All chimeras are built on assumptions, and so far are "castles in the air;" in many forms they are simply ridiculous; but when they pretend to the supernatural they are pernicious and often wicked. In the two lectures now presented for his perusal, the reader will find both these topics illustrated by suitable lives and authentic evidence. H. D. _London, February, 1869._ I. Lecture ON THE LIFE OF EDWARD SOMERSET, SECOND MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. "He was a man, take him for all in all, We shall not look upon his like again." DELIVERED AT THE LITERARY INSTITUTION, GREENWICH, 16TH FEBRUARY, 1864. LECTURE I. The Biographer of Edward, second MARQUIS OF WORCESTER, naturally finds some difficulty in rendering prominent the political position that nobleman enjoyed in the 17th century; or of impressing the minds of his hearers or readers with a just sense of the wonderful genius of the author of the "Century of Inventions," even although the fact be established of that remarkable man being also the true and first inventor of a veritable steam engine. When we consider the eventful period in which he lived, (from 1601 to 1667,) and his personal character, together with the social, political, and romantic incidents of his life, the career of the Marquis of Worcester cannot fail to interest and instruct us. He was at once the most fortunate and unfortunate of men, living in times of mingled enlightenment, superstition, and civil discord, and finally finding himself cast on the tender mercies of a corrupt Court; the possessor of a high order of mechanical genius, yet proscribed politically and theologically; most loyal, yet falling the victim of puritanism; and closing his life neglected by a Sovereign whose father had been the chief ruin of his patrimony. Descended from the Plantagenets, Edward Somerset, second MARQUIS OF WORCESTER, is supposed to have been born about, or soon after 1601, the records to establish his natal year being wanting. His father, Henry Somerset, created first Marquis of Worcester by Charles I., was married on the 16th June, 1600, at Blackfriars; Queen Elizabeth, attending in great state, graciously danced at the wedding ball; and the festivities of the occasion were continued for three days.