from the original papers of thomas blackwell. blackwell's works, including "an enquiry into the life and writings of homer" (1735), "letters concerning mythology" (1748) and "memoirs of the court of augustus" (3 vols., 1753–63), established him as one of the premier figures in the scottish enlightenment. blackwell had published the first two volumes between 1753 and 1757, and the third volume was printed off to p. 144, when blackwell died. an advertisement prefixed to this volume explained the continuation: