was collated by Dr. Lancelot Andrews, Bishop of Winchefter, to the rectory of Bledon, in Somerfetfhire; and on the 14th of June, 1628, took the degree of bachelor of divinity. He had now formed the defign of continuing his father's exercitations against Baronius's Annals, but was diverted by fome accident. At length, when he came to maturity of years for fuch a work, and had acquainted Archbishop Laud, his great friend and patron, with his defign, who was very ready to place him conveniently in Oxford or London, according to his defire, that he might be furnished with books neceffary for fuch a purpofe, the troubles and divifions began in England: fo that having no fixed habitation, he was forced to fell a good part of his books; and, in the end, after about twenty years fufferings, was grown fo old and infirm, that he could not expect to live many years, and thereupon was forced to give over that project. On the 19th of June, 1628, he was made prebendary of Canterbury, through the intereft and recommendation of Bifhop Laud. When that prelate was promoted to the archbishoprick of Canterbury, he farther preferred him; for on the 4th of October, 1634, he collated him to the vicarage of Minter, in the Ille of Thanet, and the 25th of the fame month, he was inducted into the vicarage of Monckton, in the fame ifland. The 31st of August, 1636, he was created doctor in divinity, by order of King Charles I. who was entertained at the fame time, with his Queen, by the Univerfity. About the year 1644, during the heat of the civil wars, he was deprived of his preferments, abufed, fined, and imprifoned. In 1649, one Mr. Greaves, of Gray's-Inn, an intimate acquaintance of his, brought him a meffage from Oliver Cromwell, then lieutenant-general of the parliament forces, defiring him to come to Whitehall, on purpofe to confer with him about matters of moment; but his wife being lately dead, and not, as he faid, buried, he defired to be excufed. Greaves came again afterwards, and Dr. Cafaubon being under fome uneafinefs, left fome evil fhould follow, defired him to tell him the meaning of the matter; but Greaves refufing, went away the fecond time. At length he returned again, and told him, that the lieutenant-general intended his good and advancement; and his particular errand was, That he would make ufe of his pen to write the hiftory of the late war; defiring withal, that nothing bat matters of fact fhould be impartially fet down. The Doctor answered, that he defired his humble fervice and hearty thanks fhould be returned for the great honour done unto him: but, that he was incapable in feveral refpects for fuch an employment, and could not fo impartially engage in it, but his fubject would force him to make fuch reflections as would be ungrateful, they fay of the Romans, he makes his wrong inferences and applications." Meric Cafaubon thinking his father much injured by the publication of that book, wrote a letter, which he got one of the bifhops to fhew to the King: his Majefty difcovering the fraud thereby, ordered Nath. Butter, the bookfeller, and Abraham Darcie to be committed to prifon; and it was with great difficulty, that Dr. Mountaine, Bifhop of London made his chaplain's peace on account of his licenfing it. Soon after a French book, the original of the English tranflation being produced, it was found, continues qur author, That an old title-page had been by art and cunning transformed, the years altered, and the name of Ifaac Cafaubon inferted; and thus the world for mere gain and lucre (for I do not believe there was any farther mystery in it at firft) fhamefully abufed. Other editions or copies of the fame book were found, and fhewed to the King: yea tranflations of it that had been made when my father was yet fcarcely born, &c." Upon this Meric Cafaubon published his Vindicatio patris, which, by the King's command, was tranflated in French and English, and yet, fome years after, the fame English translation was reprinted at Amiterdam, as is fuppofed, with this title. "The Original of Popith Idolatry; or the Birth of Herefies. Published under the name of Cafaubon, and called in the fame year upon mifinformation. But now upon better confideration reprinted with Allowance; being a true and exact Defcription, &c" Printed 1630. A preface alfo was added in juftification of the book and the first editors of it, where, among other things, it is