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 '.IBBON (Edward). Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. 
 With Memoirs of his Life and Writings, composed by himself. Illustrated 
 from his Letters, with occasional Notes and Narrative. By John Lord 
 Sheffield. Frontisj^iece. 2 vols. 4to, half morocco, sijrinkled edges. 
 
 London, 1796 
 First Edition.

 
 MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 WORKS 
 
 OF 
 
 E D TV A R D GIBBON, Efquire. 
 
 WITH 
 
 MEMOIRS OF HIS LIFE AND WRITINGS, 
 
 COMPOSED BT HIMSELF: 
 
 ILLUSTRATED FROM HIS LETTERS, 
 
 WITH OCCASIONAL NOTES AND NARRATIFH, 
 
 By JOHN LORD SHEFFIELD. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PIRINTED TOP. A. 3TRAHAK, AND T. CADELL JUN. AND W. DAVIE5, (SUCCESSORS TO 
 
 MR. CADELL,) IN THE STRAND. 
 
 MDCCXCVI. 
 
 1) A '.\ 'i T'
 
 •••••• 
 
 •• • • •
 
 
 THE melancholy duty of examining the Papers of my 
 deceafed Friend devolved upon me at a time when I 
 was depreffed by fevere afflidlions. 
 
 In that ftate of mind, I hefitated to undertake the 
 tafk of feleding and preparing his Manufcripts for the 
 prefs. The warmth of my early and long attachment to 
 Mr. Gibbon made me confcious of a partiality, which 
 it was not proper to indulge, efpecially in revifmg 
 many of his juvenile and unfinifhed compofitions. I 
 had to guard, not only againft a fentiment like my 
 own, which I found extcnfively diffufed, but alfo againft 
 the eagernefs occafioned by a very general curiofity to fee 
 in print every literary relick, however imperfed, of fo 
 diftinguiflied a writer. 
 
 Iking aware how difgracefully Authors of Eminence 
 have been often treated, by an indifcreet pofthumous pub- 
 lication of fragments and carelefs cffufions ; when- 1 had 
 fekfted thofe Papers which to my felf appeared the fitteft 
 for the public eye, I confulted fomc of our common 
 
 A 2 ' friends,
 
 [ Iv ] 
 
 friends, whom I knew to be equally anxious with myfelf 
 for Mr. Gibbon's fame, and fully competent, from their 
 judgment, to protedt it. 
 
 Under fuch a fanftion it is, that, no longer fufpedling 
 myfelf to view through too favourable a medium the 
 compofitions of my Friend, I now venture to publifh 
 them : and it may here be proper to give fome informa- 
 tion to the Reader, refpeding the Contents of thefe 
 Volumes. 
 
 The moft important part confifts of Memoirs of Mr. 
 Gibbon's Life and Writings, a work which he feems 
 to have projected with peculiar folicitude and atten- 
 tion, and of which he left Six different fketches, all 
 in his own hand-writing. One of thefe fketches, the 
 moft diffufe and circumftantial, fo far as it proceeds, 
 ends at the time when he quitted Oxford. Another 
 at the year 1764, when he travelled to Italy. A 
 third, at his father's death, in 1770. A fourth, which 
 he continued to a fhort time after his return to Lau- 
 fanne in 1788, appears in the form of Annals, much 
 lefs detailed than the others. The two remaining fketches 
 are ftill more imperfed. It is difficult to difcover the 
 order in which thefe feveral Pieces were written, but 
 there is reafon to believe that the moft copious was the 
 laft. From all thefe the following Memoirs have been 
 carefully feled:ed, and put together. 
 
 My
 
 [ V ] 
 
 My hefitation in giving thefe Memoirs to the world 
 arofe, principally, from the circumftance of Mr. 
 Gibbon's appearing, in fome refped:, not to have been 
 fatisfied with them, as he had fo frequently varied 
 their form ; yet, notwithftanding this diffidence, the 
 compofltions, though unfinifhed, are fo excellent, that 
 they may juftly entitle my Friend to appear as his 
 own biographer, rather than to have that tafk under- 
 taken by any other perfon lefs qualified for it. 
 
 This opinion has rendered me anxious to publifh the 
 prefent Memoirs, without any unneceflary delay ; for I 
 am perfuaded, that the Author of them cannot be made 
 to appear in a truer light than he does in the following 
 pages. In them, and in his different Letters, which 
 I have added, will be found a complete pidiure of 
 his talents, his difpofition, his fliudies, and his attain- 
 ments. 
 
 Thofe flight variations of charadler, which naturally 
 arofe in the progrefs of his Life, will be unfolded in a 
 feries of Letters, feledled from a Correfpondence between 
 him and myfelf, which continued full thirty years, and 
 ended with his death. 
 
 It is to be lamented, that all the {ketches of the Me- 
 moirs, except that compofed in the form of Annals, and 
 which fcems rather defigned as heads for a future Work, 
 2 ceafe
 
 [ v3 ] 
 
 ceafe about twenty years before Mr. Gibbon's death-, 
 and confequently, that we have the leaft detailed ac- 
 count of the nioft interefting part of his Life. His Cor- 
 refpondence during that period will, in great meafurc, 
 fupply the deficiency. It will be feparated from the 
 Memoirs and placed in an Appendix, that thofei 
 who are not diipofed to be pleafed with the repeti- 
 tions, familiarities, and trivial circumftances of epifto'- 
 lary writing, may not be embarrafled by it. By many, 
 the Letters will be found a very interefting part 
 of the prefent Publication. They will prove, how 
 pleafant, friendly, and amiable Mr. Gibbon was in 
 private life ; and if, in publifhing Letters fo flatter- 
 ing to mylelf, I incur the imputation of vanity, I 
 fhall meet the charge with a frank confeflion, that 
 I am indeed highly vain of having enjoyed, for fo 
 many years, the efteem, the confidence, and the affec- 
 tion of a man, whofe focial qualities endeared him to 
 the moft accomplifhed fociety, and whofe talents, great 
 as they were, muft be acknowledged to have been fully 
 equalled by the fincerity of his friendfhip. 
 
 Whatever cenfure may be pointed againft the 
 Editor, the Public will fet a due value on the Let- 
 ters for their intrinfic merit. I muft, indeed, be 
 blinded, either by vanity or affedlion, if they do 
 not difplay the heart and mind of their Author, in 
 
 4 fuch
 
 [ vu ] 
 
 fuch a manner as juftly to increafe t^ie number of his 
 admirers. 
 
 I have not been folicitous to garble or expunge paflages 
 which, to fome, may appear trifling. Such paffages will 
 often, in the opinion of the obferving Reader, mark the 
 charader of the Writer, and the omiffion of them would 
 materially take from the eafe and familiarity of authentic 
 letters. 
 
 Few men, I believe, have ever fo fully unveiled their 
 own character, by a minute narrative of their fentiments 
 and purfuits, as Mr. Gibbon will here be found to have 
 done ; not with ftudy and labour — not with an affedled 
 franknefs — but with a genuine confeiTion- of his little 
 foibles and peculiarities, and a good-humoured and na- 
 tural difplay of his own condudl and opinions. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon began a Journal, a work diftinA from 
 the iketches already mentioned, in the early part of his 
 Life, with the following declaration : 
 
 " I propofe from this day, Auguft 24th 1761, to 
 keep an exa<ft Journal of my adtions and ftudies, both 
 to aflift my memory, and to accuftom me to fet a due 
 " value on my time. I fhall begin by fetting down 
 fome few events of my paft life, the dates of which 
 
 
 " I can remember." 
 
 This
 
 [ vUi ] 
 
 This induftrious proje6t he purfued occafionally in 
 French, under various titles, and with the minutenefs, 
 fidelity, and liberality of a mind refolved to watch over 
 and improve itfelf. 
 
 The Journal is continued under different titles, and 
 is fometimes very concife, and fometimes fingularly de- 
 tailed. One part of it is entitled " My Journal," ano- 
 ther " Ephemerides, or Journal of my A6lions, Studies, 
 " and Opinions." The other parts are entitled, " Ephe- 
 " merides, ou Journal de ma Vie, de mes Etudes, etde, 
 " mes Sentimens." In this Journal, among the moft tri- 
 vial circumftances, are mixed very interefting obfervations 
 and differtations on a Satire of Juvenal, a Pafiage of 
 Homer, or of Longinus, or of any other author whofe 
 works he happened to read in the courfe of the day j and 
 he often paffes from a Remark on the moft common 
 event, to a critical Difquifition of confiderable learning, 
 or an Enquiry into fome abftrufe point of Philofophy. 
 
 It certainly was not his intention that this private and 
 motley Diary fhould be prefented to the Public ; nor 
 have I thought myfelf at liberty to prefent it, in the 
 l"hape in which he left it. But by reducing it to an ac- 
 count of his literary occupations^ it formed fo fingular 
 and fo interefting a portrait of an indefatigable Stu- 
 dent, that I perfuade myfelf it will be regarded as a 
 
 valuable
 
 [ i^ ] 
 
 valuable acquifition by the Literary World, and as an ac- 
 ceffion of fame to the memory of my Friend. With the 
 Extrads from Mr. Gibbon's Journal v/ill be printed, 
 his Dillertations entitled " Extraits raifonnes de raes 
 *' Led:ures :" and *' Recucil de mes Obfervations, et 
 " Pieces detachees fur differens Sujets." A few other 
 pafiages from other parts of the Journals, introduced 
 in Notes, will make a curious addition to the Memoirs. 
 
 His Firft Publication, '< Effai fur I'Etude de la 
 " Litterature," with corredions and additions from an 
 interleaved copy which my Friend gave to me feveral 
 years ago, is reprinted as part of thefe volumes. 
 
 Three more of his fmaller Publications are alfo re- 
 printed. I. His mafterly Criticifm on the Sixth Book 
 of Virgil, in anfwer to Bifliop Warburton. 2. His 
 own Vindication of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Chapters 
 of his Hiflory, in anfwer to Mr. Davis and others. And 
 3. His " Reponfe a I'Expofe de la Cour de France," — an 
 occalional compolition, which obtained the highefl: ap- 
 plaufe in Foreign Courts, and of which he fpoke to me' 
 with fome pleafure, obferving that it had been tranf- 
 lated even into the TurkiOi language *» 
 
 Of thefe various writings the Author has fpoken him- 
 feif, in defcribing his own Life. I have yet to notice 
 
 * At Peterfburgh and Vienna it was currently obferved by the Corps Diplomatique, 
 that the Englifh INIiniftry had publifhcJ a Memorial written not only with great 
 ability, byt alfo in French, To corretl, that they mull have employed a Frenchman. 
 
 VOL. I, a fome
 
 [ ^ ] 
 
 fome articles not mentioned in his Memoirs, and wlilch 
 will be found in this Publication, i. A juvenile fketch, 
 entitled, '' Outlines of the Hiftory of the World." 
 
 2. A Dlffertation, which he had {hewn to a few friends, 
 on that curious fubje6t, " L'Homme au Mafque deFer." 
 
 3. A more confiderable work, " The Antiquities of the 
 *■' Houfe of Brunfwick ;" an hiftorical difcourfe, com- 
 pofed about the year 1790. In this Work he intended 
 to appropriate feparate books: i. To the Italian defcent ;. 
 2. To theGennanic reign : and, 3. To the Britlfh Suc- 
 ceffion of the Houfe of Brunfwick. The Manufcript 
 clofes in completing the Italian branch of his fubjed:. 
 
 Among the moft fplendid pafTages of that imfi- 
 nifhed work may be enumerated, the characfters of Leib- 
 nitz and Muratori : A fketch of Albert-Azo the Second, 
 a prince who retained his faculties and reputation 
 beyond tlie age of one hundred years : An account 
 of Padua and its univerfity, and remarks on tke epic 
 glory of Ferrara, 
 
 The lafl: Paper of thefe Volumes has the mournful at- 
 tradliorr of being a fketch interrupted by death, and affords 
 an honourable proof that my Friend's ardour for the pro- 
 motion of hlflorieal knowledge attended him to the laft. 
 It is entitled merely, " An Addrefs ;" and exprefles a 
 wifh. that our Latin memorials of the middle ages, the 
 ** Scriptores Rerum Anglicarum," may be publiihed in 
 
 England^
 
 [ xl ] 
 
 England, in a manner worthy of the fubjec^, and of the 
 country. .. He mentions Mr. John Pinkerton as a perfon 
 well qualified for the condudi: of fuch a national under- 
 taking. 
 
 In the colledion of writings which I am now fend- 
 ing to the prefs, there is no article that will fo much 
 engage the public attention as the Memoirs. I will 
 therefore clofe all I mean to fay as their Editor, by 
 affuring the Reader, that, although I have in fome 
 meafure newly arranged thofe interefting Papers, by 
 forming one regular narrative from the Six different 
 iketches, I have neverthelefs adhered with fcrupulous 
 fidelity to the very words of their Author ; and I ufe 
 the letter S. to mark fuch Notes of my own, as it feemed 
 neceflary to add. 
 
 It remains only to exprefs a willi, that in difcharging 
 this lateft office of affedion, my regard to the memory of 
 my Friend may appear, as I truft it will do, proportioned 
 to the high fatisfadion which I enjoyed for many years in 
 pofiefling his entire confidence, and very partial attach- 
 ment. 
 
 SHEFFIELD. 
 
 Sheffield-Place, 
 6th Aug. 1795. 
 
 a 2 
 
 *
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 nr 
 
 Page 
 
 X HE Author's Introduction. - - _ _ j 
 
 Account and anecdotes of his family. - - - - 4 
 South Sea fcheme, and the bill of pains and penalties againfl the 
 
 Dlreflors ; among whom was the Author's grandfather. - 1 1 
 
 Charafter of Mr. William Law. - . _ - 14 
 Mr. Gibbon's birth j he is put under the care of Mr. Kirkby; fome 
 
 account of Mr. Kirkby. - - . _ _ j.. 
 
 The Author is fent to Dr. Wooddefon's fchool, whence he is removed 
 on the death of his, mother. — Affedlionate obfervadons on his 
 aunt, Mrs. Catharine Porten. - - - - 22 
 
 Is entered at Weftminfter fchool ; is removed on account of ill health, 
 
 and afterwards placed under the care of the Rev. Mr. Francis. 26 
 
 Enters aGendeman Commoner at Magdalen College, Oxford. — Remarks 
 on that Univerfity. — Some account of Magdalen College. — Cha- 
 rafter of Dr. Waldegrave, Mr. Gibbon's firft tutor. - 2.8- 
 
 The Author determines to write an hiftory ; its fubje6t. — Solution of 
 a chronological difficulty. — Mr. Gibbon is converted to the Roman 
 Catholic religion J cites the examples of Chillingworth and Bayle; 
 their charafters. — Mr. Gibbon obliged to leave Oxford. — Farther 
 remarks on the Univerfity. - - _ _ ^i 
 
 The Author is removed to Laufanne, and placed under the care of Mr. 
 Pavilliard. Refleiftions on his change of fituation. Chara<fler of 
 
 5 Mr.
 
 :xiv CONTENTS. 
 
 Pagf;" 
 
 Mr. PaviUiard, and an account of his manner of reftoring Mr. 
 Gibbon to the Proteftant Church. Mr. Gibbon received the facra- 
 ment in the church of Laufanne on Chriftmas-day 1754. 53 
 
 The Author's account of the books he read, and of the courfe of 
 
 ftudy he purfued. - - - - 60 
 
 Mr. Gibbon makes the tour of Switzerland ; forms a correfpondence 
 widi feveral Hterary charafters ; is introduced to \'okaire, and fees 
 him perform feveral charafters in hiy)wn plays. — Remarks on his 
 ailing. - - - - - 68 
 
 Some account of MademoifelleCurfliod, (afterwards Madame Necker). 
 — Refledions on his education at Laufanne ; — he returns to Eng- 
 land; — his manner of fpending his time. - - "73 
 
 Mr. Gibbon publifhes his firft work, E[[ai fur PEtude de la Lhte- 
 rature.-^Somc obfervations on the plan, and the character of the 
 performance. — Character of Dr. Maty. _ _ _ 86 
 
 The Author's manner of paffing his time \n the Hampfliire miHtia, 
 
 and rejfledions upon it. - - - - 95 
 
 Mr. Gibbon relumes his ftudies ; determines to write upon fome hifto- 
 rical fubjeft ; confiders various fubjefts, and makes remarks upon 
 them for that purpofe. — Sees Mallet's Elvira performed. — Cha- 
 rader of that play. - - - - 105 
 
 The Author paffes fome time at Paris, gives an account of the perfons 
 with whom he chiefly afibciated; proceeds through Dijon and 
 Befancon, to Laufanne. — Charaderifes a fociety there, called 
 La Societe du Printems. — Becomes acquainted with Mr. Holroyd, 
 now Lord Sheffield. — Remarks on their meeting. -» 113 
 
 Gome account of Mr. Gibbon's ftudies at Laufanne, preparatory to his 
 Italian journey. — He travels into Italy ; his feelings and obferva- . 
 tions upon his arrival at Rom.e. — He returns to England. — His 
 refledions upon his fituation. — Some account of his friend Mr. 
 Deyverdun. — He writes, and com.municates to his friends, an 
 hiftorical EiTay upon the Liberty of the Swifs. — Their unfavour- 
 able judgment. — Mr. Hume's opinion. - - - 121 
 
 Mr. Gibbon and Mr. Deyverdun engage in a periodical work, intended 
 as a continuation of Dr. Maty's Journal Britanniq^ue \ intitled, 
 Memoires Litteraires de la Grande Bretagne. — Account of the 
 
 .2 .work.
 
 CONTENTS. XV 
 
 Page 
 
 work. — Mr. Gibbon publiflies his Obfcrvations on the Vlth 
 i^ineid of Virgil, in oppofition to Bifhop Warburton's hypothefis. — 
 Mr. Heyne's and Mr. Hayley's opinions of that Eflay, — Mr. 
 Gibbon determines to write the Hlftory of the Decline and Fall.— 
 His preparatory ftiidies. — Refleftions on his domeftic circum- 
 ftances; his father's death and charasSter. - - 135 
 
 Mr. Gibbon fettles in London. — Begins his Hiftory of the Decline 
 and Fall. — Becomes a Member of tlie Houfe of Commons. — 
 Characters of the principal fpeakers. — PubHfhes his firft volume j 
 its reception. — Mr. Hume's opinion, in a letter to the Author. — 
 . Makes a fecond vifit to Paris. — His difpute with the Abbe Mably. — 
 He enumerates and charafterifes the writers who wrote againfl: 
 his 15th and i6th Chapters. ____.. j^^ 
 
 Mr. Gibbon, by the dcfire of Miniftry, writes the Memoire Juftificatif. 
 
 By the intereft of Lord Loughborough is appointed one of the 
 
 Lords of Trade. — Publifhes his fecond and third volumes of his 
 Hiftory ; their reception. — Mentions Archdeacon Travis's attack 
 upon him, and commends Mr. Porfon's anfwer to the Archdea- 
 con. — Notices alfo Bifhop Newton's cenfure. - - 156 
 
 The Author proceeds in his Hiftory ; leaves London, and fettles at 
 Laufanne, in the houfe of his friend Mr. Deyverdunj his reafons 
 for doing fo. — Refledions on his change of fituation. — Short cha- 
 raders of Prince Henry of Prufiia andof Mr. Fox, both of whom 
 he fees at Laufanne. — Proceeds in, and finifties his Hiftory. — 
 Interefttng remarks on concluding it. - - - 163 
 
 Mr. Gibbon pays a vifit to Lord Sheffield in England. — Remarks on 
 Lord Si»effield's writings ; publiflies the remainder of his Hiftory; 
 returns to Laufanne; his manner of employing his time.— The 
 death of Mr, Deyverdun.— Obfcrvations of the Author upon the 
 French revolution, the government of Berne, and his own fitu^ 
 ation. — The Memoirs end. - - - - 171 
 
 Narrative continued by Lord Sheffield, and by letters from Mr. Gib- 
 bon. -- - - - - -186 
 
 Mr. Gibbon's account of his journey to, andarrival at, Laufiinne. — 
 The ftate of Mr. Dcyverdun's heakh, and an account of a vifit 
 from Mr. Fox and Mr. Douglas.. - - - 189 
 
 Mlrabeau's
 
 xvi C O N T E N T S. 
 
 Page 
 
 Mirabeau's work, Sirr la Monnrchie Prujfienne, and his Correjpondence 
 ■Secretle characterifed. — Mr. Deyverdun's death. — Refleftions on 
 that event. — Mr. Gibbon thinks of purchafing Mr. Deyverdun's 
 cftate at Laufanne. — Reflections on the French revolution. 194 
 
 Private circumftances difculFed. — Farther refleflions on the French re- 
 volution.— Some account of Mr. Gibbon's health. - - 205 
 
 Account of Monfieur Necker. — Charadler of Mr. Burke's book on 
 the French revolution. — Mr. Gibbon propofes a declaration to be 
 figned by the moft confiderable men of all parties. — Obfervations 
 on Lord Sheffield's cleftion for Brillol. — Reflexions on his own 
 fituation at Laufanne. — Invitation from Mr. Gibbon to Lord 
 Sheffield and his family to vifit him at Laufanne. - - 213 
 
 Narrative continued by Lord Sheffield. — An account of Iiis vifit to 
 Laufanne. — Letter from Mr. Gibbon to the Honourable* Mifs 
 Holroyd.^ — Account of a vifit to M. Necker. - - 225 
 
 Political refledlions. — Slave Trade. — Jockey Club. — Mr. Grey's 
 
 motion. — Condudl of the French towards Geneva. — French affairs. 241 
 
 Second letter to the Honourable Mifs Holroyd. — Her account (in an- 
 ivver) of the Majfacre aux Cannes. — Account of General Mon- 
 tefquieu Revolution of Geneva. - - ^ - 258 
 
 Pcrfonal refledions on Mr. Gibbon's fituation. — Mr. de Severy's death. 
 Reflexions on public affairs. — Lady Sheffield's death. — Mr. Gib- 
 bon returns to England upon that event. _ _ - 272 
 
 Narrative continued by Lord Sheffield. — Account of Mr. Gibbon's 
 
 health i his death i his diforder.— Abftrad of Mr. Gibbon's will. 284 
 
 APPENDIX
 
 CONTENTS. xvii 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 Introdu6lion by the Editor to the Letters contained in the Ap- 
 pendix. _ _ _ - - 305 
 I. Mr. Crevier to Mr. Gibbon. — On a difputed Paflage in Livy, 
 
 lib. XXX. c. 44. - - y^ug. 7, 1756. 307 
 
 1. Mr. Allamand to Mr. Gibbon. — On Mr. Locke's Theory of 
 
 Innate Ideas. - - - ^^/)/, 14, 1756. 310 
 
 3. The Same to the Same.—'X\\t Subjeft continued. OSt. 12, 1756. 319 
 
 4. Profeffbr Breitinger to Mr. Gibbon. — On different Paffages of 
 
 Juftin. _ , - - 0£l. 22, 1756. 326 
 
 5. The Same to the Same.—'Tht Subjeft continued. - 34J 
 
 6. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Gejner. — Concerning Pifo, to whom Horace 
 
 addrcffed his Art of Poetry, and the Time of Catullus's 
 Death. _ _ - _ _ 351 
 
 7. Mr. Gejner to Mr. Gibbon. — In Anfwer to the former. - 364 
 
 8. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Gejner. — The fame Subjeft continued. 375 
 
 9. Mr. Gibbon to ^ * *. — On xht Government of Berne. - 388 
 
 10. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Porten. - - - 1756. 414 
 
 11. Dr.. Waldegrave to Mr. Gibbon. - - Dec.'], 1758. 417 
 
 J 2. Mr.Gibbon to his Father.— \J^onthG Subjeft of vifiting Italy. 
 
 1760. 418 
 
 13. Mr. Mallet to Mr. Gibbon. — Inclofing a Letter from Count de 
 
 Caylus. - - - - 1761. 422 
 
 14. Mr. G. L. Scott to Mr. Gibbon. — Upon his Mathematical Studies. 424 
 
 45. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. — Account of Mr. Helvetius. 
 
 Feb. 12, 1763. 429 
 
 4:6. Mr. Gibbon to his Father.— Accownt of his Connections at Paris. 
 
 Feb. 24, 1763. 431 
 
 17. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Hoiroyd, — Account of the Boromean Iflands 
 
 and Turin. '- - - May 16. i-] 6^. 434 
 
 VOL. I. b The
 
 xvm 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 1 8. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. //o/roj^.— Account of his Return through Paris, 
 
 and of Madame Necker. . - - 0^.31, 1765. 437 
 
 19. "The Seme to the Same. — Upon Mr. Holroyd's Marriage. 
 
 Jpril 29, 1767. 440 . 
 "ao. The Same to the Same. - - Beriton, O^/. 16, 1769. 442 
 
 21. 'The Same to the Same. - - Pall-mall, Decant 1769. 443 
 C2. The Same to the Same. - - 0£l. 6, 1771. 443 
 
 23. The Same to the Same. - - Nov. iS, 1771. 445 
 
 24. The Same to the Same. — News from Denmark. - 1772. 445 
 
 25. Tha Same to the Same. - - Feb. 3, 1772. 446 
 (2.6. The Same to the Same. — Teft A(5t. - - Feb. 2,, 1772. 447 
 27. The Same to the Same. — Princefs of Wales. Feb. 13, 1772. 448 
 Q.%. The Same to the Same. — Mr. Fox's Refignation. Feb. 11, I'JT'i. 449 
 ^g. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. - - March o.iy 1772. 451 
 
 30. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. - - May 26, 1772. 452 
 
 31. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Holroyd Jenior. — On the Death of Mr. Hol- 
 
 royd's Son. _ - - "July 17, 1772. 453 
 
 32. Mr. Gibbon to Mr, Holroyd. — On the fame Subjeft. 
 
 Ja/y30, 1772. 45.3 
 
 ^^. The Same to Mrs. Gibbon. - - -^«^' 7> 1772. 454 
 
 34. Dr. Hurd to Mr. Gibbon. — On the Authenticity of the Book of 
 
 Daniel, and a Fragment on the fame Subjeft. Aug. 29, 1772. 455 
 
 2<^. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. - - 0£}. i^i '^TT^.. 465 
 
 2^. The Same to the Same. - ~ Dec. 11, 1772. 466 
 
 37. The Same to the Same. - _ « Dec. 1772. 467 
 
 38. The Same to the Same. — Eaft India Affairs. Jan. 12, 1773. 4^8 
 
 39. The Same to the Same. — Eaft India Affairs. M<?)' 11, 1773. 469 
 
 40. The Same to the Same, at Edinburgh. — David Hume, &c. 
 
 ^"g-ly ^73' 470 
 
 41. The Same to the Same, from Port-Eliot. - Sept. 10, 1773. 472 
 
 42. The Same to the Same. _ _ - Jan. 1774. 474 
 
 43. The Same to the »?tf/«^.— Colman's Play. - Jan. 29, 1774. 475 
 
 44. The Same to the Same. . - - - i774' 476 
 
 Mr.
 
 CONTENTS. xix 
 
 Letter. ■•■ "b^ 
 
 45. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Uolroyd. - - Feb. 1774. 476 
 
 46. The Same to the Same.— ^o^on Port Bill. March 16, 1774. 477 
 
 47. The Same to the 5'rtw;?.— American Affairs. March 29, 1774. 478 
 
 48. The Same to the S am e.-~hccoMnt of Mr. Clarke's Death. 
 
 ' ' April ly 1774. 479 
 
 ^c). The Same to the Same. - - ^^nV 13, 1774. 479 
 
 ^o. The Same to the Same. - - April 21, 177^. 48 r 
 
 51. r/?)^ Same to the Same.— Account of a Mafquerade. May 4, 1774. 482 
 
 ^2. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. - - May 2^, 1J74.. 483 
 
 .^2. The Sameto Mr.Holroyd. - - Jk?;;j 24, 1774. 484 
 
 54. T'i'^ ^^OT^ /(? //.'^ 5fl??/^.— General Romanzow. Aug. 27, 1774. 485 
 
 55. The Same to the Same. — Mentions the Offer of a Seat in Par- 
 
 liament. - - - ^^P^' io» 1774- 486 
 
 56. The Same to the Same. - ' - T^ec. 2, 1774- 487 
 
 57. The Same to the ^'cw/^.— Mentions his Intention of fpeaking on 
 
 American Affairs. - - >«. 31, 1775. 487 
 
 t^%. The Same to Mrs. Gibbon. - - 7^«. 3i> i77S- 488 
 
 ' ^(j. The Same to Mr.Holroyd. — American Affairs. i^^i'. 8, 1775. 489 
 
 So. The Same to the Same. — Parliamentary. - Feb. 2^, 177^. 490 
 61. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. — Doubts whether he fliould fpeak in 
 
 Parliament. - - - March 30, 1775. 491 
 
 ^2. The Same to the Same. - - - Af-rry 2, 1775. 49^ 
 
 63. The Same to Mr. Holroyd, — Account of his Hiftory. 
 
 ^^g- I. 1775- 493 
 
 di^. The Same to Mrs. Gibbon. - - - Aug. 177 S- 494 
 
 e^. The fame to Mr. Holroyd.—'? o\\i\C7i\. - 0^.14,1775. 495 
 
 66. Mr. G. L. Scott to Mr. Gibbonx — On the firft Volume of his Hif- 
 
 tory. - - - Dec. 29, 1775. 496 
 
 67. Mr.Gibbonto Mr.Holroyd.—'PoXwACzl. - Jan. iS, 1776. 497 
 e^. The Same to the Same. - - Jan. 2^,1776. 497 
 6g. The Same to the Same. - - Feb. c), 1776. 498 
 70. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Strahan. — On Mr. Gibbon's firft Volume. 
 
 March 15, 1776. 498 
 
 b 2 Mr.
 
 XX 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter ^ P^K^ 
 Ti. Mr. Pergi'Jon to Mr. Gibbo'/r.— On the fam^ Subjeifc. 
 
 March 19, 1776. 499 
 •72. Mf.-Hume to Mr. Strahan. — On the fame Subjeft. 
 
 April %^ 1776. 500 
 
 73. Mr. Fergufun to Mr. Gibbon. — Account of Mr. Hume's Health, 
 
 &c. - - - • Jpril i%y 1776. 501 
 
 74. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Rolroyd. — Madame Necker's Vifit to England. 
 
 May 20, 1776. 503 
 
 75. 1'he Same to the Same. — American News, and Publication of the 
 
 firft Volume. _ - - - 504 
 
 76. ^he Same to the Same. - - June 1^, "^-ll^- S°S 
 
 77. Dr. Campbell to Mr. Strahan. — On Mr. Gibbon's firft Volume. 
 
 June 1^, ijy6. 506 
 
 78. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. — Am.erican Affairs. Aug. 1776. 506 
 
 79. "The Same to the Same. _ _ _ 1776. 507 
 
 80. Mr. Wallace to Mr. Strahan. — On Mr. Gibbon's firft Volume. 
 
 ^«<r- 3o> 1776. 508 
 
 81. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. — American Affairs ; Attacks upon 
 
 the firft Volume. - - - - 1776. 509 
 
 82. Mr. Gibbon to Dr^lVatfon. — On Mr. Gibbon's firft Volume. 
 
 Nov. 2, 1776, 510 
 
 83. Dr. JVatJon to Mr. Gibbon. — On the fame Subjeft. 
 
 Nov. 4, 1776. 511 
 
 84. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. — American Affairs. Nov."], 1776. 511 
 
 85. The Same to the 6'aw^.— Political. - Nov. 22, 1776. 51a 
 
 86. 'The Same to the Same. — American Affairs. Jan. 18, 1777. 512 
 
 87. The Same to the Same. - ~ - - 514 
 
 88. The Same to the Same. — American Affairs - '^711 • 514 
 S9. The Same to the Same. — La Fayette. - j^n7i2, 1777, 51 j 
 
 90. The Same to the Same. - - April i^^ "^111' 516 
 
 91. The Same to the Same. - - April i\, 1777. 516 
 
 92. The Same to the Same. - - April i"^, 1777, 5^7 
 
 93. y/.'f 5tfWf /tf /i)^ 5rt/«^.— Sets out for Paris. May (i., 1777. 517 
 
 1 Mr.
 
 CONTENT S. xxi 
 
 Lett£R Page 
 
 94. Mr. Gil^hfi to Mr. Holroyd.— From Czhls. May], ITII- 5'?' 
 Cji^. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbcn. — With a Copy of his Hiftcry of 
 
 America. . - - June 5, 1777. 518 
 
 ^6. Mr. Gibbon to Dr. Robert/en. — Hiftcry of America. 1777. 519 
 
 g-^. Dr. Robertjon to Mr.Gibbcn.-^lnAn^vjtv. - ^111- 5^1 
 
 98. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. — Account of his Vifit to Paris, 
 
 June 16, 1777. 523 
 
 99. The Same to the Same. — The fame Subjeft. Jug. 13, I777- 5~5 
 100. The Same to the Same. _ _ . J^ov. 1777. 528 
 loi. The Same to the Same. - - . Kov.i^, 1777- 5^8 
 
 102. The Same to the Same. — American Affairs. - Dec. 2, 1777- 5^9 
 
 103. The Same to the Same. - - Dec. 1777. 529 
 
 104. T",6^6'i7»z^/c/i'^5i2«z^.— Capture of Burgoyne's Army. D^r. 4, 1777. 530 
 
 105. The Same to the Same. - - Feb. 1%. 1778. 530 
 
 106. The Same to the Same. — American Affairs. Feb. 13. 1778. 531 
 
 107. The Same te the Same. — Departure of French Ambafiador. 
 
 March 21, 177S. 532 
 
 10%. The Same to the Same. - - June \^, \']']Z. 533 
 
 xo^. The Same to the Same. - - ' July \, !-]■]%. 534- 
 
 iio. The Same to the Same. - - July y, ly)^. 534 
 
 vii. The Same to the Same.— SpzmfhFrep&vationz. Sept. 25, iJJ^- S35 
 
 ill. The Same to the Same.— Antidpation. - Nov. ly-jZ. 535 
 
 112. The Same to the Same.— VTivsucBufrntk. - - 1778. 536 
 
 11^. Dr. Wat/on to Mr. Gibbon. - - J^w. 14, 1779. 537 
 
 115, Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroy J. — Sir Hugh Palifer. Feb. 6, 1779. 538 
 
 116. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbon.— On his Vindication. 
 
 March 10, 1779. 539 
 
 ii-j. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. - - May -j , i-jy ^. 540 
 
 11%. The Same to the Same. - - - May jn-jg. 540 
 
 119. The Same to the Same.. . - - - I779' 54^ 
 
 120. The Same to the Same.— On being appointed Lord of Trade. 
 
 July 1, 1779. 542 
 
 121. The S^meto Mrs. Gibbon. — ■Mentions the fccond and third Vols. 
 
 oftheHiftory, - - Sept. 17, 177 g. 54J 
 
 Mr.
 
 xxil CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter P^8« 
 
 122. Mr.Cihbon to Mr. Holroyd. ^On his ElecTion for Coventry. 
 
 Feb.'], 1780. 544 
 
 123. The Same to Mrs. GMon. -^ - March \o, \-]%Q. 545 
 
 1 24. The Same to Mrs, Gibbon. — Lord George Gordon. 
 
 7«w 6, 1780. 545 
 
 125. The Same to the Same. — Upon the Riots in 1780. June %, 1 780. 546 
 
 126. The Same to the Same. — The fame Subjeft, June \o, 1780. 547 
 ■127. The Same to the Same. — The fame Subjedb. June 27, 1780. 547 
 i^Z. The Same to Colonel Holroyd. - - July 2^, i-jio. 548 
 
 129. The Same to the Same. , - - - Nov. 2%, 1780. 549 
 
 130. The Same to Mrs. Gibbon. - - Dec. 21, 1780. 549 
 
 13 1. The Same to the Same. — With his fecond and third Volumes. 
 
 Feb. 24, 178 1. 550 
 
 132. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbon. — On his fecond and third Volumes. 
 
 May 12, 1781. 550 
 
 122- Mr. Gibbon to Lady Sheffield. - - - 1781.552 
 
 134. Sir William Jones to Mr. Gibbon. - June 30, 178 1. 553 
 
 \2S. Lord Hardwicke to the Same. - - Sept. 20, i-jil. 555 
 
 136. Br. Robert/on to the Same. — With a Charadter of Hayley's Eflay 
 
 onHiftory. - - - iVo-j. 6, 1781. 556 
 
 137. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. — An Account of a Vifit to Mr. Hayley. 
 
 Nov. 2, 178 1. 557 
 
 138. The Same to the Same. — Change inMiniftry; Charafter of Mr. 
 
 Hayley's Poetry. - - ^/y 3, 1782. 558 
 
 I'lQ. The Same to Lord Sheffield. — New Adminiftration. 1782. 559 
 
 140. The Same to the 6'fi;«^.— Compares his Situation to that of a 
 
 Dragoon. _ _ - Sept. 29, 1782. 560 
 
 141. The Same to the Same. — Political. - 0£f. i^, 1782. 561 
 
 142. The Same to the Same. - - - 1782. 562 
 
 143. The Same to the Same. - - - Jan. 17, 1783. s^3 
 
 144. The Same to Dr. Priejlley. — Upon receiving his Hiftory of the 
 
 Corruptions of Chriftianity. - - Jan. 23, 1783. 564 
 
 iji^K^. Dr. Priejlley to Mr. Gibbon. —In Anivitr. - i^t-^. 3, 1783. 565 
 
 146. Mr. Gibbon to Dr. Priejlley. - - Feb. 6, 1783. 568 
 
 147. Dr. Priejlley to Mr. Gibbon. - - Feb. 10, 1783. 568 
 
 7 ^^^'■-
 
 CONTENTS. xxUi 
 
 I-ETTEa P^ge 
 
 xj^'i. Mr.Gibbon to Dr. Prieftlcy. - - . Feb. 12, iji^- 5^9 
 
 149. Dr. Prieflley to Mr. Gibbon. - - Feb. 25, 1783. 569 
 
 150. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Deyverdun. — Upon his Intention of quitting 
 
 London and living at Laufanne. - May 10, 1783. 570 
 
 151. Mr. Deyverdun to Mr. Gibbo::. — in Answer. 7««(? 10, 1783. 575 
 
 152. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Deyverdun. — Upon the fame Subjefl-. 
 
 Jane 24, 1783. 582 
 
 153. Air. Deyverdun to Mr. Gibbon. — In Anfwer. - - 5^9 
 iS^. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Deyverdun. - - Js/y i, 1783. 592 
 
 155. The Same to Lord SheJie/d.—V pon his Intention of quitting 
 
 England. - - - >6' 'O, 1783. 593 
 
 156. The Same to Mr. Deyverdun. - - Ju^J 3^^ ^7^3- 595 
 J SJ. The Same to Lord Sheffield. - - y^a^. 18, 1783. 598 
 I {,%. The Same to the Same. _ - - ^z^^. 20, 1783. 599 
 I ^^. Mr. Deyverdun to Mr. Gibbon. - - Aug. 10, \~j%t^. 599 
 \(>o. Mr. Gibbon to Lord Sheffield. - - yf/^j-. 22, 1783. 601 
 
 161. The Same to Lady Sheffield. - - ^«^. 30, 1783. 602. 
 
 162. The Same to Lord Sheffield. - - Sept. S, ly^s. 603 
 162- The Same to Mr. Deyverdun.. - - .y^/)/. 9, 1783. 604- 
 i6^. The Same to Lord Sheffield. - - Sept. 11, 1^23. 605 
 16 s- The Same to the Same. _ - - Sept. 12, iT^^. 606- 
 x66. The Same to the Same. - - - Sept. 13, ly^s- 607 
 
 167. The Same to the Same. — From Dover and Boulogne. 
 
 Sept. 17, 1783. 608 
 
 168. The Same to the Same.— Account of his Journey to Langres. 
 
 Sept. 23, 1783. 609 
 
 169. The Same to //j^ 6'^w^.--His Arrival at Laufanne j Mention ef the 
 
 Abbe Raynal. - - - ^^^^ 30, 1783. 610 
 
 170. The Same to Lady Sheffield.— Manner of pafTing his Time at 
 
 Lauilmne. - - - - O/?. 28, 1783. 612 
 1.71. The Same to Lord Sheffield.— CompiLnhn of Lord Sheffield's 
 
 Situation as aPolitician, with his at Laufanne. iVci;. 14, 1.783. 614 
 
 17a. The Same to the Same. — Political; India Bill, &c. 
 
 Dec. 20, 1783. 617 
 
 Mr.
 
 xxiv CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter ^S^ 
 
 173. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Porten. — Account of his Situation. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1783. 6ao 
 
 174. The Same to Lord Sheffield..-^On the Difmiflion of the Coalition 
 
 Adminiaration, &c. - - J^"- 24> 1784- 623 
 
 ^'j^. 'The Sainelo theSame.—VoXxtxcdX. - - F^/^. 2, 1784. 626 
 176. The Same to the Same.— \J^^on lofing his Seat for Coventry ; 
 
 Exhortation to rehnquilh Parliament and Politics. 
 
 May II, 1784. 625 
 
 177 The Same to Mrs. Gibbon.— Account of his Situation. 
 
 May 28, 1784. 633 
 
 iji. The Same to Lord Sheffield. - - 7««f 19, 1784. 637 
 
 i-^,). The Same to the Same.— On ^\i<:u\tk. - O^S". 18, 1784. 637 
 
 180. TJ^e Same to Lady Sheffield. — Extraordinary Perfons at Laufanne, 
 
 M. Necker, Prince Henry, &c. ; Account of his Situation. 
 
 Oil. 22, 1784. 639 
 
 1 8 1. Tie Same to Lord Sheffield.— On Bufinefs; Necker on Finance. 
 
 March 13, 1785. 646 
 
 182. The Same to the Same.— On the Report of Mr. Gibbon's Death ; 
 
 Englilh at Laufanne. - - - Sept. 5, 1785. 650 
 
 183. The Same to the Same. — Some Account of his Studies. 
 
 Jan. 17, 1786. 656 
 
 1 84. The Same to the Same. — Affefting Letter on Mrs. Porten's Death. 
 
 May 10, 1786. 658 
 
 185. The Same to Sir Stanier Porten. — On the fame Subjeft. 
 
 May 12, 1786. 661 
 ;86. The Same to Lord Sheffield. — Obfervations on Lord Sheffield's 
 
 PubHcations, &c. - - - July 22, 1786. 662 
 
 1S7. The Same to Mr. Cadell. — On his three lafl Volumes. 
 
 Dec. 16, 1786. ddc^ 
 
 188. The Same to Lord Sheffield. — On the fame Subjeft, the Com- 
 
 mcr<:ial Treaty, and Caroline de Litchfield. Jan. 10, 1787. 667 
 
 189. The Same (0 Mr. Cadell. - - Feb. 24, ij^j. 671 
 
 1 90. The Same to Lord Sheffield. — On the Conclufion of his Hiftory. 
 
 June 2, 1787. 67a 
 Mr.
 
 CONTENTS. XXV 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 191. Mr. G'lhhon to Lord Sheffield. - - July 11, 1787. 673 
 
 192. The Same to the 6'^;«(?.— Announcing his Arrival in London. 
 
 Aug. 8, 1787. 675 
 
 193. ne Same to the Same - - ^ . 1787. 675 
 1^4. 'The Same to Lady Sheffield. - - Bee. 18, 1787. 676 
 
 195. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbon. - - Feb. 27, 1788. 678 
 
 196. Mr. Gibbon to Lord Sheffield. - - June 21, 1788. 679 
 
 197. The Same to the Same. — On his Departure. - - 680 
 
 198. The Same to the Satne. — Haftings's Trial; Sheridan's Speech.,, 
 
 June, 1788. 681 
 
 199. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbon. — ^With Thanks for his three lad 
 
 Volumes. - _ _ _ July 1,0, 1788. 681 
 
 aoo. Dr. A. Smith to Mr. Gibbon. — With Thanks for his three iafi: 
 
 Volumes. - - - Dec. 10, 1788. 683 
 
 aoi. Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Cadell. — On the feveralDivifions of his Works. 
 
 Feb. II, 1789. 683 
 ao2. The Same to Lady Porten. — On Sir Stanier Porten's Death. 
 
 Junei-], 1789. 685 
 2.03. The Same to Mr. Cadell. — On a feventh. Volume of his Hiftory. 
 
 Nov, 17, 1790. 686 
 
 204. The Same to the Same. - - - Ap7-il i-j, 1791. 688 
 
 205. The Same to Mrs. GibJ^on.,— French Affairs-. — Emigrants. 
 
 May i8j 1791. 689 
 ao6. Dr. Robert/on to Mr. Gibbon. — Upon his Difquifition on India. 
 
 Aug.i^, 1791. 691 
 ^07. Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon. — On French Affairs, &c. 
 
 Aug. 1, 1792. G^^ 
 ao^. The Same to the Right Honourable Lady ***»*, at Florence. 
 
 Nov.S), 1792. 695 
 
 209. The Same to the Same,'— On the Murder of the King of France. 
 
 Aprils, 1793. 699 
 
 210. The Same to Lord ****.». - - Feb. i^t ^793- 702 
 
 VOL. I,
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 95^. line 29. for our readzn. 
 
 104. — ult. note, yir Letter, No. XI. read No. XIV. 
 ^26. for No. XII. read No, XVII. 
 
 140. — penult, yir withdrew read dxQw. 
 
 141. — 7. after cflt^m put a full JIop. 
 ib. —2S.for{l'j-j2) read (I'j'jo). 
 
 153. — ult. note,>rNa. LXVIII. LXIX. C. r^^<f LXXXII. LXXXIII. CXIV. 
 
 154. — penult note, /or No. CXIX. read CXLW. 
 154. — ult. dele CXXIV. 
 
 165. — antipen.note,/6rNo.CXXV. CXXVI. CXXVII. CXXVIII. CXXIX. 
 CXXX. read No. CL. CLI. CLII. CLIII. CLIV. CLVI. CLIX. 
 iL — ult. note,/orNo..CL. m;<fNo. CLXXVI. 
 
 i66. — yirNo. CXLVI. ,,f^fl'No. CLXXI. CLXXVI. 
 
 225. — 9* for in private focieties and in my paflage read and in private 
 
 focieties and alfo in my paflage. 
 228. — penult, note, for M. de Malherbes read M. de Malzherbes.- 
 239. — 21. for M. de Germain read M. de Germany. 
 243. — 12. for one read on. 
 258. — 22. _/sr defigned jva// deigned. 
 260. — 10. dele this. 
 
 299- — 12. note, for vaginati >y^(/ vaginal!.. 
 299. — 23. note, for mafculi read mufculi. 
 326. — 4 from the bottom, for raviflied read ravaged. 
 5IS' — J4. for a thoufand a year read a thoufand pounds*. 
 642. — 5. after had inferi the,.
 
 M E M O I RS 
 
 O F 
 
 MT LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 IN the fifty-fecond year of my age, after the completion of an 
 arduous and fuccefsful work, I now propofe to employ fome 
 moments of my leifure in reviewing the fimple tranfadions of a 
 private and literary life. Truth, naked, unblufhing truth, the firft 
 virtue of more ferious hiftory, muft be the fole recommendation of 
 this perfonal narrative. The flyle fhall be fimple and familiar : but 
 flyle is the image of charadler ; and the habits of corred writing 
 may produce, without labour or defign, the appearance of art and 
 ftudy. My own amufement is my motive, and will be my reward : 
 and if thefe flieets are communicated to fome difcreet and indulgent 
 friends, they will be fecreted from the public eye till the author fhall 
 be removed beyond the reach of crhicifm or ridicule *. 
 
 * This paflage is found in one only of the fix (ketches, and in that which feems to 
 have been the firft written, and which was laid afide among loofe papers. Mr. Gibbon, 
 in his communications with me on the fubjeft of his Memoirs, a fubjeft which he had 
 never mentioned to any other perfon, expreffed a determination of publifliing them in 
 his lifetime ; and never appears to have departed from that refolution, excepting \n 
 one of his letters annexed, in which he intimates a doubt, though ratlier carelefsly, 
 ■whether in his time, or at any time, they would meet the eye of the public— In a 
 converfation, however, not long before his death, it was fuggefted to him, that, If he 
 fliould make them a full image of his mind, he would not have nerves to publifli them 
 In his lifetime, and therefore that they fliould be pofthumous;— He anfwered, rather 
 eagerly, that he was determined to publifli them in Ms lifeihne. S. 
 
 Vol. I. B A lively
 
 2 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 A lively defire of knowing and of recording our anceflors fo gene- 
 rally prevails, that it muft depend on the influence of fome common 
 principle in the minds of men. We feem to have lived in the per- 
 fons of our forefathers ; it is the labour and reward of vanity to ex- 
 tend the term of this ideal longevity. Our imagination is always 
 adive to enlarge the narrow circle in whicTi Nature has confined us. 
 Fifty or an hundred years may be allotted to an individual, but we 
 Hep forwards beyond death with fuch hopes as religion and philo- 
 fophy will fuggeft ; and we fill up the filent vacancy that precedes 
 our birth, by aflbciating ourfelves to the authors of our exiftence. 
 Our calmer judgment will rather tend to moderate, than to fupprels, 
 the pride of an antient and worthy race. The fatyrift may laugh, 
 the philofopher may preach ; but Reafon herfelf will refpe£t the pre- 
 judices and habits, which have been confecrated by the experience of 
 mankind. 
 
 Wherever the diftindiion of birth is allowed to form a fuperior 
 order in the ftate, education and example fhould always, and will 
 often, produce among them a dignity of fentiment and propriety of 
 conducl, which is guarded from dlflionour by their own and the 
 public efteem. If we read of fome illuftrious line fo antient that it 
 has no beginning, fo worthy th^t it ought to have no end, we fym- 
 nathize in its various fortunes ; nor can we blame the generous en- 
 thufiafm, or even the harmlefs vanity, of thofe who are allied to 
 the honours of its name. For my own part, could I draw my pedi- 
 gree from a general, a ftatefman, or a celebrated author, I fliould 
 ftudy their lives with the diligence of filial love. In the inveftiga- 
 tlon of paft events, our curiofity is ftlmulated by the immediate or 
 indire£l reference to ourfelves ; but in the eftimate of honour wx 
 Ihould learn to value the gifts of Nature above thofe of Fortune ; to 
 efteem in our anceftors the qualities that beft promote the interefts of 
 fociety ; and to pronounce the defcendant of a king lefs truly noble 
 than the offspring of a man of genius, whofe writings will inftrudl 
 
 or
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 3 
 
 or delight the lateft pofterity. The family of Confucius is, in my 
 opinion, the moft iUuftrious in the world. After a painful afcent of 
 eight or ten centuries, our barons and princes of Europe are loft in 
 the darknefs of the middk ages ; but, in the vaft equality of the em- 
 pire of China, the pofterity of Confucius have maintained, above two 
 thoufand two hundred years, their peaceful honours and perpetual 
 fucceffion. The chief of the family is ftill revered, by the fovereign 
 and the people, as the lively image of the wifeft of mankind. The 
 nobility of the Spencers has been illuftrated and enriched by the tro- 
 phies of Marlborough ; but I exhort them to confider the Fairy ^iee?i 
 as the moft precious jewel of their coronet. I have expofed my pri- 
 vate feelings, as I fliall always do, without fcruple or referve. That 
 thefe fentiments are juft, or at leaft natural, I am inclined to believe, 
 fince I do not feel myfclf interefted in the caufe ; for I can derive 
 from my anceftors neither glory nor fliame. 
 
 Yet a fincere and fimple narrative of my own life may amufe fome 
 of my leifure hours ; but it will fubjed me, and perhaps with juftice, 
 to the imputation of vanity. I may judge, however, from the ex- 
 perience both of paft and of the prefent times, that the public are 
 always curious to know the men, who have left behind them any 
 image of their minds : the moft fcanty accounts of fuch men are 
 compiled with diligence, and perufed with eagernefs ; and the ftudent 
 of every clafs may derive a leflbn, or an example, from the lives moft 
 fimilar to his ov/n. My name may hereafter be placed among the 
 thoufand articles of a Biographia Britannica ; and 1 muft be confcious, 
 that no one is fo well qualified, as myfelf, to defcribe the feries of my 
 thoughts and anions. The authority of my mafters, of the grave 
 Thuanus, and the phllofophic Hume, might be fufficient to juftify 
 ray defign; but it would not be difficult to produce a long lift of 
 antients and moderns, who, in various forms, have exhibited their 
 own portraits. Such portraits are often the moft interefting, and 
 fometimes the only interefting parts of their writings ; and, if they 
 
 B 3 ^c
 
 4 M E M O I R S O F:. 
 
 be fincere, we feldom complain of the minutenefs or prolixity of 
 thefe perfonal memorials. The lives of the younger Pliny, of Pe- 
 trarch, and of Erafmus, are expreffed in the epiftles, which they 
 themfelves have given to the world. The ellays of Montagne and 
 Sir William Temple bring us home to the houfes and bofoms of the- 
 authors : we fniile without contempt at the headitrong paffions of 
 Benevenuto Cellini, and the gay follies of Colley Gibber. The con- 
 feffions of St. Auftin and RoulTeau difclofe the fecrets of the human 
 heart : the commentaries of the learned Huet have furvived his evan- 
 geUcal demonftration ; and the memoirs of Goldoni are more truly 
 dramatic than his Italian comedies. The heretic and the churchman 
 are ftrongly marked in the charafters and fortunes of Whifton and 
 Bifhop Newton; and even the dullnefs of Michael de Marolles and 
 Anthony Wood acquires fome value from the faithful reprefentation 
 of men and manners. That I am equal or fuperior to fome of thefe, 
 the efFedls of modefty or affedation cannot force me to dillemble. 
 
 My family is originally derived from the county of Kent. The 
 fouthern diftri£t, which borders on Suffex and the fea, was formerly 
 overfpread with the great foreft Anderida, and even now retains the 
 denomination of the Weald, or Woodland. In this diftridt, and in the 
 hundred and parifh of Rolvenden, the Gibbons were poflefled of 
 lands in the year one thoufand three hundred and twenty-fix ; and 
 the elder branch of the family, without much increafe or diminution 
 of property, ftlil adheres to its native foil. Fourteen years after the 
 firfl appearance of his name, John Gibbon Is recorded as the Mar- 
 morarius or architect of King Edward the Third : the ftrong and 
 (lately caflle of Queenfoorough, which guarded the entrance of the 
 Medway, was a monument of his fkill ; and the grant of an here- 
 ditary toll on the paflage from Sandv/ich to Stonar, in the Ifle of 
 
 Thanet,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. j 
 
 Thanet, is the reward of no vulgar artift. In the vlfitatlons of the 
 heralds, the Gibbons are frequently mentioned : they held the rank 
 of Efquire in an age, when that title was lefs promifcuoufly affumed : 
 one of them, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was captain of the 
 militia of Kent ; and a free fchool, in the neighbouring town of Be- 
 nenden, proclaims the charity and opulence of its founder. But time, 
 or their own obfcurity, has caft a veil of oblivion over the virtues 
 and vices of my Kentifh anceftors ; their charadler or ftation confined 
 them to the labours and pleafures of a rural life : nor is it in my power 
 to follow the advice of the Poet, in an inquiry after a name — 
 
 " Go ! fearch it there, where to be born, and die, 
 
 " Of rich and poor makes all the hiftory." 
 So recent is the inftitution of our parifli regifters. In the beginnino- 
 of the feventeenth century, a younger branch of the Gibbons of Rol- 
 venden migrated from the country to the city ; and from this branch 
 I do not blufh to defcend. The law requires fome abilities; the 
 church impofes fome reftraints ; and before our army and navy, our 
 civil eftablilliments, and India empire, had opened fo many paths of 
 fortune, the mercantile profeflion was more frequently chofen by 
 youths of a liberal race and education, who afpired to create their 
 own independence. Our moll refpedlable families have not dif- 
 dained the counting-houfe, or even the ihop ; their names are in- 
 rolled in the Livery and Companies of London ; and in England, 
 as well as in the Italian commonwealths, heralds have been com- 
 pelled to declare, that gentility is not degraded by the exercife of 
 trade. 
 
 The armorial enfigns which, in the tim.es of chivalry, adorned the 
 crefl; and fliield of the foldier, are now become an empty decoi-ation,. 
 which every man, who has money to build a carriage, m.ay paint ac- 
 cording to his fancy on the pannels. My family arms are the lame 
 which were borne by the Gibbons of Kent in an age, when the 
 College of Heralds religioufly guarded the diflindions of blood and; 
 
 name t
 
 ^ MEMOIRS OF 
 
 name 4 a lion rampant gardant, between three fchallop-fhells Argent, 
 on a field Azure *. I Ihould not however have been tempted to 
 blazon my coat of arms, were it not connedled with a whimfical 
 anecdote. — About the reign of James the Firft, the three harmlefs 
 fchallop-fhells were changed by Edmund Gibbon efq. into three 
 Ogrejfes^ or female cannibals, with a defign of ftlgmatizing three 
 ladies, his kinfwomen, who had provoked him by an unjuft law-fuit. 
 But this fingular mode of revenge, for which he obtained the fandtion 
 of Sir William Seagar, king at arms, foon expired with its author ; 
 and, on his own monument in the Temple church, the monfters 
 vanilh, and the three fchallop-fliells refume their proper and heredi- 
 tary place. 
 
 Our alliances by marriage it is not difgraceful to mention. The 
 chief honour of my anceftry is James Fiens, Baron Say and Scale, 
 and Lord High Treafurer of England, in the reign of Henry the 
 Sixth ; from whom by the Phelips, the Whetnalls, and the Cromers, 
 I am lineally defcended in the eleventh degree. His difmiffion and 
 imprifonment in the Tower were infufficient to appeafe the popular 
 clamour ; and the Treafurer, with his fon-in-law Cromer," was be- 
 headed (1450), after a mock trial by the Kentifli inlurgents. The 
 black lift of his offences, as it is exhibited in Shakefpeare, difplays 
 the ignorance and envy of a plebeian tyrant. Befides the vague 
 reproaches of felling Maine and Normandy to the Dauphin, the 
 Treafurer is fpecially accufed of luxury, for riding on a foot-cloth ;• 
 and of treafon, for fpeaking French, the language of our enemies : 
 " Thou haft moft traiteroufly corrupted the youth of the realm," fays 
 Jack Cade to the unfortunate Lord, " in eredting a grammar-fchool ; 
 " and whereas before our forefathers had no other books than the 
 " fcore and the tally, thou haft caufed printing to be ufed ; and, 
 
 * The father of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke married an heirefs of this family of 
 Gibbon. The Chancellor's efcutcheon in the Temple Hall quarters the arms of Gibbon, 
 as does alfo that, in Lincoln's Inn Hall, of Charles York, Chancellor in 1770. S. 
 
 " contrary
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. -r 
 
 " contrary to the king, his crown, and dignity, thou haft built a 
 " paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face, that thou haft men 
 " about thee, who ufually talk of a noun and a verb, and fuch abo- 
 " minable words, as no chriftian ear can endure to hear." Our dra- 
 matic poet is generally more attentive to chara<Sler than to hiftory ; 
 and I much fear that the art of printing was not introduced into 
 England, till feveral years after Lord Say's death : but of fome of 
 thefe meritorious crimes I fhould hope to find my anceftor guilty; 
 and a man of letters may be proud of his defcent from a patron and 
 martyr of learning. 
 
 In the beginning of the laft century Robert Gibbon efq. of Rol- 
 venden in Kent, (who died in 1618,) had a fon of the fame name cf 
 Robert, who fettled in London, and became a member of the Cloth- 
 workers' Company. His wife was a daughter of the Edgars, who 
 flourifhed about four hundred years in the county of Suffolk, and 
 produced an eminent and wealthy ferjeant-at-law. Sir Gregory Edgar, 
 in the reign of Henry the Seventh. Of the fons of Robert Gibbon, 
 (who died in 1643,) Matthew did not afpire above the ftatlon of a 
 linen-draper in Leadenhall-ftreet ; but John has given to the public 
 fome curious memorials of his exiftence, his character, and his familv. 
 He was born on the 3d of November in the year 1629 ; his education 
 was liberal, at a grammar-fchool, and afterwards in Jefus College at 
 Cambridge ; and he celebrates the retired content which he enjoyed 
 at AUefborough in Worcefterfhire, in the houfe of Thomas Lord Co- 
 ventry, where John Gibbon was employed as a domeftic tutor, the 
 fame office which Mr. Hobbes exercifed in the Devonfhire family. 
 But the fpirit of my kinfman foon immerged into more adlive life : 
 he vifited foreign countries as a foldler and a traveller, acquired t]ie 
 knowledge of the French and Spaniih languages, pafl'ed fome time 
 in the Ifle of Jerfey, croffed the Atlantic, and refided upwards of a 
 twelvemonth (1659) ^'"^ ^^^^ rlfmg colony of Virginia. In this remote 
 province, his tafte, or rather paffion, for Jieraldry found a fmgular 
 
 8 gratification
 
 8 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 gradficauoa at a war-dance of the native Indians. As they moved 
 in meafured fteps, brandifhing their tomahawks, his curious eye con- 
 templated their httle {hields of bark, and their naked bodies, which 
 were painted with the colours and fymbols of his favourite fcience. 
 " At which I exceedingly wondered ; and concluded that heraldry 
 " was ingrafted naturally into, the fenfe of human race. If fo, it 
 " defcrves a greater efteem than now-a-days is put upon it." His 
 return to England after the Rcftoration was foon followed by his 
 marriage — his fettlement in a houfe in St. Catherine's Cloyfter, near 
 the Tov/er, which devolved to my grandfather — and his introduc- 
 tion into the Heralds' College (in 1671) by the ftyle and title of 
 Blue-mantle Purfuivant at Arms. In this office he enjoyed near fifty 
 yedrs the rare felicity of uniting, in the fame purfuit, his duty and 
 inclination : his name is remembered in the College, and many of 
 his letters are ftill prelerved. Several of the moft refpedlable cha- 
 raders of the age, Sir William Dugdale, Mr. Afhmole, Dr. John 
 Betts, and Dr. Nehemiah Grew, were his friends ; and in the fociety 
 of fuch men, John Gibbon may be recorded without difgrace as the 
 member of an aftrological club. The ftudy of hereditary honours is 
 favourable to the Royal prerogative ; and my kinfman, like moft of 
 his family, was a high Tory both in church and ftate. In the latter 
 end of the reign of Charles the Second, his pen was exercifed in the 
 caufe of the Duke of York : the Republican fa£lion he moft cordially 
 detefted \ and as each animal is confcious of its proper arms, the 
 heralds' revenge was emblazoned on a moft diabolical efcutcheon. 
 But the triumph of the Whig government checked the preferment 
 of Blue-mantle ; and he was even fufpended from his office, till his 
 tongue could learn to pronounce the oath of abjuration. His life 
 was prolonged to the age of ninety ; and, in the expedation of the 
 inevitable though uncertain hour, he wifhes to preferve the bleffings 
 of health, competence, and virtue. In the year 1682 he publilhed 
 at London his lulroduSio ad Latinam Blafoniam^ an original attempt, 
 
 3 which
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 9 
 
 which Camden had defiderated, to define, in a Roman idiom, the 
 terms and attributes of a Gothic inftitution. It is not two years 
 fmce I acquired, in a foreign land, fome domeftic intelligence of my 
 own family; and this intelligence was conveyed to Switzerland from 
 the heart of Germany. I had formed an acquaintance with Mr, 
 La?iger, a lively and ingenious fcholar, while he refided at Laufannc 
 as preceptor to the Hereditary Prince of BruiifwicL On his return 
 to his proper ftation of Librarian to the Ducal Library of Wolfen- 
 buttel, he accidentally found among fome literary rubbilh a fmall old 
 Englifti volume of heraldry, infcribed with the name of Johti Gibbon, 
 From the title only Mr. Z^z/^-e/- judged that it might be an acceptable 
 prefent to his friend ; and he judged rightly. His manner is quaint 
 and affeded ; his order is confufed : but he difplays fome wit, more 
 reading, and ftill more enthufiafm ; and if an enthufiaft be often ab- 
 furd, he is never languid. An EngliHi text is perpetually inter- 
 fperfed with Latin fentences in profe and verfe ; but in his own 
 poetry he claims an exemption from the laws of profody. Amidft a 
 profufion of genealogical knowledge, my kinfman could not be for- 
 getful of his own name ; and to him I am indebted for almoft the 
 whole of my information concerning the Gibbon family. From this 
 fmall work (a duodecimo of one hundred and fixty-five pages) the 
 author expected immortal fame : and at the conclufion of his labour 
 he fings, in a ftrain of felf-exultation; 
 
 " Ufque hue corrigitur Romana Blafonia per me ; 
 " Verborumque dehinc barbara forma cadat. 
 
 " Hie liber, in meritum fi forfitan incidet ufum,, 
 " Teflis rite mese fedulitatis erit. 
 
 *' Quicquid agat Zoilus, ventura fatebitur astas 
 
 " Artis quod fueram non Clypearis inops." 
 
 Such are the hopes of authors ! In the failure of thofe hopes John 
 
 Gibbon has not been the firft of his profeflion, and very poffibly 
 
 may not be the lail of his name. His brother Matthew Gibbon, the 
 
 VOL. I. c draper,
 
 ,0 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 draper, had one daughter and two fons — my grandfather Edward, 
 who was born in the year 1666, and Thomas, afterwards Dean of 
 Carlifle. According to the mercantile creed, that the heft book is a 
 profitable ledger, the writings of John the herald would be much lefs 
 precious, than thofe of his nephew Edward : but an author profefles 
 at leaft to write for the public benefit ; and the flow balance of trade 
 can be pleafing to thofe perfons only, to whom it is advantageous. 
 The fuccefsful induflry of my grandfather raifed him above the level 
 of his immediate anceftors ; he appears to have launched into various 
 and extenfive dealings : even his opinions were fubordinate to his 
 intereft j and I find him in Flanders clothing King William's troops,, 
 while he would have contradted with more pleafure, though not per- 
 haps at a cheaper rate, for the fervice of King James. During his 
 refidence abroad, his concerns at home were managed by his mother 
 Hefter, an adlive and notable woman. Her fecond hufband was a 
 widower, of the name of Adlon : they united the children of their 
 firfl nuptials. After his marriage with the daughter of Richard 
 A£ton, goldfmith in Leadenhall-ftreet, he gave his own fifter to Sir 
 Whitmore Adton, of Aldenham ; and I am thus connedted, by a 
 triple alliance, with that ancient and loyal family of Shropfhire ba- 
 ronets. It confifted about that time of feven brothers, all of gigan- 
 tic ftature ; one of whom, a pigmy of fix feet two inches, confefied 
 himfelf the laft and leaft of the feven ; adding, in the true fpirit of 
 party, that fuch m.en were not born fince the Revolution. Under 
 the Tory adminiftration of the four laft years of Queen Anne 
 (1710 — 1714) Mr. Edward Gibbon was appointed one of the Com- 
 miflioners of the Cuftoms ; he fat at that Soard with Prior : but the 
 merchant was better qualified for his ftation than the poet ; fince Lord 
 Bolingbroke has been heard to declare, that he had never converfed 
 with a man, who more clearly underftood the commerce and finances 
 of England. In the year 171 6 he was eledted one of the Diredors 
 of the South Sea Company ; and his books exhibited the proof that, 
 
 2 before
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. ii 
 
 before his acceptance of this fatal office, he had acquired an Inde- 
 peadent fortune of fixty thoufand pounds. - 
 
 But his fortune was overwhelmed in the lliipwreck of the year 
 twenty, and the labours of thirty years were blafted in a fuigle day. 
 Of the ufe or abufe of the South Sea fcheme, of the guilt or inno- 
 cence of my grandfather and his brother Direftors, I am neither a 
 competent nor a difinterefted judge. Yet the equity of modern times 
 muft condemn the violent and arbitrary proceedings, which would 
 have difgraced the caufe of juftice, and would render injuftice ftill 
 more odious. No fooner had the nation awakened from its golden 
 dream, than a popular and even a parliamentary clamour demanded 
 their vi£lims : but it was acknowledged on all fides that the South 
 Sea Directors, however guilty, could not be touched by any known 
 laws of the lands. The fpeech of Lord Molefworth, the author of the 
 State of Denmark, may Ihew the temper, or rather the intemperance, 
 of the Houfe of Commons. " Extraordinary crimes (exclaimed that 
 " ardent Whig) call aloud for extraordinary remedies. The Roman 
 *' lawgivers had not forefeen the poffible exlftence of a parricide : 
 " but as foon as the firfl monfter appeared, he was fown in a fack, and 
 *' caft headlong into the river ; and I fhall be content to inflidt the 
 " fame treatment on the authors of our prefent ruin." His motion 
 was not literally adopted ; but a bill of pains and penalties was intro- 
 duced, a retroadlive ftatute, to punifh the offences, which did not 
 -exift at the time they were committed. Such a pernicious violation 
 of liberty and law can be excufed only by the moft imperious necef- 
 fity ; nor could it be defended on this occafion by the plea of impend- 
 ing danger or ufeful example. The leglflature reftrained the perfons 
 •of the Directors, impofed an exorbitant fecurity for their appearance, 
 and marked their charadlers with a previous note of ignominy : they 
 were compelled to deliver, upon oath, the ftrid: value of their eftates j 
 and were difabled from making any transfer or alienation of any 
 part of their property. Againft a bill of pains and penalties It is the 
 
 c 2 common
 
 12 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 common right of every fubjedt to be heard by his counfel at the bar: 
 they prayed to be heard ; their prayer was refufed ; and their op- 
 preflbrs, who required no evidence, would Uften to no defence. It 
 had been at firft propofed that one-eighth of their refpedlive eftates 
 fhould be allowed for the future fupport of the Diredlors ; but it was 
 fpecioufly urged, that in the various fhades of opulence and guilt fuch 
 an unequal proportion would be too light for many, and for fome 
 might poflibly be too heavy. The chara£ter and condu£t of each 
 man were feparately weighed ; but, inftead of the calm folemnity of 
 a judicial inquiry, the fortune and honour of three and thirty Eng- 
 lifhmen were made the topic of hafty converfation, the fport of a 
 lawlefs majority J and the bafeft member of the committee, by a ma- 
 licious word or a filent vote, might indulge his general fpleen or per- 
 fonal animofity. Injury was aggravated by infult, and infult was em- 
 bittered by pleafantry. Allowances of twenty pounds, or one fhilling, 
 were facetioufly moved. A vague report that a Diredor had for- 
 merly been concerned in another project, by which fome unknown 
 perfons had loft their money, was admitted as a proof of his adual 
 guilt. One man was ruined becaufe he had dropt a foolifh fpeech, that 
 his horfes fhould feed upon gold ; another becaufe he was grown fb 
 proud, that, one day at the Treafury, he had refufed a civil anfwer 
 to perfons much above him. All were condemned, abfent and un- 
 heard, in arbitrary fines and forfeitures, which fwept away the greateft 
 part of their fubftance. Such bold oppreflion can fcarcely be fhielded 
 by the omnipotence of parliament : and yet it may be ferioully 
 queftloned, whether the Judges of the South Sea Dlreftors were the 
 true and legal reprefentatives of their country. The firft parliament 
 of George the Firft had been chofen (1715) for three years : the 
 term had elapfed, their truft was expired ; and the four additional 
 years (17 18 — 1722), during which they continued to fit, were de- 
 rived not from the people, but from themfelves ; from the ftrong 
 mcafure of the feptennial bill, which can only be paralleled by ilfera/-
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 13 
 
 dt conftglio of the Venetian hiftory. Yet candour will own that to the 
 fame parliament every Englifliman is deeply indebted : the feptennial 
 a£t fo vicious in its origin, has been fanftioned by time, experience, 
 and the national confent. Its firft operation fecured the Houfe of 
 Hanover on the throne, and its permanent influence maintains the 
 peace and ftability of government. As often as a repeal has been 
 moved in the Houfe of Commons, I have given in its defence a clear 
 and confcientious vote. 
 
 My grandfather could not exped to be treated with more lenity 
 than his companions. His Tory principles and connexions rendered 
 him obnoxious to the ruling powers : his name is reported in a fuf- 
 picious fecret ; and his well-known abilities could not plead the ex- 
 cufe of ignorance or error. In the firft proceedings againft the South 
 Sea Diredors, Mr. Gibbon is one of the few who were taken into 
 cuftody ; and, in the fmal fentence, the meafure of his fine proclaims 
 him eminently guilty. The total eftimate which he delivered on 
 oath to the Houfe of Commons amounted to one hundred and fix 
 thoufand five hundred and forty-three pounds five Ihillings and fix- 
 pence, exclufive of antecedent fettlements. Two different allow- 
 ances of fifteen and of ten thoufand pounds were moved for Mr. 
 Gibbon ; but, on the queftion being put, it was carried without a 
 divifion for the fmaller fum. On thefe ruins, with the fkill and 
 credit, of which parliament had not been able to defpoil him, my 
 grandfather at a mature age erected the edifice of a new fortune : 
 the labours of fixteen years were amply rewarded ; and I have reafon 
 to believe that the fecond ftrudlure was not much inferior to the firft. 
 He had realized a very confiderable property in Suflex, Hampfhire, 
 Buckinghamfhire, and the New River Company ; and had acquired 
 a fpacious houfe*, with gardens and lands, at Putney, in Surry, 
 where he refided in decent hofpitality. He died in December 1736, 
 
 * Since inhabited by Mr, Wood, Sir John Shelley, the Duke of Norfolk, &c. S. 
 
 at
 
 14 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 at the age of feventy ; and by his laft will, at the expence of Edward, 
 his only fon, (with whofe marriage he was not perfedly reconciled,) 
 enriched his two daughters, Catherine and Heftcr. The former became 
 the wife of Mr. Edward Ellifton, an Eaft India captain : their daugh- 
 ter and heirefs Catherine was married in the year 1756 to Edward 
 Eliot eiq. (now Lord Eliot), of Port Eliot, in the county of Cornwall ; 
 and their three fons are my neareft male relations on the fiither's 
 fide. A life of devotion and celibacy was the choice of my aunt, Mrs. 
 Hefter Gibbon, who, at the age of eighty-five, ftill refides in a her_ 
 mitage at Cliffe, in Northamptonflnire ; having long furvived her 
 fpiritual guide and faithful companion Mr. William Law, who, at 
 an advanced age, about the year 1761, died in her houfe. In our 
 family he had left the reputation of a worthy and pious man, who 
 believed all that he profeffed, and pradifed all that he enjoined^ 
 The character of a nonjuror, which he maintained to the laft, is a 
 fufficient evidence of his principles in church and ftate ; and the fa- 
 crifice of intereft to confcience will be always refpedable. His the- 
 ological writings, which our domeftic connexion has tempted me to 
 perufe, preferve an imperfed fort of life, and I can pronounce with 
 more confidence and knowledge on the merits of the author. His 
 laft compofitions are darkly tindtured by the incomprehenfible vifions 
 of Jacob Behmen ; and his difcourfe on the abfolute unlawfulnefs of 
 ftage-entertainments is fometimes quoted for a ridiculous intempe- 
 rance of fentiment and language. — " The adtors and fpedators muft 
 " all be damned ; the playhoufe is the porch of Hell, the place of 
 " the Devil's abode, where he holds his filthy court of evil fpirits : a 
 " play is the Devil's triumph, a facrifice performed to his glory, as much 
 *' as in the heathen temples of Bacchus or Venus, &c. &c." But 
 thefe fallies of religious phrenfy muft not extingulfli the praife, which 
 is due to Mr. William Law as a wit and a fcholar. His argument 
 on topics of lefs abfurdlty is fpecious and acute, his manner is lively, 
 his ftyle forcible and clear ; and, had not his vigorous mind been 
 
 clouded
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. ly 
 
 clouded by enthufiafm, he might be ranked with the moft agreeable 
 and ingenious writers of the times. While the Bangorian controvcrfy 
 was a fafhionable theme, )ie entered the lifts on the fubjed of Chrift's 
 kingdom, and the authority of the priefthood : againft the plain ac- 
 count of the facrameiit of the Lord's Supper he refumed the com- 
 bat with Bifhop Hoadley, the objedt of Whig idolatry, and Tory ab- 
 horrence ; and at every weapon of attack and defence the nonjuror . 
 on the eround which is common to both, approves himfelf at leaft 
 equal to the prelate. On the appearance of the Fable of the Bees, he 
 drew his pen againft the licentious dodlrine that private vices are 
 public benefits, and morality as well as religion muft join in his ap- 
 plaufe. Mr. Law's mafter-work, the Serious Call^ is ftill read as a 
 popular and powerful book of devotion. His precepts are rigid, but 
 they are founded on the gofpel : his fatire is fliarp, but it is drawn 
 from the knowledge of human life ; and many of his portraits arc 
 not unworthy of the pen of La Bruyere. If he finds a fpark of 
 piety in his reader's mind, he will foon kindle it to a flame ; and a 
 philofopher muft allow that he expofes, with equal feverity and truth, 
 the ftrange contradidlion between the faith and praflice of the Chrif- 
 tian world. Under the names of Flavia and Miranda he has ad- 
 mirably defcribed my two aunts — the heathen and the chriftian- 
 fifter. 
 
 My fathef, Edward Gibbon, was born in Odlober 1707: at the 
 age of thirteen he could fcarcely feel that he was difinherited by ad: 
 of parliament ; and, as he advanced towards manhood, new profpeds 
 of fortune opened to his view. A parent is moft attentive to fupply 
 in his children the deficiencies, of which he is confcious in himfelf r 
 my grandfather's knowledge was derived from a ftrong under- 
 ftanding, and the experience of the ways of men ; but my father 
 enjoyed the benefits of a Uberal education as a fcholar and a gentle- 
 man. At Weftminfter School, and afterwards at Emanuel College 
 in Cambridge, he pafled through a regular courfe of academical dif- 
 
 cipline j.
 
 j6 memoirs of 
 
 cipline ; and the care of his learning and morals was entrufted to his 
 private tutor, the fame Mr. William Law. But the mind of a faint 
 is above or below the prefent world ; and while the pupil proceeded 
 on his travels, the tutor remained at Putney, the much-honoured 
 friend and fpiritual diredlor of the whole family. My father refidcd 
 fome time at Paris to acquire the fafhionable exercifes ; and as his 
 temper was warm and focial, he indulged in thofe pleafures, for which 
 the ftriftnefs of his former education had given him a keener relifh. 
 He afterwards vifited feveral provinces of France ; but %\s eRurfions 
 were neither long nor remote ; and the flender knowledge, which he 
 had gained of the French language, was gradually obliterated. His 
 pafiage through Befanyon is marked by a fmgular confequence in the 
 chain of human events. In a dangerous illnefs Mr. Gibbon was at- 
 tended, at his own requeft, by one of his kinfmen of the name of 
 Adon, the younger brother of a younger brother, who had applied 
 himfelf to the ftudy of phyfic. During the flow recovery of his pa- 
 tient, the phyfician himfelf was attacked by the malady of love : 
 he married his miftrefs, renounced his country and religion, fettled at 
 Befan^on, and became the father of three fons ; the eldeft of whom, 
 General A£ton, is confpicuous in Europe as the principal Minifter of 
 the King of the Two Sicilies. By an uncle whom another ftroke of 
 fortune had tranfplanted to Leghorn, he was educated in the naval 
 fervice of the Emperor ; and his valour and condud; in the command 
 of the Tufcan frigates protedted the retreat of the Spaniards from Al- 
 giers. On my father's return to England he was chofen, in the 
 general eledlion of 1734, to ferve in parliament for the borough of 
 Petersfield ; a burgage tenure, of which my grandfather polTefled a 
 weighty fhare, till he alienated (I know not why) fuch important 
 property. In the oppofition to Sir Robert Walpole and the Pelhams, 
 prejudice and fociety conne£led his fon with the Tories, — fhall I fay 
 Jacobites ? or, as they were pleafed to ftyle themfelves, the country 
 gentlemen ? with them he gave many a vote j with them he drank 
 
 7 many
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 17 
 
 many a bottle. Without acquiring the fame of an orator or a ftatcf- 
 man, he eagerly joined in the great oppofition, which, after a feveu 
 years chafe, hunted down Sir Robert Walpole : and in the purfuit of an 
 unpopular minifter, he gratified a private revenge againll the oppreflor 
 of his family in the South Sea perfecution. 
 
 1 was born at Putney, in the county of Surry, the ayih of April, 
 O. S. in the year one thoufand feven hundred and thirty-feven ; the 
 firft child of the marriage of Edward Gibbon efq. and of Judith 
 Porteu *r My lot might have been that of a Have, a favage, or a 
 peafant ; nor caii I reflect without pleafure on the bounty of Nature, 
 which call my birth in a free and civilized country, in an age of 
 fcience and philofophy, in a family of honourable rank, and decently 
 endowed with the gifts of fortune. From my birth I have enjoyed 
 the right of primogeniture j but I was fucceeded by five brothers and 
 one fifter, all of whom were fnatched away in their infancy. My 
 five brothers, whofe names may be found in the parifli regifter of 
 Putney, I fhall not pretend to lament : but from my childhood to 
 the prefcnt hour I have deeply and fincerely regretted my fifter, 
 whofe life was fomewhat prolonged, and whom I remember to have 
 feen an amiable infant. The relation of a brother and a fifter, efpe- 
 cially if they do not marry, appears to me of a very fingular nature. 
 It is a familiar and tender friendfliip with a female, much about 
 our own age ; an affedion perhaps foftened by the fecret influence 
 of fex, but pure from any mixture of fenfual defire, the fole fpecies 
 of Platonic love that can be indulged with truth, and without 
 danger. 
 
 * The union to which I owe my birth was a marriage of inclination and efteem. 
 Mr. James Porten, a merchant of London, refided with his family at Putney, in a 
 houfe adjoining to the bridge and church-yard, where I have paiTed many happy hours 
 of my childhood. He left one fon (the late Sir Stanier Porten) and three daughters : 
 Catherine, who preferved her maiden name, and of whom I fhall hereafter fpeak -, 
 another daughter married Mr. .Darrel of Richmond, and left two fons, Edward and 
 Robert : the youngelt of the three filters was Judith, my mother. 
 
 VOL. I. D At
 
 i8 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 At the general eledion of 174 1, Mr. Gibbon and Mr. Delme ftood 
 an expenfive and fuccefsful conteft at Southampton, againft Mr. Dum- 
 mer and Mr. Henly, afterwards Lord Chancellor and Earl of North- 
 ington. The Whig candidates had a majority of the refident voters; 
 hut the corporation was firm in the Tory intereft : a fudden creation 
 of one hundred and feventy new freemen turned the fcale ; and a 
 fupply was readily obtained of refpe£table volunteers, who flocked 
 from all parts of England to fupport the caufe of their political friends. 
 The new parliament opened with the vi£tory of an oppofiti<^, which 
 was fortified by ftrong clamour and ftrange coalitions. From the 
 event of the firft divifions, Sir Robert Walpole perceived that he 
 could no longer lead a majority in the Houfe of Commons, and pru- 
 dently refigned (after a dominion of one and twenty years) the 
 guidance of the ftate (1742). But the fall of an unpopular minifter 
 was not fucceeded, according to general expectation, by a millenium 
 of happinefs and virtue : fome courtiers loft their places, fome pa- 
 triots loft their charaClers, Lord Orford's offences vaniftied with his 
 power; and after a fhort vibration, the Pelham government was fixed 
 on the old bafis of the Whig ariftocracy. In the year 1 745, the 
 throne and the conftitution were attacked by a rebellion, which does 
 not reflect much honour on the national fpirit : fince the Englifh 
 friends of the Pretender wanted courage to join his ftandard, and his 
 enemies (the bulk of the people) allowed him to advance into the 
 heart of the kingdom. Without daring, perhaps without defiring, 
 to aid the rebels, my father invariably adhered to the Tory oppofi- 
 tion. In the moft critical feafon he accepted, for the fervice of the 
 party, the office of alderman in the city of London : but the duties 
 were fo repugnant to his inclination and habits, that he refigned his 
 gown at the end of a fe\y months. The fecond parliament in which 
 he fat v/as prematurely diflblved (1747) : and as he was unable or 
 unwilling to maintain a fecond conteft for Southampton, the life of 
 the fenator expired in that diiTolution. 
 
 The
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 19 
 
 The death of a new-born child before that of its parents may feem 
 an unnatural, but it is ftridtly a probable, event : fince of any given 
 number the greater part arc extinguiflied before their ninth year, 
 before they poflefs the faculties of the mind or body. Without ac- 
 cufmg the profufe wafte or imperfedl w^orkmanfliip of Nature, I {hall 
 only obferve, that this unfavourable chance was multiplied againft my 
 infant exiftence. So feeble was my conftitution, fo precarious my 
 life, that, in the baptifm of each of my brothers, my father's pru- 
 dence fucceffively repeated my chriftian name of Edward, that, in 
 cafe of the departure of the eldeft fon, this patronymick appellation 
 might be ftill perpetuated in the family. 
 
 Uno avulfo non deficit alter. 
 
 To preferve and to rear fo frail a being, the moft tender affiduity was 
 fcarcely fufficient ; and my mother's attention was fomewhat diverted 
 by her frequent pregnancies, by an exclufive paffion for her hufband, 
 and by the diflipation of the world, in which his tafte and authority 
 obliged her to mingle. But the maternal office 'was fupplied by my 
 aunt, Mrs. Catherine Porten ; at whofe name I feel a tear of grati- 
 tude trickling down my cheek. A life of celibacy transferred her 
 vacant affection to her filler's firft child : my weaknefs excited her 
 pity; her attachment was fortified by labour and fuccefs : and if there 
 be any, as I truft there are fome, who rejoice that I live, to that 
 dear and excellent woman they muft hold themfelves indebted. 
 Many anxious and folitary days did fhe confume in the patient trial 
 of every mode of relief and amufement. Many wakeful nights did 
 fhe fit by my bed-fide in trembling expedation that each hour would 
 be my laft. Of the various and frequent diforders of my childhood 
 my own recolle(£llon is dark ; nor do I wifh to expatiate on fo dif- 
 gufting a topic. Suffice it to fay, that while every practitioner, from 
 Sloane and Ward to the Chevalier Taylor, was fucceffively fum- 
 moned to torture or relieve me, the care of my mind was too fre- 
 quently negleded for that of my health : compaffion always fuggefted 
 
 D 2 an
 
 20 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 an excufe for the indulgence of the mafter, or the Idlenefs of the 
 pupil ; and the chain of my education was broken, as often as I was 
 recalled from the fchool of learning to the bed of ficknefs. 
 
 As foon as the ufe of fpeech had prepared my infant reafon for the 
 admiffion of knowledge, I was taught the arts of reading, writing, 
 and arithmetic. So remote is the date, fo vague is the memory of 
 their origin in myfelf, that, were not the error corrected by analogy, 
 I fhould be tempted to conceive them as innate. In my childhood 
 I was praifed for the readinefs, with which I could multiply and di- 
 vide, by memory alone, two fums of feveral figures : fuch praife en- 
 coura"-ed my growing talent ; and had I perfevered in this line of 
 application, I might have acquired fome fame in mathematical 
 
 ftudies. 
 
 After this previous inftitution at home, or at a day-fchool at Put- 
 ney, I was delivered at the age of {even into the hands of Mr. John 
 Kirkby, who exercifed about eighteen months the office of my do- 
 meftic tutor. His own words, which I fhall here tranfcribe, infpire 
 in his favour a fentiment of pity and efteem. — " During my abode 
 " in my native county of Cumberland, in quality of an indigent 
 " curate, I ufed now-and-then in a Summer, when the pleafantnefs 
 " of the feafon invited, to take a folitary walk to the fea-fhore, which 
 " lies about two miles from the town where I lived. Here I would 
 " amufe myfelf, one while in viewing at large the agreeable profpe£l 
 " which furrounded me, and another while (confining my fight to 
 " nearer objeiSts) in admiring the vaft variety of beautiful fhells, thrown 
 " upon the beach ; fome of the choiceft of which I always picked up, 
 ** to divert my little ones upon my return. One time among the 
 reft, taking fuch a journey in my head, I fat down upon the de- 
 " clivity of the beach with my face to the fea, which was now come 
 *' up within a few yards of my feet ; when immediately the fad 
 " thoughts of the wretched condition of my family, and the un- 
 *' fuccefsfuhiefs of all endeavours to amend it, came crowding into 
 
 .4 ' ^ " ^T 
 
 tf
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 21 
 
 *' my mind, which drove me into a deep melancholy, and ever and 
 " anon forced tears from my eyes." Diftrefs at laft forced him to 
 leave the countiy. His learning and virtue introduced him to my 
 father j and at Putney he might have found at lead a temporary 
 Shelter, had not an a£t of indifcretion again driven him into the 
 world. One day reading prayers in the parifh church, he moft un- 
 luckily forgot the name of King George : his patron, a loyal ful>- 
 je£l, difmifled him with fome reludance, and a decent reward ; and 
 bow the poor man ended his days I have never been able to learn. 
 Mr. John Kirkby is the author of two fmall volumes ; the Life of 
 Automathes (London, 1745), and an Englifh and Latin Grammar 
 (London, I746)'; which, as a teftimony of gratitude, he dedicated 
 (November 5th, 1 745) to my father. The books are before me r 
 from them the pupil may judge the preceptor ; and, upon the whole, 
 his judgment will not be unfavourable. The grammar is executed 
 with accuracy and fliill, and I know not whether any better exifted 
 at the time in our language : but the life of Automathes afpires to 
 the honours of a philofophical fidion. It is the ftory of a youth, the 
 fon of a fhipwrecked exile, who lives alone on a defert ifland from 
 infancy to the age of manhood. A hind is his nurfe ; he inherits a 
 cottage, with many ufeful and curious inftruments ; fome ideas re- 
 main of the education of his two firfl years ; fome arts are bor- 
 rowed from the beavers of a neighbouring lake ; fome truths are re- 
 vealed in fupernatural vifions. With thefe helps, and his own in- 
 duftry, Automathes becomes a felf-taught though fpeechlefs philofo- 
 pher, who had inveftigated with fuccefs his own mind, the natural 
 world, the abftrad fciences, and the great principles of morality and 
 religion. The author is not entitled to the merit of invention, fince 
 he has blended the Englifli ftory of Roblnfon Crufoe with the Ara- 
 bian romance of Hai Ebn Yokhdan, which he might have read in the 
 Latin verfion of Pocock. In the Automathes I cannot praife either 
 the depth of thought or elegance of ftyle j but the book is not devoid 
 
 of
 
 22 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 of entertainment or inftrudlon ; and among feveral intereftlng paf- 
 fagcs, I would feledt the difcovcry of fire, which produces by acci- 
 dental mifchief the difcovery of confcience. A man who had thought 
 i'o much on the fubjeds of language and education was furely no or- 
 dinary preceptor : my childifh years, and his hafty departure, pre- ' 
 vented me from enjoying the full benefit of his leflbns ; but they en- 
 larged my knowledge of arithmetic, and left me a clear impreffion of 
 the Englifli and Latin rudiments. 
 
 In my ninth year (January 1746), in a lucid interval of compa- 
 rative health, my father adopted the convenient and cuftomary mode # 
 of Englifli education ; and I was fent to Kingfton upon Thames, to 
 a fchool of about feventy boys, which was kept by Dr. Wooddefon 
 and his afliftants. Every time I have fmce paffed over Putney Com- 
 mon, I have always noticed the fpot where my mother, as we drove 
 along in the coach, admoniflied me that I was now going into the 
 w'orld, and muft learn to think and a£t for myfelf. The exprelTion 
 may appear ludicrous ; yet there is not, in the courfe of life, a more 
 remarkable change than the removal of a child from the luxury and 
 freedom of a wealthy houfe, to the frugal diet and ftrid fubordina- 
 tion of a fchool ; from the tendernefs of parents, and the obfequiouf- 
 nefs of fervants, to the rude familiarity of his equals, the infolent ty- 
 ranny of his feniors, and the rod, perhaps, of a cruel and capricious 
 pedagogue. Such hardfhips may fleel the mind and body againft the 
 injuries of fortune ; but my timid referve was aftoniflied by the 
 crowd and tumult of the fchool ; the want of ftrength and adivity 
 difqualified me for the fports of the play-field ; nor have I forgotten 
 how often in the year forty-fix I was reviled and bufFetted for the 
 fins of my Tory anceftors. By the common methods of difcipline, 
 at the expence of many tears and fome blood, I purchafed the 
 knowledge of the Latin fyntax : and not long fmce I was pofTefled 
 of the dirty volumes of Phaedrus and CorneUus Nepos, which I pain- 
 fully conftrued and darkly underftood. The choice of thefe authors 
 
 is
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 23 
 
 is not injudicious. The lives of Cornelius Nepos, the friend of At- 
 ticus and Cicero, are compofed in the ftyle of the purefl: age : his 
 fnnplicity is elegant, his brevity copious : he exhibits a feries of men 
 and manners ; and with fuch illuftrations, as every pedant is not in- 
 deed qualified to give, this claffic biographer may initiate a young 
 ftudent in the hiftory of Greece and Rome. The ufe of fables or 
 apologues has been approved in every age from antient India to mo- 
 dern Europe. They convey in familiar images the truths of morality 
 and prudence j and the moft ehildifh underftanding (I advert to the 
 fcruples of Roufleau) will not fuppofe either that beafts do fpeak, or 
 that men may lie. A fable reprefents the genuine charadlers of ani- 
 mals ; and a fkilful mafter might extrad from Pliny and BufFon fome 
 pleafmg lefTons of natural hiftory, a fcience well adapted to the tafte 
 and capacity of children. The Latinity of Phxdrus is not exempt 
 from an alloy of the filver age ; but his manner is concife, terfe, and 
 fententious : the Thracian flave difcreetly breathes the fpirit of a free- 
 man ; and when the text is found, the ftyle is perfpicuous. But his. 
 fables, after a long oblivion, were firft publifhed by Peter Pithou, 
 from a corrupt manufcript. The labours of fifty editors confefs the 
 defeds of the copy, as well as the value of the original ; and the 
 fchool-boy may have been whipt for mifapprehending a paflage 
 which Bentley could not reftore, and which Burman could not 
 explain. 
 
 My ftudies were too frequently interrupted by ficknefs ; and after 
 a real or nominal refidence at Kingfton-fchool of near two^^ears, T 
 was finally recalled (December 1747) by my mother's death, which 
 was occafioned, in her thirty-eighth year, by the confeqiiences of 
 her laft labour. I was too young to feel the importance of my lofs ;, 
 and the image of her perfon and converfation is faintly imprinted in 
 my memory. The affedionate heart of my aunt, Catherine Porten, 
 bewailed a fifter and a friend ; but my poor father was inconfolable,. 
 and the tranfport of grief feemed to threaten his life or his reafon^ 
 
 I. canr^'
 
 24 M E M O I R S O V 
 
 I can never forget the fcene of our firft interview, feme weeks after 
 the fatal event ; the awful filence, the room hung with black, the 
 mid-day tapers, his fighs and tears ; his praifes of my mother, a faint 
 in heaven ; his folemn adjuration that I would cherifh her memory 
 and imitate her virtues ; and the fervor with which he kiffed and 
 blefled me as the fole furviving pledge of their loves. The ftorm of 
 paflion infenfibly fubfided into calmer melancholy. At a convivial 
 meeting of his friends, Mr. Gibbon might afteft or enjoy a gleam of 
 cheerfulnefs ; but his plan of happinefs was for ever deftroyed : and 
 after the lofs of his companion he was left alone in a world, of which 
 the bufmefs and pleafures were to him irkfome or infipid. After 
 feme unfuccefsful trials he renounced the tumult of London and the 
 hofpitality of Putney, and buried himfelf in the rural or rather ruftic 
 folitude of Buriton ; from which, during feveral years, he feldom 
 emerged. 
 
 As far back as I can remember, the houfe, near Putney-bridge and 
 church-yard, of my maternal grandfather appears in the light of my 
 proper and native home. It was there that I was allowed to fpend 
 the greateft part of my time, in ficknefs or in health, during my 
 fchool vacations and my parents' refidence in London, and finally 
 after my mother's death. Three months after that event, in the 
 fpring of 1748, the commercial ruin of her father, Mr. James Por- 
 ten, was accomplifhed and declared. He fuddenly abfconded : but as 
 his eftefts were not fold, nor the houfe evacuated, till the Chriftmas 
 following, I enjoyed during the w^hole year the fociety of my aunt, 
 without much confcloufnefs of her impending fate. I feel a melan- 
 choly pleafure in repeating my obligations to that excellent woman, 
 Mrs. Catherine Porten, the true mother of my mind as well as of 
 my health. Her natural good fenfe was improved by the perufal of 
 the beft books in the Englifh language ; and if her reafon was fome- 
 times clouded by prejudice, her fentiments were never difguifed by 
 hypocrify or affeilation. Her indulgent tendernefs, the franknefs of 
 
 her
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 2 
 
 J 
 
 her temper, and my innate rifing curiofity, foon removed all dlftancc 
 between us : like friends of an equal age, we freely converfed on 
 every topic, familiar or abftrufe ; and it v^ras her delight and reward 
 to obferve the firft flioots of my young ideas. Pain and languor 
 v/ere often foothed by the voice of inftrudion and amufemcnt ; and 
 to her kind lelTons I afcribe my early and invincible love of read- 
 ing, which I would not exchange for the treafures of India. 1 
 fhould perhaps be aftonifhed, were it poflible to afcertain the date, at 
 which a favourite tale was engraved, by frequent repetition, in my 
 memory : the Cavern of the Winds ; the Palace of Felicity ; and the 
 fatal moment, at the end of three months or centuries, when Prince 
 Adolphus is overtaken by Time, who had worn out fo many pair of 
 wings in the purfuit. Before I left Kingfton fchool I was well ac- 
 quainted with Pope's Homer and the Arabian Nights Entertainments, 
 two books which will always pleafe by the moving pidlure of human 
 manners and fpecious miracles : nor was I then capable of difcerning 
 that Pope's tranflation is a portrait endovvred with every merit, except- 
 ing that of likenefs to the original. The verfes of Pope accuftomed my 
 ear to the found of poetic harmony : in the death of Hedlor, and the 
 fhipwreck of Ulyfles, I tailed the new emotions of terror and pity; and 
 ferioudy difputed with my aunt on the vices and virtues of the heroes 
 of the Trojan war. From Pope's Homer to Dryden's Virgil was an 
 eafy tranfition ; but I know not how, from fome fault in the author 
 the tranflator, or the reader, the pious iEneas did not fo forcibly 
 feize on my imagination ; and I derived more pleafure from Ovid's 
 Metamorphofes, efpecially in the fall of Phaeton, and the fpeeches of 
 Ajax and Ulyfles. My grandfather's flight unlocked the door of a 
 tolerable library ; and I turned over many Englifli pages of poetry 
 and romance, of hifl:ory and travels. Where a title attracted my eye, 
 without fear or awe I fnatched the volume from the fhelf ; and Mrs. 
 Porten, who indulged herfelf in moral and religious fpeculations, 
 was more prone to encourage than to check a curiofity above tlie 
 VOL. I. j; ftrength
 
 26 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 ftrength of a boy. This year (1748), the twelfth of my age, I fliall 
 note as the moft propitious to the growth of my intelledlual ftature. 
 The relics of my grandfather's fortune afforded a bare annuity for 
 his own maintenance ; and his daughtei-, my worthy aunt, who had 
 already palTed her fortieth year, was left deflitute. Her noble fpirit 
 ftorned a life of obligation and dependence ; and after revolving fe- 
 veral fchemes, fhe preferred the humble induftry of keeping a board- 
 ing-houf© for Weftminfter-fcbooi *, where flie laborioufly earned a 
 competence for her old age. This fmgular opportunity of blending 
 the advantages of private and public education decided my father. 
 After the Chriflmas holidays in Januaiy 1749, I accompanied Mrs. 
 Porten to her new houfe in College-flreet ; and was immediately en- 
 tered in the fchool, of which Dr. John Nicoll was at that time head- 
 mafter. At firfl I was alone : but my aunt's refolution was praifed ; 
 her charadler was efteemed ; her friends were numerous and adlive : 
 in the courfe of fome years fhe became the mother of forty or fifty 
 boys, for the moft part of family and fortune ; and as her primitive 
 habitation was too narrow, flie built and occupied a fpacious man- 
 fion in Dean's Yard. I ihall always be ready to join in the commoa 
 opinion, that our public fchools, which have produced fo many emi- 
 nent charadlers, are the beft adapted to the genius and conftitution 
 of the Englifh people. A boy of fpirit may acquire a previous and 
 praftical experience of the world ; and his playfellows may be the 
 future friends of his heart or his intereft. In a free intercourfe with 
 his equals, the habits of truth, fortitude, and prudence will infenfibly 
 be matured. Birth and riches are meafured by the ftandard of per- 
 fonal merit ; and the mimic fcene of a rebellion has difplayed, ia 
 their true colours, the minlfters and patriots of the rlfmg generation. 
 Our feminaries of learning do not exadly correfpond wdth the 
 
 * It is faid in the family, that fhe was principally induced to this undertaking by 
 her afFeftion for her nephew, whofe weak conftitution recjuired her conftant and unre- 
 mitted attention. S. 
 
 precept
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. a; 
 
 precept of a Spartan king, " that the cliild fliould be inflruded in the 
 " arts, which will be ufeful to the man ;" fince a finifhed fcholar may- 
 emerge from the head of Weflminfter or Eton, in total ignorance of 
 the bufmefs and converfation of Englifh gentlemen in the latter end 
 of the eighteenth century. But thefe fchools may afliime the merit 
 of teaching all that they pretend to teach, the Latin and Greek lan- 
 guages : they depofit in the hands of a difciple the keys of two valu- 
 able chefts ; nor can he complain, if they are afterwards loft or ne-' 
 gleded by his own fault. The neceffity of leading in equal ranks fo 
 many unequal powers of capacity and application, will prolong to 
 eight or ten years the juvenile ftudies, which might be difpatched in 
 half that time by the fkilful mafter of a fnigle pupil. Yet even the 
 repetition of exercife and difcipline contributes to fix in a vacant 
 mind the verbal fcience of grammar and profody ; and the private or 
 voluntary ftudent, who pofTefles the fenfe and fpirlt of the claffics, may 
 offend, by a falfe quantity, the fcrupulous ear of a well-flogged critic. 
 For myfelf, I muft be content with a very fmall fhare of the civil and 
 literary fruits of a public fchool. In the fpace of two years ( 1 749, 
 1750), interrupted by danger and debility, I painfully climbed into 
 the third form ; and my riper age was left to acquire the beauties of 
 the Latin, and the rudiments of the Greek tongue. Inftead of auda- 
 cioufly mingling in the fports, the quarrels, and the connedions of 
 our little world, I was ftill cheriflied at home under the maternal 
 wing of my aunt ; and my removal from Weftminfter long preceded 
 the approach of manhood. 
 
