HEINECCIUS (John Gottlieb), one of the greatest civilians of the 18th century, was born at Eilenberg, in the principality of Altenburg, in 1681. After
(A) Heidegger's countenance was peculiarly unpleasing, from an unusual harshness of features. There is a mezzotinto of him by J. Faber, 1742, from a painting by Vanloo, a striking likeness; and his face is introduced in more than one of Hogarth's prints.—Heidegger was, however, the first to joke upon his own ugliness; and he once laid a wager with the earl of Chesterfield, that within a certain given time his lordship would not be able to produce so hideous a face in all London. After strict search, a woman was found, whose features were at first sight thought stronger than Heidegger's; but upon clapping her head-dress upon himself, he was universally allowed to have won the wager. Jolly, a well-known taylor, carrying his bill to a noble duke; his grace, for evasion, said, "Damn your ugly face, I never will pay you till you bring me an uglier fellow than yourself!" Jolly bowed and retired, wrote a letter, and sent it by a servant to Heidegger; saying, "His grace wished to see him the next morning on particular business." Heidegger attended, and Jolly was there to meet him; and in consequence, as soon as Heidegger's visit was over, Jolly received the call.
The late facetious duke of Montagu (the memorable author of the Bottle-Conjuror at the theatre in the Haymarket) gave an entertainment at the Devil-tavern, Temple-bar, to several of the nobility and gentry, selecting the most convivial, and a few hard-drinkers, who were all in the plot. Heidegger was invited, and in a few hours after dinner was made so dead-drunk that he was carried out of the room, and laid insensible upon a bed. A profound sleep ensued; when the late Mrs. Salmon's daughter was introduced, who took a mould from his face in plaster of Paris. From this a mask was made, and a few days before the next masquerade (at which the king promised to be present, with the countess of Yarmouth) the duke made application to Heidegger's valet-de-chambre, to know what suit of cloaths he was likely to wear; and then procuring a similar dress, and a person of the same stature, he gave him his instructions. On the evening of the masquerade, as soon as his majesty was seated (who was always known by the conductor of the entertainment and the officers of the court, though concealed by his dress from the company), Heidegger, as usual, ordered the music to play "God save the king;" but his back was no sooner turned, than the false Heidegger ordered them to strike up "Charly o'er the water." The whole company were instantly thunderstruck, and all the courtiers not in the plot were thrown into a stupid consternation. Heidegger flew to the music-gallery, swore, stamped, and raved, accusing the musicians of drunkards, or of being set on by some secret enemy to ruin him. The king and the countess laughed so immoderately, that they
hazarded a discovery. While Heidegger stood in the gallery, "God save the King" was the tune; but when, after letting matters to rights, he retired to one of the dancing-rooms, to observe if decorum was kept by the company, the counterfeit stepping forward, and placing himself upon the floor of the theatre, just in front of the music gallery, called out in a most audible voice, imitating Heidegger, damned them for block-heads, had he not just told them to play "Charly o'er the water?" A pause ensued; the musicians, who knew his character, in their turn thought him either drunk or mad; but as he continued his vociferation, "Charly" was played again. At this repetition of the supposed affront, some of the officers of the guards, who always attended upon these occasions, were for ascending the gallery and kicking the musicians out; but the late duke of Cumberland, who could hardly contain himself, interposed. The company were thrown into great confusion. "Shame! Shame!" resounded from all parts, and Heidegger once more flew in a violent rage to that part of the theatre facing the gallery. Here the duke of Montagu, artfully addressing himself to him, told him, "The king was in a violent passion; that his best way was to go instantly and make an apology, for certainly the musicians were mad, and afterwards to discharge them." Almost at the same instant, he ordered the false Heidegger to do the same. The scene now became truly comic in the circle before the king. Heidegger had no sooner made a genteel apology for the insolence of his musicians, but the false Heidegger advanced, and, in a plaintive tone, cried out, "Indeed, Sir, it was not my fault, but that devil's in my likeness." Poor Heidegger turned round, stared, staggered, grew pale, and could not utter a word. The duke then humbly whispered in his ear the sum of his plot, and the counterfeit was ordered to take off his mask. Here ended the farce; but Heidegger swore he would never attend any public amusements, if that witch the wax-work woman did not break the mould, and melt down the mask before his face.
Being once at supper with a large company, when a question was debated. Which nationality of Europe had the greatest ingenuity? to the surprise of all present, he claimed that character for the Swiss, and appealed to himself for the truth of it. "I was born a Swiss (said he), and came to England without a farthing, where I have found means to gain 1000 l. a-year, and to spend it. Now I defy the most able Englishman to go to Switzerland, and either to gain that income or to spend it there."—Heidegger is said to have had so remarkable a memory, that he once walked from Charing-cross to Temple-bar, and back again; and when he came home, wrote down every sign on each side of the street.
Heinrich, ter having studied at Goslar and Leipzig, he was designed for the ministry, and began to preach; but disliking that profession, he laid it aside, and applied himself entirely to the study of philosophy and the civil law. In 1710, he became professor of philosophy at Hall; and in 1721, he was made professor of civil law, with the title of counselor of the court. His great reputation made the states of Friesland invite him to Franeker in 1724; but three years after, the king of Prussia prevailed on him to accept of a professorship of law at Francfort on the Oder, where he distinguished himself till the year 1733. Becoming again professor at Hall, he remained there till his death, which happened in 1741, notwithstanding his being invited to Marburg, Denmark, and three academies in Holland. He wrote many works, all of them much esteemed. The principal are, 1. Antiquitatum Romanarum jurisprudentiam illustrantium synagma. It was this excellent abridgement that gave rise to his reputation in foreign countries. 2. Elementa juris civilis secundum ordinem institutionum & pandectarum. 3. Fundamenta styli cultioris. There are few works so useful as this for forming a Latin style. 4. Elementa philosophiae rationalis & moralis, quibus praemissa historia philosophica. 5. Historia juris civilis Romani ac Germanici. 6. Elementa juris naturae & gentium, &c.