138 MEMOIR OF 



And, it may readily be believed, that such a 

 state, instead of being one continual pain, as it 

 appears to the weakened and perverted judgment 

 of the sensualist, is, on the contrary, the highest 

 state of human enjoyment. Mortification is 

 merely the process by which it is at first obtain- 

 ed, and which, thenceforward, entirely ceases, 

 leaving results which convince the happy pos- 

 sessor, that " the minding of" the intellect is 

 life and peace. 



Nor was Mr Willughby so absorbed in his 

 philosophical pursuits, as to be neglectful of the 

 interests of his family, and the improvement of 

 his estates. There are two avenues of noble oaks 

 at Wollaton, which were planted, or, as it is 

 worded in the family records, " sown" by 

 him.* 



There are many fine oaks at Middleton also, 

 which he is said to have planted. Were it needed, 

 it might be shewn, by much additional evidence, 

 that he knew how to combine the requisite at- 

 tention to his worldly concerns with the most 

 devoted pursuit of science, evincing his own 

 superiority to the weakness of considering, as some 

 have done, or rather perhaps have affected to do, 

 that such objects of attention are incompatible 

 with each other. No distinct account exists of 



* The use of the particular word " sown," as applied to 

 these avenues, reminds of Evelyn's Silva, which was 

 published in the year 1664, and in which he recommends 

 that oaks should be " sows," in order to preserve ths 

 tap -root which is often destroyed by transplanting. 



