GIBBON.

the captain of the Hampshire grenadiers (the reader may smile) has not been useless to the historian of the Roman Empire.' The militia being disbanded, he revisited the continent, and travelled into Italy; and among the benefits of foreign travel, he notes its influence in suggesting the work of his life in these words: 'It was at Rome, on the 15th of October 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started into my mind.' His plan, originally circumscribed to the decay of the city, grew by years of reading and reflection and delay to embrace the empire. During these years his father died, leaving his affairs deranged, and he entered parliament for the borough of Liskeard at the beginning of the struggle with America, and supported with many a sincere and silent vote the rights, though not, perhaps, the interest, of the mother-country.' He sat eight years, but never had courage to speak; 'the great speakers filled him with despair, the bad ones with terror.' In 1776, the first volume of The Decline and Fall was published, and its success was prodigious. The reputation of the author was established before the religious world had had time to consider and attack the last chapters of the work or, at least, not denying, the 'convincing evidence of the doctrine itself, and the ruling providence of its great author,' he proceeds to account for the rapid growth of the early Christian church by secondary' or human causes. Hume, who was then slowly dying, in a highly complimentary letter, told him in regard to these chapters: 'I think you have observed a very prudent temperament; but it was impossible to treat the subject so as not to give grounds of suspicion against you, and you may expect that a clamour will arise.' The prophetic criticism was correct; the grounds of the 'clamour' being, at the best, only strong suspicions that, in becoming a convert from Popery to Protestantism, Gibbon had, like Bayle, gone on to protest against all sects and systems whatsoever.' That he did not like to see the barefooted friars in the temple of Jupiter is clear enough all through the six large and compact volumes of his history. He finished this great work on the 27th June 1787 at Lausanne, to which he had retired for quiet and economy after leaving parliament, and holding office under government for a short time. In his Memoirs, he tells the hour of his release from his protracted labours

6

his letters and other miscellaneous works, were pub-clearer notion of the phalanx and the legion; and lished after his death by his friend Lord Sheffield, with whom he had long carried on a most confidential correspondence. Few autobiographies are so interesting as that of G., and none more veracious. It is a self-portraiture, both in regard to what is said and in regard to the manner in which it is said -his pride, self-complacency, integrity, and contempt for the contemptible, and much beside, being all clearly revealed as proposed by him with 'truth, naked unblushing truth.' He reflects: My name may hereafter be placed among the thousand articles of a Biographia Britannica; and I must be conscious that no one is so well qualified as myself to describe the series of my thoughts and actions.' So, in his 52d year, after he had finished his arduous and successful work,' he proceeded to do it. Like most thinkers, his actions were few, and apart from his thoughts and the growth of his mind quite unimportant. He spent a sickly childhood in occasional lessons and desultory reading and discussion with his mother's sister, a lady of a strong understanding and warm heart, whom he calls the mother of his mind,' and to whose kindness he ascribes not only the bringing out of his intellectual faculties, but the preservation of his life in these critical early years. One of his temporary masters was the Rev. Philip Francis, the translator of Horace. His father, who seems to have been the 15th and 16th-in which, while admitting, the somewhat impulsive possessor of the wreck of a fortune, had him entered at Magdalen College, Oxford, at the age of 15, when he was very imperfectly prepared for this crisis; his extensive reading and interrupted education having produced a stock of erudition that might have puzzled a doctor, and a degree of ignorance of which a school-boy would have been ashamed.' Here he spent 14 idle months, the chief result of which was, that in his incursions into controversial theology he became a convert to the Church of Rome, and found himself shut out from Oxford. He was by his father placed under the care of Mallet the poet, and a deist, but by his philosophy the young enthusiast was 'rather scandalised than reclaimed.' To effect his cure from popery, he was sent to Lausanne, in Switzerland, to board in the house of M. Pavillard, a Calvinist minister, a poor but sensible and intelligent man, who judiciously suggested books and arguments to his young charge, and had the satisfaction of seeing him reconverted to Protestantism, in witness of which conversion he received the sacrament in the church of Lausanne on Christmas-day 1754, his belief in popery having lasted not quite 18 months. He lived nearly five years in this house, respecting the minister, and enduring with more or less equanimity the uncleanly avarice' of his wife; and it was here that he began, and carried out steadily and joyously to an extent that will astonish very hard students, those private studies which, aided by his enormous memory, made him a master of erudition without a superior, and with hardly an equal. Here also he fell in love with Mademoiselle Susan Curchod, the daughter of a clergyman, a young lady beautiful and learned, who afterwards became the wife of M. Necker, the distinguished French minister and financier. G.'s father disapproved of this alliance, and he yielded to his fate. After his return to England and his father's house, he persevered in his studies as he best could.

