Itissurelytimethatancientliteratureshouldbeexaminedinadifferentmanner，withoutpedanticalprepossessions，butwithajustallowance，atthesametime，forthedifferenceofcircumstancesandmanners。Iamfarfrompretendingtotheknowledgeorabilitywhichsuchataskwouldrequire。AllthatI
meantoofferisacollectionofdesultoryremarksuponamostinterestingportionofGreekliterature。
ItmaybedoubtedwhetheranycompositionswhichhaveeverbeenproducedintheworldareequallyperfectintheirkindwiththegreatAthenianorations。Geniusissubjecttothesamelawswhichregulatetheproductionofcottonandmolasses。Thesupplyadjustsitselftothedemand。Thequantitymaybediminishedbyrestrictions，andmultipliedbybounties。ThesingularexcellencetowhicheloquenceattainedatAthensistobemainlyattributedtotheinfluencewhichitexertedthere。Inturbulenttimes，underaconstitutionpurelydemocratic，amongapeopleeducatedexactlytothatpointatwhichmenaremostsusceptibleofstrongandsuddenimpressions，acute，butnotsoundreasoners，warmintheirfeelings，unfixedintheirprinciples，andpassionateadmirersoffinecomposition，oratoryreceivedsuchencouragementasithasneversinceobtained。
ThetasteandknowledgeoftheAthenianpeoplewasafavouriteobjectofthecontemptuousderisionofSamuelJohnson;amanwhoknewnothingofGreekliteraturebeyondthecommonschool—books，andwhoseemstohavebroughttowhathehadreadscarcelymorethanthediscernmentofacommonschool—boy。Heusedtoassert，withthatarrogantabsurditywhich，inspiteofhisgreatabilitiesandvirtues，rendershim，perhapsthemostridiculouscharacterinliteraryhistory，thatDemosthenesspoketoapeopleofbrutes;——toabarbarouspeople;——thattherecouldhavebeennocivilisationbeforetheinventionofprinting。Johnsonwasakeenbutaverynarrow—mindedobserverofmankind。Heperpetuallyconfoundedtheirgeneralnaturewiththeirparticularcircumstances。HeknewLondonintimately。Thesagacityofhisremarksonitssocietyisperfectlyastonishing。ButFleetStreetwastheworldtohim。HesawthatLondonerswhodidnotreadwereprofoundlyignorant;andheinferredthataGreek，whohadfewornobooks，musthavebeenasuninformedasoneofMrThrale’sdraymen。
Thereseemstobe，onthecontrary，everyreasontobelieve，that，ingeneralintelligence，theAthenianpopulacefarsurpassedthelowerordersofanycommunitythathaseverexisted。Itmustbeconsidered，thattobeacitizenwastobealegislator，——asoldier，——ajudge，——oneuponwhosevoicemightdependthefateofthewealthiesttributarystate，ofthemosteminentpublicman。Thelowestoffices，bothofagricultureandoftrade，were，incommon，performedbyslaves。Thecommonwealthsupplieditsmeanestmemberswiththesupportoflife，theopportunityofleisure，andthemeansofamusement。Bookswereindeedfew:buttheywereexcellent;andtheywereaccuratelyknown。Itisnotbyturningoverlibraries，butbyrepeatedlyperusingandintentlycontemplatingafewgreatmodels，thatthemindisbestdisciplined。Amanoflettersmustnowreadmuchthathesoonforgets，andmuchfromwhichhelearnsnothingworthytoberemembered。Thebestworksemploy，ingeneral，butasmallportionofhistime。DemosthenesissaidtohavetranscribedsixtimesthehistoryofThucydides。Ifhehadbeenayoungpoliticianofthepresentage，hemightinthesamespaceoftimehaveskimmedinnumerablenewspapersandpamphlets。Idonotcondemnthatdesultorymodeofstudywhichthestateofthings，inourday，rendersamatterofnecessity。ButImaybeallowedtodoubtwhetherthechangesonwhichtheadmirersofmoderninstitutionsdelighttodwellhaveimprovedourconditionsomuchinrealityasinappearance。Rumford，itissaid，proposedtotheElectorofBavariaaschemeforfeedinghissoldiersatamuchcheaperratethanformerly。Hisplanwassimplytocompelthemtomasticatetheirfoodthoroughly。A
smallquantity，thuseaten，would，accordingtothatfamousprojector，affordmoresustenancethanalargemealhastilydevoured。IdonotknowhowRumford’spropositionwasreceived;
buttothemind，Ibelieve，itwillbefoundmorenutritioustodigestapagethantodevouravolume。
Books，however，weretheleastpartoftheeducationofanAtheniancitizen。Letus，foramoment，transportourselvesinthought，tothatgloriouscity。Letusimaginethatweareenteringitsgates，inthetimeofitspowerandglory。Acrowdisassembledroundaportico。Allaregazingwithdelightattheentablature;forPhidiasisputtingupthefrieze。Weturnintoanotherstreet;arhapsodistisrecitingthere:men，women，childrenarethrongingroundhim:thetearsarerunningdowntheircheeks:theireyesarefixed:theirverybreathisstill;
forheistellinghowPriamfellatthefeetofAchilles，andkissedthosehands，——theterrible——themurderous，——whichhadslainsomanyofhissons。
（——kaikusecheiras，deinas，anorophonous，aioipoleasktanonuias。）
Weenterthepublicplace;thereisaringofyouths，allleaningforward，withsparklingeyes，andgesturesofexpectation。
Socratesispittedagainstthefamousatheist，fromIonia，andhasjustbroughthimtoacontradictioninterms。Butweareinterrupted。Theheraldiscrying——"RoomforthePrytanes。"Thegeneralassemblyistomeet。Thepeopleareswarminginoneveryside。Proclamationismade——"Whowishestospeak？"Thereisashout，andaclappingofhands:Periclesismountingthestand。
ThenforaplayofSophocles;andawaytosupwithAspasia。I
knowofnomodernuniversitywhichhassoexcellentasystemofeducation。
