ing the Adoration of our B. Saviour in the Holy Eucharist, Oxford, 1687-88. 2. Artis Logica Compendium, Oxford, 1692, 1696, 1704, 1750. 3. Elementa Architecturæ Civilis ad Vitruvii Veterumque Disciplinam et recentiorum præsertim ad Paladii exempta probatiora concinnata, Oxf., 1789. In his first character-as a disputant-Burnet places him among the more distinguished divines "who managed and directed this controversial war." Aldrich, James, 1810-1856, an American poet and journalist, b. near the Hudson, in the county of Suffolk. He received his education partly in Orange county, and partly in the city of New York, where, early in life, he relinquished the occupation of a merchant and devoted his attention entirely to literature. Edited two or three popular periodicals. See specimens of his poetry in Griswold's Poets and Poetry of America. In the words of his physician, Dr. Kissam, pp. 187-197. The life of St. Richarius, Sæc. iii. pars prima, fol. Lut., Paris, 1672, pp. 601-629. The two lives of Wilbrord, Sæc. iii. pars secunda, fol. Lut. Par., 1672, pp. 558-569. A large portion of the poem on the Bishop of York, given as anonymous. Mabillon, Vetera Analecta, Svo, Paris, 1675-85, tom. i. p. 369. Versus de Cuculo, tom. iv. pp. 272-312. Twenty-six letters of Alcuin previously inedited. p. 522. Alcuini versus de Aquila Episcopo Saltzburg. Nov. Ed. fol. Paris, 1723, pp. 398-408. The twenty-six Epistles, p. 409. Alcuini versus de Cuculo, p. 348. The verses on Aquila (Arno.) Historia Britannicæ, Saxonicæ, Anglo-Danica, Scriptores xv. Opera Th. Gale, vol. i. fol. Oxon., 1691, pp. 703-732. The poem De Pontificibus et Sanctis Ecclesiæ Eboracensis. Pezius, Thesaurus Anecdotorum Novissimus, fol. Augusta Vindelicorum, 1721, tom. ii. pars. 1. col. 1-10. Alcuini Opusculum de Comparatione Novi et Veteris Testamenti, and seven Epistles to Arno." Recueil des Historiens des Gaules et de la France. Tome Cinquième, Par Dom Marten Bouquet, fol. Paris, 1744, pp. 604-620. Twenty-five Epistles of Alcuin. Beati Flacci Albini seu Alevini Abbatis, Caroli Magni Regis ac Imperatoris Magistri, Opera. Post primam editionem, a viro clarissimo D. Andrea Quercetano curatam, de novo collecta, multis locis emendato, et opusculis primum repertis plurimum aucta, variisque modis illustrata. Cura ac Studio Frobenii. S. R. I. Principis et Abbatis ad S. Emmeramum Ratisbona. Tomi duo in quatuor voluminibus, fol. Ratisbon, 1777.-Abbreviated from Wright's Bing. Brit. Lit. Alday, J. Trans. of Theatrum Mundi, &c., Lon., 1754. Alden, Joseph, D.D., LL.D., b. 1807, in Green county, N.Y.; grad. at Union College, N.Y., 1828; received the degree of D.D. from the same institution, 1838, and that of LL.D. from Columbia College, N.Y., 1857. He pursued his theological studies at Princeton, N.J.; was for two years a tutor in Nassau Hall; was for many years Professor of Rhetoric in Williams Coll., Mass.; Prof. of Moral Philosophy in Lafayette Coll., Pa. In Jan. 1857, he became President of Jefferson Coll., Pa. Dr. Alden has confined his efforts as a writer chiefly to the department of Sunday-of the haps and mishaps of two Eastern lovers whom a whimsical school literature. Among his numerous works for the young may be mentioned The Example of Washington, The Patriot's Fireside, Religion in Fashionable Life, &c. At one time editor of the New York Observer, and has been a large contributor to its columns. He is engaged [1858] in the preparation of a text-book on Intellectual Philosophy. Alden, Rev. Timothy, 1771-1839. American Epitaphs, 5 vols. 18mo, N. York, 1814. Alden, T. J.F. Index to the Reports of the Decisions of the Supreme Ct. of the U. States, from Dallas to 14th Howard, inclusive, 3 vols. 8vo, Phila., 1854. Collection of Alder, Robert, Wesleyan Missions, London, 1842. Alder, Thomas. Medical Treatises, London, 1804-05. Aldersey, S. Voyage to Alexandria and Cairo, 1586. Alderson, J., M. D. Besides writing professional treatises, Dr. A. published several upon Agriculture and Geology, 1788, &c. Aldhelm. We shall meet with more than one great scholar formed by the teaching of Theodore and Adrian. The most celebrated of these was Aldhelm, a scion of the illustrious family of the West-Saxon kings. Aldhelm was born in Wessex; but the date of his birth is uncertain, although it may be placed with sufficient probability about the year 656. Aldhelm was not a voluminous writer. The works which alone have given celebrity to his name are his two treatises on Virginity and his Enigmata. The prose treatise De Laude Virginitatis continued to be a favourite book with our Anglo-Saxon forefathers up to the time of the Norman Conquest, and numerous early manuscripts of it are still preserved. Aldhelm's Latin compositions have been frequently cited as an example of the false style of the early Anglo-Latin writers. Even as far back as the 12th century, William of Malmsbury felt himself obliged to offer an apology for him, grounded on the taste of the age in which he lived. His writings are on the one hand filled with Latinized Greek words, and with awkward expressions that render them obscure; while on the other they abound in the alliterations and metaphorical language which characterized his native tongue. Aldhelm's prose is much less pleasing than his verse, because it is far less harmonious. Aldington, Maj. Military treatises, Lon., 1804. "He not only wrote poetry, but lived the life of a true poet." 