kindred subjects. Among his auditors were Faraday and Sir Francis Ronalds [q. v.] He died, unmarried, of consumption, induced by overwork, on 28 June 1817, at his mother's house. He published Elements of Electricity and Electro-chemistry,' London, 1814, 8vo, a work of considerable importance, which was translated into French (Paris, 1817), into Italian (Milan, 1819), and into German (Breslau, 1819). He also contributed several papers to the Philosophical Magazine' from 1813 to 1815, of which a list is given in Ronalds's 'Catalogue of Books on Electricity, Magnetism, &c.

[Private information; Gent. Mag. 1817, i. 641.1

E. I. C. SINGER, JOHN (A. 1594-1602), actor and dramatist, was with Queen Elizabeth's company and the admiral's (Lord Charles Howard, earl of Nottingham) at the Rose Theatre from 1594 to 1602. He played the part of Assinego the clown in Tamar Cham' on 2 Oct. 1602, and received from Philip Henslowe [q. v.] on 13 Jan. 1602 the sum of 51. for his playe called Syngers Vollentarye.' He is said by Collier to have been a great popular favourite, and the leader of a company of comedians, not at the Globe or Blackfriars, but at some theatre where[at] he was well known and greatly applauded' (Engl. Dram. Pæt. iii. 209, ed. 1879). Collier credits him with the authorship of a collection of his merry sallies and improvisations given to the world under the title of Quips upon Questions, or a Clownes Conceite on Occasion offered, bewraying a morallised Metamorphosis of Changes upon Interrogatories, shewing a little Wit, with a great deale of Will; or, indeed, more desirous to please in it, then to profit by it. Clapt up by a Clowne of the Towne in this last Restraint, having little else to doe to make a little use of his fickle Muse, and careless of Carping. By Clunnyco de' Cur

taneo Snuffe.

Floute me, I'l floute thee; it is my profession To jest at a jester, in his transgression. Imprinted at London for W. Ferbrand, and are to be sold at the sign of the Crowne over against the Mayden head near Yeldhall, 1600,' 4to, 24 leaves (HAZLITT, Handbook). The ascription of this work to Singer, probable enough from internal evidence, rests upon the unsupported authority of Collier. The book, which is sad rather than comic, and consists of a series of moral platitudes conveying the idea that the writer was a

thoughtful, serious, and kindly man, is of excessive rarity. A copy of it having come into the hands of Mr. F. Ouvry, a very limited reprint, now only less unattainable than the original volume, was issued (London, 1875, 4to).

[All that is known of Singer is contained in half a dozen extracts from Henslowe's Diary. These have been used by Collier himself in his English Dramatic Poetry, and reservedly by Mr. Fleay in his History of the Stage. Reasons for doubting Collier, strong enough in themselves, are fortified by what is said in Notes and

Queries, 8th ser. x. 235, 321, 357.

Hazlitt's

Bibliography and Halliwell's Dictionary of Old Plays.]

J. K.

SINGER, JOSEPH HENDERSON (1786-1866), bishop of Meath, born at Annadale in co. Dublin in October 1786, was the youngest son of James Singer, deputy commissary-general in Ireland, by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of James Henderson. Joseph was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained the mathematical and Hebrew prizes. He graduated B.A. as gold medallist in 1806, became a fellow B.D. and D.D. in 1825. In 1850, after in 1810, and proceeded M.A. in 1811, and many years' work at Trinity College as fellow and tutor, he was appointed regius professor of divinity on the death of Charles Richard Elrington [q. v.] In the same year he became rector of Raymoghy in the diocese of Raphoe, and in 1851 he was promoted to the archdeaconry of Raphoe.

Singer distinguished himself as a leading church. He was an able preacher, being member of the evangelical party in the Irish for many years chaplain of the Magdalen Asylum, and his views exercised great influence over the students for the ministry who came under his charge. He was also a strong opponent of the national board of education, and his attitude hindered his pre

ferment. On the death of Thomas Stewart Townsend, however, in September 1852, he was appointed by Lord Derby to the premier bishopric of Meath, and was sworn of the Irish privy council. Singer continued to occupy the see until his death on 16 July 1866. He was buried on 21 July at Mount Jerome cemetery near Dublin.

Singer married, in 1822, Mary, eldest daughter of the Rev. Henry Crofton, D.D., senior chaplain at Kilmainham, and niece of Sir Hugh Crofton of Mohill in Leitrim, by whom he had three sons and three daugh

ters.

Singer was a constant contributor to the 'Christian Examiner,' and he published several sermons.