Knowledgethusacquiredandopinionsthusformedwere，indeed，likelytobe，insomerespects，defective。Propositionswhichareadvancedindiscoursegenerallyresultfromapartialviewofthequestion，andcannotbekeptunderexaminationlongenoughtobecorrected。Menofgreatconversationalpowersalmostuniversallypractiseasortoflivelysophistryandexaggeration，whichdeceives，forthemoment，boththemselvesandtheirauditors。Thusweseedoctrines，whichcannotbearacloseinspection，triumphperpetuallyindrawing—rooms，indebatingsocieties，andeveninlegislativeorjudicialassemblies。TotheconversationaleducationoftheAtheniansIaminclinedtoattributethegreatloosenessofreasoningwhichisremarkableinmostoftheirscientificwritings。Eventhemostillogicalofmodernwriterswouldstandperfectlyaghastatthepuerilefallacieswhichseemtohavedeludedsomeofthegreatestmenofantiquity。SirThomasLethbridgewouldstareatthepoliticaleconomyofXenophon;andtheauthorof"SoireesdePetersbourg"
wouldbeashamedofsomeofthemetaphysicalargumentsofPlato。
Buttheverycircumstanceswhichretardedthegrowthofsciencewerepeculiarlyfavourabletothecultivationofeloquence。Fromtheearlyhabitoftakingashareinanimateddiscussiontheintelligentstudentwouldderivethatreadinessofresource，thatcopiousnessoflanguage，andthatknowledgeofthetemperandunderstandingofanaudience，whicharefarmorevaluabletoanoratorthanthegreatestlogicalpowers。
Horacehasprettilycomparedpoemstothosepaintingsofwhichtheeffectvariesasthespectatorchangeshisstand。Thesameremarkapplieswithatleastequaljusticetospeeches。Theymustbereadwiththetemperofthosetowhomtheywereaddressed，ortheymustnecessarilyappeartooffendagainstthelawsoftasteandreason;asthefinestpicture，seeninalightdifferentfromthatforwhichitwasdesigned，willappearfitonlyforasign。Thisisperpetuallyforgottenbythosewhocriticiseoratory。Becausetheyarereadingatleisure，pausingateveryline，reconsideringeveryargument，theyforgetthatthehearerswerehurriedfrompointtopointtoorapidlytodetectthefallaciesthroughwhichtheywereconducted;thattheyhadnotimetodisentanglesophisms，ortonoticeslightinaccuraciesofexpression;thatelaborateexcellence，eitherofreasoningoroflanguage，wouldhavebeenabsolutelythrownaway。Torecurtotheanalogyofthesisterart，theseconnoisseursexamineapanoramathroughamicroscope，andquarrelwithascene—painterbecausehedoesnotgivetohisworktheexquisitefinishofGerardDow。
Oratoryistobeestimatedonprinciplesdifferentfromthosewhichareappliedtootherproductions。Truthistheobjectofphilosophyandhistory。Truthistheobjectevenofthoseworkswhicharepeculiarlycalledworksoffiction，butwhich，infact，bearthesamerelationtohistorywhichalgebrabearstoarithmetic。Themeritofpoetry，initswildestforms，stillconsistsinitstruth，——truthconveyedtotheunderstanding，notdirectlybythewords，butcircuitouslybymeansofimaginativeassociations，whichserveasitsconductors。Theobjectoforatoryaloneisnottruth，butpersuasion。TheadmirationofthemultitudedoesnotmakeMooreagreaterpoetthanColeridge，orBeattieagreaterphilosopherthanBerkeley。Butthecriterionofeloquenceisdifferent。Aspeakerwhoexhauststhewholephilosophyofaquestion，whodisplayseverygraceofstyle，yetproducesnoeffectonhisaudience，maybeagreatessayist，agreatstatesman，agreatmasterofcomposition;butheisnotanorator。Ifhemissthemark，itmakesnodifferencewhetherhehavetakenaimtoohighortoolow。
TheeffectofthegreatfreedomofthepressinEnglandhasbeen，inagreatmeasure，todestroythisdistinction，andtoleaveamonguslittleofwhatIcallOratoryProper。Ourlegislators，ourcandidates，ongreatoccasionsevenouradvocates，addressthemselveslesstotheaudiencethantothereporters。Theythinklessofthefewhearersthanoftheinnumerablereaders。
AtAthensthecasewasdifferent;theretheonlyobjectofthespeakerwasimmediateconvictionandpersuasion。He，therefore，whowouldjustlyappreciatethemeritoftheGrecianoratorsshouldplacehimself，asnearlyaspossible，inthesituationoftheirauditors:heshoulddivesthimselfofhismodernfeelingsandacquirements，andmaketheprejudicesandinterestsoftheAtheniancitizenhisown。Hewhostudiestheirworksinthisspiritwillfindthatmanyofthosethingswhich，toanEnglishreader，appeartobeblemishes，——thefrequentviolationofthoseexcellentrulesofevidencebywhichourcourtsoflawareregulated，——theintroductionofextraneousmatter，——thereferencetoconsiderationsofpoliticalexpediencyinjudicialinvestigations，——theassertions，withoutproof，——thepassionateentreaties，——thefuriousinvectives，——arereallyproofsoftheprudenceandaddressofthespeakers。Hemustnotdwellmaliciouslyonargumentsorphrases，butacquiesceinhisfirstimpressions。Itrequiresrepeatedperusalandreflectiontodeciderightlyonanyotherportionofliterature。Butwithrespecttoworksofwhichthemeritdependsontheirinstantaneouseffectthemosthastyjudgmentislikelytobebest。
ThehistoryofeloquenceatAthensisremarkable。Fromaveryearlyperiodgreatspeakershadflourishedthere。PisistratusandThemistoclesaresaidtohaveowedmuchoftheirinfluencetotheirtalentsfordebate。Welearn，withmorecertainty，thatPericleswasdistinguishedbyextraordinaryoratoricalpowers。
