132 SAMUEL JOHNSON

observed before. I have already enjoyed too much : give me something to desire."

��HE began to believe that the world over- flowed with universal plenty, and that nothing was withheld either from want or merit ; that every hand showered liberality, and every heart melted with benevolence: "and who then," says he, " will be suffered to be wretched ? "

Imlac permitted the pleasing delusion, and was unwilling to crush the hope of inex- perience : till one day, having sat a while silent, " I know not," said the prince, " what can be the reason that I am more unhappy than any of our friends. I see them per- petually and unalterably cheerful, but feel my own mind restless and uneasy. I am unsatis- fied with those pleasures which I seem most to court. I live in the crowds of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as to shun myself, and am only loud and merry to conceal my sadness."

" Every man," said Imlac, " may, by exam- ining his own mind, guess what passes in the minds of others : when you feel that your own gayety is counterfeit, it may justly lead you to suspect that of your companions not to be sincere. Envy is commonly reciprocal. We

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