45 



the sublime productions of genius and intellect, are prized 

 and cultivated. We see how favourable all this must 

 prove, to the cultivation and perfection of the fine, arts, 

 especially in their most elevated departments. 



The popular assemblies, the theatre, the academy, the 

 Lyceum at Athens, even the private society of the prin- 

 cipal citizens, were schools of eloquence, poetry, music, 

 and philosophy. Thus the very drinking songs, or scholia,* 

 which delighted an Athenian company,, in the moments 

 of festivity, were sublime moral odes, written by their most 

 eminent sages. The dialogues of the Athenian writers,, 

 on the deepest subjects of politics and philosophy, are 

 in the form of convivial meetings, symposia or banquets. 

 This is nothing fanciful or imaginary, but a true picture 

 of the manners of the cauntry, and tlie time. When there 

 was perfect personal freedom; including, as one of its most 

 valuable branches, the uncontrolled intercourse of man 

 with man, and the free communication of thought, through 

 liberty of speaking and writing; conversations Avere both 

 frequent and delightful, and usually turned on the most 

 interesting and important subjects; and were equally mark- 

 ed, by elevation of sentiment, and purity of expression. 

 Hence it Avas by no means surprizing, that the most grave 

 and important subjects should be discussed, in the. table- 

 talk of their banquets. 



This tendency and influence of the republican spirit did 

 not operate so much, it is true, in tlie military republics 



of 



* One of these scholia is written by Aristotle, 'Ajeth ■EmXi/noxSs, &c. &c. 



