GIBBON. 295 



whose circumstances are not such as to make its gains, 

 its moderate and precarious gains, a matter of necessary 

 consideration. He enjoyed fully the ease of comfortable, 

 though not of luxurious, or even affluent circumstances; 

 he had a cheerful home, and if without the interest, was 

 also free from the cares of a family ; his time was at his 

 own command ; and he lived in a library while at Buriton, 

 and in the best society when in London. Yet listen to 

 his moan over the want of that sovereign authority which a 

 social position exercises, but so as to make its service perfect 

 freedom compared with the slavery of nullity and ennui. 

 " While so many of my acquaintance were married, or in 

 Parliament, or advancing with a rapid step in the various 

 roads of honour and fortune, I stood alone immovable 

 and insignificant." " I lamented that at the proper age 

 I had not embraced the lucrative pursuits of the law of 

 trade, the chances of civil office or India adventure, or 

 even the fat slumbers of the Church ; and my repentance 

 became more lively as the loss of time was more irre- 

 trievable. Experience showed me the use of grafting my 

 private consequence on the importance of a great pro- 

 fessional body; the benefits of these form connexions 

 which are cemented by hope and interest, by gratitude 

 and emulation, by the mutual exchange of services and 

 favour." (' Life,' chap, viii.) Then were not the occupa- 

 tions of his studious hours, and especially of his projected 

 works, enough to fill up his time and satisfy his mind? 

 We saw him but lately seated on the Capitol, niulta et 

 prseclara minantem. Had all these plans vanished with- 

 out producing any fruit ? Not so ; he had, in the society 

 of his earliest and most cherished friend Deyverdun, who 

 by yearly visits served to break the monotony of his 

 superabundant leisure, commenced more literary works 



