The grammarians' battleground: or, controversies surrounding the publication of John Holmes' Greek Grammar

David Stoker

Introduction

The early decades of the eighteenth century witnessed the first concerted attempts at reforming the English grammar school system for nearly two centuries. Criticisms had been levelled at the grammar schools upon three related fronts: firstly there were objections to the narrowness of the curriculum, dominated as it was by the study of the classics, and the writings of the ancient authors. Secondly there were concerns about the standards of teaching of the classics, which were regarded as both inefficient and at times incompetent. Finally, there were reservations about the competence and dedication of many traditional schoolmasters, who were often clergymen holding their offices in plurality with other church livings, and relying upon untrained assistants and ushers for much of their teaching.1

Few of the eighteenth century reformers would have questioned the importance of studying Latin and Greek as the basis of an education, but they argued that other more practical subjects such as modern languages, geography or bookkeeping should also be included. Furthermore the teaching methods employed for these subjects had hardly changed in centuries. The teaching of Latin grammar, for example, was still frequently based around William Lily's syntax, compiled and first published two centuries before:

but that so heedlessly, and with so little regard to the Capacities of Children, and the true End and Design of such an Undertaking, that in almost every Step, Examples of subsequent and antecedent Rules lye promiscuously jumbled together; as if they were intended for such as were already Masters of the Syntax, and therefore had no Occasion for them.2

Much of the impetus for reform came from a new generation of masters of provincial grammar schools many of whom were influenced by the educational ideas of John Locke. They tended to come from the emerging commercial classes, and were not in Holy Orders. Men such as John Clarke, master of the Grammar School at Hull, recommended that pupils should study history, geography, chronology, mathematics and the French language - although only after a thorough classical training.3 Clarke not only wrote essays on educational reform, but also compiled Latin grammars for use by his pupils. These text books were themselves subject to criticism, but nevertheless went on to achieve a considerable popularity.4

Almost inevitably the attempts at reform brought forth reaction from the more traditionally minded in the teaching profession, and others who distrusted the motives of the new generation. The efficacy of new teaching methods, the competency of reforming schoolmasters, and the accuracy of their new textbooks were subjects equally subject to controversy in the eighteenth century as they are today and these issues were debated both in public and in private.

The object of this article is to consider the career of another reforming schoolmaster - John Holmes of Holt - and in particular a complex and bizarre debate which raged in London and Norfolk for several years following the publication of his Greek Grammar in 1735. The issues involved were not however confined to this one work nor to the operation of one grammar school, and indeed some of the personalities involved were later to achieve eminence in other academic fields. The debate was conducted in obscure, allusive, and at times vitriolic language through the pages of various local and national newspapers and magazines, and printed pamphlets, only a small proportion of which, unfortunately, has survived into the twentieth century.5 Thus it is occasionally difficult to piece together the full coherent story.

John Holmes

One young disciple of John Clarke was John Holmes, the master of the grammar school at Holt in Norfolk for more than thirty years until his death in December 1760. This school was administered by the Fishmongers' Company of London, from funds bequeathed by the Gresham family. In common with other such schools, it suffered from alternate periods of achievement or neglect depending upon the diligence and abilities of the schoolmaster and the interest shown by the governing body. One such period of neglect came to an end with the death of the previous headmaster in 1729, followed by a visit to the school by the governors. They caused various repairs to the fabric and provided funds for additions to the school library and the purchase of two globes. They were also making the necessary enquiries prior to the appointment of a new headmaster.6

By tradition the mastership had usually gone to the local incumbent, but on this occasion the Court of the Fishmongers' Company rather considered 'that it will tend very much to the advantage of the said school to choose a person who will wholly apply himself to the teaching and instruction of the scholars in the said school, and one who will not at the same time encumber himself with any cures to ecclesiastical promotion in the Church, which by calling of such Master's attendance from school, has been found by experience to be greatly prejudicial and hath brought the said school into disrepute'. Thus the appointment of Holmes, a twenty-six year old former pupil of the school who was not in holy orders, represented a conscious attempt to raise the hitherto mediocre standards.7

