ever

action against the governor for damages, although the rigour of his confinement had produced a disorder which so disabled his fingers that he was afterwards compelled, when writing, to grasp the pen in the palm of his hand. After having conferred various important benefits on his diocese, he died on the 7th of March, 1755, leaving one son, the offspring of a very early marriage. Besides the publications already mentioned, he printed A Short History of the Isle of Man; several sermons on practical subjects; and a few religious tracts. At a late period of his life, a translation of the Scriptures into Manx was commenced under his auspices, which his successor, Hildesley, caused to be completed. He was a man of respectable scientific, and classical attainments; particularly tolerant; indefatigable in the performance of his duties as a prelate, and a most zealous friend to the labouring classes. Having, on one occasion, ordered a cloak with a single loop and button, his tailor remarked, that if such a fashion should prevail, the poor button-makers would starve. "Indeed!" exclaimed the bishop, "then button it all over." His charities, it is said, were dispensed judiciously, and in the true spirit of Christian benevolence. He once gave a friend directions to present £50 to a poor sick clergyman, who had a large family, in the most delicate manner possible, and with an intimation, that the donor had no wish to be known. "I will wait upon him early to-morrow morning," said the gentleman. "You will oblige me," replied the bishop, "by carrying the money to him directly. Think, sir, of what importance a good night's rest may be to this poor man.' Although he always declined taking his seat in the house of lords, because, as he said, Christ's kingdom not being of this world, he thought the church should have nothing to do with the state, yet, while in London, prosecuting his appeal, he appeared on several occasions at court; and it is related that, one day, Queen Caroline, perceiving him approach, thus complimented him, at the expense of several prelates who were then in her majesty's presence:-"Here, my lords, is a bishop, whose object is not translation, and who will not part with his spouse because she is poor."

WELLS, (EDWARD,) was born in 1663, at Corsham, in Wiltshire, and acquired the rudiments of education at Westminster school; whence, in 1686, he was elected to Christchurch, Oxford; where, after having taken his degrees of B.A. and M. A., he became a college tutor, and, eventually, obtained the Greek professorship. In 1704, he proceeded to the degree of D. D.; and, in 1715, Browne Willis, the antiquary, who had been his pupil, presented him to the rectory of Blechley, in Buckinghamshire. His only other preferment was the rectory of Cottesbach, in Leicestershire; which, according to the history of the county, he obtained in 1701-2, while his biographers state, that it was given to him in 1717. Of his private character, nothing important appears to be recorded, except a statement, contained in the Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, that he took an opportunity, from the pulpit, "to mark out, by slander, his benefactor;the very man who, by mistake, in an uncommon manner, gave him the stand and opportunity of his misbehaviour." Besides having distinguished himself, as a theologian, in a controversy with Dr. Clarke, respecting the Scripture doctrine of the Trinity, he was the author of An Historical Geography of the Old and New Testament, illustrated with Maps, &c.; The Young Gentleman's Course of Mathematics, Arithmetic and Geometry; A Paraphrase, with Annotations, on all the Books of the Old and New Testament; An Help for the right Understanding of the several Divine Laws and Covenants; An Exposition of the Church Catechism; Harmonia Grammaticalis, or, A View of the Agreement between the Latin and Greek tongues, as to the declining of Words; Elementa Arithmetica numerosæ et speciosa; The Duty of being grieved for the Sins of others; Unworthiness no excuse for not coming to the Sacrament; and various other theological, geographical, and political works. He also produced editions of Dionysius, Periegêtes, and Xenophon, with Latin versions, maps, &c. His death took place in the month of August, 1727.

WELCHMAN, (EDWARD, Archdeacon of Cardigan,) was born about

VOL. I.

the year 1665, at Banbury, in Oxfordshire; and, having been admitted a commoner of Magdalen hall, Oxford, in 1679, he commenced B. A. in 1683; became a probationer fellow of Merton college in 1684; and proceeded M. A. in 1688. Entering into holy orders, he obtained the rectories of Lapworth and Solihull, in Warwickshire, and the archdeaconry of Cardigan. He was a man of high classical attainments, considerable abilities, and obtained great reputation as an author. His works consist of A Vindication of the Church of England against Heresy and Schism; The Husbandman's Manual,-directing him how to improve the several Actions of his Calling, and the most useful Occurrences of his Life, to the Glory of God, and Benefit of his Soul; Dr. Clarke's Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity Examined; A Conference with an Arian; A Latin Treatise on the Thirty-nine Articles, which has been translated into English, and frequently reprinted; an edition of the Works of Novitian; and several occasional sermons. He died on the 28th of May, 1739, leaving several children; one of whom, a son, is said to have afterwards kept an inn at Stratford-uponAvon. "Whilst the coachman stopped to water the horses," observes the author of the Spiritual Quixote, " my landlord, out of civility, came to pay his compliments to Dr. Greville, who knew the man to be the son of the learned Dr. Welchman, well known for his illustration of the Thirty-nine Articles; which piece of history, as he had not much merit of his own to boast of, mine host never failed to acquaint his customers with. 'Gentlemen,' he would say, 'you have, doubtless, heard of my father; he made the Thirty-nine Articles.""

