It is as follows: All the critics, therefore, who have examined it, endeavour to restore the text. I shall rather submit an emendation of my own to your judgment. Fusus may therefore, without impropriety, denote the action of Drusus. History also favours this correction. Such were the dangers that threatened his person! The severity of the Roman discipline is well known.
The generals were the gods of the soldiers, and their orders received as oracles. Superstition, which does so much evil, here did good: I read with much pleasure your solution of the difficulty in Justin; and admire your skill in extracting a regular narrative, by bringing the scattered lights in authors to one focus. If any uncertainty still remains, it must be ascribed to the darkness of antiquity and Justin's brevity. I formerly thought it probable, but begin now to regard it as certain. This Letter, in the early hand-writing of Mr. GIBBON, probably about the time of his first leaving Lausanne, seems to be under the assumed character of a Swedish traveller, writing to a Swiss friend, delineating the defects he discovered in the government of Berne.
In pointing out those defects he seems to have had the intention of suggesting remedies; but, as he is entering on this topic, the manuscript ends abruptly. The excellence of this curious paper will apologize for its great length. NON, mon cher ami, je ne veux point etre cosmopolite. Que vous manque t'il? Pouvoir dire que nous ne sommes pas libres, me repondez vous, prouve que nous le sommes. Vos impots sont petits, l'administration douce. L'on ne voit jamais le souverain, on le sent rarement. En quelles mains doit on le remettre? Tel est le langage de la philosophie.
Ce portrait est il le votre? Les de Wattevilles, et les Steiguers, y remplissent une trentaine de places. Quels modeles pour le peuple que la conduite des Mandarins de la Chine? Je vous entends, mon ami, qui m'interrompez. En convenant pour un moment de votre bonheur, de qui le tenez vous? C'est done du prince? La perspective du Pays de Vaud n'est point aussi riante. Les citoyens d'une ville capitale voyent au contraire d'un oeil jaloux l'agrandissement des provinces. Rappellez vous l'an La mauvaise politique de Louis XIV. Si nous les laissons confondus parmi nos sujets, nos sujets recueilleront le fruit de leur industrie.
Un sentiment de honte? Il ne peut tout seul agir pour elle. Je ne dirai rien du brilliant service de France. Ainsi dans toutes ces troupes, je doute qu'on puisse trouver cinquante Bernois qui ne soient par officiers. Je l'ignore; mais je vais tacher de le deviner. J'ai toujours entendu dire que les Baillis prennent le dix pour cent sur les revenus du souverain. Tels sont vos maux, Monsieur. Quel conseil nous donnez vous?
Il y a une voye que je puis vous conseiller, c'est celle de la remontrance. Il y a un autre remede plus prompt, plus entier, plus glorieux: Vous, qui me connoissez, Monsieur, vous savez combien je respecte ces principes amis de la paix et des hommes. I will love my country; and to love it above all others, there must be reasons for my preference: Did I sacrifice all to Sweden, I should only pay my debt of gratitude to the land in which I was born, and to which I owe my life and fortune.
You enjoy a fine climate, a fertile soil, and have conveniencies for internal commerce, from which great benefit might be derived. But I consider the people rather than their territory. Philosophy flourishes in London; Paris is the centre of those attracted by the allurements of polished society. Your country, though inferior to those capitals, yet unites in some measure their respective advantages: What then is wanting? Liberty; and deprived of it, you have lost your all.
The right of complaining, you answer, that we are not free, is a proof of our liberty. But with a friend like you I would seek only the maxims of truth, and employ only the arguments of reason. When I compare your condition with that of surrounding nations, I can sincerely congratulate you on your happiness.
You, on the contrary, enjoy a Christianity brought back to the purity of its original principles, taught publicly by worthy ministers, who are loved and respected, but who have it not in their power to become the objects of fear. Your connection with the Swiss cantons has preserved to you the blessings of peace two centuries; a thing unexampled in history. Your taxes are moderate; and the public administration is gentle. You have not to complain of those arbitrary sentences, which, without any form of legal procedure, without an accuser, and without a crime, have been known to tear citizens from the bosoms of their families.
The sovereign is never seen; the weight of his authority is rarely felt: But it is a matter of the utmost delicacy to determine with whom that general will ought to be deposited. This is the language of philosophy, but it is seldom spoken by the preceptors of princes; and if the latter sometimes read it in their own hearts, the impression is speedily effaced by contrary passions, in themselves, their confessors, their ministers, or mistresses. The groans of the people are not soon heard; and their master learns only by a fatal experience, that it is the interest of a shepherd to preserve his flock.
