divine, archdeacon of Cleveland, who wrote in favour of religious liberty, and was desirous of removing subscriptions to the Articles of the Church, and remodelling the liturgy so as to embrace every description of Protestant against the Papists. He leaned so much towards the dissenters, that the congregation of Dr. Chand-judges in the court of King's Bench, whones he ler, on his death, invited him to become their minister, but he declined. His principal work is "The Confessional," which first brought him into notice, and a complete edition of his works was published in 1805, 7 vols. 8vo. B. at Richmond, Yorkshire, 1705; D. 1787. the correctness and depth of the matter they contain, the beauty, precision, and elegance of their style have called forth universal admira tion. In 1766 he resigned his places at Oxford; and in 1763 was chosen member for Westbury, in Wiltshire. In 1770 he became one of the removed to the Common Pleas. He now fixed his residence in London, and attended to the duties of his office with great application, until overtaken by death. B. in London, 1723; D. 1780.-The fundamental error in the "Commentaries" is thus pointed out by Jeremy BLACKLOCK, Thomas, blak-lok, a Scotch di- Bentham. "There are two chara ters," says vine and poet, was the son of a mason, and he, “one or other of which every man who finds lost his sight by the small-pox in his infancy, anything to say on the subject of law may be In 1740 he was deprived of his father, who had said to take upon him,-that of the expositor, been particularly attentive to his education; and that of the censor. To the province of the and Dr. Stephenson, a physician of Edinburgh, expositor it belongs to explain to us what he then placed him at the university, where he supposes the law is; to that of the censor, to made considerable progress in the classics and observe to us what he thinks it ought to be. sciences. In 1762 the earl of Selkirk pro ured Of these two perfectly distinguishable functions, for him a presentation to the church of Kirk- the former alone is that which it fell nccessarily cudbright: but the appointment was violently within our author's province to discharge." opposed by the congregation on account of his Blackstone, however, makes use of both these lindness and the too great elevation and re-functions throughout his work, and hence the finement of his preaching. After two years' litigation, he resigned, and retired to Edin-translators on the continent. burgh on a small annuity. His poems were pub lished in 1754. B. at Annan, 1721; p. at Edinbarzh, 1791.-Dr. Blacklock was a friend of the port Burns, some of whose poctical epi.tics are addressed to him. a confusion. His productions have found several BLACKWOOD, Sir Henry, blak-wood, a brave British admiral, who entered the navy in his eleventh year, and was present at the engagement off the Dogger lank. When hostilities began with the French in 1793, he was made first-lieutenant in the Invincible man-of-war; and when "the glorious 1st of June" of 1791 arrived, he fought with such gallantry that he was promoted to the rank of commander. In 1798 he became captain of the Brilliant, of twenty-eight guns; and off the island of Teneriffe, defeated two French frigates, each of them nearly double his strength. ile continued to be actively engaged till he was appointed to the Penelope, of thirty-six guns, serving under Lords Keith and Nelson, Sir Sidney Smith, and other distinguished commanders. At Trafalgar he was captain of the Ese galus, and was present at the death of the heroic Nelson, whose last words to him were, "God bless you, Blackwood, I shall never see you more." In 1906 he was appointed to the command of the jar, of eighty guns, which, on the night of the 11th of February, 1807, took fire, and went down, carrying half of her crew along with her. Sir Henry was saved with the greatest difficulty. He now commanded the Warspite, and continued throughout the war to be constantly employed against the enemy. In 1814 he was made captain of the fleet, and was deputed to convey to this country the allied sovereigns. On this occasion he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral, and made a baronet. In 1819 he became commander-in-chief of the naval forces in India, and in 1827 was elevated to the command at Chatham. B. 1770; p. 1832. BLACKSTONE, Sir William, blåk'-stone, learned English judge, who, in 1738, was entered at Pembroke College, Oxford, and at the age of composed a treatise on the elements of architecture. He also cultivated poetry, and eltained Mr. Benson's prize medal for the best Verses on Milton. These pursuits, however, were abandoned for the study of the law, when he composed his well-known effusion, called "The Lawyer's Farewell to his Muse." In 1710 he was entered at the Middle Temple, and in 1743 chosen fellow of All-souls College. In 17 he was appointed recorder of Wallingford, in Berkshire, and