Complete works of samuel.., p.380
Complete Works of Samuel Butler, page 380
“Furthermore, I believe 2 to have been the second universal antient form of the Greek genitive, being a fragment of the ΘΕΝ which was its primary, and I merely wrote the lunated Q because I wanted to show it sprang from the Θ. I believe the angular form of the 2 to be the most antient, but this is tv παρίργιw.
“I will not venture to say that E stood antiently for AI. I incline to the contrary opinion, because, as you properly observe, it very often stood for El. I would, however, wish to give my former translation a somewhat more general sense, and translate it ‘the prize of the Athenians,’ still understanding Άθήν-ηθ to signify ‘ those who came from Athens,’ not ‘from Minerva.’ If you take it for Minerva, I think the expression των Άθήνης άβλων,’ from the games of Minerva,’ would be the best translation.
“For your Latin question you must invoke higher names than Lempriere. If Smyth is the man whose epitaph in Sardinia I wrote a few years ago, I would not have said such handsome things as I did of him if I had thought he would have plagued me after his death with such an ill-conditioned place as Stampace. I know nothing of it. Stamphale is the modern name for the antient Astypalaea, which seems to be out of the question.
“As to the inscription itself, I can give you a glimmering of light. Iolaus, as everybody knows, was the friend and charioteer of Hercules, and, as Pindar tells us, received at Thebes nearly equal honours with Hercules himself. There is a great debate among the learned whether the Iolai, or Iolæenses, or Ilienses, were the most antient inhabitants of Sardinia. Now this seems settled by the inscription, which says CIVITAS IOIÆ, if that inscription is found in Sardinia, as I suppose from your letter it is. This is all that I can tell you by way of lighting your candle. Look to Diod. Sic., iv. 29, 30, for Iolaus — to Drakenborch’s Livy, xl. 19, for the Ilienses — and in the latter you will find further references. The only other place that I know in form approaching to Stampace is Stampæ, now Étampes, between Paris and Orleans; but Stampace seems to me a modern G[reek?] name. The inscription itself is not to be found in Gruter or Muratori.
“Tom will be at Cambridge to sit for a fellowship at St. John’s in the middle of March, and can bring back anything you have.
“I had only two men to sit at the Classical Tripos — neither good ones — but both would have been high in the first class if they had sat when they first left school. Believe me truly yours, “S. BUTLER.
“The inscription is a little suspicious to me. I should like to know more about it.”
The earlier part of this letter refers to the inscription
TON ΑΘΕΝΕΘΝ ΑΘΛΟΝ EMI on the celebrated Burgonian vase now in the British Museum (Second Vase Room, pedestal 4). This vase was brought to England by Mr. Hughes, and given by him to Professor E. D. Clarke, on whose death it passed into other hands and ultimately became the property of the nation.
I see the inscription is now rendered, “I am one of the prizes from Athens,” which is right, for later Panathenaic vases have since been found on which the inscription is ΤΩΝ ΑΘΗΝΗΠΕΝ ΑΠΛΩΝ. For further correspondence on this subject see in the British Museum a letter from Mr. Hughes, dated February 21st, 1830, and Dr. Butler’s answer, February 23rd, 1830.
FRO
M NATHANIEL VVSE, ESQ.
“ALBION COACH OFFICE, BIRMINGHAM, March 5ίλ, 1830.
“VERY REVEREND SIR, — In reply to your favour received by guard of Wonder Coach yesterday, I beg to state that the proprietors, finding all remonstrance with Mr. Peters ineffectual as to removing his son from driving the Wonder, they immediately on receipt of your letter to Mr. Tompkins called a meeting at Coventry, and gave Mr. Peters notice to quit the working of the Wonder. This, according to custom or law, takes a month, which will expire this week, when, as soon after as the stock can be valued, such arrangements will be carried into effect, as to drivers and the regularity of the coach, as I trust will retain the liberal patronage and very kind intentions you have so obliging.) expressed.”
TO THE REV. JAMES TATE.
“SHREWSBURY, Μarch 8th, 1830.