Although a considerable classicist, Holmes was also keen to broaden the curriculum. Within a few years of his appointment he was offering to teach

Latin, Greek, French, Arithmetic in all its parts, Bookkeeping by Double Entry, called Merchant's Accounts, the Use of Globes and writing in all the hands used in Great Britain.8

He is today best remembered for his text books which were generally held in high esteem and widely used outside his own school. The fact that most of them went through a number of editions, even after the author's death indicates that they were also commercially successful. In 1732 Holmes published A new grammar of the Latin tongue, described on the title page as 'freed from the many obscurities, defects, superfluities, and errors, which render the common grammar an insufferable impediment to the progress of education'.9 This work had gone through at least six editions at the time of Holmes' death in 1760, and at least a further seven by 1788, 'possibly on the strength of its subtitles alone'.10 A Greek grammar followed in 1735,11 which likewise went through at least seven editions by 1771. These two works were followed by Clavis grammaticalis: a key to, or examination of the Latin and Greek grammars, in 1739.12

Holmes was also keen on using both oratory and drama as part of the teaching process. In 1738 he published The art of rhetorick made easy: or, the elements of oratory briefly stated, and fitted for the practice of the studious youth of Great-Britain and Ireland. In the preface, the author claims it was written to meet the needs of the time 'when schoolboys are expected to be led, sooth'd and entic'd to their studies by the Easiness and Pleasure and the Practice rather than by Force and harsh Discipline drove, as in days of Yore'.13 This work went through two editions in his lifetime, and another in 1766. Likewise, the annual play became an important public feature of the school's work.14 Thus Holmes' brief History of England in 1737, which was simultaneously published in Latin and English, was described on its title page as 'a Compendium adapted to the Capacities and Memories of Youth at School. Performed by the Gentlemen of the Publick Grammar School at Holt in Norfolk, at their Christmas breaking up in 1735'.15

As mentioned above, Holmes is notable as an educational pioneer in the introduction of modern languages, geography and astronomy to the grammar school curriculum. These subjects were later reflected in the publication of his French grammar in 1741, and The grammarian's geography and astronomy ancient and modern, of 1751.16

Finally, when not teaching, directing plays or compiling his various publications Holmes took an interest in antiquarian pursuits. Together with the Rector of Holt, Dr Henry Briggs, he corresponded with Francis Blomefield, the historian of Norfolk, supplying him with accurate notes and descriptions of churches and other buildings in the district, and some fine drawings

if you think proper to employ me, I shall be ready to lend you all the assistance I'm able in that most useful work which you are now about: I mean, I shall be willing on any holiday (you know my confinement) to ride 8 or 10 miles any way, to take down monuments, inscriptions, arms &c.17

In return Blomefield supplied any information he came across relating to the history of his school and of the Gresham family.

Thus the thirty years of Holmes' headmastership are regarded by the historian of his school as 'a period of outstanding success'.18 The Fishmonger's Company presented him with a large silver tankard, as an acknowledgement of his merit,19 and the notice of his death in the Norwich Mercury said that

His great Abilities and truly laudable Exertion thereof in his Province, will be best testified by the Gratitude of the Gentlemen who were educated by him, and by his valuable publications'.20

Yet his term in office was not entirely without controversy, and he appears to have made a number of bitter enemies, as is shown by the events which followed the appearance of the second edition of his Greek grammar in 1737.

Philomathematicus and the Trojan Wars

The earliest surviving reference to any controversy over Holmes' Greek grammar comes in an advertisement in the Norwich Gazette of 14 January 1738, although it is clear from the wording that it had already been raging for some time.

Whereas a vitiated copy of Some Remarks upon Mr Holmes's Greek Grammar was lately published in a Book intitled the Monthly Oracle, with several diminutions and interpolations very detrimental to the sense and Beauty of the Composition, and directly contrary to the Knowledge and Consent of the Remarker, This is to acquaint all those who have Abilities rightly to judge of Things of this Nature, that a true and genuine Copy of those Remarks will shortly be printed errors and Inconsistencies of that Book will be exposed to publick View in a Manner much more entertaining, and instructive by ROB. HANKINSON, a Friend to Truth and sound Learning.

