Chapter III: Part 3

_Life_ by Bowring in collected works (J.H. Barton, 11 vols., 1844). _Study of Life and Work_, Atkinson, 1903.

BENTLEY, RICHARD (1662-1742).--Theologian, scholar, and critic, _b._ in Yorkshire of humble parentage, went at the age of 14 to Camb., afterwards had charge of a school at Spalding, and then becoming tutor to the _s._ of Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Paul's, afterwards Bishop of Worcester (_q.v.i_), accompanied his pupil to Oxf. After taking his degree at both universities, and entering the Church, he laid the foundation of his reputation as perhaps the greatest scholar England has produced by his letter in Mill's ed. of the _Chronicle of John Malelas_, and his _Dissertation on the Letters of Phalaris_ (1699), which spread his fame through Europe. After receiving various preferments, including the Boyle lectureship and the Keepership of the Royal Library, he was, in 1700, appointed Master of Trinity, and afterwards was, largely owing to his own pugnacity and rapacity, which were almost equal to his learning, involved in a succession of litigations and controversies. These lasted for 20 years, and led to the temporary loss of his academic preferments and honours. In 1717, however, he was appointed Regius Prof. of Divinity. During the contentions referred to he continued his literary activity without abatement, and _pub._ various ed. of the classics, including Horace and Terence. He was much less successful in certain emendations of Milton which he attempted. Having incurred the resentment of Pope he was rewarded by being assigned a niche in _The Dunciad!_ His style is strong and nervous, and sparkles with wit and sarcasm. His classical controversies called forth Swift's _Battle of the Books_.

_Life_ by Monk (1833). _Life_ by Sir R. Jebb in _English Men of Letters_ (1882).

BERESFORD, JAMES (1764-1840).--Miscellaneous writer and clergyman. He made translations and wrote religious books, but was chiefly known as the author of a satirical work, _The Miseries of Human Life_ (1806-7.)

BERKELEY, GEORGE (1685-1753).--Philosopher, eldest _s._ of William B., a cadet of the noble family of Berkeley, _b._ at Kilcrin near Kilkenny, and _ed._ at the school of his native place and at Trinity Coll., Dublin, where he graduated and took a Fellowship in 1707. His earliest publication was a mathematical one; but the first which brought him into notice was his _Essay towards a New Theory of Vision_, _pub._ in 1709. Though giving rise to much controversy at the time, its conclusions are now accepted as an established part of the theory of optics. There next appeared in 1710 the _Treatise concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge_, which was followed in 1713 by _Dialogues between Hylas_ and _Philonous_, in which he propounded his system of philosophy, the leading principle of which is that the world as represented to our senses depends for its existence on being perceived. Of this theory the _Principles_ gives the exposition and the _Dialogues_ the defence. One of his main objects was to combat the prevailing materialism of the time. A theory so novel was, as might be expected, received with widespread ridicule, though his genius was realised by some of the more elect spirits, such as Dr. S. Clarke. Shortly afterwards B. visited England, and was received into the circle of Addison, Pope, and Steele. He then went to the Continent in various capacities, and on his return was made Lecturer in Divinity and Greek in his university, D.D. in 1721, and Dean of Derry in 1724. In 1725 he formed the project of founding a college in Bermuda for training ministers for the colonies, and missionaries to the Indians, in pursuit of which he gave up his deanery with its income of £1100, and went to America on a salary of £100. Disappointed of promised aid from Government he returned, and was appointed Bishop of Cloyne. Soon afterwards he _pub._ _Alciphron, or The Minute Philosopher_, directed against Shaftesbury, and in 1734-37 _The Querist_. His last publications were _Siris_, a treatise on the medicinal virtues of tar-water, and _Further Thoughts on Tar-water_. He _d._ at Oxford in 1753. His affectionate disposition and genial manners made him much beloved. As a thinker his is the greatest name in English philosophy between Locke and Hume. His style is clear and dignified.

The best ed. of B. is Prof. A.C. Fraser's, with Life (4 vols., 1871, and new, 1902); there is also a small work by the same (1881).

BERNERS, BERNES, or BARNES, JULIANA (_b._ 1388?).--Writer on heraldry and sports. Nothing of her real history is known, but statements more or less mythical have gathered round her name. The work attributed to her is _The Boke of St. Albans_ (1486). It consists of four treatises on _Hawking_, _Hunting_, _The Lynage of Coote Armiris_, and _The Blasynge of Armis_. She was said to be the _dau._ of Sir James B., and to have been Prioress of Sopwell Nunnery, Herts.

BERNERS, JOHN BOURCHIER, 2ND LORD (1467-1553).--Translator, _b._ at Sherfield, Herts and _ed._ at Oxf., held various offices of state, including that of Chancellor of the Exchequer to Henry VIII., and Lieutenant of Calais, where he _d._ He translated, at the King's desire, _Froissart's Chronicles_ (1523-25), in such a manner as to make distinct advance in English historical writing, and the _Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius_ (1534); also _The History of Arthur of Lytell Brytaine_ (Brittany), and the romance of _Huon of Bordeaux_.

BESANT, SIR WALTER (1836-1901).--Novelist and historian of London, _b._ at Portsmouth and _ed._ at King's Coll., London, and Camb., was for a few years a professor at Mauritius, but a breakdown in health compelled him to resign, and he returned to England and took the duties of Secretary to the Palestine Exploration Fund, which he held 1868-85. He _pub._ in 1868 _Studies in French Poetry_. Three years later he began his collaboration with James Rice (_q.v._). Among their joint productions are _Ready-money Mortiboy_ (1872), and the _Golden Butterfly_ (1876), both, especially the latter, very successful. This connection was brought to an end by the death of Rice in 1882. Thereafter B. continued to write voluminously at his own hand, his leading novels being _All in a Garden Fair_, _Dorothy Forster_ (his own favourite), _Children of Gibeon_, and _All Sorts and Conditions of Men_. The two latter belonged to a series in which he endeavoured to arouse the public conscience to a sense of the sadness of life among the poorest classes in cities. In this crusade B. had considerable success, the establishment of The People's Palace in the East of London being one result. In addition to his work in fiction B. wrote largely on the history and topography of London. His plans in this field were left unfinished: among his books on this subject is _London in the 18th Century_.

Other works among novels are _My Little Girl_, _With Harp and Crown_, _This Son of Vulcan_, _The Monks of Thelema_, _By Celia's Arbour_, and _The Chaplain of the Fleet_, all with Rice; and _The Ivory Gate_, _Beyond the Dreams of Avarice_, _The Master Craftsman_, _The Fourth Generation_, etc., alone. _London under the Stuarts_, _London under the Tudors_ are historical.

