with quotations, but consist of continued and connected reasonings. His object, in his commentaries and paraphrases, is not so much to explain the terms of the text, as it is to extend the sense of it, and to shew its order and series. By studying his works, young divines may improve their diction, and learn to write eloquently, whether as christian philosophers, orators, or divines." Notwithstanding the eulogium of this critic on his style, our countryman Bacon condemns "the weak and waterish vein" of Osorio. His works consist of, "De Nobilitate civili lib. II.," "De Nobilitate Christiana lib. III." 1543, quarto; "De Gloria lib. V." 1552, octavo; "De Regis Institutione et Disciplina, lib. VIII." 1574, octavo; "De Rebus Emmanuelis Lusitaniæ Regis invictissimi virtute et Auspicio domi forisque Gestis, lib. XII." published at Lisbon in 1571, folio, and at Cologne in 1574, octavo; "Defensio sui nominis," being a vindication of himself for favouring the pretensions of the king of Spain to the crown of Portugal; "Epistola ad Elizabetham Angliæ Reginam," 1565, octavo, exhorting that princess to renounce what he endeavours to prove to be the errors of the church of England, and to return to the Romish communion; "In Gualterum Haddonum ejusdem Reginæ Magistrum Libellorum Supplicum de Vera Religione lib. III." 1567, quarto, written in reply to an answer to the preceding letter, by Walter Haddon, master of the requests to queen Elizabeth; "De Justitia Cælesti, lib. X. ad Reginaldum Polum Cardinalem," 1574, octavo ; "De vera Sapientia, Lib. V. ad Gregorium XIII. P. M." 1578; "In Epistolam Pauli ad Romanos, lib. IV.;” “Paraphrases" on Job, the Psalms, the book of Wisdom, and Isaiah; "Commentaries" upon the Proverbs of Solomon, Hosea, and Zachariah; twenty-one "Sermons" upon St. John's Gospel; "Letters," &c. These works were collected together, and published at Rome in 1592, in four volumes, folio, by JEROME OSORIO, nephew to our prelate, and canon of Evora. He had been educated by his uncle, and endeavoured to imitate his style; but he is not so fine a writer, though he seems to have had a greater share of erudition. He wrote a life of his uncle, which he prefixed to the collection of his works; "Notationes in Hieronymi Osorii Paraphrasim Psalmorum," printed in the third volume of his uncle's works, and said by Dupin to contain valuable critical observations on the Hebrew text; and "Paraphrasis et Com mentaria in Ecclesiasten nunc primum edita s et Paraphrasis in Canticum Canticorum et in ipsam recens aucta Notationes," 1611, quarto. Antonii Bibl. Script. Hisp. Freheri Theatr. Vir. Erud. Clar. Dupin. Moreri. Gen. Dict.-M. The work by which the bishop of Sylves is best known is his history "De Rebus Emmanuelis, Lusitaniæ Regis," &c. mentioned above; of which a new edition appeared so lately as 1791, at Coimbra, in three volumes, 12mo.; which from its neatness of typography almost resembles a Glasgow book. Of this work there is a French translation, and also an English one. The kings of Portugal, as their history was more splendid than that of all others, seem to have been of all sovereigns most desirous that it should be fully related and extensively known. Not content therefore with the works of Castanheda, Bras d'Alboquerque and Joam de Barros, they would have their eastern conquests chronicled in Latin, that all learned men might become familiar with triumphs so glorious. Pursuant to the desire, two histories in Latin of the discovery of India, and the conquests there,appeared about the same time, one by the Jesuit Maffæus, and the other this work by Osorio. Vis Lusitanæ gentes, in India, In Lybica Regione Mauros: Vis et repertas navibus insulas Doctos diserti, Lector, Osorii Ex hoc ameno fonte, summa Hæc Tullianis plena leporibus This praise has been bestowed upon Osorio. They who have read Castanheda and Barros will not think his deserving of it. I do not perceive that he adds any thing to the information which they communicate, and he has neither the erudition of the one writer, nor the honesty of the other. The African affairs are better related by Damian de Goas. Osorio's library was carried off by the Eng lish fleet on their return from Cadiz in 1596. The Bodleian was opened the ensuing year, and Essex gave sir Thomas Bodley a considerable part of this collection. Nic. Ant. Cayley's Life of Sir IV. Raleigh.