termed "Nizoliani," than "Ciceroniani.”

He

thought Nizolius had introduced unnecessary doubts and scruples on the subject of Latinity; and that even Laurentius Valla, though in other respects so well deserving of the Latin tongue, was liable to the same imputation. Francisci Hotomani Quæstionum illustrium liber, secunda editione ab authore locupletatus, 8vo. Beza Poemata, in hac tertia editione partim recognita, partim locupletata. Ex Buchanano aliisque insignibus Poetis excerpta carmina (quæ secundæ illorum poematum editioni subjuncta erant) seorsim excudentur cum magna accessione, 8vo. Quæ ad Bez Poemata accesserunt, 8vo. Discours merveilleux de la vie, actions, et deportemens de Catherine de Medicis, Roine-Mere, declarant les moyens qu'elle a tenus pour usurper le gouvernement du Royaume de France, et ruiner l'estat d'iceluy, 8vo, without note of printer's name, or place. This early impression is said to include two letters, and a poem, in which Mary de Medicis and Jezebel the Jewish queen are compared. These are not found in a subsequent edition of 1663, 16mo. sans lieu. As to the Satire itself, it has been generally ascribed to the pen of Henry Estienne; and the style of it exhibits much of that morose and prolix character, by which his " Apologie pour Herodote" is distinguished. La Caille pretends that he composed this, and some other

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works, under the name of St. Griere, which was the appellation of his villa near Geneva. Niceron says, that Guy Patin ascribed it to Theodore Beza: and that others considered it as the production of Jean de Serres, or Serranus. Catherine de Medicis survived till the year 1589. Though she disagreed concerning political measures with her son Henry III, yet it does not seem probable that so bitter a satire upon her life and actions could be agreeable to that monarch; or that he should have extended such a measure of indulgence and patronage to its author, as Henry is admitted to have experienced from him. Such then is the mystery in which the origin of this work is involved. It may be found reprinted, adds Niceron, in the third volume of the Mémoires du Regne de Charles IX. Middlebourg, 1578, in 8vo.

CHAPTER XXXI.

HENRY ESTIENNE II.

CONTINUED-FURTHER IMPRES

SIONS PSEUDO-CICERO-SCHEDIASMATA-NIZOLIODI

DASCALUS

PLATONIS OPERA, GR. LAT. FOL.-DEUX DIALOGUES-PRE-EXCELLENCE, &c.-VARIOUS MOVE

MENTS-OTHER IMPRESSIONS AND ORIGINAL WORKS1577—1588.

THE year 1576, became remarkable for the con

clusion of a fifth peace between the French government and the Huguenots. This accommodation, like most of the former, having been on the side of the court the result of political expediency, terms of unlimited indulgence were again accorded to the reformed party, with the usual insincerity of intention as to their fulfilment on the part of the government. The very name and appearance however of indulgences so extensive and alarming, sufficed to excite the most violent emotions of jealousy and rage in the bosoms of all rigid catholics; and now it was, that availing himself of the general religious ferment, Henry of Lorrain, duke of Guise, (whose father perished by the hand of the assassin Poltrot as we have mentioned,) having placed himself at the head of the

catholics, and acquired great popularity and influence, with the assistance of his brother the cardinal of Lorrain projected the League, which became so famous in French history; and rendered it formidable by numerous and powerful adherents. This was ostensibly a solemn league and covenant, for the defence of the catholic faith, the king, and the government; but in reality was intended to conceal and promote very ambitious, and even treasonable designs, of the duke of Guise and his partisans. This celebrated league gave in some measure, a new character and complexion to those civil dissensions; in which we have already observed so incongruous a mixture of political intrigue and religious fervour. It proved also, as my readers will doubtless bear in mind, a fruitful source of new and obstinate, and very varied commotions. I shall however, with little or no further mention of events which concern the public history of the times, whether civil or ecclesiastical, henceforward confine myself to Henry Estienne's individual story; and hasten to bring my notice of him to a conclusion.

1577. PSEUDO-CICERO, Dialogus H. Stephani, de multis ad Ciceronis sermonem pertinentibus, de delectu editionum ejus, & cautione in eo legendo, 8vo. This work, inscribed to Joannes Sambucus, contains many valuable observations relating to