Α

LETTER, &c.

SIR,

You

OU have been lately employed in embalming a philofopher; his body, I believe I must fay; for concerning the other part of him, neither you nor he seem to have entertained an idea, fleeping or waking. Elfe, it furely might have claimed a little of your care and attention; and one would think, the belief of the foul's existence and immortality could do no

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harm, if it did no good, in a Theory of Moral Sentiments. But every gentleman understands his own business best.

Will you do an unknown correfpondent the honour, Sir, to accept a few plain remarks, in a free and eafy way, upon the curious letter to Mr. STRAHAN, in which this ever memorable operation of embalming is performed? Our Philofopher's account of his own life will likewife be confidered, as we go along.

Truft me, good Doctor, I am no bigot, enthusiast, or enemy to human learning-Et ego in Arcadia-I have made many a

hearty meal, in private, upon CICERO and VIRGIL, as well as Mr. HUME *. Few perfons (though, perhaps, as Mr. HUME says, upon a like occafion, “I ought not to judge on that

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subject") have a quicker relish for the productions of genius, and the beauties of compofition. It is therefore as little in my intention, as it is in my power, to prejudice the literary character of your friend. From fome of his writings I have received great pleasure, and have ever efteemed his History of England to have been a noble effort of Matter and Motion. But when a

man takes it into his head to do

mischief, you must be fenfible, Sir, the Public has always reafon to lament his being a clever fellow.

I hope it will not be deemed vanity in me likewise to say, that I have in my compofition a large proportion of that, which our inimitable SHAKESPEARE ftyles, the milk of human kindness. I never knew what envy or hatred was; and am ready, at all times, to praise, wherever I can do it, in honour and conscience. DAVID, I doubt not, was, as you affirm, a focial agreeable perfon, of a convivial turn, told a good story, and

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played well at "his favourite game of whift*." I know not that JOHN THE PAINTER did the fame. But there is no abfurdity in the supposition. If he did not, he might have done it-Doctor, be not offended-I mean no harm. I would only infer thus much, that I could not, on that account, bring myfelf abfolutely to approve his odd fancy of firing all the dockyards in the kingdom.

Concerning the philofophical opinions of Mr. HUME you observe †, that "men will, no " doubt, judge variously." They are certainly at liberty fo to do,

* LIFE, &c. p. 43. † LIFE, &c. p. 59.