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FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

RUINS OF AN ANCIENT WORK ON THE SCIOTA.

MR. OLDSCHOOL,

THERE is a melancholy pleasure in contemplating the remains of the works of past ages, and "the deeds of other times," which derives its source probably from an association of ideas; so that there are few persons who do not find their feelings more powerfully awakened by the rude earthen lachrymal, or the mishapen Lares found at Herculanum or Pompeia, than by the most exquisite piece of sculpture by the hand of a modern artist.

If the ruined abbey or the mouldering castle is able to arouse sympathy and awaken reflection, surely the sad vestiges of unknown and extinct nations are well calculated to call forth these feelings, and while the moralist may indulge in reflection, the philosopher may lanch forth into speculation, and the man of feeling and curiosity be gratified.

The ruins of ancient works scattered over the western country, have excited not a little curiosity and conjecture; several of them occupy an area of more than a hundred acres; they have been but imperfectly described, and the object of their erection still more unsatisfactorily explained. While the elements are daily combining with man to efface these monuments of art, science loudly demands that they should be preserved in some work not of an ephemeral cast. If within the design and plan of The Port Folio, I purpose furnishing you with sketches of several other interesting monuments of the original inhabitants of our country, accompanied with short topographical descriptions, that while they provoke the inquiry, they may at the same time assist the examinations of the curious.

The one accompanying this is found on the Sciota river, on land belonging to colonel Worthington, in the district of Chilicothe-the walls are six feet in height.

J. C.

GRECIAN LITERATURE-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

An Essay on the Greek Aorist Participle of the Active Voice.

BY ATTICUS.

Dî coeptis adspirate meis!

THE Latins have no participle which answers to the Greek aorist participles of the active voice, unless it be in their deponent verbs. Thus, for example, the participle of the second aorist of the verb side, that is, ider, may be rendered into Latin by the deponent participle conspicatus, and tugev, from gion may be interpreted nactus; but, where the Greek aorist finds no equivalent Latin deponent, we are obliged to have recourse to a periphrasis and adopt the plusquamperfectum of the subjunctive in Latin with the conjunction quum.

I shall illustrate these observations from the New Testament.

And when he (the priest) saw him, he passed by on the other side, was dev ́ autov, avtitagnabev. Here day may be rendered by conspicatus. But by the by, the true English of this aorist is not when he saw him, but rather, when he had seen him.

And likewise

In the next verse, the participle of the second aorist occurs. a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked at him, and passed by on the side. Ομοίως δὲ καὶ λευΐτης, γενόμενος κατὰ τὸν τόπον, ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδων, ἀντιπαρήλθεν. In this passage, ifwv, as I have observed above, may be rendered conspicatus, but there being no deponent for xb, it must be translated quum venisset. Ex is a participle of the second aorist from qua. It cannot escape notice that ever is also the second aorist participle of the verb yard.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and, when he saw him, he had compassion, Σαμαρείτης δὲ τις ὁδεύαν ἦλθε κατ' αὐτὸν, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη.

The word deur, in this passage, is a present participle, and implies iter faciens. I cite the passage to dwell with delight on the soft, tender cadence at the close of it—iornayxvío9n.† I pity the man who, hearing this word pronounced with right accent and grace, is not sensibly moved.

In the foregoing parable the Samaritan appears to have been guided by feelings similar to those of the excellent philanthropist : Homo sum, humani

* Observe in avrirag the peculiar beauty of the Greek in its compound words. It is formed by durì, wage and igxquas. Obviously the third person singular of the second aorist tense of avragigxou. These compound words make the language of ancient Greece the conciscst and noblest in the world.

It is the first aorist tense, third person singular (passive) of the verb Σπλαγχνίζομαι, misericordia commoveor.

nibil a me alienum puto: I am a man, and, as such, I cannot see another suffer without pain.

In pursuing these illustrations I have been incited by the motive of rendering assistance to those, who, like myself, study Greek without a master. Disclaiming all pretensions to rivalry with scholars, I am satisfied with the character of a humble pioneer.

THE DRAMA FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

MR. OLDSCHOOL,

ACCIDENT a few days since, introduced to my notice a new comedy, called "Nolens Volens," or the "Biter Bit," written by Everard Hall, a gentleman of North Carolina. For wit, sentiment, and regularity of plot, I have seldom seen its superior, if equal, when it is considered that it is the first dramatic performance, composed in North Carolina, a State, as Mr. Randolph would express it, still in the "hornbook" of literary taste. Willing to contribute to the success of The Port Folio, and the amusement of its readers, I send you the following extract from "Nolen Volens,” which if it meets your approbation you will please to publish, and oblige THE DRAMA.

N. B. It is to be observed, that "Blackletter" is acting under an assumed name, and his endeavour is to pacify "Sir Christopher," who is much enraged with Frederick, his son, for falling in love without his consent. Blackletter with a very ordinary understanding, has undertaken a task rather above his capacity, and in his zeal to serve his friend, personates a professor of languages, just arrived from college.

