FO-Preface to Logan’s Cato Major, 29 February 1744.md

FO-Preface to Logan’s Cato Major, 29 February 1744

20 reprints from 1744-02-29 to 1899-12-08

FO-Preface to Logan’s Cato Major, 29 February 1744

by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1744-02-29

This Version of Cicero’s Tract de Senectute, was made Ten Years since, by the Honourable and Learned Mr. Logan, of this City; undertaken partly for his own Amusement, (being then in his 60th Year, which is said to be nearly the Age of the Author when he wrote it) but principally for the Entertainment of a Neighbour then in his grand Climacteric; and the Notes were drawn up solely on that Neighbour’s Account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Roman History and Language: Some other Friends, however, (among whom I had the Honour to be ranked) obtained Copies of it in M.S. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other Translation of the same Piece extant in our Language, besides the Advantage it has of so many valuable Notes, which at the same time they clear up the Text, are highly instructive and entertaining; I resolved to give it an Impression, being confident that the Publick would not unfavourably receive it. A certain Freed-man of Cicero’s is reported to have said of a medicinal Well, discovered in his Time, wonderful for the Virtue of its Waters in restoring Sight to the Aged, That it was a Gift of the bountiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the Pleasure of reading his Master’s Works. As that Well, if still in being, is at too great a Distance for our Use, I have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this Piece of Cicero’s in a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of Old-Age, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impair’d by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the Pain small Letters give the Eyes, feel the Pleasure of the Mind in the least allayed. I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that Philadelphia shall become the Seat of the American Muses.

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From London Review of English and Foreign Literature 1775-1780

1778-10-01 · London, England

veral years fince, partly for the tranflztor’s‘own amufement, but principally for the entertainment of ‘a neighbour, then in his grand climaéteric ; and the notes were addéd. folely on that gentleman’s account, who was not well acquainted with the Romaa hiftory and language. Copies in MS. having been obtained by many, their recommendation and approbation of it, induced the original pub. lication ; a3 they thought it to be in itfelf at-leaft equalto any tranflation of the fame piece extant in the Enghth language, be- fides the advantage it has received of fo many notes, which at'the fame time clear up the text, and are highly inftruétive and ‘enter

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From London Review of English and Foreign Literature 1775-1780

1778-10-01 · London, England

. in the Philadelphia edition the introduétion to the reader clofes with, ‘ I fhall add to thefe few lines my hearty wifh, that this firit tranflation of a clafic in this weffern world, may be fol= lowed with many others, and be a happy omen, that Philadelphia fhall become the feat of the American Mufes,’

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From The Monthly Review 1749-1844

1778-12-01

which feems to partake fomewhat of his manner and fpirit. It is as follows : I fthall add to thefe few lines my hearty with, that this firt tranflation of a claffic, in this weftern world, may be followed with many others, performed with equal judgment and fuccefs ; and be an happy omen, that Philadelphia fhall become the feat of the Ame- rican mufes.’

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From The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review Containing Sketches and Reports of Philosophy, Religion, History, Arts, and Manners (1803-1811)

1808-05-01 · Boston

This Version of Cicero’s Tract de Sx- ectute, Was made ten years since, by the honourable and learned Mr. Logan, of this city; undertaken partly for his own amusement, (being then in his 6oth year, which is said to be nearly the age of the author when he wrote it,) but principal- ly for the entertainment of a neighbour, then in his grand climacteric; and the notes were drawn up solely on that neighbour’s account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Ro- man history and language: Some other friends, however, (among whom I had the honour to be ranked) obtained co- pies of it in M.S. And, as | believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other translation of the same Piece extant in our language, besides the advantage it has of so many valuable notes, which at the same time they clear up the text, are highly in- structive and entertaining, I resolved to give it an impression, being confident

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From The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review Containing Sketches and Reports of Philosophy, Religion, History, Arts, and Manners (1803-1811)

1808-05-01 · Boston

that the publick would not ‘enfavourably receive it. A certam Freed-man of Cicero’s is reported to have said of a medicinal well, discovered in his time, wonderful tor the virtue of its waters in restoring sight to the aged, That it «was a Gift of the bounti- ful Gods to men, to the end that all might now have the pleasure of reading bis Master's works. As that well, if stall in being, is at too great a distance for our use, I have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this piece of Cicero’s in a large and fair character, that those who begin to think on the subject of OLD AGE, (which seldom hipebne till their sight is some- what impair’d by :ts approaches,) may Mot, in reading, by the Pain small letters $ive the eyes, feel the Pleasure of the mind in the least allayed. I shall add to these few lines my hear- ty wish, that this first translation of a Classic in this Western World, may bé fol- lowed with many others, performed with equal judgment and success; and be a happy omen, that Philade’phia shall be- come the seat of the American Muses.

