1693, 4to (addressed to J. S. i.e. John Smith [q. v.], clockmaker and theological writer). 5. ‘Considerations on the Explications of the Doctrine of the Trinity. By Dr. Wallis,’ &c., 1693, 4to (addressed to ‘a person of quality’). 6. ‘Considerations on the Explications of the Doctrine of the Trinity. Occasioned by Four Sermons,’ &c., 1694, 4to (addressed to Hedworth). Published with his name, either on the title-page, or in the body of the work, were: 7. ‘A Discourse concerning Natural and Revealed Religion,’ &c., 1696, 8vo. (Some copies have an ‘Epistle Dedicatory’ to Brook Bridges; this was cancelled, and a new title-page substituted, same date); reprinted Glasgow, 1752, 12mo. 8. ‘An Historical Account and Defence of the Canon of the New Testament,’ &c., 1700, 8vo (a letter, dated 29 Sept. 1699, in reply to Toland's ‘Amyntor,’ 1699). 9. ‘The System of Grace and Free-will,’ &c., 1700, 8vo (a visitation Sermon). 10. ‘The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity,’ &c., 1701, 8vo (in reply to Allix and to the ‘Bilibra Veritatis,’ 1700, ascribed to Willem Hendrik Vorst). 11. ‘Institutions concerning the Holy Trinity,’ &c., 1703, 8vo (regarded by himself as his most mature work). 12. ‘The Explication of the Articles of the Divine Unity,’ &c., 1715, 8vo. Criticises the views of Samuel Clarke (1675–1729) [q. v.]
[Grad. Cantabr. 1823; Clutterbuck's Hist. County of Hertford, 1827, iii. 425; Wallace's Antitrinitarian Biog. 1850, i. 313, 331, 371 seq.; Urwick's Nonconformity in Herts, 1884, p. 755; Extract from Admission Book of Magdalene Coll. Cambridge, per F. Pattrick, esq.; extracts from the registers of Little Hormead, per the Rev. George Smith; copies of the so-called ‘Unitarian Tracts,’ with contemporary annotations, some by Nye himself; Nye's works.]
NYNDGE, ALEXANDER (fl. 1573), demoniac, was apparently son of William Nyndge, and brother of Sir Thomas Nyndge, of Herringswell, Suffolk, where he was born about 1555–1557. Between January and July 1573 he was the subject of epileptic or hysterical attacks, and a narrative of his behaviour, which was attributed to demoniacal possession, was published, with curious woodcuts, by his brother and eye-witnesses. The title runs: ‘A Booke Declaringe the Fearfull Vexasion of one Alexander Nyndge: Beynge moste Horriblye Tormented wyth an euyll Spirit. The xx. daie of Januarie. In the yere of our Lorde 1573. At Lyeringswell in Suffolke. Imprinted at London in Fleetestreate, beneath the Conduite, at the Sygne of St. Jhon Euangelyste by Thomas Colwell, b.l., no date.’ It was reprinted as ‘A Trve and Fearefvll Vexation of one Alexander Nyndge: Being most Horribly Tormented with the Deuill, from the 20 day of January to the 23 of July. At Lyeringswell in Suffocke: with his Prayer after his Deliuerance. Written by His Owne Brother, Edward Nyndge, Master of Arts, with the Names of the Witnesses that were at his Vexation. Imprinted at London for W. B. and are to bee sold by Edward Wright at Christ-Church Gate, 1615.’
[Works mentioned.]
NYREN, JOHN (1764–1837), cricket chronicler, son of Richard Nyren by his wife Frances, born Pennycud, of Slindon, in Sussex, was born at Hambledon, in Hampshire, on 15 Dec. 1764. The Nyrens were of Scottish descent, their real name being Nairne. They were Roman catholics and Jacobites, and were implicated in the risings of 1715 and 1745. When the Stuart cause was lost they emigrated southward, and for prudential reasons changed their name. Richard Nyren, a yeoman, who learned his cricket at Slindon under Richard Newland, was founder and captain of the famous Hambledon Club, which gave laws to English cricket from 1750 until its dissolution in 1791. He is also stated to have kept the Bat and Ball Inn at Hambledon, and was guardian of the ground on Broad Halfpenny ‘where the Hambledonians were wont to conquer England.’
Nyren was educated by a jesuit who taught him a little Latin, ‘but,’ he says, ‘I was a better hand at the fiddle.’ According to his own account of his early life, he interested himself in cricket at an early age, ‘being since 1778 a sort of farmer's pony to my native club of Hambledon.’ It appears that he was a left-handed batsman of average ability, and a fine field at point and middle wicket. His last appearance in a cricket match was in 1817, but he watched the progress of the game until his death, ‘with the growing solicitude of an ancient conservative to whom the smallest innovation meant ruin.’
In 1791 Nyren married Cleopha Copp, with whom he obtained a moderate fortune, and thereupon left his native village. He lived at Portsea until 1796, then at Bromley, Kent, where he carried on business as a calico-printer, and subsequently at Battersea, London. A delightful companion by reason of his geniality and sunny humour, he was also an accomplished musician, and his interest in music secured him the warm intimacy of the Novellos and their circle, including Leigh Hunt, Malibran, the Cowden-Clarkes, and
