From Six Lessons to the Professors of Mathematicks, 1656 by Thomas Hobbes
De Cive . . . translated into French hath not only a great testimony from the translator Sorbières, but also from Gassendus and Mersennus.
( "Elements of Philosophy", etc. ; London : Leybourn for Crocke 1656 )
Jusserand, English Essays etc., New York & London 1895, p. 161.
From English Essays from a French Pen, 1895 by J. J. Jusserand
Among the familiars of the French Embassy, in the year 1663, . . . was a strange person, who belonged partly to the Church and partly to the world, a Protestant by birth and a Catholic by trade, named Samuel Sorbières, or de Sorbiès, as he preferred to be called. He was travelling in England to see the sights, to improve his knowledge, and to become better acquainted with the famous philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, of Malmesbury.
Sorbières was then between forty and forty-five years of age ; he was born at St. Ambroise, in the diocese of Uzez ; his father, his uncle (the then well-known Petit), all of his family were staunch Protestants ; and so <1-- p. 158 -->
was Sorbières himself, to all appearance, during many years. He lived for a while at Paris, then in Holland, then at Orange, where he was appointed principal of the local college. His easy manners, easy speech, easy style in writing made him an agreeable correspondent and companion, and he became, early in life, acquainted with several of the best men of the day ; he exchanged letters with Gassendi, Father Marsenne, Hobbes, Saumaize. A number of epistles addressed by him to Saumaize are preserved in the National Library, Paris (MS. Fr. 3930) ; they treart of learned questions ; they contain copies of recently discovered inscriptions ; they are full of friendly assurances and respectfull compliments to both Mr, and Madame de Saumaize.
Sorbières had while young studied theology ; then medicine ; then he had devoted himself wholly to the making of his fortune, for the improvement of which he allowed himself to be converted in good time to the Catholic faith. (Etc.)
( pages 158-9 )
Sorbières had married, while in Holland, a Frenchwoman called Judith Renaud ; they had a son, Henry, who, after the death of his father, caused a part of his papers to be published.
( note on p. 160 )
... He did his best from year to year to ingratiate himself with cardinal, kind, and pope ; he never failed or succeeded entirely. (..)
" They give lace cuffs," he said, " to a man without a shirt!" As his disappointment lasted long he had time to circulate this consolatory witticism, to improve it and remodel it ; several of the " variantes " such as : " I wish they would send me bread for the
butter they kindly provided me with," have been preserved by his friend Graverol.1
1 In the biography he published as a preface to the " Sorberiana," Toulouse, 1691.
Before his journey to England, Sorbières was known to literary men principally by his translations. He had turned from Latin into French Sir Thomas More's " Utopia,", Hobbes's " De Cive," Bates's " Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia." Hobbes had been greatly pleased with Sorbières's translation : " The book " (i.e., the " De Cive "), he said, in his " Six lessons to the professors of the mathematics," 1656, " translated into French hath not only a great testimony from the translator Sorbières, but also from Gassndus and Mesennus." He began with Sorbière a correspondence in Latin, where he apostrophises him as " clarissime charissimeque, amicissime, eruditissime," &ct. And he went even further, as he dedicate " viro clarissimo et amicissimo Samueli Sorbiero," his " Dialogus
physicus de Nature Aeris," addressing to him a very characteristic and pungent letter, where, according to his wont, he loudly complains of everythings and everybody, but concludes with the kindest appeal to his correspondent, saying, : " Let us live as long and as well as we can, and let us love each otherVale."
A desire of having some talke with Hobbes was among the main motives Sorbières had when he undertook the journey which was to make him for a short while famous all over Europe in the literary and diplomatic world, and to give him his " minute d'immortalité."
II.SORBIÈRES'S JOURNEY.
Sorbières spent the summer of 1663 in England ; he had long conversations with Hobbes, he went to the play, dined at the French Embassy, was presented at Court, visited Oxford, drove to Hatfield, was admitted to a sitting of the Royal Society, and, when he had come back, wrote, at the request of the Marquis de Vaubrun Nogent, an account of all he had seen. The book appeared in 1664,1 and raised a storm. (Etc.)
1 " Relation d'un Voyage en Angleterre, où sont touchées plusieurs choses qui regardent l'estat des sciences, et de la Religion et autres matières curieuses." Paris, 1664. 8vo.
