Phocas the freedman of Adrian, and wrote a "History of Marvellous Things;" also a "History of the Olympiads," part of which is extant. He is said to have mentioned the darkness at our Saviour's crucifixion. This passage caused a controversy between Whiston, Chapman, and others, in the 18th century. The best edition of his remains is that of Westermann, 1839. Flourished in the 2nd century. PHOCAS. fo'-kas, emperor of the East, usurped the throne by murdering the emperor Maurice and his children, in 602. Khosru or Chosroes II., king of Persia, made war on him and took Ecveral of the Asiatic provinces of the Eastern empire. At last, roused by his cruelties, Heraclius, governor of Africa, conspired against and slew Phocas, in 610. Pichegru nomer, was born at Ponte, in the Valteline; entered into the order of the Theatines; and, after having been a professor at Genoa, Malta, Ravenna, and Palermo, was in 1757 made director of the observatory founded in the latter city. About this time he visited Paris and London, and entered into a correspondence with the most celebrated European astronomers. In 1501 he discovered a new planet, which he named Ceres Ferdinandea, and in 1805 he made a new catalogue of 7616 fixed stars. This distinguished astronomer produced various treatises and memoirs of great importance to the science, and was a member of many learned institutions. B. 1746; D. 1826. PHOCION, fo'-shi-on, a celebrated Athenian general and statesman, who was the disciple of Plato and Xenocrates. He displayed great eloquence, and opposed Demosthenes when that great orator endeavoured to rouse the Athenians to declare war against Philip. Phocion saw in that measure the ruin of Athens; but, when the war commenced, he manifested the patriotism and talents of a brave general. Philip and Alexander made several attempts to corrupt him, but in vain. Phocion held the generalship at Athens forty-four times; but, notwith-mark." standing his splendid virtues and abilities, he could not escape persecution. He was accused of treachery, and deposed, on which he fled; but was taken and poisoned, B.C. 317.-His son Phocus was a man of licentious character; but he avenged the fate of his father upon his accusers, and erected a statue to his memory. PHOCYLIDES, fo-sill-i-dees, a Greek poet and philosopher, was a native of Miletus. There is a poem extant, which is by some critics attributed to him. Flourished about 530 B.C. PHORMION, for-mi-on, an Athenian general, who succeeded Callias, n. c. 432, and gave great proofs of his courage in the Peloponnesian war, and in defeating the fleets of the Lacedæmonians. He sold his estates to pay his army, and refused the rank of commander-in-chief. PICARD, Jean, pik'-ar, a French astronomer, who became a member of the Academy of Sciences in 1666, and five years afterwards was sent by the king to Uranienborg, which was built by Tycho Brahe to make celestial ob servations. Picard brought with him from Denmark many manuscripts of Tycho's. He was engaged in measuring a degree of the meridian, and in determining the meridian of France. He wrote treatises on Levelling, Dioptrics, Measures, the Measurement of the Earth; and "Journey to Uranienborg; or, Astronomical Observations made in DenB. in France, 1620; D. 1632. PICCINI, Nicholas, pe-che'-ne, a celebrated Italian musical composer, whose first masters were Leo and Durante. From Italy he went to Paris in 1776, where the connoisseurs were divided in opinion between him and Glück. At the Revolution, Piccini returned to Naples, where he was proscribed as being a Jacobin; on which he went again to France, where he remained until his death. His principal operas are "La Cecchina," "Iphigenia in Tauris," and "Roland." B. at Bari, Naples, 1728; D. 1800. it to the building of an hospital. He wrote a History of his Own Times," and Letters, which have been printed. B. at Lucca, 1422; n. 1179. PICCOLOMINI, James, pik'-ko-lo-me'-ne, a car. dinal, whose real name was Ammanati, but which he changed out of respect to Pope Pius II., his patron, who was of the Piccolomini family. He became successively bishop of Massa and Frascati, and, in 1461, cardinal. Sixtus IV. PROTIUS, fo-shi-us, patriarch of Constanti-seized his property after his death, and applied nople, whose learning was great, and advanced him to several high offices in the state; after which he entered into orders; and, on the deposition of Ignatius, aspired to the patriarchate, which he obtained in an irregular manner in 853, but was nevertheless confirmed in the appointment in 855. This occasioned a schism, and Photius exercised great severities