, author of the best French and Italian, and Italian and French Dictionary we have, was born at Nice, 1737. The success of the first three editions
, author of
the best French and Italian, and Italian and French Dictionary we have, was born at Nice, 1737. The success of
the first three editions of this work encouraged him to publish a fourth, enlarged and corrected, Marseilles, 1796, 2
vols. 4to. His “Dizionario universale critico enciclopedico della lingua Italiana,
” printed at Lucca,
ther to the third duke of Devonshire), and the lady Anne Grey, third daughter of Henry duke of Kent, was born at Nice, whither his mother had gone for her health, on
, son of lord Charles Cavendish (who was brother to the third duke of Devonshire), and the lady Anne Grey, third daughter of Henry duke of Kent, was born at Nice, whither his mother had gone for her health, on Oct. 10, 1731, and after an education befitting his rank, partly at Newcombe’s school at Hackney, and partly at Cambridge, devoted his life to scientific pursuits, and became one of the most eminent chemists and natural philosophers of the age. He had studied and rendered himself particularly conversant with every part of sir Isaac Newton’s philosophy, the principles of which he applied near forty years ago to an investigation of the Jaws on which the phenomena of electricity depend. Pursuing the same science on the occasion of Mr. Walsh’s experiments with the torpedo, he gave a satisfactory explanation of'the remarkable powers of the electrical fishes; pointing out that distinction between common and animal electricity, which has since been amply confirmed by the discoveries in galvanism. Having turned his attention very early to pneumatic chemistry, he ascertained, in 1760y the extreme levity of in flammable air, now called hydrogen gas. On this discovery many curious experiments, and particularly that of aerial navigation, have been founded. In the same paths of science, he made the important discovery of the composition of water by union of two airs; and that laid the foundation of the modern system of chemistry, which rests principally on this fact, and that of the decomposition of water, announced soon afterwards by Mons. Lavoisier.
, a celebrated ancient astronomer, was born at Nice in Bithynia, and flourished between the 154th and
, a celebrated ancient astronomer, was
born at Nice in Bithynia, and flourished between the
154th and 163d olympiads; or between 160 and 125 B. C.
as we learn from tjie astronomical observations he tnade in
that space of time. He is supposed to have been the first
who, from vague and scattered observations, reduced astronomy to a science, and prosecuted the study of it systematically. Pliny, who always mentions him in terms of
high commendation, says he was the lirst who attempted to
take the number of the fixed stars, and his catalogue is
preserved in Ptolemy’s “Almagest,
” where they are all
noted according to their longitudes and apparent magnitudes. Pliny places him amongst those men of a sublime
genius, who, by foretelling the eclipses, taught mankind,
that they ought not to be frightened at these phenomena.
Thales was the first among the Greeks, uho could discover
when there was to be an eclipse. Sulpitms Gailns among
the Romans begun to succeed in this kind of prediction;
and gave an essay of his skill very seasonably, the day
before a battle was fought. "After these two, Hipparchus foretold the course of the sun and moon for 600 years
calculated according to the different manner of reckoning
the months, days, and hours, used by several nations, and
for the different situations of places. Pliny admires him
for taking an account of all the stars, and for acquainting
us with their situations am! magnitudes. Hipparchus is
also memorable for being the first who discovered the precession of the equinoxes.
, an Italian Jesuit, and a celebrated writer of panegyrics, was born at Nice, and admitted into the society in 1622. He taught
, an Italian Jesuit, and a celebrated writer of panegyrics, was born at Nice, and admitted
into the society in 1622. He taught rhetoric for the space
often years. Being afterwards called to the court of Savoy, to be entrusted with the education of prince Charles
Emanuel, he began to publish his first works at Turin.
He died at Messina, Nov. 15, 1653. All his works were
printed together at Lucca, in 1710. This collection contains, I. A hundred panegyrics upon Jesus Christ; printed
the first time at Genoa in 1641. 2. Forty panegyrics
written in honour of Lewis XIII. printed at Lyons in 1644.
3. Many inscriptions, epitaphs, and encomiums, upon several subjects; printed likewise at Lyons in the same year.
4. Panegyrics upon the greatest bishops that have been in
the church; printed also at Lyons in the same year, and
reprinted at Genoa in 1653, with this title, “Pars Secunda
Elogiorura humana complectens.
”
, brother to the preceding, was born at Nice, Feb. 15, 1705. He went to Turin with his brother
, brother to the preceding, was born at Nice, Feb. 15, 1705. He went to Turin with his brother John in 1712, and thence to Rome in 1714. He learnt from his brother the first elements of design; and, by his constantly studying the antique, and the works of the greatest masters, he laid the foundation of his future fame. He came to Paris with his brother in 1719, and in 1723 gained the academy’s first medal for design: in the year following he carried the first prize for painting; and departed again for Rome in 1727. He returned to Turin in 1732, where he painted many historical pieces with success for the king of Sardinia. The next year he married Signora Sommis, who was celebrated for singing and knowledge of music, but more celebrated for the private virtues of domestic life. In 1734 he returned to Paris, and the year following was received into the academy. In 1749 he was chosen for the direction of the royal eleves. In 1751 he was honoured with the order of St. Michael, and in 1762 named first painter to the king, and died in 1765. His principal performances are in the churches of Paris, and are much admired.