Solon

Bora in the 3d year of the 35th Olympiad. Pnetor at Athens, in the 3d year of the 45th Olyiuiuad. Died at the beginiiiDg of the 55th, aged 78 years.

Solon was bom at Salamis, in the 35th Olympiad, or 637 years before Christ. His parents were Athenians. His fother,Exeche8tides, was descended from Codros, the last King of Athens, and his mother was cousin -german to the mother of Pisistratus. He employed a part of his youth in travelling into Egypt, at that time the grand theatre of the ieamed world. Having made himself fully acquainted \i4th the form of government, and e''ery thing relative to the laws and customs of the country, he returned to Athens, where his uncommon merit and distinguished birth procured him the highest offices in the State.

Solon possessed great wisdom, combined with vigour, firmness, and sincerity. He was an excellent orator and poet; an able legislator, and a brave soldier. During the whole of his life he exhibited the most lively zeal for the liberty of his cOimtry, a hati*ed of tyranny, and an indifference for the aggrandisement of his own fSunUy. He never, anymore than Thales, attached himself to any particular master. He neglected the investigation of jb3 physical causes, in order that he might devote his whole attention to the moral and political condition of man. He was the author of that excellent maxim — ** Observe moderation in all things." Solon was induced, by the great reputation of Thales, to undertake a journey to Miletus, in order to see him. One day, being in familiar conversation with the philosopher, he said to him, 'M am astonished, Tliales, that you never chose to marry. You might have had children whose education would have been a source of the greatest pleasure to you." Thales made no reply at the moment, but some days after he got a man whom he had instructed in his ~design, to come in, as a stranger just arrived from Athens. " Well," said Solon, " what news?" — " None that I know," replied the stranger; *' except, indeed, the burial of a young Athenian, whose funeral was attended by the whole city; for he. was a youth of distinguished rank, and the son of a man who is held in the greatest estimation by the people. His father has been away from Athens some time, and his friends are resolved to concesd this afflicting event from him, for they are afraid that his grief might prove actually fatal to him." — " Unfortunate father!" exclaimed Solon. "Do you know his name?" — ** I have heard it frequently," replied the pretended stranger, " but at this moment 1 cannot call it to mind: I only know that he is said by every one to be a man of exti'aordiuary wisdom." Solon became more and more uneasy every instant: his countenance changed, and at last he could not forbear inquiring if the name was Solon. ** Yes, that is the name," exclaimed the stranger, na if suddeDly recollecting it. Solon, overcome with the most acute and violent grief, began to rend his clothes, to tear his hair, and beat his breast; and, in short, abandoned himself to all th« excesses usually given way to by those who ai'e overwhelmed with affliction. ** Of what avail is all this lamentation," said Thales, *' this weeping for a loss, which all the tears in the world cannot restore? " — * * Alas! " exclaimed Solon, " that is the very cause of all my tears; I weep an evil that is without the possibility of remedy." At last Thales could not help laughing at the frsintic gesticulations hito which Solon threw himself. '' O Solop!" said he to hun, « O my friend! you now know what it is that has always made me afraid of marrying. I dread the yoke of matrimony, and I learn by the grief of the wisest of men, that the firmest heart is not proof against the afflictions which may spring from love, and parental affection. Grieve, however, no longer; for all that you have heard is only a fiction, invented for the purpose of affording us amusement."

