Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.CHAPTER XVII.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.
In a far, far different spirit are written, in several portions of the manuscript, certain notices of a very Reverend Dean, concerning whom there appears to have been the intention of composing something more in detail. How much and how greatly he was revered by the writer, appears from the following quotation, with which the Recollections on this subject are introduced.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,Vere dum flores venient tepentiEt comam sylvis hyemes recident,Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,Nulla terris rapiet vetustasTu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,Vere dum flores venient tepentiEt comam sylvis hyemes recident,Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,Nulla terris rapiet vetustasTu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,Vere dum flores venient tepentiEt comam sylvis hyemes recident,Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,Nulla terris rapiet vetustasTu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
Locum virtus habet inter astra,
Vere dum flores venient tepenti
Et comam sylvis hyemes recident,
Vel comam sylvis revocabit æstas,
Pomaque autumno fugiente cadent,
Nulla terris rapiet vetustas
Tu comes Phœbo, comes ibis astris.
This venerable personage ought, with propriety, to have been introduced in an earlier period of the work; he has indeed been casually mentioned, buthis talents and accomplishments were of so high and superior a character, that it looks a little inconsistent with the profound respect which he evidently inspired, not to have solicited attention to him before.
He was one of the soundest scholars in Europe, certainly to be classed among the most skilful and accomplished geographers, an admirable critic, and in every character, and every relation of life, entitled to the most exalted encomium.
With all these claims to esteem and love, he was of the greatest simplicity of manners, unaffected, unassuming, powerful in argument, but not like Johnson, overbearing; an excellent divine, steady patriot, and unalterable friend.
His works will endure with the language in which they were written, and in other languages also; his geographical researches, having necessarily attracted the attention of those engaged in similar pursuits, in all parts of civilized Europe. He seems to have had one talent in common with Herodotus, that with respect to places hitherto partially known, and imperfectly explored, further investigation generally proved his conjectures to have been founded on the most substantial grounds, and his conclusions true. This is more particularly the fact, with respect to the Periplus of the Erythræan Sea, and the examination of the strange hypothesisof Bryant, relating to the plain of Troy.
By the way, the name of Jacob Bryant occurs occasionally in our Sexagenarian’s Recollections. It is stated that he once or twice encountered him in literary societies. But he represents Bryant, allowing him at the same time all that his warmest advocates can require, as being very tenacious of his opinions, and impatient of contradiction. Any opposition to his affirmations, however candidly or temperately expressed, he was apt to consider as a declaration of hostility; and on one in which the amiable personage was concerned, who forms the immediate subject of this article, he degraded himself so far as to use the coarsest terms of invective; nay, he even called his learned opponentassassin.
Mark, reader, the contrast of the two characters. The person thus vilely, as well as falsely stigmatized, merely in reply expressed “surprize to find that a man of letters, of integrity, of talents, of refined manners, of an understanding cultivated by all the studies, classical and religious, which tend to soften asperity of mind, and severity of judgment, should so far transgress the law of controversy, as to style his adversary an assassin, because upon a question of literature, he dared to be of a different opinion, and to assign some reasons for that difference.”
That Bryant was vindictive whenever his literary reputation was impugned, appears also from the following circumstance. He knew the Sexagenarian to be concerned in a publication, in which some of his assertions and dogmas had been dispassionately discussed, and though he met him at the house of a common friend, who equally respected both parties, he declined entering into conversation.
But to return to our first subject, the venerable Dean. Various are the branches of science which his pen illustrated and adorned; indeed all his publications may be considered as truly valuable, and highly important. The intricacies of the Greek verb, peculiarities relating to the military tactics of the ancients, many arduous and obscure points, both in ancient and modern geography, a most powerful and effective vindication of the system of national education, with various other contingent appendages to learning, have been elucidated by his learning, and embellished by his taste.
The question may naturally be asked why, with such an accumulation of claims, did he not ascend to the highest gradation of his profession? The interrogatory is more easily proposed than answered. Perhaps it is true, that with all his great attainments, and love of literature, the Prime Minister of that day was so occupied with political perplexities and difficulties, that he considered thepursuits of the Muses, as trifling and subordinate, and conferred distinction and reward on those only and their connections, and adherents, who were most useful and necessary to him in the prosecution of his views.
However, the honours which were bestowed, were communicated in the handsomest manner possible, and if inadequate to the merits of the receiver, there is great reason to presume that they satisfied his utmost ambition.