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1884
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RASSELAS,
PRINCE OF ABYSSINIA.
BY
SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.
Being a Facsimile Reproduction of the First Edition
published in 1759.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY DR. JAMES MACAULAY;
AND A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST OF EDITIONs of rasselaS
PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND AND ELSEWHERE.
Jo
LONDON:
ELLIOT STOCK,62, PATERNOSTER ROw.
1884.
"
RASSELAS,
PRINCE OF ABISSINIA.
07-28-14G MA
Gen Lib
Life is the fam
Samuel A. Jones
7-19-4-9
24.
PREFACE.
828
J 6 9 r
1884
vol
• THE tale of "Raffelas, Prince of
Aby finia," appeared in the Spring
of 1759.
The name of the author was
not on the title-page, but everyone foon
knew that the book was from the pen of
Samuel Johnson. He was then at the
zenith of his literary fame. The "Eng-
lish Dictionary" had been for four years
before the world, and had made his name
known to the learned at home and
abroad. What was the popular eſtimate
of the work, the complimentary epigram
by David Garrick, as to one Englishman
beating forty Frenchmen of the Academy,
happily expreſſed. By the publication
of "The Rambler" his reputation had
d
iv
PREFACE.
CC
(6
at once
been already established as a man of
genius and wisdom. He was now pro-
ducing a ſeries of fimilar eſſays under the
title of "The Idler." The curiofity of
the public was raised by the announcement
of a tale, from one who, in his poems of
London" and "The Vanity of Human
Wishes," had shown the variety, as well
as the strength, of his literary efforts.
This curiofity was agreeably and fully
Satisfied. Raffelas
became
popular, was praised by critics and re-
viewers, foon reached a fecond edition,
and was tranflated into feveral foreign
languages. Having little of the character
of a novel beyond the form, it prefented
little attraction for ordinary readers
of fiction; but was hailed with delight
by those who look for fomething befides
amufement in what they read. Dr.
Young pronounced it to be "one mass
of good fenfe;" Dr. Parr's opinion is
equally emphatic. Like all Dr. John-
Jon's works, it has fince been com-
>>
PREFACE.
V
paratively neglected-a neglect to be
regretted, fince the literature of our day
is too generally deficient in the points in
which he excelled.
The book was written, it is well
known, in order to obtain money to
defray the expenfes of his mother's
funeral, and to pay fome little debts fhe
had left. Bofwell, who did not know
Johnſon till four years later, was told
this by Mr. Strahan, the bookfeller, and
has put it on record. Johnson himself
told Sir Joshua Reynolds that he com-
posed the tale in the evenings of one week,
Sent it to the prefs in portions as it was
written, and had not afterwards read it
over.
The payment for the first edition was
£100, and the author received £25
more when the fecond edition was
reached. Strahan's name is not on the
title-page; but he joined with Dodley,
of Pall-Mall, and Johnston, of Ludgate
Street, in the venture, from which they
P
vi
PREFACE.
and their fucceffors must have gathered
large profits.
In reproducing a facfimile of the first
edition, the publisher defires it to be
regarded as more than a mere literary
curiofity. It is impoffible to forget the
touching fact just mentioned as to the
occafion of the story being written. In
this, the centenary year of Johnson's
death, the re-iffue of "Raffelas" may be
accepted as a tribute to the memory of
the great and good man, whofe name is
now in various ways being commemo-
rated. No point in Johnfon's character
is more beautiful than the warmth of
his family affections. For his wife, who
died in 1752, he cherished to the end of
his days the warmest feelings of tender-
nefs and regret. His mother, to whom
be owed his earliest lessons of wisdom
and piety, he loved with filial devotion.
His reverential affection for her was not
abated by abfence or time. He could
feldom fee her, but he constantly cor-
PREFACE.
vii
refponded, and helped to make her
comfortable in her declining years.
The very last letter he wrote to her was
this:
"Dear Honoured Mother,
E
"I fear you are too ill for long
letters, therefore I will only tell you
you have from me all the regard that
can poffibly fubfift in the heart.
I pray
God to bless you for evermore, for Jesus
Christ's fake. Amen. Let Mifs (Lucy
Porter) write to me every post, however
Short.
“I am, dear mother,
"Your dutiful fon,
"SAMUEL JOHNSON."
This letter was dated Jan. 18, 1759;
it reached Lichfield on the day his
mother died, in her ninety-first year. It
was to pay the undertaker's charges that
Johnson, still struggling with poverty,
(for he did not get the Government
Vill
PREFACE.
penfion till 1762), put forth his exer-
tions in producing "Raffelas." We can
read paffages of it with warmer Sym-
pathy in remembering the writer's
folitude and forrow. It was this frame
of mind which prompted the touching
deſcription of the grief of the Princeſs at
the loss of her companion (chap. xxxv.).
And again, where the author pathetically
remarks, in the character of the Sage
(chap. xlv.): "I have neither mother to
be delighted with the reputation of her
Jon, nor wife to partake the honours of
her husband."
It may be a matter of wonder to fome
how Johnson chofe fo unusual a fubject
for his tale, and made its hero the
native of a country fo remote and un-
familiar.
The very
The explanation is easy.
firft of his literary ventures, in early life,
Was a tranflation of Father Lobo's
"Voyage to Abyfinia." He found this
book in the Library of Pembroke College,
PREFACE.
ix
Oxford, and it fafcinated his imagina-
tion. When he went to fee his old
School-companion, Mr. Hector, who had
fettled as a furgeon at Birmingham, they
lodged at the house of Mr. Warren, the
first and then the only bookfeller in the
town. Having mentioned Father Lobo's
book, he was urged to make a tranfla-
tion. No copy could be procured at
Birmingham, Jo Johnson borrowed the
book from Pembroke College. The
tranflation was printed for A. Bettef
worth and C. Hitch, at the Red Lyon,
in Paternoster Row, in 1735.
A copy
of the book is now before us, and we fee
at once the origin of "Raffelas." We
read (p. 204) that "the Kingdom of
Amhara is mountainous. The Abyffinians
call these steep rocks Amba.' There
are many of them which appear to the
fight like great cities, and one is fcarcely
convinced on nearer view that one does
not fee walls, towers, and baftions. It
was at Amba Quexa that the princes of
<
X
PREFACE.
the blood royal paſſed their melancholy
life, being guarded by officers who
treated them with great rigour and
leverity." More is faid about this
custom of confining the princes and
princeffes, with account of their treat-
ment ana occupations. Johnson may
have Supplemented the defcription of the
valley by what he had read of eastern
countries; for fome of his glowing narra-
tive might apply to Cashmere, or other
Afiatic, as well as African regions, where
fertile valleys are enclosed by mountain
barriers.
Father Lobo was a Portuguese Jefuii,
one of a band of zealous miffionaries
who visited Abyffinia in the early part
of the Seventeenth century, in the days
of the Sultan Segued, whofe lieutenant-
general was named Raffela Chriftos.
Father Lobo's book contains names of
many places which have become familiar
to us in later Hiftory, fuch as Dongola,
Axum, Sencar, and Suakim. He de-
J
...
PREFACE.
Xi
Scribes Upper Egypt as well as Abyffinia;
and we can see where Johnson got his
knowledge of the wandering Arabs of
the defert; of the merchants and Scholars
of Cairo; the hermits of the rocks; and
the Scenes and the people of the valley
of the Nile-the Father of Waters.
Why the word is fpelled Abiffinia in
Raffelas," we know not, for it is given
with the more familiar "y" by Father
Lobo.
(6
There is not much of plot in the
Simple Story, which Johnson uses chiefly
as a vehicle for giving utterance to his
own thoughts and opinions. There is
a certain air of romance about the
Oriental Scenes and incidents, but the
main interest lies in the Subjects dif-
cuffed by the Prince and Imlac. Al-
though written in fo brief a time, the
chief topics were fuch as the author had
often pondered and written about.
happiness or mifery of various conditions
of life-the efficacy of pilgrimages for
The
xii
PREFACE.
religious improvement the state of
—
departed fouls—the probability of the re-
appearance of the dead-the advantages
of folitude or of Society—and other Sub-
jects are treated, which are known to
have deeply interested or agitated the
writer. The book is full of truth and
wiſdom, yet pervaded by a fombre and
Sad tone, as we might expect from his
habitual tendency to melancholy, height-
ened at a feafon of forrow.
Comparison has been made with Vol-
taire's (C
Candide," a work Somewhat
kindred in fubject, but written with very
different purpoſe. Both show vividly
the vanity and vexation of human life,
and destroy any dream of optimism.
But Voltaire's object was to throw dif
credit on the belief in a fuperintending
Providence: an aim widely different from
that of Johnson, whose purpose is always
to fofter fubmiffion to the Divine Will.
Of the refemblance of his own story to
.46
Candide," Johnson more than once
斧
​PREFACE.
X111
Spoke, and he faid that he thought it was
the ableft work of Voltaire. But he
fought in revealed religion, not in human
philofophy, the ſolution of mysteries, and
the means of checking vain defires and
calming anxious fears.
It is not meet for us to offer any
critical remarks on the tale itself; fhort
as it is, all the merits and all the faults
of Johnson's Style here appear. The
balanced antithefis of phrafes, the rhyth-
mic roll of fentences, the forcibly ex-
preſſed, yet undecided opinions, are charac-
teristic of the writer. The very firſt
paragraph is thoroughly Johnſonian :
"Ye who listen with credulity to the
whispers of fancy, and pursue with
eagerness the phantoms of hope; who
expect that age will perform the promiſes
of youth, and that the deficiencies of the
prefent day will be supplied by the
morrow; attend to the history of Raf-
Jelas, Prince of Abiffinia." Of the
balancing of opinions and weighing of
xiv
PREFACE.
arguments we have striking examples in
the chapters on the advantages of foli-
tude and of fociety, on the reafons for and
against marriage, and on the dangers
of profperity. In the account of the vifit
to the Pyramids is the famous paffage
often quoted in illuftration of Johnson's
tendency to fuperftition: "That the dead
are Seen no more," faid Imlac, "I will
not undertake to maintain, against the
concurrent and unvaried teftimony of all
ages and of all nations. There is no
people, rude or learned, among whom ap-
paritions of the dead are not related and
believed. This opinion, which perhaps
prevails as far as human nature is dif-
fufed, could become univerfal only by its
truth; thofe that never heard of one
another would not have agreed in a tale
which nothing but experience can make
credible. That it is doubted by Single
cavillers can very little weaken the
general evidence, and fome who deny it with
their tongues confefs it by their fears."
PREFACE.
XV
The
If Johnson was fuperftitious, it is a
ftate infinitely to be preferred to the cold-
nefs of infidelity and materialifm.
Christian fage fpeaks when Johnſon puts
into the mouth of the Prince and the
Princess these words in difcourfing on the
nature of the foul: "How gloomy," faid
Raffelas, "would be theſe manſions of the
dead to him who did not know that he
fhould never die; that what now alts
fhall continue its agency, and what now
thinks fhall think on for ever. Thoſe
that lie bere ftretched before us, the wife
and the powerful of ancient times, warn
Us to remember the shortness of our
prefent state; they were, perhaps, Snatched
away while they were bufy, like us, in
the choice of life."
"To me," faid the Princefs, "the
choice of life is become less important;
I hope hereafter to think only on the
choice of eternity.'
""
In June, 1781, when now feventy-two,
Johnson went, with Bofwell and Dilly,
xvi
PREFACE.
the bookfeller, to fee Lord Bute's feat at
Luton. Johnson cared little for Scenery,
owing to his feeble eyeſight, and during
the journey was engaged with a book, as
was his custom when not talking. He
was reading Dr. Watson's "Chemical
Effays." Bofwell pulled a book out of
his pocket. It was "Raffelas." John-
ſon ſeized it with avidity, and was foon
intently reading what he had feldom
or perhaps never feen fince he wrote the
tale. He pointed out to his companions
Tome paſſages which struck him. One of
thefe, which Bofwell mentions, difplays
the devout fpirit as well as fhrewd obfer-
vation of the author of Raffelas."
The Prince had expreffed furprise that,
when the people of Europe could fo eafily
invade the African coafts, and plant
colonies on their Shores, the Africans
could not retaliate. Imlac answered that
it was because the Europeans were wiser,
and explained that knowledge was power.
"But why their knowledge is greater
CC
>
PREFACE.
xvii
than ours I know not. I know not what
reafon can be given, but the unfearchable
will of God."
"This, fir," added Johnfon, "no man
could explain otherwife."
(c
In the Gentleman's Magazine for
April, 1759, in the monthly lift of
“Books published, with Remarks,"
Raffelas, a tale, in two volumes," ap-
pears, under the sub-head of
Poetry
and Entertainment." The outline of the
story is given, with the chapter of the
book defcribing the valley of Ambara,
occupying nearly three and a half pages
of the magazine. The reader is then
referred to the book itself, with the
"remark" that it "abounds with the
most elegant and striking pictures of life
and nature, the most acute difquifitions,
and the happieft illustrations of the most
important truths."
y
JAMES MACAULAY, M.D.
(
xviii
PREFACE.
THE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RASSELAS.
The following Bibliography of Raffelas (which it
is believed is the first ever attempted), although not
put forth as a complete record of all the editions pul-
lifhed, will ferve as a bafis lift for collectors, and is
interefting as showing the large number of editions
published fince the firft iffue of Raffelas in 1759. It
is compiled from the editions of the work in the British
Muſeum, the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and the
University Library, Cambridge, with additions from
other fources. It will be feen that the British Muſeum
is fingularly rich in editions, but it is worthy of note
that none of the early editions are to be found either
at the Bodleian or at the Cambridge University Library.
1759
two
The Prince | of | Abissinia. | A | Tale. | In
volumes. Vol. I. | London. | Printed for R. and J.
Dodsley, in Pall-Mall; and W. Johnston, in Ludgate
Street, MDCCLIX. | Sm. 8vo, | pp. viii, 159. Anony-
B. M.
mous.
Vol. II. . . . MDCCLIX. Pp. viii, 165.
1759
1
The Prince of | Abissinia. | A | Tale. | In two
volumes. Vol. I. | Dublin: | Printed for G. and A.
Ewing, and H. Bradley, Booksellers in Dame- | street,
MDCCLIX. 12m0, pp. xii, 125 (last page blank counting
as page 126). Anonymous.
B. M.
Title (counting as
Vol. II. . . . MDCCLIX.
pp. 127-128), pp. 129-262.
PREFACE.
xix
1759
The Prince of | Abissinia. | A | Tale. | In two
volumes. Vol. I. The Second Edition. | London. |
Printed for R. and J. Dodsley, in Pall Mall; | and W.
Johnston, in Ludgate Street, | MDCCLIX. | Sm. 8vo,
pp. viii, 159. Anonymous.
B. M.
Vol. II. . . . MDCCLIX. Pp. viii, 165.
This is a line-for-line reprint of the first edition.
1760
The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale. [Anon.] Third
edition. 2 vols. 12mo. Lond., 1760.
Abbotsford Library Catalogue.
1771
An American edition mentioned to Dr. Johnson by the
Rev. Dr. White.
1775
The Prince | of | Abissinia. | A Tale. | The fifth
edition. London. | Printed for W. Strahan, J. Dodsley, |
and E. Johnston, MDCCLXXV. | 12m0, pp. viii, 304.
Anonymous.
B. M.
1783
The Prince of Abissinia. | A Tale. | The Sixth
Edition. | London. | Printed for W. Strahan, J. Dodsley,
and T. Longman, | MDCCLXXXIII. | 12mo, pp. viii.
304. Anonymous.
B. M.
1787
Rasselas, Prince | of | Abissinia. | A Talc. | By S.
Johnson, LL.D.-London. | Printed for Joseph Wenman,
No. 144, Fleet Street, | MDCCLXXXVII. | 12m0, pp. vi,
145, and four pages of list of books printed by J.
Wenman. With frontispiece.
B. M.
1787
An edition appeared at Dublin, of which there is a
copy in the Philadelphia Library.
XX
PREFACE.
1789
l
The History of | Rasselas, | Prince of | Abbissinia.
By Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | A new edition. | Edin-
burgh. | Printed for William Creech, | MDCCLXXXIX. |
12m0, pp. viii, 264.
B. M.
1793
The Prince of | Abissinia. | A Tale. | The Ninth
Edition. London. | Printed for J. F. and C. Rivington,
J. Dodsley, T. Longman, and G. and T. Wilkie, |
MDCCXCIII. 12mo, pp. viii, 304. Anonymous. B. M.
1795
The History of | Rasselas, | Prince of Abissinia. |
A Tale. By Dr. Johnson. | Two volumes in one. | Em-
bellished with a portrait of the author. | London:
Printed under the inspection of the Literary Association,
and sold by John Creswick and Co., [ Agents to the
Society, 1795. | Sm. 8vo, pp. viii, 199, with portrait.
B. M.
-
1801
The History | of | Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia.
A Tale. By | Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | London.
Printed by C. Whittingham, Dean Street, | Fetter
|
Lane, for T. and C. Rivington, T. N. Longman, and
O. Rees, G. Wilkie, J. Walker, J. Scatcherd, and J.
Mawman, 1801. | Sm. 8vo, pp. viii, 192, with portrait
and five engravings.
B. M.
1804
New Mode of Printing. | Rasselas, | Prince of Abis-
sinia. | By Dr. Johnson. Printed with Patent Types, |
in a manner | never before attempted. | Rusher's edition.
Banbury | Printed for P. Rusher; and sold by Mr.
