In the same fashion he believed that his life was, 'one of the most romantic' he knew of;[22] that Temple's 'soft admonitions would at any time calm the tempests of his soul,'[23] and that he could 'retire into the calm regions of philosophy' and contemplate the 'heroism' which he was able to see in his conduct towards his father.[24] Philosophy, indeed, had a great attraction for him. It was in the bower of philosophy that many of his best hours were filled with that noble admiration which his disinterested soul was able to enjoy for the character of Lord Chatham. In early years he was Temple's philosophic friend, and Paoli is told that 'with a mind naturally inclined to melancholy and a deep desire of inquiry, I have intensely applied myself to metaphysical researches.' The affectation or extravagance of Boswell appears also from time to time in his pious and moral remarks. Being in a frame of mind which I hope, for the felicity of human nature, many experience--in fine weather--at the country house of a friend--consoled and elevated by pious exercises--I expressed myself with an unrestrained fervour to my 'Guide, Philosopher and Friend': 'My dear Sir, I could fain be a good man; and I am very good now. I fear God and honour the king, I wish to do no ill, and to be benevolent to all mankind.'[25] Boswell was very impressionable, by his own account, to good influences. He rose from reading a dialogue of Hume's 'happier and more disposed to follow virtue.'[26] Relating how Mr. Edward Dilly repeated on his death-bed a passage from Young's 'Night Thoughts'--'Death, a subterraneous road to bliss,' or some such words--Boswell remarks: 'I am edified here.'[27] The greatest triumph, one would suppose, of this nature was when, as he says, speaking of his 'moral fences,' 'Reason, that steady builder and overseer, has set them firm.'[28] Boswell was excellent too at giving moral advice: 'It is certainly true philosophy to submit to the will of Heaven, and to fulfil the amiable duties of morality.'[29] 'Read Epictetus,'[30] he writes to Temple; on another occasion, 'Read Johnson. Let a manly and firm philosophy brace your mind.'