thofe to which he had already affented. Without Alcibiades expreffed his furprise that his triend making ufe of any direct argument or perfuafion, could bear to live in the faine houfe with fo perhe chofe to lead the perfon he meant to inftruét, verfe and quarrelfome a companion, Socrates reto deduce the truths of which he wished to con- plied, that being daily inured to ill humour at vince him, as a neceifary confequence from his own home, he was the better prepared to encounter conceffions. He commonly conducted these con- perverfencfs and injury abroad. In the midst of ferences with fuch addrefs, as to conceal his de- dometic vexations and public diforders, Socrates fign till the refpondent had advanced too far to re- retained fuch an unruffed ferenity, that he was cede. On fome occafions he made use of ironical never feen either to leave his own house, or to relanguage, that vain men might be caught in their turn home with a disturbed countenance. In acown replies, and be obliged to confefs their igno- quiring this entire dominion over his paffions and rance. He never affumed the air of a morofe and appetites he had the greater merit, as it was not rigid preceptor, but communicated useful inftruc- effected without a violent ftruggle against his nation with all the cafe and pleasantry of polite con- tural propentities. ZOPYRUS, an eminent phyverfation. Though eminently furnished with eve- fioguoinift, declared, that he difcovered in the ry kind of learning, he preferred moral to fpecu- features of the philofopher evident traces of malative wifdom. Convinced that philofophy is va- ny vicious inclinations. The friends of Socrates luable, not as it furnishes questions for the fchools, who were prefent ridiculed his ignorance: But but as it provides men with a law of life, he cen- Socrates acknowledged his penetration, and confured his predeceffors for spending all their time felled that he was in his natural difpofition prone in abftrufe researches into nature, and taking no to vice, but that he had fubdued his inclinations pains to render themselves useful to mankind. His by reafon and philofophy. Through the whole favourite maxim was, Whatever is above us doth of his life Socrates gave himfelt up to the guidnot concern us." He eftimated the value of know- ance of unbiaffed reafon, which is fuppofed by ledge by its ulity, and recommended the study fome to be all that he meant by the genius or deof geometry, aftronomy, and other sciences, only mon from whom he profefled to receive inftrucfo far as they admit of a practical application to tion. But this opinion is inconfiftent with the the purpofes of human life. His great object was, accounts given by his followers of that dæmon, to lead men into an acquaintance with themfelves and even with the language in which he spoke of to convince them of their follies and vices: to in- it himself. Plato fometimes calls it his guerdian, fpite them with the love of virtue; and to furnish and Apuleius his god; and as Xenophon attefts them with ufeful moral inftructions. Through his that it was the belief of his mafter that the gods whole life this good man difcovered a mind fupe- occafionally communicate to men the knowledge ior to the attractions of wealth and power. Con- of future events, it is probable that Socrates adtrary to the general practice of the preceptors of mitted, with the generality of his countrymen, the his time, he inftructed his pupils without recei- existence of thole intermediate beings called deving from them any gratuity. He frequently re- mons, of one of which he might fancy himfelf the fofed rich prefents, which were offered him by peculiar care. (See DÆMON.) Convinced of the Alcibiades and others, though importunately urg- weakness of the human understanding, and perceied to accept them by his wife. The chief mea ving that the pride of philofophy had led his preof Athens were his ftewards: they fent him in pro- deceffors into futile fpeculations on the nature and vilions, as they apprehended he wanted them; he origin of things, he judged it most consistent with took what his prefent wants required, and return true wifdom to fpeak with caution and reverence ed the rest. Obferving the numerous articles of concerning the divine nature. The wifdom and luxury which were expoted to fale in Athens, he the virtues of this great man, whilft they procured exclaimed, “How many things are there which I him many followers, created him alfo many ene do not want!" With Socrates, moderation fups mies. The Sophifts, (See SOPHISTS,) whose knaplied the place of wealth. In his clothing and very and ignorance he took every opportunity of food, he confulted only the demands of nature. expofing to public contempt, became inveterate He commonly appeared in a neat but plain clock, in their enmity againit fo bold a reformer, and dewith his feet uncovered. Though his table was vited