Rudd, at the Crown and | Mitre, Pall Mall; Mr. Miller,
49, Al- bemarle-Street; Mr. Tegg, 111, | Cheapside,
|
London; and by Mr. J. Rusher, Reading, | 1804. |
| |
Cheney, Printer, High Street, Banbury. | 8vo, title, pp.
136.
B. M.
There is no explanation of the advantages of the new
mode of printing, which is very ugly, and seems to con-
sist in the mixing together of two founts of type.
PREFACE.
xxi
1805
Rasselas. | By Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | With | En-
gravings by A. Raimbach, [ from | Pictures by R. Smirke,
R. A. London: | Published by William Miller, Albe-
marle Street; and sold by Manners and Miller, and
Archibald Constable and Co., | Edinburgh. | The Letter
Press by James Ballantyne, Edinburgh, | 1805. | 4t0,
half-title, title, pp. iii, 197, and 4 engravings, as well as a
vignette on page 1.
B. M.
The plates to this edition were also issued separately.
Smirke's (Robert) Pictures from Dr. Johnson's Ras-
selas, engraved by Raimbach, with descriptions. Proof
impressions. Imp. 4to. Lond., 1805.
The preceding edition was republished in 1819. The title
and collation are the same, but the imprint on the title-page
is as follows: "London. | Published by Hector M'Lean,
No. 8, Soho Square; | and sold by Manners and Miller,
and Archibald Constable and Co., | Edinburgh, | 1819." |
On the verso of the last page it is stated to be printed
by T. Brettell, Rupert Street, Haymarket, London."
66
B. M.
1807
Rasselas | a | Tale. | By | Dr. Johnson. London. |
Printed by W. Wilson, St. John's Square, | for J.
Walker, J. Johnson, W. J. & J. Richardson, R.
Faulder and Son, F. C. & J. Rivington, Vernor Hood
and Sharpe, R. Lee, J. Nunn, Cuthell & Martin,
Lackington, Allen & Co., | Longman, Hurst, Rees &
Orme; Cadell & Davies; Wilkie | & Robinson, J.
Booker; E. Jeffery, Black, Parry & Kingsbury, H.
D. Symonds, J. Aspene and J. Harris, 1807. | 12m0,
frontispiece, engraved title, title, contents 2 leaves, pp.
B. M.
127.
ISOS
System of Notation, by William Pelham. Boston,
1808, 12mo. This includes Rasselas. A copy is in the
Boston Athenæum.
1810
The Aberdeen University Library contains a London
edition of 1810.
xxii
PREFACE.
1810
Rasselas Prince of Abissinia; a Tale. | By S.
Johnson, LL.D. | Frederick-Town: Printed at the
Herald" Press | by and for John P. Thomson. | 1810.
| 12mo in sixes, pp. 225.
((
1812
The History | of | Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia. [*
A Tale. By Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | Printed at the
Chiswick Press | by C. Whittingham, | for J. Carpenter;
J. Booker; Cradock and Joy; | Sharpe and Hailes;
Taylor and Hessey ; | R. Jennings; and G. Cowie and
Co., London. | 1812. 12mo, pp. viii, 216. B. M.
1812
I
Rasselas, a Tale. | By Samuel Johnson, LL.D.
Edinburgh. Printed by Walker and Greig | for John
Greig, 261, High Street, | Edinburgh, | 1812. | 12mo,
pp. xii, 187.
B. M.
1815
Rasselas. a Tale by Dr. Johnson. | London. |
Published by Suttaby, Evans & Fox, and Crosby and
Co., Stationer's Court, Ludgate Street, | 1815. | 12m0,
frontispiece, engraved title, pp. xxiv, 120,
The British Museum copy is in paper boards, with the
title printed on the side and the date given as 1820.
1816
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. | A Tale. | By |
Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | London. | Printed for F. C.
and J. Rivington; G. Wilkie; | Scatcherd and Letter-
man; Longman, Hurst, | Rees, Orme and Brown; J.
Mawman; Walker | and Edwards; and B. Reynolds,
1816. | Sm. 8vo, pp. xiv, half-title, pp. 205, and extra
leaf, on the verso of which is the imprint of T. Davidson.
With frontispiece.
B. M.
1817
Rasselas; | a Tale. | By Dr. Johnson. | Dinarbas; | a
Tale being a Continuation of | Rasselas. | London:
| Printed for Walker and Edwards; | F. Ċ. and J.
:
PREFACE.
xxiii
Rivington; J. Nunn; Cadell and Davies; | Longman,
Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown; | J. Richardson; Law
and Whittaker; Newman and Co., Lackington and
Co.; Black and Co.; J. | Black; Baldwin, Cradock
and Joy; Sherwood, | Neely and Jones; R. Scholey,
Gale and Fenner; | J. Robinson and B. Reynolds: | by
S. Hamilton, Weybridge, Surrey, | 1817. | 12mo, frontis-
piece, engraved title, title-page, pp. 266.
B. M.
1823
Ballantyne's Novelist's Library; with Lives of the
Authors, by Sir Walter Scott. Io vols., imp. 8vo.
Edin., 1821-24. Vol. 5, 1823 (among others), Rasselas,
by Dr. Johnson.
1835
The History of Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia, | a
Tale | By | Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | London | Charles
Tilt, Fleet Street: | J. Menzies, Edinburgh; W. F.
Wakeman, Dublin. | MDCCCXXXV. | 32m0, frontispiece,
Pp. xi, 168.
One of Tilt's Miniature Classical Library.
1838
History of Rasselas. The Hague: K. Fuhri, 1838,
12mo.
Also in Classical Tales. The Hague, 1838.
1841
A copy of an edition, New York, 1841, 32mo, is in
the Boston Athenæum.
1843
History of Rasselas. Gouda: G. B. van Goor, 1843,
Svo.
1849
Raselas, and Select Poemz. Bi Samuel Jonsun, Leg.
D. Lundun: Fred. Pitman, Cwene Hed Pasej, Pater-
noster Ro, 1849. Sm. 8vo, half title, "Jonsunz Select
Wurcs," title, pp. xv, 124.
►
xxiv
PREFACE.
Printed and edited in phonetic spelling by A. J. Ellis,
B.A. In the above title the letters for which new
characters are used are printed in italics.
1853
An edition appeared at New York in this year.
1855
:
Rasselas a Tale. | By | Samuel Johnson, LL.D. |
London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, | Paternoster Row,
| 1855. | 32mo, pp. 160.
1858
An edition. London: Groombridge, 1858, 32mo.
1860
Rasselas, a Tale. | By Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | With
introductory remarks; explanatory and grammatical an-
notations; specimens of interrogative lessons; | answers
to questions set at the Oxford Middle-Class Examination,
| etc.; and | A Life of Dr. Johnson. | Adapted as a
Reading-Book for Schools, and specially designed to pre-
pare Young Persons for the University Middle-Class
Examinations. | By the Rev. John Hunter, M.A., | In-
structor of Candidates for the Military and Civil Service
Examinations, etc.; and | formerly Vice-Principal of the
National Society's Training Institution, Battersea.
London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts.
1860. 12mo. pp. xxiv, 191.
I
1867
The Histori ov Raselas, | Prins ov Abisinia. | Ri
Samuel Jonson, LL.D. | In the reportin Stil ov Fono-
grafi. | Landon | Fred. Pitman, 20, Paternoster Ro, E.C.
Bath: Izak Pitman, Fonetik Institut, | 1867. | Sm. 8vo,
Pp. 101.
:
The letters in italic represent new characters on the
title-page.
1869
An edition appeared at New York in this year, 16mo.
1869
Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia. | By | Samuel Johnson,
LL.D. With an Introduction | by the Rev. William
PREFACE..
XXV
West, B.A., Incumbent of S. Columba's, | Nairn. |
London | Sampson Low, Son, and Marston | Crown
Buildings, 188, Fleet Street, | 1869. | 16mo, pp. xlviii,
163.
One of the Bayard series.
1870
An edition. London: Groombridge, 1870. 32mo.
1879
The History of Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia. | By
Dr. Johnson. London: Whittaker & Co., | Ave Maria
Lane | [1879]. 16mo, pp. ix, 117.
1879
Johnson. Select Works. | Edited,
1
with Introduction
and Notes, by Alfred Milnes, B.A. (Lond.) | Lives of
Dryden and Pope, and Kasselas. | Oxford: At the
larendon Press. | 1879.
1880
The History of Rasselas | Prince of Abyssinia. | By
Dr. Johnson. London: Whittaker and Co., | Ave
Maria Lane. | 24mo in eights, pp. ix, 117. Printed by
R. and R. Clark, Edinburgh, 1880.
1882
Classic Tales, containing | Johnson's Rasselas, |
Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield, Swift's Gulliver's
Travels, and Sterne's Sentimental Journey. | Printed
from the earliest corrected editions. | London: | Geo.
Bell and Sons, | York Street, Covent Garden, | 1882.
(Bohn's Standard Library.)
1
1883
The History of the Caliph Vathek. | By W. Beckford.
| Also | Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. | By Samuel
Johnson, LL.D. | London : | Nimmo and Bain. | 1883.
1883
:
The History of Rasselas | Prince of Abyssinia. | By
Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | London | T. Fisher Unwin,
17, Holborn Viaduct, E.C. | 1883. | 18m0, pp. viii, 152.
Crawford and M'Cabe, Printers, 15, Queen Street,
Edinburgh.
xxvi
PREFACE.
1883
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, | By | Samuel John-
son, LL.D. | With [two] illustrations. George Rout-
ledge and Sons. London: Broadway, Ludgate Hill. |
New York: 9, Lafayette Place. | 8vo, pp. 98. [1883].
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia; or the Happy Valley.
An Extravaganza, founded on Dr. Johnson's well-known
Tale, but at times getting very wide of its foundation.
By William Brough.
Thomas Hailes Lacy, 89,
Strand, London. 12mo, pp. 34.
•
Rasselas is constantly kept in print. In addition to
several English editions now on sale, there are American
editions published by Appleton, Carter, Lippincott,
Scribner, and the World Publishing Company.
TRANSLATIONS.
Bengalee.
1833
The History of | Rasselas, | Prince of Abyssinia, | a
Tale, by Samuel Johnson, LL.D. | Translated into
Bengalee by | Maha-Raja Kalee-Krishna Bahadur. |
Calcutta Kamalalaya Press. | Printed for H. Mansell,
1833. 8vo, title, dedication, half-title, pp. 263. Errata,
leaves, subscribers' names, 2 leaves.
:
The above title occupies half the page, the other half
has the Bengalee title. The English and Bengalce ver-
sion of the tale are on opposite pages. The B. M. copy
wants pp. 219-226.
Dutch.
1824
Rasselas, Prins van Abyssinië; eene geschiedenis
naar het Engelsch. 's Hage: J. Immerzeel, jun., 1824.
Svo.
There was an earlier Dutch translation which appeared
before 1773.
PREFACE.
xxvii
French.
1760
Histoire de Rasselas, Prince d'Abissinie. | Par
M. Jhonnson, Auteur du | Rambler, and traduite de
l'Anglois par Madame B****, | Premiere Partie. | A
Amsterdam, et se trouve à Paris, chez Prault, fils,
Quai des Augustins, au coin de la rue Git-ie-Coeur, |
MDCCLX. | Sm. 8vo, pp. xv, 228. Table des chapitres, 2
leaves; the title-page of the second part is placed between
pp. 112 and 113. It was reprinted in 1768.
The translator of this first French edition was Madame
Belot, afterwards Madame Durey de Meynieres. She says
in the preface that the success of Candide gives promise
of the success of Rasselas.
1798
Rasselas, Prince d'Abissinie. | Roman. | Traduit de
l'Anglois de Dr. Johnson | par le Comte de Fouchecour.
| Enriche de tailles douces. | A Londres: | chez MM.
1
Lackington, Allen et Comp. | Temple of the Muses,
Finsbury Square, | 1798. | 12mo, pp. viii, 317. Errata
on verso of last page, with three plates. Quérard never
saw this edition, and was inclined to doubt its existence !
1818
Nouveau Cours | de | Langue Anglaise : | contenant |
l'Histoire de Rasselas, du docteur Johnson; et | le
poeme du Village abandonné, de Goldsmith; | avec deux
traductions, dont l'une interlinéaire, | et l'autre suivant le
genie de la langue française. | Composé d'après les prin-
cipes de MM. de Port-Royal, Dumarsais et des meil-
leures maitres, et destiné aux per- | sonnes qui veulent se
diriger elles-memes dans l'étude | de la langue Anglaise ;
| precédé des Elemens de cette langue par Siret, | tome
Premier. Paris, P. Mongie, l'aine, Libr., boulevart
Poisonnière N. 18 | Théophile Barrois, Libraire, quai
Voltaire, no. 3; | Delaunay, Libraire Palais Royal, galerie
de bois, 1818. | 12mo, half-title, title, pp. iv, 57, 351.
Errata on verso of last page.
Tome 2, half-title, title, pp. 455, errata on verso of
last page. Rasselas ends on p. 373.
This was reissued in 1821 and 1825. There was also
an edition issued at Boulogne in 1822.
xxviii
PREFACE.
1818
Rasselas, prince d'Abyssinie, avec la vie de l'auteur.
Traduction nouv. [par M. Fr. Louis, libraire]. Paris:
Louis. 12mo.
1822
Histoire de Rasselas, prince d'Abyssinie, traduction
nouv. par M. G. . . . [Gosselin]. Paris: François, 1822.
12mo, 2 vols.
1823
Rasselas, Prince d'Abyssinie, | Conte | par | Samuel
Johnson. Traduit de l'Anglais | par | Alexandre Notré. |
Londres, chez G. et W. B. Whitaker, | 13, Ave Maria
Lane, 1823. 12mo, half-title, title, pp. iv, 230.
1832
Histoire de Rasselas, traduction nouvelle et posthume,
avec le texte en regard, par Mdme. *** [De Fresne].
Paris: Baudry, 1832. 8vo. pp. 395. A few copies have
a portrait and biographical notice of the translator, who
lied at the age of twenty.
1863
Histoire de Rasselas, traduction de N. Adts. Ouvrage
classique dédié à la jeunesse. 2º edit. Bruxelles: J.
Rosez, 1863. 18mo.
German.
1827
Rasselas, Prinz von Abyssinien. | eine Erzählung |
von Dr. Johnson. | Mit | einer deutschen Interlinear-
Uebersetzung zur Erleichterung des Studiums | der |
Englischen Sprache | von | Geo. Smout | Englischlehrer.
| Erster Theil, | Hamburg, 1827, | in Commission bei
P. F. L. Hoffmann. | 8vo, portrait, title, pp. x, 15, half-
title, Life," pp. 62, half-title, "Rasselas," pp. 195.
Zweiter Theil, title, pp. 301.
"C
Graesse mentions three German translations.
Schiller. Mainz, 1785. 8vo. Anonymous.
1786. 8vo. By Bärmann. Hamburg, 1840.
4
By J. F.
Meissen,
}
PREFACE.
xxix
Hungarian.
1840
(Rasszelasznak, egy abyssziniai királyi herezegnek tör-
ténetei. Regeny. Johnson Sámuel angol munkájából.)
pp. 40-194 of Soproni Estvék. Literaturai Egyveleg.
kiadja Kis János. Második Füzet (Part 2), Sopron, 1840.
8vo.
B. M.
Italian.
1823
Rassela, | Principe d'Abissinia: Tradotto dall' In-
glese | del Signor Dottor Johnson. | Londra : | Presso
G. e W. B. Whittaker, | 1823. | 12mo, pp. 220. Errata,
I leaf.
B.M. Camb. Univ. Lib.
1825
*******
Storia di Rasselas, | Principe d' Abissinia, | di | S.
Johnson Tradotta dall Inglese | da |
| Livorno
dalla Stamperia di G. P. Pozzolini, | 1825. | 8vo, pp.
222. Indice, I leaf.
There was an earlier translation which appeared before
1773.
Polish.
1803
(Historya Rasslasa Krolewicza Abissynii, z Angiel-
skiego Przelozona) pp. 1-208 of Juliana Niemcewicza,
pism róznych wierszem i proza. Tom I., w Warszawie,
1803. 8vo.
B. M.
Romaic-Modern Greek. 1817
῾Ο Ρασσέλας, πρίγγιψ τῆς Αββυσινίας, συγγραφ. παρὰ
Σαμ. Γιονσονη, μεταφρασ. παρὰ II. II. Κερκυρα, 1817.
12mo. (Quaritch's Catalogue, 1877.)
Spanish.
1798
Graesse mentions a Spanish translation by Doña Ines
Joyes y Blake. Madrid, 1798. Svo.
XXX
PREFACE.
1813
Ráselas, Principe de Abisinia. | Romance. | Tradu-
cido del Ingles | del | Dóctor Johnson, por el | Rev.
Don Felipe Fernandez, A.M. | y | Fundador de la Real
Sociedad Economica de Xeres de la Frontera. | Impreso
en Londres por Henrique Beyer, Bridge Street, Black-
friars a expensas de Francisco Wingrave y de dicho
Rev. Traductor, | 1813. | 12mo, pp. xviii, 251, page of
errata on the verso of last leaf.
No date.
Historia de Rasselas, traducida del Ingles al Castellano.
Without place or date, 18mo.
RASSELAS,
PRINCE OF ABISSINIA.
THE
PRINCE
O F
ABISSINIA.
A
TAL L E.
IN TWO VOLUME S.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY, in Pall-Mall;
and W. JOHNSTON, in Ludgate-Street.
M DCC LIX.
CONTENTS
OF THE
FIRST VOLUME.
