Page:Cousins's Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature.djvu/306

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294 Dictionary of English Literature

became a Fellow and Tutor of his coll. Taking orders in 1767 he held many benefices, and rose to be Archdeacon of Carlisle, and Sub- Dean of Lincoln. P., who holds one of the highest places among English theologians, was the author of four important works Prin ciples of Moral and Political Philosophy (1785), Hora Paulines, his most original, but least popular, book (1790), View of the Evidence* of Christianity ( 1 794) , and Natural Theology ( 1 802) . Though now tc a large extent superseded, these works had an immense popularity and influence hi their day, and are characterised by singular clear ness of expression and power of apt illustration. The system o: morals inculcated by P. is Utilitarian, modified by theological ideas His view of the " divine right of Kings " as on a level with " th< divine right of constables " was unpleasing to George III., notwith standing which his ecclesiastical career was eminently successful His manners were plain and kindly.

PALGRAVE, SIR FRANCIS (1788-1861). Historian, s. o:

Meyer Cohen, a Jewish stockbroker, but at his marriage in 1823 having previously become a Christian, assumed his mother-in-law's name of Palgrave. He studied law, and was called to the Bar ii 1827. From 1838 until his death in 1861 he was Deputy Keeper o the Records, and in that capacity arranged a vast mass of hithert< inaccessible documents, and ed. many of them for the Record Com mission. His historical works include a History of England in A nglo Saxon Times (1831), Rise and Progress of the English Commonwealth (1832), and History of Normandy and England (4 vols., 1851-64), pub posthumously. He was knighted in 1832. His works are of grea- value in throwing light upon the history and condition of mediaeva England.

PALGRAVE, FRANCIS TURNER (1824-1897). Poet anc

critic, s. of the above, ed. at Oxf., was for many years connectec with the Education Department, of which he rose to be Assistant Sec.; and from 1886-95 he was Prof, of Poetry at Oxf. H< wrote several vols. of poetry, including Visions of England (1881) and Amenophis (1892), which, though graceful and exhibiting mucl poetic feeling, were the work rather of a man of culture than of i poet. His great contribution to literature was his anthology, Th Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics (1864), selected with marvellou insight and judgment. A second series showed these qualities in less degree. He also pub. an anthology of sacred poetry.

PALTOCK, ROBERT (1697-1767). Novelist, was ai

attorney, and wrote The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, ^ Cornish Man (1751), admired by Scott, Coleridge, and Lamb. It i somewhat on the same plan as Robinson Crusoe, the special featun being the gawry, or flying woman, whom the hero discovered on hi island, and married. The description of Nosmnbdsgrutt, thu country of the flying people, is a dull imitation of Swift, and mucl else in the book is tedious.

PARDOE, JULIA (1806-1862). Novelist and miscellaneous

writer, b. at Beverley, showed an early bias towards literature, ant became a voluminous and versatile writer, producing in addition t