side, he might be feared too soon to grasp his long intended monarchy. And were the Spaniard but possessed lord of the low countries, or had the States but the wealth and pow er of Spain, the rest of Europe might be like people at sea in a ship on fire, that could only choose, whether they would drown, or burn.

Now their war is the peace of their neighbours; so Rome, when busied in her civil broils, the Parthians lived at rest; but those concluded once by Cæsar, next are they designed for conquest.

If any man wonder at these contraries, let him look in his own body for so many several humors, in his brain for as many different fancies, in his own heart for as various passions; and from all these he may learn, that there is not in all the world such another beast, as MAN.

THEY, who have not an inveterate aversion to all extracts, will not be dis pleased with another essay from the works of the ingenious JEREMY COLLIER. He knew so much of the human heart, and attacked vice with so much ingenuity, and courage, and success, that he deserves still to be read and remembered.

ENVY

ENVY.

NVY is a displeasure for some supposed advantage in another. The object of this passion is something desirable; and though excellency, precisely considered, cannot occasion dislike; yet excellency, misplaced, may. The envious believes himself eclipsed by the lustre of his neighbour. That, which is good in itself, becomes an evil to him, which makes him wish it either removed, or extinguished. The discovery of the rise and unreasonableness of envy, and the way to prevent being either active in it, or passive under it, will comprehend the argument. To begin with the first. Envy lies mostly between beings equal in nature, though un

equal in circumstances.

is

We do not envy brutes, though they exceed us in many respects not inconsiderable. Nobody angry with a bird, because she can fly. We are not offended with the strength of an elephant, nor the speed of a horse, nor with a dog for having a better nose, than his master. These are all foreign commodities; they are not looked on, as the growth of our soil, which makes them neither expected, nor desired. Besides we excel these creatures in other qualities more valuable; so that upon the whole comparison we remain their superiors, which is sufficient to lay our envy asleep. On the other hand men are not subject to repine at the higher condition of an angel. They know there is a comparative disadvantage in their first composition; the model of humanity was drawn less. Our capacities, if they were all filled, are not large enough to hold so much happiness. To this I may add, that the angelic grandeur is seldom seen. By being thus concealed it does not awaken our poverty, nor mortify our littleness so much, as if it were always displayed before us. And lastly, our hope of rising to this height hereafter makes us bear our present inferiority well enough.

But where the essential properties are alike, pretensions are apt to mount, unless seasonably checked. "I am," cries the envious," of the same nature with the rest, and why "then should such a man top me? Where there is an equal"ity of kind, there should be no distinction of privilege. I

am as near of kin to God Almighty, as the best; and he is certainly the noblest ancestor. I am cast in the same "mould, made up of the same matter, and stamped with "the same impression; and why should I not pass equally "" in general esteem? In taking gold and silver it is not in

quired what mines they came from, nor how long they "have been dug; if they answer the qualities of the metal, "that is enough. Why then should one piece of human "nature be thought so much worse, than another, since it "keeps within the species, and shines true upon the touch"stone ?"

In answer to this expostulation I shall only say, that

though the metal is the same, yet the figure, the quantity, and the fineness, are often different, which makes a difference in the value.

When two start into the world together, he, that is thrown behind, unless his mind prove generous, will be displeased with the other; for the success of the first seems to press upon the reputation of the latter. For what will the world

say ? Why could he not hold up? What made him come on so heavily, but that he wanted either management, or metal? With submission this inference is not good, and therefore one should not grow peevish about it. Success does not always attend desert. Sometimes favor, and opportunity, and fortune, run most on one side. Sometimes a man cracks his conscience, as a horse does his wind, by straining up hill.

But if the advantage was fairly gained, it is unbecoming to complain. If my friend charges in the post of honor, while I am sleeping in my tent, it is great injustice to envy him the reward of his bravery. In all likelihood I brought all my limbs out of the bed, which it is probable he has not done off the breach. And, if he has, his merit should not be lessened by his good fortune. He, that hazards his life upon an honorable score, deserves the same regard, as if he had lost it.

