and the charms of the city were heightened by the prevailing taste for eastern luxuries......He therefore chose it for his residence. He had already numbered more than fifty years.....yet such was the magic of his insinuating manners........ his company was universally courted by persons of both sexes.....indeed he possessed every requisite to form the accomplished Gentleman. An imposing address.......a noble air .....a smiling countenance......and an easy ready wit, which seasoned repartee, and gave brilliancy to all he did, or said. To these engaging qualifications he added a superficial acquaintance with the sciences......an intimate knowledge of the great world.......and a most exquisite taste for the arts.......but the most seducing trait in his person was the irresistible talent he possessed of making himself amiable with the ladies. Thus endowed by nature and art .....you will not wonder that he should maintain the reputation of a first-rate genius........and that his opinions were usually applauded, even before they were given. But however gratifying the applause of mankind........there was infinitely more allurement in the approving smiles of a pretty woman......and Hippias well knew the nearest road to preferment, was through the hearts of these lovely creatures. Had he a project to fulfil.........what advocate so plausible as woman.......... they possess the key to every secret..... dangerous.....domestic.....or political... their influence resembles that which is ascribed to the fairy world.......with this difference.......they display their powers visibly. A glance from beauty's eye unlocks the miser's iron chest.......a partial derangement of the handkerchief steals into the state secrets of a prime minis→ ter's heart.....and a well-timed tear moulds the rugged breast of apathy into the softness of yielding pliability. As Hippias lived for himself......and made all things subservient to his pleasures.......it is easy. to suppose him surrounded by every object which could please the eye... His paintings.....statues....sculptures ......tapestry......furniture....mirrors..... vases,....... were all the labors of the ablest artists......but those were mere inanimate attractions....His slaves both male and female....... were the admiration of a city famed for its beauties. My master's countenance pleased me......and I began to feel satisfaction, on refleting how much more irksome my situation might have been. When we reached home.....Hippias ordered the payment of two talents to the Sicilian Pirate, and led me through his magnificent apartments, where I could not avoid confessing my surprise, notwithstanding I had been so accustomed to the glare of luxury and splendor. I soon learnt my master was a philosopher.....and while I was wondering what sort of philosophy his could be, which he exercised in the very bosom of pleasure.......I received instructions to attend him in his closet. When he entered, he desired me to be seated........calling me Callias......... which name he desired me to assume for the future. By the laws, Callias"......said he, kindly addressing me.....“ I have full power over you as my bondsman.... "How far I may ever consider you "in that point of view, will depend "entirely on yourself........It is my "wish that you should live here as independently as I do. "The only requital I shall expect " from you,.......will be,.......to read "Homer......and some fugitive pieces my own composing.......to a se"lect party who assemble here every evening. " of "Do not, however, imagine this "task to be very easy......I am my"self difficult.......and your audience "will consist of men of genius. Literary taste is not sufficiently gratified in being simply charmed "......it must be enraptured.......The ear must be captivated by sweetly" modulated tones.........harmony of "accent must be distinguished by ease......spirit......and propriety....... "the passions must be arrested by "an imitative grace, which gives life "to the subject........and a seducing |