would leave it to the emperor's pleasure, only begged it might not be pecuniary. In the same temper, upon hearing there was a design to give him a coat of arms, in order to raise the dignity of his extraction, he declared, that, so far from deserving a new coat of arms, he was too much burthened with those which had devolved to him from his ancestors. The emperor was then desired to grant him a general licence for all the books of his own publishing, which he not only consented to, but also granted him a privilege of licensing others. His majesty also intended to create him a count of the sacred palace; and the patent was actually drawn, and brought to be ratified by his sign manual; but this monarch happening to die in the interim, it was left without the signature, which it never afterwards received. Yet Gruterus bestowed the same encomiums on the good emperor as if it had been completed; and his privilege of licensing books continued to be of great advantage to him, being one of the most voluminous writers of his age. This task he was the better enabled to execute by the help of his library, which was large and curious, having cost him no less than twelve thousand crowns in gold; but the whole was destroyed or plundered, together with the city of Heidelberg, in 1622. Oswald Smeudius, his son-in-law, endeavoured in vain to save it, by -writing to one of the great officers of the duke of Bavaria's troops; but the licentiousness of the soldiers could not be restrained. Afterwards he went to Heidelberg, and having witnessed the havock that had been made at his father's house, he tried to save at least what Gruterus's amanuensis had lodged in the elector's library, and brought the Pope's commission to give him leave to remove them. He received for answer, that as to the MSS. the pope had ordered them all to be sought for carefully, and carried to Rome; but as to the printed books, leave would be given to restore them to Gruterus, provided it was approved by Tilly under his hand: but this pretended favour proved of no effect, as no access could be had to Tilly.

Gruterus had left Heidelberg before it was taken, and retired to his son-in-law's at Bretten, whence he went to Tubingen, where he remained some time. He made several removes afterwards, and received invitations to read lectures at various places, and particularly one from Denmark, to enter into the service of the constable D'Esdiguieres. The curators also of the university of Franecker

offered him the professorship of history in 1624; but, when the affairs of the palatinate were a little settled, he returned to Bretten; where, however, he found himself very much teazed by some young Jesuits who were fond of disputing. Gruterus, who never loved controversy, especially upon religious subjects, could think of no other way of getting rid of their importunities than by living at a distance from them. He retired therefore to a country-house, which he purchased near Heidelberg, where he used to make visits. occasionally. He came from one of these, September 1627, and going to Bernhelden, a country seat belonging to his son-in-law Smendius, about a league's distance from Heidelberg, he fell sick Sept. 20, and expired. His corpse was carried to Heidelberg, and interred in St. Peter's church.

His

His

He wrote notes upon the Roman historians and several of the poets; and published all the works of Cicero, with notes, in 2 vols. folio. That printed in 1618 is a good edition; but the London edition of 1681 is incorrect. "Florilegium magnum, seu Polyanthea," is a voluminous common-place book, formerly valued as a treasure. "Chronicon Chronicorum" is a proof of his industry in history; but the chief of all his performances is his "Collection of Ancient Inscriptions," a work not only estimable for the historical knowledge contained in it, but because it throws the clearest light upon a multitude of obscure passages in classic authors. This was published in 1601, and afterwards in a more perfect and splendid form by Grævius at Amsterdam in 1707, 4 vols. folio. He published also a collection of scarce critical treatises, under the title of "Thesaurus Criticus," 6 vols. 8vo. To this Daniel Pareus added a seventh. "Delicia Poetarum Gallorum, Italorum, Belgarum, 1608-14, 9 vols. 8vo. In this last publication he assumed the name of Ranutius Gerus, the anagram of his name. An ample list of his works may be seen in Niceron, His private character appears to have been excellent. He was very liberal both in giving and lending money, on which he set no other value than as affording him the means of doing good. As a student, few men have been more indefatigable, employing not only the whole of the day, but a considerable part of the night on his literary researches, in which he always preferred a standing posture.'

Niceron, vols. IX and X.-Gen. Dict.-Foppen, Bibl. Belg.-Arch. Usher's Life and Letters, p. 538, 547,-Saxii Onom. where is a profusion of references.

GRYNÆUS (SIMON), a very learned German, was the son of a peasant of Suabia, and born at Veringen in the county of Hohenzollern in 1493. He pursued his studies in Pfortsheim at the same time with Melancthon, which gave rise to a lasting friendship between them. He then went for farther instruction to Vienna, and there taking the degree of master in philosophy, was appointed Greek professor. Having embraced the protestant religion, he was exposed to many dangers; and particularly in Baden, of which he was some years rector of the school. He was thrown into prison at the instigation of the friars; but at the solicitation of the nobles of Hungary, was set at liberty, and retired to Wittemberg, where he had a conference with Luther and Melancthon. Being returned to his native country, he was invited to Heidelberg, to be Greek professor in that city, in 1523. He exercised this employment till 1529, when he was invited to Basil to teach publicly in that city. In 1531, he took a journey into England, and carried with him a recommendatory letter from Erasmus to William Montjoy, dated Friburg, March 18, 1531. After desiring Montjoy to assist Grynæus as much as he could, in shewing him libraries, and introducing him to learnedmen, Erasmus recommends him as a man perfectly skilled in Latin and Greek, a good philosopher and mathematician, and a man of humble manners, whose object was to visit the libraries, &c. Erasmus recommended him also to sir Thomas More, from whom he received the highest civi lities. In 1534, he was employed, in conjunction with other persons, in reforming the church and school of Tubingen. He returned to Basil in 1536, and in 1540 was appointed to go to the conferences of Worms, with Melanethon, Capito, Bucer, Calvin, &c. He died of the plague at Basil in 1541.

