THE

FLOWERS OF WIT.

PART L.

Bon Mots referred to their Authors, and the Names of those Authors alphabetically arranged.

JOSEPH ABOU.

1. CANDOUR is the companion of true wisdom and solid learning.-Joseph Abou, an Arabian doctor of great reputed attainments in science, being asked to solve a difficult problem, very frankly confessed his total ignorance of the subject. "How is this?" said the proposer of the problem; "does not the caliph pay you for your knowledge ?" "6 Certainly," said the doctor, "he pays me for my knowledge; for all his treasures, great as they are, would not be sufficient to pay me for my ignorance.'

دو

ADDISON.

THIS Sublime moralist, elegant critic, and humorous describer of men and manners, whose works furnish instruction to youth, amusement to age, and delight to

all who peruse them, was remarkable for his taciturnity.

2. Conscious of his talents as a writer, he acknowledged his deficiency in conversation. "I can draw,' said he, a bill for a thousand pounds, although I have not a guinea in my pocket."

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3. He very humorously compared physicians to an army of ancient Britons, as described by Julius Cæsar. He says of them, "Some slay on foot, and some in chariots. If the infantry do not so much execution as the cavalry, it is because they cannot convey themselves with so much velocity into all quarters, nor despatch their business in so short a time."

4. Mr. Temple Stanyan borrowed a sum of money of Addison, with whom he lived in habits of friendship, conversing on all subjects with equal freedom; but from this time Mr. Stanyan agreed implicitly to every thing Addison advanced, and never as formerly, disputed his positions. This change of behaviour did not long escape the notice of so acute an observer, to whom it was by no means agreeable. It happened one day, that a subject was started, on which they had before warmly controverted each other's notions, but now Mr. Stany an entirely acquiesced in Addison's opinion, without offering one word in defence of his own. dison was displeased, and said, with considerable emotion, Sir, either contradict me, or pay me my money.'

Ad

5. A poetaster brought Addison one of his compositions, and begged his opinion of it. It was a copy of very indifferent verses, and they appeared the worse, because he had prefixed to them several lines from Homer, and thus exposed them to a very disadvantageous contrast. Addison with great warmth struck out the lines from Homer; and when the surprised poetaster asked the reason: Do you not recollect,' said Addi

son,

the Roman emperor, whose statues appeared to him very ridiculous when they were placed near those of the gods?'

6. On Lady Manchester at Paris.

While haughty Gallia's dames, that spread
O'er their pale cheeks an artful red,
Beheld this beauteous stranger there,
In native charms divinely fair,
Confusion in their looks they show'd,
And with unborrow'd blushes glow'd.

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.

7. In less than a year he overran the greatest part of Germany, and surmounted every obstacle opposed to his arms. When he was besieging Ingolstadt, his horse was killed under him by a cannon ball. To an officer who ran to remount him, he coolly said, 'I have had a narrow escape-but perhaps the pear is not yet ripe.'

8. Upon a similar occasion, his chancellor entreated him not to risk his life so often. Gustavus said to him with warmth, 'You are always too cold; and you stop my progress. True, sire,' said the chancellor, 'I confess I am cold; but if I did not sometimes throw a little of my ice into your fire, you would be burnt to ashes.'

9. Sir Henry Vane, who was suspected to have been bribed by the court of Madrid, pressed Gustavus in a vehement manner to adopt certain measures. To get rid of his importunity, he said to Sir Henry, Sir, I do not understand your language, you talk Spanish.'

AGESILAUS.

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THIS renowned king of Sparta did honour to the rigid institutions of his country. Mean in person, but

exalted in mind, he was successful in his public conduct, and amiable in private life.

10. When Agesilaus heard any persons praised or censured, he remarked, that it was as necessary to know the characters of the speakers, as the characters of those who were the subjects of their opinions.

11. A friend asked him, how true glory was to be acquired. He answered, "By contempt of death."

12. When he was asked, if he was desirous to hear a man famous for imitating the notes of the nightingale, he declined the offer, saying, "I have heard the nightingale herself."

13. He was asked, "What ought children to be taught?" His answer was, they ought to learn that which it will be proper for them to practise when they reach mature age.

What is this, but the most concise and the most excellent description that ever was given of a right education?

14. To a person applauding the happiness of the Persian king, who was very young, he said, "Priam was happy at his age.

15. Being once asked which virtue was superior, Fortitude or Justice: he answered, "Were all men Just, there would be no occasion for Fortitude."

16. "Inform me," said a friend to him, "of the means to establish a high reputation." His answer was, "Speak well, and act better."

ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

No hero makes so distinguished a figure in ancient history as Alexander the Great. His courage was un