A Dissertation on the Phaedon of Plato; With Some General Observations Upon the Writings of That Philosopher, to Which Is Annexed, a Psychology, or an Abstract Investigation of the Nature of the Soul, in Which the Opinions of All the (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1773 edition. Excerpt: ...inftead of a difgrace to him) from evidence that was by no means conclufive. Bifhop Burnet in the Hiftory of his own Times, fays, that Sidney always propofed Marcus Brutus, who killed Julius Czfar, as his pattern for imitation.--When, --When he had refufed to hear him fpcak in his defence, and had offered him the grofieft infults--When after this he heard his terrible fentence pronounced, he calmly put hi$ hand forth without once changing colour, and bid them feel his pulfe if it beat not as even as ever, and fee whether there appeared in him the leaft extraordinary agitation of mind, --When he was led to the fcaffold, the ftern Republican fhewed a manly and determined air, Serene and datmtlefs thro' the gazing crnodt Wttb more fhan human majejiy he mov'd. When he came to the fcaffold itfelf, he teftified the fame courage and conftancy that he had always been remarkable for;--if he had feen the fractus illabatur orbia, he would ftill have remained fearlefs.--When the patriot bowed his head to receive the ftroke of the hatchet, the Spectators might have well cried out; JEcce fpectaculum ad quod refpiciat operi fuo intentus Deus --Could a roan who died in this intrepid manner for the caufe of liberty? Could he whofe life was fpent in a continual oppofition to the damned tyrant Charles I. j--who had, if ever man had, the manus inimica tyrannis, and who was in the number of thofe illuftrious fet of men who brought, O glorious deed a Monarch to the block? Could he whofe time, whofe pen, whofe fword were employed in defence of the good old caufe?--Could he have done all this, I would afk in the name of probability, for no other aim than to fupport himfelf by the liberality of the French King, as we have been taught to believe of late? Sir John Dalrymple.