PORSONIANA.

Quanquam non commisi quidem ut defensore mihi opus sit adversus obtrectatos, neminem enim dicto quidem læsi, sed adversus obtrectatores, quibus orbis literatus passim infestatur, sicuti suis via insidiatoribus, forum vililitigatoribus, militia provocatoribus.

By far the greater part of the pieces which follow are printed from Professor Porson’s own manuscripts. Those which are not so, were either written from his personal dictation, or copied by his permission.

The subjoined is, perhaps, the earliest specimen of Porson’s Latinity which has hitherto appeared. The Proemium to the Notes, which, at the request of Maps, alias Nicholson, the Cambridge Bookseller, and which commences facetiously “Lectori si quis erit” was written two years afterwards. This Oration was probably delivered in the Chapel of Trinity College, at the time when it is dated.

Maii 29ᵒ 1784.Quamvis super Caroli secundi meritis hodie privatorum hominum multæ sint et discrepantes sententiæ, tamen si publicum istius sæculi Ecclesiæ totiusq; populi suffragium respicimus, hunc diem non modo cretâ notandum sed et dignum judicabimus, qui solenni gratiarum actione quotannis celebretur.Et cum nulla neq; lex neq; consuetudo altius radices agat, aut diutius floreat, quam quæ religionis nomen prætendat; operæ pretium sit propius inspicere et exigere Caroli mores atq; ingenium; sine irâ et studio inquirere, quantum reipublicæ contulerit; quibus sive privatim sive publice virtutibus eminuerit; quantis libertatem et religionem beneficiis auxerit; quam bene denique cum regis tum hominis partes impleverit.Si qui rex unquam fuit, qui optimis et felicissimis avibus regnum suum auspicatus est, is profectò fuit Carolus, qui tanto tamq; unanimi totius imperii consensu, in solium hæreditarium escenderit. Et quemadmodum amantium iræ (aiunt) amoris integratio est, quicquid in Carolum patrem populus deliquerat, aut quodcunq; in officio erga eum fungendo desiderari potuerat, id omne effusissimâ est, quâ filium prosequebatur benevolentiâ pensare aut supplere adnixus. Qui per tot annos sub crudelis et suspicacis tyranni dominatione gemuissent, expectatione melioris fortunæ nunc se consolabantur, si princeps ab exilio revocaretur; satiusq; duxerunt, etiam si tyranni potestatem iterum experiri necesse esset, ejus arbitrium agnoscere, ad quem lege hereditariæ successionis regnandi jus aliquatenus pertinere videretur. Cromwello igitur tandem mortuo, omnes sectæ et factiones certatim se regi restituendo accinxêre. Sperabant scilicet, fore, ut novus rex, quantum patriæfavori deberet, gratus memoriæ mandaret, et aliquando tam re quam verbis ostenderet; ut patris sui miserabili fortunâ et immaturo exitu admonitus, scopulos et syrtes in quas ille impegisset, ipse gubernator factus, cautâ et prudenti navigatione evitaret; ut neq; communia jura deminueret, neq; præter jus fasq; prærogativæ suæ fines propagaret; ut adversis rebus diu multumq; conflictatus, humanè et sine insolenti lætitiâ secundis frueretur.His freti cogationibus regni hæreditatem stabilem et perpetuam videntur reddidisse; tantamq; vectigalium partem regiis sumptibus suppeditandis destinâsse, quanta magni principis splendori et dignitati non solum tutandæ, sed etiam ostentandæ sufficeret. Neq; de suo tantum largiti sunt, quippe qui hæc præclara propensæ in regem voluntatis argumenta ediderint, ne minimâ quidem conditionum ab ipso servandarum mentione factâ. Adeo enixe studium, suum et obedientiam probare aggressi sunt, ut quid majorum suorum memoriæ, quid sibi ipsi, quid posteritati deberent, pariter obliti essent. Sed ne quicquam requiri posset, quo se regi dicto audientes et morigeros præberent, iidem homines penes quos potissimum restituti regis gloria esset, totius gentis personâ susceptâ perduellionis erga beatum (quem vocabant) martyrem se ipse reos profitebantur et admissi facinoris a clementissimo domino veniam impetrabant. Non tamen rex eo usq; clementiâsuâ abusus est, ut neminem omnino veniâ indignum judicaret, sed lenitatem suam justâ severitate temperavit, in eosq; judices qui ex animi sententiâ et quoniam è rep. fore censuerunt, patrem suum capitis damnâssent, omnibus exemplis animadvertendum statuit. Qui autem temporis causâ hoc parricidium perpetrâssent, iis quod sibi videretur fidelibus consiliorum suorum ministris olim usurus, generosâ et sapienti sententiâ pœnam condonavit. Sed ut quod sentio liberè et sine ambagibus dicam; fatendum est ab iis quorum affectus in neutram partem proclivior est, contra regiam dignitatem, contra civilem prudentiam peccâsse Carolum, quod non præteritorum omnium facinorum memoriam penitus aboleret. Sin autem hoc fautores Stewartorum negabunt; illud certè non negabunt (neq; enim vel possunt vel audent;) suppliciorum qua a perduellibus leges exigunt, crudeliorem partem, utpote exempli parum memoris legum humanarum, remitti oportuisse.Quanquam autem, ut supra demonstravimus, quod satis superq; esset frugali regiæ donâsset, tamen ut amoris quo novum regem amabant, locupletissimum darent testimonium, plures extraordinarias pensiones in ipsius fratrisq; loculos contulerunt. Ac nè quid deesset quod civium bene sentientium animos indicaret, decreto incertum magis ridiculo an absurdo, omnia quæ Senatus aut Cromwellus per viginti annos egerant, abrogabantur. Si historici hujustemporis audiendi sunt, hæc flagitia quodammodo excusari possunt, propterea quod ab ebriis ferè et discinctis nebulonibus admissa essent, quanquam facilitas ea, quæ hujusmodi homines in supremum pene gentis concilium adsciverit, non omnino laudanda videtur.Est et alia res, levicula quidem illa, neq; tamen prorsus negligenda, cædis nempe cupido quædam et aviditas, quâ per totum regni tempus Carolus tam vehementur flagravit, ut vix suspicari possis in genitâ ejus crudelitate factum ut tot innocentes homines contra leges sanctas et jura imo interdum contra ipsius pollicitationes capite plecterentur. Verisimilius videtur talia spectacula huic principi ludi jociq; instar fuisse. Neq; equidem valdè miror, si Carolus, qui Galliæ sæpe vidisset, quantâ ibi facilitate rex morte, exilio, aut bonorum publicatione cives afficiat, quemq; Angli non minori adulatione, quam Galli Ludovicum mulcere solerent, regis Gallici potestatem in hâc quoq; parte usurpare vellet. Certè nisi pondus aliquod his excusationibus subesse concedamus, agnoscendum erit vix quicquam in omni historiâ, quod ab humanitate alienius sit de pessimis et odiosissimis tyrannis narrari, neq; quod ab omni lenitate et prudentià, ut legum violationem omittam, magis abhorreat. Inter nobiles hujus temporis reos, Vanius, Russelius et Sidneius præcipuè eminent, quoruminjusta et crudelis mors Caroli memoriæ æternam dedecoris atq; intamiæ notam inuret. Si horum exemplorum atrocitatem eâ quâ par est, indignatione contemplabimur, Tiberii alterius aut Neronis scelera legere videbimur.Quod si de domestica rerum administratione nihil quod quereremur, haberemus, bellorum à Carolo gestorum et fœderum ictorum tanta est ignominia, quantam vix Joannes noster suscepit cum a Pontifice Romano coronam precario acciperet. Misso primum contra Belgas, a quibus magnificentissimo fuerat hospitio exceptus, exercitu, avaræ et ingratæ mentis justissimas pœnas persolvit. Cum enim res Belgarum superior evasisset, iniquis Carolus est pacis conditionibus acquiescere coactus. Ut bellum gereret, spoliorum cupiditas, si verum amamus, primo regem pepulerat, quam non frustatus est eventus. Quamvis enim ex Belgio Fœderato nihil præter dedecus, reportaret, pecuniam quam in sumptus belli erogandam civium liberalitas dedisset, in rem suam ipse catus convertit. Multa vero delicta, quæ in alio quovis flagitia essent, ut in Carolo leviore nomine notentur, facit præcipuorum ejus facinorum magnitudo; quorum in numero principem locum merito obtinet, quod duo maxima totius imperii robora et firmamenta, Dunquercam et Tingen hosti turpiter prodiderit. Illud autem consilium palmam cœteris præripit, quod inter eum et Ludovicummercenariis conditionibus convenerat.Satis jam notum est regem clam se eidem religionis sectæ, cui fratrem Jacobum, Romanæ nempe, addixisse: Hanc quoq; per Britanniam, Ludovici auxilio, ubicunq; tempus sineret, propagare, veterem constitutionem delere, pro libertate tyrannidem, pro reformatâ religione, Catholicam invehere decreverat. Sed tam timide gelideq; hanc rem ministravit, tantâ solertiâ dicam an malitiâ, animi cogitata celavit, ut multis Catholicorum gravissimis suppliciis afficerentur, ipso rege, qui eandem fidem amplexus erat, approbante.Hæc pauca ex innumeris publicarum Caroli virtutum exempla selegimus. Videamus si privati mores cæteros defectus compensent. Etiam pater ejus, regni errores cæteris virtutibus partim redemit. Sed in hâc parte valdè dissimilem et degenerem filium reliquit. Vix ullam Europæ regionem peragravit, quin ex eâ novas ineptias, nova vitia reportaret. Avus ejus Jacobus ab adulatoribus suis appellari solitus est Salomon secundus. Quæ una res ei defuit ad perfectam similitudinem Carolus supplevit, quem nemo Salomonis simillimum fuisse negabit, qui immensum utriusq; concubinarum numerum reputaverit. Cum hujusmodi mulierculis et viris non honestioribus otium suum omni luxus et libidinis genere oblectavit. Qualis vir fuisset, indicio fuerunt, (ut quidam non ineptè observavit) ultima ejus extremâ inmorte verba, quibus neq; reip. neq; amicorum cujus aut propinquorum, sed meretricis meminerat. At forsan, inquies, opum suarum facultatibus ad patris suiq; comitum et defensorum inopiam sublevandam usus est, et hanc occasionem testandi quam bene adversus omne qui alterius utrius causam fortunis, manu, scriptis adjuvissent, avidè arripuit. Nihil minus; fidelissimos regiæ potestatis servos aut neglexit, ut inter mille alios Couleium et Butlerum nominem, aut, sicut Clarendonum, à se et patriâ removit, exiliiq; periculis et laboribus objecit.Qui omnes nervos contendunt, ut Caroli memoriam qua jure qua injuriâ aliquatenus ab infamiâ quâ premitur liberent, regis comitatem atq; hilaritatem prædicant; quamq; facetus et lepidus conviva esset, libenter narrant. Et sanè disertus fuit leporum et facetiarum, si modo pro leporibus et facetiis scurrilis dicacitas sumatur. Hujus enim uberrimâ abundabat copiâ; nihil unquam facetè dixit, quod salvo pudore; nec liberè, quod salvâ religione dici posset. Per totum hujus principis regnum, modestiæ, pudoris, sinceritatis, temperantiæ, religionis deniq; nulla habita est ratio; neq; certior aut expeditior ad regis favorem patebat aditus, quam si quis, scurra, impius, vinosus et prodigus audiret. Ut quisq; ipse erat simillimus, ita carissimus. Ut breviter absolvam, antequam coronam adeptus esset, mendicus fuit; postquam adeptus esset,rex non fuit: sine dignitate sapientiâ aut fortitudine; sine amicitiâ; sine fide et amore connubiali; sine fraternâ pietate, atheus vivebat, Papista moriebatur. Talis fuit Carolus secundus.⸺manibus date lilia plenis;Purpureos spargam flores, animamq; tyranniHis saltem accumulem donis⸺

