/ 
1808.] 
knowledge, and the new direction of 
ideas. ¢ 
Paulus Manutius was professor of clo- 
quence if this academy, and had also 
the direction of its press, which was en- 
tirely furnished with new founts cast from 
his own matrixes; and he had under his 
direction several othér printers, one of 
whom was Domenico Bevilacqua: Dur- 
ing the years 1558 and 15359, this press 
igsued fifteen editions, nong of which are 
volumindus; they were only’the prelude 
to many more considerable labours, 
Such an establishment, composed of 
the most learned men in Italy, excited 
great expectations. Sovereigus were de- 
sirous Gf honouring it with their protec- 
tion, and of granting to it various privi- 
leges. The academy, hoavever, was of 
very short continuance; in the year 
1562, no trace of. it remained, and its 
short existence would scarcely be recol- 
lected, but for the books which issued 
trom its press, under the care and direc- 
tion of Paulus Manutins, 
Disengaged from the attention which’ 
this press required, he received in March 
1561, letters from Cardinal Seripandi, 
who informed him of the earnest desire 
of Pope Pius TV. to have the sacred vo- 
lumes and the works of the fathers pub- 
lished with care and exactness, “ vel ho- 
minum incuria, vel improbitate corrup- 
tos:” alsv that his holiness, looking to- 
wards him, invited him to undertake this 
important concern. The project was 
not a new one. Since the year 1539, 
two learned Cardinals, Marcello Cervino 
and Aless. Farnese, had conceived the 
idea of establishing at Rome a magnifi- 
cent press; they had chosen Antonio 
Blado of Asola, to superintend it, who 
was come to Venice to obtain from 
Paulus Manntius founts of his-beautiful 
letter. 
The cinditions which were proposed 
to Paulus Manutius by the sovereign pon- 
tiff, were equally advantageous and ho- 
nuutable. He could not, however, im- 
mediately determine to accept them, 
since nothing had been farther from his 
intentions, than to abandon his country, 
his tamily, and favourite studies. After 
some hesitation, however, he accepted the 
propositions of the pope, upon the con- 
ditions meutioned by Cardinal Seripandi. 
‘The expences of his journey and of the 
reinoval of the printing utensils were to 
be defrayed by his holiness, and, accord- 
ing to Zeno, bis ananal salary was ‘to be 
about 600 crowns, though according to 
gue of his own letters only 500. He re- 
Memoirs of Paulus Manutius. 35 
paired to Rome about the month of Aun- 
gust 1561. The first publications from _ 
this new press were to be the Bible in 
Latin, and the works of St. Cyprian: but 
from numerous obstacles they were de- 
layed; the latterdid not appeaytill 1563, 
and the Bible at the end of twenty-eight 
years, in 1590, | Paulus Manutius opened | 
the press by asmall work written by Care_ 
diaal Polo, “ De Concilio, et de Refur- 
matione Angliae,” 1562, 4to. which is 
now very scarce. Several! other works of 
little importance succeeded this volume, 
till 1564, when he appears to-have kept 
his press constantly employed. ‘The edi- 
tion of St. Cyprian was executed with the 
attention which it deserved; several ex- 
celleat manuscripts were syught and 
carefully consulted; and many import~ 
ant unpublished pieces were printed with . 
it. He likewise undertovk to translate 
into better Latin the catechism of the 
Council of Trent; the doctrinal parts of 
which had been at first entrusted to three 
theologians. He printed it in 1556, fo. 
lio, and several times atterwards in 8yo- 
and 4to. both at Rome and at Venice. 
Many excellent editions successively of. 
cupied his presses, the Rpistles of Jerome, 
Salvinius, and some other works. These 
continued labours were not suitably re- 
warded. During the life of Paul IV. 
Manutius had no absolute reason to com- 
plain; if he was not enabled to enrich 
himself, he could at least comfortably 
support his family; but, atter the death 
of this pontiff, his situation was exceed-' 
ingly distressing ; he found considerable 
difficulty im obtaining his salary: his 
health being much impaired, increased 
his afflictions, and made him wish te re- 
turnto his own country. At length in 
September 4570, after having passed nine 
years at Rome, where he bad surmounted 
many difficulties and suffered many an- 
xieties, without reaping any advantage, 
he quitted that city. During his conti- 
nuance at Rome his press at Venice was 
not unemployed. Many editions were 
annually published, among which were se- 
Veralof hisown; and latterly it had been! 
conducted by Aldus, his son, with an ate 
tention far beyond his years. 
{aving at length quitted Rome, after 
an illness of nine months, and ardently de- 
siring the restoration of his health, Pau- 
lus Manutius did not engage in the cares 
Of his office, but suught that repose in the 
country, which he so much needed. We 
first retired to Piove del Sacco; and in 
October 1571, he resolved to make an 
excursion in Italy. He visited Genva, 
Reggio, 