between eleven o'clock and midnight-and records his first emotions of joy on the recovery of his freedom and the sober melancholy that succeeded it, all in a style and in a connection which, with much beside, must be studied in his own pages by those who would know Gibbon in his real greatness, self-complacency, egotism, and contemplative sadness. The lady of Lord Sheffield, his close friend, having died, G. left Lausanne for England to console him; and about six months after his arrival, he died without apprehension or suffering, on the 16th January 1794, in St James's Street, London, of an enormous rupture and hydrocele, which, as it gave him no pain, he had allowed to grow neglected without speaking of it to either friend or physician for thirty-two years.

He finished a little work in French, begun at In person, G. became very corpulent, and the small Lausanne, and published it under the title of Essais bones of the big-headed delicate boy were in after sur l'Etude de la Littérature in 1761. In the same years hardly adequate to sustain their load. Vanity year he became captain in the Hampshire militia, was, perhaps, his only frailty. He affected the in which he continued for two and a half years. Of manners of the fine gentleman of last century to this part of his career he observes: The discipline the end, and they adjusted themselves grotesquely and evolutions of a modern battalion gave me a to the unwieldy body and the massive mind.

GIBBON-GIBBONS.

It is not easy to characterise a man of so gigantic gray, and the four hands white-is a native of and cultivated an intellect in few or many phrases. Sumatra. The ACTIVE G. (H. agilis), found in He was a faithful friend, pleasant and hardly Sumatra, is particularly remarkable for the power rivalled in conversation, not disliked by any one which it displays of flinging itself from one tree who came near him. His Decline and Fall is prob- to another, clearing at once, it is said, a distance ably the greatest achievement of human thought of forty feet. The Wow-wow (H. leuciscus) is and erudition in the department of history; at a G. found in Malacca and the Sunda Isles. The least Niebühr gives it this high praise. It is virtu- HOOLOCK (H. Hoolock) is a native of the Garrow ally a history of the civilised world for thirteen Hills. The SIAMANG (H. syndactyla), a Sumatran centuries, during which paganism was breaking species, differs from the rest of the genus in having down and Christianity was superseding it; and the first and second fingers of the hinder extremities thus bridges over the chasm between the old world united to the second joint. All the gibbons are and the new. Its style is marked by the highest of gentle disposition, and easily domesticated. power of condensation, and is full of smiting phrases and ponderous antithesis. Byron designates him

"The lord of irony, that master-spell.' He himself was not unaware of this part of his genius, and he says he cultivated it by reading the Provincial Letters of Pascal every year; which must have become eventually a mere form, for two careful readings sufficed to fix almost any composition indelibly on his impressible and retentive memory. His accuracy in regard to fact has never been successfully impeached, and his industry has never been questioned. The best edition of The Decline and Fall is that published by Dr W. Smith in 1854-1855, containing the notes, comments, and corrections of Guizot, Wenck, and Dean Milman. GIBBON (Hylobates), a genus of apes, or tailless monkeys, natives of the East Indies. They are nearly allied to the orangs and chimpanzees, but are of more slender form, and their arms so long as almost to reach the ground when they are placed in an erect posture; there are also naked callosities on the buttocks. The canine teeth are long. The gibbons are inhabitants of forests, their long arms enabling them to swing themselves from bough to bough, which they do to wonderful distances, and with extreme agility. They cannot, however, move with ease or rapidity on the ground. The conformation of the hinder extremities adds to their difficulty in this, whilst it increases their adaptation to a life among the branches of trees, the soles of the feet being much turned inwards. None of the gibbons are of large size. The COMMON G., or LAR G. (H. lar)-black, with a border of gray hair

White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates albimana).

around the face-is found in some parts of India, and in more eastern regions. The WHITE-HANDED G. (H. albimana)-black, the face bordered with