-R. S. OSSAT, ARNAUD D', cardinal, an eminent politician and negotiator, was born in 1536, of parents in humble life, at Cassagnabere, a village near Auch. He was left an orphan at an early age, and owed his rise in the world to himself alone. Entering into the service of a young nobleman in his province, of the house of Marca, he studied along with him, and in time became his preceptor. In 1559 he took his pupil, together with two other young persons, to Paris, where he carefully superintended their education. At the same time he increased his knowledge in polite literature and mathematics; and afterwards attended a course of law at Bourges under the celebrated Cujas. In philosophy he was a disciple of Ramus, and composed a work in his master's defence entitled "Expositio Arnoldi Ossati in Disputationem Jacobi Carpentarii de Methodo," 1564, which is said to be an acute and judicious performance. After his legal studies, he practised at the bar in Paris, and was admired for his masculine eloquence. His talents procured him patrons, by whose means he obtained the post of a counsellor in the presidial court of Melun. One of his principal friends was Paul de Foix, who, when archbishop of Toulouse, was nominated by Henry III. embassador to the court of Rome. He carried d'Ossat with him as his secretary, who, after the death of that prelate in 1584, took holy orders, and was received into the house of the cardinal d'Este, protector of the French nation. The secretary of state, Villeroi, made him chargé des affaires for the French court; and in this quality, at the beginning of Henry the fourth's reign, he was highly serviceable in promoting the reconciliation of that king with the see of Rome. He was rewarded with the bishopric of Rennes, with a cardinal's hat in 1598, and with the bishopric of Bayeux in 1601. He continued to serve his country with great zeal and industry till his death at Rome, in 1604. Cardinal d'Ossat was a man of great penetration, and singularly prudent and circum spect in the management of affairs, so that he never made a false step. It was said of him that he did more by reason than other embassadors by money. Though a profound politician, he was also an honest man, and in the midst of honours and dignities he preserved his modesty. He left a great number of letters relative to the negotiations in which he was engaged, which are reckoned models of political sagacity. The best edition of them is that of Amelot de la Houssaye, Paris, 1698, in two volumes, quarto, and five volumes, 12mo. Moreri. Nouv. Dict. Hist.-A. OSTADE, ADRIAN VAN, an eminent painter of the Dutch school, was born at Lubeck in 1610. He studied his art at Haarlem under Francis Hals, and was fellow-pupil with Brou wer, with whom he contracted a great intimacy. His taste and style were perfectly those of the country in which he practised, being characterised by a most exact imitation of nature, with great beauty of colouring and exquisite finish, but the lowest possible choice of subjects, which are uniformly taken from. ale-houses, kitchens, and places of vulgar resort, and often exhibit objects of disgust. Mr. Fuseli in his edition of Pilkington's Dictionary, describes him as an artist in the following energetic terms: "He has contented himself to trace the line which just discriminates the animal from the brute, and stamps his actors with instinct rather than with passions. He has personified the dregs of vulgarity without recommending them by the most evanescent feature of taste; and yet decoys our curiosity to dive with him into the habitation of filth, beguiles the eye to dwell on the loathsome inmates and contents, and surprises our judgment into. implicit admiration, by a truth of character, an energy of effect, a breadth and geniality of touch and finish, which leave no room for censure. If he is less silvery, less airy than Teniers, he is far more vigorous and gleaming; if his forms be more squat and brutal, they are less fantastic and more natural; if he group with less amenity, he far excels the Fleming in depth and real composition." Van Ostade long resided at Haarlem, where he attained a high reputation. The approach of the French troops in 1672, drove him to Amsterdam, where he died in 1685. His genuine works of his. best time and manner are very scarce, and bear extremely high prices. Those of his brother Isaac, who painted in the same style, but with much inferior excellence, often pass for his; many of them, indeed, are copies of his works. Adrian was frequently solicited by cotemporary landscape-painters to add figures to their pieces, which has given them a great additional value. He etched a number of his own, designs, and. several eminent engravers have wrought from his pictures. D'Argenville. Pilkington's Dict. -A. OSTERMAN, COUNT, a celebrated Rus sian minister in the last century, was the son of a clergyman at Bockhum in Westphalia. Being taken into the service of the Russian admiral Cruys during his residence in Holland, he accompanied that officer to Petersburgh about the year 1704, in the quality of private secretary. A few years after, Peter the Great happening to be on