an expedient, by which they hoped to check Only supplied with fimple fare, he did not fcruple the current of his popularity. They engaged Ato invite men of fuperior rank to partake of his rittophanes, the first buffoon of the age, to write meals; and when his wife, upon fome fuch occa- a comedy, in which Socrates thould be the prinfior, exprefed her diffatisfaction on being no bet- cipal character. Ariftophanes, pleased with fo ter provided, he deûred her to give herfelf no con promising an occasion of difplaying his low and eer; for if his guefts were wile men, they would malignant wit, undertook the talk, and produced be contented with whatever they found at his ta- the comedy of The Clouds, still extant in his works. b'e; if other wife, they were unworthy of notice. In this piece, Socrates is introduced hanging in a -Though Sécrates was exceedingly unfortunate basket in the air, and thence pouring forth abfurin his domestic connection, he converted this infe- dity and prophanenefs. But the philofopher, licity into an occasion of excrcising his virtues. fhowing, in a crowded theatre, that he was wholXANTIPPE, concerning whefe ill humour ancient ly unmoved by this ribaldry, the fatire failed of writers relate many amufing tales, was certainly its effect; and when Ariftophanes attempted the a woman of a bigh and unmanageable fpirit. But year following to renew the piece with alterations Socrates, while he endeavoured to curb the vio- and additions, the reprefentation was fo much lence of her temper, improved his own. When difcouraged, that he was obliged to ditcontinue

it. From this time Socrates continued for many ces he had ridiculed and reproved, he diftinctly years to purfue without interruption his laudable replied to the several charges brought against him dengn of inftructing and reforming his fellow-citi- by Melitus. To prove that he had not been guilzens. At length, however, when the inflexible in- ty of impiety towards the gods of his country, he tegrity with which he had discharged the duty of appealed to his frequent practice of attending the a fenator, and the firmness with which he had op- public religious feftivals. The crime of introducing pofed every kind of political corruption and op- new divinities, with which he was charged, chiefly pretion, had greatly increated the number of his as it seems on the ground of the admonitions which camies, clandeftine arts were employed to raife a he profeffed to have received from an invifible general prejudice against him. The people were power, he difclaimed, by pleading that it was no duftriously reminded, that Critias, who had been new thing for men to confult the gods and receive ore of the molt cruel of the thirty tyrants, and Al- inftructions from them. To refute the charge of cibiades, who had infulted religion, by defacing the his having been a corrupter of youth, he urged pable statues of Mercury, and performing a mock the example which he had uniformly exhibited of reprefentation of the Eleufinian mysteries, had in justice, moderation, and temperance; the moral their youth been difciples of Socrates; and the fpirit and tendency of his difcourfes; and the rinds of the populace being thus prepared, a di- effect which had actually been produced by tt accufation was preferred againft him before the his doctrine upon the manners of the young. apreme court of judicature. His accufers were Then, difdaining to folicit the mercy of his judAnyius a leather-drefier, who had long entertained ges, he called upon them for that justice which a perional enmity against Socrates, for reprehend- their office and their oath obliged them to admiis avarice, in depriving his fons of the bene- nifter; and profefling his faith and confidence in tts of learning, that they might purfue the gains of God, refigned himicif to their pleasure. The trade; Melitus, a young rhetorician, who was judges, whofe prejudices would not fuffer them capable of undertaking any thing for the fake of to pay due attention to this apology, or to ex Rain; and Lycon, who was glad of any opportu- amine with impartiality the merits of the caufe, ty of difplaying his talents. The accufation, immediately declared him guilty of the crimes of wach was delivered to the fenate under the name which he food accused. Socrater, in this stage of Melitus, was this: "Meitus, fon of Melitus, of the trial, had a right to enter his plea againft the tribe of Pythos, accufeth Socrates, fon of the punishment which the accufers demanded, Sphronifcus, of the tribe of Alopece. Socrates and iuftead of the fentence of death, to propofe lates the laws, in not acknowledging the gods fome pecuniary amercement. But he at first which the itate acknowledges, and by introduc- peremptorily refused to make any proposal of this new divinities. He allo violates the laws by kind, imagining that it might be conftrued into Corrupting the youth. Be