sentences:  All these studies were in a measure preparatory and subsidiary to his "Variæ Lectiones Veteris Testamenti" (Parma, 1784–88), still the most complete collection of variants of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.In order to compile it he visited all the chief libraries of Italy, and through its compilation he obtained the knighthood of St. George at the court of Parma and seductive offers from Pavia, Madrid, and Rome.As examples of the use of his work he issued a specimen of the Targum on "Esther" (Rome, 1782; 2d ed., revised, Tübingen, 1783).