BICKERSTAFFE, ISAAC (_c._ 1735-1812?).--Dramatic writer, in early life a page to Lord Chesterfield when Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, produced between 1756 and 1771 many dramatic pieces, which had considerable popularity, the best known of which are _Love in a Village_ (1762), and _The Maid of the Mill_. Owing to misconduct he was dismissed from being an officer in the Marines, and had ultimately, in 1772, to fly the country. The remainder of his life seems to have been passed in penury and misery. The date of his death is unknown. He was alive in 1812.

BIRD, ROBERT MONTGOMERY (1803-1854).--Novelist, an American physician, wrote three tragedies, _The Gladiator_, _Oraloosa_, and _The Broker of Bogota_, and several novels, including _Calavar_, _The Infidel_, _The Hawks of Hawk Hollow_, _Peter Pilgrim_, and _Nick of the Woods_, in the first two of which he gives graphic and accurate details and descriptions of Mexican history.

BISHOP, SAMUEL (1731-1795).--Poet, _b._ in London, and _ed._ at Merchant Taylor's School and Oxf., took orders and became Headmaster of Merchant Taylor's School. His poems on miscellaneous subjects fill two quarto vols., the best of them are those to his wife and _dau._ He also _pub._ essays.

BLACK, WILLIAM (1841-1898).--Novelist. After studying as a landscape painter, he took to journalism in Glasgow. In 1864 he went to London, and soon after _pub._ his first novel, _James Merle_, which made no impression. In the Austro-Prussian War he acted as a war correspondent. Thereafter he began afresh to write fiction, and was more successful; the publication of _A Daughter of Heth_ (1871) at once established his popularity. He reached his highwater-mark in _A Princess of Thule_ (1873). Many other books were added before his death in 1898, among which may be mentioned _In Silk Attire_ (1869), _The Strange Adventures of a Phæton_ (1872), _Macleod of Dare_ (1878), _White Wings_ (1880), _Shandon Bells_ (1882), _Yolande_ (1883), _Judith Shakespeare_ (1884), _White Heather_ (1886), _Stand Fast Craig-Royston!_ (1890), _Green Pastures and Piccadilly_, _Three Feathers_, _Wild Eelin_ (1898).

BLACKIE, JOHN STUART (1809-1895).--Scholar and man of letters, _b._ in Glasgow, and _ed._ at the Universities of Aberdeen and Edin., after which he travelled and studied in Germany and Italy. Returning to Scotland he was, in 1834, admitted to the Scottish Bar, but did not practise. His first work was his translation of _Faust_ (1834), which won the approbation of Carlyle. From 1841-52 B. was Prof. of Humanity (Latin) in Aberdeen, and from 1852-82, when he retired, of Greek in Edinburgh. His literary activity was incessant, his works consisting of translations of _Æschylus_ and of the _Iliad_, various books of poetry, including _Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece_, and treatises on religious, philosophical, and political subjects, among which may be mentioned _Self-Culture_ (1873), _Horæ Hellenicæ_, and a life of Burns. He was an enthusiastic champion of Scottish nationality. Possessed of great conversational powers and general versatility, his picturesque eccentricity made him one of the most notable members of Scottish society. It was owing to his efforts that a Chair of Celtic Language and Literature was established in Edinburgh University.

BLACKLOCK, THOMAS (1721-1791).--Poet, _b._ near Annan of humble parentage, lost his sight by smallpox when 6 months old. He began to write poetry at the age of 12, and studied for the Church. He was appointed Minister of Kirkcudbright, but was objected to by the parishioners on account of his blindness, and gave up the presentation on receiving an annuity. He then retired to Edinburgh, where he took pupils. He _pub._ some miscellaneous poems, which are now forgotten, and is chiefly remembered for having written a letter to Burns, which had the effect of dissuading him from going to the West Indies. He was made D.D. in 1767.

BLACKMORE, SIR RICHARD (_c._ 1650, _d._ 1729).--Poet, one of the Court Physicians to William III. and Anne, wrote several very long and well-intentioned, but dull and tedious, poems, which, though praised by Addison and Johnson, are now utterly forgotten. They include _Prince Arthur_, _Creation_, _Redemption_, _Alfred_. As may be imagined, they were the subject of derision by the profaner wits of the day. B. was a successful physician and an excellent man.

BLACKMORE, RICHARD DODDRIDGE (1825-1900).--Novelist and poet, _b._ at Longworth, Berks, _ed._ at Tiverton School and Oxf., practised for a short time as a lawyer but, owing to his health, gave this up, and took to market-gardening and literature at Teddington. His first _pub._ was _Poems by Melanter_ (1853), followed by _Epullia_ (1855), _The Bugle of the Black Sea_ (1855), etc.; but he soon found that fiction, not poetry, was his true vocation. Beginning with _Clara Vaughan_ in 1864, he produced fifteen novels, all of more than average, and two or three of outstanding merit. Of these much the best in the opinion of the public, though not of the author, is _Lorna Doone_ (1869), the two which rank next to it being _The Maid of Sker_ (1872) (the author's favourite) and _Springhaven_ (1887). Others are _Cradock Nowell_ (1866), _Alice Lorraine_ (1875), _Cripps the Carrier_ (1876), _Mary Anerley_ (1880), and _Christowell_ (1882). One of the most striking features of B.'s writings is his marvellous eye for, and sympathy with, Nature. He may be said to have done for Devonshire what Scott did for the Highlands. He has been described as "proud, shy, reticent, strong-willed, sweet-tempered, and self-centred."

BLACKSTONE, SIR WILLIAM (1723-1780).--Legal Writer, posthumous _s._ of a silk mercer in London, was _ed._ at Charterhouse School and Oxf., and entered the Middle Temple in 1741. His great work is his _Commentaries on the Laws of England_, in 4 vols. (1765-1769), which still remains the best general history of the subject. It had an extraordinary success, and is said to have brought the author £14,000. B. was not a man of original mind, nor was he a profound lawyer; but he wrote an excellent style, clear and dignified, which brings his great work within the category of general literature. He had also a turn for neat and polished verse, of which he gave proof in _The Lawyer's Farewell to his Muse_.

