many as equal, if not superior, to Carlo Maratti. -D'Argenville. Pilkington. late civil wars, he had not only devised an instrument of as great power as M. Auzout's, GARZONI (THOMAS) an Italian writer, but had also for some years made use of it, not was born at Bagnacavallo near Ferrara, in only for taking the diameters of the planets and 1549, and was a regular canon lateran. His distances upon land, but had farther endeaprincipal work is entitled "La Piazza univer-voured to gather many certainties in the heasale di tutte le professioni del Mondo;" a work of great labour and infinite utility at the time at which it was written, as there was no model then existing on so large a scale. He was almost a self-educated man, and it is truly said by Niceron, "that his works prove him to have dipped into all the sciences, and sufficiently manifest the extent of his knowledge, and of what he would have been capable with a regular education and a longer life. Garzoni died in 1539.-Niceron. Moreri. vens. The very instrument he first made I have now by me, and two more perfected by him; which doubtless he would have greatly improved, had he not been unfortunately slain in his late majesty's service. He had a treatise on Optics nearly ready for the press, but though I have used my utmost endeavours to retrieve it, it has not been with success."Hutton's Abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions, vol. i. p. 161.-Gascoigne was a native of Lancashire, and was probably a volunteer in the royal army during the civil war, as he was killed, while fighting for Charles I, at Marston Moor, July 2, 1644, at the age of twenty-three.-Ann. Reg. GASCOIGNE (GEORGE) an English poet of celebrity in the reign of queen Elizabeth. He was a native of Walthamstow in Essex, and was the son of sir John Gascoigne, by whom he was disinherited. He studied at GASPARINI (FRANCESCO) a native of Cambridge, and afterwards at Gray's-inn. Lucca, born in 1650. He was one of the He then entered into the army, and served in ablest musical composers of the last century; the Low Countries, under the prince of Orange, and besides the opera of Engelberta, written who gave him a captain's commission, which in conjunction with Albinoni, was the author of he soon resigned, in consequence of a quarrel" Cantate da Camera a Voce Sola," Lucca, with his colonel. Returning to England he 1697; and a treatise, entitled L'Armonico became a courtier, and employed his talents in prattico al Cimbola," &c. Venice, 1708. He writing masques for the entertainment of the died about the year 1724.-Biog. Dict. of Mus. queen. Four dramatic pieces and several poems, including a satire, entitled "The Steel Glass," were the productions of his pen. He died at Stamford in Lincolnshire, in 1577. His works, which display harmony and elegance of versification, have of late years, in common with those of several of his contemporaries, attracted that attention to which they are entitled.—Chalmers's Biog. Dict. GASSENDI (PETER) an eminent philosopher and mathematician, was born in the year 1592 at Chantersier, near Digne in Provence. He early displayed a lively and inquisitive genius, which determined his parents, although in moderate circumstances, to bestow upon him the best education in their power. Under the instruction of an able master at Digne, he made a rapid progress in the Latin language, GASCOIGNE (sir WILLIAM) chief-justice and was afterwards put to philosophy at the of the court of king's bench, in the reign of university of Aix. At the age of nineteen he was Henry IV. He was a native of Gawthorp in appointed to fill the vacant chair of philosophy Yorkshire, and after completing his legal stu- at Aix, and notwithstanding that the authority dies, he was called to the bar. In 1398 he of Aristotle was still warmly maintained, after was made a serjeant, and the following year the example of Vives, Ramus, and others, he was raised to the bench of Common Pleas, ventured publicly to expose the defects of his whence in 1401 he was removed to the chief-system. His lectures on this subject, which justiceship of the King's Bench. In this high were delivered in the indirect form of pa office he is said to have distinguished himself radoxical problems, and published under by committing to prison the heir-apparent to the title of "Exercitationes Paradoxicæ adthe crown, afterwards king Henry V, for an versus Aristotelem," gave great offence to the assault on the person of the judge, and an at- votaries of the declining philosophy, but obtempt to rescue from the arm of the law one of tained him no small reputation with Peiresc his dissolute companions. Several abstracts of and other learned men, through whose intethe opinions of this judge on legal questions, rest, after being induced to take orders, he as well as his official arguments and decisions, was presented to a canonry in the cathedral occur in old law-books. He died in 1413.