inclination to take it in, more especially as you have got the prior volumes; but in the present state of my finances, it will not be prudent, unless you accede to a proposal which, I think, will be gratifying to yourself. It is to take it, in conjunction with me, by which means we shall both have the same enjoyment of it, with half the expence. It is of little consequence who takes them, only he must be expeditious in reading them. If you have any the least objection to this scheme, do not suppress it thro' any regard to punctilio. I have only proposed it, and it is not very material whether you concur or not; only exercise your own discretion.

You say, (speaking of a passage concerning you in my last) "this is compliment sufficient, the rest must be flattery."-Do you seriously, Neville, think me capable of flattery?

As you well know I am a carping, critical little dog, you will not be surprised at my observing that there is one figure in your last that savours rather of the ludicrous, where you talk of a "butterfly hopping from book to book."

As to the something that I am to find out, that is a perpetual bar to your progress in knowledge, &c. I am inclined to think, Doctor, it is merely conceit. You fancy that you cannot write a letter-you dread its idea ; you conceive that a work of four volumes would require the labours of a life to read through; you persuade

yourself that you cannot retain what you read, and in despair do not attempt to conquer these visionary impediments. Confidence, Neville, in one's own abilities, is a sure forerunner (in similar circumstances with the present) of success. As an illustration of this, I beg leave to adduce the example of Pope, who had so high a sense, in his youth, or rather in his infancy, of his own capacity, that there was nothing of which, when once set about it, he did not think himself capable; and as Dr. Johnson has observed, the natural consequence of this minute perception of his own powers, was his arriving at so high a pitch of perfection as it was possible for a man, with his few natural endowments, to attain.

*

When you wish to read Johnson's Lives of the Poets, send for them. I have lately purchased them. I have now a large library. My mother allows me ten pounds per annum for clothes. I always dress in a respectable, and even in a genteel manner, yet I can make much less than this sum suffice. My father generally gives me one coat in a year, and I make two serve. I then receive one guinea per annum for keeping my mother's books;" one guinea per annum pocket money; and by other means I gain, perhaps, two guineas more per annum: so that I have been able to buy pretty many, and when you come home you will find me in my study, surrounded with books and papers. I am a perfect garretter: great part of my library, however, consists of professional

books, Have you read Burke on the Sublime? Knox's Winter Evening-can lend them to you, if you have not.

Really, Neville, were you fully sensible how much my time is occupied, principally about my profession, as a primary concern, and in the hours necessarily set apart to relaxation on polite literature, to which, as a hobby horse, I am very desirous of paying some attention, you would not be angry at my delay in writing, or my short letters. It is always with joy that I devote a leisure hour to you, as it affords you gratification; and rest assured that I always participate in your pleasure, and poignantly feel every adverse incident which causes you pain.

Permit me, however, again to observe, that one of my sheets is equal to two of yours, and I cannot but consider this as a kind of fallacious deception, for you always think that your letters contain so much more than mine, because they occupy more room. If you were to count the words, the difference would not be so great. You must also take in account the unsealed communications to periodical works, which I now reckon a part of my letter, and therefore you must excuse my concluding, on the first sheet, by assuring you that I still remain, Your friend and brother,

H. K. WHITE.

P. S. A postscript is a natural appendage to a letter. I only have to say, that positively you shall receive a

six or eight sheet letter, and that written legibly, ere

long.

TO MR. BOOTH.

DEAR SIR,

Nottingham, August 12th, 1801.

I MUST beg leave to apologize for not having returned my sincere acknowledgments to yourself, and Mrs. Booth, for your very acceptable presents at an earlier period. I now, however, acquit myself of the duty, and assure you, that from both of the works I have received much gratification, and edification, but more particularly from one on the Trinity*, a production which displays much erudition, and a very laudable zeal for the true interests of religion. Religious polemics, indeed, have seldom formed a part of my studies; though, whenever I happened accidentally to turn my thoughts to the subject of the protestant doctrine of the Godhead, and compared it with Arian and Socinian, many doubts interfered, and I even began to think that the more nicely the subject was investigated, the more perplexed it would appear, and was on the point of forming a resolution to

* Jones on the Trinity.

go to heaven in my own way, without meddling or in volving myself in the inextricable labyrinth of controversial dispute, when I received and perused this excellent treatise, which finally cleared up the mists which my ignorance had conjured around me, and clearly pointed out the real truth. The intention of the author precluded the possibility of his employing the ornaments and graces of composition in his work; for as it was meaut for all ranks, it must be suited to all capacities ; but the arguments are drawn up, and arranged in so forcible and perspicuous a manner, and are written so plainly, yet pleasingly, that I was absolutely charmed with them.

The "Evangelical Clergyman" is a very smart piece; the author possesses a considerable portion of sarcastic spirit, and no little acrimony, perhaps not consistent with the christian meekuess which he wishes to inculcate. I consider, however, that London would not have many graces, or attractions, if despoiled of all the amusements to which, in one part of his pamphlet, he objects. In theory, the destruction of these vicious recreations, is very fine; but, in practice, I am afraid he would find it quite different. The other parts of this piece are very just, and such as every person must subscribe to. Clergymeu, in general, are not what they ought to be; and I think Mr. has pointed out

*

*

their duties very accurately. But I am afraid I shall be deemed impertinent and tiresome, in troubling you with ill-timed and obtrusive opinions, and beg leave, there