Bill

Annotations and comments

Bill has posted 2,777 annotations/comments since 9 March 2013.

Comments

Second Reading

About Sir Edward Hyde (Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor 1658-67)

Bill  •  Link

Lord Clarendon had all that knowledge of his subject, that strength of head, as well as integrity of heart, which are essential to a good historian. He has been, in some instances, accused of partiality; but this proceeded from an amiable, perhaps an invincible cause; the warmth of his loyalty and friendship. He particularly excels in characters, which if drawn with precision and elegance, are as difficult to the writers, as they are agreeable to the readers of history. He is, in this particular, as unrivalled among the moderns, as Tacitus is among the ancients. They both saw those nice distinctions, and specific differences in human nature, which are visible only to the sagacious. He paints himself, in drawing the portraits of others; and we every where see the clear and exact comprehension, the uncommon learning, the dignity and equity of the lord-chancellor, in his character as a writer. It appears from the memoirs of his own life, that he had all the virtue of a Cato; and it is no less evident that he had something of his roughness and severity. His style is father careless than laboured. His periods are long, and frequently embarrassed and perplexed with parentheses. Hence it is, that he is one of the most difficult of all authors to be read with an audible voice. Ob. 9 Dec. 1674.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Margaret Cavendish (Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

Bill  •  Link

This lady was daughter of Thomas Luca, esq. and sister of sir John, afterwards the first lord Lucas, and second wife of William Cavendish, duke of Newcastle. If her merit as an author were to be estimated from the quantity of her works, she would have the precedence of all female writers, ancient or modern. There are no less than thirteen folios of her writing; ten of which are in print: they consist chiefly of poems and plays. The life of the duke her husband, is the most estimable of her productions. This has been translated into Latin. James Bristow, of Corpus Christi college in Oxford, undertook to translate a volume of her philosophical works into the same language; but he was soon forced to desist from the undertaking. Such was the obscurity and perplexity of the subject, that he could not find words where he had no ideas. We are greatly surprised that a lady of her quality should have written so much; and are little less surprised that one who loved writing so well, has writ no better: but what is most to be wondered at, is, that she, who found so much time for writing, could acquit herself in the several duties and relations of life, with so much propriety. Ob. 1673.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About John Ogilby

Bill  •  Link

Though Ogilvy was one of the worst poets of his time, he was without a rival in point of industry. This virtue alone, if he had had no other merit, would entitle him to some respect. He began to study at an age when men usually think of leaving off all literary pursuits; and quickly made an astonishing progress. He could scarce construe Virgil, when he entered upon a translation of that poet; and he was no less eager to translate Homer, though he was far from being a competent master of English or Greek. That he had no success in these great attempts is not to be admired; the attempts themselves are matter of admiration. I shall pass over his "Esop's Fables," and several other folios which he published, to mention his "Carolies," an heroic poem, in twelve books, in honour of Charles I. on which he had been long labouring. This, which he tells us, he had "resolved to be the pride, divertisement, business, and sole comfort of his age," was burnt in the fire of London. His fortune was reduced, by that conflagration, to 5 1. only; but he, in a few years, retrieved his loss, by undertaking and finishing several voluminous works. His last and greatest undertaking was his "Atlas," which was alone a sufficient task for a man's life. Three or four volumes, in folio, have been published of this work, which he did not live to finish. It is well known that he was employed by Charles II. to take a survey of the roads of the kingdom; and I have been informed, that the posts were regulated according to that survey. Ob. 4 Sept. 1676.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Alexander Brome

Bill  •  Link

Alexander Brome, an attorney, in the lord mayor's court, was author of songs, madrigals, epigrams, and other little pieces of poetry. His songs were much sung by the cavaliers, and played by every fiddler. The loyalty and the tune appear to have been the chief recommendation of these compositions. His most considerable performance is a translation of Horace. He died in June, 1666, to the great regret of all his friends, who lost a very agreeable companion.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Thomas Killigrew

Bill  •  Link

THOMAS KILLEGREW, groom of the bed-chamber to Charles II. was more admired for his ready wit than his writings. He was author of eleven plays, printed in one volume fol. 1664, with his portrait, by Faithorne, prefixed. Of these, "The Parson's Wedding" met with the most general approbation. It is remarkable, that no women appeared upon the stage before the Restoration, and that this comedy was acted by women only.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Sir William Davenant

