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(i) the lustre of which was esteemed by Theocritus
cian ;
as above that of the finest marble of Paros.
As we have noticed that traces of our science and art are
to be found in every epoch of civilization and refinement, so
on the contrary, when the institutes of polished society be-
gan to fail, virtuous and enlightened communities to sink
into ignorance and debauchery, or were overwhelmed by
barbarians, it declined with them ; not to revive again, un-
til raised by the hands of more enlightened men, to fulfil
the wants and complete the attractions of polite society.
Although nursed in the lap of Grecian and Roman refine-
ment, this happy condition was not always to remain;
Grecian strength was broken by Roman power ; and her
states became Roman provinces. The Roman Empire,
enervated by luxury and weakened by intestine broils, grad-
ually sunk under its own weight, until the northern barba-
rians, flushed with success, and lured by the spoils of con-
quest, carried their arms to the heart of Rome itself ; and
at length wasted by repeated ravages, nothing remained of
this once proud mistress of the world, save the grandeur of
her splendid ruins.
A night of ignorance and barbarism succeeded, and con-
tinued, during the lapse of some centuries, which have been
appropriately termed, " saecula atrocea, The Dark Ages."
It was as the sun eclipsed, between a bright morning and a
subsequently beautiful day. Our science and art, during
the greater part of these ages, found a resting place only in
those records, which detailed the customs, and portrayed
the refinement of ancient days. " Hie currus fuit hie ilius
arma."

(i) See Dentiste Jeunesse. page 63.