Page:Famous history of the whimsical Mr Spectator.pdf/15

( 15 ) Another Letter.

We barbarouſly call them bleſt, Who are of largeſt tenements poſſeſt, While ſwelling coffers break their owners reſt. More truly happy thoſe who can Govern that litile empire man; Who spend their treaſure freely as 'twas giv'n By the large bounty of induligent heav n; Who in a fix'd, unalterable, ſtate, Smile at the doubtful tide of fate. And ſcorn alike her frriendſhip and her hate: Who poiſon leſs than falſhood fear, Loth to purchaſe life ſo dear.

I HAVE more than once had occaſion to mention a noble ſaying of Seneca the philoſopher, that a virtous perſon ſtruggling with misfortunes, and riſing above them, is an object on which the gods themſelves may look down with delight. I ſhall therefore let before my reader a ſcene of this kind of diſtreſs in private life, for the ſpeculation of this day.

An eminent citizen, who had lived in good faſhion and credit, was by a train of accidents, and by an unvoidable perplexity in his affairs, reduced to a low condition. There is a modeſty uſually attanding taul leſt poverty, which made him rather chooſe to reduce his manner of living to his preſent circumſtances, than ſolicite his friends, in order to ſupport the few of an eſtate