Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/301

 Rh "to consider, how he may make the most of his Life, and spend what there is to the best advantage."

XLVIII. Let the Transmutation and shuffling of the Elements be frequently the Subject of your Meditation: Consider the Course of the Stars as if you were driving through the Sky, and kept them Company. Such Contemplations as these brighten the Soul, and scour off the Rust contracted by conversing here Below.

XLIX. 'Tis a handsome saying, that of Plato's : " That when we consider the State and Condition of Mankind, we should place our Imagination upon some lofty Pyramid, or Observatoire; and from thence take a Prospect of the World, and look it over as it were at one View. Here we may see how Mortals are drawn up into Towns, and Armies in one place, and dispers'd for Husbandry in another ! Here are abundance of Things to be seen together, Marriage and Confederacy treated by Nations and Families, Births and Burials, Feasting and Jolity at one House, and all in Tears at another. Here they are in a mighty Hurry at the Bar, and there up to the Ears in Trading and Merchandize. Towards the end of the prospect, it may be you may see a great deal of Barren, and Uninhabitable Wil- Rh