Burnet 392 Burnet which was in covenant Brit. Cat. v. 410 ; Echard's steeped [Bale's Script. 41, p. particularly i. 594 a; Coxe's This is illustrated the ScriptoresOrdinisPrsedicatorum, principles. fully by and Halls of with Sheldon referred to. At Catalogue of MSS. in the Colleges correspondence and a Oxford, under Merton College, No. ci. ccxvi.] the same time Gilbert Burnet calls him man R. L. P. of blameless private life, and even Wodrow admits that he ' was certainly one of the best He it BURNET, ALEXANDER (1614-1684), morals among the present clergy.' was, John honest and con- Scotch archbishop, was the son of Mr. should be added, absolutely minister his mother was even to the loss of his Burnet, a Scotch ; sistent, archbishopric. ordina- his first diocesan he several of the Traquair family. After his At meeting put and turned out tion he first acted as chaplain to the Earl of of his clergy in English orders, took the covenant or some of the terian whom Fairfoul Traquair. Whether he presby clergy known he fled had to remain. He to have not is not certainly ; probably permitted appears to do his the to England to escape being compelled strained power by encroaching upon of the Bur- so, for he was in that country very shortly functions Glasgow magistrates. describes him as a after the beginning of the war with Charles. net the historian further ' inclined He received holy orders in the English church, soft and good-natured man, to peace- in communion with which he lived through- able and moderate counsels,' which, if it be a out, and held a rectory in Kent, from which, true description, only shows how completely of the in 1650, he was ejected for loyalty (KEITH, his belief in the advantages Anglican Scottish Bishops) . He then went beyond sea, system overcame his own nature. On 29 April and served Charles II by intelligence from 1664 he was made a privy councillor (STE- and elsewhere. It is how- the Church England curious, | PHEN, History of of Scotland}. that find an A. Burnett mentioned The with which he treated the cove- ever, we j severity as minister of Tenham in Kent on 22 Jan. nanters, against whom, in opposition to Lau- j 1657 (CaL State Papers, Dom. Ser. 1657, derdale and his friends, he continually urged p. 247). Upon the Restoration we find him strong measures, was doubtless a leading j chaplain to his father's first cousin, Lord , cause of the Pentland revolt in 1666, and he afterwards Earl who was was for the horrors of its Rutherford, Teviot, , largely responsible in command at Dunkirk, and to the English repression by Dalyell, Drummond, Hamilton, there Lauderdale garrison (' Papers,' Camden , Rothes, and others, with whom he was at that His Dr. time in cordial We hear of him Miscellany, 1883). brother, Burnet, j friendship. r ' w as physician at the same place. A ma- as being deadly sick' on 6 Nov. 1666; but a in nuscript the Advocates' Library, Edin- fortnight later, 22 Nov., it is recorded that ' 1 burgh, states that he was dean of the city the breaking out of the rebels has cured him,' ' ' of Dunkirk.' His first letter to Sheldon while he is mentioned as being very active in the Sheldon MSS. is written from that during the rebellion (Col. State Papers, Dom. town, and expresses his anxiety to erect a 1666-7, pp. 244, 280, 336). Keith asserts that church there suitable to the dignity of the Burnet wrote to Arlington and to Charles to English communion. Upon the restoration recommend lenity, and he himself declares to of ' episcopacy in Scotland he did not at once Sheldon that he never opposed the granting of receive preferment; but in 1663, on the remissions to any person that acknowledged death of Bishop Mitchell, he was placed in their fault, but on the contrary laboured what the see of Aberdeen, being consecrated at St. he could to make them capable of pardons.' Andrews assisted by Sharp, by others of The passages, however, in which he counsels the on 18 18 bishops, Sept. On June in that severity are far more frequent, and it is per- he the sermon to year preached the parlia- fectly certain that he constituted the chief ment from 2 Chron. xix. 6 (LAMONT, Diary, obstacle to the policy of conciliation which 204 Hist. Church pp. 200, ; GRTJBB, of Scot- Lauderdale, in order to frustrate the schemes 212 CaL State land, p. ; Papers, Dom. 1663, of the party opposed to him among the Scotch 18 In on June). January 1664, the death nobility, began to initiate in 1667. The ne- of he became of Fairfoul, archbishop Glasgow, cessity of getting rid of Burnet Longifacies

installed on 11 i being April 1664. A more or Long Nez, as he is called from some facial unfortunate appointment, the is no of him ex- considering j peculiarity (there time portrait and place, could not have been made, is in the letters that j tant) prominent passed His views of church government were of between Lauderdale and Robert and | Moray, the most advanced Laudian he hated his other in type ; agents Scotland (Lauderdale Pa- dissent of all kinds and his want vols. i. and vehemently, pers, ii., Camden Society). An of common sense was seen in the attempts he additional cause of Lauderdale's enmity was, made to out his carry high Anglican views to perhaps, the fact that Burnet had sent'infor- the fullest extent in that of part Scotland mation on the proceedings of the council to Burnet 393 Burnet

Arlington and Charles without consulting Obiit Aug. 22, 1684, hora matutina. Multis ille bonis him. In the intrigues which followed, Burnet, ftebilis occidit: Nulli flebilior in contrast to James Sharp, who had been for quam tibi, Scotia. the time won over by Lauderdale, and was Burnet married Elizabeth Fleming of Litt- used now to counteract his colleague, pur- rie in Fife, and left two daughters, who mar- sued a honest course in thoroughly opposition ried respectively the son of Lord Elphin- to conciliation, under the encouragement of stone and Lord Elliebank (MS. Advocates' i ' ' ' Sheldon. Honest and stout are epithets Library). often used of him. In 1669 Lauderdale came Scottish Burnet's [Keith's Bishops ; Own Time ; to Scotland as commissioner. The Act high Sheldon MSS. Bodleian Library; the greater of Supremacy was immediately passed, by number of the letters from Burnet to Sheldon which the absolute control of all persons and will be found in the Appendix to vol. ii. of the matters in the church was put in the king's Lauderdale Papers (Camden Society), a selec- tion from the Lauderdale MSS. British Museum hands. Burnet had shortly before held a ; Wodrow's Hist. Church of Scotland Fountain- synod at Glasgow, in which he put forth a ; hall's Chronicles Grubb's Hist. Church of vehement remonstrance against Lauderdale's ; Scotland Hist. of ; Stephen's Church Scotland ; policy. The new act was at once, and in the Gordon's Scotichronicon ; Law's Memorials ; first place, used to insist upon his resignation, Mackenzie's Memoirs ; Collection of Letters to a of which, dated 24 Dec. 1669, is copy among Sancroft, edited from the in the Bod- the Sheldon MSS. For the events which led originals leian by Dr. Nelson Clarke; Abstract of the to his and of the resignation, which foregoing Writs of the of St. City Andrews, 1767 ; Lyon's sentences are a see l Lauderdale summary, Hist, of St. Andrews.] 0. A. Papers,' referred to above. He was succeeded by Leighton, a devoted favourer of concilia- BURNET, ELIZABETH (1661-1709), tion, and for four years lived in retirement. religious writer, third wife of Bishop Burnet, In his letter to Sheldon at the time of his was born at Earontoun, near Southampton, resignation he begs that some private corner on 8 Nov. 1661. Her father was Sir Richard be found for him in where he Blake her mother was a may England, ; Elizabeth, daughter may die, as he has lived, in fellowship with of Dr. Bathurst, a London physician, and that church. On Leighton's retirement in she was their eldest daughter (Some Account 1674, Lauderdale's policy having changed, of her Life, p. v). Fell, bishop of Oxford, Burnet was, on 29 Sept., restored to his arch- was known to her and her family, and he bishopric, probably in deference to the opinion being a guardian of Robert Berkeley of of the English bishops. He was restored to Spetchley, Worcestershire (grandson of Sir the privy council on 3 Dec. of the same year. Robert Berkeley [q. v.]), brought about an Elizabeth Wodrow (ii. 144) mentions an additional acquaintance between and his reason for this restoration, which in itself is ward, which ended in their marriage in 1678 most probable, having regard to the corrup- (ib. v), Elizabeth being then seventeen years tion of the administration, but for which old. Mrs. Berkeley had no skill in the he does not himself vouch, and which is not learned languages, but she was an incessant supported by Gilbert Burnet or by any other reader of the scriptures and of commentators i ' authority. Burnet, according to this ques- (see her List of Books recommended, ib. tionable to his arch- said he ' not a more anecdote, was regain 391) ; Stillingfleet knew bishopric in return for sacrificing the claims considerable woman in England than she' of his daughter, the widow of the late heir (ib. ix). About 1684, Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley to the Elphinstone property, to her jointure, left England for Holland ($.viii), and settled in favour of Lauderdale's niece, who was to at the Hague. There they became warm ad- herents of the Prince of marry the next heir. Upon the murder of Orange (ib. xxx), Sharp in 1679 Burnet was promoted to the and they returned to their country life at primacy on 28 Oct., and retained the post Spetchley soon after the prince became Wil- until his death in the Novum Hospitium of liam III. Their riches were great, and their St. Andrews on 22 Aug. 1684. He is stated charities kept measure with them. They by Fountainhall to have been buried in St. projected building a hospital at Worcester, Salvator's near the of and a school for children and in College, tomb Bishop poor ; 1693, there no trace when Mrs. carried Kennedy ; is, however, now Berkeley died, Berkeley of the burial-place visible. In his will occurs out these projects (ib. xii). Her widowhood a gift of one thousand merks to the poor of lasted seven years, during which she wrote St. Andrews (GORDON, Scotichronicori). On 'A Method of Devotion/ the book by which the last letter which he received from Bur- she is chiefly known. She then married net, Archbishop Sancroft endorsed the fol- Gilbert Burnet, bishop of Salisbury, who had lowing lines : lost his second wife in 1698, and by him Burnet 394 Burnet

the sister of Archibald lord War- she had two children, who died infants (BAL- Johnston, The who framed the covenant, and who LARD, British Ladies, p. 403, note). ristoun, mar- afterwards became the leader of the pro- bishop placed his children by an earlier and her or extreme section of the covenanting riage in her charge entirely, gave testers, one- she was herself one of the thorough control of her separate fortune, party ; naturally of fifth of this being kept by her for herself, strictest presbyterians. was ten of and the other four-fifths bemg devoted to her Until he years age, Gilbert, charities. She had more than one edition whose talents were remarkably precocious, for was educated his from whom he of her book printed at her own expense by father, doubtless derived the of wide to- distribution, and printed anonymously (Some principles she was known lerance which distinguished him. By that Account iii) ; yet generally was master of Latin to as an author. Kalph Thoresby writes: 'I time he sufficiently Marischal of Aberdeen. At . . as the enter the was with several . authors, Bishop College " learned . . writ a Me- of Sarum's lady . [who] has fourteen, having thoroughly Greek, " ' the course thod for Devotion (NICHOLS, Illustrations and having passed through college he be- i. the of her of Aristotelian logic and philosophy, of Literature, 804) ; manuscript work came afterwards into Thoresby's pos- came master of arts, and immediately applied himself to the of civil and feudal law. session (BALLAKB, British Ladies, p. 402). study bent his be- In 1707 Sir Godfrey Kneller painted Mrs. His father, however, was upon a and at the of fifteen Burnet's portrait, an engraving from which coming clergyman, age a course of not in is the frontispiece to 'Some Account;' and he began divinity reading, in the same year she went to Spa for her the perfunctory manner common in those health (Some Account, xvi). On her return days, but as thoroughly and as comprehen- for the winter of 1708-9 her health was sively as it could be carried out. Besides better, and she entered into society in Lon- working through the chief commentators, he don but on the of the frost on read the most famous ; breaking up controversialists, espe- 27 Jan. 1708-9 she was seized with pleuritic cially Bellarmine and Chamier. It is an fever, and died in a week, on 3 Feb., aged 48. early instance of the broad and secular tastes Mrs. Burnet was buried at Spetchley. Im- which he retained through life, that he threw mediately after her death her book was pub- aside the productions of the scholastic divines, lished with her name affixed; Goodwyn, and that in his leisure time he made himself archdeacon of Oxford, afterwards archbishop master of European history. He is stated at of Cashel (Biog. Brit. i. 1041, note), con- this time to have studied for fourteen hours tributed to the edition 'Some Account' of a day. her life. A second edition was called for, In 1661 he passed the trials which quali- still in the same and there were fur- fied him to a Thus he year ; become probationer. ther issues in 1713 and 1738. Some of Mrs. entered the church while it was still under Burnet's prayers are given in the volume. presbyterian government, though episcopacy are They very lengthy. One, to be used by was restored in the following year. In 1661, a child twice a day, runs to 35 lines, and a also, his father died. Burnet was at once for Servants 3 Prayer covers pages. offered a living by his cousin-german, Sir Burnet's Method of Alexander Burnet. ' This living, however, [Elizabeth Devotion, &c. ; Ballard's Memoirs of British Ladies though situated his own kindred, he ; Wilford's among Memoirs of Eminent Persons on the that at his ; Biog. Brit. ; declined, ground early age Nichols's Illustrations of Literature, i. 804.1 although by the Scotch law this is no hindrance J.H. he was not qualified for so important a post. This refusal to show that his circum- GILBERT appears BURNET, (1643-1715), stances were easy. His brother Robert, who of was born in bishop Salisbury, Edinburgh had followed his father's profession, having on 18 1643. His Robert Bur- Sept. father, also died, Gilbert was urged by his relations net, who was of a good Aberdeen to himself once to the but family, apply more law ; a son of the house of being Crathes (Hist. this advice was overruled by his father's MSS. Comm. 2nd was an Rep. 197), advocate friend and correspondent Nairn, at that time of high character, while in 1637 he who, freely the most eminent of Scotch divines, by whose condemned the conduct of the Scotch bishops, suggestion he still further extended his study refused to take the and was in con- covenant, of divinity. It appears to have been now sequence compelled to leave Scotland on three that he became imbued with the principles of separate occasions. When to re- ' permitted Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity.' By Nairn's turn, he lived in retirement on his own estate advice Burnet began the practice of extem- until the when he was made Restoration, one porary preaching, unusual with the Scotch of the lords of session. Burnet's mother was clergy. His other advisers and his admira- Burnet 395 Burnet tion for such men shows the bent of his mind gagement upon him already, he will, I think, towards tolerance and broad learning were admit of none till he return, at least if it can

