THE SCEPTIC. superintending Providence: To pcv ẞ KaTakoλov | Ask, who is wise ?-you'll find the self-same man THE SCEPTIC. As the gay tint that decks the vernal rose,' 1 "The particular bulk, number, figure, and motion of the parts of fire or snow are really in them, whether any one perceive them or not, and therefore they may be called real qualities, because they really exist in those bodies; but light, beat, whiteness, or coldness, are no more really in them than sickness or pain is in manna. Take away the sensation of them; let not the eye see light or colours, nor the ears hear sounds, let the palate not taste, nor the nose smell, and all colours, tastes, odours, and sounds, as they are such particular ideas, vanish and cease."-Locke, book ii. chap. 8. Bishop Berkeley, it is well known, extended this doctrine even to primary qualities, and supposed that matter itself has but an ideal existence. How shall we apply the bishop's theory to that period which preceded the formation of man, when our system of sensible things was produced, and the sun shone, and the waters flowed, without any sentient being to witness them? The spectator, whom Whiston supplies, will scarcely solve the difficulty: "To speak my mind freely," says he, "I believe that the Messias was there actually present."-See Whiston, of the Mosaic Creation. Habit so mars them, that the Russian swain Just as the mind the erring sense2 believes, 352. The Pyrrhonism of Le Vayer, however, is of the most 1 This was also the creed of those modern Epicureans, rals, she congratulates her sheep on the want of it. St. Evre- "Un mélange incertain d'esprit et de matière Nature, élève-nous à la clarté des anges, Of purely that, or grossly this, 2 See those verses upon the fallaciousness of the senses, Socrates and Plato were the grand sources of ancient 2 Boetius employs this argument of the Sceptics, among his consolatory reflections upon the emptiness of fame. "Quid scepticism. Cicero tells us (de Orator. lib. iii.) that they quod diversarum gentium mores inter se atque instituta dis- supplied Arcesilas with the doctrines of the Middle Acadecordant, ut quod apud alios laude, apud alios supplicio dig- my; and how much these resembled the tenets of the Scepnum judicetur?" Lib. ii. prosa. 7.-Many amusing instances tics, may be seen even in Sextus Empiricus, (lib. i. cap. 33.) of diversity, in the tastes, manners, and morals of different who, with all his distinctions, can scarcely prove any differnations, may be found throughout the works of that interest-ence. One is sorry to find that Epicurus was a dogmatist; ing sceptic Le Mothe le Vayer.-See his Opuscule Sceptique, and I rather think his natural temper would have led him to his treatise "de la Secte Sceptique," and, above all, those the repose of scepticism, if the Stoics, by their violent oppoDialogues, not to be found in his works, which he published sition, had not forced him to be as obstinate as themselves. under the name of Horatius Tubero.-The chief objection Indeed Plutarch, in reporting some of his opinions, repreDe Placit. Philosoph. lib. ii. cap. 13. See also the to these writings of Le Vayer (and it is a blemish which, I sents him as delivering them with considerable hesitation think, nay be felt in the Esprit des Loix,) is the suspicious. Επίκουρος ουδεν απογίνωσκει τούτων, εχόμενος του ενδεχο obscurity of the sources from which he frequently draws his avov. instances, and the indiscriminate use which he makes of the 21st and 22d chapters. But that the leading characteristics lowest populace of the library, those lying travellers and of the sect were self-sufficiency and dogmatism, appears wonder mongers, of whom Shaftesbury complains, in his from what Cicero says of Velleius, De Natur. Deor.-"Tum Advice to an Author, as having tended in his own time to Velleius, fidentur sane, ut solent isti, nihil tam verens quam 'he diffusion of a very vicious sort of scepticism. Vol. i. p. ne dubitare aliqua de re videretur " And cold disgust can find but wrinkles there, A face for which ten thousand pounds were paid, The spell that mock'd the warm seducer's eyes! Self is the medium least refined of all Had W-lc-t first been pension'd by the Throne, That habit tinctures, or that interest blinds; Oh! trust me, Self can cloud the brightest cause, Not his the meed that crown'd Don H-kh-m's Nor sees he e'er, in dreams of future time, Yet who, that looks to time's accusing leaf, If, giddy with the world's bewildering maze,? 