with great pomp, not only by the heads of his | some obscure passages in Ovid. - Bayle. Moreri.

joined Cyrus with his forces; but unfortunately but it was subsequently ransomed, or returned.

ABULFARAGIUS (GREGORY) a learned physician, and prelate of the Jacobites; a native of Malatia, in Armenia, where he was born in the year 1226. It is doubted by some authors whether he ever acquired any reputation as a physician, as he took orders at the early age of twenty, became bishop of Lacabena in 1247, and some years afterwards, primate of the Jacobites. Although a Christian, his fame was so great, that several Mahometans overcame their scruples to study under him. Abulfaragius was a multifarious writer, but is chiefly known by " An Abridgment of Universal History," from the beginning of the world to his own time, which was published with a Latin

Version by Dr Pococke, in 1663, 2 vols. 4to.
Oxford. He died in 1284.-Un. Biog.

ABUL FAZEL, vizier to the celebrated Mogul emperor Akbar, by whose command he wrote a history of his reign, as also the famous geographical and statistical account of the Mogul empire, intitled " Ayeen Akberry." The latter was translated into English by Francis Gladwin, Esq, in 3 vols. 4to. Calcutta, 1785-6. Abul Fazel was basely assassinated in 1604, at the instigation, as it is said, of the heir apparent, who was jealous of his talents and celebrity.-Ibid.

first of which was Plato; his successor Arcesilaus is deemed the founder of the second academy, and Carneades the chief of the third. (See their respective articles.)-Plut.

ACCIUS (LUCIUs) a Latin tragic poet, who was born in the year of Rome, 584. He founded his tragedies on the Greek model, and apparently on the same catastrophes; which led to an opinion that he was chiefly a translator. One of his dramas, however, was on the expulsion of Tarquin, a Roman subject; and he was also the author of two comedies, entitled "The Wedding," and " The

Cicero was well acquainted with Accius.-
Vossius. Moreri.

ABULFEDA (ISMAEL) Prince or Emir of Merchant." Some miscellaneous poems and Hamah in Syria, and a celebrated Arabian annals in verse are also given to Accius; geographer and historian, was born at Damas- but of all these there only remain a few fragcus in the year 1275, and succeeded his brother ments collected by Robert Stephens. Horace A. D. 1320. His principal works are-"Tko- styles Accius, "altus," elevated; and Ovid, vim al Boldaan," or "Geographical Canons;" "animosus," spirited: strength and vigour and "Al Mokhtasser, Fi Akbar Albaschar," seem to have formed his chief characteristics. or Universal History. The labours of Abulfeda are highly esteemed, and have been abstracted and translated by writers of considerable eminence. His geographical work was translated into Latin by Grævius, and published with notes in London, 1650; and various other parts of his geography have been rendered into Latin by Muratori, Kochler, Michaelis, Eickhorn, and others. Gagnier published that portion of his history which relates to the life of Mahomet, iu folio, Oxford, 1725; and the late professor White, in his edition of Pococke's "Specimen Historiæ Arabum," Oxford, 1806, gives likewise several chapters from Abulfeda.-Moreri. Un. Hist. Dict.

ABULGAZI (BAYADUR) Kahn of Kharasm, was born in the year 1605. He was the fourth of seven brothers, and was descended, both by father and mother, from Zingis Kahn. He began to reign at the age of forty, and reigned twenty years as a warlike and able prince, with great reputation. He then resigned the sovereignty to his son, and occupied himself in his retirement in writing " A Genealogical History of the Tartars," which, being incomplete at his death, was finished by his successor. The manuscript of this curious work falling into the hands of some Swedish officers during their imprisonment in Siberia, was brought to Europe, and translated first into Russian, and subsequently into German by Count Strahlenberg. A French version was printed at Leyden in 1726.-Ibid.

