\"Irememberwell，MrCowley，whatyouhavesaidconcerningthesethingsinyourDiscourseoftheGovernmentofOliverCromwell，whichmyfriendElwoodreadtomelastyear。Truly，foreleganceandrhetoric，thatessayistobecomparedwiththefinesttractatesofIsocratesandCicero。Butneitherthatnoranyotherbook，noranyevents，whichwithmostmenhave，morethananybook，weightandauthority，havealteredmyopinion，that，ofallassembliesthateverwereinthisworld，thebestandthemostusefulwasourLongParliament。Ispeaknotthisaswishingtoprovokedebate;whichneitheryetdoIdecline。\"
MrCowleywas，asIcouldsee，alittlenettled。Yet，ashewasamanofakinddispositionandamostrefinedcourtesy，heputaforceuponhimself，andansweredwithmorevehemenceandquicknessindeedthanwashiswont，yetnotuncivilly。\"Surely，MrMilton，youspeaknotasyouthink。IamindeedoneofthosewhobelievethatGodhathreservedtohimselfthecensureofkings，andthattheircrimesandoppressionsarenottoberesistedbythehandsoftheirsubjects。YetcanIeasilyfindexcusefortheviolenceofsuchasarestungtomadnessbygrievoustyranny。Butwhatshallwesayforthesemen？Whichoftheirjustdemandswasnotgranted？Whichevenoftheircruelandunreasonablerequisitions，soasitwerenotinconsistentwithalllawandorder，wasrefused？HadtheynotsentStraffordtotheblockandLaudtotheTower？HadtheynotdestroyedtheCourtsoftheHighCommissionandtheStarChamber？HadtheynotreversedtheproceedingsconfirmedbythevoicesofthejudgesofEngland，inthematterofship—money？Hadtheynottakenfromthekinghisancientandmostlawfulpowertouchingtheorderofknighthood？Hadtheynotprovidedthat，aftertheirdissolution，triennialparliamentsshouldbeholden，andthattheirownpowershouldcontinuetilloftheirgreatcondescensiontheyshouldbepleasedtoresignitthemselves？Whatmorecouldtheyask？Wasitnotenoughthattheyhadtakenfromtheirkingallhisoppressivepowers，andmanythatweremostsalutary？Wasitnotenoughthattheyhadfilledhiscouncil—boardwithhisenemies，andhisprisonswithhisadherents？Wasitnotenoughthattheyhadraisedafuriousmultitude，toshoutandswaggerdailyundertheverywindowsofhisroyalpalace？Wasitnotenoughthattheyhadtakenfromhimthemostblessedprerogativeofprincelymercy;that，complainingofintolerancethemselves，theyhaddeniedalltolerationtoothers;thattheyhadurged，againstforms，scrupleschildishasthoseofanyformalist;thattheyhadpersecutedtheleastremnantofthepopishriteswiththefiercestbitternessofthepopishspirit？Musttheybesidesallthishavefullpowertocommandhisarmies，andtomassacrehisfriends？
\"Formilitarycommand，itwasneverknowninanymonarchy，nay，inanywellorderedrepublic，thatitwascommittedtothedebatesofalargeandunsettledassembly。Fortheirotherrequisition，thatheshouldgiveuptotheirvengeanceallwhohaddefendedtherightsofhiscrown，hishonourmusthavebeenruinedifhehadcomplied。Isitnotthereforeplainthattheydesiredthesethingsonlyinorderthat，byrefusing，hisMajestymightgivethemapretenceforwar？
\"Menhaveoftenrisenupagainstfraud，againstcruelty，againstrapine。Butwhenbeforewasitknownthatconcessionsweremetwithimportunities，graciousnesswithinsults，theopenpalmofbountywiththeclenchedfistofmalice？WasitliketrustydelegatesoftheCommonsofEngland，andfaithfulstewardsoftheirlibertyandtheirwealth，toengagethemforsuchcausesincivilwar，whichbothtolibertyandtowealthisofallthingsthemosthostile。Evilindeedmustbethediseasewhichisnotmoretolerablethansuchamedicine。Thosewho，eventosaveanationfromtyrants，exciteittocivilwardoingeneralbutministertoitthesamemiserablekindofreliefwherewiththewizardsofPharaohmockedtheEgyptian。Wereadthat，whenMoseshadturnedtheirwatersintoblood，thoseimpiousmagicians，intending，notbenefittothethirstingpeople，butvainandemulousostentationoftheirownart，didthemselvesalsochangeintobloodthewaterwhichtheplaguehadspared。Suchsadcomfortdothosewhostirupwarministertotheoppressed。Butherewherewastheoppression？Whatwasthefavourwhichhadnotbeengranted？Whatwastheevilwhichhadnotbeenremoved？
Whatfurthercouldtheydesire？\"
\"Thesequestions，\"saidMrMilton，austerely，\"haveindeedoftendeceivedtheignorant;butthatMrCowleyshouldhavebeensobeguiled，Imarvel。YouaskwhatmoretheParliamentcoulddesire？Iwillansweryouinoneword，security。Whatarevotes，andstatutes，andresolutions？Theyhavenoeyestosee，nohandstostrikeandavenge。Theymusthavesomesafeguardfromwithout。Manythings，therefore，whichinthemselveswereperadventurehurtful，wasthisParliamentconstrainedtoask，lestotherwisegoodlawsandpreciousrightsshouldbewithoutdefence。Nordidtheywantagreatandsignalexampleofthisdanger。Ineednotremindyouthat，manyyearsbefore，thetwoHouseshadpresentedtothekingthePetitionofRight，whereinweresetdownallthemostvaluableprivilegesofthepeopleofthisrealm。DidnotCharlesacceptit？Didhenotdeclareittobelaw？WasitnotasfullyenactedaseverwereanyofthosebillsoftheLongParliamentconcerningwhichyouspoke？Andwerethoseprivilegesthereforeenjoyedmorefullybythepeople？
No:thekingdidfromthattimeredoublehisoppressionsasiftoavengehimselffortheshameofhavingbeencompelledtorenouncethem。Thenwereourestateslaidundershamefulimpositions，ourhousesransacked，ourbodiesimprisoned。
Thenwasthesteelofthehangmanbluntedwithmanglingtheearsofharmlessmen。Thenourverymindswerefettered，andtheironenteredintooursouls。Thenwewerecompelledtohideourhatred，oursorrow，andourscorn，tolaughwithhiddenfacesatthemummeryofLaud，tocurseunderourbreaththetyrannyofWentworth。Ofoldtimeitwaswellandnoblysaid，byoneofourkings，thatanEnglishmanoughttobeasfreeashisthoughts。
