S3 



The times of chivalry furnished the poet, in a pre-eminent 

 degree, with two of the most copious and popular subjects 

 of song, love and arms. Thus we see, in the influence 

 which the institutions of chivalry had, on the progress of 

 the fine arts, another instance, to shew how much these 

 arts are dependent on the political state of the country. 



The progress and prosperity of the fine arts are connected 

 with a vigour of intellect, and elevation of sentiment: and 

 we see that such events or institutions, as have contributed 

 to produce an energetic frame of mind, contributed, in an 

 equal degree, to the advancement of the fine arts. The 

 corresponding energies of the mind dispose men to simul- 

 taneous exertions, in arts and arms; as if the elated spirit 

 sought to extend its empire over every walk of excellence, 

 and acquire sovereign mastery, and undisputed possession, 

 in every apartment of the house of fame. Eschylus dis- 

 tinguished himself in the battle of Salamis; and, in his 

 noble play of the Persae, he has given a glorious descrip- 

 tion of that memorable engagement, in which his own va- 

 lour shone conspicuous. Nor was this union of energies 

 peculiar to an individual. The Athenian people displayed 

 supreme excellence, in the fine arts, in all the most sub- 

 lime productions of human genius, at the same time that 

 they demonstrated superior energy of mind, and the un- 

 conquerable love of freedom, by leading the van of the 

 Grecian host, that withstood the despotism of Persia. It 

 was then, that Phidias conceived adequate ideas of the ma- 

 jesty of the gods, and expressed them faithfully in sculp- 



L 2 ture: 



