STEEVENS, GEORGE-STEWART, DUGALD.

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Grief à-la-mode," which was acted in 1702 with con- | his theatrical patent, in consequence of his opposisiderable success. Through the recommendation of tion to the peerage bill. He appealed to the public Addison, he was appointed, in the beginning of the in a paper called "The Theatre," and in 1720 honourreign of Anne, to the post of writer to "The London ably distinguished himself against the celebrated Gazette." His comedy of "The Tender Husband" South Sea scheme. He was restored the following appeared in 1703, and his "Lying Lover" in 1704. year to his authority over Drury Lane theatre, and In 1709 he began the periodical paper so celebrated soon after wrote his comedy of "The Conscious under the title of "The Tatler," which included a Lovers," on a hint from Terence, first acted in 1722, portion of the information of a common newspaper, and dedicated to the king, who rewarded the author but, in raciness of humour, and vivacity and urbanity with 500l. His pecuniary difficulties, however, inof tone, was not, perhaps, exceeded by the most ce- creasing, he retired to a seat in Wales, where a paralebrated of its successors. As it sided with the ex- lytic stroke impaired his understanding, and finally isting ministry, and was extensively circulated, its terminated his life in 1729. projector was appointed one of the commissioners of the stamp duties. In 1711 "The Tatler" was succeeded by the still more celebrated "Spectator," in which the assistance of Addison and other eminent writers was more regular than in its predecessor, although Steele, as before, supported the chief burden. The "Spectator" terminating, he commenced "The Guardian" in 1713, and also produced a political periodical, called "The Englishman," with several other political pieces of temporary celebrity. His object was now to obtain a seat in parliament, for which purpose he resigned his place in the stamp office and a pension. He was accordingly elected for Stockbridge, but was soon after expelled the house for an alleged libel in the last number of "The Englishman," and in another paper called "The Crisis." His expulsion being purely the result of ministerial resentment, he regained favour on the accession of George I., and received the appointments of surveyor of the royal stables and governor of the king's comedians, and was knighted. He also again entered the house of commons as member for Boroughbridge, and received 500l. from Sir Robert Walpole for special services.

On the suppression of the rebellion of 1715 he was appointed one of the commissioners for the forfeited estates in Scotland, when he busied himself in an abortive scheme for a union between the churches of England and Scotland. Devoid of all prudential attention to economy, although he married two wives successively with respectable fortunes, he was uniformly embarrassed in his circumstances. Always engaged in some scheme or other, few or none of

which succeeded, he wasted his regular income in the anticipation of a greater, until absolute distress was the consequence. A scheme for bringing fish to market alive, in particular, involved him in much embarrassment, which was heightened by the loss of

STEEVENS, GEORGE, a dramatic critic and biographer, who was born at Stepney, where his father, an East India director, resided, and received his education at Cambridge. In 1766 he published twenty of the plays of Shakspeare, with notes. The skill which he displayed as a commentator induced Dr. Johnson to take him as his coadjutor in his edition of the works of the great dramatist. A new edition of the Shakspeare of Johnson and Steevens appeared in 1785; and in 1793 Mr. Steevens produced an enlarged and improved edition of the same work, in fifteen volumes. He was one of the contributors to Nichols's "Biographical Anecdotes of Hogarth;" and he also assisted in the "Biographia Dramatica." His death took place at Hampstead

in 1800.

STEWART, DUGALD.-This learned Scottish writer was born in 1753, and was the son of Dr. Matthew Stewart, professor of mathematics in the university of Edinburgh. He was educated at the high school, and admitted, at the age of thirteen, as a student in the college, under the tuition of Dr. Blair and Dr. Ferguson. Such was the progress he made that, at the age of eighteen, he was appointed to read lectures for his father, which he continued to do till the death of the latter. In 1780 he received a number of pupils into his house, and in 1783 visited the continent in company with the marquis of Lothian. When Dr. Ferguson was sent to North America on a mission, Mr. Stewart taught his class in moral philosophy during his absence; and in 1785, when the professor resigned, Mr. Stewart was chosen to fill his chair, in which he continued many years with great reputation. His "Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind," was succeeded by "Outlines of Moral Philosophy, for the Use of Students;" Dr. Adam Smith's "Essays on Philosophical Subjects, with an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author;" "An Account of the Life and Writings of Dr. Robertson;" "An Account of the Life and Writings of Dr. Thomas Reid." The memoirs of Smith, Reid, and Robertson were afterwards collected into one volume, with additional notes. In the election of a mathematical professor of the university of Edinburgh, Mr. Stewart was reflected on for his conduct to the successful candidate, and he therefore published a statement of facts relative to that election. In 1796 he again took a num