Ourprincereversedthemaxim;hestrovetomakeourthoughtsasmuchslavesasourselves。TosneerataRomishpageant，tomiscallalord’screst，werecrimesforwhichtherewasnomercy。
ThesewereallthefruitswhichwegatheredfromthoseexcellentlawsoftheformerParliament，fromthesesolemnpromisesoftheking。Werewetobedeceivedagain？Wereweagaintogivesubsidies，andreceivenothingbutpromises？Wereweagaintomakewholesomestatutes，andthenleavethemtobebrokendailyandhourly，untiltheoppressorshouldhavesquanderedanothersupply，andshouldbereadyforanotherperjury？Youaskwhattheycoulddesirewhichhehadnotalreadygranted。Letmeaskofyouanotherquestion。Whatpledgecouldhegivewhichhehadnotalreadyviolated？Fromthefirstyearofhisreign，wheneverhehadneedofthepursesofhisCommonstosupporttherevelsofBuckinghamortheprocessionsofLaud，hehadassuredthemthat，ashewasagentlemanandaking，hewouldsacredlypreservetheirrights。Hehadpawnedthosesolemnpledges，andpawnedthemagainandagain;butwhenhadheredeemedthem？’Uponmyfaith，’——’Uponmysacredword，’——’Uponthehonourofaprince，’——
camesoeasilyfromhislips，anddweltsoshortatimeonhismindthattheywereaslittletobetrustedasthe’Bythehilts’
ofanAlsatiandicer。
\"ThereforeitisthatIpraisethisParliamentforwhatelseI
mighthavecondemned。Ifwhathehadgrantedhadbeengrantedgraciouslyandreadily，ifwhathehadbeforepromisedhadbeenfaithfullyobserved，theycouldnotbedefended。Itwasbecausehehadneveryieldedtheworstabusewithoutalongstruggle，andseldomwithoutalargebribe;itwasbecausehehadnosoonerdisentangledhimselffromhistroublesthanheforgothispromises;and，morelikeavillainoushucksterthanagreatking，keptboththeprerogativeandthelargepricewhichhadbeenpaidtohimtoforegoit;itwasbecauseofthesethingsthatitwasnecessaryandjusttobindwithforciblerestraintsonewhocouldbeboundneitherbylawnorhonour。Nay，evenwhilehewasmakingthoseveryconcessionsofwhichyouspeak，hebetrayedhisdeadlyhatredagainstthepeopleandtheirfriends。Notonlydidhe，contrarytoallthateverwasdeemedlawfulinEngland，orderthatmembersoftheCommonsHouseofParliamentshouldbeimpeachedofhightreasonatthebaroftheLords;therebyviolatingboththetrialbyjuryandtheprivilegesoftheHouse;
but，notcontentwithbreakingthelawbyhisministers，hewenthimselfarmedtoassailit。Inthebirth—placeandsanctuaryoffreedom，intheHouseitself;nayintheverychairofthespeaker，placedfortheprotectionoffreespeechandprivilege，hesat，rollinghiseyesroundthebenches，searchingforthosewhosebloodhedesired，andsinglingouthisopposerstotheslaughter。Thismostfouloutragefails。Thenagainfortheoldarts。Thencomegraciousmessages。Thencomecourteousspeeches。Thenisagainmortgagedhisoftenforfeitedhonour。
Hewillneveragainviolatethelaws。Hewillrespecttheirrightsasiftheywerehisown。Hepledgesthedignityofhiscrown;thatcrownwhichhadbeencommittedtohimforthewealofhispeople，andwhichhenevernamed，butthathemightthemoreeasilydeludeandoppressthem。
\"Thepowerofthesword，Igrantyou，wasnotonetobepermanentlypossessedbyParliament。NeitherdidthatParliamentdemanditasapermanentpossession。Theyaskeditonlyfortemporarysecurity。NorcanIseeonwhatconditionstheycouldsafelymakepeacewiththatfalseandwickedking，savesuchaswoulddeprivehimofallpowertoinjure。
\"Forcivilwar，thatitisanevilIdisputenot。Butthatitisthegreatestofevils，thatIstoutlydeny。Itdothindeedappeartothemisjudgingtobeaworsecalamitythanbadgovernment，becauseitsmiseriesarecollectedtogetherwithinashortspaceandtime，andmayeasilyatoneviewbetakeninandperceived。Butthemisfortunesofnationsruledbytyrants，beingdistributedovermanycenturiesandmanyplaces，astheyareofgreaterweightandnumber，soaretheyoflessdisplay。
WhentheDeviloftyrannyhathgoneintothebodypolitichedepartsnotbutwithstruggles，andfoaming，andgreatconvulsions。Shallhe，therefore，vexitforever，lest，ingoingout，heforamomenttearandrendit？TrulythisargumenttouchingtheevilsofwarwouldbetterbecomemyfriendElwood，orsomeotherofthepeoplecalledQuakers，thanacourtierandacavalier。Itappliesnomoretothiswarthantoallothers，aswellforeignasdomestic，and，inthiswar，nomoretotheHousesthantotheking;nay，notsomuch，sincehebyalittlesincerityandmoderationmighthaverenderedthatneedlesswhichtheirdutytoGodandmanthenenforcedthemtodo。\"
\"Pardonme，MrMilton，\"saidMrCowley;\"Igrievetohearyouspeakthusofthatgoodking。Mostunhappyindeedhewas，inthathereignedatatimewhenthespiritofthethenlivinggenerationwasforfreedom，andtheprecedentsofformeragesforprerogative。HiscasewasliketothatofChristopherColumbus，whenhesailedforthonanunknownocean，andfoundthatthecompass，wherebyheshapedhiscourse，hadshiftedfromthenorthpolewheretobeforeithadconstantlypointed。SoitwaswithCharles。Hiscompassvaried;andthereforehecouldnottackaright。Ifhehadbeenanabsolutekinghewoulddoubtless，likeTitusVespasian，havebeencalledthedelightofthehumanrace。
IfhehadbeenaDogeofVenice，oraStadtholderofHolland，hewouldneverhaveoutsteppedthelaws。Buthelivedwhenourgovernmenthadneithercleardefinitionsnorstrongsanctions。
Let，therefore，hisfaultsbeascribedtothetime。Ofhisvirtuesthepraiseishisown。
\"Neverwasthereamoregraciousprince，oramorepropergentleman。Ineverypleasurehewastemperate，inconversationmildandgrave，infriendshipconstant，tohisservantsliberal，tohisqueenfaithfulandloving，inbattlegrave，insorrowandcaptivityresolved，indeathmostChristianandforgiving。