Maii 29ᵒ 1784.

Quamvis super Caroli secundi meritis hodie privatorum hominum multæ sint et discrepantes sententiæ, tamen si publicum istius sæculi Ecclesiæ totiusq; populi suffragium respicimus, hunc diem non modo cretâ notandum sed et dignum judicabimus, qui solenni gratiarum actione quotannis celebretur.Et cum nulla neq; lex neq; consuetudo altius radices agat, aut diutius floreat, quam quæ religionis nomen prætendat; operæ pretium sit propius inspicere et exigere Caroli mores atq; ingenium; sine irâ et studio inquirere, quantum reipublicæ contulerit; quibus sive privatim sive publice virtutibus eminuerit; quantis libertatem et religionem beneficiis auxerit; quam bene denique cum regis tum hominis partes impleverit.

Si qui rex unquam fuit, qui optimis et felicissimis avibus regnum suum auspicatus est, is profectò fuit Carolus, qui tanto tamq; unanimi totius imperii consensu, in solium hæreditarium escenderit. Et quemadmodum amantium iræ (aiunt) amoris integratio est, quicquid in Carolum patrem populus deliquerat, aut quodcunq; in officio erga eum fungendo desiderari potuerat, id omne effusissimâ est, quâ filium prosequebatur benevolentiâ pensare aut supplere adnixus. Qui per tot annos sub crudelis et suspicacis tyranni dominatione gemuissent, expectatione melioris fortunæ nunc se consolabantur, si princeps ab exilio revocaretur; satiusq; duxerunt, etiam si tyranni potestatem iterum experiri necesse esset, ejus arbitrium agnoscere, ad quem lege hereditariæ successionis regnandi jus aliquatenus pertinere videretur. Cromwello igitur tandem mortuo, omnes sectæ et factiones certatim se regi restituendo accinxêre. Sperabant scilicet, fore, ut novus rex, quantum patriæfavori deberet, gratus memoriæ mandaret, et aliquando tam re quam verbis ostenderet; ut patris sui miserabili fortunâ et immaturo exitu admonitus, scopulos et syrtes in quas ille impegisset, ipse gubernator factus, cautâ et prudenti navigatione evitaret; ut neq; communia jura deminueret, neq; præter jus fasq; prærogativæ suæ fines propagaret; ut adversis rebus diu multumq; conflictatus, humanè et sine insolenti lætitiâ secundis frueretur.

