SIR,

INCE you defired my
Opinion on the Subject
of Curiosity, as it is at
prefent with us, I here
accordingly venture to fend you
the following crude and ſcatter'd
Thoughts, until you are better pro-
vided with thofe more ripe and well
digefted by Time, with Apollo's con-
tinued illuminating Beams upon the
more happy, more fertile, and more
ſagacious Brain. Yet before I ven-
ture on the Subject, I muſt beg Leave
to obſerve, that as fuch Matters here
treated of, ſeem in a great meaſure
to be the Product of Riches and
Luxury; ſo Cato the Cenſor was

A 2

greatly

[ 4 ]

greatly againſt the *Romans* entering
into the *Grecian* Taſte, as tending to
enervate, and too much to soften the
Mind of a Nation: and thus accord-
ingly degenerating and loſing that
original Virtue, Abſtinence and Ho-
neſty; together with that true, natu-
ral, daring Spirit, Hardineſs and Fe-
roſity. Since the greater our Tem-
ptations are from Luxury, &c. the
more liable we are to be corrupted,
and to degenerate. Thus in the
Time of the brave *Mummius*, the
*Roman* General in *Greece*, Conſul
with *Corn. Lentulus*, ſo late as the
608th Year of *Rome*, after having
ſack'd *Corinth*, &c. ('tis ſaid) on his
taking away the fine Statues, &c. to
be ſent to *Rome*, he was ſo very little
knowing in theſe Affairs, as to tell
thoſe who had the Care of 'em, that
if any of 'em were broke, or loft,
they ſhould be obliged to make 'em
good, without confidering that it
was not then a thing to be done. And
though

2

[ 5 ]

though I have poffibly been of O-
pinion alſo, nay, even expreſs'd my
ſelf ſo on this Head, that ſuch Soft-
neſſes did degenerate Nations; yet at
the fame time ſtill obſerved, that I
could taſte, and even reliſh ſuch De-
licacies, poffibly as well as my Neigh-
bours, if conveniently, and not with
too much Trouble to be attain'd to;
neither are they ſo to be difcommend-
ed when rightly uſed.

Thus the *Italians* (not improperly)
make uſe of the word *Virtuoſo* or *Vir-
tu*, to wit, Virtue, as to a Person who
applies to Sciences, or to a commen-
dable and virtuous Knowledge of cu-
rious Things.

Yet before I proceed on the parti-
cular Subject of Curioſity, as Prints,
Drawings, Piçtures, Buſto's, Medals,
&c. it may not be improper I firſt
premife, that tho' ſuch things, 'tis true,
may, ſtrictly ſpeaking, be confider'd
under the Denomination of Luxury,
(not absolutely neceſſary to human
Life);

[ 6 ]

Life); and tho' that even generally
they may be tending to degenerate
(perhaps even alfo to corrupt) Mens
Minds, and thus to enervate, soften,
and weaken both Men and Nations;
yet they are not so much to be ex-
claim'd againft, or to be discommend-
ed when rightly and judiciously ufed:
Since Honey is to be drawn from
Thiftles, as well as the moft poifonous
Flowers, by the induſtrious Bee.

If Men and Nations then will needs
indulge their Ambition and Avarice,
thus ardently to graſp at, and moſt
earneftly to deſire to attain to Riches:
Whether by the abſolute Will of a
Prince, or by a national Conſent to
rob or plunder their Neighbours (cal-
led Conqueſts, &c.) whether with or
without the many ſpecious Pretences;
or whether it be by Dint of mere In-
duſtry, or by the outwitting or over-
reaching Fineſſes of Trade; or whe-
ther by the anxious and unweary'd
Labour of attaining to beneficial and
lucrative

[ 7 ]

lucrative Places; whether by the
Tongue, or otherwife; or that it be
by ſelling of the Body or Soul (for
Riches) at the deareſt Rate; whether
by Marriages, or otherwife; or that
it be by cheating, filching, or cozen-
ing the Publick, or one another;
whether with or without Power and
proper Authority, or otherwife; or
yet under the moſt ſpecious Pretences
from Application to Sciences or Trades;
whether unjuſtly, or e'er ſo juſtly,
that we acquire ſuch Riches; What
then, I ſay, can be the proper Uſe
thereof?

Avaritiouſly to deſire Gold or Ri-
ches (as Miſers and Uſurers) for the
ſake of burying it, or accumulating
of more, is ſurely the very higheſt
Degree of Diftraction; and ſuch ſure-
ly ought to be ſhut up as Madmen, or
worſe uſed, if not expell'd the So-
ciety, as corrupt Worms engender'd
therein; who live and prey on its Vi-
tals, deſtroying and ſtopping the com-
mon

[ 8 ]

mon Circulation of the publick Blood. Yet it may, 'tis true, be urged, in their behalf, that it sometimes, or often, proceeds from a natural Fear of being drove to real Want, and a Pufillanimity not easy to be help'd. I own it is often so, since generally they prove to be poor, mean-spirited, fordid fort of Wretches; or indeed the moft exculfable with old Females, and thofe with the Infirmities of old Age. Yet there be others who are ready to accumulate Riches merely from a vain, mad, ambitious Defire of leaving their Pafterity vaftly rich and great; tho' often not hardly deferving any more than merely to be hang'd. Nay, tho' even oftentimes it very viſibly appears, that by this Paſſion of heaping up ſuch Riches for their Offspring, they are thereby oftner deſtroy'd both in Body and Soul, rather than in doing 'em any real Service thereby. There are others again of a different Species to theſe, who accumulate Riches out of

[ 9 ]

of mere Vanity of being call'd rich; and conclude, that during Life they will be honour'd, eſteem'd, and careſd for ſuch Riches; and when dead, the Fame of having died immenſly rich. As to the latter part we muſt allow; but I cannot imagine that any Men of true Spirit or Honour will ever eſteem, honour, or careſs them, or any Perſon, but in proportion to their real Merit: nay, on the contrary, will rather contemn and deſpife any ſuch, more than were they truly neceſſitous and in want. Next to theſe we may add yet another Species, who covet immenſe Wealth from an infolent, ambitious, infulting, overbearing, unjuſt, and villanous Inclination of riding or oppreſſing their Neighbours and Fellow-Creatures in general, with the like unbounded Anxiety of leaving their (too often as vile) Pafterity to do the like. Tho' if they did but allow themſelves time, and judiciously to confider, they would experimentally find, that they thus oftner do them harm than any real good; ſince oftner

B

thus

[ 10 ]

thus destroying them, or principally
contributing to destroy such they so ve-
ry much affect; since by leaving 'em
such Superfluity of Wealth, both Body
and Mind is thereby most commonly
destroy'd, by bringing on them an In-
finity of the worst Maladies, as Gout,
Pox, &c. or at least a Degeneracy, Soft-
nefs and Effeminacy, Shortnefs of Life,
and a degenerate Pafterity. Nor are
their Minds or Morals commonly any
way better than their degenerate Bodies,
by being generally habituated to such
like superabounding, loose and profuse
Company, bred to Idlenefs, indulged
and accuftomed to bad and corrupt Mo-
rals; their Heads still fill'd with vain
Schemes, without ever attaining a Su-
ficiency of bought Experience; never
allowing themſelves time to think, and
conſequently never able to arrive at
any ſufficient Degree of Experience,
either of Mankind or of the World;
being the moſt valuable Knowledge on
this Side of Time. Thus it is we find
thofe Men who have bit upon the Bri-
dle,

[ 11 ]

