Page:Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography Volume 1.pdf/596

BES same time done as much in regard to Centauri.) He showed us the true mode of determining the length of the pendulum; he proposed as the best of all modes of fixing the latitude, observation by a telescope sweeping an arc at right angles to the meridian; he has given a survey of a small space, indeed, but which will be a model for all future surveys—the triangulation of a comparatively inconsiderable part of Prussia; he founded to a large extent—prosecuted and completed, that system of zone observations which has laid the ground of all future speculation as to the movements of the fixed stars; he determined the mass of Saturn's rings, through their disturbing effect on the satellite Titan; and he crowned his earliest, his favourite and prolonged labours on comets by some remarkable papers on the meteor that bears Halley's name, in which he seems to have demonstrated the existence of a polar or magnetic action on the part of the sun. Enumeration of his separate papers were impossible. They constitute at least a fifth part of the vast and valuable collection so long published by Schumacher, under the title Astronomical News.—III. The peculiarity of Bessel's mind was its extreme distinctness. To an industry that never slept, he added an unvarying definiteness of purpose. He never wrought without a clear and attainable aim; and until his chosen object was accomplished, he bent his whole faculties to the task. Hence the perfection even of his smaller essays; and hence his abiding influence. Inferior faculties, applied with concentration, have never failed to produce effect on the world. No marvel that a man so richly gifted, should arise into a great and lasting power. It manifests a noble confidence on the part of the late king of Prussia, that even when his dominions were under the hoof of the first Napoleon, he sustained the university of Königsberg, established its Observatory, and placed Bessel at its head. Königsberg, in the annals of astronomy, will ever be as famous as Uraniburg.—Bessel gave to the world few systematic works. The two already named, viz., "The Fundamenta Astronomiæ" and "Tabulæ Regiomontanæ" are, and ever will be classical. He also published two vols. of "Astronomical Researches;" but for what he did and wrote the student must look mainly to Schumacher's collections, and to the essays prefixed to his volumes of observations.—J. P. N.  BESSEL,, a learned German chronicler, born at Bucheim, 1672; died 1749. In 1714 he became abbot of the monastery of Gottwich. Author of a work entitled "Chronicon Gottwicerse," a description of Austria in ancient and mediaeval times, of which but one folio volume appears, Tegensee, 1732.  BESSENYI,, a distinguished Hungarian poet, was born at Berczelen in 1740, and died in 1811 at his estate of Berettyo-Kovacsi, south of Debreczin. He entered the Hungarian body-guard at Vienna; but, having embraced the Roman catholic faith in 1779, became assistant-librarian at the imperial library. He is the founder of the French school in Hungarian poetry, and wrote tragedies, "Hunyadi Laszlo," "Agis," "Buda;" comedies, "The Philosopher," 1776; philosophical and didactic poems, "Esterhazi Vigassagok," i.e. The Amenities of Esterhaz; and miscellaneous essays, "Holmi," Vienna, 1779.—K. E.  BESSER,, a German poet, born at Frauenburg in Kurland, 8th May, 1654, was originally intended for the church, but relinquished this career in order to devote himself to the profession of law. From 1680 he filled various situations of trust and honour at the court of Berlin, and in 1684 was appointed representative of the elector at the court of St. James. But after the death of his patron. King Frederick I., he was dismissed from office, and reduced to penury, till he was called to Dresden as master of ceremonies to King Augustus II. He died 10th February, 1729. His poems, mostly written in honour of court festivals and princely birth-days, were edited by König, Leipzig, 1732.—(See Varnhagen van Ense's Biographische Denkmale, vol. iv.)—K. E.  BESSER, S. J. G., a German botanist, has published a flora of Galicia, a catalogue of plants collected in Volhynia and Podolia, as well as some botanical monographs. His writings extend from 1809 to 1833.—J. H. B.  