Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

shall see the knight overcome the giant. For what is the reason we are so much pleased with the reading romances, and the fictions of the poets, but that here, as Aristotle says, things are set down as they should be; but in the true history hitherto of the world, things are recorded indeed as they are; but it is but a testimony, that they have not been as they should be? wherefore, in the upshot of all, when we shall see that come to pass, that so mightily pleases us in the reading the most ingenious plays and heroic poems, that long afflicted virtue at last comes to the crown, the mouth of all unbelievers must be for ever stopped. And for my own part, I doubt not but it will so come to pass in the close of the world. But im patiently to call for vengeance upon every enormity before that time, is rudely to overturn the stage before the entrance into the fifth act, out of ignorance of the plot of the comedy; and to prevent the solemnity of the general judgment by mere paltry and particular executions." Par. i. p. 235, Dial. 2. edit. Lond. 1668, 12ma.

No. XLIV.

Some have been beaten, till they know
What wood the cudgel's of, by the blow;
Some kick'd, until they can feel, whether
A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather.

BUTLER.

WHEN I took upon me this province of a public writer, I was resolved, to the best of my. poor capacity, to make this paper entertaining as well as instructive to my readers; in order to which, I judged it would be absolutely necessary, not to dwell too long upon the same subject. Man, as well as woman, delights in variety, and the mind, as well as the palate, must have change of diet. The Quicquid agunt homines, is indeed a large field for wit and satire to exercise themselves upon; but often of late when I had chose my subject, and sat down with design of communicating my thoughts upon it, I found, upon recollection, that I had been anticipated by some other authors who had lived before me.

The Spectator, of moral and facetious memory, reformed the periwigs, the canes, and the sword-knots of the fops; nay, he tripped up their red heels, if I may be allowed that ex

pression. As to the fair sex, he handled them from head to foot; not a part about a fine lady was left untouched. In a word, whenever I take up the Spectator, I am ready every minute to break out into the same exclamation that a poet of Gascoigny uttered upon reading over a beautiful ode of Horace. "D-n these ancients (says he), they have stolen all my fine thoughts."

Writers of such universal talents, may draw something that is useful and entertaining from the most barren subjects in nature. The Spectator, before mentioned, has been very learned upon dancing. We have had writers, of but a second or third class in fame, who have had their excellences: a baronet of North-Britain has published a large quarto upon the Art of Fencing; and a baronet of Worcestershire has obliged the world with a treatise of immense erudition upon the Gymnastic Science, or the Art of Wrestling.

But no people come up to the Germans, in their indefatigable industry for searching antiquity. What immense volumes of ancient learning have they rescued from cobwebs and oblivion! How have they worked through the rust of time, to make discoveries for the improvement of mankind! And with what infinite

labour have they, collected the valuable frag ments scattered in different authors, upon subjects of high importance to the learned world!

I myself have seen a history written by one of the German Literati, intitled "De Veterum Lucernis et Candelabris ;-Of the Lamps and Candlesticks of the Ancients." It is certain we should be groping in the dark in search of many things belonging to antiquity, had they not held lights to us. Another, who was as bright a genius as the former, was twenty years in compiling a treatise "De Chirothecis et Ocreis;-Upon Gloves and Boots."

I have been credibly informed by travellers, that there is a large folio manuscript in the Elector Palatine's library, " De Miseriis Ambulantium;-On the Misery of Walking on Foot;" in which there is a physical dissertation upon corns. There are several volumes "De Veterum Cultellis et Furcis ;-Of the Knives and Forks of the Ancients," written by one Vanderhackle, enriched with cuts; an art that has contributed very much to illustrate German wit. What need I mention the great Bamboozlebergius, who has made a collection "De Mendaciis Antiquorum ;-Of the Lies of the Ancients; " which work, we hear, is shortly to be printed here for the improvement and edification of the

youth of this kingdom, a certain great man having taken upon him to patronise it; so that I hope every person in employment will be obliged to subscribe, under pain of being cashiered.

I have likewise been informed, that there has been for several years in the public library at Ratisbon, a most curious manuscript "De Colophis et Calcationibus Veterum ;-Of the Kicks and Cuffs of the Ancients; " written by the learned Vanhoofius; and that a copy of this work was some years ago transmitted into England, to be laid up in the Royal Library of St. James's; that it has been carefully revised and collated by the learned Dr. By, who has amended an error in the title, for he has proved that the substantive Colophis, must have been an interpolation of the transcriber; and of consequence the true reading is "De Calcationibus Veterum," which he translates thus, "Of the Kicks on the A- of the Ancients." This shews how learning must have suffered through the ignorance of transcribers, were it not for the accuracy of such judicious critics.

To confess the plain truth, I had a design of writing something upon this subject myself, and have already been at no small pains in looking over the Cotton and Bodleian libraries. I don't

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinua »