or Alexandro, a Neapolitan lawyer, of great learning, who flourished toward the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century. He followed the profession of the law first at Naples, afterwards at Rome; but he devoted all the time he could spare to the study of polite literature; and at length he entirely left the bar, that he might lead a more easy and agreeable life with the muse. The par- ticulars of his life are to be gathered from his work in- titled Genialium Dierum: We are there informed, that he lodged at Rome, in a house that was haunted; and he relates many surprising particulars about the ghost: he says also, that, when he was very young, he went to the lectures of Philoiphus, who explained at Rome the Tusculan questions of Cicero; he was there also when Nicholas Perot and Domitius Calderinus read their lectures upon Martial. The particular time when he died is not known; but he was buried in the monastery Alexander Severus, emperor of Rome, succeeded Heliogabalus about A.D. 222, when but 16 years of age. His mother's name was Mammaea, and by her advice he in a great measure regulated his conduct. He applied himself to the reformation of abuses, the state having been greatly disordered by the vicious conduct of his predecessor; he was a most strict lover of justice, an encourager of learning and learned men, and favourable to the Christians. He made a successful expedition against the Persians; but endeavouring to reform his troops, which had grown very licentious under the late bad government, they murdered him at the instigation of Maximinus in the 29th year of his age, together with his mother, A.D. 235.

Alexander VI. (Pope), had four bastard children when he was cardinal, for one of which he had to great affection that he flung at nothing to raise him. Designing to poison some cardinals, he was poisoned himself, A.D. 1503. See Borgia.

Alexander VII. (Pope), whose real name was Fabio Chigi, was born at Sienna in 1599. His family finding him a hopeful youth, sent him early to Rome, where he soon engaged in a friendship with the marquis Pallavicini, who recommended him so effectually to Pope Urban VIII. that he procured him the post of Inquisitor at Malta. He was sent Vice-legate to Ferrara, and afterward nuncio into Germany; there he had an opportunity of displaying his intriguing genius; for he was mediator at Munster, in the long conference held to conclude a peace with Spain. Cardinal Mazarin had some resentment against Chigi, who was soon after made a cardinal and secretary of state by Innocent X., but his resentment was sacrificed to political views. In 1655, when a pope was to be chosen, Cardinal Sacchetti, Mazarin's great friend, finding it was impossible for him to be raised into St Peter's chair because of the powerful opposition made by the Spanish faction, desired Cardinal Mazarin to consent to Chigi's exaltation. His request was granted, and he was elected pope by the votes of all the 64 cardinals who were in the conclave: an unanimity of which there are but few instances in the election of popes. He showed uncommon humility at his election, and at first forbade all his relations to come to Rome without his leave; but he soon became more favourable to his nephews, and loaded them with favours. It is asserted that he had once a mind to turn Protestant. The newspapers in Holland bestowed great encomiums upon him; and acquainted the world, that he did not approve of the cruel persecutions of the Waldenses in Piedmont. There is a volume of his poems extant. He loved the Belles-Lettres, and the conversation of learned men. He was extremely fond of flatly buildings; the grand plan of the college Della Sapienza, which he finished, and adorned with a fine library, remains a proof of his taste in architecture. He died in 1667.

Alexander (William), earl of Stirling, an eminent Scots statesman and poet in the reigns of James I. and Charles I., who, after travelling with the duke of Argyle as his tutor or companion, wrote a poetical com-

plaint of his unsuccessful love of some beauty, under the title of Aurora. He then removed to the court of James VI., where he applied to the more solid parts of poetry, forming himself upon the plan of the Greek and Roman tragedians. In 1607, he published some dramatic performances, intitled The Monarchic Tragedies, dedicated to king James; who was so well pleased with them, as to call him his philosophical poet. After this, he is said to have written A supplement to complete the third part of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia; and in 1613, he produced a poem called Doomday, or the great day of judgment. He was made gentleman-usher to prince Charles, and master of the requests; was knighted; and obtained a grant of Nova Scotia, where he projected the settlement of a colony, but afterward sold it to the French. In 1626, he was made secretary of state for Scotland; was created first viscount, and then earl, of Stirling; and died in 1640.

Alexander I. (St.), whom St Irenaeus reckons the fifth bishop of Rome, succeeded St Evaristus in the year 109, and died in the year 119. There is no account of his life; and the epistles which are attributed to him are supposititious.

Alexander II., king of Scotland, succeeded his father William in 1213, at 16 years of age. He made an expedition into England, to oppose the tyranny of king John; who returned the visit, and was offered battle by Alexander, but refused it. He took the city of Carlisle from Henry III., which was afterwards exchanged for Berwick. Alexander died in 1249, in the 31st year of his age, and 35th of his reign; and left for his successor, his son—

Alexander III., who was crowned king of Scotland in 1249. The Cummings, lords of Scotland, took arms against him; and taking him prisoner, confined him at Striveling; but he was afterwards released by his subjects. He married the daughter of Henry III., king of England; and was at length killed by a fall from his horse, on the 10th of April 1290, after having reigned 42, or according to others 37, years.

Alexanders, in botany. See Smyrnium.

Alexandra, (anc. geogr.) a mountain of Mytila, on the sea-coast, forming a part of mount Ida, where Paris gave judgment on the three goddesses.