The Sun.
London, England, 1822-02-13 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

The POEMS of CAWS VALERIUS CATULLUS, trans-
lated. With a Preface and Notes. Ey the lion. GEORGE
LAmn. In Two Volumes.
Our Readers will
„remember that, about two
years ago, we presented to them translations of
many Poems of CATULLUsf by a learned and in-
genious •Corres—ponde-ni, whose other pursuits
.have since preyented us front receiving more of
hislfavOtirs, but to ivhorn We hope to behereafter
often indebted for the effusions, of his sprightly
and- elegant Muse. We have here a translation
M
of the Roari-Roet highly hPhOurable to the
learning, talents, apdfaste of Mr. Lomp. The
work is introduced by. an admhable original
poem, entitled " Reflections before PUblication,"
and by a very instructive Preface; in which the
Translator estimates with great acumen and
judgment the genius, character, and productions
of his author. It was observed of DRYDEN, that
he always bestowed high praises on the works
on which he happened to be employed as a trans-
latni. This obseriltiOn b:y, ho,means aPplicable
to Mr. LAmn, who,though one of the warmest ad-
mirers of CAutrius, enters into a candid but just
estimation of his merits.. As a proof of this just
and candid spirit'of criticism, Mr. LAMB Oxamines
the pretensions. 'of `C.tnir.r.tis to•the epithet of
learned, which had been applied _to him, and
fairly concludes that " the title of learned never
belonged peculiarly to him, btit was merely en-
joyed in common with all Poets." He does not,
however, come to this conclusion without Sufficient
inquiry. Thetranslation altogether.is animated,
and judiciously varied in metre, according to the
nature of the subject, and diSplays throughout
great facility, spirit, and elegance. T;he pre-
liminary. poem may rank with some 'of the
best compositions in our language of a similar de-
scription. If it were note so long, we should
gladly give it entire, but we cannot deny our-
qelves the pleasure of extfacting, one passage.—
Mr. LAMB, who is himself a Barrister, vindicates
those who, though professors of the Law, occa-
sionally pay their court to the Muses. For this
ptirpose he.calls up CATULLUS to assist him, who
refers to the examples of TULLY. CALTUS, HOII7
TENSIUS ; and then from himself Mr. L. gives the
ftkllowing just, elegant, and appropriate trillute
to Sir WiLment Jonas and Sir WILLIAM BLACK..

STONE :--

1 - - Did he, with every lore and language fraught, ' .
• -Who'ivon the smile ofevery Muse he sought,
Who, judge and statesman, and revered as both, . .
With Europe's wisdom lightened Eastern sloth,
Made tribes with, bigotry of ages dim
Love e'en their conquerors whit hack honour'd him;
Yet still would pour amid his high career
' The strains of Haft on his country's 'ear ; *
Did he but toil to teach these after-days
That law alone can be the lawyer's praise,
To leave a legacy of Gothic pride :
In studied ignorance of all beside ?
Nor such the rule, when he, whose labour shews
The roots whence Britain's polity arose,
Law's classic tutor, who could well beguile
The driest study with the purest style;
, .
When Blackstone Moum'd the life no Muse adorn'd,
Nor tuneful honours even Murray scorn'd.. • •
—We shall take an early opportunity to extract
some of the translated Poems,' in order to shew
how far Mr. LAXB has entered into the spirit of
his author. In the mean time our' Readers, we
are sure, will join with us in the pleasure which
we feel in seeing a gentleman of a noble family,
and, moving in the first circles, possessed of so
much learning and taste,and devoting his leisure
hours to pursuits that do honour to himself and
the country.—We should observe that the notes
are copiouS, and manifest great learning, judg-
ment, and abundant research.

* Sir William Jones.