"

BREVAL (JOHN DURANT DE), son of FRANCIS DURANT de Breval, D. D. prebendary of Westminster, was educated at Westminster-school, to which he was admitted 1693, and removed thence to Trinity-college, Cambridge, in 1697. He was elected fellow of it about the year 1702; but, upon some disagreement between him and Dr. Bentley, the master, he quitted his fellowship, and went into the army, then in Flanders, as an ensign. The ease with which he acquired the Flemish and German languages, his great knowledge, his exquisite pencil, and genteel behaviour, were soon noticed by the duke of Marlborough; who promoted him to the rank of captain, and also employed him in divers negotiations with several German princes. He began his travels about 1720, published the two first volumes of them in 1723 and 1725, and the third and fourth in 1738, all in folio. It may be matter of surprise to see Mr. Breval's name among the gentlemen of the Dunciad; but, soon after the unsuccessful exhibition of the "Three hours after marriage," which, though with only Gay's name to it, was certainly the joint production of Gay, Pope, and Arbuthnot, Breval, under the assumed name of Joseph Gay, produced a farce called “The Confederates," and this exposed him to Pope's resentment, He published also in 1734: 1. "The History of the house of Nassau," 8vo. 2. "The Hoop-petticoat, a poem," 1716. 3. "The Art of Dress, an heroi-comical poem,' 4. "Mac Dermot, or the Irish Fortune-hunter," 1717. 5. "Calpe, Calpe, or Gibraltar," a poem, 1717; and in the following year produced a comedy called "The Play is the Plot," which not succeeding in that shape, he reduced it to a farce called "The Strollers," which met with more favour. In 1737 he brought out at Coventgarden, a musical opera called "The Rape of Helen." As to what is said above, of his quitting his fellowship, the fact is, that he and a Mr. Miller were expelled. Breval, speaking of the conduct of Dr. Bentley on this occasion, used the remarkable expression of "Tantum non jugulavit." 1

1717.

BREUGEL. See BRUEGEL.

BREULIUS or DU BREUIL (JAMES), a French antiquary, was born Sept. 17, 1528, and entered the society

1 Nichols's Bowyer.-Biog. Dramatica.

of the Benedictines of St. Germain-des-Pres in 1549. He published in 1601 an edition of Isidorus, fol.; and 1. “ Le Theatre des Antiquités de Paris," 1639, 4to. 2. "Supplementum antiquitatum Parisiensium," 1614, 4to. Of these two Malingre availed himself in his " Antiquities of Paris," published in 1640, fol. 3. "Les Fastes de Paris," by Bonfons, improved by our author, 1605, and 1608, 8vo. 4. "La Vie du cardinal Charles de Bourbon," uncle of Henry IV. 1612, 4to. 5. "Chronicon Abbatum regalis monast. S. Germani à Pratis," 1603, fol. He died in 1614, leaving some of the above works ready for the press.

1638.

BREVINT (DANIEL), a learned divine of the seventeenth century, was born in the Isle of Jersey, in the reign of king James I. and probably educated in grammar-learning in that place. From thence he went and studied logic and philosophy in the Protestant university of Saumur, where he took the degree of master of arts, on September 12, 1634. Coming to Oxford, he was, October 12, 1638, incorporated M. A. as he stood at Saumur. About this time king Charles I. having through archbishop Laud's persuasion founded three fellowships in the colleges of Pembroke, Exeter, and Jesus, for the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, alternately, Mr. Brevint was nominated the first fellow at Jesus-college upon this foundation, in Here he continued till he was ejected from his fellowship by the parliament-visitors, for refusing to take the solemn league and covenant, and withdrew to his native country, but upon the reduction of that place by the parliament's forces, he fled into France, and became minister of a Protestant congregation in Normandy. Not long after, he had the honour of being made chaplain to the viscount de Turenne, afterwards marshal of France, whose lady was one of the most pious women of her time. Whilst he was in that station, he was one of the persons ployed about the great design then in hand, of reconciling the Protestant and Popish religions; which gave him an access into, and made him acquainted with every corner of that church," as he says himself. At the restoration of king Charles II. he returned to England, and was presented by that prince (who had known him abroad) to the tenth prebend in the church of Durham, vacant by the promotion of

Moreri,Dict. Hist.