 The violence and variety of my complaints, which had excufed 
 my frequent abfence from Weftniinfter-fchool, at length engaged 
 Mrs. Porten, with the advice of phyficians, to condudt me to Bath s 
 at the end of the Michaelmas vacation (1750) fhe quitted me with 
 reludance, and I remained feverai months under the care of a trufty 
 maid-fervant. A ftrange nervous affedion, which alternately con- 
 tra<^ed my legs, and produced, without any vlfiblc fymptoms, the 
 
 E 2 moft
 
 28 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 moft excruciating pain, was inefFedually oppofed by the various 
 methods of bathing and pumping. From Bath I was tranfported to 
 Winchefter, to the houfe of a phyfician ; and after the failure of his 
 medical fkill, we had again recourfe to the virtues of the Bath waters. 
 During the intervals of thefe fits, I moved with my father to Buriton 
 and Putney ; and a fhort unfuccefsful trial was attempted to renew 
 my attendance at Weftminfter-fchool. But my infirmities could not 
 be reconciled with the hours and difcipline of a public feminary; and 
 inftead of a domeftic tutor, who might have watched the favourable 
 moments, and gently advanced the progrefs of my learning, my 
 father was too eafily content with fuch occafional teachers, as the dif- 
 ferent places of my refidence could fupply. I was never forced, and 
 feldom was I perfuaded, to admit thefe leflbns : yet I read with a 
 clergyman at Bath fome odes of Horace, and feveral epilbdes of 
 Virgil, which gave me an imperfedl and tranfient enjoyment of the 
 Latin poets. It might now be apprehended that I fhould continue 
 for life an illiterate cripple : but, as I approached my fixteenth year, 
 Nature difplayed in my favour her myfterious energies : my confti- 
 tution was fortified and fixed ; and my diforders, inftead of growing 
 with my growth and ftrengthening with my ftrength, moft wonder- 
 fully vaniflied. I have never poflefled or abufed the infolence of 
 health : but fince that time few perfons have been more exempt from 
 real or imaginary ills ; and, till I am admoniftaed by' the gout, the 
 reader will no more be troubled with the hiftory of my bodily com- 
 plaints. My unexpedled recovery again encouraged the hope of my 
 'education ; and I was placed at Efher, in Surry, in the houfe of the 
 Reverend Mr. Philip Francis, in a pleafant fpot, which promifed to 
 unite the various benefits of air, exercife, and ftudy (January 1752). 
 The tranflator of Horace might have taught me to relifti the Latin 
 poets, had not my friends difcovered in a few v/eeks, that he preferred 
 the pleafures of London, to the inftrudtion of his pupils. My father's 
 j.erplexity at this time, rather than liis prudence, was urged to em- 
 brace
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 29 
 
 brace a fingular and defperate meafure. Without preparation or de- 
 lay he carried nie to Oxfo'ifd ; and I was matriculated in the univer- 
 fity as a gentleman commoner of Magdalen college, before I had ac- 
 complilhed the fifteenth year of my age (April 3, 1752). 
 
 The curiofity, which had been implanted in my infant mind, was 
 ftill alive and adlive ; but my reafon was not fufficiently informed to 
 underftand the value, or to lament the lofs, of three precious years 
 from my entrance at Weftminfter to my admiflion at Oxford. In- 
 ftead of repining at my long and frequent confinement to the cham- 
 ber or the couch, I fecretly rejoiced in thofe infirmities, which deli- 
 vered me from the exercifes of the fchool, and the fociety of my 
 equals. As often as I was tolerably exempt from danger and pain, 
 reading, free defultory reading, was the employment and comfort of 
 my folitary hours. At Weftminfler, my aunt fought only to amufe 
 and indulge me ; in my ftations at Bath and Winchefter, at Buriton 
 and Putney, a falfe compaffion relpedled my fufferings ; and I was 
 allowed, without controul or advice, to gratify the wanderings of an 
 unripe tafle. My indifcriminate appetite fubfided by degrees in the 
 hijioric line : and fince philofophy has exploded all innate ideas 
 and natural propenfities, I mud afcribe this choice to the ailidu- 
 ous perufal of the Univerfixl Hiftory, as the o£lavo volumes fuccef- 
 fively appeared. This unequal work, and a treatife of Hearne, the 
 DtiBor hijioric tis^ refen'ed and introduced me to the Greek and Roman 
 hiftorians, to as many at leaft as were acceffible to an Englifli reader. 
 All that I could find were greedily devoured, from Littlebury's lame 
 Herodotus, and Spelman's valuable Xenophon, to the pompous 
 folios of Gordon's Tacitus, and a ragged Procopius of the beginning 
 of the laft century. The cheap acquifition of fo much knowledge 
 confirmed my dillike to the lludy of languages ; and I argued with 
 Mrs. Porten, that, were I mailer of Greek and Latin, I muft inter- 
 pret to myfelf in Englilh the thoughts of the original, and that fuch 
 extemporary verfions muft be inferior to the elaborate tranflations of 
 
 profefled.
 
 30 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 profefled fcholars ; a filly fophifm, which could not eafily be con- 
 futed by a perfon ignorant of any othgf language than her own. 
 From the ancient I leaped to the modern world : many crude lumps 
 of Speed, Rapin, Mezeray, Davila, Machiavel, Father Paul, Bower, 
 &c. I devoured like fo many novels ; and I fwallowed with the fame 
 voracious appetite the defcriptions of India and China, of Mexico 
 
 and Peru. 
 
 My firft introdudion to the hiftoric fccncs, which have fnice en- 
 o-ao-ed fo many years of my life, muft be afcribed to an accident. In 
 the fummer of 1751, I accompanied my father on a vifit to Mr. 
 Hoare's, in Wiltfhire ; but I was lefs delighted with the beauties of 
 Stourhead, than with difcovering in the library a common book, 
 the Continuation of Echard's Roman Hiftory, which is indeed exe- 
 cuted with more fkill and tafte than the previous work. To me 
 the reigns of the fuccellbrs of Conftantine were abfolutely new; 
 and I was immerfed in the paffage of the Goths over the Da- 
 nube, when the fummons of the dinner-bell reludantly dragged me 
 from my intelledlual feaft. This tranfient glance ferved rather to 
 irritate than to appeafe my curiofity ; and as foon as I returned to 
 Bath I procured the fecond and third volumes of Howel's Hiftory of 
 the World, which exhibit the Byzantine period on a larger fcale. 
 Mahomet and his Saracens foon fixed my attention ; and fome inftincH: 
 of criticifm directed me to the genuine fources. Simon Ockley, an 
 original in every fenfe, firft opened my eyes ; and I was led from 
 one book to another, till I had ranged round the circle of Oriental 
 hiftory. Before I was fixteen, I had exhaufted all that could be 
 learned in Englifli of the Arabs and Pcrfians, the Tartars and Turks ; 
 and the fame ardour urged me to guefs at the French of D'Herbelot, 
 and to conftrue the barbarous Latin of Pocock's Abulfaragius. Such 
 vague and multifarious reading could not teach me to think, to write, 
 or to aft ; and the only principle, that darted a ray of light into the 
 indigefted chaos, was an early and rational application to the order 
 
 of
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 31 
 
 of time and place. The maps of Cellarius and Wells imprinted in my 
 mind the pidlure of ancient geography : from Stranchius I imbibed 
 the elements of chronology: the Tables of Helvicus and Anderfon, 
 the Annals of Ufher and Prideaux, diftinguilhcd the conneftion of 
 events, and engraved the multitude of names and dat^s in a clear and 
 indelible feries. But in the dilcuffion of the firft ages I overleaped 
 the bounds of modefty and ufe. In my childifh balance I prefumed 
 to weigh the fyftems of Scaliger and Petavius, of Marfham and New- 
 ton, which I could feldom ftudy in the originals j and my fleep ha» 
 been difturbed by the difficulty of reconciling the Septuagint with the 
 Hebrew computation. I arrived at Oxfoi'd with a ftock of erudition,, 
 that might have puzzled a dodor, and a degree of ignorance, of which 
 a fchool-boy would have been afhamed. 
 
 At the conclufion of this firft period of my life, I am tempted to 
 enter a proteft againft the trite and lavifh praife of the happinefs of 
 our boyifh years, which is echoed with fo much affe£tation in the 
 world. That happinefs I have never known, that time I have never 
 regretted ; and were my poor aunt ftill alive, fhe would bear tefti- 
 mony to the early and conftant imiformity of my fentiments. It will 
 Indeed be replied, that /am not a competent judge ; that pleafure is 
 incompatible with pain ; that joy is excluded from ficknefs ; and that 
 the felicity of a fchool-boy confifts in the perpetual motion of 
 thoughtlefs and playful agility, in which I was never qualified to 
 excel. My name, it is moft true, could never be enrolled among 
 the fprightly race, the idle progeny of Eton or Weftminfter, 
 
 *' Who foremoft may delight to cleave, 
 ^' With pliant arm, the glafly wave, 
 " Or urge the flying ball." 
 
 The poet may gaily defcribe the fhort hours of recreation ; but he 
 forgets the daily tedious labours of the fchool, which is approached 
 each morning with anxious and reluctant fteps. 
 
 7 A tra-
 
 32 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 A traveller, who vifits Oxford or Cambridge, is furprlfed and edified 
 by the apparent order and tranquillity that prevail in the feats of the 
 Englifh mufes. In the moft celebrated univerfities of Holland, Ger- 
 many, and Italy, the ftudents, who fwarm from different countries, 
 are loofely difperfed in private lodgings at the houfes of the burghers : 
 they drefs according to their fancy and fortune ; and in the intempe- 
 rate quarrels of youth and wine, their /words, though lefs frequently 
 than of old, are fometimes ftained with each other's blood. The ufe 
 of arms is banifhed from our Englifh univerfities ; the uniform habit 
 of the academics, the fquare cap, and black gown, is adapted to the 
 civil and even clerical profeffion ; and from the do£tor in divinity to 
 the under-graduate, the degrees of learning and age are externally 
 diftinguifhed. Inftead of being fcattered in a town, the ftudents of 
 Oxford and Cambridge are united in colleges ; their maintenance is 
 provided at their own expence, or that • of the founders ; and the 
 ftated hours of the hall and chapel reprefent the difcipline of a regu- 
 lar, and, as it were, a religious community. The eyes of the travel- 
 ler are attracted by the fize or beauty of the public edifices ; and the 
 principal colleges appear to be fo many palaces, which a liberal nation 
 has ere£ted and endowed for the habitation of fcience. My own 
 introdu6tion to the univerfity of Oxford forms a new sera in my life ; 
 and at the diftance of forty years I ftill remember my firft emotions 
 of furprife and fatisfacStion. In my fifteenth year I felt myfelf fud- 
 denly raifed from a boy to a man: the perfons, whom I refpe£ted as my 
 iuperiors in age and academical rank, entertained me with every mark 
 of attention and civility ; and my vanity was flattered by the velvet 
 cap and filk gown, which diftinguifli a gentleman commoner from a 
 plebeian ftudent. A decent allowance, more money than a fchool- 
 boy had ever feen, was at my own difpofal ; and I might command, 
 among the tradefmen of Oxford, an indefinite and dangerous lati- 
 tude of credit. A key was delivered into my hands, which gave me 
 
 the
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 3^ 
 
 the free ufe of a numerous and learned library : my apartment con- 
 fifted of three elegant and well-furniflied rooms in the new building, 
 a ftately pile, of Magdalen College ; and the adjacent walks, had 
 they been frequented by Plato's difciples, might have been compared 
 to the Attic fhade on the banks of the Iliflus. Such was the fair 
 profpecl of my entrance (April 3, 1752) into the univerfity of 
 Oxford. 
 
 A venerable prelate, whofe tafle and erudition muft refledl honour 
 on the fociety in which they were formed, has drawn a very intereft- 
 ing pidlure of his academical life. — " I was educated (fays Bifhop 
 " Lowth) in the university of Oxford. T enjoyed all the ad- 
 " vantages, both public and private, which that famous feat of learn- 
 " ing fo largely affords. I fpent many years in that illuftrious fo~ 
 " ciety, in a well-regulated courfe of ufeful difcipline and ftudies, and 
 " in the agreeable and improving commerce of gentlemen and of 
 " fcholars ; in a fociety where emulation without envy, ambition 
 *' without jealoufy, contention without animofity, incited induftry, 
 " and awakened genius ; where a liberal purfuit of knowledge, and 
 " a genuine freedom of thought, was raifed, encouraged, and pufhed 
 " forward by example, by commendation, and by authority, t 
 ** breathed the fame atmofphere that the Hookers, the Chilling- 
 " worths, and the Lockes had breathed before; whofe benevo- 
 " lence and humanity were as extenfive as their vaft genius and 
 " comprehenfive knowledge ; who always treated their adverfaries 
 " xvith civility and refpedl ; who made candour, moderation, and 
 " liberal judgment as much the rule and law as the fubjed of their 
 " difcourfe. And do you reproach me with my education in this 
 " place, and with my relation to this mod refpe£lable body, which 
 " I Ihall always efteem my greateft advantage and my higheft ho- 
 " nour ?" I tranfcribe with pleafure this eloquent paffage, without 
 examining what benefits or what rev,'ards were derived by Hooker, 
 or Chillingworth, or Locke, from their academical inftitution ; without 
 
 vol.. I. F Inquiring,
 
 34 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 Inquiring, whether in this angry controverfy the fpirit of Lowth him- 
 felf is purified from the intolerant zeal, which Warburton had afcribed 
 to the genius of the place. It may indeed be obferved, that the at- 
 mofphere of Oxford did not agree with Mr. Locke's conftitution, and 
 that the philofopher juftly defpifed the academical bigots, who ex- 
 pelled his perfon and condemned his principles. The expreffion of 
 gratitude is a virtue and a pleafure : a liberal mind will delight to 
 cherilh and celebrate the memory of its parents ; and the teachers of 
 Icience are the parents of the mind. I applaud the filial piety, which 
 it is impoffible for me to imitate ; fince I mud not confefs an imagi- 
 nary debt, to affiime the merit of a juft or generous retribution. To 
 the univerfity of Oxford /acknowledge no obligation; and fhe will 
 as cheerfully renounce me for a fon, as I am willing to difclaim her 
 for a mother. I fpent fourteen months at Magdalen College ; they 
 proved the fourteen months the moft idle and unprofitable of my 
 whole life : the reader will pronounce between the fchool and the 
 fcholar ; but I cannot aifed: to believe that Nature had difqualified me 
 for all literary purfuits. The fpeclous and ready excufe of my ten- 
 der age, imperfedl preparation, and hafty departure, may doubtlefs 
 be alleged ; nor do I willi to defraud fuch excufes of their proper 
 weight. Yet in my fixteenth year I was not devoid of capacity or 
 application ; even my childifh reading had difplayed an early though 
 blind propenfity for books ; and the fliallow flood might have been 
 taught to flow in a deep channel and a clear fl:ream. In the difci- 
 pline of a well-conftituted academy, under the guidance of fkilful 
 and vigilant profeflbrs, I fhould gradually have rifen from tranf- 
 lations to originals, from the Latin to the Greek claflTics, from 
 dead languages to living fcience : my hours would have been oc- 
 cupied by ufeful and agreeable fhudies, the wanderings of fancy 
 would have been reftrained, and I fhould have efcaped the tempta- 
 tions of idlenefs, which finally precipitated my departure from 
 Oxford. 
 
 Perhaps
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 35 
 
 Perhaps In a feparate annotation I may coolly examine the fabu- 
 lous and real antiquities of our fifter univerfities, a queftion which 
 has kindled fuch fierce and foolifh difputes among their fanatic fons. 
 In the mean while it will be acknowledged, that thefc venerable 
 bodies are fufficiently old to partake of all the prejudices and infirmi- 
 ties of age. The fchools of Oxford and Cambridge were founded in 
 a dark age of falfe and barbarous fcience ; and they are ftill tainted 
 with the vices of their origin. Their primitive difcipline was adapted 
 to the education of priefts and monks ; and the government ftill re- 
 mains in the hands of the clergy, an order of men whofe manners 
 are remote from the prefent world, and whofe eyes are dazzled by 
 the light of philofophy. The legal incorporation of thefe focieties 
 by the charters of popes and kings had given them a monopoly of 
 the public inftrudion ; and the fpirit of monopolifts is narrow, 
 lazy, and oppreffive : their work is more coftly and lefs produdive 
 than that of independent artifts ; and the new improvements fo 
 eagerly grafped by the competition of freedom, are admitted with 
 flow and fullen reludtance in thofe proud corporations, above the fear 
 of a rival, and below the confeffion of an error. We may fcarcely 
 hope that any reformation will be a voluntary ail ; and fo deeply are 
 tliey rooted in law and prejudice, that even the omnipotence of par- 
 liament would Ihrink from an inquiry into the ftate and abufes of 
 the two univerfities. 
 
 The ufe of academical degrees, as old as the thirteenth century, is 
 vifibly borrowed from the mechanic corporations ; in which an ap- 
 prentice, after ferving his time, obtains a teftimonlal of his Ikill, and 
 a licence to pradlife his trade and myftery. It is not my defign to de- 
 preciate thofe honours, which could never gratify or difappoint my 
 ambition ; and I fliould applaud the inftitution, if the degrees of ba- 
 chelor or licentiate were beftowed as the reward of manly and fuc- 
 cefsful ftudy : if the name and rank of dodor or mailer were ftridly 
 
 F 2 referved
 
 ^6 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 referved for the profeflbrs of fcience, who have approved their title 
 to the public efteem. 
 
 la all the univerfities of Europe, excepting our own, the languages 
 and fciences are diftrlbuted among a numerous lift of effedivc pror 
 feflbrs : the ftudents, according to their tafte, their calling, and their 
 diligence, apply themfelves to the proper matters ; and in the annual 
 repetition of public and private ledures, thefe matters are afliduoufly 
 employed. Our curiofity may inquire what number of profeflbrs has 
 been inttituted at Oxford ? (for I fliall now confine niyfelf to my own 
 univerfity ;) by whom are they appointed, and what may be the 
 probable chances of merit or incapacity ? how many are ftationed to 
 the three faculties, and how many are left for the liberal arts ? what 
 is the form, and what the fubftance, of their lelTons ? But all thefe 
 queftions are filenced by one fhort and fingular anfwer, " That in 
 *' the univerfity of Oxford, the greater part of the public profeflbrs 
 " have for thefe many years given up altogether even the pretence 
 " of teaching." Incredible as the fad may appear, I mutt reft my 
 belief on the pofitive and impartial evidence of a mafter of moral and 
 political wifdom, who had himfelf refided at Oxford. Dr. Adam 
 Smith aflTigns as the caufe of their indolence, that, inttead of being 
 paid by voluntary contributions, which would urge them to increafe 
 the number, and to deferve the gratitude of their pupils, the Oxford 
 profeflbrs are fecure in the enjoyment of a fixed ttipend, without the 
 neceflTity of labour, or the apprehenfion of controul. It has indeed 
 been obferved, nor is the obferva.tion abfurd, that excepting in expe- 
 rimental fciences, which demand a coftly apparatus and a dexterous 
 hand the many valuable treatifes, that have been publifhed on every 
 fubie(3; of learning, may now fuperfede the ancient mode of oral in- 
 ftrudion. Were this principle true in its utmoft latitude, I fliould 
 only infer that the oflices and falaries, which are become ufelefs, ought 
 without delay to be abollflied. But there ftill remains a material 
 
 difference
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 37" 
 
 difference between a book and a profeflbi" ; the hour of the ledture 
 inforces attendance ; attention is fixed by the prefence, the voice, 
 and the occafional queftions of the teacher ; the mofi: idle will carry 
 fomething away ; and the more diligent will compare the inftruc- 
 tions, which they have heard in the fchool, with the volumes, which 
 they perufe in their chamber. The advice of a fkilful profeffor will 
 adapt a comfe of reading to every mind and every fituation ; his 
 authority will difcover, admtDnifh, and at laft chaftife the negligence 
 of his dilciples ; and his vigilant inquiries will afcertain the fteps of 
 their literary progrefs. Whatever fcience he profefles he may il- 
 luftrate in a feries of difcourfes, compofed in the leifure of his 
 clofet, pronounced on public occafions, and finally delivered to the 
 prefs. I obferve with pleafure, that in the univerfity of Oxford 
 Dr. Lowth, with equal eloquence and erudition, has executed this 
 tafk in his incomparable Prak&ioiis on the Poetry of the Hebrews. 
 
 The college of St. Mary Magdalen was founded in the fifteenth 
 century by Wainfleet bifliop of Winchefter ; and now confifts 
 of a prefident, forty fellows, and a number of inferior ftudents. 
 It is efteemed one of the largeft and moft wealthy of our acade- 
 mical corporations, which may be compared to the Benedidline 
 abbeys of catholic countries ; and I have loofely heard that the 
 eftates belonging to Magdalen College, which are leafed by thofe 
 indulgent landlords at fmall quit-rents and occafional fines, might 
 be raifed, in the hands of private avarice, to an annual revenue of 
 nearly thirty thoufand pounds. Our colleges are fuppofed to be fchools 
 of fcience, as well as of education ; nor is it unreafonable to 
 expedl that a body of literary men, devoted to a life of celibacy, 
 exempt from the care of their own fubfiftence, and amply provided 
 with books, fhould devote their leifure, to the profecution of fludy, 
 and that fome effects of their ftudies fhould be manifefted to the 
 world. The fhelves of their library groan under the weight of the 
 Benedidtine folios, of the editions of the fathers, and the colledions 
 
 7 of 
 
 a A i) '\ ?;
 
 3S MEMOIRS OF 
 
 of the middle ages, which have ifTued from the fingle abbey of 
 St, Germain de Prez at Paris. A compofition of genius muft be the 
 ofFspring of one mind ; but fuch works of induftry, as may be di- 
 vided among many hands, and muft be continued during many 
 years, are the pecuUar province of a laborious community. It I 
 inquire into the manufactures of the monks of Magdalen, if I ex- 
 tend tlie inquiry to the other colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, a 
 filent blulh, or a fcornful frown, will be the only reply. The fel- 
 lows or monks of my time were decent eafy men, who fupinely 
 enjoyed the gifts of the founder: their days were filled by a feries 
 of uniform employments ; the chapel and the hall, the cofFee-houfe 
 and the common room, till they retired, weary and well fatisfied, 
 to a long llumber. From the toil of reading, or thinking, or writing, 
 they had abfolved their confcience ; and the firfl fhoots of learning 
 and ingenuity withered on the ground, without yielding any fruits 
 to the owners or the public. As a gentleman commoner, I was ad- 
 mitted to the fociety of the fellows, and fondly expelled that fome 
 queftlons of literature would be the amufing and inftrudlive topics of 
 their difcourfe. Their converfation ftagnated in a round of college 
 bufmefs, Tory politics, perfonal anecdotes, and private fcandal : their 
 dull and deep potations excufed the brifk intemperance of youth ; 
 and their conftitutional toafts were not expreffive of the moft lively 
 loyalty for the houfe of Hanover. A general eled;ion was now ap- 
 proaching : the great Oxfordfhire conteft already blazed with all the 
 malevolence of party-zeal. Magdalen College was devoutly attached 
 to the old intereft ! and the names of Wenman and Dafhwood were 
 more frequently pronounced, than thofe of Cicero and Chryfoftom. 
 The example of the fenior fellows could not infpire the under-gra- 
 duates with a liberal fpirit or fludious emulation ; and I cannot de- 
 fcribe, as I never knew, the difcipline of college. Some duties 
 may pofTibly have been impofed on the poor fcholars, whofe am- 
 bition afpired to the peaceful honours of a fellowfhip (afcribi 
 
 quietis
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 39 
 
 qiiietis ordinibits Deorum) ; but no independent members were 
 
 admitted below the rank of a gentleman commoner, and our velvet 
 cap was the cap of liberty. A tradition prevailed that fome of our 
 predeceffors had fpoken Latin declamations in the hall ; but of this 
 ancient cuftom no veftige remained : the obvious methods of public 
 exercifes and examinations were totally unknown ; and I have never 
 heard that either the prefident or the fociety interfered in the private 
 aconomy of the tutors and their pupils. 
 
 The filence of the Oxford profefTors, which deprives the youth 
 of public inftrudtion, is imperfectly fupplied by the tutors, as they 
 are ftyled, of the feveral colleges. Inflead of confining themfelves 
 to a fmgle fcience, which had fatisfied the ambition of Burman or 
 Bernoulli, they teach, or promife to teach, either hiflory or ma- 
 thematics, or ancient literature, or moral philofophy ; and as it is 
 poffible that they may be defed;ive in all, it is highly probable that 
 of fome they will be ignorant. They are paid, indeed, by private 
 contributions ; but their appointment depends on the head of the 
 houfe : their diligence is voluntary, and will confequently be languid^ 
 while the pupils themfelves, or their parents, are not indulged in 
 the liberty of choice or change. The firft tutor into whofe hands 
 I was refigned appears to have been one of the bell of the tribe : 
 Dr. Waldegrave was a learned and pious man, of a mild difpofition, 
 ilridl morals, and abftemious life, who feldom mingled in the po- 
 litics or the jollity of the college. But his knowledge of the world 
 was confined to the univerfity ; his learning was of the laft, rather 
 than of the prefent age ; his temper was indolent ; his faculties, which 
 were not of the firft rate, had been relaxed by the climate, and he 
 was fatisfied, like his fellows, with the flight and fuperficial dif- 
 charge of an important truft. As foon as my tutor had founded the 
 infufiiciency of his difciple in fchool-learning, he propofed that we 
 ihould read every morning from ten to eleven the comedies of Te~ 
 2 rcncc
 
 40 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 rence. The fum of my improvement in the unlverfity of Oxford 
 is confined to three or four Latin plays ; and even the fludy of an 
 elegant claffic, which might have been illuftrated by a comparifon 
 of ancient and modern theatres, was reduced to a dry and literal in- 
 terpretation of the author's text. During the firft weeks I con- 
 llantly attended thefe lefTons in my tutor's room ; but as they 
 appeared equally devoid of profit and pleafure, I was once tempted 
 to try the experiment of a formal apology. Thie apology was ac- 
 cepted with a fmile. I repeated the offence with lefs ceremony ; 
 the excufe was admitted with the fame indulgence : the flighteft 
 motive of lazinefs or indifpofition, the moft trifling avocation at 
 home or abroad, was allowed as a worthy impediment ; nor did my 
 tutor appear confcious of my abfence or negle£l:. Had the hour of 
 ledure been conftantly filled, a fmgle hour was a fmall portion of 
 my academic leifure. No plan of ftudy was recommended for my 
 ufe ; no exercifes were prefcribed for his infpedlion ; and, at the 
 moft precious feafon of youth, whole days and weeks were fuffered 
 to elapfe without labour or amufement, without advice or account. 
 I fhould have liftened to the voice of reafon and of my tutor ; his 
 mild behaviour had gained my confidence. I preferred his fociety to 
 that of the younger ftudents ; and in our evening walks to the top 
 of Heddington-hill, we freely converfed on a variety of fubjedts. 
 Since the days of Pocock and Hyde, Oriental learning has always 
 been the pride of Oxford, and I once exprefled an inclination to 
 ftudy Arabic. His prudence difcouraged this childifh fancy ; but 
 he negledted the fair occafion of direding the ardour of a curious 
 mind. During my abfence in the Summer vacation, Dr. Walde- 
 grave accepted a college living at Wafhington in Suflex, and on my 
 return I no longer found him at Oxford. From that time I have 
 loft fight of my firft tutor; but at the end of thirty years (1781) 
 he was ftill alive ; and the practice of exercife and temperance had 
 entitled him to a healthy old age. 
 
 The
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. ^ 
 
 The long recefs between the Trinity and Michaelmas terms 
 empties the colleges of Oxford, as well as the courts of Weft- 
 minfter. I fpent, at my father's houfe at Buriton in Hampfliire, 
 the two months of Auguft and September. It is whimfical enough, 
 that as foon as I left Magdalen College, my tafte for books began to 
 revive ; but it was the fame blind and boyifh tafte for the purfuit of 
 exotic hiftory. Unprovided with original learning, unformed in 
 the habits of thinking, unfkilled in the arts of compofuion, I re- 
 folved — to write a book. The title of this firft Eflay, /be Age of 
 Sefojlris, was perhaps fuggefted by Voltaire's Age of Lewis XIV. 
 which was new and popular ; but my fole obje£l was to inveftigate 
 the probable date of the life and reign of the conqueror of Afia. I 
 was then enamoured of Sir John Marlham's Canon Chronicus ; an 
 elaborate work, of whofe merits and defeds I was not yet qualified 
 to judge. According to his fpecious, though narrow plan, I fettled 
 my hero about the time of Solomon, in the tenth century before the 
 Chriftian sera. It was therefore incumbent on me, unlefs I would 
 adopt Sir Ifaac Newton's fhorter chronology, to remove a formi- 
 dable objection ; and my folution, for a youth of fifteen, is not de- 
 void of ingenuity. In his verfion of the Sacred Books, Manetho 
 the high prieft has identified Sethofis, or Sefoftris, with the elder 
 brother of Danaus, who landed in Greece, according to the Parian 
 Marble, fifteen hundred and ten years before Chrift. But in my 
 fuppofition the high prieft is guilty of a voluntary error ; flattery is 
 the prolific parent of falfehood. Manetho's Hiftory of Egypt is 
 dedicated to Ptolemy Philadelphus, who derived a fabulous or ille- 
 gitimate pedigree from the Macedonian kings of the race of Her- 
 cules. Danaus is the anceftor of Hercules ; and after the failure 
 of the elder branch, his defcendants, the Ptolemies, are the fole re- 
 prefentatives of the royal family, and may claim by inheritance the 
 kingdom which they hold by conqueft. Such were mv juvenile 
 difcoveries ; at a riper age, I no longer prefume to conned: the 
 
 VOL. I. G Greek,
 
 42 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Greek, the Jewlfh, and the Egyptian antiquities, which are loft in 
 a diftaat cloud. Nor is this the only inftancc, in which the belief 
 and knowledge of the child are fupcrfedcd by the more rational 
 ignorance of the man. During my ftay at Buriton, my inflmt- 
 labour was diligently proiecuted, without much interruption from 
 company or country diverfions ; and I already heard the mufic of 
 public applaufe. The difcovery of my own weaknefs was the firft 
 fymptom of tafte. On my return to Oxford, the Age of Sefoftris 
 was wifely relinquifhed ; but the imperfed fheets remained twenty 
 years at the bottom of a drawer, till, in a general clearance of papers, 
 (November 1772,) they were committed to the flames. 
 
 After the departure of Dr. Waldgrave, I was transferred, with his 
 other pupils, to his academical heir, whofe literary charafter did not 
 command the refpeil of the college. Dr. * * * * well remembered that 
 he had a falary to receive, and only forgot that he had a duty to per- 
 form. Inftead of guiding the ftudies, and watching over the behaviour 
 of his difciple, I was never fummoned to attend even the ceremony 
 of a lecture; and, excepting one voluntary vifit to his rooms, during 
 the eight months of his titular office, the tutor and pupil lived in the 
 fame college as ftrangers to each other. The want of experience, 
 of advice, and of occupation, foon betrayed me into fome impro- 
 prieties of condudl, ill-chofen company, late hours, and inconfider- 
 ate expence. My growing debts might be fecret ; but my frequent 
 abfence was vifible and fcandalous : and a tour to Bath, a vifit into 
 Buckinghamfhire, and four excurfions to London in the fame winter, 
 were coftly and dangerous frolics. They were, indeed, without a 
 meaning, as without an excufe. The irkfomenefs of a cloiftered 
 life repeatedly tempted me to wander ; but my chief pleafure was 
 that of travelling ; and I was too young and bafhful to enjoy, like 
 a Manly Oxonian in Town, the pleafures of London. Li all thefe 
 excurfions I eloped from Oxford ; I returned to college ; in a few 
 days I eloped again, as if I had been an independent ftranger in a 
 
 hired
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 45 
 
 hired lodging, without once hearing the voice of admonition, with- 
 out once feeling the hand of control. Yet my time was Ipft, my 
 expences were multiplied, my behaviour abroad was unknown ; folly 
 as well as vice fhould have awakened the attention of my I'uperiors, 
 and my tender years would have juftitied a more than ordinary de- 
 gree of reftraint and difcipline. 
 
 It might at leaft be expedled, that an ecclefiaflical fchool fhould 
 Inculcate the orthodox principles of religion. But our venerable 
 mother had contrived to unite the oppolite extremes of bigotry and 
 indifference : an heretic, or unbeliever, was a monrter in her eyes ; 
 but fhe was always, or often, or fometimes, remifs in the fpiritua). 
 education of her own children. According to the ftatutes of the 
 univerfity, every ftudent, before he is matriculated, muft fubfcribe his 
 aflent to the thirty-nine articles of the church of England, which are 
 figned by more than read, and read by more than believe them. 
 My infufficient age excufed me, however, from the immediate per- 
 formance of this legal ceremony ; and the vice-chancellor directed 
 me to return, as foon as I fhould have accomplifhed my fifteenth yearj 
 recommending me, in the mean while, to the inftrudtion of my col- 
 lege. My college forgot to inftru£t : I forgot to return, and was 
 myfelf forgotten by the firft magiftrate of the univerfity. Without 
 a fingle ledlure, either public or private, either chriftian or proteftant, 
 without any academical fubfcription, without any epifcopal confirm- 
 ation, I was left by the dim light of my catechifm to grope my way 
 to the chapel and communion-table, where I was admitted, without 
 a queftlon, how far, or by what means, I might be qualified to receive 
 the facrament. S-ach almoft incredible negledl was produdtlve of the 
 worft mifchiefs. From my childhood I had been fond of religious 
 difputation : my poor aunt has been often puzzled by the myfl;eries 
 which fhe flrove to believe ; nor had the elaftic fpring been totally 
 broken by the weight of the atmofphere of Oxford. The blind acti- 
 vity of idlenefs urged me to advance without armour into the dan- 
 
 Cr 2 gerous
 
 44 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 o-erous mazes of controverfy ; and at the age of fixteen, I bewildered 
 myfelf in the errors of the church of Rome. 
 
 The progrefs of my converfion may tend to illuftrate, at leaft, the 
 hiftory of my own mind. It was not long fmce Dr. Middleton's free 
 inquiry had founded an alarm in the theological world : much ink 
 and much gall had been fpilt in the defence of the primitive miracles; 
 and the two dulleft of their champions were crowned with academic 
 honours by the univerfity of Oxford. The name of Middleton was 
 unpopular ; and his profcription very naturally led me to perufe his 
 writings, and thofe of his antagonifts. His bold criticifm, which ap- 
 proaches the precipice of infidelity, produced on my mind a fmgular 
 effed ; and had 1 perfevered in the communion of Rome, I fhould 
 now apply to my own fortune the predidion of the Sybil, 
 
 Via prima falutis. 
 
 Quod minime reris, Graia, pandetur ab urbe. 
 
 The elegance of ftyle and freedom of argument were repelled by a 
 fhield of prejudice. I ftill revered the charader, or rather the names, 
 of the faints and fathers whom Dr. Middleton expofes ; nor could he 
 deftroy my implicit belief, that the gift of miraculous powers was 
 continued in the church, during the firft four or five centuries of 
 chriftianity. But I was unable to refift the weight of hiftorical evi- 
 dence, that within the fame period moft of the leading dodlrines of 
 popery were already introduced in theory and pradice : nor was my 
 conclufion abfurd, that miracles are the tell of truth, and that the 
 church muft be orthodox and pure, which was fo often approved by 
 the vifible interpofition of the Deity. The marvellous tales which 
 are fo boldly attefted by the Bafils and Chryfoftoms, the Auftins and 
 Jeroms, compelled me to embrace the fuperior merits of celibacy, the 
 inftitution of the monaftic life, the ufe of the fign of the crofs, of 
 holy oil, and even of images, the invocation of faints, the worfhip 
 of relics, the rudiments of purgatory in prayers for the dead, and 
 3 the
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 45 
 
 the tremendous myftery of the facrifice of the body and blood of 
 Chrift, which infenfibly fwelled into the prodigy of tranfubftantia- 
 tion. In thefe difpofitions, and already more than half a convert, I 
 formed an unlucky intimacy with a young gentleman of our college, 
 whofe name I fliall fpare. With a charader lefs refolute, Mr. **** 
 had imbibed the fame religious opinions ; and fome Popifh books, I 
 know not through what channel, were conveyed into his poflefTion. 
 I read, I applauded, I believed : the EnglilTi tranflations of two fa- 
 mous works of BolTuet Bilhop of Meaux, the Expofition of the Ca- 
 tholic Dodlrine, and the Hiftory of the Proteftant Variations,, at- 
 chieved my converfion, and I furely fell by a noble hand *. I have 
 fince examined the originals with a more difcerning eye, and fhall 
 not hefitate to pronounce, that Bofliiet is indeed a mafter of all the 
 weapons of controverfy. In the Expofition, a fpecious apology, the 
 orator affumes, with confummate art, the tone of candour and fim- 
 plicity ; and the ten-horned monfter is transformed, at his magic 
 touch, into the milk-white hind, who mufi; be loved as foon as fhe 
 is feen. In the Hiftory, a bold and well-aimed attack, he difplays, 
 with a happy mixture of narrative and argument, the faults and 
 follies, the changes and contradiilions of our firfl: reformers; 
 whofe variations (as he dexteroufly contends) are the mark of hlfto- 
 rical error, while the perpetual unity of the catholic church is the 
 fign and teft of infallible truth. To my prefent feelings it feems in- 
 crcdible that I ihould ever believe that I believed in tranfubftantia- 
 tion. But my conqueror opprefled me with the facramental words, 
 " Hoc eft coi-pus meum," and daftied againft each other the figura- 
 tive half-meanings of the proteftant fe£ts : every objedion was re- 
 folved into omnipotence ; and after repeating at St. Mary's the Atha- 
 
 * Mr. Gibbon never talked with me on the fubjecft of his convcrrion to popery but 
 once ; and then, he imputed his change to the works of Parfons the jefuit, who hved 
 in the reign of Ehzabeth, and who, he faid, liad urged ail the bed arguments in favour 
 of the Roman catholic religion. S. 
 
 nafian
 
 46 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 nafian creed, I humbly acquiefced in the myftery of the real 
 prefence. 
 
 " To take up half on truft, and half to try, 
 " Name it not faith, but bungling bigotry. 
 " Both knave and fool, the merchant we may call, 
 " To pay great fums, and to compound the fmall, 
 " For who would break with Heaven, and would not break 
 " for all ?" 
 
 No fooner had I fettled my new religion than I refolved to profefs 
 myfelf a catholic. Youth is fmcere and impetuous ; and a moment- 
 ary glow of enthufiafm had raifed me above all temporal confider- 
 ations *. 
 
 By the keen proteftants, who would gladly retaliate the example 
 of perfecution, a clamour is raifed of the increafe of popery : and 
 they are always loud to declaim againft the toleration of priefts and 
 jefuits, who pervert fo many of his majefty's fubjedls from their reli- 
 gion and allegiance. On the prefent occafion, the fall of one or more 
 of her fons direded this clamour againfl; the univerfity ; and it was 
 confidently aflirmed that popifh miffionaries were fuffered, under va- 
 rious difguifes, to introduce themfelves into the colleges of Oxford. 
 But juftice obliges me to declare, that, as far as relates to myfelf, 
 this affertion is falfe ; and that I never converfed with a prieft, or 
 even with a papift, till my refolution from books was abfolutely 
 fixed. In my laft excurfion to London, I addrefled myfelf to Mr. 
 Lewis, a Roman catholic bookfeller in Ruflell-ftreet, Covent Garden, 
 who recommended me to a prieft, of whofe name and order I am at 
 prefent ignorant. In our firft interview he foon difcovered that per- 
 fuafion was needlefs. After founding the motives and merits of my 
 
 * He defcribed the letter to his father, announcing his converfion, as written with 
 all the pomp, the dignity, and felf-fatisfaftion of a martyr. S. 
 
 converfion, 
 
 \
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 47 
 
 converfion, he confented to admit me into tlie pale of the church ; 
 and at his feet, on the eighth of June 1753, I folemnly, though pri- 
 vately, abjured the errors of herefy. The fedudion of an Englifli 
 youth of family and fortune was an adl of as much danger as glory; but 
 he bravely overlooked the danger, of which I was not then fufTiciently 
 informed. " Where a perfon is reconciled to the fee of Rome, or 
 " procures others to be reconciled, the offence (fays Blackftone) 
 " amounts to high treafon." And if the humanity of the age would 
 prevent the execution of this fanguinary ftatute, there were other 
 laws of a lefs odious caft, which condemned the priefl to perpetual 
 imprifonment, and transferred the profelyte's eftate to his neareft re- 
 lation. An elaborate controverfial epiftle, approved by my diredor, 
 and addreffed to my father, announced and juftified the ftep which I 
 had taken. My father was neither a bigot nor a philofopher ; but 
 his afteftion deplored the lofs of an only fon ; and his good fenfe was 
 aftonifhed at my ftrange departure from the religion of my country. 
 In the firft fally of paiTion he divulged a fecret which prudence might 
 have fupprefled, and the gates of Magdalen College were for ever fhut 
 againft my return. Many years afterwards, when the name of Gib- 
 bon was become as notorious as that of Middleton, it was induftri- 
 cufly whifpered at Oxford, that the hiftorian had formerly " turned 
 " papift,:" my chara£ter flood expofed to the reproach of inconflancy • 
 and this invidious topic would have been handled without mercy by 
 my opponents, could they have feparated my caufe from that of the 
 univerfity. For my ov/n part, I am proud of an honefl facrifice of 
 intereft to confcience. I can never blufh, if my tender mind was en- 
 tangled in the fophiflry that feduced the acute and manly underfland- 
 ings of Chillingworth and Bayle, who afterwards emerged 
 from fuperftition to fcepticifm. 
 
 While Charles the Firft governed England, and was himfelf go- 
 verned by a catholic queen, it cannot be denied that the mifhonaries 
 
 7 of
 
 48 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 of Rome laboured with impunity and fuccefs in the court, the coun- 
 try, and even the univerfities. One of the (heep, 
 
 AVhom the grim wolf with privy paw- 
 Daily devours apace, and nothing faid, 
 is Mr. William Chillingworth, Mafter of Arts, and Fellow of Tri- 
 nity College, Oxford ; who, at the ripe age of twenty-eight years, 
 was perfuaded to elope from Oxford, to the Englifli feminary at 
 Douay in Flanders. Some difputes with Fifher, a fubtle jefuit, might 
 firft awaken him from the prejudices of education ; but he yielded to 
 his own vidtorious argument, " that there muft be fomewhere an in- 
 " fallible judge ; and that the church of Rome is the only chriftian 
 " fociety which either does or can pretend to that character." After 
 a fliort trial of a few months, Mr. Chillingworth was again tormented 
 by religious fcruples : he returned home, refumed his ftudies, unra- 
 velled his miftakes, and delivered his mind from the yoke of autho- 
 rity and fuperftition. His new creed was built on the principle, that 
 the Bible is our fole judge, and private reafon our fole interpreter : 
 and he ably maintains this principle in the Religion of a Proteftant, 
 a book which, after ftartling the dodlors of Oxford, is ftill efteemed 
 the mofl folid defence of the Reformation. The learning, the virtue, 
 the recent merits of the author, entitled him to fair preferment : but 
 the flave had now broken his fetters; and the more he weighed, the lefs 
 was he difpofed to fubfcribe to the thirty-nine articles of the church 
 of England. In a private letter he declares, with all the energy of 
 language, that he could not fubfcribe to them without fubfcribing to his 
 own damnation; and that if ever he fhould depart from this immoveable 
 refolution, he would allow his friends to think him a madman, or an 
 atheift. As the letter is without a date, we cannot afcertain the num- 
 ber of weeks or months that elapfed between this paflionate abhor- 
 rence and the Salifbury Regifter, which is ftill extant. " Ego Gu- 
 
 '* liehnus Chillingworth, , omnibus hifce articulis, et fin- 
 
 " gulis
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 49 
 
 " gulls in lifdem contentis volens, et ex animo fubfcribo, et confenfum 
 " meum lifdem prxbeo. 2odleJulil 1638." But, alas ! the chan- 
 cellor and prebendary of Sarum foon deviated from his own fubfcrip- 
 tion : as he more deeply fcrutinized the article of the Trinity, neither 
 fcripture nor the primitive fathers could long uphold his orthodox 
 belief; and he could not but confefs, " that the dodlrine of Arius is 
 *' either a truth, or at leaft no damnable herefy." From this middle 
 region of the air, the defcent of his reafon would naturally reft on 
 the firmer ground of the Socinians : and if we may credit a doubtful 
 ftory, and the popular opinion, his anxious inquiries at laft fubfided 
 in philofophic indifference. So confpicuous, however, were the can- 
 dour of his nature and the innocence of his heart, that this appa- 
 rent levity did not affe£l the reputation of Chillingworth. His fre- 
 quent changes proceeded from too nice an inquifition into truth. 
 His doubts grew out of himfelf ; he aflifted them with all the ftrength 
 of his reafon : he was then too hard for himfelf; but finding as little 
 quiet and repofe in thofe vidories, he quickly recovered, by a new 
 appeal to his own judgment: fo that in all his failles and retreats, he 
 was in fadt his own convert. 
 
 Bayle was the fon of a Calvinift minifter in a remote province of 
 France, at the foot of the Pyrenees. For the benefit of education, 
 the proteftants were tempted to rifk their children in the catholic 
 univerfities ; and in the twenty-fecond year of his age, young Bavle 
 was feduced by the arts and arguments of the jefuits of Thouloufe. 
 He remained about feventeen months (19th March 1669 — 19th Au- 
 guft 1670) in their hands, a voluntary captive ; and a letter to his 
 parents, which the new convert compofed or fubfcribed (15th April 
 1670), is darkly tinged with the fpirit of popery.- But Nature had 
 defigned him to think as he pleafed, and to fpeak as he thought : his 
 piety was offended by the exceffive worfhip of creatures ; and the 
 ftudy of phyfics convinced him of the impoffibility of tranfubftantia- 
 tion, which is abundantly refuted by the teftimony of our fenfes. 
 
 VOL. I. M His
 
 ^o MEMOIRSOF 
 
 His return to the communion of a falling fe£t was a bold and difin- 
 terefted ftep, that expofed him to the rigour of the laws ; and a fpeedy 
 flight to Geneva protected him from the refentmcnt of his fpiritual 
 tyrants, unconfcious as they were of the full value of the prize, which 
 they had loft. Had Bayle adhered to the catholic church, had he 
 embraced the ecclefiaftical profeffion, the genius and favour of fuch 
 a profelyte might have afpired to wealth and honours in his native 
 country : but the hypocrite would have found lefs happinefs in the 
 comforts of a benefice, or the dignity of a mitre, than he enjoyed at 
 Rotterdam in a private ftate of exile, indigence, and freedom. With- 
 out a country, or a patron, or a prejudice, he claimed the liberty and 
 fubfifted by the labours of his pen ; the inequality of his voluminous 
 works is explained and excufed by his alternately writing for him- 
 felf, for the bookfellers, and for pofterity ; and if a fevere critic would 
 reduce him to a fmgle folio, that relic, like the books of the Sybil, 
 would become ftill more valuable. A calm and lofty fpedlator of the 
 religious tempeft, the philofopher of Rotterdam condemned with 
 equal firmnefs the perfecution of Lewis the Fourteenth, and the re- 
 publican maxims of the Calvinifts ; their vain prophecies, and the in- 
 tolerant bigotry which fometimes vexed his folitary retreat. In re- 
 viewing the controverfies of the times, he turned againft each other 
 the arguments of the difputants ; fucceflively wielding the arms of the 
 catholics and proteftants, he proves that neither the way of authority, 
 nor the way of examination can afford the multitude any teft of reli- 
 gious truth; and dexteroufly concludes that cuftom and education muft 
 be the fole grounds of popular belief. The ancient paradox of Plu- 
 tarch, that atheifm is lefs pernicious than fuperftition, acquires a ten- 
 fold vigor, when it is adorned with the colours of his wit, and pointed 
 with the acutenefs of his logic. His critical dictionary is a vaft repo- 
 fitory of fa£ts and opinions ; and he balances xhtfalfe religions in his 
 fceptical fcales, till the oppofite quantities (if I may ufe the language 
 of algebra) annihilate each other. The wonderful power which he 
 
 fo
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 51 
 
 fo boldly exercifed, of aflembling doubts and obje(Slions, had tempted 
 him jocofely to aflume the title of the ve(p£X7}yspBTtx. Zsug, the cloud- 
 compelling Jove ; and in a converfation with the ingenious Abbe 
 (afterwards Cardinal) de Polignac, he freely difclofed his univerfal 
 Pyrrhonifm. " I am moft truly (faid Bayle) a proteftant ; for I 
 " proteft indifferently againft all fyftems and all fedts." 
 
 The academical refentment, which I may poffibly have provoked, 
 will prudently fpare this plain narrative of my ftudies, or rather of 
 my idlenefs ; and of the unfortunate event which {hortened the term 
 of my refidence at Oxford. But it may be fuggefted, that my father 
 was unlucky in the choice of a fociety, and the chance of a tutor. It 
 will perhaps be afferted, that in the lapfe of forty years many im- 
 provements have taken place in the college and in the univerfity. I 
 am not unwilling to believe, that fome tutors might have been found 
 more adive thanDr.Waldgrave, and lefs contemptible than Dr.*'***. 
 About the fame time, and in the fame walk, a Bentham was flill 
 treading in the footfleps of a Burton, whofe maxims he had adopted, 
 and whofe life he had publifhed. The biographer iiideed preferred 
 the fchool-logic to the new philofophy^ Burgurfdicius to Locke ; and 
 the hero appears, in his own writings, a ftifF and conceited pedant. 
 Yet even thefe men, according to the meafure of their capacity, 
 might be diligent and ufeful ; and it is recorded of Burton, that he 
 taught his pupils what he knew ; fome Latin, fome Greek, fome 
 ethics and metaphyfics ; referring them to proper mafters for the lan- 
 guages and fciences of which he was ignorant. At a more recent 
 period, many fludents have been attradled by the merit and reputa- 
 tion of Sir William Scott, then a tutor in Univerfity College, and 
 now confpicuous in the profeffion of the civil law : my perfonal ac- 
 quaintance with that gentleman has infpired me with a juft efteem for 
 his abilities and knowledge; and I am aflured that his leftures on hif- 
 tory would compofe, were they given to the public, a moft valuable 
 treatife. Under the aufpices of the prefent Archbilhop of York, 
 
 H 2 Dr.
 
 ^2 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Dr. Markham, himfelf an eminent fcholar, a more regular difcipline 
 has been Introduced, as I am told, at Chrift Church*; a courfc of 
 claffical and philofophical ftudies is propofed, and even purfued, in 
 that numerous feminary : learning has been made a duty, a pleafure, 
 and even a fafhion j and feveral young gentlemen do honour to 
 the college in which they have been educated. According to the 
 will of the donor, the profit of the fecond part of Lord Clarendon's 
 Hiftory has been applied to the eftablilhment of a riding-fchool, that 
 the polite exercifes might be taught, I know not with what fuccefs,. 
 in the univerfity. The Vinerian profeflbrfliip is of far more ferious 
 importance ; the laws of his country are the firft fcience of an Eng- 
 
 * This was written on the information Mr. Gibbon had received, and the obferva- 
 tion he had made, previous to his late refidence at Laufanne. During his laft vlfit to 
 England, he had an opportunity of feeing at Sheffield- place fome young men of the 
 college above alluded to -, he had great f;uisfa£lion in converfing with them, made 
 many inquiries refpefting their courfe of ftudy, applauded the difcipline of Chrift 
 Church and the liberal attention fliewn by the Dean, tothofe whofe only recommend- 
 ation was their merit. Had Mr. Gibbon lived to revife this work, I am fure he would 
 have mentioned the name of Dr. Jackfon with the higheft commendation. There are 
 other colleges at Oxford, with whofe difcipline my friend was unacquainted, to 
 which, without doubt, he would willingly have allowed their due praife, particularly 
 Brazen Nofc and Oriel Colleges -, the former under the care of Dr. Cleaver, blfhop of 
 Chefter, the latter under that of Dr. Eveleigh. It is ftill greatly to be wilhed that the 
 general expence, or rather extravagance, of young men at our Englifli univerfities may 
 be more eftedually rei'trained. The expence, in which they are permitted to indulge, 
 is inconfiftent not only with a neceflary degree of ftudy, but with thofe habits of mo- 
 rality which {liould be promoted, by all means poffible, at an early period of life. An 
 academical education in England is at prefent an objeft of alarm and terror to every 
 thinkinsi parent of moderate fortune. It is the apprehenfion of the expence, of the 
 dlffipation, and other evil confequences, which arife from the want of proper reftraint 
 at our own univerfities, that forces a number of our EnglHh youths to thofe of Scot- 
 land and utterly excludes many from any fort of academical inftrudion. If a charge 
 be true which 1 have heard infilled on, that the heads of our colleges in Oxford and 
 Cambridge are vain of having under their care chiefly men of opulence, who may be 
 fuppofed exempt from the neceffity of ceconomical controul, they are indeed highly 
 cenfurable ; fmce the mlfchitf of allowing early habits of expence and diffipation is 
 Teat, in various refpeils, even to thofe poflcfled of large property ; and the moft 
 ferious tvil from this Indulgence muft happen to youths of humbler fortune, who 
 certainly form the majority of ftudents both at Oxford and Cambridge^ S,. 
 
 liftiman
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. ^3 
 
 Hfhman of rank and fortune, who is called to be a maglflrate, and 
 may hope to be a legillator. This judicious inftitution was coldly 
 entertained by the graver dodlors, who complained (I have heard the 
 complaint) that it would take the young people from their books : 
 but Mr. Viner's benefaction is not unprofitable, fince it has at lead 
 produced the excellent commentaries of Sir William Blackftone. 
 
 After carrying me to Putney, to the houfe of his friend Mr. Mallet *, 
 by whofe philofophy I was rather fcandalized than reclaimed, it was 
 neceflary for my father to form a new plan of education, and to de- 
 vife fome method which, if poffible, might effect the cure of my 
 fpiritual malady. After much debate it was determined, from the 
 advice and perfonal experience of Mr. Eliot (now Lord Eliot) to fix 
 me, during fome years, at Laufanne in Switzerland. Mr. Frey, a 
 Swifs gentleman of Bafil, undertook the condud of the journey: we 
 left London the lyth of June, eroded the fea from Dover to Calais, 
 travelled poft through feveral provinces of France, by the dire(S road 
 of St. Quentin, Rheims, Langres, and Befan9on, and arrived the 
 30th of June at Lauflinne, where I was immediately fettled under 
 the roof and tuition of Mr, Pavilliard, a Calvinifl: minifter. 
 
 The firft marks of my father's difpleafure rather aftonilhed than 
 afFiitfted me : when he threatened to banifh, and dijbwn, and difm- 
 herit a rebellious fon, I cherilhed a fecret hope that he would not be 
 able or willing to etfed: his menaces ; and the pride of confcience 
 encouraged me to fuftain the honourable and important part which I 
 was now adting. My fpirits were raifed and kept alive by the rapid 
 motion of my journey, the new and various fcenes of the Continent, 
 and the civility of Mr. Frey, a man of fenfe, who was not ignorant 
 of books or the world. But after he had refigned me into Pavilliard's 
 hands, and I was fixed in my new habitation, I had leifure to con- 
 
 * The author of a life of Bacon, which has been rated above its value ; of fome 
 forgotten poems and plays ; and of the pathetic ballad of William and Margaret. 
 
 7 template
 
 ^4 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 template the flrangc and melancholy profped: before me. My fnfl: 
 complaint arofe from my ignorance of the language. In my child- 
 hood I had once ftudied the French grammar, and I could imper- 
 fedtly underftand the eafy profe of a fiimiliar fubjeft. But when I 
 was thus fuddenly caft on a foreign land, I found myfelf deprived of 
 the ufe of fpeech and of hearing ; and, during fome weeks, incapable 
 not only of enjoying the pleafures of converfatlon, but even of afking 
 or anfwering a queftion in the common intercourfe of life. To a 
 home-bred Englifhman every objea:, every cuftom was ofFenfive ; 
 but the native of any country might have been difgufted with the 
 general afpedt of his lodging and entertainment. I had now ex- 
 changed my elegant apartment in Magdalen College, for a narrow, 
 o-loomy ftreet, the moft unfrequented of an unhandfome town, for 
 an old inconvenient houfe, and for a fmall chamber ill-contrived and- 
 ill-furnifhed, which, on the approach of Winter, inftead of a com- 
 panionable fire, muft be warmed by the dull invifible heat of a flove. 
 From a man I was again degraded to the dependance of a fchool-boy. 
 Mr. Pavilliard managed my expences, which had been reduced to 
 a diminutive ftate : I received a fmall monthly allowance for my 
 pocket-money ; and helplefs and awkward as I have ever been, 
 I no longer enjoyed the indifpenfable comfort of a fervant. My 
 condition feemed as deftitute of hope, as it was devoid of plea- 
 fure : I was feparated for an indefinite, which appeared an infinite 
 term from my native country ; and I had loft all connedlion with 
 my catholic friends. I have fince reflected with furprife, that as the 
 Romifh clergy of every part of Europe maintain a clofe correfpond- 
 ence with each other, they never attempted, by letters or meflages, 
 to refcue me from the hands of the heretics, or at leaft to confirm 
 my zeal and conftancy in the profefTion of the faith. Such was my 
 firft introdudion to Laufanne ; a place where I fpent nearly five years 
 with pleafure and profit, which I afterwards revifited without com- 
 pulfion, and which I have finally fele£ted as the moft grateful retreat 
 for the decline of my life. g^^
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. ^s 
 
 But It Is the peculiar felicity of youth that the mofl unpleafing ob- 
 jcOiS and events feldom make a deep or lading impreflion ; it forgets 
 the paft, enjoys the prefent, and anticipates the future. At the 
 flexible age of fixteen I foon learned to endure, and gradually to 
 adopt, the new forms of arbitrary manners : the real hardfliips of my 
 fituation were alienated by time. Had I been fent abroad in a more 
 fplendid ftyle, fuch as the fortune and bounty of my father might 
 have fupplied, I might have returned home with the fame ftock of 
 language and fcience, which our countrymen ufually import from the 
 Continent. An exile and a priibner as I was, their example be- 
 trayed me into fome irregularities of wine, of play, and of idle ex- 
 curfions : but I foon felt the impoffibility of affociating with them on 
 equal terms ; and after the departure of my firfl acquaintance, I held 
 a cold and civil correfpondence with their fucceflbrs. This feclufion 
 from Englifh fociety was attended with the moil folid benefits. In 
 the Pays de Vaud^ the French language is ufed with lefs imperfection 
 than in moft of the diftant provinces of France : in Pavilliard's fa- 
 mily, neceffity compelled me to liften and to fpeak ; and if I was at 
 firft difheartened by the apparent flownefs, in a few months I was 
 aftonilhed by the rapidity of my progrefs. My pronunciation was 
 formed by the conftant repetition of the fame founds ; the variety of 
 words and idioms, the rules of grammar, and diftindtions of genders, 
 were imprefled in my memory : eafe and freedom were obtained by 
 practice ; correftnefs and elegance by labour ; and before I was re- 
 called home, French, in which I fpontaneoufly thought, was more 
 familiar than Englifh to my ear, my tongue, and my pen. The firft 
 efFeft of this opening knowledge was the revival of my love of read- 
 ing, which had been chilled at Oxford ; and I foon turned over, 
 •without much choice, almoft all the French books in my tutor's li- 
 brary. Even thefe amufements v/ere productive of real advantage : 
 my tafte and judgment were now fomewhat riper. I was introduced 
 to a new mode of ftyle and literature : by the comparifon of manners 
 
 2 and
 
 ^6 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 and opinions, my views were enlarged, my prejudices were correded, 
 and a copious voluntary abftra£l of the Hijloire de V Egl'tje et cle l' Em- 
 pire^ by le Sueur, may be placed in a middle line between my childifli 
 and my manly lludies. As loon as I was able to convert with the 
 natives, I began to feel fome fatisfadlion in their company : my awk- 
 ward timidity was polifhed and emboldened ; and I frequented, for 
 the firft time, affemblies of men and women. The acquaintance of 
 the Pavilliards prepared me by degrees for more elegant fociety. I 
 was received with kindnefs and indulgence in the bed families of 
 Laufanne ; and it was in one of thefe that I formed an intimate and 
 lading connexion with Mr. Deyverdun, a young man of an amiable 
 temper and excellent underftanding. In the arts of fencing and 
 dancing, fmall indeed was my proficiency ; and fome months were 
 idly wailed in the riding-fchool. My unfitnefs to bodily exercife 
 reconciled me to a fedentary life, arid the horfe, the favourite of my 
 countrymen, never contributed to the pleafures of my youth. 
 
 My obligations to the leffons of Mr. Pavilliard, gratitude will not 
 fuffer me to forget : he was endowed with a clear head and a warm 
 heart ; his innate benevolence had affuaged the fpirit of the church ; 
 he was rational, becaufe he was moderate : in the courfe of his ftudies 
 he had acquired a jufl though fuperficial knowledge of moft branches 
 of literature ; by long pradice, he was (killed in the arts of teaching ; 
 and he laboured with affiduous patience to know the charader, gain 
 the aflfedion, and open the mind of his Englifh pupil *. As foon as 
 
 we 
 
 * ExiracI of a Letter from M. Pavilliard to Edward Gibbon efq. 
 
 A Laufanne, ce 25 Juillet 1753. 
 
 Monfieur de Gibbon fe porte tres bien par la Grace de Dieu, et il me paroit qu'il 
 
 ne fe trouve pas mal de notre Malfon ; j'al meme lieu de pcnfer qu'il prend de I'attache- 
 
 ment pour moi, ce dont je fuis charme et que je travaiUerai a augmenter, parce qu'il 
 
 aura plus de confiance en moi, dans ce que je me propofe de lui dire. 
 
 Je n'ai point encore entrepris de lui parler fur ks matieres de religion, parce que je 
 n'entens pas affez la langue Angloife pour foutenir une longue conveifation en cettc 
 
 langue,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 57 
 
 we began to underftand each other, he gently led me, from a blind 
 and undiftinguiihing love of reading, into the path of inftrudion. 
 I confented with plcafure that a portion of the morning-hours {hould 
 be confecrated to a plan of modern hiftory and geography, and to the 
 critical perufal of the French and Latin clafTics ; and at each ftep I 
 felt myfelf invigorated by the habits of application and method. His 
 prudence reprefled and diflembled fome youthful fallies ; and as foon 
 as I was confirmed in the habits of induftry and temperance, he gave 
 the reins into my own hands. His favourable report of my beha- 
 viour and progrefs gradually obtained fome latitude of action and 
 expence ; and he wiflaed to alleviate the hardihips of my lodging and 
 entertainment. The principles of philofophy wei'e aflbciated with 
 the examples of tafte ; and by a fmgular chance, the book, as well as 
 the man, which contributed the moft efFedually to my education, has 
 a ftronger claim on my gratitude than on my admiration. Mr. De 
 Croufaz, the adverfary of Bayle and Pope, is not diftinguifhed by lively 
 fancy or profound refle£lion ; and even in his own country, at the 
 end of a few years, his name and writings are almofl obliterated. 
 But his philofophy had been formed in the fchool of Locke, his di- 
 
 langue, quoique je life les auteurs Anglois avec aflez de facilite ; et Monfieur de Gib- 
 bon n'entend pas aflez de Fran9o:s, mais il y fait beaucoup de progres. 
 
 Je fuis fort content de la politefle et de la douceur de caraftere de Monfieur votre 
 Fils, et je me flatte que je pouvrai toujours vous parler de lui avec eloge ; il s'applique 
 beaucoup a la lefture. 
 
 From the Same to the Same. 
 
 A Laufanne, ce 13 Aout 1753. 
 
 Monfieur de Gibbon fe porte bien par la grace de Dieu ; je TaiiVie, et je me fuis extreme- 
 ment attache a lui parce qu'il eft doux et tranquille. Pour ce que regard fes fenti- 
 mens, quoique je ne lui aie encore rien dit la deffus, j'ai lieu d'efperer qu'il ouvrira les 
 yeux a la verite. Je le penfe ainfi, parce qu'etaiit dans men cabinet il a choifi deux 
 livresde controverfe i\vC\\ a pris dans fa chambrc et qu'il les lit. II m'a charge de vous 
 oflVlr fes tres humble refpeds, et de vous demander la permiffion de le laifler monter 
 au manege: cet exercife pourroit contrlbuer a donner de la force.a fon corps, c'eft I'ldec 
 qu'il en a. 
 
 VOL. I, 1 ""'^'^T
 
 58 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 A'lnity In that of Limborch and Le Clerc ; in a long and laborious 
 life, feveral generations of pupils were taught to think, and even to 
 write ; his leflbns refcued the academy of Laufanne from Calviniftic 
 prejudice ; and he had the rare merit of diffufmg a more liberal fpirit 
 among the clergy and people of the Pays de Vaud. His fyftem of 
 logic, which in the Lift editions has fwelled to fix tedious and prolix 
 volumes, may be praifed as a clear and methodical abridgment of the 
 art of reafoning, from our fimple ideas to the moft complex opera- 
 tions of the human underftanding. This fyftem I ftudied, and medi- 
 tated, and abftradled, till I have obtained the free command of an 
 univerfal inftrument, which I foon prefumed to exercife on my ca- 
 tholic opinions. PavlUiard was not unmindful that his firft tafk, his 
 moft important duty, was to reclaim me from the errors of popery. 
 The intermixture of feds has rendered the Swifs clergy acute and 
 learned on the topics of controverfy ; and I have fome of his letters 
 in which he celebrates the dexterity of his attack, and my gradual 
 conceflions, after a firm and well-managed defence *. I was willing, 
 and I am now willing, to allow him a handfome fhare of the honour 
 of my converfion : yet I muft obferve, that it was principally effeded 
 by my private reflexions ; and I ftill remember my folitary tranfport 
 at the difcovcry of a philofophical argument againft the dodlrine of 
 tranfubftantiation : that the text of fcripture, which feems to inculcate 
 the real prefence, is attefted only by a fingle fenfe — our fight ; while 
 the real prefence itfelf is difproved by three of our fenfes — the fight, 
 the touch, and the tafte. The various articles of the Romifti creed dif- 
 appeared like a dream ; and after a full convidion, on Chriftmas-day 
 1 754, I received the facrament in the church of Laufanne. It was 
 
 * M. Pavilliard has defcribed to me the aftonifhment with which he gazed on Mr. 
 Gibbon (landing before him: a thin little figure, with a large head, difputing and 
 urging, with the greateft ability, all the beft arguments that had ever been ufed in 
 favour of popery. Mr. Gibbon many years ago became very fat and corpulentj but he 
 had uncommonly fmall bones, and was very flight made. S. 
 
 here
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 59 
 
 here that I fufpended my religious inquiries, acquicfcing with im- 
 plicit belief in the tenets and myfteries, which are adopted by the ge- 
 neral confent of catholics and proteftants *. 
 
 Such, 
 
 * Letter from Mr. Pavilliard to Edwaud Gibbon efq. 
 
 Monfieur, June 26tli, 1754. 
 
 J'efpere que vous pardonnerez mon long filence en faveiir des nouvelles que j'ai a 
 vous apprendre. Si j'ai tant tarde, ce n'a ete iii par oubli, ni par negligence, majs jc 
 croyois dc femaine en femaine pouvoir vous annoncer que Monfieur votre fiis avoit 
 entierement renonce aux fauiles idees qu'il avoit embiaflees; mais il a fallu difputer 
 le terrein pie a pie, et je n'ai pas trouve en lui un homme leger, et qui pafle rapide- 
 ment d'un fentinient a un autre. Souvent apres avoir detruit toutes fes idecs fur un 
 article de maniere qu'il n'avoit rien a repliquer, ce qu'il avouoit fans detour, il me 
 difoit qu'il ne croioit pas, qu'il n'y eut rien a me repondre. La deflus je n'ai pas juge 
 qu'il fallut le poufler a bout, et extorquer de lui un aveu que fon coeur defavoueroit j 
 je lui donnois alors du terns pour reflechir ; tons mes livres etoient a fa difpofition ; 
 je revenois a la charge quand il m'avouoit qu'il avoit etudie la matiere auffi bien qu'il 
 I'avolt pu, et enfin j'etabliflbit une verite. 
 
 Je me perfuadois, que quand j'aurois detruit les principales erreurs de I'eglife Ro- 
 maine, je n'aurois qu'a faire voir que les autres font des confequences des premieres, et 
 qu'elles ne peuvent fubfifter quand les fundamentales font renverfees ; mais, commc 
 je I'ai dit, je me fuis trompe, il a fallu traitter chaque article dans fon entier. Par la 
 grace de Dieu, je n'ai pas perdu mon terns, et aujourdhui, fi meme il conferve quelques 
 reftes de fes pernicieufes erreurs, j'ofe dire qu'il n'eft plus membre de I'eglife Romaine • 
 voici dans ou nous en fommes. 
 
 J'ai renverfe I'infallibilite de I'eglife ; j'ai prouve que jamais St. Pierre n'a ete chef 
 des apotres : que quand il I'auroit ete, le pape n'eft point fon fuccefleur; qu'il eft dou- 
 teufe que St. Pierre a jamais ete a Rome, mais fuppofe qu'il y ait ete, il n'a pas ete 
 eveque de cette ville : que la tranfubftantiation eft un invention humaine, et peu 
 aneienne dans I'eglife ; que I'adoration de I'Eucharifte et le retranchcmcnt de la coupe 
 font contraires a la parole de Dieu : qu'il y a des faints, mais que nous ne favons pas 
 que ils font, et par confequent qu'on ne peut pas le prier ; que le refpeft et le culte 
 qu'on rend aux reliques eft condamnable ; qu'il n'y a' point de purgatoire, et que la 
 doctrine des indulgences eft faulTe : que la Careme et les jeunes du Vendredi et du Sa- 
 ruedi font ridicules aujourdhui, et de la maniere que I'eglife Romaine lesprefcrit: que 
 les imputations que Teglife de Rome nous fait de varier dans notre doflrine, et d'avoir 
 pour reformateurs des perfonnes dont la conduite et les mosurs ont ete en fcandale, font 
 entierement faufies. 
 
 Vous comprenez bien, Monfieur, que ces articles font d'un longue difcuflion, qu'il 
 a fallu du tems a Monfieur votre fils pour rnediter mes ralfons et pour y cherchcr des 
 reponfes. Je lui al dcm.inde plufieurs fois, fi mes preuves et mes raifons lui paroif- 
 
 I 2 foient
 
 6o MEMOIRSOF 
 
 Such, from my arrival at Laufanne, during the firft: eighteen or 
 twenty months (July 1753 — March 1755), were my ufeful ftudies, 
 the foundation of all my future improvements. But every man who 
 rifes above the common level has received two educations : the firft 
 from his teachers ; the fecond, more perfonal and important, from 
 himfelf. He will not, like the fanatics of the laft age, define the 
 moment of grace ; but he cannot forget the sera of his life, in which 
 his mind has expanded to its proper form and dimehfions. My 
 worthy tutor had the good fenfe and modefty to difcern how far he 
 could be ufeful : as foon as he felt that I advanced beyond his fpeed 
 and meafure, he wifely left me to my genius ; and the hours of leffou 
 
 foient convainquantes ; il m'a toujours aflure qu'oui, de fa^on que j'ofe aflurer, aufTi 
 comme je le lui a dit a lui meme, il y a peu de tems qu'il n'etoit plus catholique Re- 
 main. Je me flatte, qu'apies avoir obtenu la vidtoire fur ces articles, je I'aurai fur le refte 
 avec le fecours de Dieu. Tellement que je compte de vous marquer dans peu que cette- 
 ouvrage eft fiai, je dois vous dire encore, que quoique j'ai trouve M' votre fils tres 
 ferme dans fes idees, je I'ai trouve raifonnable, qu'il s'eft rendu a la lumiere, et qu'il n'eft 
 pas, ce qu'on appelie, chicaneur. Par raport a I'article du jeune le Vendredi et Sa- 
 medi, long tems apres que je vous eus ecrit qu'il n'avoit jamais marque qu'il voulut I'ob- 
 ferver, environ le commencement du mois de Mars je m'aper9us un Vendredi qu'il ne 
 mangeoit point de viande ; je lui parlai en particulier pour en favoir la raifon, craig- 
 nant que ce ne fut par indifpofition ; il me repondit qu'il I'avoit fait a deffein, et qu'il 
 avoit cru etre oblige de fe conformer a la pratique d'un eglife dont il etoit membre : 
 nous parlames quelques tems furce fujet ; il m'afiura qu'il n'invifageoit cela que comme 
 une pratique bonne a la verite, et qu'il devoit fuivre, quoiqu'il ne la crus pas fainte 
 en elle meme, ni d'inflltution divine. Je ne crus pis devoir iufifter pour lors, ni le 
 forcer a agir contre fes lumieres : j'ai traitte cette article qu'eft certainement un des 
 moins importans, des moins fondes ; et cependant il m'a fallu un tems confiderable 
 pour le detromper, et pour lui faire comprendre qu'il avoit tort de s'aflujjttir a la pra- 
 tique d'un Eglife qu'il ne reconnoiirolt plus pour infaillible ; que fi meme cette pra- 
 tique avoit eu quelque utilite dans fon inftitution, cependant elle n'en avoit aucune en 
 elle meme, puis qu'elle ne contribuoit en rien a la purete des mceurs ; qu'ainfi il n'y 
 avoit aucune raifon, ni dans I'inftitution de cette pratique, ni dans la pratique en elle 
 meme, que I'autorisat a s'y foumettre : qu'aujourdhui ce n'etoit qu'une affaire d'interet, 
 puis qu'avec de I'argent on cbtennoit des difpcnfes pour manger gras, &c, de manier 
 que je I'ai ramene a la liberte Chretienne avec beaucoup de peine et feulement depuis 
 quelques femaines. Je I'ai engage a vous ecrire, pour vous maiufefter les fentimens 
 ou il eft, et I'ctat de fa fante, et je crois qu'il I'a fait, 
 
 7 were
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 6i 
 
 were foon loft in the voluntary labour of the whole morning, and 
 fometimes of the whole day. The defire of prolonging my time, 
 gradually confirmed the falutary habit of early rifing ; to which I have 
 always adhered, with fome regard to feafons and fituations : but it is 
 happy for my eyes and my health, that my temperate ardour has 
 never been feduced to trefpafs on the hours of the night. During the 
 Lift three years of my refidence at Laufanne, I may aftlime the merit 
 of ferious and folid application ; but I am tempted to diftinguifli the 
 laft eight months of the year 1755, as the period of the moft extra- 
 ordinary diligence and rapid progrefs *. In my French and Latin 
 tranflations I adopted an excellent method, which, from my own fuc- 
 cefs, I would recommend to the imitation of ftudents. I chofe fome 
 clafTic writer, fuch as Cicero and Vertot, the moft approved for 
 purity and elegance of ftyle. I tranflated, for inftance, an epiftle of 
 Cicero into French ; and after throwing it afide, till the words and 
 phrafes were obliterated from my memory, I re-tranflated my French 
 into fuch Latin as I could find ; and then compared each fentence of 
 my imperfect verfion, with the eafe, the grace, the propriety of the 
 Roman orator. A fimilar experiment was made on feveral pages of 
 the Revolutions of Vertot ; I turned them into Latin, returned them 
 
 * Journal, December 1755.] — In finifliing this year, I muft remark how favour- 
 able it was to my ftudies. In the fpace of eight months, from the beginning of April, 
 I learnt the piinciples of drawing; made myfelf complete mafter of the French and 
 I^atin languages, with which I was very fupcrficially acquainted before, and wrote and 
 tranflated a great deal in both ; read Cicero's Epiftles ad Familiares, his Brutus, all his 
 Orations, his Dialogues de Amicitia, and De Seneftute ; Terence, twice ; and Pliny's 
 Epiftles. In French, Giannonc's Hiftory of Naples, and I'Abbe Bannier's Mythology, 
 and M. de Boehat's Memoirs fur la Suifle, and wrote a very ample relation of my tour. 
 I likewife began to ftudy Greek, and went through the Grammar. I begun to make 
 very large colleclions of what I read. But what I efteem moft of all, from the perufal 
 and meditation of De Croufaz's Logic, I not only underftood the principles of that 
 fcience, but formed my mind to a habit of thinking and reafoning I had no idea of 
 before. 
 
 after
 
 62 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ^ after a fufticient interval Into my own French, and again fcrut'inized 
 the refemblancc or difTimihtude of the copy and the original. By 
 degrees I was lefs afliamed, by degrees I was more fatisfied with my- 
 felf; and I perfevered in the pradtice of thefe double tranflations, 
 which filled feveral books, till I had acquired the knowledge of both 
 idioms, and the command at leaft of a corred: ftyle. This ufeful 
 exercife of writing was accompanied and fucceeded by the more 
 pleafing occupation of reading the beft authors. The perufal of the 
 Roman claffics was at once my exercife and reward. Dr. Middle- 
 ton's Hiftory, which I then appreciated above its true value, natu- 
 rally direded me to the writings of Cicero. The moft perfed edi- 
 tions, that of Olivet, which may adorn the flielves of the rich, that of 
 Ernefti, which fliould lie on the table of the learned, were not in my 
 power. For the familiar epiftles I ufed the text and Englifh comment- 
 ary of Biflaop Rofs : but my general edition was that of Verburgius, 
 publiilied at Amfterdam in two large volumes in folio, with an in- 
 different choice of various notes. I read, with application and plea- 
 fure, all the epiftles, all the orations, and the moft important trea- 
 tifes of rhetoric and philofophy ; and as I read, I applauded the ob- 
 fervation of Quintillian, that every ftudent may judge of his own 
 proficiency, by the fatisfadion which he receives from the Roman 
 orator. I tafted the beauties of language, I breathed the fpirit of 
 freedom, and I imbibed from his precepts and examples the public 
 and private fenfe of a man. Cicero in Latin, and Xenophon in 
 Greek, are indeed the two ancients whom I would firft propofe to a 
 liberal fcholar ; not only for the merit of their ftyle and fentiments, 
 but for the admirable leflbns, which may be applied almoft to every 
 fituation of public and private life. Cicero's Epiftles may in parti- 
 cular afford the models of every form of correfpondence, from the 
 carelefs effufions of tendernefs and friendfhip, to the well-guarded 
 declaration of difcreet and dignified refentment. After finifhing this 
 
 great
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 63 
 
 great author, a library of eloquence and rcafon, I formed a more 
 extenfive plan of reviewing the Latin claffics *, under the four divi- 
 iions of, I. hiftorians, 2. poets, 3. orators, and 4. philofophers, in 
 a chronological feries, from the days of Plautus and Salluft, to the 
 decline of the language and empire of Rome : and this plan, in the 
 laft twenty-feven months of my refidence at Laufanne (January 
 1756 — April 1758), I nearly accompliflied. Nor was this review, 
 however rapid, either hafty or fuperficial. I indulged myfelf in a 
 fecond and even a third perufal of Terence, Virgil, Horace, Tacitus, 
 &c. and ftudied to imbibe the fenfe and fpirit mod congenial to my 
 own. I never fuffered a difficult or corrupt paflage to efcape, till I 
 had viewed it in every light of which it was fufceptible : though often 
 difappointed, I always confulted the moil learned or ingenious com- 
 mentators, Torrentius and Dacier on Horace, Catrou and Servius on 
 Virgil, Lipfms on Tacitus, Meziriac on Ovid, &c.; and in the ardour 
 of my inquiries, I embraced a large circle of hiftorical and critical 
 erudition. My abftracts of each book were made in the French 
 language : my obfervations often branched into particular eflays ; and 
 I can ftill read, without contempt, a diflertation of eight folio pages 
 on eight lines (287 — 294) of the fourth Georgia of Virgil. Mr. 
 Deyverdun, my friend, whofe name will be frequently repeated, 
 had joined with equal zeal, though not with equal perfeverance, in 
 the fame undertaking. To him every thought, every compofition, 
 was inftantly communicated ; vv'ith him I enjoyed the benefits of a 
 free converfation on the topics of our common ftudies. 
 
 But it is fcarcely poffible for a mind endowed with any adtive cu- 
 riofity to be long converfant with the Latin claffics, without afpiring 
 
 * Journal, January 1756.] — I determined to read over the Latin autliors in or- 
 der ; and read this year, Virgil, Sallult, Livy, Vclleius Paterculus, Valerius Maximus, 
 Tacitus, Suetonius, Quintus Curtius, Juftin, Florus, Plautus, Terence, and Lucretius. 
 J alio read and meditated Locke upon the Uiiderftandjng, 
 
 2 to
 
 64 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 to know the Greek originals, whom they celebrate as their mafters, 
 and of whom they fo warmly recommend the ftudy and imitation ; 
 
 Vos exemplaria Graeca 
 
 Nodurna verfate manu, verfate diurna. 
 
 It was now that I regretted the early years which had been 
 wafted in ficknefs or idlenefs, or mere idle reading ; that I con- 
 demned the perverfe method of our fchoolmafters, who, by firft 
 teaching the mother-language, might defcend with fo much eafe and 
 perfpicuity to the origin and etymology of a derivative idiom. In 
 the nineteenth year of my age I determined to fupply this defe£t ; 
 and the lefTons of Pavilliard again contributed to fmooth the entrance 
 of the way, the Greek alphabet, the grammar, and the pronunci- 
 ation according to the French accent. At my earneft requeft we 
 prefumed to open the Iliad ; and I had the pleafure of beholding, 
 though darkly and through a glafs, the true image of Homer, whom 
 I had long fmce admired in an Englifli drefs. After my tutor had left 
 me to myfelf, I worked my way through about half the Iliad, and af- 
 terwards interpreted alone a large portion of Xenophon and Hero- 
 dotus. But my ardour, deftitute of aid and emulation, was gra- 
 dually cooled, and, from the barren tafic of fearching words in a 
 lexicon, I withdrew to the free and familiar converfation of Virgil 
 and Tacitus. Yet in my refidence at Laufanne I had laid a folid 
 foundation, which enabled me, in a more propitious feafon, to pro- 
 fecute the ftudy of Grecian literature. 
 
 From a blind idea of the ufefulnefs of fuch abftradl fcience, my 
 father had been defirous, and even preffing, that I fliould devote 
 fome time to the mathematics * ; nor could I refufe to comply with 
 
 fo 
 * ExtraSl of a Letter from M. Pavilliard to Edward Gibbon efq. 
 
 Monfieur, January 12th, 1757; 
 
 Vous avez fouhaitte que Monfieur votre fils s'appliquat a I'algebre -, le gout iqu'il 
 
 a pour les belles lettres lui faifoit apprehendre que I'algebre ne nuiffit a fes etudes 
 
 favorites;
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 65 
 
 fo reafonable a wifii. During two winters T attended the private 
 lectures of Monfieur de Traytorrens, who explained the elements of 
 algebra and geometry, as far as the conic fc£tions of the Marquis de 
 I'Hopltal, and appeared fatisfied with my diligence and improve- 
 ment *. But as my childilli propenfity for numbers and calculations 
 
 vv^as 
 
 favorites ; je lui ai perfuade qu'il ne fe faifoit pas une jufte idee de cette partie des ma- 
 theniatiques ; I'obeiflance qu'il vous doit, jointe a tnes raifons, Tont determine a era 
 faire un cours. Je ne croiois pas qu'avec cette repugnance il y fit de grand progres : 
 je me fuis trompe : il fait bien tout ce qu'il fait; il ell exa£l a fes le90ns, il s'appliqiie 
 a lire avant fa le(jon, et il repafle avec foin, de maniere qu'il avauce beaucoup, et plus 
 que je ne me ferois attendu : il ell charme d'avoir commence, et je penfe qu'il fera un 
 petit cours de geometrie, ce que en tout ne lui prendra que fept a huit mois. Pendant 
 qu'il fait fes le9ons, il ne s'eft point relache fur fes autres etudes ; il avance beaucoup 
 dans le Grec, et il a prefque lu la moiete de I'lliade d'Homere ; je lui fait regulierement 
 des lemons fur cet auteur : il a auffi fini les Hiftoriens Latins ; il en eft a prefent aux 
 Poetes ; et il a lu entierement Plaute et Terence, et bientot il aura fini Lucrece. Au 
 refte, il ne lit pas ces auteurs a la legere, il veut s'eclaircir fur tout; de fa9on, qu'avec le 
 genie qu'il a, I'excellente memoire et I'application, il ira loin dans les fciences. 
 
 J'ai eu I'honneur de vous dire ci-devant, que malgre fes etudes il voioit compagnie; 
 je puis vous le dire encore aujo.urdhui. 
 
 From the Same to the Same. 
 Monfieur, Jan. 14th, 1758. 
 
 J'ai eu I'honneur de vous ecrire le 27 Jullkt et le 26 S*"^' pafies, et je vous ai rendu 
 compte de la fante, des etudes, et de la conduite de Monfieur votre fils. Je n'ai rien 
 a ajouter a tout ce que je vous en ai dit : il fe porte parfaitement bien par la grace dc 
 Dieu : il continue a etudier avec application, et je puis vous alTurcr qu'il fait de progres 
 confiderable dans les etudes, et il fe fait extremement eftimer par tons ceux qui le con- 
 noifient, et j'efpere que quand il vous montrcra en detail ce qu'il fait, vous en ferez tres 
 content. Les Belles Lettres que font fon etude favorite ne I'occupent pas entierement ; 
 il continue les mathematiques, et fon profefleur m'afl'ure qu'il n'a jamais vu perfonne 
 avancer autant que lui, ni avoir plus d'ardeur et d'application qu'il en a. Son genie 
 lieureux et penetrant eft feconde par un memoire de plus heureufe, tellement qu'il 
 n'oublie prefque rien de ce qu'il apprend. Je n'ai pas moins lieu d'etre content de fa 
 conduite ; quoiqu'il etude beaucoup, il voit cependant compagnie, mais il ne voit que des 
 perfonnes dont le commerce peut lui etre utile. 
 
 * Journal, January 1757.] — I began to ftudy algebra under M. de Traytorrens, 
 went through the elements of algebra and geometry, and the three firft books of 
 
 Vol- I. K the
 
 66 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 was totally extlniS, I was content to receive the paflive impreflion 
 of my Profeffor's lectures, without any adive exercife of my own 
 powers. As foon as I underftood the principles, I relinquifhed for ever 
 the purfuit of the mathematics ; nor can I lament that I defifted, 
 before my mind was hardened by the habit of rigid demonftration, 
 io deftrudlive of the finer feelings of moral evidence, which muft, 
 however, determine the adions and opinions of our lives. I liftened 
 with more pleafure to the proppfal of ftudying the law of nature and 
 nations, which was taught in the academy of Laufanne by Mr. 
 Vicat, a profeflbr of fome learning and reputation. But, inftead of 
 attending his public or private courfe, I preferred in my clofet the 
 leflbns of his mafters, and my own reafon. Without being difgufted 
 by Grotius or PufFendorf, I fludied in their writings the duties of a 
 man, the rights of a citizen, the theory of juftice (it is, alas ! a 
 theory), and the laws of peace and war, which have had fome influ- 
 ence on the practice of modern Europe. My fatigues were alleviated 
 by the good fenfe of their commentator Barbeyrac. Locke's Treatife 
 of Government inftrudted me in the knowledge of Whig principles, 
 which are rather founded in reafon than experience ; but my delight 
 was in the frequent perufal of Montefquieu, whofe energy of ftyle, 
 and boldnefs of hypothefis, were powerful to awaken and ftimulate 
 the genius of the age. The logic of De Croufaz had prepared me to 
 
 the Marquis de I'Hopital's Conic Se£lions. I alfo read Tibullus, Catullus, Propertius, 
 Horace (with Dacier's and Torrentius's notes), Virgil, Ovid's Epiftles, with Meziriac's 
 Commentary, the Ars Amandi, and the Elegies ; likewife the Auguftus and Tiberius 
 of Suetonius, and a Latin tranflation of Dion Caffius, from the death of Julius Cjefar 
 to the death of Auguftus. I alfo continued my correfpondence beguu iaft year with 
 M. Allemand of Bex, and the Profeflbr Breitinger of Zurich ; and opened a new one 
 with the Profeflbr Gefner of Gottingen. 
 
 N. B. Laft year and this, I read St. John's Gofpel, with part of Xenophon's Cy- 
 ropcedia ; the Iliad, and Herodotus : but, upon the whole, I rather negleded my 
 Greek. 
 
 engage
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 67 
 
 engage with his mafter Locke, and his antagonift Bayle ; of whom 
 the former may be ufed as a bridle, and the latter applied as a fpur, 
 to the curiofity of a young philofopher. According to the nature of 
 their refpedive works, the fchools of argument and objedion, I care- 
 fully went through the Eifay on Human Underftanding, and occa- 
 fionally confulted the mod interefting articles of the Philofophic Dic- 
 tionary. In the infancy of my reafon I turned over, as an idle 
 amufement, the moft ferious and important treatife : in its maturity, 
 the moft trifling performance could exercife my tafte or judgment; 
 and more than once I have been led by a novel into a deep and in- 
 ftrudive train of thinking. But I cannot forbear to mention three 
 particular books, fmce they may have remotely contributed to form 
 the hiftorian of the Roman empire, i. From the Provincial Letters 
 of Pafcal, which almoft every year I have perufed with new pleafure, 
 I learned to manage the weapon of grave and temperate irony, even 
 on fubjedls of ecclefiaftical folemnity. 2. The Life of Julian, by 
 the Abbe de la Bleterie, firft introduced me to the man and the 
 times ; and I Ihould be glad to recover my firft eflay on the truth 
 of the miracle which flopped the rebuilding of the Temple of Jeru- 
 falem. 3. In Giannone's Civil Hiftory of Naples, I obferved with 
 a critical eye the progrefs and abufe of facerdotal power, and the 
 revolutions of Italy in the darker ages. This various reading, 
 which I now conduced with difcretion, was digefted, according to 
 the precept and model of Mr. Locke, into a large common-place 
 book ; a practice, however, which I do not ftrenuoufly recom- 
 mend. The action of the pen will doubtlcfs imprint an idea on 
 the mind as well as on the paper : but I much queftion whether 
 the benefits of this laborious method are adequate to the wafte 
 of time ; and I muft agree with Dr. Johnfon, (Idler, No. 74.) 
 *' that what is twice read, is commonly better remembered, than 
 " what is tranfcribed." 
 
 K 2 During
 
 68 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 During two years, if I forget fome boyifli excurfions of a day or a 
 week, I was fixed at Laufanne j but at the end of the third fum- 
 mer, my father confented that I fhould make the tour of Switzerland 
 with Pavilliard : and our fhort abfence of one month (Septem- 
 ber 2ift — Odtober 20th, 1755) was a reward and relaxation of my 
 afliduous ftudics j". The fafhion of climbing the mountains and 
 
 f From Edward Gibbon to Mrs. Porten. 
 
 • ♦»#*##»•»»**»#*«*»•*♦* 
 »•#»*»**=»•«**»•*•** Now for myfelf. 
 As my father has given me leave to make a journey round Switzerland, we fet out 
 to-morrow. Buy a map of Switzerland, it will coft you but a fliilling, and follow me. 
 I go bylverdun, Neufchatel, Bienne or Biel, Soleurre or Solothurn, BaleorBafil, Bade, 
 Zurich, Lucerne, and Bern. The voyage will be of about four weeks ; fo that / hope to 
 find a letter from you luahing for me. As my father had given me leave to learn what 
 I had a mind, I have learned to ride, and learn actually to dance and draw. Bcfides 
 that, I often give ten or twelve hours a day to my ftudies. I find a great many agree- 
 able people here ; fee them fometimes, and can fay upon the whole, without vanity, 
 that though I am the Englifhman here who fpends the leaft money, I am he who is 
 the moft generally liked. I told you that my father had promifed to fend me into 
 France and Italy. I have thanked hirn for it ; but if he would follow my plan, he 
 won't do it yet a while. I never liked young travellers ; they go too raw to make 
 any great remarks, and they lofe a time which is (in my opinion) the moft precious 
 part of a man's life. My fcheme would be, to fpend this winter at Laufanne : for 
 though it is a very good place to acquire the air of good company and the French 
 tongue, we have no good profeffors. To fpend (I fay) the winter at Laufanne ; go 
 into England, to fee my friends a couple of months, and after that, finifti my ftudies, 
 cither at Cambridge (for after what has pafled one cannot think of Oxford), or at an 
 univerfity in Holland. If you liked the fcheme, could you not propofe it to my father by 
 Metcalf orfomebody who has a certain credit over him ? I forgot to afk you whether, 
 in cafe my father writes to tell me of his marriage, would you advife me to compliment 
 my mother-in-law ? I think fo. My health is fo very regular, that I have nothing to 
 fay about it. 
 
 I have been the whole day writing you this letter ; the preparations for our voyage 
 cave me a thoufand interruptions. Befides that, I was obliged to write in Englifli. 
 This laft reafon will feem a paradox, but.Iaflure you the French is much more fa- 
 miliar to me. I am, &c, 
 
 T E. GlBBONv 
 
 Lausanne, ■ ■>-■ 00 av 
 
 Sept. 20, 1255. 
 
 revievv'ing
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 6cj 
 
 reviewing the Glacicrsy had not yet been introduced by foreign tra- 
 vellers, who feek the fublime beauties of nature. But the political 
 face of the country is not Icfs diverfified by the forms and fpirit of 
 fo many various republics, from the jealous government of xhcfiw 
 to the licentious freedom of the many. I contemplated with plea- 
 fure the new profpe£ts of men and manners ; though my converfa- 
 tion with the natives w^ould have been more free and inftrudive, had 
 I poflefled the German, as well as the French language. We pafled 
 through moll of the principal towns of Switzerland ; Neufchatel, 
 Bienne, Soleurre, Aran, Baden, Zurich, Bafil, and Bern. In 
 every place we vifited the churches, arfenals, libraries, and all the 
 moft eminent perfons ; and after my return, I digefted my notes in 
 fourteen or fifteen fheets of a French journal, which I difpatched to 
 my father, as a proof that my time and his money had not been 
 mif-fpent. Had I found this journal among his papers, I might be 
 tempted to feledt fome paflfages ; but I will not tranfcribe the printed 
 accounts, and it may be fufficient to notice a remarkable fpot, which 
 left a deep and lafling impreffion on my memory. From Zurich 
 ■we proceeded to the Benedidline Abbey of Einfidlen, more com- 
 monly ftyled Our Lady of the Hermits. I was afloniflied by the 
 profufe oftentation of riches in the pooreft corner of Europe ; amidll 
 a favage fcene of woods and mountains, a palace appears to have 
 been ereded by magic ; and it was erected by the potent magic of 
 religion. A crowd of palmers and votaries was proftrate before the 
 altar. The title and worfhip of the Mother of God provoked my 
 Indignation ; and the lively naked image of fuperftition fuggefted 
 to me, as in the flime place it had done to. Zulnglius, the moft 
 prefling argument for the reformation of the church. About two 
 years after this tour, I pafl'ed at Geneva a ufeful and agreeable 
 month ; but this excurfion, and fome fhort vifits in the Pais de 
 Vaud, did not materially interrupt my ftudious and fedentary life at 
 Laufanne.
 
 yo MEMOIRS OF 
 
 My tliirft of improvement, and the languid ftatc of fclence at 
 Laufanne, loon prompted me to folicit a literary correfpondence 
 with feveral men of learning, whom I had not an opportunity of 
 perfonally confulting. i. In the perufal of Livy, (xxx. 44.) I had 
 been flopped by a fentence in a fpeech of Hannibal, which cannot be 
 reconciled by any torture with his charader or argument. The 
 commentators diflemble, or confefs their perplexity. It occurred to 
 me, that the change of a fmgle letter, by fubftituting otto inftead of 
 odio^ might reftore a clear and confiftent fenfe ; but I wiflied to 
 weigh my emendation in fcales lefs partial than my own. I ad- 
 drefled myfelf to M. Crevier *, the fucceflbr of RoUin, and a pro- 
 feffbr in the univerfity of Paris, who had publifhed a large and va- 
 luable edition of Livy. His anfwer was fpeedy and polite ; he 
 praifed my ingenuity, and adopted my conjedure. 2. I main- 
 tained a Latin correfpondence, at flrft anonymous, and afterwards 
 in my own name, with Profeflbr Breitinger f of Zurich, the learned 
 editor of a Septuagint Bible. In our frequent letters we difcufled 
 many queftions of antiquity, many paflages of the Latin claflics. 
 I propofed my interpretations and amendments. His cenfures, for 
 he did not fpare my boldnefs of conjedure, were fliarp and ftrong ; 
 and I was encouraged by the confcioufnefs of my ftrength, when 
 I could ftand in free debate againft a critic of fuch eminence 
 and erudition. 3. I correfponded on fimilar topics with the cele- 
 brated Profeflbr Matthew Gefner J, of the univerfity of Gottingen ; 
 and he accepted, as courteoufly as the two former, the invitation of 
 an unknown youth. But his abilities might poflibly be decayed ; his 
 elaborate letters were feeble and prolix ; and when I aflced his proper 
 diredtion, the vain old man covered half a flieet of paper with the 
 foolifli enumeration of his titles and offices. 4. Thefe Profeflbrs of 
 Paris, Zurich, and Gottingen, were flrangers, whom I prefumed to 
 
 * See Appendix, Letters, N-^ I. f Ditto, N" IV. and V. 
 
