FIRST LECTURE.

37

ginus calls parenthyrfos^ in the ill-timed application offupreme pathos, to an inadequate call. Agamemnon isintroduced covering his face with his mantle, at thedeath of Polyxena , the captive daughter of Priam , fa-crificed to the manes of Achilles , her betrothed lover ,treacheroufly flain in the midft of the nuptial ceremony,by her brother Paris . The death of Polyxena , wholecharms had been produ&ive ot the greatefl difafter thatcould befal the Grecian army, could not perhaps pro-voke in its leader emotions fimilar to thofe which hefelt at that of his own daughter: it mull however beowned that the figure of the chief is equally dignifiedand pathetic; and that, by the introduction of theIpeCtre of Achilles at the immolation of the damfel to hismanes, the artift’s fancy has in fome degree atoned forthe want of dilcrimination in the profefior.

Such were the artrfis, who according to the moft cor-refponding data formed the ftyle of that fecond period,which fixed the end and eftablifhed the limits of art, onwhofe firm bafis arofe the luxuriant fabric of the thirdor the period of refinement, which added grace andpolifh to the forms it could not furpafs ; amenity ortruth to the tones, it could not invigourate ; magic andimperceptible tranfition to the abrupt divifion of mafles ;gave depth and roundnefs to compofition, at the bread:

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