desirable fame. Much less will it become thee to let kindness or
interest prevail. Never rob other countries of rain to pour it on
thine own. For us the Nile is sufficient.'

"I promised that when I possessed the power I would use it with
inflexible integrity; and he dismissed me, pressing my hand. 'My
heart,' said he, 'will be now at rest, and my benevolence will no
more destroy my quiet; I have found a man of wisdom and virtue, to
whom I can cheerfully bequeath the inheritance of the sun.'"

The Prince heard this narration with very serious regard; but the
Princess smiled, and Pekuah convulsed herself with laughter.
"Ladies," said Imlac, "to mock the heaviest of human afflictions is
neither charitable nor wise. Few can attain this man's knowledge
and few practise his virtues, but all may suffer his calamity. Of
the uncertainties of our present state, the most dreadful and
alarming is the uncertain continuance of reason."

The Princess was recollected, and the favourite was abashed.
Rasselas, more deeply affected, inquired of Imlac whether he
thought such maladies of the mind frequent, and how they were
contracted.



CHAPTER XLIV--THE DANGEROUS PREVALENCE OF IMAGINATION.



"Disorders of intellect," answered Imlac, "happen much more often