to have fractured his leg; but his artifice was soon detected At last he fractured it actually; but his lamentations being thought fictitious, he found no compassion." But Horace here speaks of a Planus, a certain kind of jugglers, who gained their bread by exhibiting legerdemain tricks. Athenaeus makes mention of three άo, relating, at the same time, some of their tricks. The Horacian Planus had his stage in a public road, where he probably tumbled and danced upon the rope, and, in order to terrify the spectators, sometimes pretended to fall. Thus a poct relates, in Athenaeus, p. 616, &c. "that Planus Pantaleon had affected to be drunk, and, in order to excite laughter, spoke and acted like a drunken man, whereby he had imposed upon strangers and such persons as had not known his tricks: Τοὺς ξένους Τους δ' αγνοοντας αὑτον ἕπλάνα,” This corresponds exactly with the words of Horace, who says, that the people had been imposed upon only in the beginning; but when the juggler afterwards actually fractured his leg, they suspected him of again imposing upon them, and exclaimed, seck a stranger! i. e. one who is ignorant of your tricks! The unfortunate juggler swears, per Sanctum Osirin, credite, non ludo. The editor thinks, that this protestation was intended to characterize one of the scum of the Roman people, who were superstitiously devoted to foreign Gods; but to us, it seems intended to characterize an Egyptian, as that nation was notorious for the practice of various arts of deceit: árv πολυπείρονας ςαίζοντες κακὰ παίγνια παραλογισμοῖς Αἰγυπιακοῖς, as the schol. Theocr. says 15, 47. Athenaeus actually mentions 1, 16, p. m. 19 D. an Egyptian Planus, Matreas of Alexandria, who was admired both by Greeks and Romans. In unfolding the ideas, the connection, and the literal sense, the editor has evinced indefatigable diligence, a profound knowledge of the works of Horace, and a refined judgment; and we may expect much literary information from the continuation of the present work. ART II. Horazens Satyren, &c.-The Satires of Horace. Translated into German verses, and illustrated by I. I. HARMSEN. Pp. viii. and 236. Svo. Halle. Gebaur. 1800. We readily subscribe the opinion which the celebrated Wieland gave of this translation, to whom it was shewn, before it went to press, and who informed the author, that the elegant diction, the humour, and ease, that prevailed in it, rendered it worthy of publication. We can justly add, that that it is perfectly faithful, only a few verses of the second satire in the first and of the seventh in the second book being left out from a laudable regard to decency. The annotations, which are subjoined, are chiefly intended for the information of the dillettanti. The subsequent specimen will convince those of our readers who are acquainted with the German language, that we have not bestowed unmerited praise upon the translation: "Die Feldmaus ist von ihrem neuen Gluck Bald wollen zitternd sie im Saale sich verstecken, Ich danke herzlich, spricht die Maus Vom Lande, für dies schöne Leben! ART. III. P. Virgilii Maronis Opera in tironum gratiam perpetua annotatione novis curis itlustrata: A CHR. G. HEYNE. Tomus prior. Tomus posterior. Ixvi. three prefaces, and the poet's life. pp. 1416. 8vo. Editio tertia emendatior et locup letior. Leipzig. Fritsch. 1800. The second edition of this valuable work appeared eleven years ago, and many passages in the present third edition prove how anxious the celebrated editor is to render it as perfect as possible; for, we have met with numerous passages where he has retracted his former opinion, and availed himself of the labours of other authors, who since that time have written upon the poems of Virgil. ART. IV. C. Sallustii Crispi bellum Catilinarium, ad er The commentaries upon Sallustius, hitherto used in the schools 1 schools in Germany, having appeared to the author but indifferently calculated for the use of tyros, he resolved, to publish one better adapted to the wants of young people. He intended, at first, to add an Index Latinitatis Sallustii, but, upon mature consideration, dropped this design, "because experience had taught him, that beginners but rarely make proper use of such indices." Therefore he substituted, in lieu of it, annotations, in which he points out the latinity peculiar to Sallustius. His principal object was, to explain every thing that might be obscure to beginners; and he subjoined those passages in the works of Cicero and others that serve to illustrate the history of Catilina. This method undoubtedly is very proper, as it induces the tyro to read the quotations from other authors, which he otherwise would omit, either from want of books, or out of negligence. Mr. Kunhardt also deserves praise for having, on many occasions, literally copied the annotations of other editors. His historical annotations, upon the whole, are excellent, and will prove very useful to the beginner. But the philological annotations will, in many instances, be found trivial and superfluous. Nor is the author's stile thoroughly pure. ART. V. Der verkannte Werth der klassischen Schrift Steller, &c. &c.