Epistle XV. To Pontius.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On a certain Preferment given to Tertullus.
I Had made a Retreat to my Native Town, where I receiv'd the News, that
Cornutus Tertullus had assum'd the Care of the Æmilian Way.
My Joy was unexpressible, both upon his Account and my own. On his, that tho' he is perfectly free from Ambition,
yet an Advancement conferr'd upon him without his Application, ought to be pleasing to him;
on my own, because I am more delighted with bearing that Office, when I find the same is in the Hands of
Cornutus. For it is not more agreeable to be promoted, than it is to be set on a Level with Good Men in Posts of Honour.
Now, who can be possess'd of greater Goodness, of more Integrity,
than
Cornutus? Who is more exactly form'd upon the Model of the Antient Manners,
in all kinds of Virtue? This I have known, not by his Fame only, (which is otherwise the best and most meritorious) but by long and sensible Experience.
Our Friendship is, and has been the same to all of distinguish'd Worth in either Sex,
whom our Age has produc'd; and this Partnership of Acquaintance has link'd us in the closest Union.
This has been enforc'd by the Ties of publick Correspondence; he was my Collegue,
as you well know, in the Direction of the Treasury, as if he had been plac'd there to answer my Wishes.
He was my Fellow-Consul. Then I entirely saw the Character and Greatness of the Man;
when I obey'd him as a Master, and rever'd him as a Father: A Respect to which he was entitled,
not so much for his Advance in Years, as in Life. Upon this Foundation,
I congratulate both him and my self, on a publick, as well as a private Reason,
that at last, Men do not come to Danger as formerly, but to Honour by
their Virtue. My Epistle would be endless, should I give a loose to my Joy.
I am previously engag'd to take some Notice of my Business, when the News came to me.
I was in Company with my Wife's Grand-father, her Aunt, my long wanted Friends;
I was taking a Round about my Estate, was hearing a Variety of Complaints from my Country-People;
was reading their Accounts unwillingly, and in
a slight Manner, (for I have determined my self to another kind of Reading,
to other Papers.) I began to prepare for my Journey; for the Time of my Stage is narrow;
and what I hear of
Cornutus's Office, reminds me of my own. It is my Wish that your Company will return you back to us about the same Time;
that we may lose no Day for Conversation, when I come again to Town.
Farewell.
