on, or reinforces the Proof, or gives a new Turn of Strength, and Beauty to the Expression. And thus the Reader is always a gainer by the bargain.
In Translating the Author I have made use of the quarto Edition publish'd in 1697. In which besides Gataker's Annotations, I had the Assistance of Monsieur Da'cier's Remarks, turn'd into Latin by Dr. Stanhope. As for his French Translation, I never saw it till sometime after my own was finished, and part of it printed off: However, one thing I shall observe, and which is the only use I have made of Monsieur Dacier's Translation: 'Tis his Remark upon Sect. VI. Book I. where citing Pollux, he tells us, that the Romans in imitation of the Greeks, us'd to fight Quails for Divination, as well as Diversion; and had a Fancy their own Fortunes might be Prognosticated by the Success of the Battle. This piece of Superstition I confess was more than I was aware of, and yet by the Context, the Emperour seems to have had it in his View,
One Word more of the Emperour's Stile, and I have done: Now his way of expressing himself is extraordinarily Brief: His Words are sometimes over-burthen'd with Thought, and have almost more Sense than they can carry. Indeed, 'twas part of his Character to write in this Concise manner; for neither the
