422 on modern and ancie?it writing. Jan. 2$, 



marks their qualities and relations, afsigns to each 

 its proper station in the different departments of 

 science, and points out its dignity in the scale of 

 intellectual researches. The phantoms of imagina- 

 tion now begin to disappear, and men recognize the 

 wisdom, as well as the magnificence of nature : In- 

 stead of that unbridled fire, which would indiscri- 

 minately paint every object with colours peculiar to 

 itself, a more sober, as well as a nobler view of crea- 

 tion presents itself to the mind. The plans of provi- 

 dence gradually open, the field of science widens on 

 every hand, and as well as the poet, we behold the 

 philosopher and historian. 



It is partly en these principles that we are to ac- 

 count for the intermixture of poetical fable which is 

 to be found in all the early histories of human actions. 

 But we have viewed the subject only on one side, for 

 it is not altogether to the immaturity of reason, on 

 the part of the historian, that we are to ascribe his 

 marvellous, and wild narration. The subjects of his- 

 tory were really themselves of this kind. The first tran- 

 saction's of men were hold and extravagant; their am- 

 bition was more to astonifh their fellow creatures, 

 "by the greittnefs of their designB, and the difficulties, 

 they could overcome, than by any rational and exten- 

 sive plan of public utility ; they did not deliberate 

 about political consequence, or personal safety ; but, 

 infatuated with the love of unsubstantial glory, or 

 furious with blind revenge, they immediately ruflied 

 lieadlong into action ; their schemes were the conse- 

 <5uence of reasonings that were simj^le, but open and 

 bojd, and they executed them with all that perso^iil* 



