558 LECTURE VL 



disturbed by such affections, it displays 

 great energy of thought, and evidence of 

 established character, even in death. Have 

 we not lately heard, that the last words of 

 Nelson, were, " Tell Collingwood to bring 

 the fleet to an anchor ?" Shakspeare has 

 also represented Mercutio continuing to 

 jest, though conscious he was mortally 

 wounded ; the expiring Hotspur, thinking 

 of nothing, but honour ; and the dying 

 Falstaff still cracking his jests upon Bar- 

 dolph's nose. I request you to excuse this 

 digression, which I have been induced 

 to make from perceiving, that if such 

 facts were duly attended to, they would 

 prompt us to make a more liberal allow- 

 ance for each other's conduct under cer- 

 tain circumstances, than we are accus- 

 tomed to do ; and also incite us to the more 

 active and constant performance of the 

 great business of human life, the edu- 

 cation of the mind ; for, according to its 

 knowledge and dispositions, do we possess 

 the ability of contributing both to our own 

 welfare and comfort, and to those of 

 others. 



I 



