ONTHEROYALSOCIETYOFLITERATURE。
（June1823。）
Thisistheageofsocieties。ThereisscarcelyoneEnglishmanintenwhohasnotbelongedtosomeassociationfordistributingbooks，orforprosecutingthem;forsendinginvalidstothehospital，orbeggarstothetreadmill;forgivingplatetotherich，orblanketstothepoor。Tobethemostabsurdinstitutionamongsomanyinstitutionsisnosmalldistinction;itseems，however，tobelongindisputablytotheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。Atthefirstestablishmentofthatridiculousacademy，everysensiblemanpredictedthat，inspiteofregalpatronageandepiscopalmanagement，itwoulddonothing，ordoharm。Anditwillscarcelybedeniedthatthoseexpectationshavehithertobeenfulfilled。
Idonotattackthefoundersoftheassociation。Theircharactersarerespectable;theirmotives，Iamwillingtobelieve，werelaudable。ButIfeel，anditisthedutyofeveryliterarymantofeel，astrongjealousyoftheirproceedings。
Theirsocietycanbeinnocentonlywhileitcontinuestobedespicable。Shouldtheyeverpossessthepowertoencouragemerit，theymustalsopossessthepowertodepressit。Whichpowerwillbemorefrequentlyexercised，leteveryonewhohasstudiedliteraryhistory，leteveryonewhohasstudiedhumannature，declare。
Envyandfactioninsinuatethemselvesintoallcommunities。Theyoftendisturbthepeace，andpervertthedecisions，ofbenevolentandscientificassociations。Butitisinliteraryacademiesthattheyexertthemostextensiveandperniciousinfluence。Inthefirstplace，theprinciplesofliterarycriticism，thoughequallyfixedwiththoseonwhichthechemistandthesurgeonproceed，arebynomeansequallyrecognised。Menarerarelyabletoassignareasonfortheirapprobationordislikeonquestionsoftaste;andthereforetheywillinglysubmittoanyguidewhoboldlyassertshisclaimtosuperiordiscernment。Itismoredifficulttoascertainandestablishthemeritsofapoemthanthepowersofamachineorthebenefitsofanewremedy。Henceitisinliterature，thatquackeryismosteasilypuffed，andexcellencemosteasilydecried。
Insomedegreethisargumentappliestoacademiesofthefinearts;anditisfullyconfirmedbyallthatIhaveeverheardofthatinstitutionwhichannuallydisfiguresthewallsofSomersetHousewithanacreofspoiledcanvas。Butaliterarytribunalisincomparablymoredangerous。Othersocieties，atleast，havenotendencytocallforthanyopinionsonthosesubjectswhichmostagitateandinflamethemindsofmen。Thescepticandthezealot，therevolutionistandtheplaceman，meetoncommongroundinagalleryofpaintingsoralaboratoryofscience。Theycanpraiseorcensurewithoutreferencetothedifferenceswhichexistbetweenthem。Inaliterarybodythiscanneverbethecase。Literatureis，andalwaysmustbe，inseparablyblendedwithpoliticsandtheology;itisthegreatenginewhichmovesthefeelingsofapeopleonthemostmomentousquestions。Itis，therefore，impossiblethatanysocietycanbeformedsoimpartialastoconsidertheliterarycharacterofanindividualabstractedfromtheopinionswhichhiswritingsinculcate。Itisnottobehoped，perhapsitisnottobewished，thatthefeelingsofthemanshouldbesocompletelyforgotteninthedutiesoftheacademician。Theconsequencesareevident。ThehonoursandcensuresofthisStarChamberoftheMuseswillbeawardedaccordingtotheprejudicesoftheparticularsectorfactionwhichmayatthetimepredominate。WhigswouldcanvassagainstaSouthey，ToriesagainstaByron。Thosewhomightatfirstprotestagainstsuchconductasunjustwouldsoonadoptitonthepleaofretaliation;andthegeneralgoodofliterature，forwhichthesocietywasprofessedlyinstituted，wouldbeforgotteninthestrongerclaimsofpoliticalandreligiouspartiality。
Yeteventhisisnottheworst。Shouldtheinstitutioneveracquireanyinfluence，itwillaffordmostperniciousfacilitiestoeverymalignantcowardwhomaydesiretoblastareputationwhichheenvies。Itwillfurnishasecureambuscade，behindwhichtheMaroonsofliteraturemaytakeacertainanddeadlyaim。TheeditorialWEhasoftenbeenfataltorisinggenius;
thoughalltheworldknowsthatitisonlyaformofspeech，veryoftenemployedbyasingleneedyblockhead。TheacademicWE
wouldhaveafargreaterandmoreruinousinfluence。Numbers，whiletheyincreasetheeffect，woulddiminishtheshame，ofinjustice。Theadvantagesofanopenandthoseofananonymousattackwouldbecombined;andtheauthorityofavowalwouldbeunitedtothesecurityofconcealment。TheserpentsinVirgil，aftertheyhaddestroyedLaocoon，foundanasylumfromthevengeanceoftheenragedpeoplebehindtheshieldofthestatueofMinerva。And，inthesamemanner，everythingthatisgrovellingandvenomous，everythingthatcanhiss，andeverythingthatcansting，wouldtakesanctuaryintherecessesofthisnewtempleofwisdom。
TheFrenchacademywas，ofallsuchassociations，themostwidelyandthemostjustlycelebrated。Itwasfoundedbythegreatestofministers:itwaspatronisedbysuccessivekings;itnumberedinitslistsmostoftheeminentFrenchwriters。Yetwhatbenefithasliteraturederivedfromitslabours？Whatisitshistorybutanuninterruptedrecordofservilecompliances——ofpaltryartifices——ofdeadlyquarrels——ofperfidiousfriendships？
WhethergovernedbytheCourt，bytheSorbonne，orbythePhilosophers，itwasalwaysequallypowerfulforevil，andequallyimpotentforgood。ImightspeakoftheattacksbywhichitattemptedtodepresstherisingfameofCorneille;ImightspeakofthereluctancewithwhichitgaveitstardyconfirmationtotheapplauseswhichthewholecivilisedworldhadbestowedonthegeniusofVoltaire。Imightprovebyoverwhelmingevidencethat，tothelatestperiodofitsexistence，evenunderthesuperintendenceoftheall—accomplishedD’Alembert，itcontinuedtobeasceneofthefiercestanimositiesandthebasestintrigues。ImightcitePiron’sepigrams，andMarmontel’smemoirs，andMontesquieu’sletters。ButIhastenontoanothertopic。