1 This I have borrowed from Ralph-Use and Abuse of Parliaments, p. 164. 2 The agitation of the ship is one of the chief difficulties which impede the discovery of the longitude at sea; and the tumult and hurry of life are equally unfavourable to that calm level of mind which is necessary to an inquirer after truth. In the mean time, our modest Sceptic, in the absence of truth, contents himself with probabilities, resembling in this respect those suitors of Penelope, who, when they found that they could not possess the mistress herself, very wisely resolved to put up with her maids, τη Πηνελοπη πλησιάζειν μη δυναμένοι, ταις ταύτης εμίγνυτο θεραπαιναις.-Ρίαtarch Περι Παιδων Αγωγής. 3 See a curious work, entitled, "1 "Reflections upon Learning," written on the plan of Agrippa's "De Vanitate Scientiarum," but much more honestly and skilfully executed. 4 This historian of the Irish rebellions has outrun even his predecessor in the same task, Sir John Temple, for whose character with respect to veracity the reader may consult Carte's Collection of Ormond's Original Papers, p. 207. See also Dr. Nelson's account of him, in the Introduction to the second volume of his Historic. Collect. landable." In the same spirit, speaking of the arbitrary 5 He defends Strafford's conduct as "innocent and even sentences of the Star Chamber, he says "The severity of the Star Chamber, which was generally ascribed to Laud's passionate disposition, was perhaps, in itself, somewhat blameable."-See Towers upon Hume. 6 That flexibility of temper and opinion, which the habits of scepticism are so calculated to produce, are thus pleaded 1 See Acts, chap. xix.; where every line reminds one of for by Mr. Fox, in the very sketch of Monmouth to which those reverend craftsmen who are so ready to cry out-I allude; and this part of the picture the historian may be "The church is in danger!" "For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen: "Whom he called together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth: So that not only this our craft is likely to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised," etc. etc." conspicuous features in his character seems to have been a thought to have drawn for himself. "One of the most remarkable, and, as some think, a culpable degree of flexiextreme will be admitted by all, who think that modesty, bility. That such a disposition is preferable to its opposite even in excess, is more nearly allied to wisdom than conceit and self-sufficiency. He who has attentively considered the go still further, and may rank a willingness to be convinced, political, or indeed the general concerns of life, may possibly or, in some cases, even without conviction, to concede our 2 With most of this writer's latter politics I confess I feel gredients in the composition of practical wisdom."-The own opinion to that of other men, among the principal ina most hearty concurrence, and perhaps, if I were an Eng- Sceptic's readiness of concession, however, arises more from lishman, my pride might lead me to acquiesce in that system uncertainty than conviction, more from a suspicion that bis of lawless, unlimited sovereignty, which he claims so boldly own opinion may he wrong, than from any persuasion that for his country at sea; but, viewing the question somewhat the opinion of his adversary is right. "It may be so," was more disinterestedly, and as a friend to the common rights the courteous and sceptical formula, with which the Dutch of mankind, I cannot help thinking that the doctrines which were accustomed to reply to the statements of ambassadors. he maintained upon the Copenhagen expedition, and the-See Lloyd's State Worthies, art. Sir Thomas Wiat. differences with America, would establish a species of maritime tyranny, as discreditable to the character of England, as it would be galling and unjust to the other nations of the world what Pliny says of the last unfinished works of celebrated To the historical fragment of Mr. Fox, we may apply artists-"In lenocinio commendationis dolor est manus, curr id ageret, extinctæ."