[Dublin University Magazine, November 1853, with portrait; Dublin Graduates, p. 517; Men of the Time, 6th edit. 1865; Gent. Mag. 1866, ii. 405; Times, 19, 23 July 1866.] E. I. C.

SINGER, SAMUEL WELLER (17831858), author, born in London in 1783, was son of Thomas Singer, a feather and artificial-flower maker, who carried on business in Princes Street, Cavendish Square. George John Singer [q. v.] was his younger brother. His father died when Samuel was ten years old, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Weller, continued the feather and flower business. Samuel received a scanty education at a day school kept by a Frenchwoman. There he acquired facility in writing and speaking French, but such knowledge as he gained of other subjects he owed to his own exertions. As a boy he read widely, and taught himself Italian, in which he perfected himself by frequent visits to the Italian opera-house. At an early age he was apprenticed to a hatter near Cavendish Square, but the occupation proved distasteful, and the indentures were cancelled. His mother afterwards employed him in her feather- and flower-making business, and about 1808 he set up for himself in the same trade in Duke Street, St. James's. But his growing absorption in literature unfitted him for commercial pursuits, and the concern was soon brought to a close. Somewhat greater success attended his next venture, a bookseller's shop, which he opened in St. James's Street. Book-collectors like Heber, Grenville, and Francis Douce were among his customers, and Douce became a lifelong friend.

With bookselling he combined some literary work. In 1811 he prepared for private circulation a limited edition (of one hundred copies) of a 16mo reprint of Fénelon's 'Deux Dialogues sur la Peinture,' with a preface in French. There followed similar editions of 'Lionora de' Bardi ed Hippolito Buondelmonte' (1813), 'Novelle Scelte Rarissime stampate a spese di XL Amatori' (1814), and Balivernes ou Contes nouveaux d'Eutrapel' (1815). In 1812, too, he entered into literary controversy by printing for private distribution fifty copies of an account by himself of 'The Book printed at Oxford in MCCCCLXVIII.' Here Singer displayed much bibliographical knowledge, but there can be little doubt that Rufinus's Latin treatise on the Apostles' Creed was published at Oxford in 1478, and not, as Singer maintained, in 1468, and that the earlier date in the colophon was a misprint (MADAN, Oxford Press, pp. 1, 247). This view Singer himself subsequently adopted, and called in as many

copies of his tract as he could. He finally recanted his original opinion in Sotheby's 'Principia Typographica,' iii. 19.

In 1815 Singer abandoned his bookseller's shop and definitely embarked on a literary career. Retiring from London, he settled first at Bushey, Hertfordshire, and afterwards at Boxhall (cf. Brit. Mus. Addit. MS. 28654, ff. 135-7). Robert Triphook, the antiquarian publisher, and Charles Whittingham, the owner of the Chiswick Press, gave him much employment. For the latter he edited a series of reprints of more recondite specimens of sixteenth-century English literature. These included Roper's Life of More' (1817), poems by Lovelace (1817), Chapman (1818), Lodge, Shakerley Marmion, Chalkhill, and Marlowe (all in 1820), and Hall's 'Satires' (1824), as well as Puckle's Club' (1834). Other rare poems reproduced by Singer in his early days were Bartholomew Griffin's 'Fidessa' (1815), Fairfax's 'Tasso' (1817, 2 vols.), and Henry Constable's ' Diana' (1818, in facsimile). In 1815 he prepared from the Lambeth manuscripts the first complete edition of the life of Wolsey by George Cavendish [q. v.] (2nd ed. 1827).

6

His most interesting original compilation was his Researches into the History of Playing Cards; with Illustrations of the Origin of Printing and Engraving on Wood' (1816). Only two hundred and fifty copies were printed. The beauty of the engravings added greatly to the work's value and interest. In 1820 Singer printed for the first time a full transcript of the interesting Anecdotes of Joseph Spence' [q. v.], the manuscript of which he found among Spence's papers. An incomplete edition prepared by Edmund Malone was published independently on the same day as Singer's fuller version, which was reprinted in 1859 (cf. Quarterly Review, July 1820; Athenæum, 1859, i. 249). In 1823 he printed for the first time Sir Philip Sidney's paraphrase of the psalms. In 1828 he made an important

contribution to historical literature in 'The Correspondence of Henry Hyde, earl of Clarendon, and of his brother Lawrence Hyde, earl of Rochester, with the Diary of Lord Clarendon, 1687-1690, and the Diary of Lord Rochester; published for the greater part for the first time from the original MSS.' The latter belonged to Singer's friend, William Upcott.

