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COMPARATIVE MERIT OF THE ANTIENTS

AND MODERNS.

A VERY curious queftion has been agitated with

regard to the comparative merit of the antients and moderns. In France this difpute was carried on with great heat between Boileau and Madame Dacier for the antients, and Perrault and La Motte for the modEven at this day men of letters are divided on the fubject. A few reflections upon it may be useful.

-erns.

To decry the antient claffics is a vain attempt. Their reputation is established upon too folid a founda tion to be fhaken. Imperfections may be traced in their writings; but to difcredit their works in general can belong only to peevishness or prejudice. The approbation of the public through so many centuries eftablishes a verdict in their favor, from which there is no appeal.

In matters of mere reafoning the world may be long in error; and systems of philofophy often have a currency for a time, and then die. But in objects of taste there is no fuch fallibility; as they depend not on knowledge and fcience, but upon fentiment and feeling. Now the univerfal feeling of mankind must be right; Homer and Virgil therefore muft continue to stand upon the fame ground, which they have fo long occupied.

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Let us guard however against blind veneration for the antients; and inftitute a fair comparison between them and the moderns. If the antients had the preeminence in genius; yet the moderns must have some advantage in all arts, which are improved by the natu ral progress of knowledge.

Hence in natural philofophy, aftronomy, chemistry, and other fciences, which reft upon obfervation of facts, the moderns have a decided fuperiority over the antients. Perhaps too in precife reasoning philofophers of modern ages are fuperior to those of antient times; as a more extenfive literary intercourfe has contributed to fharpen the faculties of men. The moderns have alfo the fuperiority in history and in political knowledge; owing to the extenfion of commerce, the difcovery of different countries, the fuperior facility of intercourse, and the multiplicity of events and revolutions, which have taken place in the world. In poetry likewise some advantages have been gained in point of regularity and accuracy. In dramatic performances improvements have certainly been made upon the antient models, The variety of characters is greater; greater fkill has been displayed in the conduct of the plot; and a happier attention to probability and decorum. Among the antients we find higher conceptions, greater fimplicity, and more original fancy. Among the moderns there is more of art and correctnefs, but lefs genius. But, though this remark may in general be juft, there

are fome exceptions from it; Milton and Shakespeare are inferior to no poets in any age.

Among the antients were many circumstances, favorable to the exertions of genius. They travelled much in fearch of learning, and converfed with priefts, poets, and philofophers They returned home, full of discoveries, and fired by uncommon objects. Their enthufiafm was greater; and, few being ftimulated to excel, as authors, their fame was more intense and flattering. In modern times good writing is lefs prized. We write with lefs effort. Printing has fo multiplied books, that affiftance is eafily procured. Hence mediocrity of genius prevails. To rife beyond this, and to foar above the crowd, is given to few.

In epic poetry Homer and Virgil are ftill unrivalled; and orators, equal to Demofthenes and Cicero, we have none. In history we have no modern narration, so elegant, fo picturefque, fo animated, and interesting, as thofe of Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Livy, Tacitus, and Salluft.. Our dramas with all their improvements are inferior in poetry and fentiment to those of Sophocles and Euripides. We have no comic dia-logue, that equals the correct, graceful, and elegant fim-plicity of Terence.. The elegies of Tibullus, the pastorals of Theocritus, and the lyric poetry of Horace, are ftill unrivalled. By thofe therefore, who wish to form their tafte, and nourish their genius, the utmost attention must be paid to the antient claffics, both Greekand Roman..

After thefe reflections on the antients and moderns we proceed to a critical examination of the most distinguished kinds of compofition, and of the characters of those writers, whether antient or modern, who have excelled in them. Of orations and public discourses. much has already been faid. The remaining profe. compositions may be divided into historical writing, philosophical writing, epiftolary writing, and fictitious. history.

HISTORICAL WRITING.

HISTORY

ISTORY is a record of truth for the inftruction of mankind. Hence the great requifites in a his torian are impartiality, fidelity, and accuracy.

In the conduct of historical detail the first object of a hiftorian fhould be, to give his work all poffible unity. Hiftory fhould not confift of unconnected parts. Its portions fhould be united by fome connecting principle, which will produce in the mind an impreffion of fomething, that is one, whole, and entire. Polybius, though not an elegant writer, is remarkable for this quality.

A hiftorian fhould trace actions and events to their fources. He fhould therefore be well acquainted with human nature and politics. His skill in the former

will enable him to defcribe the characters of individuals; and his knowledge of the latter to account for the revolutions of government, and the operation of political causes on public affairs. With regard to political knowledge the antients wanted fome advantages, which are enjoyed by the moderns. In antient times there. was lefs communication among neighboring states; no intercourse by established pofts, nor by ambassadors at distant courts. Larger experience too of the differ-ent modes of government has improved the modern. hiftorian beyond the hiftorian of antiquity.

It is however in the form of narrative, and not by differtation, that the hiftorian is to impart his political knowledge. Formal difcuffions expofe him to fufpicion of being willing to accommodate his facts to his theory. They have alfo an air of pedantry, and evidently refult from want of art. For reflections, wheth er moral, political, or philofophical, may be infinuated in the body of a narrative.

Clearness, order, and connexion are primary virtues in historical narration. Thefe are attained, when the. hiftorian is complete mafter of his fubject; can fee the whole at one view; and comprehend the dependence of all its parts. History being a dignified fpecies of compofition, it should alfo be confpicuous for gravity.. There should be nothing mean, nor vulgar in the ftyle; no quaintnefs, no smartness, no affectation, no wit. A

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