Page:Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer's Life and Writings.pdf/99

Rh 86

Proofs*?/' the Enquiry into

Sect.' XI.







It is an old Observation, that Men talk of a future State for the most part with some Ana logy or Resemblance to the present Constitution of things : and is founded, I suppose, upon the Piclures left us of Heaven and Hell by the greater part of the ancient Writers which have been looked upon as sufficient Proofs of its Truth. Thus the Heaven of the Greeks is a Place, where none of the Inconveniencies which attend the Climate and Soil of the lower World, are to be found ; its Inhabitants enjoying a sort of -negative Felicity ; not being obnoxious to the Troubles of Rain and Wind, of Snow and Hail, things pretty hard to bear on the Mountains of Thrace, where Orpheus, the Author of that De scription, used to wander ; and who therefore assured his rude Votaries that >Th' immortal Gods pojfess A blissful Seat, exempt from all Excess ; Where from above no chilling Cold is sent; Nor scorching Ardour fires the Element ; Where Phœbus' Axle rolls the middle Road, And temp'rate Mildness dwells beneath the God. Nor is the neighbouring Climate in the North of Greece much less inclement ; so that Homer might well copy his Heaven to be likewise, —The Rh