at the time, eternal friendships to each other, and indiscreetly pour out their whole souls in common, and without the least reserve. These confidences are as indiscreetly repealed, as they were made; for new pleasures, and new places, soon dissolve this ill cemented connection; and then very ill uses are made of these rash confidences. Bear your part, however, in young companies; nay, excel, if you can, in all the social and convivial joy and festivity that become youth. Trust them with your love-tales, if you please; but keep your serious views secret. [Same date.]
The Gentler Virtues.—Cæsar had all the great
vices, and Cato all the great virtues, that men could
have. But Cæsar had the leniores virtutes, which
Cato wanted; and which made him beloved, even
by his enemies, and gained him the hearts of mankind,
in spite of their reason; while Cato was not
even beloved by his friends, notwithstanding the
esteem and respect which they could not refuse to
his virtues; and I am apt to think that if Cæsar had
wanted, and Cato possessed, those leniores virtutes,
the former would not have attempted (at least with
success), and the latter could have protected, the
liberties of Rome. Mr. Addison, in his Cato, says
of Cæsar (and I believe with truth):
"Curse on his virtues, they've undone his country."