OneofthemodesbywhichourSocietyproposestoencouragemeritisthedistributionofprizes。Themunificenceofthekinghasenabledittoofferanannualpremiumofahundredguineasforthebestessayinprose，andanotheroffiftyguineasforthebestpoem，whichmaybetransmittedtoit。Thisisverylaughable。Inthefirstplacethejudgesmayerr。Thoseimperfectionsofhumanintellecttowhich，asthearticlesoftheChurchtellus，evengeneralcouncilsaresubject，maypossiblybefoundevenintheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。TheFrenchacademy，asIhavealreadysaid，wasthemostillustriousassemblyofthekind，andnumberedamongitsassociatesmenmuchmoredistinguishedthaneverwillassembleatMrHatchard’storummagetheboxoftheEnglishSociety。Yetthisfamousbodygaveapoeticalprize，forwhichVoltairewasacandidate，toafellowwhowrotesomeversesaboutTHEFROZENANDTHEBURNING
POLE。
Yet，grantingthattheprizeswerealwaysawardedtothebestcomposition，thatcomposition，Isaywithouthesitation，willalwaysbebad。Aprizepoemislikeaprizesheep。Theobjectofthecompetitorfortheagriculturalpremiumistoproduceananimalfit，nottobeeaten，buttobeweighed。Accordinglyhepampershisvictimintomorbidandunnaturalfatness;and，whenitisinsuchastatethatitwouldbesentawayindisgustfromanytable，heoffersittothejudges。Theobjectofthepoeticalcandidate，inlikemanner，istoproduce，notagoodpoem，butapoemofthatexactdegreeoffrigidityorbombastwhichmayappeartohiscensorstobecorrectorsublime。
Compositionsthusconstructedwillalwaysbeworthless。Thefewexcellenceswhichtheymaycontainwillhaveanexoticaspectandflavour。Ingeneral，prizesheeparegoodfornothingbuttomaketallowcandles，andprizepoemsaregoodfornothingbuttolightthem。
ThefirstsubjectproposedbytheSocietytothepoetsofEnglandwasDartmoor。Ithoughtthattheyintendedacovertsarcasmattheirownprojects。TheirinstitutionwasaliteraryDartmoorscheme;——aplanforforcingintocultivationthewastelandsofintellect，——forraisingpoeticalproduce，bymeansofbounties，fromsoiltoomeagretohaveyieldedanyreturnsinthenaturalcourseofthings。TheplanforthecultivationofDartmoorhas，Ihear，beenabandoned。IhopethatthismaybeanomenofthefateoftheSociety。
Intruth，thisseemsbynomeansimprobable。Theyhavebeenofferingforseveralyearstherewardswhichthekingplacedattheirdisposal，andhavenot，asfarasIcanlearn，beenabletofindintheirboxonecompositionwhichtheyhavedeemedworthyofpublication。Atleastnopublicationhastakenplace。Theassociatesmayperhapsbeastonishedatthis。ButIwillattempttoexplainit，afterthemannerofancienttimes，bymeansofanapologue。
AboutfourhundredyearsaftertheDeluge，KingGomerChephoraodreignedinBabylon。Heunitedallthecharacteristicsofanexcellentsovereign。Hemadegoodlaws，wongreatbattles，andwhite—washedlongstreets。Hewas，inconsequence，idolisedbyhispeople，andpanegyrisedbymanypoetsandorators。Abookwasthenasermonsundertaking。Neitherpapernoranysimilarmaterialhadbeeninvented。Authorswerethereforeunderthenecessityofinscribingtheircompositionsonmassivebricks。
SomeoftheseBabylonianrecordsarestillpreservedinEuropeanmuseums;butthelanguageinwhichtheyarewrittenhasneverbeendeciphered。GomerChephoraodwassopopularthattheclayofalltheplainsroundtheEuphratescouldscarcelyfurnishbrick—kilnsenoughforhiseulogists。ItisrecordedinparticularthatPharonezzar，theAssyrianPindar，publishedabridgeandfourwallsinhispraise。
OnedaythekingwasgoinginstatefromhispalacetothetempleofBelus。DuringthisprocessionitwaslawfulforanyBabyloniantoofferanypetitionorsuggestiontohissovereign。
Asthechariotpassedbeforeavintner’sshop，alargecompany，apparentlyhalf—drunk，salliedforthintothestreet，andoneofthemthusaddressedtheking:
\"GomerChephoraod，liveforever！Itappearstothyservantsthatofalltheproductionsoftheearthgoodwineisthebest，andbadwineistheworst。Goodwinemakestheheartcheerful，theeyesbright，thespeechready。Badwineconfusesthehead，disordersthestomach，makesusquarrelsomeatnight，andsickthenextmorning。Nowthereforeletmylordthekingtakeorderthatthyservantsmaydrinkgoodwine。
\"Andhowisthistobedone？\"saidthegood—naturedprince。
\"OKing，\"saidhismonitor，\"thisismosteasy。Letthekingmakeadecree，andsealitwithhisroyalsignet:andletitbeproclaimedthatthekingwillgivetenshe—asses，andtenslaves，andtenchangesofraiment，everyyear，untothemanwhoshallmaketenmeasuresofthebestwine。Andwhosoeverwishesfortheshe—asses，andtheslaves，andtheraiment，lethimsendthetenmeasuresofwinetothyservants，andwewilldrinkthereofandjudge。SoshalltherebemuchgoodwineinAssyria。\"
TheprojectpleasedGomerChephoraod。\"Beitso，\"saidhe。Thepeopleshouted。Thepetitionersprostratedthemselvesingratitude。ThesamenightheraldsweredespatchedtobeartheintelligencetotheremotestdistrictsofAssyria。
Afteradueintervalthewinesbegantocomein;andtheexaminersassembledtoadjudgetheprize。Thefirstvesselwasunsealed。Itsodourwassuchthatthejudges，withouttastingit，pronouncedunanimouscondemnation。Thenextwasopened:ithadavillainoustasteofclay。Thethirdwassourandvapid。
Theyproceededfromonecaskofexecrableliquortoanother，tillatlength，inabsolutenausea，theygaveuptheinvestigation。
