this work Conyers Middleton is charged by Wharton, in his Essay on Pope, (ii. p. 324,) to have taken the idea of writing Cicero's history in his own words, and also to have taken the whole arrangements adopted, without acknowledgment, by himself. Dr. Parr, in the preface referred to, repeats the same charge. Of this piece Mr. Hallam remarks: "The celebrated preface of the editor has had the effect of eclipsing the original author; Parr was constantly read and talked of; Bellenden never." Mr. De Quincey hardly permits even Parr's Preface to escape his wholesale castigation of the "Birmingham Doctor." "Not one work of Dr. Parr's is extant which can, without laughter, assume that important name. The preface to Bellenden is, after all, by much the weightiest and most regular composition, and the least of a fugitive tract. Yet this is but a jeu d'esprit, or classical prolusion. And we believe the case to be unexampled, that upon so slender a basis, a man of the world, and reputed a man of sense, should set up for an author. Well might the author of the Pursuits of Literature (1797) demand-What has Dr. Parr written? A sermon or two, rather long; a Latin preface to Bellendenus, (rather long, too,) consisting of a cento of Latin and Greek expressions applied to political subjects, &c."-Philosophical Writers. But Dr. Irving considers this celebrated Preface to be worthy of high praise: "It is written in a style of elegant and powerful Latinity, but is too much replenished with modern politics, and, in the opinion of some readers, is not free from a considerable mixture of pedantry. It is, however, such a composition as no other Englishman of that period could perhaps have produced.”—Encyc. Brit. And why not? All extravagance, whether in praise or censure, is pretty sure to be incorrect. The Preface gave rise to several attacks; Remarks, &c., 1787; Animadversions, &c., 1788; The Parriad, by Chapman, 1788; An Epistle, &c. Bellers, Fettiplace. Delineation of Universal Law; being an abstract of an Essay towards deducing the elements of Universal Law, from the principles of knowledge and nature of things, in five books. 1. Of Books in general. 2. Of Private Law. 3. Of Criminal Law. 4. Of the Law of Magistracy. 5. Of the Law of Nations, Lon., 1740, 4to; 2d ed., 1754. "This is a very curious production. It can hardly be called a book, being merely a table of the contents of a proposed treatise, and containing nothing but the heads of divisions under which Bellers proposed to write a work on Universal Law. The author spent twenty years in studying his subject and maturing his plan. It is with a feeling of regret, mingled with something like reproach, that we find the labours of twenty years so wasted, and reflect upon the great expenditure of time and diligence that has been destitute of any useful result."-Marvin's Legal Bibl. But are twenty years' intellectual entertainment, and habits of mental discipline, and acquisition of useful knowledge, to be counted for nothing? In 1759 Mr. Bellers pub. a treatise, (in 4to,) The Ends of Society. Bellers, Fulk. Funeral Sermon on J. Lamotte, Esq., Ald. of London, Lon., 1656, 4to, with portrait by Faith orne. Bellers, John, a Political Economist; author of Proposals for Raising a College of Industry for all useful Trades and Husbandry, Lon., 1696, 4to. Essays about the Poor, Manufactures, Trade, Plantation, and immorality, 1699, 4to. Some reasons for our European State, Lon., 1710, 4to. An Essay towards the Improvement of Physic, in Twelve Books, with an Essay for employing the Poor, Lon., 1714, 4to. An Essay for Employing the Poor to profit, Lon., 1723, 4to. An Epistle to W. Friends, concerning the Prisons, and Sick in the Prisons and Hospitals of Great Britain, Lon., 1724, 4to. Abstract of George Fox's Advice and Warning to the Magistrates concerning the Poor, Lon., 1724, 4to. The philanthropic character of Mr. Bellers is indicated by the subjects which engaged his pen. See Donaldson's Agricult. Biog. Bellew, Robt. 1. Trafalgar. 2. Irish Peasantry, 1806-08. Bellewe, Richard. Legal Compilations, etc., 1585, &c. Les Ans du Roy Richard le Second, Lon., 1585, 8vo. This book forms a substitute for the year book of that reign, which is wholly omitted. Bellinger, Charles. Thanksgiving after Rebellion; a Sermon on Ps. lxxv. 1, 1746, 8vo. Bellinger, F. A Medical Work, Lon., 1717, 8vo. Bellingham, O'B. On Aneurism, and its Treatment by Compression, Lon., 12mo. "In our opinion, he has conferred a signal benefit upon the art of surgery, by his improvement of the mode of employing pressure, and upon the science by his ingenious and philosophical exposition of its operation."-Lon. Medico-Chirur. Review. Bellington, Thomas. Sermon, 1718, 8vo. 162 Bellon, Peter. Mock Duellist, Lon., 1675, 4to, &c. Irish Spaw, &c., Dub., 1684, 8vo. Belmeis, or Beaumes, Richard de, I., Bishop of London, consecrated 1108, is said by Tanner to have written a treatise in verse, addressed to Henry L. The MS. was in the Monastery of Peterborough. Belmeis, or Beaumes, Richard de, II., Bishop of London, consecrated in 1151, is mentioned by Robert Gale as the author of Codex Niger, or Black Book of the Exchequer. Belmeys, John, Joannes Eboracensis, or John of York, of the 12th century, is said by Bale and Pits to have written 32 Letters to Thomas Becket, An Invective against the same, and certain Elegant Orations; Leland mentions Aurea Joannis Eboracensis Historia, but is un certain whether this John of York is the same with our author. Indeed, Leland "could not find any thing certainly written" by Belmeys. Beloe, Rev. William, 1756-1817, was the son of a tradesman of Norwich. After spending some time under the care of the celebrated Dr. Parr at Stanmore, he entered Bene't or Corpus Christi, College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B.A. in 1779. Removing to London, in conjunction with Mr. Nares, he established the British Critic, as an organ of what are styled high-church, i. e. loyal and conservative, principles, in opposition to the dangerous dogmas of the sympathizers with the French Revolution. In 1796 he was presented to the rectory of Allhallows, London-wall. In 1797 Bishop Prettyman collated him to a stall in Lincoln Cathedral; and in 1805 Bishop Porteus to one in St. Paul's. In 1804 he was appointed one of the assistant librarians to the British Museum. Mr. Beloe's publications are the following: An Ode to Miss Boscawen, 4to, 1783. Trans. of the Rape of Helen, with notes, 4to, 1786. Poems and Translations, 8vo, 1788. The History of Herodotus, from the Greek, with notes, 4 vols. 8vo, 1799. Trans. of Alciphron's Epistles, 1791. Trans. of the Attic Nights of Aulus Gellius, 1795. "An excellent and the only translation of a difficult and instructive author."