BLAIR, HUGH (1718-1800).--Divine, and man of letters, _b._ and _ed._ at Edin. After being minister at Collessie in Fife, he was translated to Edinburgh, where he filled various pulpits, latterly that of the High Church. In 1759 he commenced a series of lectures on composition, and soon after the Chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres was founded, to which he was appointed. His _Lectures_ were _pub._ on his resignation of the chair in 1783. His chief fame, however, rests upon his _Sermons_, in 4 vols., which had an extraordinary popularity, and obtained for him a pension of £200. Time has not sustained the opinion of his contemporaries: they have been described as feeble in thought though elegant in style, and even as "a bucket of warm water." B. was amiable, kind to young authors, and remarkable for a harmless, but rather ridiculous vanity and simplicity.

BLAIR, ROBERT (1699-1746).--Poet, _b._ at Edin., where his _f._ was a clergyman, became minister of Athelstaneford, Haddingtonshire. His sole work was _The Grave_, a poem in blank verse extending to 767 lines of very various merit, in some passages rising to great sublimity, and in others sinking to commonplace. It was illustrated by William Blake (_q.v._) B.'s _s._, Robert, was a very distinguished Scottish judge and Lord President of the Court of Session; and his successor in his ministerial charge was Home, the author of _Douglas_.

BLAKE, WILLIAM (1757-1827).--Poet and painter, _b._ in London, was from earliest youth a seer of visions and a dreamer of dreams, seeing "Ezekiel sitting under a green bough," and "a tree full of angels at Peckham," and such he remained to the end of his days. His teeming imagination sought expression both in verse and in drawing, and in his 14th year he was apprenticed to James Basire, an eminent engraver, and thereafter studied at the Royal Academy. Among his chief artistic works were illustrations for Young's _Night Thoughts_, Blair's _Grave_, "Spiritual Portraits," and his finest work, "Inventions to the Book of Job," all distinguished by originality and imagination. In literature his _Songs of Innocence_ appeared in 1789, _Songs of Experience_ in 1794. These books were literally made by Blake and his heaven-provided wife; poems and designs alike being engraved on copper by B. and bound by Mrs. B. In like fashion were produced his mystical books, _The Book of Thel_ (1789), _The Marriage of Heaven and Hell_ (1790), _The Gates of Paradise_, _Visions of the Daughters of Albion_, _Europe_, _The Book of Urizen_ (1794), _The Book of Los_ and _The Book of Ahania_ (1795). His last books were _Jerusalem_ and _Milton_. His earlier and shorter pieces, _e.g._ "The Chimney-Sweeper," "Holy Thursday," "The Lamb," "The Sun-flower," "The Tiger," etc., have an exquisite simplicity arising from directness and intensity of feeling--sometimes tender, sometimes sublime--always individual. Latterly he lost himself in clouds of mysticism. A truly pious and loving soul, neglected and misunderstood by the world, but appreciated by an elect few, he led a cheerful and contented life of poverty illumined by visions and celestial inspirations.

BLAMIRE, SUSANNA (1747-1794).--Poetess, was of good Cumberland family, and received the sobriquet of "The Muse of Cumberland." Her poems, which were not collected until 1842, depict Cumbrian life and manners with truth and vivacity. She also wrote some fine songs in the Scottish dialect, including "Ye shall walk in Silk Attire," and "What ails this Heart o' Mine."

BLESSINGTON, MARGARET (POWER), COUNTESS of (1789-1849).--Married as her second husband the 1st Earl of B., with whom she travelled much on the Continent, where she met Lord Byron, her _Conversations_ with whom she _pub._ in 1834. This is the only one of her books which has any value. The others were slight works on Travel, such as _The Idler in Italy_, annuals, and novels. She became bankrupt and went to Paris, where she lived under the protection of the Count d'Orsay.

BLIND HARRY or HENRY THE MINSTREL (_fl._ 1470-1492).--Is spoken of by John Major in his _History of Scotland_ as a wandering minstrel, skilled in the composition of rhymes in the Scottish tongue, who "fabricated" a book about William Wallace, and gained his living by reciting it to his own accompaniment on the harp at the houses of the nobles. Harry claims that it was founded on a Latin _Life of Wallace_ written by Wallace's chaplain, John Blair, but the chief sources seem to have been traditionary. Harry is often considered inferior to Barbour as a poet, and has little of his moral elevation, but he surpasses him in graphic power, vividness of description, and variety of incident. He occasionally shows the influence of Chaucer, and is said to have known Latin and French.

BLIND, MATHILDE (1841-1896).--Poetess, _b._ at Mannheim, but settled in London about 1849, and _pub._ several books of poetry, _The Prophecy of St. Oran_ (1881), _The Heather on Fire_ (1886), _Songs and Sonnets_ (1893), _Birds of Passage_ (1895), etc. She also translated Strauss's _Old Faith and New_, and other works, and wrote Lives of George Eliot and Madame Roland. Her own name was Cohen, but she adopted that of her stepfather, Karl Blind.

BLOOMFIELD, ROBERT (1766-1823).--Poet, _b._ at Honington in Suffolk, lost his _f._ when he was a year old, and received the rudiments of education from his mother, who kept the village school. While still a boy he went to London, and worked as a shoemaker under an elder brother, enduring extreme poverty. His first and chief poem, _The Farmer's Boy_, was composed in a room where half a dozen other men were at work, and the finished lines he carried in his head until there was time to write them down. The manuscript, after passing through various hands, fell into those of Capel Lofft, a Suffolk squire of literary tastes, by whose exertions it was _pub._ with illustrations by Bewick in 1800. It had a signal success, 26,000 copies having been sold in three years. The Duke of Grafton obtained for him an appointment in the Seal Office, and when, through ill-health, he was obliged to resign this, allowed him a pension of 1s. a day. Other works were _Rural Tales_ (1804), _Wild Flowers_ (1806), _The Banks of the Wye_ (1811), and _May Day with the Muses_ (1817). An attempt to carry on business as a bookseller failed, his health gave way, his reason was threatened, and he _d._ in great poverty at Shefford in 1823. B.'s poetry is smooth, correct, and characterised by taste and good feeling, but lacks fire and energy. Of amiable and simple character, he was lacking in self-reliance.

BODENHAM, JOHN (_fl._ 1600).--Anthologist, is stated to have been the ed. of some of the Elizabethan anthologies, viz., _Politeuphuia_ (_Wits' Commonwealth_) (1597), _Wits' Theater_ (1598), _Belvidere, or the Garden of the Muses_ (1600), and _England's Helicon_ (1600). Mr. Bullen says that B. did not himself ed. any of the Elizabethan miscellanies attributed to him by bibliographers: but that he projected their publication, and he befriended the editors.