GIBBONS, ORLANDO, an eminent English musician, was born at Cambridge in 1583. At the age of 21, he became organist of the Chapel Royal; and in 1622, on the recommendation of the learned Camden, he received from Oxford University the degree of doctor in music. He was the best church composer, and, according to Anthony Wood, one of the rarest musicians of his time.' His madrigals have always been popular. Of these, three, Dainty Sweet Bird, O that the Learned Poets, and The Silver Swan, are considered far superior to most compositions of the kind. He composed the music for the marriage-ceremonial of Charles I., in 1625; but while attending it officially, he caught the small-pox, and died at Whitsunday thereafter. A monument to his memory, erected by his wife still shewn. over his burial-place in Canterbury Cathedral, is His anthems, Hosannah to the Son of David! Almighty and Everlasting God! and Wood master-pieces of the most ingenious and O Clap your Hands together! are reckoned by scientific writing in fugue that musical skill ever brought forth.' His two brothers, Edward, organist of Bristol, and Ellis, organist of Salisbury, were likewise good musicians. Edward, sworn in a gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1604, was master to the famous composer Matthew Lock. During the civil wars he lent Charles I. £1000, for which he was afterwards deprived of a considerable estate, and, with his three grandchildren, thrust out of his house at a very advanced age. In the Triumphs of Oriana are two madrigals by Ellis Gibbons. G.'s son, Dr Christopher Gibbons, at the Restoration, was appointed principal organist to the king and to Westminster Abbey, and by a recommendatory letter from Charles II. was created doctor in music by the university of Oxford. Celebrated for his organ playing, he is said to have been the instructor on that instrument of Dr John Blow, the well-known composer of the pieces published under the title of Amphion Anglicus, who died in 1708.

GIBBONS, GRINLING, an eminent English sculptor and wood carver, of Dutch extraction, was born in London in 1648. On the recommendation of Evelyn, he was, by Charles II, appointed to a place in the Board of Works, and employed in the ornamental carving of the choir of the chapel at Windsor. His works display great taste and delicacy of finish, and his flowers and foliage have almost the lightness of nature. For the choir of St Paul's, London, he executed the foliage and festoons, and those in lime-tree which decorate the side-aisles. At Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire; at Burleigh; at Southwick, Hampshire; and other mansions of the Eng. lish nobility, he executed an immense quantity of carved embellishment. At Petworth, he devised the ceiling for a room, which is believed to be his chef-d'œuvre. In marble and bronze, he also produced several fine pieces. Among these are the statue of James II., behind the Banqueting Hall,

GIBBOSITY-GIBRALTAR.

GIBRALTAR.

GIBRALTAR.

de las Torres. During this siege, the place was near falling into the hands of the assailants. The most memorable, however, of the sieges to which G. has been exposed, commenced in 1779, when Britain, being engaged in the struggle with its revolted colonies, and at the same time at war with France, Spain took the opportunity of joining the coalition, and directed her whole strength against the isolated garrison of this small but redoubtable fortress.

The communications with Spain were closed on the 21st June 1779, and a strict blockade established by the Spanish fleet; the strength of the besieged force being at this period 5382 men, including 1095 Hanoverians, under General Eliott, the governor. Famine speedily set in; the enemy pushed forward his works for the future bombardment, and commenced active annoyance on the 12th January 1780, by firing several shots into the town. Five days later, Admiral Rodney overcame the Spanish admiral, threw a good supply of provisions into the fortress, added 1000 men to the garrison, and, removing all useless mouths, left it dependent on its own strength. During 1780 little of importance happened; scurvy disabled many of the defenders; the besiegers advanced their works, continually increased their force, and by obtaining possession of the opposite African ports, cut off the last chance of provisions being obtained for the stronghold.

In April 1781, starvation stared the British in the face, when, on the 12th, Admiral Darby convoyed 100 merchant-vessels into the bay. The Spaniards instantly opened their fire, hoping to reduce the debilitated garrison before effectual aid was received. 114 pieces of artillery, including 50 13-inch mortars, poured their deadly missiles into the place for many days this bombardment lasted with unabated vigour, and, though less incessant, it continued without intermission until the 26th November, when, in a desperate midnight sally, the British succeeded in destroying the more advanced of the enemy's lines, in setting fire to many of his batteries, and in blowing up his principal depôt of ammunition. This daring enterprise, successfully carried out against lines mounting 135 guns, was attended with surprisingly small loss, and forms one of the most brilliant incidents in a magnificent defence.