Envy among persons of the same trade is common. The competition of interest occasions this malevolence. They glean up custom from their neighbours; and so what ope gets, the other loses.

But why should I grudge a man the common advantage of his employment? Why should I desire more, than my share of business, and be sorry to see another thrive by his industry? Here can be nothing but covetousness at the bottom, and that is never to be satisfied. However it must be granted, that all concurrences of this nature, whether for money, favor, or power, are in danger of being displeased with a fortunate rival. The pinch lies here; the matter in competition is often indivisible. An office or a mistress cannot be

portioned out, like a common, and shared amongst distinct proprietors. The case is like a lottery with one prize; a single ticket only is enriched, and the rest are all blanks. So that they will tell you it is not so much ill nature, as disappointment, which sours the humor. Where the objects of desire are more communicative, there are no exceptions taken. People do not like a prospect the worse, because others have the pleasure of it. They are seldom disturbed, because their neighbours hear the same music, or smell the same perfumes with themselves; for here is enough for them all. The satisfaction is so noble, that it spreads, without lessening; it is not the thinner for being beaten; but if there was any interfering, if the senses should engross or balk one another, as in the case of eating and drinking, you would quickly see the tables turned. If a fine object should tarnish by having a great many see it, or the music should run mostly into one man's ears, these satisfactions would be made inclosure as well, as the rest. Farther,

Those advantages, which it is no discredit to want, are not usually envied in another. For instance; he, that does not pretend to painting, is not touched at the commendation of a master in that profession. A woman does not envy a man for fighting courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty. An old man is not uneasy at the strength and activity of those, who are younger; neither does youth envy the knowledge and experience of age. In these cases reputation is unconcerned, and the esteem of the person is not sunk by being unfurnished; for either the advantage is foreign to the condition of life or sex, either we have been possessed already, or have time enough to gain it afterward. The absurdity of this passion has partly been discovered already, and may be farther enlarged.

Envy is an illnatured vice; it is made up of meanness and malice; it wishes the force of goodness restrained, and the measure of happiness abated; it laments over prosperity, and sickens at the sight of health. Had Had envy the governing of the creation, we should have a sad world on't.

How would it infect the air, and darken the sun; make the seas unnavigable, and blast the fruits of the earth? How would the face of nature be overcast? How soon would peace be banished, and pleasure languish and expire? We should see confusion without settlement, madness without intervals, and poison without antidote. Discord, and disappointment, and despair, would then be the only blessings and entertainments of life. Could the envious prevail, all noble undertakings would be crushed, and invention nipped in the bud. Nothing extraordinary in industry, sense, or bravery, would be endured. Whatever was shining would soon be eclipsed ; beauty would be deformed, and courage turned into cowardice. To excel either in art or nature would be a crime; and none could be safe, but the ill and the useless.

Emulation is a handsome passion; it is enterprizing, but just withal; it keeps a man within the terms of honor, and makes the contest for glory fair and generous. Here is nothing malevolent and insidious; the advantage is gained by improvement, not by injury. The man strives to excel, but then it is by raising himself, not by depressing another. But envy oftentimes wants spirit as well, as good nature.

Like

a cold poison it benumbs and stupefies; and thus, as it were conscious of its own impotence, it folds its arms in despair, and sits cursing in a corner. When envy conquers, it is commonly in the dark, by treachery and undermining, by calumny and detraction. The envious are always ungrateful; they hate a noble temper, though shown upon themselves. If you oblige them, it is at your peril; they will fly in the face of a good turn, and outrage, where they ought to reward. Has not many a brave man been ruined by being overcharged with merit? What banished Themistocles, and sent Belisarius a begging, but doing too much for their country? The comfort is, envy is no less foolish, than detestable; it is a vice, which they say keeps no holidays, but is always in the wheel, and working upon its own disquiet. Envy, strictly considered, is a mark of inferiority. It supposes some excellency in another, which is wanting in itself. This is a