But in this council one condition is essentially requisite. Is this the picture of your legislature? When I survey your country, I behold two nations, distinctly characterised by their rights, employments, and manners: The former are invested, as a body, with all the prerogatives of hereditary monarchs, which are the more humiliating to you their subjects, because they belong to men apparently your equals. The comparison between yourselves and them is made every moment; no circumstance tends to conceal it from your fancy. This council is invested with the executive, as well as the legislative, power; two branches of authority which can never be united, without rendering each of them too formidable to the subject.
When they belong to different persons, or assemblies, the legislature will not venture to form violent resolutions, because these would be of no avail, unless they were carried into execution by another power, always its rival, and often its antagonist.
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The sword of authority is not only sharpened by this union, but is thereby confined to a smaller number of hands. The powerful families which then commanded the senate, still rule in it at present. Thirty places are filled by the Wattevilles and Steiguers. The former class is deprived of a resources which the most absolute princes have seldom ventured to wrest from their subjects; I mean those courts of justice acknowledged by the prince, and revered by the people, as the organs of public opinion, and the depositories of the laws.
The commands of the sovereign are obeyed with cheerfulness only when their propriety is confirmed by the approbation of those tribunals, whose members it has been found difficult either to deceive, to seduce, or to intimidate. Their resistance to oppression is respectful, but firm; and in exerting it, they display that warmth of eloquence with which reason and liberty inspire good citizens. In the members of those peaceful tribunals, such qualities appear in their greatest lustre.
Destitute of arms, their whole strength lies in their talents and their probity. What noble lessons to kings have been given by the parliament of Paris? The people too learn that they have a country, which they will begin to love, to study its laws, and to form themselves to public virtues. They were composed of the nobility, clergy, and deputies from the principal cities, which annually assembled at Moudon, and formed the perpetual council of the prince, without whose consent he could neither enact new laws, nor impose new taxes.
At a distance I can only appeal to their testimony, and employ an analogical proof, which will be sufficiently convincing to men of letters. The states, their members, and their rights, were invariably maintained; remaining uniformly the same at all times, and in all places. I think that I hear you, my friend, interrupting me. Hitherto, you say, I have listened to you with patience; but what is your conclusion from this picture of our government? It is time, Sir, to pause; I spoke to you as became a freeman, and you answer me in the language of slavery.
Let us admit for a moment your prosperity; to whom do you owe it? The Romans owed a prosperity yet greater to Titus; but still remained the basest of slaves. The advantages actually enjoyed by a citizen and a slave may be the same; but those of the latter are precarious, having no other foundation than the changeable passions of men; whereas those of the former are secure, being solidly supported on those laws which curb guilty passions in the prince as well as in the peasant. It is the duty of a sovereign to procure for his people all the happiness of which their condition is susceptible.
Let us try the merits of the senate of Bern by these maxims. These wonders have been effected by their princes and ministers: There the arts still languish, for want of those encouragements which princes only can bestow: Yet the princes above mentioned had but moments for executing their great designs; the senators of Bern have had ages.
Your masters err not through ignorance. They are not deficient, I know, in political abilities. But while a prince treats with impartial bounty all his subjects, the citizens of an aristocratical capital are apt to behold with jealousy the improvement of the provinces. But the narrow policy of Bern took the alarm. If we make these men citizens of Bern, their interests will coincide with our own. But is it fit that mortals should be raised to the rank of gods?
If they are mixed with the mass of our subjects, our subjects will be enriched by their industry. In supporting the rights of man, I would not carry too far the maxims of toleration. It is just that public rewards should be bestowed only on those who teach the religion of the public; and those bold innovators, who would impart a dangerous light to the people, may very properly be restrained by the arm of the magistrate.
But it surely is absurd, that the sovereign should interfere in theological minutiae, and take part warmly in questions which are incapable of being decided. It is particularly unjust, that he should impose confessions of saith on old ministers, who wish to avoid disputation; leaving them the miserable alternative of falsehood or beggary. But this persecution has now ceased. What put an end to it? But a single council, or a single man, may deliberate and resolve for a whole nation; the executive power, on the contrary, requires the exertions of many: The honours and emoluments legally attached to such offices, ought to be open to all those citizens who are properly qualified for discharging them.
Each individual, as he bears a share of the public burdens, is entitled also to a share of the public rewards. In France, provided a man has court-favour or merit, the question is never asked whether he comes from Provence or Normandy. In the canton of Bern talents and information are not of the smallest use to any one who is not born in the capital; and in another sense they are useless to those born there; because they must make their way without them. They naturally become, therefore, a prey to despair; and neglecting to cultivate talents which they can never enjoy an opportunity to display, those who had capacities for becoming great men are contented with making themselves agreeable companions.