 \ Ditto, N" VI. VII. and VIIL 
 
 addrefs
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 71 
 
 addrefs on the credit of their name ; but Mr. Allamand *, Minifter 
 at Bex, was my perfonal friend, with whom I maintained a more 
 free and interefting correfpondence. He was a mafter of language, 
 of fcience, and, above all, of difpute ; and his acute and flexible 
 logic could fupport, with equal addrefs, and perhaps with equal in- 
 difference, the adverfe fides of every poflible queftion. His fpirit 
 was adive, but his pen had been indolent. Mr. Allamand had ex- 
 pofed himfelf to much fcandal and reproach, by an anonymous letter 
 (1745) to the Proteftants of France; in which he labours to per- 
 fuade them that public worfliip is the exclufive right and duty of the 
 ftate, and that their numerous aflemblies of diflenters and rebels were 
 not authorifed by the law or the gofpel. His ftyle is animated, his 
 arguments fpecious ; and if the papift may feem to lurk under the 
 mafk of a proteftant, the philofopher is concealed under the difguife 
 of a papift. After fome trials in France and Holland, which were 
 defeated by his fortune or his charadler, a genius that might have 
 enlightened or deluded the world, was buried in a country living, 
 unknown to fame, and difcontented with mankind. EJl facrificuhis 
 in pago, et rtijlicos decipit. As often as private or ecclefiaftical bufmefs 
 called him to Laufanne, I enjoyed the pleafure and benefit of his 
 converfation, and we were mutually flattered by our attention to 
 each other. Our correfpondence, in his abfence, chiefly turned 
 on Locke's metaphyfics, which he attacked, and I defended ; the 
 origin of ideas, the principles of evidence, and the do£lrine of 
 liberty ; 
 
 And found no end, in wandering mazes loft. 
 
 By fencing with fo fkilful a mafter, I acquired fome dexterity in the 
 ufe of my philofophic weapons ; but I was ftill the flave of edu- 
 cation and prejudice. He had fome meafures to keep ; and I much 
 
 * See Appendix, Letters, N" II. and III. 
 
 2 fufped
 
 72 
 
 MEMOIRS or 
 
 fi.ifpe£t that he never fhewed me the true colours of his fecret 
 fcepticiftn. 
 
 Before I was recalled from Switzerland, I had the fatisfadion of 
 feeing the moft extraordinary man of the age ; a poet, an hiftorian, 
 a philofopher, who has filled thirty quartos, of profe and verfe, with 
 his various produdtlons, often excellent, and always entertaining. 
 Need I add the name of Voltaire ? After forfeiting, by his own 
 mifcondud, the friendfliip of the firft of kings, he retired, at the age 
 of fixty, with a plentiful fortune, to a free and beautiful country, 
 and refided two winters (1757 and 1758) in the town or neigh- 
 bourhood of Laufanne. My defire of beholding Voltaire, whom I 
 then rated above his real magnitude, was eafily gratified. He re- 
 ceived me with civility as an Englifh youth ; but I cannot boafl: 
 of any peculiar notice or diftindlon, Virgilium vid't tantum. 
 
 The ode which he compofed on his firft arrival on the banks of 
 the Leman Lake, Malfoti (T Arijlippe ! yardin d^ Epicure, iffc. 
 had been imparted as a fecret to the gentleman by whom I was in- 
 troduced. He allowed me to read it twice; I knew it by heart; 
 and as my difcretion was not equal to my memoiy, the author was 
 foon difpleafed by the circulation of a copy. In writing this trivial 
 anecdote, I wifhed to obferve whether my memory was impaired, 
 and I have the comfort of finding that every line of the poem is 
 ftill engraved in frefh and indelible charadlers. The higheft grati- 
 fication which 1 derived from Voltaire's refidence at Laufanne, was 
 the uncommon circumftance of hearing a great poet declaim his own 
 produdtlons on the ftage. He had formed a company of gentle- 
 men and ladies, fome of whom were not deftitute of talents. A 
 decent theatre was framed at Monrepos, a country-houfe at the end 
 of a fuburb ; dreffes and fcenes were provided at the expence of the 
 adors ; and the author direded the rehearfals with the zeal and at- 
 tention of paternal love. In two fucceffive winters his tragedies of 
 Zayre, Alzire, Zulime, and his fentimental comedy of the Enfant 
 
 Prodigue,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 73 
 
 Prodigue, were played at the theatre of Monrepos. Voltauc rc- 
 prefented the charatflers beft adapted to his years, Lufignan, Al- 
 varez, Benafliir, Euphemon. His declamation v^fas fafliioned to the 
 pomp and cadence of the old ftage ; and he expreffed the enthufiafm 
 of poetry, rather than the feelings of nature. My ardour, which 
 foon became confpicuous, feldom failed of procuring mc a ticket. 
 The habits of pleafure fortified my tafte for the French theatre, and 
 that tafte has perhaps abated my idolatry for the gigantic genius of 
 Shakefpeare, which is inculcated from our infancy as the firft duty 
 of an Englifliman. The wit and philofophy of Voltaire, his tabic 
 and theatre, refined, in a vifible degree, the manners of Laufanne ; 
 and, however addided to ftudy, I enjoyed my fliare of the amufe- 
 ments of fociety. After the reprefentation of Monrepos I fome- 
 times fuppcd with the a£lors. I was now familiar in fome, and ac- 
 quainted in many houfes ; and my evenings were generally devoted 
 to cards and converfation, either in private parties or numerous 
 affemblies. 
 
 I hefitate, from the apprehenfion of ridicule, when I approach 
 the delicate fubject of my early love. By this word I do not mean 
 the polite attention, the gallantry, without hope or defign, which 
 iias originated in the fpirit of chivalry, and is interwoven with 
 the texture of French manners. I underftand by this paftion the 
 union of defire, friendlliip, and tendernefs, which is inflamed by 
 a fingle female, which prefers her to the reft: of her fex, and which 
 feeks her pofteftion as the fupreme or the fole happinefs of our 
 being. I need not blufli at recolleding the objed: of my choice ; 
 and though my love was difappolnted of fuccefs, I am rather proud 
 that I was once capable of feeling fuch a pure and exalted fentiment. 
 The perfonal attradllons of Mademoifelle Sufan Curcliod were em- 
 belliftied by the virtues and talents of the mind. Her fortune was 
 humble, but her family v\^as refpedlable. Her mother, a native of 
 France, had preferred her religion to her country. The profeflion 
 
 VOL. I. L of
 
 74 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 of her father did not cxtinguiih the moderation and ph'ilofophy of 
 his temper, and he lived content with a fmall falary and laborious 
 duty. In the obfcure lot of mlnlfter of Crafly, In the mountains 
 that feparate the Pays de Vaud from the county of Burgundy *. 
 In the folitude of a fequeftered village he beflowed a liberal, and 
 even learned, education on his only daughter. She furpafl'ed his 
 hopes by her proficiency in the fciences and languages ; and in her 
 fhort vifits to fome relations at Laufanne, the wit, the beauty, and 
 erudition of Mademoifelle Curchod were the theme of univerfal ap- 
 plaufe. The report of fuch a prodigy awakened my curiofity ; I 
 faw and loved. I found her learned without pedantry, lively in 
 converfation, pure in fentiment, and elegant in manners ; and the 
 firft fudden emotion was fortified by the habits and knowledge of 
 a more familiar acquaintance. She permitted me to make her two 
 or three vifits at her father's houfe. I pafled fome happy days 
 there, in the mountains of Burgundy, and her parents honourably 
 encouraged the connedlion. In a calm retirement the gay vanity of 
 
 * ExtraBs from the Journal. 
 
 March 1757. I wrote fome critical obfervations upon Plautus. 
 
 March 8th. I wrote a long dhTertation on fome lines of Virgil. 
 
 June. I faw Mademoifelle Curchod — Omnia vindi amor, et nos cedamus 
 
 amori. 
 Auguft. I went to Crafly, and (laid two days. 
 
 Sept.. 15th. I went to Geneva. 
 
 0£l. 15th, I came back to Laufanne, having paffed through Crafly. 
 Nov. I ft. I went to vifit M. de Watteviile at Loin, and faw Mademoifelle 
 
 Curchod in my way throigh Rolle. 
 Nov. 17th. I went to CrafTy, and ftaid there fix day^. 
 Jan. 1758. \\\ the three firil months of this year I read Ovid's Metamorphofes, 
 
 finiflied the conic feftions with M. de Traytorrens, and went as far 
 
 as the infinite feries ; I likewife read Sir Ifaac Newton's Chronology,. 
 
 and wrote my critical obfervations upon it. 
 Jan. 23d. I faw Alzire afted by the fociety at Monrepos. Voltaire afted 
 
 Alvares^i D'Hermanches, Zamore ; de St. Cierge, Gufman j M. 
 
 de Gentil, Monteze; and Madame Denys, Alzire. 
 
 youth
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 75 
 
 youth no longer fluttered in her bolbm ; flie liftened to the voice- 
 of truth and paflion, and I might prefume to hope that I had made 
 fome impreflion on a virtuous heart. At Crafly and Laufanne I in- 
 dulged my dream of fehcity : but on my return to England, I foon 
 difcovered that my father would not hear of this ftrange alliance, 
 and that without his confent I was myfelf dellitute and hclplefs. 
 After a painful ftruggle I yielded to my fate ; I fighcd as a lover, I 
 obeyed as a fon * ; my wound was infenfibly healed by time, ab- 
 fence, and the habits of a new life. My cure v^fAS accelerated by 
 a faithful report of the tranquillity and cheerfulnefs of the lady her- 
 felf, and my love fubfided in friendihip and efteem. The minifter of 
 Crafly foon afterwards died ; his fliipend died with him : his daur^hter 
 retired to Geneva, where, by teaching young ladies, flae earned a 
 hard fubfiflience for herfelf and her mother ; but in her lowefl: 
 diftrefs flie maintained a fpotlefs reputation, and a dignified behaviour. 
 A rich banker of Paris, a citizen of Geneva, had the good fortune 
 and good fenfe to difcover and poflefs this ineftimable ti-eafure ; and 
 in the capital of tafte and luxury flae refifl:ed the temptations of 
 wealth, as flae had fufl:ained the hardflaips of indigence. The ge- 
 nius of her huflaand has exalted him to the moft confpicuous ftation 
 in Europe. In every change of profperity and difgrace he has re- 
 clined on the bofom of a faithful friend ; and Mademoilelle Curchod 
 is now the wife of M. Necker, the minifter, and perhaps the leo-i- 
 flator, of the French monarchy. 
 
 Whatfoever have been the fruits of my education, they mufl: be 
 afcribed to the fortunate banifliment which placed me at Laufanne. 
 I have fometimes applied to my own fate the verfes of Pindar, which 
 remind an Olympic champion that his vidlory was the confequence 
 
 * See Oeuvres de Rouffeau, torn, xxxiii. p. 88, 89. odavo edition. As sn author 
 I (hall not appeal from the judgment, or tafle, or caprice of Jean Jaques : but tVat 
 extraordinary man, whom I admire and pity, fliould have been Icfs precipitate in cun- 
 demning the moral character and conduft of a ftranger. 
 
 L 2 of
 
 76 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 of his exile ; and that at home, like a domeftic fowl, his days might 
 have rolled away inadive or inglorious. 
 
 , . . r,TOi Ksci re.cc, xev, 
 
 'EvOOfA.a,^lX.i OCT OiXBKJUf, 
 
 Evyyovcd 7r«p' 'ecrjiK 
 
 Kvucrlxi a^spcre iruT^xg *. Olymp. xil. 
 
 If my childlfli revolt againfl the religion of my country had not 
 ftripped me in time of my academic gown, the live important years, 
 fo liberally improved in the ftudies and converfation of Laufanne, 
 would have been fteeped in port and prejudice among the monks of 
 Oxford. Had the fatigue of idlenefs compelled me to read, the 
 path of learning would not have been enlightened by a ray of phi- 
 lofophic freedom. I fhould have grown to manhood ignorant of 
 the life and language of Europe, and my knowledge of the world 
 would have been confined to an Englifh cloifter. But my religious 
 error fixed me at Laufanne, in a ftate of banifhment and difgrace. 
 The rigid courfe of difcipline and abftinence, to which I was con- 
 demned, invigorated the conftitution of my mind and body ; poverty 
 and pride eftranged me from my countrymen. One mifchief, how- 
 ever, and in their eyes a ferious and irreparable mifchief, was de- 
 rived from the fuccefs of my Swifs education : I had ceafed to be an 
 Englifliman. At the flexible period of youth, from the age of fix- 
 teen to twenty-one, my opinions, habits, and fentiments were caft 
 
 * Thus, like the crefted bird of Mars, at home 
 Engag'd in foul domeftic jars, 
 And wafted with intefline wars, 
 Inglorious had'ft thou fpent thy vig'rous bloom ; 
 Had not fedition's civil broils 
 Expell'd thee from thy native Crete, 
 And driv'n thee with more glorious toils 
 Til' Olympic crown in Pifa% plain to meet. Wejfs Pindar. 
 
 in
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 77 
 
 in a foreign mould ; tlie faint and diftant remembrance of Eng- 
 land was almoft obliterated ; my native language was grown lels 
 familiar; and I fhould have cheerfully accepted the offer of a 
 moderate independence on the terms of perpetual exile. By the 
 good fenfe and temper of Pavilliard my yoke was infenfibly light- 
 ened : he left me mafter of my time and acflions ; but he could 
 neither change my lituation, nor increafe my allowance, and with 
 the progrefs of my years and reafon I impatiently fighed for the 
 moment of my deliverance. At length, in the Spring of the year 
 one thoufand feven hundred and fifty-eight, my father fignified his 
 permiffion and his pleafure that I lliould immediately return home. 
 We were then in the midft of a war : the refentment of the French 
 at our taking their lliips without a declaration, had rendered that 
 polite nation fomewhat peevifh and difficult. They denied a pafTage 
 to Englifh travellers, and the road through Germany was circuitous, 
 toilfome, and perhaps in the neighbourhood of the armies, expofed 
 to fome danger. In this perplexity, two Swifs officers of my ac- 
 quaintance in the Dutch fervice, who were returning to their gar- 
 rilbns, offered to condud me through France as one of their com- 
 panions ; nor did we fufficiently ref^e£l that my borrowed name and 
 regimentals might have been confidered, in cafe of a difcovery, in a 
 very ferious light. I took my leave of Laufanne on the iith of 
 April 1758, with a mixture of joy and regret, in the firm refolu- 
 tion of revifiting, as a m.an, the perfons and places which had been 
 fo dear to my youth. We travelled flowly, but plealantly, in a 
 hired coach, over the hills of Franche-compte and the fertile pro- 
 vince of Lorraine, and palled, without accident or inquiry, through 
 feveral fortified towns of the French frontier : from thence we en- 
 tered the wild Ardennes of the Auftrian dutchy of Luxemburg ; 
 and after croffing the Meufe at Liege, we traverfed the heaths of 
 Brabant, and reached, on the fifteenth day, our Dutch garrifon of 
 Bois le Due. In our pafi"age through Nancy, my eye was gratified 
 by the afped of a regular and beautiful city, the work of Staniflaus, 
 
 who,.
 
 78 , MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ■who, after the ftorms of Polifli royalty, repofed in the love and 
 gratitude of his new fubje£ts of Lorraine. In our halt at Maeftricht 
 I vilited Mr. de Beaufort, a learned critic, who was known to me by 
 his fpecious arguments againft the five firft centuries of the Roman 
 Hiftory. After dropping my regimental companions, I ftepped 
 afide to vifit Rotterdam and the Hague. I wiftied to have obfervcd 
 a country, the monument of freedom and induftry ; but my days 
 were numbered, and a longer delay would have been ungraceful. I 
 haftened to embark at the Brill, landed the next day at Harwich, 
 and proceeded to London, where my father awaited my arrival. 
 The whole term of my firft abfence from England was four years 
 ten months and fifteen days. 
 
 In the prayers of the church our perfonal concerns are judicioufly 
 reduced to the threefold diftin£lion of mind^ body, and ejlate. The 
 fentiments of the mind excite and exercife our focial fympathy. 
 The review of my moral and literary eharadter is the moft intereft- 
 ing to myfelf and to the public ; and I may expatiate, without re- 
 proach, on my private fludies ; fince they have produced the public 
 writings, v/hich can alone entitle me to the efteem and friendfhip of 
 my readers. The experience of the world inculcates a difcreet re- 
 ferve on the fubjedl of our perfon and eftate, and we foon learn 
 that a free difclofure of our riches or poverty would provoke the 
 malice of envy, or encourage the infolence of contempt. 
 
 The only perfon in England whom I was impatient to fee was 
 my aunt Porten, the affeftionate guardian of my tender years. I 
 haflened to her houfe in College-ftreet, Weftminfter ; and the even- 
 ing was fpent in the eftufions of joy and confidence. It was not 
 without fome awe and apprehenfion that I approached the prefence 
 of my father. My infancy, to fpeak the truth, had been negledled 
 at home ; the feverity of his look and language at our laft parting 
 ftill dwelt on my memory ; nor could I form any notion of his cha- 
 radter, or my probable reception. They were both more agreeable 
 than I could exped. -The domeftic difcipline of our anceftors has 
 
 been
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 79 
 
 been relaxed by the philofophy and foftnefs of tlie age ; and if my 
 father remembered that he had trembled before a ftern parent, it was 
 only to adopt with his own fon an oppofite mode of behaviour. 
 He received ine as a man and a friend ; all conftraint was banilhed 
 at our firft interview, and we ever afterwards continued on the fame 
 terms of eafy and equal politenefs. He applauded the fuccefs of 
 my education ; every word and adliion was expreflive of the moft 
 cordial affeftion ; and our lives would have paffed without a cloud, 
 if his oeconomy had been equal to his fortune, or if his fortune had 
 been equal to his defires. During m.y abfence he had married his 
 lecond wife, Mifs Dorothea Patton, who was introduced to me with 
 the moft unfavourable prejudice. I confidered his fecond marriage 
 as an a£t of difpleafure, and I was difpofed to hate the rival of my 
 mother. But the injuftice was in my own fancy, and the imaginary 
 monfter was an amiable and deferving woman. I could not be mif- 
 taken in the firft view of her underftanding, her knowledge, and 
 the elegant fpirit of her converfation : her polite welcome, and her 
 afliduous care to ftiidy and gratify my wifhes, announced at leaft 
 that the furface would be fmooth ; and my fiiipicions of art and 
 falfehood were gradually difpelled by the full difcovery of her warm 
 and exquifite fenfibility. After fome referve on my fide, our minds 
 aflbciated in confidence and friendftiip ; and as Mrs. Gibbon had 
 neither children nor the hopes of children, we more eafily adopted 
 the tender names arid genuine charadlers of mother and of fon,. 
 By the indulgence of thefe parents, I was left at liberty to confult 
 my tafte or reafoii in the choice of place, of company, and of 
 amufernents ; and my excurfions were bounded only by the limits 
 of the iiland, and the meafure of my income. Some faint efforts 
 w^ere made to procure me the employment of fecretary to a foreign 
 embafly ; and I llftened to a fcheme v/hich would again have tranf- 
 ported me to the continent. Mrs. Gibbon, with feeming wifdom, 
 exhorted me to take chambers in the Teinple, and devote my leifure 
 to the ftudy of the law. I cannot repent of having neglefted her 
 
 advice
 
 8o M E M O I R S O F 
 
 advice. Fevr men, without the fpur of neceflity, have refolutlon 
 to force then- way through the thorns and thickets of that gloomy 
 labyrinth. Nature had not endowed me with the bold and ready 
 eloquence which makes itfelf heard amidft the tumult of the bar ; 
 and I fliould probably have been diverted from the labours of lite- 
 rature, without acquiring the fame or fortune of a fuccefsful pleader. 
 I had no need to call to my aid the regular duties of a pi-ofeffion ; 
 every day, every hour, was agreeably filled ; nor have I known, 
 like fo many of my countrymen, the tedloufnefs of an idle life. 
 
 Of the two years (May 1758 — May 1760,) between my return 
 to England and the embodying of the Hamplhire militia, I palled 
 about nine months in London, and the remainder in the country. 
 The metropolis affords many amufements, which are open to" all. 
 It is itfelf an aftonilhing and perpetual Ipeftacle to the curious eye ; 
 and each tafte, each fenfe may be gratified by the variety of objeds 
 •which will occur in the long circuit of a morning walk. I affiduoufly 
 frequented the theatres at a very propitious xra of the fl:age, when 
 a conftellation of excellent adlors, both in tragedy and comedy, was 
 eclipfcd by the meridian brightnefs of Garrick in the maturity of 
 his judgment, and vigour of his performance. The plealures of a 
 town-life are within the reach of every man who is regardlefs of his 
 health, his money, and his company. By the contagion of ex- 
 ample I was fometimes feduced ; but the better habits, which I had 
 formed at Laufanne, induced me to feek a more elegant and rational 
 fociety; and if my fearch was lefs eafy and fuccefsful than I might 
 have hoped, I fliall at prefcnt impute the failure to the difadvantages 
 of my fituatlon and charafter. Had the rank and fortune of my 
 parents given them an annual eftablifhment in London, their own: 
 houfe would have introduced me to a numerous and polite circle of 
 acquaintance. But my father's tafle had always preferred the higheft 
 and the loweft company, for which he was equally qualified ; and after 
 a twelve years retirement, he was no longer in the memory of the 
 .great with whom he had allbciated. I found myfclf a ftranger in 
 
 7 the
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 8i 
 
 the midft of a vaft and unknown city; and at my entrance into life 
 I was reduced to fome dull family parties, and fome fcattered con- 
 nedions, which were not fuch as I fhould have chofen for myfelf. 
 The moft ufeful friends of my father were the Mallets : they re- 
 ceived me with civility and kindnefs at firfl on his account, and af- 
 terw^ards on my own ; and (if I may ufe Lord Chefterfield's words) 
 I was foon domejl'icated in their houfe. Mr. Mallet, a name among 
 the Englifh poets, is praifed by an unforgiving enemy, for the eafe 
 and elegance of his converfation, and his wife was not deftitute of 
 wit or learning. By his affiftance I was introduced to lady Hervey, 
 the mother of the prefent earl of Briftol. Her age and infirmities 
 confined her at home ; her dinners were feledl ; in the evening her 
 houfe was open to the heft company of both fexes and all nations ; 
 nor was I difpleafed at her preference and affedation of the manners, 
 the language, and the literature of France. But my progrefs in the 
 Englifh world was in general left to my own efforts, and thofe efforts 
 were languid and flow. I had not been endowed by art or nature 
 with thofe happy gifts of confidence and addrefs, which unlock 
 every door and every bofom ; nor would it be reafonable to com- 
 plain of the juft confequences of my fickly childhood, foreign edu- 
 cation, and referved temper. While coaches were rattling throuMi 
 Bond-ftreet, I have paffed many a folitary evening in my lodging 
 with my books. My (Indies were fometimes interrupted by a fi^-h, 
 which I breathed towards Laufanne ; and on the approach of Spring 
 I withdrew without reludance from the noify and extenfive fcene 
 of crowds without company, and difTipation without pleafure. In 
 each of the twenty-five years of my acquaintance with London 
 (1758 — 1783) the profpedl gradually brightened; and this unfa- 
 vourable pidure mofl properly belongs to the firft period after my 
 return from Switzerland. 
 
 VOL. I. M 
 
 My
 
 82 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 My father's refidencc in Hampfliire, where I have pafTed many 
 light, and fome heavy hours, was at Buriton, near Petersfield, one 
 mile from the Portfmouth road, and at the eafy diftance of fifty- 
 eight miles from London *. An old manfion, in a ftate of decay, 
 had been converted into the fafhion and convenience of a modern 
 houfe : and if ftrangers had nothing to fee, the inhabitants had little 
 to defire. The fpot was not happily chofen, at the end of the vil- 
 lage and the bottom of the hill : but the afped of the adjacent 
 grounds was various and cheerful ; the downs commanded a noble 
 profped, and the long hanging woods in fight of the houfe could 
 not perhaps have been improved by art or expence. My father 
 kept in his own hands the whole of the eftate, and even rented 
 fome additional land ; and whatfoever might be the balance of profit 
 and lofs, the farm fupplied him with amufement and plenty. The 
 produce maintained a number of men and horfes, which were mul- 
 tiplied by the intermixture of domeftic and rural fervants ; and in 
 the intervals of labour the favourite team, a handfome fet of bays 
 or greys, was harnefled to the coach. The ceconomy of the houfe 
 was regulated by the tafte and prudence of Mrs. Gibbon. She 
 prided herfelf in the elegance of her -occafional dinners ; and from 
 the vmcleanly avarice of Madame Pavilliard, I was fuddenly tranf- 
 ported to the daily neatnefs and luxury of an Englifh table. Our 
 immediate neighbourhood was rare and ruftic ; but from the verge of 
 our hills, as far as Chichefter and Goodwood, the weftern diftridt of 
 Suflex was interfperfed with noble feats and hofpitable families, with 
 whom we cultivated a friendly, and might have enjoyed a very fre- 
 quent, intercourfe. As my flay at Buriton was always voluntary, I 
 was received and difmifled with fmiles; but the comforts of my retire- 
 ment did not depend on the ordinary pleafures of the country. My 
 
 * The eflate and manor of Beriton, otherwife BarltOHj were confiderable, and 
 were fold a few years ago to Lord Stawell. S. 
 
 ' 2 father
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 83 
 
 father could never infpire me with his love and knowledge of farm- 
 ing. I never handled a gun, I feldom mounted an horfe ; and 
 my philofophic walks were foon terminated by a fliady bench, where 
 I was long detained by the fedentary amufement of reading or me- 
 ditation. At home I occupied a pleafant and fpacious apartment ; 
 the library on the fame floor was foon confidered as my peculiar do- 
 main ; and I might fay with truth, that I was never lefs alone than 
 when by myfelf. My fole complaint, which I pioufly fupprefled, 
 arofe from the kind reftraint impofed on the freedom of my time. 
 By the habit of early rifmg I always fecured a facred portion of the 
 day, and many fcattered moments were ftolen and employed by my 
 ftudious induftry. But the family hours of breakfaft, of dinner, 
 of tea, and of fupper, were regular and long : after breakfaft Mrs. 
 Gibbon expe£ted my company in her drefling-room ; after tea my 
 father claimed my converfation and the perufal of the newfpapers ; 
 and in the midft of an interefting work I was often called down to 
 receive the vifit of fome idle neighbours. Their dinners and vifits 
 required. In due feafon, a fimilar return ; and I dreaded the period 
 of the full moon, which was ufually referved for our more diftant 
 excurfions. I could not refufe attending my father, in the fummer 
 of 1759, to the races at Stockbridge, Reading, and Odiam, where 
 he had entered a horfe for the hunter's plate j and I was not 
 difpleafed with the fight of our Olympic games, the beauty of 
 the fpot, the fleetnefs of the horfes, and the gay tumult of the 
 numerous fpedators. As foon as the militia bufmefs was agi- 
 tated, many days were tedioufly conlumed in meetings of deputy- 
 lieutenants at Petersfield, Alton, and Winchefter. In the clofe of 
 the fame year, 1759, Sir Simeon (then Mr.) Stewart attempted 
 an unfuccefsful conteft for the county of Southamptoh, againft 
 Mr. Legge, Chancellor of the Exchequer : a well-known conteft, 
 in which Lord Bute's influence was firft exerted and cenfured. 
 Our canvas at Portfmouth and Gofport lafted feveral days; but 
 
 M 2 the
 
 84 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 the interruption of my fludies was compenfated In fome degree by 
 the fpedtacle of Englifh manners, and the acquifition of fome prac- 
 tical knowledge. 
 
 If in a more domeftic or more dlflipated fcene my application was 
 fomewhat relaxed, the love of knowledge was inflamed and gratified 
 by the command of books ; and I compared the poverty of Laufanne 
 with the plenty of London. My father's ftudy at Buriton was 
 ftuffed with much trafh of the laft age, with much high church 
 divinity and politics, which have long fmce gone to their proper 
 place : yet it contained fome valuable editions of the clafhcs and the 
 fathers, the choice, as it fliould feem, of Mr. Law ; and many 
 Englifli publications of the times had been occafionally added. 
 From this flender beginning I have gradually formed a numerous 
 and feledt library, the foundation of my works, and the beft com- 
 fort of my life, both at home and abroad. On the receipt of the 
 jBrft quarter, a large fhare of my allowance was appropriated to my 
 literary wants. I cannot forget the joy with which I exchanged 
 a bank-note of twenty pounds for the twenty volumes of the Me- 
 moirs of the Academy of Infcriptions ; nor would it have been eafy, 
 by any other expenditure of the fame fum, to have procured fo large 
 and lafting a fund of rational amufement. At a time when I moft 
 affiduoufly frequented this fchool of antient literature, I thus ex- 
 preflTed my opinion of a learned and various coUedion, which fmce 
 the year 1759 has been doubled in magnitude, though not in merit — 
 " Une de ces focietes, qui ont mieux immortalife Louis XIV. qu'un 
 " ambition fouvent pernicieufe aux hommes, commen9oit deja ces 
 " recherches qui reuniffent la juftefle de I'efprit, I'amenete & I'eru- 
 " dition : ou Ton voit tant des decouvertes, et quelquefois, ce qui 
 " ne cede qu'a peine aux decouvertes, une ignorance modefte et 
 " favante" The review of my library muft be referved for the 
 period of its maturity ; but in this place I may allow myfelf to ob- 
 ferve, that I am not confcious of having ever bought a book from a 
 
 motive
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 85 
 
 motive of oftentation, that every volume, before it was depofited on 
 the fhelf, was either read or fufficiently examined, and that I foon 
 adopted the tolerating maxim of the elder Pliny, " nullum efle 
 " librum tam malum ut non ex aliqua parte prodeflet." I could not 
 yet find leifure or courage to renew the purfuit of the Greek lan- 
 guage, excepting by reading the leffbns of the Old and New Teftament 
 every Sunday, when I attended the family to church. The feries of 
 my Latin authors was lefs flrenuoufly completed ; but the acquifi- 
 tion, by inheritance or purchafe, of the beft editions of Cicero, 
 Quintilian, Livy, Tacitus, Ovid, &c. afforded a fair profpedl, which 
 I feldom negleded. I perfevered in the ufeful method of abftracfVs 
 and obfervations ; and a fmgle example may fuffice, of a note which 
 had almofl fwelled into a work. The folution of a paffage of Livy 
 (xxxviii. 38.) involved me in the dry and dark treatifes of Greaves, 
 Arbuthnot, Hooper, Bernard, Elfenfchmidt, Gronovlus, La Barre, 
 Freret, &c.; and in my French effay (chap. 20.) I ridiculoufly fend 
 the reader to my own manufcript remarks on the weights, coins, and 
 meafures of the ancients, which were abruptly terminated by the 
 militia drum. 
 
 As I am now entering on a more ample field of fociety and 
 ftudy, I can only hope to avoid a vain and prolix garrulity, by over- 
 looking the vulgar crowd of my acquaintance, and confining myfelf 
 to fuch intimate friends among books and men, as are beft entitled to 
 my notice by their own merit and reputation, or by the deep im- 
 preflion which they have left on my mind. Yet I will embrace this 
 occafion of recommending to the young ftudent a pradice, which 
 about this time I myfelf adopted. After glancing my eye "over the 
 defign and order of a new book, I fufpended the perufal till I had 
 finifhed the taflc of felf-examination, till I had revolved, in a folitary 
 walk, all that I knew or believed, or had thought on the fubjedt 
 of the whole work, or of fome particular chapter : I was then quali- 
 fied to difcern how much the author added to my original ftock ; and 
 
 I w^as
 
 S6 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 1 was fometimes fatlsfied by the agreement; I was fometlmes armed 
 by the oppofition, of our ideas. The favourite companions of my 
 leifure were our Englifh writers fmce the Revohition : they breathe 
 the fpirit of reafon and Uberty ; and they moft feafonably contributed 
 to reftore the purity of my own language, which had been corrupted 
 by the long ufe of a foreign idiom. By the judicious advice of Mr. 
 Mallet, I was directed to the writings of Swift and Addifon ; wit and 
 fimplicity are their common attributes : but the ftyle of Swift is fup- 
 ported by manly original vigour ; that of Addifon is adorned by the 
 female graces of elegance and mildnefs. The old reproach, that no 
 Britiih altars had been raifed to the mufe of hiftory, was recently dif- 
 proved by the firft performances of Robertfon and Hume, the hif- 
 tories of Scotland and of the Stuarts. I will affume the prefumption 
 of faying, that I was not unworthy to read them : nor will I difguife 
 my different feelings in the repeated perufals. The perfect compofi- 
 tion, the nervous language, the well-turned periods of Dr. Robert- 
 fon, inflamed me to the ambitious hope that I might one day tread 
 in his footfteps : the calm philofophy, the carelefs inimitable beauties 
 of his friend and rival, often forced me to clofe the volume with a 
 mixed fenfation of delight and defpair. 
 
 The defign of my firft work, the EfTay on the Study of Literature, 
 was fuggefted by a refinement of vanity, the defire of juftifying and 
 praifing the objedt of a favourite purfuit. In France, to which my 
 ideas were confined, the learning and language of Greece and Rome 
 were negle£led by a philofophic age. The guardian of thofe ftudies, 
 the Academy of Infcriptions, was degraded to the loweft rank among 
 the three royal focieties of Paris : the new appellation of Erudits 
 was contemptuoufly applied to the fucceflbrs of Lipfius and Cafau- 
 bon ; and I was provoked to hear (fee M. d'Aiembert Difcours pre- 
 liminaire a I'Encyclopedie) that the exercife of the memory, their 
 fole merit, had been fuperfeded by the nobler faculties of the imagi- 
 nation and the judgment. I was ambitious of proving by my own 
 
 example.
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 87 
 
 example, as well as by my precepts, that all the faculties of the mind 
 may be exerclfed and difplayed by the ftudy of ancient literature : I 
 began to fele£t and adorn the various proofs and illuftrations which 
 had offered themfelves in reading the clafTics ; and the firft pages or 
 chapters of my eflay were compofed before my departure from 
 Laufanne. The hurry of the journey, and of the fn-ft weeks of my 
 Engli{h life, fufpended all thoughts of ferious application : but my 
 object was ever before my eyes ; and no more than ten days, from 
 the firft to the eleventh of July, were fuifered to elapfe after my 
 fummer eftablifliment at Buriton. My effay was finiflied In about 
 fix weeks ; and as foon as a fair copy had been tranfcribed by one of 
 the French prifoners at Petersfield, I looked round for a critic and 
 judge of my firft performance. A writer can feldom be content with 
 the doubtful recompence of folitary approbation ; but a youth igno- 
 rant of the world, and of himfelf, muft defire to weigh his talents in 
 fome fcales lefs partial than his own : my condu£l was natural, my 
 motive laudable, my choice of Dr. Maty judicious and fortunate. 
 By defcent and education Dr. Maty, though born in Holland, might 
 be confidered as a Frenchman ; but he was fixed in London by the 
 pra£tice of phyfic, and an office in the Britifh Mufeum. His repu- 
 tation was juftly founded on the eighteen voluntes of the Journal 
 Brttanniqiie, which he had fupported, almoft alone, with perfeverance 
 and fuccefs. This humble though ufeful labour, which had once 
 been dignified by the genius of Bayle and the learning of Le Clerc, 
 was not difgraced by the tafte, the knowledge, and the judgment of 
 Maty ; he exiilbits a candid and pleafing view of the ftate of litera- 
 ture in England during a period of fix years (January 1750 — De- 
 cember 1755) ; and, far different from his angry fon, he handles the 
 rod of critlclfm with the tendernefs and reludance of a parent. The 
 author of the Jpiimal Britarm'iqiie fometlmes afpires to the character 
 of a poet and phllofopher : his ftyle is pure' and elegant ; and in his 
 virtues, or even in his defeats, he may be ranked as one of the laft 
 
 difciples
 
 S8 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 difciples of the fchool of Fontenelle. His anfwer to my firfl: letter 
 was prompt and polite : after a careful examination he returned my 
 manufcript, with fome animadverfion and much applaufe ; and when 
 1 vifited London in the enfuing winter, w^e difcuiTed the defign and 
 execution in feveral free and familiar converfations. In a fhort ex- 
 curfion to Buriton I reviewed my effay, according to his friendly ad- 
 vice ; and after fuppreffing a third, adding a third, and altering a 
 third, I confummated my firft labour by a fhort preface, which is 
 dated February 3d, 1759. Yet I ftill Ihrunk from the prefs with 
 the terrors of virgin modefty : the manufcript was fafely depoGted in 
 my defk ; and as my attention was engaged by new objed:s, the 
 delay might have been prolonged till I had fulfilled the precept of 
 Horace, " nonumque prematur in annum." Father Sirmond, a 
 learned jefuit, was ftill more rigid, fmce he advifed a young friend 
 to expedl the mature age of fifty, before he gave himfelf or his writ- 
 ings to the public (Olivet Hiftoire de 1' Academic Franfoife, tom. ii. 
 p. 1 43.)' The counfel was fingular ; but it is ftill more fingular that 
 it fliould have been approved by the example of the author. Sir- 
 mond was himfelf fifty-five years of age when he publifhed (in 1614) 
 his firft work, an edition of Sidonius Apollinaris, with many valu- 
 able annotations : (fee his life, before the great edition of his works 
 in five volumes folio, Paris, 1696, e Typographia Regia). 
 
 Two years elapfed in filence : but in the fpring of 176 1 I yielded 
 to the authority of a parent, and complied, like a pious fon, with 
 the wifti of my own heart *. My private refolves were influenced 
 
 by 
 
 * Journal, March 8th, nS^O — I began my Effai fur I'Etude de la Litterature, and 
 wrote the 23 firft chapters (excepting the following ones, 11, 12, 13. 18, 19, 20, 21, 
 22.) before I left Switzerland. 
 
 July iith. I again took in hand my Effay ; and in about fix weeks finifhed it, 
 from C. 23 — 55. (excepting 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. and note to C. 38.) befides a 
 number of chapters from C. 55. to the end, which are now ftruck out. 
 
 Feb. iith, 1759. I wrote the chapters of my Effay, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. the note to 
 
 C. 38. aad the firft part of the preface. 
 
 April 23d,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 89 
 
 by the ftate of Europe. About this time the belligerent powers had 
 made and accepted overtures of peace ; our Englilh plenipotentiaries 
 were named to affifl at the Congrefs of Augfbourg, which never met : 
 I wifhed to attend them as a gentleman or a fecretary ; and my father 
 fondly believed that the proof of fome literary talents might introduce 
 me to public notice, and fecond the recommendations of my friends. 
 After a laft revifal I confulted with Mr. Mallet and Dr. Maty, who 
 approved the defign and promoted the execution. Mr. Mallet, after 
 hearing me read my manufcript, received it from my hands, and de- 
 livered it into thofe of Becket, with whom he made an agreement in 
 my name ; an eafy agreement : I required only a certain number of 
 copies ; and, without transferring my property, I devolved on the 
 bookfeller the charges and profits of the edition. Dr. Maty under- 
 took, in my abfence, to corredt the fheets : he inferted, without my 
 knowledge, an elegant and flattering epiftle to the author ; which is 
 compofed, however, with fo much art, that, in cafe of a defeat, his 
 favourable report might have been afcribed to the indulgence of a 
 friend for the ralh attempt of a young Englijlj gentleman. The 
 work was printed and publifhed, under the title of Eflai fur I'Etude 
 de la Litterature, a Londres, chez T. Becket et P. A. de Honit, 1761, 
 in a fmall volume in duodecimo : my dedication to my father, a 
 
 April 23d, 1761. Being at length, by my father's advice, determined to publiflv 
 my Eflay, I revifed It witli great care, made many alterations, (Iruck out a confider- 
 able part, and wrote the chapters from 57 — 78, which I was obliged myfelf to copy 
 out fair. 
 
 Jvme loth, 1761. Finding th.e printing of my book proceeded but (lowly, I went 
 up to town, where I found the wliole was finiflied. I gave Becket orders for the 
 prefents : 20 for Laufanne ; copies for the Duke of Richmond, Marquis of Carnarvon, 
 Lords Waldegrave, Litchfield, Bath, Granville, Bute, Shelbourn, Chefterfield, Hard- 
 M'icke, Lady.Hcrvey, Sir Jofeph Yorke, Sir Matthew Featherftone, M. M. Mallet, 
 Maty, Scott, Wray, Lord Egremont, M. de Bufly, Mademoifelle la Duchefle d'Aguil- 
 lon, and M. le Comte de Cavlus :— great part of thefe were only mv father's or 
 jSIallet's acquaintniice. 
 
 VOL. I. N . proper
 
 90 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 proper and pious addrefs, was compofed the twenty-eighth of May. 
 Dr. Maty's letter is dated the i6th of June ; and I received the firft 
 copy (June 23d) at Alresford, two days before I marched with the 
 Hampfliire militia. Some weeks afterwards, on the fame ground, I 
 prefehted my book to the late Duke of York, who breakfafted in 
 Colonel Pitt's tent. By my father's diredlion, and Mallet's advice, 
 many literary gifts were diftributed to feveral eminent chara£ters in 
 England and France ; two books were fent to the Count de Caylus, 
 and the Duchefle d'Aiguillon, at Paris : I had referved twenty copies 
 for my friends at Laufanne, as the firft fruits of my education, and 
 .1 grateful token of my remembrance : and on all thefe perfons I 
 levied an unavoidable tax of civility and compliment. It is not fur- 
 prifing that a work, of which the ftyle and fentiments were fo totally 
 foreio-n. fhould have been more fuccefsful abroad than at home. I 
 was delighted by the copious extradts, the warm commendations, 
 and the flattering predi<3:ions of the Journals of France and Holland ; 
 and the next year (1762) a new edition (I believe at Geneva) ex- 
 tended the fame, or at leaft the circulation, of the work. In England 
 it was received with cold indifference, little read, and fpeedily for- 
 gotten : la fmall impreffion was flowly difperfed ; the bookfeller mur- 
 mured, and the author (had his feelings been more exquifite) might 
 have wept over the blunders and baldnefs of the Englifh tranflation. 
 The publication of my Hiftory fifteen years afterwards revived the 
 memory of my firft performance, and the Effay was eagerly fought 
 in the fhops. But I refufed the permiffion which Becket folicited of 
 reprinting it : the public curiofity was imperfecftly fatisfied by a 
 pirated copy of the bookfellers of Dublin ; and when a copy of the 
 original edition has been dlfcovered in a fale, the primitive value of 
 half-a-crown has rifen to the fanciful price of a guinea or thirty 
 {hillings. 
 
 I have expatiated on the petty circumftances and period of my 
 iirft publication, a memorable sera in the life of a ftudent, when he 
 
 ventures
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 91 
 
 ventures to reveal the meafure of his mind : his hopes and fears arc 
 multiplied by the idea of felf-importance, and he believes for a while 
 that the eyes of mankind are fixed on his perfon and performance. 
 Whatever may be my prefent reputation, it no longer reds on the 
 merit of this firft elTay ; and at the end of twenty-eight years I may 
 appreciate my juvenile work with the impai'tiality, and almoft with 
 the indiiference, of a flranger. In his anfwer to Lady Hervey, the 
 Count de Caylus admires, or affefts to admire, " les livi-es fans 
 " nombre que Mr. Gibbon a lus et tres bien lus *." But, alas ! my 
 flock of erudition at that time was fcanty and fuperficial ; and if I 
 allow myfelf the liberty of naming the Greek mafters, my genuine 
 and perfonal acquaintance was confined to the Latin claffics. The 
 moft ferious defedl of my Effay is a kind of obfcurity and abruptnefs 
 which always fatigues, and may often elude, the attention of the 
 reader. Inftead of a precife and proper definition of the title itfelf, 
 the fenfe of the word Litterature is loofely and varioufly applied : a 
 number of remarks and examples, hiftorical, critical, philofophical, 
 are heaped on each other without method or connection ; and if we 
 except fome introdudory pages, all the remaining chapters might 
 indifferently be reverfed or tranfpofed. The obfcurity of many 
 pafTages is often affefted, brev'is ejfc lahoro^ obfciirus Jio ; the defire 
 of expreffing perhaps a common idea with fententious and oracular 
 brevity : alas ! how fatal has been the imitation of Montefquieu ! 
 But this obfcurity fometimes proceeds from a mixture of light and 
 darknefs in the author's mind ; from a partial ray which ftrikes upon 
 an angle, inftead of fpreading itfelf over the furfiice of an objedt. 
 After this fair confeffion I fhall prefume to fay, that the EfTay does 
 credit to a young writer of two and twenty years of age, who had 
 read with tafte, who thinks with freedom, and who writes in a fo- 
 reign language with fpirlt and elegance. The defence of the early 
 Hiftory of Rome and the new Chronology of Sir Ifaac Newton 
 
 * See Appendix, Letter, No. X. 
 
 N 2 form
 
 92 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 form a fpeclous argument. The patriotic and political defign of the 
 Georgics is happily conceived ; and any probable conjedlure, which 
 tends to raife the dignity of the poet and the poem, deferves to be 
 adopted, without a rigid fcrutiny. Some dawnings of a philofophic 
 fpirit enlighten the general remarks on the ftudy of hiftory and of 
 man. I am not difpleafed with the inquiry into the origin and na- 
 ture of the gods of polytheifm, which might deferve the illuftra- 
 tion of a riper judgment. Upon the whole, I may apply to the- 
 firft labour of my pen the fpeech of a far fuperior artift, when he 
 furveyed the firft produdlions of his pencil. After viewing fome 
 portraits which he had painted in his youth, my friend Sir Jofhua 
 Reynolds acknowledged to me, that he was rather humbled than 
 flattered by the comparifon wath his prefent works ; and that after 
 fo much time and ftudy, he had conceived his improvement to be 
 much greater than he found it to have been. 
 
 At Laufanne I compofed the firft chapters of my Eflay in French, 
 the familiar language of my converfation and ftudies, in which it 
 was eafier for me to write than in my mother-tongue. After my 
 return to England I continued the fame praiflice, without any af- 
 feftation, or defign of repudiating (as Dr. Bentley would fay) my 
 vernacular idiom. But I fhould have efcaped fome Anti-gallican 
 clamour, had I been content with the more natui-al character of an 
 Englifh author. I fhould have been more confiftent had I rejected 
 Mallet's advice, of prefixing an Englifh dedication to a French book j 
 a confufion of tongues that feemed to accufe the ignorance of my 
 patron. The ufe of a foreign dialedl might be excufed by the hope 
 of being employed as a negociator, by the defire of being generally 
 underftood on the continent ; but my true motive was doubtlefs the 
 ambition of new and fingular fame, an Englifhman claiming a place 
 among the writers of France.. The- Latin tongue had been confe- 
 erated by the fervice of the church, it was refined by the imitation of 
 the ancients y and in the fifteenth and fixtecnth, centuries thq fcholars 
 
 of
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 93 
 
 of Europe enjoyed the advantage, which they have gradually re- 
 figncd, of converfuig and wriiing in a common and learned idiom. 
 As that idiom was no longer in any country the vulgar fpeech, they 
 all ftood on a level with each other ; yet a citizen of old Rome 
 might have fmiled at the beft Latlnity of the Germans and Britons ; 
 and we may learn from the Ciceronianiis of Erafmus, how difficult it 
 was found to (leer a middle eourfe between pedantry and barbarifm. 
 The Romans themfelves had fometimes attempted a more perilous 
 tafk, of writing in a living language, and appealing to the tafte and 
 judgment of the natives. The vanity of Tully was doubly interefted 
 in the Greek memoirs of his owm confulfhip ; and if he modeftly 
 fuppofes that fome Latinifms might be deteded in his ftyle, he is 
 confident of his own fkill in ihe art of Ifocrates and Ariftotle ; 
 and he requefts his friend Atticus to difperfe the copies of his work 
 at Athens, and in the other cities of Greece, (ad Atticmn^ i. 19. ii. i.) 
 But it muft not be forgotten, that from infancy to manhood Cicero- 
 and his contemporaries had read and declaimed, and compofcd with 
 equal diligence in both languages ; and that he was not allowed to 
 frequent a Latin fchool till he had imbibed the leflbns of the Greek 
 grammarians and rhetoricians. In modern times, the language of 
 France has been diffufed by the merit of her writers, the focial 
 manners of the natives, the influence of the monarchy, and the 
 exile of the proteftants. Several foreigners have feized the oppor- 
 tunity of fpeaking to Europe in this common dlaledl, and Germany 
 may plead the authority of Leibnitz and Frederic, of the firft of her 
 philofophers, and tlie greateft of her kings. The juft pride and 
 laudable prejudice of England has reftrained this communication of 
 idioms ; and of all the nations on this fide of the Alps, my country- 
 men are the leail pradifed, and leafl perfect in -the exercife of the 
 French tongue. By Sir William Temple, and Lord Chefterfield. it was 
 only ufed on occafions of civility and bufinefs, and their printed letters 
 will not be quoted as models of compofition. Lord Bolingbroke may 
 
 have:
 
 P4 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 have publifhed in French a (ketch of his Refledions on Exile : but his 
 reputation now repoles on the addrefs of Voltaire, " Dode ferrnones 
 " utriufque lingu3e ;" and by his Englifli dedication to Queen Caro- 
 line, and his Effay on Epic Poetry, it {hould feem that Voltaire himfelf 
 wifhed to defcrve a return of the fame compliment. The exception 
 of Count Hamilton cannot fairly be urged ; though an Irifhman by 
 birth, he was educated in France from his childhood. Yet I am 
 furprifed that a long refidence in England, and the habits of dor 
 meftic converfation, did not afFed: the eafe and purity of his inimi- 
 table ftyle ; and I regret the omiffion of his Englifh verfes, which 
 raio-ht have afforded an amufing objed of comparifon. I might 
 therefore affume the primus ego in ^riam^ ^c. ; but with what fuc- 
 cefs I have explored this untrodderlf)ath muft be left to the decifion 
 of my French readers. Dr. Maty, who might himfelf be queftioned 
 as a foreigner, has fecured his retreat at my expence. " Je ne crois 
 *' pas que vous vous piquiez d'etre moins facile a reconnoitre pour un 
 «' Anglois que Luculluspour un Remain," My friends at Paris have 
 been more indulgent, they received me as a countryman, or at leaft 
 as a provincial ; but they were friends and Parlfians *. The defeds 
 which Maty infmuates, " Ces traits faillans, ces figures hardies, ce 
 *' facrifice de la regie au fentiment, et de la cadence a la force," are 
 the faults of the youth, rather than of the ftranger : and after the 
 long and laborious exercife of my own language, I am confcious 
 that my French ftyle has been ripened and improved. 
 
 I have already hinted, that the publication of my Eflay was de- 
 layed till I had embraced the military profefTion. I fhall now amufe 
 myfelf with the recolledion of an adive fcene, which bears no 
 affinity to any other period of my ftudious and focial life. 
 
 * The copious extra£ls which were given in the Journal Etratiger by Mr. Suard, a 
 judicious critic, muft fatisfy both the author and the pubHc. I may here obferve, 
 that I have never feen in any literary review a tolerable account of my Hiftory. The 
 jiianufa£lure of journals, at leaft on the continent, is miferably debafed. 
 
 In
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 95 
 
 In the outfet of a glorious war, the Englifli people had been de- 
 fended by the aid of German mercenaries. A national militia has 
 been the cry of every patriot fmce the Revolution ; and this meafure, 
 both in parliament and in the field, was fupported by the country 
 gentlemen or Tories, who infenfibly transferred their loyalty to the 
 houfe of Hanover : in the language of Mr. Burke, they have changed 
 the idol, but they have preferved the idolatry. In the adl of offer- 
 ing our names and receiving our commiflions, as major and captain 
 in the Hamplhire regiment, (June 12th, 1759,) we had not fup- 
 pofed that we fliould be dragged away, my father from his farm, 
 myfelf from my books, and condemned, during two years and a half, 
 (May 10, 1760 — December 23, 1762,) to a wandering life of military 
 fervitude. But a weekly or monthly exercife of thirty thoufand pro- 
 vincials would have left them ufelefs and- ridiculous ; and after the 
 pretence of an invafion had vanifhed, the popularity of Mr. Pitt gave 
 a fandion to the illegal ftep of keeping them till the end of the war 
 under arms, in conftant pay and duty, and at a diftance from their 
 refpedive homes. When the King's order for our embodying came 
 down, it was too late to retreat, and too foon to repent. The South 
 battalion of the Hamplhire militia was a fmall independent corps of 
 four hundred and feventy-fix, officers and men, commanded by- 
 lieutenant-colonel Sir Thomas Worlley, who, after a prolix and 
 paffionate contefl:, delivered us from the tyranny of the lord lieute- 
 nant, the Duke of Bolton. My proper ftation, as firft captain, was 
 at the head of my own, and afterwards of the grenadier, company ; 
 but in the abfence, or even in the prefence, of the two field officers, 
 I was entrufted by my friend and my father with the effedive labour 
 of didating the orders, and exercifing the battalion. With the help 
 of our original journal, I could write the hiftory of my bloodlefs 
 and inglorious campaigns ; but as thefe events have loft much of 
 their importance in my own eyes, they (hall be difpatched in a few 
 words. From Wincheftcr, the firft place of affembly, (June 4, 1 760,) 
 2 we
 
 9^. MEMOIRSOF 
 
 we were removed, at our own requeft, for the benefit of a foreign 
 -education. By the arbitrary, and often capricious, orders of the 
 War-office, the battalion fuccelhvely marched to the pleafant and 
 hofpitable Blandford (June 17); to Hilfea barracks, a feat of difeafe 
 and difcord (September 1 ) ; to Cranbrook in the weald of Kent 
 (December 11); to the fea-coaft of Dover (December 27) ; to Win- 
 chefter camp (June 25, 1761) ; to the populous and diforderly town 
 of Devizes (Odlober 23); to Salifbury (February 28, 1762) ; to our 
 beloved Blandford a fecond time (March 9) ; and finally, to the 
 fafhionable refort of Southampton (June 2) ; where the colours were 
 fixed till our final diffolution (December 23). On the beach at 
 Dover we had exercifed in fight of the Gallic fhores. But the moft 
 fplendid and ufeful fcene of our life was a four months encampment 
 on Winchefter Down, under the command of the Earl of Effing- 
 ham. Our army confifted of the thirty-fourth regiment of foot 
 and fix militia corps. The confcioufnefs of our defeats was ftimu- 
 lated by friendly emulation. We improved our time and opportu- 
 nities in morning and evening field-days ; and in the general re- 
 views the South Hampfhire were rather a credit than a difgrace to 
 the line. In our fubfequent quarters of the ©evizes and Blandford, 
 we advanced with a quick ftep in our military ftudies ; the ballot of 
 the enfuing fummer renewed our vigour and youth ; and had the 
 militia fubfifted another year, we might have contefted the prize 
 with the moft perfedl of our brethren. 
 
 The lofs of fo many bufy and idle hours was not compenfi..tcd by 
 any elegant pleafure ; and my temper was infenfibly foured by the 
 fociety of our ruftic officers. In every ftate there exlfts, however, 
 a balance of good and evil. The habits of a fedentary life were 
 ufefully broken by the duties of an adive profeffion : in the health- 
 ful exercife of the field I hunted with a battalion, inftead of a pack ;_ 
 and at that time I was ready, at any hour of the day or night, to 
 fly from quarters to London, from London to quarters, on the 
 
 flighteft
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 97 
 
 illghteft call of private or regimental bufinefs. But my principal 
 obligation to the militia, was the making me an Englilliman, and a 
 Iblclier. After my foreign education, with my referved temper, I 
 fhould long have continued a flranger in my native country, had I 
 not been fhaken in this various fcene of new faces and new friends : 
 had not experience forced me to feel the charadlers of our leading 
 men, the ftate of parties, the forms of office, and the operation of 
 our civil and military fyflem. In this peaceful fervice, I imbibed the 
 rudiments of the language, and fcience of tactics, which opened a 
 new field of fludy and obfervation. I diligently read, and meditated, 
 the Memoircs Militaires of Quintus Icilius, (Mr. Guichardt,) the 
 only writer who has united the merits of a profeflbr and a veteran. 
 The difcipline and evolutions of a modern battalion gave me a 
 clearer notion of the phalanx and the legion; and- the captain of 
 the Hampfhire grenadiers (the reader may fmile) has not been ufe- 
 lefs to the hiftorian of the Roman empire. 
 
 A youth of any fpirit is fired even by the play of arms, and in 
 the firfl: fallies of my enthufiafm I had ferioufly attempted to em- 
 brace the regular profcflion of a foldier. But this military fever 
 was cooled by the enjoyment of our mimic Bellona, who foon un- 
 veiled to my eyes her naked deformity. How often did I figh for my 
 proper ftation in fociety and letters. How often (a proud comparifon) 
 did I repeat the complaint of Cicero in the command of a provincial 
 army: " Clitellx bovi funt impofitx. Eft incredibile quam me 
 " negotii tjedeat. Non habet fatis magnum campum ille tibi non 
 " ignotus curfus animi ; et induftria^ mea; prazclara opera ceflat. 
 " Lucem, Ubros, urbem, domum, vos defidero. Sed feram, ut 
 " potero ; fit modo annuum. Si prorogatur, adtum eft *." Prom 
 a fei^vice without danger I might indeed have retired without dif- 
 grace ; but as often as I hinted a wifh of refigning, my fetters 
 were rivetted by the friendly intreaties of the colonel, the parental 
 authority of the major, and my own regard for the honour and 
 * Epift. ad Atticum, lib. v. 15. 
 
 VOL. I. o welfare
 
 98 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Welfare of the battalion. When 1 felt that my perfonal efcape was 
 impradicable, I bowed my neck to the yoke : my fervitude was 
 protradted far beyond the annual patience of Cicero ; and it was not 
 till after the preliminaiies of peace that I received my difcharge, from 
 the ad: of government which difembodied the militia *. 
 
 When 
 
 * Journal, January nth, 1761.] — In thefe feven or eight months of a moft dif- 
 agreeably active life, I have had no ftudies to fet down ; indeed, I hardly took a book in 
 jny hand the whole time. The firll two months at Blandford, 1 might have done fome- 
 thing ; but the novelty of the thing, of which for fome time I was fo fond as to think 
 of going into the army, our field-days, our dinners abroad, and the drinking and late 
 hours we got- into, prevented any ferious refleftions. From the day we marched from 
 Blandford I had hardly a moment I could call my own, almofl continually in motion ; 
 if I was fixed for a day, it was in the guard-room, a barrack, or an inn. Our difputes 
 confumed the little time I had left. Every letter, every memorial relative to them fell 
 to my fhare ; and .our evening conferences were ufed to hear all the morning hours 
 ftrike. At laft I got to Dover, and Sir Thomas left us for two months. The charm 
 was over, I was (Ick of fo hateful a fervice ; I was fettled in a comparatively quiet fitu- 
 ation. Once more I began to tafte the pleafure of thinking. 
 
 Recollefting fome thoughts I had formerly had in relation to the fyftem of Paganifm, 
 which I intended to make ufe of in my Eflay, I refolved to read Tully de Natura Deo- 
 lum, and finilhed it in about a month. I loft fome time before I could recover my 
 habit of application. 
 
 Oft. 23d.]— -Our firft delign was to march through Marlborough ; but finding 
 on inquiry that it was a bad road, and a great way about, we refolved to pufh for the 
 Devizes in one day, though nearly thirty miles. We accordingly arrived there about 
 three o'clock irt the afternoon. 
 
 Nov. ad.]— I have very little to fay for this and the following month. Nothing could 
 be more uniform than the life I led there. The little civility of the neighbouring 
 gentlemen gave us no opportunity of dining out ; the time of year did not tempt us to 
 any excurfions round the country -, and at firft my indolence, and afterwards a violent 
 cold, prevented my going over to Bath. I believe in the two months I never dined or 
 lay from quarters. I can therefore only fet down what I did in the literary way. De- 
 figning to recover my Greek, which I had fomewhat negle£ted, I fet myfelf to read 
 Homer, and finillied the four firft books of the Iliad, with Pope's tranflation and notes j 
 at the fame time, to underftand the geography of the Iliad, and particularly the cata- 
 logue, I read the 8th, 9th, loth, 12th, 13th, and 14th books of Strabo, in Cafau- 
 bon's Latin tranfiation : I likewife read Hume's Hlllory of England to the Reign of 
 Henry the Seventh, juft publiflied, ingenious but fiiperfcial ; and the Journals des S^avant 
 for Auguft, September, and Oftober 1761, with the Biblictheque des Sciences, &c. from 
 July to October : Both thefe Journals fpeak very handfomely of my book. 
 
 December
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITir^GS. 
 
 99 
 
 When I complain of the lofs of time, juftice to myfelf and to tlie 
 militia muft throw the greateft part of that reproach on the lirll 
 
 feven 
 
 December 25th, 1761.] — When, upon finifliing the year, I take a review of what 
 I have done, I am not diflatisfied with what I did in it, upon making proper 
 allowances. On the one hand, I could begin nothing before the middle of January. 
 The Deal duty loft me part of February ; although I was at Iiome part of March, and 
 all April, yet ele£tioneering is no friend to the Mufes. May, indeed, though diflipated 
 by our fea parties, was pretty quiet ; but June was abfolutely loft, upon the march, at 
 Alton, and fettling ourfelves in camp. The four fucceeding months in camp allowed 
 me little leifure, and lefs quiet. November and December were indeed as much my 
 own as any time can be whilft I remain in the militia ; but ftill it is, at beft, not a life 
 for a man of letters. However, in this tumultuous year, (befides fmaller things which 
 I have fet down,) I read four books of Homer in Greek, fix of Strabo in Latin, Cicero 
 de Natura Deorum, and the great philofophical and theological work of M. de Beau- 
 fobre : I wrote in the fame time a long differtation on the fuccedion of Naples ; re- 
 viewed, fitted for the prefs, and augmented above a fourth, my Eflai fur I'Etude de la 
 Litterature. 
 
 In the fix weeks I pafled at Beriton, as I never ftirred from it, every day was like 
 the former. I had neither vifits, hunting, or walking. My only refources were my- 
 felf, my books, and family converfations. — But to me thefe were great refources. 
 
 April 24th, 1762.] — I waited upon Colonel Harvey in the morning, to get him 
 to apply for me to be brigade major to Lord Effingham, as a poft I fliould be 
 very fond of, and for which I am not unfit. Harvey received me with great good- 
 nature and candour, told me he was both willing and able to ferve me ; that indeed he 
 had already applied to Lord Effingham for *****^ one of his own officers, and 
 though there would be more than one brigade major, he did not think he could pro- 
 perly recommend two ; but that if I could get fomc other perfon to break the ice, he 
 would fecond it, and believed he fhould fuccced r fhould that fail, as ***** vfas in 
 bad circumltances, he believed he could make a compromife with him (this was my 
 defire) to let me do the duty without pay. I went from him to the Mallets, who pro- 
 mifed to get Sir Charles Howard to fpeak to Lord Effingham. 
 
 Auguft 22d.] — I went with Ballard to the French church, where I heard a mod 
 indifferent fcrmon preached by M. ******. A very bad ftyle, a worfe pronun- 
 ciation and action, and a very great vacuity of ideas, compofed this excellent per- 
 formance. Upon the whole, which is preferable, the philofophic method of the 
 Englifh, or the rhetoric of the French preachers ? The firil (though lefs glorious) is 
 certainly fafer for the preacher. It is difficult tor a man to make Jiimfeif ridiculous, 
 who propofes only to deliver plain fenfe on a fubjeft he has thoroughly ftudicd. But 
 ihe inftant he difcovers the leaft pretenfions towards the fublime, or the pathetic, there 
 
 02 • is
 
 100 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 feven or eight months, while I was obliged to learn as well as to 
 teach. The dlffipation of Blandford, and the difputes of Portfmouth, 
 
 confumed 
 
 is no medium ; \vc mud either admire or laugh : and there are fo many various talents 
 requlfite to form the chara£ler of an orator, that it is more than probable we ftiaU 
 laugh. As to the advantage of the hearer, which ought to be the great confideration, the 
 dilemma is much greater. Excepting in fome particular cafes, where we are blinded 
 by popular prejudices, we are in general fo well acquainted with our duty, that it is 
 almoft fuperfluous to convince us of it. It is the heart, and not the head, that holds 
 out ; and it is certainly poffible, by a moving eloquence, to roufe the fleeping fentlmeuts 
 of that heart, and incite it to a£ls of virtue. Unluckily it is not fo much acls, as 
 liabits of virtue, we fliould have in view ; and the preacher who is inculcating, with 
 the eloquence of a Bourdaloue, the neceffity of a virtuous life, will difmifs his affembly 
 full of emotions, which a variety of other obje£ls, the coldnefs of our northern con- 
 llitutions, and no immediate opportunity of exerting their good refolutions, will diflV- 
 pate in a few moments. 
 
 Augufl; 24th.] — The fame reafon that carried fo many people to the affembly 
 to-night, was what kept me away ; I mean tlie dancing. 
 
 28th.] — To-day Sir Thomas came to us to dinner. The Spa has done him a great 
 deal of good, for he looks another man. Pleafed to fee him, we kept bumperizing till 
 after roll-calling ; Sir Thomas affuring us, every frefli bottle, how infinitely foberer 
 he was grown. 
 
 29th.] — I felt the ufual confequences of Sir Thomas's company, and loft a morn- 
 ing, becaufe I had lofh the day before. However, having finifiied Voltaire, I re- 
 turned to Le Clerc (I mean for the amufement of my leifure hours) ; and laid afide 
 for fome time his Bibliotkeque Univer-felle, to look into the Bibliitheque Choifie, which is 
 by far the better work. 
 
 September 23d.] — Colonel Wilkes, of the Buckinghamfhire militia, dined with us, 
 and renewed the acquaintance Sir Thomas and myfelf had begun with him at Reading. 
 T fcarcely ever met with a better companion ; he has inexhauftible fpirits, infinite wit 
 and humour, and a great deal of knowledge. He told us himfelf, that in this time of 
 public diffenfion he was refolved to make his fortune. Upon this principle he has con- 
 nedled himfelf clofely with Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt, commenced a public adverfary 
 to Lord Bute, whom he abufes weekly in the North Briton, and other political papers 
 in which he is concerned. This proved a very debauched day : we drank a good deal 
 both after dinner and fupper; and when at laft Wilkes had retired, Sir Thomas and 
 fome others (of whom I was not one) broke into his room, and made him drink a 
 bottle of claret in bed. 
 
 Oftober 5th.] — The review, which lafted about three honrs, concluded, as ufual, 
 with marching by Lord Effingham, by grand divifions. Upon the whole, con- 
 
 fiderinsr
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. loi 
 
 confumed the hours which were not employed in the field ; and 
 amid the perpetual hurry of an inn, a barrack, or a guard-room, all 
 
 literary 
 
 fulering the camp had done both the Winchefler and the Gofport duties all the 
 fummer, they behaved very well, and made a fine appearance. As they marched 
 by, I had my ufual curiofity to count their files. The following is my field return : I 
 think it a curiofity ; I am fare it is more exafl than is commonly made to a reviewing 
 gcneraL 
 
 Number of Files. 
 ■Din- t Grenadiers, lo 
 
 Battalion, 72 
 
 91 — 
 
 iir T?/r » Grenadiers, i c # 
 
 ^- ^Jf''' ^ Battalion. 80 ^ 95 
 
 o r-fn V Grenadiers, 20 7 
 
 S. Glojlcr, J Battalion, 84 5'°*^ ~ 
 
 N.Glopr, \ Grenadiers, 13 ? 5^ _ 
 
 ■^ ' I Battalion, 52 5 
 
 J f,. \ Grenadiers, 207 o 
 
 Lancafnre, J Battalion, 88 $ '°^ " 
 
 irr-t./L- V Grenadiers, 24 7 
 
 Wrltjhtre, J BattaJion, 120 1^44 - 
 
 Total, 607 
 
 Number of Men, 
 
 
 Eftablifliment. 
 
 273 
 
 — 
 
 560 
 
 285 
 
 — 
 
 480 
 
 312 
 
 — 
 
 600 
 
 '95 
 
 — 
 
 36® 
 
 324 
 
 — 
 
 Soo 
 
 432 
 
 ■—" 
 
 800 
 
 1821 
 
 3600 
 
 N. B. The Gofport detachment from the Lancafliire confifted of two hundred and 
 fifty men. The Buckinghamfhire took the Winchefler duty that day. 
 
 So that this camp in England, fuppofed complete, witli only one detachment, had 
 under arms, on the day of the grand review, little more than half their eftabliftiment. 
 This amazing deficiency (though exemplified in every regiment I have feen) is an 
 extraordinary military phoenomenon : what mud it be upon foreign fervice ? I doubt 
 whether a nominal army of an hundred thoufand men often brings fifty into the 
 field. 
 
 Upon our return to Southampton in the evening, we found Sir Thomas Worfley. 
 
 Oftober 2ifl:.] — One of thofe impulfes, which it is neither very eafy nor very 
 neceflary to withftand, drew me from Longinus to a very different fubject, the 
 Greek Calendar. Laft night, when in bed, I was thinking of a differtation of 
 M. dela Nauze upon the Roman calendar, which I read laft year. Tliis led me to 
 confider what was the Greek, and finding myfelf very ignorant of it, I determined 
 to read a (hort, but very excellent abftradt of Mr. Dodwell's book de Cyclis, by the 
 famous Dr. Halley. It is only twenty-five pages ; but as I meditated it thoroughly, 
 and verified all the calculations, it was a very good morning's work. 
 
 Oaober
 
 I02 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 literary Ideas were baiiifhed from my mind. After this long fad, 
 the longeft whicli I have ever known, I once more tafted at Dover 
 
 the 
 
 October 28th.] — I looked over a new Greek Lexicon which I have juft received 
 from London. It is that of Robert Conflantine, Lugdun. 1637. It is a very large 
 volume in folio, in two parts, comprifing in the whole 1785 pages. After the great 
 Thtfaurus, this is efteemed the beft Greek Lexicon. It feems to be fo. Of a variety 
 of words for which I looked, I always found an exa£l: definition ; the various fenfes 
 well diflinguiftied, and properly fupported, by the beft authorities. However, I ftill 
 prefer the radical method of Scapula to this alphabetical one. 
 
 December nth.] — I have already given au idea of the Gofport duty ; I fliall only add 
 a trait which charafterizes admirably our unthinking failors. At a time when they 
 knew that they (hould infallibly be difcharged in a few weeks, numbers, who had con- 
 fiderable wages due to them, were continually jumping over the walls, and rifquing 
 the lofing of it for a few hours amufement at Porcfmouth. 
 
 jMt]^ 1 "We found old Captain Meard at Alresford, with the fecond divifion of 
 
 the fouiteenth. He and all his officers fupped with us, and made the evening rather 
 a drunken one. 
 
 j8th.] About the fame hour our two corps paraded to march off. They, an old 
 
 corps of regulars, who had been two years quiet in Dover caftle. We, part of a 
 voung body of militia, two-thirds of our men recruits, of four months ftanding, two 
 of which they had pafled upon very difagreeable duty. Every advantage was on their 
 lide, and yet our fuperiority, both as to appearance and difcipline, was fo ftriking, 
 that the moft prejudiced regular could not have hefitated a moment. At the end of 
 the town our two companies feparated ; my father's ftruck off for Petersfield, whilft 
 I continued my rout to Alton ; into which place I marched my company about noon ; 
 two years fix months and fifteen days after my firft leaving it. I gave the men fome 
 beer at roll-calling, which they received with great cheerfulnefs and decency. I dined 
 and lay at Hairifon's, where I was received with that old-fafliioried breeding, which 
 is at once fo honourable and fo troublefome. 
 
 2Tci.l Our two companies were difembodied ; mine at Alton, and my father's at 
 
 Beriton. Smith marched them over from Petersfield : they fired three vollies, lodged 
 the major's colours, delivered up their arms, received their money, partook of a dinner 
 at the major's expence, and then feparated with great cheerfulnefs and regularity. 
 ■ Thus ended the militia ; I may fay ended, fince our annual affemblies in May are 
 10 very precarious, and can be of fo little ufe. However, our ferjeants and drums 
 are ftill kept up, and quartered at the rendezvous of their companyj and the adjutant 
 remains at Southampton in full pay. 
 
 2 As
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. J03 
 
 the pleafures of reading and thinking ; and the hungry appetite with 
 which I opened a volume of Tully's philofophical works is ftill 
 prefent to my memory. The laft review of my Effay before its pub- 
 lication, had prompted me to inveftigate the nature of the gods ; my 
 inquiries led me to the Hifloire Critique du Manicheifme of Beau~ 
 
 As this was an extraordinary fcene of life, in which I was engaged above three 
 years and a half from the date of my commifTion, and above tv/o years and a half 
 from the time of our embodying, I cannot take my leave of it without fome few reflec- 
 tions. When I engaged in it, I was totally ignorant of its nature and confequences. 
 I offered, becaufe my father did, without ever imagining that we fhould be called 
 out, till it was too late to retreat with honour. Indeed, I believe it happens through- 
 out, that our moft important aflions have been often determined by chance, caprice, 
 or fome very inadequate motive. After our embodying, many things contributed to 
 make me fuppoit it with great impatience. Our continual difputes with the duke of 
 Bolton ; our unfcttled way of life, which hardly allowed me books or leifure for ftudy •, 
 and more than all, the difagreeable fociety in which I was forced to live. 
 
 After mentioning my fufFerings, I muft fay fomething of what I found agreeable. 
 Now it is over, I can make the feparation much better than I could at the time. i. The 
 unfettled way of life'*itfelf had its advantages. The exeicife and change of air and of 
 objefls amufed me, at the fame time that it fortified my health. 2. A new field of 
 knowledge and amufement opened itfelf to me ; that of military aff^iirs, which, both in 
 my ftudies and travels, will give me eyes for a new world of things, which before would 
 have paffed unheeded. Indeed, in that refpeft I can hardly help wifliing our battalion 
 had continued another year. We had got a fine fet of new men, all our difliculties 
 v/ere over ; we were perfeftly well clothed and appointed ; and, from the progrefs our 
 recruits had already made, we could promife ourfelves that we fhould be one of the 
 beft militia corps by next fummer : a circumilance that would have been the more 
 agreeable to me, as I am now eftabliflied the real adling major of the battalion. But 
 what I value moft, is the knov/ledge it has given me of mankind in general, and of my 
 own country in particular. The general fyftem of our government, the methods of 
 our feveral offices, the departments and powers of their refpective officers, our pro- 
 vincial and municipal adminiftration, the views of our feveral parties, the charadlers, 
 connexions, and influence of our principal people, have been imprefled on my mind, 
 not by vain theory, but by the indelible lefTons of aftion and experience. I have 
 made a number of valuable acquaintance, and am myfelf much better known, than 
 (with my referved charafter) I fliould have been in ten years, pafFmg regularly my 
 fummers at Beriton, and my winters in London. So that the fum of all is, that I 
 am glad the militia has been, and glad that it is no more. 
 
 fobre,
 
 104 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 fobre, who difcufles many deep queftions of Pagan and Chrlftian 
 -theology : and from this rich treafury of fa£ts and opinions, I de- 
 duced my own confequences, beyond the holy circle of the author. 
 After this recovery I never relapfed into indolence ; and my ex- 
 ample might prove, that in the life mod averfe to ftudy, fome hours 
 may be flolen, fome minutes may be fnatched. Amidft the tumult 
 of Winchcfter camp I fometimes thought and read in my tent ; in 
 the more fettled quarters of the Devizes, Blandford, and South- 
 ampton, I always fecured a feparate lodging, and the neceffary books; 
 and in the fummer of 1762, while the new militia was raifmg, I 
 enjoyed at Beriton two or three months of literary repofe *. In 
 forming a new plan of ftudy, I hefitated between the mathematics 
 and the Greek language ; both of which I had negle£led fuice my 
 return from Laufanne. I confulted a learned and friendly mathe- 
 matician, Mr. George Scott, a pupil of de Moivre; and his map 
 of a country which I have never explored, may perhaps be more 
 ferviceable to others f . As foon as I had given the preference to 
 Greek, the example of Scaliger and my own reafon determined me 
 
 * Journal, May 8th, 1762.] — This was my birth-day, on which I entered into 
 the twenty-fixth year of my age. This gave me occafion to look a little into myfclf, 
 and confider impartially my good and bad qualities. It appeared to me, upon this 
 inquiry, that my charadler was virtuous, incapable of a bafe adlion, and formed for 
 generous ones ; but that it was proud, violent, and difagreeable in fociety. Thefe 
 qualities I mud endeavour to cultivate, extirpate, or reftrain, according to their dif- 
 ferent tendency. Wit I have none. My imagination is rather ftrong than pleafing. 
 My memory both capacious and retentive. The fliining qualitfes of my underftanding 
 are extenfivenefs and penetration ; but I want both quicknefs and exadlnefs. As to 
 my fituation in life, though I may fometimes repine at it, it perhaps is the befl 
 adapted to my character. I can command all the conveniencies of life, and I can 
 command too that independence, (that firfl earthly bleffing,) which is hardly to be met 
 with in a higher or lower fortune. When I talk of my fituation, I mufl exclude that 
 temporary one, of being in the militia. Though I go through it with fpirit and ap- 
 plication, it is both unfit for, and unworthy of me. 
 
 •j- See Appendix, Letter, N' XI. excelltnt, from Mr. Scott to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 on
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 105 
 
 on the choice of Homer, the father of poetry, and the Bible of the 
 ancients : but Scaliger ran through the lUad in one and twenty days ; 
 a.nd I was not diffatisfied with my own dihgence for performing the 
 fame labour in an equal number of weeks. After the firft difficulties 
 were furmounted, the language of nature and harmony foon became 
 eafy and familiar, and each day I failed upon the ocean with a 
 briflcer gale and a more fleady courfe. 
 
 'Ev ccvsy^o; TTpriTiv f/srov irtov, xf/.<pi de kuuoc 
 
 'H redsif y.uTa, y.vf/^x Sici7r^-^(r<rouToi KsXevScc'^. luas^ A. 481. 
 
 In the ftudy of a poet who has fmce become the moft intimate of 
 my friends, I fucceifively applied many pafTages and fragments of 
 Greek writers ; and among thefe I fhall notice a life of Homer, in 
 the Opufcula Mythologica of Gale, feveral books of the geography 
 of Strabo, and the entire ti-eatife of Longlnus, which, from the title 
 and the ftyle, is equally worthy of the epithet oi fublime. My 
 grammatical {kill was improved, my vocabulary was enlarged ; and 
 in the militia I acquired a juft and indelible knowledge of the firft of 
 languages. On every march, in every journey, Horace was always in 
 my pocket, and often in my hand : but I fhould not mention his two 
 critical epiftles, the amufement of a morning, had they not been accom- 
 panied by the elaborate commentary of Dr. Hurd, now Bifliop of Wor- 
 cefter. On the intereftlng fubjedls of compofition and imitation of epic 
 and dramatic poetry, I prefumed to think for myfelf ; and thirty clofe- 
 written pages in folio could fcarcely compiife my full and free difcuf- 
 fion of the fenfe of the mafter and the pedantry of the fervant f . 
 
 * • Fnir wind, and blowing frcfh, 
 
 Apollo fent them; quick they rear'd the mad, 
 
 Then fpread tli'uiifuHicd canvas to'the gale. 
 
 And the wind fdl'd it. Roar'd the fable flood 
 
 Around the bark, that ever as flie went 
 
 Dafli'd wide the brine, and fcudded fwift away. , Ot; rr:R's Homer. 
 
 4 See Vol. If. Mifcelkuicous Works. 
 VOL. I. P After
 
 io6 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 After his oracle Dr. Johnfon, my friend Sir Jofliua Reynolds dc' 
 nies all- original genius, any natural propenfity of the mind to one art 
 or fcience rather than another. Without engaging in a metaphyfical 
 or rather verbal difpute, I kiioiv^ by experience, that from my early 
 youth I afpired to the charafler of an hiftorian. While I ferved in 
 the militia, before and after the publication of my efl'iy, this idea, 
 xipened in my mind ; nor can I paint in more lively colours the 
 feelings of the moment, than by tranfcribing fome paflages, under 
 their refpedlive dates, from a journal w^hich I kept at that time. 
 
 Beriton, April \^^ 1761. 
 (In a fhort excurfion from Dover.) 
 
 " Having thought of feveral fubjedts for an hiftorical compofitioay 
 *' I chofe the expedition of Charles VIII. of France into Italy. I 
 *' read two memoirs of Mr. de Foncemagne in the Academy of In- 
 *' fcriptions (tom. xvii. p. 539 — 607.), and abftradted them. I 
 ** likewife finifhed this day a differtation, in which I examine the 
 " right of Charles VIII. to the crown of Naples, and the rival 
 " claims of the Houfe of Anjou and Arragon : it confiils of ten foliO' 
 *° pages, befides large notes *." 
 
 Benton^ Augiijl j^^ 1761. 
 (In a week's excurfion from Winchefter camp.) 
 
 ** After having long revolved fubjeds for my intended hiftorical 
 " eflay, I renounced my firft thought of the expedition of Charles 
 " VIII. as too remote from us, and rather an introdudlion to great 
 " events, than great and important in itfelf. I fucceffively chofe 
 " and rejedtcd the crufade of Richard the Firft, the barons' wars 
 " againft John and Henry the Third, the hiftory of Edward the 
 *' Black Prince, the lives and comparifons of Henry V. and the Em- 
 *' peror Titus, the life of Sir Philip Sidney, and that of the Marquis. 
 " of Montrofe. At length I have fixed on Sir Walter Raleigh for 
 
 » See Vol. 11. p. 6. 
 
 *' my
 
 iMY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 107 
 
 *' my hero. His eventful ftory is varied by the characters of the 
 " foldier and failor, the courtier and hiftoriaa ; and it may afford 
 " fuch a fund of materials as I defire, which have not yet been pro- 
 " perly manufadtured. At prefent I cannot attempt the execution 
 " of this work. Free leifure, and the opportunity of confulting 
 " many books, both printed and maaufcinpt, are as neceflary as 
 " they are impoffible to be attained in my prefent way of life. 
 *' However, to acquire a general infight into my fubjedl and re- 
 " fources, I read the life of Sir Walter Raleigh by Dr. Birch, his 
 " copious article in the General Didlionary by the fame hand, and 
 " the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and James the Firll in Hume's 
 " Hiftory of England." 
 
 Beritoti^ January lyGz. 
 (In a month's abfence from the Devizes.) 
 
 " During this interval of repofe, I again turned my thoughts to 
 
 *' Sir Walter Raleigh, and looked more clofely into my materials. 
 
 " I read the two volumes in quarto of the Bacon Papers, publiihed 
 
 " by Dr. Birch ; the Fragmenta Regalia of Sir Robert Naunton, 
 
 " Mallet's Life of Lord Bacon, an-d the political treatifes of that 
 
 *' great man in the firft volume of his works, with many of his 
 
 *' letters in the fecond ; Sir William Monfon's Naval Trad;s, and the 
 
 " elaborate Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, which Mr. Oldys has prefixed 
 
 " to the beft edition of his Hiftory of the World. My fubjedl opens 
 
 " upon me, and in general improves upon a nearer profpedt.." 
 
 Berifofi, July 26, 1 762. 
 (During my fummer refidence.) 
 
 " I am afraid of being reduced to drop my hero ; but my time 
 
 ■" has not, however, been loft in the refearch of his ftory, and of a 
 
 *' memorable a;ra of our Englifli annals. The Life of Sir Walter 
 
 *' Raleigh, by Oldys, is a very poor performance ; a fervile pane- 
 
 ■" gyric, or flat apology, tedioufly minute, and compofed in a dull 
 
 P 2 " and
 
 io8 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 '* and afictflcd ftyle. Yet the author was a man of diligence and 
 " learning, who had read every thing relative to his fubjedt, and 
 " whofe ample collcdions are arranged with perfpicuity and method. 
 " Excepting' fome anecdotes lately revealed in the Sidney and Bacon 
 " Papers, I know not what I fhould be able to add. My ambition 
 " (exclufive of the uncertain merit of ftyle and fentiment) muft be 
 " confined to the hope of giving a good abridgment of Oldys. I 
 " I have even the difappointment of finding fome parts of this 
 *' copious work very dry and barren ; and thefe parts are unluckily 
 " fome of the moft charadleriftic : Raleigh's colony of Virginia, his 
 " quarrels with Effex, the true fecret of his confpiracy, and, above 
 " all, the detail of his private life, the moft elfential and important 
 " to a biographer. My beft refource would be in the circumjacent 
 " hiftory of the times, and perhaps in fome digreffions artfully in- 
 " troduced, like the fortunes of the Peripatetic philofophy in the 
 " portrait of Lord Bacon. But the reigns of Elizabeth and James 
 " the Firft are the periods of Englifti hiftory, which have been the 
 *' moft varioufly illuftrated : and what new lights could I refledl; on 
 " a fubjed, which has exercifed the accurate induftry of Birch^ the 
 " lively and curious acutenefs of Walpole, the critical fpirit of Hind, 
 " the vigorous fenfe of Mallet and Rohertfon^ and the impartial 
 " philofophy of Hume? Could I even furmount thefe obftacles, 
 " I Ihould ftirink with terror from the modern hiftory of England, 
 " where every charader is a problem, and every reader a friend 
 " or an enemy ; where a writer is fuppofed to hoift a flag of party, 
 *' and is devoted to damnation by the adverfe fadlion. Such would 
 " be my reception at home : and abroad, the hiftorian of Raleigh 
 " muft encounter an indifference far more bitter than cenfure or 
 •' reproach. The events of his life are interefting ; but his cha- 
 " rader is ambiguous, his adlions are obfcure, his writings are 
 *' Englifti, and his fame is confined to the narrow limits of our 
 *' language and our ifland. I muft embrace a fafer and more ex- 
 « tenfive theme. ,, ^j^^^^
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 109 
 
 " There is one which I fhould prefer to all others, *The Hljlory 
 " of the Liberty of the S%vfs, of that independence which a brave 
 " people refcued from the Houfe of Auftria, defended againft a 
 " Dauphin of France, and finally fealed with the blood of Charles 
 " of Burgundy. From fuch a theme, fo full of public fpirlt, of 
 " military glory, of examples of virtue, of leffons of government, 
 " the dulleft flranger would catch fire : what might not / hope, 
 " whole talents, whatfoever they may be, would be inflamed with 
 " the zeal of patriotifm. But the materials of this hiftory are in- 
 " acceflible to me, foil locked in the obfcurity of an old barbarous 
 " German diale<fl, of which I am totally ignorant, and which I 
 " cannot refolve to learn for this fole and peculiar purpofe. 
 
 " I have another fubjed in view, which is the contraft of the 
 " former hiftory ; the one a poor, warlike, virtuous republic, which 
 " emerges into glory and freedom ; the other a commonwealth, foft, 
 " opulent, and corrupt ; which, by juft degrees, is precipitated from 
 " the abufe to the lofs of her liberty : both leffons are, perhaps, 
 " equally inftruaive. This fecond fubjed is, I'he HiJlory of the 
 " RepubUc of Florence^ under the Hoife of Medicis : a period of one 
 " hundred and fifty years, which rifes or defcends from the dregs of 
 " the Florentine democracy, to the title and dominion of Cofmo de 
 " Medicis in the Grand Duchy of Tufcany. I might deduce a 
 " chain of revolutions not unworthy of the pen of Vertot ; fino-ular 
 " men, and fingular events ; the Medicis four times expelled, and 
 " as often recalled ; and the Genius of Freedom reludantiy yielding- 
 " to the arms of Charles V. and the policy of Cofmo. The cha- 
 "•' rader and fate of Savanerola, and the revival of arts and letters in 
 " Italy, will be effentially conneded with the elevation of the family 
 " and the foil of the republic. The Medicis (ftirps quafi fataliter 
 " nata ad inftauranda vel fovenda ftudia (Lipfius ad Germanos et 
 " Gallos, Epift. viii.) were illuftrated by the patronage of learning ; 
 " and enthufiafm was the moft formidable weapon of their adver- 
 
 " faries.
 
 no MEMOIRS OF 
 
 " faries. On this fplcndid fubjed I fliall moft probably fi:c ; bul. 
 ^ ijoheii^ or where^ or how will it be executed ? I behold in a dark 
 «' and doubtful pcrfpectivc." 
 
 Kco alia terra, et caligine uierfas *. 
 
 The 
 
 * Journal, July 27, 1752.]— 'i lie refleclions which I was making ycfterday 
 1 continued and di;_'elled to-duy. I don't abfolutely look on that time as loft, but 
 that it might have been better employed than in revolving fchemes, the execution of 
 which is fo far diftant. I muft learn to check thefe wanderings of my imagination. 
 
 Nov. 24.3 — I dined at the Cocoa Tree with ****** -, who, under a great ap- 
 pearance of ocUity, conceals more real honour, good fenfe, and even knowledge, 
 tiian iialf thofe who laugh at him. We went thence to the play (the Spanifli Friar); 
 and when it was over, returned to the Cocoa Tree. That refpeftable body, of which 
 I have the honour of being a member, aiFords every evening a fight truly Englifli. 
 Twenty or thirty, perhaps, of the firft men in the kingdom, in point of fafliion and for- 
 tune, fupping at little tables covered with a napkin, in the middle of a coffee-room, 
 upon a bit of cold meat, or a Sandwich, and drinking a glafs of punch. At prefent, 
 v-e are full of king's counfellors and lords of the bedchamber *, who, having jumped 
 into the miniftry, make a very fmgular medley -of iheir old principles and language, 
 with their modern ones. 
 
 Nov. 26.]— I went with Mnllet to breakfaft with Garrick ; and thence to Drury- 
 lane Houfe, where I afhfted at a very private rehearfal, in the Green-room, of a 
 new tiagedy of Mallet's, called Elvira. As I have fmce feen it afted, I (hall 
 defer m^ opinion of it till then ; but I cannot help mentioning here the furprifing 
 verfatlHty of Mrs. Prltchard's talents, who rehearfed, almoft at the fame time, the part 
 of a furious cjueen In the Green-room, and that of a coquette on the ftage j and pafTed 
 feveral times from one to the other with tlie utmoft eafe and happlnefs. 
 
 Dec. 30.3— Before I clofe the year I mufl balance my accounts — not of money, 
 but of time. 1 may divide my ftudies into four branches: i. Books that I have 
 read for themfelves, claffic writers, or capital treatifes upon any fcience ; fuch books 
 as ought to be perufed with attention, and meditated with care. Of thefe I read the 
 twenty laji books of the Iliad twice, the three Jirji boohs of the Odyjfey, the Life of Hotner^ 
 and Longinus ws^i t^ou;. 2. Books which I have read, or confulted, to illuftrate the 
 former. Such as this year, B/nckwall's Inquiry into the Life and JVritings of Ho:ner^ 
 Burke's Sublime and Beautiful, Hurd's Horace, Guichard's Memoires Illilitaires, a great va- 
 riety of paflages of the ancients occafionally ufeful : hrgc e\tYaQ.s from Mezeriac, Bay/e, 
 and Potter; and many memoirs and abftratls from the Acadevty of Belles Lettres : among 
 thefe I fliall only mention here two long and curious fuites of dlfTertations — the one 
 upon the Temple of Delphi, the Amphiclyonic Council, and the Holy Wars, by M. M. Har- 
 dion and dc Valoisj the other upon the Games of the Grecians, by M.dJ. Burette, Gedcyne, 
 
 and
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. in 
 
 The youthful habits of the language and manners of France had 
 ieft in my mind an ardent defire of revifiting the Continent on a 
 larger and more liberal plan. According to the law of cuflom, and 
 perhaps of reafon, foreign travel completes the education of an 
 Englilli gentleman : my father had confented to my wifli, but I was 
 detained above four years by my rafli engagement in the militia. I 
 eagerly gi-afped the firft moments of freedom : three or four weeks in 
 Hampfhire and London were employed in the preparations of my 
 journey, and the farewell vifits of friendfhip and civility ; my laft 
 ad in town was to applaud Mallet's new tragedy of Elvira f ; a poft- 
 
 chaife 
 
 and de la Barre. 3. Books of amufement and inftruftioii, perufed at my leifure hours, 
 without any reference to a regular plan of ftudy. Of thefe, perhaps, I read too many, 
 fince I went through the Life of Erafmus, by Le Clerc and Burigny, many extradls 
 from LeClerc^s Bibliotbcques, The Ciceroiiianus, and Collcqicks of Erafmus^ Barclay's jir- 
 geiiis, Terajfon's Sethos, Voliaire's Siecle de Lcuis XIV. Madame de Mottevil!e''s Jllei/ioirf, 
 and Fontenellis IFarks. 4. Compofitions of my own. I find hardly any, except this 
 Joiirr.a!, and the Extract of Hard' s Horace^ which (like a chapter of Montaigne) con- 
 tains n-.p.ny things very different from its title. To thefe four heads I mufl this year 
 add a fifth. 5. Thofe treatifes of Englilh hillory which 1 read in January, with a view 
 to my now abortive fcheme of the Lfe of Sir Walter Raleigh, I ought indeed to have 
 known my own mind better before I undertook them. Upon the whole, after making 
 proper allowances, I am not diflatisfied v/ith the year. 
 
 The three weeks which I pafled at Berlton, at the end of this and the begirmiiig of 
 the enfuing year, are almoft a blank. I feldom went out ; and as the fcheme of my 
 travelling was at laft entirely fettled, the hurry of impatience, the cares of preparations, 
 and the tendernefs of friends I was going to quit, allowed me hardly any moments for 
 fludy. 
 
 '-} Journal, January nth, 1763.] — I called upon Dr. Maty in the morning. 
 He tokl me that the Duke de Nivernois defired to be acquainted with me. It was in- 
 deed with that view that I had written to INLity from Beriton to prefent, in my name, 
 a copy of my book to him. Thence I vi'ent to Becket, paid him his hill, (fifty-four 
 pounds,) and gave him back his tranflation. It muft be printed, though very indif- 
 ferent. My comfort is, that my misfortune is not an uncommon one. We dined 
 and fupped at the Mallets. 
 
 1 2th. I went with Maty to vifit the Duke in Albemarle Street. He is a little 
 
 emaciated figure, but appears to poffefs a good underftanding, tafte and know- 
 
 8 ledge.
 
 112 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 chalfe conveyed me to Dover, the packet to Boulogne, and fuch was 
 my diligence, that I reached Paris on the 28th of January 1763, 
 only thirty-fix days after the difbanding of the militia. Tw^o or 
 three years v\'ere loofely defined for the term of my abfencc ; and I 
 was left at liberty to fpend that time in fuch places and in fuch a 
 manner as was moft agreeable to my tafte and judgment. 
 
 ledge. He offered me vtry politely letters for Paris. "We dined at our lodgings. I 
 went to Covent Garden to fee Woodward in Bobadil, and fupped with the Mallets at 
 George Scott's. 
 
 Journal, Jan. iptli, 1763.] — I waited upon LadyHervey and the Duke dc Niver- 
 nois, and received my credentials. Lady Hervey's are for M. le Comte de Caylus, and 
 Madame Geoffrln. The Duke received me civilly, but (perhaps through Maty's fault) 
 treated me more as a man of letters than as a man of fafhion. His letters a.\ entirely 
 iu that ftyle; for the Count de Caylus and M.M. de la Bleterie, de S" Talaye, Ca- 
 peronier, du Clos, de Forcemagne, and d'Alembert. I then undrefled for the play. 
 My father and I went to the Rofe, in the paflage of the play-houfe, where we found 
 Mallet, with about thirty friends. We dined together, and went thence into 
 the pit, where we took our places in a body, ready to filence all cppofition. How- 
 ever, we had no occafion to exert ourfelvcs. Notwithltanding the malice of party. 
 Mallet's nation, connexions, and, indeed, imprudence, we heard nothing but ap- 
 plaufe. I think it was deferved. The plan was borrowed from de la Motte, but the 
 details and language have great merit. A fine vein of dramatic poetry runs through 
 the piece. The fcenes between the father and fon awaken almoft every fenfation of 
 the human bread -, and the counfel would have equally moved, but for the inconve- 
 nience unavoidable upon all theatres, that of entrufting line fpeeches to indifferent 
 atVors. The perplexity of the cataftrophe is much, and I believe juftly, criticifed. 
 But another defeft made a ftronger imprcffion upon me. When a poet ventures 
 upon the dreadful fituation of a father wlio condemns his Ion to death, there 
 [s no medium, the father mud either be a monfter or a hero. His obligations of 
 iuftice, of the public good, mud be as binding, as apparent, as perliaps thofe of the 
 rirft Brutus. The cruel neceffity confecrates his adlions, and leaves no room for re- 
 pentance. The thought is fliocking, if not carried into adion. In the execution of 
 Brutus's fens I am fenfible of that fatal neceffity. Without fuch an example, the 
 unfettlcd liberty of Rome would iiave periflicd the inflant after its birtli. But Alonzo 
 might have pardoned his ion for a radi attempt, the caufe of which was a private in- 
 iurv, and whcfe ccnfequcnce,^ could never have difturbed an eftablifiied government. 
 He iTiight have pardoned fuch a ciime in any other fubjeft ; and as the laws could exaci 
 *)nly an equal rigour for a fon, a vain appetite for glory, arid a mad affectation of he- 
 roifm, could alone have iniluenced him to exert an unequal ai)d fuperior fev'erity. 
 
 7 ^"
 
 iMY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 113 
 
 In this firft vifit I pafled three months and a half, (January 28 
 — May 9,) and a much longer Ipace might have been agreeably 
 filled, without any intercourfe with the natives. At home we are 
 content to move in the daily round of pleafure and bufinefs ; and a 
 fcene which is always prefent is fuppofed to be within our know- 
 ledge, or at leaft within our power. But in a foreign country, cu- 
 riofity is our bufinefs and our pleafure ; and the traveller, confcious 
 of his ignorance, and covetous of his time, is diligent in the fearch 
 and the view of every object that can deferve his attention. I de- 
 voted many hours of the morning to the circuit of Paris and the 
 neighbourhood, to the vifit of churches and palaces confpicuous by 
 their architedlure, to the royal manufactures, colledions of books 
 and pictures, and all the various treafures of art, of learning, and of 
 luxury. An Englifhman may hear without reluctance, that in thefe 
 curious and coftly articles Paris is fuperior to London ; fince the opu- 
 lence of the French capital arifes from the defeCts of its government 
 and religion. In the abfence of Louis XIV. and his fucceflbrs, the 
 Louvre has been left unfiniflied : but the millions which have been 
 lavifhed on the fands of Verfailles, and the morafs of Marli, could 
 not be fupplied by the legal allowance of a Britifh king. The fplen- 
 dour of the French nobles is confined to their town refidence ; that 
 of the Englifh is more ufefully diflributed in their country feats ; 
 and we fhould be aftonifhed at our own riches, if the labours of 
 architecture, the fpoils of Italy and Greece, which are now fcattered 
 from Inverary to Wilton, were accumulated in a few ftreets between 
 Marybone and Weftminfter. All fuperfluous ornament is rejeCled 
 by the cold frugality of the proteftants ; but the catholic fuperfti- 
 tion, which is always the enemy of reafon, is often the parent of 
 the arts. The wealthy communities of priefts and monks expend 
 their revenues in ftately edifices ; and the parifh church of St. Sul- 
 pice, one of the nobleft ftruCtures in Paris, was built and adorned 
 
 VOL. I. 0^ jjy
 
 114 MEMOIRS or 
 
 by the private induftry of a late cure. In this outfet, and ftill more 
 in the fequci of my tour, my eye was amufed ; but the pleafjng 
 vifion cannot be fixed Ky the pen ; the particular images are darkly 
 feen through the medium of five-and-twenty years, and the nar- 
 rative of my life muft not degenerate into a book of travels *. 
 
 But the principal end of my journey was to enjoy the fociety 
 of a poliflied and amiable people, in wdiofe favour I was ftrongly 
 prejudiced, and to converfe with fome authors, whofe converfation, 
 as I fondly imagined, muft be far more pleafing and inftrudive than 
 their writings. The moment was happily chofen. At the clofe of 
 ^ fuccefsful war the Britifli name was refpeded on the continent. 
 
 Clarum et venerabile nomen 
 Gentibus. 
 Our opinions, our fafhions,. even our games, were adopted in 
 France, a ray of national glory illuminated each individual, and 
 every Englishman was fuppofed to be born a patriot and a philofo- 
 pher. For myfelf, I carried a perfonal recommendation ; my name and , 
 
 my ElUiy were already known ; the compliment of having written in 
 
 "* Journal, 21 Fcvrier 1763.] — Aujourdhui j'ai commence ma tournee, pour voir 
 les emiroits dignes d'attention dans la ville. D'Augny m'a accompagne. Nous 
 ibmmes alles d'abord a la bibliotheque de I'Abbaye de St. Germain des Pvez, oii tout le 
 monde etoit occupe a I'arrangement d'un cabinet de curiofites, et a I'hopital des in- I 
 
 valides, ou le dome etoit ferme a caufe des reparations qu'on y faifoit. II faut done 
 differer la vifite et la defcription de ces deux endroits. De la nous fommes alles voir I'ecole 
 militaire. Comme ce batiment s'eleve a. cote des Invalides, bien des gens y verroient un 
 moven afiez facile d'apprecier les ames diffcrentes de leurs fondateurs. Dans I'uu 
 tout eft grand et faftueux, dans I'autre tout eft petit et mefquin. De petits corps de 
 logis bl^ncs et afTez propres, qui, aulieu de 500 gentilfliom.mes, dont on a parle, en con- 
 tiennent 258, compofent tout I'etabliflement ; carle manege et les ecuries ne font rien. 
 II eft vrai qu'on dit que ces batimens ne font qu'un echaffaudage, qu'on doit oter, pour 
 elcver le veritable ouvrage fur ces debris. II faut bien en efFet qu'on n'ait pas bati 
 pour I'eternite, puifque dans vingt ans la plupart des poutres fe font pourries. Nous 
 jettames enfuite un coup d'oeil fur I'eglife de St. Sulpice, dont la facade (le pretexte 
 tft le fruit de tant de lotteries) n'eft point encore achevce. 
 
