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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

conferring benefits, and you shall not prove my superior in bestowing gifts;' and immediately ordered that one thousand talents should be given to King Taxilis.-Life of Alexander. v. 4. Plutarch translated by several hands.

His Activity, Courage, Judgement, and Skill, when a Boy.

When Bucephalus was first offered to Philip, he was refused by the king, to whom he was so intractable as to be useless. Alexander, who had observed the animal, proposed to mount hin, and taking him by the bridle led him to face the sun, as he had noticed that the horse seemed afraid of his shadow. Patting him, he vaulted into his seat and put him soon to full speed, and returned to the spectators without any accident, to the great delight and astonishment of Philip, who exclaimed, "Oh, my son, look out for another kingdom worthy of thy great soul, for Macedonia is too little for you!"

His Love of Literature.

Among the treasures and other booty that were taken from Darius there was a very curious little box, which being presented to Alexander for a great rarity, he asked those about him what they thought fittest to be laid up in it; and when they

had delivered their opinions, he told them he esteemed nothing so worthy to be preserved in it as Homer's Iliad. He sent very great presents to his old tutor Leonidas, which he had taken at the capture of Tyre and Gaza.

Hint to Old Persons.

It was wisely said by the late author of the Rambler, that men growing old ought to repair their friendships. This metaphor is very happy, and reminds the reader of a kindred one in a still greater Poet. A lover exclaims to his absent anistress,

Oh, thou that dost inhabit in my breast,
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless;
Lest, growing ruinous, the building fall,
And leave no memory of what it was.

Repair me with thy presence, Sylvia fair.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, act v. scene 4.

Titles,

Though honourable in their intent to distinguish persons eminent for their virtues, talents, and knowledge, yet become the properties of men of no "mark or likelihood." This man becomes a

money to a prime mi

lord, because he has lent nister: this buys the honour of being a baronet, abanker perhaps, or a rich and constant supporter

That is, by new materials, viz. new friends.

of Administration. Yet some are so little as to think themselves great with such acquirements; and there are others who admire and mock them, and well know that

Where there are no difference in men's worth,
Titles are jests.

Beau, and Fletch.

The title of esquire does not require any purchase, and is so common as to be quite a joke.

A Multitude of Friends.

Plutarch very beautifully illustrates the folly of searching or wishing for many friends, a wish founded on experience. "As a child cropping several sorts of flowers is foolishly and uselessly delighted for a time with each in its turn, till one effaces the image of the other from his mind and fancy; so we of riper years, from an inbred affectation of novelty, and disdain of things already possessed, take up frequently with the first promising aspect of every fresh and new blooming friend, and when we have scarce fixed on one, our love immediately palls there, whilst we as passionately pursue some other."--Plutarch's Essay on the Folly of seeking a large Number of Friends.

Friends of the Great.

At first we congratulate great folks on their numerous train of friends; but let us look into

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