Page:Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography Volume 1.pdf/588

BER BERTINI,, the son of the preceding, was born at Florence on the 10th March, 1694. Like his father, he finished his studies at Pisa, and took his degree in 1714, when only twenty years of age. He then immediately returned to Florence, where he practised medicine with such great success, that his fellow-citizens struck a medal in his honour, and he was made a member of the learned society, Colombaria. He died on the 12th April, 1756, of the consequences of an accident which happened to him in the previous year, and caused him to pass several months in great misery. Unlike his father, Giuseppe Bertini seems to have devoted himself to the advancement of medical science with his whole soul. He constantly studied the best books published in all parts of Europe, and was indefatigable in making observations and experiments. His principal works are the following—A treatise "On the internal and external use of Mercury," published at Florence in 1744, and reprinted at Vienna in 1746, in a collection of memoirs on "Malignant and Contagious Fevers." The memoir on the use of mercury, in which Bertini maintained that that metal is a sovereign specific in malignant and contagious fevers, and even preferable to Peruvian bark, was read before the botanical society of Florence, where it created a great sensation, and brought down numerous and severe criticisms upon the head of its author. He, however, maintained both his point and his temper, without allowing himself to be drawn into the violent controversies which appear to have been common amongst his contemporaries. His treatise, translated into Latin, was published at Venice in 1756, in the work of Giovanni Astruc, De Morbis Venereis.—W. S. D.  * BERTINI,, a pianist, and composer for his instrument, was born in London in 1798. His father, who was born at Tours in 1750, was an accomplished musician, and directed the early studies both of Henri and his elder brother, Benoit Auguste. This last, who was born at Lyons in 1780, became a pupil of Clementi, has published several pianoforte compositions, and resided much in London. The family removed to Paris when Henri was but six months old. In 1810 his father commenced a tour, for the display of the boy's already notable talent as an executant, through the Rhenish provinces and Belgium. After this Bertini spent some time in England and Scotland, and finally settled in Paris in 1821. He is much esteemed as a player, and still better known by his writings. Some trios and a sestet for pianoforte and string instruments are his most important compositions; but great praise is due to his studies, which are as well fitted to form the taste as to train the finger.—G. A. M.  BERTINORO,. This learned rabbi, born at Bertinoro, in the Romagna, quitted his native land in 1488, and obtained the appointment as chief rabbi of Jerusalem, in which city he died in the year 1530. His principal work is an excellent commentary on the "Mishna," (Traditional Law,) which Surenhusius has translated into Latin, and published along with the text of the Mishna.—T. T.  BERTIUS,, geographer and historiographer to Louis XIII, born at Flanders, 1565; died 1629. He studied at Leyden, and travelled through several parts of Europe. He is principally known by his geographical works, the most celebrated of which is, "Theatrum Geographiæ veteris," 2 vols. fol., 1618; a compilation from the works of Ptolemy and others. But the most learned is one composed in 1629, on the occasion of constructing the dike by which Richelieu blocked up Rochelle, reprinted in the Thesaurus of Rom. antiq., vol. ii., p. 916.—J. G.  BERTLEF,, a learned German, born in Transylvania, lived in the second part of the seventeenth century. Author of "Solennes et civiles condones," Dorpat, 1695; and an account of the siege of Riga by the grand-duke of Moscow.  BERTOLACCI,, an English political writer, of Corsican origin; died in 1833. He filled for a number of years the post of comptroller-general in the island of Ceylon; and, on his return to England, published "A View of the Agricultural, Commercial, and Financial Interests of Ceylon, with an Appendix, containing some of the Principal Laws and Customs of the Indians," London, 1817. In the same year he produced "An Inquiry into several questions of Political Economy, applicable to the present state of Great Britain." He afterwards took up his residence in France, and continued to interest himself in political questions, especially those affecting the welfare of England and France.—J. S., G.  