was in a very leaky condition. The Count being informed that the carpenter of the Loyalist was a clever fellow, and perfectly acquainted with the chain pump, of which the French were then quite ignorant, ordered him on board the Ville de Paris, and said to him, "Sir, you are to go on board the Ardent directly; use your utmost skill,and save her from sinking; for which service, you shall have a premium, and the encouragement due to the carpenter of an equal rate in the British navy. To this I pledge my honour; but if you refuse, you shall have nothing but bread and water during your captivity. The tar, surprised at being thus addressed in his own language by the French admiral, boldly answered: "Noble Count, I am your prisoner; it is in your power to compel me; but never let it be said, that a British sailor forgot his duty to his king and country, and entered voluntarily into the service of the enemy. Your promises are no inducement to me; and your threats shall not force me to injure my country." To the eternal disgrace of Count de Grasse, he rewarded this noble condect by wanton severity as long as he had it in his power to inflict it; but on his exchange Admiral Rodney appointed him carpenter of his own ship. Necrological Table. FOR 1821-2. Among the reminiscences associated with the date of 1821, will be found names of powerful interest; some of these belong to the historian, rather than to ourselves, whose purpose it is to record only those who have distinguished themselves in literature, science, and art. Yet there are two which, although they do not come within the immediate scope of our necrology, we cannot pass over in entire silence. The first of these is that of Napoleon Buonaparte, the hero of the republic, the founder of new dynasties, the imperial master of France, the humbled exile of St. Helena! He died on the 5th of May. The second is that of Caroline, the unfortunate Queen of England, who died on the 7th of August. Bancroft, Edward Bartholomew, MD. was educated to the practice of medicine, and is well known by some professional works, especially by his Experimental Researches concerning the Philosophy of Permanent Colours, 1794. Having resided some time in the West Indies, he wrote a Natural History of Guiana, in South America, 8vo. 1769; and an Essay on the Yellow Fever. Dr. Bancroft did not confine himself to scientific subjects, for in 1770 he produced a Novel, in three volumes, entitled, Charles Wentworth. Died at Margate. Bonnycastle, John, Professor of Mathematics at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, was author of several popular works in the most useful branches of the mathematics. The principal of these are, Euclid's Elements of Geometry, 8vo. 1789; General History of Mathematics, from the French of Bossuet, 8vo. 1803; a Treatise on Spherical Trigonometry; and a Treatise on Algebra, 2 vols. 8vo. 1813. Burney, Rear Admiral, FRS. was eldest son of the celebrated Dr. Burney, the elegant historian of music, and brother to Dr. Charles Burney, the Hellenist, and Madame D'Arblay, the distinguished novelist. The Admiral was not an unworthy member of so literary a family; his History of Voyages of Discovery displays extensive reading and research, as well as geographical knowledge. He published also another work on the Eastern Navigation of the Russians. Died suddenly of apoplexy, November 17, in his 72d year. Calcott, John Wall, Mus. Doc. and Organist of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, was author of a Musical Grammar, and of a work entitled, Statement of Earl Stanhope's System of Tuning Keyed Instru ments. Dr. Calcott's musical compositions Cappe, Mrs. Catherine." This lady, who was the relict of the late Rev. Newcome Cappe, of York, wrote several religious publications, and one or two works relating to charity schools, and female societies. Cromwell, Oliver, was a lineal descendant of the Protector, being great grandson of Henry, his fourth son, who was Lord Deputy of Ireland, and MP. for Cambridge. This gentleman is author of a very recent work, entitled, Memoirs of the Protector Oliver Cromwell, and his sons, Richard and Henry, illustrated by original letters, and other family papers: with six portraits from family pictures, 4to. 1821. At one period of his life he practised as a solicitor, but of late years relinquished all professional employment. Died at Cheshunt, May 31, aged 79. Gregory, James, MD. Professor of the practice of physic in the university of Edinburgh, RCP. FRS., &c. was born at Aberdeen, 1753, and was the eldest son of the late Dr. John Gregory. In 1776, he was appointed professor of the theory of physic in the university of Edinburgh, and on the retirement of Dr. Cullen was chosen to succeed him. Besides some professional works, he published, in 1792, two volumes of Philosophical and Literary Essays; and in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a paper on the Theory of the Moods and Verbs. Aged 68. Holroyd, the Right Hon. John Baker, Lord Sheffield. Early in life this nobleman became the friend of the celebrated Gibbon, whose Memoirs and Posthumous works he published in 3 vols. 4to. His lordship was a practical agriculturist, and likewise the author of a variety of publications on Commercial and Political Subjects. He was created an Irish peer in 1780; an English one in 1802. Died May 30,in his 80th year. Inchbald, Elizabeth. This lady (whose maiden name