AN ADVICE TO BEGINNERS.

In order to make a quick progrefs in Mathematics, one needs not remember what is contained in those Lectures. They must be read with a pen in one's hand, to practice immediately what is prescribed by them, that they may grow familiar by ufe; and one must never proceed to the following Article, without a full knowledge of the foregoing. By that means it will be quickly perceived that Mathematics, which at first make Beginners fo uneafy, are the most eafy thing in any kind of Science; and that generally all those who know how to make fome use of their Reafon, are capable of that ftudy. A Beginner muft endeavour above all things not to have recourse to a Mafter, before he is fully fenfible of a difficulty, and has done his best to refolve it of himself.

Our chief defign, in the Lectures we deliver now to the Public, is that no body be obliged to beftow too much time upon the ftudy of Mathematics; and it will appear by experience that those who fhall read the faid Lectures with attention, may learn Mathematics thoroughly, without perceiving that this ftudy diverts them from their chief occupations.

ARTICLE VI.

ΠΕΡΙ ΚΑΘΗΚΟΝΤΩΝ ΒΙΒΛΟΣ &c. Liber

de Officiis confcriptus a piiffimo, celfifli

mo atque fapientiffimo Principe ac Duce totius Ungrovalachiæ Domino, Domino JOANNE NICOLAO Alexandri MAUROCORDATO Voivoda. Græce & Latine. Londini: Typis Samuelis Palmer. 1724.

That is,

A TREATISE of the Duties of Man, written by the most illustrious Prince JOHN NICOLAS MAUROCORDATO, Voivode of WALACHIA. In Greek and Latin. London. 1724. in 8°. in 8°. pagg. 218.

A

FINE Book, written by a Voivode of Walachia, is a very uncommon thing, and no fmall curiofity. The prefent Voivode of that country is a learned and pious Prince, as it appears by this Work printed first at Bukorefte in Walachia, and fince at Leipfic and London. It is written in old Greek, and in a clear and neat Style; and it has been tranflated into Latin by Mr. Stephen Bergler at Leipfic. That Work is divided into nineteen Chapters, the Arguments whereof I fhall fet down, that my Readers may have a general notion of it. Thofe Arguments are, as follows. 1. The defign of this Book. Of those who have writ concerning the Duties of Man. 2. Of virtue. The definition of a duty. 3. That God is the only End of Men. 4. Of God's worship. 5. That all things are governed by the divine Providence. 6. Of the fear of God. 7. That thofe who run into fuperfti

perftition, corrupt the duties of piety. 8. Sf truft in God. 9. Of humility, and that we ought to forgive our enemies. 10. Of the excellency of Man, and that he is a rational and fociable creature. Of virtues in general, of fincerity, fimplicity and a good confcience. 11. Of fortitude. 12. Of temperance, modefty, moderation, and a found mind. 13. Of juftice. 14. Of juftice towards God, towards one's felf and one's neighbour: that there are feveral forts of juftice, and various duties arifing from it. 15. Of repentance. 16. Of beneficence and Liberality. 17. Of prudence and wifdom. 18. That holy men have shown their prudence by their words and actions. 19. Of probity.

I fhall now tranflate the beginning of the XVI. Chapter, concerning Beneficence and Liberality, to give a Specimen of this Work. "There " is nothing more becoming a man than bene"is "ficence; for, he imitates God by doing good "to the Society. But as God, who is juft, in"flicts punishments and confers benefits with "weight and measure; we ought not to forget "Juftice, when we do good. Want of Libe"rality is an evil; but an inconfiderate Libe"rality is hurtful, and a plain prodigality. We "ought therefore to confider how we do good,

to whom, and when. Benevolence is the "foul of beneficence. Those who bestow be"nefits without benevolence, are nothing lefs ❝than liberal. And indeed we give no thanks "to the fea, rivers and trees, though they are "fo beneficial to us. "Tis the will that con❝ftitutes the nature of virtues. Nor are thofe

beneficent, who enable wicked men to live a "bad and luxurious life: they are like those "who put a fword into the hands of a mad

C4

66

man.

વ man. Wherefore, fuch perfons as are bene"ficent to an ill man, are injurious to the So"ciety. Thofe are alfo unjuft, who commend "wickednefs, and inftead of a bridle, ufe their "praises as fpurs to encourage it. For, as virtue increases, when it is

wickedness, when honoured mmended; fo

becomes unruly " and incurable. Benefits are then an incite66 ment to wickedness. The more nourishment વ you give to an unfound body, the more you imcc pair it. One muft only be liberal of things

that have been acquired by lawful means, "Liberality does not become thofe, who ແ are entrusted with the administration of "public affairs; nor is it for the advantage

of a King to beftow upon a fingle favou"rite, by a wrong impulfe of nature, what is "due to many. Those who have read Hiftory, "are not ignorant that fuch a conduct has oc"cafioned many infurrections; for, the earth "is difquieted, when a fervant reigneth. "Tis ce true, there is nothing more becoming a King "than beneficence; but to do good by giving

away money fhould not be a royal virtue; "fince fubjects are alfo bound to obey and love "thofe Princes, who fpare their money; their

love and obedience being grounded upon the . right of fucceffion, or upon a lawful election, "and confirmed by divine and human laws. "Princes have a thousand other ways of doing "good, and are chiefly beneficent to their fub"jects, by practicing virtue, and encouraging "others to imitate them. For, the people are

Hippocr. Aphor. 1. Sect. 2. * Prou. XXX. 21, 22.

"ε apt

66 apt to comply with the will of their Prince. "As the Ruler of a city is, fo are the inbabi"tants of it, &c." The illuftrious Author shows afterwards that a Prince may do good many other ways. I fhall not give a longer Specimen of the Work of His Highness: Whoever reads this Book in Greek, will be very well pleafed with it. Who would have expected from Walachia a Work, which is a model of good style in point of Morality? The Greek language appears to me very proper to treat moral fubjects.

This Book has been faithfully tranflated into Latin by Mr. Bergler, who understands Greek in perfection.

† Ecclef. x. 2.

ARTICLE VII.

The HISTORY of the Life and Reign of MARY Queen of Scots, and Dowager of France. Extracted from original Records and Writers of credit. London: Printed for F. Woodman and D. Lyon in Ruffelftreet Covent-Garden, and C. Davis in Hatton-Garden. 1725, in 8°. pagg•