'The course of true love never did run smooth."" Alen, or Allen, Edmond, died about 1559, was a native of Norfolk. Strype praises him as a great proficient in Greek and Latin, an eminent Protestant divine, and a learned minister of the gospel. He wrote a number of theological works, and translated some into English. Edinburgh, a divine of the Confession of Augsburg. Alexander, Archibald, D.D., 1772-1851, was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. He was educated at Mr. Graham. He was licensed to preach October 1, 1791, Hampden Sydney College, and studied theology with Rev. ordained by the Presbytery of Hanover, June 9, 1794, and for some years was a pastor in Charlotte and Prince Edward. He was chosen President of Hampden Sydney College in 1796, pastor of the 3d Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1807, and first Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology of the Princeton (New Jersey) Theological Seminary on its establishment in 1812, which office he retained until his death in 1851. Dr. Alexander's character was most exemplary in all the relations of life. His principal works are, Evidences of Revealed Religion; On the Canon of Scripture; Christian Experience; History of African Colonization; History of the Israelites; Annals of the Jewish Nation; Advice to a Young Christian; Bible Dictionary; Counsels from the Aged to the Young; Thoughts on Religious Experience; History of the Log College. Canon of Scripture, as a supplement to a treatise on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, which has been very favourably received in North America. This treatise on the Canon is avowedly compiled from the previous labours of the most eminent critics, especially Bishop Cosin's Scholastic History of the Canon of the Old Testament, and the ample collections of the impartial and indefatigable Dr. Lardner, and the learned Jeremiah Jones. The first part of Dr. Alexander's treatise discusses the Canon of the Old Testament; in the second part are considered the Canon of the New Testament, and the reasons for which the Apocryphal books students (especially in North America) who may not have access are deservedly rejected from the Sacred Canon. To divines and to numerous and more costly works, this treatise is a very useful and acceptable present."-Horne's Introduction. "Professor Alexander published his very useful volume on the This work was published, Princeton, 1826, 12mo, London, 1828, 12mo. A new ed. was published, Lond., 1833, 12mo, with introductory remarks by John Morison, D.D. Aldred, Jer. Sermon on Psalm xviii. 48, 49, 1716. Aldrich, C. Sermon after the Plague, Ex. xxxiii. 19. Aldrich, Henry, D. D., 1647-1710, of Christ Church, Oxford. He was eminent as a controversialist, (in oppo- "A useful Treatise on the Canon."-BICKERSTETH. sition to Popery,) as an architect, and as a musician. His "Morison's preface is well worthy of a perusal.. The Evi principal works were, 1. Reply to Two Discourses concern-dences of Christianity' is a masterly performance."-LOWNDES. 47 After Dr. Alexander's decease, there was pub. from his MS. a work entitled Outlines of Moral Science, 1852. "Though not aspiring to the dignity of a treatise, it forms a most compact and convenient text-book. . . . The author has had a clear perception of the limits of his subject, and has not aimed at making it a manual of the whole duty of man.'. . . It is a calm, clear stream of abstract reasoning, flowing from a thoughtful, well-instructed mind, without any parade of logic, but with an intuitive simplicity and directness which gives an almost axiomatic force. From this characteristic we could almost have conjectured what is stated in the preface, that the study of ethical philosophy was the author's favourite pursuit for at least threescore years, and that for forty years it formed a branch of academic instruction in connection with his theological course."- Westm. Rev., Jan. 1853. | piness of departed spirits, and of the resurrection of the same body, (it will perhaps surprise the reader,) is founded on the 15th chapter of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians. None of these important truths, however, could Mr. Alexander find here."―ORME. Alexander, John Henry, b. 1812, at Annapolis, Md. 1. Treatise on Mathematical Instruments used in Surveying, Levelling, and Astronomy, by F. W. Simms; edited, with Copious Additions, Balt., 1835, 8vo; 1839, 8vo; 1848, Svo. 2. Treat. on Levelling, by F. W. Simms; with large Additions, Balt., 1838, 8vo. 3. Contrib. to a History of the Metallurgy of Iron: Pt. 1, Balt., 1840, 8vo, pp. xxiv., 264, plates. 4. Contributions, &c.: Pt. 2, Balt., 1842, 8vo. 5. Introïts; or, Ante-Communion Psalms for the Sundays and Holy-Days throughout the Year, Phila., 1844, 12mo. 6. Report on Standards of Weights and Measures for the State of Maryland, 1846, Svo, pp. iv., 213. 7. Universal Dictionary of Weights and Measures, Ancient and Modern, Balt., 1850, r. Svo, pp. viii., 158. 8. Catena Dominica, Phila., 12mo. 9. Reports on the New Map of Maryland; annual from 1838 to 1840, Annapolis Public Printer. Various papers, to be found in the scientific journals of America, England, France, and Germany. Alexander, B., M.D., d. 1768, trans. Morgagni's Seats and Causes of Diseases inves. by Anatomy, Lon., 1769. Alexander, Caleb, D.D., of Mass., U. S. of America, d. 1828. 1. Essay on the Deity of Jesus Christ, &c., 1796. 2. Latin Grammar, 1794; and an English Grammar. Alexander, D. Con. to Annals of Med., vi. p. 303, 1801. Alexander, D., M.D. Treatise on Croup, Hudd., 1794. Alexander, D. T. A Call to the Jews, Lon. Alexander De Hales, d. 1245, a celebrated English theologian, was called by his contemporaries the Irrefragable Alexander, Joseph Addison, D.D., b. 1809, PhilaDoctor and the Fountain of Life. So highly was he esteemed delphia, third son of Dr. Archibald Alexander, (q. v.,) grad. by Pope Innocent that he ordered him to compile the Summa at Coll. of N.J., Princeton, 1826; was appointed Adjunct Theologica. He also wrote some commentaries on the Scrip- Prof. of Ancient Languages and Literature in his alma tures. The comments. were printed at Venice, 1496, 1575; mater, 1830, which office he resigned in 1833; elected Prof. Leipsic, 1594; Cologne, 1621. The Summa, at Venice, 1475, of Biblical Criticism and Ecclesiastical History 1838, and '96, 1576; Nuremb., 1481-82; Paris, 1489; Basel, 1502, &c. in 1852 he was transferred to the Chair of Biblical and Alexander, E. Con. to Med. Com., xv. p. 373, 1790. Ecclesiastical History. 