494 THE PRAISE OF HENRY PRINCE OF WALES, 



temper, and that in a genius not very forward, but 

 ripening by slow degrees, it did not yet appear 

 what would be the prevailing object of his incli 

 nation. He had certainly strong parts, and was 

 endued both with curiosity and capacity ; but in 

 speech he was slow, and in some measure hesi 

 tating. But whoever diligently observed what fell 

 from him either by way of question or remark, 

 saw it to be full to the purpose, and expressive of 

 no common genius. So that under that slowness 

 and infrequency of discourse, his judgment had 

 more the appearance of suspense and solicitude to 

 determine rightly, than of weakness and want of 

 apprehension. In the mean time he was wonder 

 fully patient in hearing, even in business of the 

 greatest length ; and this with unwearied atten 

 tion, so that his mind seldom wandered from the 

 subject, or seemed fatigued, but he applied him 

 self wholly to what was said or done : which (if 

 his life had been lengthened) promised a very su 

 perior degree of prudence. There were indeed in 

 the prince some things obscure, and not to be dis 

 covered by the sagacity of any person, but by time 

 only, which was denied him ; but what appeared 

 were excellent, which is sufficient for his fame. 



He died in the 19th year of his age of an ob 

 stinate fever, which during the summer, through 

 the excessive heat and dryness of the season, un 

 usual to islands, had been epidemical, though not 

 fatal, but in autumn became more mortal. Fame 





