Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

1 1 8 STOICISM.nities they endured ;others as if theyhad brokenprison, recounting with some pleasure what theyhadsuffered, much rejoicing to repeat the mischiefs theyhad escaped."An EngUsh reader of Lucian's lively satires mayrecall perhaps to memory a parallel in an age farnearer to our own." In the mansions of men of liberal sentiments andcultivated understandings," writes Macaulay, of the"end of the seventeenth century, the chaplain doubtlesswas treated with urbanity and kindness. Butthis was not the general feeling of the country gentlemen.The coarse and ignorant squire, who thoughtthat itbelonged to his dignity to have grace said everyday at his table by an ecclesiastic in full canonicals,found means to reconcile dignity with economy. Ayoung Levite — such was the phrase then in use —might be had for his board, a small garret, and tenpounds a year, and might not only perform his professionalfunctions, might not only be the most patientof butts and of listeners, might not only be alwaysready in fine weather for bowls, and in rainy weatherfor shovelboard, but might also save the expense of agardener or of a groom. Sometimes the reverendman nailed up the apricots, and sometimes he curriedthe coach-horses. He cast up the farrier's bills. Hewalked ten miles with a message or a parcel. If heHewas permitted to dine with the family, he was expectedto content himself with the plainest fare.might fill himself with the corned beef and the carrots;but as soon as the tarts and cheesecakes made their