fame Accuracy and Perfection, (if poffible) which he cou'd any Place in Italy; lays a Siege, draws up an Army with Skill and Conduct fcarce inferior to Cafar himfelf. Was there as much Charm in the Converfation of this extraordinary Man, as there is in his Writings, the Gentleman of Cales wou'd not repent of his long Journey, who came from thence only to fee Livy upon the Fame of his incomparable Eloquence, and other celebrated Abilities; and we have reafon to believe he receiv'd Satisfaction, becaufe after he had feen Livy and convers'd with him, he had no Curiofity to fee Rome, to which he was fo near; and which at that time was, for its Magnificence and Glories, one of the greatest Wonders of the whole Earth.

Thefe two Princes of Greek and Roman Hiftory, tell a Story and make up a Defcription with inexpreffible Grace; and fo delicately mix the

great

great and little Circumftances, that there is both the utmost Dignity and Pleasure in it.

The Reader is always entertain'd with an agreeable Variety both of Matter and Style. And indeed every Author that expects to please must gratify his Reader with Variety. That is the univerfal Charm which takes with People of all Tafts and Complexions. 'Tis an Appetite planted in us by the Author of our Being; and is natural to an human Soul, whofe immense Defires nothing but an infinite Good and unexhausted Pleasure can fully gratify. The most palatable Dish becomes naufeous if it be always fet before a Man: The moft mufical and harmonious Notes too often and unfeasonably ftruck, grate the Ear like the jarring of the most harsh and hateful Difcord.

Thefe Authors, and the rest of their Spirit and Elevation, were fenfible of this; and therefore you find C 2

a con

a continual Change and judicious Variation in their Style and Numbers. One Paffage appears to be learned and carefully labour'd; an unstudy'd Eafinefs and becoming Negligence runs thro' the next. One Sentence turns quick and fhort; another immediately following runs into longer Measures, and fpreads it felf with a fort of elegant and beautiful Luxuriancy. They feldom ufe many Periods together confifting of the fame Number of Members; nor are the Members of their Periods of equal Length and exact Measure one with another.

The Reflections that are made by thefe noble Writers upon the Conduct and Humours of Mankind, the Interests of Courts, and the Intrigues of Parties, are fo curious and inftruative, so true in their Subftance, and fo taking and lively in the manner of their Expreffion, that they fatisfy the foundert Judgment, and please

the

the most sprightly Imagination. From thefe glorious Authors we have Inftruction without the common Formality and Drynefs of Precept; and receive the most edifying Advice in the pleafing Way of Infinuation and Surprize.

S. 2. Another Excellency of the true Claffics is Perfpicuity and clear Style; which will excufe and cover feveral Faults in an Author; but the want of it is never to be atton'd by any Pretence of Loftinefs, Caution, or any Confideration whatever.

And this is the Effect of a clear Head and vigorous Understanding, of clofe and regular Thinking, and the Diligence of felect Reading. A Man fhou'd write with the fame Defign as he speaks, to be understood with Eafe, and to communicate his Mind with Pleasure and Inftruction. If we felect Xenophon out of the other Greek Claffics, whether he C 3

writes

writes of the Management of Family-Affairs, or the more arduous Matters of State and Policy; whether he gives an account of the Wars of the Grecians, or the Morals of Socrates; the Style, tho' fo far vary'd as to be fuitable to every Subject, yet is always clear and fignificant, fweet without Luscioufnefs, and elegantly Eafy.

In this genteel Author we have all the Politeness of a study'd Compofition; and yet all the Freedom and winning Familiarity of elegant Converfation.

Here I cannot but particularly mention Xenophon's Sympofium, where. in he has given us an eafie and beautiful Description of a very lively and delightful Conversation. The Pleafant and serious are there fo happily mix'd and temper'd, that the Dif courfe is neither too light for the Grave, nor too folemn for the Gay. There's Mirth with Dignity and De.

corum