Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Antients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE ANTIENTS AND MODERNS IN SCIENCE AND LITERATURE .
A FTER the destruction of the Reman empire , the irruption-of * - ^ the Goths and "Vandals not only effected the annihilation of the civilized manners and the refined arts of life , but they accom ' f anied it with an indiscriminate destruction of those monuments of science and literature which h ;> d been transmitted unimpaired from the Augustan age down to that eventful crisis . Their untutored , minds , whose only objects were rapine and pluiiderand whose charactsrisuc
, ferocity was so strongly depicted in the scenes of horror and bloodshed which , at that period , stained the face of the globe , were incapable of discerning their intrinsic value . Nor did even a vessige of the elegant arts escape the ravaging hands of these wild and rapacious marauders . The stately piles and elegant erections of architecture , the beautiful productions of the painter , the almost animated
forms of the sculptural artists , the sublime and noble works of the poet , historian , and philosopher , were alike buried in the ruin which then generally prevailed . Genius , taste , and industry , fell equal vidlims to the irresistible influence of barbarism ; and many ages elapsed ere they were destined to emerge from this dreadful wreck , and were ag ; -in called forth into action . After the settlement of these numerous clans in the various parts of Europe , the feudal system became universal ; a system , which , though it was well fitted to the infant state of society , and has been thought by some ingenious antiquaries to be the natural consemience
of such a state , was far from being favourable to the interests of science . In this state of feudal vassalage war was the only occupation that engaged the attention of these savage tribes , and the only object deemed worthy of regard in the education of their children . To follow some victorious chieftain to the field of battle , to espouse his cause upon every trivial occasion of contention , and to oppose with dauntless valour an enemy equally inured to the hardshi of belli
ps a - gerent fife , were esteemed the only means that could lead to the acquisition of honour and fame ; and it was b y such a conduct alone that they hoped to obtain the projection , and conciliate the favour of their imaginary deities . In such a situation , then , it may easily be imagined , what little scope existed for the invention of the arts of peace , and what little leisure remained for the cultivation of the mind . Andindeedthe and
, , numerous burdensome incidents attached to every species of the feudal tenures , in every stage of their progress so far from promoting a spirit of improvement , were much better calculated to suppress every symptom of a spirit of enquiry , and to discourage every tendency to the cultivation of knowledge . A long and profound darkness ensuedwhich enveloped the minds
, of men in an impenetrable shade ; and the grand cause , which of all others most contributed to extend its influence and accelerate its progress , was the rise and establishment of the Church of Rome , VOL , xx , 3 c
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Antients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE ANTIENTS AND MODERNS IN SCIENCE AND LITERATURE .
A FTER the destruction of the Reman empire , the irruption-of * - ^ the Goths and "Vandals not only effected the annihilation of the civilized manners and the refined arts of life , but they accom ' f anied it with an indiscriminate destruction of those monuments of science and literature which h ;> d been transmitted unimpaired from the Augustan age down to that eventful crisis . Their untutored , minds , whose only objects were rapine and pluiiderand whose charactsrisuc
, ferocity was so strongly depicted in the scenes of horror and bloodshed which , at that period , stained the face of the globe , were incapable of discerning their intrinsic value . Nor did even a vessige of the elegant arts escape the ravaging hands of these wild and rapacious marauders . The stately piles and elegant erections of architecture , the beautiful productions of the painter , the almost animated
forms of the sculptural artists , the sublime and noble works of the poet , historian , and philosopher , were alike buried in the ruin which then generally prevailed . Genius , taste , and industry , fell equal vidlims to the irresistible influence of barbarism ; and many ages elapsed ere they were destined to emerge from this dreadful wreck , and were ag ; -in called forth into action . After the settlement of these numerous clans in the various parts of Europe , the feudal system became universal ; a system , which , though it was well fitted to the infant state of society , and has been thought by some ingenious antiquaries to be the natural consemience
of such a state , was far from being favourable to the interests of science . In this state of feudal vassalage war was the only occupation that engaged the attention of these savage tribes , and the only object deemed worthy of regard in the education of their children . To follow some victorious chieftain to the field of battle , to espouse his cause upon every trivial occasion of contention , and to oppose with dauntless valour an enemy equally inured to the hardshi of belli
ps a - gerent fife , were esteemed the only means that could lead to the acquisition of honour and fame ; and it was b y such a conduct alone that they hoped to obtain the projection , and conciliate the favour of their imaginary deities . In such a situation , then , it may easily be imagined , what little scope existed for the invention of the arts of peace , and what little leisure remained for the cultivation of the mind . Andindeedthe and
, , numerous burdensome incidents attached to every species of the feudal tenures , in every stage of their progress so far from promoting a spirit of improvement , were much better calculated to suppress every symptom of a spirit of enquiry , and to discourage every tendency to the cultivation of knowledge . A long and profound darkness ensuedwhich enveloped the minds
, of men in an impenetrable shade ; and the grand cause , which of all others most contributed to extend its influence and accelerate its progress , was the rise and establishment of the Church of Rome , VOL , xx , 3 c