_Did Bunyan know Hobbes?_ (Vol. ii., p. 518.).--Before this question, put
by JAS. H. FRISWELL, can be answered satisfactorily, it should be shown
that Bunyan was the author of the _Visions of Hell_. In _Chambers' Journal_
for Sept. 7. 1833, n., it is taken for granted that he was, and the passage
alluding to Hobbes is noticed. Your correspondent more justly questions the
fact.
A very intelligent friend of mine, who has devoted much research into the
supposed origin of the _Pilgrim's Progress_, the result of which I hope ere
long will appear, tells me that he is decidedly of opinion that the
_Visions_ in question are not the production of the "prince of dreamers."
He believes the _Visions_ first appeared as Bunyan's in a stereotyped
collection or selection of his works, about 1820-8. Some time after seeing
this, my friend was surprised at meeting with the following little volume,
which is now before me: _The World to Come. The Glories of Heaven, and the
Terrors of Hell, lively displayed under the Similitude of a Vision_. By
G.L., Sunderland. Printed by R. Wetherald, for H. Creighton, 1771. 12mo.
The running title, as far as p. 95., is, _The World to Come; or, Visions of
Heaven_; and on that page commence the _Visions of Hell, and of the
Torments of the Damned_: and here it is the author has _charitably_ placed
Hobbes, with whom the colloquy alluded to by your querist occurs.
I shall not occupy your papers with any remarks on the ignorance betrayed
by G.L. (whoever he may be), both of the writings and character of Hobbes;
but I shall be glad if I can lead to the elucidation of what yet remains a
literary obscurity, and obtains the name of G.L.