JOHN HENRY, one of the most learned and eminent of the Protestant divines of Swit- zerland, was born at Zurich, in the year 1620. He discovered an invincible propensity to learning at a very early period, and acquired the knowledge of languages with astonishing facility. The trustees of the schools had their attention attracted towards Hottinger by his amazing progress in the knowledge of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, whom they determined to send to foreign universities at the public expense. In 1638 he studied for a short time at Geneva under the cele- brated Spanheim, and went afterwards to France. He next visited Holland and Flanders, and became a flu- dent dent in the university of Groningen, where he attended the theological lectures of the renowned Francis Gomar, and Professor Alting, and studied the Arabic language under Professor Palor. Being anxious, however, to enjoy still more advantages than this situation afforded, he went to Leyden, where he became tutor to the children of Professor Golius, whose knowledge of oriental languages was at that time unrivalled. By his instructions and those of a Turk then at Leyden, Hottinger's knowledge of the Arabic became very extensive, and Golius allowed him to copy many of the Arabic manuscripts which he had in his possession. In 1641 he was chosen chaplain to the embassy of the states-general to Constantinople; but the magistrates of Zurich would not allow him to accept of it, resolving that his talents should be exerted for the glory and benefit of their own public schools. They permitted him to visit England prior to his return home, where he contracted habits of intimacy with some of the most distinguished literary characters. As soon as he returned to Zurich, he was appointed professor of church-history, when no more than 22 years of age; and when 23, he was chosen professor of catechetical divinity and oriental languages. About this period he married, and began his career as an author, in which he persevered for twenty years, with the most astonishing industry. In 1653 he was appointed professor of rhetoric, and professor extraordinary of the divinity of the Old Testament, and controversial theology.

So justly celebrated about this time was Hottinger as a man of uncommon erudition, that his aid was earnestly requested by the elector palatine, to restore the fame of the university of Heidelberg. The magistrates of Zurich consented to lend him for three years. At Heidelberg he was made professor of divinity, principal, ecclesiastical counsellor, and rector. He wrote in favour of the re-union of Lutherans and Calvinists; but he had no better success than all his predecessors in the same attempt. He continued at Heidelberg, by permission of the magistrates of Zurich, till 1661. On his return home, he was chosen president of the commissioners who were appointed to revise the German translation of the Bible. He was requested to accept of professorships from the magistrates of Deventer, the landgrave of Hesse, and the magistrates of Amsterdam and Bremen; but the love of his country made him reject the whole. He was offered the divinity chair at Leyden in 1667, but the magistrates would not part with him. This made the Dutch request him as a loan, to which the magistrates agreed, from their respect for the states of Holland; but while making preparations for his departure, he was unfortunately drowned in the river which runs through Zurich, while on his way to an estate of his own about six miles from that city.

Dr Hottinger was a man of extraordinary abilities, both natural and acquired, having few equals for his knowledge of oriental languages, and the antiquities of the church. He had a most retentive memory, and his literary industry was almost unexampled. His life was comparatively short, being only 47 when he found a watery grave, yet he was the author of no fewer than 40 volumes, on different subjects. He is frequently inaccurate, owing to the astonishing rapidity with which he wrote. For a correct list of his publications, see Hottinger Heidegger's Life of Hottinger.