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tions of a Scholar I admire most; but I know myself so well, as to be sensible how much I fall short of it. I have herein inclosed something that will still try your patience and goodness. 'Tis a poor copy of verses, which (after a long desuetude) I ventured to make in France, upon the occasion of presenting my last book to the King's Library; and I met with such friends, who to shew their civility to me, commanded it to be printed at the Royal Printing-house, and published their candor at the expense of exposing my faults. 'Tis ridiculous to turn poet in my old age. But you'll excuse every thing in an old friend. What you mention in your letter concerning other printers, is what I am now pursuing; the work is already begun; the name is Annales Typographici;t it will be three volumes in

* They are not to be found.

+ "Annales Typographici ab Artis invente Origine ad Annum M.D. Haga Com." 1719, 4to.-The second volume, divided into two parts, and continued to the year MDXXXVI. was published at the Hague in 1722; the third volume, from the same press, in two parts, continued to MDLVII. and, by an Appendix, to MDCLXIV. in 1725. In 1733, was published at Amsterdam, what is usually considered as the fourth volume, under the title of "Annales Typographici ab Artis inventæ Origine ad Annum MDCLXIV. Opera Mich. Maittaire, A.M. Editio nova, auctior et emendatior, Tomi Primi Pars posterior." This volume, which appears by the title to be a new edition, is merely a revision of all the former

4to. And I hope the first will come out by next midsummer. Lucan is the next book, which is printing at Mr. Tonson's and his partner's press; but these other typographical works have made the Classics go much slower. And I find the labour growing under my hands. I own (what you hint) a Geographia Classica and Astronomia Poetica to be most useful; but they will require not only more leisure than I have at present, but also an abler undertaker.

Mr. Hearne's being prosecuted in the vicechancellor's court, appears to most here in town, as the malice of a few persons (or may be, person in the singular) who, being unable to outdo and rival his industry, lay hold of some little exceptions (at the worst heedless, and which I grant, by a more wary man might have been left out) to bring about his ruin. We all in town have a great value for Mr. Hearne's labours; and your kindness which you expressed to me for him

volumes. The fifth and last volume, divided into two parts, was published at London, in 1741; so that the whole work may be bound either in five or nine volumes.-Maittaire was born in 1668; educated at Westminster under Dr. Busby; by the interest of Dr. South, became a Canoneer-Student of Christ Church; and in 1695 returned to Westminsterschool, as second master, in which situation he continued till 1699, from which period, till his death in 1747, he lived in retirement, and dedicated all his time to his literary labours.

(when I was at Oxford) pleased me. I hope the poor suffering conscientious man has still a share in your favour. My little acquaintance with the world hinders me from having any interest. If I had, I would heartily serve him. I have, however, had an opportunity to speak of it to my Lord Pembroke and Lord Sunderland. But the business entirely dependeth on you gentlemen of the University. Give me leave, Sir, to beg the continuation of your favour to a person whose character we here take to be, conscientious, modest, inoffensive, and laborious. I am come to the end of my paper, and by this time to the end of your patience; having just room enough to subscribe myself, Worthy Sir,

I THANK you for your last, which

I received from Hambledon; from which place

you are now (I suppose) returned to the University, which cannot long want Dr. Charlett. I hope Mr. Hearne will find that Mr. Bridges's solicitation in his behalf has not been in vain. Your wishing Mr. Hearne had my temper, proceeds from your overkind opinion of me. But I shall never pretend to the great performances of that person, or the great applause he has met with. Nothing of what my poor pen is employed about, can ever rise to that honour of being taken notice of by an University. The most earnest of my wishes is, that

-cum transierint mei

Nullo cum strepitu dies,

Obscurus moriar senex.

My close attention, with which I am now wholly taken up in finishing my first volume of Annales Typographici, stops at present all other designs of mine. The friendly turn, which you gave to the leisure the Government has granted me, cannot intirely reconcile me to the hardships the laws have put me to. I thank God, I want no courage to go through, but courage does not exclude feeling. One thing I can boast of, that the cruelty never yet soured my looks, nor extorted low revengeful expressions from my tongue or pen. I wish I could sometimes divert myself with an University journey. Nothing could be

any

more acceptable and profitable, than some minutes of your conversation, to,

Revd. and worthy Sir,

Your most humble

and obedient Servt.

M. MAITTAIRE.

LETTER CXXVII.

Mr. STRYPE to Dr. CHARLETT.

Fox's Martyrology.

Low Leyton, May 24, 1718.

I have only cast an eye upon Mr. Hearne's new edition of "Camden's Elizabeth." I have not read his long preface. You give me one passage in it, and I humbly go along with you and your friends at Oxford, shewing your dislike of the rude character he gives of Mr. Fox's Martyrology.' The very charge the Jesuite

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agnosco Foxi Martyrologium, quod tantopere laudatur, mendaciorum magna ex parte esse farraginem.— Id quod nuperrime etiam innuit egregius Historicus Jeremias Collierus, veritatis cultor. Nimirum homines vafri, huc illuc oberrando fabularum anilium vim ingentem collegerunt, Foxoque (viro diligentia, doctrina, utinam et judicio, virtutibus, satis claro) in manus dederunt, qui illico sine ullo discrimine, ut moris est Scriptorum imprudentium, operi inservit."

Editoris Præfatio, p. XLI.