Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reflections On The Unequal Distribution Of Talents To Mankind.
view ; and this justifies the remark made among us , that our most eminent Lawyers have turned out the worst Politicitms , notwithstanding the affinity thought to exist between law and politics . What shall I say of other qualities that distinguish one man from another ? What stratagems , what precautions , do we find in Hannibal to take an advantage of an enemy ? What presence of mind in action ? What art in fihting a battle ? If he knew as well how
g to use his victories , he would have stood unrivalled in Generalship . William IIJ . was . deemed a good Politician , but no General , though he hacl personal courage enough . By the well concerted plans of his politics , he raised himself to the throne of England . It was a wish he had entertained earl y in life , and this wish he realized . He--could not hold a kingdom by apron-strings ; this seemed to degrade
the thought of his having deserved it . But if the same fortune had followed him at the Boyne , as in all his other battles , he would have had little to boast of ; for even there it was not military science that gave him victory , but the timidity of James II . in drawing off the flower of his army . He wore , however , afterwards a crown of thorns , and more than once repented of his Kingship .
Every thing has therefore its compensation ; prudence is seldom met in conjunction with that vivacity which gives birth to , and puts projects in execution ; erudition seems to exclude that nice taste , the finest fruit of reason ; the beauty of the mind does not always sympathize with that sweetness of character which is the charm of life , and we must conclude with the philosophic Poet , that the most perfect man is always he in whom we find the fewest faults and foibles . —Vitiis nemo sine nascitur : Oplimus ille est , qui minimis urgetur . —Hor . Sat . iii . 1 . i .
Anecote Of Sir Robert Walpole.
ANECOTE OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE .
DURING the run of the Beggar ' s Opera , soon after its first representation , Sir Robert sat in the stage box , and when Lockit ca me to the masterly song : When you censure the age , Be cautious and sage , Lest the Courtiers offended should be ; If you mention vice or bribe
, 'Tis so pat to all the tribe , That each cries that was levell'd at me . A universal encore attended the performance , and the eyes of the audience were immediatel y fixed upon Sir Robert ; against whose conduct Gay is said to have taken up his pen . The Courtier , howeverwith great presence of mindjoined heartilin the laudit
, , y p , and encored it a second time with his single voice ; which not only blunted the poet ' s shaft , but gained a general huzza from the audience . - 3 F «
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reflections On The Unequal Distribution Of Talents To Mankind.
view ; and this justifies the remark made among us , that our most eminent Lawyers have turned out the worst Politicitms , notwithstanding the affinity thought to exist between law and politics . What shall I say of other qualities that distinguish one man from another ? What stratagems , what precautions , do we find in Hannibal to take an advantage of an enemy ? What presence of mind in action ? What art in fihting a battle ? If he knew as well how
g to use his victories , he would have stood unrivalled in Generalship . William IIJ . was . deemed a good Politician , but no General , though he hacl personal courage enough . By the well concerted plans of his politics , he raised himself to the throne of England . It was a wish he had entertained earl y in life , and this wish he realized . He--could not hold a kingdom by apron-strings ; this seemed to degrade
the thought of his having deserved it . But if the same fortune had followed him at the Boyne , as in all his other battles , he would have had little to boast of ; for even there it was not military science that gave him victory , but the timidity of James II . in drawing off the flower of his army . He wore , however , afterwards a crown of thorns , and more than once repented of his Kingship .
Every thing has therefore its compensation ; prudence is seldom met in conjunction with that vivacity which gives birth to , and puts projects in execution ; erudition seems to exclude that nice taste , the finest fruit of reason ; the beauty of the mind does not always sympathize with that sweetness of character which is the charm of life , and we must conclude with the philosophic Poet , that the most perfect man is always he in whom we find the fewest faults and foibles . —Vitiis nemo sine nascitur : Oplimus ille est , qui minimis urgetur . —Hor . Sat . iii . 1 . i .
Anecote Of Sir Robert Walpole.
ANECOTE OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE .
DURING the run of the Beggar ' s Opera , soon after its first representation , Sir Robert sat in the stage box , and when Lockit ca me to the masterly song : When you censure the age , Be cautious and sage , Lest the Courtiers offended should be ; If you mention vice or bribe
, 'Tis so pat to all the tribe , That each cries that was levell'd at me . A universal encore attended the performance , and the eyes of the audience were immediatel y fixed upon Sir Robert ; against whose conduct Gay is said to have taken up his pen . The Courtier , howeverwith great presence of mindjoined heartilin the laudit
, , y p , and encored it a second time with his single voice ; which not only blunted the poet ' s shaft , but gained a general huzza from the audience . - 3 F «