ThesubstanceofsomeofhisspeechesistransmittedtousbyThucydides;andthatexcellentwriterhasdoubtlessfaithfullyreportedthegenerallineofhisarguments。Butthemanner，whichinoratoryisofatleastasmuchconsequenceasthematter，wasofnoimportancetohisnarration。Itisevidentthathehasnotattemptedtopreserveit。Throughouthiswork，everyspeechoneverysubject，whatevermayhavebeenthecharacterofthedialectofthespeaker，isinexactlythesameform。ThegravekingofSparta，thefuriousdemagogueofAthens，thegeneralencouraginghisarmy，thecaptivesupplicatingforhislife，allarerepresentedasspeakersinoneunvariedstyle，—
—astylemoreoverwhollyunfitfororatoricalpurposes。Hismodeofreasoningissingularlyelliptical，——inrealitymostconsecutive，——yetinappearanceoftenincoherent。Hismeaning，initselfsufficientlyperplexing，iscompressedintothefewestpossiblewords。Hisgreatfondnessforantitheticalexpressionhasnotalittleconducedtothiseffect。EveryonemusthaveobservedhowmuchmorethesenseiscondensedintheversesofPopeandhisimitators，whoneverventuredtocontinuethesameclausefromcouplettocouplet，thaninthoseofpoetswhoallowthemselvesthatlicense。Everyartificialdivision，whichisstronglymarked，andwhichfrequentlyrecurs，hasthesametendency。Thenaturalandperspicuousexpressionwhichspontaneouslyrisestothemindwilloftenrefusetoaccommodateitselftosuchaform。Itisnecessaryeithertoexpanditintoweakness，ortocompressitintoalmostimpenetrabledensity。
Thelatterisgenerallythechoiceofanableman，andwasassuredlythechoiceofThucydides。
Itisscarcelynecessarytosaythatsuchspeechescouldneverhavebeendelivered。TheyareperhapsamongthemostdifficultpassagesintheGreeklanguage，andwouldprobablyhavebeenscarcelymoreintelligibletoanAthenianauditorthantoamodernreader。TheirobscuritywasacknowledgedbyCicero，whowasasintimatewiththeliteratureandlanguageofGreeceasthemostaccomplishedofitsnatives，andwhoseemstohaveheldarespectablerankamongtheGreekauthors。Theirdifficultytoamodernreaderlies，notinthewords，butinthereasoning。A
dictionaryisoffarlessuseinstudyingthemthanaclearheadandacloseattentiontothecontext。Theyarevaluabletothescholarasdisplaying，beyondalmostanyothercompositions，thepowersofthefinestoflanguages:theyarevaluabletothephilosopherasillustratingthemoralsandmannersofamostinterestingage:theyaboundinjustthoughtandenergeticexpression。ButtheydonotenableustoformanyaccurateopiniononthemeritsoftheearlyGreekorators。
Thoughitcannotbedoubtedthat，beforethePersianwars，Athenshadproducedeminentspeakers，yettheperiodduringwhicheloquencemostflourishedamonghercitizenswasbynomeansthatofhergreatestpowerandglory。ItcommencedatthecloseofthePeloponnesianwar。Infact，thestepsbywhichAthenianoratoryapproachedtoitsfinishedexcellenceseemtohavebeenalmostcontemporaneouswiththosebywhichtheAtheniancharacterandtheAthenianempiresunktodegradation。Atthetimewhenthelittlecommonwealthachievedthosevictorieswhichtwenty—
fiveeventfulcenturieshaveleftunequalled，eloquencewasinitsinfancy。ThedeliverersofGreecebecameitsplunderersandoppressors。Unmeasuredexaction，atrociousvengeance，themadnessofthemultitude，thetyrannyofthegreat，filledtheCycladeswithtears，andblood，andmourning。Theswordunpeopledwholeislandsinaday。Theploughpassedovertheruinsoffamouscities。TheimperialrepublicsentforthherchildrenbythousandstopineinthequarriesofSyracuse，ortofeedthevulturesofAegospotami。Shewasatlengthreducedbyfamineandslaughtertohumbleherselfbeforeherenemies，andtopurchaseexistencebythesacrificeofherempireandherlaws。
Duringthesedisastrousandgloomyyears，oratorywasadvancingtowardsitshighestexcellence。Anditwaswhenthemoral，thepolitical，andthemilitarycharacterofthepeoplewasmostutterlydegraded，itwaswhentheviceroyofaMacedoniansovereigngavelawtoGreece，thatthecourtsofAthenswitnessedthemostsplendidcontestofeloquencethattheworldhaseverknown。
Thecausesofthisphenomenonitisnot，Ithink，difficulttoassign。Thedivisionoflabouroperatesontheproductionsoftheoratorasitdoesonthoseofthemechanic。ItwasremarkedbytheancientsthatthePentathlete，whodividedhisattentionbetweenseveralexercises，thoughhecouldnotviewithaboxerintheuseofthecestus，orwithonewhohadconfinedhisattentiontorunninginthecontestofthestadium，yetenjoyedfargreatergeneralvigourandhealththaneither。Itisthesamewiththemind。Thesuperiorityintechnicalskillisoftenmorethancompensatedbytheinferiorityingeneralintelligence。
Andthisispeculiarlythecaseinpolitics。Stateshavealwaysbeenbestgovernedbymenwhohavetakenawideviewofpublicaffairs，andwhohaveratherageneralacquaintancewithmanysciencesthanaperfectmasteryofone。TheunionofthepoliticalandmilitarydepartmentsinGreececontributednotalittletothesplendourofitsearlyhistory。Aftertheirseparationmoreskilfulgeneralsandgreaterspeakersappeared;
butthebreedofstatesmendwindledandbecamealmostextinct。
ThemistoclesorPericleswouldhavebeennomatchforDemosthenesintheassembly，orforIphicratesinthefield。Butsurelytheywereincomparablybetterfittedthaneitherforthesupremedirectionofaffairs。
Thereisindeedaremarkablecoincidencebetweentheprogressoftheartofwar，andthatoftheartoforatory，amongtheGreeks。