A dispute concerning the island of Salamis liad for a long time involved the Athenians and Megariaus in a destructive warfore with each other; at length, after considerable loss on both sides, the Athenians, who certainly had the worst of it, weary of shedding blood, made a decree. that whosoever should be hardy enough to propose a renewal of the war, in order to recover Salamis, at that time in possession of the Megarians, should pay the forfeit of life to his temerity. Solon was afinud of speaking, lest he should expose his per^ sonal safety to hazard;.but he was equally afraid of renuuning sUent, lest he should endanger the interests of his country. He therefore resolved to counterfeit madness, in order that under the plea of disordered iatetlect he nug^ he privileged to act and spealc as he might think fit. He soon found means to get it drculated throughout the city that he had been deprived of his reason. Having composed some verses in the elegiac measure, and committed them to memory, he set out from his own house, dressed in coarse dothes aU in rags, with a cord about his fSeckf and a greasy old cap upon his head. Then proceeding to the stone from which it was usual to utter proclamations, he mounted it,and, contrary to his custom, redted his own poetry. ** Would that the gods had so ordiuned it,'' he exclaimed, *^ that Athens had never been the place of my nativity! Would that I had been bom in Pholegandros, in Sicinus, or in some still more barbarous and frightful spot! then at least I should not have known the grief of seeing myself pointed at with the finger of scorn, and of hearing it sidd, * Behold an Athenian who has basely survived the loss of Salamis!' O let us quickly avenge the affront that has been put upon us, and regain possession of the delightfol abode which our enemies so unjustly withhold from us." So forcible was the impression made on the minds of the Athenians by this address, that they immediately revolted the edict they had issued, todc up tlieu' arms once more, and resolved again to attack the Megarians. Solon was appointed to com^ maod the troops . he embarked then^ in fishing-boats, attended by a galley of thirty-^six oars, and andiored very near Salaans. The Megarians, who were in the town, took the alarm, and ran to arms in great disorder. They sent one of their own vessels to ascertain the cause of their fears; hut approaching too near, it was captured by Solon, who immediately put in chains the Megarians by whom it was manned, and supplied their places with the bravest of his Athenians: these he commanded to sail for Salamis, and to keep themselves out of sight as much as they could. He then took with him the rest of his troops, effected a landing in another part of ^e island, and went in pursuit of the Megarians who had fled to the fields; and whilst he was attacking them, those whom he had sent with the vessel arrived, and made themselves masters of the town. Solon having thus defeated the Megarians, set at liberty, without any ransom, the prisoners whom he had taken in the engagement, and erected a temple in honour of the god Mars, on the spot where he had gained the victory. The Megarians, notwithstanding this repulse, still continuing some time after to make obstinate though useless attempts for the recovery of Salamis, it was at length agreed by aU parties, that the matter should be referred to the Lacedemonians for a final decision. Solon proved to the deputies from Sparta, that Phyl»us and Eurilaus, children of Ajax, King of Salamis, had settled at Athens, and had given the Athenians the island in question^ on condition that they themselves should be made citizens of Athens. He caused a number of tombs to be opened, in order to shew that the people of Salamis turned th( faces of their dead to the same quarter as was ob served, by the Athenians, viz. to the west, wherea.

the Meganaiis turned them to the opposite quarter, the east: and that the name of the family to which the deceased belonged was engraved on the coffin,*— a custom piuctised by the Athenians only.

The people of Megara were not long, however, without their revenge. Deadly feuds had subsisted for many years between the descendants of Cylon and those of Megacles; and at this time they were carried to a height that seemed to threaten the city with inevitable destruction. Cylon had formerly endeavoured to make himself master of the sovereignty of Athens: his design was discovered, and he and many of his accomplices were massacred. Those who could effect their escape took refuge in the temple of Minerva. Megacles, who was then Archon, or chief magistrate, by fair words and speck)us representations, persuaded the delinquents to present themselves before the judges, holding in their hands one end of a thread, of which the other was attached to the altar of the goddess, in order that they might still retain their claim on the temple for an asylum. Unfortunately, as they were descending the steps, the thread broke, and Megacles, pretending to construe the accident into a sign that the goddess refused them her protection, laid hands on several of them, who were immediately stoned by the people; and even those who had regained the altar were almost all, vnthout distinction, put to death; only a few being spared, and restored to liberty at the intercessicm of the wives of the magistrates.

