a day, in the creation, whose kingdom (like that in the scheme of Plato) was governed by philosophers, who flourished with learning in Ethiopia and India, are now undistinguished, and known only by the same appellation as the man-tyger and the monkey! As to speech, I make no question, that there are remains of the first and less corrupted race in their native deserts, who have yet the power of it. But the vulgar reason given by the Spaniards, "That they will not speak for fear of being set to work," is alone a sufficient one, considering how exceedingly all other learned persons affect their ease. A second is, that these observant creatures, having been eye-witnesses of the cruelty with which that nation treated their brother Indians, find it not necessary to shew themselves to be men, that they may be protected not only from work, but from cruelty also. Thirdly, they could at best take no delight to converse with the Spaniards, whose grave and sullen temper is so averse to that natural and open cheerfulness, which is generally observed to accompany all true knowledge. But now, were it possible that any way could be found to draw forth their latent qualities, I cannot but think it would be highly serviceable to the learned world, both in respect of recovering past knowledge, and promoting the future. Might there not be found certain gentle and artful methods, whereby to endear us to them? Is there no man in the world, whose natural turn is adapted to manage their society, and win them by a sweet similitude of manners? Is there no nation where the men might allure them by a distinguishing civility, and in a manner fascinate them by assimilated motions; no nation, where the women with easy freedoms, and the gentlest treatment, might oblige the loving creatures to sensible returns of humanity? The love I bear my native country prompts me to wish this country might be Great Britain; but alas! in our present wretched divided condition, how can we hope, that foreigners of so great prudence will freely declare their sentiments in the midst of violent parties, and at so vast a distance from their friends, relations, and country? The affection I bear our neighbour state, would incline me to wish it were Holland. Sed lava in parte mamilla Nil salit Arcadico. Is it from France then we must expect this restoration of learning, whose late monarch took the sciences under his protection, and raised them to so great a height? May we not hope their emissaries will some time or other have instructions, not only to invite learned men into their country, but learned beasts, the true ancient man-tygers, I mean of Æthiopia and India? Might not the talents of each of these be adapted to the improvement of the several sciences? The man-tygers to instruct heroes, statesmen, and scholars; baboons to teach ceremony and address to courtiers; monkeys, the art of pleasing in conversation, and agreeable affectations to ladies and their lovers; apes of less learning, to form comedians and dancing-masters; and marmosets, court pages and young English travellers? But the distinguishing each kind, and allotting the proper business to each, I leave to the inquisitive and penetrating genius of the Jesuits in their respective missions. Vale et fruere. Virgilius Restauratus:2 SEU MARTINI SCRIBLERI, SUMMI CRITICI, Constigationum in Æneidem SPECIMEN. NEIDEM totam, Amice Lector, innumerabilibus pæne mendis scaturientem, ad pristinum sensum revocabimus. In singulis fere versibus spuriæ occurrent lectiones, in omnibus quos unquam vidi codicibus, aut vulgatis aut ineditis, ad opprobrium usque Criticorum, in hunc diem existentes. Interea adverte oculos, et his paucis fruere. At si quæ sint in hisce castigationibus, de quibus non satisliquet, syllabarum quantitates, golyóμeva nostra Libro ipsi præfigenda ut consulas, moneo. I. SPECIMEN LIBRI PRIMI. VER. I. ARMA Virumque cano, Trojæ qui primus ab oris Italiam, fato profugus, Lavinaque venit Littora. multum ille et terris jactatus et alto, 2 This was written to ridicule Bentley's edition of Milton. Arma Virumque cano, Trojæ qui primus ab ari Littora. multum ille et terris vexatus et alto, Ab aris, nempe Hercæi Jovis. vide lib. ii. v. 512. 550.-Flatu, ventorum Æoli, ut sequitur. Latina certe littora cum Eneas aderat, Lavina non nisi postea ab ipso nominata, lib. xii. terris non convenit. II. VER. 52. v. 193.-Jactatus Et quisquis Numen Junonis adoret? Longe melius, quam, ut antea, Numen. et proculdubio sic Virgilius. III. VER. 86. Venti, velut agmine facto, Venti, velut aggere fra&o, IV. VER. 117. Fidumque vehebat Orontem. Non fidum. quia Epitheton Achata notissimum V. VER. 119. Excutitur, pronusque magister Volvitur in caput. Excutitur: pronusque magis ter Volvitur in caput. Aio Virgilium aliter non scripsisse, quod plane confirmatur ex sequentibus-Ast illum ter fluctus ibidem Torquet. |