he," fhall I regard thy advice, who faw Pætus being condemned to die, Arria formed a deliberate refolution to fhare his fate, and made no fecret of her intention. Thrafea, who married her daughter, attempting to difiuade her from her purpofo, among other arguments which he ufed, faid to her, "Would you then, if my life "were to be taken from me, advife your "daughter to die with me?" "Mofi cer"tainly I would?" the replied, "if the "had lived as long, and in as much "harmony with you, as I have lived with "Patus." แ Perfifting in her determination, he found means to provide herfelf with a dagger: and one day, when the obferved a inore than ufual gloom on the countenance of Pætus, and perceived that death by the hand of the executioner appeared to him more terrible than in the field of gloryperhaps, too, fenfible that it was chiefly for her fake that he wished to live-fhe drew the dagger from her fide, and stabbed her felf before his eyes. Then inftantly plucking the weapon from her breast, the prefented it to her husband, faying, My "Pætus, it is not painful." Pliny. $253. ABDOLONYMUS raised to the Government of SIDON. The city of Sidon having furrendered to Alexander, he ordered Hephættion to bestow the crown on him whom the Sidonians fhould think moft worthy of that honour. Hephæftion being at that time refident with two young men of diftinction, offered them the kingdom; but they refufed it, telling him that it was contrary to the laws of theircountry, to admit any one to that honour, who was not of the royal family. He then, having exprelled his admiration of their difinterested fpirit, defired them to name one of the royal race, who might remember that he received the crown through their hands. Overlooking many who would have been ambitious of this high honour, they made choice of Abdolonymus, whofe fingular merit had ren * In the Tatler, No. 72, a fancy piece is drawn founded on the principal fact in this ftory, but wholly fictitious in the circumstances of the tale. The author, mifta king Cæcinna Pætus for Thrafea Patus, has acctifed even Nero unjuftly; charge ing him with an action which certainly belonged to Claudius. See Pliny's Epiftles, Book iii. Ep. 16, Dion. Caffius, Lib. Ix. and Tacitus, Lib. xvi. $35. dered him conspicuous even in the vale of obfcurity. Though remotely related to the royal family, a feries of misfortunes had reduced him to the neceflity of cultivating a garden, for a finall ftipend, in the fuburbs of the city. While Abdolonymus was bufily em ployed in weeding his garden, the two friends of Hephaition, bearing in their hands the entigns of royalty, approached him, and faluted him king, informing him that Alexander had appointed him to that oflice; and requiring him immediately to exchange his ruftic garb, and utenfils of hufbandry, for the regal robe and fceptre. At the fame time, they urged him, when he fhould be feated on the throne, and have a nation in his power, not to forget the humble condition from which he had been raised. All this, at the first, appeared to Abdolonymus as an illufion of the fancy, or an infult offered to his poverty. He requested them not to trouble him farther with their impertinent jefts, and to find fome other way of amuling themfelves, which might leave him in the peaceable enjoyment of his obfcure habitation.-At length, however, they convinced him that they were ferious in their propofal, and prevailed upon him to accept the regal office, and accompany them to the palace. No fooner was he in poffeffion of the government, than pride and envy created him enemies, whe whispered their murmurs in every place, till at laft they reached the ear of Alexander; who, commanding the new-elected prince to be fent for, required of him with what temper of mind he had borne his poverty. "Would to Heaven," replied Abdolonymus, "that I may be able "to bear my crown with equal moderation: "for when I poffeffed little, I wanted no thing: thefe hands fupplied ine with what "ever I defired." From this anfwer, Alex ander formed fo high an idea of his wif dom, that he confirmed the choice which had been made, and annexed a neighbouring province to the government of Sidon. Quintus Curtius. § 254. The Refignation of the Emperor CHARLES V. Charles refolved to refign his kingdoms. importance of the transaction; and to perto his fon, with a folemnity fuitable to the form this laft act of fovereignty with fuch formal pomp, as might leave an indelible impreflion on the minds, not only of his fubjects, fubjects, but of his fucceffor. With this view, he called Philip out of England, where the peevish temper of his queen, which increased with her despair of having iffue, rendered him extremely unhappy; and the jealoufy of the English left him no hopes of obtaining the direction of their affairs. Having affembled the ftates of the Low Countries, at Bruffels, on the twentyfifth of October, one thousand five hundred and fifty-five, Charles feated himself, for the laft time, in the chair of state: on one fide of which was placed his fon, and on the other his fifter, the queen of Hungary, regent of the Netherlands; with a fplendid retinue of the grandees of Spain, and princes of the empire ftanding behind him. The prefident of the council of Flanders, by his command, explained in a few words, his intention in calling this extraordinary meeting of the ftates. He then read the inftrument of refignation, by which Charles furrendered to his fon Philip all his territories, jurifdiction, and authority in the Low Countries; abfolving his