in science can have, at the most, but a relative value, contrasting as they do with the gross ignorance and indifference to learning which overspread Europe in that disturbed and unhappy time. But to every christian reader, and more especially to English christians, the Ecclesiastical History of Bede, regarded as a genuine contemporary record of the manner in which our Saxon ancestors received the light of faith, of the obstacles which the messengers of the gospel encountered and overcame, and of the marvellous metamorphosis which christianity wrought in that strong-souled, kindly-natured race; so that, in very truth, English history, or the uninterrupted evolution of English national life, properly begins on the day that St. Augustine landed in the Isle of Thanet in 596;—this history, we say, must for ever remain profoundly interesting and instructive. It presents to us the picture of a youthful nation new to history, and unspoiled by the corruptions of civilization, yet teeming with an immense potentiality of thought and effort, rejoicing with a child-like simplicity in the good tidings of salvation which the Roman missionaries had brought to their knowledge, and of which the objectivity and inner consistency contrasted so forcibly with the dream-like and disjointed legends about things divine, which were all that their heathen forefathers had delivered to them. It is curious to contrast this book with such a work as the Ecclesiastical History of Fleury. The theology of both is the same, but how different the temper and manner of writing! Bede is so full of the positive value of christianity, as the gift of an infinitely condescending Deity to man, that he loves to dwell on the virtues which it breeds, rather than on the vices which co-exist with it, and in spite of it; he is so enraptured with the beauty of the heavenly theory, that he overlooks the miserable deficiencies of the earthly practice. Hence his thoughts are fixed rather on the misfortune of those who have not yet received the faith, than the misdoings of those who, having received it, disgrace it. Fleury, born in a later age, writes in a far different temper. Christianity had in his time extended itself to all the nations of Europe, but the accurately-chronicled experience of the thousand years that intervened between him and Bede, had impressed him with the discouraging conviction that the abuse of a thing was ever treading on the heels of its use, that it is not the cowl which makes the monk, and that there is nothing so hopelessly and unmixedly bad as the "corruption of the best." Hence Fleury dislikes extreme views, and is partial to a system of checks; he would circumscribe the spiritual power within limits imposed by the temporal; he is jealous of the power, and unfriendly to the multiplication, of religious orders. Both historians are candid and instructive writers; but while we consult the pages of Fleury only for information, or for clear general views, we trace in addition, in those of Bede, the reflection of a beautiful soul, unconsciously limning itself in its work, and, in the wealth of a charity that "thinketh no evil" communicating to the rough age and turbulent society on which it fell a portion of that indescribable charm, that heavenly attractiveness, which the inspiring genius of christianity had imparted to itself. The Ecclesiastical History has been several times translated into English; there is one excellent version forming a volume of Mr. Bohn's Ecclesiastical Library.—T. A.
BEDA, a monk, of whose residence, age, and condition nothing is accurately known. His treatise "De Musica Quadratâ seu Mensuratâ," has, by the error of some literary gleaner, been adopted into the collection of Beda Venerabilis, a pious Anglo-Saxon monk., very learned for his time, who died in his cloister, a.d. 735, and amongst whose theological works there was also found a curious treatise on music, so far as in those early days the science was understood. But the treatise above-mentioned of the former Beda, however unlike it is to that of the latter, was nevertheless for a long time regarded by the credulous literati as a composition of the Venerable Bede; and as this department of the history of the art has become since that period more elucidated, and the spuriousness of this treatise, as a work of the Venerable Bede, has been placed beyond doubt, the Beda of a later age, even if this be in reality his name, is only known by the appellation of pseudo-Beda. Forkel is of opinion that he lived after Franco (thirteenth century), and this he might more readily assert since, in deference to the received authorities, he still places Franco in the eleventh century. This Beda certainly appears superior to Franco in respect to the general value of his treatise, but he by no means belongs to the 14th century.—(Forkel's Hist. of Music; Kiesewetter's Hist. of Music.)—E. F. R.