( pages 160 - 162 )
ENGLISH ESSAYS FROM A FRENCH PEN
by J. J. Jusserand
New York and London : Putnam, Unwin, 1895.
From A HISTORY OF UNITARIANISM, 1945 by Earl Morse Wilbur
" Distinguished men like Grotius, then living in exile in France, the liberal Calvinist Sorbière
and the Catholic Mersenne, carried on amicable exchange of views with the brethren of Raków. "
(pp. 424-5)
* * *
When Grotius returned to Paris in 1632 he became the centre of a
circle of Polish youth, who seem to have been largely Socinians. Andrew
Wiszowaty in the course of his wide travels had intimate relations not
only with him but also with Gassendi, Mersenne and other distinguished
men. One of the most interesting of these was Samuel Sorbière,
member of a prominent Calvinist family, who had been designed for the
Protestant ministry but had left it for medicine, and finally ended a
Catholic. Wiszowaty made his acquaintance, interested him in Socinian
thought, and for several years corresponded with him. Ruar thought him very
near the Socinian camp, and by the Calvinists he was even charged with
being a Socinian. [etc]
(p. 527)
A HISTORY OF UNITARIANISM, SOCINIANISM AND ITS ANTECEDENTS
Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press 1945.
Selected bibliographic ( University of California http://melvyl.cdlib.org )
Author Jusserand, Jean Adrien Antoine Jules, 1855-1932.
Title English essays from a French pen; by J.J. Jusserand ...
Publisher London, T.F. Unwin, 1895.
Description 215, [1] p. front., 3 pl., port. 19 cm.
Note "The 'Journeys' to Scotland and to England, first published in the 'Nineteenth century', and the essay on Paul Scarron, printed as an introduction to 'The comical romance and other tales ... 1892'."
Note Includes bibliographical references.
Contents I. The forbidden pastimes of a recluse (England, XIIth century) [On Saint Ethelred's Regula sive Institutio inclusarum]--II. A journey to Scotland in the year 1435 [Regnault Girard's account of the French embassy to bring back Princess Margaret]--III. Paul Scarron.--IV. A journey to England in the year 1663 [Sorbières's Relation d'un voyage en Angleterre. 1664]--V. One more document concerning Voltaire's visit to England.--Appendix. 1. Mediæval shipping. 2. A note by Esprit Cabart de Villermont, concerning Scarron and his wife. 3. A description of Hatfield by Samuel de Sorbières, 1663. 4. French text of a letter by Count de Broglie concerning Voltaire's "Henriade", 1727.
Author Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679.
Uniform Title [ Selections French.]
Title Œuvres philosophiques et politiques de Thomas Hobbes ...
Publisher A Neufchatel, : De l'imprimerie de la Sociét?Typographique, 1787.
Description 2 v. ; 21 cm. (8vo)
Note Each v. has half title.
Vol. 1 translated by S. Sorbière; v.2 by Baron d'Holbach. See Rochedieu.
Signatures: v.1: a-c⁸
Vol. 1: xlviii 452, [18] p.; v.2: [4], 224, 209-292, iv p.
Contents T. 1. Les éléments du citoyen: la libert? L'empire. La religion -- T. 2. Le corps politique. La nature humaine.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title A voyage to England, containing many things relating to the state of learning, religion, and other curiosities of that kingdom. By Mons. Sorbière. As also Observations on the same voyage, by Dr. Thomas Sprat ... With a letter of Monsieur Sorbière's, concerning the war between England and Holland in 1652: to all which is prefix'd his life, writ by M. Graverol. Done into English from the French original.
Publisher London, Printed and sold by J. Woodward, 1709.
Description 6 p. l., xix, [1], 190 p. fold. pl. 20 cm.
Note Page 109 incorrectly numbered 190.
Sprat's "Observations" has special t.p., dated 1708.
Side notes.
Language English
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Sorberiana, ou Bons mots, rencontres agreables, pensées judicieuses, et observations curieuses, de m. Sorbiere.
Publisher Amsterdam : Gallet, 1694.
Description 24 p. l., 246 p. 13 cm.
Note Contains also F. Graverol's "Memoires pour la vie de messieurs SamuE Sorbiere, & Jean-Baptiste Cotelier" and "Epul?ferales sive Fragmenti marmoris nemausini enodatio."
