especially of a long race of eloquent and politic foxes, called Chocs, celebrated for the wisdom of their maxims over all India. In justice to our own country, we must assign to it the priority of the printed editions of sir Reynard’s histories and exploits, inasmuch as M. Flögel himself, places Caxton’s edition the earliest in his long series.
In addition to the early Dutch editions, and some among the French and English, without any author’s names, the most esteemed are those of Hackmann, Gottsched, and Suhl, with the criticisms of other German scholars, all of whom have vied with each other in national zeal to illustrate the traditionary relics of their country.
Swedish and Danish translations are likewise enumerated by M. Flögel, some of which are founded upon the more modern German editions of the same work. Nor are Hebrew and Latin versions wanting to crown the reputation of its favourite hero, who appears to have been viewed, during successive generations, as a model of moral and political sagacity. To what prince or minister it was intended to apply, and whether as a compliment or a satire, must remain doubtful. The various suppositions on this head are rejected by the best German editors, who, however, have not attempted to substitute any others in their place.
