MEMOIR OF ARISTOTLE. dD 



Accordingly, he addressed himself to Aristotle, in 

 a letter as flattering to his literary fame as was the 

 compliment paid by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Isaac 

 Newton. This epistle is recorded by Agellius in 

 the following terms : 



" PHILIP to ARISTOTLE Health. Know that I 

 have a son. I render the gods many thanks, not so 

 much for his birth, as that he was born at the time 

 when Aristotle lives ; for I am assured that, if edu- 

 cated and instructed by you, he will become worthy* 

 of us, and worthy of the kingdom which he inherits." 



In compliance with this kingly request, Aristotle 

 set sail from Lesbos, and escaping the danger of the 

 Athenian fleet, then at war with Macedon, he ar- 

 rived at Pella, to undertake one of the few employ- 

 ments not unworthy of a philosopher qualified to in- 

 struct and benefit the latest ages of the world. In 

 the tuition of his illustrious pupil, he spent about 

 eight years, during which long period, in an office 

 replete with difficulty and delicacy, he had the rare 

 honour of giving the highest satisfaction to the royal 

 parents, while he excited in the breast of their son 

 feelings of the warmest gratitude. He was treated, 

 both by Philip and his proud queen Olympias, with 

 every mark of distinction that greatness could bestow 

 on acknowledged merit. He was admitted to an ex- 

 tensive share in the government, and allowed a voice 

 in the counsels of his sovereign, where his advice 

 was often useful, and always acceptable. On these 

 occasions he was not slack to exert his kind inter* 



