daring figures, or abrupt unconnected lines; and this will, in some measure, alleviate the Herculean labour of the task.

If I were not a sincere lover of truth, and averse from all dissimulation, I should lament that our capital has fallen under your inspection in these times of turbulence and distraction, when the liberty of my country, so universally celebrated, has degenerated into unbridled licentiousness, not to say outrage. The original form of our constitution is almost divine;-to such a degree, that no state of Rome or Greece could ever boast one superior to it; nor could Plato, Aristotle, nor any legislator, even conceive a more perfect model of a state. The three parts which compose it, are so harmoniously blended and incorporated, that neither the flute of Aristoxenus, nor the lyre of Timotheus, ever produced more perfect concord. What can be more difficult than to devise a constitution, which, while it guards the dignity of the su vereign, and liberty of the people, from any encroachment, by the influence and power of the nobility, preserves the force and majesty of the laws from violation, by the popular liberty? This was the case formerly in our island, and would be so still, if the folly of some had not prompted them to spur on the populace, instead of holding them in. I cannot therefore restrain my indignation against Wilkes, a bold and able, but turbulent man, the very torch and firebrand of sedition. But what can be said in defence of the honour and consistency of some of our nobility, who, after having given him

their countenance and support, shamefully deserted and betrayed him?

If you wish to obtain more accurate information respecting our laws and customs, I recommend to your perusal Smith's Treatise on the English Constitution, and the Dialogue of Fortescue in praise of the Laws of England. Thomas Smith was the English Ambassador in France in the reign of Elizabeth, and his work is in Latin, and not inelegantly written. To Fortescue's little tract, we may apply the words of Xenophon to the Teleboas: "It is not large, but beautiful." He was chancellor of England under Henry the Sixth, and was compelled, by the distractions of the times, to take refuge, with his pupil Prince Edward, in France, where, in an advanced age, he composed his little golden dialogue. These books will convince you, that our laws are framed with the greatest wisdom, and that (as Pindar, quoted by Plato in his Gorgias, says),

Sovereign o'er all, eternal Law,
On gods and men imposes awe;

And Justice, strengthen'd by her hand,
O'er all exerts supreme command.

When I reflect on our constitution, I seem, as it were, to contemplate a game at chess-a recreation in which we both delight for we have a king, whose dignity we strenuously defend, but whose power is very limited; the knights, and rooks, and other pieces, have some kind of resemblance to the orders of nobility, who are employed in war, and in the management of public affairs; but the principal strength is in the pawns, or people: if these are

firmly united, they are sure of victory; but if divided and separated, the battle is lost. The motions of all, as in the game of chess, are regulated by fixed laws, Lastly, when I consider myself, I seem like a spectator, contemplating, for his mere amusement, the two parties at the game: but, if it ever should be my lot to be concerned in the administration of affairs, I will renounce gain and popularity, and pursue one object, and one only, to preserve our beautiful constitution inviolate.

Contrary to my intention, I find I have been prolix; I will, therefore, turn to another subject. I read your last letter with an apprehension, that it might communicate the intelligence of your speedy departure from England; but as you are silent on this head, as my business here will soon be concluded, and as I know the uncertainty of all human affairs; I am determined to embrace an opportunity, which, if I now neglect, may not again occur of paying you a visit in London about the middle of the month.

Farewell.

VIII.

To C. Reviczki.*

(No date.-1768.) I HAVE received your two letters, replete with taste and erudition: your kindness towards me is as conspicuous in them, as the brilliancy of your genius. I now reply to both.

Your approbation of my intention to publish my work, gives me, as it ought, great pleasure; for I cannot but rejoice, as Hector in the tragedy says, "in the praise of one who is himself entitled to praise." The perusal of the two odes of the divine poet afforded me infinite delight; they are very beautiful, but their beauties are more conspicuous from your luminous interpretation. Your metrical imitation of them is elegant; and if you will allow me to publish it in my work, you will equally oblige me and my readers, who will be glad to hear the Persian poet speak Latin; if you object to this, copies of them shall be deposited with my treasures, and the originals restored to you as soon as possible. You bid me return the verses to you when I am tired with them: this is as much as to say, keep them for ever; for it is impossible that I can ever be tired with the perusal.

VOL. I.

• Written in Latin.

C

IX.

To C. Reviczki. *

Oxford, Nov. 1768.

I CANNOT resist the temptation of writing to you, although I fear you may have quitted this country before my letter arrives.

I have received your obliging letter, with an elegant ode of Hafez, which I read with the greatest pleasure, or rather devoured.

But what necessity is there to say more, since it is possible that what I write may never reach you? Let me, again and again, entreat and beseech your remembrance of me wherever you go, and that you will write to me as speedily, and at as great a length, as possible. Be assured, that nothing has, or ever can, afford me greater pleasure than your friendship.

Written in Latin.