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ishing powers, we may say, as Arbuthnot formerly did to Pope, when speaking of Handel" Conceive the highest that you can of his abilities, and they are much beyond any thing that you can conceive." The father of this wonderful man intended him for the law, and perceiving his propensity to music, would not suffer any instruments belonging to that science to be taken into his house. The son, however, contrived to have a small clarichord concealed in the garret, where he frequently amused himself when the family was asleep. When seven years of age, he went with his father to the court of Saxe Weissenfels, to whom Handel's brother-in-law was valet. Here he got into church one morning, and seeing the organ, began to play upon it. The duke, who was then in the church, surprised at the playing, desired to know who it was; and, on being informed, blamed the old gentleman for restraining the son's inclination, as he had acknowledged to have done. In consequence of this circumstance, music was not only tolerated, but Zackaw, the organist of the cathedral at Hall, was engaged to teach him. Handel made so great a progress under this master, that he shortly became his assistant; and at the early age of nine years, he actually composed the church service. In 1698, he went to Berlin, where he attracted the notice of the King of Prussia. He next repaired to Hamburgh, and during his residence there, had a dispute with one of his own profession, who basely made a push at him with his sword, as

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he was coming out of the orchestra; but no mischief ensued, as a music-book in Handel's bosom fortunately prevented the weapon from piercing his heart. Here he composed his opera of Almeria, which succeeded wonderfully. Afterwards he visited Italy, and at Florence produced the opera of Rodrigo, for which he was rewarded with a purse of one hundred sequins, and a service of plate. From Italy he returned to Germany, and in 1710, came over to England, but being under an engagement to the elector of Hanover, his stay was short. In 1712, however he came hither again, and a pension of 2001. a year was granted him by Queen Anne, which was afterwards doubled by George I. At length the rage for Italian music prevailed, and the divine Handel could not stop the progress of the delusion. He then went to Ireland, where he was favourably received; but in 1742, his popularity returned, and he retained his glory to the last. He died April 14, 1759, and was buried in Westminster Abbey; where, by his own order, a monument is erected to his memory. But his greatest monument is in his works, which were collected and published in the best manner, by Dr. Arnold.

HAWKESWORTH, (Dr. JoHN) a pleasing and successful English writer, was born at Bromley, in Kent, in 1715, and bred to the business of a watchmaker. He afterwards applied to literature, and was author of "The Adventurer." a work of great merit and ge nerally admired. This indeed was his prin

cipal performance, and for which Archbishop Herring conferred on him the degree of L.L.D. He was then employed to compile "An Account of the Discoveries made in the South-Seas," for which he received the enormous sum of 60001. This compilation, however, did not give satisfaction either to his employers, or the public; for, in order to introduce original matter, he frequently broke the thread of his narrative, by advancing tenets not strictly orthodox. This performance, therefore, is not held in very great esteem. Dr. Hawkesworth after becoming an East-India director, died suddenly in

1773.

HEINECKEN, (CHRISTIAN HENRY) an extra

ordinary child, was born at Lubeck, in 1721, and died at the age of four ' years, in 1725. He spoke his natural tongue fluently at ten months. He knew all the history of the bible at fourteen months old; and at the age of two years and a half, was competent in ancient and modern history, and geography. At the time of his death, he was well acquainted with ecclesiastical history, and several of the Latin classics; as well as the history of modern Europe. He also spoke the German, Latin, French, and Dutch languages. His constitution was SO delicate, that he was not weaned till a few months before his decease.

HELOISE, the mistress of Abelard, and afterwards abbess of the Paraclete. See ABELARD. HENDERSON, (JOHN) B. A. of Pembroke College, Oxford, an extraordinary genius. He was born at Ballegarance,'near Limerick, in Ireland,

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in 1757. His father was a preacher in Mr. Wesley's connection, and afterwards settled as a schoolmaster at Hanham, near Bristol. Young Henderson displayed, at a very early period of life, an uncommon thirst after knowledge, which he gratified with unremitting ardour. He received his education among the Methodists, and made so quick a progress as to be employed to teach Latin in Kingswood school at eight years of age; and Greek in lady Huntingdon's college in Wales, when he was no more than twelve. Dr. Tucker, the late dean of Glouce ster, sent him, at his own expence, to Pembroke college, Oxford, where he took his degree of B. A. but never entered into orders, though so well qualified for that calling. His habits and his studies were alike very singular. His clothes were made in a fashion peculiar to himself: he wore no stock or neckcloth; his buckles were so small as not to exceed the dimensions of a common knee buckle, at a time when very large ones were in fashion. When he was once on a visit at Dr. Adams's, who was then master of Pembroke College, Miss Adams made him a present of a pair of buckles of a reasonable size, and requested he would wear them: he did so, whenever he went to see Dr. Adams, but, on his return home, the diminutive pair was summoned upon duty. Though he was then about twenty-four years of age, he wore his hair like a school-boy of six or seven. He usually went to bed about day-break, and rose in the afternoon. It was his custom to strip himself naked as low as the waist, and, taking his station at the pump

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near his rooms, would completely sluice his head and the upper part of his body; after which he would pump over his shirt, and putting it on, in that condition would immediately go to bed. His learning was deep and multifarious. He was well acquainted with the oriental languages, and understood something of every science. The favourite objects of his studies were metaphysics, divinity, morality, chemistry and medicine; and the virtues of his heart were superior even to the astonishing powers of his understanding. This surprising young man died at Oxford, in 1788, and was buried at Kingswood. We shall close our account of him with the following anecdote. A student of a neighbouring college, proud of his logical acquirements, was solicitous of a private disputation with the renowned Henderson : some mutual friends introduced him; and, having chosen his subject, they conversed for some time with equal candour and moderation; but Henderson's antagonist perceiving his confutation inevitable (forgetting the character of a gentleman, and with a resentment engendered by his former arrogance) threw a full glass of wine in his face.Henderson, without altering his features or changing his position, gently wiped his face, and then coolly replied, "This, Sir, is a digression, now for the argument." This insult, however, was resented by the company, who turned the aggressor out of the room. HENDERSON, (JOHN) a celebrated English comedian, was born in 1747, and died in 1785, He was the only person, since the death of Mr. Garrick, who could in any degree supply the place

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