44 R E MA RK S on fome Pajfages of 



The defcription of Tartarus is wrought up in a ftyle of ter- 

 rible fubiimity, fuch as never was equalled by any other poet, 

 except by Milton, in the firft and fecond books of Paradife 

 Loft. In the intrinfic grandeur of his images, the Englifh poet 

 may be thought to have excelled the Roman ; but in one re- 

 fpect the Roman has the advantage. By means of a more mu- 

 fical language, he has been enabled to embellifh his narration 

 with a fonorous magnificence of harmony, whereof the Englifh 

 tongue, even when modulated by Milton, is not fufceptible. 



The mouth of the Tartarean gulf was encircled with three 

 walls fo ftrong, as to be proof againft every afTault of men or 

 gods ; and thefe walls were furrounded by Phlegethon, a river 

 of tempeftuous flame. Sleeplefs, before the gate, day and 

 night, and full in Eneas's view, fat the fury Tifiphone in 

 bloody attire. From within idued fuch an uproar of terrifying 

 noifes, that the hero, though at a diftance, heard it with hor- 

 ror ; the cries of the tormented, the found of the fcourge, the 

 crafh of iron engines, and the clanking of chains dragged 

 along. Tell me, faid he, O virgin, what clamours, what pu- 

 niihments, are thofe ; and for what crimes they are Inflicted. 

 This gives the prieftefs occafion to defcribe what was palling in 

 the regions of torment ; with which Hecate had made her ac- 

 quainted, when (he gave her the fuperintendence of the groves 

 of Avernus. The perfons there punilhed had all perpetrated 

 enormous crimes ; among which are reckoned, acts of impiety, 

 want of natural affection, cruel treatment of parents, the de- 

 frauding of clients or dependants, and the hoarding up of 

 wealth to the injury of friends and relations. Here too adul- 

 tery is punilhed, even though the criminal mould have al eady 

 fuffered death for it in the upper world. Other crimes here pu- 

 nilhed are, rebellion, inceft, the various forts of injuftice and 

 treachery, the venality of lawgivers, fubverfion of the liberties 

 of our country, facrificing the public good to private intereft, 



and 



