compiler of the
_Lectionum Memorabilium et Reconditarum Centenarii_ xvi.
(being a collection of curious pieces from more than 3000
authors--chiefly Protestant) was a civilian, a soldier, and
a statesman. He was born A.D. 1537, at Vernac, in the duchy
of Deux Ponts; of which town his father was chief
magistrate. He was bred under Sturmius at Strasbourg, under
Melancthon at Wittemberg, and under Cujas at Bruges. He
travelled much and often; particularly into France and
Burgundy, with the Dukes of Stettin, in 1467. He attended
the Elector Palatine, who came with an army to the
assistance of the French Hugonots in 1569; and, in 1571, he
conducted the corpse of his master back to Germany by sea.
After this, he was frequently employed in embassies from the
electors Palatine to England and Poland. His last patrons
were the Marquisses of Baden, who made him governor of
Muendelsheim, and gave him several beneficial grants. In
1594, Wolfius bade adieu to business and courts, and retired
to Hailbrun; where he completed his "_Lectiones_," which had
been the great employment of his life. He died May 23, A.D.
1600--the same year in which the above volumes were
published." Thus far, in part, our biographer, in his _Vitae
Eruditorum cum Germanorum tum Exterorum_: pt. iii., p. 156,
edit. 1706. These particulars may be gleaned from Wolfius's
preface; where he speaks of his literary and diplomatic
labours with great interest and propriety. In this preface
also is related a curious story of a young man of the name
of Martin, whom Wolfius employed as an amanuensis to
transcribe from his "three thousand authors"--and who was at
first so zealously attached to the principles of the Romish
Church that he declared "he wished for no heaven where
Luther might be." The young man died a Protestant; quite
reconciled to a premature end, and in perfect good will with
Luther and his doctrine. As to Wolfius, it is impossible to
read his preface, or to cast a glance upon his works--"magno
et pene incredibili labore multisque vigiliis
elaboratum"--(as Linsius has well said, in the opening of
the admonition to the reader, prefixed to his index) without
being delighted with his liberality of disposition, and
astonished at the immensity of his labour. Each volume h