On this day in 1380, gunpowder was first used in Europe by the Venetians
against the Genoese. Its power is said by the Germans to have been
discovered accidentally by Berthold Schwartz; but our Roger Bacon who
died in 1278, certainly was acquainted with it. Gunpowder was known in
India very early, and from thence the knowledge of it was obtained by
the Arabians, who employed it in a battle near Mecca so long ago as the
year 690.
1677. Wenceslaus Hollar, the engraver, died at Westminster. His view of
London in Howell’s “Londinopolis,” and the numerous plates he executed
for Dugdale’s “Monasticon,” “Warwickshire,” “St. Paul’s,” “Origines
Juridiciales,” and other works have made him well known to the
topographer and portrait collector; but his “muffs” and “insects” are
particularly beautiful. His style almost peculiar to himself, is known
at a glance by the experienced eye; Gaywood, in portraits, and King, in
views, were inferior artists of the same school. Merian, in some
insects, rivals him formidably. Hollar’s labour was immense as may be
seen from Vertue’s catalogue of his prints; yet he often worked at
fourpence an hour, and perished in poverty.
1801. Sir Ralph Abercrombie died in Egypt. He received his death-wound
on the 21st., during his memorable victory over the French at
Alexandria.
1802. Pallas, a new planet, was discovered by Dr. Olbers, of Bremen in
Germany.
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