A more popular venture was an edition of Shakespeare in ten volumes, which Singer undertook for Whittingham; it was issued by the Chiswick Press in 1826. Singer was responsible for a careful collation of the text

and many useful notes. A life of the poet was contributed by Dr. Charles Symmons, and there were wood engravings after the designs of Stothard and others. The edition was frequently republished, and won much reputation in America. A reissue in 1856 included a series of critical essays by Singer's friend, W. Watkiss Lloyd. Singer proved his skill as a textual critic by preparing the earliest attack on the genuineness of Collier's manuscript corrections in the so-called Perkins folio. The work appeared in 1853 as the 'Text of Shakespeare vindicated from the Interpolations and Corruptions advocated by J. P. Collier in his Notes and Emenda

tions.'

Meanwhile Singer had extended his linguistic studies to Anglo-Saxon and NormanFrench, and began the compilation of an Anglo-Saxon dictionary. He abandoned the project on learning that Joseph Bosworth [q. v.] was engaged on a like undertaking. He turned his researches to some effect by issuing adverse critical 'Remarks on the Glossary [by Sir Frederic Madden] of Havelock the Dane' (1829, 4to), to which Madden replied. He also printed, with an English translation, 'The Departing Soul's Address to the Body, a fragment of a semi-Saxon Poem discovered among the Archives of Worcester Cathedral by Sir Thomas Phillipps' (1845, one hundred copies).

Singer was elected F.S.A. in 1825, but in 1827 his literary activity was checked by his acceptance of the office of librarian to the Royal Institution in Albemarle Street. He retained the post till 1835. A year earlier his friend Francis Douce [q. v.] died, and, to Singer's surprise, left him a competency. Relieved of the necessity of earning a livelihood, Singer finally retired in 1835 to Mickleham, near Dorking, Surrey, and devoted the rest of his life to leisurely study. He edited Herrick's 'Poetical Works' (1846), Bacon's Essays' (1856), and Selden's Table Talk' (1856). He translated Luther's 'Way to Prayer' (1846), and (with original additions) Wayland Smith' from the French of G. P. Depping and Francisque Michel (1847). He died suddenly at Mickleham on 20 Dec. 1858, and was buried there. He had married, in 1808, Miss Harriet Robinson, by whom he was father of a son, Alfred, and three daughters. His library, which included many valuable Italian books, was sold by auction in 1860.

Singer's zeal for accumulating knowledge and his native shrewdness atoned for the defective training of his youth. He unostentatiously did much to advance the study of Elizabethan literature. He mixed to

small extent in literary society, and his amiability and modesty held him, as a rule, aloof from literary controversy.

[Private information; Athenæum, January 1859; Brit. Mus. Cat.] S. L.

6

SINGLETON, HENRY (1766-1839), painter, born in London on 19 Oct. 1766, lost his father at an early age, and was brought up by his uncle, William Singleton, a miniature-painter, who exhibited a few enamel portraits at the Society of Artists and Royal Academy from 1770 to 1790. Singleton showed very early promise as an artist, and in 1780 exhibited at the exhibition of the Society of Artists in Spring Gardens a pen-drawing of A Soldier returned to his Family,' being described as Master II. Singleton, aged ten years.' Gaining admission to the schools of the Royal Academy, Singleton obtained in 1781 a silver medal and in 1788 the gold medal for an original painting from Dryden's ode, Alexander's Feast,' which performance obtained the special commendation of Sir Joshua Reynolds in his presidential discourse. Singleton first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1784, and continued to be a prolific contributor up to the year of his death. He was at first noted for large historical compositions from the bible, Shakespeare, or contemporary historical events. Many of these were engraved in mezzotint on a large scale by Gillbank, Charles Turner, and others, and published by James Daniell. Singleton, though a popular artist, whose works were always in demand, never maintained his original promise as an historical painter. His figures became loosely drawn, his composition weak, and his colour flimsy. Gradually he lapsed into compositions of a sentimental or moral nature, almost entirely destined for the engraver. Numberless compositions of his were engraved by the stipple engravers of the day, W. Bond, Thomas Burke (1749-1815) [q. v.], James Godby [q. v.], Anthony Cardon, and others, and it is through the popularity of these pretty sugary compositions that Singleton's name is best known at the present day. He did better work as an illustrator of books, those done for Sharpe's classics and other serials having much charm. He completed a series of cabinet pictures to illustrate Shakespeare shortly before his death. As a painter of portraits Singleton attained some distinction. In 1793 he painted on commission from the Royal Academy a portrait group of The Royal Academicians assembled in their Council Chamber to adjudge the Medals to the Successful Students in Painting, Sculpture, Architecture,

