SATIRE VI Argument. This is one of the most pleasing and original of our author's Satires. Its primary object is to point out the proper use of riches: and the author exhibits (after a beautiful exordium, in which the genius and learning of his friend Bassus are complimented with all the warmth of friendship,) his own conduct in the regulation of his desires, as explanatory of his views. A kind and liberal attention to the necessities of others is then recommended; and the various artifices of avarice to disguise its sordid and selfish feelings under the specious names of prudence, ancient simplicity, a regard for the welfare of successors, &c. are detected and exposed with marked severity. The poem concludes with some sarcastick reproof of the greediness of heirs in expectation, and a striking description of the nature of cupidity, which strengthens with indulgence, and becomes more craving in proportion as it is more abundantly supplied. But this Satire is not only the most agreeable and original, but the most interesting of our author's works. It was evidently written by him, while yet in the flower of youth, possessed of an independent fortune, of estimable friends, of dear connections, and of a cultivated mind, under the consciousness of irrecoverable disease ;-a situation in itself sufficiently affecting, and which is rendered still more so, by the tranquil, placid, and even cheerful spirit with which every part of it is pervaded. A. PERSII FLACCI SATIRE. AD CESIUM BASSUM. [SAT. VI. V. 1. ADMOVIT jam bruma foco te, Basse, Sabino? VER. 2. Chased thee, my Bassus, &c.] There are so many eminent writers of this name that it becomes a matter of hazard to fix upon the individual here meant. Fortunately, as M. Sélis observes, the matter is of no very material import; though Stelluti, with the national vanity of his countrymen, prosecutes the inquiry through several pages. Baptista, who has not many followers, supposes it to be Saleius Bassus, who is celebrated in more than one place, by Tacitus, as a most excellent poet: but he was poor;--unless we take tenuis, as Madan evidently does, for slender. "Sarrano, tenuique Saleio, "Gloria quantalibet, quid erit, si gloria tantum ?" whereas the person to whom this Satire is addressed, appears to be a man of considerable property; he has a villa in the territory of the Sabines, and, if we may trust the next authority, another in Campania. According to the pseudo-Cornutus, (who was evidently in possession of much information, long since lost,) the friend of Persius was a distinguished lyrick poet, who was |