6 Nothing,' fays Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.' The poffeffion of wealth and riches cannot give a man a title to greatnefs, because it is looked upon as a greatnefs of mind to contemn thefe gifts of fortune, and to be above the defire of them. I have therefore been inclined to think that there are greater men who lie concealed among the fpecies, than thofe who come out and draw upon themfelves the eyes and admiration of mankind. Virgil would never have been heard of, had not his domeftic misfortunes driven him out of his obfcurity, and brought him to Rome. If we fuppofe that there are fpirits, or angels, who look into the ways of men, as it is highly probable there are, both from reafon and revelation; how different are the notions which they entertain of us, from thofe which we are apt to form of one another! Were they to give us in their catalogue of fuch worthies as are now living, how different would it be from that which any of our own fpecies would draw up! We are dazzled with the fplendour of titles, the oftentation of learning, the noife of victories; they, on the contrary, fee the philofopher in the cottage, who poffeffes his foul in patience and thankfulnefs, under the preffures of what little minds call poverty and diftrefs. They do not look for great men at the head of armies, or among the pomps of a court, but often find them out in fhades and folitudes, in the private walks and by-paths of life. The evening's walk of a wife man is more illuftrious in their fight than the march of a general at the head of an hundred 5 hundred thoufand men. A contemplation of God's works; a voluntary act of juftice to our own detriment; a generous concern for the good of mankind; tears that are fhed in filence for the mifery of others; a private defire or refentment broken and fubdued; in fhort, an unfeigned exercife of humility, or any other virtue, are fuch actions as are glorious in their fight, and denominate men great and reputable. The most famous among us are often looked upon with pity, with contempt, or with indignation; whilft those who are moft obfcure among their own fpecies are regarded with love, with approbation, and cfteem. The moral of the prefent fpeculation amounts to this, that we fhould not be led away by the cenfures and applaufes of men, but confider the figure that every perfon will make at that time when "Wisdom fhall be juftified of her chil- . "dren," and nothing pafs for great or illuftrious which is not an ornament and perfection to human nature. The story of Gyges, the rich Lydian monarch, is a memorable inftance to our present purpose. The oracle, being afked by Gyges, who was the happieft man, replied Aglaüs. Gyges, who expected to have heard himfelf named on this occafion, was much furprifed, and very curious to know who this Aglaus fhould be. After much inquiry he was found to be an obfcure countryman, who employed all his time in cultivating a garden, and a few acres of land about his houfe. Cowley's agreeable relation of this story shall clofe this day's Speculation. • Thus • Thus Aglaüs (a man unknown to men, But the gods knew, and therefore lov'd him then) For Gyges, the rich king, wicked and great, In a proud rage, who can that Aglaüs be? 'We've heard as yet of no fuch king as he. And true it was, through the whole earth around, Who his high race does from the gods derive? ' (Th' Arcadian life has always fhady been) • Near Sopho's town, which he but once had feen, This Aglaüs, who monarchs' envy drew, Whofe happiness the gods ftood witness to, This mighty Aglaüs was lab'ring found, With his own hands, in his own little ground. So, gracious God, if it may lawful be, • Among those foolish gods to mention thee, So let me act, on such a private stage, The last dull fcenes of my declining age; • After long toils and voyages in vain, This quiet port let my tofs'd veffel gain; Of heav'nly reft this earnest to me lend, Let my life fleep, and learn to love her end."* * COWLEY'S Works, p. 113. Edit. in folio, 1669. N° 611+ I N° 611. Monday, October 25, 1714. Perfide! fed duris genuit te cautibus horrens VIRG. Æn. iv. 366. • Perfidious man! thy parent was a rock, And fierce Hircanian tigers gave thee fuck.' AM willing to poftpone every thing, to do any the least service for the deferving and unfortunate. Accordingly I have caufed the following letter to be inferted in my Paper the moment that it came to my hands, without altering one tittle in an account which the lady relates fo handfomely herself. • Mr SPECTATOR, FLATTER myself you will not only pity, but, if poffible, redress a misfortune myself and several others of my fex lie under. 'I hope you will not be offended, nor think I mean by this to justify my own imprudent conduct, or expect you fhould. No! I am fenfible how feverely, in fome of your former Papers, you have reproved perfons guilty of the like mifmanagements. I was fcarce fixteen, and, I may fay without vanity, handfome, when courted by a falfe perjured man; who, upon promife of marriage, rendered me the most unhappy of women. After he had deluded 6 6 ever, ⚫ deluded me from my parents, who were people of very good fashion, in lefs than three months he left me. My parents would not fee nor • hear from me; and, had it not been for a fervant who had lived in our family, I muft certainly have perished for want of bread. Howit pleafed Providence, in a very short ⚫ time, to alter my miferable condition. A gentleman faw me, liked me, and married me. My parents were reconciled; and I might be as happy in the change of my condition, as I was before miferable, but for fome things, • that you shall know, which are infupportable to me; and I am fure you have fo much honour and compaffion as to let thofe perfons 'know, in fome of your Papers, how much they are in the wrong. I have been married C near five years, and do not know that in all • that time I ever went abroad without my huf• band's leave and approbation. I am obliged, through the importunities of feveral of my relations, to go abroad oftener than fuits my temper. Then it is I labour under infupportable agonies. That man, or rather monfter, haunts every place I go to. Bafe villain! by • reafon I will not admit his naufeous wicked • vifits and appointments, he strives all the ways • he can to ruin me. He left me deftitute of ❝ friend or money, nor ever thought me worth inquiring after, until he unfortunately happened to fee me in a front-box, sparkling with jewels. Then his paffion returned. Then the hypocrite pretended to be a penitent. Then - he |