Thenextmorningtheyallassembledatthegateoftheking，withpalefacesandachingheads。Theyownedthattheycouldnotrecommendanycompetitorasworthyoftherewards。Theysworethatthewinewaslittlebetterthanpoison，andentreatedpermissiontoresigntheofficeofdecidingbetweensuchdetestablepotions。
\"InthenameofBelus，howcanthishavehappened？\"saidtheking。
Merolchazzar，thehigh—priest，mutteredsomethingabouttheangeroftheGodsatthetolerationshowntoasectofimpioushereticswhoatepigeonsbroiled，\"whereas，\"saidhe，\"ourreligioncommandsustoeatthemroasted。Nowtherefore，OKing，\"
continuedthisrespectabledivine，\"givecommandtothymenofwar，andletthemsmitethedisobedientpeoplewiththesword，them，andtheirwives，andtheirchildren，andlettheirhouses，andtheirflocks，andtheirherds，begiventothyservantsthepriests。Thenshallthelandyielditsincrease，andthefruitsoftheearthshallbenomoreblastedbythevengeanceofHeaven。\"
\"Nay，\"saidtheking，\"thegroundliesundernogeneralcursefromHeaven。Theseasonhasbeensingularlygood。Thewinewhichthoudidstthyselfdrinkatthebanquetafewnightsago，O
venerableMerolchazzar，wasofthisyear’svintage。Dostthounotrememberhowthoudidstpraiseit？ItwasthesamenightthatthouwastinspiredbyBelusanddidstreeltoandfro，anddiscoursesacredmysteries。Thesethingsaretoohardforme。I
comprehendthemnot。Theonlywinewhichisbadisthatwhichissenttomyjudges。Whocanexpoundthistous？\"
Thekingscratchedhishead。Uponwhichallthecourtiersscratchedtheirheads。
Hethenorderedproclamationtobemadethatapurplerobeandagoldenchainshouldbegiventothemanwhocouldsolvethisdifficulty。
Anoldphilosopher，whohadbeenobservedtosmileratherdisdainfullywhentheprizehadfirstbeeninstituted，cameforwardandspokethus:——
\"GomerChephoraod，liveforever！Marvelnotatthatwhichhashappened。Itwasnomiracle，butanaturalevent。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Itistruethatmuchgoodwinehasbeenmadethisyear。Butwhowouldsenditinforthyrewards？ThouknowestAscobaruchwhohaththegreatvineyardsinthenorth，andCohahirothwhosendethwineeveryyearfromthesouthoverthePersianGolf。Theirwinesaresodeliciousthattenmeasuresthereofaresoldforanhundredtalentsofsilver。Thinkestthouthattheywillexchangethemforthyslavesandthineasses？
Whatwouldthyprizeprofitanywhohavevineyardsinrichsoils？\"
\"Whothen，\"saidoneofthejudges，\"arethewretcheswhosentusthispoison？\"
\"Blamethemnot，\"saidthesage，\"seeingthatyouhavebeentheauthorsoftheevil。Theyaremenwhoselandsarepoor，andhaveneveryieldedthemanyreturnsequaltotheprizeswhichthekingproposed。Wherefore，knowingthatthelordsofthefruitfulvineyardswouldnotenterintocompetitionwiththemtheyplantedvines，someonrocks，andsomeinlightsandysoil，andsomeindeepclay。Hencetheirwinesarebad。Fornocultureorrewardwillmakebarrenlandbeargoodvines。Knowtherefore，assuredly，thatyourprizeshaveincreasedthequantityofbadbutnotofgoodwine。\"
Therewasalongsilence。Atlengththekingspoke。\"Givehimthepurplerobeandthechainofgold。ThrowthewinesintotheEuphrates;andproclaimthattheRoyalSocietyofWinesisdissolved。\"……
SCENESFROM\"ATHENIANREVELS。\"
（January1824。）
ADRAMA。
I。
SCENE——AStreetinAthens。
EnterCALLIDEMUSandSPEUSIPPUS;
CALLIDEMUS。
So，youyoungreprobate！Youmustbeamanofwit，forsooth，andamanofquality！YoumustspendasifyouwereasrichasNicias，andprateasifyouwereaswiseasPericles！Youmustdangleaftersophistsandprettywomen！AndImustpayforall！
Imustsuponthymeandonions，whileyouareswallowingthrushesandhares！Imustdrinkwater，thatyoumayplaythecottabus（Thisgameconsistedinprojectingwineoutofcups;itwasadiversionextremelyfashionableatAthenianentertainments。）withChianwine！ImustwanderaboutasraggedasPauson（PausonwasanAthenianpainter，whosenamewassynonymouswithbeggary。SeeAristophanes;Plutus，602。Fromhispoverty，Iaminclinedtosupposethathepaintedhistoricalpictures。），thatyoumaybeasfineasAlcibiades！Imustlieonbareboards，withastone（SeeAristophanes;Plutus，542。）formypillow，andarottenmatformycoverlid，bythelightofawretchedwinkinglamp，whileyouaremarchinginstate，withasmanytorchesasoneseesatthefeastofCeres，tothunderwithyourhatchet（SeeTheocritus;
Idyllii。128。）atthedoorsofhalftheIonianladiesinPeiraeus。（ThiswasthemostdisreputablepartofAthens。SeeAristophanes:Pax，165。）
SPEUSIPPUS。
Why，thouunreasonableoldman！Thoumostshamelessoffathers！—
—
CALLIDEMUS。
Ungratefulwretch;dareyoutalkso？AreyounotafraidofthethundersofJupiter？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Jupiterthunder！nonsense！Anaxagorassays，thatthunderisonlyanexplosionproducedby——
CALLIDEMUS。
Hedoes！Wouldthatithadfallenonhisheadforhispains！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Nay:talkrationally。
CALLIDEMUS。
Rationally！Youaudaciousyoungsophist！Iwilltalkrationally。DoyouknowthatIamyourfather？Whatquibblecanyoumakeuponthat？
SPEUSIPPUS。
DoIknowthatyouaremyfather？Letustakethequestiontopieces，asMelesigeneswouldsay。First，then，wemustinquirewhatisknowledge？Secondly，whatisafather？Now，knowledge，asSocratessaidtheotherdaytoTheaetetus（SeePlato’sTheaetetus。）——
CALLIDEMUS。
Socrates！what！theraggedflat—nosedolddotard，whowalksaboutalldaybarefoot，andfilchescloaks，anddissectsgnats，andshoes（SeeAristophanes;Nubes，150。）fleaswithwax？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Allfiction！AlltrumpedupbyAristophanes！
CALLIDEMUS。
