Rejlexiojis on History, S(c, 371 



occupied. Ancient events may be considered 

 by the understanding, as distant objects are 

 beheld by the eye, in a general though con- 

 nected manner. Hence, perhaps, Chesterfield 

 in his letters to his son, yet probably not with- 

 out a view to his future diplomatic or political 

 employment, has recommended modern history 

 as an object worthy of particular attention. 



Possibly from a like motive, some modern 

 writers may have selected remarkable periods 

 for the themes of their narration. Though 

 they may not have given them the proper 

 titles, vet it does not follow that the transac- 

 tions of such times are not deserving of more 

 regard than tl"K)se of others. 



Certainly the xra, when the younger Ana- 

 charsis is supposed to have lived, was a most 

 interesting period in the annals of the Greeks. 

 As among them philosophy never attained « 

 higher elevation, so from that time along with 

 the spirit of liberty and public virtue, it began 

 to decline. Whilst in this excellent work of 

 Barthclemy, probably no more is fictitious than 

 the name and character of the supposed writer, 

 the whole conveys a more complete- idea of 

 Grecian history and philosophy, than is pep* 

 haps any where else to be found. ^ 



In like manner Middleton*^s life of Cicefo, 

 embracing the most enlightened and interesting 

 3 A 



