1280. Albertus Magnus, a Swabian philosopher of extraordinary genius, died. His writings have been collected in 21 vols. folio.
1577. Francis Drake sailed from England with five ships and 164 men, professedly on a voyage to Egypt, but really with the intention of sailing into the Pacific, where no English flag had ever been.
1591. Barnabas Brissonius strangled at Paris. He was an eminent French lawyer, and ambassador to England.
1647. John Victor Rossi (Janus Nicius Erythræus) died; a Roman of noble birth, who devoted himself to literary pursuits.
1653. Aloysius Juglaris, an Italian Jesuit, died. He wrote 100 panegyrics on Jesus Christ, and 40 on Lewis XIII!
1680. The bill excluding James, duke of York, from the succession to his brother's throne, passed by the commons, was
defeated in the house of lords, all the bishops voting against it.
1695. In the neighborhood of Limerick and Tipperary, Ireland, a shower of matter fell resembling butter or grease, and was gathered into pots by some of the inhabitants. When laid on the hand it melted, but placed by the fire it dried and became hard, emitting an offensive odor.
1712. A duel was fought in Hyde Park, London, when the duke of Hamilton and lord Mohun were both killed.
1745. The town of Carlisle surrendered to the troops of the pretender to the English throne.