be : but it Leighton, just appointed bishop, and Char- prevented seems he conceives some teris. he he reckons his to lie him and I am afraid Of Leighton says upon already ; my in- L. early knowledge of him, and his long and Lauderdale hath already been moved to timate conversation of twenty-three years procure a presentation for him from the king the of his to Saltoun the but I mean to with him, among greatest blessings by archbishop ; life. Of Nairn and Charteris with the latter send in a word for delay if I find it true.' of whom his connection did not begin until i Burnet, who was anxious to travel, wished abroad in 1664 he the to be to Nairn but Fletcher after his return from living given ; ' it for speaks in a similar way : It was a great hap- determined to keep open him until his to piness for me, after I had broke into the world return. Accordingly he went Holland by such a ramble as I had made, that I fell during this year, residing for some time in into such hands. They both set me right and Amsterdam, where he mastered Hebrew, and the of kept me right.' became acquainted with leading men In 1663, following the practice common all religious persuasions. His stay in Hol- still further his liberal with Scotch clergymen who could afford it, land strengthened Burnet visited for a while the English uni- views. From Holland he passed into France, versities, where he became acquainted with where, through the friendship of the English Cudworth, Pearson, Fell, Pococke, Wallis ambassador, Lord Hollis, he enjoyed the best r the mathematician, and other distinguished opportunities of observation, and w here he divines and men of science. From Oxford had frequent intercourse with Daille and he went to London with an introduction to Morus, the leading protestant ministers of Boyle. The friendship, however, which he Charenton. His visit to France established valued most, and to which he often refers as him, he says, in his love of law and liberty, in his of absolute his chief good fortune in life, was that of Sir and hatred power. Kobert Moray, the most learned of living On his return to England at the end of Scotchmen. the year Burnet stayed some months at the Burnet meanwhile had been a careful ob- court, where he took care to make himself server of public affairs in his own country. acquainted with all the men who were en- He had formed his views of the probable re- gaged with Scottish affairs. His intimacy sults of the oppressive policy carried on by with Moray and Lauderdale, who were for the archbishops, Sharp and Alexander Burnet, lenity in the treatment of the covenanters, and by Rothes, the high commissioner. On and his friendship with Leighton, drew upon the granting of a special commission to exe- him the jealousy of the Scotch bishops, who cute more stringently the ecclesiastical laws, regarded him as set up by Lauderdale to he displayed the confidence which charac- oppose their action. It was now that, upon terised him through life by freely expostu- the introduction of Robert Moray, the first lating with Lauderdale, the secretary, to president, Burnet became a member of the whom, probably through Moray, Lauderdale's newly established Royal Society. Saltoun chief intimate, he had become known. He being now vacant, Fletcher again pressed it applied also to Sharp himself, though of upon Burnet, who officiated for four months, course with no result. He was at this time at his own desire, upon probation, at the end but twenty-one years of age. of which time he received a unanimous call Burnet returned to Scotland after an ab- from the He went his j parishioners. through sence of about six months. He was imme- first trials during November and December diately offered the living of Saltoun in East 1664, was inducted on 29 Jan. 1665, insti- ( Lothian, upon its approaching vacancy, by tuted on 15 June of the same year, and ap- ' his father's friend, Sir Robert Fletcher of proved at the visitation of 5 July 1666. On death not after Burnet's 9 1667 he became clerk of the Saltoun, whose long \ May presbytery

! Club Miscell. final acceptance of the living was the occa- of Haddington (Bannatyne iii.) ' sion of his earliest published work, the rude i During the five years of his ministry he de- of an viz. discourse in a different from essay unpolished hand,' a j voted himself, spirit very on his patron (Bannatyne Club Miscell. iii. that of most of the Scottish clergy, to the du- his services were ties of a So did he 393). Apparently sought j parish priest. entirely gain elsewhere as well. In an the affections of his his unwearied unpublished letter, | people by dated 17 March Robert and his if we 1664, Moray, writing diligence by gen erosity , that, may ' left his to Kincardine from London, says : Mr. Bur- believe the biography by son, he over- net delivered me on Tuesday last your letter came the hostility even of the rigid presbyte- of 26 Feb. I find him as much satisfied with rians, in spite of the fact that he stood almost you as you are with him. If there be no en- alone in making use of the Anglican prayers. Burnet 396 Burnet

in which the affirmative is maintained but In the midst of his work he found time, how- ; it is that this can ever, to draw up a memorial against the impossible really have been abuses of the bishops, which later discoveries from his hand. show to have been more than As In 1669 Burnet was concerned justified. intimately ' the he says himself, I laid my foundation on with scheme of conciliation, involving a the constitution of the primitive church, and great diminution of the power of the bishops, showed how they had departed from it.' which Leighton, now archbishop of Glasgow, Whether he would have done this had he especially desired to set on foot, and was em- not been secure of the approbation of Lauder- ployed as his agent to treat with the pres- dale may be doubted. In any case it was a byterians. He went in the first place to bold and a striking act in a young man of Hutcheson, the leader of the moderate pres- and still bolder was the when the twenty-three, step byterian party ; and, treaty hung he took in signing the copies and forwarding fire, was sent into the west to report upon them to all the bishops whom he knew. It the feeling of the more discontented districts. is not surprising that he was called before At Hamilton he made the acquaintance of the bishops, when he defended himself with the duchess, who advised the of a j planting spirit and success against the hectoring of number of presbyterian ministers in vacant Sharp, who proposed that he should be ex- parishes, and he wrote a letter to Tweed- j long

communicated to the other I dale the ; this, however, urging plan. Burnet adds that the would not consent. He refused to ask letter was read to the and bishops I king, that, through and the matter but the advice it some pardon, dropped ; Burnet, contained, forty ministers, j delivered his it now the thence called ' having mind, thought ! king's curates,' were permitted best course to confine himself to the to take the vacant with a strictly j parishes, pension functions of his For some while he of 201. a each. His visit to Hamilton re- ministry. ; year lived the life of an ascetic, to suoh an extent sulted in a great change for himself. He there that he twice became ill. dangerously made the acquaintance of the regent of the Burnet continued in the confidence of the university of Glasgow, who, when a vacancy moderate who at that time adhered to occurred men, shortly afterwards in the divinity Lauderdale. As as early April 1667 he was professorship, obtained the post for Burnet. informed Kincardine of the by meditated His hesitation in leaving Saltoun (JBannatyne j

d'etat a month or two ! Club Miscell. to coup by which, later, iii.), which parish at his death Lauderdale dismissed Rothes from the com- he bequeathed 20,000 merks for useful and and thus broke the of missionership, strength charitable objects, was overcome by Leighton, the extreme church Burnet party. was con- and in 1669 he began residence at Glasgow, sulted Tweeddale and Kincardine ' by with where he remained four years and a half in reference to their desire to in- give Leighton no small exercise of patience.' As was fluence in the my church, and to induce as many but natural, his late action had earned him of the presbyterian as to waive the distrust clergy possible and dislike both of strong pres- their non-Erastian and principles to accept byterians and of strong He the episcopalians. council's appointment to preach in vacant to this new work He carried, however, exactly parishes. participated, however, in the the same zeal and thoroughness that he had coldness which, under the influence of Lady displayed at Saltoun, devoting the hours Dysart, Lauderdale now showed to from four to in Moray. i ten the morning to his own It would that appear Burnet was already study, and from ten till late at in the on terms night of confidence with both the active work of king teaching. Throughout life, and the Duke of York and with court many aided by magnificent health, he did a stu- officials. In is his freedom nothing, indeed, pendous amount of work, and always did it from the narrowness ' of interest usual among well. His Modest and Free Conference his brethren more displayed than in the fact between a ' i Conformist and a Nonconformist that, whether from ambition or i from the was written at this time. It is an able ex- natural inclination of a mind widened of the by position liberal principles regarding culture and conscious of its own he church power, government which he upheld kept himself as well informed through of the politics life. now in a of of Being position influence, the English court as of those of his own Burnet was frequently applied to both by the country. He was applied to both Lauder- who found by clergy their churches deserted, dale and Sir Robert to an Moray give opinion and by the gentry who came to upon the how far complain question the queen's barren- of the foolish conduct of the ness clergy. Con- would justify a divorce or on polygamv venticles were increasing and the the part of Charles. He himself rapidly, states that disorder threatened to be so serious that at ie answered in the There negative. is, how- Burnet's proposal a committee of council was ever, a paper to be extant, supposed by him, sent into the west to ascertain the state of Burnet 397 Burnet affairs. The distrust entertained of him by in 1672 married Lady Margaret Kennedy, the seems to have been increased of the first earl presbyterians daughter of Cassilis [see the exercised this by pressure by committee, BTJRNET, MARGARET]. She was considerably while the were the older than and and episcopalians annoyed by himself, wealthy ; Bur- gentle treatment that he managed to secure net, in order to avoid uncharitable remarks, for imprisoned conventiclers. signed a deed, previous to the marriage, in In 1670, Leighton, now archbishop of Glas- which he relinquished all pretensions to her gow, who was intent upon bringing the mode- fortune. He had no family by her. rate presbyterians to fall in with the measures ' In 1672 Lauderdale came down to Scot- of conciliation tentatively put forward by the ! land and began his changed career of violent crown, took Burnet with him on his progress. oppression. This again alienated Hamilton, Upon Lauderdale's arrival a conference was who vehemently opposed Lauderdale's mea- arranged in his presence between Leighton sures, and induced Burnet to represent his and six of the preachers. On its failure Leigh- views. Burnet states that he was now be- ton sent Burnet, along with Nairn, Charteris, yond measure weary of the court, and was and three others, to argue the question afresh prevailed upon only by the general opinion with the malcontents. This attempt again of his usefulness to stay in attendance. By failing, he was once more employed as chief his own account he acted a perfectly inde- representative of Leighton in the same way pendent part, but retained confidence so en- at Paisley, and later at Edinburgh, but all tirely that a bishopric was again offered him, attempts at accommodation were abortive. with the promise of the first archbishopric Once more Burnet, who now refused an offered that should fall vacant. He was now but bishopric, determined to leave public affairs twenty-nine years of age. He gives a vivid and give himself to study and retirement. account of Lauderdale's brutal and arbitrary His vacations were spent chiefly in Hamil- government, which so harassed Leighton that, ton, where the duchess engaged him in put- taking Burnet into consultation, he resolved ting in order all the papers relating to her to retire from his post. It was during these ' father's and uncle's political careers. Lau- events that the Vindication of the Autho- derdale, who had his own reasons for anxiety rity, Constitution, and Laws of the Church ' as to the light which might be cast upon and State of Scotland was compiled, wherein transactions in which he had himself been Burnet made himself acceptable to the higher engaged, no sooner heard of this than he sent powers by his dedication to Lauderdale and for Burnet to come to court that he might give by maintaining the cause of episcopacy and him all the information in his power. The the illegality of resistance merely on account ' Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton,' Bur- of religion. This, with various controversial net's first historical work, was published in tracts against popery, was published in 1673, 1676. His investigations led in a curious in the summer of which year Burnet went way to a reconciliation between Hamilton to London once more to obtain the necessary and the court. Among the papers which he license for the publication of his ' Memoirs examined were found undoubted claims of of the Dukes of Hamilton.' the family upon the crown, for satisfaction He now, by the favour shown him by of which Hamilton consented to concur in Charles, who had made him one of his chap- the court measures. This was in 1671. lains, and still more by that of James, drew Upon his obeying Lauderdale's summons upon himself the active jealousy both of Lau- to London, Burnet found himself for a while derdale and of his wife. On his return to in a position of great influence with the secre- Edinburgh on the day before the meeting of tary. In spite of a refusal to give up his parliament he found that Hamilton had orga- friendship with Robert Moray, he was treated nised an opposition to Lauderdale, against with confidence both by Lauderdale and Lady which he argued in vain. The blame was laid

