1844. William Beckford, author of the Arabian tale entitled Vathek, with many other works, died at Fonthill, England.
1855. George Head, a British commissariat, died, aged 73. He published several valuable works, relating to different parts of the world, where his duties called him, and was knighted in 1831.
1856. James Gates Percival, an eminent American poet and philosopher, died in Wisconsin, aged 60. He was a native of Connecticut, graduated at Yale college, and studied medicine, but devoted himself to the cultivation of poetry, and the pursuit of science. He assisted in preparing Webster's Dictionary for the press, and superintended the publication of Malte Brun's Geography. He afterwards made a geological survey of Connecticut, and in 1854 was appointed state geologist of Wisconsin, in which service he died. Although distinguished for his attainments in philology and general science, he will be chiefly remembered as one of the eminent American poets.
MAY 3.
1324. A poetic festival at Toulouse called jeux floraux, to which all the poets of the Langue d'Oc were invited, where the composer of the best poem was to receive a violet of fine gold. The celebrated troubadour, Arnaud Vidal, won the prize.
1381. John Ball, a priest and compeer of the notorious Wat Tyler, preached to Tyler's army from the proverbial rhyme:
"When Adam dalfe and Eve span,
Who was then a gentleman?"
1410. Alexander V, pope, died. He was originally a beggar, but found means to cultivate his mind, and rose by degrees in the church till he reached the pontifical chair. He is distinguished as a man of great firmness, liberal and munificent.
1481. Mahomet II, sultan of Turkey, died. He took Constantinople from the Christians, thereby driving many learned men into the West, which was a great cause of the restoration of learning in Europe.