" What was the beginning of Rome, the metropolis of
all the world? what was it but a concourse of thieves, and a
sanctuary of criminals? it was justly named by the augury of no less
than twelve vultures, and the founder cemented his walls with the
blood of his brother.
Not unlike to this was the beginning even of the first town, too, in
the world, and such is the original sin of most cities: their
actual increase daily with their age and growth; the more people,
the more wicked all of them. Every one brings in his part to
inflame the contagion, which becomes at last so universal and so
strong, that no precepts can be sufficient preservatives, nor
anything secure our safety, but flight from among the infected. We
ought, in the choice of a situation, to regard above all things the
healthfulness of the place, and the healthfulness of it for the mind
rather than for the body. But suppose (which is hardly to be
supposed) we had antidote enough against this poison; nay, suppose,
further, we were always and at all places armed and provided both
against the assaults of hostility and the mines of treachery, it
will yet be but an uncomfortable life to be ever in alarms; though
we were compassed round with fire to defend ourselves from wild
beasts, the lodging would be unpleasant, because we must always be
obliged to watch that fire, and to fear no less the defects of our
guard than the diligences of our enemy.
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