Epistle XXII. To Catilius Severus.
by
Mr. M.
[_]
In Praise of Titus Aristo.
I Am kept thus long in the City, by the sad Apprehension of the Danger
Titus Aristo is in, from a long and stubborn Illness; one for whom I have a particular Love and Esteem:
There is not a Man of more Prudence, of more Virtue or greater Learning;
so that not He only, but in him Learning, and all the Politer Arts seem to be in the utmost Danger.
what a Master is he of the Roman, as well as Civil Law? What a Treasure is he of Knowledge,
of Precedents, of Antiquity, there is not any thing you would know, of which he cannot inform you?
Whenever I am in doubt, he is to mean Oracle; what Truth, what Authority is there in all he says?
How Graceful in him is Demur? What is there he does not presently comprehend?
Yet he commonly deliberates; all his Doubt arises from the Diversity of Reasons,
which he, with a piercing Judgment looks into, weighs, and searches to the bottom.
His Temperance in Diet, the Plainness of his Dress, whenever I make him a Visit,
give me a true Representation of our ancient Frugality. All
these Accomplishments are adorn'd with a greatness of Soul, that does nothing for Ostentation,
but acts upon Principle, and takes no Satisfaction in publick Applause,
but in a Consciensciousness of doing well. There is no Comparison betwixt him and those that affect the Philosophers:
He does not indeed follow the Schools, the Portico, or in long Disputations trifle away his own,
and the Time of others; but in the true Business of his Profession is useful to many at the Bar,
to more by his Advice. And to the best of Philosophers, in Integrity,
Vertue, Justice and Fortitude, is not at all inferiour. Were you present,
you would admire to see with what Patience he bears this Illness; how he struggles with the Pain,
how he endures the Thrift, how he lyes without Motion, loaded with Cloaths,
that the incredible heat of his Fever may perspire. He lately sent for me,
and a few select Friends, and desired we would consult the Physicians about the issue of his Distemper, that if it were incurable, they might put
an end to his Pain by Death; that if it were only dangerous, and like to be long,
he wou'd endure it with Patience, and wait the Event: That there was such Prevalence in the Entreaties of his Wife,
the Tears of his Daughter, and the Desire of Us, his Friends, that he would not frustrate our Hopes (if they had any ground) by a voluntary Death.
This is most exalted, and worthy the highest Commendation.
For excited by Passion, it is common for Men to run into the Arms of Death.
But to deliberate, and weigh the Causes of it, and so to fix a Resolution,
as the Reasons of Life or Death prevail, is the act of a great Mind only.
The Physicians have given us Hope, God grant them Success, and me a release from this Trouble;
then shall I return to my
Laurentium, and again enjoy a studious Recess;
for while I am watching him, my Anxiety will not suffer me to Read or Write.
Thus have I vented to you, my Fears, my Wishes, and even my Designs; do you in return let me know how you have been employ'd,
what you are doing, and what you intend, in a long Letter. It will be no small Consolation in present Uneasiness to find you have no Complaint.