ACACTUS, bishop of Amida, or Constance, who sold the church plate, &c. to redeem and send home the Persian prisoners taken in the war between Theodosius the younger and Varannes King of Persia. This benevolence so astonished the latter, that he requested to see the worthy bishop; which interview happily to a peace, and thus a war, kindled by the intemperance of one prelate (see ABDAS) was terminated by the charity of another.Du Pin. Moreri.

led

ACADEMUS, a citizen of Athens in the time of Theseus, who gave his name to the grove that formed the school of philosophy called after it. Three sects of philosophers sprang out of the academy, at the head of the

ACCOLTI (BENEDICT) an Italian lawyer, was born at Florence in 1415, and succeeded Poggio as secretary to that republic, in 1450. He was highly distinguished by the Popes Leo X, Adrian VI, and Clement VII, the latter of whom made him a cardinal. From his proficiency in the Latin tongue, he was entitled the Cicero of the age. He wrote a treatise, "De Præstantia Virorum sui Ævi," Parma, 12mo. 1689, in which he compares the ancients with the moderns, and asserts the equality of the latter. He also wrote a valuable work in Latin, "On the War carried on by the Christians against the Barbarians for the recovery of Christ's Sepulchre," 4to. Venice, 1532. This production was very serviceable to Tasso in the composition of his "Jerusalem Delivered." Accolti died in 1549. Bernard Accolti, son of the preceding, acquired great celebrity as a poet; his works were published at Florence in 1513. Francis Accolti, brother of Benedict, was a lawyer of distinguished eminence, wrote several learned legal commentaries and other treatises, and translated a part of the works of Chrysostom; but his great abilities werė tarnished by his excessive parsimony. Peter Accolti, another son of Benedict Accolti, first studied law, but subsequently entered the church, and became cardinal, being the same cardinal (of Ancona) who composed the Papal Bull against Luther. He died in 1532.-Moreri.

ACCORSO or ACCURSIUS (FRANCIS) an eminent Italian lawyer, was born at Florence in 1182. Accorso is rendered famous by his " Perpetual Commentary," or "Great Gloss," in illustration of the code, the institutes, and the digests, in which all the opinions and decisions of preceding jurists are digested into one body, with the compiler's own annotations. The best edition of this laborious collection is that of Godefroi, in 6 vols. folio, Lyons, 1627. Accorso, who died rich in 1229, had a daughter, who read lectures in the university of Bologna. Francis Accorso, sen of the above, and also an eminent professor of law, as the invitation of Edward I came to England in 1237, and read lectures at Oxford, but subse- | 1567. He published Latin poems at the early quently returned to Italy, where he died in age of seventeen, and proceeding from the

1321. Un. Bing.

ACCORSO (MARIANGELO) a learned critic, and native of Aquila in Naples, flourished in the sixteenth century, and resided for a considerable time in the court of Charles V, by whom he was much esteemed. To an intimate acquaintance with the Greek and Latin, he added a considerable knowledge of modern languages, which rendered him one of the most erudite and ingenious critics of his day. He particularly distinguished himself by the diligence with which he sought and collated ancient manuscripts. His labours in that department are exhibited to great advantage in the first work which he sent to the press, entitled "Diatribæ in Ausonium, Solinum, et Ovidium." In 1538, he printed at Augsburgh an edition of Ammianus Marcellinus, as also the letters of Cassiodorus, with his treatise on the soul. In the "Corycinia," Rome, 1524, 4to. a poem of Accorso is printed, entitled "Protrepticon ad Corycium." He is also author of a ridicule on the affected antiquated Latin of several of his contemporaries, entitled "Osco, Volsco, Romanoque Eloquentia interlocutoribus, dialogus ludis Romanis actus," &c. 1531, 8vo. Accorso has left a curious example of literary jealousy, in consequence of an unmerited accusation of plagiarism. In a fable called "Testudo," at the end of his "Diatribæ," is a formal oath or protestation, that he had not received the smallest assistance from the lucubrations of any other author, but that he had even expunged the thoughts of others from his works, although prior on his own part. Few modern authors will be disposed to follow his example; not to mention that such pure originality is both philosophically impossible, and opposed to the free play of the associative principle in the acquirement and delivery of ideas; a restraint for which mere originality would prove no compensation. Univ. Biog.

universities of Germany to those of Italy, published an edition of Paterculus at Padua, and embraced the Roman Catholic religion. In 1594, he printed "Animadversions on Quintus Curtius," and died the following year, while his observations on Plautus were in the press. His philosophical remarks on Tacitus, Ausonius, and Quintilian, have also been printed. A dissertation, which made much noise in its time, entitled "Mulieres non esse Homines," a covered satire on the Socinians, was falsely attributed to Acidalius. Ibid.

