Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

tures who are withheld by no consideration, regarding neither understanding, goodnature, politeness, nor common honesty, but sacrificing every harmonious and social tie, for a disingenuous, illiberal, and coarse jest.

To a generous mind, the happiness of others gives the highest delight; and chearful old age, considers with satisfaction and pleasure the sprightly sallies of youth, when dictated by virtue and guarded by innocence. Let me, therefore, conjure you, ye searchers after pleasure, to temper your gaiety with prudence, and truly estimate your leading pursuits; or be assured disappointment will succeed disappointment, and happiness will fly from you greater swiftness than you can pursue.

with

"What!

"What! tho' wit tickles, tickling is unsafe,
If still tis painful while it makes us laugh.
Who, for the poor renown of being smart,
Would leave a sting within a brother's heart?-
Parts may be prais'd, good-nature is ador'd,
Then draw your wit as seldom as your sword,
And never on the weak; or you'll appear
As there no hero, no great genius here.

The fame men give, is for the joy they find,
Dull is the jester, when the joke's unkind.”

YOUNG.

ON

ON FRUGALITY.

REGULUS, general of the Roman army in Africa, in the height of all his glory and victories over the Carthagenians, wrote to the Republic to acquaint them, that the steward whom he had left in trust of his. whole estate, which was but seven acres of land, had run away, and robbed him of all his instruments of husbandry. He, therefore, entreated, to be recalled, that he might arrange his domestic concerns, least his wife and children should be exposed to distress. The senate, conscious of the importance of his re

maining

maining at the head of the army, ordered his losses to be made good, and his family to be supported at the public expence.

The elder Cato, returning consul from Spain, sold his horse, to save the money it would have cost to bring him back by sea into Italy, and being Governor of Sardinia, paid all his visits on foot, attended only by one officer, who carried his robe and his censor for sacrifices; usually carrying his mail himself. He never wore a robe that. cost above ten crowns, and allowed but tenpence a day for the support of his family and household.

Scipio Emilianus, after receiving the honour of two triumphs, and being twice consul, went on an embassy with only seven attendants in his train. The poet, Homer, though blind, was only attended by a boy. Plato, the philosopher, had

three

three servants; Zeno, founder of the sect of stoics had none; and Tiberius Gracchus, though accounted the most distinguished man in Rome, was only allowed about the value of fivepence halfpenny a day when he was minister for public affairs.

Though these examples of frugality are recorded of the Romans, yet there are many more of their profusion.-The difference of the value of money must also beremembered.

Frugality is at once a prudent and an honourable virtue, as it enables men not only to be just but frequently generous. It is the friend of temperance, and the direct, road to independence. It empowers men to accumulate wealth, and enables the possessors of estates to transfer them to their children undiminished as they received them from their ancestors..

I

« ÎnapoiContinuă »