Hints Towards Forming the Character of a Young Princess Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1805 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. V. Greece, w Hen we contemplate Greece, and especially when we six our eyes on Athens, our admiration is strongly, I had almost said, is irresistibly excited, in reflecting, that such a diminutive spot concentrated within itself whatever is great and eminent in almost every point of view; whatever confers distinction on the human intellect; whatever is calculated to inspire wonder, or communicate delight. Athens was the pure wellhead of poetry; Hither, as to their fountain, other stars Repairing, in their golden urns draw light. It was the theatre of arms, the cradle of the arts, the school of philosophy, and the parent of eloquence. To be regarded as the masters in learning, the oracle of taste, and the standard of poG 3 liteness, liteness, to the whole civilized world, is a splendid distinction. But it is a pestilent mischief, when the" very renown attending such brilliant advantages, becomes the vehicle for carrying into other countries the depraved manners by which these. pre-eminent advantages are accompanied. This was confessedly the case of Greece with respect to Rome. Rome had conquered Greece by her arms; but whenever a subjugated country contributes, by her vices, to enslave the state which conquered her, she amply revenges herself. But the perils of this contamination do not terminate with their immediate consequences. The ill effects of Grecian manners did not cease with the corruptions which they engendered at Rome. There is still a serious danger, lest, while the ardent and high-spirited young reader contemplates Greece only through the splendid medium of her heroes and her artists, her poets and her orators; while his imagination is sired with the glories of conquest, and captivated with the charms of literature, ...