Ηδη μεν πολέων εδαην βουληντε νοοντε
Ανδρων ηρωων πολληνδ’ επεληλυθα γαιαν
Αλλ’ ουπω τοιουτον εγων ιδον οφθαλμοισιν
Οιον⸺
CHAPTER VIII.
Bruce appears to have been seen once, and once only, by our Sexagenarian, who nevertheless expresses, in various parts of his manuscript, a general confidence in his veracity, and a great admiration of his prowess and intrepidity. He lived intimately with some of Bruce’s most familiar friends, and had frequent opportunities of ascertaining that many assertions made by the traveller, like those of Herodotus, were confirmed by subsequent observation and examination. But it was Bruce’s peculiar character, that if he discerned, or ever suspected any want of confidence in his auditors, he disdained all explanation, and could not be prevailed upon to enter upon any further discussion.
He was a very great friend, and frequent correspondent of the individual mentioned in the pages immediately preceding, who was able, from his personal knowledge and local situation, to confirm many things asserted by Bruce, which were at first, in this country, thought equivocal. On his first return from his remote and protracted travels, he had some questions proposed to him on the subject of the Bible in the language of Abyssinia, by a venerable and highly distinguished member of our Church, which he answered very satisfactorily.—He afterwards voluntarily undertook to translate literally, a number of proposed texts from the Pentateuch of the Abyssinian Bible, in order that they might be compared with the English version. He did do this, but they were unfortunately mislaid among his numerous papers. They, however, are most probably in existence, and may hereafter appear.
A very ingenious clergyman, who was also well versed in the Oriental languages, made a Catalogue Raisonné of Bruce’s manuscript library, which of itself would be very acceptable to the learned world. The manuscripts, however, it is to be hoped, will not be permitted to remain buried in Scotland, but as they are of the greatest importance to the elucidation of Scripture, will hereafter be deposited in some of the public libraries of this country.