_Containing some historical anecdotes, the truth of which may possibly
be doubted, as they are not to be found in any of the historians._
After a short stay in the room, Arabella expressing a desire to
return home, Mr. Glanville conducted her out. Two gentlemen of his
acquaintance attending Miss Glanville, Sir Charles detained them to
breakfast; by which means they had an opportunity of satisfying their
curiosity; and beheld Arabella divested of that veil, which had, as
they said (and it is probable they said no more than they thought)
concealed one of the finest faces in the world.
Miss Glanville had the mortification to see both the gentlemen so
charmed with the sight of her cousin's face, that for a long time she
sat wholly neglected; but the seriousness of her behaviour giving some
little disgust to the youngest of them, who was what the ladies call
a pretty fellow, a dear creature, and the most diverting man in the
world; he applied himself wholly to Miss Glanville, and soon engaged
her in a particular conversation.
Mr. Selvin, so was the other gentleman called, was of a much graver
cast: he affected to be thought deep-read in history, and never failed
to take all opportunities of displaying his knowledge of antiquity,
which was indeed but very superficial; but having some few anecdotes by
heart, which he would take occasion to introduce as often as he could,
he passed among many persons for one who, by application and study, had
acquired an universal knowledge of ancient history.
Speaking of any particular circumstance, he would fix the time, by
computing the year with the number of the Olympiads. It happened, he
would say, in the 141st Olympiad.
Such an amazing exactness had a suitable effect on his audience, and
always procured him a great degree of attention.
This gentleman hitherto had no opportunity of displaying his knowledge
of history, the discourse having wholly turned upon news and other
trifles; when Arabella, after some more enquiries concerning the place,
remarked, that there was a very great difference between the medicinal
waters at Bath, and the fine springs at the foot of the mountain
Thermopylæ, in Greece, as well in their qualities as manner of using
them; and I am of opinion, added she, that Bath, famous as it is for
restoring health, is less frequented by infirm persons, than the famous
springs of Thermopylæ were by the beauties of Greece, to whom those
waters have the reputation of giving new lustre.
Mr. Selvin, who, with all his reading, had never met with any account
of these celebrated Grecian springs, was extremely disconcerted at not
being able to continue a conversation, which the silence of the rest of
the company made him imagine was directed wholly to him.
The shame he conceived at seeing himself opposed by a girl, in a matter
which so immediately belonged to him, made him resolve to draw himself
out of this dilemma at any rate; and, though he was far from being
convinced, that there were no such springs at Thermopylæ as Arabella
mentioned, yet he resolutely maintained that she must be mistaken in
their situation; for to his certain knowledge there were no medicinal
waters at the foot of that mountain.
Arabella, who could not endure to be contradicted in what she took to
be so incontestable a fact, reddened with vexation at his unexpected
denial.
It should seem, said she, by your discourse, that you are unacquainted
with many material passages that passed among very illustrious persons
there; and if you knew any thing of Pisistratus the Athenian, you would
know, that an adventure he had at those baths laid the foundation of
all those great designs, which he afterwards effected, to the total
subversion of the Athenian government.
Mr. Selvin, surprised that this piece of history had likewise escaped
his observation, resolved, however, not to give up his point.
I think, madam, replied he, with great self-sufficiency, that I am
pretty well acquainted with every thing which relates to the affairs of
the Athenian Commonwealth; and know by what steps Pisistratus advanced
himself to the sovereignty. It was indeed a great stroke of policy in
him, said he, turning to Mr. Glanville, to wound himself, in order to
get a guard assigned him.
You are mistaken, sir, said Arabella, if you believe there was any
truth in the report of his having wounded himself: it was done either
by his rival Lycurgus, or Theocrites; who, believing him still to be in
love with the fair Cerinthe, whom he courted, took that way to get rid
of him. Neither is it true, that ambition alone inspired Pisistratus
with a design of enslaving his country: those authors who say so, must
know little of the springs and motives of his conduct. It was neither
ambition nor revenge that made him act as he did: it was the violent
affection he conceived for the beautiful Cleorante, whom he first saw
at the famous baths of Thermopylæ, which put him upon those designs;
for, seeing that Lycurgus, who was not his rival in ambition, but love,
would certainly become the possessor of Cleorante, unless he made
himself tyrant of Athens, he had recourse to that violent method, in
order to preserve her for himself.
I protest, madam, said Mr. Selvin, casting down his eyes in great
confusion at her superior knowledge in history, these particulars have
all escaped my notice; and this is the first time I ever understood
that Pisistratus was violently in love; and that it was not ambition
which made him aspire to sovereignty.
I do not remember any mention of this in Plutarch, continued he,
rubbing his forehead, or any of the authors who have treated on the
affairs of Greece.
Very likely, sir, replied Arabella; but you will see the whole story of
Pisistratus's love for Cleorante, with the effects it produced, related
at large in Scudery.
Scudery, madam! said the sage Mr. Selvin, I never read that historian.
No, sir! replied Arabella, then your reading has been very confined.
I know, madam, said he, that Herodotus, Thucydides, and Plutarch, have
indeed quoted him frequently.
I am surprised, sir, said Mr. Glanville, who was excessively diverted
at this discovery of his great ignorance and affectation, that you have
not read that famous historian; especially as the writers you have
mentioned quote him so often.
Why, to tell you the truth, sir, said he; though he was a Roman; yet it
is objected to him, that he wrote but indifferent Latin; with no purity
or elegance; and----
You are quite mistaken, sir, interrupted Arabella; the great Scudery
was a Frenchman; and both his Clelia and Artamenes were written in
French.
A Frenchman was he? said Mr. Selvin, with a lofty air. Oh! then, it
is not surprising that I have not read him. I read no authors but the
ancients, madam, added he, with a look of self-applause; I cannot
relish the moderns at all: I have no taste for their way of writing.
But Scudery must needs be more ancient than Thucydides, and the rest
of those Greek historians you mentioned, said Mr. Glanville: how else
could they quote him?
Mr. Selvin was here so utterly at a loss, that he could not conceal his
confusion. He held down his head, and continued silent; while the beau,
who had listened to the latter part of their discourse, exerted his
supposed talent of raillery against the unhappy admirer of the ancient
authors; and increased his confusion by a thousand sarcasms, which gave
more diversion to himself than any body else.