Passage in the Traveller.—There is a line in the Traveller, I may observe, into which an error of the press, or of some unlucky critic, has intruded. Goldsmith, speaking of the Swiss, says that he
"Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes."
In some editions it is given—
"Breathes the keen air," &c.
Breasts was doubtless the original word, for it is quoted in Johnson's Dictionary, under the word Breast. This alteration, however, does not, like the supposed change of unmakes into can make, affect the sense.
J. S. W.
Stockwell.
BOGATZKY.
(Vol. iii., pp. 478., 526.; Vol. iv., p. 44.)
Perhaps the following Note may prove interesting, as a contribution to the literary history of Bogatzky's popular work, and as explanatory of the statement of R. D. H. (Vol. iii., p. 526.), that the book was almost entirely re-written by the Rev. H. Venn.
The Golden Treasury was introduced to English readers through the late excellent John Thornton, Esq. This gentleman having met with a copy of the German work, caused it to be translated into English. Of this translation (in which many of Bogatzky's papers are exchanged for extracts from English writers) a single copy was printed, interleaved, and sent to the Rev. John Berridge, of Everton, for final revision. This copy is now before me. The title runs thus: A Golden Treasury for the Children of God, whose Treasure is in Heaven; consisting of select Texts of the Bible, with practical Observations in Prose and Verse, for every Day in the Year. By C. H. v. Bogatzky: with some Alterations and Improvements by various Hands. Also a Preface on the right Use of this Book. Together with a few Forms of Prayer for private Use. "Where your Treasure is, there will your Heart be also." Matt. vi. 21. London: Printed in the Year MDCCLXXV. Then follows the Preface (pp. iii.-xvi.), written by Mr. Thornton. The rest of the book extends to 374 pages of a small oblong form. The whole is very copiously annotated by Mr. Berridge, whose corrections are most important and judicious. He greatly improved and simplified the language, his chief aim evidently being to accommodate the book to the use of as large a number of readers as possible. The humour of the man breaks out ever and anon in cutting rebukes and sarcasms directed against unsound doctrine: neither Calvinist nor Arminian, Pharisee nor Antinomian, escape his lash. A considerable number of papers are either entirely re-written, or very largely altered; e.g. Jan. 29 (by J. Thornton); Feb. 10, 19; April 8, 26; May 2, 3, 16, 20; June 19, 22; Sept. 9, 17, 18, 21, 25; Oct. 10; Nov. 18; Dec. 1, &c. About forty-three papers are left untouched, and twenty others have only some verses added by Mr. Berridge. Next, as to the extracts from English authors: in the interleaved copy the sources are indicated in Mr. Thornton's handwriting for the first six months; beyond which there is no indication of the kind. I subjoin a list of the authors from whom extracts have been made:—