 to hear his
deductions and enjoy his discoveries. I was introduced as a man of knowledge
worthy of his notice. Men of various ideas and fluent conversation are commonly
welcome to those whose thoughts have been long fixed upon a single point, and
who find the images of other things stealing away. I delighted him with my
remarks, he smiled at the narrative of my travels, and was glad to forget the
constellations, and descend for a moment into the lower world.
    On the next day of vacation I renewed my visit, and was so fortunate as to
please him again. He relaxed from that time the severity of his rule, and
permitted me to enter at my own choice. I found him always busy, and always glad
to be relieved. As each knew much which the other was desirous of learning, we
exchanged our notions with great delight. I perceived that I had every day more
of his confidence, and always found new cause of admiration in the profundity of
his mind. His comprehension is vast, his memory capacious and retentive, his
discourse is methodical, and his expression clear. His integrity and benevolence
are equal to his learning. His deepest researches and most favourite studies are
willingly interrupted for any opportunity of doing good by his counsel or his
riches. To his closest retreat, at his most busy moments, all are admitted that
want his assistance: For though I exclude idleness and pleasure, I will never,
says he, bar my doors against charity. To man is permitted the contemplation of
the skies, but the practice of virtue is commanded.«
    »Surely, said the princess, this man is happy.«
    »I visited him, said Imlac, with more and more frequency, and was every time
more enamoured of his conversation: he was sublime without haughtiness,
courteous without formality, and communicative without ostentation. I was at
first, great princess, of your opinion, thought him the happiest of mankind, and
often congratulated him on the blessing that he enjoyed. He seemed to hear
nothing with indifference but the praises of his condition, to which he always
returned a general answer, and diverted the conversation to some other topick.
    Amidst this willingness to be pleased, and labour to please, I had quickly
reason to imagine that some painful sentiment pressed upon his mind. He often
looked up earnestly towards the sun, and let his voice fall in the midst of his
discourse. He would sometimes, when we were alone, gaze upon me in silence with
the air of a man who longed to speak what he was yet resolved to suppress. He
would