Theybothadvancedtoperfectionbycontemporaneoussteps，andfromsimilarcauses。Theearlyspeakers，liketheearlywarriorsofGreece，weremerelyamilitia。Itwasfoundthatinbothemploymentspracticeanddisciplinegavesuperiority。（Ithasoftenoccurredtome，thattothecircumstancesmentionedinthetextistobereferredoneofthemostremarkableeventsinGrecianhistory;ImeanthesilentbutrapiddownfalloftheLacedaemonianpower。SoonaftertheterminationofthePeloponnesianwar，thestrengthofLacedaemonbegantodecline。
Itsmilitarydiscipline，itssocialinstitutions，werethesame。
Agesilaus，duringwhosereignthechangetookplace，wastheablestofitskings。YettheSpartanarmieswerefrequentlydefeatedinpitchedbattles，——anoccurrenceconsideredimpossibleintheearlieragesofGreece。Theyareallowedtohavefoughtmostbravely;yettheywerenolongerattendedbythesuccesstowhichtheyhadformerlybeenaccustomed。Nosolutionofthesecircumstancesisoffered，asfarasIknow，byanyancientauthor。Therealcause，Iconceive，wasthis。TheLacedaemonians，aloneamongtheGreeks，formedapermanentstandingarmy。Whilethecitizensofothercommonwealthswereengagedinagricultureandtrade，theyhadnoemploymentwhateverbutthestudyofmilitarydiscipline。Hence，duringthePersianandPeloponnesianwars，theyhadthatadvantageovertheirneighbourswhichregulartroopsalwayspossessovermilitia。
Thisadvantagetheylost，whenotherstatesbegan，atalaterperiod，toemploymercenaryforces，whowereprobablyassuperiortothemintheartofwarastheyhadhithertobeentotheirantagonists。）Eachpursuitthereforebecamefirstanart，andthenatrade。Inproportionastheprofessorsofeachbecamemoreexpertintheirparticularcraft，theybecamelessrespectableintheirgeneralcharacter。Theirskillhadbeenobtainedattoogreatexpensetobeemployedonlyfromdisinterestedviews。Thus，thesoldiersforgotthattheywerecitizens，andtheoratorsthattheywerestatesmen。IknownottowhatDemosthenesandhisfamouscontemporariescanbesojustlycomparedastothosemercenarytroopswho，intheirtime，overranGreece;orthosewho，fromsimilarcauses，weresomecenturiesagothescourgeoftheItalianrepublics，——perfectlyacquaintedwitheverypartoftheirprofession，irresistibleinthefield，powerfultodefendortodestroy，butdefendingwithoutlove，anddestroyingwithouthatred。WemaydespisethecharactersofthesepoliticalCondottieri;butisimpossibletoexaminethesystemoftheirtacticswithoutbeingamazedatitsperfection。
Ihadintendedtoproceedtothisexamination，andtoconsiderseparatelytheremainsofLysias，ofAeschines，ofDemosthenes，andofIsocrates，who，thoughstrictlyspeakinghewasratherapamphleteerthananorator，deserves，onmanyaccounts，aplaceinsuchadisquisition。Thelengthofmyprolegomenaanddigressionscompelsmetopostponethispartofthesubjecttoanotheroccasion。AMagazineiscertainlyadelightfulinventionforaveryidleoraverybusyman。Heisnotcompelledtocompletehisplanortoadheretohissubject。Hemayrambleasfarasheisinclined，andstopassoonasheistired。Noonetakesthetroubletorecollecthiscontradictoryopinionsorhisunredeemedpledges。Hemaybeassuperficial，asinconsistent，andascarelessashechooses。Magazinesresemblethoselittleangels，who，accordingtotheprettyRabbinicaltradition，aregeneratedeverymorningbythebrookwhichrollsovertheflowersofParadise，——whoselifeisasong，——whowarbletillsunset，andthensinkbackwithoutregretintonothingness。SuchspiritshavenothingtodowiththedetectingspearofIthurielorthevictoriousswordofMichael。Itisenoughforthemtopleaseandbeforgotten……
APROPHETICACCOUNTOFAGRANDNATIONALEPICPOEM，TOBEENTITLED
"THEWELLINGTONIAD，"ANDTOBEPUBLISHEDA。D。2824。
（November1824。）
HowIbecameaprophetitisnotveryimportanttothereadertoknow。NeverthelessIfeelalltheanxietywhich，undersimilarcircumstances，troubledthesensitivemindofSidrophel;and，likehim，ameagertovindicatemyselffromthesuspicionofhavingpractisedforbiddenarts，orheldintercoursewithbeingsofanotherworld。Isolemnlydeclare，therefore，thatIneversawaghost，likeLordLyttleton;consultedagipsy，likeJosephine;orheardmynamepronouncedbyanabsentperson，likeDrJohnson。Thoughitisnowalmostasusualforgentlementoappearatthemomentoftheirdeathtotheirfriendsastocallonthemduringtheirlife，noneofmyacquaintancehavebeensopoliteastopaymethatcustomaryattention。Ihavederivedmyknowledgeneitherfromthedeadnorfromtheliving;neitherfromthelinesofahand，norfromthegroundsofatea—cup;neitherfromthestarsofthefirmament，norfromthefiendsoftheabyss。Ihavenever，liketheWesleyfamily，heard"thatmightyleadingangel，"who"drewafterhimthethirdpartofheaven’ssons，"scratchinginmycupboard。Ihaveneverbeenenticedtosignanyofthosedelusivebondswhichhavebeentheruinofsomanypoorcreatures;and，havingalwaysbeenanindifferenthorseman，Ihavebeencarefulnottoventuremyselfonabroomstick。
Myinsightintofuturity，likethatofGeorgeFoxthequaker，andthatofourgreatandphilosophicpoet，LordByron，isderivedfromsimplepresentiment。Thisisafarlessartificialprocessthanthosewhichareemployedbysomeothers。Yetmypredictionswill，Ibelieve，befoundmorecorrectthantheirs，or，atallevents，asSirBenjaminBackbitesaysintheplay，"morecircumstantial。"
Iprophesythen，that，intheyear2824，accordingtoourpresentreckoning，agrandnationalEpicPoem，worthytobecomparedwiththeIliad，theAeneid，ortheJerusalem，willbepublishedinLondon。