1. The Earlier Prophecies of Isaiah, Alexander Essebiensis, an English poet and theoN. York, 1846, 8vo. 2. The Later Prophecies of Isaiah, N. logian, flourished about 1220. He wrote a Chronicle of Eng-York, 1847, 8vo. The two reprinted in 1 vol., 968 pp., by land; A Medical Compendium of Bible History; A Life of Collins, of Glasgow, with an Introduction by the Rev. John St. Agnes, &c. See Bale; Tanner's Bibliotheca. Eadie, LL.D., Prof. of Biblical Literature to the United Alexander, J. God's Covenant Displayed, Lon., 1684. Presbyterian Church. Alexander, J. Theological works, Lon., 1680, 1727. Alexander, J. Con. to Phil. Trans., 1740. Alexander, J. Dissert. on Quick Lime, Glasg., 1760. Alexander, J. Essays, Lon., 1768. Alexander, J. Con. to Med. Com., iii. p. 186, 1775. Alexander, J. Eau de Luce, &c.; Med. Com., xiv. p. 297, 1789. Álexander, Sir J. E. (Captain.) This celebrated traveller has given us his adventures and observations in fourteen volumes, pub. 1827-38. 1. Travels from India to England, 1825-26, Lon., 1827. "Containing many lively and interesting descriptions, more particularly of scenes in Burmah.”—Quar. Rev. 2. An Expedition of Discovery into the Interior of Africa, &c., Lon., 1838. "In this narrative we find Captain Alexander, as hitherto, lively and entertaining."-Lit. Gaz. 3. Life of the Duke of Wellington, 2 vols. 8vo. "It condenses within popular limits the dry military details."London Globe. Alexander, James Waddell, D.D., b. 1804, Louisa county, Va., eldest son of Dr. Archibald Alexander, successively Prof. at Princeton in College and Theol. Sem., Pastor in Charlottesville, Va., Trenton, N. J., and Fifth Ave. Presb. Church, N. York. "He is highly appreciated as an author; and his works have a practical utility which renders them highly popular. 1. Gift to the Afflicted. 2. A Geography of the Bible, Phila., 1830, 12mo, compiled by J. W. and J. A. Alexander. 3. The American Mechanic and Workingman's Companion, N. York and Phila., 2 vols. "We can but touch upon these excellent little volumes; for the variety which they contain forbids all hope of giving a just idea of their contents without numerous extracts. We hope their circulation will widen until better books of the same kind are written, which is allowing them a long lease of public favour."-Lit. World. 4. Thoughts on Family Worship, 12mo. 5. Consolation; or, Discourses to the Suffering Children of God, N. York, 8vo. 6. Memoir of Rev. Archibald Alexander, N. York, 8vo. 7. Plain Words to a Young Communicant, 12mo; also in Welsh. He has written more than thirty juvenile works for the Amer. Sunday-school Union, of which the best-known are: Infant Library, Only Son, Scripture Guide, Frank Harper, Carl The Young Emigrant, &c. 8. The American Sunday-School and its Adjuncts, Phila., 1856: a valuable book to all interested in Sunday-schools. Contributed to Princeton Rev. since its commencement in 1825. Alexander, John, 1736–1765, an Irish Unitarian minister. 1. A Paraphrase upon the 15th Chapter 1 Corinth.: see Monthly Rev., O. S., vol. xxxiv. 443-451. 2. Commentary on the 6th, 7th, and 8th Chapters of Romans; and a Serm. on Eccles. ix. 10, composed the day preceding his death, Lon., 1766. "Truly such a theologian as Professor Alexander is a credit to his country and a blessing to the age. His introduction alone to his commentary on Isaiah is a contribution of surpassing value. It evinces a vast range of acquaintance with the early and modern schools of interpretation."-Evangelical Mag. "We reckon it among the best commentaries on Isaiah of any age or language."-DR. EADIE. 3. The Psalms Translated and Explained, 3 vols. 12mo. N. York, 1850. Of this work 10,000 volumes were sold in less than four years. "Dr. Alexander's recently-published work on the Psalms is well known in the literary world." It is a splendid exegetical work, and places its author at once in the highest rank of this department of literature."-Knickerbocker. 4. Isaiah Translated and Explained, [An abridgment of Nos. 1 and 2,] 2 vols. 12mo, N. York, 1851. 5. Essays on the Primitive Church Offices, [reprinted from the Princeton Review,] N. York, 1851. Dr. A., in connexion with Dr. Hodge, is preparing a Commentary on the New Testament, several vols. of which have been published. Alexander, L. Jewish Poor in London, &c., 1802. Alexander Le Partiger, an English ecclesiastic of the thirteenth century. See Tanner for a list of his works. Alexander Neckam. See NECKAM. Alexander, Stephen, LL.D., b. 1806, at Schenectady, N.Y., grad. at Union Coll. 1824, and matriculated at the Theol. Sem. at Princeton, 1832; was elected Adjunct Prof. of Mathematics in the same institution, 1834, which position he filled until 1840, when the Professorship of Astronomy was created and assigned to him. In 1845, he succeeded to the Chair of Mathematics, which he exchanged, in 1854, for the Professorship of Mechanics and Astronomy. He occupies a deservedly high position as an astronomer. Among his papers which attracted the most attention is one on the Physical Phenomena attendant upon Solar Eclipses, read before the Amer. Phil. Soc. at their centennary meeting, 1843, and pub. in their proceedings. Fundamental Principles of Mathematics, in Amer. Jour. Sci., 1849. On the Origin of the Forms and the Present Condition of some of the Clusters of Stars and several of the Nebulæ, pub. Amer. Ast. Jour. This valuable paper has attracted the notice of the leading astronomers of the world. He has contributed other important papers to many of the principal scientific journals. See Appleton's New Amer. Cyc. Alexander, Thomas S. Practice of the Court of Chancery and County Courts as Courts of Equity, in Maryland, Balt., 8vo, 1839. Alexander, W. L. 1. The Connection and Harmony "This work contains a few good critical remarks; but the theo-spondence of Dr. Wardlaw; 2d ed., p. 8vo. Alexander, Wm. Medulla Historia Scotiæ, &c. the embassy to China, afterwards in the print-department "We are rather inclined to think that Mr. Alexander has altogether mistaken his vocation. A scholarly appreciation of what is beautiful in literature, with earnest religious feelings, is not enough to make a poet."