1856. President Commonfort returned to the city of Mexico after a triumph at Puebla, where the rebel army surrendered to him, and where the rebel generals were reduced to the rank of privates.
APRIL 4.
357. B. C. A transit of the moon over the planet mars observed by Aristotle.
397. Ambrose, archbishop of Milan, died. He was famous for the zeal which he manifested in the cause of the church, and the severity with which he censured the emperor Theodosius, who had barbarously ordered several innocent persons to be put to death at Thessalonica. The Te Deum is attributed to him.
1284. Alphonso X, of Castile, died. He was elected emperor of Germany 1258, but neglecting to visit the empire, Rodolphus was chosen in his place. He was dethroned by his own son, and compelled to seek protection among the Saracens. His fame as an astronomer and a man of letters, is greater than as a monarch. He is the first Castilian king who had the
public laws and the scriptures drawn in the vulgar tongue.
1581. Drake, the navigator, was knighted on board his famous ship, the Pelican, at Deptford.
1588. Frederick II, of Denmark, died. He was a liberal and enlightened ruler, who enlarged the happiness of his people and patronized learning. The astronomer Tycho Brahe, particularly, was indebted to him for munificent protection and advancement.
1589. Lady Burleigh, eldest daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, and a highly distinguished literary character, died, aged 63. This age was prolific of literary women.
1593. Three Samuels of Warboys condemned for bewitching the children of Mr. Throgmorton at Huntington, England.