- church of Digne, and made doctor of divinity. Bing. Brit. Thus enabled to apply closely to philosophical GASCOIGNE (WILLIAM) an ingenious and astronomical pursuits, he composed a senatural philosopher of the seventeenth cen-cond book of " Exercitationes," which excited tury, who appears to have had the best title to so much enmity, that he ceased all direct atbe considered as the first inventor of the mi-tacks on Aristotle, although he still maincrometer. On the publication of a similar dis-tained the predilection he had formed for the covery by M. Auzout, in the first volume of doctrines of Epicurus, which he defended with Philosophical Transactions, Mr Townley addressed to the Royal Society a communication, in which he says, "I think it right to inform the world that I have found, by some scattered papers of one Mr Gascoigne, that, before the great learning and ability. He strenuously On the sure or indolence of Epicurus, in a sense the mediate successor, entitled "The Supper or most favourable to morality. In 1628 he vi- Moliere." On the death of his father, who sited Holland, and being some time after called was himself a man of scientific pursuits, and to Paris by a law-suit, secured the countenance the personal friend of Buffon, Bailly, Lalande, of persons of the first rank and talents, and and Condorcet, he seems to have diverted among the rest that of cardinal Richelieu, by his attention in a great degree, if not altogewhose interest he was appointed in 1645 re- ther, from the stormy track of politics, and to gius-professor of mathematics at Paris. Here have devoted his time principally to the study he delivered lectures on astronomy to crowded of chemistry and physics. Having occupied audiences, and by his great application so in- himself in revising a treatise of his father's on jured his health, that he was obliged to return "Domestic Pharmacy," the work ran at once to Digne in 1647, from which place he did through several editions, as did also a "Fornot return until 1653, when h published the mulary" on the same subject; and to these he lives of Tycho Brahe, Copernicus, Purbach, added several valuable works of his own, the and Regiomontanus. He also resumed his most important of which is the " 'New Dicastronomical labours with an intensity to which tionary of Chemistry," afterwards introduced his state of health not being adequate, his for- with great success into the Polytechnic school. mer disorder returned, and terminated his life This book appeared first in 1803. In 1809 he in 1655, in the sixty-third year of his age. He followed the army into Austria, and subseis ranked by Barrow among the most eminent quently wrote an account of the campaign, mathematicians of the age, and mentioned during which he invented a military instruwith Galileo, Gilbert, and Descartes. Gas-ment, called " Les Baquettes." The plan for sendi was the first person who observed the transit of Mercury over the sun. It is to the credit of both philosophers, that although mutually warm in their scientific controversies, Gassendi and Descartes became friends in the sequel. The MSS. which the former left behind him, and the treatises published during his life, were in 1658 collected by Sorbiere, in six volumes, folio. They consist of the philosophy of Epicurus; the author's own philosophy; the lives of Epicurus, Peiresc, Muller, and others, in addition to those already men. tioned; refutations of Descartes's Epistles, and other treatises.-Enfield's Hist. of Phil. Nouv. Diet. Hist. Hutton's Math. Dict. the organization of the board of health also owes its origin to him, and he had not only the satisfaction of seeing it eagerly adopted, but that of obtaining the appointment of reporting secretary to his own institution. In this capacity he continued till the day of his death, which took place at Paris early in the summer of 1823. Besides the literary productions already enumerated, he was the author of a series of epistles on "London and the English Nation," in which he displays much candour and impartiality; and a treatise on the applica tion of the Physical Science to Military Purposes. To a great variety of other useful and scientific publications he was a material contriGASSICOURT (CHARLES LEWIS CADET butor, such as the "Journal of Pharmacy," DE) an acute French philosopher of the present originally edited in 1809 under the title of age, the son of a Parisian apothecary, by the "Bulletin of Pharmacy;" "The Annals whom he was educated for the bar, and even of Physics and Chemistry;" Complete practised with much reputation and intrepidity Conrse of Agriculture ;"" Révue Encyclope during that sanguinary period of the Revolu- dique ;"" Dictionary of Medical Sciences;" tion so fatal to many of his brethren, whose" Memoirs of the Medical Society of Emulaexertions in behalf of the accused not unfre- tion ;" &c. &c.; and almost on his first introquently involved the advocate in the fate he duction into literary society, assisted in foundvainly strove to avert from his client. M. ing the Lyceum, afterwards the Athenæum, at Cadet Gassicourt being, however, fortunate Paris, of which he was the of the original enough to escape the dangers of the times members in the year 1785.