-Literary World. Alexander, Wm., M.D. Short Survey of the Lineal Descent of the Sov. Princes of Europe, Edinburgh, 1703. Alexander, Wm., M.D. Medical works, &c., Edin. and Lond., 1767-79. Alexander, Wm., Earl of Stirling, 1580-1640, commenced to be an author at the early age of fourteen. He was born at Menstrie, Scotland, and was a descendant of the family of Macdonald. James I. and Charles I. were both much attached to him. The first gave him a grant of Nova Scotia in 1621, which charter has since been the cause of considerable discussion. In his Aurora he presented the public with more than a hundred sonnets, songs, and elegies, as a poetical display of an ill-requited passion, which distance from the object of his attachment could not remove. "He was greatly superior to the style of his age."-HORACE WALPOLE. "The Parænesis of Sir William Alexander is a noble poem."— PINKERTON. After perusing our author's poems, Addison remarked that "The beauties in our ancient English poets are too slightly passed over by modern writers, who, out of a peculiar singularity, had rather take pains to find fault than endeavour to excel." Among his other works are four tragedies in alternate rhyme, denominated Monarchicke, viz.: Darius, published 1603; Croesus, 1604; The Alexandrian Tragedy, and Julius Cæsar, 1607. Alfred the Great, 848-901, the youngest child of Ethelwolf and Osburgha, was born in the royal manor of Wantage in Berkshire, where the kings of the West-Saxons had a palace, supposed to have been built on the site of a Roman station. History has preserved several anecdotes of the childhood and youth of this great prince. He was distinguished above all his brothers by his beauty, graceful manners, and early display of talent, and was ou that account the favourite of his parents. Alfred's efforts for the restoration of literature in England were great, and to a certain degree successful. The following works were either written by him or have been attributed to him: 1. In order to make his subjects more generally ac quainted with ancient history, Alfred translated into Eng. lish the historical work of Orosius. A manuscript of this translation is in the Cottonian Library, Tiberius, B. 1, from which it was printed by Daines Barrington. Another copy is now, with the other manuscripts belonging to the Lauderdale Library, in the possession of Lady Dysart. 2. The Anglo-Saxon version of Bede's History of the Anglo-Saxon Church has also been generally attributed to Alfred. Manuscripts of this work are in the Public Library of the University of Cambridge, and in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, No. 41, the latter of which belonged to Leofric, Bishop of Exeter. The other manuscript (MS. Cotton. Otho, B. xi.) was destroyed by the fire in the Cottonian Library. This book also has been printed. 3. Alfred translated for the more especial use of his clergy the Pastorale of Pope Gregory, and is said to have sent a copy of it to each of his bishops, whose names were severally inserted in the translator's preface. Three of the original copies thus sent are still preserved, addressed to Wulfsige, Bishop of Sherborne, (in the Public Library, Cambridge,) to Wærferth, Bishop of Worcester, (in the Bodleian Library, MS. Hatton, No. 88,) and to Plegmund of Canterbury, (MS. Cotton. Tiberius, B. xi.) The latter is very much injured by the fire. The Cambridge MS., which had been preserved in the cathedral of Wells, and was sent by Bishop Jewel to Archbishop Par "These pieces are not calculated for the stage; but include some admirable lessons for sovereign power, and several chorusesker, is as clean and fresh in appearance as when it came written with no small share of poetic vigour."-DB. DRAKE. "My philosophical poet."-JAMES I. "His Parænesis and Aurora are almost classical performances, and well merit republication."-DR. ANDERSON. "John Dunbar, Arthur Johnston, and Andrew Ramsay, have lauded the Earl of Stirling in their Latin poetry. Daniel has complimented him before the edition of his Philotas in 1605; Davies of Hereford has done the same in his Scourge of Folly and Wit's Bedlam; Hayman addressed two plaudits to him in his Quodlibets; Habington commended his Tragick Raptures and Doomes-Day in Castara; Drayton gave him affectionate praise in his epistle to Henry Reynolds, Esq.-Park's Walpole's R. & N. Authors. from the hands of Alfred's scribe, and is a noble specimen of Anglo-Saxon writing. The Cottonian MS. Otho, B. ii., now destroyed by the fire, contained a copy from the one sent by the king to Hehstan, Bishop of London, apparently of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century. There is also a somewhat later transcript of Wulfsige's copy of the Pastorale in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, and another manuscript of the book in the library of Corpus Christi College, No. 12. This work has not been printed. The Dialogues of Pope Gregory were translated by Wærferth, Bishop of Worcester, under Al Aleyn, Charles, died about 1640, was a poet of considerable reputation. 1. The Battle of Cressey and Poic-fred's direction. tiers, 1632. 