and For Chaturd was probably that described, in consequence of this claim CHARACTER endeavour to OF... establish. M. ST. EVREMONT.' I 'A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays, translated from the French of Monsieur de St. Evremont, (who was born in 1613, and died in London, where he had lived near thirty years, September 9th, 1703,) was published in 8vo. anonymously, in 1692. To this collection was prefixed Alsfe Lender A CHARACTER, which is said in the title-page to be written Mw2760 Ap.25, 1692. M and which isegi Fille been very considerable in his own country, that famous jesuit would not have ventured to praise a person in disgrace with the government of France, and living here in banishment. Yet in his PENSEES INGENIEUSES, he has often cited our author's thoughts and his expressions, as the standard of judicious thinking, and graceful speaking: an undoubted sign that his merit was sufficiently established, when the disfavour of the court could not prevail against it. There is not only a justness in his conceptions, which is the foundation of good writing, but also a purity of language, and a beautiful turn of words, so little understood by modern writers; and which indeed was found at Rome but at the latter end of the Commonwealth, and ended with Petronius, under the monarchy. If I durst extend my judgment to particulars, I would say that our author has determined very nicely in his opinion of Epicurus; and that what he has said of his morals, is according to nature, and reason. It is true, that as I am a religious admirer of Virgil, I could wish that he had not, discovered our father's nakedness.* But after all, we must confess that Eneas was none of the greatest heroes, and that Virgil was sensible of it himself. But what could he do? the Trojan on whom he was to build the Roman empire, had been already vanquished; he had lost his country, and was a * In his Reflections on Segrais' Tranflation of Virgil. fugitive. Nay more, he had fought unsuccessfully with Diomedes, and was only preserved from death by his mother goddess, who received a wound in his defence. So that Virgil, bound as he was to follow the footsteps of Homer, who had thus described him, could not reasonably have altered his character, and raised him in Italy to a much greater height of prowess than he found him formerly in Troy. Since therefore he could make no more of him in valour, he resolved not to give him that virtue, as his principal; but chose another, which was piety. It is true, this latter, in the composition of a hero, was not altogether so shining as the former; but it entitled him more to the favour of the gods, and their protection, in all his undertakings; and, which was the poet's chiefest aim, made a nearer resemblance betwixt Æneas and his patron, Augustus Cæsar, who, above all things, loved to be flattered for being pious, both to the gods and his relations. And that very piety, or gratitude, (call it which you please,) to the memory of his uncle, Julius, gave him the preference, amongst the soldiers, to Mark Antony; and consequently raised him to the empire. As for per 2 2 A Dissertation founded on this notion, may be found in the Memoirs of the Academy of Inseriptions and Belles. Trettres at Paris; in which the writer attempts to prove, that Virgil's principal object in writing the Eneid was to induce the Romans quietly to submit to him, whom he reditary claim, personal merit, and the Divine Will, pointed out for their ruler. VOL. III. F 2 Momorns of Literature & tom. XIX. p. sonal courage, that of Augustus was not pushing ;* and the poet, who was not ignorant of that defect, for that reason durst not ascribe it, in the supreme degree, to him who was to represent his Emperor under another name: which was managed by him with the most imaginable fineness; for had valour been set uppermost, Augustus must have yielded to Agrippa. After all, this is rather to defend the courtier, than the poet; and to make his hero escape again, under the covert of a cloud. Only we may add, what I think Bossu says, that the Roman Commonwealth being now changed into a monarchy, Virgil was helping to that design; by insinuating into the people the piety of their new conqueror, to make them the better brook this innovation, which was brought on them by a man who was favoured by the gods.-Yet we may observe, that Virgil forgot not, upon occasion, to speak honourably of Æneas, in point of courage, and that particularly in the person of him by whom he was overcome. For Diomedes compares him with Hector, and even with advantage : Quicquid apud dura cessatum est mania Troja, * At the battle of Philippi he is supposed to have feigned sickness, to avoid taking a part in the engagement; and almost all his subsequent victories were obtained by Agrippa, and the other generals whom he employed. As for that particular passage, cited by Monsieur. St. Evremont, where Æneas shows the utmost fear, in the beginning of a tempest, Extemplo Enea solvuntur frigore membra, &c. why may it not be supposed, that having been long at sea, he might be well acquainted with the nature of a storm; and, by the rough beginning, foresee the increase and danger of it? at least, as a father of his people, his concernment might be greater for them than for himself and if so, what the poet takes from the merit of his courage, is added to the prime virtue of his character, which was his piety. Be this said with all manner of respect and deference to the opinion of Monsieur St. Evremont; amongst whose admirable talents, that of penetration is not the least. He generally dives into the very bottom of his authors; searches into the inmost recesses of their souls, and brings up with him those hidden treasures which had escaped the diligence of others. His examination of the Grand Alexandre,* in my opinion, is an admirable piece of criticism; and I doubt not, but that his observations on the English theatre had been as absolute in their kind, had he seen with his own eyes, and not with those of other men. But conversing in a manner wholly with the court, which is not always the truest judge, he has been unavoidably led into mistakes, and given to some of * A French tragedy. |