CHAP. I.
DESCRIPTION of a palace in a
valley
page 1
CHAP. II.
The diſcontent of Raffelas in the happy
valley
9
CHA P. III.
The wants of him that wants nothing 16
A 2
CHAP.
iv
CONTENTS.
CHAP. IV.
The prince continues to grieve and
mufe
20
CHAP. V.
The prince meditates his eſcape
CHAP. VI.
A differtation on the art of flying 33
30
CHAP. VII.
The prince finds a man of learning 43
CHAP. VIII.
The hiftory of Imlac
CHAP. IX.
The hiftory of Imlac continued
46
56
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
V
СНАР.
X.
Imlac's hiſtory continued. A differta-
64
tion upon poetry
CHAP. XI.
Imlac's narrative continued. A hint on
pilgrimage
71
CHAP. XII.
The ftory of Imlac continued
80
CHAP. XIII.
Raffelas difcovers the means of efcape
91
CHAP. XIV.
Raffelas and Imlac receive an unexpec-
ted vifit
97
CHAP.
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XV.
The prince and princeſs leave the valley,
and ſee many wonders
IOI
CHAP. XVI.
They enter Cairo, and find every man
happy
106
CHAP. XVII.
The prince affociates with young men of
ſpirit and gaiety
115
CHAP. XVIII.
The prince finds a wife and happy man
119
CHAP. XIX.
A glimpſe of paſtoral life
125
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
vii
CHAP. XX.
The danger of profperity
nature
129
CHAP. XXI.
The happineſs of folitude. The her-
mit's hiſtory
I 34
CHAP. XXII.
The happineſs of a life led according to
141
CHAP. XXIII.
The prince and his fifter divide between
them the work of obfervation
148
CHAP. XXIV.
The prince examines the happineſs of
high ſtations
150
СНАР.
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XXV.
The princeſs perfues her enquiry with
more diligence than fuccefs
154
THE
THE
HISTORY
O F
RASSE LA S,
PRINCE OF ABISSINIA.
CHAP. I.
Deſcription of a palace in a valley.
YE
E who liften with credulity to the
whiſpers of fancy, and purfue
with eagerness the phantoms of hope;
who expect that age will perform the
promiſes of youth, and that the deficien-
VOL. I.
B
cies
2
THE PRINCE OF
cies of the preſent day will be fupplied
by the morrow; attend to the hiſtory of
Raffelas prince of Abiffinia.
Raffelas was the fourth fon of the
mighty emperour, in whofe domi-
nions the Father of waters begins his
courfe; whoſe bounty powers down the
ftreams of plenty, and ſcatters over half
the world the harveſts of Egypt.
Salad.
According to the cuſtom which has
defcended from age to age among the
monarchs of the torrid zone, he was con-
fined in a private palace, with the other
fons and daughters of Abiffinian royalty,
till the order of fucceffion fhould call him
to the throne.
The place, which the wiſdom or po-
licy of antiquity had deftined for the refi-
dence of the Abiffinian princes, was a
ſpa-
ABISSINIA.
3
ſpacious valley in the kingdom of Am-
hara, ſurrounded on every fide by moun-
tains, of which the fummits overhang
the middle part. The only paffage, by
which it could be entered, was a cavern
that paſſed under a rock, of which it has
long been diſputed whether it was the
work of nature or of human induſtry.
The outlet of the cavern was concealed
by a thick wood, and the mouth which
opened into the valley was clofed with gates
of iron, forged by the artificers of ancient
days, fo maffy that no man could, with-
out the help of engines, open or fhut them.
C
P
From the mountains on every fide, ri-
vulets defcended that filled all the valley
with verdure and fertility, and formed a
lake in the middle inhabited by fiſh of
every ſpecies, and frequented by every
B 2
fowl
4
THE PRINCE OF
fowl whom nature has taught to dip the
wing in water. This lake diſcharged its
fuperfluities by a ſtream which entered a
dark cleft of the mountain on the northern
fide, and fell with dreadful noife from
precipice to precipice till it was heard no
more.
The fides of the mountains were co-
vered with trees, the banks of the brooks
were diverfified with flowers; every blaſt
fhook ſpices from the rocks, and every
month dropped fruits upon the ground.
All animals that bite the grafs, or
brouſe the ſhrub, whether wild or tame,
wandered in this extenfive circuit, fe-
cured from beafts of prey by the moun-
tains which confined them. On one part
were flocks and herds feeding in the paf-
tures, on another all the beaſts of chaſe
frifk-
akuplja
cheatin
ABISSINIA.
5
friſking in the lawns; the fpritely kid
was bounding on the rocks, the fubtle
monkey frolicking in the trees, and the
folemn elephant repofing in the fhade.
All the diverfities of the world were
brought together, the bleffings of nature
were collected, and its evils extracted
and excluded.
The valley, wide and fruitful, fupplied
its inhabitants with the neceffaries of
life, and all delights and fuperfluities were
added at the annual vifit which the em-
perour paid his children, when the iron
gate was opened to the ſound of muſick;
and during eight days every one that re-
fided in the valley was required to pro-
poſe whatever might contribute to make
feclufion pleaſant, to fill up the vacan-
cies of attention, and leffen the tediouf-
nefs
B 3
6
THE PRINCE OF
neſs of time. Every defire was im-
mediately granted. All the artificers of
pleaſure were called to gladden the fefti-
vity; the muſicians exerted the power of
harmony, and the dancers fhewed their
activity before the princes, in hope that
they ſhould paſs their lives in this blisful
captivity, to which thefe only were admit-
ted whoſe performance was thought able
to add novelty to luxury. Such was
the appearance of fecurity and delight
which this retirement afforded, that they
to whom it was new always defired that it
might be perpetual; and as thoſe, on
whom the iron gate had once cloſed,
were never fuffered to return, the effect
of longer experience could not be known.
Thus every year produced new ſchemes
of delight, and new competitors for im-
prifonment.
Kadala
Kontak
The
ABISSINIA.
7
The palace ſtood on an eminence raifed
about thirty paces above the furface of
the lake. It was divided into many
fquares or courts, built with greater or
lefs magnificence according to the rank
of thoſe for whom they were defigned.
The roofs were turned into arches of maf-
ſy ſtone joined with a cement that grew
harder by time, and the building ſtood
from century to century, deriding the fol-
ftitial rains and equinoctial hurricanes,
without need of reparation.
This houfe, which was fo large as to
be fully known to none but ſome ancient
officers who fucceffively inherited the fe-
crets of the place, was built as if fuf-
picion herſelf had dictated the plan. To
every room there was an open and ſecret
paffage, every ſquare had a communica-
B 4
tion
8
THE PRINCE OF
tion with the reft, either from the upper
ftories by private galleries, or by fubter-
ranean paffages from the lower apart-
ments. Many of the columns had un-
fufpected cavities, in which fucceffive
monarchs repofited their treaſures. They
then clofed
up the opening with marble,
which was never to be removed but in the
utmoſt exigencies of the kingdom; and
recorded their accumulations in a book
which was itſelf concealed in a tower
not entered but by the emperour, at-
tended by the prince who ſtood next in
fucceffion.
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
9
CHA P. II.
The diſcontent of Raffelas in
the happy valley.
H'
ERE the fons and daughters of
Abiffinia lived only to know the
foft viciffitudes of pleaſure and repoſe,
attended by all that were ſkilful to de-
light, and gratified with whatever the
fenfes can enjoy. They wandered in gar-
dens of fragrance, and flept in the for-
treffes of fecurity. Every art was prac-
tifed to make them pleaſed with their
own condition. The fages who inftruc-
ted them, told them of nothing but the
miſeries of publick life, and deſcribed all
beyond the mountains as regions of ca-
wing
lamity,
IO
THE PRINCE OF
lamity, where difcord was always rag-
ing, and where man preyed upon man.
Kabupa
To heighten their opinion of their
own felicity, they were daily entertained
with ſongs, the ſubject of which was the
happy valley. Their appetites were ex-
cited by frequent enumerations of diffe-
rent enjoyments, and revelry and merri-
ment was the buſineſs of every hour from
the dawn of morning to the clofe of
even.
Theſe methods were generally fuccef-
ful; few of the princes had ever wiſhed
to enlarge their bounds, but paffed their
lives in full conviction that they had all
within their reach that art or nature could
beſtow, and pitied thoſe whom fate had
excluded from this feat of tranquility, as
the
ABISSINIA.
I I
the ſport of chance, and the ſlaves of mi-
fery.
Thus they rofe in the morning, and
lay down at night, pleaſed with each
other and with themſelves, all but Raf-
felas, who, in the twenty-fixth year
of his age, began to withdraw himſelf
from their paſtimes and aſſemblies, and
to delight in folitary walks and filent me-
ditation. He often fat before tables co-
vered with luxury, and forgot to taſte
the dainties that were placed before him:
he roſe abruptly in the midſt of the ſong,
and haſtily retired beyond the ſound of
mufick. His attendants obſerved the
change and endeavoured to renew his love
of pleaſure he neglected their endea-
vours, repulfed their invitations, and
ſpent day after day on the banks of ri-
Gravi
vulets
I 2
THE PRINCE OF
vulets fheltered with trees, where he
fometimes liftened to the birds in the
branches, fometimes obferved the fiſh
playing in the ſtream, and anon caſt his
eyes upon the paſtures and mountains
filled with animals, of which fome were
biting the herbage, and fome fleeping
among the buſhes.
This fingularity of his humour made
him much obferved. One of the Sages,
in whoſe converſation he had formerly
delighted, followed him fecretly, in hope
of diſcovering the cauſe of his diſquiet.
Raffelas, who knew not that any one
was near him, having for ſome time
fixed his eyes upon the goats that were
brouſing among the rocks, began to com-
pare their condition with his own.
<<
What,"
ABISSINIA.
13
What," ſaid he, "makes the diffe-
rence between man and all the reft of the
animal creation? Every beaſt that ſtrays
beſide me has the fame corporal neceffi-
ties with myſelf; he is hungry and crops
the grafs, he is thirſty and drinks the
ſtream, his thirſt and hunger are ap-
peafed, he is fatisfied and fleeps; he rifes
again and is hungry, he is again fed and
is at reft. I am hungry and thirſty like
him, but when thirst and hunger ceafe
I am not at reft; I am, like him, pained
with want, but am not, like him, fatif-
fied with fulneſs. The intermediate
hours are tedious and gloomy; I long
again to be hungry that I may again
quicken my attention. The birds peck
the berries or the corn, and fly away to
the groves where they fit in ſeeming hap-
pineſs on the branches, and waſte their
lives
<<
14
THE PRINCE OF
lives in tuning one unvaried feries of
founds. I likewife can call the lutanift
and the finger, but the founds that pleaſed
me yeſterday weary me to day, and will
grow yet more wearifome to morrow. I
can diſcover within me no power of per-
ception which is not glutted with its pro-
per pleaſure, yet I do not feel myſelf de-
lighted. Man has furely fome latent
fenſe for which this place affords no gra-
tification, or he has fome defires diſtinct
from fenfe which must be fatisfied before
he can be happy."
After this he lifted up his head, and
ſeeing the moon rifing, walked towards
the palace. As he paffed through the
fields, and faw the animals around him,
Ye, faid he, are happy, and need not
envy me that walk thus among you, bur-
thened
(C
ABISSINIA.
15
thened with myſelf; nor do I, ye gentle
beings, envy your felicity; for it is not
the felicity of man. I have many dif-
treffes from which ye are free; I fear
pain when I do not feel it; I ſometimes
fhrink at evils recollected, and fome-
times ſtart at evils anticipated: furely
the equity of providence has ballanced
peculiar fufferings with peculiar enjoy-
ments."
With obfervations like theſe the prince
amufed himſelf as he returned, uttering
them with a plaintive voice, yet with a
look that diſcovered him to feel fome
complacence in his own perfpicacity, and
to receive fome folace of the miferies of
life, from conſciouſneſs of the delicacy
with which he felt, and the eloquence
with which he bewailed them. He min-
gled
16
THE PRINCE OF
gled cheerfully in the diverfions of the
evening, and all rejoiced to find that his
heart was lightened.
CHA P. III.
The wants of him that wants
nothing.
Ο
N the next day his old inftructor,
imagining that he had now made
himſelf acquainted with his diſeaſe of
mind, was in hope of curing it by coun-
fel, and officiouſly fought an opportunity
of conference, which the prince, having
long confidered him as one whofe intellects
were exhauſted, was not very willing to
afford: "Why, faid he, does this man
thus intrude upon me; fhall I be never
fuf-
ABISSINIA.
17
fuffered to forget thofe lectures which
pleaſed only while they were new, and to
become new again muſt be forgotten?
He then walked into the wood, and com-
poſed himſelf to his uſual meditations;
when, before his thoughts had taken any
fettled form, he perceived his perfuer at
his fide, and was at firſt prompted by his
impatience to go haftily away; but, be-
ing unwilling to offend a man whom he
had once reverenced and ftill loved, he
invited him to fit down with him on the
bank.
""
The old man, thus encouraged, be-
gan to lament the change which had been
lately obſerved in the prince, and to en-
quire why he fo often retired from the
pleaſures of the palace, to lonelineſs and
filence. "I fly from pleaſure, faid the
VOL. I.
C
prince,
18
THE PRINCE OF
J
CC
prince, becauſe pleaſure has ceaſed to
pleaſe; I am lonely becauſe I am mife-
rable, and am unwilling to cloud with
my preſence the happineſs of others."
You, Sir, faid the fage, are the firſt
who has complained of mifery in the bap-
py valley. I hope to convince you that
your complaints have no real caufe. You
are here in full poffeffion of all that the
emperour of Abiffinia can beftow; here
is neither labour to be endured nor dan-
ger to be dreaded, yet here is all that
labour or danger can procure. Look
round and tell me which of your wants
is without fupply: if you want nothing,
how are you unhappy?"
STA
"That I want nothing, faid the prince,
or that I know not what I want, is the
caufe of my complaint; if I had any
known
:
ABISSINIA.
19
known want, I ſhould have a certain wiſh;
that wifh would excite endeavour, and
I ſhould not then repine to ſee the ſun
move fo flowly towards the weſtern moun-
tain, or lament when the day breaks and
ſleep will no longer hide me from myſelf.
When I ſee the kids and the lambs cha-
fing one another, I fancy that I ſhould be
happy if I had fomething to perfue.
But, poffeffing all that I can want, I
find one day and one hour exactly like
another, except that the latter is ftill
more tedious than the former. Let your
experience inform me how the day may
now ſeem as fhort as in my childhood,
while nature was yet freſh, and every mo-
ment fhewed me what I never had obſerved
before. I have already enjoyed too much;
give me ſomething to defire."
C 2
The
20
THE PRINCE OF
<<
The old man was ſurpriſed at this new
fpecies of affliction, and knew not what
to reply, yet was unwilling to be filent.
Sir, faid he, if you had ſeen the mi-
ſeries of the world, you would know
how to value your prefent ftate." "Now,
ſaid the prince, you have given me fome-
thing to defire; I fhall long to ſee the
miſeries of the world, fince the ſight of
them is neceffary to happineſs."
Ma
CHA P. IV.
The prince continues to grieve
and muſe.
T this time the found of mufick
Α
proclaimed the hour of repaſt,
and the converfation was concluded. The
old
ABISSINIA.
2I
old man went away fufficiently difcon-
tented to find that his reaſonings had
produced the only conclufion which they
were intended to prevent. But in the
decline of life fhame and grief are of
ſhort duration; whether it be that we
bear eaſily what we have born long, or
that, finding ourſelves in age leſs regard-
ed, we lefs regard others; or, that we
look with flight regard upon afflictions,
to which we know that the hand of death
is about to put an end.
The prince, whofe views were extend-
ed to a wider ſpace, could not ſpeedily
quiet his emotions. He had been be-
fore terrified at the length of life which
nature promiſed him, becauſe he confi-
dered that in a long time much muſt be
endured; he now rejoiced in his youth,
C 3
be-
22
THE PRINCE OF
becauſe in many years much might be
done.
This firſt beam of hope, that had
been ever darted into his mind, rekindled
youth in his cheeks, and doubled the
luftre of his eyes. He was fired with
the defire of doing fomething, though
he knew not yet with diftinctneſs, either
end or means.
He was now no longer gloomy and
unſocial; but, confidering himſelf as
mafter of a ſecret ſtock of happineſs,
which he could enjoy only by concealing
it, he affected to be bufy in all ſchemes
of diverſion, and endeavoured to make
others pleaſed with the ftate of which he
himſelf was weary. But pleaſures ne-
ver can be fo multiplied or continued,
as
ABISSINIA.
23
as not to leave much of life unemployed;
there were many hours, both of the night
and day, which he could ſpend without
fufpicion in folitary thought. The load
of life was much lightened: he went
eagerly into the affemblies, becauſe he
fuppofed the frequency of his preſence
neceffary to the fuccefs of his purpoſes;
he retired gladly to privacy, becauſe he
had now a ſubject of thought.
His chief amuſement was to picture
to himſelf that world which he had never
feen; to place himſelf in various condi-
tions; to be entangled in imaginary dif-
ficulties, and to be engaged in wild ad-
ventures: but his benevolence always
terminated his projects in the relief of
diftrefs, the detection of fraud, the de-
C 4
feat
"
મ
24
THE PRINCE OF
:
feat of oppreffion, and the diffufion of
happineſs.
