tained a great victory; and a multitude of prisoners, of each sex and all conditions, fell into his possession ; among others, an agreeable virgin in her early bloom and beauty. He had too sensible a spirit to see the most lovely of all objects without being moved with passion: besides which, there was no obligation of honour or virtue to restrain his desires towards one who was his by the fortune of war*. But a noble indignation, and a sudden sorrow, which appeared in her countenance, when a conqueror cast his eyes upon her, raised his curiosity to know her story. He was informed, that she was a lady of the highest condition in that country, and contracted to Indibilis, a man of merit and quality. The generous Roman soon placed himself in the condition of that unhappy man, who was to lose so charming a bride; and though a youth, a bachelor, a lover, and a conqueror, immediately resolved to resign all the invitations of his passion, and the rights of his power, to restore her to her destined husband. With this purpose he commanded her parents and relations, as well as her husband, to attend him at an appointed time. When they met, and were waiting for the general, my author frames to himself the different concern of an unhappy father, a despairing lover, and a tender mother, in the several persons who were so related to the captive. But, for fear of injuring the delicate circumstances with an old translation, I shall proceed to tell you,

k This very reprehensible sentiment, dropped from a Soldier currente calamo, and on the spur of the occasion, is more pardonable than many of the similar crude notions which have escaped more deliberate writers, who have in like manner overlooked the grand distinction between Power and Right. The fortune of war may enlarge the power, but it cannot extend the right of a conqueror.

VOL. II.

'Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines,
Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere Rectum.'
HOR. 1 Sat. 1. 106, &c.

F

that Scipio appears to them, and leads in his prisoner into their presence. The Romans, as noble as they were, seemed to allow themselves a little too much triumph over the conquered; therefore, as Scipio approached, they all threw themselves on their knees, except the lover of the lady: but Scipio observing in him a manly sullenness, was the more inclined to favour him, and spoke to him in these words:

It is not the manner of the Romans to use all the power they justly may: we fight not to ravage countries, or break through the ties of humanity. I am acquainted with your worth, and your interest in this lady fortune has made me your master; but I desire to be your friend. This is your wife; take her, and may the gods bless you with her! But far be it from Scipio to purchase a loose and momentary pleasure at the rate of making an honest man unhappy.'

Indibilis's heart was too full to make him any answer; but he threw himself at the feet of the general, and wept aloud. The captive lady fell into the same posture, and they both remained so, until the father burst into the following words: O divine Scipio ! the gods have given you more than human virtue. O glorious leader! O wondrous youth! does not that obliged virgin give you, while she prays to the gods for your prosperity, and thinks you sent down from them, raptures above all the transports which you could have reaped from the possession of her injured person?' The temperate Scipio answered him without much emotion, and saying, Father, be a friend to Rome,' retired. An immense sum was offered as her ransom; but he sent it to her husband, and smiling said, This is a trifle after what I have given him already; but let Indibilis know, that chastity at

my age is a much more difficult virtue to practise than generosity'.'

1 The narrative contained in this paper differs essentially, in several of its circumstances, from the accounts which the Latin writers of the Roman history have given us of this story. Livy's relation of it is abundantly shorter, simpler, and more affecting. See T. Liv. Dec. iii. lib. xxvi. cap. 50. He says that this beautiful lady was betrothed to a prince of the Celtiberians, whose name was Allucius, and he mentions in the preceding chapter, among Scipio's captives, the daughters of Indibilis, a petty king of the Illergetes, who fell afterwards in battle fighting against the Romans. Script. Rei Rom. Heidelb. folio 1743, tom. i. page 427, and page 476. Livy does not absolutely say that Scipio ever saw this lady; Florus says expressly that Scipio declined seeing her, ' ne quid de virginitatis integritate delibasse saltem oculis videretur;' and Jornandes, on the like occasion, adopts the same mode of expression. S. A. Victor tells us, that ' when every body was running to see this singular beauty, Scipio forbad her being introduced into his presence, and ordered her to be restored to her father, and her destined husband.' Script. Rei Rom. tom. ii. p. 24, 61, and 118.