[ 11 ]

dle, that have accordingly attain'd the
greateſt Degree hereof; and having thus
gain'd the greateſt Knowledge this Way,
have conſequently alſo in general made
the moſt ſhining and moſt eminent Fi-
gures in Life. So that I have often
made it a Question within my ſelf, whe-
ther we did more harm than good to
thoſe we have great Regard to, by lea-
ving or beſtowing great Riches on them;
ſince, as obſerved, we much oftner
ſhorten than prolong their Days there-
by; being ſew who have the leaſt De-
gree of common Prudence, do want
the common Neceſſaries of Life, ha-
ving but the leaſt Degree of Frugality
and Induſtry: And if otherwife, it will
ſeem greatly probable they do not de-
ſerve it; and had they e'er ſo much
Wealth beſtow'd on them, they would
in all likelihood ſquander it (to their
own Prejudice), or otherwife ſimply to
be ſool'd out of it. Befides that (in
my Opinion) the Frugal and Induſtri-
ous will alſo even acquire Wealth ſu-
ficient for themſelves, eſpecially if much

B 2

bent

[ 12 ]

bent on that, as moſt People (probably
may) of any Capacity, Boldneſs, or
Cunning, (and ſtill more if honeſtly or
difhoneſtly) resolved thereon, and that
their whole Thoughts are entirely em-
ploy'd this Way. It may however be
(methinks) no unreasonable Query, Whe-
ther Riches in general do not more
harm than good? And yet every one
ſtill more or leſs deſires it, poſſibly be-
cauſe every one does vainly imagine
they know the true or beſt Uſe thereof;
yet moſt certain it is, that the moſt ava-
ritious, the profuſe, extravagant, or
moſt ſordid, mean, and baſeſt inclin'd
Souls, covet and puſh for it with
the greateſt Anxiety: not ſticking at
any thing to attain thereto. Thus King-
doms being enrich'd by the extravagant
and inordinate Deſire of Riches, the
unbounded Inclination of ſuch Sub-
jects; ſo the moſt voluptuous, rapaci-
ous, avaricious, vileſt, groveling Spi-
rits will conſequently become the moſt
rich, and thus alſo attain to the greateſt
Power; and by that means become the
Governors

[ 13 ]

Governors and Rulers of their Societies,
then viciated: as they unqueſtionably
will be, (and always have been) when
Riches, and conſequently Luxury, are
once crept in. Nay, it may even be a
grand Query, Whether any eſſe of a
more moderate or ſelf-denye'd Genius
would pleafe for the Ruler of ſuch a So-
ciety? ſince each Time and Place ſeem
to produce, and to chufe Creatures pro-
per to that Place and Time: as Rep-
tiles, and Vermin, are the Produce of
Filth. What is it then, I ſay, we ſo
very earneſtly covet it for? Is it then
for Drunkenneſs, Gluttony, or vain
Show? Or is it yet, as we have ſaid,
merely for the ſake of being rich? or,
otherwife, to be powerful? that we
may thus more effectually oppreſs and
inſult our Neighbours: or inſtead of
bettering, generally rather to vitiate,
degenerate, ruin, and kill (ourſelves
often) as well as Poſterity. Neither
ſeems it neceſſary for me to dwell on
Drunkenneſs; and as to Gluttony or
luxurious Diet, we well know it has the
bad

[ 14 ]

bad Effects spoken of: nor need we to
expatiate on the others, which shew
themselves.

What are then the Ufes we can rea-
fonably make of Riches (if not in Cha-
rities or publick Benefits, fince a fmall
matter ferves for our real Nefefiaries of
Life) unlefs it be, I fay, to attain there-
by, acquire or purchase fuch curious
Things, as not only may give us Plea-
fure in the Admiration, but at the fame
time alfo to improve our Knowledge;
fince our Superfluous Wealth muft either
be thus laid out in fuch reafonable Way,
or otherwife in the forefaid vicious, ex-
travagant, or unwarrantable Ways be-
fore-mention'd. Yet I doubt not fome
will alledge that they have but juſt
enough for the Nefefiaries of Life, ac-
cording to common Cuftom, as Times
go: nay, hardly perhaps enough even
to discharge that, believing it abfolute-
ly neceffary to have at leaſt every idle
or extravagant thing, that their moſt
fashionable or moſt profufe Neighbours
have, or even to outdo them. Thus
notable

[ 15 ]

notable Equipages, luxurious Eating
and Drinking, with all things fuitable
thereto, (Play Money of all Kinds, if
not Race-Horfes alſo) are all by them
judged abſolutely neceſſary, and cannot
think, or care not to abate one Title of
any one of theſe, to purchase any thing
of laudable Curiosity and Inſtruction;
tho' ſtill of ſome real Value, if not
worth the full (though ſometimes even
worth more) than the firſt Price given,
as well as a more durable Satisfaction,
and a greater Improvement of their
Knowledge.

But thus, I fay, it will alſo happen (in
fuch Times and Places) where there is a
Superfluity of the Goods of Fortune,
the Induſtrious and Temperate will ſtill
more or leſs attain to ſome Share there-
of; and if they be Men endued with a
Tafte and Capacity for laudable Plea-
fures, willing to oblige their Eyes, which
ſtill communicate Knowledge; and ſtill
farther, if the Improvement thereof be
more particularly ſought after: How
can they then poſſibly lay out (I fay)
ſuch

[ 16 ]

fuch Superfluity better, than in that
which gives both Pleafure and Infru-
ction? especially after having done our
(at leaft) proportionable and reafonable
good Offices in Society: Nay, will
thus even reſtrict and deny themſelves
many idle or unneceſſary Indulgences,
(whether in eating, drinking, or other-
wife) ſo better to attain to purchase theſe
more laudable and durable Satisfactions.

And this I will now alſo venture to
fay in behalf of Virtuofoſhip in gene-
ral, That he who is a true Lover, it will
readily prevent his Pockets from being
too much overloaded, and conſequent-
ly he will from thence prudently and
reafonably deny himſelf from Indul-
gences and a luxurious Way of living;
and thus will accordingly keep himſelf
in better Health, preferable to all things
here on Earth. For ſuch, I fay, who
will run headlong into both muſt be un-
done; ſince ſew or no Eſtates can ſup-
port the Exceſs of both. It may like-
wife be confidered as a more or leſs
conſtant Amuſement, diverting and

entertain-

2

[ 17 ]

entertaining them from ſeeking after
idle or extravagant Company.

As to Building and Gardening, they
are no doubt very agreeable (more
especially the latter) yet are un-
queſtionably extremely expenſive; and
if they come to be ſold, the Produce
will be very inconfiderable. But again,
What is a fine House without propor-
tionable Furniture and Ornament? It
is in effect little better than a fine Barn,
and thus therefore if furniſh'd with ſuch
things as give both Pleafure and In-
ftruction, muſt conſequently be the
beſt.

But you will, Sir, I doubt not, judge
it full time I come to the Particulars of
the Subject proposed: I ſhall then chufe
to begin with *Drawings*.

*Drawings* are the firſt Thoughts of
a Painter, laid (or I may ſay) writ down
on Paper, Canvafs, &c. and the firſt
Thought, being the foul or rough
Draught, is call'd sketching, or a
Sketch; which generally ſhews the firſt

C

Spirit

[ 18 ]

Spirit and Fire of the Mafter, much more then that of the more finisłd Drawings; which, however, shew much more Exactitude and Correctneſs, as well as more Compleatneſs of the Invention; with the proper Maturity of Compoſition and Judgment of the Maſter, and in a much more perfect manner digeſted: and tho' much of that original Spirit (or I might perhaps ſay, often, an incorrect Wildſire) is thus correc ted or taken off, yet ſuch Drawings ſtill contain more Spirit than their Piſtures. These being indeed generally but Copies of ſuch Drawings, (whether more or leſs ſervilely follow'd) and conſequently Copies will ſtill more or leſs loſe of the Spirit of that from which they are copied, whether more or leſs ſervilely followed; though, in reali ty, more exact and perfect, more correc t in every respect, more ſtudied, more compleat, and more highly finisłd: anſwering to all that is material, the minuſt Parts, as well as comprehen ding the exacteſt colouring of each Par ticular.