--A Vindication of the contested usefulness of the Ancient Classics, relative to the Improvement of the Mind, &c. &c. By M. D. G. I. HUBLER. pp. xvi. and 167. 8vo. Breslau, Hirschberg, and Lissa. Korn, sen. 1800. PP The author does not treat of the usefulness of the ancient classics, with regard to their influence upon the study of other sciences, but with respect to the improvement which the mind derives from a familiar conversation with the works of the ancients. The excellence of the writings of the ancient classical authors is proved by the veneration in which they have ever been held by all civilized nations. They also are represented by our author as having been particularly qualified for writing works that promote mental improvement and urbanity, by their intercourse with the great and the free access which they had to the courts. The influence of the works of the ancient classics upon the refinement of the mind, manifests itself particularly (a) by improving the understanding and storing it with sublime notions; (b) by instilling exalted sentiments into the heart. Here follows a justification of the ethics of the ancients. They improve the youthful mind by the instruction which they afford, and the noble noble examples which they exhibit. This assertion is substantiated by copious quotations from Terence, whose plays, if properly understood, are totally free from offensive passages; nor will he be found an atheist nor a seducer of youth. Many virtues, at present forgotten or neglected, are inculcated by the ancients: (a) nobleness and firmness of mind; magnitudo animi. In our times we often stoop even to mean compliance. (3) Civic duties, and (y) regard of the laws. The discourse of Socrates with Crito, is alledged as a proof. () Patriotism. The ancient classics bore an excellent character; for instance, Cicero, Horace. Here follows a long description of the character of this poet, taken from his poems. The influence of the study of the ancient classics finally manifests itself (c) by refining our taste. The ancient classics exhibited decided and invariable patterns. Their works produce a deep impression, because they are read with difficulty. The author frequently quotes passage from Garve's, Sulzer's, and other works, and draws nu merous parallels between ancient and modern literature. ART. VI. Lateinisches Gesangbuch, &c.-A Latin Hymn Book, for the use of my Children and those of Others, as well as for Adults, &c. By the Rev. Dr. M. WEBER. pp. 92. 8vo. Wittenberg. Printed for, and sold by, the author. We readily agree with the author of this little volume, that experience will prove to parents and instructors the eminent usefulness of this composition. The Latin is easy and pure, the tunes are simple, and the subjects adapted to the capacity of children. The first part contains thirty miscellaneous songs, and the second fifty hymns. This little volume is intended to be the precursor of a larger one, which the author proposes to publish by subscription. We subjoin the beginning of the first song superscribed: gaudium puerorum virtutis doctrinaeque amantium, in order to enable our readers to judge of the author's stile. 1 Gaudeamus pueri 2 Utrisque Sanitas Utimur ART. VII. I. The new Pocket Dictionary of the English and German Languages. In two parts: 1. English and German.-II. German and English: Composed chiefly after the Dictionaries of Adelung, Johnson, and others. In which the parts of speech, and the genders of the Ger man nouns, are properly distinguished; each word accented according to its just and proper pronunciation, &c. &c. The English and German part, pp. 231, in small 12mo. ; the German, and English part, pp. 146, Leipzig. Raben horst. II. New complete Pocket Dictionary of the English and German Languages, containing all words of general use, and terms of Arts and Sciences, from the best English and German Dictionaries: Compiled by F. R. RICKLEFS, with a preface by J. J. Eschenburg. In two parts:I. English and German, pp. 498. 8vo. 1799.-11. German and English, pp. 282. 8vo. London. C. Geisweiler, 1800. Several English and German, as well as German and English Dictionaries, of various sizes, have of late been published in Germany; but they all, unfortunately, prove but too evidently, that the respective authors, though sufficiently versed in the German language, possessed but a deficient knowledge of the English; and a dictionary upon which the tyro might confidently rely, is still a desideratum. The two dictionaries before us, though far from what they might be expected, will prove very acceptable to the learners of the German language in this country. That by Ricklefs is rather more complete than No. 1; but this is of a more convenient size, and is printed upon a neater type, and better paper. No. 1. is printed upon a very small, though distinct type, and with the strictest typographical economy. All technical terms, as well as all names of plants and minerals, not VOL. II. N frequently |