faid, “That they that did suppress, were either Papists in their hearts, or fuch as hold with Papifts. That ignorance is the mother of devotion, that the gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift was departing from the land, &c." Since that, a pamphlet came out, much to the fame purpose, in the very front of which Cafaubon's name was placed: if it was that, intituled, Isaaci Cafauboni Corona Regia, the true author Cafpar Scioppius. grateful, if not injurious, to his lordhip. Notwithstanding this anfwer, Cromwell feemed fo fenfible of his worth, that though he could not gain him to do what he defired, yet he acknowledged a great respect for him, and, as a teftimony of it, ordered, that upon the first demand there fhould be delivered to him three or four hundred pounds, by a bookfeller in London, whofe name was Cromwell, whenever his occafions fhould require, without acknowledging at the receipt of it, who was his benefactor. But this offer he rejected, though his condition was then mean. At the fame time it was propofed by Mr. Greaves, who belonged to the library at St. James's, that if our author would gratify him in the foregoing requeft, Cromwell would reftore unto him all his father's books, which were then in the royal library, having been purchafed by King James; and withal give him a patent for three hundred pounds a-year, to be paid to the family as long as the youngest fon of Dr. Cafaubon fhould live, but this alfo was refufed. Not long after, a propofal was made to him by the ambaffador of Chriftiana Queen of Sweden, whereby he was invited by that Queen into her country, to have the government of one, or inspection of all her Univerfities; and for an encouragement, fhe propofed not only an honourable falary for himself, but offered to fettle three hundred pounds a year upon his eldest fon during life: but this alfo he waved, being fully determined to fpend the remainder of his days in England. At the reftoration of King Charles II. he recovered his preferments; namely, his prebend - of Canterbury on the 13th of July, 1660, and his vicarages of Monckton and Minster the fame year. But, two years after, he exchanged this laft for the rectory of Ickham, near Canterbury, to which he was admitted, O&. 4, 1662. He had a defign, in the latter part of his days of writing his own life; and would often confefs, that he thought himself obliged to do it out of gratitude to the Divine Providence, which had preferved and delivered him from more hazardous occurrences, than ever any man (as he thought) besides himfelf had encountered with: particularly, in his escape from a fire in the night-time, which happened in the houfe where he lived, at Geneva, while he was a boy: in his recovery from a ficknefs at Chrift-Church in Oxford, when he was given over for dead, by' a chymical preparation adminiftered to him by a young phyfician: in his wonderful prefervation from drowning, when overset in a boat on the Thames near London, the two watermen being drowned, and himfelf buoyed up by his prieft's coat: and in his bearing feveral abufes, fines, imprisonments, &c. laid upon him by the fanaticks in the time of his fequeftration. But deferring it from time to time, he did not live to do it. He died on the 14th of July 1671, in the feventy-fecond year of his age; and was buried in the fouth part of the first fouth cross-aiile of Canterbury-Cathedral. Over his grave was soon after erected a handfome monument, with an infcription. He left by will a great number of manufcripts to the University of Oxford, and was author of feveral learned works*. His character is thus reprefented. Bb 2 1 * They are, befides his two vindications already mentioned, thefe that follow. I. " Optati Lubri, vii. de Schifmate Donatiftarum, cum Merici Cafauboni Notis & Emendationibus. Londini, 1632, 8vo." II. A tranflation from Greek into English of "M. Aurelius Antoninus's Meditations concerning himfelf, with Notes." Lond. 1634, and 1635, 4to, again with additions and corrections. Lond. 1664, 8vo. III. “ A Treatife of Use and Cuftom." This is the whole title; but, as the author himself obferves, there might be added, "in things natural, civil, and divine." Lond. 1638, 8vo. The occafion of this treatife, as he tells us in the fame place, was, "his being at that time much troubled, and as he thought injured, by what in the law of this realm, goes, under the name of Custom; to