DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.13851#0018
xii
LIFE OF
tiful edition of Lycophron's Alexandra, in folio. He had intended to
publish Nicander's Theriaca and Alexipharmaca, along with it, but
was prevented from executing this plan by his numerous avocations.
He has illustrated Lycophron by copious extracts from the Greek
scholiast; a id, besides his own annotations, he has added those of
his predecessors, Canterus and Meursius. This work was reprinted
in 1702, dedicated to Graevius, at whose suggestion it was undertaken,
and is reckoned the best edition of this obscure Greek poet.
It has been the fate of Lycophron to be edited by a series of young
critics. Canterus published his edition at the age of twenty-four,
(Basil, 1566, 4to.); Meursius, at the age of eighteen (Lugd. Bat.
1597, 8vo.); and Potter, at the age of twenty-three. In the present
century, the Rev. Henry Meen, B. D. a critic of mature learning
and judgment, has distinguished himself by " Remarks on the Cas-
sandra of Lycophron," 1802, 8vo., interspersed with specimens of
translation, exhibiting ample proofs of his qualifications for executing
a complete version of " the tenebrous poet," with notes and illustra-
tions ; which it would be desirable to see *.
The same year, 1697, he gave to the world the first volume of his
Archaeologia Grceca, or The Antiquities of Greece, 8vo., and the year
after, he published the second volume. Several additions were made
by him in the subsequent editions of this useful and learned work, of
which the seventh was published in 1751. The character and pe-
culiar usages of the Greeks are here minutely and clearly explained.
The authorities from which the information is obtained are accurately
stated ; and the numerous quotations from the poets, with which the
work abounds, give a satisfactory illustratien of the phrases and cus-
toms they are intended to illustrate. The language is simple and
perspicuous, without being elegant; and, notwithstanding the nume-
rous productions of a similar kind that have since appeared, this is
unquestionably entitled to hold the first place.
These*publications established his fame in the literary republic,
both at home and abroad, and engaged him in a correspondence with
Graevius and other learned foreigners. Both publications, particu-
larly the last mentioned, could not fail to be generally acceptable.
The poem of Lycophron, containing a long course of predictions
which he supposes to be made by Cassandra, daughter of Priam king
of Troy, is very obscure, and needed illustration. The Antiquities of
Greece serve as a key to unlock the treasures of Grecian literature.
We are now to view him as a churchman and a theologian. He
commenced Bachelor in Divinity on the 8th July 1704, and about
the same time was appointed chaplain to Archbishop Tenison ; with
whom he went to reside at Lambeth. On the 18th April 1706, he
took the degree of Doctor in Divinity, and soon after was appointed
chaplain in ordinary to the queen.
* The last commentator of " Lycophron" is known to the learned world as the edi-
tor of Fawkes's " Ar^onautics of Apollonius Rhodius," to which he contributed ali
the notes and some of the translations. He is also the translator of " Coluthus Lyco-
politus," in Dr. Anderson's edition of" Translation^" in which C——- stood for Coad^
hitor, who was Mr. Meen.
LIFE OF
tiful edition of Lycophron's Alexandra, in folio. He had intended to
publish Nicander's Theriaca and Alexipharmaca, along with it, but
was prevented from executing this plan by his numerous avocations.
He has illustrated Lycophron by copious extracts from the Greek
scholiast; a id, besides his own annotations, he has added those of
his predecessors, Canterus and Meursius. This work was reprinted
in 1702, dedicated to Graevius, at whose suggestion it was undertaken,
and is reckoned the best edition of this obscure Greek poet.
It has been the fate of Lycophron to be edited by a series of young
critics. Canterus published his edition at the age of twenty-four,
(Basil, 1566, 4to.); Meursius, at the age of eighteen (Lugd. Bat.
1597, 8vo.); and Potter, at the age of twenty-three. In the present
century, the Rev. Henry Meen, B. D. a critic of mature learning
and judgment, has distinguished himself by " Remarks on the Cas-
sandra of Lycophron," 1802, 8vo., interspersed with specimens of
translation, exhibiting ample proofs of his qualifications for executing
a complete version of " the tenebrous poet," with notes and illustra-
tions ; which it would be desirable to see *.
The same year, 1697, he gave to the world the first volume of his
Archaeologia Grceca, or The Antiquities of Greece, 8vo., and the year
after, he published the second volume. Several additions were made
by him in the subsequent editions of this useful and learned work, of
which the seventh was published in 1751. The character and pe-
culiar usages of the Greeks are here minutely and clearly explained.
The authorities from which the information is obtained are accurately
stated ; and the numerous quotations from the poets, with which the
work abounds, give a satisfactory illustratien of the phrases and cus-
toms they are intended to illustrate. The language is simple and
perspicuous, without being elegant; and, notwithstanding the nume-
rous productions of a similar kind that have since appeared, this is
unquestionably entitled to hold the first place.
These*publications established his fame in the literary republic,
both at home and abroad, and engaged him in a correspondence with
Graevius and other learned foreigners. Both publications, particu-
larly the last mentioned, could not fail to be generally acceptable.
The poem of Lycophron, containing a long course of predictions
which he supposes to be made by Cassandra, daughter of Priam king
of Troy, is very obscure, and needed illustration. The Antiquities of
Greece serve as a key to unlock the treasures of Grecian literature.
We are now to view him as a churchman and a theologian. He
commenced Bachelor in Divinity on the 8th July 1704, and about
the same time was appointed chaplain to Archbishop Tenison ; with
whom he went to reside at Lambeth. On the 18th April 1706, he
took the degree of Doctor in Divinity, and soon after was appointed
chaplain in ordinary to the queen.
* The last commentator of " Lycophron" is known to the learned world as the edi-
tor of Fawkes's " Ar^onautics of Apollonius Rhodius," to which he contributed ali
the notes and some of the translations. He is also the translator of " Coluthus Lyco-
politus," in Dr. Anderson's edition of" Translation^" in which C——- stood for Coad^
hitor, who was Mr. Meen.