Volume 2

Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson.

  • John Ferguson
Date:
1895-1915
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Bibliographical notes on histories of inventions and books of secrets : Six papers read to the Archæological society of Glasgow April 1882-January 1888 / by John Ferguson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    edition of 1613, he says, is so rare that the only copy he could meet with was in the ducal library at Wolfenbiittel. Lessing (Kollektaneen, Berlin, 1790, Vol. II., p. 142) mentions Matthaeus, and expresses his indebtedness to him for notes of certain inventions and discoveries. What he says about the author himself is taken from Justinianus’ preface and from Jocher, and he seems to consider him the earliest modern author on the subject. Supposing the work had been printed in 1520, involving its being written say even twenty years earlier, it would still be subsequent to Polydore Vergil, though anterior to Sardi, who was only born in 1520. It is not easy, therefore, to explain how Lessing has placed him prior to Polydore Vergil. 7. The history of Alessandro Sardi, which was intended as a supplement to that of Vergil, is usually printed along with the De Inventoribus Rerum of the latter. It will be found, for example, in the editions of 1600, 1604,1 1606, 1613, 1626, 1726. In my first account of it (Part II., p. 242) I had only these 1604 and 1626 conjoined editions before me, and Chappuys’ French translation of 1584, an edition to which I have observed no allusion anywhere, but, as I then stated, the first edition was printed at Mayence in 1577 as a supplement to a work De ritibus gentium. This work first appeared under the following title: Alexandri Sardi | Ferrariensis, | De Moribvs Ac Rilibvs | Gentivm | Libri III. | Nunc primum in lucem editi. | Quod opus quanta rerum uarietate refertum,| quamq; omnibus ingeniis utile ac neceffarium | fit, fequens elenchus, & auctoris prccemium | indicabunt. | Cum Priuilegiis. [Device.] Vcnetiis, | Ex officina Stelke Iordani Zilleti. | 1557. Small 8vo. *, A Q in eights, R in six ; or pp. [16] 265. [1 with register and colophoD, I blank, 1 with device.] The dedication is to Pope Iulius Cananus, not dated. It is a very prettily printed book. The second edition is entitled : De Moribus ac Ritibus Gentium Lib. III. Mogunticc, Per Franciscum Behem, Anno MDLXXVII. It is in small 8°, *, A to N in eights, or pp. [16] 207 [1 blank], and is printed in italics. 1 The edition of Sardus, 1604, mentioned in the British Museum Catalogue under Plinius [721 .b.23(2)], is merely the appendix to Stoer’s edition of Polydore Vergil of that date, bound separately.