(9). Michael De la Roche (pp. 151-154), was celebrated for his periodical publications. The 1st volume of his Memoirs of Literature was in folio, 1710-11. Vols. 2, 3, and 4, followed at various intervals from 1712 to September 1714, and these were quartos. He then transferred his publications to Holland, where he issued from 1714 to 1725, the Bibliotheque Angloise ou Histoire Literaire de la Grande Bretagne, in 5 vols. 12mo, and a continuation entitled Memoires Literaire de la Grande Bretagne, in 8 vols. 12mo. He published by subscription in 1722 at London, a second edition of his former Memoirs of Literature, 350 copies, in 8 vols, octavo; to the new preface he signed his name, Michael de la Roche; the only apparent Huguenot names among the subscribers are Isaac Diserote, Rev. Dr. La Croze, Bernard Lintot, Charles de Maxwel, Esq., and James Rondeau. Next he brought out “New Memoirs of Literature,” from 1725 to 1727 in 6 volumes. And finally, “A Literary Journal, or a Continuation of the Memoirs of Literature by the same author,” — this lasted during 1730 and 1731, and extended to three volumes. The third volume (which is the most interesting and contains the author’s own miscellaneous observations) begins in January, 1731; in the opening advertisement he says, “If my readers knew the history of this journal and what crosses and disappointments it has met with, they would pity me.” The concluding advertisement, June 1731, is in these words:— “My readers know that I print this Literary Journal upon my own account. I give them notice that it will be discontinued, till I have sold a certain number of my copies; and then I shall go on with it.” In his last volume, page 290, he writes — “I was very young when I took refuge in England, so that most of the little learning I have got is of an English growth. I might compare myself to a foreign plant early removed into the English soil, where it would have improved more than it has done under a benign influence. As I had imbibed no prejudices in France against the Church of England and Episcopacy, I immediately joined with that excellent church, and have been a hearty member of it ever since. I was not frighted in the least, neither by a surplice, nor by church music, nor by the litany, nor by anything else. I did not cry out, This is popery. I cannot say that I have learned in England to be a moderate man in matters of religion, for I never approved any sort of persecution one moment of my life. But ’tis in this country that I have learned to have a right notion of religion — an advantage that can never be too much valued. Being a studious man, it was very natural for me to write some books, which I have done, partly in English and partly in French, for the space of twenty years. The only advantage I have got by them is that they have not been unacceptable, and I hope I have done no dishonour to the English nation by those French books printed beyond sea, in which I undertook to make our English learning better known to foreigners than it was before. I have said just now that I took refuge in England. When I consider the continual fear I was in, for a whole year, of being discovered and imprisoned to force me to abjure the Protestant religion, and the great difficulties I met with to make my escape, I wonder I have not been a stupid man ever since.” (Dated April, May, June, 1731).
(10). Michael Maittaire (pp. 154-158), came to England with his father in 1681, aged 13. He finished his education at Westminster School and Oxford University. He had a great reputation as a learned author and an editor of the classics. In the controversy with Whiston he also took a prominent share on the orthodox side. Born, 1668. Died, 1747.
Errata — Page 154, line 43 — for “Quinetilian,” read “Quinctilian.”
----- “ 155, " 8 — for “colloqui il,” “ “colloquial.”
(11). Peter Anthony Motteux (pp. 156-157), produced the best translations into English of Don Quixote and Rabelais. Born, 1650. Died, 1718.
(12). Paul Rapin, Seigneur de Thoyras (pp. 157-161), belonged to a junior branch of a noble family, being a son of Jacques, Seigneur de Thoyras and Jeanne de Pelisson; he was thus a nephew of the infamous Abbe Pelisson, who laboured in vain to pervert him. He was a refugee officer, and served brilliantly in Ireland in 1689 and 1690. But he was removed from the army to become tutor to Viscount Woodstock, son of the Earl of Portland.
