Notes and Queries, Number 25, April 20, 1850 by Various
page 45 of 65 (69%)
page 45 of 65 (69%)
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_Eachard's Tracts._--The Rev. George Wyatt, who inquires (No. 20. p.
320.) about Eachard's _Tracts_, will probably get all the information he wants from the Life of Eachard prefixed to the collected edition of his _Works_ in three volumes, which I am sorry I have not the means at present of referring to. "I.O.," to whom the last of the tracts is addressed, is Dr. John Owen. Philatus (what objection is there to Latinising, in the usual way, the Greek termination os?) is, of course, intended for Hobbes; and, to convey Eachard's opinion of him, his opponent in the Dialogue is Timothy, a God-honourer. Let me add, as you have headed Mr. Wyatt's communication "Tracts attributed to Eachard," thereby casting a doubt upon his authorship, that there is no doubt about Dr. John Eachard being the author of all the tracts which Mr. Wyatt enumerates; nor was there any concealment by Eachard. His authorship of the _Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy_ is notorious. The "Epistle Dedicatory," signed "J.E.," mentioned by Mr. Wyatt as prefixed to the Dialogue on Hobbes' _State of Nature_, refers also to the five subsequent letters. These were published at the same time with the Dialogue on Hobbes, in one volume, and are answers to attacks on the _Grounds and Occasions_, &c. The Epistle Dedicatory is addressed to Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, "and," says Eachard, "I hope my dialogue will not find the less acceptance with your Grace for these Letters which follow after." The second edition of the volume I have by me, published in 1672: the title, _Mr. Hobbes's State of Nature considered, &c.; to which are added, Five Letters from the Author of "The Grounds and Occasions of the |
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