The emoluments of these offices form the patrimony of the state; and we are the state. That of foreign service. I speak not of the brilliant service of France: Let us only consider the service of Holland, a service more profitable than showy, where officers have nothing to do but to grow rich. On the supposition, then, that the interest of both classes of candidates for those companies is equal, the sovereign people will obtain four out of the eight, and twenty out of the whole twenty-four. I doubt, therefore, whether fifty citizens of Bern, who are not officers, will be found in the whole of the Swiss Dutch troops.
But does the tyranny of the bailiffs disappear also? The people, a name so dear to humanity, feel the full weight of their oppression. I will not have recourse to particular examples; because you might call in question the authenticity of facts, or object with reason, that general conclusions are not to be drawn from particular principles. I shall be contented with pointing out the extent of their power, and leave to your own knowledge of human nature to infer the abuses with which it must be accompanied.
In his own district every bailiff is at the head of religion, of the law, the army, and the finances. As judge, he decides, without appeal, all causes to the amount of an hundred franks; a sum of little importance to a gentleman, but which often makes the whole fortune of a peasant; and he decides alone, for the voice of his assessors has not any weight in the scale. He confers, or rather he sells, all the employments in his district. Your taxes, moderate as they are, exhaust the country.
This observation requires to be explained. While the great kingdoms of Europe, loaded with expences and debts, are driven to expedients which would alarm the wildest prodigal, Bern is the only state which has amassed a large treasure. The secret has been so well kept, that it is not easy to ascertain its amount.
But what is the amount of its receipts? The contributions, therefore of all the twelve amount to a million of livres annually, I have always been told that the bailiffs, or governors, retain ten per cent. These, Sir, are your hardships. But I think you will say to me, Have you thus probed our wounds merely to make us feel their smart? What advice do you give us? None, unless you have already anticipated it. I would indeed advise you to remonstrate. But there are evils so deeply rooted in governments, that Plato himself would despair of curing them. William Tell would have prescribed it; I do not.
I know that the spirit of a good citizen is, like that of charity, long-suffering, and hoping all things. You know me too well to be ignorant how much I respect those principles, so friendly to the interests of peace and of human kind. I will never, in the language of a seditious tribune, persuade the people to shake off the yoke of authority, that they may proceed from murmur to sedition, from sedition to anarchy, and from anarchy perhaps to despotism.
Whether you prefer the road of bold enterprise or cautious repose, I wish that reason, not prejudice, should dictate your choice. The magistrates of Bern have a right to expect your obedience: FEAR no reproaches for your negligence, however great; for your silence, however long. I love you too well to make you any. Nothing, in my opinion, is so ridiculous as some kind of friends, wives, and lovers, who look on no crime as so heinous as the letting slip a post without writing. The charm of friendship is liberty; and he that would destroy the one, destroys, without designing it, the better half of the other.
I compare friendship to charity, and letters to alms; the last signifies nothing without the first, and very often the first is very strong, although it does not shew itself by the other.
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It is not good-will which is wanting, it is only opportunities or means. However, one month—two months—three months—four months—I began not to be angry, but to be uneasy, for fear some accident had happened to you. I was often on the point of writing, but was always stopped by the hopes of hearing from you the next post.
Besides, not to flatter you, your excuse is a very bad one. You cannot entertain me by your letters. I think I ought to know that better than you; and I assure you that one of your plain sincere letters entertains me more than the most polished one of Pliny or Cicero. I was some hours with him in this place, that is to say, almost all the time he was here. I let slip some words of the pleasure he should have of seeing his native country again, on account of the services he could render her in parliament.
Yes says he , I want vastly to be at London; there are three years since I have seen Garrick. He spoke to me of you, and indeed not only with consideration, but with affection. Were there nothing else valuable in his character, I should love him, because he loves you. He told me he intended to see you as soon as he should be in England; I am glad he has kept his word. He appeared, however, a good, sensible, modest young man. Poor Minorca indeed thus lost!
I think the second exclamation still stronger than the first. I can't help pitying him. What a shameful uncle he has! Pray, is there any truth in a story we had here, of a brother of Admiral Byng's having killed himself out of rage and shame? I did not think he had any brothers alive. It is thought here that Byng will be acquitted. Though I do not love rash judgments, I cannot help thinking him guilty. You ask me, when I shall come into England?
How should I know it? I shall write the strongest, and at the same time the most dutiful letter I can imagine to my father. If all that produces no effect, I don't know what I can do. You talk to me of my cousin Ellison's wedding; but you don't say a word of who she is married to. Though you have not seen my father yet, I suppose you have heard of him. How was he in town? His wife, was she with him?