Unfortunately the origins of the dispute and the exact nature of the criticisms are not now identifiable. No copies of the Monthly Oracle appear to have survived,21 nor is there any trace of the revised copy of Hankinson's remarks. Even the writer's name does not appear to be noted in any of the major reference sources. However a fortnight after its appearance, Hankinson's advertisement was answered by another from Robert Heath, who is later described as a surgeon of Foulsham in Norfolk. Unlike Hankinson, Robert Heath was later to achieve some fame, if not notoriety, as a quarrelsome mathematician, an editor of the Ladies Diary, and also the author of a substantial History of the islands of Scilly ... and a general account of Cornwall.22

To the Publick

Ignoratus, qui bene merenti Gratiam non reponit.

Mr Hankinson, who calls himself a Friend to Truth and sound Learning, intrusted me with his Remarks on Mr. Holmes's Grammar, and desir'd me to get them printed; and now I have done it, he denies his Knowledge of, and Consent to any such Thing: But I have his Manuscript by me, which will testifie that I have done him no Injustice; but on the contrary, served him, and that to the utmost of my Power; for which he neither thinks himself oblig'd, nor bound in Gratitude to return me thanks, who sav'd him as much as possible from being expos'd to Publick Censure, by committing the Care and Management of his Remarks to a judicious person, who in a friendly Manner supprest (as foreign to the purpose) most of his low jests, puerile expressions, Puns, Conundrums, and pedantick Shew of Learning, which are what our Critick is pleas'd to call Entertainment: But, indeed, only fit to be spoken by Punch in a Puppet Show: However, when this extraordinary Beauty and Entertainment do come out, (Right genuine and arch) which has so much rais'd the Publick's Expectation to see it, I hope they will be pleas'd to confer a Benefit-Night upon Mr. Harlequin, at the sign of the Bear, for the Incouragement of Farce and Buffoonery.

Robert Heath.23

These two were sufficient to elicit a response from Holmes himself, writing under the pseudonym of Patroclus, the Greek warrior from the Iliad, who was the cousin of Achilles. It was this pseudonym which determined that much of the later debate would be conducted in terms allusive of the Trojan Wars and in imitation of Dryden's translation of the Æneid. However, a postscript to Holmes' response was written in straightforward English, from which it is possible to ascertain the flavour of some of the criticisms levelled at the grammar by Robert Hankinson. These appear to be a mixture of minor grammatical and typographic errors that were likely to be found in any textbook of the period, particularly where the author was remote from the press. Some indeed were accepted by the author as being valid.

- - - -Impar congressus Achilli Virg. Æn.I.

Whereas one, who in the Monthly Oracle of April last stiles himself R. Meanwell, and in the same paper of December and in this of January 14th ROB. HANKINSON, hath for near two Years last past been ungenerously and without Cause tampering underhand with the Character of my friend and Master of the noble Science of Defence, late author of a Greek Grammar; and has at last exerted himself openly and in words at length in the said Oracle, but retracted 'em in this Paper tho' with further Threats and Grimaces: This is to inform the Publick, that I PATROCLUS, hearing that the said R. HANKINSON did once make a publick Fifth-of-November Speech at Cambridge, (which however I first insist on his publishing,) will not fail to meet this Trojan Boaster at the Time appointed to exercise at the several Weapons following, viz. Back sword - Single Fashion Sword and Dagger, - Case of Falchions, & Sword and Buckler, - Quarter-Staff.

