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hap unmeafurable deferts of Arabia, and the once the mere inftruments of real learning, and think Bourishing kingdom of Yemen, with the pleafant them improperly confounded with learning itself: ifles that the Arabs have fubdued or colonized; the attainment of them is, however, indifpenfaband farther weftward, the Afiatic dominions of ly neceffary; and if to the Perfian, Armenian, the Turkish fultans, whofe moon feems approach- Turkith, and Arabic, could be added not only mg rapidly to its wane. By this great circumfe. the Shanfcrit, the treafures of which we may now rence the field of your ufual refearches will be in- hope to fee unlocked, but even the Chinefe, Tarclofed; but fince Egypt had unqueftionabiy an tarian, Japanese, and the various infular dialects, ond connection with this country, fince the lan- an immenfe mine would th-n be open, in which range and literature of the Abyffinians bear a we might labour with equal delight and advanmanifeft affinity to thofe of Afia, fince the Arabi- tage." an arms prevailed along the African coaft of the Mediterranean, and even erected a powerful dy. tality on the continent of Europe, you may not be difpleafed occafionally to follow the streams of Afiatic learning a little beyond its natural boundary; and, if it be neceffary that a fhort name be given to our fociety, that of Afiatic appears both caical and proper, whether we confider the pace or the object of the inftitution, and prefer. able to Oriental, which is a word merely relative, and conveys no very diftinct idea.

"If now it be asked, What are the intended 'jets of our inquiries within thefe fpacious li. mts? we answer, MAN and NATURE; whatever performed by the one or produced by the other. Haman knowledge has been elegant.y analyfed according to the three great faculties of the mind, emory, rea on, and imagination, which we conftantly find employed in arranging and retaining, comparing and diftinguishing, combining and dieffing, the ideas, which we receive through our Enies, or acquire by reflection: hence the three main branches of learning pre, biftory, fcience, and art; the first comprehends either an account of natural productions, or the genuine records of empires and states; the fecond embraces the whoie circle of pure and mixed mathematics, to gether with ethics and law, as far as they depend a the reafoning faculty; and the 3d includes all the beauties of imagery and the charms of inventon, difplayed in modulated language, or reprefented by colour, figure, or found.

“ Agreeabiy to this analyfis, you will inveftiEnte whatever is rare in the ftupendous fabric of nature, will correct the geography of Afia by new obfervations and difcoveries; will trace the anand even tradition of thofe nations who from time to time have peopled or defolated it; and w bring to light their various forms of govern. eat, with their inftitutions civil and religious; you will examine their improvements, and methods in arithmetic and geometry; in trigonomety, menfuration, mechanics, optics, aftronomy, ard general phyfics; their fyftems of morality, rammar, rhetoric, and dialectic; their fkill in chirurgery and me ticine ; and their advancement, whatever it may be, in anatomy and chemistry. To this you will add refearches into their agriculare, manufactures, trade; and whilst you inquire with pleafure into t their mufic, architecture, anting, and poetry, will not neglect thofe inferior arts by which the comforts and even cleFancies of focial life are fupplied or improved. You may obferve, that I have omitted their lanuages, the diversity and difficuity of which are fad obftacle to the progrefs of ufeful know ledge; but I have ever confidered languages as

Of this fociety 3 volumes of the Transactions have been published, which are replete with information in a high degree curious and important; and we hope that the European word fhall foon be favoured with another. The death of the accomplished prefident may indeed damp the fpirit of investigation among the members; for to conquer difficulties fo great as they must meet with, a portion feems to be neceflary of that enthufiafin which accompanied all the pursuits of Sir Wil liam Jones; but his fucceffor is a man of great worth and learning, and we truft will ufe his utmoit endeavours to have the pian completed of which Sir William gave the outlines.

IX. The AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, heid at Philadelphia, was formed in Jan. 1769, by the union of two focieties which had formery fubfiited in that city. This fociety extends its attention to geography, mathematics, natural philofophy, and aftronomy; medicine and anatomy; natural history and chemistry; trade and commerce; mechanics and architecture; hufbandry and American improvements. Its officers are a patron, prefident, three vice-prefidents, one treafurer, four lecretaries, and three curators, who are annually chofen by bal.ot. The duty of the preident, vice-prefidents, treafurer, and fecretaries, is the fame as in the other fociety. The business of the curators is to take the charge of all fpecimens of natural productions, whether of the animal, vegetable, or foffil kingdom; all models. of machines and instruments; and all other matters belonging to the fociety which hali be intrufted to them. The ordinary meetings are held on the firft and third Fridays of every month from October to May inclufive. This fociety was incorporated by charter 15th March 1780; and has publified three volumes of its Tranfactions, cortaining many ingenious papers on general literature and the fciences, as well as refpecting thofe fubjects peculiar to America. It is a delightful profpect to the philofopher to confider, that Afia, Europe, and America, though far feparated and divided into a variety of political ftates, are all three combined to promote the cause of knowledge and truth.

