published, in his absence, certain metaphysical pieces, which he himself desired to possess only; and even at the time when he was employed in the conquest of Asia, and the pursuit of Darius, he wrote to him a letter, which is still extant, wherein he complains upon that very account. Alexander says in it, that "he had much rather surpass the rest of men in the knowledge of sublime and excellent things, than in the greatness and extent of his power." He, in like manner, requested ▾ Aristotle, not to show the treatise of rhetoric abovementioned to any person but himself. I will confess, that there is an excess in this strong desire of glory, which prompts him to suppress the merit of others, in order that his only may appear; but then we at least must confess, that it discovers such a passion for study as is very laudable in a prince; and the very reverse of that indifference, not to say contempt, and aversion, which most young persons of high birth express for all things that relate to learning and study.

Plutarch tells us in a few words, the infinite advantage that Alexander reaped from this taste, with which his master, than whom no man possessed greater talents for the education of youth, had inspired him from his most tender infancy. "He loved," said that author, "to converse with learned men, to improve himself in knowledge, and to study;" three sources of a monarch's happiness, and which enable him to secure him

* Εγω δε βαλοίμην αν ταις περί τα αρίςα εμπειρίαις, η ταις δυνάμεσιν, $1201847.

y Arist. p. 609.

* Η φιλολογο, και φιλομαθης, και φιλαναγνωσης,

self from numberless difficulties; three certain and infallible methods of learning to reign without the assistance of others. The conversation of persons of fine sense, instructs a prince by way of amusement, and teaches him a thousand curious and useful things without costing him the least trouble. The lessons which able masters give him, on the most exalted sciences, and particularly upon politics, improve his mind wonderfully, and furnish him with rules to govern his subjects with wisdom. In fine, study, especially that of history, crowns all the rest, and is to him a preceptor for all seasons, and for all hours, who, without ever growing troublesome, acquaints him with truths which no one else would dare to tell him, and, under fictitious names, exhibits the prince to himself; teaches him to know himself as well as mankind, who are the same in all ages. Alexander owed all these advantages to the excellent education Aristotle gave him.

a He had also a taste for the whole circle of arts, but in such a manner as became a prince, that is, he knew the value and usefulness of them. Music, painting, sculpture, architecture, flourished in his reign, because they found in him both a skilful judge, and a generous protector, who was able to distinguish and reward merit.

• But he despised certain trifling feats of dexterity, that were of no use. Some Macedonians admired

b

Plut. de fortun. Alex. serm. ii. p. 333.

Μαρτυρα ελαβον και θεατην, τον αρίσα κριναι το καταρθέμενον, και μα λισα αμείψασθαι δυνάμενον.

very much a man who employed himself very attentively in throwing small peas through the eye of a needle, which he would do at a considerable distance, and without once missing. Alexander seeing him at this exercise, ordered him, as we are told, a present suitable to his employment, viz. a basket of peas.

Alexander was of a sprightly disposition; was resolute, and very tenacious of his opinion, which never gave way to force, but at the same time would submit immediately to reason and good sense. It is very difficult to treat with persons of this turn of mind. Philip accordingly, notwithstanding his double authority of king and father, believed it necessary to employ persuasion, rather than force, with respect to his son, and endeavoured to make himself beloved rather than feared by him.

An accident, made him entertain a very advantageous opinion of Alexander. There had been sent from Thessaly to Philip a war horse, a noble, strong, fiery, generous beast, called Bucephalus. The owner would sell him for thirteen talents, about nineteen hundred pounds sterling. The king went into the plains, attended by his courtiers, in order to view the perfections of this horse; but upon trial he appeared so very fierce, and pranced about in so furious a manner, that no one dared to mount him. Philip, being angry that so furious and unmanageable a creature had been sent him, gave orders for their carrying him back

We may suppose it was some instrument in the shape of a needle. Some think he was called so, because his head was like that of

an ox.

again. Alexander, who was present at that time, cried out, "what a noble horse they are going to lose, for want of address and boldness to back him!" Philip at first considered these words as the effect of folly and rashness, so common to young men : but as Alexander insisted still more upon what he had said, and was very much vexed to see so noble a creature just going to be sent home again, his father gave him leave to try what he could do. The young prince, overjoyed at this permission, goes up to Bucephalus, takes hold of his bridle, and turns his head to the sun; having observed that the thing which frighted him was his own shadow, he seeing it dance about, or sink down, in proportion as he moved. He therefore first stroked him gently with his hand, and soothed him with his voice; then seeing his mettle abate, and artfully taking his opportunity, he let fall his cloak, and springing swiftly upon his back, first slackens the rein, without once striking or vexing him: and when he perceived that his fire was cooled, that he was no longer so furious and violent, and wanted only to move forward, he gave him the rein, and spurring him with great vigor, animated him with his voice to his full speed. While this was doing, Philip and his whole court trembled for fear, and did not once open their lips; but when the prince, after having run his first heat, returned with joy and pride, at his having broke a horse which was judged absolutely ungovernable, all the courtiers in general endeavoured to outvie one another in their applauses and congratulations; and we are told, Philip shed tears of joy on this occasion,

embracing Alexander after he was alighted, and kissing his head, he said to him, " my son, seek a kingdom more worthy of thee, for Macedon is below thy merit."

We are told a great many surprising particulars of this Bucephalus; for whatever had any relation to Alexander was to be of the marvellous kind. When this creature was saddled and equipped for battle, he would suffer no one to back him but his master; and it would not have been safe for any other person to go near him. Whenever Alexander wanted to mount him, he would kneel down upon his two fore feet. According to some historians, in the battle against Porus, where Alexander had plunged too imprudently amidst a body of the enemy, his horse, though wounded in every part of his body, did however exert himself in so vigorous a manner, that he saved his master's life; and notwithstanding the deep wounds he had received, and though almost spent through the great effusion of blood, he brought off Alexander from among the combatants, and carried him with inexpressible vigor to a place of security; where perceiving the king was no longer in danger, and overjoyed in some measure at the service he had done him, he expired. This indeed is a very noble end for a horse. Others say, that Bucephalus, quite worn out, died at thirty years of age. Alexander bewailed his death bitterly, believing that he had

f Aul. Gel. 1. v. c. 2.

Et domini jam superstitis securus, quasi cum sensus humani solatio, animam expiravit. Aul. Gel.