the Capacity of ordinary Readers, but has left every body to make out the Connection of many of his Quotations in the best manner they can, it will not perhaps be unacceptable to point out that Connection in some of the most obscure Passages, as they occur in the order of Translation: I must only desire those who read them to remember, that these Quotations from ancient Writers are to serve meerly as Proofs of Facts, or Authorities for Assertions, and are not always pitched upon because of the Beauty of the original Passages themselves; and that therefore they ought only to be read in Connexion with those Truths in the Enquiry which they confirm, or Sentiments which they illustrate: If they serve these Ends, nothing more is to be expected from them in this detached Condition; much less from a Translation as nearly literal as the Genius of the Language and Difference of Manners would allow, where they cannot miss to lose much of their original Grace, or indeed in any Translation, were it the most perfect ever was made.
SECTION I.
I.
IT is a high Encomium of the Grecian Poet, ‘That his Works were, for many Ages, the Delight of Princes, the Support of Priests, as well as the Wonder of the Learned, which they still continue to be.’