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perhaps, to the private condition in which Cromwell first entered the world, that he owed the fuperiority of understanding he had over moft of our kings. In that ftate, he learned the art of fecret tranfactions, and the knowledge by which he was able to oppofe zeal to zeal, and make one enthufiaft deftroy another. Ditto, p. 100.

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LIFE is not to be counted by the ignorance ncy, or the imbecility of age. We are

of infancy, or

long before we are able to think, and we foon ccafe from the power of acting.

Prince of Abyffinia, p. 26.

Human life is every where a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed.

Ditto, p. 78.

Life may be lengthened by care, though death cannot ultimately be defeated,

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The great art of life is to play for much,

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and ftake little.

Differtation on Authors, p. 29.

It has always been lamented, that of the little time allotted to man, much must be spent upon fuperfluities. Every profpect has its obftructions, which we muft break to enlarge our view. Every step of our progrefs finds impediments, which, however eager to go forward, we must stop to remove.

Preliminary Difcourfe to London Chronicle, p. 153.

An even and unvaried tenor of life always hides from our apprehenfion the approach of its end. Succeffion is not perceived but by variation. He that lives to-day as he lived yefterday, and expects that as the prefent day, fuch will be to-morrow, eafily conceives time as running in a circle, and returning to itfelf. The uncertainty of our fituation is impreffed commonly by diffimilitude of condition, and it is only by finding life changeable, that we are reminded of its fhortnefs.

Idler, v. 2, p. 82.

He that embarks in the voyage of life, will always wish to advance rather by the impulfe of the wind, than the ftrokes of the oar; and many founder in their paffage, while they lie waiting for the gale.

Ditto, v. I, p. 7• ̄

LEARN

( 109 )

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 refult.

Life of Dryden.

When learning was first rifing on the world, in the fifteenth century, ages fo long accuftomed to darknefs, were too much dazzled with its light to fee any thing diftinctly. The first race of scholars, hence, for the most part, were learning to fpeak rather than to think, and were therefore more ftudious of elegance than truth. The contemporaries of Boethius thought it fufficient to know what the ancients. had delivered; the examination of tenets and facts was referved for another generation.

Western Islands, p. 28.

In nations where there is hardly the ufe of letters, what is once out of fight, is loft for ever. They think but little, and of their few thoughts none are wafted on the part in which they are neither interefted by fear nor hope. Their only registers are ftated obfervances and practical reprefentations; for this reafon an age of ignorance is an age of ceremony.. Pageants and proceffions, and commemora

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tions, gradually fhrink away as better methods come into ufe, of recording events and preferving rights.

Ditto, p. 145.

Falfe hopes and falfe terrors are equally to be avoided. Every man who proposes to grow eminent by learning, fhould 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 recompence of labour; and that labour, vigorously continued, has not often failed of its reward.

Rambler, v. 1, p. 155.

Literature is a kind of intellectual light, which, like the light of the fun, may fometimes enable us to fee what we do not like; but who would wish to efcape unpleafing objects, by condemning himfelf to perpetual darkness?

Differtation 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 feafon, or to climate; to cities, or the country; but may be cultivated . and enjoyed where no other pleasure can be obtained.

Idler, v. 2, p. 234.

LOVE.

+

LOVE.

IT is not hard to love thofe from whom nothing can be feared.

Life of Addifon.

In love it has been held a maxim, that fuccefs is most easily obtained by indirect, and unperceived approaches; he who too foon professes himself a lover, raises obftacles to his own wishes; and thofe whom difappointments have taught experience, endeavour to conceal their paffion, till they believe their miftrefs wishes for the difcovery.

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SELF-LO V E.

PARTIALITY to ourfelves is feen in a variety of inftances. The liberty of the prefs is a bleffing, when we are inclined to write against others; and a calamity, when we find ourfelves overborne by the multitude of our affailants; as the power of the, crown is always thought too great by thofe who fuffer through its influence, and too little by thofe in whofe favour it is exerted. Aftanding army is generally accounted neceffary, by L 2 thofe

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