It is observed of great and heroick Minds, that they have not only shewn a particular Disregard to those unmerited Reproaches which have been cast upon ’em, but have been altogether free from that Impertinent Curiosity of enquiring after them, or the poor Revenge of resenting them.  The Histories of Alexander and Caesar are full of this kind of Instances.  Vulgar Souls are of a quite contrary Character. Dionysius, the Tyrant of Sicily, had a Dungeon which was a very curious Piece of Architecture; and of which, as I am informed, there are still to be seen some Remains in that Island.  It was called Dionysius’s Ear, and built with several little Windings and Labyrinths in the form of a real Ear.  The Structure of it made it a kind of whispering Place, but such a one as gathered the Voice of him who spoke into a Funnel, which was placed at the very Top of it.  The Tyrant used to lodge all his State-Criminals, or those whom he supposed to be engaged together in any Evil Designs upon him, in this Dungeon.  He had at the same time an Apartment over it, where he used to apply himself to the Funnel, and by that Means over-hear every thing that was whispered in [the [3]] Dungeon.  I believe one may venture to affirm, that a Caesar or an Alexander would rather have died by the Treason, than have used such disingenuous Means for the detecting of it.  A Man, who in ordinary Life is very Inquisitive after every thing which is spoken ill of him, passes his Time but very indifferently.  He is wounded by every Arrow that is shot at him, and puts it in the Power of every insignificant Enemy to disquiet him.  Nay, he will suffer from what has been said of him, when it is forgotten by those who said or heard it.  For this Reason I could never bear one of those officious Friends, that would be telling every malicious Report, every idle Censure that [passed [4]] upon me.  The Tongue of Man is so petulant, and his Thoughts so variable, that one should not lay too great a Stress upon any present Speeches and Opinions.  Praise and Obloquy proceed very frequently out of the same Mouth upon the same Person, and upon the same Occasion.  A generous Enemy will sometimes bestow Commendations, as the dearest Friend cannot sometimes refrain from speaking Ill.  The Man who is indifferent in either of these Respects, gives his Opinion at random, and praises or disapproves as he finds himself in Humour.

I shall conclude this Essay with Part of a Character, which is finely drawn by the Earl of Clarendon, in the first Book of his History, and which gives us the lively Picture of a great Man teizing himself with an absurd Curiosity.