The substance of our author's narrative appears to have been taken, as he himself confesses, from an old translation, perhaps of Valerius Maximus, or more probably of some Greek historian; and his authority not being at hand, little more can be said about it. Polybius relates this story to the advantage indeed of Scipio, but in a different manner from Livy, who nevertheless acknowledges that Polybius is an historian not to be despised.' Vossius, de Hist. Græc. cap. 19, thinks this a niggardly commendation, and affirms that whole books of Polybius, very closely translated, are transcribed into Livy's history; it is very clear, however, that the book which contains this story of Scipio is not one of the number. Polybius was the intimate friend and counsellor of Scipio: as he generally accompanied him, he was probably an eye-witness of this transaction, and certainly well acquainted with all the circumstances of the story. He is, therefore, most inexcusable, if in the relation which he has given of it he has sacrificed the truth of history to friendship or flattery. It must not be concealed that Valerius Antias roundly charges Polybius with this crime, and positively asserts that Scipio was so much enamoured of this same Spanish captive, that he could never be prevailed upon to restore her to her liberty and her relations. See A. Gell. Noct. Atticæ, lib. vi. cap. 8. If this be true, the charge on Polybius extends in great measure to T. Livius. It is possible that Scipio might retain one Spanish lady, but it is certain that he did liberate several others; and to perpetuate the remembrance of his generosity, some grateful parent or lover might have been at the expense of the votive shield, which is still to be seen in the French king's cabinet. This fine specimen of antique workmanship might have been fabricated in Spain, as well as the relation of Polybius, which is adopted with more or less variation by most of the Latin historians. It may, therefore, be very true, that this document of gratitude or vanity

I observed Cynthio was very much taken with my narrative; but told me, this was a virtue that would bear but a very inconsiderable figure in our days.' However, I took the liberty to say, that we ought not to lose our ideas of things, though we had debauched our true relish in our practice, for, after we have done laughing, solid virtue will keep its place in men's opinions: and though custom made it not so scandalous as it ought to be, to ensnare innocent women, and triumph in the falsehood; such actions, as we have here related, must be accounted true gallantry, and rise higher in our esteem, the farther they are removed from our imitation.'

WILL'S COFFEE-HOUSE, AUGUST 22.

A MAN would be apt to think, in this laughing town, that it were impossible a thing so exploded as speaking hard words should be practised by any one that had ever seen good company; but, as if there were a standard in our minds as well as bodies, you see very many just where they were twenty years ago, and more they cannot, will not arrive at. Were it not thus, the noble Martius would not be the only man in England whom nobody can understand, though he talks more than any man else.

Will Dactyle the epigrammatist, Jack Comma the grammarian, Nick Crosse-grain who writes anagrams, and myself, made a pretty company at a corner of this room; and entered very peaceably upon a sub

was lost in the Rhone with the baggage of Scipio as he returned to Italy, and found, as is reported, in 1659. See Mem. de Lit. de l'Acad. des Inscript. et B. L. 4to. tom. i. p. 182.

The historians who differ in their accounts of this story seem, however, to agree in certifying that Scipio subdued Spain as much by his integrity as his valour; and Velleius Paterculus bears the following honourable testimony to his good conduct in that country: fecitque suæ virtutis monumentum, quod fuerat antea avi ejus clementiæ.' Script. Rei Rom. tom. ii. p. 20, and p. 60.

ject fit enough for us, which was, the examination of the force of the particle For, when Martius joined us". He, being well known to us all, asked what we were upon? for he had a mind to consummate the happiness of the day, which had been spent among the stars of the first magnitude, among the men of letters; and therefore, to put a period to it as he had commenced it, he should be glad to be allowed to participate of the pleasure of our society.' I told him the subject. Faith, gentlemen,' said Martius, your subject is humble; and if you would give me leave to elevate the conversation, I should humbly offer, that you would enlarge your inquiries to the word For-as-much; for though I take it,' said he, ‘to be but one word, yet the particle Much implying quantity, the particle As similitude, it will be greater, and more like ourselves, to treat of For-as-much.' Jack Comma is always serious, and answered; Martius, I must take the liberty to say, that you have fallen into all this error and profuse manner of speech by a certain hurry in your imagination, for want of being more exact in the knowledge of the parts of speech; and it is so with all men who have not well studied the particle For. You have spoken For without making any inference, which is the great use of that particle. There is no manner of force in your observation of quantity and similitude in the syllables As and Much. But it is ever the fault of men of great wit to be incorrect; which evil by an indiscreet use of the word For. the books of controversy which have

they run into Consider all been written,

m Ce sujet semble être tiré du bruit que l'on fit autrefois en France, sur ce que l'on attribuoit à l'Academie le dessein de bannier le mot Car de la langue. Voyez Hist. de l'Acad. tom. i. p. 66, de l'edit. 1730, in 8vo. Vioture, Let. 55, p. 132, ed. Paris 1660, et la Bruyere, Caract. Ch. 14, tom. i. p. 236, ed. Amst. 1751.' Le N. P.