\"Forhisoppressions，letuslookattheformerhistoryofthisrealm。Jameswasneveraccountedatyrant。Elizabethisesteemedtohavebeenthemotherofherpeople。Weretheylessarbitrary？DidtheyneverlayhandsonthepursesoftheirsubjectsbutbyActofParliament？Didtheyneverconfineinsolentanddisobedientmenbutinduecourseoflaw？WasthecourtofStarChamberlessactive？Weretheearsoflibellersmoresafe？Iprayyou，letnotkingCharlesbethusdealtwith。
Itwasenoughthatinhislifehewastriedforanallegedbreachoflawswhichnoneeverheardnamedtilltheywerediscoveredforhisdestruction。Letnothisfamebetreatedaswashissacredandanointedbody。Letnothismemorybetriedbyprinciplesfoundoutexpostfacto。Letusnotjudgebythespiritofonegenerationamanwhosedispositionhadbeenformedbythetemperandfashionofanother。\"
\"Nay，butconceiveme，MrCowley，\"saidMrMilton;\"inasmuchas，atthebeginningofhisreign，heimitatedthosewhohadgovernedbeforehim，Iblamehimnot。Toexpectthatkingswill，oftheirownfreechoice，abridgetheirprerogative，wereargumentofbutslenderwisdom。Whatever，therefore，lawless，unjust，orcruel，heeitherdidorpermittedduringthefirstyearsofhisreign，I
passby。ButforwhatwasdoneafterthathehadsolemnlygivenhisconsenttothePetitionofRight，whereshallwefinddefence？Letitbesupposed，whichyetIconcedenot，thatthetyrannyofhisfatherandofQueenElizabethhadbeennolessrigorousthanwashis。Buthadhisfather，hadthatqueen，swornlikehim，toabstainfromthoserigours？Hadthey，likehim，forgoodandvaluableconsideration，alienedtheirhurtfulprerogatives？Surelynot:fromwhateverexcuseyoucanpleadforhimhehadwhollyexcludedhimself。Thebordersofcountries，weknow，aremostlytheseatsofperpetualwarsandtumults。Itwasthesamewiththeundefinedfrontiers，whichofoldseparatedprivilegeandprerogative。Theywerethedebatablelandofourpolity。Itwasnomarvelif，bothontheonesideandontheother，inroadswereoftenmade。But，whentreatieshavebeenconcluded，spacesmeasured，linesdrawn，landmarkssetup，thatwhichbeforemightpassforinnocenterrororjustreprisalbecomesrobbery，perjury，deadlysin。Heknewnot，yousay，whichofhispowerswerefoundedonancientlaw，andwhichonlyonviciousexample。ButhadhenotreadthePetitionofRight？Hadnotproclamationbeenmadefromhisthrone，Soitfaitcommeilestdesire？
\"Forhisprivatevirtuestheyarebesidethequestion。Rememberyounot，\"andMrMiltonsmiled，butsomewhatsternly，\"whatDrCauissaithintheMerryWivesofShakspeare？’Whatshallthehonestmandoinmycloset？Thereisnohonestmanthatshallcomeinmycloset。’EvensosayI。Thereisnogoodmanwhoshallmakeushisslaves。Ifhebreakhiswordtohispeople，isitasufficientdefencethathekeepsittohiscompanions？Ifheoppressandextortallday，shallhebeheldblamelessbecauseheprayethatnightandmorning？Ifhebeinsatiableinplunderandrevenge，shallwepassitbybecauseinmeatanddrinkheistemperate？Ifhehavelivedlikeatyrant，shallallbeforgottenbecausehehathdiedlikeamartyr？
\"Hewasaman，asIthink，whohadsomuchsemblanceofvirtuesasmightmakehisvicesmostdangerous。HewasnotatyrantafterourwontedEnglishmodel。ThesecondRichard，thesecondandfourthEdwards，andtheeighthHarry，weremenprofuse，gay，boisterous;loversofwomenandofwine，ofnooutwardsanctityorgravity。CharleswasaruleraftertheItalianfashion;
grave，demure，ofasolemncarriage，andasoberdiet;asconstantatprayersasapriest，asheedlessofoathsasanatheist。\"
MrCowleyansweredsomewhatsharply:\"Iamsorry，Sir，tohearyouspeakthus。Ihadhopedthatthevehemenceofspiritwhichwascausedbytheseviolenttimeshadnowabated。Yet，sure，MrMilton，whateveryoumaythinkofthecharacterofKingCharles，youwillnotstilljustifyhismurder？\"
\"Sir，\"saidMrMilton，\"Imusthavebeenofahardandstrangenature，ifthevehemencewhichwasimputedtomeinmyyoungerdayshadnotbeendiminishedbytheafflictionswherewithithathpleasedAlmightyGodtochastenmyage。IwillnotnowdefendallthatImayheretoforehavewritten。ButthisIsay，thatI
perceivenotwhereforeakingshouldbeexemptedfromallpunishment。Isitjustthatwheremostisgivenleastshouldberequired？Orpoliticthatwherethereisthegreatestpowertoinjurethereshouldbenodangertorestrain？But，youwillsay，thereisnosuchlaw。Suchalawthereis。ThereisthelawofselfpreservationwrittenbyGodhimselfonourhearts。Thereistheprimalcompactandbondofsociety，notgravenonstone，orsealedwithwax，norputdownonparchment，norsetforthinanyexpressformofwordsbymenwhenofoldtheycametogether;butimpliedintheveryactthattheysocametogether，pre—supposedinallsubsequentlaw，nottoberepealedbyanyauthority，norinvalidatedbybeingomittedinanycode;inasmuchasfromthenceareallcodesandallauthority。
\"NeitherdoIwellseewhereforeyoucavaliers，and，indeed，manyofuswhomyoumerrilycallRoundheads，distinguishbetweenthosewhofoughtagainstKingCharles，andspeciallyafterthesecondcommissiongiventoSirThomasFairfax，andthosewhocondemnedhimtodeath。Sure，ifhispersonwereinviolable，itwasaswickedtolifttheswordagainstitatNasebyastheaxeatWhitehall。Ifhislifemightjustlybetaken，whynotincourseoftrialaswellasbyrightofwar？
\"Thusmuchingeneralastouchingtheright。But，fortheexecutionofKingCharlesinparticular，Iwillnotnowundertaketodefendit。Deathisinflicted，notthattheculpritmaydie，butthatthestatemaybetherebyadvantaged。And，fromallthatIknow，IthinkthatthedeathofKingCharleshathmorehinderedthanadvancedthelibertiesofEngland。