Thus paffed twenty months of the life
of Raffelas. He buried himſelf fo in-
tenfely in vifionary buſtle, that he forgot
his real folitude; and, amidſt hourly
preparations for the various incidents of
human affairs, neglected to confider by
what means he ſhould mingle with man-
kind.
One day, as he was fitting on a bank,
he feigned to himſelf an orphan virgin
robbed of her little portion by a treach-
erous lover, and crying after him for
reftitution and redrefs. So ftrongly was
the image impreffed upon his mind, that
he ſtarted up in the maid's defence, and
run forward to feize the plunderer with
all
ABISSINIA.
25
1.
all the eagerness of real perfuit. Fear
naturally quickens the flight of guilt.
Raffelas could not catch the fugitive with
his utmoſt efforts; but, refolving to wea-
ry, by perſeverance, him whom he could
not ſurpaſs in ſpeed, he preffed on till
the foot of the mountain ftopped his
courfe.
Here he recollected himſelf, and ſmiled
at his own uſeleſs impetuofity. Then
raifing his eyes to the mountain, "This,
faid he, is the fatal obftacle that hinders
at once the enjoyment of pleafure, and
the exerciſe of virtue. How long is it
that my hopes and wiſhes have flown
beyond this boundary of my life, which
yet I never have attempted to fur-
mount!"
Struck
"
26
THE PRINCE OF
>
Struck with this reflection, he fat
down to muſe, and remembered, that
fince he firſt reſolved to eſcape from his
confinement, the fun had paffed twice
over him in his annual courſe. He now
felt a degree of regret with which he had
never been before acquainted. He con-
fidered how much might have been done
in the time which had paffed, and left
nothing real behind it. He compared
twenty months with the life of man.
"In life, faid he, is not to be counted
the ignorance of infancy, or imbecility
of
age. We are long before we are able
to think, and we foon ceafe from the
power of acting. The true period of
human exiſtence may be reaſonably efti-
mated as forty years, of which I have
mufed away the four and twentieth part,
What I have loft was certain, for I have
certainly
6
ABISSINIA.
27
certainly poffeffed it; but of twenty
months to come who can affure me?"
The conſciouſneſs of his own folly
pierced him deeply, and he was long be-
fore he could be reconciled to himſelf.
The rest of my time, faid he, has
been loft by the crime or folly of my an-
ceſtors, and the abfurd inſtitutions of my
country; I remember it with diſguſt, but
without remorſe: but the months that
have paffed fince new light darted into
my foul, fince I formed a ſcheme of rea-
fonable felicity, have been ſquandered by
my own fault. I have loft that which
can never be reftored: I have feen the
ſun riſe and ſet for twenty months, an
idle gazer on the light of heaven: In
this time the birds have left the neft of
their mother, and committed themſelves
<<
to
28
THE PRINCE OF
to the woods and to the fkies: the
kid has forfaken the teat, and learned
by degrees to climb the rocks in queft of
independant ſuſtenance. I only have
made no advances, but am ftill helpleſs
and ignorant. The moon, by more than
twenty changes, admoniſhed me of the
flux of life; the ftream that rolled be-
fore my feet upbraided my inactivity. I
fat feafting on intellectual luxury, re-
gardleſs alike of the examples of the
earth, and the inftructions of the pla-
nets. Twenty months are paſt, who
fhall reſtore them!"
Theſe forrowful meditations faſtened
upon his mind; he paſt four months
in reſolving to loſe no more time in idle
refolves, and was awakened to more
vigorous exertion by hearing a maid,
who
ABISSINIA.
29
who had broken a porcelain cup, remark,
that what cannot be repaired is not to be
regretted.
This was obvious; and Raffelas re-
proached himſelf that he had not diſco-
vered it, having not known, or not con-
fidered, how many uſeful hints are ob-
tained by chance, and how often the
mind, hurried by her own ardour to dif-
tant views, neglects the truths that lie
open before her. He, for a few hours,
regretted his regret, and from that time
bent his whole mind upon the means of
eſcaping from the valley of happineſs.
Agg
CHAP.
30
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. V.
The prince meditates his eſcape.
H
E now found that it would be very
difficult to effect that, which it was
very eaſy to ſuppoſe effected. When he
looked round about him, he faw him-
felf confined by the bars of nature which
had never yet been broken, and by the
gate, through which none that once had
paffed it were ever able to return. He
was now impatient as an eagle in a
grate. He paffed week after week in
clambering the mountains, to fee if there
was any aperture which the buſhes might
conceal, but found all the fummits in-
acceffible by their prominence. The iron
gate
Garden
ABISSINIA.
31
gate he deſpaired to open; for it was not
only ſecured with all the power of art,
but was always watched by fucceffive ſen-
tinels, and was by its pofition expofed
to the perpetual obfervation of all the in-
habitants.
He then examined the cavern through
which the waters of the lake were dif
charged; and, looking down at a time
when the fun fhone ſtrongly upon its
mouth, he diſcovered it to be full of bro-
ken rocks, which, though they permitted
the ſtream to flow through many narrow
paffages, would ſtop any body of folid
bulk. He returned diſcouraged and de-
jected; but, having now known the blef-
fing of hope, refolved never to defpair.
In
32
THE PRINCE OF
In theſe fruitleſs ſearches he ſpent ten
months. The time, however, paffed
cheerfully away: in the morning he roſe
with new hope, in the evening applaud-
ed his own diligence, and in the night
ſlept found after his fatigue. He met a
thouſand amuſements which beguiled his
labour, and diverfified his thoughts.
He difcerned the various inftincts of ani-
mals, and properties of plants, and found
the place replete with wonders, of which
he purpoſed to folace himſelf with the
contemplation, if he ſhould never be
able to accompliſh his flight; re-
joicing that his endeavours, though yet
unſucceſsful, had ſupplied him with a
fource of inexhaustible enquiry.
But his original curiofity was not yet
abated; he refolved to obtain fome know-
ledge
4
p
C
ABISSINIA.
33
ledge of the ways of men. His wifh
ftill continued, but his hope grew lefs.
He ceaſed to furvey any longer the walls
of his prifon, and ſpared to fearch by new
toils for interftices which he knew could
not be found, yet determined to keep his
deſign always in view, and lay hold on
any expedient that time ſhould offer.
CH A P. VI.
A differtation on the art of flying.
Α'
MONG the artists that had
been allured into the happy val-
ley, to labour for the accommodation and
pleaſure of its inhabitants, was a man
eminent for his knowledge of the me-
chanick powers, who had contrived ma-
D
VOL. I.
ny
Ganda
34
THE PRINCE OF
ny engines both of uſe and recreation.
By a wheel, which the ſtream turned, he
forced the water into a tower, whence
it was diſtributed to all the apartments of
the palace. He erected a pavillion in the
garden, around which he kept the air
always cool by artificial fhowers. One
of the groves, appropriated to the ladies,
was ventilated by fans, to which the ri-
vulet that run through it gave a conſtant
motion; and inftruments of ſoft muſick
were placed at proper diftances, of which
fome played by the impulſe of the wind,
and fome by the power of the ſtream.
This artiſt was fometimes vifited by
Raffelas, who was pleaſed with every
kind of knowledge, imagining that the
time would come when all his acquifitions
fhould be of uſe to him in the open world.
He
ABISSINIA.
35
<<
He came one day to amufe himſelf in his
ufual manner, and found the maſter bu-
fy in building a failing chariot: he faw
that the deſign was practicable upon a le-
vel furface, and with expreffions of great
eſteem folicited its completion. The
workman was pleaſed to find himſelf fo
much regarded by the prince, and re-
folved to gain yet higher honours. "Sir,
faid he, you have ſeen but a ſmall part
of what the mechanick ſciences can per-
form. I have been long of opinion, that,
inſtead of the tardy conveyance of fhips
and chariots, man might uſe the ſwifter
migration of wings; that the fields of
air are open to knowledge, and that on-
ly ignorance and idleneſs need crawl upon
the ground."
D 2
This
36
THE PRINCE OF
This hint rekindled the prince's defire
of paffing the mountains; and having
ſeen what the mechaniſt had already per-
formed, he was willing to fancy that he
could do more; yet refolved to enquire
further before he fuffered hope to afflict
him by diſappointment. "I am afraid,
ſaid he to the artiſt, that your imagina-
tion prevails over your ſkill, and that
you now tell me rather what you wiſh
than what you know. Every animal has
his element affigned him; the birds have
the air, and man and beafts the earth."
So, replied the mechaniſt, fiſhes have
the water, in which yet beaſts can ſwim
by nature, and men by art. He that can
fwim needs not defpair to fly: to fwim is
to fly in a groffer fluid, and to fly is to
fwim in a ſubtler. We are only to pro-
portion our power of refiftance to the
<<
dif-
Conta
matagu
ABISSINIA.
37
different density of the matter through
which we are to pafs. You will be ne-
ceffarily upborn by the air, if you can
renew any impulſe upon it, faſter than the
air can recede from the preffure."
"But the exercife of fwiming, faid
the prince, is very laborious; the ſtrong-
eft limbs are foon wearied; I am a-
fraid the act of flying will be yet more
violent, and wings will be of no great
ufe, unleſs we can fly further than we can
fwim."
Ch
"The labour of rifing from the
ground, faid the artiſt, will be great, as
we fee it in the heavier domeſtick fowls;
but, as we mount higher,the earth's attrac-
tion, and the body's gravity, will be gra-
dually diminiſhed, till we fhall arrive at
D 3
a
38
THE PRINCE OF
a region where the man will float in
the air without any tendency to fall: no
care will then be neceffary, but to move
forwards, which the gentleft impulfe
will effect. You, Sir, whofe curiofity
is fo extenſive, will eaſily conceive with
what pleaſure a philofopher, furniſhed
with wings, and hovering in the ſky,would
fee the earth, and all its inhabitants, rol-
ling beneath him, and preſenting to
him fucceffively, by its diurnal motion,
all the countries within the fame parallel.
How muſt it amuſe the pendent ſpecta-
tor to fee the moving ſcene of land and
ocean, cities and defarts! To furvey
with equal fecurity the marts of trade,
and the fields of battle; mountains in-
fefted by barbarians, and fruitful regions
gladdened by plenty, and lulled by
peace! How eafily fhall we then trace
the
S
ABISSINIA.
39
the Nile through all his paffage; pafs
over to diſtant regions, and examine the
face of nature from one extremity of the
earth to the other!"
"All this, faid the prince, is much to
be deſired, but I am afraid that no man
will be able to breathe in theſe regions of
fpeculation and tranquility. I have been
told, that refpiration is difficult upon
lofty mountains, yet from theſe preci-
pices, though fo high as to produce great
tenuity of the air, it is very eafy to fall:
and I fufpect, that from any height,
where life can be fupported, there may
be danger of too quick defcent.”
'Nothing, replied the artiſt, will ever
be attempted, if all poffible objections
muſt be firſt overcome.
If you will fa-
D 4
vour
CC
40
THE PRINCE OF
vour my project I will try the first flight at
my own hazard. I have confidered the
ſtructure of all volant animals, and find
the folding continuity of the bat's wings
moſt eaſily accommodated to the human
form. Upon this model I fhall begin
my taſk to morrow, and in a year expect
to tower into the air beyond the malice or
purſuit of man. But I will work only
on this condition, that the art ſhall not
be divulged, and that you fhall not re-
quire me to make wings for any but
ourſelves."
"Why, faid Raffelas, fhould you en-
vy others fo great an advantage? All
ſkill ought to be exerted for univerfal
good; every man has owed much to
others, and ought to repay the kindneſs
that he has received."
"If
ABISSINIA.
4I
"If men were all virtuous, returned
the artiſt, I ſhould with great alacrity
teach them all to fly. But what would
be the fecurity of the good, if the bad
could at pleaſure invade them from the
fky? Againſt an army failing through
the clouds neither walls, nor mountains,
nor feas, could afford any fecurity. A
flight of northern favages might hover
in the wind, and light at once with irre-
fiftible violence upon the capital of a
fruitful region that was rolling under
them. Even this valley, the retreat of
princes, the abode of happineſs, might
be violated by the fudden defcent of fome
of the naked nations that fwarm on the
coaſt of the fſouthern fea."
The prince promifed fecrecy, and wait-
ed for the performance, not wholly hope-
lefs
42
THE PRINCE OF
lefs of fuccefs. He vifited the work from
time to time, obferved its progrefs, and
remarked the ingenious contrivances to
facilitate motion, and unite levity with
ftrength. The artist was every day
more certain that he ſhould leave vul-
tures and eagles behind him, and the
contagion of his confidence feized upon
the prince.
In a year the wings were finiſhed, and,
on a morning appointed, the maker ap-
peared furniſhed for flight on a little
promontory: he waved his pinions a
while to gather air, then leaped from
his ſtand, and in an inftant dropped into
the lake. His wings, which were of no
uſe in the air, ſuſtained him in the water,
and the prince drew him to land, half
dead with terrour and vexation.
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
43
CHAP.
The prince finds a man of learning.
THE
HE prince was not much afflicted
by this diſaſter, having ſuffered
himſelf to hope for a happier event, on-
ly becauſe he had no other means of eſcape
in view. He ſtill perfifted in his defign
to leave the happy valley by the firſt
opportunity.
VII.
His imagination was now at a ſtand;
he had no proſpect of entering into the
world; and, notwithſtanding all his en-
deavours to fupport himſelf, diſcontent
by degrees preyed upon him, and he be-
gan again to loſe his thoughts in ſadneſs,
when
44
THE PRINCE OF
when the rainy feaſon, which in theſe
countries is periodical, made it incon-
venient to wander in the woods.
S
The rain continued longer and with
more violence than had been ever known:
the clouds broke on the furrounding
mountains, and the torrents ſtreamed in-
to the plain on every fide, till the ca-
vern was too narrow to diſcharge the wa-
ter. The lake overflowed its banks, and
all the level of the valley was covered
with the inundation. The eminence, on
which the palace was built, and fome
other ſpots of riſing ground, were all that
the eye could now diſcover. The herds
and flocks left the paſtures, and both
the wild beafts and the tame retreated to
the mountains.
4
This
ABISSINIA.
45
This inundation confined all the prin-
ces to domeftick amuſements, and the
attention of Raffelas was particularly
ſeized by a poem, which Imlac re-
cited, upon the various conditions of
humanity. He commanded the poet
to attend him in his apartment, and re-
cite his verfes a fecond time; then
entering into familiar talk, he thought
himſelf happy in having found a man
who knew the world fo well, and could
fo fkilfully paint the ſcenes of life. He
afked a thouſand queſtions about things,
to which, though common to all other
mortals, his confinement from childhood
had kept him a ſtranger. The poet pi-
tied his ignorance, and loved his curio-
fity, and entertained him from day to
day with novelty and inftruction, ſo that
the prince regretted the neceffity of fleep,
and
46
THE PRINCE OF
and longed till the morning fhould re-
new his pleaſure.
As they were fitting together, the
prince commanded Imlac to relate
his hiſtory, and to tell by what accident
he was forced, or by what motive
induced, to cloſe his life in the hap-
py valley. As he was going to begin
his narrative, Raffelas was called to a
concert, and obliged to reſtrain his curi-
ofity till the evening.
CHAP. VIII.
The hiſtory of Imlac.
HE clofe of the day is, in the re-
gions of the torrid zone, the only
ſeaſon of diverfion and entertainment,
THE
and
ABISSINIA.
47
and it was therefore mid-night before the
mufick ceaſed, and the princeffes retired.
Raffelas then called for his companion and
required him to begin the ftory of his
life.
"Sir, faid Imlac, my hiftory will
not be long the life that is devoted
to knowledge paffes filently away, and
is very
little diverſified by events. To
talk in publick, to think in folitude, to
read and to hear, to inquire, and anſwer
inquiries, is the bufinefs of a ſcholar.
He wanders about the world without
pomp or terrour, and is neither known
nor valued but by men like himſelf.
"I was born in the kingdom of Goi-
ama, at no great diſtance from the foun-
tain of the Nile. My father was a weal-
thy
48
THE PRINCE OF
thy merchant, who traded between the
inland countries of Africk and the ports
of the red fea. He was honeft, frugal
and diligent, but of mean fentiments,
and narrow comprehenfion: he defired
only to be rich, and to conceal his rich-
es, left he ſhould be ſpoiled by the go-
vernours of the province."
Surely, faid the prince, my father
muſt be negligent of his charge, if any
man in his dominions dares take that
which belongs to another. Does he not
know that kings are accountable for in-
juſtice permitted as well as done? If I
were emperour, not the meanest of my
fubjects ſhould be oppreffed with impuni-
ty. My blood boils when I am told that
a merchant durft not enjoy his honeſt
gains for fear of lofing by the rapacity
of
(C
ABISSINIA.
49
of power. Name the governour who
robbed the people, that I may declare his
crimes to the emperour."
Sir, faid Imlac, your ardour is
the natural effect of virtue animated
by youth: the time will come when you
will acquit your father, and perhaps hear
with leſs impatience of the governour.
Oppreffion is, in the Abiffinian dominions,
neither frequent nor tolerated; but no
form of government has been yet dif-
covered, by which cruelty can be whol-
ly prevented. Subordination fuppofes
power on one part and fubjection on the
other; and if power be in the hands
of men, it will fometimes be abuſed.
The vigilance of the fupreme magiſtrate
may do much, but much will ftill re-
main undone. He can never know all
VOL. I.
E
the
<<
50
THE PRINCE OF
the crimes that are committed, and can
feldom puniſh all that he knows."
This, faid the prince, I do not un-
derſtand, but I had rather hear thee than
difpute. Continue thy narration."
