depress’d the Character of the Deceas’d beyond Justice. And hence the subterranean Orators were extremely sparing of their Encomiums, since to give immoderate Praises was punishable by Law. Not long after, when I was going to one of these Funeral Orations, I ask’d my Host what was the State and Condition of the departed Hero? He reply’d, he was an Husbandman who dy’d suddenly upon the Road to this City. Hereupon, in my Turn, I burst into an excessive Laughter, retorting thus their own Weapons upon them. And pray, says I, why have not Bulls and Oxen, those Companions of Husbandmen, the Honour of a Funeral Oration? They can equally supply Matter, for they equally perform the same Office. But my Host desir’d me to spare my Jests; for that in these Dominions Husbandmen were held in the highest Esteem, on account of the great Excellence of the Duties they were employ’d in; and that no Way of Life was more honourable than that of Agriculture. Thus every honest and industrious Farmer was regarded by the Citizens as their Feeder and Foster-Father. And hence arose the Custom, that when the Farmers about Autumn, or in the Month of _Palm-Trees_, repair to the City with a Multitude of Carriages loaden with Corn, the Magistrates meet them without the Gates, and introduce them into the City with Trumpets and other Instruments in Concert, after the Manner of a Triumph. At this strange Account I was struck dumb, especially recollecting the hard Fate of our Husbandmen, groaning under the deepest Slavery, and whose Employments are look’d upon as low and illiberal, in Comparison of those which are Pandars to our Pleasures; such as Cooks, Poulterers, Perfumers, and such like. And this I fairly own’d to my Host, at the same Time enjoining him Silence, fearing lest the Subterraneans should pass very unfavourable Judgments upon Mankind. Having promised Secrecy, he carry’d me to the Hall where the Funeral Oration was to be made. I own I never heard any Thing executed more solidly, with greater Veracity, or with so little an Appearance of Flattery as this; and I judg’d it a proper Pattern, to which all Funeral Orations should conform. The Orator first gave us a View of the Virtues of the Deceas’d, and then enumerated his Vices and Failings, with an Admonition to his Audience to avoid ’em.