Has marriage produced any changement in his way of living? Is he to be always at Beriton, or will he come up to London in winter? Pray have you ever seen my mother-in-law, or heard any thing more of her character? Compliments to every body that makes me compliments: When you see the Comarques again, ask them if they did not know, at Putney, Monsieur la Vabre, and his daughters; perhaps you know them yourself.
I saw them lately in this country; one of them very well married. The Englishman who lodges in our house, is little sociable at least for a reasonable person. My health always good, my studies pretty good. I understand Greek pretty well. I have even some kind of correspondence with several learned men, with Mr.
Crevier of Paris, with Mr. Breitinger of Zurick, and with Mr. Do you never read now? I am a little piqued that you say nothing of Sir Charles Grandison; if you have not read it yet, read it for my sake. Perhaps Clarissa does not encourage you; but, in my opinion, it is much superior to Clarissa. All that, won't it please you? There is scarce any thing else in six whole volumes: I don't dare to tell you to write soon.
Do it, however, if you can. I rejoice at your return to your country, to your father, and to the good principles of truth and reason. It will give me great pleasure to see you at Washington; where I am, I thank God, very well and very happy. I desire my respects to Mr. Gibbon; and am, with very great regard, dear Sir,.
AN address in writing, from a person who has the pleasure of being with you every day, may appear singular. However, I have preferred this method, as upon paper I can speak without a blush, and be heard without interruption. If my letter displeases you, impute it, dear Sir, only to yourself. You have treated me, not like a son, but like a friend. Can you be surprised that I should communicate to a friend, all my thoughts, and all my desires? When I first returned to England, attentive to my future interest, you were so good as to give me hopes of a seat in parliament. This seat, it was supposed would be an expence of fifteen hundred pounds.
This design flattered my vanity, as it might enable me to shine in so august an assembly. But I soon perceived how little a mere virtuous inclination, unassisted by talents, could contribute towards that great end; and a very short examination discovered to me, that those talents had not fallen to my lot. Do not, dear Sir, impute this declaration to a false modesty, the meanest species of pride. Whatever else I may be ignorant of, I think I know myself, and shall always endeavour to mention my good qualities without vanity, and my defects without repugnance.
Since they may be acquired, to alledge my deficiency in them, would seem only the plea of laziness. But I shall say with great truth, that I never possessed that gift of speech, the first requisite of an orator, which use and labour may improve, but which nature alone can bestow. That my temper, quiet, retired, somewhat reserved, could neither acquire popularity, bear up against opposition, nor mix with ease in the crowds of public life.
That even my genius if you will allow me any is better qualified for the deliberate compositions of the closet, than for the extemporary discourses of the parliament. An unexpected objection would disconcert me; and as I am incapable of explaining to others, what I do not thoroughly understand myself, I should be meditating, while I ought to be answering. I even want necessary prejudices of party, and of nation. In popular assemblies, it is often necessary to inspire them; and never orator inspired well a passion, which he did not feel himself.
Suppose me even mistaken in my own character; to set out with the repugnance such an opinion must produce, offers but an indifferent prospect. But I hear you say, it is not necessary that every man should enter into parliament with such exalted hopes. It is to acquire a title the most glorious of any in a free country, and to employ the weight and consideration it gives, in the service of one's friends. But with our private fortune, is it worth while to purchase at so high a rate, a title, honourable in itself, but which I must share with every fellow that can lay out fifteen hundred pounds?
Besides, dear Sir, a merchandise is of little value to the owner, when he is resolved not to sell it. I should affront your penetration, did I not suppose you now see the drift of this letter. I have often heard you say yourself, that the allowance you had been so indulgent as to grant me, though very liberal in regard to your estate, was yet but small, when compared with the almost necessary extravagancies of the age.
This, dear Sir, would be a way of supplying these deficiencies, without any additional expence to you. All that I am afraid of, dear Sir, is, that I should seem not so much asking a favour, as this really is, as exacting a debt. After all I can say, you will still remain the best judge of my good, and your own circumstances.
Whatever you shall think proper to bestow upon me, or in whatever manner, will be received with equal gratitude. I intended to stop here; but as I abhor the least appearance of art, I think it will be better to lay open my whole scheme at once. The unhappy war which now desolates Europe, will oblige me to defer seeing France till a peace.
The armies no longer obstruct my passage, and it must be indifferent to you, whether I am at Lausanne or at London during the Winter, since I shall not be at Beriton. I am now two-and-twenty; a tour must take up a considerable time, and though I believe you have no thoughts of settling me soon, and I am sure I have not, yet so many things may intervene, that the man who does not travel early, runs a great risk of not travelling at all.