MOSS, (ROBERT, Dean of Ely,) was born in Norfolk, about the year 1666; and, at the age of sixteen, proceeded to Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, where he wrote some Latin and Greek verses on the deaths of Charles the Second, and Mary, the consort of King William, which were inserted in the Cambridge collection. After graduating as B. A. and obtaining a fellowship, he commenced private tutor, and was appointed one of the twelve university preachers. He also

became a candidate for the office of orator, which he lost by three votes, those, it is said, of the university bedells, -who had taken offence at some paragraph in one of his speeches as prævaricator. He proceeded to the degree of S. T. B. in 1696; and, subsequently, obtained the preachership at Gray's inn, and the assistant-preachership at St. James's, Westminster. In 1701, he became a royal chaplain, and, four years afterwards, was created S. T. P. in the presence of Queen Anne. In 1708, he accepted the lectureship of St. Lawrence, Jewry; and, in 1712, the queen nominated him Dean of Ely; on which occasion he resigned his fellowship, as he did his preachership at Gray's inn, on being presented to the living of Giddleston, Herts, in 1714; and his lectureship in the city, on account of his infirmities, in 1727. He retained his royal chaplaincy after the accession of George the First, but was, at length, dismissed, with Sherlock and Hare, for the part he took in the Bangorian controversy. After his death, which occurred in 1729, his sermons were collected and published by Dr. Snape, who states that "he was of a graceful personage, a gentleman-like address, a sweet, affable, and benevolent disposition; and had something so winning and engaging in his conversation, that he was scarce ever known to lose a friend that had been once intimately acquainted with him." "He distinguished himself," says the same divine, "by repeated proofs of very uncommon abilities; and acquired the reputation of one of the most ingenious performers of any about his time, of all kinds of public exercises, whether in way of classical or academical learning." Cutler, in a letter to Grey, says of his sermons: "their reputation must last as long as learning, eloquence, or religion." One of his discourses, entitled, The Extent of Christ's Commission to Baptise, was occasioned by the controversy as to the validity of lay baptism. Besides his sermons, he published a defence of the lower house of convocation, "concerning their consultations about the Bishop of Bangor's writings;" and is suspected to have written A Letter to Queen Anne on the Peace of Utrecht. He left a widow, but, as it appears, no children.

the

CHISHULL, (EDMUND,) a native of Eyworth, in Bedfordshire, was born about the year 1668, and proceeded to the degree of M. A. in 1693, at Corpus Christi college, Oxford. He published an elegant Latin poem on the battle of La Hogue, in 1692, and another, on the death of Queen Mary, in 1694. Four years afterwards, he succeeded to a travelling fellowship, and visited Turkey and the Levant. He then settled at Smyrna, where he officiated as chaplain to the English factory until 1702, when he returned to England, and, three years afterwards, took his bachelor's degree in divinity. In 1708, he became vicar of Walthamstow; in 1711, chaplain to the queen; in 1713, a lent preacher at St. Olave's, Hart street; and, in 1731, rector of Southchurch, Essex, in possession of which he died, leaving two children, on the 18th of May, 1733. Besides numerous sermons and some controversial pieces, he published an account of his travels; a dissertation on certain medals struck at Smyrna in honour of physicians, appended to Dr. Mead's Harleian oration, in 1724; and Antiquitates Asiatica Christianum Æram antecedentes, of which the manuscript of a second volume that appears to have been in the press at the time of his decease, was purchased by the trustees of the British Museum, in 1785.