him before little known." IV. "The Ufe of daily publick Pray-, ers in three Pofitions." Lond. 1641, 4to. V. "Marci Antonini Imperatoris de Seipfo & ad Seipfum Libri xii. Guil. Xylander Auguftanus Græce & Latine primus edidit: nunc vero, Xylandri verfionem locis plurimis, emendavit, & novam fecit: in Antonini libros Notas & Emendationes adjacit Mericus Cafaubonus, 11. F. In eofdem Xylandri Annotationes." Lond. 1643, 8vo. There are in the beginning learned Prolegomena of our author; and at the end his notes; then thole of Xylander follow. It is a neat and accurate edition. VI. “The original of temporal Evils; the Opinions fented. He was a general scholar, but not extraordinary in any one fort, unlefs in criticifm, wherein probably he was affifted by his father's notes and papers. Opinions of the most ancient Heathens concerning it examined by the Sacred Scriptures, and referred unto them, as unto the fource and fountain from whence they fpring. Lond. 1645, 4to". VII. "A Difcourfe concerning Chrift, his Incarnation and Exinanition. With an Introduction, Concerning the Principles of Chriftianity and Divinity." Lond. 1646, 4to. VIII. "De verborem ufu, & accurate eorum cognitionis utilitate Diatriba." Londa 1647, 8vo. IX. This fame year, he published a more complete edition of his father's notes upon Perfius, than was that of 1605. The title of this fecond edition runs thus, "Perfii Satyræ cum notis Ifaaci Cafaubon." Londini, 1647, 8vo. X. "De quatuor Linguis Commentationis, Pars I. Quæ de Lingua Hebraica & de Lingua Saxonica. Accefferunt Gulielmi Somneri ad verba vetera Germanica Lipfiana Notæ.', Londini, 1650, 8vo. He had not an opportunity of finishing the two other languages, Greek and Latin. XI. Terentius, cum notis Thomæ Farnabii in quatuor priores Comoedias, & Merici Cafauboni in Phormionem & Hecyram." Londini, 1651, 12mo. Farnaby dying before he had finished his notes upon Terence, the bookfeller engaged Cafaubon to write notes upon the two last comedies, the Phormio and the Hecyra, which the other had not done. XII. "Some Annotations on the Pfalms and Proverbs." He tells us, that these obfervations were extorted from him, by the importunity of Printers, when he was not very well furnished either with books or leifure; but, worst of all, of will, when nothing could be expected to be acceptable and welcome, but what relifhed of fchifm and rebellion. Thefe annotations were inferted in one of the latter editions of the Affembly's Annotations on the Bible. XIII. "In Hieroclis commentarium de Providentia & Fato, Notæ & Emendationes." Lond. 1655, 8vo. and 1673, 8vo. Our author defigned at first, to have corrected the Latin tranflation of Hierocles, which abounded with faults; but not knowing that the work was printing till it was almost entirely finished, he contented himself with adding a few grammatical and critical notes at the end. XIV. "A Treatife concerning Enthusiasm, as it is an effect of Nature; but it is mistaken by many for either divine Inspiration, or diabolical poffeffion." Lond. 1655, 8vo. In this book. which is divided into fix chapters, he treats, 1. Of Enthusiasme in general. 2. Of Divinatory Enthufiafme. 3. Of contemplative and philofophical Enthufiafme. 4. Of rhetorical Enthufiafme. 5. Of politicall Enthufiafme. 6. Of precatory Enthufiafme. XV. " De nupera Homeri editione Lugduno-Batavica Hackiana, cum Latina verfione, & Didymi Scholiis; fed & Euftathio, & locis aliquot infignioribus ad Odyffeam pertinentibus. Item fuper loco Homerico dubiæ apud Antiquos Interpretationis, quo Dei in hominum tam mentes quam fortunas imperium afferitur, binæ Differtationes." Londini, 1659, 8vo. reprinted in Almeloveen's edition of Cafaubon's Letters. XVI. "Epicteti enchiridion Græce & Latine, cum notis Merici Cafauboni; & Cebetis Tabula cum notis ejufdem." Lond. 1659, 8vo. The Latin translation in this edition is that of Jerom Wolfius. XVII. An English translation of, and notes on, "Lucius Florus's History of the Komans," Lond. 1659, 8vo. XVIII. He published "A true and faithful relation of what paffed for many years between Dr. John Dee and fome fpirits, &c." And put in the beginning a long preface, to confirm the truth of what is faid in that relation concerning fpirits. Lond. 1659, fol. XIX. He was author of "A Vindication of the Lord's Prayer as a formal Prayer, and by Christ's Inftitution to be used by Chriftians as a Prayer. Against the