But this part of my scheme, as well as the whole, I submit entirely to you. When will your father or you be in town? Desire Becket to send me one of your books, well bound, for myself: I need not tell you that I am,. Je parle comme si M. I speak as if Mr. Gibbon had not praised me, and that too warmly. I have therefore perused, with the greatest avidity, this little work; and wish that it was more extensive, and read universally. Were I more learned I should dwell on the merit of the discussions, and the justness of the observations. You did not mention the Elements of Geometry you had perused.
You may defer, however, a very critical inquiry into the principles and reasoning of geometers, till Dr. Simpson's new edition of Euclid now in the press appears. The fifth book will be an Introduction to the Analyse des Infiniment petits; to which I would advise you to proceed, after finishing the Conic Sections. The Infiniment petits may want a comment; Crousaz has written one, but it is a wretched performance: There is a posthumous work of M.
Varignon's, called Eclaircissemens sur l' Analyse des Infiniment petits. This will be often of use to you. He has been answered by many, but by none so clearly as by Mr. Maclaurin, in his Fluxions, 2 vols. I think you may be satisfied at first with reading his introduction, and chap.
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You may then read chap. When you have read the beginning of l'Hopital's 4th sect. Your principles being then firmly established, you may finish M. Your next step must be to the inverse method of Fluxions, called by the French calcul integral. Monsieur de Bougainville has given us a treatise upon this subject, Paris, , 4to. Only I must caution you against depending upon him in his fourth section, where he treats of the centre of oscillation and percussion; he having made several mistakes there, as M.
Royale des Sciences, edit. I have recommended French authors to you, because you are a thorough master of that language, and because, by their studying style and clearness of expression, they seem to me best adapted to beginners. Thomas Simpson's Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Fluxions; all which contain a great variety of good things. In his Geometry he departs from Euclid without a sufficient reason. Robert Simson's Euclid, or together with it, and take notice of what is new in Thomas Simpson.
If you come to have a competent knowledge of these authors, you will be far advanced, and you may proceed to the works of Newton, Cotes, the Bernoulli's, Dr. You see you may find work enough. But my paper bids me subscribe myself, dear Sir,.
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Of these the principal are, mechanics, optics, and astronomy. As to the principles of mechanics, M. Trabaud's Principes du Mouvement et de l'Equilibre, to beginners; and you cannot do better than to study this book. In optics we have Dr. Smith's Complete System, 2 vols. I wish though, we had a good institution, short and clear; the Doctor's book entering into too great details for beginners. However, you may consider his first book, or popular Treatise, as an Institution, and you will from thence acquire a good deal of knowledge.
But if you read Maclaurin's Fluxions throughout, you will find many points of Sir Isaac's philosophy well explained there. Brook Taylor's is the best system, but his style and expression is embarrassed and obscure. This subject is necessary for the understanding of the theory of maps and planispheres. Mathematicians have also applied their art to the theory of sounds and music. Smith's Harmonics is the principal book of the kind. Thus have I given you some account of the principal elementary authors in the different branches of mathematical knowledge, and it were much to be wished that we had a complete institution, or course, of all these things of a moderate size, which might serve as an introduction to all the good original authors.
Wolfius attempted this; his intention was laudable, but his book is so full of errors of the press, besides some of his own, that I cannot recommend him to a beginner. He might be used occasionally for the signification of terms, and for many historical facts relating to mathematics; and, besides, may be considered as a collector of problems, which is useful.
Besides the books I have mentioned, it might be of use to you to have M. Montucla's Histoire des Mathematiques, in 4to. You will there find a history of the progress of the mathematical sciences, and some account of the principal authors relating to this subject. I mentioned to you in conversation, the superior elegance of the antient method of demonstration.
Simson's Conic Sections; and to form an idea of the antient analysis or method of investigating the solution of geometrical problems, read Euclid's Data, which Dr. Simson will publish, together with his new edition of Euclid; and then read his Loci Plani, in 4to. The elegance of the method of the ancients is confessed; but it seems to require the remembrance of a great multitude of propositions, and in complicated problems it does not seem probable that it can be extended so far as the algebraic method.
YOU remember our agreement,—short and frequent letters. The first part of the treaty you have no doubt of my observing. I think I ought not to leave you any of the second. A propos of treaty: Neville went for London with the news of it. The plenipotentiaries sat up till ten o'clock in the morning at the ambassador of Spain's ball, and then went to sign this treaty, which regulates the fate of Europe.