-HARWOOD. "The Commonplace Book of an elegant scholar, and the most amusing miscellany of antiquity, containing anecdotes and arguments, scraps of history, pieces of poetry, and dissertations on various points in philosophy, geometry, and grammar-all just as noted down at Athens, in the 2d century after Christ." Miscellanies, 3 vols. 12mo, 1795. Trans. of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, from the French, 4 vols. 12mo. Joseph, from the French of M. Bitaubé, 2 vols. 12mo. A Fast Sermon, 1804. Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books, 6 vols. 8vo, pub. 1806-12. Brief Memoirs of the Leaders of the French Revolution. Mr. Beloe was one of the authors of the Biographical Dietionary, 15 vols. 8vo, in which he was assisted by Messrs. Tooke, Morrison, and Nares. He also contributed several articles to the Gentleman's Magazine, and many to the British Critic, of which he was the editor. After the decease of Mr. Beloe appeared The Sexagenarian, or the Memoirs of a Literary Life, 2 vols. 8vo, 1817, written by Mr. B., and edited by a friend. This work contains many amusing anecdotes of the author's literary contemporaries, and the freedom of his strictures is remarkable. Mr. Lowndes condemns it in no measured terms: "These volumes for presumption, mis-statement, and malignity have rarely been exceeded, or even equalled." In the next year, 1818, a 2d edit. appeared, in which many passages of the 1st were omitted. Mr. B.'s trans. of Herodotus has been commended by M. Larcher, whose knowledge of the original will hardly be disputed. Beloe drew both from this author's researches, and from the late discoveries in Africa. Classical critics are too apt to despise modern illustrations of ancient lore. "A very valuable and elaborate performance. The language of the translation is smooth and elegant; nor will any but the fastidious critic, who is often condemned to the drudgery of weighing words and measuring sentences, complain that it is not sufficiently literal. We must, however, remark that, though in general deserving of the highest praise, we think that Mr. B. has been more diffuse and paraphrastical than was necessary; but this is a trifling defect, and let it be remembered, that no translation can be of Herodotus, it is easy to perceive that the translator has spared close, and, at the same time, elegant. In publishing this edition no labour. His work is enriched with a variety of learned and amusing notes. Wesseling and Larcher, indeed, supplied him with much useful information and critical sagacity, but a great many facts, anecdotes, parallels, and illustrations, have been diligently collected from ancient writers, modern travels, &c. The and will prove a treasure of historical knowledge to readers of work, therefore, if we mistake not, will be found very complete, every description."-Analytical Review. "The translation is held in very great esteem, and is justly considered the best we have of this important historian, and very highly creditable to the talents of Mr. Beloe, though, as a translator, he too frequently loses sight of his author: it is illustrated with some very excellent selections of notes, which are partly original and partly taken from the writings of Major Rennell, the notes of Larcher, and other valuable publications.”—Moss's Classical Bibliography. The Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books is a very valuable store-house of Bibliographical matter. It has now itself become a "Scarce Book," and the Bibliographer should not fail to secure a copy when the chance occurs-which is seldom. The Anecdotes had the great advantage of the careful revision and corrections of that eminent judge of books, the Bishop of Ely, who died before the 6th volume was published. The libraries and the literary aid of the Marquis of Stafford, the Bishop of Rochester, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Douce, Mr. John Kemble, Mr. Malone, Mr. Chalmers, Mr. Watt, and Mr. Nares, were placed at the service of Mr. Beloe whilst engaged in the preparation of this work. "A work replete with entertainment and instruction."-Lon. Gent. Mag. "A work containing much bibliographical information, and extracts from curious works."-LOWNDES. Mr. Beloe lost his situation at the British Museum in consequence of the thieving propensities of a wretch whom he had permitted to examine some of the books and drawings belonging to the library. See his account of this unfortunate affair in Preface to the Anecdotes. (Copied in Gent's. Mag., 1817, Part i.) We extract a few lines: "A man was introduced at the Museum, with the sanction of the most respectable recommendation. I mention not his name -the wounds of his own conscience must be so severe a punishment that I shall not increase his sufferings. . . . He proved to be dishonest; he purloined valuable property which was in my custody, and it was thought that the good government of the institution required my dismissal." Belsham uses great freedom with the readings of the original text, and still greater with the principles of enlightened interpretation. He shows rather what the New Testament should be in the opinion of a Socinian, than what it really is. The work is full of erroneous doctrines, incorrect learning, affected candour, and forced interpretation."