language, are formed in the same manner from the substan tives. See the beginning of my fourth dissertation. Where the construction of such words is consonant to established principles, and is not disagreeable to the ear, I doubt how far the alterations are to be discountenanced. But with respect to progress, there appears to be no room for doubt; for, to form it into a verb, it is necessary to change the accent of the word; and I agree with you, sir, in pronouncing it "awkward and abominable."

If I understand your remarks on the word oppose, your objection is, that the word is used in a passive sense, instead of an active; the gentlemen who are opposed to the mea sure, instead of, the gentlemen who oppose it. This is certainly inaccurate.

In your remarks on printing I heartily concur. I could wish to see utility always preferred to imaginary and whimsical ornaments, especially in an art of so much consequence as that of printing. That my spelling-book is badly printed in Philadelphia, I lament, and shall try to remedy the evil some time in the course of this year, when I expect to be in Philadelphia. But I see the Irish interest will be in favor of Mr. Barry's; and in this preference, some unreasonable personal prejudices against me, contracted while I was in Philadelphia in 1787, will perhaps have some influence. With a great number of very good men, my opposition to Sheridan's pronunciation will be a sufficient ground of oppo sition to mine. Still I hope to do some good by my publications on language, although I expect it will be small. I have now taken up my profession, which I laid aside for seven or eight years, and must endeavor to repair that loss of time by double assiduity.

I thank you, sir, most sincerely for your kind congratulations on my marriage. Mrs. Webster, who was once at your house in 1787, desires her respects to you and to Mrs. Bache. I regret your indisposition and infirmities for your

own sake, as well as on account of my country, which feels grateful for your services, and wishes still to reap the ripened fruit of your experience, observations, and talents.

I am, sir, with gratitude and respect, your obliged and obedient humble servant, NOAH WEBSTER, JUN.

LETTER FROM DR. STILES, PRESIDENT OF YALE

SIR,

COLLEGE, &c. TO DR. FRANKLIN.

Requesting his portrait for Yale College, and wishing to be made acquainted with his religious sentiments. Yale College, Jan. 28, 1790. We have lately received Governor Yale's portrait from his family in London, and deposited it in the college library, where is also deposited one of Governor Saltonstall's. I have long wished that we might be likewise honored with that of Dr. Franklin. In the course of your long life you may probably have become possessed of several portraits of yourself. Shall I take too great a liberty in humbly asking a donation of one of them to Yale College? You obliged me with a mezzotinto picture of yourself many years ago, which I often view with pleasure. But the canvass is more permanent. We wish to be possessed of the durable resemblance of the American patriot and philosopher. You have merited and received all the honors of the republic of letters; and are going to a world where all sublunary glories will be lost in the glories of immortality. Should you shine throughout the intellectual and stellary universe, with the eminence and distinguished lustre with which you have appeared in this little detached part of the creation, you would be what I most fervently wish to you, sir, whatever may be my fate in eternity. The grand climacteric in which I now am, reminds me of the interesting scenes of futurity. You know, sir, that I am a Christian, and would to heaven all others were such as I am, except my imperfections and deficiencies of moral character! As much as I know of Dr. Franklin, I have not an idea of his religious sentiments.

1

I

wish to know the opinion of my venerable friend concerning JESUS of Nazareth. He will not impute this to impertinence or improper curiosity in one, who for so many years has continued to love, estimate, and reverence his abilities and literary character, with an ardor and affection bordering on adoration. If I have said too much, let the request be blotted out, and be no more; and yet I shall never cease to wish you that happy immortality which I believe Jesus alone has purchased for the virtuous and truly good of every religious denomination in Christendom, and for those of every age, nation, and mythology, who reverence the Deity, are filled with integrity, righteousness, and benevolence. Wishing you every blessing, I am, dear sir, your most obedient EZRA STILES. ANSWER TO THE REVEREND PRESIDENT STILES. Philadelphia, March 9, 1790.

servant,

i

REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,

I received your kind letter of January 28, and am glad you have at length received the portrait of Governor Yale from his family, and deposited it in the college library. He was a great and good man, and had the merit of doing infinite service to your country by his munificence to that institution. The honor you propose doing me, by placing mine in the same room with his, is much too great for my deserts; but you always had a partiality for me, and to that it must be ascribed. I am however too much obliged to Yale College, the first learned society that took notice of me and adorned me with its honors, to refuse a request that comes from it through so esteemed a friend. But I do not think any one of the portraits you mention as in my possession, worthy of the situation and company you propose to place it in. You have an excellent artist lately arrived.

,,

If

Supposed to be STUART, an eminent portrait-painter, then just

returned from Europe to his native country.

he will undertake to make one for you, I shall cheerfully pay the expense: but he must not delay setting about it, or I may slip through his fingers; for I am now in my 85th year, and very infirm.

I send with this a very learned work as it seems to me, on the ancient Samaritan coins, lately printed in Spain, and at least curious for the beauty of the impression. Please to accept it for your college library. 1 have subscribed for the encyclopedia now printing here, with the intention of presenting it to the college. I shall probably depart before the work is finished, but shall leave directions for its continuance to the end. With this you will receive some of the first numbers.

You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavor in a few words to gratify it. Here is my creed: I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them. As to JESUS OF NAZARETH, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is like to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his

"For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight,
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right."

POPE.

divinity; though it is a question: I do not dogmatise upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss by distinguishing the believers, in his government of the world, with any peculiar marks of his displeasure. I shall only add respecting myself, that having experienced the goodness of that Being in conducting me prosperously through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in the next, though without the smallest conceit of meriting such goodness. My sentiments on this head you will see in the copy of an old letter enclosed, which I wrote in answer to one from an old religionist whom I had re lieved in a paralytic case by electricity, and who being afraid I should grow proud upon it, sent me his serious, though rather impertinent, caution. I send you also the copy of another letter, which will show something of my disposition relating to religion. With great and sincere esteem and affection, I am, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

P.S. Had not your college some present of books, from the king of France? Please to let me know if you had an expectation given yon of more, and the nature of that expectation. I have a reason for the inquiry.

I confide that you will not expose me to criticisms and censures, by publishing any part of this communication to

Supposed to be the Letter to George Whitfield, dated June 6, 1753, p. 1.