Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 05.djvu/10

 her own indigenous institutions, irrespective of legislation and of English interference.'

In September 1842 he was appointed colonial secretary in Van Diemen's Land, and shortly after proceeded to that country, where he fulfilled the duties of his office to the satisfaction alike of the colonists and of the home government. He was one of the founders, a vice-president, and member of council of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land, and a contributor to its papers. He died at Hobart Town, after a short illness, 25 Feb. 1851.

Bicheno's scientific writings took usually the form of papers contributed to the publications of the various learned bodies with which he was connected. He was elected fellow of the Linnæan Society 7 April 1812, and was secretary from 1825 to 1832. His herbarium is in the public museum at Swansea. His papers were: 'Observations on the Orchis militaris of Linnæus' (Linn. Soc. Trans, xii., 1818); 'Observations on the Linnean Genus Juncus' (Linn. Soc. Trans, xii., 1818); 'On Systems and Methods in Natural History' (Linn. Soc. Trans, xv., 1827; 'Philosophical Mag.' iii., 1828; 'On the Plant intended by the Shamrock of Ireland' (Royal Inst. Joum. i., 1831); 'On the Potato in connexion with Distress in Ireland' (Van Diemen's Land Royal Soc. Papers, i., 1851); and (to the same volume) 'On a Specimen of Pristis cirrhatus.'



BICKERSTAFF, WILLIAM (1728–1789), antiquary, was born at Leicester 17 July 1728, where he was appointed undermaster of the Lower Free Grammar School 30 Jan. 1749-50. He took orders in December 1770, being successively curate at most of the churches at Leicester, and also at Great Wigston and Ayleston, two villages in the neighbourhood. He died suddenly at his lodgings in Leicester on 26 Jan. 1789. He possessed good classical attainments, and had a wide knowledge of antiquarian and historical subjects, being a frequent contributor to the 'Gentleman's Magazine.' From a correspondence published in that periodical after his death it appears that he was in straitened circumstances throughout the greater part of his career, receiving a salary of only 19l. 16s. for his services at the Leicester grammar school. At fifty-eight years of age he speaks of himself as 'a poor curate, unsupported by private property.' Among his antiquarian researches may be noticed several valuable communications, which Mr. Nichols embodied in his 'History of Leicester.'



BICKERSTAFFE, ISAAC (d. 1812?), dramatic writer, was born in Ireland about 1735. At the age of eleven he was appointed one of the pages to Lord Chesterfield, then lord-lieutenant of Ireland. His earliest production was 'Leucothoe,' a tragic opera, printed in 1756, but never acted. In 1762 his comic opera, 'Love in a Village,' was acted with great applause at Covent Garden. For the plot the author was indebted to Charles Johnson's 'Village Opera,' Wycherley's 'Gentleman Dancing-Master,' and Marivaux's 'Jeu de l'Amour et du Hazard.' The piece was printed in 1763, and has been included in Bell's British Theatre and other collections. In 1765 was published the 'Maid of the Mill,' founded on Richardson's 'Pamela.' It met with much success, and as an after-piece continued to be acted with applause for many years. Between 1760 and 1771 Bickerstaffe produced a score of pieces for the stage. Mrs. Inchbald considered him second only to Gay as a farce writer. His songs are written with some gusto, and the dialogue is often sparkling. While he was engaged in writing for the stage, Bickerstaffe enjoyed the society of the most famous men of his time. On 16 Oct. 1769, as recorded by Boswell, he was one of a company that dinftd in Boswell's rooms in Old Bond Street. The others were Dr. Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Goldsmith, Garrick, and Murphy. From an honourable position he afterwards sank into the deepest ignominy. He had been an officer in the marines, but was dismissed from the service under discreditable circumstances. In 1772, being suspected of a capital crime, he fled abroad. For a time he was living at St. Malo under an assumed name; and from that place he wrote in French a piteous letter to Garrick, dated 24 June 1772, in which he says: 'Ayant perdu mes amis, mes espérances, tombé, exilé et livré au désespoir comme je suis, la vie est un fardeau presque insupportable; j'étois loin de soupçonner que la dernière fois que j'entrais dans votre librairie, serait la derniére fois que j'y entrerais de ma vie, et que je ne reverrais plus le maitre.' The letter is endorsed by Garrick, 'From that poor wretch Bickerstaffe. I could not answer it.' In 1805 the author of the 'Thespian Dictionary' speaks of Bickerstaffe as then living abroad; and in 1812, if