2

[ 19 ]

ticular; finally, obſerving the strict eſt Harmony, with Distance, Perſpe c tive, Truth, Solidity, and Juſtneſs of Compoſition; ſo as in the whole to be, and appear, a lively, juſt, and perfect Repreſentation of Nature, either in Miniature, or otherwife: conſequen tly he who comes the neareſt to the moſt juſt and exact Repreſentation thereof is the beſt Maſter. To theſe Hints I might likewife add, that a Pain ter by dwelling long, or by repeating the ſame thing, his Spirits alſo go off, and become more tir'd. The next Ob ſervation I ſhall take notice of, is, That as there have been but few (or more probably, no Painters) who have been fully enough endow'd with all theſe very excellent and great Qualities here ſpecify'd, ſo absolutely neceſsary to fi nisłh a compleat Piece; ſo none even of the very beſt of 'em, have ever yet been able to produce ſo compleat a Picture, but that ſomething more or leſs has ſtill been ſome way defective in ſome one or other of theſe; which plainly ſhews

C 2

the

[ 20 ]

the Imperfection of human Nature,
there being still something wanting to
render even the best, perfectly compleat.
And thus one excels in one or more
Parts, whilst others excel in others: so
that I often say, I would not have or
keep a Picture, no more than a Ser-
vant, that has no Fault. But we are
to weigh and consider the whole toge-
ther, and if their Excellencies surpafs,
or are more than their Imperfections,
fuch Picture may very well be allowed
to be a good Piece; however, those
will be the best, and most eligible,
which have the fewest Faults. It is thus
likewise that the particular Genius's, and
most predominant Passions of the Ar-
tift are very observable, e'en fully more
than in Poetry, &c. and thus I strongly-
ly imagine, that we may in a great
measure discover the Genius, the most
prevalent Passions, with the true Na-
ture, and Capacity, of each particular
Painter, by his Painting. And thus 'tis
a common Saying amongst these Ar-
tifts, That a Painter spreads his Soul
upon

[ 21 ]

upon his Cloth, or Canvafs. Which no
doubt they do full as much, I say, as
Poets describe or write theirs on Paper.
Thus Rubens plainly shews his vaftly
strong Flemish Fire and Spirit: though
with the rougher Choice of Nature
(more particularly in the Choice of his
Women, &c.) with an Incorrectneſs,
and even Defect, in the Exactneſs of
Drawing, common to so much Fire.
He was also a wonderful strong, and
even excellent Colourift; yet generally
feemed to overcharge, outdo, or to go
beyond Nature. All which, together
with his vaſt Undertakings, plainly de-
scribe him to have been a very great
Genius, of vaſt Fire and Spirit in his
natural Temper, as well as his Judg-
ment and Learning; tho' it plainly ap-
pears he was not endow'd with the Mo-
deration, Politenefs, Softneſs, and Ex-
actneſs of Raphael; accompany'd with
his good and agreeable, as well as juſt
and judicious Choice of Nature: Thus
plainly shewing his extraordinary Mild-
neſs, Moderation, and Modesty of his
Temper,

[ 22 ]

Temper, as well as the Politenefs of
his Tafte, with the Greatnefs of his
Judgment. And now tho' Vandyke, I
fay, was of the fame Country with
Rubens (his Mafter), yet he appears to
have been of a much more genteel
Tafte, and Genius, a far softer, gen-
teeler, and more agreeable Choice of
Nature, not only in the fair Sex, but
even in his Men alfo: their genteel Atti-
tudes, their well-choſe Drefs, and De-
corations, &c. Thus he may be ob-
ferved to have been a gentleman-like,
polite, generous ſpirited, as well as a
judicious Man. So Claud de Lorain
in his Landskips, Figures, &c. his great
Inclination to Retirement, Quietneſs,
and Stilneſs, his Perſpicuity, as well as
Capacity, Judgment, and good Choice
of Nature, may all plainly enough be
obſerved in his Paintings; whereas Sal-
vator Rofe, on the contrary, ſhews a
more particularly chagrin, ſavage, fa-
tyrical, ſmart Genius, by his vaſt Spirit
and Fire, with his conſtant Imitation
and Choice of wild and gloomy Nature
in

[ 23 ]

in all his Works. But now as to the Par-
ticularity of Names, which ſome ſeem
extremely fond of, or are greatly affect-
ed with, ſo as often to mind the Name
even more than the true Merit of the
Performance. 'Tis true indeed, that
ſuch who pretend to make Collections,
or Galleries of all the particular Geni-
us's or Maſters, may indeed have more
eſpecial Regard to this; or otherwife,
where they incline to obſerve the gra-
dual Advancement and Progreſs of
Painting in each Time; in ſuch Cafe,
I fay, it's more advisable or allowable to
make that exact Choice of ſuch of each
Maſter; but then it ought alſo to be of
his beſt. But if not from ſuch Conſi-
derations, I cannot ſee it is of ſuch
mighty matter of Moment, whether it
be this Maſter or t'other, if equally
good. Nay, it has been known that
even Copies of extraordinary Maſters
have been eſteemed equal in Value to
the Originals; as that of Andrea del
Sarto after Julio Romano, Carlo Morat
after Auguſtin Carats, in the Santa Cafa
de

[ 24 ]

de Loretto, where Copy and Original
hang oppofite to each other, being there
equally valued. Neither have even the
greateſt Maſters been infallible in the
abſolute Certainty of Hands; but that
they have ſometimes been miſtaken;
nay, even ſo as to miſtake their own
Works; which Rubens himſelf not on-
ly did, in a Subjeſt he had twice paint-
ed; and on bringing one of the ſaid
Pictures to him (ſome Years after to
have his Opinion) he denied it to be of
his doing, ſaying, that the Original
thereof, which he had painted, was in
fuch a Place; but on his Wife's putting
him in mind that he had painted two
of 'em, he ſtrait remember'd, and own'd
it to be his own doing. As well as
that of the Account mention'd in Van-
dyke's Life, of a Picture of his ſaid
Maſter Rubens newly painted by him,
which by Careleſneſs being thrown
down, was again painted over by Van-
dyke; which on Rubens ſeeing (not
knowing the Accident which had hap-
pen'd) ſeem'd greatly pleas'd next Day
with

[ 25 ]

with his own Performance, as he
thought. And ſo it is likewife report-
ed of Carlo Marat's being deceiv'd by
a Copy of one of his Disciples, who had
ſent home his own Copy inſtead of
Carlo's original Picture of Corelli's
Head; which Carlo ſome Time after
ſeeing at Corelli's Houſe, did not dif-
cover its being a Copy, but told Corelli
it appear'd to be a little funk in, bid-
ding him ſend it home to him, and he
would touch it up a little afresh; which
he accordingly did, his Scholar after-
wards owning his Fault, asking Par-
don, &c. Thus it is the Goodneſs of the
Performance we ought to value, not
the mere Name, ſince a good Copy by
an able Hand of a thing that is good,
whether by a Disciple or other, is ſtill
better, and preferable to a bad Piece,
tho' even of the fame Maſter, of whom
he has copy'd of his beſt, ſince all Men
have had their bad Time, and bad
Things. Thus, ought we not rather to
chufe a fine Copy by Juf. Romano (in
his beſt Time) after one of Raphael's
beſt