ByPallas，ifheisinthehabitofputtingshoesonhisfleas，heiskindertothemthantohimself。Butlistentome，boy;ifyougooninthisway，youwillberuined。Thereisanargumentforyou。GotoyourSocratesandyourMelesigenes，andtellthemtorefutethat。Ruined！Doyouhear？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Ruined！
CALLIDEMUS。
Ay，byJupiter！Issuchashowasyoumaketobesupportedonnothing？Duringallthelastwar，Imadenotanobolfrommyfarm;thePeloponnesianlocustscamealmostasregularlyasthePleiades;——cornburnt;——olivesstripped;——fruittreescutdown;——
wellsstoppedup;——and，justwhenpeacecame，andIhopedthatallwouldturnoutwell，youmustbegintospendasifyouhadalltheminesofThasusatcommand。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Now，byNeptune，whodelightsinhorses——
CALLIDEMUS。
IfNeptunedelightsinhorses，hedoesnotresembleme。YoumustrideatthePanathenaeaonahorsefitforthegreatking:fouracresofmybestvineswentforthatfolly。Youmustretrench，oryouwillhavenothingtoeat。DoesnotAnaxagorasmention，amonghisotherdiscoveries，thatwhenamanhasnothingtoeathedies？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Youaredeceived。Myfriends——
CALLIDEMUS。
Oh，yes！yourfriendswillnoticeyou，doubtless，whenyouaresqueezingthroughthecrowd，onawinter’sday，towarmyourselfatthefireofthebaths;——orwhenyouarefightingwithbeggarsandbeggars’dogsforthescrapsofasacrifice;——orwhenyouaregladtoearnthreewretchedobols（ThestipendofanAthenianjuryman。）bylisteningalldaytolyingspeechesandcryingchildren。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Thereareothermeansofsupport。
CALLIDEMUS。
What！Isupposeyouwillwanderfromhousetohouse，likethatwretchedbuffoonPhilippus（Xenophon;Convivium。），andbegeverybodywhohasaskedasupper—partytobesokindastofeedyouandlaughatyou;oryouwillturnsycophant;youwillgetabunchofgrapes，orapairofshoes，nowandthen，byfrighteningsomerichcowardwithamockprosecution。Well！thatisataskforwhichyourstudiesunderthesophistsmayhavefittedyou。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Youarewideofthemark。
CALLIDEMUS。
Thenwhat，inthenameofJuno，isyourscheme？DoyouintendtojoinOrestes（AcelebratedhighwaymanofAttica。SeeAristophanes;Aves，711;andinseveralotherpassages。），androbonthehighway？Takecare;bewareoftheeleven（ThepoliceofficersofAthens。）;bewareofthehemlock。Itmaybeverypleasanttoliveatotherpeople’sexpense;butnotverypleasant，Ishouldthink，tohearthepestlegiveitslastbangagainstthemortar，whenthecolddoseisready。Pah！——
SPEUSIPPUS。
Hemlock？Orestes！folly！——Iaimatnoblerobjects。Whatsayyoutopolitics，——thegeneralassembly？
CALLIDEMUS。
Youanorator！——ohno！no！Cleonwasworthtwentysuchfoolsasyou。Youhavesucceeded，Igrant，tohisimpudence，forwhich，iftherebejusticeinTartarus，heisnowsoakinguptotheeyesinhisowntanpickle。ButthePaphlagonianhadparts。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Andyoumeantoimply——
CALLIDEMUS。
NotI。YouareaPericlesinembryo，doubtless。Well:andwhenareyoutomakeyourfirstspeech？OPallas！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Ithoughtofspeaking，theotherday，ontheSicilianexpedition;
butNicias（SeeThucydides，vi。8。）gotupbeforeme。
CALLIDEMUS。
Nicias，poorhonestman，mightjustaswellhavesatestill;hisspeakingdidbutlittlegood。Thelossofyourorationis，doubtless，anirreparablepubliccalamity。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Why，notso;Iintendtointroduceitatthenextassembly;itwillsuitanysubject。
CALLIDEMUS。
Thatistosay，itwillsuitnone。Butpray，ifitbenottoopresumptuousarequest，indulgemewithaspecimen。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Well;supposetheagoracrowded;——animportantsubjectunderdiscussion;——anambassadorfromArgos，orfromthegreatking;——
thetributesfromtheislands;——animpeachment;——inshort，anythingyouplease。Thecriermakesproclamation。——\"Anycitizenabovefiftyyearsoldmayspeak——anycitizennotdisqualifiedmayspeak。\"ThenIrise:——agreatmurmurofcuriositywhileIammountingthestand。
CALLIDEMUS。
Ofcuriosity！yes，andofsomethingelsetoo。Youwillinfalliblybedraggeddownbymainforce，likepoorGlaucon（SeeXenophonMemorabilia，iii。）lastyear。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Neverfear。Ishallbegininthisstyle:
\"WhenIconsider，Athenians，theimportanceofourcity;——whenI
considertheextentofitspower，thewisdomofitslaws，theeleganceofitsdecorations;——whenIconsiderbywhatnamesandbywhatexploitsitsannalsareadorned;whenIthinkonHarmodiusandAristogiton，onThemistoclesandMiltiades，onCimonandPericles;——whenIcontemplateourpre—eminenceinartsandletters;——whenIobservesomanyflourishingstatesandislandscompelledtoownthedominion，andpurchasetheprotectionoftheCityoftheVioletCrown\"（AfavouriteepithetofAthens。SeeAristophanes;Acharn。637。）——
CALLIDEMUS。
Ishallchokewithrage。Oh，allyegodsandgoddesses，whatsacrilege，whatperjuryhaveIevercommitted，thatIshouldbesingledoutfromamongallthecitizensofAthenstobethefatherofthisfool？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Whatnow？ByBacchus，oldman，Iwouldnotadviseyoutogivewaytosuchfitsofpassioninthestreets。IfAristophanesweretoseeyou，youwouldinfalliblybeinacomedynextspring。
CALLIDEMUS。
YouhavemorereasontofearAristophanesthananyfoolliving。
Oh，thathecouldbuthearyoutryingtoimitatetheslangofStraton（SeeAristophanes;Equites，1375。）andthelispofAlcibiades！（SeeAristophanes;Vespae，44。）Youwouldbeaninexhaustiblesubject。YouwouldconsolehimforthelossofCleon。
SPEUSIPPUS。
