331 B. C. DARIUS, king of Persia defeated by Alexander at Arbela, losing
300,000 men. This defeat of Darius decided the fate of Persia.
322 B. C. ARISTOTLE, the celebrated Greek philosopher, died. It is said
that he threw himself into the Euripus because he could not
satisfactorily explain the cause of the tides. He was the first person
on record who was possessed of a private library.
1346. The Scots under king DAVID took Liddel castle in Cumberland, after
a siege of six days, beheaded the governor, plundered the abbey of
Lanercrost, and then directed his march towards Durham.
1394. RICHARD II having made a truce with France, landed in Ireland with
a large force; he succeeded in reducing the natives to obedience, who in
the absence of the English barons and knights, had intercepted and
refused the revenues. The country was divided, at that time, into
different kingdoms.
1410. The heroic earl of WARWICK was _retained_ under covenant by prince
Henry, at a _wage_ of 250 marks. Whenever he should be in the king's
court, he was to have four esquires and six yeomen with him, and diet
for them all; and the prince should have a third part of what he
acquired in battle, and the third of the thirds of what should be taken
by Richard the earl's men at arms.
1629. PETER BERULLE, a French bishop, distinguished for his learning and
exemplary piety and virtues, died at the altar while performing mass.
1661. BARTEN HOLYDAY, an English divine, died; known as the author of
several literary and theological works.
1693. CHARLES PATIN, a distinguished French physician, died at Padua. At
the age of 14 he maintained a disputation for five hours in Greek and
Latin, and took the degree of master of arts.
1710. The conquest of Port Royal, or Annapolis Royal completed by the
British and colonial forces under colonel Nicholson.
1711. Memorable fire in Boston, which swept down Cornhill, and other
streets, and was attended with loss of life and limb.
1724. FRANCIS TIMOLEON DE CHOISI, a French ecclesiastic, died. He was
sent by the French government to convert the emperor of Siam, who had
expressed a wish to embrace Christianity. He wrote several historical
and other works.
1746. The French East India squadron destroyed at Madras by a hurricane.
1780. JOHN ANDRE, a British officer, hanged at Tappan, New York, as a
spy, while Arnold made his escape to the British head quarters, where he
received £10,000 and a commission in the army, as a reward for his
treachery.
1780. A violent hurricane in the West Indies, which devastated the
island of Jamaica. In one town of 200 inhabitants, not a vestige of man,
beast or habitation was left. Twelve men of war were lost, and in most
of them their entire crews perished.
1782. CHARLES LEE, a major-general in the revolutionary army, died. He
was an officer in the British army at the age of 11, and distinguished
himself in 1762 under Burgoyne in Portugal. He joined the American army
at the outbreak of the war, but was suspended after the battle of
Monmouth, for some improper conduct.
1786. AUGUSTUS KEPPEL, a distinguished British admiral, died. He
accompanied Anson in his voyage round the world.
1801. AUGUSTUS FERDINAND VELTHEIM, an eminent German mineralogist, died;
he published several valuable scientific works.
1803. SAMUEL ADAMS, governor of Massachusetts, died, aged 82;
distinguished as a writer and a patriot, and for his influence in
forwarding the American revolution; of stern integrity, dignified
manners and great suavity of temper. He and John Hancock were proscribed
when a pardon was offered to every one else.
1812. British cannonaded Ogdensburg.
1841. JAMES FRASER, the founder and publisher of _Fraser's Magazine_,
died in London; when literature lost an earnest supporter, and literary
men a generous patron.
1842. The United States sloop-of-war Concord was lost on the rocks in
the Mozambique channel, and one or two of the crew perished.
1842. WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING, an eminent unitarian preacher of Boston,
died at Bennington, Vt. He was born 1780, and ordained 1803 at the
Federal street church. He was honored throughout Christendom, for his
learning and eloquence.
1846. BENJAMIN WATERHOUSE, an eminent American botanist, died, aged 92.
He completed his studies in Europe, and graduated at Leyden; on his
return home was elected to a professorship in Harvard university.
1848. HENRY BURBECK, an officer of the revolution, died at New London,
aged 94. He retired from the public service in 1815, having spent 38
years in almost incessant activity.