Pray, Sir, in all the reading which you have ever read, did you ever read such a book as _Locke's_ Essay upon the Human Understanding? ----Don't answer me rashly--because many, I know, quote the book, who have not read it--and many have read it who understand it not: --If either of these is your case, as I write to instruct, I will tell you in three words what the book is. --It is a history. --A history! of who? what? where? when? Don't hurry yourself ----It is a history-book, Sir (which may possibly recommend it to the world) of what passes in a man's own mind; and if you will say so much of the book, and no more, believe me, you will cut no contemptible figure in a metaphysick circle.
But this by the way.

Pray, Sir, did you ever read Locke's Essay upon the Human Understanding? - Don't answer me rashly - because many, I know, quote the book, who have not read it - and many have read it who do not understand it. If either of these is your case, I will tell you in three words what the book is. It is a history.
- A history! of who? what? where? when?
It is a history-book, Sir, of what passes in a man's own mind; and if you will say so much of the book, and no more, believe me, you will cut no contemptible figure in a metaphysic circle.
But this is by the way.