[ 26 ]

beſt Pieces, before a bad Picture, even
tho' of *Raphael* himſelf in his firſt or
worſt Time or Manner? Nay, yet further
may be ſaid as to the Affair of Copies,
it being no doubt poffible for an
excellent Maſter, who is employ'd to
copy a bad or indifferent thing of an
inferior Maſter, for ſake of the Subject,
&c. even ſo, as far to exceed the Original
both as to Goodneſs and Value; tho'
thefe things happen ſo very rarely, of
Copies being equal to Originals, that
we hardly obſerve it once in an Age,
and conſequently we may well, not regard
the generality of Copies; yet who
is it that does not highly value a good
Copy of that excellent Maſter Jof. Goupey
in his way? But beſides what we
have mention'd as to the Uſe and Advantages
of Pictures, they may be confider'd alſo
as an agreeable Company
in a Houſe, which without them will
appear very bare, lonely, diſmal, or
often ghaſtly, unleſs, I ſay, ſupply'd with
other good Furniture, which may help
a little, but ſtill is not to be read or con-
vers'd

[ 27 ]

vers'd with as with Pictures; nay, theſe
are even in reality a Converſation more
agreeable than Books themſelves, thus
ſtrongly repreſenting to us the whole
Univerſe in Miniature, with the whole
Hiftory of Nature contain'd therein;
and in the like manner moſt artfully
repreſenting to us the whole Hiftory of
human Life in all its many various and
different Scenes; nay, even thus in-
ftructing us in the higheſt and moſt
uſeful Knowledge of Mankind, veſted
with all their various Humours, Paſ-
ſions, Follies and Deceits, &c. So in
the merry, familiar, and lower degree
of Life, how juſtly and facetiouſly are
the Humours of Humankind repreſent-
ed to us by the incomparable Brower,
Teniers, and Vateau? But when we
would attend to the loftier and more
ſerious Representations of all the various
Paſſions of Mankind, whether Hatred,
Wrath, Envy, Cruelty, Compaſſion, or
Avarice, let us then caſt our Eyes upon,
ſtudy, and confider the Works of Ra-
phael (as well as the other great Maſters)

D 2

there

[ 28 ]

there we shall find sufficient to employ
our Contemplations long enough, since
there we shall be agreeably entertain'd
with all the acquir'd Learning, as well
as the extraordinary Judgment of that
great Man, who was so wife as still to
have confulted the greatest and most
learned Men in his Time for his most
confiderable Works, as well as to have
made the best and most judicious
Choice, not only from the best and
most just Reprefentation of Nature, but
even alfo from the very greatest Mafter-
pieces of Art, left by the best of the An-
cients, which he greatly ſtudy'd.

But it will, I doubt not, be alledg'd,
that Pictures require a Study to under-
ſtand them well, and that few incline
to be at that, or at any Pains. Now
whether this is to be call'd a Study or
not, I ſhall only ſay, it is certain that to
know or understand any thing well, re-
quires ſome Time and Confideration,
that is, whether ſuch Picture (which at
beſt can be but a Copy after Nature) be
a near, juſt and lively Reprefentation
of

[ 29 ]

of its Original. 'Tis true indeed, that
fuch who have not ſeen, confider'd, or
been much converſant with many Pi-
ctures of better and worſe Kinds, will
readily enough admit a very indifferent
Picture or Copy, to be a very good and
lively Reprefentation of Nature; but
then this generally proceeds from not
having ſufficiently ſeen, examin'd and
confider'd a neceſſary Number of the
beſt things, of the beſt of the moſt able
Artifts, repreſent ing Nature in the like
way.

Yet ſome will ſtill be ready to al-
ledge that there is great Difficulty as
well as Deceit in Pictures, as in that of
buying of Copies for Originals, &c. Yes,
truly; and is there not great Difficulty,
and even Deceit alſo in all Purchaſes?
(eſpecially of Value) That I know. As
in Jewelling itſelf, have we not known
even the beſt Jewellers to have been
miftaken and deceiv'd in that way? Or
how many indeed are there who well
and throughly understand the Doctrine
or true Value and Perfection of colour'd

Stones,

[ 30 ]

Stones, but so as to be sometimes deceiv'd
in them ? Or in the Purchases of rough
Diamonds, who is it that does not buy
brown for white, and white for brown?
Or who is it that shall not find himself
deceiv'd in his Choice of Men ? which
all however ought to study or know.

But as every thing has its Value, so
in Pictures. Copies even also have their
Value, as well as the Originals have
theirs; let such then as fancy Pictures
venture no further than the Price of a
Copy, until they arrive at a riper Judg-
ment, see clearer, and dare more bold-
ly venture further.

As to *Prints*, Sir, these may be said
to be the real Copies of Pictures in
Black and White; there we have all
the diverting Part of Life represented to
us as in the former, as well as the like
Learning and Judgment of the greatest
Artists, tho' indeed still but Copies of
the former, tho' not the same Liveliness
and sprightly colouring of the former;
but then we have likewife contain'd in
these a vast Variety of Learning, as the

CRAFTS

[ 31 ]

CRAFTS

CRAFTS of the Ancients, whether domesick or publick, civil, military, or religious, as well as the publick Buildings, Monuments, Statues, Habits, Drefses, or Ceremonies of these People; in a word, he who would be sufficiently amus'd (and especially if addicted to be very nice in the Affair of Prints) what with collecting the best Proofs of each Master, changing, washing, mending, ranging, pafting, and repairing, here is alone a sufficient Field for the Employment of a whole Life.

Bustoes and Statues are a most noble
Representation of Nature by Art, whe-
ther in Marble or Metal; these how-
ever which be good and fine are vaftly
chargeable, and extremely more diffi-
cult to be found or attain'd to than
what we have hitherto spoken of; and
by these also we are inftructed of many
fingular Particularities, as of the Like-
ness of Persons and Habits, the particu-
lar Symbols, with the various Divinities
of the Ancients, and their Attributes.
It is likewife very remarkable, that their

best

[ 32 ]

beſt Figures in general, have Silver Eyes to them, as well as that the Figures themſelves, tho' ever ſo ſmall, are ſo very juſtly made, and ſo exacely pois'd, that few of them but will ſtand upon their Feet without Support.

The antique *Gravings* are on fine Stones, of moſt or all the Kinds (except Diamonds;) thoſe good are all in general on the moſt precious and beſt colour'd Stones, and theſe as well as thoſe of the inferior Kinds, ſeem in a great degree to be Copies from the forefaid Buſts or Figures; and the Workmen in general were *Greeks*, who were the Gravers, even amongſt the *Romans*; as well as that they were the beſt Artiſts in moſt Arts or Sciences, ſo generally or often they put their own Names upon ſuch Stones they had engrav'd, which they choſe, I ſay, of the beſt and fineſt Kinds, as Rubies, Emeralds, Saphires as well as Onyxes, and the fineſt Beryls, &c. They ſeem likewife to have had the Art of Poliſhing (in general) better than the Moderns,

or

[ 33 ]

or at leaſt more uſual. But beſides their copying from Buſto's and Statues, ſo I doubt not they alſo did from *Bafs-Relievo's*, engraving alſo Triumphs, Hiftories, Bacchanals, publick Games, as well as various Emblems, Symbols, and other Inventions. Rings were alſo in great Uſe with them, particularly of the Perſon's Head (engrav'd on ſome good Stone) which they had the greateſt Regard for. *Cicero* (I think) is reported to have had a Ring of this kind, of very high Value; nor were they leſs common even amongſt the Vulgar, each private Soldier readily having the Head of his Favourite Commander, or otherwife of ſome Subject that affected him moſt, thus engrav'd, and wore it in a Ring; but then they were alſo ordinar y and indifferent Work, as well as that ſuch Stones were proportionable to the Ability of the Purchaſer. The Ancients alſo had of the out-grav'd as well as thoſe of the ingrav'd (which firſt are now call'd *Camea's*) which *Eliagabalus* is ſaid to have been very extravagant in,