-Lib. xxxv. cap. 2. Nay, future pens, to flatter future courts, In science too-how many a system, raised Or, should we roam, in metaphysic maze, Tramples triumphant through our fanes o'erthrown, Oh Learning! Learning! whatsoe'er thy boast, 1 Descartes, who is considered as the parent of modern scepticism, says, that there is nothing in the whole range of philosophy which does not admit of two opposite opinions, and which is not involved in doubt and uncertainty. "In Philosophia nihil adhuc reperiri, de quo non in utramque partem disputatur, hoc est, quod non sit incertum et dubium." Gassendi is another of our modern sceptics, and Wedderkopff, in his Dissertation "De Scepticismo profano et sacro" (Argentorat. 1666,) has denounced Erasmus as a follower of Pyrrho, for his opinions upon the Trinity, and some other subjects. To these if we add the names of Bayle, Mallebranche, Dryden, Locke, etc. etc. I think there is no one who need be ashamed of doubting in such company. 2 See this gentleman's Academic Questions. See grave Theology, when once she strays These are the mild, the blest associates given 1 Papias lived about the time of the Apostles, and is sup posed to have given birth to the heresy of the Chiliastæ, whose heaven was by no means of a spiritual nature, but rather ar. anticipation of the Prophet of Hera's elysium. See Eusebius Hist. Ecclesiast. lib. iii. cap. 33, and Hieronym. de Scriptor. Ecclesiast.-though, from all that I can find in these authors concerning Papias, it seems hardly fair to impute to him those gross imaginations in which the believers of the sensual millennium indulged. 2 King, in his Morsels of Criticism, vol. i. supposes the sun to be the receptacle of blessed spirits. 3 The Indians call hell "The House of Smoke." See Picart upon the Religion of the Banians. The reader who is curious about infernal matters may be edified by consulting Rusca de Inferno, particularly lib. ii. cap. 7, 8, where he will find the precise sort of fire ascertained in which wicked spirits are to be burned hereafter. 4 "Chère Sceptique, douce pâture de mon ame, et l'unique port de salut à un esprit qui aime le repos !"-La Mothe le Vayer. ODES OF ANACREON. DEDICATION. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. SIR,-In allowing me to dedicate this work to your Royal Highness, you have conferred upon me an honour which I feel very sensibly: and I have only to regret that the pages which you have thus distinguished are not more deserving of such illustrious patronage. Believe me, SIR, With every sentiment of respect, Very grateful and devoted Servant, THOMAS MOORE. ADVERTISEMENT. ODE. 30 Εδοκουν οναρ τροχάζειν. 31 Υακινθινη με ραβδω... 32 Επι μυρσιναις περιναις.. It may be necessary to mention that, in arranging the Odes, the Translator has adopted the order of 33 Μεσονυκτίοις ποτ' ὡραις. the Vatican MS. For those who wish to refer to the 34 Μακαριζομεν σε, τεττιξ. original, he has prefxed an Index, which marks the number of each ode in Barnes and the other editions. ODE. INDEX. 1 ΑΝΑΚΡΕΩΝ ιδων με... 6 Στεφος πλεκων ποτ' εὗρον.. 7 Λεγουσιν αἱ γυναικες.. 8. Ου μοι μέλει τα Γύγου.. 9 Αφες με τους θεους σοι.. 10 Τι σοι θελεις ποιήσω. 11 Έρωτα κηρινον τις.... 12. Οἱ μεν καλήν Κυβήβην .. 13 Θέλω, θέλω φιλησαι.... 14 Ει φυλλα παντα δενδρων. 15 Ερασμιη πελεια.... 16 Αγε, ζωγραφων αριςε... 17 Γραφε μοι Βαθυλλον οὕτω... 18 Δοτε μοι, δοτε, γυναίκες - 19 Παρα την σκιην Βαθύλλου.. 20 Α ́ Μουσαι τον Ερωτα.. 21 Η γε μέλαινα πινει... 35 Ερως ποτ' εν ῥοδοισι.... 36. Ο πλουτος ειχε χρυσου. 40 Επειδη βροτος ετύχθην. BARNES. 42 Ποθεω μεν Διονυσου.... 17 18 47 Εγω γερων μεν ειμι... δ ..59 48 Οταν ὁ Βακχος εισελθη. BARNES. 