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STILLINGFLEET, EDWARD

STRABO.

ber of pupils under his care; and, besides adding a | Summarie of the Englyshe Chronicles," compiled at course of lectures on political economy to the usual the instance of Dudley, afterwards earl of Leicester, courses of his chair, he repeatedly supplied the place which was published in 1565, and afterwards conof his colleagues in case of illness or absence. In tinued by Edmond Howes, who printed several 1806 he accompanied his friend, the earl of Lauder- editions. dale, on his mission to Paris, and in 1810 relinquished his professorship, and retired to Kinneil House, about twenty miles from Edinburgh, where he continued to reside till his death, which took place in June 1828. His publications subsequently to his removal were philosophical essays; "Dissertation on the Progress of Metaphysical and Ethical Philosophy," prefixed to the supplement to the "Encyclopædia Britannica;" a second volume of "The Philosophy of the Human Mind," with a continuation; and "The Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers," which appeared in 1828.

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STILLINGFLEET, EDWARD, a celebrated bishop of Worcester, who was born in 1635, and received his education at St. John's college, Cambridge, where he was elected, in 1653, to the first fellowship that became vacant after he had taken his bachelor's degree. His chief work, Origines Sacræ, or a Rational Account of Natural and Revealed Religion," is esteemed for the erudition which it displays. It was followed by a treatise "On the Origin and Nature of Protestantism." Having distinguished himself by the prominent part which he took previous to the revolution, against the establishment of the Romish church in England, he was elevated to the see of Worcester by William III. Besides the writings enumerated, he was the author of an appendix to Tillotson's "Rule of Faith," "The Unreasonableness of Separation," and "Origines Britannicæ, or Antiquities of the Churches in Britain." A short time before his death, Bishop Stillingfleet engaged in a controversy with Locke, respecting some part of that philosopher's writings, which he conceived had a leaning towards materialism. His death took place in 1699. His works have been collected and published entire, in six folio volumes.

STOW, JOHN, an English historian and antiquary, who was born about 1525 in London. His father, a tailor, brought him up to his own business; but his mind early took a bent towards antiquarian researches. About the year 1560 he formed the design of composing the annals of English history, for the completion of which he quitted his trade. For the purpose of examining records, charters, and other documents, he travelled on foot to several public establishments, and purchased old books, manuscripts, and parchments, until he had made a valuable collection. Being thought to be favourable to the ancient religion, an information was laid against him in 1568, as a suspicious person, who possessed many dangerous books. The bishop of London accordingly ordered an investigation of his study, in which, of course, were found many popish books amongst the rest; but the result has not been recorded. Two years afterwards, an unnatural brother, having defrauded him of his goods, sought to take away his life by preferring 140 articles against him, before the ecclesiastical commission; but he was acquitted. He had previously printed his first work, entitled "A

He contributed to the improvement of the second edition of Holinshead in 1587, and gave corrections and notes to two editions of Chaucer. At length, in 1598, appeared his "Survey of London," the work on which he had been so long employed, and which came to a second edition during his lifetime. He was very anxious to publish his large chronicle or history of England, but lived only to print an abstract of it, entitled "Flores Historiarum, or Annals of England." From his papers Howes published a folio volume, entitled "Stow's Chronicle," which does not, however, contain the whole of the larger work which he had left transcribed for the press, and which is said to have fallen into the possession of Sir Symonds Dewes. A license was granted him by James I. "to repair to churches or other places, to receive the charitable benevolence of well-disposed people," in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He died, afflicted by poverty and disease, in 1605, at the age of eighty. "Stow's Survey" has run through six editions, the last in 1754, with considerable additions, and a continuation of the useful lists.

