320 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE 



learning and genius, a (kill in pedigrees, an acquaint- 

 ance with the laws and metres of poetry, a know- 

 ledge of harmony^ a fine voice, and ability to play on 

 an inllrument. It was made their office to applaud 

 the living, and to record the memorable aOiions of 

 the dead. They were divided into three grand 

 orders oi poets ^ heralds ^ and miiftcians ; and each of 

 thefe again branched into fubordinate diftinftions* 



Of the poets^ the firfl and principal clafs confided 

 of hiftorical or antiquarian bards, who occafionally 

 pretended to infpiration, and the confequent powers 

 of prophefy. They were critics and teachers, and 

 to them belonged the praife of virtue and the cen- 

 fure of vice. From their great practice and fuperior 

 qualifications, their poetry, and the powers of their 

 genius, were confidered fupereminent. — The fecond 

 clafs was formed of the domeflic bards. Thefe re- 

 fided in the manfions of the great, to celebrate their 

 warlike adtions, and their amiable qualities. They 

 fang the praifes of generofity, contentment, domeflic 

 happinefs, and all the focial virtues ; and thus con- 

 tributed to enliven the leifure of their patrons. 



The herald hards were confidered as the national 

 chroniclers. They were well verfed in pedigrees, 

 and the blazonry of arms ; and in the works of the 

 primary bards. They could trace back the pedi- 

 grees of their princes and nobles not only as far as 

 the Trojan refugees, but even to the creation of the 

 world. Their poetiy was of a more humble kind 

 ' than that of the firfl order of bards : it was ufually 



con- 



