with so on the contrary the Court is represented as it always is full of intreagues and designs the City does not draw enough from this description to satisfie its curiosity and to form a just Idea of a Place which can no otherwise be known but by living there on the other side it is not very natural for men to agree about the Beauty or Delicacy of a Moral Treatise which designs and paints themselves and where they cannot avoid seeing their own faces they fly into passion in condemning it such no longer approve the Satyre than whilst it bites severely keeps at a distance from them and fixes its Teeth on some body else What probability is there to please all the so different tastes of Men by one single tract of Morality Some search for Definitioâ—s Divisions Tables and Method these are desirous to have explain'd to 'em what Vertue is in general and then every Vertue in particular what difference there is between Valour Fortitude and Magnanimity the extream Vices either in defect or excess between whom each vertue is placed and of which of these two extreams it most participates other sort of Doctrine does not at all please them Others are â—atisfied to have manners reduced to the Passions and that these be explain'd by the motion of the Blood by the Fibres and Arteries they 'll excuse an Author all the rest Theâ—e â—re a third Class who are of opinio◠〈◊〉 â—he whole Doctrine of manners ought â—o tend to their Reformation to distinguish the good from the bad and to discover amongst men what is vain weak and ridiculous from what they have that is good solid and commendable They infinitely solace themselves in the reading of Books which supposing the principles of Natural and Moral Philosophy left in a controversial suspence by the Antients and Moderns immediately apply themselves to the Manners of the times and correct men by one another by the Images of things that are Familiar to them and from whence nevertheless they do not deduce instructive inferences Such is the Treatise of the Characters of Manners which Theophrastus has left us he collected them from the Ethicks and great Morals of Aristotle whose Scholar he was the excellent definitions that are at the beginning of each Chapter are established on the Ideas and Principles of this great Philosopher and the â—oundation of the Characters which are there described is taken from the sâ—me original it is true he makes them moâ—e particular by the scope he gives them and by his ingenious Satyrizing the Greeks but especially the Athenians â— This Book cannot be thought other than the beginning of a much longer work which Theophrastus had undertaken The design of this Philosopher as you may observe in his Preface was to treat of all Virtues and Vices and as he himself assures you hâ— undertook this great work at Ninety Nine Years of Age it is probable that the shortness of his remaining Life hindred him from perfecting it I own that the common opinion is that he lived above an hundred years and St Ierome in one of his Letters which he wrote to Nepotianus asserts that he died full an hundred and seven years old so that I doubt not in the least that it was an Antient error either of the Greâ—k Numerical Letters which guided Diogenes Laertius who reckoned him to have lived but Ninety five years or in the first Manuscripts of this Historian if that be true in othersâ— that the Ninety Nine years which the Author ascribes to himself in the Preface are exactly the same in four Manuscripts in the Palatine Library where are also the five last Chapters of the Characters of Theophrastus which are wanting in the old Editions and where are also two Titles the one The opinion the World has of the Vicious the other Of Sordid gain which are found alone without any Chapters belonging to them This work is nothing but a fragment yet notwithstanding a precious remain of Antiquity and a Monument of the vivacity of the mind and of the firm and solid Judgment of this Philosopher at so great an Age it will always be a Master piece in its kind there is nothing extant wherein the Attick taste is more remarkable or the Grecian Eloquence more conspicuous so that it may deserve the name of a Golden Book the Learned are intent on the Diversity of manners there treated of and the natural way of expressing the Characters and compare them besides with that of the Poet Menander a Scholar of Theophrastus who served afterwards for a Model for Terence who in our days being so happily imitated I cannot forbear to hint in this little work the original of all Comedy I mean that void of Quibbles Obscenities and Puns which is taken from nature and diverts both the wise and vertuous But to enhance the value of these Characters and inspire the Reader perhaps it may not be improper to say something of their Author He was of Eresus a City of Lesbos a Fullers Son his first Master in his own Country was Leucippus of the same C with himself from thence he went to Plato's School afterwards settled at Aristotle â—s where he distinguisht himself from all the rest of his Scholars This new Maâ—ster charm'd with the readiness of his Wit and Sweetness of his elocution chang'd his name which was Tyrtamus to that of â—uphrastus which signifies one that talks well but this name not answering the great estimation he had for the beauty of his genius and expressions called him Theophrastus that is to sayâ— a Man whose Language is Divine Which is like what Cicâ—ro says amongst his sentiments of this Philosopher in his Book intituled Brutus or De Claris