perception of space, and that all its perceptions of distance, size, and position are derived from the sense of touch. This theory has been very generally adopted, although questioned by Sir David Brewster. Berkeley himself vindicated it in a pamphlet 24 years afterward, but this tract is not included in his published works. In 1710 appeared his "Treatise concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge," and in 1713 his "Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous." In these famous works Berkeley denies the existence of matter, and argues that it is not without the mind, but within it, and that that which is generally called matter is only an impression produced by divine power on the mind, by means of invariable rules styled the laws of nature. His professed object in maintaining this theory was to defend revealed religion from the attacks of skeptics, and he always insisted that his views, if accepted, would place Chris- tianity on an impregnable basis. Some writers, however, insist that they contain the strongest arguments against revelation. Seattle's opinion is that they have a skeptical tendency, and Hume expresses himself even more plainly, regarding them as the best weapons of skepticism to be found in any author, ancient or modern. His writings brought him to the notice of the distinguished men of his time, and being intimate with Swift, he formed the acquaintance of Pope, Arbuthnot, Prior, and others. In 1713 he accompanied the earl of Peterborough to Italy, as chaplain and secretary of legation. He returned next year to England, but soon again set out with a Mr. Ashe, and on this tour paid his celebrated visit to Malebranche, the French philosopher, who became so excited in a discussion with Berkeley on the recent theory of the non-existence of matter, that, being ill at the time, he died a few days afterward. Berkeley remained four years abroad with his pupil; he devoted much time to Sicily, and collected materials for an account of its natural history, which were lost at sea. On his return to England he was cordially received in learned circles, but was entirely dependent on his fellowship in Trinity college, until Miss Vanhomrigh (Swift's Vanessa) bequeathed him 4,000. In 1724 he was made dean of Derry, the value of the living being 1,100 per annum. But worldly wealth had little value in Berkeley's estimation ; and having formed the plan of establishing a college at the Bermudas, for the purpose of training pastors for the colonial churches and missionaries to the Indians, he took a letter from Swift to Lord Carteret, who after long delays promised the aid of the government. It was in anticipation of the happy results of his scheme that Berkeley wrote his well known stanzas " On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America," in which occurs the oft quoted verse :
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
Time's noblest offspring is the last.
In August, 1728, he married the daughter of the Right Hon. John Forster, speaker of the Irish house of commons, and in the next month set sail for Rhode Island, where he arrived, in Newport harbor, after a tedious passage of five months, Jan. 23, 1729. Soon after his arrival he bought a farm about three miles from Newport, and erected a house which is still standing; and many interesting reminiscences exist of his sojourn in the island. Not far from his house, and adjacent to the sea, lie the hanging rocks (so called), where at their most elevated point Berkeley found a natural alcove, roofed and open to the south, commanding a wide expanse of the ocean, and in it, tradition relates, he meditated and composed his "Alciphron, or the Minute Philosopher," a defence of religion in the form of a dialogue. But the scheme for the college failed, the government aid promised by Carteret was never granted, and, after a residence in Newport of 2 years, Berkeley returned to England, giving to Yale college a library of 880 volumes, as well as his estate in Rhode Island, called Whitehall. In 1734 he received, as a special mark of favor from Queen Caroline, the bishopric of Cloyne. This place he held for nearly 20 years, dividing his time between the duties of his diocese, which he fulfilled in the most exemplary manner, and his literary labors. In the latter years of his life he became rather subject to hypochondria, and in hopes of benefiting himself had recourse to-tar water, which he was constantly drinking and recommending to his friends, even writing two treatises on its virtues. His works written at this period are "The Analyst," directed principally against Halley and the other mathematical skeptics; "Queries proposed for the Good of Ireland;" a letter to the Roman Catholics during the rebellion of 1745; another to the Catholic clergy entitled "A Word to the Wise;" "Siris, a Chain of Philosophical Reflections and Inquiries concerning the Virtues of Tar Water," and " Further Thoughts on Tar Water." In 1751, feeling himself infirm, and desiring to be near his son, who was about to enter Christ Church, Oxford, he wished to resign his bishopric, which the king would not permit, but gave him leave to reside where he pleased. He removed to Oxford in July, 1752. Pope ascribed to him " every virtue under heaven " ; and Atterbury wrote of him : " So much understanding, knowledge, innocence, and humility, I should have thought confined to angels, had I never seen this gentleman." A collection of his works, with an account of his life and many of his letters, was published by Prior (2 vols. 4to, 1784), and there is an edition by the Rev. G. N. Wright (2 vols. 8vo, 1843). A new edition by A. C. Fraser was published in 1871 (4 vols. 8vo, London).
BERKELEY, George Charles Grantley Fitz-Hardinge. an English sportsman and author, born Feb. 10, 1800. He is a son of the late earl of Berkeley, and younger brother of the present de jure earl, who does not assume the title.