 6 the 
 
 1
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 115 
 
 the French language entitled me to fome returns of civility and 
 gratitude. I was confidered as a man of letters, who wrote 
 for amufement. Before my departure I had obtained from the 
 Duke de Nivernois, Lady Hervey, the Mallets, Mr. Walpole, &c. 
 many letters of recommendation to their private or literary friends. 
 Of thefe epiftles the reception and fucccfs were determined by 
 the character and fituation of the perfons by whom and to whom 
 they were addrefTed : the feed was fometimes caft on a barren 
 rock, and it fometimes multiplied an hundred fold in the pro- 
 dudllon of new flioots, fpreading branches, and exquifite fruit. 
 But upon the whole, I had reafon to praife the national urbanity, 
 which from the court has diffufed its gentle influence to the fhop, 
 the cottage, and the fchools. Of the men of genius of the age, 
 Montefquieu and Fontenelle were no more ; Voltaire refided on his 
 own eftate near Geneva ; Roufleau In the preceding year had been 
 driven from his hermitage of Montmorency ; and I blufh at my 
 having negled:ed to feek, in this journey, the acquaintance of Buffon. 
 Among the men of letters whom I faw, D'Alembert and Diderot 
 held the foremoft rank in merit, or at leaft in fame. I fliall content 
 myfelf with enumerating the well-known names of the Count de 
 Caylus, of the Abbe de la Bleterie, Barthelemy, Reynal, Arnaud, 
 of Meffieurs de la Condamlne, du Clos, de S''^ Palaye, de Bougainville, 
 Caperonnier, de Gulgnes, Suard, &c. without attempting to difcrl- 
 mlnate the fliades of their charadters, or the degrees of our connec- 
 tion. ^ Alone, In a morning vifit, I commonly found the artifts and 
 authors of Paris lefs vain, and more reafonable, than in the circles 
 of their equals, with whom they mingle In the houfes of the rich. 
 Four days in a week I had a place, without invitation, at the hof- 
 pitable tables of Mefdames GeofFrIn and du Bocage, of the cele- 
 brated Helvetius, and of the Baron d'OIbach. In thefe fympofia 
 the pleafures of the table were Improved by lively and liberal con- 
 
 CL 2 verfation ;
 
 „6 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 verfatlon; the company was feled, though various and volun- 
 tary *. 
 
 The fociety of Madame du Bocage was more foft and moderate 
 than that of her rivals, and the evening converfations of M. de 
 Foncemagne were fupported by the good fenfe and learning of the 
 principal members of the Academy of Infcriptions. The opera and 
 the Italians I occafionally vifited ; but the French theatre, both in 
 
 * Journal, Fevrier 23, 1763.]— Je fis une vifite a I'Abbe de la Bleterie, qui veut 
 me mener chez la Duchefle d'Aiguillon ; je me fis ecrire chez M. de Bougainville 
 que j'ai grande envie de coniioitre, et me rendis enfuite chez le Baron d'Olbach, ami de 
 M. Helvetius. C'etoit ma premiere vifite, et le premier pas dans une fort bonne maifon. 
 Le Baron a de I'efprit et des connoiffances, et furtout il donne fouvent et fort bien a 
 diner. 
 
 Fevrier 24.]— L' Abbe Barthelemy eft fort aimable et n'a de I'antiquaire qu'unc 
 tres grande erudition. Je finis la foiree par un fouper tres agreable chez Madame 
 Eontems avec M. le Marquis de Mirabeau. Cet homme eft fingulier ; il a affez d'ima- 
 eination pour dix autres, et pas affez de fens raffis pour lui feul. Je lui ai fait beau- 
 coup de queftions fur les litres de la nobkffe Francoife ; mais tout ce que j'en ai pu com- 
 prendre, c'eft que perfonne n'a la deffus des idees bien nettes. 
 
 Mai 1763.]— Muni d'une double lettre de recommandation pour M. le Comte dc 
 Caylus, je m'etois imagine que je trouverois reunis en lui I'homme de lettres et 
 rhomme de qualite. Je le vis trois ou quatre fois, et je vis un homme fimple, uni, 
 bon, et qui me temoignoit une bonte extreme. Si je n'en ai point profite, je I'attribue 
 moins a fon caraclere qu'a fon genre de vie. II fe leve de grand matin, court les 
 atteliers des artiftes pendant tout le jour, et rentre chez lui a fix heurs du foi'r 
 pour fe mettre en robe de chambre, et s'enfermer dans fon cabinet. Le moyen de voir 
 fes amis ? 
 
 Si ces recommendations etoient fteriles, il y en eut d'autres que devinrent aufll 
 fecondes par leurs fuites, qu'elles etoient agreables en elles memes. Dans une capitale 
 comme Paris, il eft neceffaire, il eft jufte que des lettres de recommendation- vous 
 ayent diftingue de la foule. Mais defque la glace eft rompue, vos connoiffances fe 
 multiplieiit, et vos nouveaux amis fe font un plaifir de vous en procurer d'autres plus 
 nouveaux encore. Heureux effet de ce caraftere leger et aimable du Francois, qui a 
 etabli dans Paris une douceur et une liberie dans la fociete, inconnues a Tantiquite, et 
 encore ignorees des autres nations. A Londres il faut faire fon chemin dans les 
 maifons que ne s'ouvrent qu'avec peine. La on croit vous faire plaifir en vous rece- 
 vant. Ici on croit s'en faire a foi-meme. Auffi je connois plus de maifons a Paris 
 ou'a Londres : le fait n'eft pas vraifemblable, mais il eft vrai. 
 
 tragedy
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 117 
 
 tragedy and comedy, was my daily and favourite amufement. Two 
 famous adlrefles then divided the public applaufe. For my own 
 part, I preferred the confummate art of the Clairon, to the intem- 
 perate fallies of the Dumefnil, which were extolled by her admirers, 
 as the genuine voice of nature and paffion. Fourteen weeks in- 
 fenfibly ftole away ; but had I been rich and independent, I fhould 
 have prolonged, and perhaps have fixed, my refidence at Paris. 
 
 Between the expenfive ftyle of Paris and of Italy it was prudent 
 to interpofe fome months of tranquil fimplicity ; and at the thoughts 
 of Laufanne I again lived in the pleafures and ftudies of my early 
 youth. Shaping my courfe through Dijon and Befanfon, in the 
 laft of which places I was kindly entertained by my coufin Adon, I 
 arrived in the month of May 1763 on the banks of the Leman 
 Lake. It had been my intention to pafs the Alps in the autumn, 
 but fuch are the fimple attra£lions of the place, that the year had 
 almoft expired before my departure from Laufanne in the enfuing 
 fpring. An abfence of five years had not made much alteration in 
 manners, or even in perfons. My old friends, of both fexes, hailed 
 my voluntary return j the moft genuine proof of my attachment. 
 They had been flattered by the prefent of my book, the produce of 
 their foil ; and the good Pavilliard ihed tears of joy as he embraced 
 a pupil, whofe literary merit he might fairly impute to his own 
 labours. To my old lift I added fome new acquaintance, and among 
 the ftrangers I fhall diftinguifh Prince Lewis of Wirtemberg, the 
 brother of the reigning Duke, at whofe country-houfe, near Lau- 
 fanne, I frequently dined : a wandering meteor, and at length a 
 falling ftar, his light and ambitious fpirit had fucceflively dropped 
 from the firmament of PrufTia, of France, and of Auftria ; and his 
 faults, which he ftiled his misfortunes, had driven him into phllofo- 
 phic exile in the Pais de Vaud. He could now moralize on the va- 
 nity of the world, the equality of mankind, and the happinefs of 
 a private ftation. His addrefs was affable and polite, and as he had 
 2. flione
 
 ii8 ' MEMOIRS OF 
 
 fhone in courts and armies, his memory could lupply, and his elo- 
 quence could adorn, a copious fund of interefting anecdotes. His 
 firft enthuliafm was that of charity and agriculture ; but the fage 
 gradually lapfed in the faint, and Prince Lewis of Wirtemberg is 
 now buried in a hermitage near Mayence, in the laft ftage of myftic 
 devotion. By fome ecclefiaftical quarrel, Voltaire had been pro- 
 voked to withdraw himfelf from Laufanne, and retire to his caftiv: 
 at Fernev, where I again vifited the poet and the adtor, without 
 feeking his more intimate acquaintance, to which I might now have 
 pleaded a better title. But the theatre which he had founded, the 
 aftors whom he had formed, fiu-vived the lofs of their mafter ; and 
 recent from Paris, I attended with pleafure at the reprefentation of 
 feveral tragedies and comedies. I fliall not defcend to fpecify par- 
 ticular names and charaders ; but I cannot forget a private inftitu- 
 tion, which will difplay the innocent freedom of Swifs manners. 
 My favourite' foclety had affumed, from the age of its members, the 
 proud denomination of the fpring (la focietc du printems). It 
 confided of fifteen or twenty young unmarried ladies, of genteel, 
 though not of the very firft families ; the eldefl: perhaps about 
 twenty, all agreeable, feveral handfome, and two or three of ex- 
 quifite beauty. At each other's houfes they afiembled almoft every day, 
 without the controul, or even the prefence, of a mother or an aunt; 
 they were trufted to their own prudence, among a crowd of young 
 men of every nation in Europe. They laughed, they fung, they 
 danced, they played at cards, they a<3:ed comedies ; but in the midft 
 of this carelefs gaiety, they refpefted themfelves, and were refpefted 
 by the men ; the invifible line between liberty and licentioufnefs was 
 never trangrefied by a gefture, a word, or a look, and their virgin 
 chaftity was never fullied by the breath of fcandal or fufpicion. A 
 fmgular inftitution, expreffive of the innocent fimplicity of Swifs man- 
 ners. After having tafted the luxury of England and Paris, I could not 
 have returned with fatisfaQion to the coarfe and homely table of Ma- 
 dame
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. iiy 
 
 dame Pavillbrd ; nor was her hufband ofiended that I now entered my- 
 Iclf as z.petiftoiiatrc^ or boarder, in the elegant houfeof Mr. DeMefery 
 which may he entitled to a fliort remembrance, as it has flood above 
 twenty yciU's, perhaps, without a parallel in Europe. The houfe in 
 which we lodged was fpacious and convenient, in the beft ftreet, and 
 commanding, from behind, a noble profpcd: over the country and the 
 Lake. Our table was fervedwith neatnefs and plenty j the boarders 
 were feleft ; we had the liberty of inviting any guefts at a dated 
 price ; and in the fummer the fcene was cccafionally transferred to 
 a pleafant villa, about a league from Laufanne. The characters of 
 Mafter and Miftrefs were happily fuited to each other, and to their 
 fituation. At the age of feventy-five, Madame de Mefery, who 
 has furvived her hufband, is ftlU a graceful, I had almoft faid a 
 handfome woman. She was alike qualified to prefide in her kitchen 
 and her drawing-room ; and fuch was the equal propriety of her con- 
 duct, that of two or three hundred foreigners, none ever failed in 
 refpeft, none could complain of her negle£l, and none could ever 
 boaft of her favour. Mefery himfelf, of the noble family of De 
 Croufaz, was a man of the world, a jovial companion, whofe eafy 
 manners and natural fallies maintained the cheerfulnefs of his houfe. 
 His wit could laugh at his own ignorance : he difguifed, by an air 
 of profufion, a fi:ri<f:i attention to his intereft ; and in this fitu- 
 ation, he appeared like a nobleman who fpent his fortune and enter- 
 •tained his friends. In this agreeable fociety I refided nearly eleven 
 months (May 1763 — April 1764) ; and in this fecond vifit to Lau- 
 fanne, among a crowd of my Englifh companions, I knew and 
 efteemed Mr. Holroyd (now Lord Sheffield) ; and our mutual at- 
 tachment was renewed and fortified in the fubfequent ftages of our 
 Italian joui-ney. Our lives are in the power of chance, and a flight 
 variation on either fide, in time or place, might have deprived me 
 of a friend, whofe at^ivity in the ardour of youth was always 
 
 prompted
 
 I20 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 prompted by a benevolent heart, and direded by a ftrong under- 
 
 llanding *. 
 
 If 
 
 * Journal, Septembre 16, 1763.]—***** et **«* nous out quitte. Le premier 
 cfl une mechante bete, groffier, ignorant, et fans ufage du monde. Sa violence lui a 
 fait vingt mauvaifes affaires ici. On vouloit cependant lui faire entreprendre le voyage 
 d'ltalie, mais **** refufant de I'y accompagner, on a pris le partie de le rapeller en 
 Angleterre en le faifant pafler par Paris. **** eft philofophe, et fort inftruit, mais 
 froid et nuUcment homme d'efprit. II eft las de courir le monde avec des jeunes foux. 
 Apres avoir rendu celui-ci a fa famille, il compte venir chcrcher le repos et la re- 
 traite dans ce pays. Qu'il a raifon ! 
 
 Septembre ai"".] — J'ai effuye une petite mortification au cercle. Le depart de 
 Frcy ayant fait vacquer I'emploi de diredleur des etrangers, on m'avoit fait en- 
 trevoir qu'on me le deftinoit, et ma franchife naturelle ne m'avoit pas permis de diffi- 
 muler que je le recevrois avec plaifir, et que je m'y attendois. Cependant le pluralite 
 des voix I'a donne a M. Roel Hollandois. J'ai vu qu'on a faifi le premier moment 
 que les loix permettoient de balloter, et que, fi j'avois voulu ralTembler mes amis, je 
 i'aurois emporte ; mais je fais en meme terns que je I'aurois eu il y a trois mois, fans y 
 fonger un moment. Ma reputation baifTe ici avec quelque raifon, et j'ai des ennemis. 
 
 Septembre 25™°."] — J'ai pafle I'apres diner chez Madame de **«**. Je ne I'avois 
 pas vue depuis le 14 de ce mois. Elle ne m'a point parle, ni n'a paru s'etre apper9ue 
 de mon abfence. Ce filence m'a fait de la peine. J'avois une tres belle reputation ici 
 pour les mceurs, mais je vois qu'on commence a me confondre avec mes compatriotes 
 et a me regarder comme un homme qui aime le vin et le defordre. 
 
 Oftobre 15"'.] — J'ai paffe I'apres midi chez Madame de Mefery. Elle vouloit 
 me faire rencontrer avec une Demoifelle Fran^oife qii'elle a prie a fouper ; cette De- 
 moifelle, qui s'apelle Le Franc, a fix pieds de haut. Sa taille, fa figure^ fon ton, fa 
 converfation, tout annonce le grenadier le plus determine, mais un grenadier, qui a de 
 I'efprit, des connoiflances, et I'ufage du monde. AufFi fon fexe, fon nom, fon 
 etat, tout eft myftere. Elle fe dit Parifienne, fille de condition, qui s'eft retiree 
 dans ce pays pour caufe de religion. Ne feroit ce pas plutot pour une affaire 
 d'honneur ? 
 
 Laufanne, Decembre 16"", 1763.] — Je me fuis leve tard, et une vifite fort amicale de 
 M. de Chandieu Villars *, m'a enleve ce qui me reftoit de la matinee. INI. de Chandieu 
 a fervi en France avec diftindlion, et s'eft retire avec le grade de marechal de camp. 
 C'eft une homme d'une grande politeffe, d'un efprit vif et facile ; il feroit aujourdhui a 
 foixante ans, I'agrement d'une fociete de jeunes filles. C'eft prefque le feul etranger 
 qui ait pu acquerir I'aifance des manieres Fran9oifes, fans en prendre en meme terns 
 les airs bruyans et etourdis. 
 
 * The father of Madame de Scvery, ^who^e family were Mr. Gibbon's mod intimate friends, after 
 t.e had itltleJ at Laul'anne in tlie year 1783. S. 
 
 Laufanne,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 121 
 
 If my ftudics at Paris had been confined to the ftudy of the world, 
 three or four months would not have been unproiitably fpent. My 
 
 vilits, 
 
 Laufiinne, Decembre 18^'', 1763.] — C'etoit un Dimanche de Communion. Les 
 ceremonies religieufes font bien entendues dans ce pays. Elles font rares, et par la 
 meme plus refpeclees *, les Viellards fe plaignent a la verite du refroidifTement de la 
 devotion ; cependant un jour, comme celui-ci, ofFre encore un fpe£lacle tres edifiant. 
 Point d'affaires, point d'aflemblee; on s'interdit jufqu'au ivhi/l fi neceflaire a rcxiilciicc 
 d'un Laufannois. 
 
 Decembre 31'"^.] — Jettons un coup d'oell fur cette annee 1763. Voyons com- 
 ment j'ai employe cette portion de mon exillence qui s'eft ecoulee et qui ne rc- 
 viendra plus. Le mois de Janvier s'efl pafl'e dans le fein de ma famille a qui il 
 falloit facrifier tous mes momens, parcequ'ils etoient les derniers dans les foins d'un 
 depart et dans I'embarras d'un voyage. Dans ce voyage cependant je trouvai moyen. 
 de lire les lettres de Bufcequius, Miniftre Imperial a la Porte. Elles font auffi iiite- 
 reflantes qu'inftrudlives. Je reftai a Paris depuis le 28 Janvier jufqu'au 9 Mai. 
 Pendant tout ce terns je n'etudiai point. Les amufements m'occupoient beaucoup, et 
 I'habitude de la diflipation, qu'on prend fi facilement dans les grandes villee, ne me per- 
 mettoient pas de mettre a profit le tems qui me demeuroit. A la verite, fi j'ai pen 
 feuillete les livres, I'obfervation de tous les objets curieux qui fe prefentent dans une 
 grandecapitale, et la converfation avec les plus grands hommesdu fiecle, m'ont inftruit 
 de beaucoup de chofes que je n'aurois point trouve dans les livres. Les fept ou huit 
 derniers mois de cette annee ont ete plus tranquilles. Des que je me fuis vii etabli a 
 Laufanne, j'ai entrepris une etude fuivie fur la gt ographie ancienne de I'ltalie. Mon 
 ardeur s'eft tres bien foutenue pendant fix femaines jufqu'a la fin du mois de Juin. 
 Ce fut alors qu'uri voyage de Geneve interrompit un peu mon affiduite, que le fejour 
 de Mefery m'offrit mille diftraiSlions, et que la fociete de Sauffure acheva de me faire 
 perdre mon tems. Je repris mon travail avec ce Journal au milieu d'Aout, et depuis ce 
 tems, jufqu'au commencement de Novembre, j'ai mis a profit tous mes inftans ; j'avoue 
 que pendant les deux derniers mois mon ardeur s'eft un peu rallantic. p'raeit^ Dans 
 cette etude fuivie j'ai lu : i. Presf dedeux livres de la ge'ograpliie de Slrabon fur I'ltalie 
 deux fois. 2. Une partie du deuxieme livre de I'hiftoire naturelle de Pline. 3. Le 
 quatrieme chapitre du deuxieme livre de Pomponius Mela. 4. Les Itincraires d'x\ntonin, 
 et de Jerufalem pour ce qui regarde I'ltalie. Je les ai lus avec ks Commentaires de 
 Weffeling, &c. J'en ai tire des tables de toutes les grandes routes de I'ltalie, reduifant 
 partout les milles Remains, en milles Anglois, et en lieues de France, felon les calculs 
 de M. d'Anville. 5. L'Hiftoire des Grands Chemius de TEmpire Romain, par RL 
 Bergier, deux volumes in 4'. 5. Quelques Extraits choifis de Ciceron, Tite Live, 
 Velleius Paterculus, Tacite, et les deux Plines. La Roma Veins de Nardini et plu- 
 fieurs autresopufcules fur le meme fujet qui compofent prefque tout le quatrieme tome 
 du Trefor des Antiquites Romajnes de Grasvius. 7- V Italia Antiqua de Cluvier, en 
 
 VOL. I. B- dcuK
 
 122 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 vifits, however fuperficial, to the Academy of Medals and the public 
 libraries, opened a new field of inquiry ; and the view of fo many 
 
 manufcripts 
 
 deux volumes in folio. 8. Ultcr ou le Voyage de CI. Rutillius Numatianus dans les 
 Gaules. 9. Les Catalogues de Virgile. 10. Celui de Silius Italicus. 1 1. Le Voyage 
 d'Horace a Bnindufium. N. B. J'ai lu deux fois ces trois derniers morceaux. 12. Le 
 Traite fur les Mcfures Itineraires par M. d' Anville, et quelques Memoires de I'Academic 
 des Belles Lettres. II""'"', On me fit attendre Nardini de la Bibliotheque de Geneve. 
 Je voulus remplir ce moment de vuide par la le£ture de Juiwaal, poete qui je ne con- 
 noiffois encore que de reputation. Je le lu deux fois avec plaifir et avec foin. Ill"""', 
 Pendant I'annee j'ai lu quelques journaux, entre autres le Journal Etranger depuis fon 
 commencement, un tome des Nouvelles de Bayle, et les xxxv premiers volumes de la 
 Bibliotheque raifonnee. 'IV'"'", J'ai beaucoup ecrit de mon Recueil Gcographique de 
 ritalie qui eft deja bien ample et aflez curieux, V""'"-, Je ne dois point oublier ce 
 journal meme qui eft devenu un ouvrage ; 214 pages en quatre mois et demi et des 
 pages des mieux fournies font an objet confiderable. AufTi fans compter un grand 
 nombre d'obfervatioixs detacliees, il s'y trouve des differtations favantes et raifunees. 
 Celle du paflage d'Annibal contient dix pages, et celle fur le guerre fociale en a douze. 
 Mais ces morceaux font trop etendus, et le journal nieme a befoin d'une reforme qui 
 lui retranche quantite de pieces qui font aflez etrangeres a fon veritable plan. Apres 
 avoir un peu reflechi la deflus, voici quelques regies que je me fuis faites fur les objets 
 qui lui conviennent. I'""', Toute ma vie civile et privee, mes amufemens, mes liaifons, 
 mes ecarts meme, et toutes mes reflexions qui ne roulent que fur des fujets qui me font 
 perfonels, je conviens que tout cela n'eft intereflant qiie pour moi, mais auffi ce n'eft 
 que pour moi que j'ecris mon journal. II""', Tout ce que j'spprcns par I'obfervation 
 ou la converfation. A I'egard de celle-ci je ne rapporterai que ce que je tieiis de per- 
 fonnes tout a la fois inftruites et veridiques, lorfqu'il eft queftion de faits, ou du petit 
 nombre de ceux qui meritent le titre de grand homme, s'il s'agit de fentimens et d'opi- 
 nions. Ill"'"', J'y mettrai foigneufement tout ce qu'on pent appeller la partie ma- 
 terlelle de mes etudes ; combien d'heures j'ai travaille, combien de pages j'ai ecrit 
 ou lu, avec une courte notice du fujet qu'elles contenoient. IV-ncnt^ jg fejQJs fache 
 de lire fans reflechir fur mes ledures, fans porter des jugemens raifonnes fur mes 
 auteurs, et fans eplucher avec foin leurs idees et leurs exprefiions. Mais tou:e lefture 
 ne fournit pas egalement. II y a des livres qu'on parcourt, et il y en a qu'on lit; il 
 y ea a enfin qu'on doit etudier. Mes obfervations fur ceux de la premiere clafle ne 
 peuvent qu'etre courtes et detachees. Elles conviennent au journal. Celles qui re- 
 gardent la feconde clafle n'y entreront qu'autant qu'elles auront le meme caraftere, 
 ymcnt^ Mes reflexions fur ce petit nombre d'auteurs clafliques, qu'on medite avec foin, 
 feront naturellement plus approfondies et plus fuivies. C'cft pour elles, et pour des 
 pieces plus etendues et plus originales, aux quelles la le£l:ure ou la meditation pent donner 
 iieu, que je fcrai un recueil fepare. Je conferverai cependant fa liaifoji avec le Journal 
 
 par
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 123 
 
 manufcrlpts of different ages and charadlers Induced me to confult the 
 two great Bcnedidine works, the Diphmatica of Mabillon, and the 
 Pahtographia of Montfaucon. I ftudied the theory without attain- 
 ing the pradlice of the art : nor fhould I complain of the intricacy of 
 
 pnr des renvois conftans qui marqueront le numero de chaque piece avec le terns et 
 roccafion de fa compofuion. Moyennant ces precautions mon journal ne peut que 
 m'etre utile. Ce compte exadl de mon terns m'en fera mieux fentir le prix ; il difli- 
 pera par fon detail, I'illufion qu'on fe fait d'invifager feulement les annees et les mois 
 et de meprifer les heures et les jours. Je ne dis rien de I'agrement. C'en eft un bien 
 grand cependant de pouvoir rcpafler chaque epoque de fa vie, et de fe placer, dcs 
 qu'on le veut, au milieu de toutes les petites fcenes qu'on a joue, ou qu'on a vu jouer. 
 6 Avril 1764.] — J'ai ete eveille par Pavilliard et H**** pour arreter une facheufe 
 affaire qui s'etoit paflee au bal apres notrc depart. G**** qui faifoit fa cour a Ma- 
 demoifelle ****** depuis long terns, voyoit avec peine que ****** (****##^ menacoit 
 de le fupplanter. li ne repondoit jamais aux politefles de fon rival, que par des 
 brufqueries ; et a la fin a I'occafion de la main de Mademolfclle ****** ;i $'emporta 
 centre lui le plus mal \ propos du monde, et le traita devant tout le monde d'impeiti- 
 mntt &c. J'ai appris de Pavilliard que ****** lui avoit envoye un cartel, et que la 
 reponfe de G**** ne I'ayant point contente ils devoient fe rencontrer a cinq heures 
 du foir. Au defefpoir de voir mon ami engage dans une affaire qui ne pouvoit que 
 lui faire du tort, j'ai couru chez M. de Croufaz oii demeuroit **«***. j'^j bientot 
 vu qu'il ne lui falloit qu'une explication affez legere, jointe a quelque apologie de la 
 part de G**** pour le defarmer, et je fuis retourne chez lui avec H**** pour I'en- 
 gager a la donner. Nous lui avons fait comprendre que I'aveu d'une veritable tort nc 
 bleflbit jamais I'honneur, et que fon infulte envers les dames auffi bien qu'envers ***«* 
 ctoit fans excufe. Je lui ai di£te un billet convenable, mais fans la moindre baflefTe, 
 que j'ai porte au HoUandois. II a rendu les armes fur le champ, lui a fait la reponfe 
 la plus polie, et m'a remercie mille fois du role que j'avois fait. En verite cet homme 
 ii'efl pas difficile. Apres diner j'ai vu nos dames a qui j'ai porte une lettre d'excufcs. 
 La mere n'en veut plus a G****, mais Mademoifelle ****** eft defolee du tort que 
 cette affaire peut lui faire dans le monde. Cette negoclation m'a pris le jour entier; 
 mais peut on mieux employer un jour qu'a fauver la vie, peutetrc a deux perfonnes, et 
 a conferver la reputation d'un ami .'' Au refte j'ai vu au fond plus d'un caractere. 
 G**** eft brave, vrai, et fense, mais d'une impetuofite qui n'eft que plus dan- 
 gereufe pour etre fupprimee a I'ordinaire. C***** eft d'une etourderie d'enfant. De 
 S'*** d'une indifference qui vient bien plus d'un defaut de fenfibilite, que d'un exces 
 de raifon. J'ai con^u une veritable amitie pour H****. II a beaucoup de raifon et des 
 fentimens d'honneur avec un coeur des mieux place. 
 
 R 2 Greek
 
 12. 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Greek abbreviations and Gothic alphabets, fince every day, In a fa- 
 miliar language, I am at a lofs to decypher the hieroglyphics of a 
 female note. In a tranquil fcene, which revived the memory of my 
 firft ftudles, Idlenefs would have been lefs pardonable : the public 
 libraries of Laufanne and Geneva liberally fupplied me with books ; 
 and If many hours were loft in difTipatlon, many more were em- 
 ployed in literary labour. In the country, Horace and Virgil, Ju- 
 venal and Ovid, were my affiduous companions : but, In town, I 
 formed and executed a plan of ftudy for the ufe of my Tranfalpine 
 expedition : the topography of old Rome, the ancient geography of 
 Italy, and the fcience of medals, i. I diligently read, almoft always, 
 with my pen in my hand, the elaborate treatifes of NardinI, Donatus, 
 &c. which fill the fourth volume of the Roman Antiquities of 
 Grxvius. 2. I next undertook and finifhed the Italia Aiitiqua of 
 Cluverlus, a learned native of Pruffia, who had meafured, on foot, 
 every fpot, and has compiled and digefted every paflage of the 
 ancient writers. Thefe paflages in Greek or Latin authors I perufed 
 in the text of Cluverlus, in two folio volumes : but I feparately read 
 the defcriptions of Italy by Strabo, Pliny, and Pomponius Mela, the 
 Catalogues of the Epic poets, the Itineraries of WefTeling's Anto- 
 ninus, and the coafting Voyage of Rutilius Numatianus ; and I ftudied 
 two kindred fubjedts in the Mefures Itineraires of d'Anville, and the 
 copious work of Bergier, Hijloire des grands Chemhis de VErnpire 
 Roma'in. From thefe materials I formed a table of roads and diftances 
 reduced to our Engllfh meafure ; filled a folio commoa-place book 
 with my coUedions and remarks on the geography of Italy; and in- 
 ferted in my journal many long and learned notes on the Infulse and' 
 populoufnefs of Rome, the focial war, the paffage of the Alps by 
 Hannibal, &c. 3. After glancing my eye over Addifon's agreeable 
 dialogues, I more ferioufly read the great work of Ezechiel Spanheim 
 dc Frajlantia et Ujii Ntimifmatum^ and applied with him the medals. 
 
 of
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 125 
 
 of the kings and emperors, the families and colonies, to the llluftration 
 of ancient hiftory. And thus was I armed for my Italian journey *. 
 
 I fliall advance with rapid brevity in the narrative of this tour, in 
 which fomewhat more than a year (April 1764 — May 1765) was 
 agreeably employed. Content with tracing my line of march, and 
 nightly touching on my perfonal feelings, I fhall wave the minute 
 inveftigation of the fcenes which have been viewed by thoufands, 
 and defcribed by hundreds, of our modern travellers. Rome is the 
 
 * Journal, Laufanne, Avril 17, 1764.] — Guifeetmoi, nous avonsdonneun diner 
 excellent et beaucoup de vin a Dupleix, et a beaucoup d'autres. Apres diner nous nous 
 fommes echappes pour faire quelques vifites aux ***, aux ***, et aux ***. Je pars 
 avec quelques regrets : cependant un peu de vin, et une gayete dont je ne pouvois rendre 
 raiibn, ni'ont rendu d'une etourderie fans pareille, vis-a-vis de ces petites. Je leur 
 ai dit cent folies, et nous nous fommes embraffes en riant. Mefeiy nous a donne un 
 tres beau fouper avec une partie de la compagnie du matin, augmentee de Bourgeois 
 et de Pavilliard. Ce fouper, les adieux fur tout a Pavilliard, quej'aime veritablementj 
 et les preparatifs du depart, m'ont occupe jufqu'a deux heures du matin. 
 
 Je quitte Laufanne avec moins de regret que la premiere fois. Je n'y laiffe plus 
 que des conpoiflances. C'etoit la maitreffe et I'ami dont je pleufois la perte. D'ail- 
 lieurs je voyois Laufanne avec les yeux encore novTces d'un jeune homme, qui lui 
 devoit la partie raifonable de fbn exiftence, et qui jugeolt fans objets de compa- 
 raifon. Aujourdhui j'y vois une ville mal batie, au milieu d'un pays delicieux, qui- 
 jouit de la paix et du repos, et qui les prcnd pour la liberte. Un peuple nombreus 
 et bien eleve, qui aime la fociete, qui y eft propre, et qui admet avec plaifir les 
 etrangers dans fes cotteries, qui feroient bien plus agreables, fi la coiiverfation n'avoit 
 pas cede la place au jeu, Les femmes font jolies, et malgre leur grande liberte, elles 
 font ties fages. Tout au plus peuvent ellcs etre un peu complaifuntesj dans I'ids'e 
 honnete, niais incertaine, de prendre un etrangcr dans leurs filets. L'afteclation elt 
 }e peche originel des Laufannois. AfFeftation de depenfe, aiFectation de noblefle, 
 affe£lation d'efprit : les deux premieres font fort repnndues, pendant que la troifie'ma 
 eft fort rare. Conime ce vice fe choque a tout inftantavec celui des autres, Laufanne 
 fe trouve partagee dans un grand nombre d'etats, dont les principes et le langage varient 
 a I'infini, et qui n'ont de commun que leur mepris rcciproque les uns pour les autre?. 
 Leur gout pour la depenfe s'accorde mal avec celui de la noblefle. lis periroient 
 plutot que de renoncer a leurs grandeurs, ou d'embrafler la feule profeffion qui puifie 
 les y foutenir. La maifon de M. de Mefery eft charmante : le caracflere franc et 
 genereux du Mari, les agremens de la femme, une fituation delicieufe, uiie chere ex. 
 cellente, la compagnie de fes compatriotes, et une liberte parfaite, font aimer ce fejour 
 a tout Anglois. Que je voudrois en trouver un femblable a Londres T J'y regrette 
 eiicore Holroyd, mais il nous fuit de pres. 
 
 great
 
 126 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 great objed of our pilgrimage : and ift, the journey ; 2d, the refi- 
 dence ; and 3d, the return ; will form the moft proper and perfpi- 
 cuous divifion. i . I climbed Mount Cenis, and defcended into the 
 plain of Piedmont, not on the back of an elephant, but on a light 
 ofier feat, in the hands of the dextrous and intrepid chairmen of the 
 Alps. The architedlure and government of Turin prefented the 
 fame afpedt of tame and tirefome uniformity : but the court was re- 
 gulated with decent and fplendid oeconomy ; and I was introduced 
 to his Sardinian majefty * Charles Emanuel, who, after the incom- 
 parable Frederic, held the fecond rank (proximus longo tamen inter- 
 vallo) among the kings of Europe. The fize and populoufnefs of 
 Milan could not furprife an inhabitant of London : but the fancy is 
 amufed by a vifit to the Boromean Iflands, an enchanted palace, a 
 work of the fairies in the midft of a lake encompafled with moun- 
 tains, and far removed from the haunts of men. I was lefs amufed 
 by the marble palaces of Genoa, than by the recent memorials of her 
 deliverance (in December 1 746) from the Auftrian tyranny ; and I 
 took a military lurvey of every fcene of a£tion within the Inclofure 
 of her double walls. My fteps were detained at Parma and Modena, 
 by the precious relics of the Farnefe and Efte colleftions : but, alas ! 
 the far greater part had been already tranfported, by inheritance or 
 purchafe, to Naples and Drefden. By the road of Bologna and the 
 Apennine I at laft reached Florence, where I repofed from June to 
 September, during the heat of the fsmmer months. In the Gallery, 
 and efpecially in the Tribune, I firft acknowledged, at the feet of 
 the Venus of Medicis, that the chifTel may difpute the pre-eminence 
 with the pencil, a truth in the fine arts which cannot on this fide of 
 the Alps be felt or underftood. At home I had taken fome leflbns 
 of Italian : on the fpot I read, with a learned native, the claflics of 
 .the Tufcan idiom : but the ihortnefs of my time, and the ufe of the 
 
 * See Appendix, Letter, No. XII. 
 
 French
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 127 
 
 French language, prevented my acquiring any facility of fpeaklng ; 
 and I was a filent fpedtator in the converlations of our envoy, Sir 
 Horace Mann, whofe mod ferlous bufinefs was that of entertaining 
 the Englifli at his hofpitable table *. After leaving Florence, I com- 
 pared the folitude of Pifa with the induftry of Lucca and Leghorn, 
 and continued my journey through Sienna to Rome, where I arrived 
 in the beginning of Odlober. 1. My temper is not very fufceptible 
 of enthufiafm ; and the enthufiafm which I do not feel, I have ever 
 fcorned to affedl. But, at the diftance of twenty-five years, I can 
 neither forget nor exprefs the ftrong emotions which agitated my 
 mind as I firft approached and entei'ed the eternal city. After a fleep- 
 lefs night, I trod, with a lofty Hep, the ruins of the Forum ; each 
 memorable fpot where Romulus ^^oo^, or Tully fpoke, or Ca:far fell, 
 was at once prefent to my eye ; and feveral days of intoxication 
 were loft or enjoyed before I could defcend to a cool and minute in- 
 veftigation. My guide was Mr. Byers, a Scotch antiquary of experi- 
 ence and tafte; but, in the daily labour of eighteen w^eeks, the 
 powers of attention were fometimes fatigued, till I vv^as myfelf qua- 
 lified, in a laft review, to fele»Sl and ftudy the capital works of 
 ancient and modern art. Six weeks were borrowed for my tour of 
 Naples, the moft populous of cities, relative to its fize, whofe luxu- 
 rious inhabitants feem to dv/ell on the confines of paradife and hell- 
 fire. I was prefented to the boy-king by our new envoy. Sir William 
 Hamilton ; who, wifely diverting his correfpondence from the Se- 
 cretary of State to the Royal Society and Britifli Mufeum, has eluci- 
 
 * Journal, Florence, Aout 9"% 1764.] — Cocchi a. dine avec nous. Nous avons 
 beaucoup caufe, mais je ne lui trouve pas le genre qu'on lui attribue, c'efl peutetre, 
 parceque les iiotres ne font pas analogues. J'entrevois de I'extravagance dans fes idees, 
 de FafFeftatton dans fes manieres. II fe plaint a tout moment de fa pauvrete. II 
 connoit peu la veritable dignite d'un Iiomme de lettres. S'il a beaucoup de fcience, elle 
 eft borne'e a la phyfique. II m'a deniande fi Lord Spenfer ne pouvoit pas faire des 
 eveques, et m'a fait un conte de Lord Lyttelton (dont il ne peut foiifFrir le fils) ou il 
 etoit (jueftion des Parlemens de Campagne. 
 
 2 dated
 
 128 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 dated a country of fuch ineftimable value to the naturallft and anti- 
 quarian. On my return, I fondly embraced, for the lafl time, the 
 miracles of Rome ; but I departed without kifling the feet of Rezzo- 
 nico (Clement XII I. ), who neither poffefled the wit of his prede- 
 ceflbr Lambertini, nor the virtues of his fucceflbr Ganganelli. 3. In 
 my pilgrimage from Rome to Loretto I again crofled the Apennine ; 
 from the coaft of the Adriatic I traverfed a fruitful and populous 
 country, which could alone difprove the paradox of Montefquieu, 
 that modern Italy is a defert. Without adopting the exclufive pre- 
 iudice of the natives, I fmcerely admire the paintings of the Bologna 
 fchool. I haftened to efcape from the fad folitude of Ferrara, which 
 in the age of Cxfar was ftill more defolate. The fpeftacle of Ve- 
 nice aflbrded fome hours of aftonifliment ; the univerfity of Padua 
 is a dying taper : but Verona ftill boafts her amphitheatre, and his 
 native Vicenza is adorned by the claflic architedure of Palladio : 
 the road of Lombardy and Piedmont (did Montefquieu find them 
 without inhabitants ?) led me back to Milan, Turin, and the paflage 
 • of Mount Cenis, where I again crofled the Alps in my way to 
 Lyons. 
 
 The ufe of foreign travel has been often debated as a general 
 queftion ; but the conclufion muft be finally applied to the charadler 
 and circumftances of each individual. With the education of boys, 
 ivhere or how they may pafs over fome juvenile years with the leaft 
 mifchief to themfelves or others, I have no concern. But after fup- 
 pofing the previous and indifpenfable-requifites of age, judgment, a 
 competent knowledge of men and books, and a freedom from do- 
 meftic prejudices, I will briefly defcribe the qualifications which I 
 deem moft efl^ential to a traveller. He fhould be endowed with 
 an adive, indefatigable vigour of mind and body, which can feize 
 every mode of conveyance, and fupport, with a carelefs fmile, every 
 hardfliip of the road, the weather, or the inn. The benefits of foreign 
 travel will correfpond with the degrees of thefc qualifications j but, 
 
 in
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 129 
 
 in this fketch, thofc to whom I am known will not accufe mc of 
 framing my own panegyric. It was at Rome, on the 15th of Otfto- 
 ber 1764, as I fat mufmg amidft the ruins of the Capitol, while the 
 bare-footed fryars were finging vefpers in the Temple of Jupiter *, 
 that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city firfl ftarted to 
 my mind. But my original plan was circumfcribed to the decay of 
 the city rather than of the empire : and, though my reading and re- 
 fledlions began to point towards that objed:, fome years elapfed, and 
 feveral avocations intervened, before I was ferioufly engaged in the 
 execution of that laborious work. 
 
 I had not totally renounced the fouthern provinces of France, but 
 the letters which I found at Lyons were expreffive of fome impa- 
 tience. Rome and Italy had fatiated my curious appetite, and I was 
 now ready to return to the peaceful retreat of my family and books. 
 After a happy fortnight I reluctantly left Paris, embarked at Calais, 
 again landed at Dover, after an interval of two years and five months, 
 and haftily drove through the fummer duft and folitude of London. 
 On the 25th of June 1765 I arrived at my father's houfe : and the 
 five years and a half between my travels and my father's death (1770) 
 are the portion of my life which I pafled with the leafl: enjoyment, 
 and which I remember with the leaft fatisfadtion. Every fpring I 
 attended the monthly meeting and exercife of the militia at South- 
 ampton ; and by the refignation of my jflither, and the death of Sir 
 Thomas Worfley, I was fucceffively promoted to the rank of major 
 and lieutenant-colonel commandant : but I was each year more dif- 
 gufted with the Inn, the wine, the company, and the tirefome repe- 
 tition of annual attendance and daily exercife. Ac home, the oeco- 
 nomy of the family and farm ftill maintained the fame creditable ap- 
 pearance. My connexion with Mrs. Gibbon was mellowed into a 
 warm and folid attachment : my growing years abolifhed the diftance 
 
 * Now the church of the Zoccolants, or Francifcan Friars. S. 
 VOL. I. S that
 
 130 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 that might yet remain between a parent and a fon, and my beha- 
 viour fatisfied my father, who was proud of the fuccefs, however 
 imperfect in his own Ufe-time, of my literary talents. Our foli- 
 tude was foon and often enlivened by the vifit of the friend of my 
 youth, Mr. Deyverdun, whofe abfence from Laufanne I had fmcerely 
 lamented. About three years after my firfl departure, he had emi- 
 grated from his native lake to the banks of the Oder in Germany. 
 The res angnjla dom'i^ the wafte of a decent patrimony, by an impro- 
 vident father, obliged him, like many of his countrymen, to con- 
 fide in his own induftry ; and he was entrufted with the education 
 of a young prince, the grandfon of the Margrave of Schavedt, of 
 the Royal Family of Pruffia. Our friendfhip was never cooled, our 
 correfpondence was fometimes interrupted ; but I rather wifhed than 
 hoped to obtain Mr. Deyverdun for the companion of my Italian 
 tour. An unhappy, though honourable paffion, drove him from his 
 German court ; and the attradlions of hope and curiofity were for- 
 tified by the expe£lation of my fpeedy return to England. During 
 four fucceflive fummers he paffed feveral weeks or months at Beri- 
 ton, and our free converfations, on every topic that could intereft 
 the heart or underftanding, would have reconciled me to a defert or 
 a prifon. In the winter months of London my fphere of know- 
 ledge and adtion was fomewhat enlarged, by the many new ac- 
 quaintance which I had contradVed in the militia and abroad ; and I 
 muft regret, as more than an acquaintance, Mr. Godfrey Clarke of 
 Derbyfhire, an amiable and worthy young man, who was fnatched 
 away by an untimely death. A weekly convivial meeting was efta- 
 bliflied by myfelf and travellers, under the name of the Roman 
 Club *. 
 
 * The members were Lord Mountftuart (now Earl of Bute), Colonel Edmonftone, 
 Weddal, Palgrave, Lord Berkley, Godfrey Clarke, Holroyd (Lord Sheffield), Major 
 Ridley, Sir William Guize, Sir John Aubrey, Lord Abingdon, Hon. Peregrine Bertie, 
 Cleaver, Hon. John Damer, Hon. George Damcr (Lord Milton), Sir Thomas Gaf- 
 coygne. Sir John Hort, E. Gibbon. 
 
 2 The
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 131 
 
 The renewal, or perhaps the improvement, of my Englifli hfe 
 was embittered by the alteration of my own feelings. At the age 
 of twenty-one I was, in my proper ftation of a youth, delivered 
 from the yoke of education, and delighted with the comparative 
 ftate of liberty and affluence. My filial obedience was natural and 
 eafy ; and in the gay profpedt of futurity, my ambition did not ex- 
 tend beyond the enjoyment of my books, my leifure, and my pa- 
 trimonial eftate, undifturbed by the cares of a family and the duties 
 of a profefTion. But in the militia I was armed with power ; in my 
 travels, I was exempt from controul ; and as I approached, as I 
 gradually pafTcd my thirtieth year, I began to feel the deiire of 
 being mafter ,in my own houfe. The mod gentle authority will 
 fometimes frown without reafon, the moft cheerful fubmiffion will 
 fometimes murmur without caufe ; and fuch is the law of our im- 
 perfed nature, that we mull either command or obey ; that our 
 perfonal liberty is fupported by the obfequioufnefs of our own de- 
 pendants. While fo many of my acquaintance were married or In 
 parliament, or advancing with a rapid ftep in the various roads of 
 honour and fortune, I flood alone, immoveable and infignificant ; 
 for after the monthly meeting of 1770, I had even withdrav/n my- 
 felf from the militia, by the refignation of an empty and barren 
 commifTion. My temper is not fufceptible of envy, and the view 
 of fuccefsful merit has always excited my warmed; applaufe. The 
 miferies of a vacant life were never known to a man whofe hours 
 were infufficient for the inexhauftible pleafures of ftudy. But I 
 lamented that at the proper age I had not embraced the lucrative 
 purfuits of the law or of trade, the chances of civil office or India 
 adventure, or even the fat {lumbers of the church ; and my repent- 
 ance became more lively as the lofs of time was more irretrievable. 
 Experience fhewed me the ufe of grafting my private confequence 
 on the importance of a great profeflional body ; the benefits of thofe 
 .firm connections which are cemented by hope and intereft, by grati- 
 
 s 2 tude
 
 132 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 tude and emulation, by the mutual exchange of fervlccs and favours. 
 From the emoluments of a profeflion I might have derived an ample 
 fortune, or a competent income, inftead of being ftinted to the fame 
 narrow allowance, to be increafed only by an event which I fmcerely 
 deprecated. The progrefs and the knowledge of our domeflic dif- 
 orders aggravated my anxiety, and I began to apprehend that I 
 might be left in my old age without the fruits either of induftry or 
 inheritance. 
 
 In the firft fummer after my return, whilft I enjoyed at Beritoa 
 the fociety of my friend Deyverdun, our daily converfations expa- 
 tiated over the field of antient and modern literature ; and we freely 
 difcuffed my (Indies, my firft Elfay, and my future projects. The 
 Decline and Fall of Rome I ftill contemplated at an awful diftance t 
 but the two hiftorical defigns which had balanced my choice were 
 fubmitted to his tafte ; and in the parallel between the Revolutions 
 of Florence and Switzerland, our common partiality for a country 
 which was bis by birth, and mtMe by adoption, inclined the fcale in 
 favour of the latter. According to the plan, which was foon con- 
 ceived and digefted, I embraced a period of two hundred years, 
 from the aflbciation of the three peafants of the Alps to the plenitude 
 and profperity of the Helvetic body in the fixteenth century. I 
 fhould have defcribed the deliverance and vidory of the Swifs, who 
 have never fhed the blood of their tyrants but in a field of battle j 
 the laws and manners of the confederate ftates ; the fplendid tro- 
 phies of the Auftrian, Burgundian, and Italian wars ; and the wif- 
 dom of a nation, who, after feme fallies of martial adventure, has 
 been content to guard the bleffings of peace with the fword of 
 
 freedom. 
 
 Manus haec inlmica tyrannis 
 
 Enfe petit placidam fub libertate quietem. 
 My judgment, as well as my enthufiafm, was fatisfied with thfc 
 glorious theme ; and the alfiftance of Deyverdun feemed to rem.ove 
 
 an
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 133 
 
 an Infuperable obftacle. The French or Latin memorials, of which 
 I was not ignorant, are inconriderable in number and weight ; but 
 in the perfed acquaintance of my friend with the German language, 
 I found the key of a more valuable colledlion. The moft neceflary 
 books were procured ; he tranflated, for my ufe, the folio volume of 
 Schilling, a copious and contemporary relation of the war of Bur- 
 gundy ; we read and marked the mofi; interefling parts of the great 
 chronicle of Tfchudi ; and by his labour, or that of an inferior a.C- 
 fiftant, large extracts were made from the Hiftory of LaufFer and 
 the Didlionary of Lew : yet fuch was the diftance and delay, that 
 two years elapfed in thefe preparatory fteps ; and it was late in the 
 third fummer (1767) before I entered, with thefe flender materials^ 
 on the more agreeable tafk of compofition. A fpecimen of my 
 Hiftory, the firft book, was read the following winter in a literary 
 fociety of foreigners in London ; and as the author was unknown, 
 I liftened, without obfervation, to the free ftridlures, and unfavour- 
 able fentence, of my judges*. The momentary fenfation was pain- 
 ful ; 
 
 * Mr. Hume feems to have had a different opinion of this worE. 
 
 From Mr. ?Iume to Mr. Gibbon. 
 Si r. 
 
 It is but a few days ago fince M. Deyverdun put your manufcript into my hands, 
 and I have perufed it with great pleafure and fatisfadlion. I have only one objec- 
 tion, derived from the language in which it is written. Why do you compofe in 
 French, and carry faggots into the wood, as Horace fays with regard to Romans 
 who wrote in Greek ? I grant that you have a like motive to thofe Romans, and 
 adopt a language much more generally diftufed than your native tongue : but have 
 you not remarked the fate of thofe two ancient languages in following ages ? The 
 Latin, though then lefs celebrated, and confined to more narrow limits, has in fome 
 meafure outlived the Greek, and is now more generally underflood by men of letters. 
 Let the French, therefore, triumph in the prefent diifufian of their tongue. Our 
 folid and increafing eftablifhments in America, where we need lefs dread the inun- 
 dation of Barbarians, promlfe a fuperior ftability and duration to the Englifh lan- 
 guage. 
 
 Your ufe of the French tongue has alfo led you into a ftyle more poetical and 
 figurative, and more highly coloured, than our language feems to admit di in hifto- 
 
 ricaL
 
 134 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 ful ; but their condemnation was ratified by my cooler thoughts. 
 I delivered my imperfedt fheets to the flames j", and forever re- 
 nounced a defign in which fome expence, much labour, and more 
 time, had been fo vainly confumed. I cannot regret the lofs of a 
 flight and fuperficial eflay ; for fuch the work muft have been in 
 the hands of a ftranger, uninformed by the fcholars and fl:atefmen, 
 and remote from the libraries and archives of the Swifs republics. 
 My antient habits, and the prefence of Deyverdun, encouraged me to 
 write in French for the continent of Europe ; but I v^^'ls confcious 
 myfelf that my ftyle, above profe and below poetry, degenerated 
 into a verbofe and turgid declamation. Perhaps I may impute the 
 failure to the injudicious choice of a foreign language. Perhaps I 
 may fufpedt that the language itfelf is ill adapted to fuftain the 
 vigour and dignity of an important narrative. But if France, fo 
 rich in literary merit, had produced a great original hifl;orian, his 
 genius would have formed and fixed the idiom to the proper tone, 
 the peculiar mode of hifl:orical eloquence. 
 
 rlcal produ£tions : for fuch is the pra£lice of French writers, particularly the more 
 recent ones, who iihiminate their pi£lures more than cuftom will permit us. On the 
 whole, your Hiftory, in my opinion, is written with fpirit and judgment; and I ex- 
 hort you very earneflly to continue it. The objeflions that occurred to me on reading 
 It, were fo frivolous, that I fliall not trouble you with them, and fliould, I believe, 
 have a diihculty to recolle£t them. I am, with great efteem, 
 
 S I R, 
 London, Your moft obedient, 
 
 2;]th of 06l. 17<57» and moft humble Servant, 
 
 (Signed) David Hume. 
 
 + He ne"^lecled to burn them. He left at Sheffield-Place the introduflion, or firft 
 book. In forty-three pages folio, written in a very fmall hand, befides a confiderable 
 number of notes. If Mr. Gibbon had not declared his judgment, perhaps Mr- 
 Hume's opinion, expreffed in the letter in the laft note, might have jullilied the pub- 
 lication of it. S. 
 
 It
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS, 135 
 
 It was in fearch of fome liberal and lucrative employment that my 
 friend Deyverdun had vifited England. His remittances from home 
 were fcanty and precarious. My purfe was always open, but it was 
 often empty ; and I bitterly felt the want of riches and power, 
 which might have enabled me to correal: the errors of his fortune. 
 His wifhes and qualifications folicited the ftation of the travelling 
 governor of fome wealthy pupil ; but every vacancy provoked fo 
 many eager candidates, that for a long time I ftruggled without 
 fuccefs ; nor was it till after much application that I could even 
 place him as a clerk in the office of the fecretary of ftate. In a 
 refidence of feveral years he never acquired the juft pronunciation 
 and familiar ufe of the Englifh tongue, but he read our mofl dif- 
 ficult authors with eafe and tafte : his critical knowledge of our 
 language and poetry was fuch as few foreigners have poffefled ; and 
 few of our countrymen could enjoy the theatre of Shakefpeare and 
 Garrick with more exquifite feeling and difcernment. The confci- 
 oufnefs of his own ftrength, and the aflurance of my aid, embold- 
 ened him to imitate the example of Di-. Maty, whofe yournal Bri- 
 tamiique was efteemed and regretted ; and to improve his model, by 
 uniting with the tranfa£tions of literature a philofophic view of the 
 arts and manners of the BritilTi nation. Our Journal for the year 
 1767, under the title of Memoires Literaires de la Grand Bretagne^ 
 was foon finifhed and fent to the prefs. For the firft article, Lord 
 Lyttelton's Hillory of Henry II. I muft own myfelf refponfible ; 
 but the public has ratified my judgment of that voluminous work, 
 in which fenfe and learning are not illuminated by a ray of genius. 
 The next fpecimen was the choice of my friend, the Bath Gtiidc^ 
 a light and whimfical performance, of local, and even verbal, plea- 
 fantry. I ftarted at the attempt : he fmiled at my fears : his courage 
 was juftified by fuccefs ; and a mafter of both languages will ap- 
 plaud the curious felicity with which he has transfufed into French 
 
 profe
 
 3j6 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 profe the fplrit, and even the humour, of the Enghfli verfc. It is 
 not my wifh to deny how deeply I was intercfted in thefe Memoirs, 
 of which I need not furely he afliamed ; but at the diflance of more 
 than twenty years, it would be impofTible for me to afcertain the 
 refpe(5tive fhares of the two aflbciates. A long and intimate com- 
 munication of ideas had caft our fentiments and ftyle in .the fame 
 mould. In our focial labours we compofed and corredled by turns ; 
 and the praife which I might honeftly beftow, would fall perhaps on 
 fdme article or paffiige moft properly my own. A fecond volume 
 (for the year 1768) was publiflied of thefe Memoirs. I will pre- 
 fume to fay, that their merit was fuperior to their reputation ; but it 
 is not lefs true, that they were produdlive of more reputation than 
 emolument. They introduced my friend to the protedlion, and 
 myfelf to the acquaintance, of the Earl of Chefterfield, whofe age 
 and infirmities fecluded him from the world ; and of Mr. David 
 Hume, who was under-fecretary to the office in which Deyverdun 
 was more humbly employed. The former accepted a dedication, 
 (April 12th, 1769,) and referved the author for the future educa- 
 cation of his fuccefTor : the latter enriched the Journal with a reply 
 to Mr. Walpole's Hiilorical Doubts, which he afterwards fhaped 
 into the form of a note- The materials of the third volume were 
 almoft completed, when I recommended Deyverdun as governor to 
 Sir Richard Worfley, a youth, the fon of my old Lieutenant-co- 
 lonel, who was lately deceafed. They fet forwards on their travels ; 
 nor did they return to England till fome time after my father's 
 deatK. 
 
 My next publication was an accidental fally of love and refent- 
 ment ; of my reverence for modeft genius, and my averfion for in- 
 folent pedantry. The fixth book of the jEneid is the moft pleafing 
 and perfetS: compofition of Latin poetry. The defcent of jEneas 
 and the Sybil to the infernal regions, to the world of fpirits, expands 
 
 an
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 137 
 
 an awful and boundlefs profped, from the nodlurnal gloom of the 
 Cumxan grot, 
 
 Ibant obfcurl fola fub node per umbram, 
 
 to the meridian brightnefs of the Elyfian fields ; 
 
 Largior hie campos sether et lumine veftit 
 Purpureo 
 
 from the dreams of fimple Nature, to the dreams, alas ! of Egyptian 
 theology, and the philofophy of the Greeks. But the final dif- 
 miffion of the hero through the ivory gate, whence 
 
 Falfa ad coelum mittunt infomnia manes, 
 
 feems to difTolve the whole enchantment, and leaves the reader in a 
 ftate of cold and anxious fcepticifm. This moft lame and impotent 
 conclufion has been varioufly imputed to the tafte or irreligion of 
 Virgil ; but, according to the more elaborate interpretation of Bifhop 
 Warburton, the defcent to hell is not a falfe, but a mimic fcene ; 
 which reprefents the initiation of ^neas, in the character of a law- 
 giver, to the Eleufinian myfteries. This hypothefis, a Angular 
 chapter in the Divine Legation of Mofes, had been admitted by- 
 many as true ; it was praifed by all as ingenious ; nor had it 
 been expofed, in a fpace of thirty years, to a fair and critical dif- 
 cuffion. The learning and the abilities of the author had raifed 
 him to a juft eminence ; but he reigned the didator and tyrant of 
 the world of literature. The real merit of Warburton was degraded 
 by the pride and prefumption with which he pronounced his infal- 
 lible decrees ; in his polemic writings he lalhed his antagonifts with- 
 out mercy or moderation ; and his fervile flatterers, (fee the bafe and 
 malignant Eflay on the Delicacy of Friend/hip^) exalting the mafter 
 critic far above Ariftotle and Longinus, aflaulted every modeft dif- 
 fenter who refufed to confult the oracle, and to adore the idol. In 
 a land of liberty, fuch defpotifm muft provoke a general oppofition, 
 VOL. I. T and
 
 ,38 MEMOIRS or 
 
 and the zeal of oppofit'on is feldom candid or impartial. A late 
 profcffor of Oxford, (Dr. Lowth,) in a pointed and polifhed epiftle, 
 (Augull 31ft, 1765,) defended himfelf, and attacked tlie Bidiop ; 
 and, whatfoever might be the merits of an infignificant controverfy, 
 his vidory was clearly eftablifhed by the filent confufion of War- 
 burton and his flaves. / too, without any private offence, was am- 
 bitious of breaking a lance againft the giant's fhield ; and in the be- 
 ginning of the year 1770, my Critical Obfervations on the Sixth 
 Book- of the jEneid were fent, without my name, to the prefs. In 
 this {hort Eflay, my firft Englifli publication, I aimed my ftrokes 
 againft the perfon and the hypothefis of Bifhop Warburton. I 
 proved, at leaft to my own fatisfadion, that the antient lawgivers 
 did not invent the myfteries, and that ^neas was never inverted 
 with the office of lawgiver : that there is not any argument, any 
 «arcumftance, which can melt a fable into allegory, or remove the 
 fcene from the Lake Avernus to the Temple of Ceres : that fuch a 
 wild fuppofition is equally injurious to the poet and the man : that 
 if Virgil was not initiated he could not, if he were he would not, 
 reveal the fecrets of the initiation ; that the anathema of Horace 
 (vetabo qui Cereris facrtim vulgarity life. J at once attefts his own 
 ignorance and the innocence of his friend. As the Bifhop of 
 Gloucefter and his party maintained a difcreet filence, my critical 
 difquifition was foon loft among the pamphlets of the day ; but the 
 public coldnefs was overbalanced to my feelings by the weighty ap- 
 probation of the laft and beft editor of Virgil, ProfefTor Heyne of 
 Gottingen, who acquiefces in my confutation, and ftiles the un- 
 known author, do&us et elegant'ijfimus Britannus. But I cannot 
 
 refift the temptation of tranfcribing the favourable judgment of Mr. 
 Hayley, himfelf a poet and a fcholar : " An intricate hypothefis, 
 ** twifted into a long and laboured chain of quotation^ and argu- 
 •*^ ment, the Difl'ertation on the Sixth Book of Virgil, remained 
 " fome time unrefuted, At length, a fuperior, but anony- 
 
 " mqus;.
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 139 
 
 *' mous, critic arofe, who, in one of the mort: judircious and fpirited 
 *' effays that our nation has produced, on a point of clalfical Utera- 
 *' ture, completely overturned this ill-founded edifice, and expofed 
 " the arrogance and futility of its affiiming archited." He even, 
 condefcends to juftify an acrimony of ftyle, which had been gently 
 blamed by the more unbiafled German ; " Paiillo acrius qiiam velis 
 
 pcrflrinxit '^ ." But I cannot forgive myfelf the contemptuous 
 
 treatment of a man who, with all his faults, was entitled to my 
 efteem f ; and I can lefs forgive, in a perfonal attack, the cowardly 
 concealment of my name and chara(fler. 
 
 In the fifteen years between my Eflay on the Study of Literature 
 and the firft volume of the Decline and Fall, (1761 — ^77^,) this 
 criticifm on Warburton, and fome articles in the Journal, were my 
 fole publications. It is more efpecially incumbent on me to mark 
 the employment, or to confefs the wafte of time, from my travels 
 to my father's death, an interval in which I was not diverted by 
 any profeffional duties from the labours and pleafures of a ftudious 
 life. I. As foon as I was releafed from the fruitlefs tafk of the 
 Swifs revolutions, (1768,) I began gradually to advance from the 
 wifh to the hope, from the hope to the defign, from the defign to 
 the execution, of my hiftorical work, of whofe limits and extent I 
 had yet a very inadequate notion. The Claflics, as low as Tacitus, 
 the younger Pliny, and Juvenal, were xny old and familiar com- 
 
 * The editor of the Warburtonian trads, Dr. Parr, (p. 192.) confiders the allego- 
 rical interpretation " as completely refuted in a moft clear, elegant, and decifive workj 
 *' of criticifm; which could not, indeed, derive authority from the greatell name; 
 <' but to which the greateft name might with propriety have been affixed." 
 
 + The Divine Legation of Mofes is a nioniinient, already crumbling In the dufl:, 
 of the vigour and weaknefs of the human mind. If Wavhurton's new argument 
 proved any thing, it would be a demonftratlon againfl the legiflator, wlio left his, 
 people without the knowledge of a future flate. But fome epifodes of the work, on 
 the Greek philofophy, the hieroglyphics of Egypt, Sec. are cnthlcd to the praifc of 
 learning, imagination, and difcernnient. 
 
 T 2 panions.
 
 ,4<> MEMOIRS OF 
 
 panions. I infenfibly plunged into the ocean of the Auguftan hlf- 
 tory; and in the defcending feries I inveftigated, with my pen 
 almoft always in my hand, the original records, both Greek and 
 Latin, from Dion Caffius to Ammianus Marcellinus, from the reign 
 of Trajan to the laft age of the Weftern Csefars. The fubfidiary 
 rays of medals, and infcriptions of geography and chronology, 
 were thrown on their proper obje£l:s ; and I applied the coUedions 
 of Tillemont, whofe inimitable accuracy almoft affiimes the cha- 
 rafter of genius, to fix and arrange within my reach the loofe and 
 fcattered atoms of hiftorical information. Through the darknefs of 
 the middle ages I explored my way in the Annals and Antiquities of 
 Italy of the learned Muratori ; and diligently compared them with 
 the parallel or tranfverfe lines of Sigonius and Maffei, Baronius and 
 Pagi, till I almoft grafped the ruins of Rome in the fourteenth cen- 
 tury, without fufpeding that this final chapter muft be attained by 
 the labour of fix quartos and twenty years. Among the books 
 which I purchafed, the Theodocian Code, with the commentary of 
 James Godefroy, muft be gratefully remembered. I ufed it (and much 
 I ufed it) as a work of hiftory, rather than of jurifprudence : but 
 in every light it may be confidered as a full and capacious repofitory 
 of the political ftate of the empire in the fourth and fifth centuries. 
 As I believed, and as I ftill believe, that the propagation of the 
 Gofpel, and the triumph of the church, are infeparably conne£ted 
 with the decline of the Roman monarchy, I weighed the caufes 
 iind effects of the revolution, and contrafted the narratives and apo- 
 logies of the Chriftians themfelves, with the glances of candour or 
 enmity which the Pagans have caft on the rifing fedts. The Jewiflx 
 and Heathen teftimonies, as they are coUeded and illuftrated by Dr. 
 Lardner, diredled, without fuperfeding, my fearch of the originals j 
 and in an ample diflertation on the miraculous darknefs of the 
 paffion, I privately withdrew my conclufions from the filence of an 
 unbelieving age. I have affembled the preparatory ftudies, diredlly
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 
 
 Ht 
 
 or indlredly relative to my hiftory ; but, in ftrid equity, they muft 
 be fpread beyond this period of my life, over the two fummers 
 {177 1 and 1772) that elapfgd between my father's death and my 
 fettlement in London. 2. In a free converfation with books and 
 men, it would be endlefs to enumerate the names and charadtcrs of 
 all who are introduced to our acquaintance ; but in this general ac- 
 quaintance we may feledt the degrees of fiiendfhip and efteem, ac- 
 cording to the wife maxim, Mtilttim legere potius quam miilta. I re- 
 viewed, again and again, the immortal works of the French and 
 Englifti, the Latin and Italian claflics. My Greek fludies (though 
 lefs afliduous than I defigned) maintained and extended my know- 
 ledge of that incomparable idiom. Homer and Xenophon were ftill 
 my favourite authors ; and I had almofl prepared for the prefs an 
 Eflay on the Cyropoedia, which, in my own judgment, is not un- 
 happily laboured. After a certain age, the new publications of merit 
 are the fole food of the many ; and the mofl auftere ftudent will be 
 often tempted to break the line, for the fake of indulging his own 
 curiofity, and of providing the topics of falhionable currency. A moi-e 
 refpedable motive may be affigned for the third perufal of Blackftone's 
 Commentaries, and a copious and critical abftrad of that Englifh 
 work was my firft ferious produdtion in my native language^ 
 3. My literary leifure was much lefs complete and independent than 
 it might appear to the eye of a ftranger. In the hurry of London I 
 was deftitute of books ; in the folitude of Hampfliire I was not 
 mafter of my time. My quiet was gradually difturbed by our do-^ 
 meftic anxiety, and I fhould be afliamed of my unfeeling philofophy, 
 had I found much time or tafte for fliidy in the laft fatal fummer 
 (1772) of my father's decay and diflblution. 
 
 The difembodying of the militia at the clofe of the war (1763) 
 had reftored the Major (a new Cincinnatus) to a life of agriculture. 
 His labours were ufeful, his pleafures innocent, his wifhes mode- 
 rate J and my father famed to enjoy the ftate of happinefs which is 
 
 celebrated
 
 142 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 celebrated by poets and phllofophers, as the moft agreeable to nature, 
 and the leaft acceflible to fortune. 
 
 Beatus ille, qui procul negotils 
 
 (Ut prifca gens mortalium) 
 
 Paterna rura bubus exercet fuls, 
 
 Solutus omni foenore *. HoR. Epod. 11. 
 
 "But the laft indlfpenfable condition, the freedom from debt, was 
 wanting to my father's felicity ; and the vanities of his youth were 
 feverely punlfhed by the follcitude and forrow of his declining age. 
 The firft mortgage, on my return from Laufanne, (1758,) had af- 
 forded him a partial and tranfient relief. The annual demand of 
 intereft and allowance was a heavy dedudion from his income ; the 
 militia was a fource of expence, the farm in his hands was not a 
 profitable adventure, he was loaded with the cofts and damages of 
 an obfolete law-fult ; and each year multiplied the number, and ex- 
 haufted the patience, of his creditors. Under thefe painful circum- 
 ftances, I confented to an additional mortgage, to the fale of Putney, 
 and to every facrifice that could alleviate his diftrefs. But he was 
 no longer capable of a rational effort, and his reludlant delays poft- 
 poned not the evils themfelves, but the remedies of thofe evils (re- 
 media tnalorum pot'ius quam mala djffercbat). The pangs of fhame, 
 tendernefs, and felf-reproach, inceffantly preyed on his vitals ; his 
 conftitutlon was broken ; he loft his ftrength and his fight ; the ra- 
 pid progrefs of a dropfy admonlfhed him of his end, and he funk 
 into the grave on the loth of November 1770, in the fixty-fourth 
 year of his age. A family-tradition infinuates that Mr. William 
 Law had drawn his pupil in the light and Inconftant character of 
 
 * Like the firft mortals, bleft is he. 
 
 From debts, and ufury, and bufinefs free, 
 
 With his own team who ploughs the fail, 
 Which grateful once confelVd his father's toil. Francis. 
 
 2 Flatuf,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 143 
 
 Fldtus^ who is ever confident, and ever difappointed in the chace of 
 happinefs. But thefe conllitutional failings were happily compen- 
 fated by the virtues of the head and heart, by the warmeft fenti- 
 ments of honour and humanity. His graceful perfon, polite ad- 
 drefs, gentle manners, and unafieded cheerfulnefs, recommended 
 him to the favour of every company j and in the change .-of 
 times and opinions, his liberal fpirit had long fmce delivered him 
 from the zeal and prejudice of a Tory education. I fubmitted to 
 the order of Nature ; and my grief was foothed by the confcious 
 fatisfadlion that I had difcharged all the duties of filial piety. 
 
 As foon as I had paid the laft folemn duties to my father, and 
 obtained, from time and reafon, a tolerable compofuie of mind, I 
 began to form the plan of an independent life, moft adapted to my 
 circumftances and inclination. Yet fo intricate was the net, my ef- 
 forts were fo awkward and feeble, that nearly two years (November 
 1770 — 0£lober 1772) were fufFered to elapfe before I could difen- 
 tangle myfelf from the management of the farm, and transfer my 
 refidence from Beriton to a houfe In London. During this interval 
 I continued to divide my year between town and the country ; but 
 my new fituation was brightened by hope ; my flay in London was 
 prolonged into the fummer ; and the uniformity of the fummer was 
 occafionally broken by vifits and excurfions at a diffance from home. 
 The gratification of my defires (they were not immoderate) has been 
 feldom difappointed by the want of money or credit ; my pride 
 was never infulted by the vifit of an importunate tradefman ; and 
 my tranfient anxiety for the paft or future has been difpelled by the 
 ftudious or focial occupation of the prefent hour. My confcience 
 does not accufe me of any a£l of extravagance or injuffice, and the 
 remnant of my eflate affords an ample and honourable provifion for 
 my declining age. I fhall not expatiate on my oeconomical affairs, 
 which cannot be inftrudive or amufing to the reader. It is a rule 
 of prudence, as well as of politenefs, to referve fuch confidence for 
 
 the
 
 144 
 
 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 the ear of a private friend, without cxpofing our fituation to the 
 envy or pity of ftrangers j for envy is produdive of hatred, aud 
 pity borders too nearly on contempt. Yet I may believe, and even 
 afl'ert, that in circumftances more indigent or more virealthy, I fhould 
 never have accomplifhed the taflc, or acquired the fame, of an his- 
 torian ; that my fpirit vi^ould have been broken by poverty and con- 
 tempt, and that my induflry might have been relaxed in the labour 
 and luxury of a fuperfluous fortune. 
 
 I had now attained the firft of earthly bleffings, independence : I 
 was the abfolute maftcr of my hours and adtions : nor was I deceived 
 in the hope that the eftabliihment of my library in town would allow 
 me to divide the day between fludy and fociety. Each year the circle 
 of my acquaintance, the number of my dead and living companions, 
 was enlarged. To a lover of books, the (hops and fales of London 
 prefent irrefiftible temptations ; and the manufacture of my hiftory 
 required a various and growing ftock of materials. The militia, my 
 travels, the Houfe of Commons, the fame of an author, contributed 
 to multiply my connexions : I was chofen a member of the fafhion- 
 able clubs; and, before I left England in 1783, there were few per- 
 fons of any eminence in the literary or political world to whom I 
 was a ftranger *. It would moft affuredly be in my power to amufe 
 the reader with a gallery of portraits and a colle<Stion of anecdotes. 
 But I have always condemned the pra(3;ice of transforming a private 
 memorial into a vehicle of fatire or praife. By my own choice I 
 palled in town the greateft part of the year ; but whenever I was 
 
 * From the mixed, though polite, company of Boodle's, White's, and Brooks's, 
 I muft honourably diftinguifli a weekly fociety, which was inflituted in the year 1764, 
 and which ftill continues to flourifh, under the title of the Literary Club. (Hav/kins's 
 Life of Johnfon, p. 415. Bofweli's Tour to the Hebrides, p. 97.) The names of 
 Dr. Johnfon, Mr. Burke, Mr. Topham Beauclerc, Mr. Garrick, Dr. GoWfmith, Sir 
 JoQiua Reynolds, Mr. Colman, Sir W'lliiam Jones, Dr. Percy, Mr. Fox, Mr. She- 
 rjdan, Mr. Adam Smith, Mr, Steevens, Mr. Dunning, Sirjofeph Banks, Dr. Warton, 
 and his brother INIr. Thomas Warton, Dr. Burney, &c. forma large and luminous 
 eonflellation of Britifh (lars. 
 
 defirous
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 14; 
 
 tffefirous of breathing the air of the country, I poflcfTed an hofpitable 
 retreat at Sheffield-place in Suffex, in the family of my valuable 
 friend Mr. Holroyd, whofe charader, under the name of Lord 
 Sheffield, has fince been more confpicuous to the public. 
 
 No fooner was I fettled in my houfe and library, than I under- 
 took the compofition of the firft volume of my Hiflory. At the 
 outfet all was dark and doubtful ; even the title of the work, the 
 true xra of the Decline and Fall of the Empire, the limits of the 
 introdudlion, the divifion of the chapters, and the order of the nar- 
 rative ; and I was often tempted to cafl: away the labour of feven 
 years. The flyle of an author fhould be the image of his mind, but 
 the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercife. Many 
 experiments were made before I could hit the middle tone between 
 a dull chronicle and a rhetorical declamation : three times did I com- 
 pofe the firft chapter, and twice the fecond and third, before I was 
 tolerably fatisfied with their efFedl. In the remainder of the way I 
 advanced with a more equal and eafy pace ; but the fifteenth and 
 fixteenth chapters have been reduced by three fucceffive revifals, from, 
 a large volume to their prefent fize ; and they might ftill be com- 
 prefied, without any lofs of fa£ts or fentiments. An oppofite fault 
 may be imputed to the concife and fuperficial narrative of the firft 
 reigns from Commodus to Alexander ; a fault of which I have never 
 heard, except from Mr. Hume in his laft journey to London. Such 
 an oracle might have been confulted and obeyed with rational de« 
 votion ; but I was foon difgufted with the modeft pradlce of read- 
 ing the manufcript to my friends. Of fuch friends fome will 
 praife from politenefs, and fome will criticife from vanity. Tht 
 author himfelf is the heft judge of his own performance ; no one has 
 fo deeply meditated on the fubjed ; no vne is fo fincerely interefted 
 in the event. 
 
 By the friendfliip of Mr. (now Lord) Eliot, who had married my 
 firft coufin, I was returned at the general eledioa for the borough 
 
 VOL. 1. * u of
 
 146 MEMOIRSOF 
 
 of Leikeaid. I took my feat at the beginning of. the memorable 
 conteft between Great Britain and America, and fiipported, with 
 many a fmcere and filent vote, the rights, though not, perhaps, the 
 intereft, of the mother country. After a fleeting iUufive hope, pru- 
 dence condemned me to acquiefce in the humble ftation of a mute. 
 I was not armed by Nature and education with the intrepid energy 
 of mind and voice. 
 
 Vincentem ftrepitus, et natum rebus agendis. 
 
 Timidity was fortified by pride, and even the fuccefs of my pen dlf- 
 couraged the trial of my voice *, Eut I aflifted at the debates of a 
 free afl'embly ; I liftened to the attack and defence of eloquence and 
 reafon ; I had a near profpe£t of the charadters, views, and paffions 
 of the fir ft men of the age. The caufe of government was ably 
 vindicated by Lord Norih^ a ftatcfman of fpotlefs integrity, a cou- 
 fummate mafter of debate, who could wield, with equal dexterity, 
 'the arms of reafon and of ridicule* He was feated on the Treafury- 
 bench between his Attorney and Solicitor General, the two pillars 
 of the law and ftate, magh pares quavi fimiles ; and the minifter might 
 indulge in a fhort llumber, whilft he was upholden on either hand 
 by the majeftic fenfe of 'Thurlow, and the fkilful eloquence of Wedder- 
 biirne. from the adverfe fide of the houfe an ardent and powerful 
 oppofition was fupported, by the lively declamation of Barre, the 
 legal acutenefs of Dunning^ the profufe and philofophic fancy of 
 Burke^ and the argumentative vehemence of Fox^ who In the con- 
 dud of a party approved himfelf equal to the condudt of an empire. 
 
 * A French fketch of Mr. Gibbon's Life, written by himfelf, probably for the ufe 
 of feme foreign journalift or tranflator, contains no facl not mentioned in his Englifh 
 Life. He there defcribes himfelf with his ufual candour, Depuis huit ans il a aflifte 
 aux deliberations les plus importantes, niais 11 ne s'efl jamais trouve le courage, ni le talent) 
 tie purler dans une aiTemblee publique. This flcetcli was written before the publication 
 of his three laft volumes, as in clofing it he fays of his Hiftory : Cette entreprife lui de- 
 mande encore plufieurs annees d'une application foutenue ; mais quclqu'en foit le fucces, 
 il trouve dans cette application meme un plaifir toujours varie et toujours renaiflant. 
 
 3 By
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 147 
 
 By fuch men every operation of peace and war, every principle 
 of juftice or policy, every queftion of authority and freedom, was 
 attacked and defended ; and the fubjedt of the momentous conteft 
 w^as the union or feparation of Great Britain and America. The 
 eight feflions that I fat in parliament were a fchool of civil pru- 
 dence, the lirft and moft effential virtue of an hiftorian. 
 
 The volume of my Hiflory, which had been fomewhat delayed 
 by the novelty and tumult of a firft feffion, was now ready for 
 the prefs. After the perilous adventure had been declined by my 
 friend Mr. Elmfly, I agreed, upon eafy terms, with Mr. ThomaJ 
 Cadell, a refpedable bookfeller, and Mr. William Strahan, an emi- 
 nent printer ; and they undertook the care and rifk of the publica- 
 tion, which derived more credit from the name of the {hop than 
 from that of the author. The laft revifal of the proofs was fub- 
 mitted to my vigilance ; and many blemiilies of ftyle, which had 
 been invifible in the manufcript, were difcovered and corrected in 
 the printed fheet. So moderate were our hopes, that the original 
 impreffion had been dinted to five hundred, till the number was 
 doubled by the prophetic tafle of Mr. Strahan. During this awful 
 interval I was neither elated by the ambition of fame, nor deprefled 
 by the apprehenfion of contempt. My diligence and accuracy were 
 attefted by my own confcience. Hiflory is the moft popular fpecies 
 of writing, fmce it can adapt itfelf to the higheft or the loweft ca- 
 pacity. I had chofen an illuftrious fubjedt. Rome is familiar to 
 the fchool-boy and the ftatefman ; and my narrative was deduced 
 from the laft period of claftical reading. I had likewife flattered 
 myfelf, that an age of light and liberty would receive, without fcan- 
 dal, an inquiry into tlie human caiifcs of the progrefs and eftablifh- 
 ment of Chriftianity. 
 
 1 am at a lofs how to defcribe the fuccefs of the work, without 
 betraying the vanity of the writer. The firft impreffion v^as ex- 
 haufted in a few days ; a fecond and third edition were fcarcely 
 
 u 2 adequate
 
 148 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 adequate to the demand ; and the bookfcUer'a property was twice 
 invaded by the pirates of Dublin. My book was on every table, 
 and ah-noft on every toilette ; the hiftorian was crowned by the tafte 
 or fafhion of the day ; nor was the general voice difturbed by the 
 barking of any profane critic. The favour of mankind is moft freely 
 bellowed on a new acquaintance of any original merit; and the 
 mutual furprize of the public and their favourite is produdive of 
 thofe warm fenfibilities, which at a fecond meeting can no longer be 
 rekindled. If I liftened to the mufic of praife, I was more ferioufly 
 fatisfied with the approbation of my judges. The candour of Dr. 
 Robertfon embraced his difciple. A letter from Mr. Hume overpaid 
 the labour of ten years ; but I have never prefumed to accept a 
 place in the triumvirate of Britifli hiftorians. 
 
 That curious and original letter will amufe the reader, and his 
 gratitude fhould fhield my free communication from the reproach of 
 vanity. 
 
 " Dear Sir, Edinburgh, i8di March 1776. 
 
 " As I ran through your volume of hiftory with great avidity and 
 impatience, I cannot forbear difcovering fomewhat of the fame impa- 
 tience in returning you thanks for your agreeable prefent, and exprelT- 
 ing the latisfadion which the performance has given me. Whether 
 I confider the dignity of your ftyle, the depth of your matter, or the 
 extenfivenefs of your learning, I muft regard the work as equally 
 the objed of efteem ; and I own that if I had not previoufly had 
 the happinefs of your perfonal acquaintance, fuch a performance 
 from an Englifliman in our age would have given me fome furprize. 
 You may fmile at this fentiment ; but as it feems to me that your 
 countrymen, for almoft a whole generation, have given tliemfelves 
 up to barbarous and abfurd fadion, and have totally negleded all 
 polite letters, I no longer expeded any valuable produdlion ever to 
 come from them. I know it will give you pleafure (as it did me) 
 
 to
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 149 
 
 to find that all the men of letters in this place concur in their ad- 
 miration of your work, and in their anxious defire of your con- 
 tinuing it. 
 
 " When I heard of your undertaking, (which was fome time ago,) 
 I own I was a little curious to fee how you would extricate yourfelf 
 from the fubjecl of your two laft chapters. I think you have ob- 
 ferved a very prudent temperament ; but it was impoffible to treat 
 the fubjed fo as not to give grounds of fufpicion againft you, and 
 you may exped: that a clamour will arife. This, if any thing, will 
 retard your fuccefs with the public ; for in every other refpedl your 
 work is calculated to be popular. But among many other marks of 
 decline, the prevalence of fuperflicion in England prognofticates the 
 fall of philofophy and decay of tafte ; and though nobody be more 
 capable than you to revive them, you will probably find a. fl:ruggle 
 in your firft advances.. 
 
 " I fee you entertain a great doubt with regard to the authenticity 
 of the poems of Oflian. You are certainly right in fo doing. It is 
 indeed ftrange that any men of fenfe could have imagined it poflible, 
 that above twenty thoufand verfes, along with numberlefs hifl:orical 
 fails, could have been preferved by oral tradition during fifty gene- 
 rations, by the rudeft, perhaps,, of all the European nations, the 
 moft neceffitous, the moft turbulent, and the moft unfettled. Where 
 a fuppofition is fo contrary to common fenfe, any pofitive evidence 
 of it ought never to be regarded. Men run with great avidity to 
 give their evidence in favour of what flatters their paflions and their 
 national prejudices. You are therefore over and above indulgent to 
 us in fpeaking of the matter with hefitation. 
 
 " I muft inform you that we are all very anxious to hear that you 
 have fully coUeded the materials for your fecond volume, and that 
 you are even confiderably advanced in the compofition of it, I fpeak 
 this more in the name of my friends than in my own j as I cannot: 
 
 exped
 
 150 M E M O I R S O F 
 
 expeft to live fo long as to fee the publication of it. Your enfuing 
 volume will be more delicate than the preceding, but I truft in your 
 prudence for extricating you from the difficulties ; and, in all 
 events, you have courage to defpife the clamour of bigots. 
 I am, with great regard, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your moil obedient, and mofl humble Servant, 
 
 David Hume." 
 
 Some weeks afterwards I had the melancholy pleafure of feeing 
 Mr. Hume in his paflage through London ; his body feeble, his 
 mind firm. On the 25th of Auguft of the fame year (1776) he 
 died, at Edinburgh, the death of a philofopher. 
 
 My fecond excurfion to Paris was determined by the preffing in- 
 vitation of M. and Madame Necker, who had vifited England in 
 the preceding fummer. On my arrival I found M. Necker Diredlor- 
 •5-eneral of the finances, in the firft bloom of power and popularity. 
 His private fortune enabled him to fupport a liberal eftablifhment ; 
 and his wife, whofe talents and virtues I had long admired, was ad- 
 mirably qualified to prefide in the converfation of her table and 
 drawing-room. As their friend, I was introduced to the beft com- 
 pany of both fexes ; to the foreign minifters of all nations, and to 
 the firft names and charaders of France ; who diftinguifhed me by 
 fuch marks of civility and kindnefs, as gratitude will not fuffer me 
 to forget, and modefty will not allow me to enumerate. The 
 fafliionable fuppers often broke into the morning hours ; yet I occa- 
 fionally confulted the Royal Library, and that of the Abbey of 
 St. Germain, and in the free ufe of their books at home, I had 
 always reafon to praife the liberality of thofe inftitutions. The fo- 
 ciety of men of letters I neither courted nor declined ; but I was 
 2 happy 
 
 ^
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 151 
 
 happy in the acquaintance of M. de Bufibn, who united with a fu- 
 blime genius the moft amiable fimplicity of mind and manners. 
 At the table of my old friend, M. dc Foncemagne, I was involved 
 in a difpute with the Abbe de Mably ; and his jealous irafcible fpirit 
 revenged itfelf on a work which he was incapable of reading in the 
 original. 
 
 As I might be partial in my own caufe, I fhall tranfcribe the words 
 of an unknown critic, obferving only, that this difpute had been 
 preceded by another on the Englifh conftitution, at the houfe of the 
 Countefs de Froulay, an old Janfenill lady. 
 
 " Vous etiez chez M. de Foncemagne, mon cher Theodon, le jour 
 ** que M. I'Abbe de Mably et M. Gibbon y dinerent en grande com- 
 *' pagnie. La converfation roula prefque entierement fur I'hiftoire. 
 " L'Abbe etant un profond politique, la tourna fur I'adminiftration, 
 *' quand on fut au defert : et comme par caradere, par humeur, 
 •* par Thabitude d'admirer Tite Live, il ne prife que le fyfteme re- 
 ** publicain, il fe mit a. vanter I'excellence des republiques ; bien 
 " perfuade que le favant Anglois I'approuveroit en tout, et admireroit 
 *' la profondeur de genie qui avoit fait deviner tous ces avantages a. 
 ** un Franyois. Mais M. Gibbon, inftruit par I'experience dcs in- 
 ** conveniens d'un gouvernement populaire, ne fut point du tout de 
 ** fon avis, et il prit genereufement la defenfe du gouvernement mo- 
 *' narchique. L'Abbe voulut le convaincre par Tite Live, et par 
 " quelques argumens tires de Plutarque en faveur des Spartiates. 
 " M. Gibbon, doue de la memoire la plus heureufe, et ayant tous les 
 *' faits prefens a. la penfee, domina bien-tot la converfation ; I'Abbe fe 
 " facha, il s'emporta, il dit des chofes dures ; I'Anglois, confervant le 
 *' phlegme de fon pays, prenoit fes avantages, et preflbit I'Abbe avec 
 " d'autant plus de fucces que la colere le troubloit de plus en plus. 
 ** La converfation s'echauffoit, et M. de Foncemagne la rompit en fe 
 ** levant de table, et en paffant dans le falon, ou perfonne ne fut tente 
 
 "de
 
 152 MEMOIRS or 
 
 *' dc la renouer." Supplement de la Manicrc (Vecrire V Hijlotre^ 
 p. 125, &c. * 
 
 Nearly two years had elapled between the publication of my firft 
 and the commencement of my fecond volume ; and the caufes mufl 
 be afligned of this long delay, i. After a fliort holiday, I indulged 
 my curiofity in fome ftudies of a very different nature, a courfe of 
 anatomy, which was dcmonftrated by DoGor Hunter ; and fome 
 lefibns of chymiftry, which were delivered by Mr. Higgins. The 
 principles of thefe fcicnces, and a tafte for books of natural hiftory, 
 contributed to multiply my ideas and images ; and the anatomift and 
 chymift may fometimes track me in their own fnow. 2. I dived, 
 perhaps too deeply, into the mud of the Arian controverfy ; and 
 many days of reading, thinking, and writing were confumed in the 
 purfuit of a phantom. 3. It is difficult to arrange, with order and 
 perfpicuity, the various tranfadlions of the age of Conftantine ; and 
 fo much was I difpleafed with the firft eflliy, that I committed to the 
 flames above fifty fheets. 4. The fix months of Paris and pleafure 
 muft be deduced from the account. But when I refumed my tafk 
 I felt my improvement ; I was now mafter of my ftyle and fubjed, 
 and while the meafure of my daily performance was enlarged, I dif- 
 
 * Of the voluminous writings of the Abbe de Mably, (fee his Eloge bjr the Abbe 
 Brizard,) the Principes dti droit public de I' Europe, and the firft part of the Obfervnticjis fur 
 FHiJloire de France, may be defervedly praifed ; and even the Matiiere d'ecrirefHiJioire 
 contains feveral ufeful precepts and judicious remarks. Mably v.-as a lover of virtue 
 and freeilom ; but his virtue was auftere, and his freedom was impatient of an equal. 
 Kings, niagiftrates, nobles, and fuccefsful writers, were the objects of his contempt, 
 or hatred, or envy ; but his illiberal abufe of Voltaire, Hume, BuiFon, the Abbe 
 Reynal, Dr. Robertfon, and tutti quairti, can be injurious only to himfelf. 
 
 " Eft il rien de plus faftidieux (fays the polite Cenfor) qu'un M. Gibbon; qui dans 
 " fon cternelle Hiftoire des Empcreurs Romains, fufpend a chaque inftant fon infipidc et 
 «' lente narration, pour vous expliquer la caufe de faits que vous allez lire." (Maniere 
 d'ecrire I'Hiftoire, p. 184. See another paffage, p. 280.) Yet I am indebted to the 
 Abbe de Mably for two fuch advocates as the anonymous Prench Critic and my friend 
 Mr. Hayley. (Hayley's Works, 8vo Edit. Vol.ii. p. 261 — 263.) 
 
 covered
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 153 
 
 covered lefs reafon to cancel or corrcft. It has always been my 
 pradice to caft a long paragraph in a fingle mould, to try it by my 
 ear, to depofit it in my memory, but to fufpend the adlion of the 
 pen till I had given the laft polifh to my work. Shall I add, that I 
 never found my mind more vigorous, nor my compofitiou more 
 happy, than in the winter hurry of fociety and parliament ? 
 
 Had I believed that the majority of Englifli readers v/erc fo fondly 
 attached even to the name and fhadow of Chriftianity ; had 1 forefecn 
 that the pious, rhe timid, and the prudent, would feel, or affedt to 
 feel, with fuch exquihte fenfibility ; I might, perhaps, have foftened 
 the two invidious chapters, which would create many enemies, and 
 conciliate few friends. But the fhaft was (hot, the alarm was founded, 
 and I could only rejoice, that if the voice of our priefts was clamo- 
 rous and bitter, their hands were difarmed from the powers of per- 
 fecution. I adhered to the wife refolution of trufting myfelf and 
 my writings to the candour of the public, till Mr. Davles of Oxford 
 prefumed to attack, not the faith, but the fidelity, of the hiftorian. 
 My Vindication^ expreflive of lefs anger than contempt, amufed for 
 a moment the bufy and idle metropolis ; and the moft rational part 
 of the laity, and even of the clergy, appear to have been fatisfied 
 of my innocence and accuracy. I would not print this Vindication in 
 quarto, left it fliould be bound and preferved with the hiftory itfelf. At 
 the diftance of twelve years, I calmly affirm my judgment of Davies, 
 Chelfum, &c. A vidory over fuch antagonifts was a fufficient hu- 
 miliation. They, however, were rewarded in this world. Poor 
 Chelfum was indeed neglected ; and I dare not boaft the making 
 Dr. Watfon a bifhop ; he is a prelate of a large mind and liberal 
 fpirit * : but I enjoyed the pleafure of giving a Royal penfion to 
 Mr, Davies, and of collating Dr. Apthorpe to an archiepifcopal living. 
 
 • See Appendix, Letters, N= LXVIII. LXIX. and C, 
 VOL. I. X Their
 
 154 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Their fuccefs encouraged the zeal of Taylor the Arian ^, and Milner 
 the Methodifl: f, with many others, whom it would be difficult to 
 remember, and tedious to rehearfe. The lift of my adverliiries, how- 
 ever, was graced with the more refpedtable names of Dr. Prieftley, 
 Sir David Dalrymple, and Dr. White ; and every polemic, of either 
 univerfity, difcharged his fermon or pamphlet againft the impe- 
 netrable filence of the Roman hiftorian. In his Hiftory of the 
 Corruptions of Chriftianity, Dr. Prieftley threw down his two gaunt- 
 lets to Bifhop Hurd and Mr. Gibbon. I declined the challenge in a 
 letter, exhorting my opponent to enlighten the world by his philo- 
 fophical difcoveries, and to remember that the merit of his prede- 
 ceflbr Servetus is now reduced to a fmgle paflage, which indicates the 
 fmaller circulation of the blood through the lungs, from and to the 
 heart %• ' Inftead of liftening to this friendly advice, the dauntlefs 
 philofopher of Birmingham continued to fire away his double bat- 
 tery againft thofe who believed too little, and thofe who believed too 
 much. From my replies he has nothing to hope or fear : but his 
 Socinian fhield has repeatedly been pierced by the fpear of Horlley, 
 and his trumpet of fedition may at length awaken the magiftrates of 
 a free country. 
 
 The profeffion and rank of Sir David Dalrymple (now a Lord of 
 Seffion) has given a more decent colour to his ftyle. BiU he fcru- 
 
 * The ftupendous title, Thoughts on the Caufes of the grand Apojlacy, at firft agitated 
 my nerves, till I difcovered that it was the apoftacy of the whole church, fmce the 
 Council of Nice, from Mr. Taylor's private religion. His book is a thorough mix- 
 ture of high enthufiafm and lovj buffoonery, and the Millenium is a fundamental article 
 of his creed. 
 
 f From his grammar-fthool at Kingfton upon Hull, Mr. Jofeph Mihier pronounces 
 an anathema againft all rational religion. His faith is a divine tafte, a fpiritual in- 
 fpiration J his church is a myllic and invifible body : the «/?/«>-«/ Chriftians, fuch as 
 Mr. Locke, who believe and interpret the Scriptures, are, in his judgment, no bettes 
 than profane infidels. 
 
 % Aftrucde la Structure du Coeur, torn. i. "^I- 1<). Appendix, Letters CXIX—. 
 
 cxxiv. 
 
 tinized
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 155 
 
 tin'ized each feparate paflage of the two chapters with the dry mi- 
 nutenefs of a fpeclal pleader ; and as he was always folicitous to 
 make, he may have fucceeded fometimes in finding, a flaw. In his 
 Annals of Scotland, he has Ihewn himfelf a diligent colledor and an 
 accurate critic. 
 
 I have praifed, and I ftill praife, the eloquent fermons which were 
 preached in St. Mary's pulpit at Oxford by Dr. White. If he slC- 
 faulted me with fome degree of illiberal acrimony, in fuch a place, 
 and before fuch an audience, he was obliged to fpeak the language 
 of the country. I fmiled at a palfage in one of his private letters to 
 Mr. Badcock ; " The part where we encounter Gibbon mud be 
 *' brilliant and ftriking." 
 
 In a fermon preached before the univerfity of Cambridge, Dr. Ed- 
 wards complimented a work, " which can only perifh with the 
 *' language itfelf ;" and efteems the author a formidable enemy. He 
 is, indeed, aftonifhed that more learning and ingenuity has not been 
 fhewn in the defence of Ifrael; that the prelates and dignitaries of 
 the church (alas, good man !) did not vie with each other, whofe- 
 ftone fhould fmk the deepeft in the forehead of this Goiiah. 
 
 " But the force of truth will oblige us to confefs, that in the at- 
 *' tacks which have been levelled againfl; our fceptical hiftorian, we 
 *' can difcover but flender traces of profound and exquifite erudition, 
 *' of folid criticifm and accurate inveftigation ; but we are too fre- 
 " quently difgufted by vague and inconclufive reafoning ; by unfea- 
 *' fonable banter and fenfelefs wittlcifms ; by imbittered bigotry and 
 *' enthufiaftic jargon ; by futile cavils and illiberal invedlives. Proud 
 " and elated by the v^^eaknefs of his antagonifts, he condefcends not 
 " to handle the fword of controverfy *." 
 
 Let me frankly own that I was ftartled at the firft difcharge of 
 ecclefiaftical ordnance ; but as foon as I found that this empty noife 
 was mifchievous only in the intention, my fear -was converted into 
 
 * Monthly Review, Oft. 1 790. 
 
 X 2 indignation ;
 
 1^5 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 indignation ; and every feeling of indignation or curiofity has long 
 fince fubfided in pure and placid indifference. 
 
 The profecution of my hiftory was foon afterwards checked by 
 another controverfy of a very different kind. At the requeft of the 
 Lord Chancellor, and of Lord Weymouth, th^n Secretary of State, 
 I vindicated, againft the French manifefto, the juftice of the Britifh 
 arms. The whole correfpondence of Lord Stormont, our late am- 
 baffador at Paris, was fubmitted to my infpeaion, and the Memo'ire 
 Jujitficatif, which I compofed in French, was lirft approved by the 
 Cabinet Minifters, and then delivered as a ftate paper to the courts 
 of Europe. The ftyle and manner are praifed by Beaumarchais 
 himfelf, who, in his private quarrel, attempted a reply; but he 
 flatters me, by afcribing the memoir to Lord Stormont ; and the 
 groffnefs of his inve£live betrays the lofs of temper and of wit ; he 
 acknowledged *, that Ic Jlyle ne fcroit pas ferns grace, m la logique 
 fans jnjlcjfe. Sec. if the fads were true which he undertakes to dif- 
 prove. For thefe fads my credit is not pledged ; I fpoke as a 
 lawyer from my brief, but the veracity of Beaumarchais may be 
 eftimated from the affertion that France, by the treaty of Paris 
 (1763), was limited to a certain number of fhips of war. On the 
 application of the Duke of Choifeul, he was obliged to retrad this 
 daring falfehood. 
 
 Among the honourable connedlons which I had formed, I may 
 juftly be proud of the friendfliip of Mr. Wedderburne, at that time 
 Attorney General, who now illuftrates the title of Lord Lough- 
 borough, and the office of Chief Juftice of the Common Pleas. By 
 his ftrong recommendation, and the favourable difpofition of Lord 
 North, I v/as appointed one of the Lords Commiffioners of Trade 
 and Plantations ; and my private income was enlarged by a clear 
 addition of between feven and eight hundred pounds a-year. The 
 fancy of an hoftile orator may paint, in the ftrong colours of lidi- 
 
 * Ocuvrcs de Beaumarchais, torn. ili. p. 299. 355. 
 
 7 cule,
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINOS. 157 
 
 cule, " the perpetual virtual adjournment, and the unbroken fitting 
 
 " vacation of the Board of Trade *." But it muft be allowed that 
 
 our duty was not intolerably fevere, and that I enjoyed many days 
 
 and weeks of repofe, without being called away from my library to 
 
 the office. My acceptance of a place provoked fome of the leaders 
 
 of oppofitioU) with whom I had lived in habits of intimacy ; and I 
 
 was mofl unjuftly accufed of deferting a party, in which I had 
 
 never inlifted f . 
 
