Volume 1

Universal pronouncing dictionary of biography and mythology / by Joseph Thomas.

  • Joseph Thomas
Date:
1911, ©1908
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Universal pronouncing dictionary of biography and mythology / by Joseph Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1418/1486 (page 1400)
    the Holy Scriptures,” (1786,) and two political treatises against the French Revolution, entitled “A Letter from Thomas Bull to his Brother John,” and “The Scholar armed against the Errors of the Times.” He was per¬ petual curate of Nayland. Died in 1800. See William Stevens, “Life of W. Jones of Nayland,” 1801. Jones, [Lat. Jone'sius,] (Sir William,) an eminent Orientalist, son of William Jones, noticed above, (1680- 1749,) was born in London September 28, 1746. He lost his father when he was three years of age ; but his mother, a lady remarkable both for her learning and accomplishments, ably superintended his education. In 1753 he was placed at the Harrow School, of which Dr. Thackeray was preceptor. Jones early distinguished himself for his classical acquirements, and at the age of seventeen entered University College, Oxford, with more learning than many good scholars have carried thence. The following year he left Oxford, to become tutor to the son of Earl Spencer, in whose family he continued to reside for five years. During this period he devoted much of his time to the acquirement of the Oriental languages. He was also versed in nearly all the Euro¬ pean tongues. In 1768, at the request of the King of Denmark, he translated the “ Life of Nadir Shah” from the Persian into French. The year following he issued a valuable Persian Grammar. In 1770 he began the study of law, and in 1774 he was admitted to the bar. In March, 1783, he was appointed judge of the supreme court of judicature at Fort William, in Bengal, and re¬ ceived the order of knighthood. Soon after he married Anna Maria Shipley, a daughter of the Bishop of Saint Asaph. In the following September Sir William Jones reached India, where he continued to pursue his Oriental studies with unabated zeal. He also organized (about 1785) the “ Asiatic Society,” for the purpose of obtaining further information relative to the sciences, antiquities, languages, and history of Asia. He died at Calcutta on the 27th of April, 1794, after a short illness. In the branch of literature to which he devoted his attention he undoubtedly surpassed all other Europeans. He is, however, to be equally esteemed for his noble qualities and Christian virtues as for his vast erudition. Among his numerous works are “ Commentaries on Asiatic Poetry,” commenced in his twenty-first year, and contain¬ ing translations from the most distinguished Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, and Turkish poets, treatises “On the Gods of Greece, Italy, and India,” “ On the Second Classical Book of the Chinese,” “ On the Musical Modes of the Hindus,” and a translation of the “ Institutes of Manu,” and a prose translation of Kalidasa’s cele¬ brated poem “ Sacontala,” (“ Sakoontala,”) both from the original Sanscrit. He was also author of several works on the laws of England and of India. See Lord Teignmouth, “Life of Sir William Jones,” 1804; “Autobiography of William Jones,” published by his son, London, 1846; H. A. Hamaker, “ Oratio de Vita et Mentis G. Jonesii,” Leyden, 1822; “ Nouvelle Biographie G^n^rale “Edinburgh Re¬ view” for January, 1805; Cary, “Lives of English Poets from Johnson to Kirke White.” Jones, (William Alfred,) an American writer and critic, was born in 1817. He graduated at Columbia College in 1836. He has contributed largely to various periodicals, and published several volumes of essays. His “ Characters and Criticisms” (2 vols., 1857) was highly commended by Washington Irving. Jones, (William Basil,) D.D., an English bishop, born at Cheltenham in 1822. He graduated at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1844, was a Fellow of Queen’s Col¬ lege, 1848-51, and of University College, 1851-57, and a tutor, 1854-65. In 1867 he became archdeacon and canon of York. In 1874 he was consecrated Bishop of Saint David’s. Among his works are “Vestiges of the Gael in Gwynedd,” (1851,) “History of Saint David’s,” (1856,) “Notes on the CEdipus Tyrannus of Sophocles,” “ New Testament, with a Plain Commentary,” and “The Peace of God.” Died January 14, 1897. Jonesius. See Jones, (Sir William.) Jong, de, deh yong, (Ludolf,) a