his punishment an acknowledgment of guilt; and afferted, that DEATH." This charge was delivered upon oath his conduct merited from the state reward rather to the fenate; and Crito a friend of Socrates be- than punishment. At length, however, he was cine furety for his appearance on the day of prevailed upon by his friends to offer upon their kstrial. "Anytus foon afterwards fent a private credit a fine of thirty mine. The judges, notreffage to Socrates, affuring him that if he would withstanding, ftiil remained inexorable: they prodefit from cenfuring his conduct, he would with- ceeded without farther delay, to pronounce fenGraw his accufation. But Socrates refused to com- tence upon him; and he was condemned to be py with fo degrading a condition; and with his put to death by the poifon of hemlock. The fual forrit replied, "Whilft I live I will never dif- fentence being paffed, he was fent to prifon: gaile the truth, nor fpeak otherwife than my du- which, fays Seneca, he entered with the fame refoty requires." The interval between the accufa- lution and firmness with which he had opposed fron and the trial he spent in philofophical con- the thirty tyrants; and took away ali ignominy Verfations with his friends, choofing to difcourfe from the place. He lay in fetters 30 days; and upon any other fubject rather than his own fitua- was conftantly vifited by Crito, Plato, and other tion. When the day of trial arrived, his accufers friends, with whom he paffed the time in difpute ?ppeared in the fenate, and attempted to fupport after his ufual manner. Anxious to fave fo valu their charge in three diftinct fpeeches, which ble a life, they urged him to attempt his escape, trongly marked their respective characters. Pia or at least to permit them to convey him away; to, who was a young man, and a zealous fol- and Crito went fo far, as to affure him that, by er of Socrates, then rofe up to addrefs the his intereft with the jailor, it might be easily acjudges in defence of his mafter; but whiift he was complished, and to offer him a retreat in Theffaattempting to apologife for his youth, he was a- ly; but Socrates rejected the proposal, as a cribruptly commanded by the court to fit down. minal violation of the laws; and afked them, Socrates, however needed no advocate. Afcend- whether there was any place out of Attica which ing the chair with all the ferenity of conscious in- death could not reach. At length the day arrived Bocence, and with all the dignity of fuperior me- when the officers to whofe care he was committed Tit, he delivered, in a firm and manly tone, an delivered to Socrates early in the morning the final unpremediated defence of himself, which fiienced order for his execution, and immediately, accordhis opponents, and ought to have convinced his ing to the law, fet him at liberty from his bonds. adges. After tracing the progrefs of the confpi- His friends, who came thus early to the prifon racy which had been raised against him to its that they might have an opportunity of convertrue fource, the jealoufy and refentment of men fing with their mafter through the day, found his whofe ignorance he had expofed, and whofe vi wife fitting by him with a child in her arms. So

Grates

crates, that the tranquility of his last moments up their refidence in diftant places. Several of might not be disturbed by her unavail.ng lamenta them viited the philofopher Euchd of Megara, tions, requested that the might be conducted by whom they were kindly received. No fooner home. With the moft frantic expreflions of grief was the unjult condemnation of Socrates known the left the prifon. An interefting converfation through Gleece, than a general indignation was thenpaffed between Socrates and his friends, which kindled in the minds of good men, who univer. 1 chiefly turned upon the immortality of the four. fally regretted that fo diftinguithed an advocrate In the courte of this convertation, he expreffed for virtue thould have failen a facrifice to jealousy his difapprobation of the practice of fuicide, and and envy. The Athenians themfelves, fo remarkaffured his friends that his chief support in his able for their caprice, who never knew the value prefent fituation was an expectation, though not of their great men till after their death, foon beunmixed with doubts, of a happy existence after came tenible of the foily as well as criminality, of death. It would be mexcufable in me (faid he) putting to death the man who had been the chief to defpife death, if I were not perfuaded, that it ornament of their city and of the age, and turnwill conduct me into the prefence of the gods, ed their indignation against his acculers. Mehitus who are the moft righteous governors, and into was condemned to death; and Anytus, to elcape the fociety of juft and good men: but I detive a fimilar iate, went into voluntary exile. To confidence from the hope