 The 
 
 ,* I can never forget the delight with which that difFufive and ingenious orator, 
 Mr. Burke, was heard by all fides of the houfe, and even by thofe whofe exiftence he 
 profcrlbed. (See Mr. Burke's fpeech on the Bill of Reform, p. 72 — 80.) The Lords 
 of Trade blufhed at their infignificancy, and Mr. Eden's appeal to the two thoufanJ 
 five hundred volumes of our Reports, ferved only to excite a general laugh. I take 
 this opportunity of certifying the corre£tnefs of Mr. Burke's printed fpeeches, which 
 I have heard and read. 
 
 f From Edward Gibbon efq. to efq. 
 
 Dear Sir, 2d July 1779. 
 
 Yefterday I received a very interefting communication from my friend, whofe 
 kind and honourable behaviour towards me I muft always remember with the higheft 
 gratitude. He informed me that, in confequence of -an arrangement, a place at the 
 Board of Trade was referved for me, and that as foon as I fignified my acceptance of 
 it, he was fatisfied no farther difficulties would arife. My anfwer to him was fincere 
 and explicit. I told him that I was far from approving all thepaft meafures of the ad- 
 miniftration, even fome of thofe in which I myfelf had filently concurred ; that I faw, 
 with the reft of the world, many capital defefts in the chara£lers of fome of the pre- 
 fent miniftcrs, and was forry that in fo alarming a fituatiou of public affairs, the 
 country had not the afliftance of feveral able and honeft men who are now in oppo- 
 fition. But that I had not formed with any of thofe perfons in oppofition any engage- 
 ments or connexions which could lii the leait reftrain or afFe£l: my parliamentary con- 
 du£l' ; that I could not difcover among them fuch fuperior advantages, either of mea- 
 fures or of abilities, as could make me confider it as a duty to attach myfelf to their 
 
 caufe ; and that I clearly underftood, from the public and private language of , 
 
 one of their leaders, that in the adlual ftate of the country, he himfelf was ferioufly of 
 opinion that oppofition could not tend to any good purpofe, and might be produdive of 
 much mifchief ; that, for thofe reafons, I faw no objeftions which could prevent mc 
 from accepting an office under the prefent government, and that I was ready to take 
 a ftep which I found to be confident both with my intereft and nay honour. 
 
 It
 
 158 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 The afpcd of the next felFion of parliament was flormy and pe- 
 rilous ; county meetings, petitions, and committees of correfpond- 
 ence, announced the public difcontent ; and inftead of voting with 
 a triumphant majority, the friends of government were often ex- 
 pofed to a flruggle, and fometimes to a defeat. The Houfe of Com- 
 mons adopted Mr. Dunning's motion, '• That the influence of the 
 *' Crowm had increafed, was increafmg, and ought to be dimi- 
 " nifhed :" and Mr. Burke's bill of reform was framed with Ikilli 
 introduced with eloquence, and fupportcd by numbers. Our late 
 prefident, the American Secretary of State, very narrowly efcaped 
 the fentence of profcription ; but the unfortunate Board of Trade 
 was abolifhed in the committee by a fmall majority (207 to 199) 
 of eight votes. The ftorm, however, blew over for a time ; a large 
 defedion of country gentlemen eluded the fanguine hopes of the 
 patriots : the Lords of Trade were revived ; adminiftratlon reco- 
 vered their ftrength and fpirit ; and the flames of London, which 
 were kindled by a mifchievous madman, admoniflied all thinking 
 men of the danger of an appeal to the people. In the premature 
 diflblution which followed this feflSon of parliament I loft my feat. 
 Mr. Elliot was now deeply engaged in the meafures of oppofition, 
 and the eledlors of Lefkeard * are commonly of the fame opinion 
 as Mr. Elliot. 
 
 It muft now be decided, whether I m:iy continue to live in England, or whether I 
 inuft foon withdraw myfelf into a kind of philofophical exile in Switzerland. My 
 father left his affairs in a flate of embarraffment, and even of diftrefs. My attempts 
 to difpofe of a part of my landed property have hitherto been difappointed, end are not 
 likely at pre fen t to be more fuccefsful : and my plan of expence, though moderate in 
 itfelf, deferves the name of extravagance, fince it exceeds my real income. The ad- 
 dition of the falary which is now ofiered will make my fituation perfectly eafy j but I 
 hope you will do me the juftice to believe that my mind could not be fo, unlefs I were 
 fatisfied of the reftitude of my own conduft. 
 
 * The borough which Mr. Gibbon had reprefented in parliament. 
 
 In
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 159 
 
 In this interval of my fenatorial life, I publifhed the fecond and 
 third vokimes of the Decline and Fall. My ecclefiaftical hiftory ftill 
 breathed the fame fpirit of freedom ; but proteftant zeal is more 
 indifferent to the charafters and controverfies of the fourth and fifth 
 centuries. My obftinate fdence had damped the ardour of the po- 
 lemics. Dr. Watfon, the moft candid of my adverfaries, aflured me 
 that he had no thoughts of renewing the attack, and my impartial 
 balance of the Aartues and vices of Julian was generally praifed. 
 This truce was interrupted only by fome animadverfions of the Ca- 
 tholics of Italy, and by fome angry letters from Mr. Travis, who 
 made me perfonally refponfible for condemning, with the heft cri- 
 tics, the fpurious text of the three heavenly witnefTes. 
 
 The piety or prudence of my Italian tranflator has provided aii 
 antidote againft the poifon of his original. The 5th and 7th vo- 
 lumes are armed with five letters from an anonymous divine to his 
 friends, Foothead and Kirk, two Englilh ftudents at Rome ; and this 
 meritorious fervice is commended by Monfignor Stonor, a prelate of 
 the fame nation, who difcovers much venom in \X\t fluid and nervous 
 ftyle of Gibbon. The critical eflay at the end of the third volume 
 was furnilhed by the Abbate Nicola Spedalieri, whofe zeal has gra- 
 dually fwelled to a more folid confutation in two quarto volumes. — 
 Shall I be excufed for not having read them ? 
 
 The brutal infoJence of Mr. Travis's challenge can only be excufed 
 by the abfence of learning, judgment, and humanity; and to that ex- 
 cufe he has the faireft or fouleft pretenfion. Compared with Arch- 
 deacon Travis, Chelfum and Davies afilime the title of refpedable 
 enemies. 
 
 The bigotted advocate of popes and monks may be turned over 
 even to the bigots of Oxford ; and the wretched Travis ftill fmarts 
 under the lalh of the mercilefs Porfon. Iconfider Mr. Porfon's 
 anfwer to Archdeacon Travis as the moft: acute and accurate piece of 
 criticifm which has appeared fince the days of Bentley. His ftric- 
 2- tures
 
 i6o MEMOIRS OF 
 
 tures.are founded in argument, enriched with learning, and enlivened 
 with wit ; and his adverfary neither deferves nor finds any quarter at 
 his hands. The evidence of the three heavenly witneflcs would now 
 be rejedled in any court of juftice : but prejudice is blind, authority 
 is deaf, and our vulgar bibles will ever be polluted by this fpurious 
 text, '■'■ fcdet aternumque fcdebit^'' The more learned ecclefiaftics will 
 indeed have the fecret fatisfadlion of reprobating in the clofet what 
 they read in the church. 
 
 I perceived, and without furprife, the coldnefs and even prejudice 
 of the town ; nor could a whifper efcape my ear, that, in the judg- 
 ment of many readers, my continuation was much inferior to the 
 original attempts. An author who cannot afcend will always appear 
 to fink ; envy was now prepared for my reception, and the zeal of 
 my religious, was fortified by the motive of my political, enemies. 
 Bifhop Newton, in writing his own life, was at full liberty to declare 
 how much he himfelf and two eminent brethren were difgufted by 
 Mr. G.'s prolixity, tedioufnefs, and afFeftation. But the old man 
 fhould not have indulged his zeal in a falfe and feeble charge againft 
 the hiftorian *, who had faithfully and even cautioufly rendered Dr. 
 
 Burnet's 
 
 * ExtraB from Mr. Gibbon'/ Common Place Book. 
 
 Thomas Newton, Bifliop of Briftol and Dean of St. Paul's, was born at Litchfield 
 on the 21ft of December 1703, O. S. (ifl January 1704, N. S.), and died the 14th of 
 February 1782, in the 79th year of his age. A few days before his death he finiftied 
 the memoirs of his own life, which have been prefixed to an edition of his pollhu- 
 mous works, firft publlflied in quarto, and fince (1787) re-publifhed in fix volumes 
 ofkavo. 
 
 P. 173, 174. Some books were publifhed in 1781, which employed fome of the 
 Bifhop's leifure hours, and during his illnefs. Mr. Gibbon's HijJory of the Decline and 
 Fall of the Roman Empire he read throughout, but it by no meir.s anfwered his expefta- 
 tioM -, for he found it rather a prolix and tedious performance, his matter uninterefting, 
 and his ftyle affe£ted ; his teftimonies not to be depended upon, and his frequent feoffs 
 at religion offenfive to every fober mind. He had before been convidled of making 
 faife quotations, which fliould have taught him more prudence and caution. But, 
 without examining his authorities, there is one which muft neceflarily ftrike every man 
 
 who
 
 MY LIl-E AND WRITINGS. i6i 
 
 Burnet's meaning by the alternative of deep or rcpofc. That plillo- 
 fbphic divine fuppoles, that, in the period between death and tlie 
 relurre<Stlon, human fouls exift without a body, endowed with in- 
 ternal confcloufnefs, but deflltute of all active or paffivc connection 
 with the external world. " Secundum communem dldionem facrae 
 " fcrlptursB, mors dicltur fomnus, et morlentes dicuntur abdormir^y 
 
 who has read Dr. Burnet's Treatife ilf Statu Moi-tuoruin. In vol. Hi. p. 99. Mr. G. h.is 
 tlie following note: — " Burnet [ile S. M. p. 56 — 84.) colleQs the opinions of tlic 
 " Fathers, as far as tliey aflert tlie fleep or repofe of human fouls till the day of judg- 
 " ment. He afterwards expofes (p. 91.) the inconveniences which mufl arife if tliey 
 " pofTefled a more aflive and fenfiblc exiftence. AVho would not from hence infer 
 •' that Dr. B. was an advocate for the fleep or ir.fenfible exiftence of the foul after 
 " death? v/hereas his dodlrine is direftly the contrary. He has employed fome chap- 
 " ters in treating of the ftate of human fouls in the interval between death and the 
 "* refurreftion ; and after various proofs from reafon, from fcripturc, and the Fathers, 
 " his concluGons are, that human fouls exift after their feparation from the body, that 
 " they are in a good or evil ftate according to their good or ill behaviour, but that 
 ♦' neither their happinefs nor their niifery will be complete or perfe£l before the day 
 " of judgment. His argumentation is thus fummed up at the end of the 4th chapter — 
 " Ex quibus conjlat prinio, animas fiiperejfe extiiiclo corpore ; fecundo, bonns bene, malas male 
 '^ fe habitiiras; tertio, iiec ill'is fuinmant fellcifatem, ncc his fnminam tniftriam, accejfuram 
 '• ejje ante diemjudicii." (The Bifhop's reading the whole was a greater compliment to 
 the work than was paid to it by two of the moft eminent of his brethren for their learn- 
 ing and ftation. The one entered upon it, but was foon wearied, and laid it afide in 
 difguft : the other returned it upon the bookfeller's hands ; and it is faid that Mr. G. 
 himfelf happened unluckily to be in the fliop at the fame time.) 
 
 Does the Biihop comply with his own precept in the next page ? (p. 175.) " Old 
 " age fhould lenify, fliould foften men's manners, and make them more mild and 
 " gentle ; but often has the contrary effeft, hardens their hearts, and makes them 
 " more four and crabbed." — He is fpeaking of Dr. Johnfon. 
 
 Have I ever infmuated that preferment-hunting is the great occupation of an eccle- 
 fiaftical life.' (Memoirs paffim) ; that a minifter's Influence and a billiop's patronage 
 are fometimes pledged eleven deep? (p. 151.) that a prebendary confiders the audit 
 week as the better part of the year ? (p. 127.) or that the moft eminent of priefts, the 
 pope himfelf, would change their religion, if any thing better could be offered them ? 
 (p. ^6.) Such things are more than infmuated in the Bifhop's Life, which afforded 
 fome fcandal to the church, and fome diverfion to the profane laity. 
 
 VOL. lo y " quod
 
 i62 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 " quod innuere mihi vldetur (latum mortis efle ftatum qu'ietis, filentli, 
 *' et aEoyao-Ea?." {De Statu Mortuoruni., ch. v. p. 98.) 
 
 I was however encouraged by fome domeftic and foreign teftimo- 
 nies of applaufe ; and the fecond and third volumes infenfibly rofe in 
 fale and reputation to a level with the firft. But the public is feldom 
 wrong ; and I am inclined to believe that, efpecially in the begin- 
 ning, they are more prolix and lefs entertaining than the firft : my 
 efforts had not been relaxed by fuccefs, and I had rather deviated 
 into the oppofite fault of minute and fuperfluous diligence. On the 
 Continent, my name and writings were flowly dlffufed : a French 
 tranflation of the firft volume had difappointed the bookfellers of 
 Paris ; and a paffage in the third was conftrued as a perfonal reflec- 
 tion on the reigning monarch *. 
 
 Before I could apply for a feat at the general eledion the lift was 
 already full ; but Lord North's promife was fincere, his recommend- 
 ation was effedual, and I was foon chofen on a vacancy for the 
 borough of Lymington, in Hampftiire. In the firft feflion of the 
 new parliament, adminiftration flood their ground ; their final over- 
 throw was referved for the fecond. The American war had once 
 been the favourite of the country : the pride of England was irritated 
 by the refiftance of her colonies, and the executive power was driven 
 by national clamour into the moft vigorous and coercive meafures. 
 But the length of a fruitlefs conteft, the lofs of armies, the accumu- 
 lation of debt and taxes, and the hoftile confederacy of France, Spain, 
 and Holland, indifpofed the public to the American war, and the 
 
 * It may not be generally known that Louis tlie Sixteenth is a great reader,, 
 and a reader of EngliOi books. On perufing a paflage of my Hiftory which 
 feems to compare him to Arcadius or Honorius, he exprefled his refentment to the 
 Prince of B*****, from whom the intelligence was conveyed to me. I fliall neither 
 difclaim the allafion, nor examine the likenefs ; but the fituation of the late King of 
 "France excludes all fufpicion of flattery; and I am ready to declare that the concluding 
 gbfervatlons of my third volume were written before his acceflion to the throne. 
 
 perfons
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 163 
 
 .perfons by whom it was conduded ; the reprefentatives of the people, 
 followed, at a flow diftance, the changes of their opinion ; and the 
 minifters who refufed to bend, were broken by the tcmpeft. As 
 foon as Lord North had loft, or was about to lofe, a majority in the 
 Houfe of Commons, he furrendered his office, and retired to a pri- 
 vate ftation, with the tranquil aflurance of a clear confcience and a 
 cheerful temper : the old fabric was diffolved, and the pofts of go- 
 vernment were occupied by the vidlorious and veteran troops of op- 
 pofition. The lords of trade were not immediately difmifled, but 
 the board itfelf was aboliflied by Mr. Burke's bill, which decency 
 had compelled the patriots to revive ; and I was ftripped of a conve- 
 nient falary, after having enjoyed it about three years. 
 
 So flexible is the title of my Hiftory, that the final xra might be 
 fixed at my own choice ; and I long hefitated whether I fhould be 
 content with the three volumes, the fall of the Weftern empire, 
 which fulfilled my firft engagement with the public. In this interval 
 of fufpence, nearly a twelvemonth, I returned by a natural impulfe 
 to the Greek authors of antiquity ; I read with new pleafure the 
 Iliad and the Odyfley, the Hiftories of Herodotus, Thucydides, 
 and Xenophon, a large portion of the tragic Jind comic theatre of 
 Athens, and many interefting dialogues of the Socratic fchool. Yet 
 in the luxury of freedom I began to wifh for the daily tafk, the 
 a£live purfuit, which gave a value to every book, and an obje£l to 
 every inquiry : the preface of a new edition announced my dciign, 
 and I dropped without reluctance from the age of Plato to that of 
 Juftinian. The original texts of Procopius and x'^gathias fupplied the 
 events and even the characters of his reign : but a laborious winter 
 was devoted to the Codes, the Pandefts, and the modern interpre- 
 ters, before I prefumed to form an abftradl of the civil law. My 
 (kill was improved by practice, my diligence perhaps was quickened 
 by the lofs of office; and, excepting the laft chapter, I had finiihed the 
 
 Y 2 fourth
 
 i64 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 fourth volume before I fought a retreat on the banks of the Lemarr 
 Lake. 
 
 It is not the purpofe of this narrative to expatiate on the public or. 
 fecret hiftorv of the times : the fchifm which followed the death of 
 the Marquis of Rockingham, the- appointment of the Earl of Sheli 
 burnc, the refignation of Mr. Fox, and his famous coalition with 
 Lord North. But I may aiTert, with feme degree of aflurance, thai' 
 in their political conflict thofe great antagonifts had never felt any. 
 perfonal animofity to each other, that their reconciliation was eafy 
 and fincere, and that their friendfhip has never been clouded by the 
 {hadow of fufpicion or jealoufy. The moft violent or venal of their 
 refpedive followers embraced this fair occafion of revolt, but their 
 alliance ftill commanded a majority in the Houfe of Commons ; the 
 peace was cenfured, Lord Shelburne refigned, and the two friends 
 knelt on the fame cufhion to take the oath of fecretary of ftate;. 
 From a principle of gratitude I adhered to the coalition : my vote 
 ■was counted in the day of battle, but I was overlooked in the div> 
 fion of the fpoil. There were many claimants more deferving and 
 importunate than myfelf: the board of trade couldnot be reftored^; 
 and, while the lift of places vms curtailed, the number of candidates 
 was doubled. An eafy difmiffion to a fecure feat at the board of 
 cuftoms or excife was promifed on the firft vacancy : but the chance 
 was diftant and doubtful ; nor could I folicit with much ardour an 
 ignoble fervitude, which would have robbed me of the moft vala- 
 able of my ftudious hours : at the fame time the tumult of London, 
 and the attendance on parliament, were grown more irkfome ; and, 
 without fome additional income, I could not long or prudently main- 
 tain the ftile of expence to which I was accuftomed. 
 
 From my early acquaintance with Laufanne I had always cheriftied 
 a fecret with, that the fchool of my youth might become the retreat 
 of my declining age. A moderate fortune would fecure the bleifmgs 
 
 8 of
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. i6S' 
 
 of eafe, lelfurc, and independence : the country, the people, the 
 manners, the language, were congenial to my tafte ; and I might in- 
 dulge the hope of pafling fome years in the domcftic fociety of a 
 friend. After travelling with feveral Englifh *, Mr. Deyverdun was 
 now fettled at home, in a pleafant habitation, the gift of his deceafed 
 aunt : we had long been feparated, we had long been filent ; yet in 
 my firfl: letter I expofed, with the moft perfedl confidence, my fitu- 
 ation, my fentiments, and my defigns. His immediate anfwer was 
 a warm and joyful acceptance : the picSture of our future life pro- 
 voked my impatience ; and the terms of arrangement were fliort 
 and" fimple, as he poflefTed the property, and I undertook the ex- 
 pence of our common houfe f. Before I could break my Englifli 
 chain, it was incumbent on me to ftruggle with the feelings of my 
 heart, the indolence of my temper, and the opinion of the world, 
 which unanimoufly condemned this voluntary baniiliment.. In the 
 difpofal of my effed's, the library, a. facred depofit, was alone ex- 
 cepted : as my poft-chaife moved over Weftminfter-bridge I bid a 
 long firewsl to the " fumum et opes llrepitumq^ Rom^e." My jour- 
 ney by the diredl road through France was not attended with any 
 accident, and I arrived at Laufanne nearly twenty years after m.y 
 fecorid departure. Within lefs than three months the coalition ftruck 
 on fome hidden rocks: had I rem.ained on board, I fhould have 
 perifhed in the general fhipwreck j:. 
 
 Since my eftablifhment at Laufanne, more than feven^years have 
 elapfed ; and if every day has not been equally foft and ferene, not 
 a day, not a moment, has occurred in which I have repented of ray 
 choice. During my abfence, a long portion of human life, many 
 changes had happened : my elder acquaintance had left the ftage .; 
 
 * Sir Richard Worfley, Lord Chefterfield, Broderick Lord Midleton, and Mr. 
 Hume, brother to Sir Abraham. 
 
 t See Appendix, Letters, No. CXXV. CXXVL CXXVIL CXXVIII. CXXIX. 
 CXXX. 
 
 I See Appendix, Letter, No.' GL, 
 
 virgiiis
 
 f66 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 virgins were ripened into matrons, and children were grown to the 
 age of manhood. But the fame manners were tranfmitted from one 
 generation to another : my friend alone was an ineftlmable treafure ; 
 my name was not totally forgotten, and all were ambitious to wel- 
 come the arrival of a ftranger and the return of a fellow-citizen. The 
 firft winter was given to a general embrace, without any nice difcri- 
 mination of perfons and charadters. After a more regular fettlement, 
 a more accurate furvey, I difcovered three folid and permanent bene- 
 fits of my new fituation. i. My perfonal freedom had been fome- 
 what impaired by the Houfe of Commons and the Board of Trade ; 
 but I was now delivered from the chain of duty and dependence, 
 from the hopes and fears of political adventure : my fober mind was 
 no longer intoxicated by the fumes of party, and I rejoiced in my 
 efcape, as often as I read of the midnight debates which preceded the 
 diflblution of parliament *. 2. My Englilh oeconomy had been that 
 of a folitary bachelor, who might afford fome occafional dinners. In 
 Switzerland I enjoyed at every meal, at every hour, the free and plea- 
 fant converfation of the friend of my youth ; and my daily table was 
 always provided for the reception of one or two extraordinary 
 guefts. Our importance in fociety is lefs a politive than a relative 
 weight : in London I was loft in the crowd ; I ranked with the firft 
 families of Laufanne, and my ftyle of prudent expence enabled me 
 to maintain a fair balance of reciprocal civilities. 3. Inftead of a 
 fmall houfe between a ftreet and a ftable-yard, I began to occupy a 
 fpacious and convenient manfion, connected on the north fide with 
 the city, and open on the fouth to a beautiful and boundlefs horizon. 
 A garden of four acres had been laid out by the tafte of Mr. Deyver- 
 dun : from the garden a rich fcenery of meadows and vineyards de- 
 fcends to the Leman Lake, and the profpeft far beyond the Lake is 
 crowned by the ftupendous mountains of Savoy. My books and my 
 acquaintance had been firft united in London ; but this happy pofi- 
 
 * See Appendix, Letter, No, CXLVI. 
 
 tion
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 167 
 
 tion of my library in town and country was finally referved for 
 Laufimnc. Pofrefled of every comfort in this triple alliance, I could 
 not be tempted to change my habitation with the changes of the 
 feafons. 
 
 My friends had been kindly apprehenfive that I fhould not be able 
 to exift in a Swifs town at the foot of the Alps, after having fo long 
 converfed with the firft men of the firft cities of the world. Such lofty 
 connexions may attract the curious, and gratify the vain ; but I am 
 too modeft, or too proud, to rate my own value by that of my aflb- 
 ciates ; and whatfoever may be the fame of learning or genius, ex- 
 perience has fliewn me that the cheaper qualifications of politenefs 
 and good fenfe are of more ufeful currency in the commerce of life. 
 By many, converfation is efteemed as a theatre or a fchool : but, 
 after the morning has been occupied by the labours of the library, I 
 wifh to unbend rather than to exercife my mind ; and in the interval 
 between tea and fupper I am far from difdaining the innocent amufe- 
 ment of a game at cards. Laufanne is peopled by a numerous 
 gentry, whofe companionable idlenefs is feldom difturbed by the 
 purfuits of avarice or ambition : the women, though confined to a 
 domeftic education, are endowed for the moft part with more tafte 
 and knowledge than their hufbands and brothers : but the decent 
 freedom of both feses is equally" remote from the extremes of fim- 
 plicity and refinement. I fliall add as a misfortune rather than a 
 merit, that the fituation and beauty of the Pays de Vaud, the long 
 habits of the Englifli, the medical reputation of Dr. Tiflbt, and the 
 fafhion of viewing the mountains and Glaciers, have opened us on 
 all fides to the incurfions of foreigners. The vifits of Mr. and Ma- 
 dame Necker, of Prince Henry of Pruflia, and of Mr. Fox, may form 
 fomc pleafing exceptions ; but, in general, Laufanne has appeared 
 moft agreeable in my eyes, when we have been abandoned to cur 
 ov/n fociety. I had frequently feen Mr. Necker, in the fummer of 
 1784, at a country houfe near Laufanne, where he compofed his 
 2. Treatife
 
 i68 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Treatife on the Admlniftration of the Finances. I have fince, In 
 0£lober 1790, vifited him in his prefent refidence, the caftle and 
 barony of Copet, near Geneva. Of 'the merits and meafures of that 
 llatefman various opinions may be entertained ; but all impartial men 
 muft agree in their efteem of his integrity and patriotifm. 
 
 In the month of Auguft 1 784, Prince Henry of PrufTia, in his way 
 to Paris, palled three days at Laufanne. His military condudl has 
 been pralfed by profeflional men ; his charadler has been vilified by 
 the wit and malice of a daemon *; but I was flattei-ed by his affabi- 
 lity, and entertained hy his converfation. 
 
 In his tour of Switzerland (September 1788) Mr. Fox gave me 
 two days of free and private fociety f. He feemed to feel, and even 
 to envy, the happinefs of my fituation ; while I admired the powers 
 of a fuperior man, as they are blended in his attradlve character 
 with the foftnefs and fimpliclty of a child. Perhaps no human being 
 Avas ever more perfedly exempt from the taint of malevolence, va- 
 iiity, or falfehood. 
 
 My tranfmigration from London to Laufanne could not be ef- 
 fe£led without interrupting the courfe of my hiftorical labours. The 
 hurry of my departure, the joy of my arrival, the delay of my tools, 
 fufpended their progrefs ; and a full twelvemonth was loft before I 
 could refume the thread of regular and daily induftry. A number 
 of books moft requlfite and leaft common had been previoufly 
 fele£led ; the academical library of Laufanne, which I could ufe as 
 my own, contained at leaft the fathers and councils ; and I have de- 
 rived fome occafional fuccour from the public colledions of Berne 
 and Geneva. The fourth volume was foon terminated, by an ab- 
 ftradt of the controverfies of the Incarnation, which the learned 
 Dr. Prideaux was apprehenfive of expofing to profane eyes. It had 
 been the original defign of the learned Dean Prideaux to write the 
 
 * Memoire Secret de la Cour de Berlln- 
 
 f See Letter in the Continuation, Odober i, 1788. 
 
 hiftory
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 169 
 
 hlftory of the ruin of tlie Eaftern Church. In this work it would 
 have been necefi'ary, not only to unravel all thofe controverfies 
 which the Chriftians made about the hypoftatical union, but alfo to 
 unfold all the niceties and fubtle notions which each fed: entertained 
 concerning it. The pious hiftorian was apprehenfive of expofing 
 that incomprehenfible myftery to the cavils and objeftions of unbe- 
 lievers ; and he durft not, " feeing the nature of this book, venture 
 " it abroad in fo wanton and lewd an age *." 
 
 In the fifth and fixth volumes the revolutions of the empire and 
 the world are moft rapid, various, and inftrudive ; and the Greek 
 or Roman hiftorians are checked by the hoftile narratives of the bai- 
 barians of the Eaft and the Weft f. 
 
 It was not till after many defigns, and many trials, that I pre- 
 ferred, as I ftlll prefer, the method of grouping my pidure by na- 
 tions ; and the feeming negled of chronological order is furely com- 
 penfated by the fuperior merits of intereft and perfpicuity. The 
 ftyle of the firft volume is, in my opinion, fomewhat crude and ela- 
 borate ; in the fecond and third it is ripened into eafe, corrednefs, 
 and numbers ; but in the three laft I may have been feduced by 
 the facility of my pen, and the conftant habit of fpeaking one lan- 
 guage and writing another may have infufed fome mixture of Gallic 
 idioms. Happily for my eyes, I have always clofed my ftudies with 
 the day, and commonly with the morning ; and a long, but tem- 
 perate, labour has been accomplifhed, without fatiguing either the 
 mind or body ; but when I computed the remainder of my time and 
 my tafk, it was apparent that, according to the feafon of publica- 
 tion, the delay of a month would be produdive of that of a year. 
 I was now ftraining for the goal, and in the laft winter many even- 
 
 * See preface to the Life of Mahomet, p. lo, ii. 
 
 f I have followed the judicious precept of the Abbe de Mably, (Maniere d'ecrire 
 THilloire, p. no.) who advifes the hiftorian not to dwell too minutely on the decay 
 of the eaftern empire -, but to confider the barbarian conquerors as a more worthy 
 fubje£l of his narrative. " Fas eft et ab hofte doceri." 
 
 VOL. r. z Ings
 
 lyo MEMOIRS OF 
 
 Ines were borrowed from the focial pleafures of Laufanne. I could 
 now wifli that a paufe, an interval, had been allowed for a ferious 
 
 revifal. 
 
 I have prefumed to mark the moment of conception : I fhall now 
 comniemorate the hour of my final deliverance. It was on the day, 
 or rather night, of the aytli of June 1787, between the hours of 
 eleven and twelve, that I wrote the laft lines of the laft page, in a 
 fummer-houfe in my garden. After laying down my pen, I took 
 feveral turns in a berccan, or covered walk of acacias, which com- 
 mands a profpedl of the country, the lake, and the mountains. The 
 air was temperate, the fky was ferene, the filver orb of the moon 
 was reflefted from the waters, and all nature was filent. I will not 
 diifemble the firft emotions of joy on the 'recovery of my freedom, 
 and, perhaps, the eftablilliment of my fame. But my pride was 
 foon humbled, and a fober melancholy was fpread over my mind, by 
 the idea that I had taken an evcrlafting leave of an old and agreeable 
 companion, and that whatfoever might be the future date of my 
 Hiftory, the life of the hiftorian muft be fhort and precarious. I 
 will add two fadts, which have feldom occurred in the compofition 
 of fix, or at leaft of five, quartos, i. My firft rough manufcript, 
 without any intermediate copy, has been fent to the prefs. 2. Not a 
 {heet has been feen by any human eyes, excepting thofe of the author 
 and the printer : the faults and the merits are exclufively my own *. 
 I cannot help recollefting a much more extraordinary fadt, which 
 is affirmed of himfelf by Retif de la Bretorme, a voluminous and 
 original writer of French novels. He laboured, and may ftill labour, 
 
 * ExtraEl from Mr. GibbohV Common-place Bsah.. 
 
 The IVth Volume of the Hiftory ^ 
 
 of the Decline and Fall of the |-begun March ift, 1782— eivded June 1784. 
 
 Romnn Empire, . _ J 
 
 The Vth Volume, - - begun July 1784 — ended May i ft, 1786. 
 
 The Vlth Volume, - - begunMay i3th, 1786— ended June 27th, 1787. 
 
 Thefe three volumes were fent to prefs Auguft 15th, 1787, and the whole \a\- 
 preffion was concluded April following. 
 
 ia
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 171 
 
 in the humble ofBce of corredor to a printing-houie ; but this office 
 enabled him to tranfport an entire volume from his mind to the 
 prefs ; and his work was given to the public without ever having 
 been written with a pen. 
 
 After a quiet refidence of four years, during which I had never 
 moved ten miles from Laufanne, it was not without fomc relud- 
 ance and terror that I undertook, in a journey of two hundred 
 leagues, to crofs the mountains and the fea. Yet this formidable 
 adventure was atchieved without danger or fatigue ; and at the end 
 of a fortnight I found myfelf in Lord Sheffield's houfe and library, 
 fafe, happy, and at home. The charad:er of my friend (Mr. Hol- 
 royd) had recommended him to a feat in parliament for Coventry, 
 the command of a regiment of light dragoons, and an Trifh peerage. 
 The fenfe and fpirit of his political writings have decided the public 
 opinion on the great queftions of our commercial intereft with Ame- 
 rica and Ireland *. 
 
 The fale of his Obfcrvations on the American States was dlfFufive, 
 their effedl beneficial ; the Navigation A£t, the palladium of Britain, 
 was defended, and perhaps faved, by his pen ; and he proves, by 
 the weight of fa«ft and argument, that the mother-country may fur- 
 vive and flourifh after the lofs of America. My friend has never 
 cultivated the arts of compofition ; but his materials are copious and 
 correal, and he leaves on his paper the clear impreffion of an adive 
 and vigorous mind. His " Obfervations on the Trade, Manufac- 
 " tures, and prefent State of Ireland," were intended to guide the 
 Induftry, to correct the prejudices, and to afluage the paffions of a 
 country which feemed to forget that fhe couid be free and pio- 
 fperous only by a friendly connexion with Great Britain. The con- 
 cluding obfervations are written with fo much eafq and fpirit, that 
 they may be read by thofe who are the leaft interefted in the fubject. 
 
 • Obfervations on the Commerce of the American States, by John Lord ShclTicId, 
 the tjth edition, London, 1784, in odlavo. 
 
 Z 2 Tie
 
 1^2 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 He fell (in 1784) with the unpopular coalition ; but his merit has 
 been acknowledged at the laft general eledion, 1 790, by the ho- 
 nourable invitation and free choice of the city of Briftol. During 
 the whole time of my refidence in England I was entertained at 
 Sheffield-Place and in Downing-Street by his hofpitable kindnefs ; 
 and the moft pleafant period was that which I pafled in the domeftic 
 fociety of the family. In the larger circle of the metropolis I ob- 
 ferved the country and the inhabitants with the knowledge, and 
 without the prejudices, of an Englifhman ; but I rejoiced in the ap- 
 parent increafe of wealth and profperity, which might be fairly 
 divided between the fpirit of the nation and the wifdom of the mi- 
 nifter. All party-refentment was now loft in oblivion : fmce I was 
 no man's rival, no man was my enemy. I felt the dignity of inde- 
 pendence, and as I a(ked no more, I was fatisfied with the general 
 civilities of the world. The houfe in London which I frequented 
 with moft pleafure and affiduity was that of Lord North. After 
 the lofs of power and of fight, he was ftill happy in himfelf and 
 his friends j and my public tribute of gratitude and efteem could no 
 longer be fufpefted of any interefted motive. Before my departure 
 from England, I was prefent at the auguft fpedacle of Mr. Haftings's 
 trial in Weftminfter Hall. It is not my province to abfolve or con- 
 demn the Governor of India ; but Mr. Sheridan's eloquence de- 
 manded my applaufe ; nor could I hear without emotion the per- 
 fonal compliment which he paid me in the prefence of the Britifli 
 nation *. 
 
 From this difplay of genius, which blazed four fucceflive days, 
 I ftiall ftoop to a very mechanical circumftance. As I was waiting 
 in the managers' box, I had the curiofity to inquire of the fhort- 
 
 * He faid the fa£ls that made up the volume of narrative were unparalleled in atro- 
 cioufnefs, and that nothing equal in criminality was to be traced, either in ancient ov 
 modern hiilory, in tlie correft periods of Tacitus or the luminoua page of Gibbon, 
 Morning Chronicle, June 14, 1788. 
 
 hand
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. i-^^ 
 
 hand writer, how many words a ready and rapid orator might pro- 
 nounce in an hour ? From 7000 to 7500 was his anfwer. The me- 
 dium of 7200 will afford 120 words in a minute, and two words in 
 each fecond. But this computation will only apply to the Engliih 
 language. 
 
 As the publication of my three lafl volumes was the principal ob- 
 jedl, fo it was the firft care of my Englifh journey. The previous 
 arrangements with the bookfeller and the printer were fettled in my 
 paflage through London, and the proofs, which I returned more 
 corred, were tranfmitted every poft from the prefs to Sheffield-Place. 
 The length of the operation, and the leifure of the country, allowed 
 fome time to review my manufcripr. Several rare and ufeful books, 
 the Affifes de Jerufalem, Ramufms de Bello C. P"", the Greek Ads of 
 the Synod of Florence, the Statuta Urbis Romse, &c. were procured,, 
 and introduced in their proper places the fupplements which they af- 
 forded. The impreffion of the fourth volume had confumed three 
 months. Our common intereft required that we fhould move with 
 a quicker pace ; and Mr. Strahan fulfilled his engagement, which 
 few printers could fuftain, of delivering every week three thoufand 
 copies of nine flieets. The day of publication was, however, de- 
 layed, that it might coincide with the fifty-firft anniverfary of my 
 own birth-day ; the double feftlval was celebrated by a cheerful 
 literary dinner at Mr. Cadell's houfe ; and I feemed to blufli while 
 they read an elegant compliment from Mr. Hayley *, whofe poetical 
 
 talents 
 
 •OCCASIONAL STANZAS, by Mr. Hayley, read after the Dinner at 
 Mr.CADELL'x, May 8, 1788; being the Day of the Publication of the Three Lafl 
 Volumes of Mr. Gibbon'/ Hijlory, and his Birth-day, 
 
 Genu of England, and bf Rome ! 
 In mutual triumph here aflume 
 
 The honors each may claim ! 
 This focial fcene with fmlles furvey ! 
 And confecrate the feftive day 
 
 To Friendftiip and to Fame ! 
 
 Enough,
 
 174 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 talents had more than once been employed in the praife of his friend. 
 Before Mr. Hayley infcribed with my name his epiftles on hiftory, I 
 was not acquainted with that amiable man and elegant poet. He 
 
 Enough, by Defolation's tide, 
 With anguitti, and indignant pride, 
 
 Has Rome bewail'd her fate ; 
 And mourn'd that Time, in Havoc's hour, 
 Defac'd each monument, of power 
 
 To fpeak her truly great: 
 
 O'er maim'd Polybius, jufl and fage. 
 O'er Livy's mutilated page. 
 
 How deep was her regret ! 
 Touch'd by this Q£een, in ruin grand. 
 See ! Glory, by an Englifli hand, 
 
 Now pays a mighty debt : 
 
 Lo ! facred to the Roman Name, 
 
 And rais'd, like Rome's immortal Fame, 
 
 By Genius and by Toil, 
 The fplcndid Work is crown'd to-day, ^ 
 
 On which Oblivion ne'er fliall prey. 
 
 Nor Envy make her fpoil ! 
 
 England, exult ! and view not now 
 With jealous glance each nation's brow. 
 
 Where Hift'ry's palm has fpread ! 
 In every path of liberal art. 
 Thy Sons to prime diftin£lion flart, 
 
 And no fuperior dread. 
 
 Science for Thee a Newton rais'd ; 
 For thy renown a Shakespeare blaz'd. 
 
 Lord of the drama's fphere ! 
 In different fields to equal praife 
 See Hift'ry now thy GIBBON ralfe 
 
 To fhine without a peer ! 
 
 Eager to honor living worth, 
 And blefs to-day the double birth, 
 That proudeft joy may claim. 
 Let aitlefs Truth this homage pay. 
 And confecrate the feftive day 
 
 To Friendfhip and to Fame I 
 
 afterwards
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 175 
 
 afterwards thanked me In verfe for my fecond and third volumes f ; 
 and in the fummer of 1781, the Roman Eagle ^ (a proud title) ac- 
 cepted 
 t SONNET u EDWARD GIBBON efq. 
 
 On the Publication of his Second and Third Volumes, 178 1. 
 
 WITH proud delight th' imperial founder gaz'd 
 
 On the new beauty of his fecond Rome, 
 When on his eager eye rich temples blaz'd. 
 
 And his fair city vofe in youthful bloom r 
 A pride more noble may thy heart aflume, 
 
 O Gibbon ! gazing on thy growing work. 
 In which, conRrufled for a happier doom, 
 
 No hafty marks of vain ambition lurk: 
 Thou may'ft deride both Time's deftrudive fway, 
 
 And bafer Envy's beauty-mangling dirk ; 
 Thy gorgeous fabric, plann'd with wife delay. 
 
 Shall baffle foes more favage than the Turkj 
 As ages multiply, its fame fhall rife. 
 And earth mufl perifti ere its fplendor dies. 
 
 Hayley'j Works, 8vo edit. vol. i. p. 162. 
 
 % A Card o/" Invitation to Mr. GIBBON at Brighthelmjlone, 1781. 
 
 AN Englifh fparrow, pert and free, 
 Who chirps beneath his native tree. 
 Hearing the Roman eagle's near, 
 And feeling more refpeft than fear. 
 Thus, with united love and awe. 
 Invites him to his ftied of draw. 
 
 Tho' he is but a twittering fparrow, 
 The field he hops in rather narrow. 
 When nobler plumes attradl his view 
 He ever pays them homage due, 
 He looks with reverential wonder 
 On him, whofe talons bear the thunder , 
 Nor could the Jackdaws e'er inveigle 
 His voice to vilify the eagle, 
 Tho' ifTuing from the holy tow'rs, 
 In which they build their waifneft bow'rs, 
 Their fovereign's haunt they flyly fearch, 
 In hopes to catch him on his perch, 
 (For Pindar fays, befide his God 
 The thunder-bearing bird will nod,) 
 
 Ji Then
 
 176 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 cepted the Invitation of the Englifli Sparrow, who chirped ia the 
 groves of Eartham, near Chichcfler. As moft of the former pur- 
 chafers were naturally defirous of completing their fets, the fale of 
 the quarto edition was quick and eafy ; and an odtavo fize was 
 printed, to fatisfy at a cheaper rate the public demand. The con- 
 clufion of my work was generally read, and varioufly judged. The 
 ftyle has been expofed to much academical criticifm ; a religious cla- 
 mour was revived, and the reproach of indecency has been loudly 
 echoed by the rigid cenfors of morals. I never could underftand 
 the clamour that has been raifed againft the indecency of my three 
 laft volumes, i. An equal degree of freedom in the former part, 
 efpecially in the firft volume, had pafled without reproach. 2. I am 
 juftified in painting the manners of the times ; the vices of Theodora 
 form an eflential feature in the reign and charader of Juftinian. 
 3. My Englifh text is chafte, and all licentious paflages are left in 
 the obfcurity of a learned language. Le Lathi datis fes rnots brave 
 rhonnetete, fays the corred Boileau, in a country and idiom more 
 fcrupulous than our own. Yet, upon the whole, the Hiftory of 
 the Decline and Fall feems to have ftruck root, both at home and 
 abroad, and may, perhaps, a hundred years hence ftill continue to 
 
 Then, peeping round his ftiil retreat. 
 They pick from underneath his feet 
 Some molted feather he lets fall. 
 
 And fwear he cannot fly at all. 
 
 Lord of the Iky ! whofe pounce can tear 
 Thefe croakers, that infeft the air, 
 Truft him ! the fparrow loves to fmg 
 The praife of thy imperial wing ! 
 He thinks thou'lt deem him, on his v/ord, 
 An honeft, though familiar bird ; 
 And hopes thou foon wilt condefcend 
 To look upon thy little friend ; 
 That he may boaft around his grove 
 A vifit from the bird of Jove, 
 
 HayletV Works f vol. i, p. 189. 
 
 be
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. . 177 
 
 be abufed. I am lefs flattered by Mr. Porfon's high encomium on 
 the ftyle and fpirit of my hiftory, than I am fatlsiied witli his ho- 
 nourable teftimony to my attention, dihgence, and accuracy ; thofe 
 humble virtues, which religious zeal had moft audacioufly denied. 
 The fweetneis of his praife is tempered by a rcafonable mixture 
 of acid *. As the book may not be common in England, I iliall 
 tranfcribe my own chara(3:er from the Bibliotheca Hiftorica of Meu- 
 felius "f, a learned and laborious German. " Summis sevi noftri 
 ' hiftoricis Gibbonus fine dubio adnumcrandus eft. Inter capitolii 
 ' ruinas ftans primum hujus operis fcribendi confilium cepit. FIo- 
 ' rentifhmos vitai annos colligendo et laborando eidem impendit. 
 ' Enatum inde monumentum sere perennius, licet pafhm appareant 
 ' finiftre did:a, minus perfeda, veritati non fatis confentanea. Vi- 
 ' demus quidem ubique fere ftudium fcrutandi veritatemque fcri- 
 ' bendi maximum : tamen fine Tillemontio duce ubi fcilicet hujus 
 ' hiftoria finitur fcepius nofter titubat atque hallucinatur. Quod vel 
 ' maxime fit, ubi de rebus Ecclefiafticis vel de juris prudentia Romana 
 ' (torn, iv.) tradit, et in aliis locis. Attamen nsevi hujus generis 
 ' baud impediunt quo minus operis fummam et oiy.ovoy,iav prseclare 
 ' difpofitam, deledtum rerum fapientiffimum, argutum quoque inter- 
 '^ dum, didtionemque feu ftylum hiftorico azque ac philofopho dig- 
 ' niffimum, et vix a quoque alio Anglo, Humio ac Robertfono baud 
 ' exceptis '( prareptiimf ) vehementer laudemus, atque fsculo noftro 
 
 ' de hujufmodi hiftoria gratulemur Gibbonus adveifarios cum 
 
 ' in turn extra patriam nadus eft, quia propogationem religionis 
 ' Chriftians, non, ut vulgo, fieri folet, aut more Theologorum, fed 
 ' ut Hiftoricum et Phllofophum decet, expofuerat." 
 
 The French, Italian, and German tranflations have been executed 
 with various fuccefs ; but, inftead of patronizing, I ihould willingly 
 
 * Sec Mspvcfnce, page 28. 32. f Vol. iv. part i. page 342. 344. 
 
 VOL. I, A A fupprefs
 
 lyS M E M O I R S O F 
 
 fupprefs fuch impcrfcd copies, which injure the charaQer, while 
 they propagate the name of the author. Tiic ilrft volume had been 
 feebly, though faithfully, traiiflated into French by M. Le Clerc de 
 Septchenes, a young gentleman of H ftudious charadler and liberal 
 fortune. After his deceafe the work was continued by two manu- 
 fadurers of Paris, M. M. Defmuniers and Cantwell : but the former 
 15 now an adlive member in the national affembly, and the un- 
 dertaking languifhes in the hands of his .affociate. The fuperior 
 merit of the interpreter, or his language, inclines me to prefer the Ita- 
 lian verfion : but I wifh that it were in my power to read the German^ 
 •which is praifed by the beft judges. The Irifh pirates are at once 
 my friends and my enemies. But I cannot be difpleafed with the 
 two numerous and corredl impreiTions which have been publifhed 
 for the ufe of the continent at Bafil in Switzerland *. The con- 
 quefts of our language and literature are not confined to Europe 
 alone, and a writer who fucceeds in London, is fpeedily read on the 
 banks of the Delaware and the Ganges. 
 
 In the preface of the fourth volume, while I gloried in the name 
 of an Englifhman, I announced my approaching return to the neigh- 
 bourhood of the Lake of Laufanne. This lall trial confirmed my 
 aflTurance that I had wifely chofen for my own happinefs ; nor did 
 I once, in a year's vifit, entertain a wifh of fettling in my native 
 country. Britain is tlie free and fortunate ifland ; but where is the 
 fpot in which I could unite the comforts and beauties of my efta- 
 blifhment at Laufanne ? The tumult of London aftonilhed my eyes 
 and ears ; the amufements of public places were no longer adequate 
 to the trouble ; the clubs and affemblies were filled with new faces and 
 young men ; and our beft fociety, our long and late dinners, would 
 
 * Of their fourteen oflavo volumes the two laft include the whole body of the 
 notes. The public importunity had forced me to remove them from the end of tht 
 volume to the bottom of the page } but I have often repented of my compliance. 
 
 foon
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 179 
 
 foon have been prejudicial to my health. Without any fliare in the 
 political wheel, I mufl be idle and infignificant : yet the moft fplen- 
 did temptations would not have enticed me to engage a fecond time 
 in the fervitude of parliament or office. At Tunbridge, fome weeks 
 after the publication of my Hiftory, I reluctantly quitted Lord and 
 Lady Sheffield, and, with a young Swifs friend *, whom I had intro- 
 duced to the Englifh world, I purfued the road of Dover and Lau- 
 fanne. My habitation was embellifhed in my abfence, and the laft 
 divifion of books, which followed my fteps, increaled my chofen 
 library to the number of between fix and feven thoufand volumes. 
 My feraglio was ample, my choice was free, my appetite was keen. 
 After a full repaft on Homer and Ariftophanes, I involved myfelf 
 la the philofophic maze of the writings of Plato, of which the dra- 
 matic is, perhaps, more interefling than the argumentative part : 
 but I ftepped afide into every path of inquiry which reading or re- 
 fle<Sion accidentally opened. 
 
 Alas ! the joy of my return, and my ftudious ardour, were foon 
 damped by the melancholy ftate of my friend Mr. Deyverdun. His 
 health and fpirits had long fuffered a gradual decline, a fucceffion of 
 apoplectic fits anounced his diflblution ; and before he expired, thofe 
 who loved him could not wifli for the continuance of his life. The 
 voice of reafon might congratulate his deliverance, but the feelings 
 of nature and friendfliip could be fubdued only by time : his ami- 
 able character was ftill alive in my remembrance ; each room, each 
 walk, was imprinted with our common footfleps ; and I fhould blufh 
 at my own philofophy, if a long interval of ftudy had not preceded 
 and followed the death of my friend. By his laft will he left to me 
 the option of purchafing his houfe and garden, or of pofTeffing them 
 diiring my life, on the payment either of a ftipulated price, or of 
 
 * M. Wilhelm. de Severy. 
 
 A A 2 ' an
 
 i8o MEMOIRS OF 
 
 an eafy retribution to his kinfman and heir. I fliould probably have 
 been tempted by the daemon of property, if fome legal difficulties 
 had not been ftarted againft my title : a conteft would have been 
 vexatious, doubtful, and invidious ; and the heir moft gratefully 
 fubfcribed an agreement, which rendered ray life-poflefllon more 
 perfeft, and his future condition more advantageous. Yet I had 
 often revolved the judicious lines in which Pope anfwers the objec- 
 tions of his long-fighted friend ; 
 
 Pity to build without or child or wife ; 
 Why, you'll enjoy it only all your life : 
 Well, if the ufe be mine, does it concern one. 
 Whether the name belong to Pope or Vernon ? 
 
 The certainty of my tenure has allowed me to lay out a confiderable 
 fum in improvements and alterations : they have been executed with 
 fkill and tafte ; and few men of letters, perhaps, in Europe, are fo defira- 
 bly lodged as myfelf. But I feel, and with the decline of years I fhall 
 more painfully feel, that I am alone in paradife. Among the circle 
 of my acquaintance at Laufanne, I have gradually acquired the folid 
 and tender friendfhip of a refpedtable family * : the four perfons of 
 whom it is compofed are all endowed with the virtues beft adapted 
 to their age and fituation ; and I am encouraged to love the parents 
 as a brother, and the children as a father. Every day we feek and 
 find the opportunities of meeting : yet even this valuable connedlioa 
 cannot fupply the lofs of domeflic fociety. 
 
 Within the laft two or three years our tranquillity has been clouded 
 by the diforders of France : many families at Laufanne were alarmed 
 and afleded by the terrors of an impending bankruptcy ; but the re- 
 volution, or rather the diflblution of the kingdom has been heard and 
 felt in the adjacent lands. 
 
 * The family of de Severy. 
 
 I beg
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. i8i 
 
 I beg leave to fubfcribe my afTent to Mr. Burke's creed on the re- 
 volution of France. I admire his eloquence, I approve his politics, 
 I adore his chivalry, and I can almoft excufe his reverence for church 
 eftablilhments. I have fometimes thought of writing a dialogue of 
 the dead, in which Lucian, Erafmus, and Voltaire flaould mutually 
 acknowledge the danger of expofing an old fuperftition to the con- 
 tempt of the blind and fanatic multitude. 
 
 A fwarm of emigrants of both fexes, who efcaped from the public 
 ruin, has been attradled by the vicinity, the manners, and the lan- 
 guage of Laufanne ; and our narrow habitations in town and coun- 
 try are now occupied by the firft names and titles of the departed 
 monarchy. Thefe noble fugitives are entitled to our pity; they may 
 / claim our efteem, but they cannot, in their prefent ftate of mind and 
 fortune, much contribute to our amufement. Inftead of looking 
 down as calm and idle fpe£tators on the theatre of Europe, our do- 
 meftic harmony is fomewhat embittered by the infufion of party 
 fpirit : our ladies and gentlemen affume the charadler of felf-taught 
 politicians ; and the fober didatcs of wifdom and experience are 
 filenced by the clamour of the triumphant democratcs. The fanatic 
 miffionaries of fedition have fcattered the feeds of difcontent in our 
 cities and villages, which hacJ flourillied above two hundred and fifty 
 years without fearing the approach of war, or feeling the weight of 
 government. Many individuals, and fome communities, appear to 
 be infefted with the Gallic phrenzy, the wild theories of equal and 
 boundlefs freedom ; but I truft that the body of the people will be 
 faithful to their fovereign and to themfelves ; and I am fatisfied that 
 the failure or fuccefs of a revolt would equally terminate in the ruin 
 of the country. While the ariftocracy of Bern protects the happinefs, 
 it is fuperfluous to enquire whether it be founded in the rights, of 
 man : the oeconomy of the ftate is liberally fupplied without the aid 
 of taxes ; and the magiftrates mitjl reign with prudence and equity, 
 fmce they are unarmed in the midft of an armed nation, 
 
 ^ The
 
 iS2 MEMOIRS or 
 
 The revenue of Bern, excepting fome fmall duties, is derived from 
 church lands, tithes, feudal rights, and intereft of money. The re- 
 public has nearly 500,000!. fterling in the Engli'fh funds, and the 
 amount of their treafure is unknown to the citizens themfelves. For 
 myfelf (may the omen be averted) I can only declare, that the firfl: 
 ftroke of a rebel drum would be the fignal of my immediate de- 
 parture. 
 
 When I contemplate the common lot of mortality, I muft acknow- 
 ledge that I have drawn a high prize in the lottery of life. The far 
 greater part of the globe is overfpread with bai barifm or flavery : in 
 the civilized world, the moll numerous clafs is condemned to igno- 
 rance and poverty; and the double fortune of my birth in a free and 
 enlightened country, in an honourable and wealthy family, is the 
 lucky chance of an unit againfl millions. The general probability is 
 about three to one, that a new-born infant will not live to complete 
 his fiftieth year *. I have now pafled that age, and may fairly efti- 
 mate the prefent value of my exiftence in the three-fold divifion of 
 mind, body, and eftate. 
 
 I. The firfl and indifpenfable requifite of happinefs is a clear con- 
 
 fcience, unfullied by the reproach or remembrance of an unworthy 
 
 adion. 
 
 Hic murus aheneus efto, 
 
 Nil confcire fibi, nulla pallefcere culpa. 
 
 I am endowed with a cheerful temper, a moderate fenfibility, and 
 a natural difpofition to repofe rather than to adlivity : fome mifchie- 
 vous appetites and habits have perhaps been correded by philofophy 
 or time. The love of fludy, a paflion which derives frefh vigour 
 from enjoyment, fuppHes each day, each hour, with a perpetual 
 fource of independent and rational pleafure ; and I am not fenfible 
 
 * See BufFon, Supplement a I'Hiftoire naturelle, torn. vii. page 158 — 164. of a 
 given number of new-born infants, one half, by the fault of nature or man, is extin- 
 cuiflied before the age of puberty and reafon. — A melancholy cakulation ! 
 
 8 of
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 183 
 
 of any decay of the mental faculties. The original foil has been highly 
 improved by cultivation ; but it may be queftioned, whether fome 
 flowers of fancy, fome grateful errors, have not been eradicated with 
 the weeds of prejudice. 2. Since I have efcaped from the long perils 
 of my childhood, the ferious advice of a phyfician has feldom been re- 
 quifite. " The madnefs of fuperfluous health" I have never known; 
 but my tender conftitution has been fortified by time, and the inef- 
 timable gift of the found and peaceful flumbers of infancy may be 
 imputed both to the mind and body. 3. I have already defcribed 
 the merits of my fociety and fituation ; but thefe enjoyments would 
 be taftelefs or bitter if their pofiefiion were not aflured by an annual 
 and adequate fupply. According to the fcale of Switzerland, I am a 
 rich man ; and I am indeed rich, fmce my income is fuperior to my 
 expence, and my expence is equal to my wifhes. My friend Lord 
 Sheffield has kindly relieved me from the cares to which my tafte and 
 temper are mofl adverfe : fhall I add, that fince the failure of my firft 
 wifhes, I have never entertained any ferious thoughts of a matrimo- 
 nial connedlion ? 
 
 I am difgufted with the afFedlation of men of letters, who com- 
 plain that they have renounced a fubftance for a fhadow ; and that 
 their fame (which fometimes is no infupportable weight) affords a 
 poor compenfation for envy, cenfure, and perfecution *. My own 
 experience, at leaft, has taught me a very different leflbn : twenty 
 happy years have been animated by the labour of my Hiftory ; and 
 its fuccefs has given me a name, a rank, a character, in the world, 
 to which I Ihould not otherwife have been entitled. The freedom 
 of my writings has indeed provoked an implacable tribe ; but, as I 
 
 * Mr. d'AIembert relates, that as he was walking in the gardens of Sans Souci with 
 the King of Pruffia, Frederic faid to him, " Do you fee that old woman, a poor weeder, 
 *' afleep on that funny bank ? (he is probably a more happy being than either of us." 
 The king and the philofopher may fpeak for themfelves ; for my part I do not envy 
 the old woman. 
 
 was
 
 i84 MEMOIRS OF 
 
 was fafe from the ftings, I was foon accuftomed to tlie buzzing of 
 the hornets : my nerves are not tremblingly alive, and my literary 
 temper is fo happily framed, that I am lets fenfible of pain than of 
 pleafure. The rational pride of an author may be offended, rather 
 than flattei'ed, by vague indifcriminate praife ; but he cannot, he 
 fhould not, be indifferent to the fair teftimonies of private and public 
 efteem. Even his moral fympathy may be gratified by the idea, that 
 now, in the prefent hour, he is imparting fome degree of amufement 
 or knowledge to his friends in a diftant land : that one day his mind 
 will be familiar to the grandchildren of thofe who are yet unborn *. 
 I cannot boaft of the friendfhip or favour of princes j the patronage 
 of Englifh literature has long fmce been devolved on our bookfellers, 
 and the meafure of their liberality is the leaft ambiguous teft of our 
 common fuccefs. Perhaps the golden mediocrity of my fortune has 
 contributed to fortify my application. 
 
 The prefent Is a fleeting moment, the part is no more ; and our 
 profpefl: of futurity is dark and doubtful. This day vs\2ij poj/ibly be 
 my laft : but the laws of probability, fo true in general, fo fallacious 
 in particular, ftill allow about fifteen years f . I fhall foon enter into 
 
 the 
 
 * In the firfl of antlent or modern romances (Tom Jones), this proud fentiment, 
 this feaft of fancy, is enjoyed by the genius of Fielding. — " Come, bright love of fame, 
 « &c. fill my raviflied fancy with the hopes of charming ages yet to come. Foretel 
 " me that fome tender maid, whofe grandmother is yet unborn, hereafter, when, under 
 *' the fitlitious name of Sophia, (he reads the real worrh which once e.xifted in my 
 «' Charlotte, fhall from her fympathetic breaft fend forth the heaving figh. Do thou 
 " teach me not only to forefee but to enjoy, nay even to feed on future praife. Com- 
 " fort me by the folemn aflurance, that, when the little parlour in which I fit at this 
 «' moment {hall be reduced to a worfe furnifhed box, I fhall be read with honour by 
 «« thofe who never knew nor faw me, and whom I fhall neither know nor fee." Book 
 xiii. ch. I. 
 
 f Mr. Buffon, from our difregard of the poffibllity of death within the four 
 and twenty hours, corcludes that a chance, which falls below or rifes above 
 ten thoufand to one, will never affect the hopes or fears of a reafonable man, 
 
 The
 
 MY LIFE AND WRITINGS. 185 
 
 the period which, as the moft agreeable of his long life, was felecfted 
 by the judgment and experience of the fage Fontenelle. His choice 
 is, approved by the eloquent hiftorian of nature, who fixes our moral 
 happinefs to the mature feafon in which our paffions are fuppofed to 
 be calmed, our duties fulfilled, our ambition fatisfied, our fame and" 
 fortune eftablifhed on a folid bafis *'. In private converfation, that 
 great and amiable man added the weight of his own experience ; and 
 this autumnal felicity might be exemplified in the lives of Voltaire, 
 Hume, and many other men of letters. I am far more inclined to 
 embrace than to difpute this comfortable dodtrine. I will not fuppofe 
 any premature decay of the mind or body j but I muft relu£lantly 
 obferve that two caufes, the abbreviation of time, and the failure of 
 hope, will always tinge with a browner fliade the evening of life. 
 
 The fa£t is true, but our courage is the effett of thoughtleflhefs, rather than of reflec- 
 tion. If a pubhc lottery were drawn for the choice of an immediate vi(nim, and if our 
 name were infcribed on one of the ten thoufand tickets, fliould we be perfcdlly eafy ? 
 
 * See EufFon. 
 
 
 VOL. I. B B
 
 [ i87 ] 
 
 \^J HEN I firft undertook to prepare Mr. Gibbon's Memoirs for. 
 * ' the prefs, I fuppofed that it would be neceflary to introduce 
 fome continuation of them, from the time when they ceafe, namely, 
 foon after his return to Switzerland in the year 1788 ; but the exa- 
 mination of his correfpondence with me fuggefted, that the beft con- 
 tinuation would be the publication of his letters from that time to 
 his death. I fliall thus give more fatisfadtion, by employing the 
 language of Mr. Gibbon, inftead of my own ; and the public will 
 fee him in a new and (I think) an admirable light, as a writer of 
 letters. By the infertion of a few occafional fentences, I fhall obviate 
 the difadvantages that are apt to arife from an interrupted narration. 
 A prejudiced or a faftidlous critic may condemn, perhaps, fome parts 
 of the letters as trivial ; but many readers, I flatter myfelf, will be 
 gratified by difcovering even in thefe my friend's affeftlonate feelings, 
 and his charadter in familiar life. His letters in general bear a flrong 
 refemblance to the ftyle and turn of his converfation ; the charac- 
 teriftics of which were vivacity, elegance, and precifion, with know- 
 ledge aftonilhingly extenfive and correct. He never ceafed to be 
 inftrudlive and entertaining ; and in general there wa.s a vein of 
 pleafantry in his converfation which prevented its becoming languid, 
 even during a refidence of many months with a family in the 
 country. 
 
 It has been fuppofed that he always arranged what he intended to 
 fay, before he fpoke ; his quicknefs in converfation contradifts this 
 
 B B 2 notion ;
 
 [ i88 ] 
 
 notion : but It is very true, that before he fat down -to write a note 
 or letter, he completely arranged in his mind what he meant to ex- 
 prefs. He purfued the fame method in refped to other compofi- 
 tion ; and he occafionally would walk feveral times about his apart- 
 ment before he had rounded a period to his tafte. He has pleafantly 
 remarked to me, that it fometimes coft him many a turn before he 
 could throw a fentiment into a form that gratified his own criticifm. 
 His fyftematic habit of arrangement in point of ftyle, affifled, in his 
 inftance, by an excellent memory and corredl judgment, is much to 
 be recommended to thofe who afpire to any perfedion in writing. 
 
 Although the Menioirs extend beyond the time of Mr. Gibbon's 
 return to Laufanne, I fliall infert a few Letters, written immediately 
 after his arrival there, and combine them fo far as to include even the 
 laft note which he wrote a few days previoufly to his death. Some 
 of them contain few incidents ; but they conned: and carry on the 
 account either of his opinions or of his employment.
 
 [ .89 ] 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 FROM 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efq. 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Right Hon. LORD SHEFFIELD, 
 
 Lausanne, July 30, 1788. — Wediiefday, 3 o'clock. 
 
 T HAVE but a moment to liiy, before the departure of the port, that 
 -^ after a very pleafant journey I arrived here about half an hour 
 ago ; that I am as well arranged, as if I had never ftlrred from this 
 place ; and that dinner on the table is juft announced. Severy 
 I dropt at his country-houfe about two leagues off. I juft faluted 
 the family, who dine with me the day after to-morrow, and return 
 to town for fome days, I hope weeks, on my account. The fon is 
 an amiable and grateful youth ; and even this journey has taught 
 me to know and to love him ftill better. My fatisfadtlon would be 
 complete, had I not found a fad and ferious alteration in poor Dey- 
 verdun -. but thus our joys are chequered ! I embrace all ; and at 
 this moment feel the laft pang of our parting at Tunbridge. Convqy 
 this letter or information,, without delay, from Sheffield-Place to Bath, 
 In a few days I fliall write more amply to both places. 
 
 I AriER
 
 190 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 Oftober i, 1788. 
 After fuch an a€i of vigor as my firft letter, compofed, finilhed, 
 and dilpatched within half an hour after my landing, while the 
 dinner was fmoaking on the table, your knowledge of the animal 
 muft have taught you to expedt a proportionable degree of relaxa- 
 tion ; and you will be fatisfied to hear, that, for many Wednefdays 
 and Saturdays, I have confumed more time than would have fuf- 
 ficed for the epiftle, in devifing reafons for procraftinating it to the 
 next poft. At this very moment I begin fo very late, as I am juft 
 going to drefs, and dine in the country, that I can take only the 
 benefit of the date, Odober the firft, and muft be content to feal and 
 fend my letter next Saturday. 
 
 October the 4th. 
 
 Saturday is now arrived, and I much doubt whether I fliall have 
 time to finifli. I rofe, as ufual, about feven ; but as I knew I ftiould 
 have fo much time, you know it would have been ridiculous to 
 begin anv thing before breakfaft. When I returned from my break- 
 faft-room to the library, unluckily I found on the table fome new 
 and interefting books, which inftantly caught my attention ; and 
 without injuring my correfpondent, I could fafcly beftow a fingle 
 hour to gratify my curionty. Some things which I found in them 
 infenfibly led me to other books, and other enquiries; the m-orning 
 has ftolen away, and I fhall be fcon fummoned to drefs and dine 
 with the two Severys, father and fon, v/ho are returned from the 
 country on a difagreeable errand, an illnefs of Madame, from which 
 {he is however recovering. Such is the faithful pitflure of my mind 
 and manners, and from a fmgle day di/ce omiies. After having been 
 fo long chained to the oar, in a fplendid galley indeed, I freely and 
 fairly enjoy my liberty as I promifed in my preface ; range without 
 
 2 control
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. ipi 
 
 control over the wide expanfe of my library ; converfe, as my fancy 
 prompts me, with poets and hlftorians, philofophers and orators, of 
 every age and language ; and often indulge my meditations in the 
 invention and arrangement of mighty works, which 1 fliall probably 
 never find time or application to execute. My garden, beryeau, and 
 pavilion often varied the fcene of my fludies ; the beautiful weather 
 which we have enjoyed exhilarated my fpirits, and I again tailed the 
 wifdom and happinefs of my retirement, till that happinefs was inter- 
 rupted by a very ferious calamity, which took from me for above a fort- 
 night all thoughts of ftudy, of amufement, and even of correfpondence. 
 I mentioned in my firft letter the uneafmefs I felt at poor Deyverdun's 
 declining health, how much the pleafure of my life was embittered by 
 the fight of a fuffering and languid friend. The joy of our meeting 
 appeared at firft to revive him ; and, though not fatisfied, I began 
 to think, at leaft to hope, that he was every day gaining ground ; 
 when, alas ! one morning I was fuddenly recalled from my berfeau 
 to the houfe, with the dreadful intelligence of an apoplectic ftroke; 
 I found him fenfelefs : the beft affiftance was inftantly colleded ; and 
 he had the aid of the genius and experience of Mr. Tiflbt, and of the 
 afliduous care of another phyfician, who for fome time fcarcely 
 quitted his bedfide either night or day. While I was in momentary 
 dread of a relapfe, ■with, a confeffion from his phyficians that fuch a 
 relapfe muil be fatal, you will feel that I was much more to be 
 pitied than my friend. At length, art or nature triumphed over the 
 enemy of life. I was foon affured that all immediate danger was 
 paft ; and now for many days I have had the fatisfidtlon of feeing 
 him recover, though by flow degrees, his health and ftrength, his 
 fleep and appetite. He now walks about the garden, and receives 
 his particular friends, but has not yet gone abroad. His future 
 health will depend very much upon his own prudence : but, at all 
 events, this has been a very ferious warning ; and the flighteft indif- 
 poficion will hereafter alTu me a very formidable afpedl. But let us 
 
 turn
 
 192 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 turn from this melancholy fubje£t. — The Man of the People efcaped 
 from the tumult, the bloody tumult of the Weftminfter eledion, 
 to the lakes and mountains of Switzerland, and I was informed 
 that he was arrived at the Lyon d'Or. I fent a compHment ; he 
 ' anfwered it in perfon, and fettled at my houfe for the remainder of 
 the day., I have eat and drank, and converfed and fat up all niglit 
 ■with Fox in England ; but it never has happened, perhaps it never 
 can happen again, that I fhould enjoy him as I did that day, alone, 
 from ten in the morning till ten at night. Poor Deyverdun, before 
 his accident, wanted fpirits to appear, and has regretted it fmce. 
 Our converfotion never flagged a moment; and he fcemed thoroughly 
 pleafed with the place and with his company. We had little politics ; 
 though he gave me, in a few words, fuch a charafter of Pitt, as one 
 great man fliould give of another his rival : much of books, from my 
 own, on which he flattered me very pleafantly, to Homer and the 
 Arabian Nights : much about the country, my garden (which he 
 underftands far better than I do), and, upon the whole, I think he 
 envies me, and would do fo were he minifter. The next morning 
 I gave him a guide to walk him about the town and country, and in- 
 vited fome company to meet him at dinner. The following day he 
 continued his journey to Bern and Zurich, and I have heard of him 
 by various means. The people gaze on him as a prodigy, but he 
 fhews little inclination to converfe with them, &c. &c. &;c. Our friend 
 Douglas has been curious, attentive, agreeable ; and in every place 
 where he has refided fome days, he has left acquaintance who 
 cfteem and regret him : I never knew fo clear and general an im- 
 prefTion. 
 
 After this long letter I have yet many things to fay, though none 
 of any preffing confequence. T hope you are not idle In the deliver- 
 ance of Beriton, though the late events and edicts in France begin 
 to reconcile me to the poffelTion of dirty acres. What think you of 
 Necker and the States Generales ?. Are not the public expectations 
 
 too
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 193 
 
 too fangulne ? Adieu. I will write foon to my lady fcparately, 
 though I have not any particular fubje£t for her car. Ever 
 yours. 
 
 Lausanne, Nov. 29, 1788. 
 As I have no correfpondents but yourfelf, I fhould have been re- 
 duced to the ftale and ftupid communications of the newfpapers, if 
 you had not difpatched me an excellent fketch of the extraordinary 
 ftate of things. In fo new a cafe ihefahis populi muft be the firft law; 
 and any extraordinary ads of the two remaining branches of the 
 legiflature muft be excufed by neceflity, and ratified by general con- 
 fent. ***•************-** 
 * *. Till things are fettled, I expe£l a regular journal. 
 
 From kingdoms I defcend to farms. ******** 
 ********. Adieu. 
 
 Lausanne, Dec. 13, 1788. 
 
 ****************** 
 ********. Of public affairs I can only hear with 
 curiofity and wonder : carelefs as you may think me, I feel myfelf 
 deeply interefted. You muft now write often ; make Mifs Firth copy 
 any curious fragments ; and ftir up any of my well-informed ac- 
 quaintance, Batt, Douglas, Adam, perhaps Lord Loughborough, to 
 correfpond with me ; I will anfwer them. 
 
 We are now cold and gay at Laufanne. The Severys came to 
 town yefterday. I faw a good deal of Lords Malmfbury and Beau- 
 champ, and their ladies ; Ellis, of the Rolliad, was with them ; I 
 like him much : I gave them a dinner. 
 
 Adieu for the prefent. Deyverdun is not worfe. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 cc Before
 
 194 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 Lausanne, April 25, 1789. 
 
 Betore your letter, which I received yefterday, I was in the 
 anxious fituation of a king, who hourly expedts a courier from his 
 general, with the news of a decifive engagement. I had dhftained 
 from writing, for fear of dropping a word, or betraying a feeling, 
 which might render you too cautious or too bold. On the famous 
 8th of April, between twelve and two, I refleded that the bufmefs 
 was determined ; and each fucceeding day I computed the fpeedy 
 approach of your meflenger, with favourable or melancholy tidings. 
 When I broke the feal, I expeded to read, " What a damned un- 
 *' lucky fellow you are ! Nothing tolerable was offered, and I in- 
 *' dignantly withdrew the eflate." I did remember the fate of poor 
 Lenborough, and I was afraid of your magnanimity, &c. It is 
 whimfical enough, but it is human nature, that I now begin to think 
 of the deep-rooted foundations of land, and the airy fabric of the 
 funds. I not only confent, but even wifh, to have eight or ten thou- 
 fand pounds on a good mortgage. The pipe of wine you fent to me 
 was feized, and would have been confifcated, if the government of 
 Berne had not treated me with the moil flattering and diftinguifhed 
 civility; they not only releafed the wine, but they paid out of their own 
 pocket the fhares to which the bailiif and the informer were entitled 
 by law. I fliould not forget that the bailiff refufed to accept of his 
 part. Poor Dey verdun's conftitution is quite broken ; he has had 
 two or three attacks, not fo violent as the firft : every time the door 
 is haftily opened, I exped to hear of fome fatal accident : the beft or 
 worft hopes of the phyficians are only that he may linger fome time 
 longer ; but, if he lives till the fummer, they propofe fending him to 
 fome mineral waters at AIx, in Savoy. You will be glad to hear 
 that I am now alTured of poiTefTing, during my life, this delightful 
 houfe and garden. The ad has been lately executed in the beft 
 form, and the handfomell manner, I know not what to fay of your 
 
 miracles
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 195 
 
 miracles at home : we rejoice in the king's recovery, and its minifte- 
 rial confequences ; and I cannot be infenfible to the hope, at leaft the 
 chance, of feeing in this country a firfl lord of trade, or fecretary at 
 war. In your anfwer, which I fliall impatiently expe£l, you will 
 give me a full and true account of your defigns, which by this time 
 muft have dropt, or be determined at leaft, for the prefent year. If 
 you come, it is high time that we fhould look out for a houfe — a 
 talk much lefs eafy than you may pofTibly imagine. Among new 
 books, I recommend to you the Count de Mirabeau's great work, 
 " Sur la Monarchie Prufhenne ;" it is in your own way, and gives a 
 very juft and complete idea of that wonderful machine. His " Cor- 
 *' refpondence Secrett«" is diabolically good. Adieu. Ever yours. 
 
 Lausanne, June 13, 17S9. 
 
 You are in truth a wife, adtive., indefatigable, and ineftimable 
 friend ; and as our virtues are often connected with our faults, if 
 you were more tame and placid, you would be perhaps of lefs ufe 
 and value. A very important and difficult tranfadion feems to be 
 nearly terminated with fuccefs and mutual fatisfadtion : we feem to 
 run before the wind with a profperous gale ; and, unlefs we fliould 
 ftrike on fome fecret rocks which I do not forefee, • {hall, on or 
 before the 31ft July, enter the harbour of Content ; though I cannot 
 purfue the metaphor by adding we fhall land^ fince our operation is 
 of a very oppofite tendency. 1 could not eafily forgive myfglf for 
 fliutting you up in a dark room with parchments and attornies, did 
 I not refleft that this probably is the laft material trouble that you 
 will ever have on my account ; and that after the labours and delays 
 of twenty years, I fhall at laft attain what I have always lighed for, 
 a clear and competent income, above my wants, and equal to my 
 wifties. In this contemplation you will be fufficiently rewarded. I 
 hope ***** will be content with our title-deeds, for I cannot furnifl> 
 
 C c 2 another
 
 196 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 another fhred of parchment. Mrs. Gibbon's jointure is fecured on 
 the Beriton eftate, and her legal confent is requifite for the fale. 
 Again and again I muft repeat my hope that fhe is perteftly fatif- 
 fled, and that the clofe of her life may not be embittered by fufpi- 
 cion, or fear, or difcontent. What new fecurity does fhe prefer, — 
 the funds, the mortgage, or your land ? At all events fhe muft be 
 made eafy. I wrote to her again fome time ago, and begged that if 
 fhe were too weak to write, flie would defire Mrs, Gould or Mrs. 
 Holroyd to give me a line concerning her llate of health. To this 
 no anfwer ; I am afraid fhe is difpleafed. 
 
 Now for the difpofal of the money: I approve of the 8000 1, 
 mortgage on Beriton ; and honour your prudence in not fhewing,. 
 by the comparifon of the rent and intereft, how foalifh it is to pur- 
 chafe land. ************.*** 
 
 There is a chance of my drawing a confiderable fum into this coun- 
 try, for an arrangement which you yourfelf muft approve, but 
 which I have not time to explain at prefent. For the fake of dif- 
 patching, by this evening's poft, an anfwer to your letter which ar- 
 rived this morning, I confine myfelf to the tieedful, but in the 
 courfe of a few days I will fend a m.ore familiar epiftle. Adieu.. 
 Ever yours. 
 
 Lausanne, July 14, 17891 
 
 Poor Deyverdun is no more : he expired Saturday the 4th inftant;. 
 and in his unfortunate fituation, death could only be viewed by him- 
 felf, and by his friends, in the light of a confummation devoutly to 
 be wifhed. Since September he has had a dozen apopledllc ftrokes,, 
 more or lefs violent ; in the intervals between them his ftrength gra- 
 dually decayed ; every principle of life was exhaufted ; and had he 
 continued to drag a miferable exiftence, he muft probably have fur- 
 vived the lofs of his faculties. Of all misfortunes this was what he 
 
 himfelf
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 
 
 '97 
 
 himfelf moft apprehended : but his reafon was clear and cahn to the 
 Jaft ; he beheld his approaching difTolution with the firmncfs of a 
 phiiolbpher. I fancied that time and reflexion had prepared me for 
 the event ; but the habits of three-and-thirty years frlcndfliip are not 
 fo eafily broken. The firft days, and more efpecially the firft ni'^hts 
 were indeed painful. Laft Wednefday and Saturday it would not 
 have been in ray power to write. I muft now recoiled myfelf, fmce 
 it is neceflary for nie not only to impart the news, but to aflc your 
 opinion in a very ferious and doubtful queftion, which muft be de- 
 cided without lofs of time. I fhall ftate the fads, but as I am on the 
 fpot, and as new lights may occur, I do not promife Implicit obe- 
 -dience. 
 
 Had my poor friend died without a will, a female JirJ? coufin 
 fettled fomewhere in the north of Germany, and whom I believe he 
 had never feen, would have been his heir at law. In the next de- 
 gree he had feveral coufins ; and one of thefe, an old companion, by 
 name Mr. de TVlontagny, he has chofen for his heir. As this houfe 
 and garden was the beft and cleareft part of poor Deyverdun'S 
 forttme ; as there is a heavy duty or fine (what they call lods) on 
 every change of property out of the legal defcent ; as Montagny has 
 a fmall eftate and a large family, it was neceflary to make fome pro- 
 vifion in his favour. The will therefore leaves me the option of en- 
 joying this place during my life, on paying the fum of a ^o 1. ([ 
 reckon in Engllfh money) at prefenr, and an annual rent of 30!.; or 
 elfe, of purchafing the houfe and garden for a fum which, includino- 
 the duty, will amount to 2500 1. If I value the rent of 30 1. at 
 twelve years purchafe, I may acquire my enjoyment for life at about- 
 the rate of 600 1.; and the remaining 1900 h will be the difference 
 between that tenure and abfolute perpetual property. As you have 
 never accufed me of too much zeal for the interefl: of pofterity, \q\\ 
 will eafily guefs which fcale at firft preponderated. I deeply felt the 
 advantage of acquiring, for the fraaller fum, every poffible enjoy- 
 ment,.
 
 198 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 ment, as long as I myfelf (hould be capable of enjoying : I rejedled, 
 with fcorn, the idea of giving 1900I. for ideal pofthumous property; 
 and I deemed it of little moment whofe name, after my death, 
 fliould be infcribed on my houfe and garden at Laufanrie. How 
 often did I repeat to myfelf the philofophical lines of Pope, which 
 feem to determine the queftion : 
 
 Pray Heaven, cries Swift, it laft as you go on ; 
 
 I willi to God this houfe had been your own. 
 
 Pity to build without or fon or wife : 
 
 Why, you'll enjoy it only all your life. 
 
 Well, if the ufe be mine, does it concern one, 
 
 Whether the name belong to Pope or Vernon? 
 In this ftat« of felf-fatisfa£tion I was not much difturbed by all my 
 real or nominal friends, who exhort me to prefer the right of pur- 
 chafe : among fuch friends, fome are carelefs and fome are ignorant ; 
 and the judgment of thofe, who are able and willing to form an opi- 
 nion, is often biafled by fome felfilli or focial affection, by fome 
 vifible or invifible intereft. But my own reflections have gradually 
 and forcibly driven me from my lirft propenfity ; and thefe reflec- 
 tions I will now proceed to enumerate : 
 
 1. I can make this purchafe with eafe and prudence. As I have 
 had the pleafure of not hearing from you very lately, I flatter myfelf 
 that you advance on a carpet road, and that almoft by the receipt of 
 this letter (July 31ft) the acres of Beriton will be tranfmuted into 
 fixteen thoufand pounds : if the payment be not abfolutely com- 
 pleted by that day, ***** will not fcruple, I fuppofe, depofiting the 
 2600 1. at Gofling's, to meet my draught. Should he hefitate, I can 
 defire Barrel ta fell quaiitmn fiifficit of my fhort annuities. As foon 
 as the new fettlement of my affairs is made, I Ihall be able, after 
 deducting this fum, to fquare my expence to my income, &c. 
 
 2. On mature confideration, I am perhaps lefs felfilh and lefs phi- 
 lofophical than I appear at firil fight : indeed, were I not fo, it 
 
 would
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 
 
 199 
 
 would now be in my power to turn my fortune into life-annuities, 
 and let the Devil take the hindmoft. I feel, (perhaps it is foollfh,) 
 but I feel that this little paradife will pleafe me ftill more when it is 
 abfolutely my own ; and that I fliall be encouraged in every im- 
 provement of ufe or beauty, by the profped: that, after my departure, 
 it will be enjoyed by fome perfon of my own choice. I fometimes 
 reflect with pleafure that my writings will furvive me ; and that idea 
 is at leaft as vain and chimerical. 
 
 3, The heir, Mr. de Montagny, is an old acquaintance. My fitua- 
 tion of a life-holder is rather new and fingular in this country : the 
 laws have not provided for many nice cafes which may arife between 
 the landlord and tenant : fome I can forefee, others have been fug- 
 gefted, many more I might feel when it would be too late. His 
 right of property might plague and confine me ; he might forbid my 
 lending to a friend, infped my condudl, check my improvements, 
 call for fecurities, repairs, &c. But if I purchafe, I walk on my 
 own terrace fierce and ered, the free mafter of one of the moft deli- 
 cious fpots on the globe. 
 
 Should I ever migrate homewards, (you ftare, but fuch an event 
 is lefs improbable than I could have thought it two years ago,) this 
 place would be difputed by ftrangers and natives. 
 
 Weigh thefe reafons, and fend me without delay a rational ex- 
 plicit opinion, to which I fhall pay fuch regard as the nature of cir- 
 cumftances will allow. But, alas ! when all is determined, I ihall 
 polTefs this houfe, by whatfoever tenure, without friendfhip or do- 
 meftic fociety. I did not imagine, fix years ago, that a plan of life . 
 fo congenial to my wifhes, would fo fpeedily vaniih. I cannot write 
 upon any other fubjedl. Adieu, your's even 
 
 Lausanne, Auguft 1789. 
 
 After receiving and difpatching the power of attorney, laft Wed- 
 
 nefday, I opened, with fome palpitation, the unexpedled mifTive 
 
 2 which
 
 200 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 which arrived this morning. The perufal of tlie contents fpolled 
 my breakfaft. They are difiigreeable in themfelves, alarming in 
 their confequences, and peculiarly unpleafant at the prefent moijnent, 
 •when 1 hoped to have formed and fecured the arrangements of my 
 future life. I do not perfectly underftand what are thefe deeds 
 which are fo inflexibly required ; the wills and marriage-fettlements 
 I have fufficiently anfwered. But your arguments do not convince 
 ***'*, and I have very little hope from the Lenborough fearch. 
 What v/ill be the event ? If his objections are only the refult of 
 legal fcrupulofity, furely they might be removed, and every chink 
 might be filled, by a general bond of indemnity, in which I boldly 
 afk you to join, as it will be a fubflantial important aft of friend- 
 fhip, without any poffible rifk to yourfelf or your fuccefTors. Should 
 he ftill remain obdurate, I muft believe what I already fufpedt, that 
 **** repents of his purchafe, and wifhes to elude the conclufion. 
 Our cafe would be then hopelefs, ibi omtiis cffufiis labor ^ and the 
 eftate would be returned on our hands with the taint of a bad title. 
 The refufal of mortgage does not pleafe me ; but furely our offer 
 {hews fome confidence in the goodnefs of my title. If he will not 
 ,take eight thoufand pounds at four per cent, we muft look out elfe- 
 where ; new doubts and delays will arife, and I am perfuaded that 
 you will not place an implicit confidence in any attorney. I know 
 not as yet your opinion about my Laufanne purchafe. If you are 
 againft it, the prefent pofitlon of affairs gives you great advantage, 
 &c. &c. The Severys are all well ; an uncommon circumftance for 
 the four perfons of the family at once. They are now at Mex, a 
 country-houfe fix miles from hence, which I vifit to-morrow for 
 two or three days. They olten come to town, and we Ihall contrive 
 to pafs a part of the autumn together at Roile. I want to change 
 the fcene ; and beautiful as the garden and profpedt muft appear to 
 every eye, I feel that the ftate of my own mind cafts a gloom over 
 them ; every fpot, every walk, every bench, recals the memory of 
 
 I thole
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 201 
 
 thofe hours, of thofe converfations, which will return no more. But 
 I tear myfelf from the fubjedl. I could not help writing to-day, 
 though I do not find I have faid any thing very material. As you 
 muft be confcious that you have agitated me, you will not poftpone 
 any agreeable, or even decifive intelligence. I almoft hefitate, whe- 
 ther I fhall run over to England, to confult with you on the fpot, 
 and to fly from poor Deyverdun's fhade, which meets rne at every 
 turn. I did not cxpedl to have felt his lofs fo iharply. But fix hun- 
 dred miles ! Why are we fo far off? 
 
 Once more. What is the difEculty of the title ? Will men of 
 fenfe, in a fenfible country, never get rid of the tyranny of lawyers ? 
 more oppreflive and ridiculous than even the old yoke of the clergy. 
 Is not a term of feventy or eighty years, nearly twenty in my own 
 perfon, fufficient to prove our legal pofleffion ? Will not the records 
 of fines and recoveries atteft that /am free from any bar of entails 
 and fettlements ? Confult fome fage of the lavv', whether their pre- 
 fent demand be neceffary and legal. If your ground be firm, force 
 them to execute the agreement or forfeit the depofit. But if, as I 
 much fear, they have a right, and a wifh, to elude the confummation, 
 would it not be better to releafe them at once, than to be hung up 
 for five years, as in the cafe of Lovegrove, which coft me in the 
 end four or five thoufand poimds ? You are bold, you are wife ; 
 confult, refolve, aft. In my penultimate letter I dropped a flrange 
 hint, that a migration homeward was not impoffible. I know not 
 what to fay ; my mind is all afloat ; yet you will not reproach me vnth 
 caprice or inconftancy. How many years did you damn my fcheme 
 of retiring to Laufanne ! I executed that plan ; I found as much 
 happincfs as is compatible with human nature, and during four 
 years (1783 — 1787) I never breathed a figh of repentance. On 
 my return from England the fcene was changed : I found only a 
 faint femblance of Deyverdun, and that femblance was each day 
 fading from mv fight, I have pafled an anxious year, but my 
 
 VOL. I. D D anxiety
 
 202 LETTERS FROiM MR, GIBBON 
 
 anxiety is now at an end, and the profpcd: before me is a melan- 
 choly Iblitude. I am Pcill deeply rooted in this country ; the pof- 
 feflion of this paradife, the friendiliip of the Severys, a mode of 
 fociety fuited to my tafte, and the enormous trouble and expcnce of 
 a migration. Yet in England (when the prefent clouds are difpelled) 
 I could form a very comfortable eftablifliment in London, or rather 
 at Bath ; and I have a very noble country-feat at about ten miles 
 from Eaft Grinftead in Suifex *. Tliat fpot is dearer to me than the 
 reft of the three kingdoms ; and I have fometimes v/ondered how 
 two meii, fo oppofite in their tempers and purfuits, fliould have im- 
 bibed fo long and lively a propenfity for each other. Sir Stanier 
 Porten is juft dead. He has left his widow with a moderate penfion, 
 and two children, my neareft relations: the eldeft, Charlotte, is~ 
 about Louifa's age, and alfo a mofl amiable fenfible young creature. 
 I have conceived a romantic idea of educating and adopting lier ; 
 as we defcend into the vale of years our infirmities require fome do- 
 meftic female fociety : Charlotte would be the comfort of my age, 
 and I could reward her care and tendernefs with a decent fortune. 
 A thoufand difEculties oppofe the execution of the plan, which I 
 have never opened but to you ; yet it would be lef; impradlicable 
 in England than in Switzerland. Adieu. I am wounded j pour 
 fome oil into my wounds : yet I am lefs unhappy fince I have 
 thrown my mind upon paper. 
 
 Are you not amazed at the French revolution ? They have the 
 power, will they have the moderation, to eftabliili a good confti- 
 tution ? Adieu, ever yours. 
 
 Lausanne, Sept. 9, 17S9. 
 
 Within an hour after the reception of your laft, I drew my 
 
 pen for the purpofe of a reply, and my exordium ran in the following 
 
 •words: " Ifind by experience, that it is much more rational, as well 
 
 * Alluding to ShefBeld-Place. 
 
 « as
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 26j 
 
 " as eaiy, to anfwer a letter of real bufmefs by tlie return of the 
 " pofl:." This important truth is again verified by my own ex- 
 ample. After writing three pages I was called away by a very ra- 
 tional motive, and the poft departed before I could return to the 
 concluiion. A fecond delay was coloured by fome decent pretence- 
 Three weeks have flipped away, and I now force myfelf on a tafk, 
 which I fl^ould have difpatched without an effort on the firil fum- 
 mons. My only excufe is, that I had little to write about Engliih 
 bufinefs, and that I could write nothing delinitive about my Swifs 
 affairs. And firfl, as Ariftotle fays of the firfl, 
 
 1. I was indeed in low fpirits when I fent what you fo juflly fllle 
 my difmal letter ; but I do alfure you, that my own feelings con- 
 tributed much more to fink me, than any events or terrors relative to 
 the fale of Beriton. But I again hope and trufl, from your confo- 
 latory epiffle, that, &c. &c. 
 
 2. My Swifs tranfi(5lion has fullered a great alteration. I fliall 
 not become the proprietor of my houfe and garden at Laufanne, and 
 I relinquiili the phantom with more regret than you could eafily 
 imagine. But I have been determined by a difficulty, which at firfl 
 appeared of little moment, but which has gradually fwelled to an 
 alarming magnitude. There is a law in this country, as well as in 
 fome provinces of France, which is ftyled le droit de retrait^ le retra'it 
 Ugrmgerc, (Lord Loughborough muft have heard of it,) by whicli 
 the relations of the deceafed are entitled to redeem a houfe or eflate 
 at the price for which it has been foJd ; and as the fum fixed by 
 poor Deyverdun is much below its known value, a crowd of compe- 
 titors are beginning to flart. The befi: opinions (for they are di- 
 vided) are in my favour, that I am not fubje£l to le droit de retrait, 
 fince I take not as a purchafei% but as a legatee. But the words of 
 the will are fomewhat ambiguous, the event of law is always uncer- 
 tain, the adminiffration of jufticc at Bern (the lafl appeal) depends 
 too much on favour and intrigue ; and it is very* doubtful whether I 
 could revert to the life-holding, after having chofen and lofl the 
 
 D D 2 property.
 
 204 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 property. Thefe confideratious engaged me to open a negoclation 
 with Mr. de Montagny, througli the medium of my friend the judge ; 
 and as he moil ardently wifhes to keep the houfe, he confented, 
 tliough with fome rehidance, to my propofals, Yefterday he figned 
 a covenant in the moft regular and binding form, by which he 
 allows my power of transferring my intereft, interprets in the moft 
 ample fenfe my right of making alterations, and exprefsly renounces 
 all claim, as landlord, of vifiting or infpedling the premifes. I have 
 promifed to lend him twelve thoufand livres, (between feven and 
 eight hundred pounds,) fecured on the houfe and land. The mort- 
 gage is four times its value ; the intereft of four pounds /.fr^i?///. will 
 be annually difcharged by the rent of thirty guineas. So that I am ' 
 now tranquil on that fcore for the remainder of my days. I hope 
 that time will gradually reconcile me to the place which I have in- 
 habited with my poor friend ; for in fpite of the cream of London, 
 I am ftill perfuaded that no other place is fo well adapted to my tafte 
 and habits of ftudious and fecial life. 
 
 Far from delighting in the whirl of a metropolis, my only com- 
 plaint againft Laufanne is the great number of ftrangers, always of 
 Englifli, and now of French, by whom we are infefted in fummer. 
 Yet we have efcaped the damned great ones, the Count d'Artois, the 
 Pollgnacs, &c. who flip by us to Turin. What a fcene is France ! 
 While the affcmbly is voting abftradl propofitions, Paris is an inde- 
 pendent republic ; the provinces have neither authority nor freedom, 
 and poor Necker declares that credit is no more, and that the people 
 refufe to pay taxes. Yet I think you muft be feduced by the abo- 
 lition of tithes. If Eden goes to Paris you may have fome curious 
 information. Give me fome account of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. Do 
 they live with Lord North ? I hope they do. When will parlia- 
 ment be difiblved ? Are you ftill Coyentry-mad ? I embrace my 
 Lady, the fprightly Maria, and the fmiling Louifa. Alas! alas.t 
 you v/lU never come to Switzerland. Adieu, ever yours.
 
 TO LORD SHEFTiELD. 205 
 
 Lausanne, Sept. 251!!, 17S9. 
 
 Alas ! what perils do environ 
 
 The man who meddles with cold iron. 
 
 Alas ! what delays and difficulties do attend the man who meddles 
 with legal and landed bufmefs ! Yet if it be only to difappoint your 
 expe£tation, I am not fo very nervous at this new provoking ob- 
 ftacle. I had totally forgotten the deed in queftion, which was con- 
 trived in the laft year of my father's life, to tie his hands and regu- 
 late the diforder of his affairs ; and whlcli might have been fo cafily 
 cancelled by Sir Stanier, who had not the fmalleft interefl in it, 
 either for himfelf or his family. The amicable fuit, which is now 
 become neceffary, muft, I think, be fhort and unambiguous, yet I 
 cannot help dreading the crotchets, that lurk under the chancellor's 
 great wig ; and, at all events, I forefee feme additional delay and 
 expence. The golden pill of the two thoufand eight hundred pounds 
 has foothed my difcontent ; and if it be fafely lodged with the Gof- 
 lings, I agree with you, in confidering it as an unequivocal pledge of 
 a fair and willing purchafer. It is indeed chiefly in that light I now 
 rejoice in fo large a depofit, which is no longer neceffary in its full 
 extent. You are apprifed by my lad letter that I hive reduced 
 myfelf to the life-enjoyment of the houfe and garden. And, in 
 fpite of my feelings, I am every day more convinced that I have 
 chofen the fafer fide. I believe my caufe to have been good, but 
 it was doubtful. LaAV in this country is not fo expenfive as in 
 England, but it is more troublefome ; I muft have gone to Bern, 
 have follcited my judges in perfon ; a vile cuftom ! the event was 
 uncertain; and during at leaft two years, I fliould have been in a 
 ftate of fufpenfe and anxiety; till the conclufion of which it would 
 have been madnefs to have attempted any alteration or improvement. 
 According to my prefent arrangement I fhall want no more than 
 eleven hundred pounds of the two thoufand, and I fuppofe you will 
 
 direift
 
 2o6 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 dired Gofling to lay out the remainder in India bonds, that it may 
 not lie quite dead, while I am accountable to * * * * for the in- 
 tereft. The elderly lady in a male habit, who informed me that 
 Yorkfliire is a regifter county, is a certain judge, one Sir William 
 Blackftone, Vvdiofe name you may poflibly have heard. After flating 
 the danger of purchafers and creditors, with regard to the title of 
 ^flates on which they lay out or lend their money, he thus con- 
 tinues : " In Scotland every adt and event regarding the tranfmiffion 
 " of property is regularly entered on record ; and fome of our own . 
 " provincial divilions, particularly the extended county of York 
 " and the populous county of Middlefex, have prevailed with the 
 " leglflature to eredt fuch regifters in their refpective diftricts." 
 (Blackftone's Commentaries, vol. ii. p. 343, edition of 1774, in 
 quarto.) If I am millaken, it is in pretty good company ; but I 
 fufpedl that we are all right, and that the regifter is conlined to one 
 or two ridings. As we have, alas ! two or three months before us, I 
 ihould hope that your prudent fagacity will difcovcr Ibme found 
 land, in cafe you fliould not have time to arrange another mortgage. 
 I now v/rite in a hurry, as I am jull fetting out for Rolle, where I 
 fhall be fettled with cook and fervants in a pleafant apartment, till 
 the middle of November. The Severys have a houfe there, where 
 they pafs the autmiin. I am not forry to vary the fcene for a few 
 weeks, and i wilh to be abfent while fome alterations are making in 
 my houfe atLaufanne. I wiih the change of air-may be of fervice to 
 Severy the father, but we do not at all like his prefent ftate of health. 
 How completely, alas, how completely ! could I now lodge you : 
 but your firm refolvc of making me a vlfit feems to have vanifhed 
 like a dream. Next fummer you will not find five hundred pounds 
 for a rational friendly expedition ; and fhould parliament be dif- 
 
 folved, you will perhaps find five thoufand for . I cannot 
 
 think of it with patience. Pray take ferious ftrenuous meafures for 
 fending me a pipe of excellent Madeira in cafk, with fome dozens 
 
 of
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 
 
 207 
 
 of Malmfey Madeira. It fliould be configned to MelTrs. Romberg 
 Voitnrlers at Oftend, and I muft have timely notice of its march^ 
 We have fo much to fay about France, that I fuppofe we fliall never 
 fay any thing. That country is now in a ftate of diflokition. Adieu. 
 
 Lausanne, December 15th, 1789. 
 
 You have often reafon to accufe my ftrange filcnce and ncgle*^; in 
 the mofl: important of my own aflairs ; for I will prefume to aflert, 
 that in a bufmefs of yours of equal confequence, you {hould not 
 find me cold or carelefs. But on the prefent occafion my filence is, 
 perhaps, the higheft compliment I ever paid you. You remember 
 the anfwer of Philip of Macedon : " Philip may fleep, while he 
 " knows that Parmenio is awake." I expeded, and, to fay the 
 truth, I wifhed that my Parmenio would have decided and adled, 
 without expeding my dilatory anfwer, and in his decifion I fliould 
 have acquiefced with implicit confidence. But fmce you will have 
 my opinion, let us confider the prefent ftate of my affairs. In the 
 tourfe of my life I have often known, and fometimes felt, the dif- 
 ficulty of getting money, but I now find myfelf involved in a more 
 lingular diflrefs, the difficulty of placing it, and if it continues much 
 longer, I fhall almoft wifh for my land again. 
 
 I perfeftly agree with you, that it is bad management to purchafe 
 in the funds when they do not yield four pounds per cent. * * * 
 # * * * * *• * * # * *.. 
 
