Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Circumstances Which Render The Retrospect Of Past Ages Agreeable.
ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE RETROSPECT OF PAST AGES AGREEABLE .
WHILST in the lapse of ages successive generations are passing away , we dwell with pleasure on the contemplation of any circumstances , which connect us that are now existing with those who have preceded us in more ancient days : for the mind is gratified not more with the prospect of future , than the retrospect of past yearSi In the most limited view of this subject , lineage or consanguinity , first meets our consideration . ' Pride in ancestry is universally preva-
lent . The native inhabitant of Peru , of China , of Tartar }' , of Arabia ; 'will each glory in tracing his respective orig in to Mango Copac ; - . to Fo-hi , tc Tamerlane ,. to Mahomet . To be animated with . the minutest portion of blood derived from illustrious progenitors ^ creates a degree of high spirit inconceivable to the generality of those whose annals are more short and simple . Nor in the intercourse of the world is
this spirit discouraged . Whether it be from a persuasion that mental qualities and characters are in some measure propagated from ances- - tors to posterity , or that we naturally look with admiration on the remains of antiquity ; whatever be the cause , tlie fact is , we conceive . a partial veneration for men of hig h and long-continued descent . — ¦ ¦ Rome held in esteem the posterity of her Decii and Fabii : Britain
looks with reverence o . n the families of her Percy , Bruce , and Llewellyn . It is true indeed that , in the strict judgment of impartial wisdom , to liim , who by signal services for public weal ennobles himself , is the first place ' of honour assigned ; yet a just estimation of rank , in society will not with-hold respect from hereditary title ; much less will benevolent hilosophy diminish the gratification which must
p arise , from recounting , through a series of years , the names and exploits of eminent men , with whom , by lineage or consanguinity , them posterity are so immediately connected . To be called after the same name with men , who have heretofore ' signalized themselves , is a circumstance so connecting , that it Iris been deemed a powerful inducement to action ; Valerius and
IToratius thought it peculiarly their duty to oppose the iniquitous measures of the Decemviri , because by . the Valerii and Horatii of the last century the-Tarquinii had been banished : and Bratus was' imi peiled to farm a conspiracy against Ctesar , by Dormis , Brute ! Non es Brutus !
To live in the same Country , and to enjoy the same laws , are further circumstances connecting us With our fore-fathers . Our own Shakspeare , not less than Homer , and more so than Virgil , has happily availed himself of these circurnstances , and thereby rendered his historical dramatic writings particularly interesting to us . When our own kings , and the principal people of their times , are presented to our view , every action engages our most fixed attention , every woid comes home-to our bosoms " : for , in-seeing and hearing them , we fee ) . VOL . VIII . Y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Circumstances Which Render The Retrospect Of Past Ages Agreeable.
ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH RENDER THE RETROSPECT OF PAST AGES AGREEABLE .
WHILST in the lapse of ages successive generations are passing away , we dwell with pleasure on the contemplation of any circumstances , which connect us that are now existing with those who have preceded us in more ancient days : for the mind is gratified not more with the prospect of future , than the retrospect of past yearSi In the most limited view of this subject , lineage or consanguinity , first meets our consideration . ' Pride in ancestry is universally preva-
lent . The native inhabitant of Peru , of China , of Tartar }' , of Arabia ; 'will each glory in tracing his respective orig in to Mango Copac ; - . to Fo-hi , tc Tamerlane ,. to Mahomet . To be animated with . the minutest portion of blood derived from illustrious progenitors ^ creates a degree of high spirit inconceivable to the generality of those whose annals are more short and simple . Nor in the intercourse of the world is
this spirit discouraged . Whether it be from a persuasion that mental qualities and characters are in some measure propagated from ances- - tors to posterity , or that we naturally look with admiration on the remains of antiquity ; whatever be the cause , tlie fact is , we conceive . a partial veneration for men of hig h and long-continued descent . — ¦ ¦ Rome held in esteem the posterity of her Decii and Fabii : Britain
looks with reverence o . n the families of her Percy , Bruce , and Llewellyn . It is true indeed that , in the strict judgment of impartial wisdom , to liim , who by signal services for public weal ennobles himself , is the first place ' of honour assigned ; yet a just estimation of rank , in society will not with-hold respect from hereditary title ; much less will benevolent hilosophy diminish the gratification which must
p arise , from recounting , through a series of years , the names and exploits of eminent men , with whom , by lineage or consanguinity , them posterity are so immediately connected . To be called after the same name with men , who have heretofore ' signalized themselves , is a circumstance so connecting , that it Iris been deemed a powerful inducement to action ; Valerius and
IToratius thought it peculiarly their duty to oppose the iniquitous measures of the Decemviri , because by . the Valerii and Horatii of the last century the-Tarquinii had been banished : and Bratus was' imi peiled to farm a conspiracy against Ctesar , by Dormis , Brute ! Non es Brutus !
To live in the same Country , and to enjoy the same laws , are further circumstances connecting us With our fore-fathers . Our own Shakspeare , not less than Homer , and more so than Virgil , has happily availed himself of these circurnstances , and thereby rendered his historical dramatic writings particularly interesting to us . When our own kings , and the principal people of their times , are presented to our view , every action engages our most fixed attention , every woid comes home-to our bosoms " : for , in-seeing and hearing them , we fee ) . VOL . VIII . Y