sufficiently dazzling to have turned the

head of

any youth, who had not been .....by education......so fitted for the transition.

I now saw myself raised.....in an instant....from a poor fugitive.....halfnaked.....exposed to every want..... I felt a secret pride in contemplating the Rank and Virtues of my Ancestors, which placed me in a situation to aspire to the most important offices of the State.

I began to consider how I might adapt my sublime system of Philosophy to my present prospects. I traced out the path which had been trodden by a Solon.....and an Aristides ......romantically supposing I should meet no difficulties which virtue would not be able to surmount.

My plans were.....as chimerical..... and extravagant........as any that had ever been projected by an Alcibiades

......but mine had the advantage of flowing from a soul full of universal: benevolence......and might be pursued without drawing a sigh from affliction .....or forcing a tear from penury.

My father, to whom I communicated my speculative ideas, was delighted with my enthusiasm.....he saw himself reflected in my glowing imagination... and applauded those virtuous sentiments which we both viewed with too much partiality... Still he foresaw dangers, and explained them to me.....but they had no more effect on my heated fancy, than the cool lessons of a stoic on a man in love......My heart panted with ardour to sail for Athens.......and

enter upon some important achieve

ment.

My father made every hasty preparation.....and we departed for Athens, which I entered with a proudly-beating heart....The first step my father

took, was to acknowledge me publicly as his Son.....and, in obedience to the laws of the State........to enrol me as a citizen.

It was my fate to please at my first onset.....and prejudice.......either for or against...generally determines a man's success, without the assistance of merit .....I was the fashion with both young and old......they crowded round me whenever I appeared.......flattered my self-love.........and strengthened all my visionary pursuits.

The simplicity of my manners...... the zeal with which I devoted myself to the service of my country.........and the unassuming modesty with which I bore away the prizes from all competitors....gained me the popularity of the lower class of people........and the esteem of their superiors.

my

My views were much assisted by father's established virtues......and

the antiquity of our family.......so that my perseverance was rewarded at an age when most youths study nothing but their pleasures.

Eloquence at Athens was the short cut to preferment.

I was unremitted in my practice..... and, when I reflected how far Pericles and Alcibiades had prevailed on the credulity of the Athenians.....I did not despair of success.

I was constant in my attendance at the lectures of Plato......then in the highest repute at Athens...He possessed the wisdom of Socrates with the eloquence of Prodicus......he was accounted the model of oratory.

I improved under the instruction of this great philosopher......he explained to me the duties inseparable from a public character on the theatre of life.. .....I found his principles to be so nearly allied with my own, that I readily

imbibed them....I believed myself free from the contamination of ambition... or other interested motives.... Indeed I felt.....that had the choice been offered me.......I should have cordially chosen the company of the Muses......in some sweet retirement......to all the pompous 'distinctions of governing a kingdom.

My friends now began to importune me......but I hesitated to appear before the public Assemblies....conscious that the first act usually determines the merit of the whole play......Yet many young men, without any pretensions... whose only talent lay in the profusion of a well-regulated entertainment..... a certain easy elegance in their appearance.....a taste for music......or a proficiency in dancing.......were presumptuous enough to spring from the arms of a Messalina.......into a seat in the Forum....where....through a cloud of