Mennaturallytakeaninterestintheadventuresofeveryeminentwriter。Iwill，therefore，gratifythelaudablecuriosity，which，onthisoccasion，willdoubtlessbeuniversal，byprefixingtomyaccountofthepoemaconcisememoirofthepoet。
RichardQuongtiwillbebornatWestminsteronthe1stofJuly，2786。HewillbetheyoungersonoftheyoungerbranchofoneofthemostrespectablefamiliesinEngland。HewillbelinearlydescendedfromQuongti，thefamousChineseliberal，who，afterthefailureoftheheroicattemptofhispartytoobtainaconstitutionfromtheEmperorFimFam，willtakerefugeinEngland，inthetwenty—thirdcentury。Herehisdescendantswillobtainconsiderablenote;andonebranchofthefamilywillberaisedtothepeerage。
Richard，however，thoughdestinedtoexalthisfamilytodistinctionfarnoblerthananywhichwealthortitlescanbestow，willbeborntoaveryscantyfortune。HewilldisplayinhisearlyyouthsuchstrikingtalentsaswillattractthenoticeofViscountQuongti，histhirdcousin，thensecretaryofstatefortheSteamDepartment。Attheexpenseofthiseminentnobleman，hewillbesenttoprosecutehisstudiesattheuniversityofTombuctoo。TothatillustriousseatofthemusesalltheingenuousyouthofeverycountrywillthenbeattractedbythehighscientificcharacterofProfessorQuashaboo，andtheeminentliteraryattainmentsofProfessorKisseyKickey。Inspiteofthisformidablecompetition，however，Quongtiwillacquirethehighesthonoursineverydepartmentofknowledge，andwillobtaintheesteemofhisassociatesbyhisamiableandunaffectedmanners。TheguardiansoftheyoungDukeofCarrington，premierpeerofEngland，andthelastremainingscionoftheancientandillustrioushouseofSmith，willbedesiroustosecuresoableaninstructorfortheirward。WiththeDuke，Quongtiwillperformthegrandtour，andvisitthepolishedcourtsofSydneyandCapetown。Afterprevailingonhispupil，withgreatdifficulty，tosubdueaviolentandimprudentpassionwhichhehadconceivedforaHottentotlady，ofgreatbeautyandaccomplishmentsindeed，butofdubiouscharacter，hewilltravelwithhimtotheUnitedStatesofAmerica。ButthattremendouswarwhichwillbefataltoAmericanlibertywill，atthattime，beragingthroughthewholefederation。AtNewYorkthetravellerswillhearofthefinaldefeatanddeathoftheillustriouschampionoffreedom，JonathonHigginbottom，andoftheelevationofEbenezerHogsfleshtotheperpetualPresidency。
Theywillnotchoosetoproceedinajourneywhichwouldexposethemtotheinsultsofthatbrutalsoldiery，whosecrueltyandrapacitywillhavedevastatedMexicoandColombia，andnow，atlength，enslavedtheirowncountry。
OntheirreturntoEngland，A。D。2810，thedeathoftheDukewillcompelhispreceptortoseekforasubsistencebyliterarylabours。Hisfamewillberaisedbymanysmallproductionsofconsiderablemerit;andhewillatlastobtainapermanentplaceinthehighestclassofwritersbyhisgreatepicpoem。
Thecelebratedworkwillbecome，withunexampledrapidity，apopularfavourite。Thesalewillbesobeneficialtotheauthorthat，insteadofgoingaboutthedirtystreetsonhisvelocipede，hewillbeenabledtosetuphisballoon。
ThecharacterofthisnoblepoemwillbesofinelyandjustlygivenintheTombuctooReviewforApril2825，thatIcannotrefrainfromtranslatingthepassage。Theauthorwillbeourpoet’soldpreceptor，ProfessorKisseyKickey。
"Inpathos，insplendouroflanguage，insweetnessofversification，MrQuongtihaslongbeenconsideredasunrivalled。
InhisexquisitepoemontheOrnithorhynchusParadoxusallthesequalitiesaredisplayedintheirgreatestperfection。Howexquisitelydoesthatworkarrestandembodytheundefinedandvagueshadowswhichflitoveranimaginativemind。Thecoldworldlingmaynotcomprehendit;butitwillfindaresponseinthebosomofeveryyouthfulpoet，ofeveryenthusiasticlover，whohasseenanOrnithorhynchusParadoxusbymoonlight。Butwewereyettolearnthathepossessedthecomprehension，thejudgment，andthefertilityofmindindispensabletotheepicpoet。
"Itisdifficulttoconceiveaplotmoreperfectthanthatofthe’Wellingtoniad。’Itismostfaithfultothemannersoftheagetowhichitrelates。Itpreservesexactlyallthehistoricalcircumstances，andinterweavesthemmostartfullywithallthespeciosamiraculaofsupernaturalagency。"
ThusfarthelearnedProfessorofHumanityintheuniversityofTombuctoo。Ifearthatthecriticsofourtimewillformanopiniondiametricallyoppositeastotheseeverypoints。Somewill，Ifear，bedisgustedbythemachinery，whichisderivedfromthemythologyofancientGreece。Icanonlysaythat，inthetwenty—ninthcentury，thatmachinerywillbeuniversallyinuseamongpoets;andthatQuongtiwilluseit，partlyinconformitywiththegeneralpractice，andpartlyfromaveneration，perhapsexcessive，forthegreatremainsofclassicalantiquity，whichwillthen，asnow，beassiduouslyreadbyeverymanofeducation;thoughTomMoore’ssongswillbeforgotten，andonlythreecopiesofLordByron’sworkswillexist:oneinthepossessionofKingGeorgetheNineteenth，oneintheDukeofCarrington’scollection，andoneinthelibraryoftheBritishMuseum。Finally，shouldanygoodpeoplebeconcernedtohearthatPaganfictionswillsolongretaintheirinfluenceoverliterature，letthemreflectthat，astheBishopofStDavid’ssays，inhis"ProofsoftheInspirationoftheSibyllineVerses，"
readatthelastmeetingoftheRoyalSocietyofLiterature，"atallevents，aPaganisnotaPapist。"
