Polypth. I think it is.——But what have we got there? You are taking me past something curious.
Calloph. I beg your Pardon: Indeed I had almost forgot the Imperial Closet: And I wonder I should, for I assure you I have the greatest Veneration for its Inhabitants.—There, Sir, is a noble Triumvirate. Titus, Trajan, and Aurelius, are Names which want not the Pomp of Title to add a Lustre to them.
Polypth. I wish you could persuade all the Kings in Europe to take them as Patterns. But, God knows, public Spirit is now at a low Ebb amongst us: There is more of it in that single honest Sentiment, Pro me: si merear, in me, than I believe is to be found in this degenerate Age in half a Kingdom.
Calloph. I see, my good Friend, you can moralize upon Occasion too.
Polypth. Moralize! The D——l take me, if I would not this Moment, in spite of—
Calloph. Nay, come, don't grow serious: You know I have long since laid it down as a Rule, to stop my Ears when you get into your political Vein. I am not now to learn that there is no keeping you within the Bounds of Temperance upon that Topic.
Polypth. Well then, let us have something else to talk about.——Yon Wall at this Distance seems to promise us some Bass-relief.
Calloph. Yes, Sir; you are there presented with a View of the different Quarters of the World, bringing their various Products to Britannia. It is a pretty Ornament enough for a Bridge, which, like the Art of Navigation, joins one Land to another.