lypl. HINTS TO THE LEARNED. J69 



Fragments of the Decades of Livy were found not 

 very long ago on hattle-doors for Jljuiile-cockl 



Many fine things were loll at the Reformation in 

 England, and probably many valtiable MSS. afterwards 

 went to the fnuft'-fliops, when James I. of England 

 was publifhing his filly blaft againil tobacco. O what 

 a blafl of tobacco, if copies of the immortal Livy or 

 Polybius have gone to wrap up that wretched poifon 

 of America ! 



Spain certainly contains many unknown valuable re- 

 mains of literature, Greek and Roman, in Its provincial 

 convents, that ought to be diligently explored, and it is 

 entreated of the worthy brethr-=n of thefe houfes in 

 Spain that they may convey to the Bee a general def- 

 cription of fuch MSS. as are hitherto unregiftered and 

 undefcribed in their conventual libraries. Where tlicre 

 .arc illuminated MSS. of an hiftorical nature, and llilL 

 more where they are geographical or biographical, it is 

 entreated that fuch old pictures may be defcrlbed. 



The ancient Roman library, now unfolding at Por- 

 tici, goes on fo flowly that a century may be required 

 to give the public a lifl of its contents. 



It would be humane and noble if the King of the 

 . Two Sicilies would permit foreign potentates and fo- 

 reign focieties to employ poor learned brethren to un- 

 fold thcfc intercfting volumes, which would prove a 

 comfortable aid to thefe unfortunate men, who fee the 

 church crumbling under their eyes all over Europe. 

 The volumes Ihould be all partially unfolded to know 

 and tafte their merit and importance, before the im- 

 . menfe labour of recovering them {l;ould be attempted. 

 The Vatican library and Callle of St. Angcio con- 

 tain treafures of hiiloricai and claffical knowlcilge hi- 

 therto unimagined, and which might be obtained, if 

 funds were found for exploration, fince nothing can 

 exceed the liberality and goodncfs of the reigning 

 pontifi^, or of the Sacred College in opening the avenue 

 to ufeful curicfity, as has been experienced by the au- 

 thor of tliefe biiit^. L. 

 Vol . V + X 



