Q. Horatius Flaccus ex recensione Heinsii et Fabri, ac cum variis lectionibus Rich. Bentleii.

Amsterdam (Amstelaedami), Ap. R. et G. Wetstenios, 1719. 12mo. 214,(2 blank) p. Vellum 12.5 cm (Ref: Schweiger 2,407; Graesse 3,354) (Details: 4 thongs laced through the joints. Title engraved by J. Wandelaar) (Condition: Vellum age-tanned. Both pastedown detached. Right margin slightly thumbed. Engraved title coloured with watercolours. Some old ink underlinings. Faintly waterstained) (Note: This booklet was produced for schoolboys and educated men able to read Latin, but not to be bothered with philological niceties. The Wetsteins had already published an important Horace edition of the English genius Richard Bentley for scholars in Amsterdam in 1713. In a short note (p. 5) the 'typographus' Wetstein tells the reader that this booklet offers all that is to be desired for little money (paucis accipe). The odes, he says, are preceded (sometimes) by an indication of the metre 'ex mente A. Manutii', to make scansion, especially for schoolboys (tirones) easy. For the constitution of the text he follows Daniel Heinsius and Tanaquil Faber. The 'variae lectiones' of Richard Bentley are printed in the lower margins, to enable the reader to choose for himself. § The works of the Roman poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, 65-8 B.C., have enjoyed a continuous presence in European culture. Till well into the 20th century he stood central in school curricula. Earlier, in the Middle Ages, he was next to Vergil the most important school author. Horace is transmitted in around 300 medieval manuscripts. The Renaissance saw the beginning of a flood of editions. 'For Neo-latin poetry until modern times, and for all the vernacular literature of Europe from the 16th through the 18th centuries, Horace provided the dominant model both for private lyrics celebrating wine and love and for public lyrics celebrating affairs of state'. Young poets used Horace to learn the trade. 'Horace's elegant rationalism and moral wisdom, and also his disabused and tolerant tone, made his poems favorite reading during the Enlightenment'. (The Classical Tradition, Cambr. Mass., 2010, p. 454/60)) (Provenence: Small ownership entry on the front flyleaf: 'F.J.P. Verbrugge'. The Dutchman Franciscus Johannes Petrus Verbrugge was born in Bergen op Zoom, and took his doctoral degree 3 july 1973, defending his dissertation 'Versgrens en zin in Ovidius' Heroides'. He has published on Dutch and classical literature, especially poetry, and on the reception of classical culture in several periodicals.) (Collation: A-N8; O4 (O4 blank)) (Photographs on request)