BOECE, or BOETHIUS, HECTOR (1465?-1536).--Historian, probably _b._ at Dundee, and _ed._ there and at Paris, where he was a regent or professor, 1492 to 1498. While there he made the acquaintance of Erasmus. Returning to Scotland he co-operated with Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, in founding the univ. there of which he was the first Principal. His literary fame rests on two works, his _Lives of the Bishops of Mortlach and Aberdeen_, in which his friend Elphinstone figures prominently, and his _History of Scotland_ to the accession of James III. These works were, of course, composed in Latin, but the _History_ was translated into Scottish prose by John Bellenden, 1530 to 1533, and into English for Hollinshed's _Chronicle_. The only predecessor of the work was the compendium of Major, and as it was written in a flowing and pleasing style it became very popular, and led to ecclesiastical preferment and Royal favour. B. shared in the credulity of his age, but the charge of inventing his authorities formerly brought against him has been shown to be, to some extent at any rate, unfounded.

BOKER, GEORGE HENRY (1823-90).--Poet, was in the American Diplomatic Service. Among his dramas, generally tragedies, are _Anne Boleyn_, _The Betrothed_, and _Francesca da Rimini_, and among his books of poetry, _Street Lyrics_, _Königsmark_, and _The Book of the Dead_. His dramas combine poetic merit with adaptability for acting.

BOLINGBROKE, HENRY ST. JOHN, 1ST VISCOUNT (1678-1751).--Statesman and philosopher, _s._ of Sir Henry St. J., _b._ at Battersea, and _ed._ at Eton and perhaps Oxf., was during his youth noted chiefly for dissipation, but entering Parliament in 1701 as a supporter of Harley, soon made himself a name by his eloquence and talent. He held office as War and Foreign Sec. successively, became a peer in 1712, intrigued successfully against Harley, and formed an administration during the last days of Queen Anne, with the intention of bringing back the Stuarts, which was frustrated by the Queen's death. On the arrival of George I. and the accession to power of the Whigs, B. was impeached, and his name erased from the Roll of Peers. He went to France, and became Sec. of State to the Pretender James, who, however, dismissed him in 1716, after which he devoted himself to philosophy and literature. In 1723 he was pardoned and returned to England, and an act was passed in 1725 restoring his forfeited estates, but still excluding him from the House of Lords. He thereupon retired to his house, Dawley, near Uxbridge, where he enjoyed the society of Swift and Pope, on the latter of whom he exerted a strong influence. After some ineffectual efforts to regain a position in political life, he returned to France in 1735, where he remained for 7 years, and wrote most of his chief works.

B. was a man of brilliant and versatile talents, but selfish, insincere, and intriguing, defects of character which led to his political ruin. His writings, once so much admired, reflect his character in their glittering artificiality, and his pretensions to the reputation of a philosopher have long been exploded; the chief of them are _Reflections upon Exile_, _Letters on the Study of History_ (in which he attacked Christianity), _Letters on the Spirit of Patriotism_, and _Idea of a Patriot King_. He left his MSS. to David Mallet (_q.v._), who _pub._ a complete ed. of his works in 5 vols. (1753-54).

BONAR, HORATIUS (1808-1889).--Divine and poet, _s._ of James B., Solicitor of Exise for Scotland, _b._ and _ed._ in Edin., entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland, and was settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the Disruption in 1843, and in 1867 was translated to Edin. In 1853 he was made D.D. of Aberdeen. He was a voluminous and highly popular author, and in addition to many books and tracts wrote a number of hymns, many of which, _e.g._, "I heard the voice of Jesus say," are known all over the English-speaking world. A selection of these was _pub._ as _Hymns of Faith and Hope_ (3 series). His last vol. of poetry was _My Old Letters_.

BOORDE, or BORDE, ANDREW (1490?-1549).--Traveller, _b._ near Cuckfield, Sussex, was brought up as a Carthusian, and held ecclesiastical appointments, then practised medicine at various places, including Glasgow, and was employed in various capacities by T. Cromwell. He travelled widely, going as far as Jerusalem, and wrote descriptions of the countries he had visited. His _Dyetary_ is the first English book of domestic medicine. The _Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge_ describes his journeys on the Continent. Other works are _The Boke of Berdes_ (Beards), _Handbook of Europe_, and _Itinerary of England_.

BORROW, GEORGE (1803-1881).--Philologist and miscellaneous author, and traveller, _b._ at East Dereham, Norfolk, _s._ of a recruiting officer, had a somewhat wandering childhood. He received most of his education in Edin., and showed a peculiar talent for acquiring languages. After being for a short time in the office of a solicitor in Norwich, he travelled widely on the Continent and in the East, acquainting himself with the people and languages of the various countries he visited. He specially attached himself to the Gipsies, with whose language he became so familiar as to _pub._ a dictionary of it. His learning was shown by his publishing at St. Petersburg _Targum_, a work containing translations from 30 languages. B. became a travelling agent of the Bible Society, and his book, _The Bible in Spain_ (1843), giving an account of his remarkable adventures in that country, made his literary reputation. It was followed by _Lavengro_ (1851), and its sequel, _Romany Rye_ (1857), and _Wild Wales_ (1862), which, though works of originality and extreme interest, and now perhaps his most popular books, were received with less public favour. The two first give a highly coloured picture of his own story. He translated the New Testament into Manchu. In his latter years he settled at Oulton Broad, Norfolk, where he _d._ B. was a man of striking appearance and great vigour and originality of character and mind. His writings hold a unique place in English literature.

BOSTON, THOMAS (1677-1732).--Scottish divine, was successively schoolmaster at Glencairn, and minister of Simprin in Berwickshire, and Ettrick in Selkirkshire. In addition to his best-known work, _The Fourfold State_, one of the religious classics of Scotland, he wrote an original little book, _The Crook in the Lot_, and a learned treatise on the Hebrew points. He also took a leading part in the Courts of the Church in what was known as the "Marrow Controversy," regarding the merits of an English work, _The Marrow of Modern Divinity_, which he defended against the attacks of the "Moderate" party in the Church. B., if unduly introspective, was a man of singular piety and amiability. His autobiography is an interesting record of Scottish life, full of sincerity and tenderness, and not devoid of humorous touches, intentional and otherwise.