2. The History of Henry VII., &c., 1638. 3. The History of Euriolus and Lucretia, 1639, translated from Eneas Sylvius. Dr. Thomas Wykes says he had read over the "Historie of Henrie," and "judges it worthy of being made public." "For I was certain that this book by thee Was dedicated to eternity." Aleyn, J. Reports Select Cases in Banco Regis, 1681-88. Alford, Rev. Henry, B.D., b. 1810, London, Vicar of Wymeswold, Leicestershire, grad. at Trinity Coll., Cambridge. Poems and Poetical Fragments, Camb., 1831. The School of the Heart, and other Poems, 2 vols., 1835. Abbot of Muchelnaye, and other Poems, 12mo. Chapters on the Poets of Ancient Greece, 8vo, 1841. The Consistency of the Divine Conduct in Revealing the Doctrines of Redemption: being the Hulsean Lectures for 1841. To which are added two Sermons preached before the University of Cambridge, Camb., 1842. Part the Second, 1843. Psalms and Hymns adapted to the Sundays and Holydays throughout the Year, to which are added some occasional hymns, Lon., 1844. Poetical Works, 2 vols. 12mo. Select Poetical Works, 12mo; Bost., 1853, 12mo, pp. 424. Serms., 8vo. Serms. at Quebec Chapel, 2 vols. 8vo. Village Serms., 12mo. Greek Testament, with Notes, &c.: vol. i., 1844: vol. ii., 1852; vols. iii. and iv., 1856, '57. See Memoirs by his son, 8vo, 1855. Alford, J., Trans. of a work upon the Lute, Lon., 1568. Alford, Joseph. The Church Triumphant, Lon., 1649. Alford, or Griffith, Michael, 1587-1652, born at London. Britannia Illustrata, 1641. Fides Regia Britannica, sive Annales Ecclesia Britannica, &c., 1663. "A work of no very ordinary occurrence, and, at the same time, of very considerable utility; as treating fully of the church his tory of this country from the earliest period to the reign of Henry II."-DIBDIN. 4. Another work of the king's, which is still preserved, is a select translation of the Soliloquies of St. Augustine. A copy of it is in MS. Cotton. Vitellius, A. xv., but it has not been printed. 5. One of the most interesting of Alfred's translations is that of the treatise of Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ, a work exceedingly popular during the Middle Ages. It is more freely translated than his other books, and exhibits, more than any of them, the philosophical turn of Alfred's mind. The original is said to have been glossed for the king by Asser, to render it more easily intelligible. A manuscript of this work, written in the common hand of the 10th century, Otho, A. vi., has been so much injured by fire that it consists only of a few ragged leaves. A transcript of it is preserved among the manuscripts of Junius in the Bodleian Library. Another, written towards the beginning of the 12th century, is in the Bodleian Library. It has been twice printed. 6. Alfred's Manual, or Hand-book, (as he called it,) existed in the time of William of Malmsbury. Asser says that it was about the size of a Psalter, and that Alfred entered in it prayers and psalms, and his daily observations, and that he always carried it about with him. It appears, from William of Malmsbury, that it also contained historical anecdotes and miscellaneous entries. 7. William of Malmsbury informs us that the king, at the time of his death, had commenced an Anglo-Saxon version of the Psalms, which he left unfinished; some have pretended that Alfred translated other parts of the Bible. include among them what they call Alfred's Proverbs. 8. Most writers who have given lists of Alfred's works This work, which has been recently printed, is preserved in two manuscripts, in MS. Trin. Coll., Cambridge, B. xiv. xxxix., and in MS. Col. Jes., Oxford, i. xxix.; a third, MS. Cotton. Galba, A. xix., perished in the fire. They are of the beginning of the 13th century. It is a collection of moral instructions in verse, conveyed in popular proverbs, supposed to be addressed by him to his people and to his son, but it has no claim to be ranked among his works. This tract must have been in existence early in the 12th century, for it is mentioned by Ailred of Rievaux. 9. The translation of Esop's Fables attributed to King Alfred was probably not more genuine. Our knowledge of this book is derived from the Epilogue to the fables of the Anglo-Norman poetess Marie, who says that she translated them from Alfred's English version: "Esope apelum cest livre, Qu'il translata e fist escrire; Et jeo l'ai rimée en Franceis, etc." MS. Harl., No. 978, fol. 87, vo. Some of the manuscripts of these fables give a different reading of the name, but that of Alfred is the best supported. His name long continued to be popular, and was probably affixed in different ways to many such works as the two last mentioned. The introduction to a Latin version of Esop, preserved in a manuscript in the British Museum, also mentions Alfred's English translation, in a manner which can leave little doubt of the existence of such a book bearing that monarch's name. The old bibliographers, such as Bale and Leland, enumerate other works under the name of Alfred, for which there is no authority. We think also that it is not necessary to place among the king's literary productions his enactments, which are printed in all the editions of the Anglo-Saxon laws. His translations are executed with much spirit. As he tells us himself, he "sometimes interprets word for word, and sometimes meaning for meaning ;" and he not unfrequently inserted passages of his own. The most interesting of his works in respect to this latter point are, his version of Boethius, containing several very remarkable additions, and his Orosius, in the geographical part of which he has given the valuable narratives of two northern navigators, Ohtere and Wulfstan, whom he had personally examined. In point of style, Alfred's translations may be considered as the purest specimens