-Orme's Bibl. Bib. Belsham pub. some other works. The Memoirs of our author with correspondence, &c., was pub, Lon., 1833, 8vo, by John Williams. Belsham, William, 1753-1827, younger brother of the preceding, was author of a number of historical and political treatises. Essays, philosophical, historical, and literary, Lon., 1789-91, 2 vols. 8vo, several editions. "On the whole, our general idea of these Essays is, that they discover more extent and variety, than depth, of thinking: but that the good sense and liberal spirit with which they are written, may render them useful to young persons, in assisting them to form a habit of inquiry and reflection."-Lon. Monthly Review. Observations on the Test Laws, 1791, 8vo. "We are fully convinced, with Mr. Belsham, that the Test Laws are not calculated for any purpose of safety, nor of defence, but merely for that of irritation."-Ibid. Historic Memoir on the French Revolution, 1791, 8vo. "It gives a concise and judicious summary of the leading causes which produced, of the interesting events which accompanied, and of the principal regulations which followed, the revolution."-Ibid. In 1793 he pub. Memoirs of the Kings of Great Britain of the House of Brunswick, Lunenburg, 2 vols. 8vo. In 1795 appeared his Memoirs of the Reign of George III., to the Session of Parliament ending 1793, 4 vols. 8vo, 5th and 6th vols., 1801. In 1798 was pub. his History of Great Britain, from the Revolution to the Accession of the House of Hanover, 2 vols. 8vo. These works were incorporated under the title of History of Great Britain, from the Revolution in 1688 to the Conclusion of the Treaty of Amiens, 1802, 12 vols. 8vo, Lon., 1806. "We congratulate the public on the completion of Mr. Belsham's History, the only one of the period which deserves to be cherished and read among friends of civil liberty, and of the free principles of the Constitution. The style is clear and nervous, without dogmatism, and eloquent without inflammation; while the spirit is temperate, and the details unimpeachable in veracity and impar tiality."-Lon. Monthly Mag. Belsham's History has been honoured by the commenAdation, qualified, indeed, of no less an authority than Professor Smyth: Belsham, James. Canadin, Lon., 1760, 4to. Belsham, Thomas, 1750–1829, the son of a dissenting minister at Bedford, embraced in 1789 the Unitarian opinions of Dr. Priestley, whom he succeeded as minister at Hackney when Priestley removed to America. The Unitarian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and the Practice of Virtue was founded at the suggestion of Mr. Belsham. Mr. B. pub. many occasional sermons. number of his Discourses Doctrinal and Practical were pub. in 2 vols.; also Discourses on the Evidence of the Christian Religion; Elements of Logic and Mental Philosophy; A Calm Review of the Scripture Doctrine concerning the Person of Christ, including a brief Review of the Controversy between Dr. Horsley and Dr. Priestley, Lon., 1811, 8vo; Memoirs of the late T. Lindsey, &c., Lon., 1812, 8vo; A Review of American Unitarianism, &c., 2d edit., 1815, 8vo; A Review of Mr. Wilberforce's Treatise; this work was noticed by Rev. Andrew Fuller, and in the Appendix to Dr. Magee's Discourses on the Atonement; Letters to the Bishop of London, in Vindication of the Unitarians, Lon., 1815, 8vo. "Mr. Belsham seems to be as deeply infected as any man with the itch for writing. Seldom a year passes without his sending forth two or three treatises. What degree of circulation these may obtain among his partizans, we have no means of knowing; but certainly, as to the public at large, they fall nearly still-born from the press. . . . He has shewn, as is customary with him, some adroitness in misunderstanding and perverting expressions."Lon. Quarterly Review. Mr. B. had an important share in the New Testament in an Improved Version, upon the basis of Abp. Newcome's New Translation, with Notes Critical and Explanatory, Lon., 1808, 8vo. "It pretends to be placed upon the basis of Abp. Newcome's, by which it is basely insinuated that the primate was a Socinian. Nothing can be more false. Abp. Newcome's translation is strictly orthodox on all the great points relating to the divinity and atonement of Christ."-LOWNDES. "Evidently prepared by persons without sufficient scholarship for any real improvement."-Rose's Biog. Dict. "It mangles and misrepresents the original text, perverts the meaning of its most important terms, and explains away all that is valuable in the doctrinal system of Christianity."-ORME. The Improved Version was also reviewed by Archbp. Lawrence, Dr. Nares, Rev. T. Rennell, Chas. Danberry, John Bevan, and Robert Halley. See Lowndes's Brit. Librarian, p. 219. The Epistles of Paul the Apostle translated; Exposition and Notes, 1822, 4 vols. 8vo. with an This is one of the most elaborate performances on the Bible which for many years have issued from the Unitarian press. Mr. Belsham has been long known as one of the chief leaders of that party in England, and as one of the principal authors of the Improved Version of the New Testament. The translation of the Epistles of Paul is constructed on the visionary scheme of interpretation of Dr. Taylor of Norwich. The tendency of the work is to subvert all those sentiments respecting sin which are calculated to affect the mind with pain, and those views of the Deity and atonement of Christ which are fitted to afford relief. Mr. "Belsham will, I think, in like manner be found, for a considerable part of his work, very valuable, spirited, intelligent, an ar dent friend to civil and religious liberty, and though apparently a Dissenter, not a Sectarian. In his latter volumes, indeed, from the breaking out of the late French war in 1793, he has departed from the equanimity of an historian, and has degenerated into the warmth, and almost the rage, of a party writer. . . . I must observe, that a very good idea may be formed of the general subjects connected with this period, [reign of Anne,] and of the original memoirs and documents which should be referred to, by reading the Appendix to Belsham's History: it is very well drawn up... A good general idea may be formed of this crisis [union of England and Scotland] from the History of Belsham.... I would recommend to my readers to take the modern publication of Belsham [in