Page:Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography Volume 1.pdf/845

BUC he was appointed to the chair of mineralogy, resigned by Dr. Kidd. Like Dr. Kidd he embraced geology in his course of lectures; and in these, from the intimate acquaintance with the English strata and their fossils, which he had gained in his numerous excursions, he was enabled to give to the illustrations of general truths a freshness and interest which were very captivating. Geology became popular in the university; it had been firmly established as a new science by the two generalizations to which we have already referred; it was now publicly recognized as such at Oxford, by the endowment, at the instigation of the Prince Regent, of a "Readership in Geology." In 1819 Dr. Buckland received the appointment, and delivered his inaugural address on the 15th of May in that year. This, his first work, was afterwards published under the title of "Vindiciæ Geologicæ." In the position which he now occupied, Dr. Buckland powerfully influenced the progress of geology. A rich imagination and playful humour, a philosophic turn of mind leading to profound reflections, a wondrous sagacity in detecting the adaptations of organic structure in fossils to the purposes of life, an extraordinary flow of language, a fine voice, and "good presence," formed a union of qualities well fitted to give matchless force and directness to his scientific expositions, and unequalled graphic effect to his illustrations. His numerous papers, contributed chiefly to the Geological Society, were not less influential in consolidating the new science, and enlarging its boundaries. This society was founded in 1807; he joined it in 1813, and continued for upwards of thirty years a zealous contributor on every branch of the subject. Dr. Buckland's separate works were the "Reliquiæ Diluvianæ," published in 1823, and the "Bridgewater Treatise," published in 1836. This latter is a work of singular eloquence and power, and on it, perhaps, his future fame will chiefly rest. The subject was admirably adapted to his genius, and he executed the task assigned him with extraordinary ability. In 1818 Dr. Buckland was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; in 1821 he joined the Linnæan Society, and in 1847 was named a trustee of the British Museum. He was a most active promoter of every scientific object, and the British Association owed much in its first years to his untiring energy and sound judgment. He was its president at Oxford in 1832, and for several years president of the Geological Society. In 1825 he was made a canon of Christ Church, and doctor of divinity, and having resigned his fellowship, received the living of Stoke Charity in Hampshire. In 1845 Dr. Buckland was appointed to the deanery of Westminster, on the recommendation of Sir Robert Peel. His death took place on the 26th August, 1856.  BUCKLE,, historian, was the son of a wealthy merchant in London, and was born on the 24th of November, 1822. He first became known to the world by his "History of Civilization," of which two volumes were published, one in 1858, and the other in 1861. The work, which displays wide research and is elaborately written, created considerable sensation at the time of its appearance by the bold and paradoxical speculations in which the author occasionally indulges. The execution of the entire plan was prevented by Mr. Buckle's death, which occurred on the 29th of May, 1862. He also wrote an essay "On Liberty," and one "On the Influence of Women."—J. D.  BUDE, ), born at Paris in 1467; died in 1540. Budé's father made him study jurisprudence, but he shrunk from the duties of professional life. His father died in 1500, leaving twelve children, but so well provided for that Guillaume was enabled to retire from practice as an avocat. About this time he married a lady, who, if not as learned as himself, was yet the partner of his studies. Budé was for a while secretary of Charles VIII. He was regarded by Francis I. as one of the men of letters of France who did most honour to the country, was given the care of his library, and was appointed by him ambassador at the court of Leo X. The foundation of the college royal by this prince is ascribed to the influence of Budé. Some jealousy which Cardinal Duprat felt towards him led to his retirement from court. It would have been well for him had this been permanent, for he loved study, and probably was never more happy than at this period; but on Poyet becoming chancellor, Budé was recalled. In a visit which the court made to Normandy, Budé, now no longer young, suffered from fatigue and heat, and caught his death-illness. Budé directed that he should be buried as privately as possible. There can be little doubt that this arose from humility of mind, but it was referred at the time to other causes. It was said that though he never formally united himself with the reformers, that his feelings were with them, and that he shrunk in imagination from the thought of being in death the object of the splendid ceremonial services of the church. Budé was present at the interviews of the monarchs of England and France on the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and we have a description of it from him. Budé has the great merit of having been one of the first judicious commentators on the pandects, and in fact, commencing the school which has taken its name from Cujas. His treatise on the Roman coinage is still referred to.—J. A., D.  BUDGELL,, born at St. Thomas, near Exeter, in 1685; died in 1736. Educated at Christ church, Oxford; thence going to London, entered the middle temple as a law student; he does not, however, appear at any time to have studied law. Addison, to whom he was related, on being appointed secretary to the lord-lieutenant of Ireland, gave Budgell a clerkship in his office. His connection with Addison led to his writing in the Tatler, and afterwards in the Spectator. His papers in the Spectator are signed X. In 1717, on Addison's becoming secretary in England, he made his friend accountant and comptroller-general of the revenue in Ireland. In 1718 the duke of Bolton was lord-lieutenant; Budgell fell out with his secretary, and compromised both him and the duke. He was deprived of his offices, and published pamphlets detailing his grievances, in spite of Addison's dissuasion. In 1733 he issued a weekly pamphlet called the "Bee," which ran to about a hundred numbers. He was now left two thousand pounds by Dr. Tindal, in whose work, Christianity as Old as the Creation, he had probably in some way assisted. Budgell was not a relative of Tindal, and the public gave him the credit of having forged the will. To this Pope alludes:—

He got entangled in litigation, and attending the courts as a client led him to remember his old profession, and he resumed the long-abandoned wig and gown; but it was too late. He now determined on suicide, and taking a boat at Somerset stairs he ordered the waterman to shoot the bridge, and as the boat was passing under it threw himself into the river. On his table was found a slip of paper with the words—"What Cato did, and Addison approved, cannot be wrong." Insanity had been distinctly exhibited for some days before his death.—J. A., D.  BUDGETT,, of Kingswood Hill, an English merchant, remarkable for his enterprise, benevolence, and success, was born at Wrington, Somersetshire, in 1794. His parents were poor, and he received but a scanty education. When fourteen years old, he was apprenticed to an elder brother who kept a retail grocery shop at Kingswood, near Bristol, with whom, in the course of ten years he became partner. Thus admitted to a share in the business, he applied himself strenuously to its extension, and such were his perseverance and energy, that ere many years the establishment of Messrs. Budgett had a connection extending over the greater part of England, and was known as one of the wealthiest houses in the "provision" trade. Mr. Budgett was no less distinguished for his great benevolence and unwearied labours for the elevation of the poor in his neighbourhood, than for his uprightness as a merchant, and his desire to spread the principles of just commerce. He died in 1851, and his life has been written under the title of "The Successful Merchant."—J. B.  BUFFIER,, a grammarian, historian, and metaphysician of deserved celebrity, was born in Poland, of French parents, on the 25th of May, 1661. Soon after his birth his family returned to France, and settled at Rouen, where Claude's early years were spent. He was educated at the jesuits' college there, and having much distinguished himself as a student, entered their order at the age of nineteen. A few years afterwards, in consequence of certain theological differences with Colbert, archbishop of Rouen, he went to Rome, and on his return settled at Paris in the jesuits' college. Here he spent the remainder of his life, occupied in study and tuition, and producing from time to time philosophic and literary treatises of remarkable shrewdness and originality. He commenced his literary labours in Paris, by taking part in the editorship of the Journal de Trevoux, but soon relinquished this, in order to prepare for publication the results of his own studies in history 