have them as exact, as art could make them. He was, also, very conversant in philosophical learning, and in all the curious experiments, and rare discoveries, of this age: and had the new books, written on those subjects, sent him from all parts; which he both read, and examined, so critically, that, if the principles and hypotheses, which he took first up, did any way prepossess him, yet, those who have differed most from him, have acknowledged, that, in what he has writ concerning the Torricellian experiment, and of the rarefaction and condensation of the air, he shows as great an exactness, and as much subtilty in the reasoning he builds on them, as these principles, to which he adhered, could bear. But, indeed, it will seem scarcely credible, that a man so much employed, and of so severe a temper of mind, could find leisure to read, observe, and write, so much of these subjects, as he did. He called them his diversions; for he often said, when he was weary with the study of the law, or divinity, he used to recreate himself, with philosophy, or the mathematics. To these he added great skill in physic, anatomy, and chirurgery. And he used to say, no man could be absolutely a master in any profession, without having some skill in other sciences; for, besides the satisfaction he had in the knowledge of these things, he made use of them often in his employments. In some examinations, he would put such questions to physicians or chirurgeons, that they have professed the College of Physicians could not do it more exactly;

by which he discovered great judgment, as well as much knowledge, in these things. And, in his sickness, he used to argue with his doctors about his distempers, and the methods they took with them, like one of their own profession; which one of them told me he understood, as far as speculation, without practice, could carry him.

To this he added great searches into ancient history; and particularly, into the roughest, and least delightful part of it, chronology. He was well acquainted with the ancient Greek philosophers; but want of occasion to use it, wore out his knowledge of the Greek tongue: and, though he never studied the Hebrew tongue, yet, by his great conversation with Selden, he understood the most curious things in the Rabbinical learning.

But above all these, he seemed to have made the study of divinity the chief of all others; to which he not only directed every thing else, but also arrived at that pitch in it, that those who have read what he has written on these subjects, will think they must have had most of his time and thoughts. It may seem extravagant, and almost incredible, that one man, in no great compass of years, should have acquired such a variety of knowledge; and that, in sciences that require much leisure and application. But, as his parts were quick, and his apprehensions lively,.. his memory great, and his judgments strong,.. so his industry was almost indefatigable. He rose always betimes in the morning; was never idle; scarcely

ever held any discourse about news, except with some few, in whom he confided entirely. He entered into no correspondence by letters, except about necessary business, or matters of learning; and spent very little time in eating and drinking: for, as he never went to public feasts, so, he gave no entertainments but to the poor; for he followed our Saviour's direction (of feasting none but these) literally: and in eating and drinking, he observed not only great plainness and moderation, but lived so philosophically, that he always ended his meal with an appetite; * so that he lost little time at it, (that being the only portion which he grudged himself,) and was disposed to any exercise of his mind, to which he thought fit to apply himself, immediately after he had dined. By these means he gained much time, that is otherwise unprofitably wasted.

He had, also, an admirable equality in the temper of his mind; which disposed him for whatever studies he thought fit to turn himself to; and some very uneasy things, which he lay under for many years, did rather engage him to, than distract him from, his studies.

When he was called to the bar, and began to make a figure in the world, the late unhappy wars broke out; in which, it was no easy thing for a

This, Sir,' said an eminent physician to the present writer, is the true rule of temperance and health.' In a subsequent part of this volume, it is mentioned of the great ROBERT BOYLE, that, in a course of above thirty years, he neither ate nor drank, to gratify the desires of appetite, but merely to support nature.'

man to preserve his integrity, and to live securely, free from great danger and trouble. He had read the life of Pomponius Atticus, writ by Nepos ; and, having observed, that he had passed through a time of as much distraction, as ever was in any age or state, from the wars of Marius and Sylla, to the beginnings of Augustus's reign, without the least blemish on his reputation, and free from any considerable danger, being held in great esteem by all parties, and courted and favoured by them,.. he set him as a pattern to himself. And observing, that, besides those virtues which are necessary to all men, and at all times, there were two things that chiefly preserved Atticus,.. the one, was his engaging in no faction, and meddling in no public business; the other, was his constant favouring and relieving those that were lowest : which was ascribed, by such as prevailed, to the generosity of his temper; and procured him much kindness, from those on whom he had exercised his bounty, when it came to their turn to govern; he resolved [therefore], to guide himself by those rules, as much as was possible for him to do. *

He not only avoided all public employment, but the very talking of news; and was, always, both favourable, and charitable, to those who were depressed; and was sure never to provoke any in particular, by censuring or reflecting on their

*He wrote an Account of Atticus's life; including, together with the narrative of Nepos, his own observations. It is given in the second volume of his collected works.

actions: for, many that have conversed much with him, have told me they never heard him once speak ill of any person.

He was employed in his practice, by all the king's party he was assigned counsel to the earl of Strafford, and archbishop Laud, and afterwards to the blessed king himself, when brought to the infamous pageantry of a mock trial; and offered to plead for him, with all the courage that so glorious a cause ought to have inspired him with; but was not suffered to appear, because, the king refusing, as he had good reason, to submit to the court, it was pretended none could be admitted to speak for him. He was also counsel for the duke of Hamilton, the earl of Holland, and the lord Capel: his plea for the former of these, I have published in the memoirs of that duke's life. Afterwards, also, being counsel for the lord Craven, he pleaded with that force of argument, that the then attorney-general threatened him for appearing against the government: to whom he answered, he was pleading in defence of those laws, which they declared they would maintain and preserve; and he was doing his duty to his client, so that he was not to be daunted with threatenings.'

Upon all these occasions, he had discharged himself with so much learning, fidelity, and courage, that he came to be generally employed for all that party nor was he satisfied to appear for their just defence, in the way of his profession, but he also

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