To
point the instruction to leaders of armies only, is to narrow its
operation unnecessarily. The moral is of universal application, and
the poet's beneficent intentions are wronged by one so
partial.]--TR.

4. The promise of Thetis to present her son with a suit of armor, was
the most artful method of hindering him from putting immediately in
practice his resolution of fighting, which, with his characteristic
violence, he would otherwise have done.

5. [The sun is said to set with reluctance, because his setting-time
was not yet come. Jupiter had promised Hector that he should
prevail till the sun should go down, and _sacred darkness cover
all_. Juno therefore, impatient to arrest the victor's progress,
and having no other means of doing it, shortens the time allotted
him.]--TR.

6. [{Katademoboresai}.]

7. This custom of washing the dead is continued among the Greeks to
this day, and is performed by the dearest friend or relative. The
body is then anointed with a perfume, and covered with linen,
exactly in the manner here related.

8. Among the Greeks, visitors of rank are still honored in the same
manner, by being set apart from the rest of the company, on a high
seat, with a footstool.

9. [{'Anedrame}.]

10. The description of the shield of Achilles is one of the noblest
passages in the Iliad. It is elaborated to the highest finish of
poetry. The verse is beautifully harmonious, and the language as
nicely chosen and as descriptive as can be conceived. But a still
stronger interest belongs to this episode when considered as an
exact representation of life at a very early period of the world,
as it undoubtedly was designed by the poet.

It is certainly a most remarkable passage for the amount of
information it conveys relative to the state of arts, and the
general condition of life at that period. From many intimations in
the ancient authors, it may be gathered, that shields were often
adorned by deities of figures in bas-relief, similar to those here
described. In particular, see AEschylus in the Seven against Thebes.
A close examination of the whole passage will lead to many curious
inductions and inferences relative to the ancient world, and throw
much light upon points which are elsewhere left in great
obscurity.--FELTON.

11. Murder was not always punished with death or even banishment. But
on the