fubjects there from their oath of allegiance to him, which he required them to transfer to Philip, his lawful heir, and to ferve him with the fame loyalty and zeal which they had manifefted during fo long a courfe of years, in fupport of his government. Charles then rofe from his feat, and leaning on the fhoulder of the prince of Orange, because he was unable to ftand without fupport, he addrefled himself to the audience, and, from a paper which he held in his hand, in order to allift his memory, he recounted with dignity, but without oftentation, all the great things which he had undertaken and performed fince the commencement of his administration. He obferved, that, from the feventeeth year of his age, he had dedicated all his thoughts and attention to public objects: referving no portion of his time for the indulgence of his eafe, and very little for the enjoyment of private pleafure; that, either in a pacific or hoftile manner, he had visited Germany nine times, Spain fix times, France four times, Italy feven times, the Low Countries ten times, England twice, Africa as often, and had made eleven voyages by fea: that while his health permitted him to discharge his duty, and the vigour of his conftitution was equal, in any degree, to the arduous office of governing fuch extenfive dominions, he had never fhunned labour, nor repined under fatigue: that now, when his health was broken, and his vigour exhausted by the rage of an incurable diftemper, his growing infirmities admonished him to retire: nor was he fo fond of reigning, as to retain the fceptre in an impotent hand, which was no longer able to protect his fubjects, or to render them happy: that, instead of a fovereign worn out with difeafes, and fcarcely half alive, he gave them one in the prime of life, accustomed already to govern, and who added to the vigour of youth, all the attention and fagacity of maturer years: that if, during the courfe of a long adminiftration, he had committed any material error in government; or if, under the preffure of fo many and great affairs, and amidit the attention which he had been obliged to give to them, he had either neglected, or injured any of his fubjects, he now implored their forgivenefs: that, for his part, he thould ever retain a grateful fenfe of their fidelity and attachment, and would carry the remembrance of it along with him to the place of his retreat, as his sweetest confolation, as well as the best reward for all his fervices; and, in his last prayers to Almighty God, would pour forth his ardent withes for their welfare, Then, turning towards Philip, who fell on his knees, and kiffed his father's hand, If," fays he, "I had left you by my "death, this rich inheritance, to which I "have made fuch large additions, fome 66 66 66 me. It is in your power, by a wife and "virtuous administration, to justify the "extraordinary proof which I this day give of my paternal affection; and to demonftrate, that you are worthy of the "confidence which I repofe in you. Pre"ferve an inviolable regard for religion; "maintain the Catholic faith in its purity; "let the laws of your country be facred in your eyes: encroach not on the rights "and privileges of your people: and, if "the time fhall ever come, when you shall "wish to enjoy the tranquillity of private "life, may you have a fon endowed with "fuck “fuch qualities, that you can refign your iceptre to him with as much fatisfaction "as I give up mine to you." As foon as Charles had finished this long addrefs to his fubjects, and to their new fovereign, he funk into the chair, exhaufted, and ready to faint with the fatigue of fuch an extraordinary effort. During his difcourfe, the whole audience melted into tears; fome, from admiration of his magnanimity; others, foftened by the expreffions of tenderness towards his fon, and of love to his people; and all were affected with the deepest forrow, at lofing a fovereign, who had diftinguifhed the Netherlands, his native country, with particular marks of his regard and attachment. A few weeks afterwards, Charles, in an aflembly no lefs fplendid, and with a ceremonial equally pompous, refigned to his fon the crowns of Spain, with all the territories depending on them, both in the Old and in the New World. Of all thefe vaft poffeffions he reserved nothing to himself but an annual pension of an hundred thousand crowns, to defray the charges of his family, and to afford him a, finall fum for acts of beneficence and cha ritv. comfortable accommodation of a private gentleman, did Charles enter, with twelve domeftics only. He buried there, in folitude and filence, his grandeur, his ambition, together with all those vaft projects which, during half a century, had alarmed and agitated Europe, filling every kingdom in it, by turns, with the terror of his arms, and the dread of being fubjected to his power. Robert Jon. § 255. An Account of MULY MOLUC. When Don Sebaftian, king of Portugal, had invaded the territories of Muly Moluc, emperor of Morocco, in order to dethrone him, and fet his crown upon the head of his nephew, Moluc was wearing away with a ditemper which he himfelf knew was incurable. However, he prepared for the reception of fo formidable an enemy. He was indeed fo far spent with his fickness, that he did not expect to live out the whole day, when the latt decifive battle was given; but knowing the fatal confequences that would happen to his children and people, in cafe he should die before he put an end to that war, he commanded his principal officers, that if he died