in the following year became LL.D., and published an "Essay on Collateral Consanguinity," occasioned by the exclusive claim to fellowships made by the founder's kindred at All-souls. In 1758 he printed "Considerations on Copyholders;" and the same year was appointed Vinerian professor of the common law, his lectures in which capacity gave rise to his celebrated "Commentaries." In 1759 he published "Reflections on the Opinions of Messrs. Pratt, Moreton, and Wilbraham," relating to Lord Lichfield's disqualification; his lordship being then candidate for the chancel lorship. The same year appeared his edition of "The Great Charter, and Charter of the Forest." Of this work it has been said that there is not a sentence in the composition that is not necessary to the whole, and that should not be perused. In 1761 he was made king's BLADEN, Martin, blai'-den, a lieutenant-colo counsel, and chosen member of parliament for nel under the duke of Marlborough, to whom Hindon in Wilts. The same year he vacated he dedicated a translation of "Caesar's Comhis fellowship by marriage, and was appointed mentaries." He sat in five parliaments, and in principal of New-inn Hall. In 1763 he was ap- 1715 was made comptroller of the Mint, and in pointed solicitor-general to the queen, and 1717 commissioner of trade and plantations. bencher of the Middle Temple. In the next D. 174.-Besides translating the "Commenta year appeared the first volume of his "Com-ries," he was the author of "Orpheus and Eurymentaries," which was followed by three others. dice," a masque; and "Selon," a tragi-comedy. It is upon these that his fame now principally BLAIR, Robert, blair, an ingenious Scotch rests; and, although opinion is divided as to poet, and the minister of Athelstaneford, in Blair East Lothian, Scotland. He is known to fame as being the author of "The Grave," in which is the often-quoted sentiment of "Angels' visits, few and far between." B. at Edinburgh, 1699; D. 1716. Blake Blake, who demanded leave of the king of Portugal to attack him, and, being refused, he took several of the Portuguese ships coming home from Brazil laden with treasure. During his absence Prince Rupert made sail to the BLAIR, John, a learned Scotch chronologist, Mediterranean, whither he was followed by who, in 175, published his "Chronological Blake, who attacked him in the harbour of Tables," folio, which were well received, and Malaga, and destroyed nearly the whole of his reached a second edition in 1768. He subse- fleet. After this he returned to England with quently was appointed mathematical tutor to several prizes, again receiving the thanks of the duke of York, and in consequence obtained Parliament, by whom he was also made warden several church preferments, the principal of of the Cinque Ports. Soon after this he rewhich was a prebend of Westminster. B. at duced the Scilly Isles, Guernsey, and Jersey, Edinburgh; D. 1782.-Sir Henry Ellis, principal for which he was again thanked by the House, librarian in the British Museum, edited an edi- and appointed one of the council of state. On tion of the Chronology of this author in 1811. the prospect of a war with the Dutch in 1652, BLAIR, Hugh, an eminent Scotch divine, was he was appointed sole admiral of the fleet, and the son of a merchant of Edinburgh, where he was attacked in the Downs by Van Tromp, who received his education. While yet a student, had 45 sail, whilst Blake had only 23. He he formed a comprehensive scheme of chrono- fought, however, with such determination that logical tables for his own use, which being com- the Dutch admiral was glad to retreat. In the municated to his learned relative John Blair, November following, Van Tromp sailed into mentioned above, were improved and extended the Downs, with above 80 ships of war, and off by the latter into a work of great labour and the Goodwin sands, on the 29th of that month, value. In 1739 he took the degree of M.A., and an obstinate battle was fought between him in 1741 was licensed to preach. The year fol- and Blake, who had only half his force, and lowing he was ordained to the parish of Coles- who was compelled to run with his shattered sie in Fife, and then to the charge of the Canon- ships into the Thames. It was on this occasion gate church at Edinburgh, where he officiated that Van Tromp passed through the English till 1758, when he was removed to the High Channel with a broom at his maintop, signify Church, which was the most important ecclesi-ing that he had swept the sea of the English astical charge in Scotland. The university of ships. In February, 1653, Blake was enabled St. Andrew's conferred on him, in 1757, the de- to put to sea with 80 men of war, and off Cape gree of D.D., and in 1759 he began a course of la Hogue fell in with the Dutch, who had an lectures ou rhetoric and belles-lettres, which equal number and 300 merchantmen undr were so much applauded, that in 1762 