i88 EXAMINATION of nn HISTORICAL HTPOTHESIS. 



folldity in all that elaborate fabric of argument, which has been 

 brought to prove that Laura was a married woman, we have 

 proved, on the otlier, from the whole tenor of the writings of 

 Petrarch, the only evidence that applies to the matter, that 

 his afFe£tion for Laura was ^m honourable and virtuous fiame. 

 On this fubjedl the refle(5lion of M, de la Bastie is equally 

 beautiful, as a fentiment of morality, and juft, as an obfervation 

 on human nature : " // ii'y a que la vcrtu feule qui foil capable 

 *' defaire des imprejftons que la niort n'' efface pas.'" 



VIL 



