89 



Number III. 



The 2K»^l" was a fentence or maxim delivered and fung at their en- 

 tertainments ; for which reafon they were fometimes called A V"«, and 

 were generally the fayings of the wife men put into verfe, that became 

 a fort of proverbs or gnomes, ^MtptM. See Athen. De'tp. L. 15. c. 14 

 and Cafaub. animadv. in Athen. Of this fort is the well-known Scolion 

 entitled A^^£Ta^oyo^, from its initial words, but happily amended by Dr, 

 Bently, into Xa5«»& wfio* ; a gnome, wt^i xaxo^i?i.«;. Thus, 



This Scolion was deemed fo excellent that its author has been much 

 contefted, fome afcribing it to Alcjeus, fome to Sappho, and fome to 

 Praxilla, to whom Euftathius, //. 0. p. 326. Edit, Rom. on the authority 

 of Paufanias the lexicographer, has allotted it. It may be thus tranf- 

 lated. ^ 



" Taught by Charondas' laws, tlie Brave refpefl; 

 " But fliun the Vile ; the Vile no grace reflefl." 



Sometimes they relaxed this didaftic mode, and by an inviting fcn- 

 timent, gave it the more familiar air of a catch. As a proverb of our 

 own feems to have had its origin in the following, we feleft it for aa 

 example. 



Vol. IX. M «' Drink, 



* The morality of this maxim is enforced in the facred page, 



•' Eyil communication (««xof4iM«) corrupts good manners." 



