are almost universally admitted to be unrivalled. As long as English literature endures, the style of the papers which he contributed to the "Tattler," "Spectator," and "Guardian," will be admired and imitated as an all but perfect model of English prose, simple and perspicuous, and full of unaffected grace. His wit outvies that of Horace; his comic power and humour are only surpassed by those qualities as found in Shakspeare, and perhaps Cervantes. His religious and moral sentiments are as far removed from sour asceticism as from coarse infidelity, exhibiting the golden mean of rational piety.
Of Addison's conversational powers, various estimates have been formed, differing with the opportunities and character of the observers. Pope tells us that his conversation had a charm in it which he had never found in any other man; but before strangers he was stiff and silent. Chesterfield declares that he was the most timorous and awkward man he ever knew. Addison used to say of his own mental resources, that although he "could draw bills for a thousand pounds, he had not a guinea in his pocket." The brilliant Mary Montague said, that she had known all the wits, and that Addison was the best company in the world. His parliamentary career seems to be almost ignored by his biographers. He sat in parliament; he rose to be one of the principal secretaries of state under the Stanhope ministry in the reign of George I.; yet his name never appears prominent in debate. His pen, so fluent in composition, did not seem made for official documents. Sir Richard Steele tells us, that when Addison "had made his plan for what he designed to write, he would walk about a room and dictate it into language with as much freedom and ease as any one could write it down, and attend to the coherence and grammar of what he dictated." It is of course impossible that one who took an active part in the stormy season during which Addison lived, should have escaped misrepresentation. He has been accused of envy and perfidy towards Pope; but these charges have been minutely investigated and distinctly disproved. Dr. Johnson tells a story, alleging that Addison dealt harshly towards his old friend Steele in a money transaction. It seems, however, that Addison's conduct on the occasion was regarded by Steele himself as considerate.
It would be a pleasant task to multiply anecdotes illustrative of his opinions, and to recapitulate and analyse his publications. After all, in these are to be found the best illustrations of their author, and an attentive perusal of them will not less contribute to the gratification than to the improvement of the reader.—T. J.
ADDISON, Lancelot, a learned English divine, son of an English clergyman, and father of Joseph Addison, was born at Crosby Ravensworth, Westmoreland. Being a zealous royalist, he obtained no preferment till the Restoration. He was then appointed English chaplain at Dunkirk, and afterwards sent, in the same capacity, to Tangier in Africa. In 1670 he returned to England, and was made king's chaplain, and rector of Milston, Wiltshire. In 1673 he became dean of Lichfield. He was author of several excellent works, the most original of which were the result of his inquiries and studies at Tangier, and relate to the state and usages of the Jews, and the history of Western Barbary. Died in 1703.—E. M.
ADEKIRCHEN, Amb., a German Dominican monk of the 17th century, who laboured in and about Cologne.
ADEL, a king of Sweden, who reigned at Upsal, probably in the sixth century. He is said to have made Denmark tributary to Sweden, and to have been killed by a fall from his horse in a triumphal procession, on his return from his victories.
ADELAIDE or ADELHEID, empress of Germany, and daughter of Rodolph II., king of Burgundy, was born in 931, and, at the age of sixteen, was married to Lotharius II., king of Italy. After the death of her husband by poison in 950, Berenger, count of Ivrea, seized the throne, and confined her in a fortress, from which she at length effected her escape. The Emperor Otho I., whose protection she implored, hastened to her aid, conquered the usurper, and, marrying Adelaide, entered Pavia in triumph. Her beauty and her goodness gave her great power over Otho, during whose reign, and that of their son, Otho II., as well as during the minority of their grandson, Otho III., she employed her influence in doing good. She was a pattern of every virtue, and, though never canonized, is usually called Saint Adelaide. She died at Seltz on the Rhine in the 68th year of her age, on her return from Burgundy, where her efforts as peacemaker between her nephew, King Rodolph III., and his subjects, had been crowned with success.—E. M.