board the admiral's ship, and wishing to send off some dispatches, enquired whether there was any person on board who could write them. The admiral presented Osterman to him as a young man well qualified to execute that service, as he had already made himself so far master of the Russian language as to be able not only to correspond in it, but even to speak it with great fluency. Osterman wrote the dispatches, and the emperor was so well pleased with his perforinance and talents that he made him his secretary, and in this situation he soon gained the confidence of his employer. He thus rose step by step to the most important offices in the government, and the emperor brought about a marriage between him and a lady connected with one of the noblest and richest families in Russia. As he possessed great shrewdness and sagacity, he found means to preserve his influence during the reign of several sovereigns; but in the revolution which placed the empress Elizabeth on the throne, he became involved in the same disgrace as counts Munic and Lowenwolde. He was condemned to suffer death, but being reprieved just at the moment when the executioner was about to strike off his head, his punishment was afterwards changed into banishment to Siberia, where he died in the year 1747, in the same place where Mentzikoff had ended his days some years before. After his death, his wife and family were recalled, and their property and rank were restored to them. Count Osterman, according to Manstein, possessed a sound judgment, and was capable of the most indefatigable labour; no minister of the same period was so well acquainted with the interests of the different courts of Europe, and in the exercise of his official duties none could be more disinterested and incorruptible; but on the other hand, he was suspicious in the highest degree, and so much wedded to his own opinions, that none of his coadjutors could live in harmony with him, unless they gave way to him in every thing, and regulated their political conduct according to his ideas. On the discussion of delicate points, respecting which he was obliged, in consequence of his office, to declare his sentiments, he had the policy to feign indisposition, and by these means was enabled to retain his dignity and consequence, notwithstanding the frequent changes which took place in the Russian government. His mode of expressing himself was so artful and obscure, that few could flatter themselves that they were able to discover his true meaning. His style also in general was so ambiguous, that whatever he wrote might be explained two different ways Though he was completely master of his feelings, and would appear to participate in things which were contrary to his conviction, he was so afraid of betraying his real sentiments by external emotions, that he never looked those full in the face with whom he conversed. In private life, he was remarkable for slovenliness and neglect of his person, which he carried to the utmost extent, particularly during the latter years of his life, when he became so lame, that he was incapable of moving from his chamber. Försök Til et Biographiskt Lexicon öfver Lärde och Namnkunnige Útündske Män. J. OSTERVALD, JOHN FREDERIC, a celebrated Swiss protestant divine in the seventeenth and former part of the eighteenth century, was descended from an ancient and noble family, and born at Neufchatel, in the year 1663. He commenced his academical studies at Saumur, where his proficiency was so rapid, that he was admitted to the degree of M. A. before he was sixteen years of age. Afterwards he pursued his studies at Orleans and Paris, and was admitted to the office of the ministry. We have no account of his settlement with any church in the capacity of pastor, before the year 1699, when he entered into that relation with the church at his native place. He contracted an intimate friendship with the celebrated John Alphonsus Turretin of Geneva, and the learned Samuel Werenfels of Basil; and the union of these three theologians, which was called the triumvirate of Saviss divines, lasted till their deaths. Of this triumvirate M. Ostervald was not the least valued or respected character: for his talents, his virtues, his zeal in disseminating moral and religious instruction, and in restoring and preserving ecclesiastical discipline, occasioned him to be held out as a perfect model for the imitation of christian pastors. He died in 1747, about the age of eighty-four. He was the author of several useful works, written in the French language, of which the principal are "A Treatise concerning the Causes of the present Corruption of Christians, and their Remedies,' octavo; "A Catechism, explaining the Grounds and Principles of the Christian Religion," octavo; prefixed