PATROCLUS
N.B. If the Reader desires as foretaste of this his future Instructive Entertainment hinted at by R. H. let him see the Monthly Oracle for April last, where on the same Subject he has display'd his exquisite Oratorial talent, and where the Sense and beauty of the composition cannot fail of making any one egregiously merry; for, Nonne plures rident audito Coccyge quam Luscinia? Erasm. --- Respecting his remarks in the December Oracle: In the 1st, the former part about m is a shuffling Falsity, (observe ch seldom,) and the latter a mighty pother about the Printer's leaving out an n, viz. s follows only l & r instead of l, n, & r. In the 2d. my friend's distinction between Synæresis and Crasis, is just, and yet Grammarians use them promiscuously as synonymous Terms. In the 3d and 4th, the long Canterbury story amounts to just Nothing. In the 5th, I assert that my Friend has very consistently and properly express'd himself in both p.12 and 37; and that nos duo verberamus and vos duo, instead of vos duo and illi duo, was a Lapsus Pennæ, and no mental error appears from his calling 'em a second and third Dual: I appeal to Judgment. In the 6th, 'tis meer Trifling. In the 7th, Nomen in one is an unexceptionable Rule. See Lowe, p.64. Ram. p.29. antesignanus, p.28. Leeds, p.16. Verwey, p.25. Matt xviii, 3,5.. Mark v, 41. Mark x, 14, 16. Luke i, 80. or can foreign words be an exception or Sicquoq; Nomen indeclinable. In the 8th, my Friend has all the Grammarians on his side. In the 9th, he's not inconsistent; see the Pages. In the 10th, he's accurate; I appeal. In the 11th and 12th, the Remarker is quite unacquainted with grammarians. In the 13th, see Labbe, 200, and Vigerius p.87. 'Tis well Curst Cows have short Horns'. Ah! Ausculta, ne me obtundas de hac Re sæpius. Ter.24

There was now a three-sided dispute with Hankinson, Heath and Holmes all criticising one another in the Norwich press, and apparently a parallel dispute conducted in the pages of the Monthly Oracle. The next two contributions in the Norwich Gazette were from Robert Heath: the first appeared in the following week announcing the publication of his own More remarks upon Mr. Holmes's Greek Grammar (which has not survived),25 The second appeared a week later and consisted of verses criticising Hankinson.

To Mr. R--t H---n, on his Remarks upon Mr. H---s's Greek Grammar.
Wit is a Trade, and Learning too;
Yet both don't seem to meet in you.
Great Learning often makes Men good and wise;
But small's the share which in a Grammar lies;
The Man, who vers'd in many a Grammar Rule,
Is sometimes found base, wicked, and a fool.
Where Reason, Judgment, truth and Wit are join'd,
They make a Scholar perfect and refin'd.
Pope, Swift, and Addison, those learned Few,
Are wisely-witty, excellent and true!
If you've a mind to imitate the sun,
Write as they write, and do as they have done:
Nor more, in Catch-Wit, let your Shame be shown;
But wisely publish Something of your own.
R. Heath.26

Holmes had no choice but to respond with his own pamphlet answering both of his critics, together with one other, as yet unidentified, whose contributions had presumably appeared in the pages of the Monthly Oracle.

This Day, or the Beginning of next week, will be published, Patroclus's Defence of Mr Holmes's Greek Grammar, against all Objections and remarks, both private and publick, of Three trivial Trojan Boasters, viz. MISANTHROPUS, RHESUS, and DOLON. To be sold by the Booksellers in Norwich, also at Foulsham, Fakenham, and Holt: price, Six Pence.27

As with many of the documents in this controversy, Holmes' satirical pamphlet has failed to survive. It is said to have contained the claims 'that this Greek Grammar is every way better than any, and more comprehensive than all' and that

the author of the Grammar is well known, and respected where-ever he is known; and yet has suffer'd his Name and Work to be thus traduced for above these eighteen Months past, by these despicable Wretches, in all Companies, where-ever they could get footing.28

These claims were later cited as leaving Holmes open to the charge of boasting, and the work was sufficiently caustic to stir Robert Heath into preparing a response on a much more elaborate scale. He announced his intentions in the Norwich Gazette of 18 March 1738.

