l66 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



Such means as thefe, though more powerful than 

 draughts for the militia, and than either prefling 

 or tricking men into the fervice, are ftill infufh- 

 cient to form real citizens. We are accuftomed 

 by them to love virtue and our country, only 

 when our heroes are applauded on the theatre. 

 Hence it comes to pafs, that the greateft part even 

 of perlons of the better fort, are incapable of ap- 

 praifing an adion, till they fee it detailed in feme 

 journal, or moulded into a drama. They do not 

 form a judgment of it after their own heart, but 

 after the opinion of another ; not as it is in reality, 

 and in it's own place, but as clothed with imagery, 

 and fitted to a frame. They delight in heroes 

 when they are applauded, powdered and perfum* 

 ed ; but were they to meet with one pouring out 

 his blood in fome obfcure corner, and perilhing 

 in unmerited ignominy, they would not acknow- 

 ledge him to be a hero. Every one would wifli to 

 be the Alexander of the opera, but no one the Alex-^ 

 under in the city of the Mallians *, 



inftances than one, defcended to exhibit odious reprefentationa 

 of us, on their ftage, I was willing to fhew them, how eafily we 

 could make reprifals. Rather, may the genius of Fetielo», which 

 they prize fo highly, that one of their moft amiable fine writers, 

 Lord Liitleton, exalts it above that of Plato, one day unite our 

 hearts and minds Î 



* See Plutarch's, Life of Ak.xamh; 



Patriotifm 



