botany. See Erica.

Berry-bearing Heath. See Empetrum.

(James), an English historian, was born 1629 at London; where his father, who was the king's cutler, lived. He was educated at Westminster school, and became a student of Christ-church, Oxford, in 1646. In 1648, he was ejected from thence by the parliament visitors for his adherence to the royal cause; lived upon his patrimony till it was almost spent; and then marrying, was obliged to write books and correct the press in order to maintain his family. He died of a consumption and dropsy at London in August 1664, and left several children to the parish. His principal publications were, 1. A brief Chronicle of the late intestine War in the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. 1661, 8vo; afterwards enlarged by the author, and completed from 1637 to 1663, in four parts, 1663, in a thick 8vo. To this was again added a continuation from 1663 to 1675 by John Philips, nephew by the mother to Milton, 1676, folio. 2. Flagellum: or, The Life and Death, Birth and Burial, of Oliver Cromwell, the late Usurper, 1663. The third edition came out with additions in 1665, 8vo. 3. A New Book of Loyal English Martyrs and Confessors, who have endured the Pains and Terrors of Death, Arraignment, &c. for the Maintenance of the just and legal Government of these Kingdoms both in Church and State, 1663, 12mo. The reason why such writers as our author continue to be read, and will probably always be read, is not only because Historia quoquo modo scripita delictat; but also because in the meanest historian there will always be found some facts, of which there will be no cause to doubt the truth, and which yet will not be found in the best. Thus Heath, who perhaps had nothing but pamphlets and newspapers to compile from, frequently relates facts that throw light upon the history of those times, which Clarendon, though he drew every thing from the most authentic records, has omitted.

(Thomas), an aldermen of Exeter, and father of John Heath, Esq; one of the judges of the Common pleas, was author of An Essay towards a new English Version of the Book of Job from the original Hebrew, with some account of his Life, 1755, 8vo.—His brother Benjamin, a lawyer of experience, and town clerk of Exeter, was likewise an author; and wrote, 1. An Essay towards a demonstrative Proof of the Divine Existence, Unity, and Attributes; to which is prefixed, A short Defence of the Argument commonly called a priori, 1740. 2. The Catechism of the County of Devon with respect to the Consequences of the New Excise Duty on Cyder and Perry. Published by the direction of the Committee appointed at a General Meeting of that County to superintend the Application for the Repeal of that Duty, 1763, 4to. 3. Notaive Lectiones ad Tragicorum Graecorum veterum, Æschylus, &c. 1752, 4to; a work which places the author's learning and critical skill in a very conspicuous light. The same solidity of judgment apparent in the preceding, distinguished the author's last production. 4. A Revival of Shakespeare's Text, wherein the alterations introduced into it by the more modern editors and critics are particularly considered, 1765, 8vo.