studying the political life of Sir Robert Walpole] and to read it in conjunction with Coxe; then to refer occasionally to the two volumes of the correspondence of Coxe; and to refer continually to the Parliamentary debates, which may be read in Cobbett. The History of Belsham is a work, as I have already mentioned, of more merit than would at first sight be supposed. But in the year 1793, after the breaking out of the French war, it loses the character of history, and becomes little more than a political pamphlet; and through the whole of the reign of his present Majesty [George III.] it is so written, that it must be considered as a statement, whether just or not, but certainly only as a statement, on one side of the question, and must therefore, at all events, be compared with the statement on the other side, that is, with the History of Adolphus... These histories [with reference to the American war] are drawn up on very different principles:-Belsham conceiving that the Americans were right in their resistance; Adolphus thinking, certainly wishing his readers to think, that they were entirely wrong: the one written on what are called Whig, the other on Tory, principles of government. The one is, I conceive, sometimes too indulgent to the Congress; the other always so to the English ministry. Belsham, I consider as by far the most reasonable of the two in every thing that is laid down respecting the American War."-Lectures on Modern History. Belson, Eliz. Nelson's Fasts, &c., abridg., Lon., 1810, 8vo. Belt, Robert. Legal works, Lon., 1810, &c. Belzoni, John Baptist, b. about 1780, d. 1823, a native of Padua, in Italy, came to England in 1803. From 1815 to 1819, he was zealously engaged in exploring the antiquities of Egypt. He died of dysentery at Benin on his way to Houssa and Timbuctoo. For an interesting sketch of his life, see The Georgian Era, iii. 62. Narrative of the Operations and recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, and Excavations in Egypt and Nubia, Lon., 1820, 4to; 1821, 4to; and 3d edit., 1822, 2 vols. 8vo. BEM "Whoever has read this book (and who has not?) will agree with us in opinion that its interest is derived, not less from the manner in which it is written, the personal adventures, and the picture it exhibits of the author's character, than for its splendid and popular antiquarian researches."-STEVENSON. The credit of Belzoni's discoveries was often stolen from him by others. Read the excellent Address to the Mummy in Belzoni's Exhibition, by Horace Smith. "Belzoni's Narrative is written in a pure and unostentatious style, and in a tone which occasionally approaches to the poetic and sublime." Bembridge, Dr. Protestant's Reconciliation, 1687. Benbrigge, John. Sermon, Lon., 1645, 4to. Bendish, Sir Thomas. Relation of his Embassy to Turkey, Lon., 1648, 4to. Bendloe, or Benloe, Wm. Legal Reports, 1661, &c. See Bridgman's Legal Bibl.; Marvin's do.; Wallace's Reporters. Bendlowes, or Benlowes, Edward, 1602-1676, a native of Essex, was a Fellow-commoner of St. John's College, Cambridge. He was of too easy a nature for his own welfare, and impoverished himself by lavishing his favours on others. He patronized among others, Quarles, Davenant, Payne, and Fisher. John Jenkyns was one of his favourites: "He was much patronized by Edward Benlowes, Esq., who having written a most divine poem entitled Theophila, or Love's Sacrifice, printed at London, 1652, several parts thereof had airs set to them by this incomparable Jenkyns. ... Mr. Benlowes in his younger days was a Papist, or at least very Popishly affected, and in his elder years a bitter enemy to that party."-Athen. Oxon. Mr. Bendlowes wrote a number of other pieces both in Latin and in English, among which are, Sphinx Theologica, Camb., 1626, 8vo. A Summary of Divine Wisdom, Lon., 1657, 4to. A glance at the glories of Sacred Friendship, Lon.,1657. Oxonii Encomium, Oxon.,1672,fol. Oxonii Elogia, Oxon., 1673. Oxonii Elegia. Truth's Touch Stone; dedicated to his niece, Mrs. Philippa Blount. "A whole canto of Theophila, consisting of above 300 verses, was turned into elegant Latin verse in the space of one day by that great prodigy of early parts, John Hall of Durham, having had his tender affections ravished with that divine piece."-Athen. Oxon. Both Pope and Warburton are very severe in their criticisms upon our author. The first tells us that "Bendlowes, propitious to block heads, bows." "Bendlowes was famous for his own bad poetry, and for patronizing bad poets."-WARBURTON. "Theophila gives us a higher idea of his piety than his poetical talents; though there are many uncommon and excellent thoughts in it. This prayer has been deservedly admired."-GRANGER. A complete copy of Theophila is very rare. the Nassau sale, (pt. i. 437,) said to be the most perfect known, sold for no less than £26 58. The one in Benedict, Biscop, 629 ?-690, an Anglo-Saxon monk, was distinguished for his zeal in the encouragement of letters and such arts as were then known. He is said to have brought many books, pictures, &c. home with him from Rome. Leland ascribes to him Concordantia Regularum, a commendation of the Rules of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictines. Benedict, a monk of St. Peter's, at Gloucester, wrote about 1130? a Life of St. Dubricuis.- Wharton's Anglia Sacra. Benedict of Peterborough, d. 1193, was educated at Oxford. He was keeper of the great seal from 1191 to 1193. He wrote a Life of Becket, and De Vita et Gestis Henrici II. et Richardi I. This history was pub. by Thomas Hearne, Oxford, 1735, 2 vols. 8vo. Other pieces. Benedict of Norwich, d. 1340, was author of Alpha. betum Aristotelis, &c. Benedict, David, D.D.,b. about 1780; settled in the ministry in early life. In 1813, pub. Gen. Hist. of the Baptist Denomination in America and other parts of the world, 2 vols. 8vo; new ed., enlarged and chiefly rewritten, N. York, 1848, r. 8vo. This work is highly esteemed by the Baptists of the U. States, and has met with much success. History of all Religions, 1824, 12mo. right and doctrinal Calvinist." His principal publications "He was a person for piety, strictness of life, and sincere conversation, incomparable. He was also so noted an humanitarian, disputant, and theologist, that he had scarce his equal in the university."