His freti cogationibus regni hæreditatem stabilem et perpetuam videntur reddidisse; tantamq; vectigalium partem regiis sumptibus suppeditandis destinâsse, quanta magni principis splendori et dignitati non solum tutandæ, sed etiam ostentandæ sufficeret. Neq; de suo tantum largiti sunt, quippe qui hæc præclara propensæ in regem voluntatis argumenta ediderint, ne minimâ quidem conditionum ab ipso servandarum mentione factâ. Adeo enixe studium, suum et obedientiam probare aggressi sunt, ut quid majorum suorum memoriæ, quid sibi ipsi, quid posteritati deberent, pariter obliti essent. Sed ne quicquam requiri posset, quo se regi dicto audientes et morigeros præberent, iidem homines penes quos potissimum restituti regis gloria esset, totius gentis personâ susceptâ perduellionis erga beatum (quem vocabant) martyrem se ipse reos profitebantur et admissi facinoris a clementissimo domino veniam impetrabant. Non tamen rex eo usq; clementiâsuâ abusus est, ut neminem omnino veniâ indignum judicaret, sed lenitatem suam justâ severitate temperavit, in eosq; judices qui ex animi sententiâ et quoniam è rep. fore censuerunt, patrem suum capitis damnâssent, omnibus exemplis animadvertendum statuit. Qui autem temporis causâ hoc parricidium perpetrâssent, iis quod sibi videretur fidelibus consiliorum suorum ministris olim usurus, generosâ et sapienti sententiâ pœnam condonavit. Sed ut quod sentio liberè et sine ambagibus dicam; fatendum est ab iis quorum affectus in neutram partem proclivior est, contra regiam dignitatem, contra civilem prudentiam peccâsse Carolum, quod non præteritorum omnium facinorum memoriam penitus aboleret. Sin autem hoc fautores Stewartorum negabunt; illud certè non negabunt (neq; enim vel possunt vel audent;) suppliciorum qua a perduellibus leges exigunt, crudeliorem partem, utpote exempli parum memoris legum humanarum, remitti oportuisse.

Quanquam autem, ut supra demonstravimus, quod satis superq; esset frugali regiæ donâsset, tamen ut amoris quo novum regem amabant, locupletissimum darent testimonium, plures extraordinarias pensiones in ipsius fratrisq; loculos contulerunt. Ac nè quid deesset quod civium bene sentientium animos indicaret, decreto incertum magis ridiculo an absurdo, omnia quæ Senatus aut Cromwellus per viginti annos egerant, abrogabantur. Si historici hujustemporis audiendi sunt, hæc flagitia quodammodo excusari possunt, propterea quod ab ebriis ferè et discinctis nebulonibus admissa essent, quanquam facilitas ea, quæ hujusmodi homines in supremum pene gentis concilium adsciverit, non omnino laudanda videtur.

Est et alia res, levicula quidem illa, neq; tamen prorsus negligenda, cædis nempe cupido quædam et aviditas, quâ per totum regni tempus Carolus tam vehementur flagravit, ut vix suspicari possis in genitâ ejus crudelitate factum ut tot innocentes homines contra leges sanctas et jura imo interdum contra ipsius pollicitationes capite plecterentur. Verisimilius videtur talia spectacula huic principi ludi jociq; instar fuisse. Neq; equidem valdè miror, si Carolus, qui Galliæ sæpe vidisset, quantâ ibi facilitate rex morte, exilio, aut bonorum publicatione cives afficiat, quemq; Angli non minori adulatione, quam Galli Ludovicum mulcere solerent, regis Gallici potestatem in hâc quoq; parte usurpare vellet. Certè nisi pondus aliquod his excusationibus subesse concedamus, agnoscendum erit vix quicquam in omni historiâ, quod ab humanitate alienius sit de pessimis et odiosissimis tyrannis narrari, neq; quod ab omni lenitate et prudentià, ut legum violationem omittam, magis abhorreat. Inter nobiles hujus temporis reos, Vanius, Russelius et Sidneius præcipuè eminent, quoruminjusta et crudelis mors Caroli memoriæ æternam dedecoris atq; intamiæ notam inuret. Si horum exemplorum atrocitatem eâ quâ par est, indignatione contemplabimur, Tiberii alterius aut Neronis scelera legere videbimur.

Quod si de domestica rerum administratione nihil quod quereremur, haberemus, bellorum à Carolo gestorum et fœderum ictorum tanta est ignominia, quantam vix Joannes noster suscepit cum a Pontifice Romano coronam precario acciperet. Misso primum contra Belgas, a quibus magnificentissimo fuerat hospitio exceptus, exercitu, avaræ et ingratæ mentis justissimas pœnas persolvit. Cum enim res Belgarum superior evasisset, iniquis Carolus est pacis conditionibus acquiescere coactus. Ut bellum gereret, spoliorum cupiditas, si verum amamus, primo regem pepulerat, quam non frustatus est eventus. Quamvis enim ex Belgio Fœderato nihil præter dedecus, reportaret, pecuniam quam in sumptus belli erogandam civium liberalitas dedisset, in rem suam ipse catus convertit. Multa vero delicta, quæ in alio quovis flagitia essent, ut in Carolo leviore nomine notentur, facit præcipuorum ejus facinorum magnitudo; quorum in numero principem locum merito obtinet, quod duo maxima totius imperii robora et firmamenta, Dunquercam et Tingen hosti turpiter prodiderit. Illud autem consilium palmam cœteris præripit, quod inter eum et Ludovicummercenariis conditionibus convenerat.

Satis jam notum est regem clam se eidem religionis sectæ, cui fratrem Jacobum, Romanæ nempe, addixisse: Hanc quoq; per Britanniam, Ludovici auxilio, ubicunq; tempus sineret, propagare, veterem constitutionem delere, pro libertate tyrannidem, pro reformatâ religione, Catholicam invehere decreverat. Sed tam timide gelideq; hanc rem ministravit, tantâ solertiâ dicam an malitiâ, animi cogitata celavit, ut multis Catholicorum gravissimis suppliciis afficerentur, ipso rege, qui eandem fidem amplexus erat, approbante.

Hæc pauca ex innumeris publicarum Caroli virtutum exempla selegimus. Videamus si privati mores cæteros defectus compensent. Etiam pater ejus, regni errores cæteris virtutibus partim redemit. Sed in hâc parte valdè dissimilem et degenerem filium reliquit. Vix ullam Europæ regionem peragravit, quin ex eâ novas ineptias, nova vitia reportaret. Avus ejus Jacobus ab adulatoribus suis appellari solitus est Salomon secundus. Quæ una res ei defuit ad perfectam similitudinem Carolus supplevit, quem nemo Salomonis simillimum fuisse negabit, qui immensum utriusq; concubinarum numerum reputaverit. Cum hujusmodi mulierculis et viris non honestioribus otium suum omni luxus et libidinis genere oblectavit. Qualis vir fuisset, indicio fuerunt, (ut quidam non ineptè observavit) ultima ejus extremâ inmorte verba, quibus neq; reip. neq; amicorum cujus aut propinquorum, sed meretricis meminerat. At forsan, inquies, opum suarum facultatibus ad patris suiq; comitum et defensorum inopiam sublevandam usus est, et hanc occasionem testandi quam bene adversus omne qui alterius utrius causam fortunis, manu, scriptis adjuvissent, avidè arripuit. Nihil minus; fidelissimos regiæ potestatis servos aut neglexit, ut inter mille alios Couleium et Butlerum nominem, aut, sicut Clarendonum, à se et patriâ removit, exiliiq; periculis et laboribus objecit.