and Drawing;' this interesting group, which contains forty portraits, was engraved in 1802 by C. Bestland, and is in the possession of the Royal Academy. Portraits by Singleton of Lord Nelson, Admiral Vernon, and others have been engraved. A small but vigorous portrait by him of Lord Howe is in the National Portrait Gallery. A portrait group of James Boswell [q. v.], with his wife and family, was lent by Mr. Ralph Dundas to the Edinburgh Loan Exhibition of Scottish National Portraits in 1884. Singleton was a candidate for academic honours in 1807, but withdrew his name on being unsuccessful on the first occasion. He resided during the latter part of his life in Charles Street, St. James's, being in easy circumstances, and for some years was the oldest living exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He died, unmarried, at the house of a friend in Kensington Gore on 15 Sept. 1839, and was buried in the church of St. Martin-in-theFields. A large collection of sketches by Singleton, and also of engravings from his works, is in the print-room of the British Museum. Sarah MacKlarinan Singleton, who resided with him for twenty or thirty years, latterly at No. 4 Haymarket, appears to have been his sister. She was also an artist, and exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy from 1788 to 1813. Maria M. Singleton, who exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy in 1787 and 1788, and again from 1808 to 1810, appears to have been another sister. Joseph Singleton, who exhibited miniatures at the Royal Academy from 1777 to 1783, was probably of the same family.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Gent. Mag. 1839, ii. 430; Seguier's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1893.] L. C.

SINGLETON, ROBERT or JOHN (d. 1544), Roman catholic divine, belonging to a Lancashire family, was educated at Oxford, but does not appear to have graduated. He became a priest, and for some utterances which were accounted treasonable was brought before a court of bishops in 1543, and was executed at Tyburn on 7 March 1543-4, along with Germain Gardiner and John Larke. Bale mentions him favourably, and Possevino, the Jesuit, in his 'Apparatus Sacer,' styles him a martyr for the church of Rome. He is said to have written: 1. Treatise of the Seven Churches.' 2. 'Of the Holy Ghost. 3. 'Comment on certain Prophecies.' 4. Theory of the Earth,' dedicated to Henry VII. Tanner calls the last 'Of the Seven Ages of the World.' None seem to have been printed.

SINGLETON, ROBERT CORBET (1810-1881), hymn-writer, was the second son of Francis Corbet of Aclare, co. Meath, and was born on 9 Oct. 1810. His father added Singleton to his name in 1820. After a course of education at Dublin schools the younger Singleton entered Trinity College, where he graduated B.A. in 1830 and M.A. in 1833. After his ordination he was appointed first warden of St. Columba's College, Rathfarnham, near Dublin, which was opened in 1843; thence he proceeded to St. Peter's College, Radley, of which he was the first warden (1847-1851), being succeeded by William Sewell [q. v.] In the former year he was admitted ad eundem to Trinity College, Oxford. His first work was 'The Psalter arranged for Chanting,' 1846, and this was followed by an English version of The Works of Virgil,' 1855. In 1868 he edited, in conjunction with Dr. E. G. Monk, The Anglican Hymn-Book' (2nd edit. 1871), in which there are nearly thirty original hymns by him, besides numerous translations from the German and Latin. A second edition of his translation of Virgil appeared in 1871. He died at York on 7 Feb. 1881, and was buried on the 12th in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

[Julian's Dict. of Hymnology; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886; O'Donoghue's Poets Cathedral.] of Ireland; Leeper's Handbook to St. Patrick's D. J. O'D.

in

SINGLETON, THOMAS (1783-1842), archdeacon of Northumberland, born 1783, was the only son of Thomas Anketell Singleton, of the family of Fort Singleton in Monaghan, and lieutenant-governor of Fort Landguard in Suffolk, by his wife, a daughter of Francis Grose [q. v.] the antiquary. He was educated at Eton, which he entered about 1797, and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in 1804 and M.A. in 1826. At Eton he acquired the friendship of Hugh, earl Percy (afterwards third duke of Northumberland [q. v.]), and at Cambridge he acted as the earl's tutor. He acted as private secretary to the earl on his embassy to Paris, and while he held the office of lord-lieutenant of Ireland. In 1812 the earl presented him to the rectory of Elsdon, and in 1826 he was appointed archdeacon of Northumberland and rector of Howick. In 1829 he became a prebendary of Worcester, and in 1830 received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Dublin University. In 1837 he requested