“MY DEAR FRIEND, — I did mean to have paid the postage of my letter, because I did not think it worth the price at which you have rated it. You have taught me better, and I shall profit thereby.
“I cannot conceive any man more unfit to advise you about a bargain with booksellers than myself, who never yet had impudence enough to make a bargain with anybody. My agreement with Longman about my Geography and Praxis is this — he prints, and we share profits: luckily we have no loss to share. This gives the bookseller an interest in selling the work, and I find it answer extremely well. Your London bookseller will do this, and must arrange with all other booksellers. You will have nothing to do with Deighton — it will be his concern.
“The book is so scholarlike, so clear, so accurate, and got up in such good style, that it is sure to sell well.
“I cannot remember my observations in the lost, perhaps mislaid, letter. They were principally on the arsis in Homer, and on that and final cretic in the Tragedians. I had illustrated my positions with real cases. I have not been able to do this now correctly, but any imaginary ones will answer to a scholar like you just as well. The short vowel is lengthened, say some, not by any power on the vowel itself, but because the greater stress on the pronunciation enables you to pronounce the subsequent consonant as if it were long. Thus μ& | λά μϊγά is sounded μαλαμμεγα [and this is indeed for the most part practicable, but not always: for instance, Διά μέν ά<τπίδος ήλθε, etc. It may be done when a consonant follows the lengthened vowel, but when a vowel follows it is impracticable. But what are we to do with those terrible cases which are in Thesi? ‘Etas ô, for I cannot submit to elds δ. This is too generally put.] Before a liquid it holds well: —
καί yàp re λιται — pronounced τελλ
μαλα μεγα — , — αμμ
κατά νοον — , — ανν
χωλά/ τε ρνσσαι τε — , — τερρ
“Before the smooth and middle mutes tolerably, but examples are not so frequent, w is common in a long compound word, άπυνεεσθαι; κ not so common, but I bring to mind ναύλοχοι- as λιμένα και; τ in the famous exhortation Χανθε τε και βαλιε τηλεκλιτα; β unusual — I cannot recollect an instance, unless you insist on writing εβαλε for the usually written εββαλε, and I think it hardly fair to adduce ωμοεσι βάλε, where v may be inserted; 8 unusual, but not so much so, yet we write εδδεεσεν, not εδεεσεν. Now why do we do this, and not write άππονεεσθαε, δεεμμοίρατο, unless that the two latter are so common as to make the representation to the eye unnecessary, while the former are so unusual as to make it requisite? y you may perhaps find in ycvty or some such instances, but I think not very usual. [Of the aspirates some seem to have had much the same fate as their corresponding lenes, only that I must insist upon those who double the consonant not doubling the aspirate. I mean, if αϊολον δφεν had the consonant doubled at all, I suppose it must have been pronounced. Αθάνατος may have been pronounced άθθάνατος, but I do not believe it. I would rather imagine it to have been άτθανατος, or, still better, άθανατος; οττφιν or “δφεν, not δφφεν — at least the second aspirate must have been, if I may coin a word, sdrucciolated, or slurred exceedingly.]
“But I conceive that if the second aspirate was pronounced at all, it must have been slurred exceedingly, so as hardly to have been heard, no more so than to give a hardness to the vowel preceding — αθάνατος, οφίν — where I may call the second aspirate sdrucciolated.”
FROM RICHARD SHILLETO, ESQ. (AFTERWARDS REV.)
“TRINITY COLLEGE, March 11th, 1830.
“MY DEAR SIR, — I am ashamed that your very kind letter should have remained so long without acknowledgement. Not being conscious that I deserved the congratulations you bestowed upon me, I was agreeably surprised to find that I had acquitted myself so much better than my highest expectations. My well-wishing friends have already set me down for the University Scholarship next year — that is in case the Batty, for which Lushington cannot sit, is declared vacant; but I suppose I shall disappoint them all. However, if I am to have one good chance, I am determined to set my shoulder to the wheel, and I may possibly be as lucky in my examination papers as I was the last time. I was very glad to find that Hildyard is at all events determined to keep up the credit of Shrewsbury at Cambridge. Oxford has long ago ensured Payne’s success in the next Ireland, Scott, I should imagine, will not come very far behind, and there are hosts of others who will not et our fame die there. I only wish you would send some more deserving men here, as there is but a scant supply.”
