thousands were seen amidst them within its sacred circuit. It was in this situation of things, that the now successful soldier saw his former friend upon the battlements of the highest tower, looking round with horror, and just ready to be consumed with flames. All his former tenderness now returned; he saw the man of his bosom just going to perish; and unable to withstand the impulse, he ran, spreading his arms, and crying out to his friend to leap down from the top and find safety with him. The Centurion from above heard and obeyed, and casting himself from the top of the tower into his fellow-soldier's arms, both fell a sacrifice on the spot; one being crushed to death by the weight of his companion, and the other dashed to pieces by the greatness of his fall. AN INQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE OF POLITE LEARNING IN EUROPE. Εμοι προς φιλοσοφους εστι φιλια προς μεν τοι σοφιστας η γραμματιστας ούτε νυν εστι φιλια μητε υστερον ποτε γενοιτο.* Tolerabile si Edificia nostra diruerent Ædificandi capaces. [Philosophers I esteem; but I cannot extend similar consideration to 17* [This Essay was first published in April 1759, by the Dodsleys. A second edition, revised previous to Goldsmith's last illness, appeared in July 1774, after his death. On the latter he bestowed considerable care, throwing out a portion of the first, either from alteration of circumstances, or having seen cause to change his opinion; but it was not replaced by new matter. See Life, ch. xxv.] INQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE OF POLITE LEARNING CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. It has been so long the practice to represent literature as declining, that every renewal of this complaint now comes with diminished influence. The public has been so often excited by a false alarm, that at present the nearer we approach the threatened period of decay, the more our security increases. It will now probably be said, that taking the decay of genius for granted, as I do, argues either resentment or partiality. The writer, possessed of fame, it may be asserted, is willing to enjoy it without a rival, by lessening every competitor; or, if unsuccessful, he is desirous to turn upon others the contempt which is levelled at himself; and being convicted at the bar of literary justice, hopes for pardon by accusing every brother of the same profession. Sensible of this, I am at a loss where to find an apology for persisting to arraign the merit of the age; for joining in a cry which the judicious have long since left to be kept up by the vul |