Scene changes to Old Classic's house.

Enter Sir Christopher and Quiz, in a professor's gown.

Sir CH. And so, friend Blackletter, you are just come from college. Quiz. Yes, Sir.

Sir CH. Ah, Mr. Blackletter, I once loved the name of a college, until my son proved so worthless.

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Quiz. In the name of all the literati, what do you mean? You fond of books, and not bless your stars in giving you such a son?

Sir CH. Ah, Sir, he was once a youth of promise. But do you know him?

QUIZ. What! Frederick Classic?-aye that I do heaven be praised.

Sir CH. I tell you, Mr. Blackletter, he is wonderfully changed. Quiz. And a lucky change for him.-What, I suppose he was once a wild young fellow?

Sir CH. No, Sir, you dont understand me, or I dont you-I tell you, he neglects his studies, and is foolishly in love, for which I shall certainly cut him off with a shilling.

Quiz. You surprise me, Sir. I must beg leave to undeceive you— you are either out of your senses, or some wicked enemy of his, has undoubtedly done him this injury. Why, Sir, he is in love I grant you, but it is only with his book-He hardly allows himself time to eat; and as for sleep-he scarcely takes two hours in the twenty-four. (aside) This is a thumper, for the dog has not looked into a book these six months, to my certain knowledge.

Sir CH. I have received a letter from farmer Downright this very day, who tells me he has received a letter from him, containing proposals for his daughter.

QUIZ. This is very strange-I left him at college as close to his book as―oh, oh-I believe I can solve this mystery-and much to your satisfaction.

Sir CH. I should be happy indeed if you could.

QUIZ. Oh, as plain as that two and three are five. 'Tis thusan envious fellow, a rival of your son's-a fellow who has not as much sense in his whole corporation as your son has in his little finger-Yes, I heard this very fellow ordering a messenger to farmer Downright with a letter, and this is no doubt the very one. Why, Sir, your son will certainly surpass the admirable Crichton-Sir Isaac Newton will be a perfect automatum compared with him, and the sages of antiquity, if resuscitated, would hang their heads in despair.

Sir CH. Is it possible that my son is now at college, making these great improvements?

QUIZ. Aye, that he is, Sir

Sir CH. (rubbing his hands) oh! the dear fellow, the dear fellow. QUIZ. Sir, you may turn to any part of Homer, and repeat one line-he will take it up, and by dint of memory, continue repeating to the end of the book.

Sir CH. Well, well, well. I find I was doing him great injusticehowever, I'll make him ample amends-oh, the dear fellow, the dear

fellow, the dear fellow-he will be immortalized, and so shall I, for if I had not cherished the boy's genius in embryo, he would never have soared above mediocrity.

QUIZ. True, Sir.

Sir CH. I cannot but think what superlative pleasure I shall have, when my son has got his education.-No other man's in England shall be comparative with it-of that I am positive. Why, Sir, the moderns are such dull, plodding, senseless barbarians, that a man of learning is as hard to be found as the unicorn.

Quiz. Tis much to be regretted, Sir, but such is the lamentable fact.

Sir CH. Even the shepherds in days of yore, spoke their mother tongue in Latin; and now hic, hæc, hoc, is as little understood as the language of the moon.

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QUIZ. Your son, Sir, will be a phenomenon, depend upon it.

Sir CH. So much the better-so much the better. I expected soon to have been in the vocative, for you know you found me in the accusative case, and that's very near it-ha, ha, ha.

QUIZ. You have reason to be merry, Sir, I promise you.

Sir CH. I have indeed. Well I shall leave off interjections and promote an amicable conjunction with the dear fellow. Oh! we shall never think of addressing each other in plain English-no, no, we will converse in the pure classical language of the ancients.-You remember the Eclogues of Virgil, Mr. Blackletter.

QUIZ. Oh, yes, Sir, perfectly, have 'em at my finger ends. (aside) Devil a one did I ever hear of in my life.

Sir CH. How sweetly the first of them begins.

QUIZ. Very sweetly, indeed, Sir. (aside) Damn him I wish he would change the subject.

Sir CH. " Tytere tu patule recubans"-faith 'tis more musical than fifty hand organs.

QUIZ. (aside) I had rather hear a jews-harp.

Sir CH. Talking of music, tho'-the Greek is the language for that.
QUIZ. Truly is it.

Sir CH. Even the conjugations of the verbs, far excel the finest sonata of Pleyel or Handel-for instance, "tupto, tupso, tetupha,”can any thing be more musical?

Quz. Nothing-" stoop low, stoop so, stoop too far."

Sir Cн. Ha, ha, ha, " stoop too far!" that's a good one.

Quiz. (aside) Faith, I have stoop'd too far. All's over now, by Jupiter.

Sir CH. Ha, ha, ha, a plaguey good pun, Mr. Blackletter.

VOL. II.

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