 has long disturbed me; the night and the day have been
spent in comparisons of all the characters which have come to my knowledge, and
I have yet found none so worthy as thyself.«
 

                                 Chapter XLIII

                   The astronomer leaves Imlac his directions

»Hear therefore, what I shall impart, with attention, such as the welfare of a
world requires. If the task of a king be considered as difficult, who has the
care only of a few millions, to whom he cannot do much good or harm, what must
be the anxiety of him, on whom depends the action of the elements, and the great
gifts of light and heat! - Hear me therefore with attention.
    I have diligently considered the position of the earth and sun, and formed
innumerable schemes in which I changed their situation. I have sometimes turned
aside the axis of the earth, and sometimes varied the ecliptick of the sun: but
I have found it impossible to make a disposition by which the world may be
advantaged; what one region gains, another loses by any imaginable alteration,
even without considering the distant parts of the solar system with which we are
unacquainted. Do not, therefore, in thy administration of the year, indulge thy
pride by innovation; do not please thyself with thinking that thou canst make
thyself renowned to all future ages, by disordering the seasons. The memory of
mischief is no desirable fame. Much less will it become thee to let kindness or
interest prevail. Never rob other countries of rain to pour it on thine own. For
us the Nile is sufficient.«
    »I promised that when I possessed the power, I would use it with inflexible
integrity, and he dismissed me, pressing my hand.« »My heart, said he, will be
now at rest, and my benevolence will no more destroy my quiet: I have found a
man of wisdom and virtue, to whom I can cheerfully bequeath the inheritance of
the sun.«
    The prince heard this narration with very serious regard, but the princess
smiled, and Pekuah convulsed herself with laughter. »Ladies, said Imlac, to mock
the heaviest of human afflictions is neither charitable nor wise. Few can attain
this man's knowledge, and few practise his virtues; but all may suffer his
calamity. Of the uncertainties of our present state, the most dreadful and
alarming is the uncertain continuance of reason.«
    The princess was recollected, and the favourite was abashed. Rasselas, more
deeply affected, inquired of Imlac, whether he thought such maladies of the mind
frequent, and how they were contracted.
 

                                  Chapter XLIV
