tacle or reservoir into which nearly all rivers pour their contents. Or let those who wish for information on any subject on which they are ignorant inquire of those who are acquainted with them, however humble their situation much useful knowledge being often to be obtained by conversing with the very lowest of the people; as in mechanics, husbandry, gardening, &c.

Presens abest.

Though present he is absent. This was said of persons who, engaged in thought, paid little or no attention to what was said or done in their company, which led them often into great absurdities. M. Bruyere in his Caractères, ou Mœurs de ce Siècle, has given an excellent description of an absent man, but too much in detail, though perhaps there may be but few of the instances he produces, which may not have occurred. It is admirably abridged in one of the papers of the Spec

tator.

Magistratum gerens, audi et justè et injustè.

Being in office, it is your duty to hear all that can be said on the business before you by, either party, before you decide on its merit. "Qui statuit aliquid, parte inaudita alterâ,

Æquum licet statuerit, haud æquus est.”

He who determines a cause without hearing both the parties, though he passes a just sentence, acts unjustly.

Avarus nisi quum moritur nil rectè facit.

The covetous man begins to be considered with complacence when he ceases to exist, or never does well until he dies; they are like swine, "which are never good until they come to the knife." The prodigal who dissipates his fortune by living voluptuously, easily conciliates to himself the friendship or kindness of the persons with whom he associates; he contributes to the support of those who furnish him with the means of enjoying his diversions and amusements; he shares his for

VOL. II.

M

tune

tune with his friends, his servants, and his dependants: he is therefore usually spoken of with complacency. "He is a generous, liberal, open-hearted fellow, and no one's enemy but his own;" and when his fall is completed, even those who suffer mingle some regret for his misfortune, with the concern they feel for their own loss. But the covetous man neither meets with, nor is entitled to the same consideration from the world: even the most harmless of them, those who either came to their fortune by inheritance, or who have acquired it by fair dealing, as they use it exclusively for their own benefit, are hardly looked on as forming a part of the community in which they live; no one interests himself in their welfare; their success is not congratulated, nor their losses commiserated. "The prodigal robs his heir, the miser himself."

"When all other sins are old in us, and go upon crutches, Covetousness does but then lay in her cradle. Lechery loves to dwell in the fairest lodgings,

And covetousness in the oldest buildings."

Par

Par Pari referre.

"Like for like," or one good turn deserves another," we say also, "give him a Rowland for his Oliver." Dionysius, having engaged a musician to entertain his company, to induce him to exert himself he promised to give him a reward proportioned to the amusement he should afford his guests; the singer, in the hope of obtaining a splendid present, selected some of his choicest pieces of music, which he performed with such excellent skill as to give entire satisfaction to the audience: on applying for his pay, he was told he had already received " par pari," like for like. The pleasure he had enjoyed in expecting the reward, balancing that which the company had received in hearing him sing; he had also the further satisfaction of hearing his performance highly extolled, which is too often the only emolument that men of genius are able to obtain for their labours.

Volam Pedis ostendere.

"To shew a light pair of heels." The phrase is applied as a reproach to persons leaving their posts and flying from the enemy instead of fighting.

Bona Nemini Hora est, quin alicui sit mala.

son.

"One man's meat is another man's poiOne man's loss is another's gain, or one man makes a fortune by the ruin of another this is universally the case in war, and not unfrequently in law likewise.

Noli Equi Dentes inspicere donati.

"A caval donato non guardar in bocca.' It."A cheval donné, il ne faut pas regarder aux dens." Fr. "We must not look a gifthorse in the mouth." Presents are not to be esteemed by their costliness, but by the intention of the donor. "Aliquando gratius est

quod