Bill  •  Link

Sir William Davenant, poet-laureat in the reigns of Charles I. and II. was a man of great natural and improved talents, which he unfortunately misapplied. He distinguished himself by a bold, but unsuccessful attempt to enlarge the sphere of poetry. He composed an heroic poem, called "Gondibert," in five books, after the model of the drama; applauded himself greatly upon this invention; and looked upon the followers of Homer as a timorous, servile herd, that were afraid to leave the beaten track. This performance, which is rather a string of epigrams than an epic poem, was not without its admirers, among whom were Waller and Cowley. But the success did not answer his expectation. When the novelty of it was over, it presently sunk into contempt; and he at length found, that when he strayed from Homer he deviated from nature. Ob, 7 April, 1668, Æt. 63,
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Abraham Cowley

Bill  •  Link

Cowley, who helped to corrupt the taste of the age in which he lived, and had himself been corrupted by it, was a remarkable instance of true genius, seduced and perverted by false wit. But this wit, false as it was, raised his reputation to a much higher pitch than that of Milton. There is a want of elegance in his words, and of harmony in his versification; but this was more than atoned for, by his greatest fault, the redundancy of his fancy. His Latin poems, which are esteemed the best of his works, are written in the various measures of the ancients, and have much of their unaffected beauty. He was more successful in imitating the ease and gayety of Anacreon, than the bold and lofty flights of Pindar. He had many humble imitators in his Pindarics, whose verses differ as widely from his own, as the first and the last notes of a multiplied echo. His "Burning-Glasses of Ice," and other metaphors, which are not only beyond, but contrary to nature, were generally admired in the reign of Charles II. The standard of true taste was not then established. It was at length discovered, after a revolution of many ages, that the justest rules and examples of good writing are to be found in the works of ancient authors; and that there is neither dignity, nor elegance of thought or expression, without simplicity. Ob. 28 July, 1667, Æt. 49.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Samuel Butler

Bill  •  Link

Butler stands without a rival in burlesque poetry. His "Hudibras" is in its kind, almost as great an effort of genius as the "Paradise Lost" itself. It abounds with uncommon learning, new rhymes, and original thoughts. Its images are truly and naturally ridiculous: we are never shocked with excessive distortion or grimace, nor is human nature degraded to that of monkies and yahoos. There are in it many strokes of temporary satire, and some characters and allusions which cannot be discovered at this distance of time. The character of Hudibras is, with good reason, believed to have been intended for sir Samuel Luke; and that of Whachum, but with much less probability, for captain George Wharton. Ob. Sept. 1680.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About John Dryden

Bill  •  Link

Dryden was the father of true English poetry, and the most universal of all poets. This universality has been objected to him as a fault; but it was the unhappy effect of penury and dependence. He was not at liberty to pursue his own inclination; but was frequently obliged to prostitute his pen to such persons and things as a man of his talents must have despised. He was the great improver of our language, and versification. The chains of our English bards were formerly heard to rattle only; in the age of Waller and Dryden, they became harmonious. He has failed in most of his dramatic writings, of which the prologues, epilogues, and prefaces, are generally more valuable than the pieces to which they are affixed. But even in this branch of poetry, he has written enough to perpetuate his fame; as his "All for Love," his "Spanish Friar," and "Don Sebastian," can never be forgotten. There was a native fire in this great poet, which poverty could not damp, nor old age extinguish. On the contrary, he was still improving as a writer, while he was declining as a man; and was tar advanced in years, when he wrote his "Alexander's Feast," which is confessedly at the head of modern lyrics, and in the true spirit of the ancient. Great injury has been done him, in taking an estimate of his character from the meanest of his productions. It would be just as uncandid, to determine the merit of Kneller, from the vilest of his paintings.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Sir William Petty

Bill  •  Link

William Petty, who was some time professor of anatomy in Oxford, was fellow of the College of Physicians in the reign of Charles II. He gave early proofs of that comprehensive and inquisitive genius for which he was afterwards so eminent; and which seems to have been designed by nature for every branch of science to which he applied himself. At the age of fifteen, he was master of such a compass of knowledge in the languages, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, navigation, practical mathematics, and mechanical trades, as few are capable of attaining in the longest life. He made his way in the world under great disadvantages in point of circumstances, having acquired a very moderate fortune with as much difficulty, as he afterwards rose with ease to wealth and affluence. He was an excellent chymist and anatomist, and a perfect master of every other kind of knowledge that was requisite to the profession of physic. He was a very able mathematician, had a fine hand at drawing, was skilful in the practical parts of mechanics, and a most exact surveyor. But what he particularly applied himself to, and understood beyond any man of his age, was the knowledge of the common arts of life, and political arithmetic. His admirable essays in this art, have even raised his reputation to a higher pitch than it rose to in his lifetime; as experience has fully proved the justness of his calculations. This great man, who knew better than any of his contemporaries how to enrich the nation and himself, died the 16th of Dec. 1687, in the 65th year of his age.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Dr Walter Charleton