' Dysart, and busied himself, though in vain, upon himself by Lauderdale, who denounced in trying to bring about a reconciliation i him as a marplot to the king. Lauderdale between Lauderdale and Tweeddale. His ! was no doubt irritated by Burnet's freedom in proposals for a further indulgence to the ! discussing both with the king and with the ' covenanting ministers detailed in the His- duchess his conduct regarding popery. He ' tory were accepted by Lauderdale, and hereupon retired to Glasgow, and remained

j sent down to Scotland in the shape of in- ! there until the following June. It is suffi- structions. He was now offered the choice ! cient evidence of Burnet's favour at court of four Scotch bishoprics, Edinburgh being and of his never-failing self-confidence, that one, but declined a preferment that would he proposed that himself and Stillingfleet, have fettered his future action. whom he introduced to the duke, should hold Shortly after his return to Glasgow, Burnet a conference in James's presence with the Burnet 398 Burnet

to leaders of the Roman catholics, and that he that he yielded pressure readily enough, re- but a consideration of his character took upon him the still bolder task of general his evil renders this the naive and candid monstrating freely with Charles upon unlikely ; in which he on his own con- life. In June 1674 he was again London, judgment passes where he found that Lauderdale's influence duct probably represents the actual state of the case Oxford ed. ii. He had been active to his prejudice. In a letter (Own Times, 66). once more retired from from Paterson, bishop of Edinburgh, to James now public life, though is this did not him from an im- Sharp, who was then in London, it urged prevent bearing in the which was that Burnet should be appointed to a country portant share controversy be less hurtful than in to absorb all other In living, where he would beginning questions. 2nd 1676 he took with in a con- London (Hist. MSS. Comm. Rep. 203). part Stillingfleet He was struck off the list of chaplains by troversy with Coleman and several Romish ' and an account Charles on the ground that he had been too priests, subsequently published ' a reconciliation with the of it. Another outcome of the conference was busy ; and, though con- his ' Vindication of the Ordinations of the king was effected by James, Lauderdale than run Church of He next at tinued implacable. Burnet, rather England.' undertook, de- of Sir William the at- the risk of persecution in Scotland, now the suggestion Jones, his ' of the Reforma- termined, probably nothing loth for he was torney-general, History in his views and tion in for which Evelyn contributed essentially English sympa- j England,' thies to settle in England. He preached some materials. For a while he was hindered in researches in the Cotton Lau- with great and growing reputation in several his Library by London churches (EVELYN, 15 Nov. 1674), i derdale's influence and misrepresentation of and James's favour was offered a his object, but after the publication of the first through j he free access. This living he does not say where. Lauderdale, volume was granted pub- however, when he found that Burnet would lication, however, did not take place until not forsake Hamilton, induced the king to 1679, when, the country being in the throes prevent the appointment. He was shortly of the popish terror, the spirit in which the afterwards forbidden the court, ordered to work is written caused it to receive so en- leave London, and not to come within twenty thusiastic a welcome, that the thanks of both miles (twelve miles, according to the Parl. houses were given to him, with a request that Hist.} This last injunction, however, was he would complete the work. The second not enforced. In 1675, after having declined volume appeared in 1681, with equal ap- the of St. on it is said that the historical living Giles, Cripplegate, grounds plause ; portion creditable to his he was made was written in the of six weeks the feelings, chap- space ;

lain to the Rolls the Sir I third and last volume was in 1714 Chapel by master, published ; Harbottle court the of the in Grimstone, against influence, i abridgment whole work 1719. and retained that post for ten years, the lec- Burnet had influence over men of widely tureship to St. Clement's being shortly after- differing natures; it was at the period at wards added. which we have arrived that he had the credit The persecution which he suffered, and of the conversion, apparently genuine, of one which, as he fairly says, might have heated of the worst libertines of the court, Wilmot, a cooler and older man, now induced Burnet earl of Rochester, and of Miss Roberts, one to disclose what he knew of Lauderdale's of the mistresses of the king's ; former, whose unconstitutional designs, as they had been dying declaration is dated 16 June 1680 to him privately imparted when he was on (BLAKE, Miscell.}, he wrote an account. confidential terms with the duke. It has Burnet was intimately acquainted in 1678 been that assumed, quite unnecessarily, Bur- with the early stages of the popish terror, net had derived much of his information from and apparently drew upon himself the anger his an intimate wife, formerly friend of Lau- of Jones, Shaftesbury, and other violent anti- derdale. His revelations were soon turned popery men, as well as a false accusation of to account Lauderdale's by enemies, who, Lauderdale to the king, by the stand he when the earl was impeached, moved that made in defence of the first catholic victim Burnet should be examined a by committee of the 'plot.' Two years later, when the of the House of Commons. At his examina- exclusion bill was contested, he did his he he concealed as as tion, says, long possible best to bring the two parties to moderation. the private conversation, and told only what Whether or not from a desire to conciliate one had to himself and what had happened been so fearless, and who was trusted by Essex, said to him before but was others, finally Sunderland, Monmouth, and his brother, to tell all Hist. iv. compelled (Parl. 683). Charles now offered Burnet the bishopric of Those who dislike Burnet have naturally Chichester, provided, says his son, he would assumed that his hesitation was affected and entirely come in to the court interests. Fre- Burnet 399 Burnet quent meetings had taken place between them his intimate friendship to Russell, Essex, and at Chiffinch's, at which the king had freely Halifax. He had hopes that through ' ' expressed his belief that the plot was a the influence of Halifax, who remonstrated affair and from his own account Bur- with him on his and of got-up ; seclusion, Claren- net appears to have been sufficiently frank in don, that he might be appointed to the va- advice which he the to amend cant of the and the gave king mastership Temple ; he was his life. Probably the like of the letter which favourably received by the king. A condition, he addressed to the king on 29 Jan. 1680 however, appeared to be that he should aban- never passed between a simple clergyman don the society of his other friends, and this within reach of high preferment and a mo- he would not do. From Scotch affairs he to hear truths. aloof but the test of narch little accustomed plain kept ; when 1682 turned ' After saying that, though no enthusiast in out of their livings some eighty of the best of the opinion or temper/ he felt constrained to clergy, he was successful in obtaining write, he points out to the king the certain places for them in England, while writing for in favour of the failure of the plans hitherto suggested test itself, and removing extricating him from his difficulties, and then Hamilton's scruples on the subject. At the ' comes to the real point : There is one thing, same time he exerted himself, by intercession and indeed the only thing, which can easily with Halifax, and through him with the king, out of all troubles it is to save from the infamous extricate you your ; Argyll condemna- not the change of a minister or of a council, a tion which followed his refusal of the test. or a session of but This was the occasion for a new alliance, parliament ; reconciliation with it is a change in your own heart and in your Lauderdale. By Halifax he was a good deal course of life. And now, Sir, permit me to consulted during the ministerial changes of tell you that all the distrust your people have 1682. About the end of this year he was of you, all the necessities you now are under, offered a living of 300/. by Essex, on condi- all the of Heaven that is tion that he would reside in indignation upon j London, though in the of all 1 the was in the you, and appears defeating your parish country. It is, for that a counsels, flow from this, that you have not age, remarkable instance of his high feeling feared nor served God, but have given your- of professional duty that he refused it on such self up to so many sinful pleasures.' The rest terms. In 1683 took place the Rye House of the letter is in the same strain. Charles plot, which proved fat alto his two best friends, read it over twice, threw it into the fire, Essex and Russell. Burnet attended Russell for a while was but at his trial and in the and evidently annoyed ; prison, performed for from Burnet's reception a year later, when him the last offices on the scaffold, when Halifax, in close intimacy with whom he now Russell gave him his watch as a parting lived, took him again to the king, the affair present, and drew up for him the paper which seemed to have entirely dropped from his he left in his justification. He afterwards in mind. It is to be noticed that this year defended the course he had taken with spirit Burnet was thanked for his poems by the and success before the council (LoKD JOHN House of Commons the only notice of poems RUSSELL, Life of Russell, Appendix 8). Bur- of his that we possess (Hist. MSS. Comm. 3rd net now, finding himself silenced (Hist. MSS. Rep. 197). When the Earl of Stafford was Comm. 7th Rep. 498 b), thought it wise to leave condemned, he sent for Burnet. Declining England. He went to France in the beginning controversy on religion, he requested Burnet of September (ib. 289 a) with introductions to do what he could in the way of interces- from the French ambassador, Rouvigny, uncle sion, and Burnet appears to have done his to Lady Russell. Here he found himself in best, apparently thereby injuring himself still company with Algernon Sidney and Fletcher further with the supporters of the plot, as of Saltoun. He was treated with the highest well as with James, who suspected that Staf- consideration by Louis, who never failed to ford had accused him to Burnet. Like every try to secure the sympathies of leading men ' one else, he had an expedient,' which ex- in England, and he made the acquaintance cited some attention, for settling the exclu- of Schomberg, Conde (who, however, inti- sion question, viz. that a protector should be mated his intention of not accepting an- declared, and that Orange should be named other visit) (ib. 380 6), Bourdaloue, Pere-la- to the post. Chaise, Maimbourg, and other men distin- During the reaction of 1681 Burnet, find- guished in church and state, as well as with ing himself regarded with increasing suspi- the leading protestant clergy. After describ- cion and dislike, especially by James, went ing the extraordinary honours paid to Bur- into close retirement, occupied himself with net, and how he was caressed by people of philosophy, algebra, and chemistry, for which the best quality of both sexes that could he built himself a laboratory, and confined be, Lord Preston concludes his letter from Burnet 400 Burnet

Nantes. It is of the ' that no minister of the edict of significant Paris : I shall only add a tone of Burnet's mind that while at Geneva the hath had, that I hear of, such king's j

' ! his influence to in- 344 This roused, we are he successfully employed reception (tfc. a). to release their liveliest of duce the Genevan church told, still further the jealousy made from subscription to the James, who caused it to be so clearly clergy compulsory consensus that he in close commu- known to Louis how great were his dislike ; stayed j and that the French mo- I nion with Lutherans at Strasburg Frank- and suspicion of Burnet, and with Calvinists at Heidelberg. He narch thought it best to offer his excuses (ib. fort, at and in 1687 an able account of his 394 a). Burnet returned personal risk, published of his travels, in a series of letters to Robert Boyle, against the warnings friends, declaring in the first to the himselfconscious ofno crime. His movements directed naturally place his return as he of and were carefully watched, and upon exposure, says, popery tyranny. in order to be nearer came at the end of October he was dismissed by the He now, England, the St. Clement's lecture- to Utrecht, where he found an invitation royal mandate from 1684 was also from the Prince and Princess of Orange to ship, and in December deprived at the Rolls this was the reside at the Hague. He was at once taken of his chaplaincy ; the confidence of the who was result of a vehement sermon against popery into prince, of an so trusted his friends on 5 Nov. He preached for two hours amid glad agent by ' Save me from in and still more into that of the great applause from the text, England, lion's mouth thou hast heard me from Burnet "William to have his the ; princess. urged ' it well illustrates fleet in but not to move until the the horn of the unicorn ; readiness, was to the feverish state of people's minds that this cause sufficiently important justify choice of a text the lion and the unicorn him in all eyes. He was still more useful in to on her own mo- being the royal arms was represented as preparing Mary yield, and what he knew William pointing to the disaffection of the preacher tion, gracefully, all the would insist an that if (MACATJLAY). Burnet appears, from upon, engagement notices of his sermons, to have been a singu- their plans were successful she would place for all in his hands. Burnet declares larly effective preacher (see especially this, power EVELYN'S Diary for 15 Nov. 1674, 28 May solemnly that no one had moved him to do 1682, 9 March 1690, 6 Jan. 1692, and 25 March this, but he no doubt knew that it would be 1700). a service eminently valued by William. It During the last seven years his pen had was now tnat Burnet met William Penn the ' been active. In 1682 he published his Life quaker, of whom he gives so unfavourable a ' of Matthew Hale,' the History of the Rights character. Penn had come to try to secure of Princes in the Disposing of Ecclesiastical the prince's consent to the abolition of the Benefices and Church Lands,' as well as an Test Acts, and endeavoured to convert Bur- ' ' answer to the Animadversions upon this net to his views. The two men were perhaps work. In 1 683 he wrote several tracts against too similar in their unquestioning self-con- ' popery, and translated the Utopia,' and the fidence and controversial eagerness to like letter of the last general assembly of the one another. clergy of France to the protestants. The favour in which Burnet lived at the

the accession of . Upon James, Burnet, Hague aroused James's j ealousy He twice re- having no employment, and being refused ad- monstrated with William, and when D'Albe- mittance at court, obtained leave to go abroad. ville came over to treat with the prince, Avoiding Holland, on account of the number Burnet's dismissal was made a preliminary. of exiles living there, and the consequent William thought it better to comply, and, danger of being compromised by association though consulting him constantly, and em- with them, he went, upon promise of protec- ploying him to draw up the instructions for tion to Paris. There he lived in close inter- Dyckvelt, who was going on a mission to course with Lord in a Montague, house of his James, never again actually saw him until until own, August 1685, when Monmouth's a few days before setting sail for England. rebellion and the consequent troubles were So high had James's displeasure risen that, over. He then, in company with a French hearing that Burnet was about to make a rich ant made a protest officer, Stouppe, journey marriage in Holland, he set on foot against into At he Italy. Rome was treated with him a prosecution for high treason in Scot- distinction Innocent XI and by by Cardinals land, on the ground of former correspondence Howard and D'Estrees. He soon, however, with Argyll. Warned of this, Burnet wrote received a hint to and returned leave, through to Middleton on 20 May 1687, saying that the south of France and Switzerland. In he hoped James would not compel him to France he was a witness of the outburst defend himself, as he should in that case be of which followed the cruelty revocation of obliged to mention details which might cause Burnet 401 Burnet