(6
My father, proceeded Imlac, origi-
nally intended that I ſhould have no other
education, than fuch as might qualify
me for commerce; and diſcovering in
me great ſtrength of memory, and quick-
neſs of apprehenfion, often declared his
hope that I fhould be fome time the rich-
eft man in Abiffinia."
<<
Why, faid the prince, did thy fa-
ther defire the increaſe of his wealth,
when it was already greater than he durſt
diſcover or enjoy? I am unwilling to
doubt
CC
ABISSINIA.
5I
doubt thy veracity, yet inconfiftencies
cannot both be true."
<<
anſwered Imlac,
K
Inconſiſtencies,
cannot both be right, but, imputed to
Yet di-
man, they may both be true.
verſity is not inconfiftency. My father
might expect a time of greater fecurity.
However, fome defire is neceffary to
keep life in motion, and he, whoſe real
wants are ſupplied, muſt admit thoſe of
fancy."
"This, faid the prince, I can in fome
meaſure conceive. I repent that I inter-
rupted thee."
"With this hope, proceeded Imlac,
he fent me to ſchool; but when I
had once found the delight of knowledge,
E 2
and
52
THE PRINCE OF
and felt the pleaſure of intelligence and
the pride of invention, I began filently
to deſpiſe riches, and determined to dif-
appoint the purpoſe of my father, whoſe
groffnefs of conception raiſed my pity.
I was twenty years old before his tender-
nefs would expofe me to the fatigue of
travel, in which time I had been inftruc-
ted, by fucceffive maſters, in all the lite-
rature of my native country. As every
hour taught me fomething new, I lived
in a continual courſe of gratifications;
but, as I advanced towards manhood,
I loft much of the reverence with which I
had been uſed to look on my inſtructors;
becauſe, when the leffon was ended, I did
not find them wifer or better than com-
mon men.
(C
At
ABISSINIA.
53
S
"At length my father refolved to ini-
tiate me in commerce, and, opening one
of his fubterranean treafuries, counted
out ten thouſand pieces of gold. This,
young man, faid he, is the ftock with
which you muft negociate. I began with
leſs than the fifth part, and you fee
how diligence and parfimony have in-
creafed it. This is your own to waſte
or to improve. If you fquander it by ne-
gligence or caprice, you must wait for
my death before you will be rich: if, in
four
years, you double your ftock, we
will thenceforward let fubordination
ceaſe, and live together as friends and
partners; for he ſhall always be equal
with me,
who is equally ſkilled in the art
of growing rich.
E 3
"We
54
THE PRINCE OF
"We laid our money upon camels,
concealed in bales of cheap goods, and
travelled to the fhore of the red fea.
When I caft my eye on the expanfe of
waters my heart bounded like that of a
prifoner eſcaped. I felt an unextinguiſh-
able curiofity kindle in my mind, and
refolved to fnatch this opportunity of
feeing the manners of other nations,
and of learning ſciences unknown in A-
biffinia.
"I remembered that my father had
obliged me to the improvement of my
ſtock, not by a promiſe which I ought
not to violate, but by a penalty which I
was at liberty to incur, and therefore de-
termined to gratifymypredominant defire,
and by drinking at the fountains of know-
ledge, to quench the thirst of curiofity.
"As
7
ABISSINIA.
55
1
"As I was fuppofed to trade without
connexion with my father, it was eaſy
for me to become acquainted with the
maſter of a ſhip, and procure a paffage
to fome other country. I had no motives
of choice to regulate my voyage; it was
fufficient for me that, wherever I wan-
dered, I ſhould ſee a country which I
had not feen before. I therefore entered
a ſhip bound for Surat, having left a
letter for my father declaring my inten-
tion.
E 4
CHAP.
56
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. IX.
The hiftory of Imlac con-
tinued.
C
WHE
HEN I firſt entered upon the
world of waters, and loft fight
of land, I looked round about me with
pleafing terrour, and thinking my foul
enlarged by the boundleſs profpect, ima-
gined that I could gaze round for ever
without fatiety; but, in a ſhort time, I
grew weary of looking on barren uni-
formity, where I could only fee again.
what I had already feen. I then deſcend-
ed into the ſhip, and doubted for a while
whether all my future pleaſures would not
end like this in difguft and diſappoint-
ment.
-
ABISSINIA.
57
ment. Yet, furely, faid I, the ocean
and the land are very different; the only
variety of water is reft and motion, but
the earth has mountains and vallies, de-
farts and cities: it is inhabited by men
of different cuſtoms and contrary opini-
ons; and I may hope to find variety in
life, though I ſhould miſs it in nature.
"With this hope I quieted my mind,
and amuſed myſelf during the voyage;
fometimes by learning from the failors.
the art of navigation, which I have ne-
ver practiſed, and fometimes by forming
ſchemes for my conduct in different ſitu-
ations, in not one of which I have been
ever placed.
''
"I was almoft weary of my naval amufe-
ments when we landed fafely at Surat.
I
fe-
58
THE PRINCE OF
fecured my money, and purchaſing fome
commodities for ſhow, joined myſelf to
a caravan that was paffing into the in-
land country. My companions, for fome
reafon or other, conjecturing that I was
rich, and, by my inquiries and admira-
tion, finding that I was ignorant, confi-
dered me as a novice whom they had a
right to cheat, and who was to learn at
the uſual expence the art of fraud. They
expoſed me to the theft of fervants, and
the exaction of officers, and ſaw me
plundered upon falfe pretences, without
any advantage to themſelves, but that
of rejoicing in the fuperiority of their
own knowledge."
·
"Stop a moment, faid the prince, is there
fuch depravity in man, as that he ſhould
injure another without benefit to himself?
I
ABISSINIA.
59
I can eaſily conceive that all are pleaſed
with fuperiority; but your ignorance was
merely accidental, which, being neither
your crime nor your folly, could afford
them no reaſon to applaud themſelves;
and the knowledge which they had, and
which you wanted, they might as effec-
tually have fhewn by warning you, as be-
traying you."
"Pride, faid Imlac, is feldom de-
licate, it will pleaſe itſelf with very
mean advantages; and envy feels not its
own happineſs, but when it may be com-
pared with the miſery of others. They
were my enemies becauſe they thought
me rich, and my oppreffors becauſe they
delighted to find me weak."
"Pro-
60
THE PRINCE OF
"Proceed, faid the prince: I doubt
not of the facts which you relate, but
imagine that you impute them to miſ-
taken motives."
"In
In this company, faid Imlac,
I arrived at Agra, the capital of Indof-
tan, the city in which the great Mogul
commonly refides. I applied myſelf to
the language of the country, and in a
few months was able to converfe with the
learned men; fome of whom I found
morofe and reſerved, and others eafy
and communicative; fome were unwil-
ling to teach another what they had with
difficulty learned themſelves; and ſome
fhewed that the end of their ſtudies was
to gain the dignity of inftructing.
σε Το
ABISSINIA.
61
"To the tutor of the young princes
I recommended myſelf ſo much, that I
was preſented to the emperour as a man
of uncommon knowledge. The empe-
rour aſked me many queſtions concern-
ing my country and my travels; and
though I cannot now recollect any thing
that he uttered above the power of a
common man, he difmiffed me aftoniſhed
at his wiſdom, and enamoured of his
goodneſs.
S
<<
My credit was now fo high, that
the merchants, with whom I had travel-
led, applied to me for recommendations
to the ladies of the court. I was fur-
priſed at their confidence of folicitation,
and gently reproached them with their
practices on the road. They heard me
with
-
62
THE PRINCE OF
with cold indifference, and fhewed no
tokens of fhame or forrow.
"They then urged their requeſt with
the offer of a bribe; but what I would
not do for kindneſs I would not do for
money; and refuſed them, not becauſe
they had injured me, but becauſe I would
not enable them to injure others; for I
knew they would have made uſe of my
credit to cheat thoſe who ſhould buy their
wares.
"Having refided at Agra, till there
was no more to be learned, I travelled
into Perfia, where I faw many remains
of ancient magnificence, and obſerved
many new accommodations of life. The
Perfians are a nation eminently focial,
and their aſſemblies afforded me daily
oppor-
ABISSINIA.
63
opportunities of remarking characters
and manners, and of tracing human na-
ture through all its variations.
"From Perfia I paffed into Arabia,
where I faw a nation at once paftoral
and warlike; who live without any ſet-
tled habitation; whofe only wealth is
their flocks and herbs; and who have
yet carried on, through all ages, an
hereditary war with all mankind, though
they neither covet nor envy their pof-
feffions.
CHAP.
64
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. X.
Imlac's hiſtory continued. A dif-
ſertation upon poetry.
WE
HEREVER I went, I found
that Poetry was confidered as the
higheſt learning, and regarded with a ve-
neration ſomewhat approaching to that
which man would pay to the Angelick
Nature. And it yet fills me with won-
der, that, in almoſt all countries, the
moſt ancient poets are confidered as the
beſt: whether it be that every other
kind of knowledge is an acquifition
gradually attained, and poetry is a gift
conferred at once; or that the firſt
poetry of every nation ſurpriſed them as
I
a
ABISSINIA.
65
a novelty, and retained the credit by con-
ſent which it received by accident at firſt:
or whether the province of poetry is to
defcribe Nature and Paffion, which are
always the fame, and the firſt writers took
poffeffion of the moſt ſtriking objects for
deſcription, and the moſt probable occur-
rences for fiction, and left nothing to
thofe that followed them, but tranfcrip-
tion of the fame events, and new combi-
nations of the fame images. Whatever
be the reaſon, it is commonly obferved that
the early writers are in poffeffion of nature,
and their followers of art: that the firſt
excel in ſtrength and invention, and the
latter in elegance and refinement.
Splotą.
Ma
..
"I was defirous to add my name to this
illuftrious fraternity. I read all the poets
of Perfia and Arabia, and was able to
VOL. I.
F
re-
66
THE PRINCE OF
repeat by memory the volumes that are
ſuſpended in the mofque of Mecca. But
I foon found that no man was ever great
by imitation. My defire of excellence
impelled me to transfer my attention to
nature and to life. Nature was to be
my ſubject, and men to be my auditors:
I could never defcribe what I had not
feen: I could not hope to move thoſe
with delight or terrour, whofe intereſts
and opinions I did not underſtand.
"Being now refolved to be a poet, I faw
every thing with a new purpofe; my ſphere
of attention was fuddenly magnified: no
kind of knowledge was to be overlooked.
I ranged mountains and deſerts for images
and reſemblances, and pictured upon my
mind every tree of the foreft and flower
of the valley. I obferved with equal
care
ABISSINIA.
67
care the crags of the rock and the pin-
nacles of the palace. Sometimes I wan-
dered along the mazes of the rivulet,
and fometimes watched the changes of the
fummer clouds. To a poet nothing can be
uſeleſs. Whatever is beautiful, and what-
ever is dreadful, muſt be familiar to his
imagination: he muſt be converfant with
all that is awfully vaft or elegantly lit-
tle. The plants of the garden, the ani-
mals of the wood, the minerals of the
earth, and meteors of the ſky, muſt all
concur to ſtore his mind with inexhaufti-
ble variety: for every idea is uſeful for
the inforcement or decoration of moral or
religious truth; and he, who knows moſt,
will have moſt power of diverfifying his
fcenes, and of gratifying his reader with
remote allufions and unexpected inftruc-
tion.
F 2
"All
68
THE PRINCE OF
"All the appearances of nature I was
therefore careful to ftudy, and every
country which I have furveyed has con-
tributed fomething to my poetical
powers."
"In fo wide a furvey, faid the prince,
you muſt ſurely have left much unob-
ſerved. I have lived, till now, within
the circuit of theſe mountains, and yet
cannot walk abroad without the ſight of
fomething which I had never beheld be-
fore, or never heeded."
"The buſineſs of a poet, faid Im-
lac, is to examine, not the individual,
but the ſpecies; to remark general pro-
perties and large appearances: he does
not number the ftreaks of the tulip, or
defcribe the different fhades in the ver-
dure
I
G
ABISSINIA.
69
A
dure of the foreft. He is to exhibit in his
portraits of nature such prominent and
ftriking features, as recal the original to
every mind; and muſt neglect the
minuter diſcriminations, which one may
have remarked, and another have neglec-
ted, for thoſe characteriſticks which are
alike obvious to vigilance and carelef-
nefs.
"But the knowledge of nature is on-
ly half the taſk of a poet; he muſt be ac-
quainted likewifewith all themodes of life.
His character requires that he eſtimate the
happineſs and miſery of every condition;
obferve the power of all the paffions in all
their combinations, and trace the changes
of the human mind as they are modified
byvarious inftitutions and accidentalinflu-
ences of climate or cuftom, from the ſprite-
F 3
linefs
Sa
1
70
THE PRINCE OF
lineſs of infancy to the defpondence of
decrepitude. He must diveft himſelf of
the prejudices of his age or country; he
muſt conſider right and wrong in their
abſtracted and invariable ftate; he muſt
difregard prefent laws and opinions,
and rife to general and tranfcendental
truths, which will always be the ſame:
he must therefore content himſelf with
the flow progrefs of his name; con-
temn the applaufe of his own time,
and commit his claims to the juftice of pof-
terity. He must write as the interpreter
of nature, and the legiſlator of mankind,
and confider himſelf as prefiding over
the thoughts and manners of fucceffive
generations; as a being fuperiour to time
and place. His labour is not yet at an
end: he muſt know many languages
and many fciences; and, that his ftile
may
ABISSINIA.
71
may be worthy of his thoughts, muſt,
by inceffant practice, familiarize to him-
felf every delicacy of ſpeech and grace
of harmony."
CHA P. XI.
Imlac's narrative continued. A
hint on pilgrimage.
IMLA
MLAC now felt the enthuſiaſtic fit,
and was proceeding to aggrandize his
own profeffion, when the prince cried
out, "Enough! Thou haft convinced
me, that no human being can ever be a
poet. Proceed now with thy narration.'
"To be a poet, faid Imlac, is indeed
very difficult."
"So difficult, returned
the prince, that I will at preſent hear no
F 4
more
72
THE PRINCE OF
more of his labours.
you went when you had feen Perfia."
Tell me whither
"From Perfia, faid the poet, I tra-
velled through Syria, and for three years
refided in Paleftine, where I converſed
with great numbers of the northern and
weſtern nations of Europe; the nations
which are now in poffeffion of all power
and all knowledge; whofe armies are ir-
reſiſtible, and whofe fleets command the
remoteſt parts of the globe. When I
compared theſe men with the natives of
our own kingdom, and thofe that fur-
round us, they appeared almoſt another
order of beings. In their countries it is
difficult to wifh for any thing that may
not be obtained: a thouſand arts, of
which we never heard, are continually
labouring for their convenience and plea-
fure;
ABISSINIA.
73
fure; and whatever their own climate has
denied them is fupplied by their com-
merce."
66
By what means, faid the prince, are
the Europeans thus powerful? or why,
fince they can ſo eaſily viſit Afia and A-
frica for trade or conqueft, cannot the
Afiaticks and Africans invade their coaſts,
plant colonies in their ports, and give
laws to their natural princes? The fame
wind that carries them back would bring
us thither."
"They are more powerful, Sir, than
we, anfwered Imlac, becauſe they are
wifer; knowledge will always predomi-
nate over ignorance, as man governs the
other animals. But why their know-
ledge is more than ours, I know not what
rea-
King
74
THE PRINCE OF
reafon can be given, but the unfearchable
will of the Supreme Being."
S
When, faid the prince with a ſigh,
fhall I be able to viſit Paleſtine, and min-
gle with this mighty confluence of na-
tions? Till that happy moment ſhall.
arrive, let me fill up the time with ſuch
repreſentations as thou canst give me. I
am not ignorant of the motive that af
fembles fuch numbers in that place, and
cannot but confider it as the center of
wiſdom and piety, to which the beſt and
wifeft men of every land muſt be conti-
nually reforting."
<<
"There are fome nations, faid Imlac,
that fend few vifitants to Paleſtine; for
many numerous and learned fects in
Europe, concur to cenfure pilgrimage
as
ABISSINIA.
75
as fuperftitious, or deride it as ridicu-
lous."
"You know, faid the prince, how
little my life has made me acquainted
with diverfity of opinions: it will be too
long to hear the arguments on both
fides; you, that have confidered them,
tell me the refult."
Pilgrimage, faid Imlac, like many
other acts of piety, may be reaſonable
or ſuperſtitious, according to the princi-
ples upon which it is performed. Long
journies in fearch of truth are not com-
manded. Truth, fuch as is neceſſary to
the regulation of life, is always found
where it is honeftly fought. Change of
place is no natural cauſe of the increaſe
of piety, for it inevitably produces dif-
4
fipation
(6
M
76
THE PRINCE OF
fipation of mind. Yet, fince men go
every day to view the places where great
actions have been performed, and return
with ftronger impreffions of the event,
curioſity of the fame kind may naturally
difpofe us to view that country whence
our religion had its beginning; and I
believe no man ſurveys thoſe awful ſcenes
without fome confirmation of holy refo-
lutions. That the Supreme Being may
be more eaſily propitiated in one place
than in another, is the dream of idle
fuperftition; but that fome places may
operate upon our own minds in an un-
common manner, is an opinion which
hourly experience will juſtify. He who
ſuppoſes that his vices may be more fuc-
ceſsfully combated in Paleſtine, will,
perhaps, find himſelf miſtaken, yet he
may go thither without folly: he
who
ABISSINIA.
77
who thinks they will be more freely par-
doned, difhonours at once his reafon and
religion."