X. A LITERARY and PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, of confiderable reputation has been established at Manchefter, under the direction of two prefidents, four vice-prefidents, and two fecretaries. The number of members is limited to so; befides whom there are feveral honorary members all of whom are elected by ballot; and the officers are chofen annually in April. Four volumes of va luable effays have been already published by this. fociety, and often quoted in our work.

XI. SOCIETY for PROMOTING the DISCOVERY

of the INTERIOR PARTS of AFRICA. This affociation for exploring the internal diftricts of Africa, of which fo little is at prefent known, was formed in London by fome opulent individuals in 1788; who, ftrongly impreffed with a conviction of the practicability and utility of thus enlarging the fund of human knowledge, determined if poftible to refcue the age from thatitigma which attaches to its ignorance of fo large and fo near a portion of the globe. The founders of this fociety refolved to admit no man a member for a fhorter period than three years, during which he must pay annually into the public fund five guineas. After three years, any member, upon giving a year's notice, may withdraw himfelf from the affociation. During the first 12 months each of the members was allowed to recommend for the approbation of the fociety fuch of his friends as he might think proper to be admitted into it; but fince that pe riod we believe all additional members have been elected by a ballot of the affociation at large. A committee was clofen by ballot to man ge the funds of the fociety, to chocfe proper perfons to be fent on the difcovery of the imerior parts of Africa, and to carry on the society's correspondence, with exprefs injunctions to difelofe no intelligence received from their agents but to the fociety at large. But a fuller account of the nature of this eftablifoment, and the very happy efforts they have made, may be feen in the fuperb edition of their proceedings printed in 1790, 4to, for their own ufe; or in the 8vo edition fince made public. They foon found two gentlemen, Mr Lucas and Mr Ledyard, who were fingularly well qualified for the important miffion. The information they have acquired will be found in the above work; with a new map by Mr Rennel, exhibiting the geographical knowledge colleced by the African affociation. Mr Ledyard very unfortunately died during his refearches at Cairo, Mr Mungo Park has fince profecuted the objects of the Society's inquiries with amazing induftry, abilities, and fuccefs; of which the various extracts we have given from his Travels in this work afford abundant evidence.

XII. The SOCIETY of ANTIQUARIES of LONDON, was founded about the year 1572 by Abp. Parket, a munificent patron of learned men. For the fpace of 20 years it affembled in the houfe of Sir Robert Cotton; in 1589 they refolved to apply to Queen Elizabeth for a charter and a public building where they might hold their meetings; but it is uncertain whether any fuch application was ever made. In the mean time, the reputation of the fociety gradually increafed, and at length it excited the jealousy of James I. who was afraid left it should prefume to canvafs the fecret tranfactions of his government. He accordingly diffolved it. But in 1717, the Antiquarian Society began to revive; and a number of gentlemen, eminent for their affection to this feience, had weekly meetings, in which they examined the antiqui ties and history of Great Britain preceding the, reign of James I. but without excluding any other remarkable antiquities that might be offered to them. From this time the fociety grew in importance; and in 1756 they unanimoully refolved to petition the king for a charter of incorporation.

This they obtained, in 1751, by the influence of the celebrated Earl of Hardwicke, then lord-chancellor, and Martin Folkes, Efq; who was then their prefident. The king declared himself their founder and patron, and empowered them to have a body of itatures, and a common seal, and to hold in perpetuity lands, &c. to the yearly value of L. 1000. The chief object of the inquiries and refeareses of this fociety are British antiquities and hiftory; not, however, wholly excluding thofe of other countries. The study of antiquity offers to the curious and inquifitive a large field for refearca and amufement. The inquirer in this branch furnithes the hiftorian with his best materials, while he diftinguishes from truth the fictions of a bold invention, and afcertains the credibility of facts; and to the philofopher he prefents a fruitful fource of ingenious fpeculation, while he points out to him the way of thinking, and the manners of men, under all the varieties of afpect in which they have appeared.