his he informed him of Exeter he was entrusted with the of majesty annoyance ; duty his approaching marriage, and also that he preventing violence by the soldiers on the his naturalisation as a Dutch road and he drew the had secured ; up engagement which subject (Burnet Tracts, Brit. Mus. 699, f. 6). was signed by all the noblemen who came In his second letter, dated 27 May, the cita- in. A curious instance of his want of deli- tion having now been received, he insists cacy, when at Salisbury Cathedral, is quoted upon reparation being made him, and offers from Clarendon's Diary by Macaulay (His- a fortnight's delay before printing his own tory, i. 297). Letters are extant in manu- will from to justification, which he again intimates script him Admiral Herbert, full of give James no cause for satisfaction. The interesting details, written during the march citation had declared that he had had cor- to London (Egerton MSS. 2621, Brit. Mus.) respondence, treasonably, with Argyll during When Halifax came with the commissioners 1682-5, and with Ferguson, Stuart, and from James to treat with William, Burnet others during 1685-7. urged that the king should be allowed to The expressions of his first letter angered leave the kingdom, and when he was detained James so much that he set on foot another at Feversham expressed his vexation at the prosecution on the strength of them. Burnet blunder, and advised William at once to take was outlawed, and D'Albeville was instructed steps for securing his good treatment. He to demand his surrender, which the States, describes these two events himself in letters of course, after examination, refused. In a written on 9 Dec. and Christmas day. He third letter of 17 June he explains the phrases was most useful, too, in securing indulgence objected to. It is at this time that Burnet for the papists and Jacobites in London, thus says he received trustworthy information of avoiding the danger of a reaction founded on after- a plot for his murder (ib.) He shortly a charge of oppression of Englishmen. His wards married his second wife, Mary Scott, political wisdom was shown in his consistent a wealthy Dutch lady of Scotch extraction. opposition to Halifax's proposal that the crown She seems to have been exceptionally accom- should be given to the prince without regard plished and beautiful. An autograph prayer to Mary, and his watchfulness warded off all on the occasion of his marriage, dated 25 May attempts to cause a difference between them. 1687, is extant in manuscript (Hist. MSS. It was probably during these months that he Comm. 9th Rep. 460 a). To his firstborn published a vigorous and useful pamphlet on child the prince and princess stood sponsors on the question whether the country was bound 2 April 1688 (ib. 5th Rep. 319). He had mean- to treat with James or call him back. while written, among many other pamphlets, On 23 Dec. he preached at St. James's on l a severe and acrimonious reply to Parker's the text It is the Lord's doing and it is ' book on the Reasons for abrogating the Test marvellous in our eyes/ and on 1 Feb. was Act.' He savs of it: 'It was thought that it thanked by the House of Commons for the ' ' helped to put an end to the life of the worst- Thanksgiving Sermon of 31 Jan. (Burnet tempered man I ever knew.' Tracts, 699, f. 2) . Burnet was soon rewarded Burnet was kept fully aware of all Wil- by the bishopric of Salisbury. He had pre- liam's preparations. He gave an early inti- viously refused that of Durham, as the con- mation to the Princess Sophia, and was acute ditions were that Crew, who then held it, enough to do this without William's previous should resign and receive 1,0001. a year during

j knowledge, to his great satisfaction. At the ! life from the revenue. It is stated, more- same time he was in the full confidence of over, that when Salisbury fell vacant Bur- the revolution party in England. He was net asked that it might be given to Lloyd. responsible for the text of William's decla- Sancroft refused to consecrate him, but was ration; and with regard to Scotland he in- prevailed upon to grant a commission for the duced him to alter the passage in which he purpose to the bishops of the province. Bur- had by implication, upon the urgency of the net's presence in the House of Lords was of Scotch exiles, declared for presbyterianism. immediate service, for the questions of tolera- On 5 Nov. he landed with William at Torbay, tion, of comprehension, and of the oaths came this place being selected at the last moment on at once. On the third of these points he instead of Exmouth, at his suggestion (Eger- spoke for the clergy, but acquiesced in the ton MSS. 2621, Brit. Mus.) There is extant, imposition when he found that they were ' in Burnet's handwriting, his Meditation on busily opposing the crown. His pastoral my Voyage for England, intending it for letter to his clergy, in which he urged them my last words in case this expedition should to take the oaths, was afterwards ordered prove either unsuccessful in general or fatal to be burnt by the hangman, on account of ' to myself in my own particular (Hist. MSS. a claim on William's behalf to the crown Comm. 9th Rep. 460 a). On the march to by right of conquest, and because Burnet VOL. VII. D D Burnet 402 Burnet

at in close attendance declared that the clergy ought to acquiesce was, express desire,

was ! on the For his various and in the possession even when the title queen. political the last three visibly and indefensibly bad. He zealously ! polemical writings during see the to the Clarendon Press advocated toleration, and on the question of years, appendix the edition of his i The most comprehension argued successfully against History.' important the ec- was the letter above mentioned. On proposed mixed committee for revising pastoral the death of he wrote his on her clesiastical constitution, though he afterwards Mary essay all other character. her life she had had the en- changed his opinion on this point. On During matters. her matters he was on the moderate side, and op- tire control of church At death the Sa- a commission was for all posed the enforcement of kneeling at appointed questions crament and of the use of the cross in baptism of preferment. Burnet was placed upon this, He was the author of a clause in the Bill of and, when a similar commission was named in he was included in it. Rights absolving subjects from their allegiance 1700, again succeeded Burnet has been accused of undue if a papist, or one married to a papist, eager- to the crown. He was chosen by William to ness to serve William's wishes, and his pro- motion of the bill of attainder in Fenwick's propose in the House of Lords the naming of the Duchess of Hanover and her posterity case is especially cited. It appears to have when the succession been a from him which the to the succession ; and, speech gained small for the and his actually took place, in 1701, he was named majority bill, own justi- the bill fication of it is in an tone chairman of the committee to whom evidently apologetic ; was referred. This was the beginning of a cor- this was in 1697. In 1698 his wife died of respondence with that princess which lasted small-pox, and in a few months he married till her death. We find one of his descendants his third wife [see BTJKNET, ELIZABETH]. in 1729 mentioning the medals, gilt tea service By her he had no children. In 1698 also he and table plate, which had been presented to was appointed governor to the young Prince him by the princess (Add. MS. 11404, Brit. of Gloucester. He states that he accepted this Mus.) It was in the summer of this year, charge unwillingly, as he did not receive the 1689, that the well-known picture by Kneller same confidence from William as of old, for the

was VELYN 9 June 1 . had indeed resented painted (E , 689) He was king more than once his chosen in April to preach the coronation ser- occasionally intrusive lectures. His son re- mon, which, with that upon 5 Nov. before the lates that when, in consequence of the king's House of Lords, and that of Christmas day urgency, he assented, he asked leave to resign before the king and queen, was ordered to his bishopric as inconsistent with the employ- ' be printed. His Exhortation to Peace and ment, and only retained it on condition that ' Union was published on 29 Nov. (Burnet the prince should reside at Windsor, which Tracts, Brit. Mus.) Burnet was naturally was in his diocese, during the summer, and much consulted by William regarding the that ten weeks should be allowed him for Scotch is church, and probably responsible visiting the other parts of his diocese. In he himself intimates for 1699 (indeed, this) the (MACAFLAT, iii. 230) he was appointed letter in which the to attend Peter the Great and king promised protection ; he leaves to the bishops on their good behaviour, joined a character of that monarch which later ac- with full toleration of the presbyterians, counts prove to be remarkably true. In this he himself declared in 1688 though that he year, too, he published his 'Exposition of did not meddle with Scotch affairs. In the the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of subsequent negotiations he was, however, England,' a laborious work, over which he shut out the of the by jealousy presbyterians had spent five years. It was received with from further he did influence, though his best applause, except by Atterbury, who wrote for the His action was dictated bishops. by against it, and by the high-church lower his desire to further an prevailing accommoda- house of convocation, by whom it was cen- tion between the and sured in Anglican presbyterian the turbulent meeting of 1701, on churches (MACATJLAY, iv. 10). On 13 Sept. bhe grounds that it tended to foster the 1689 he was very placed on the commission for Latitude which the articles were intended to comprehension. On the occasion of the Mont- ivoid that it contained ; many passages con- Burnet was gomery conspiracy, able, by in- to their true and that it trary meaning ; was formation which reached him anonymously, dangerous to the church of England. The to cause its He miscarriage. soothed Wil- upper house, however, refused to admit the liam's feelings when the commons on the jealously censure, grounds that it consisted only granted the revenue for five years only. He of generalities, and also that the power of urged the of the adoption Abjuration Bill, lensure against a bishop did not to the which the belong king wisely allowed to drop. .ower house. After the frequent adjournments During latter's absence in Ireland Burnet the matter fell through. The dispute gave Burnet 403 Burnet

rise to a fierce discussion as to whether the house of Bourbon to retain possession of archbishop might adjourn the houses by his Spain and the West Indies. sole authority (Convocation Tracts, Brit. Burnet's episcopate stands alone in that Mus.) The reason which caused its publica- age as a record of able and conscientious tion at that time was, Burnet states, the in- government. A detailed account of it would crease of this also induced be but a of what his son has popery ; danger repetition writ- him, in. spite of his general toleration prin- ten. He did his best by careful examination to ciples, to vote for the severe act of that year secure a learned and competent clergy, against papists. and stood out against admitting unqualified Burnet relates that in 1699 an nominees to war attempt livings ; waged against plu- in the to turn ralities established a school at Salis- was made commons him ; divinity out of his tutorship of the Duke of Glou- bury. He was tolerant both to nonjurors cester, and that an address was moved for and to presbyterians to a degree which roused his but that it was lost a the of all extreme men and his ha- removal, by large anger ; majority (MACAULAY, iv. 517). It should be bitual generosity was shown by his enter- noticed that, according to Ralph, the bishop tainment at his own charge of all the clergy spent the whole of the salary which he re- who waited upon him at his visitations. The ceived from this office, 1,500/., in private most lasting work, however, which he in- charity. augurated was the provision for the augmen- In the debate on the bill for vesting the tation of livings, generally known as Queen confiscated Irish estates in trustees, Burnet, Anne's Bounty. He was anxious that the in 1700, took the side opposed to the court church should be better represented in the (though he afterwards changed his opinion), market towns, and for this purpose he set on and thereby aroused William's displeasure. In foot a scheme (after the miscarriage of a this year his pupil died, and on 8 March design on a smaller scale in his own diocese) 1702 he, with Archbishop Tenison, attended applicable to the whole kingdom. In two William himself on his deathbed. He ap- memorials, dated January 1696 and December pears after this to have paid court somewhat 1697, Burnet proposed to the king that the obsequiously to the Marlborough faction. first-fruits and tenths, which had been granted He wrote an elegy on William's death. In away by Charles II in pensions to his mis- 1703 he strongly opposed the bill against tresses and natural children, should be ap- occasional conformity. I was moved,' he plied to the increase of poor livings. The said, 'never to be silent when toleration plan met with opposition sufficient to obstruct should be into debate for I have it until William's but Burnet lived brought ; death, long looked on liberty of conscience as one to see it become law in 170-4. It is worthy of the rights of human nature, antecedent to of notice that in the memorials mentioned society, which no man could give up, because above Burnet suggests the plan as a good one it was not in his own power.' His speech, for gaining the support of the clergy in view which is extant, and which is studiously mo- of coming elections. Burnet's influence in the derate and very able, formed the subject of a House of Lords seems to have been consider- bitter and able attack from Atterbury, who able, but it was probably more from his re- affected to vindicate him from the libel of presentative character than from his oratory. being the author of it (Burnet Tracts, Brit. This, if we may judge from, the speech against Mus.) It appears, however, from the speech, concluding a separate peace with France in that, although not willing that nonconformists 1713, which he has himself carefully pre- should be fined, or that foreign churches served, and which may therefore be considered .should be included in the disabling acts, Bur- a favourable specimen, was pedantic and net was perfectly willing that no non-com- heavy. His speeches in 1703 and 1710 upon municants should be capable of bearing of- the Occasional Conformity Act and the Sache- fice. Whether he opposed the bill on its verell impeachment have also been published. ' passage through the lords in 1711 does not Burnet's most important work, the His- appear. In 1709 he spoke against the bill tory of his own Time,' was not published establishing forfeitures in Scotland in cases until after his death, the first volume in 1723, of treason, and in favour of the general the second in 1734, though there is a receipt naturalisation of all protestants. In 1710 for 25s., being half the price of the second he was attacked by Sacheverell, and spoke volume, dated in June 1733. It has been, against him in the debate on his case in the naturally enough, the subject of violent attack Lords. He remonstrated openly with Anne on the score of inaccuracy and prejudice. ' upon her supposed intention of bringing in On its first appearance we hear that no one ' the Pretender, and in 1711 spoke his mind speaks well of it (Hist. MSS. Comm. 7th to her against a peace which allowed the Rep. 512), and individuals whose conduct D D 2 Burnet 404 Burnet

in the the heart conceived the tongue seemed com- was censured expressed themselves of this we to utter or the to write. We can bitterest terms. As an instance pelled pen * well understand Lord Hailes's that the Earl of Aylesbury : He wrote impression may quote ' as to own he was a man of the most surprising im- like a lying knave, and, my par- the for ; that can be imagined' (ib. 532). ticular, the editors deserved pillory, prudence ' a and a man of what relates to me is all false as hell (Eger- Essentially politician action, he was the most as he was the ton MSS. 2621, Brit. Mus.) Actually, how- pastoral, ablest, of his unostentatious in his views of the day ; ever, leaving out of account perhaps prelates his own life and considerate of others, he was as to the legitimate birth of James's son, illustra- in labour as in His nothing could be a more admirable unsparing charity. open- in a let- tion of the candour of his mind and handediiess is expressed contemporary general ' : hath about his full and accurate information. That ter thus He always ready money of ' from the circum- him to what is anywhere due (ib. 7th portion where, peculiar pay have 505 ' He was not one to create a set stances, he might not inexcusably given Rep. 5). to his and of or ecclesiastical forces whoso in- a partisan colouring narrative, spiritual would have fluence remains for He where injustice and inaccuracy unspent generations. is rather the child of his own the em- been extremely difficult to expose, the was age, Scottish affairs in bodiment of some tendencies which were then portion that treats upon examination of into ' the reign of Charles II. An emerging importance (Jubilee Lectures, the Lauderdale MSS. in the British Museum, ii. 5; cf. MACATJLAY, ii. 11). It must, of however, enables it to be affirmed that the course, be borne in mind that the two chief au- is not on the character of Burnet are accuracy of this portion remarkable thorities likely as to be himself and his son. There only as regards actual facts, but even partial, are he either of to be regards the character of men whom plenty descriptions found, depicting vehemently admired or as vehemently dis- him in the darkest colours, but they are too liked and 'opposed. To literary style or to much coloured by political dislike and too eloquence Burnet has no pretensions, nor is slightly illustrated by facts to be worth re- there even the slightest appearance of an at- cording. One, perhaps, by a man who knew at his are often him be as it is tempt style ; epithets clumsy, well, may given here, newly ' and his constructions ungainly. From this discovered : he was zealous for the truth, but ' the most admirable con- in it turned it into a he criticism, however, telling always lye ; ' clusion must be excepted. This gives Bur- was bent to do good, but fated to mistake evil net at his best the are ma- for it' MSS. 5th very ; thoughts (Hist. Comm. Rep. 355). tured and noble, and the diction is elevated Burnet died on 7 March 1715 of a violent and impressive. The whole work has been cold, which turned to a pleuritic fever. He was subject to the acrimonious criticism of Dart- buried in the parish church of St. James, Cler- mouth and the pungent satire of Swift, to kenwell, having resided at St. John's Court in whom he was especially obnoxious, and who that parish during the last few years of his life. is no doubt the author of a satirical epitaph By his second wife Burnet had seven