ACKERMANN (JOHN CHRISTIAN GOTTLIEB) a native of Upper Saxony, and professor of medicine at Altdorff in Franconia, was born in 1756, studied under his father, and became an eminent physician and medical writer. His works are-1. "Institutiones Historiæ Medicinæ," 1792, 8vo.; 2. " A Manual of Military Medicine," in German, 2 vols. 8vo. 1794; 3. "The Life of J. C. Dippel," 1781. He also wrote the lives of the ancient Greek physicians, for Harle's new edition of Fabricius' Bibliotheca Græca.-Ibid.

ACONZIO or ACONTIUS (JAMES) a native of Trent, a philosopher, mathematician, and divine, originally of the Roman Catholic religion. Embracing the Protestant faith, he forsook his own country, and after passing some time in Switzerland, sought the patronage of Queen Elizabeth. To this sovereign, under the title of Diva Elizabetha, his principal work, "De Stratagematibus Satanæ," (on the Stratagems of Satan) was dedicated. The object of this work was to promote good will and toleration, by reducing the essential dogmas of the Christian religion to a small number, and by establishing a reciprocal toleration among all sects. It is unnecessary to say, that for a plan of this philosophical nature, the religious world of the age of Elizabeth was by no means prepared, and in consequence Acontius and his book were assailed by various Protestant divines, both in England and on the continent, with extraordinary bitterness. He was not however without his supporters even at that time, while his memory and labours have had much justice done them at a later period. The most generally approved work of Acontius is intitled "De Methodo sive recta investigandarum," &c. (Basil, 1558) on the Method of studying the Sciences; which logical work is ably and neatly written. The following passage is a proof at once of good sense and foresight: "I perceive that it is my lot to live in an exceedingly cultivated age; and yet I do not so much fear the decisions of the present race of learned men, as I dread the rising light of a period still more cultivated than the present; for although the present century has produced, and still continues to produce, many eminent men, yet I think I perceive before us a degree of knowledge and refinement beyond our present conceptions." This language is worthy the ACIDALIUS (VALENS) a learned German, contemporary of Bacon: Bayle speaks very was born at Wistock in Brandenburgh, in highly of this work. Another treatise by

ACHERI (LUKE D') a Benedictine of St Maur, born in 1609, who distinguished himself by his taste for antique research and the publication of scarce manuscripts, of which "The Spicelegium," a collection in 13 vols. quarto, 1653-1657, since republished in 3 vols. folio, 1725, forms a curious and prominent example. It contains historical pieces, chronicles, lives of saints, acts, charters, letters, &c. which had never before met the public eye. To the research of Acheri are also owing, -1. "The Epistle attributed to St Barnabas, 4to. 1645;" 2. "The Life and Works of Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Chronicle of the Abbey of Bec, from 1304 to 1437;" 3. "Asceticorum, vulgo spiritualium opusculorum, quæ inter patrum opera reperiuntur, Indiculus," quarto, 1648 and 1671; "The Life and Works of Guibert of Nogent," &c. &c. This laborious antiquary died at the abbey of St Germain-des-Pres, in 1685, aged 76-Biog. Universelle.

Acontius, entitled " Ars muniendorum oppido- | Christianity. Induced to compare the cusrum," in Italian and Latin, was printed at toms and practices of the modern synagogues Geneva in 1585. This calm and philoso- by the law of Moses, he ventured to request phical writer was a member of the Dutch congregation in Austin Friars; but being suspected of Arianism, he was called before Bishop Grindall; the result however has not been stated. The exact time of his death is unknown; but it is generally thought to have taken place in 1565. The Stratagemata of Acontius was printed at Basil 1563; again in 1610; and

from the rabbis a dispensation as to certain observances which were not authorised by the law. This indulgence was of course refused; and Acosta braved excommunication, on the presumption that spiritual, unaided by temporal authority, was not very formidable. He soon found out, as various offending Irish Catholics have done since, that it is no trifling

at Amsterdam in 1610. A French translation punishment to become the object of universal appeared at Delft in 1626.-Bayle. Tiraboschi. neglect and insult on the part of all with ACOSTA (JOSEPH) a Spanish jesuit and whom a high-spirited individual has been most missionary, was born about the year 1540 connected. Acosta was treated with the at Medina del Campo in Leon. He was grossest contumely by the whole tribe of Isseveral years employed in converting the rael, and even his own brothers dared not Indians of South America, and became a pro- address or salute him. This resentment was

vincial in the jesuits' college in Peru. In addition to treatises on the subject of his missionary labours and other subjects, he wrote in Spanish, and published on his return to Spain, "The Natural and Moral History of the Indies," octavo, 1591; which work was translated into French in 1600. Dr Robertson, and other elaborate writers on America, frequently refer to this writer, who died rector of the university of Salamanca in the year 1600.-Moreri.

