words; Teclisius Auria et Ugolinus Vivaldus duabus triremibus privatim comparatis et instructis iggressi sunt mariti mam viam ad eum diem orbi ignotam ad indiam patefaciendo, fretumque Herculeum egressi, cursum in occidente in direxerunt; quorum hominum****qui fuerint casus, nulla ad nos unquam fama pervenit.*

If Fogliette were the only author, relating this fact, unsubstantiated by any cotempory writer, the describers of voyages might be excused for not having mentioned this laudable enterprize, undertaken by the Genoese. But this account is confirmed by Pietro d'Abano, a cotemporary writer, whoinhis work, intitled, Conciliator, attests it in the following words; Parum ante ista tempora Januensis duas paravere omnibus necessariis munitas Galeas, qui per gades Hercules in fine Hispaniae situatas transire. Quid autem illis contigerit, jum spatio fere trigesimo ignoratur annot. It clearly appears that Albano here speaks of the road to the East Indies, as he adds, that at his time travellers still were compelled to repair thither by land, giving, at the same time, a minute description of the road to be taken. The Genoese were superior to all Europeans in navigation towards the close of the 13th century, and carried on a most extensive trade. In 1298, they defeated the fleet of the Venetians, when the celebrated Marco Polo, who had just returned from his Asiatic travels, was made prisoner by them. The demonstrations of respect, and the caresses by means of which they endeavoured to prevail upon him to communicate to them his discoveries, are an additional proof of the spirit of discovery, which then animated them. P. W.

CRITICAL RETROSPECT

OF

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN GERMANY AND THE NORTH.

ART. I. Publii Virgilii Maronis Georgicon Libri Quatuor.
Des Publius Virgilius Maro Ländliche Gedichte übersetzt
und erklärt con JOHANN HEINRICH VOSS..
1800.
Altone

THIS publication constitutes the third and fourth volumes of Voss's translation of Virgil. The first and second, containing the Bucolicks, were (excepting the Pollio) for the first time published in 1797; as were the Georgicks, in a de

Hist. Genn. Lib. V.

+ Conciliat. Dissert. 77.

tached

tached form, some years before. Whilst the applause which attended the latter, hath induced the translator to proceed with the whole of Virgil, in republishing this part, he hath presented it with considerable improvements.

To our German readers, Mr. Voss, as a poet, needs no commendation. The many happy specimens of his talents in that department; especially in his exquisite LUISE, place him with the foremost of his countrymen as to original composition; whilst his success in translating the Iliad and Odyssey, leaves no reason to dread a falling short in his version of Virgil. In a word, it will be found, that the Georgicks, which are the most perfect production of their author, have suffered nothing from the German translation. Yet, to whatever commendation this translation be entitled, it is not the sole merit of these volumes; for, besides that the text of the original is here given in a revised state, and improved by manuscript readings, the commentary is fraught with abundant illustrations, and abounds with the happiest application of most appropriate learning. The same stores of erudition, which enabled Mr. Voss to elucidate so judiciously the subject of mythology, have not failed to supply, whatever could interest, on this. We have no apprehension of committing ourselves, whilst we venture to affirm, that the most perfect of didactic compositions, as well as of the works of Virgil, was never before exhibited to half such advantage.

As Mr. Sotheby, one of our best poets, hath recently published a translation of the same poem, we shall accompany with corresponding extracts from his, the annexed specimen.

Vol. 4, p. 481.

Doch nicht einige Pfleg' erhöht die Kräfte so mächtig, Als wenn du Venus Getust abwehrst und blinde Bethörung; Ob dich der Ross', ob mehr der Rinder Gebrauch dich erfreue. Trum verbammt man ferne die Stier' in einfame Weiden, Hinter den sondernden Berg, jenseits breitströmmender Flüchse; Oder man hält sie daheim an satter Krippe geferkert. Demi es verzehrt allmählich des Weibes entflammender Anblick Jede Kraft, und verbeut an Gebüsch zu denken und Grasung. Reizt doch jene fogar durch füfs amtockende Zauber Oftmal trozige Buhler zum Kampf mit feindlichen Hörnern. Jugendlich schön durchweidet die Kuh den gewaltigen Sila: Jene nahn feindselig in Kraft und Stärke zum Angrif,

• Bunte

Wunde mit Waud' abwechselnd; und schwarz rinnt Blut um die Glieder;

Dort ringt gegen und dort ihr strebendes Horn mit des Eifers Dumpfem Gebrumm: lait hallen die Forst' und der hohe Olym pus.

Auch nicht dulden die Kämpfer gemeinsame Hürd'; es entfernt sich
Einer besiegt, und wandert in Fremdlingsflur ein Verbanter,
Unmutsvoll beseufzend die Schmach, und die Wunden vom stolzen
Sieger gebohrt, auch die Buhlen, die ungeahndet er einbüsst;
Und nach der Hürd' umschauend verlässt er sein väterlich Erbreich.
Nun, nun übt er mit Sorge der Kräft' Anstrengung, und zwischen
Hartem Gektipp ausdauerend auf ungestreuetem Lager
Ruht er, von stachlichtem Laube genährt und schneidendem Ried-

grass;

Auch versucht er sich selbst, und lernt in die Hörner zu wüten, Gegen den Stamm anstrebend des Baums; und trozet den Win

den,

Stoss auf Stofs, vorspietend zur Schlacht mit gesprengetem Sande.