-Athen. Oxon. Benese, Sir Richard de. Boke of Measurynge of Lande, Lon., 1535-38, and an edition sine anno. Benet, B., alias W. Fitch. Rule of Perfection, reducing the whole Spiritual Life to this one point, the Will of God, 1609, 8vo. Benet, Gilbert. Sermons, 1746-54, 8vo. Benezet, Anthony, 1713–1784. This good man, a native of St. Quentin's, France, was a resident of England and America from the age of two years; hence we give him a place in our list. He pub. several works, principally tracts, upon the topics which enlisted his philanthropic feelings. A Caution to Great Britain and her Colonies, relative to enslaved Negroes in the Brit. Dominions, 1767, Svo. Some Historical Account of Guinea, with an enquiry into the rise and progress of the Slave Trade, its nature, A Short Account and lamentable effects, Lon., 1772, 8vo. of the Religious Society of Friends, [of which sect Mr. B. was an exemplary member,] 1780. "The writings of this distinguished philanthropist first awakened the attention of Clarkson and Wilberforce to the subject of the Slave Trade:-" So true is it that "Words are things; and a small drop of ink, BYRON. That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." Benger, Elizabeth Ogilvy, 1778–1827, a native of Wells in England, evinced a strong literary taste under many discouragements. At the age of 13 she pub. The Female Geniad; a Poem, Lon., 1791, 4to. The Abolition of the Slave Trade, a Poem, was pub. 1809, 4to. Heart and the Fancy; or Valsenore; a Tale, 1813, 2 vols. 12mo. Klopstock and his Friends, 1814, 2 vols. 12mo. Memoirs, etc., of Mrs. Eliz. Hamilton, 1818, 2 vols. Memoirs of Mary, Queen of Scots, &c., 1822, 8vo, 2 vols. "Taken principally from Chalmers's Life of this unfortunate Princess." The She Memoirs of Elizabeth Stuart, 1825, 2 vols. p. 8vo. also pub. A Life of Anne Boleyn, and Memoirs of John Tobin. "Her historical memoirs are of no value."-LOWNDES. "Works of the kind before us [Memoirs of Mrs. Eliz. Hamilton] are excellently fitted to supply the defects in history, where a leading personage may not have his proper share of distinction, and the result be much the same as spoiling a drama by curtailing the acts and speeches of the principal character.”—Lon. Gent. Mag. Benham, David. Genealogy of Christ, Lon., 1836,4to. Benham, Thomas. Medical Works, Lon., 1620?-30. Benjamin, Park, was born 1809, at Demerara, in British Guiana, where his father, a merchant from New England, resided for some years. In 1825 he entered Harvard College, which he left before the end of the second year in consequence of bad health. When restored to health, he entered Washington College, Hartford, where he graduated with the highest honours of his class in 1829. In 1830 he became a member of the Law School at Cambridge, and in 1833 was admitted to the Connecticut bar, and upon his removal to Boston soon after, to the He has been connected edicourts of Massachusetts. torially with the American Monthly Magazine, The New Yorker, &c. Mr. Benjamin has given many pieces both in prose and verse to the world. With the exception of A Poem on the Contemplation of Nature, read at the time of his taking his degree, Poetry; A Satire, 1843, and Infatuation; A Satire, 1845, his productions are very short. Benedict, Erastus D., b. 1800, in Connecticut, grad. at Williams Coll., 1821. Prominent member and President of the Board of Education of City of N. Y., 1850-lignity or licentiousness. In some of his shorter poems, Mr. Ben54. Presbyterianism, a Review, 1838. A Distinguished Educational writer. Sermon on the Benedict, Joel, of Connecticut. death of Dr. Hart, 1809. Benedict, Noah, of Connecticut. Sermon on the death of Dr. Bellamy, 1790. Benefield, Sebastian, 1559-1630, was a native of Prestonbury in Gloucestershire. He was admitted a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, when 17 years of age, took his D.D. in 1608, and in 1613 was chosen Margaret professor of divinity. He is styled by Leach "a down "Mr. Benjamin's Satires are lively, pointed, and free from majamin has shown a quick perception of the ridiculous; in others, warm affections and a meditative spirit; and in more, gayety. His poems are adorned with apposite and pretty fancies, and seem generally to be expressive of actual feelings. Some of his humourous pieces, as the Sonnet entitled Sport, are happily expressed, but his style is generally more like that of an improvisator than an artist. He rarely makes use of the burnisher." GRISWOLD: Poets and Poetry of America. We refer the reader to The Nautilus, The Tired Hunter, To One Beloved, and The Departed, as poems of exquisite beauty. We think, to quote the remark of George III. to Dr. Johnson, that one who writes so well should write more, and favour the world with something of more imposing pretension in the way of volume. Whether it be that the unhappy Joel Barlow's prodigious Columbiad has frightened all succeeding American poets, and deterred them from venturing more than a few stanzas at a time, certain it is that they have a curious fashion of "cutting" up their gems "into little stars." Benjoin, George. Jonah, trans. from the original, &c., Lon., 1796, 4to. "In little estimation."-LOWNDES. "This is not a work of great value, as the reader will believe, when he is told that the author attempts to convince the world that the present original text is in its primary perfection.' The attempt and the translation are equally a failure for any important purpose."