made a mistake, which might easily have happened, than suspect the poet to have been betrayed into a ridiculous and unnatural absurdity."

As the poem is allowed not to be Spenser's, we think Britain's Ida might have been omitted in this edition as, to say the least of it, the colouring is so high, that no man of decent manners could read it aloud in a company of Ladies, though the de icacy of the manners of the age of Elizabeth permitted the first editor of it, Thomas Walkley, to dedicate it to the Right Noble Lady Mary, daughter to the most illustrious Prince George Duke of Buckingham.

At the end of the last volume two very useful and correct indexes are inserted, one referring to the words and phrases explained in the notes, the other to the principal matters in the Life, preliminary illustrations, and notes.

The Works of Sallust: to which are prefixed, Two Essays on the Life, Literary Character, and Writings of the Historian; with Notes Historical, Biographical and Critical. By Henry Steuart, LL. D.

(Concluded from page 347, Vol. XXIV.)

WE have already given our opinion of the value of good trans-, lations of the Greek and Roman classics, as well as the reasons on which that opinion chiefly tests. We observed at the same time, that Dr. Steuart had been eminently happy in selecting the works of Sallust for translation into the English language; but we must now observe likewise, that there are not many Roman authors, to whom it is so difficult to render justice by a translation. The style of Sallust is peculiar to himself; nor is there any thing at all similar to it in the languages of modern Europe. Yet it has been stated, and justly stated, as one of the laws of translation, that the style of the version should be of the same character with that of the original; but how is this to be accomplished in translating such an author? It can be accomplished only by attending more to a correspondence of idioms, than to a mere interpretation of words," and by rendering the Latin into such English, as an Englishman of Sallust's taste and genius would write, of this Dr. Steuart shews himself sensible, when he says, that

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"The peculiarities of Sallust's manner present to the translator very considerable difficulties. His style is that of sententiousness and force, in contradistinction to that of Livy, which is, for the most part, eminent for richness and diffusion. Sallust was ambitious to adopt Thucydides, and Cato the Censor, as his models; and like the latter, he had the art of dispatching much in a few words*. He borrowed his dic

Sallust, in the fragments of his great history, says of Cato the Censor; Cato, Romani generis disertissamus, multa parvis absolvit."

tion, in a great measure, from the writers of an age prior to the Augus. tan, and he added to their vigour, the grace and elegance of a more mature period. Without doubt, this style was not the best that was possible for history; but he had the merit of rivalling his master, Thucy dides in strength, while in brevity he left him his inferior.

"In translating such an author with any degree of success, it is evident, that, from the difference in the structure between the modern and the classical languages, a skilful amplification must frequently be employed, and some vigour infused into the transcript. It is not always easy to choose a middle path, between a servile copy and a paraphrastical imitation. To give, in our language, an accurate likeness of the Sallustian manner, would be to violate the most obvious rules of English composition; and, for the sake of ease and spirit, to run into diffusion, might produce a pleasing book, but it would bear no resemblance to the writ ings of the historian.

"It has, therefore, been my aim, in the first place, to convey the sense of the author; and in the next, to attain as much compression of style, as appeared to me consistent with the genius of our language, exemplified in a composition of good taste. With the fastidious critic, I would far rather incur the imputation of being sometimes paraphrastical, than be - deterred from an attempt to seize something of the vigour and beauty of the Roman writer. As Mr. Murphy says, on a similar occasion, Thave anxiously laboured to give a faithful transcript of the original, in such English, as an Englishman of taste may read without disgust; and if, in the transfusion, I have not suffered the spirit of the historian to evapo rate, I shall look back with pleasure, to the time which has been dedi. cated to a great and arduous undertaking.'

The man who wrote thus was perfectly aware of the nature of the difficulties which he had to encounter; and a few extracts from his translation will enable our readers to judge for themselves, how far he has surmounted them. As the histories of Cataline's Conspiracy and the Jugurthine War are more generally read than the smaller tracts of SalJust, we shall take our extracts from' them; and as the author has in nothing displayed greater address than in the celebrated parallel between Cæsar and Cato, our first extract shall be the version of it.

Cæsar and Cato, in nobility, and birth, years, and eloquence, may be said to have been almost equal. Greatness of soul they equally possessed, and they equally reached the summit of glory; yet it was a glory peculiar to each, and certainly acquired by very opposite methods.

