OLYMPIC DIALOGUE. 36 1 



It was a Pantheon of fo vaft a compafs, and of fo exqui- 

 lite a ityle of architecture, that all religions In the 

 world — even this new one, if it would but be traceable 

 \ — would have found room enough in it. 



The unknown.] Pity that, with all thefe fpecious ad- 

 vantages, it was only built on a quickfand ! And, as to 

 traclability, how wouldft thou contrive that, in a mat- 

 ter of fuch great importance, truth and impofture 

 fhould agree together ? 



Numa.] It would do very well, if mankind would 

 only agree together ; mankind, who are never mote 

 grievoufly deceived, than when they think themfelves 

 exclufively in poffeffion of truth. 



The unknown."] If to be deceived be not their des- 

 tination, — which yet thou wilt not affert ? — yet it 

 neither will or can be their lot to wander everlaftingly 

 in blindnefs and error, like fheep without a fhepherd. 

 Between darknefs and light, dawn and twilight are 

 doubtlefs better than total night, but that only as a 

 paffage from darknefs into the pure all-clearing light of 

 clay. The day is now an fen ; and thou wouldft lament 

 that night and dawn are paft ? 



Jupiter?^ Thou art fond of allegory, I perceive, 

 young man ; I, for my part, love to fpeak in plain 

 round terms. Thou wouldft probably fay, that man- 

 kind would be happier under this new regulation ? I 

 wifh it with all my heart ; but I mult confefs it has but 

 a very imp romi ling afpe6l. 



The unknown?^ It will infallibly prove better, and in- 

 , finitely better for poor mortals. The truth will put 

 them in pofleffion of that liberty which is the indif- 

 , penfable condition of happinefs : for truth alone makes 

 free— ? 



Jupiter,] 