"Theſe, ſaid the prince, are Euro-
pean diſtinctions.
diftinctions. I will confider them
another time. What have you found to
be the effect of knowledge? Are thoſe
nations happier than we?"
"There is ſo much infelicity, faid the
poet, in the world, that ſcarce any man
has leifure from his own diftreffes to efti-
mate the comparative happineſs of others.
Knowledge is certainly one of the means
of pleaſure, as is confeffed by the na-
tural defire which every mind feels of
increafing its ideas. Ignorance is mere
privation, by which nothing can be pro-
duced: it is a vacuity in which the foul
fits motionleſs and torpid for want of at-
traction;
78
THE PRINCE OF
traction; and, without knowing why, we
always rejoice when we learn, and grieve
when we forget. I am therefore inclined to
conclude, that, if nothing counteracts the
natural conſequence of learning, we grow
more happy as our minds take a wider
range.
"In enumerating the particular com-
forts of life we fhall find many advan-
tages on the fide of the Europeans. They
cure wounds and diſeaſes with which we
languiſh and periſh. We fuffer incle-
mencies of weather which they can ob-
viate. They have engines for the deſpatch
of many laborious works, which we
muſt perform by manual induſtry.
There is fuch communication between
diſtant places, that one friend can hardly
be faid to be abſent from another. Their
policy
Mamadaliy
ABISSINIA.
79
policy removes all publick inconvenien-
cies: they have roads cut through their
mountains, and bridges laid upon their
rivers. And, if we deſcend to the priva-
cies of life, their habitations are more
commodious, and their poffeffions are
more ſecure."
CC
They are furely happy, faid the
prince, who have all theſe convenien-
cies, of which I envy none ſo much as
the facility with which ſeparated friends
interchange their thoughts."
"The Europeans, anfwered Imlac,
are lefs unhappy than we, but they are
not happy. Human life is every where
a ftate in which much is to be endured,
and little to be enjoyed."
CHAP.
80
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. XII.
The ſtory of Imlac continued.
"I
AM not yet willing, faid the prince,
to fuppofe that happineſs is fo
par-
fimoniouſly diſtributed to mortals; nor
can believe but that, if I had the choice
of life, I ſhould be able to fill every day
with pleaſure. I would injure no man,
and ſhould provoke no refentment: I
would relieve every diſtreſs, and ſhould
enjoy the 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
ABISSINIA.
81
and would repay to my age what their
childhood had received. What would
dare to moleft him who might call on
every fide to thouſands enriched by
his bounty, or affifted by his power?
And why ſhould not life glide quietly
away in the foft reciprocation of pro-
tection and reverence? All this may be
done without the help of European re-
finements, which appear by their effects
to be rather ſpecious than ufeful. Let
us leave them and perfue our journey."
"From Paleſtine, faid Imlac, I paffed
through many regions of Afia; in the
more civilized kingdoms as a trader, and
among the Barbarians of the mountains
as a pilgrim. At laft I began to long
for my native country, that I might re-
pofe after my travels, and fatigues, in the
VOL. I.
G
places
82
THE PRINCE OF
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, fitting round me in its evening,
wondering at my tales, and liſtening to
my counfels.
"When this thought had taken pof-
feffion of my mind, I confidered every
moment as waſted which did not bring
me nearer to Abiffinia. I haftened into
Egypt, and, notwithſtanding my impa-
tience,was detained ten months in the con-
templation of its ancient magnificence,and
in enquiries after the remains of its ancient
learning. I found in Cairo a mixture of
all nations; fome brought thither by the
love of knowledge, fome by the hope of
gain,
ABISSINIA.
83
gain, and many by the defire of living
after their own manner without obferva-
tion, and of lying hid in the obfcurity of
multitudes: for, in a city, populous as
Cairo, it is poffible to obtain at the ſame
time the gratifications of fociety, and the
fecrecy of folitude.
"From Cairo I travelled to Suez,
and embarked on the red ſea, paſſing a-
long the coaft till I arrived at the port
from which I had departed twenty years
before. Here I joined myſelf to a cara-
van and re-entered my native country.
"I now expected the careffes of my
kinſmen, and the congratulations of my
friends, and was not without hope that
my father, whatever value he had fet
upon riches, would own with gladneſs
G 2
and
84
THE PRINCE OF
and pride a ſon who was able to add to
the felicity and honour of the nation.
But I was foon convinced that my thoughts
were vain. My father had been dead
fourteen years, having divided his wealth
among my brothers, who were removed
to fome other provinces. Of my com-
panions the greater part was in the grave,
of the reſt ſome could with difficulty re-
member me, and fome confidered me as
one corrupted by foreign manners.
"A man uſed to viciffitudes is not ea-
fily dejected. I forgot, after a time, my
diſappointment, and endeavoured to re-
commend myſelf to the nobles of the
kingdom: they admitted me to their ta-
bles, heard my ſtory, and diſmiſſed me.
I opened a ſchool, and was prohibited to
teach. I then refolved to fit down in the
quiet
ABISSINIA.
85
quiet of domeftick life, and addreſſed a
lady that was fond of my converſation,
but rejected my fuit, becauſe my father
was a merchant.
Wearied at laft with folicitation and
repulfes, I refolved to hide myſelf for
ever from the world, and depend no
longer on the opinion or caprice of others.
I waited for the time when the gate of
the happy valley ſhould open, that I might
bid farewell to hope and fear: the day
came; my performance was diftinguifhed
with favour, and I refigned myſelf with
joy to perpetual confinement.”
(C
"Haft thou here found happineſs at
laft? faid Raffelas. Tell me without
referve; art thou content with thy con-
dition? or, doft thou wiſh to be again
wan-
G 3
Ga
86
THE PRINCE OF
wandering and inquiring? All the in-
habitants of this valley celebrate their lot,
and, at the annual vifit of the emperour,
invite others to partake of their feli-
city."
"Great prince, faid Imlac, I fhall
fpeak the truth: I know not one of all
your
attendants who does not lament the
hour when he entered this retreat. I am
leſs unhappy than the reft, becauſe I have
a mind replete with images, which I can
vary and combine at pleaſure. I can
amufe my folitude by the renovation of
the knowledge which begins to fade from
my memory, and with the recollection of
the accidents of my paft life. Yet all
this ends in the forrowful confideration,
that my acquirements are now ufelefs, and
that none of my pleaſures can be again
en-
ABISSINIA.
87
enjoyed. The reft, whofe minds have
no impreffion but of the preſent moment,
are either corroded by malignant paffions,
or fit ftupid in the gloom of perpetual
vacancy,"
"What paffions can infeſt thoſe, ſaid
the prince, who have no rivals? We
are in a place where impotence precludes
malice, and where all envy is repreffed
by community of enjoyments."
"There may be community, faid Im-
lac, of material poffeffions, but there can
never be community of love or of eſteem.
It must happen that one will pleaſe more
than another; he that knows himſelf de-
ſpiſed will always be envious; and ſtill
more envious and malevolent, if he is
condemned to live in the preſence of thoſe
G 4
who
88
THE PRINCE OF
who defpife him. The invitations, by
which they allure others to a ſtate which
they feel to be wretched, proceed from
the natural malignity of hopeleſs mifery.
They are weary of themſelves, and of
each other, and expect to find relief in
new companions. They envy the liber-
ty which their folly has forfeited, and
would gladly fee all mankind impriſoned
like themſelves.
"From this crime, however, I am
wholly free. No man can ſay that he is
wretched by my perfuafion. I look with
pity on the crowds who are annually foli-
citing admiffion to captivity, and wiſh
that it were lawful for me to warn them
of their danger."
"My
ABISSINIA.
89
My dear Imlac, faid the prince, I
will open to thee my whole heart, that
I have long meditated an eſcape from
the happy valley. I have examined the
mountains on every fide, but find myſelf
infuperably barred: teach me the way
to break my prifon; thou fhalt be the
companion of my flight, the guide of
my rambles, the partner of my fortune,
and my fole director in the choice of
life."
<<
"Sir, anfwered the poet, your eſcape
will be difficult, and, perhaps, you may
foon repent your curiofity. The world,
which you figure to yourſelf ſmooth and
quiet as the lake in the valley, you will
find a fea foaming with tempefts, and
boiling with whirlpools: you will be
fometimes overwhelmed by the waves of
vio-
90
THE PRINCE OF
violence, and fometimes daſhed againſt
the rocks of treachery. Amidſt wrongs
and frauds, competitions and anxieties,
you will wiſh a thouſand times for theſe
feats of quiet, and willingly quit hope
to be free from fear."
"Do not ſeek to deter me from my
purpoſe, faid the prince: I am impatient
to ſee what thou haft feen; and, fince thou
art thyſelf weary of the valley, it is evi-
dent, that thy former ſtate was better than
this. Whatever be the confequence of
my experiment, I am reſolved to judge
with my own eyes of the various condi-
tions of men, and then to make delibe-
rately my choice of life."
"I am afraid, faid Imlac, you are
hindered by ſtronger reftraints than my
per-
G
ABISSINIA.
91
perſuaſions; yet, if your determination is
fixed, I do not counſel you to deſpair.
Few things are impoffible to diligence
and ſkill."
CHAP. XIII.
Raffelas difcovers the means of
eſcape.
THE
HE prince now difmiffed his fa-
vourite to reſt, but the narrative
of wonders and novelties filled his
mind with perturbation. He revolved
all that he had heard, and prepared in-
numerable queſtions for the morning.
Much of his uneafinefs was now re-
moved. He had a friend to whom he
could
92
THE PRINCE OF
could impart his thoughts, and whoſe
experience could affiſt him in his defigns.
His heart was no longer condemned to
fwell with filent vexation. He thought
that eventhehappyvalley might be endured
with fuch a companion, and that, if they
could range the world together, he fhould
have nothing further to defire.
In a few days the water was diſcharged,
and the ground dried. The prince and
Imlac then walked out together to con-
verfe without the notice of the reſt. The
prince, whofe thoughts were always on
the wing, as he paffed by the gate, faid,
with a countenance of forrow, "Why
art thou fo ſtrong, and why is man fo
weak?"
“Man
ABISSINIA.
93
"Man is not weak, anſwered his com-
panion; knowledge is more than equiva-
lent to force. The mafter of mecha-
nicks laughs at ftrength. I can burſt the
gate, but cannot do it fecretly. Some
other expedient muſt be tried."
As they were walking on the fide of
the mountain, they obſerved that the
conies, which the rain had driven from
their burrows, had taken fhelter among
the buſhes, and formed holes behind
them, tending upwards in an oblique
line. "It has been the opinion of an-
tiquity, faid Imlac, that human reaſon
borrowed many arts from the inſtinct
of animals; let us, therefore, not think
ourſelves degraded by learning from the
coney. We may eſcape by piercing the
mountain in the fame direction. We
:
will
94
THE PRINCE OF
will begin where the fummit hangs over
the middle part, and labour upward till
we fhall iffue out beyond the promi-
nence."
The eyes of the prince, when he heard
this propofal, fparkled with joy. The
execution was eaſy, and the fuccefs cer-
tain.
Cl
No time was now loft. They haſten-
ed early in the morning to chuſe a place
proper for their mine. They clam-
bered with great fatigue among crags
and brambles, and returned without hav-
ing diſcovered any part that favoured
their defign. The fecond and the third
day were ſpent in the fame manner, and
with the fame fruftration. But, on the
fourth, they found a ſmall cavern, con-
cealed
Madag
ABISSINIA.
95
cealed by a thicket, where they reſolved
to make their experiment.
<<
Imlac procured inftruments proper to
hew ſtone and remove earth, and they
fell to their work on the next day with
more eagerness than vigour. They were
preſently exhauſted by their efforts, and
fat down to pant upon the graſs. The
prince, for a moment, appeared to be
difcouraged. Sir, faid his companion,
practice will enable us to continue our la-
bour for a longer time; mark, however,
how far we have advanced, and you will
find that our toil will fome time have an
end. Great works are performed, not
by ftrength, but perfeverance: yonder
palace was raiſed by ſingle ſtones, yet you
fee its height and fpaciouſneſs. He that
fhall walk with vigour three hours a day
will
96
THE PRINCE OF
will paſs in ſeven years a fpace equal to
the circumference of the globe."
They returned to their labour day af-
ter day, and, in a fhort time, found a
fiffure in the rock, which enabled them to
paſs far with very little obftruction. This
Raffelas confidered as a good omen.
"Do not diſturb your mind, faid Imlac,
with other hopes or fears than reafon
may fuggeft: if you are pleafed with
prognoſticks of good, you will be terri-
fied likewife with tokens of evil, and
your whole life will be a prey to ſuper-
ftition. Whatever facilitates our work
is more than an omen, it is a cauſe of
fuccefs. This is one of thoſe pleaſing
ſurpriſes which often happen to active
refolution. Many things difficult to de-
ſign prove eaſy to performance."
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
97
CHA P. XIV.
Raffelas and Imlac receive an un-
expected viſit.
S
T
HEY had now wrought their way
to the middle, and folaced their la-
bour with the approach of liberty, when
the prince, coming down to refreſh him-
felf with air, found his fifter Nekayah
ſtanding before the mouth of the cavity.
He ſtarted and ſtood confuſed, afraid to
tell his deſign, and yet hopeleſs to con-
ceal it. A few moments determined him
to repofe on her fidelity, and fecure her
fecrecy by a declaration without reſerve.
“Do not imagine, ſaid the princeſs,
that I came hither as a ſpy: I had often
obferved from my window, that you
and
VOL. I.
H
Imlac
98
THE PRINCE OF
Imlac directed your walk every day to-
wards the fame point, but I did not fup-
poſe you had any better reafon for the
preference than a cooler fhade, or more
fragrant bank; nor followed you with
any other deſign than to partake of your
converfation. Since then not fufpicion
but fondneſs has detected you, let me
not loſe the advantage of my diſcovery.
I am equally weary of confinement with
yourſelf, and not lefs defirous of know-
ing what is done or fuffered in the world.
Permit me to fly with you from this
taſtelefs tranquility, which will yet grow
more loathfome when you have left me.
You may deny me to accompany you,
but cannot hinder me from following."
The prince, who loved Nekayah above
his other ſiſters, had no inclination to
refuſe
ABISSINIA.
99
refuſe her requeſt, and grieved that he
had loſt an opportunity of fhewing his
confidence by a voluntary communica-
tion. It was therefore agreed that fhe
ſhould leave the valley with them; and
that, in the mean time, ſhe ſhould watch,
left any other ſtraggler ſhould, by chance
or curiofity, follow them to the moun-
tain.
At length their labour was at an end;
they faw light beyond the prominence,
and, iffuing to the top of the moun-
tain, beheld the Nile, yet a narrow cur-
rent, wandering beneath them.
G
The prince looked round with rapture,
anticipated all the pleaſures of travel,
and in thought was already tranſported
beyond his father's dominions. Imlac,
H 2
though
100
THE PRINCE OF
though very joyful at his eſcape, had
lefs expectation of pleaſure in the world,
which he had before tried, and of which
he had been weary.
Raffelas was ſo much delighted with
a wider horizon, that he could not foon
be perfuaded to return into the valley.
He informed his fifter that the way was
open, and that nothing now remained
but to prepare for their departure.
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
IOI
CHAP. XV.
The prince and princeſs leave the
valley, and fee many wonders.
THE
HE prince and princeſs had jewels
fufficient to make them rich when-·
ever they came into a place of commerce,
which, by Imlac's direction, they hid in
their cloaths, and, on the night of the
next full moon, all left the valley. The
princeſs was followed only by a ſingle fa-
vourite, who did not know whither fhe
was going.
They clambered through the cavity,
and began to go down on the other fide.
The princeſs and her maid turned their
H 3
eyes
IO2
THE PRINCE OF
+
eyes towards every part, and, feeing no-
thing to bound their profpect, confidered
themſelves as in danger of being loſt in
a dreary vacuity. They ftopped and
trembled. "I am almoſt afraid, ſaid the
princeſs, to begin a journey of which I
cannot perceive an end, and to venture
into this immenfe plain where I may be
approached on every fide by men whom
I never faw." The prince felt nearly the
fame emotions, though he thought it
more manly to conceal them.
Imlac fmiled at their terrours, and
encouraged them to proceed; but the
princefs continued irrefolute till fhe had
been imperceptibly drawn forward too
far to return.
In
ABISSINIA.
103
In the morning they found some fhep-
herds in the field, who ſet milk and fruits
before them. The princeſs wondered
that ſhe did not fee a palace ready for her
reception, and a table ſpread with deli-
cacies; but, being faint and hungry,
fhe drank the milk and eat the fruits,
and thought them of a higher flavour
than the products of the valley.
They travelled forward by eaſy jour-
neys, being all unaccustomed to toil or
difficulty, and knowing, that though
they might be miffed, they could not
be perfued. In a few days they came in-
to a more populous region, where Imlac
was diverted with the admiration which
his companions expreffed at the diverſity
of manners, ſtations and employments.
H 4
Their
104
THE PRINCE OF
Their dreſs was fuch as might not bring
upon them the fufpicion of having any
thing to conceal, yet the prince, where-
ever he came, expected to be obeyed,
and the princeſs was frighted, becauſe
thoſe that came into her prefence did not
proftrate themſelves before her. Imlac
was forced to obferve them with great
vigilance, left they ſhould betray their
rank by their unufual behaviour, and
detained them ſeveral weeks in the firſt
village to accuſtom them to the fight of
common mortals.
