7. Medicinal Experiments; or, a Collection of Choice Remedies, chiefly simple, and easily prepared, useful in Families, and fit for the Service of Country People. The third and last volume, published from the author's original MSS. Whereunto is added several other useful notes explicatory of the same.

Boyle's works complete, were published by Dr. Birch, in five volumes folio, 1744, with his life prefixed; and reprinted in 1772, in six volumes 4to. An abridgment, however, in three volumes 4to. was published before this, and of which the second edition appeared in 1738, by Dr. Shaw; with a character of the author, and his philosophy; the whole digested under proper heads, and illustrated with

notes.

Boyle has been styled the author of the "New or Experimental Philosophy." But it should always be recollected, that Bacon pointed out the way; and that the merit of Boyle consists in his having the judgment to adopt those principles of enquiry before laid down by his illustrious predecessor, and in the extent and unwonted ardour of his researches. It is remarkable, that he was born the same

year in which Bacon died; and as Hughs (Spectator, No. 554) remarks," was the person designed by nature to succeed to the labours, and enquiries of that extraordinary genius."

BARROW.

DR. ISAAC BARROW, an eminent divine and mathematician, was born at London in 1630. He received the early part of his education at the Charter-House, and afterwards at Felstead in Essex, whence, in 1643, at the age of fourteen, he was removed to Cambridge, where he became a pensioner at Peter-House. Here he was placed under the tuition of his uncle, Mr. Isaac Barrow, then fellow of that college, and afterwards bishop of St. Asaph. Two years after he entered a pensioner of Trinity College; and in 1647 was chosen scholar of the house.

At this period, though he was by no means negligent of general literature, his most ardent attention was paid to the physical sciences, Disgusted, however, with the perplexing and

unprofitable philosophy of the schools, he applied himself to the study of the writings of Bacon, Des Cartes, Galileo, &c. and thus laid the foundation of his philosophic fame.

In 1648, he proceeded batchelor of arts, and the year following was elected fellow of his college. Barrow was a royalist; and conceiving the chances of preferment, either in church or state, much against men of his sentiments, he resolved to study physic, and accordingly made considerable progress in the sciences of anatomy, botany, and chemistry; though at the instance of his uncle he afterwards resumed theology. In 1652, he took the degree of master, and the year following was incorporated in that degree at Oxford.

Disappointed in an expectation of obtaining the Greek professorship, he determined to travel; and in 1655, set out for France, whence he proceeded to Italy, stopping some time at Florence, where he had an opportunity of perusing several books in the great duke's library. In November 1656, he took ship at Leghorn for Smyrna, whence he proceeded to Constantinople. Here he read the works of St. Chrysostom, once bishop of that

see, whom he preferred to all the other fathers. Having continued in Turkey above a year, he returned to Venice; and in 1659, to his own country, through Germany and Holland.

He now took orders, and in 1660, was elected Greek professor of the university of Cambridge. The year following he took the degree of batchelor in divinity; and in 1662 was elected professor of geometry in Gresham College. Not long after, he was offered a valuable living; but on the condition of teaching the patron's son. This, to bis susceptible conscience, bordered too closely upon a simoniacal contract, and he refused it. In 1663, he was elected fellow of the Royal Society, being the first choice made by the council after their charter; and the same year was appointed first professor to a mathematical lecture founded by Mr. Lucas, who, for the more certain attainment of the objects of the institution, provided that ten written lectures should be annually left to the university, both by himself and his sucOf this professorship, he afterwards made a voluntary resignation to his illustrious friend sir Isaac Newton. After this he devoted himself entirely to theological studies; and in 1670, was created doctor of divinity by

cessors.