Page:Imperialdictiona02eadi Brandeis.pdf/579

GAL and the capture of the whole city seemed inevitable, when suddenly, for reasons wholly inexplicable, Gallus withdrew his troops, and retired into Syria, losing no fewer than six thousand men in his retreat. He was soon after superseded by Nero in 65, and did not long survive his disgrace.—J. T.  GALLUS,, born in 325, was the youngest son of Julius Constantius, and half brother of Julian the Apostate. His life was with difficulty saved in the general massacre of the imperial family, which followed the death of his granduncle, Constantino the Great. He was named Cæsar by Constantius II. in 351, and left in command in the East. But his combined weakness, violence, and cruelty speedily led to his destruction. Constantius, dissembling his resentment at the crimes of Gallus, induced him to leave his own province to pay a visit to Italy. He was arrested at Petovio in Pannonia, and sent to Pola in Istria, where he was beheaded in prison in 354.—J. T.  GALLUS,, a composer of great merit, was born in Carniola about the year 1550. He was chapel-master to Stanislas Pawlowski, bishop of Olmütz, and afterwards to the emperor of Germany. He published many collections of sacred music between the years 1586 and 1591, the titles of which may be seen in Fétis' Biographie des Musiciens. He died at Prague on the 4th of July, 1591.—E. F. R.  GALLUS,. See.  GALLUS or GALLO,, a French theologian, abbé of St. André at Verceil, was a member of the Augustine order. His name offers some difficulties, with which conjecture has been fruitlessly busy. His abbey, in consequence of the pains he took to secure for it the services of the most eminent professors, became one of the most celebrated ecclesiastical seminaries of the period. He wrote an exposition of the Song of Songs, printed at Paris in 1521. He died 5th December, 1246.—J. S., G.  GALLUZZI,, a jesuit, born in the province of Sabina in 1574. He was considered the best pulpit orator of his time in Italy. Many of his works are in Latin. He has left three books of poetry, which have been inserted in the Parnassus Societatis. His orations, however, are considered superior to his poetical compositions. Galluzzi wrote some funeral orations in the vernacular tongue, one of which he recited in presence of Paul V., on the occasion of Cardinal Bellarmine's death. For eighteen years he was rector of the Greek college at Rome, and died on the 26th of July, 1649.—A. C. M.  GALSUINTE. See.  GALSWINTHA was the eldest daughter of Athanagild, king of the Visigoths in Spain and Southern France towards the close of the sixth century. The marriage of her sister Brunehaut to Sigebert of Austrasia induced his brother Chilperic, the sovereign of Neustria, to seek the advantage of a similar alliance, and he sent to ask the hand of Galswintha. After considerable delay, caused by her aversion to the profligate suitor, the nuptials took place in 567, Chilperic having pledged himself to dismiss his concubines. But the forebodings with which the gentle-spirited princess submitted to her father's policy were not long of being realized. The artful Fredegonda (see ) recovered her influence; Galswintha was treated with neglect; and after vainly entreating to be sent back to her parents, fell a victim to the cruel arts of her rival. She was found smothered in her bed in 568.—W. B. <section end="579H" /> <section begin="579Zcontin" />GALT,, a celebrated novelist and miscellaneous writer, was born at Irvine in Ayrshire, 2nd May, 1779. His father, a sea captain in the West Indies, had removed to Greenock when John was eleven years old. On completing his education he resolved to follow the mercantile profession, and spent some time as a clerk in the custom-house, and afterwards in a counting-house. He proceeded to London to push his fortune in 1803 or 1804, and employed a few months of enforced leisure there in the composition of an epic poem entitled "The Battle of Largs," written in octo-syllabic rhyme. Portions of this poem were published in the Scot's Magazine, but are possessed of very little merit. An attempt to establish himself in business in partnership with a young countryman having terminated in bankruptcy, Galt entered himself at Lincoln's inn with the intention of studying law; but his health having failed, he resolved to spend some time abroad, and left England in 1809. He remained on the continent for nearly three years. On his return he published an account of his travels. He soon after married Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Tulloch, editor of the Philosophical Magazine, and proprietor of the Star newspaper, on which Galt was for some time employed. In the same year (1812) he