"Cæsar gained the suffrages of mankind by acts of kindness, and public munificence; Cato, by an incorruptible integrity, and the purity of his manners. In the former, it was the mild virtues of humanity and benevolence, that rendered him the object of esteem: in the latter, it was a stern severity, that gave elevation to his character. Cæsar, by the practice of generosity, by the forgiveness of injuries, by the alleviation of distress, solicited the good will of his fellow citizens: Cato bestowed no favours, and yet commanded their admiration. To the protection of the one misery looked for refuge: profligacy dreaded punishment from the vengeance of the other. Thus, with their respective admirers, a charm.

ing facility of manners, and a decided firmness of character, were, in either; the opposite theme of applause.

"Cæsar, from his youth up, had persisted in a course of vigilance, of active industry, and incessant application, with an eye to figure on the stage of public life. He was unwearied in the service of his friends; of his own concerns as constantly negligent and such was the unbounded generosity of the man, that to refuse a boon, worthy of acceptance, was a feling foreign to his heart. Ambition, above all, was his ruling pas. sion. He pauted for the command of armies, for the conduct of some new and arduous war, where his extraordinary talents could be displayed to advantage.

"On the other hand, the qualities of Cato were of a less dazzling sort. He cultivated the virtue of moderation; he studied correctness of conduct; but above all, the lessons of an austere philosophy. In riches he never thought of vying with the wealthy; and he declined all competition for turbulence with the factious. Yet Cato was not without the spur of an honest emulation. It was his to contend for the prize of valour with the brave; with the modest for the praise of modesty; and with the guiltless, for the honours of innocence and integrity. Content with the actual possession of virtue, he was careless about displaying the semblance to the world. By this means it happened, that the less anxiously he courted fame, the more conspicuously fame blazoned forth his character."

That this is a piece of beautiful composition will hardly be denied; and the reader has only to compare it with the original, to be convinced that it is a faithful transfusion of the author's sense. The style

is indeed more diffuse than that of Sallust; but while it has as much compression as the genius of our language would perhaps admit, it contains not one thought or sentiment foreign from the purpose, or which is not expressed by the abrupt and sententious language of the historian.

"The speeches in (Sallust, says Mr. Steuart), have always been classed among the most beautiful remains of ancient eloquence; and I acknow. ledge that I have laboured them with extraordinary attention. If the attempt have failed, to present them in a dress worthy of the author, I cannot shelter myself under the plea of haste or inadvertency: it is from no want of diligence, but from want of ability to do justice to the originals."

The reader of this paragraph will be gratified with the opportunity of comparing with the original, Dr. Steuart's version of Cataline's address to his followers, when he heard that every thing must be risked on the fate of a battle.

"Soldiers-I am well aware that courage never was inspired by words: where in the mind is felt no generous impulse, supineness never yet was turned into effort, nor timidity into valour, by the harangues of a leader, however eloquent. Courage, my friends, is the free gift of Nature, or it may be the fruit of habit. But it is in him alone, whose bosom glows with its genuine fire, that it is sure to blaze forth in the field of battle. The man, who is unmoved by the call of glory, or the approach of danger,

