Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/58

 vi of another, is the way, they fancy to tarnish the Lustre, and lose the Credit on't. But Marcus Aurelius was always a declar'd Enemy to this sort of Self-Love : This Impartiality of Temper made his Acknowledgments run high, and treat his Masters almost with the same Respect he did his Deities. For after their Death he erected them Statues of Gold among his Domestick Gods, made frequent Visits to their Tombs, and there honoured them with the Solemnity of Sacrifices and Flowers.

And since the Advantages of Philosophy consist in Practice ; it must be confess'd that to perfect the Character of a good Prince, He should not be unacquainted with with the Measures of Justice, which are so serviceable to the Publick Interest : Marcus Aurelius took care not to neglect so significant a part of Knowledge, he took considerable pains in the study of the Law, in which he was instructed by L. Volusius Mecianus, the most able Lawyer of his Time.

He was a Favourite of Adrians from his very Infancy, who loved to have him always at his Court, this Emperour presented him with a Horse upon the Publick Charge, when he was but six Years old; an Honour which had never been so early bestow'd upon any one before. Rh