benedictions of gratitude. I would choose my friends among the
wise and my wife among the virtuous, and therefore should be in no
danger from treachery or unkindness. My children should by my care
be learned and pious, and would repay to my age what their
childhood had received. What would dare to molest him who might
call on every side to thousands enriched by his bounty or assisted
by his power? And why should not life glide away in the soft
reciprocation of protection and reverence? All this may be done
without the help of European refinements, which appear by their
effects to be rather specious than useful. Let us leave them and
pursue our journey."

"From Palestine," said Imlac, "I passed through many regions of
Asia; in the more civilised kingdoms as a trader, and among the
barbarians of the mountains as a pilgrim. At last I began to long
for my native country, that I might repose after my travels and
fatigues in the places where I had spent my earliest years, and
gladden my old companions with the recital of my adventures. Often
did I figure to myself those with whom I had sported away the gay
hours of dawning life, sitting round me in its evening, wondering
at my tales and listening to my counsels.

"When this thought had taken possession of my mind, I considered
every moment as wasted which did not bring me nearer to Abyssinia.
I hastened into Egypt, and, notwithstanding my impatience, was
detained ten months in the contemplation of its ancient
magnificence and in inquiries after the remains of its ancient
learning. I found in Cairo a mixture of all nations: some brought
thither by the love of knowledge, some by the hope of gain; many by
the desire of living after their own manner without observation,