"I happened about a fortnight ago to dine with Mrs. Astell. She spoke to me of my sermon, and desired me to print it; and after I had given the proper answer, hinted to me that she should be glad of perusing it; I complyed with her, and sent her the sermon next day. Yesterday she returned it with this sheet of remarks, which I cannot forbear communicating to you, because I take 'em to be of an extraordinary nature, considering they came from a woman. Indeed one would not imagine that a woman had written them. There is not an expression that carries the least air of her sex from the beginning to the end of it. She attacks me very home, you see, and artfully enough, under a pretence of taking my part against other divines, who are in Hoadley's Measures. [Probably it was the sermon against Bishop Hoadley's Measures of Submission.] Had she had as much good breeding as good sense, she would be perfect; but she has not the most decent way of insinuating what she means, but is now and then a little offensive and shocking in her expressions; which I wonder at, because a civil turn of words is what her sex is always mistress of. She, I think, is wanting in it. [No doubt he thought so: and pray, what controversialist, "his soul in arms, and eager for the fray," ever thought a hostile criticism "civil?" But the good Bishop in the midst of his chagrin will still be just; and goes on to say:] But her sensible and rational way of writing makes amends for that defect, if indeed [here the wounded author gets uppermost again] any thing can make amends for it. I dread to engage her; [quite an admission!] so I only writ a general civil answer to her, and leave the rest to an oral conference." It is not a little amusing that Mrs. Astell's Christian Religion as Professed by a Daughter of the Church of England, was attributed to the pen of the prelate who thus winces under her criticism. Lord Stanhope writes to Bishop Atterbury: "I am informed this day that you have put out in print a mighty ingenious pamphlet; but that you have been pleased to father it upon one Mrs. Astell, a female friend and witty companion of your wife's." Mrs. Astell was a truly exemplary character, and devoted her talent to the best ends, the interests of true religion, and the improvement of her own sex; indeed, of all capable of appreciating moral excellence and intellectual elevation. Astle, Mary. See ASTELL. Astle, Thomas, 1734-1803, an eminent antiquary, and Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, was descended from the ancient family of the Astles, lords of the Manor of Fauld, in Staffordshire. In 1770 he was appointed by the House of Lords to superintend the printing of the Ancient Records of Parliament: succeeding his father-in-law in this duty, who had been appointed at the instance of Mr. Astle, when consulted on this subject by the House of Lords in 1766. The Records were published in six folio volumes. Of the Society of Antiquaries he was a useful and distinguished member, and contributed several valuable papers to the Archeologia in vols. iv., vii., X., xii., and xiii.; and to the Vetusta Monumenta. To the Catalogue of the Harleian MSS. he wrote a preface and index. In 1777 appeared his Catalogue of the MSS. in the Cottonian Library, with a catalogue of the charters. Mr. Planta's Cat. of MSS. has superseded Astle's, but the latter is still useful as containing the only cat. of the charters in that library. The Will of King Henry VII., Lon., 1775. The Will of King Alfred, Oxon., 1788. Mr. Astle's great work is, The Origin and Progress of Writing, as well hieroglyphic as elementary; illustrated by engravings taken from Marbles, MSS., and Charters, Ancient and Modern; also some Account of the Origin of Printing, Lon., 1784. A second and improved edition appeared in 1803. To this production the high praise has been awarded of being "the completest work on the subject of Writing in this or any other language." In the last chapter he labours to prove that the art of printing took its origin from the Chinese. Upon this hydra-headed theme we have no space here to enter. We shall have to meet it somewhere, we presume, before we finish our volume. Apropos, we take it very ill of Mr. Brunet that he condescends not to favour Astle's great work with a single bibliographical comment. He can expend a column upon Bodoni, (who deserves honourable mention,) but not a line for Astle. He should remember "the swashing blow" of good Master Dibdin, when the hero of Dijon "bit the dust," and Lesné and Licquet "fled the field" discomfited. Let M. Brunet (one of the first of living bibliographers) profit by their example, lest he provoke a second Crapelet war! His silence is the more inexcusable after the glowing eulogy of Peignot, who in his Essai sur l'Histoire du Parchemin et du Vélin calls Astle's book "le plus ample et le plus savant sur l'histoire de la calligraphie." "The general character that we have to give of Mr. Astle's book is, that the author's reflections are all very ingenious, most of them just, and the engraved specimens properly chosen for the enter business. But we are far from being satisfied with his speculations on language, and the origin of writing."-Lon. Monthly Review for October, 1784: see this whole article, which has been highly commended. It is in opposition to some of Astle's views. tainment of curious readers, and for the information of men of This work, it is needless to add, will fully establish Mr. Astle's literary fame, and will transmit his name with lustre to posterity, together with those of his fellow-labourers, Mr. Harris and Lord Mon boddo."-Lon. Gent. Mag. for 1784: see Horne's Introd. to the Study of Bibliography, vol. i. p. 72. Astle's remarks upon the character and reign of Henry VII. have been highly praised. "His learning, which is various, cannot escape observation; and his authorities in general are the best that could be found. His judgment, precision, and minuteness, are all to be highly commended. There is even a considerable spirit of philanthropy in his work; and in so far he advances beyond the character of a mere antiquary. He displays not, however, any splendour or brightness of genius. He is simple and judicious, but not original."