WOOLSTON, (THOMAS,) son of a respectable tradesman, was born in 1669, at Northampton, where he acquired the rudiments of learning. In 1685, he was sent to Cambridge; and, proceeding B. A., in 1688, was soon afterwards elected to a fellowship, and entered into holy orders. He took the degree of M. A. in 1692; and, in 1699, that of B. D. Having imbibed a fondness for allegorical interpretations of Scripture, by reading the works of Origen, he produced, in 1705, The old Apology for the Truth of the Christian Religion against the Jews and Gentiles revived in this tract he contended, that the ancient fathers had considered the actions of Moses as typical of Christ and his church. In 1720, he printed a Latin dissertation, in which he asserted, that the letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius, concerning the works of Christ, inserted in the writings of the fathers,

was a forgery; and two Latin epistles, in defence of Origen's allegorical mode of interpreting the Scriptures. Soon afterwards, he published a letter to Dr. Bennett, rector of Cripplegate, containing an inquiry, "whether the people called Quakers, did not, the nearest of any other sect of religion, resemble primitive Christians, in principles and practice." On account of the animosity which he betrayed against the clergy in this production, and his refusal to reside at college, pursuant to the statutes, he was deprived of his fellowship. In the years 1723 and 1724, he produced his Free Gifts to the Clergy; and, in 1726, A Defence of the Miracle of the Thundering Legion, against Mr. Moyle. Soon afterwards, he printed The Moderator between an Infidel and an Apostate; and, subsequently, two supplements to that production, in which he not only contended for mystical interpretations of the miracles of Christ, but insisted that they had never been wrought. The attorneygeneral now took proceedings against him as a declared enemy to Christianity, which, however, were stayed, principally on the interference of Whiston. His next productions were Six Discourses on the Miracles, in which, it is said, "he mixed up a vein of ridicule and buffoonery, which could not fail of striking with horror all believers in the divine mission of Christ." He now lost the friendship of Whiston, and proceedings against him for blasphemy being renewed, he was brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to a year's imprisonment in the King's Bench, to pay £100 fine, and to find security for his good behaviour. On the expiration of the year, not being able either to procure bail, (as he would not promise not to repeat his offence,) or to pay the fine, Dr. Clarke generously undertook to solicit his discharge. His exertions, however, were speedily rendered needless by Woolston's decease, which occurred in January, 1732-3. A few moments before he expired, he said, in contemplation of death, "This is a struggle which all men must go through, and which I bear, not only patiently, but with willingness." He was learned, industrious, and endowed with good talents, which, however, were deplorably

perverted by his tendency to mysticism. Although abusive to his opponents, in disposition he is said to have been amiable, and in moral deportment, proof against reproach; but strong doubts have been entertained of his mental sanity.

SNAPE, (ANDREW,) son of the serjeant-farrier to Charles the Second, was born at Hampton-court, in 1670. After having passed some years at Eton school, he was removed, in 1689, to King's college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1693; that of M. A. in 1697; and, in or about the latter year, obtained a fellowship. He soon afterwards became lecturer of St. Martin-in-the-fields; and, subsequently, rector of St. Maryat-hill, and one of the royal chaplains. In 1705, he took the degree of D. D.; and, in 1707, attended, as one of the representatives of the university of Cambridge, at the jubilee of Frankfort. While on the continent, he preached a sermon before the Electress Sophia, which was afterwards printed under the title of The Just Prerogative of Human Nature. In 1713, he was installed a canon of Windsor; and, in 1717, he took a conspicuous part against Hoadly, in the Bangorian controversy, which, however, led to his removal from the office of king's chaplain, at the instigation of his opponent. 1719, he was elected provost of King's college, Cambridge; and, in the following year, vice-chancellor of the university. Shortly afterwards, he obtained the rectory of Knebworth, in Hertfordshire; and, in 1737, that of Ilderly, in Berkshire, which he held till his death. He was also, for soine years, head master of Eton, and had the honour of drawing up the Cambridge address to George the Second, on the institution of the Whitehall preachers. He appears to have been learned, acute, amiable, and a zealous supporter of the doctrines of the established church. As a controversialist, he displayed so much power, that, according to Dr. Zachary Grey," he was by far the most powerful opponent Bishop Hoadly had." He edited the discourses of Dean Moss; and three volumes of his sermons were published a few years after his death, which took place on the 30th of

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December, 1742. It is asserted, that a mezzotinto likeness of Dr. Snape, was, "after the original had gone out of fashion," imposed upon the public as a portrait of the famous Orator Henley.

