523 
first examination* he gave proofs of pro- 
ficiency that astonished and attracted 
the attention of every spectator; the 
Greek professor, especially, was struck 
with his knowledge of that lenguage, 
which he found but little inferior to his 
ewn. This did not fail to acquire him 
friends and protectors; and being natu- 
tally possessed of great penetration, an 
excellent judgment, and a most reten- 
tive memory, and persevering through 
the whole course of his lite in the same 
ardent and indefatigable application, for 
which his earlier years had been remark- 
able, he rapidly rose into fame and dis- 
tinction. In 1711 he was appointed 
con-rector at the grammar-school of Co- 
penhagen ; in 1714, he was made pro- 
fessor of the Greek language at the Uni- 
versity; in 1759, historicgrapher and 
librarian to the king; in 1731, private 
archivary and counsellor of justice ; 
and in 1746, counsellor of state. He 
was highly esteemed at home, and eager- 
ly sought by the great; he was also much 
respected by the learned men of other 
countries, who frequentiy consulted him, 
and found assistance from his uncommon 
erudition, as did Lamy for his edition 
of Meursius; Duker for his edition of 
Thucydides; Fabricius for his Biblio- 
theca Greca, in all which performances 
he had no inconsiderable share. He was 
also engaged in correspondence with 
BMonttaucon, Stukeley, aud other cele- 
brated men. 
His principal departments were the 
Greek language and antiquities; and the 
Northern history, language, and antiqui- 
ties. With respectto the latter, bis merits 
in elucidating the Danish history are 
very great. Itwas not so much his study 
to collect as to examine what previous 
historians had written, to expose their 
errors, correct their mistakes, and estab- 
lish, by proof, what was true in their 
relations. He did not, therefore, leave 
behind him any complete history of his 
country, but only critical observations 
on particular parts ofit. These, however, 
are very numerous, and throw a great deal 
of light uponthe whole. In fact, he paved 
the way for his successors in this branch; 
and to him Langebek, Schonning, and 
Suhm, in a great measure owe what they 
have been able to do. ; 
Gram died, regretted and lamented by 
* Tt is one of the rules of that university, 
that none must be matriculated, before he has 
submitted himself to, and stood the test of, a 
public examination. 
Account of the Life and Writings of Gram. 
(Nov. I, 
all, (for his philanthropy was equal to his 
learning) on the 19th of February, 1748, 
A medai was struck on this occasion, re+ 
presenting on one side his bust, surround- 
ed by an inscription of his name and 
titles; on the other side, a closed book 
on atable, over which, Lugentibus Mus 
sis; underneath, occlusus D.19. Febru- 
ary 1748. 
The following-are, in chronological or- 
der, the inost nuportant of his wriungs: 
De origine Geometriz apud /Egyptios. 
Hatn. 1706, 4te. 
Archyte Tarentini Fragmentum | gegs 
tT Madypetixys, cum disquisitione 
chronologica de etate Archyte. bid. 
1707, 4to. 
Historia Deorum ex Xenophonte, s. An-_ 
tiquitatum Xenophontearam Prodromus, 
cul accedit Specimen Supplementi Lexi- 
corum ex Xenophonte. ebid. 1715, Ato. 
Castigationes ad Scholia m Thucydidis 
Libros. tbid. 1721, 1722, 4to. 
Dispp. vil. de Veteris Testamenti Ver= 
sionis Greece in N. T, Allegatione, 
ibid. 1722-1788, Ato, ; 
Praefat. ad Joh, Mollert Cimbr. Litter. 
Adit. ibid. 1744, tol. 
Note ad Historicam Danicam Meursii, 
introduced in the newCollection of Meur- 
sius’s writings, edited by Lamy. Flo- 
rence, 1746. fol. 
Knytlinga Saga (an ancient Icelandic 
historical writing) edited and accom- 
panied with a Latin translation, was 
printed, but has not yet been published 
tor want of preface and notes. 
Commentatio de ficta enrici Aucupis 
Expeditione Danica. 
Kpistole doctissimorum hominum Se= 
culi xvil. cum annotationibus. These 
two last compositions are troduced inte 
Nova Miscellanea. Lipsiensia. 
Oratio de Origine et Statu Rei littera- 
riz in Dania et Norvegia, usque ad fun- 
datam Universitatem Hafniensem. 
In the Acts of the Society of Sciences 
at Copenhagen there are several treatises 
by Gram, among which I shall notice the 
following :— 
On Gunpowder, when it was invented 
in Europe, and how long it has beer 
used in Denmark. (Danish.) : 
De nigmate Sibyllino novem Littera- 
rum. 
On the adumbration of several things, 
that are sometimes seen on frozen win= 
dows. (Danish.) 
Instances of Danish words and phrases 
explained from the Anglo-Saxon language. 
(Danish.) Your’s, &c, 
London, September 8, 1807 Fs BR, 