BESSIÈRES,, duke of Istria, and marshal of France, born in 1768 of an obscure family. He was bred a wigmaker, but in 1792 he entered as a private in the constitutional guards of Louis XVI. He rose rapidly through the various gradations of military rank till he attained the dignity of a marshal of France in 1804. He attracted the attention of Buonaparte in the Italian campaign, and particularly distinguished himself at Roveredo and Rivoli. He was in consequence selected to present the captured colours of the Austrians to the Directory. He accompanied Napoleon to Egypt, and took a prominent part in the siege of St. Jean d'Acre and in the battle of Aboukir. On his return to France he rendered important service to Napoleon, and led the charge which decided the battle of Marengo. He was made general of division in 1802, and marshal of the empire in 1804. He distinguished himself at Jena, Friedland, and Eylau; and when the iniquitous occupation of Spain was decided upon by Napoleon, Bessières was appointed to the command of the division which held the province of Salamanca. The Spanish general Cuesta having advanced upon Valladolid and Burgos, with the intention of cutting off the communication between Madrid and France, Bessières immediately attacked him on the heights of Medina-del Rio-Secco, and completely defeated him with the loss of his camp-baggage and artillery, and nine hundred men, with six thousand prisoners. This victory was of such importance to the plans of Napoleon, that when he received the intelligence he exclaimed, "Bessières has placed my brother upon the Spanish throne." The victorious marshal was rewarded with the title of duke of Istria, 28th May, 1809. He commanded the imperial guard at Landshut, Elsberg, and Wagram, and was present throughout the disastrous Russian campaign. After a career of remarkable brilliancy, he was killed. May 1, 1813, the evening before the battle of Lutzen while reconnoitering the enemy's position.—J. T.  BESSON,, a French historian, born at Flumet; died 1780. He became director of the convent of the Visitation, where he found a MS. entitled, Histor du dioceze de Genève. He completed this work, the only one on the subject.  BESSON,, a French jesuit, missionary in Syria, was born at Carpentras in 1607, and died at Aleppo in 1691. He published "La Syrie sainte ou des missions des Pères de la compagnie de Jesus en Syrie," 1660. <section end="596H" /> <section begin="596I" />BESSUS, satrap of Bactria in the time of Alexander the Great. When that monarch invaded Persia, Bessus brought a powerful force to the assistance of Darius. After his defeat at Gangamela, Bessus accompanied that unfortunate prince in his flight; but becoming satisfied that his cause was desperate, he put him to death, and assumed the title of king. Two years after, he fell into the hands of Alexander, by whom he was delivered up to Oxathres, and immediately put to a cruel death.—J. T. <section end="596I" /> <section begin="596J" />* BEST,, a musician, was born at Carlisle August 13, 1826, where his father was a solicitor. His predilection for music, in which he received early instruction, induced his friends to relinquish their purpose of educating him as a civil engineer, and to allow him to follow his favourite art as a profession. In 1841 he removed to Liverpool, where he received some further tuition. It is within the last quarter of a century that the compositions for the organ of S. Bach have first become practically known in this country; and the style of playing, and even the construction of the instrument, have been essentially modified in consequence of the demands of this lighest class of music. The independent pedal part throughout the writings of that great master, presents a difficulty scarcely conceived by organists in England of the last generation, the class of teachers from whom only Mr. Best had to learn. Finding the music of the noblest composer for the instrument impracticable, according to the prevailing system of execution, he applied himself to the study of the pedals with zealous assiduity, and attained a great mastery over this portion of the mechanism. He owes to his own sedulous practice, also, a power of manipulation that has rarely been surpassed, and thus, in the capacity of execution, his rank as an organist is very high. In 1851 he came to London, and brought himself into honourable notice by his performance on the organs in the Great Exhibition. In 1855 he was elected organist of St. George's hall, Liverpool, where his constant public playing excites general admiration. He has published several original compositions and arrangements for the organ, admirably suited to display the best effects of the instrument; and some pieces for the pianoforte.—G. A. M. <section end="596J" /> <section begin="596Knop" />BESTON or BESODUNUS,, prior of the Carmelite monastery at Lynn in Norfolk, distinguished for his learning and varied accomplishments. In 1424 he attended a council held at Sienna under Martin V. He died at Lynn in 1428. His principal works are "Compendium Theologiæ Moralis," "Lecturæ Sacræ Scripturæ," "Rudimenta Logices," "De Trinitate," &c. <section end="596Knop" />