thy merchant, who traded between the inland countries of Africk and the ports of the red fea. He was honeft, frugal and diligent, but of mean fentiments, and narrow comprehenfion: he defired only to be rich, and to conceal his riches, left he should be fpoiled by the governours of the province."

"Surely, faid the prince, my father must be negligent of his charge, if any man in his dominions dares take that which belongs to another. Does he not know that kings are accountable for injustice permitted as well as done? If I were emperour, not the meaneft of my subjects fhould be oppreffed with impunity. My blood boils when I am told that a merchant durft not enjoy his honeft gains for fear of lofing them by the rapacity

of

F

of power. Name the governour who robbed the people, that I may declare his crimes to the emperour."

"Sir, faid Imlac, your ardour is the natural effect of virtue animated by youth the time will come when you will acquit your father, and perhaps hear with lefs impatience of the governour. Oppreffion is, in the Abiffinian dominions, neither frequent nor tolerated; but no form of government has been yet difcovered, by which cruelty can be wholly prevented. Subordination fuppofes power on one part and fubjection on the other; and if power be in the hands of men, it will fometimes be abused. The vigilance of the fupreme magistrate may do much, but much will fill remain undone. He can never know all

VOL. I.

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the

the crimes that are committed, and can feldom punish all that he knows."

This, faid the prince, I do not understand, but I had rather hear thee than difpute. Continue thy narration."

"My father, proceeded Imlac, originally intended that I fhould have no other education, than fuch as might qualify me for commerce; and discovering in me great strength of memory, and quicknefs of apprehenfion, often declared his hope that I should be fome time the richest man in Abiffinia.”

"Why, faid the prince, did thy father defire the increase of his wealth, when it was already greater than he durft difcover or enjoy? I am unwilling to

doubt

doubt thy veracity, yet inconfiftencies cannot both be true."

"Inconfiftencies, anfwered Imlac, cannot both be right, but, imputed to man, they may both be true. Yet diversity is not inconfiftency. My father might expect a time of greater fecurity. However, fome defire is neceffary to keep life in motion, and he, whofe real wants are supplied, must admit those of fancy."

This, faid the prince, I can in fome measure conceive. I repent that I interrupted thee."

"With this hope, proceeded Imlac, he fent me to fchool; but when I had once found the delight of knowledge,

and felt the pleasure of intelligence and the pride of invention, I began filently to defpife riches, and determined to dif appoint the purpose of my father, whofe groffnefs of conception raised my pity. I was twenty years old before his tendernefs would expofe me to the fatigue of travel, in which time I had been inftructed, by fucceffive mafters, in all the literature of my native country. As every hour taught me something new, I lived in a continual courfe of gratifications; but, as I advanced towards manhood, I loft much of the reverence with which I had been used to look on my instructors; because, when the leffon was ended, I did not find them wifer or better than common men,

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