No，no。Imayperhapsfigureatthedramaticrepresentationsbeforelong;butinaverydifferentway。
CALLIDEMUS。
Whatdoyoumean？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Whatsayyoutoatragedy？
CALLIDEMUS。
Atragedyofyours？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Evenso。
CALLIDEMUS。
OhHercules！OhBacchus！Thisistoomuch。Hereisanuniversalgenius;sophist，——orator，——poet。Towhatathree—
headedmonsterhaveIgivenbirth！aperfectCerberusofintellect！Andpraywhatmayyourpiecebeabout？Orwillyourtragedy，likeyourspeech，serveequallyforanysubject？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Ithoughtofseveralplots;——Oedipus，——EteoclesandPolynices，——
thewarofTroy，——themurderofAgamemnon。
CALLIDEMUS。
Andwhathaveyouchosen？
SPEUSIPPUS。
YouknowthereisalawwhichpermitsanymodernpoettoretouchaplayofAeschylus，andbringitforwardashisowncomposition。
And，asthereisanabsurdprejudice，amongthevulgar，infavourofhisextravagantpieces，Ihaveselectedoneofthem，andalteredit。
CALLIDEMUS。
Whichofthem？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Oh！thatmassofbarbarousabsurdities，thePrometheus。ButI
haveframeditanewuponthemodelofEuripides。ByBacchus，I
shallmakeSophoclesandAgathonlookaboutthem。Youwouldnotknowtheplayagain。
CALLIDEMUS。
ByJupiter，Ibelievenot。
SPEUSIPPUS。
IhaveomittedthewholeoftheabsurddialoguebetweenVulcanandStrength，atthebeginning。
CALLIDEMUS。
Thatmaybe，onthewhole，animprovement。TheplaywillthenopenwiththatgrandsoliloquyofPrometheus，whenheischainedtotherock。
\"Oh！yeeternalheavens！yerushingwinds！
Yefountainsofgreatstreams！Yeoceanwaves，ThatintenthousandsparklingdimpleswreatheYourazuresmiles！All—generatingearth！
All—seeingsun！Onyou，onyou，Icall。\"（SeeAeschylus;
Prometheus，88。）
Well，Iallowthatwillbestriking;Ididnotthinkyoucapableofthatidea。Whydoyoulaugh？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Doyouseriouslysupposethatonewhohasstudiedtheplaysofthatgreatman，Euripides，wouldeverbeginatragedyinsucharantingstyle？
CALLIDEMUS。
What，doesnotyourplayopenwiththespeechofPrometheus？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Nodoubt。
CALLIDEMUS。
Thenwhat，inthenameofBacchus，doyoumakehimsay？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Youshallhear;and，ifitbenotintheverystyleofEuripides，callmeafool。
CALLIDEMUS。
ThatisalibertywhichIshallventuretotake，whetheritbeorno。Butgoon。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Prometheusbeginsthus:——
\"CoelusbegatSaturnandBriareusCottusandCreiusandIapetus，GygesandHyperion，Phoebe，Tethys，TheaandRheaandMnemosyne。
ThenSaturnweddedRhea，andbegatPlutoandNeptune，JupiterandJuno。\"
CALLIDEMUS。
Verybeautiful，andverynatural;and，asyousay，verylikeEuripides。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Youaresneering。Really，father，youdonotunderstandthesethings。Youhadnotthoseadvantagesinyouryouth——
CALLIDEMUS。
WhichIhavebeenfoolenoughtoletyouhave。No;inmyearlydays，lyinghadnotbeendignifiedintoascience，norpoliticsdegradedintoatrade。Iwrestled，andreadHomer’sbattles，insteadofdressingmyhair，andrecitinglecturesinverseoutofEuripides。ButIhavesomenotionofwhataplayshouldbe;I
haveseenPhrynichus，andlivedwithAeschylus。IsawtherepresentationofthePersians。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Awretchedplay;itmayamusethefoolswhorowthetriremes;butitisutterlyunworthytobereadbyanymanoftaste。
CALLIDEMUS。
Ifyouhadseenitacted;——thewholetheatrefranticwithjoy，stamping，shouting，laughing，crying。TherewasCynaegeirus，thebrotherofAeschylus，wholostbothhisarmsatMarathon，beatingthestumpsagainsthissideswithrapture。Whenthecrowdremarkedhim——Butwhereareyougoing？
SPEUSIPPUS。
TosupwithAlcibiades;hesailswiththeexpeditionforSicilyinafewdays;thisishisfarewellentertainment。
CALLIDEMUS。
Somuchthebetter;Ishouldsay，somuchtheworse。ThatcursedSicilianexpedition！Andyouwereoneoftheyoungfools（SeeThucydides，vi。13。）whostoodclappingandshoutingwhilehewasgullingtherabble，andwhodrownedpoorNicias’svoicewithyouruproar。Looktoit;adayofreckoningwillcome。AstoAlcibiadeshimself——
SPEUSIPPUS。
Whatcanyousayagainsthim？Hisenemiesthemselvesacknowledgehismerit。
CALLIDEMUS。
Theyacknowledgethatheisclever，andhandsome，andthathewascrownedattheOlympicgames。Andwhatothermeritsdohisfriendsclaimforhim？Apreciousassemblyyouwillmeetathishouse，nodoubt。
SPEUSIPPUS。
ThefirstmeninAthens，probably。
CALLIDEMUS。
WhomdoyoumeanbythefirstmeninAthens？
SPEUSIPPUS。
Callicles。（CalliclesplaysaconspicuouspartintheGorgiasofPlato。）
CALLIDEMUS。
Asacrilegious，impious，unfeelingruffian！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Hippomachus。
CALLIDEMUS。
Afool，whocantalkofnothingbuthistravelsthroughPersiaandEgypt。Go，go。ThegodsforbidthatIshoulddetainyoufromsuchchoicesociety！
[Exeuntseverally。]
II。
SCENE——AHallinthehouseofALCIBIADES。
ALCIBIADES，SPEUSIPPUS，CALLICLES，HIPPOMACHUS，CHARICLEA，andothers，seatedroundatablefeasting。
ALCIBIADES。
Bringlargercups。Thisshallbeourgayestrevel。Itisprobablythelast——forsomeofusatleast。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Atallevents，itwillbelongbeforeyoutastesuchwineagain，Alcibiades。
CALLICLES。
Nay，thereisexcellentwineinSicily。WhenIwastherewithEurymedon’ssquadron，Ihadmanyalongcarouse。YouneversawfinergrapesthanthoseofAetna。
