Page:Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer's Life and Writings.pdf/22

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and Shape. It is probable likewise, that this Re- S e gion comes nearest to the Perfection ofNature, I and the true. Temperature of the Seasons : v~""> But in Characters of Men, neither Courage, nor

,« Patience in Hardships and Toils, nor high Spi' rit can naturally be expected from such a Si'*' tuation ; either produced in it originally, or trans' planted from abroad ; but 'Pleasure and Soft' ness must always prevail.' Q^Climate and Situation. The great Philosopher (Plato) says to his ibu. Countrymen, ' The Goddess Minerva at first. ' settled you [Athenians,) having pitched upon ' the Place where you now dwell, because slie TiMÆUS. " The Situation of Countries every where P .. " forms the Genius of Men;" says Quintus ~ Curtius, Alexander's Historian. Book 8. After these Authorities the Author has traced the History of the Grecian Learning to its Source ; and by that Search it appears, that when the Coast of Asia did not labour under insuperable Disadvantages, the Natives of it had always, as it were, the Management of Learning in their Hands, and did really execute the seve ral Parts of it, through all the various Turns it took, from Theology and Poetry, (its early Form) i to Rh
 * perceived the happy Mixture of the Seasons in
 * it, and knew that it wou'd produce Men of
 * the greatest Thought and Capacity.'