So Uack a crime rendered both the magistrates and tllieir descendants from that time odious to the people. The descendants of Cylon in the course of time became extremely powerful^ and the hatred subsisting for so many years between the parties daily increased. Solon being at that time magis^ trate, and fearing that their contentions might involve the whole city in ruin, gained the consent of both parties to suffer their disputes to be decided by arbitration. The judges gave their opinion in favour of the descendants of Cylon. The posterity of Megades were therefore banished, and the bones of their dead dug out of their graves, and scattered beyond the Athenian territories. To the Megarians these divisions afforded a favourable opportunity of renewing their attacks; they took up arms when the tumults were at their height, and succeeded in recovering Salamis.

Scarcely was this sedition appeased, when another arose which threatened no less danger in its consequences. The poorer classes, being greatly involved in debt, were continually getting adjudged as slaves to their creditors, who sold them, or made them labour, according to their pleasure. A great number of these poor citizens at length assembled together, and resolved to choose a leader, who might prevent for the future their being treated as slaves, in case of their debts not being paid at the day appointed; and also to oblige the magistrates to make an equal division of the wealth of the State, as Lycnrgus had d(me at Sparta. Hie discontents arose to such a height, and the minds of the seditious were so inflamed, that the higher orders were at a loss for means of appeasing them. At length Solon yi^ applied to, by consent of both parties, in order t Aring the disputes to an amicable terminatioii. It was not witliout reluctance that Solon took upon himself so responsible an office; and it was only his desire to serve his country, that at last induced him to accept it. He had been frequently heard to say, that equality prevented all disputes. Each party construed this axiom in favour of itself. The poor expected that he would place all men on an equal footing; the rich, on the contrary, imagined that he would proportion all his distributions according to the birth and dignity of the individuals, ^fhus all ranks, interpreting his sentiments according to their own wishes, were so disposed to be satisfied with him, that they pressed him to accept of the sovereign power. Even those who were not personally interested in the disputes, unable to suggest a more effectual means of reconciling them, willingly consented to receive, as their master, one who was esteemed not only as the wisest, but also the best of men. Solon, however, showed at once his repugnance to the proposal, and declared that nothing should ever induce him to comply with it. His most attached friends could not forbear blaming him on this occasion. " You are very foolish," ssud they to him; ** why should you, because there is an odium attached to the empty name of tyrant, refuse a monarchy which would eventually be your legitimate right? Was not Tymondus declared King of Euboea, and does not Pittacus at this time i-eign at Mitylene?" Solon, however, still maintained his ground, and declared publicly that nothing should make him change his opinion. '* Lawful dominion and absolute power are very fine things, to be sure,"

replied he; '' but he who accepts them is suiTouuded with snares on every side, which, ouce entangled among, he has no chance of escaping." No arguments could prevail upon him to profit by the favourable disposition of the people towards him, and his friends were forced to content themselves with setting him down for a fool or madman. Solon meanwhile applied himself sedulously to settle the differences which continued to disturb Athens. He began by a decree that all debts contracted up to that period should be cancelled, and that the debtors should be liable to no demand whatsoever on account of them. In order to set an example to the public, he remitted a debt of seven talents due to himself, as his father's heir: and, to prevent the recurrence of similar inconveniences from the same source, be declared all such debts as might be contracted on bodily security to be null and void. These regulations at first gave satisfaction to neither party: the rich were discontented, because they were deprived of what they considered to be their lawful right; and the poor were no better pleased, because they were not admitted to share in the possessions of the rich. Nevertheless in the end all ranks were so fully convinced of the wisdom of Solon's regulations, by the beneficial effects of their results, that they maide choice of him afresh, to settle the differences that arose between three factions by which Athens was split into parties; and vested him with complete power to reform the laws, accordingly as his judgment might dictate, and to establish such a form of government as he might think best. The inhabitants of the moimtainous pai'ts of the

F country wished that the administration of affairs should rest with the great body of the people: those of the low country pretended, on the contrary, that it would be managed best by a limited number of the most considerable citizens; whilst the inhabitants of the sea-coast advocated a mixed form of government, in which an equal number of magistrates should be chosen from both ranks of the people.

