terprise recounts his adventures and expedients, but is forced, at the close of the relation, to pay a sigh to the names of those that contributed to his success. He that passes his life among the gayer part of mankind, has his remembrance stored with remarks and repartees of wits, whose sprightliness and merriment are now lost in perpetual silence. The trader, whose industry has supplied the want of inheritance, repines in solitary plenty at the absence of companions, with whom he had planned out amusements for his latter years; and the scholar, whose merit, after a long series of efforts, raises him from obscurity, looks round in vain from his exaltationfor his old friends or enemies, whose applause or mortification would heighten his triumph.

Ibid. vol. 4, P. 234.

Life, however short, is made still shorter by waste of time; and its progress towards happiness, though naturally slow, is yet retarded by unnecessary labour.

Idler, vol. 2, p. 217.

Life consists not of a series of illustrious actions or elegant enjoyments; the greater part of our time passes in compliance with necessities, in the performance of daily duties, in the removal of small inconveniences, in the procure-ment of petty pleasures; and we are well or ill at ease as the main stream of life glides on smoothly, or is ruffled by small obstacles and frequent interruption. In short, the true state of every nation is the state of common life.

Western Islands, p. 44.

If to have all that riches can purchase is to be rich, if to do all that can be done in a long time is to live long, he is equally a benefactor to mankind, who teaches them to protract the duration, or shorten the business of life.

Life of Barretier, p. 141.

LEARNING.

It is not by comparing line with line that the merit of great works is to be estimated; but by their general effects and ultimate result.

Life of Dryden.

When learning was first rising on the world, in the fifteenth century, ages so long accustomed to darkness were too much dazzled with its light to see any thing distinctly. The first race of scholars, hence, for the most part, were learning to speak rather than to think, and were therefore more studions of elegance than truth. The contemporaries of Boethius thought it sufficient to know what the ancients had delivered; the examination of tenets and facts was reserved for another generation.

Western Islands, p. 28.

In nations where there is hardly the use of letters, what is once oùt of sight, is lost for ever. They think but little, and of their few thoughts. none are wasted on the part in which they are neither interested by fear nor hope. Their only registers are stated observances and practical representations; for this reason an age of ignorance is an age of ceremony. Pageants and processions, and commemorations, gradually shrink a

way

way as better methods come into use, of recording events and preserving rights.

Ibid. p. 145.

་་

False hopes and false terrors are equally to be avoided. Every man who proposes to grow eminent by learning, should carry in his mind at once the difficulty of excellence, and the force of industry; and remember, that fame is not conferred but as the recompense of labour; and that labour, vigorously continued, has not often failed of its reward.

Rambler, vol. 1, p. 155.

Literature is a kind of intellectual light, which, like the light of the sun, may sometimes enable us, to see what we do not like; but who would wish to escape unpleasing objects, by condemning himself to perpetual darkness?

Dissertation on Authors, p. 22.

It is the great excellence of learning, that it borrows very little from time or place. It is not confined to season or to climate; to cities or the country; but may be cultivated and enjoyed where no other pleasure can be obtained.

Idler, vol. 2, p. 234.

In respect to the loss and gain of literature, if letters were considered only as a means of pleasure, it might well be doubted in what degree of estimation they should be held; but when they are. referred to necessity, the controversy is at an end. It soon appears, that though they may sometimes incommode us, yet human life would scarcely rise, without them, above the common existence of animal nature. We might, indeed, breathe and

eat

eat, in universal ignorance, but must want all that gives pleasure or security, all the embellishments and delights, and most of the conveniences and comforts of our present condition.

Differtation on Authors, p. 21.

LOVE.

bi

It is not hard to love those from whom nothing can be feared.

Life of Addifon.

In love it has been held a maxim, that suc-. cess is most easily obtained by indirect and unperceived approaches; he who too soon professes himself a lover, raises obstacles to his own wishes; and those whom disappointments have taught experience, endeavour to conceal their passion, till they believe their mistress wishes for the discovery.

Rambler, vol. 1, p. 3.

Love being always subject to the operations of time, suffers change and diminution.

Notes upon Shakspeare, vol, 10, p. 366.

SELF-LOVE.

Partiality to ourselves is seen in a variety of instances. The liberty of the press is a blessing, when we are inclined to write against others: and a calamity, when we find ourselves overborne by the multitude of our assailants; as the power of the c own is always thought too great by those who suffer through its influence, and too little by those in whose favour it is exerted. A standing army is generally accounted necessary by those who command, and dange rous and oppressive by those who support it.

Life of Savage.

To

To charge those favourable representations which every man gives of himself, with the guilt of hypocritical falsehood, would show more severity than knowledge, The writer commonly believes himself. Almost every man's thoughts, whilst they are general, are right; and most hearts are pure, whilst temptation is away. It is easy to awaken generous sentiments in privacy; to despise death where there is no danger; to glow with benevolence where there is nothing to be given. Whilst such ideas are formed, they are felt, and self-love does not suspect the gleamof virtue to be the meteor of fancy.

Life of Pope.

LANGUAGE.

When the matter is low and scanty, a dead language, in which nothing is mean, because nothing is familiar, affords great convenience.

Life of Addifon.

Language is only the instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas.

Preface to Dictionary, fol. p. 2.

However academies have been instituted to guard the avenues of their languages; to retain fugitives and repulse intruders; their vigilance and activity have hitherto been vain. Sounds are too volatile and subtle for legal restraints: to enchain syllables and lash the wind, are equally the undertakings of pride, unwilling to measure its desires by its strength. Among a people polished by art, and classed by surbordination, those who have much leisure to think, will always be enlarging the stock of ideas; and eveincrease of knowledge, whether real, or fan