188 EXAMINATION of an HISTORICAL HTPOTHESIS. 



folidity in all that elaborate fabric of argument, which has been 

 brought to prove that Laura was a married woman, we have 

 proved, on the other, from the whole tenor of the writings of 

 Petrarch, the only evidence that applies to the matter, that 

 his affection for Laura was an honourable and virtuous flame. 

 On this fubjecl the reflection of M. de la Bastie is equally 

 beautiful, as a fentiment of morality, and juft, as an obfervation 

 on human nature : " // n'y a que la vertu fettle qui foil capable 

 u defaire des imprefftons que la mort if efface pas" 



VIL 