SomereadersofthepresentdaymaythinkthatQuongtiisbynomeansentitledtothecomplimentswhichhisNegrocriticpayshimonhisadherencetothehistoricalcircumstancesofthetimeinwhichhehaschosenhissubject;that，whereheintroducesanytraitofourmanners，itisinthewrongplace，andthatheconfoundsthecustomsofouragewiththoseofmuchmoreremoteperiods。IcanonlysaythatthechargeisinfinitelymoreapplicabletoHomer，Virgil，andTasso。If，therefore，thereadershoulddetect，inthefollowingabstractoftheplot，anylittledeviationfromstricthistoricalaccuracy，lethimreflect，foramoment，whetherAgamemnonwouldnothavefoundasmuchtocensureintheIliad，——DidointheAeneid，——orGodfreyintheJerusalem。Lethimnotsufferhisopinionstodependoncircumstanceswhichcannotpossiblyaffectthetruthorfalsehoodoftherepresentation。Ifitbeimpossibleforasinglemantokillhundredsinbattle，theimpossibilityisnotdiminishedbydistanceoftime。IfitbeascertainthatRinaldoneverdisenchantedaforestinPalestineasitisthattheDukeofWellingtonneverdisenchantedtheforestofSoignies，canwe，asrationalmen，toleratetheonestoryandridiculetheother？Ofthis，atleast，Iamcertain，thatwhateverexcusewehaveforadmiringtheplotsofthosefamouspoemsourchildrenwillhaveforextollingthatofthe"Wellingtoniad。"
Ishallproceedtogiveasketchofthenarrative。Thesubjectis"TheReignoftheHundredDays。"
BOOKI。
Thepoemcommences，inform，withasolemnpropositionofthesubject。Thenthemuseisinvokedtogivethepoetaccurateinformationastothecausesofsoterribleacommotion。Theanswertothisquestion，being，itistobesupposed，thejointproductionofthepoetandthemuse，ascribestheeventtocircumstanceswhichhavehithertoeludedalltheresearchofpoliticalwriters，namely，theinfluenceofthegodMars，who，wearetold，hadsomefortyyearsbeforeusurpedtheconjugalrightsofoldCarloBuonaparte，andgivenbirthtoNapoleon。Byhisincitementitwasthattheemperorwithhisdevotedcompanionswasnowonthesea，returningtohisancientdominions。Thegodswereatpresent，fortunatelyfortheadventurer，feastingwiththeEthiopians，whoseentertainments，accordingtotheancientcustomdescribedbyHomer，theyannuallyattended，withthesamesortofcondescendinggluttonywhichnowcarriesthecabinettoGuildhallonthe9thofNovember。Neptunewas，inconsequence，absent，andunabletopreventtheenemyofhisfavouriteislandfromcrossinghiselement。Boreas，however，whohadhisabodeonthebanksoftheRussianocean，andwho，likeThetisintheIliad，wasnotofsufficientqualitytohaveaninvitationtoEthiopia，resolvestodestroythearmamentwhichbringswaranddangertohisbelovedAlexander。Heaccordinglyraisesastormwhichismostpowerfullydescribed。Napoleonbewailstheingloriousfateforwhichheseemstobereserved。"Oh！thricehappy，"sayshe，"thosewhowerefrozentodeathatKrasnoi，orslaughteredatLeipsic。Oh，Kutusoff，bravestoftheRussians，whereforewasInotpermittedtofallbythyvictorioussword？"
HethenoffersaprayertoAeolus，andvowstohimasacrificeofablackram。Inconsequence，thegodrecallshisturbulentsubject;theseaiscalmed;andtheshipanchorsintheportofFrejus。NapoleonandBertrand，whoisalwayscalledthefaithfulBertrand，landtoexplorethecountry;Marsmeetsthemdisguisedasalanceroftheguard，wearingthecrossofthelegionofhonour。Headvisesthemtoapplyfornecessariesofallkindstothegovernor，showsthemtheway，anddisappearswithastrongsmellofgunpowder。Napoleonmakesapatheticspeech，andentersthegovernor’shouse。HereheseeshangingupafineprintofthebattleofAusterlitz，himselfintheforegroundgivinghisorders。Thisputshiminhighspirits;headvancesandsalutesthegovernor，whoreceiveshimmostloyally，giveshimanentertainment，and，accordingtotheusageofallepichosts，insistsafterdinneronafullnarrationofallthathashappenedtohimsincethebattleofLeipsic。
BOOKII。
NapoleoncarrieshisnarrativefromthebattleofLeipsictohisabdication。But，asweshallhaveagreatquantityoffightingonourhands，Ithinkitbesttoomitthedetails。
BOOKIII。
NapoleondescribeshissojournatElba，andhisreturn;howhewasdrivenbystressofweathertoSardinia，andfoughtwiththeharpiesthere;howhewasthencarriedsouthwardtoSicily，wherehegenerouslytookonboardanEnglishsailor，whomaman—of—warhadunhappilyleftthere，andwhowasinimminentdangerofbeingdevouredbytheCyclops;howhelandedinthebayofNaples，sawtheSibyl，anddescendedtoTartarus;howheheldalongandpatheticconversationwithPoniatowski，whomhefoundwanderingunburiedonthebanksofStyx;howhesworetogivehimasplendidfuneral;howhehadalsoanaffectionateinterviewwithDesaix;howMoreauandSirRalphAbercrombiefledatthesightofhim。Herelatesthathethenre—embarked，andmetwithnothingofimportancetillthecommencementofthestormwithwhichthepoemopens。
BOOKIV。
ThescenechangestoParis。Fame，inthegarbofanexpress，bringsintelligenceofthelandingofNapoleon。Thekingperformsasacrifice:buttheentrailsareunfavourable;andthevictimiswithoutaheart。Hepreparestoencountertheinvader。
Ayoungcaptainoftheguard，——thesonofMariaAntoinettebyApollo，——intheshapeofafiddler，rushesintotellhimthatNapoleonisapproachingwithavastarmy。Theroyalforcesaredrawnoutforbattle。Fullcataloguesaregivenoftheregimentsonbothsides;theircolonels，lieutenant—colonels，anduniform。
BOOKV。