To the Thraso-Grecian of Holt-School
Most Noble THRASO,
I Have read your Misanthropical, Rhesical, and Delonical Remarks; and without boasting, I do promise to meet you in Battle very soon; and give you Proofs, that you, the Grecian of Holt, can never intimidate.
Yours, as sure as Death,
R. Heath.29

On 8th April, he announced the publication of his pamphlet 'To be printed by Subscription, and delivered within a fortnight, (or three weeks at longest) a poem, entitled A Battel with the boasters'; and included a specimen from the text.30

In fact the work did not appear until the end of May 1738

the reason for its delay, is the waiting for the proof sheets by the post (from London) to correct, which is cheifly done.
Thus, at a distance, to correct the press;
there's no excuse for printed faultiness.31

In the meanwhile and into June both the Norwich weekly newspapers contained letters, poems and allusions to the dispute by Heath and Holmes and their supporters. Hankinson appears to have dropped out of the controversy by this stage, and the battle in Norfolk was between the 'Greek' Holmes signing himself Patroclus and the 'Trojan' Heath, who referred to himself as Philomathematicus.32 In London, it appears that the controversy continued in the pages of the Monthly Oracle. Holmes's reputation was being defended in print by two allies, Daniel Eagland who was apparently a poet, and Thomas Simpson, a young mathematician and contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine. He had already had cause to quarrel publicly with Robert Heath, and would do so many times again during his long and distinguished career.33

A battle fought with the boasters: or, Patroclus's weak defence by force defeated ... by Philomathematicus's army of arguments is a remarkable piece of vitriol, concerning what today seems to be a relatively minor matter. It consists of more than four hundred lines written in imitation of Dryden's translation of the Æneid34 and is primarily directed at John Holmes, although with passing swipes at Simpson and Eagland.

Boasts, and the Man I sing, whose Fame of late
Has suffer'd Scandal, shameful Lies, and Hate;
Asper'd and scorn'd, for speaking Truth confess'd;
By E-gl--d, S-mp--n, H-lm-s, and the rest:
Envy'd, degraded, censur'd, threaten'd, curst;
And represented of all Men the worst!35

Interspersed with the criticisms, there is to be found praise for Robert Heath.

'Twas envious Tongues, long exercis'd in Spite,
'Gainst Sons of Art, first tempted me to write:
To speak the Truth, and defend the Cause
Of Trojan-Heath, hence all these Paper-Wars.
That Trojan-Chief, who still in Science roves,
And to be Victor in right-Reason loves;
Aw'd by no Puffs! by Scandal uncontroul'd,
In Truth still busy, in Researches bold;
His studious Mind 'gainst Ignorance possest,
Abhors bad Authors, but adores the Best;
Who, reading Locke, is more than doubly blest!
But reading H-lm-s, how small is the Delight!36

However, the focus of the attack was the errors to be found in the Greek grammar.

What must I all his Labour'd boasting call?
Is it absurd, or is't nonsensical?
Crack'd Reas'ning's worse than Breach of Grammar-Rule,
For which a Boy is soundly lash'd at School.
How does he idly, page the 11th, prate,
And lavish Praise on's Book, at such a rate!
Yet, in th' Apology, those Words wou'd eat.
Grown conscious of his Faults, he can't defend;
But begs that Critics kindly wou'd amend:
And yet to screen himself wou'd, too, pretend.
H-lm-s be advis'd, Boy, never publish more,
'Till you've more Judgment, Learning, Grounds, in Store;
'Till you have studied Reas'ning better o'er.
Trite Syllables you've learn'd, or Case, or Tense;
But, by your leave, you are to seek in Sense.37

Now, to my theme and H-lm-s, I do return,
To lay his Grammar gently in its Urn;
And next the boasting Author, in his Turn.
'Tis not-ungenerous, or unchristian,
To seize, and punish Falshood where we can;
But, this Complaint H-lm-s sends up to the Skies,
And loud, for Pity on a Sinner cries!
His Faults confess'd, and how he has deceiv'd.
The Errors of the Press he calls upon;
But no excuse for's not attending on.38

The poem extends only to page 16 of Heath's thirty-six page pamphlet. The remainder includes a variety of other odd poems and letters on the same subject, and somewhat eccentrically 'Mathematical Solutions [to the] Prize question, in the Ladies Diary for the Year 1738, answer'd. One of the letters written by Pædagogus Mastix - who was presumably a teacher of the 'old school' - writes in terms almost as vitriolic as those of Heath:

