
content his letters during his embassies at the Hague and
Aix-la-Chapelle (he might have added Minister) should
be printed after his death, to supply that loss. What it
was,
” continues Swift, “that moved sir William Temple
to burn those first Memoirs, may, perhaps, be conjectured
from some passages in the second part formerly printed.
In one place the author has these words: ‘ My lord Arlington, who made so great a figure in the former part of
these Memoirs, was now grown out of all credit,’ &c. In
other parts he tells us, ‘ That that lord was of the ministry
which broke the triple-alliance, advised the Dutch war and
French alliance; and, in short, was at the bottom of all
those ruinous measures which the court of England was
then taking; so that, as I have been told from a good
hand, and as it seems very probable, he could not think
that lord a person fit to be celebrated for his part in forwarding that famous league, while he was secretary of
state, who had made such counterpaces to destroy it.’
”
s which shew how quickly he had been able to appreciate him. He calls him “the soldier, philosopher, statesman, Thompson.” He afterwards arrived at Strasburg, where the prince
On quitting England in the month of September 1783,
he landed at Boulogne, along wiih the celebrated Gibbon,
who describes him by three epithets which shew how
quickly he had been able to appreciate him. He calls
him “the soldier, philosopher, statesman, Thompson.
” He
afterwards arrived at Strasburg, where the prince Maximilian de Deux- Fonts, now elector of Bavaria, then mareschal du camp in the service of France, was in garrison.
That prince, commanding the parade, discovered among
the spectators an officer in a foreign uniform, mounted on
a fine English horse, and accosted him; Thompson informed
him that he had just been employed in the American war;
the prince, pointing out to him several officers who surrounded him, ' These gentlemen,“said he,
” served in the
same war, but against you. They belonged to the royal
regiment Deux-ponts, sent to America under the command
of the count de Rochambeau."
, Lord Thurlow, a distinguished statesman and lawyer, was the second son of the rev. Thomas Thurlow, rector
, Lord Thurlow, a distinguished statesman and lawyer, was the second son of the rev. Thomas Thurlow, rector of Ashfield in Suffolk, and was born about 1732. He was entered of, and continued for some time at Caiut college, Cambridge, whery vulgar report has made him idle and dissipated. Of this we have no proof, nor of his having been equally careless of his studies after he entered the society of the Middle Temple. Lord Thurlow may have been indebted to what are called lucky coincidences for some of his promotions, but as he was always found amply qualified for the high stations he held, he could not have much neglected the cultivation of his natural abilities, or been remiss in accumulating that knowledge by which alone he could rival his contemporaries. He appears to have been called to the bar in 1758, and must have rapidly attained distinction in his profession, for, in three years after, chiefly owing to the talent he displayed in the Douglas cause, he was advanced to the rank of king’s counsel. His voice, person, and manner, were not ill calculated to give his efforts an air of consequence at the bar, and his practice became extensive. In March 1770 he was appointed solicitor-general, and in. June 1771 attorney-general. He now sat in parliament for the borough of Tamworth, where he had many opportunities of justifying the choice of his patrons, and of creating that species of character and interest which generally leads to the highest legal appointments. As a politician, he uniformly, and with commanding vigour, suppotted the measures adopted with respect to America, Sec. during lord North’s administration. In June 1778, he was appointed to succeed lord Apsley, as lord high chancellor of Great Britain, and the same day was raised to the peerage by the title of Lord Thurlow of Ashfield in Suffolk. This office he resigned in April 1783, when the seals were put into commission, but was re-appointed when Mr. Pitt was nominated prime minister in December following. He again resigned them in June 1792, and on the 12th of that month was created Lord Thurlow of Thurlow in Suffolk, with a collateral remainder of this honour to the issue male of his late two brothers, the bishop of Durham, and John Thurlow of Norwich. After this retirement, till a short period before his death, he took an active part, and had great weight, in the House of Lords.; and having retained complete possession of his faculties, with accumulated wisdom and experience, his latter speeches were often more the subject of admiration, than any that had been remembered in his earlier days. He died in the seventy-fourth year of his age, Sept. 12, 1806, without male issue.
rinting;” and “The origin of Rhyme.” Among his lesser separate works, were his “Life of the poet and statesman Fulvio Testi” his “Life of S. Olympia;” and some “Reflections
Between the years 1771 and 1793, when his great work
appeared, he published many lesser performances; and,
in 1773, undertook a literary magazine and review, under
the title of “Nuovo Giornale de‘ Letterati d’ Italia,
” and
acted as editor from that time to Inquiries concerning the primitive discoverers of the Copernican
system
” “The manuscript code of the Poetics of Vida;
”
“The origin of the Art of Printing;
” and “The origin
of Rhyme.