we possess of Anglo-Saxon prose. Former biographers have been induced to give him the fame of being a poet as well as a prose writer; this is owing to Asser's account of the love which the king showed always to his native poetry, and of the metrical version of the Metres of Boethius, attributed to him. We have already stated it as our opinion that these metres were not the work of Alfred; they were probably composed by some obscure writer of the 10th century, who imagined that Alfred's version of Boethius was imperfect so long as the metres were only given in prose. If Alfred had written verse, it would certainly have possessed some of the higher characteristics which distinguish that class of compositions in the Anglo-Saxon language; and we cannot believe that he would have submitted to the puerile occupation of arranging his own words in alliterative couplets. He died on the 28th of October, 901. His children, and even his grand-children, inherited from him the same greatness of mind, and love of science and literature, which were so conspicuous in his own character. His name continued to be cherished among his countrymen till the extinction of Anglo-Saxon independence, and it was without doubt the subject of numerous traditionary stories and anecdotes. Even in the 12th and 13th centuries his memory was kept alive as the burden of popular songs, and by productions similar to the fables and proverbs already mentioned. EDITIONS OF KING ALFRED'S WORKS.-The preface to the Pastorale was printed with Asser's Life, by Matthew Parker, fol., Lond., 1574; it was reprinted at Leyden, in 1597, par Bon. Vulcanium Brugensem, in a scarce, anonymous work, entitled De Literis et Lingua Getarum, sive Gothorum: it was again printed by Camden, in his Anglica Normanica, &c. Scripta, fol. Francof., 1603; and afterwards by Wise, in his edition of Asser, 8vo, Oxon., 1722. Historiæ Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum Libri V. a Venerabili Beda Presbytero scripti. Edited by Wheloc., fol., Cantabr., 1643. Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of Bede. An. Mani. Sever. Boethii Consolationis Philosophia Libri V. Anglo-Saxonice redditi ab Alfredo, inclyto Anglo-Saxonum Regl. Ad apographum Junianum, expressos edidit Christophorus Rawlinson, e Collegio Reginæ, 8vo, Oxon., 1698. Auctore Baeda. Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, &c. Edited by Smith, fol., Cantabr., 1722, pp. 471-649. Anglo-Saxon version of Bede. The Anglo-Saxon version, from the historian Orosius, by Elfred the Great, together with an English Translation from the AngloSaxon, 8vo, London, 1773. By Daines Barrington. The Will of King Alfred. Oxford: at the Clarendon Press, 1788, 4to. The Will of King Alfred, reprinted from the Oxford ed. of 1788; with a preface and additional notes by Thomas Astle, 8vo, 1828. King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of Boethius de Consolatione Philosophie, with an English Translation, and notes. By J. S. Cardale, 8vo, London, 1829. King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of the Metres of Boethius, with an English Translation, and Notes. By the Rev. Samuel Fox, 8vo, London, 1835. Reliquiæ Antiquæ. Edited by Thomas Wright and James verbs of King Alfred.-Abbreviated from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Orchard Halliwell, vol. i. 8vo, London, 1841, pp. 170-188. The Pro Alfred of Beverly, born about 1100, derives bis chief importance from the dispute which has arisen whether he preceded or came after Geoffrey of Monmouth. Historians and bibliographers have all fixed at too early a date the period when Alfred of Beverly compiled his history. All that we know of his life is derived from his own writings. While occupied with his historical researches, it appears that the history of Geoffrey of Monmouth was published, and began to create a great sensation. Alfred hearing people talk of British kings of whom he was entirely ignorant, and ashamed to be obliged continually to confess that he knew nothing about them, became anxious to obtain a sight of the new history, and with much difficulty succeeded. He perused it with avidity, and, charmed with the novelty of its contents, he would have made a transcript of it for himself if he had been allowed sufficient time, and had possessed money enough to buy the materials at once; but this not being the case, he determined to make an abridgment of it. Alfred informs us that, having abridged the history of the Britons, he determined to abridge other historians, so as to continue his book through the Saxon and Norman times. We trace, as having gone through this process, among others, Bede, Florence of Worcester, and the Northern writer Simeon of Durham, which historian appears to have been the last he used, for Alfred's history closes in the same year with that of Simeon, A.D. 1129, the 29th year of Henry I. His historical notices are extremely brief, and his style is that of the ordinary writers of his age. Bale has increased the number of works attributed to Alfred of Beverly, by making three different titles out of his one known historical epitome. He is said to have written a life of John of Beverly; but we know with more certainty that he was the author of a work on the rights and privileges of his church, which he is said in the title to have translated from English into Latin, and which was preserved in the Cottonian Library, but the volume containing it unfortunately perished in the fire. Edition, Aluredi Beverlacensis Annales, sive Historia de Gestis Regum Britanniæ, Libris ix., e codice pervetusto. Descripsit ediditque Tho. Hearnius, Oxon., 1716, Svo.