-ORME See Brit. Crit., vol. x. The Integrity and Excellence of Benlowe. Elements of Armories, Lon., 1610, 4to. Benn, William, 1600-1680, a Nonconformist Bennet, Henry, Earl of Arlington, 1618-1685. Letters to Sir Wm. Temple, 1665-70, Lon., 1701, 2 vols. 8vo. Bennet, Hon. Henry Grey. Letter to the Common Council of London, 1818. Con. to Trans. Geol. Soc., 1811, '14. Bennet, James. Star of the West, Lon., 1813, 12mo. In conjunction with David Bogue, History of the Dissenters, 1689-1808, 3 vols. 8vo, 1809; 1812 in 4 vols., and since in 2 vols. "A bias in favour of Dissenters, and bitter against Churchmen." -BICKERSTETH. Bennet, James, M.D. Con. to Med. Com., 1787. Bennet, John. Theolog. and other works, 1780-87. Bennet, Jules. The Letters of John Calvin, compiled from the Original Manuscripts, with an Introduction and Historical Notes, 4 vols. 8vo. "This collection is the fruit of five years of assiduous labor and clergy-research in the libraries of France, Germany, and Switzerland, and will contain about 500 letters which have never before been published. The editor has spared no pains in rendering as complete as possible a collection which cannot fail to cast a flood of light upon the great religious revolution of the sixteenth century." Bennet, Philip. Sermons, 1745, '49, 8vo. Bennet, R. Sermons, 1769, 76, 8vo. "In the course of his ministry he expounded the Scripture all over, and half over again, having had an excellent faculty in the clear and solid interpreting of it."-WOOD. Bennet, A. Experiments on Electricity, &c., Lon., 1789, 8vo. Bennet, A. Jesus, the Son of Joseph. A Sermon, 1807, 8vo. Bennet, Mrs. A. M., d. 1808, authoress of a number of Novels, &c., pub. 1785-1816. Agnes De Courci, a Domestic Tale, 4 vols., 1797, 8vo. Bennet, Robert, d. 1687, a Nonconformist divine, pub. A Theological Concordance of the Synonymous Words in Scripture, 1657, 8vo. "An excellent work." Bennet, Sol. The Constancy of Israel, Lon., 1809, 8vo. Bennet, T., M.D. Essay on the Gout, Lon., 1734, 8vo. Bennet, Thomas, 1673-1728, an eminent divine of the Church of England, was admitted to St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1688. He pub. many theological works, 1700-26, upon the sacraments, schism, liturgies, and against Roman Catholic and Quaker doctrines. We "As a well-wrought story, it is entitled to particular regard. The inventive faculty of the authoress is not to be disputed: but character, that great, that almost indispensable, requisite in all such performances as the present, is seldom to be found in it.”— Lon. Monthly Review. Bennet, Benjamin, 1674–1726, an eminent Presby-give the titles of a few of his works. Discourses on Schism, terian minister, pub. among other works, A Memorial of the Reformation, Lon., 1717, 8vo, and a Defence of the same, 1723, 8vo. This work gives the views of the author upon The Reformation and Church History of England to the year 1719. Irenicum; a work on the Trinity, Lon., 1722, 8vo. This work produced a great sensation, and its influence was considerable. Christian Oratory, or The Devotions of the Closet displayed, 2 vols. 8vo, 1728. Many editions. It was abridged by Mr. Palmer in 1 vol. 8vo. "A very spiritual and devotional work, that may be read more than once with advantage."-BICKERSTETH. "Plain, serious, and practical, but sometimes flat, his Christian Oratory is almost his only piece which had been better if some of the instances had been avoided, and the plan more fully completed in a single volume."-DODDRIDGE. "The title would mislead us as to the nature of the contents, the word oratory being used in the sense of a place for meditation and prayer." Fourteen Sermons on the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, 1730, 8vo. "This book should have a distinguished place in the library of every theological student, for few books of its size contain a more abundant treasure of divine doctrine."-BOGUE. He cor Bennet, Christopher, 1617-1655, an English physician, was educated at Lincoln College, Oxford. rected and enlarged Dr. Moufet's Health Improvement, Lon., 1655, 4to, and pub. a medical treatise in Latin, under the name of Benedictus, entitled Theatri Tabidorum Vestibulum seu Excercitationes Dianoeticæ, &c., Lon., 1654, 4to. He left several Latin works in manuscript. Bennet, George, at one time a Dissenting minister, subsequently in the Church of Scotland. He pub. a work against "a pretence of Reform," Lon., 1796, 8vo; also Olam Haneshemoth, or a View of the Intermediate State, as it appears in the Records of the Old and New Testaments, the Apocryphal Books, in Heathen Authors, the Greek and Latin Fathers, Lon., 1801, 8vo. "It is a work of various erudition and deep research. And a reader must be very learned who finds not much in it to instruct him; very dull, if he is not delighted with the ingenuity that is displayed even in those parts in which he may see reason to doubt the solidity of the author's argument, and the truth of his interpretations; and very captious, if, in a variety of novel expositions, many of which he may think inadmissible, he finds any thing to give him offence."-BISHOP HORSLEY. Also commended by Orme. Bennet, H. Treasury of Wit; being a methodical Selection of about twelve hundred, of the best, Apophthegms and Jests; from Books in several Languages, 2 vols. 12mo, Lon., 1786. Bennet, Henry. Trans. of a Life of Luther, &c., Lon., 1561, 8vo. showing that schism is a damnable sin, &c., Lon., 1700, Svo. A Confutation of Popery, in three parts, Camb., 1701, 8vo. A Confutation of Quakerism, Camb., 1705, 8vo. A Brief History of the joint use of precomposed set Forms able controversy, in which Benj. Robinson and T. Bowlett of Prayer, Camb., 1708, 8vo. This work excited considertook part. A Paraphrase with Annotations upon the Book of Common Prayer, &c., Lon., 1708, 8vo. Essay on the Esq., Lon. 1718, 8vo. Collins had pub. in 1710, a tract 39 Articles, with a Prefatory Epistle to Anthony Collins, entitled Priesteraft in Perfection, respecting the 20th Artiele of the Church of England. It appeared in 1724 with additions, as an Essay on the 39 Articles. "Dr. Bennet was perhaps too ready to engage in the debates of his time, upon questions of divinity, which led him sometimes into difficulties, obliged him to have recourse to distinctions and refinements which would not always bear examination, and laid him open to the attacks of his adversaries."-Chalmers's Biog. Dict. Bennet, or Bennett, Thomas. 