Suetonius relates, that the Roman emperor Vefpafian went constantly every year, to pass the summer in a small country house near Rieti, where he was born, and to which he would never add any embellifhment: And that Titus, his fucceffor, was carried thither in his last illness, to die in the place where his father had begun and ended his days. The emperor Pertinax, fays Capitolinus, during the time of his abode in Liguria, lodged in his father's house; and raising a great number of magnificent buildings around it, he left the cottage in the midft, a striking monument of his delicacy of fentiment, and greatness of foul. A TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP; AND A Y° PATTERN FOR IMITATION. ou were lamenting the other day, my dear Alexis, the lofs of a beautiful tree, cut down in its prime, and when crowned crowned with all its leafy honours. I am now mourning, continued Euphronius, a more distressful and untimely ftroke, which has fevered from me Philander, the counfellor of my youth, and the friend and companion of my riper years. He poffeffed a folid judgment, and enlarged understanding; and, what is rarely found united with them, a lively imagination, a quick conception, and refined tafte. His knowledge was rather general and extenfive than profound; but his ideas were fo well arranged, that he had them always at command, and could converfe on every subject with eafe, propriety, and even masterly skill. His pulpit compofitions were rational, nervous, and pathetic; his delivery was manly, animated, and affecting. Strongly impreffed himself with the divine truths of religion, and the facred obligations of morality, he enforced them on the minds of his audience with an energy irrefiftibly perfuafive. An affemblage of virtues conftituted his moral character. His His heart was tenderness and humanity itfelf; his friendship warm, steady, and difinterested; his benevolence univerfal; and his integrity inviolate. Nor were these the untried virtues of retirement; for he was early engaged in the active fcenes of life, and affaulted with difficulties which required the utmost fortitude to furmount. --- He was not deficient in those exterior accomplishments, which add charms to virtue, and make goodness fhine with fuperior luftre. His manners were polished; his address was eafy and engaging; and his converfation fprightly, entertaining, and instructive. As a gentleman, a fcholar, a preacher, a companion, and a friend, he was almost without an equal. Though my heart bleeds at the recollection of the lofs which I have fuftained, yet I feel a pleasure, my Alexis, in bringing to your knowledge the virtues of fuch a character. Venerate the memory, memory, and copy the bright example of Philander.* *The following infcription was defigned for the monument of Philander. NEAR THIS PLACE LIE THE REMAINS OF THE REVEREND MINISTER OF THIS CONGREGATION; TO WHICH HE WAS ENDEARED BY A FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE DISCHARGE. OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE; BY HIS CHEARFUL PIETY, AND TEMPERATE ZEAL FOR CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. HE DIED JANUARY 22, 1770. AGED 45, "HEU! QUANTO MINUS EST, "QUAM TUI «MEMINISSE. SCEP SCEPTICISM CONDEMNED. SOPHRON afferted that he could hear the flightest scratch of a pin, at the distance of ten yards. It is impoffible, faid Alexis; and immediately appealed to Euphronius, who was walking with them. Though I do not believe, replied Euphronius, that Sophron's ears are more acute than yours, yet I disapprove of your hafty decifion concerning the impoffibility of what you so little understand. You are ignorant of the nature of sound, and of the various means by which it may be increafed, or quickened in its progress; and modefty should lead you, in fuch a cafe, to fufpend your judgment till you have made the proper and neceffary inquiries. An opportunity now prefents itself, which will afford Sophron the fatisfaction he defires. Place your ear at one end of this long rafter of dale timber, and I will scratch the other end with a pin. Alexis obeyed, |