“
character. (speaking of Plato I will add that no writer antient or modern has bewildered the world with more ignes fatui than
this renowned philosopher, in Ethics, in Politics & Physics. in the latter, to specify a single example, compare his views
of the animal economy, in his Timaeus, with those of mr
(
~s
)
Bryan in her Conversations on chemistry, and weigh the science of the canonised philosopher against the good sense of the
unassuming lady. but Plato’s visions have furnished a basis for endless systems of mystical theology, and he is therefore
all but adopted as a Christian saint . . .
”
Johannes Serranius [Jean de Serres] c. 1540-1598, French theologian and historian, was the brother of Olivier de Serres. q.v. This is the first edition of the
Opera of Plato with the Greek and Latin texts.
[1309]
73
id. abridged.
Eng.
2. v.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 58. no. 3, Plato abridged by Dacier, Eng. 2 v 12mo.
PLATO.
The Works of Plato abridg’d: With an Account of his Life, Philosophy, Morals, and Politicks. Together with a Translation of his Choicest Dialogues
. . . In
Two Volumes. Illustrated with Notes, by M. Dacier. Translated from the
French, by several Hands. The
Fourth Edition, corrected.
London: Printed for
R. Ware,
J. and P. Knapton,
S. Birt,
T. Longman [and others],
1759.
B238 .D3
2 vol. 12mo. 170 and 172 leaves.
Lowndes IV, 1877.
Cambridge Bibl. of Eng. Lit. II, 762.
Halkett and Laing VI, 258.
Whitley I, 137.
André Dacier, 1651-1722, French translator.
According to Whitley, the English version, first published in 1701, was by Joseph Stennett, 1663-1713, English seventh-day
baptist.
[1310]
J. 74
Plato.
Graecé Stephani et
Latiné Ficini.
12. v.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 58. no. 69, Plato, Gr. Stephani, et Lat. Ficini, 12 v 8vo.
PLATO.
Πλατων. Platonis Philosophi quæ exstant
Græce ad editionem Henrici Stephani accurate expressa cum Marsilii Ficini interpretatione . . . Studiis Societatis Bipontinæ [- . . . Dialogorum Platonis argumenta exposita et illustrata a Diet. Tiedemann Philosophiæ Professore P. O. in Academia Marburgensi.]
Biponti: ex
Typographia Societatis,
c
I
ɔ
I
ɔ
cclxxxI-
c
I
ɔ
I
ɔ cclxxxvII.
[1781-1787.]
PA4279 .A2 1781
12 vol. 8vo. Engraved medallion portraits on 11 titles; list of subscribers at the beginning of several volumes; the majority
of half-titles lacking; vol. IX and XI misbound; title of vol. XI slightly damaged; some leaves not opened; many leaves waterstained.
Brunet II, 761.
Dibdin 296.
Bound in French calf, gilt ornaments on the back; volume I rebound in half red morocco by the Library of Congress with the
1815 bookplate preserved; the 1815 bookplate in all volumes except vol. VI which has a later plate. Initialled by Jefferson
at sig. I and T in each volume, and at the end of vol. XI he has drawn attention to the misbinding in a manuscript note:
pa. 481. 2. 3. misplaced at the beginning of the volume.
Jefferson probably bought his copy from
Koenig of Strassburg in April 1788. On April 22, he wrote to Koenig: “
Je viens de recevoir de Monsieur Prevost le Platon, l’Aristophane, et le Menandre que vous avez eu la bonté de m’expedier,
mais point de note de ce que je dois payer pour ça à Monsieur Prevost. presumant pourtant que le Platon est le
60 . . . je payerai incessament dans les mains de Monsieur Prevost la somme . . .
”
The work is entered at this price on Jefferson’s undated
