網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

mathematician, Archimedes, having so long defended it by his astonishing engines. He was generally successful in what he undertook, and this probably led him to the last action of his life, which was too rash: for, in his fifth consulate, in the five hundred and forty-fifth year of Rome, two hundred and eight before Christ, being with the army in Apulia, encamped a few miles from that of Annibal, he rode out with his colleague Crispinus, who was also there, and a guard of two hundred and twenty horse, to view a hill that lay between the two camps, with a design to possess and fortify it, But Annibal, who was never wanting for a contrivance, had placed an ambush of about two thousand men below it. These surrounding the consuls, and the few that stayed with them, (for most of their men fled) Marc Hus, as he was courageously defending himself, was pierced with a lance, and died: Crispinus and Marcellus' son escaped grievously wounded. Annibal on finding his body, caused it (according to custom) to be burnt, and sent his bones and ashes in a silver urn to his son, as Plutarch says, who has given us his life: but he quotes Valerius Maximus and Livy, for what is not to be found in their books, as we now have them; though we have the passages in both, that mention this act of humanity in Annibal, viz. Valerius Maximus, b. 5. c. 1. and Livy, lib. 27. c. 28. for neither of them say any thing of sending away the bones. Page 289.

100 Instances of this are to be found in Livy, particularly when A. Attilius Calatinus (mentioned in note 86) in the first punic war, was leading the Roman army, from Mutistratum in Sicily, which they had most barbarously destroyed, to the siege of Camarina, they fell in their march fato such a disadvantageous situation, and were so surrounded by the Carthaginian army, that it appeared impossible for them to avoid either being all taken, or all cut to pieces, ill M. Calphurnius Flamma, a tribune, with three hundred men, whom he led on with these words, "Come, soldiers, let us march on and die, and by ourdeaths save the rest of the army," took possession of a hill,

where they alone kept the enemy so long employed, before they could quite vanquish and destroy them, that the main body found means to retreat. All the three hundred, it is said, fell there; but Flamma was found with some life left, and recovered. Another instance was, when in the war with the Samnites, P. Decius Mus, one of those who devoted themselves (as in not 68) to save the Roman army, acted the same part, but with better fortune; for their enemies were so astonished at the attempt, that they both let the army retreat, and these people also escape. The story is in Livy, lib. 7. c. 34, &c. and both these passages are mentioned in Manlius' speech against redeeming the Roman captives taken at Cannæ, Livy, lib. 22. 60.

Page 290.

101 They resided in the south-east parts of Italy, formerly called Magna Græcia, or great Greece, now the kingdom of Naples. The people were from Greece, and spoke that language.

102 In Plato's Phædon, now in English.

RULES FOR A CLUB FORMERLY ESTABLISHED IN PHILADELPHIA.

Previous question, to be answered at every meeting.

HAVE you read over these queries this morning, in order to consider what you might have to offer the Junto touching any one of them? viz.

1. Have you met with any thing, in the author you last read, remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? particularly in history, morality, poetry, physic, travels, mechanic arts, or other parts of knowlege.

2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?

This was an early performance, and carries along with it an air of singularity, accompanied with such operative good sense and philanthrophy, as is characteristic of Dr. Franklin. The club, for which it was written, was held in Philadelphia; and, was composed of men considerable for their influence and discretion; for though the chief measures of Pennsylvania usually received \their first formation in this club, it existed for thirty years without the nature of its institution being publicly known. This club gave origin to the American Philosophical Society now existing, of which Thomas Jefferson is President.

Hath any citizen in your knowlege failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?

4. Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what means?

5. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or elsewhere, got his estate?

6. Do you know of any fellow-citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? or who has lately committed an error, proper for us to be warned against and avoid?

7. What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? of imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?

8. What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of moderation? or of any other virtue?

9. Have you or any of your acquaintance been lately sick or wounded? If so, what remedies were used, and what were their effects?

10. Who do you know that are shortly going voyages or journies, if one should have occasion to send by them?

11. Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to themselves?

12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting, that you heard of? and what have you heard or observed of his character or merits? and whether think you, it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves?

13. Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?

14. Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your country, of which it would be proper to move the legislature for an amendment? or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?

15. Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the people?

16. Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what can the Junto do towards securing it?

17. Is their any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or any of them, can procure for you?

18. Have you lately heard any member's character attacked, and how have you defended it?

19. Hath any man injured you, from whom it is in the power of the Junto to procure redress?

20, In what manner can the Junto, or any of them, assist you in any of your honorable designs?

21. Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service ?2

22. What benefits have you lately received from any man not present?

23. Is there any difficulty in matters of opinion, of justice, and injustice, which you would gladly have discussed at this time?

24. Do you see any thing amiss in the present customs or proceedings of the Junto, which might be amended? Any person to be qualified, to stand up, and lay his hand on his breast, and be asked these questions, viz.

1. Have you any particular disrespect to any present members?-Answer. I have not,

2. Do you sincerely declare, that you love mankind in general; of what profession or religion soever? Answer. I do. 3. Do you think any person ought to be harmed in his body, name, or goods, for mere speculative opinions, or his external way of worship?-Answer. No.

4. Do you love truth for truth's sake, and will you endeavor impartially to find and receive it yourself and communicate it to others?-Answer.

Yes.

Questions discussed by the Club.3

Is sound an entity or body?

How may of the phenomena of vapors be explained?

2 Queries, No. 7 and 8 follow here, in the original.

3 These questions are from the Eulogium of Dr. Franklin, delivered before the American Philosophical Society, in 1791, of which the Junto was the foundation. On the formation of that society, a book, containing many of the

Is self-interest the rudder that steers mankind, the universal monarch to whom all are tributaries?

Which is the best form of government, and what was that form which first prevailed among mankind?

Can any one particular form of government suit all mankind?

What is the reason that the tides rise higher in the Bay of Fundy, than the Bay of Delaware?

Is the emission of paper-money safe?

What is the reason that men of the greatest knowlege are not the most happy?

How may the possessions of the Lakes be improved to our advantage?

Why are tumultuous, uneasy sensations, united with our desires?

Whether it ought to be the aim of philosophy to eradicate the passions?

How may smoaky chimnies be best cured?

Why does the flame of a candle tend upwards in a spire ? Which is least criminal, a bad action joined with a good intention, or a good action with a bad intention?

Is it inconsistent with the principles of liberty in a free government, to punish a man as a libeller, when he speaks the truth?

SKETCH OF AN ENGLISH SCHOOL,

For the Consideration of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Academy. IT is expected that every scholar, to be admitted into this school, be at least able to pronounce and divide the syllables in reading, and to write a legible hand. None to be received, that are under years of age.

First, or lowest Class.

Let the first class learn the English Grammar rules, and at the same time let particular care be taken to improve

questions discussed by the Junto, was delivered into Dr. Smith's hands, for the purpose of being digested, and in due time published among the transac tions of that body. Many of the questions Dr. Smith observes, are curious and curiously handled, and he selects the above as answering the description.

« 上一頁繼續 »