\"First，heleftanheir。Hewasincaptivity。Theheirwasinfreedom。HewasodioustotheScots。Theheirwasfavouredbythem。Tokillthecaptivetherefore，wherebytheheir，intheapprehensionofallroyalists，becameforthwithking——whatwasit，intruth，buttosettheircaptivefree，andtogivehimbesidesothergreatadvantages？
\"Next，itwasadeedmostodioustothepeople，andnotonlytoyourparty，buttomanyamongourselves;and，asitisperilousforanygovernmenttooutragethepublicopinion，somostwasitperilousforagovernmentwhichhadfromthatopinionaloneitsbirth，itsnurture，anditsdefence。
\"Yetdothnotthisproperlybelongtoourdispute;norcanthesefaultsbejustlychargeduponthatmostrenownedParliament。
For，asyouknow，thehighcourtofjusticewasnotestablisheduntiltheHousehadbeenpurgedofsuchmembersaswereadversetothearmy，andbroughtwhollyunderthecontrolofthechiefofficers。\"
\"Andwho，\"saidMrCowley，\"leviedthatarmy？Whocommissionedthoseofficers？WasnotthefateoftheCommonsasjustlydeservedaswasthatofDiomedes，whowasdevouredbythosehorseswhomhehadhimselftaughttofeedonthefleshandbloodofmen？Howcouldtheyhopethatotherswouldrespectlawswhichtheyhadthemselvesinsulted;thatswordswhichhadbeendrawnagainsttheprerogativesofthekingwouldbeputupatanordinanceoftheCommons？Itwasbelieved，ofold，thatthereweresomedevilseasilyraisedbutnevertobelaid;insomuchthat，ifamagiciancalledthemup，heshouldbeforcedtofindthemalwayssomeemployment;for，thoughtheywoulddoallhisbidding，yet，ifheleftthembutforonemomentwithoutsomeworkofeviltoperform，theywouldturntheirclawsagainsthimself。Suchafiendisanarmy。Theywhoevokeitcannotdismissit。Theyareatonceitsmastersanditsslaves。Letthemnotfailtofindforittaskaftertaskofbloodandrapine。
Letthemnotleaveitforamomentinrepose，lestitteartheminpieces。
\"Thuswasitwiththatfamousassembly。Theyformedaforcewhichtheycouldneithergovernnorresist。Theymadeitpowerful。Theymadeitfanatical。Asifmilitaryinsolencewerenotofitselfsufficientlydangerous，theyheighteneditwithspiritualpride，——theyencouragedtheirsoldierstoravefromthetopsoftubsagainstthemenofBelial，tilleverytrooperthoughthimselfaprophet。Theytaughtthemtoabusepopery，tilleverydrummerfanciedthathewasasinfallibleasapope。
\"Thenitwasthatreligionchangedhernature。Shewasnolongertheparentofartsandletters，ofwholesomeknowledge，ofinnocentpleasures，ofblessedhouseholdsmiles。Intheirplacecamesourfaces，whiningvoices，thechatteringoffools，theyellsofmadmen。Thenmenfastedfrommeatanddrink，whofastednotfrombribesandblood。Thenmenfrownedatstage—plays，whosmiledatmassacres。Thenmenpreachedagainstpaintedfaces，whofeltnoremorsefortheirownmostpaintedlives。Religionhadbeenapole—startolightandtoguide。ItwasnowmoreliketothatominousstarinthebookoftheApocalypse，whichfellfromheavenuponthefountainsandriversandchangedthemintowormwood;forevensodiditdescendfromitshighandcelestialdwelling—placetoplaguethisearth，andtoturnintobitternessallthatwassweet，andintopoisonallthatwasnourishing。
\"Thereforeitwasnotstrangethatsuchthingsshouldfollow。
TheywhohadclosedthebarriersofLondonagainstthekingcouldnotdefendthemagainsttheirowncreatures。Theywhohadsostoutlycriedforprivilege，whenthatprince，mostunadvisedlynodoubt，cameamongthemtodemandtheirmembers，durstnotwagtheirfingerswhenOliverfilledtheirhallwithsoldiers，gavetheirmacetoacorporal，puttheirkeysinhispocket，anddrovethemforthwithbaseterms，borrowedhalffromtheconventicleandhalffromtheale—house。Thenwerewe，likethetreesoftheforestinholywrit，givenovertotheruleofthebramble;thenfromthebasestoftheshrubscameforththefirewhichdevouredthecedarsofLebanon。Weboweddownbeforeamanofmeanbirth，ofungracefuldemeanour，ofstammeringandmostvulgarutterance，ofscandalousandnotorioushypocrisy。Ourlawsweremadeandunmadeathispleasure;theconstitutionofourParliamentschangedbyhiswritandproclamation;ourpersonsimprisoned;ourpropertyplundered;ourlandsandhousesoverrunwithsoldiers;
andthegreatcharteritselfwasbutargumentforascurrilousjest;andforallthiswemaythankthatParliament;fornever，unlesstheyhadsoviolentlyshakenthevessel，couldsuchfouldregshaverisentothetop。\"
ThenansweredMrMilton:\"Whatyouhavenowsaidcomprehendssogreatanumberofsubjects，thatitwouldrequire，notanevening’ssailontheThames，butratheravoyagetotheIndies，accuratelytotreatofall:yet，inasfewwordsasImay，I
willexplainmysenseofthesematters。
\"First，astothearmy。Anarmy，asyouhavewellsetforth，isalwaysaweapondangeroustothosewhouseit;yethewhofallsamongthievessparesnottofirehismusquetoon，becausehemaybeslainifitburstinhishand。Normuststatesrefrainfromdefendingthemselves，lesttheirdefendersshouldatlastturnagainstthem。Nevertheless，againstthisdangerstatesmenshouldcarefullyprovide;and，thattheymaydoso，theyshouldtakeespecialcarethatneithertheofficersnorthesoldiersdoforgetthattheyarealsocitizens。IdobelievethattheEnglisharmywouldhavecontinuedtoobeytheparliamentwithallduty，butforoneact，which，asitwasinintention，inseeming，andinimmediateeffect，worthytobecomparedwiththemostfamousinhistory，sowasit，initsfinalconsequence，mostinjurious。Ispeakofthatordinancecalledthe\"self—denying\"，andofthenewmodelofthearmy。BythosemeasurestheCommonsgaveupthecommandoftheirforcesintothehandsofmenwhowerenotofthemselves。Hence，doubtless，derivednosmallhonourtothatnobleassembly，whichsacrificedtothehopeofpublicgoodtheassuranceofprivateadvantage。And，astotheconductofthewar，theschemeprospered。