-New Catalogue of English Living Authors. We subjoin an interesting letter from Dr. Johnson to our author: "July 17, 1781. "SIR,-I am ashamed that you have been forced to call so often have never been out of my hands, nor have I ever been at home for your books, but it has been by no fault on either side. They without seeing you; for to see a man so skilful in the antiquities of my country is an opportunity of improvement not willingly to be missed. "Your notes on Alfred appear to me very judicious and accurate, but they are too few. Many things familiar to you are unknown to me and to most others; and you must not think too favourably of your readers: by supposing them knowing, you will leave them ignorant. Measure of land, and value of money, it is of great importance to state with care. Had the Saxons any gold coin? "I have much curiosity after the manners and transactions of the Middle Ages, but have wanted either diligence or opportunity, or both. [Then, good Doctor! why attempt to edit Shakspeare?] You, sir, have great opportunities, and I wish you both diligence and success. I am, sir, &c., "SAM. JOHNSON." Astley, F. F. Hints to Planters, Lon., 1807. Astley, John, Master of the Jewel House, and Gentleman of Queen Elizabeth's Privy Chamber, was not only a great equestrian himself, but much concerned to improve the bad riding which he was pained to see around him, when taking the air for his health or amusement. The Art of Riding was especially worthy of cultivation in the reign of a queen so fond of getting up parties of pleasure to the castles of her rich subjects, that the worthy antiquary, John Nichols, had materials enough to make up three quarto volumes of The Progresses of Queen Elizabeth, a work so highly esteemed that copies have been repeatedly sold by public auction for upwards of £40. In such excursions as that to Kenilworth Castle, so glowingly described by Master Laneham, where on the road "after great cheer at dinner, there was pleasant pastime in hunting by the way after," wo to the knight who knew not how to "sit his horse aright." The queen set an example of the use of the saddle to her "loving subjects," for Laneham tells us-"So passing into the inner court, her majesty (that never rides but alone) there set down from her palfrey, was conveyed up to her chamber." But to return to Master Astley. In 1584, his zeal for good horsemanship induced him to put forth a work entitled The Art of Riding set foorth, in a Breefe Treatise, with a due Interpretation of certaine Places, alledged out of Xenophon and Gryson, very expert and excellent Horsemen: wherein also the true Vse of the Hand, by the said Gryson's Rules and Precepts, is speciallie touched: and how the Author of this present Worke hath put the same in Practise; also, what Profit men may reape thereby; without the knowledge whereof, all the residue of the Art of Riding is but vaine. Lastlie, is added a short Discourse of the Chaine of Cauezzan, The Trench and the Martingale, Lon., 1584, 4to. In the same year, not unwilling to call in the aid of a foreigner in the reformation of bad riding, he published The Art of Riding, conteining diverse necessarie Instructions, manship, not heretofore expressed by anie other Author; written Demonstrations, Helps, and Corrections, apperteining to Horseat large in the Italian Toong, by Maister Claudio Corte, a man most excellent in this Art. Here brieflie reduced into certaine English Discourses to the benefit of Gentlemen desirous of such knowledge, Lon., 1584. Astley, Jos. On the Doctrine of Heat; Nic. Jour. v. 23, 1801. Remarks on the Duty A Description and His Astley, Philip, 1742-1814. and Profession of a Soldier, 1794. 77 torical Account of the places near the theatre of war in the Low Countries, 1794. System of Equestrian Education, 1801. Astley, Thos. Collection of Voyages and Travels. The first number appeared in Dec., 1744, and the last in 1747. The author was Mr. John Green. ner mentions a tract with the somewhat similar title of De sic et non sic, which he says commenced with the words Meministi ex quo incepimus. 3. The Quæstiones Naturales, of which there are many manuscripts existing under a great variety of titles. This treatise was printed apparently as early as the fifteenth century. It is written Aston, Anthony. This "gentleman, lawyer, poet, in the form of a dialogue between Athelard and his neactor, soldier, sailor, exciseman, and publican," (we quote phew, and is dedicated to Richard, Bishop of Bayeux, his own words,) was the author of Love in a Hurry, 1709; (1108-1133.) In this tract Athelard gives his opinion on Pastora, 1712; The Fool's Opera, 1731-(with account various physical questions concerning animals, man, and of his life appended.) In 1742 he pub. A Brief Supple- the elements. At the conclusion he promises a treatise on ment to Colley Cibber, Esq., his Lives of the late famous higher philosophical subjects, De initio de initiis. 4. ReActors and Actresses, by Tony Aston: "which contains gulæ Abaci. This tract, on a subject which since the time some information not preserved elsewhere." of Gerbert had employed the pens of a multitude of maAston, Ed. Manners, Laws, and Customs of all Na-thematicians, was perhaps one of Athelard's earliest writtions, translated from the Latin of John Bonus, Lon., 1611. Aston, J. Lancashire Gazetteer, &c., 1808. Aston, H. H. A Sermon on Heb. xiii. 16, 1745. Aston or Ashton, R. Placita Latina Redivivæ; a Book of Entries of Approved Precedents of Courts, &c., 3d ed., 1661; again reprinted, 1673. "The swarms of books of precedents of various kinds in modern times, obviate the necessity of reference to Aston, written in crabbed, abridged Latin, with its marginal notes in Law French." -Marvin's Legal Bibl. Aston, Sir Thos., d. 1645, “a brave and loyal gentleman" attached to the cause of Charles I., and killed in the act of making his escape from prison, wrote: 1. A Remonstrance against Presbytery, Lon., 1641. 