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Da tamen, alme Deus, dum vivam, vivere laudi
Eternum sancti nominis usque tui.

Ne vivam (potius moriar !) nil utile agendo
Finiat opto magis, mors properata dies.
Vel doceam in sancto cætu tua verba salutis,
Celestive canam cantica sacra choro

Seu vivam, moriarve, tuus sum, Christe, quod uni
Debita vita mea est. debita morsque tibi.

BULKLEY JOHN, minister of Colchester, Connecticut, is mentioned by Dr. Chauncy as one of the greatest men of New England. He knew him when he himself was a young man, and often spake of him in company with his brethren; relat ing things astonishing of his memory. In a written account of him, in a letter to Dr. Stiles, he says, "that Mr. Dummer and he, who were classmates at college, were accounted the greatest geniuses of the day. The preference was given to Dummer in regard of quickness, brilliancy and wit; to Bulkley in regard to solidity of judgment and strength of argument."

Mr. Bulkley was the son of the rev. Gershom Bulkley, and grandson of Peter Bulkley of Concord. He was graduated at Harvard College, 1699, and died, suddenly, June, 1731.

In 1729, he printed an account of an impartial debate at Lyme, "upon the subjects of baptism, the mode of baptising, and the maintenance of ministers." No other publication appears with his

name.

BURNET WILLIAM, esq. governor of Massachusetts, son of Gilbert Burnet, bishop of Sarum, was born at the Hague in March preceding the revolution, and named William after the illustrious prince of Orange, who was his godfather.

The great part which his father had in the accession of that prince to the British throne, and his steady attachment to the Hanoverian line, brought him early into the notice of the court. In the year 1720, he was in the post of comptroller of the customs, which he exchanged for the government of New York and New Jersey. He arrived at New York, Sept. 19. The first speech he made, discov

ered the abilities of an elegant scholar, and the manners of a gentleman. "I serve a prince, the best that ever was, from whom I may expect the most gracious acceptance of my labours; I succeed a gentleman who left this province in a flourishing state, and is still ready to declare for its interests; I meet a council and assembly who concurred with him, and assisted him in those great and good measures, that are now confirmed by his majesty, and have been so effectual to secure publick credit, and the peace of the province." His administration was very acceptable to the people, till an opposition arose from the merchants of the city, on account of an act passed against the sale of goods to the French, which were proper for the Indian trade. This law was advantageous to the province; but enterprising speculators, and the importers of merchandize, did not regard the general good so much as their own advantage. They discovered their malevolence against the governor, and being able to bring some censure upon him, because, as chancellor, he had given decrees, in several instances, contrary to a legal process, owing to a quick decision, from the sensibility of his temper, they were able to do him considerable injury. Whether it was owing to this, or what Hutchinson suggests, to gratify a favourite who wanted the government, he was removed from this place, to Massachusetts, on the accession of George II. We are told that with reluctance he lett New York; he had many friends among the wise and patriotick, who equally regretted the loss of such a ruler.

In his first speech to the Massachusetts assembly, he informed them of his instructions to insist upon a fixed salary. The assembly voted a sum equal to 1000 pounds sterling, which was more than any governor had received; and also made him several handsome grants towards his support, and the expences of his journey. These he accepted, but refused the salary. He had now to resist the argu.

ments of the legislature, and the tumult of the peo ple. The people of Boston, from their love of free, dom, were against a permanent salary. They discussed the subject at the town meeting; on this account the governor adjourned the court to Salem.

The general court, directed their agent, Francis Wilks, esq. to make application to his majesty to afford them relief. Mr. Belcher was joined with him in the agency, and they procured all the aid in their power. In the mean time the house became importunate for their pay; but the governor withheld his warrant from the treasury; not having received any himself, he thought they might as well go without theirs.

The election for counsellors, A. D. 1729, was held at Salem. During this session, the beginning of August, the governor communicated to the house the result of their address to the king, which was unfavourable to their wishes. The same month he adjourned them to Cambridge. This was styled a grievance; but the death of the governor put an end to all further disputes.