WitnessthebattleofNaseby，andthememorableexploitsofFairfaxinthewest。ButtherebytheParliamentlostthatholdonthesoldiersandthatpowertocontrolthem，whichtheyretainedwhileeveryregimentwascommandedbytheirownmembers。Politicianstherebe，whowouldwhollydividethelegislativefromtheexecutivepower。Inthegoldenagethismayhavesucceeded;inthemillenniumitmaysucceedagain。But，wheregreatarmiesandgreattaxesarerequired，theretheexecutivegovernmentmustalwaysholdagreatauthority，whichauthority，thatitmaynotoppressanddestroythelegislature，mustbeinsomemannerblendedwithit。Theleadersofforeignmercenarieshavealwaysbeenmostdangeroustoacountry。Theofficersofnativearmies，deprivedofthecivilprivilegesofothermen，areasmuchtobefeared。ThiswasthegreaterrorofthatParliament:and，thoughanerroritwere，itwasanerrorgenerous，virtuous，andmoretobedeploredthancensured。
\"Hencecamethepowerofthearmyanditsleaders，andespeciallyofthatmostfamousleader，whombothinourconversationto—day，andinthatdiscoursewhereonIbeforetouched，youhave，inmypooropinion，fartooroughlyhandled。WhereforeyouspeakcontemptiblyofhispartsIknownot;butIsuspectthatyouarenotfreefromtheerrorcommontostudiousandspeculativemen。
BecauseOliverwasanungracefulorator，andneversaid，eitherinpublicorprivate，anythingmemorable，youwillhaveitthathewasofameancapacity。Surethisisunjust。Manymenhavetherebeenignorantofletters，withoutwit，withouteloquence，whoyethadthewisdomtodevise，andthecouragetoperform，thatwhichtheylackedlanguagetoexplain。Suchmenoften，introubledtimes，haveworkedoutthedeliveranceofnationsandtheirowngreatness，notbylogic，notbyrhetoric，butbywarinessinsuccess，bycalmnessindanger，byfierceandstubbornresolutioninalladversity。Theheartsofmenaretheirbooks;eventsaretheirtutors;greatactionsaretheireloquence:andsuchanone，inmyjudgment，washislateHighness，who，ifnoneweretotreathisnamescornfullynowshooknotatthesoundofitwhilehelived，would，byveryfew，bementionedotherwisethanwithreverence。Hisowndeedsshallavouchhimforagreatstatesman，agreatsoldier，atrueloverofhiscountry，amercifulandgenerousconqueror。
\"Forhisfaults，letusreflectthattheywhoseemtoleadareoftentimesmostconstrainedtofollow。Theywhowillmixwithmen，andespeciallytheywhowillgovernthem，mustinmanythingsobeythem。Theywhowillyieldtonosuchconditionsmaybehermits，butcannotbegeneralsandstatesmen。Ifamanwillwalkstraightforwardwithoutturningtotherightortheleft，hemustwalkinadesert，andnotinCheapside。Thuswasheenforcedtodomanythingswhichjumpednotwithhisinclinationnormadeforhishonour;becausethearmy，onwhichalonehecoulddependforpowerandlife，mightnototherwisebecontented。AndI，formineownpart，marvellessthathesometimeswasfaintoindulgetheirviolencethanthathecouldsooftenrestrainit。
\"InthathedissolvedtheParliament，Ipraisehim。Itthenwassodiminishedinnumbers，aswellbythedeathasbytheexclusionofmembers，thatitwasnolongerthesameassembly;
and，ifatthattimeithadmadeitselfperpetual，weshouldhavebeengoverned，notbyanEnglishHouseofCommons，butbyaVenetianCouncil。
\"Ifinhisfollowingruleheoversteppedthelaws，Ipityratherthancondemnhim。HemaybecomparedtothatMaeandriusofSamos，ofwhomHerodotussaith，inhisThalia，that，wishingtobeofallmenthemostjust，hewasnotable;forafterthedeathofPolycratesheofferedfreedomtothepeople;andnottillcertainofthemthreatenedtocallhimtoareckoningforwhathehadformerlydone，didhechangehispurpose，andmakehimselfatyrant，lestheshouldbetreatedasacriminal。
\"SuchwasthecaseofOliver。Hegavetohiscountryaformofgovernmentsofreeandadmirablethat，innearsixthousandyears，humanwisdomhathneverdevisedanymoreexcellentcontrivanceforhumanhappiness。Tohimselfhereservedsolittlepowerthatitwouldscarcelyhavesufficedforhissafety，anditisamarvelthatitcouldsufficeforhisambition。When，afterthat，hefoundthatthemembersofhisParliamentdisputedhisrighteventothatsmallauthoritywhichhehadkept，whenhemighthavekeptall，thenindeedIownthathebegantogovernbytheswordthosewhowouldnotsufferhimtogovernbythelaw。
\"But，fortherest，whatsovereignwasevermoreprincelyinpardoninginjuries，inconqueringenemies，inextendingthedominionsandtherenownofhispeople？Whatsea，whatshoredidhenotmarkwithimperishablememorialsofhisfriendshiporhisvengeance？ThegoldofSpain，thesteelofSweden，thetenthousandsailsofHolland，availednothingagainsthim。Whileeveryforeignstatetrembledatourarms，wesatsecurefromallassault。War，whichoftensostrangelytroublesbothhusbandryandcommerce，neversilencedthesongofourreapers，orthesoundofourlooms。Justicewasequallyadministered;Godwasfreelyworshipped。
\"Nowlookatthatwhichwehavetakeninexchange。Withtherestoredkinghavecomeovertousvicesofeverysort，andmostthebasestandmostshameful，——lustwithoutlove——servitudewithoutloyalty——foulnessofspeech——dishonestyofdealing——
grinningcontemptofallthingsgoodandgenerous。ThethroneissurroundedbymenwhomtheformerCharleswouldhavespurnedfromhisfootstool。ThealtarisservedbyslaveswhosekneesaresuppletoeverybeingbutGod。Rhymers，whosebooksthehangmanshouldburn，pandars，actors，andbuffoons，thesedrinkahealthandthrowamainwiththeKing;thesehavestarsontheirbreastsandgoldsticksintheirhands;theseshutoutfromhispresencethebestandbravestofthosewhobledforhishouse。EvensodothGodvisitthosewhoknownothowtovaluefreedom。Hegivesthemovertothetyrannywhichtheyhavedesired，Inapantesepaurontaibasileos。\"