on those who adhered to Ignatius. He was deposed in the following year. Photius, however, contrived to gain the favour of the emperor Basil, who restored him to the patriarchal see upon the death of Ignatius, in 877. But, in 886, Leo caused him to be again deprived, and confined PICCOLOMINI, Octavio, an Austrian general, in a monastery, where he died. His works are, who became famous during the Thirty Years' Myriobiblion," a Commentary on several au- War, and was the favourite of Wallenstein, who thors of antiquity; "Nomocanon," or a collec- confided to him his projects for turning his arms tion of the canons of the Church; and a col-against the emperor. Piccolomini, however, lection of theological and controversial works. . at Constantinople, early in the 9th century; D. in Armenia, about its close. PICCOLOMINI, Alexander, held the offices of archbishop of Patras and coadjutor of Siena, where he wrote several dramatic pieces of repu tation. His other works are, a treatise on the Sphere," Theory of the Planets," "Moral In. stitutes," &c. He was the first who wrote on philosophical subjects in Italian, Latin having been theretofore used by the learned. B. at Siena, 1508; D. 1578. betrayed the confidence, revealed the whole plot to the Imperial government, and was one of those commissioned to take Wallenstein, dead PHRYNICUS, frin'-i-kus, a Greek writer, who or alive. He became a prince of the empire, composed a treatise on the Attic verbs and but disgraced his renown by great cruelty. He nouns, and "The Sophistical Apparatus," a col- is a prominent character in Schiller's play of lection of Greek phrases. Flourished about 175." Wallenstein." B. 1599; D. 1656. -There were two others of this name, the one PICHEGRU, Charles, peezh'-groo, a celebrated a tragic poet, and the other a general. general of the French republic, who came of PIAZZI, Joseph, pe-ad'-tse, an Italian astro-humble parentage, but received a good education Pichler at the military college of Brienne; after which he entered the army, and rose to be sergeant. The Revolution elevated him to the rank of general, and, in 1794, he succeeded General Hoche in the command of the army of the north. Shortly after, he relieved Landau, and compelled the English to evacuate the Netherlands. He next marched into Holland, of which he made a complete conquest. In 1797 he was elected a member of the legislative body; but his opposition to the Directory, and his speeches in favour of the royalist emigrants, occasioned an accusation against him as designing to restore royalty. He was ordered, without trial, to be transported to Cayenne, whence he escaped to England, where he remained till the spring of 1804, when he went to Paris, where he was apprehended and sent to the Temple. Three weeks afterwards he was found strangled in his bed, by means of a silk handkerchief twisted round his neck, and tightened with a short stick. The body was examined and exposed, and a laboured account published, to inake it appear that he had laid violent hands on himself; but the circumstances warrant the suspicion that he was assassinated. B. at Arbois, France, 1761; D. 1501. PICHLER, Caroline, peezh'-ler, an eminent German novelist, who commenced a literary career at an early age, by contributing short poctical pieces to the almanacs. She subsequently produced a number of historical novels, some of which appeared before Sir Walter Scott commenced his career. The best of these novels were "Frederick the Fighter," "Henrietta of England," "The Siege of Vienna," and "The Swedes in Prague." As a dramatist she was less successful; but her "Pictures of the Times," and "Memorable Events of my Life," became highly popular in Germany. About a year after her death, a collected edition of her works was given to the world, and consisted of sixty volumes. As a novelist, she displayed considerable constructive skill, and often wrote with great pictorial effect; but her style was generally marred by too great diffuseness. B. at Vienna, 1769; D. 1813. Pierre PICKERSGILL, Frederick Richard, a modera English painter, and relative of the preceding, was a student of the Royal Academy, and, in 1840, exhibited his first picture, “The Combat between Herenles and Achelous." In 1943 te gained one of the £100 prizes, for his cartoon entitled "The Death of King Lear," and, in 1847, won one of the first-class prizes of £500 for his oil-painting of "The Burial of Harold,” for which he was afterwards paid an addition! £500 on its purchase for the House of Lords. About the same time he became A.R.A., and, in 1857, R.A. One of his best pictures- Fler mel