MISSING BOOKS OF LIVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 10

MISSING BOOKS OF LIVY

PROFESSOR ON WRONG SCENT.

EARLIER STATEMENTS RETRACTED

Press Aneciciation—By TAogrsph— I Copyright. ROME, September 18. The mystery of the missing books of Livy has been finally cleared up. A report, accompanied by a signed statement by Dr Martino Fusco, has been presented to the Minister of Education by the In-gpoctor-Genepal of State which says thu-t, while examining the Stale archives in Naples, Professor Martino found a document dated December 24, 1532, which was already well known, in which King Robert of Anjou ordered payment to a scribe named Fuolino for the transcription of ten books of Livy on the Macedonian War. Professor Martino Fusco, not being versed in medieval documents, thought that Paolino’s copy was not restricted to tho ten known books, but referred to the complete text of Livy’s works. . Tho professor continued his researches, meantime lightly assuring his friends that ho had found all the missing books, and had already begun the transliteration of tho second ten. The statement admits that Professor Martino Fusco followed a false scent, and he formally retracts all his previous statements about the lost books. The Minister of Education says he does not doubt the bona fides of the statement, but ho intends to watch developments, with a view', if necessary, to preserving the State’s rights to treasure trove. — Router.