the other for Genoa. They were both failed when a violent Storm arose which drove their Veffels upon a little Island in the Mediterranean. MARINI's Ship landed first, where, whilft the rest of the Crew were refreshing themselves, the inconfolable Widower, as he thought himfelf, wandered with one Servant only into a little Wood that was near the Sea-fhore to give a Loose to his immoderate Grief. Soon after the Genoefe Ship landed too, and the fame Motive led MONIMIA with one of her Maids to the Wood where her Husband was, lamenting his unfortunate Condition. They had not been there long before they heard each other's Complaint, and drew nearer mutually to fee if there was any Wretch living equally miferable with themselves. But how great was the Astonishment of both, when they met in a little Path and faw each other! the immoderate Joy was fuch, and the Tranfition from one Extreme to the other fo inftantaneous, that all the Power they had was to fall into each other's Arms, where they expired in a few Minutes after. after. Their Bodies were conveyed to Italy, and were interred with all the Solemnity and Magnificence due to their Quality and eminent Virtues. ESSAY ESSA Y VIII. On SOLITUDE and SOCIETY. Αναχωρήσεις αυτοις ζητησιν, αγροικίας και αιγιαλός, και ορη. εδαμε ησυχιωτερον, 8τε απραγμα νεςερονανθρωπος αναχωρεί, η εις την εαυτό ψυχήν. M. ANT. lib. iv. cap. 3. E OTH Sages and Fools are unanimous in their Admiration of Solitude, but each from different Motives. To the one it affords Scope to Contemplation, to the other Shelter from Contempt. The Contented enjoy it, the Discontented feek it. The Guilty need it, the Innocent love it. To feek the Shades of Retirement in order to admire more at leisure the Works of the Creation, to grow thereby as it were familiar with the Conceptions of GOD, to harmonize the Mind to Moral Beauty, by frequently contemplating upon Natural, and to anticipate in fome meafure the Bliss of Heaven, upon Earth; is a Refolution worthy a Being, whofe Soul is an Emanation of that eternal Source of Life and Light that created all Things. But I'm afraid the general Affection for the Love of Solitude proceeds from different Causes; and that the Abode of the truly Good and Great, is too often made an Afylum for Pufillanimity, Avarice, and Ill-nature. Are there any disappointed in their worldly Views? they immedi ately fly hither, as the propereft Place to conceal the Poornefs of Mind, too little and base to bear up against Misfortunes. Is the Thirst of Gold the predominant Paffion? Where can the Wretch find a. more advantageous Situation, in which he could work his Mole-hills? Is the Mind diftempered and diffonant to Society? 'Tis here the Rebel to his Maker chooses to growl at Heaven, and gratify the repining Anguish of his envious Soul, to behold it's benignant Dew cherishing the Earth. I can't fay, whether I read) the little Modern Effay-Writers upon this Subject, with more Anger or Contempt; one would imagine, from the Swarm of Political Scriblers, who blunder about what they have no Conception of, that the only Defence of Liberty and Happi * nefs fure in a forced Retaliation of Contempt. 'Tis from hence we hear fo many Murmurs against prefent Times; 'tis from hence Retirement becomes the Den of Mifery, which ought to be the Temple of Repose. Thus much has been faid of the Abuse of Solitude, and from what Motives the unatural Affection for an illplaced Love of it proceeds. Let us now examine the other fide of the Question, and confider wherein its Utility may truly confift, and who are the propereft to enjoy it. That Solitude intrinfically in itfelf is neither good nor evil, but takes its Quality from the Difpofition of it's Votaries, would be needless to prove. The Sage, who retires, not in a capricious Humour to detach himself from the World, but to contemplate for the Ufe of his Fellow-creatures; and the Moralift, who divests himself a-while of the common Cares of Life, to view his own Heart abftractedly, that he may be better qualified to act relatively afterwards, are the only Perfons to whom the Shades of Retirement afford Pleasure or Inftruction to thefe |