44 7 4 3 .43 40 23 .8 .41 47 .24 .66 42 6 5 .25 .37 .38 26 27 39 34 36 54 .35 AN ODE BY THE TRANSLATOR. ερωτες ΕΠΙ δοδίνοις ταπησι, Μετα των καλων REMARKS ON ANACREON. THERE is very little known with certainty of the life of Anacreon. Chamæleon Heracleotes,' who wrote upon the subject, has been lost in the general wreck of ancient literature. The editors of the poet have collected the few trifling anecdotes which are scattered through the extant authors of antiquity, and, supplying the deficiency of materials by fictions of their own imagination, they have arranged, what they call, a life of Anacreon. These specious fabrications are intended to indulge that interest which we naturally feel in the biography of illustrious men; but it is rather a dangerous kind of illusion, as it confounds the limits of history and romance,' and is too often supported by unfaithful citation.2 Our poet was born in the city of Téos, in the delicious region of Ionia, where every thing respired voluptuousness. The time of his birth appears to have been in the sixth century before Christ, and he flourished at that remarkable period when, under the polished tyrants Hipparchus and Polycrates, Athens and Samos were the rival asylums of genius. The name of his father is doubtful, and therefore cannot be very interesting. His family was perhaps illustrious, but those who discover in Plato that he was a descendant of the monarch Codrus, exhibit, as usual, more zeal than accuracy." The disposition and talents of Anacreon recommended him to the monarch of Samos, and he was formed to be the friend of such a prince as Polycrates. Susceptible only to the pleasures, he felt not the corruptions of the court; and while Pythagoras fled from the tyrant, Anacreon was celebrating his praises on the lyre. We are told too by Maximus Tyrius, that by the influence of his amatory songs he softened the mind of Polycrates into a spirit of benevolence toward his subjects." The amours of the poet and the rivalship of the tyrant' I shall pass over in silence; and there are few, I presume, who will regret the omission of most of those anecdotes, which the industry of some editors has not only promulged but discussed. Whatever is repugnant to modesty and virtue is considered in ethical science, by a supposition very favourable to humanity, as impossible; and this amiable persuasion should be much more strongly entertained where the transgression wars with nature as well as virtue. But why are we not allowed to indulge in the presumption? Why are we officiously reminded that there have been such instances of depravity? Hipparchus, who now maintained at Athens the 1 The History of Anacreon, by Monsieur Gacon (le poete sans fard) is professedly a romance; nor does Mademoiselle Scuderi, from whom he borrowed the idea, pretend to historical veracity in her account of Anacreon and Sappho. These, then, are allowable. But how can Barnes be forgiven, who, with all the confidence of a biographer, traces every wandering of the poet, and settles him in his old age at a country villa near Téos? 2 The learned Monsieur Bayle has detected some infidelities of quotation in Le Fevre. See Dictionnaire Historique, etc. Madame Dacier is not more accurate than her father: they have almost made Anacreon prime minister to the monarch of Samos. 3 The Asiatics were as remarkable for genius as for luxury. "Ingenia Asiatica inclyta per gentes fecere poetæ, Anacreon, inde Mimnermus et Antimachus," etc.-Solinus. 4 I have not attempted to define the particular Olympiad, but have adopted the idea of Bayle, who says, "Je n'ai point marqué d'Olympiade; car, pour un homme qui a vécu 85 ans, il me semble que l'on ne doit point s'enfermer dans des bornes si étroites." very obvious passage in Plato's Dialogue on Temperance; 5 This mistake is founded on a false interpretation of a it originated with Madame Dacier, and has been received implicitly by many. Gail, a late editor of Anacreon, seems to claim to himself the merit of detecting this error; but Bayle had observed it before him. 6 Ανακρέων Σαμίοις Πολυκράτην ημέρωσε.-Μaxim. Tyr. $21. Maximus Tyrius mentions this among other instances Tyrius, how could he ridicule this idea in Moutonnet, as If Gail had read Maximus of the influence of poetry. unauthenticated? 7 In the romance of Clelia, the anecdote to which I allude is told of a young girl, with whom Anacreon fell in love while she personated the god Apollo in a mask. But here 1 He is quoted by Athenwns εν τω περί του Ανακρέοντος. | Mademoiselle Scuderi consulted nature more than truth |