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 666 LOCKE the perpetuation of slavery, and who desired to be a postmaster. The development of this character, with various dramatic incidents, was the gist of the long series of " Nasby " letters, which were soon transferred to the " Toledo Blade," of which their author became a pro- prietor and editor. They were continued reg- ularly for several years. Mr. Locke has lec- tured in all the northern states, generally on political topics. He has published the following 1 works, consisting chiefly of the Nasby letters : " Divers Views, Opinions, and Prophecies of Yours Truly " (Cincinnati, 1865) ; " Swingin Eound the Cirkle " (Boston, 1867) ; " Ekkoes from Kentucky" (1868) ; and " The Morals of Abou ben Adhem, or Eastern Fruit in West- ern Dishes " (1874). LOCKE, John, an English philosopher, born at "Wrington, Somersetshire, Aug. 29, 1632, died at Oates, a country seat in Essex, Oct. 28, 1704. The moderate inheritance of his family was considerably reduced during the civil wars, in which his father was a parliamentary captain. Under the brief political ascendancy of the Puritans he imbibed the religious principle and spirit of liberty which actuated that body of men. His education began at Westminster school, from which he was elected in 1651 to Christchurch college, Oxford, where he gradu- ated bachelor of arts in 1655 and master in 1658, continuing to reside in that city till 1664. In after life he regretted that he had spent so much of his time in the university, chiefly from his contempt of the scholastic philosophy and methods which were there upheld ; yet he ap- plied himself diligently to the classics, read in private the works of Bacon and Descartes, and enjoyed the friendship of persons whose so- ciety and conversation first suggested the idea of his greatest work. His companions were chosen rather from among the lively and agree- able than the studious and learned, and his early correspondence often displays wit and irony. The precise and scientific method of Descartes seems to have given the first im- pulse to his speculations, but Bacon exerted a more permanent and congenial influence, and he may be called the metaphysician of the Baconian philosophy. After receiving his de- grees he devoted himself principally to medi- cine, which occupied much of his attention through life, and his eminent proficiency in which is attested by Dr. Sydenham, the great- est authority of his time. In 1664 he ac- cepted the post of secretary in a diplomatic mission to the court of Brandenburg, and, returning to Oxford within a year, was in doubt whether to begin the practice of medi- cine as a profession, to continue in diplo- matic employment, offers of which both in Spain and Germany were made to him, or to enter the church, a considerable preferment in which was promised through the duke of Or- mond, lord lieutenant of Ireland. He was en- gaged in studies in experimental philosophy, when in 1666 he became acquainted with Lord Ashley, afterward earl of Shaftesbury, who was then suffering from an abscess in the chest. Locke divined the nature of the disorder, which no one else had been able to discover ; the life of the nobleman was believed to have been saved by a surgical operation which the phi- losopher advised ; and the result was a close and permanent friendship between them. Locke accompanied him to London, and in his house enjoyed the society of the duke of Buck- ingham, the earl of Northumberland, Lord Halifax, and others of the most distinguished characters of the time. Ashley united en- gaging manners with distinguished ability, and was an admirable talker ; and Locke, whose esteem for conversational capacity led him to assign it a first place in the formation of a man's mind, was probably attached in this in- stance very much by this quality. While re- siding with him he superintended the educa- tion of his son, and subsequently of his grand- son the third earl of Shaftesbury, the elegant philosophical writer of Queen Anne's reign. In 1668 he accompanied the earl and countess of Northumberland on a tour in France, and after his return was employed by Ashley to draw up the fundamental laws of Carolina, which province had been granted to him and seven others. The scheme of government which was prepared, aristocratic and conformed to monarchy, yet tolerant of all religions, in- dicates the cautious and practical tendencies of his mind, since, though a lover of freedom, he proposed to establish it in a new country only in so far as it had been realized in Eng- land. In 1670 he made the first sketch of his " Essay concerning Human Understanding," which was finished in 1687 and published in 1690. In a discussion with five or six friends at his chambers in Oxford, he suggested that the dispute and perplexity could only be solved by a preliminary examination of our own abil- ities, and of what subjects our understandings are or are not fitted to deal with. He set down several thoughts on the subject previous to their next meeting, and the work thus be- gun was often resumed and often neglected du- ring his various avocations, and was ultimately completed in retirement and leisure. While Shaftesbury was lord chancellor, Locke held the appointment of secretary for the presenta- tion of benefices, and afterward of secretary to the board of trade. In 1675 he went to France for the benefit of his health, residing in Mont- pellier, where he became acquainted with Mr. Herbert, afterward earl of Pembroke, to whom his " Essay " is dedicated, and in Paris, where his conversation was welcomed by the most eminent literary and scientific men. He was recalled to England when Shaftesbury regained power for a brief season in 1 679 ; and when that nobleman, charged with high treason, had ta- ken refuge in Holland, he followed him thith- er in 1683. He continued to reside there after the death of Shaftesbury, having incurred the hostility of the court by his connection with