ol, and his hard-hearted strictures upon the
innocent ebullitions of Petrarch and Boccaccio, have been
noticed, with due judgment and spirit, by Mr. Burnet, in his
pleasing analysis of our philosopher's works. See _Specimens
of English Prose Writers_; vol. ii., p. 84. Our tutor's
notions of academical education, and his courteous treatment
of his royal and noble scholars, will be discoursed of anon;
meantime, while we cursorily, but strongly, applaud Dr.
Johnson's almost unqualified commendation of this able
writer; and while the reader may be slightly informed of the
elegance and interest of his epistles; let the bibliomaniac
hasten to secure Bennet's edition of Ascham's works (which
incorparates [Transcriber's Note: incorporates] the notes of
Upton upon the Schoolmaster, with the Life of, and remarks
upon Ascham, by Dr. Johnson), published in a handsome quarto
volume [1761]. This edition, though rather common and cheap,
should be carefully reprinted in an octavo volume; to
harmonize with the greater number of our best writers
published in the same form. But it is time to mention
something of the author connected with the subject of this
work. What relates to the BIBLIOMANIA, I here select from
similar specimens in his English letters, written when he
was abroad: "Oct. 4. at afternoon I went about the town [of
Bruxelles]. I went to the frier Carmelites house, and heard
their even song: after, I desired to see the LIBRARY. A
frier was sent to me, and led me into it. There was not one
good book but _Lyra_. The friar was learned, spoke Latin
readily, entered into Greek, having a very good wit, and a
greater desire to learning. He was gentle and honest," &c.
pp. 370-1. "Oct. 20. to Spira: a good city. Here I first saw
_Sturmius de Periodis_. I also found here _Ajax_, _Electra_,
and _Antigone_ of _Sophocles_, excellently, by my good
judgment, translated into verse, and fair printed this
summer by Gryphius. Your stationers do ill, that at least do
not provide you the register of all books, especially of old
authors," &c., p. 372. Again: "Hieronimus Wolfius, that
translated Demosthenes and Isocrates, is in this town. I am
well acquainted with him, and have brought him twice to my
lord's to dinner. He looks very simple. He telleth me that