Page:Clavis universalis (IA clavisuniversali00colliala).pdf/16

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
xii
CLAVIS UNIVERSALIS

is that book."[1] Eschenbach published this translation, in 1756, as part of a work entitled "A Collection of the most distinguished Authors who deny the existence of their own bodies, and of the whole material world; containing the dialogues of Berkeley, between Hylas and Philonous, and Collier's Universal Key translated, with Illustrative Observations, and an Appendix, wherein the Existence of Body is demonstrated, by John Christopher Eschenbach, Professor of Philosophy in Rostock." In this work, according to Hamilton, the "remarks are numerous and show much reading. The Appendix contains:—(1) An exposition of the opinions of the Idealists, with its grounds and arguments. (2) A proof of the external existence of body."[2] This translation is now itself rare and little known.

Of Collier himself even less is known than of his writings, for the Wiltshire records and the papers found by Benson are the only sources. The family came from Bristol and settled in Wiltshire where, in 1608, one Joseph Collier was presented to the rectory of Langford Magna, commonly called Steeple Langford, near Sarum or Salisbury, and as he also owned the advowson, the benefice was handed down to his descendants. His son, Henry, who succeeded him, was ejected from his

  1. ↑ "Discussions on Philosophy and Literature," p. 190.
  2. ↑ Note S. S., p. 584, Vol. I., "Collected works of Dugald Stuart," edited by Sir Wm. Hamilton, 1854.
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.