probable. But that he was of great antiquity can not be denied. Notwithstanding this confusion and obscurity of writers, we shall endeavour to compose the history of his life; setting down those passages that are least controverted, and following those authors who are most worthy of credit.

We find, that prior to the birth of Lycurgus, the Spartan kingdom continued in anarchy and confusion for a long time. This was the cause of the death of one of their kings, the father of Ly curgus; for, as he was endeavouring to quell a riot, he received a wound with a knife, of which he diedt

Lycurgus soon after this event formed a resolution to travel, and he first arrived at Crete, where he studied the Cretan laws and government, and made an acquaintance with the principal men of the country. Some of their laws he much approved, and resolved to make use of them in his own country; others he rejected. Amongst the persons there, the most renowned was Thales, whom Lycurgus by repeated importunities and assurances of friendship, at last persuaded to go over to Lacedæmon.

From Crete he sailed to Asia, that by comparing the Cretan way of living with that of the Ionians, which was very expensive and luxurious, he might better judge of the difference this made in their manners and form of government; just as physicians compare bodies that are healthy and robust, with such as are weak and sickly. Here, probably, he had for the first time a sight of Homer's works, which were preserved by the posterity of Creophylus; and observing that they were not less to be examined for the excellent moral and political instructions they contained, than for the beauties and graces of the poetry; he set himself eagerly to transcribe and collect them together, with a design to bring them home to his

own country. For though before this time, these poems began to be known in Greece, yet only some particular pieces were in a few private hands; the whole poem being confusedly scattered about in fragments. But Lycurgus was the first who brought it into general reputation.

It is said that he rejected Egypt. Lycurgus, during his absence, was much regretted at Lacedæmon, and a great many embassies were sent to entreat him to return. Things were in a turbulent state at his return, aad he immediately resolved to make a thorough reformation, and to change the whole face of the commonwealth thinking it availed little to alter some particular laws, unless he acted as physicians do with a distempered constitution, who by force of medicines expel all the morbid humours, change the whole temperature of the body, and so prepare the way for a new regimen and diet. When things were ripe for action, he so concerted his plans, that the opposite party were struck with terror at the firmness he and his friends displayed on the occasion; and in a few days many of his new laws were put in practice.

2

Amongst the many alterations which Lycurgus made, the first and most important was the establishment of the senate, which having a power equal to the kings, in matters of consequence, did (as Plato expresses it,) soften and qualify the impetuous and fiery genius of monarchy, by constantly restraining it within the bounds of equity and moderation. Thus Lycurgus, by wise regulations, tempered the constitution of the republic.-But the most hazardous task he ever undertook, was the

* Whoever reflects on the seditious propensity of the Spartans, must find good reason to adinire the profound wisdom of Lycurgus, who so effectually checked their impetuosity.

making a new division of the lands. For there was a very strange inequality among the inhabitants of Sparta, so that the city was overcharged with a multitude of necessitous persons, whilst the lands and money were engrossed by a few. Therefore, that he might banish out of the commonwealth luxury and arrogance, and envy and fraud, together with those more fatal and inveterate distempers of a state, wealth and poverty, he persuaded the people to reduce the whole country to a common stock; to consent to a new division of the land, and to live all in perfect equality, allowing the preeminence to virtue only, and considering no other difference or inequality between one man and another, but what the disgrace of doing base actions, or credit of doing worthy, created.*

Arduous as was this task, he fully accomplished it, for the division was made according to his suggestion: though no way agreeable to the landed or monied interest; for he likewise caused a division of moveable property to take place, but finding it difficult to get the better of their avarice, he had recourse to stratagem. For he commanded that all gold and silver coins should be cried down, and that only a sort of money, made of iron, should be current, and this too of such a weight, that a great quantity was but of very little worth. In the next place he banished all useless and superfluous arts. Indeed luxury was by degrees deprived of that which nourished and supported it—was quite starved out, and died away of itself.

In order more effectually to suppress luxury, and exterminate the love of riches, he contrived another most excellent institution, which was that of public

* We may here observe, that these laws of Lycurgus demand a Lycurgus to enforce them, otherwise they cease to be salutary,

tables. They were expressly forbid to eat at home upon rich couches, and magnificent tables, to suffer themselves to be pampered by their butchers and cooks, and to fatten in private like voracious beasts. For such intemperate gratifications not only corrupt the manners, but enfeeble the bodies of men; so that they need long sleep, hot baths, much rest, and the same care and attention as if they were continually sick.

The rich men were so exasperated by this regulation, that they made an insurrection against Lycurgus, and proceeded so far at last as to assault him with stones, so that he was obliged to fly to a temple for refuge. He outran all the rest except one Alcander, a young man, otherwise not ill disposed, but very hasty and choleric, who came up so close to him, that, while he turned about to see who was near to him, he struck him with a stick, and beat out one of his eyes. Lycurgus, undaunted by this accident, stopt short, and shewed his face, streaming with blood, to his countrymen. They were so strangely surprised, and ashamed to see it, that they immediately delivered Alcander into his hands; to be punished as he thought fit. Lycurgus ordered the young man to wait on him at table; Alcander being thus near him, and having an opportunity of observing his natural mildness, became one of his most zealous admirers.

They used to send their children to those public tables, as to schools of temperance; here they were instructed in moral and political affairs by the discourse of men of wisdom and experience. Here they learned to converse with chearfulness and pleasantry; to jest without scurrility, and to take no offence when the raillery was returned. Their principal dish was a sort of black broth, and much valued.

Lycurgus would never reduce his laws into writing--for he thought, that if such regulations as

were most essential to the public happiness and virtue, were deeply impressed upon the minds of the people, they would become a firm and invaria ble principle of action to them, operating with such irresistable force, that they would require no other lawgiver than their education. Lycurgus esteemed a good education the greatest end of all political institutions. It appears evident, that he paid particular attention to the welfare of the whole community, as his regulations relative to the education of women, and to the conception and birth of infants, clearly evince.*

The Spartan women were noted for magnanimity of sentiment; and of this we have an instance in Gorgo, the wife of King Leonidas, who, when a certain foreign lady said to her, "You of Lacedæmon are the only women in the world who have an empire over the men :" replied, and with good reason, "For we are the only women in the world that bring forth men."

The laws of Lycurgus, as they affected the edu cation of children, were such as implanted in their young mind a love of virtue, a love of his country, and, above all, a due obedience to the laws, to temperance, and the accomplishment of heroic and dignified exploits.

It may appear strange, that theft was countenanced by this wise lawgiver. Secresy was, however, indispensable; for, if detected, opprobrium was hurled upon the offender. It is said, that a Lacedæmonian youth having stole a young fox, and hid it under his coat, suffered it to tear his very bowels with its teeth and claws, and so died upon

*Humanity and modesty do, however, blush to unfold these regulations-physically they may be good themselves, but abstractedly inimical to the dictates of nature.