ThekingcomesforwardanddefiesNapoleontosinglecombat。
Napoleonacceptsit。Sacrificesareoffered。ThegroundismeasuredbyNeyandMacdonald。Thecombatantsadvance。Louissnapshispistolinvain。ThebulletofNapoleon，onthecontrary，carriesoffthetipoftheking’sear。Napoleonthenrushesonhimswordinhand。ButLouissnatchesupastone，suchastenmenofthosedegeneratedayswillbeunabletomove，andhurlsitathisantagonist。Marsavertsit。NapoleonthenseizesLouis，andisabouttostrikeafatalblow，whenBacchusintervenes，likeVenusinthethirdbookoftheIliad，bearsoffthekinginathickcloud，andseatshiminanhotelatLille，withabottleofMaraschinoandabasinofsoupbeforehim。BotharmiesinstantlyproclaimNapoleonemperor。
BOOKVI。
Neptune，returnedfromhisEthiopianrevels，seeswithragetheeventswhichhavetakenplaceinEurope。HefliestothecaveofAlecto，anddragsoutthefiend，commandinghertoexciteuniversalhostilityagainstNapoleon。TheFuryrepairstoLordCastlereagh;and，as，whenshevisitedTurnus，sheassumedtheformofanoldwoman，shehereappearsinthekindredshapeofMrVansittart，andinanimpassionedaddressexhortshislordshiptowar。Hislordship，likeTurnus，treatsthisunwontedmonitorwithgreatdisrespect，tellshimthatheisanolddotingfool，andadviseshimtolookafterthewaysandmeans，andleavequestionsofpeaceandwartohisbetters。TheFurythendisplaysallherterrors。Theneatpowderedhairbristlesupintosnakes;theblackstockingsappearclottedwithblood;and，brandishingatorch，sheannounceshernameandmission。LordCastlereagh，seizedwithfury，fliesinstantlytotheParliament，andrecommendswarwithatorrentofeloquentinvective。Allthemembersinstantlyclamourforvengeance，seizetheirarmswhicharehangingroundthewallsofthehouse，andrushforthtoprepareforinstanthostilities。
BOOKVII。
InthisbookintelligencearrivesatLondonoftheflightoftheDuchessd’AngoulemefromFrance。Itisstatedthatthisheroine，armedfromheadtofoot，defendedBordeauxagainsttheadherentsofNapoleon，andthatshefoughthandtohandwithClausel，andbeathimdownwithanenormousstone。Desertedbyherfollowers，sheatlast，likeTurnus，plunged，armedasshewas，intotheGaronne，andswamtoanEnglishshipwhichlayoffthecoast。
ThisintelligenceyetmoreinflamestheEnglishtowar。
Ayetbolderflightthananywhichhasbeenmentionedfollows。
TheDukeofWellingtongoestotakeleaveoftheduchess;andascenepassesquiteequaltothefamousinterviewofHectorandAndromache。LordDouroisfrightenedathisfather’sfeather，butbegsforhisepaulette。
BOOKVIII。
Neptune，tremblingfortheeventofthewar，imploresVenus，who，astheoffspringofhiselement，naturallyvenerateshim，toprocurefromVulcanadeadlyswordandapairofunerringpistolsfortheDuke。Theyareaccordinglymade，andsuperblydecorated。
Thesheathofthesword，liketheshieldofAchilles，iscarved，inexquisitelyfineminiature，withscenesfromthecommonlifeoftheperiod;adanceatAlmack’saboxingmatchattheFives—
court，alordmayor’sprocession，andamanhanging。Allthesearefullyandelegantlydescribed。TheDukethusarmedhastenstoBrussels。
BOOKIX。
TheDukeisreceivedatBrusselsbytheKingoftheNetherlandswithgreatmagnificence。Heisinformedoftheapproachofthearmiesofalltheconfederatekings。Thepoet，however，withalaudablezealforthegloryofhiscountry，completelypassesovertheexploitsoftheAustriansinItaly，andthediscussionsofthecongress。EnglandandFrance，WellingtonandNapoleon，almostexclusivelyoccupyhisattention。SeveraldaysarespentatBrusselsinrevelry。TheEnglishheroesastonishtheiralliesbyexhibitingsplendidgames，similartothosewhichdrawthefloweroftheBritisharistocracytoNewmarketandMoulseyHurst，andwhichwillbeconsideredbyourdescendantswithasmuchvenerationastheOlympianandIsthmiancontestsbyclassicalstudentsofthepresenttime。Inthecombatofthecestus，Shaw，thelifeguardsman，vanquishesthePrinceofOrange，andobtainsabullasaprize。Inthehorse—race，theDukeofWellingtonandLordUxbridgerideagainsteachother;theDukeisvictorious，andisrewardedwithtwelveopera—girls。Onthelastdayofthefestivities，asplendiddancetakesplace，atwhichalltheheroesattend。
BOOKX。
Mars，seeingtheEnglisharmythusinactive，hastenstorouseNapoleon，who，conductedbyNightandSilence，unexpectedlyattacksthePrussians。Theslaughterisimmense。Napoleonkillsmanywhosehistoriesandfamiliesarehappilyparticularised。HeslaysHerman，thecraniologist，whodweltbythelinden—shadowedElbe，andmeasuredwithhiseyetheskullsofallwhowalkedthroughthestreetsofBerlin。Alas！hisownskullisnowcleftbytheCorsicansword。FourpupilsoftheUniversityofJenaadvancetogethertoencountertheEmperor;atfourblowshedestroysthemall。Blucherrushestoarrestthedevastation;
Napoleonstrikeshimtotheground，andisonthepointofkillinghim，butGneisenau，Ziethen，Bulow，andalltheotherheroesofthePrussianarmy，gatherroundhim，andbearthevenerablechieftoadistancefromthefield。Theslaughteriscontinuedtillnight。InthemeantimeNeptunehasdespatchedFametobeartheintelligencetotheDuke，whoisdancingatBrussels。Thewholearmyisputinmotion。TheDukeofBrunswick’shorsespeakstoadmonishhimofhisdanger，butinvain。
BOOKVI。