in the Cottage of the Witch"-is in the national collection at the South Kensington Museum. Among his most important werks may be mentioned, "The Adoration of the Magi," "The Christian Church during the Persecution by the Pagan Emperors at Rom," "Samson Betrayed," and "Love's Labour Lost," B. in London, 1820. PICTON, Sir Thomas, K.C.B., &c., pik-ton, a gallant British officer, was descended from an ancient family of Pembrokeshire, and commenced his military career as an ensign in the 12th regiment of foot in 1771. He served on the Gibraltar station till 1778, after which be was promoted to a captaincy in the 75th. In 1791 he embarked for the West Indies; and after the reduction of St. Lucia and Trinidad in 1797, rose to the rank of colonel, and was appointed governor of the latter island. Whilst holding that situation he was applied to by a Spanish magistrate to sign an order for inflicting the torture on a female slave, and, being told it was a customary practice, did s› without inquiry. The girl, who was only fourteen years of age, was accordingly picketed, with a view to extort from her the discovery of a theft com mitted by her paramour. For this act of crudty the governor was, in 1807, indicted, and found guilty by an English jury. As many exagge rated rumours had preceded the colonel to England, a new trial was granted, and though he was acquitted of moral guilt, the deed was one which threw a shade over his bright career. However, in 1809, he was again employed by PICKEN, Alexander, pik'-en, a Scottish miscel- his country. He was at the siege of Flushlaneous writer, who commenced his literary ing, and on its capture was appointed governer. career by the publication of a volume of " Tales From Flushing he returned to England an inand Sketches of the West of Scotland," which valid, but was soon again in the field. His was shortly followed by the "Sectarian" and courage and intrepidity shone on every occasion; the "Dominie's Legacy," and at a later period ever foremost in the fight, he was a victorios by "Traditionary Stories of Old Families," leader at Badajoz, at Vittoria, at Ciudad Bowhich was designed to embrace the legendary drigo, &c. At the battle of Waterloo, General history of Great Britain and Ireland. A novel Picton commanded the 5th division of the army, called "The Black Watch," founded on some and fell in the moment of victory, having just carly incidents in the history of the 42nd High-repulsed one of the most fierce attacks made by landers, was published posthumously. n. at Paisley, 1788; D. 1833. PICKERSGILL, Henry William, pik-ers-gil, a modern English painter and Royal Academician, who, after completing his career as a student, embraced the historical style of art. He subsequently devoted himself to portraits, and became one of the most fashionably patronized artists in that walk in England. Elected R.A. in 1825, he, ten years later, succeeded to the office of librarian to the Royal Academy. In the British collection at the South Kensington Museum, there is a portrait by him of hobert Vernon, the generous donor of the Vernon collection to the nation. There is also another work of his, entitled "A Syrian Maid," in the same gallery. B. about 1782; D. 1868, 910 the French. A monument to his memory was by vote of Parliament, erected in St. Pacis cathedral. B. 1758; killed, 1815. PIERRE, Bernardin de St., pe-air, an eminent French writer, who was educated for the profession of a civil engineer, and obtained enployment under the French government. Quit. ting his native country, he went to Russia, where he was engaged to execute several in portant surveys; but having presented to Count Orloff a plan for establishing a colony of foreigners upon the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea, under republican government, he met with such a reception as decided him to leave that country. He repaired to Poland, with the intention of taking arms against Russia, but fell deeply in love at Warsaw, and forgot military which have been translated into almost as many languages as the Bible. These celebrated fables or tales are said to be drawn from an old Sanscrit work in five books, called the "Pancha Tantra." They have been translated into English by Sir William Jones. PINCHBECK, Thomas, pinch-bek, an English mechanician, who invented several machines, and first used an alloy of copper and zine, which was an imitation of gold, and was called alter his name. D. in London, 17-3. glory in admiring the beauty of a Polish maiden. After spending some time in Germany, he returned to France, and soon afterwards joined an expedition, the