dissenting divine, was born at Llanbrynmair, North Wales, in 1743. He was the son of a nonconformist minister, and studied for that profession in Hoxton academy. His progress there was so remarkable, that some time before he had completed his term as a student, he was appointed mathematical professor. He was afterwards chosen resident tutor, and in that capacity was the teacher of some of the brightest ornaments of the dissenting body. He was also distinguished as a preacher; and was for some years the minister of a respectable congregation in the Old Jewry. In addition to these labours, which would have exhausted the resources of an ordinary man, he transacted a great part of the public business of the London nonconformists, and shared in every scheme of philanthropy. Nor were his doings as a literary man behind those in other departments. Many sermons, some political and social tracts, various contributions to the Literary Review, as well as his labours as editor for five years of Chambers' Encyclopædia, and afterwards the publication of his own Cyclopædia of forty-five quarto volumes, testify to his indefatigable industry and vast research. At his death in 1825, he was a member of the Royal, and several other scientific societies, and a D.D. of Edinburgh university.—D. T.
REEVE, William, a musician, was born in London in 1757. He was not originally intended for the profession of music. His father placed him as a writer to a law stationer. He did not long continue in this employment, but became a pupil of Richardson, organist of St. James' church, Westminster, who instructed him in the principles of music. After his education was completed he, in 1781, accepted the appointment of organist of Totness in Devonshire. In this situation he continued about two years, when he had the offer of an engagement from the Astleys, to compose music for the pantomimes and dramatic spectacles exhibited at their theatres. On this he returned to London, and continued for several years in their employment. Whilst the pantomime of Oscar and Malvina was in preparation at Covent Garden theatre, a disagreement took place between the managers and Mr. Shield, in consequence of which that gentleman was induced to send in his resignation. Reeve, at that time a chorus singer in the same theatre, was requested to complete the piece by writing an overture and some of the vocal music. The public were pleased with his efforts, and from this period he became a successful dramatic composer. About the year 1792 he was elected organist of the church of St. Martin, Ludgate, which situation he soon after resigned. He was also a joint proprietor of Sadler's Wells theatre, and by his industry and abilities acquired a considerable independence. We have not ascertained the period of his decease.—E. F. R.
* REEVES, Sims, an eminent tenor singer, was born at Woolwich in the year 1821. So rapid was his progress in music, that before he had reached his fourteenth year he was a clever performer on several instruments, and tolerably versed in the theory of composition. At this early age he was appointed organist and director of the choir at the church of North Cray in Kent. Not only did he worthily fulfil the duties of his office, but in addition composed some chants and anthems that were highly creditable to his talents. Meanwhile he assiduously continued his study of the theory of music, and took lessons on the pianoforte from the celebrated John Cramer. Whilst engaged as organist at North Cray, it was discovered that he had a voice of magnificent quality and great strength. He was immediately placed under a professor of singing, and by the advice of his friends exclusively devoted his energies to this study. He made his first appearance at Newcastle in his nineteenth year, in the baritone parts of Rodolpho, in the Sonambula, and of Dandini in Cenerentolo. His début was a complete success, although he had mistaken the character of his voice. He next visited the chief towns of Ireland and Scotland, in each acquiring fresh fame. His friends and the public looked upon him as a finished singer; but he had too keen a conception of musical perfection to be satisfied with his style and knowledge. He accordingly visited Paris, and studied under some of the best masters. When he returned to this country, he appeared in the provinces and in Ireland. The provincial public and the provincial press were equally loud in their laudations. London managers were eager to secure such an invaluable prize. Tempting offers were made to him, but were positively and firmly declined. Mr. Reeves was determined to visit Italy, to perfect himself still more in his favourite art. Arrived at Milan, he took lessons of Mazzucato, one of the most distinguished masters of that city. In a short time he appeared at the Scala in the character of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. His fortune was now made. The sweetness of his voice, his brilliant execution, his vocal power, and his dramatic talent electrified the audience. He had worked hard, and waited patiently, and his triumph was now complete. He remained at Milan two years, during which time he pursued his studies with ardour. At this period M. Jullien was getting together a company for an operatic season at Drury Lane. He offered Mr. Reeves an engagement, which was accepted; for the time had arrived when he felt that he might appear before a London audience triumphantly. He made his début at Drury Lane on the 6th of December, 1847, and selected for this occasion the part of Edgardo. The theatre was crowded, to hear the English singer who had gained such success in Italy. The house received him with enthusiasm, and the next day the press confirmed the favourable verdict in terms of hearty and unqualified praise. The only other opera he appeared in during the season, and in which he sustained his first original character, was Balfe's Maid of Honour. In 1848 Mr. Reeves appeared at her Majesty's theatre, and proved that he was fully equal to any Italian tenor on the stage. In the following year he appeared at the Norwich festival, and in the winter concerts of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and showed that he was quite as capable of singing the superb compositions of Handel and Mendelssohn, as he was of doing justice to operatic music. In classical and sacred music he is indeed unrivalled. In the spring of 1851 he visited Paris, and appeared at the Italian opera as Ernani, with Signora Cruvelli as Elvira. His singing and acting produced quite a furore. The French critics, not easily satisfied, compared him advantageously with the celebrities of the lyric stage. It is impossible to follow this gifted singer throughout his career of artistic triumphs; suffice it to say that no other Englishman has appeared successfully as the first tenor at the leading theatres of England, France, and Italy.—E. F. R.
REGGIO. See Oudinot.
REGILLIANUS, Quintus Nonius Regillianus, or Regillianus Augustus, a Roman emperor, a native of Dacia, and a relative of Decebalus, served under Valerian; and having routed the Sarmatians at Scopia, or Uscopia, in Bulgaria, was raised to the purple in 261. According to some historians, he was slain in an engagement with Gallienus in 263; according to others he was assassinated by the Illyrians and by his soldiers.
REGIOMONTANUS or DE REGIOMONTE, the surname assumed by Johann Müller, a celebrated German astronomer, from Königsberg in Franconia, where he was born on the 6th of June, 1436. He died at Rome on the 6th of July, 1476. He studied in his early youth at Leipsic; and having heard, when little more than fifteen years of age, of the skill of Peuerbach as a teacher of astronomy, he went to Vienna in order to avail himself of it, and soon became the principal pupil and fellow-labourer of that master, and eventually, in 1461, his successor as professor of astronomy. In the following year he accompanied Cardinal Bessarion to Italy; and after having taught astronomy in various cities in that country, he went for some years to Hungary, to act as astronomer to King Matthias Corvinus. In 1471 he went to Nuremberg, where he occupied himself in astronomical observations and calculations, and the printing of tables, until in 1475 he was summoned to Rome by Pope Sixtus IV., to assist in reforming the calendar; but he died soon after the commencement of his labours there, not without suspicion of his having been poisoned by the relatives of a rival astronomer, whose errors he had exposed. Regiomontanus did great service to astronomy and mathematics, by collecting, editing, and translating the works of the ancient astronomers; by his skill in observing, and the improvements which he made in the instruments used in his day; and by the great improvement which he first introduced into trigonometrical tables, of expressing the quantities which they contain in decimal parts of the radius. He was very skilful in the art of printing, and commenced a treatise on it, which he did not live to finish.—W. J. M. R.
REGNARD, Jean François, dramatist, satirist, and traveller, was born at Paris of wealthy parents. The date of his birth is variously stated; according to most accounts it was 1647, according to the balance of probability it was 1656. On the death of his father, he proceeded to Italy in 1676, distinguishing himself there alike as a brilliant man of society, and as a singularly daring and successful gamester. Revisiting Italy in 1678, he contracted an intimacy with a lady whom he styles