But perhaps the Reader will scarce believe that a little petty Pedagogue, who struts-about on a Dunghill, on a Spot of Earth, in a Bye Corner of Norfolk, should presume to vaunt that he has wrote the most perfect Greek Grammar that ever was, is, or will be;39

The list of more than a hundred subscribers to this work is illuminating and contains few names that are found on contemporary subscription lists for more serious works. There are no members of the nobility and very few members of either the gentry or the clergy; groups that would normally be associated with subscription lists. Most of the names appear to be tradesmen from towns and villages in north Norfolk, in the vicinity of Holt. It may be that the growing literary and scholastic reputation of the young Holmes was beginning to give rise to some jealousy among his neighbours, many of whom were pleased to see him taken down a peg.

Epilogue

After June 1738 there are no further references to the dispute in the Norwich newspapers. Heath's work was however re-issued the following year under the new title The dunces of Norfolk, a satire. Or, Patroclus and his clan, lately assembled at H**** truly delineated.40 However, the incidents seem to have done nothing to affect Holmes's career or reputation which continued to increase, and there is no reference to these events in any later editions of his grammar. Soon afterwards Robert Heath appears to have taken up a commission in the army and was serving in the Scilly Isles.

Although Holmes appears to have been left in peace by Robert Heath and his allies thereafter, the events in Norfolk during 1737 and 1738 referred to above are a little known prelude to the equally virulent, and much better documented disputes on mathematical topics between Robert Heath and Thomas Simpson - which continued from the mid 1740s until the latter's death in 1761. These were largely conducted through the pages of the Ladies Diary, which was edited by Heath between 1743 and 175341 and by Simpson from 1754 to 1760, or else through Robert Heath's competing ephemerides The Palladium.42

David Stoker,
Department of Information & Library Studies,
UWA.

Footnotes

1. Richard S. Tompson Classics or charity?: the dilemma of the 18th century grammar school, Manchester. 1971. 36-8.

2. John Clarke, An introduction to the making of Latin, 6th ed., 1729, iii.

3. Tompson Classics or charity?, 41. Clarke published a number of essays upon educational reform during the 1720s and 1730s including An essay upon the education of youth in grammar schools, 1720 and An essay upon study, 1731. See also John Lawson, 'An early disciple of Locke: John Clarke (1686-1734), educational reformer and moralist', Durham Research Review, (1962) 30-38.

4. Clarke's Introduction to the making of Latin went through six editions before his death in 1734 and many others thereafter. A twenty-sixth edition was published in 1790.

5. Yet others including the various references to the Norwich Gazette below may have been lost in the disastrous fire at Norwich Central Library on 1 August 1994.

6. C.L.S. Linnell, Gresham's School history and register 1555-1954, (Holt, 1954) 17.

7. Although Holmes had a thorough knowledge of the classics he appears not to have attended one of the Universities. He may have attended a dissenting academy or was perhaps kept on at the Gresham's School in the capacity of Usher. His earliest surviving publication is a Latin eulogy written on the death of Sir Jacob Astley, In obitum flebilem & perquam honorifici viri, ... Jacobi Astley, militis & baronetti; ... carmen pastorale (Henry Cross-grove, Norwich, 1729). This describes him as ex schola Holtensis. He was also responsible for the elegant Latin inscriptions on a number of contemporary monuments in Holt church.

8 Advertisement in John Holmes, A New Grammar of the Latin tongue, (1732). See also Holmes's Grammarian's geography (note 16 below).

9. John Holmes, A new grammar of the Latin tongue, or, a rational, short, comprehensive, and plain method of communicating that language to tender capacities. Freed from the many obscurities, defects, superfluities, and errors which render the common grammar an insufferable impediment to the progress of education. By J. H. Master of the Publick Grammar School in Holt, Norfolk. London: sold by A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, in Pater noster-Row; W. Chase in Norwich, and A. Frazer in Holt, 1732 (not in ESTC - a copy formerly in Norwich Public Library).

