PREFACE.
v
written, boasted an earlier date, than the days of Musæus the Grammarian; this Musæus, in whose hands it might have been lodg'd by the revolutions of time, probably supply'd casual omissions, and reduc'd the mangled carcase into a more regular form; either himself, or others, little fitted to the task, tinging it with those blemishes, which display too many instances of officious inequality.[1]
E. B. G.
- ↑ Several Gems are produc'd in the Museum Florentinum, one of which, (a) discuss'd in that work of elaborate accuracy, is concluded to be a Gem of Leander; the other four (4) are so conjectur'd, though a different opinion is submitted. It may be reasonably suppos'd, that this romantic History was of very ancient origin; and that the earlier Age of Poesy must have recommended it to some author of peculiar eminence. It cannot be presum'd to have slept unnotic'd till the more recent æra of Musæus the Grammarian.
(a) Vol. p. 72.(b) Vol. I. p. 177.
