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A decorative woodcut headpiece with symmetrical scrolls of foliage and acanthus leaves, featuring a central cherub's head or stylized mask.
Already since that first work of mine was published?,
I should not? consider? there to be scarcely any judgment concerning Authors—such as that which appeared? from the most Noble Writer Thomas Pope Blount—that has proven? his polymathy Wide-ranging knowledge or deep learning in many fields. and study by the weight? and elegance? of its arguments?; for? if? anything? in? them? was? to? be? reproved?, it shall? be? given? here corrected? and emended? in various places; which? shall? be? for the common? use of the Learned, and not only? for those? French? languages? which? prevail? throughout? Europe? as interpreters? and? summaries? of? this? greatest? work?. In this volume, Kind Reader, farewell.
A decorative initial letter V within a square frame, adorned with floral and foliate motifs.
Thomas Pope Blount 1649–1697; an English politician and author known for his bio-bibliographical works., Censura Celebriorum Authorum A Critique of More Famous Authors, first published in 1690, which compiled opinions of various critics on historical writers., polymathia Universal learning., Literatorum The community of the learned or "men of letters.", Candide Lector A standard Latin address to the "Kind" or "Fair-minded Reader."