1165

Memoir of John Ray.

fame or the utility of Ray's great botanical works has, neither of them, been commensurate with the expectations that might have been formed, this Synopsis" amply supplied all such defects, and proved the great cornerstone of his reputation in this department of science." The best edition of the Synopsis is that which was edited by Dillenius, in two volumes octavo, 1724. No Flora that has since been published, equals that of Ray in his Synopsis. He carefully examined every plant which he has recorded in his work, and he even gathered most of them himself. He investigated their synonyms with the utmost accuracy; and had the clearness and precision of other observers equalled his, he would scarcely have committed a single error. It is rarely that he falls into a mistake respecting nature, though he unavoidably sometimes misapprehends the imperfect figures and descriptions which he was obliged to consult.These observations apply to the second edition, in which is a controversial letter from Rivinus to Ray, and the answers, with some remarks upon Tournefort, chiefly relating to the old division of plants into trees, shrubs, and herbs.

1166

the writers who followed his method, for neglecting one important subject in natural history, that of the pairing of animals, and the care which they take of their progeny. This objection, however, is not just, for Ray has devoted no less than ten pages to the description of the very subject which he is charged with having omitted. The favourable reception which this book met with, encouraged the author to publish the year following, another entituled

Three Physico - Theological Discourses, concerning the chaos, deluge, and dissolution of the world." In the preface to this curious volume, which is dedicated to Archbishop Tillotson, Mr. Ray makes an apology for publishing so much, and says, I am not ignorant that men, as they are mutable, so they love change, and affect variety of authors as well as books. Satiety even of the best things is apt to creep upon us. He that writes much, let him write ever so well, shall experience, that his last books, though nothing inferior to his first, will not find equal acceptance. But for mine own part, though in general I may be thought to have written too much, yet it is but little that I have written relating to divinity. It were a good rule to Mr. Ray having written so much be observed both by writer and reader, upon natural science, now turned his Not how much, but how well. He that thoughts to subjects more immediately cannot write well, had better spare his connected with his theological profes- pains, and not write at all. Neither is sion. Accordingly, in 1691, he pub- he to be thought to write well, who lished his demonstration of the Exist- though he hath some good things thin ence and Providence of the Deity, set and dispersed, yet encounters and under the title of "The Wisdom of accloys the reader with a deal of useGod manifested in the Works of the less and impertinent stuff. On the Creation." The rudiments of this contrary, he that writes well, cannot treatise are laid in some lectures, read write too much. For as Phiny the in the chapel of Trinity College, and Younger saith well, Ut uliæ bona res, called Common Places. These lec-ita bonus liber eo melior est quisque, tures he reduced into the order of a systematic discourse, proving from the various operations of nature in the animal and vegetable creation, as also from the construction and motions of the heavenly bodies, that the universe, in all its parts, is under a superintending Providence. This excellent book went through a number of editions, the last of which is the eighth, in 1722; and it merits reprinting with some notes, being admirably suited to the capacities of ordinary readers. Dr. Derham adopted the plan of it in his Boyle's Lectures," and so has Dr. Paley in his "Natural Theology;" but Lord Kames finds fault with Ray and

66

quo' major. "As other good things, so a good book, the bigger it is, the better it is :"-which holds as well of the number as magnitude of books."

The third edition of these discourses was published, with additions from the author's manuscripts, by Dr. Derham, in 1713, and the last appeared in 1732.

Besides these religious works, Mr. Ray printed an excellent practical treatise, entituled " A Persuasive to a Holy Life;" which volume is not so well known as it deserves to be. His other publications are:-1. A “ Collection of English Proverbs, with an addition of Hebrew and Foreign Proverbs; and a collection of English Lo

1167

Memoir of John Ray.

1168

cal Words not generally used." These I desire, and by the grace of God, retwo, though originally printed sepa- solve to die in the communion of the rately, have in subsequent editions Catholic Church of Christ, and a true, been united, with an account of English though unworthy son of the church by metals, minerals, &c. The last edition law established in this kingdom. I do is that of 1768.-2. A collection of think, from the bottom of my heart, Voyages and Travels, two volumes, that its doctrine is pure, its worship 8vo.-3. Dissertatio de variis Plan- decent, and agreeable to the word of tarum Methodis, 8vo.-4. Synopsis God; and in the most material points Methodica Animalium Quadrupedum of both, conformable to the faith and et Serpentini generis, 8vo.-5. Synop- practice of the godly churches of sis Methodica Avium et Piscium, 8vo. Christ in the primitive and purer This was a posthumous publication, times. I am not led to this persuasion edited by Dr. Derham, who also col- so much from force of custom and edulected and printed the "Philosophical cation, as upon the clear evidence of Letters between the learned Mr. Ray truth and reason. And after a serious and several of his ingenious corre- and impartial examination of the spondents," 8vo. The same worthy di- grounds thereof, I am fully persuaded, vine and naturalist likewise published that the scruples men raise against from his friend's papers, the "Historia joining in communion with it, are unInsectorum," in one volume, quarto. reasonable and groundless, and that The papers of Mr. Ray in the Philoso- the separation which is made, may phical Transactions, are too numerous very justly be charged upon the Disto be here specified. It is to be re-senters themselves, as the blamegretted, that he did not attend to the worthy authors of it." request made to him by his friend Mr. Morton, "that he would enrich the public with a History of the Scripture Plants; a work," says that gentleman, "which, although attempted by some, is certainly one of the desiderata still; and all do agree, you are the fittest person in the world for it." What answer Mr. Ray returned to this judicious request, does not appear, but the desideratum has never yet been supplied.--After a long life, for the most part spent in the study of nature, our English Pliny," as Mr. Ray has been appropriately called, died at Black Notley, January the 17th, 1705-6; and was interred in the church-yard of that parish, where a monument was raised over his grave at the expense of Bishop Compton. A long and elegant inscription in Latin was engraved on the tomb, which some years since was removed into the church, for preservation, where it may still be seen.

