It gives ease to solitude, and gracefulness to retirement. It fills a
public station with suitable abilities, and adds a lustre to those who
are in possession of them.

7. Learning, by which I mean all useful knowledge, whether speculative
or practical, is in popular and mixed governments the natural source of
wealth and honor. If we look into most of the reigns from the conquest,
we shall find, that the favorites of each reign have been those who have
raised themselves. The greatest men are generally the growth of that
particular age in which they flourish.

8. A superior capacity for business and a more extensive knowledge, are
the steps by which a new man often mounts to favor, and outshines the
rest of his cotemporaries. But when men are actually born to titles, it
is almost impossible that they should fail of receiving an additional
greatness, if they take care to accomplish themselves for it.

9. The story of _Solomon_'s choice, does not only instruct us in that
point of history, but furnishes out a very fine moral to us, namely,
that he who applies his heart to wisdom, does at the same time take the
most proper method for gaining long life, riches and reputation, which
are very often not only the rewards, but the effects of wisdom.

10. As it is very suitable to my present subject, I shall first of all
quote this passage in the words of sacred writ, and afterwards mention
an allegory, in which this whole passage is represented by a famous
FRENCH Poet; not questioning but it will be very pleasing to such of my
readers as have a taste for fine writing.

11. In _Gibeon_ the Lord appeared to _Solomon_ in a dream by night: and