to which is " An Abridgment of the Sacred History," which was adopted by the society at London for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, and translated into Arabic, in order to be sent to the East Indies, and the author also had the compliment paid him of being admitted an honorary member of the society; "A Discourse against the Sin of Uncleanness," octavo; a Collection of "Sermons," octavo; "Ethica Christiana," octavo; "Theologiæ Compendium," octavo; "A Treatise on the sacred Ministry," octavo; &c. The three pieces last mentioned were collected from his public discourses and lectures, and printed without his knowledge; but met, nevertheless, like all his other performances, with a very favourable reception from the public. The three first pieces on the above list, were translated into the English, Dutch, and German lan guages. M. Ostervald also published an edition of the Geneva French version of "The Holy Bible," with arguments and reflections, in folio. His eldest son, JOHN RODOLPH OSTERVALD, became pastor of the French church at Basil, where he worthily sustained the honour of being a descendant from so excellent a man, and published a treatise held in much estimation by French Protestants, and entitled, "The Duties of Communicants," 12mo. Nouv. Dict. Hist. Laduocat's Dict. Hist. et Bibl. portatif. Encycl. Brit.-M. OSWALD, ERASMUS, a learned German professor of the mathematics and of the Hebrew language in the sixteenth century, was born in the county of Merckenstein in Austria, in the year 1511. After having gone through a course of grammar learning, he studied successively at the universities of Ingoldstadt, Leipsic, and Basil, and in the place last mentioned, distinguished himself by his proficiency in the mathematical sciences and the Hebrew tongue, under the instructions of the famous Sebastian Munster. From Basil he went to Memmingen in Swabia, on an invitation from the magistrates to become mathematical professor in that city; and afterwards he removed to Tubingen, where he filled the chair of Hebrew professor with great success and applause. In imitation of his tutor, Sebastian Munster, he did not confine his instructions to the Hebrew language only, but also delivered lectures in the mathematics, from which he derived no little reputation. In the year 1552, he accepted of the united chairs of mathematical and Hebrew professor at Friburg in the Brisgaw, which he held for more than seven and twenty years, with great advantage to the interests of science and oriental literature in Germany. He died in 1579, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He was the author of, "Commentaria in Theoricas Planetarum; "De Primo mobili; "Commentaria in Sphæram_Joannis de Sacrobosco;" "In Almagestum Ptolomæi Annotationes;" "Gentium Kalendarium;" "Oratio funebris, de Obitu Sebastiani Munsterii," written in the Hebrew language; "Paraphrasis in Cantica Canticorum, et Ecclesiastem Salomonis, ex Chaldaica Lingua in Latinam conversa;" and he translated into Latin, Rabbi Abraham Cai's book. "On the Sphere," and Rabbi Elias's treatise "On Arithmetic," publishing the original Hebrew with his version. He, likewise, translated the New Testament into Hebrew: an undertaking on which no person had ventured before his time. Melchior. Adam. Vit. Germ. Phil. Moreri. Teissier's Eloges des Hommes Savans tire de M. de Thou avec des additions, vol. I.-M. OTHER, a celebrated Norwegian, who resided some time at the court of Alfred the Great. He was a man of considerable note in his own country, though his whole riches consisted of no more than twenty head of cattle, twenty sheep, and as many swine; and being possessed of an enterprising spirit, he undertook a voyage of discovery to the country of the Permians, or towards the White Sea; and another towards Sweden, or the shores of the Baltic. Alfred, who in his younger days had been at Rome, where in all probability he collected the materials for his geography, having caused the Ormesta of Orosius to be translat ed into the Anglo-Saxon, introduced into it the relations of Other, and of Wulfstan, a Dane, who perhaps became acquainted with Other in the course of his voyages, or resided with him in England. Dr. J. R. Forster says, that Alfred's account of the two voyages of Other and of that of Wulfstan, which is both exact and authentic, is exceedingly valuable, as it contains the best information in regard to the geography of the northern regions, in the ninth century. Forster's Hist. of the Discoveries and Voyages in the North.