Page:Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography Volume 1.pdf/288

AST the years 1819-32, he produced a complete edition of all Plato's works, in eleven volumes, accompanied by a Latin translation and a very copious commentary. In 1834-39, he completed his services to the student of Greek literature, by adding a comprehensive "Lexicon Platonicum," in three volumes. Professor Ast's knowledge of the author on whom he bestowed so much time and pains was undoubtedly great, but the student must exercise his own judgment as to the value of his critical dicta, and of the masses of material contained in the Commentaries.—A. M.  ASTA,, an Italian artist, born at Naples in 1673; died there in 1721. He was a pupil of Francesco Solimene, but, studying at Rome, he introduced into his style some imitation of Raffaelle and the antique. His two pictures most worthy of note are the "Nativity," and the "Epiphany of Christ," in the church of S. Agostino de' PP. Scalzi.—A. M.  ASTARIUS or ASTIARIUS,, a physician of Pavia, who lived in the first half of the sixteenth century, and wrote several works on the treatment of fevers.  ASTARLOA Y AGUIRRE, ', a Spanish philologian, was born at Durango in 1752, studied at Larrasoro, acquired a knowledge of sixty languages, wrote a learned treatise on the Basque tongue, "Apologia de la Lengua Bascongada," and died in 1806.  ASTARLOA,, a Basque author, brother of the above.  ASTARRITA or ASTARITO,, a Neapolitan composer, was born in 1749, and died about the beginning of the present century.  ASTBURY,, an English potter, was born in 1678, acquired a knowledge of some improved processes in the art from the brothers Elers of Nürnberg (who had established a manufactory of earthenware at Bradwell about 1690), and formed a similar establishment at Sheldon. He applied also pipe-clay in the earthenware manufacture. Died in 1743.  ASTE,, an archbishop of Otranto, who was born in 1654, and died in 1719. <section end="288H" /> <section begin="288I" />ASTEL, J., an English chemist of the seventeenth century, wrote a work on the "Alcahest," or universal solvent of the alchemists; London, 1675, 12mo. <section end="288I" /> <section begin="288J" />ASTELL,, a literary lady who enjoyed considerable reputation in her day, was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the year 1668. Under the care of her uncle, a clergyman of the church of England, she made rapid progress in such studies as philosophy, mathematics, logic, and the languages. At the time of the Revolution she removed to London, where she projected schemes for the elevation of her sex, patronised by Queen Anne and several ladies of rank, wrote books on that subject, and on matters of controversy, and died in May, 1731. Of her numerous works we notice two: "A serious proposal to the ladies for the advancement of their true and greatest interest." She advocates the establishment of a college for females, which proposal seriously alarmed good Bishop Burnet, who feared the college would too much resemble a nunnery, and gave great amusement to the wits of the "Tattler," who joke at the expense of our authoress, whom they call Madonilla. She wrote also an elaborate work, named "The Christian Religion as professed by a daughter of the Church of England," 1708.—J. B. <section end="288J" /> <section begin="288K" />ASTER,, a Prussian military engineer, was born at Dresden in 1772, served in the Saxon army until 1815, when he entered the Prussian service, and superintended the reconstruction of the fortifications of Ehrenbreitstein and Coblentz. <section end="288K" /> <section begin="288L" />ASTERIUS, a Greek orator of the fourth century, who embraced Christianity at the preaching of St. Lucian, relapsed into idolatry during the persecution under Maximin (. 304), was reconverted by his old instructor, and became a zealous advovocate of Arianism. <section end="288L" /> <section begin="288M" />ASTERIUS, ., a bishop of Amasea, in Pontus, who lived in the fifth century. A few of his works are still extant; they consist chiefly of homilies addressed to his flock. <section end="288M" /> <section begin="288N" />ASTESANO, a Minorite monk of Asti in Piedmont, who lived about 1300, and wrote a work on cases of conscience. <section end="288N" /> <section begin="288O" />ASTESANO,, a poet and annalist of Asti, who lived in the fifteenth century, and wrote, in Latin elegiac verse, a history of that city from its origin to 1342. <section end="288O" /> <section begin="288P" />ASTESATI,, a Benedictine monk and historian of Brescia, was born 1673, and died in 1747. <section end="288P" /> <section begin="288Q" />ASTI,, a lawyer who lived in the eighteenth century, and practised in the supreme court of Naples. <section end="288Q" /> <section begin="288R" />ASTLE,, an English archæologist, who was born in 1753, and died in 1803, leaving a work on "The Origin and Progress of Writing, as well Hieroglyphic as Elementary." <section end="288R" /> <section begin="288S" />ASTLEY,, afterwards , a royalist general in the Great Civil War. In his youth he served under Maurice of Orange, Christian IV. of Denmark, and Gustavus Adolphus, and was afterwards present at the battles of Kineton, Brentford, Newbury, and Lostwithiel. He died in 1651.