ostensible object of which was to form a republican colony in the island of Madagascar; but discovering that his fellow-voyagers were in reality going thither to obtain a sup. ply of slaves, he abandoned them, and landed in the Isle of France (Mauritius), where he spent two years. Returning to Paris, he devoted himself to literature, and produced his beautiful little story of "Paul and Virginia," PINDAR, pin-dar, the prince of lyric poets. which has become a classic in every European In his youth he bore away the poetical prize language. His other works were, "Studies of, from Myrtis, but was less successful in his con Nature," "Harmonies of Nature," "The Indian, test with Corinna, who defeated him five times. Cottage," "Narrative of a Journey to Russia;" It is said, however, by some authors, that she and several plays. When the Revolution burst owed her victory less to her poctry than to her forth, he was reduced to great distress, which charms. At the Olympic games, where women was afterwards alleviated by the generous pa- were excluded, Pindar conquered all his rivals, tronage of Joseph Bonaparte. The emperor and received the greatest honours. Part of the subsequently bestowed a pension upon him, and prescuts allotted to Apollo were ordered to be added to it the cross of the Legion of Honour. given to him, and a statue was erected to his A complete edition of his works, with his bio-honour at Thebes. When the Spartans took graphy attached, was published at Paris in 1836. B. 1737; D. 1814. PINDAR, Peter. (See WOLCOT.) Thebes, they spared the house of Pindar, as did Alexander the Great. The best edition of this PIGNOTTI, Lorenzo, peen-yot'-fe, an eminent poet is that by Böckh, Leipzie, 1811. There is Italian writer, who was a physician and pro-an English translation by Cary. Flourished fessor of medicine at Florence and Pisa, in the 5th century n.C. counseller of the latter university, and further distinguished himself as a naturalist, poct, historian, and antiquary. His poems form six volumes, and he also produced some highly popular fables. A "History of Tuscany" by him was a learned work, but was considered too liberal in its tendencies by the court of Rome, who condemned it to be burnt. B. in Tuscany, 1739; D. 1812. PILES, Roger de, peel, a celebrated French painter and writer on painting, who, in 1662, became tutor to the son of the president Amelot, with whom he made a tour to Rome, where De Piles had ample opportunities for gratifying the taste which he possessed for the fine arts. The younger Amelot being appointed ambassador to Venice, De Piles accompanied him as secretary; and afterwards attended him in the same capacity to Lisbon and Switzerland. In 1692 he was sent by Louis XIV. to the Hague, ostensibly as a picture-dealer, but in fact to negotiate with those who were friends to France. The object of his mission being discovered, he was sent to prison, where he wrote his "Lives of the Fainters." On his return to France he obtained a pension. He was a member of the Academy of Painting, and a great admirer of Rubens, whom he imitated with success. Besides the above work, he wrote a treatise on Anatomy, adapted to Painting and Sculpture," and a "Course of Painting." B. at Clamecy, 1635; D. 1709. PILKINGTON, Letitia, pilk'-ing-ton, the daughter of Dr. Van Lewen, a physician of Dublin, became the wife of the Rev. Matthew Pilkington, from whom she was separated on account of the irregularity of her conduct. After this she settled in London, where she subsisted partly by writing, and partly by the bounty of her friends. She wrote " The Roman Father," a tragedy; and "The Turkish Count, or London Apprentice," a comedy; "Memoirs" of her life; and various poems, &c. B. 1712; D. 1770. PILPAY, OF BIDPAI, pil'-pay, an Indian Brahmin and philosopher, who was, it is believed, a governor of part of Hindostan, and counsellor! to an Indian king, whom he instructed by fables, PINELLI, John Vincent, pe-nail-le, a learned Italian, who fixed his residence at Padua, where he formed a magnificent library, stored with rare books and valuable manuscripts. The most learned men in Europe were among his corre spondents, and his literary treasures were always open for their use. n. at Naples, about 1530; D. 1601.