BOSWELL, SIR ALEXANDER (1775-1822).--Antiquary and song writer, _s._ of James B., of Auchinleck, Johnson's biographer, was interested in old Scottish authors, some of whose works he reprinted at his private press. He wrote some popular Scotch songs, of which _Jenny's Bawbee_ and _Jenny dang the Weaver_ are the best known. B. _d._ in a duel with Mr. Stuart of Dunearn.

BOSWELL, JAMES (1740-1795).--Biographer, _s._ of Alexander B. of Auchinleck, Ayrshire, one of the judges of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, was _ed._ at the High School and Univ. of Edin., and practised as an advocate. He travelled much on the Continent and visited Corsica, where he became acquainted with the patriot General Paoli. Fortunately for posterity he was in 1763 introduced to Dr. Johnson, and formed an acquaintance with him which soon ripened into friendship, and had as its ultimate fruit the immortal _Life_. He was also the author of several works of more or less interest, including an _Account of Corsica_ (1768), and _Journal of Tour to the Hebrides_ (in the company of Johnson) (1786). Vain and foolish in an exceptional degree, and by no means free from more serious faults, B. has yet produced the greatest biography in the language. _The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D._ appeared in 1791, and at once commanded an admiration which has suffered no diminution since. But by this time a cloud had fallen upon the author. He had lost his excellent wife, his health had given way, the intemperance to which he had always been subject had mastered him, and he _d._ four years after the appearance of his great work. B. was called to the English as well as to the Scottish Bar, but his various foibles prevented his reaching any great success, and he had also vainly endeavoured to enter on a political career. The question has often been raised how a man with the characteristics of B. could have produced so unique a work, and has been discussed at length by Macaulay and by Carlyle, the former paradoxically arguing that his supreme folly and meanness themselves formed his greatest qualifications; the latter, with far deeper insight, that beneath these there lay the possession of an eye to discern excellence and a heart to appreciate it, intense powers of accurate observation and a considerable dramatic faculty. His letters to William Temple were discovered at Boulogne, and _pub._ 1857.

BOUCICAULT, DION (1820-90).--Actor and dramatist, _b._ in Dublin and _ed._ in London, joined Macready while still young, and made his first appearance upon the stage with Benj. Webster at Bristol. Soon afterwards he began to write plays, occasionally in conjunction, of which the first, _London Assurance_ (1841) had an immediate success. He was an excellent actor, especially in pathetic parts. His plays are for the most part adaptations, but are often very ingenious in construction, and have had great popularity. Among the best known are _The Colleen Bawn_, _Arrah-na-Pogue_, _Faust and Marguerite_, and _The Shaughraun_. B. _d._ in America.

BOWDLER, THOMAS (1754-1825).--Editor of _The Family Shakespeare_, _b._ near Bath, _s._ of a gentleman of independent fortune, studied medicine at St. Andrews and at Edin., where he took his degree in 1776, but did not practise, devoting himself instead to the cause of prison reform. In 1818 he _pub._ his _Family Shakespeare_ in 10 vols., "in which nothing is added to the original text, but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family." The work had considerable success, 4 editions having been _pub._ before 1824, and others in 1831, 1853, and 1861. It was, however, subjected to some criticism and ridicule, and gave rise to the expression "bowdlerise," always used in an opprobrious sense. On the other hand, Mr. Swinburne has said, "More nauseous and foolish cant was never chattered than that which would deride the memory or depreciate the merits of B. No man ever did better service to Shakespeare than the man who made it possible to put him into the hands of intelligent and imaginative children." B. subsequently essayed a similar enterprise in regard to Gibbon, which, however, was not so successful.

BOWER, ARCHIBALD (1686-1766).--Historian, _b._ at Dundee, and _ed._ at the Scots Coll., Douay, became a Jesuit, but afterwards joined the Church of England, and again became a Jesuit. He wrote a _History of Rome_ (1735-44), a _History of the Popes_ (1748-66). These works are ill-proportioned and inaccurate. His whole life appears to have been a very discreditable one.

BOWER, or BOWMAKER, WALTER (_d._ 1449).--Was Abbot of Inchcolm, and continued and enlarged Fordun's _Scotichronicon_.

BOWLES, WILLIAM LISLE (1762-1850).--Poet and antiquary, _b._ at King's Sutton, Northamptonshire, of which his _f._ was vicar, and _ed._ at Winchester and Oxf., was for the most of his life Vicar of Bremhill, Wilts, and became Prebendary and Canon Residentiary of Salisbury. His first work, _pub._ in 1789, was a little vol. containing 14 sonnets, which was received with extraordinary favour, not only by the general public, but by such men as Coleridge and Wordsworth. It may be regarded as the harbinger of the reaction against the school of Pope, in which these poets were soon to bear so great a part. B. _pub._ several other poems of much greater length, of which the best are _The Spirit of Discovery_ (1805), and _The Missionary of the Andes_ (1815), and he also enjoyed considerable reputation as an antiquary, his principal work in that department being _Hermes Britannicus_ (1828). In 1807 he _pub._ a _Life of Pope_, in the preface to which he expressed some views on poetry which resulted in a rather fierce controversy with Byron, Campbell, and others. He also wrote a _Life of Bishop Ken_. B. was an amiable, absent-minded, and rather eccentric man. His poems are characterised by refinement of feeling, tenderness, and pensive thought, but are deficient in power and passion.

Other works are _Coombe Ellen and St. Michael's Mount_ (1798), _The Battle of the Nile_ (1799), _The Sorrows of Switzerland_ (1801), _St. John in Patmos_ (1833), etc.

BOWRING, SIR JOHN (1792-1872).--Linguist, writer, and traveller, was _b._ at Exeter. His talent for acquiring languages enabled him at last to say that he knew 200, and could speak 100. He was appointed editor of the _Westminster Review_ in 1824; travelled in various countries with the view of reporting on their commercial position; was an M.P. 1835-37 and 1841-49, and held various appointments in China. His chief literary work was the translation of the folk-songs of most European nations, and he also wrote original poems and hymns, and works on political and economic subjects. B. was knighted in 1854. He was the literary executor of Jeremy Bentham (_q.v._).

BOYD, ANDREW KENNEDY HUTCHISON (1825-1899).--Miscellaneous writer, _s._ of Rev. Dr. B. of Glasgow, was originally intended for the English Bar, but entered the Church of Scotland, and was minister latterly at St. Andrews, wrote in _Fraser's Magazine_ a series of light, chirping articles subsequently collected as the _Recreations of a Country Parson_, also several books of reminiscences, etc., written in a pleasant chatty style, and some sermons. He was D.D. and LL.D.