By degrees the royal wanderers were
taught to underſtand that they had for a
time laid afide their dignity,and were to ex-
pect onlyfuch regard as liberality and cour-
tefy could procure. And Imlac, having,
by many admonitions, prepared them to
en-
A
ABISSINIA.
105
endure the tumults of a port, and the
ruggedness of the commercial race,
brought them down to the fea-coaſt.
The prince and his fifter, to whom
every thing was new, were gratified
equally at all places, and therefore re-
mained for fome months at the port
without any inclination to paſs further.
Imlac was content with their ſtay, be-
cauſe he did not think it ſafe to ex-
poſe them, unpractiſed in the world, to
the hazards of a foreign country.
At last he began to fear left they
fhould be diſcovered, and propoſed to fix
a day for their departure. They had no
pretenfions to judge for themſelves, and
referred the whole ſcheme to his direction.
He therefore took paffage in a fhip to
Suez;
106 THE PRINCE OF
Suez; and, when the time came, with
great difficulty prevailed on the princeſs
to enter the veffel. They had a quick
and profperous voyage, and from Suez
travelled by land to Cairo.
CHAP. XVI.
They enter Cairo, and find every
man happy.
A St
S they approached the city, which
filled the ſtrangers with aſtoniſh-
ment, “This, ſaid Imlac to the prince,
is the place where travellers and mer-
chants affemble from all the corners of
the earth. You will here find men of
every character, and every occupation.
Commerce is here honourable: I will act
as
ABISSINIA.
107
as a merchant, and you fhall live as
ſtrangers, who have no other end of tra-
vel than curiofity; it will foon be obſerved
that we are rich; our reputation will
procure us accefs to all whom we fhall
defire to know; you will fee all the
conditions of humanity, and enable
yourſelf at leiſure to make your choice of
life."
They now entered the town, ftunned
by the noiſe, and offended by the crowds.
Inſtruction had not yet fo prevailed over
habit, but that they wondered to ſee
themſelves paſs undiſtinguiſhed along the
ſtreet, and met by the loweſt of the
people without reverence or notice. The
princefs could not at firſt bear the
thought of being levelled with the vul-
gar, and for fome days, continued in
her
108 THE PRINCE OF
her chamber, where ſhe was ferved by
her favourite as in the palace of the
valley.
Imlac, who underſtood traffick, fold
part of the jewels the next day, and hired
a houſe, which he adorned with fuch mag-
nificence, that he was immediately con-
fidered as a merchant of great wealth.
His politeneſs attracted many acquain-
tance, and his generofity made him
courted by many dependants. His ta-
ble was crowded by men of every na-
tion, who all admired his knowledge,
and folicited his favour.
His compa-
nions, not being able to mix in the con-
verfation, could make no difcovery of
their ignorance or furpriſe, and were gra-
dually initiated in the world as they gain-
ed knowledge of the language.
K
Pogled
The
ABISSINIA.
109
The prince had, by frequent lectures,
been taught the uſe and nature of money;
but the ladies could not, for a long time,
comprehend what the merchants did with
fmall pieces of gold and filver, or why
things of fo little ufe fhould be received
as equivalent to the neceffaries of life.
They ſtudied the language two years,
while Imlac was preparing to fet before
them the various ranks and conditions
of mankind. He grew acquainted with all
who had any thing uncommon in their
fortune or conduct. He frequented the
voluptuous and the frugal, the idle and
the bufy, the merchants and the men
of learning.
The prince, being now able to con-
verfe with fluency, and having learned
the
IIO
THE PRINCE OF
the caution neceffary to be obferved in
his intercourſe with ſtrangers, began to
accompany Imlac to places of refort, and
to enter into all affemblies that he might
make his choice of life.
For fome time he thought choice need-
lefs, becauſe all appeared to him equally
happy. Wherever he went he met gay-
ety and kindneſs, and heard the ſong of
joy, or the laugh of carelefsnefs. He
began to believe that the world over-
flowed with univerfal plenty, and that
nothing was withheld either from want
or merit; that every hand fhowered li-
berality, and every heart melted with be-
nevolence: "and who then, fays he, will
be fuffered to be wretched?
>>
Imlac
ABISSINIA.
III
Imlac permitted the pleafing delufion,
and was unwilling to crufh the hope of
inexperience, till one day, having fat a
while filent, "I know not, faid the
prince, what can be the reafon that I
am more unhappy than any of our friends.
I ſee them perpetually and unalterably
chearful, but feel my own mind reſtleſs
and uneafy. I am unfatisfied with thofe
pleaſures which I feem moſt to court;
I live in the crowds of jollity, not fo
much to enjoy company as to fhun
myſelf, and am only loud and merry to
conceal my ſadneſs.”
"Every man, faid Imlac, may, by
examining his own mind, gueſs what
paffes in the minds of others: when you
feel that your own gaiety is counterfeit, it
may juſtly lead you to fufpect that of your
com-
2
II 2
THE PRINCE OF
companions not to be fincere. Envy is com-
monly reciprocal. We are long before we
are convinced that happineſs is never to be
found, and each believes it poffeffed by o-
thers, to keep alive the hope of obtaining
it for himſelf. In the affembly, where you
paffed the laſt night, there appeared fuch
fpritelineſs of air, and volatility of fancy,
as might have fuited beings of an higher
order, formed to inhabit ſerener regions
inacceffible to care or forrow: yet, be-
lieve me, prince, there was not one who
did not dread the moment when folitude
ſhould deliver him to the tyranny of
reflection."
"This, faid the prince, may be true
of others, fince it is true of me; yet,
whatever be the general infelicity of man,
one condition is more happy than ano-
ther,
ABISSINIA.
113
ther, and wiſdom ſurely directs us to take
the leaſt evil in the choice of life."
"The cauſes of good and evil, an-
fwered Imlac, are fo various and un-
certain, ſo often entangled with each
other, fo diverfified by various rela-
tions, and ſo much ſubject to accidents
which cannot be forefeen, that he who
would fix his condition upon incon-
teſtable reaſons of preference, muſt live
and die enquiring and deliberating."
"But furely, faid Raffelas, the wife
men, to whom we liften with reverence
and wonder, choſe that mode of life for
themſelves which they thought moſt like-
ly to make them happy."
VOL. I.
I
"Very
"
114
THE PRINCE OF
Very few, faid the poet, live by
choice. Every man is placed in his pre-
fent condition by cauſes which acted with-
out his forefight, and with which he did
not always willingly co-operate; and
therefore you will rarely meet one who
does not think the lot of his neighbour
better than his own."
<<
"I am pleaſed to think, faid the prince,
that my birth has given me at leaſt one
advantage over others, by enabling me
to determine for myfelf. I have here the
world before me; I will review it at lei-
fure: furely happineſs is fomewhere to be
found."
Malaty
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
115
CHA P. XVII.
The prince aſſociates with young
men of ſpirit and gaiety.
?
RAS
life.
ASSELAS roſe next day, and re-
folved to begin his experiments upon
"Youth, cried he, is the time of
gladnefs: I will join myſelf to the young
men, whofe only bufinefs is to gratify
their defires, and whofe time is all ſpent
in a fucceffion of enjoyments."
To fuch focieties he was readily ad-
mitted, but a few days brought him
back weary and difgufted. Their mirth
was without images, their laughter with-
I 2
out
116 THE PRINCE OF
"
out motive; their pleaſures were groſs
and fenfual, in which the mind had no
part; their conduct was at once wild and
mean; they laughed at order and at law,
but the frown of power dejected, and the
eye of wiſdom abaſhed them.
The prince foon concluded, that he
ſhould never be happy in a courſe of life
of which he was afhamed. He thought
it unsuitable to a reaſonable being to act
without a plan, and to be fad or chear-
ful only by chance. 'Happineſs, faid
he, muſt be ſomething folid and perma-
nent, without fear and without uncer-
tainty."
(C
K
But his young companions had gained
fo much of his regard by their frankneſs
and courteſy, that he could not leave them
with-
1
ABISSINIA.
117
without warning and remonftrance. "My
friends, faid he, I have feriouſly confi-
dered our manners and our profpects,
and find that we have miftaken our own
intereft. The first years of man muſt
make proviſion for the laft. He that
never thinks never can be wife. Perpe-
tual levity muſt end in ignorance; and
intemperance, though it may fire the ſpi-
rits for an hour, will make life ſhort or
miferable. Let us confider that youth is
of no long duration, and that in maturer
age, when the enchantments of fancy
fhall ceaſe, and phantoms of delight
dance no more about us, we ſhall have no
comforts but the eſteem of wife men,
and the means of doing good. Let us,
therefore, ftop, while to ftop is in our
power: let us live as men who are ſome-
time to grow old, and to whom it will
I 3
be
118
THE PRINCE OF
be the moſt dreadful of all evils not
to count their paſt years but by follies,
and to be reminded of their former luxuri-
ance of health only by the maladies which
riot has produced."
They ſtared a while in filence one upon
another, and, at laft, drove him away by
a general chorus of continued laughter.
The conſciouſneſs that his fentiments
were juft, and his intentions kind, was
fcarcely fufficient to fupport him againſt
the horrour of derifion. But he reco-
vered his tranquility, and perfued his
ſearch.
CHAP.
ABISSINIA.
119
CHA P. XVIII.
The prince finds a wife and happy
man.
As
S he was one day walking in the
ſtreet, he faw a fpacious building
which all were, by the open doors, in-
vited to enter: he followed the ſtream
of people, and found it a hall or ſchool
of declamation, in which profeffors read
lectures to their auditory. He fixed his eye
upon a fage raiſed above the reft, who dif-
courfed with great energy on
on the
govern-
ment of the paſſions. His look was vene-
rable, his action graceful, his pronunci-
ation clear, and his diction elegant. He
fhewed, with great ftrength of fentiment,
and
I 4
120 THE PRINCE OF
and variety of illuſtration, that human
nature is degraded and debaſed, when
the lower faculties predominate over the
higher; that when fancy, the parent of
paffion, ufurps the dominion of the mind,
nothing enfues but the natural effect of
unlawful government, perturbation and
confufion; that ſhe betrays the fortreſſes of
the intellect to rebels, and excites her
children to fedition againſt reaſon their
lawful fovereign. He compared reaſon
to the fun, of which the light is con-
ſtant, uniform, and laſting; and fancy
to a meteor, of bright but tranſitory
luftre, irregular in its motion, and de-
lufive in its direction.
He then communicated the various
precepts given from time to time for the
conqueft of paffion, and difplayed the
hap-
ABISSINIA.
121
happineſs of thoſe who had obtained the
important victory, after which man is
no longer the flave of fear, nor the fool
of hope; is no more emaciated by en-
vy, inflamed by anger, emafculated by
tenderneſs, or depreffed by grief; but
walks on calmly through the tumults or
the privacies of life, as the fun perfues
alike his courſe through the calm or
the ſtormy ſky.
Magn
C
He enumerated many examples of he-
roes immovable by pain or pleaſure, who
looked with indifference on thoſe modes
or accidents to which the vulgar give
the names of good and evil. He ex-
horted his hearers to lay afide their pre-
judices, and arm themſelves againſt the
ſhafts of malice or misfortune, by in-
vulnerable patienc; concluding, that
this
122 THE PRINCE OF
this ſtate only was happineſs, and that
this happineſs was in every one's power.
Raffelas liftened to him with the vene-
ration due to the inftructions of a fuperi-
our being, and, waiting for him at the
door, humbly implored the liberty of
viſiting fo great a maſter of true wiſdom.
The lecturer hefitated a moment, when
Raffelas put a purſe of gold into his hand,
which he received with a mixture of joy
and wonder.
"I have found, faid the prince, at his
return to Imlac, a man who can teach
all that is neceffary to be known, who,
from the unfhaken throne of rational for-
titude, looks down on the ſcenes of life
changing beneath him. He ſpeaks, and
attention watches his lips.
He reafons,
and
3
ABISSINIA.
123
and conviction clofes his periods. This
man ſhall be my future guide: I will
learn his doctrines, and imitate his life."
"Be not too hafty, faid Imlac, to
truſt, or to admire, the teachers of mo-
rality they difcourfe like angels, but
they live like men.”
Raffelas, who could not conceive how any
man could reaſon fo forcibly without feel-
ing the cogency of his own arguments,
paid his vifit in a few days, and was
denied admiffion. He had now learned
the power of money, and made his way
by a piece of gold to the inner apartment,
where he found the philofopher in a room
half darkened, with his eyes mifty, and
his face pale. "Sir, faid he, you are
come at a time when all human friend-
ſhip
124
THE PRINCE OF
fhip is uſeleſs; what I fuffer cannot be
remedied, what I have loft cannot be fup-
plied. My daughter, my only daugh-
ter, from whofe tenderneſs I expected all
the comforts of my age, died last night
of a fever. My views, my purpoſes, my
hopes are at an end: I am now a lonely
being difunited from ſociety."
"Sir, faid the prince, mortality is an
event by which a wife man can never be
ſurpriſed: we know that death is always
near, and it ſhould therefore always be
expected." Young man, anfwered
the philofopher, you ſpeak like one that
has never felt the pangs of feparation.”
"Have you then forgot the precepts, faid
Raffelas, which you fo powerfully enfor-
ced? Has wiſdom no ſtrength to arm
the heart againſt calamity? Confider,
that
(C
ABISSINIA.
125
that external things are naturally vari-
able, but truth and reaſon are always the
fame." "What comfort, faid the mourn-
er, can truth and reafon afford me? of
what effect are they now, but to tell me,
that my daughter will not be reſtored?"
The prince, whofe humanity would
not ſuffer him to infult miſery with re-
proof, went away convinced of the emp-
tineſs of rhetorical found, and the inef-
ficacy of poliſhed periods and ftudied fen-
tences.
СНАР.
126 THE PRINCE OF
СНАР. XIX.
A Glimpſe of paſtoral life.
НЕ
E was ftill eager upon the fame en-
quiry; and, having heard of a
hermit, that lived near the loweſt cata-
ract of the Nile, and filled the whole
country with the fame of his fanctity,
refolved to vifit his retreat, and enquire
whether that felicity, which publick life
could not afford, was to be found in ſo-
litude; and whether a man, whoſe
whoſe age
and virtue made him venerable, could
teach any peculiar art of fhunning evils,
or enduring them.
Imlac
ABISSINIA.
127
Imlac and the princefs agreed to ac-
company him, and, after the neceffary
preparations, they began their journey.
Their way lay through fields, where
fhepherds tended their flocks, and the
lambs were playing upon the paſture.
This, faid the poet, is the life which
has been often celebrated for its innocence
and quiet let us pafs the heat of the
day among the ſhepherds tents, and know
whether all our fearches are not to termi-
nate in paftoral fimplicity."
<<
The propofal pleaſed them, and they
induced the ſhepherds, by fmall preſents
and familiar queſtions, to tell their opi-
nion of their own ftate: they were fo
rude and ignorant, fo little able to com-
pare the good with the evil of the
occupation, and fo indiftinct in their nar-
ratives
I
--
Sig
128
THE PRINCE OF
ratives and deſcriptions, that very little
could be learned from them. But it was
evident that their hearts were cankered
with diſcontent; that they confidered
themſelves as condemned to labour for
the luxury of the rich, and look-
ed up with ſtupid malevolence toward
thoſe that were placed above them.
The princeſs pronounced with vehe-
mence, that ſhe would never ſuffer theſe
envious favages to be her companions,
and that ſhe ſhould not foon be defirous of
ſeeing any more ſpecimens of ruſtick
happineſs; but could not believe that all
the accounts of primeval pleaſures were
fabulous, and was yet in doubt whether
life had any thing that could be justly.
preferred to the placid gratifications of
fields and woods. She hoped that the
time
ABISSINIA.
129
time would come, when, with a few vir-
tuous and elegant companions, ſhe ſhould
gather flowers planted by her own hand,
fondle the lambs of her own ewe, and
liften, without care, among brooks and
breezes, to one of her maidens reading
in the fhade.
CHAP. XX.
The danger of profperity.
ON
N the next day they continued their
journey, till the heat compelled
them to look round for ſhelter. At a
ſmall diſtance they faw a thick wood,
which they no ſooner entered than they
perceived that they were approaching the
habitations of men. The fhrubs were
dili-
VOL. I.
K
130
THE PRINCE OF
diligently cut away to open walks where
the fhades were darkeſt; the boughs of
oppofite trees were artificially interwo-
ven; feats of flowery turf were raiſed in
vacant ſpaces, and a rivulet, that wan-
toned along the fide of a winding path,
had its banks fometimes opened into
fmall bafons, and its ftream fometimes
obftructed by little mounds of ftone
heaped together to increaſe its mur-
murs.
They paffed flowly through the wood,
delighted with fuch unexpected accom-
modations, and entertained each other
with conjecturing what, or who, he
could be, that, in thoſe rude and unfre-
quented regions, had leifure and art for
fuch harmleſs luxury.
As
ABISSINIA.
131
As they advanced, they heard the
found of muſick, and faw youths and
virgins dancing in the grove; and, go-
ing ſtill further, beheld a ſtately palace
built upon a hill furrounded with woods.
The laws of eaſtern hofpitality allowed
them to enter, and the mafter welcomed
them like a man liberal and wealthy.
He was ſkilful enough in appearances
foon to diſcern that they were no com-
mon gueſts, and ſpread his table with
magnificence. The eloquence of Imlac
caught his attention, and the lofty cour-
teſy of the princeſs excited his reſpect.
When they offered to depart he entreat-
ed their ſtay, and was the next day ſtill
more unwilling to difmifs them than be-
fore. They were eafily perfuaded to
K 2
ſtop,
132
THE PRINCE OF
ftop, and civility grew up in time to
freedom and confidence.
