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HEADERTEXT.
690

690 MisceUa7ieons Observations. he has greatly profited by his researches: with the work of Miiller he appears to have been only partially acquainted. Micali's work may be considered as occupying a middle space between popular and critical histories : it cannot be called a critical history, like those of the German writers, as the author does not appear to be a philologist, or to have paid particular attention to the ancient languages : nor is it composed after the manner of popular histories, as it is founded on original researches, and does not repeat as literal truths the fables and legends of ancient poets and mythologists. On this account it may be expected to diffuse a juster view of the nature of early historical accounts than investigations conducted with greater critical research, as there are many persons who might read the speculations of Micali with advantage, to whom Nie- buhr or Miiller would be a sealed book. The following is the chief part of Mr Micali"'s abstract of his system annexed to his second volume : " Aborigines (indigenous population) : generic name of the primitive inhabitants and cultivators of Italy. CENTRAL ITALY. " I. Siculians. The most ancient of that name mentioned in history belonged to the race of the primitive Auruncians and Oscans : spread over many parts of the peninsula : were driven by the irruption of other nations into Sicily, to which they gave their own name. " II. Umbrians. Ancient nation of Oscan race. Pressed and driven back by the foreigners occupying the shores of the Adriatic, they extend a long way, principally to the prejudice of the Siculians, as far as the other side of the Tiber and the Arno. Thence expelled by the " III. Ra-senae, another indigenous people : called by the Greeks Tyrsenians or Tyrrhenians, by the Romans Etruscans or Tuscans. They establish a firm dominion beyond the Arno and Tiber on the ruins of the Umbrians : thence they extend their rule over a large part of the peninsula, and found two new states; viz. 1. New Etruria, with twelve cities in Upper Italy. A large part of the Etruscans fly into Rhaetia on account of the Gallic invasion in 153 U. C. 2. Southern Etruria, with twelve other cities in Opicia, afterwards called Campania Felix.