Spence, Joseph; Tindal, Nicholas [Hrsg.]; Dodsley, James [Bearb.]: A Guide To Classical Learning: Or, Polymetis Abridged: Containing, I. By Way of Introduction, the Characters of the Latin Poets and their Work ... II. An Inquiry concerning the Agreement between the Works of the Roman Poets and the Remains of the Antient Artists ... Being a Work absolutely necessary, not only for the Right Understanding of the Classics, but also for forming in Young Minds a True Taste for the Beauties of Poetry, Sculpture, and Painting (London: Printed for J. Dodsley, 1786)

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ihould &y, that they are impelled towards each
other by some spiritual power. The eftecfts are
just the same; only in one case matter is corrfi-
dered as acting, and in the other as acfted upon.
In a word, the whole mystery of the antient
machinery seems to be this : what the vulgar be-
lieved to be done by the will of the gods, the
poets described as performed by a visible interpo-
lation of a deity. When a god is thus introduced
in a poem, to help on a fadt, with which he is
fupposed to be particularly concerned, the machi-
nery may then be said to be easy and obvious |
and when the god is the most proper for the oc-
casion, it may be said to be well adapted. For
instance, it was suppofed among the Romans,
that zEneas came to Italy by the will of heaven
declared in oracles and prophecies. This suppo-
sition Virgil realizes. The will of heaven is Ju-
piter giving his orders : and the declaration os it
to uTneas is expressed by Mercury (the usual
messenger) coming down to him, and giving him
the orders he had from Jupiter. This machinery
is both obvious and well adapted ; and likewise
'well timed, when ^Eneas was in most danger of
quitting his design of,going to Italy. Thus the
vulgar among the Romans believed that Romu-
lus was the son of Mars, and received among
the gods on account of his birth and warlike ex-
ploits. The poets therefore say, that Mars de-
scended in his chariot, and carried up Romulus
with