of one of the most learned astronomers in the world, who has spent
forty years in unwearied attention to the motion and appearances of
the celestial bodies, and has drawn out his soul in endless
calculations. He admits a few friends once a month to hear his
deductions and enjoy his discoveries. I was introduced as a man of
knowledge worthy of his notice. Men of various ideas and fluent
conversation are commonly welcome to those whose thoughts have been
long fixed upon a single point, and who find the images of other
things stealing away. I delighted him with my remarks. He smiled
at the narrative of my travels, and was glad to forget the
constellations and descend for a moment into the lower world.

"On the next day of vacation I renewed my visit, and was so
fortunate as to please him again. He relaxed from that time the
severity of his rule, and permitted me to enter at my own choice.
I found him always busy, and always glad to be relieved. As each
knew much which the other was desirous of learning, we exchanged
our notions with great delight. I perceived that I had every day
more of his confidence, and always found new cause of admiration in
the profundity of his mind. His comprehension is vast, his memory
capacious and retentive, his discourse is methodical, and his
expression clear.

"His integrity and benevolence are equal to his learning. His
deepest researches and most favourite studies are willingly
interrupted for any opportunity of doing good by his counsel or his
riches. To his closest retreat, at his most busy moments, all are
admitted that want his assistance; 'For though I exclude idleness
and pleasure, I will never,' says he, 'bar my doors against
charity. To man is permitted the contemplation of the skies, but