1855. The island of Cuba declared by the captain-general to be in a state of siege, and the coasts and circumjacent waters in blockade.
FEBRUARY 13.
This day was kept by the Jews as a fast, instituted by Esther in memorial of the day appointed by Haman for the extirpation of her countrymen. The same day was afterwards decreed as a feast for the death of Nicanor, the Syrian captain, who was slain at Bethhoron, B. C. 161.
1098. London bridge carried away by a flood and tax imposed to erect another.
1570. Benvenuto Cellini, a Florentine sculptor, engraver and goldsmith, died. His works in gold and silver are sold now at immense prices. In his autobiography, which has been translated, he claims to have aimed the balls which killed the constable of Bourbon, and the prince of Orange, at the siege of Rome.
1579. John Fowler, an eminent English printer, died at Louvain, in Belgium, where he had a press and issued various controversial treatises, leveled at protestantism.
He was well skilled in languages, a tolerable poet and orator, a theologist not to be contemned, and well versed in criticism, and polite literature.
1585. Alphonsus Salmeron, of Toledo, died. He wrote commentaries on the scriptures, was a zealous follower of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits and distinguished for his learning.
1602. Alexander Nowell, an English divine, died. His Catechism, published 1572, was in extensive use and much admired.
1662. Elizabeth, queen of Bohemia, and eldest daughter of James I, of England, died and was buried in Henry VII's chapel.