Solon being iu)w chosen sovereign arbiter of all the reigning differences, began by abrogating, on account of their excessive severity, all the laws of his predecessor Draco, under whose administration the slightest offences and the most enormous crimes were punished indiscriminately with death: insomuch that it was no less dangerous to be convicted of idleness, or of pilfering fruit, or vegetables, than to commit sacrilege, murder, or any other crime accounted most infamous. Hence arose the saying that the laws of Draco were written in blood. Being asked why he had thus allotted death to every offence without distinction? he replied, ** Because the least fault deserves that pimishment, and I know of none more severe for the most enormous crimes."

Solon divided the people into three classes, according to the property of each individual at the time. He admitted all the people into the direction of public affairs, except mere artisans, who lived by their labour: thdy were excluded from public offices, and did not enjoy- the same privileges as the other citizens. The principal magistrate, he decreed, should always be selected from among the citizens of the first class. Solon also ordained that he who in any public tumult should remain perfectly neutral, should be accounted infamous. That if a man should contract marriage with a rich heiress, and should be convicted of impotency, his wife should be at liberty to form any connexion that might be agreeable to her, among his immediate relations. That women should bring to their husbands no other dower than three robes, and a few articles of furniture of moderate value. That an adulterer taken in the act might be put to death with impunity. He also limited the expenses of women of condition, and abolished a number of ceremonies which they had been in the habit of observing. He prohibited speaking ill of the dead, and permitted persons who had no children to leave their property to whomsoever they pleased; provided they were of sane mind at the time of making their testaments. He ordained that he who had dissipated his property should be accounted infamous, and be deprived of all his privileges, in the same manner as one who should refuse to support his parents in their old age. He decreed, however, that the son who had not been taught, whilst young, any means of getting his own livelihood, should not be compelled to maint^ his father. That no foreigner should be admitted as a citizen of Athens, unless banished for ever from his xurtive country, or unless he came with all his family to Athens, for the purpose of exercising some profession there. He reduced the rewards usually assigned to the Athletae, or wrestlers, and decreed, that the 'children of those who had faUen in battle for their country, should be educated at the public cost, 'lliat a ^lardian should not live under the same roof with the mother of his wards, and that the next heir i$hould never be chosen in the capacity of guardian. That all theft should be punished with death, and that he who should cause the loss of an eye to another, should be condemned to lose both his own.

These laws of Solon were all engraved on tablets. The members of the council met together in assembly, and bound themselves by oath to observe them, and to cause them to be strictly observed by others. Those, also, to whom the care of them was confided, solemnly swore that in case of any one of them failing in his duty, he should be obliged to present to the Temple of Apollo a statue of gold of equal weight with himself: and judges wei-e also established, to interpret the laws whenever any dispute respe(;ting their precise meaning might arise among the people.

One day, whilst Solon was framing his laws. Anacharsis rallied him on his undertaking. " What!" said he, ** do you flatter yourself that you will be able to repress the injustice and passions of men by written injunctions? Such decrees," added he, " in fact are like spider-webs, they only entrap flies."— ** All men set a value," replied Solon, ** on those things which immediately concern themselves. My laws shall be so organised that the citizens shall find their interest more couceiTied in the observance than the violation of theih." He was asked why he had made no law for the punishment of parricides: ** Because,** said he, ** I never could bring myself U believe that any one could ever be so utterly depraved as to kill his father or his mother.*'

SoloD used to say to his friends^ that at sixty years of age a man ought neither to fear death nor complain of the ills of life. That courtiers were like counters used in circulating; for that they re* presented more or less, accordingly as the fancy of the monarch chose to place them. That those who were admitted into the confidence of princes ought not to advise them to what might be most agreeable, but what was most fitting for them. That we can ha^e no better guide of conduct than our reason, and that we ought neither to say nor do any thing without consulting it. That a man's probity is more to be regarded than his oath. That friendships ought not to be contracted on light foundations; but that, when once formed, they could not be broken without danger. That the safest and qmckeat way of repelling injury was to forget it. That no man oag^t to attempt to command, until he flhaU have learned to obey. Tliat falsehood ought to be treated with universal abhorrence: and finally, ibaA the gods ought to be honoured, parents reverenced, and no intercourse held with the wicked.

