any striking or wonderful Vicissitude. The Scholar
who passes his Life among his Books, the Merchant who conducted only his
own Affairs, the Priest whose Sphere of Action was not extended beyond
that of his Duty, are considered as no proper Objects of publick Regard,
however they might have excelled in their several Stations, whatever might
have been their Learning, Integrity, and Piety. But this Notion arises
from false Measures of Excellence and Dignity, and must be eradicated by
considering, that, in the Eye of uncorrupted Reason, what is of most Use
is of most Value.

It is, indeed, not improper to take honest Advantages of Prejudice, and to
gain Attention by a great Name; but the Business of the Biographer is
often to pass slightly over those Performances and Incidents, which
produce vulgar Greatness, to lead the Thoughts into domestick Privacies,
and display the minute Details of daily Life, where exterior Appendages
are cast aside, and Men excel each other only by Prudence, and by Virtue.
The Life of _Thuanus_ is, with great Propriety, said by its Author to have
been written, that it might lay open to Posterity the private and familiar
Character of that Man, _cujus Ingenium et Candorem ex ipsius Scriptis sunt
olim simper miraturi_, whose Candour and Genius his Writings will to the
End of Time preserve in Admiration.

There are many invisible Circumstances, which whether we read as Enquirers
after natural or moral Knowledge, whether we intend to enlarge our
Science, or encrease our Virtue, are more important than publick
Occurrences. Thus _Salust_, the great Master, has not forgot, in his
Account of _Catiline_, to remark that _his Walk was now quick, and again
slow_, as an Indication of a Mind revolving something with violent
Commotion. Thus the Story of _Melancthon_ affords a striking Lecture on
the Value of Time, by informing us that when he made an Appointment, he
expected not only the Hour, but the Minute to be fixed, that Life might
not run out in the Idleness of Suspense; and all the Plans and Enterprizes
of _De Wit_ are now of less Importance to the World, than that Part of his
personal Character which represents him as careful of his Health, and
negligent of his Life.

But Biography has often been allotted to Writers who seem very little
acquainted with the Nature of their Task, or very negligent about the
Performance. They rarely afford any other Account than might be collected
from publick Papers, and