Page:The Harveian oration, 1873.djvu/91

 85 had effected, or could effect, the yet more elevating and glorious discipline of long sus- tained and finally successful labour. He attained a position of mental dignity in which he could feel neither unduly anxious for the applause of his compeers, nor unduly moved by the reproaches and misrepresen- tations of his enemies (see Dedicatio, p. 164 ; Epistola Secunda ad Riolanum, p. 109) ; the impact of these opposite forces result- ing, however, in much benefit for mankind, as without them Harvey might, it is likely enough, have delayed the publication of his works indefinitely. Being self-contained without being self-conscious, he was yet, like all men of real genius, large-hearted and sympathetic. Whilst he could, in a spirit of perhaps a little overstrained cha- rity, make excuses (see p. 614, Epistola ad Slegelium) for the pestilent and irrepressible Riolanus, he would, we may be also sure, have felt an emotion of gratitude upon each of the many instances in which his own true-hearted adherents, Sir George Ent and other Fellows of this College, fought his battles for him, and vindicated for him sue-