Fine and scholarly printing of Horace: 'a very magnificent and valuable edition; the text of which is formed chiefly on that of Gesner' (Moss, Manual of Classical Bibliography).

Fine and scholarly printing of Horace: 'a very magnificent and valuable edition; the text of which is formed chiefly on that of Gesner' (Moss, Manual of Classical Bibliography).

A contemporary evaluation in the Critical Review of 1796 applauds the quality of this edition: 'With regard to the typographical merits of the present work, they must be acknowledged to be great. It is printed on fine wove paper; the type is excellent, and the press-work is extremely clear and neat. The margin is also spacious, and the arrangement such as does the printers much credit.'

One of the most beloved Roman poets, Horace is cherished for his elegant poetry and robust satire, combining humorous self-reflection with philosophy: 'His style is rather to tell the truth through laughter, and not only to show others the way but also to work at improving himself and making himself more acceptable to his fellow human beings (Oxford Classical Dictionary).

Aside from the quality of its printing and composition, the London Horace of 1792-1793 is noted for its exhaustive commentaries. Accordingly, this 'variorum' edition compares and publishes known textual variations (in collating the known texts of Horace the editor consulted the first printed edition of 1470 alongside seven manuscript copies held in the Harleian Collection).