Qui omnes nervos contendunt, ut Caroli memoriam qua jure qua injuriâ aliquatenus ab infamiâ quâ premitur liberent, regis comitatem atq; hilaritatem prædicant; quamq; facetus et lepidus conviva esset, libenter narrant. Et sanè disertus fuit leporum et facetiarum, si modo pro leporibus et facetiis scurrilis dicacitas sumatur. Hujus enim uberrimâ abundabat copiâ; nihil unquam facetè dixit, quod salvo pudore; nec liberè, quod salvâ religione dici posset. Per totum hujus principis regnum, modestiæ, pudoris, sinceritatis, temperantiæ, religionis deniq; nulla habita est ratio; neq; certior aut expeditior ad regis favorem patebat aditus, quam si quis, scurra, impius, vinosus et prodigus audiret. Ut quisq; ipse erat simillimus, ita carissimus. Ut breviter absolvam, antequam coronam adeptus esset, mendicus fuit; postquam adeptus esset,rex non fuit: sine dignitate sapientiâ aut fortitudine; sine amicitiâ; sine fide et amore connubiali; sine fraternâ pietate, atheus vivebat, Papista moriebatur. Talis fuit Carolus secundus.

⸺manibus date lilia plenis;Purpureos spargam flores, animamq; tyranniHis saltem accumulem donis⸺

⸺manibus date lilia plenis;

Purpureos spargam flores, animamq; tyranni

His saltem accumulem donis⸺

The subjoined Preface is printed from the Professor’s first copy, in his own hand-writing, which he permitted to be prefixed to Toup’s Emendations of Suidas.

LECTORIS.Cum nuper audivissem,ToupiiEmendationes in Suidam prælo Oxoniensi mox prodituras, Viros doctissimos, qui laborem edendi suscepissent, certiores feci, me non indiligenter opus illud aureum perlegisse, et notarum mearum, quas hic illic adscripsissem, modo dignæ viderentur, quæToupiiscriptis pro appendice adjungerentur, copiam iis facturum. Habes igitur breves hasce notas; quas tu, qualescunque tandem sunt fructu leges. Sed duo sunt, quæ abs te mihi ignosci pervelim. Unum est, quod plerumque censoris personam gero, sæpiusqueToupiumreprehendo, quam laudo; alterum, quod libros alios haud raro indicavi, in quibus idem jam anteToupiumobservatum sit. De priori, ita res erat, faciundum fuit. Neque enim hoc juvenili jactantia feci, nec quo viris me longe majoribus vellicandis laudem mihi comparare vellem; sed semper ab eorum consuetudinevalde abhorrui, qui nihil aliud quampulchre,bene,recte, tertio quoque verbo ingerunt. Ego sane, nisiToupiiingenium et doctrinam maximi facerem, nunquam in eum, ne hæc quidem, quantulacunque sunt, scriberem. Sed editoris aut commentatoris officium esse duco, auctoris sui errores corrigere, delectus supplere. Vix unquam igiturToupiisententiam calculo meo comprobavi, nisi ubi novis argumentis confirmari posse, aut ab aliis criticis nullo jure impugnata esse videretur. Quod ad alterum attinet, neminem opinor adeo iniquum fore, ut credat meToupio, quoties ejus cum aliis consensum memoro, plagii vel minimam suspicionem inustam velle. Sed cum duo scriptores idem tradant, mihi non alteruter, ab altero ideo sumpsisse, sed uterque rem recte reputantes, veritatis vi coacti, in eandem sententiam devenisse videntur.Omnes enim, inquitBentleius[4],in multa incidimus, nescientes, illa jam ab aliis esse occupata. Quæ observatio ut et mihi prosit rogo, si quid in his notulis, quod dictum sit prius, ipse dixisse inveniar.Dabam Londini, 1 Julii, 1787.

LECTORIS.

Cum nuper audivissem,ToupiiEmendationes in Suidam prælo Oxoniensi mox prodituras, Viros doctissimos, qui laborem edendi suscepissent, certiores feci, me non indiligenter opus illud aureum perlegisse, et notarum mearum, quas hic illic adscripsissem, modo dignæ viderentur, quæToupiiscriptis pro appendice adjungerentur, copiam iis facturum. Habes igitur breves hasce notas; quas tu, qualescunque tandem sunt fructu leges. Sed duo sunt, quæ abs te mihi ignosci pervelim. Unum est, quod plerumque censoris personam gero, sæpiusqueToupiumreprehendo, quam laudo; alterum, quod libros alios haud raro indicavi, in quibus idem jam anteToupiumobservatum sit. De priori, ita res erat, faciundum fuit. Neque enim hoc juvenili jactantia feci, nec quo viris me longe majoribus vellicandis laudem mihi comparare vellem; sed semper ab eorum consuetudinevalde abhorrui, qui nihil aliud quampulchre,bene,recte, tertio quoque verbo ingerunt. Ego sane, nisiToupiiingenium et doctrinam maximi facerem, nunquam in eum, ne hæc quidem, quantulacunque sunt, scriberem. Sed editoris aut commentatoris officium esse duco, auctoris sui errores corrigere, delectus supplere. Vix unquam igiturToupiisententiam calculo meo comprobavi, nisi ubi novis argumentis confirmari posse, aut ab aliis criticis nullo jure impugnata esse videretur. Quod ad alterum attinet, neminem opinor adeo iniquum fore, ut credat meToupio, quoties ejus cum aliis consensum memoro, plagii vel minimam suspicionem inustam velle. Sed cum duo scriptores idem tradant, mihi non alteruter, ab altero ideo sumpsisse, sed uterque rem recte reputantes, veritatis vi coacti, in eandem sententiam devenisse videntur.Omnes enim, inquitBentleius[4],in multa incidimus, nescientes, illa jam ab aliis esse occupata. Quæ observatio ut et mihi prosit rogo, si quid in his notulis, quod dictum sit prius, ipse dixisse inveniar.

Dabam Londini, 1 Julii, 1787.

The Professor once kindly undertook to write down, for a young friend who was preparing to make a collection of classical and philological books, a list of such works as he conceived to be indispensable in a well-chosen library.

A paper book was provided, in which the Professor first wrote, Libri Desiderati in Museo. A.B.

The two first pages of this Manuscript are subjoined.

Euripidis Hippolytus Valckenærii cum Diatribe in perditas Tragædias, &c.Euripidis Phœnissæ Valckenærii Ursini Collatio Græcorum cum Virgilio, cui accedunt Valckenærii Epistola ad M. Röverum et Dissertatio de Scholiis in Homerum ineditis, &c.Ammonius de differentia Vocum et alia ad Grammaticam spectantia cum Animadversionibus Valckenærii.Thomas Magister Bernardi, Oudendorpii et aliorum.Gregoriùs Corinthi Episcopus de Dialectis per Gisbertum Koënium.B. Brissonius de Formulis et solennibus verbis populi Rom.Dion Cassius J. A. Fabricii et H. S. Reimari, 2 vol. fol. Hamburgi.Fax Artium Gruteri, 7 vol.Selecta Theocriti Idyllia, a Valckenærio.Gatakeri Opera Critica Trajecti ad Rhen. 2 vol. fol. interdum in 1.Dion Chrysostomus Reiskii, 2 vol. 8vo.Arnobius Heraldi, 4to.Clemens Alexandrinus Potteri.Eusebii Præparatio}Evangelica a Fr. VigeroEusebii Demonstratio}Ecclesiasticæ Historiæ Scriptores a Valesio, 3 vol. fol. (ed. opt. Reading)Pollux Hemsterhusii.Philostratus Olearii.Libanius.Miscellaneæ Observationes a Britannis cœptæ, a Belgis continuata.Aristides Jebbii, 2 vol. 4to.Beausobre Histoire du Manicheisme, 2 vol. 4.Menagiana, 4 vol. ed. opt. 1729.Mœris Atticista, 1759, Piersoni.Ursini Fragmenta Lyricorum.Artemidorus Rigaltii, Par. 1603. 4to.