\"Iwillnot，\"saidMrCowley，\"disputewithyouonthisargument。
But，ifitbeasyousay，howcanyoumaintainthatEnglandhathbeensogreatlyadvantagedbytherebellion？\"
\"Understandmerightly，Sir，\"saidMrMilton。\"Thisnationisnotgivenovertoslaveryandvice。Wetastedindeedthefruitsoflibertybeforetheyhadwellripened。Theirflavourwasharshandbitter;andweturnedfromthemwithloathingtothesweeterpoisonsofservitude。Thisisbutforatime。EnglandissleepingonthelapofDalilah，traitorouslychained，butnotyetshornofstrength。Letthecrybeonceheard——thePhilistinesbeuponthee;andatoncethatsleepwillbebroken，andthosechainswillbeasflaxinthefire。ThegreatParliamenthathleftbehinditinourheartsandmindsahatredoftyrants，ajustknowledgeofourrights，ascornofvainanddeludingnames;
andthattherevellersofWhitehallshallsurelyfind。Thesunisdarkened;butitisonlyforamoment:itisbutaneclipse;
thoughallbirdsofevilomenhavebeguntoscream，andallravenousbeastshavegoneforthtoprey，thinkingittobemidnight。Woetothemiftheybeabroadwhentheraysagainshineforth！
\"Thekinghathjudgedill。Hadhebeenwisehewouldhaverememberedthatheowedhisrestorationonlytoconfusionswhichhadweariedusout，andmadeuseagerforrepose。Hewouldhaveknownthatthefollyandperfidyofaprincewouldrestoretothegoodoldcausemanyheartswhichhadbeenalienatedthencebytheturbulenceoffactions;for，ifIknowaughtofhistory，oroftheheartofman，hewillsoonlearnthatthelastchampionofthepeoplewasnotdestroyedwhenhemurderedVane，norseducedwhenhebeguiledFairfax。\"
MrCowleyseemedtomenottotakemuchamisswhatMrMiltonhadsaidtouchingthatthanklesscourt，whichhadindeedbutpoorlyrequitedhisowngoodservice。Heonlysaid，therefore，\"Anotherrebellion！Alas！alas！MrMilton！Iftherebenochoicebutbetweendespotismandanarchy，Ipreferdespotism。\"
\"Manymen，\"saidMrMilton，\"havefloridlyandingeniouslycomparedanarchyanddespotism;buttheywhosoamusethemselvesdobutlookatseparatepartsofthatwhichistrulyonegreatwhole。Eachisthecauseandtheeffectoftheother;theevilsofeitheraretheevilsofboth。Thusdostatesmoveoninthesameeternalcycle，which，fromtheremotestpoint，bringsthembackagaintothesamesadstarting—post:and，tillboththosewhogovernandthosewhoobeyshalllearnandmarkthisgreattruth，mencanexpectlittlethroughthefuture，astheyhaveknownlittlethroughthepast，savevicissitudesofextremeevils，alternatelyproducingandproduced。
\"Whenwillrulerslearnthat，wherelibertyisnot，securityendordercanneverbe？Wetalkofabsolutepower;butallpowerhathlimits，which，ifnotfixedbythemoderationofthegovernors，willbefixedbytheforceofthegoverned。
Sovereignsmaysendtheiropposerstodungeons;theymayclearoutasenate—housewithsoldiers;theymayenlistarmiesofspies;theymayhangscoresofthedisaffectedinchainsateverycrossroad;butwhatpowershallstandinthatfrightfultimewhenrebellionhathbecomealessevilthanendurance？Whoshalldissolvethatterribletribunal，which，intheheartsoftheoppressed，denouncesagainsttheoppressorthedoomofitswildjustice？Whoshallrepealthelawofselfdefence？Whatarmsordisciplineshallresistthestrengthoffamineanddespair？HowoftenweretheancientCaesarsdraggedfromtheirgoldenpalaces，strippedoftheirpurplerobes，mangled，stoned，defiledwithfilth，piercedwithhooks，hurledintoTiber？HowoftenhavetheEasternSultansperishedbythesabresoftheirownjanissaries，orthebow—stringsoftheirownmutes！Fornopowerwhichisnotlimitedbylawscaneverbeprotectedbythem。Small，therefore，isthewisdomofthosewhowouldflytoservitudeasifitwerearefugefromcommotion;foranarchyisthesureconsequenceoftyranny。Thatgovernmentsmaybesafe，nationsmustbefree。
Theirpassionsmusthaveanoutletprovided，lesttheymakeone。
\"WhenIwasatNaples，IwentwithSignorManso，agentlemanofexcellentpartsandbreeding，whohadbeenthefamiliarfriendofthatfamouspoetTorquatoTasso，toseetheburningmountainVesuvius。Iwonderedhowthepeasantscouldventuretodwellsofearlesslyandcheerfullyonitssides，whenthelavawasflowingfromitssummit;butMansosmiled，andtoldmethatwhenthefiredescendsfreelytheyretreatbeforeitwithouthasteorfear。
Theycantellhowfastitwillmove，andhowfar;andtheyknow，moreover，that，thoughitmayworksomelittledamage，itwillsooncoverthefieldsoverwhichithathpassedwithrichvineyardsandsweetflowers。But，whentheflamesarepentupinthemountain，thenitisthattheyhavereasontofear;thenitisthattheearthsinksandtheseaswells;thencitiesareswallowedup;andtheirplaceknoweththemnomore。Soitisinpolitics:wherethepeopleismostcloselyrestrained，thereitgivesthegreatestshockstopeaceandorder;thereforewouldI
saytoallkings，letyourdemagoguesleadcrowds，lesttheyleadarmies;letthembluster，lesttheymassacre;alittleturbulenceis，asitwere，therainbowofthestate;itshowsindeedthatthereisapassingshower;butitisapledgethatthereshallbenodeluge。\"
\"Thisistrue，\"saidMrCowley;\"yettheseadmonitionsarenotlessneedfultosubjectsthantosovereigns。\"
\"Surely，\"saidMrMilton;\"and，thatImayendthislongdebatewithafewwordsinwhichweshallbothagree，Iholdthat，asfreedomistheonlysafeguardofgovernments，soareorderandmoderationgenerallynecessarytopreservefreedom。Eventhevainestopinionsofmenarenottobeoutragedbythosewhoproposetothemselvesthehappinessofmenfortheirend，andwhomustworkwiththepassionsofmenfortheirmeans。Theblindreverenceforthingsancientisindeedsofoolishthatitmightmakeawisemanlaugh，ifitwerenotalsosometimessomischievousthatitwouldrathermakeagoodmanweep。Yet，sinceitmaynotbewhollycureditmustbediscreetlyindulged;
