JORTIN, JOHN, D.D., was bore in 1698 In London, but was of foreign extraction, his family having left France when Louis XIV. revoked the edict of Heuri IV., commonly called the Edict of Nantes, for tho protection of hie Huguenot subjects. Jortiu had his grammar education at the Charterhouse, whence he passed to Jesus College, Cambridge, of which he became in due time a Fellow. Whilst living at Cambridge he published a small volume of Latin poems, which are greatly admired, and allowed to possess a high rank among modern Latin verses. His college presented him to a living in Cambridgeshire, but he determined on leaving the country and residing in London, where he soon became an admired and popular preacher. His sermons many of which are printed, are distinguished for their excellent sense and the originality at once of thought and style. In 1751 he obtained the living of St. Dunstan-lu-the-Eaat. His other church preferment was the living of Eastwell In Kent, presented to him by the Earl of Winchelsea. This was for the greater part of his lifo all the preferment he enjoyed ; but in 1762, when his friend Dr. Oabaldeston became
bishop of London, Jortin was appointed his domestic chaplain, and was presented with a prebend in the church of St. Paul and the living of Kensington. To these was soon added the archdcaconry of London. Ile fixed his residence at Kensington, where be died in 1770, and was buried In the new churchyard of that place.
The critical writings of Dr. Jortin aro greatly admired by all who have a taste for carious literature. It is not merely on account of the learning which is displayed in them, and the use which is made of obscurer authors, but there is a terseness in the expression, and a light playful satire in the thoughts, which render them very enter taining. The first work of this class was published in 1731, and is entitled `Miscellaneous Observations on Authors, ancient and modern.' In 1751 the first volume appeared of his 'Remiwks upon Ecclesiastical Iliatory,' and in 1753 he published his 'Life of Erasmus.'