him . MSS. Comm. 4th (Hist 468 ; three sons and four two upon Rep. ) children, daughters ; but while the former of who these, frequently of the latter, Mary and Elizabeth, survived accuses him of deliberate falsehood through him, as did his three sons, William, Gilbert, 6th 245 party feeling (e.y. Rep. note), has now and Thomas, the youngest of whom, Thomas, and hit undoubted the value again blots, of the became his biographer SIR ' ' [see BURNET, History of his own Time as a candid narra- THOMAS.] tive and an invaluable work of reference has WILLIAM was educated at Trinity College, risen as into ori- continually investigations Cambridge, and Leyden. He had a post in materials have ginal proceeded. the revenue, but lost money in the South Sea The historical interest of Burnet 's cha- scheme, and obtained the governorship of New racter lies in the fact that from his entrance York and New Jersey. In 1728 he was trans- life as a mere he was the upon public boy ferred, against his will, to Massachusetts and consistent of broad church representative New Hampshire. He quarrelled with the as- views both in and doctrine. politics Except sembly, who refused a fixed salary and tried in the or two three instances his to make it mentioned, up for by a fee on ships leaving voice was ever for toleration, and his practice Boston, but this was disallowed at home. in his diocese was still more so. died emphatically He of a fever 7 Sept. 1729. He married He was a man and robust a perfectly healthy daughter of Dean Stanhope. in and in mind a body ; meddler, and no yet GILBERT, educated at Leyden and Merton,. a lover of ' intriguer ; secrets, which he was contributed to Hibernicus' a Dublin of Letters,' incapable keeping; a vigorous ' polemist, periodical (1725-7), and to Philips's Free- but without either spite or whatever guile ; thinker.' He supported Hoadly in the Ban- Burnet 405 Burnet

' gorian controversy. He was appointed chap- Court of Rome/ 1682. 15. History of the lain to the king in 1718, and in 1719 published Rights of Princes in the Disposing of Eccle- an abridgment of the third volume of his siastical Benefices, &c.,' 1682. 16. 'Life and ' ' father's History of the Eeformation.' Death of Sir Matthew Hale,' 1682. 17. Life ' His robust, hearty, and vivacious nature of Bishop Bedell,' 1685. 18. Some Letters was singularly reflected in his personal ap- containing an account of what seemed most pearance. On this point at least, though remarkable in Switzerland, Italy, &c., written probably in no other, Dryden may be accepted by G. B. to T[he] Honourable] R[obert] as a fair witness when he describes him thus B[oyle], to which is annexed an answer to ' ' (Hind and Panther, 1. 2435) : Varelles' History of Heresies (in defence of the ' A portly prince, and goodly to the sight, History of the Reformation '), 1687. ' He seemed a son of Anak for his height, Afterwards as Travels.' 19. Six papers Like those whom stature did to crowns prefer, (containing an argument against repealing Black-browed and like Homer's bluff, Jupiter ; the Test Act, the citation of G. Burnet to Broad-backed and built for love's brawny, delight, answer ... for high treason, and other tracts A formed to make a female prophet proselyte. on the politics of the time), 1687. 20. A This description is fully borne out by the well- collection of eighteen papers, written during ' known portrait by Lely. the reign of James II, 1689. 21. A Dis- ' A full list of Burnet's works is given in course of the Pastoral Care,' 1692. 22. Four the Clarendon Press edition of his ' Own Discourses to the Clergy of the Diocese of ' ' Times (1823), vi. 331-52. A full list is also Salisbury,' 1694. 23. Essay on the Memory ' given in Lowndes, together with the titles of of Queen' Mary,' 1695. 24. Exposition of many other tracts relating to the various the Thirty-nine Articles,' 1699. 25. 'Ex- controversies. Burnet published nearly sixty position of the Church Catechism/ 1710. ' sermons, thirty of which are in 'A Collection 26. Speech on the Impeachment of Sache- of Tracts and Discourses' (1704), and sixteen verell/ 1710. 27. Four letters between Bur- ' in a volume published in 1713. His principal net and Henry Dodwell, 1713. 28. History l works are as follows: 1. Discourse on Sir of his own Times/ vol. i. 1723, vol. ii. 1734. Robert Fletcher of Saltoun/ 1665. 2. ' Con- The Clarendon Press edition, 1823 and 1833, ference between a Conformist and a Noncon- was superintended by Dr. Routh. A rough l is in formist, in seven dialogues,' 1669. 3. A draft, with important variations, the ' Resolution of Two Important Cases of Con- Harleian MSS. No. 6584. Ranke, in his His- ' science (said to be written about 1671, printed tory of England' (Engl. TransL vi. 73-85), ' in Macky's Memoirs.' This is the paper erro- has noted the chief differences between this neously attributed to Burnet upon the pro- manuscript and the ordinary text. He sets a version. posed divorce of Charles II). 4. 'Vindication very high value on the earlier of the ... of Church and State of Authority [Considering the importance of Burnet's career 1673. 5. ' The of Scotland,' Mystery Iniquity and the strongly marked features of his character, Unveiled . . .' (against Romanism), 1673. the authorities on the subject are very limited. 6. ' Rome's or a Collection of divers The chief of the his son Glory ; are, course, Biography by his His- Miracles wrought by Popish Saints,' 1673. affixed to the Clarendon Press edition of ' will 7. Relation of a Conference held about Re- tory, and the History itself. Both be read with not with The ligion, by E. Stillingfleet and G. Burnet with caution, though suspicion. and of the some Gentlemen of the Church of Rome,' remarkable honesty accuracy History are established the Lauderdale which 1676. 8. 'Memoires of ... James and by MSS., also contain many notices of Burnet personally. "William, dukes of Hamilton,' 1676. 9. 'Vin- ! The Letters to Herbert in the MSS. are dication of the Ordinations of the of Egerton Church \ of service for the of the invasion, 1677. 10. ' Two Letters the great period England, upon the notices in the Historical Commission ' while Discovery of the late Plot,' 1678. 11. History in Pres- Reports, especially those contained Lord of the vol. i. vol. ii. Reformation,' 1679, 1681, ton's Letters from Paris, are numerous and in- vol. iii. 1714. The best edited the 0. A. edition, by teresting.] Rev. N. Pocock, was published by the Claren- M. land- don Press in 1865. An abridgment by the BURNET, JAMES (1788-1816), Burnet author appeared in 1682 and 1719. 12. 'Some scape-painter, brother of John [q. v.], born in 1788 at Passages in the Life and Death of John painter and line-engraver, was ah fondness for Wilmot, Earl of Rochester,' 1680 (reprinted Musselburgh, and showed early * with a wood- in Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical Biography,' painting. He was first placed ' other of vol. vi.) 13. Infallibility of the Roman carver, but found opportunities study ' In 1810 Church . . . confuted,' 1680. 14. 'News at Graham's Evening Academy.' there found his from France : a Relation of the present Dif- he came to London. He ference between the French King and the elder brother at work upon an engraving of Burnet 406 Burnet

his first which was Wilkie's 'Blind Fiddler.' Delighted with undertook large plate, ' ' led to the Dutch after The Jew's the first that painting, he was study Harp by Wilkie, dis- that artist which was school, of which he became an ardent picture by engraved. did not the In his small he followed the ciple. He join Academy schools, early plates at of James and in l The Jew's but worked directly from nature. Living style Heath, ' that of Le Bas. The latter Chelsea, he found his subjects in what then Harp brought ' ' him the of William the were the pasture lands of Battersea and acquaintance Sharp, Fulham. In 1812 he first exhibited at the celebrated historical engraver, and its suc- * : led the of the first Royal Academy, his work being Evening cess to publication others, ' Blind for Cattle returning home.' Later he contributed of which was The Fiddler,' which ' 4 he to the of Midday,' and 'The Return in the Evening preferred adopt larger style ' ' Cornelius Visscher. In of the (1813), Early Morning,' and The Plough- consequence ' ' Wilkie Sir man returning home (1814). Crossing the disapproval of and George Beau- ' ' to be retouched after Brook,' Breaking the Ice/ and Milking- mont, the plate had the ' of his works all of had been struck so that there are time were others ; pictures proofs off, two sets of to this high promise. He was of delicate health. In proofs engraving. The consequence of an attack of consumption he first has, among other differences, the hat of removed from Chelsea to Lee, Kent, and there the boy with the bellows in a single line. died in 1816. He was buried in Lewisham This plate becoming popular, a companion The Politicians was churchyard. Burnet was a painter from whom (' Village ') proposed, much might have been hoped. His work was but, owing to a dispute as to terms, it was based upon a loving study of nature and a executed by Raimbach instead of Burnet. ' reverent attention to the masterpieces of Subsequently he engraved after Wilkie The ' ' Dutch art. He had a true feeling for the Reading of the Will,' The Chelsea Pen- rural and his were rich sioners the Gazette of the Battle of picturesque ; pictures reading ' ' and brilliant in colour, luminous and powerful Waterloo/ The Rabbit on the Wall,' The ' in effect.' Letter of Introduction/ Sir David Baird the Diet, of Painters Diet, discovering Body of Tippoo Saib/ and [Bryan's ; Redgrave's 'The School.' After the of of Artists of Engl. School.] E. R. Village peace 1813, when the Louvre was stored with master- BURNET, JOHN (1784-1868), painter pieces brought from all parts of Europe, and was born at near engraver, Musselburgh, Burnet took the opportunity of visiting Paris, on 20 March and Edinburgh, 1784, was the and remained there for five months, copying son of and Anne Burnet. father George His and studying. Shortly afterwards he en- was of excise for surveyor-general Scotland. graved several plates for Foster's 'British After instruction from ' receiving Mr. Leesh- Gallery/ of which The Letter-writer/ after the master of Sir Walter man, Scott, he was Metzu, and 'The Salutation/ after Rem- to Robert the apprenticed Scott, landscape- brandt, are thought the best. He then joined and father of two well-known ar- engraver, an association of engravers who (with Mr. the late David and William Bell tists, Scott, Sheepshanks's aid) brought out a series of still He at the Scott, (1886) living. same engravings from pictures in the National time studied at the Trustees' Aca- painting Gallery. Burnet's plates were all from Rem- demy, where he was the of David ' ' fellow-pupil brandtthe Jew/ the Nativity/ and the Wilkie and William Sir Wil- ' ' (afterwards Crucifixion.' He also engraved The Battle under John Graham. liam) Allan, He served of Waterloo/ after Atkinson, and the same his full to apprenticeship (seven years) Scott, subject after Devis, as well as some of his and worked and but his double ' early late, own pictures. Among the latter were The study of and was painting engraving thought Draught-players/ 'Feeding the Young Bird/ himself to have ' ' by cramped his power in The Escape of the Mouse/ Christmas both. ' In 1806 he sailed to London in ' a Eve/ The Valentine/ and The Greenwich Leith where smack, he arrived with only a Pensioners.' few in his and an shillings pocket, impres- As a painter Burnet is best known by his sion from of ' one his for Cook's No- ' plates largest and most important work, The Green- velist.' There he was received wich warmly by Pensioners/ which was painted for the Wilkie, who had preceded him a by year, Duke of Wellington as a companion to and, having already made his mark" ' The ' by Wilkie's Chelsea Pensioners/ and was exhi- Village Pol it was then ' icians/ engaged on The bited at the British Institution in 1837 under Blind Fiddler.' After ' working for some years the title of Greenwich and Naval at small for the Hospital plates 'Novelist,' Britton and Heroes.' At the ' Royal Academy he exhi- Brayley's England and Wales,' Mrs. Inch- bited 'The ' Draught-players' (1808), 'The bald's British ' Theatre,' &c., he (in Humourous ' 1810) Ballad (1818), and A Windy Burnet 407 Burnet

