LETTER VIII.

October 27, 1740.

I

me.

AM grown fo bad a correspondent, partly through the weakness of my eyes, which has much increased of late, and partly through other disagreeable accidents, (almost peculiar to me,) that my oldest as well as best friends are reasonable enough to excuse I know you are of the number who deserve all the testimonies of any fort, which I can give you of esteem and friendship; and I confide in you, as a man of candour enough, to know it cannot be otherwife, if I am an honest one. So I will fay no more on this head, but proceed to thank you for your conftant memory of whatever may be ferviceable or reputable to me. The Translation you are a much better judge of than I, not only because you underftand my work better than I do myself, but as your continued familiarity with the learned languages, makes you infinitely more a master of them. I would only recommend that the Tranflator's attention to Tully's Latinity may not preclude his ufage of fome Terms which may be more precise in modern philofophy than fuch as he could ferve himself of, especially in matters metaphyfical. I think this fpecimen

k

* Of his Essay on Man into Latin profe.

W.

* This is one of the moft fingular conceffions ever made by any author; and a fulsome strain of flattery indeed.

cimen close enough, and clear alfo, as far as the claffical phrases allow; from which yet I would rather he fometimes deviated, than fuffered the fenfe to be either dubious or clouded too much. You know my mind perfectly as to the intent of fuch a verfion, and I would have it accompanied with your own remarks tranflated, fuch only I mean as are general, or explanatory of those paffages which are concise to any degree of obscurity, or which demand perhaps too minute an attention in the reader.

I have been unable to make the journey I defigned to Oxford, and Lord Bathurst's, where I hoped to have made you of the party. I am going to Bath for near two months. Yet pray let nothing hinder me fometimes from hearing you are well. I have had that contentment from time to time from Mr. G.

Scriblerus1 will or will not be published, according to the event of fome other papers coming, or not coming out, which it will be my utmost endeavour to hinder ". I will not give you the pain of acquainting you what they are. Your fimile of B. and his nephew would make an excellent epigram. But all Satire is become fo ineffectual (when the laft Step that Virtue can ftand upon, fhame, is taken away) that Epigram must expect to do nothing even in its own little province, and upon its own little fubjects.

1 The Memoirs of Scriblerus.

m The Letters published by Dr. Swift.

Adieu.

W.

W.

Adieu.

Believe I wish you nearer us; the only power I wish, is that of attaching, and at the fame time fupporting, fuch congenial bodies as you are to, dear Sir,

LETTER IX.

Your, etc.

Bath, Feb. 4, 1740-1.

IF

I had not been made by many accidents so fick of letter-writing, as to be almost afraid of the fhadow of my own pen, you would be the person I fhould ofteneft pour myself out to: indeed for a good reason, for you have given me the strongest proofs of understanding, and accepting my meaning in the best manner; and of the candour of your heart, as well as the clearness of your head. My vexations I would not trouble you with, but I must just mention the two greatest I now have. They have printed in Ireland, my letters to Dr. Swift, and (which is the ftrangest circumftance) by his own confent and direction", without acquainting me till it was done. The other is one that will continue with me till

fome

N. B. This was the strongest resentment he ever expreffed of this indifcretion of his old friend, as being perfuaded that it proceeded from no ill-will to him, though it expofed him to the ill

will of others.

W.

fome profperous event to your fervice fhall bring us nearer to each other. I am not content with those glimpses of you, which a fhort spring vifit affords; and from which you carry nothing away with you but my fighs and wishes, without any real benefit.

I am heartily glad of the advancement of your fecond Volume; and particularly of the Digreffions, for they are so much more of you; and I can trust your judgment enough to depend upon their being pertinent *. You will, I queftion not, verify the good proverb, that the furthest way about, is the nearest way home: and much better than plunging through thick and thin, more Theologorum; and perfifting in the fame old track, where so many have either broken their necks, or come off very lamely. This leads me to thank you for that very entertain. ing t, and, I think, inftructive story of Dr. W * who was, in this, the image of

• Of the Divine Legation.

* * *,

who never ad

mit

W.

* The Digreffions are many of them learned, curious, and entertaining; but fome good judges will not allow them to be pertinent.

This ftory concerning Dr. Waterland, is related with much pleasantry by Dr. Middleton, in the following words: "In his laft journey from Cambridge to London, being attended by Dr. Plumtree, and Dr. Chefelden the furgeon, he lodged the fecond night at Hodfden; where being observed to have been costive on the road, he was advised to have a clyfter, to which he confented. The Apothecary was presently fent for, to whom Dr. Plumtree gave his orders below ftairs, while Dr. Waterland continued above; upon which the Apothecary could not forbear expreffing his

great

mit of any remedy from a hand they diflike. But I am forry he had fo much of the modern Christian rancour, as, I believe, he may be convinced by this time, that the kingdom of Heaven is not for fuch.

I am just returning to London, and fhall the more impatiently expect your book's appearance, as I hope you will follow it; and that I may have as happy a month through your means as I had the last spring.

I am, etc.

great sense of the honour which he received, in being called to the affiftance of fo celebrated a perfon, whose writings he was well acquainted with. The company fignified some surprise to find a country Apothecary fo learned; but he affured them, that he was no ftranger to the merit and character of the Doctor, but had lately read his ingenious Book with much pleasure, The Divine Legation of Mofes. Dr. Plumtree, and a Fellow of Magdalen, there prefent, took pains to convince the Apothecary of his mistake, while C- --n ran up ftairs with an account of his blunder to Waterland, who provoked by it into a violent paffion, called the poor fellow a puppy, and blockhead, who muft needs be ignorant in his profeffion and unfit to adminifter any thing to him, and might poffibly poison his bowels; and notwithstanding Dr. Plumtree's endeavours to moderate his displeasure, by reprefenting the expediency of the operation, and the man's capacity to perform it, he would hear nothing in his favour, but ordered him to be discharged, and poftponed the benefit of the clyfter till he reached his next stage."