The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-26


Us T.3CIIUS; with essay OF his life and geni-
as notes, supplements, &e.--By .dythuy Murphy,
Esq.-The first Ameri AN from the last London L
dition, with the Authors last corrections
As brief Recommendation oil the above works to
those to whom they may MOI lie already known, the
following nofi.r OF Them iscopied from the London
Review OF the time when they first published
Though, says This Review, "i be with the
Translation OF l,c,us that have now to do, not
with the character vi that original and great historian
himself, it would be difficult, perhaps unnatural and
INDIGENOUS, to pass BY the present opportunity OF
cosnisns the merit of that sub.iMe genius, and Join
ing in the general Voice OF applause and admiration.
Corneius lacitus, lay felicity OF circuni-
stances, united IN himself all those relations qualities
and Accomplishments, that requisite to form a
great h s,orsu: Tie WAS OF senatorial rank, and in
that order mighty distinguished. He enjoyed the la
YOUR oil tl.e prnces and soycrciSns of the civilized
world, aud held civil Offices OF the highest dignity and
Importance. lie possessed, native probity ard ec-
walton OF mind and these noble qualities were height
cncsi and confrncd by habitu.I conversancy with
the history of the Roman republic, and education
in the principles oil the subimest philosophy. The
pioioundness OF his reflections, the precision of his
dicton, his elegant and energetic breyy, and
thing remarkably picturesque aud dramatic in his
manner, eonsprc, with the disnity aud importance OF
his Subjects to ciothc his works with a neyrr failing
bloom, and render his fame Immortal. He records
the actions, the counsel, the secret motives of the
great actors in the greatest political drama that
ever exhibited on the world and the History of la
stus. as well observed by his accomplished ransa
tor and critic, is " Philosophy teaching by example,
The contents Of these Volumes naturally to
admit OF the following Division
: I. \ deSlication to the right honourabie Edmund
Burke; an Essay on the life and genius OF Tacius;
the aiuas OF Tacitus, with supplements and an APP
pendix genealogical table, with index, of the &C.
sais--notc on the annals and appendix, and maps of
the ancient world as known to the Romans, and of a.
STA. g The history of Tacitus, with an appendix.
and notes TO the history and appendix-and maps OF
the city ofJerusaem, and OF Italy. 3. The celcbrat-
: cd and valuable Treatise the manners OF the Ger
Ilna wifi nntt anI ma Of ntcIen
and the life of A:,iicola with notes, and geographic
cal table OF the places, rivers &c mentioned i'll these
volumes To these authentic works of racitus adj
ded The dialogue concerning OratOry,' of which,
| Mr.. Murphy in note has Justly remarked, The
commentators are much divided in their opinions a
bout the real author This work, they all agree, is
masterpiece in u.e kind-wiiten with taste and judy
| Notwithstanding, profound, and elegant. But
whether it is to be aseibed to Tacitus Quinctian
any other person whom -hey cannot name, is ques-
ton upon which they have exhausted store OF learn
| ing. MIR. Murphy, after giving account of the
principal arguments pro and con, says in conclusions
although he seems To lean the opinion that the
production OF Tacitus-s The dispute is of no mpor
tance-tor, as lpsus says, whether give the lia-
ogue to Qunctlian or to Tacitus, no Inconvenience
can arise. Whoever tae author, ii is perform
ance of uncommon beauty
Mir. Murphy has given the sense of his author in
pleasing and proper style, and even catched not
little * his mannerin order to do which, in SD long
work, it was necessary TO be master of the whole
compass of the English language. His and sup
pements show that he is intimately with
Roman antiquity, and with literature IN general. He
views the objects that pass before him with the eye
of critic, morast, and politican-and in part
calar he makes interesting companions between the
situations aud characters of different ancient and mo
dern tribes and nations"
CONDITIONS
l. The works of ractus shall be put press as soon
sutficicent number of subscriptions shall be OBJ
tanned to justify it.
ii. They shall be printed with new plea type on a
tine paper made for the purpose, with proper at
enton to uniformity OF colour and quality through
out.
III. The volumes shall he delivered in the order in
which they published, and shall succeed each
other speedily as due attention to the execution
viii permit. Each volume 10 be paid for ON deli
Very at dolls. so cents per volume, in boards
&C + The London edition of Tactus, is in vols. Syo.
the American edition will be in vols. Svo.-and
will sell at half the price of the former Subscrip-
tions received by the Publisher, by William Prch-
ari, Richmond, and by the principal booksellers
throughout the United States.
Such may become answerable for the amount OF
| sly copies, shall be, entitled to seventh.
| Philadelphia, Dec. 12. wSw