Befides thefe literary focieties here mentioned, there are a great number moze in different parts of Europe, fome of which are noticed under the article ACADEMY. Thofe which are omitted are not omitted on account of any idea of their inferior importance; but either because we have had no accefs to authentic information, or because they refemble the focieties already described fo clofely, that we could have given nothing but their names.

SECT. III. SOCIETIES. FOR ENCOURAGING AND PROMOTING ARTS, MANUFACTURES, &c.

I. The LONDON SOCIETY for the ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS, MANUFACTURES, and COMMERCE, was inftituted in 1754 by Loid Folkftone, Lord Romney, Dr Stephen Hales, and a few private gen tlemen; but the merit of this inflitution chiefly belonged to Mr William Shipley, an ingenious mechanic; who, though deriving no advantages from learning, by unwearied perfonal attendance found means to engage a few perfons of rank and fortune to meet at Peeie's coffeehouse in Fleetstreet, and to adopt a plan for promoting arts and manufactures.

The office-bearers of this fociety are a prefident, twelve vice-prefidents, a fecretary, and regifter. Their proceedings are regulated by rules and orders eftab'ifhed by the whole fociety, and printed for the ufe of the members. All queftions are determined by fhow of hands, or by ballot; and no matter can be confirmed without the aflent of a majority at two meetings. They invite all the world to propofe fubjects for encouragement; and whatever is deemed deferving attention is referred to a committee, who, after due inquiry and deliberation, make their report to the whole fociety, where it is approved, rejected, or altered. A lit i. publifhed every year of the matters for which they propofe to give premiums, which are either fums of money, and those sometimes very confiderable, or the fociety's medal in gold or filver, which they confider as the greateft honour they can beflow. All poffible care is taken to prevent partiality in the diftribution of their premiums, by appointing committees (who when they find occafion Call to their affiftance the moft (kilful artifs) for

the

the ftrict examination of the real merit of all matters brought before them.

The chief objects of the attention of this Society in the application of their rewards are ingenuity in the arts, ufeful discoveries and improvements in agriculture, manufactures, mechanics, and chemitry, or the laying open of any fuch to the pubbe; and in general, all tuch useful inventions, difcoveries, or improvements, as may tend to the advantage of trade and commerce.

It is required that the matters for which premiuns are offered be delivered in without names, or any intimation to whom they belong; that each particular thing be marked in what manner cach clamant thinks fit, fuch claimant fending with it a paper fealed up, having on the outside a correfpinding mark, and on the infide the claimant's rame and addrefs. No papers fhall be openel but fuch as fhill gain premiums; all the reft fall be returned unopened, with the matters to which they belong, if inquired after by the marks within two years; after which time, if not demanded, they fhall be publicly burnt unopened at fome meeting of the fociety. All the premirms of this fociety are defigned for that part of Great Britain called England, Wales, and Berwick up Tweed. No perfon fhall receive any preium, bounty or encouragement, from the fociety for any matter for which he has obtained or propoles to obtain a patent. No member of this fciety fhall be a candidate for or intitled to receive any premium, bounty, or reward what foever, exopt the honorary medal.

The refpectability of the members who compfe it may be feen by perufing the lift which acCompanies their Tranfactions. In vol. xii. it ocCupies no lefs than 43 pages. Some idea may be formed of the wealth of this fociety, by obferving that the lift of their premiums fills 96 pages, and amounts to 250 in number. Thefe confift of gold med's worth from 30 to 50, and in a few inftances to 1,guineas; and filver medals valued at 10 guineas. This fociety is one of the most important in Great Britain. Much money has been expended by it, and many are the valuable effects of which it has been productive. Among thefe we reckon not only the difcoveries which it has excited, but the aftitution of other focieties on the fame principles to which it has given birth; and future ages will confider the founding of this fociety as one of the moft remarkable epochs in the hiftory of the arts. II. The SOCIETY at BATH for the ENCOURAGEMENT of AGRICULTURE, ARTS, MANUFACTURES and COMMERCE, was founded in 1777, by feveral gentlemen who met at the city of Bath. This fcheme met with a very favourable reception both from the wealthy and learned. The weal. thy fubfcribed very liberally, and the learned communicated many important papers. On apFication to the London and provincial focieries fituted for the like purpofes, they very polite I offered their antrance. Seven volumes of their en published, contain Is and obfervations, 'ture, which well de