-N. Month. Mag. into the politics of which he entered, published in 1797 a pamphlet which attracted some attention, on the Theory of Elections." This was his first production, with the exception of a "Memoir on Natural History," written at the early age of fifteen. Several other essays, on political and other subjects, followed, among which was one "On the Private Life of Mirabeau,' "St Geran, a critique on the New Modes of Thinking, Writing, and Speaking, introduced into France by the Changes of the Times;" and others on the "Influence of the Masonic Societies in the Process of the Revolution," and the "Four Ages of the National Guard." Among his more miscellaneous writings, which appeared about the same period, were a volume of "Travels in Normandy," and a Dramatic Sketch, pourtraying the principal characters who flourished under Louis XIV and his im " GASETLIER (RENE GEORGES) a physician, was born at Ferrières in Gâtinais, in 1741. He early devoted himself to the study of physic, which he practised at the epoch of the Revolution. In 1787 he was chosen a member of the provincial assembly of Orleans, and was elected mayor of Montargis in 1788, according to the new popular forms. In 1791 he was deputed by the Loiret to the Legislative Assembly. The sincerity of his principles could not secure him from the fury of the ultra-revolutionary party, and in 1793 he was declared a traitor to his country, and arrested. The fall of Robespierre and of his principal accomplices, happily rescued him from the fate which awaited him; but still being pursued by the hatred of his enemies, he was obliged to continue concealed for five years. In the promotion of 1817, the king decorated him with the order of St Michael. He was the au.hor of numerous " medical works, which however are not now much | George I, bishop Gastrell became unpopular esteemed. The principal are" Histoire d'un with the ministry, and never attained to Enfant monstreux en tout Gendre ;"" Avis translation. In the affair of Atterbury, alà mes Concitoyens, ou Essai sur la Fièvre mili- though personally disliking that prelate, he taire essentielle ;"-this work met with success yet opposed the proceedings against him in the at the time at which it was published, but is house of Peers, which he censured as acrimoat present opposed by the doctrine of Brous- nious and unjust. Among the most celebrated sais; "Mémoire sur la Topographie medicale | of his writings are-a treatise on the Moral et sur l'Histoire naturelle du Gâtinais," 1780; Proof of a Future State," and another, entitled "Precis historique des Epidémies qui ont "Christian Institutes ;"" A series of Boyle regués pendant douze ans dans le Gâtinais," Lectures," afterwards arranged as a conti1783; Annus medicus annus physicus;" nuous discourse against deism; and pamphlets "Traité sur les Specifiques en Médecine;" against Dr Samuel Clarke and Mr Collins, these four last received the prizes of the Royal on the question of the Trinity. This last Society of Medicine; " Dissertation sur le treatise was written early in 1714, and mainly supplice de la Guillotine." This was written contributed to his advancement to the episto contradict an error which had been asserted copal dignity. He enjoyed the reputation of a by the physiologist, Semmering, and main-sound scholar and an able polemic, and died tained by M. Sue, jun. Both pretended that in a fit of the gout in 1725.-Biog. Brit. the criminals suffered great pain after decapi- GATAKER (THOMAS) a learned English tation, and M. Sue added, that after the divine and critic of the seventeenth century. death of the courageous Charlotte Corday, he He was born in London in 1574; was sent had seen her fine face blush with indignation to St John's college, Cambridge, in 1590; in the dirty hands of the executioner, who and on the foundation of Sidney college, in showed her to the populace. Besides nume-1596, he was appointed one of the fellows. rous other works, in 1816 Gastelier published Having been ordained, he commenced preacha pamphlet with this title "A mes Conci-ing at the parish church of Everton, near toyens;" in which he refuted the calumnies Cambridge, and soon after removed to Lonwhich slander had spread against his conduct don, and became preacher to the society of during the Revolution. Gastelier died in Lincoln's Inn. In 1603 he took the degree 1821-Biographie Nouvelle des Contemporains. of BD. In 1611 he was presented to the GAUBIL (ANTONY) a jesuit, was born at rectory of Rotherhithe in Surrey; and while Caillac in 1708. He was sent as a missionary there resident published the substance of a into China, where he remained thirty-six years. course of sermons under the title of "The He became so thoroughly acquainted with the