In addition to the remarks of your correspondent L., I may state that the
first edition in 1737, 8vo., contains 335 pages, exclusive of the
publisher's address, 13 pages. It is printed for T. Cooper, at the Globe,
in Paternoster Row. The second edition in 1748, 8vo., contains publisher's
address, 12 pages; the work itself 291 pages.
I find no difference between the two editions, except that in the first the
title is _The Memoirs of Sigr. Gaudentio di Lucca_; and in the second, _The
Adventures of Sigr. Gaudentio di Lucca_; and that in the second the notes
are subjoined to each page, while in the first they follow the text in
smaller type, as _Remarks of Sigr. Rhedi_. The second edition is--
"Printed for W. Innys in Paternoster Row, and R. Manby and H.S. Cox on
Ludgate Hill, and sold by M. Cooper in Paternoster Row."
With respect to the author, it must be observed that there is no evidence
whatever to justify its being attributed to Bishop Berkeley. Clara Reeve,
in her _Progress of Romana_, 1786, 8vo., mentions him as having been
supposed to be the author; {328} but her authority seems only to have been
the anonymous writer in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. xlvii. p. 13.,
referred to by your correspondent. The author of an elaborate review of the
work in the _Retrospective Review_, vol. iv., advocates Bishop Berkeley's
claim, but gives no reasons of any validity; and merely grounds his
persuasion upon the book being such as might be expected from that great
writer. He was, however, at least bound to show some conformity in style,
which he does not attempt. On the other hand, we have the positive denial
of Dr. George Berkeley, the bishop's son (Kippis's _Biog. Brit._, vol.
iii., addenda to vol. ii.), which, in the absence of any evidence to the
contrary, seems to be quite sufficient.
In a letter signed C.H., _Gent. Mag._, vol. vii. p. 317., written
immediately on the appearance of the work, the writer observes:--
"I should have been very glad to have seen the author's name prefixed
to it: however, I am of opinion that it its very nearly related to no
less a hand than that which has so often, under borrowed names,
employed itself to amuse and trifle mankind, in their own taste, out of
their folly and vices."
This appears to point at Swift; but it is quite clear that he could not be
the author, for very obvious reasons.
A correspondent of the _Gent. Mag._, who signs his initials W.H. (vol. lv.
part 2. p. 757), states "on very good authority" that the author was--
"Barrington, a Catholic priest, who had chambers in Gray's Inn, in
which he was keeper of a library for the use of the Romish clergy. Mr.
Barrington wrote it for amusement, in a fit of the gout. He began it
without any plan, and did not know what he should write about when be
put pen to paper. He was author of several pamphlets, chiefly
anonymous, particularly the controversy with Julius Bate on Elohim."
Of this circumstantial and sufficiently positive attribution, which is
dated October, 1785, no contradiction ever appeared that I am aware of. The
person intended is S. Berington, the author of--
"Dissertations on the Mosaical Creation, Deluge, building of Babel, and
Confusion of Tongues, &c." London: printed for the Author, and sold by
C. Davis in Holborn, and T. Osborn in Gray's Inn, 1750, 8vo., pages
466, exclusive of introduction, 12 pages.
On comparing Gaudentio di Lucca with this extremely curious work, there
seems a sufficient similarity to bear out the statement of the
correspondent of the _Gentleman's Magazine_, W.H. The author quoted in the
_Remarks of Sigr. Rhedi_, and in the _Dissertations_, are frequently the
same, and the learning is of the same cast in both. In particular, Bochart
is repeatedly cited in the _Remarks_ and in the _Dissertations_. The
philosophical opinions appear likewise very similar.
On the whole, unless some strong reason can be given for questioning the
statement of this correspondent of the _Gentleman's Magazine_, I conceive
that S. Berington, of whom I regret that so little is known, must be
considered to be the author of _The Memoirs of Gaudentio di Lucca_.