-Abbrev. from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Alfred, (flourished 1170,) who by some writers is named the Philosopher, is enumerated by Roger Bacon among those who had translated the Arabian books of science into Latin. Pits, partly on the authority of Boston of Bury, tells us that he wandered in search of learning through France and Italy, and that at Rome he was received into the family of Cardinal Ottobini, who made him his chaplain, and brought him to England, when he was sent as legate by Pope Urban IV. to make peace between Henry III. and his barons. This however cannot be correct, for one of Alfred's principal works, the translation (from the Arabic) of Aristotle's treatise, De Vegetabilibus et Plantis, is dedicated to Roger of Hereford, whose contemporary he must have been. In the manuscripts of this book, preserved in the Bibliothèque Royale at Paris, the author is sometimes named simply Magister Alfredus, and at others Alfredus de Sarchel. M. Jourdain states reasons for believing that this work was translated in Spain. Pits mentions the titles of several other books attributed to him, most of which are still extant: they are, 1. De Musica, of which he gives as the first words, Licet mihi inter meditandum. 2. In Boethium de Consolatione Philosophiæ, in five books, not now known to exist. 3. In Meteora Aristotelis. This is preserved in a manuscript in the Royal Library at Paris, where the author's name is corruptly spelt Alphiolus. 4. De Rerum Natura. M. Jourdain believes this to be the treatise De Causis Elementorum, which is found in most of the manuscripts joined to the translation of Aristotle De Vegetabilibus, and clearly resembles it in style. 5. De Motu Cordis. M. Jourdain thinks this may be the same as a short treatise, evidently translated from the Arabic, which is found under the same title in a MS. in the Royal Library at Paris, MS. Lat. No. 6443. 6. Leland mentions a treatise by this writer, (or some per-church, divided, like the former, into two books. A copy son of the same name,) De Educatione Accipitrum. Perhaps the Aluredus Anglicus, mentioned by Boston of Bury as Cardinal Ottoboni's chaplain, and as the author of the treatise on music, and the Commentary on Boethius, was a different person from the philosopher.-Abbreviated from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Alfric, or Alfred of Malmsbury, flourished in 990. William of Malmsbury tells us that he was a learned man. The old bibliographers attribute to this writer a scientific treatise De Naturis Rerum, and a history of his abbey, De Rebus sui Coenobii. No such works, however, are now known to exist. William of Malmsbury has wrongly attributed to this Alfric the writings of Alfred of Canterbury.-Abbreviated from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Alfric of Canterbury, died 1006. No Anglo-Saxon writer has excited so much interest in modern times by his works as Alfric the Grammarian, as he has been generally named, from his grammar; and yet there are few whose personal history is involved in so much confusion and uncertainty. This arises, in part, from the name having been extremely common among the Anglo-Saxons, and from the difficulty of identifying the author of the different books which bear this name by internal evidence. Leland separated one Alfric into three, and Bale gave each of these three a distinct chapter. On the other hand, Usher joined three into one, confounding Alfric of Canterbury with Alfric of York and Alfric of Malmsbury. The historians of the 12th and 13th centuries, such as William of Malmsbury, and Matthew Paris, do not seem to have escaped from the same confusion. Alfric is said to have been descended from a noble family, his father being Ealderman or Earl of Kent. When young, his education was intrusted to one of the secular priests, who, as he says, could with difficulty understand Latin, and from whose misconduct he seems to have derived a contempt for the whole class of secular clergy. We think it probable that Alfric remained at Winchester, until A.D. 938 or 989, when he was sent by Alfheh, then Bishop of Winchester, to regulate or govern the newly-established Abbey of Cerne, in Dorsetshire, at the request of the founder, Ealderman Ethelmer. The next event in the life of Alfric is his promotion to the Bishopric of Wilton. We are justified in believing that he filled this bishopric during a very brief period previous to the death of Sigeric of Canterbury, in 995. In 995, Alfric succeeded Sigeric as Archbishop of Canterbury; and it is remarkable that in the instrument of his election he is called simply a monk of Abingdon. All we know of the remainder of his life is, that he ruled his diocese with vigour and piety during a period of continual sufferings from the inroads of the Danes. Bridferth, who dedicated to him his life of Dunstan, speaks of the wonderful extent of his learning. Alfric died on the 16th of November, 1006. It is probable that the greater part of Alfric's numerous writings are still extant. They consist chiefly of translations, and may be conveniently divided into three classes: those intended for the instruction of youth, theological works written after his mission to the Abbey of Cerne, and those which he composed after his elevation to the Bishopric of Wilton. 1. The Latin Grammar, which is a translation from the old grammars of Donatus and Priscian, and from which Alfric has derived his title of Grammaticus. Several manuscripts of his grammar are preserved, and it was printed by Somner in the 17th century. The second, or Anglo-Saxon, preface alludes to his homilies, and therefore must have been written after he left Winchester. 2. The Glossary of Latin words most commonly used in conversation, (for which purpose it was intended,) which is generally found in the same manuscripts with the Grammar, was also published by Somner. 