-A descendant of his, Maffens Pinelli, was a printer at Venice, where he formed a very valuable library, which was brought to London, and there sold by auction. D. at Venice, 1785. PINGRE, Alexander Gui, pun'-grai, a clever French astronomer, who became librarian of St. Généviève, at Paris. In 1760 he was sent to the South Sea, to observe the famous transit of Venus over the sun's disc. He was afterwards employed to prove the timepieces of Le Roy, and was admitted a member of the French Academy and of the Institute. His works are, "State of the Heavens from 1754 to 1757,' "Memoirs of Discoveries made in the South Seas," "An Historical and Theoretical Treatise on Comets," "Translation of Manilius's Astronomies," and a portion of a projected "History of Astronomy in the 17th Century." B. at Paris, 1711; D. 1793. PINKERTON, Johm, pin-ker-ton, a Scottish writer, who was bred to the bar, but devoted himself to literary pursuits. For half a century he continued to produce works in various de partments of knowledge, many of which were of a valuable and important character. Among the rest, he gave to the world “ A General Collection of Voyages and Travels," "The History of Scotland," "Portraits of Illustrious Person's of Scotland," several collections of ancient Scottish poems, and "Walpoliana." B. at Edinburgh, 1753; D. at Paris, 1826. PINSON, Kichard, pin'-son, a native of Normandy, who became servant to William Caxton, and afterwards printer to Henry VII. and Henry VIII. He printed Magna Charta, and several books, which are now scarce and valuable. D. about 1530. PINTELLI, Baccio, pin-tail-le, a celebrated Italian architect, who designed the famous Finto Sistine chapel at Rome. He also built the Ponte Sisto over the Tiber, several churches, and the old library of the Vatican. After the death of his patron, Sixtus IV., he was invited to Urbino by Frederick, the second duke; and designed for him the ducal palace and some churches. His designs were made upon such excellent principles that several of his buildings still remain in a state of perfect preservation; and his bridge over the Tiber, although nearly 400 years old, is yet as substantial as a new fabric. B. at Florence early in the 15th century; D. at Urbino about 1491. Pisistratus Besides the work just named, Mrs. Piozzi wrote "The Three Warnings," a poem; "Observa tions and Reflections made in the course of a Journey through France, Italy, and Germany;" "British Synonomy," &c. Her "Autobiogra phy, Letters, and Literary Remains," which contain many interesting facts relative to Dr. Johnson, have been recently published. about 1739; D. at Clifton, near Bristol, 1821. PIRANESI, John Baptist, pe-ra-nail-se, a celebrated Italian architectural engraver, who was remarkable for a bold and free style of dr.winz, which he generally exccuted upon the plate at once by etching with aquafortis. He kept an establishment at Rome for the production of architectural engravings, which became famous throu hout Europe. His works, consi-ting d triumphal arches, bridges, buildings, and other remains of antiquity, occupy 29 folio volume B. at Venice, 1720; D. at Rome, 1778. PINTO, Ferdinand Mendez, in'-to, a Portuguese traveller, who was at first in the service of a Portuguese gentleman; but being of an a Iventurous turn of mind, he resolved to make a voyage to India, where he arrived in 1537. During the subsequent twenty-one years he led a life of constant vicissitude; at one time the owner of large treasures, at another pining in PIRANESI, Francis, was son of the preceding, captivity. He travelled in the East Indies, and, like him, a celebrated engraver and China, Japan, and Siam; sometimes on land, draughtsman. He took part in the revolution sometimes in command of a vessel manned by at Rome, and upon the arrival of the Frisch daring adventurers. In 1558 he returned to in that city, repaired to Paris, where he pro Portugal, and composed a narrative of his voy-duced a splendid collection of Roman antips ares and adventures for the amusement of his ties. His works consist of 29 folio velaties. children. This work is a curious one, but n. 1748; D. 1810. wholly unreli ble, in consequence of a large admixture of fiction. n. near Coimbra, about 1510; p. 1533. PIRON, Alexis, pe'-rawng, a French dramatie poet, who was the son of an apothecary, and was educated for the law, but was prevented PINTURICCHIO, Bernardino, or BERNARDINO, from establishing himself in practice in corseBetti, pin-too-rik-ke-o, a celebrated Italian quence of a reverse of fortune experienced by pinter, who belonged to the school of Peru- his parents. After living in obscurity till kis gino, and excelled in historical subjects and 30th year, he repaired to Paris, where he be portraits. In the latter walk he was exten- came employed as a writer for the stage, pre sively employed; and had, among other highly-ducing, among other plays, the "Metromarie," born sitters, Cæsar Borgia, Queen Isabella of Spain, and Giulia