Bald, wann Kraft er von neuem und frischere Stärke gesammelt, Zeucht er zum Kampf, und stürzt auf den forgloß weidenden Gegner:

So wie die Wog' in der Mitte des Meers weissschäumend sich hebet,

Fernher, und aus der Tiefe sich hohl zieht; jetzo gewälzet
An das Gestad', unermesslich die Felfen durchrauscht, und an
Gröffe

Gleich dem Gebirg' hinkracht; nun drehn sich die untersten Wasser
Brandend empor, und strudeln den schwärzlichen Sand aus dem

Abgrund.

VOSS.

But, to confirm their force, in youth remove
Thy steeds, and bullocks from destructive love.
Banish the bull in distant dells unseen,

Where rivers spread their torrent tide between,
VOL. II.
B

Where

Where intervening rocks prone cliffs oppose,
Or lonely stalls his sullen strength enclose.
He views the bride, each look new passion fires,
Slow wastes his strength, and melts with vain desires.
When noontide flames, forgetful of the shade,
His restless footsteps bruise th' untasted blade;
And oft her wanton look and witty charm
The rival challengers to battle arm.
The beauteous heifer indolently roves,
And feeds at leisure 'mid luxuriant groves;
Onward they rush, and from alternate blows
Dark blood through gushing wounds the earth o'erflows.
Front clash'd on front their battering horns rebound,
Olympus bellows, and the woods resound.

The combat o'er, insatiate rage remains,
The vanquish'd exile roams o'er distant plains;
Mourns o'er his shame, and each ignoble scar,
That marks th' insulting victor's might in war.
And much he mourns, sad wanderer, forc'd to rove,
In battle unaveng'd, and lost to love,

And leave, oft turning ere he quits the plain,
The native honours of his proud domain.
Hence by long toils collecting all his might
He disciplines his strength to wage the fight:
Wears through each sleepless night his rocky bed,
And strays all day on prickly rushes fed;
Now tries, contending 'gainst th' invaded oak,
His iron horns, and batters stroke by stroke;
Buts at the wind, and with impatient hoof,
Prelude of battle, whirls the earth aloof;"
Then, gathering all his vigour, seeks his foe,
Drives unexpected on, and levels at a blow.
Thus faintly scen along the distant deep,
Gleams the white wave, and heaves its surgy sweep,
Swells as it rolls, 'mid bellowing caverns roars,
And bursts a mountain on the delug'd shores:

Vex'd ocean boils, and, high in columes driven,
Whirls the dark sand, and clouds the face of heaven.

SOTHEBY

Vol. IV. p. 723.

Wie voll Schmerz Fitometa in grünender Pappetumschatting. Ihre verlorenen Kinder betraut, die ein grausamer Landmanı Spähend dem Nest entwandte, die federlosen; doch jene Weint in die Nacht, und erneut vielfältige Töne des Jammers, Sizend im Laub'; es erfüllt ringsum Wehklage die Gegend. VOSS

Thus Philomel, beneath the poplar spray,
Mourns her lost brood untimely snatch'd away,
Whom some rough hind that watch'd her fos'tring nest,
Tore yet unfledg'd from the maternal breast:
She, on the bough, all night her plaint pursues,

Fills the far woods with woe, and each sad note renews.
SOTHEBY.

For the NOTES, we refer to the work itself, which deserves, we conceive, the strongest recommendation.

ART. II. On the Antiquity of the Knowledge and Use of Butter and Cheese among the Ancient Germans; from a comparison of the English and German Language: By M. JOHN FRIEDR. AUG, KINDERLING, Altenburg. (Concluded from p. 472.)

The word caseus appears to admit of a more easy explanation; though the derivations from coago, premo, or coeo, are by no means satisfactory. Varro (de Ling. Lat. lib) derives it from cogo or coago-Caseus a coacto lacte, ut coaxeus dictus; Festus from coeundo; and Ioidorus (Etymol. lib. 20. cap. 2) from carendo :---Caseus vocatur quod careat sero, quasi carcum, Nam serum ei omne deducitur. Jul. Cæsar Scaliger derives it from casa; because cheese is usually made in the cottages of peasants: a very extraordinary etymology, certainly, notwithstanding the feral resemblance of the words. Joseph Scaliger supposes it derived from the language of the ancient Osci in which casus signifies, old. Vossius has given this derivation in his Etymologicon, and adds, Egequoque ab Oscis esse fucile credo. Junius (in 4 Glossario in Nyerupi Specim. Literature Tent, col. 285) has adopted the

derivation