Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times - Volume 1

Section 1.

...and were essential in their system of theology. These goddesses [the Muses] had their temples and worship, just like the other deities. To disbelieve in the Holy Nine The nine Muses of Greek mythology: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania., or their leader APOLLO, was the same as to deny JUPITER original: "JOVE" himself; it would have been considered equally profane and atheistical by the majority of sensible men. Now, what a mighty advantage it must have been for an ancient poet to be so "orthodox." Through his education and a bit of genuine willpower, he could work himself up to a belief in a divine presence and heavenly inspiration. It was certainly never the business of poets in those days to question revelation, especially when it clearly benefited their art so well. On the contrary, they could not help but strengthen their faith as much as possible, since by a single act of belief, well-enforced, they could elevate themselves into such angelic company.

We can observe how much the imagination of such a presence must elevate a genius In this context, "genius" refers to a person's natural talent or the "spirit" of their creativity. simply by looking at the influence that an actual presence has over men. Our modern intellectuals original: "Wits." Here meaning writers, critics, or people of high mental ability. are more or less inspired by the opinion they have of their company, and the idea they form of the people to whom they address their work. Even a common stage actor will tell us how much a full audience of the "better sort" The upper classes or more educated members of society. elevates him above his common