He understands the texture and meaning of the visible universe, and 'sees into the life of things,' not by the help of mechanical instruments, but of the improved exercise of his faculties, and an intimate sympathy with Nature. The meanest thing is not lost upon him, for he looks at it with an eye to itself, not merely to his own vanity or interest, or the opinion of the world. Even where there is neither beauty nor use—if that ever were—still there is truth, and a sufficient source of gratification in the indulgence of curiosity and activity of mind. The humblest printer is a true scholar; and the best of scholars - the scholar of Nature.

Edited by P. Together with some newly written and one brought in from the "Table-Talk" series they were collected in book form in 1825 as The Spirit of the Age: Or Contemporary Portraits. One or two positive reviews appeared such as the one in the Globe 7 June 1823: "The Liber Amoris is unique in the English language; and as possibly the first book in its fervour its vehemency and its careless exposure of passion and weakness—of sentiments and sensations which the common race of mankind seek most studiously to mystify or conceal—that exhibits a portion of the most distinguishing characteristics of Rousseau it ought to be generally praised".

Yet his work is currently little read and mostly out of print. He is now considered one of the great critics and essayists of the English language placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and George Orwell.