(Dr Seth), an English prelate, chiefly famous for his knowledge in mathematics and astronomy, was born at Buntingford in Hertfordshire, about the year 1617. He was admitted of Sidney college, Cambridge, where he applied with great vigour to his studies, particularly to the mathematics, and was chosen fellow of his college. He was involved not a little in the consequences of the civil war, but soon after the Restoration obtained the bishopric of Exeter; in 1667, he was translated to Salisbury; and in 1671 was made chancellor of the order of the garter; he was the first Protestant bishop that enjoyed that honour, and he procured it to be annexed to the see of Salisbury. Bishop Ward was one of those unhappy persons who have the misfortune to survive their enemies, which happened in consequence of a fever ill cured; he lived to the Revolution, without knowing anything of the matter, and died in 1690. He was the author of several Latin works in mathematics and astronomy, which were thought excellent in their day; but their use has been superceded by later discoveries and the Newtonian philosophy.

(Dr John), was the son of a dissenting minister, and born at London in 1679. He for some years kept a school in Tenter-alley, Moorfields; but rendered himself so eminent in the study of antiquity, that in 1720 he was chosen professor of rhetoric in Gresham college; in 1723, during the presidency of Sir Isaac Newton, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; and in 1752 one of the vice-presidents, in which office he was continued to his death. He was elected one of the trustees of the British Museum in 1753, and died at Gresham college in 1768. The work for which he is best known, is his Lives of the Professors of Gresham College; which is a considerable addition to the history of learning in our country. His Lectures on Oratory were published after his death, in two volumes 8vo.

is variously used in our old books; a ward in London is a district or division of the city, committed to the special charge of one of the aldermen; and in London there are 26 wards, according to the number of the mayor and aldermen, of which every one has his ward for his proper guard and jurisdiction. A forest is divided into wards; and a prison is called a ward. Lastly, the heir of the king's tenant, that held in capite, was termed a ward during his nonage; but this wardship is taken away by the statute 12 Car. II. c. 24.

WARD-Holding, in Scots law. See Law, No. clxv. 1. and clxvi. 3.

WARD-Hook, or Wadd-hook, in gunnery, a rod or staff, with an iron end turned serpent-wise, or like a foree, to draw the wadding out of a gun when it is to be unloaded.