3. The Colloquium, or conversation in Latin, with an interlinear Saxon gloss, intended to further the same object as the Glossary, and forming a second book to it. 4. We ought probably to attribute to Alfric the Anglo-Saxon Manual of Astronomy, which occurs so frequently in early manuscripts. It is found in a large manuscript of Alfric's works in the Public Library of the University of Cambridge, and contains many of the characteristics of Alfric's writings, particularly his expressions of contempt for the "unlearned priests" recently printed. 5. A collection of homilies, (the greatest of all Alfric's works,) amounting in number to eighty, and written, as he acknowledges, at the suggestion of Ethelmer and Ethelward. 6. After this collection was completed, Alfric, at the request of Ethelward, compiled from the Latin another set of homilies, commemorative of the different saints revered by the Anglo-Saxon of this work will be found in MS. Cotton. Julius, E. vii. 7. One of the next works of Alfric, or at least one of those completed before he was raised to a bishopric, was the translation of the Heptateuch. 8. A treatise on the Old and New Testament, addressed to Sigward æt East-Heolon, which was printed with a translation by Lisle. 9. A treatise on the Trinity, addressed to Wulfgeat æt Ylmandune, preserved in manuscript in the Bodleian Library. 10. The abridgment of Ethelwold's Constitutions, for the monks of Eynsham, preserved in manuscript at Cambridge, MS. Coop. Chr. Coll., No. 265. 11. Perhaps Alfric was the author of the translation of the life of Guthlac, by Felix of Croyland, preserved in MS. Cotton. Vespas. D. xxi. 12. An Epistle to Sigferth, on the marriage of the clergy. While Bishop of Wilton he probably wrote, 13. The Sermo Elfrici episcopi ad clericos, and 14. The Sermo ad Sacerdotes, both preserved in MS. Coop. Chr. Coll., Camb., No. 265, and in other manuscripts. The latter found also in MS. Cotton. Tiber. A. iii., is addressed to Bishop Wulfsine, and is also known as Alfric's Canons. It has been printed. These are in Latin and in Anglo-Saxon.-Abbreviated from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Alfric Bata, d. 1051. He informs us that he was the disciple of the elder Alfric (not of Ethelwold) at Winchester. He is known principally as having republished and enlarged some of the books of scholastic instruction compiled by his master, more particularly the Colloquium, printed by Mr. Thorpe. It is probable that he also republished Alfric's Grammar and Glossary, for they are joined with the Colloquium in the manuscript of the latter preserved at Oxford; and in the copy of the grammar printed by Somner there is a short epistle connecting Alfric's name with that of King Canute, which cannot refer to Alfric of Canterbury. He is supposed to be the author of the Life of Ethelwold; also of one of the homilies (entitled in some manuscripts In Natale Unius Confessoris) a marginal note to which, in one of the manuscrip:s, states that it was composed at the desire of the younger Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester, who is said to have succeeded Cynewulf in 1008.-Abbreviated from Wright's Biog. Brit. Lit. Alfrid. 1. Appeal in the Case of M. A. Fitzherbert, 1790. 2. Letters: View of the Polit. State of Europe, 1793. Alger, William Rounseville, b. 1823, at Freetown, Mass. 1. Symbolic History of the Cross of Christ, 18mo. 2. Oriental Poetry, or Metrical Specimens of the Thought, Sentiment, and Fancy of the East; with an Historical Introduction, 12mo. 3. History of the Doctrine of a Future Life as it has prevailed in all Nations and Ages, 8vo. "An extraordinary amount of solid learning and deep research, abounding with innumerable beauties of thought." Ed., with an Introduction, Studies of Christianity; or, Timely Thoughts for Religious Thinkers, by Rev. Jas. Martineau, Bost., 1858. Algernon. The Royal Wanderer, &c.; a Tale, 1815. Algood, M. Funl. Serm. on Rev. G. Richbell, 1684. Alingham. Account of the Nat. and Use of Maps, 1703. Alison, Alexander. 1. History of the Future, p. 8vo. 2. Second Reformation, p. 8vo. Alison, Archibald, 1757-1839, son of Andrew Alison, of Edinburgh, was matriculated at Baliol College, Oxford, in 1775. He was senior minister of the Episcopal Chapel, Cowgate, Edinburgh. In 1790 he published Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste, which work has attained a wide celebrity. He gave to the world a number of sermons, 1809-15, also a Memoir of the Life and Writings of Lord Woodhouslee. Trans. Ed. R. Soc. vii. 515, 1818. "Mr. Alison maintains that all beauty, or, at least, that all the beauty of material objects, depends upon the associations that may have connected them with the ordinary affections of our nature; and in this, which is the fundamental point of his theory, we conceive him to be no less clearly right, than he is convincing and judicious in the copious illustrations by which he has sought to establish its truth."-LORD JEFFREY. Dr. Dibdin extols Mr. Alison's style highly: "The beautiful and refined fancy, and melodious style of this writer, render his works deserving of a conspicuous place in every well-chosen library." "An excellent and highly-pleasing work on taste."-LOWNDES. Mr. Alison's sermons have been greatly commended: "These remind us more of the beautiful harangues of Fenelon, or of the celebrated Oraisons Funèbres of Bossuet, than of any British growth and manufacture. The beauty of the style and imagery is almost sure to attract the attention; and the mind must be dull and sullen indeed that offers a long resistance to the stronger charms which form the grand characteristics of these eloquent discourses.... We can hardly help envying the talent by which Mr. Alison has clothed so much wisdom in so much beauty, and made us find in the same work the highest gratifications of taste, and the noblest lessons of virtue."-Edinburgh Review. |