Antichriftian Practice and opinion of fome men, Wherein alfo their private and ungrounded zeal is difcovered, who are fo ftrict for the obfervation of the Lord's-day, and make fo light of the Lord's prayer." Lond. 1660. The first occafion of this treatise, as the author tells us in the preface, was the relation of a strange alfront done publickly unto Chrift; or, if you will more punctually to the Lord's prayer, in St. Mary's Church in Oxford, by Dr. John Owen, Dean of Chrift-Church, who had the chief govern ment of that Univerfity from 1652 to 1657; namely, His putting on his Hat, when the Lord's prayer was repeating by the preacher. This, Dr. Owen denied afterwards; “But therein, faith Mr, Wood, he doth much err, for feveral now living in Oxon (i. e. in Wood's time) knew it well enough," XX. "A King and his Subjects unhappily fallen out, and happily reconciled, in a Sermon preached at Canterbury, on Hofea iii. ver. 4, 5." Lond. 1660, 4to. XXI." The question to whom it belonged anciently to preach? And whether all Priests might or did? Difcuffed out of Antiquity. Cccafioned by the late Directions concerning Preachers." Lond. 1663, 4to. These Directions were fet forth by the King, October 14, 1662, to restrain the abufes and extravagancies of preachers. XXII. "Notæ & Emendationes in Diogenem Laertium de Vitis, &c. Philofophorum." Thefe notes were added to thofe of his father, in the editions of Laertius, printed at London, 1664, fol. and Amfterdam in 1692, 4to. XXIII." Of the Neceffity of Reformation in and before Luther's Time, and what vifibly hath most hindered the Progress of it. Occafioned by fome late virulent Books written by Papifts, but efpecially by that, intituled Labyrinthus Cantuarienfis. Here, befides fome other Points, the grand Bufinefs of thefe Times, Infallibility, is fully difcuffed." Lond. 1664, 4to. This is chiefly an anfwer to Labyrinthus Cantuarienfis, printed at Paris in 1658; which pretends to confute Archbishop Laud's Relation of a Conference with Fisher the Jefuit:' and in the 11th, 13th, and 14th Chapters of which, it is afferted, That Proteftants are Schifmatics, and no part of the Catholic Church,' XXIV." An Anfwer concerning the new Way of Infallibility lately devifed to uphold the Roman Caufe; the ancient Fathers and Councils laid afide, against J. S. (the Author of Sure-footing) his Letter lately publifhed, Lond. 1665, 8vo. This letter of J. S. (i, e. John Sarjeant, the author of Sure-footing, c. fo learnedly confuted by Archbishop Tillotson) was a fort of an anfwer to fomne paffages in Dr. Cafaubon's papers. According to the ill cuftom of the times he lived in, he mixes too much Greek and Latin in his writings: but, however, that fhews his very extenfive reading. He was wont to afcribe to Defcartes's philofophy, the little inclination people had in his time for polite learning. He was eminent for his piety, charity to the poor, and his courteous and affable difpofition towards fcholars. He had feveral children, but none made any figure in the learned world: one, named John, was a furgeon at Canterbury. ADDITIONAL ANECDOTES, by Dr. KIPPIS. SIR William Temple, in his Effay on Poetry, fpeaks in high terms of Meric Cafaubon's abilities and literature. "I am forry, fays Sir William, the natural history or account of fafcination has not employed the pen of fome perfon of fuch excellent wit and deep thought and learning as Cafaubon, who wrote that curious and ufeful treatife on Enthufiafm, and by it difcovered the hidden or mistaken fources of that delufion, fo frequent in all regions and religions of the world, and which had fo fatally fpread over our country in that age in which this treatife was fo feasonably published. It is much to be lamented, that he lived not to complete that work in the fecond part he promifed; or that his friends neglected the publishing it, if it were left in papers, though loofe and unfinished. I think a clear account of enthusiasm and fafcination from their natural caufes, would very much deferve from mankind in general, as well as from the commonwealth of learning; might perhaps prevent fo many public diforders, and fave the lives of many innocent, deluded, or deluding people, who fuffer fo frequently upon account of witches and wizards.” However well qualified Meric Cafaubon was to treat concerning euthufiafm, it is certain that his mind was not fufficiently enlarged to difcufs