[ x J 
The wreathing of the Snake, with the vivid die 
of its fkin, are certainly graceful, tho’ from the 
dread of fome particular fpecies which are venemous, 
we have acquired an antipathy for the whole. The 
antients, who confidered the Serpent as an emblem 
of health, could affociate pleafing ideas with this 
animal, We therefore find it an ornament at every 
entertainment, and in every fcene of mirth, both 
in painting and in fculpture. Virgil adopted this 
notion, and has accordingly defcribed it with every 
beauty both of form and color, 
Adyiis cum lubricus anguis ab imis 
Septem ingens gyros, feptena volumina traxit ; 
Amplexus placidé tumulum, lapfufque per aras : 
Cerulee cui terga note, maculofus et auro 
Squamam incendebat fulgor , ceu nubibus arcus 
Mille trabit varios adverfo fole calores. 
5 | V. 84. 
From the deep tomb, with many a fhining fold, — 
An azure ferpent rofe, in fcales that flam’d with gold: 
Like heaven’s bright bow his varying beauties fhene 
That draws a thoufand colors from the fun: 
Pleas’d round the altars and the tomb to wind, 
His glittering length of volumes trails behind. 
Pitt. 
But if after all fome lively writer fhould purfue 
the Naturalifts with more wit than arzument, and 
more humor than good-nature, it fhould be endured 
with patience. Ridicule is, however, not the teft 
of truth, tho’ when joined to fatyr, it feldom fails 
A 2 of 