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III. SOCIETY FOR WORKING MINES, an aflociation lately formed on the continent of Europe. This inftitution arofe from the accidental meeting of feveral mineralogifts at Skleno near Schemnitz in Hungary, who met to examine a new method of amalgamation. Struck with the fhackles impofed on mineralogy by monopolizers of new and ufeful proceffes, they thought no method fo effec tual to break them, as forming a fociety, whose common labours fhould be directed to fix mining on its fureft principles; and whofe memoirs, fpread over all Europe, might offer to every adventurer the refult of the refearches, of which they are the object. By thefe means there would be a mafs of information collected; the interefts of individuals would be loft in the general intereft; and the one would materially aflift the other. The object of the fociety is phyfical geogra phy; mineralogy founded on chemistry; the management of ores; fubterraneous geometry; the history of mining; founderies, and the proceffes for the extraction of metais from the ores, either by fufion or amalgamation, in every instance applied to practice. The end of this inftitution is to collect every thing that can affift the operations of the miner, and to communicate it to the different members, that they may employ it for the public good, in their refpective countries. Each member pays annually two ducats (about 18s. 6 d.) to the direction every Eafter. The fociety is bound to publish every novelty that fhall be communicated to it; to communicate to each member the memoirs, defigas, models, produc tions, and every thing connected with the inftitution; to answer all the neceffary demands made, relating in any refpect to mining; and to give its opinion on every plan or project communicated through the medium of an honorary member.

The great centre of intelligence is at Zellerfield in Hartz, Brunfwick: but the fuciety is not fixed to any one spot; for in every particular state fome practical mineralogift is nominated as director. Among thefe are the names of Baron Born, M. Pallas, M. Carpentier, M. Prebra, and M. Henkel. Their officer is to propofe the members; to take care that the views of the fociety are fol iowed out; to answer the requests of the members; in cafe of the death of a director, to choose another; and to determine where the archives and the ftrong box is to be placed. All the eminent mineralogifts in Europe are members of this fociety. It is erected on the most liberal and extenfive plan.

IV. The SOCIETY for the IMPROVEMENT of NaVAL ARCHITECTURE, was founded in 1991. The object of it is to encourage every useful invention and difcovery relating to naval architecture, both by honorary and pecuniary rewards. To improve the theories of floating bodies and of the refiftance of flats; to procure draughts and models of different vleis, with calculations of their capacity, centre of gravity, tonnage, &c.; to make obfervations and experiments, and to point out fuch as appear best calculated to further their defians; in a word to cultivate whatever may tend to render navigation more fate, falutary, and even pleasant.

This inftitution owes its exiftence to the patri otic difpofition and extraordinary attention of Mr Sewel a citizen of London, who has been led to take fuch particular notice of the ftate of naval architecture in this country. His attention was the more feriously excited, by finding that it was the opinion of fome private fhip-builders, who, in a debate on the failure of one of our naval engagements, pronounced, that fuch "would ever be the cafe, while the conftruction of our fhips of war was not studied as a science, but carried on merely by precedent; that there had not been one improvement in our navy that did not origi. nate with the French, who had naval fchools and feminaries for the ftudy of it; and that our fhips were not a match for thofe of that nation either fingly or in a fleet, &c."

In a fhort time the fociety were enabled to of fer very confiderable premiums for particular improvements in the conftruction of our thipping, &c. and alfo to encourage our philofophers, mathematicians, and mechanics, to make fatisfactory experiments, tending to afcertain the laws of refiftance of water to folids of different forms, in all varieties of circumstances. On this head the reward is not lefs than L. 100 or a gold medal. Other premiums of 50, 30, and 20 guineas, according to the importance or difficulty of the particular fubject or point of investigation, are likewife offered, for different discoveries, inventions, or improvements. The terms of admiffion into the fociety are a fubfcription of two guineas annually, or 20 guineas for life.

V. The SOCIETY of ARTISTS of GREAT BRITAIN, which confifts of directors and fellows, was incorporated by charter in 1765, and empowered to purchase and hold lands, not exceeding 1000 1. a year. The directors of this fociety, annually elected, confift of 24 persons, including the prefident, vice-prefident, treasurer, and fecretary; and it is required that they be either painters, fculptors, architects, or engravers by profeffion.

VI. The BRITISH SOCIETY for EXTENDING the FISHERIES and IMPROVING the SEA COASTS of THIS KINGDOM, was inftituted in 1786. The defign of this fociety will beft appear from their charter, of which we fubjoin an abstract. The preamble ftates, "the great want of improvement in fisheries, agriculture, and manufactures, in the Highlands and inands of North Britain; the prevalence of the emigration from the want of employment in thofe parts; the profpect of a new nursery of feamen, by the establishment of fishing towns and villages in that quarter. The act therefore declares, that the perfons therein nained, and all other pertons who shall thereafter become proprietors of the joint flock mentioned therein, fhall be a distinct and feparate body politic and corporate, by the name above quoted. That the faid fociety may raife a capi.