2. A Short Survey of the Presbyt. Discipline, and a Brief Review of the Institutions, &c. of Bishops. 3. A Collection of Petitions to the King and Parliament, 1642. Aston, Thos. Sermons, pub. 1658-91. Aston, W. H. Select Psalms in Verse, Lon., 1811. Aston, Sir Walter, deserves mention as the patron of Drayton, who dedicated to him one of his England's Heroical Epistles, and in his Polyolbion thus acknowledges his patron's favours. "Trent, by Tixall graced, the Astons' ancient seat, Which oft the Muse hath found her safe and sweet retreat." Astrey or Astry, Sir Jas. General Charges to all Grand Juries, and other Juries, &c., Lon., 1703. Astry, Francis. Sermons, pub. Lon., 1716–33. Astry, T. Case of a Young Man struck Dumb, Lon., 1671. Atcheson, Nath. Report of the Case of Hevelock v. Rookwood, to the K. B., &c., Lon., 1800. Case of Fisher v. Ward, Lon., 1803. American Encroachments, Lon., 1805. Collection of Reports, &c., relative to the Trade of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Brit. Colonies in the W. Indies and America, Lon., 1807. ings. It is preserved in a MS. of the library of Leyden, where it is preceded by a short preface containing Athelard's name, and without the preface or name, in a manuscript in the Bibliothèque Royale at Paris. 5. A treatise on the Astrolabe, evidently taken from Arabian writers. A copy is preserved in the British Museum. Leland, who sometimes speaks rather extravagantly of the style of the medieval writers, calls this "libellum argutum, numerosum, rotundum." It is certainly the one of Athelard's works which least merits that character. 6. Problemata. Leland mentions a work of Athelard's under this title, which he had seen in the library of the Franciscans at London, but which had afterwards disappeared. 7. De septem artibus liberalibus. Tanner, on the authority of Boston of Bury, mentions a work of Athelard's bearing this title, written partly in prose and partly in verse, and commencing with the words Sæpernumero est a philosophis. 8. A treatise on the Compotus, mentioned by Tanner as having formerly been in the library of the Earl of Stamford. 9. Tanner states that a tract is indicated in the old table of contents of a manuscript in the King's Library, under the title Liber magistri Adelardi Bathoniensis qui dicitur Mappa clavicula, but the tract itself had been torn out. The most important of Athelard's translations from the Arabic was: 1. The Elements of Euclid. This became the text-book of all succeeding mathematicians. The manuscripts of Athelard's Euclid are numerous. It was afterwards published with a commentary under the name of Campanus, and printed at Venice as early as 1482. Mr. Halliwell has mentioned some reasons for believing that the commentary also was in reality the work of Athelard. Dr. Dee possessed a manuscript which contained translations of Euclid's Optics and Catoptrics under the name of Athelard. Athelard also translated, 2. The Isagoge minor Jafaris mathematici in Astronomiam. There is a copy of this work in the Bodleian library. 3. Ezich Elkauresmi, hoc est, tabulæ Chawaresmicæ ex Arabico traductæ. A translation of the Kharismian tables. There is a copy of this also in the Bodleian library. mentions a work translated from the Arabic by Athelard, under the title Erith Elcharetmi, which Bale and Boston of Bury give, more correctly, Ezich-Jafarim or Ezich-Jafaris: it appears to be a corruption of Zydj Djafar, and was probably only another name for the Kharismian tables. 4. The Præstigia astronomica Thebedis, which formerly existed in a manuscript of the library of Avranches. Peryet unexamined, or pass as anonymous treatises. M. Jourdain was inclined to attribute to him a piece entitled Liber imbrium secundum Indos, preserved in the Bibliothèque Royale at Paris. Leland Atchison, Robt. Obs. on Dysentery, Med. Com., 1785. Athelard of Bath, flourished 1110-1120, is the greatest name in English science before Robert Grossetête and Roger Bacon. His name would lead us to believe that he was of Saxon blood. He was born probably in the latter part of the eleventh century, and first quitted England to study in the schools of Tours and Laon. In the latter place he opened a school, and had, among other disciples his nephew, to whom he appears to have been affectionately attached. But Athelard's love of knowledge was unsatisfied with the state of science in France, and he left his school, and crossed the Alps to Salerno, from whence he proceeded to Greece and Asia Minor, and it is very pro-haps some other tracts of Athelard exist in manuscripts as bable that he went to study among the Arabs in the East. Bagdad and Egypt were then the seats of Arabian learning. On his arrival in his native country, after an absence of seven years, the throne, he tells us, was occupied by Henry I.; and one of the first books he published after his arrival, being dedicated to William, Bishop of Syracuse, must have been written before 1116, the date of that prelate's death. The manner in which Athelard speaks of the reception of the Arabian sciences, seems to show that they were then quite new among the Christians of the West, and to contradict the opinion founded on a legend preserved by William of Malmsbury, that they had been introduced long before by Gerbert. We know nothing more of Athelard's personal history. His celebrity was great in after times; and in the thirteenth century Vincent of Beauvais gives him the title of Philosophus Anglorum. Athelard's writings appear to have enjoyed a great popularity. We may divide them into two classes-original works, and translations from the Arabic. Among the former are, 1. The treatise De eodem et diverso, already mentioned, of which the only copy known to exist is preserved in a manuscript in the Bibliothèque Royale at Paris. It is written in the form of a letter to his nephew, and dedicated to William, Bishop of Syracuse. 