.' To the British Institution he Day (1823). BURNET, MARGARET (1630 P-1685 ?), was a more constant contributor. In such the first wife of Gilbert Burnet, afterwards as those Burnet genre subjects mentioned bishop of Salisbury, was the eldest daugh- showed some humour in the manner of ter of John Kennedy, sixth earl of Cassilis, Wilkie, but his most frequent subjects were, by his first wife, Lady Jean Hamilton. She like those of his brother James land- inherited [q. v.], from him his remarkable strength scapes with cattle. He was a sound anc and tenacity of character, as well as the in- careful painter, but of little originality. flexible fidelity to presbyterianism for which devoted time to the Burnet some improve- he was so well known. She was daring ment of mechanical processes of engraving, in the expression of her opinions, and her with a view to the cheap reproduction oJ letters are full of a shrewd and masculine of art. works He produced some engravings wit. She was reputed, too, to be possessed of at of Raphael's cartoons a low cost, but they considerable scholarship. It is related, had not much success. The Sheepshanks Col- in illustration of her boldness, that on one l lection contains two of his paintings, Cows occasion during the Commonwealth, while Drinking' (1817), and 'The Fishmarket at standing at an open window, she reviled some Hastings.' of Cromwell's soldiers as murderers of their In 1836 Burnet gave valuable evidence king. The soldiers threatened to fire upon before the select committee of the commons her if she did not desist, and upon her con- on arts and manufactures, and as a writer on tinuing actually did so, though the bullets art he achieved and still maintains a deserved did not strike her. After the Restoration reputation. His thorough knowledge of his she was distinguished as the steady and un- profession, both as engraver and painter, and compromising friend of broad and liberal his sound and sober judgment, give his writ- presbyterianism. She refused to attend the ings a value often wanting to those of more episcopal church so long as the persecution of brilliant authors. The following is a list of presbyterian ministers during Rothes's com- his most books: 1. ; Practical continued and she important missionership ; was on ' Hints on Composition,' 1822. 2. Practical terms of the closest intimacy with Lauder- * Hints on Light and Shade,' 1826. 3. Prac- dale, Robert Moray, and the other favourers tical at Hints on Colour,' 1827. These were that time of the conciliation policy, in ' published together as A Practical Treatise which she greatly assisted. To Lauderdale ' on Painting,' in three parts, 1827. 4. An she continually gave most valuable informa- Essay on the Education of the Eye,' 1837. tion on the state of the country and the This was added to and published with the plans of his enemies (Bannatyne Club Pub- ' previous three as A Treatise on Painting,' lications}. So close was the friendship be- ' in four parts. 5. Discourses of Sir Joshua tween her, Lauderdale, and Moray, that in i Reynolds,' annotated, 1844. 6. Letters on the letters which passed between the latter ' ' Landscape-painting in Oil,' 1848. 7. Prac- two she is usually spoken of as our wife,' or t tical Essays on various branches of the Fine as one of our wives,' the other being the Arts, and an Enquiry into the Practice and Duchess of Hamilton, her cousin, with whom of the late Sir David she resided Principles Wilkie, frequently (Lauderdale MS8. 9 ' R. A.,' 1848. 8. Rembrandt and his Works,' British Museum). The charge that she car- < 1849. 9. Hints on Portrait-painting,' 1850. ried on a criminal intrigue with Lauderdale 10. < ' Turner and his Works, 1852. 11. Pro- (MACKENZIE, Memoirs, p. 165) has, however, gress of a Painter in the Nineteenth Cen- no evidence to sustain it, and the tone of her tury,' 1854. Burnet illustrated with etchings Letters to him, as well as of those between most of these works, of which the four parts lim and Moray, is altogether contrary to ' ' of the Treatise on Painting contain 130. such a supposition. In 1670 or 1671, when This treatise has passed through numerous well stricken in years,' she married Gilbert editions. Several of his other works have Burnet, who was considerably her junior, also been republished. and who on the day before the marriage, in Burnet was elected a fellow of the Royal order that it should not be said that he mar- Society, and in 1860, at the recommendation ried for her money, delivered to her a deed of Lord Palmerston, he received a pension "n which he renounced all pretension to her from the civil list and retired to Stoke New- fortune, which was very considerable (BtrE- ington, where he died at his house in Victoria NET, History of his own Times, Clarendon f Road on 29 April 1868, aged 84. Press, 1833, vi. 263). The marriage was con- of summated in a clandestine an order ^[Eedgrave's Diet, Artists, 1878; Bryan's way by Diet, of Painters and from of to Mr. Engravers (Graves) ; Pye's Young, bishop Edinburgh, of British Athense June Patrick and that before two of Patronage Art; urn, 1868 ; Grahame, only Art Journal, 1850, 1868.] C. M. Mr. Grahame's servants, and was three years Burnet 408 Burnet

ex medicorum ob- before it was known. Upon the publish- ticse proestantissimorum servationibus London, 1672, 4to. ing of it she retired to Edinburgh, condoling collectus,' Other editions are viz. her own case and her present misfortunes' given, London, 1673, is MACKEN- 1697, 1698, 12mo, edited (LAW'S Memorials}. It asserted ( 3685; Geneva, by to Dan. Puerarius 'Thesauri Me- ZIE, 315) that she expected Lauderdale (two vols.~) p. 12mo. marry her on the death of his first wife, and dicinse practice breviarium, Edin.1703, < that at her disappointment Hippocrates Contractus,' s. 1. (Edin. ?) 1685, 'through anger 12mo she induced Burnet to join the attack upon 12mo; London, 1686, ; Venice, 1733, of 8vo It him when impeached by the House Com- 1737, 1751, ; Strasburg, 1765, 8yo. found to the mons, and to disclose facts and conversations has not been possible verify of all the above-named editions. which might help to ruin him. For this existence also it is to find evi- charge impossible any [Historical Sketch of the Royal College of dence of the and Burnet him- of 1 882 Life of worthy name, Physicians Edinburgh, ; Bishop self accounts for his knowledge and action in Gilbert Burnet (by his son) in his History of his on different The Times Burnet's J. F. P. the matter totally grounds. own ; Works.] date of her death is uncertain, but it must have been before 1686, as we find that in that BURNET, THOMAS (1636 P-1716), master of the was born about year Burnet was reported as being about to Charterhouse, in educated at the marry a second time (History of his oion 1635, at Croft Yorkshire, of under Times, vi. 284). free school Northallerton, Thomas Smelt, who held him up as a model to later [Authorities cited above.] 0. A. pupils, and admitted at Clare Hall, Cam- June as a of Tillot- BURNET, SIR THOMAS (1682P-1715P), bridge (26 1651) pupil in physician, was son of Robert Burnet, lawyer son. When Cudworth, 1654, gave up and advocate of Edinburgh, and was thus the mastership of Clare Hall for that of brother of Gilbert Burnet, bishop of Salisbury Christ's College, Burnet followed him. He of Christ's in [q. v.] He must have been born between 1630 became fellow 1657, M.A. in and 1640 (the date 1632 is given in Billings's 1658, and was proctor in 1661. He travelled 'Catalogue of Surgeon-General's Library, with Lord Wiltshire, son of the Marquis of U.S./ but on what authority does not ap- Winchester, and afterwards (1689) Duke of pear). He studied and graduated in medicine Bolton, and with Lord Orrery, grandson of at Montpellier, being already M.A., and the the first Duke of Ormonde. The influence of theses which he defended for his degree on the Duke of Ormonde, one of the governors, 26-28 Aug. 1659 show that his medical know- secured his appointment in 1 685 to the master- ledge was mainly based upon Galen and Hip- ship of the Charterhouse, in spite of com- ' pocrates. He returned to Edinburgh and prac- plaints that, though in orders, he wore a lay tised there. Burnet is named in the original habit.' He took part in the resistance offered 'j charter of the Royal College of Physicians of to James II's attempt to make a Roman ca-

Edinburgh, granted in 1681, as a fellow. He ; tholic, Andrew Popham, pensioner of the was to physician Charles II, and apparently to Charterhouse. At two meetings held by the his successor also to Anne. ; certainly Queen governors 17 Jan. and Midsummer day 1687, He was knighted some time before 1691, and the king's letters of dispensation were pro- it is in 1715. 1 died, stated, His son, Thomas duced, but, in spite of the efforts of Jeffreys, M.D. at Burnet, graduated Leyden in 1691. one of the governors, the majority refused Burnet was an eminent physician in his day, compliance. After the revolution Burnet and his was all reputation spread over Europe became chaplain in ordinary and clerk of the * by his books, especially by the Thesaurus closet to William, and Oldmixon asserts which was often Medicinae,' very reprinted, (History, i. 95) that he was thought of as the and was a useful of evidently compendium successor of his friend Tillotson in the pri- the of the time. knowledge An abridgment macy, but passed over because the bishops was published by the author himself in 1703. doubted his He afterwards lived ' ' orthodoxy. His Contractus is Hippocrates an abridg- quietly in the Charterhouse, where he died on ment in Latin of the most works important 27 Sept. 1715, and was buried in the chapel. ' of He wrote : Hippocrates. Currus la- His will was printed by Curll. Buruet is trikus triumphalis, &c. ... ad Apollina- known as the author of some books of con- ' rem laudem for ob- siderable consequendam (theses eloquence, and interesting for their a 4to taining license), Montpel. 1659, ; and treatment of which have since been ' questions Qusestiones quatuor cardinales pro discussed and of science. 1 suprema by theologians men Apollinari daphne ibid. in his < ' consequenda, 1659, Warton, Essay on (i. 4to Pope 115, 266), (for doctor's degree). They are in Brit. thinks that he combined an ' imagination Mus. Thesaurus Medicime Library. prac- nearly equal to Milton's with solid powers Burnet 409 Burnet

lished a of understanding. He is, indeed, master of letter 'Ad clarissimum virum A.B./ a stately eloquence, marking the last period apologising for his indiscretion, and is said to of English previous to the era of Addison, have written to his bookseller at Amsterdam and his Latin style is equally admired for directing the suppression of his work (Life). and but the of his Charles Blount the deist made free purity elegance ; praise [q. v.] l understanding must be qualified by the ad- use of the book in his Oracles of Reason.' mission that he was fanciful and that his A popular ballad (see W. KING'S Works, 1776) science was crude even for his time. The ridiculed him along with South and Sherlock. ' first part of his Telluris Theoria Sacra, Burnet is represented as saying orbis nostri originem et mutationes generales That all the books of Moses quas aut jam subiit aut olim subiturus est Were nothing but supposes. complectens,' in two books, appeared in Latin in 1681. From the dedication to the Earl That as for Father Adam And Mrs. his of Wiltshire we learn that it was partly com- Eve, Madame, And what the devil posed during Burnet's travels with him. It spoke, Sir, 'Twas "but a was admired by Charles II. An English ver- nothing joke, Sir, And well-invented flam. sion, enlarged and modified, appeared in 1684, dedicated to the king. The last part, in two He had to give up the clerkship of the closet, books, dedicated to the Duke of Ormonde, and it seems improbable that he could have appeared in 1689 (together with a second been thought of for the primacy. edition of the first two books), and an Eng- In 1697 Burnet published some (anony- ' ' lish translation of the whole, dedicated to mous) Remarks upon Locke's Essay. Queen Mary, in the same year. Addison ad- Locke refers to them in his answer to Stil- ' ' dressed a Latin ode to Burnet in 1689, and lingfleet. In Second Remarks (1697) and ' ' Steele wrote an enthusiastic Spectator 'Third Remarks' (1699) Burnet continued ' (No. 146) upon the Theory.' Burnet main- the controversy, protesting against the sen- tained that the earth resembled a gigantic sationalist character of Locke's philosophy. the shell was crushed at the Mrs. Cockburn defended Locke. egg ; deluge, [q. v.] the internal waters burst out, while the He wrote in later life two books, 'De fragments of the shell formed the moun- Fide et Oificiis Christianorum,' and 'De Statu tains, and at the same catastrophe the equa- mortuorum et resurgentium.' In the 'De

j ' ' tor was diverted from its original coincidence Fide he regards the historical religions as

' with the ecliptic. Erasmus Warren attacked based upon the religion of nature, and re- ' ' ' his theory in 1690 in a pamphlet called Geo- jects original sin and the magical theory of ' ' logia, or a Discourse concerning the Earth the sacraments. In the De Statu he argues before the Deluge.' John Keill, of Balliol, against the endlessness of punishment, though ' published an Examination of Dr. Burnet's considering that the ordinary phrases should Theory' in 1698, in which he also ridicules be used for the popular. He kept the books the scientific ignorance of Warren, and argues to himself, probably to avoid further imputa- against Whiston's explanation of the deluge tions of heresy, but had a few copies printed ' by a comet in his ' New Theory of the Earth for correction and communication to intimate j Burnet's to Warren and friends. After his death Dr. Mead

(1696). replies | bought Keill are appended to the sixth edition of such a copy at a sale, and printed a few ' ' the Theory (1726). He was also criticised copies in a handsome quarto (1720) with a ' ' by Bishop Crofts (1685), John Beaumont monitum prefixed, desiring all into whose (1693), R. St. Clair (1697), and others. hands it might come to keep it for the select. Flamsteed is reported to have said that these A nobleman (Lord Macclesfield) obtained went more to the making of the world than permission from F. Wilkinson of Lincoln's a fine turned period, and that he could refute Inn, Burnet's literary executor, to print some ' ' Burnet on a single sheet of paper (SLOANE, copies of the De Fide in the same form Voyage to Madeira, &c., ii. xiii, and New with a similar admonition (1722). Lord Memoirs of Literature for 1726, p. 97). Macclesfield afterwards reprinted a few more ' ' ' In 1692 Burnet published his Archseolo- copies of the De Statu with corrections, gise Philosophies sive doctrina antiqua de but still in the same form (1723). A second ' ' ' ' rerum originibus.' An English version ap- epistola in defence of the Archseologiee peared in the same year. He professes in (not published by Burnet) is appended to the ' ' this to reconcile his theory with the first De Statu (1720), and this, with the epistle chapter of Genesis, which receives a non- formerly published by the author, is ap- literal interpretation; and a ludicrous ac- pended 'to the 'De Statu' (1723). Both count of the conversation between Eve and treatises were surreptitiously reprinted in ' ' ' the serpent gave great offence. Burnet pub- octavo, the De Statu in 1726, and the De Burnet 410 Burnet

