raking together materials in character as in date heterogeneous, rebuked by Gesner in his introduction to the C. S. "Mirum sane, si carmina unius argumenti, eodem temporc scripta, ita spargi per libros plures potuere!"

Arising from the fourth book, a stronger line of remark, it appears to me, yet remains to be traced. No Prologos or Epilogos attends this collection of Odes, such as we have read in the former books, or like the formal conclusion (Vertumnum Janumque..) attached to the first book of Epistles. Gesner, one of the most judicious of critics on Horace, in the few lines of comment prefixed to the Ode:

3 C. xxx. Exegi monumentum ære perennius, &c.

very calmly but very acutely observes, on a declaration so proud and so final;

Videtur Horatius hâc Ode finire omnino voluisse libros carminum. Hinc vetus Scriptor vitæ ait coactum ab Augusto tribus carminum libris ex longo intervallo quartum

addere.

But how comes it to pass, it may be asked, that in the fourth book of Odes the name of Mæcenas is no where by direct address recorded?

Diminution of kindness in the generous patron, or abatement of gratitude in the honest-hearted client, cannot for a moment be imagined. My solution of the difficulty, for such it may seem, shall be stated very briefly.

After the manner in which Horace had celebrated the noble qualities of Mæcenas in his Satires, Epodes and Odes to the 3d book inclusive, could any addition of compliment be expected from the most grateful of men and the most felicitous of writers?

And yet, if the first book of Epistles be justly placed after the third book of Odes, as in our chronology it follows next, a great accession of honourable testimony was yet to

!

come, in the 1st, 7th and 19th Epistles of that most curious
and valuable book. As establishing the character of Horace
on the basis of sincerity and independence even under the
deepest sense of obligation, that one Epistle (VII.) Quinque
dies tibi pollicitus, &c., which apologizes for his protracted
absence in the country during the hot season, remains a
lasting and beautiful monument. Nor in the evidence which
it bears to the sterling good sense and high-minded gene-
rosity of Mæcenas, is it to be regarded as reflecting less
honour, but if possible more, on that (with all his foibles)
most excellent man. We are morally sure, that the viith
Epistle was published by Horace himself in the life time of
both. What then, in any age, should be the estimation of
the Poet who could address, and of the Patron who could
receive-publicly too, let it be added-the frank and affec-
tionate boldness of language like this?

vv. 33. 39. Macra cavum repetes arctum, quem macra subisti.
Hác ego si compellor imagine, cuncta resigno:

Nec somnum plebis laudo satur altilium, nec
Otia divitiis Arabum liberrima muto.
Sæpe verecundum laudasti: Rexque Paterque
Audisti coram, nec verbo parcius absens :

Inspice, si possum donata reponere lætus.

But to return to the question: how comes it, that in the fourth book of Odes, the name of Mæcenas occurs once only (XI. 19) and then by oblique introduction?

Whoever has perused with any care the various addresses to Mæcenas in every style of writing down to that splendid Ode:

3 C. XXIX. Tyrrhena regum progenies, &c.

will hardly fail, in the grand and impressive exordium :

1 E. 1. Primâ dicte mihi, summâ dicende Camœnâ, &c.

to recognise at once the settled purpose of Horace it was the intended farewell (and meant for the long futurity of

fame elsewhere predicted) of the Poet to his Patron. We know, that Qui fit, Mæcenas, &c. (1 S. 1.) stood the first of Horace's edited works; we are here told, that Mæcenas was worthy of all celebration in the last. This last then of the collected Epistles, last not in collocation, but in time, carries with it many strong indications, especially in v. 10,

Nunc itaque et versus et cætera ludicra pono:

of its having been devoted by Horace as the ultimate offering of his muse. And in that respect, so far as regarded the Patron, the Poet never altered his purpose. Whatever he afterwards wrote, is left to stand separately on its own inscription and title, insulated as it were, and posthumous to the great body of his works: which he certainly had meditated to complete in the two books of Satires, the one of Epodes, the three of Odes, and the one of Epistles.

Mæcenas was Horace's only patron: and the Poet has succeeded in leaving that recorded indelibly.

Even in regard of Augustus, it may sound somewhat extraordinary, and yet it is perfectly true, that in the common meaning of that term he never was the patron of Horace. Except in those words imputed to Suetonius, unâque et alterâ liberalitate locupletavit, there exists no evidence of Horace having owed anything to the patronage of the Emperor. Virgil and Varius, beyond a doubt, were deeply indebted to that Prince's generosity. And Horace, who felt a service done to a friend as a kindness conferred on himself, has in that beautiful address to Augustus in favorem sui temporis Poëtarum, made the acknowledgement, to the honour of all parties concerned.

2 E. 1. 245-7. At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia, atque Munera, quæ multà dantis cum laude tulerunt,

Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variusque poëtæ : &c.

Can it be believed, that if Horace had himself owed any

substantial obligation to so munificent a Prince, he would have left no vestige of thankful expression behind him? No such vestige exists in his writings.

Horace's temper, in truth, was that of the most happy contentedness and gratitude. In the Satire, 1 S. vi. Hoc erat in votis.... when the man of letters, (being one, as he calls himself, 2 C. xvII. 29, Mercurialium virorum,) puts up his prayer to Mercury, v. 5, Maiá nate....as to his patron God,

v. 15.

utque soles, custos mihi maximus adsis ;

he invokes the patronage on this one condition,

v. 13. Si quod adest, gratum juvat,..

that for his present blessings he is truly grateful. And in a passage also of a much later date, otherwise remarkable for its moral beauty, that point is distinctly put forward.

2 E. II. 210, 11.

Natales grate numeras? ignoscis amicis?
Lenior et melior fis accedente senectâ ?

At an early period the bounty of Mæcenas had made him abundantly rich, with an understood readiness at any time to give more, if more should be needed.

And even the concluding words of the Ode last quoted—

Bene est, cui Deus obtulit

Parcâ quod satis est manu.

express a sentiment quite characteristic of his happy though humble competence. But his father had with singular success fixed that principle in his son's mind, which regulated his own; to make what he had suffice him :

1 S. Iv. 107, 8. Cum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque Viverem uti contentus eo quod mî ipse parasset, &c.

Agreeably to this, Horace no where betrays the least indication of difficulty and complaint, or any apprehension of want from his means failing (vitio culpâve, 2 S. vi. 7): and, exempt himself from that inordinate love of riches under which some of his friends laboured, he gently lashes that passion in them, quite secure from any retaliation or retort. Thus, for instance, in his Epistle from the Sabine Villa, Urbis amatores.... he addresses Aristius Fuscus, pointedly enough, on the wisdom of contentment;

1 E. x. 44-46. Lætus sorte tuâ vives sapienter, Aristi :

Nec me dimittes incastigatum, ubi plura

Cogere quam satis est ac non cessare videbor.

Beautiful, however, as these expressions of personal sentiment are, and familiar to the readers of Horace, his golden maxim, NIL ADMIRARI (1 E. VI. 1) has more strongly arrested general attention, as conveying in two words the whole secret of moral wisdom; not to set the heart on objects of fanciful worth,

By attributing overmuch to things
Less excellent. (Par. Lost, VIII. 569.)

but to form the just estimate rerum mediocriter utilium, (1 E. XVIII. 99,) that is, of the non-essentials to happiness.

And may we not now, on viewing this part of Horace's character, particularly as connected with what we have seen (p. 31.) of his cheerfully participating in all rural acts