_Zeuxis_ contending with _Parrhasius_ about the Excellence of their Pictures, drew some Grapes so much to the Life, that Birds came to peck at them. As for _Parrhasius_ he exposed to view a Curtain so well done, that _Zeuxis_ proud of the sucess of his Work, told him hastily, that ’twas not a time to hide his Picture, and offered to draw the Curtain himself; but perceiving his Mistake: _Well_, said he, _I have done with thee; I only cheated Birds, but thou hast cheated the Painter himself_. 116 _Zeuxis_ disputant avec _Parrhasius_ de l’excellence de leurs Tableaux, peignit des Raisins si fort au Naturel, que les Oiseaux venoient les bequeter. _Parrhasius_ de son côté exposa en vuë un rideau si bien-fait, que _Zeuxis_ enflé du succez de son ouvrage, lui dit impatiemment, que ce n’ètoit pas là le tems de cacher son Tableau, & voulut tirer le rideau lui même, mais appercevant son Erreur: _Ah!_ lui dit il, _je te quitte; je n’ai trompé que les Oiseaux, & tu as trompé le Peintre même_. 117 _Pericles_ being accused for laying out the Publick Revenues upon Buildings, Publick Ornaments, and Offerings to the Gods: _Will you give me leave_, said he, to the People, _to get my name ingraved upon all those things instead of yours, and I’ll be at the charge of them out of my own Pocket_. At which Words, the People out of a point of Honour, refused to accept his Proposal, and permitted him to go on with his Magnificence in the Name of the People. 117 Comme on accusoit _Periclés_ de dépenser les Deniers publics en Batimens, en Decorations publiques, & en offrandes qu’il faisoit aux Dieux: _voulez vous permettre_, dit-il au Peuple, _que je fasse graver sur toutes ces choses-là mon nom en la place du vôtre, j’en payerai la depense de mes propres Deniers_. A ce Mot, le Peuple piqué d’honneur, refusa d’accepter sa Proposition, & lui permit de continüer ses magnificences au nom du Peuple. 118 Some _Romans_ wondered that _Cesar_ should continue perpetual Dictator, by which he seemed to affect Monarchy; whereas _Sylla_ had renounced that Title, to whom _Cesar_ answered: _Do not wonder at that_, Sylla _could not read well, and so was not able to dictate long_. 118 Quelques _Romains_ trouvant étrange que _Cesar_ demeurât Dictateur perpetuel, en quoi il sembloit affecter la Royauté, vû que _Sylla_ avoit quitté cette qualité-là, _Cesar_ leur répondit: _Ne vous ètonnez pas de cela_, Sylla _ne savoit pas bien lire, il ne pouvoit pas dicter longtems_. 119 _Dionysius_ the Tyrant of _Sicily_ caused the Statue of _Jupiter Olympius_ to be stripped of a Cloak of massive Gold, worth above fifty thousand Crowns, and instead of that gave him one of Wool, saying _This Cloak is too Cold in Winter, and too heavy in Summer; we must take care of_ Jupiter, _this Woollen one will fit him much better_. 119