andthereforethosewhowouldamendevillawsshouldconsiderratherhowmuchitmaybesafetospare，thanhowmuchitmaybepossibletochange。Haveyounotheardthatmenwhohavebeenshutupformanyyearsindungeonsshrinkiftheyseethelight，andfalldowniftheirironsbestruckoff？Andso，whennationshavelongbeeninthehouseofbondage，thechainswhichhavecrippledthemarenecessarytosupportthem，thedarknesswhichhathweakenedtheirsightisnecessarytopreserveit。Thereforereleasethemnottoorashly，lesttheycursetheirfreedomandpinefortheirprison。
\"IthinkindeedthattherenownedParliament，ofwhichwehavetalkedsomuch，didshow，untilitbecamesubjecttothesoldiers，asingularandadmirablemoderation，insuchtimesscarcelytobehoped，andmostworthytobeanexampletoallthatshallcomeafter。ButonthisargumentIhavesaidenough:
andIwillthereforeonlypraytoAlmightyGodthatthosewhoshall，infuturetimesstandforthindefenceofourliberties，aswellcivilasreligious，mayadornthegoodcausebymercy，prudence，andsoberness，tothegloryofhisnameandthehappinessandhonouroftheEnglishpeople。\"
Andsoendedthatdiscourse;andnotlongafterweweresetonshoreagainattheTempleGardens，andtherepartedcompany:andthesameeveningItooknotesofwhathadbeensaid，whichIhaveheremorefullysetdown，fromregardbothtothefameofthemen，andtheimportanceofthesubject—matter……
ONTHEATHENIANORATORS。
（August1824。）
\"Tothefamousoratorsrepair，Thoseancient，whoseresistlesseloquenceWieldedatwillthatfiercedemocratie，Shookthearsenal，andfulminedoverGreeceToMacedonandArtaxerxes’throne。\"——Milton。
Thecelebrityofthegreatclassicalwritersisconfinedwithinnolimits，exceptthosewhichseparatecivilisedfromsavageman。
Theirworksarethecommonpropertyofeverypolishednation。
Theyhavefurnishedsubjectsforthepainter，andmodelsforthepoet。InthemindsoftheeducatedclassesthroughoutEurope，theirnamesareindissolublyassociatedwiththeendearingrecollectionsofchildhood，——theoldschool—room，——thedog—earedgrammar，——thefirstprize，——thetearssooftenshedandsoquicklydried。Sogreatisthevenerationwithwhichtheyareregarded，thateventheeditorsandcommentatorswhoperformthelowestmenialofficestotheirmemory，areconsidered，liketheequerriesandchamberlainsofsovereignprinces，asentitledtoahighrankinthetableofliteraryprecedence。Itis，therefore，somewhatsingularthattheirproductionsshouldsorarelyhavebeenexaminedonjustandphilosophicalprinciplesofcriticism。
Theancientwritersthemselvesaffordusbutlittleassistance。
Whentheyparticularise，theyarecommonlytrivial:whentheywouldgeneralise，theybecomeindistinct。Anexceptionmust，indeed，bemadeinfavourofAristotle。Bothinanalysisandincombination，thatgreatmanwaswithoutarival。Nophilosopherhaseverpossessed，inanequaldegree，thetalenteitherofseparatingestablishedsystemsintotheirprimaryelements，orofconnectingdetachedphenomenainharmonioussystems。Hewasthegreatfashioneroftheintellectualchaos;hechangeditsdarknessintolight，anditsdiscordintoorder。Hebroughttoliteraryresearchesthesamevigourandamplitudeofmindtowhichbothphysicalandmetaphysicalsciencearesogreatlyindebted。Hisfundamentalprinciplesofcriticismareexcellent。
Tociteonlyasingleinstance:——thedoctrinewhichheestablished，thatpoetryisanimitativeart，whenjustlyunderstood，istothecriticwhatthecompassistothenavigator。Withithemayventureuponthemostextensiveexcursions。Withoutithemustcreepcautiouslyalongthecoast，orlosehimselfinatracklessexpanse，andtrust，atbest，totheguidanceofanoccasionalstar。Itisadiscoverywhichchangesacapriceintoascience。
ThegeneralpropositionsofAristotlearevaluable。Butthemeritofthesuperstructurebearsnoproportiontothatofthefoundation。Thisispartlytobeascribedtothecharacterofthephilosopher，who，thoughqualifiedtodoallthatcouldbedonebytheresolvingandcombiningpowersoftheunderstanding，seemsnottohavepossessedmuchofsensibilityorimagination。
Partly，also，itmaybeattributedtothedeficiencyofmaterials。Thegreatworksofgeniuswhichthenexistedwerenoteithersufficientlynumerousorsufficientlyvariedtoenableanymantoformaperfectcodeofliterature。Torequirethatacriticshouldconceiveclassesofcompositionwhichhadneverexisted，andtheninvestigatetheirprinciples，wouldbeasunreasonableasthedemandofNebuchadnezzar，whoexpectedhismagiciansfirsttotellhimhisdreamandthentointerpretit。
Withallhisdeficiencies，Aristotlewasthemostenlightenedandprofoundcriticofantiquity。Dionysiuswasfarfrompossessingthesameexquisitesubtilty，orthesamevastcomprehension。Buthehadaccesstoamuchgreaternumberofspecimens;andhehaddevotedhimself，asitappears，moreexclusivelytothestudyofelegantliterature。Hispeculiarjudgmentsareofmorevaluethanhisgeneralprinciples。Heisonlythehistorianofliterature。Aristotleisitsphilosopher。
Quintilianappliedtogeneralliteraturethesameprinciplesbywhichhehadbeenaccustomedtojudgeofthedeclamationsofhispupils。Helooksfornothingbutrhetoric，andrhetoricnotofthehighestorder。HespeakscoldlyoftheincomparableworksofAeschylus。Headmires，beyondexpression，thoseinexhaustibleminesofcommon—places，theplaysofEuripides。HebestowsafewvaguewordsonthepoeticalcharacterofHomer。Hethenproceedstoconsiderhimmerelyasanorator。AnoratorHomerdoubtlesswas，andagreatorator。Butsurelynothingismoreremarkable，inhisadmirableworks，thantheartwithwhichhisoratoricalpowersaremadesubservienttothepurposesofpoetry。NorcanI