Oratoribus who is more fertile and copious than Plato more solid and firm than Aristotle more agreeable and smooth than Theoprastus he calls him his friend and says that his works were familiar to him and the reading of them had afforded him abundance of pleasure Aristotle says of him and Calisthenes another of his Scholars what Plato before had said of Aristotle himself and Xenocrates that Calisthenes was dull of invention and had a sluggish Fancy and that Theophrastus on the contrary was so vivacious piercing and penetrating that he would comprehend all that was to be known of a thing that the one wanted Spurs to prick him forward the other Reins to hold him in He had an especial esteem for a Character of sweetness which equally reigned in his Style and Manners It is said that Aristotle's Scholars seeing their Master growing in years and of a weak constitution begged of him to name his Successor and as he had only two persons in his School on whom the choice could fall Menedemus the Rhodian and Theophrastus the Eresian by a dexterous management towards him that he designed to exclude he declares himself after this manner He pretending a little time after his Disciples had made this request to him and in
certain manners which we can't excuse and appear ridiculous to us we ought to remember that Theophrastus had the same thought of them that he lookt upon them as vices which he had drawn so to the Life that the Picture would serve to shame and correct the Atheniâ—ns But being desirous to please those who coldly receive whatsoever concerns strangers and the Antients and value none but their own Manners we have added them to this Work It may be thought hazardous to follow the design of this Philosopher as well because it is always pernicious to imitate the works of another and especially if he be an Antient or an Author of great reputation as also because every figure which is called a description or ennumeration employ'd with so great success in these twenty eight Chapters of Characters will now seem abundantly less if managed by a Genius much inferior to Theophrastus On the contrary remembering that amongst the great number of Tracts of this Philosopher related by Diogenes Laertius there is one under the Title of Proverbs that is to say independant pieces as reflections or remarks the first and greatest Book of Morality that ever was made bears the same name in Sacred Writ I found my self excited by so great models to follow according to my abilities the same method to write of manners and I am not at all discouraged from the undertaking by two works of Morality which are in every ones hands and either for want of attention or â—hro a Spirit of Criticism some may think these remarks are imitations One by the engagement of his Author makes Metaphysicks subservient to Religion explains the nature of the Soul its Passions its Vices discusses the most serious motives that lead to Vertue and will make a Man a Christian the other which is the production of a Soul furnished by conversation in the World and in which delicacy was equal to penetration observing that self-love in Man is the cause of all his errors he attacks without intermission every part where he finds it and this one thought when multiplied in a thousand different ways by choice of words and variety of expressions hath always the grace of Noveâ—ty I shall not follow either of these two ways in the work which is joined to the Translation of these Characters it is quite different from the other two which I spoke of less sublime than the first and less delicate than the second its sole design is to render man reasonable by plain and common ways and examining indifferently without any great regard to method and according as the several Chapters there are directed by the Ages Sexes and conditions by the Vices the foibles and ridicules which are there attackt I have mostly applied my self to the Vices of the mind the secrets of the heart and to all the interiour part of Man which Theophrastus has not done and I may say thâ—t as his Characters by a thousand exterioâ—r things which are observed of Man by his Actions his Words his Gate shew what is their foundation and lead us to the very source of their disorder on the quite contrary these new Characters imploy'd about the thoughts sentiments and inclinations of Men discover the principle of their Villany and Follies making us easily foresee all that they are capable to say or do and abate our wonder at a thousand Vicious and Frivolous actions of which their Life is full It must be acknowledged that in the Titles of these two works the difficulty is found near equal for those who are not pleased with the latter may make themselves amends with the former But with relation to the Title of the Characters of Theophrastus the same Liberty cannot be allowed because we are not Masters of another mans goods but must follow the Spirit of the Author and to render him according to the nearest sense of the Greek words and at the same time according to the most exact conformity to their Chapters which will be found very difficult because very often the signification of a Greek Term translated word for word is quite another thing in our Language for example Irony which with us is a raillery in conversatron or Rhetorical Trope with Theophrastus it signifies somewhat between cheating and dissembling which altogether is neither the one nor the other but that very particular Vice which is described in his first Chapter And in other places the Greek