By  this  descent  from  the  pinnacles  of  art  no  honor
will  be  lost;  for  the  condescensions  of  learning  are  al-
ways overpaid  by  gratitude.  An  elevated  genius  em- 25
ployed  in  little  things,  appears,  to  use  the  simile  of
Longinus,  like  the  sun  in  his  evening  declination:  he
remits  his  splendor,  but  retains  his  magnitude,  and
pleases  more  though  he  dazzles  less.
TEE   RAMBLER  131

No.  145.    Tuesday,  August  6,  1751

Non,  8i  priores  Mwoniue  tenet

Sedea  Homerua,  Pindaricw  latent,

Cewque  et  Alowi  minacea,

Steaichorique  gravea  Camwnw. — Hoe.  Od.  4.  9.  5-8.
What  though  the  Muse  her  Homer  thrones

High  above  all  the  immortal  quire ;
Nor  Pindar's  raptures  she  disowns,

Nor  hides  the  plaintive  Cean  lyre;
Alcseus  strikes  the  tyrant  soul  with  dread.
Nor  yet  is  grave  Stesichorus  unread. — ^Francis.
It  is  allawed  that  vocations  and  employments  of  least
dignity  are  of  the  most  apparent  use;  that  the  meanest
artisan. or  manufacturer  contributes  more  to  the  accom-
modation of  life,  than  the  profound  scholar  and  argu-
Smentative  theorist;  and  that  the  public  would  suffer  less
present  inconvenience  from  the  banishment  of  philoso-
phers than  from  the  extinction  of  any  common  trade.
Some  have  been  so  forcibly  struck  with  this  observa-,
tion,  that  they  have,  in  the  first  warmth  of  their  dis-

lOcovery,  thought  it  reasonable  to  alter  the  common  dis-
tribution of  dignity,  and  ventured  to  condemn  mankind
of  universal  ingratitude.  For  justice  exacts  that  those
by  T^hom  we  are  most  benefited  should  be  most  honored.