12 Lectures on the Apostles' Creed, Lon., 1755, 8vo. Bennet, W. H. Court of Chancery, Lon., 1834, 8vo. Bennet, William. On the Teeth, &c., Lon.,1778,12mo. Bennet, William. Theolog. Works, 1780-1813. Novelist. Bandits of the Osage; Ella Barnwell; Mike Bennett, Emerson, b. 1822 in Mass., an American Leni Leoti; Forest Rose; League of the Miami; Clara Fink; Kate Clarendon; Forged Will; Prairie Flower; Morland, &c. "Mr. Bennett is a novelist of undoubted ability."-T. S. ARTHUR. Bennett, G. J. Albanians and other Poems, 8vo. Pedestrian's Guide through North Wales, 1837, Lon., 1838,8vo. "This is a beautiful work-as delightful a one as we have met with for many years. It abounds with sketches, admirably executed, of many of those charming vales and mountains in the beautiful country of which it treats, and affords us, also, specimens of the national airs of Wales, giving us the music of them as well as the words. It is a book of travels, written with a poet's love of nature, and a humorist's cheerfulness."-Court Journal. Bennett, James. Theolog. Works, 1828-46. Bennett, John Hughes, Prof. of Clinical Med. University of Edinburgh. On Cancerous and Cancroid Growths, Lon., 8vo. Diseases of the Uterus, 8vo. Liver Oil in Gout, &c., 8vo. Pulmonary Tuberculosis. "His whole volume is so replete with valuable matter, that we feel bound to recommend our readers, one and all, to peruse it."Lon. Lancet. Cod Leucocythenia, or White-Cell Blood, 8vo. Lectures on Clinical Medicine, 8vo. Bennett, Wm. J. E. Theolog. Works, 1838–52. Bennion, John. Sermon, Oxon., 1681, 4to. Benoit, or Benedict, De Sainte Maur, who flourished about 1180, was a troubadour, patronized by Henry II., by whose direction, according to Robert Wace, he composed his metrical history of the Dukes of Normandy. This chronicle, which extends to thirty thousand lines, "Begins with a brief sketch of the cosmographical doctrines of the age, which leads to the account of the origin of the Normans and their first piratical voyages, and the history is continued to the death of Henry I. The larger portion is a mere paraphrase of the Latin histories by Dudo of St. Quentin's, and William of Jumièges, with some slight additions of matter not found in those authorities; but it is inferior as a historical document and as a literary composition to the similar work of Wace, which appears from the first to have enjoyed a greater degree of popularity."Wright. "This old French poem is full of fabulous and romantic matter."-Warton's History of English Poetry. But it has been remarked that if we compare this author with the Norman historians who preceded him, we shall find his statements to be in accordance with theirs. The Chronicle was pub. by Michel, Paris, 1836-38, and '44. The MS. from which it was printed is preserved in the Brit. Museum, Harleian Collection, No. 1717. There is also a MS. in the library of Tours in France. Benoit's other great poem, which probably preceded the Chronicle, was his metrical romance of the History of Troy. It is "Chiefly a paraphrase of the supposititious history of the Phrygian Dares, with some additions from the similar work published under the name of Dictys; but the Anglo-Norman trouvere, faithful to the taste of his age, has turned the Grecian and Trojan heroes into medieval knights and barons. . . . It contains nearly thirty thousand lines. It is a heavy and dull poem, and possesses little interest at the present day; although it abounds in those repeated descriptions of warfare which constituted the great beauty of such productions in the twelfth century."-Wright. There is a complete MS. of the Roman de Troye in the Harleian Collection, No. 4482. A MS. is in the Library of St. Mark at Venice, extracts from which are printed by Keller, in his Romvart, p. 86. These are the only works known to have been written by Benoit. Tyrwhitt ascribes to him a Life of Becket, in Anglo-Norman verse, but M. de la Rue and Mr. Wright decide this to be the production of a later Benoit. M. de la Rue believed him to be the author of a song on the Crusade, at the end of the Harleian MS. containing his chronicle. But the learned Mr. Thomas Wright proves this opinion to be erroneous. Bense, Peter. Anglo-diaphora Trium Linguarum Gall., Ital., et Hispan, &c., Oxf., 1637, 8vo. Benson, Miss. 1. The Wife. 2. The Contrast, 1810-15. Benson, Christopher, Preb. of Worcester. ChroHulnology of our Saviour's Life, &c., Camb., 1819, 8vo. sean Lectures for 1820. Twenty Discourses preached beOf fore the University of Cambridge, Camb., 1820, 8vo. these much-esteemed discourses many editions have been published. Hulsean Lectures for 1822. On Scripture Difficulties; Twenty Discourses, Camb., 1822, 8vo, 2d ed., 1825. "The proofs and duties of Christianity have been enforced by Mr. Benson with a power, an earnestness, and an unction, which they who heard the preacher will be thankful for while they live; and which in the perusal must to every healthful mind communicate satisfaction, profit, and delight; and may carry healing and comfort to the diseased one."-Lon. Quarterly Review. Sermon, 1 Sam. xii. 24, 25, [Trinity House, Deptford,] Lon., 1826, 4to. Discourses upon Tradition and Episcopacy, preached at the Temple Church, 2d ed., Lon., 1839, Discourses upon the powers of the Clergy, Prayers for the Dead, and the Lord's Supper, preached at the Temple Church, Lon., 1841, 8vo. 8vo. Benson, G. Oaths and Swearing, 1699, 4to. Benson, George, D.D., 1699-1763, an English Dissenting minister of considerable learning, a native of Cumberland, England, studied at the University of Glasgow. He was the author of a number of theological works, pub. 1725-64. We notice some of the principal. A Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, and the seven Catholic Epistles of Peter, James, and John, Lon., 1734, 4to; best edit. 2 vols. 4to, 1752-56. This was preceded by a Specimen, being a Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistle to Philemon, 1731, 4to. The work is on the plan pursued by John Locke, of making St. Paul his own expositor by illustrative references to various portions of his writings. has been highly commended. It "Locke, Pierce, and Benson make up a complete commentary on the Epistles; and are, indeed, all in the number of the most ingenious commentators I have ever read. They plainly thought very closely, and attended much to connection, which they have often set in a most clear view. But they all err in too great a fondness for new interpretations, and in supposing the design of the apostles less general than it seems to have been. It must be allowed that Benson illustrates the spirit of Paul sometimes in an admirable manner, even beyond any former writer. See especially his Epistle to Philemon."