have sometimes two or three terms very different to express those things that are so which we cannot render but only by one single word this poverty of our Language doth much embarrass us You may observe in this Greek work thâ—ee â—orts of troublesome persons Flatterers of two â—orts and as many of great Talkers the Characters to which persons resemble inâ—efere one with the other to the prejudice of the Titles they are not always so exactly followed and perfectly conformed to because Theophrastus diverted by a design which he had to make his pourtraicts found himself obliged to these alterations by reason of the Characters and Manners of the persons he paints or Satyrizes The definitions that are at the beginning of each Chapter are very difficult they are short and concise in Theophrastus according to the force of the Greek and the Style of Aristotle who furnished him with the first Ideas I was obliged to enlarge them in the Translation to make them intelligible there are also in this Tract some unfinisht Phrases which make but imperfect sense but it is easy to supply the true one You 'll find in the various readings some things very abrupt which may admit of diverse explications and to avoid wandering amongst these Ambiguities I have followed the best interpreters To conclude as this work is nothing but a plain instruction concerning the Manners of Men by which 't is rather designed to make them Wise than Learned I think my self exempt from the trouble of long and curious observations or of Learned Commentators who give an exact accompt of Antiquity I have only added some small notes in the Margin to some things I thought required them to the end that none of those who have justness and vivacity and are pretty well read should blame this small fault and that they may not be obstructed in reading these Characters or doubt one moment about the sense of Theophrastus THE Moral Characters OF THEOPHRASTUS Done from the Greek BEfore I particularly applied my self to the Study of this subject I have often wondered nor can I yet forbear so to do how it comes to pass that all Greece being scituated under the same Air and all the Grecians alike educated yet there should be so great a disparity of Manners amongst them I therefore dear Policles having for a long time studied Men being now ninety nine years old during which time I have been conversant with persons of all sorts of Tempers Humours and Inclinations and observing with great nicety both the Good and Bad comparing
and let them take the pains only to question whether that mind that has made so great a progress in knowledge as to be capable of thinking judging speaking and writing well could not if it gave itself the trouble be when it pleasâ—d Polite A man with a little trouble may perfectly refine his manners but there 's much more requir'd to polite his mind * Such a one is Learned says the Politician he is therefore no man of business Iâ—d not trust him with the management of my Wardrope and heâ—s to be sure in the right Ossat Ximenes Richelieu were learned were they men of ability did they pass for good Ministers He understands Greek says the Rich man he 's a Philosopher at that rate an Athenian Fruiterer was a Philosopher for he understood Greek what whimsey what contradiction is this to the wise and judicious Antonin who says that the people would then be happy when the Emperor philosophied or a Philosopher came to the Empire Languages are no more than the keys of the Sciences He that despises the one slights the other 't is of no Importance whither the Languages are antient or modern dead or living but whither they are barbarous or polite whither the Books they afford us are good or bad Suppose the French should meet with the fortune of the Greek and Roman Tongues some Ages after it ceasâ—d to be commonly spoken shou'd he be thought a pedant that would then read Moliere or La Fontaine * If I talk of Euripilus you say he 's a Wit you also call him a Carpenter that lays a Floor and he that builds a Wall a Bricklayer but I would ask you where does this Trades-man follow his Trade what Sign has his Shop and by what marks shall we know him what are his Tools a Hatchet or a Chissel where does he finish his Work where does he expose it to Sale An Artificer pretends to be an Artificer Does Euripilus set up for a Wit If he does he 's a Coxcomb a vile Mechanick wretch who has neither Wit nor any thing that 's agreeable and is uncapable of a serious thought but if he pretends to nothing I 'le take him for a wise and ingenious Man Why therefore should you call this Pedant or that ill Poet a polite Man do you believe of your self that you have no Genius or if you have any thing it fine and agreeable and shou'd a man call you a Wit wou'd you not take it for an affront however I 'le give you leave to call Euripilus so let the Irony pass upon Fools and Men of no Judgment as Ignorant wretches pride themselves in those defects which they find in others and cannot discover in themselves Speak no more to me of Pen Ink or Paper no more of Style Printeâ— or the Press do not venture to tell me Antisthene you write well continue it what shall we never see a piece of yours in Folio treat of all the Vertues and Vices in one work well pursu'd methodical and they should add without end or order I renounce every thing that looks like a Book the sight of a Cat throws Berylla into a swoon and a Book me am I better Fed or finer Cloath'd has my Chamber a pleasing Situation and do I enjoy my ease after having