BOYD, ZACHARY (1585-1653).--Divine, belonged to the family of B. of Pinkhill, Ayrshire, was _ed._ at Glasgow and at Saumur. He translated many parts of Scripture into uncouth verse. Among his works are _The Garden of Zion_ and _Zion's Flowers_.

BOYLE, THE HON. ROBERT (1627-1691).--Natural Philosopher and chemist, 7th _s._ of the 1st Earl of Cork, was _b._ at Lismore, Co. Waterford, and _ed._ at Eton and by private tutors, after which he pursued his studies on the Continent. On his return to England he devoted himself to the study of science, especially natural philosophy and chemistry. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society, and, by his experiments and observations added to existing knowledge, especially in regard to pneumatics. He at the same time devoted much study to theology; so much indeed that he was strongly urged by Lord Clarendon to enter the Church. Thinking, however, that he could serve the cause of religion better as a layman, he declined this advice. As a director of the East India Co. he did much for the propagation of Christianity in the East, and for the dissemination of the Bible. He also founded the "Boyle Lectures" in defence of Christianity. He declined the offer of a peerage. B. was a man of great intellectual acuteness, and remarkable for his conversational powers. Among his writings are _Origin of Forms and Qualities_, _Experiments touching Colour_, _Hydrostatical Paradoxes_, and _Observations on Cold_; in theology, _Seraphic Love_. His complete works were _pub._ in 5 vols. in 1744.

BRADLEY, EDWARD (1827-1889).--Novelist, was a clergyman. He wrote under the name of "Cuthbert Bede" a few novels and tales, _Fairy Fables_ (1858), _Glencraggan_ (1861), _Fotheringhay_ (1885), etc.; but his most popular book was _Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman_, which had great vogue.

BRADWARDINE, THOMAS (1290?-1349).--Theologian, was at Oxf., where he became Prof. of Divinity and Chancellor, and afterwards Chaplain to Edward III., whom he attended in his French wars. He was twice elected Archbishop of Canterbury by the monks, and on the second occasion accepted, but _d._ of the plague within 40 days. He wrote on geometry, but his great work was _De Causa Dei_ (on the Cause of God against Pelagius), in which he treated theology mathematically, and which earned for him from the Pope the title of the Profound Doctor.

BRAITHWAITE, or BRATHWAITE, RICHARD (1588-1673).--Poet, _b._ near Kendal, and _ed._ at Oxf., is believed to have served with the Royalist army in the Civil War. He was the author of many works of very unequal merit, of which the best known is _Drunken Barnaby's Four Journeys_, which records his pilgrimages through England in rhymed Latin (said by Southey to be the best of modern times), and doggerel English verse. _The English Gentleman_ (1631) and _English Gentlewoman_ are in a much more decorous strain. Other works are _The Golden Fleece_ (1611) (poems), _The Poet's Willow_, _A Strappado for the Devil_ (a satire), and _Art Asleepe, Husband?_

BRAMSTON, JAMES (_c._ 1694-1744).--Satirist, _ed._ at Westminster School and Oxf., took orders and was latterly Vicar of Hastings. His poems are _The Art of Politics_ (1729), in imitation of Horace, and _The Man of Taste_ (1733), in imitation of Pope. He also parodied Phillips's _Splendid Shilling_ in _The Crooked Sixpence_. His verses have some liveliness.

BRAY, ANNA ELIZA (1790-1883).--Novelist, _dau._ of Mr. J. Kempe, was married first to C.A. Stothard, _s._ of the famous R.A., and himself an artist, and secondly to the Rev. E.A. Bray. She wrote about a dozen novels, chiefly historical, and _The Borders of the Tamar and Tavy_ (1836), an account of the traditions and superstitions of the neighbourhood of Tavistock in the form of letters to Southey, of whom she was a great friend. This is probably the most valuable of her writings. Among her works are _Branded_, _Good St. Louis and his Times_, _Trelawney_, and _White Hoods_.

BRETON, NICHOLAS (1545-1626).--Poet and novelist. Little is known of his life. He was the _s._ of William B., a London merchant, was perhaps at Oxf., and was a rather prolific author of considerable versatility and gift. Among his poetical works are _A Floorish upon Fancie, Pasquil's Mad-cappe_ (1626), _The Soul's Heavenly Exercise_, and _The Passionate Shepherd_. In prose he wrote _Wit's Trenchmour_, _The Wil of Wit_ (1599), _A Mad World, my Masters_, _Adventures of Two Excellent Princes_, _Grimello's Fortunes_ (1604), _Strange News out of Divers Countries_ (1622), etc. His mother married E. Gascoigne, the poet (_q.v._). His lyrics are pure and fresh, and his romances, though full of conceits, are pleasant reading, remarkably free from grossness.

BREWSTER, SIR DAVID (1781-1868).--Man of science and writer, _b._ at Jedburgh, originally intended to enter the Church, of which, after a distinguished course at the Univ. of Edin., he became a licentiate. Circumstances, however, led him to devote himself to science, of which he was one of the most brilliant ornaments of his day, especially in the department of optics, in which he made many discoveries. He maintained his habits of investigation and composition to the very end of his long life, during which he received almost every kind of honorary distinction open to a man of science. He also made many important contributions to literature, including a _Life of Newton_ (1831), _The Martyrs of Science_ (1841), _More Worlds than One_ (1854), and _Letters on Natural Magic_ addressed to Sir W. Scott, and he also edited, in addition to various scientific journals, _The Edinburgh Encyclopædia_ (1807-29). He likewise held the offices successively of Principal of the United Coll. of St. Salvator and St. Leonard, St. Andrews (1838), and of the Univ. of Edin. (1859). He was knighted in 1831. Of high-strung and nervous temperament, he was somewhat irritable in matters of controversy; but he was repeatedly subjected to serious provocation. He was a man of highly honourable and fervently religious character.

BROKE, or BROOKE, ARTHUR (_d._ 1563).--Translator, was the author of _The Tragicall Historie of Romeus and Juliett_, from which Shakespeare probably took the story of his _Romeo and Juliet_. Though indirectly translated, through a French version, from the Italian of Bandello, it is so much altered and amplified as almost to rank as an original work. The only fact known regarding him is his death by shipwreck when crossing to France.

