the
Captain and the Poet heartily by the Hand, and addressing himself with great
Respect to the Doctor; who indeed had not laughed outwardly at any thing that
past, as he had a perfect Command of his Muscles, and could laugh inwardly
without betraying the least Symptoms in his Countenance. The Doctor now began a
second formal Speech, in which he declaimed against all Levity of Conversation;
and what is usually called Mirth. He said, »there were Amusements fitted for
Persons of all Ages and Degrees, from the Rattle to the discussing a Point of
Philosophy, and that Men discovered themselves in nothing more than in the
Choice of their Amusements; for,« says he, »as it must greatly raise our
Expectation of the future Conduct in Life of Boys, whom in their tender Years we
perceive instead of Taw or Balls, or other childish Play-things, to chuse, at
their Leisure-Hours, to exercise their Genius in Contentions of Wit, Learning,
and such like; so must it inspire one with equal Contempt of a Man, if we should
discover him playing at Taw or other childish Play.« Adams highly commended the
Doctor's Opinion, and said, »he had often wondered at some Passages in ancient
Authors, where Scipio, Lælius, and other great Men were represented to have
passed many Hours in Amusements of the most trifling kind.« The Doctor reply'd,
»he had by him an old Greek Manuscript where a favourite Diversion of Socrates
was recorded.« »Ay,« says the Parson eagerly, »I should be most infinitely
obliged to you for the Favour of perusing it.« The Doctor promised to send it to
him, and farther said, »that he believed he could describe it. I think,« says
he, »as near as I can remember, it was this. There was a Throne erected, on one
side of which sat a King, and on the other a Queen, with their Guards and
Attendants ranged on both sides; to them was introduced an Ambassador, which
Part Socrates always used to perform himself; and when he was led up to the
Footsteps of the Throne, he addressed himself to the Monarchs in some grave
Speech, full of Virtue and Goodness, and Morality, and such like. After which,
he was seated between the King and Queen, and royally entertained. This I think
was the chief part. - Perhaps I may have forgot some Particulars; for it is long
since I read it.« Adams said, »it was indeed a Diversion worthy the Relaxation
of so