been expos'd to Sale these twenty Years you say I have a great Name and much Glory say rather I 'm stockt with unprofitable wind have I one grain of that Metal that produces all things the old Practitioner reimburses himself for those charges which he never expendedâ— and has for his Son-in-Law a Count or a Judge a Lacquey is made a Commissioner and in a little time becomes richer than his Master then soon tir'd of his mean Character by Money becomes a Knight one inriches himself by a Puppet-show another by selling of water the Mountebank foots it to Town with his Wallet at his back not able to defray his Charges but goes from thence in his Coach and Six Mercury is Mercury and nothing more and when they can't pay you for your meditation and invention they give you favour and distinction not to speak but of lawful gains you pay a Gardner for his Skill and the Workman for his time and labour do you pay an Author for his thoughts and writing if his Sense is good do you pay him largely does he inrich or ennoble himself by thinking or writing well Men most be cloath'd and shav'd have Houses that must have doors to shut close but do they want any Instruction â—twere a Folly Simplicity and Weakness continues Antisthenes to set up again for an Author or Philosopher could I have a profitable Imployment which would enable me to lend my Friend and give to those that can ne're return to write for sport or idleness as Tyterus play'd or whistl'd upon his Flute this or nothing I would write on these terms and easily give way to the violence of those who throtel me crying out will you write they should then read for the Title of my new Book of things Beautiful and Good of Truth of Ideas of first Principles by Antisthene the Fishmonger * If the Ambassadors of Foreign Princes were Apes who had learnt to walk on their hind Legs and to make themselves understood by Interpreters we could not have a greater surprize than what the justness of the Answers of such as are sent us and the ingenuity which sometimes appears in their discourse give us the opinion of our Country joyn'd to the Pride of our Nation makes us forget that reason belongs to all Climates and reasonable thoughts to all places where there are men we don't love to be so treated by those we call Barbarians if amongst us their is any Barbarity 't is in being frighted to hear other People reason like us All Strangers are not Barbarians nor are our Country men all Civiliz'd in like manner all the Country is not Pasture nor all the City Polite there is in Europe a certain place part of a Sea Province in a great Kingdom whose Husbandmen are soft and insinuating and their Burgesses and Magistrates rude and of an hereditary rusticity * With a Language so pure such nicety of Habit Manners so cultivated such good Laws and white complections we are Barbarians to some sort of People * If we should talk of the Eastern People how they ordinarily drink a Liquor that takes the head makes them mad and forces them to vomit we should be apt to say 't is Barbarous * When the Bishop comes no more to Court lives retir'd is no more to be seen with Women Plays not makes not one at Feasts and Shews is no man of Cabal nor has the Spirit of Intrigue but is always in his Diocess where he makes his continual residence and thinks of nothing but Instructing his People by discourse and edifying them by his Example consumes his Riches in Charity and his Body in Pennance and is an Imitator both of the
thought indifferently before their promotion * A Princes favour neither excludes nor includes merit * 'T is to be admir'd that with all the Pride which puffs us up and the vast opinion we have of our own judgment we neglect to make use of it when we speak of other peoples merit the common vogue popular favour or the Princes fancy bear us down like a torrent we extol what is praisâ—d more than what deserves it * I doubt whether any thing is approv'd and prais'd with so much difficulty as what deserves most to be prais'd and approvâ—d And if vertue Merit Beauty Good Actions and the best Writings have a more natural and sure effect than Envy Jealousie or Antipathy 't is not of a Saint that a Hypocrite speaks well of but of a brother Hypocrite if a handsom Woman allows anothers beauty you may rationally conclude she excels in what she approves or if a Poet praise anothers Verses 't is an even wager they are slight and frivolous * Men have much ado to like one another they have but a weak inclination to approve reciprocally of the actions conduct thoughts and expressions of others nothing pleases nothing contents they put in ballance to what others either recite speak or write what they should have done in such a conjuncture what they think or have written upon such a subject and are so full of their own Ideas that they have no room for anothers * The generality of men are so inclin'd to irregularity and trifling and the world is so full of examples either pernicious or ridiculous that I should be apt to believe Singularity could it keep its bounds would come very near to right reason and a just conduct We must do like other men a dangerous Maxim and for the most part signifies we must do ill if you speak not of things purely exteriour and of no consequence but what depends on Custome Fashion or Decency * If men were not more like Bears and Panthers than Men if they were more equitable if they were just to themselves and others what would become of Law and the prodigious flourishes are made on it where would you find the Plaintiff