Solon, percdnng that Pisistratus was forming a laige psuty in Athens, and taking steps to secure the soirereignty to himself, used his utmost efforts to frustfvte his measures. Assembling the people in the market-place, he appeared iunong them completely armed, and unfi>lded to them the design of Pisiatrains. '' Athenians," said be, ^' I am wiser than those who are ignorant of the base intentions of Pjsistratufl, and braver than those who are acquamted with them, and yet, from fear and pusiUaninuty, dare^ not venture to oppose them. I am ready to put myself at your head, and gladly will 1 expose my life in defence of liberty." The people, however, being inclined to look favourably upon Pisistratus, treated Solon, in this instance, as if they still believed him to be deprived of reason. Some days after, Pisistratus wounded himself, and whilst the blood was yet streaming from him, he gave orders to be taken in that condition into the middle of the market-place, and gave out that his enemies had treacherously fallen upon him, and reduced him to the miserable state in which they saw him. Hie populace immediately fired at this declaration, and were repdy to take up arms in favour of Pisistratus* ' O son of Hippocrates I " said Solon to him, ' you play the part of Ulysses very ill: he wounded himself to deceive his enemies, but you wound yourself to deceive your friends.*' The people, however, had all assembled together. Pisistratus desired to have a guard of fifty men. Solon warmly remonstrated against so dangerous an innovation, pointing out to his countrymen all the evil consequences with which it might be fraught; but his arguments had no efiect on the infatuated populace, who not only gave Pisistratus a guard of four hundred men, but also granted him leave to raise troops for the purpose of making himself master of the citadel. The chief citizens were struck with consternation at this measure, and every one, whatever party he might belong to, began to think of retiring. Solon remained undaunted, and reproached the citizens with their baseness and cowardice. <' It was easy for you to have prevented this tyranny from ever taking place," said he; *' but there will be the more glory for you, now that it is established, in abolishing and extirpating it entirely." When he saw that all he could say had no effect in recovering hia country-men from the panic that had seized them, he went home, took his arms, caiTied them to the door of the Senate-house, and resting them against it, exclaumed — '' O my beloved country! I have served thee, both in word and deed, to the utmost of my power: I take the gods to witness that i have neglected nothing in defence of thy liberties and laws^ but now I stand alone in my opposition to the tyrant; all my countrymen are willing to acknowledge him as their master, therefore I depart — I leave thee for ever."

Solon, being unable to conquer his repugnance to obeying Pisistratus, and fearing that the Athenians might even compel him to alter his own laws, notwithstanding they had bound themselves by oath to observe them, preferred rather a voluntary exile from his native country, with the pleasure of tra-velling and increasing his knowledge of the world, than to lead an unpleasant life at Athens. He accordingly travelled into Egypt, where he resided fiome time at the Court of Amasis.

Pisistratus held Solon in the highest estimation, and W9B much hurt at his thus estranging himself from his native country. In order to tempt him to return, he wrote him the following conciliatory epistle: —

'M am not the first Greek who has been invested with the sovereignty of his country, nor can I think that I am acting in any respect against the laws, or against religion: I am descended from Codrus,.and the Athenians solemnly swore that they would preserve the kingdom for his poKterity. One of my diief cares is to see that your laws shaU be carried into execution with more exactness than if the State were governed by the populace. I ara contented with the taxes as I found them already established; «BcL with the exception of such honours as are due to the dignity of my station, I am in do way to be distinguished from the humblest citizen. I harbour not the slightest resentment against you for haying laid open my designs: I am persuaded that in so tk^ng you were influenced by love for your country, rather than by enmity towards me; and this, because you could not possibly know beforehand how i might conduct myself; for had you known it, you probably would not have disapproved of my enterprise. You may return, then, with the most perfect ooDfidence; for rest assured that iSolon can never have any 'thing to fear from Pisistratus. Even those whom I have considered as my enemies, have never experienoed any rigour of resentmenit from me. But you I am willing to regard as my best Mend, and you shall be always treated by me with the utmost consideration, because I know you to be incapalde of any breach of faith. Neverl^ieless, should you have any private reasons that may prevent your returning to Athens, I shaU be satisfied with yoar taking up your abode in any spot that maybe agreeable to you: 1 shall be contented, provided I know myself not to be the occasion of your es^e." To this letter Solon made the following r^ly:— *' I can believe that you intend me no ill, for untUyou became a tyrant I was your friend: nor ought I to be reckoned less so now, than any other person who detests tyranny. 1 leave to every one the free right of forming his own opinions, whether it be more desirable for Athenians to be governed by one absolute ruler, or by the authority of a certain number of magistrates. I am willing to acknowledge that among tyrants you may be the best: but I cannot think of returning to Athens; for, after having established a free government in that city, and refused the sovereignty that was offered to me, 1 might with reason be blamed, and accused of favouring your usurpation, should I appear contented to live under it."