Fide' in 1727. F. Wilkinson then printed BURNET, SIR THOMAS (1694-1753), ' an authoritative edition of the * De Fide in judge, was grandson of the Scotch judge, Lord of its and third and son of Gil- octavo, with a preface explanatory Cramond, youngest dated June and a bert of his previous history, 1727, Burnet, bishop Salisbury [q. v.], by ' similar edition of the De Statu,' with an second wife, Mrs. Mary Scott, a rich Dutch Restaura- of Scotch extraction. He was born in appendix 'De futura Judseorum lady edition of was educated at entered at Mer- tione,' in October 1727. A second 1694, home, ' ' ton and in 1706 went to the the Archaeologies appeared in 1728. Dennis College, Oxford, of the ' De Fide ' in of where he remained two published a translation university Leyden, ' ' he travelled in 1728, and of the De Statu in 1733. Various years. Afterwards Germany, and and on his return fragmentary translations were also published Switzerland, Italy, booksellers. translation of entered at the Middle in 1709. He by piratical A Temple Fox- to have been called to the bar in the 'Archaeologies,' with remarks by Mr. appears ton, in 1729, and a translation of the 'De 1715 (see a pamphlet, Letter to a Merry in Statu,' with remarks by Matthias Barbery, Young Gentleman, T. Burnet, Esq., 1715). 1727, second edition 1728, were catchpenny His attention was, however, directed to doubt productions of Curll's press, who no politics, not law, and he was notorious among sought to take advantage of the curiosity ! the men of his time about town for debauchery excited by the carefully limited impressions. : and wit. Swift, writing of the Mohocks to ii. Birch's Stella in : 'The of Brit. Carte's 546 I [Biog. ; Ormonde, ; 1712, says bishop Salisbury's Ixxvii Hickes's Life of son is said to be of the are all Life of Tillotson, p. ; gang ; they Kettlewell Life of Burnet Dr. Heath- ! He for ; (by Ralph whigs.' published many pamphlets, ' cote), prefixed to seventh edition of Theory one of which, Certain information of a cer- Relation of at the Charter- (1759); Proceedings tain discourse,' the government imprisoned house occasion of James II. upon King present- him. A is told that his father, j story finding a &c. Nichols's Lit. Anecd. ing Papist, (1689); him one day in deep meditation, asked him. ii. iii. vi. 221 ii. 195, 540, ; Macaulay's History, ' of what he was thinking. Of a greater work 293-4 Notes and Queries i. ; (1st ser.), 227.] than Reformation of L. 8> your lordship's ; my own,' said he. The whigs, on their acces- BURNET, THOMAS, D.D. (d. 1750), sion to power, rewarded him with the consul- rector of West Kington, Wiltshire, of New ship at Lisbon, and Pope says of him and College, Oxford, became D.D. in 1720, and Ducket : ' wrote : 1. An Essay upon Government,' Like are their merits, like rewards they share; 1716. 2. 'The Scripture-Trinity intelligibly That shines a consul, this commissioner. explained,' 1720, published anonymously. 3. 'The Demonstration of True Religion,' There he quarrelled with Lord Tyrawley, the in sixteen sermons (Boyle lecture), 1726. English ambassador, and took a curious re- ' 4. The Argument set forth in a late book venge, by appearing on a great fete in a plain entitled Christianity as old as the Creation, suit himself, but with lacqueys in suits copied ' reviewed and confuted,' 1730. 5. The from that which the ambassador was to Scripture Doctrine of the Redemption of the wear. After remaining some years at Lis- World by Christ,' 1737. Kippis in the 'Bio- bon he returned to England, and was at ' mentions ' which called to the bar he was made a graphia Scripture Politics,' length ; seems to be merely a misdescription of No. 1. serjeant-at-law in Easter term 1736, and Burnet is a fair and but candid, by no means succeeded Serjeant Eyre as king's Serjeant a writer. In his lively treatises on the Tri- in May 1740. He was appointed to a and atonement and nity redemption he en- judgeship of the court of common pleas in deavours to mediate between orthodox and October 1741, when Mr. Justice Fortescue Arian views. In his defences of revelation, became master of the rolls, and enjoyed a as well as in his political treatise, he tries to high reputation as a judge for learning. He reason from logically propositions assumed as was not knighted until November 1745, when, axiomatic. seems to Nothing be known of with three other judges, he received that his life what be inferred from honour on ' ' except may the occasion of the bench serj eants ' ' the dedication of his ' Scripture Doctrine to and bar presenting an address of utter de- the of ' Bishop Salisbury, where he says : It testation of the wicked and most un- was present composed by broken snatches, and at grateful rebellion.' He was a member of the such leisure time as I could steal from a life Royal Society. He died unmarried, at his encumbered with disagreeable business, and house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, on 8 Jan. 1753, embarrassed with care and difficulties.' of gout in the stomach, and was buried near [Biog. Brit, under ' Gilbert Burnet ' Gent. his father at St. James's ; Church, Clerkenwell, Mag. 1750, p. 284.] R. G. where, on taking down the church in Sep- Burnet 411 Burnett

halmers's Diet. (rent. xxiii. tember 1788, his body was found on the Biog. ; Mag. 21, 98, xlix. 256 Johnson's Lives of the ' G-ran- south side of his father's, and was replaced ; Poets, cf. Nichols's Lit. Anecd. i. 71 and 588 in the same position in the new church ville'; ; ' An Account of the Life and Writings of T. (NICHOLS, Lit. Anecdotes, i. 285). By his Burnet, Esq., 1715; Pope's Dunciad, iii. 179.] death the public lost an able and upright and J. A. H. judge, his friends a sincere, sensible, agreeable companion, and the poor a great BURNETT, GEORGE (1776? -1811), benefactor' (Gent. Mag. xxiii. 51). Some miscellaneous writer, was the son of a re- a clause in his will scandal was created by spectable farmer at Hunt spill in Somerset- ' in that he lived as he trusted he should die, shire, where he was born in or about 1776. the true faith of Christ as taught in the He had more intellect than the rest of his scriptures, but not in any one visible church family, and, after a suitable introduction to of that I know of, though I think the church classical literature under the care of a clergy- England is as little stuffed with the inven- man in the neighbourhood, he was sent to ' tions of men as any of them (ib. p. 98). His Balliol College, Oxford, with a view to his writings were numerous. To his father's taking orders in the established church. * ' a History of his own Times he prefixed After two or three years' residence he became his will 10 Feb. life and copy of (cf. Letter, disgusted with a college life, and took part to Dr. ' ' 1732, of Bishop Warburton Stukely ; in the well-known scheme of pantisocracy NICHOLS, Lit. Illustr. ii. 22). He is said with Coleridge and Southey. After lingering to have submitted his father's manuscript to about for a year or two, dependent upon the some the Duchess of Marlboroiigh, who made supplies which he drew from his father, Bur- alterations, and to have curtailed it himself nett obtained admission as a student into the of (BUENET, Own Times (ed. 1823), Earl dissenting college at Manchester. He was Dartmouth's note, iv. 156, Earl of Hard- appointed pastor of a congregation at Yar- wicke's note, iv. 158). The bishop's will had mouth, but did not remain there long. He directed that no passages should be omitted, subsequently became, for a short time, a stu- and in the second volume Burnet had pro- dent of medicine in the university of Edin- mised to deposit the manuscript of both burgh. Through the influence of friends he volumes, written by the bishop's amanuensis was at one time appointed domestic tutor and corrected throughout by himself, in the to two sons of Lord Stanhope, but he idled Cotton Library, but failed to fulfil his pro- away a month or more in a needless ex- mise (see A Letter to Thos. Burnet, Esq., cursion into the country, and had scarcely 1736, and another pamphlet, Some Remarks entered upon his charge when both his pupils on a late Letter to T. Burnet, 1736, appa- though not through any fault of his left rently by a son of the nonjuror, Dr. W. Beach, their father's house. Lord Stanhope paid see after- of Salisbury). For the omitted passages 200/. a year's salary to Burnett, who ' European Magazine,' v. 27, 39, 157, 221, wards became an assistant surgeon in a i Ancestors 374. Others of his works are Our militia regiment. This situation he soon as Wise as we,' by T. B., 1712, and a sequel, and went to Poland with the family ' quitted, ' The of ' Di- as but in History Ingratitude ; Essays of Count Zamoyska, English tutor, vine, Moral, and Political, by the Author of less than a twelvemonth returned to Eng- True "The Tale of a Tub,"' 1714; 'The land, without any employment. Shortly an Man ' ' Truth if to the Character of Honest ; you afterwards he contributed 'Monthly ' can find it 'A Letter to the to be a series of letters which were ; People, Magazine' 'Some of the left for them at the Booksellers';' reprinted under the title of 'View New Proofs by which it appears that the Present State of Poland,' Lond. 1807, 12mo. Pretender is James 1713 and 1714 ' of truly III,' ; He next published Specimens English