during the engagement, they should conceal his death from the army, and that they thould ride up to the litter in which his corpfe was carried, under pretence of receiving orders from him as ufual. Before the battle begun, he was carried through all the ranks of his army in an open litter, as they flood drawn up in array, encouraging them to fight valiantly in defence of their religion and country. Finding afterwards the battle to go against him, though he was very near his laft agonies, he threw himself out of his litter, rallied his army, and led them on to the charge; which afterwards ended in a complete victory on the fide of the Moors. He had no fooner brought his men to the engagement, but finding himfelf utterly fpent, he was again replaced in his litter, where laying his finger on his mouth, to enjoin fecrecy to his officers, who flood about him, he died a few moments after in that posture. The place he had chofen for his retreat, was the monaftery of St. Juftus, in the province of Eftramadura. It was feated in a vale of no great extent, watered by a fmall brook, and furrounded by rifing grounds, covered with lofty trees. From the nature of the foil, as well as the temperature of the climate, it was esteemed the most healthful and delicious fituation in Spain. Some months before his refignation, he had fent an architect thither, to add a new apartment to the monaftery, for his accommodation; but he gave ftrict orders, that the ftyle of the building fhould be fuch as fuited his prefent fituation rather than his former dignity. It confified, only of fix rooms; four of them in the form of fryars' cells, with naked walls; the other two, each twenty feet fquare, were hung with brown cloth, and furnished in the most fimple manner. They were all on a level with the ground; with a door on one fide, into a garden, of which Charles himself had given the plan, and which he $256. An Account of VALENTINE and had filled with various plants, intending to cultivate them with his own hands. On the other fide, they communicated with the chapel of the monaftery, in which he was to perform his devotions. In this humble retreat, hardly fufficient for the UNNION. Spectator. At the fiege of Namur by the allies, there were in the ranks of the company commanded by captain Pincent, in colonel Frederic Hamilton's regiment, one Unnion, a corporal, and one Valentine, a pri vate centinel: there happened between thefe two men a difpute about an affair of love, which, upon fome aggravations, grew to an irreconcileable hatred. Unnion being the officer of Valentine, took all opportunities even to ftrike his rival, and profefs the fpite and revenge which moved him to it. The centinel bore it without refiftance; but frequently faid, he would die to be revenged of that tyrant. They had spent whole months in this manner, the one injuring, the other complaining; when, in the midt of this rage towards each other, they were commanded upon the attack of the caftle, where the corporal received a thot in the thigh, and fell; the French prefling on, and he expecting to be trampled to death, called out to his enemy, Ah, Valentine! can you leave me here?" Valentine immediately ran back, and in the midt of a thick fire of the French, took the corporal upon his back, and brought him through all that danger as far as the abbey of Salfine, where a cannon ball took off his head: his body fell under his enemy whom he was carrying off. Unnion immediately forgot his wound, rofe up, tearing his hair, and then threw hinfelf upon the bleeding carcafe, crying, "Ah Valentine! was it for me, who have fo barbaroufly used thee, that thou haft died? I will not live after thee." He was not by any means to be forced from the body, but was removed with it bleeding in his arms, and attended with tears by all their comrades who knew their enmity. When he was brought to a tent, his wounds were drefied by force; but the next day, ftill calling upon Valentine, and lamenting his cruelties to him, he died in the pangs of remorfe. Tatler. § 257. An Example of Hiftorical Narration from SALLUST. The Trojans (if we may believe tradition) were the tirit founders of the Roman commonwealth; who, under the conduct of Eneas, having made their efcape from their own ruined country, got to Italy, and there for fome time lived a rambling and unfettled life, without any fixed place of abode, among the natives, an uncultivated people, who had neither law nor regular government, but were wholly free from all rule or restraint. This mixed multitude, however, crowding together into one city, though originally different in extraction, language, and cuftoms, united into one body, in a furpritingly fhort space of time. And as their little state came to be improved by additional numbers, by policy, and by extent of territory, and feemed likely to make a figure among the nations, according to the common course of things, the appearance of profperity drew upon them the envy of the neighbouring states; fo that the princes and people who bordered upon them, begun to feek occafions of quarrelling with them. The alliances they could form were but few: for most of the neighbouring states avoided embroiling themfelves on their account. The Romans, feeing that they had nothing to trust to but their own conduct, found it neceffary to beftir themselves with great diligence, to make vigorous preparations, to excite one another to face their enemies in the field, to hazard their lives in defence of their liberty, their country, and their families. And when, by