Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/173

Rh mind war was not a science. His contrivances for deceiving the enemy by mixing up grooms with poles in their hands among the troopers, so as to make the numbers appear larger, and other tricks of the kind, have a puerile appearance. We cannot help thinking how futile would be such stratagems against the powerful field-glasses of modern times. But this treatise, and much of Xenophon's writing, shows in a strong light the comparative pettiness of ancient warfare, and, we may add, the material insignificance of the Athenian republic. All the more honour to her that in intellectual things she was so great! Xenophon does not fail to lecture his commandant of cavalry on the moral qualities necessary for his position, and, above all, on the temperance, endurance of fatigue, and manly energy which he will be required to exhibit; and he repeats over and over again that the enterprises of war can only be successful with the help of the gods, and must never be undertaken without sacrifices and propitious omens.

Nothing was more personally characteristic of Xenophon than his fondness for hunting, and we have seen above (p. 129) that he considered this exercise the best school of warlike prowess and manly virtue. His 'Cynegeticus,' or 'Treatise on Hunting,' embodies the results of his experience in the art, and reinforces the principles which he held in relation to it. This little book is written with all the enthusiasm of an Izaak Walton dilating upon his favourite pastime, and it contains much minute and accurate observation of nature. It was first translated into English by Blane, the