5. _Plinius Secundus of Verona_; a man of great Eloquence, and industry indefatigable, as may appear by his writings, especially those now extant, and which are never like to perish, but even with learning it self; that is, his Natural History. He was the greatest Collector or Rhapsodist of the Latines, and as _Suetonius_ observeth, he collected this piece out of two thousand Latine and Greek Authors. Now what is very strange, there is scarce a popular error passant in our days, which is not either directly expressed, or diductively contained in this Work; which being in the hands of most men, hath proved a powerful occasion of their propagation. Wherein notwithstanding the credulity of the Reader, is more condemnable than the curiosity of the Author: for commonly he nameth the Authors from whom he received those accounts, and writes but as he reads, as in his Preface to _Vespasian_ he acknowledgeth. 6. _Claudius Ælianus_, who flourished not long after in the reign of _Trajan_, unto whom he dedicated his Tacticks; an elegant and miscellaneous Author, he hath left two Books which are in the hands of every one, his History of Animals, and his _Varia Historia_. Wherein are contained many things suspicious, not a few false, some impossible; he is much beholding unto _Ctesias_, and in many uncertainties writes more confidently then _Pliny_. 7. _Julius Solinus_, who lived also about his time: He left a Work entituled _Polyhistor_, containing great variety of matter, and is with most in good request at this day. But to speak freely what cannot be concealed, it is but _Pliny_ varied, or a transcription of his Natural History: nor is it without all wonder it hath continued so long, but is now likely, and deserves indeed to live for ever; not onely for the elegancy of the Text, but the excellency of the Comment, lately performed by _Salmasius_, under the name of _Plinian_ Exercitations. 8. _Athenæs_, a delectable Author, very various, and justly stiled by _Casaubon, Græcorum Plinius_. There is extant of his, a famous Piece, under the name of _Deipnosophista_, or _Cœna Sapientum_, containing the Discourse of many learned men, at a Feast provided by _Laurentius_. It is a laborious Collection out of many Authors, and some whereof are mentioned no where else. It containeth strange and singular relations, not without some spice or sprinkling of all Learning. The Author was probably a better Grammarian then Philosopher, dealing but hardly with _Aristotle_ and _Plato_, and betrayeth himself much in his Chapter _De Curiositate Aristotelis_. In brief, he is an Author of excellent use, and may with discretion be read unto great advantage: and hath therefore well deserved the Comments of _Casaubon_ and _Dalecampius_. But being miscellaneous in many things, he is to be received with suspition; for such as amass all relations, must erre in some, and may without offence be unbelieved in many. [Sidenote: _That write Hexameters, or long verses._]