that fomething of man give a farther proof of the fincerity of their regret, remains after death, and that the condition the Athenians for a while interrupted public busof good men will then be much better than that neis; decreed a general mourning; recalled the of the bad." Crito afterwards afking him, in exiled friends of Socrates; and erected a statue to what manner he wished to be buried? Socrates his memory in one of the most frequented parts replied, with a fimile, "As you pleafe, provided of the city. His death happened in the fint year I do not escape out of your hands." Then, turn. of the 95th Olympiad, and in the 70th year of his ing to the reit of his friends, he laid, “Is it not age. Socrates left behind him nothing in writing; ftrange, after all that I have faid to convince you at leaft nothing that has reached us, though he that I am going to the fociety of the happy, that wrote a great deal; but his illuflrious pupils XECrito ftul thinks that this boty, which will foon NOPHON and PLATO have in fome meature fupbe a felefs corpfe, is Socrates? Let him difpofe of plied this defect. The Memoirs of Socrates, wutmy body as he pleafes, but let him not at its in- ten by Xenophon, afford, however, a much more terment mourn over it as if it were Socrates." accurate idea of the opinions of Socrates, and of Towards the ciofe of the day he retired into an his minner of teaching, than the Dialogues of Plaadjoining apartment to bathe; his children, in the to, who everywhere mixes his own conceptions anean time, exprefling to one another their grief at and diction with the ideas and language of his the profpect of loting fo excellent a father, and be mafter. It is related, that when Socrates heard ing left to pass the rest of their days in the folitary Pato recite his Lyf, he faid, "How much does ftate of orphans. After a thort interval, during this young man make me fay which I never conwhich he gave fome neceflary inftructions to his ceived!" His diftinguithing character was that domeftics, ard took bis iaft leave of his chil- of a moral philofopher; and his doctrine concern. dren, the attendant of the prifon informed him, ing God and region was rather practical than that the time of drinking the poiton was come. fpeculative. But he did not neglect to build the The executioner, though accustomed to fuch firucture of religious faith upon the firm foundafcenes, thed tears as he prefented the fatal cup. tion of an appeal to natural appearances. He Socrates received it without change of counte taught, that the Supreme Being, though invili nance or the leaft appearance of perturbation: ble, is clearly feen in his works; which at once then offering up a prayer to the gods, that they demonitrate his exiftence and his wife and benewould grant him a profperous pallage into the in- volent providence. He admitted, befides the one vifible world, with perfect compofure he fwallow- Supregie Deity, the existence of beings who poled the poitonous draught. His friends around defs a middle fiation between God and man, to him burit into tears. Socrates alone remained un- whole immediate agency he afcribed the ordinary noved. He blamed their pufillanimity, and en- phenomena of nature, and whom he fuppofed to treated them to exercife a manly conftancy wor be particularly concerned in the management of thy of the friends of virtue. He continued walking human affairs. Hence he declared it to be the till the chilling operation of the hemlock obliged duty of every one, in the performance of religi him to lie down upon his bed. After remaining ous rites, to follow the cuftoms of his country. for a thort time filent, he requested Crito, (pro- At the fame time, he taught, that the merit of bably to refute a calumny which might prove in- ali religious offerings depends upon the character jurious to his friends after his deceafe,) not to ne- of the worlbipper, and that the gods take pleaglect the offering of a cock which he had vowed fure in the facrifices of none but the truly pious. to Efculapius. Then, covering himfelt with his Concerning the human foul, the opinion of Socloak, he expired. Such was the fate of the vir- crates, according to Xenophon, was, that it is altuous Socratas! A ftory, fays Cicero, which I ne- lied to the Divine Being, not by a participation ver read without tears. The friends and difciples of effence, but by a fimilarity of nature; that of this illuftrious teacher of wisdom were deeply man excelis all other animais in the facuity of rea afflicted by his death, and attended his funeral fon; and that the exiftence of good men will be with every expreffion of grief. Apprehentive, continued after death in a state in which they however, for their own fafety, they foon after. will receive the reward of their virtue. Although wards privately withdrew from the city, and took it appears that on this latter topic he was not

wholly