are often more valuable than formal treatifes, and which yet, are not known, because they are not promifed in the title. He that collects thofe under proper heads, is very laudably employed, for tho' he exerts no great abilities in the work, he facilitates the progrefs of others, and by making that eafy of attainment which is already written, may give some mind more vigorous, or more adventurous than his own, leifure for new thoughts and original defigns.

1dler, v. 2, p. 185.

COURT.

It has been always obferved of thofe that frequent a Court, that they foon, by a kind of contagion, catch the regal spirit of neglecting futurity. The minifter forms an expedient to fufpend, or perplex an enquiry into his measures for a few months, and applauds and triumphs in his own dexterity. The Peer puts off his creditor for the present day, and forgets that he is ever to fee him more.

Marmor Norfolcienfe, p. 20.

CUNNING.

Cunning differs from wifdom as twilight open day. He that walks in the fun

fhine,

fhine, goes boldly forward by the nearest way; he fees that when the path is ftraight and even, he may proceed in fecurity, and when it is rough and crooked, he eafily complies with the turns, and avoids the obftructions. But the traveller in the dufk, fears more as he fees lefs; he knows there may be danger, and therefore fufpects that he is never safe, tries every flep before he fixes his foot, and fhrinks at every noise, left violence should approach him. Cunning difcovers little at a time, and has no other means of certainty than multiplication of ftratagems, and superfluity of fufpicion. Yet men thus narrow by nature, and mean by art, are fometimes able to rife by the mifcarriages of bravery, and the openness of integrity; and by watching failures, and fnatching opportunities, obtain advantages which belong properly to higher characters.

Idler, v. 2, p. 223 & 227.

COURAGE.

The courage of the English vulgar proceeds from that diffolution of dependence, which obliges every man to regard his own character. While every man is fed by his own hand, he has no need of any fervile arts; he may always have wages for his labour, a

is no lefs neceffary for his employer, than his employer is to him; while he looks for no protection from others, he is naturally roufed to be his own protector, and having nothing. to abate his esteem of himfelf, he confequently atpires to the efteem of others. Thus every man that crowds our freets is a man of honour, difdainful of obligation, impatient of reproach, and defirous of extending his reputation among thofe of his own rank; and as courage is in moft frequent ufe, the fame of courag is moft eagaly purfued. From this neglect of fubordination, it is not to be denied that fome inconveniencies may, from time to time proceed. The power of the law does not always fuficiently fupply the want of reverence, or maintain the proper distinction, between different ranks; but good and evil will

grow up in this world together; and they who complain in peace, of the infolence of the populace, muft remember, that their infolence in Peace, is bravery in War.

Braver of Eglift. Common Soldiers, p. 329

D.

DESIRE.

Some defire is neceffary to keep life in motion; and he whofe real wants are supplied,

uft admit those of fancy.

Prince of Abyffinia, p. 52.

The defires of man increafe with his acquifitions-every ftep which he advances brings fomething within his view, which he did not fee before, and which, as foon as he fees it, he begins to want. Where neceffity ends, curiofity begins; and no fooner are we fupplied with every thing that nature can demand, than we fit down to contrive artificial appetites.

Idler, v. 1, p. 165.

DE AT H.

Reflect that life and death, affecting founds!
Are only varied modes of endless being.
Reflect that life, like every other bleffing,
Derives its value from its ufe alone,
Not for itfelf-but for a nobler end:
The Eternal gave it, and that end is virtue.
When inconfiftent with a greater good,
Reafon commands to caft the lefs away.
Thus life, with lofs of wealth, is well preferv'd,
And virtue cheaply fav'd with lofs of life.

Irene, p. 41.

The death of great men is not always proportioned to their lives. Hannibal fays Juvenal did not perish by a javelin, or a sword; the flaughters of Cannæ were revenged by a ring.

Life of Popc.

It was perhaps ordained by providence, to hinder us from tyrannizing over one another, that no individual should be of fuch importance, as to caufe by his retirement or death any chaẩm in the world.

Rambler, v. 1, p. 34.

The great difturbers of our happiness in this world, are our defires, our griefs, and our fears; and to all thefe the confideration of mortality is a certain and adequate remedy. “Think (fays Epictetus,) frequently on poverty, banishment, and death, and thou wilt never indulge violent defires, or give up thy heart to mean fentiments."

Ditto, ditto, p. 101.

It is remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred of the bad.

Ditto, v. 2, P. 5.

To neglect at any time preparation for death is to fleep on our post at a siege, but to omit it in old age, is to fleep at an attack.

Ditto, ditto, p. 141.

To die is the fate of man, but to die with lingering anguish, is generally his folly. Ditto, ditto, p. 178.

To rejoice in tortures is the privilege of a martyr to meet death with intrepidity is the

right