Euripidis Hippolytus Valckenærii cum Diatribe in perditas Tragædias, &c.

Euripidis Phœnissæ Valckenærii Ursini Collatio Græcorum cum Virgilio, cui accedunt Valckenærii Epistola ad M. Röverum et Dissertatio de Scholiis in Homerum ineditis, &c.

Ammonius de differentia Vocum et alia ad Grammaticam spectantia cum Animadversionibus Valckenærii.

Thomas Magister Bernardi, Oudendorpii et aliorum.

Gregoriùs Corinthi Episcopus de Dialectis per Gisbertum Koënium.

B. Brissonius de Formulis et solennibus verbis populi Rom.

Dion Cassius J. A. Fabricii et H. S. Reimari, 2 vol. fol. Hamburgi.

Fax Artium Gruteri, 7 vol.

Selecta Theocriti Idyllia, a Valckenærio.

Gatakeri Opera Critica Trajecti ad Rhen. 2 vol. fol. interdum in 1.

Dion Chrysostomus Reiskii, 2 vol. 8vo.

Arnobius Heraldi, 4to.

Clemens Alexandrinus Potteri.

Ecclesiasticæ Historiæ Scriptores a Valesio, 3 vol. fol. (ed. opt. Reading)

Pollux Hemsterhusii.

Philostratus Olearii.

Libanius.

Miscellaneæ Observationes a Britannis cœptæ, a Belgis continuata.

Aristides Jebbii, 2 vol. 4to.

Beausobre Histoire du Manicheisme, 2 vol. 4.

Menagiana, 4 vol. ed. opt. 1729.

Mœris Atticista, 1759, Piersoni.

Ursini Fragmenta Lyricorum.

Artemidorus Rigaltii, Par. 1603. 4to.

The subjoined are specimens of Porson’s familiar Letters. The person to whom they were addressed negotiated, at Porson’s desire, with the bookseller, for the publication of the Letters to Travis. It is correctly stated in the Athenæum that the prize given was thirty pounds. That the publisher lost money by it can hardly be conceived. The book is now out of print and numbered among the scarcer books.

Dear ⸺Settle the matter of publication for me in any way that you think reasonable, or that would be satisfactory to yourself. If you agree upon the terms that you mention in your letter, inform me when they would wish to begin. For, as the Preface will of course be printed last, I could send them a copy of the Letters in the Magazine, properly corrected, within a few days. With respect to the Lay Fellowship, I thank you for the information, but if it is already vacant, you need not doubt of its being given away. If you see the Rev. Mr.W. tell him the same from me, which will be equivalent to an acknowledgement of his letter, and tell him besides that Mr. Goodall is extremely flattered by the attention of a person so much his superior in dignity: συγκαθημενων, I would render the women who live with him. The literal sense is, without doubt, “who sit together;” but this expression refers to what was generally the case, not what was the case in this particular instance, for we are informed that it was quite the contrary. See Dorville on Chariton, which I have not by me here.I am, with compliments to ⸺Your’s,R. PORSON.Eton, 17 Sept. 1789.

Dear ⸺

Settle the matter of publication for me in any way that you think reasonable, or that would be satisfactory to yourself. If you agree upon the terms that you mention in your letter, inform me when they would wish to begin. For, as the Preface will of course be printed last, I could send them a copy of the Letters in the Magazine, properly corrected, within a few days. With respect to the Lay Fellowship, I thank you for the information, but if it is already vacant, you need not doubt of its being given away. If you see the Rev. Mr.W. tell him the same from me, which will be equivalent to an acknowledgement of his letter, and tell him besides that Mr. Goodall is extremely flattered by the attention of a person so much his superior in dignity: συγκαθημενων, I would render the women who live with him. The literal sense is, without doubt, “who sit together;” but this expression refers to what was generally the case, not what was the case in this particular instance, for we are informed that it was quite the contrary. See Dorville on Chariton, which I have not by me here.

I am, with compliments to ⸺

Your’s,

R. PORSON.

Eton, 17 Sept. 1789.

The Clergyman alluded to in the above Letter, was the Rev. Dr. Wingfield, for a time head master of Westminster School, and since that period, Prebendary of Worcester, with whom Porson subsequently spent a great deal of his time. Mr. Goodall is the present worthy Provost of Eton College.

Dear ⸺I think you may tell Mr. Egerton that I accept his proposals, which appear to me liberal enough. I find upon a review of my Letters in the Magazine, that besides changing the form of the Address, I shall make several alterations and additions that will render it necessary for me to write the whole over again. I shall return to London some time next week with the first part, fairly written for the press. I suppose that will be time enough. Συγκατημένων is Ionic, as κατιεις for καθιεις, &c. Your ⸺ packed up in a small parcel, and directed as before, will come safe.I am, with compliments to ⸺Your’s, &c.R. PORSON.Eton, 28 Sept. 1789.

Dear ⸺

I think you may tell Mr. Egerton that I accept his proposals, which appear to me liberal enough. I find upon a review of my Letters in the Magazine, that besides changing the form of the Address, I shall make several alterations and additions that will render it necessary for me to write the whole over again. I shall return to London some time next week with the first part, fairly written for the press. I suppose that will be time enough. Συγκατημένων is Ionic, as κατιεις for καθιεις, &c. Your ⸺ packed up in a small parcel, and directed as before, will come safe.

I am, with compliments to ⸺

Your’s, &c.

R. PORSON.

Eton, 28 Sept. 1789.

There are two things obvious from the above short Epistle, namely, that the Professor did not accustom himself to overrate the value of his talents, and that he was ready, at all times, to communicate, to those who required it, the benefit of his superior erudition.

Dear ⸺I wrote to you last Monday, but as I suppose my Letter might miscarry, I shall repeat the substance of it. I authorized you to accept Mr. Egerton’s terms; to which I shall only add, what I then omitted through haste, a request that you would stickle for half a dozen copies to be thrown into the bargain. As I am obliged to write over all my Letters that have been printed, to prevent mistakes and confusion, I cannot let them have any part of the copy before next week, when I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you and ⸺ in town, to whom present my compliments, and believe me to beYour’s sincerely,R. PORSON.Eton, 30 Sept. 1789.

Dear ⸺

I wrote to you last Monday, but as I suppose my Letter might miscarry, I shall repeat the substance of it. I authorized you to accept Mr. Egerton’s terms; to which I shall only add, what I then omitted through haste, a request that you would stickle for half a dozen copies to be thrown into the bargain. As I am obliged to write over all my Letters that have been printed, to prevent mistakes and confusion, I cannot let them have any part of the copy before next week, when I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you and ⸺ in town, to whom present my compliments, and believe me to be

Your’s sincerely,

R. PORSON.

Eton, 30 Sept. 1789.

Ex eo genere quod ex duabus vocibus monosyllabis unam vocem disyllabon efficit.

Primum, secundum, tertium, sive totum, sive integrum.

Te primum incauto nimium, propiusque tuentiLaura, mihi furtim surrippuisse queror,Nec tamen hoc furtum tibi condonare recusemSi pretium simili solvere merce velisSed quo plus candoris habent tibi colla secundoHoc tibi plusprimumfrigoris intus habet,Jamque sinistra cava cantavit ab ilicetotumOmina, et audaces spes vetat esse ratas.

Te primum incauto nimium, propiusque tuenti

Laura, mihi furtim surrippuisse queror,

Nec tamen hoc furtum tibi condonare recusem

Si pretium simili solvere merce velis

Sed quo plus candoris habent tibi colla secundo

Hoc tibi plusprimumfrigoris intus habet,

Jamque sinistra cava cantavit ab ilicetotum

Omina, et audaces spes vetat esse ratas.

