nOOIv I.] LEARNING IN REPUTE AMONG THE ANCIENTS. 59 



appears to have been done with great justice and judgment, 

 for the merits of the former being generally confined within 

 the circle of one age or nation, are but like fruitful showera, 

 which serve only for a season and a small extent, whilst tho 

 others are like the benefits of the sun, permanent and uni- 

 versal. Again, the former are mixed with strife and con- 

 tention, whilst the latter have the true character of the 

 Divine presence, as coming in a gentle gale without noise or 

 tumult. 



The merit of learning in remedying the inconveniences aris- 

 ing from man to man, is not much inferior to that of relieving 

 human necessities. This merit was livelily described by the 

 ancients in the fiction of Orpheus's theatre, where all the 

 beasts and birds assembled, and forgetting their several ap- 

 petites, stood sociably together listening to the harp, whose 

 sound no sooner ceased, or was drowned by a louder, but 

 they all returned to their respective natures ; for thus men 

 are full of savage and unreclaimed desires, which as long as 

 we hearken to precepts, laws, and religion, sweetly touched 

 with eloquence and persuasion, so long is society and peace 

 maintained ; but if these instruments become silent, or sedi- 

 tions and tumult drown their music, all things fall back to 

 confusion and anarchy. 



This appears more manifestly when princes or governors 

 are learned ; for though he might be thought partial to his 

 profession who said, " States would then be happy, when 

 either kings were philosophers, or philosophers kings;*'^ yet 

 so much is verified by experience, that the best times have 

 happened under wise and learned princes; for though kings 

 may have their errors and vices, like other men, yet if they 

 are illuminated by learning, they constantly retain such 

 notions of religion, policy, and morality, as may preserve 

 them from destructive and irremediable errors or excesses ; 

 for these notions will whisper to them, even whilst counsel- 

 lors and servants stand mute. Such senators likewise as are 

 learned proceed upon more safe and substantial principles 

 than mere men of experience, — the former view dangers afar 

 off, whilst the latter discover them not till they are at hand, 

 and then trust to their wit to avoid them. This felicity ol 



« Plato (De Republican b. 5) ii. 475. 



