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Excerpt from The General History of Polybius: In Five Books; Translated From the Greek Amidst all the advantages which the moderns are by many Supposed to have gained againstthe antients, with respect to the points of useful knowledge, and the enlargement of all true 'and solid science, it cannot but be allowed, that, in the art of writing, the latter still. Maintain their rank unrivalled; and that the graces and icbarms, the exactness, strength, and Energy, which make severally the 'charact-er of their most perfect compo-a sitions, are in vain sought for in the productions of the present age. Those, therefore, that take into their hands the remains of any celebrated name 'either of Greece or' Rome, are, in the first place, accustomed to expect, if not a faultless work, yet some dis play, at least, of that superiority which the warmest emulation has not yet been able to exceed; some beaming of those excellences, which strike an'd'captivate the mind, and render irresistible the words of wisdom, when delivered through the_ lips of beauty. It is inot, therefore, judged sufficient, that the matter be grave and weighty, unless the manner also be enchanting. In vain are things disposed in order, and words made expressive of the sense. We demand, likewise an arrangement that may please the fancy, and a harmony that may fill the ear On the other hand, if the style be such as rejects the embellish inents of'art, yet let us find in it at least that full and close conciseness, that commanding dignity, that smooth and pure simplicity; in a word, those naked, graces which outshine all ornament. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases,