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CCCXXVI.

Our forefathers and ancestors, in all times, have been of this nature and disposition, that upon the winning of a battle, they have chosen rather, for a sign and memorial of their triumphs and victories, to erect trophies and monuments in the hearts of the vanquished, by clemency than by architecture in the lands which they have conquered. For they did hold in greater estimation_the lively remembrance of men, purchased by liberality, than the dumb inscription of arches, pillars, and pyramids, subject to the injuries of storms and tempests, and to the envy of every one.-Rabelais.

CCCXXVII.

In private conversation between intimate friends, the wisest men very often talk like the weakest, for indeed the talking with a friend is nothing else but thinking aloud. Addison.

CCCXXVIII.

An epithet or metaphor drawn from nature ennobles art; an epithet or metaphor drawn from art degrades nature.-Johnson.

CCCXXIX.

True wit is nature to advantage dress'd;

What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd;
Something, whose truth convinc'd at sight we find
That gives us back the image of our mind.
As shades more sweetly recommend the light,
So modest plainness sets off sprightly wit.
For works may have more wit than does 'em good,
As bodies perish through excess of blood.

CCCXXX.

Pope.

A man cannot possess any thing that is better than a good woman, nor any thing that is worse than a bad one. -Simonides.

CCCXXXI.

The passions and desires, like the two twists of a rope, mutually mix one with the other, and twine inextricably

round the heart; producing good, if moderately indulged; but certain destruction, if suffered to become inordinate. -Burton.

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CCCXXXII.

Egotism is more like an offence than a crime; though 'tis allowable to speak of yourself, provided nothing is advanced in favour: but I cannot help suspecting that those who abuse themselves, are, in reality, angling for approbation.-Zimmerman.

СССХХХІІІ.

It is one thing to know the rate and dignity of things, and another to know the little nicks and springs of acting.-Seneca.

CCCXXXIV.

There is a jewel which no Indian mine can buy,
No chemic art can counterfeit;

It makes men rich in greatest poverty,

Makes water wine, turns wooden cups to gold,
The homely whistle to sweet music's strain;
Seldom it comes, to few from heaven sent,
That much in little-all in naught-Content.

From Wilbye's Madrigals, 1598.

CCCXXXV.

The little mind who loves itself, will write and think with the vulgar; but the great mind will be bravely eccentric; and scorn the beaten road, from universal benevolence.-Goldsmith.

CCCXXXVI.

Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter.-Franklin.

CCCXXXVII.

The general cry is against ingratitude, but sure the complaint is misplaced, it should be against vanity; none but direct villains are capable of wilful ingratitude; but almost every body is capable of thinking he hath done more than another deserves, while the other thinks he hath received less than he deserves.-Pope.'

CCCXXXVIII.

The two common shrines to which most men offer up the application of their thoughts and their lives, are profit and pleasure; and by their devotions to either of these, they are vulgarly distinguished into two sects, and are called busy or idle men: whether these words differ in meaning, or only in sound, I know very well may be disputed, and with appearance enough; since the covetous man takes as much pleasure in his gains, as the voluptuous in his luxury, and would not pursue his business unless he were pleased with it, upon the last account of what he most wishes and desires; nor would care for the increase of his fortunes, unless he thereby proposed that of his pleasures too, in one kind or other; so that pleasure may be said to be his end, whether he will allow to find it in his pursuit or no.-Sir W. Temple.

CCCXXXIX.

There is such a combination of natural gifts requisite to the formation of a complete actor, that it is more a case of wonder how so many good ones are to be found, than why so few instances of excellence can be produced. Every thing that results from nature alone, lies out of the province of instruction, and no rules that I know of will serve to give a fine form, a fine voice, or even those fine feelings, which are amongst the first properties of an actor. These, in fact, are the tools and materials of his trade, and these neither his own industry nor any man's assistance can bestow. But the right use and application of them is another question, and there he must look for his directions, from education, industry, and judgment.—Cumberland.

CCCXL.

The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as we usually find that to be the best fruit which the birds have been pecking at.-Swift.

CCCXLI.

O gate, how cam'st thou here?

Gate. I was brought from Chelsea last year

VOL. II.

H

Batter'd with wind and weather.
Inigo Jones put me together.
Sir Han Sloane

Let me alone;

Burlington brought me hither.

Pope-to an old Gate in Chiswick Gardens.

CCCXLII.

Our senses, our appetites, and our passions, are our lawful and faithful guides, in most things that relate solely to this life; and, therefore, by the hourly necessity of consulting them, we gradually sink into an implicit submission, and habitual confidence. Every act of compliance with their motions facilitates a second compliance, every new step towards depravity is made with less reluctance than the former, and thus the descent to life merely sensual is perpetually accelerated.-Johnson. CCCXLIII.

Long sentences in a short composition, are like large rooms in a little house.-Shenstone.

CCCXLIV.

If after all, we must with Wilmot own
The cordial drop of life is love alone,
And Swift cry wisely Vive la bagatelle!

The man that loves and laughs, must sure do well.

CCCXLV.

Pope.

To be ambitious of true honour, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue; but to be ambitious of titles, of place, of ceremonial respects and civil pageantry, is as vain, and little as the things are which we court.-Sherlock.

CCCXLVI.

I've heard old cunning stagers

Say fools for arguments use wagers.

CCCXLVII.

Butler.

Ovid finely compares a man of broken fortune to a

falling column; the lower it sinks the greater weight it is obliged to sustain. Thus, when a man has no occasion to borrow, he finds numbers willing to lend him. Should he ask his friend to lend him a hundred pounds, it is possible from the largeness of his demand, he may find credit for twenty; and should he humbly only sue for a trifle, it is two to one whether he might be trusted for two-pence.-Goldsmith.

CCCXLVIII.

There is a grief in every kind of joy,

*

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And who were he which would not drink annoy,
To taste thereby the lightest dram of love.

CCCXLIX.

Gascoigne.

Some are too indolent to read any thing, till its repu tation is established: others too envious to promote that fame which gives them pain by its increase. What is new is opposed, because most are unwilling to be taught: and what is known is rejected, because it is not sufficiently considered that men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.-Johnson.

CCCL.

All things that are pernicious in their progress, must be evil in their birth. Now grief, and every other passion, if carried to an immoderate height, have undoubtedly very mischievous consequences; and therefore, from their very rise, must be tainted with a great part of the lurking mischief. For no sooner is the government of reason thrown off, than they rush forward of their own accord; weakness takes a pleasure to indulge itself; and having, if the expression may be allowed, imperceptibly launched out into the main ocean, can find no place where to stop.-Cicero.

CCCLI.

Longevity ought to be higly valued by men of piety and parts, as it will enable them to be much more use

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