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the friends of Xenophon than Xenophon himself。 Deceived by the distance
of time； they seem to consider all the Classics as contemporaries； just as I
have known people in England； deceived by the distance of place； take it
for granted that all persons who live in India are neighbours； and ask an
inhabitant of Bombay about the health of an acquaintance at Calcutta。 It
is to be hoped that no barbarian deluge will ever again pass over Europe。
But should such a calamity happen； it seems not improbable that some
future Rollin or Gillies will compile a history of England from Miss
Porter's Scottish Chiefs； Miss Lee's Recess； and Sir Nathaniel Wraxall's
Memoirs。
It is surely time that ancient literature should be examined in a
different manner； without pedantical prepossessions； but with a just
allowance； at the same time； for the difference of circumstances and
manners。 I am far from pretending to the knowledge or ability which
such a task would require。 All that I mean to offer is a collection of
desultory remarks upon a most interesting portion of Greek literature。
It may be doubted whether any compositions which have ever been
produced in the world are equally perfect in their kind with the great
Athenian orations。 Genius is subject to the same laws which regulate the
production of cotton and molasses。 The supply adjusts itself to the
demand。 The quantity may be diminished by restrictions； and multiplied
by bounties。 The singular excellence to which eloquence attained at
Athens is to be mainly attributed to the influence which it exerted there。
In turbulent times； under a constitution purely democratic； among a people
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educated exactly to that point at which men are most susceptible of strong
and sudden impressions； acute； but not sound reasoners； warm in their
feelings； unfixed in their principles； and passionate admirers of fine
composition； oratory received such encouragement as it has never since
obtained。
The taste and knowledge of the Athenian people was a favourite object
of the contemptuous derision of Samuel Johnson； a man who knew
nothing of Greek literature beyond the common school…books； and who
seems to have brought to what he had read scarcely more than the
discernment of a common school…boy。 He used to assert； with that
arrogant absurdity which； in spite of his great abilities and virtues； renders
him； perhaps the most ridiculous character in literary history； that
Demosthenes spoke to a people of brutes；to a barbarous people；that
there could have been no civilisation before the invention of printing。
Johnson was a keen but a very narrow…minded observer of mankind。 He
perpetually confounded their general nature with their particular
circumstances。 He knew London intimately。 The sagacity of his
remarks on its society is perfectly astonishing。 But Fleet Street was the
world to him。 He saw that Londoners who did not read were profoundly
ignorant； and he inferred that a Greek； who had few or no books； must
have been as uninformed as one of Mr Thrale's draymen。
There seems to be； on the contrary； every reason to believe； that； in
general intelligence； the Athenian populace far surpassed the lower orders
of any community that has ever existed。 It must be considered； that to be
a citizen was to be a legislator；a soldier；a judge；one upon whose voice
might depend the fate of the wealthiest tributary state； of the most eminent
public man。 The lowest offices； both of agriculture and of trade； were； in
common； performed by slaves。 The commonwealth supplied its meanest
members with the support of life； the opportunity of leisure； and the means
of amusement。 Books were indeed few： but they were excellent； and
they were accurately known。 It is not by turning over libraries； but by
repeatedly perusing and intently contemplating a few great models； that
the mind is best disciplined。 A man of letters must now read much that
he soon forgets； and much from which he learns nothing worthy to be
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remembered。 The best works employ； in general； but a small portion of
his time。 Demosthenes is said to have transcribed six times the history of
Thucydides。 If he had been a young politician of the present age； he
might in the same space of time have skimmed innumerable newspapers
and pamphlets。 I do not condemn that desultory mode of study which the
state of things； in our day； renders a matter of necessity。 But I may be
allowed to doubt whether the changes on which the admirers of modern
institutions delight to dwell have improved our condition so much in
reality as in appearance。 Rumford； it is said； proposed to the Elector of
Bavaria a scheme for feeding his soldiers at a much cheaper rate than
formerly。 His plan was simply to compel them to masticate their food
thoroughly。 A small quantity； thus eaten； would； according to that
famous projector； afford more sustenance than a large meal hastily
devoured。 I do not know how Rumford's proposition was received； but
to the mind； I believe； it will be found more nutritious to digest a page
than to devour a volume。
Books； however； were the least part of the education of an Athenian
citizen。 Let us； for a moment； transport ourselves in thought； to that
glorious city。 Let us imagine that we are entering its gates； in the time of
its power and glory。 A crowd is assembled round a portico。 All are
gazing with delight at the entablature； for Phidias is putting up the frieze。
We turn into another street； a rhapsodist is r