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Sorberiana : sive excerpta ex ore SamuEis Sorbiere / Prodeunt ex Musaeo Francisci Graverol J. U. D. & Academici Regii Nemausensis. Accedunt ejusdem, tum Epistola de vita & scriptis SamuEis Sorbiere & Joan. Bapt. Cotelier, tùm Epulae ferales, sive Fragmenti Marmoris Nemausini explanatio.
Publisher Tolosae : Typis G.-L. Colomyez & H. PosuE, 1691.
Description 284 p. ; 15 cm.
Note In French.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670
Title Relation d'un voyage en Angleterre, où sont touchées plusieurs choses, qui regardent l'estat des sciences, & de la religion, & autres matières curieuses
Publisher Cologne, P. Michel, 1666
Description [8], 180, [3] p. fold. diagr. 14 cm
Note Dedication signed: Sorbiere
First published, 1664
Language French
Title Observations d'un gentilhomme anglois: ensemble quelques lettres touchant un livre intitul? Relation d'un voyage en Angleterre, compos?par le sieur Sorbiere; la suppression duquel a est?ordonnée tant par arrest du Conseil, que du Parlement de Paris, des 9. & 15. juillet 1664.
Publisher A Paris, Chez Andr?& Sebastien Cramoisy ... 1664.
Description 4, 56 p. 14 cm.
Note Signatures: a? A-B?� C⁴.
Includes letters from Paulmier and Sorbière.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Relation d'une voyage en Angleterre : o?font touchées plusiers choses qui regardent l'estat des sciences, & de la religion, & autres matieres curieuses.
Publisher A Paris : chez Thomas Iolly ..., 1664.
Description [2], 8, [10], 3-232 p., 1 folded plate ; 15 cm.
Note Dedication signed: Sorbiere.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Lettres et discovrs sur diuerses matieres curieuses.
Publisher Paris, F. Clovsier, 1660.
Description [28], 731 p. 24 cm.
Note Title vignette.
Includes letters to Cardinal Mazarin and the court physician Guy Patin on philosophy and medicine.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Relations, lettres, et discovrs de mr. de Sorbiere. Svr diverses matieres curieuses.
Imprint Paris, R. de Ninville, 1660.
Descript [36], 468, [4] p. 19 cm.
Note Printer's device on t.-p., headpieces, initials.
Signatures: a8,e8,i²,A-Z8,Aa8Bb8(Bbl)Cc-Ff8,Gg4. [ NYPL ]
Author Gassendi, Pierre, 1592-1655.
Title Syntagma philosophiae Epicuri, cum refutationú~us dogmatum quae contra fidem Christianam ab eo asserta sunt ... Praefigitur Samuelis Sorberii Dissertatio de vita ac moribus Petri Gassendi.
Publisher Hagae-Comitis, Ex typographia A. Vlacq, 1659.
Description 24 p. L., 495 p. port. 22 cm.
Language Latin
? ?
Thomas More, Utopia.
Jusserand 1895, page 161 : Before his journey to England, Sorbiéres was known to literary men principally by his translations. He had turned from Latin into French Sir Thoas More's " Utopia," Hobbes's " De Cive," Bates's " Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia."
Question : why not found in the catalogues ? (WPT 11 Dec 04).
? ?
Bates, Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia.
Jusserand 1895, page 161 : " Les vrayes causes des derniers troubles d'Angletere, abrégé d'histoire, où les droiets du Roy et ceux du Parlement et du peuple sunt naîfvement représentes," Orange, 1653, 8vo. This is often given as an original work of Sorbiéres, though in his dedication he himself states that he translated it at the request of the Count de Dhona.
Question why not listed in the catalogues ? (WPT 11 Dec 04).
Author Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679.
Uniform Title [ De cive. French]
Title Elemens philosophiques du citoyen. Traict?politique, o?les fondemens de la societ?civile sont descouverts, par Thomas Hobbes, et traduicts en françois par un de ses amis.
Publisher Amsterdam, J. Blaeu, 1649.
Description 28 p.l., 246, 144 p. illus. 15 1/2 cm.
Note Added t.-p. engr.
Dedicatory epistle by the translator, Samuel Sorbière.
Language French
Author Sorbière, Samuel, 1615-1670.
Title Relation d'un voyage en Angleterre : oEsont touchées plusieurs choses, qui regardent l'estat des sciences, & de la religion, & autres matières curieuses / présentEpar Louis Roux.
