1843. Jacob Mann, supposed to be the oldest newspaper editor of the state of New Jersey, died in Morristown; having published the Genius of Liberty in 1798.
1852. William Jacob, an English agricultural writer, died at London, aged 89.
1853. Ralph Wardlaw, an eminent minister of the congregational dissenters, died at Glasgow, aged 73.
DECEMBER 18.
69. Vitellus abdicated the Roman empire, which "he had received against his will." The next day he desired to restore the dagger of his authority.
1551. George Martinusius (Visinovitsch), governor of Transylvania, assassinated by order of Ferdinand, king of the Romans and of Hungary. He was a native of Croatia, who rose from the humble occupation of a lighter of stoves.
1555. John Philpot, archdeacon of Winchester, an English reformer, convicted of heresy and burnt at Smithfield.
1621. The famous resolution of the commons of England against the usurped royal prerogative was adopted. King James did indeed tear it from the records with his own hand, but it had its effect.
1665. Benedict Varchi died; professor of morality at Padua, and distinguished for the purity and elegance of his language and writings.
1674. Gabriel Cossart died. He assisted Labbe in his grand collection of councils, which occupied 28 vols. folio.