Lexiphanem fatis functum, qua fœmina, qua virCertain indignis dedecorare modis,Hic quantum in Scotos fuerit testatus amoremEnarrat, fatuos vendidit illa sales.Fabellas Eques ede tuas, seu Musice mavis,Si famæ Herois vis superesse nihil.At Johnson’s death both sexes join,His character to undermine,Proclaim his courtesy to Scots,And print his stupid anecdotes,’Tis now thy turn musician knight,Publish and damn his fame outright.

Lexiphanem fatis functum, qua fœmina, qua vir

Certain indignis dedecorare modis,

Hic quantum in Scotos fuerit testatus amorem

Enarrat, fatuos vendidit illa sales.

Fabellas Eques ede tuas, seu Musice mavis,

Si famæ Herois vis superesse nihil.

At Johnson’s death both sexes join,His character to undermine,Proclaim his courtesy to Scots,And print his stupid anecdotes,’Tis now thy turn musician knight,Publish and damn his fame outright.

At Johnson’s death both sexes join,

His character to undermine,

Proclaim his courtesy to Scots,

And print his stupid anecdotes,

’Tis now thy turn musician knight,

Publish and damn his fame outright.

Porson one day visiting his brother-in-law Mr. P⸺, who at that time lived in Lancaster-court, in the Strand, found him indisposed, and under the influence of medicine. On returning to the house of a common friend, he of course expected to be asked after the health of his relation. After waiting with philosophic patience, without the expected questions being proposed, he reproached the company for not giving him an opportunity of giving the following answer, which he had composed on his walk.

My Lord of Lancaster, when late I came from it,Was taking a medicine of names not a few,In Greek an emetic, in Latin a vomit,In English a puke, and in vulgar a ⸺.

My Lord of Lancaster, when late I came from it,

Was taking a medicine of names not a few,

In Greek an emetic, in Latin a vomit,

In English a puke, and in vulgar a ⸺.

The following humourous verses were undoubtedly composed by Porson, but they are not copied from his own hand-writing, which most of the things here inserted are. He, however, repeated them tothe person from whose manuscript they are now printed.

ON THE POPULAR PLAY OF PIZARRO.As I walked through the Strand so careless and gay,I met a young girl who was wheeling a barrow,Choice fruit, Sir, said she, and a bill of the play,So my apples I bought, and set off for Pizarro.When I got to the door, I was squeezed, and cried dear me,I wonder they made the entrance so narrow,At last I got in, and found every one near meWas busily talking of Mr. Pizarro.Lo! the hero appears, what a strut and a stride,He might easily pass for a Marshal to-morrow,And Elvira so tall, neither virgin nor bride,The loving companion of gallant Pizarro.But Elvira, alas! turned so dull and so prosy,That I longed for a hornpipe by little Del Caro;Had I been ’mong the Gods I had surely cried Nosy,Come play up a jig, and a fig for Pizarro.On his wife and his child his affection to pay,Alonzo stood gazing, and straight as an arrow;Of him I have only this little to say,His boots were much neater than those of Pizarro.Then the priestess and virgins, in robes white and flowing,Walked solemnly on like a sow and her farrow,And politely informed the whole house they were goingTo entreat heaven’s curses on noble Pizarro.Rolla made a fine speech with such logic and grammar,As must sure raise the envy of Counsellor Garrow;It would sell for five pounds were it brought to the hammer,For it raised all Peru against valiant Pizarro.Four acts are tol lol, but the fifth’s my delight,Where history’s traced with the pen of a Varro,And Elvira in black, and Alonzo in white,Put an end to the piece by killing Pizarro.I have finished my song if it had but a tune,Nancy Dawson won’t do, nor the sweet banks of Yarrow,I vow I would sing it from morning till noon,So much am I charmed with the play of Pizarro.

As I walked through the Strand so careless and gay,I met a young girl who was wheeling a barrow,Choice fruit, Sir, said she, and a bill of the play,So my apples I bought, and set off for Pizarro.

As I walked through the Strand so careless and gay,

I met a young girl who was wheeling a barrow,

Choice fruit, Sir, said she, and a bill of the play,

So my apples I bought, and set off for Pizarro.

When I got to the door, I was squeezed, and cried dear me,I wonder they made the entrance so narrow,At last I got in, and found every one near meWas busily talking of Mr. Pizarro.

When I got to the door, I was squeezed, and cried dear me,

I wonder they made the entrance so narrow,

At last I got in, and found every one near me

Was busily talking of Mr. Pizarro.

Lo! the hero appears, what a strut and a stride,He might easily pass for a Marshal to-morrow,And Elvira so tall, neither virgin nor bride,The loving companion of gallant Pizarro.

Lo! the hero appears, what a strut and a stride,

He might easily pass for a Marshal to-morrow,

And Elvira so tall, neither virgin nor bride,

The loving companion of gallant Pizarro.

But Elvira, alas! turned so dull and so prosy,That I longed for a hornpipe by little Del Caro;Had I been ’mong the Gods I had surely cried Nosy,Come play up a jig, and a fig for Pizarro.

But Elvira, alas! turned so dull and so prosy,

That I longed for a hornpipe by little Del Caro;

Had I been ’mong the Gods I had surely cried Nosy,

Come play up a jig, and a fig for Pizarro.

On his wife and his child his affection to pay,Alonzo stood gazing, and straight as an arrow;Of him I have only this little to say,His boots were much neater than those of Pizarro.

On his wife and his child his affection to pay,

Alonzo stood gazing, and straight as an arrow;

Of him I have only this little to say,

His boots were much neater than those of Pizarro.

Then the priestess and virgins, in robes white and flowing,Walked solemnly on like a sow and her farrow,And politely informed the whole house they were goingTo entreat heaven’s curses on noble Pizarro.

Then the priestess and virgins, in robes white and flowing,

Walked solemnly on like a sow and her farrow,

And politely informed the whole house they were going

To entreat heaven’s curses on noble Pizarro.

Rolla made a fine speech with such logic and grammar,As must sure raise the envy of Counsellor Garrow;It would sell for five pounds were it brought to the hammer,For it raised all Peru against valiant Pizarro.

Rolla made a fine speech with such logic and grammar,

As must sure raise the envy of Counsellor Garrow;

It would sell for five pounds were it brought to the hammer,

For it raised all Peru against valiant Pizarro.

Four acts are tol lol, but the fifth’s my delight,Where history’s traced with the pen of a Varro,And Elvira in black, and Alonzo in white,Put an end to the piece by killing Pizarro.

Four acts are tol lol, but the fifth’s my delight,

Where history’s traced with the pen of a Varro,

And Elvira in black, and Alonzo in white,

Put an end to the piece by killing Pizarro.

I have finished my song if it had but a tune,Nancy Dawson won’t do, nor the sweet banks of Yarrow,I vow I would sing it from morning till noon,So much am I charmed with the play of Pizarro.

I have finished my song if it had but a tune,

Nancy Dawson won’t do, nor the sweet banks of Yarrow,

I vow I would sing it from morning till noon,

So much am I charmed with the play of Pizarro.

Porson’s fondness for Algebra was universally known, but perhaps a more singular proof of this can hardly be adduced than is exhibited in the following equation, composed by him in Greek. The original is comprized in one line.

Τις ὁ αριθμος ον τεμνομενον εις δυο ανισεις μερεις η του μειζονος μεριδος δυναμις μετα του ελαττονος μεταλαμβανομενη ισος εσσεται του ελαττονος δυναμει μετα του μειζονος μεταλαμβανομενῃ.

