34 
LAVATER S 
deftru8ion. Under fuch circumftances, it was the 
policy of every inconfiderable flate to train up and 
harden the race of men, in order to form an in- 
vincible barrier againft the incroachments of a 
powerful neighbour* 
Several wife inftitutions contributed to that falu- 
tary end in Greece, where every pollible difcipline 
was moft perfeft. Giants were reared to withftand 
'the torrent of invafions from Perfia. The Olympic 
Games were mere trials of (kill and dexterity, 
preparatory to the famous battles of Marathon, 
ThermopylcE, and Salamine. The public feftivalt 
were recreations equally calculated to raife that 
generous fpirit of emulation which is fo neceffary 
to animate contending armies, and make men 
devote themfelves to conquer or die. 
Thus it was that, by continual activity, a people 
weak in numbers became a ftrong rampart, capable 
of refining the innumerable forces which poured in 
upon them from Afia : nor could the Greeks have 
maintained their independence with fo much honour 
and glory, had it not been for that education and 
mode of living which promoted elafiic agility and gi- 
gantic force in their civic tournaments and military 
exploits, where national pride and perfonal bravery 
were excited by the higheft allurements. — Indeed, 
it is impoflible for us to conceive an adequate idea 
of the Racer, the Charioteer, and the Wreftler, 
contending for victory in the high-day of blood. 
Happy 