2. Tan Editions.-Sequitur tabula istius libelli. . . . Incipit prologus Adelardi Bathoniensis in suas questiones naturales perdifficiles. sis. Laus deo et virgini, AMEN. Qui petit occultas rerum agnosAt the end, Expliciunt questiones naturales Adelardi Bachoniencere causas Me videat, quia sum lævis explanator earum, 4to, with out other title, or the name of place or date, but printed in an early-shaped Gothic type. There are two different editions answering to this description, the one evidently a reprint of the other. They are both in the British Museum.-Martene and Durand, Thesaurus novus Anecdotorum. Tomus i. Lutet. Paris, 1717, fol. col. 291. The preface to the Naturales Quæstiones.-Jourdain, Recherches Critiques sur l' age et l'origine des Traductions Latines d' Aristote, Paris, 1819, 8vo, pp. 494-497. The dedication and commencement of Athelard's treatise De eodem et diverso.-Abbreviated from Wrights Biog. Brit. Lit. Atherley, E. G. A Treatise on the Law of Marriage and other Family Settlements, Lon., 1813. "An able and excellent treatise."-CHANCELLOR KENT. Atherstone, Edwin, a poet of uncommon merit, author of the Last Days of Herculaneum; and Abradates and Panthea, Lon., 1821. These poems have been praised by high authority for "Power and vigour, splendid diction, and truly poetic feeling. The style often resembles Thomson's, and in some places we might instance imitations of that poet, as well as of Akenside."— London Literary Gazette. The Fall of Nineveh; a Poem. "The fall of the Assyrian Empire is a subject worthy of the historical epic; and Mr. Atherstone has genius to insure its treatment in a grand and striking manner." Sea Kings in England, a Romance, 3 vols. Atherton. Christian Physican, Lon., 1683. Atherton, W. An Elementary and Practical Treatise on the Commencement of Personal Actions, &c., Lon., 1833. "This is a very useful guide on the commencement of personal actions. The work is well executed, and the authentic and practical forms diligently collected."-Marvin's Legal Bibl. Atkens, John. Surgical Works, Lon., 1723-58. Atkey, A. A Sermon on Jer. xii. 1, 1732. Atkins. Essay on Spirituous Liquors, Lon., 1803. Atkins, H. On the Trinity Bill, 1813. Atkins, J. The Ascension; a Poem, Lon., 1780. Treatise on the Horizontal Sun and Moon, Lon., 1793. Atkins, John. Sermon on Heb. xii. 1-10, Lon., 1624. Atkins, John. A Meteorol. Journal for 1782. Atkins, John. Relation of a Voyage to Guiana, Brazil, and the W. Indies, Lon., 1737. "This volume, which chiefly consists of the personal adventures of the author, will, however, afford some insight into the manners and habits of the people."-LOWNDES. Atkins, Robt. Six Sermons on the Sin and Danger of Popery, 1712. A Farewell Sermon, 1715. Atkins, Robt. A Comp. History of the Israelites, Lon., 1810. Atkins, Saml. Sermon on Ps. xxvii. 13, 1703. Atkins, Wm. A Discourse on the Gout, Lon., 1694. Atkinson and Clarke. Naval Pocket Gunner, 1814. Atkinson. Med. Contrib. to Phil. Trans., 1722-25. Atkinson, B. A. Sermons, pub. 1734-37. Atkinson, Chris. Theolog. Treatises, Lon., 1653-54. Atkinson, Chris. Address to the Public, 1783. Atkinson, Geo. A Practical Treatise on Sheriff Law, Lon., 1839. "This book is said to be an unequal performance, some parts of it being written very carefully, and others very carelessly. It has the reputation, however, upon the whole, of being a useful and convenient book."-Marvin's Leg. Bibl. Treatise on the Shipping Laws of the British Empire, 8vo. Atkinson, Henry, Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical, Lon., 1822. Atkinson, Henry. 1786?-1831, a mathematician, contributed to the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Diaries, the Royal Astron. Society's Transactions, (vol. ii.,) and was mathematical editor of the Newcastle Magazine. Atkinson, Jas. Rodolphus; a Poet. Romance, Edin., 1701. Atkinson, Jas. The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel in Gospel Language, Newc.-upon-Tyne, 1729. Atkinson, Jas. Account of the State of Agricul a ture and Grazing in New South Wales, Lon., 1827. Atkinson, Jas. Med. Bibliography, vol. i. royal 8vo. "We have never encountered so singular and remarkable book. It unites the German research of a Plouquet with the rayings of Rabelais,—the humour of Sterne with the satire of Demo critus, the learning of Burton with the wit of Pindar.”—Dr. Johnson's Review. "In Mr. Atkinson, I have found a gentleman, and a man of varied talent, ardent and active, and of the most overflowing goodness of heart. In his retirement from an honourable profession, (Medicine and Surgery,) he knows not what the slightest approximation to ennui is. The heartiest of all the octogenarians I ever saw, he scorns a stretch, and abhors a gape. It is up and be doing' with him from sunrise to sunset. His library is suffo cated with Koburgers, Frobens, the Ascensii, and the Stephens." -Dibdin's Northern Tour. Atkinson, Jasper. A Letter rel. to the Bullion Coin, Lon., 1811. "Mr. Atkinson seems adequately impressed with a sense of the evils of war."-Lon. Monthly Review. Atkinson, John. Tariff at Elsingoer, Glasg., 1770. Atkinson, John. The Holy Scriptures the Word of God. Two sermons, Heb. i. 1, 2, Lon., 1731. Atkinson, John. Compendium of the Ornithology of Great Britain, Lon., 1820. "As a neat and commodious text-book, we would recommend this unpretending, but respectable, volume to all who are desirous of entering on the study of British Ornithology."-Lon. Monthly Review. Atkinson, John Augustus, and Jas. Walker. A Picturesque Representation of the Manners of the Russians, Lon., 1803-05, or 1812, pub. at £15 158., 3 vols. imp. fol. Pic. Rep. Costumes of Great Britain, 1807, pub. at £15 158., 3 vols. folio. Atkinson, M. The Necessity of National Reformation; a Sermon on 2 Chron. xii. 7, 1779. Atkinson, S. 1. Practical Points in Conveyancing, from the MSS. of Butler, Preston, and Bradley, Lon., 1829. 2. Common Forms and Precedents in Conveyancing, &c., Lon., 1829. 3. Acts relating to the Law of Real Property passed in the 3 and 4 W. IV. &c., Lon., 1833. 