Q. Sectani Satyrae in Phylodemum. Cum notis variorum.

Köln (Coloniae), Apud J. Selliba, 1698. 8vo. 164,(1),(1 blank) p. Vellum 15 cm Among the best ever written by a modern Latinist (Ref: VD17 14:702097T; Sandys 2,281; IJsewijn, Companion, 1,64; cf. Willems 2170; Brunet 5,256; Graesse 6,338; Ebert 20778) (Details: This edition of the satyres of Sectanus was issued with 2 different titles; the title most found is: 'Satyrae, XIX, in Phylodemum, cum notis variorum'. The content is exactly the same, apart from the title. The title without 'cum notis variorum' seems rare. The publisher probably decided, having printed a number of copies, that the book would sell better with the addition 'cum notis variorum'. The imprint on the title is according to VD17 probably false; The book was probably printed in Lucca) (Condition: Vellum soiled. Head of the spine damaged. Both inner hinges strenghened with a strip of brown paper. Front endpapers inscribed and with owner's inscriptions. Name on the title. The blank upper margin of ca. 30 pages has been repaired with a small piece of paper to hide a worm hole, which sometimes nibbles at a letter, or some letters of the highest line. The blank right upper corner of the last leaves torn off, and also repaired with a strip of brown paper. Small wormhole in the lower margin of the last 45 pages, sometimes nibbling at a letter) (Note: The Venetian nobleman Lodovico Sergardi, 1660-1726, published in 1696 a 'series of Latin satires against an enemy, which were wholly within the tradition of Horace and Juvenal. He even signed himself Quintus Sectanus, Quintus, the fifth after Lucilius, Horace, Persius and Juvenal'. (G. Highet, 'Juvenal the Satirist, a study', Oxf., 1962, p. 217) A second edition, augmented with 3 satires appeared two years later in 1698. Highet's explanation of the first name of Sergardi's pseudonym Quintus Sectanus seems far fetched. It seems more obvious that Sectanus is derived from 'sectari', to follow, pursue. This book is the result of a quarrel between the first members of the newly established 'Academia Arcadum', in Italian 'Accademia degli Arcadi', which was founded in Rome in 1690. The quarrel was between Sergardi and the lawyer and cofounder of the Academia Gianvincenzo Gravina.The aim of the members was to rescue Italian literature from manierism and to return to simplicity and the beauty of classic poetry. 'Among the Latin poems written by its members one finds both very good work and the deadliest dullness. Lodovico Sergardi/Q. Sectanus' satires (...) are rightly considered to be among the best ever written by a modern Latinist'. (IJsewijn, 'Companion to Neo-Latin studies', vol. 1, Leuven, 1990, p. 64) (Provenance: On the title: 'Ex libris Dom. Xavier'. On the front flyleaf an inscription: 'Ex libris valde Honorabii (sic!) Domini Joannis Frere Angli quem ille dignatus est in donum accipere ab addictissimo suo Comite Xaverio Marchese Melitensi, anno salutis 1824'. This book was a gift of Count Saverio Marchese, 1757-1833, who enjoyed great respect as a connoisseur of Maltese culture. His expertise extended over a number of fields, among them poetry, history, archaeology, the Maltese language and especially the arts and local art history. After the French had lost Malta to Great Britain in 1800, Malta was made a British Dominion. Marchese 'adapted effortlessly into the British environment under the new government. In 1823, he was elected to the University Committee responsible for examining the University’s performance and progress. In his collection of poems, there are a number of sonnets praising British Governors (...). Marchese was also favourable of British preferences in art and architecture. (...) His talents and social merits were appreciated by both the Grand Masters and the British Governors, who elected him to high social positions and invited him personally to important events and celebrations at the Palace on numerous occasions'. (Krystle Farrugia. 'Count Saverio Marchese A Conoscente with Special Reference to His Commentary on Uomini Illustri di Malta'. In this online article is included a specimen of his handwriting, which matches the inscription in this book). Marchese wrote on the verso of the flyleaf a short summary of the book. § This book was given by the count to the English author and retired diplomat John Frere Hookham, 1769-1846, who served as ambassador in Spain and Prussia. In 1820, on account of the failing health of his wife, 'he went with her to Malta, where he lived for the rest of his life. In retirement, he devoted himself to literature, studied his favourite Greek authors, and taught himself Hebrew and Maltese. He welcomed English guests, was popular with his Maltese neighbours, and befriended Mikiel Anton Vassalli, the first Professor of Maltese at the University of Malta'. (Quote from Wikipedia, s.v. John Hookham Frere) § This book was at some time brought to Great Britain. Three English owner's entries have been inscribed on the front pastedown. 1, 'Fredk York Powell,1898'. The English historian Frederick York Powell, 1850-1904, wrote articles for the Dictionary of National Biography, and the Encyclopedia Britannica, and some books on folklore. (See Wikisource, with his portrait) 2, 'Arthur Quiller Couch', 1919'. 'Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch, 1863-1944, was a British writer who published under the pen name of Q. Although a prolific novelist, he is primarily remembered for the monumental Oxford Book Of English Verse 1250-1900 (later extended to 1918) and for his literary criticism. He guided the taste of many who never met him, including American writer Helene Hanff, author of '84, Charing Cross Road'. (See Quiller's lemma in Wikipedia). 3, 'Giles Dugdale to Patrick Duff, 1945'. Giles Dugdale was an English local historian. His admiration of the Dorset dialect poet William Barnes resulted in a biography of Barnes, published in 1953. Dugdale’s other interests included art, architecture and archaeology, and he was an important member of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. (His portrait can be found on the Wordpress site of the Dorset County Museum). Dugdale gave this copy of 'Sectani Satyrae' to Patrick Duff; he also dedicated his biography of Barnes to the same Patrick Duff. This is probably Sir Charles Patrick Duff, 1889-1972, knight and public servant, who served as an officer during the First World War, later he was private secretary to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin) (Collation: A-K8, chi4, (minus blank leaf chi4) (Photographs on request)