Solon wrote another letter to Epimenides, in the following words:^-

'* As my laws were not destined to produce any lasting service, neither has any essential benefit resulted to Athens from the transgression of them. It is not in the power of le^lators, or even of the gods themselves, to serve a State, except those by whose direction it is governed are actuated by good intentions. My laws have been of no avail, but those who have violated them have ruined the republic by suffering Pisistratus to usurp the sovereign power. 1 foretold all that has happened, but I was not believed. Pisistratus, by flattering the Athenians, made them think him more attached to their interests than I was, because I told them the truth. I offered to put myself at the head of the citizens in order to prevent the evils that have DOW come to pass; but I was treated as a madman, whilst to Pisistratus they granted guards through whose assistance he has brought the whole city into bondage; what then remains for me, but to withdraw myself?"

Croesus, King of Lydia, haviug rendered all the Asiatic Greeks tributary to him, many of the most powerful people of that age left Greece, on one pretest or other, and went to reside at Surdis, the capital of the empire of Crcesns. That city was then flourishing in wealth and honour. Croesus hearil every body speak of Solon in sudi high terms, that he conceived a great desire to see him; accordingly he sent him an invitation to come and take up his abode at his Court. Solon returned the following answer:— -

" I fully appreciate the friendship which you have manifested for me, and I can call the gods to witness, that if I had not long since resolved to live only in a free State, I would prefer }our kingdom to Athens Itself, whilst Pisistratus continues to exercise Ills tyrannic sway in that city. But the modes of life which I have adopted are to be enjoyed in tranquillity only in a place where all are oo an equal footing. I shill nevertheless pay you a visit, in order to have the pleasure of spending some time with you."

