thing perfectly preposterous, and useless, as giving money, books, or any other articles, to persons who have of them already, more than they have opportunity or inclination to use.

Beneficium accipere est Libertatem vendere.

He that accepts a favour, forfeits his liberty. By receiving obligations, particularly if from persons of bad morals, you are precluded the liberty of censuring vices so freely as you might be disposed, or as the subject you are treating might require, especially those vices of which you know them to be guilty; and in public dissensions, you are restrained from maintaining your own opinion, unless it accords with that of your patron. Erasmus, who manifestly held the same opinions on many points of religion, as were taught by Luther and his followers, was yet restrained from openly espousing them, as he received nearly the whole of his income, from persons of the Romish persuasion. "Fille qui prend," the French say, "son corps vend." The maid who takes presents, has deprived herself of the power

power of saying "no," or must permit liberties to be taken with her, which she would other wise resist. "Springes to catch woodcocks," says the sententious Polonius, cautioning his daughter against giving credit to Hamlet's promises and presents.

Furari Litoris Arenas.

It is stealing sand from the sea shore, may be said to persons taking home with them, and prizing things of no value, and which are neglected and daily trodden under our feet.

Pulverem Oculis effundere.

"Jetter de la poudre aux yeux de quelqu' un," throwing dust into the eyes of any one, that he may not see what is going on before him. The adage is applicable to any one attempting to make a business, in itself obvious, obscure and difficult. A useful stratagem in war, where it can be effected, is to put an army into such a position, that in marching up to the enemy, the dust may be driven to

their faces, and from this, the adage is supposed to have taken its origin. Giving a bribe with the view of obtaining an unjust decision in any business, is also called throwing dust into the eyes of the party.

Oderint modo metuant.

Let them hate me, so they do but fear me. But he of whom many are afraid, ought to be afraid of many, as was exemplified in the case of the Emperor Tiberius, who had this saying frequent in his mouth. He lived to be universally feared and execrated, and knowing what a host of enemies he had created by his cruelties and lust, he found it necessary to go into a sort of banishment, in the island of Caprea, where he drew out a miserable existence, alarmed at every noise, and fancying he saw a dagger in the hand of every one who ap proached him. The adage was also used to be applied to persons, whose sole pleasure or satisfaction centered in their wealth. Call me what you will, such men would say, I please myself with the knowledge that I am rich.

"Populus

"Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo

Ipse domi, simulac nummos contemplor in arca."

Caput Artis est, decere quod facias.

It is the perfection of art or of management that every one should conform himself to his circumstances and situation in life, that the rich and great should not descend to the manners of the poor, nor the poor emulate those of the rich; that the aged should not mix in the sports and amusements of the young, nor the young imitate the gravity of those advanced in years.

Odit Cane pejus et Angue.

Hated worse than a mad dog, or a venemous serpent. The man who is entirely engrossed by a passion for accumulating riches, or honours, is a dupe to parasites, or to a mistress, who will ruin him, and yet he will not suffer a word to be said against the object of his pursuit, but would hate worse than a mad dog, or a poisonous serpent, whoever should attempt to wean him from her.

Omnia bonos Viros decent.

All things are becoming in good men. If a man has acquired a character for uprightness and justice, a favourable construction is put upon every thing he says or does. On the contrary, the best actions of bad men are suspected; as they are never imagined to proceed from the heart, some deep and villanous design is supposed to be couched under them, "A liar is not to be believed, even when he speaks the truth."

In Aere piscari, In Mare venari.

It is fishing in the air, or hunting in the sea, may be said to persons attempting things perfectly incompatible; as if those should expect to enjoy a perfectly retired and quiet life, who are engaged in any public offices or business; or happiness, while eagerly employed in the pursuit of sensual pleasure; or contentment, while anxiously intent on increasing their wealth which will be much more likely to add to their cares than to their comfort.

VOL. II.

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