1792' on. modern and ancient writing. 125 



clearly, and the dazzling matters of antiquity are 

 gradually stript of their fairy forms ; the incidents 

 and characters which are subjected to their own in- 

 spection, are found to be more consonant to that 

 sense of truth which is implai>ted in every breast ; and 

 they begin to be viewed as the safest criterion of the 

 huma.i J)ower3, and the most suitable exampks of 

 human imitation. 



None of the ancient historians have attained to 

 that comprehensive, and accurate knowledge of the 

 extent of nature's operations, and all the pofsibilitiea 

 of things to which the moderns have arrived : The 

 incredible deeds of ancient heroes, and the wild tales 

 of Grecian mythology, seem still to be believed by 

 the most enlightened of them: Their object was chief- 

 ly to propose a subject of entertainment, never pro- 

 fefsedly to philosophise. In displaying the charac- 

 ters and transactions of men, they are, for the most 

 part, content with giving us in general the most 

 striking and interesting features ; their aim is mojre 

 to fill and delight, than inform the mind. Facts are 

 presented to u^'in their natjiral order, without nice- 

 ly tracing their causes, or attending to their conse- 

 quences. They loved rather to illustrate the valour 

 and intrepidity of a hero, than develope his exten- 

 ive views and latent motives. Pofsefsing more genius 

 in general than modern historians, they gave way to 

 its natural impulse, and addrefsed the imagination 

 more than the judgement. They conceived strong- 

 ly, and painted boldly ; but disdained the laborious 

 task of minute inquiry and patient investigation. 

 They carry us along in an agreeable current, whcrt; 



