BOTTABI, GsovAxxI, a learned Italian prelate, was b. at Florence, Jan., 15, 1689. He studied ancient literature and eloquence under Biscioni, and subsequently applied himself to mathematics, philosophy, and theology. He soon obtained a great reputation for the delicacy and purity of his style. The Della Crusea academy intrusted him with the care of a new impression of its famous dictionary. This extensive work occupied B. and his collaborateurs several years, and proved of extreme service to the Italian lan guage. In 1730, he went to Rome, where he was made professor of ecclesiastical history and of controversy in the college of La Sapienza. He also took part in the labors of the geometer Manfredi, when the latter was engaged in determining the level of the Tiber. Clement XII. appointed him librarian of the Vatican, and Benedict XIV. canon of Santa Maria Transteverine. He died at Rome, 3d June, 1775. The works of which B. was either the author or editor are very numerous; the principal are his edition of Virgil from the Vatican MS.; his elaborate treatises on the catacombs of Rome and on the Vatican; his Del Museo (Japitolino; and his dissertations on Dante, Boccaccio, and Livy.
lioTTGER, or &ETCHER, or BrETIGER, JOH. FRIEDR., by whom the art of porcelain manufacture was very much improved in Germany in the beginning of last century, was b. in 1681 or 1682 at Sehleiz, in the territory of Reuss. This father was master of The mint at Magdeburg and at Schleiz. He was apprenticed to an apothecary in Berlin, but became an enthusiast in the search for the philosopher's stone, for which he neglected everything else, thereby involving himself in many difficulties, and incurring the dis pleasure of the authorities, so that be was obliged to flee from Berlin, to escape the risk of being punished as an adept. He found protectors and patrons at the court of Saxony,
and received large sums to enable him to prosecute his experiments in alchemy. Disap pointment ensuing, as he did not succeed in making gold, he was called upon to reveal his secret in writing, and handed in a manuscript full of mystical nonsense, but in which be expressed himself with the air of one completely master of his subject. The king, however, was dissatisfied with this production, of which he appreciated time worthless ness. and readily consented to a request of the count of Tschiruhausen, who desired to avail himself of the skill which he believed B. really to possess, for experiments upon clays, with a view to the manufacture of porcelain. B. was compelled, accordingly, to enter upon these experiments, of which the celebrated Meissen (q.v.) porcelain was the result. See PorrEnv. But as a security against the revelation of the art of making it, lie and his assistants were treated as prisoners, and when Saxony was invaded by Charles XII. of Sweden in 1706, they were secretly removed from Dresden to Konigstein. His success was, however, rewarded with large presents, which he soon squandered. Ho died on 13th Mar., 1719.