Required the number, which being divided into two unequal parts, the square of the greater added to the less shall be equal to the square of the less added to the greater. Let the numbers bexandy.

x² ×y=y² ×x

x² -y² =x-y

x+y=1.

If Nature and Fortune had plac’d me with you,On my first, we my second might hope to obtain;I might marry you, were I my third, it is true;But that marriage would only embitter my pain.

If Nature and Fortune had plac’d me with you,

On my first, we my second might hope to obtain;

I might marry you, were I my third, it is true;

But that marriage would only embitter my pain.

My first is the lot that is destin’d by fate,For my second to meet with in every state:My third is by many philosophers reckoned,To bring very often my first to my second.

My first is the lot that is destin’d by fate,

For my second to meet with in every state:

My third is by many philosophers reckoned,

To bring very often my first to my second.

My first, though your house, nay your life, he defends,You ungratefully name like the wretch you despise;My second, I speak it with grief, comprehendsAll the brave, and the good, and the learn’d, and the wise.Of my third I have little or nothing to say,Except that it tells the departure of day.

My first, though your house, nay your life, he defends,

You ungratefully name like the wretch you despise;

My second, I speak it with grief, comprehends

All the brave, and the good, and the learn’d, and the wise.

Of my third I have little or nothing to say,

Except that it tells the departure of day.

The child of a peasant, Rose thought it no shameTo toil at my first all the day;When her father grew rich, and a farmer became,My first to my second gave way:Then she married a merchant, who brought her to town;To this eminent station preferr’d.Of my first and my second unmindful she’s grown,And gives all her time to my third.

The child of a peasant, Rose thought it no shameTo toil at my first all the day;When her father grew rich, and a farmer became,My first to my second gave way:

The child of a peasant, Rose thought it no shame

To toil at my first all the day;

When her father grew rich, and a farmer became,

My first to my second gave way:

Then she married a merchant, who brought her to town;To this eminent station preferr’d.Of my first and my second unmindful she’s grown,And gives all her time to my third.

Then she married a merchant, who brought her to town;

To this eminent station preferr’d.

Of my first and my second unmindful she’s grown,

And gives all her time to my third.

My first is the nymph I adore,The sum of her charms is my second,I was going to call it my third,But I counted a million and more,Till I found they could never be reckoned;So I quickly rejected the word.

My first is the nymph I adore,

The sum of her charms is my second,

I was going to call it my third,

But I counted a million and more,

Till I found they could never be reckoned;

So I quickly rejected the word.

My first in ghosts, ’tis said abounds,And wheresoe’er she walks her rounds,My second never fails to go,Yet oft attends her mortal foe.If with my third you quench your thirst,You sink for ever in my first.

My first in ghosts, ’tis said abounds,

And wheresoe’er she walks her rounds,

My second never fails to go,

Yet oft attends her mortal foe.

If with my third you quench your thirst,

You sink for ever in my first.

My first is expressive of no disrespect,Yet I never shall call you it while you are by;If my second you still are resolv’d to reject,As dead as my third I shall speedily lie.

My first is expressive of no disrespect,

Yet I never shall call you it while you are by;

If my second you still are resolv’d to reject,

As dead as my third I shall speedily lie.

My first of unity’s a sign;My second ere we knew to plant,We us’d upon my third to dine,“If all be true that poets chant.”

My first of unity’s a sign;

My second ere we knew to plant,

We us’d upon my third to dine,

“If all be true that poets chant.”

Your cat does my first in your ear,O that I were admitted as near;In my second I’ve held you my fairSo long that I almost despair;But my prey if at last I o’ertake,What a glorious third I shall make.

Your cat does my first in your ear,

O that I were admitted as near;

In my second I’ve held you my fair

So long that I almost despair;

But my prey if at last I o’ertake,

What a glorious third I shall make.

My first with more than quaker’s pride,At your most solemn duty,You keep, nor deign to throw aside,E’en though it veils your beauty.My second on your cheek or lip,May kindle Cupid’s fire,While from your eye or nose’s tipIt ne’er provokes desire.But if your third you entertainFor your unhappy poet,In mercy Chloe spare his pain,Not ever let him know it.

My first with more than quaker’s pride,

At your most solemn duty,

You keep, nor deign to throw aside,

E’en though it veils your beauty.

My second on your cheek or lip,

May kindle Cupid’s fire,

While from your eye or nose’s tip

It ne’er provokes desire.

But if your third you entertain

For your unhappy poet,

In mercy Chloe spare his pain,

Not ever let him know it.

The following specimens of good-natured levity and humour were also produced by him, without any study or previous meditation.

The little girl, who was his favourite, as has before been mentioned, one day led him by the hand into the kitchen, to deliver a message to a servant. A young woman who had lived long in the family, and was much respected, was ironing linen. Her name was Susan, and the child desired Porson to write some verses upon her. Porson, as soon as he returned to the parlour, pronounced the following lines.

When lovely Susan irons smocks,No damsel ere looked neater,Her eyes are brighter than her box,And burn me like a heater.

When lovely Susan irons smocks,

No damsel ere looked neater,

Her eyes are brighter than her box,

And burn me like a heater.

On the extravagant terms of flattery, which Mr. Hayley and Miss Seward used in compliments to one another, Porson frequently indulged much satirical observation. The following dialogue is supposed to take place between the parties.

MISS SEWARDloquitur.Tuneful Poet, Britain’s glory,Mr. Hayley that is you.HAYLEYrespondet.Ma’am, you carry all before you,Trust me Lichfield Swan you do.MISS SEWARD.Ode, didactic, epic, sonnet,Mr. Hayley you’re divine.MR. HAYLEY.Ma’am, I’ll take my oath upon it,You yourself are all the Nine.

MISS SEWARDloquitur.

Tuneful Poet, Britain’s glory,Mr. Hayley that is you.

Tuneful Poet, Britain’s glory,

Mr. Hayley that is you.

HAYLEYrespondet.

Ma’am, you carry all before you,Trust me Lichfield Swan you do.

Ma’am, you carry all before you,

Trust me Lichfield Swan you do.

MISS SEWARD.

Ode, didactic, epic, sonnet,Mr. Hayley you’re divine.

Ode, didactic, epic, sonnet,

Mr. Hayley you’re divine.

MR. HAYLEY.

Ma’am, I’ll take my oath upon it,You yourself are all the Nine.

Ma’am, I’ll take my oath upon it,

You yourself are all the Nine.

Copied from Porson’s Manuscript, but whether his own or not is uncertain.

DECELIEUDIEUSORTMORTSORTFORTDURMAISTRESSUR

Mors mortis morti mortem nisi morte dedisset,Aeternae vitæ janua clausa foret.

Mors mortis morti mortem nisi morte dedisset,

Aeternae vitæ janua clausa foret.

A Lise fais tu mon premier,Qui prend le vrai pour le grossier,Ne traite ne de gris ses yeux,Ni de mon second ses cheveux,On Lise en mon tout se mettra,Et tes cheveux arrachera.

A Lise fais tu mon premier,

Qui prend le vrai pour le grossier,

Ne traite ne de gris ses yeux,

Ni de mon second ses cheveux,

On Lise en mon tout se mettra,

Et tes cheveux arrachera.

