of course, was unanimous; and it was carried with the sincere approbation and eagerness of all present. I am sorry to add, that lord Camden and the bishop of Chester were rejected. When bishops and chancellors honour us by offering to dine with us at a tavern, it seems very extraordinary that we should ever reject such an offer; but there is no 'reasoning on the caprice of men. Of our club I will only say, that there is no branch of human knowledge, on which some of our members are not capable of giving information; and, I trust, that as the honour will be ours, so your lordship will receive some pleasure from the company, once a fort. night, of some of our first writers and critics, as well as our most virtuous senators and accomplished men. I think myself highly honoured in having been a member of this society near ten years, and chiefly in having contributed to add such names to the number of our friends as those of your lordship and lord Althorpe. I spoke yesterday in Westminster Hall for two hours and a half, on a knotty point of law; and this morning, for above an hour, on a very interesting public question: to-morrow I must argue a great cause, and am, therefore, obliged to conclude, with assuring your lordship, that I am, with the highest, &c.

W. JONES.

LXXII.

From the Bishop of St. Asaph.

DEAR SIR,

November 27.

You was prevented by sir Joshua Reynolds in your kind intentions of giving me the earliest notice of the honour you have done me. I believe Mr. Fox will allow me to say, that the honour of being elected into the Turk's Head Club is not inferior to that of being the representative of Westminster or Surrey: the electors are certainly more disinterested; and I should say they were much better judges of merit, if they had not rejected lord Camden, and chosen me. I flatter myself with the hopes of great pleasure and improvement in such a society as you describe, which, indeed, is the only club of which I ever wished myself a member.

Though I am much flattered with hearing from you, I was delighted with the cause of your delaying to write. Your talents have found means, by their own weight, to open the way to public notice and employment, which could not long be shut against them. Your pleadings for the nephew against the daughter promise something very curious in the particulars of the case, which seems to call for great abilities to defend it.

I would not neglect the first opportunity of an

swering your very obliging letter, though, it being early post day, I am forced to write in a greater hurry than I could wish. I am, &c.

J. ST. A.

LXXIII.

To the Rev. Edmund Cartwright.

DEAR SIR,

May 1, 1781.

I TAKE the liberty to send you (as my Arabian Poets are not yet ready to wait upon you) a paraphrase of a Greek fragment, which came into my head this spring in my way to Wales. I make no doubt of your continuing to cultivate the Muses, by whom you are so highly favoured, and hope you will from time to time transmit the fruit of their favours to, &c.

WILLIAM JONES.

LXXIV.

From the Bishop of St. Asaph.

DEAR SIR, May 28, 1781. You have my best and earliest thanks for your ode in the true Grecian taste and spirit. I remember to have seen a fragment of Alcæus, but I cannot find it in Aristides, of whom I have only Cantern's small edition: the seed you have found there, you have quickened, by the warmth of true genius, into a noble production. I cannot help observing, that Alcæus, like other good poets and patriots, was condemned for life to be in the minority.

I am, &c.

J. ST. ASAPH.

I hope you will not forget, that when you have leisure, your friends at Twyford will be very happy to see you.

LXXV.

From Mr. Burke.

I Do not know how I can justify myself in the liberty I take with you; but, confiding in your humanity and condescension, I beg, if you have leisure for it, that you would be so kind as to breakfast with me, and assist me with your opinion and advice on the conduct of the Bengal Bill. The natives of the East, to whose literature you have done so much justice, are particularly under your protection for their rights. I have the honour to be, with the highest esteem and regard, dear sir, your most faithful and obedient humble servant,

EDMUND BURKE.