Paris, in most respects, has fully answered my expectations. I have a number of very good acquaintance, which increase every day; for nothing is so easy as the making them here. When I speak of these connections, I mean chiefly for dinner and the evening. The others are the most fashionable, sup in numerous parties, and always play, or rather game, both before and after supper. You may easily guess which sort suits me best. Indeed, Madam, we may say what we please of the frivolity of the French, but I do assure you, that in a fortnight passed at Paris, I have heard more conversation worth remembering, and seen more men of letters among the people of fashion, than I had done in two or three winters in London.
Amongst my acquaintance I cannot help mentioning M. Helvetius, the author of the famous book de l' Esprit. I met him at dinner at Madame Geoffrin's, where he took great notice of me, made me a visit next day, has ever since treated me, not in a polite but a friendly manner. Mallet's friend, and a Marquis de Mirabeau, I got acquainted with at her house, have acted a very friendly part; though all their endeavours have only served to convince me that Paris is unavoidably a very dear place.
I am sorry to find my English cloaths look very foreign. The French are now excessively long-waisted. At present we are in mourning for the Bishop of Liege, the king's uncle; and expect soon another of a singular nature, for the old Pretender, who is very ill. They mourn for him, not as a crowned head, but as a relation of the king's.
I am doubtful how the English here will behave; indeed we can have no difficulties, since we need only follow the example of the Duke of Bedford. I have now passed nearly a month in this place, and I can say with truth, that it has answered my most sanguine expectations. The buildings of every kind, the libraries, the public diversions, take up a great part of my time; and I have already found several houses, where it is both very easy and very agreeable to be acquainted.
Lady Harvey's recommendation to Madame Geoffrin was a most excellent one. Her house is a very good one; regular dinners there every Wednesday, and the best company of Paris, in men of letters and people of fashion.
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Helvetius, who, from his heart, his head, and his fortune, is a most valuable man. At his house I was introduced to the Baron d'Olbach, who is a man of parts and fortune, and has two dinners every week. Their men of letters are as affable and communicative as I expected. My letters to them did me no harm, but were very little necessary.
When I take notice of the civilities I have received, I must take notice too of what I have seen of a contrary behaviour. You know how much I always built upon the Count de Caylus: With great difficulty I have seen him, and that is all. I do not, however, attribute his behaviour to pride, or dislike to me, but solely to the man's general character, which seems to be a very odd one.
De la Motte, Mrs. Mallet's friend, has behaved very drily to me, though I have dined with him twice. But I can forgive him a great deal, in consideration of his having introduced me to M. Her men are generally angels or devils; but here I really think, without being very prone to admiration, that she has said very little too much of him. As far as I can judge, he has certainly an uncommon degree of understanding and knowledge, and, I believe, a great fund of honour and probity.
We are very much together, and I think our intimacy seems to be growing into a friendship. I shall not neglect, at the same time, the opportunity of informing myself of the French discipline. The great news at present is the arrival of a very extraordinary person from the Isle of France in the East Indies.
An obscure Frenchman, who was lately come into the island, being very ill, and given over, said, that before he died he must discharge his conscience of a great burden he had upon it, and declared to several people, he was the accomplice of Damien, and the very person who held the horses.
Unluckily for him, the man recovered after this declaration, was immediately sent prisoner to Paris, and is just landed at Port l'Orient, from whence he is daily expected here, to unravel the whole mystery of that dark affair. This story which at first was laughed at has now gained entire credit, and I apprehend must be founded on real fact. A lady of Miss Caryll's acquaintance has desired me to convey the inclosed letter to her.
We are at this minute in a most magnificent palace, in the middle of a vast lake; ranging about suites of rooms without a soul to interrupt us, and secluded from the rest of the universe. This is the fine side of the medal: We are got here wet to the skin; we have crawled about fine gardens which rain and fogs prevented our seeing; and if to-morrow does not hold up a little better, we shall be in some doubt whether we can say we have seen these famous islands.
Guise says yes, and I say no. The Count is not here; we have our supper from a paultry hedge alehouse, excuse the bull, and the servants have offered us beds in the palace, pursuant to their master's directions.
I hardly think you will like Turin; the court is old and dull; and in that country every one follows the example of the court. The principal amusement seems to be, driving about in your coach in the evening, and bowing to the people you meet. If you go while the Royal Family is there, you have the additional pleasure of stopping to salute them every time they pass. You must not attribute this account to our not having staid long enough to form connections. The most sociable women I have met with are the king's daughters.
As it might however have been difficult to keep up this acquaintance, I chiefly employ my time in seeing places, which fully repaid me in pleasure the trouble of my journey. What entertained me the most, was the museum and the citadel. The first is under the care of a M. Bartoli, who received us, without any introduction, in the politest manner in the world, and was of the greatest service to us, as I dare say he will be to you.
