1831. JOHN ABERNETHY, an eminent English surgeon, died. During his studies he was remarkable rather for the oddity of his conversation and manners, than for any indications of genius; and passed by the name of the _ostler_, on account of his attending the lectures in the dress of a groom. His medical and surgical works are numerous, and his eccentricity was proverbial. 1838. Enactment of the New York general banking law. 1842. CHARLES BELL, a distinguished medical author, and brother to the anatomist, John Bell, died at Edinburgh. 1847. The American army carried the heights of Cero Gordo with much loss, but took many prisoners. APRIL 19. 481 B. C. An eclipse of the sun noticed by Herodotus. 1110. ROBERT, abbot of Molesme, founder of the Cistersians, died. The Cistersian monks allotted several hours of the day to copying books, or sacred studies and manual labor. (See March 28, 1134.) 1390. ROBERT II, of Scotland, died, aged 84. He was the first of the house of Stuart who reigned, and was crowned in 1371. On the accession of Richard II of England a war commenced which continued during the greater part of his reign. 1529. The elector of Saxony, marquis of Brandenburg, landgrave of Hesse, dukes of Lunenburg, prince of Anhalt, together with 14 imperial cities, entered a solemn protest against the decree of the diet of Spires condemning their nonconformity to the Romish church by abolishing the mass, &c., declaring the decree unjust and impious. Hence they were distinguished by the name of _protestants_. 1560. PHILIP MELANCHTHON, a celebrated German divine, died. He was a coadjutor with Luther in the reformation, and one of the wisest and greatest men of his age. 1593. GILES BAYS died; a celebrated Parisian printer, and the first after Ramas to make a distinction between j & i and u & v in printing. 1598. HENRY IV of France published the memorable edict of Nantes, by which protestantism was tolerated in his dominions. 1608. THOMAS SACKVILLE, an English statesman and poet, died. He distinguished himself as a writer by the tragedy of _Gorboduc_, the first regular play on the English stage. As a statesman he has left a fair character. 1618. THOMAS BASTARD died, a poet and preacher of England, of considerable learning and ability. 1669. GEORGE BATE, an English physician, died. He had the talent and address to keep his situation as court physician to Charles I, Cromwell and Charles II. He wrote an account of the civil wars in Latin. 1684. The Synod of Edinburgh changed the year of confirmation for children from 8 to 16 years. 1689. CHRISTINA, queen of Sweden, died. She resigned the sceptre, 1654, became a catholic, and resided at Rome. She was a woman of great abilities and learning, and corresponded with the learned men of the day in different languages. 1689. The toleration act, so famous among dissenters and others in England, was passed.