great critical acumen; possessing a knowledge of the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew languages, not exceeded by any man of his time.

Dr. Forster published, 1. "Reflections on the natural antiquity of government, arts, and sciences, in Egypt," Oxford, 1743. 2. "Platonis dialogi quinque, Recensuit, notisque illustravit, N. Forster, A. M. &c." ibid. 1745. This is a very correct text of the Amatores, Euthyphro, Apologia Socratis, Criton, and Phædo; and this edition of 1745 is preferred to those of 1752, and 1765, afterwards published. 3. "Appendix Liviana, continens, 1. Selectas codicum MSS. et editionum antiquarum lectiones, præcipuas variorum emendationes, et supplementa lacunarum in iis T. Livii qui supersunt libris; 2. J. Freinshemii supplementorum lib. decem in locum decadis secundæ Livianæ deperditæ,' ibid. 1746. This was a joint publication of Dr. Forster and another fellow of Corpus college, and was published without a name. 4. "Popery destructive of the evidence of Christianity; a sermon before the university of Oxford, Nov. 5, 1746," ibid. 1746. 5. "A Dissertation upon the account supposed to have been given of Jesus Christ by Josephus: being an attempt to show that this celebrated passage, some slight corruptions only excepted, may reasonably be esteemed genuine," ibid. 1749. The criticism contained in this dissertation is allowed to be ingenious, even by Mr. Bryant, who, in deciding the controversy, defended the passage as it stands. Bishop Warburton's opinion of it was still more favourable, as appears by his testimony to the author's "abilities, candour, and address," in his Julian, p. 93; and by part of a letter of his to Dr. Forster, in which, after having noticed some judicious observations of Dr. Forster, made on his Julian in manuscript, Warburton says, "I have often wished for a hand capable of collecting all the fragments remaining of Porphyry, Celsus, Hierocles, and Julian, and giving them to us with a just, critical, and theological comment, as a Defy to Infidelity.' It is certain we want something more than what their ancient answerers have given us. This would be a very noble work. I know of none that has all the talents fit for it but yourself. What an opening will this give to all the treasures of sacred and profane antiquity! and what an opportunity would this be of establishing a great character! The author of the dissertation on the passage of Josephus (which I think the

best piece of criticism of this age) would shine here. Think of it you cannot do a more useful thing to religion or your own character. Controversies of the times are things that presently vanish. This will be always of the same importance." (Dated Oct. 13, 1749.) 6. "Biblia Hebraica, sine punctis," Oxon. 1750, 2 vols. 4to. 7. “Remarks on the rev. Dr. Stebbing's Dissertation on the power of states to deny civil protection to the Marriages of Minors, &c." Lond. 1755.1

FORSTNER (CHRISTOPHER), an Austrian lawyer, was born in 1598. He published a political work at the age of nineteen, entitled "Hypomnemata politica," and spoke a congratulatory harangue at Padua in the name of the German youth, in the presence of John Cornaro, who was just elected doge of Venice, with which the latter was so much pleased, that he honoured Forstner with the order of St. Mark. Forstner went afterwards into France, and returned to Germany, where, having been some time counsellor to the count de Hohenloe, and his envoy at Vienna, he became vice-chancellor, then chancellor of Montbeliard. He was afterwards employed in the negociations for the peace of Munster, and discovered so much prudence, and such great abilities, that the count de Traumandorf, the emperor's plenipotentiary, procured him the rank of aulic counsellor. He died October 28, 1667, and left, besides his "Hypomnemata politica," 1623, 8vo, "De principatu Tiberii, Notæ politicæ ad Tacitum," a collection of his Letters on the Peace of Munster; "Omissorum Liber;" "Epistola apologetica ad amicum, contra secreti Temeratores, et Epistola de moderno Imperii statu;" and two historical letters, in tom. XIV. of Schelhorn's Amanitates Litterariæ. 2

FORSYTH (WILLIAM), an able horticulturist, was born at Old Meldrum in the county of Aberdeen, in 1737, and having been early initiated in horticulture, a favourite study in his own country, he came to London in 1763. Shortly after he became pupil to the celebrated Philip Miller, gardener to the company of apothecaries at their physic-garden at Chelsea, and succeeded him in that situation in 1771. Here he remained until the beginning of 1784, when he was appointed by his majesty chief superintendant of the royal gardens at Kensington and at St.

1 Biog. Brit, vol. VI. Part. I. unpublished.

2 Moreri.

James's; which employments he held until his death, July 25, 1804.

