PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORMÉ, AND BROWN, pater- LETTER CXI. Dr. HICKES to Mr. T. HEARNE. On Printing MSS. May 2, 1715. DEAR SIR, I HAD the favour of both your letters, and my trembling hand and other infirmities oblige me to answer them in as few words as I can. I cannot approve of your printing Tully's Works, for as I used to tell Dr. Mill, Dr. Grabe, Dr. Hudson, &c. I am for printing MSS. especially in the Universities, even the bare MSS. correctly and faithfully, though without notes and commentaries, as MSS. were at first printed, and leave posterity in after editions to refine upon them in notes, and commentaries, and what criticisms they please. Therefore I much approve of your printing that ancient copy of the Acts of the Apostles in Greek, and Latin, and in the manner you mention, in capitals, keeping the * Hearne did print this very valuable MS. which is supposed to have belonged to venerable Bede, and to have been written about the seventh century. |