BOULTER, (HUGH, Archbishop of Armagh,) was born in 1671, and studied, for some time, at Merchant Tailors' school, whence he removed to Christchurch, Oxford. After having been elected demy of Magdalen, he proceeded to the degree of B. A. in 1690; to that of M. A. in 1693; and, soon afterwards, obtained a fellowship. He became chaplain to Sir Charles Hedges, in 1700; and, subsequently, through the interest of Lord Sunderland, procured the living of St. Olave, Southwark, and the archdeaconry of Surrey. In 1705, he took the degree B. D., and that of D. D. in 1708. In 1719, he went to Hanover with George the First, in the capacity of chaplain, and was employed to teach Prince Frederick the English language. During the same year, the king promoted him to the deanery of Christchurch, and the bishopric of Bristol. He was nominated, in 1724, Archbishop of Armagh, and primate of Ireland, where he soon acquired great popularity by his extraordinary benevolence, and strenuous exertions to ameliorate the condition of the country. He expended £30,000 in the augmentation of small livings; erected and endowed hospitals at Drogheda and Armagh, for the reception of clergymen's widows; supported the sons of many poor divines at the university; contributed greatly to the establishment of the protestant charter schools; and, during a severe scarcity of food, in 1740, provided, at his own expense, two meals a day for upwards of two thousand five hundred distressed persons. In these and other equally laudable acts, he disbursed nearly the whole of his archiepiscopal revenues. deportment was grave, his aspect venerable, his temper meek, and his mode of living remarkably frugal. He died, after having been thirteen times a lord justice of Ireland, near the close of the year 1742. A few of his sermons and charges were printed during his lifetime; and a collection of his letters was published, at Oxford, many years after his decease.

His

DAWES, (Sir WILLIAM, Archbishop of York,) the son of Sir John Dawes, Bart., was born near Braintree, in Essex, on the 12th of September, 1671, and received his education at Merchant Tailors' school, and St. John's college, Oxford. The family estate and title having devolved on him, by the death of his father and two elder brothers, he quitted the university, and passed some time as a country gentleman; but rural pursuits not being congenial to his taste, he entered himself of Catherine hall, Cambridge, of which, in his twenty-fifth year, he became master; and, soon afterwards, filled the office of vice-chancellor. Having taken orders, he was nominated chaplain to William the Third; and, in 1698, presented to a prebendal stall at Worcester. During the same year, Archbishop Tenison collated him to the deanery and rectory of Bocking, in Essex. On the accession of Anne, he was appointed one of her majesty's chaplains, and would, apparently, have been raised to the bishopric of Lincoln, in 1705, but for the utterance of some offensive truths, in a sermon, which he preached before the queen early in that year. He soon, however, regained her majesty's esteem; and, in 1707, obtained the see of Chester; from which, in 1713-14, he was translated to the archbishopric of York. After his decease, which took place on the 30th of April, 1724, his works were collected, and published in three volumes, octavo: they consist of a poem, entitled, The Anatomy of Atheism, dedicated to Sir George Darcey (whose daughter, Frances, he married, and by her had seven children); the preface to Bishop Blackall's works; a discourse On the Eternity of Hell Torments; and a number of sermons on various subjects. As a preacher, he acquired great popularity, not so much by his mental abilities, which, though respectable, were far from splendid, as by the natural beauty of his elocution, and the dignified graces of his person. His moral character was altogether admirable: no man, it is said, could, with justice, accuse him of ever having neglected his duty, violated his promise, or acted, in any respect, contrary to the dictates of his conscience. His behaviour is said to have been courteous, his conversation cheerful, and

his temper, on all occasions, perfectly unruffled.

SMALBROKE, (RICHARD, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry,) was born at Birmingham, in 1672. He completed his education at Magdalen college, Oxford, where he proceeded to the degree of B. A. in 1691; to that of M. A. in 1694; to that of B. D. in 1706; and to that of D.D. in 1708. He also obtained a fellowship; and, in 1712, became chaplain to Archbishop Tenison, and treasurer of Llandaff. In 1717, he was made a prebend of Hereford; and, in 1723, was consecrated Bishop of St. David's; from which see he was translated, in 1730, to that of Lichfield and Coventry. He died on the 22nd of September, 1749, leaving three sons and four daughters by his wife, Catherine, a sister of Archdeacon Brooks. His portrait is preserved at Magdalen college, Oxford, to which, in 1730, he gave £100 towards the erection of some new buildings. He published eleven sermons, two or three charges, and above twenty controversial pieces, chiefly against Whiston and Woolston. He became involved in a personal dispute between Budworth and the Methodists, and exposed himself, by some observations in one of his charges, to a caustic attack from Warburton. a polemical writer, he possessed considerable ability; but, in A Vindication of our Saviour's Miracles, he much weakened the effect of his arguments, by entering into calculations, as to the precise number of devils in the herd of swine at Gadarene.

As

HARE, (FRANCIS, Bishop of Chichester,) was born about the year 1675, and admitted, in 1688, a scholar on the foundation, at Eton; whence he removed to King's college, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B. A. in 1692, and that of M. A. a few years afterwards. Commencing tutor, the celebrated Anthony Collins, and the Marquess of Blandford, eldest son of the great Duke of Marlborough, were, among others, placed under his care. Soon after the premature death of his noble pupil, which took place in 1702, he entered into holy orders, and became chaplain-general to the army in Flanders. In 1707, he was appointed