E

and

[ 34 ]

and moft fumptuoufly adorn'd with
over all his Robes. Thus there is not
only the Similitudes of the moft noted
Persons of thofe Times handed down to
us, by both thefe Kinds of Gravings, but
there is likewife great Erudition and In-
ftruction contain'd in them, as well as
great Curioſity, and a ſingular Beauty,
which often is not to be found any
where elfe. The King of France and
the Great Duke of Tufcany's Collections
are sufficiently famous and well known
in this way. There are Copies of theſe,
whether in Glaſs or Sulphur, which are
equally uſeful as to Knowledge, and
very entertaining, at a ſmall Expence to
be purchas'd by the Learned and Cu-
rious. The Ancients alſo uſed many
other Rings, of Braſs and other Metal,
which were made to ſerve as Keys to
open Locks, &c. Now as to the infinite
Variety of other Things daily found,
which belong to and were uſed by the
Ancients, I muſt refer you to Mount-
faucon, and the infinite Numbers of
Books particularly on theſe Subjects,
ſince

[ 35 ]

ſince treating on each of theſe Things
would go to a much greater Length
than here propos'd, befides their being
already ſufficiently deſcrib'd; yet this
we may add, as of theſe ſpoken of, they
are all in their different Ways uſeful,
inſtructive and diverting to the Learned
or Curious, ſtill leading into greater
Knowledge of the particular Cuſtoms
and Manners of the Ancients.

As to the collecting of Vafes cut out
of precious or valuable Stones, whether
of the Sardonyx, Heliotrope, Jafpar,
Agat, or Crystal, theſe ſeem rather to
be mere Matter of Pomp, and Sumptu-
ouſneſs, than that of Uſe or Inſtruction,
being rather the higheſt Luxury than
otherwife; yet ſtill it is more commen-
dable to lay out our Superfluities this
way, than to eat and drink it, or other-
ways idly to ſquander it away; ſuch
things however do more properly be-
long to, and are more becoming a pow-
erful Prince, thus to ſhew his Grandeur,
Magnificence and Riches, than to o-
thers; ſince if a Prince thus magnifi-

E 2

cently

[ 36 ]

cently, and liberally, employs or lays out
his superfluous Riches, it is great, be-
coming, and commendable to circulate
the fame, in whatever manner it be
done, to benefit his Subjects. Mithri-
dates is faid to have been vaftly fump-
tuous in this way. The King of France
is likewife poſſeſd of many extremely
fine things of this kind, as well as Lo-
retto and St. Dennis: Neither are any
elfe, I ſay, but Princes capable of pur-
chafing any thing in this way confide-
rable, or ſcarce worth the Notice, and
therefore to endeavour to mimick this
Magnificence, by hoarding up a few
little Things of this kind, ſeems vain
and childiſh, or an Affectation of a ſort
of Grandeur in Miniature; tho' if La-
dies of Fortune ('tis true) ſhould for
their particular Amuſement take a Turn
this way, ſo to divert them from em-
ploying of their Time or Money worſe,
it is not to be diſcommended, or to uſe
ſome of them by way of Snuff-boxes, or
Ornament, as hanging ſome of the ſmal-
ler Kind to their Watches, or Agat or
Cornelian

[ 37 ]

Cornelian Boxes for their Toilets, or
fuch like Cups for their Tea-Tables, as
well as the like Handles of Knives for
their Deſfarts, &c.

As to Shells, there is in theſe a good
deal of Speculation, if we think proper
to collect them for the ſake of their na-
tural Hiftory; but then our Examina-
tion and Purſuit will run into a vaſt Ex-
tent, by ſeeking and collecting all the
various Species of them, which ſeem
almost infinite, and is not a diſcom-
mendable Amuſement, tho' ſeemingly
rather Matter of Curioſity, than any ve-
ry uſeful Knowledge that appears to be
gain'd thereby, when with ſuch Inten-
tion however, they are then to be choſe
only in their own original and natural
State, not poliſh'd or beautify'd, which
can only ſerve for Shew; in which Cafe
if not for the Rock-work of Ladies,
may at leaſt ſerve for Show, and to
amuſe them in their Collections, as well
as to pleaſe their Children.

The next and laſt thing, Sir, you
will expect me to hint at, is that of

MEDALS,

[ 38 ]

MEDALS, or antique Coins; these no
doubt have also their Beauty in Work-
manSHIP,&c. yet this Part in particular,
principally suits the Workman to con-
fider, copy, and value, rather than for
Men of Knowledge and Erudition,
greatly to dwell on; otherwife the Ex-
cefs of this Humour, in the violent
Search after it, is in some meafure ſtill
excusable also, for the Ornament and
beautifying of the Cabinets of Ladies,
or the like, for their innocent Amufe-
ments. In the collecting of these an-
tique Coins, I fay, we have the Advan-
tage of reaping, and retaining the real
Pictures (which form to us more ſtrong
Idea's) of the ancient Kings, Emperors,
and noted Perſonages we ſo very much
read and hear of, which gives us more
lively Impreffions of them, and even
affifts our Memory in what we have
read, befides the judicious and ſpecula-
tive Part, of weighing and nicely con-
fidering their various Traites and Tem-
peraments, or otherwife their Similitude
in Likeneſs, Inclinations, Paſſions, &c.

Thus,

[ 39 ]

Thus, I fay, the Memory is greatly af-
fifted; and dare venture to fay, that it
is not poſſible, and hardly or ever to be
found, that any one who has not theſe
Aſſiftances, can, or does ever remem-
ber (ſo perfectly) all the various Kings,
Emperors, Tyrants, or noted Perſons
which are ſtruck upon Medals; and
conſequently, by affifting of our Me-
mory this way, it fixes more, and great-
ly helps us in the Chronology of ſuch
Perſons, and Times, as well as that they
often acquaint us likewife with the Du-
ration of their Reigns, by the Epochs on
the Greek, or the confular and tribuni-
tial Powers, on the Roman Imperial
Coins. As to the Reverses, we have
generally, or in a great meafure, all the
moſt noted Particulars of each of their
Reigns, both in Words and Pictures,
whether always exaſtly repreſenting the
real Things, or Hiftory ſpoken of in the
Legend, or only by Symbols. Thus all
the Hiftory of their Times is handed
down to us, in this moſt lively manner
(more eſpecially in the Roman Empire)

ſince

[ 40 ]

since no great Events happen'd, but that they took care to strike Coins on all such Occasions, which in effect were (as we call them) Medals; and tho' they had also such, not properly Coins, are by us now call'd *Medalions*. Thus, I say, we have all their History on their Coins, which in reality may be look'd on as the original Tallies, or the brief Records of their Times and History, being, in short, Hints of the most remarkable Events; this, together with the frequently ranging and turning 'em over, gives us a strong and lively Representation of them, besides their also exciting us to read Books, to turn over and to examine Historians on such Events, or Parts of History, and the Occasions they have been struck on; thus becoming also a great Pleasure, and a vaft Entertainment; even so likewise as to affift and agreeably to recover the original School-Learning, tho' in a great measure forgot. Nay, a noted School-Master and Medalift (well known in this way) is of opinion, that it is impofible

2

[ 41 ]

fible rightly to comprehend or to understand the Classicks justly, without the Knowledge, or the Help and Affiftance of Medals. It is certain however that Medals are a vaft Help to History, and that there are daily found Emperors, as well as historical Revenues, which were not known before, or ever to have been taken notice of in History, serving not only further to illustrate, but even often affifting to correct the infinite Faults of Historians, as well as their Transcribers. Thus then, I say, we shall in a great measure find all or moft of the Erudition, Customs and Learning, of the ancient Romans (in particular) on these Coins or Medals; the Divinities worshipping'd, as well as the singular Events illustrated by the *Monetarians* in the confular Time. After which we shall find the saluting of the Emperors by the Soldiery, in different Times and Manners, by Repetition to the fame Emperor, as well as the Compliments of Cæsar to their Heirs; so on the Creation to the Priefthood, their Sacrifices,

