Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

the old fathers were like it, we should at least be agreeably entertained.

I have examined "The State of the Dead, as defcribed by Homer and Virgil ;" and upon that Differtation* I am willing to ftake all the little credit that I have as critic and philologer.

I have there observed, that Homer was not the Inventor of the fabulous hiftories of the gods. He had those ftories, and alfo the doctrine of a future ftate, from old traditions. Many notions of the Pagans, which came from tradition, are confidered by Barrow, Serm. VIII. Vol. II. in which fermon the existence of God is proved from univerfal confent. See alfo Bibl. Chois. I. 356. and Bibl. Univ. IV. 433.

σε

But this is maintaining the Doctrine of Traditions, which is a Popish doctrine." Thus faid a fuperficial prater against that differtation. So a

Proteftant, it seems, muft not scratch his ears, nor pare his nails, because the Papifts do the fame! The truth is, that if any remarks be juft, they tend to establish the great antiquity of the doctrine of a future ftate;-and there the shoe pinches fome people. Let them go barefoot then, with their heels as unfurnished as their head.

*See Jortin's "Six Differtations upon different subjects.” Differt. VI. p. 205.

ANECDOTES.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

FROM the complexion of those anecdotes which a man collects from others, or which he forms by his own pen, may without much difficulty be con. jectured, what manner of man he was.

The human being is mightily given to affimilation; and from the ftories which any one relates with fpirit; from the general tenour of his converfation, and from the books, or the affociates, to which he most addicts his attention; the inference cannot be very far diftant, as to the texture of his mind, the vein of his wit, or, may we not add-the ruling paffion of his heart.

Is it not Sydney, or the Spectator,-who fays, his in Solden's that" from the national fongs in vogue, a ftran-Talle tath.

[ocr errors]

ger muft judge of the temper of the people?"

Some fuch might be the apology, if any is needed, for inferting the little pieces fubjoined; which are, undoubtedly, at the best, no more than the earthen feet of Daniel's coloffal statue.

Communicated to the Editor by a Friend.

CARDINAL

[ocr errors]

CARDINAL RETZ, as I remember, fays, that going once with the Pope to view a very fine ftatue, his Holiness fixed his, attention entirely upon the fringe at the bottom, of the robe: From this the Cardinal concluded, that the Pope was a poor The remark was fhrewd. When you fee an ecclefiaftic in an high ftation, very zealous, and very troublesome about trifles, expect from him nothing great, and nothing good.

creature.

Vaillant, the father, took a voyage in queft of medals. He was in a veffel of Leghorn, which was attacked and taken by a corfair of Algiers. The French being then at peace with the Algerines, flattered themselves that they should be fet down at the first landing place. But the corfair excufed himself, faying, that he must make the beft of his way home, being fhort of provisions. They shipped the French, as well as the other paffengers, with the compliment of bona pace Francefi. Being carried to Algiers, they were detained as flaves. In vain the conful reclaimed them. The Dey kept them by way of reprifals, on account of eight Algerines, who, as he faid, were in the King's galleys. After a captivity of four months and a half, Vaillant obtained leave to depart, and they returned to him twenty gold medals, which had been taken from him. He went on board a veffel bound to Marseilles; and

on

on the third day they faw a Sallee rover pursuing them, and gaining upon them. Upon this, Vaillant, that he might not be robbed a fecond time, fwallowed his gold medals. Soon after, a ftorm parting the ships, he was run aground, and with difficulty got to shore: but his medals, which weighed five or fix ounces, incommoded him extremely. He confulted two phyficians; and they not agreeing in their advice, he waited for the event, without taking any remedy. Nature affifted him from time to time, and he had recovered half of his treasure, when he arrived at Lions. He there related his adventure to a friend, fhewed him the medals which were come from him, and defcribed to him those that were ftill within-doors. Amongst the latter was an Otho, which his friend fet his heart upon, and defired to take his chance for it, and to purchase it of him before hand. Vaillant agreed to this odd bargain, and fortunately was able to make it good on the fame day. See Spon's Voyages.-Hift. de l'Acad. I. 431. and the Dunciad. IV. 375. in the notes.

Joannes Scotus Erigena was a man of confiderable parts and learning in the ninth century. The Emperor Charles the Bald had a great esteem for him, and used to invite him to dinner. As they fat together at table, one on each fide, the Emperor faid to him, Quid intereft inter Scotum et Sotum? In English,-Between a Scot and a Fool?

Scotus

Scotus bold replied, Menfa tantum and Charles took it not amifs.

A man seeing a King's horfe making water in a river, "This creature," faid he, "is like his mafter he gives, where it is not wanted."

Somebody faid to the learned Bignon, "Rome is the feat of Faith."" It is true," replied he; "but this Faith is like those people, who are never to be found at home."

Ambrofe Philips, the Paftoral writer, was folemn and pompous in converfation. At a coffee-house he was difcourfing upon pictures, and pitying the painters, who in their historical pieces always draw the fame fort of fky. "They should travel," faid he, " and then they would fee, that there is a different fky in every country-in England, France, Italy, and fo forth."" Your remark is juft," faid a grave gentleman, who fat by: "I have been a traveller, and can testify that what you obferve is true: But the greatest variety of fkies that I found, was in Poland.""In Poland, Sir?" faid Phillips." Yes, in Poland for there is Sobiefky, and Sarbieufky, and Jablonsky, and Podebrafky, and many more Skies, Sir."

:

Chapelain

« VorigeDoorgaan »