The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-04 00:00:00

THE BOOK OF MOTTOES.

This is a complete dictionary of mottoes borne,
not only by Nobles and Baronets, but also by
public companies, cities, and individuals in the
middle and lower ranks of life. They are trans-
lated into English, with occasional notes and illus-
trations, and arranged in alphabetical order. When
the compiler publishes a second edition he would
render the book doubly valuable by giving an al-
phabetical list of the names also, so that the motto
of any family might be found out at once. Thus,
Wellington, " Virtutis fortuna comes"—Napier,
" Ready, aye ready."

TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Siw,—As you have admitted the speech of one more
counsel on the opposite side, I hope you will favour
me with a last reply. To a " Latitudinarian" (a not
uncourteous opponent) I would observe that I still,
under correction, believe, that the operations and scope
of lingual critici2m, and the experiments, and phenomena
of natural science, present a difference of character pre-
cluding any analogy.
As being honoured with an adjunct from Cambridge,
I must know the names of Bentley and Porson with
some subsequent ones from this and the sister Univer-
sity—

" Much renowned in Greek,"

of course they have introduced considerable improve
ments. But, I would risk much on the answer to the
following question. Would a person who had to de-
rive his ethics from the direct observations of Pluto, or
the interjectional, though noble ones of eEsehylus, be led
into fatal errorsby versions and translations prior to these
two great men ? Assuredly not. There was no such
Cimmerian darkness. I have tested translations, ancient
and modern, from four or five languages, living and
dead, according to my humble knowledge. In some
cases I have thought the old translations better ;
more in the spirit of the original. In cases where they
were less perspicuous and elegant than the modern,
they conveyed no unsafe idea of the author's meaning.
My acquaintance amongst the clergy has been with
men of sound learning, of more worth than wealth.
They have admitted some errors in the translation,
but, considering it to be generally very faithful, have
thought that the disquiet attending a new translation
would be the greater evil. Had they thought other•
wise, I am sure they would rather have died than have
sold themselves to an unworthy purpose. Let me re-
mind any correspondent (whose aim I will rather think
correctional than destructive) that one of the first " new
translations" of " separate books" was by Lowth, Bishop
of London ; which beautiful work, whilst it gives a poetic
dress, makes no material difference in the sense ; let the
:35th chapter be examined as a specimen. And, of inn-
dern criticisms and suggestions, I think a very fair por-
tion have come from the clergy themselves, which does
not look as if they thought, or primarily cared, that
their own " craft" would be endangered by letting in
additional light.
I made a brief allusion to the Jests. Have the most
learned Jew Rabbis ever asserted that the Christian
translations of their Books were materially incorrect ?
Believe me, Sir, that I conscientiously dare not be an
enemy to the improvement in translation. This should,
however, be the work of united counsel, not of one
mind, however eager ; he may do his part. Any really
necessary corrections might, I think, be soon made by a
Committee" fairly chosen. These might be inserted
in their places in future editions, and an appendix (an
extremely small number of pages) added to the present.
For an entirely new translation the public mind ought to
be considerably prepared. This brings me, Sir, to mention
the reason of my writing to you at all. I would protect
the unlearned, attached Christian from groundless un-
easiness. Let him believe the word of one who honestly
believes himself able to speak on the subject, and who,
for his own sake, would not deceive him, that he may
place as much confidence in his Bible and Testament, as
to all objects of information and satisfaction, as he did
before persons of more reading than himself wrote on
the subject in public journals, and that the few altera-
tions hol would find would only tend to increase his
ideas of the goodness and mercy of God.
I am, Sir, your's, respectfully and obliged,
A CONSTANT READER, M.A.
London, Jan. 1, 1841.