 Some of this money I can place fafely, by means of my banker 
 here ; and I fhall poffefs, what I have nlways defired, a command of 
 cafh, which I cannot abufe to my prejudice, fmce I have it in my 
 power to fupply with my pen any extraordinary or fanciful in- 
 dulgence of expence. And fo much, much indeed, for pecuniary 
 matters. What would you have me fay of the afiairs of France ? 
 We are too near, and too remote, to form an accurate judgment of 
 that wonderful fcene. The abufes of the court and government 
 8- called
 
 io8 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 called aloud for reformation ; and it has happened, as it will always 
 happen, that an innocent well-difpofed Prince has paid the forfeit of 
 the fins of his predecefTors ; of the ambition of Lewis the Fourteenth, 
 of the profufion of Lewis the Fifteenth. The French nation had a 
 glorious opportunity, but they have abufed, and may lofe their ad- 
 vantages. If they had been content with a liberal tranflation of our 
 fyftem, if tliey had refpe£led the prerogatives of the crown, and the 
 privileges of the nobles, they might have raifed a folid fabric on the 
 only true foundation, the natural ariftocracy of a great country. 
 How different is the profpedl ! Their King brought a captive to 
 Paris, after his palace had been flained with the blood of his guards ; 
 the nobles in exile ; the clergy plundered in a way which ftrikes at 
 the root of all property ; the capital an independent republic ; the 
 union of the provinces diffolved ; the flames of difcord kindled by 
 the worfl: of men ; (in that light I confider Mirabeau ;) and the 
 honefteft of the aflembly, a fet of vald vifionaries, (like our Dr. 
 Price,) who gravely debate, and dream about the eftabliflrment of 
 a pure and pexfeft democracy of five-and- twenty millions, the vir- 
 tues of the golden age, and the primitive rights and equality of 
 mankind, v/hich would lead, in fair reafoning, to an equal partition 
 of lands and money. How many years mull elapfe before France 
 can recover any vigour, or refume her ftation among the Powers of 
 Europe ! AS yet, there is no fymptom of a great man, a Richlieu 
 or a Cromwell, arifing, either to reftore the monarchy, or to lead the 
 commonwealth. The weight of Paris, more deeply engaged in the 
 funds than al/ the reft of the kingdom, will long delay a bank- 
 ruptcy ; and if it fhould happen, it will be, both in the caufe and 
 the effed, a meafure of weaknefs, rather than of ftrength. You 
 fend me to Chamberry, to fee a Prince and an ArchbilTiop. Alas ! 
 we have exiles enough here, with the Marfhal de Caftries and the 
 Duke de Guignes at their head; and this inundation of ftrangers, 
 which ufed to be confined to the fummer, will now ftagnate all the 
 
 6 winter.
 
 o> 
 
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 209 
 
 winter. The only ones whom I have feen with pleafure are 
 Mr. Mounier, the late prefxdent of the national afTembly, and the 
 Count de Lally ; they have both dined with me. Mounier, who is 
 a ferious dry politician, is returned to Daupliine. Lally is an ami- 
 able man of the world, and a poet : he pafles the winter here. You 
 know how much I prefer a quiet felcfl fociety to a crowd of 
 names and titles, and that I always feek coaverfation with a view 
 to amufement, rather than information. What happy countries 
 are England and Switzerland, if they know and preferve their 
 happinefs. 
 
 I have a thoufand things to fay to my Lady, Maria, and Loulfa, 
 but I can add only a Ihort poftfcript about the Madeira. Good Ma- 
 deira is now become eflential to my health and reputation. May 
 your hogfhead prove as good as the laft ; may it not be intercepted 
 by the rebels or the Auftrians, What a fcene again in that country ! 
 Happy England ! Happy Switzerland ! I again repeat, adieu. 
 
 Lausanne, January 27th, 1790. 
 
 Your two laft epiftles, of the 7th and i jcth inftant, were fomewhat 
 delayed on the road ; they arrived within two days of each other, 
 the laft this morning (the 27th); fo that I anfvver by the lirft, or^ 
 at leaft by the fecond poft. Upon the whole, your French method, 
 though fometimes more rapid, appears to me lefs fure and fteady 
 than the old German highway, &c. &e. * * * *. 
 
 ■*-** * ** * * *** 
 
 But enough of this. A new and brighter profped; feems to be break- 
 ing upon us, and few events of that kind have ever given me more 
 pleafure than your fuccefsful negociation and * * * * '$ fatisfadlory 
 anfwer. The agreement is, indeed, equally convenient for both 
 parties : no time or expence will be v/afted in fcrutlnizing the title of, 
 the eftate ; th.e intereft will be fecured by the claufe of five per cent., 
 and T lament with you, that no larger fum than eight thoufand 
 
 VOL. I. E,E pound§
 
 210 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 pounds can be placed on Benton, without afking (what might be 
 fomewhat impudent) a collateral fecurity, &c. &c. * * * 
 * * * * * * * * « * *. 
 
 But I wifh^you to choofe and execute one or the other of thefe ar- 
 rangemeiits with fage difcretion and ^bfolute power. I fhorten my 
 letter, that I may difpatch it by this poft. I fee the time, and I 
 fhall rejoice to fee it at the end of twenty years, when my cares will 
 be at an end, and our friendly pages will be no longer fuUied with 
 the repetition of dirty land and vile money ; when we may expatiate 
 on the politics of the world and our perfonal fentiments. Without 
 expeQing your anfwer of bufmefs, I mean to write foon in a purer 
 flyle, and I wifti to lay open to my friend the flate of my mind, 
 which (exclufive of all worldly concerns) is not perfectly at eafe. 
 In the mean while, I muft add two or three fhort articles, i. I am 
 aftoniflied at Elmfley's filence, and the immobility of your pidure. 
 Mine fliould have departed long fmce, could I have found a fure 
 opportunity, &c. &c. Adieu, yours. 
 
 Lausanne, May 15th, 1790, 
 
 Since the firft origin (ab cvo) of our connedtion and correfpond- 
 ence, fo long an interval of filence has not intervened, as far as I 
 remember, between us, &.c. &c. 
 
 From my faience you conclude that the moral complaint, which I 
 had infinuated in my laft, is either infignificant or fanciful. The con- 
 clufion is rafn. But the complaint in queftion is of the nature of a flow 
 lingering dlfeafe, which is not attended with any immediate danger. 
 As I have not leifure to expatiate, take the idea in three words ; " Since 
 " the lofs of poor Deyverdun, I am alone ; and even in Paradife, fo- 
 *♦ litude is painful to a fecial mind. When I was a dozen years 
 *' younger, I fcarcely felt the weight of a fingle exiftence amidft the 
 " crowds of London, of parliament, of clubs ; but it will prefs more 
 
 J " heavily
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 211 
 
 V 
 
 " lieavily upon: mc in this tranquil land, in the decline of life, and 
 " with the increafe of infirmities. Some expedient, even the moft 
 ** defperate, muft be embraced, to fecure the domeftic fociety of a 
 " male or female companion. But I am not in a hurry ; there is 
 *',time for reflexion and advice." During this winter fuch finet 
 feelings have been fufpended by the groffer evil of bodily pain. On 
 the ninth of February I was feized by fuch a fit of the gout as I had 
 never known, though I muft be thankful that its dire effedls have 
 been confined to the feet and knees, without afcending to the more 
 noble parts. With fome viciflitudes of better and worfe, I have 
 groaned between two and three months ; the debility has furvived 
 the pain, and though now eafy, I am carried about in my chair, 
 without any power, and with a very dlftant chance, of fupporting 
 myfelf, from. the extreme weaknefs and contradlion of the joints of 
 my knees. Yet I am happy in a fkilful phyfician, and kind alfidu- 
 ous friends : every e-vening, during more than three months, has 
 been enlivened (excepting when I have been forced to refufe them) by 
 fome cheerful vifits, and very often by a chofen party of both fexes. 
 How different is fuch fociety from the folitary evenings which I 
 have pafled in the tumult of London ! It is not worth while fighting 
 about a fhadow, but fhould I ever return to England, Bath, not the 
 metropolis, would be my laft retreat. 
 
 Your portrait is at laft arrived in perfect condition, and now oc- 
 cupies a confpicuous place over the chimney-glafs in my library. It 
 is the obje<3: of general admiration ; good judges (the few) applaud 
 the work ; the name of Reynolds opens the eyes and mouths of the 
 many ; and were not I afraid of making you vain, I would inform 
 you that the original is not allowed to be more than five-and-thirty. 
 In fpite of private reluctance and public difcontent, I have honour- 
 ably difmifled viyfelf*. I fliall arrive at Sir Jofhua's before the end 
 of the month ; he will give me a look, and perhaps a touch ; and 
 
 * His portrait. 
 
 E E 2 VOU
 
 212 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 you will be indebted to the prefident one guinea for the carriage. 
 Do not be nervous, I am not rolled up ; had I been lb, you might 
 have gazed on my charms four months ago. I want fome account 
 of yourfelf, of my Lady, (Hi all we never diredly correfpond ?) of 
 Louifa, and of Maria. How has the latter fince her launch fup- 
 ported a quiet winter in Suflex ? I fo much rejoice in your divorce 
 
 from that b Kitty Coventry, that I care not what marriage you 
 
 contrad. A great city would fuit your dignity, and the duties 
 which would kill me in the firft feflion, would fupply your adlivity 
 with a conftant fund of amufement. But tread foftly and furely; 
 the ice is deceitful, the w^ater is deep, and you may be foufed over 
 head and ears before you are aware. Why did not you or Elmfley 
 fend me the African pamphlet * by the poll ? it would not have 
 coft much. You have fuch a knack of turning a nation, that I am 
 afraid you will triumph (perhaps by the force of argument) over 
 juftice and humanity. But do you not expetfl to work at Belze- 
 bub's fugar plantations in the infernal regions, under the tender go- 
 vernment of a negro-driver ? I fhould fuppofe both my Lady and 
 Mifs Firth very angry with you. 
 
 As to the bill for prints, which has been too long negleded, 
 •why wiH you not exercife the power, which I have never revoked, 
 over all my cafh at the Goflings ? The Severy family has pafled a 
 very favourable M'inter ; the young man is impatient to hear from a 
 family which he places above all others : yet he will generoully write 
 next week, and fend you a drawing of the alterations in the houle. 
 Do not raife your ideas; you know /am fatisfied with convenience 
 in architecture, and fome elegance in furniture. I admire the cooi- 
 nefs with which you afk me to epiftolize Reynell and Elmfley, as if 
 a letter were fo eafy and pleafant a tafk ; it appears lefs fo to me 
 every day. 
 
 » Obfervatlons on the Projeil for abolifliing the Slave Trade, by Lord ShefEeId> 
 
 Your
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 213 
 
 1790. 
 
 VoUR indignation will melt into pity, when you hear that for 
 feveral weeks part I have been again confined to my chamber and my 
 chair. Yet I muft haften, generoufly haflen, to exculpate the gout, 
 my old enemy, from the curfes which you already pour on his head. 
 He is not the caufe of this diforder, although the confequences have 
 been fomewhat funilar. I am fatisfied that this effort of nature has 
 faved me from a very dangerous, perhaps a fatal, crifis ; and I liften 
 to the flattering hope that it may tend to keep the gout at a more 
 refpedlful diftance, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 The whole flieet has been filled with dry felfifh bufinefs ; but I 
 muft and will referve fome lines of the cover for a little friendly con- 
 verfation. I pafled four days at the caftle of Copet with Necker ; and 
 could have wifhed to have fliewn him, as a warning to any afplring 
 youth poffefTed with the dxinon of ambition. With all the means 
 of private happinefs in his power, he is the moft miferable of human: 
 beings : the paft, the prefent, and the future are equally odious to 
 him. When I fuggefted fome domeftic amufements of books, build- 
 ing, &c. he anfwei'ed, with a deep tone of defpair, " Dans I'etat ou 
 " je fuis, je ne puis fentir que le coup de vent qui m'a abbatu." 
 How different from the carelcfs cheerfulnefs with which our poor 
 friend Lord North fupported his fall ! Madame Necker maintains 
 more external compofure, mens le D'table ii'y pcrd r'len. It is true 
 that Necker wifhed to be carried into the clofet, like old Pitt, on the 
 fhoulders of the people ; and that he has been ruined by the demo- 
 cracy which he had raifed. I believe him to be an able financier, and 
 know him to be an honeft man ; too honeft, perhaps, for a minifter. 
 His rival Calonne has paffed through Laufanne, in his way from 
 Turin ; and was foon followed by the Prince of Conde, with his fon 
 and grandfon ; but I was too much indifpofed to fee them. They 
 have, or have had, fome wild projeds of a counter-revolution : 
 horfes have been bought, men levied : fuch foolilh attempts muft 
 
 end
 
 214 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 end in the ruin of the party. Burke's book is a moft admirable me- 
 dicine againft the French difeafe, which has made too much progrefs 
 even in this happy country. I admire his eloquence, I approve his 
 politics, I adore his chivalry, and I can forgive even his fupcrftitlon. 
 The primitive church, which I have treated with fome freedom, was 
 itfelf at that time an innovation, and I was attached to the old Pagan 
 eftabllfhment. The French fpread fo many lies about the fentiments 
 of the Englifh nation, that I wifh the moft confiderable men of all 
 parties and defcriptions would join in fome public aft, declaring 
 themfelves fatisfied and refolved to fupport our prefent conftitution. 
 Such fi. declaration would have a wonderful effeft in Europe ; and, 
 were I thought worthy, I myfelf would be proud to fubfcribe it. 
 I have a great mind lo fend you fomcthing of a fketch, fuch as all 
 thinking men might adopt. 
 
 I have intelligence of the approach of my Madeira. I accept witli 
 equal pleafure the fecond pipe, now in the Torrid Zone. Send me 
 fome pleafant details of your domeftic Hate, of Maria, &c. If my 
 Lady thinks that my filence is a mark of indifference, my Lady is a 
 goofe. I mr^ have you all at Laufanne next fummer. 
 
 Lausanne, Auguft 7, 1790. 
 
 I ANSWETi at once your two letters ; and I fhould probably have 
 taken earlier notice of the firft, had I not been in daily expectation 
 of the fecond. I muft begin on the fiibjedl of what really interefts 
 me the moft, your glorious eledlion for Briftol. Moft fmcerely do I 
 congratulate your exchange of a curfed expenfive jilt, who deferted 
 you for a rich Jew, for an honourable connexion with a chafte and 
 virtuous matron, who will probably be as conftant as fhe is dlfm- 
 terefted. In the w^hole range of eleftion from Caithnefs to St. Ives, 
 I much doubt whether there be a fmgle -choice fo truly honourable 
 to the member and the conftituents. The fecond commercial city 
 invites, from a diftant province, an independent gentleman, known 
 
 only
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 215 
 
 only by his a(3;ive fpirit, and his writings on the fubje£l of trade ; 
 and names him, without intrigue or expence, for her reprefentative : 
 even the voice -of party is filenced, while fadlions ftrive which Ihall 
 applaud the moft. 
 
 You are now fare, for feven years to come, of never wanting food ; 
 I mean bufmefs : what a crowd of fuitors or complainants will be- 
 ficge your door ! what a load of letters and memorials will be heaped 
 on your table ! 1 much queftion whether even you will not fome- 
 times exclaim, Ohe ! jam fotis ejl I but that is your afiliir. Of the 
 excurfion to Coventry I cannot decide, but I hear it is pretty gene- 
 rally blamed : but, however, I love gratitude to an old friend ; and 
 Ihall not be very angry if you damned them with a farewel to all 
 eternity. But I cannot reprefs my indignation at the ufe of thofe 
 foolifh, obfolete, odious words. Whig and Tory. In the American 
 war they might have fome meaning ; and then your Lordihip was a 
 Tory, although you fuppofed yourfelf a Whig : fince the coalition, 
 all general principles have been confounded ; and if there ever was 
 an oppofition to men, not meafures, it is the prefent. Luckily both 
 the leaders are great men ; and, whatever happens, the country muft 
 fall upon its legs. What a ftrange mift of peace and war feems to 
 hang over the ocean! We can perceive nothing but fecrecy and 
 vigor ; but thofe are excellent qualities to perceive in a minifler. 
 From yourfelf and politics I now return to my private concerns, 
 which I fliall methodically confider under the three great articles of 
 mind, body, and eftate. 
 
 I. I am not abfolutely difpleafed at your firing fo haftily at the 
 hint, a tremendous hint, in my laft letter. But the danger is not fo 
 ferlous or imminent as you feem to fufped ; and I give you my 
 word, that, before I take the flighteft ftep which can bind me either 
 in law, confcience, or honour, I will fliithfully communicate, and 
 we will freely difcufs, the whole ftate of the bulinefs. But at pre- 
 fent there is not any'thing to communicate or difcufs ; I do alTure you 
 
 tha:
 
 2i6 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 that I have not any particular objeft in view : I am not in love with 
 any of the hysenas of Laufanne, though there are fome who keep 
 their claws tolerably well pared. Sometimes, in a folitary mood, I 
 have fancied myfelf married to one or another of thofe whofc fociety 
 and converfatioii are the moft pleafmg to me ; but when I have 
 painted in my fancy all the probable confequences of fuch an union, 
 I have flarted from my dream, rejoiced in my efcape, and ejaculated 
 a thankfgiving that I was ftill in poffeffion of my natural freedom. 
 Yet 1 feel, and fhall continue to feel, that domeftic folitude, how- 
 ever it may be alleviated by the world, by ftudy, and even by friend- 
 fhip, is a comfortlefs ftate, which will grow more painful as I de- 
 fcend in the vale of years. At prefent my lituation is very tolerable ; 
 and if at dinner-time, or at my return home in the evening, I fome- 
 times figh for a companion, there are many hours, and many occa- 
 fions, in which I enjoy the fuperior bleffing of being fole mafter of 
 my own houfe. But your plan, though lefs dangerous, is ftill more 
 abfurd than mine : fuch a couple as you defcribe could not be found ; 
 and, if found, would not anfwer my purpofe ; their rank and pofition 
 would be awkward and ambiguous to myfelf and my acquaintance ; 
 and the agreement of three perfons of three characters would be ftill 
 more impradicable. My plan of Charlotte Porten is undoubtedly the 
 moft defirable ; and fhe might either remain a fpinfter (the cafe is not 
 without example), or marry fome Swifs of my choice, who would 
 increafe and enliven our fociety; and both would have the ftrongeft 
 motives for kind and dutiful behaviour. But the mother has been 
 indiredly founded, and will not hear of fuch a propofal for fome 
 years. On my fide, I would not take her, but as a piece of foft 
 was which I could model to the language and manners of the 
 country : I muft thei'efore be patient. 
 
 Young Severy's letter, which may be now in your hands, and 
 which, for thefe three or four laft pofts, has furnifhed my indolence 
 with a new pretence for delay, has already informed you of, the; 
 
 2 means
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 217 
 
 means and clrcumftances of my refurredHon. Tedious indeed was 
 my confinement, fince I was not able to move from my houfe or 
 chair, from the ninth of February to the firft of July, very nearly five 
 months. The firfl w^eeks were accompanied with more pain than I 
 have ever known in the gout, with anxious days and fleeplefs nights; 
 and when that pain fubfided, it left a weaknefs in my knees which 
 feemed to have no end. My confinement was however foftened by 
 books, by the poflelTion of every comfort and convenience, by a fuc- 
 ceffion each evening of agreeable company, and by a flow of equal 
 fpirits and general good health. During the laft weeks I defcended 
 to the ground floor, poor Deyverdun's apartment, and confliruaed a 
 chair like Merlin's, in which I could wheel myfelf in the houfe and 
 on the terrace. My patience has been univerfally admired ; yet how 
 many thoufands have pafled thofe five months lefs eafily than my- 
 felf. I remember making a remark perfeftly fimple, and perfedlly 
 true : " At prefent, (I faid to Madame de Severy,) I am not pofi- 
 " tively miferable, and I may reafonably hope a daily or weekly im- 
 " provement, till fooner or later in the fummer I fhall recover new 
 " limbs, and new pleafures, which I do not now pofl'efs : have any 
 *' of you fuch a profpedl ?" The predi£lion has been accompliihed, 
 and I have arrived to my prefent condition of fl:rength, or rather of 
 feeblenefs : I now can walk with tolerable eafe in my garden and 
 fmooth places ; but on the rough pavement of the town I ufe, and 
 perhaps fhall ufe, a fedan chair. The Pyrmont waters have per- 
 formed wonders ; and my phyfician (not Tiflbt, but a very fenfible 
 ■man) allows me to hope, that the term of the interval will be in 
 proportion to that of the fit. 
 
 Have you read in the Englifh papers, that the government of 
 Berne is overturned, and that we are divided into three democratical 
 leagues ? true as what I have read In the French papers, that the 
 Englifh have cut oif Pitt's head, and abolifhed the Houfe of Lords. 
 The people of this country are happy ; and in fpite of fome mif- 
 
 voL. lo F i" creauts,
 
 2i8 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 creants, and more foreign emiffarles, they arc fenfible of tlieir hap- 
 pinefs. 
 
 Finally — Inform my Lady, that I am indignant at a falfe and here- 
 tical affertion in her laft letter to Severy, *' that friends at a diftancc 
 " cannot love each other, if they do not write." I love her better 
 than any woman in the world ; indeed I do ; and yet I do not write. 
 And fhe herfelf — ^but I am calm. We have now nearly one hundred 
 French exiles, fome of them worth being acquainted with ; par- 
 ticularly a Count dc Schomberg, who is become almoft my friend ; 
 he is a man. of the world, of letters, and of fufficient age, fince in 
 1753 he fucceeded to Marfhal Saxe's regiment of dragoons. As to 
 the reft, I entertain them, and they flatter me : but I wifh we were 
 reduced to our Laufanne fociety. Poor France ! the ftate is diffolved, 
 the nation is mad ! Adieu. 
 
 Lausanne, April 9, 179'. 
 FrRST, of my health : it is now tolerably reftored, my legs are ftill 
 weak, but the animal in general is in a found and lively condition ; and. 
 we have great hopes from the fine weather and the Pyrmont waters.. 
 I moft fmcerely wifhed for the prefence of Maria, to embellifii a ball 
 which I gave the 29th of laft month to all the beft company, natives 
 and foreigners, of Laufanne, with the aid of the Sevqrys, efpecially of 
 the mother and fon,who diredted the oeconomy, and performed the ho- 
 nours of ih.€ ft't'e. It opened about feven in the evening ; the afTembly 
 of men and women was pleafed and pleafing, the mufic good, the illu- 
 mination fplendid, the refrelhments profufe : at twelve, one hundred 
 and thirty perfons fat down to a very good fupper : at two, Iftole away 
 to bed, in a fnug corner ; and I was informed at breakfaft, that the 
 remains of thp veteran and young troops, with Severy and his fifter 
 at their head, had concluded the laft dance about a quarter before 
 feven. This magnificent enrertainment has gained me great credit ; 
 and the expence was more reafon^ble than you can eafily imagine. 
 
 This
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 219 
 
 This was an extraordinary event, but I give frequent dinners ; ami 
 In the fummer I have an aflembly every Sunday evening. What a 
 wicked vs^retch ! fays my Lady. 
 
 I cannot pity you for the accumulation of bufinefsjasyou ought not 
 to pity wr?, if I complained of the tranquillity of Laufanne; wefufferor 
 enjoy the effects of our own choice. Perhaps you will mutter fome- 
 thing, of our not being born for ourfelves, of public fpirlt (I have for- 
 merly read of fuch a thing), of private friendfhip, for which I give you 
 full and ample credit, &c. But your parliamentary operations, at 
 leaft, will probably expire iti the month of June ; and I fhall refufe to 
 fign the Newhaven conveyance, unlefs I am fatisficd that you will 
 execute the Laufanne vifit this fummer. On the 15th of June, fnp- 
 pofe Lord, Lady, Maria, and maid, (poor Louifa!) in a poll: coach, 
 with Elienne on horfeback, fet out from Downing-Street, or Sheffield- 
 Place, crofs the channel from Brighton to Dieppe, vifit the National 
 Aflembly, buy caps at Paris, examine the ruins of Verfailles, and arrive 
 at Laufanne, without danger or fatigue, the fecond week in July; you 
 will be lodged pleafantly and comfortably, and will not perhaps 
 defpife my fituatioii. A couple of months will roll, alas ! too hallilv 
 away : you will all be amufed by new fcenes, new people ; and 
 whenever Maria and you, with Severy, mount on horfeback to vjfit 
 the country, the glaciers, &c. my Lady and myfelf ihall form a veiy 
 quiet tete-a-tete at home. In September, if you are tired, you may 
 return by a dired or indireft way; but I only defire that you will not 
 make the plan impradicable, by grafping at too much. In return, I 
 promife you a vifit of three or four months in the autumn of ninety- 
 two : you and my bookfellers are now my principal attradlons in 
 England. You had fome right to growl at hearing of my fupple- 
 ment in the papers : but Cadell's indifcretion was founded on a hint 
 which I had thrown out in a letter, and which in all probability will 
 never be executed. Yet I am not totally idle. Adieu. 
 
 F F 2
 
 220 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 Lausanne, May i8, 1791. 
 
 I WRITE a fhort letter, on fmall paper, to inform you, that the va- 
 rious deeds, which arrived fafe and in good condition, have this 
 morning been fealed, figned, and delivered, in the prefence of re- 
 fpe£table and well-known Englifli witnefles. To have read the afore- 
 faid adts, would have been difficult ; to have underflood them, im- 
 pradlicable. I therefore figned them with my eyes (hut, and in that 
 Implicit confidence, which we freemen and Britons are humbly con- 
 tent to yield to our lawyers and minifters. I hope however, mod 
 ferioufly hope, that every thing has been carefully examined, and 
 that I am not totally ruined. It is not without much impatience 
 that I expedl an account of the payment and inveftment of the 
 purchaie-money. It was my intention to have added a new edition 
 of my will ; but I have an unexpeded call to go to Geneva to- 
 morrow with the Severys, and muft defer that bufinefs a few days 
 till after my return. On my return I may poffibly find a letter from 
 you, and will write more fully in anfwer : my pofthumous work, 
 contained in a fingle fheet, will not ruin you in portage. In the 
 mean while let me defire you either never to talk of Laufanne, or to 
 execute the journey this fummer ; after the difpatch of public and 
 private bufinefs, there can be no real obftacle but in yourfelf. Pray 
 do not go to war with Ruflia ; it is very foolifh. I am quite angry 
 with Pitt. Adieu. 
 
 Lausanne, May 31, 1791, 
 At len'^th T fee a ray of funfhine breaking from a dark cloud. 
 Your epiftle of the 13th arrived this morning, the 25th inftant, the 
 day after my return from Geneva ; it has been communicated to 
 Severy. Wenow believe that you intend a vifit to Laufanne this 
 fummer, and we hope that you will execute that intention. If you 
 are a man of honour, you fhall find me one j and, on the day of 
 
 your
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 521 
 
 your arrival at Laufanne, I will ratify my engagement of vifiting the 
 JBiitifli ifle before the end of the year 1792, excepting only the fair 
 and foul exception of the gout. You rejoice me, by propofing the 
 addition of dear Louifa ; it was not without a bitter pang that I 
 threw her overboard, to lighten the veflel and fecure the voyage : I 
 was fearful of the governefs, a fecond carriage, and a long train of 
 difficulty and expence, which might have ended in blowing up the 
 whole fcheme. But If you can bodkin the fweet creature into the 
 coach, (he will find an eafy welcome at Laufanne. The firft arrange- 
 ments which I muft make before your arrival, may be altered by 
 your own tafle, on a furvey of the premifes, and you will all be com- 
 modioufly and pleafantly lodged. You have heard a great deal of 
 the beauty of my houfe, garden, and fituatlon ;. but fuch are their 
 intrlnfic value, that, unlefs I am much deceived, they will bear the 
 left even of exaggerated pralfe. From my knowledge of your Lord- 
 fhlp, I have always entertained fome doubt how you would get 
 through the foclety of a Laufanne winter : but I am fatisfied that,, 
 exclufive of friendlhip, your fummer vifits to the banks of the Leman 
 Lake will long be remembered as one of the moft agreeable periods 
 of your life ; and that you will fcarcely regret the amufem^nt of a 
 Sviflex Committee of Navigation In the dog days. You alk for de- 
 tails : what details ? a map of France and a poft-book are eafy and 
 infallible guides. If the ladles are not afraid of the ocean, you are 
 not Ignorant of the palfage from Brighton to Dieppe : Paris will then 
 be In your dlre£b road ; and even allowing you to look at the Pan- 
 dxmonlum, the ruins of Verfallles, &c. a fortnight diligently em- 
 ployed will clear you from Sheffield Place to Gibbon Caftle.. What 
 can r fay more ? 
 
 As little have I to fay on the fubjedt of my worldly matters^ j,vhlch 
 feem now, Jupiter be pralfed, to be drawing towards a final conclu- 
 fion ; fmce when people part with their money, they are Indeed 
 ferlous. I do not perfe^ly underftand the ratio of the preclfe fum 
 
 2 which.
 
 222 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 which you have poured into Gofling's refervoir, but fuppofe it wili 
 be explained in a general account. 
 
 You have been very dutiful in fending mc, what I have always 
 defired, a cut Woodfall on a remarkable debate ; a debate, indeed, 
 mofl: remarkable ! Poor ***** Is the moft eloquent and rational mad- 
 man that I ever knew. I love ***'s feelings, but I deteft the poli- 
 tical principles of the man, and of the party. Formerly, you detefted 
 them more ftrongly during the American war, than myfelf. I am 
 half afraid that you arc corrupted by your unfortunate connexions. 
 Should you admire the National Aflembly, we fhall have many an 
 altercation, for I am as high an ariftocrat as Burke himfelf ; and he 
 has truly obferved, that it is impoflible to debate with temper on the 
 fubje£t of that curfed revolution. In my laft excurfion to Geneva 
 I frequently faw the "Neckers, who by this time are returned to their 
 fummer refidence at Copet. He is much reftored in health and 
 fpirits, efpecially fince the publication of his lafl book, which has 
 probably reached England. Both parties, who agree in abufmg him, 
 agree likewife that he is a man of virtue and genius ; but I much fear 
 that the pureft intentions have been produftive of the moft baneful 
 confequences. Our military men, I mean the French, are leaving 
 us every day for the camp of the Princes at Worms, and fupporc 
 what is called reprefentation. Their hopes are fanguine ; 
 
 I will not anfwer for their being well grounded : it is certain^ how- 
 ever, that the emperor had an interview the 19th inftant with the 
 Count of Artois at Mantua ; and the ariftocrats talk in myfterious 
 language of Spain, Sardlma, the Empire, four or five armies, &c. 
 They will doubtlefs ftrike a blow this fummer : may it not recoil on 
 their own heads ! Adieu. Embrace our female travellers. A fhort 
 delay ! i
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD. 223 
 
 Lausanne, June 12, 1791. 
 I NOW begin to fee you all in real motion, fwimming from 
 Brighton to Dieppe, according to my fcheme, and afterwards tread- 
 ing the dire£l road, which you cannot well avoid, to the turbulent 
 capital of the late kingdom of France. I know not what more to 
 fay, or what further inllrudions to fend ; they would indeed be ufe- 
 lefs, as you are travelling through a country which has been fome- 
 times vifited by Englifhmen ; only this let me fay, that in the midft 
 of anarchy the roads were never more fecure than at prefent. As. 
 you will wifh to aflift at the national aflembly, you will adfc pru- 
 dently in obtaining from the French in London a good recommend-- 
 ation to fome leading member; Cazales, for inftance, or the Abbe 
 Maury. I foon expert from Elmflcy a cargo of books ; but you-: 
 may bring me any new pamphlet of exquifite flavour, particularly, 
 the laft works of John Lord Sheffield, which the dog has always 
 negle(fled to fend. You will have time to write once more, and 
 you muft endeavour, as nearly as poffible, to mark the day of your 
 arrival. You may come either by Lyons and Geneva, by Dijon 
 and les Rouffes, or by Dole and Pontarliere. The pofl will fail you 
 on the edge of Switzerland, and muft be fupplied by hired horfes. 
 I. wifh you to make your laft day's journey C3.fy^ fo as to dine upon 
 the road, and arrive by tea-time. The pulfe of the counter-revo- 
 lution beats high, but I cannot fend you any certain fads. Adieu. 
 I want to /jcar my Lady abufing me for never writing, yf// the Se- 
 verys are very impatient. 
 
 Notwithftanding the high premium, Fdo not abfolutely wiHi you 
 drowned. Befides all other cares, I muft marry and propagate, 
 wiiich would give me a great, deal of trouble. .
 
 224 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON. 
 
 Lausanni^, July ill, 1791. 
 In obedience to your orders I dii'e3: a flying fhot to Paris, though 
 I have not any thing particular to add, excepting that our impatience 
 is increafed in the inverfe ratio of time and fpace. Yet I almoft 
 doubt whether you have pafled the lea. The news of the King of 
 France's efcape muft have reached you before the 28 th, the day of 
 your departure, and the profped: of ftrange unknown diforder may 
 well have fufpended your firmeft refolves. The royal animal is 
 again caught, and all may probably be quiet. I was juft going to 
 exhort you to pafs through Bruflels and the confines of Germany ; 
 a fair Iriflnifm, fince if you read this, you are already at Paris. 
 The only reafonable advice which now remains, is to obtain, by 
 means of Lord Gower, a fufficiency, or even fuperfluity, of forcible 
 palTports, fuch as leave no room for cavil on a jealous frontier. The 
 frequent intercourfe with Paris has proved that the beft and fhorteft 
 road, inftead of Befaiiyon, is by Dijon, Dole, Les Roufies, and 
 Nyon. Adieu. I warmly embrace the Ladies. It would he idle 
 now to talk of bufmefs.
 
 [ ^25 i 
 
 T T has appeared from the foregohig Letters, that a vifit from 
 niyfelf and my family, to Mr. Gibbon at Laufanne, had been for 
 fome time in agitation. This long-promifed excurfion took place 
 in the month of June 1791, and occafioned a confiderable cefla- 
 tion of our correfpondence. I landed at Dieppe immediately after 
 the flight from, and return to, Paris of the unfortunate Lewis XVL 
 During my flay in that capital, I had an opportunity of feeing the 
 extraordinary ferment of men's minds, both in the national aflembly, 
 in private focieties, and in my paflage through France to Laufanne, 
 where I recalled to my memory the interefting fcenes I had wit- 
 neffed, by frequent converfations with my deceafed friend. I might 
 have wifhed to record his opinions on the fubje6l of the French re- 
 volution, if he had not exprefled them fo well in the annexed Letters. 
 He feemed to fuppofe, as fome of his Letters hint, that I had a ten- 
 dency to the new French opinions. Never indeed, I can with truth 
 aver, was fufpicion more uftfounded ; nor could it have been ad- 
 mitted into Mr. Gibbon's mind, but that his extreme friendfhip for 
 me, and his utter abhorrence of thefe notions, made him anxious 
 and jealous, even to an excefs, that I fhould not entertain them. He 
 was, however, foon undeceived ; he found that I was full as averfe 
 to them as himfelf. I had from the firft exprelTed an opinion, that 
 fuch a change as was aimed at in France, mufl: derange all the regular 
 governments in Europe, hazard the internal quiet and dearefl: in- 
 terefts of this country, and probably end in bringing on mankind 
 a much greater portion of mifery, than the moft fanguine reformer 
 VOL. I. e G had
 
 [ 226 ] 
 
 had ever promifed to himfelf or others to produce of benefit, by the 
 vifionary fchemes of Uberty and equality, with which the ignorant 
 and vulgar were mifled and abufed. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon at firft, like many others, feemed pleafed with the pro- 
 fpeft of the reform of inveterate abufes ; but he very foon difcovered 
 the mifchlef which was intended, the imbecility with which con- 
 ceffions were made, and the ruin that muft arife, from the want of re- 
 folution or condud, in the adminiftration of France. He lived to 
 reprobate, in the ftrongeft terms poffible, the folly of the firll re- 
 formers, and the fomething worfe than extravagance and ferocity of 
 their fucceffors. He faw the wild and mifchievous tendency of 
 thofe pretended reformers, which, while they profeffed nothing but 
 amendment, really meant deftrudion to all fecial order; and fo 
 flrongly was his opinion fixed, as to the danger of hafty innovation, 
 that he became a warm and zealous advocate for CA'^ery fort of old 
 eftablilhment, which he marked in various ways, fometimes rather 
 ludlcroufly ; and I recoiled, in a circle where French affairs were 
 the topic, and fome Portuguefe prefent, he, feemingly with feriouf- 
 nefs, argued in favour of the inquifition at Lifbon, and faid he 
 would not, at the prefent moment, give up even that old efla- 
 blifhment. 
 
 It may, perhaps, not be quite uninterefting to the readers of thefe 
 Memoirs, to know, that I found Mr. Gibbon at Laufanne in pof- 
 feflion of an excellent houfe ; the view from which, and from the 
 terrace, was fo uncommonly beautiful, that even his own pen would 
 with difficulty defcribe the fcene which it commanded. This profped 
 comprehended every thing grand and magnificent, which could b» 
 furnillied by the finefl mountains among the Alps, the rnofl extenfive 
 view of the Lake of Geneva, with a beautifully varied and cul- 
 tivated country, adorned by numerous villas, and pidurefque build- 
 ings, intermixed with beautiful mafles of ftately trees. Here my 
 friend received us with an hofpitality and kindnefs which I can never 
 
 1 forget.
 
 [ 227 3 
 
 forget. The beft apaitments of the houfe were appropriated to our 
 ufe ; the choicefl fociety of the place was fought for, to enliven our 
 vifit, and render every day of it cheerful and agreeable. It was 
 impoflible for any man to be more efleemed and admired than Mr. 
 Gibbon was at Laufanne. The preference he had given to that 
 place, in adopting it for a refidence, rather than his own country, 
 was felt and acknowledged by all the inhabitants ; and he may have 
 been faid almoft to have given the law to a fet of as willing fubjeds 
 as any man ever prefided oven In return for the deference fhewn 
 to him, he mixed, without any afte£lation, in all the fociety, I 
 mean all the beft fociety, that Laufanne afforded ; he could indeed 
 command it, and was, perhaps, for that reafon the more partial to 
 it ; for he often declared that he liked fociety more as a relaxation 
 from ftudy, than as expe£l:ing to derive from it amufement or in- 
 ftrudion ; that to books he looked for improvement, not to living 
 perfons. But this I confidered partly as an anfwer to my expreffions 
 of wonder, that a man who might choofe the moft various and 
 moft generally improved fociety in the world, namely, in England, 
 that he fhould prefer the very limited circle of Laufanne, which he 
 never deferted, but for an occafional vifit to M. and Madan\e Necker. 
 It muft not, however, be underftood, that in chufing Laufanne for his 
 home, he was infenfible to the merits of a refidence in England : 
 he was not in poffefTion of an income which correfponded with his 
 notions of eafe and comfort in his own country. In Switzerland, 
 his fortune was ample. To this confideration of fortune may be 
 added another, which alfo had its weight ; from early youth Mr. 
 Gibbon had contracted a partiality for foreign tafte and foreign 
 habits of life, which made him lefs a ftranger abroad than he 
 was, in fome refpeds, in his native country. This arofe, per- 
 haps, from having been out of England from his fixteenth to 
 his twenty-firft year; yet, when I came to Laufanne, I found 
 him apparently without relifh for French fociety. During the 
 
 G G 2 flay
 
 [ 228 ] 
 
 ftay I made with him he renewed his intercourfe with the prin- 
 cipal French who were at Laufanne ; of whom there happened to 
 be a confiderable number, diftinguifhed for rank or talents ; many 
 indeed refpedlable for both *. During my ftay in Switzerland I was 
 not abl'ent from my friend's houfe, except during a fhort excurfion 
 that we made together to Mr. Necker's at Copet, and a tour to Geneva, 
 Chamouny, over the Col de Balme, to Martigny, St. Maurice, and 
 round the Lake by Vevay to Laufanne. In the focial and fmgularly 
 pleafant months that I paffed with Mr. Gibbon, he enjoyed his ufual 
 cheerfulnefs, with good health. Since he left England, in 1788, he 
 had had a fevere attack, mentioned in one of the foregoing letters, of 
 an Eryfipelas, which at Lift fettled in one of his legs, and left fome- 
 thing of a dropfical tendency ; for at this time I firft perceived a 
 confiderable degree of fwelling about the ancle. 
 
 In the beginning of October I left this delightful refidence ; and 
 feme time after my return to England, our correfpondence recom- 
 menced. 
 
 * Marfhal de Caftrles and feveral branches of his family. Due de Guignes and 
 daughters, Due and Ducheffe de Guiche, Madame de Grammont, Princefle d'Henin, 
 Princefle de BoiMllon, Ducheffe de Biron, Prince de Salms, Comte de Schomberg, 
 M. Lally Tolendal, M. de Mounicr, Madame d'Agueffeau and family, M.de MaU 
 herbes, &c. &Cv
 
 [ 2-9 ] 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 FROM 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efq. 
 
 TO 
 
 LORD SHEFFIELD, and Others. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq, to the Hon. Mifs Holroyd* 
 
 Lausanne, 9th Nov. 1791. 
 
 /^UL LIVER is made to fay, in prefenting his interpreter, 
 
 " My tongue is in the mouth of my friend." Allow me to fay, 
 
 with proper expreffions and excufes, " My pen is in the hand of 
 
 " my friend ;" and the aforefaid friend begs leave thus to continue *. 
 
 I re'member to have read fomewhere in Roufleau, of a lover quit- 
 ting very often his miftrefs, to have the pleafure of correfponding 
 with her. Though not abfolutely your lover, I am very much 
 your admirer, and fhould be extremely tempted to follow the fame 
 example. The fpirit and reafon which prevail in your converfation, 
 appear to great advantage in your letters. The three which I have 
 
 * The remainder of the letter was dictated by Mr. Gibbon, and written by M. 
 Wilh. de Severy. S. 
 
 6 received
 
 203 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 received from Berne, Coblentz, and BrufTels have given me much 
 real pleafure ; firft, as a proof that you are often thinking of me ; 
 fecondly, as an evidence that you are capable of keeping a refolu- 
 tion ; and thirdly, from their own intrinfic merit and entertainment. 
 The ftyle, without any allowance for hafte or hurry, is perfedlly 
 correal: ; the manner is neither too light, nor too grave ; the dimen- 
 fions neither too long, nor too fhort : they are fuch, in a word, as I 
 fhould like to receive from the daughter of my beft friend. I attend 
 your lively journal, through bad roads, and worfe inns. Your de- 
 fcription of men and manners conveys very fatisfaftory information; 
 and I am particularly delighted with your remark concerning the 
 irregular behaviour of the Rhine. But the Rhine, alas ! after fome 
 temporary wanderings, will be content to flow in his old channel, 
 while man — man is the greateft fool of the whole creation. 
 
 I dire(^ this letter to Sheffield-Place, where I fuppofe you arrived 
 in health and fafety. I congratulate my Lady on her quiet eftablifh- 
 ment by her firefide ; and hope you will be able, after all your ex- 
 curfions, to fiipport the climate and manners of Old England. Before 
 this cpiflle reaches you, I hope to have received the two promifed 
 letters from Dover and Sheffield-Place. If they fhould not meet 
 with a proper return, you v^^ill pity and forgive me. I have not yet 
 heard from Lord Sheffield, who feems to have devolved on his 
 daughter, the tafk which fhe has fo glorioufly executed. I fliall pro- 
 bably not write to him, till I have received his firft letter of bufmefs 
 from England ; but with regard to my Lady, I have moft excellent 
 intentions. 
 
 I never could under ftand how two perfons of fuch fuperior merit, 
 as Mifs Holroyd and Mifs Laufanne, could have fo little relifli for 
 one another, as they appeared to have in tlie beginning ; and it was 
 with great pleafure that I obferved the degrees of their growing inti- 
 jnacy, and the mutual regret of their feparation. Whatever you 
 may imagine, your friends at Laufanne have been thinking as fre- 
 quently
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 231 
 
 quentiy of yourfelf and company, as you could pofTibly think of 
 them ; and you will be very ungrateful, if you do not ferioufly re- 
 folve to make them a fecond vifit, under fuch name and title as you 
 may judge moft agreeable. None of the Severy family, except per- 
 haps my fecretary, are inclined to forget you ; and I am continually 
 afked for fome account of your health, motions, and amufements. 
 Since your departure, no great events have occurred. I have made 
 a fhort cxcurfion to Geneva and Copet, and found Mr. Necker in 
 much better fjpirits than v^dien you faw him. They prefTed me to 
 pafs fome weeks this winter in their houfe at Geneva ; and I may 
 poffibly comply, at leaft, in part, with their invitation. The afpeifl of 
 Laufanne is peaceful and placid; and you have no hopes of a revolution 
 driving me out of this country. We hear nothing of the proceedings 
 of the commifFion *, except by playing at cards every evening with 
 Monfieur Fifcher, who often fpeaks of Lord Sheffield with efteeni 
 and refpefto There is no appearance of Roflet and La Motte bein"- 
 brought to a fpeedy trial, and they ftill remain in the caftle of 
 Chillon, which (according to the geography of the National Aflem- 
 bly) is wafhed by the fea. Our winter begins with great feverity • 
 and we fhall not probably have many balls, which, as you may ima- 
 gine, I lament much. Angletine does not confider two French 
 words as a letter. Montrond fighs and blufhes whenever Louifa's 
 name is mentioned : Philippine wifhes to couverfe with her on men 
 
 * A commifl'.on, at the head of which was Monfieur Fifcher, one of the principal 
 members of the government of Berne, a very a£live an;l intelligent man, who would 
 have diftinguiflied himfelf .in the adminiftration of any country. This commiffion, 
 which was accompanied by two or three thoufimd of the beft of the German militia of 
 the Canton of Berne, was fent for the purpofe of examining into fome attempts to in- 
 troduce the French revolutionary principles into the Pays de Vaud. Several pcrfons 
 were feized ; the greater part were releafed ; the examination v/as fecret, but RolTet 
 and La Rlotte were confined in the caftle of Chillon ; and being afterwards condemneJ, 
 for corrcfpondence with the French, to a long imprifonment, were transferred to the 
 
 caflle of Arbourg. S. 
 
 and
 
 232 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 and manners. The French ladies are fettled in town for the winter, 
 and they form, with Mrs. Trevor, a very agreeable addition to our 
 fociety. It is now enlivened by a vifit of the Chevalier dc Boufflers, 
 one of the moft accomplifhed men in the ci devatit kingdom of France. 
 As Mrs. Wood *, who has mifcarried, is about to leave us, I muft 
 either cure or die ; and, upon the whole, I believe the former will be 
 moft expedient. You will fee her in London, with dear Corea, 
 next winter. My rival magnificently prefents me with an hogfhead 
 of Madeira ; fo that in honour I could not fupplant him : yet I do 
 aflure you, from my heart, that another departure is much more 
 painful to me. The apartment below f is fhut up, and I know not 
 when I fhall again vifit it with pleafure. Adieu. Believe me, one and 
 all, moft afiedionately yours. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to the Right Hon. Lord Shetfulld. 
 
 Lausanne, December 28, 1791. 
 
 A LAS ! alas ! the dxmon of procraftination has again poflefled me. 
 Three months have nearly rolled away fmce your departure; and 
 feven letters, five from the moft valuable Maria, and two from your- 
 felf, have extorted from me only a fingle epiftle, which perhaps 
 would never have been written, had I not ufed the permiffion of em- 
 ploying my own tongue and the hand of a fecretaiy. Shall I tell you, 
 that, for thefe laft fix weeks, the eve of every day has witnefled a 
 jfirm refolution, and the day itfelf has furnifhed fome ingenious delay? 
 This morning, for inftance, I determined to invade you as foon as 
 the breakfaft things fhould be removed : they were removed ; but 
 I had fomething to read, to write, to meditate, and there was time 
 
 * Madame dc Silva. 
 
 I The apartment principally inhabited during the refidence of my family at Lau- 
 fanne. S. 
 
 enough
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. ,233 
 
 enough before me. Hour after hour has ftolen away, and I finally 
 begin my letter at two o'clock, evidently too late for the poft, as I 
 muft drefs, dine, go abroad, &c. A foundation, however,y7W/ be laid, 
 which will flare mc in the face ; and next Saturday I Ihall probably 
 be roufed by the awful refledlion that it is the laft day in the year. 
 
 After realizing this fummer an event which I had long confidered 
 as a dream of fancy, I know not whether I fhould rejoice or grieve 
 at your vifit to Laufanne. While I pofleiTed the family, the fenti- 
 ment of pleafure highly predominated ; when, juft as we had fub- 
 fided in a regular, eafy, comfortable plan of "life, the lall trump 
 founded, and, without fpeaking of the pang of feparation, you left 
 me to one of the moft gloomy, folitary months of Odlober which I 
 have ever paffed. For yourfelf and daughters, however, you have 
 contrived to fnatch fome of the moft interefting fcenes of this world. 
 Paris, at fuch a moment, Switzerland, and the Rhine, Scrafbiirg, 
 Coblentz, have fuggefted a train of lively images and ufeful ideas, 
 which will not be fpeedily erafed. The mind of the young damfel, 
 more efpecially, will be enlarged and enlightened in every fenfe. In 
 four months fhe has lived many years ; and fhe will much deceive 
 and difpleafe me, if fhe does not review and methodize her journal, 
 m fuch a manner as fhe is capable of performing, for the amufement 
 of her particular friends. Another benefit which will redound from 
 your recent view is, that every place, perfon, and objed:, about 
 Laufanne, are now become familiar and interefting to you. In our 
 future correfpondence (do I dare pronounce the word correfpond- 
 ence ?) I can talk to you as freely of every circumftance as if it 
 were adlually before your eyes. And fuft, of my own improve- 
 ments. — All thofe venerable piles of ancient verdure which you aJ- 
 viired have lieen eradicated in one fatal day. Your faithful fubfti- 
 tutes, William de SeVery and Levade, have never ceafed to perfecute 
 me, till I figned their death warrant. Their place is now fupplied 
 
 ■VOL. J. H H by
 
 234 _ 
 
 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 by a number of pifturefque naked pole", the fofter- fathers of as 
 many twigs of Platanufles, which may aPbrd a grateful but diftant 
 fliade to the foui'ider, or to his feris Ncpotibus. In the mean while 
 1 muft confefs that the ten-ace appears broader, and that I difcover a 
 much larger quantity of fnow than I fliould othervvife do. The 
 workmen admire your ingenious plan for cutting out a new bed- 
 chamber and book-room ; but, on mature confideration, we all una- 
 nimoufly prefer the old fcheme of adding a third room on the ter- 
 race beyond tbe library, with two fpacious windows, and a fire-place 
 between. It will be larger (28 feet by 21), and pleafanter, and 
 warmer : the difference of expence wlU be mnch lefs confiderable 
 than I imagined : the door of communication with the library will 
 be artfully buried in the wainfcot ; and, unlefs it be opened by my 
 own choice, may always remain a profound fecret. Such is the de- 
 fign ; but, as it will not be executed before next fummer, you have 
 time and liberty to flate your objedlions. I am much colder about 
 the ftaircafe, but it may be finiflred, according to your idea, for 
 thirty pounds ; and I feel they will perfuade me. Am I not a very 
 rich man ? When thefe alterations are completed, few authors of 
 fix volumes in quarto will be more agreeably lodged than myfelf. 
 Laufanne is now full and lively ; all our native families are re- 
 turned from the country ; and, pralfed be the Lord !" we are infefted 
 with few foreigners, either French or Engliih. Even our demo- 
 crats are more reafonable or more difcreet ; it is agreed, to wave 
 the fubjedt of politics, and all feem happy and cordial. I have a 
 grand dinner this week, a fupper of thirty or forty people on 
 Twelfth-day, &c.; fome concerts have taken place, fome balls are 
 talked of; and even Maria would allow (yet it is ungenerous to fliy 
 even Maria) that the winter fcene at Laufanne is tolerably gay and 
 adlive. I fay nothing of the Severys, as Angletine has epiftolized 
 Maria laft poll. She has probably hinted that her brother meditates a 
 
 fliort
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 235 
 
 fliort excurfion to Turin : that worthy fellow Trevor has given hiiu 
 a prefling invitation to his own houfe. In the beginning of Febru- 
 aiy I pi-opofe going to Geneva for three or four weeks. I fhall lodge 
 and eat with the Neckers ; my mornings will be my own, and I Ihall 
 fpend my evenings in the fociety of the place, where I have many 
 acquaintance. This fliort abfence will agitate my ftagnant life, and 
 reftore me with frefh appetite to my houfe, my library, and my 
 friends. Before that time (the end of February) what events may 
 happen, or be ready to happen ! The National Aflembly (compared 
 to which the former was a fenate of heroes and demi-gods) feem re- 
 folved to attack Germany avec quatre millions de hayonettes libres ; the 
 army of the princes muft foon either fight, or (larve, or conquer. 
 Will Sweden draw his fword ? will Ruflia draw her purfe ? an empty 
 purfe ! All is darknefs and anarchy ; neither party is ftrong enough 
 to oppofe a fettlement ; and I cannot fee a poffibility of an amicable 
 arrangement, where there are no heads (in any fenfe of the word) 
 who can anfwer for the multitude. Send me your ideas, and thofe 
 of Lord Guildford, Lord Loughborough, Fox, &c. 
 
 Before I conclude, a word of my vexatious affaii's. — Shall I never 
 fail on the fmooth ftream of good fecurity and half-yearly intereft r 
 will every body refufe my money ? I had already written to Dartel 
 and Gofling to obey your commands, and was in hopes that you 
 had already made large and falutary evacuations. During your ab- 
 fence I never expedled much efFedt from the cold indifterence of 
 agents ; but you are nov/ in England — you will be fpeedily in Lon- 
 don : fet all your fetting-dogs to beat the field, hunt, enquire, why 
 fliould you not advertife ? Yet I am almoft afliamed to complain of 
 fome ftagnation of intereft, when I am witnefs to the natural and 
 acquired philofophy of fo many French, who are reduced from 
 riches, not to indigence, but to abfolutc v.ant and beggary. A 
 Count Argout has juft left us, who poffellcd ten thoufand a-year in 
 
 H H 2 the
 
 <i;^6 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 the ifland of St. Domingo ; he is utterly burnt and ruined ; and a 
 brother, whom he tenderly loved, has been murdered by the negroes. 
 Thefe are real misfortunes. I have much revolved the plan of the 
 Memoirs I once mentioned ; and, as you do not think it ridiculous, 
 I believe I (hall make an attempt : if I can pleafe myfelf, I am con- 
 fident of not difpleahng ; but let this be a profound fecret between 
 us : people muft not be prepared to laugh ; they muft be taken by 
 furprife. Have you looked over your, or rather my, letters ? Surely, 
 in the courfe of the year, you may find a fafe and cheap occafion of 
 fending me a parcel ; they may affift me. Adieu. I embrace my 
 Lady : fend me a favourable account of her health. I kifs the Mar- 
 maille. By an amazing pufh of remorfe and diligence I have 
 finifhed my letter (three pages and a half) this fame day fmce 
 dinner ; but I have not time to read it. Ever yours. 
 Half pad Six. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, December 31, 1791. 
 To-morrow a new year, 7)uiltos etfelkes ! 
 
 NOW mod fmcerely repent of my late repentance, and do almoft 
 
 fwear never to renounce the amiable and ufeful pradice of pro- 
 
 craftination. Had I delayed, as I was ftrongly tempted, another pofl, 
 
 your miffive of the 13th, which did not reach me till this morning 
 
 (three malls were due), would have arrived in time, and I might 
 
 have avoided this fecond Herculean labour. It will be, however, no 
 
 more than an infant Hercules. The topics • of converfation have 
 
 been fully difcuffed, and I fhall now confine myfelf to the needful of 
 
 the new bufinefs. Felix faitjlumque fit I may no untoward accident 
 
 difarrange your Yorkfhire mortgage ; the conclufion of which will 
 
 place me in a clear and eafy ftate, fuch as I have never known fmce 
 
 the firft hour of propeity. * * * * 
 
 The 
 
 I
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 237 
 
 The three per cents are fo high, and the country is in fuch a 
 damned ftate of profperity under that fellow Pitt, that it goes againfl: 
 me to purchafe at fuch low intereft. In my vifit to England next 
 autumn, or in the fpring following, (alas ! you mujl acquiefce in 
 the alternative,) I hope to be armed with fufficient materials to draw 
 a fum, which may be employed as tafte or fancy fhall didate, in 
 the improvement of my library, a fervice of plate, &c. I am not 
 very fanguine, but furely this is no uncomfortable profpedt. This 
 pecuniary detail, which has not indeed been fo unpleafant as it ufed 
 formerly to be, has carried me farther than I expe£led. Let us now 
 drink and be merry. I flatter myfelf that your Madeira, improved 
 by its travels, will fet forwards for Meflrs. Romberg, at Oftend, early 
 in the fpring ; and I fhould be very well pleafed if you could add a 
 hogfhead of excellent Claret, for which we fhould be entitled to the 
 drawback : they muft halt at Bafle, and fend notice to me for a fafe- 
 condudt. Have you had any intelligence from Lord Auckland about 
 the wine which he was to order from Bourdeaux, by Marfeilles and. 
 the Rhone ? The one need not impede the other ; I wifli to have a 
 large ftock. Corea has promifed me a hogfhead of his native Ma- 
 deira, for which I am to give him an order on Cadell for a copy of 
 the Decline and Fall : he vanifhed without notice, and is now at 
 Paris. Could you not fifh out his di,re<ftion by Mrs. Wood, who by 
 this time is in England ? I rejoice in Lally's profperity. Have you 
 reconfidered my propofal of a declaration of conflitutional principles 
 from the heads of the party ? I think a foolifh addrefs from a body 
 of Whigs to the National AlTembly renders it ftill more incumbent 
 on you. Atchieve my worldly concerns, ct wis mihi vw.gnns Apollo. 
 AdieUj ever yours.
 
 238 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, April 4th, 1792. 
 TOR fear you flioulJ abufc me, as ufual, I will begin the attack, 
 and fcokl at you, for not having yet fent me the long-expe£ted 
 intelligence of the completion of my mortgage. You had pofitively 
 aflurcd me that the fecond of February would terminate my worldly 
 cares, by a confummation fo devoutly to be wiflied. The news, 
 therefore, might reach me about the eighteenth \ and I argued with 
 the gentle logic of lazinefs, that it was perfedly idle to anfwer your 
 letter, till I could chaunt a thankfgiving fong of gratitude and praife. 
 As every poll difappointcd my hopes, the fame argument was re- 
 peated for the next ; and twenty empty-handed poftilions have 
 blown their infigniiicant horns, till I am provoked at laft to write 
 by flieer impatience and vexation. Fac'tt hidlgiiatio vcrfiim. Cofpetto 
 di Baccho ; for I muft eafe myfelf by fwearing a little. What is 
 the caufe, the meaning, the pretence, of this delay ? Are the York- 
 fhire mortgagers inconftant in their wifhes ? Are the London lawyers 
 conftant in their procraftination ? Is a letter on the road, to inform 
 me that all is concluded, or to tell me that all is broken to pieces ? 
 Had the money been placed in the three per cents laft May ; befides 
 the annual intereft, it would have gained by the rife of ftock nearly 
 tv/enty per cent. Your Lordfhip is a wife man, a fuccefsful writer, 
 and an ufeful fenator ; you underftand America and Ireland, corn 
 and flaves, but your prejudice againfl the funds *, in which I 
 am often tempted to join, makes you a little blind to their in- 
 creafmg value in the hands of our virtuous and excellent minifhqr. 
 But our regret is vain ; one pull more and we reach the fhore ; and 
 our future correfpondence will be no longer tainted with bufmefs. 
 Shall I then be more diligent and regular ? I hope and believe fo ; 
 for now that I have got over this article of worldly intereft, my letter 
 
 • It would be more corrcdl if he had faid, my preference of land. S. 
 
 feems
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 239 
 
 feeins to he almf^ft finifhed. A propos of letters, am I not a fad 
 dog to forget iny Lady and Maria ? Alas ! the dual numhcr has 
 been prejudicial to both. How happy could t be with either, were 
 t'other dear charmer away. I am like the afs of famous memory ; 
 I cannot tell which way to turn firfl:, and there I ftand mute and 
 immoveable. The Baronial and maternal dignity of my Lady, fup- 
 ported by twenty years friendflnip, may claim the preference. But 
 the five incomparable letters of Maria ! — Next week, however. — 
 Am I not afliamed to talk of next week ? 
 
 I have moft fuccefsfully, and moft agreeably, executed my plan of 
 fpending the month of March at Geneva, in the Necker-houfe, and 
 every circumftance that I had arranged turned out beyond my ex- 
 pedation ; the freedom of the morning, the fociety of the table and 
 drawing-room, from half an hour paft two till fix or feven ; an even- 
 ing aflembly and card-party, in a round of the beft company, and, 
 excepting one day in the week, a private fupper of free and friendly 
 converfation. You would like Geneva better than Laufanne ; there 
 is much more information to be got among the men ; but though I 
 found fome agreeable women, their manners and ftile of life arc, 
 upon the whole, lefs eafy and pleafant than our own. I was much 
 pleafed with Necker's brother Mr. De Germain, a good-humoured, 
 polite, fenfible man, without the genius and fame of the ftatefman, 
 but much more adapted for private and ordinary happinefp. Ma- 
 dame de Stael is expedted in a few weeks at Copet, where they re- 
 ceive her, and where, " to dumb forgetfulnefs a prey," flie will 
 have leifure to regret " the pleafing anxious being," which iLe en- 
 joye-d amidft the ftorms of Paris. But what can the poor creature 
 <io ? her hufband is in Sweden, her lover is no longer fecretary at war, 
 and her father's houfe is the only place where fhe can refide with the 
 leafl degree of prudence and decency. Of that father I have really a 
 much higher idea than I ever had before ; in our doraeftic intimacy 
 he caft away his gloom and referve j I law a great deal of his mind, 
 I and
 
 240 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 and all that I faw is fair and worthy. He was overwhelmed by the 
 hurricane, he miftook his way in the fog, but in fuch a perilous 
 fituation, I much doubt whether any mortal could have feen or 
 flood. In the meanwhile, he is abufed by all parties, and none of 
 the French in Geneva will fet their foot in his houfe. He remem- 
 bers Lord Sheffield with efleem ; his health is good, and he would 
 be tranquil in his private life, were not his fpirits continually 
 wounded by the .arrival of every letter and every newfpaper. His 
 fympathy is deeply interefted by the fatal confequences of a revo- 
 lution, in which he had adled fo leading a part ; and he feels as a 
 friend for the danger of M. de LefTart, who may be guilty in the 
 eyes of the Jacobins, or even of his judges, by thofe very actions 
 and dil'patches which would be mofl approved by all the lovers of 
 . his country. What a momentous event is the Emperor's death ! 
 In the forms of a new reign, and of the Imperial election, the demo- 
 crats have at leafl gained time, if they knew how to ufe it. But the 
 new-'frtonarch, though of a weak complexion, is of a martial temper; 
 he lo-^^'sthe foldiers, and is beloved by them; and the flow fludu- 
 ating politics of his uncle may be fucceeded by a dire(3; line of 
 march to the gates of Strafbourg and Paris. It is the opinion of the 
 mafler movers in France, (I know it moft certainly,) that their troops 
 will not fight, that the people have loft all fenfe of patriotifm, and 
 that on the firft difcharge of an Auftrian cannon the game is up. 
 But what occafion for Auftrians or Spaniards ? the French are them- 
 felves their greateft enemies ; four thoufand Marfeillois are marched 
 againft Aries and Avignon, the troupes de ligne are divided between 
 the two parties, and the flame of civil war will foon extend over the 
 fouthern provinces. You have heard of the unworthy treatment 
 of the Swifs regiment of Ernft. The canton of Berne has bravely 
 recalled them, with a flout letter to the King of France, which muft 
 be inferted in all the papers. I now come to the moft unpleafant 
 article, our home politics. BofTet and La Motte are condemned to 
 
 2 fine
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 241 
 
 fine and twenty years imprlfonment in the foitrefs of Arbourg. We 
 have not yet received their official fentence, nor is it believed that 
 the proofs and proceedings againft them will be publifiied ; an auk- 
 ward circumflance, which it does not feem cafy tojuftify. Some 
 (though none of note) are taken up, feveral are fled, many more are 
 fufpeded and fufpicious. All are filent, but it is the filence of fear 
 and difcontent ; and the fecret hatred which rankled againft go- 
 vernment begins to point againft the few who are known to be well- 
 affedted. I never knew any place fo much changed as Laufartne, 
 even fmce laft year ; and though you will not be much obliged to 
 me for the motive, I begin very ferioufly to think of vifiting Shef- 
 field-Place by the month of September next. Yet here again I am 
 frightened, by the dangers of a French, and the difficulties of a 
 German, route. You muft fend me an account of the paflage from 
 Dieppe to Brighton, with an itinerary of the Rhine, diftances, ex- 
 pences, &c. As ufual, I juft fave the poft, nor have I time to read 
 my letter, which, after wafting the morning in deliberation, has 
 been ftruck off in .a heat fmce dinner. No news of the Madeira. 
 Your views of S. P. are juft received ; they are admired, and fliall be 
 framed. Severy has fpent the carnival at Turin. Trevor is orily 
 the beft man in the w^orld. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, May 30th, 1792. 
 A FTER the receipt o^ your penultimate, eight days ago, I expedted, 
 with much impatience, the arrival of your nekt-promifed epiftle. 
 It arrived this morning, but has not completely anfwered my ex- 
 pedlations. I wanted, and I hoped for a full and fair picture of the 
 prefent and probable afped of your political world, with which, at 
 this diftance, I feem every day lefs fatisfied. In the flave queftlon 
 you triumphed laft feifion, in this you have been defeated. What 
 
 VOL. I. II is
 
 242 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 is the caufe of this alteration ? If it proceeded only from an impulfe- 
 of humanity, I cannot be difpleafed, even with an error ; fmce it is 
 very likely that my own vote (had I poffeffed one) would have 
 been added to the majority. But in this rage againft flavery, in the 
 numerous petitions againft the flave trade, was there no leaven of 
 new democratical principles ? no wild ideas of the rights and natural 
 equality of man ? It is thefe, I fear. Some articles in newfpapera, 
 fome pamphlets of the year, the Jockey Club, have fallen into my 
 hands. I do not infer much from fuch publications ; yet I have 
 never known them of fo black and malignant a caft. I fhuddered at 
 Grey's motion ; difliked the half-fupport of Fox, admired the firm- 
 nefs of Pitt's declaration, and excufed the ufual intemperance of Burke. 
 Surely fuch men as ****, ********, *******, have talents for mlf- 
 chief. I fee a club of reform which contains fome refpedable names. 
 Inform me of the profeflions, the principles, the plans, the refources, of 
 thefe reformers. Will they heat the minds of the people ? Does the 
 French democracy gain no ground ? Will the bulk of your party ftand 
 firm to their own intereft, and that of their country ? Will you> not 
 take fome adive meafures to declare your found opinions, and fe- 
 parate yourfelves from your rotten members ? If you allow them 
 to perplex government, if you trifle with this folemn bufinefs, if 
 you do not relift the fplrlt of innovation in the firft attempt, if yoa 
 admit the fmalleft and moft fpecious change in our parliamentary 
 fyftem, you are loft. You will be driven from one ftep to another ; 
 from principles juft in theory, to confequences moft pernicious in- 
 practice ; and your firft conceffions will be produdive of every fub- 
 fequent mifehief, for which you will be anfwerable to your country 
 and to pofterity. Do not fuffer yourfelves to be lulled into a falfe 
 fecurity ; remember the proud fabric of the French monarchy. Not 
 four years ago it ftood founded, as it might feera, on the rock of 
 time, force, and opinion, fupported by the triple ariftocracy of the 
 church, the nobility, and the parliaments. They are crumbled into 
 
 daft J
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 243 
 
 dufl: ; they arc vaniflied from the earth. If this tremendous warnnig 
 has no efle£t on the men of property in England ; if it does not 
 open every eye, and raife every arm, you v^'ill deferve your fate. 
 If I am too precipitate, enhghtcn ; if I am too defponding, en- 
 courage me. 
 
 -My pen has run into this argument ; for, as much a foreigner 
 as you think me, on this momentous fubjedt, I feel myfelf an Eng- 
 Ufhman. 
 
 The pleafure of refiding at Sheffield-Place is, after all, the firft 
 and the ultimate object of my vifit to my native country. But when 
 or how will that vifit be eft'efted ? Clouds and whirlwinds, Auftrian 
 Croats and Gallic cannibals, feem one very fide to impede my paflage. 
 You feem to apprehend the perils or difficulties of the Gcrnian road, 
 and French peace is more fanguinary than civilized war. I muft 
 pafs through, perhaps, a thoufand republics or municipalities, which 
 neither obey nor are obeyed. The ftridlnefs of paflports, and the 
 popular ferment, are much increafed fince lafi: fummer : arifliocrate 
 is in every mouth, lanterns hang in every fl:reet, and an hafly word, 
 or a cafual refemblance, may be fatal. Yet, on the other hand, it 
 is probable that many Englifli, men, women, and children, will 
 traverfe the country without any accident before next September ; 
 and I am fenfible that many things appear more formidable at a dis- 
 tance than on a nearer approach. Without any abfolute determina^^ 
 tion, we muft fee what the events of the next three or four months 
 will produce. In the mean while, I fhali expedl with impatience 
 your next letter : let it be fpeedy ; my anfwer fhall be prompt. 
 
 You will be glad, or forry, to learn that my gloomy apprehenfions 
 are much abated, and that my departure, whenever it takes place, 
 will be an a(5t of choice, rather than of neceffity. I do not pretend 
 to affirm, that fecret difcontent, dark fufpicion, private animofity, 
 are very materially aflliaged ; but we have not experienced, nor do 
 u'c now apprehend, any dangerous aQs of violence, which may 
 
 I 1 2 compel
 
 244 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 compel me to feek a refuge among the friendly Bears *, and to aban- 
 don my library to the mercy of the democrats. The firmnefs and 
 vigour of goA'^ernment have crufhed, at leaft for a time, the fpirit of in- 
 novation ; and I do not believe that the body of the people, efpecially 
 the peafants, are difpofed for a revolution. From France, praifed be 
 the demon of anarchy ! the infurgents of the Pays de Vaud could 
 not at prefent have much to hope ; and fliould the gardes nationales^ 
 of which there is little appearance, attempt an incurfion, the country 
 is armed and prepared, and they would be refifted with equal num- 
 bers and fuperior dilcipline. The Gallic wolves that prowled round 
 Geneva are drawn away, fome to the fouth and fome to the north, 
 and the late events in Flanders feem to have diffufed a general con- 
 tempt, as well as abhorrence, for the lawlefs favages, who fly before 
 the enemy, hang their prifoners, and murder their officers. The 
 brave and patient regiment of Erncft is expeded home every day, 
 and as Berne will take them into prefent pay, that veteran and re- 
 gular corps will add to the fecurity of our frontier. 
 
 I rejoice that we have fo little to fay on the fubjed: of worldly 
 affairs. * * * * This fummer we are threatened with an inundation, 
 befides many namelefs Englilh and Irifli ; but I am anxious for the 
 Duchefs of Devonfliire and the Lady Elizabeth Fofter, who are on 
 their march. Lord Malmfbury, the audacieiix Harris, will inform 
 you that he has feen me : hirn I would have confented to keep. 
 
 One word more before we part ; call upon Mr. John Nicholls, 
 bookfeller and printer, at Cicero's Head, Red-Lion-Paffage, Fleet- 
 Street, and afiC him whether he did not, about the beginning of 
 March, receive a very polite letter from Mr. Gibbon of Laufanne ? 
 To v/hich, either as a man of bufmefs or a civil gentleman, he 
 fhould have returned an anfwer. My application related to a 
 domeftic article in the Gentleman's Magazine of Auguft 1788, 
 
 * Berne. 
 
 (p. 698,)
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 245 
 
 (p. 698,) which had lately fallen into my hands, and concerning 
 which 1 rcquefted fome farther lights. Mrs. Mols delivered the 
 letters * into my hands, but I doubt whether they will be of much 
 fervice to me ; the work appears far more difficult in the execution 
 than in the idea, and as I am now taking my leave for fome time 
 of the library, I fliall not make much progrefs in the memoirs of P. P. 
 till I am on Englifh ground. But is it indeed true, that I fliall eat 
 any Suffex pheafants this autumn ? The event is in the book of 
 Fate, and I cannot unroll the leaves of September and 0<flober. 
 Should I reach Sheffield-Place, I hope to find the whole family in a 
 perfe<Sl ftate of cxiftence, except a certain Maria Holroyd, my fair 
 and gcfierous correfpondent, whofe annihilation on proper terms I 
 moll fervently dcfire. I muft receive a copious anfwer before the 
 end of next month, June, and again call upon you for a map of 
 your political world. The chancellor roars ; does he break his 
 chain ? Vale. 
 
 W 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, Auguft^ajd, 1792, 
 'HEN I inform you, that the defign of my Englifli expedition is 
 at laft poftponed till another year, you will not be much furprifed. 
 The public obftacles, the danger of one road, and the difficulties of 
 another, would alone be fufficient to arreft fo unwieldy and inadlive a 
 being ; and thefe obftacles, on the fide of France, are gro-wing every 
 day more infuperable. On the other hand, the terrors which might 
 have driven me from hence have, in a great meafure, fubfided ; our 
 ftate-prifoners are forgotten : the country begins to recover its old 
 good humour and unfufpedting confidence, and the laft revolution 
 
 * His letters to me for a certain period, whicli he defiied me to fend, to aOifthini 
 lu writing his Memoirs. S. 
 
 of
 
 246 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 of Paris appears to have convinced almoft every body of the fatal 
 confequenccs of democratical principles, which lead by a path of 
 flowers into the abyfs of hell. I may therefore wait with patience 
 and tranquillity till the Duke of Brunfwick fliall have opened the 
 French road. But if I am not driven from Laufanne, you will aflc, 
 I hope with fome indignation, whether I am not drawn to England, 
 and more efpecially to Sheffield-Place? The defire of embracing you 
 and yours is now the ftrongeft, and muft gradually become the fole, 
 inducement that can force me from my library and garden, over 
 feas and mountains. The Englifh world will forget and be for- 
 gotten, and every year will deprive me of fome acquaintance, who 
 by courtefy are flyled friends ; Lord Guildford and Sir Jofliua Rey- 
 nolds ! two of the men, and two of the houfes in Londoji, on 
 whom I the moft relied for the comforts of fociety. 
 
 September i2tli, lypa- 
 
 Thus far had I written in the full confidence of finifliing and 
 fending my letter the next poft ; but fix poft-days have unaccountably 
 flipped away, and were you not accuftomed to my filence, you 
 would almofl: begin to think me on the road. How dreadfully, fmce 
 my laft; date, has the French road been polluted with blood ! and 
 what horrid fcenes may be adling at this moment, and may ftill be 
 aggravated, till the Duke of Brunfwick is mafter of Paris ! On every 
 rational principle of calculation he muft fucceed ; yet fometimes, 
 when my fpirits are low, I dread the blind efforts of mad and de- 
 fperate multitudes fighting on their own ground. A few days or 
 weeks muft decide the military operations of this year, and perhaps 
 for ever j but on the faireft fuppofition, I cannot look forwards to 
 any firm fettlement, either of a legal or an abfolute government. I 
 cannot pretend to give you any Paris news. Should I inform you, 
 as we believe, that La//y is Jiill amo?ig tbe cannibals, you would pof- 
 
 fibly
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 247 
 
 fibly anfwer, that he is now fitting in the library at Sheffield-. 
 Madame de Stael, after miraculoufly efcaping through pikes and 
 poignards, has reached the caftle of Copet, where I fhall fee her be- 
 fore the end of the week. If any thing can provoke the King of 
 Sardinia and the Swifs, it muft be the foul deftrudion of his coufin 
 Madame de Lainballe, and of their regiment of guards. An extra- 
 ordinary council is fummoned at Berne, but refentment inay he checked 
 by prudence. In fpite of Maria's laughter, \ applaud your modera<- 
 tion, and figh for a hearty union of all the fenfe and property oS. 
 the country. The times require it ; but your laft political letter was 
 a cordial to my fpirits. The Duchefs of D. rather diflikes a coa- 
 lition : amiable creature ! The Eliza (we call her Befs) is furious 
 againft you for not writing. We fhall lofe them in a few days ; but 
 the motions of Befs and the Duchefs for Italy or England, are doubt- 
 ful. Ladies Spencer and Duncaunon certainly pafs the Alps. I live 
 with them. Adieu. Since I do not appear in perfon, I feel the ab- 
 folute propriety of writing to my Lady and Maria ; but there is far 
 from the knowledge to the performance of a duty. Ever your.'s.. 
 
 'To the Same,- 
 
 Lausanne, Odober jtli, 1791. 
 
 A s our Englifli newfpapers mufl have informed you. of the inva^- 
 fion of Savoy by the French, and as it is polfible that you may 
 have fome trifling apprehenfions of my being killed and eaten by thofe 
 eannibals^ it has appeared to me that a fhort extraordinary difpatch 
 might not be unacceptable on this occafion. It is indeed true, that 
 about ten days ago the French army of the South, under the com- 
 mand of M.. de Montefquieu, (if any French army can be fald to be 
 tinder any command,) has entered Savoy, and pofTeiled themfelves 
 ©f Chamberry, Montmelian, and feveral other places. It has always 
 been the pradice of the King of Sardinia to abandon his tranfalpine 
 ? dominions y,
 
 248 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 dominions ; but on this occafion the court of Turin appears to hav« 
 been furprifed by the ftrange excentric motions of a democracy, 
 which always a£ts from the paflion of the moment ; and their infe- 
 rior troops have retreated, with fome lofs and difgrace, into the pafles 
 of the Alps. Mount Cenis is now impervious, and our Engiifh tra- 
 vellers who are bound for Italy, the Duchefs of Devonfhire, An- 
 cafter, &c. will be forced to explore a long circuitous road through 
 the TiroL But the Chablais is yet intadt, nor can our telefcopes dif- 
 cover the tricolor banners on the other fide of the lake. Our ac- 
 counts of the French numbers feem to vary from fifteen to thirty 
 thoufand men ; the regulars are few, but they are followed by a 
 rabble rout, which muft foon, however, melt away, as they will find 
 no plunder, and fcanty fubfiftence, in the poverty and barrennefs of 
 Savoy. N. B. I have juft feen a letter from Mr. de Montefquieu, 
 ■who boafts that at his firft entrance into Savoy he had only twelve 
 battalions. Our intelligence is far from corred. 
 
 The magiftrates of Geneva were alarmed by this dangerous neigh- 
 bourhood, and more efpecially by the well-known animofity of aa 
 exiled citizen, Claviere, who is one of the fix minifters of the 
 French republic. It was carried by a fmall majority in the General 
 Council, to call in the fuccour of three thoufand Swifs, which is fti- 
 pulated by antient treaty. The ftrongeft reafon or pretence of the 
 m.inority, was founded on the danger of provoking the French, and 
 they feem to have been juftified by the event ; fince the complaint 
 of the French refident amounts to a declaration of war. The forti- 
 fications of Geneva are not contemptible, efpecially on the fide of 
 Savoy ; and it is much doubted whether Mr. de Montefquieu is pre- 
 pared for a regular fiege ; but the malecontents are numerous within 
 the walls, and I queftion whether the fpirit of the citizens will hold 
 out againft a bombardment. In the mean while the diet has declared 
 that the firft cannon fired againft Geneva will be confidered as an ad: 
 of hoftility againft the whole Helvetic body. Berne, as the neareft 
 and moft powerful canton, has taken the lead with great vigour and 
 
 I vigilance,
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 249 
 
 vigilance ; tlie road is filled with the perpetual fucceflion of troops 
 and artillery; and, if fome difaffedtion lurks in the towns, the 
 peafants, efpecially the Germans, are inflamed with a ftrong defire 
 of encountering the min-derers of their countrymen. Mr. de Watte- 
 ville, with whom you dined at my houfe laft year, rcfufed to accept 
 the command of the Swifs fuccour of Geneva, till it was made his 
 firft inftrudion that he fhould never, in any cafe, furrender himfelf 
 prifoner of war. 
 
 In this fituation, you may fuppofe that we have fome fears. I 
 have great dependence, however, on the many chances in our 
 favour, the valour of the Swifs, the return of the Piedmontefe with 
 their Auftrian allies, eight or ten thoufand men from the Milanefe, 
 a diverfion from Spain, the great events (how flowly they proceed) 
 on the fide of Paris, the inconftancy and want of difcipline of the 
 French, and the near approach of the winter feafon. I am not 
 nervous, but I will not be rafli. It will be painful to abandon my 
 houfe and library ; but, if the danger fhould approach, I will retreat 
 before it, firft to Berne, and gradually to the North. Should I even 
 be forced to take refuge in England (a violent meafure fo late in the 
 year), you would perhaps receive me as kindly as you do the French 
 priefts — a noble ad: of hofpitality ! Could I have forefeen this 
 ftorm, I would have been there fix weeks ago ; but who can forefee 
 the wild meafures of the favages of Gaul ? We thought ourfelves 
 perfectly out of the hurricane latitudes. Adieu. I am going to bed, 
 and muft rife early to vifit the Neckers at Rolie, whither they have 
 retired, from the frontier fituation of Copet. Severy is on horfeback, 
 with his dragoons: his poor father is dangeroufly ill. It will, be fhock- 
 ing if it fhould be found necefTary to remove him. While we are 
 in this very awkward crifis, I will write at leaft every week. Ever 
 yours. Write inftantly, and remember all my commiffions. 
 
 VOL. u K K
 
 250 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 TT WILL keep my promife of fending you a weekly journal of our 
 •*• troubles, that, when the piping times of peace are reftored, I may 
 fleep in long and irreproachable filence : but I fliall ufe a fmaller 
 paper, as our military exploits will feldom be fufficient to fill the 
 ample fize of our Englifli quarto. 
 
 October 13, 1792; 
 Since my laft of the 6th, our attack Is not more eminent, and our 
 defence is moil affuredly ftroiiger, two very important circumftances, 
 at a time when every day is leading us, though not fo fall as our im- 
 patience could wilh, towards the unwarlike month of November ; and 
 we obferve with pleafure that the troops of Mr. de Montefquieu, 
 which are chiefly from the Southern Provinces, will not cheerfully 
 entertain the rigor of an Alpine winter. The 7th inflant, Mr. de 
 Chateauneuf, the French refident, took his leave with an haughty 
 mandate, commanding the Genevois, as they valued their fafety and 
 the friendlhip of the republic, to difmifs their Swifs allies, and to 
 puniih the magiftrates. who had traiteroufly propofed the calling in 
 thefe foreign troops. It is precifely the fable of the wolves, who 
 offered to make peace with the flieep, provided they would fend 
 away their dogs. You know what became of the £fieep. This de- 
 mand appears to have kindled a juft and general indignation, fmce ic 
 announced an edldl of profcription ; and muft lead to a democratical 
 revolution, which would probably renew the horrid fcenes of Paris 
 and Avignon. A general aflembly of the citizens was convened, the 
 meifage was read, fpeeches were made, oaths were taken, and it was 
 refolved (with only three diflentient voices) to live and die in the 
 defence of their country. The Genevois mufter above three thou- 
 fand well-armed citizens ; and the Swifs, who may eafily be in- 
 creafed (in a few hours) to an equal number, add fpirit to the timo- 
 
 S rousj
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 251 
 
 rous, and confidence to the well-afFected : their arfenals are filled 
 with arms, their magazines with ammunition, and their granaries 
 with corn. But their fortifications are extenfive and. imperfect, they 
 are commanded from two adjacent hills ; a French fadion lurks in 
 the city, the chara£ter of the Genevois is rather commercial than 
 military, and their behaviour, lofty promife, and bafe furrender, in 
 the year 1782, is frefh in our memories. In the mean while, 4000 
 French at the moll are arrived in the neighbouring camp, nor is 
 there yet any appearance of mortars or heavy artillery. Perhaps 
 an haughty menace may be repelled by a firm countenance. If it 
 were worth while talking of juftice, what a Ihameful attack of a 
 feeble, unoffending ftate ! On the news of their danger, all Swit- 
 zerland, from Schafibufe to the Pays de Vaud, has rifen in arms ; 
 and a French refident, who has pafTed through the country, in his 
 way from Ratifbon, declares his intention of informing and admo- 
 nifhing the National Convention. About eleven thoufand Bernois 
 are already ported in the neighbourhood of Copet and Nyon ; and 
 new reinforcements of men, artillery, &c. arrive every day. Ano- 
 ther army is drawn together to oppofe Mr. de Ferrieres, on the fide 
 of Bienne and the bifhopric of Bafle ; and the Auftrians in Swabia 
 would be eafily perfuaded to crofs the Rhine in our defence. But 
 we are yet ignorant whether our fovereigns mean to wao-e an 
 offenfive or defenfive war. If the latter, which is more likely v/ill 
 the French begin the attack ? Should Genoa yield to fear or force 
 this country is open to an invafion ; and though our men are brave, 
 we want generals ; and I defpife the French much lefs than I did two 
 months ago. It fhould feem that our hopes from the King of Sar- 
 dinia and the Auftrians of Milan are faint and diftant ; Spain fleeps ; 
 and the Duke of Brunfwick (amazement !) feems to have failed in his 
 great projedl. For my part, till Geneva falls, I do not think of a 
 retreat ; but, at all events, I am provided with two ftrong hoi'fes, and 
 an hundred Louis in gold. Zurich would be probably my winter quar- 
 
 K K 2 ters.
 
 252 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 ters, and the fociety of the Neckers would make any place agreeable. 
 Then- fituation is worfe than mine : I have no daughter ready to lie 
 in ; nor do I fear the French ariftocrats on the road. Adieu. Keep 
 my letters ; excufe contradidlions and repetitious. The Duchefs of 
 Devonfliire leaves us next week. Lady Elizabeth abhors you. Ever 
 yours. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Oclobcr 20, 1792. 
 CiNCE my laft, our affairs take a more pacific turn ; but I will not 
 venture to affu-m that our peace will be either fafe or honourable. 
 Mr. de Montefquieu and three commiflioners of the Convention, 
 who are at Carrouge, have had frequent conferences with the magif- 
 trates of Geneva ; feveral expreffes have been difpatched to and from 
 Paris, and every ftep of the negotiation is communicated to the de- 
 puties of Berne and Zurich. The French troops obferve a very 
 tolerable degree of order and difcipline ; and no adt of hoftility has 
 yet been committed on the territory of Geneva. 
 
 Odlober 27. 
 My ufual temper very readily admitted the excufe, that it would 
 be better to wait another week, till the final fettlement of our affairs. 
 The treaty is figned between France and Geneva ; and the ratifica- 
 tion of the Convention is looked upon as affured, if any thing can be 
 affured in that wild democracy. On condition that the Swifs garri- 
 fon, with the approbation of Berne and Zurich, be recalled before 
 the firft of December, it is ftipulated that the independence of Ge- 
 neva fhall be preferved Inviolate ; that Mr. de Montefquieu fhall im- 
 mediately fend away his heavy artillery ; and that no French troops 
 -{hall approach within ten leagues of the city. As the Swifs have 
 adted only as auxiliaries, they have no occafion for a diredt treaty; but 
 they cannot prudently difarm, till they are fatisfied of the pacific 
 
 intentions
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 25J 
 
 intentions of France ; and no fucli fatisfadllon can be given till they 
 have acknov^^ledged the new republic, which they will probably do 
 in a few days, with a deep groan of indignation and forrow ; it has 
 been cemented with the blood of their countrymen ! But when the 
 Emperor, the King of Pruflia, the firft general, and the lirfl army 
 in Europe have failed, lefs powerful ftates may acquiefce, without 
 difhonour, in the determination of fortune. Do you underftand this 
 moft unexpe£ted failure ? I will allow an ample fhare to the badnefs 
 of the roads and the weather, to famine and difeafe, to the fldll of 
 Dumourier, a heaven-born general ! and to the enthufiaftic ardour 
 of the new Romans; but ftill, ilill there muft be fome fecret and 
 fhameful caufe at the bottom of this (Irange retreat. We are now 
 delivered from the impending terrors of fiege and invaflon. The 
 Geneva emigres^ particularly the Neckers, are haftening to their 
 homes ; and I fhall not be reduced to the hard neceflity of feeking a 
 winter afylum at Zurich or Conftance : but I am not pleafed with 
 our future profpeds. It is much to be feared that the prefent govern- 
 ment of Geneva will be fooa modelled after the French fafhion ; the 
 new republic of Savoy is forming on the oppofite bank of the Lake ; 
 the Jacobin miffionaries are powerful and zealous ; and the malecon- 
 tents of this country, who begin again to rear their heads, will be 
 furrounded with temptations, and examples, and allies. I know not 
 whether the Pays de Vaud will long adhere to the dominion of 
 Berne ; or whether I fliall be permitted to end my days in this little 
 paradlfe, which I have fo happily iulted to my tafte and circum- 
 Itances. 
 
 Laft Monday only I received your letter, which had flrangely 
 loitered on the road fince Its date of the 29th of September. There 
 muft furely be fome dlforder in the pofts, fuice the Eliza departed 
 indignant at never having heard fi'om you. 
 
 The cafe of my wine I think peculiarly hard : to lofe my Madeira, 
 
 and to be fcolded for lofmg It, 1 am much indebted to Mr. Nichols for 
 
 2. his.
 
 254 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 his genealogical communications, which I am impatient to receive ; 
 but I do not undcrftand why fo civil a gentleman could not favour 
 me, in fix months, with an anfwer by the poft : fince he entrufts me 
 with thefe valuable papers, you have not, I prefume, informed him 
 of my negligence and awkwardnefs in regard to manufcripts. Your 
 reproach rather furprifes me, as I fuppofe I am much the fame as I 
 have been for thefe laft twenty years. Should you hold your refolu- 
 tion of writing only fuch things as may be publifhed at Charing- 
 Crofs, our future correfpondence would not be very interefting. But 
 I exped and require, at this important crifis, a full and confidential 
 account of your views concerning England, Ireland, and France. 
 You have a flrong and clear eye ; and your pen is, perhaps, the moft 
 ufeful quill that ever has been plucked from a goofe. Your protec- 
 tion of the French refugees is highly applauded. Roffet and La 
 Motte have efcaped from Arbourg, perhaps with connivance to avoid 
 difagreeable demands from the republic. Adieu. Ever yours. 
 
 R' 
 
 To the Same, 
 
 November lo, 1792. 
 ECEIVED this day, November 9th, a moft amiable difpatch 
 from the too humble fecretary* of the family of Efpee "f, dated 
 0£lober 24th, which I anfwer the fame day. It will be acknow- 
 ledged, that I have fulfilled my engagements with as much accuracy 
 as our uncertain ftate and the fragility of human nature would allow. 
 I refume my narrative. At the time when we imagined that all was 
 fettled, by an equal treaty between two fuch unequal powers, as the 
 Geneva Flea and the Leviathan France, we were thunderftruck with 
 the Intelligence that the miniflers of the republic refufed to ratify the 
 conditions ; and they were indignant, with fome colour of reafon, at 
 
 * Mifs Holroyd. f Meaning Sheffield-Place. 
 
 the
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 255 
 
 the hard obligation of withdrawing their troops to the diftance of 
 ten leagues, and of confequently leaving the Pays de Gez naked, 
 and expofed to the Swifs, who had aflembled 15,000 men on the 
 frontier, and with whom they had not made any agreement. The 
 meflenger who was fent laft Sunday from Geneva is not yet re- 
 turned ; and many perfons are afraid of fome defign and danger in 
 this delay. Montefquieu has adted with politenefs, moderation, and 
 apparent fmcerity ; but he may refign, he may be fuperfeded, his 
 place may be occupied by an etirage, by Servan, or Prince Charles 
 of Hefle, who would afpire to imitate the predatory fame of Cufline 
 in Germany. In the mean while, the General holds a wolf by the 
 ears ; an officer who has feen his troops, about 18,000 men (with a 
 tremendous train of artillery), reprefents them as a black, daring, def- 
 perate crew of buccaneers, rather fliocking than contemptible ; the 
 officers (fcarcely a gentleman among them), without fervants, or 
 horfes, or baggage, lying higgkdy piggkdy on the ground with the 
 common men, yet maintaining a rough kind of difcipline over them. 
 They already begin to accufe and even to fufpedl their general, and 
 call aloud for blood and plunder : could they have an opportunity of 
 fqueezing fome of the rich citizens, Geneva would cut up as fat as 
 moft towns in Europe. During this fufpenfion of hoftilities they are 
 permitted to vifit the city without arms, fometimes three or four 
 hundred at a time ; and the magiftrates, as well as the Swifs com- 
 mander, are by no means pleafed with this dangerous intercourfe 
 which they dare not prohibit. Such are our fears : yet it fhould feem 
 on the other fide, that the French affed a kind of magnanimous juftice ■ 
 towards their little neighbour, and that they are not ambitious of an 
 unprofitable conteft with the poor and hardy Swifs. The Swifs are 
 not equal to a long and expenfive war ; and as moft of our militia 
 have families and trades, the country already fighs for their return. 
 Whatever can be yielded, without abfolute danger or difgrace, will 
 
 doubtlefs
 
 256 LETTERS EROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 doubtlefs be granted ; and the bufinefs will probably end in our owning 
 the fovereignty, and trufting to the good faith of the republic of France: 
 how that word would have founded four years ago ! I'he meafure 
 is humiliating ; but after the retreat of the Duke of Brunfwick, and 
 the failure of the Auilrians, the fmaller powers may acquiefce with- 
 out difhonour. Every dog has his day ; and thefe Gallic dogs have 
 their day, at leaft, of moft infolent profperity. After forcing or 
 tempting the Pruflians to evacuate their country, they conquer Sa- 
 voy, pillage Germany, threaten Spain : the Low Countries are ere 
 now invaded ; Rome and Italy tremble ; they fcour the Mediterra- 
 nean, and talk of fending a fquadron into the South Sea. The whole 
 horizon is fo black, that I begin to feel fome anxiety for England, 
 the laft refuge of liberty and law ; and the more fo, as I perceive 
 from Lord Sheffield's laft epiftle that his firm nerves are a little fhaken : 
 but of this more in my next, for I want to unburthen my confcience. 
 If England, with the experience of our happinefs and French calami- 
 ties, fliould now be feduced to eat the apple of falfe freedom, we 
 fhould indeed deferve to be driven from the paradife which we 
 enjoy. I turn afide from the horrid and improbable (yet not impof- 
 fible) fuppofition, that, in three or four years' time, myfelf and my 
 beft friends may be reduced to the deplorable ftate of the French 
 emigrants : they thought it as impoffible three or four years ago. 
 Never did a revolution afFedl, to fuch a degree, the private exiftence 
 of fuch numbers of the firft people of a great country : your ex- 
 amples of mifery I could eafily match with fimilar examples in this 
 country and the neighbourhood ; and our fympathy is the deeper, 
 as we do not poflefs, like you, the means of alleviating, in fome 
 degree, the misfortunes of the fugitives. But I muft have, from the 
 very excellent pen of the Maria, the tragedy of the Archbifhop of 
 Aries ; and the longer the better. Madame de Biron has probably 
 been tempted by fome faint and (I fear] fallacious promifes of cle- 
 mency
 
 "TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 257 
 
 mency to the women, and which have Hkewlfe engaged Madame 
 d'Aguefrcau and her two daughters to revifit France. Madame de 
 Bouillon ftands her ground, and her fituation as a foreign princefs is 
 lefs expofed. As Lord S. has affumed the glorious character of pro- 
 tcdor of the diflrefled, his name is pronounced with gratitude and 
 refpeft. The D. of Richmond is praifed, on Madame de Blron's 
 account. To the Princefs d'Henin, and Lally, I wilh to be remem- 
 bered. The Neckers cannot venture into Geneva, and Madame de 
 Stael will probably lie in at Rolle. He is printing a defence of the 
 King, &c. againft their republican Judges ; but the name of Necker 
 is unpopular to all parties, and I much fear that the guillotine will 
 be more fpeedy than the prefs. It will, however, be an eloquent 
 performance ; and, if I find an opportunity, I am to fend you one, 
 to you Lord S. by his particular defire : he willies likewife to con- 
 vey fome copies with fpeed to our principal people, Pitt, Fox, Lord 
 Stormont, &c. But fuch is the rapid fucceflion of events, that it 
 will appear like the Pouvoir Executif, his beft work, after the whole 
 fcene has been totally changed. Ever yours. 
 
 P.S. The revolution of France, and my triple difpatch by the 
 fame poft to Sheffield-Place, are, in my opinion, the two mod 
 fingular events In the eighteenth century, I found the talk fo 
 eafy and pleafant, that I had fome thoughts of adding a letter 
 to the gentle Loulfa. I am this moment informed, that our 
 troops on the frontier are beginning to move, on their 
 return hdme ; yet we hear nothing of the treaty's being con- 
 cluded. 
 
 VOL. I. LL
 
 258 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to the Hon. Mifs Holroyd. 
 
 Lausanne, Nov. 10, 1791. 
 
 TN difpatching the weekly political journal to Lord S. my con- 
 fclence (for I have fome remains of confcience) moft powerfully 
 urges me to falute, with fome lines of friendfhip and gratitude, the 
 amiable fecretary, who might fave herfelf the trouble of a modeft 
 apology. I have not yet forgotten our different behaviour after the 
 much lamented /ej.<iratmi of Odober the 4th, 1791, your meritori- 
 ous pundluality, and my unworthy filence. I have ftill before me 
 that entertaining narrative, which would have interefted me, not only 
 in the progrefs of the carijfima familia^ but in the motions of a 
 Tartar camp, or the march of a caravan of Arabs ; the mixture of 
 juft obfervation and lively imagery, the ftrong fenfe of a man, ex- 
 prefTed with the eafy elegance of a female. I ftill recolledl with 
 pleafure the happy compai-ifon of the Rhine, who had heard fo much 
 of liberty on both his banks, that he wandered with mifchievous 
 licentioufnefs over all the adjacent meadows *. The inundation, 
 alas ! has now^ fpread much wider ; and it is fadly to be feared that 
 the Elbe, the Po, and the Danube, may imitate the vile example of 
 the Rhine : 1 fhall be content, however, if our own Thames ftill 
 preferves his fair charader, of 
 
 Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full. 
 
 Thefe agreeable eplftles of Maria produced only fome dumb in- 
 tentions, and fome barren remorfe ; nor have I defigned, except by 
 a brief miflive from my chancellor, to exprefs how much I loved 
 the author, and how much I was pleafed with the eompofition. 
 That amiable author I have known ancMoved from the firft dawning 
 of her life and coquetry., to the prefent maturity of her talents ; and as 
 
 * Mr. Gibbon alludes to letters written to him by Mifs Holroyd, when Ihe was 
 returning from Switzerland, along the Rhine, to England. S. 
 
 long
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 259 
 
 long as I remain on this planet, I fliall purfue, with the fame tendcr 
 and even anxious concern, the future fteps of her eftablifhment and 
 life. That eftablilliment mud be fplendid ; that life mud be happy. 
 She is endowed with every gift of nature and fortune ; but the ad- 
 vantage which Hie will derive from them, depends almoft entirely on 
 herfelf. You muft not, you fhall not, think yourfelf unworthy to 
 write to any man : there is none whom your correfpondence would 
 not amufe and fatisfy. I will not undertake a tafk, which my tafte 
 would adopt, and my indolence would too foon rellnquifl-i ; but I 
 am really carious, from the bell motives, to have a particular account 
 of your own fludies and daily occupation. What books do you read? 
 and how do you employ your time and your pen ? Except fome 
 profefled fcholars, I have often obferved that women in general read 
 much more than men ; but, for want of a plan, a method, a fixed 
 objed, their reading is of little benefit to themfelves, or others. If 
 you will inform me of the fpecies of reading to which you have the 
 moft propenfity, I fliall be happy to contribute my fliare of advice or 
 affiftance. I lament that you have not left me fome monument of 
 your pencil. Lady Elizabeth Fofter has executed a very pretty 
 drawing, taken from the door of the green-houfe where we dined 
 laft fummer, and including the poor Acacia (now recovered from the 
 crufel flieers of the gardener), the end of the terrace, the front of the 
 Pavilion, and a diftant view of the country, lake, and mountains. I 
 am almoft reconciled to d' Apples' houfe, which is nearly finiflied. 
 Inftead of the monfters which Lord Hercules Sheffield extirpated, 
 the terrace is already fliaded with the new acacias and plantanes ; and 
 although the uncertainty of pofleffion reftrains me from building, I 
 myfelf have planted a bofquet at the bottom of the garden, with fucli 
 admirable fkiU that it affords fhade without Intercepting profpeft. 
 The fociety of the aforefaid Eliza, commonly called Befs, of the 
 Duchefs of D. &c. has been very interefting ; but they are now flown 
 beyond the Alps, and pafs the winter at Pifa. The IiCgards, who 
 
 1. L 2 hav;
 
 26o LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 have long Tmce left this place, fhould be at prefent In Italy; but I 
 believe Mrs. (;nmftone and her daughter returned to England. The 
 Levades are highly flattered by your remembrance.- Since you ftill 
 retain feme attachment to this delightful country, and it is indeed 
 delightful, why fliould you dtfpair of feeing it once more ? The 
 happy peer or commoner, whofe name you may allume, is fUll con- - 
 cealed in the book of fate ; but, wliofoever he may be, he will cheer- 
 fully obey your commands, cf leading you from Caflle to 
 
 Laufanne, and from Laufanne to Rome and JS^aples. Before that 
 this event takes place, I may poflibly fee you in SufTex ; and, 
 whether as a vifitor or a fugitive, I hope to be welcomed with a 
 friendly embrace. The delay of this year was truly painful, but it 
 was inevitable ; and individuals mufl fubmlt to thofe ftorms which 
 have overturned the thrones of the earth. The tragic ftory of the 
 Archbifhop of Aries I have now fomewhat a better right to require 
 at your hands. I wifh to have it in all its horrid details * ; and as you 
 
 are 
 
 * The Anfwer to Jilr. Gibbon's Letter is annexed, as giving the beft account I have 
 fcen of the barbarous tranfadion alluded to.. S. 
 