4. Sir E. B. Sugden's Acts, Lon., 1830. 5. The Conveyancer's Manual, Lon., 1830. 6. Essay on Marketable Titles, &c., Lon., 1833. 7. The Theory and Practice of Conveyancing, comprising the Law of Real Property, 2d ed., 2 vols. 8vo, Lon., 1841. "This is an excellent work, evincing considerable industry and learning in the author, and is written in a perspicuous and logical style." 8. Practice of the Court of Chancery, Lon., 1842. "This is a brief, convenient, and useful, practical work."— MARVIN. "We must not deny Mr. Atkinson the credit of having brought together much of the learning, and many useful observations, ap plicable to the subject he has treated of." See No. 6. Atkinson, Thos., d. 1639, of St. John's Coll., Oxf. "I have seen of his compositions as Andrei Melvini Anti-Tami cunicategoria, written in Sapphics, and Melvinus delirans, in Iambics."-WOOD. "To which may be added that there is in the Harleian Library of Manuscripts, in the British Museum, a Latin tragedy by this author, entitled Homo, which is dedicated to Laud, then the President of St. John's College, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. The MSS. is numbered 6925."-Rose's Biog. Dict. Atkinson, Thos. Poet, and other works, 1791-99. Atkinson, Thomas Witlam. 1. Gothic Ornaments of English Cathedrals, Lon., imp. 4to. 2. Oriental and Western Siberia, Lon., 1857, r. 8vo; N. York, 1858, 8vo. Highly commended by the Lon. Athenæum, 1857, 1477, Lon. Examiner, and other authorities. Atkinson, Wm. Poetical Essays, Lon., 1789. Atkinson, Wm. Picturesque Views of Cottages, 1805. Atkyns, or Atkins, John, pub. An Account of a Voyage in a Cruise against African Pirates, and his Travels, Lon., 1735. Atkyns, John Tracy. Reports of Cases argued and determined in the High Court of Chancery in the time of Lord Hardwicke, from 1737 to 1754. 3d ed., revised and corrected with notes and references by F. W. Saunders. "Lord Hardwicke's decisions at this day, and in our own courts, do undoubtedly carry with them a more commanding weight of authority than those of any other judge; and the best editions of the elder Vesey and Atkyns will continue to fix the attention and study of succeeding ages." For an extended examination of the imputed merits and demerits of these reports, concerning which there has been such a variety of opinion, see that useful work, Marvin's Legal Bibliography. Mr. Saunders, the editor of the 3d edition, remarks: "The editor must take this opportunity, however, of observing that he has frequently experienced his researches in the Register's Books anticipated in the previous labours of Mr. Atkyns." pub. a work on the Original and Growth of Printing in Atkyns, Richard, 1615 ?-1677, of Baliol Coll., Oxf., England, collected out of History and the Records of this Kingdom; wherein is also demonstrated, that printing appertaineth to the prerogative royal, and is a flower of the crown of England, Lon., 1664. The object of this work was to give the right and title of printing to the Crown, and by that means to ascertain the validity of the patents which had been granted by the Crown. Atkyns endeavours to rob Caxton of the credit of having introduced printing into England, which he ascribes to Frederick Corsellis. Atkyns was an interested disputant, being a patentee under the Crown for printing, and at issue with the Stationers' Company on this point. We have no space for a review of Atkyns's argument, or rather assumption; and we regret this the less as Dr. Middleton and others have settled the question in favour of Caxton. "Atkyns, who, by his manner of writing, seems to have been a bold and vain man, might possibly be the inventor: for he had an interest in imposing upon the world."-DR. MIDDLETON. But charity forbids our entertaining this suspicion. Wood gives him a good character: "He was an ingenious and observing man, and saw the varity of this world sooner than others, though of elder years, which fitted him the better for another." He also pub. A Vindication, &c., to which is added his Sighs and Ejaculations, 1669. Atkyns, Sir Robt., 1621-1709, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer temp. William III., was the son of Sir Edward Atkyns, a baron of the Exchequer. For nearly 200 years there was always one of this family filling a judicial station in the kingdom. He was sent to Baliol Coll. Oxf.; from thence removed to Lincoln's Inn, and "applied himself very closely to the study of the law." He was knighted in 1661, and 1672 sworn a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In April, 1689, he was appointed by William III. Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and on the 19th Oct. in the same year was made speaker of the House of Lords, from which post he retired in 1692. Two years later he resigned his seat in the Exchequer, and spent the remaining fifteen years of his life in retirement, at his seat at Sapperton, in Gloucestershire. His principal works were An Inquiry into the Power of Dispensing with Penal Laws, Lon., 1689; The Power of Jurisdiction and Privilege of Parliament, and the Antiquity of the House of Commons Assured, Lon., 1689; The True and Ancient Jurisdiction of the House of Peers, Lon., 1699; Enquiry into the Jurisdiction of the Chancery, in Causes of Equity, Lon., 1695. He pub. two pamphlets in defence of Lord Russel's innocency, 1689. When applied to for his advice in the case of Lord William Russel, he freely gave it, and pronounced the following memorable declaration, for which he is entitled to the thanks of all friends of constitutional liberty: "There is, nor ought to be, no such thing as constructive treason; it defeats the very scope and design of the statute of the 25th of Edward III., which is to make a plain declaration what shall be adjudged treason by the ordinary courts of justice." Atkyns, Sir Robt., 1647-1711, son of the preceding, is chiefly known by his work entitled The Antient and Present State of Glostershire, "a large folio volume, beautifully printed" in 1712, the year after Sir Robert's decease. Dr. Parsons, a former chancellor of the diocese, had been at great pains and trouble to collect the materials for a history of the county, but was prevented by ill health from completing his design. Atkyns had the advantage of his valuable collection. "It was very expensive to the undertaker, who printed it in a pompous manner, adorning it with variety of views and prospects of the seats of the gentry and nobility, with their arms." "It were to be wished that more authorities had been given and the charters and grants published in the original language."