The Rev. Mr. Pyke, rector of Black Notley, who attended Mr. Ray in his last moments, received from him the following declaration, immediately before the administration of the Holy Sacrament:"I am a priest of the church of England, ordained by Dr. Sanderson, then Bishop of Lincoln. That I did not follow the peculiar duties of my function more, is now the greatest concern and trouble to me. I do here profess, that as I have lived, so

It is impossible that any profession could be more clear, solemn, and explicit, than this; and, yet, such is the narrowness of party, that attempts have been made by Calamy and others, apologists for nonconformity, to invalidate the declaration, by the supposition that Mr. Kay, at the time when he delivered it, was not in his right senses.

Among the manuscripts of Mr. Cole, in the British Museum, is a letter from the Rev. Michael Tyson, dated Nov. 12, 1779; giving some account of our great naturalist as follows :

"One part of my ramble I had not room to mention; a visit to the last retreat of that pious philosopher, Mr. Ray, at Black Notley: con amore, I made a drawing of the church, and his monument in the churchyard. The parish-clerk had such remembrance of him, from others, that he said, he kept in his house small animals, no larger than fleas, which died soon after him, as no one knew how to feed them. These were insects, preparatory to his history of those animals, which he never lived to complete. The clerk pointed out to me the farmhouse which was once his dwelling. I there saw his library, i. e. the room which once contained his books; and his garden before it, about an acre of ground. Here the father of English naturalists lived employed and happy."

J. W.

Narrative of the Death of Major John Andre.

NARRATIVE OF THE DEATH OF MAJOR
JOHN ANDRE.

During General Washington's absence at Rhode Island, whither he had gone to concert with the French THE efforts which have of late been Clinton and Arbuthnot, in New-York, commanders a plan for overpowering made to remove to this country, for honourable interment, the mouldering a deep-laid scheme was formed by one remains of this gallant, but unfortu- Arnold, a General in the army of the United States, whose services for his nate British officer, have again revived the interest, which, at the time of his country had been of the most brilliant and meritorious cast, for delivering execution, existed in so high a degree throughout this nation. The subject on the North River, to the English, up the strong fortress of West-Point, thus agitated, may render the follow-thus destroying the communication ing outline of his capture and death acceptable to many of our young readers.

1171 Narrative of the Death of Major John Andre.

with, Major Andre, Aid-de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton, and AdjutantGeneral of the British army, undertook to bring the conference to a conclusion. Accordingly, he repaired on board the Vulture, and at night, according to agreement, a boat from the shore carried him to the beach, where he met General Arnold. Daylight approaching before the conference was over, Andre was told he must be concealed till the following night, when he might go on board the Vulture, without the danger of being discovered. The beach where they held their conference was without, but the place where he was conducted by Arnold, was within the American outposts, against his intention, and without his knowledge. Here he lay concealed till night, when the boatmen refusing to carry him on board the Vulture, she having been obliged to shift her station, a gun being ordered to bear on her from the shore--he was compelled to attempt his passage to New York by land. Laying aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn, he put on plain clothes, and receiving a pass from Arnold, under the assumed name of John Anderson, as if he had been down on public business, he began his journey. He had already passed the American out-posts, and thought himself out of danger, when three militia-men, who had been patrolling the road, suddenly sprang from the woods, and stopped his horse. The suddenness of the surprise seems to have deprived Major Andre of his wonted presence of mind, and a man of the greatest address was thus entrapped by the rude simplicity of clowns.

Inquiring from whence they were, and being answered, " From below;" "And so," said he "am I." He soon perceived his error, but too late to amend it. The men having taken him prisoner, and found a letter on him in Arnold's own hand-writing, determined to conduct him before their officer. In vain he offered his watch and gold, in vain he offered them promotion if they would accompany him to New York. After these efforts, he seems to have been perfectly indifferent to his own fate, and his only anxiety was for Arnold. Before the Commandant, he personated the supposed John Anderson, and at his own request, a messenger being dispatched

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to General Arnold, after allowing
time for him to make his escape, he
threw off all disguise, and avowed his
real name and character. He also
wrote a letter to Washington,acquaint-
ing him that he was his prisoner, and
accounting for the disguise he was
necessitated to assume.
The message
to Arnold, announcing the detention
of one John Anderson, was sufficient
for him to provide for his own safety;
he therefore went on board the Vul-
ture, and in her sailed to New
York.

