and honourable dignities. The examples of such men will have great influence upon the places and countries where they live. "It was well and truly said by the late lord chancellour 9 in his speech to the lords, in the presence of the king, lords, and commons: I hope you, my lords, will for the king's sake, as well as your own, 'shew great and good examples to your countrymen. 'Your examples will be very prevalent with them, and by your actions they will judge of the actions of his 'majesty, whom they suppose you imitate, having so 'near an access to his person.' "Neither the ambitious nor covetous man can ever be satisfied; for their thirsty desires after honour and wealth increase by their obtaining what at present they so greedily covet; like one in a burning fever, the giving him drink does but increase in him a desire still to have more, and his thirst is but little quenched. He that will not religiously frame his mind to content himself in whatever station GOD has placed him, will scarcely be satisfied and easy in any condition: for if we cannot proportion our fortunes to our minds, we should suit our minds to our fortunes; rendring thanks to God Almighty, who has done such great things for us, and then we are happy as to this world. To make our felicity here the more conspicuous, we ought to compare our temporal state to those beneath us, our inferiours, and not to our superiours."] The earl of Clarendon. • The philosophy of this passage has been beautifully recommended by the author of the Task: "In such a world; so thorny, and where none Book iv. JOHN LOWTHER, VISCOUNT LONSDALE. [SIR John Lowther, of Lowther-hall, one of the early promoters of the revolution, was constituted vice-chamberlain to king William and queen Mary on their advancement to the English throne2; and was twice appointed one of the regency, while the king went to Holland 3. According to Bolton, he was also a commissioner of the treasury. In 1696 he was created baron Lowther, of Lowther, and viscount Lonsdale, in Westmorland. In 1699 he was made lord privy-seal, and died July 10, 1700, aged forty five. His brief introduction here arises from the belief of his having written "A Treatise on Economics," addressed to his son 4, which may still remain in manuscript among some of his descendants.] • Nichols's Selection of Poems, vol. v. p. 38. Bolton's Extinct Peerage, p. 178. • Tickell inscribed his poem of Oxford, in 1707, to the son of this peer, and thus introduced a compliment to both: "Whilst you inhabit Lowther's awful pile, A structure worthy of the founder's toil; In each descendant of his noble line: But most transported and surpriz'd we view His ancient glories all reviv'd in you, Where charms and virtues join their equal grace, Your father's godlike soul, your mother's lovely face." THE END OF THE THIRD Volume, |