-GoUGH. The transcripts of all these were collected by Parsons. On the night of Jan. 29-30, 1712-13, a fire took place at Mr. Bowyer's printing office, and "Among the articles which perished by this sudden and awful visitation was by far the greater number of Sir Robert Atkyns' valuable History of Gloucestershire;' a few copies only of it having been snatched from the flames, of which they still retain indelible marks."-Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. i. Mr. Herbert republished this work in 1768. Great part of this second edition was also destroyed by fire. Dr. Ducarel, in the preparation of his Repertory of Endowments of Vicarages, drew for Gloucester principally from Atkyns and the Worcester Register. Atlay, Jos. Work on Distillery, Lon., 1794. Atlee, Washington L., M.D., born Feb. 22d, 1808, at Lancaster, Penn.; a distinguished lecturer and medical writer. Prof. Atlee has rendered great service to the cause of medicine in the United States, having contributed upwards of forty valuable papers to the principal Medical Journals in the Union. He is also the author of thirteen pamphlets, addresses, and lectures on Medicine, Chemistry, Botany, &c. Atmore, C. Chandler's Hist. of the Persecution, 1813. Atterbury, English glee composer, the author of the popular glee, "Come, let us all a Maying go," &c. Atterbury, Francis, 1662–1732, Bishop of Rochester, was born at Milton Keynes, near Newport-Pagnell, where his father, Dr. Lewis Atterbury, was rector. In 1676 he was admitted a King's scholar at Westminster, under Dr. Busby; in 1680 he was elected a student of Christ Church, Oxford. His proficiency in the classics soon brought him into considerable notice. In 1682 he published a Latin version of Dryden's Absalom and Ahithophel, and two years later edited some Latin poems by Italian authors. In 1690 he married Miss Osborn, a lady celebrated for her beauty-said to be a niece of the Duke of Leeds. He took a considerable part in the famous controversy respecting the authenticity of the Epistles of Phalaris, in which battle Dr. Richard Bentley and the Hon. Charles Boyle were the principal combatants. We know from his own assertion that more than half of Boyle's "Examination" was written by Atterbury: Dr. Smalridge and others bearing a part in this unfortunate production. (See BENTLEY, RICHARD; BOYLE, CHARLES.) The Sermons of Atterbury attracted great attention from the first, and soon gave rise to controversies which we have merely time to refer to. Hoadley, Burnet, and Wake, were no mean antagonists, but our champion seems never to have been intimidated by numbers or awed by the fear of names. See a list of works on both sides the Convocation Controversy in the Biographia Britannica. 80 Our author, always willing to lend a hand in a contest, composed for Dr. Sacheverell a great portion of the speech delivered by him at his trial. In 1713 Atterbury was raised to the see of Rochester, with the deanery of Westminster in commendam. It has been thought that the primacy would not have been above his reach, had not the Queen's death, in 1714, interposed an effectual bar to all his prospects of advancement. The present prosperity, and hopes for the future, of Atterbury, and the political party to which he was attached, were buried with Queen Anne. There had been some talk among the ministers of proclaiming the Pretender upon the death of the Queen, and Atterbury is said (upon doubtful authority) to have offered to proclaim the Pretender in his lawn sleeves at Charing Cross, and to have declared-while Bolingbroke and Ormond were protesting-"Never was better cause lost for want of spirit." George I. naturally regarded Atterbury with distrust, and in 1722 there was thought sufficient grounds to authorize his arrest and committal to the Tower on a charge of high treason. How far this charge was justifiable by the facts will perhaps always remain a matter of uncertainty. On the 16th of May, 1722, he was condemned to the "deprivation of all his offices excited great admiration for the boldness and eloquence and benefices, and to suffer perpetual exile." His defence by which it was distinguished. On going ashore at Calais, he was informed that Lord Bolingbroke-who, after the rising of parliament, had received the king's pardonwas arrived at the same place on his return to England, whereupon he is reputed to have observed, with an air of tive in behalf of the Pretender, which gives good grounds pleasantry, Abroad he was ac"Then I am exchanged." for the belief that he was not hardly dealt with in the 1731-2, in the 70th year of his age. sentence of exile. Atterbury died at Paris, Feb. 15th, His favourite daugh ter, Mrs. Morice, visited him in Paris, 1729, she being then in a decline, and only survived the voyage twenty-four hours. Pope (who was warmly attached to the bishop) has recorded this affecting incident in the following lines: SHE: "Yes, we have lived,-one pang and then we part! May Heaven, dear father, now have all thy heart! Yet, ah! how much we loved, remember still, Till you are dust like me." HE: "Dear shade, I will! Then mix this dust with thine, O spotless ghost! Oh more than fortune, friends, or country lost! Is there on earth one care, one wish beside? Yes! Save my country, Heav'n! he said, and died !” Atterbury's writings were almost entirely of a controversial character. His publications commence with the Absalom and Ahithophel, trans. into