STRAFFORD, SIR THOMAS WENTWORTH- -STRUTT, JOSEPH.

time of his death is unknown. His great geographical work, in seventeen books, contains a full account of the manners and governments of different people his materials were derived from his own observations and inquiries, or from the geographical works of Hecatæus, Artemidorus, Eudoxius, and Eratosthenes, now lost, and the writings of historians and poets. His work is invaluable to us.

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encouraged him by a solemn promise that "not a hair of his head should be touched by parliament."

Strafford's apprehensions were well founded. The very first movement of the party opposed to arbitrary power was to impeach him of high treason, with which charge Pym appeared at the bar of the house of lords on the 18th of November, 1640. The articles of impeachment, at the first nine in number, were afterwards increased to twenty-eight, the object of which was to convict him of an attempt to subvert the fundamental laws of the country. As in the case of Laud, it was easy to prove that he acted as a friend and promoter of arbitrary measures, but not to substantiate any particular fact to justify a capital charge. Although treated with the extreme of legal rigour and debarred the assistance of counsel, his own great abilities and force of mind supplied every deficiency; "And never man," says Whitelock, the chairman of the impeaching committee,

STRAFFORD, SIR THOMAS WENTWORTH, EARL OF, an eminent English statesman, who was born in London in 1593, and entered of St. John's college, Cambridge. After leaving the university he travelled, and on his return received the honour of knighthood. The death of his father in 1614 gave him possession of a large fortune; and he was soon after appointed custos rotulorum of the west riding of Yorkshire, in lieu of Sir John Saville. In 1622 he lost his first wife, of the noble family of Clifford, and in 1625 married Arabella, second daughter of Holles, earl of Clare. On the convening of the new parliament, in the same year, he was one of the six" acted such a part, on such a theatre, with more popular members who were prevented serving their country in that assembly by being appointed sheriffs for their respective counties. He submitted to this arbitrary act in silence; and soon after the duke of Buckingham, alarmed at the measures taken against him in parliament, made him overtures which proved ineffectual, and the favourite revenged himself by obliging him to restore his office of custos rotulorum to Sir John Saville.

As he had now proved the strength of his abilities, high terms were offered him by the court, which he finally accepted; and in 1628 he was created Baron Wentworth, and some months afterwards a viscount and privy counsellor, and, on the resignation of Lord Scrope, nominated president of the north. The assassination of Buckingham soon after freed him from a powerful enemy at court, and he became so influential in the king's councils that his powers in the four northern counties, over which he presided, became enormous; and his commission contained fifty-eight instructions, of which scarcely one did not exceed or violate the common law. Having assiduously cultivated the friendship of Archbishop Laud, he was selected by that prelate to proceed to Ireland as lord deputy in 1632. He greatly improved the state of the country, both as regarded law, revenue, and trade (the manufacture of linen being of his own creation); but at the same time nothing could be more arbitrary than his system of government, it being his boast that he had rendered the king as absolute in Ireland as any prince in the whole world could be." On the first symptoms of resistance to the royal authority he counselled the strongest measures; and after the failure of the king's first expedition against Scotland he was sent for from Ireland and created earl of Strafford and knight of the Garter. He returned with the full title of lord lieutenant, with a view to gain subsidies and troops, in which he fully succeeded; and, again repairing to England, took the command in the north, but found himself obliged to retire before the Scottish army, and retreat to York. Charles was now by his necessities obliged to call the long parliament; on which Strafford, aware of the entity which he had inspired among the popular leaders, wished to return to his government; but the king, hoping that his great talents would be serviceable, BIOGRAPHY.-VOL. II.

