Page:Life and Writings of Homer.pdf/27

15 first Periods, Homer drew his Imagery and Manners, learned his Language, and took his Subject which makes it necessary for us to review them.

is properly called Greece, is but a rough Country: It boasts indeed, as well it may in such an Extent, many a fine Vale, and delicious Field; but taking it together, the Soil is not rich or inviting. It was anciently but thinly inhabited, and these Inhabitants were exposed to the greatest Hardships: They had no constant nor fixed Possessions; but there were frequent Removes, one Nation or Tribe expelling another, and possessing themselves of their Seats: This was then look'd upon to be a Calamity, but not near so grievous as we imagine it now, or indeed as they themselves thought it afterwards: For there being no Traffick among them, or secure Intercourse, they had but the bare Necessaries of Life: They planted no Lands, acquired no Superfluities, and built only Shelters from the Weather: Experience made them sensible of the Uncertainty

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