Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 24.djvu/390

 life in literary and scientific studies. He published 'The Hunting of the Fox, or, Flattery Displayed. . . by H. H. Grayens,' 1632, sm. 8vo; dedicated to Sir Christopher Harflete (Cat. of Huth Library, ii. 651, and, Transcript of the Stationers' Registers, iv. 236). The British Museum Library contains what is probably an unauthorised reprint of this work in 12mo, with the date 1657, and the words 'written by T. F.' on the title-page. Harflete is best known by his next publication 'Vox Cœlorum. Predictions defended, or the Voice of the Celestiall Light, wherein is proved Five things. . . With a vindication of M. William Lilly, his reputation against the Epirrhesian Antagonists, in these times of New Lights, by Henry Harflete, practitioner in the mathematickes,' London, n.d. The date of 1645 written in the British Museum copy of this work is too early, for it contains references (pp. 55, 58) to W. Lilly's 'Anglicus; or an Ephemeris for 1646.' It is dedicated to John Boys of Gray's Inn, M.P., and contains an epistle 'to all Astronomers, Astrologers, to all reall Masters of Arts, and to all true lovers of the Arts and Sciences,' signed 'a well-wisher to the Mathematicks, Henry Harflete.' Harflete finally published 'A Banquet of Essayes, Fetcht out of Famous Owens Confectionary, Disht out, and serv'd up at the Table of Mecoenas, by Henry Harflete, sometime of Grayes-Inne, gent,' London, 1653, 12mo. This consists of seven essays on one of Owen's epigrams, in which occur frequent translations in verse from Horace, Owen, &c. It is dedicated to my 'Friend and Kindsman, Sir Christopher Harflete.'

 HARFORD, JOHN SCANDRETT (1785–1866), biographer, eldest son of John Scandrett Harford of Blaise Castle, near Bristol, banker, who died 23 Jan. 1815. by Mary, daughter of Abraham Gray of Tottenham, Middlesex, was born at Bristol, 8 Oct. 1785. He was educated under the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, at Peterley House, Buckinghamshire; later on he kept several terms at Christ's College, Cambridge. The death of his eldest brother, Edward Gray Harford, on 25 April 1804, produced deep religious impressions, which continued throughout his life. His parents were members of the Society of Friends, but he left that connection and was baptised at Chelwood Church, Somersetshire, in 1809. He became a firm supporter of the Church Missionary Society and the Bible Society, and assisted at the formation of the Bristol branches of those associations in 1813. With Hannah More from 1809, and with William Wilberforce from 1812, he enjoyed the most intimate friendship, and he was the hero of Hannah More's 'Cœlebs in Search of a Wife.' On the death of his father in 1815 he succeeded to the family estates, and was made a magistrate and a deputy-lieutenant for Gloucestershire and Cardiganshire, and in 1824 served as high sheriff for the latter county. The university of Oxford created him D.C.L. 19 June 1822, and he was elected F.R.S. 29 May 1823. While residing in Rome in 1815 he formed a friendship with Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, and through his interest obtained an interview with Pius VII to seek his influence in putting down the Spanish and Portuguese slave trade. He possessed great taste in art and literature, and during visits to Paris and other cities in 1815-17 laid the foundation of a valuable collection of pictures which adorned the walls of Blaise Castle. About 1821, on the death of his brother-in-law, Hart Davis, formerly M.P. for Colchester, he came into the Peterwell property, Cardiganshire, where he made improvements and took in tracts of waste land. Among his friends were Dr. Henry Ryder, bishop of Lichfield, and Dr. Thomas Burgess, bishop of Salisbury. By the advice of the latter he gave, in conjunction with his brother, in 1822 the site of the castle of Lampeter for the foundation of a college in South Wales. On the completion of St. David's College in 1827 Harford was appointed visitor, and watched over its interests with great care. The foundation of the college formed the subject of correspondence between Harford and John Williams, archdeacon of Cardigan, who was jealous of the reputation of Ystradmeurig grammar school. Harford was elected conservative M.P. for the borough of Cardigan on 6 July 1841, but in consequence of the loss of a poll-book a double return was made to parliament, and on a petition his name was erased from the roll on 18 April 1842. He contested the same place again on 12 Feb. 1849, without success. In January 1841 he was present in Bristol at a discussion between John Brindley and Robert Owen, when he strongly denounced socialism. He contributed towards the restoration of the cathedrals of Llandaff and St. David's. At Lampeter he drained the Gorsddu bog, and made it into cottage garden allotments, and at the same time provided a supply of pure water for the town. During two visits to Italy, in 1846 and 1852, he collected materials for his 'Life of Michael Angelo,' and had a copy of