that it was therefore his intention to place these islands in a rank subordinate to France even with all its dependencies. That arrangement exists in appearance only but not in reality, and is made merely with analogy to the general manners of the inhabitants of France, in whom, through all ages, there has been an inherent love of command and power (which, in point of extent of territory, they have in fact enjoyed), or to the disposition of its government, which has at all times been strictly monarchical and military. But the pre-eminent importance of Nestor's character is manifested in every page of the Iliad; the great antiquity of his influence in Europe, appears as well from his age as from the frequent reference he makes to his former exploits, Ειθ' ως ηβώοιμι, &c. &c. and in all cases of doubt or difficulty, his advice is decisive, as 7 II. 235, -8 και προσθεν αρις η φαινετο βέλη. His importance further appears from frequent passages in the Iliad, similar to the following, Νεστορι, τον ρα μαλιστα γεροντων τι Αγαμεμνων, 2 11. 21, and from Agamemnon's holding a council of the Grecian heroes, not at his own ship but at Nestor's; and its being held on board, or near to a ship, marks likewise the consequence attached to a maritime power, and it is to be noted that it is treated as a royal power, as evidenced by the word Βασιληος. Βολη δη πρωτον μεγαθύμων ιζε γεροντων 2 II. 52. Among the very numerous resemblances to the human face exhibited by the outline of the British Islands, the true prototype of Nestor, as copied from the map in Fig. 169, is to be found I think, on the south coast of England, looking stedfastly upon France; the brow at the Isle of Portland, the nose extending from thence to Poole harbour; the mouth at Southampton Water, and the beard extending through the counties of Sussex and Kent; and when it is said of Nestor, as above quoted, that μετα τριτάτοισιν ανασσεν, it means, that as between the three divisions of the British Isles into England, Scotland, and Ireland, the predominant influence or power resided in England, according thereby with the position and the prototype of Nestor, as drawn in fig. 169. The paternal regard of Nestor to the welfare of his people, as a king, may be observed in the repeated phrase of ποιμένι λαών, in these lines, 5 II. 565, Τον δ' ίδεν Αντίλοχος μεγαθυμε Νεςορος υιος Αντίλοχος δε μαλ' αγχι παριςατο ποιμένι λαών And These lines also carry us to Ireland, which is represented by Nestor's son, Antilochus. the filial regard and affectionate anxiety of Ire land for the parent country, as well as the cordial unshaken union of the two countries, and distinguished bravery of their inhabitants, are marked in every syllable of them. I apprehend Scotland to be represented by Idomeneus a very considerable character in the Iliad, who is compared to a wild boar, in 4 Il. 253, Ιδομενευς μεν ενι προμάχοις σύι είκελος αλκήν, and the comparison is perfectly apposite; for if Scotland be viewed with its south side uppermost; it will be seen to resemble the head of that animal, as fronting the east; with its mouth opening in the Murray Frith, as drawn from the map in Fig. 170; |