1676. Marlborough, Mass., destroyed by the Indians. So completely did the enemy finish their horrid purposes here, that the inhabitants deserted their dwellings and sought shelter elsewhere. On the following evening a party of about forty men went out in search of the Indians; and coming upon them towards morning lying around their fires to the number of about three hundred, fired in upon them. Although it was so dark at a short distance from the fires that "an Indian could not be discerned from a better man," yet they discharged several volleys upon them, and came off without the loss of one of the band. The few houses which escaped the brand on this occasion were razed by the enemy soon after. 1688. WINSTON CHURCHILL, an English historian, died; better known as the father of the great duke of Marlborough. 1699. "After an extraordinary storm," says Evelyn, "there came up the Thames a whale which was 56 feet long. Such and a larger of the spout kind, was killed there 40 years ago. _That year died Cromwell._" The reverend antiquary probably considered this a _prodigious_ omen of the usurper's dissolution. 1702. WILLIAM COURTEN died; a collector of whatever was curious and important in medallic and antiquarian history. He left 38 vols. folio, and 8 quarto, which together with his collection were purchased for the British museum at £20,000; scarcely the value of the coins and precious stones. 1707. The _regalia_ of Scotland deposited in an oaken chest, at the Edinburgh castle. 1711. Engagement between the British ship Lion, 60 guns, Capt. Walpole, and 4 French ships, in which the latter were beaten off. Walpole had his right arm shot off; and it may be mentioned that Lord Nelson had the same sword in his hand when his right arm was shot off, 1797. 1719. A Spanish fleet under the duke of Ormond, intended for the invasion of England in favor of the pretender, was dispersed by a storm. 1726. JOHN VANBRUGH, an English dramatist and architect, died. He was knighted by Queen Anne, and held several lucrative offices; but a want of economy in the management of his income kept him in indigence, and his dramas were produced in rapid succession to retrieve his credit. Few of his pieces, although popular at the time, still keep the stage. 1729. ROBERT MOSS, a popular London preacher, died. His sermons have been published in 8 vols.; and he is the author of some poems, and small tracts. 1730. The landgrave of Hesse Cassel, father of the king of Sweden, died. The Swedish monarch was declared successor. 1756. GILBERT WEST, an English poet, died. He was a man of polished manners and great erudition. 1772. CHARLES DINEAU DUCLOS, historiographer of France, died. He was also a distinguished member of the French academy, and was engaged in the _Dictionary_ and _History of the Society_.