1719. Andrew Bradford issued the first number of the American Weekly Mercury, the first paper printed in Pennsylvania, and the second in the United States.
1722. Pierre Varignon, a distinguished French architect and mathematician, died. He was professor of mathematics, and an able writer on that science.
1723. James Basnage, a French protestant minister, died. He was a man of talent and erudition. His works are numerous and valuable, particularly his History of the Jews, 15 vols.
1729. Michael Baron, the Roscius of the French theatre, died.
1753. A Mr. Braithwaite died at Carlisle, England, at the age of 110. In 1652 he commenced singing in the cathedral, and at the time of his death had continued singing one hundred years.
1768. Charles Littleton, bishop of Carlisle, died; an eminent English antiquary.
1788. Percival Pott, a very eminent English surgeon, died.
1789. A number of ice islands, of great magnitude, discovered, which had been wafted from the southern polar regions. The ship Guardian struck them near the cape of Good Hope, on her passage to Botany bay. These islands were wrapt in darkness; they were 150 fathoms long, and more than 50 fathoms above the surface of the waves. A fragment from the summit of one of them broke off, and plunging into the sea, caused a tremendous commotion in the water, and dense smoke all around it.
1796. Kehl, a fortress on the Rhine, surrendered by the French, under Dessaix, to the Austrians, under the archduke Charles, after a siege of 51 days, and a blockade of 115. The garrison were permitted to withdraw, with their artillery and baggage, with drums beating and colors flying.
1798. Bonaparte arrived at Suez, with several officers and men of science, and, having forded the Red sea, visited the fountains of Moses. Whilst here he