Je reçu hier de mon cousin,Pour etrennes tonneau de vin,C’est mon premier lui m’en repond,Pour la douceur et pour l’esprit,Mais puisqu’au au moins c’est mon second,Car c’est gratis comme j’ai dit.Ouvrons mon tout, rien ne me coute,Et buvons jusque a ne voir goutte....Quand vous me fites mon premier,En ravissant mon cœur, Iris,Je jurai de vous adorer,Malgre votre orgueilleux mepris,Et voici ce que je promis,J’amuserai jusqu’au dernier point.Maintenant je ne songe point,Aux sermens que je violés,Ai je tort? vous en jugerezVous etes mon entier toujours.Plus mon entier encor que belle,Vous me jouez cent mauvais tours,Du beau sexe trop vrai modele,Doit ma constance etre eternelle?

Je reçu hier de mon cousin,

Pour etrennes tonneau de vin,

C’est mon premier lui m’en repond,

Pour la douceur et pour l’esprit,

Mais puisqu’au au moins c’est mon second,

Car c’est gratis comme j’ai dit.

Ouvrons mon tout, rien ne me coute,

Et buvons jusque a ne voir goutte.

...

Quand vous me fites mon premier,

En ravissant mon cœur, Iris,

Je jurai de vous adorer,

Malgre votre orgueilleux mepris,

Et voici ce que je promis,

J’amuserai jusqu’au dernier point.

Maintenant je ne songe point,

Aux sermens que je violés,

Ai je tort? vous en jugerez

Vous etes mon entier toujours.

Plus mon entier encor que belle,

Vous me jouez cent mauvais tours,

Du beau sexe trop vrai modele,

Doit ma constance etre eternelle?

Perturbed spirits spare your ink,Nor beat your stupid brains no longer,Soon to oblivion then shall sinkYour persecuted Preface-monger.

Perturbed spirits spare your ink,

Nor beat your stupid brains no longer,

Soon to oblivion then shall sink

Your persecuted Preface-monger.

In every gift of Fortune I abound,In me is every vice and virtue found,With black and blue and green myself I paint,With me an atheist stands before a saint;Far above Nature, I make Art precede,And before sovereigns give the poor the lead.Many who bear the name of learned and wise,Did I not help them, you would oft despise;Nay more, within my grasp together boundThe king, the beggar, and the harlot’s found;In one thing I excel the proudest lords,You always may depend upon my words.

In every gift of Fortune I abound,

In me is every vice and virtue found,

With black and blue and green myself I paint,

With me an atheist stands before a saint;

Far above Nature, I make Art precede,

And before sovereigns give the poor the lead.

Many who bear the name of learned and wise,

Did I not help them, you would oft despise;

Nay more, within my grasp together bound

The king, the beggar, and the harlot’s found;

In one thing I excel the proudest lords,

You always may depend upon my words.

I’m sometimes very honest, sometimes not,And less sincere at court than in a cot;Sometimes I pleasure give, and sometimes pain,And now I praise bestow, and now disdain;The lovelier I appear when small my throne,Enlarge but this, and all my beauty’s gone;Sullen and silent when my friends are gone,I’m e’en invisible if left alone;Few things there are, at least but few I know,Which cost so little, and so much bestow.

I’m sometimes very honest, sometimes not,

And less sincere at court than in a cot;

Sometimes I pleasure give, and sometimes pain,

And now I praise bestow, and now disdain;

The lovelier I appear when small my throne,

Enlarge but this, and all my beauty’s gone;

Sullen and silent when my friends are gone,

I’m e’en invisible if left alone;

Few things there are, at least but few I know,

Which cost so little, and so much bestow.

Tho’ so light is my weight that no strength is required,They who take me about are oftentimes tired;Short, long, narrow, broad, of materials not strong,The forms I assume to rude fingers belong;Under thousands of names I am every day seen,And of very great use to dull people have been;Nay! often the vulgarest creatures on earthTake me from the hands of the noblest in birth;Me the folks of the country in general disown,So civil and gay, I’m fit only for town;In the coldest of winters my back is quite bare,Yet so little I find of compassion or care,That as soon as I’m seen I’m thought worthy of none,My service is past, and my business is done.

Tho’ so light is my weight that no strength is required,

They who take me about are oftentimes tired;

Short, long, narrow, broad, of materials not strong,

The forms I assume to rude fingers belong;

Under thousands of names I am every day seen,

And of very great use to dull people have been;

Nay! often the vulgarest creatures on earth

Take me from the hands of the noblest in birth;

Me the folks of the country in general disown,

So civil and gay, I’m fit only for town;

In the coldest of winters my back is quite bare,

Yet so little I find of compassion or care,

That as soon as I’m seen I’m thought worthy of none,

My service is past, and my business is done.

What could man do without my aid?Or what each fair industrious maid?I lead the first o’er sea and land,The second takes me by the hand,Presses me close with care and skill,And makes me do whate’er she will.I cannot boast of many charms,I’ve neither feet, nor legs, nor arms,But all allow I have an eyeSo fine, it may with beauty vye;I fear I many wounds impart,Shed blood, but never touch the heart.They who would contemplate my end,For that’s the point where I offend,Sharply to look about must mind,Or me much sharper they will find.

What could man do without my aid?

Or what each fair industrious maid?

I lead the first o’er sea and land,

The second takes me by the hand,

Presses me close with care and skill,

And makes me do whate’er she will.

I cannot boast of many charms,

I’ve neither feet, nor legs, nor arms,

But all allow I have an eye

So fine, it may with beauty vye;

I fear I many wounds impart,

Shed blood, but never touch the heart.

They who would contemplate my end,

For that’s the point where I offend,

Sharply to look about must mind,

Or me much sharper they will find.

It has been mentioned that Porson wrote some notes for Nicholson, to be prefixed to the edition of Xenophon’s Anabasis, published at Cambridge, in 1786. One of the copies of that work, given him by the bookseller, he presented to the writer of this article, with an inscription in Latin, written in his most beautiful manner, and expressed in the most flattering terms. A great many years afterwards he happened to take this particular Volume into his hands, and on looking at the inscription, hastily tore it out, promising the owner to write another. He never could be prevailed upon to explain his motive for this act, but it was conceived that some particular form of expression or disposition of the words had appeared erroneous to his better judgment. His friendly sentiments were certainly unchanged, which he manifested by subsequently writing another inscription in the book, expressed in terms, to the full as flattering as those which preceded.The words were these.

Viro doctissimoatqueAmicissimo

AmicitiæErgoDonat.Ricardus Porson.1789.

That he was friendly and social, many examples have already been adduced, sufficiently strong and numerous to prove that Gilbert Wakefield’s application to him of the term “Misanthrope” was absurd and unjust. But he was occasionally very playful, and once in a very merry mood, being in company with the young lady, of whom we have before spoken, and for whom he wrote most of the Charades, (printed in this work) he offered a trifling wager, that he could carry her round the room in his teeth. This was accordingly accepted. He fixed a handkerchief round her waist, and by first obtaining a nice balance he actually accomplished his purpose, without any seeming inconvenience.

Upon the tendency of his politics it is not intended to expatiate. It never interrupted an harmonious intercourse of more than twenty years with him, who pays this tribute to his memory, and to whom, in a moment of confidence, he gave, in his own hand-writing, a Pamphlet written in answer to Mr. Burke’s Reflections on the French Revolution. It is termed, A new Catechism for the use of the Natives of Hampshire. It is written with much vivacity and humour, but strongly marks the incorrigible bitterness of his political prejudices.

The humour of the Tract consists in playing upon the expression of the Swinish Multitude, said to have been applied by Burke to the common people. The beginning and conclusion are inserted as a sufficient specimen.

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