Bill  •  Link

Dr. Walter Charleton was a man of great natural endowments, and one of the most universal scholars of his time. In the early part of his life, he closely studied the Greek and Roman authors; and afterwards applied himself to the study of natural and moral philosophy, history, and antiquities; besides the several branches of literature that were essential to his profession. He has left us ample testimonies of his diligence and capacity in his various writings, which were generally well received in the reign of Charles II. But of late years, such is the fate of good, as well as bad authors, they have been generally neglected. It appears that he was well acquainted with the history of physic, by his frequent comparison of the opinions of the ancient with those of the modern physicians. Of all his writings, none made a greater noise in the world than his "Treatise of Stonehenge;" in which he has endeavoured to prove, in opposition to the opinion of Inigo Jones, that it is a Danish monument. Sir William Dugdale, and other eminent antiquaries, agreed with him in this conjecture. Though he was physician in ordinary to Charles I. and was continued in that station by his son, it does not appear that he was retained by him after the Restoration. He was, in the reign of William III. elected president of the College of Physicians. The author of his life in the "Biographia Britannica," has given him a more advantageous character than Mr. Wood. The reader may see some account of him in Hearne's preface to "Peter Langtoft," Sect. XX. Ob. 1707, Æt. 88.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Richard Lower

Bill  •  Link

Richard Lower was educated at Christ-church in Oxford, under Dr. Thomas Willis, of whom he learned to be an excellent anatomist; and that great physician is said to have learnt several things from him. Upon the death of Dr. Willis, he succeeded to a great part of his practice, and was in as high repute as any physician in London. He was the first discoverer of Astrop Wells, which were formerly much frequented. He was author of several medical pieces, of which Mr. Wood has given us a catalogue. But his capital work is his book "De Corde," which has been often printed. In this book, he lays claim to the invention of transfusing the blood, to which Francis Potter, a native of Mere in Wiltshire, had certainly a prior right. Dr. Lower's name has been impudently affixed to several vile nostrums fold in the shops.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Sir George Ent

Bill  •  Link

Dr. George Fnt, president of the College of Physicians, and fellow of the Royal Society in this reign, distinguished himself in that of Charles I. by writing an apology in Latin for Dr. Harvey's doctrine of the circulation of the blood, in opposition to Æmilius Parisanus. In the same book are some judicious observations on the operation of purging medicines. He was author of several other pieces, some of which are in the "Philosophical Transactions." Glanvill, speaking in his "Plus Ultra" of the modern improvements in anatomy, numbers sir George Ent, Dr. Glisson, and Dr. Willis, with the most celebrated discoverers in that useful science. The two former were among the first members of the Royal Society.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Dr King

Bill  •  Link

Sir Edmund King, who was originally a surgeon, applied himself much to the study of chymistry. This helped to recommend him to Charles II. who sometimes amused himself in his laboratory. He was the first physician that attended that prince in his last illness, when he ventured to incur the penalty of the law, by letting him blood. This was approved of by others of the faculty, and was indeed the only means of preventing his sudden death. A thousand pounds were ordered him by the privy-council for his attendance on the king, but he never received the money. In the "Philosophical Transactions" are some curious observations by him concerning ants, and the animacula in pepper water. There is also an account of his transfusing forty-nine ounces of blood out of a calf into a sheep. The latter was, in all appearance, as strong and healthy after the operation as it was before.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Randle Cotgrave

Bill  •  Link

COTGRAVE, RANDLE (d. 1634?), compiler of the French-English dictionary, 1611 (second edition, 1632); scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge, 1587; secretary to William Cecil, afterwards second Earl of Exeter.
---Dictionary of National Biography: Index and Epitome. S. Lee, 1906.

About William Coventry

Bill  •  Link

COVENTRY, Sir WILLIAM (1628?-1686) politician: a younger son of Thomas, first baron Coventry; entered Queen's College, Oxford, 1642; captain of foot in Charles I's service; withdrew to France; secretary to the Duke of York, 1660-7; M.P., Great Yarmouth, 1661-1679; commissioner of the navy, 1662, and so friend of Samuel Pepys; knighted, 1605; spoke against Clarendon, 1667; quarrelled with Buckingham; Imprisoned, 1668; published pamphlets, 1673 and 1685; reputed author of 'Character of a Trimmer,' published 1688.
---Dictionary of National Biography: Index and Epitome. S. Lee, 1906.

