1654. The expedition under Venables and Penn, sailed for America.
1664. The English, under the duke of York, destroyed 130 of the Bordeaux fleet.
1672. The king of England shut up the exchequer, and suspended payment.
1679. Thomas Hobbes, a celebrated English writer, died. He published his religious, political and moral principles in a complete system, which he called the Leviathan. It is said that few writings have had a more pernicious influence in spreading irreligion and infidelity than his, and yet that none of them were directly leveled against revealed religion.
1679. John Birkenhead died; professor of moral philosophy at Oxford, a zealous royalist, and a popular courtier.
1680. Thomas Bartholine, a learned Danish physician, died. He lost his library by fire, but that his pursuits might not be interrupted he was made librarian to the university. His works are chiefly medical.
1717. Mr. Shippen, a member of the British parliament, from Salt Ash, sent to the tower for saying, "The king's speech was fitted rather for the meridian of Germany than England." The king had little acquaintance with the English language.
1732. John Gay, a celebrated English poet, died; whose fables will ever be admired. His play of the Beggar's Opera was received with greater favor than had ever been known on any former occasion.
1746. Genoa surrendered to the Austrians, and was subjected to the most cruel contributions.
1777. Sir William Howe marched the British army from Philadelphia, to Whitemarsh, for the purpose of attacking Washington, but marched back again without making the attack.