296 96 96 96 96 96 96196) 96 96 96 (96) PROLOGUE T 10 Night, ye Wbigs and Tories both be safe, Nor hope at one another's Coft, to laugh We mean to foufe old Satan and the Pope; They've no Relations here, nor Friends, we hope. Our Church, which aw'd with Reverential Fear, To name, what lives not, but in Madmen's Brains. In close back Rooms his routed Flocks he rallies, OF THE Manner of LIVING WITH GREAT MEN. Written after the Method of Monfieur De la Bruyere. D Iftinction of Rank is highly necessary for the Oeconomy of the World, and was never called in Question but by Barbarians and Entbufiafts. A juft Confideration for the feveral Degrees of Men, as the Orders of Providence have placed them above us, is useful, not only to the correcting of our Manners and keeping our Common Converfation in the bounds of Politenefs and Civility, but has even a bet ter ter Confequence, in difpofing the Mind to a Religious Humility. In obferving Step by Step the feveral Degrees of Excellency above us, we arrive infenfibly at laft, to the Contemplation of the fupream Perfection. It has been faid, that inequality of Conditions is a Bar to Friendship; but why are not the Links of a Chain continued as well Perpendicularly as Horizontally. Moft Men are indeed rather inclined to live in the terms of Civility than Friendship; it is fufficient for their Interest to have no Enemies, and they find it for their Eafe to have no Obligations without Doors, that is, out of themfelves. There are fome People that naturally love to do Good, and contribute to the happiness of their fellow Creatures; but how Rare! If there cannot be what is called Friendship between a Great and a Private Man, there may be fomething' almost equivalent to it, while there is Beneficence on one part, and Gratitude on the other. Crito must be a miserable Man, who never was known to have a Friend even among Men of his own Degree. He is Rich, he is Great, he has Wit; any of these three Qualities would have got another Man either Friends or Followers. He has not good Nature. Paulinus is Affable, juft to his Word, Generous, Serviceable: He has no Enemies, but those that are so to Vertue and to their Country; he has Friends amongst thofe of his own Rank, and Followers amongst his Inferiors, that take a Pleasure in his Protection. He has good Nature. A Great Man, who has a delicate Understanding, cannot find a fufficient number for his Converfation among those of his own Quality, Arif Ariftus is a great Genius for Politicks; and he finds among the Miniftry, Heads capable of forming the greatest and wifeft Defigns. 'Tis with them he concerts what is for the Advantage of his Prince and Country. But he has a Tafte for Mufick, Painting and Sculpture; he is perfectly a Master of all the fine Parts of Learning. He chufes to spend whole Days with Lycidas, a Man not of his own Quality, but one to whom Nature and Industry have given what they could gives Lycidas was born with great Advantage for Knowledge; he has improved thofe Advantages; he has a Wit admirably well turned; a found and exact Judg ment; he thinks, fpeaks and writes with the utmost Politeness; and with all thefe, he has fo much Gentlenefs in his Nature, and Sweetness in his Manners, that one should love him, though it were poffible he might be a Fool. In short, it is neceffary to a Great Man that would be compleatly happy, to have fuch a Friend or Companion, call it which you will. Going into the Company of Great Men, is like going into the other World; you ought to ftay till you are called. What impatience have fome People to prefs into Converfations, where it is impoffible they should be eafy.. Bupalus was never cut out for a Courtier; why will he always be making Parties to dine with great Lords. Bupalus might have lived well with any fort of People, bating Lords. He has a pleasant Wit; he has Humour, and is very often agreeable in his Conversation, but then he is variable; he has loved and hated all his Acquaintance round. He is Violent, a great Stranger to Patience, and a Mortal Enemy to Contradiction. He would have made a notable Tyrant, and Flatterers would have had a good time of it in his Reign. If |