BOS`SUET, JACQUES BENIGNE, bishop of Meaux, born at Dijon, surnamed the “Eagle of Meaux,” of the see of which he became bishop; one of the greatest of French pulpit orators, and one of the ablest defenders of the doctrines of the Catholic Church; the great aim of his life the conversion of Protestants back to the Catholic faith; took a leading part in establishing the rights of the Gallican clergy, or rather of the Crown, as against the claims of the Pope; proved himself more a time-server than a bold, outspoken champion of the truth; conceived a violent dislike to Madame Guyon, and to Fenelon for his defence of her and her Quietists; and he is not clear of the guilt of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes; wrote largely; his “Discourse on Universal History” is on approved lines, and the first attempt at a philosophy of history; his Funeral Orations are monuments of the most sublime eloquence; while his “Politique founded on Holy Scripture” is a defence of the divine right of kings.  “Bossuet,” says Professor Saintsbury, “was more of a speaker than a writer.  His excellence lies in his wonderful survey and grasp of the subject, in the contagious enthusiasm and energy with which he attacks his point, and in his inexhaustible metaphors and comparisons....  Though he is always aiming at the sublime, he scarcely ever oversteps it, or falls into the bombastic or ridiculous....  The most unfortunate incident of his life was his controversy with Fenelon” (1627-1704).

BOSSUT, CHARLES, French mathematician, born near Lyons, confrere of the Encyclopaedists; his chief work “L’Histoire Generale des Mathematiques”; edited Pascal’s works (1730-1814).

BOSTON (19), a Lincolnshire seaport, on the Witham, 30 m.  SE. of Lincoln; exports coal, machinery, corn, and wool, and imports timber and general goods.  There is a large cattle and sheep market, also canvas and sail-cloth works.  Fox, the martyrologist, was a native.  It has a spacious church, which is a conspicuous landmark and beacon at sea.

BOSTON (561), on Massachusetts Bay, is the capital of Massachusetts and the chief city of New England, one of the best-built and best-appointed cities of the Union.  With an excellent harbour and eight converging railways it is an emporium of trade, and very wealthy.  Sugar, wool, hides, and chemicals are imported; farm produce, cattle, cotton, and tobacco exported; boot and shoe making is one of many varied industries.  The many educational institutions and its interest in literature and art have won for it the title of American Athens.  Among famous natives were Franklin, Poe, and Emerson; while most American men of letters have been associated with it.  The Boston riots of 1770 and 1773 were the heralds of the revolution, and the first battle was fought at Bunker Hill, not far off, now included in it.

BOSTON, THOMAS, a Scottish divine, born at Duns, educated at Edinburgh, became minister of Ettrick; author of the “Fourfold State,” a popular exposition of Calvinism, and “The Crook in the Lot,” both at one time much read and studied by the pious Presbyterian burghers and peasantry of Scotland; the former an account of the state of man, first in innocence, second as fallen, third as redeemed, and fourth as in glory.  He was a shrewd man and a quaint writer; exercised a great influence on the religious views of the most pious-minded of his countrymen (1676-1732).