Lombardica, sive legenda aurea de vitis sanctorum," is characterized by Ludovicus Vives as a book "by a man of an iron mouth and a leaden heart," and is crammed with absurd and disgraceful fables. He also wrote sermons, a defence of Augustine, and a chronicle of Genoa.—B. H. C.
JAMES, George Payne Rainsford, the most voluminous of novelists, was born in London in 1801, the son of a physician. His education was conducted in a desultory manner, first by a French emigrant, afterwards by a protestant clergyman. Immediately after the peace of 1815 he went to Paris, where he remained some years, occasionally sending anonymous contributions to the press. A collection of these was afterwards published under the title of "A String of Pearls," 1849. Some kind of connection between the James family and the government of Lord Liverpool is said to have terminated with the life of that minister, to the immediate disadvantage of the young author. Already in 1822 he had ventured into the field of literature with a "History of the Black Prince," wherein he showed no special aptitude for the laborious duties of a grave historian. To him the pomp and ceremony of pageants, the romantic adventures of the heroes of history, had greater charms than the progress of civilization, or the development of human character. The Waverley novels, which then held all England under a spell, exercised a very powerful influence on the mind of James. The mine of romantic materials so skilfully employed by the Wizard of the North seemed to the young aspirant inexhaustible, or at least capable of much fruitful working. "Richelieu," James' first and best novel, probably owes its origin to Quentin Durward. Stamped with the approval of Washington Irving, this work was published in 1828, the year after Lord Liverpool's death, and was so favourably received by the world of novel readers, that in 1830 the author sent forth his second three-volume novel entitled "Darnley." Thenceforth, for a period of thirty years, a ceaseless flow of romantic fiction issued from the literary workshop of this prolific writer, until the name of G. P. R. James became a byword for prolix repetition. With the mass of readers seeking entertainment, who have little acquaintance with history through any other channel, James' novels are still favourites. The want of originality, of insight into character, of vivid portraiture, is redeemed, in the opinion of the uncritical portion of mankind, by a regular story, elaborate descriptions, rigid poetic justice in the catastrophe, and an even, unobjectionable style of writing. The proof of this fact is to be found in the publication of novels by James till the close of his life, and still further by the republication of his earlier works; of which the "Gipsy," "De l'Orme," "Darnley," "Mary of Burgundy," and "Richelieu," are often in request. It must be observed that American readers have shown a great relish for this imitator of Scott. It has been remarked that James' habit of composing his fictions, by dictating to an amanuensis while he himself walked about his study, tended to promote his extraordinary fecundity. Had he submitted to the manual labour of writing with a pen all that has appeared in his name, his literary progeny would have been less numerous doubtless, but of better shape and constitution. In the reign of William IV. the novelist was made historiographer of Great Britain, a post which he afterwards resigned. The grounds of such an appointment may possibly be found in his "Life of the Black Prince;" "The History of Charlemagne," 1832; "The Life and Times of Louis XIV.," 1838; "The History of Richard Cœur de Lion," 1841; and “The Life of Henry IV. of France." He further wrote four of the five volumes in Lardner's Cyclopedia, containing "Lives of Foreign Statesmen," and contributed several papers to various contemporary publications. His influence at court seems to have revived, for in 1850 he was appointed British consul for the state of Massachusetts, whither the novelist and his family removed. In 1852 he established himself at Richmond in Virginia, where he remained till 1858, when he was appointed consul-general at Venice for the Austrian ports in the Adriatic. In that city of romantic associations this untiring writer and amiable, worthy gentleman died on the 9th May, 1860. Many of James' novels are included in Bentley's series of standard novels. There has been also a parlour library edition, and a collective edition of his works was published in 1844 by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co. A list of nearly two hundred volumes of his composition will be found in the London catalogue.—R. H.
JAMES, John Angel, an eminent nonconformist clergyman, was born at Blandford, Dorset, in 1785. He received his early education at Wareham, and was at first destined for a commercial life; but by the advice of Dr. Bennett he was sent to study for the ministry at the academy of Gosport under Dr. Bogue. In 1804, on the recommendation of Dr. Bennet, James was sent to preach to the congregation of Carr's Lane, Birmingham, and was invited to become their minister as soon as he might be permitted to leave college. James himself used to say in after years that, "with perhaps too little reflection, and a promptitude that savoured more of boldness than of prudence, he at once gave a favourable answer to their invitation." He was ordained to the pastoral charge of this church in May, 1805. The Carr's Lane congregation at this time consisted of not more than one hundred and fifty persons, and of only forty members; and for nearly seven years the ministrations of James were attended with so little success, that he sometimes resolved to seek another and more favourable sphere of labour. He persevered, however, in spite of his discouragements; the tide turned in his favour; his reputation steadily increased; a constant stream of prosperity attended his efforts; and he became one of the most celebrated and influential of the nonconformist ministers of his day. His vast influence and great celebrity he owed neither to depth of learning, nor to originality nor profundity of thought, but to his eloquence as a preacher, and his eminent piety. His pulpit discourses were clear, logical, and earnest, and were adorned by all the graces of an affluent imagination. He took a prominent part in all religious and benevolent enterprises, and was a most zealous and liberal supporter of educational and missionary schemes; but his most conspicuous service to the cause of religion was rendered by his numerous works, which have obtained an unparalleled circulation. His "Anxious Inquirer" has been translated into all the continental languages, and has probably been more extensively read than any other English work, except the Pilgrim's Progress. Among his other productions are "The Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality;" "Female Piety;" "A Pastor's Sketches;" "The Christian Father's Present to his Children;" "The Course of Faith;" "An Earnest Ministry the Want of the Times;" "The Church in Earnest;" "The Christian Professor;" "The Family Monitor;" "The Widow Directed to the Widow's God;" "Memoirs of Clementina Cuvier, daughter of Baron Cuvier;" "Church Member's Guide;" "Christian Charity;" "Christian Hope," &c. These works have run through many editions, and have been circulated by hundreds of thousands. The jubilee services which commemorated the completion of the fiftieth year of James' ministry in 1855, afforded a striking proof of the estimation in which he was held, not only by his congregation and fellow-townsmen, but by the clergy of the Church of England and the evangelical dissenters of all denominations. He died, October 1, 1859, in his seventy-fifth year.—J. T.
JAMES, John Thomas, D.D., third bishop of Calcutta, was born at Rugby on the 23rd of January, 1786, his father being head master of Rugby school. He received his education at Rugby, at the Charter-house, and at Christ church, Oxford. The bent of his inclination was for the naval service, and he possessed great taste and skill in drawing; but in compliance with his mother's wishes he prepared himself for the life of a clergyman. In 1813 he accompanied Sir James Riddell on a tour through northern Europe, and on his return published an account of his travels, in quarto, which passed through three editions in a short space of time. In 1816 he visited Rome and Naples, and a few years later the fruits of his observations there were published in a work called "The Italian Schools of Painting," which was followed in 1822 by "The Flemish, Dutch, and German Schools." Mindful also of his profession, and grieved at the effects of infidelity which he witnessed in his continental travels, he published an ably-reasoned work entitled "The Semi-sceptic; or the common sense of religion considered." In 1826, on the death of Bishop Heber, and after James had held the vicarage of Flitton with Silsoe, Beds, for ten years, he was made bishop of Calcutta. Quitting England on July 14th, 1827, he reached his destination the following January. Though attacked by illness on his arrival, he entered at once into his episcopal duties with great spirit. Public meetings, sermons, confirmations, in rapid succession, taxed his strength severely. Sunday, May 18th, was his first ordination. On the following Sunday he had become so weak from the heat of the climate, that he was obliged to have
