14 



come the panders of vice, and coiTupt the rising gene- 

 ration, by perpetuating, the monstrous images of the ex- 

 cesses and enormities of their shameless and brutal patrons. 

 Propertius itiveighs, with a truly poetical spirit, invigo- 

 rated by honest indignation, against the licentiousness of 

 bis time: and yet the Romans had then travelled but half 

 way in the road of depravity. 



We must not think, that it was merely through the 

 baleful effects of despotism, (though that had undoubtedly 

 a great share,) that poetry and eloquence declined, as they 

 did, at Rome, after the downfal of republican govern- 

 ment. We are to attribute this base and melancholy 

 change, as much, at least, to the corruption of morals, 

 and the depravity of the Roman people, as to the op- 

 pression of the government. The satires of Juvenal, 

 (making every allowance for poetical exaggeration, and 

 the rage of a man, who seems to have been spited at the 

 world, by neglect and misfortunes,) give a dreadful pic- 

 ture of the general and unbounded profligacy, which per- 

 vaded all classes of people, in his time. The prevalence 

 of corrupt and dissolute manners, the reign of luxury, 

 avarice, and prodigality, conjoined, will depend much on 

 the political circumstances of the country, the commercial 

 relations, the extent of empire, the riches, the possession 

 of foreign colonies. Hence we find it is, that the true 

 poetical spirit has declined, in these modern times. Hence 

 I should not be much disposed, notwithstanding the great 

 professions of the French government, and its literati, to 



augur 