FROM THE REV. H. DRURY.
“HARROW, March 15th, 1830.
“My DEAR BUTLER, — I had told Longley that I should write to you this morning, but have since been so annoyed that, had not yours come, I should have delayed answering your first for a day or two. The real and simple reason I did not do so before was because I expected daily your ‘Papers,’ which have not yet come to hand. Many thanks for the invite to Shrewton, and the inquiries about the snowstorm, which was indeed most formidable.
“The annoyance I am under, and which I beg you to communicate to Charles if you have any common opportunity (not otherwise), is that I received an express at eleven this morning, and a letter at one, to say that my son Byron was dangerously ill of a scarlet fever at Portsmouth. I must therefore dispense with aught else than a direct answer to yours. Kennedy comes here to-morrow as examiner. Do send me your Papers.”
* * * * *
FROM DR. JENKYNS, MASTER OF BALLIOL.
“BALUOL COLLEGE, March 18th, 1830.
“MY DEAR SIR, — I am perhaps taking a liberty, but I feel so much pleasure at the event that I cannot refrain from offering you my congratulations on the fresh honours to your school by the election of another of your pupils (Payne) to one of Dean Ireland’s Scholarships.
“You may remember that when I had the pleasure of seeing you here, I spoke most highly of the young man’s diligence and exemplary conduct. He in every respect richly deserves the very eminent distinction he has obtained, and his success will, I trust, act as an incentive to continued exertion and preparation for other opportunities of honourable emulation and more solid advantage.
“He had on this occasion twenty competitors, and many among them of considerable character and pretension.”
FROM PETER S. PAYNE, ESQ.
“Friday, March, 19th, 1830.
“MY DEAR SIR, — I am sorry that I have suffered one post to pass without writing to inform you of the unlooked-for success which I have obtained in being elected Ireland Scholar. I have not merely to express my gratitude for the kindness and forbearance shown towards me throughout the whole of my career as your pupil, but more immediately for the advice with regard to Latin which you gave me subsequently to my failure of last year. I read, according to your desire, with attention Cicero de Os at ore, Terence, and eight books of the Epistolœ ad Familiares. You will be delighted to hear that Scott is confidently said to have been second. Everybody exclaims against your monopoly of University scholarships.
“I hope you will not have fears as to the probability of my being intoxicated with my present success. Knowing, as you do, my natural disposition, I cannot expect that such apprehensions will not suggest themselves to you.
* * * * *
“Dr. Jenkyns seems warmly to participate in the pleasure I feel, and signified to me his intention of writing to you immediately.”
The following letter refers to a complaint made by Mr. Jeudwine to the trustees on the score that Dr. Butler’s arrangements were unfair towards the second master. The trustees supported Dr. Butler on every point.
FROM DR. KEATE.
“ETON, March 24th, 1830.
“DEAR DR. BUTLER, — I am afraid I must have appeared to you very rude and negligent; but strange as it may seem, it is yet true, that I have been so occupied since I received your letter that I have not been able to put pen to paper. I have now found something like a leisure half-hour, and I proceed to answer your questions as distinctly as I can, but I must first express my surprise and regret that any one should wish to distrust those arrangements which have raised your school to its present state of prosperity and glory, which is sufficiently proved (in addition to numerous instances in former years) by the Senior Wrangler, the Pitt and Ireland Scholarships of the present year, upon which accumulation of honours I heartily wish you joy.
“I will now answer your questions nearly in the order in which you have put them.
“I. The second or lower master, as he is called here (and he is the only master under the head-master who is recognised by the Statutes), does not hear the boys of the fifth or sixth or even of the fourth form — indeed no boys who belong to the upper school. His school consists of the first, second, and third forms: the third is the highest form under him. His school is quite distinct from the upper, and he appoints his own assistants, not without communication upon this point with the head-master, nor without the sanction of the provost. The number of the lower school at present is about fifty.
