Part 5

Thuanus, that celebrated disinteress'd Historian, gives this Character in general of his Writings. "He composed (says he) several Works very profitable towards the explaining of the Civil Law, Antiquity, and all Sorts of fine Literature; which have been collected and publish'd by James Lectius, a famous Lawyer, after they had been review'd and corrected by the Author. Barthius says, that he excelled in the Knowledge of the Civil Law, and of all genteel Learning [Footnote: Belles Literature] Ceux la mesmes qui ont ecrits contre luy (says Neveletus) tombent d'accord quil avoit beaucoup de lecture & une profonde Erudition."

The Author of the Monitoriale adversus Italogalliam, which some take to be Hotoman himself, has this Passage relating to the Francogallia: "Quomodo potest aliquis ei succensere qui est tantum relator & narrator facti? Francogallista enim tantum narrationi & relationi simplici vacat, quod si aliena dicta delerentur, charta remaneret alba."

It was objected to him, that he unawares furnish'd the Duke of Guise and the League at Paris with Arguments to make good their Attempts against their Kings. This cannot be deny'd; but at the same time it cannot be imputed to Hotoman as any Crime: Texts of Scripture themselves have been made use of for different Purposes, according to the Passion or the Interests of Parties. Arguments do not lose their native Force for being wrong apply'd: If the Three Estates of France had such a fundamental Power lodg'd in them; who can help it, if the Writers for the League made use of Hotoman's Arguments to support a wrong Cause? And this may suffice to remove this Imputation from his Memory.

He was a Man of a very handsome Person and Shape, tall and comely; his Eyes were blewish, his Nose long, and his Countenance venerable: He joined a most exemplary Piety and Probity to an eminent Degree of Knowledge and Learning. No Day pass'd over his Head, wherein he employ'd not several Hours in the Exercise of Prayer, and reading of the Scriptures. He wou'd never permit his Picture to be drawn, tho' much intreated by his Friends; however (when he was at his last Gasp, and cou'd not hinder it) they got a Painter to his Bed's-side, who took his Likeness as well as 'twas possible at such a time. Basilius Amerbachius assisted him during his last Sickness, and James Grinaeus made his Funeral-Sermon. He left two Sons behind him, John and Daniel; besides a great Reputation, and Desire of him, not only among his Friends and Acquaintance, but all the Men of Learning and Probity all over Europe.

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Explication of the Roman Names mention'd by Hotoman.

AEdui, People of Chalons and Nevers, of Autun and Mascon.

Agrippina Colonia, Cologn.

Arverni, P. of Auvergne and Bourbonnais.

Armorica, Bretagne and Normandy.

Aquitani, P. of Guienne and Gascogn.

Atrebates, P. of Artois.

Attuarii, P. of Aire in Gascogn.

Augustodunum, Autun.

Aureliani, P. of Orleans.

Aquisgranum, Aix la Chapelle.

Ambiani, P. of Amiens.

Alsaciones, P. of Alsace.

Bigargium, Bigorre forte.

Bibracte, Bavray, in the Diocese of Rheims.

Bituriges, P. of Bourges.

Carisiacum, Crecy.

Cinnesates, P. on the Sea-Coast, between the Elb and the Rhine.

Carnutes, P. of Chartres and Orleans.

Ceutrones, P. of Liege.

Ceutones, P. of Tarentaise in Savoy.

Condrusii, P. of the Condros in Flanders.

Dusiacum, non liquet.