last few years been made in the metropolis, and many which sanitary reformers and others are still vainly urging, were not merely indicated by him, but clearly explained in maps, as well as in descriptions. Gwynn had spent many years in elaborating his plans, he having, as he states in an introduction, first proposed a less comprehensive scheme (founded on Wren's plan for the rebuilding of London) seventeen years before. His projects seem, however, to have been regarded as visionary, and to have been long utterly neglected. Within the last few years attention has been directed to them; but Gwynn himself has hitherto not found a place in any biographical dictionary, English or foreign, and it is with some difficulty we have found the materials for this scanty notice. We cannot ascertain the exact date of his death; but as a new academician was elected in his place in October, 1786, there can be little doubt that it occurred in that year.—J. T—e.
GWYNNE, Matthew, an eminent English physician, descended from an ancient Welsh family, was born in London, and in 1574 entered St. John's college, Oxford, of which he became a perpetual fellow. In 1593 he was created doctor of physic; and, on the settlement of Gresham college, London, he was chosen the first professor of physic in 1596. In 1605 he was made physician of the Tower, and elected a fellow of the College of Physicians of London. Having married in 1607, he resigned his professorship at Gresham college, and confined himself to his medical practice, which was very extensive. He was much esteemed at the court of James I. He died in 1627. He published "Nero," a tragedy in Latin; two Latin orations delivered at Gresham college. "Verses in English, French, and Italian;" "Letters concerning Chemical and Magical Secrets;" a "Book of Travels,"' and some other pieces.—G. BL.
GWYNNE, Nell, or Mrs. Eleanor Gwin, comic actress, rose from the position of orange-girl at the theatre in Drury Lane to the top of her profession. She was born in Coal Yard, Drury Lane, London, in the year 1650; the city of Hereford claims also this distinction, probably confounding her with her mother, who bore the same name, and came to an untimely end by slipping into a pond attached to her house at Chelsea. Nell's father is said to have been a Captain Gwyn, who died in prison at Oxford. "Pretty, witty Nelly," as Sam Pepys calls her in his Diary, first appeared as an actress in 1668, and continued there with more or less success until 1672. In the meantime, she had excited the admiration and become the mistress of Charles II., and had given birth, 8th May, 1670, to a son, who was created first Duke of St. Albans in January, 1683-84. A second son, born 26th December, 1671, was named James after the duke of York, and died at an early age. Bishop Burnet speaks of Mistress Gwynne as a most wild, indiscreet, and diverting creature; though not tall, she had an elegant figure, with particularly pretty feet, a charming voice, and was celebrated for her manner of dancing jigs; neither was she deficient in spirit, as the ready wit of this low-born orange-girl was a match for the pretentious dignity of Mademoiselle de Querouaille, afterwards duchess of Portsmouth. On one occasion, the duchess appearing at court in mourning for a prince of the blood in France, Nelly appeared similarly attired; and when asked for whom she mourned, replied, "O, the cham of Tartary is dead; and he was quite as near a relation of mine as the prince de——was to Mam'selle de Querouaille." To the frail, but kind actress, is owing the establishment of Chelsea hospital. She resided in a house which is now No. 79 Pall Mall, where she died of apoplexy in 1691, and was buried at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. Tenison preached her funeral sermon, and spoke warmly of her charities, her sincere repentance, and pious end.—R. H.
GYGES, the first king of Lydia of the dynasty of the Mermnadæ. He obtained the sovereignty by assassinating his predecessor Candaules, and marrying his widow, 718 b.c. He reigned thirty-eight years, and distinguished himself by his successful wars and by the immense presents which he made to the oracle at Delphi, either to procure or to repay the support which his assumption of the royal authority received from that quarter. "The riches of Gyges" became a proverb. Gyges or Gyes is also the name of a mythological hero, represented as having a hundred hands.—G. BL.
GYLIPPUS, a Spartan commander, sent 414 b.c. to assist Syracuse, then blockaded by the Athenians. By his skill and courage he obtained a complete victory over Niceas and Demosthenes, the two Athenian generals, who, in opposition to his wishes, were put to death by the Syracusans. After the capture of Athens he was commissioned by Lysander to convey to Sparta the treasure taken in the plunder, amounting, according to Diodorus, to fifteen hundred talents; but he had the meanness to unsew the bottom of the bags, and abstract about three hundred talents. The theft was detected by the inventories, which he had overlooked; and to avoid the punishment which he deserved, Gylippus immediately fled, and died in exile.—G. BL.
GYLLEMBOURG, Thomasine Christine, née Buntsen, born at Copenhagen in November, 1773; married when scarcely fourteen to Peter Andréas Hieberg, the well-known dramatist and satirical writer, and mother of the still more celebrated author, Johan Ludwig Hieberg. The father being banished for offending against the laws of the press, his wife was divorced, and soon after married the Swedish Baron Ehrensvärd, one of the conspirators against Gustavus III., and who after his murder fled to Denmark, where he assumed his mother's name of Gyllembourg, and died in 1815. When, in 1831, the son married, his mother went to reside with him, and died in July, 1856, aged eighty-three. It was not until her fifty-third year that she first appeared as an author, although anonymously, in the Kjöbenhavns flyvende Post, edited by her son. The letters and stories thus published were collected under the titles of "Familien Polonnius," "Deu Magiske Nögle," and "En Hverdagshistorie." To these succeeded many other novels; and the authoress of "An Every-day Story," whose real name was never known till her death, soon became one of the most popular authors in modern Danish literature. Her works have been translated into Swedish, German, and French. Her dramatic pieces were not, however, equally successful.—(Nord. Cl.)—M. H.
GYLLENBORG, Carl, Count, a celebrated Swedish diplomatist, born in 1679. He early displayed great diplomatic talent, and was first sent to London as secretary of the Swedish legation, and afterwards as ambassador. In consequence of the plans of Görtz against the then existing English government, he was imprisoned, but was shortly afterwards released and sent back to Sweden. In 1720, being appointed chancellor, he became the opponent of Horn and the adherent of the duke of Holstein. Later he was the head of the "Hat party," and the successor of Horn in his office, in which he concluded the war against Russia: and when the Dalecarlians threatened his life in consequence, he had the courage to advance amongst them and address them, on which they let fall the arms which had been raised against him. He laboured with commendable zeal for the advancement of trade, industry, and science, and was himself the author of several political and esthetical works. He died in 1746.—M. H.
GYLLENHJELM is the name borne by many natural children of the kings of Sweden. The most celebrated is Carl Carlson Gyllenhjelm, son of Duke Carl, afterwards Carl IX., by a clergyman's daughter, Katharina Neilsdatter. He was born in 1574; served for two years under Henry IV. of France; then in his father's war in Poland; and after boldly defending the fortress of Wolmer, was compelled to capitulate, and spent twelve years in hard captivity. After the death of his father, he received his liberty, was made councillor of state and governor-general of Narva and Ivanogorod. In 1620 he was appointed high-admiral and one of the guardians of the young Queen Christina. He died in 1650. Gyllenhjelm wrote during his captivity, "Schola Captivitatis," and translated the Psalms of David.—M. H.
