Monsieur de St. Evremont
is very particular in setting forth the Constancy and Courage of
Petronius Arbiter
during his last Moments, and thinks he discovers in them a greater Firmness of Mind and Resolution than in the Death of
Seneca, Cato
, or
Socrates
. There is no question but this polite Author's Affectation of appearing singular in his Remarks, and making Discoveries which had escaped the Observation of others, threw him into this course of Reflection. It was
Petronius's
Merit, that he died in the same Gaiety of Temper in which he lived; but as his Life was altogether loose and dissolute, the Indifference which he showed at the Close of it is to be looked upon as a piece of natural Carelessness and Levity, rather than Fortitude. The Resolution of