σῶμ' ἐξακριβώσωμεν, εἰς ὅσον πάρα."
Eurip. Bacch. Supplement.
"With a wretched hand,
"Come let me this thrice wretched corse compose,
And careful as I can the limbs collect."
The foregoing lines, from Burgess's able restoration of this splendid scene in the Bacchæ of Euripides, published in the Gentleman's Magazine for Sept. 1832, and afterwards without the Greek text in the Literary Gazette for Oct. 11, 1845, form a fit motto for the undertaking in which I am engaged, and of which I now present a sort of report to literary men interested in such matters.
No one, in my opinion, should endeavour to satisfy querists about a design more than the original proposer of such design, and I am the rather induced to make a few remarks, the subject having been passed over with a silence rendered remarkable by the importance of my proposal. Two correspondents, however, having come forward with additional suggestions and remarks, I feel myself possessed of a pretext to touch upon the subject once more. The following will show what common steadiness and attention have been able to bring about.
I have so far accomplished my purpose, as lately, while residing on the continent, and also since my return, to establish in Russia, Siberia and Tartary, Persia, and Eastern Europe, stations for the search after all MSS. worth attention. I hope, therefore, to be enabled ere long, through the co-operation of my friends abroad, to present the world with something more solid than mere promises, and more satisfactory to classical critics and lovers of antiquity like myself. Especially I expect from my Tartary correspondent some interesting and valuable Hebrew MSS., of which there are many to be obtained toward the frontier of China and in that country. I unfortunately missed such a MS. some years ago, which a sailor had offered to me, whom I am now unable to find. I earnestly solicit every Oriental traveller to co-operate with me.
The proposal of Dr. Arnold, quoted by M. N. (Vol. iii., p. 261.), I did not mention, although I was aware of it, as it is at present next to an impossibility to carry it out in the disturbed state of Continental Europe, useful as I allow it to be.
Your correspondent J. M. (Vol. iii., p. 340.) asks what has been accomplished at Herculaneum in the late investigations. Alas! a few thin folios at my side contain all that the most unwearied exertion, and ever-renewed patience, have been able to bring to light. A few tracts of Epicuros, Philodemos, Colotos, Polystratos, Demetrios, and Carneiscos, are the results of the labours at the "City of the Dead." It is much to be desired that the investigations should be recommenced when the troubled condition of the kingdom of Naples will admit of it. I refer J. M. to M. Morgenstern's excellent article on the subject in the Classical Journal, vol. vii. p. 272. sqq., and the Herculanensium Voluminum, Oxonii, 1824-1825 (Press-mark, 604 f 15, British Museum), and the splendid folios of Naples, 1793-1844 (Press-mark, 813 i 2.).