nature and use of Lots; a treatise historical history and literature of the Chinese, as to and theological," 1619, 4to. In the next year astonish the natives themselves. He was the he made a tour through the Netherlands, and author of " A History of Genghiskhan, and of after his return home in 1623, he published a all the Dynasty of the Mongols his Successors, Defence of his Treatise on Lots, against the Conquerors of China; drawn from the History animadversions of a Mr Balmford. In 1637 of China;” of which Mr Gibbon says: "This appeared a more extended defence of his translation is stamped with the Chinese cha-opinions under the title of "Thomæ Gatakeri racter of domestic accuracy and foreign ignorance." He also gave a translation of the Chouking," and sent several memoirs to fathers Souciet and Freret, which they have used in their works. He died in 1759.-Nouv. Diet. Hist. Londinatis Antithesis partim Gulielmi Amesii, partim Gisberti Voetii de Sorte Thesibus reposita," 4to. In 1642 he was chosen one of the assembly of divines at Westminster; but in the discussions which took place, he opposed the introduction of the Covenant, GASTRELL (FRANCIS) bishop of Chester, and declared in favour of Episcopacy; and born in 1662 at Slapton, Northamptonshire. though he in general complied with the authoHe proceeded from Westminster school on rity of the parliament, yet he remonstrated the foundation to Christchurch, Oxford, strongly against the trial of king Charles I. where he graduated as AM. in 1687, and as In 1648 he published "Thomæ Gatakeri de DD. in 1700, on obtaining the chaplaincy to Novi Testamenti Stylo Dissertatio," 4to, in the house of Commons. Two years after- which he vindicated the purity of the lanwards, on the recommendation of the house, guage of the sacred writers against the he was presented to a canonry at Christchurch, objections of Sebastian Pfochenius. This was which piece of preferment he was allowed to followed by his "Adversaria miscellanea retain when, in 1714, he was raised to the Animadversionum variorum, lib. vi. compreepiscopal bench. Soon after his elevation, his hensa," 1651, 4to. The following year he refusal to institute Mr Peploe into the warden-published an edition of the Meditations of the ship of Manchester college, on the ground that emperor Marcus Antoninus. He died in he was disqualified by holding only a metro-1654; and in 1659 his son, Charles Gataker, politan degree, became the subject of judicial published "Adversaria Miscellanea Posthuenquiry in the court of King's Bench. The ma," folio, forming the sequel to the former point was given against him, but he neverthe-work. He was the author of several other less received a public vote of thanks from the theological productions. His Opera Critica university of Oxford, for his conduct in vindi- were printed at Utrecht, 1693, folio.--Biog. cating their privileges. On the accession of Brit. BIOG. DICT--Vol. II. *C Nichols's Lit. Anec. Laing's Hist. of GAUCHER (HARLES STEPHEN) a French | Brit. engraver, and writer on the fine arts. He was Scot. a native of Paris, and studied under Le Bas GAVARD (HYACINTH) a French physician with such success as to become eminent, espe- and anatomist of eminence, born at Montmelian cially as an engraver of portraits. He died in in 1753. Going to Paris to engage in medical 1803, aged sixty-two. He published-"Ob- studies he became the pupil of Desault, under servations sur le Costume Française ;" " Voy-whom he distinguished himself by his assiduage au Havre;" "Iconologie, ou Traité complet ous attention to professional researches. The des Allegories et Emblemes," 4 vols. 8vo; knowledge which he displayed of the different "Essai sur la Gravure;" "Traité d'Anatomie branches of medicine, procured him the apà l'usage des Artistes," folio, &c.; and he also pointment of instructor of the pupils in the was the author of the lives of engravers School of Mars, and he was afterwards nomiinserted in Fontenay's " Dictionnaire des Ar-nated a member of the Society of Medicine at tistes."-Nouv. Dict. Hist. Paris. In this situation he contrived a mode of facilitating instruction in reading and writing, somewhat on the plan of Joseph Lancaster. On this subject he published a work, entitled "Methode pour apprendre en même temps, à écrire, à lire, et à écrire sous la dictée, à l'usage des écoles primaires," Paris, An. 3, 8vo. He also published treatises on Osteology, Myology, and Splanchnology; the latter of which especially has been highly praised, as a classical manual of a branch of anatomical science. Gavard, notwithstanding his literary and professional labours, and the excellence of his private character, appears to have received little patronage. He lived poor, and died at Paris almost unknown, in 1802.