you

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It

you shall in vain strive, to reason into another temper: fear has shut his ears against the voice of honour, as well as the figures of rhetoric. But it is for a different object that I have now summoned you together. is fit that I should impart to you my earnest injunctions, and lay open the grounds of that finai resolution, which, from the posture of our af fairs, I am forced to adopt. Soldiers, you have all heard of the fate of Lentulus of the melancholy catastrophe, which a want of vigour in that supine Associate, has brought down upon us, no less than on himself.— Flattered with the prospect of reinforcements from the City, and, in the end, cruelly deceived in that expectation, you see, that our intended march into Gaul has been cut off: and our present difficulties, which have folbrwed, are but too visible and apparent to you all. The enemy's force consists of two armies: one of which, from Rome, presses on our rear; the other keeps us in check on the side of Gaul. To remain any longer among the mountains, were we ever so desirous, exceeds our power, from the want of forage, and a supply of provisions of every species. In a word, whither soever we turn, a passage must be opened with our swords. I beseech you, therefore, call forth all your firmness, the utmost efforts of your energy and valour. When you advance to the conflict, I conjure you bear in mind that riches, honour, immortal glory, the rights of men, and the liberties of your country are suspended on the event! If we conquer, the sure fruits of victory await us; plenty instead of want: the possession of Italy; the towns and colonies every where ready to receive us; but, if we weakly shrink back, then consider the reverse of the picture. Woe be to him, who relies not on the vigour of his own arm! Friends and fortune, indeed, smile on valour; but they disown the man who proves wanting to himself, and is a coward in the field. Besides, soldiers, very different are our mo tives to action from those of our adversaries. We take the field for li berty-we draw our swords for our country, nay, for life itself. With them, on the other hand, there can be little interest in the conflict; none to support the pride and power of a few petty tyrants. Rush, then, boldly to the charge! Strike with the confidence of men, whose valour, often tried, knows how to conquer! Had you declined the present contest, what, I pray you, had been your fate? A life of ignominy-an ignoble exile! As a gracious boon, some of you, perhaps, might have had permission to remain at Rome, despoiled of your fortunes, in want and beggary, sunk to a dependence on the bounty of your masters. But you have scorned, like men, to crouch in bondage, and have preferred to dishonour this noble alternative. If you repent of the step, it is salutary to remind you, that to secure a retreat, the firmest valour is still indispensable. Peace must be procured by victory alone, not by a gro velling cowardice. For what safety could there be in flight, were you wildly to turn away those very arms, which, while they protected yourselves, might overpower your adversaries. Rest assured, when the battle rages, that it is the coward heart that knows the least security. Valour spreads over the head of its possessor, a broad shield of defence. Soldiers, when I call to mind your character, and the lustre of your achievements, I own, that they inspire me with a confidence of victory. From the vigour of your age, from your daring spirit, and manly resolution, I augur every advantage. Besides, stern necessity increases my hope for she can render even cowards valiant. As to our position, in these narrow defiles, superiority of numbers cannot avail the enemy: and they shall in

vain attempt to outflank, or to surround you. My friends, should you yet experience the malignity of fortune, be it yours to secure a great re venge! If taken prisoners, you know the consequence-to be slaughtered like cattle at the will of the conquerors. Yet this you have in your power-you can die like men! and leave to your foes, if you gain not the day, a field dyed with their blood, and cause to water it with their

tears."

We have selected this, not because it is in our opinion the best of these speeches which Sallust attributes to the heroes of his story, but because Mr. Steuart compares it with the celebrated speech which Tacitus, in his Life of Agricola, ascribes to Galgacus; and gives the preference to the composition of Sallust. Whether this preference be justly given, we shall not now inquire; but we agree with our author, that Tacitus must have had in his recollection the speech which his master puts into the mouth of Cataline, when he sat down to compose the speech which he himself attributes to the gallant Britons in circumstances almost equally desperate. The speech of Galgacus is too long to be inserted here; but the reader will probably be pleased with the opportunity of comparing the conclusion of it, as translated by Murphy, with the conclusion of Cataline's speech, as translated by our author.

"All that can inspire the human heart, every motive that can excite us to deeds of valour, is on our side. The Romans have no wives in the field to animate their drooping spirits; no parents to reproach their want of courage. They are not listed in the cause of their country: their counary, if any they have, lies at a distance. They are a band of mercenaries, a wretched handful of devoted men, who tremble and look aghast, as they roll their eyes around, and see on every side objects unknown be. fore. The sky over their heads, the sea, the woods, all things conspire to fill them with doubt and terror. They come like victims, delivered into our hands by the Gods, to fall this day a sacrifice to freedom.

"In the ensuing battle be not deceived by false appearances: the glit. ter of gold and silver may dazzle the eye but to us it is harmless, to the Romans no protection. In their own ranks we shall find a number of generous warrios ready to assistour cause. The Britons know that for our common liberties we draw the avenging sword. The Gauls will remember that they once were a free people; and the Germans, as the Usipians lately did, will desert their colours. The Romans have left nothing in their rear to oppose us in the pursuit: their forts are ungarrisoned; the veterans in their colonies droop with age; in their municipal towns, nothing but anarchy, despotic government, and disaffected subjects. In me behold your general: behold an army of free-born men. Your enemy is before you, and, in his train, heavy tributes, drudgery in the mines, and all the horrors of slavery. Are these calamities to be entailed upon usor, shall this day relieve us by a brave revenge? There is the field of battle, and let that determine. Let us seek the enemy, and, as we rush upon him, remember the glory delivered down to us by our ancestors; and let each man think that upon his sword depends the fate of all posterity."