Page:A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty (Foote).djvu/7



father of English Freethought, whose chief philosophical work is here reprinted, was the son of Henry Collins, a gentleman of fortune, and was born at Heston, near Hounslow, Middlesex, on June 21, 1676. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. Upon leaving the University he became for a while student in the Temple, but showed a greater predilection for literature and philosophy than for law, although his studies were of after service to him as a magistrate. His fortune enabled him to gratify his tastes. He had, too, the pleasure of cultivating the friendship of John Locke, between whom and himself much correspondence ensued. In an The father of English Freethought, whose chief philosophical work is here reprinted, was the son of Henry Collins, a gentleman of fortune, and was born at Heston, near Hounslow, Middlesex, on June 21, 1676. He was educated at Eton and King’s College, Cambridge. Upon leaving the University he became for a while student in the Temple, but showed a greater predilection for literature and philosophy than for law, although his studies were of after service to him as a magistrate. His fortune enabled him to gratify his tastes. He had, too, the pleasure of cultivating the friendship of John Locke, between whom and himself much correspondence ensued. In an early letter, dated Oct. 29, 1703, Locke says: “Believe it, my good friend, to love truth for truth’s sake, is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues; and, if I mistake not, you have as much of it as ever I met with in anybody.” In many other letters Locke speaks of his affectionate regard for his young friend and disciple, who became one of the trustees of his will. In a letter, written Aug. 23, 1704, four days before his death, he says: “By my will, you will see I had some kindness for. . . And I knew no better way to take care of him than to put him, and what I designed for him, into your hands and management. The knowledge I have of your virtues of all kinds secures the trust which, by your permission, I have placed in you, and the peculiar esteem and love I have observed in the young man for you, will dispose him to be ruled and influenced by you, so of that I need say nothing. May you live long and happy, in the enjoyment of health, freedom, content, and all those blessings