University of Virginia Library

Epistle VIII.

by the Same. [Mr. Henley.]

YOU joy me on accepting the Augurship, and you pay me a just Complement. First, because it is honourable to obtain the Judgment of the wisest Prince even in Matters of a lesser Nature. Then, that the Office it self, as it is very Antient and Religious, so in this Respect, it is indeed Sacred and peculiarly Eminent, that it is for Life. Others, tho' partly equal in Dignity, are conferr'd and taken away; but all Power of Fortune over this, is in the presenting of it. I ought, methinks, to have your Congratulation on another Account; that I succeeded Julius Frontinus, a Person of the first Rank; who, on the Day of Nomination, for a Series of Years, nam'd me among the Sacerdotal Candidates, as if he elected me into his Place; which is now so clearly answer'd by the Event, that it does not seem accidental. Indeed you are pleas'd to the highest Degree with my Preferment, as you write, on this Bottom, because Tully was an Augur. For you rejoyce, that I step into his Honours, whom I

am fond to emulate in my Studies. But I wish, that as I have gain'd the Augural, and Consular Dignity, in an Age far greener than he, so in my declining Years, I may in some Measure be Master of his Capacity. But indeed, what is in humane Power has happen'd to me and to many; as to the other, it is hard to procure, and too exalted to hope, what cannot be indulg'd by the Gods.