Page:The Journal of Classical and Sacred Philology, Volume 1, 1854.djvu/124

 114 Journal of Philology. light warfare of private suits : if he seldom fails in producing an effect, we are conscious that it is often the result of mere weight. Hyperides, like Cicero, is provided with weapons suitable for light encounters, and wields them with even greater alertness. But they are not poisoned, like those of the Roman orator. If he succeeds by his 'raillery in driving his adversary from the field, he seeks for nothing more. The wounds inflicted by the biting sarcasms of Cicero could never be thoroughly healed. There is another question of some interest brought into notice by the possession of these writings. Libanius in his argument to the oration nepl t>u irpfc *Acav8pov aupdijKav, com- monly attributed to Demosthenes, states his opinion that "it approaches more nearly to the type of Hyperides, for, to pass over other points, some of the words employed are more in accordance with his usage than that of Demosthenes, as for instance vewrXovroi and /SSeXupeuerat." Libanius, no doubt, gives one of the characteristics of our orator, but beyond this he is vague. Following up this suggestion, the editors of Hyperides have noticed several phrases and expressions in the newly-dis- covered speeches which seem to have parallels in the oration in question. But we cannot help thinking with M. Kayser, that though in minor points there may be some resemblance the general character of the oration is decisive against the claims of Hyperides to its authorship. If it is destitute of the power of Demosthenes, it has still less pretensions to the grace and ease of our orator. Longinus justly remarks in reference to Hype- rides, ov iravra (f)s Kai povorovas, <os 6 ArjpoaBevqs, Xcy. The topics in the speech ntpl rav avvOrjKav are strung together in a singu- larly monotonous manner. Before entering, as is proposed, on the critical examination of the text, it will be as well to state some special considerations which ought not to be lost sight of in investigating readings, beyond those general laws to which all texts are amenable. These will in each case depend on the character of our written authorities, and the known style of the writer. I. The MS. of Hyperides is unquestionably of very ancient date. The superior quality of the papyrus, and the character of the letters, afford the best evidence of its antiquity. In these respects it bears a close resemblance to the MS. of the fragments of Chrysippus and the Codex Bankesianus of Homer, both of