BM = CN, and therefore the whole MC the whole BN. the less the greater, which is absurd. Therefore r 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. Or, x2 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 other part. = .. (x − y)2 + y = y2 + (x − y), y, .. x = 1. - 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 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- 231. "Adversaria," Porson's, 338. 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 380. Banks, Rev. J. Cleaver, promotes the forgeries, 145. His "Aristarchus Burrow's "Sermon on Evil-speaking," passage from, Porson's intention to Beloe, Rev. W., denied that Porson was 66 Biography, remarks on, 1-5. Budæus's Commentaries on the Greek Burges, George, his Greek verses on Burgess, Bishop, attacked Porson after logue to Ireland's "Vortigern," 147. 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 Casaubon, merits of his Athenæus, 341. Chalmers, George, his dull " Apology Chantrey's bust of Porson, 336. Classical literature, advantages of an ac- Codex Sinaiticus, 421. Coray, Porson's respect for his scholar- Coffin, Mr., said to be the author of 66 Coli aus's Greek Testament omitted 1 John v. 7, 59. Collier, Rev. Mr., assists in examining Porson as a boy at Cambridge, 14. Colton, Rev. C. C., his story of Porson, 416. Complutensian edition of the Greek Tes- Coxe, Archdeacon, gives an instance of 240. Courtney, Sir John, wrote the “Epistle Criticism, elegant, 120, 121. Verbal, ib. Cyprian, no authority in favour of Dalzel, Andrew, Porson's letter to, 259 28. Davy, Dr. Martin, letter of Porson to Dawes, author of the "Miscellanea Disney, Colonel, intimate with Porson, 21. Disraeli, Isaac, offends Porson, 382. tophanica," and "Photius," 338, 339. Dubois concerned in the novel of Dyer, George, wrote notice of Porson in Edi or, duty of an, 114. Edwards, Dr., his edition of Plutarch Egerton, the "black-letter bookseller," |
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