335 B. C. The city of Thebes demolished by Alexander, during the
mysteries.
14 (A. U. C. 766). OCTAVIUS CÆSAR AUGUSTUS, the great and virtuous
emperor of Rome, died at Nola. This day is also the anniversary of his
first exaltation to the consular dignity.
1493. FREDERICK III, of Germany, died. He was fifty-eight years emperor
of Austria, and fifty-three emperor of Germany, during which time he was
constantly embroiled in troubles, and suffered many humiliations and
indignities from the neighboring princes, who took advantage of his
imbecility. During his reign the Turks took Constantinople, and the art
of printing was discovered.
1579. LOUIS DE CLERMONT BUSSY D'AMBOISE assassinated; a French nobleman
distinguished for his bravery and his crimes.
1601. WILLIAM LAMBARDE, an eminent lawyer and antiquary, died at
Westcombe, in England. His collection and translation of the Saxon laws
was among the first of his works.
1617. Sir WALTER RALEIGH sailed from Cork on his last voyage, with
fourteen vessels.
1646. Ragland castle, in Montgomeryshire, England, surrendered to the
parliament forces. This was one of the last fortresses that held out for
Charles.
1648. IBRAHIM, son of Achmet, sultan of Turkey, assassinated.
1662. BLAISE PASCAL, a French divine, died; noted for his mathematical
abilities. His works are published in 5 vols.
1680. JOHN EUDES, the founder of the sect of Eudists, died at Caen, in
France.
1692. Five persons executed at Salem, Mass., for witchcraft.
1699. GEORGE BURROUGHS, a New England minister, hung for witchcraft. He
was a man of unblemished character, and fell a victim to one of the most
astounding delusions that ever disgraced the name of religion.
1702. Action near Santa Martha, in South America, between the British
fleet, admiral Benbow, and the French squadron, Du Casse. The cowardice
of the English lost them the battle.
1708. The British under sir John Leake and major general Stanhope took
Minorca, which was retained by the government.
1744. JOHN BAPTIST SILVA, a distinguished French physician, died at
Paris.
1763. Under cover of a severe hail storm and an unusual darkness in the
neighborhood of London, the populace attempted the rescue of a criminal
to be executed, but though they detained the execution till eight in the
evening, they were unsuccessful.
1772. GUSTAVUS, king of Sweden, effected a revolution, which totally
overturned the Swedish constitution of government, without any
bloodshed. It was a masterly stroke of policy, that placed him in the
attitude of absolute master over the laws.
1772. Revolution in Poland; the prerogatives of the crown, lost more
than half a century before, were restored.
1777. NICHOLAS HERKIMER, a brave officer, wounded at the battle of
Oriskany, died at his house near Little Falls, New York.
1782. Battle near the Blue Licks, between the Kentucky pioneers, 176 in
number, under colonel Boone, and 500 Indians. The Indians were defeated
with the loss of 71; Boone's loss 63 killed, 7 taken.
1782. British man-of-war, Royal George, 100 guns, sunk off Spithead.
Admiral Kempenfeldt, with 400 seamen and 200 women, perished. The wreck
was visited by means of a diving bell in 1817, and found to be a mass of
shapeless timber.
1792. The grand army of the allies entered France.
1807. The Danish gun boats again attacked the British before Copenhagen.
The latter gained some advantages.
1811. The French under Macdonald captured Figueras, in Spain, after a
desperate resistance by its famished defenders.
1812. Action between United States frigate Constitution, captain Hull,
and British frigate Guerriere, 49 guns, captain Dacres. The Guerriere
was sunk in 30 minutes, with the loss of 15 killed, 61 wounded, 24
missing. Constitution lost 7 killed, 7 wounded.
1812. Battle near Gedeonovo, in Russia, between the French, 90,000 and
the Russians, stated at 40,000. The French drew off at night with the
loss of 600 killed, 2,500 wounded. The Russians admitted the loss of
1,000 killed, 3,000 wounded. Not a prisoner was taken.
1814. GUSTAVUS MAURICE, count of Armfelt, a distinguished Swede, whose
chief misfortune was that of being in advance of his age, died at
Czarshoesels.
1814. BENJAMIN THOMPSON, count Rumford, died. From the humble station of
a yankee schoolmaster he rose by his talents to distinction and wealth.
His inventions and discoveries will perpetuate his name.
1823. ROBERT BLOOMFIELD, an English poet, died. He learned the trade of
a shoemaker, but was constrained to write poetry by nature. The one
sustained his body while the other was perpetuating his memory.
1825. JUAN DIAZ (or _John Martin_), a Spanish partisan officer,
executed; distinguished for his conduct during the French invasions.
1826. PAUL ALLEN, an American poet, historian and editor of considerable
merit, died at Baltimore, aged 51.
1838. The United States exploring expedition, consisting of 6 vessels,
sailed from Hampton roads.
1839. AARON OGDEN, an officer during the revolution, died at Jersey
City, aged 83. He was governor of New Jersey in 1812; was also senator
of the United States, and practiced law with reputation.
1851. "The great aggregate meeting" of Roman catholics from all parts of
Great Britain, was held at Dublin for the inauguration of the catholic
defence association.
1852. A destructive tornado, accompanied with hail, passed over an
extensive district in Hancock county, Me. Utter devastation followed its
track, which was a fourth of a mile wide, and 40 miles long.
1853. GEORGE COCKBURN, who ordered the destruction of the public
property at Washington, on the capture of the city by the English, died
at the age of 82.
1854. GRISI and MARIO, the two most renowned artistes of the old world,
arrived at New York.