Arnold

BENEDICT, (arnold,) an American general, B.'at Norwich, Conn., 1740. He received a colonel's commi ion in 1775, displayed great courage on several occasions, and was soon rewarded with the rank of brigadier-general. But A. was continually involved in difficulties by his violent and imperious temper, and by dishonesty in pecuniary transactions. He lastly made his name infamous by his treasonable attempt to surrender to Sir H. Clinton, the British commander, the fortre of West Point, which was committed to his charge. This plot was brought to light through the capture of Major André; but A. succeeded in escaping to the lines of the enemy, which he joined, and was given the command of an expedition against Virginia. After Cornwall is' surrender, he retired to England, where he duly received a partial payment for his treachery in the sum of$31,500, and was, besides, the recipient of public disgust amounting almost to loathing. D. in London, 1796. Arnold of Brescia, an Italian monk of the 12th cent., attracted the confidence of the people, and the bitter animosity of the priesthood, by his earnest denunciations of the temporal power and corruptions of the Church of Rome. After an exile from Italy, during which he preached in France and Switzerland, he headed a revolt of the Roman people, and for ten years held his ground as master of the city. At last, terrified by the interdict laid on Rome by Adrian IV., the people banished their chosen chief, who was shortly after, 1155, burnt, and his ashes cast into the Tiber. [s. 48]