The prince now ſaw all the domeſticks
chearful, and all the face of nature fmil-
ing round the place, and could not for-
bear to hope that he fhould find here
what he was ſeeking; but when he was
congratulating the maſter upon his pof-
feffions, he anſwered with a figh, "My
condition has indeed the appearance of
happineſs, but appearances are delufive.
My profperity puts my life in danger;
the Baffa of Egypt is my enemy, in-
cenſed only by my wealth and popularity.
I have been hitherto protected againſt
him by the princes of the country; but,
as the favour of the great is uncertain, I
know not how foon my defenders may
be perfuaded to ſhare the plunder with
the
ABISSINIA.
133
the Baffa. I have fent my treaſures into
a diſtant country, and, upon the firſt a-
larm, am prepared to follow them.
Then will my enemies riot in my man-
fion, and enjoy the gardens which I have
planted."
They all joined in lamenting his dan-
ger, and deprecating his exile; and the
princeſs was ſo much diſturbed with the
tumult of grief and indignation, that
ſhe retired to her apartment. They
continued with their kind inviter a few
days longer, and then went forward to
find the hermit.
K 3
CHAP.
134
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. XXI.
The happineſs of folitude.
hermit's hiſtory.
The
Τ
HEY came on the third day, by
the direction of the peaſants, to
the hermit's cell: it was a cavern in
the fide of a mountain, over-ſhadowed
with palm-trees; at fuch a diſtance from
the cataract, that nothing more was
heard than a gentle uniform murmur,
fuch as compoſed the mind to penſive
meditation, eſpecially when it was aſſiſt-
ed by the wind whiſtling among the
branches. The firſt rude effay of nature
had been fo much improved by human
labour, that the cave contained ſeveral
apart-
mdataba
ABISSINIA.
135
apartments, appropriated to different
uſes, and often afforded lodging to tra-
vellers, whom darkneſs or tempeſts hap-
pened to overtake.
The hermit fat on a bench at the door,
to enjoy the coolnefs of the evening. On
one fide lay a book with
pens and papers,
on the other mechanical inftruments of
various kinds. As they approached him
unregarded, the princefs obferved that
he had not the countenance of a man that
had found, or could teach, the way to
happineſs.
They faluted him with great refpect,
which he repaid like a man not unac-
cuſtomed to the forms of courts. "My
children, faid he, if you have loft your
way, you ſhall be willingly ſupplied with
K4
fuch
Calga
136
THE PRINCE OF
fuch conveniencies for the night as this
cavern will afford. I have all that na-
ture requires, and you will not expect
delicacies in a hermit's cell."
They thanked him, and, entering,
were pleaſed with the neatneſs and regu-
larity of the place. The hermit fet fleſh
and wine before them, though he fed
only upon fruits and water. His dif-
courſe was chearful without levity, and
pious without enthufiafm. He foon
gained the eſteem of his gueſts, and
the princeſs repented of her hafty cen-
fure.
At laft Imlac began thus: "I do not
now wonder that your reputation is fo
far extended; we have heard at Cairo
of your wiſdom, and came hither to im-
plore
ABISSINIA.
137
plore your direction for this young man
and maiden in the choice of life."
"To him that lives well, anfwered
the hermit, every form of life is good;
nor can I give any other rule for choice,
than to remove from all apparent evil.”
"He will remove moft certainly from
evil, faid the prince, who fhall devote
himſelf to that folitude which you have
recommended by your example."
"I have indeed lived fifteen years in
folitude, faid the hermit, but have no
defire that my example ſhould gain any
imitators. In my youth I profeffed arms,
and was raiſed by degrees to the higheſt
military rank. I have traverſed wide
countries at the head of my troops, and
feen
138
THE PRINCE OF
ſeen many battles and fieges. At laſt,
being diſguſted by the preferment of a
younger officer, and finding my vigour
beginning to decay, I refolved to cloſe
my life in peace, having found the world
full of fnares, diſcord, and miſery. I
had once eſcaped from the perfuit of the
enemy by the ſhelter of this cavern, and
therefore choſe it for my final refidence.
I employed artificers to form it into
chambers, and ftored it with all that I
was likely to want.
"For fome time after my retreat, I
rejoiced like a tempeft-beaten failor at
his entrance into the harbour, being de-
lighted with the fudden change of the
noiſe and hurry of war, to ftillneſs and
repoſe. When the pleaſure of novelty
went away, I employed my hours in ex-
amining
ABISSINIA.
139
ry
amining the plants which grow in the
valley, and the minerals which I collec-
ted from the rocks. But that enqui-
is now grown taſteleſs and irkſome.
I have been for fome time unfettled and
diſtracted: my mind is diſturbed with a
thouſand perplexities of doubt, and vani-
ties of imagination, which hourly pre-
vail upon me, becauſe I have no oppor-
tunities of relaxation or diverfion. I am
ſometimes aſhamed to think that I could
not ſecure myſelf from vice, but by re-
tiring from the practice of virtue, and
begin to ſuſpect that I was rather im-
pelled by reſentment, than led by devo-
tion, into folitude. My fancy riots
in fcenes of folly, and I lament that
I have loft ſo much, and have gained fo
little. In folitude, if I efcape the ex-
ample of bad men, I want likewife the
con-
140
THE PRINCE OF
counſel and converfation of the good.
I have been long comparing the evils
with the advantages of fociety, and re-
folve to return into the world to morrow.
The life of a folitary man will be certain-
ly miſerable, but not certainly devout."
They heard his refolution with fur-
prife, but, after a fhort pauſe, offered
to conduct him to Cairo. He dug up a
confiderable treafure which he had hid
among the rocks, and accompanied them
to the city, on which, as he approached
it, he gazed with rapture.
СНАР.
ABISSINIA.
141
CHA P. XXII.
The happineſs of a life led ac-
cording to nature.
R
ASSSELAS went often to an
affembly of learned men, who
met at ſtated times to unbend their
minds, and compare their opinions.
Their manners were fomewhat coarſe,
but their converfation was inftructive,
and their difputations acute, though
fometimes too violent, and often conti-
nued till neither controvertiſt remember-
ed upon what question they began.
Some faults were almoſt general among
them: every one was defirous to dictate
to the reſt, and every one was pleaſed to
hear
142
THE PRINCE OF
hear the genius or knowledge of another
depreciated.
In this affembly Raffelas was relat-
ing his interview with the hermit, and
the wonder with which he heard him
cenfure a courſe of life which he had fo
deliberately chofen, and fo laudably fol-
lowed. The fentiments of the hearers
were various. Some were of opinion, that
the folly of his choice had been juſtly
puniſhed by condemnation to perpetual
perfeverance. One of the youngeſt a-
mong them, with great vehemence, pro-
nounced him an hypocrite. Some
talked of the right of fociety to the la-
bour of individuals, and confidered re-
tirement as a deſertion of duty. Others
readily allowed, that there was a time
when the claims of the publick were fa-
. . .
palaka
tisfied,
4
ABISSINIA.
143
tisfied, and when a man might properly
fequefter himſelf, to review his life, and
purify his heart.
One, who appeared more affected
with the narrative than the reſt,
thought it likely, that the hermit would,
in a few years, go back to his retreat,
and, perhaps, if ſhame did not reſtrain,
or death intercept him, return once
more from his retreat into the world:
"For the hope of happineſs, fays he, is
fo ſtrongly impreffed, that the longeſt
experience is not able to efface it. Of
the preſent ſtate, whatever it be, we feel,
and are forced to confefs, the miſery,
yet, when the fame ftate is again at a dif
tance, imagination paints it as defirable.
But the time will furely come, when de-
fire will be no longer our torment, and no
man
144
THE PRINCE OF
man ſhall be wretched but by his own
fault."
"This, faid a philofopher, who had
heard him with tokens of great im-
patience, is the prefent condition of a
wife man. The time is already come,
when none are wretched but by their own
fault. Nothing is more idle, than to
enquire after happineſs, which nature has
kindly placed within our reach. The
way to be happy is to live according to
nature, in obedience to that univerfal and
unalterable law with which every heart is
originally impreffed; which is not written
on it by precept, but engraven by deſtiny,
not inftilled by education, but infuſed at
our nativity. He that lives according to
nature will ſuffer nothing from the delu-
fions of hope, or importunities of de-
fire:
ABISSINIA.
145
fire: he will receive and reject with equa-
bility of temper; and act or ſuffer as the
reaſon of things fhall alternately pre-
fcribe. Other men may amuſe them-
felves with fubtle definitions, or intricate
raciocination. Let them learn to be wife
by eaſier means: let them obferve the
hind of the foreft, and the linnet of the
grove: let them confider the life of ani-
mals, whoſe motions are regulated by
inſtinct; they obey their guide and are
happy. Let us therefore, at length,
ceaſe to diſpute, and learn to live; throw
away the incumbrance of precepts, which
they who utter them with ſo much pride
and pomp do not underſtand, and carry
with us this fimple and intelligible max-
im, That deviation from nature is devi-
ation from happineſs."
VOL. I.
L
When
146
THE PRINCE OF
When he had fpoken, he looked
round him with a placid air, and enjoyed
the conſciouſneſs of his own beneficence.
"Sir, faid the prince, with great mo-
defty, as I, like all the rest of mankind,
am defirous of felicity, my cloſeſt atten-
tion has been fixed upon your difcourfe:
I doubt not the truth of a poſition which
a man fo learned has fo confidently ad-
vanced. Let me only know what it is
to live according to nature."
"When I find young men fo humble
and ſo docile, ſaid the philofopher, I can
deny them no information which my ftu-
dies have enabled me to afford. To live
according to nature, is to act always
with due regard to the fitneſs arifing from
the relations and qualities of cauſes and
effects; to concur with the great and un-
-
changeable
5
ABISSINIA.
147
changeable ſcheme of univerfal felicity;
to co-operate with the general difpofi-
tion and tendency of the preſent ſyſtem
of things."
The prince foon found that this was
one of the fages whom he ſhould under-
ſtand lefs as he heard him longer. He
therefore bowed and was filent, and the
philofopher, fuppofing him fatisfied, and
the reſt vanquiſhed, roſe up and departed
with the air of a man that had co-ope-
rated with the preſent ſyſtem.
L 2
СНАР.
148
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. XXIII.
The prince and his fifter divide
between them the work of ob-
ſervation.
R
ASSELAS returned home full
of reflexions, doubtful how to di-
rect his future ſteps. Of the way to
happineſs he found the learned and fim-
ple equally ignorant; but, as he was
yet young, he flattered himſelf that he
had time remaining for more experi-
ments, and further enquiries. He com-
municated to Imlac his obfervations and
his doubts, but was anſwered by him
with new doubts, and remarks that
gave
6
him
ABISSINIA.
149
him no comfort. He therefore difcourf
ed more frequently and freely with his
fifter, who had yet the fame hope with
himſelf, and always affifted him to give
ſome reaſon why, though he had been
hitherto fruftrated, he might fucceed at
laft.
"We have hitherto, faid fhe, known
but little of the world: we have never yet
been either great or mean.
In our own
country, though we had royalty, we had
no power, and in this we have not yet
ſeen the private receffes of domeſtick
peace. Imlac favours not our fearch,
left we ſhould in time find him mifta-
ken. We will divide the taſk between
us: you fhall try what is to be found in
the ſplendour of courts, and I will range
the ſhades of humbler life.
Perhaps
1
L3
com-
150 THE PRINCE OF
1
command and authority may be the ſu-
preme bleſſings, as they afford moft op-
portunities of doing good: or, perhaps,
what this world can give may be found
in the modeſt habitations of middle for-
tune; too low for great deſigns, and too
high for
penury and diſtreſs."
CHA P. XXIV.
The prince examines the happi-
neſs of high ſtations.
RA
ASSELAS applauded the defign,
and appeared next day with a
ſplendid retinue at the court of the Baſſa.
He was foon diſtinguiſhed for his magni-
ficence, and admitted, as a prince whoſe
curiofity had brought him from diftant
coun-
ABISSINIA.
151
countries, to an intimacy with the great
officers, and frequent converfation with
the Baffa himſelf.
He was at firſt inclined to believe,
that the man muſt be pleaſed with his
own condition, whom all approached with
reverence, and heard with obedience,
and who had the power to extend his
edicts to a whole kingdom. "There
can be no pleaſure, ſaid he, equal to that
of feeling at once the joy of thouſands
all made happy by wife adminiſtration.
Yet, fince, by the law of fubordination,
this fublime delight can be in one nation
but the lot of one, it is furely reaſonable
to think there is fome fatisfaction more po-
pular and acceffible, and that millions can
hardly be ſubjected to the will of a ſingle
man,
LA
4
152
THE PRINCE OF
man, only to fill his particular breaft
with incommunicable content."
Theſe thoughts were often in his
mind, and he found no folution of the
difficulty. But as prefents and civilities
gained him more familiarity, he found
that almoſt every man that ſtood high in
employment hated all the reſt, and was
hated by them, and that their lives were
a continual succeffion of plots and de-
tections, ftratagems and eſcapes, fac-
tion and treachery. Many of thoſe,
who furrounded the Baffa, were fent on-
ly to watch and report his conduct; every
tongue was muttering cenfure, and
every eye was ſearching for a fault.
At laft the letters of revocation ar-
rived, the Baffa was carried in chains to
Con-
ABISSINIA.
153
Conftantinople, and his name was men-
tioned no more.
"What are we now to think of the
prerogatives of power, faid Raffelas to
his fifter; is it without any efficacy to
good? or, is the fubordinate degree
only dangerous, and the fupreme ſafe
and glorious? Is the Sultan the only
happy man in his dominions? or, is the
Sultan himſelf fubject to the torments of
fufpicion, and the dread of enemies?"
In a fhort time the ſecond Baffa was
depofed. The Sultan, that had advanced
him, was murdered by the Janifaries,
and his fucceffor had other views and
different favourites.
CHAP.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES
154
THE PRINCE OF
CHA P. XXV.
The princeſs perfues her enquiry
with more diligence than fuc-
cefs.
TH
HE princefs, in the mean time,
infinuated herſelf into many fa-
milies; for there are few doors, through
which liberality, joined with good hu-
mour, cannot find its way. The daugh-
ters of many houſes were airy and chear-
ful, but Nekayah had been too long ac-
cuſtomed to the converfation of Imlac
and her brother to be much pleaſed with
childiſh levity and prattle which had no
meaning. She found their thoughts nar-
row, their wiſhes low, and their merri-
ment
G
ABISSINIA.
155
ment often artificial. Their pleaſures,
poor as they were, could not be pre-
ſerved pure, but were embittered by pet-
ty competitions and worthlefs emulation.
They were always jealous of the beauty
of each other; of a quality to which folici-
tude can add nothing, and from which de-
traction can take nothing away. Many were
in love with triflers like themſelves, and
many fancied that they were in love when
in truth they were only idle. Their af
fection was feldom fixed on fenfe or vir-
tue, and therefore feldom ended but in
vexation. Their grief, however, like
their joy, was tranfient; every thing
floated in their mind unconnected with
the paſt or future, fo that one de-
fire eaſily gave way to another, as a ſe-
cond ſtone caft into the water effaces and
confounds the circles of the firſt.
With
156
THE PRINCE OF
With theſe girls fhe played as with
inoffenfive animals, and found them
proud of her countenance, and weary
of her company.
But her purpoſe was to examine more
deeply, and her affability eaſily perfuad-
ed the hearts that were fwelling with for-
row to diſcharge their fecrets in her ear:
and thoſe whom hope flattered, or proſ-
perity delighted, often courted her to
partake their pleaſures.
S
The princeſs and her brother common-
ly met in the evening in a private fummer-
houſe on the bank of the Nile, and re-
lated to each other the occurrences of the
day. As they were fitting together, the
princeſs caft her eyes upon the river that
flowed before her. Anſwer, faid fhe,
great
CC
GREE
ABISSINIA.
157
great father of waters, thou that rolleft
thy floods through eighty nations, to the
invocations of the daughter of thy na-
tive king. Tell me if thou watereft,
through all thy courſe, a fingle habita-
tion from which thou doft not hear the
murmurs of complaint?"
"You are then, faid Raffelas, not
more fucceſsful in private houſes than I
have been in courts." "I have, fince
the laſt partition of our provinces, faid
the princeſs, enabled myſelf to enter fa-
miliarly into many families, where there
was the faireſt ſhow of profperity and
peace, and know not one houfe that is
not haunted by fome fiend that deſtroys
its quiet.
"I
158
THE PRINCE OF
CC
I did not ſeek eaſe among the poor,
becauſe I concluded that there it could not
be found. But I faw many poor whom I
had ſuppoſed to live in affluence. Poverty
has, in large cities, very different ap-
pearances: it is often concealed in ſplen-
dour, and often in extravagance. It is
the care of a very great part of man-
kind to conceal their indigence from the
reft: they ſupport themſelves by tempo-
rary expedients, and every day is loft
in contriving for the morrow.
This, however, was an evil, which,
though frequent, I faw with lefs pain,
becauſe I could relieve it. Yet fome
have refuſed my bounties; more offended
with my quickneſs to detect their wants,
than pleaſed with my readineſs to fuccour
them and others, whofe exigencies com-
pelled
<<
palaka
ABISSINIA.
159
pelled them to admit my kindneſs, have
never been able to forgive their bene-
factreſs. Many, however, have been
fincerely grateful without the oftentation
of gratitude, or the hope of other fa-
yours."
END of the FIRST VOLUME.
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