LORD KEEPER. CXC1 



Such is the nature of human delight; such the nature 

 of human foresight ! 



As he must have known, what he has so beautifully 

 taught, that a man of genius can seldom be permanently 

 influenced by worldly distinction : as he well knew that 

 his own happiness and utility consisted not in action but 

 in contemplation, (a) as he had published his opinion that 

 &quot; men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the 

 sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of busi 

 ness ; so as they have no freedom, neither in their persons, 

 nor in their actions, nor in their times,&quot; (b) it is probable 

 that he was urged to this and to every other step on the 

 road to aggrandizement, either by the importunities of his 

 family, or by his favourite opinion, that &quot; knowledge is 

 never so dignified and exalted as when contemplation and 

 action are nearly and strongly conjoined together: aeon- 

 junction like unto that of the two highest planets, Saturn 

 the planet of rest and contemplation, and Jupiter the 

 planet of civil society and action.&quot; 



It has been said by some of the ancient magicians, that 

 they could see clearly all which was to befal others, but 

 that of their own future life they could discern nothing. 

 It might be a curious speculation for any admirer of the 

 works of this great man, to collect the oracles he would 

 have delivered to warn any other philosopher of the pro 

 bable danger and certain infelicity of accepting such an 

 office in such times. 



(a) See note F F F at the end. 



(6) &quot; Thou art become (O worst imprisonment) 

 The dungeon of thyself. Thy soul 

 Imprisoned, now indeed 

 In real darkness of the body, dwells 

 Shut up from outward light.&quot; Samson Agonistes. 

 Essay on Great Place, vol. i. p. 33. 