Latin verse 1682, and conclude with a belligerent title, in The Voice of the people no voice of God, 1710. The Memoirs of his Life and Conduct, were pub. in 1723. Four volumes of his Sermons in 1740. His Epistolary Correspondence, &c., by J. Nichols, 8vo. 4 vols., in 1783. Private Correspondence in 1768. Miscellaneous Works with Historical Notes, by J. Nichols, 5 vols. Three vols. containing Sermons, Discourses, and Letters, have been since republished, 1789-98. characters of his day, he was on terms of friendship, and With Pope, Swift, and many of the principal literary was held in great esteem by his associates, as a man of great abilities and a skilful politician. We need hardly say that we cannot consider him as a fitting representative of primitive episcopacy. There have been many brighter illustrations of the true character of a Christian bishop than our bold, declamatory, and mettlesome prelate. Pope thus alludes to his friend when transferred, from the wonted comforts and luxuries of his own halls, to the hospitalities of the house of bondage: "How pleasing Atterbury's softer hour! How shined his soul unconquered in the Tower!" Epilogue to the Sat. Dialogue. Swift, in an imaginary dialogue between himself and Stella, speaks of a dean to be discovered by Stella's ingenuity: "Yes.' "A "A little black man of pretty near fifty." "The same." good pleasant man." "Aye, the same." "Cunning enough." "One that understands his own interest." "As well as any body." "A very good face, and abundance of wit.... I mean Dr. Atterbury, Dean of Carlisle." See Rose's Biog. Dict.; Cunningham's Biog. History of England. "His person, it is to be confessed, is no small recommendation, but he is to be highly commended for not losing that advantage. and adding propriety of speech--which might pass the criticism of Longinus-an action which would have been approved by Demosthenes. He never attempts your passions till he has convinced your reason."-A writer in the Tatler. Smalridge styles him "Vir in nullo literarum genere hospes, in plerisque artibus e disciplinis perfectissimus." studiis duo et feliciter exercitatus, in maxime perfectis literarum ATT "Atterbury was, on the whole, rather a man of ability than a genius. He writes more with elegance and correctness, than with force of thinking or reasoning. His letters to Pope are too much crowded with very trite quotations from the classics."-WARTON. Dr. Warburton had a mean opinion of his critical abilities, and of his Discourse on the Iapis of Virgil. "A very learned correspondence took place between Bishops Potter and Atterbury respecting the times in which the Four Gospels were written; which is preserved in the Epistolary Correspondence of Atterbury."-Nichols's Literary Anecdotes. "His controversial writings are brilliant, but shallow; his criticisms evince more taste and fancy than erudition; and his translations from Horace, have, as it is now generally admitted, obtained greater praise than they merit. His sermons, however, it must be confessed, are clear, forcible, and, though never sublime, occasionally eloquent and pathetic; and his letters, on which his fame as a writer, must principally depend, are superior even to those of Pope."-Georgian Era. "Atterbury was nothing more nor less than a Jacobite priest: his writings were extolled by that faction; but his letter on Clarendon's History is truly excellent."-HORACE WALPOLE. "At "Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning several to him. terbury? JOHNSON: Yes, sir, one of the best."-Boswell's Johnson. With reference to the mention of Atterbury's letters, read his very affecting epistle to Pope, when the bishop was about embarking for a foreign shore; an exile, in adversity and disgrace! His influence over Pope must have been great, as the following instances prove: "I had flung all my learning into the Deucalion in my Epic Poem, as indeed Milton has done too much in his Paradise Lost. The Bishop of Rochester advised me to burn it: I saw his advice was well grounded, and followed it, though not without some regret. Again: I wrote four books towards it, [Alcander, Prince of Rhodes,] of about a thousand verses each; and had the copy by me till I burnt it, by the advice of the Bishop of Rochester, a little before he went abroad." See Spence's Anecdotes. "He is the glory of our English orators. In his writings we see language in its strictest purity and beauty. There is nothing dark, nothing redundant, nothing obscure, nothing misplaced.”— DR. DODDRIDGE. Bickersteth commends The Rights and Powers and Privileges of an English Convocation, as "written with vigour and perspicuity," but considers Archbishop Wake's answer as "a full reply:" of his sermons he remarks, "A low tone of divinity, in a polished style of writing." "He was a polite writer. His Sermons probably owed most of their fame, among his contemporaries, who have lavishly applauded him, to his mode of delivery in the pulpit, for the Tatler says it was such as would have been approved by Longinus and Demosthenes."-DR. KNOX. "In Sherlock and Atterbury are apparent the highest powers of the mind, and the most unaffected eloquence."-Quarterly Review. "Atterbury excels in purity of language, delicacy of thought, and graceful allusions."-DR. E. WILLIAMS. Atterbury, Lewis, 1631-1693, father of the preceding, was entered at Christ Church, Oxf., in 1647. "He submitted to the Authority of the visitors appointed by the Parliament."-WOOD. He He pub. three Sermons, viz: 1. A Good Subject, on Prov. 2. The Ground of Christian xxiv. 21, 22, Lon., 1684. Feasts, Lon., 1685. 3. Babylon's Downfall, Lon., 1691. Atterbury, Lewis, 1656-1731, eldest son of the preceding, was entered at Christ Church, Oxf., in 1674. pub. several sermons, 1687-1705; two treatises on the Popish controversy, and translated from the French, Madame La Valliere's Penitent Lady, 1684, and the Re-union of Christians, 1708. Mr. Yardley pub. his Select Sermons "He was happy in a plain and intelligible way of expressing himself, and therefore was the less careful of turning and smoothing his periods.”