Volume Iii Part 112 (1/2)

'--Fallentis Semita Vitae.'

Hor.

_Mr_. SPECTATOR,

'In a former Speculation you have observed, that true Greatness doth not consist in that Pomp and Noise wherein the Generality of Mankind are apt to place it. You have there taken Notice, that Virtue in Obscurity often appears more ill.u.s.trious in the Eye of superior Beings, than all that pa.s.ses for Grandeur and Magnificence among Men.

When we look back upon the History of those who have born the Parts of Kings, Statesmen, or Commanders, they appear to us stripped of those out-side Ornaments that dazzled their Contemporaries; and we regard their Persons as great or little, in Proportion to the Eminence of their Virtues or Vices. The wise Sayings, generous Sentiments, or disinterested Conduct of a Philosopher under mean Circ.u.mstances of Life, set him higher in our Esteem than the mighty Potentates of the Earth, when we view them both through the long Prospect of many Ages.

Were the Memoirs of an obscure Man, who lived up to the Dignity of his Nature, and according to the Rules of Virtue, to be laid before us, we should find nothing in such a Character which might not set him on a Level with Men of the highest Stations. The following Extract out of the private Papers of an honest Country-Gentleman will set this Matter in a clear Light. Your Reader will perhaps conceive a greater Idea of him from these Actions done in Secret, and without a Witness, than of those which have drawn upon them the Admiration of Mult.i.tudes.

_MEMOIRS_.

”In my 22d Year I found a violent Affection for my Cousin _Charles's_ Wife growing upon me, wherein I was in danger of succeeding, if I had not upon that Account begun my Travels into foreign Countries.

”A little after my Return into _England_, at a private Meeting with my Uncle _Francis_, I refused the Offer of his Estate, and prevailed upon him not to disinherit his Son _Ned_.

”_Mem_. Never to tell this to _Ned,_, lest he should think hardly of his deceased Father; though he continues to speak ill of me for this very Reason.

”Prevented a scandalous Law-suit betwixt my Nephew _Harry_ and his Mother, by allowing her under-hand, out of my own Pocket, so much Money yearly as the Dispute was about.

”Procured a Benefice for a young Divine, who is Sister's Son to the good Man who was my Tutor, and hath been dead Twenty Years.

”Gave Ten Pounds to poor Mrs.--, my Friend _H--_'s Widow.

”_Mem_. To retrench one Dish at my Table, till I have fetched it up again.

”_Mem_. To repair my House and finish my Gardens in order to employ poor People after Harvest time.

”Ordered _John_ to let out Goodman D--'s Sheep that were pounded, by Night: but not to let his Fellow-Servants know it.

”Prevailed upon _M. T._ Esq., not to take the Law of the Farmer's Son for shooting a Partridge, and to give him his Gun again.

”Paid the Apothecary for curing an old Woman that confessed her self a Witch.

”Gave away my favourite Dog for biting a Beggar.

”Made the Minister of the Parish and a _Whig_ Justice of one Mind, by putting them upon explaining their Notions to one another.

”_Mem_, To turn off _Peter_ for shooting a Doe while she was eating Acorns out of his Hand.