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An universal desire prevails, to inquire into the private history and character of those men who have risen to any high distinction in public life. No narratives are surer of success than these, even when but indifferently executed. A disposition somewhat similar is felt in regard to those nations which have acted a conspicuous part on the great theatre of the world. And it is felt still more strongly, when these nations are very ancient ; when the picture has contracted that venerable shade which time throws over it. But, among the different nations of antiquity, Greece holds a high pre-eminence, both in arts and in military glory. Hence a natural wish to become acquainted with the manners, the domestic habits, the pleasures, and employments, with which life was diversified, during those ages, to which we are accustomed to look up with such profound veneration. The narratives, however, which have been handed down to us from thence, are almost all on historical and political subjects, with only slight and incidental notices of any other. They afford, therefore, no full

gratification for this natural curiosity. It was probably the consideration of these circumstances which led Barthelemi to the composition of his Travels of Anacharsis. The undertaking was arduous. To collect the information, consisting frequently of mere hints, scattered through an immense multitude of volumes, to form this into a regular and complete system, to weave it into the form of an amusing and interesting narrative, required a rare assemblage of talents. These Barthelemi has certainly shewn himself to be very eminently possessed of. He discovers a perfect knowledge of the subject, united with a warmth and eloquence of style, which are extremely pleasing. We feel ourselves transported, as it were, into classic ground; we become the contemporaries of the heroes and sages who adorned that illustrious period. Perhaps it might have been better had he confined himself more to the delineation of ancient manners. Historical details are not advantageously introduced, since they must want that distinctness which arises from the observance of local and chro

nological order. The long dissertations on the constitution and government of particular states, might, perhaps, more agreeably, and more consistently, with the design, have been thrown into the form of narrative and dialogue. The manners, too, have not altogether preserved their ancient simplicity, but are a good deal modernized, and, if I may use the expression, Frenchified. Upon the whole, however, it is an admirable performance, and perfectly deserving of the high reputation it has attained.

GENLIS.

This list of French writers may be properly concluded by Madame de Genlis, who has produced several works of fiction, in which amusement and instruction are elegantly combined. Most of them were designed for the use of children, whose education formed the chief employment of that ingenious lady. The style is therefore studiously adapted to their comprehension. They may be of use, however, not merely

to children, but also to those who have the superintendance of their education. Every observation which they contain on this subject is entitled to respect, as being the result of long and careful experience.

The Tales of the Castle are introduced in the course of a continued dialogue, which contains reflections upon each successive tale. This is certainly preferable to a moral, as having a much better chance of being read. It may be of advantage in teaching young people habits of thinking, which are always useful, though better exercised upon real occurrences.

The only objection which I would make to these narratives, is, that the design of instructing is rather too visible. The preceptress appears too plainly in every page. This, as was formerly observed, is a danger to be guarded against by those who write with the same laudable intentions as Madame de Genlis.

From France we turn now to our own country. The first fictions produced here, that seem deserving of notice, are those which made their appearance in periodical

publications. This mode of writing was introduced about the beginning of the last century, by a society of men of the most distinguished abilities, with the view of diffusing knowledge and just views of human life, among the more illiterate part of their countrymen. Being addressed to this class of readers, it was necessary that the instruction should be communicated in an agreeable and attractive form. Fictitious narratives, therefore, have always been deemed an essential requisite in such an undertaking.

ADDISON.

Among these writers, the pre-eminence seems to be justly due to Addison. His papers form the chief ornament of the Spectators, Guardians, and Tatlers, the first, and still perhaps the best, of periodical works. In his narratives, we discover, united, a careful observation of human nature, wit the most elegant and pleasing, and an entire freedom from every kind of coarseness and ill-nature. It would appear from the manner in which he repeatedly

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