Charm after charm, fucceffion bright, display, 170 So kneeling realms fhall own the Power divine, And heaven and earth pour incenfe on her fhrine. "Oh grant the MUSE with paufing step to prefs Each fun-bright avenue, and green recefs; Led by thy hand furvey the trophied walls, The statued galleries, and the pictur'd halls; Scan the proud pyramid, and arch fublime, Earth-canker'd urn, medallion green with time, The ftatued galleries, 1. 176. The art of painting has ap peared in the early ftate of all societies before the invention of the alphabet. Thus when the Spanish adventurers, under Cortez, invaded America, intelligence of their debarkation and movements was daily tranfmitted to Montezuma, by drawings, which corresponded with the Egyptian hieroglyphics. The antiquity of statuary appears from the Memnon and fphinxes of Egypt; that of cafting figures in metals from the golden calf of Aaron; and that of carving in wood from the idols or household gods, which Rachel ftole from her father Laban, and hid beneath her garments as the fat upon the ftraw. Gen. c. xxxi. V.34. Stern bufts of Gods, with helmed heroes mix'd, And Beauty's radiant forms, that smile betwixt. 180 "Waked by thy voice, transmuted by thy wand, His potent lyre, and fought the realms below; And lift'ning fhades the dulcet notes admir'd. "Love led the Sage through Death's tremendous porch, Cheer'd with his fmile, and lighted with his torch ; 190 Love led the Sage, I. 189. This description is taken from the figures on the Barbarini, or Portland Vase, where Eros, or Divine Love, with his torch precedes the manes through the gates of Death, and reverting his fmiling countenance invites him into the Elyfian fields. Hell's triple Dog his playful jaws expands, Fawns round the GOD, and licks his baby hands; In wondering groups the fhadowy nations throng, And figh or fimper, as he steps along; Sad fwains, and nymphs forlorn, on Lethe's brink, Hug their past forrows, and refuse to drink; Night's dazzled Emprefs feels the golden flame Play round her breast, and melt her frozen frame; Charms with foft words, and fooths with amorous wiles, Her iron hearted Lord,-and PLUTO fmiles.-200 His trembling Bride the Bard triumphant led From the pale mansions of the astonish'd dead; Gave the fair phantom to admiring light, Ah, soon again to tread irremeable night!" IV. HER fnow-white arm, indulgent to my fong, Waves the fair Hierophant, and moves along. Fawns round the God, 1. 192. This idea is copied from a painting of the descent of Orpheus, by a celebrated Parisian artist. High plumes, that bending fhade her amber hair, Nod, as fhe steps, their filver leaves in air; Bright chains of pearl, with golden buckles brac'd, Clasp her white neck, and zone her flender waist ; Thin folds of filk in foft meanders wind 210 Down her fine form, and undulate behind; FIRST, if you can, celeftial Guide! difclofe From what fair fountain mortal life arofe, Whence the fine nerve to move and feel affign'd, Contractile fibre, and ethereal mind: 220 "How Love and Sympathy the bofom warm, Allure with pleasure, and with pain alarm, With foft affections weave the focial plan, And charm the listening Savage into Man." C 2 "GOD THE FIRST CAUSE!-in this terrene abode Young Nature lifps, fhe is the child of God. God the firft caufe, 1. 223. A Jove principium, musæ! Jovis omnia plena. VIRGIL In him we live, and move, and have our being. ST. PAUL. Young Nature lifts, 1. 224. The perpetual production and increase of the ftrata of limestone from the fhells of aquatic animals; and of all those incumbent on them from the recrements of vegetables and of terreftial animals, are now well understood from our improved knowledge of geology; and show, that the folid parts of the globe are gradually enlarging, and confequently that it is young; as the fluid parts are not yet all converted into folid ones. Add to this, that fome parts of the earth and its inhabitants appear younger than others; thus the greater height of the mountains of America feems to fhow that continent to be less ancient than Europe, Asia, and Africa; as their fummits have been lefs washed away, and the wild animals of America, as the tigers and crocodiles, are faid to be lefs perfect in respect to their size and strength; which would fhow them to be still in a state of infancy, or of progreffive improvement. Lastly, the progress of mankind in arts and sciences, which continues flowly to extend, and to increase, feems to evince the youth of human fociety; whilst the unchanging state of the focieties of fame infects, as of the bee, wafp, and ant, which is ufually afcribed to inftinct, seems to evince the longer exiftence, and greater matu |