Picton，theDukeofBrunswick，andthePrinceofOrange，engageNeyatQuatreBras。NeykillstheDukeofBrunswick，andstripshim，sendinghisbelttoNapoleon。TheEnglishfallbackonWaterloo。Jupitercallsacouncilofthegods，andcommandsthatnoneshallinterfereoneitherside。MarsandNeptunemakeveryeloquentspeeches。ThebattleofWaterloocommences。NapoleonkillsPictonandDelancy。NeyengagesPonsonbyandkillshim。
ThePrinceofOrangeiswoundedbySoult。LordUxbridgefliestocheckthecarnage。HeisseverelywoundedbyNapoleon，andonlysavedbytheassistanceofLordHill。InthemeantimetheDukemakesatremendouscarnageamongtheFrench。HeencountersGeneralDuhesmeandvanquisheshim，butspareshislife。HekillsToubert，whokeptthegaming—houseinthePalaisRoyal，andMaronet，wholovedtospendwholenightsindrinkingchampagne。
Clerval，whohadbeenhootedfromthestage，andhadthenbecomeacaptainintheImperialGuard，wishedthathehadstillcontinuedtofacethemoreharmlessenmityoftheParisianpit。
ButLarrey，thesonofEsculapius，whomhisfatherhadinstructedinallthesecretsofhisart，andwhowassurgeon—generaloftheFrencharmy，embracedthekneesofthedestroyer，andconjuredhimnottogivedeathtoonewhoseofficeitwastogivelife。
TheDukeraisedhim，andbadehimlive。
Butwemusthastentotheclose。NapoleonrushestoencounterWellington。Botharmiesstandinmuteamaze。Theheroesfiretheirpistols;thatofNapoleonmisses，butthatofWellington，formedbythehandofVulcan，andprimedbytheCyclops，woundstheEmperorinthethigh。Heflies，andtakesrefugeamonghistroops。Theflightbecomespromiscuous。ThearrivalofthePrussians，fromamotiveofpatriotism，thepoetcompletelypassesover。
BOOKXII。
Thingsarenowhasteningtothecatastrophe。NapoleonfliestoLondon，and，seatinghimselfonthehearthoftheRegent，embracesthehouseholdgodsandconjureshim，bythevenerableageofGeorgeIII。，andbytheopeningperfectionsofthePrincessCharlotte，tosparehim。ThePrinceisinclinedtodoso;when，lookingonhisbreast，heseestherethebeltoftheDukeofBrunswick。Heinstantlydrawshissword，andisabouttostabthedestroyerofhiskinsman。Pietyandhospitality，however，restrainhishand。Hetakesamiddlecourse，andcondemnsNapoleontobeexposedonadesertisland。TheKingofFrancere—entersParis;andthepoemconcludes……
ONMITFORD’SHISTORYOFGREECE。
（November1824。）
Thisisabookwhichenjoysagreatandincreasingpopularity:
but，whileithasattractedaconsiderableshareofthepublicattention，ithasbeenlittlenoticedbythecritics。MrMitfordhasalmostsucceededinmounting，unperceivedbythosewhoseofficeitistowatchsuchaspirants，toahighplaceamonghistorians。Hehastakenaseatonthedaiswithoutbeingchallengedbyasingleseneschal。Toopposetheprogressofhisfameisnowalmostahopelessenterprise。Hadhebeenreviewedwithcandidseverity，whenhehadpublishedonlyhisfirstvolume，hisworkwouldeitherhavedeserveditsreputation，orwouldneverhaveobtainedit。"Then，"asIndrasaysofKehama，"thenwasthetimetostrike。"Thetimewasneglected;andtheconsequenceisthatMrMitfordlikeKehama，haslaidhisvictorioushandontheliteraryAmreeta，andseemsabouttotastethepreciouselixirofimmortality。IshallventuretoemulatethecourageofthehonestGlendoveer——
"WhennowHesawtheAmreetainKehama’shand，Animpulsethatdefiedallself—command，Inthatextremity，Stunghim，andheresolvedtoseizethecup，AnddaretheRajah’sforceinSeeva’ssight，Forwardhesprungtotempttheunequalfray。"
Inplainwords，Ishallofferafewconsiderations，whichmaytendtoreduceanoverpraisedwritertohisproperlevel。
Theprincipalcharacteristicofthishistorian，theoriginofhisexcellenciesandhisdefects，isaloveofsingularity。Hehasnonotionofgoingwithamultitudetodoeithergoodorevil。
Anexplodedopinion，oranunpopularperson，hasanirresistiblecharmforhim。Thesameperversenessmaybetracedinhisdiction。Hisstylewouldneverhavebeenelegant;butitmightatleasthavebeenmanlyandperspicuous;andnothingbutthemostelaboratecarecouldpossiblyhavemadeitsobadasitis。
Itisdistinguishedbyharshphrases，strangecollocations，occasionalsolecisms，frequentobscurity，and，aboveall，byapeculiaroddity，whichcannomorebedescribedthanitcanbeoverlooked。Noristhisall。MrMitfordpiqueshimselfonspellingbetterthananyofhisneighbours;andthisnotonlyinancientnames，whichhemanglesindefiancebothofcustomandofreason，butinthemostordinarywordsoftheEnglishlanguage。
Itis，initself，amatterperfectlyindifferentwhetherwecallaforeignerbythenamewhichhebearsinhisownlanguage，orbythatwhichcorrespondstoitinours;whetherwesayLorenzodeMedici，orLawrencedeMedici，JeanChauvin，orJohnCalvin。InsuchcasesestablishedusageisconsideredaslawbyallwritersexceptMrMitford。Ifhewerealwaysconsistentwithhimself，hemightbeexcusedforsometimesdisagreeingwithhisneighbours;
butheproceedsonnoprinciplebutthatofbeingunliketherestoftheworld。EverychildhasheardofLinnaeus;thereforeMrMitfordcallshimLinne:RousseauisknownalloverEuropeasJeanJacques;thereforeMrMitfordbestowsonhimthestrangeappellationofJohnJames。
HadMrMitfordundertakenaHistoryofanyothercountrythanGreece，thispropensitywouldhaverenderedhisworkuselessandabsurd。HisoccasionalremarksontheaffairsofancientRomeandofmodernEuropearefulloferrors:buthewritesoftimeswithrespecttowhichalmosteveryotherwriterhasbeeninthewrong;and，therefore，byresolutelydeviatingfromhispredecessors，heisoftenintheright。
AlmostallthemodernhistoriansofGreecehaveshownthegrossestignoranceofthemostobviousphenomenaofhumannature。