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wisdom, consistency, and eloquence, or with greater reason, judgment, and temper." His defence, indeed, was so strong that the original impeachment was deserted for the unjustifiable proceedings of a bill of attainder. The bill passed by a great majority; and so great was the animosity borne towards him that the house of lords was intimidated into compliance. The king, who had imprudently endeavoured to stop the bill by his personal interference, had not sufficient firmness to redeem the pledge of safety which he had previously given, but yielded to the advice of his counsellors, backed by a letter from Strafford himself, who urged him, for his own safety, to ratify the bill. This act has the semblance of being truly heroical; yet it is probable that he did not think that the king would have been swayed by it, since, being assured of the fatal truth, he lifted his eyes to heaven, and, with his hand on his heart, exclaimed, "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the sons of men; for in them there is no salvation." His conduct from this time to his execution was in the highest degree composed and noble. At the scaffold he addressed the people, expressing entire resignation to his fate, and asserting the good intention of his actions, however misrepresented. He fell in the forty-ninth year of his age, lamented by some, admired by more, and leaving behind a memorable, but certainly not an unspotted name. The parliament, not long after his death, mitigated his sentence as regarded his children; and in the succeeding reign his attainder was reversed. He married three times, and by his second wife left an only son and several daughters.

STRUTT, JOSEPH, an English antiquary, who was born in 1749, at Springfield in Essex, and was articled to an engraver, and obtained the gold and silver medals of the royal academy. He published in 1773 his work entitled "The Regal and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of England," containing representations of the English monarchs from Edward the Confessor to Henry VIII. This was followed by "Horda Angel Cynnan, or a Complete View of the Manners, Customs, Arms, Habits, &c., of the English, from the arrival of the Saxons to the times of Henry VIII.," &c. In 1777 and 1778 he published a "Chronicle of England," which he meant to extend to six volumes, but dropped the design for want of 3 Q

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and some of the Egean islands, they returned to England in the beginning of 1755. The result of their labours appeared in the work entitled "The Antiquities of Athens." Stuart died in 1788.

STRYPE, JOHN-SUWARROFF, ALEXANDER. encouragement. His "Biographical Dictionary of Engravers" appeared in 1785 and 1786, in two volumes, and his " Complete View of the Dresses and Habits of the People of England," &c., in 1796 and 1799. In 1801 he published his last and favourite SUETONIUS.-Caius Suetonius Tranquillus, a work, entitled "The Sports and Pastimes of the Roman writer, who was born about A.D. 100. Little People of England." He died in London, in Octo- is known of the circumstances of his life. He disber 1802, aged fifty-three. His modest character tinguished himself as an advocate, obtained the triscarcely met, during his lifetime, with the encourage-buneship through the influence of Pliny the younger, ment it deserved. He left some manuscripts, from which have since been published his "Queen Hoo Hall," a romance, and" Ancient Times," a drama; also "The Test of Guilt, or Traits of Ancient Superstition," a dramatic tale.

STRYPE, JOHN, a voluminous contributor to English ecclesiastical history and biography, who was born in 1643, and educated at St. Paul's school, whence in 1661 he was removed to Jesus college, and afterwards to Catharine hall, Cambridge. He graduated M.A. in 1666, and, taking orders, was nominated to the perpetual curacy of Theydon Boys in Essex. His works are, Ecclesiastical Monuments," "Annals of the Reformation," an augmented edition of "Stow's Survey of London," and lives of Cranmer, Parker, Grindal, Whitgift, Sir John Cheke, Sir Thomas Smith, and Bishop Aylmer. He was for many years rector of Hackney, in which he spent the latter part of his life, which was prolonged to the age of ninety-four.

STUART, GILBERT, an eminent historical writer, who was born at Edinburgh in 1742, and received his education in the university of that city, where his father was professor of humanity, and was destined for the legal profession, which he relinquished for that of an author. In 1767 he published "An Historical Dissertation concerning the Antiquity of the British Constitution," the merit of which procured him the degree of LL.D. This was followed, a few years after, by his " View of Society in Europe, in its Progress from Rudeness to Refinement." Being disappointed in an attempt to obtain the professorship of public law in the university of Edinburgh, he removed to London, and, from 1768 to 1774, he was a contributor to the "Monthly Review." He then returned to his native city, and established the "Edinburgh Magazine and Review." About this time he published his "Observations concerning the Public Law and Constitutional History of Scotland," "The History of the Reformation in Scotland," and "The History of Scotland." In the year last mentioned he again repaired to London, and engaged as a writer; but habits of intemperance had undermined his constitution, and he once more returned to his native place, where he died in 1786.