I think you will be surprised at the great church, but infinitely more so at the regiment of Baden, which is in the citadel. Next Friday I shall see the regiment reviewed by General Serbelloni.
Perhaps I may write a particular letter about it. From Milan we proceed to Genoa, and thence to Florence. I think I should advise you to do the same. THE next morning was not fair, but however we were able to take a view of the islands, which, by the help of some imagination, we conclude to be a very delightful, though not an enchanted place. I would certainly advise you to go there from Milan, which you may very well perform in a day and half. Upon our return, we found Lord Tilney and some other English in their way to Venice. We heard a melancholy piece of news from them: Byng died at Bologna a few days ago of a fever.
I am sure you will be all very sorry to hear it. We expect a volume of news from you in relation to Lausanne, and in particular to the alliance of the Duchess with the Frog. Is it already concluded? I expect some account of the said little woman. Who is my successor? I expect your answer at Florence, and your person at Rome; which the Lord grant. WHY did I not leave a letter for you at Marseilles? For a very plain reason: But, as you have most judiciously added, why did not I send one? I own that nonplusses me a little. However, hearken to my history. After revolving a variety of plans, and suiting them as well as possible to time and finances, Guise and I at last agreed to pass from Venice to Lyons, swim down the Rhone, wheel round the south of France, and embark at Bourdeaux.
At Lyons I received letters which convinced me that I ought no longer to deprive my country of one of her greatest ornaments. Unwillingly I obeyed, left Guise to execute alone the remainder of our plan, passed about ten delicious days at Paris, and arrived in England about the end of June. Guise followed me about two months afterwards, as I was informed by an epistle from him, which, to his great astonishment, I immediately answered.
You perceive there is still some virtue amongst men. I am at this present writing, sitting in my library, on Thursday morning, between the hours of twelve and one. I have ventured to suppose you still at Berlin; if not, I presume you take care that your letters should follow you. This ideal march to Berlin is the only one I can make at present. I must own that your executing your tour in so complete a manner gives me a little selfish.
If I make a summer's escape to Berlin, I cannot hope for the companion I flattered myself with. I am sorry however I have said so much; but as it is difficult to encrease your Honour's proper notions of your own perfections, I will e'en let it stand. I see there are people of taste at Vienna, and no longer wonder at your liking it.
Since the court is so agreeable, a thorough reformation must have taken place. The stiffness of the Austrian etiquette, and the haughty magnificence of the Hungarian princes, must have given way to more civilized notions. You have no doubt informed yourself of the forces and revenues of the empress. I think however unfashionably we always esteemed her. Have you lost or improved that opinion.
Princes, like pictures to be admired, must be seen in their proper point of view, which is often a pretty distant one. I am afraid you will find it peculiarly so at Berlin. I need not desire you to pay a most minute attention to the Austrian and Prussian discipline. You have been bit by a mad serjeant as well as myself; and when we meet, we shall run over every particular which we can approve, blame, or imitate.
I do not intend you shall have the honour of reviewing my troops next summer. Three fourths of the men will be recruits; and during my pilgrimage, discipline seems to have been relaxed. But I summon you to fulfil another engagement. Make me a visit next summer. You will find here a bad house, a pleasant country in summer, some books, and very little strange company. Such a plan of life for two or three months must, I should imagine, suit a man who has been for as many years struck from one end of Europe to the other like a tennis-ball.
However I shall hear of your arrival, which can scarcely be so soon as January , and shall probably have the misfortune of meeting you in town soon after. We may then settle any plans for the ensuing campaign. En attendant, admire me, this is the only scrap of foreign lingo I have imported into this epistle—if you had seen that of Guise to me! Nanette Grand is married to Lieutenant-colonel Prevot. Grand wrote to me; and by the next post I congratulated both father and daughter. There is exactness for you. She was very fond of me, and the husband particularly civil.
Could they insult me more cruelly? She is as handsome as ever, and much genteeler; seems pleased with her fortune rather than proud of it. I was perhaps indiscreetly enough exalting Nanette d'Illens's good luck and the fortune. I smiled, and she caught herself immediately. I must end this tedious scrawl. Let me hear from you: I think I deserve it. Believe me, Dear Holroyd, I share in all your pleasures, and feel all your misfortunes.
Is Ridley with you? Adieu; and believe me, most affectionately yours,. If I am not mistaken in my conjecture, pray give my compliments to him, and tell him from me, that I am at least as well pleased that he is married as if I were so myself. May such happiness, which is bestowed on few, be given to him; the transient blessings of beauty, and the more durable ones of fortune, good sense, and an amiable disposition.