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From The Monthly Repository 1806-1838

1812-04-01 · London, England

This version of Cicero’s tract de Senectute, was made ten years since, by the honourable and learned Mr. Logan, of this city; undertaken partly for his own a. musement, (being then in his 60th year, which is said to be nearly the age of the author when he wrote it,) but principally for the entertainment of a neighbour then in his grand climacteric ; and the notes were drawn up solely on that neighbour’s account, who was not so well acquainted as himself with the Roman History and language: some other friends, however, (a mong whom | had the honour to be ranked) obtained copies of it in MS. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, 1 not far preferable to any other trans- lation of the same piece extant in our language, besides the ad vantage it has of so many valuable notes, which at the same time they cleat up the text, are highly instructive and entertaming; I resolved to give it an impression, being confi- dent that the public would not unfavourably receive it. 7 A certain freedman of Ciceros is reported to have said of a medl- cinal well, discovered in bis time, wonderiul for the virtue of 18 waters in restoring sight to the aged, That wt was a@ gift of the bo untiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the pleasure of reading hts mas- ter’s Works. As that well, if stull in being, is at too great a dis tance for our use, I have, gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this piece of Cicero’s in a large and fuir character, that those who begin tothink on the arrival of Old Age, (which seldom happe ns till their sight is somewhat in ipaired by its ap »proache +) may not, in reading, by the pain small letters give the eyes, feel the pleasure of the mind in the least allayed. I shall add to these few lines my hearty wish, that this first translati- on of a classic in this western world, may be followed with many others, performed with equal judgment and success; and be a happy omen, that Philadelphia shall be- come the seat of the American Muses.

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From The Analectic Magazine (1813-1820)

1817-05-01 · Philadelphia

This Version of C1icrero’s Tract de Senectute, was made Ten Years since, by the Honourable and Learned Mr. Locan, of this City; undertaken partly for his own Amuse- ment, (being then in his 60th Year, which is said to be nearly the Age of the Author when he wrote it) but principally for the Entertainment of a Neighbour then in his grand Cli- mactric; and the Notes were drawn up solely on that Neigh- os ar’s Account, who was not so well acquainted as himself th the Roman History and Language: Some other Friends,

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From The Analectic Magazine (1813-1820)

1817-05-01 · Philadelphia

however, (among whom I had the Honour to be ranked) obtained Copies of it in MS. And, as I believed it to be in itself equal at least, if not tar preierable to any other Trans- lation of the same Piece extant in our Language, besides the Advantage it has of so many valuable Notes, which at the same time they clear up the Text, are highly instructive and entertaining; I resolved to give it an Impression, being confident that the Public would not uniavourably receive it. A certain Freed-man ot Cicero’s is reported to have said of ameilicinal Well, discovered in his Time, wonderful for the Virtue of its Waters in restoring Sight to the Aged, That it was a Gift of the bountiful Gods to Men, to the end that all might now have the Pleasure of reading his Master’s Works. As that Well, if still in being, is at too great a Distance for our Use, I have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this Piece of Cicero’s mma large and tair Character, that those who begin to think on ‘the Subject of OLD-AGE, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat impaired by its Approaches) may not, in Reading by the Paz small Letters give the Eyes, feel the Pleasure ot the mind in the least allayed. I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that Philadelphia shall become the Seat of the American Muses.

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From The Analectic Magazine (1813-1820)

1817-05-01 · Philadelphia

This translation of Cicero’s Tract De Senectute, was made several years since, partly ior the translator’s own amusement, but principally for the entertainment of a neighbour then in his grand climacteric; and the notes were added solely on that gentleman’s account, who was not well acquainte

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From The Edinburgh Magazine and Literary Miscellany 1739-1826