Solon accordingly set out to Sardis, at the request of CnsBus, who manifested the greatest impatience to aee him. In passing through Lydia, he met a number of persons of consideration, with magnificent trsdns of attendants: he imagined of every one he saw that he must be the Kmg himself; at length he was ushered into the presence of Crcesus, whom lie found eagerly expecting him, seated on his throne, and arrayed in his most gorgeous apparel. Solon betrayed no astonishment at the sight of so much splendour. '' My guest," said CrcesuSy ''Fame has spoken of thy wisdom; I Isnow that thou hast trareiled £eu* and near, but hast thoi^ ever yet beheld one arrayed in robed soiich as mine? ' -«-' Yes," replied Solon,'' peacoclis, pheasants, and dunghill cocks are arrayed in richer still.,The brilliancy of theirs is the free gift of Nature, and they have n» trouble in putting them en." Croesus vras amazed at an answer so unexpected. He commanded his attendants to lay all his treasures open before Solon, and to display whatever he had most precious in his palace. After this he invited him a second time into his presence* " Have you ever seen/' said he to him, " a man more fortunate than myself?" — ^"Yes," replied Solon, " I esteem Tellns to be a more fortunate man. He lived respected as an Athenian citizen, in a well-regulated republic. He has left behind him two children, comfortably provided for, and much esteemed; and he himself died sword in hand, and in the act of achieving a victory for his native country. Hie Athenians have paid the most distinguished honours to bis memory, and have r^sed a monument to him in the very place where he lost his life." Croesus was not less astonished at this reply than he had been at the former one: he now b^n to imagine Solon not so wise as he had fancied. " Well," said he, " and who may be the next happy man in your estimation afterTellus?" — " There were formerly," answered he, " two brothers; the name of one was Qeobis, and of the other Bito. Their strength was such that they always bore away the palm of vict-ory in whatever combats they might engage, and their attachment to each other was perfect. One day, it being a festival, their mother, who was a priestess of Juno, was obliged to go to the temple in order to offer sacrifice. Some delay occurred with respect to bringing the oxen for her chariot: the time drew near; they came not, and Cleobis and Bito therefore yoked themselves to the car, and drew their mother to the place of her destination. The people loaded them with benedictions, and their mother, transported with joy, supplicated the goddess to grant them whatever would be most advantageous for them. When the< sacrifice was finished, they made a cheerful repast^ went to bed, and both of them died that same night." Croesus could not hide his indignation. <' How!" he exclaimed, '' do you allow no place for me, then, among the number of the happy?"— " O King of Lydia 1" replied Solon, *' you possess abundant riches, and rule over many nations, but human life is subject to so many vicissitudes, that it is impossible to decide on the happiness of any man's career until it shall be at an end. Every day some unexpected change of circumstance occurs; this we all experience: how then shall we say on whose brows the wreath of victory shall be placed, until the combat itself be finished?" This view of the subject did not render it more agreeable to Croesus. He gave Solon leave to depart, and never ag^n expressed a desire to behold him.

iCsop, who was at that time in Sardis, having been sent for to that city to amuse the King, wa» much mortified at the reception which the monarch had given to a man so distinguished as Solon. '< We must either never approach princes," said he to him, ' or else we must resolve only to tell them what they may be satisfied to hear." — ** On the contrary,' said Solon, ** whenever they are approached, it ought to be with good counsel on the lips, nor ought they ever to hear any thing but the truth."

Cyrus had detsdned his maternal grandfather Astyages in imprisonment, and had deprived him of his territories. Crcesus was angry at this conduct, and, taking up arms for Astyages, made war upon Persia. Possessed of immense resources, and seeing himself at the head of a nation esteemed the most warlike in the world, he fancied he must carry every thing before him. Nevertheless he was defeated with considerable loss; and being obliged to retreat to Sardis, he was besieged in that city, and made prisoner, after a resistance of fourteen days. He was taken before Cyrus, who commanded him to be loaded with chains, and burnt, along with fourteen Lydian youths, in the presence of the King, and all the Persians. He was immediately raised upon the summit of a pile of wood, and bound in the midst of his fellow-sufferers. At the moment that the pile was about to be fired, Croesus, in this deplorable situation, recollected the discourse he had formerly held with Solon. Sighing bitterly, he exclaimed, '< O Solon! Solon! Solon I" Cyrus was surprised, and inquired if it were some god whom he thus invoked in his misfortunes. Croesus at first made no reply; but being compelled to speak, " I called," stud he, ** on one whom kings ought to bare always near them, and whose converfle they ought to value above all their pomp and riches." He was urged to explain himself more particularly. < I mean a wise man of Greece," he continued, ' whom I formerly sent for expressly to dazzle him with the sight of my magnificence. He told me calmly, as if willing to convince me that it was all mere empty vanity, that I must w!Ut for the end of my life, and not presume too much on the happiness of an existence subjected in its very nature to an infinite number of calamities, it is now that I feel the full force of all that he ssud to me."

Whilst CroBsus was yet speaking, the pile had been kindled, and the flames were beginning to rise. Cyrus was touched with his words. The deplorable condition of a prince once so powerful, made him look into his own heart. He dreaded lest some similar reverse of foitune might be in store for himself. He ordered that the flames should be immediately extiuguished, and the chains of Croesus taken off. He then conferred all possible honours upon him, and consulted him on all matters of importance.