“2. All the assistant masters of the upper school teach boys in higher classes than those taught by the second or lower master.
“3. The fifth form is divided into three. I hear the sixth form and the upper division of the fifth. The two senior assistants hear the middle and lower division of the fifth: other assistants also share the duty of hearing the sixth and fifth forms when they say by heart.
“4. A small salary is paid by the College to the upper and lower masters.
“The example of Eton seems all on your side. If your opponents appeal to that, your system is not likely to be disturbed. You have my sincere wishes that it may not be deranged.
“I send you a bill of the school, according to your request, as it stood in July last: the names of course are not all the same at present, but the numbers are nearly the same. As I know not by what other conveyance to send it, I send it, bulky as it is, by the post. I shall be glad to know the result of these commotions in your kingdom.”
FROM THE REV. R. A. THORP.
“C. C. C.) June 12th, 1830.
“MY DEAR SIR, — I have to thank you for having sent one of your pupils to stand here at our late election of a Lancashire Scholar.
“Mr. Bateson acquitted himself so well as to make it a difficult matter to decide between him and the successful candidate; his scholarship we were much pleased with, and in everything but composition he was quite equal to Mr. Wilson. I have only to beg you again to accept my best thanks for having sent Mr. Bateson, and to hope, when we have any other vacancy, you will allow me to communicate the circumstance to you.”
FROM NICHOLAS CARLISLE, ESQ.
“SOMERSET PLACE, June 19th, 1830.
“MY DEAR FRIEND, —
* * * * *
“Amidst the rage for novelties in this huge Leviathan, a Geographical Society is projected. I, as I know your taste and skill in that pleasing science, have caused your Name to be put down as a Member, together with my own. When three hundred names are entered, a special meeting is to be called, and Rules and Contributions to be agreed upon. At present it is proposed that an admission fee of £3, and an annual payment of £2, shall be the limitation; but if you do not like the company of Croker, and Barrow, and a long train of Scotch intriguers, pray let me know, that I may withdraw your name, — before you are troubled with any of their circular letters.
“If I can get to you in the Autumn, I will, — but the holidays at the Museum are so short, that they do not admit of either extension of journey or rational enjoyment when abroad — it was a woful day to me when the Royal Library was removed from the palace.”
* * * * *
FROM DR. BURTON.
“OXFORD, June 19th, 1830.
“MY DEAR SIR, — I have the agreeable office of communicating to you another triumph. We have managed to throw open a Craven Scholarship to the University at large, and Mr. Scott has been this day elected out of fourteen candidates. I am ex officio one of the examiners, and I have no hesitation in saying that he was very decidedly superior to the others. I will send you a set of the papers by the first opportunity. I think I sent you those of the last Ireland examination. In great haste.
“Yours very truly, “E. BURTON.”
FROM ROBERT SCOTT, ESQ., AFTERWARDS MASTER OF BALLIOL AND DEAN OF ROCHESTER.
“HUTTON HALL, AYTON, N.B., July 7th, 1830.
“DEAR DR. BUTLER, — As I came here to my grandfather’s immediately on the commencement of the vacation, it was only by a circuitous communication that I received the very kind letter which you had written to my father, and for the kindness of which allow me to return my most sincere thanks, and again to assure you of my deep consciousness that anything which I have done is entirely owing to my having been your pupil—’ It was not I, but Shrewsbury in my likeness.’ Allow me a so to congratulate you upon the other memorabilia of the year. C- Kennedy and Hildyard have more than kept up our credit at Cambridge, so as to counterbalance Grove’s losing the Latin verse with us. The Kennedys are getting prizes by cartloads (‘Dicentur plaustris vexisse poemata’); and if George keeps it up, they will give us an admirable example of the classic cyclic poems ‘ad mea perpetuum tempora carmen “Ch. Ch is claiming the ‘eldest Hope’ of that family because he has taken a mastership under Dr. Longley. All the tutors are quite envious, and afraid that after such education no one will think it worth while to go to college at all!”
