1808. ] Memoirs of Aldus Manutius, or the E Ider Aldus. 
that it still retains all the brilliancy of its 
varnish, and is far superior in this respect, 
to that of the rivals of the Addi, the Gi- 
unti of Florence who -printed upon pa- 
per, made with too little size, and with a 
gray ink, and so bad, that after three 
centuries, it still setts off under the bin- 
der’s hammer. ; 
Aldus was conscious that the task 
which he had imposed upon himself, ex- 
ceeded the powers of one man, and that 
his most assiduous labours were not suf- 
ficient for the collation and correction of 
so many different texts, which were al- 
most all published from very faulty ma- 
nuscripts. 
Well knowing the extent of his undertak- 
ing, and too modest to wish to seem to do 
all by himself, he was soon surrounded hy 
the most learned men of his age, who emu- 
lously lent their assistance in opening the’ 
sanctuary of letters, and in rendering it~ 
accessible to every reader. Some, solely 
for the pleasure of serving their friend, 
seconded him in his useful and import- 
ant labours; others received some pecu- 
niary recompence; some even lived in 
his house, free from ail expence. 
This society of distinguished men was 
called * Aldi Neacademia,” for which 
Name it was indebted to Aldus. At 
fixed periods, all the members assembled 
at his house, to discuss interesting lite- 
rary questions, and particularly to con- 
sider of the best choice of books 
to be printed, of, manuscripts to "be 
consulted, and whichreadings of doubtful 
passages were to be preferred. This 
academy, established about the year 
1500, was of short duration, yet during 
the period of its existence, it was of great ' 
utility to literature.’ As it was merely 
an association of learned men, and not 
a regular establishment (in which va- 
cancies could easily be replaced), it na- 
turally soon dissolved by the death and 
dispersion of its members. Atdus pre- 
served an ardent desire to form anew 
society of the same kind; but he died 
without having realized his favourite pro- 
ject. 
Amongst the number of learned men, 
who seconded the exertions of Aldus, 
were, Andrea Navagero, a Venetian se- 
nator; Pietra Bembo, afterwards car- 
dinal; Daniello Rinieri, Marmo Saunto, 
and Angelo Saunto, Venetian senators ; 
Pietro Alcionio ;-G. B. Egnatio, professor 
of eloquenceat Venice; Marcus Musurus ; 
Albertus Pius, prince of Carpi; Deme- 
_ trius Chalcondylus, Girol,. Aleandro, 
Montucy Mag. No, 171, 
425 
and Erasmus. The acquaintance be- 
tween this eminent scholar and Aldus, 
commenced in a singular manner, Lras- 
mus, being at Bologna, with the in- 
tention of publishing his collection of 
Adages, wrote to Aldus, requesting him 
to print it, Aldus, was gratified hy the 
proposition. Erasmus having arrived 
at Venice, his first care was to visit the 
learned printer. A stranger, and’ conse- 
quently unknown to the domestics of 
Aldus, it was some time before he was 
introduced. Aldus, engaged in his office, 
was in no haste to admit this visitor, 
who he thought might be some trouble- 
some person of the city, At leneth ine 
formed it was Erasmus, he flew to intreat. 
his pardon, and received him as a man, 
for whom he already entertained the 
highest respect. 3 
He without delay set about printing 
the collection of Adages; in the preface 
to which, he says, that he had deferred 
many Greek and Latin authors, t#pub- 
lish this excellent work more expedi- 
tiously. i 
The assistance of ‘so many. learned 
meu, contributed to the perfection, of 
the Aldine editions; and far from dimi- 
nishing the glory of the conductor of 
these difficult labours, it rendered it more 
permanent. The public well know where 
to bestow its patronage, and whilst it 
distinguished the learned editcrs, who 
rendered the reading the master pieces 
of ancient literature more easy, it neg- 
lected not the laborious and enlightened 
printer, who, himself an excellent editor, 
directed every work, and contributed so 
effectually to its proper execution, 
Aldus was careful to render every one 
his tribute of grateful praise. His pre- 
faces mention with distinction, those who 
assisted him, or those to whom he was 
indebted for-more correct or unedited 
manuscripts. As he did much himself, 
he was not ashamed of being under obli-- 
gations to others. : 
To the printing of Greek, Latin, and 
Italian books, he wished to add that of 
works in the Hebrew language. He had 
already given inthe Latin Grammar of 
1501, his “ Introductio perbrevis ad He- 
braicam Linguam,” which was often re- 
printed with this grammar and with that — 
of Lascaris. This first attempt was only 
the prelude, to a far more extensive and 
highly important undertaking. He was 
desirous of giving the text of the Holy 
Scriptures in three languages, Hebrew, 
Greek, and Tatin, (in three columns), of 
3K a ‘folio » 
