Some indulgence, however, must be claimed from the candour of the publick, as the original of this admired work is confeffedly, in fome parts, extremely difficult and abstruse: for which reafon, alfo, it has not, I believe, been generally read in the prefent age: so that, perhaps, even you, Sir, and your young affociates in the administration, may, without knowing it, have been acting on the noble and publick-fpirited Maxims of Marcus Antoninus.

He was a philosopher from his youth; and coming to the govern

ment

ment of a great empire, at a very critical period, as the love of his country was his ruling principle, fo he made its profperity the chief study and employment of his whole life.

In fhort, Sir, it is, I think, univerfally agreed, that Marcus Antoninus was one of the best sovereign princes, and one of the most virtuous men of ancient times; and I know of but one fovereign prince in modern times, who can rival him in both those respects; whofe efforts alfo for the fervice of his country, from the inftruments employed in that service, will, I trust, be

ployed

attended, as they hitherto have been,

with equal fuccefs.

I have the honour to subscribe

myself,

SIR,

Your much obliged

and obedient fervant,

RICHARD GRAVES.

PREFACE.

A SLIGHT VIEW OF THE STOIC

PHILOSOPHY, &c

'HE diffufion of fcience amongst

THE

all ranks of people, in this age, (by the means of reviews, magazines, and other periodical publications) is astonishing, and beyond all example. Hence the mechanic decides on religious controverfies, and the haberdasher arraigns the conduct of statesmen: Our Our young ladies write novels.

for the amusement, and school-boys mo

ral effays for the improvement of their grandmothers. Nay, in converfation, these retailers of fuperficial knowledge often eclipfe, in the opinion of the vulgar, men of profound erudition; and, in their own opinions, furpass all the fages of antiquity.

The wife maxims therefore of an ancient philofopher, though of imperial rank, have but a flender chance of gaining attention in fo enlightened an age; and in a country where every newspaper is fraught with apothegms, and every evening club is a Lyceum or school of philofophers.

Yet, notwithstanding thefe difadvantages, thefe meditations and occafional reflections abound with so much good

fenfe,