Publisher Saint-Étienne : UniversitEde Saint-Étienne, 1980.
Description 180, [35] p., [4] leaves of plates : ill. ; 22 cm.
Series Images et témoins de l'âge classique ;10
Note Reprint. Originally published: Cologne : P. Michel, 1 66.
Dedication signed: Sorbiere.
Note Includes bibliographical references.
Language French
Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679.
Uniform Title [ De cive. French]
Title Elemens philosophiques du citoyen. TraicteEpolitique, ouÌ les fondemens de la societeEcivile sont deEouverts, par Thomas Hobbes, et traduicts en françois par un de ses amis.
Publisher A Amsterdam : de l'imprimerie de Jean Blaeu, 1649.
Description 24 p. l., 448, [15] p. 16 cm.
Language French
Note Second edition in French of the author's Elementa philosophica de cive.
"Epistre dedicatoire" signed: Sorbiere.
Signatures: *-***⁸, A-Z⁸, Aa-Ff⁸.
Pages 125, 137, 364 incorrectly numbered 123, 117, 344, respectively.
Added illustrated title-page, engraved.
Marginal notes.
Cf. Macdonald, Hugh. Thomas Hobbes; a bibliography. London, 1952, p. 20-21, no. 33.
Author Du Loir.
Title Viaggio di Levante l del signor di Loir ; aggiontovi il viaggio d'Inghilterra del signor di Sorbiere ; tradotti dall' idioma francese in italiano dal secretario F.F.
Imprint In Venetia : Per Abbondio Menafoglio, con Licenza de'Sup. e Priuil, 1671. Descript 400, [29] p. ; 14 cm.
Description: Engraved extra t.p.by Agnelli showing Constantinople and other cities with ships etc. Milan: Federico Agnelli. 1670. 12mo. [12],366,[18] [ . . . ] Du Loir embarked from Marseilles and traveled to Mallta and Smyrna and entered Constantinople in 1640 where he saw the elevation to the throne of the Sultan Ibrahim.He then travelled to Greece and back to Venice. First published in French in 1639 and based on letters dated from Nov. 28,1639-June 13,1641."On trouve dans les dix lettres dont ce voyage est composE beaucoup de particularitŽs sur les moeurs et les usages des Turks, que d'autres auteurs ont aussi fait connaitre..." Biog. Univ.
( source : Known and Spellman http://www.krownspellman.com
* * *
Author Bate, George, 1608-1669.
Title Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia: or, A short historical account of the rise and progress of the late troubles in England. In two parts. Written in Latin by Dr. George Bates. Motus compositi: or, The history of the composing the affairs of England by the restauration of K. Charles the Second, and the punishment of the regicides: and other principal occurents to the year 1669. Written in Latin by Tho. Skinner, M.D. Made English. To which is added a preface by a person of quality, and in the body of the work several choice original papers.
Imprint London, Printed for A. Swalle, 1685.
Descript 3 pts. in 1 v. 20 cm.
Note First part published, anonymously, 1649.
Translated by Archibald Lovell.
Pt. 3 also issued separately under title: Elenchi motuum nuperorum in Anglia pars tertia, sive Motus compositi, 1676.
Marginal notes.
Added t.-p., engraved.
Author Bate, George, 1608-1669.
Title Elenchi motuum nuperorum in Anglia. Pars prima [-secunda] ... / ab authore Georgio Bateo.
Imprint Londini [i.e. London] : Typis J. Flesher, prostat venalis apud R. Royston S. Regiae Majestatis Bibliopolam, 1663.
Edition Recognita & aucta.
Descript 2 v. bd. as 1 ([12], 152, [4]; [10], 239, [19] p.) : ports. ; 20 cm. (8vo)
Note Signatures: v.1: A6, B-K8, (k)4, L²; [A], A2 unsigned. v.2: A-P8, R7; [A], A2 unsigned.
Includes indexes.
Text in Latin based in part on G. Bate's The royal apologie, or, The declaration of the Commons in Parliament 11th February 1647 canvassed.
Contents Part I. has subtitle: Simul ac iuris Regii et Parliamentarii brevis enarratio. -- Part II. has subtitle: Simul ac Regis effugii mirabilis e praelio Wigorniae enarratio.
Author Bate, George, 1608-1669.
Title Elenchi motuum nuperorum in Anglia. Pars prima [-secunda] ... / ab authore Georgio Bateo.