-J. OTHMAN, third Saracen caliph, was one of the companions and the secretary of Mahomet. On the death of Omar, A. D. 634, the choice of a successor was left to six electors, who concurred in the nomination of Othman, after he had solemnly promised to govern according to the rules of the Koran, and the determinations of the seniors. He was of advanced age when he came to the throne, esteemed for his piety and integrity, and distinguished by the same simplicity of manners which characterised his two predecessors. His first public act was to send a body of troops to complete the reduction of Hamadan, whilst another body entered Persia, whence they totally expelled the unfortunate prince Yesdejerd. The caliph's foible was a partiality to his own family and favourites, which was first shewn in his appointment of his foster-brother Abdallah ebn Said to supersede the renowned Amru in the government of Egypt which he had conquered. This measure gave great discontent as well to the Arabians as to the Egyptians, and its consequence was a revolt of the Alexandrians, who delivered up their city to the Greek emperor. Othman, rendered sensible of his fault by this event, restored the government to Amru, who recovered Alexandria, though not without loss and difficulty. Moawiyah about the same time took the isle of Cyprus and the important Sy rian sea-port of Aradus. The isle of Rhodes afterwards fell under his power. Another Moslem army reduced all that part of Khorasan which had not as yet submitted to the Mahometan yoke. From Upper Egypt, Abdallah ebn Said made an incursion into Nubia, the christian sovereign of which country he reduced to beg for peace on the condition of becoming tributary. But whilst the Moslem empire was thus extending on all sides under the auspices of Othman, the caliph himself was losing the affections of his people by the faults of his administration. Several charges against him were disseminated by the malcontents, one of which was his lavish donations to his favourites out of the public treasury. Othman, thinking to quell the seditious by an appearance of resolution, ascended the pulpit, and told the assembled people that the money in the treasury was a sacred deposit, appropriated to the service of God, and that he, as the successor of the apostle of God, had a right to dispose of it at his pleasure; and he pronounced an anathema on any one who should dispute his right. An aged companion of the prophet, however, ventured to rise and declare his disapprobation of what he had heard; upon which, some of the caliph's partizans fell upon him, and beat him so severely, that he was left for dead. This act of tyranny so inflamed the passions of the people, that they broke out into rebellion, and formed a camp near Medina, whence they sent a message to Othman, requiring him to abdicate his authority Thoroughly intimidated, he now attempted to pacify them by confessing the errors of his government, and promising redress of grievances. This condescension had no other effect than to render the insurgents more audacious; and they were now joined by bands of malcontents from the neighbouring provinces. At length, Ali, the son-in-law and nephew of Mahomet, who had a considerable party among them, was induced, though himself discontented at being passed over in the last election, to use his influence for the restoration of tranquility; which was effected by his joining with the caliph in a promise to remove the causes of complaint. Intrigues were, however, forming by Ayesha and other persons for the deposition of Othman; and a detestable fraud was at length practised by Merwan, the caliph's secretary, to revive the public odium. Mahomet ebn Abubecre had been appointed the new governor of Egypt, and was proceeding thither at the head of the Egyptians, who had come to assist the insurgents, but were now returning home. In their march they met with a courier from the caliph, whose dispatches they took the liberty to examine. They found a letter forged by Merwan, directed to Abdallah then prefect of Egypt, by which he was ordered, on the arrival of Mahomet, to mutilate and impale him with several of his officers. Highly incensed with this discovery, Mahomet with the Egyptians marched back to Medina, and publishing the supposed villainy through the empire, were joined by the former malcontents, with whom they invested the caliph's palace, denouncing vengeance against his person. Othman requested aid from Ali, who sent his sons Hassan and Hosein to defend the gates of the palace. This they faithfully performed for many days, till at length, either for want of water, or of a hearty inclination, they withdrew, and left the caliph to the mercy of his enemies. Placing the Koran in his bosom, he waited to receive his assassins. homet seized him by the beard, and plunged his sword in his breast. Others pierced his body in different parts, and he expired under multiplied wounds. His corpse lay three days Ma |