pleasure the Italian 'tongue, and the fine old editions of their capital writers are sold in London for a lower price than they bear in Italy. An English translation I can by no means advise; the justness of thought and good sense might remain, but the graces of elocution (which make a great part of Algarotti's merit) would be entirely lost, and that merely from the very different genius and complexion of the two languages.

:

I rather think these volumes should be handsomely bound, before they are put into the library; they bind very neatly here; and if you approve it, Mr. Brown will order it to be done. Doubtless there can be no impropriety in making the same present to the University, nor need you at all to fear for the reputation of your friend he has merit enough to recommend him in any country. A tincture of various sorts of knowledge, an acquaintance with all the beautiful arts, an easy command, a precision, warmth, and richness of expression, and a judgment that is rarely mistaken on any subject to which he applies it. Of the dialogues I have formerly told you my thoughts. The essays and letter (many of them entirely new to me) on the arts, are curious and entertaining; those on other subjects, (even where the thoughts are hot new, but borrowed from his various reading and conversation) often better put, and better expressed than in the originals. I rejoice when I see Machiavel defended or illustrated, who to me appears one of the wisest men that any nation in any age has produced. Most of the other discourses, military or political, are well worth reading, though that on Kouli-Khan was a mere jeu-d'esprit, a sort of historical éxércise. The letters from Russia I have read before with pleasure, particularly the narrative of Munich's and Lascy's campaigns. The detached thoughts are often new and just; but there should have been a revisal of them, as they are frequently to be found in his letters repeated in the very same words. Some too of

the familiar letters might have been spared. The Congress of Cythera I had seen and liked before, the Giudicio d'Amore is an addition rather inferior to it. The verses are not equal to the prose, but they are above mediocrity.

I shall be glad to hear your health is improved, and that you have thoughts of favouring us with your company here. I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

LETTER CXXXIV.

THOS GRAY.

MR. GRAY TO MR. BEATTIE.

Pembroke Hall, Feb. 1, 1768.

I AM almost sorry to have raised any degree of impatience in you, because I can by no means satisfy it. The sole reason I have to publish these few additions now, is to make up (in both) for the omission of that Long Story; and as to the notes, I do it out of spite, because the public did not understand the two Odes (which I have called Pindaric); though the first was not very dark, and the second alluded to a few common facts to be found in any sixpenny history of England, by way of question and answer, for the use of children. The parallel passages I insert out of justice to those

writers from whom I happened to take the hint of any line, as far as I can recollect.

I rejoice to be in the hands of Mr. Foulis, who has the laudable ambition of surpassing his predecessors, the Etiennes and the Elzevirs, as well in literature, as in the proper art of his profession: he surprises me in mentioning a Lady, after whom I have been enquiring these fourteen years in vain. When the two Odes were first published, I sent them to her; but as I was forced to direct them very much at random, probably they never came to her hands. When the present edition comes out, I beg of Mr. Foulis to offer her a copy, in my name, with my respects and grateful remembrances; he will' send another to you, Sir, and a third to Lord Gray, if he will do me the honour of accepting it. These are all the presents I pretend to make (for I would have it considered only as a new edition of an old book); after this if he pleases to send me one or two, I shall think myself obliged to him. I cannot advise him to print a great number; especially as Dodsley has it in his power to print as many as he pleases, though I desire him not to do so.

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You are very good to me in taking this trouble upon you: all I can say is, that I shall be happy to return it in kind, whenever you will give me the opportunity.

LETTER CXXXV.

MR. GRAY TO. MR. WALPOLE,

Feb. 14, 1768 Pemb. College.

I RECEIVED the book you were so good to send me, and have read it again (indeed I could hardly be said to have read it before) with attention and with pleasure. Your second edition is so, rapid in its progress, that it will now hardly answer, any purpose to tell you either my own objections, or those of other people. Certain it is, that you are universally read here; but what we think is, not so easy to come, at. We stay as usual to see the success, to learn the judgement of the town, to be directed in our opinions by those of more competent judges. If they like you, we shall; if any one of name write against you, we give you up; for we are modest and diffident of ourselves, and not without reason. History in particular is not our fort; for (the truth is) we read only modern books and pamphlets of the day. I have heard it objected, that you raise doubts and difficulties, and do not satisfy them by telling us what is really the case. I have heard you charged with disrespect to the King of Prussia; and above all to King William, and the Revolution. These are seriously the most sensible things I have heard said, and all that I recollect. If you please to justify yourself, you may.

* Walpole's Historic Doubts.

My own objections are little more essential: they relate chiefly to inaccuracies of style, which either debase the expression or obscure the meaning. I could point out several small particulars of this kind, and will do so, if you think it can serve any purpose after publication. When I hear you read, they often escape me, partly because I am attending to the subject, and partly because from habit I understand you where a stranger might often be at a loss.

As to your* arguments, most of the principal parts are made out with a clearness and evidence that no one would expect, where materials are so scarce. Yet I still suspect Richard of the murder of Henry VI. The chronicler of Croyland charges it full on him,, though without a name or any mention of circumstances.. The interests of Edward, were the interests of Richard too, though the throne were not then, in view; and that Henry still stood in their way, they might well imagine,. because, though deposed and imprisoned once before, he had regained his liberty and his crown; and was still adored by

*The Reader will probably not dislike to read Voltaire's opinion of Mr. Walpole's book, as expressed in a Letter to the Author, 15th July,: 1768.— Avant le départ de ma Lettre j'ai eu le temps, Monsieur, de lire votre Richard : trois. Vous seriez un excellent attornei general; vous pesez toutes les probabilités; mais il parait, que vous avez un inclination secrette pour ce bossu. Vous voulez qu'il ait été beau garçon, et même galant homme. Le bénédictin Calmet, a fait une dissertation pour prouver que Jésus-Christ avoit un fort beau visage, Je veux croire avec vous, que Richard trois, n'étoit ni si laid, ni si méchant qu'on le dit; mais je n'aurois pas voulu avoir a faire à lui. Votre Rose blanche, et votre Rose rouge, avaient de terribles épines pour la nation.

Those gratious kings are all a pack of Rogues!

En lisant l'histoire des York et des Lancastre, et de bien d'autres, on croit lire l'histoire des voleurs de grand chemin. Pour votre Henri sept, il n'étoit que eoupeur de bourses.-Ed.