George convoy. A most bloody engagement ensue, III. endowed a professorship for him at Edin- which lasted three days, and in which the burgh, with a salary of £70 a year. In 1763 he Dutch lost 11 men of war and 30 merchant wrote a dissertation on the poems of Ossian, in vessels, whilst the English lost only one ship. which he urged many ingenious observations In June following the fleets of the belligerent in behalf of their authenticity. In 1777 a vo- admirals fought again off the Foreland; and lume of his sermons appeared, which attained the Dutch, sustaining a severe defeat, barely saved so rapid a sale as to induce the author to pub- themselves by taking refuge in the shallow waters lish another volume in 1779, which was as well of Calais. In 1651 Blake sailed into the Medireceived as the former: and these were subse-terranean, where he demolished the castle of quently followed by three volumes more. In 1780 he obtained a pension from the crown of £200 a year; and three years afterwards he quitted his professorship through infirmities; But his salary was continued to him for life, and an addition of £100 a year was made to his pension. At that time he published his lectures, which have had an immense circulation, and, as has been the case with his sermons, have been translated into various languages. B. at Edinburgh, 1718; D. 1800. Tunis because the dey refused to deliver up the English whom he held as captives. In 1656, a fleet under Blake was sent to blockade Cadiz, when some of the ships under his command intercepted and took some Spanish vessels lade with treasure. Blake having received informa tion that more treasure ships lay at Santa Cruz, in Teneriffe, sailed thither, and notwithstanding the strength of the place, boldly went in, burnt the ships, and came out with compara tively little loss, whilst the slaughter of the BLAKE, Robert, blaik, one of England's most Spaniards was immense. For this he again skilful and intrepid naval and military comman- received the thanks of Parliament, and was ders, was educated at Oxford, where, in 1617, he presented with a diamond ring worth £0. took the degree of B.A. In 1610 he represented He soon afterwards returned to his station t Bridgewater in parliament, and at the beginning Cadiz, but his ill health inspired him with a of the civil war took part with the Parliamenta- strong desire to return to England; and ac rians, and served under Colonel Fiennes at Bris-cordingly he set sail for his native land, bat tol, when that town was taken by Prince Rupert. He afterwards assisted in taking Taunton by surprise, of which place he was made governor, and in 1615 defended it against Goring with such bravery for two successive sieges, that he was publicly thanked and rewarded by Parliament. In 1619 he was appointed commander of the fleet in conjunction with Deane and Popham; and soon afterwards sailed in search of Prince Rupert, whose fleet he blockaded in Kinsale harbour. The prince afterwards escaping to Lisbon, he was there followed by died as his ship was entering Plymouth har bour, August 17, 1657. His body was interred in Henry the Seventh's chapel, Westminster Abbey, whence it was removed at the Restora tion, and buried in St. Margaret's churchyard. B. at Bridgewater, 1598. (See "Life," by W. H. Dixon.) BLAKE, William, an extraordinary man, who was both a poet and an artist, and who declared his mission on earth to be, not gathering gold, "but to make glorious shapes, and express godlike sentiments." In his poetry the ideas Blanc are generally elevated and noble, the sentiments benevolent and pure, though the versification is often inharmonious. He illustrated his own poems, both the verses and the pictures being etched on copper. His drawings are sometimes of a singularly mystic character, and there is little doubt that there was a vein of chronic insanity in his mind, for he ultimately came to regard his imaginings as a species of spiritual realities. He illustrated Young's "Night Thoughts," Chaucer's "Canterbury Pilgrims," Blair's " Grave," and other works. Flatinan and Blake were warm friends, and Charles Lamb considered him "one of the most extraordinary persons of the age." B. in London, 1757; D. 1827. Blessington married to the daughter of the count of Provence. During the expedition of St. Louis to the Holy Land, she also governed the kingdom with great discretion; but the news of his defeat and imprisonment so affected her spirits, that she died in 1252. B. 1184.