HIPPOMACHUS。
TheGreeksdonotunderstandtheartofmakingwine。YourPersianistheman。Sorich，sofragrant，sosparkling！IwilltellyouwhattheSatrapofCariasaidtomeaboutthatwhenI
suppedwithhim。
ALCIBIADES。
Nay，sweetHippomachus;notawordto—nightaboutsatraps，orthegreatking，orthewallsofBabylon，orthePyramids，orthemummies。Chariclea，whydoyoulooksosad？
CHARICLEA。
CanIbecheerfulwhenyouaregoingtoleaveme，Alcibiades？
ALCIBIADES。
Mylife，mysweetsoul，itisbutforashorttime。InayearweconquerSicily。Inanother，wehumbleCarthage。（SeeThucydides，vi。90。）Iwillbringbacksuchrobes，suchnecklaces，elephants’teethbythousands，ay，andtheelephantsthemselves，ifyouwishtoseethem。Nay，smile，myChariclea，orIshalltalknonsensetonopurpose。
HIPPOMACHUS。
ThelargestelephantthatIeversawwasinthegroundsofTeribazus，nearSusa。IwishthatIhadmeasuredhim。
ALCIBIADES。
Iwishthathehadtroduponyou。Come，come，Chariclea，weshallsoonreturn，andthen——
CHARICLEA。
Yes;thenindeed。
ALCIBIADES。
Yes，then——
Thenforrevels;thenfordances，Tenderwhispers，meltingglances。
Peasants，pluckyourrichestfruits:
Minstrels，soundyoursweetestflutes:
Comeinlaughingcrowdstogreetus，Dark—eyeddaughtersofMiletus;
Bringthemyrtles，bringthedice，FloodsofChian，hillsofspice。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Whoselinesarethose，Alcibiades？
ALCIBIADES。
Myown。Thinkyou，becauseIdonotshutmyselfuptomeditate，anddrinkwater，andeatherbs，thatIcannotwriteverses？ByApollo，ifIdidnotspendmydaysinpolitics，andmynightsinrevelry，IshouldhavemadeSophoclestremble。ButnowInevergobeyondalittlesonglikethis，andneverinvokeanyMusebutChariclea。Butcome，Speusippus，sing。Youareaprofessedpoet。Letushavesomeofyourverses。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Myverses！Howcanyoutalkso？Iaprofessedpoet！
ALCIBIADES。
Oh，contentyou，sweetSpeusippus。Weallknowyourdesignsuponthetragichonours。Come，sing。Achorusofyournewplay。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Nay，nay——
HIPPOMACHUS。
WhenaguestwhoisaskedtosingataPersianbanquetrefuses——
SPEUSIPPUS。
InthenameofBacchus——
ALCIBIADES。
Iamabsolute。Sing。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Well，then，Iwillsingyouachorus，which，Ithink，isatolerableimitationofEuripides。
CHARICLEA。
OfEuripides？——Notaword。
ALCIBIADES。
Whyso，sweetChariclea？
CHARICLEA。
Wouldyouhavemebetraymysex？WouldyouhavemeforgethisPhaedrasandSthenoboeas？NoifIeversufferanylinesofthatwoman—hater，orhisimitators，tobesunginmypresence，mayI
sellherbs（ThemotherofEuripideswasaherb—woman。ThiswasafavouritetopicofAristophanes。）likehismother，andwearragslikehisTelephus。（TheheroofoneofthelostplaysofEuripides，whoappearstohavebeenbroughtuponthestageinthegarbofabeggar。SeeAristophanes;Acharn。430;andinotherplaces。）
ALCIBIADES。
Then，sweetChariclea，sinceyouhavesilencedSpeusippus，youshallsingyourself。
CHARICLEA。
WhatshallIsing？
ALCIBIADES。
Nay，chooseforyourself。
CHARICLEA。
ThenIwillsinganoldIonianhymn，whichischantedeveryspringatthefeastofVenus，nearMiletus。IusedtosingitinmyowncountrywhenIwasachild;and——ah，Alcibiades！
ALCIBIADES。
DearChariclea，youshallsingsomethingelse。Thisdistressesyou。
CHARICLEA。
Nohandmethelyre:——nomatter。Youwillhearthesongtodisadvantage。ButifitweresungasIhavehearditsung:——ifthiswereabeautifulmorninginspring，andifwewerestandingonawoodypromontory，withthesea，andthewhitesails，andtheblueCycladesbeneathus，——andtheporticoofatemplepeepingthroughthetreesonahugepeakaboveourheads，——andthousandsofpeople，withmyrtlesintheirhands，throngingupthewindingpath，theirgaydressesandgarlandsdisappearingandemergingbyturnsastheypassedroundtheanglesoftherock，——thenperhaps—
—
ALCIBIADES。
Now，byVenusherself，sweetlady，whereyouareweshalllackneithersun，norflowers，norspring，nortemple，norgoddess。
CHARICLEA。（Sings。）
Letthissunnyhourbegiven，Venus，untoloveandmirth:
Smileslikethineareintheheaven;
Bloomlikethineisontheearth;
Andthetinklingofthefountains，Andthemurmursofthesea，Andtheechoesfromthemountains，Speakofyouth，andhope，andthee。
Bywhate’erofsoftexpressionThouhasttaughttolovers’eyes，Faintdenial，slowconfession，Glowingcheeksandstifledsighs;
Bythepleasureandthepain，Bythefolliesandthewiles，Poutingfondness，sweetdisdain，Happytearsandmournfulsmiles;
Comewithmusicfloatingo’erthee;
Comewithvioletsspringinground:
LettheGracesdancebeforethee，Alltheirgoldenzonesunbound;
Nowinsporttheirfaceshiding，Now，withslenderfingersfair，FromtheirlaughingeyesdividingThelongcurlsofrose—crownedhair。
ALCIBIADES。
Sweetlysung;butmournfully，Chariclea;forwhichIwouldchideyou，butthatIamsadmyself。Morewinethere。IwishtoallthegodsthatIhadfairlysailedfromAthens。
CHARICLEA。
Andfromme，Alcibiades？
ALCIBIADES。
Yes，fromyou，dearlady。Thedayswhichimmediatelyprecedeseparationarethemostmelancholyofourlives。
CHARICLEA。
Exceptthosewhichimmediatelyfollowit。
ALCIBIADES。
No;whenIceasetoseeyou，otherobjectsmaycompelmyattention;butcanIbenearyouwithoutthinkinghowlovelyyouare，andhowsoonImustleaveyou？
HIPPOMACHUS。
Ay;travellingsoonputssuchthoughtsoutofmen’sheads。
CALLICLES。
Abattleisthebestremedyforthem。
CHARICLEA。
Abattle，Ishouldthink，mightsupplytheirplacewithothersasunpleasant。
CALLICLES。
No。Thepreparationsareratherdisagreeabletoanovice。Butassoonasthefightingbegins，byJupiter，itisanobletime;——