—YARDLEY. in 1743. Attersol, Wm. Commentary upon Philemon, Lon., 1612. The New Covenant, 1614. Commentary upon Numbers, 1618. "A very full exposition; practical and evangelical."-BICKER STETH. Three Treatises, upon Luke xiii. 1; xii. 1, and upon Jonah iii. 4. Atton. On Beautifying a Church; Serm. Mark iv. 9, 1767. Atwell, George, of Cambridge, author of a Defense of Astrology, Lon., 1660. The Faithful Surveyor, Camb., 1662. Mr. Atwell is spoken of with respect by his illustrious contemporary, Sir Isaac Newton. Atwell, Jos., d. 1768, "eminent for his learning and piety," was a contributor to Phil. Trans., 1732-36. Atwood, G. Serm. Death Prince of Wales, 1751. Atwood, G. Review of Stat. and Ord. of Assize, 1801. Atwood, Geo., 1745-1807, a mathematician of note, and financial private secretary to Wm. Pitt, completed his studies in Trinity Coll., Camb., where he was afterwards a Fellow and a tutor. He was an excellent lecturer, and Mr. Pitt was one of his most attentive auditors. In 1784 he pub. his Treatise upon the Rectilinear Motion and Ro tation of Bodies, which was very favourably received. He pub. An Analysis of a course of Lectures on the Principles of Natural Philosophy, in the same year. Dissertation on Arches, 1801-5. He was a contributor to the Phil. Trans., 1781-98. "The latter years of his life were spent in much suffering, from the infirmities brought on by intense application-by that worst of all complaints, the literary malady. His powers of application were very great, and his accuracy as a calculator never surpassed." -Rose's Biog. Dict. Atwood, Thos. History of Dominica, Lon. 1791. Observations relative to Negro Slaves in the Brit. W. I. Islands, Lon., 1790. Observations on Currency, Population, and Pauperism, in two letters to A. Young, Esq., 1818.' Atwood, Thos., 1765–1838, an Eng. Mus. Composer of note. Atwood, Wm., published a number of Historical and Antiquarian Treatises, Lon., 1680-1705. The best known of his works is The Superiority and Direct Dominion of the Crown of England over the Crown and Kingdom of Scotland, asserted against Sir Thomas Craig, in which he endeavoured to prove that the Kings of Scotland had done homage and paid fealty for their kingdom to the Kings of England as lords paramount; so distasteful was this doctrine to the parliament of Scotland, that they ordered the offensive production in which it was contained to be burned by the common hangman, whilst Dr. Anderson, for his answer to this alleged libel, under the title of An Historical Essay, showing that the Crown and Kingdom of Scotland is Imperial and Independent, received a vote of thanks from the same august body. See ANDERSON, JAMES. Atwood was Chief-Justice of New York, but fled in 1702. Auale, Lemeke. A Commemoration or Dirge of Bastarde Edmonde Boner, alias Sauage, vsurped Bisshoppe of London. Compiled by Lemeke Auale, 1569. "A most virulent piece of personal invective, written in the Skeltonic measure, in which the descent of Bonner is pretended to be traced from a juggler, a cut-purse, and a Tom o Bedlam." Bindley's sale, £3 15s. Auber, Peter, Secretary to the East India Co. Analysis of the Constitution of the East India Company, and of the laws passed by Parliament for the government of their affairs at home and abroad, Lon., 1826. "A valuable and useful publication." Rise and Progress of the Brit. Power in India, 1837. "A valuable work, in the preparation of which the author enjoyed access, from his position, to official materials of the most important character." Aubert, Alex.V., 1729-1805, President of the Society of Antiquaries, contributed to Phil. Trans. 1769, 76, 83, 84. Aubin,P. Life and Adven.of the Lady Lucy, Lon.,1726. Aubrey, John, 1627-1697, an eminent antiquary and naturalist, was entered gentleman-commoner of Trinity His Miscellanies" is a very curious Coll., Oxf., in 1642. collection of remarks upon a variety of supernatural subjects, such as Transportation in the Air, Day Fatality, Local Fatality, Blows Invisible, Knockings, Impulses, Converse with Angels and Spirits, &c.; pub. in 1696, and often reprinted. He left a number of works in MS. His Perambulation of the County of Surrey, with additions of Dr. Rawlinson, 5 vols., was pub. 1719-25. In 1813, appeared Letters written by eminent Persons in 17th and 18th Centuries, with Lives of Eminent Men, by John Aubrey, 3 vols. Aubrey's Collection for Wilts was published in 1821. Anthony Wood, who has drawn considerably in his Athen. Oxon. from Aubrey's biographical MSS., speaks highly of him in the second volume of his Fasti, and in his History of the University of Oxford; but after his quarrel with him, he gives him the character of "A shiftless person, roving and magotie-headed, and sometimes little better than crased. And being exceedingly credulous, would stuff his many letters sent to A. W. with fooleries and misinformations, which sometimes would guide him into the paths of error." Mr. Toland remarks of our author "Though he was extremely superstitious, or seemed to be so, yet he was a very honest man, and most accurate in his account of matters of fact. But the facts he knew, not the reflections he made, were what I wanted." "Whatever Wood, in a peevish humour, may have thought or said of Mr. Aubrey, by whose labours he highly profited, or however fantastical Aubrey may have been on the subject of chemistry or ghosts, his character for veracity has never been impeached; and as a very diligent antiquary, his testimony is worthy of attention."-MALONE. It is worthy of observation that Wood's account of Milton was literally transcribed from Aubrey's MS., who was intimately acquainted with the great poet. Gifford despatches Aubrey in his usual Jeffrey style: "Whoever expects a rational account of any fact, however Aubrey trite, from Aubrey, will meet with disappointment. thought little, believed much, and confused every thing."-Life of Ben. Jonson. But Mr. Gifford is not infallible. Sir Richard Colt 81 |