Imprint Londini [i.e. London] : Typis J. Flesher, prostat venalis apud R. Royston S. Regiae Majestatis Bibliopolam, 1663.
LOCATION CALL # STATUS
Humanities-Genrl Res CI (Bate, G. Elenchi motuum nuperorum in Anglia)
Location Humanities-Genrl Res
Edition Recognita & aucta.
Descript 2 v. bd. as 1 ([12], 152, [4]; [10], 239, [19] p.) : ports. ; 20 cm. (8vo)
Note Signatures: v.1: A6, B-K8, (k)4, L²; [A], A2 unsigned. v.2: A-P8, R7; [A], A2 unsigned.
Includes indexes.
Text in Latin based in part on G. Bate's The royal apologie, or, The declaration of the Commons in Parliament 11th February 1647 canvassed.
Contents Part I. has subtitle: Simul ac iuris Regii et Parliamentarii brevis enarratio. -- Part II. has subtitle: Simul ac Regis effugii mirabilis e praelio Wigorniae enarratio.
Author Bate, George, 1608-1669.
Title Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia : simul ac juris regii et parlamentarii brevis enarratio.
Imprint Fracofurti ad Maenum : Ex officina Samuelis Broun, an. Dom. 1650.
Descript 114 p. ; 20 cm.(4to)
Note Address to the reader signed: Theodorus Veridicus.
Marginal notes.
Clark Library copy bound with: Sylloge variorum tract¯atuum ... [Amsterdam], 1649.
* * *
Author Evelyn, John, 1620-1706.
Title Sculptura; or, The history and art of chalcography, and engraving in copper: with ample enumeration of the most renowned masters and their works. To which is annexed a new manner of engraving, or mezzotinto, communicated by His Highness Prince Rupert to the author of this treatise.
Imprint London, J. Murray, 1769.
Edition The 2d ed., containing ... memoirs of the author's life.
Descript xxxvi, 140 p. plates; port. 19 cm.
Note Bookplate of Howard C. Levis.
[ NYPL ]
* * *
A. G. M. De Querlon (Paris and London, 1777) p. 100, n.1 suggested scyphos (Greek) and grandis (Latin) = "user of copious cups." Surtz and Hexter say, "A simple explanation for Syphograntus, however, might be a manipulation of sophos, Aeolic syphos, 'wise, prudent' and gerontes, 'old men, elders,' a combination which recalls senes ac rerum periti (p.112.23-24 in their edition). On the other hand, typhogerontes, 'silly old men, dotards' (in Aeolic and Doric t changes into s) might be more in accord with More's other terms, e.g. Anydros, Utopia, etc." They note that G. J. Vossius, Opera, IV (Amsterdam, 1695-1701) 340, letter to Samuel Sorbiere on the etymologies in Utopia, believes More and "refuses to concern himself with Syphograntus and Traniborus." The Utopians on the list might care to comment on the surviving fragments of their native tongue.
Christian Kopff
University of Colorado, Boulder
kopff@spot.colorado.edu
* * *
"Utopie" (qui veut dire "nulle part") est un neologisme tiré du grec, forgé par Thomas More (1478-1532) pour baptiser une
société imaginaire où règnerait la raison, et donc l'équité et le bonheur: Libellus vere aureus nec minus salutaris quam festivus
de optimo rei[publicæ] statu, deque nova insula Utopia (Lovanii 1516. 4o.). L'énorme succès de l'ouvrage dans toute
l'Europe et sa traduction en langues vernaculaires depuis le milieu du XVIe siècle, en rendirent si familier le titre qu'il finit par
devenir un nom commun. Au XVIe siècle il fut traduit en français par J. Le Blond, La Description de l'isle d'Utopie où est
comprins le miroer des republicques du monde (Paris 1550. 8o.), et au siècle suivant Samuel Sorbière en procura une
traduction française nouvelle, L'Utopie de Thomas Morus (Amsterdam 1643. 24o.). Voir le commentaire de P. Mesnard,
L'Essor de la philosophie politique au XVIe siècle (Paris 1936), p.141-77.
http://pages.globetrotter.net/pcbcr/bayle1673.html
* * *
Samuel de Sorbière, Descartes en Holanda, J.G. (trad.), 1960. { http://www.filosoficas.unam.mx/~gaos/JGBib.htm )
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