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These dances were of a moft varied and adtive kind, and mufl; 

 have contributed exceedingly to the graceful eafe of the motions, 

 and elegance of the attitudes of thofe w^ho pradifed them, and 

 thus rendered them more happy fubjeds for the painter and the 

 flatuary. 



Is it too fanciful, to mention, as a fource of external beauty, the 

 extenfive ufe and powerful effeds of mufic among the Greeks, 

 who were attached to this divine art with an enthufiaftic love 

 and devotion bordering on fuperftitious idolatry ? their legiflators- 

 and rulers, fenfible of the quick and ardent temper, and ferocious 

 difpofitions of the people, encouraged the univerfal fondnefs for 

 mufic, regulated the national harmony by law, and endeavoured 

 to diffufe its pradice and influence, as fedatives of fiery humours, 

 and corredives of turbulent and ungentle paflions. Milton, who 

 himfelf felt all the power of mufic, thus defcribes its eflreds oa 

 the antient Greeks : 



■ The Dorian mood. 



" Of flutes and loft recorders, fuch as rais'd 

 *' .To heighth of nobleft temper heroes old 

 " Arming for battle, and inftead of rage 

 " Delib'rate valour breath'd firm and unmov'd, 

 " With dread of death to flight or foul revolt. 

 " Nor wanting power to mitigate and Tuage 

 " With folemn touches troubled thought." 



Such 