10. Richard S. Tompson Classics or charity?, p.38. A twelfth edition was published in 1784.

11. John Holmes, The Greek grammar; or, a short, plain, critical, and comprehensive method of teaching and learning the Greek tongue: ... To which is added a suitable vocabulary. London printed for the author: and sold by A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch; the booksellers in Cambridge and Norwich; and A. Feazer, in Holt, 1735. ESTC t143347.

12. John Holmes, Clavis grammaticalis: a key to, or examination of the Latin and Greek grammars. ... Together with the practical method of parsing and scanning in both languages. London printed by A. Parker, for the author and sold by A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1739. ESTC t139805.

13. John Holmes, The art of rhetoric made easy: or, the elements of oratory briefly stated, and fitted for the practice of the studious youth of Great-Britain and Ireland: in two books. London printed by A. Parker; and sold by A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, and the booksellers in Cambridge, Norwich, and Dublin 1738-9. (The second book consisted of the substance of Dionysius Longinus's 'celebrated treatise of the sublime' and has a separate title-page. ESTC t090627.)

14. See Linnell, 18-19, who quotes a newspaper advertisement from 1740 'On Tuesday the 18th instant the Performance of the Gentlemen of HOLT SCHOOL at the Publick Breaking-up will be CLASSICAL AND MODERN AUTHORS COMPAR'D / Or a description of / Th' illustrious Lives and Everlasting Works / Of those immortal Heroes, mighty Dead. / Philosophers, Historians, Criticks, Poets, / Sages in every age, as Gods rever'd. / As Gods benificent, who blest Mankind / With Arts, and Laws, and humaniz'd a World. / The Epilogue or Entertainment being / THE CONTEST OF THE GODDESSES / From the Latin of Silius Italicus, and other authors, with Declamations, Verses, and Orations, in Latin, Greek, and English Beginning at Twelve. Dinner at the White Lion, at the expense of the Patrons of the said school.'

15. John Holmes, The history of England: being a compendium, adapted to the capacities and memories of youth at school. And likewise useful for all others who have weak memories, and would willingly retain what they read of the English history. London printed by A. Parker; and sold by A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch; the booksellers in Norwich and Cambridge; and A. Feazer in Holt, 1737. ESTC t090581. This work was also published in Latin as Historiae Anglicanae breviarium, Latine conscriptum, ac collectum ex iis quae scriptis tradiderunt historici celeberrimi ... Londini prostant venum apud A. Bettesworth et C. Hitch; Cantabrigiae et Norvici bibliopolas; et A. Feazer, in Holt, 1737. ESTC t090628.

16. John Holmes, The French grammar, or, the rudiments of the French tongue, comprized in a rational, clear, and concise method ... To which is added an appendix of practical lectures to exercise the learner, London, printed for the author, 1741, (not in ESTC; copy formerly in Norwich Public Library, xerox copy British Library) and The grammarian's geography and astronomy ancient and modern, exemplified in the use of the globes terraqueous and caelestial. ... In two parts. ... The geographical part comprehending the ancient and modern names, ... The astronomical part containing a description of the laws, ... London printed by W. Strahan; and sold by C. Hitch and L. Hawes, 1751. ESTC t084843.

17. David Stoker, ed., The correspondence of the Reverend Francis Blomefield, (1992), 227-228. Holmes' notes and drawings made at this time are scattered among the Tanner and Gough Collections in the Bodleian Library and the Frere Mss in the Norfolk Record Office.

18. Linnell, 20.

19. John Chambers, A general history of the county of Norfolk, 2 vols. (Norwich, 1829) II, 779.

20. Norwich Mercury 3 January 1761.

21. Despite a prolonged search I have not even been able to verify the existence of this publication, which is variously referred to as the Monthly Oracle, or the Oracle. There was a Weekly Oracle but this contains no reference to the controversy, likewise there was a rival to the Gentleman's Magazine, in 1737, with the sub-title Monthly Oracle, which is the most likely candidate, but all surviving copies in the British Museum were destroyed during an air raid in 1941.

