XXIII.

To John Wilmot, Esq.

Univ. Coll. Oxford, June 3, 1771.

MY DEAR WILMOT,

Ir makes me very happy to hear that my lord chief justice does not retire on account of ill health, but from a motive which does him the highest honour, He will now enjoy the greatest happiness of human life, ease with dignity, after having passed through the most honourable labour without danger. I should think myself highly blessed, if I could pursue a similar course in my small sphere; and, after having raised a competency at the bar, could retire to the bowers of learning and the arts.

I have just begun to contemplate the stately edifice of the laws of England,—

The gather'd wisdom of a thousand years.

if you will allow me to parody a line of Pope. I do not see why the study of the law is called dry and unpleasant; and I very much suspect that it seems so to those only who would think any study unplea

sant, which required a great application of the mind, and exertion of the memory. I have read most attentively the first two volumes of Blackstone's Commentaries, and the two others will require much less attention. I am much pleased with the care he takes to quote his authorities in the margin, which not only give a sanction to what he asserts, but point out the sources to which the student may apply for more diffusive knowledge. I have opened two common-place books, the one of the law, the other of oratory, which is surely too much neglected by our modern speakers: I do not mean the popular eloquence, which cannot be tolerated at the bar; but that correctness of style, and elegance of method, which at once please and persuade the hearer. But I must lay aside my studies for about six weeks, while I am printing my Grammar, from which a good deal is expected, and which I must endeavour to make as perfect as a human work can be. When that is finished, I shall attend the Court of King's Bench very constantly, and shall either take a lodging in Westminster, or accept the invitation of a friend in Duke-street, who has made me an obliging offer of apartments.

I am sorry the characters you sent me are not Persian, but Chinese, which I cannot decipher without a book, which I have not at present; but tous Chinois qu'ils sont, I shall be able to make them out, when the weather will permit me to sit in the Bodleian. In the mean time, I would advise you to inquire after a native of China, who is now in London; I cannot recollect where he lodges, but shall know when I come to town, which will be to-morrow or Saturday. I shall be at Richardson's

till my Grammar is finished, unless I can buy a set of chambers in the Temple, which I fear will be difficult. I will certainly call upon you in a day or two. On one of the Indian pictures at your house there was a beautiful copy of Persian verses, which I will beg leave to transcribe, and should be glad to print it, with a translation, in the Appendix to my Grammar. I have not yet had my Persian proposals engraved; but, when you write to your brother, you would much oblige me by desiring him to send me a little Persian manuscript, if he can procure it without much trouble. It is a small poem which I intend to print: we have six or seven copies of it at Oxford; but if I had one in my possession, it would save me the trouble of transcribing it I have enclosed its title in Persian and English. I am very glad that your family are well: I wish them joy upon every occasion. My mother and sister desire their compliments to you; and I am, with great regard,

Yours, most affectionately,
WILLIAM JONES.

XXIV.

To Mr. Hawkins.

Nov. 5, 1771.

I SHALL ever gratefully acknowledge, dear sir, my obligation to you for the trouble you take in inspecting my trifles. Had Dryden and other poets met with such a friend, their poems would have been more polished, and consequently more fit to see the light. Your observations are so judicious, that I wish you had not been so sparing of them. I entirely approve of all your corrections, &c.

As to the years in which the poems were written, they are certainly of no consequence to the public; but (unless it be very absurd), I would wish to specify them; for it would hurt me as a student at the bar, to have it thought that I continue to apply myself to poetry; and I mean to insinuate that I have given it up for several years, which I must explain more fully in the preface: for a man who wishes to rise in the law, must be supposed to have no other object.*

• The small volume of poems here alluded to, consisting chiefly of translations from the Asiatic language, was pub. lished in 1772. We may smile at the solicitude which Mr.

XXV.

To C. Reviczki.*

Oxford, Dec. 1771.

THIRTEEN months, or rather, I may say years, have elapsed, without a line from my friend! I have, however, written to you twice; once and very fully in Latin, last March, and again in July, in a great hurry, in French. These letters contained a detailed account of my occupations and views, of the profession which I had adopted, and of the splendid objects to which I ambitiously looked forward. You have, I trust, received my four books, which Mr. Whitchurch, chaplain to our ambassador, at my request, promised to deliver to you at Vienna. I recommend him to your particular attention, as a young man of an excellent disposition, and very fond of literature. This will be presented to you by Mr. Drummond, a man of letters, who proceeds to Vienna for the purpose of studying physic. You know that the medical profession is

Jones expresses, to avoid the imputation of devoting to the Muses that time which belonged to his professional studies.

Written in Latin.