figures in Mrs. Salmon's wax-work, than a desirable lover. In short, he grew sick of her company; which the young lady taken notice of (who no more knew why than he did,) she sent me a challenge to meet her in Lincoln's-Inn chapel, which I joyfully accepted, and have (amongst other pleasures) the satisfaction of being praised by her for my stratagem. "I am, &c. From the Hoop. "TOM NIMBLE." "MR. SPECTAtor, "The virgins of Great Britain are very much obliged to you for putting them upon such tedious drudgeries in needle-work as were fit only for the Hilpas and the Nilpas that lived before the flood. Here is a stir indeed with your histories in embroidery, your groves with shades of silk and streams. of mohair! I would have you to know, that I hope to kill a hundred lovers before the best housewife in England can stitch out a battle, and do not fear but to provide boys and girls much faster than your disciples can embroider them. I love birds and beasts as well as you, but am content to fancy them when they are really made. What do you think of gilt leather for furniture? There is your pretty hangings for a chamber; and what is more, our own country is the only place in Europe where work of that kind is tolerably done. Without minding your musty lessons, I am this minute going to Paul's Church-Yard to bespeak a skreen and a set of hangings; and am resolved to encourage the manufacture of my country. "Yours, ❝ CLEORA." No. 610. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1714. AUTHOR UNKNOWN. Sic, cum transicrint mei Thus, when my fleeting days, at last, Who dies, to others too much known, IH SENECA. HAVE often wondered that the Jews should contrive such worthless greatness for the Deliverer whom they expected, as to dress him up in external pomp and pageantry, and represent him to their imagination as making havoc among his creatures, and acting with the poor ambition of a Cæsar or an Alexander How much more illustrious does he appear in his real character, when considered as the author of universal benevolence among men, as refining our passions, exalting our nature, giving us vast ideas of immortality, and teaching us a contempt of that little showy grandeur wherein the Jews made the glory of their Messiah to consist! "Nothing (says Longinus) can be great, the contempt of which is great.' The possession of wealth and riches connot give a man a title to greatness, because it is looked upon as a greatness of mind to con P temn these gifts of fortune, and to be above the desire of them. I have therefore been inclined to think, that there are greater men who lie concealed among the species than those who come out, and draw upon themselves the eyes and admiration of mankind. Virgil would never have been heard of, had not his domestic misfortunes driven him out of his obscurity, and brought him to Rome. If we suppose that there are spirits or angels who look into the ways of men, as it is highly probable there are, both from reason and revelation; how different are the notions which they entertain of us, from those which we are apt to form of one another? Were they to give us in their catalogue of such worthies as are now living, how different would it be from that which any of our own species would draw up? We are dazzled with the splendor of titles, the ostentation of learning, the noise of victories: they, on the contrary, see the philosopher in the cottage, who possesses his soul in patience and thankfulness, under the pressures of what little minds call poverty and distress. They do not look for great men at the head of armies, or among the pomps of a court, but often find them out in shades and solitudes, in the private walks and by-paths of life. The evening's walk of a wise man is more illustrious in their sight, than the march of a general at the head of an hundred thousand men. A contemplation on God's works; a voluntary act of justice to our own detriment; a generous concern for the good of mankind; tears that are shed in silence for the misery of others; a private desire or resentment broken and subdued; in short an unfeigned exercise of humility, or any other virtue-are such actions as are glorious in their sight, and denominate men and reputable. The most famous among us are looked upon with pity, with contempt, or with i nation; while those who are most obscure among own species are regarded with love, with approba and esteem. The moral of the present speculation amour this, that we should not be led away by the cens and applauses of men, but consider the figure every person will make, at that time when wis shall be justified of her children, and nothing pas great or illustrious which is not an ornament and fection to human nature. The story of Gyges, the rich Lydian monarch, memorable instance to our present purpose. oracle being asked by Gyges, Who was the happ man? replied, Aglaus. Gyges, who expected to h heard himself named on this occasion, was much prised, and very curious to know who this Agl should be. After much inquiry he was found to an obscure countryman, who employed all his tim cultivating a garden and a few acres of land about house. Cowley's agreeable relation of this story shall clo this day's speculation. 'Thus Aglaus (a man unknown to men, 'But the gods knew, and therefore lov'd him then) 'Thus liv'd obscurely then without a name, Aglaus, now consign'd t' eternal fame. 'For Gyges, the rich king, wicked and great, • Presum'd at wise Apollo's Delphic seat, In a proud rage, Who can that Aglaus be? Is some old hero of that name alive, Who his high race does from the gods derive? (Th' Arcadian life has always shady been) |