—J. W. S. <section end="288S" /> <section begin="288T" />ASTLEY,, a noted equestrian, was born at Newcastle-under-Lyne in 1742, served with some distinction in the army, and afterwards opened a theatre for the display of equestrian performances. In 1794 he again joined the army for a short time. He afterwards founded the Cirque Olympique at Paris, in conjunction with Antoine Franconi, and died in 1814, leaving several works.—J. W. S. <section end="288T" /> <section begin="288U" />ASTOLFI,, a theologian of Bologna, who lived in the seventeenth century. <section end="288U" /> <section begin="288V" />ASTOLPH or AISTULPH, a king of the Lombards, who succeeded to the throne in 749, conquered the exarchate of Ravenna, and attacked the states of the church. Pepin, king of the Franks, interposing, defeated Astolph, and compelled him to relinquish his purpose. The territory of Ravenna was ceded to the pope, despite the protestations of the Greek emperor.—J. W. S. <section end="288V" /> <section begin="288W" />ASTON,, a comic dramatic author, who lived early in the eighteenth century. He published two plays: "Pastora, or the Coy Shepherdess," 1712; and "The Fools' Opera," 1731. <section end="288W" /> <section begin="288X" />ASTON,. See. <section end="288X" /> <section begin="288Y" />ASTON,, a gentleman of Cheshire, who served as high sheriff of his native county in 1635, and afterwards raised a body of horse in favour of Charles I. He was defeated near Nantwich by Sir W. Brereton, taken prisoner, and died in 1645 of wounds which he had received in an attempt to escape. <section end="288Y" /> <section begin="288YA" />ASTOR,, a Spanish engraver and die-sinker of distinguished talents. He worked for and was attached to the royal mint of Madrid, at the beginning of the 17th century. <section end="288YA" /> <section begin="288YB" />ASTOR,, was born in 1763 at Wattendorf, in Germany, emigrated to America in 1784, where he embarked in the fur trade, especially with the Mohawk Indians. Having gradually acquired considerable resources, he conceived the idea of forming a fur company in opposition to the Hudson Bay Company. His project received the sanction of Congress in 1809, and the American Fur Company commenced operations with a capital of a million dollars. Two expeditions, one by land and one by sea, which were sent out to the shores of the Pacific, have been described by Washington Irving in his "Astoria," and "Adventures of Captain Bonneville." A fort was erected on the river Colombia, which however fell into the hands of the English in the war of 1812, and the whole project proved abortive. Meantime Astor acquired immense wealth in the trade to China. At his death he bequeathed funds for establishing and maintaining at New York a public library of one hundred thousand volumes.—J. W. S. <section end="288YB" /> <section begin="288YC" />ASTORGA, , a diplomatist, who was viceroy of Naples in 1672. He belonged to an ancient Spanish family, several of whom have a place in history. <section end="288YC" /> <section begin="288Zcontin" />ASTORGA,, a musician, who was born in Sicily in 1680. His family name is entirely unknown, but his father, Hieronimo, was a baron of ancient and honourable descent, who took an active part in the struggles to free his native island from the dominion of Spain. This patriot was betrayed by his own soldiers to the Spanish power; his estates were confiscated, and he was condemned as a traitor in 1701, his wife and son being compelled to witness his execution. The awful spectacle threw the unfortunate lady into convulsions, from which she died upon the spot; and this double shock of the loss of both his parents, occasioned Emmanuele such deep and constant despondency, as was feared would cost him his reason if not his life. The Princess Ursini, chief lady of honour to the queen of Philip V., now interested herself warmly for him, and through her exertions he was placed in a convent at Astorga, in Leon, from which place he took the name by which he is always known. In this retreat he gradually recovered his energies, and he was soon distinguished for his charming tenor voice, for his expressive singing, and for his graceful vocal compositions. In 1703 he entered the service of the duke of Parma, in which position he won general admiration, and the special confidence <section end="288Zcontin" />