was Simpson) was originally an actress, and made her appearance on the Manchester stage at the early age of 18. Her person was beautiful, her talent was considerable, yet she was not destined to become a first-rate actress: she therefore left the theatre and commenced dramatic writer; here she was more successful, for her productions in this line, which are rather numerous, present some of the last scintillations of that "expiring art," Comedy. As a novel writer, her pen was less prolific, for she composed only two works of this description; but these are of very superior interest, and her "Simple Story" may be regarded as a standard and classical work. In private life her reputation was unblemished. Died Aug. 1, aged 65. James, Charles, (Major,) a writer on military subjects, and a poet of some talent. His chief work is his Military Dictionary, which has passed several editions. His poetical pieces appeared in two separate collections, one in 1789, the other in 1791: among these, his lyrical effusions possess much merit. His Epigrams frequently enlivened the columns of the Morning Chronicle. Died April 14, aged 56. Jordan, Camille. This celebrated orator, and political character, was born at Lyons, Jan. 11, 1771. He first visited Paris in 1790; and in 1793, when Lyons opposed the tyranny of the national convention, first displayed his eloquence. After the siege of Lyons, he retired to Switzerland, and from thence came to this country, where he formed a connection with Erskine, Fox, &c. and studied our literature, legislation, and constitution. Subsequently he went to Germany, where he also became acquainted with several of the first literati. În 1800, he was recalled to France, and opposed the pretensions of Buonaparte, then First Consul. During the imperial government, he lived in entire seclusion, occupied solely with literary pursuits. Attached to the Bourbons, he endeavoured to promote their restoration, 1814. Died 19th of May, in his 51st year. Knox, Vicesimus, DD. a distinguished writer on subjects of education and Belles Lettres. His Essays obtained for him great reputation by the eloquence of the language and style; his Winter Evenings' Lucubrations are also a very agreeable collection of papers on literary topics. He also formed those popular compilations the Elegant Extracts, Prose, Verse, and Epistles. As a writer on religious subjects and divinity, he has not published much; but his productions in this line have been highly commended by those two eminent prelates, Horsley and Porteus. In his political opinions Dr. Knox was a whig. Born Dec. 8, 1752: died Sept. 6. Keals, John, a young man of distinguished genius as a poet. He died at Rome on the 28th of February, 1821, in the 25th year of his age. His works are, "Poems," published in 1817; Endymion, published in 1818; and Lamia and other poems, published in 1820. Memoirs of his life are announced, to be accompanied with a selection from his unpublished manuscripts, which, when they appear, will be so particularly noticed in this Magazine as to render any further account at this time unnecessary. King, Frances Elizabeth. This excellent woman, who was relict of the late Rev. Richard King, and sister to Sir Thomas Bernard, was author of A Tour in France, 1803; and of several religious and moral publications; viz. The Beneficial Effects of the Christian Temper on Human Happiness Female Scripture Characters. vols. 18mo, &c. Died Dec. 23, aged 64. 2 Lindsay, Rev. James, DD. was a native of Scotland, and succeeded the celebrated Dr. Fordyce as pastor of the presbyterian congregation in Monkwell-street, where he officiated 35 years. He published a few single sermons, but no work of particular importance. His death, which happened on the 14th of February, was very sudden; he expired while attending a meeting at Dr. Williams's Library, Red Cross street, convened for the purpose of considering Mr. Brougham's projected bill on the subject of Education. Neilson, Rev. W., DD. MRIA. Author of several useful publications for schools; Greek Exercises, and Key; Greek Idioms exhibited in Select Passages from the best Authors, 8vo.; Elements of English Grammar; besides these, he wrote an introduction to the Irish Language and some single Sermons. Piozzi, Hester Lynch. This lady will not be remembered so much for her own productions as for having been, during a long series of years, the friend of the celebrated Johnson. As a writer, though occasionally lively, she is frequently frivolous and flippant. Died May 2, aged 82. Rennie, John, was born June 7th, 1761, at Preston Kirk, in the county of East Lothian, Scotland. In his earliest youth he discovered a taste for mechanics, and com. menced life as a millwright, but fortunately soon afterwards connected himself with the late Mr. Watt, the inventor of the steamengine. On the death of Mr. Smeaton, Mr. Rennie succeeded him in many public works, and was soon at the head of the list of civil engineers. He had now sufficient scope for the exertion of his talents; nor did he neglect the opportunity that now presented itself of acquiring fame as well as emolument. The London and East India docks, the harbours of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Liverpool, Leith, &c. the Bell Rock Light-house, the Quay at Woolwich, above all, the Waterloo bridge, are indisputable proofs of his genius, and will perpetuate his name. M. Dupin has published a necrological