Epictetus his Morals, with Simplicius his comment made English from the Greek, by George Stanhope ...

COMMENT.

THE next thing he gives Direction in, is, those Publick Rehearsals which the Preten∣ders to Oratory and Poetry use to make, meerly for Ostentation, and to proclaim their own Elo∣quence. The Subjects of these Rehearsals were various; sometimes a Panegyrick upon some great Prince, or General, or Statesman; some∣times they were Politick Harangues; sometimes a fine Description of a City, or Country; some∣times the discussing a point of Law, or the like. Now such as these, which propose nothing far∣ther to themselves but Vanity and Ostentation, and have no concern with Vertue, or any thing

that is properly ours; he advises us not to be forward in frequenting, nor indeed ever to at∣tend them at all, without some good Reason that may justifie our coming to them. For it may very often happen, that this will be expe∣cted from you, either as a Testimony of your Friendship to the Composer, or a Mark of Re∣spect due to the Great Man, who is his Theme: or upon some other account, which Civility and Good-Breeding may make necessary. And in∣deed these Compliances are sometimes of great Use, and have good Effect, to take off the edge of that Envy and Spight with which all People are naturally persecuted, who recede from the common way of living, and do not do as the World does.

Since then you must in all likelihood be there sometimes, the next point to be gained is a due and decent management of your self upon these occasions. And this will best be done by a grave and composed Temper; yet not so severe as to be rude and troublesome. Your Gravity must shew it self in commending Things as they de∣serve, so as neither to be unseasonable, nor im∣moderate and lavish in your Praise. Your com∣posed Temper will keep you orderly and quiet: it will prevent all irregular Motion and loud Ap∣plause, and impertinent Interruptions; and con∣tinue the same modest, decent Air, without those sudden and vehement alterations, both in Body and Mind, and Mien, which are but too frequent in such cases. Your Easiness must he preser∣ved too all this while, that you may avoid the Indecency of being over-thoughtful, and seem∣ing not to attend. By this also you will be kept

from a sullen and affected Silence; and when Things are well said, will not grudge them their due Commendation; it will prevent all peevish Censures and malicious Criticisms, and that unbred roughness which calls out to the Poet, and reproaches him with Falshood and Flattery, or a dull Thought, or flat and im∣proper Expressions. In short, the Easiness and Complacency expected from you, will consist in such Candour and Good-nature, as seems plea∣sed with the Eloquence of the Rehearser, and the Merit of the Person commended, and con∣gratulated both freely when they deserve it, without any mixture of Envy or Detraction.