Page:Life and Writings of Homer.pdf/64

52 one great Reason of the constant Allegory in the ancient Writings.

frequent Examples, how much the firm Belief of any Sect makes Men speak and write in the approved Idiom: They introduce it into their Business, allude to it in their Pleasures, and abstain from it in no Part of Life; especially while the Doctrine flourishes, and appears in Bloom: For your Lordship knows, that these things, among the Ancients, had their Spring and Summer as well as natural Growths; and after a certain time, like a superannuated Plant, they turned scrubby and lifeless, were disregarded by degrees, and at last vanished.

Advantages Poetry might reap from a Religion so framed, will appear afterwards: Let us now consider the Manners of the Times; by which I mean the Professions and Studies that are in vogue, and bring most Honour to those that possess them in an eminent degree.

likewise follow the Fortunes of a Nation: In the Progression abovementioned, the Arts of the greatest Use in Life, I mean those that supply our natural Wants, and secure our Persons and Properties, are the first that ennoble their Inventors; and in the process of time, when Wealth has made its Entrance, the Refiners of Pleasure, and Contrivers of Magnificence draw our attention.