1603. Bartholomew Gilbert, in search of the lost English colony, having landed in a bay about the 40th degree of latitude, in a boat with four men, was attacked by the natives and every one killed. The rest of the crew immediately weighed anchor and returned to England.
1653. Admiral Van Tromp killed and his fleet destroyed by the English fleet under Monk and Blake.
1644. Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini), pope, died. He was an excellent poet, and was called the Attic Bee.
1653. Gabriel Naudæus, a learned French author, died. He was patronized by Richelieu and Mazarin, and Christina of Sweden.
1654. Thomas Gataker, an English divine, died, aged 80. He was one of the most noted men of the age; who united to extensive erudition, great moderation and benevolence.
1678. Andrew Marvell, an English poet, politician and critic, died (Penny Cyclopedia says August 16th). He supported the civil and religious liberties of his country, against the encroachments of the court, by his writings and parliamentary interest; and though poor, declined the bribes of the king.
1693. Battle of Neerwinden (or Landon), in Belgium; the allies under William III, defeated by the French, with the loss of 60 cannon, 9 mortars and about 7,000 men. The king had his clothes penetrated by three bullets.
1714. Martin Poli, an Italian chemist, died at Paris. It is said that he communicated to the king some powerful agent of destruction for military use; but the king, at the same time that he commended and rewarded his ingenuity with a pension and an office, insisted that the secret should die with him.
1747. Dr. Blackwell, a Scotch physician and for some time a corrector of the press to Mr. Wilkins in London, beheaded at Stockholm. Being informed that his head was not properly laid on the block he replied as it was his first experiment no wonder he needed some instruction.
1759. Crown point abandoned by the French on the approach of the British and provincials under general Amherst.