1548. Catharine Parr, the sixth and last queen of Henry VIII, died. She was learned, and had sufficient prudence and sagacity to direct the caprices of the monarch in his dotage.
1569. Edmund Bonner, bishop of London, died. He was of low parentage, and on coming to power, distinguished himself by a most cruel and bloody persecution of the protestants, 200 of whom he was instrumental in bringing to the stake, and is said to have whipped and tortured several with his own hands. On the accession of Elizabeth he was committed to prison, where he died.
1593. The river Thames in England almost dry from westerly winds and low tides.
1618. Jacques Davy Du Perron, a French cardinal, died; celebrated for his learning and political knowledge.
1654. Cromwell's first parliament assembled at Westminster. The speech explaining his policy occupied three solemn hours.
1655. Stuyvesant sailed from New York against the Swedes on the South or Delaware river.
1685. Francis North, an English statesman, died. He rose through his abilities, and found time amidst his arduous duties to prepare and publish several works.
1701. Edmund Boursault, a French dramatist, died. He received little or no education, yet became a correct and popular author.
1745. Simon Joseph Pellegrin, a French ecclesiastic and poet, died. He obtained the prize at the academy in 1704.
1752. The first play performed in America by a regular company of comedians, at Williamsburgh, then the capital of Virginia. The piece was the Merchant of Venice, and the afterpiece Lethe, written by Garrick. Thus Shakspeare had the first place, in time as in merit, as the dramatist of the western world, and Garrick the honor of attending on his master. Lewis Hallam made his "first appearance on any stage" at this performance. He had one line to speak, apparently an easy task, but when he found himself in presence of the audience, he was panic struck; he stood motionless and speechless, until bursting into tears he walked off the stage, making a most inglorious exit. It is scarcely necessary to add that he was afterwards the hero and favorite in tragedy and comedy for nearly half a century.