 Sheffield-Place, November 1791. 
 
 " Your three letters received yefterday caufed the moft fincere pleafure to each 
 " individual of this family ; to none more than myfelf. Praife, (I fear, beyond my 
 •' deferts,) from one whofe opinion I fo highly value, and vihofe efieem I fo much 
 " wifh to preferve, is more pleafing than I can defcribe. I had not neglected to 
 " make the colleSion of fafts which you recommend, and which the great variety of 
 *' unfortunate perfons whom we fee, or with whom we correfpond, enables me to make. 
 
 '< As to that part of your letter which refpedls myjfudks, I cr.n only fay, the flighteft 
 " hint on that fubjefl is always received with the greateft graiitude, and attended to 
 << with the utmoft punftuality ; but I muft decline that topic for the prefent, to obey 
 " your commands, which require from me the horrid account of the majfac-re aux 
 •< Carmes. — Eight refpeflaWe ccckCaftks landtd, about the beginning of 0(ftober, 
 " from an open boat at Seaford, wet as the waves. The natives of tlie coaft were 
 «' endeavouring to get from them what they had not, (viz.) money, when a gentle- 
 " man of the neighbourhood came to their prote£lion ; and, finding they had nothing' 
 " fhewed his good fenfe, by difpatching them to Milord Sheffield : they had been 
 
 " pillaged^
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTLIERS. 261 
 
 are now Co mucli mlugled witli the French exiles, I am of opuilon, 
 that were you to keep a journal of all the authentic fadls which they 
 
 relate. 
 
 " pill.ageil, nnd with greni difHculty h;ul efciipetl from Paris. The reception tht^y met 
 " with at this lioufe, feemed to make the grcateft imprcfiion on them ; they were 
 " in cxtacy on finding M. de Lully living: they gradually became cheerful, and en- 
 " joyed their dinner: tliey were greatly affetiled as they recolle£ted themfelves, and 
 *' found us attending on them. Having dined, and drank a glafs of wine, they began 
 " to difcover the beauties of the dming-room, and of the chateau : as they walked 
 *' about, they were overheard to exprcfs their admiration at the treatment they met,. 
 ♦• znd from Proteftants. We then afliimbled in the library, formed half a circle round 
 ** the fire, M. de Lally and Milord occupying the hearth a rAngloiJe., and queftioning 
 " the prieflis concerning their efcape. Thus we difcovered, that two of thele unfor- 
 " tunate men were in the Carmelite Convent at the time of the maffacre of the one 
 " hundred and twenty priefts, and had mod miraculoufly efcaped, by climbing trees 
 •* in the garden, and from thence over the tops of the buildings. One of them, a 
 ** man of fuperior appearance, defcribed, in the moft pathetic manner, the deatii of 
 " the Archbifluip of Aries, (and with fuch fimplicity and feeling, as to leave no doubt 
 " of the truth of all that he faid,) to the following purport. — On the fecond of Sep- 
 " tember, about five o'clock in the evening, at the time they were permitted to walk 
 " in the garden, expecting every hour to be releafed, they exprelTed their furprifc at 
 " feeing feveral large pits, which had been digging for two days pad: they faid, the 
 •' day is almoft fpent ; and yet Manuel told a petfon who interceded for us lad Thurf- 
 " day, that on the Sunday following not one fhould remain in captivity: we are ftiJl 
 " prifoners: foon after, they heard fliouts, and fome mufquet-fitots. An enfign of 
 " the national guard, fome commiflaries of the feftions, and fome Marfeillois ruflied 
 «* in : the miferable vi£lims, who were difperfed in the garden, aflembled under tl.e 
 " walls of the church, not daring to go in, left it fhould be polluted with blood. 
 •' One man, who was behind the reft, was fliot. ' Point de coup defufils,' cried one of 
 " the chiefs of the affaffins, thinking that kind of death too eafy. Thefe well-trained 
 ♦' fufileers went to the rear; les piques, les haches, les poignards came forward. 
 " They demanded the Archbifhop of Aries ; he was immediately furrounded by all 
 *' the prieils. The vs'orthy prelate faid to his friends, ' Let me pafs; if my blood 
 " will appeafe them, what fignifies it, if I die.'' Is it not myduty to preferve your 
 *• lives at the expence of my own.'' He alked the elJeft of the priefts to give.hini 
 " abfolution: he knelt to receive it ; and when he arofe, forced himfelf from, them, 
 " advanced flowly, and with his arms crofled upon his breaft, and his eyes raifed to 
 " heaven, faid to the aflaflins, * Je fuis celui que votis chercheT..' His appearance was fo 
 " dignified and noble, that, during ten minutes, not one of thefe wretches had cou- 
 
 ■( jage
 
 262 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 relate, it would be an agreeable exercife at prefent, and a future 
 Iburce of entertainment and inftrudtion. 
 
 I fhould be obliged to you, if you would make, or find, fome ex- 
 cufe for my not anfwering a letter from your aunt, which was pre- 
 fented to me by Mr. Fowler. I fliewed him fome civilities, but he 
 is now a poor invalid, confined to his room. By her channel and 
 yours I fhould be glad to.have fome information of the health, fpirits, 
 and fituation of Mrs. Gibbon of Bath, whofe alarms (if ffie has any) 
 you may difpel. She is in my debt. Adieu ; moft truly yours. 
 
 •' rage to lift his hand againft him : they upbraided each other with cowardice, and 
 •' advanced ; one look from this venerable man ftruck them with awe, and they re- 
 *' tired. At laft, one of the mifcreants (truck off the cap of the Archbifhop with a 
 " pike ; refpeft once violated, their fury returned, and another from behind cut him 
 *' through the ikuU with a fabre. He raifed his right hand to his eyes ; with another 
 " ftroke they cut off his hand. The Archbifliop faid, 0/ mon Dieu J and raifed the 
 *' other : a third ftroke acrofs the face left him fitting •, the fourth extended him life- 
 •' lefs on the ground ; and then all preffed forward, and buried their pikes and 
 " poignards in the body. The priefls all agreed, that he had been one of the mofl: 
 *• amiable men in France ; and that his only crime was, having, fince the revolution, 
 «' expended his private fortune, to fupport the neceffitous clergy of his diocefe. 
 *• The fecond vi(Sim was the General des BenediGins. Then the national guards 
 " obliged the priefts to go into the church, telling them, they fliould appear, one after 
 «« another, before the Commiffaires du fedion. They had hardly entered, before the 
 " people impatiently called for them ; upon which, all kneeling before the altar, the 
 *' Bifliop of Beauvais gave them abfolution : they were then obliged to go out, two 
 " by two -, they paffed before a commiffaire, who did not queflion, but only counted, 
 *• his vidiims -, they had in their fight the heaps of dead, to which they were going to 
 " add. Among the one hundred and twenty priefts thus facrificed, were the Bifliops 
 " of Zaintes and Beauvais (both of the Rochefoucauld family). I fhould not omit to 
 •' remark, that one of the priefts obferved they were affaffmated, becaufe they would 
 •• not fwear to a conftitution which their murderers had deftroyed. "We had (to 
 «' comfort us for this melancholy ftory) the moft grateful expreffions of gratitude to- 
 " wards the Englifli nation, from whom they did not do us the juftice to expefl fuch 
 " a reception. 
 
 " There can be no dcubt that the whole bufmefs of the maffacres was concerted at 
 " a meeting at the Duke of Orleans's houfe. I fhall make you as difmal as myfelf by 
 " this narration. I mufl change the flyle." »* ♦*««###»
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS, 2^3 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to the Right Hon. Lady Sheffield. 
 
 Lausanne, November loth, 1792. 
 
 T COULD never forgive myfelf, were I capable of writing by the 
 "*■ fame poft, a political epiftle to the father, and a friendly letter to 
 the daughter, without fending any token of remembrance to the re- 
 fpedable matron, my deareft my Lady,whom I have now loved as a 
 fifter for fomething better or worfe than twenty years. No, indeed, 
 the hiftorian may be carelefs, he may be indolent, he may always 
 intend and never execute, but he is neither a monfter nor a ftatue ; 
 he has a memory, a confcience, a heart, and that heart is fmcerely 
 
 devoted to Lady S . He muft even acknowledge the fallacy of 
 
 a fophifm which he has fometimes ufed, and fhe has always and 
 moft truly denied ; that, where the perfons of a family are flridly 
 united, the writing to one is in fa£l writing to all ; and that con- 
 fequently all his numerous letters to the hufband, may be confidered 
 as equally addreffed to his wife. He feels, on the contrary, that 
 feparate minds have their diftindt ideas and fentiments, and that 
 each charader, either in fpeaking or writing, has its peculiar tone 
 of converfation. He agrees with the maxim of RoufTcau, that 
 three friends who wifh to difclofe a common fecret, will impart it 
 only deux a deux ; and he is fatisfied that, on the prefent memorable 
 occafion, each of the perfons of the Sheffield family will claim a 
 peculiar fhare In this triple miffive, which will communicate, how- 
 ever, a triple fatisfadtion. The experience of what may be effeded 
 by vigorous refolution, encourages the hiftorian to hope that he 
 Ihall caft the fkin of the old ferpentj and hereafter fliew himfelf as 
 a new creature. 
 
 2 I lament.
 
 264 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 I lament, on all our accounts, that the lafl: year's expedition to 
 Laufanne did not take place in a golden period, of health and Ipirits. 
 But we muft refled, that human felicity is feldom without alloy ; 
 and if we cannot indulge the hope of your making a fecond vifit to 
 Laufanne, we muft look forwards to my refidence next fummcr at 
 Sheffield-Place, where I muft find you in the full bloom of health, 
 fpirits, and beauty. I can perceive, by all public and private intel- 
 lio-ence, that your houfe has been the open hofpitable afylum of 
 French fugitives ; and it is a fufficient proof of the firmnefs of your 
 nerves, that you have not been overwhelmed or agitated by fuch a 
 concourfe of ftrangers. Curiofity and compaflion may, in fome de- 
 gree, have fupported you. Every day has prefented to your view 
 fome new fcene of that ftrange tragical romance, which occupies all 
 Europe fo infinitely beyond any event that has happened in our 
 time, and you have the fatisfadion of not being a mere fpedator of 
 the diftrefs of fo many vidlims of falfe liberty. The benevolent 
 fame of Lord S. is widely difFufed. 
 
 From Angletine's laft letter to Maria, you have already fome idea 
 
 of the melancholy ftate of her poor father. As long as Mr. de Se- 
 
 very allowed our hopes and fears to fiuduate with the changes of 
 
 his dlforder, I was unwilling to fay any thing on fo painful a fub- 
 
 jed ; and It is with the deepeft concern that I now confefs our ab- 
 
 folute defpair of his recovery. All his particular complaints are now 
 
 loft in a general diflblution of the whole frame ; every principle 
 
 of life is exhauued, and as often as I am admitted to his bed-fide, 
 
 though he ftill looks and fmiles with the patience of an angel, I 
 
 have the heart-felt grief of feeing him each day drawing nearer to 
 
 the term of his exiftence. A few weeks, poffibly a few days, will 
 
 deprive me of a moft excellent friend, and break for ever the 
 
 moft perfed fyftem of domeftic happinels, in which I had fo large 
 
 and intimate a fhare. Wilhelm (who has obtained leave of ab- 
 
 I fence
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. -63 
 
 fence from his military duty) and his fifter behave and feci like 
 tender and dutiful children ; but they have a long gay profpecl of 
 life, and new connedlions, new families will make them forget, in 
 due time, the common lot of mortality. - But it is Madame de Se- 
 very whom I truly pity ; I dread the efiedis of the firft Ihock, and I 
 dread ftlU more the deep perpetual confuming affli£lion for a lofs 
 which can never be retrieved. You will not wonder that fuch re- 
 flexions fadden my own mind, nor can I forget how much my fituation 
 is altered fmce I retired, nine years ago, to the banks of the Leman 
 Lake. The death of- poor Deyverdun fn-ft deprived me of a do- 
 meftic companion, who can never be fupplied ; and your vifit has 
 only fei'ved to remind me that man, however amufed and occupied 
 in his clofet, was not made to live alone. Sever y v.^ill foon be no 
 more ; his widow for a long time, perhaps for ever, will be loft to 
 herfelf and her friends, the fon will travel, and I fhall be left a 
 ftranger in the infipid circle of mere common acquaintance. The 
 revolution of France, which fuft embittered and divided the fociety of 
 Laufanne, has oppofed a barrier to my SufTex vifit, and m^ay finally 
 expel me from the paradife which I inhabit. Even that paradife, 
 the expenfive and delightful eftablifliment of my houfe, library, and 
 garden, almoft becomes an incumbrance, by rendering it more dif- 
 ficult for me to relinquifli my hold, or to form a new fyftem of life 
 in my native country, for which my income, though improved and 
 improving, would be probably infufficient. But every complaint 
 {hould be filenced by the contemplation of the French ; compared 
 with whofe cruel fiite, all mifery is relative happinefs. I perfectly 
 concur in your partiality for Lally ; though Nature might forget 
 feme meaner ingredients, of prudence, ceconomy, &c. flie never 
 formed a purer heart, or a brighter imagination. If he be with you, 
 I beg my kindeft falutations to him. I am every day more clofely 
 united with the Neckers. Should France break, and this country 
 VOL. 1. M M bt
 
 266 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 be over-run, they would be reduced, in very humble circumftances^ 
 to feek a refuge ; and where but in England ? Adieu, dear Madam^ 
 there is, indeed, much pleafurc in difcharging one's heart to a reai 
 friend. Ever yours. 
 
 Edward Gibbon EJq. to the Right Hon. Z,or^ Sheffield. 
 
 [Send me a Lift of thefe Letters, with their refpedive dates.] 
 
 Lausanne, Nov. 25th, 1792. 
 
 A FTER the triple labour of my laft difpatch, your experience of 
 the creature might tempt you to fufpe(fl: that it would again re- 
 lapfe into a long flumber. But, partly from the fpirit of contradidion, 
 (though I am not a lady,) and partly from the eafe and pleafure which 
 I now find in the talk, you fee me again alive, awake, and almoft 
 faithful to my hebdomadal promife. The laft week has not, how- 
 ever, afforded any events deferving the notice of an hiftorian. Our 
 affairs are ftill floating on the waves of the convention, and the rati- 
 fication of a corrected treaty, which had been fixed for the twentieth, 
 is not yet arrived ; but the report of the diplomatic committee has. 
 been favourable, and it is generally underftood that the leaders of 
 the French republic do not wifh to quarrel with the Swifs. We are 
 gradually withdrawing and difbanding our militia. Geneva will be 
 left to fink or fv*'im, according to the humour of the people ; and our 
 iaft hope appears to be, that by fubmiirion and good behaviour we 
 fhall avert for fome time the impending ftorm. A few days ago an 
 odd accident happened in the French army ; the defertlon of the ge- 
 neral. As the Neckers were fitting, about eight o'clock in the even- 
 ing, in their drawing-room at Rolle *, the door flew open, and they 
 
 * A confiderable town between Laufanne and Geneva. 
 
 were.
 
 TO LORD SFIEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 267 
 
 were afloundcd by their fervant's announcing Monficur le General 
 de Montcfcjuim ? On the receipt of fome fecret intelligence of a 
 dccret d' accufation ^ and an order to arreft him, he had only time to 
 get on horfeback, to gallop through Geneva, to take boat for Copet, 
 and to eicape from his purfuers, who were ordered to felze him alive 
 or dead. He left the Neckers after fupper, paffed through Laufannc 
 in the night, and proceeded to Berne and Bafle, whence he intended 
 to wind his w^ay through Germany, amidft enemies of every defcrip- 
 tion, and to feek a refuge in England, America, or the moon. He 
 told Necker, that the fole remnant of his fortune confifled in a 
 wretched fum of twenty thoufand livres ; but the public report, or 
 fufpicion, befpeaks him in' much better circumftances. Befides the 
 reproach of ading with too much tamenefs and delay, he is accufed 
 of making very foul and exorbitant contrails ; and it is certain that 
 new Sparta is infeded with this vice, beyond the example of the 
 moft corrupt monarchy. Kellerman is arrived, to take the com- 
 mand ; and it is apprehended that on the firft of December, after the 
 departure of the Swifs, the French may requcjl the permiflion of 
 iifmg Geneva, a friendly city, for their winter quartei's. In that 
 cafe, the democratical revolution, which we all forefee, wall be very 
 fpeedily effedted. 
 
 I would afk you, whether you apprehend there was any treafon in 
 the Duke of Brunfwick's retreat, and whether you have totally 
 withdrawn your confidence and eftecm from that once-famed ge- 
 neral ? Will it be poffible for England to preferve her neutrality 
 with any honour or fafety ? We are bound, as I underftand, by 
 treaty, to guarantee the dominions of the King of Sardinia and tlie 
 Auftrian provinces of the Netherlands. Thefe countries are- now 
 invaded and over-run by the French. Can we refufe to fulfil our 
 engagements, without expofing ourfelves to all Europe as a per- 
 fidious or pufillanimous nation ? Yet, on the other hand, can we 
 aflift thofe allies, without plunging headlong into an abyfs, whofe 
 
 M M 2 bottom
 
 268. LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 bottom no man can cUfcover ? But my chief anxiety is for our do- 
 meftic tranquillity ; for I mufl find a retreat in England, fliould 1 
 be driven from Laufanne. The idea of firm and honourable union 
 of parties pleafes me much ; but you muft frankly unfold what are the 
 "reat difficulties that may impede fo falutary a meafure : you write to 
 a man difcreet in fpeech, and now careful of papei-s. Yet what can 
 fuch a coalition avail ? Where is the champion of the conftitution r 
 Alas, Lord Guildford ! I am much pleafed with the Manchefter 
 Afs. The afles or wolves who facrificed him have caft off the mafk too 
 foon • and fuch a nonfenfical adl muft open the eyes of many fimple 
 patriots, who might have been led aftray by the fpecious name of 
 reform. It fhould be made as notorious as poffible. Next winter may 
 be the criiis of our fate, and if you begin to improve the conftitution, 
 you may be driven ftep by ftep from the disfranchifement of old 
 Saruni to the King in Newgate, the Lords voted ufelefs, the Bifliops 
 abolilhed, and a Houfe of Commons without articles (fans cu- 
 lottes). Necker has ordered you a copy of his royal defence, which 
 has met with, and deferved, univerfal fuccefs. The pathetic and 
 argumentative parts are, in my opinion, equally good, and his mild 
 eloquence may perfuade without irritating. I have applied to this 
 gentler tone fome verfes of Ovid, (Metamorph. 1. iii. 302, &c. *) 
 which you may read. Madame de Stael has produced a fecond fon. 
 She talks wildly enough of vifiting England this winter. She is a 
 pleafant little woman. Poor Severy's condition is hopelefs. Should 
 he drag through the winter, Madame de S. would fcarcely furvive 
 
 * Qua tamen ufque poteft, vires fibi demere tentat. 
 Nee, quo centimanum dejecerat igne Typhoea, 
 Nunc armatur eo : nimium feritatis in illo. 
 Eft aliud levius fulmen ; cui dtxtra Cyclopum 
 Sxvitise, flammseque minus, minus addidit irx ; 
 Tela fecunda vocant Superi.
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 269 
 
 liim. She kills licrfclf witli grief and fatigue. What a difierencc 
 in Laufanne ! I liopc triple anfwers are on the road. I muft write 
 foon ; the times will not allow me to read or think. Ever yours. 
 
 fTo the Sarnc, 
 
 Lausanne, Dec. I4tli, 1792. 
 ,UR little ftorm has now completely fubfided, and we are again 
 fpedators, though anxious fpedlators, of the general tempeft that 
 invades or threatens almoft every country of Europe. Our troops 
 are every day difbanding and returning home, and the greateft part 
 of the French have evacuated the neighbourhood of Geneva. Mon- 
 fieur Barthelemy, whom you have feen fecretary in London, is mofl 
 courteoufly entertained, as ambaflador, by the Helvetic body. He is 
 now at Berne, where a diet will fpeedily be convened ; the language 
 on both fides is now pacific, and even friendly, and fome hopes are 
 given of a provifion for the officers of the Swifs guards who have 
 furvived the maffacres of Paris. 
 
 January ifl, 1793. 
 
 With the return of peace I have relapfed into my former indo- 
 lence ; but now awakening, after a fortnight's flumber, I have little 
 or nothing to add, with regard to the internal ftate of this country, 
 only the revolution of Geneva has already taken place, as I an- 
 nounced, but fooner than I exped:ed. The Swifs troops had no 
 fooner evacuated the place, than the Egalifeurs^ as they are called, 
 affembled in arms; and as no refiftance was made, no blood was 
 fhed on the occafion. They feized the gates, difarmed the garrifon, 
 imprifoned the magiftrates, imparted the rights of citizens to all the 
 rabble of the town and country, and proclaimed a Notional Conven- 
 2 tion.
 
 270 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 tion, which has not yet met. They are all for a pure and ubfolutc 
 democracy ; but feme wifli to remain a fmall independent ftate, 
 whilft others afpire to become a part of the republic of France ; and 
 as the latter, though lefs numerous, are more violent and abfurd 
 than their adverfaries, it is highly probable that they will fucceed. 
 The citizens of the beft families and fortunes have retired from Ge- 
 neva into the Pays de Vaud ; bat the French methods of recalling 
 or profcribing emigrants, will foon be adopted. You mufi: have ob- 
 ferved, that Savoy is now become le department du Mont Blanc. I 
 -cannot fatisfy myfelf, whether the mafs of the people is pleafed or 
 dilpleafed with the change ; but my noble fcenery is clouded by 
 the democratical afped of twelve leagues of the oppofite coaft, which 
 every morning obtrude themfelves on my view. I here conclude the 
 £rft part of the hiftory of our Alpine troubles, and now confider 
 myfelf as difengaged from all promifes of periodical writing. Upon 
 the whole, I kept it beyond our expedation ; nor do I think that 
 vou have been fufficiently aftoniihed by the wonderful effort of the 
 triple difpatch. 
 
 You mull now fucceed to my tafk, and 1 fhall expedl, during 
 the winter, a regular political journal of the events of your greater 
 world. You are on the theatre, and may often be behind the fcenes. 
 You can always fee, and may fometimes forefee. My own choice has 
 indeed tranfported me into a foreign land ; but I am truly attached,, 
 from intereft and inclination, to my native country; and even as a 
 citizen of the world, I wiili the ftability of England, the fole great 
 refuge of mankind, againft the oppofite mifchiefs of defpotlfm and 
 democracy. I was indeed alarmed, and the more fo, as I faw that 
 you were not without apprehenfion ; but I now glory in the triumph 
 of reafon and genuine patriotifm, which feems to pervade the coun- 
 try ; nor do I diflike fome mixture of popular enthufiafm, which 
 may be requlfite to encounter our mad or wicked enemies with equal 
 
 I arms.
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 271 
 
 arms. The behaviour of Fox does not furprife me. You may re- 
 member what I told you laft year at Laufaiine, when you attempted 
 his defence, that * * * ********** 
 ************ * * * *. * * 
 You have now crufhed the daring fubverters of the conftitution ; 
 but I now fear the moderate well-meaners, reformers. Do not, I 
 befeech you, tamper with parHamentary reprefentation. The prc- 
 fent houfe of commons forms, in pra£fice, a body of gentlemen, who 
 muft always fympathize with the interefts and opinions of the people ; 
 and the flighteft innovation launches you, without rudder or com- 
 pafs, on a dark and dangerous ocean of theoretical experiment. On 
 this fubje£t I am indeed ferious. 
 
 Upon the whole, I like the beginning of ninety-three better thaa 
 the end of ninety-two. The illufion feems to break away through- 
 out Europe. I think England and Switzerland are fafe. Brabant 
 adheres to its old conllitution. The Germans are difgufted with the 
 rapine and infolence of their deliverers. The Pope is refolved 
 to head his armies, and the Lazzaroni of Naples have prefentcd 
 St. Januarius with a gold fuzee, to fire on the Brigands Franyois. 
 So much for politics, which till now never had fuch pofleffion of 
 my mind. Next poft I will write about myfelf and my own de- 
 figns. Alas, your poor eyes ! make the Maria write ; I will fpeedily 
 anfwer her. My Lady is ftill dumb. The German pofts are now 
 flow and irregular. You had better write by the way of France, 
 under cover. Dire£l to Le Cito'ien Rebours a Fontalicr^ France-. 
 Adieu ; ever yours..
 
 2/2 LETTERS EROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, January 6th, 1793. 
 
 '-"T^HERE was formerly a time when our correfpondence was a pain- 
 ful difcuirion of my private affairs ; a vexatious repetition of 
 loffes, of difappointments, of fales, &c. Thefe affairs are decently 
 arranged : but public cares have now fucceeded to private anxiety, 
 and our whole attention is lately turned from Lenborough and Be- 
 riton, to the political ftate of France and of Europe. From thefe 
 politics, however, one letter fhall be free, while I talk of myfelf and 
 of my own plans ; a fubjedt mofl interefling to a friend, and only 
 to a friend. 
 
 I know not w^hether I am forry or glad that my expedition has 
 been poftponed to the prefent year. It is true, that I now wifh my- 
 felf in England, and almofl repent that I did not grafp the opportu- 
 nity when the obflacles were comparatively fmaller than they are now 
 likely to prove. Yet had I reached you laft fummer before the 
 month of Auguft, a confiderable portion of my time would be now 
 elapfed, and I fhould already begin to think of my departure. If 
 the gout fhould fpare me this winter, (and as yet I have not felt any 
 fymptom,) and if the fpring fhould make a foft and early appearance, 
 it is my intention to be with you in Downing-flreet before the end 
 of Api'il, and thus to enjoy fix weeks or two months of the mofl 
 agreeable feafon of London and the neighbourhood, after the hurry 
 of parliament is fubfided, and before the great rural difperfion. As 
 the banks of the Rhine and the Belgic provinces are completely 
 overfpread wath anarchy and war, I have made up my mind to pafs 
 through the territories of the French republic. From the befl and 
 mofl recent information, I am fatisfied that there is little or no real 
 danger in the journey ; and I mufl arm myfelf with patieiw:e to fup- 
 
 port
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. - 273 
 
 port the vexatious infolence of democratical tyranny. I have even 
 a fort of curiofity to fpend fome days at Paris, to aflift at the debates 
 of thePandaimonium, to feek an introdudlion to the principal devils, 
 and to contemplate a new form of public and private life, v/hich 
 never exifted before, and which I devoutly hope will not long con- 
 tinue to exift. Should the obftacles of health or weather confine 
 me at Laufanne till the month of May, I fliall fcarcely be able to 
 refill the temptation of paffiing fome part at leaft of the fummer in 
 my own little paradife. But all thefe fchemes muft ultimately de- 
 pend on the great queftion of peace and war, which will indeed be 
 fpeedily determined. Should France become impervious to an Eng- 
 liih traveller, what muft I do ? I fliall not eafily refolve to explore 
 my way through the unknown language and abominable roads of 
 the interior parts of Germany, to embark in Holland, or perhaps at 
 Hamburgh, and to be finally intercepted by a French privateer. My 
 ftay in England appears not lefs doubtful than the means of tranf- 
 porting myfelf. Should I arrive in the fpring, it is poiTible, and 
 barely poffible, that I fhould return here in the autumn : it is much 
 more probable that I fhall pafs the winter, and there may be even a 
 chance of my giving my own country a longer trial. In my letter 
 to my Lady I fairly expofcd the decline of Laufanne ; but fuch an 
 eftablifliment as mine muft not be lightly abandoned ; nor can I dif- 
 cover what adequate mode of life my private circumftances, eafy as 
 they now are, could afford me in England. London and Bath have 
 doubtlefs their refpedive merits, and I conld wifli to refide within a' 
 day's journey of ShefEeld-Place. But a ftate of perfca happinefs is 
 not to be found here below ; and in the pofTeirion of my library, 
 houfe, and garden, with the relicks of our fociety, and a frequent 
 intercourfe with the Neckers, I may ftill be tolerably content. 
 Among the difaftrous changes of Laufanne, I muft principally 
 reckon the approaching diffolution of poor Severy and his family. 
 He is ftill alive, but in fuch a hopelefs and painful decay, that wc 
 
 VOL. I. N N J5Q
 
 274 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 no longer conceal our wifhes for his fpeedy relcafc. I never loved 
 nor efteemed him fo much as in this laft mortal difeafe, which he 
 fupports with a degree of energy, patience, and even cheerfulnefs^ 
 beyond all belief. His wife, whofe whole time and foul are devoted 
 to him, is almoft finking under her long anxiety. The children are 
 moft amiably afhduous to both their parents, and, at all events, his 
 filial duties and worldly cares muft detain the fon fome time at 
 home. 
 
 And now approach, and let me drop into your moft private ear 
 a literary fecret. Of the Memoirs little has been done, and with 
 that little I am not fatisfied. They muft be poftponed till a mature 
 feafon ; and I much doubt whether the book and the Author can 
 ever fee the light at the fame time. But I have long revolved in my 
 mind another fcheme of biographical writing : the Lives, or rather 
 the Charaders, of the moft eminent Perfons in Arts and Arms, in 
 Church and State, who have fiouriftied in Britain from the reign of 
 Henry the Eighth to the prefent age. This work, extenfive as it may 
 be, would be an amufement, rather than a toil : the materials are 
 accefTible in our own language, and, for the moft part, ready to my 
 hands : but the fubje£t, which would afford a rich difplay of human 
 nature and domeftic hiftory, would powerfully addrefs itfelf to the 
 feelings of every Engliihman. The"tafte or faihion of the times 
 feems to delight in pidlurefque decorations ; and this feries of Britifti 
 portraits might aptly be accompanied by the refpedtive heads, taken 
 from originals, and engraved by the beft mafters. Alderman Boy- 
 dell, and his fon-in-law, Mr. George Nicol, bookfeller in Pall- 
 mall, are the great undertakers in -this line. On my arrival in Eng- 
 land I fhall be free to confider, whether it may fuit me to proceed 
 in a mere literary work without any other decorations than thofe 
 which it may derive from the pen of the Author. It is a ferious 
 truth, that I am no longer ambitious of fame or money ; that my 
 
 habits
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 275 
 
 habits of indiiftry arc much impaired, and that I have reduced my 
 ftudies, to be the loofe amufement of my morning hours, the re- 
 petition of which will infenfibly lead me to the laft term of exig- 
 ence. And for this very reafon I fhall not be forry to bind my- 
 felf by a liberal engagement, from which I may not with honour 
 recede. 
 
 Before I conclude, we muft fay a word or two of parliamentary 
 and pecuniary concerns. i. We all admire the generous fpirit with 
 which you damned the affaflins *- *. I hope that ***** 
 The opinion of parliament in favour of Louis was declared in a 
 manner worthy of the reprefentatives of a great and a wife nation. 
 It will certainly have a powerful effedt ; and if the poor King be not 
 already murdered, I am fatisfied that his life is in fafety : but is fuch a 
 life worth his care ? Our debates will now become every day more 
 interefting ; and as I expeft from you only opinions and anecdotes, 
 I moft earneftly conjure you to fend me Woodfall's Regifter as often 
 (and that muft be very often) as the occafion deferves it. I now 
 fpare no expence for news. 
 
 I want fome account of Mrs. G.'s health. Will my Lady 
 never write ? How can people be fo indolent ! I fuppofe this will 
 find you at Sheffield-Place during the recefs, and that the heavy 
 baggage will not move till after the birth-day. Shall I be with you 
 by the firft of May ? The Gods only know. I almoft wifh that 
 I had accompanied Madame de Stael. Ever yours. 
 
 N N 2
 
 276 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Begun Feb. 9, — ended Feb. 18, 1793. 
 
 -""T-^HE ftruggle Is at length over, and poor de Severy is no more ! 
 ^ He expired about ten days ago, after every vital principle had 
 been exhaufted by a complicaiion of diforders, which had lafted 
 above five months : and a mortification in one of his legs, that gra- 
 dually rofe to the more noble parts, was the immediate caufe of his 
 death. His patience and even cheerfulnefs fupported him to the 
 fatal moment ; and he enjoyed every comfort that could alleviate his 
 fituation, the fkill of his phyficians, the affiduous tendernefs of his 
 family, and the kind fympathy not only of his particular friends, 
 but even of common acquaintance, and generally of the whole town. 
 The ftroke has been feverely felt : yet I have the fatisfadion to per- 
 ceive that Madame de Severy's health is not affeded ; and we may 
 hope that in time fhe will recover a tolerable fhare of compofure and 
 happinefs. Her firmnefs has checked the violent fallies of grief; 
 her gentlenefs has preferved her from the worft of fymptoms, a dry, 
 filent defpair. She loves to talk of her irreparable lofs, fhe defcants 
 with pleafure on his virtues ; her words are interrupted with tears, 
 btit thofe tears are her beft relief; and her tender feelings will infen- 
 fibly fubfide into an affectionate remembrance. Wilhelm is much 
 more deeply wounded than I could imagine, or than he expelled 
 himfelf : nor have I ever feen the affliction of a ion more lively and 
 fincere. Severy was indeed a veiy valuable man : without any 
 fhlning qualifications, he was endowed in a high degree with good 
 fenfe, honour, and benevolence ; and few men have filled with more 
 propriety their circle in private life. For myfelf, I have had the 
 misfortune of knowing him too late, and of lofing him too foon. — 
 But enough of this melancholy fubjed. 
 
 The
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 277 
 
 The afuiirs of this theatre, which mufl: always be minute, are now 
 grown lb tame and tranquil, that they no longer dcferve the hiflo- 
 rian's pen. The new conftitution of Geneva is flowly forming, 
 without much noife or any bloodfhcd ; and the patriots, who have 
 ftaid in hopes of guiding and reftraining the multitude, flatter them- 
 felves that they fliall be able at leaft to prevent their mad countrymen 
 from giving themfelves to the French, the only mifchief that would 
 be abfolutely irretrievable. The revolution of Geneva is of lefs con- 
 fequence to us, however, than that of Savoy ; but our fate will de- 
 pend on the general event, rather than on thefe particular caufes. 
 In the mean while we hope to be quiet fpC'flators of the ftruggle of 
 this year ; and v»^c feem to have afiurances that both the Emperor and 
 the French will compound for the neutrality of- the Swifs. The Hel- 
 vetic body does not acknowledge the republic of France ; but Bar- 
 thelemy, their ambaffador, refides at Baden, and fteals, like Chauvc- 
 lin, into a kind of extra-official negotiation. All fpirit of oppofi- 
 tion is quelled in the Canton of Berne, and the perpetual banilhment 
 of the ****** family has fcarcely excited a murmur. It will proba- 
 bly be followed by that of ****** ***** ; the crime alleged in 
 their fentence is the having affifted at the federation-dinner at Rolle 
 two years ago ; and as they are abfent, I could almoft wifh that they 
 had been fummoned to appear, and heard in their own defence. To 
 the general fupinenefs of the inhabitants of Laufanne I mufl: afcribc, 
 that the death of Louis the Sixteenth has been received with lefs' 
 horror and indignaLion than I could have willied. I was much 
 tempted to go into mourning, and probably fhould, had the Duchefs 
 been-ftill here ; but, as the only Englifhman of any mark, I was 
 afraid of being lingular ; more efpecially as our French emigrants, 
 either from prudence or poverty, do not wear black, nor do even 
 the Neckers. Have you read his difcourfe for the King ? It might 
 indeed fuperfede the neceffity of mourning. I Ihould judge from 
 your laft letter, and from the Diary, that the French declaration of 
 
 war
 
 278 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 war muft have rather furprifed you. I wifti, although I know not 
 how it could have been avoided, that we might ftill have continued 
 to enjoy our fafe and profperous neutrality. You will not doubt 
 my heft wifhes for the deftrudlion of the mifcreants ; but I love 
 England ftill more than 1 hate France. All reafonable chances are 
 in favour of a confederacy, fuch as was never oppofed to the ambi- 
 tion of Louis the Fourteenth ; but, after the experience of laft year, 
 I diftrufl reafon, and confefs myfelf fearful for the event. The 
 French are ftrong in numbers, adivity, enthufiafm ; they are rich in 
 rapine ; and, although their ftrength may be only that of a phrenzy 
 fever, they may do infinite mifchief to their neighbours before they 
 can be reduced to a ftrait waiftcoat. I dread the efFeds that may be 
 produced on the minds of the people by the increafe of debt and 
 taxes, probable lofles, and pofTible raifmanagement. Our trade muft 
 fuffer ; and though projects of invafion have been always abortive, I 
 cannot forget that the fleets and armies of Europe have failed before 
 the towns in America, which have been taken and plundered by a 
 handful of Buccaneers. I know nothing of Pitt as a war minifter ; 
 but it afibrds me much fatisfadion that the intrepid wifdom of the 
 new chancellor * is introduced into the cabinet. I wifh, not merely 
 on your own account, that you were placed in an adtive, ufeful 
 ftatlon in government. I fhould not diilike you fecretary at war. 
 
 I have little more to fay of myfelf, or of my journey to England : 
 you know my intentions, and the great events of Europe muil deter- 
 mine whether they can be carried into execution this fummer. If 
 ***** has warmly adopted ycnr idea, I fhall fpeedily hear from him ; 
 but, in truth, I know not w^iat will be my anfwer : I fee difficulties 
 which at firft did not occur ; I doubt my own perfeverance, and my 
 fancy begins to wander into new paths. The amufement of reading 
 and thinking may perhaps fatisfy a man w'ho has paid his debt to the 
 public ; and there is more pleafure in building caftles in the aix than 
 
 * -Lord Lougliborougli. 
 
 on
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 279 
 
 on the ground. I fhall contrive fome fmall afliftance for your corre- 
 fpondent, though I cannot Icura any thing that diftinguifhes him 
 from many of his countrymen ; we have had our full fhare of poor 
 emigrants : but if you wifh that any thing extraordinary fliould- be 
 done for this man, you muft fend me a meafure. Adieu. 1 em- 
 brace my Lady and Maria, as alfo Louifa, if with you. Perhaps I 
 may foon write, without expeQing an anfwer. Ever yours. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, April 27, 1793- 
 TV/Ty deareft Friend, for fuch you moft truly are, nor does there 
 exift a perfon who obtains, or fhall ever obtain, a fuperior 
 place in my efleem and affedion. 
 
 After too long a filence I was fitting down to write, when, only 
 yeflerday morning (fuch is now the irregular flownefs of the Englifh 
 poft), I was fuddenly ftruck, indeed ftruck to the heart, by the fatal 
 intelligence * from Sir Henry Clinton and Mr. de Lally. Alas ! what 
 is life, and what are our hopes and projecfts ! When I embraced her 
 at your deparure from Laufanne, could I imagine that it was for 
 the lafl time ? when I poftponed to another fummer my journey 
 to England, could I apprehend that I never, never fhould fee her 
 again ? I always hoped that fhe would fpin her feeble thread 
 to a long duration, and that her delicate frame would furvive 
 (as is often the cafe) many conftitutions of a ftouter appearance. 
 In four days ! in your abfence, in that of her children ! But fhe 
 is now at reft ; and if there be a future life, her mild virtues 
 have furely entitled her to the reward of pure and perfeft feli- 
 city. It is for you that I feel, and I can judge of your fentiments 
 by comparing them with my own. I have loft, it is true, an ami- 
 able and affedlionate friend, whom I had known and loved above 
 
 * The death of Lady Sheffield, 
 2 tliree
 
 28o LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 three-and-twenty years, and whom 1 often flyled by the endearing 
 name of filter. But you are deprived of the companion of your life, 
 the wife of your choice, and the mother of your children ; poor 
 children ! the livelinefs of Maria, and the foftnefs of Louifa, render 
 them almoft equally the objects of my tendereft compaffion. I do not 
 wilh to aggravate your grief; but, in the fmcerity of friendlhip, I 
 cannot hold a different language. I know the impotence of reafon, 
 and I much fear that the ftrength of your charafter will ferve to 
 make a fharper and more lading impreflion. 
 
 The only confolation in thefe melancholy trials to, which human 
 life is expofed, the only one at leaft in which I have any confidence, 
 is the prefence of a real friend ; and of that, as far as it depends on 
 myfelf, you fhall not be deftitute. I regret the few days that muft 
 be loft in fome neceffary preparations ; but I truft that to-morrow 
 fe'nnight (May the fifth) I fhall be able to fet forwards on my jour- 
 ney to England ; and when this letter reaches you, I fhall be con- 
 fiderably advanced on my way. As it is yet prudent to keep at a 
 reipedtful diftance from the banks of the French Rhine, I fhall in- 
 cline a little to the right, and proceed by Schaflbufe and Stutgard to 
 Frankfort and Cologne : the Auftrian Netherlands are now open and 
 fafe, and I am fure of being able at leaft to pafs from Oftend to 
 Dover ; whence, without pafTmg through London, I fliall pur- 
 fue the dire£t road to Sheffield-Place. Unlefs I fhould meet with 
 fome vmforefcen accidents and delays, I hope, before the end of the 
 month to fhare your folitude, and fympathize with your grief. All 
 the difRculties of the journey, which my indolence had probably 
 magnified, have now difappeared before a ftronger pafFion ; and you 
 will not be forry to hear, that, as far as Frankfort to Cologne, I fhall 
 enjoy the advantage of the fociety, the converfation, the German 
 language, and the adlive afTiftance of Severy. His attachment to me 
 is the fole motive which prompts him to undertake this troublefome 
 journey ; and as foon as he has feen me over the rougheft ground, 
 
 I he
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. aBi 
 
 he will immediately return to Laufanne. The poor young man 
 loved Lady S, as a mother, and the whole family is deeply afFeded 
 by an event which reminds them too painfully of their own misfor- 
 tune. Adieu. 1 could write volumes, and Ihall therefore break off 
 abruptly. I fliall write on the road, and hope to find a few lines 
 ^pojle rcjlaritc at Frankfort and Bruffels. Adieu j ever yours. 
 
 To the Same, 
 
 My dear Friend, Lausakke, May 1793. 
 
 T MUST write a few lines before my departure, though indeed I 
 fcarcely know what to fay. Nearly a fortnight has now elapfed 
 fmce the firft melancholy tidings, without my having received the 
 flighteft fubfequent accounts of your health and fituation. Your 
 own filence announces too forcibly how much you are involved in 
 your feelings ; and I can but too eafily conceive that a letter to me 
 would be more painful than to an indifferent perfon. But that ami- 
 able man Count Lally might furely have written a fecond time ; but 
 your filler, who is probably with you ; but Maria, — alas ! poor Maria 1 
 I am left in a ftate of darknefs to the workings of my own fancy, 
 which imagines every thing that is fad and fhocking. What can I 
 think of for your relief and comfort ? I will not expatiate on thofe 
 common-place topics, which have never dried a fmgle tear ; but let 
 me advife, let me urge you to force yourfelf into bufmeis, as I would 
 try to force myfelf into ftudy. The mind muft not be idle ; if it 
 be not exercifed on external objects, it will prey on its own vitals. 
 A thoufand little arrangements, which muft precede a long journey, 
 have poftponed my departure three or four days beyond the term 
 which I had firft appointed ; but all is now in order, and I fet off 
 to-morrow, the ninth inftant, with my valet de chambre.^ a courier 
 on horfeback, and Severy, with his fervant, as far as Frankfort, f 
 VOL. I. 00 calculate
 
 282 LETTERS 1 ROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 calculate my arrival at Sheffield-Place (how I dread and defire to fee 
 that manlion !) for the firfl week in June, foon after this letter j but 
 I will try to fend you fome later intelligence. I never found myfelf 
 flronger, or in better health. The German road is now cleared, 
 both of enemies and allies, and though I muft expcdl fatigue, I 
 have not any appreheniions of danger. It is fcarcely poffible 
 that you fhould meet me at Frankfort, but I fliall be much dlfap- 
 pointed at not finding a line at Bruffels or Oftend. Adieu. If there 
 be any invifible guardians, may they watch over you and yoiurs ! 
 Adieu. 
 
 To the Sivne. 
 
 Frankfort, May 19th, 1793. 
 
 A ND here I am in good health and fpirits, after one of the eafieft, 
 liifeft, and pleafanteft journies which I ever performed in my 
 whole life; not the appearance of an enemy, and hardly the ap- 
 pearance of a war. Yet I hear, as I am writing, the cannon of the 
 fiege of Mayence, at the diftance of twenty miles ; and long, very 
 long, will it be heard. It is confefled on all fides, that the French 
 fight with a courage worthy of a better caufe. The town of May- 
 ence is ftrong, their artillery admirable ; they are already reduced 
 to horfe-flefli, but they have ftill the refource of eating the inhabit- 
 ants, and at lafl; of eating one another ; and, if that repaft could 
 be extended to Paris and the whole country, it might eilentially 
 contribute to the relief of mankind. Our operations are carried 
 on with more than German flownefs, and when the befieged are 
 quiet, the befiegers are perfedlly fatisfied with their progrefs. A 
 fpirit of divifion undoubtedly prevails ; and the charadter of the 
 Prullians for courage and difcipline is funk lower than you can pof- 
 fibly imagine. Their glory has expired with Frederick. I am forry 
 to have miffed Lord Elgin, v;ho is beyond the Rhine with the King 
 2 of
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 283 
 
 of Pruflia, As I am impatient, I propofe fetting forwards to-mor- 
 row afternoon, and fliall reach Oftcnd in lefs than eight days. The 
 pafTage muft depend on winds and packets ; and I hope to fmd at 
 BruiTels or Dover a letter which will dired me to Shcflield-riace or 
 Downing-Street. Scvery goes back from hence. Adieu : I embrace 
 the dear girls. Ever yours. 
 
 From the Same. 
 
 Brussels, May 27th, 1793. 
 'TT' HIS day, between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, I am 
 arrived at this place in excellent prefervation. My expedition,^ 
 which is now drawing to a clofe, has been a journey of perfeverance 
 rather than fpeed, of fome labour fmce Frankfort, but without the 
 fmalleft degree of difficulty or danger. As I have every morning 
 been feated in the chaife foon after fun-rife, I propofe indulging to- 
 morrow till eleven o'clock, and going that day no farther than 
 Ghent. On Wednefday the 29th inftant I fhall reach Oftend in 
 good time, juft eight days, according to my former reckoning, from 
 Frankfort. Beyond that I can fay nothing pofitive ; but fliould the 
 winds be propitious, it is poffible that I may appear next Saturday, 
 June firft, in Downlng-Street. After that earliefl date, you will 
 cxpedl me day by day till I arrive. Adieu. I embrace the dear 
 girls, and falute Mrs. Holroyd. I rejoice that you have anticipated 
 my advice by plunging into bufuiefs ; but I fhould now be forry if 
 that bufinefs, however important, detained us long in town. I do not 
 wifh to make a public exhibition, and only figh to enjoy you and 
 the precious remnant in the folitude of Sheffield-Place. Ever yours. 
 
 If I am fuccefsful I may outftrip or accompany this letter.. Your's 
 and Maria's waited for me here, and over-paid the journey. 
 
 002,
 
 F 2S+ J 
 
 T' 
 
 ^HE preceding Letters intimate that, in return for my vifit to 
 Laufanne in 1791, Mr. Gibbon engaged to pafs a year witk 
 me in England ; that the war having rendered travelling exceedingly 
 inconvenient, efpecially to a pcrfon who, from his bodily infirmities, 
 required every accommodation, prevented his undertaking fo formi- 
 dable a journey at the time he propofed. 
 
 The call of friendfliip, however, was fufficient to make him over- 
 look every perfonal confideration, when he thought his prefence 
 might prove a confolation. I mufl: ever regard it as the moft en- 
 dearing proof of his fenfibility, and of his pofleffing the true fpirit 
 of friendfliip, that after having relinquifhed the thought of his in- 
 tended vifit, he haftened to England, in fpite of encreafing impedi- 
 ments, to foothe me by the moft generous fympathy, and to alle- 
 viate my domeftic afflidion ; neither his great corpulency, nor his- 
 extraordinary bodily infirmities, nor any other confideration, could 
 prevent him a moment from refolving on an undertaking that might 
 have deterred the moft a£live young man. He, almoft immediately,, 
 with alertnefs by no means natural to him, undertook a great cir- 
 cuitous journey, along the frontiers of an enemy, worfe than favage,. 
 within the found of their cannon, within the range of the light 
 troops of the difi'erent armies, and through roads ruined by the enor- 
 mous machinery of war. 
 
 The readinefs with which he engaged in this kind office of friend- 
 ihip, at a time when a felfifli fpirit might have pleaded a thoufand 
 reafons for declining fo hazardous a journey, confpired, with the pe- 
 
 i culiar
 
 [ 285 I 
 
 culiar cTiarms of his fociety to render his arrival a cordial to my 
 mind. I had the fatisfiidion of finding that his own delicate and 
 precarious health had not fuffered in the fervice of his friend, a 
 fervice in which he difregarded his own perfonal infirmities. He 
 arrived in the beginning of June at my houfe in Downing-Street, 
 fafe and in good health ; and after we had pafTed about a month to- 
 gether in London, we fettled at Sheffield- Place for the fummer ; 
 where his wit, learning, and cheerful politencfs delighted a great 
 variety of characters. 
 
 Although he was inclined to reprefent his health as better than it 
 really was, his habitual diflike to motion appeared to increafe ; his 
 inaptnefs to exercife confined him to the library and dining-room^ 
 and there he joined my friend Mr. Frederick North, in pleafant ar- 
 guments againft exercife in general. He ridiculed the unfettled and 
 reftlefs difpofition that fummer, the moft uncomfortable, as he faid, 
 of all feafons, generally gives to thofe who have the free ufe of their 
 limbs. Such arguments were little required to keep fociety within 
 doors, when his company was only there to be enjoyed ; for neither 
 the finenefs of the feafon, nor the moft promifing parties of pleafure, 
 could tempt the company of either fex to defert him. 
 
 Thofe who have enjoyed the fociety of Mr. Gibbon will agree 
 with me, that hi& converfation was ftill more captivating than his 
 w^ritings. Perhaps no man ever divided time more fairly between 
 literary labour and focial enjoyment ; and hence, probably, he de- 
 rived" his peculiar excellence of making his very extenfive knowledge 
 contribute, in the highefl degree, to the ufe or pleafure of thofe with 
 whom he converfed. He united, in the happieft manner imagin- 
 able, two characters which are not often, found in the fame perfon,, 
 the profound fcholar and the fafcinating companion. 
 
 It would be fuperfluous to attempt a very minute delineation of a 
 cliarader which is fo diilinCtly marked in the Memoirs and Letters. 
 
 Ha
 
 [ 286 ] 
 
 He has defcribcd hunfelf wUhout rcferve, and with pcifcct fincerhy. 
 The Letters, and efpccially the extradls from the Journal, which could 
 not have been written with any purpofe of being feen, will make the 
 reader perfeftly acquainted with the man. 
 
 Excepting a vifit to Lord Kgremont and Mr. Hayley, whom he 
 very particularly efteemed, Mr. Gibbon was not abfent from Shef- 
 field-Place till the beginning of 0(flobcr, when we were relu£lantly 
 obliged to part with him, that he might perform his engagement to 
 Mrs. Gibbon at Bath, the widow of his father, who had early de- 
 ferved, and invariably retained, his affedion. From Bath he pro- 
 ceeded to Lord Spenfer's at Althorp, a family which lie always met 
 with uncommon fatisfa£tion. He continued in good health during 
 the whole fummer, and in excellent fpirits (I never knew him enjoy 
 better) ; and when he went from Sheffield-Place, little did I imagine 
 it would be the laft time I Ihould have the inexpreffible pleafure of 
 feeing him there in full pofleffion of health. 
 
 The few following fiiort letters, though not important in them- 
 felves, will fill up this part of the narrative better, and more agree- 
 ably, than any thing I can fubflitute in their place.
 
 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON. 287 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to the Right Hoti. Zor<i Sheffield. 
 
 0£tober 2<1, 1793. 
 
 npHE Cork-Street hotel has anfwered its reeommendation ; it is 
 clean, convenient, and quiet. My firft evening was pafled 
 at home in a very agreeable tete-a-tete with my friend Elmfley. 
 Yefterday I dined at Craufurd's with an excellent let, in which were 
 Pelham and Lord Egremont. I dine to-day with my Portuguefc 
 fi-iend, Madame de Sylva, at Grenier's ; mofl; probably with Lady 
 Webfter, whom I met lail night at Devonfhire-Houfc ; a con- 
 ftant, though late, refort of fociety. The Duchefs is as good, and 
 Lady Elizabeth as feducing, as ever. No news whatfoever. You 
 will fee in the papers Lord Harvey's memorial. I love vigour, but 
 it is furely a rtrong meafure to tell a gentleman you have refolvcd to 
 pafs the winter in his houfe. London is not difagreeable ; yet I fhall 
 probably leave it Saturday. If any thing fhould occur, I will write.. 
 Adieu ; ever yours.. 
 
 y© the Same, 
 
 CuNDAY afternoon I left London and lay at Reading, and Monday 
 ia very good time I reached this place, after a very pleafant air- 
 ing ; and am always fo much delighted and improved^ with this 
 union of eafe and motion, that, were not the expence enormous, I 
 would travel every year fome hundred miles, more efpecially in 
 England. I pafled the day with Mrs, G. yefterday. In mind and 
 
 converfation
 
 TzHB LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 converfation (lie is juft the fame as twenty years ago. She has fplrits, 
 
 appetite, legs, and eyes, and talks of living till ninety *. I can fay 
 
 from my heart, Amen. We dine at two, and remain together till 
 
 nine ; but, although we have much to fay, I am not forry that flie 
 
 talks of introducing a third or fourth aftor. Lord Spenfer expeds 
 
 me about the 20th ; but if I can do it without offence, I fhall ileal 
 
 away two or three days fooner, and you fliall have advice of my 
 
 motions. The troubles of Briftol have been ferious and bloody. 
 
 I know not who was in fault ; but I do not like appeafing the 
 
 mob by the extindlion of the toll, and the removal of the Hereford 
 
 militia, who had done their duty. Adieu. The girls muft dance 
 
 at Tunbridge. What would dear little aunt fay if I was to anfwer 
 
 her letter ? Ever yours, &c. 
 
 York-House, Bath, 
 Oftober 9th, 1793. 
 
 I flill follow the old ftile, though the Convention has abolifhed tlic 
 Chriftian jcra, with months, weeks, days, &c. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 ToRK-HousE, Bath, 0£lober 13th, 1793. 
 T AM as ignorant of Bath in general as if I were ftill at Sheffield. 
 My impatience to get away makes me think it better to devote 
 my whole time to Mrs. G. j and dear little aunt, whom I tenderly 
 falute, will excufe me to her two friends, Mrs. Hartley and Prefton, 
 if I make little or no ufe of her kind introduftion. A tete-a-tete 
 of eight or nine hours every day is rather difficult to fupport ; yet I 
 do affure you, that our converfation flows with more eafe and fpirit 
 when we are alone, than when any auxiliaries are fum.moned to our 
 aid. She is indeed a wonderful woman, and I think all her faculties 
 
 • She was then in her eightieth year. S. 
 
 of
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 289 
 
 of the mind ftronger, and more adlive, than I have ever known them. 
 I have fettled, that ten full days may be fufficient for all the purpofes 
 of our interview. I fhould therefore depart next Friday, the eigh- 
 teenth inftant, and am indeed expedted at Althorpe on the twentieth j 
 but I may poiTibly reckon without my hoft, as I have not yet ap- 
 prifed Mrs. G. of the term of my vifit ; and will certainly not 
 quarrel with her for a fhort delay. Adieu. I muft have fome poli- 
 tical fpeculations. The campaign, at leaft on our fide, feems to be at 
 an end. Ever yours. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 Althorp Library, Tuefday, four o'clock. 
 
 Jv. have fo completely exhaufted this morning among the firfl: edi- 
 tions of Cicero, that I can mention only my departure hence 
 to-morrow, the fixth inftant. I fhall lie quietly at Woburn, and reach 
 London in good time Thurfday. By the following poft I will write 
 fomewhat more largely. My ftay in London will depend, partly on 
 my amufement, and your being fixed at Sheffield-Place ; unlefs you 
 think I can be comfortably arranged for a week or two with you at 
 Brighton. The military rem.arks feem good ; but now to what pur- 
 pofe ? Adieu. I embrace and much rejoice in Louifli's improve- 
 ment. Lord Oilbry was from home at Farning-Woods. 
 
 To the Same. 
 
 London, Friday, Nov. 8th, four o'clock. 
 
 ■^T/ ALP OLE has juft delivered yours, and I haften the diredtion, 
 
 that you may not be at a lofs. I will write to-morrow, but I 
 
 am now fatigued, and rather unvv'eli. Adieu. I have not feen a 
 
 foul except Elmfley. 
 
 VOL. I, P P »
 
 290 LETTERS FROM MR. GIBBON 
 
 To the Same, 
 
 St. Jamf-s's-Street, Nov. pth, 1793. 
 A s I dropt ycfterday the word univell, I flatter myfelf that the 
 family would have been a little alarmed by my filence to-day. 
 I am ftill aukward, though without any fufpicions of gout, and 
 have fome idea of having recourfe to medical advice. Yet I creep 
 out to-day in a chair, to dine with Lord Lucan. But as it will be 
 literally my firft going down flairs, and as fcarcely any one is ap- 
 prized of my arrival, I know nothing, I have heard nothing, I have 
 nothing to fay. My prefent lodging, a houfe of Elmfley's, is cheer- 
 ful, -convenient, fomewhat dear, but not fo much as a hotel, a fpe- 
 cies of habitation for which I have not conceived any great afte£tion. 
 Had you been ftationary at Sheffield, you would have feen me before 
 the twentieth ; for I am tired of rambling, and pant for my home ; 
 that is to fay, for your houfe. But whether I Ihall have courage to 
 brave * * * * and a bleak down, time only can difcover. Adieu. 
 I wifh you back to Sheffield-Place. The health of dear Louifa is 
 doubtlefs the firft objedt ; but I did not exped: Brighton after Tun- 
 bridge. Whenever dear little aunt is feparate from you, I fhall cer- 
 tainly write to her ; but at prefent how is it poffible ? Ever yours* 
 
 To the Same^ at Brighthehijlone. 
 
 St. JamesVStreet, Nov. iirh, 1793. 
 
 T MUST at length withdraw the veil before my ftate of health, 
 though the naked truth may alarm you more than a fit of the 
 gout. Have you never obferved, through my inexpreffibles, a 
 large prominency circa genitalia^ which, as it was not at all pain- 
 ful, and very little troublefome, I had ftrangely negleded for 
 many years ? But fince my departure from Sheffield-Place it has 
 
 increafed,
 
 TO LORD SHEFFIELD, AND OTHERS. 291 
 
 increafed, (moft ftupendoufly,) is increafing, and ought to be dimi- 
 nlihed. Yellerday I ient for Farquhar, who is allowed to be a very 
 fkilful furgeon. After viewing and palping, he very ferloiifly defu-ed 
 to call in affiftance, and has examined it again to-day with Mr. Cline, 
 a furgeon, as he fays, of the firft eminence. They both pronounce 
 it a hydrocele^ (a colledlon of water,) which muft be let out by the 
 operation of tapping ; but, from its magnitude and long neglect, 
 they think it a moft extraordinary cafe, and wlfii to have another 
 furgeon, Dr. Bayley, prefent. If the bufmefs fliould go off fmoothly, 
 I fhall be delivered from my burthen, (it is almoft as big as a fmall 
 child,) and walk about in four or five days with a trufs. But the 
 medical gentlemen, who never fpeak quite plain, infinuate to me 
 the poflibility of an inflammation, of fever, &c. I am not ap- 
 palled at the thoughts of the operation, which is fixed for Wednef- 
 day next, twelve o'clock ; but it has occurred to me, that you might 
 wifh to be prefent, before and afterwards, till the crifis was paft ; and 
 to give you that opportunity, I fhall folicit a delay till Thurfday, or 
 even Friday. In the mean while, I crawl about with fome labour, 
 .and much indecency, to Devonfhire-Houfe (where I left all the fine 
 Ladies making flannel waiftcoats) ; Lady Lucan's, &c. Adieu. 
 Varnlfli the bufinefs for the Ladies ; yet I am afraid it will be public ; 
 —-the advantage of being notorious. Ever yours. 
 
 p p 2
 
 [ 292 ] 
 
 Immediately on receiving the lafl: letter, I went the fame day 
 from Brighthehiifionc to London, and was agreeably furprifcd to 
 find that Mr. Gibbon had dined at Lord Lucan's, and did not re- 
 turn to his lodgings, where I waited for him, till eleven o'clock at 
 night. Thofe who have feen him wuthin the laft eight or ten 
 years, muft be furprifed to hear, that he could doubt, whether 
 his diforder was apparent. When he returned to England in 
 1787, I was greatly alarmed by a prodigious increafe, which I 
 always conceived to proceed from a rupture. I did not underfland 
 why he, who had talked with me on every other fubje£t relati\^ to 
 himfelf and his affairs without referve, fhould never in any fliape 
 hint at a malady fo troublefome ; but on fpeaking to his valet de 
 chambre, he told me, Mr. Gibbon could not bear the leaft alluilon 
 to that fubje£l, and never would fuffer him to notice it. I con- 
 fulted fome medical perfons, who with me fuppofmg it to be a 
 rupture, were of opinion that nothing could be done, and faid that 
 he furely muft have had advice, and of courfe had taken all ne- 
 cefTary precautions. He now talked freely with me about his dif- 
 order ; which, he faid, began in the year 1761 ; that he then con- 
 fulted Mr. Hawkins the furgeon, who did not decide whether it was 
 the beginning of a rupture, or an hydrocele ; but he defired to fee 
 Mr. Gibbon again when he came to town. Mr. Gibbon not feel-, 
 ing any pain, fior fufFering any inconvenience, as he faid, never 
 returned to Mr. Hawkins ; and although the diforder continued to 
 increafe gradually, and of late years very much indeed, he never 
 mentioned it to any perfon, however incredible it may appear, from 
 1 76 1 to November 1793. I told him, that I had always fuppofed 
 there was no doubt of its being a rupture ; his anfwer was, that he 
 never thought fo, and that he, and the furgeons who attended him, 
 I were
 
 [ 293 ] 
 
 were of opinion that it was an hydrocele. It is now certain that 
 it was originally a rupture, and that an hydrocele had lately taken 
 place in the fame part ; and it is remarkable, that his legs, which had 
 been fwelled about the ankle, particularly one of them, fmce he 
 had the erifipelas in 1790, recovered their former fhape as foon as 
 the water appeared in another part, w^hich did not happen till be- 
 tween the time he left Sheffield-Place, in the beginning of Odober, 
 and his arrival at Althorpe, towards the latter end of that month. 
 On the Thurfday following the date of his lafl: letter, Mr. Gibbon 
 was tapped for the firll time ; fouf quarts of a tranfparent watery 
 fluid were difcharged by that operation. Neither inflammation nor 
 fever enfued ; the tumour was diminifhed to nearly half its fize ; the 
 remaining part was a foft irregular mafs. I had been with him two 
 days before, and I continued with him above a week after the firft 
 tapping, during which time he enjoyed his ufual fpirits ; and the 
 three medical gentlemen who attended him will recoiled his plea- 
 fantry, even during the operation. He was abroad again in a few 
 days, but the water evidently colledting very fafl:, it was agreed that 
 a fecond pundlure fhould be made a fortnight after the firft. Knovsr- 
 ing that I fhould be wanted at a meeting in the country, he prefled 
 me to attend it, and promifed that foon after the fecond operation 
 was performed he would follow me to Sheffield-Place ; but before 
 he arrived I received the two following Letters : 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Lord Sheffield, ai Brighton. 
 
 St. James's Street, Nov. 25th, 1793. 
 
 /np HOUGH Farquhar has promifed to write you a line, I conceive 
 you may not be forry to hear diredly from me. The ope- 
 ration of yefterday was much longer, more fearching, and more 
 painful than the former ; but it has eafed and lightened me to a much 
 
 greater
 
 [ 294 ] 
 
 52;reater degree *. No inflammation, no fever, a delicious night, 
 leave to go abroad to-morrow, and to go out of town when I pleafe, 
 €n attendant the future meafures of a radical cure. If you hold your 
 intention of returning next Saturday to Sheffield-Place, I fhall pro- 
 bably join you about the Tuefday following, after having pafl'ed two 
 nights at Beckenham \. The Devons are going to Bath, and the 
 hofpitable Craufurd follows them. I paOed a delightful day with 
 Burke ; an odd one with Monfignore Erfkine, the Pope's Nuncio. 
 Of public news, you and the papers know more than I do. We 
 fcem to have ftrong fea and land hopes ; nor do I diflike the 
 Royalifts having beaten the Sans Culottes, and taken Dol. How 
 many minutes will it take to guillotine the feventy-three new mem- 
 bers of the convention, who are now arretted ? Adieu ; ever yours. 
 
 I 
 
 To the Same, 
 
 St. James's-Street, Nov. 3ot]i, 1793. 
 
 T will not be In my power to reach Sheffield-Place quite fo foon as 
 I wifhed and expedted. Lord Auckland informs me, that he ihall 
 be at Lambeth next week, Tuefday, Wednefday, and Thurfday. I 
 have therefore agreed to dine at Beckenham on Friday. Saturday will 
 be fpent there, and unlefs fome extraordinary temptation fhould de- 
 tain me another day, you will fee me by four o'clock Sunday the ninth 
 of December. I dine to-morrow with the Chancellor at Hampftead, 
 and, what I do not like at this time of the year, without a propofal to 
 flay all night. Yet I would not refufe, more efpecially as I had de- 
 nied him on a former day. My health is good ; but I fhall have a 
 final interview with Farquhar before I leave town. We are ftill in 
 darknefs about Lord Howe and the French fhips, but hope feems to 
 preponderate. Adieu. Nothing that relates to Louifa can be for- 
 gotten. Ever yours. 
 
 • Three quarts of ^he fame fluid as before were difcharged. f Eden-Farm.
 
 [ 295 J 
 
 Mr. Gibbon generally took the opportunity of pafling a night 
 or two with his friend Lord Auckland, at Eden-Farm, (ten miles 
 from London,) on his paflage to Sheffield-Place ; and notwith- 
 ftanding his indifpofition, he had lately made an excurfion thither 
 from London ; when he was much pleafed by meeting the Arch- 
 bifhop of Canterbury, of whom he expreffed an high opinion. He 
 returned to London, to dine with Lord Loughborough, to meet 
 Mr. Burke, Mr. Windham, and pai-ticularly Mr. Pitt, with whom 
 he was not acquainted ; and in his lafl journey to Suflex, he re- 
 vifited Eden-Farm, and was mrich gratified by the opportunity of 
 again feeing, during a whole day, Mr. Pitt, who pafled the night 
 there* From Lord Auckland's, Mr. Gibbon proceeded to Sheffield- 
 Place ; and his difcourfe was never more brilliant, nor more entertain- 
 ing, than on his arrival. The parallels he drew, and the comparifons 
 he made, between the leading men of this country, were fketched 
 in his beft manner, and were infinitely interefting. Flowever, this 
 laft vifit to Sheffield-Place became far different from any he had ever 
 made before. That ready, cheerful, various, and illuminating con- 
 verfation, which we had before admired in him, was not now always 
 to be found in the library or the dining-room. He moved with 
 difficulty, and retired from company fooner than he had been ufed 
 to do. On the twenty-third of December, his appetite began to fail 
 him. He obferved to me, that it was a very bad fign iznth bun 
 when he could not eat his breakfaft, which he had done at all times 
 very heartily ; and this feems to have been the flrongeft expreffion 
 of apprehenfion that he was ever obferved to utter. A confiderable 
 degree of fever now made its appearance. Inflammation arofe, from 
 the weight and the bulk of the tumour.. Water again tolleded very 
 faft, and when the fever went off, he never entirely recovered his ap~ 
 2 petite
 
 [ 296 ] 
 
 petite even for breakfaft. I became very uneafy indeed at his fituatlon 
 towards.the end of the month, and thought it neceflary to advife hnn 
 to fet out for London. He had before fettled his plan to arrive 
 there about the middle of January. I had company in the houfe, 
 and we expected one of his particular friends ; but he viras obliged 
 to facrifice all focial pleafure to the immediate attention which his 
 health required. He went to London on the feventh of January, 
 and the next day I received the following billet ; the laft he ever 
 wrote ; 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to Zo;-^ Sheffield. 
 
 St. James's-Street, four o'clock, Tuefday. 
 
 " This date fays every thing. I was almoft killed between Shef- 
 " field-Place and Eaft-Grinfted, by hard, frozen, long, and crofs 
 " ruts, that would difgrace the approach of an Indian wig-wam. 
 *' The reft was fomething lefs painful ; and I reached this place half- 
 " dead, but not ferioufly feverlfh, or ill. I found a dinner invitation 
 " from Lord Lucan ; but what are dinners to me ? I wifli they did 
 " not know of my departure. I catch the flying poft. What 
 " an eiToit ! Adieu, till Thurfday or Friday." 
 
 By his own defire, I did not follow him till Thurfday the ninth. 
 I then found him far from well. The tumour more diftended than 
 before, inflamed, and ulcerated in feveral places. Remedies were 
 applied to abate the innammation ; but it was not thought proper to 
 puntflure the tumour for the third time, till Monday the 13th of 
 January, when no lefs than fix quarts of fluid vv'ere difcharged. He 
 feemed much relieved by the evacuation. His fpirits continued 
 good. He talked, as ufual, of paffing his time at houfes which he 
 
 had
 
 [ 297 ] 
 
 had often frequented with great pleafnre, the Duke of Devon- 
 fhire's, Mr. Craufurd's, Lord Spenfer's, Lord Lucan's, Sir Ralph 
 Payne's, and Mr. Batt's ; and when I told him that I fhould not re- 
 turn to the country, as I had intended, he prefled me to go ; know- 
 ing I had an engagement there on public bufmefs, he faid, " you 
 *' may be back on Saturday, and I intend to go on Thurfday to De- 
 *' vonfhire-Houfe." I had not any apprehenfion that his life was 
 in danger, although I began to fear that he might not be reftored to 
 a comfortable flate, and that motion would be very troublefome to 
 him ; but he talked of a radical cure. He faid, that it was fortunate 
 the diforder had fliewn itfelf while he was in England, where he might 
 procure the beft afliftance ; and if a radical cure could not be obtained 
 before his return to Lauiluine, there was an able furgeon at Geneva, 
 who could come to tap him when it fliould be neceflary. 
 
 On Tuefday the fourteenth, when the rifk of inflammation and 
 fever from the laft operation was fuppofed to be over, as the medical 
 gentlemen who attended him expreffed no fears for his life, I went 
 that afternoon part of the way to Suflex, and the following day 
 reached Sheffield-Place. The next morning, the fixteenth, I received 
 by the poft a good account of Mr. Gibbon, which mentioned alfo 
 that he hourly gained ftrength. In the evening came a letter by ex- 
 prefs, dated noon that day, which acquainted me that Mr. Gibbon 
 had had a violent attack the preceding night, and that it was not 
 probable he fhould live till I could come to him. I reached his 
 lodgings in St. James's-ftreet about midnight, and learned that my 
 friend had expired a quarter before one o'clock that day, the fixteenth 
 of January 1794. 
 
 After I left him on Tuefday afternoon the fourteenth, he faw fome 
 company. Lady Lucan and Lady Spenfer, and thought himfelf well 
 enough at night to omit the opium draught, which he had been ufed 
 to take for fome time. He flept very indifferently ; before nine the 
 
 VOL. I. Q_Q^ next
 
 [ 298 ] 
 
 next morning he rofe, but could not eat his breakfaft. However, he 
 appeared tolerably well, yet complained at times of a pain in his fto- 
 mach. At one o'clock he received a vifit of an hour from Madame 
 de Sylva, and at three, his friend, Mr. Craufurd, of Auchinames, 
 (whom he always mentioned with particular regard,) called, and 
 flayed with him till paft five o'clock. They talked, as ufual, on 
 various fubjedls ; and twenty hours before his death, Mr, Gibbon 
 happened to fall into a converfation, not uncommon with him, on 
 the probable duration of his life. He faid, that he thought himfelf 
 a good life for ten, twelve, or perhaps twenty years. About fix, 
 he ate the wing of a chicken, and drank three glaffes of Madeira. 
 After dinner he became very uneafy and impatient ; complained 
 a good deal, and appeared fo weak, that his fervaijt was alarmed. 
 Mr. Gibbon had fent to his friend and relation, Mr. Robert Darell, 
 whofe houfe was not far diftant, defiring to fee him, and adding, 
 that he had fomething particular to fay. But, unfortunately, this 
 defired interview never took place. 
 
 During the evening he complained much of his flomach, and of 
 a difpofition to vomit. Soon after nine, he took his opium draught, 
 and went to bed. About ten, he complained of much pain, and de- 
 fired that warm napkins might be applied to his ftomach. He almoft 
 inceflfantly exprefled a fenfe of pain till about four o'clock in the 
 morning, when he faid he found his ftomach much eafier. About 
 feven, the fervant afked, whether he fliould fend for Mr. Farquhar ? 
 he anfwered, no ; that he was as well as he had been the day before. 
 At about half paft eight, he got out of bed, and faid he was " plus 
 adroiC than he had been for three months paft, and got into bed again, 
 without affiftance, better than ufual. About nine, he faid that he 
 would rife. The fervant, however, perfuaded him to remain In bed 
 till Mr. Farquhar, who was expected at eleven, Ihould come. 
 Till about that hour he fpoke with great facility. Mr. Farquhar 
 2 came
 
 [ 299 ] 
 
 came at the time appointed, and he was then vifibly dying. When 
 the valet de chambrc returned, after attending Mr. Farquhar out of 
 the room, Mr. Gibbon faid, " Ponrquoi eft cc que voits mc quitter ?" 
 This was about half pall eleven. At twelve, he drank fome brandy 
 and water from a tea-pot, and defired his favourite fervant to ftay 
 with him. Thefe were the laft words he pronounced articulately. 
 To the laft he preferved his fenfes ; and when he could no longer 
 fpeak, his fervant having afked a queftion, he made a fign, to fhew 
 that he underftood him. He was quite tranquil, and did not ftir ; 
 his eyes half-fhut. About a quarter before one, he ceafed to breathe *. 
 
 * The body was not opened till the fifth day after his death. It was then found, 
 except that a degree of mortification, not very confiderable, had taken place on a part 
 of the colon ; which, with the whole of the omentum, of a very enlarged fize, had 
 defcended into ihe/civtum, forming a bag that hung down nearly as low as the knee. 
 Since that part had been inflamed and ulcerated, Mr. Gibbon could not bear a trufs ; 
 and when (he lafl fix quarts of fluid were difcharged, the co/ott and ojii£ntuin 
 defcending lower, they, by their weight, drew the lower mouth of the ftomaeh 
 downwards to the os pubis, and this probably was the immediate caufe of his death. 
 
 The following is the account of the appearance of the body, given by an eminent 
 furgeon who opened it : 
 
 " Aperto tumore, qui ab inguine ufque ad genu fe extcnderat, obfervatum eft 
 " partem ejus inferiorem conftare ex tunica vaginati teftis continenti duas quafi libras 
 '• liquoris ferofi tiniti fanguine. Ea autem fuit facci illius amplitudo ut portioni li- 
 " quoris longe majori capiendse fufRceret. In pofteriori parte hujus facci teftis fitus 
 " fuit. Hunc omnino fanum invenimus. 
 
 " Partem tumoris fuperiorem occupaverant integrum fere omentum et major pars 
 •' inteftini coli. Hse partes, facco fibi proprio inclufs, fibi invicem et facco fuo adeo 
 *' ar£le adhxferunt ut coivifle viderentur in mafTam unam folidam et iiTCgularem i 
 « cujus a tergo chorda fpermatica fedem fuam obtinuerat. 
 
 " In omento et in inteftino colo baud dubia recentis inflammatlonis figna vidimus, 
 " necnon maculas nonuuUas lividi coloris hinc inde fparfas. 
 
 " Aperto abdomine, ventriculum invenimus a naturali fuo fitu detra£lum ufque ad 
 ** annulum mafculi obliqui externi. Pylorum retrorfum et quafi furfum a duodeno 
 " rctraftum. In hepate ingentem numerum parvorum tuberculorum. Veficaia 
 " felleam bile admodum diftentam. In caeteris vifceribus, examini anatomico fub- 
 " jedJs, nulla morbi veftigia extiterunt." 
 
 Q_Q^ 2 The
 
 [ 3°° ] 
 
 The vakt de chambrc obferved, that Mr. Gibbon did not, at any 
 tune, fhew the leafl: fign of alarm, or apprehenfion of death ; and 
 it does not appear that he ever thought hiinfelf in danger, unlefs 
 his deiire to fpcak to Mr. Darell may be confidered in that light.. 
 
 Perhaps I dwell too long on thefe minute and melancholy circum- 
 fiances. Yet the clofe of fuch a life can hardly fail to intereft every 
 reader ; and I know that the public has received a different and er- 
 roneous account of my friend's laft hours. 
 
 I can never ceafe to feel regret that I was not by his fide at this 
 awful period : a regret fo f1:rong, that I can exprefs it only by 
 borrowing (as the eloquent Mr. Mafon has done on a fimilar oc- 
 cafion) the forcible language of Tacitus ; M'lhi prater acsrhitatem 
 amici erept't^ ouget mcejiitlam quod ajfidere valeludini, fovere dsficieti- 
 tern^ Jat'iar'i vidtii^ complexu noti contigit. It is fome confolation to 
 me, that I have not, like Tacitus, by a long abfence, anticipated the 
 lofs of my friend feveral years before his deceafe. Although I had 
 not the mournful gratification of being near him on the day he ex- 
 pired, yet during his illnefs I had not failed to attend him with that 
 affiduity which his genius, his virtues, and, above all, our long, un- 
 interrupted, and happy friendlhip demanded.
 
 [ 30I ] 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 R. Gibbon's Will is dated the ift of Odtober 1791, juft before 
 I left Laufanne ; he dlftinguifhes me, as ufual, in the mod 
 flattering manner : 
 
 " I conftitute and appoint the Right Honourable John Lord Shef- 
 " field, Edward Darell Efquire, and John Thomas Batt Efquire, 
 " to be the Executors of this my laft Will and Teftament ; and as 
 '' the execution of this truft will not be attended with much dif- 
 " ficulty or trouble, I fhall indulge thefe gentlemei^, in the pleafure 
 " of this laft difinterefted fervice, without wronging my feelings, or 
 " oppreffing my heir, by too light or too weighty a teftimony of 
 *'^ my gratitude. My obligations to the long and a£live friendlliip 
 " of Lord Sheffield, I could never fufficiently repay." 
 
 He then obferves, that the Right Hon. Lady Eliot, of Port-Eliot, 
 is his neareft relation on the father's fide ; but that her three fons 
 are in fuch profperous circumftances, that he may well be exculed 
 for making the two children of his late ujicle. Sir Stanier Porten, his 
 heirs ; they being in a very different fituation. He bequeaths an- 
 nuities to two old fervants, three thoufand pounds, and his furni- 
 ture, plate, &c. at Laufanne, to Mi*. Wilhelme de Severy ; one 
 hundred guineas to the poor of Laufanne, and fifty guineas each, 
 to the following, perfons : Lady Sheffield and daughters, Maria and 
 Louifa, Madame and Madamoifelle de Severy, the Count de Schom- 
 berg, Mademoifelle la Chanoinefle de Poller, and M. le Miniftie Le 
 Vade, for the purchafe of fome token which may remind them of 
 a fincere friend. The remains of Mr. Gibbon were depofited in 
 Lord Sheffield's family burial-place in Suffex.
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 [ 305 ] 
 
 THE Letters of Mr. Gibbon, from the time of his return to 
 Switzerland in 1788, are annexed to his Memoirs, as the beft con- 
 tinuation of them. Among his Letters of an earher date, I find 
 feveral which he has aUuded to, and others which will illuftrate the 
 account he has given of himfelf. Thefe, I flatter myfelf, will 
 pleafe the generality of readers ; fince, when he touches oa matters 
 of private bufinefs, even fubjeds of the drieft nature become inte- 
 refting, from his mode of treating them. Many Letters from diftin- 
 guifhed perfons to him will be introduced, and fome that he received 
 at a very early period of life. Although we have not all his own 
 Letters to which thefe were anfwers, yet we have enough to teftify 
 his ambition, even in youth, to be diftinguifhed as a fcholar. 
 
 It has been fometimes thought neceflary to offer to the Public an 
 apology for the publication of private Letters. I have no fcruple to 
 fay, that I publifh thefe, becaufe I think they place my friend in 
 an advantageous point of vieM\ He might not, perhaps, have ex- 
 pe£ted that all his Letters fhould be printed ; but I have no reafon 
 to believe that he would have been averfe to the publication of any. 
 If I had, they never would have been made public, however highly 
 I might have conceived of their excellence. 
 
 VOL. I. U R
 
 LETTERS 
 
 TO AND FROM 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 
 
 M. Crevier (5 M. Gibbon. 
 
 MONSIEUR, Paris, 7 Aout 1756. 
 
 JE lie puis qu'etre tres fenfible aux temolgnages d'eftime dont vous 
 voulez bien me combler, quoique je fois fort eloigne de les pren- 
 dre a la lettre, et de me regarder comme un oracle. Mais je fuis hommc 
 vrai, et par la meme qui aime a profiler des lumieres que Ton a la 
 bonte de me comrnuniquer. Ainfi, Monfieur, je re9ois avec toute la 
 fatisfaition poffible Tingenieufe conjedure que vous propofez, pour 
 
 I'e'clair- 
 
 [TRANSLATION.] 
 
 Mr. Crevier to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, Paris, 7th Auguft 1756. 
 
 I AM extremely obliged by yaur exprefTions of efteem, without takino; 
 them in the literal fenfe, and believing myfelf an oracle. But I am a lover 
 of truth, and fincerity, and always ready to avail myfelf of the communica- 
 tions of my learned friends. With the greatefl: pleafure, therefoi-e, I received 
 
 R R 2 your
 
 loS LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 rcclairciflement d'un pallagc de Titc Live fur lequel je m'avols fu 
 qu'etre embarafie. J'adopte toutes vos obfervations, tous vos raifon- 
 nemens. Par le changcment d'une feule lettre, vous fubftituez a un 
 feus louche et obfcur, une penfee claire, convenable au caradlere de 
 cclui qui park, et bien liee avec tout le reftc du difcours. Je ne 
 manquerai pas d'en faire une note, et de me ferv'ir de cette judi- 
 cieufe corred:ion, fi I'occafion s'en prcfente, en prenant foin d'en 
 faire honneur a celui a qui je la dois. 
 
 J'ajouterai feulement une remarque de peu de confc'quence, mals 
 qui me paroit neceflaire pour donner toute fii perfedion a la phrafe, 
 fur laquelle vous avez travaille' fi heureufement. Voici la phrafe 
 avec le chaneement que vous propofez. Nee effe hi vos otio vejlro 
 confulUim ab Romanis credat'is. Or in vos ne me paroit point s'ac- 
 corder avec ot'io vcjlro. L'expreiTion in vos femble marquer quelque 
 ehofe qui doit etre contraire au bien des Carthaginois, et qui par 
 eonfequence s'allie mal avec I'idee de leur repos. Ain{i au lieu de 
 Gcs mots in vos j'aimerois mieux lire in bis. Alors la phrafe fera 
 
 complete- 
 
 your ingenious conjefture illuftrating a paflage of Livy, by which I had 
 been puzzled. I adopt all your obfervations and reafonings. By changing 
 a fingle letter, you fubftitute, inftead of an aukward and obfcure meaning, a 
 thouglic perfpicunus in itfelf, fuitable to the charafler of the fpeaker, and 
 connected with the purport of his difcourfe. I fhall not fail noticing this 
 judicious correftion, when an opportunity occurs, and mentioning the name 
 of the perfon to whom I am indebted for it. 
 
 1 will add only one remark, of fmall innportance indeed, but necelTary for 
 giving complete correctnefs to the paflage with which your attention has been 
 fo ruccefbfully occupied. With your emendation it runs thus : Nee ejfe in vos 
 ctio veftro conjulium ab Romanis credatis. The in vos does not appear to me 
 to coirefpond v.-ell with btio vejlro; fines it feems to indicate fomething 
 adverfe to the intcreft of the Carthaginians, and therefore does not accord 
 wtU vvith the idea of their tranquillity. Inftead of the words in vos I would 
 read in his; which would render the paflage perfectly corred. Nee eje 
 2 in
 
 EDV/ARD GIBBON Efquire. 309 
 
 completement bonne. Ncc c[fe in his otio •vcjlro confnltum ah Romafiis 
 credatis. " Ne penfez pas que dans ces mefures que prennent les 
 " Remains, pour vous oter toutes vos forces, et en vous interdifant 
 " la guerre avec I'etranger, ils aient eu pour objet votre traa- 
 " quillite ct votre repos." 
 
 II ne me refte plus, Monfieur, qu'a vous remercier de la bonte 
 que vous avez eu de me faire part d'une idee aufli heureufe. Ce 
 feroit une grande joie pour moi fi je re9evois fouvent de pareils 
 fecours fur tout ce que j'ai donne au public. 
 
 J'ai riionneur d'etre, avec bien de la reconnoiflance et de refpedt, 
 
 &c. 
 
 Crevier. 
 
 in his otio vejiro confnltum ah Romanis credatis. " Do not believe that the 
 *' Romans, when they deprive you of your forces, and forbid you to make 
 " war on foreign nations, mean thereby to promote your tranquillity." 
 
 It remains only, Sir, that I fhould thank you for your goodnefs in com- 
 municating to me fo happy a thought. It would give me the greatefl: pleafure 
 to be frequently favoured with fuch affiftance in my literary labours. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, with much gratitude and refpeft, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 Crevier,
 
 3IO LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° II. 
 
 M. Allamand a Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 MONSIEUR, Bex, Sept. J4, 1756. 
 
 1 PRESENT queme voila echappe de Torage des fondions publiques 
 ^^ done cette eglife eft chargce en terns de fete, je faifis avec joie 
 quelques momens de repos pour m'entretenir, Monfieur, avec vous : 
 ce fera, s'il vous plait, fans faire de trop grands efforts fur Tarticle 
 des idees innees que vous me propofez. Outre que je rifquerois de 
 dire comme je ne fais quelle des interlocutrices de Terence, Magna 
 conatu magnas nugas ; il y a fort long terns que je n'ai relu 
 M. Locke, I'oracle moderne fur cette matiere, et il faudroit trop de 
 tems et de papier pour tout eplucher. Ayez done la bonte de vous 
 contenter des premieres reflexions qui fe prefenteront fur quelques 
 endroits de fon premier livre. 
 
 h 
 
 Mr. Allamand to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, Bex, 12th Septembsr 1756, 
 
 After efcaping from the tumult of public funflions, in which the mi- 
 nivers of this church are employed during the holydays, I fit down with 
 much pleafure to converfe with you a few minutes on paper; without incend- 
 ino- to make any very violent exertion in anfwering the queflions concerning 
 ianate ideas, which you propofe foi" my confideration. I am not wilhng to 
 rifk the being obliged to fay, with one of Terence's charafters, Magno 
 conatu magnas nugas ; befides, it is long fince I looked into Locke, the 
 modern oracle on that fubject ; and too rnucli time and paper would be re- 
 quifite completely to canvafs fo intricate a fubjed:. You will have the 
 ooodnefs, therefore, to be contented with the firft reflections that occur to 
 me on fome paflages of his firft book, 
 
 I In
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 311 
 
 Je commence par le chap. i. § 5. ou cet habile homme entreprend 
 de prouver que ces deux principes, Ce qui ejl, ejl ; // cjl impojfible 
 qutine meme chofe Jolt, et en meme temps ne Jolt pas, ne font point 
 innees, puifqu'ils n'e'toient point dans I'efprit pendant I'enfance ; et 
 la preuve qu'ils n'y e'toient pas, c'eft que I'enfant n'y penfoit point, 
 et que bien des gens meurent, fans les avoir jamais apperyus ; " or," 
 dit M. Locke, " une idee ne fauroit etre dans I'efprit, fans que I'efprit 
 "' ne s'en apper9oive," &c. 
 
 II eft clair, Monfieur, que toute la force de ce raifonnement, eft 
 dans cette derniere aflertion ; mais cette aflertion n'eft elle pas evi- 
 demment detruite par I'expe'rience ? Apper9evez vous adtuellement 
 toutes les idees que vous avez dans I'efprit ? N'y en a t'il point au- 
 quelles vous ne prendrez peutetre garde de plufieurs annees ? Et 
 dans les efforts que Ton fait fouvent pour rappeller ce qu'on a confie 
 a fa memoire ; ne fent on pas qu'il pent y avoir des connoiflances fi 
 cachees dans fes replis, que loin de les apperyevoir fans cefle, il faut 
 bien de la peine pour les rattrapper ? Je fais que .M. Locke, qui a 
 
 fenti 
 
 In chapter i. § 5. that able writer undertakes to prove that the axioms, 
 " Whatever is, is j" and " It is innpo/Tible for the fame thing to be and 
 " not to be at the fame time;" are not innate j becaufe children are to- 
 tally ignorant of them, as appears from their never taking notice of them- 
 and many perfons die without ever perceiving the truth of thefe axioms • 
 " but it is impoffible," Mr. Locke obferves, " for an idea to be in the 
 " mind, which the mind never takes notice of." It is plain that the 
 whole weight of his reafoning reds on this laft affertionj which aflertion 
 itfelf feems to be manifeftly contradicted by experience. Do you per- 
 ceive, Sir, at this moment all the ideas that are in your mind ? Are 
 there not fome of them which you may not, perhaps, take notice of for 
 many years ? In the efforts which we make to recall things to the me- 
 mory, are we not fenfible that fome ideas may be fo deeply hidden in its re- 
 ceffes, that inftead of continually perceiving them, we have no fmail trouble 
 in bringing them back to our remembrance ? I know that Mr. Locke 
 
 c. iii.
 
 312 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 feiitl la difficulte, tache de la reibudre. Ch. iii. § 20. Mais en ve- 
 ritc, la longueur et rembarras de cet article montre aflez que M. L. 
 n'ctoit par a fon aife en I'tcrivant ; et comment y auroit il e'tc ? 
 Voici, autant que j'en puis juger, a quoi il fe reduit. II avoue, " Que 
 " nous avons dans Tefprit des idees que nous n'apperfevons point 
 ** aduellement ; mais, dit-il, c'eft dans la rnhnoirc qu'elles font : et 
 " cela eft fi vrai, qu'on ne fe les rappelle point fans fe fouvenir, cu 
 " meme temps, qu'on les a deja apperyues. Or, tcl n'eft point le 
 " cas des idees qu'on pretend innees. Quand on les appcrgoit pour 
 •' la premiere fois, ce n'eft point avec re'minifcence, comme on de- 
 " vroit, fi ces idees la avoient cte dans I'efprit avant cette premiere 
 " apperception," &c. 
 
 De grace, Monfieur, croyez vous que M. Locke s'entendit bicn 
 lui meme, quand il diftinguoit etre dans Vefprit et ctrc dans la mc- 
 tnoire ? Et qu'importe a la queftion, qu'on fe fouvienne d'avoir 
 deja fu ce que Ton fe rappelle, s'il n'en eft pas moins vrai qu'on I'a 
 eu long temps dans Tefprit fans s'en apper^evoir ; ce qui eft le point 
 
 doat 
 
 c. iii. § 20, endeavours to obviate thefe objeftions ; but the length and per- 
 plexity of that article fhews that he was not at eafe in writing it. How in- 
 deed could he be fo ? fince, as far as I am able to judge, the following is 
 the refult of his argument : " I confefs that we have ideas in the mind, of 
 «' which we are not confcious; but then thefe ideas are in the memory ; as 
 " appears from this, that we never recall them without remembering that 
 *' they formerly were objeds of our perception. But this is not fuppol'ed to 
 *« hold with regard to what are called innate ideas. When thefe are perceived 
 «« for the firfl; time, it is not with reminifcence, which would certainly be the 
 " cafe if they had been in the mind before this fiift perception of them," 
 &c. 
 
 Be pleafed to tell me, Sir, whether you think that Mr. Locke himfelf well 
 underftood the diflinftion which he makes between being in the mind, and 
 ieing in the memory ? And of what importance is it, that we remember 
 to have formerly had the recalled ideas, provided it be allowed that we had 
 
 them
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc, 313 
 
 dont il s'agit ? Au refte, M. Locke aurolt pu fentir que fi Ton n© 
 fe rappelh point les idees innees par ran'unfcc/icey c'efl qu'elles nc 
 font point entrees dans Tefprit d'une manierc qui ait exige', ou attire 
 fon attention. Et c'eft aufTi le cas de plufieurs ide'es acquifes; car, 
 quoiqu'en dire M. Locke, chacun fe trouve au bcfoin, noinbre d'idees 
 qui ne peuvent s'ctre infuiuees dans fon efprit, qu'a la preTence 
 de certains objets, auquels il n'a point pris garde, ou, en general, 
 par des moyens inconnus, qui I'ont enrichi fans qu'il fache com- 
 ment, et fans qu'il crut les avoir jufques au moment qu'elles fc 
 font pre'fentees. 
 
 Sur le fond meme de la queftion, il me femble que M. Locke 
 confond perpe'tuellement deux chofes tres diftVrentes. JOidee elle 
 meme, qui eft une connoiflance dans I'efprit et un principe de rai- 
 fonnement ; et Venonce de cette idee en forme de propofition, ou de 
 de'finition. II fe peut, et il eft meme tres probable, que bien des. 
 gens n'ont jamais forme' ou envifage en eux memes cet e'nonce, 
 
 n 
 
 them long, without taking any notice of them, which is the point in queflion? 
 Befides, Mr. Locke oughc to have known that innate ideas are not recalled 
 with reminifcence, becaiife thofe ideas come originally into the mind in a 
 way that neither excites nor requires our attention; for whatever Mr. Loclie 
 may fay, every one may be fenfible from his own experience, that many 
 even of his acquired ideas could not have come into his mind independ- 
 ently of the prefence of certain objeds of which he had never taken any 
 notice; or, in genera], independently of certain unknown caufes, which 
 enriched him, without his being fenfible of it, with ideas that he did not be- 
 lieve himfelf poiTelTed of, till they adlually prefented themfelves to his un- 
 derftanding. 
 
 As to the main queftion, Mr. Locke feems to ine perpetually to con- 
 found two things extremely different; the idea itfelf, which is a perception 
 of the mind, and a principle of reafoning; and the exprefilon of that idea 
 in the form of a propofition or definition. It is pofiible, nay, very probable, 
 that many perfons have never formed, or thought of the propofition, " It 
 
 VOL. r. s s 
 
 IS
 
 314 LETTERS TO AND FROM . 
 
 // ejl impojfible quune cbofefoit, ct tie Jolt pas en mcme terns. Voyez 
 Liv. I. ch. i. § 12. Mais fuit-il dela, qu'ils ne connoiflent pas la 
 verite qu'il exprime, et qu'ils n'en ont pas I'idce?— Nullement. Tout 
 homme qui affure, qui nie, tout homme qui park, un enfant quand 
 il denrande, quand il refufe, quand il fe plaint, &c. ne fuppofe t'il 
 pas, que des qu'une chofe eft, il efl impoifible qu'en meme terns 
 elle ne foit pas ? Ne trouvez vous pas, Monfieur, qu'on pounoit 
 foutenir la re'alite' des idees innees, precife'ment fur ce que M. Locke 
 alle'gue centre elles, que beaucoup de gens n'ont jamais penfe' aux 
 propofitions e'vldentes dont il parle ; car, puifque fans y avoir 
 penfe', ils s'en fervent, ils batiflent la deflus, ils jugent de la ve'ritc, 
 ou de I'abfurdite d'un difcours par fes rapports avec ces principes 
 la, &c. D'ou leur vient cette familiarite avec des principes qu'ils 
 n'ont jamais apper9us diftinctement, fi ce n'eft de ce qu'ils en out 
 une connoiflance, ou fi Ton veut, un fentiment naturel ? 
 
 ■ Aux § 17 et 18, M. Locke nie que le confentement que Ton 
 donne a certaines propofitions, des qu'on les entend prononcer, foit 
 
 une 
 
 '» is impofTible for the fame thing to be and not to be at the fume time." 
 See Locke, b. i. c. i. § 12. But does it follow from this, that they are 
 ignorant of the truth exprefifed by thefe words ? By no means. Every 
 man who affirms, denies, or fpeaks ; a child who afks, refufes, or complains, 
 muft know the truth of this propofition. Does it not appear to you, Sir, 
 that the dodrine of innate ideas may be defended on the fame principle by 
 which Mr. Locke attacks it ; namely, that many perfons have never thought 
 of the proportions or defcriptions by which they are expreffcd ? For if with- 
 out ever having thought of thofe propofitions, they make ufe of them in 
 their reafonings, and employ them in judging of the juftm-fs or abfurdity of 
 every difcourfe which they hear, hov/ could they be fo familiar with prin- 
 ciples which they never diftinctly took notice of, unlefs they had a natural 
 knowledge or innate perception of them ? 
 
 In paragraphs 17 and 18, Mr. Locke denies that our confenting to certain 
 propofitions at firfl; hearing them, is a proof that the ideas exprefled by them 
 
 I are
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 315 
 
 une preuve que I'idee qu'eiles expriment foit innee ; et il fe fonde, 
 fur ce qu'il y a bien des propofitions que Ton rcfok ainfi d'abord, 
 qui ccrtainement ne font point innces ; et il en donne divers ex- 
 emples, viz. deux ^ deux font q?/atre, &c. Mais nc vous paroitra 
 t'il pas qu'il confond ifi de fimples de'linitions de mots avec des 
 veritc's e'videntes par elles memes ? Au moins, eft il certain que 
 teas fes exemples font de fimples definitions des mots, deux et deux 
 font quatre. L'idee qu'on exprime par deux et deux, eft la meme 
 que celle qu'on exprime par quatre, &c. Or perfonne ne dit que 
 la connoilTance d'une definition de mots foit innee, puifqu'elle fup- 
 pofe celle du langage. Mais cette propofition, le tout eji plus grand 
 que chdcune de fes parties, n'eft point dans ce cas ; et il eft certain 
 que le plus petit enfant fuppofe la verite' de cette propofition 
 toutes les fois que non content d'une moitie' de pomme, il veut la 
 pomme toute entiere. 
 
 Prenez la peine, Monfieur, d'examiner le § 23; ou M. Locke veut 
 convaincre de faufietc cette fuppofition, qu'il j a des principes tel- 
 lement inncs, que ceux qui en entendent pour la premiere fois, et 
 
 qui 
 
 are innate ; fince many propofitions, thus aflented to, evidendy exprefs 
 ideas that had been acquired ; for example, two and two make four, &c. 
 But does it not appear to you, that he here confounds the definition of words 
 with fclf-evident truths ? at leaft:, all the examples which he gives are mere 
 definitions. The idea exprefled by two and two is precifely the fame with 
 the idea oi four. Nobody fays that our knowledge of the definitions of 
 words is innate, becaufe that would imply language to be fo. But the 
 knowledge of this truth, that the whole is greater than its part, does not 
 imply that fuppofition ; fince an infant fhews itfelf acquainted with this 
 principle, when, diflTatisfied with the half of an apple, it indicates its defire 
 to poflTefs the whole. 
 