memoir of him. Died October 4. At Shiraz, in Persia, aged 35, Oct. 5, 1821, Claudius John Rich. Esq. (Author of the "Memoirs of Ancient Babylon,") late resident of the East India Company at Bagdad; to which station he was raised before the age of 17, in consequence of his great literary attainments and distinguished merits. He was at Shiraz on his way to Bombay, when he was carried off by that fatal disease, the Cholera Morbus, the ravages of which, in that city, swept off, in the short space of five days, sixteen thousand persons. His untimely death will be the subject of most painful regret to many of his friends who remember his truly amiable character, together with his intense application and his ardent genius, by means of which he was enabled to make an almost unexampled proficiency in the Hebrew, Greek, Persic, Arabic, and Turkish, as well as in several of the European languages. Independently of his extraordinary acquirements, thus prematurely lost to the world, his death will excite additional regret in the mind of the Christian, from his having engaged in the most decided manner, to promote the circulation of the Scriptures through Persia, and other parts of the East; an ample acknowledgement of his valuable services is contained in the records of the British and Foreign Bible Society. mer. Rodrigues, an eminent Spanish AstronoHe was appointed by the Spanish government to assist Biot and Arago in measuring an arc of the meridian; and was for some time engaged in astronomical pursuits at both London and Paris. Died, aged about 45. Scott, John. The particulars of the life of this gentleman, author of The Visit to Paris, Paris Revisited, The House of Mourn ing, a poem, and late editor of the London Magazine, are too important to be given in that brief space to which our present article would limit us. We wait with anxiety for the appearance of memoirs of his life, from the pen of one who is of all persons the most competent to undertake such a work, and when these are published we shall recur to the subject. Scott, Rev. Thomas, Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks, born at Brayloft, near Spilsby, in Lincolnshire, February, 1747, was author of several valuable theological and religious works. His Force of Truth is a popular publication, and has been frequently translated. Many of his writings were in reply to the objections raised against Christianity by infidel and speculative authors; such are his Answer to Paine; Rights of God, &c.; but he will be best known as a commentator on the Holy Scriptures. His edition of the Family Bible, on which he was employed for thirty-three years, has been frequently re-printed, and a work of great ability and merit. 25 Stephens, Alexander. This gentleman who was a native of Elgin, in Scotland, where he was born, 1757, was educated to the profession of the law, which he abandoned for that of literature. Mr. Stephens was an author from choice, being possess ed of handsome property. Died Februa ry 24. Thurston, John, was a native of Scarborongh; he designed a number of book. plates for popular works. Died, aged 48. Twiss, Richard. This amusing tourist was born at Rotterdam, April 26, 1747, where his father, who was an eminent English merchant, resided. His works are Travels in Portugal and Spain, 2 vols. 8vo. 1772; Tour in Ireland, 1775; Trip to Paris, 1792; Miscellanies, 2 vols. 8vo. 1805. Died March 5. Vince, Rev. Archdeacon, MA. FRS. Plamian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, known by his various writings on astronomical and mathematical subjects. Walker, Adam, Lecturer on Natural and Experimental Philosophy. This gentleman invented a variety of useful contrivances, machines, &c viz. engines for raising water; improved method of pumping vêssels at sea; wind and steam carriages; the empyreal air-stove; the celestina harpsi chord; the eidouranion; the rotary lights on the Scilly Islands; a boat to work against the stream; a curious weatherguage, &c. Died February 11, aged 90. Weber, Anselm. This celebrated composer was born at Manheim, 1766; he was at first destined to the church, and passed through a course of theological studies, but his attachment to music preponderated, and determined him to embrace that as his profession. He afterwards travelled with the celebrated Abbe Vogel through Hol laud, England, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; became director of the band at the theatre at Berlin; and subsequently on his return from Paris, 1805, was appointed leader at the Chapel Royal at Berlin. He set to music many of the pieces of Goethe and Schiller; for the last he composed the music of Hermann and Thusnelda. His operas had great success. Died March 23. Wallers, John, Architect. His principal works are the beautiful chapel, in the pointed style, on the London Hospital estate ; the auction mart, by the Bank; the parish church of St. Paul, Shadwell, &c.&c. Died Oct. 4, aged 39. June 22, died, at the advanced age of 126 years and three days, Mr. Thadey Doorley, a most respectable farmer, residing near the hill of Allen, county of Kildare. He retained his faculties to the last moment, and was able to take the pleasure of any sort of field amusement within the last six months of his life. He was father of the renowned Capt. Doorley, well known in that country, and was married about 19 years ago at the age of 107 to a woman of 31 years of age. European Mag. |