the union of the graces of society, and literature, with the genius of philosophy, is not surpassed by many among those of men."-Edinburgh Review, vol. 22, p. 225. TRÉVOUX. Dictionnaire universel, français et latin, vulgairement appelé Dictionnaire de Trévoux, corrigé et considérablement augmenté, par l'Abbé Brillant. Paris, 1771, 8 vols. fol. * * "The small town of Trévoux gave its name to an excellent literary Journal, long conducted by the Jesuits, and to this dictionary. The first edition of this dictionary sprung from the spirit of rivalry, occasioned by a French dictionary published in Holland, by the protestant Basnage de Beauval. The Duke du Maine set his Jesuits hastily to work, who, after a pompous announcement that this dictionary was formed on a plan suggested by their patron, did little more than pillage Furetiere, and rummage Basnage, and produced three new folios, without any novelties; they pleased the Duke du Maine and no one else. This was in 1704. Twenty years after, it was republished and improved; and editions increasing, the volumes succeeded each other, till it reached to its present magnitude and value, in eight large folios, in 1771, the only edition now esteemed. * In this manner, from the humble beginnings of three volumes, in which the plagiary much more than the contributor was visible, eight were at length built up with more durable materials, and which claim the attention and gratitude of the student."-Second Series of Curiosities of Literature, vol. 2, p. 347-9. * * VILLEMAIN (M.) Lascaris, ou les Grecs du quinzième siècle, suivi d'un Essai historique sur l'état des Grees depuis la conquête musulmane, jusqu'à nos jours, troisième édition. Paris, 1826, 2 vols. 18mo. "This production of M. Villemain is not unworthy a place by the side of the Voyage d'Anacharsis."-Revue Encyclo. vol. 30, p. 824. Discours et Mélanges littéraires. Paris, "If the strict duty of a critic will not allow us to place M. Villemain among the first of authors, I must nevertheless consider him as one, who among the universal shipwreck of taste, has held fast to its true principles, and has not disdained to take the ancients for guides. He has studied all the secrets of style, and has made the best use of his knowledge. Doubtless he sometimes sacrifices the justice of the expression to the harmony of the phrase; more simple, he would be more touching and sublime. But this ambition of style, which he has perhaps derived from too intimate an acquaintance with the oratory of the ancients, with the fathers of the Church, with Isocrates and Seneca, Chrysostom and Tertullian, forms a portion of his identity. What we admire in M. Villemain, is the profound knowledge of the ancients, which illuminate every page of his writings. He does not quote, which is often an artifice of ignorance, affecting learning, but every line of his composition is evidently embued with classical attainment."-Revue Ency. vol. 22, p. 353. To this work should be added the "Cours" now being delivered in Paris, by this elegant and gifted Littérateur. VOLNEY (C. F.) L'Alphabet Européen, appliqué aux langues Les Ruines, ou Méditations sur les Révolutions "Volney was indefatigable in his search after Truth; not content with what Books contained, he sought it in the wilds of Egypt and Syria. He braved hunger and thirst, and exposed himself to every danger. He mixed with tribes of Arabs, learned their language, and adopted their customs. Arrived before the ruins of Palmyra, his admiration knew no bounds, and here those inspirations took place which he has transmitted to Posterity."-Revue Ency. vol. 11, p. 174. 1 |