[Pinnock’s Improved Edition of Dr. Goldsmith’s History of Rome by Oliver Goldsmith]@TWC D-Link bookPinnock’s Improved Edition of Dr. Goldsmith’s History of Rome CHAPTER VI 10/10
Did the vestals enjoy great privileges? 11.
How were the vestals punished for a breach of their vows? 12.
Why was the Roman constitution very permanent? 13.
Whence arose the confusion in the religious system of the Romans? FOOTNOTES: [1] The reader will find an exceedingly interesting account of the deities peculiar to the Romans, in Mr.Keightley's very valuable work on Mythology. 2: The poet Ennius, who was of Grecian descent, ridiculed very successfully the Roman superstitions; the following fragment, translated by Dunlop, would, probably, have been punished as blasphemous in the first ages of the republic:-- For no Marsian augur (whom fools view with awe,) Nor diviner, nor star-gazer, care I a straw; The Isis-taught quack, an expounder of dreams, Is neither in science nor art what he seems; Superstitious and shameless they prowl through our streets, Some hungry, some crazy, but all of them cheats. Impostors, who vaunt that to others they'll show A path which themselves neither travel nor know: Since they promise us wealth if we pay for their pains, Let them take from that wealth and bestow what remains * * * * *.
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