F

or

[ 42 ]

or pontifical Instruments, &c. with all their religious Rites and Ceremonies; their confular Dignity, and frequent Repetition of their tribunital Power; their Marriages and Children, Piety, and Publick Charities, Donations and Liberalities, whether of Money or Corn; their publick Triumphs, secular or other Games, their Conquefts over Kings and Countries, their Expeditions, and Adlocutions to their Soldiery, Publick Edifices, as Temples, Palaces, triunphal Arches, Amphitheatres, Circus's, Publick Baths, Columns, Monuments, Bridges, Ports, &c. On their Concord or Agreement with their Emprefles, Collegues, or Soldiery, as well as their Funeral Ceremonies, &c. But it is not neceffary I ſhould dwell on theſe things in this ſmall confin'd Space here propos'd, eſpecially ſince already ſo well defcrib'd by an Infinity of Authors, as *Augustini* in his Dialogues (*Addifon* being principally an Abridgment from him) *Valliant, Triftan, Spanheim, &c.* who treat largely and fully on theſe Subjects,

[ 43 ]

Subjects, ſufficient to fatisfy the more earneſt Enquiries of the Curious. The few other Hints I here make you, Sir, are ſome loose Thoughts I thus at random drop you, in this epiſtolary way (on the Uſes of theſe Things) without troubling to ſearch Authors for more full, more ſtrong, or more learned Arguments on this Subject, neither remembring, examining, or knowing that the fame Observations or Arguments, are contain'd in any of them. As to the great Heighth of Prefervation of Coins (their Beauty and Exquifiteneſs of Workmanship) ſpoken of, the firſt of theſe is no doubt very defirable and valuable, in proportion to their Prefervation, yet ſimply impoſſible to make any thing like a complete Collection all in firſt Prefervation, more eſpecially when we come to ſeek the very ſcarce ones, hardly to be found in any Condition, whether Heads or Reverses; ſuch who aim at this way of collecting, may indeed pick up a few ſtraggling, and in general common

F 2

Coins

[ 44 ]

Coins of that Kind, but never so to finish, or ever to render a Series any way like complete, hardly even in Heads of any of the Kinds of Series's, and still much less in the Reverses, but may it is true attain to the more common ones of this Sort, and probably also some few of the less common, or even some scarce ones, so as in the whole to make up, as we have said, a straggling kind of Parcel, which may pafs under the Name of a Series, tho' with many (or an Infinity) of Chafms and Voids in it; to run this then to an Excefs, may properly enough be reckon'd the Vice of Medals, being principally to be choose for Use. But still if we should run this to a higher degree, as that of hunting after, or collecting for the fake of Beauty of Workmanship, fuch Parcels seem more properly adapted for the Use of the Workman; so that Collections of this Kind (I say) principally made for the fake of Beauty of Workmanship, with the moft exquisite degree of their Preservation, are not to be discommended

I

in

[ 45 ]

in their proper Way, that is, for Workmen or Ladies, who are not so much ty'd down to Compleatneſs or Erudition, as to the Beauty and Perfection of the Prefervation, nor to trouble or ſearch into thofe of bad, or indifferent Manufacture or Workmanship, as many of the firſt confular, the Imperial Greek, and Colonies in particular, many other extremely valuable Coins of other foreign Kings and States, as well as all thofe in general of the lower Empire of the Romans, and yet many of them are finely embellifh'd, especially the Imperial Greek, with the moſt rich and moſt historical Reverses, as well as Epochs, and different Heads, not found in the other Series's. But fuch, I ſay, who collect for the Delicacy of Beauty, with the Exquifiteneſs of Prefervation, may be particularly ſerviceable to the Workmen, as Patrons of good Work, as well as that the fame Beauty, with the Piatures of theſe Emperors or Great Men, may alſo be amufing and inſtructive to Ladies, as well as ſome of the moſt re-

markable

[ 46 ]

markable Events on their Reverses,
which is easily attain'd to, with a very
little, or even no Study or Learning,
but merely by degrees, will still attain
to a further Knowledge in this way.
Thus Madam of Orleans made a very
fine Collection of Roman Gold Coins,
that Metal probably being the moft fit
for such. Yet if we would attempt a
more thorough Knowledge of theſe
Things, and conſequently a full and
juſt Notion of the TransaCTIONS, Parti-
cularities, and Erudition of the Antients,
it will then be absolutely neceſſary that
we dip into, and ſtudy all the different
Kinds, Metals, and Sizes, without re-
gard to the Beauty of Workmanship, or
even an over great Nicety or extreme
Scrupulousneſs, as to the Exquifiteneſs
of Prefervation (if not otherwife to be
had) ſince the Colony and Municipal
Coins, which inſtruſt us in many very
remarkable things of the Emperors they
belong to, as well as the ancient Names
of thoſe Places they were ſtruck in (ſer-
ving to Geography) being in general
but

[ 47 ]

[ 47 ]

but very bad Work, and commonly but
indifferently preferv'd, as thoſe of Spain
in general are; nor are the Imperial
Greek but rarely better, or even their
Medalions, and yet on theſe, I ſay, we
have an Infinity of the deepest Learn-
ing, Illustrations of the Hiftory of theſe
Emperors, with the high Adulations
made them, &c. not to be found on
any Latin Coins, or any other. Befides
this then in the different Series's of thoſe
properly Latin, as the Gold, Silver,
great, middle, or ſmall Braſs, each
Metal and Size, ſeem to have had many
Reverſes particularly adapted to them,
not to be found on the other Kinds,
Reverſes only to be found on ſuch Size
and Metal by us. So the great Braſs
ſeems to be the moſt full of their great-
eſt, moſt beautiful, and moſt remark-
able Events, which they ſeem more par-
ticularly to have choſe for that Purpofe,
as being the more ſpacious, as well as
leſs liable to be melted down. The
middle Braſs have many Heads, as well
as ſometimes Reverſes, we find not on
the

[ 48 ]

the former; and the small Brafs have
many of both, not to be found on either.
The Silver Series may be render'd the
moft complete, particularly as to the
Heads of the Emperors themselves, but
the Gold never can, or any way near
it; so that the Collectors or Studiers, I
fay, of theſe only, muſt be deficient
in the Knowledge ſpoken of, appertain-
ing to all theſe other Kinds. Nor does
the Knowledge and thorough Exami-
nation of all their Brafs Weights, ſeem
leſs neceſſary as to their Differences
(being probably or poſſibly the original
Money) as well as that of the different
Weights, of each of the different Metals
and Sizes of Coins, which were no doubt
proportion'd to their Aſs, or Pound; ſo
that even the Coins in ſome Senſe may
thus alſo be confider'd as Weights, it
being the Deficiency of a ſufficient and
thorough Knowledge in this, which has
made all the different Authors who
have undertaken it, or have pretended
to, or endeavour'd to explain and cal-
culate, the various and exaſt Value of
the

[ 49 ]

the *Roman* Coins (so full of Error) and
consequently ſuch Miftakes as to the
*Roman* Riches in general; all which we
muſt find extremely difficult, if we
know not their exaſt Weights at each
particular time, as well as the exaſt
Proportion and true Value of each ſuch
Emperor's Coin at the ſame very time;
and even then this likewife appears ex-
tremely difficult, when we confider,
that in many of the ſame Emperors,
we ſhall find a confiderable Varia-
tion in the different Times of their
Reign, both as to Goodneſs of Metal,
as well as that of Weight; and theſe
have been the great Defects of all ſuch
as have hitherto writ on this Subjeſt,
not having ſufficiently ſeen, known,
and handled a proper Number of ſuch,
ſo as to give them a diſtinet Idea of the
whole: Neither do we find any of the
Claſſick or *Roman* Writers any way di-
ſtinet on this Head, or ſufficiently par-
ticular, ſo as to lead us out of this my-
ſterious Labyrinth. In *China* to this
very Day, they ſeem to confirm what

G

I

[ 50 ]

I here advance as to the Origin of Weights and Coins, being they only carry a Piece of Gold or Silver, which with their Scales, Weights and Scissors they also carry with them, cut off and weigh such a Piece or Quantity as is agreed on for the Purchase.

