190 HUME 



VIII 



are guided to that notion, not by reason, of which they are in a 

 great measure incapable, but by the adulation and fears of the 

 most vulgar superstition." (IV. pp. 463-6.) 



"Nay, if we should suppose, what never happens, that a 

 popular religion were found, in which it was expressly declared, 

 that nothing but morality could gain the divine favour ; if 

 an order of priests were instituted to inculcate this opinion, 

 in daily sermons, and with all the arts of persuasion ; yet so 

 inveterate are the people's prejudices, that, for want of some 

 other superstition they would make the very attendance on 

 these sermons the essentials of religion, rather than place 

 them in virtue and good morals. The sublime prologue of 

 Zaleucus' laws inspired not the Locrians, so far as we can 

 learn, with any sounder notions of the measures of acceptance 

 with the deity, than were familiar to the other Greeks." 

 (IV. p. 505.) 



It has been remarked that Hume's writings are 

 singularly devoid of local colour ; of allusions to 

 the scenes with which he was familiar, and to the 

 people from whom he sprang. Yet, surely, the 

 Lowlands of Scotland were more in his thoughts 

 than the Zephyrean promontory, and the hard 

 visage of John Knox peered from behind the 

 mask of Zaleucus, when this passage left his pen. 

 Nay, might not an acute German critic discern 

 therein a reminiscence of that eminently Scottish 

 institution, a " Holy Fair " ? where, as Hume's 

 young contemporary sings : 



"* * * opens out his cauld harangues 



On practice and on morals ; 

 An' aff the godly pour in thrangs 

 To gie the jars and barrels 

 A lift that day. 



