605,2 E65,3 1814€ ΤΟ JAMES BINDLEY, Esq. F. S. A. COMMISSIONER OF STAMPS. AS this Work is indebted to your revisal for much of its correctness, permit me to present to you, in its amended form, what you have so indulgently supported when its imperfections were more numerous. Whether I consider you as a friend, whom I most esteem, or as a scholar best acquainted with this my favourite subject, I feel equally happy in an opportunity of thus publicly subscribing myself Your obliged and obedient Servant, Leicester Square, London, ROBERT BLAND. January 1st, 1814. PREFACE.. THE greater part of the Proverbs contained in these volumes, are taken from the edition of the Adagia, published by Henry Stevens in the year 1550, in folio; but in the explication. of them, it was found to be not unfrequently expedient, to deviate from the plan followed, and from the explanations given in that celebrated publication. The reason for this will best appear, by giving a short history of that work, and by relating some peculiarities in the life of the author. Erasmus, who contributed largely to the restoration of letters in Europe, bestowed no small portion of labour in collecting together, and explaining the proverbs which he found scattered in the early Greek and Roman writers. The first edition of his collection was published at Paris, in the year 1500, Erasmus being then thirty-three years of age. As the work was received with avidity, it was frequently reprinted in the life time of the author, and each time with additions, until the number of the proverbs exceeded four thousand. The credit the work then obtained, has never been diminished; it still stands unrivalled, and has been the medium through which the greater part of the adages have been introduced into almost every country in Europe. But though they have by this means been introduced into this, and other countries, and many of them so incorporated, as to be in as frequent use, as those that are natives, yet they are no where, as far as I know, accompanied with commentaries, or explanations, similar to those given by Erasmus, although such explanations seem necessary to make them generally understood. The brevity and conciseness of proverbs, in which their excellence in a great measure consists, renders them often obscure, and of difficult comprehension, "Siquidem," Eras mus |