Farnese. D. at Perugia, 1454; D. at Siena, 1513. one of the best French comedies in existence. He subsequently wrote satirical poems and epigrams, and sought to become a member of the Academy; but being unsuccessful, he retaliated by keenly satirizing the meribers of that body. Piron was a man of infinite wit and humour, but his works are too often defaced by He wrote his own ep.t which was as follows: "Here lies Piron, who was nothing, not even an Academician." Promo, Sebastiano del, pe-om-bo, a cclebrated Italian painter, who was a disciple of Giorgone, and painted historical and portrait pieces. One of his finest works,-"The Raising of Lazarus," is in the National Gallery in Lon-licentiousness. don. Later in life, he quitted his profession to assume the functions of keeper of the signet to Pope Clement VII, whence rose his name Del Piombo, "of the lead," in allusion to the lead of Iis works were collected and published in the seal. Many of the designs for his pictures 7 volumes, in 1776. B. at Dijon, 168); p. 1773. were furnished by Michael Angelo; Sebastiano PISISTRATUS, pi-sis'-tra-tus, tyrant of thes supplying the fue colouring which charac- was a descendant of Codrus and a redveď terized his style. B. at Venice, 1495; D. 1517.Solon, and distinguished himself early in 1 Piozzi, Mrs., pe-ol-se, an English authoress, by his courage, particularly at the taking & and the friend of Dr. Johnson, was the daugh- Salamis; but after nobly serving his entry, ter of John Salusbury, a gentleman of Car-ho endeavoured to enslave it. To el ct ba narvonshire, and having appeared in the object he had recourse to an extra rare London world of fashion with much success, device. Having inflicted several wonn's ga became the wife of Mr. Thrale, a rich brewer of himself, he appeared before the people, and Southwark, It was as Mrs. Thrale that she pretended that an attempt had been mide ta made the acquaintance of the great lexicogra-assassinate him. The Athenians believe, t pher; but after she became a widow in the 13th year of her marriage, she retired to Bath with her four daughters. At Bath, she met Gabric! Piozzi, an Italian music-master, whom she married in 1781. This union, which took place shortly before Dr. Johnson's death, led to the breaking up of their long friendship. After the Doctor's death, she produced her "Aneedotes of Dr. Samuel Johnson during the last twenty years of his life," which work Boswell declared to have been written in a spiteful and revengeful spirit. Peter Pindar Dr. Wolcot) took the opposite view, and wrote his satirical poem called "Pozzy and Piozzi" thereupon. tale, and assigned him a gaard, which his Piso built an academy, which he furnished with a valuable library; made the first collection of the poems of Homer, and died in possession of the sovereign power, 527 B.c. Piso, pi-ao, an eminent Roman family, which produced some great men; as-Piso, Lucius Calpurnius, sarnamed Frugi, on account of his fuality. He was consul 119 D.C., and terminated the war in Sicily. He composed annals; and orations, which are lost.-Prso, Caius, consul 67 B.C., was the author of a law to re-train the factions which usually attended the election of the chief magistrates.-Piso, Cucius, was consul under Augustus, and governor of Syria under Tiberius, in which situat on he behaved with great cruelty. He was charged with poisoning Germanicus, on which account he destroyed himself, A.D. 2).-Pro, Lucius, a senator, who attended the emperor Valetan into Persia in 258. On the death of that emperor he assumed the imperial title, but was defeated by Valens, and put to death in 201. PITCAIRNE, Archibald," pil-kairn, an cuin nt Scotch physician, who studied divinity en af terwards law at the University of Feiahurch, bat quitted both these professions for thematics and acdicine. After publishing a thesis, in which he endeavoured to prove that the doctrine of the circulation of the blood was known to Hippocrates, he, in 1602, accepted an invitation from the curators of the University of Leyden to assume the professorship of medicine, but returned to Edinburgh about a year afterwards. He published "Dissertationes Mediem;" po wrote some Latin poems of the satirical kind, chiefly against the principal authors of the Revolution. The celebrated Boerhaave wes one of his pupils at Leyden. . at Edinburgh, 1652; D. 1713. 