passage. His daughter soon after went to offer him some tea. She found him, as it seemed, asleep, but his body was already cold; for it was the last sleep—the mystery of death; and the world of the senses had suddenly ceased to be a medium of intercourse between his spirit and those who remained." He was buried in the chapel of Christ Church, Oxford. Bishop Berkeley is described as having been of ordinary height, handsomely made—the face full and round, of a fair complexion. His expression was one of thoughtfulness and simplicity, not without traces of the refined humour that appears in his writings—animated by a mild, pious, persistent enthusiasm. "He was naturally strong and active, and remarkable for erect, manly grace; but the robust body was latterly reduced by sedentary habits and much study." The Bishop was, at the date of his decease, aged 68. His widow survived him thirty-three years, and died 27th May 1786, in her 86th year. A son and daughter were living at the time of his death. The former, George, born in London in 1733, became a divine of some eminence. 31
Berkenshaw, John, an Irish musician; he resided in Dublin, in the family of the Earl of Kildare, until the War of 1641-'52 drove him to England. He lived in London after the Restoration, published works on the study of music, taught the violin, and gave singing lessons. "Burney represents him as a charlatan, who was far indeed from possessing the musical qualifications he laid claim to." 250 The dates of his birth and decease are unknown. Under date 24th February 1661-'2, Pepys mentions him: "Long with Mr. Berkenshaw in the morning at my musique practice, finishing my song of 'Gaze not on Swans,' in two parts, which pleases me well; and did give him £5 for this month or five weeks, that he hath taught me; which is a great deal of money, and troubled me to part with it." 282 39 250
Bermingham, Sir John, Earl of Louth. He inherited large estates from his ancestors, who came over with Strongbow. In 1318 he was appointed general of the Anglo-Irish forces raised to check the advance of Edward Bruce. The memorable battle that ensued, and which resulted in the death of Bruce at the hands of John de Maupas, an Anglo-Irish knight, and the overthrow of his army, was fought at Faughart, near Dundalk, 14th October 1318. Sir John sent Bruce's head to Edward II., and was for his services created Earl of Louth, and granted estates at Ardee. Next year we find him marching into Connaught against the O'Conors and MacKellys. In 1321 he was appointed Lord-Justice, and in 1322 conducted a force of 300 men-at-arms, 1,000 hobellars, and 6,000 foot into England, to aid the King against the Scots. In 1325 he founded a Franciscan friary at Monasteroris (so called from his Irish name, MacFeorais.) On 10th June 1329 he fell, with 200 of his kindred and retainers, at Braganstown, County of Louth, in a feud with the Gernons, Verdons, and others of the ancient Anglo-Irish families of Louth. He was incomparably the ablest Anglo-Irish leader of his day. 216
Betagh, Rev. Dr., a distinguished Catholic clergyman, was born about 1737. After being educated abroad, and residing both at Paris and Metz as a professor for many years, he returned to Ireland and was appointed parish priest of SS. Michael and John's, Dublin, and Vicar-General of the diocese. He made many and great efforts for the good of his people, establishing a free evening school for about 330 boys, and otherwise advancing education. He died, greatly beloved, 16th February 1811, aged 74; and his remains were followed to their resting place in St. Michan's churchyard by a multitude of mourners. 338(1811)
Betham, Sir William, an antiquarian and genealogist, born at Stradbrook in Suffolk, 22nd May 1779. He began life as a printer, and came to Ireland in 1805, where he distinguished himself in genealogy, a taste derived from his father; he was knighted in 1812, and next year succeeded Sir Chichester Fortescue as Ulster King at Arms. He devoted himself with indefatigable industry to his favourite study, collecting an immense mass of materials, and partially reducing to order, and making available, the collections in the Birmingham Tower and the Remembrancer's Office. He published several works of a somewhat speculative character connected with the study of Irish antiquities, and contributed largely to the leading literary societies of which he was a member. His greatest MS. work was his index to the names of all persons mentioned in the wills at the Prerogative Office in Dublin. It consists of forty large folio volumes, begun in 1807, and not completed before 1828, during a great part of which period he devoted to it from eight to ten hours a-day. His "philological deductions were not generally deemed satisfactory; and it may be regretted that these speculative studies withdrew his attention from those more tangible questions affecting our political and constitutional history, of which he had made himself a master, and for the