STUART, JAMES, a distinguished antiquary and architectural draughtsman, who was born in London in 1713. His father having died when he was young, he assisted his mother by practising fan-painting. Prompted by his inclination, he studied anatomy, geometry, and other branches of science; and, having by his industry provided for the support of his younger brother and sister, set out, with a very small supply of money, for Rome. He supported himself during his travels by the exercise of his talents, and at Rome became acquainted with Nicholas Revett, a skilful architect, with whom he went to Athens in 1751. Here they remained till the latter part of 1753, making drawings and taking measurements of architectural relics. After visiting Salonica, Smyrna,

and was appointed secretary to the emperor Adrian. From an expression of Spantian in his "Life of Adrian," we learn that Suetonius lost this place on account of his intimacy with the empress Sabina, but the particulars of the affair are unknown to us. Of the works of Suetonius only "The Lives of the Twelve Cæsars," and "Notices of Celebrated Grammarians, Rhetoricians, and Poets," are yet extant. The former work gives an interesting account of the private life and personal character of the first twelve Roman emperors, from Julius Cæsar to Domitian, and is of great value to us from the light which it throws on domestic manners and customs.

SUWARROFF, ALEXANDER, a celebrated Russian field-marshal, who was as well known for his great courage in battle as for his cruelty to the conquered. He was born in 1730, and was intended by

his father for the profession of the law. To avoid this fate he left his home and entered the army as a common soldier when only thirteen years of age. His great bravery distinguished him during the seven years' war, and in 1768 he obtained the rank of brigadier-general. He served in several Polish campaigns, and for his courage was rewarded in 1773 with three Russian orders of knighthood. He stood very high in the opinion of Catherine II. of Russia, who placed him at the head of her troops. The storming of Ismailoff was one of the greatest stains in the life of this able though cruel commander. This event took place in 1790, and more than forty thousand of the inhabitants were immediately put to death with every accompaniment of horror. He was subsequently employed by the empress and her successor Paul in all their military movements of importance, and died near St. Petersburgh in the spring of 1800.

SWEDENBORG, EMANUEL--SWIFT, JONATHAN.

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SWEDENBORG, EMANUEL, the most cele-Books," appended to the "Tale of a Tub," is a burbrated mystic of the eighteenth century. He was lesque comparison between ancient and modern auborn at Stockholm in 1688. Educated by his father thors, in which he exercises his satire against Dryden Jasper Swedberg, bishop of West Gothland, in the and Bentley. In 1708 appeared his "Sentiments of severe doctrines of Lutheranism which prevailed in a Church of England Man in respect to Religion Sweden, his ardent and imaginative mind soon took and Government,' Letter concerning the Sacraa religious turn. His studies embraced theology, mental Test," "Argument for the Abolition of Chrisphilosophy, mathematics, and the natural sciences. tianity," and "Predictions for the year 1708, by Isaac His first poetical efforts appeared in 1710 at Skara, Bickerstaff, Esq." In 1710, being engaged by the under the title of "Carmina Miscellanea." The pe- Irish prelacy to obtain a remission of the first-fruits riod from 1710 to 1714 he spent in scientific travels and twentieths payable by the Irish clergy to the through England, Holland, France, and Germany, crown, he was introduced to Harley, afterwards earl and visited the universities of those countries. He of Oxford, and to Secretary St. John, subsequently then returned to Upsal, and published his "Dæda- Lord Bolingbroke. He gained the confidence of lus Hyperboreus," six numbers, containing expe- these leaders, and took a leading share in the famous riments and observations in mathematics and phi-Tory periodical entitled “The Examiner." losophy. He had several interviews with Charles XII., who in 1716 appointed him assessor in the mining college. The invention of a rolling machine, by means of which he conveyed a shallop, two galleys, and four large boats (which Charles XII. used in 1718 to transport cannon to the siege of Frederick-He accordingly returned to Dublin, and introduced shall), five leagues over mountains and valleys, from Strömstadt to Idefjal, and his treatises on algebra, the value of money, the revolutions of the planets, and on tides, gained for him the favour of the government. Queen Ulrica raised him to the rank of nobility in 1719, upon which occasion his name was changed from Swedberg to Swedenborg. In the discharge of the duties of his office he visited in 1720 the Swedish mines, and in 1721 the Saxon, and wrote some valuable treatises on them. He likewise made similar journeys to the mines of Austria and Hungary. A collection of his works on philosophy and mineralogy was published in 1734, and attracted much attention among the scholars of Europe. He was chosen a member of the academies of Upsal and Petersburgh. The academy at Stockholm had already elected him an honorary member in 1729. He increased his stock of knowledge by new travels to France and Italy in 1738. The "Economia Regni Animalis," which he published after his return in 1740, contains the application of the system of nature, unfolded in his philosophical works, to the animal creation. The principle of a necessary emanation of all things from a central power is the basis of this system, which is ingeniously unfolded, and illustrates the extent of the author's reading. But the works of Swedenborg are much too extensive for us even to enumerate, and it may be enough to say that they have long excited the attention of the most learned men in modern times. He died at London in 1772.

