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and demolish the good fortune of the former, whenever his own interest calls on him to attempt it. He is not only the most detestable character, but the most detested. Though he persists in his own character, yet he at the same time hates it; so that while he maintains these principles in his own person, yet when he sees them acted upon by another, he marks him down as a villain and a knave."

Good Manners.

We often see that the ceremonious part of the etiquette of behaviour is very punctiliously observed by men who evidently have never understood, or been actuated by, the spirit which should direct it. A dancing master may certainly teach his pupil to come into a room of company without embarrassment, and with bows proper to the ladies and gentlemen who await his entrance; but that check of self-love on the various parts of conversation, where the feelings of others are to be consulted, must be taught by internal feelings. The under-bearing person in conversation is not that man who comes in with a fine bow and an elegant grin, but the man of sensibility, who is unwilling, and even uneasy, in advancing himself into notice. The Lord Chesterfield, who wrote the letters to his son on polished manners, &c.

is reported to have by rudeness so provoked a man, much his inferior in rank, as to have produced a repartee on his own person, too gross to be mentioned.

Sweeping Clauses.

Some persons never assert or make observations with any check from thought or prudence. T. with a precise countenance, and measured tones of voice, declares he never reads novels; and B. who prides himself on his liberal education, on being asked his opinion about a new play, replied, he never read plays? Are we to suppose these gentlemen never heard of Gil Blas or Tom Jones, or of one William Shakespeare! Perhaps they might, and have forgotten them in the midst of balls, races, and electioneering turmoils.

Two Opposite Characters.

G. always assents to whatever is said in conversation R. always has something to say in opposition to the last man who spoke. Yet G. is as ignorant on most topics as R.; but the former is a man of weak nerves, and cannot bear the agitation of dispute, and the burden of controversy. R. is a man of robust constitution and loud voice, and is very happy to talk on all occasions; and finding that it is an easier business to contradict,

than to bring forward a proposition, he is alway's on the opposition side; and, of course, thought, by many persons, to be the most sensible and acute of the two

Not by the dint of carnal reason,
But indefatigable teasing.

Plutarch.

Hudibras.

The life of Alexander the Great, by this author, is the most pleasant piece of biography extant, among the ancients. The following anecdotes shew the force and beauty of Alexander's character.

His Affection to his Mother.

Though he loved his mother Olympias, he never would let her interfere in matters of state, which she was too much inclined to, yet her inportunities never diminished his affection for her. On reading a long letter from Antipater, full of accusations against Olympias, "I wonder," said

he,

"that Antipater should not know that one tear of a mother effaces a thousand such letters as these."

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His Chastity, and delicate Conduct to Darius's Wife and Daughters, when his Captives.

He diminished nothing of their equipage, or of the respect formerly paid them, but treated

these illustrious prisoners according to their quality and virtue, not suffering them to hear or receive, or so much as to apprehend, any thing that was indecent, or to the prejudice of their honour; so that they seemed rather lodged in some holy temple, where they enjoyed their privacy sacred and uninterrupted, than in the camp of an enemy. Not that he wanted temptation, for the wife of Darius was accounted the most beautiful princess then living.

His Hatred of Idleness and Effeminacy. When he perceived his favourites fall into the luxurious manners of the people of Asia, that Agnon, the Teian, wore silver nails in his shoes, and Leonatus employed several camels to bring him powder out of Egypt, and that they had servants to wait on them in their chambers and baths, he reproved them with great mildness and discretion. He reasoned with them how it was possible for any one who pretended to be a soldier, either to look well after his horse, or to keep his armour bright, who thought much to let his hands be serviceable to what was nearest to him, his own body adding, in the tone of a philosopher, "Are ye not aware that the end and perfection of our victories is to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue ?”

His Magnanimity.

When his followers were grown rich, and conse. quently proud, and longed to indulge themselves in pleasure and idleness, and were perfectly weary of the toils and inconveniences of war, and by degrees became so ungrateful and insolent as to speak ill of him behind his back; all which he bore very patiently, observing, "It became a king well to do good to others, and be ill spoken of."

His Good Sense and Generosity.

When Taxilis, a wise and rich king in India, at an interview with Alexander, said, "To what purpose should we make war upon one another, if your design of coming into these parts be not to rob us of our water or our necessary food, which are the only things which wise men are obliged to fight for? As for other riches, as they are esteemed in the eye of the world, if I am better provided than you, I am ready to share them with you; if Fortune has been more liberal to you, I will accept your favours, and acknowledge you my benefactor." This speech so pleased Alexander, that, embracing him, he replied, 'Do you think by your fair speeches and affable behaviour to bring yourself off from fighting in this interview? No, you shall not escape so, for I will contend with you in

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