published "The Life and Administration of Cardinal Wolsey;" a volume of tragedies; and "Reflections on Political and Commercial Subjects." He now abandoned all thoughts of the bar, became a contributor to the Monthly Magazine, and edited a new periodical called the New British Theatre, which was started for the absurd purpose of publishing the best of the dramas which had been rejected by the managers of the theatres. He took part also in various commercial enterprises; acted as parliamentary agent for a Scottish canal bill; published a novel, and a "Life of Benjamin West," together with a large number of fugitive pieces. Literature had now become the main employment of his life; but up to this time his success had been very small. His works, though displaying much sound thought and shrewd observation, were little read and less esteemed; and a dreary novel called "The Earthquake," which was published in 1820, proved a total failure. But at this juncture he happily discovered where his real strength lay. His "Ayrshire Legatees," which appeared in successive numbers of Blackwood's Magazine in 1820-21, received a cordial welcome from the public, and were even ascribed to the author of Waverley. The sagacious advice of Mr. Blackwood encouraged Galt to persevere in working the rich original vein which he had thus opened. The "Annals of the Parish," the best of his works, was published in 1821, and at once charmed a wide circle of readers by its homely humour, simple pathos, and graphic delineation of character. It was followed by the "Provost," the "Steamboat," "Sir Andrew Wyllie" (3 vols.), all in 1822; "The Gathering of the West," "The Entail" (3 vols.), and three historical novels, "Ringhan Gilhaize," and the "Spaewife," in 1823; and "Rothelan," a hurried and incomplete work, in 1824. The turning point of Galt's active life now occurred, and he was placed in a position which opened to him the most brilliant prospects. Some of the principal inhabitants of Canada appointed him their agent, to prosecute their claims on the home government for losses sustained by them, during the invasion of the province, by the forces of the United States. The negotiations connected with this affair ultimately led to the formation of the Canada company, incorporated in 1826, for the purchase and colonization of the crown lands in Upper Canada; and Galt obtained the office of secretary, and was appointed by government one of the commissioners for the valuation of the lands. He spent two years and a half in Canada amidst settlers and squatters, and under his active management new settlements were formed, a township was called by his name, and the flourishing town of Guelph was founded by him. But though his conduct was characterized by great shrewdness and energy, Galt seems to have been somewhat rash and impetuous. He got involved in quarrels with the colonial authorities, and misunderstandings with the directors of the company; and in 1829 he returned to England, and was somewhat harshly superseded. He was almost penniless when this calamity overtook him; his creditors became urgent, and he was compelled to take the benefit of the insolvent debtors' act. Galt had thus to begin the world again at fifty years of age; but though baffled and depressed, his courage was unshaken, and he set himself with indomitable resolution to labour with his pen for the support of himself and his family. His first work produced in these circumstances was the deservedly popular novel of "Laurie Todd," founded on the genuine adventures of a pawky Scottish settler. This was followed by "Southennan," and a somewhat caustic "Life of Lord Byron," which drew down upon him a great deal of animadversion. He edited for a short time the Courier newspaper, and made an unsuccessful attempt to form a new American Land company. Mr. Galt's health now began to fail, and repeated shocks of paralysis weakened his bodily frame and at length reduced it to an utter wreck. But his resolution and mental vigour were little if at all impaired. Even after he had entirely lost the use of his limbs, he contrived to dictate volume after volume in order, as he mournfully said, "to wrench life from famine." In the spring of 1834 he retired to Scotland, to spend the "few and evil" closing years of his life amid the scenes and society most dear to his heart. At this period, when "unable to rise, unable to read, unable to write," and pressed by poverty, he published his "Literary Life and Miscellanies," 3 vols. 12mo, dedicated to King William the Fourth, who graciously sent him a donation of £200. His long and severe sufferings, which he bore with great firmness, were at length brought to a close. He died at <section end="579Zcontin" />