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Literary
January 22, 1780
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Historical anecdote explaining that ancient Britons, like other nations, composed laws in verse and song due to their affinity for poetry and music, which made laws more memorable and agreeable to poetic peoples.
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HISTORICAL ANECDOTES.
The laws, as well as the other branches of learning among the ancient Britons, were couched in verse. Though this may appear a little extraordinary to us, it was far from being peculiar to the ancient Britons. "The first laws of all nations (says a learned writer on this subject) were conceived of verse, and sung. We have certain proof that the first laws of Greece were a kind of songs. The laws of the ancient inhabitants of Spain were verses, which they sung. Tripton was regarded by the Germans as their first Lawgiver: They said he put his laws into verses and songs. This ancient custom was long kept up by several nations." This practice of composing their laws in verse, and forming them into song, was owing to that surprising love which the nations of antiquity bore to poetry and music. This also rendered those laws more agreeable to a poetical people, made it easier for them to get by heart, and retain them in memory.
The laws, as well as the other branches of learning among the ancient Britons, were couched in verse. Though this may appear a little extraordinary to us, it was far from being peculiar to the ancient Britons. "The first laws of all nations (says a learned writer on this subject) were conceived of verse, and sung. We have certain proof that the first laws of Greece were a kind of songs. The laws of the ancient inhabitants of Spain were verses, which they sung. Tripton was regarded by the Germans as their first Lawgiver: They said he put his laws into verses and songs. This ancient custom was long kept up by several nations." This practice of composing their laws in verse, and forming them into song, was owing to that surprising love which the nations of antiquity bore to poetry and music. This also rendered those laws more agreeable to a poetical people, made it easier for them to get by heart, and retain them in memory.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Political
What keywords are associated?
Ancient Laws
Britons
Verse
Poetry
Music
Memorization
Literary Details
Title
Historical Anecdotes.
Key Lines
"The First Laws Of All Nations (Says A Learned Writer On This Subject) Were Conceived Of Verse, And Sung. We Have Certain Proof That The First Laws Of Greece Were A Kind Of Songs. The Laws Of The Ancient Inhabitants Of Spain Were Verses, Which They Sung. Tripton Was Regarded By The Germans As Their First Lawgiver: They Said He Put His Laws Into Verses And Songs. This Ancient Custom Was Long Kept Up By Several Nations."