About 1768, Mr. Forsyth paid particular attention to the cultivation of fruit and forest trees, and turned his thoughts especially toward the discovery of a composition to remedy the diseases and injuries incident to them. After repeated trials, he at length succeeded in preparing one which fully answered his expectation; and in 1789 the success of his experiments attracted the notice of the commissioners of the land revenue, upon whose recommendation a committee of both houses of parliament was appointed to report upon the merits of his discovery. The result of their inquiries was a perfect conviction of its utility; and in consequence, an address was voted by the house of commons to his majesty, praying that a reward might be granted to Mr. Forsyth, upon his disclosing the secret of his composition to the public, which was accordingly done; and in 1791, Mr. Forsyth published his " Observations on the diseases, defects, and injuries of Fruit and Forest Trees," to which he added the whole of the correspondence between the commissioners of the land revenue, the committee of parliament, and himself. In 1802 he published the final result of his labours, in "A Treatise on the culture and management of Fruit Trees," &c. 4to, the value of which work has been duly appreciated by the public, three editions having been sold in a very short time. Mr. Forsyth was a member of the society of antiquaries, and of the Linnean and other learned bodies. He was a man of great benevolence, and although allowed to rank high in his profession, had all the diffidence and modesty which adhere to men of real worth and knowledge.1

FORTESCUE (SIR JOHN), an eminent English lawyer in the reign of Henry VI. was descended from an ancient family in Devonshire: but we cannot learn either the place or time of his birth. It is also uncertain in which university he studied, or whether he studied in any. Prince, in his Worthies of Devonshire, supposes him to have been educated at Oxford, and bishop Tanner fixes him to Exeter college: and the great learning every where shewn in his writings makes these conjectures probable. When he turned his thoughts to the municipal laws of the land, he

Gent. Mag. for 1804 and 1805, where are the details of a controversy on his discovery, which appears to terminate to his honour.

settled at Lincoln's Inn, where he quickly distinguished himself by his knowledge of civil as well as common law. The first date that occurs, with respect to bis preferments, is the fourth year of Henry VI.; when, as Dugdale informs us, he was made one of the governors of Lincoln's Inn, and honoured with the same employment three years after. In 1430 he was made a serjeant at law; and, as himself tells us, kept his feast on that occasion with very great splendour. In 1441 he was made a king's serjeant at law; and, the year after, chief justice of the king's bench. He is highly commended by our most eminent writers, for the wisdom, gravity, and uprightness, with which he presided in that court for many years. He remained in great favour with the king, of which he received a signal proof, by an unusual augmentation of his salary. He held his office through the reign of Henry VI. to whom he steadily adbered, and served him faithfully in all his troubles; for which, in the first parliament of Edward IV. which began at Westminster, Nov. 1461, he was attainted of high treason, in the same act by which Henry VI. queen Margaret, Edward their son, and many persons of the first distinction, were likewise attainted. After this, Henry fled into Scotland, and it is generally believed, that he then made Fortescue chancellor of England. His name, indeed, upon this occasion, is not found recorded in the patent rolls; because, as Selden says, "being with Henry VI. driven into Scotland by the fortune of the wars with the house of York, he was made chancellor of England while he was there." Several writers have styled him chancellor of England; and, in his book "De laudibus legum Angliæ," he calls himself "Cancellarius Angliæ."

In April 1463, he embarked with queen Margaret, prince Edward, and many persons of distinction, who followed the fortunes of the house of Lancaster, at Bamburg, and landed at Sluys in Flanders; whence they were conducted to Bruges, thence to Lisle, and thence into Lorrain. In this exile he remained for many years, retiring from place to place, as the necessities of the royal family required: for though, during that space, the queen and prince were often in motion, and great efforts were made to reatore Henry, yet, considering the age of Fortescue, it is not probable that he was suffered to expose himself to such hazards; especially as he might do them better service by soliciting their interest at different courts. It is certain,

that he was not idle; but, observing the excellent understanding of prince Edward, who applied himself wholly to military exercises, and seemed to think of nothing but qualifying himself for an expert commander, he thought it high time to give him other impressions, and to infuse into his mind just notions of the constitution of his country, as well as due respect to its laws; so that, if Providence should favour his designs, he might govern as a king, and not as a tyrant, or a conqueror. With this view, as we learn from his introduction, he drew up his famous work, entitled "De Laudibus Legum Angliæ;" which, though it failed of its primary intention, that hopeful prince being not long after cruelly murdered, will yet remain an everlasting monument of this great and good man's respect and affection for his country. This very curious and concise vindication of our laws was received with great esteem when it was communicated to the learned of that profession; yet it was not published till the reign of Henry VIII. when it was printed by Edward Whitchurch, in 16mo, but without a date. In 1516 it was translated by Robert Mulcaster, and printed by R. Tottel, and again in 1567, 1573, and 1575; also by Thomas White in 1598, 1599, and 1609. Fortescue, with Hengham's "Summa magha et parva," was likewise printed in 1616 and 1660, 12mo, and again, with Selden's notes, 1672, 12mo. In 1737 Fortescue was printed in folio; and lastly, in 1775, an English translation with the original Latin, was published in 8vo, with Selden's notes, and a great variety of remarks relative to the history, antiquities, and laws of England, with a large historical preface by F. Gregor, esq. In 1663, E. Waterhouse, esq. published "Fortescue illustratus," or a commentary on the "De Laudibus," which, although prolix and defective in style, Mr. Hargrave thinks may be resorted to with great advantage, and may very much facilitate the labours of more judicious and able inquirers. When lord chancellor, sir John is said to have drawn up the statute 28 Henry VI." of resumption of certain grants of the crown,' which, though much relied upon by the writers on that subject, is not extant in any present edition of the statutes.

The house of Lancaster having afterwards a prospect of retrieving their fortunes, the queen and the prince went over to England, Fortescue with many others accompanying them. They did not succeed, so that this chancellor was forced to reconcile himself as well as he could to the