-DR. DODDRIDGE. "This work is a continuation of Locke's attempt to illustrate the Epistles, and, with Pierce's work, completes the design. Benson possessed considerable learning, but no great portion of genius. He was certainly inferior in taste and acumen to his two coadju tors; but still his labours are entitled to respect. Some of his essays, inserted in the commentaries, contain important information on the points on which they treat. His theological sentiments were Arian, verging to Socinian: on this account all his writings require to be read with caution. His Paraphrase on James was translated into Latin by J. D. Michaelis, and published with a preface by Baumgarten, at Halle, in 1747. The preface highly extols the labours of Locke, Pierce, and Benson, and mentions with reTo this Latin verspect many others of the British commentaries. sion Michaelis has added many valuable notes of his own."-ORME. History of the First Planting of Christianity, taken from the Acts of the Apostles and their Epistles, 1735, 2 vols. 4to; best edit. 1756, 3 vols. 4to. "Though this work does not profess to be a harmony of the Acts of the Apostles and of the Epistles, it may justly be considered as one. Besides illustrating the history of the Acts, throughout, and most of the Epistles, by a view of the history of the times, the occasions of the several Epistles, and the state of the churches to which they were addressed, the learned author has incorporated a paraphrastical abstract of these Epistles in the order of time when they were written; and has also established the truth of the Christian religion on a number of facts, the most public, important, and incontestable. It is, indeed, a most valuable help to the study of the Epistles; but it is to be regretted that its scarcity renders it accessible to few."-T. H. HORNE. "Though but a dull book, it is full of important matter, and is of great service in explaining many parts of the book of Acts. It displays very considerable research, a great portion of candour, and an accurate acquaintance with the facts of the Jewish and Roman history which relate to the Christians during the first age of Christianity."-ORME. The Reasonableness of the Christian Religion, &c., Lon., 1743, Svo, and 1746, 4to, and 3d ed., 1759, 2 vols. This is an answer to Dodwell's pamphlet, Christianity not founded in Argument, Lon., 1742, 8vo. Doddridge, Leland, Mole, Bishop WatCooksey, and others also answered Dodwell. son remarks of Benson's reply: "The author not only advances many arguments in proof of the truth of the Christian Religion, but obviates in a familiar way the chief objections of the Anti-revelationists." The History of the Life of Jesus Christ, &c., 1764, 4to. "In this work Dr. Benson discovers much attention to many minute particulars in the history of Jesus, but the principles of his creed prevented him from doing justice to his subject. The work is divided into fifteen chapters, and is accompanied with an appendix containing seven dissertations."—ORME. This work was left in an incomplete state. Congregational Magazine for July, 1833. See Lon. Benson, Joseph, 1748-1821, was a Methodist minister of considerable note. He edited a Commentary on the Scriptures, embodying the views of many Biblical critics, among whom John Wesley occupies a prominent place. This work was pub. in 5 vols. 4to, Lon., 1811-18; several subsequent editions. "An elaborate and very useful commentary on the sacred Scriptures, which (independently of its practical tendency) possesses the merit of compressing into a comparatively small compass the substance of what the piety and learning of former ages have advanced, in order to facilitate the study of the Bible. Its late learned author was particularly distinguished for his critical and exact acquaintance with the Greek Testament."-T. H. HORNE. This commentary, particularly intended for family use, was pub. under the direction and patronage of the Methodist Conference. Mr. B. pub. Sermons, 1790, 91, '98, 1800, &c. A Defence of the Methodists, 1793, 12mo. farther Defence, &c., 1794, 12mo. A Vindication of the Methodists, 1800, 8vo. An Apology for the Methodists, 1801, 12mo. A "This publication is apparently written with much candour; and it affords, notwithstanding the mysticism which there may be among them, and which may appear in this book, a very favour able view of those people whose cause it intends to plead.... The work is well worthy of perusal."-Lom. Monthly Review. Remarks on Dr. Priestley's System. A Vindication of Christ's Divinity. After Mr. B.'s decease there was pub. Sermons and Plans of Sermons on important Texts of Holy Scripture, Lon., 1825-27, 8vo; 6 parts in 3 vols. 8vo; 262 Sermons and Plans of Sermons, 3 vols. 8vo, 1831; 219 Sermons and Plans of Sermons, vols. 8vo, 1831. "The Plans are highly creditable to the piety and talents of the writer; and while they serve as a valuable aid to the young Minister of the Gospel, are suited generally to instruct and improve, to inform the understanding, and to affect the heart."-Christian Observer. Mr. Benson has been warmly praised in high quarters: "A sound scholar, a powerful and able preacher, and a profound theologian."-DR. ADAM CLARKE. "He seems like a messenger sent from the other world to call men to account."-REV. R. CECIL. "His forte did not lie in that finished and sustained style, which, however beautiful and attractive it may sometimes be, has a tendency to pall upon the ear; he had little of Cicero, and less of Isocrates, in his composition; his eloquence was Demosthenian."— Lon. Christian Observer. Benson, Martin, d. 1752, Bishop of Gloucester. Sermon before the House of Lords, 1738. Sermons, 1736-40. |