-Blanche was equally noted for her beauty as her wisdom. Thibaut, count of Champagne, was greatly enamoured of her, and sang her charms in his verses. and poet, was born at London, in 1779. He BLAND, Rev. Robert, bland, an eminent scholar studied at Cambridge, was an assistant master at Harrow, and afterwards curate of Kenilworth. He published two vols, of original poems, en Cythera," and was the author of a work on title1"Edwy and Elgiva," "The Four Slaves of the "Elements of Latin Hexameters and Pentameters," which has gone through several editions. He is best known, perhaps, for his translations and commentaries on the Gree minor poets, some of which he executed in con junction with Mr. Merivale, and which have been several times reprinted. p. 1825. BLANC, Louis, blong, a talented French political and Listorical writer, who, in 1839, established a paper in Paris, called "La Revue de Progrès," intended to be the organ of certain democratic and communistic sections then in existence in France. In 1840 his work on the "Organization of Labour" appeared, advocating the doctrine that men should labour for the community, rather than for themselves, and that they should be remunerated in accordance with their wants by a central government under a chosen administration. These principles enjoyed an ephemeral popularity even in England, which, however, was soon at an end. After the revolution of 1818 he was elected a member of the provisional government, and was principally instrumental in abolishing the punishment of death for political offences. same year he was compelled to leave his counIn the try, when he took refuge in London. Madrid, 1812.-Louis Blane has written a "His-"Alchymist." B. 1700; D. in London, 1764. B. at tory of the Ten Years," 153); and "History| of the French Revolution." He has likewise delivered lectures in London and elsewhere, on certain historical and social phenomena, and writes on English affairs in the "Temps," and other French journals and periodicals. BLANCHARD, Laman, blanch'-ard, a various and frequent contributor to English periodical literature. His first work was entitled the "Lyric Offering," which was published in 1828, and in 1831 he became editor of the "New Monthly Magazine." He was afterwards editor of the "True Sun" newspaper, and was subsequently on the staff of several other papers, and at his death assisted in conducting the "Examiner." B. at Great Yarmouth, 1803. Put an end to his life in London, 1815, who reigned, with his brother Rygwallon, in pieces are in the WelshArchæology.-Flourished BLEECK, Peter van, bleek, an eminent painter, and Griffin, two famous comedians, in the who executed the celebrated picture of Johnson characters of Ananias and Tribulation, in the scape painter, whose pieces are called owl BLESS, Henry, bless, an historical and lan lpictures, because he placed that bird as a mark. B. in Bovine, near Dinant, 1480; D. 1550. BLESSINGTON, Marguerite, countess of, blesEdmund Power, whose fortunes were entirely sing-ton, was the third daughter of a Mr. dissipated by reckless extravagance. She, in her 15th year, was married to a Captain Farmer, with whom she led a very unhappy life, and whose house she left. Subsequently, he, in a state of intoxication, fell from a window in the King's Bench prison, and was killed. Four months after this event she married the carl of Blessington, and after pass a few years in the enjoyment of every luxury, she and her which was prolonged to the death of the earl, husband in 1822 set out on a continental tour, which took place in 1829. D'Orsay had married a daughter of Lord Bles sington, by his first wife; but this marriage In 1827 Count proving unhappy, they separated, and he, after the death of the earl, continued to live with Lady Blessington during the remainder of her life. After the decease of the earl, she came to BLANCHE of Castile, blansh, queen of France, as popular as those of Holland House, and were London, where, for twenty years, her salons were was the daughter of Alphonso IX., king of Cas- the resort of all the celebrated men of the day. tile, and in 1200 married Louis VIII. of France, To support her expenditure, she entered upon a by whom she had nine sons and two daughters. career of authorship, which knew little relaxa On the death of her husband in 1226, she tion throughout the remainder of her life. She became regent, her son Louis IX.) being only twelve years old. In ral novels, an endless number of tales and Louis (afterwards wrote "Conversations with Lord Byron," seve this position, aided by Cardinal Romain, she sketches; edited Heath's "Book of Beauty," acted with firmness and prudence, and defeated" the Keepsake," "Gems of Beauty" and also several attempts made against her and the contributed to the columns of the Daily News, government. The education of the young king and those of the Sunday Times. she sedulously promoted, and he was early industry, however, she could not support her BLANCHARD, Jacques, blong-shar, a French arist, who attained to great perfection as a colorist, and has hence been called the Titian of France, but whose death at the early age of 38 frustrated the hopes entertained of him, was born at Paris in 1600, and died in 1638. The majority of his works are on religious subjeets, and of small size, though with the figures of life dimensions. 175 With all this |