BERTOLI,, born at Rimini in 1753. He was placed by his parents, who destined him for the church, in the seminary of his native city. He was afterwards received into the order of St. Benedict, Olivetans, whose strict discipline soon persuaded him that he had no vocation for monastic life. Having clandestinely left that convent, he fled to Hungary, where, forced by want and privations, he enlisted in an Austrian regiment. However, military life was no more suitable to his disposition than the seclusion of a cloister; and therefore, having obtained his discharge, he returned to Italy, and sought to be re-admitted into the order he had previously deserted. His demand being granted, he immediately resumed his studies, and obtained a professorship in the college of Sienna. There he composed his renowned work, "Le notti Clementine," an epic poem on the death of Clement XIV. From thence he was called to Naples to fill the chair of history and geography in the royal college for the navy, and the course of lectures he delivered there was so much admired, that, at the request of the authorities of that university, he published it, and it met with the same approbation which the public bestowed on his former work. Deeply versed in German literature, he visited Vienna in 1783, for the purpose of becoming personally acquainted with the literary men with whom he had corresponded; and his profound learning, combined with the suavity of his manners, won for him the esteem and favours of the emperor, who elected him professor of belles-lettres in the university of Pavia. On his way to Italy, he passed through Switzerland, where he visited Gesner, whose idyls he had translated, and charmed by the sublime beauties of the Rhône, he wrote a very graphic description of its banks. His works on philosophy and history, as well as his translation of Horace, went through three editions. His criticism on Metastasio is highly esteemed. He also wrote two essays "On the Literature and Language of Germany," besides many other works, and a collection of sonnets. He died in 1798.—A. C. M.  BERTOLI,, an Italian litterateur and antiquarian, born 1676; died 1750. He has done much for the preservation and explanation of the antiquities of Italy. Author of a vast number of memoirs and letters. <section end="588H" /> <section begin="588I" />* BERTOLONI,, a celebrated Italian botanist, professor at Bologna. He has published a vast number of botanical works, including "Flora Italica;" "Account of the Plants cultivated in the Botanic Garden of Bologna;" monographs of various Plants; Account of Botanical Excursions to the Appennines and other parts of Italy; a Flora of Guatemala.—J. H. B. <section end="588I" /> <section begin="588J" />BERTOLOTTO,, a historical painter, born 1640, studied under Castiglione, and died 1721 (George I.) Excelled in composition and colour.—W. T. <section end="588J" /> <section begin="588K" />BERTON,, a French general of brigade, born at Francheval, near Sedan (Ardennes), 15th June, 1769; beheaded at Poitiers, 5th October, 1822. Having finished his studies at Brienne, and Chalons, he entered in 1792 as sub-lieutenant in the legion of Ardennes. After the battle of Spinosa. Napoleon created him chef d'etat major. After serving in several brilliant campaigns, he was raised to the rank of general. In common with nearly all the soldiers who had fought under Napoleon, he was warmly opposed to the restoration of the Bourbons, and continued to manifest this opposition even after the fall of the Empire. In February, 1822, he raised the standard of revolt at Thouars, and, proclaiming a provisional government, marched upon Saumur at the head of twenty-five horsemen, and a hundred armed pedestrians. He was arrested, however, on his way, and his troop was disbanded. He was brought to trial with several of his accomplices, before the court of assizes of Poitiers, and condemned to death. The punishment of death for political offences had, indeed, been previously abolished; but such was the alarm of the government at the disaffection which had begun to manifest itself in the army, and the recent machinations of the society of the Carbonari, of which Berton was an active member, that the king ordered the sentence against Berton and his accomplices to be carried into immediate execution.—G. M. <section end="588K" /> <section begin="588Zcontin" />BERTON. Three musicians who successively distinguished themselves in Paris:—

was born in 1727 at Paris, where his father was an opulent merchant. His disposition for music was conspicuous in his infancy, and while yet a schoolboy at Senlis, he distinguished himself in singing and playing, and even composition. When his voice broke, he, in direct opposition to the will of his parents, appeared as a singer <section end="588Zcontin" />