obtaining those which are in its reach."

Clarence looked inquiringly at Mordaunt, who, perceiving it,
continued, "I see that I should explain myself further. I will do so
by using the thoughts of a mind not the least beautiful and
accomplished which this country has produced. 'Of all which belongs
to us,' said Bolingbroke, 'the least valuable parts can alone fall
under the will of others. Whatever is best is safest; lies out of the
reach of human power; can neither be given nor taken away. Such is
this great and beautiful work of Nature, the world. Such is the mind
of man, which contemplates and admires the world whereof it makes the
noblest part. These are inseparably ours, and as long as we remain in
one we shall enjoy the other.'"

"Beautiful, indeed!" exclaimed Clarence, with the enthusiasm of a
young and pure heart, to which every loftier sentiment is always
beautiful.

"And true as beautiful!" said Mordaunt. "Nor is this all, for the
mind can even dispense with that world 'of which it forms a part' if
we can create within it a world still more inaccessible to chance.
But (and I now return to and explain my former observation) the means
by which we can effect this peculiar world can be rendered equally
subservient to our advancement and prosperity in that which we share
in common with our race; for the riches which by the aid of wisdom we
heap up in the storehouses of the mind are, though not the only, the
most customary coin by which external prosperity is bought. So that
the philosophy which can alone give independence to ourselves becomes;
under the name of honesty, the best policy in commerce with our kind."