Gi 



d 



234* Mr. FiclceriTig on the JP r onunciation 



ancient purity and elegance. *f The vulgar speech (says Philel- 

 plius) has been depraved and infected by the multitude of stran- 

 gers and merchants, who every day flock to the city and mingle 

 with the inhabitants. It is from the disciples of such a school, 

 that the Latin language received the versions of Aristotle and 

 Plato; so obscure in sense, and in spirit so poor. But the 



3cks, who have escaped the contagion, are those whom we 

 Mlow ', and they alone are worthy of our imitation. In familiar 



course, they still speak the tongue of Aristophanes and Eu- 

 ripides, of the historians and philosophers of Athens ; and the 

 style of their writings is still more elaborate and correct. The 

 persons, who, by their birth and offices, are attached to the By- 

 zantine Court, are those who maintain, with the least alloy, the 

 ancient standard of elegance and purity; and the native graces 

 of language most conspicuously shine among the noble matrons, 

 who are excluded from all intercourse with foreigners. With 

 foreigners, do I say ? They live retired and sequestered from the 

 eyes of their fellow citizens. Seldom are they seen in the streets : 

 and when they leave their houses, it is in 





leave their houses, it is in the dusk of the even- 

 the churches and their nearest kindred. On these 

 occasions they are on horseback, covered with a veil, and encom- 

 passed by their parents, their husbands, or their servants."* 



Tlie pronunciation, which the Greek exiles thus introduced 

 among the learned of Europe xvas, as I have remarked, the na^ 



3« of that age. It should also be remembered, that 



pro 



Tlody 



rumque Ilunumiorum Instauratorihi,, p. 188, for the original of tins interest^ 



ing letter. I have adopted the spirited translation which is to be found in Gib^ 

 oon^i History, 