The 31st of August he was taken with a shivering fit after some time spent in fishing on Watertown pond; he did not confine himself; paroxisms of fever succeeded, which terminated in a coma. He died, Sept. 7, 1729. The pall bearers, at his funeral, were lieut. gov. Dummer, col. Taylor, col. Winslow, col. Hutchinson, col. Brown, and col. Fitch. The rev. Mr. Price preached the funeral sermon, from Eccles. ii. 17.

"Gov. Burnet was large in stature, he had a majestick port and countenance, mixed with a great deal of sweetness; he was frank and open in his manners; his sagacity penetrating; of ready wit, and sound understanding; his learning, in books and manners, which he had improved by travelling over Europe, enabled him to suit himself to the tempers and conversation of all men. He was a christian upon principle, having studied under such

men as his father and sir Isaac Newton. In his youth he had inclined to infidelity, but afterwards become a scholar in sacred as well as profane studies."

From an account of him in Chandler's life of president Johnson, we should suppose he was an inquirer of some liberality. He persuaded Johnson to read Whiston, and Dr. Clark's works, "so that he was in danger of becoming an Arian, which the governor wished him to be." But according to other accounts there appears an inconsistency. For while he was governor of Jersey he prepared a bill that fixed a penalty upon all who denied the Saviour's divinity, or the truth of the scriptures. This was more pious than judicious. It might have passed in some of the provinces, but here the Quakers had an influence which was exerted against it.

In the year 1724, he printed an "essay on scripture prophecies," which is a work of ingenuity as well as piety, the result, perhaps, of his inquiries when he was under the care of sir Isaac Newton.

While he was governor of Massachusetts, he answered a letter of a popish priest in Canada, which contained a reflection upon the first reformers.

These works praise him, are really curious and worth preserving.

CABOT SEBASTIAN, who first discovered the continent of North America, was the son of John Cabot, an enterprising navigator, a Venetian, was born, 1467. When he was a youth he, made several voyages with his father, and brothers. In 1552, he projected the plan of the first voyage of the English to Russia, and laid the foundation of that extensive commerce which has ever since been carried on between the two nations. He was also the first who took notice of the variation of the needle. He died, 1557.*

*This spring, 1496. John Cabota, a Venetian, sails with two ships from England, steers westward, discovers the shore of the

CALEF ROBERT, merchant, in the town of Bos, ton, rendered himself famous by his book against witchcraft, when the people of Massachusetts were under the most strange kind of delusion. The nature of this crime, so opposite to all common sense, has been said to exempt the accusers from observing the rules of common sense. This was evident from the trials of witches at Salem, 1692. Mr. Calef opposed facts in the simple garb of truth to fanciful representations; yet he offended men of the greatest learning and influence. He was obliged to enter into a controversy, which he managed with boldness and address. His letters and defence were printed in a volume in London, 1700. Dr. Increase Mather, was then president of Harvard College; he ordered the wicked book to be burnt in the col. lege yard; and the members of the old north church published a defence of their pastors, the rev. Increase and Cotton Mather. The pamphlet printed on this occasion has this title page, "Remarks upon a scandalous book, against the government and ministry of New England, written by Robert Calef," &c. Their motto was, truth will come off conqueror, which proved a satire upon themselves, because Calef obtained a complete triumph. The judges of the court, and jury confessed their errors; the people were astonished at their own delusion; reason and common sense were evidently on Calef's side; and even the present generation read his book with mingled sentiments of pleasure and admiration. A new edition was printed at Salem, 1796. It is wor

new world, in 45 degrees, north latitude, sails along the coast, northward, to 60, and then southward, to 38, some say, to Cape Florida, in 25, and returns to England. Prince.

Dr. Belknap, also, supposes J. Cabot made the discovery which the European writers generally ascribe to his son Sebastian. He gave a good reason, that Sebastian was only 20 years old; hence it is improbable he should have such a command. Sebastian and two brothers sailed with their father several voyages. It may

be that he discovered the coast while aboard of his father's vessel, and hence the credit has been given of making the voyage of discovery.

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