traction; and, without knowing why, we always rejoice when we learn, and grieve when we forget. I am therefore inclined to conclude, that, if nothing counteracts the natural confequence of learning, we grow more happy as our minds take a wider range.

"In enumerating the particular comforts of life we fhall find many advantages on the fide of the Europeans. They cure wounds and diseases with which we languish and perish. We fuffer inclemencies of weather which they can obviate. They have engines for the despatch of many laborious works, which we must perform by manual industry. There is fuch communication between diftant places, that one friend can hardly be faid to be abfent from another.

Their

pelicy

policy removes all publick inconveniencies they have roads cut through their mountains, and bridges laid upon their rivers. And, if we descend to the privacies of life, their habitations are more commodious, and their poffeffions are more fecure."

"They are furely happy, faid the prince, who have all these conveniencies, of which I envy none fo much as the facility with which feparated friends interchange their thoughts."

"The Europeans, answered Imlac, are lefs unhappy than we, but they are not happy. Human life is every where a ftate in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed."

CHAP.

CHAP. XII.

The ftory of Imlac continued.

par

AM not yet willing, faid the prince, to suppose that happiness is so fimoniously distributed to mortals; nor can believe but that, if I had the choice of life, I fhould be able to fill every day with pleasure. I would injure no man, and fhould provoke no refentment: I would relieve every diftrefs, and should enjoy the benedictions of gratitude. I would choose my friends among the wife, and my wife among the virtuous; and therefore should be in no danger from treachery, or unkindness. My children fhould, by my care, be learned and pious,

and

and would repay to my age what their childhood had received. What would dare to moleft him who might call on every fide to thousands enriched by his bounty, or affifted by his power?: And why should not life glide quietly away in the foft reciprocation of protection and reverence? All this may be done without the help of European refinements, which appear by their effects to be rather specious than useful. Let us leave them and perfue our journey."

"From Palestine, faid Imlac, I paffed through many regions of Afia; in the more civilized kingdoms as a trader, and among the Barbarians of the mountains as a pilgrim. At laft I began to long for my native country, that I might repofe after my travels, and fatigues, in the places

VOL. I.

G

places where I had spent my

earliest years,

and gladden my old companions with the recital of my adventures. Often did I figure to myself thofe, with whom I had fported away the gay hours of dawning life, fitting round me in its evening, wondering at my tales, and liftening to my counfels.

"When this thought had taken poffeffion of my mind, I confidered every moment as wasted which did not bring me nearer to Abiffinia. I hastened into Egypt, and, notwithstanding my impatience, was detained ten months in the contemplation of its ancient magnificence, and in enquiries after the remains of its ancient learning. I found in Cairo a mixture of all nations; fome brought thither by the love of knowledge, fome by the hope of

gain,