The dissensions between Oxford and Bolingbroke, whom he in vain attempted to reconcile, and the death of the queen, which soon followed, put an end to his prospects, and condemned him to an unwilling residence for life in a country which he disliked. a meritorious reform into the chapter of St. Patrick's, over which he obtained an authority never before possessed in his station. In 1716 he was privately married to Miss Johnson; but the ceremony was attended with no acknowledgment which could gratify the feelings of the victim of his pride and cruelty. The ascendency which he acquired over Miss Hester Vanhomrigh, another accomplished female, was attended with circumstances still more censurable. He became acquainted with this lady in London in 1712; and as she possessed, with a large fortune, a taste for literature, Swift took pleasure in affording her instruction. This affair terminated fatally; for, discovering his secret union with Stella, the unfortunate lady never recovered the shock, but died fourteen months after in 1723. She previously cancelled a will she had made in his favour, and left it in charge to her executors (one of whom was Bishop Berkeley) to publish all the correspondence between herself and Swift, which, however, never appeared. After residing some time in Ireland, without attending to public affairs, he was roused, by the illiberal manner in which Ireland was governed, to publish "A Proposal for the Universal Use of Irish Manufactures," which rendered him very popular.

On the death of George I. he paid his court to the new king and queen. But he was disappointed; and the death of Stella about this time, who had been long languishing in a state of decline, completed his chagrin. When her health was ruined he offered to acknowledge her as his wife, but she replied, “It SWIFT, JONATHAN, an eminent English writer. is too late." He allowed her to make a will in her He was born in 1667, and received a good education, maiden name, in which she consigned her property but suffered considerably under pecuniary difficulties to charitable uses. From the death of this injured till he was taken under the protection of the earl of female his life became much retired, and the austeBerkeley. In 1701 he took his doctor's degree, and rity of his temper increased. He continued, howin the same year first entered on the stage as a poli-ever, for some years to exercise both his patriotic tical writer, by a pamphlet in behalf of the ministers, and his splenetic feelings in various effusions of entitled, "Contests and Dissensions between the prose and verse, and was earnest in his exertions to Nobles and Commons of Athens and Rome,” a work better the condition of the wretched poor of Ireland, of no great force. In 1704 he published, anony-in addition to which endeavours he dedicated a third mously, his famous "Tale of a Tub," of which, although he would never own it, he is the undoubted author. This piece of humour, while it advanced his reputation as a wit, did him no small injury as a divine, being deemed light and indecorous by the functionaries of the church. "The Battle of the

of his income to charity. Some of his most striking poems were written about this time, including his celebrated "Verses on his Own Death," formed on one of the maxims of Rochefoucault. He kept little company at this advanced period but with inferiors, whom he could treat as he pleased, and especially a