Page:Historical account of Lisbon college.djvu/58

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HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF LISBON COLLEGE.

projectors, while others were great gainers by his ingenuity, Barlow had never been considered on the occasion, had not Mr. Tompion (accidentally made acquainted with the inventor's name) made him a present of £200."

His Meteorological Essays, published in 1715, was a work of much merit considering the state of Science at the time. Mr. Francis Nicholson of whom more particular mention will subsequently be made, writes of this work: "I return you Mr. Barlow's book with this character that it is the most elegant and rational piece I have seen written for a long time; manifesting the Author to be a master in style, in arguing in Philosophy and in Mathematics, as well as his inventions do in Mechanism. Really I wonder how anyone conversing so long in mines with colliers only, could write so clearly, so properly, so solidly on points so abstruse and before him so unaccountable."

Barlow died in 1719, in the eighty-first year of his age. In addition to his Meteorological Essays, he wrote "An Exact Survey of Tide, explicating its production and propagation, variety and anomaly, in all parts of the world, especially near the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. With a preliminary treatise concerning the Origin of Springs, Generation of Rain, and Production of Wind." With twelve curious maps. 2 vols. Also a Treatise of the Eucharist. He was a Master in Latin and Greek, and had a competent knowledge of Hebrew.

The Rev. Peter Goodin, also a native of Lancashire, companion at College with Barlow, went to Lisbon in 1661. After going through his studies with great applause, he was sent on the Mission in company with Barlow, and was soon after nominated to the Chaplaincy of the regiment of the Duke of Berwick. To eminent mental endowments he united all those exterior accomplishments, which so powerfully contribute to give them effect. He was remarkable for the manner in which he conducted the public controversies in which he was engaged, and the success which ever attended his efforts in these encounters. He repeatedly entered the lists