ADELAIDE, daughter of George, duke of Saxe-Cobourg Meiningen, and queen of Great Britain, was born in 1792. When eleven years of age she lost her father, and remained under the guardianship of her mother, till in 1818 she was married to William IV., then duke of Clarence. Her amiable disposition and habitual beneficence rendered her a great favourite with the British nation. Died in December, 1849.—E. M.
ADELAIDE, Eugène-Louise, of Orleans, sister of Louis Philippe, was born at Paris in 1777. She possessed great capacity, and was carefully educated under the celebrated Madame de Genlis. She had much influence over her brother, who, after he was placed on the throne, found her on all occasions his safest adviser in public affairs. Her views of political complications usually evinced great penetration and admirable judgment, and many are of opinion that, had her life been prolonged, her counsels might have averted the catastrophe which occurred but three months after her demise. Died in December, 1847.—E. M.
ADELAIDE, Madame, of France, eldest daughter of Louis XV., and aunt of Louis XVI., born at Versailles in 1732. Though seldom interfering with public affairs, she earnestly opposed the fatal measures of Calonne, of which she but too truly predicted the consequences. In 1791, foreseeing the impending horrors of the Revolution, she and her sister Victoire withdrew from Versailles, and, after several interruptions, reached Rome. In 1796 they removed to Naples, and in 1799, on the approach of the French republican troops, escaped to Corfu, and thence to Trieste, where Victoire died the same year, and Adelaide in 1800.—E. M.
ADELAIDE, Marchioness, daughter of Olderic Manfredi, count of Turin and of Susa, styled Marquis of Italy, because he guarded the marches or borders and the passes which led into Italy. She was born early in the eleventh century, was three times married; the third time to Oddo, son of Humbert of "the white hands." This union laid the foundation of the power of the house of Savoy, inasmuch as Oddo inherited from his father the counties of Maurienne and Aosta, and through his wife the lordship of Turin and marquisate of Italy. Adelaide died at an advanced age in December, 1091.—J. B.
ADELAIS of Louvain, daughter of Godfrey, duke of Brabant, the second queen of Henry I. of England. She was distinguished for rare beauty and accomplishments. The troubadours, whom she constantly patronised, called her "The Fair Maid of Brabant." Her name is associated with the battle of Duras, or "The Standard," for she was the worker of the beautiful standard of silk and gold there taken from her father's army, and which lay for centuries in the cathedral of St. Lambert at Liège. After King Henry's death, she was married to William d'Albini, and died in 1151.—J. B.
ADELARD II., abbot of St. Trond, a miniature-painter and illuminator of the 11th century. He is also recorded as having been a distinguished sculptor.
ADELARD of Bath, a learned and ingenious Benedictine monk, who, in pursuit of instruction in science, travelled in Spain, Egypt, and Arabia, and about 1130 translated from Arabic into Latin, Euclid's Elements, and a treatise on astronomy. He also wrote several original works on physical and medical science, preserved in manuscript at Oxford.
ADELA´SIA of Torres, queen of Sardinia in the earlier half of the thirteenth century. She died in prison, into which she had been thrown by her second husband Enzius, son of the Emperor Frederick II.
ADELBOLD, a Dutch ecclesiastic, of great learning for the age, was born in Friesland about 960. He wrote a treatise entitled "De ratione inveniendi crassitudinem sphæræ," which he dedicated to Pope Silvester II., who died in 1003. The Emperor Henry II., whose confidential adviser he had been, appointed him, in 1008, bishop of Utrecht. After asserting his episcopal rights by force of arms against the count of Holland, he applied himself to pursuits becoming his profession, founded the cathedral of Utrecht, and zealously promoted education. He wrote, besides several ecclesiastical biographies and eulogiums, a life of his benefactor, Henry II. Died in 1028.—E. M.
ADELBURNER, Michael, a German mathematician and physician, member of the Berlin academy of sciences, was born at Nuremberg in 1702. In 1743 he was appointed professor of medicine and also of mathematics at Altdorf, and in 1761, of logic. He published for some time, and with great success, an astronomical journal in Latin, which, after being interrupted for