"em

Dr. J. Cosin to that see, and was installed March 15,1660-61. By bishop Cosin, who had been his fellow-sufferer, he was also collated to a living in the diocese of Durham. On the 27th of February, 1661-62, he took his degree of D. D. at Oxford. Having during his exile seen Popery in its native deformity, and observed all the mean and dishonest arts that are used to support it, he in 1672 published “ Missale Romanum; or, the depth and mystery of the Roman Mass laid open and explained, for the use of both reformed and unreformed Christians," and the next year, "The Christian Sacrament and Sacrifice, by way of discourse, meditation, and prayer, upon the nature, parts, and blessings of the holy communion," reprinted on the recommendation of Dr. Waterland, in 1739. And in 1674, "Saul and Samuel at Endor, or the new waies of salvation and service, which usually tempt men to Rome, and detain them there, truly represented and refuted," reprinted 1688. At the end of which is, "A brief account of R. F. his Missale Vindicatum, or vindication of the Roman mass,' being an answer to "The depth and mystery of the Roman Mass," above-mentioned. The learning and other eminent qualifications of the author having recommended him to the esteem of the world, and to the favour of his sovereign, he was promoted to the deanery of Lincoln, and was installed January 3, 1681-82, and had the prebend of WeltonPayns-hall annexed thereto, January 7th following. He died May 5, 1695, and was buried in the cathedral church of Lincoln, behind the high altar; where, on a gravestone, is an inscription to his memory. He was a person of extensive reading, especially in the controversy between the Protestants and Papists; zealous for the church of England; and for his life and learning, truly praise-worthy. Besides the above works, he published in Latin: 1. "Ecclesiæ primitivæ Sacramentum & Sacrificium, à pontificiis corruptelis, & exinde natis controversiis liberum," written at the desire of the princesses of Turenne and Bouillon. 2. "Eucharistiæ Christianæ præsentia realis, & pontificia ficta, luculentissimis non testimoniis modo, sed etiam fundamentis, quibus fere tota S. S. Patrum Theologia nititur, hæc explosa, illa suffulta & asserta.” 3. "Pro Serenissima Principe Weimariensi ad Theses Jenenses accurata Responsio." 4. "Ducentæ plus minus Prælectiones in S. Matthæi xxv capita, et aliorum Evangelistarum locos hisce passim parallelos." He also translated into French

"The judgment of the university of Oxford concerning the solemn League and Covenant."1

BREWER (ANTHONY), a dramatic writer of the reign of king James I. appears to have been held in high estimation by the wits of that time, but there are many disputes as to his works, and no information concerning his life. The various dramatic annalists assign him from one to six plays. The controversy seems of little consequence, unless that it gave rise to a story of Oliver Cromwell's having acted a part in one of his supposed plays, entitled "Lingua," the part of one ambitious for a crown; and that his ambition was first excited by personating this character. The story, however, seems as doubtful as the author of the play.

2

BREWER (SAMUEL), a botanist, whose connection with Dillenius entitles him to some notice, was originally of Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, in which county he had a small estate. He was engaged at one time in the woollen manufactory of that place, but it is thought was unsuccessful. He attended Dillenius into Wales, Anglesey, and the Isle of Man, in the summer of 1726, and afterwards remained the winter, and the greater part of the next year, in that country; making his residence at Bangor, and taking his excursions to Snowdon and elsewhere. While in Wales, it was intended that he should have gone over to Ireland to make a botanical tour through that kingdom; but that expedition never took place. So long a residence gave him an opportunity, not only of seeing the beauties of summer plants, but of collecting the Cryptogamia in winter, when they flourish most. Here he received instructions from Dillenius, collected specimens, of every thing rare, or unknown to him before, and sent them to Dillenius to determine the species, and fix the names. This journey appears to have been designed to promote Dillenius's "Appendix to the Synopsis." In 1728, Mr. Brewer went into Yorkshire, and resided the remainder of his days. at Bradford, in the neighbourhood of Dr. Richardson, by whose beneficence he was assisted in various ways. After his retirement into Yorkshire, he meditated, and nearly finished a work which was to have borne the title of "The Botanical Guide," but it never appeared. The time of

Biog. Brit.-Ath. Ox. vol. II.-Hutchinson's Hist. of Durham, vol. II. p. 210. ? Biog. Dram.

his decease has not been determined, but he is said to have been living in 1742. His passion for English botany, and his skill and assiduity, enabled him to afford singular assistance to Dillenius, especially in the subjects for his "History of Mosses." 1

BREYDEL (CHARLES), called CAVALIER, a painter of landscapes, was born at Antwerp in 1677, and remained under the instruction of old Rysbrack, the landscape painter, for three years, after which period he became, in consequence of his close application, competent to commence the practice of his art. Having been diverted from his purpose of visiting Italy by the encouraging reception which he met with at Francfort and Nuremberg, he spent two years with his brother, Francis Breydel, at the court of Hesse-Cassel; and afterwards went to Amsterdam, where he copied several views of the Rhine, from the designs of Griffier, and thus improved his colouring, pencilling, and taste of design, so that the works of this artist may be regarded as his second and best school. At length he settled at Ghent, where his performances were much admired; but he was reduced by extravagance to the necessity of earning money expeditiously, and to multiply pictures much inferior in design and execution to others which had been produced by his pencil. His health declined towards the close of his life; and his performances during the intervals of ease which he enjoyed, amidst recurring paroxysms of the gout, wanted the spirit, delicate finishing, and firmness of touch, of his better days. Whilst the ideas and style of Griffier were his models, his pictures, principally views of the Rhine, were well designed, neatly executed, and excellently coloured. But he changed this manner, in order to imitate Velvet Breughel, whose works were universally admired, and selected for his subjects battles, sieges, and encampments. He often copied the prints of Vandermeulen; but afterwards composed very readily in this style, without borrowing from any other artist. His best pictures are full of spirit, his touch is firm, and well adapted to his style, and his design is corSome of them appear too laboured, but others are full of harmony. He died in 1744. 2

rect.

BREYDEL (FRANCIS), brother of the above, was born at Antwerp, in 1679, and it is generally supposed that he

■ Pulteney's Hist. and Biog. Sketches.

2 Pilkington.