1820-11-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland

Tliis version of Cicero's Tract de iSeneclute was made ten years since the honourable and learned Mr Logan, of tins city; undertaken part¬ ly for his own atpuseinent,, (being then in his 60th year, which is said to be nearly the age of the author when he wrota it,) but principally for the cntertaintnentof a neighbour then in hia grand climacteric; and tlic notes were drawn up solely on that neighbour 8 account, who was not so The Modern Darameron, well acquaintetl as himself with the Homan history and language. Some other friends, however, (^ainong whom I had the honour to be ranked,) ob¬ tained copies of it in MS. And, aa I believetl it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable, to any otlicr translation of the same piece extant in our language, besides the advan¬ tage it has of so many valuable notes, which, at the same time they clear up the text, arc highly instructive and entertaining ; I rcsoive<l to give it an impression, being confident that the public would not unfavourably re¬ ceive it. “ A certain freedman of Cicero* t is reported to have said of a medicinal well, discovered in his time, wonder¬ ful for the virtue of its waters in re¬ storing sight to the ageil. That it wax a firij't of the bountiful (Mx to men, to the end that all miifht now have the pleasure of reading hix Master x works. As tliat well, if still in being, is at too great a distance for our use, I have, gen¬ tle reader, printed as thou scest, tins piece of Cicero's in a large and fair cha¬ racter, that those who begin to think on the subject of old aob, f which sel¬ dom happens till their sight is some¬ what impaired by its approaches,) may not, in reading, by the^m small letters give the eyes, feel the pleasure of the mind in the least allayed. “ I shall add to these few lines my hearty wish, that this first translation of a Classic, in this Western World, may be followeil with many others, porfbrmetl with (ypial judgment and success ; and be a hajipy omen, that Phila^lelphia shall become tlie seat of . the American Mines.

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ART. V.--OLD AGE.

From Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany (1844-1857)

1854-07-01 · New York

[This text is not available under an open license.]

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From The Christian Examiner 1824-1869

1854-07-01 · Boston, Massachusetts

asserts it to be the “ first Translation of a Classic in this Western World,” and hails it as “a happy Omen, that Philadelphia shall become the Seat of the America

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From The Historical Magazine, and Notes and Queries Concerning the Antiquities, History, and Biography of America (1857-1875)

1858-05-01 · Boston

delphia. A short preface by “The Printer to the Reader” was added, wherein Franklin says: “T shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish, that this first Translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be followed with many others, performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen, that Phila- delphia shall become the Seat of the America

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From The Historical Magazine, and Notes and Queries Concerning the Antiquities, History, and Biography of America (1857-1875)

1871-02-01 · Boston

“A certuin freedman of Cicero's is reported “to have said of a medicinal well, discovered | “in his time, wonderful for the virtue of its |“ waters in restoring sight to the aged, ‘ 7a? “*it was a gift of the bountiful Gods to Men, t | ** the end that all might now have the pleasure of “¢ »eading his master’s works,’ As that well, if “still in being, is at too great a distance fo: “our use, I have, gentle Reader, as thou seest, “ printed this piece of Cicero's in a large anc | “ fair character, that those who begin to think | “ on the arrival of Old Age (which seldom hap “ pens till their sight is somewhat impaired by its approaches) may not, in reading, by the parr “small letters give the eyes, feel the pleasure o: | “the mind in the least alloyed.”

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From The sun.

1876-11-15 · New York [N.Y.]

in his address to the reader, the printer calls it, but incorrectly, "this first translation of a classic in this Western World." Sandys's trans­ lation of Ovid wan made in Virginia nearl

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From New-York tribune.

1881-04-03 · New York [N.Y.]

M. T. Ciceronis Cato Maior; or His Discourse of old Aze. With Explanatory Notes. Fhiladelphia Printed and sold by B. FEANkLIN, 1745." This translation was made by "the Honorable and Learned Mr. Logan," and has an address from The Printer to the Reader," written by Franklin. I give the following extracts, with the capitals and words of the original: "I shall add to these few Lines my hearty Wish that this first Transla- tion of a Classic in this Mestern Horld may be fol lowed with many others performed with equal Judgment and Success; and be a happy Omen that FAiludely h may become the Seat of the meri

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From Century Illustrated Magazine (1881-1906)

1899-04-01 · New York

translation of Logan’s, believing “it to be in itself equal at least, if not far preferable to any other Translation of the same Piece ex- tant in our Language,” which he printed

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From Century Illustrated Magazine (1881-1906)

1899-04-01 · New York

In a large and fair Character, that those who begin to think on the Subject of OLD-AGE, (which seldom happens till their Sight is somewhat im- pair’d by its Approaches) may not, in Reading, by the Pain small Letters give the Eyes, feel the Pleasure of the Mind in the least allayed.

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Biography History

From The North American.

1899-12-08 · Philadelphia, Pa.

[This text is not available under an open license.]

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