2.

Saxoniæ illustratæ libri IX. quibus Nationis Saxonica origines et incrementa, ejusque Principum stemmata, et res bello paceve præclare gesta accurate explicantur. Inserta quoque est præcipuarum aliquot Italiæ, Suaviæ, Bavaria, Carinthiæ, etc. familiarum quæ ex hac prodierunt copiosa enarratio. Opus olim ab Authore incredibili labore collectum, et nunc duobus posterioribus libris à Nato Christo ad annum 1606 perpetua serie continuatum à Jacobo Fabricio, Autoris filio. Lipsiæ, 1606. in fol.

GEORGE FABRICIUS was born, 24th April 1516, at Chemnitz, a City of Misnia, of George Fabricius, Goldsmith. His father designed him for his own business but learning from John Scultet, one of his first Masters, how highly qualified he was for Literature, changed his destination. After commencing his studies in his native country he pursued them at Fribourg, and Leipsic ; and was afterwards Preceptor of the three brothers, Wolfgang, Philip, and Anthony Wer

ter.

He travelled into Italy with Wolfgang; and employed the better part of the years 1542, and 1543, in visiting the most considerable cities. That of Padua was the place where he made the longest stay, attending the lectures of the Professors there.

On his return to Germany, he went to visit his relations; and rejoined his pupils, whom

he accompanied in 1544 to Strasburg, where they remained some years, occupied in their studies.

In 1553, on the death of John Rivius, Director of the College of Meissen, he was chosen to succeed him; and here he taught polite literature for the rest of his own life.

He commenced the practice of Latin poetry early; and cultivated it with success all his days. Hence he gained so much reputation that the Emperor Maximilian II. conferred the poetic crown on him on 7th Dec. 1570; and farther granted to him letters of Nobility.

He died of an apoplexy at Messein, 13.th Jul. 1571, aged 55. He married Mary - Madelina Faust, by whom he had eleven children.

In all his poetry is exhibited much purity and neatness; and his style is simple and concise, without being obscure. He applied himself particularly to the choice of his words; and his piety made him so scrupulous, that he would not employ in his sacred poems any thing which partook in the smallest degree of Paganism he went so far as to blame those who had recourse to Pagan Divinities; and to the Fables of Antiquity: but his zeal in this respect has not procured him any follower.

NICERON, XXXII. 31, 44, has given a List of 44 Works by him. Among these is:

Rerum Germaniæ Magnæ et Saxoniæ Universæ Memorabilium volumina duo. Lipsia, 1609, in fol.

Every thing of Fabricius on the History of his Country is full of much research; and is exact, and esteemed.

ART. XLVI. GUICHENON: HISTOIRE DE BRESSE.

Histoire de Bresse et de Bugey, Contenant ce qui est passé de Memorabile sous les Romains, Rois de Bourgogne et d'Arles, Empereurs, Sieurs de Baugé, Comtes et Ducs de Savoie, et Rois tres-Chrestiens, jusques à l'échange du Marquisat de Saluces. Avec les Fondations des Abbeys, Prieurés, Chartreuses et Eglises Collegiales, Origines des Villes, Chasteaux, Seigneuries, et principaux Fiefs, et Genealogies de toutes les Familles Nobles. Justifiées par Chartres, Titres, Chroniques, Manuscripts, Auteurs anciens et modernes, et autres bonnes Preuves. Divisées in quatre Parties. Par Samuel Guichenon, Advocat au Presidial de Bourg en Bresse, Conseiller et Historiographe du Roy. A Lyon, chez Jean Antoine Haguetan, et Marc Ant. Ravaud, en ruë Merciere à l'Enseigne de la Sphere. 1650. fol. (RARUS.)

SAMUEL GUICHENON was born at Mâcon, 18.th Aug. 1607, the son of Gregory Guichenon,

Doctor of Physic, by Claudine Chaussat. His father was born at Chatillon-lés-Dombes, and established himself at Bourg in Bresse, where he was married in 1595: but the Calvinists being persecuted here, he transferred himself to Mâcon, where he found liberty of conscience. He finished his days at Chatillon-les-Dombes, leaving three sons, Daniel, an Advocate, Peter, a Physician, and SAMUEL.

SAMUEL was born in Calvinism, and remained so till 1632, when he abjured it, to embrace the Catholic Religion; which happened either in a Tour into Italy; or at Lyons, on his re

turn.

He embraced the Bar as a Profession; and was Advocate at the Presidency of Bourg in Bresse. But this occupation did not engross his mind : he applied himself with success to History; and produced many good works in that line.

Having formed and executed the project of The History of the House of Savoy, he went to Turin to present it to Christina of France, mother of the Duke who then governed. This Princess bestowed much favour and distinction upon him.

He was married three times; and had several children.

He died 8th Sept. 1664, aged 57; and was interred at Bourg.

Niceron, speaking of his Histoire de Bresse, says that the Author is exact, and profound; and that the Book is sought after and commenced at that time (1735) to become rare. In the Library of the Augustins at Lyons is the Original of this History, in which are to be found many curious Anecdotes regarding families, which the printed Work does not contain. An Abridgement under the title of Histoire de Bresse par Germain Guichenon, Religieux Augustin, was published at Lyons, 1709. 8.o

His Histoire Genealogique de la Royal Maison de Savoye, in two vols, fol. Lyon, 1660, is a work executed with much care and exactness. It was reprinted in 1778, and extended to five volumes.

ART. XLVII. CRESCENZI.

Corona della Nobiltà d'Italia, overo, Compendio delle Historie delle Famiglie illustri; dove oltre l'origine di molte Casate Nobilissime, si ha continuata la Historia della Nobilta et Republica Veneta, da Giovan. Pietro de Crescenzi. In Bologna, 1639, et 1642. 2 vols, 4.o (RARO.)

This Work is much sought after, on account of the Genealogies, which it contains of the Ve