Flemish painter of battle- and hunting-scenes, born near Rotterdam in 1616; died in 1697. Jongelingx, yong'eh-links', (Jacob,) a Flemish sculp¬ tor, born at Antwerp in 1531. Among his works is a monument to Charles the Bold at Bruges. Died in 1606. Jonin, zho'niN', (Gilbert,) a French Jesuit and poet, born in Auvergne in 1596. He translated into Latin, with many modifications, the Odes of Anacreon, which he published under the title of “ The Christian Anacreon.” He wrote several Greek and Latin odes. Died at Tournon, March 9, 1638. Jonsius, yon'se-iis, (Johann,) a German scholar, born at Flensburg in 1624. He wrote, besides other works, “ De Scriptoribus Historiae Philosophicae,” (1659,) which was once highly prized. Died at Leipsic in 1659. Jon'son or Johnson, (Ben,) one of the most cele¬ brated English poets and dramatists, was born at West¬ minster in 1574. His father, a Protestant clergyman, died a month previous to his birth. Jonson’s mother subsequently married a master-bricklayer, who sent him to Westminster, then under the charge of Camden, to whom he afterwards dedicated the drama entitled “ Every Man in his Humour.” Jonson regarded his preceptor through life with esteem and affection. In his sixteenth year he entered the University of Cambridge; but, on account of his straitened circumstances, he was obliged to leave college and to assist his step-father as a mason. Becoming disgusted with this employment, he enlisted in the army in Flanders, and greatly distinguished himself by his bravery. When he returned, as Gifford observes, “ he brought little but the reputation of a brave man, a smattering of Dutch, and an empty p.irse.” He soon afterwards joined a company of actors ; but, having killed one of them in a duel, ne was thrown into prison, and narrowly escaped with his life. During his confinement he was converted by a priest to the Roman Catholic religion. Subsequently, after a careful examination, he renounced his adopted faith, and was again received into the communion of the Church of England. In 1598 he produced “ Every Man in his Humour,” drama, which at once brought him into notice. One of the characters of this play is said to have been performed by Shakspeare. It was followed by numerous produc¬ tions, which added to the fame he had already acquired. About 1605 he assisted Chapman and Marston in writing “ Eastward Hoe.” This was regarded as a libel on the Scots, and his associates were thrown into prison, whither he voluntarily accompanied them. The three poets were condemned to lose their ears and noses; but, through Jonson’s influence at court, they escaped. He was shortly afterwards created poet-laureate by James I., with an annual pension of ^ioo and a tierce of Spanish wine. Jonson died in 1637. On his death-bed he expressed the deepest penitence for the profanity that he had intro¬ duced into his plays, which, with this exception, are far purer in morals than the other dramas of that age. Jon¬ son’s convivial habits (perhaps his greatest weakness) caused him to suffer from poverty in his declining years. He was accustomed to meet Shakspeare and other dis¬ tinguished persons at the drinking-houses of London. He also gave costly entertainments at his own residence. He was brave, generous, and benevolent, and governed by the highest principles of honour. Towards his friends he was unwavering in his attachment, and was easily reconciled to those who had injured him. As a poet he exhibits uncommon classical learning, great intellectual power, and acuteness of perception. He unquestionably deserves much praise for refining English poetry and the morals of the English stage. “I think him,” says Dryden, “the most learned and judicious writer which any theatre ever had. ... If I would compare him with Shakspeare, I must acknowledge him the most correct poet, but Shakspeare the greater wit. Shakspeare was the Homer or father of dramatic poets. Jonson was the Virgil, the pattern of elaborate writing. I admire him, but I love Shakspeare.” Jonson was most successful in satirical comedies, the style of which he obtained from the ancients. To the refinement and thought displayed in his writings may be attributed the ill success which many of them first met with among the English people, whose taste had been vitiated by the low wit and ob¬ scenity which they had been accustomed to hear from the stage. Among the most important of his dramas are “Cynthia’s Revels,” (1600,) “Sejanus,” (1603,) “ Vol-