BROME, RICHARD (_d._ 1652?).--Dramatist, the servant and friend of Ben Jonson, produced upwards of 20 plays, some in conjunction with Dekker and others. Among them are _A Fault in Friendship_, _Late Lancashire Witches_ (with Heywood and Dekker), _A Jovial Crew_ (1652), _The Northern Lass_ (1632), _The Antipodes_ (1646), _City Wit_ (1653), _Court Beggar_ (1653), etc. He had no original genius, but knew stage-craft well.

BRONTÉ, CHARLOTTE (1816-1855).--Novelist, _dau._ of the Rev. Patrick B., a clergyman of Irish descent and of eccentric habits who embittered the lives of his children by his peculiar theories of education. Brought up in a small parsonage close to the graveyard of a bleak, windswept village on the Yorkshire moors, and left motherless in early childhood, she was "the motherly friend and guardian of her younger sisters," of whom two, Emily and Anne, shared, but in a less degree, her talents. After various efforts as schoolmistresses and governesses, the sisters took to literature and _pub._ a vol. of poems under the names of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, which, however, fell flat. Charlotte then wrote her first novel, _The Professor_, which did not appear until after her death, and began _Jane Eyre_, which, appearing in 1847, took the public by storm. It was followed by _Shirley_ in 1849, and _Villette_ in 1852. In 1854 she was married to her father's curate, the Rev. A. Nicholls, but after a short though happy married life she _d._ in 1855. EMILY B. (1818-1848).--a woman of remarkable force of character, reserved and taciturn, _pub._ in 1848 _Wuthering Heights_, a powerful, but somewhat unpleasing, novel, and some striking poems; and ANNE (1820-1849), was the authoress of _The Tenant of Wildfell Hall_ and _Agnes Grey_ (1848). She had not the intellectual force of her sisters. The novels of Charlotte especially created a strong impression from the first, and the _pub._ of _Jane Eyre_ gave rise to much curiosity and speculation as to its authorship. Their strength and originality have retained for them a high place in English fiction which is likely to prove permanent. There is a biography of Charlotte by Mrs. Gaskell (_q.v._).

Complete ed. of the works of Charlotte B. have been issued by Mrs. Humphrey Ward (7 vols. 1899-1900), and by Sir W.R. Nicoll, LL.D. (1903). _Note on Charlotte Bronté_, A.C. Swinburne, 1877. A short _Life_ in Great Writers Series by A. Birrell.

BROOKE, FULKE GREVILLE, LORD (1554-1628).--Poet and statesman, _b._ at Beauchamp Court, Warwickshire, and _ed._ at Shrewsbury and Camb., was a Privy Councillor, and held various important offices of state, including that of Chancellor of the Exchequer (1614-21). In the latter year he was created a peer. He was murdered by a servant. His works, which were chiefly _pub._ after his death, consist of tragedies and sonnets, and poems on political and moral subjects, including _Cælica_ (109 sonnets). He also wrote a Life of Sir P. Sidney, whose friend he was. His style is grave and sententious. He is buried in the church at Warwick, and the inscription on his tomb, written by himself, is a compendious biography. It runs: "Fulke Greville, servant to Queen Elizabeth, counsellor to King James, friend to Sir Philip Sidney."

BROOKE, HENRY (1703-1783).--Novelist and dramatist, _b._ in Ireland, _s._ of a clergyman, studied law, but embraced literature as a career. He wrote poems, dramas, and novels; but the only work which has kept its place is _The Fool of Quality_ (5 vols. 1766-70), which was a favourite book with John Wesley. His now forgotten poem, _Universal Beauty_ (1735) was admired by Pope. His _dau._, CHARLOTTE, the only survivor of 22 children, tended him to his last days of decay, and was herself a writer, her principal work being _Reliques of Irish Poetry_ (1789). She _d._ 1793.

BROOKS, CHARLES WILLIAM SHIRLEY (1816-1874).--Journalist and novelist, _b._ in London, began life in a solicitor's office. He early, however, took to literature, and contributed to various periodicals. In 1851 he joined the staff of _Punch_, to which he contributed "Essence of Parliament," and on the death of Mark Lemon (_q.v._) he succeeded him as editor. He _pub._ a few novels, including _Aspen Court_ and _The Gordian Knot_.

BROOKS, MARIA (GOWAN) (1795?-1845).--American poetess, was early _m._ to a merchant, who lost his money, and left her a young widow, after which she wrote highly romantic and impassioned poetry. Her chief work, _Zophiël or The Bride of Swen_, was finished under the auspices of Southey, who called her "Maria del Occidente," and regarded her as "the most impassioned and imaginative of all poetesses," but time has not sustained this verdict.

BROOME, WILLIAM (1689-1745).--Poet and translator, _b._ at Haslington, Cheshire, and _ed._ at Eton and Camb., entered the Church, and held various incumbencies. He translated the _Iliad_ in prose along with others, and was employed by Pope, whom he excelled as a Greek scholar, in translating the _Odyssey_, of which he Englished the 8th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th, and 23rd books, catching the style of his master so exactly as almost to defy identification, and thus annoying him so as to earn a niche in _The Dunciad_. He _pub._ verses of his own of very moderate poetical merit.

BROUGHAM AND VAUX, HENRY, 1ST LORD (1778-1868).--_S._ of Henry B. of Brougham Hall, Westmoreland, _b._ in Edin., and _ed._ at the High School and Univ. there, where he distinguished himself chiefly in mathematics. He chose a legal career, and was called to the Scottish Bar in 1800, and to the English Bar in 1808. His chief forensic display was his defence of Queen Caroline in 1822. In 1810 he entered Parliament, where his versatility and eloquence soon raised him to a foremost place. The questions on which he chiefly exerted himself were the slave trade, commercial, legal, and parliamentary reform, and education, and in all of these he rendered signal service. When, in 1830, the Whigs, with whom he had always acted, attained power, B. was made Lord Chancellor; but his arrogance, selfishness, and indiscretion rendered him a dangerous and unreliable colleague, and he was never again admitted to office. He turned fiercely against his former political associates, but continued his efforts on behalf of reform in various directions. He was one of the founders of London Univ. and of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. In literature he has a place as one of the original projectors of and most voluminous contributors to _The Edinburgh Review_, and as the author of a prodigious number of treatises on science, philosophy, and history, including _Dialogues on Instinct_, Lives of Statesmen, Philosophers, and Men of Science of the Time of George III., Natural Theology, etc., his last work being an autobiography written in his 84th year, and _pub._ 1871. His writings were far too numerous and far too diverse in subject to be of permanent value. His fame now rests chiefly on his services to political and specially to legal reform, and to the diffusion of useful literature, which are his lasting monuments.

