This prince unites with great abilities and wit an insatiable desire of obtaining knowledge, and a natural taste for the arts, which he protects without being greatly skilled in them. His conversation is extremely pleasing; he displays the utmost affability and fidelity in the intercourse of friendship, and great elevation in his sentiments and ideas. Nature has implanted in him the germ, and Aristotle has explained to him the principles of every virtue. But amid such numerous advantages, he is actuated by a passion injurious to himself, and which may perhaps prove destructive to the human race-I mean the inordinate thirst of dominion, which is so conspicuous in his eyes, air, words, and minutest actions, that every one who approaches him feels himself penetrated with respect and fear." He would aspire to be the sovereign of the whole world, and the single depositary of human knowledge. Ambition and all those illustrious qualities which we admire in Philip are found also in his son; but with this difference, that in the former they are mingled with qualities by which they are attempered; while in the latter, firmness degenerates into obstinacy, the love of glory into phrensy, and courage into fury; for his will is as inflexible as Destiny, and rises with redoubled violence against every obstacle, as the torrent impetuously rushes over the rock which obstructs it in its course. a Isocr. Epist. ad. Alex. t. i. p. 466. Plut. in Alex. t. i. p. 677. t. i. p. 680. b c. 1. t. ii. p. 609. a Id. ibid. p. 668. Ap. Aristot. Rhet. ad Alex. • Plut. in Alex. t. i. p. 680. Philip employs different means to attain his end; but Alexander knows no other than his sword. Philip did not blush to dispute the prize at the Olympic games with private individuals; but Alexander wished that kings alone might be his antagonists. It seems as if a secret sentiment incessantly admonished the former, that he had arrived at the elevation to which he had attained only by dint of his labours and efforts; and the latter, that he was born in the bosom of greatness.* Jealous of his father, he would wish to surpass him; and emulous of Achilles," he will endeavour to equal him. He considers Achilles as the greatest of heroes, and Homer as the first of poets," because he has immortalized Achilles. There are several features in which Alexander resembles the model he has chosen. He possesses the same violence of disposition, the same impetuosity in battle, and the same sensibility of soul. He once said that Achilles was the most fortunate of mortals, because he had possessed such a friend as Patroclus, and been celebrated by such a panegyrist as Homer.' The negociation of Alexander was not protracted. The Athenians accepted the proffered peace, the cont ditions of which were extremely mild. Philip even ་ Plut. in Alex. p. 666. Id. Apophth. t. ii. p. 179. * See the comparison between Philip and Alexander, in the excellent history of the former of those princes, given to the public in 1740 by M. Olivier of Marseilles (t. ii. p. 425.) • Plut. in Alex. p. 667 ' Id. de Fort. Alex. orat. 1. t. ii. p. 327, 331, &c• Dion, Chrysost. de Regn. Orat. p. 19. Plut. in Alex. t. i. p. 672. Cicer. pro Arch. c. 10. t. v. p. 315. i k restored to them the Isle of Samos, which he had taken some time before. He only required that they should send deputies to the congress which he was about to convene at Corinth, to deliberate on the general interests of Greece.' IN THE ARCHONSHIP OF PHRYNICHUS., The 4th year of the 110th Olympiad. (From the 17th of July of the year 337, to the 7th of July of the year 336, before Christ.) THE Lacedæmonians refused to send any deputies to the congress held at Corinth. Philip complained of their neglect with haughtiness, but only received the following answer: "If you imagine yourself to be grown greater since your victory, measure your shadow; you will find that it has not lengthened a single inch."" Philip irritated, replied: "If I enter Laconia, I will drive you all out of the country." They returned him for answer the single word-" If."" But an object of greater importance prevented him from carrying his threats into execution. The deputies of almost all the states of Greece being assembled, the king first proposed to them to terminate all the dissensions by which the Greeks had till then been divided, and establish a permanent council to watch over the preservation of universal peace, He afterwards represented, that it was time to take vengeance for the injuries and insults that Greece had formerly suffered from the Persians, and to carry the war into the dominions of the Great King. Both these propositions were received with applause; and Philip was unanimously chosen general of the Grecian army, with the most ample powers. The number of troops which each city should furnish was fixed at the same time; and amounted in the whole to two hundred thousand foot, and fifteen thousand horse, without including the Macedonians, or the forces of the barbarous nations which had been subjected by Philip. After these resolutions had passed, the king returned to Macedon to prepare for this glorious expedition. The liberty of Greece then expired." This country, so fruitful in great men, will long be held in servitude by the kings of Macedon. At this period I left Athens, notwithstanding every endeavour to induce me to prolong my stay; and returned into Scythia, divested of those prejudices which had disgusted me with my country. I now reside among a people who inhabit the banks of the Borysthenes, where I cultivate a small farm which once appertained to the sage Anacharsis my ancestor. I there enjoy the tranquillity of solitude; and I might add, all the pleasures of friendship, if the losses of the heart could ever be repaired. In my youth I sought happiness among enlightened nations; in a more advanced age I have found repose among a people who are only acquainted with the gifts and enjoyments of Nature. Justin. lib. 9. c. 5. Oros. Oros. lib. 3. c. 13. • Diod. Sic. lib. 16. p. 478. lib. 3. c. 14. NOTES. NOTE I.-CHAP. LXXVI.-PAGE 83. On an Inscription relative to the Festivals of Delos. In the year 1739, the Earl of Sandwich brought from Athens to London a marble, on which was engraven a long inscription. It contains the statement of the sums that were due to the temple of Delos, both from individuals and from entire cities. The sums which had been paid, and those which had not, are specified. It also states the expense of the Theoria, or deputation of the Athenians, viz. For the crown of gold presented to the god, the workmanship included, 1500 drachmas (1350 livres-56l. 5s.); for the tripods given to the victors, the workmanship likewise included, 1000 drachmas (900 livres—36l. 10s.); for the architheori, a talent (5400 livres-2251.); for the captain of the galley which carried the Theoria, 7000 drachmas (6300 livres262l. 10s.); for the purchase of 109 oxen for sacrifice, 8415 drachmas (7573 livres-3157. 11s. 3d.), &c. &c. This inscription, which has been elucidated by Mr. Taylor (a) and Father Corsini, (b) is of the year before Christ 373 or 372, and precedes the time in which I suppose Anacharsis to have travelled by only about thirty-two years. NOTE II. CHAP. LXXIX.-PAGE 146. Whether the ancient Greek Philosophers admitted the Unity of God. THE first apologists for Christianity, and several modern authors, after their example, have maintained that the ancient philosophers (a) Marmor Sandvicense, cum Comment. et Notis. Joan. Taylor. sin. Dissert. in Append. ad Not. Græcorum. (b) Cor |