He did great service to the commonwealth of learning, by publishing valuable editions of several ancient authors. Among these was the "Almagest" of Ptolemy in Greek, which he published at Basil in 1538, and added a preface concerning the use of that author's doctrine. He also published a Greek "Euclid," with a preface, in 1533, and Plato's works with some commentaries of Proclus, in 1534. His edition of Plato was addressed to John More, the chancellor's son, as a testimony of gratitude for favours received from the father; and the following passage in the dedication shews sir Thomas, as well as Grynæus, in a very amia

ble light. "It is, you know, three years, since arriving in England, and being recommended most auspiciously by my friend Erasmus to your house, the sacred seat of the muses, I was there received with great kindness, was entertained with greater, was dismissed with the greatest of all. For that great and excellent man your father, so eminent for his high rank and noble talents, not only allowed me, a private and obscure person (such was his love of literature), the honour of conversing with him in the midst of many public and private affairs, gave me a place at his table, though he was the greatest man in England, took me withhim when he went to court or returned from it, and had me ever by his side, but also with the utmost gentleness and candour inquired, in what particulars my religious principles were different from his; and though he found them to vary greatly, yet he was so kind as to assist me in every respect, and even to defray all my expences. He likewise sent me to Oxford* with one Mr. Harris, a learned young gentleman, and recommended me so powerfully to the university, that at the sight of his letters all the libraries were open to me, and I was admitted to the most intimate familiarity with the students."

He had a son, SAMUEL Grynæus, born at Basil in 1539, who was made professor of eloquence there at the age of twenty-five. He had also a nephew, THOMAS, who was born in 1512. He pursued his studies under the auspices of his uncle, and taught the Latin and Greek languages at Berne. He also read public lectures at Basil, and was a great supporter of the reformed religion. He left four sons, all of whom were eminent for their learning. One of them is the subject of our next article.'

GRYNÆUS (JOHN JAMES), was born at Bern in 1540, was educated at Basil, and in 1551 was admitted into the university. In 1559 he was ordained deacon, and began to preach the doctrines of the reformers. In 1563 he went to Tubingen, and the year following was created doctor in divinity, and soon after succeeded his father, as pastor of Rotelen, where, besides his more public services, he lectured twice a week to the deacons. About this time the

* Anthony Wood very unguardedly reflects upon Grynæus for carrying off several Greek books from the libraries in Oxford," because he saw the owners

were careless of them;" and refers to Bryan Twyne's" Apologia,” in which there occurs nothing that will warrant such a charge. Granger.

Gen. Dict.Ath. Ox. vol, L.-Moreri,-More's Life of Sir T. More, &c.

"Form of Concord" between the Lutheran and Zuinglian parties, respecting the corporal presence of Christ's body in the Lord's Supper, was a matter of deep controversy. Grynæus, who had hitherto been a Lutheran, now studied the controversy more closely, the result of which was his declaring his opinion in favour of Zuinglius, and this lost him many friends of the contrary party. In 1575 he was invited to Basil, to lecture upon the Old Testament, in the course of which employment he was happily instru mental in healing the differences between the Lutheran and Zuinglian churches; and his instructions were so much approved, that many noblemen and gentlemen came from other countries, and boarded with him for the sake of tuition and conversation. After the death of Lewis, the elector palatine, prince Casimir invited him to Heidel berg, where he read divinity and history almost two years, but was then recalled to Basil to succeed Sulcer in his pastoral office and professorship; both which offices he discharged with faithfulness and success for the remainder of his life. In the latter part of it he became very infirm and blind, and outlived all his children, except one daughter. These calamities he bore with pious resignation, and expired Aug. 30, 1617. He was a man of extensive learning, and highly respected by his contemporaries. Among his writings are, 1. "A Summary of the Old Testament." 2." An Outline of Divinity." 3. "The Character of Christians." 4. Expositions on the Psalms, and other parts of Scripture; and various theological theses, and disputations. 5. "A Commentary upon Irenæus." 6. "An Ecclesiastical History." 7. Chronology of the Gospel History." His "Letters" to his friends are highly praised by Melchior Adam. 1

GRYPHIUS (ANDREW), was born at Glogaw in 1616, and died in 1664. He was called the Corneille of Germany, and acquired considerable reputation by his compositions for the theatre, and is among the very first writers of tragedy in the catalogue of German writers. He also wrote, in a fine vein of irony, a "Critique on the ancient Comedies of the Germans." 2

GRYPHIUS (CHRISTIAN), son of the preceding, and one of the greatest geniuses that Germany has produced,

'Melchior Adam.-Moreri.-Fuller's Abel Redivivus.-Saxii Onomast. 2 Dict. Hist.