way,  in  so  great  danger  (small  a  distance^  690.  Monstrabat :   Achemenides  pointed

of  death,  it  is  determined  to  sail  backward,  out  to  us  these  things,  as  he  was  sailing

That  wo  maj  not  pass  near  Scylla  and  Cha-  back  along  the  shores,  along  which  he  had

lybdis,  nor  near  the  monster  Polyphemus,  wandered  before.                   «

mad  his  associates ;  in  either  way,  we  should  Virgil  here  follows  the  opinions  of  tliose

be  in  imminent  danger  of  death,  we  deter-  who  make  Ulysses  to  have  sailed  from  iha

mine  to  spread  our  sails  backward.     The  country  of  the  Littophagi  in  Africa,  to  tiie

oaaal    explication  of   this    passage   refers  southern  part  of  Sicily ;   and   turning  the

utramque  viam^  to  Se^iia  and   Charybdit :  promontory  of  Faekjjnum^  sailed  »along  the

implying  that  the  passage  between  the  rock  eastern   shore,  and  visited  i£tna,  and  the

Scylla  and  the   whirlpool  Charybdis   was  country  of  tiie   Cyclops.     The  course  of

dangerous,  and  oarom  a  mor/f  dis/are.     The  £neas  being  to  the  south,  was  the  reverse

explanation,  reiorring  utramqtui  viam  both  of  that  of  Ulysses.    Achemenides,  therefore,

lo  the  straits  of  Meuina^  and  the  CyelopM.,  might  be  said  to  Mail  back  again^  witli  the

mppeara  the  easiest.     In  order  to  shun  the  greatest  propriety.     Dr.  Wharton  observes,

dangef*  of  each,  they   determined   to  sail  that  Virgil  is  an  exact  observer  of  probabili-

baek  into  the  open  sea,  or  from  whence  tliey  ty.     If  it  should  be  obiccted  by  any  one,

came.     The  wind  probably  at  tliat  moment  tliat  ^neas  was  a  perfect  stranger  to  tlii6

blew  from  the  south,  and  prevented  them  coaHt,and  could  not  be  supposed  acquainted

from   pursuing  their   direct  course.     But  witli  the  several  places,  which  he  passed;

■hifting  to  tlie  north,  they   changed   their  an  answer  is  at  hand:  Achemenides,  wlio

purpoee,  and  sailed  down  the  eastern  shore  had  lately  pasted  along  the'  same  shores,

of  Sieily.    Tiiis,  and  tlie  two  following  lines,  pointed  them  out  to  him.
