CHAPTER XX.

ROBERT ESTIENNE II.-IMPRESSIONS-FURTHER NOTICE OF BUCHANAN-FRANCIS ESTIENNE II.-IMPRESSIONS BY HIM-MAMERT PATISSON-CHARACTER

PRESS-SOME IMPRESSIONS SPECIFIED.

OF

HIS

THE reader will have observed that in the two last sections which have been devoted to the operations of learned printers of the city of Paris, who were distinct from the family of the Estiennes, but contemporaries with some or other of them; our inquiries, carried down to the year 1640, have with reference to this family, overstepped the bounds of a regular chronological series. This irregularity could not well be avoided, without relinquishing a purpose which I have always had in view; namely, of assigning to each individual of the Estienne family, a distinct notice. I shall now revert to that family; in which we observe the typographical profession to have been in so singular a measure hereditary; and in the present section shall first state such particulars, as I have been able to collect respecting Robertus Stephanus Secundus; secondly, concerning Franciscus Stepha

nus Secundus; and thirdly, concerning Mamertus Patissonius, who through his matrimonial alliance, has acquired a claim to be mentioned in conjunction with the Stephani.

ROBERT ESTIENNE the SECOND was a son of the first Robert Estienne; consequently brother of the second Henry, and the second Francis, but whether younger or elder is uncertain. I have already noticed the tradition, that in consequence of his refusal to abandon the church of Rome, and to accompany his father Robert to Geneva, he was disinherited by him. La Caille reports, that with a special view to compensate him for this disadvantage, he was put in possession of the royal characters and printing materials: and that Charles IX. further honoured him with a royal commission to travel in Italy, and other places, in search of manuscripts and rare books; and appointed a provision for his family during his absence. The notices left us of this printer are very scanty and imperfect but that he ably supported the literary character of his family cannot be doubted. Some of the principal scholars of the age, and amongst them, Joseph Scaliger, George Buchanan, and our learned countryman sir Thomas Smith, were particularly desirous that their works should be given to the public through the instrumentality of his press. His impressions, though comparatively not

numerous, furnish the most satisfactory proofs of his ability, diligence, and correctness: and as beautiful and perfect specimens of the art, may be placed in competition with those of his father. Maittaire is mistaken in asserting that his personal learning and poetical talents are evinced by several "Epitaphia," composed by him both in Greek and Latin elegiacs; and by a more elaborate poem in his native language, to the memory of the celebrated Thuanus, which he cites at length; (in vita ejus ;) for I shall hereafter shew that these were the productions of a son of his, who bore the same name.

This Robert Estienne is believed to have renewed his paternal establishment at Paris, anno 1556. His name is found affixed to the beautiful impression of Anacreon, Gr. & Lat. of that date, in conjunction with the name of Gulielmus Morel; in the list of whose impressions I have more particularly described it. In the year 1563, he was appointed "Typographus Regius:" after which period his impressions generally exhibit that title. Sometimes, says Maittaire, he wholly omitted the symbol or mark; but frequently employed that of his father, namely the OLIVE, "cum viri icone," and the inscription "Noli altum sapere," &c. As king's printer, he used the "THYRSUS RE"GIUS," in his title pages; affixing ("ad calcem") his paternal olive.

For his various impressions in the French language of mere ephemeral interest, I shall refer the reader to Maittaire: but the most important fruits of his press are those which follow.

1556. Anacreontis & aliorum Lyricorum Oda, Gr. Lat. 8vo. ut supra; Moschi, Bionis, Theocriti Idyllia aliquot, ab H. Stephano Lat. facta : ejusdem carmina non diversi ab illis argumenti,

4to.

1560. Charles Utenhove, L'epitaphe sur le trespas du Roy Henry II. en Ebrieu, Chaldaic, Grec, Lat. François, Aleman & Flaman, 4to; Car. Stephani de nutrimentis, libri III. 8vo; Ejusdem Dictionarium proprior. nominum virorum, mulierum, populorum, &c. 4to.

1561. Disticha moralia, 8vo.

1564. Querolus antiqua comoedia, (Plauto perperam tributa,) nunquam antehac edita, quæ in vetusto codice MS. Plauti Aulularia inscribitur, nunc primum a P. Daniele luce donata & notis illustrata, 8vo. It was reprinted by Commelin, with a variation of title; and also "a Vitale Ble"sensi elegiaco carmine reddita," 1595, 8vo; but this reimpression, says M. Renouard, is much less beautiful than the edition of R. Steph. 1564, yet