fices, largeffes, and the like; having more regard to the reason and propriety, than the popularity of his actions.

He did not indulge himself in bathing at irregular hours, nor in a rage for building; nor was he folicitous about the elegance of his table,* or the beauty or good person of his flaves, or the fineness or colour of his cloaths. His gown indeed was home-fpun, and generally brought from his own farm at Lanuvium. At his Tufculan villa he ufually appeared in his tunick, and seldom put on a cloak without making an apology for it. Such was his cuftom in this respect. In fhort, in his whole behaviour, there was nothing morofe, nor contrary to deco

*No dainty-mouthed eater.

J. THOMSON.

† Σώματων in this place certainly means faves. Seneca fays, "Tranfeo puerorûm greges," &c. and describes the care they took to have them all of the fame age, and that a boy with ftrait hair might not be mixed with those that had curled locks &c." EP. 95

This paffage is probably corrupted; but, as ́M. Cafaubon obferves, it contains nothing of philosophy or doctrine; it is therefore of no confequence,

rum;

rum; nothing precipitate or impetuous, or that had the appearance of extraordinary exertion, but every thing feemed to be difpatched at leisure and without confusion; and the administration was carried on with great order, force, and uniformity.

Upon the whole, what was faid of Socrates is applicable to Antoninus, "that he could abstain from or enjoy those things, which the generality of people find it so difficult either to abftain from, or to enjoy with moderation." But to be able to bear affliction with fortitude, (as he did the sickness of his friend Maximus) and the reverse with Sobriety and without being too much elated, is an argument of confummate virtue and invincible refolution.

17. To the Gods my thanks are due, that I had an excellent grandfather, both by my father's and mother's fide;* excellent parents, a good fifter, good preceptors, kind relations, faithful friends, and trusty domefticks; and, in fhort, for almost all the

* Annius Verus and Calvifius Tullus.

bleffings

bleffings which life can afford; and that I have never done any thing inadvertently to offend them, though, from my natural difpofition, that might probably have happened; but, by the favour of the Gods, things have been so disposed that nothing has occurred to betray my infirmity,

To their goodness I must likewise ascribe it, that I was not continued long under the care of my grandfather's concubine; and that I preferved my chastity pure and unfullied even beyond the maturity of manhood.*

That I was bred under and fubject to a father and prince, who was the most proper perfon in the world to extinguish every spark of pride in me, and to convince me by his example, that one may live with fufficient dignity in a court, without the parade of guards, embroidered robes, the facred fire,§ images, and other enfigns of royalty; and

Mn wgo gas avdgoðva, "did not become a man before my time.”

§ Which was fometimes carried before the imperial family.

HERODIAN.

that

that a man may fubdue the splendour of his figure to a level with that of a private man, and yet act with equal dignity and force, when the publick administration requires the majefty of the Sovereign.

To the favour of the Gods I am also indebted for a brother,* whofe manners excited me to be circumfpect in my own conduct, and whofe affection and regard might contribute to the pleasure of my life.

It is also a bleffing, that my children were not born with any natural incapacity,† or with distorted limbs:

That I made no great progress in rhetorick or poetry, and those other fuperfluous ftudies, which might have engaged my attention too long, if I had been confcious of my being likely to profecute them with fuccefs.

Though Lucius Verus, his brother by adoption, turned out luxurious and diffolute, he probably preferved a decent character during the life of Antoninus Pius, who adopted them. He was a man of parts, but voluptuous to the last degree.

"Heavy in their heads."

COLLIER.

I am

1

I am happy also that I prevented the wishes of my preceptors, in establishing them in that respectable line which they seemed most to defire; and that I did not tantalize them with hopes, that because they were young enough to wait, I would provide for them hereafter:

That I enjoyed the friendship of those celebrated philofophers, Apollonius, Rufticus, and Maximus.

It is by the particular favour of the Gods, that I have formed a true idea of a life agreeable to nature, and that I have had it clearly and frequently impreffed on my imagination; fo that, confidering the many divine impulfes and inspirations, nothing could have prevented my living conformably to nature, but my own obftinacy, in entirely difregarding thefe divine admonitions and almost fenfible inftructions of heaven.

It is also a blessing, that in a life of so much toil and fatigue, my flender conftitution has held out fo well.

I am also very thankful, that I never had any connection* with the celebrated Bene