Washington having returned from Rhode Island, and being informed of what had taken place during his absence, reinforced the garrison of West-point, and appointed a board of officers to examine into, and report upon the case of Major Andre. The open, candid, and manly explanation which was given, showing that he was only anxious that the affair in which he had been engaged, shaded as it was by unfortunate circumstances, might be cleared from obscurity, and appear in its genuine colours, at least with respect to his intentions, which were incapable of dishonour, drew forth the admiration of those men who were about to shed his blood. But they, fixing their attention on the naked point of his being within their lines, without ever considering the unfortunate events which placed him in that situation, were unanimous in their opinion, that nothing but death could expiate the crime.

The concern felt at New York, in consequence of the capture of Major Andre, was, in the mean time, inconceivably great. "His gallantry," says an eminent writer on the American war, "as an officer, and amiable demeanour as a man, had gained him not only admiration, but the affection of the whole army; and the uncertainty of his fate filled them with the deepest anxiety." Sir Henry Clinton, whose confidence he possessed in a great degree, instantly opened a correspondence with Washington, urging every motive of justice, policy, and humanity, for the remission of the sentence. Finding them of no effect, he sent General Robertson, to confer on the subject with any one Washing ton should appoint. An interview accordingly took place between 'General Robertson and General Green, who had been president of the court mar

1173

Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino.

1174

tial; and the only accommodation | been elected as successor to Alexanwhich could take place being incom- der V. It was, therefore, with no patible with English justice, namely, small degree of alarm, that he soon the exchange of Arnold for Andre, the afterwards found the council deterofficers departed dissatisfied on both mined to assert its independence of sides. The greatness of the danger any previous synod, of a similar nawhich the American army had escaped, ture; and to maintain its plenary auseemed to have extinguished every thority to take whatever steps might spark of humanity in the breast of seem to it expedient, to effect the Washington. The day before his union of the church. Nor were his execution, Andre sent a most pathetic fears allayed by the presence of the letter to Washington, conjuring him Emperor, who arrived in Constance to let him die the death of a soldier, on Christmas-day. At the celebration instead of a common malefactor, leav- of the mass on that high festival, ing him to judge whether, in his situ- Sigismund assisted in the quality of ation, he should not make the same deacon. In the discharge of the durequest; but even this was refused. ties of this office, he read the gospel of the day, which commenced with the passage, 66 There came an edict from the emperor Augustus." From these words, which reminded him that he was now in a manner at the mercy of imperial power, the evil conscience of John drew an inauspicious omen, which was amply confirmed by the subsequent conduct of the Emperor towards him, which was marked by coldness and distrust.*

* 244 * **

*

* *

On the 2d of October, 1780, he met his fate, according to his sentence, with a fortitude, serenity, and composure, which excited compassion in the breast of every beholder, and made them lament, rather than avert his sentence. Thus fell the man for whom every eye was wet, every heart was grieved. Insensible of danger, he lived a hero; and fearless of death, he died a martyr. Bright as thy fame, Oh Washington, shall shine in the annals of thy country, as one of the firmest assertors of her liberties, and bravest defenders of her rights, the sons of freedom shall lament the cold insensibility which offered not to res-nocent for imputed offences. Of this cue from the iron hand of the grave, so gallant an officer, and even to deny the poor boon of dying as a soldier, while a glance of indignation shall dart from their eyes, softened only by the tear of compassion for the unfortunate end of the gallant Andre.

MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF
LEONARDO ARETINO.

(Continued from col. 1091.)

In the crooked policy of states, no stratagem is more common than attempts, on the part of wicked princes and ministers, to withdraw the attention of the public from their own crimes, by the persecution of the in

policy, John attempted to avail himself, in order to free himself from his present difficulties. Whilst the most discreet and virtuous members of the council were loudly calling for a reformation of the discipline of the church, in its head as well as in its members, he affected an extraordinary zeal for the purity of its doctrines; and John Huss, the celebrated Bohemian reformer, having repaired to Constance, he caused him to be arrested, in violation of a safe-conduct which he had received from the Emperor, and committed him to prison. On his arrival at Constance, Leo- In the course of a few days after the nardo found his master a prey to per- arrest of Huss, articles of impeachplexity and anxiety. With great ment were exhibited against him, of reluctance John had opened the coun- which the following are the principal: eil, on the 1st day of November, by a-1. That he publicly taught that proclamation, in which it was declared to be a continuation of the council of Pisa. In thus characterizing it, he evinced consummate artifice. By the council of Pisa, his competitors, Benedict XIII. and Gregory XII. had been deposed, and he himself had

the sacrament ought to be administered to the people in both kinds. 2. That he held, that in the sacrament of the altar, the bread remaineth bread after the consecration. 3. That

* L'Enfant's Council of Constance.