BM= FM MC: sL: LC, and BN: NK :: BL: Lr ..FM: NK :: 8L.BL: LC.Lr the less the greater, which is absurd. Therefore and s cannot but coincide; that is, the lines must cut in AL. And a similar proof may be applied, if the point of intersection be taken anywhere else out of the right line AL. Q. E. D." Beloe has preserved an equation composed by Porson in Greek.* Τὶς ὁ ἀριθμός, οὗ τενομένου εἰς δύο ἀνίσους μερίδας, ἡ τῆς μείζονος μερίδος δύναμις μετὰ τῆς ἐλάττονος μεταλαμβανομένη ἴση ἔσεται τῇ τῆς ἐλάττονος δυνάμει μετὰ τῆς μείζονος μεταλαμβανομένῃ. Required the number, which being divided into two unequal parts, the square of the greater added to the less shall be equal to the square of the less added to the greater. Let x be the number, and y one of the parts. Then x - y = the showing that practically there are no positive values of the two parts. * Sexagenarian, vol. ii. p. 309. Since the pages relating to Porson's early years were printed off, we have been favoured with the following anecdote by the Rev. John Gunn, of Irstead, near Norfolk. During Porson's boyhood, a proposal was made at a vestrymeeting to take down the north side of East Ruston Church, and build the brick wall which is now standing on the north side of the nave. But before any resolution was passed, it was desirable to know how many bricks would be required for the purpose; and none of the parishioners present could make a calculation. At last one of them said, "Send for young Porson," who, when he was found, soon told them the requisite number. Of his mode of examining, when he took part in the University examinations, we can give one anecdote. When Blomfield, afterwards Bishop of London, was candidate, with several others, for the Craven Scholarship, Porson desired them to be at his rooms by a certain hour in the forenoon. On assembling, they had to wait some time for the Professor, who was then greatly sunk in health, being within a year of his death, and found, though the morning was cold, no fire lighted; nor were any other preparations made for their reception. On Porson's appearance, however, the deficiencies were soon supplied, and he proceeded to dictate to them several corrupt verses, which they were to show their skill in correcting. Blomfield was able to correct six of the number, and was declared the successful candidate. As an instance of his critical perspicacity, it may be mentioned that he was of opinion, as he often told Mr. Kidd, that the account of the woman taken in adultery, in the seventh and eighth chapters of St. John's Gospel, must be a pure interpolation; an opinion happily supported by the recently discovered Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript which is considered to be as old as the fourth century, and in which that passage is not found. This manuscript, also, it may be added, wants the text of the Three Heavenly Witnesses, which Porson so triumphantly proved spurious. In regard to his fondness for nice penmanship, it may be remarked, in addition to what has been already said, that he often wasted time, not only in writing with superfluous care, but in producing extremely small writing. Mr. Norgate, the publisher, brother-in-law to Mr. Siday Hawes, has a specimen of his minute writing, comprising, in a circle of an inch and a half in diameter, the Greek verses on music from the Medea of Euripides, with Johnson's translation of them for Burney's History of Music, in all more than 220 words, with a considerable space left blank in the centre. It is written on vellum, a portion of a leaf which fell from the Photius which he copied. In p. 54, where Heyne's application to Cambridge for the loan of Bentley's manuscripts on Homer is mentioned, it might have been added that the request of Heyne was readily granted, and that the Gottingen professor, in his edition of Homer, acknowledged himself greatly indebted to Bentley's labours, of the merits of which he spoke in the highest terms. INDEX. Accents, Greek, advantage of a know- ledge of, 229, 230. Remarks on them 231. "Adversaria," Porson's, 338. Aristophanes, Porson's character of, Askew, Dr. his library, 38, 49. Satirised Athenæus, Porson's labours on, 341, 362. Augustin, St., was probably the cause of Babington, Dr., attends on Porson, Baker, Sir George, contributes to a fund forgeries, 145. His "Aristarchus Barrow's "Sermon on Evil-speaking," passage from, Porson's intention to Beloe, Rev. W., denied that Porson was Bengelius, his strange argument in sup- Boswell, Porson's lines on his Life of Johnson, 53. Kneels, with his glass Boyle, a passage of his book against Brunck's " Aristophanes," Porson's re- Bryant, Jacob, disliked by Porson, whom Budaus's Commentaries on the Greek Burges, George, his Greek verses on Burgess, Bishop, attacked Porson after 336. Butler, Charles, Porson's conversation Byron, Lord, his account of Porson's habits at Cambridge, 271, 272. His Carthew, Rev. T., requested to examine Porson, 11. His letter to Professor Casaubon, merits of his Athenæus, 341. 66 Chalmers, George, his dull Apology Chantrey's bust of Porson, 336. Clarke, Dr. E. D., honoured with verses Classical literature, advantages of an ac- Coray, Porson's respect for his scholar- Coffin, Mr., said to be the author of Porson as a boy at Cambridge, 14. Colton, Rev. C. C., his story of Porson, Complutensian edition of the Greek Tes- Coxe, Archdeacon, gives an instance of Courtney, Sir John, wrote the "Epistle Cyprian, no authority in favour of Dalzel, Andrew, Porson's letter to, 259 Davy, Dr. Martin, letter of Porson to him, 237. Another, 308. Porson's Dawes, author of the "Miscellanea that signature, 256, 257. Disney, Colonel, intimate with Porson, 21. Disraeli, Isaac, offends Porson, 382. tophanica," and "Photius," 338, 339. Porson against Jacob Bryant, 304. Dubois concerned in the novel of Dyer, George, wrote notice of Porson in Editor, duty of an, 114. Edwards, Dr., his edition of Plutarch |