After leaving Croesus, Solon had retired into Cilicia, where he built a city which he named Soloe. Learning that Pisistratus maintained his sway in a very oppressive manner, and that the Athenians greatly repented of not having opposed his usurpation, Solon wrote to them in the following words:-

<< You act with great injustice in accusing the gods as being the cause of your calamities. Whatever yon may be suffering, you have only to blame your own instability and folly, in not listening to the cottnaeli of those who were well-wishers to tlMir coaniry, and in suffering yourselves to be cajoled by the fine speeches and artful sdiemes of one who meant, only to deceive. You granted Pisistratus permission to levy troops for his guards and your reward is, that you will be held in bondage by them the remainder of your days."

Periander, the tyrant of Corinth, wishing for the advice of Solon, laid open to him the situation of his aflOfurs, and entreated that he would counsel him how to act. Solon returned hun the following answer:-—

'< Yon write to me that a nomber of persons have conspired against you. Bnt could you even cut off all those whom yon suspect of being, your enemies, you would not find your safety rest on much surer ground. Those whom you now consider as your friends will next lay snares for you: 49ome wOl distrust you on their own account, others will be offended with you for the distrust yon may evince of them; others, agidn, will think that in aiming a blow at your life they render a lasting benefit to their country. The surest way to make yourself easy is to renounce the government entirely: but if you haive not resolvtion to give it «p, then call in foreign troops, saffidently numerous to keep the country in awe; by which means you may rid yourself of your alarms, and moreover, you will not be reduced to the necessity of banishing your own subjects*"

Solon after this travelled through Cyprus. He formed a friendship in that country with Philocyprus. Prince of (Epia. This city stood in a very barren part of the country. Solou advised Philocy prus to transfer the site of it to a more favourable situation. He chose a lovely and fertile plain, and superintended the building of it in person. The result was as favourable as could be desired, andPhilocyprus, out of gratitude to him, called the city Soloe.

Solon throughout his life was uo enemy to pleasure. He liked social entertainments, music, and every thing that could contribute to render life happy. But he disliked representations wherein the sole obj^t was to please by uttering popular sentiments: he thought them pernicious to the republic, and likely to breed dissensions in the State. At the time that Solon was held in the greatest estimation at Athens, Thespis began to act tragedies of his own composition: the people were mightily delighted with them, as they were a species of entertainment entirely new. Solon, who was fond of amusement, went one day to see him perform. When all was over, he asked Thespis, if he was not ashamed to utter so many falsities in the face of the world. << Not at all," replied Thespis, '* for I mean only to amuse by them, and not to injure.'—" Yes,* returned Solon, fordbly striking the ground with his stick; ' but if we admit falsehood into our amusements, and treat it as a jest, we shall soon find it creeping into our public business and most serious actions.* It was some time after this that Pisistratus had recourse to the stratagem of presenting himself, wounded and bleeding to the people. Solon then exclaimed, in allusion to these theatrical re presentations, ''This is one of the fatal evils which may be traced to the foolish fictions I condemned/*

By some the establishment of the Areopagus has been attributed to Solon. It was a council composed of such as had passed through every gradation of office in Athens.

Solon was asked one day what State he thought the "best regulated. " That," said he, ** wherein men, without being any way injured themselves, resent an injury done to another as warmly as if they had been the sufferers by it."

Towards the latter part of his life Solon began a poem on the island of Atlantis, which had been described to him, wfaikft he was in Egypt, as sitnJrted beyond tiie Itnown ocean: death, however, prevented the completion of his design. He breathed Us last m Cyprus, in the fifty-iiftb Oiympiad, and about the eig^xtieth year of his age. Before he expired, he gave ovders that his bones should foe carried to Salanus and burnt, and the ashes scattered •over the lace of the country. After his death, the Atheniaas erected a statue of bitmze to his memory, which represented him with his Code of Laws in his hand, and habited as a prince of the people. The Inhabttaots of Salamis likewise erected one of him, in the attitude of an orator haranguing the people, and with his hands concealed in the folds of his rabe.

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