"Medicus dedit qui temporis morbo moram, The physician who allows the disease to subside gradually, is more successful than he who has immediate recourse to rough and violent remedies, which is not unlike the following, "El tiempo cura el enfermo, que no el unguento," it is time, and not medicine that cures the disease. The Spaniards do not appear to have had much reverence either for medicines, or for the dispensers of them. "Si tienes medico amigo, quitale la gorra, y embialo a casa de tu enemigo," if you have a physician for your friend, make your how to him, and send him to your enemy, as the surest way to get rid of him. Time also brings things to perfection. "Col tempo et la paglia si maturano mespoli," time and straw make medlars ripe. Quid nisi Victis Dolor. What but misery to the conquered; and "væ victis!" woe to the conquered! was the cruel taunt of Brennus to the Romans, com plaining plaining that he exacted more than they had stipulated to pay, as a ransom for their city; reproaching them, perhaps, that they had not made so strenuous a defence as they ought to have done, before they capitulated. It should be sounded in the ears of the careless, the indolent, and the profligate, in short, of all who, having nothing but their genius or their industry to depend upon for their support, pass their time in sloth and inactivity; or who dissipate the property left them by their parents, in the foolish, or perhaps criminal indulgence of their passions. What pleasure, or what comforts, are to be purchased by poverty, and what are they to expect, when they have reduced themselves to a state of indigence, but the neglect of those who would have been their friends, or the cold consolation of pity? How little relief distress may expect from pity, the following very just observations of Goldsmith shew: "Pity and friendship are passions incompatible with each other; and it is impossible that both can reside in any breast, for the smallest space of time, without impairing each other. Friendship is made up of esteem and and pleasure, but pity is composed of sorrow and contempt. In fact," he adds, "pity, though it may often relieve, is but at best a short lived passion, and seldom affords distress more than a transitory assistance," which is consonant to the following observation of Dryden, "pity only with new objects stays, But with the tedious sight of woe decays." Vino vendibili suspensâ Hederâ nihil Opus. "Good wine needs no bush." Good actions are their own interpreters, they need no rhetoric to adorn them. The phrase derives its origin from a custom among vintners, of hanging out the representation of an ivy bush, as an indication that they sell wine; a custom common in Germany, in the time of Erasmus, and probably much earlier. It is still continued among us; many of the principal inns in this kingdom, both in town and country, being known by the sign of the bush. While signs were in fashion, Bacchus astride on his tun, and ample bunches of grapes, with their handsome foliage, were also very general designa VOL. II. C tions tions of the good liquor that was to be had within. The proverb is applicable to persons too earnest in their commendation of any articles they are desirous of selling. The Spaniards therefore say, "El vino que es bueno, no ha menester pregonéro," the wine that is good needs no trumpeter. The ivy is said to be an antidote to the intoxicating power of wine, hence Bacchus is always painted with a wreath of ivy on his head, and it may be that it was on account of this supposed property, that in old times a bush of ivy was chosen, in preference to any other, by the vintners. The proverb has been pretty generally adopted. "Al buon vino," the Italians say, "non bisogna frasca," and the French, "Le bon vin n'a point besoin de bucheron." Is this the origin of the vulgar term "Bosky," applied to persons who are tipsy, or drunk, viz. he has been under the bush? The Scotch, who are accustomed to fix a bunch of hay against houses where ale is sold, say, "Good ale needs no whisp." Anus Anus Simia, serò quidem. The old ape is taken at length. This was said, when any one, who for a long time, by craft and cunning, had succeeded in plundering his neighbours, was at last taken, and condemned to suffer the punishment due to his crimes. Our English proverb has it, "The old fox is caught at last." Spartam nactus es hanc orna. Endeavour to acquit yourself well in whatever station or condition of life your lot may happen to be cast. "Honour and shame from no conditions rise, Act well your part, there all the honour lies." The adage is of general application. Princes, nobles, bishops, lawyers, soldiers, and the meanest individuals, have each of them their distinct province; let them fill them worthily. "Each might his several province well command, Would all but stoop to what they understand." England expects that every man will do his duty," was the animated speech of Lord |