€84 
to the state; for the minds of all the 
Greeks would be ennobled, while their 
mainers would at the same time be soft- 
ened by anew scurce of mental pleasures 
traly worthy of a man. Pericles promises 
to think of this, and at length proposes 
to Anaxagoras, since he had conceived 
such a high notion of the utility of the 
arts, to consent to become inspector-ge- 
neral of them. ‘This the sage refuses, 
but advises to conferthe plac’ oa Phi- 
dias, as he himself wished to remain 
solely devoted to the progress of the 
sciences; to the examination of nature; 
and to the study of the connexion sub- 
sisting between causes and effects: thus 
ascending towards the Divine Intelligence 
that regulates the Universe.” 
In the course of the third dialogue, 
Phidias accepts, but not withort some 
modest objections, the direction of the 
labours which Pericles has confided to 
his management. He at the same time 
expresses himself relative to his own art 
with enthusiasm, and im respect to the 
others, with sensibility and intelligence. 
The scene is at the entrance of the citadel, 
for the construction of the portico of 
which, Pericles now gives orders. 
To the course of the ens suing dialogue, 
Phidias repairs to Mount Hymetus, where 
he interrupts the astronomical observa- 
tions of Anaxagoras, in order to demand 
and receive his “advice . The philosopher, 
after exhibiting an universality of attaia- 
ments, aninadverts so. as tu evince great 
knowledse of the human heart t, on the 
delicacy with which arusts ought to be 
directed, in respect to their particular 
siudies. 
The fifth dialogue takes place in the 
workshop of a sculptor. Thith er Phidias 
brings Mnesias, the most celebrated mu- 
sician of Athens, in order that Alca- 
mmenes, who was emploved for that pur- 
pose by Pericles, might carve iss bust, 
The latter, who was the ablest of all the 
scholars of Phidias, eviters into an ani- 
mated conversation wiih his two friends, 
relative to the diiferences between, and 
similitade m respect to all the arts. 
They treat of the “ specific imitation,” 
the © venerical imitation,” and the “tran- 
scendent imitation.” Each speaks in his 
owh proper character: 
6¢ Dicunt debentia dici ;” 
and their style 1s replete with Attic salt 
and Attic grace. 
The two last dialogues are perhaps the 
most interesting of the while. Pericles, 
who Is contined to his bed, appears un- 
Retrospect of French Literature—Miscellaneous. 
happy lest the frait of all his labours 
ould be lostatter hisdeath. Liesendsfor 
Alcibiades, to whom is about to be trans- 
ferred the burden of his extensive autho-= 
rity. Ife exhorts him to wisdom, aud to 
firmness; above all things he entreats 
that he should be careful to maintain the 
good opinion of the allies, and at the 
same tine to manage the revenues of the 
State with economy. In respect to the 
latter subject, he offers up some excuses 
for his own conduct: he was desirous, he 
observed, to unite domestic economy 
with national grandeur. 
Alcibiades on this occasion displays all_ 
the fiery temperament of his character, 
He wishes to shine in Athens, by asto- 
nishing the universe: his schemes and 
pr ojects appear unbounded. 
“The time is at leneth arrived,” ex- 
claims he, “* when the “Greeks, led by 
the Athenians, shall become masters of 
the enreyser He then displays the 
whole Lent of his character, and felici- 
tates higicelt with the hopes of an exten- 
sive authority, derived from the favour of 
the people. 
*“* Aud I,” savs Pericles, “ TF also was 
intoxicated with glory daring my youth; 
but I at length became acquainted with 
that species which is alone founded on 
truth: real glory followed me f-om the 
moment that [ abandoned the other.” 
Alcibiades, after paying a feeble ho- 
mage to whatsoever appears sage and 
provident, indulges himself in his darling 
passion. He thea excla alms, in those rap- 
tures engendered by an ardent imaginas - 
tion, “ Foon. ew Homer one day fae, 
brate In Alcibiades a new Achilles! Let 
the chissels of future Phidiases and Alca~ 
Meneses eternize my features! May I 
be assured of the affection of my contem~- 
poraries, and the adiniration of ages yet 
unborn !—May the gods but grant me a 
single instant of sea felicity, a single 
drop of this nectar—l shall then die i 
tent.” Having spoken this, he retire 
“ A Jamp burning in the apemsceee 
conveys a dim light, } Just sufficient to dis- 
cover Aspasia sitting by the pillow of the 
expiring hero, who “beseeches her, at his 
death, to unite her endeavours with those 
of Socrates, for the pur pose of moderating 
the ardent ambition of Alcibiades. She, 
on the other-hand, at once disclaims her 
capability of so didicult a task, and men- 
tions her resolution not to survive Peri- 
cles. In an affecting manner, she re- 
calls past events, and insists on those 
sentiments of love and hoaour which 
ought to attach her to the illustrious man 
she 