' at of the Institution and ' (2 vols. Lond. 1809, 12mo), was compiled Eoyal Quarterly Lord Journal of 1828-30. Huntspill in 1808-9, and dedicated to Science,' he left his na- Erskine. On its completion [Annual Biography and Obituary (1836), never received tive place, and his relatives any 264-75.] G. T. B. communication from him afterwards, so that LOKD MONBODDO it is not known how he subsisted from No- BURNETT, JAMES, Scotch was the eldest vember 1809 till his death, which took place (1714-1799), judge, son of James Burnett of Mon- in the Marylebone infirmary in February surviving Elizabeth 1811. boddo, Kincardineshire, by his wife, the of Sir William Forbes Diet, of Authors 48; only daughter [Biog. Living (1816), of bart. He was born in October iii. Craigievar, Lowndes's Bibl. Man. i. 325, 1564 ; Monthly ' ' or November 1714 at and was at Brit, under Burnet Monboddo, Mag. xlii. 311; Watt's Bibl. ; first educated at home under the of Cottle's Recollections of Coleridge, i. 6, 246.] guidance T. C. Dr. Francis Skene. Upon the appointment of his tutor to the chair of philosophy at the BURNETT, GILBERT THOMAS (1800- Marischal College, Aberdeen, Burnett ac- 1835), botanist, was born on 15 April 1800, companied him thither. Here he zealously his father, Gilbert Burnett, a London surgeon, prosecuted the study of Greek philosophy, being a descendant of Bishop Burnet. He was for which he retained a passionate attach- educated by Dr. Benson at Hounslow Heath. ment during the whole of his life. From Commencing medical study at the age of Aberdeen he went to Edinburgh University. fifteen, he made medical botany his favourite Having determined to adopt the bar as his ' pursuit, at a time when, in his own words, the profession, he afterwards went to the uni- study entailed both on teacher and on pupil sar- versity of Groningen and remained there for casm and contempt.' Soon after commencing three years, studying the civil law. He then practice as a surgeon he gave lectures on me- returned to Edinburgh, and, after passing his dical and general botany in the Great Wind- civil law examination on 12 Feb. 1737, was mill Street School of Medicine, and was made five days afterwards admitted a member of honorary professor to the Medico-Botanical the Faculty of Advocates. During the tem- Society. Becoming a popular lecturer, he fre- porary cessation of business owing to the quently lectured at the Koyal Institution, and rebellion of 1745, Burnett paid a visit to a course at St. gave regular George's Hospital. London, where he made the acquaintance of On the of opening King's College, London, many of the literary characters of the day, in he was chosen the first of 1831, professor including Thomson the poet, Lord Lyttelton, and botany, was very zealous and successful Dr. Armstrong, and Mallet. The share which as a teacher. He in 1835 'Out- published he took in conduct ing the celebrated Douglas lines of in 2 Botany/ vols., written in too cause brought him into prominent notice at diffuse a style, having previously edited the bar. Thrice he went to France in the ' Stephenson and Churchill's Medical Bo- of this case the before prosecution ; pleadings tany,' in 3 vols. In 1835 he was elected the court of sessions lasted thirty-one days. of professor botany to the Apothecaries' So- In 1764 he was made sheriff of Kincardine- and ciety, gave a course of thirty lectures shire. After a brilliant and successful career at their Chelsea but it had as garden ; scarcely an advocate, on 12 Feb. 1767 he succeeded ended when he worn out died, by multiplied Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton, as an ordi- and literary, lecturing, professional labours, nary lord of session, and thereupon assumed on 27 1835. July A large series of Illus- the title of Lord Monboddo. It is said that trations of Useful Plants in the he refused a employed seat in the court of justiciary, Arts and in 4 Medicine,' vols. 4to, beauti- on the ground that the further work which fully drawn and coloured his M. A. it by sister, would have entailed would have prevented with text Burnett, chiefly by Gilbert Bur- him pursuing his favourite studies in the nett, was published after his death. (1840-9) vacation. In his judicial capacity he showed Slight and delicate in with dark person, and himself to be both a profound and an Burnett lawyer sparkling eyes, was most vivacious and his decisions 'were free and upright judge, interesting in style, modest and from those prepos- paradoxes which so frequently sessing in manners, accurate and precise, yet appeared in his writings as well as in his endowed with exquisite and en- sensibility, conversation. He was not, however, with- thusiastic for his science. out peculiarities, even in the court of ses- Besides the above works, Burnett for instead of two published sions, sitting on the bench with King's I College Introductory Lectures,' his fellow-judges, he always took his seat 832 (British Museum, King's College Lee- underneath with the clerks. \ Nor as ' was he and ' tures), numerous papers in the Journal a rule inclined to agree with his colleagues Burnett 413 Burnett in their decisions, but was generally in the These suppers used to take place once a fort- minority and sometimes alone. Burnett is, night, during the sitting of the court, and however, best known to the world as a man among the usual guests were Drs. Black, Hut- ' of letters. Of the Origin and Progress of ton, and Hope, Mr. William Smellie, and ' Language was the first work which he pub- other scientific men of the day. A brilliant lished. It consisted of six volumes, the first controversialist, Burnett was one of the of which appeared in 1773, the second in keenest debaters at the meetings of the Select 1774, the third in 1776, the fourth in 1787, Society, which met weekly during session the fifth in 1789, and the last in 1792. In time at the Advocates' Library. This so- this book he vindicated the honour of Greek ciety was founded by Allan Ramsay, the literature, and among other curious and in- painter, in 1754, and numbered among its teresting opinions which abound in these members most of the eminent men of letters volumes, he maintained that the ourang- in Edinburgh, including Hume, Adam Smith, outang was a class of the human species, and Robertson, Lord Kames, and Wedderburn that its want of speech was merely acci- (afterwards Lord Loughborough). dental. The subject of his other work was Burnett's patrimonial estate at Monboddo ' Antient Metaphysics.' This also consisted was so small that it did not produce, during of six volumes, which appeared respectively the greater part of his life, more than 300/. in 1779, 1782, 1784, 1795, 1797, and 1799. a year. He would not, however, either raise It was written in defence of Greek philo- the rents or eject a poor tenant, but boasted sophy, and like his first work was published that his lands were more numerously peopled anonymously. In both these books Burnett than any portion of equal extent in the showed a most enthusiastic veneration for neighbourhood. Hither he used to retire in the learning and philosophy of the Greeks, the vacation, living as a plain farmer among and a contempt for everything that was of his tenants, and treating them all with kind- modern date. Many of his opinions, how- ness and familiarity. Boswell relates the ever, appear less eccentric to us than they interesting visit which Dr. Johnson, during did to his contemporaries, most of whom re- his tour to the Hebrides, paid Burnett at ceived them with the utmost derision. It Monboddo (Croker's oswell, ii. 311-17). It has been well remarked by a writer in was much to the credit of the latter's hospi- ' ' the Encyclopaedia Britannica (9th edition) tality that the meeting between two men of ' that his views about the origin of society such fixed and determined opinions should and language and the faculties by which have taken' place without a single angry dis- man is distinguished from the brutes, afforded cussion. About 1780 Burnett commenced endless matter for jest by the wags of his making his annual visits to London. As a but readers of this are more was not in common use the day ; generation carriage among likely to be surprised by the scientific cha- ancients, he considered it to be an engine of racter of his method and acuteness of his effeminacy and idleness. He therefore always conclusions, than amused by his eccentricity. rode from Edinburgh to London on horse- These conclusions have many curious points back, attended by a single servant. This of contact with Darwinism andNeo-Kantism. practice he continued until he was upwards His idea of studying man as one of the ani- of eighty years of age. On the last of these mals, and of collecting facts about savage equestrian journeys he was taken ill on the tribes to throw light on the problems of civi- way, and it was with difficulty that a friend lisation, bring him into contact with the who had overtaken him on the road per- one, and his intimate knowledge of Greek suaded him to get into his carriage. The philosophy with the other.' Burnett also next day, however, Burnett continued his l collected the Decisions of the Lords of journey on horseback, and about eight days ' Council and Session from 25 Nov. 1738 to afterwards arrived safely at Edinburgh. 7 March 1768. They were never published While in London on these occasions he fre- in his lifetime, but will be found in the fifth quently attended the court, where George III ' volume of Brown's Supplement to the Dic- always received him with especial favour. ' tionary of Decisions of the Court of Session After more than thirty-two years of judi- (1826), pp. 651-941. cial work Burnett died at his house in Edin- In private life Burnett was an amiable, burgh from the effects of a paralytic stroke generous, and kind-hearted man. Though on 26 May 1799, aged 85. Two sketches of in his habits he was exceedingly temperate him by Kay will be found in the first volume l and lived much according to rule, yet he of his Etchings,' Nos. 5 and 6. An en- greatly delighted in the convivial society of graving by Charles Sherwin of a striking his friends. It was his custom to entertain half-length portrait of Burnett by J. Brown ' them at what he called his learned suppers.' was published in 1787. Burnett 414 Burnett John Bird afterwards About 1760 Burnett married Miss Far- the second by Sumner, of In 1855 the first a relative of Marischal Keith, by archbishop Canterbury. quharson, was won the Rev. Robert whom he had one son and two daughters. prize (1,800/.) by A. and the second John Tul- His domestic life was unfortunate. His wife, Thomson, by died afterwards of St. Andrews. a beautiful and accomplished woman, loch, principal in whose The funds have since been applied to the in childbed. His only son Arthur, and of a on some branch of education he took the greatest delight, support lectureship examined in or archaeology treated in il- who, as Boswell tells us, was science, history, on his visit to lustration of natural theology. The first lec- Latin by Dr. Johnson when His second tures under the new scheme were delivered at Monboddo, died at an early age. was celebrated Aberdeen Professor Stokes of Cambridge daughter, whose beauty by by 1883. Burns in his 'Address to Edinburgh' and in November Works Robert to on in an elegy on her death ( of [Memoir by W. L. Brown prefixed Essay con- the Burns, 1843, i. 83, 125), was carried offby the Existence of a Supreme Creator, being on 17 June Aberdeen Free sumption at the age of twenty-five first Burnett prize essay ; Press, Kirk- 1790. His only surviving child married 6 Nov. 1883.] an eminent Greek scholar patrick Williamson, BURNETT, JOHN (1764 P-1810), Scotch and the keeper of the Outer House rolls. lawyer, was the son of William Burnett, pro- Memoirs of Lord Kames (1814), i. [Tytler's curator-at-law in Aberdeen, where he was 243-50; Kerr's Memoirs of William Smellie born about 1764. He was admitted advocate ii. 418 Por- (1811), i. 409-27, ; Kay's Original at on 10 Dec. 1785. In 1792 he traits and Caricature Etchings (1877), i. 18-21, Edinburgh Boswell's Life of was advocate-depute, and in Oc- 350, ii. 20, 368 ? 436, 438; appointed et sheriff of In Johnson (Croker's edit., 1831), ii. 311-17 tober 1803 Haddingtonshire. of Scot- passim; Scots Mag. 1799, Ixi. 352, 727-31; April 1810 he became judge-admiral Encyclopedia Britannica (9th edit.), xvi. 179; land. He was also for some time counsel Senators of the of Brunton and Haig's College for the city of Aberdeen. He died on 8 Dec. Justice 531-3 Chambers's ' (1833), pp. ; Biogra- 1810, while his work on the Criminal Law of Eminent Scotsmen ' phical Dictionary (1868), of Scotland was passing through the press. Diet. i. 248-50 ; Chalmers's (1813), Biographical It was published in 1811. Though in certain vii. 389-93.] G. F. E. B. respects imperfect and misleading, it is a work of the more that BURNETT, JOHN (1729-1784), founder great merit, especially it is one of the earliest to form a of the Burnett prize, was the son of an Aber- attempts collection of decisions in criminal deen merchant, who belonged to the episco- satisfactory pal church. Burnett was born in 1729, en- tered business in 1750, his father having failed [Anderson's Scottish Nation; Catalogue of the shortly before, and made a competence. He Advocates' Library, Edinburgh.] T. F. H. was concerned in stocking-weaving and sal- mon-fishing. He and his brother paid off BURNETT, SraWILLIAM(1779-1861), their father's debts, amounting to 7,000. or physician, was born in January 1779 at Mont- 8,000/. Burnett was 'hard at a bargain,' rose, where he was apprenticed to a surgeon. but returned any profits which exceeded his He was appointed surgeon's mate on board expectations. He gave up attending public the Edgar, 74 guns, soon after his arrival worship, lest he should be committed to the at Edinburgh to pursue his medical studies. creed of a but instruc- Later he served as in the church, gave religious assistant-surgeon tion to his servants. He was influenced by Goliath under Sir J. Jervis, and was present the example of Howard, the philanthropist, at St. Vincent and the siege of Cadiz. Con- whom he probably met in 1776 in Scotland, tinuing in the navy, and serving with great and took an interest in various charitable distinction at the Nile and Trafalgar, he re- movements. He died unmarried on 9 Nov. ceived a C.B. and four war medals for his ser- 1784. He directed that part of his estate vices. For five years after Trafalgar Burnett should be applied for the benefit of the poor was in charge of the hospitals for prisoners of of Aberdeen and the neighbourhood, and part war at Portsmouth and Forton. His diligence to a fund for inoculation (the last was after- in his most arduous hospital duties recom- wards applied to vaccination). The remain- mended Burnett in 1810 for the office of phy- income ing was to accumulate for a period, sician and inspector of hospitals to the Medi- and then to be given as a first and second terranean fleet, then including 120 sail of prize for essays in proof of the existence of a all classes. His health became so much im- supreme Creator, upon grounds both of reason paired that he returned to England towards and revelation. In 1815 the first was the end of 1813 but in he prize ; March following won William Laurence by Brown [q. v.], and was able to undertake the medical charge of Burnett 415 Burney the Russian fleet in the Medway, which was Burnett settled at Chichester, where he died suffering severely from fever. He combined on 16 Feb. 1861. this the of of with charge the prisoners war 23 [Lancet, obituary notice, Feb. 1861 ; Munk's at Chatham, whom a virulent fever among Coll. of Phys. 1878, iii. 307.] G-. T. B. was raging. When he took charge of the hos- pital ship one surgeon had died, two others BURNEY, CHARLES. (1726-1814), musician and were dangerously ill, and fifteen patients had author, was born at Shrews- gangrene of the lower limbs. The season bury on 12 April 1726. His grandfather, was most inclement, snow lay deep, and the James MacBurney, lived at Great Hanwood, were Burnett went where the latter of prisoners disorderly ; yet Shropshire, (in years his about his duties fearlessly, going alone among life) he was land steward to the Earl of the prisoners, and gradually establishing an Ashburnham. Burney's father, James Bur- improved state of things. On the completion ney, was born at Hanwood, and educated at of this service Burnett settled at Chichester Westminster under Dr. Busby. He subse- as a physician till 1822, when Lord Melville quently eloped with an actress of the Good- offered him a seat at the victualling board man's Fields Theatre, by whom he had a as colleague of Dr. Weir, then chief medical large family. James MacBurney quarrelled officer of the navy. Later he became physi- with his son, and at a late age married a cian-general of the navy, and in this capacity servant, by whom he had a son named Joseph, introduced most valuable reforms. He first to whom he left all his property. Joseph required regular classified returns of diseases Burney, however, soon squandered his estate, from each naval medical officer, thus render- and afterwards gained his living as a dancing- ing it possible to obtain accurate information master. James Burney was twice married, about the health of the navy. He urged the his second wife being a Miss Ann Cooper, an erection of, and largely planned, the Melville heiress and celebrated beauty. A year after Hospital at Chatham for naval patients. this marriage James Burney adopted the He introduced a much more humane treat- profession of a portrait-painter, and some ment of naval lunatics at Haslar than had short time later left Shrewsbury and settled been previously practised. All the codes of at Chester. Charles Burney and his twin instructions to naval medical officers of hos- sister Susanna were the youngest children by pitals and ships were revised and greatly im- the second wife. On Burney's parents re- proved by him. In 1841 the naval medical moving to Chester he was left behind at corps testified their high regard for the bene- Shrewsbury under the care of an old nurse, fits he had conferred on the service by pre- but subsequently he was sent to Chester, senting him with his full-length portrait and educated at the free school. About by Sir M. A. Shee and a service of plate. 1741 he returned to Shrewsbury and studied He was largely instrumental in securing a music under his eldest half-brother, James, better position for assistant-surgeons in the who was organist of St. Mary's, Shrewsbury, until his in navy. Burnett published comparatively little, from 1735 death 1789. Burney his chief writings being 'An Account of the also studied under Baker, the organist of Bilious Remittent in the Mediterranean Fleet Chester Cathedral, a pupil of Blow. In 1744 in 1814 < Official he met who was 1810-13,' London, ; Report Arne, passing through on the Fever in H.M.S. Bann on the coast Chester on his return from Ireland. Arne of Africa and amongst the Royal Marines was so struck by his talent that he offered in the Island of 1824 to take him as a was accord- Ascension,' London, ; pupil. Burney ' and An Account of a Contagious Fever ingly articled to him, and went to live in prevailing amongst the Prisoners of War at London with an elder brother named Richard, Chatham,' London, 1831. Burnett was a who was already settled there. He remained fellow of the Royal Society, M.D. of Aber- under Arne for three years, during which deen, L.R.C.P. 1825, and fellow 1836. He period he contributed some music to Thom- ' ' was knighted on 25 May 1831, appointed son's Alfred (Drury Lane, 30 March 1745). physician-in-ordinary to the king on 13 April In 1747 Burney published six sonatas for two 1835, and soon after created K.C.H. Queen violins and a bass, dedicated to the Earl of Victoria made him a K.C.B. It was much Holdernesse. Shortly after he was intro- regretted by the medical profession that Bur- duced by Kirkman, the harpsichord maker, nett became a patentee on a large scale to Fulke Greville, who was so charmed by in connection with his well-known disinfect- his talent and vivacity that he paid Arne ing fluid, a strong solution of chloride of 300Z. to cancel his articles, and took the young zinc. His patent fluid for preserving timber, musician to live with him. During this canvas, cordage, &c., was likewise largely period of his life Burney laid the foundation used. On his retirement from active service of his subsequent success both as a fashionable