XLII. It is possible to refute, both the one and the other of these calumnies, and to support the refutation by good evidence. In the first place, Pliny subjoins to every one of these stories, the author from whom he took it. Secondly, prior to his giving the account of the multitude of prodigies he relates, he protests that he does not pledge himself as a voucher for the truth of them; and immediately refers the reader to the works of the authors from whence they were taken, that by examining them, he may have an opportunity of informing himself more fully, respecting any doubts he may entertain of them; _Nec tamen ego in plerisque eorum obstringam fidem meam, potiusque ad auctores relegabo, qui dubiis reddentur omnibus._ XLIII. By way of summing up the defence of Pliny, we shall here recite the opinion, which some very learned men, and critics of the first note, have entertained, both of him and his natural history. Celius Rhodiginius, calls Pliny _a most learned man_, and adds, _that none but unlearned ones, disrelish his writings_. Gerard John Vossius, calls his history _a great work, and one that can never be sufficiently applauded_. Joseph Scaliger, pronounces that the natural history of Pliny, _on account of its being so great and excellent, is not relished by vulgar understandings_; Lansius, gives it the title of the Library of Nature; and Angelo Politianus, illustrates it with the epithet of a collection of all memorable things, and calls the author, _the supreme judge of ingenuity, and a most acute, discreet, and admirable censor_. The Jesuit Drexelius, proclaims him _the most noble panegyrist of nature, and a man of prodigious erudition_; and says in another place, _that he is a most perspicuous scrutinizer, and delineator of nature_. Justus Lipsius says, _that there was nothing which Pliny had not read, and which he did not understand, and that his writings comprehended all the learning of the Greeks and Romans put together_. The two eulogiums which remain for us to mention, apply more directly and immediately to the subject of this apology than any of the others. The first is that of Gulielmus Budeus, who gives him the attribute, of a man of the _strictest veracity_, for this is the true meaning of the expression Budeus makes use of, which is, _veritatis antistes_. Thomas Dempster bestows on him the epithets, _of a most diligent and eloquent writer, and a man of incomparable veracity_; and finally pronounces, that his writings were of more value, than those of all the other antient authors put together. _Unus omnium instar._ More cannot be said. LUCIUS APULEIUS. SECT. V.