Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/165

 Rh them with very Magnificent Spectacles, tho' he had no manner of Relish for the Diversion himself.

While Rome enjoy'd the Advantage of Peace, and the Satisfaction of having the Emperour at home, Smyrna was miserably handled by Fire and Earthquake, the greatest part of the Inhabitants being buried under the Ruins. Aristides wrote so moving a Letter upon the Subject of this Misfortune to the Emperour, that he could not forbear weeping as he read it ; In short, it made such an Impression upon him that he issued out Commissions immediately for the raising a sufficient Fund for Rebuilding the City, ordering a Nobleman to take care of the Business ; Insomuch that the Accident was in a manner retrieved, and the Town had no Reason to regret the Loss of her former Magnificence. The Townsmen being full of Acknowledgement for Aristides, erected him a Statue of Brass in the middle of the Market place : An extraordinary thing this, and of it self enough to shew the Happiness of the Times, when the Honour chiefly due to the Princes Liberality, was all of it given away to the Orators Rhetorick. Antoninus took this Opportunity to reward the Citizens of Smyrna for their Loyalty, and the Service they had done him. Rh