46 



of Greece, which do not appear to have excelled in the 

 ^nt arts. The reason of this was, that these governments 

 enjoined such a strictness of discipline, and severity of 

 manners, that all relaxation and amusement, music and 

 dancing excepted-, were proscribed; as either tending to 

 waste time, or to enervate the mind and body. Besides, 

 these republics banished wealth, and prohibited the citi- 

 zens from commerce, and the exercise of gainful profes- 

 sions; and obliged them, by law, to remain idle. In the 

 commercial republics, on the contrary, the government en- 

 deavoured to inspire the love and habits of industry. A 

 law of Solon made idleness a crime; and insisted, that 

 each citizen should give an account of his manner of liv- 

 ing. Such a law must have produced an activity of mind, 

 a due cultivation of all its powers, and an economical dis- 

 tribution of time. 



The republican form of government produced an elated 

 spirit, a dignity of mind, favourable to the higher kinds 

 of poetry; as the epic, dramatic and lyric, and the sub- 

 lime pursuits of philosophy. Every man was led to the 

 study of public affairs: every man was in the habit of 

 conferring freely on the most important subjects. This in- 

 troduced the peculiar study of moral philosophy, and po- 

 litical economy. This produced a correct and noble way 

 of thinking, and contributed much to the excellence of 

 oratory. This general elevation, and nobleness of senti- 

 ment, must have contributed greatly, to form the admira- 

 ble tragic poets, who flourislied at Athens. It is a most 



extraordinary 