” Among his lesser separate works, were his
“Life of the poet and statesman Fulvio Testi
” his “Life
of S. Olympia;
” and some “Reflections on Genealogical
Writers.
”
rs (rarely blended together) of an excellent scholar, and a polite, well-bred man; a wise and honest statesman, and a devout, exemplary Christian, were all happily reconciled
“He was not less qualified for his high station by his
abilities than his conduct; for he had an excellent turn
for business, and a quick apprehension. He was very well
versed in the divinity controversies, and immediately discerned the point on which the dispute turned, and pared
oil
” all the luxuriancies or writing. He had read the ancients with great exactness; and, without quoting, ofieu
mingled their finest notions with his own discourse, and
had a particular easiness and beauty in his manner of conversing, and expressing his sentiments upon every occasion. With his other excellencies he had acquired a
thorough knowledge of mankind; which, being adorned by
an affable and polite behaviour, gained him the general
esteem of the nobility and gentry. His known penetration and judgment recommended him so strongly to the favour and confidence of those who were at the head of affairs in the latter part of his life, that he was chiefly, if not
solely, advised with, and entrusted by them, in matters
which related to the filling up the principal offices in the
church. And, though he enjoyed as much of this power
as any clergyman has had since the reformation, he raised
no public odium or enmity against himself on that account;
because his silence, moderation, and prudence made it impossible for any one to discover the influence he had, from
his conversation, or conduct; a circumstance almost peculiar to him. He was too wise a man to increase the envy,
which naturally attends power, by an insolent and haughty
behaviour; and too good a man to encourage any one with
false hopes. For he was as cautious in making promises,
as he was just in performing them; and always endeavoured
to soften the disappointments of those he could not gratify,
by the good-nature and humanity, with which he treated
them. These separate characters (rarely blended together)
of an excellent scholar, and a polite, well-bred man; a
wise and honest statesman, and a devout, exemplary Christian, were all happily reconciled in this most amiable person; and placed him so high in the opinion of the world,
that no one ever passed through life with more esteem and
regard from men of all dispositions, parties, and denominations."
, an estimable and upright statesman, was born at Easthampsted in Berkshire in August 1638. He was
, an estimable and upright statesman, was born at Easthampsted in Berkshire in August 1638. He was the eldest son of William Trumbull, esq. a justice of peace in Berkshire, and grandson of another William Trumbull, who was agent and envoy from James I. to the archduke Albert at Brussels, from 1609 to the end of 1625. This great man, for such he appears to have been, made a large collection of letters, memoirs, minutes, and negociations, of all the men of note in iiis time, with whom he entertained a constant and familiar correspondence. These documents, which are, or were lately, in the gallery at Easthampsted park, sufficiently show his care, industry, vigilance, and sufficiency, in the employment he served; and he appears to have been the family pattern and model which sir William Trumbull, the subject of our memoir, had in his eye, and spurred him on to an imitation of those virtues which, if they appeared so bright in the grandfather, shone forth in much greater lustre and perfection in the grandson.
, an English statesman, whose family name had for some generations been Fane, but originally
, an English statesman, whose family name had for some generations been Fane, but originally Vane, to which he restored it, was born Feb. 18, 1589.
The family is said to have been at first of the diocese of
Durham, but were now settled in Kent. (See Collins, art. Darlington). In 16 11 he had the honour of knighthood
conferred upon him by king James I. after which he improved himself by travel, and the acquisition of foreign languages. On his return he was elected member of parliament for Carlisle, in which his abilities were conspicuous.
Such also was his attachment to the royal family, that king
James made him cofferer to his son Charles, prince of
Wales, on the establishment of his household, and he was
continued in the same office by the prince when Charles I.
He was also sent by the new king to notify to the States of
Holland the death of his royal father, and made one of
the privy-council. In Sept. 1631 he was appointed ambassador extraordinary, to renew the treaty of friendship
and alliance with Christian IV. king of Denmark; and to
conclude peace and confederacy with Gustavus Adolphus,
king of Sweden. He returned to England in Nov. 1632,
and in May of the following year, entertained Charles I.
