This Mark of Inspiration ( an apparent Madness) was so generally admitted, that even the
Pretenders, who had not the Reality, were forced to adopt the Appearance:
Ibid. (d) / 160. (?)
For this good Reason, Some Brother Bards care not to shave their Beards, Nor pare their Nails ; but shun the Eyes of Men ; Seldom appear at Plays, or public Walks: For so the Name and Dignity of Poet Is to be gain'd. Horace.
It was a very amiable Disposition of the learned and laborious Diodorus the Sicilian, to wards the received Religion of his Country, that made him lay it down as a Principle,
Ibid. (e) / 100 (t)
That in general, through the whole of historic Mythology, we ought by no means to be too nice in fisting the Truth, nor too morose in going about to confute the Legend by every Argument that can be brought against it."-—There are some Subjects which will not bear the Discussion of a curious Enquirer, and, when subjected to it, seldom afford him much satisfaction for his Pains. The first Look of them is the best, being of the Nature of the
Beauty, of whom Tassa says,She'