About Charles Scarborough

Bill  •  Link

Sir Charles Scarborough, first physician to Charles II. James II. and William III. was, by his strong and lively parts, uncommon learning, and extensive practice, eminently qualified for that honourable station. He was one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. Mr. Oughtred informs us, that his memory was tenacious to an incredible degree; that he could recite in order all the propositions of Euclid, Archimedes, and other ancient mathematicians, and apply them on every occasion. He assisted the famous Dr. William Harvey in his book "De Generatione Animalium," and succeeded him as lecturer of anatomy and surgery. The lecture, which was founded by Dr. Richard Caldwal, was read by him in Surgeon's Hall, and continued for sixteen or seventeen years, with great applause. He, in his course, explained the nature of the muscles, and was the first that attempted to account for muscular strength and motion upon geometrical principles, and he very judiciously and happily applied mathematics to medicine in other instances. His "Syllabus Musculorum" is printed with "The Anatomical Administration of all the Muscles, &c. by William Molins, Master in Chirurgery." He was also author of several mathematical treatises, a Compendium of Lilye's Grammar, and an Elegy on his friend Mr. Cowley. He was a man of amiable manners, and of great pleasantry in conversation. Seeing the dutchess of Portsmouth eat to excess, he said to her, with his usual frankness, "Madam, I will deal with you as a physician should do; you must eat less, use more exercise, take physic, or be sick."—He died Feb. 26, 1693.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Samuel Pepys

Bill  •  Link

Samuel Pepys (Commonly pronounced Pepes), secretary to the admiralty in this [James II] and the former reign, was descended from the ancient family of that name, seated at Impington near Cottenham in Cambridgeshire. He was, in the early part of his life, introduced into the service of the state by his kinsman the famous earl of Sandwich. It is well known that the naval history of Charles II. is the most shining part of the annals of his reign; and that the business of the navy was conducted with the utmost regularity and prudence, under Charles and James, by this worthy and judicious person. He first reduced the affairs of the admiralty to order and method; and that method was so just, as to have been a standing model to his successors in his important office. His "Memoirs" relating to the navy is a well written piece; and his copious collection of manuscripts, now remaining, with the rest of his library, at Magdalen College in Cambridge, is an invaluable treasure of naval knowledge. He was far from being a mere man of business; his conversation and address had been greatly refined by travel. He thoroughly understood and practised music; was a judge of painting, sculpture, and architecture; and had more than a superficial knowledge in history and philosophy. His fame among the virtuosi was such, that he was thought a very proper person to be placed at the head of the Royal Society, of which he was some time president. (He was elected president Dec. 1, 1684, and presided two years.) His prints have been already mentioned. His collection of English ballads, in five large folio volumes, begun by Mr. Selden, and carried down to the year 1700, is one of his singular curiosities; as is also the pedigree of Edward IV. from Adam. Ob. 26 May, 1703. See more of him in Evelyn's "Numismata," p. 291.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1775.

About Daniel Colwall

Bill  •  Link

Daniel Colwal, esq. of the Friary near Guilford, was a gentleman of good fortune, the superfluities of which he expended in making a collection of natural rarities. These he presented to the Royal Society, and is therefore justly esteemed the founder of their Museum. Of these, Dr. Grew has given us a catalogue, which is at once a proof of the judgment of the compiler and the collector. The most valuable branch of it is the shells, in the description and arrangement of which, the ingenious doctor has taken uncommon pains. Mr. Colwal was at the expence of engraving thirty-one folio copper-plates for this book.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Sir Edward Harley

Bill  •  Link

This gentleman, who was knight of the shire for Hereford, at the same time with sir Robert Harley his father, gave many signal proofs of his valour, at the head of a regiment raised at his own expence for the service of Charles I. Upon the Restoration of Charles II. he was appointed governor of Dunkirk, and soon after made a knight of the Bath. He sat in all the parliaments of this reign, and was a distinguished speaker in the house of commons. As he well knew the importance of Dunkirk to the nation, he made a motion for annexing it to the crown. The parliament seemed to listen to this proposal, but it was afterwards over-ruled. He was offered 10,000 l. and a peerage merely to be passive in the sale of it, but he refused the offer with disdain. He had the honesty to tell the king, that the artillery and military stores only, were worth more than Lewis XIV. had ever offered for that fortress. In. the British Museum, is a manuscript by sir Edward Harley, which contains many memorable particulars relative to the government, expences, and sale of Dunkirk. He was author of "A scriptural and rational Account of the Christian Religion," 1695, 8vo. Ob. 8 December, 1700.