Locke, John (1632-1704)

Letter to Reverend Mr. Richard King (July 23, 1703) [from The remains of John Locke Esq.]

London

Printed for E. Curll

July 23, 1703; 1714

"Time, I daily find, blots out apace the little Stock of my Mind, and has disabled me from furnishing all that I would willingly contribute to the Memory of that Learned Man.."

I Cannot but think my self beholden to any Occasion that procures me the Honour of a Letter from you. I return my Acknowledgments for those great Expressions of Civilty and Marks of Friendship I receiv'd in yours of the eighth Instant; and wish I had the Opportunity to shew the Esteem I have of your Merit, and the Sense of your Kindness to me, in any real Service. The Desire of your Friend in the inclos'd Letter you sent me, is what of my self I am inclin'd to satisfy: and am only sorry, that so copious a Subject has lost, in my bad Memory, so much of what heretofore I could have said, concerning the Great and Good Man, of whom he enquires. Time, I daily find, blots out apace the little Stock of my Mind, and has disabled me from furnishing all that I would willingly contribute to the Memory of that Learned Man. But give me leave to assure you, that I have not know a fitter Person than he, to be preserv'd as an Example, and propos'd to the Imitation of Men of Letters. [...]
(p. 7)

Writing::Blotting Container::Stock

Reading S. H. Clark's "Locke and Metaphor Reconsidered" in JHI 59:2 (1998), p. 253

Text from The Remains of John Locke Esq; Viz. I. Some Memoirs of the Life and Character of Dr. Edward Pococke. II. Instructions for the Conduct of a Young Gentleman, As to Religion and Government, &C. III. the Best Method of Studying, and Interpreting the Scriptures. IV. Sentiment Concerning the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledg. Publish'd from His Original Manuscripts. To Which Are Added, Three Copies of Verses Formerly Written. (London: Printed for E. Curll at the Dial and Bible against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, 1714). <Link to ECCO>

03/21/2005