At the end of the work are several approbations by some eminent persons of those days. The university of Oxford also took notice of their countryman: for in 1670, he wrote a letter to Dr Mew, the vice-chancellor, signifying his intention of making a present to the university of his gold chain and medal, with a fair copy of bis Lyrics. On the university's receiving this letter, an assembly was called, and Dr Gibbs was declared, by a diploma, doctor of physic. This diploma styles him Europæorum principum deliciæ; and some of the choicest wits of the university were ordered to compliment Dr Gibbs with Latin verses on the occasion. He died in 1677, aged 66, and was interred in the Pantheon, otherwise called "Santa Maria Rotunda," and "All Saints." A bust was placed over his tomb with a Latin epitaph, giving an account of his country, family, and endowments. Some, who were personally acquainted with him, have declared that he was extravagantly whimsical and conceited, but an excellent mimic; which, with the handsomeness of his person, and agreeableness in conversation, made him, in general, very acceptable.
Our poet, Edward Thimelby, seems to have held this "Delight of the European Princes" very cheap; and it appears, that the "Lyrics" and other performances of this wonderful genius, for whom "kingdoms were to contend," have now sunk into utter oblivion!
L. 12. While spheires and angells sing, and make no noise.
And stunned him with the music of the spheres,
How would he wish that Heaven had left him still
The whispering zephyr and the purling rill!
Essay on Man, Ep. 1.
The harmony of the spheres is much spoken of by many of the ancient philosophers and fathers of the church, and was supposed to be produced by the regular motion of the stars and planets. Plato, Philo Judæus, St Augustin, St Ambrose, St Isidore, Boethius, and many others, were strongly possessed with this motion, which they attribute to the various proportional impressions of the heavenly globes on one another; which, acting under proportional intervals, form a delightful harmony. It is impossible, according to them, that such stupendous
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