and Defendant and all that you call Justice to what would even they be reducâ—d who owe all their livelihood and grandeur to the Authority that they have given the Laws If men were honest and impartial whither would the quarrels of the Schools and Bar vanish If they were temperate chaste and moderate the unintelligible jargon of the Physicians that Golden Mine of woâ—ds to the Practitioner as profitable as 't is to â—em would then be useless O Lawyers Doctors and Apothecaries what a fall would you have could we all become wise How many great men in the different exercises of Peace and â—ar ought we to have lost to what point of refin'd perfection are several Arts and Sciences brought which ought not to be necessary and were introduc'd into the world only as remedies to those evils to which Malice gave the Original How many things are there since Varro of which Varro was ignorant what will no less knowledge than that of Plato and Socrates suffice us To hear praise and dispraise on a Sermon a piece of Musick or a Picture and upon the very same subject to be entertain'd with quite opposite sentiments is what makes me freely conclude we may safely publish any thing good or bad for the good pleases some the bad others and the worst has its admirers * The Phaenix of Poetry Chantantes rose out of his ashes and in one and the same day saw both the dissolution and resurrection of his Reputation and that same infallible Judge who is ever so obstinate I mean the Publick changed upon his account and either did deceive or was deceived He that should now say Quinaut is an ill Poet would speak almost as bad as he that formerly said he was a good one * Chapelain was rich Corneille was not La Pucelle and Rodogune merited each a different fate so it has always been a question why in this or that profession one has made his fortune and another mist for this mankind must enquire the reason of their capriciousness which in the pressing conjuncture of their affairs either of their pleasure health or life makes them often leave the best and chuse the worst * The condition of a Comedian was infamous amongst the Romans but with the Greeks honourable what is our opinion Why we think of them like the Romans and live with them like the Greeks * T was sufficient for Bathyllus to be a universal Mimic to be courted by the Roman Ladies for Rhius to Dance on the Theatre or for Rosciâ—s and Terines to Sing in a Chorus to engage a crowd of Lovers Vanity and Impudence follow'd by too strong a desire made the Romans lose the gust there is in secrecy in their pleasures they were fond of acting their loves upon the publick Stage they had no jealousie of the Amphitheatre nor of sharing the charms of their Mistresses with the multitude their satisfaction lay in shewing they lov'd not the Beauty or the good Actress but the Actress * Nothing discovers better what disposition men have to Knowledge and Learning and how profitable they are esteem'd to the Publick than the price which is set on them and the Idea they have formâ—d of those who have taken the pains to improve them there is no Art so mechanic nor so mean that has not a quicker and surer way to Riches the Comedian lolling in his Coach bespatters the very face of Corneille walking afoot with many people Knowledge and Pedantry are synonimous Often when the Rich man speaks the man of Learning must be silent listen and applaud at least if he would not pass for nothing but Learned * There is a sort of Courage to be used amongst men of some humours to support the scandal of being Learned you find there an establisht opinion against knowledge they know not the world say they nor how to live neither have they any genius for society and so despoil'd they retuâ—n them to their Books Ignorance is an easie condition and costs but little pains and let us take the Ignorant one with another they form such a numerous party in Court City and Country that the Learned can't bear head against them if they alledge in their favour the names of Estree Harley Bossuet Seguier Montausier Wardes Chevreuse Novion Lâ— Moignon Scudery Pelisson and of many other persons equally learned and polite nay if you dare cite the great names of Chartres Conde Bourbon Maine Vandome as Princes that knew how to joyn the highest knowledge to the Grecian niceness and Roman civility they 'll not fail to tell you these are singular examplesâ— if then you have recourse to solid reasons alas they are too feeble to stand against the publick vote however it seems just that they should be somewhat more wary in giving a decisive judgment
you this done he goes home and tells his Wife he has come off with great applause and approbation A Niggard THis Vice is a base and sneaking temper in a Man to save his Money at the expence of his reputation The Niggard when he has won the prize of Tragedy he 'll consecrate to Bacchus Garlands made of the Rind of Trees and have his name writ on this sumptuous present In times when the necessity of the publick affairs requires the Citizens to raise extraordinary contributions that may be sufficient to supply the present exigences he rises up and is silent or retires as soon as he can When he marries his Daughter and sacrifices according to custom he sells all the flesh of the slain Victim besides what belongs to the Priests and hires Servants to attend during the time of the Wedding but makes them find themselves Victuals Being Captain of a Vessel that he built he lets his own Cabbin to Passengers and lies amongst the common Sailors He