ACOSTA (URIEL) a Portuguese, born at Oporto towards the close of the sixteenth century, and the member of a respectable family of Jewish origin, which had been led to embrace Christianity. In the first instance, he appears to have united great simplicity of character with an investigative spirit, and that enthusiastic turn of mind which implicitly follows the result of conviction, whatever the consequences. Brought up a Roman Catholic, in early life he is said to have been a strict observer of the ceremonies of that church; but, struck with what he deemed difficulties and inconsistencies, he gradually indulged doubts both of Roman Catholic authority and the divine origin of Christianity. This disposition to inquiry naturally led him back to a consideration of the religion of his forefathers, which, on a comparison with Christianity, he

further excited by a piece which he wrote on the Sadducean theory, denying that the resurrection of the dead is supported by the law of Moses. An exhibition of scepticism so unequivocal enabled his Jewish persecutors to cite him before the civil court of Amsterdam, for the promulgation of an opinion inimical at once both to Judaism and Christianity; and for this offence he was imprisoned eight or ten days, fined 300 gilders, and his book was confiscated. Those who have studied the composition of human character, will not be surprised to hear that the next step of Acosta was to deny the authority of Moses, as he had previously done that of Christ. The resolution of this extraordinary man was however at last worn out; and after enduring the Jewish sentence of excommunication for fifteen years, he sacrificed his conscience to his interest, and signed a confession of his errors in the public synagogue. The result is not uninstructive. being assiduously watched, he was detected in the inadvertent neglect of some ceremonial, again accused of infidelity, and prosecuted with the utmost rigour. Another sentence of excommunication was then passed upon him, which he endured for seven years, when he submitted to the most humiliating penance ever devised by intolerance and bigotry. Having a second time signed a public confession,

deemed the most satisfactory, and in conse- his restoration to the synagogue was accom

quence, at the age of two-and-twenty, deter- panied with the open infliction of thirty-nine mined to profess himself a Jew. It must be stripes; after which he was laid on his back presumed that, from origin and connexion, a at the door, in order that all who came secret predilection for Judaism prevailed in the out might trample on him. The mortififamily, as Acosta induced his mother and two cation produced by these indignities, some brothers to follow his example. The extreme abatement of which he had probably expected, rigour of the Portuguese laws against this so worked upon the spirit of Acosta, that after species of relapse, and the rigid superintendence attempting to shoot his principal adversary exercised over Christians of Jewish descent, with a pistol which missed fire, he discharged rendered this family change exceedingly dan- another at himself, as some accounts say, in gerous; and on this account the whole of 1640, but according to others in 1647. The them contrived to escape from Portugal, and unhappy career of this unfortunate man shows seek refuge in Holland. This step could not the inutility of pursuing certain lines of inbe taken without considerable sacrifices; and quiry without steady principles and a calm among other advantages, Acosta himself temperament. Acosta displayed considerable forfeited a post of some profit. His sin- ingenuity against the persecution which he cerity therefore cannot be doubted; but, endured from the Jews, in their appeal to a unfortunately for himself, he carried into the Christian tribunal on account of his indifJemsh persuasion the same restless spirit of ference to both religions; justly observing inqury which had dissatisfied him with that all their hatred was produced by his aban

donment of their own, while they meanly sought | troops in the island of Antigua. Dr Ada'r to injure him through the indignation of others. was the author of several medical tracts, as

-Life of Acosta. Bayle.

ACRON or ACRO (HELLENIUS) a scholiast of Horace, who lived in the seventh century. A copy of his notes, which were published in 1474, 4to. was sold at Dr Askew's sale. They were also reprinted at Venice, 1490, folio. His "Scholia" are likewise to be found in the edition of Horace, Basil, 1527, 8vo. Biog. Universelle.

ACROPOLITA (GEO.) a Byzantine historian, who enjoyed the dignity of Logothete, or chancellor, to Michael Palæologus, in the thirteenth century. His "Historia Byzantina" was discovered in the East by Douza, and published in 1614; but the best edition is that of the Louvre, in Latin and Greek, folio, 1651. This work, which is the more valuable as the author describes what passed under his own observation, commences where Nicetas terminates, and comprehends the period from 1205 to the expulsion of the Latin emperors in 1261. Acropolita was a man of merit and an able mathematician. He died in 1283.-Biog. Uni

verselle.