1559; D. 1593. | Pitt PITS, or PITSEUS, John, pits, an English biographer, who was educated at Wykeham's School, near Winchester; after which he went to Rheims, where he taught rhetoric and Greek, The civil wars breaking out in France, he retired to Loraine, and obtained a canonry in the church of Verdun. The duchess of Cleves appointed him her confessor, and on her death he became dean of Liverdun. His work, "Lives of the Kings, Bishops, Apostolical Men, and Writers of England," is his principal production. | B. in Hampshire, 1560; p. at Liverdun, 1616. PIIT, Christopher, pi, an English poet and divine, who is known by excellent translations of the "Eneid," Vida's "Art of Poetry," and some pleasing poems. B. 1639; p. 1719. PITT, Thomas, founder of the illustrious family of that name, towards the end of the 17th century went to the East Indies, as governor of Fort St. George, where he resided many years, and realized a large fortune; particularly by a diamon 1 (called after him the Pitt diamond) which he parch.sed for £20,400, and sold to the king of France for somewhat more than five tines that sum. A runoar having prevailed in En land that the governer gained this jewel unfairly, and Pope having given the slander currency by a sort of poetical adoption of it in the following complet "Asleep and naked as an Indian lay, An honest factor stole a gem away," Pitt published a refutation of the calumny. In 1716, Mr. Pitt was made governor of Jamaica, but did not hold that situation above a year. He sat in four Parliaments for Old Sarum and Thirsk, and was buried in Blandford church, where a monument was erected to his memory. B. 1653; D. 1723. PITT, William, earl of Chatham, the celebrated Pirnou, Pierre, pel-ton, a icarved French law- English statesman, was the son of Robert Pitt, yer, who was educated a Huguenot, and narrowly Esq., of Boconnoc, in Cornwall, and was cduescaped in the massacre of St. Bartholomew, cated at Eton, whence he removed to Trinity Afterwards embracing the Roman Catholic faith, College, Oxford. He was for some time a corhe became attorney-general in the chamber of net of dragoons; but, in 1735, quitted the justice of Guienne. He defended the rights of the army, on being chosen member of Parliament kings and church of France against the court for the borough of Old Sarum. He exerted of Rome with great ability. His most impor- himself strenuously in opposition to the meatant works are,-"Treatise on the Liberties of sures of Sir Robert Walpole, and produced the Gallican Church," "Commentaries on the such an effect, by his eloquence and power, in Customs of Troyes," "Notes on various An-lowering the tone of that minister, that the thors." To Pithou we are indebted for the first duchess of Marlborough, who hated Walpole, publication of Phædrus, the "Novella" of Jus- bequeathed him a legacy of £10,000. On the tinian, and other ancient remains. E. at Troyes, change of administration in 1746, he became joint vice-treasurer of Ireland, and paymastergeneral of the army, which places he held till 1755. The next year he was appointed secretary of state, but in a few months afterwards was again out of office. An efficient administration being desired in 1757, he again became secretary of state. The stupendous statesmanlike quali ties of his mind now began to reveal themselves. He soon acquired an immense ascendancy over both the Parliament and the ministry, and the war in which the country was then engaged with France began to assume a new aspect. A fresh impetus was given to every department of the government, and the enemy was beaten both on land and at sea. In all directions the most brilliant actions were performed on the continent, whilst in other pats of the globe the flag of Great Britain was completely triumphant, several valuable places, both in America and the East Indies, being added to her possess car. Such was the state of affairs on the death of George II.; ccom after which, a change tai ng Pinor, François, brother of the preceding, became attorney-general in the chamber of justice established under Henry IV. He discovered the manuscript of the fables of Phaedrus, which he published in conjunction with his brother. His own works were, "Body of the Canon Law," and "The Laws of the Romans compared with those of Moses." B. 1514; D. 1621. PITOT, Henry, pe'-to, an eminent French raathematician, who acquired the mathematies without a master, and in 1724 was admitted a member of the Academy of Sciences. His work on the theory of maneuvring ships was translated into English, for which he was elected a member of the Royal Society. He was appointed chief engineer of Languedoc and inspector-general of the canal. The city of Montpellier being in want of water, Pitot constructed an aqueduct, which supplied that place from a distance of three leagues. B. at Aramont, Languedoc, 1695; D. 1771, |