Homer's Iliad and Odyssey were hebraized, and all his fables were derived from some history or other in the Bible: and this to such a degree, as was utterly improbable, and even childish. and ridiculous*. Such are the weaknesses to which great scholars are subject, in common with other men; sometimes for want of light, and sometimes for want of discretion: and the greatest scholars of this age are not without them. Dr. Horne, I have reason to think, did so much justice to the criticisms of Dr. Sharp, as to read them carefully: which is more than I dare say of myself; and I may plead in my behalf the example of my learned and respectable friend Granville Sharp, Esq. the son of the Archdeacon; who very ingenuously owned to me, that he had never read his father's books in the Hutchinsonian controversy: perhaps, because he is as little inclined to logomachy as I am. However, I have seen enough to discover from the general tenor of them, that it seems to have been the design of that learned author,

If the curious reader can meet with a book under the title of Oungos Epaar, he will see this plan, of deriving all things from the Hebrew, carried to extremity. He may also find other examples, but not so extravagant, in Gale's Court of the Gentiles,

author, to raise difficulties, and throw things into the shade: in which he has apparently succeeded. When I look into a writer of the

Hutchinsonian persuasion, though I may suspect his criticisms, and dislike his manner, I am animated by his zeal, and generally learn something useful: but when I look into the criticisms of Dr. Sharp, I learn nothing: I feel cold and dissatisfied with all languages and all science; as if the Scripture itself were out of tune, and divinity a mere dispute. It is therefore my persuasion, that his writings have done little service to Theology or Philology, but that they have operated rather as a discouragement; for who will labour, if there be no prospect of coming to any determination one way or the other? That I am not taking a part against Dr. Sharp, but that Dr. Sharp did in this respect take a part against himself, is evident from his own words; which do plainly declare, that his object in writing against the followers of Hutchinson was, to " prove the uncertainty of

something affirmed to be certain." I know of some, who took the contrary part; endeavouring to prove "the certainty of something "affirmed to be uncertain ;" and I think they were more hopefully employed: for where un

certainty is the prize, what encouragement is there to strive for it? Mr. Horne, who knew the value of his time, had no inclination to waste any of it in this endless chace of verbal criticism and I have reason to think, that, if there was any study in particular to which he took a complete aversion, it was the Hutchinsonian controversy about a few Hebrew words*.

Another dispute soon arose, after that of Dr. Sharp, which was of much greater concern;

and

I have here allowed more than I can strictly justify; and, by so doing, I have given advantage to some, and offence to others: I beg therefore to be rightly understood. In respect to Dr. Sharp, Mr. Horne was certainly of opinion, that the Doctor had left the more useful and valuable parts of Mr. Hutchinson's system untouched:' so I myself have thought, and been assured from that day to this; and I believe the reader will himself be of the same opinion, if he duly considers the contents of my Preface. Whatever dislike Mr. Horne might express toward the verbal disputes of that time, no man could set a greater value than he did on Hebrew Learning discreetly followed and applied. That I may not be thought to leave so weighty a matter under an unjust statement, I have subjoined to this Edition a letter which I wrote to a person of honour, recommending the study of the Hebrew language by showing its usefulness and excellence. I'embrace the present occasion of making it public, and wish it may derive some vitality from the reputation of Bishop Horne.

and so Mr, Horne thought, from the part he took in it. How he acquitted himself, the reader must judge when he has heard the par

ticulars.

With many young scholars in the University of Oxford, the principles of Mr. Hutchinson began to be in such esteem, that some member of the University, who was in the opposite interest, or had no fancy to that way, made a very severe attack upon them in an anonymous pamphlet, intitled, A Word to the Hutchinsonians; and Mr. Horne, being personally struck at, as the principal object of the author's animadversions, was obliged to take up the pen

in defence of himself and his friends. The public in general, and Mr. Horne in particular, by some very broad hints, gave the thing to Mr. Kennicott of Exeter College, a man of parts, and a clear agreeable writer, who had very justly acquired some fame for his skill in the Hebrew language. His two Dissertations, one on the Tree of Life, and the other on the Sacrifices of Cain and Abel, were in many hands, and so well approved, that some farther and better fruit of his studies might reasonably be expected. As to the author of this anonymous pamphlet, I can affirm nothing positively

from my own knowlege: I can only relate what was told me by Dr. Golding of New College, who was afterwards Warden of Winchester. From this gentleman I heard what happened to himself in regard to the publication above mentioned, and what his own sentiments were. Soon after it appeared, Mr. Kennicott accosted him in a bookseller's shop, "Dr. Golding, I give you joy, on being the author of a very in

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genious pamphlet, called A Word to the "Hutchinsonians."-" Indeed," said Dr. Golding, "I was not the author of it; but I believe you know who was." When an answer had appeared, with the name of Mr. Horne to it, Dr. Golding, meeting Mr. Kennicott in the street, said, "Well, Mr. Kennicott, and who "is the author of the Word of the Hutchin"sonians now?" Which question was only answered by a laugh. The Dr. Golding, of whom I am speaking, had been a preacher much approved in the pulpit of the University, and had contended with some zeal for the principles of Hutchinson: but had now the reputation of having forsaken them all; which report might possibly give occasion to Mr. Kennicott's compliment; it being not improbable, that a person who could forsake them would make it his

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