and virtue of character. He was likewise distinguished by that simplicity of manners, which is almost invariably the attendant of great men. With all these amiable qualities, the captain was occasionally subject to an hastiness of temper, which has, perhaps, been exaggerated by some, who were not his friends: but even these, when taking a general view of his character, are obliged to acknowledge, that he was undoubtedly, one of the greatest men of his age.

We shall conclude this article, by observing, that the death of Captain Cook was universally regretted, not only in Great Britain, but in the United States of America, and throughout every part of Europe; and that his Majesty, in consideration of his important services, settled a pension of 888 dollars per annum, on his widow during her life, and 110 dollars a year on each of his three sons.

COPERNICUS, (NICOLAUS) an eminent astronomer, was born at Thorn, in Prussia, January 10th, 1472. After being instructed in the Greek and Latin languages at home, he was sent to Cracovia, where he studied philosophy and physic. His genius, in the mean time, was naturally turned to mathematics, which he pursued through all its various branches. He set out for Italy, when he was about 23 years of age, but staid some time at Bononia, for the sake of being with Dominicus Maria, the celebrated philosopher of that place, whom he attended, as an assistant, in making his observations. From thence he passed to Rome, where he had no sooner arrived, than he was appointed professor of mathematics, which he taught, with much celebrity, for a long time, in that city. He also made some astronomical observations there, about the year 1500.

Returning to his own country, some years after, he began to apply his vast knowledge in mathematics to correct the system of astronomy, which then pre

vailed; for he could not persuade himself, that the vast machine of the universe, formed by an all-wise and all-powerful Being, was so embarrassed, and irregular, as that system supposed. He, therefore, set himself to examine the different hypotheses, which philosophers had invenfed for the solution of the celestial phenomena, and to try if a more symmetrical order, and constitution of the world could be discovered, and a more just and exquisite harmony in its motions established, than that which the astronomers of these times so easily admitted. But of all their hypotheses, none pleased him so well as that of Pythagoras, which made the sun the centre of the system, and the earth to move, not only round the sun, but round its own axis also. He thought he discerned much beautiful order and proportion in this, and that all that embarrassment and perplexity from cycles and eccentrics, which attended the Ptolemaic hypothesis, would here be entirely removed.

This system then, he began to consider and to write upon, when he was about thirty-five years of age. He employed himself in contemplating the phenomena carefully; in making mathematical calculations, in examining the observations of the ancients, and in making new ones of his own; and after more than twenty years chiefly spent in this manner, he brought his scheme to perfection, and established that system of the world, which has since gone by his name, and is now universally received. This he performed, in a work entitled, "De revolutionibus orbium celestium." Of the revolutions of the Celestial orbs. This work, however, had no sooner made its appearance, than his system was considered as a most dangerous heresy, in consequence of which, he was thrown into prison, by order of Pope Urban VIII. nor was he enlarged till he recanted his opinion that is, till he renounced the evidence of his senses. He died 24th May, 1543, in the 70th year of his age.

This extraordinary man was not only the greatest of astronomers, but a perfect master of the Greek and Latin languages, to all which he added the greatest piety and innocence of manners.

COOPER, (ANTHONY ASHLEY) earl of Shaftesbury, the celebrated author of the "Characteristics," was born in London, in 1671, in the house of his grandfather Anthony, first Earl of Shaftesbury who was, at that time, lord chancellor of England. That nobleman was so exceedingly fond of him, from his birth, that he undertook the care of his education himself; and, in teaching him the learned languages pursued almost the same method as Montaigne's father did in teaching his son Latin; that is, he placed a person about him, who was so thoroughly versed in the Greek and Latin tongues, as to speak either of them with the greatest fluency. By this means the young gentleman made so great a progress, that he could read both these languages with ease, when but 11 years of age.

He began his travels in 1686, and spent a considerable time in Italy, where he acquired a great knowledge in the polite arts, which appears so eminently conspicuous through all his writings. He returned to England, in 1689, and within a few years, was elected a member of parliament, where he soon had an opportunity of shewing that spirit of liberty, which he maintained to the end of his life, and by which he uniformly directed his conduct on all occasions. It was the bringing in and promoting "The act for granting counsel to prisoners in cases of high treason." This he justly considered as highly important, and had prepared a speech in its behalf; but when he stood up in the house of commons, he was so intimidated, that he was unable to proceed. The house, after giving him a little time to recover his confusion, called for him to go on, when he proceeded to this

effect: "If I, Sir," (addressing himself to the speaker) who rise only to give my opinion on the bill now depending, am so confounded, that I am unable to express the least of what I proposed to say, what must the condition of that man be, who, without any assistance, is pleading for his life, and under apprehensions of being deprived of it." During this and the other sessions, in which he continued in the house of commons, he persevered in the same way, always heartily concurring in every motion for the further security of liberty; but finding, that, by a constant attendance on the business of the house, his constitution, which was naturally very weakly, became greatly impaired, he was obliged to decline coming again into parliament, after the year 1698.

He then returned to Holland, where, that he might be less interrupted in the prosecution of his studies, he is said to have concealed his name: but after about twelve months residence in that country, he had the mortification to find that an imperfect edition of his " Enquiry into Virtue" had been published, in London. It had been surreptitiously taken from a rough draught, which he had sketched, when he was no more than twenty years of age. This treatise he afterwards completed, and published in the second volume of his "Characteristics."

Soon after he returned to England, when upon the death of his father, he became Earl of Shaftesbury. About the year 1705, some pretended French prophets having by their enthusiastic extravagance, made a great disturbance throughout England, there were different opinions with respect to the methods of suppressing them, and some advised a prosecution; but as lord Shaftesbury wisely apprehended, that persecution would tend much more to inflame than to cure the disease, it gave rise to his " Letter concerning enthusiasm," which he published in 1708. His " Moralist, a Philosophical Rhapsody," being a recital of certain conversations, on natural and moral subjects

appeared in January 1709; and, in the May following, his "Sensus communis, or an Essay upon the freedom of wit and humour." In 1710, his "Soliloquy, or advice to an author," was published; but whilst he was thus employed in literary composition, his health declined so fast, that it was recommended to him to seek assistance from a warmer climate. He set out, therefore, for Naples, in July, 1711; but his removal thither was of no service to him; he died on the 15th February, 1713.

The only pieces which he finished, after he came to Naples, were, "The judgment of Hercules," and the "Letter concerning Design." In the three volumes of his "Characteristics of men, manners, opinions and times," he completed the whole of his works, which he intended for the public eye; yet, in 1716, some of his letters were printed under the title of "Several Leters, written by a noble lord, to a young man of the University;" and in 1721, Toland published "Letters from the late Earl of Shaftesbury, to Robert Molesworth, Esq."

Though lord Shaftesbury, in general, treated the clerical order with great severity, yet he is said to have had an esteem for such of the English divines, as explained christianity in a manner conformably to his own principles; one remarkable instance of which was displayed in his writing a preface to a volume of Dr. Whichcots' Sermons, published in 1698. In his letters to a young man of the University, he speaks of Bishop Burnet and Dr. Hoadley, in terms of great applause; and has done justice to the merits of Tillotson, Barrow, Chillingworth and Hammond, as the chief pillars of the church, against fanaticism. But whatever regard, his lordship might have had for some of the Divines, it was to the writings of antiquity, that his admiration was chiefly directed. These were the constant objects of his study, and from them he formed his system of philosophy.

Of lord Shaftesbury's character as a writer, differ