SOC

SOCIETY ISLES, a clutter of iftes, fo named by Captain Cook in 1769. They are hated hetween Lat. 16. 10. and 16. 55. S. and between Lon. 150. 57. and 152. o. W. They are eight in

tal joint ftock not exceeding 150,000l. to be ap pied to purchafing lands and tenements in per petuity for the building there on tree towns, viilages, and fithing ftations: that the joint stock fhall be divided into thares of 50 l. each: That no one perfon fhall in his or her name poffefs more than ten fhares, or 500l.: That the fociety shall not borrow money: That the fums to be advanced, and the profits arifing therefrom, shall be divided proportionably to the fum fubfcribed; and that no perfon fhall be liable for a larger fum than he or the fhail have respectively subscribed: That one or two thares fhail entitle to one vote and no more, in perfon or by proxy, at all meetings of proprietors; 3 or 4 fhares to two votes; 5, 6, or 7 fhares to 3 votes; 8 or 9 shares to 4 votes; and to fhares to 5 votes and no more: That more perfons than one inclining to hold in their joint names one or more shares fhall be entitled to vote, by one of such persons, according to the priority of their names, or by proxy: That bodies corporate thali vote by proxy under their feal: That all perfons holding proxies fail be proprietors, and that no perfon fhall hold more than five votes by proxy: That the affairs of the fociety fhall be managed by a governor, deputy governor, and 13 other directors, to be elected annualy on the 25th of March, from the proprietors, hokiing at least one full share, by figned lifts of their names to be tranfmitted to the fere. tary: That five proprietors, not being governor, director, or other officer, fhail be in like manner annually elected to audit the accounts of the fs ciety: that there fhail be one general meeting of the proprictors annually on the 25th of March: That occafional generai meetings theil be called on the request of nine or more proprietors: That the general meetings of the proprietors fhall make al bye-laws and constitutions for the government of the fociety, and for the orderly carrying on of its bufinefs: That the cafh of the fociety fhall be lodged in the bank of England, bank of Scotland, or the royal bank of Scotland: That no directors proprietor, agent, or officer of the fociety, fhal retain any fum or fums of money in his hands beyond the space of 30 days: That all payments thall be made by draughts on the faid banks, der the hands of the governor or deputy governor, counterfigned by the fecretary or his deputy, and two or more directors: And that the books in which the accounts of the fociety fhall be kept fhail be open to all the proprietors. The inftitution of this public fpirited fociety was in a great measure owing to the exertions of the patriotic JOHN KNOX; who, in the courfe of 23 years tra verted and explored the Highlands of Scotland no less than 16 times, and fpent feveral thoufand pounds of his own fortune in purfuing his patrio tic defigns.

VII. BRITISH WOOL SOCIETY. See WOOL.

SOC

number, viz. OTAMEITE, IIUAHEINE, ÜLIÉTEA, OгAHA, COLABOLA, MAURUA, TOOBUAI, and TABOOYAMANOO or SAUNDERS'S ISLAND. There are alfo other 7 finaller iflands, viz. TETHUKOA, Eli

MLO,

MEO, DATARA, OPURURU, TAMOU, TOAHOATA, and WHENUNIA. The foil, productions, people, their language, religion, customs, and manners, are fo nearly the fame as at OTAHEITE, that little need be added here on that subject. Nature has been equally bountiful in uncultivated plenty, and the inhabitants are as luxurious and as indolent. A plantain branch is the emblem of peace, and exchanging names the greatest token of friendtup. Their dances are more elegant, their dramac entertainments have fomething of plot and confiftency, and they exhibit temporary occur rences as the objects of praife or fatire; fo that the origin of ancient comedy may be aiready difcerned among them. The people of Huaheine are in general ftouter and fairer than thofe of Otaheite, and this island is remarkable for its populouinefs an fertility. Thofe of Ulietea, on the contrary, are smaller and blacker and much lefs orderly. Captain Cook put on shore a Cape ewe at Bolabola, where a ram had been left by the Spaniards; and alfo an English boar and fow, with two goats, at Ulietea. If the valuable animals tranfported thither from Europe be fuffered to multiply, no part of the world will equal thefe ilands in variety and abundance of refreshments for future navigators.

