Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-11
LITERARY NOTICES.

= p0tS.; HGrpeTS. we nail with pleasure the ap-
pearanee of this new department Of the Family
Library. II the faultless style of the "Bee of
Greece" as in his most celebrated productions
here rendered, cannot affect the opinions Of those
who are bent upon expansing the study of the
Classics from their new-fangled systems of edu-
cation, its attractive simplicity will at least sug-
gest TO them, that all perfection is not of modern
birth. Upwards OF two thousand years have
passed over the world since these little volumes
were written; yet, with many chaste and polish
ed Greek to rival their elegance-many SEN
tentious or ornate Roman to supplant them
in attraction--wth the whole array of modern
writer's to overwhelm-there they are, unsurpass-
cd in winning sweetness, and fadeless, amid the
popular assumption Of some passing favorite, in
undyins interest These two volumes consist of
the ANABAsIs, translated by Z. Spelman, and
ueCYRoPEptA, by NJ. A. Cooper. The first,
as the reader is aware, relates TO the retreat OF
''the ten thousand" Greeks through ASIA Minor,
after the defeat and death Of young Cyrus, in
whose army they were serving against the Per-
sian forces, which sustained his brothers throne.
The story Of the wandering of this celebrated bo-
ly Of men abounds in military incident, and is
related BY their young leader, Xenophon, with all
the vivid description of an eyewitness. We
have marked but few extracts; yet the modes
" and worth of the writer sufficiently appears in
these passages:-N, L. .4msricmn.
A little anecdote shows Xenophon's conduct
on the march to advantage. and how successful
" il ingratiated him with his soldiers:
After that they marched with all possible ex-
petition. The enemy who were on the bill, the
moment they saw them climb to the mountain,
advanced at the same time, striving TO get there
before them. On this occasion there was vast
shout raised both by the Greek army and that
of Tissaphernes, each encouraging their own
men. And Xenophon, riding by the side of his
troops, called to them, " Soldiers, think you are
this minute contending to return to Greece-this
minute to see your wives and children. After
this momentary labor, we shall go on without
further opposition. To whom Soteridas the ST.
cyonian said, 4" We are not on equal terms, U
Xenophon, for you are on horseback, while
am greatly fatigued with carrying my shield. -
Xenophou. hearing this, leaped from his horse,
and thrust him out OF his rank; then taking his
happened to have horsemau's corselet on at the
time. which was very troublesome. However,
se called to those who were before to mend their
mace. and to those behind, who followed with
great difficulty to come up. The rest of the
soldiers beat and abused SOteridas, and threw
stones at him, TILL they obliged him to take his
shield and 10 on. Then Xenophon remounted,
and led them on horseback as far as the way
would allow; and when it became impossible tor
his horse he FASTENED forward on foot. At last
they gained the top of the mountain, anG prevent
ed the enemy.
Projectors, it appears from the following,
we're as easily found in an emergency 5000 years
ago as now:-
The generals and captains assembled. and
were in great perplexity, for on one side OF them
were exceeding high mountains, and on the
other river so deep that when they sounded 1t
with their pixies the ends of them did not even
appear above the water. While they were in
this pcrplexity, a certain Rhodian came to them
and said. Friends, will undertake to carry
over 1000 heavy armed " en- at time, 1t you
YOU will supply me with what want, and give
me talent for nv pains" Being asked what
he waoted, 81 shall want" says he, "two
thousand leathern bags. l see here great
numbers OF sheep, goats, oxen ana asses" 'hese
are layed, and their skins blown. we may ca
silly pass the river with them. shall also want
the girths Of the sumpter horses: with those, adj
ded he, 81 will fasten the bags to one another,
and hanging stones to them. let them down into
the water instead of anchors, then up the bags
AT both ends, and when they are on the water.
lay fascines on them and cover them with earth.
/ Will make you presently sensible" continued
he, "that you cannot sink, for every bag will
bear up two men, and the fascines and the earth
will prevent them from slipping"
The generals hearing this, thought the inven-
ton ingenious, but impossible to be put in prac-
rice, there being great numbers OF horse on the
other side of the river to oppose their passage,
and these would at once break all their. mea
sures.
We giyea touch of ancient rePartee. Keno
phon, in discussing a movement OF the army OBJ
serves:
Neither do think it impossible for US to steal