The subject of politics, however, seems to have been forced upon him by local and peculiar circumstances; the natural bias of his mind, and his studies, had a very different direction. The most celebrated Theological writers on the Continent had exercised his talents, and occupied his time so effectually, that the result was the publication of a work, which no scholar would choose, and no theological student ought, to be without. Others, equally important and valuable, in the strict line of his profession, have succeeded; and whether his profound erudition, his sagacity in detecting error, his subtilty of disputation, or his facility of writing, be considered, there are but few authors of modern times who can submit to a competition with him. He bears, however, his faculties meekly; and though in a very lofty situation, his manners are extremely conciliating without the smallest symptoms of superciliousness or arrogance, even towards his opponents. Illud magis vereor ne ignorans veram iter gloriæ, gloriosum putes, plus te unum posse quam omnes, et metui a civibus tuis quam diligi, malis. CHAPTER XXII. When the mind contemplates a number of young men assembled at the University, with various talents, propensities, and pursuits, upon a footing of local equality, and communicating with one another on terms of greater or less familiarity; and again, after an interval of half a century, makes enquiry into their relative condition and connections; how wonderful a contrast is exhibited, and what food is administered for deep and serious reflection! These pages have already detailed some, it is to be hoped, not uninteresting examples of unexpected elevation, as well as of extraordinary and melancholy depression, to say nothing of the diminution of the long, long catalogue, by the resistless ravages of death. One splendid instance of success and temporal prosperity has already been detailed. Here, however, was nothing to shock probability. The advantages of birth and splendid connection accompany a man through life, and he must be eminently deficient in talent, sagacity, or prudence, who does not in his progress through the world, turn them to adequate account. One favourite of fortune remains to be introduced to notice, who possessed no hereditary advantages, but who, meeting with a ladder placed against the Temple of Greatness, boldly ascended step by step, till he triumphantly reached, and remained enthroned, at the summit. It is sometimes exceedingly convenient to deal in the article of “Supposes.” It is a very useful word to a lively fancy, and supplies many a chasm in an imaginary structure, which would seem mutilated, imperfect, and deformed, without it. It is adopted on the present occasion, because it will appear to many the most suitable.—The facts are so contrary to the ordinary chances of life, that they who are not in _the secret_, may be inclined to believe them “suppositions” altogether.