, from the Moment I entered the World with my dear deceased Aunt, I never looked into one of those my favourite Authors; though I still retain many of the Passages in them. But, above all, I shall never forget the Indiscretion of
Homer,
in his Character of
Hector,
the great Enemy of
Greece.
The Poet appears to make a mighty Parade of the Power, the Valour, and Virtue of his Countrymen. He further gives them the whole Merit and Justice of the Cause; and he calls upon Gods and Men, in their Favour, for the Righting and Reformation of Iniquity and Offence. But, does he give you the sensible and odious Instances of this Iniquity on the Part of the Adversary? By no Means, as I take it. He sums up all
Troy,
and even all
Asia,
in the Character and Prowess of a single Man. On the Part of the
Trojans,
on the Side of the Delinquents, you see nothing but
Hector,
you hear of nothing but
Hector.
And again, what do you hear of him, or what do you see of him? Even all that is admirable; all that is amiable; whatever can be, severally, culled and collected, from the Worth and the Sweetnesses of human-Nature; in his Submissions to his King, in his Attachments to his Country, in his filial Affections, in his conjugal Delicacies, in his paternal Fears and Feelings, in his Ardour for his Friends, in his Humanity to his Enemies, and, even in his Piety to the Gods that he worshipped (no Deduction from his Courage according to ancient Arithmetic) I should be glad, I say, to know in what History, true or feigned, I might find his Fellow.
How injudiciously, then, did this Author connect an iniquitous Cause with so righteous a Person; to whom no one living could take Exception; and, with whom no one living could cordially be at Variance. In favour therefore of
Hector,
you wish well to the Abettors of the Ravishers of
Helen.
And, in Favour of
Hector,
you are, almost, tempted to wish ill to those generous Patriots, who, at the Risk of their Honours, their Fortunes, and their Lives, came to vindicate the undoubted Rights of their Country; and consequently the Rights of all Mankind. --But --but --Is there no one so friendly, here, as to interrupt me, before all my Folly is let out?
You have no such Friend here, I assure you, Madam, said Mr.
Fenton.
Well