mentrampling，——shieldsclashing，——spearsbreaking，——andthepoeanroaringlouderthanall。
CHARICLEA。
Butwhatifyouarekilled？
CALLICLES。
Whatindeed？YoumustaskSpeusippusthatquestion。Heisaphilosopher。
ALCIBIADES。
Yes，andthegreatestofphilosophers，ifhecananswerit。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Pythagorasisofopinion——
HIPPOMACHUS。
PythagorasstolethatandallhisotheropinionsfromAsiaandEgypt。ThetransmigrationofthesoulandthevegetabledietarederivedfromIndia。ImetaBrachmaninSogdiana——
CALLICLES。
Allnonsense！
CHARICLEA。
Whatthinkyou，Alcibiades？
ALCIBIADES。
Ithinkthat，ifthedoctrinebetrue，yourspiritwillbetransfusedintooneofthedoveswhocarry（Homer’sOdyssey，xii。
63。）ambrosiatothegodsorversestothemistressesofpoets。
DoyourememberAnacreon’slines？Howshouldyoulikesuchanoffice？
CHARICLEA。
IfIweretobeyourdove，Alcibiades，andyouwouldtreatmeasAnacreontreatedhis，andletmenestleinyourbreastanddrinkfromyourcup，Iwouldsubmiteventocarryyourlove—letterstootherladies。
CALLICLES。
What，inthenameofJupiter，istheuseofallthesespeculationsaboutdeath？Socratesonce（SeethecloseofPlato’sGorgias。）lecturedmeuponitthebestpartofaday。I
havehatedthesightofhimeversince。Suchthingsmaysuitanoldsophistwhenheisfasting;butinthemidstofwineandmusic——
HIPPOMACHUS。
Idifferfromyou。TheenlightenedEgyptiansbringskeletonsintotheirbanquets，inordertoremindtheirgueststomakethemostoftheirlifewhiletheyhaveit。
CALLICLES。
Iwantneitherskeletonnorsophisttoteachmethatlesson。
Morewine，Iprayyou，andlesswisdom。Ifyoumustbelievesomethingwhichyounevercanknow，whynotbecontentedwiththelongstoriesabouttheotherworldwhicharetolduswhenweareinitiatedattheEleusinianmysteries？（Thescenewhichfollowsisfoundeduponhistory。Thucydidestellsus，inhissixthbook，thataboutthistimeAlcibiadeswassuspectedofhavingassistedatamockcelebrationofthesefamousmysteries。ItwastheopinionofthevulgaramongtheAtheniansthatextraordinaryprivilegesweregrantedintheotherworldtoaltwhohadbeeninitiated。）
CHARICLEA。
Andwhatarethosestories？
ALCIBIADES。
Arenotyouinitiated，Chariclea？
CHARICLEA。
No;mymotherwasaLydian，abarbarian;andtherefore——
ALCIBIADES。
Iunderstand。NowthecurseofVenusonthefoolswhomadesohatefulalaw！Speusippus，doesnotyourfriendEuripides（TherightofEuripidestothislineissomewhatdisputable。SeeAristophanes;Plutus，1152。）say\"Thelandwherethouartprosperousisthycountry？\"
Surelyweoughttosaytoeverylady\"Thelandwherethouartprettyisthycountry。\"
Besides，toexcludeforeignbeautiesfromthechorusoftheinitiatedintheElysianfieldsislesscrueltothemthantoourselves。Chariclea，youshallbeinitiated。
CHARICLEA。
When？
ALCIBIADES。
Now。
CHARICLEA。
Where？
ALCIBIADES。
Here。
CHARICLEA。
Delightful！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Buttheremustbeanintervalofayearbetweenthepurificationandtheinitiation。
ALCIBIADES。
Wewillsupposeallthat。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Andninedaysofrigidmortificationofthesenses。
ALCIBIADES。
Wewillsupposethattoo。Iamsureitwassupposed，withaslittlereason，whenIwasinitiated。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Butyouaresworntosecrecy。
ALCIBIADES。
Youasophist，andtalkofoaths！YouapupilofEuripides，andforgethismaxims！
\"Mylipshaveswornit;butmymindisfree。\"（SeeEuripides:
Hippolytus，608。ForthejesuiticalmoralityofthislineEuripidesisbitterlyattackedbythecomicpoet。）
SPEUSIPPUS。
ButAlcibiades——
ALCIBIADES。
What！AreyouafraidofCeresandProserpine？
SPEUSIPPUS。
No——but——but——I——thatisI——butitisbesttobesafe——Imean——
Supposethereshouldbesomethinginit。
ALCIBIADES。
Now，byMercury，Ishalldiewithlaughing。OSpeusippus。
Speusippus！Gobacktoyouroldfather。Digvineyards，andjudgecauses，andbearespectablecitizen。Butnever，whileyoulive;againdreamofbeingaphilosopher。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Nay，Iwasonly——
ALCIBIADES。
ApupilofGorgiasandMelesigenesafraidofTartarus！Inwhatregionoftheinfernalworlddoyouexpectyourdomiciletobefixed？ShallyourollastonelikeSisyphus？Hardexercise，Speusippus！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Inthenameofallthegods——
ALCIBIADES。
OrshallyousitstarvedandthirstyinthemidstoffruitandwinelikeTantalus？Poorfellow？IthinkIseeyourfaceasyouarespringinguptothebranchesandmissingyouraim。OhBacchus！OhMercury！
SPEUSIPPUS。
Alcibiades！
ALCIBIADES。
Orperhapsyouwillbefoodforavulture，likethehugefellowwhowasrudetoLatona。
SPEUSIPPUS。
Alcibiades！
ALCIBIADES。
Neverfear。Minoswillnotbesocruel。Youreloquencewilltriumphoverallaccusations。TheFurieswillskulkawaylikedisappointedsycophants。Onlyaddressthejudgesofhellinthespeechwhichyouwerepreventedfromspeakinglastassembly。
\"WhenIconsider\"——isnotthatthebeginningofit？Come，man，donotbeangry。Whydoyoupaceupanddownwithsuchlongsteps？YouarenotinTartarusyet。YouseemtothinkthatyouarealreadystalkinglikepoorAchilles，\"WithstrideMajesticthroughtheplainofAsphodel。\"（SeeHomer’sOdyssey，xi。538。）
SPEUSIPPUS。
Howcanyoutalkso，whenyouknowthatIbelieveallthatfooleryaslittleasyoudo？
ALCIBIADES。
Thenmarch。Youshallbethecrier。Callicles，youshallcarrythetorch。Whydoyoustare？（ThecrierandtorchbearerwereimportantfunctionariesatthecelebrationoftheEleusinianmysteries。）
CALLICLES。
Idonotmuchlikethefrolic。
ALCIBIADES。