ACTUARIUS, a Greek physician of the thirteenth century, who distinguished himself by the analysis and employment of the milder cathartics and simple water. Henry Stephens printed a complete edition of his works, in folio, 1547; and another edition appeared at Leyden, 3 vol. 12mo. 1556.-Moreri.

ACUNA (CHRISTOPHER D') born at Burgos in Spain, 1597, became a jesuit in 1612, and subsequently a missionary in America. On his return to Spain, he published "Nuevo Discumbrimiento de gran Rio de los Amazones;" A new account of the great river of the Amazons; Madrid, 4to. 1641. Of this work, all the copies were destroyed except two, one of which was translated into French by Gomberville, "Relation de la Riviere des Amazones," 4 vols. 12 mo. 1682. The narrative of Acuna is very curious, and it is accompanied by a dissertation that is not less so. Moreri.

also of a pamphlet entitled " Unanswerable Objections against the Abolition of the Slave Trade," which, it need not be added, has been long ago adequately replied to. He died at an advanced age, at Harrowgate, in 1802.Un. Biography.

ADAIR (JAMES) a trader and resident among the North American Indians for more than forty years. This gentleman published. a singular work, entitled "The History of the American Indians, particularly those nations adjoining the Mississippi, East and West Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia," 4to. 1775. He advances the curious opinion, that the North American Indians are descended from the Hebrews.-Gent. Mag.

ADALARD or ADELARD, born about the year 753, was the grandson of Charles Martel, and cousin german of Charlemagne, whose conduct, in regard to a divorce, so wounded his ideas of propriety, that he took the habit of a monk in the abbey of Corbie, of which he was subsequently made abbot. After the death of Charlemagne, he was banished on some unmerited suspicion by Louis the Meek, who however, at the end of five years, recalled him. The disposition of Adelard was peculiarly pious and meditative, and he exercised upon himself all the austerities which in those days assumed the character of devotion. He is however most distinguished for the foundation of a distinct abbey, called New Corbie, as a nursery for missionaries to convert the northern nations. Adalard promoted learning in his monasteries, being himself a distinguished scholar. His principal work was "A Treatise on the French Monarchy," some fragments of which are extant. The ancient statutes of his abbey of Corbie are in the fourth volume of D'Acheri's "Spicelegium."-Dupin.

ADALBERON, a celebrated archbishop of Rheims and chancellor of France, who distinguished himself, as a prelate and politician, under Lothaire, Louis V, and Hugh Capet. He was the son of Geoffry, Count of Ardennes, and possessed great firmness of mind and love of learning, which he much encouraged in his diocese. Several of his letters are among those of Gerbert, afterwards Sylvester II. He died in 988.-Adalberon (Ascelinus) was ordained Bishop of Laon in 977, by the preceding. He was an ambitious prelate and servile courtier, but is only mentioned here as the author of a satirical poem in 430 hexameter verses, dedi

ADAIR (JAMES) serjeant at law, was born in London, and became eminent about the time that John Wilkes so equivocally, yet popularly, enacted the part of patriot. Mr Adair sided with the popular party, and in 1771 was chosen recorder of London, an office which he held for ten years. On the breaking out of the French revolution, Mr Adair, who deserted the whigs, was counsel for the crown in the state trials, and at the time of his death in 1798, chief justice of Chester. He pub-cated to King Robert, of which Adrian Valois

lished, anonymously, a pamphlet, intitled "Observations on the Power of Alienation in the Crown," 8vo. 1768.-Gent. Mag.

ADAIR (JAMES MAKITTRICK) a physician and native of Scotland, who for several years practised at Bath, where he was quite as much distinguished for his querulous disposition as his medical skill, which was however deemed respectable. Among other persons with whom he disputed was the still more eccentric Philip Thicknesse. He was subsequently physician to the commander-in chief and the colonial

gave an edition, in 1663, 8vo. It contains some curious points of history. This prelate died in 1030.-Biog. Universelle.

ADAM (ALEXANDER) a learned schoolmaster and grammarian, was born at Rafford in the county of Moray, 1741, of humble parents, who however contrived to give him a good education. In 1761 he became asistant master of the high school of Edinburgh, and in 1771, head master of the same, when a dispute arose between him and the under masters, in consequence of his endeavours to introduce