1559. Paul IV (John Peter Caraffi), pope, died. He ascended the throne at the age of 80, and conducted himself with so much haughtiness and indiscretion that his death was unlamented.
1587. The first English child born in America, at Roanoke, Virginia. She was the grand-daughter of the governor, and was baptized on the following sabbath, by the name of Virginia.
1609. The Half Moon having pursued a course south and west for ten days, arrived at the entrance of Chesapeake bay, where the first effectual attempt to plant an English colony had been commenced only two years before. (See [Aug. 28].)
1642. Guido Reni, the celebrated Italian painter, died. His skill as an artist attracted great attention, and he was loaded with honors and wealth. His pictures are valuable, and adorn the collections of the great.
1655. Cromwell, as protector, adopted the We, in answering a petition. Instead of the capital W, he had at first written the more familiar I; then a small w, which was finally erased with his finger for the royal character.
1670. Dryden created laureate by royal patent.
1707. William Cavendish died; first duke of Devonshire, an able English statesman, who was active in procuring the invasion of England by William III.
1746. William, earl of Kilmarnock, and Arthur Balmerino, beheaded in London, as traitors for levying war against George II, in behalf of the pretender.
1659. Action between the British fleet, admiral Boscawen, and the French fleet, M. de la Clue, off the coast of Barbary. The French were defeated, and on the following day, five of their largest ships were taken or destroyed.
1765. Francis I, of Germany, died. He commanded the Austrian armies in Hungary against the Turks, and his reign of 20 years' duration was distinguished by many memorable events.