Page:The Library, volume 5, series 3.djvu/158

 146 LEIBNITZ AS A LIBRARIAN. common basis for Protestants and Roman Catholics in the various details of their creed. The offer but not the refusal may be paralleled from the case of Leibnitz's celebrated compatriot, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, who was born the year following that of Leibnitz's death (1717), and who, in aid of his researches in classical literature and art, followed the same occupation. Winckelmann had been librarian to Count Henry von Blinau, but his ardour in the study of ancient literature induced him to visit Rome. Cardinal Passionei in 1754 appointed him his librarian, and Winckelmann entered the Church of Rome as a condition of his appointment. As stated, Leibnitz returned to Hanover laden with all sorts of material in the shape of manu- scripts, books, and pamphlets necessary for writing the history of his master's house ; and we now come to the period of his active labours on the Library at Wolfenblittel. There is plenty of evi- dence adduced in Dr. Guhrauer's account to show that Leibnitz was possessed of definite powers of administration, although much of his time was occupied with his duties as court lefturer and historiographer. His sub-librarian was Lorenz Hertel (b. 1659), with whom he corresponded as to the needs of the library as occasion required, when called upon to be absent. The relations between Leibnitz and Hertel were in the main satisfa6tory, but a letter is extanc written by Leibnitz to his subordinate, in which he charges him with having disloyally made an unfavourable report to the duke as to his chief's general conduct.