thinkQuintilianagreatcriticinhisownprovince。Justasaremanyofhisremarks，beautifulasaremanyofhisillustrations，wecanperpetuallydetectinhisthoughtsthatflavourwhichthesoilofdespotismgenerallycommunicatestoallthefruitsofgenius。Eloquencewas，inhistime，littlemorethanacondimentwhichservedtostimulateinadespotthejadedappetiteforpanegyric，anamusementforthetravellednoblesandtheblue—
stockingmatronsofRome。Itis，therefore，withhim，ratherasportthanawar;itisacontestoffoils，notofswords。Heappearstothinkmoreofthegraceoftheattitudethanofthedirectionandvigourofthethrust。Itmustbeacknowledged，injusticetoQuintilian，thatthisisanerrortowhichCicerohastoooftengiventhesanction，bothofhispreceptandofhisexample。
Longinusseemstohavehadgreatsensibility，butlittlediscrimination。Hegivesuseloquentsentences，butnoprinciples。ItwashappilysaidthatMontesquieuoughttohavechangedthenameofhisbookfrom\"L’EspritdesLois\"to\"L’EspritsurlesLois\"。InthesamemannerthephilosopherofPalmyraoughttohaveentitledhisfamouswork，not\"LonginusontheSublime，\"but\"TheSublimitiesofLonginus。\"Theoriginofthesublimeisoneofthemostcuriousandinterestingsubjectsofinquirythatcanoccupytheattentionofacritic。Inourowncountryithasbeendiscussed，withgreatability，and，Ithink，withverylittlesuccess，byBurkeandDugaldStuart。Longinusdispenseshimselffromallinvestigationsofthisnature，bytellinghisfriendTerentianusthathealreadyknowseverythingthatcanbesaiduponthequestion。ItistoberegrettedthatTerentianusdidnotimpartsomeofhisknowledgetohisinstructor:forfromLonginuswelearnonlythatsublimitymeansheight——orelevation。（Akroteskaiexochetislogonestitauoe。）Thisname，socommodiouslyvague，isappliedindifferentlytothenobleprayerofAjaxintheIliad，andtoapassageofPlatoaboutthehumanbody，asfullofconceitsasanodeofCowley。Havingnofixedstandard，Longinusisrightonlybyaccident。Heisratherafancierthanacritic。
Modernwritershavebeenpreventedbymanycausesfromsupplyingthedeficienciesoftheirclassicalpredecessors。Atthetimeoftherevivalofliterature，nomancould，withoutgreatandpainfullabour，acquireanaccurateandelegantknowledgeoftheancientlanguages。And，unfortunately，thosegrammaticalandphilologicalstudies，withoutwhichitwasimpossibletounderstandthegreatworksofAthenianandRomangenius，haveatendencytocontracttheviewsanddeadenthesensibilityofthosewhofollowthemwithextremeassiduity。Apowerfulmind，whichhasbeenlongemployedinsuchstudies，maybecomparedtothegiganticspiritintheArabiantale，whowaspersuadedtocontracthimselftosmalldimensionsinordertoenterwithintheenchantedvessel，and，whenhisprisonhadbeencloseduponhim，foundhimselfunabletoescapefromthenarrowboundariestothemeasureofwhichhehadreducedhisstature。Whenthemeanshavelongbeentheobjectsofapplication，theyarenaturallysubstitutedfortheend。Itwassaid，byEugeneofSavoy，thatthegreatestgeneralshavecommonlybeenthosewhohavebeenatonceraisedtocommand，andintroducedtothegreatoperationsofwar，withoutbeingemployedinthepettycalculationsandmanoeuvreswhichemploythetimeofaninferiorofficer。Inliteraturetheprincipleisequallysound。Thegreattacticsofcriticismwill，ingeneral，bebestunderstoodbythosewhohavenothadmuchpracticeindrillingsyllablesandparticles。
IremembertohaveobservedamongtheFrenchAnasaludicrousinstanceofthis。Ascholar，doubtlessofgreatlearning，recommendsthestudyofsomelongLatintreatise，ofwhichInowforgetthename，onthereligion，manners，government，andlanguageoftheearlyGreeks。\"Forthere，\"sayshe，\"youwilllearneverythingofimportancethatiscontainedintheIliadandOdyssey，withoutthetroubleofreadingtwosuchtediousbooks。\"
Alas！ithadnotoccurredtothepoorgentlemanthatalltheknowledgetowhichheattachedsomuchvaluewasusefulonlyasitillustratedthegreatpoemswhichhedespised，andwouldbeasworthlessforanyotherpurposeasthemythologyofCaffraria，orthevocabularyofOtaheite。
Ofthosescholarswhohavedisdainedtoconfinethemselvestoverbalcriticismfewhavebeensuccessful。Theancientlanguageshave，generally，amagicalinfluenceontheirfaculties。Theywere\"foolscalledintoacirclebyGreekinvocations。\"TheIliadandAeneidweretothemnotbooksbutcuriosities，orratherreliques。TheynomoreadmiredthoseworksfortheirmeritsthanagoodCatholicveneratesthehouseoftheVirginatLorettoforitsarchitecture。Whateverwasclassicalwasgood。
Homerwasagreatpoet，andsowasCallimachus。TheepistlesofCicerowerefine，andsowerethoseofPhalaris。Evenwithrespecttoquestionsofevidencetheyfellintothesameerror。
Theauthorityofallnarrations，writteninGreekorLatin，wasthesamewiththem。Itnevercrossedtheirmindsthatthelapseoffivehundredyears，orthedistanceoffivehundredleagues，couldaffecttheaccuracyofanarration;——thatLivycouldbealessveracioushistorianthanPolybius;——orthatPlutarchcouldknowlessaboutthefriendsofXenophonthanXenophonhimself。
Deceivedbythedistanceoftime，theyseemtoconsideralltheClassicsascontemporaries;justasIhaveknownpeopleinEngland，deceivedbythedistanceofplace，takeitforgrantedthatallpersonswholiveinIndiaareneighbours，andaskaninhabitantofBombayaboutthehealthofanacquaintanceatCalcutta。ItistobehopedthatnobarbariandelugewilleveragainpassoverEurope。Butshouldsuchacalamityhappen，itseemsnotimprobablethatsomefutureRollinorGillieswillcompileahistoryofEnglandfromMissPorter’sScottishChiefs，MissLee’sRecess，andSirNathanielWraxall’sMemoirs。