their valour, they repulfed the enemy, they gave affiftance to their allies, and gained friendships by often giving, and feldom demanding, favours of that fort. They had, by this time, established a regular form of government, to wit, the monarchical. And a fenate, confifting of men advanced in years, and grown wife by experience, though infirm of body, confulted with their kings upon all important matters, and, on account of their age, and care of their country, were called fathers. Afterwards, when kingly power, which was originally eftablifhed for the prefervation of liberty, and the advantage of the ftate, came to degenerate into lawless tyranny, they found it neceffary to alter the form of government, and to put the fupreme power into the hands of two chief magiftrates, to be held for one year only: hoping, by this contrivance, to prevent the bad effects naturally arifing from the exorbitant licentioufnefs of princes, and the indefeasible tenure by which they generally imagine they hold their fovereignty, &c. other should confent to be imprisoned in his stead, and put to death for him, if he did not return before the day of execution. The attention of every one, and efpecially of the tyrant himself, was excited to the highest pitch; as every body was curious to fee what thould be the event of fo ftrange an affair. When the time was almoft elapfed, and he who was gone did not appear, the rafhnefs of the other, whofe fanguine friendship had put him upon running fo feemingly defperate a hazard, was univerfally blamed. But he still declared, that he had not the leaft fhadow of doubt in his mind of his friend's fidelity. The event thewed how well he knew him. He came in due time, and furrendered himself to that fate, which he had no reason to think he fhould escape; and which he did not defire to escape by leaving his friend to fuffer it in his place. Such fidelity foftened even the favage heart of Dionyfius himfelf. He pardoned the condemned. He gave the two friends to one another; and begged that they would take himfelf in for a third. Val. Max. Cic. Dionyfius the tyrant of Sicily, fhewed how far he was from being happy, even whilft he had abounded in riches, and all the pleasures which riches can procure. Damocles, one of his flatterers, was complimenting him upon his power, his treafures, and the inagnificence of his royal state, and affirming, that no monarch ever was greater or happier than he. "Have you "a mind, Damocles," fays the king, "to "tafte this happiness, and know by ex"perience, what my enjoyments are, of "which you have fo high an idea?" Damocles gladly accepted the offer. Upon which the king ordered, that a royal banquet fhould be prepared, and a gilded couch placed for him, covered with rich embroidery, and fideboards loaded with gold and filver plate of immenfe value. Pages of extraordinary beauty were ordered to wait on him at table; and to obey his commands with the greatest readinefs, and the moft profound fubmiflion. Neither ointments, chaplets of flowers, nor rich perfumes were wanting. The table was loaded with the most exquifite delicacies of every kind. Damocles fancied himfelf amongft the gods. In the midst of all his happinefs, he fees, let down from the roof exactly over his neck as he lay indulging himself in ftate, a glittering fword hung by a fingle hair. The fight of destruction thus threatening him from on high, foon put a stop to his joy and revelling. The pomp of his attendance, and the glitter of the carved plate, gave him no longer any pleafure. He dreads to ftretch forth his hand to the table. He throws off the chaplet of rofes. He haftens to remove from his dangerous fituation, and at last begs the king to rettore him to his former humble condition, having no delire to enjoy any longer fuch a dreadful kind of happiness. Cic. Tusc. Quest. $260. A remarkable Instance of filial Duty. The prætor had given up to the triumvir a woman of fome rank, condemned, for a capital crime, to be executed in the prifon. He who had charge of the execution, in confideration of her birth, did not immediately put her to death. He even ventured to let her daughter have accefs to her in prifon : carefully fearching her, however, as he went in, left the fhould carry with her any fuftenance; concluding, that in a few days the mother. muft of course perifh for want, and that the feverity of putting a woman of family to a violent death, by the band of the executioner, might thus be avoided. Some days paffing in this manner, the triumvir began to wonder that the daughter till came to visit her mother, and could by no means comprehend, how the latter thould live fo long. Watching, therefore, carefully, what paffed in the interview between them, he found, to his great aftonifhunent, that the life of the mother had been, all this while, fupported by the milk of the daughter, who came to the prifon every day, to give her mother her breafts to fuck. The ftrange contrivance between them was reprefented to the judges, and procured a pardon for the mother. Nor was it thought fufficient to give to fo dutiful a daughter the forfeited life of her condemned mother, but they were both maintained afterwards by a penion fettled on them for life. And the ground upon which the pri fon itood was confecrated, and a temple to filial piety built upon it. What will not filial duty contrive, or what hazards will it not run, if it will put a daughter upon venturing, at the peril of her own life, to maintain her imprisoned and condemned mother in fo unufual a manner! |