it is feared, be induced by this brief outline of Mr Campbell to investigate the subject with the attention, which their various beauties and intrinsic merits demand.

If it be contended, that Homer's descriptions were not strictly copied from originals, it must be granted that the virtues and graces delineated were highly estimated and prevalent at that early period.

In selecting some of the sketches of Mr Campbell, we shall develop more fully those details to which he has briefly alluded, with a view to interest youthful readers and induce them to acquaint themselves with the manners and opinions of past ages, which attest the unchanging nature of truth and duty.

'Whilst the Odyssey resembles the Iliad in diction and descriptive manners, it opens an interesting variety in epic poetry. It concentrates our sympathy on fewer characters, its interest is less warlike and public, its concourse of agents is less magnificent, and its tone of action and feeling is less impetuous. On the other hand it has the two-fold charm of being at once the most familiar and the most fanciful of all ancient draughts of existence; abounding in the minutest traits of domestic manners, and at the same time teeming with a wildness of imagination, which, classical as the poem is, may be truly denominated romantic.'

Although the Odyssey abounds in events highly interesting, we shall at present select only that portion which describes the reception of Ulysses at Phæacia, when cast on its shore naked and nearly famished. There is perhaps no action which excites so much. sympathy and applause, as a disinterested attention to

the unfortunate and helpless; and nothing of course which elicits greater admiration and respect, than to find a whole community emulous to relieve a shipwrecked, destitute stranger, by every generous and

courteous attention.

As it appears to be the design of Homer to give his readers a lesson of piety and virtue, and thus teach them that the brave and wise can attain nothing great and glorious without the assistance of heaven; the poet, in compliance with the taste of the age for metaphorical representations, which it was imagined were well calculated to impress common minds, introduces them to the bright abodes of Olympus, where, having convened the gods, Jove is represented as discussing, with powerful and striking demonstration, man's freedom of will, as opposed to fate or necessity; and as nothing more conclusive has resulted from modern investigation, we shall give the speech entire :—

* Perverse mankind! whose wills, created free,
Charge all their woes on absolute decree;
All to the dooming gods their guilt translate,
And follies are miscall'd the crimes of Fate.
When to his lust Egysthus gave the rein,
Did fate or we th' adulterous act constrain?
Did fate or we, when great Atrides died,
Urge the bold traitor to the regicide?
Hermes I sent, while yet his soul remain'd,
Sincere from royal blood, and faith profan'd,
To warn the wretch, that young Orestes, grown
To manly years, should re-assert the throne.'

Pope's Homer's Odyssey, Book i. p. 38.

Yet, impotent of mind, and uncontroll'd,

He plung'd into the gulf which heaven foretold.

Minerva, after submissively assenting to the award of the divine arbiter, expresses her sorrow for the unhappy fate of the brave Ulysses, whom Calypso still detains, notwithstanding he has so long and earnestly desired to see once more his dear native isle; and asks, if omnipotence will neglect to save the blameless hero who, with frequent and pure rites, adored the sovereign power. The Thunderer reproved the goddess for the supposition that the Greek had unjustly suffered, assuring her, that the misconduct of him and his followers had caused his misfortunes; but bids her cease to mourn, as he had expiated his offences, and would now be permitted to return.

Minerva, thus assured, appears in a dream to Nausicaa, daughter of Alcinous, king of Phæacia, and admonishes her to haste at early dawn to the fountain where the Phæacian virgins lave their vests and prepare the robes of state, as her marriage-day is nigh, and kindred monarchs sigh for her favor and alliThis warning was permitted that the princess might be present to assist the toil-worn hero, who had been cast on that part of the island, after all his ships with his followers had been whelmed in the depths of the ocean.

ance.

Nausicaa, obedient to the vision, no sooner arose than she sought to obtain the consent of her parents to repair to the vale with the royal car, that she might cleanse the garments of her sire and brothers; observing, that kings draw lustre from robes of state; that spotless garments become the young and gay; and that

preparations were already making for the espousals of three of her brothers. Although modesty deterred the princess from making any allusion to her own nuptials, the conscious sire perceived from her blushes her secret intent; and smiling, in the most gracious and affectionate manner granted her request; calling her his darling joy, and adding that his daughter could ask nothing which he would not give. The attending train were ordered to prepare the car; meantime the queen commanded her attendants to get ready sumptuous viands, and wines of the richest flavor, with a beautiful cruise of fragrance formed of burnished gold.

All being now ready, the princess mounted the gay seat, and taking the silken reins, attended by a bevy of bright damsels, they seek the spacious basin, where the Phæacian dames wash their garments. Arrived, the mules unharnessed range beside the main, and crop the verdant herbage. Their task performed, after a short repast, the sportive virgins, unbinding their shining veils, toss and retoss the ball. While thus they sport, Nausicaa's melodious voice makes the groves and hills resound, while she gracefully trod the plain, and shone transcendant above her beauteous companions.

Alarmed by the strains and sports of the party, Ulysses arose from his leafy couch, and, covering himself with verdant foliage, although his manly grace was deformed by the ooze of the tossing surge, came forward; and fearing to offend by a near approach, addressed his prayer at a distance to the imperial maid. She alone of all her train with graceful firmness

awaited his approach, conscious of her obligation to succour the wretched, although she deemed from his appearance he was some miserable plebeian. No sooner did Ulysses declare himself to be a forlorn and defenceless outcast, and request her pity and relief, than the nymph replied in the most soothing and consolatory terms, assuring him of the succour he required.

To whom the nymph :-O stranger, cease thy care;
Wise is thy soul, but man is born to bear :
Jove weighs affairs of earth in dubious scales,
And the good suffers, while the bad prevails:
Bear, with a soul resign'd, the will of Jove;

Who breathes, must mourn thy woes are from above.
But, since thou tread'st our hospitable shore,
"Tis mine to bid the wretched grieve no more,

To clothe the naked, and thy way to guide ;* &c.

After this truly pious exhortation and benevolent assurance, Nausicaa recalled her maids, whom she reproved for their cowardice and want of reflection. then proceeds:—

"Tis ours this son of sorrow to relieve,

Cheer the sad heart, nor let affliction grieve;
By Jove the stranger and the poor are sent,
And what to those we give, to Jove is lent.
Then food supply, and bathe his fainting limbs
Where waving shades obscure the mazy streams. +

She

When these commands had been performed, and her attendants had, by her desire, placed by the side of the stream one of the royal dresses, with fragrant

* Odyssey, Book vi. p. 102.

+ Ibid. B. vi. p. 102.