rationally the fubject of fascination; fince it is plain, from his writings on credulity and incredulity, that he was a zealous affertor of the reality of apparitions and witchcraft. With regard to his treatife on Enthufiafm, the praises of it must be adopted with fome abatement. There are undoubtedly fome curious obfervations in it, and it abounds with learning. But the language of the book is remarkably embarraffed and confufed; fo that the author's meaning is often loft in the multiplicity of words, and the perplexity of parentheses. This is not our own opinion only, but the opinion of a refpectable gentleman, who hath favoured us with many observations relative to the Biographia. We Cafaubon's book Of the Neceffity of Reformation, &c.' and was printed at the end of Sarjeant's Sure-footing in Chriftianity. XXV, "A Letter of Meric Cafaubon, D. D. &c. to Peter du Moulin, D. D. &c. concerning Natural Experimental Philofophy, and fome Books lately fet about it." Cambridge, 1669, 4to. five fheets. XXVI. "Of Credulity and Incredulity in Things natural, civil, and divine; wherein, among other Things, the Sadducifm of thefe Times in denying Spirits, Witches, and Supernatural Operations, by pregnant Inftances and Evidences is fully confuted Epicurus his Caufe difcuffed, and the Juggling and falfe Dealing lately used to bring him and Atheism into Credit, clearly discovered; the Ufe and Neceflity of ancient Learning against the innovating Humour all along proved and afferted." Lond. 1668, 8vo. containing two parts. The third part was printed at London, 1670, 8vo, under the following title, "Of Credulity and Incredulity, in Things divine and fpiritual: wherein (among other Things) a true and faithful Account is given of the Platonick Philofophy, as it hath Reference to Chriftianity: as alfo the Business of Witches and Witchcraft, against a late Writer, fully argued and difputed." The late writer, attacked only in the two laft fheets of this book, was Mr. John Wagitaff, who published, The Question of Witchcraft debated; or, a Difcourfe against their Opinion, that affirm Witches.' Lond. 1669, 8vo. But thefe two parts of Dr. Cafaubon's book lying dead on the bookfeller's hands, he printed a new title to them, running thus, A Treatife, proving Spirits, Witches, and Supernatural Operations by pregnant Inftances and Evidences, &c. Lond. 1672. XXVII. "Notæ in Polybium," printed for the first time in the edition of that author, published by James Gronovius at Amsterdam, in 1670, 8vo. XXVIII. “ Epiftolæ, Dedicationes, Præfationes, Prolegomena, & Tractatus quidam rariores. Curante Theodoro Janfon ab Almeloveen;" printed at the end of Ifaac Cafaubon's Letters. Roteaodami, 1709. XXIX. “ De Jure concionandi apud antiquos." This feems to be the fame as the Treatife mentioned above, No. 22, or perhaps it was a Latin translation of it. M. L We are informed, by the fame gen. tleman, that the letter, mentioned in the note, p. 185, which was written by Mr. Cafaubon to be fhewn to the King, is in the Advocate's library at Edinburgh. POETRY. VERSES, On the death of a very amiable young Lady. UCH lov'd Eliza! whofe delightful form, M Pourtrayed by the intellectual eye, Oft draws me from the bustling world around, arms, Left he with life fhould be fo highly blefs'd, R CHARLOTTE M. MOSENAU. VERSES Ah! lov'd Euphronius! what far diftant day, Perhaps in exile doom'd to wander long, But not the pleafures this vain world can boast, If fages tell us true, beyond the grave PROLOGUE to the ORPHAN of CHINA. Written by Mr. PRATT. FR And fpoken Mr. FECTO R. At his private Theatre in Dover. ROM Herfchall gazing on his Georgian ftar, To daring Jeff'ries balancing in air, Pleafure to give and take we still shall find, The law fupreme that governs human kind, Social the fource whence all our paffions flow, Mutual is every joy and every woe: Never to felf we stint the liberal flame, which gilds the path of glory or of fame. Hence, Sirs, each glowing purpose of the foul, And parts, as fung the bard, but ferve the whole: Hence iffues forth indebted and difcharged, The generous feeling and the thought enlarged. Hence young Ambition fpreads her proudest fail, Power climbs the mountain and Peace treads the vale; Hence Sculpture bids the foften'd marble warm, To-night not lefs obedient to the power Confcious we quit, to crop the fhrubs below. And fhould we fail, your fmiles will break our fall; |