[ vii J 
contributed principally to that par= 
ticular happinefs I enjoyed during 
fo many years in this ifland; that 
felicity which a free and indepen- 
dent man finds in the purfuit of 
knowledge and wifdom in the fo- 
ciety and friendly intercourfe of 
thofe who have diftinguifhed them- 
felves by their learning. 
But, stz, among the many obli- 
gations which I owe you, there is 
one of fuch importance, that the 
very thought of it ftrikes me with 
reverence and with the deepett fenfe | 
of gratitude for you. You did me 
a fervice which I cannot forbear to 
mention ; though I know that your 
modefty would hardly permit me to 
ee exprefs 