22. Dictionary of National Biography.

23. Norwich Gazette 1634 28 January 1738.

24. Norwich Gazette 1635 4 February 1738.

25. Norwich Gazette 1636 11 Feb. 1738 'This Day were published, for the Establishment of Truth and Benefit of the Publick, MORE REMARKS upon Mr. Holmes's Greek Grammar, whereby the Errors and Inconsistencies of that Book are still more exposed to publick View; nor can the Author any other Way defend himself than by Military Language, and Tools, (the more sharp and cutting Weapons of the best Authorities, or Reason also, and truth being quite against him.) ... Sold by the Bookseller in Norwich, and other places. 6d.'

26. Norwich Gazette 1637 18 February 1738.

27. Norwich Gazette 1640 11 March 1738. The work was advertised as having been published in the Norwich Mercury 18 March 1738. Both Rhesus and Dolon appear in the Iliad. Rhesus was King of Thrace and ally of the Trojans, and Dolon was the Trojan spy killed by Odysseus.

28. ''A letter to Mr Heath' signed Paedogogus Mastix, in A battle fought with the boasters, London, 1738. 21-7.

29. This was followed the following week by a further warning 'Advolat Aenas, vaginaque eripit esem, et super haec, ubi nunc Mezetius acer, & illa - more to come'.

30. Norwich Gazette 1644 8th April 1738.

31. Norwich Gazette 1649 13th May 1738.

32. This pseudonym appears in various contributions to the Ladies Diary for 1737 and also in an essay in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1736, 'In defence of the study of mathematics' VI., 664-5.

33. Although from humble origins Simpson's reputation later grew from strength to strength on the basis of his mathematical publications and editing of the Ladies Dairy. He was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and appointed to the Chair of Mathematics at Woolwich Academy. John Nichols History of Leicestershire Vol.IV pp.510-4., E. G. R. Taylor The Mathematical practitioners of Hanoverian England 1714-1830 Cambridge, 1966, 191-2, (and entries for Heath pp180-2, and Holmes 162). Also R.V. & P.J. Wallis Biobibliography of British mathematics and its applications. Part II 1701-60. PHIBB 1986.

34. D.F. Foxon English verse 1701-1750, C.U.P., 1975, entry B95. A copy is preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

35. A battle fought with the boasters, 5.

36. Ibid, 6-7.

37. Ibid, 7-8.

38. Ibid, 10.

39. Ibid, 23.

40. Foxon English verse, entry B95.5.

41. 'For upwards of half a century, this small performance, sent abroad in the poor dress of an almanac (and under a title, not calculated to raise the highest expectations) has contributed more to the study and improvement of the mathematics, than half the books professedly written on the subject.' Charles Hutton, The Diarian Miscellany: consisting of all useful and entertaining parts, both mathematical and poetical, extracted from the Ladies Diary, from the beginning of that work in the year 1704, down to the end of the year 1773. London 1775, 'Preface'. For an account of the importance of the Ladies Diary to the developing study of mathematics see Nicholas Hans, New Trends in Education in the Eighteenth century, Routledge, 1951, 155-6.

42. Both Heath and Simpson regularly contributed solutions to the complex mathematical problems published in the Ladies Diary from about 1736, frequently using pseudonyms. The proprietor of this work was the London company of Stationers' who appointed an editor Henry Beighton. Following Beighton's death in 1743, they permitted his widow to continue with the aid of Heath as her deputy, and in that capacity he exercised full editorial control over the work from 1744 to 1753. Unfortunately, Heath used his position as a means of venting his hatred of Simpson and was 'virulent beyond all bound', until finally in 1753 he was expelled from the editorship and Thomas Simpson was appointed in his place. Simpson edited the Diary from 1754 until 1760 and gave it 'that degree of respectability and mathematical soundness which it ever after maintained'. Heath devoted his energies into a rival publication entitled The Palladium, which thereafter he used a a vehicle for abusing Thomas Simpson, the Stationers' Company and the Ladies Diary. See Taylor The Mathematical practitioners of Hanoverian England, 180-2, Wallis Biobibliography of British mathematics, and the D.N.B. entries for Heath and Simpson.