in a sumptuous manner, at Raby-castle, on his way to
Scotland to be crowned; as he did again, April 30, 1639,
in his majesty’s expedition to Scotland, when sir Henry
commanded a regiment of 1099 men. In 1639 he was
made treasurer of the household, and next year, principal
secretary of state in the room of sir John Coke. Hitherto
he had enjoyed the confidence of the king, and had always
been employed in the most important public affairs. But
when he appeared in the prosecution against the earl of
Strafford, his motives to which appear to have been of a
personal kind, the king was so offended, that he removed
him from his places of treasurer of his household, and also
from being secretary of state, though, in the patent granting that office to him, he was to hold it during life. The
parliament therefore made this one of their pleas for
taking up arms against the king. In their declaration, they
avowed, “it was only for the defence of the king’s person,
and the religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom, and
for those, who for their sakes, and for those ends, had observed their orders. That, by the instigation of evil counsellors, the king had raised an army of papists, by which
he intended to awe and destroy the parliament, &c.; and
the putting out the earl of Northumberland, sir Henry
Vane, and others, &c. from their several places and employments, were sufficient and ample evidences thereof.
”
Anne, daughter of the celebrated William Cecil, lord Burleigh, in revenge for the part acted by that statesman against Thomas duke of Norfolk, for whom he had a warm friendship.
, seventeenth earl of Oxford, was the
only son of John the sixteenth earl, who died in 1563, by
his second wife, Margaret, daughter of John Golding, esq.
He is supposed to have been born about 1540 or 1541,
and in his youth travelled in Italy, whence it is said he
was the first who imported embroidered gloves and perfumes into England, and presenting queen Elizabeth with
a pair of the former, she was so pleased with them, as to
be drawn with them in one of her portraits. This gives us
but an indifferent opinion of his judgment, yet he had accomplishments suited to the times, and made a figure in
the courtly tournaments so much encouraged in queen Elizabeth’s reign. He once had a rencounter with sir Philip
Sidney (see Sidney, vol. XXVII. p. 507), which did not
redound much to his honour. In 1585, Walpole says he
was at the head of the nobility that embarked with the earl
of Leicester for the relief of the States of Holland; but
Camden, who gives a list of the principal personages concerned in that expedition, makes no mention of him. In
1586 he sat as lord great chamberlain of England on the
trial of Mary queen of Scots. In 1588 he hired and fitted
out ships at his own charge against the Spanish Armada.
In 1589 he sat on the trial of Philip Howard, earl of Arwndel; and in 1601, on the trials of the earls of Essex and
Southampton. One of the most remarkable events of his
life was his cruel usage of his first wife, Anne, daughter
of the celebrated William Cecil, lord Burleigh, in revenge
for the part acted by that statesman against Thomas duke
of Norfolk, for whom he had a warm friendship. Camden
says, that having vainly interceded with his father-in-law
for the duke’s life, he grew so incensed that he vowed revenge against the daughter, and “not only forsook her
bed, but sold and consumed that great inheritance descended to him from his ancestors;
” but in answer to this,
Collins says, that the estate descended to his son. It was
probably, however, much impaired, as Arthur Wilson agrees
with Camden, and something of the same kind may be inferred from a letter in Winwood’s Memorials, III. 422.
The earl was buried at Hackney, July 6, 1604.
er the name of Zimri, to which we shall refer our readers. If he appears inferior to his father as a statesman, he was certainly superior to him as a wit, and wanted only
after, he became speechless, and died on the same night.
His body was buried in Westminster-abbey. As to his
personal character, it is impossible to say any thing in its
vindication; for though his severest enemies acknowledge
him to have possessed great vivacity and a quickness of parts
peculiarly adapted to the purposes of ridicule, yet his
warmest advocates have never attributed to him a single
virtue. His generosity was profuseness, his wit malevolence, the gratification of his passions his sole aim through
life, his very talents caprice, and even his gallantry the
mere love of pleasure. But it is impossible to draw his
character with equal beauty, or with more justice, than iti
that given of him by Dryden, in his “Absalom and Achitophel,
” under the name of Zimri, to which we shall refer
our readers. If he appears inferior to his father as a statesman, he was certainly superior to him as a wit, and wanted
only application and steadiness to have made as conspicuous
a figure in the senate and the cabinet as he did in the drawing-room. But his love of pleasure was so immoderate,
and his eagerness in the pursuit of it so ungovernable, that
they were perpetual bars against the execution of even any
plan he might have formed solid or praise-worthy. In consequence of which, with the possession of a fortune that
might have enabled him to render himself an object of
almost adoration, we do not find him on record for any one
deservedly generous action. As he had lived a profligate,
he died a beggar; and as he had raised no friend in his life,
he found none to lament him at his death. As a writer,
however, he has very considerable merit. His poems, indeed, are very indifferent, but his memory will owe much
to his celebrated comedy of “The Rehearsal,
”