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 in Counsel, dexterous in Business, and agreeable in Conversation, seem to have been in former Ages thoroughly understood, and successfully practised.

There seems, indeed, to be some Reason to fear, that in the Arts of Knavery and Deceit, the present Age may have refined upon the foregoing; but that is so little for its Honour, that common Decency does almost as much oblige me to throw a Veil over this Reproach, as common Interest does all Mankind to put an effectual Stop to its Increase. But since we are enquiring into Excellencies, not Blemishes and Imperfections, there seems to be great Reason to affirm, that After-Ages had no need to invent Rules, which already were laid down to their Hands; but that their Business was chiefly to reexamine them, and to see which were proper for their Circumstances, considering what Alterations Time sensibly introduces into the Customs of every Age; and then to make a wise Choice of what they borrowed, that so their Judgment might not be questioned by those who should have the Curiosity to compare the Wisdom of several Ages together.

If we descend into Particulars, these Observations will, I believe, be found to be very true: The minutest Differences between