SOCINIANISM, n.. the doctrine of the SoCINIANS, OF UNITARIANS. See the next articie. SOCINIANS, in church-history, a fect of Chriftian heretics, fo called from their founder Fauftus Socinus. (See SoCINUS, N° 2.) They mainfait, "That Jefus Chrift was a mere man, who had no exiftence before he was conceived by the Virgin Mary; that the Holy Ghoft is no diftinct perfon, but that the Father is truly and properly God. They own, that the name of God is given in the Holy Scriptures to Jefus Chrift; but contend, that it is only a deputed title, which, how ever, invefts him with an abfolute fovereignty over all created beings, and renders him an object of worship to men and angels. They deny the doctrines of fatisfaction and imputed righteoufnels; and fay that Chrift only preached the truth to mankind, fet before them in himfelf an example of heroic virtue, and fealed his doctrines with his blood. Original fin and abfolute predeftination they efteem fcholaftic chimeras. They likewife maintain the fleep of the foul, which they fay becomes infenfible at death, and is raifed again with the body at the refurrection, when the good hall be established in the poffeffion of eternal fecity, while the wicked thall be configned to a fre that will not torment them eternally, but for a certain duration proportioned to their demerits." This fect difclaim the name Socinians, and every human leader; and profeffing to be guided folely by the word of God and the deductions of reafon, they call themfelves UNITARTANS, and and affect to confider all other Chriftians, even their friends the Arians, as Polytheifts. Modern Unitarianifm, as taught by Dr Priestly, is, how ever a very different thing from Socinianifm, as we find it in the Racovian catechifm and other ndard works of the fect. This far-famed phiJofopher has difcovered what efcaped the fagacity of all the fratres polani, that Jefus Chrift VOL. XXI. PART I

was the fon of Jofeph as well as Mary; that the evangelifts mistook the meaning of Ifaiah's prophecy, that "a virgin fhould conceive and bear a fon;" that the applying of this prophecy to the birth of our Saviour, led them to conclude that his conception was miraculous; and that we are not to to wonder at this mistake, as the apostles were not always infpired, and were in generai inconclufive reafoners. The modesty of the writer in claiming the merit of fuch difcoveries will appear in its pro per colours to all cur readers: the truth of his doctrine shall be confidered under THEOLOGY.

SOCINIOS, an emperor of Abyffinia, who fent an embafly to pope Paul V. and, for fome time, eftablished the Roman Catholic religión in Abyf. finia. See ETHIOPIA, 33-38.

(1.) SOCINUS, Lælius, the firft author of the fect of the Socinians, was born at Sienna in Tuf cany, in 1525. Peing defigned by his father for the law, he began very early to fearch for the foundation of that fcience in the Word of God; and by that ftudy difcovered that the Romifi religion taught many things contrary to revelation when, being deffrous of penetrating farther into the true fenfe of the Scriptures, he ftudied Greek, Hebrew, and even Arabic. In 1547 he left Italy, to go and converfe with the Protestants; and fpent four years in travelling thro' France. Fugland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, and at length fettled at Zurich. He thus became acquainted with the most learned men of his time, who teftified by their letters the effeem they had for him: but as he difcovered to them his doubts, he was greatly fufpected of herefy. He, however, conducted himself with fuch prudence, that he lived among the capital enemies of his opin.ons without receiving any injury. He met with fome difciples, who heard his inftructions with respect; thefe were Italians who left their native country on account of religion, and wandered about in Germany and Poland. He communicated like? wife his fentiments to his reiations by his writings, which he caufed to be conveyed to them af Sienna. He died at Zurich in 1562. Thofe who were of fentiments oppofite to his, and were perfo nally acquainted with him, confefs that his cutward behaviour was blamelefs. He wrote a Paraphrafe on the first chapter of St John; and other works are aferibed to him.

(2.) SOCINUS, Fauftus, nephew of the preceding, and principal founder of the Socinian fect, was born at Sienna in 1539. The letters which Lis uncle Laits wrote to his relations, and which infufed into them many feeds of herely, made ar impreffion upon him; fo that he fled as well as the reft, when the inquifition began to perfecute. that family. He was at Lyons when he heard of his uncle's death, and departed inráediately to take poffeffion of his writings. He returned to Tufcany; and made himfeif fo agreeable to the grand duke, that the charms which he found in that court, and the honourable pots he filed there, hindered him for 12 years from putting the iaft hand to the fyftem of divinity, of which hig uncle Lælius had made a rough draught. At lait he went into Germany in 1574, and paid no regard to the grand dube's advices to return. He

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