The epistles of Phalaris translated into English from the original Greek by S. Whately ... ; to which is added Sir W. Temple's Character of the epistles of Phalaris ; together with an appendix of some other epistles lately discovered in a French ms.

A Continuation Of the former DISCOURSE:

In an Oration of one of Apollo's Priests to the rest, to perswade them not to refuse Phalaris his Present.

THough I have neither Friendship nor Alliance with Phalaris, and with the Agrigentines, nor any private reason to embrace their Interests, I do not think (my Brethren) we can refuse their oblation, which is a Master-piece of Art, and the pledge of a Princes Piety and Justice, as well in its Consecration, as in the punishment of the Delinquent. Wherefore I fancy on this occasion a longer deliberation would be Criminal and that it's no less a Crime to refuse the offerings which are made to the Gods,

than to take away those they hold al∣ready in possession. For my own part, who in the Quality of a Priest and Citi∣zen of Delphos, partake in the Glory of Apollo, and his Temple, I hold we nei∣ther ought, nor can hinder the token of zeal and acknowledgment of any Person, without exposing our selves to Calumny, and making it blurr'd about, that we mean to render our selves Arbi∣ters of the Consciences of Men. In a word, if we reject this offering, no body will ever make any more. For who would expose himself to a refusal, or run the risque of passing for Impious, in giving testimonies of his Piety? Ye will wholly Condemn Phalaris of the Crimes whereof he is accused, if you send back his Present. Never theless, ye know we are yet altogether unacquainted with them, and there's no judging by hear∣say of Princes, and great Men. I know very well that he who spoke before me has bitterly exclaim'd against the Cruel∣ties, and other vices of that Prince, but he cannot know them of himself, but by reports, which may be false or uncer∣tain, since he never saw the Person he speaks of, nor was he in his Country. And though they were true, it is not for

us to lay aside the Quality of Priests, to take upon us that of Judges, nor to enquire whether Sicily be well or ill governed, but to receive the offerings which are made us. Let us leave to the Gods the Con∣duct of Mankind, and only take care of what concerns our selves there's no need of quoting Homer, to prove we dwell among Rocks and Precipices, and that all this Country would be a sad De∣sart without the Piety of Men, who come hither to make Vows and Sacrifi∣ces. These are our Vintages and our Harvests, and which makes us enjoy without trouble all the Riches of the Earth, as if we inhabited a fruitful Coun∣try, or lived in the Poets golden Age. This precious Treasure let us preserve to our Children, as if we received it from our Parents, and let's not diminish by a surplusage or scruple, the glory and revenues of a Temple, where there's no mention made in the memory of man, that Presents or Victims were ever refused. It only appertains to the Gods to judge of the Consciences of Men, since none but they know all the doubles and foldings of the mind: the Question here is neither of Phalaris nor his Bull, but of all the Vows, and all the

Offerings that ever will be made in all Ages. You see the immense Riches this Temple has heaped up since People have had liberty of coming hither? I am afraid that by turning Censurers, you'll have no Subject for your Censures. So that I am of advice, that you receive this Offering (my Brethren) according to the Custom of our Ancestors, which is conformable to our own interest, and to that of our God.