BEDA, Noel, a French theologian, syndic of the faculty of theology at Paris; born in Picardy; died in 1637. His unruly temper gave rise to disputes, the fame of which extended far beyond the precincts of the university, and embroiled the ecclesiastical with the civil authorities of the metropolis. He was twice banished by parliament, and died in confinement at the abbaye of Mont St. Michel. His name was familiar in England, as that of the "Imperious Doctor," who prevented the Sorbonne from deciding in favour of the divorce of Henry VIII. He published, among other works, "Contra Comment. Fabri . . . . . in Erasmi Paraph, lib. i." a work which Erasmus, in a singular vein of criticism, characterized as a repertory of 181 lies, 210 calumnies, and 47 blasphemies.—J. S., G.
BEDAFFA, Evan, a painter of portraits and history at Antwerp, born in 1787; died in 1829. He became director of the Bois-le-Duc academy.—W. T.
BEDDOES, Thomas, a distinguished physician, born in April, 1760, at Shiffnal in Shropshire. Through accidental circumstances, and contrary to the intentions of his parents, he was educated for the medical profession. In 1776 he entered as a student at Pembroke college, Oxford, and soon distinguished himself for his acquaintance with languages, both ancient and modern. He was fond of natural science, and devoted much time to the study of botany, geology, and mineralogy, but especially to chemistry, which science he regarded as peculiarly adapted to throw much light on the treatment of disease. In 1781 he took his bachelor's degree, and continued his medical studies in London, under the direction of the celebrated Sheldon. In 1784 he published an anonymous translation of Spallanzani's Dissertations on Natural history. He spent two years in Edinburgh, and became associated with Dr. Cullen in his translation of Bergman's Essays on Elective Attractions. In 1786 he took his degree of doctor of medicine at Oxford, and afterwards visited France, where he became acquainted with Lavoisier and other French chemists. In the same year he was appointed reader in chemistry to the university of Oxford, where he gave great satisfaction. In 1790 he published "Chemical Experiments and Opinions." Dr. Beddoes, notwithstanding his scientific character and reputation, became obnoxious to the authorities of the university of Oxford, owing to his political and religious opinions, and he found his position there so unpleasant, that he resigned his readership in 1792. He then went to reside in Shropshire with a friend, where he wrote a work, entitled "The History of Isaac Jenkins," the purport of which was to check drunkenness; also several medical works, in which he embodied his peculiar views on the origin and treatment of several diseases. So anxious was he to demonstrate to the world the results of his theories, that he established an hospital at Bristol in 1798, with a view of proving the efficacy of certain chemical agents in disease. A favourite remedy of his was the inhalation of a medicated atmosphere, but the results did not equal his expectations. In his projects he was greatly assisted by Mr. Richard Lovell Edgeworth, one of whose daughters he had married in 1794, and by Mr. Gregory Watt. The abilities and talents of Sir Humphrey Davy were first brought to light in connection with Dr. Beddoes' institution at Bristol. He was appointed superintendent to the chemical laboratory connected therewith, and from thence emanated the first discoveries of this great chemist. Dr. Beddoes wrote much on the political topics of the day, always taking the liberal side of a question. His principal medical publications were, "A Popular Essay on Consumption," 1779, advocating, of course, the author's peculiar doctrines, but containing also some valuable general remarks; "Hygeia, or Essays Moral and Medical," 3 vols., 8vo, 1802; "Demonstrative Evidence," 1792; "An Essay on Fever," 1807; and many other treatises of less note, which he continued to publish in rapid succession until December, 1808, when in consequence of an affection of the heart, he died in his 48th year.—E. L.
BEDDOME, Benjamin, M.A., son of the Rev. J. Beddome of Bristol, born at Harley, in 1717; died, after a ministry of fifty-five years, at Bourton in 1795. He was educated for the medical profession, but becoming deeply impressed, during his apprenticeship, with the importance of religion, he became a student of divinity, under the care of Mr. Foskett of Bristol. In 1740 he settled as pastor at Bourton, and though invited to other spheres of labour (among others to the pastorate of the church in Goodman Fields, then one of the largest in London), he remained there till his death, greatly beloved and honoured
