HORACE.

QUINTIUS HORATIUS FLACCUs, an elegant Roman poet, was born at Venusia, in Apulia, B. C. 65. His father perceiving his talents, though his fortune was inconsiderable, resolved to cultivate them. He first placed him under the best masters at Rome, where he soon distinguished himself, and at the age of 22, sent him to Athens, to study philosophy. Here he attracted the notice of Brutus, who took him into his army, and made him a tribune: but at the battle of Philippi, Horace threw away his shield and fled.

Upon his return to Rome, he devoted himself entirely to letters, and fell into great distress. Virgil, delighted with the productions of the young poet, became his patron, and recommended him to Mecænas, by whom he was introduced to the Emperor. Augustus soon offered him considerable preferments: these Horace declined, preferring a private life to the honours of a court. Esteemed by the first people at Rome, particularly by Mecenas and Pollio, Horace lived in voluptuous indolence, exempt from ambition and from care.

Though averse to the shackles of a court, Horace devoted himself very freely to all the duties of friendship. Equally remote from adulation and pride, he neither commended folly nor insulted ignorance. His satire fell principally upon the pretenders to learning, whom he justly considered as the most ridiculous and impertinent part

of society. No one could better trifle with the great than himself; nor could apply his pleasantries to more advantage. His judgment was as correct as his wit was penetrating and refined. His conduet was superior to that of the generality of poets. He never unbosomed himself but to persons whom he thoroughly knew. Not to render himself responsible for the faults of others, he was peculiarly cautious in his recommendation. Though living as he did among courtiers and statesmen, he never troubled himself with state affairs. He well knew the danger of penetrating into, or censuring the projects of men in power, and of writing, as Pollio observed, against those who can proscribe. His philosophy was that of Epicurus; but it tended to calm the impetuosity of the ardent, and placed wisdom in retirement and repose.

In the latter part of his life, he retired to the country, where he indulged himself in a philosophical ease, which he has admirably described in his Odes. He died 8 years B.C. and was buried near his friend and patron, Mecanas, whose death, it is said, accelerated his own. The best editions of his works are those of Lips. 1752, and of Glasgow, 12mo. 1744.