CHAP. XXI.

THE HAPPINESS OF SOLITUDE. THE

T

HERMIT'S HISTORY.

HEY came on the third day, by the direction of the peasants, to the hermit's cell: it was a cavern in the fide of a mountain, over-fhadowed with palmtrees; at fuch a distance from the cataract, that nothing more was heard than a gentle uniform murmur, fuch as compofed the mind to penfive meditation, especially when it was affifted by the wind whistling among the branches. The firft rude effay of nature had been fo much improved by human labour, that the cave contained feveral apartments appropriated to different uses, and often afforded lodging to travellers, whom darkness or tempefts happened to overtake.

The

The hermit fat on a bench at the door, to enjoy the coolness of the evening. On one fide lay a book with pens and papers, on the other mechanical inftruments of various kinds. As they approached him unregarded, the princefs obferved that he had not the countenance of a man that had found, or could teach the way to happiness.

They faluted him with great respect, which he repaid like a man not unaccustomed to the forms of courts. "My children," faid he, "if you have loft your way, you shall be willingly fupplied with fuch conveniencies for the night as this cavern will afford. I have all that nature requires, and you will not expect delicacies in a hermit's cell."

They thanked him, and, entering, were pleased with the neatnefs and regularity of the place. The hermit fet flesh

and wine before them, though he fed only upon fruits and water. His difcourse was cheerful without levity, and pious without enthusiasm. He foon gained the esteem of his guests, and the princefs repented of her hafty cenfure.

At laft Imlac began thus: "I do not now wonder that your reputation is fo far extended; we have heard at Cairo of your wifdom, and came hither to implore your direction for this young man and maiden in the choice of life."

"To him that lives well," answered the hermit, "every form of life is good; nor can I give any other rule for choice, than to remove from all apparent evil."

"He will remove most certainly from evil," said the prince, "who fhall devote himself to that folitude which you have recommended by your example."

"I have

"I have indeed lived fifteen years in folitude," faid the hermit, "but have no defire that my example fhould gain any imitators. In my youth I profeffed arms, and was raised by degrees to the highest military rank. I have traversed wide countries at the head of my troops, and feen many battles and fieges. At laft, being disgusted by the preferments of a younger officer, and feeling that my vigour was beginning to decay, I refolved to close my life in peace, having found the world full of fnares, difcord, and mifery. I had once escaped from the purfuit of the enemy by the fhelter of this cavern, and therefore chose it for my final refidence. I employed artificers to form it into chambers, and stored it with all that I was likely to want.

"For fome time after my retreat, I rejoiced like a tempeft-beaten failor at his entrance into the harbour, being delighted with the fudden change of the noise and hurry of war to ftillness and repose. When the pleasure of novelty went away, I employed my hours in examining the plants which grew in the valley, and the minerals which I collected from the rocks. But that enquiry is now grown tastelefs and irkfome. I have been for fome time unfettled and diftracted: my mind is disturbed with a thousand perplexities of doubt, and vanities of imagination, which hourly prevail upon me, because I have no opportunities of relaxation or diverfion. I am fometimes afhamed to think that I could not fecure myfelf from vice, but by retiring from the exercise of virtue, and begin to fuf

pect