This terrific fire continued till the 12th; when the combined French and Spanish fleets, numbering 47 sail of the line, the 10 battering ships mentioned above, esteemed indestructible, with many frigates and smaller vessels, anchored in the Bay of Algesiras. On the 13th every gun of besiegers and besieged was in play. The battering vessels proved, as anticipated, invulnerable to shot and shell. At noon the enemy depressed their guns and did much damage; and the defenders then resorted to the expedient of red-hot balls. These, with carcasses, and incendiary shells, were concentrated on the battering ships in unceasing volleys. Success was doubtful for some hours, but towards evening the gigantic efforts of the British force began to produce fruit. The ship of the Spanish admiral was in flames, the second in command was soon no better off, and although by eight o'clock the attacking squadron was completely silenced, the fire of redhot shot was continued without intermission till morning. By 4 A.M. on the 14th, eight of the battering ships were on fire. In short, of the ten invincible batteries, every one was finally burned; the Spaniards lost at least 2000 in killed alone; and the naval attack was completely repulsed with a loss to the heroic garrison of only 16 killed and 68 wounded. It is worthy of record, that notwithstanding the fury to which the British soldiers were wrought, Brigadier Curtis, with a devoted band, made gallant and successful efforts to preserve the poor fellows who were left by their affrighted comrades to perish in the burning hulks.

The great bombardment of the 13th September 1782, was the crowning triumph of the siege; but the firing continued in a harassing degree from the Spanish lines, until the 2d February 1783, when the Duc de Crillon, as much to his own as to General Eliott's satisfaction, announced the conclusion of peace. The Spaniards welcomed their late enemies with the enthusiasm due to heroes. The thanks of parliament were cordially awarded to the gallant band; while brave General Eliott received the decoration of the Bath, and subsequently the title of Lord Heathfield. More space has been allowed to the description of this memorable struggle than we can ordinarily spare to specific wars; but the glorious place it occupies in British annals, the length to which it extended (3 years, 7 months, and 12 days), the disparity of force, the brilliant defence, and the comparatively small loss of the garrison— 333 killed, 536 died of disease, 1008 wounded, and 43 deserted-seem to point to this the last siege of G. as an exploit not to be passed over by a mere reference.

After this repulse, the Spaniards ceased severe hostilities for several days, up to which cessation the garrison had been incessantly bombarded for nearly eight months, and had had 568 officers and men placed hors-de-combat. The siege continued, however, throughout the winter and spring of 1782 without any remarkable incident. In July, the Since 1783, the British possession of G. has been Duc de Crillon took command of the assailants, unmolested, and few events have happened of any and preparations were made for the grand assault. interest, apart from the general history of the empire. Additional batteries were constructed on the land- At present, England guards this formidable rock side, and floating batteries built for this special with jealous care; every available point for defence siege to batter the fortress from the sea. The bristles with artillery; the mountain is honeylatter consisted of ten large vessels, whose sides combed with galleries and bomb-proofs, steep escarps were fortified by seven feet of timber and other bar all approach, and batteries hewn in the solid materials supposed to be obstructive of shot; they stone, frown alike on friend and foe. Immense were covered by slanting shot-proof roofs, and were stores of provision, water, and munitions of war intended to be moored by massive chains within are constantly maintained; and the whole is garrihalf-range of the rock. Covered boats, destined to soned by a thoroughly efficient force of about 5000 disembark 40,000 troops, were at the same time infantry, with 1000 artillery, and a smaller body of prepared. The effective force with which General engineers. The jealousy for its safety would appear Eliott had to withstand these efforts comprised, to rest rather on making its preservation to the with the marine brigade, about 7000 men. crown of England a point of honour than a matter of national importance; for beyond being a standing menace to Spain, and a source of constant irritation, it is difficult to see its actual use to Great Britain. The harbour is not of great value, and the fortress by no means commands the strait.

The great attack commenced on the 8th September by a bombardment simultaneously on all sides; 9 line-of-battle ships poured in their broadsides; 15 gun and mortar boats approached the town; while, from the Spanish lines, 170 pieces of ordnance of large calibre opened in one magnificent discharge. With regard to the internal organisation of G.,