Page:The Works of John Locke - 1823 - vol 01.djvu/50

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
xliv
The Epistle Dedicatory.

concern, and kindness, and other obliging circumstances, that never failed to accompany them. To all this, you are pleased to add that which gives yet more weight and relish to all the rest: you vouchsafe to continue me in some degrees of your esteem, and allow me a place in your good thoughts; I had almost said friendship. This, my lord, your words and actions so constantly show on all occasions, even to others when I am absent, that it is not vanity in me to mention what every body knows: but it would be want of good manners, not to acknowledge what so many are witnesses of, and every day tell me, I am indebted to your lordship for. I wish they could as easily assist my gratitude, as they convince me of the great and growing engagements it has to your lordship. This I am sure, I should write of the understanding without having any, if I were not extremely sensible of them, and did not lay hold on this opportunity to testify to the world, how much I am obliged to be, and how much I am.

My lord,
Your lordship's
Most humble, and
Most obedient servant,
JOHN LOCKE.

Dorset-Court, 24th
of May, 1689.