CiiAP. XIII. ] Cl!/s.slc Litcratare. on 



if all their speculations respecting the analysis of 

 the language, and especially concerning the origin 

 and meaning of the particles, siiould he judged to 

 be wholly unfounded, which probably few will sup- 

 pose to be the case, they will doubtless be pio- 

 nounccd to have thrown much light on the sub- 

 jects which they discussed. Hut a satisfactory 

 view of their ino'enious and useful hd)ours can onlv 

 be obtained by the careful perusal of their numer- 

 ous publications. 



It might have been expected, in an age in which 

 the intercourse of men was so much extended as in 

 the last, and in which so many rich repositories of 

 ancient manuscripts were for the hrst time opened 

 to the inspection of the intelligent and the curious, 

 that many remains of ancient genius, before un- 

 known, would have been brought to light. Few 

 acquisitions, however, of this kind have been 

 made by the republic of letters. The industry and 

 zeal of former times in this pursuit seem to have 

 left little to be gained by modern exertions. Tlie 

 small additions which have been made during the 

 last age, to the classic treasures before possessed 

 by the world, may perhaps deserve some brief 

 notice. 



It had been long known that a composition 

 bearing the title of a Hymn to Ceres, and ascrib- 

 ed to Homer, existed in the second century; but 

 learned men considered it as irretrievably lost. 

 In the eijrhteenth century this composition was 

 brought to light; and, what is remarkable, it was 

 found in one of the rudest and most unelassieal 

 countries of Europe. About the yiar 177-3 C'hiis- 

 tian Frederic Matthi3ei, a learned German, having 