Nay，surelyyouarenottakenwithafitofpiety。Ifallbetruethatistoldofyou，youhaveaslittlereasontothinkthegodsvindictiveasanymanbreathing。Ifyoubenotbelied，acertaingoldengobletwhichIhaveseenatyourhousewasonceinthetempleofJunoatCorcyra。AndmensaythattherewasapriestessatTarentum——
CALLICLES。
Afigforthegods！IwasthinkingabouttheArchons。Youwillhaveanaccusationlaidagainstyouto—morrow。Itisnotverypleasanttobetriedbeforetheking。（ThenameofkingwasgivenintheAtheniandemocracytothemagistratewhoexercisedthosespiritualfunctionswhichinthemonarchicaltimeshadbelongedtothesovereign。Hiscourttookcognisanceofoffencesagainstthereligionofthestate。）
ALCIBIADES。
Neverfear:thereisnotasycophantinAtticawhowoulddaretobreatheawordagainstme，forthegoldenplane—treeofthegreatking。（SeeHerodotus，viii。28。）
HIPPOMACHUS。
Thatplane—tree——
ALCIBIADES。
Nevermindtheplane—tree。Come，Callicles，youwerenotsotimidwhenyouplunderedthemerchantmanoffCapeMalea。Takeupthetorchandmove。Hippomachus，telloneoftheslavestobringasow。（AsowwassacrificedtoCeresattheadmissiontothegreatermysteries。）
CALLICLES。
Andwhatpartareyoutoplay？
ALCIBIADES。
Ishallbehierophant。Herald，toyouroffice。Torchbearer，advancewiththelights。Comeforward，fairnovice。Wewillcelebratetheritewithin。
[Exeunt。]……
CRITICISMSONTHEPRINCIPALITALIANWRITERS。
No。I。DANTE。
（January1824。）
\"Fairestofstars，lastinthetrainofnight，Ifbetterthoubelongnottothedawn，Surepledgeofday，thatcrown’stthesmilingmornWiththybrightcirclet。\"Milton。
InareviewofItalianliterature，Dantehasadoubleclaimtoprecedency。Hewastheearliestandthegreatestwriterofhiscountry。Hewasthefirstmanwhofullydescriedandexhibitedthepowersofhisnativedialect。TheLatintongue，which，underthemostfavourablecircumstances，andinthehandsofthegreatestmasters，hadstillbeenpoor，feeble，andsingularlyunpoetical，andwhichhad，intheageofDante，beendebasedbytheadmixtureofinnumerablebarbarouswordsandidioms，wasstillcultivatedwithsuperstitiousveneration，andreceived，inthelaststageofcorruption，morehonoursthanithaddeservedintheperiodofitslifeandvigour。Itwasthelanguageofthecabinet，oftheuniversity，ofthechurch。Itwasemployedbyallwhoaspiredtodistinctioninthehigherwalksofpoetry。Incompassiontotheignoranceofhismistress，acavaliermightnowandthenproclaimhispassioninTuscanorProven嘺lrhymes。Thevulgarmightoccasionallybeedifiedbyapiousallegoryinthepopularjargon。Butnowriterhadconceiveditpossiblethatthedialectofpeasantsandmarket—womenshouldpossesssufficientenergyandprecisionforamajesticanddurablework。Danteadventuredfirst。Hedetectedtherichtreasuresofthoughtanddictionwhichstilllaylatentintheirore。Herefinedthemintopurity。Heburnishedthemintosplendour。Hefittedthemforeverypurposeofuseandmagnificence。Andhehasthusacquiredtheglory，notonlyofproducingthefinestnarrativepoemofmoderntimesbutalsoofcreatingalanguage，distinguishedbyunrivalledmelody，andpeculiarlycapableoffurnishingtoloftyandpassionatethoughtstheirappropriategarbofsevereandconciseexpression。
TomanythismayappearasingularpanegyricontheItaliantongue。Indeedthegreatmajorityoftheyounggentlemenandyoungladies，who，whentheyareaskedwhethertheyreadItalian，answer\"yes，\"nevergobeyondthestoriesattheendoftheirgrammar，——ThePastorFido，——oranactofArtaserse。TheycouldassoonreadaBabylonianbrickasacantoofDante。Henceitisageneralopinion，amongthosewhoknowlittleornothingofthesubject，thatthisadmirablelanguageisadaptedonlytotheeffeminatecantofsonnetteers，musicians，andconnoisseurs。
ThefactisthatDanteandPetrarchhavebeentheOromasdesandArimanesofItalianliterature。IwishnottodetractfromthemeritsofPetrarch。Noonecandoubtthathispoemsexhibit，amidstsomeimbecilityandmoreaffectation，muchelegance，ingenuity，andtenderness。TheypresentuswithamixturewhichcanonlybecomparedtothewhimsicalconcertdescribedbythehumorouspoetofModena:
\"S’udiangliusignuoli，alprimoalbore，Egliasinicantarversid’amore。\"
（Tassoni;SecchiaRapita，cantoi。stanza6。）
Iamnot，however，atpresentspeakingoftheintrinsicexcellenciesofhiswritings，whichIshalltakeanotheropportunitytoexamine，butoftheeffectwhichtheyproducedontheliteratureofItaly。Thefloridandluxuriouscharmsofhisstyleenticedthepoetsandthepublicfromthecontemplationofnoblerandsternermodels。Intruth，thougharudestateofsocietyisthatinwhichgreatoriginalworksaremostfrequentlyproduced，itisalsothatinwhichtheyareworstappreciated。
Thismayappearparadoxical;butitisprovedbyexperience，andisconsistentwithreason。Tobewithoutanyreceivedcanonsoftasteisgoodforthefewwhocancreate，butbadforthemanywhocanonlyimitateandjudge。Greatandactivemindscannotremainatrest。Inacultivatedagetheyaretoooftencontentedtomoveoninthebeatenpath。Butwherenopathexiststheywillmakeone。ThustheIliad，theOdyssey，theDivineComedy，appearedindarkandhalfbarbaroustimes:andthusofthefeworiginalworkswhichhavebeenproducedinmorepolishedagesweowealargeproportiontomeninlowstationsandofuninformedminds。Iwillinstance，inourownlanguage，thePilgrim’sProgressandRobinsonCrusoe。Ofalltheproseworksoffictionwhichwepossess，theseare，Iwillnotsaythebest，butthemostpeculiar，themostunprecedented，themostinimitable。HadBunyanandDefoebeeneducatedgentlemen，theywouldprobablyhavepublishedtranslationsandimitationsofFrenchromances\"byapersonofquality。\"IamnotsurethatweshouldhavehadLearifShakspearehadbeenabletoreadSophocles。