-Biog. Univ. GAULTIER (Louis) abbé, born in Italy, of French parents, was taken earlyto France, which country he adopted. This worthy man devoted himself entirely to the service and instruction of youth. Observing that the severe forms of education deprived infancy and youth of that portion of happiness so necessary to the developement of their moral and physical faculties, he conceived the project of smoothing the rugged path of education by instructive games, known to children by the name of the " Abbé Gaultier's Games." He was one of the warmest supporters of the systems of Bell and Lancaster. The horrors of the Revolution forced GAUDEN (JOHN) an English prelate, was born in 1605, at Mayfield in Essex. He was educated at St John's college, Cambridge, where he took his degrees in arts, and was subsequently presented to the vicarage of Chippenham in Cambridgeshire, and to the rectory of Brightwell, Berks. He then entered himself a member of Wadham college, Oxford, where in 1641 he graduated as DD. On the commencement of the civil war he complied with the prevailing party, was made dean of Bocking, and a member of the Westminster assembly of divines, which however he did not attend, but abandoned the cause of the parliament when it proceeded against monarchy and episcopacy. In 1648 he printed the celebrated treatise- Εικων Βασιλική, οι the Portraiture of his sacred Majesty in his solitude and sufferings;" which in a few months had run through seventeen editions. That Dr Gauden was the principal instrument in making this work public, cannot be disputed; but how far he may be deemed the author of it, or in how great a degree it may have originated with the king, has been a subject of much controversy. The evidence for and against its authorship by Gauden, is to be found in Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, and Laing's History of Scotland. However the point may be determined, the ascribing this treatise to the king created the most favour-him to quit France, and he retired to the able impressions, both at home and abroad, of Hague. Not wishing to live in idle dependhis piety, meekness, and humanity; and in ance, he accepted the situation of tutor to the the opinion of lord Shaftesbury, it was mainly children of the British ambassador, whom he instrumental in procuring for him the title of accompanied to England. Wishing to be martyr. Dr Gauden was subsequently the useful in his misfortunes, he gave his instrucacknowledged author of several tracts in tions gratuitously to the children of French favour of the depressed church, the merit of emigrants; and with the same benevolence which he did not fail to plead at the Restora-qualified masters, who successfully propagated tion, in the first year of which he was promoted to the vacant see of Exeter. At once greedy and ambitious, he was by no means satisfied with this recompence, but sought to be bishop of Winchester. He could only obtain, however, a translation to the see of Worcester; and his disappointment is said so materially to have affected him, as to bring on a violent fit Leçons de Grammaire suivant la méthode of the stone and strangury, which terminated des Tableaux analytiques,' 1787; " Jeu raihis existence in 1662, in his fifty-seventh year. sonnable et moral pour les Enfans," 1791;"MéBishop Gauden appears to have been an able, thode pour analyser la pensée et la réduire worldly-minded man, whose principles could à ses Principes Elémentaires;" "Méthode be made subservient to circumstances, and pour apprendre grammaticalement la Langue whose views of expediency, and of allowable Latine sans connaître les règles de la Compodeception, were better suited to the politician, sition;""Traits caractéristiques d'une maxthan to either the moralist or divine.-Biog.vaise Education ou Actions et Discours con his method of instruction. After the peace of Amiens he returned to Paris, and resumed his teaching, which he continued until his death, which took place in 1818, in his seventy-fifth year. His works are very popular, and some of them have gone through twenty editions. The following are among the principal— raires a la Politesse, et regardés comme telst par les Moralistes tant Anciens que Modernes ;" "Notions de géometrie Pratique, nécessaires a l'exercice de la plupart des Arts et Metiers," 1807; &c. &c.—Biog. Nouv. des Contem-vigable track, twenty-three leagues in extent. porains. he conceived the idea of forming a canal from. Challon to Dijon, which was commenced in 1783, and finished in 1791. It is termed the central canal [canal du centre], forming a na. Besides this work, he executed several great GAUTIER D'AGOTY (JAMES) a native undertakings in the same province, among of Marseilles, who lived at Paris in the latter which are the quay of Challon-sur-Saone, the part of the eighteenth century, and was a bridge of Navilly over the Doubs, part of the member of the Academy of Sciences of Dijon. junction canal of the Saone and the Yonne, and He was a painter, engraver, and anatomist, part of the canal of the Doubs and the Saone. and assumed to himself the merit of being The two latter works completed a communicathe inventor of the art of making engravings tion by water between the Atlantic and the to be printed in colours. The same method Mediterranean; on which account a medal however was previously practised by Leblon, was struck with the legend-“ Utriusque mawho used only three colours, while Gautier ris junctio triplex." These labours procured used four. The numerous plates which he for Gauthey great reputation, and he was executed in this manner, form the best monu- about to be rewarded with the order of St ment of his fame. He published several Michael, when the Revolution broke out. Subworks on anatomy, with engravings; "Nou- sequent events having occasioned a union of veau système de l'Univers," 2 vols. 12mo, the corps of engineers of the state, with the 1750, 1751, the second volume of which was engineers of bridges and highways, Gauthey an attack on the Newtonian doctrine of colours; was appointed inspector-general, and called to "Zoogenie, ou génération des Animaux," 1750, Paris in that capacity in 1791. He took an 12mo; "Observations sur la Physique, l'His- active part in the various projects which came toire Naturelle, et la Peinture," a scientific under discussion before the council; and on journal, continued from 1752 to 1755, which various occasions displayed an enlightened gave rise to the Journal de Physique; "Ob. zeal in the promotion of schemes beneficial to servations sur la Peinture, et les tableaux the nation. He was nominated a member of anciens et modernes," 1753, 2 vols. 12mo; the Legion of Honour at the time of its instiand "Collection de Plantes usuelles, gravées tution, and was commandant of that legion en couleurs," 1767, 4to, left incomplete. He some years afterwards. He died July 14, 1806. died at a very advanced age, in 1785. His aged sixty-four. Among the works which he end is said to have been hastened by chagrin published are-" Mémoire sur l'application de at learning that his name had been struck out la Mécanique à la construction des Voûtes," of the list of the academicians of Dijon, 1772, 4to; "Dissertation sur les degradations through the intrigues of Maret, secretary of survennes aux piliers du Dôme du Pantheon the Academy, with whom he had quarrelled. Français, et sur les moyens d'y remedier," -GAUTIER (ARNAUD ELOY) son of the 1798, 4to; Projet de derivation jusqu'à foregoing, practised the same art, and executed Paris des Rivieres d'Ourcq, Theroanne, et the plates for the early numbers of the "Ob- Beuvronne, d'une part; et des Rivieres d'Esservations periodiques sur l'Histoire Naturelle, sonne, Juigne, Orge, Yvette, et Bievre d'autre &c." published by Rozier; and published part," 1805, 4to. For several years previously "Cours complet d'Anatomie," Nanci, 1773, to his death he was engaged in arranging the folio, containing a collection of the various ana-information derived from his professional retomical plates engraved by his father, with ex- searches, in a work entitled "Traité complet planations by M. Jadelot.-GAUTIER (JOHN sur la construction des Ponts et des Canaux BAPTIST) another son of James, died at Paris navigables," which was published in 2 vols. in 1786, after having published, under the 4to, 1809, 1813, by his nephew, M. Navier, title of Galerie Française," Paris, 1770, 4to, with a memoir of the author.-Biog. Univ. portraits of celebrated French men and women, with memoirs.-GAUTIER D'AGOTY (EDWARD) grandson of James, practised the art of engraving in colours, in which he made some improvements. He published, at Paris, about 1780, engravings from the pictures of some celebrated painters; but the work had little success, and the artist, in disgust, went to Italy, and died at Milan in 1784.-Biog. Univ. GAUTHEY (EMILAN MARIE) an eminent mechanic and engineer, who was a native of Challon-sur-Saone in France. He studied mathematics at Versailles, under his uncle, who was instructor of the court pages; after which he entered the school of bridges and highways, then directed by the celebrated Perronet. The states of Burgundy appointed him sub-engiBeer in 1758; and he was shortly after elected a member of the Academy of Dijon. In 1767 " GAY (JOHN) an eminent English poet, was born at or near Barnstaple, in 1688. He was descended from an ancient but reduced family, who, after an education at the free-school at Barnstaple, apprenticed him to a silk-mercer in London. He shewed however such a dislike to trade, that after a few years of negli gent attendance, his indentures were cancelled by agreement, and he devoted himself henceforward to literature. In 1711 he published his "Rural Sports," which he dedicated to Pope, then a young poet like himself; which compliment introduced them to each other, and proved the foundation of a friendship which lasted for life. In 1712 the easy, improvident disposition of Gay being unfavourable to his pecuniary circumstances, he accepted the office of secretary to Anne, duchess of Monmouth, which probably being little more than nominal as to |