29 



to call that country his own which lies contiguous to the land which 

 is so in reahty, especially when he is a great distance from both- 

 If a native of Middlesex, when removed to some remote climate, 

 chanced to speak of the romantic beauties of Cumberland or 

 Wales, and in the warmth of poetical inspiration, called it his own 

 country, must a critic infer that he was a native of either of these 

 regions? As distance diminishes the appearance of the shores we 

 leave, it seems to increase the comprehension of the patriotic senti- 

 ment; and it is not the individual spot where we first drew breath, 

 but the province, the island, or the whole kingdom, that is embraced 

 in the endearing appellation of country.* 



The Halieutics contain, in themselves, abundant proof that 

 their author solicited the regard of two imperial patrons. Were 

 it clearly ascertained what two were meant, the question would be 

 decided. All the poet's biographers, with the exception of Schnei- 

 der, suppose he intends Severus and Antoninus, ^. e. Caracalla. 

 The latter was proclaimed by the army, after the reduction of 

 Ctesiphon, partner in the empire with his father, and accordingly 

 the poet writes. 



Lib. ii. v. 682. 

 And again. 



Lib. i. v. QQ, 



* Since this passage was written, I have found that Bodinus, who published an edition 

 of Oppian, Lutetioe, 1 555, entertained a similar sentiment. " Quia Cilicise proxima est Syria, 

 utramque patriam appellat." 