As to the Subject of Truth and Falsehood in Coins, on which probably, Sir, you expect I should say something of the Knowledge of them, yet choose to leave that to others, who have already treated largely and sufficiently on that Subject; though in reality Practice is the principal, by seeing great Variety, and a comparing of the good with the bad; though there are also some Infructions given by Authors proper enough to be read, but this I shall add, that there may be said to be in these, as in Pictures, three different Species or Sorts, to wit, the unquestionably true, which shew themselves at first fight; then the doubtful Gender, which one would not choose to meddle with, at least not to be considered with the former; after which

[ 51 ]

which there are the unquestionably false, which sufficiently or plainly show themselves, to all such who are a little conivant in this Way. But now, Sir, after these few Hints I have made you upon these Subjects, you will I doubt not also expect I should give you some Account in what State these Affairs are at present with us. I must freely own to you, Sir, that they appear to be at a very low Ebb. But if you ask me how this comes to pass, since we value ourselves so much upon, and brag so much of more Riches in the Nation than ever, and certainly considering our Paper Credit as such, we surely have vaftly more Riches than before any such Credit was in fashion. But then, without entring into the Merits, Use or Abuse of such Credit, I shall only observe, that an idle, extravagant, and debauch'd Luxury, has at the same time entered with this unstable Riches, whether from the Example of great Patrons or others, I shall not pretend to say; but certain it is that we are got into such a

G 2

corrupt,

[ 52 ]

corrupt, idle, extravagant Way of living in general, that most of the extravagant Expences, according to the common Method of Life, are now judg'd absolutely necessary thereto, as being the Fashion, and that our Neighbours have them, &c. so that in truth, very few have more, if so much, than wherewithal to satisfy these common customary Necessities in the present Way; and few or no Estates can bear both the luxurious Living, as well as that also of great Curiosity. Now as to those few who still may have something to spare, whether by their Frugality, or otherwise, or natural Pursuit and Inclination to these things, there also I doubt there seems to be great Defect in the Tutor, or in those in particular who have pretended to instruct, or to introduce these things; as where their principal View has only been that of common Gain, without giving (at the same time) a proper Idea, as not only advising the best, but even also to study them; and in shewing and inducing such Pur-

chafers

[ 53 ]

chafers to put them to their proper uses, of which I have given some Hints; or why, I say, should they not be perfuaded to publish Prints of their fine Pi- etures, or other Things? this being both amusing and reputable, as well as infor- etive (often also profitable) to the Pro- prietor, and beneficial to the Publick; so why should not such also be induc'd (when worth the while) to give, or have given the World at least Catalogues of their valuable Collections, whether of Coins or otherwife? thus to have pub- lish'd them, both for their own Grandeur, as well as the Publick Benefit; since to what purpose are a Parcel of ruity Coins lying in Chests without this, or at least a frequent Communication for the Use of such as are curious? Whereas the Hu- mour hardly goes further, than that of the vain Pleasure of having it to say, they have got such a thing (still more particularly in MEDALS) without so much as allowing themselves Time to consider them, or hardly even scarce to be

[ 54 ]

be seen by others who understand them,
far lefs to put them to any real Uſe. But
if ſuch who were reckon'd and confult-
ed as the great Connoiffeurs and Tutors,
had thus had a little more Regard to
the Publick or the Purchafers, as well
as to their own private Views, the general
Eſteem of theſe Things would have
been very different with us, to what they
are at preſent. But as the Views prin-
cipally were rather private Gain, with-
out a real Love, Affection, Eſteem or
Value for ſuch Things in themſelves,
but for ſo much as they brought; ſo
ſome have made Collections of theſe
Things, without the leaſt real Love
or generous Warmth for them, but
merely from an avaricious Inclination
that way (nor ever minding to put
them to any Uſe) their whole Drift be-
ing to gain others ſo to have them gra-
tis, and even then perhaps hardly com-
mon Gratitude when they have ſo got
them; and yet ſome ſuch ſhall acquire
a vaſt Reputation of Knowledge, &c.
and

[ 55 ]

and the coſtive Words that drop from
them, lick'd up like the Dictates of
Solon, tho' probably they might more
juſtly bear Similitude with Seneca (if to
be reckon'd thus knowing) who left us
many fine Speeches on Poverty and Be-
nefits, whilſt this ſelf-denying good Man
scrambled up about 7 Millions together
in a very ſhort Time. By what Rules of
Philofophy, ſays Suillius, did he in four
Years Favour acquire ſuch Sums? That
his chief Study (ſays he) was to run after
Wills, and to take, as in a Net, thoſe
that were without Children, and to fill
Italy and the Provinces with his Uſury;
nor had this ſcientifick Uſurer Children
to ſucceed him, to induce ſuch Exceſs
of Avarice, often ſerving as a ſpecious
Pretence for that exceſſive Parſimony;
yet I muſt do that Juſtice to this ava-
ricious Philofopher, that he laid out at
leaſt great Sums in Gardening, being
vaſtly expeſive in that way, but fav'd
probably the Expence of his Table,
by living at the Table of him he tu-
tor'd; nor was he aſham'd to leave

US

[ 56 ]

us these fine Discourfes on Poverty and
Benefits, so well receiv'd by Pafterity, and
for which (indeed) they seem to owe him
Thanks; from fuch however we fhall,
methinks, reap but little Benefit, being
we fhall readily imagine the whole to
be a meer Jeft, or at beft think but very
flightly of them; nor can I be of opi-
nion that an avaricious Man can either
have Honeſty or Honour, ſince that
Paſſion will ſtill induce him to do mean
and bafe things. But now if in reality
(I ſay) there be fuch vaſt Connoiffeurs,
who are ſo enlighten'd with this ſo uni-
verſal Knowledge of all Things of this
Kind, and if reſolv'd that Mankind
(whether in this or any other Way) ſhall
reap no Benefit of their Riches, ought
they not at leaſt (fuch great Scioli) to
grant the World a few of their learned
Inſtructions, thus teaching the Publick
a little of their deep Knowledge in Wri-
ting? Is it not what reaſonably might
be expected from them? But poffibly
they are ſo busy'd for themſelves, they
have no Time to ſpare on the Publick,
or

[ 57 ]

or otherwife may be afraid the World
would thus ſtill get too much by them,
or that we ſhould never ſufficiently pay
for ſuch ineſtimable Treafures.

