Hor. The more I have thought and reflected on what you said of Honour last _Tuesday_, the more I have perceiv'd and felt the Truth of it in Spight of my Teeth. But I shall never dare to speak of so wretched an Origin. Cleo. The Beginning of all Things relating to Human Affairs was ever small and mean: Man himself was made of a Lump of Earth. Why should we be ashamed of this? What could be meaner than the Origin of Ancient _Rome_? Yet her own Historians, proud as they were, scrupled not to mention it, after she was arrived at the Height of her Glory, and become a Goddess, _Dea Roma_, to whom Divine Honours were paid throughout the Empire, and a stately Temple was erected within her own Walls. Hor. I have often wonder'd at that _Dea Roma_, and her Statues resembling those of _Pallas_. What could they pretend her Divinity to consist in? Cleo. In her vast Power, which every Freeman had the Privilege to imagine, he had a Share in. Hor. What a _Bizar_, what a monstrous Humour must it have been, that could make a wife People suppose that to be a Goddess, which they knew to be a City! Cleo. Nothing in the Universe, but the Pride of the Citizens. But I don't think, that the Humour, which you seem to be so much astonish'd at, is altogether worn off yet. In Poetry, Painting and Sculpture, you see Rivers, Towns, and Countries continue to be represented under the Images of Men and Women as much as ever. Look upon the Marble Figures about the Pedestal of Queen _Anne's_ Statue at St. _Paul's_. Hor. But No body is so silly as to worship them. Cleo. Not in outward Shew, because it is out of Fashion; but the inward Veneration, which is paid by many to the Things represented by those Images, is the very same as it was formerly, and owing to the same Cause. Hor. In what Part of the World is it, that you have observed this? Cleo. In _Christendom_; Here. If you was to hear a vain Man, that is a considerable Inhabitant of any large Capital, when he is speaking on the Part and in Behalf of his City, _London_ for example, _Paris_ or _Amsterdam_, you would find the Honour, the high Esteem, and the Deference, which in his Opinion are due to it, far superiour to any, that are now paid to Mortal Creatures. Hor. I believe there is a great Deal in what you say. Cleo. It is worth your Observation, what I am going to mention. Wherever you see great Power and Authority lodged in a considerable Number of Men, mind the profound Respect and Submission, each Member pays to the whole, and you'll find, that there is great Plenty, throughout the World, of what you said, two Days ago, was inconceivable to you. Hor. What is that, pray? Cleo. Idols, that are their own Worshipers, and sincerely adore themselves.