goes to Market and buys Meat and Herbs and carries them home himself in the lappet of his Coat VVhen he has sent his Cloaths to the Scowrers to be cleaned he is oblig'd to keep at home for want of others He shuns a poor Friend of his that has fallen into misfortunes and desires to raise some Money amongst his acquaintance if he sees him at a distance he turns back and makes all the haste home he can He never keeps his Wife any Maids but when she has occasion to go abroad hires some to wait on her through the City As soon as he 's got up in the morning he washes his own House and makes the Beds and is forced to turn his old Thread-bare Cloak when he goes into publick company Of Ostentation OStentation is a vain humour of vaunting of those things which we are not Masters of This Braggadochio standing on the Keys where the Ships unlade and where there are a great many strangers will talk of vast summs of Money that he has owing him beyond Sea makes a long discourse concerning lending Money at Interest telling you what a great man he is and what great advantages he hopes to reap by it If he can pick up a person to keep him company on the Road he tells him that he serv'd under Alexander and how deserving he was in a great expedition and that he brought away a great many rich drinking Cups set with precious stones he affirms contrary to the opinion of all others that the Asians are better Artificers than the Europeans He also shews a Letter from Antipater which says that he was the third person that enter'd into Macedonia he takes occasion to tell him that tho the Magistrates as a reward for his singular good services had granted him a liberty of exporting what Commodity soever he pleased Custom-fâ—ee yet he scorn'd to make use of it that he might not incur the peoples ill will He sâ—y 〈◊〉 deâ—â—â—ime of Corn he laid out abov◠〈◊〉 Talents and diâ—â—ributed it amongst the poor Citizens If he be in company with those that don't know him he desires them to take their Book and set down the number of â—hose he has been so liberal to which heâ—ll make amount to above six hundred and has fictitious names ready for them all to make the thing appeaâ— more formal then adding the particular summs distributed to each he makes it come to above ten Talents all which he said he laid out foâ— to relieve the poor and yet says he I don't reckon here the Ships I built and commanded and a great many other very chargeable things I did on the publick account for which I expect no recompence He goes to the Jockeys that sell the finest Horses and makes them shew him some of the best In the Fairs he goes to those Shops that sell rich Cloaths and bids them shew him a Suit worth two Talents and falls in a passion with his Servant for following him without Money about him and tho he pays Rent for the house he lives in yet if the person he talks to don't know it he shall tell him that this house was left him by his Father but being too little for the accommodation of that great number his hospitality continually drew thither he design'd to sell it Of Pride PRide is a contemptible opinion a man has of every one besides himself A Proud man tho you meet him very opportunely at his most leisure time and only walking for his diversion yet then will he not stay to talk with you about business though it be of importanceâ— and requires great expedition but defers it till he has supped If he has done any person a kindness he makes him publickly acknowledge it He 's one that scorns to make the first proposal notwithstanding it it is about an affair that concerns himself only If you would buy any thing of him or have occasion to transact or any other business with him he bids you call upon him early next morning he has an affected way in going along the Streets hanging his head down and neither sees nor speaks to any person he meets When he condescends to entertain any of his friends he frames excuses for not sitting down at Table but orders some of his principal Servants to take care that his Guests want nothing he never pays a visit before he has sent word of his coming when he dresses and perfumes or eats he permits no body to be present he will not undergo the fatigue of adjusting his own accounts but orders his Servants to do it His stile is always lofty and commanding and cannot write Sir you 'll much oblige me if but 't is my pleasure it should be done I have sent one to receive it of you take care it be according to my order and no otherwise and that as soon as may be Of Cowardice COwardice is a timorous dejection of the Soul creating imaginary dangers When this fâ—int-hearted Wretch is at Sea he fancies all the Promontories are so many huâ—ks of Ships that suffered wreck on the Coast the lâ—ast agitation of the Water puts him in a pannick fear and makes him iâ—quire whether all that are aboard are initiaâ—ed When he observes the Pilot to stop the Ships way he anxiously asks whether she keeps the â—ight course and whether the Gods seem to be propitious or not he tells him that sits next him a terrible story of a dismal dream he had last night which he takes to be an ominous prefage then plucks off his Cloaths to make ready for swimming and heartily begs the Sailors to set him ashoar as soon as possibleâ— If he be in the Land service getting his fellow Soldiers about him he tells them it is hard to discern whether those they discover afar off are the Enemy or not but when the greatness of the noise gives them to understand the Armies on both sides are engag'd and he sees men