The Excellencies even in Seneca ap-
pear alſo to be ſpread very thin, ſeem-
ingly ſomewhat dry, but ſtill we are
oblig'd to him for ſomething; though
thofe who have a Narrowneſs, Precife-
neſs, or natural Stiffneſs or Niggardli-
neſs of Soul, will always plainly ſhew
that Poornefs and Meannefs of Spirit
thro' the whole to the diſcerning Eye.
But leaving Seneca, to go a little further
in our Time, and to mark out the
Knowledge and Obligations we owe to
Particulars in this Way, might be a de-
fending too low for Publick Uſe; yet
I cannot but obſerve, that there is ſtill
one who has introduc'd much of this
Knowledge with us, and to whom we
are at leaſt oblig'd, for publiſhing to
the World a very complete Series of
certain Kings, not ſo well known be-
fore; and tho' it may perhaps be al-
ledg'd, that had he retain'd ſome ſuch

H

for

[ 58 ]

for further Use, or to have dwelt a little
more on these, or the like Parts of Eru-
dition, or on Things truly useful, rather
than to slide into that great degree of
the more luxurious or effeminate Tafte,
some possibly would have judg'd it better;
but as every Individual has his
particular Genius, so let it suffice
us to say, that in the whole he has
many polite and Gentleman-like Qualities,
not wanting Spirit to acknowledge
Favours, as well as to return
Friendships or good Offices, and even
in a very particular manner to his Ser-
vants, which is no doubt extremely
 commendable. Yet before I draw to-
wards an End, I must observe to you,
that some I know are ready to imagine
that it shows a sufficient Knowledge to
find out Faults; but I would have 'em
know, that it shows more Knowledge
to find out Beauties and Perfections
than that of Faults; and as few or no
Pictures or Things, no more than Men,
are without both, so we ought thus to
balance and compare the Beauties a-
gainst

[ 59 ]

[ 59 ]
gainst the Faults, and proportionable
to that Superiority to value them ac-
cordingly. And now, as to the parti-
cular Doctrine of Opinions of reputed
Connoisseurs, or that of Tutorage in such
Things, which People seem much or
generally to run into, and greatly to
depend upon, I cannot say a great deal
in behalf of this, since if any one has
of himself some Tafte, it is then a thou-
land to one whether his Neighbour has
exactly the same Tafte as he, any more
than in a Miftres; so that he might al-
most as well get his Neighbour to chuse
his Miftres for him. But if Men want
only to enquire (of those of more Ex-
perience) into common Valuations or
Goodnes (though Valuations in these
Things are also pretty uncertain) that,
I say, then may be more allowable;
but then the Tafte, or the Choice of
Subject, ought to be our own; and in
gradually venturing a little (by degrees)
on our own Knowledge (if not too dear
bought) we still thus infenfibly gain our
Experience, which may be worth all

H 2

we

[ 60 ]

we have paid for it; tho' I would at
the fame time fuppofe, that a Perfon
curious or defirous of Knowledge, will
take care to examine and fee all the
beſt Collections or Things of the beſt
Kind for his further Inſtruction. But
if we muſt needs have a Perfon to de-
pend upon, particularly as to Good-
neſs, as obſerv'd (ſince Tafte ought to
be our own) I, for my own Part, when
unskilful in what I would purchafe,
chufe always rather to depend on thofe
I think fit to purchafe from, than by
the Uſe and Means of any third Perfon
(eſpecially when I may have frequent
occafion to deal with him) ſince third
Perſons frequently, and for the moſt
part, have their own private or particu-
lar third Views; and thus having chofe
the moſt knowing, ſagacious Perfon
(and of Integrity) in ſuch a way, ac-
cording to the beſt Judgment I can
make of him, ſince if truly ſuch (as I
fuppofe) they ought to know their true
Intereft, that is, to uſe Mankind well,
ſince Honeſty is the beſt Policy. But
if

[ 61 ]

[ 61 ]

if they, or others I confide in, abufe or
mifufe me once or more, I do not much
begrudge a little Lofs, ſince I then
know and have gain'd the Experience
of ſuch Perfon I chofe to deal with, and
ſo have done with them, the fame as
with a falſe Friend or Miſtrefs; ſince
ſuch Knowledge poſſibly may be of
more Value than the ſmall Lofs ſu-
ſtain'd. And thus I freely own to you,
Sir, I greatly ſuſpect that we are much
oſtner deceiv'd and deſtroy'd by a third
Perſon, than honeſtly dealt with or fa-
ved by them, and better in general
when we principally depend on our-
ſelves, and the Perſon we muſt neceſſa-
riely deal with; tho' I at the fame time
own that a ſincere and diſintereſted
Advice is greatly valuable (if to be
found) but then I imagine alſo that we
need be throughly knowing in Man-
kind (and how to chufe ſuch well)
which Knowledge I am well ſatisfy'd
is infinitely more difficult than the for-
mer; nay, how often are Mankind in
general impos'd on by feeing with the
Eyes

[ 62 ]

Eyes of a third Person, as in defiring
from him the Character of another,
whom he either has no liking to, or an
over-liking for him, whether from his
own private Intereſt, &c. without ſuch
Enquirers truſting to themſelves, or gi-
ving themſelves the leaſt Trouble to
examine or know by their own Eyes or
Ears ? Nor do I blame Mankind ſo
much for their want of Knowledge in
Pictures, Medals or Buſtoes, which fre-
quently are but the Copies of Mankind
(and which may be a want of Practice,
Tafe, or the not having ſeen a Suffici-
ency of ſuch Things) but then methinks
they are inexcuſable for not knowing
or having ſufficiently ſtudied Mankind,
which is the great and abſolutely neceſ-
fary Study of Life, and conſequently
behoves every one to ſtudy, and more
or leſs to understand; tho' we may in
general obſerve, that they do in reality
know juſt as little or as much of this as
they do of Pictures. And I cannot but
here alſo obſerve, that many in particu-
lar Sciences or Buſineſs are apt to cry

or

[ 63 ]

or ſmartly hint to you, they are no
Virtuofi, or have no Knowledge in
Pictures, Medals, &c. 'Tis well, and
I own they are not oblig'd to it; but I
ſhould be glad to fee that they give ſo-
lid Proof by their inſtructing the World,
and ſhewing that they are Virtuofi in
the Buſineſs they pretend to profefs,
which very few appear to be when juſt-
ly examin'd into, by ſuch who under-
ſtand, tho' they have perhaps the com-
mon Vogue; beſides, I freely own, I
perſuade myſelf that a Man who is tru-
ly curious, even in his own Way, will
conſequently have a natural Curioſity
to know moſt Things (if not pinch'd
in Circumſtances) ſince our Deſires are
unbounded as well as the Curioſity of
the Curious; ſo all are for univerſal
Conqueſt, &c. and ſtill more eſpecially
in Knowledge. Nor ſhall I here pre-
tend to paint out all the various Paſ-
fions of Mankind, and by which they
are govern'd, or to inſtruct you in that
Knowledge, but ſhall only ſay, as al-
ready hinted, that the Mifer or avari-
cious

cious

[ 64 ]

cious Man seems to be the very worst,
the worst, and most dangerous of all
Mankind, theirfordid, grovelingSouls,
like canker'd Worms, destroy the very
Bowels of Society (since never to be
favourable) and as there can neither be
Honnefty, Honour or Gratitude in such,
since for the more or the less they will
still be tempted (from the Narrowsels,
Avarice, and Selfishness of their base
Souls) even to do the very vilest of
things, though often in a hidden or close
way, so that the Law may not catch
hold of them; neither have they Souls,
I say, to do any thing that is either good,
just, great, or grateful. Nor can I be-
lieve even Seneca himself to have been
the Man of that strict Honour which
the World in general imagines him to
have been from his fine, solemn Dif-
courtes, since we hear very little of his
Charity or good Deeds towards Man-
kind, either publick or private: 'Tis
true, we know not that he follow'd or
begg'd of any less than of the Emperor
of the World at that time, whatever
other

[ 65 ]

other private Advantages he might
take by Ufury, &c. yet I no more
mind, I say, all his fine Difcourtes,
with regard to himself, than I would
thofe of a drunken Parson, who would
have us believe him a sober and self-
deny'd Man, becaufe he has taken it
into his Head to preach a very notable
Sermon against Drunkenneſs, since it
is the Example I shall mind with re-
gard to himself, not his Words.

But tho' here there might be a ſuſ-
ficient Field to paint out to you the
Paſſions in general, with the Nature
and Knowledge of Mankind in parti-
cular (more especially in our preſent
Times) a Study which every one ought
to know or to apply to, being the
great and moſt uſeful Study in Life;
yet as you want not to be inſtructed in
this, as well as that it would be writing
a ſort of moral Eſſay, which is not the
prefent Intent, but that in particular
of the Nature and preſent State of

I


Matters