I can easily conceive, and as easily excuse you, if you have thought mighty little this winter of your poor rusticated friend. I have been confined ever since Christmas, and confined by a succession of very melancholy occupations. I had scarcely arrived at Beriton, where I proposed staying only about a fortnight, when a brother of Mrs. Gibbon's died unexpectedly, though after a very long and painful illness. I can assure you, my dear Holroyd, that the same event appears in a very different light when the danger is serious and immediate; or when, in the gaiety of a tavern dinner, we affect an insensibility that would do us no great honour were it real.
My father is now much better; but I have since been assailed by a severe stroke—the loss of a friend. You remember, perhaps, an officer of our militia, whom I sometimes used to compare to yourself. Indeed, the comparison would have done honour to any one. His feelings were tender and noble, and he was always guided by them: I shall say no more, and you will excuse my having said so much, of a man with whom you were unacquainted; but my mind is just now so very full of him, that I cannot easily talk, or even think, of any thing else. If I know you right, you will not be offended at my weakness.
What rather adds to my uneasiness, is the necessity I am under of joining our militia the day after to-morrow. Though the lively hurry of such a scene might contribute to divert my ideas, yet every circumstance of it, and the place itself, which was that of his residence, will give me many a painful moment. I know nothing would better raise my spirits than a visit from you; the request may appear unseasonable, but I think I have heard you speak of an uncle you had near Southampton. At all events, I hope you will snatch a moment to write to me, and give me some account of your present situation and future designs.
I stay at Southampton from the first to the twenty-eighth of May, and then propose making a short visit to town: I suppose Guise has often fallen in your way: I ought to recollect, that you even want time to read my unmeaning scrawl. Believe, however, my dear Holroyd, that it is the sincere expression of a heart entirely yours. I do most sincerely regret that it is not in my power to obey your immediate summons.
Some very particular business will not at present permit me to be long absent from Beriton. The same business will carry me to town, about the sixth of next month, for some days. On my return, I do really hope and intend to storm your castle before Christmas, as I presume you will hardly remove sooner. I should be glad to meet Cambridge; but the plain dish of friendship will satisfy me, without the seasoning of Attic wit. Do you know any thing of Guise? Have you no inclination to look at the Russians? We have a bed at your service. SOME daemon, the enemy of friendship, seems to have determined that we shall not meet at Sheffield-Place.
The above-mentioned daemon, though he may defer my projects, shall not however disappoint them. Since you intend to pass the winter in retirement, it will be a far greater compliment to quit active, gay, political London, than the drowsy desart London of the holidays.
I SIT down to answer your epistle, after taking a very pleasant ride. As I used to reason against riding, so I can now argue for it; and indeed the principal use I know in human reason is, when called upon, to furnish arguments for what we have an inclination to do. What do you mean by presuming to affirm, that I am of no use here? Farmer Gibbon of no use? Last week I sold all my hops, and I believe well, at nine guineas a hundred, to a very responsible man. Our quantity has disappointed us very much; but I think, that besides hops for the family, there will not be less than l.
This week I let a little farm in Petersfield by auction, and propose raising it from 25l. To be serious; I have but one reason for resisting your invitation, and my own wishes; that is, Mrs. Gibbon I left nearly alone all last winter, and shall do the same this. She submits very cheerfully to that state of solitude; but, on sounding her, I am convinced that she would think it unkind were I to leave her at present.
I know you so well, that I am sure you will acquiesce in this reason; and let me make my next visit to Sheffield-Place from town, which I think may be a little before Christmas. I should like to hear something of the precise time, duration, and extent of your intended tour into Bucks. IT would ill become me to reproach a dilatory correspondent; Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes? Yet thus much I may say, that I am obliged very soon to go to town upon other business, which, in that hope, I have hitherto deferred.
If by next Sunday I have no answer, or if I hear that your journey to Denham is put off sine die, or to a long day, I shall on Monday set off for London, and wait your future will with faith, hope, and charity. Such is the rough draft of an affair that nobody yet understands. Embrassez de ma part Madame, et le reste de la chere famille.
It is difficult to write news, because there is none. As to Denmark, it seems now that the king, who was totally unfit for government, has only passed from the hands of his queen wife, to those of his queen mother-in-law. She would not be admitted into the Pantheon, whence the gentlemen proprietors exclude all beauty, unless unspotted and immaculate tautology by the bye. The gentlemen proprietors, on the other hand, are friends and patrons of the leopard beauties.
Advertising challenges have passed between the two great factions, and a bloody battle is expected Wednesday night. She had last Thursday seventy-one rebellious sons, who pretended to set aside her will on account of insanity: This is from the best authority. How I long to be ruined! There are two county contests, Sir Thomas Egerton and Colonel Townley in Lancashire, after the county had for some time gone a-begging.
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