1641. JEREMIAH HORROX, an English astronomer, died. He seems to have
been the first to observe the transit of Venus over the sun's disc, from
which he deduced many useful observations, though not aware of the full
importance of that phenomenon.
1661. Secretary PEPYS seeing the comedy of the _Beggars' Bush_ performed
at Lincoln Inn Fields, says: "And here the first time that ever I saw
women upon the stage."
1670. GEORGE MONK, duke of Albemarle, died. He entered the British army
at an early age; and in 1639 was engaged in the unfortunate expedition
of Charles I against the Scots. He was confined three years in the Tower
under the parliament, during which he wrote a work on military and
political affairs; but finally accepted a commission in the republican
army against the Irish, the Scotch and the Dutch. But at the death of
the Protector he employed his influence to reinstate the Stuarts. In
1666 he was again employed against the son of his old antagonist Tromp,
in which the English fleet was much damaged, and both claimed the
victory.
1717. LAMBERT BOSS, an eminent Dutch philologist, died. He was born in
Friesland 1670; studied under his father who was a clergyman, became
private tutor in a family of rank, and subsequently professor of Greek
in the university of Franeker. He was an indefatigable student, and
regretted every moment which could not be devoted to his favorite
pursuit. The number and character of his works mark his industry.
1724. PHILIP V of Spain abdicated the throne in favor of his son Louis;
but he dying the same year, Philip resumed the crown again.
1730. The Turks began to learn the art of war and fortification after
the European model, from Count Bonneval of France, who became a
Musselman.
1777. Battle of Princeton, N. J., between the British and a division of
the American army, under General Washington. The British lost 100 men,
and 300 more who had taken refuge in the college, were forced to
surrender.
1795. JOSIAH WEDGEWOOD died. His father was a Staffordshire potter, to
whose business he succeeded, and soon distinguished himself by his
discoveries and improvements, insomuch that in a few years England,
instead of importing the finer earthen wares, was enabled to supply her
neighbors. He was a scientific, as well as an active and enterprising
man--and benevolent withal.
1797. Three of the large stones in the antique pile at Stonehenge in
England fell, the smallest of which weighed 20 tons. They were loosed,
it was supposed, by the severe frost of that season.
1805. CHARLES TOWNLEY, an English antiquarian, died. He employed his
liberal fortune in the collection of rare manuscripts and relics of
ancient art, and died at the age of 68, bequeathing his collection of
antiquities to the British Museum.
1805. ALEXANDER WEDDERBURN, lord of Rosslyn, died. He distinguished
himself as a lawyer, and was appointed solicitor general in 1771, in
which office he is _remarkable_ for having insulted Franklin in arguing
on American affairs before the privy council. He joined the
administration under Pitt, in 1793, and succeeded Lord Thurlow as
chancellor; from which office he retired in 1801, with the title of Earl
of Rosslyn. He is the author of a work on the management of prisons.
1815. British frigate Junon, Capt. C. Upton, captured the American
privateer Guerrier, of 4 guns and 60 men, from Portsmouth, N. H.
1844. LEVI HEDGE, author of a treatise on logic and editor of an
improved abridgment of Dr. Brown's _Lectures on the Philosophy of Mind_,
died at Cambridge, England.
1847. JOHN SHEPHERD, a soldier of the revolution, died at Royalton,
Ohio, aged 119.
1853. The Pantheon in Paris reopened as the church of St. Genevieve.