BROUGHTON, JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE, 1ST LORD (1786-1869).--Eldest _s._ of Sir Benjamin H., _b._ at Redland near Bristol, _ed._ at Westminster School and at Camb., where he became intimate with Byron, and accompanied him in his journeys in the Peninsula, Greece, and Turkey, and acted as his "best man." In 1816 he was with him after his separation from his wife, and contributed notes to the fourth canto of _Childe Harold_, which was dedicated to him. On his return he threw himself into politics with great energy as an advanced Radical, and wrote various pamphlets, for one of which he was in 1819 imprisoned in Newgate. In the following year he entered Parliament, sitting for Westminster. After the attainment of power by the Whigs he held various offices, including those of Sec. at War, Chief Sec. for Ireland, and Pres. of the Board of Control. He _pub._ _Journey through Albania_ (1813), _Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold_ (1818), and _Recollections of a Long Life_ (1865), for private circulation, and he left in MS. _Diaries, Correspondence, and Memoranda, etc., not to be opened till 1900_, extracts from which were _pub._ by his _dau._, Lady Dorchester, also under the title of _Recollections from a Long Life_ (1909).

BROWN, CHARLES BROCKDEN (1771-1810).--Novelist, _b._ in Philadelphia, belonged to a Quaker family, became a lawyer, but exchanged law for literature, and has the distinction of being the first American to adopt a purely literary career. He wrote several novels, including _Wieland_ (1798), _Ormond_ (1799), _Arthur Mervyn_ (1800-1), and his last, _Jane Talbot_ (1801). With a good deal of crudeness and sentimentality he has occasional power, but dwells too much on the horrible and repulsive, the result, perhaps, of the morbidity produced by the ill-health from which he all his life suffered.

BROWN, GEORGE DOUGLAS (1869-1902).--Novelist, wrote _The House with the Green Shutters_, which gives a strongly outlined picture of the harder and less genial aspects of Scottish life and character. It may be regarded as a useful supplement and corrective to the more roseate presentations of the kail-yard school of J.M. Barrie and "Ian Maclaren." It made a considerable impression. The author _d._ almost immediately after its publication. There is an ed. with a memoir by Mr. Andrew Lang.

BROWN, DR. JOHN (1810-1882).--Physician and essayist, _s._ of John B., D.D., a distinguished dissenting minister in Edin. _B._ at Biggar, he was _ed._ at the High School and Univ. of Edin., where practically the whole of his uneventful life was spent as a physician, and where he was revered and beloved in no common degree, and he was the cherished friend of many of his most distinguished contemporaries, including Thackeray. He wrote comparatively little; but all he did write is good, some of it perfect, of its kind. His essays, among which are _Rab and his Friends_, _Pet Marjorie_, _Our Dogs_, _Minchmoor_, and _The Enterkine_, were collected along with papers on art, and medical history and biography, in _Horæ Subsecivæ_ (Leisure Hours), 3 vols. In the mingling of tenderness and delicate humour he has much in common with Lamb; in his insight into dog-nature he is unique. His later years were clouded with occasional fits of depression.

BROWN, THOMAS (1778-1820).--Metaphysician, _s._ of the Rev. Samuel B., minister of Kirkinabreck, practised for some time as a physician in Edin., but his tastes and talents lying in the direction of literature and philosophy, he devoted himself to the cultivation of these, and succeeded Dugald Stewart as Professor of Moral Philosophy in the Univ. of Edin., in which position he had remarkable popularity as a lecturer. His main contribution to literature is his _Lectures_, _pub._ after his death. B. was a man of attractive character and considerable talents, but as a philosopher he is now largely superseded. He also wrote poetry, which, though graceful, lacked force, and is now forgotten.

BROWN, THOMAS EDWARD (1830-1897).--Poet, _b._ at Douglas, Isle of Man, _s._ of a clergyman, and _ed._ there and at Oxf., entered the Church and held various scholastic appointments, including a mastership at Clifton. His later years were spent in his native island. He had a true lyrical gift, and much of his poetry was written in Manx dialect. His poems include _Fo'c'sle Yarns_ (1881), _The Doctor_ (1887), _The Manx Witch_ (1889), and _Old John_ (1893). He was also an admirable letter-writer, and 2 vols. of his letters have been _pub._

BROWN, TOM (1663-1704).--Satirist, was _ed._ at Oxf., and there composed the famous epigram on Dr. Fell. He was for a few years schoolmaster at Kingston-on-Thames, but owing to his irregularities lost the appointment, and went to London, where he wrote satires, epigrams, and miscellaneous pieces, generally coarse and scurrilous.

BROWNE, CHARLES FARRAR (1834-1867).--Humorist (Artemus Ward), _b._ in Maine, U.S., worked as a compositor and reporter, and became a highly popular humorous writer, his books being _Artemus Ward his Book_, _A.W. His Panorama_, _A.W. among the Mormons_, and _A.W. in England_.

BROWNE, ISAAC HAWKINS (1705-1760).--Is remembered as the author of some clever imitations of contemporary poets on the theme of _A Pipe of Tobacco_, somewhat analogous to the _Rejected Addresses_ of a later day. He also wrote a Latin poem on the immortality of the soul. B., who was a country gentleman and barrister, had great conversational powers. He was a friend of Dr. Johnson.

BROWNE, SIR THOMAS (1605-1682).--Physician and miscellaneous and metaphysical writer, _s._ of a London merchant, was _ed._ at Winchester and Oxf., after which he studied medicine at various Continental univs., including Leyden, where he _grad._ He ultimately settled and practised at Norwich. His first and perhaps best known work, _Religio Medici_ (the Religion of a Physician) was _pub._ in 1642. Other books are _Pseudodoxia Epidemica: Enquiries into Vulgar Errors_ (1646), _Hydriotaphia, or Urn-burial_ (1658); and _The Garden of Cyrus_ in the same year. After his death were _pub._ his _Letter to a Friend_ and _Christian Morals_. B. is one of the most original writers in the English language. Though by no means free from credulity, and dealing largely with trivial subjects of inquiry, the freshness and ingenuity of his mind invest everything he touches with interest; while on more important subjects his style, if frequently rugged and pedantic, often rises to the highest pitch of grave and stately eloquence. In the Civil War he sided with the King's party, and was knighted in 1671 on the occasion of a Royal visit to Norwich. In character he was simple, cheerful, and retiring. He has had a profound if indirect influence on succeeding literature, mainly by impressing master-minds such as Lamb, Coleridge, and Carlyle.