 Take the trouble, Sir, to examine § 23 ; in which Mr. Locke endeavours 
 to difprove the afiertion, that there are fome principles fo truly innate, that 
 thofe who hear them exprefiTed in words for the firft time, immediately com- 
 
 s s a prehend
 
 31,6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 qui en comprennent I'enonce, n'apprennent rien de nouveau. " Pre- 
 " mierement, dit-il, il eft clair qu'ils ont appris les termes de I'enonce 
 *' et la fignificat'ioti de ces termes." Mais qui ne voit que M. Locke 
 fort de la queftion ? Perfonne n'a jamais dit que des termes, qui ne 
 font que des fignes arbitraires de nos idees, fuffent inne's. II ajoute, 
 " Que les idees renfermees dans de pareils enonces ne naiffent pas 
 " plus avec nous, que leurs expreflions, et qu'on acquiert ces idees 
 " dans la fuite apres en avoir appris les noms." Mais, i. N'eft ce 
 pas donner pour preuve de ce qu'on affirme, cette affirmation meme? 
 II n'y a point d'idees innees, car il n'y en a que d'acquifes ! M. 
 Locke riroit bien d'un pareil raifonnement, s'il le trouvoit dans fes 
 adverfaires. 2. S'il eft vrai qu'on apprend les mots avant que 
 d'avoir les idees qu'ils expriment, au moins s'il eft vrai que cela foit 
 toujours ainfi, comme M. Locke I'entend, je voudrois bien favoir 
 comment la premiere langue a pu etre formee ? Et meme comment 
 il eft poffible qu'on fafte comprendre Ji quelqu'un le fens d'un mot 
 nouveau pour lui \ Tout homme qui n'a nulle idee de Vordre^ par 
 
 exemple, 
 
 prehend them without learning any thing new. " Firft of all," he obferves, 
 " it is clear they muft have learned the terms of the expreflion, and the 
 " meaning of cho'e terms." But here Mr. Locke manifeftiy departs from 
 the queftion. Nobody fays that words, which are merely arbitrary figns of 
 our ideas, are innate. He adds, " that the ideas denoted by thefe expreffions 
 *' are no more born with us than the exprelTions themfelves, and that we ac- 
 " quire the ideas after firft learning the terms by which they are expreffed." 
 But, 1. Is not this to take for granted the thing to be pr&ved ? There are 
 no innate ideas, for all ideas are acquired. Mr. Locke would laugh at his 
 adverfaries,. were they to make ufe of fuch an argument. 2. If words are 
 learned before ideas, at lead if that is always the cafe, as Mr. Locke un- 
 derftands it to be, I would be glad to know how the firft language could 
 have been formed, or how it could be poffible to communicate to any one 
 the meaning of a word altogether new to him ? A perfon who had no idea 
 
 Gf
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire, 317 
 
 exemple, doit auffi pcu etre capable d'entendre ce mot ordre, qu'un 
 aveugle ne celui de couleur. 
 
 Au § 27, M, Locke nie les Idces innees, parcequ'elles ne paroif- 
 fent ni dans les enfans, ni dans les imbe'cilles, ou elles devroient pa- 
 roltre le plus. Mais, i. Ceux qui admettent les idees inne'es, ne les 
 croyent pas plus naturelles a I'ame, que fes facultes ; puis done que 
 I'e'tat et la conftitution du corps nuit a celles-ci dans les imbe'cilles, 
 elle fera auili caufe qu'on ne leur remarque point les autres. 2. Le 
 fait meme n'eft pas entierement vrai ; les enfans et les imbecilles ont 
 I'idee de leur exiftence, de leur individualite', de leur identite, &c. 
 
 Dans le refte de ce §, M. Locke fe divertit au depens de ceux qui 
 croyent que les e'nonces des maximes abftraites font innees : mais les 
 plus determines fcholaftiques n'ont jamais rien dit de femblable, et il 
 rit d'une chiinere qu'il s'eft faite lui meme. 
 
 Je ne fais, Monfieur, comment il eft arrive qu'au lieu de trois ou 
 quatre courtes reflexions que j'aurois du vous donner fur tout cecl. 
 
 of order, for example, would be no more capable of underftanding the word 
 order, than a man born blind could underftand the word colour. 
 
 In paragraph 27, Mr. Locke denies innate ideas, becaufe they are not 
 found in children and idiots, in whom we ought moft to expert meeting 
 with them. I anfwer, i. Thofe who admit innate ideas, do not believe 
 them more natural to the mind than its faculties ; and as the ftate and con- 
 ftitution of the body difturbs the faculties of idiots, the fame caufe may 
 hinder them from fhowing any figns of innate ideas. 2. The faft is not 
 ftriiflly true. Even idiots and infants have the idea of their exiftence, in- 
 dividuality, idendty, &c. 
 
 In the remainder of that paragraph, Mr. Locke diverts himfelf with the 
 abfurdity of thofe who believe the exprefilons of abftraft maxims to be in- 
 nate \ but the moft determined fcholaftic never maintained any fuch opinion , 
 and he combats a chimera which is the work of his own fancy. 
 
 I know not how it has happened that, inftead of a few general refleftions 
 
 which I intended, I have fent you a long and tirefome criticiirn on fome 
 
 2 paflages
 
 3i8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 je me fuls engage dans une critique longue et ennuyeufe, de quel- 
 ques endroits d'un feul chapitre : c'eft apparemment iin refte de 
 laffitude : j'ai trouve' plus de facilite a fuivre et a chicaner M. Locke 
 qu'a penfer tout feul. Prenez patience et pardonne^. J'entrevois bien 
 des chofes a dire fur le fecond chapitre, ou il s'agit des principes inne's 
 de pratique ; mais je ne vous en fatiguerai qu'apres en avoir refu 
 I'aveu de vous meme. 
 
 On e'crit iyi, que le Roi de Prufle vient de battre les Autrichiens ct 
 de leur tuer 20 mille hommes, en ayant perdu 15 mille des fiens. 
 Voila done ou il alloit en paflant par Leipfic. Si cette nouvelle eft 
 vraie, la guerre ne fauroit raanquer de devenir ge'ncrale, et de I'air 
 qu'elle commence, elle fera terrible : mais je crains blen que fa M. P. 
 n'alt le fort de Charles XIL Qui le foutiendra contrc la France, 
 I'Autriche, et peutetre la Ruflie reunies ? 
 
 J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec une parfiiite confide'ration, Monfieur, &c. 
 
 Allamand. 
 
 paflages of a fingle chapter. The remains of lalTitude, probably, made it 
 eafier for me to follow and difpute with Mr. Locke, than to think and 
 reafon alone. Have patience, and pardon me. There are many remarks 
 to make on the fecond chapter, where he treats of innate pradical principles. 
 But I will not tire you with that fubjeft, unlefs you defire it. 
 
 Our newfpapers fay, that the King of FrufTia has beat the Auftrians, and 
 killed twenty thoufand of their men ; with the lofs of fifteen thoufand of his 
 own. This was the objedl he had in view when he pafTed through Leipfick. 
 If the news be true, the war muft become general; and, according to ap- 
 pearances, it will be terrible. But I much fear left his Pruflian Majefty 
 meet with the fate of Charles XIL What are his refources for defence 
 againft the united ftrength of France and Auftria, and perhaps of RufTia ? 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the moft perfect confideration, yours, &c. 
 
 Allamand.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 319 
 
 N° III. 
 
 M. Allamand a M. Gibbon. 
 
 MONSIEUR, BE)f, le 12 Oftobre 1756. 
 
 JE fuis charme de rexa£lltude et de la penetration qui fe difputent 
 le terrain dans la derniere lettre que vous avez pris la peine de 
 m'e'crire : et comme vous, Monfieur, je crois que la queftion touche 
 a. fa de'cifion. 
 
 Vous avez fans doute raifon de dire que les propofitions evidentes 
 dont il s'agit, ne font pas de fimples idces, mais des jugemens. Mais 
 ayez aufli la complaifance de reconnoitre que M. Locke les alleguant 
 en exemple d'ide'es qui paffent pour inne'es et qui ne le font pas felon 
 lul, s'il y a ifi de la meprife, c'eft lui qu'il faut relever la-deflus, et 
 non pas moi, qui n'avois autre chofe a faire qu'a refuter fa maniere 
 de raifonner centre I'inneite de ces idees, ou jugmens la. D'ailleurs, 
 Monfieur, vous remarquerez, s'il vous plait, que dans cette difpute 
 il s'agit en efiet, de favoir fi certaines ve'rites evidentes et com- 
 munes, et non pas feulement certaines idees fimples, font inne'es ou 
 
 non. 
 
 Mr. Allamand to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 S I R. Bex, Oftober 12, 1756. 
 
 I am delighted with your laft letter, equally diftinguifhed by accuracy and 
 penetration ; and with you. Sir, I believe that the queftion approaches to 
 its decifion. 
 
 You are right in faying, that theTelf-evident propofitions, which I men- 
 tioned, are not merely ideas, but judgments : yet you will have the good- 
 nefs to obferve, that Mr. Locke having given them as examples of ideas 
 which pafs for being innate, but which he does not regard as fuch, the mif- 
 take is chargeable on him, and not on me, who had nothing farther to do 
 than to refute his manner of reafoning, Befides, you will be pleafed to re- 
 mark, that the real queftion is, whether not only certain ideas, but alfo 
 
 certain
 
 320 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 non. Ceux qui affirmcnt, ne donnent giic-re pour cxcmple cl'idees 
 fimples qui le foyent, que celles de Dieu, de I'unite, et de I'exiftence : 
 les autres exemples font pris de propofitions completes, que vous 
 appellez jugemens. 
 
 Mais, dites vous, y aura t'il done des jugemens innes ? Le juge- 
 nient eft il autre chofe qu'un adle de nos faculte's intelleduelles dans 
 la comparaifon des ide'es ? Le jugeraent fur les ve'ritcs e'videntes, 
 n'eft il pas une fimple vue de ces ve'rite's la, iin fimple coup d'oeil que 
 Tefprit jette fur elles ? J'accorde tout cela. Et de grace, qu'eft ce 
 qnidee ? N'eft ce pas vuc, ou coup d'oeil, fi vous voulez ? Ceux 
 qui de'finiffent I'ide'e autrement, ne s'e'loignent ils pas vifiblement du 
 fens et de I'intention du mot ? Dire que les ide'es font les efpeces 
 des chofes imprimees dans I'efprit, comme I'image de I'objet fenfible 
 trace'e dans I'ceil, n'eft ce pas jargonner plutot que de'finir ? Or c'eft 
 la faute, qu'ont fait tous les metaphyficiens, et quoique M. Locke 
 I'ait bien fentie, il a mieux aime fe facher contre eux, et tirer contre 
 ks girouettes de la place, que s'appliquer a de'meler ce galimatias. 
 
 Que 
 
 certain common and felf-evident propofitions be innate. The only ex- 
 amples produced of innate ideas are thofe of God, unity, and exiftence ; 
 the other examples are of innate propofitions, which you call judgments. 
 
 You an<:, whether it be pofllble that our judgments fliould be innate, 
 judgment being nothing elfe but the aft of our intelieftual faculties in 
 comparing our ideas, and our judgment concerning felf-evident truths 
 being merely the perception of thofe truths by a fimple glance of tlie 
 mind? I grant all that, but would aflc, what elfe is an idea but a glance of 
 the mind ? Thofe who define it otherwife, widely depart from the original 
 fenfe of the word ; and talk unintelligibly, when they fay that ideas are 
 fpecies ; that is, appearances of things imprefled on the mind, as the images 
 of corporeal objefts are impreffed on the eye. All metaphyficians have 
 committed this miftake ; and Mr. Locke, though fenfible of it, has chofen 
 in his anger to direft his batteries againft the weathercocks, rather than 
 againft the building itfelf According to the meaning ofthele metaphyficians, 
 
 there
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 321 
 
 Que n'a-t'il dlt : non feulement il n'y j\ point d'idees inne'es dans Ic 
 fens de ces Mefficurs ; mals il n'y a point d'idtes du tout dans ce fens 
 la : toute idee eft un ade, une vue, un coup d'oeil de Tefprit. 
 Des lors demandcr s'il y a des idces innc'es, c'ed demander s'il y a 
 certaines verites li cvidcntes et fi communes que tout efprit nop 
 ftupide puiffe naturellenient, fans culture et fans maitie, fans dif- 
 cuffion, fans raifonnement, les reconnoitre d'un coup d'a-ii, et fou- 
 vent meme fans s'apperyevoir qu'on jette ce coup d'ceil. L'affirma- 
 tive me paroit inconteftable, et felon moi, le queftioa eft vuide'e 
 par la. 
 
 Maintenant prenez garde, Monfieur, que cette manicre d'entendre 
 I'affaire, va au but des partifans des idces innces, tout comme la 
 leur ; et par la meme, (iontredit M. Locke dans le fien. Car pour- 
 quoi voudroit on qu'il y eu des ide'es inne'es ? C'eft pour en oppofer 
 la certitude et I'evidencc au doute univerfel des fceptiques, qui eft 
 ruine' d'un feul coup, s'il y a des verites dont la vue foit ne'ceflaire 
 et naturelle a I'homme. . Or vous fentez, Monfieur, que je puis 
 
 leur 
 
 there arefurely no innate ideas, becaufe in their fenfe of the word there are no 
 ideas whatever. An idea is merely an a.& or perception of the mind : and 
 the queftion concerning innate ideas is merely to determine, whether certain 
 truths be not fo common and fo evident, that every mind, not abfolutely 
 ftupid, muft recognize them at a fingle glance, without the afliftance of any 
 teacher, and without the intervention of any difcufnon or reafonino-; and 
 often without being fenfible that this glance is caft on them ? The affirm- 
 ative appears to me incontrovertible ; and the queftion thereby is folved. 
 
 You will pleafe to remark, that this way of explaining the matter is as 
 ■favourable to innate ideas, and therefore as oppofite to Mr. Locke's dodlrine, 
 as the unintelligible hypothefis above mentioned. For what reafon do we 
 contend in favour of innate ideas ? To oppofe evidence and certainty to 
 univerfal fcepticifm ; whofe caufe is ruined by proving certain truths to be 
 ib neceffary and fo natural to man, that they are univerfally recognized by 
 a fingle glance. This may be proved according to my meaning of the word 
 
 VOL. I. ^ T T idea.
 
 322 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 leur dire ccla dans ma fa9on d'expliquer la chofe, tout aufli bien que 
 les partifans ordinaires des idces innees dans la leur. Et voila ce 
 qui lemble incommoder un peu M. Locke, qui, fans fe declarer 
 pyrrhonien, laiffe apperfevoir un peu trop de foible pour le pyrrho- 
 nifme, et a beaucoup contribue a le nourrir dans ce fiecle. A 
 force de vouloir marquer les bornes de nos connoiflances, ce qui 
 etoit fort neceffaire, il a quelquefois tout mis en bornes. 
 
 Apres ces remarques gene'rales fur le fond de la queftion, il eft peu 
 ne'ceflaire de s'arreter a quelques particulieres, ou vous ne me croyez 
 pas fonde. Cependant vous me permettrez dc vous faire obferver 
 fur celles que vous relevez ; i. Que dans ce § 5. du ch. i. il eft 
 bien vrai que M. Locke mele ces deux chofes, etre adtuellement dans 
 I'efprit, fans que Vefprit xV// appcr^oive — et, y etre, fans qu'tl s'enfoit 
 jamais apper^u. — Mais il eft certain aufli, qu'a la conclufion de ce §, 
 il s'en tient au premier incognito, et donne lieu a ma critique en 
 s'exprimant en ces termes. Je fuis la traduction Fran^oife n'ayant 
 pas I'original. " De forte, dit-il, que foutenir qu'une chofe foit 
 " dans I'entendement, et qu'elle n'eft pas confue par I'entendement, 
 
 « qu'elle 
 
 idea, as well as according to the fenfe in which this word is vulgarly taken j 
 and the proof would nor have been very pleafing to Mr. Locke, who, with- 
 out profeffing hinnfelf a fceptic, yet (hews a leaning to the fceptical fide ; 
 and whofe works have contributed much to the difFufion of fcepticifm in the 
 prefent age. His too eager defire of fixing the limits of human knowledge, 
 a thino- highly neceflary, has made him. leave nothing but limits. 
 
 After thefe general obfervations on the main queftion, it is not very ne- 
 ceflary to defcend to the particulars in which you think me miftaken. Yet 
 you will permit me to anfwer your objections, i. It is true, that Mr. Locke, 
 § 5. c. I. joins the two expreffions, " being in the mind, without being a£tu- 
 " ally perceived by the mind," and " being in the mind, without having ever 
 " been perceived by the mind ;" but ac the conclufion of the paragraph he lays 
 himfelf open to my criticifm, by expreffing himfelf as follows ; " So that to 
 '« be in the underftanding and not to be underitood, to be in the mind and 
 
 " never
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Elquire. 323 
 
 " qu'elle cil dans Tcfprit, fans que I'efprit rappcr9olve, c'efl autant 
 " que fi Ton difoit, qu'unc chofe eft, et n'eft pas dans I'efprit ou 
 *' dans I'entendement." N'eft il pas clair, Monfieur, que ce grand 
 philofophe, t'crivant cela, etoit dans I'erreur, ou la mcprife de fait 
 que je prends la liberte de lui reprocher ; c'eft que I'efprit ne peut 
 avoir aucune connoiflance qu'il ne I'apperyoive adluellement ? Je 
 crois bien que fi on Tavoit d'abord releve la-deftus il auroit fenti 
 fa meprlfe, mais il n'en eft pas moins vral, et qu'il y eft tombe', 
 et qu'il s'en fait un principe conire fes adverfaires. 
 
 2. Vous voulez qu'on lui pafle fa diftindtion entre les idees qui 
 Jofil datis Vejpr'it et celles qui font dcv's la memoire : a moi ne tienne, 
 poui'vu que vous preniez le mot d'ide'e comme moi ; car, en ce fens, 
 une idee eft dans I'efprit, lorfque I'efprit envlfage aduellement la 
 propofition qui eft I'objet de fon idee, ou de fon coup d'ceil ; et 
 elle n'eft que dans la me'moire, lorfque I'efprit ayant auparavant jette' 
 ce coup d'oeil fur elle, en a plus de facilite a la re'ite'rcr, et en le 
 re'ite'rant, fent que ce n'eft pas la premiere fois qu'il envifage cette 
 
 propofition 
 
 " never to be perceived, is all one as to fay, any thing is and is not in the 
 " mind or underftanding." It is clear. Sir, that this great philofopher 
 erred in writing this paffage ; maintaining, what I took the liberty to con- 
 tradict, that nothing could be in the underftanding without being perceived 
 to be there. I doubt not that he would have correfted this miftake had it 
 been pointed out to him; but he certainly falls into it, and employs it as a 
 principle of reafoning againft his adverfaries. 
 
 2, You think that we ought to admit his diftindion between " ideas in the 
 " mind," and " ideas in the memory." I admit the diftinflion with all my 
 heart, provided you take the word iciea in the fame acceptation as I do. In that 
 fenfe an idea is in the mind, when the mind aftually confiders the proDofition 
 which is the objeft of its idea, that is, of its glance or perception ; and an 
 idea is in the memory when the mind, having formerly cafl: that g,lance on 
 it, finds thereby a greater facility in recalling it, remembering at the fame 
 time that it formerly was the objeifl of its perceptioii. But if you undeifland 
 
 T T 2 by
 
 324 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 propofition la. — Mais fi par idees, vous entendez ces efpeces chi- 
 meriques, fuppofees par les metaphyficiens, et autant qu'il m'en 
 fouvient, pas aflez nettement congediees par M. Locke, j'en re- 
 vlens, s'il vous plait, a ma pretenfion, qu'on ne s'entend pas foi 
 meme quand on diftingue la memoire de I'efprit. 
 
 Un violent mal de tete que j'ai apporte de notre vc'nc'rablc clafle, 
 ne me permet pas d'etendre davantage cette lettre, et m'empeche 
 de la faire moins courte et plus nette. Je vous prie, Monfieur, de 
 I'excufer telle qu'elle eft. Peut ctre, pe'ne'trant comme vous I'etes, 
 ne laiflerez vous pas d'y entrevoir dequoi prevenir toute difficulte 
 fur les principes innes de pratique : M. Locke me paroit plus fort 
 191 que fur les autres, mais il n'a pas laifle de s'y embarafler un 
 peu par-ci par-la. 
 
 Je me faifois une fete de vous voir un moment a Vevay, et j'ai 
 ete capot d'etre difappotnted ; fi j'entends ce mot de votre langue, 
 le notre n'en a point qui peut dire fi bien la meme chofe. Je n'ai 
 meme vu M. Pavillard que dans I'affemblee. 
 
 Si 
 
 ■by ideas thefe chimerical fpecies, the mere fictions of metaphyficians, and, 
 as it feems to me, not fufficiently dir[)roved by Mr. Locke, I return to my 
 affertionj and maintain that the dilVinftion is unintelligible between " being 
 '« in the mind," and " being in the memory." 
 
 A violent headach, which 1 brought with me from our venerable clafs, 
 hinders me from continuing this letter, or rendering what I have already written 
 fhorter and more perfpicuous. I intreat you to excul'e its imperfections. 
 Your penetration will perhaps difcern how all difficulties may be folved con- 
 cerning innate praftical principles. Mr. Locke treats this fubject better thaa 
 he ddes the others; but in feveral parts he is fomewhat puzzled. 
 
 I rejoiced at the hopes of feeing you for a moment at Vevay, and was 
 furprifcd at being dijappointed. If I rightly underftand this word of your 
 language, it cannot be well tranflated into ours. I met w»ith Mr. Pavillard 
 only in the alTembly. 
 
 I If
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 325 
 
 Si la marche de 120 mille RufTes n'efl pas une fable, que va 
 devenir S. M. Pruflienne ? Ne croyez vous pas,. Monfieur, que nous 
 touchons a de grandes revolutions ? II y a long terns que je foup- 
 fonne un plan forme, de reduire le fyfteme gene'ral a trois grands 
 empires ; celui des Franfois, a I'occident du Rhin, celui d'Autriche 
 a I'orient, et celui des Ruffes au nord. II n'y en a pourtant rien 
 dans r Apocalypfe. Qu'on partage la terre comme on voudra, pour- 
 vu qu'il y foit toujours permis de croire, que ce qui eft, eft ; et que 
 les contradiftoires ne peuvent pas etre vraies en meme temps. Au 
 refte ces trois empires auroient beau etre grands, mefures a nos tolfes 
 ils paroitroient toujours bien petits, vus feulement depuis la lune, et 
 a quelle hauteur ne s'e'levent pas par dela des yeux philofophes. 
 J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec bien de la confide'ration, Monfieur, &c. 
 
 All AM AND. 
 
 M. de N*** m'e'crlt que tout va mieux que jamais, a prefent 
 
 que Madame D. fa niece eft bien malade, et que voila 200 mille 
 
 horames prets a s'egorger pour 5 fols par jour. II eft de mau- 
 
 vaife humeur contre ce tout eft b'leit. 
 
 If the march of an hundred and twenty thoufand Ruffians is not a fable, 
 what muft become of the King of Pruffia ? Does it not appear ro you, 
 that we are threatened with great revolutions ? I have long fufpeded a de- 
 fign of reducing the general fyftem of Europe to three great empires ; that 
 of the French on the weft of the Rhine, of Auftria on the eaft, and of 
 Ruffia in the north. Yet we read of nothing of this kind in the Revelation. 
 But let the world be divided as it may, provided it be lawful for us to believe 
 that " v/hatever is, is;" and "that two contradiiflory propolitions can- 
 " not both at the fame time be true." Thofe three empires will be great 
 only when meafured on this earth ; viewed but from the moon, they will be 
 fmall enough i and how far do philofophical eyes foar beyond chat luminary ! 
 
 I have the honour to be, with much confideration, yours, &c. Allaa^and. 
 
 Mr. de N*** writes to me that things go better and better, now 
 that his niece Madame D. is extremely ill; and that 200,000 
 men are ready to cut one another's throats at the rate of five fcm 
 a day. He is provoked at the maximj " all for the beft."
 
 326 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 NMV. 
 
 AI. le Proftjfeiir Breitinger a M. Gibbon a Laufanne. 
 
 Oflober zz, 1756. 
 
 T-^QUIDEM Davus fum, non CEdipus ; dicam tamen quid de dubils 
 ■^■^ e Juftino propofitis locis mihi videatur. 
 
 I. JuSTiNUS, libr. ii. c. 3. His igitur Afia per m'llle quingoitos 
 annos veSl'igalis fuit. Pendetidi tribtdijifian Nimis rex AJJyriorum im~ 
 pofuit. Adeo manifeftus eft calculi error, ut mirum videri poflit, 
 hanc ledlionem unquam fuifle a quoquam. in textum receptam ; ita 
 enim Ninus Sefoftre mille quingentis annis inferior eflet setate. 
 Orofius, qui Juftinum per compendium fumma cum fide expreflit, 
 haec in hunc modum commemorat. Lib. i. c. 14. Utiiverfum quoque 
 JEgyptum (Scythae) popidajfent ; n'lfi paludibus impediti^ repulfi fuijfent. 
 hide continuo reverji^ perdomitain i7ijinitis cadibus Afiam veEligalem 
 fecere : ub'i per 1 5 annos Jine pace hnmorat'i^ tandem uxorum Jlag'itatione 
 
 revocantur. 
 
 ProfeJJbr Breitinger to Mr. Gibbon at Laufanne. 
 
 Oftober 22, 1756. 
 
 Though I am Davus, not OEdipus, I will give you my opinion concern- 
 ing the difficulties in Jiiftin, which you propofe for my confideration. 
 
 I. In the third chapter of his fecond book he fays, " That Afia was tri- 
 *' butary fifteen centuries to the Scythians, and that Ninus put an end to 
 " thofe contributions." The number of years is fo manifeftly erroneous, 
 that it is aftonifliing fuch a reading fliould ever have been admitted into the 
 text; for it makes Ninus later than Sefoftris by a period of fifteen hundred 
 years. Orofius, who abridged Juftin with the greateft fidelity, fpeaks to the 
 following purpofe: "The Scythians would have raviflied the whole of 
 " Egypt, had they not been prevented by the marfhes. When they re- 
 " turned from that country, they made a bloody conqueft of Afia, and ren- 
 *' dered it tributary. Having remained there fifteen reftlefs years, they at 
 
 " length
 
 ^ 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 327 
 
 revocantiir^ denunciantlum^ n't redeant^ foholemfe afin'itimis quafitiiras, 
 Dubium ergo nullum eft, quin pro MD. fubftituendum fit XV. 
 Tu inquiris in caufam erroris fatis argute. Sed non poteft habere 
 locum ilia tua emendatio, per milk in permijfa^ fi quidem notis 
 arithmeticis, quod admodum probabile eft, in antiquis libris numeri 
 fuerunt expreffi. 
 
 1. Justin, libr. xii. c. 8. Itaque cafis hoflibus^ cum gratnlationc 
 VI cadem (caftra) reverterunt. Fruftra mihi follicitare vlderis lec- 
 tionem receptam : gratis enim a te afllimitur quod Cuphites ne qui- 
 dem aggredi fuerint aufi. Alia te docebit fidus Jiiftini interpres 
 Orofius, lib. iii. cap. 1 9. Cumqiie ad Chojides ventum effety ibi contra 
 CC millia equkum hojiium piignam conseruerunt; et cum tcmi atate 
 detrit'ty animo agri^ viribus laj/i, difficile fjcissent^ cajlra ob memoriam 
 plus foUto magnijica condiderunt. Itaque non priufquam manus con- 
 
 feruiffenr, 
 
 " length returned home, at the earned intreaty of their wives ; who faidj 
 " that unlefs their hufbands came home to them, they would, for the fake 
 «' of having children, cohabit with their neighbours." Orofius, lib. i. c. 14. 
 There cannot be any doubt, therefore, that " fifteen hundred" has been 
 fubftituted for " fifteen." You invefirigate very ingenioufly the caufeof the 
 error; but the emendation which you propofe, by changing ^«- ?«///£■ into 
 permijfa, cannot be well founded, if the number was exprefied, as is moft^ 
 probable, by arithmetical marks in the ancient copies. 
 
 2'. Injuftin, lib. xii. c. 8. v/e read, " They (the IVTacedonians) returned,. 
 " after beating the enemy, with congratulations, or thankfgivinps, into the 
 " fame camp." In this paflage you feem to me needlefsly to difturb the 
 ancient reading. You aflume, without proof, that they did not venture to 
 attack the Cuphites. Orofius, Jullin's faithful interpreter, declares the 
 direiSt contrary. " When they came to the country of the Cliofides, they 
 " fought with two hundred thoufand of the enemy's cavalry; and, havino- 
 « conquered them wich much difficulty, becaufe they tliemfelves were now 
 " worn out with years and fatigue, and funk in fpirit, they formed a- camp 
 ♦< more magnificent than ufual, to commemorate their exploit," Orofius, 
 Hb. iii. c. 19. They did not, therefore, return, into their camp until they had 
 s combated
 
 328 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 feruifTent, nonnifi poft hoftes devldlos ac cxfos, in caftra reverterunr. 
 
 Quid quod ipfe Juftinus idem haud obfcurc innuit, quum ait: 
 
 Mollis his tarn jujlis predbus, velut hi Jinan ricroRUS^ caftra Jieri 
 jiijjit quorum molitionibus et hojlis TERRERErvR. Quod fi vcro ftatuas, 
 
 Macedonum excrcitura Infinitis Cupliitarum copiis territum a proelio 
 abftinuifle, atque hoc timore perculfum reditum maturanduin eflc 
 cenfuifle, nse ego non intelligo, quo lenili Juftinus dixerit : Cajlra 
 pofuiffe velut in Jltiem vicroRiJE: pofuijfe cadcm folito magiiificen- 
 tiora ut hojiis TERRERETUR: et cum CRATULA-noxE in eo revcrfiffe. 
 Ubi et hoc contra Sebifii emendationem notari velim, formulam illani 
 loquendi cum grjtvlatione alterum illud, iL»;i/«pi;T)5p;a; Qvuv^ cajis 
 hojiiis, jam comprehendere. Adeoque ilia tua emendatio omijjis 
 hojlibiis et ab hiftorise fide et a Juftini fententia multum abludit. 
 
 3. Justin, lib. xxiii. c. 8. I'crrcB viotu portio montis abriipta 
 Gallorum Jlravit excrcitiim, et C07ifertiJ]imi cunei^ non fine v nine rib ns 
 hojlium^ dijftpati riiebatit. Ne te offendat durior, quse tibi videtur 
 
 trajedio 
 
 combated and conquered the enemy. Juftin himfelf gives us to underftand 
 as much, when he fays, " That Alexander, moved by fuch jufl: prayers, 
 " caufed, at the end of his viSfory, a camp to be formed, whofe walls might 
 " injpire terror into the enemy." If the Macedonians, therefore, as you 
 imagine, had been frightened at the innumerable forces of the Cuphites, and 
 therefore returned haftily into their camp, I do not fee why Juftin fhould 
 fay, at the end of his viSlory, infpire terror into the enemy, or that they 
 returned to their camp with tbankjgivings . It may here be remarked, in 
 oppofition to Sebifius' emendation, that the exprelTion, cum gratulatione, if 
 tranflated " with thankfgivings," will include the f^j^o/?n\r, t« iM-x^ochig-rjoiot. 
 ^\juv; that is, the Jacrijice of thanics ; fo that your alteration of cafts hoJlHs 
 into omijfis hojlibusy is equally inconfiftent with hiftorical truth and the 
 words of Juftin. 
 
 3. In Juftin, lib. xxiv. c. viii. we read, " Part of the mountain carried 
 " away by the earthquake overwhelmed the army of the Gauls ; and its 
 " thick mafles breaking in fcattered pieces, fell down with great force, not 
 " without wounding the enemy." You need not be offended with the harfli 
 
 tranfpofition
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 329 
 
 traje£tIo vocis hojllum qua cum conferttjjimi ciine't^ conjungendain 
 ceiilcs, atque intelligis tie cuneis hoftium, live Gallorum, militaribus. 
 Atque tu, re rite expendi, cognofces, nullam hie trajediouem locum 
 habere, fed omnia naturali ordine fluere : tantum cuncos exponas, 
 non per cohortes hoftium militares, fed per moles conglobatas a monte 
 ac rupe avulfas, quss non conferi'im^ fed poftquam praecipiti curfu in 
 cuneos diffiluiflent, dijjipatce ruebant non fme vulneribus hoJlium., h. e. 
 Gallo7-ian. Ita perfpe£la eric ac manifefta ratio, cur illud bojlhnn 
 cum confertijfimt cunei nee pofiit, nee debeat conjungi: ne fcilicet 
 perperam ad cuneos militares traheretur, adeoque ad vitandam 
 omnem fermonis ambiguitatem. 
 
 4. Justin, lib. xxviii. c, 2. Adverfus Gallos tirbcm eos /nam 
 tneri i2on potuijfe : captamqiie non ferro dcfcndijfc, fed aura redemijfe. 
 Si quidem ifte locus medicam manum poftularet aut admltteret, non 
 €ft altera qua uterer libentius quam tua, qua pro captamque reftituis 
 capitoUnmque. Et fruftra Schefferus hie fcrupulos movet quail inep- 
 tum fuerit dicere, captam urbem ferro defettdi potuifle : id enim, 
 
 quamvis 
 
 tranfpofition of the word hoJlium, which you think ought to be joined with 
 confertijfimi cunei; as if that laft word meant, the military cunei^ or wedges, 
 of the Gauls J whereas it really means the thick mafTes detached from the 
 rock or mountain, which, breaking into fmaller fragments, fell down and 
 wounded the enemy, that is, the Gauls. There is no tranfpofition therefore 
 in the cafe ; the fentence flows in the moft natural order; and the confertijfimi 
 ,f«»« ought not to be joined with hoJlium, left the ambiguity of the word cunei 
 fliould make it be applied to the military cunei, or wedges of men. 
 
 4. In Juftin, lib. xxviii. c. 2. we read " That the Romans could not fave 
 " their city from the Gauls ; and when it was taken, Inftcad of defending it 
 " by the fword, had ranfomed it with money." M this paflage required, 
 or admitted emendation, there is no correction I would adopt more willingly 
 than yours, which, inftead of captamque, fubftitutes capitoliumque. Shef- 
 ferus objefls, without reafon, that a city captam, taken, cannot properly be 
 faid defendi ferro, to be defended with the fword ; for the Roman hiftorians 
 
 VOL. I. u u aaree
 
 330 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 quamvis Ignave, fadum fuiffe memorant hiftorici Roman! uno quafi 
 convitio : in illis Orofius^ lib. ii. c. 19. Patcntem Galli iirhem pene- 
 trant : en captam urbem Romam ! Univerfain reliquam juven- 
 tutem in arce Capitolini Montis latitantem obsidione concliidunt: 
 uhique infelices reliquias^ fame, pejle, defperatione, fonntdine tenent, fub- 
 igunty &c. Vides urbe jam capta, defenfioni tamen locum Tuper- 
 fuifTe ; neque profeiflo redimi urbem opus fuiflet, nifi jam in 
 hoftium poteftate, b. e. capta fuiflet. Non videris de eo emenda- 
 tionis tux incommodo cogitafl^e, quod capitolium folum auro fuifl'e 
 redemptum affirmaret, contra hiftoria^ fidem. 
 
 5. Justin, lib. xxxi. c. i. Legati primum afenatu Romano mijjt, 
 tit Antiocho Syria regi perfuadcrent, ne bcllo invadat eas Cak-Syriie 
 civitates, quas Mgyptii priorc bello occuparant, qua proinde JEgyptii 
 juris fuerunt, hoc iifi fnnt argumento, quod ha civitates ad regcm 
 puplllum pcrtinerent, fidei fuse traditum. Atque etiam fupra Juf- 
 tinus, lib. xxx. c. 3. memorat : Mittitur et M. Lepidus in JEg^ptum, 
 
 qui 
 
 aorce that their city, when taken, was defended, though in a cowardly man- 
 ner. Orofius, among others, fays, lib. xi. c. 19. «' The Gauls penetrated 
 " into the open city ; Rome was now taken ; the reft of the youth were 
 " fhut up and befieged in the citadel of the Capitoline Mount; where they 
 " were a prey to hunger, peftilence, terror, and defpair." You may per- 
 ceive, therefore, that though the city was taken, its defence was not en- 
 tirely abandoned ; and if it had not been taken, it needed nof to have been 
 ranfomed. It feems not to have occurred to you, that your correftion im- 
 plies the Capitol only to have been ranfomed, which is not hiftorically true. 
 
 5. In Juftin, lib. xxxi. c. i. we read, " AmbaflTadors were firfi: fent by the 
 " Roman fenate to perfuade Antiochus,' King of Syria, that he Hiould not 
 " make war on the cities of C^ele-Syria, which the Egyptians had occupied 
 " in the former war, and which were therefore fubjeft to Egypt ; ufing with 
 " him this argument, that thefe cities belonged to a young prince, their 
 *' pupil, who had been committed by his father to the protedtion of the 
 «* Romans." This fame Audior, lib. xxx. c. iii. lays, " M. Lepidus was 
 
 J ■ " fcnc
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 331 
 
 qui tutorio nomine regniim pup'iUi admlnijlret. Altera de'mde Icgatlo, 
 quK fupervenit, poftquam Antiochus has civltates in poteftatem 
 lliam jam redegerat, poftulans, ut ill^s in integrum rcjlituantur^ omijfa 
 piipiUi perfotta^ nunc alio praetextu utitur, nimirum quod iftas civi- 
 tates jnre belli facice Tint popuU Romani. Quid jus belli fit, quatenus 
 ab ipfo bello, live eo quod bello partum eft, diftinguitur, dcclarabo 
 duobus locis Livii; altero ex Qiiinti Flaminini ad Nabidem oratione, 
 lib. xxxiv. c. 32. ^libus igitur amicitia violatur? nempc his duabiis 
 rebus maxime : Jifocios meos pro hojlibus habeas : fi cum hojlibus te con- 
 jungas. JJtrum iion a te faBimi ejl ? nam et Mejfeuen uno at que 
 eodem jure fceda-is, quo et Laccdasmonem in amicitiam nojlram ac~ 
 ceptam^ focius ipfe fociam nobis urbem vi atque armis cepijli : et cum 
 Philippo hojle nojlro focietatem . . . pepigijli. Altero Flori, lib. iii. c. v. 
 ^lippe rex tion jam quafi alienam, fed quia amiferat^ quafi rapt am ^ 
 
 jure 
 
 " fent into Egypt to govern that kingdom, with the title of tutor to the 
 " young king. A fecond ennbafly was fcnt, after Antiochus had taken 
 " pofleflion of thefe cities, demanding that they (hould be reftored ; and 
 " without making any mention of the pupil king, merely on this ground, 
 " that thefe cities belonged to the Romans by the right of war." Juflin, 
 lib. xxxi. c. I. What this right of war is, in contradiftinftion both to war 
 itfclf, and to conquefts made by war, appears from the two following paf- 
 fages, the firfl: of which is part of Quintus Flamininus's fpeech to the tyrant 
 Nabis, in Livy, lib. xxxiv. c. 32: " By what meafures is the frienddiip 
 " between ftates violated? Principally by thefe twoj when you treat with 
 " hoflility our allies, and when you make alliance with our enemies. Are 
 " not you guilty of both, fince you, through our ally, have feized, by arms 
 «* and violence, Meflene, a city as much our ally as Lacedemon itfelf j and 
 «' fince you have entered into an alliance with Philip our enemy ?" The 
 other paflage is in Florus, lib. iii, c. 5. " The King (Mithridntes) did 
 " not confider Afia as a country not belonging to him ; but as it had been 
 " formerly taken from him by violence, he fought to recover it by the law 
 
 U U 2 <t gf
 
 332 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 jure belli repetebat. Ut taceam illud jure belli ad utrumque, potiore 
 tamen fenfu ad jubebat rejl'itui in integrum referri pofle ; ftatim enim 
 fubjicit : abnuenti bellum denunciatum. 
 
 6. Justin, libr. xxxi. c. i. Igitur Senatus fcripfu FlamininOy. 
 ft ei videatur^ ficuti Macedoniam a Philippo, ita Graciam a Nabide 
 liberet. Quid de gloi-ia Flaminlni ducis belli Macedonici ftatu- 
 endum fit, docet formula S. C. apud Livium, lib. xxxiii. c. 32. 
 S. P. ^-K- ^t L. ^dntius Imp. Pbilippo rege, Macedonibufque DEVic^ 
 TiSf libcros, immunes fuis legibus cjfe jubet Cormthios^ &c. Et Florus, 
 lib. ii. c, xii. Succejjerat Pbilippo Jilius Perfes, qui semel in perpe- 
 TUUM VICT AM cjfc Macedotiiatn no?i putabat ex gentis digiiitate. 
 Quseritur jam an Quintius, qui Macedoniam vicit, ullo fenfu dici 
 poffit Macedoniam a Pbilippo liberajfc^ quamvis deinde ipfa Macedonia 
 
 Philippe 
 
 " of war." I need not mention that " the law of war," in Juffin, may have 
 a reference to both the circumftances by which friendlhip between ftates is 
 violated ; but principally to the attack made on the dominions of Ptolemy, 
 an ally of the Romans, who defire him to be reinflated by Antiochus in 
 his pofleffions ; for the author immediately adds, that when Antiochus refufed 
 to comply, war was denounced againft him. 
 
 6, In Juftin, lib, xxxi. c. i. we read, " The fenate, therefore, wrote to 
 " Flamininus, that if it feemed expedient to him, as he had delivered Ma- 
 «' cedon from Philip, fo he fliould deliver Greece from Nabis." The glory 
 of Flamininus, the general in the Macedonian war, is fufficiently attefted 
 by the words of the fenate's decree, in Livy, lib, xxxiii. c. 32. " The fe- 
 " naje and Roman people, and L. Quintius the general, having conquered 
 «« kino- Philip and the iVIacedonians, declare free and indepe.ndent republics, 
 " the Corinthians," &c. Florus, lib. ii. c. 12. fays, " Perfeus fucceeded his 
 " father Philip, and did not think it becoming the dignity of Macedon, that it 
 " fhould remain in fubjeflion, in confequence of being defeated in one war." 
 You afk, whether Quintius, who conquered Macedon, can be faid, in any 
 fenfe, to have delivered it from Philip, although it appears that Philip was 
 
 really
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. ;^;^^ 
 
 Phllippo non fuerit adempra : et fi Nabidcm pari modo vinceret, an 
 non hoc Ipfo Graeciam liberafle cenfendus fit ? At vero omnem rem 
 explicafle videtur ipfe Juftinus, qui, libr. xxx. cap. ult. hasc habet : 
 Sed Macedonas Romana fortuna vicit : fra£tus itaque bello Philippus, 
 pace a Flamin'ino Cof. petit a, ?iomen qu'idem reg'tum retinuit; fed omnibus 
 Grcecice urbibus^ velut rjecni (Macedonici) membris, extra terminos 
 antiques pojfejjionis, amijfis^ solam Macedoniam retinuit. In Uteris, 
 ergo, Senatus Rom. ad Cof. Flamininum per Macedoniam fignlficatur, 
 non tantum Macedonia ftridte fic didla, et antiquis terminis com- 
 prehenfa, quas fola Philippo non fuit adempta ; fed in primis ea 
 Grxcias pars (iftx urbes), quse extra terminos antique pojjejfwnis^. 
 veluti regtii Macedonici membra accefferant, quaeque fub Phllippo 
 ad Macedonicum regnum pertinebant ; quibus, in fenatus Uteris, 
 opponitur Grajcia reliqua, a Nabide tentata, quae hadenus imperio 
 Macedonico nunquam fuerat fubjeda. Hinc Senatus Rom. fen- 
 tentia ifthjcc fuerit : ficuti Macedoniam a Philippo, ita reliquam 
 Grasciam a Nabide liberet. Vel, ficuti partem Grascise, .quse ad 
 
 Macedoniam 
 
 really not deprived of that kingdom ? and whether, if the Roman general con- 
 quered Nabis, as he had already conquered Philip, he did not thereby free 
 Greece? Thefe difficulties are folved by Juitin, lib. xxx. c. 4. "The 
 " fortune of the Romans conquered the Macedonians ; fo that Philip, after 
 " his defeat, having obtained peace from the conful Flamininus, prefcrvcd 
 " indeed the name of king, but kept pofTeffion only of Maccdon, having 
 " loft all thoff cities of Greece, which, like fcattered members of the Ma- 
 " cedonian kingdom, lay beyond its ancient boundaries." In the letters,. 
 therefore, of the Roman fenate to the conful Flamininus, Macedon fignifies 
 not the country ftriclly fo called, which alone was not taken from Philip, 
 but that part of Greece which lay beyond the original limits of Macedon; 
 to which is oppofed the reft of Greece, which was then harafled by Nabis, 
 but which bad never been fubjedl to "Macedon. Hence the meaning of the 
 fenate appears to have been, that Qi^iintius, as he had delivered A'lacedonia, 
 that is, the part of Greece belonging to Macedon, from Philip, fo he fliould 
 
 deliver
 
 334 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Macedoniam pertlnebat a Philippo, ita nunc unlverfam peuc Grceciam 
 a Nabide liberet. 
 
 Quls dixerit ? 
 
 Non eft fententia ; verum eft : 
 
 Credite me vobis folium recitare Sibylla; ! 
 
 November 17, 1756. 
 
 SiNT criticae difciplinoj ftudiofi in folicitandis veterum auftorum 
 locis cautiores, et in legendis ipfis audoribus diligentiores, atque 
 ita intelligant, quantx diligentix fit haec critica ars, et quam temere 
 faciant, qui, ut aliquid concoquere non poffunt, aut non fatis vel 
 analogise refpondens vel dialedicis prasceptiunculis fuis conveniens 
 putant, ita mutare fuftinent ; qux temeritas eft, cum a multis, turn 
 a Gel. Burmanno imprimis in prxfatione aurea Phxdro prjEmiffa, 
 reprehenfa ; cujus ego prsefationis uti tanquam normam mihi femper 
 propofitam habui, ad quam quicquid eft hujus facultatis dirigerem, 
 ita ledlionem omnibus his vehementer commendatam efle cupio, qui 
 in hoc genere elaborare volunt. His, quae pr^efifcine didla velim, 
 
 prxmillis. 
 
 deliver the reftof Grf^ece from Nabis, who had adually made himfelf mafter 
 nearly of the whole of that country. 
 
 This is not merely a conjecture fage. 
 
 But truth as cerLain as the Sibyl's page. 
 
 November 17, 1756. 
 Those who apply themfelves to criticifm ought to be cautious in conjec- 
 tural emendation, and diligent in clafTical ftudy, that they may perceive 
 what vaft application this critical art requires, and how rafhly thofe behave, 
 who immediately alter a palTage which chcy do not at firft fight underftand> 
 or which feems to them inconfiftent with their rules of grammar or logir. 
 This ralhnefs is juftly reprehended by many, and particuiaily by the illultri- 
 ous Burman, in his valuable preface to Phsedrus; which, as I have always 
 made it the rule by which my own critical labours have been directed, fo I 
 would warmly recommend it to all thofe who purfue the fame walk of litera- 
 
 ture.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 335 
 
 priEmiflis, accedo nunc ad earn difputationem, quo: circa dubia 
 quxdam Juftini loca dod:e verfatur. 
 
 I. Emendatio loci libr. ii. cap. 3. § 18. manifefte corrupti (cujuf- 
 modi corruptio in numeiis admodum proclivis, et propterea etiam 
 frequens eft) qux fcifcit vulnus fanari, mutando MD. vel CI310. 
 in XV. non poteft non omnibus cordatis fe probare ; quanquara 
 ipfa tam pudendi erroris ratio in obfcuro lateat : et ut verum fiitear, 
 curiofa mihi, ne quid gravius dicam, femper vifa eft ea cura ac 
 diligentia, qux in inveftigando ac definiendo eo ponitur, quod mille 
 diverfis modis accidere ac oriri potuit. Corrupta ledio ira fe habet : 
 his igitiir Afia per millc quiagentos oti7ios veSl'igalis fii'it. Convenit 
 inter nos de fincera ]e£tione ita reftituenda : his igitur Afta per 
 quindecim annos vcBigalis fu'tt. Tu vero, pro tuo acumine, in 
 ipfa corrupta led:ione videris tibi cernere baud obfcura quxdam 
 priftinse ledionis veftigia ; atque illud per mille ex permijfa natum 
 efle tibi perfuades ; ut vera hujus loci ledllo hujufmodi fit : his 
 igitur Jljia permijfa quindecim annos veBigalis fuit. Contra hoc' 
 ledionis fiipplementum, cujus ego neceffitatem nullam video, mo- 
 
 ————_„__-___— nui, 
 
 ture. Having made this preparatory obfervation, I proceed to the diffi- 
 culties in Juftin, about which fo much learning has been employed. 
 
 I. The emendation of the manifeftly corrupt paflage in lib. ii. c. 3. § 18. 
 (a corruption depending on numbers, and therefore as natural as frequent,) 
 •which correfts the error by changing fifteen hundred into fifteen, muft be 
 approved by all judicious critics. The caufe which introduced the faulty 
 reading into the text is uncertain ; and the queftion that has been fo induf- 
 trioufly agitated concerning it, appears to me more curious than ufeful, fince 
 the error might have originated in a thoufand different fources. The cor- 
 rupt reading runs thus : " Afia was tributary to the Scythiar.s fifteen hundred 
 " years." We agree that it fnoold be corredled thus: " Afia was tributary 
 *' to the Scythians fifteen years." But in the corrupt text you think that 
 obfcure traces of the genuine reading may be difcerned, and imagine that 
 ■per mille had crept in-to the text, inflcad of fermijfa ; explaining the paf- 
 fage as if " Afia had been permitted to be tributary to the Scythians for fif- 
 *^* teen years." I obferved that this emendation, for which I fee not any ne- 
 ceffity, is rendered highly improbabkj becaufe in ancient nnanufcripts the 
 
 names
 
 336 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 nui, codices antiques, qui numeros literarum notis defcrlptos pr92- 
 ferunt, huic tux conjedturse nuUo modo favere. Et quamvis nou 
 negaverim dari codices antiques qui numeros integris vocibus ex- 
 pofitos efFerant ; mihi tamen perfuafum eft, plurimos dari antique? 
 libros, in primis hiftoricos, in quibus frequentiores calculi occurrunt, 
 qui numeros literarum notis defcrlptos repra^fentent : huic vero per- 
 fuafioni (idem faciunt et exempla et teftimonia luculentiffima : uni- 
 cum e multis afFeram Galeni de Antidot. I. — I'd Se ^■^ /?<£a»«, ra x«7* 
 Tccs (3i^ktoB^KOii; ciTroKeif^'.voi, rx Tuv'ocfii^iA.uv t^ovjoc (rfi/^eix '^Kotu^ otug-^i- 
 (pejai' r'o filv "tt'b-^e -ttoiuvJciiv Ivvsac, TccaSxTTB^ Kut to O. to oe I. P. 7rf)ogQs(rtt 
 uiocg yodf/^f/.'^g uiTTreg ys Koi upoci^scrBt w»«? t]i^oi,q. x.. r. \. Atque op- 
 pido miror, quin etiam doleo, hoc critics difciplinse caput, dc notis 
 numeralibus, in antiquis codicibus varie defcriptis, nondum certis 
 obfervationibus et regulis ita efle adftridtum, et in artis formam 
 redadlum, ut frivola quorundam in numeris et calculis jDro libi- 
 dine fingendis ac refingendis intemperies coerceri, certx contra 
 notGe charadlerifticse de setate et fide codicum conftitui, poffint. 
 Fac vero huic tuse conjefturas qua per milk in pcrmijfa mu- 
 tandum cenfes, a parte fcripturze codicum MSS. nihil obftare ; 
 earn tamen prorfus refpuit, quem ipfe notas Juftini error, qui Se- 
 foftrem ab Scythis in fugam aElian exercitu cum omni apparatu belli 
 
 reli&o^ 
 
 names of numbers are exprefled, not by words, but by letters ufed as nu- 
 meral marks ; and though they are fometimes exprefled by words, yet this 
 is not frequent, efpecially in works of hiftory. This aflertion is confirmed 
 by innumerable teftimonies ; I fliall be contented with referring to that of 
 Galen de Antidot. I. — It is a fubjeft indeed both of furprife and grief, that 
 this part of criticifm, which confifts in afcertaining exadly the rules of nu- 
 meral notation, Ihould not have met with due attention ; although thereby 
 the ralhnefs of wild conjefture would be greatly reftrained, and more cer- 
 tainty might be attained in determining the age and authenticity of manufcripts. 
 But let it be fuppofed that your correftion were fa fe on this fide, yet it 
 would be deftroyed by the pafTage which you yourfelf quote from Juftin; 
 *' That Sefoftris being put to flight by the Scythians, left behind him his 
 2 " army
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. -337 
 
 reliHo, perlubet : quumque Juftinus fupra, § 15. dlfertc commc- 
 morat Scythas a pcrfequcndo rege rev.erfos, Afiatn pekhomitam vec-r 
 tigalem feciffe ; qui mox § 18. idem Afiam non pei'domitam, fed a 
 Sefoftre permissam narraret. Non agitur de fide narrationis, fed 
 de Juftini fententia, five vera five falfa. Neque fingendum eft 
 Juftinum aperte fibi contrariari. 
 
 2. Arrianum fi hie confulamus, ille fimpllciter memorat, Alex- 
 andrum ad Hyphafin amnati proceJJiJJ'e^ Iiidos qui trans jiumen habi- 
 tarent^ fuba&urum : turn vero Maccdoiias^ quum belli jinem nullum ccr- 
 iierent^ ulterius progredi noluijfcy tandcmque Ccefio deprecante impetrajfc 
 ah Alexandre^ tit fe ad rcditmn pararet, quoniam omnia illam ad ulte- 
 riore profe£lione rcvocarent. Ibi turn Alexandrum Xfl aras ingentes. 
 y^vTii^sM Tuv ocvjou TToi/uv, conjlituijfe. Nihil ille de Cuphitis ; nihil de 
 CC minibus equitum qui terrorem incuterent Macedonibus; nihil 
 de caftris, &c. Curtius, lib. ix. c. 2. pari modo memorat, Alexan" 
 
 drum^ 
 
 " army and baggage." The hiflorian having obferved, in § 15, that the 
 Scythians, after returning from the purfuit of the king, rendered Afia, 
 which they had fubdued, tributary j how is it pofTible that, in §18, he 
 fhould fay that this happened not in confequence of their own military fuc- 
 cefs, but in confequence of the permiffion of Sefoftris ? We are not now 
 inquiring what is hiftoricaljy true, but what is Juftin's report; which muft 
 not be fuppofed inconfiftent with itfelf. 
 
 2. If we here confuk Arrian, he tells us merely that " Alexander pro- 
 " ceeded to the river Hyphafis, with a view to conquer the Indians who 
 " lived beyond it; but that the Macedonians, then perceiving there was 
 " no end to their labours, refufed to advance; and finally prevailed on 
 " Alexander, through the earnefl: intreaty of Ccenus, to prepare for his 
 " return ; fince every thing fi^emed adverfe to his farther progrefs. Then 
 " Alexander erefted twelve great altars, as monuments of his conqucfts," 
 Arrian fays nothing about the Cuphitcs, the camp, or the tv,'o iiiindred 
 thoufand horfemen, who fo much terrified the Macedonians. Curtius 
 lib. ix. c. 2 and 3, relates, " that Alexander, when he caine to the Hy- 
 
 voL. I. XX " phafis,
 
 338 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 drum.) quiim adFhivhim Hypbaftn pervcu'iffet^cogiiovijfi:., ulterior cm ripam 
 tolere gsntes Gangaridas ct Pharrojios, corumque rcgem., XX miliihus equi- 
 tmriy CC peditum^ ohftdentem vias : ad hcec quadrigarum MM. traherc^ 
 €t prcec'tpuum terror em eleijhantos qnos MMM. numerus cxplerct. 'Turn 
 vera Macedonas regem fequi ulteriia detreBaJfc ; Ccenoque deprecante^ 
 impetraffe tit reditum in patriam pararent : fubjungit vero : Tertio die 
 procejfit, erigiqiic XII aras ex quadrato Saxo^ montimentum expcditionis 
 face ; mutiimetita quoqnc cajlrorum jiijjit extendi ^ cuhiliaqne ampliorii 
 formtp quam pro corporum hahitu relinqui, ut fpeciem omnium augeret^ 
 pojleritati fallax miraculum preparans. Gemina fere habet Plu- 
 tarchus in Alex. Quifquis hxc cum Juftino comparat, facile intel- 
 liget, Juftinum quamvis eandem hiftoriam commemoret, nihilomi^ 
 nus in praecipuis quibufdam fadti circumftantiis, et Alexandri con- 
 filiis, ab his fcriptoribus difcrepare : maxime autem in eo, quod 
 duplex caftrorum tarn infolita magnificentia conflruendorum coa- 
 filium fuifle dicit, alteram quod hojles^ alterum quod pq/ieros^ fpec- 
 
 taret. 
 
 " phafis, dii'covered that the farther bank was inhabited by the Gangaridie 
 " and Pharrafii j that their king, with twenty thoufand horfe and two hun- 
 ♦= dred thoufand foot, meant to obftruift his paflage ; being furniflied befides 
 "•' with two thoufaRd chariots and three thoufand elephants ; which laft formed 
 y the moll: alarming part of his ftrength. The Macedonians then refufed 
 ♦' to follow the king farther ; and obtained, through Coenus' entreaty, that 
 •' preparations fhould be made for their return home." He fubjoins; 
 •« Alexander came forth on the third day, and ordered twelve altars of 
 «< fquare ftone to be ereded as a monument of his expedition, and the for- 
 " titications of his camp to be enlarged, and beds of a gigantic fize to be 
 " conftrufled, that by diffufing an air of vaftnefs on every objeft around 
 " him, he might excite the credulous wonder of pofterity." Plutarch* 
 in his treatife concerning the fortune of Alexander, fpeaks to the fame 
 purpofe. By comparing thele authors with J uflin, the reader will perceive 
 that he differs from them all in feveral elfential circumftances ; and parti- 
 cularly in faying that Alexander had two motives for enlarging the fortifi- 
 Citions of his camp 5 one of which regarded the enemy, and the other had 
 
 a. re-
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. .339 
 
 taret. § 16. Moti/s his tarn jujl'ts prccibus^ vdnt hi Jincm viclor'ne^ 
 cojlra folllo viagvificeiUiora Jicri jujjity quorum inoUtionlbus ct host is 
 terreretiir^ ET posteris admiratio Jul rehnqucrctiir. Dc priore 
 confilio, nim. ut bojlis terreretur, altum apud reliquos filentium. 
 Ex quo clarum efle arbitror, ipfum Juftinum receptam ledlionem et 
 omnibus codicibus probatam tueri, tuam vero emendationem refpu- 
 ere : quandoquidem enim ca/lra folito magJiificentiora^ vcliit in fnem 
 viSlor'icE fieri juffit, hoc nonnifi de ultima ac recente aliqua vitloria 
 accipi poteft. Quod fi enim ad fuperiores vidlorias refpexiflet Juf- 
 tinus, dicendiira fuilFet (uti ipfe agnofcis) /V; fin cm viEloriarumy per- 
 inde atque fupra § 10. habet : Non 7nitius vicloriarum ntnnero quam 
 laboribiis /(-'Jfus, Jam vero altera ilia confilii ratio, quam reliqui 
 omnes filentio premunt, nimirum ut hofiis tcrrerctur non potuit 
 locum habere, fi, intadtis hoftibus, caftra movere ac difccdere fuerat 
 conftitutum. Unde enim terror Cuphitis effet injedus, fi caftra tan- 
 tum e/f fji.i'r,i/,etov ruv d\^u Treirpa.'y^lvuiv fuiflent conftrudla et relida ? 
 
 Etenira 
 
 a relation to pofleriiy, " Moved by fiich jufl: prayers, he ordered a camp to 
 *' be built more magnificent than ufual, as at the end of his vidtory ; that its 
 " fortifications might be an objeft of terror to the enemy, and of admiration 
 " to pofterity." Juftin, ibid. § 16. The other hiftorians are totally filent 
 as to what regards die enemy j which is favourable to that reading of Juftia 
 which on the faith of manufcripts (lands in his text, and extremely adverfe 
 to your emendation. For " the end of his vidory" muft refer to fome re- 
 cent viftory, and not to his vi(5tories in general; otherwife Juftin, as you 
 acknowledge, would have faid, " the end of his viftories," as in § 10. 
 above, " wearied, not lefs by the number of his vidories, than by his 
 *' toils." As to Alexander's fecond motive, concerning which all other 
 hiftorians are filent, " that his fortifications might be an objeft of terror to 
 the enemy;" there would not furely be any room for it, on the fuppofition 
 that he had determined to move his camp, and leave the country, without 
 fighting a battle. The Cuphites could not be feized with alarm at feeins: 
 the monuments of the exploits of a man who had not ventured to engage 
 with their armv ; nor, on that fuppofition, would there be any mention of 
 
 X X 2 vidory.
 
 540 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Etenim om'ijfu hojllbus, qux vi£foria f quis terror ? quae deinde gra- 
 tiilat'to ? Gratidationis vocem autem de folcmnibus viGimis ob laetum 
 eventum, feu de ■x,x^i^-^^.oiq qualia Arrianus me-jnorat, paffim ufurpari, 
 nemini qui in ledtione veterum tritas aures habet, poteft efle obfcu- 
 rum. Ut taceam illud omiffis^ tanquam quod inceptum aliquod, immo 
 etiam negledum, involvit, mihi non re£te arriderc, atque etiam 
 a ftilo Juftini alienum videri. Casterum quce de Orofii aetate, fcopo, 
 fide prolixe difputas, parum ad rem facere videntur. Conftat inter 
 omnes Orofium in plerifque Juftinum ita prefle, ne dicam fuper- 
 ftitiofe, efTe fecutum, ut ejus fere verbis ac fententiis paflim loqui 
 videatur : et infinitis prope in locis Juftini ledlionem et iententiam, 
 quam quidem ii libri, quibus Orofius ufus eft prjeferebant, ex Orofio 
 probabili ratione intelligi, confirmari, ac reftitui pofle, duduni often- 
 derunt viri dod.i. Immo et h. 1. qui non videat, Orofium Juftini 
 narrationem ante oculos habuifl'e, eum ego nihil omnino cernere 
 prope dixerim : unde enim Orofius Chofidiim feu Ctiphittim nomen 
 omnibus aliis indiftum, nifi ex Juftino hauferit ? Quod vero fi ita. 
 
 eft, 
 
 victory, terror, or facrifices of thanks ; for that the word gratulatio refers 
 to the folemn viftims facrificed in gratitude for fuccefs, and frequently men- 
 tioned by Arrian, cannot be doubtful to thofc converfant with ancient writers. 
 Befides, the word omijfis including the idea of fbmething begun cr neglected, 
 does not pleafc me, nor feem conformable wirh Juflin's ftyle. Your prolix, 
 difcuffion concerning the age, defign, and charafter of Oiofius has but little 
 connection with the prefcnt fubjed. It is^ univerfally acknowledged, that he 
 fo clofely, or rather fiiperftitioufly, follows Juflin's footfteps, that he fre- 
 quently expreffes himfclf in the fame words and phrafes ; and it has long 
 ago been proved by good critics, that Juftin's text, fuch as ic flood in thc- 
 copy uled by Orofius, may in innumerable places be reilored by an attention 
 to the latter writer. He mud be blind indeed, who does not perceive that 
 in the pafiage before us Orofius muft have copied Juftin. Whence could he 
 otherwife have derived the name Chcf.duniy or Ciiphitum, which is not men- 
 tioned by any ocber hiilorian I and if that be the cafe, Orofius mufl have 
 
 found
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 341 
 
 eft, quis non Intelligit, Orofium apud Juftinura non omijjts aut ;«« 
 ta&is hojiibiis^fed cajis bojlibits^ in fuis legifle libris, atque ita Juftinum 
 interpretari ? 
 
 4. Verum equidem eft urbem captam obfidione cingi non pofle : 
 fed an ea non poffit defend: a pra^fidiis arci impofitis ? hoc quxri- 
 tur: arce enim ab obfidione liberata, et urbs, quamvis jam capta, 
 ab omni periculo defenfa liberatur. Et quoties non, qui ingeniofe 
 dicere volant, ac ludunt in antithefis, rem fupra fidem augent, ut 
 tanto major efle videatur ? 
 
 5. Quse de Syrise oppldis jure belli fadlis P. R. noviflime com- 
 nientus es, nodum omnino folverent, nifi parachronifmo eflent 
 fuperftrudla : foedus enim illud cum Antioclio per legates pacem 
 petente initum, cujus priora verba ex Livio, lib. xxxviii. c. 37. 
 excitas, banc Antiochi In ^gyptum expeditionem, quam Juftinus, 
 lib. xxxi. c. I. memorat, non pr.TcefTit, fed demum aliquo tem- 
 poris intervallo fubfecutum eft. Vide an non hue pertineat, quae 
 memorise prodita habet Livius, lib. xxxiii. c. 34. Secundum ijla 
 
 jam 
 
 found in his original, not that " the enemy were omitted," but that " they 
 " were beat ;" in which fenfe Juftin ought to be interpreted. 
 
 4. I grant that a town taken by a fiege cannot be i:iid to be defended by 
 its r,wn wails. But rnay it not be defended by troops in the citadel ? When 
 the enemy are obliged to raife the fiege of the citadel, the town may thereby 
 be delivered from all danger. The exprefiion, at leaft, might be ufed by 
 an author fond of antithefis and amplification. 
 
 5. Your new conjecflure concerning the towns of Syria which the Romans 
 acquired by the law of war, would folve the difficulty, were not that con- 
 jefture built on an anachronifm. For the league entered into with the am- 
 bafladors of Antiochus, who came to crave peace, which you find in Livy, 
 lib. xxxviii. c. 37. was not prior, but fubfcquent, to Antiochus's expedition 
 into Egypt, mentioned in Juftin, lib. xxxi. c. i. You may confider whether 
 the following words of Livy do not refer to this fubjeft : " After this, 
 " Quintius and his ten lieutenants received the ambalTadors of kings, 
 
 " nations.
 
 343 LETTERS TO AND PROM 
 
 jam ^'inilus^ et decern legati^'legatioucs rrgtati, gentium^ civitat unique 
 audivere. Primi omnium regis Antiochi vocati legati funt : his oadem^ 
 qua fere Roma erant^ verba fine fide rerum j aetata : nihil jam per^ 
 plexe^ tit ante, quum dubice res incoliimi Philippo erant, fed ap erte 
 pronunciatum, ut excederet Afta urbibus, qua aut Philippi aut 
 Ptolom^i regnm fuifent, &c. Conf. et ejufd. libri, cap. 39 et 40, 
 Hoc efto nunc Catone contentus. Vale, et rem tuain ex voto gere. 
 
 ZuR ici HsLVETioRUM, add. 3. Martini Epifcopi. 
 
 " nations, and cities. Thofe of king Antiochus were firft introduced. 
 ** They faid the fame things as fornierly, when at Rome, without gaining 
 *' belief; and they were now told, not in the ambiguous language which the 
 *' Romans had ufed before the defeat of Philip, and while their own for- 
 " tune was ftill doubtful, but in exprefs terms, that Antiochus muft evacuate 
 " all the cities of Afia, which had belonged either to Philip or to Ptolemy." 
 Livy, lib. xxxiii. c. 34 ; with which compare c. 39 and 40. Be fatisfied with 
 this authority. Farewell and profper. 
 
 Zurich, 14th November.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 343 
 
 N' V. I 
 
 M. Breitinger a M. Gibbon* 
 
 Pr^CLARISSIME AC NOBILISSIME ViR, 
 
 QUANQUAM ex longo jam tempore feverioribus mufis mc totuiti; 
 ^dare, liifque facrls operari iuftitui, immo etiam in iis ac- 
 quiefcere per x'eliquum vitae fpatium conftitutum habeo ; non inju- 
 cundum tamen fuit fubinde invltantibus amicis in amcxniora ha^c 
 literarum vireta obledbindl animi gratia exfpatiari j et quotiefcunque 
 intellexi effe aliquem qui ad hxc literarum ftudia excolenda animura 
 adjiciat, non deftiti admovere ftimulos, ac fungi vice cotis, acutum 
 reddere qux ferrum valeat, exfors ipfa fecandi. Quapropter nihil 
 raihi obtingere potuiflet aut jucundius aut magis exoptandum, 
 quam a te clvovuf/,u primum, nunc etiam aperto martc ac fronte, ad 
 hsec literamm ftudia, priftinas meas delicias, deduci : et laudo hoc 
 tuum ingenium, tuamque fagacitatem, quce non ftimulo, fed frseno 
 potius opus habere videtur ; atque magnopere velim alium pro me 
 tibi obtigifle, cui majus fubadlum ingenium, majorque dodtrina* 
 
 copia eflet, quicum hunc callem terere poffes. 
 
 Multus 
 
 Mr. Breitinger lo Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 Although I had long dedicated myfelf, and had purpofed to fpend my 
 life, in more fevere and facred ftudies, yet it is not without pleafure that, at 
 the invitation of my friends, I occafionally defcend into the pleafing fields 
 of literature ; never lofing an opportunity to itimulate the diligence of thofe 
 who delight in fuch purfuits, and to ferve as a whetftone to others, though 
 myfelf unfit for carving. Nothing, therefore, could have been more agree- 
 able to my wifh, than to be called back, to thofe ftudies, formerly my de- 
 light, by you ; anonymouQy at firft, but now in open war. I cannot but 
 commend your fagacity and genius, which require rather the rein than the 
 Ipur ; and I earneftly wifii that you were accompanied in this literary walk by a 
 fcholar of more cultivated tafte, and more copious erudition^ than myfelf. 
 
 a Youi
 
 344 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Multus es in defendenda emendatlone loci Juflui. lib. xii. c. H. 
 § 17. ubi tu pro cafts hojlibiis^ contra omnium codlcum fulem ex 
 ingenio, fubftituendum cenfes omijjis hojllhus ; quam ego emenda- 
 tionem, in fuperloribus meis, variis indudlis rationibus, oppugnave- 
 ram. Equidem non eft animus denuo in hanc difputationem de- 
 fcendere, aut fingulatim ea quje ad diluendas meas rationes in me- 
 dium abs te adlata funt, fub incudem revocare. Strictim tantum 
 exponam, cur ego nee receptam ledionem follicitandam, nee pro- 
 pofitam abs te emendationem admittendam efle cenfeam. Nemo 
 eft qui non fateri cogatur receptam ac codicum fide et confenfu pro- 
 batam ledtionem, in fe fpedlatam, bonum et apertum fenfum fun- 
 dere, nee a ftilo Juftini, nee a Latini fermonis ratione abludere. 
 Quod vero recepta ifthsec ledio, commiffum cum Cuphitis prxlium 
 memorat, de quo apud reliquos fcriptores qui res Alexandri memorise 
 prodiderunt, altum quidem filentium eft; (quamquam nemo fitillorum 
 qui hoc prselium commifTum efTe negaverit ;) an hoc, inquam, nos ad 
 follicitandam conftantem codicum le£lionem inducere debeat, ut pro 
 commijfo praelio illud omijfum effe^ Juftinum diferte cogamus pro- 
 nuntiare ? Ego quidem neceflitatem nullam video. Quod fi hsec 
 licentia daretur arti critical, ut fi quse in aliquo fcriptore fada legi- 
 
 mus 
 
 You employ many arguments in defending your emendation of Juftin, 
 lib. xii. c. 8. § 17 ; where, inftead of " the enemy being beat," you fubfti- 
 tute " the enemy being omitted." I formerly gave you my rcafons for re- 
 jefting this emendauon, and Ihall not repeat them here, nor enter into a 
 particular difcuffion of the anfv/ers which you make to my objeftions. Thus 
 much only in general I will obferve, that the reading in the text, which is 
 approved by the conftnting authoricy of the manufcripts, muft be acknow- 
 ledged to contain a very natural meaning, conveyed in good Latin, and in 
 Juftin's ftyle. This reading, indeed, makes mention of a battle with the 
 Cuphices, concerning which the other hiftorians of Alexander are filent. 
 But ought this filence to make us alter Juftin's text, efpecialiy as none of 
 thofe hiftorians deny fuch a battle to have happened ? If luch licence be 
 i indulged
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 34.^- 
 
 mus commemorata, quos ab aliis filentio involVantur, ilia ftatim ex- 
 pungenda, aut pei" contortam emendationem in contrarium plane 
 fenfum forent convertenda, nihil fere certum aut conftans in iiiftori- 
 corum fcriptorum commentariis reperiretur. Quo minus autem tuam, 
 vir nobiliffime, emendationem admittere poffim, duse potiffimum 
 obftant rationes : altera eft, quod admifla tua emendatione, reliqucs 
 Juflini orationi fua non amplius ratio conftet : fed integrum illud 
 comma foret expungendum : quid enim fibi vellet om'ijjls hojlibus in 
 cqjlra reverterunt, quae cur unquam relinquerent, admifla tua 
 emendatione, nulla ratio aut necefTitas fuit ? Altera vero ratio, quae 
 iftam tum emendationem refpuere videtur, hcec eft, quod phrafls 
 omittere hojles, omijjis hojlibus^ Juftino admodum. trita, nufquam 
 eodem fenfu, quo tu adhibes, quantum quidem memini, apud Jufti- 
 num occurrit : nufquam enim milites dicuntur oviiltcre hojles^ fed 
 belli duces penes quos fummum imperium eft, non iili quorum elt 
 imperata facere, et qui hoc ipfo loco deprecati funt, ne juberentur 
 amplius cum hofte congredi : accedit quod phralis ilia omijfis hojlibus 
 aliis in locis non finejm belli fed mutationem involvit : infpice 
 
 locum 
 
 indulged to critics, that they may expunge or alter the words of an hif- 
 torian, becaufe he is the fole relater of a particular event, we (hall leave 
 few materials for authentic hiftory. Two reafons ftrongly militate againft 
 your corredtion : the firft, that if it be admitted^ there will no longer be any 
 confiftency in Juftin's narrative; and the whole claufe mufl; be expunged 
 Vv-hich mentions the return of the Macedonians into their camp ; which, if 
 they did not mean to fight, ic was not neceffary for them to leave. The 
 fecond reafon is, that the phrafe omittere hofies, though frequently ufed by 
 Juftin, is never, that I know, applied by him in the fenfe which you give 
 to it. The generals entitled to dire6l military meafurcs are faid emitters 
 hoftes; but never the foldiers, whofe duty it is to obey orders ; and who, in 
 the paffage under conftderation, requefl: that they may not be ordered to 
 renew the engagennent with the enemy. To this may be added, that where- 
 ever this phrafe, omiJfis hojlibus^ occurs in Jutlin, it denotes not an ^n.<}., but 
 only a change, of the war. Turn to the paffage which you formerly referred 
 
 , VOL. I. Y Y to,
 
 346 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 locum a temet excltatum, lib. xxvii. c. 3. § 6. Sed omijfo externa hojle 
 in iniituum cxitinm bellum reparant. Addo ego locum altcrum, 
 lib. xxix. c. 2. § 7. Hujnfcemodi oraiione impulit Phll'ippum ut 
 omijjis ALtolis bellum Romatiis inferret^ &ic. Cxterum fufficit Oro- 
 imm fuo tempore apud Juftinum legille cceps hojl'ibusy quo rccepta 
 \zQi\o mirifice confirmatur, perinde ut ilia magnopere vacillaret, fi 
 in ejus aetatis Juftini codicibus omijps hojiibns fuilTe ledum conllat. 
 
 De Syriac civitatibus j/^r^ belli fa6lis P, R. quod, iis qux liaclcnus 
 in hanc rem difputata funt, addam, non habeo. 
 
 Moves denique, vir nobiliffime, ne eadem Temper chorda oberre- 
 mus, neve amicse difputationi materia defit, novam qu;eftionem circa 
 I. Jul. Cxfaris confulatum, quern adiit Kal. Jan. A. V. C. DCXCV. 
 anno setatis XLI., quum per annales leges ncmini licuerit, hunc ma- 
 giftratum petere ante annum cctatis XLIII. At vero hanc Villii, ut 
 caeteras annales leges, non fuifle perpetux obfervationie, et fafti et 
 
 hiftoriarum 
 
 to, lib. xxvii. c. 3. § 6. " They left off fighting againft their foreign ene- 
 " my, and made war on each other:" to which you will find a parallel in 
 lib. xxix. c. 2. §7. "By this oration he prevailed with Philip to leave 
 " off fighting againft the Etolians, and to make war on the Romans." But 
 it is fufficit nt that Ororuis read c^ejis bojlibus in the copies of Juftin which 
 he made ufe of. If, by faying omiJJls hojlibus, Orofius confirmed your con- 
 jefture, the reading in the text would be doubtful indeed. 
 
 I have noehing farther to add to my obfervations concerning the cities of 
 Syria which the Romans acquired by the right of war. 
 
 That we may not harp on the old ftring, but have new matter fjr our 
 friendly conteft, you raife a difficulty concerning the firft confullhip of Ju- 
 lias Cjefar; which happened on t!ie firft of January, in the fix hundred and 
 r.inety-fifih year of Rome, and in the forty-firft of his age ; although by 
 the laws afcertaining the age of candidates, no perfon was entitled to crave 
 that honour before his forty-ihird year. But this law, which was propofed 
 by Villius, appears not, any more than other laws appertaining to the fama 
 t)bie<fV, to have been of perpetual authority j as wc learn, both from the 
 
 Roman
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erqulre. 347 
 
 lilfloriaium monumcnta docent : apud Liv. lib. viii. c. 4. relatum 
 legimus, C. Mario Riitilo et CX_Servilio Ahala coff. plebifcito cautum, 
 ne quis eundem magiftratum intra X annos capefferet; non tamert 
 videtur aut lex ifta perlata- aiit poftea quicquam valuifle. Occurri^t 
 enim II. poft iftos cofT, anno apud Fallorum conditOres ipfumque 
 T. Livium, T. Manlius Torquatus, qui IV. ante annos ; poftea M. 
 Valerius Corvus, qui VIII,; L. Papirius Craflus, qui VI. coff. fuerant- 
 Immounus L. Papirius Curfor intra VIII annos quaternos confulatus 
 geffit : quod fieri, lata hac lege, vel certe falva, non pcterat. Hue 
 etiam pertinent, quae Dio Caff. lib. xl. §. ^6. de alia lege annali me«- 
 morat : Fompehis^ hiquit^ reftltuit legem de Comitiis, qua jubety id 
 magijiratnm aliquem awb'tetites ad ipfa omn'ino Comlt'ta prajlo fvit^ 
 {ug-i fjLTjSivoi. ocTTovjol oufha-ddi) fiegleciatn omnirio retiovavit ; ct S. C. 
 paulo pr'ius faEtam^ ut qui in urbe magijlratus gcjjijfent^ externa^ pro- 
 vhicias^ ante V amii exittmi^ 7ie Jortirentur^ confirmavit. Nee vera 
 pudtiit Pompcimn, qui turn eas promidgaverat^ ipfum Hifpania rm" 
 
 perium 
 
 Roman hiftorians and from theconfularFafti. Livy, lib. viii. c. 4, fays, that 
 in the confulfhip of C. Marius Rutilus and Q^Servilius Ahala, it was pro- 
 vided by a law of the people, that no perfon Ibould bear the lame magiftracy 
 twice in the fpace of ten years. But this law feems either not to have been 
 confirmed, or not to have remained in force: for we afterwards find both in 
 the Faiti and in Livy, that T. Manlius Torquatus was a fecond time conful 
 in the fpace of four years ; M. Valerius Corvus, in eight ; and L. Papirius 
 Craflus, in fix : L. Papirius Curfor was four times conful in eight years : 
 which things are inconfiftent with this law. To this fubjeft may be referred 
 what Dio Caffius fays concerning another law of the fame kind, in his fortieth 
 book, feft. 56. " Pompey reftored the law of the Comitia, which prohi- 
 " bited any perfon from being elected into any office of magiftracy in his 
 " abfence; a law which had fallen into total difufe; and confirmed another, 
 " which had been a fhort time before enaded by the fenate, forbidding any 
 " man who had been a magiftrate in the city to command in any foreign 
 ••' province before the expiration of five years. Yet Pompey, who hadjuil 
 " pad thefe laws, was not afhamed to accept his command in Spain for five 
 
 V Y .% " years
 
 348 LETTERS TO AND PROM 
 
 perhmi in oliud quinquemiium paulo pojl occipere : et Cafari (aijui- 
 amici hid'ignijfimc has Icgci fereba7it) ahfcnti qlioqtic conf?tlatus pe- 
 teudi potcjlatan eodem dccreto concedere^ &c. Quod vero jam ad 
 Villianam illam annalem legem attinet, nee earn conftanter ita fuifle 
 oblervatam, ut nunquam migraretur, vel ex ipfo Ciceronis locOy 
 Orat. contra RuUum, colligi poteft, ubi gloriatur quod ex nov'ts ho- 
 minibus primus, et quidem prima petitione, anno fao, hoc honore 
 I'uerit audus ; cum qui ante ipfum ex hoc hominum genere, anno 
 fuo petierint, fine repulfa, non fint fadi confules. Ex hoc enim 
 loco quse Villianse legis vis fuerit, quum patricius aut confularis ex 
 antique genere confulatum peteret, intelligi non poteft. Certe Do- 
 labella, csfo CEcfare, anno non fuo, quippe XXV annos natus, tefte 
 Appiano confulatum invafit, qua de re Dio Caff. lib. xliv. § 22. 
 'O AoXcSeXXaj li; t^v VTraiov ap^'jy, Ha*7rep [^vjoeTTu 0* 7r^oiTr,y.ov(Tav 
 eo-sjX^E. Et Suetonius, c. 18. tantum non diferte memorat Julio contra 
 leges aliquld fuiffe conceffum : fed cum ediElis jam Comitiis^ ratio ejus 
 liahcri 7ion pojfet, nifi privatus intro'ijfet urbem^ et a7nbienti ut legibus 
 
 folveretury 
 
 <' years longer ; and to grant, by the fame decree, to Casfar (whofe friends 
 " impatiently brooked fuch regulations) the permifTion of being candidate 
 " for the confullhip in his abfence," &c. That the law propofed by Villius 
 was not uniformly obferved, appears from Cicero's oration againft Rullus ; 
 where the orator boafts that he was the firft man, not graced by ancient no- 
 bility, who had obtained the confullhip in the year that he was entitled to 
 folicit it : bat this pafiage does not inform us what was the force of Villius's 
 iav^, when the candidates were patricians of ancient family, or men of con- 
 fular dignity. Dolabella certainly, after Csfar's murder, feized the confullhip, 
 when only twenty-five years old, as we are informed by Appian : on which 
 fubjef): Dio CalTius, lib. xliv. § 22, fays, that Dolabella intruded himfelf 
 into the confulfiiip, though in nowife belonging to him; and Suetone infi- 
 nuates, that Julius obtained fomething to which he was not by law entitled. 
 " As the Comitia were already proclaimed, his demand could not be at- 
 <• tended to, unlefs he entered the city as a private perfon -, and many op- 
 a " poling
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 345 
 
 folverdur, intilti conirad'tcerenty coaSlus ejl tritimphuiriy ne confnlatu 
 excluderetiir^ dhn'itterc. Quam in rem etiam apud Dionem Caff- 
 libr. xliv. Antonius in oratione funebri dilerte hxc meraorat ; 
 Toiycifjot KOil TO. IttivUhx. ocu'Ju J"»« tov]' (fcil. ob expeditioncm Hif- 
 
 panicam) e^ri(ptira(rBe KXi tjjV k^^'^v t-^v VTrxjov ETQTL ISuxuje. 
 
 'Tr'imnpho onujfo, cum res urgeret^ aBlfque vobis pro eo ho?tore, qiicmjibi 
 ad gloriam fatis ejfe duccbat^ gratiisy coiifidatiim accepit. Ita quum. vix 
 annus deeffet, quo minus confulatum petere liceret Julio, aliquid 
 fuiffe ei conceffum, ut triumphum dimitteret, manifeftum eft : quod 
 fi etiam ex lege annali confulatu excludere eum voluiffent, non in- 
 telligo, qua ratione ipfi, quod ad triumphi honorem attinet, repul- 
 fam dare potuiffent. 
 
 Oblatas animadverfiones in Salchlini libellum Mufeo Helv. infe- 
 rendas, quanquam Gallico idiomate confcriptas, cupide exciperem; 
 nifi Mufei illius curfus ad tempus foret inhibitus ; nee dum conftat 
 
 utrum, 
 
 " pofing his being indulged with any favour to which he was not legally en- 
 '• titled, he chofe to poftpone his claim to a triumph, left he fhould be ex- 
 " eluded from the confulfhip." Sueton. lib. i. c. 18. Nearly to the fame 
 purpofe Anthony, in Csefar's funeral oration, in the forty-fourth book of Dio 
 Caffius, fays, " For this reafon, (his fuccefs in Spain,) you granted to him 
 " a triumph, and immediately appointed him conful. In the urgency of 
 " his affairs he poftponed his triumph ; and accepting the confulfhip, 
 " thanked you for that honour, which he thought fufficient for his ov.'n glory." 
 It is therefore plain, that by deferring his claim to a triumph, he obtained 
 the confulfhip, though a year younger than the age required for holding 
 that ofEce. Had the Romans intended to enforce againfl him the Villian 
 law, there would not have been any reafon to withhold from him the honour 
 of a triumph. 
 
 I fhould willingly admit your remarks, though written in French, on 
 Salchlini's little work, into the Miijeim Helveticum, were not that publication 
 
 interrupted
 
 350 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 utrum, et qiiando, typographo licuerit aut placuerlt, ifthcc opus 
 novo aliquo tomo augere. 
 
 Vale, Vir NobilifTime, rem tuam ex animi fententia age, mequc 
 ama hominem ad omnia humankatis officia paratiflimum 
 
 Breitingerum. 
 
 Zumci Helvetiorum, Kal. Mart, 
 CIOIDCCLVII. 
 
 interrupted at prefent; and it is uncertain when the printer will be allowed, 
 or will have inclination, to publifh a new volume. 
 
 Farewell, my noble Sir, and profper ; and love me as a man devoted to 
 every kind duty. 
 
 Breitin'cer. 
 
 Zurich, March I, 1757.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 351 
 
 N'^VI. 
 
 M. Gibbon a M. Gesner. 
 
 MONSIEUR, 
 ^htlt. les Romalns, ce peuple ge'nereux, qui nous a laifTe tant de 
 chofes a admirer et a imiter, les vieux jurifconfultes, que leurs 
 longs travaux avoient rendus les oracles du barreau, ne fe croyoient 
 pas inutiles a la republique, lorfqu'ils cherchoient a developper, a 
 former des talens naiflans, et a fe donner de dignes fuccefleurs. Je 
 voudrois la re'tablir cette coutume excellente, et la tranfporter meme 
 dans les autres fciences. Quiconque connoit tant foit peu vos 
 ouvrages et votre reputation, ne vous refufera pas, je penfe, le titre 
 d'un des premieres litterateurs du fiecle, et je ne crois pas qu'une 
 folle prefomption m'cgare, lorlque je m'attribue quelques difpofitions 
 a reuffir dans les Belles Lettres. Votre commerce pourroit m'etre 
 d'une grande utilite. Voila mon feul titre pour vous le demander. 
 Dans I'efperance qu'il pourra vous engager a me I'accorder, je vais 
 
 vous 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr, Gesner. 
 S I R, 
 
 Among the Romans, that generous people, vvho had fo many inflitutions 
 worthy of being admired and imitated, the moft refpectable old lawyers, 
 whofe long labours had rendered them the oracles of the bar, did not think 
 their time ufclefs to the community, when it was employed in forming the 
 talents of youth, and in providing for. themfelves worthy fuccelTors. This 
 excellent cuftom ought to be adopted, and extended to other Icienccs. Who- 
 ever is acquainted with your reputation and your works, will not deny you 
 the title of one of the molt learned men of the age; and I hope that my 
 foolifh prelumption does not deceive me, when I afcribe to myfelf fome na- 
 tural aptitude for llicceeding in the purfuits of literature. Your correfpond- 
 ence would be highly ufeful to me. On this ground only I requelt it. (U 
 the hope that it will not be refufedj I proceed to beg your e:<planation of 
 
 i> fume
 
 ^SZ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 vous demander des eclairciffemens fur quelques difficultes, et des de- 
 cifions fur quelques conje£lures qui fe font ofFertes a mon efprit, 
 
 I. Qui etoit cc Pifon le Pere, a qui Horace addrefle fon art 
 poetique ? M. Dacier croit que c'etoit ce L. Pifon le pontife qui tri- 
 ompha pour fes exploits en Thrace, et qui mourut pre'fet de la Ville 
 A._U. C. 785 *. Mais il eft evident que ce ne fut point lui. Horace 
 ecrivit fon art poe'tique avant Tan 734, puifqu'il y parle de Virgile, qui 
 mourut dans cette anne'e, d'une fafon a faire bien comprendre qu'il 
 etoit encore vivant f. Or dans un autre endroit du meme art poe- 
 tique Xj il s'addrefTe a I'aine des fils de ce Pifon comme a un jeune 
 bomme qui avoit I'efprit deja forme'. 
 
 " O major juvenum, quamvis et voce paterna 
 " Fing.eris ad red:um et per te fapis." 
 
 Ce qui ne peut gueres convenir qu'a un jeune homme de dlx huit, a 
 vingt ans. Mais ce L. Pifon ne pouvoit point avoir dans ce terns la 
 un fils aufll age. II mourut en 785, age' de quatre vingt ans §. II 
 
 naquit 
 
 fome difficulties that I have met with, and your opmion of fome conjeflures 
 that have occurred to my mind. 
 
 I. Who was that Pifo, the father, to whom Horace addrelTes his Art of 
 Poetry ? Mr. Dacier fuppofes him to have been the high-prieft who ob- 
 tained a triumph for his exploits in Thrace, and who died pr^feft of the city 
 in the feven hundred and eighty-fifth year of Rome *. But that could not be 
 the man ; for Horace's Art of Poetry was written before the year feven hun- 
 dred and thirty-four, fince it makes mention of Virgil (who died that year) 
 in terms which (hew that he was ftill alive f : and in another part of the 
 poem t, Horace addrefles the eldeft of Pifo's fons, as a young man of culti- 
 vated talents ; which implies that he was not lefs than eighteen or twenty 
 years of age. But L. Pifo, the hi^h-prieft, could not furely have a fon fo old. 
 He himfelf died at the age of fourfcore §, in the feven hundred and eighty-fifth 
 
 * Tacit. Annnl. vi. c. 10. Flor. Hift. Rom. L. iv. c. 12. T. Liv. Epitom. L. c. 
 f Horat. Art. Poet. v. 55. % Ibid. v. 366. § Tacit, ubi fupra. 
 
 year
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. :iS3 
 
 naquit done en 705, et 11 n'avolt que trente ans tout au plus, quand 
 cette e'pitre fut ecrite. Je vols aflez clairement, que ce ne pouvoit pas 
 etre la le Pifon que nous cherchons ; mais, parml un alTez grand 
 nombre de perfonnages du fiecle d'Auguftc qui portoient ce nom, je 
 voudrois qu'on m'aidat a trouver celui fur qui les foup9ons peuvent 
 tomber avec quelque vraifemblance. 
 
 2. Vous favez comblen les critiques fe font donnes de peine, pour 
 rechercher le vrai but qu'avolt Horace dans la troifieme ode du troi- 
 fieme livre. La grandeur des ide'es, et la noblelTe des expreffions y 
 font fentir partout la main de maitre : mais on eft a la fols fache et 
 furpris d'y voir que le commencement ne fe lie point avec la fuite, 
 que la harangue de Junon paroit ne tenir a rien, et n'aboutir a rien ; 
 et apres avoir admire cette ode par parties, on ne pent gueres s'em- 
 pecher d'en condamner I'enfemble. Taneguy le Fevre I'avoit ex- 
 plique'e par un fyfteme que M. Dacier trouve meriter autant d'eloges 
 que I'ode elle meme, et qui en effet me paroit des plus jolis. Vous 
 favez qu'il le fonde fur la crainte qu'il prete au peuple Romain de 
 
 voir 
 
 year of Rome. He was born, then, in feven hundred and fivej and was not 
 above thirty when the Art of Poetry was written. It is clear therefore, that he 
 is not the perfon to whom Horace writes j but, among the number of other 
 men who bore that name, I wifi that you would help me to difcover the 
 Pifo to whom that poem was n.oft probably addrefled. 
 
 a. You know how much trouble it has coft the critics to find out Horace's 
 true defign in the third ode of his third book. This mafteriy performance 
 is diftinguifhed by greatnefs of thought and dignity of exprefilon 5 but we 
 are furpriffd and grieved to find, that the end does not correfpond with the 
 beginning; and that Juno's fpeech is totally unconnected with what precedes 
 or follows it; fo that after admiring the detached parts of this ode, we are 
 forced to condemn it as a whole. Taneguy. le Fevre explained it by a con- 
 iefture, which Dacier thinks deferving of as high encomiums as the ode 
 itfelf ; and which is, doubtlefs, very ingenious. You know that his expla- 
 nation turns on the fuppofed dread of the Romans, left the feat of their cm- 
 
 VOL. I. z z pir^
 
 354 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 voir transferer a Ilium le fiege de I'empire ; et qu il fuppofe qii'Moracc 
 compofa cette ode dans la vue de de'tourner Augufte de ce deflein, en 
 lui rappellant toute la part que les Dieux avoient eu a la deftrudion de 
 cette ville, et combien le mortel qui oferoit la rebatir s'expoferoit a 
 tout le courroux de ces memes Dieux. Le peuple pouvoit d'autant 
 plus facilement fuppofer ce deflein a ce prince, que fon pere adoptif 
 en avoit e'te foupfonne' * Mais je doute que ce fyftcme puifTe fe 
 fouteuir. Et on ne fauroit jamais prouver ces craintes prJtendues du- 
 peuple Remain, qui font merges fans vraifembkince ; Augufte fe 
 diftingua toujours par les foins particuliers qu'il donna a la ville de 
 Rome, qui devoient rafl\irer k peuple contre toutes les craintes d'une 
 pareille efpece. On peut en voir le detail dans, la vie d' Augufte par 
 Suetone, c. 28, 29, 30. "Je n'en marquerai qu.e deux: il engagea la 
 plus part des grands a orner la ville, par des batimens fuperbes f , et il 
 batit un Temple a Mars le Vengeur, ou il ordonna que le fenat s'af- 
 fembleroit toutes les fois qu'il feroit queftion de guerres ou de tri- 
 omphes if. Sont ce la les adions d'un homme qui fonge a fe faire 
 
 une 
 
 pire fhould be removed to Troy; and that he fancies the ode to have been 
 written with a view to divert Auguftus from fuch a defign, by fhewing him 
 how earneftly the Gods had co-operated towards the deftruclion of Troy,, 
 and how much their refentment would be provoked by an attempt to rebuild, 
 that ill-fated city. The people might the more naturally fufpefl Auguftus 
 of fuch an intention, becaufe it was thought to have been entertained by hi& 
 adoptive father*. But this conjedure, I fear, will not bear examination, k 
 is impofTible to prove thofe pretended fears of the Romans; which are ren- 
 dered highly improbable, when we confider that Auguftus was remarkable 
 for his affeflionate partiality towards Rome; as may be feen in his Life, by 
 Suetonius, c. 28, 29, 30. I Ihall mention but two examples of it. He en- 
 couraged almoft all the great men of Rome to adorn the city by fuperb edi- 
 ficesf; and himfelf creeled a temple toMars theAvenger, where the fenate was 
 ordered to affemble during its deliberations concerning wars and triumphs J. 
 
 * Sueton. L. i. c. 79. t Veil, Paterculus, L, ii. c. 89.. % Sueton. L. ii. c. 29. 
 
 I Thefe
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 355 
 
 une iiouvelle capitale ? L'excmple de fon oncle ne pouvok con- 
 clure ; ce fut vers la fin de fa vie qu'il diit concevoir ce projet, 
 dans un terns ou la profperlte I'avoit avcuglc ct engage dans mille 
 de'marches folles et tnal entendues, qu'Augufte fe piqua toujours 
 d'e'viter avec loin. La fage opiniatrete avec laquelle il rcfiifa tou- 
 jours la didature, pent fervir de preuve a ce que je dis *. Voila 
 les raifons qui m'empechent d'acquiefcer au fyfteme de Taneguy le 
 Fevre. J'en fuis fache, et je ne ferai tout a fait content que lorfque 
 vous m'aurez fourni une autre explication de cette ode, plus folide 
 fans doute, et qui en applanira e'galement les difficultes. 
 
 3. Antiochus, rdi de Syrie, avoit pris plufieurs villes de la Coele- 
 Syrie et de la Paleftine au jeune Ptoleme'e, alors fous la tutelle des 
 Remains. Ceux ci prennent la de'fenfe de leur e'leve, et ordonnent 
 au roi de Syrie de les rendre. II mc'prife ces ordres, et les retient. 
 Sur quoi on lui envoye une feconde ambaflade, laquelle lailTant de 
 c6td les pre'tenfions dn jeune prince, hii ordonna de rendre des villes, 
 
 ________________ ^^^^ 
 
 Thefe are not the aiflions of a man who wifhed to found a new capital. The ex- 
 ample of his uncle is not applicable ; that projedl was formed by him towards 
 the end of his life, when he was intoxicated by profperity, and engaged in a 
 thoufand wild enterprifes, which the prudence of Auguftus carefully avoided. 
 The cautious firmnefs with which the latter prince always refufed the office 
 of didator, confirms my remark*. Such are the reafons which hinder me 
 from acquiefcing in Le Fevre's explanation. I am forry for it, and will not 
 be eafy till you fupply me v.'ith another more folidiy founded, and equally 
 well fitted to remove all difficulties. 
 
 3. Annochus, king of Syria, had taken pofleffion of feveral cities in 
 Ccele-Syria and Judsea, belonging to young Ptolemy, then under the pro- 
 tedion of the Romans. That people undertake the defence of their pupil, 
 and order Antiochus to reftore his towns. He defpifes their orders, and 
 keeps thofe towns in his poffeffion ; in confequence of which, the Romans 
 fend to him a fccond embaffy, which, without making any mention of young 
 Ptolemy's pretenfions, " claim thofe towns as belonging to the Romans by 
 
 * Sueton. L. il. c. 52. Veil. Patercul. L, ii. c. 8j. 
 
 z z 2 <« the
 
 JS6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 que le peuple Remain avoit acquifes par le droit de la guerre, clvitatcs 
 jure belli fa&as popnli Romani. Ce font la les termes de Juftin *, 
 qui nous jettent dans une difficulte' embaraflante. On ne conc^oit pas 
 comment les Remains pouvoient avoir acquis des villes dans la Syrie, 
 et dans I'Egypte, puifque, bien loin d'y avoir fait des conquetes, 
 ils ne porterent leurs armes en Afie que plufieurs anne'es apres cette 
 epoque. On connoit bien uu traite' qu'ils avoient fait avec les Rois 
 d'Egypte avant ce terns t» mais c'e'toit un pur traite' d'alliance et 
 d'amitie' qui ne fut pre'ce'de' ni fuivi d'aucune guerre. J'ai cru que 
 I'examen des autres hiftoriens, qui ont raconte' ces memes e'venemens, 
 pouvoit jetter quelques lumieres fur un paflage de Juftin aufli obfcur 
 que celui la. Mais Tite Live, qui parle plufieurs fois X des negocia- 
 tions par lefquelles les Romains tacherent de faire rendre a Ptoleme'e 
 les villes d'Afie, qu'on lui avoit prifes, ne parle nulle part de ce droit 
 de la guerre en vertu duquel les Romains les demandoient. Le favant 
 M. Breitinger, profeffeur en langue Grec a Zurich, a qui j'ai conv 
 
 munique 
 
 " the right of war," Thefe are Juftin's words *, which prefent us with a 
 very perplexing difficulty ; becaufe we do not perceive how the Romans 
 could have acquired thofe places by the right of war, fince they were fo far 
 from having made conquefts in Afia then, that they did not carry their arms 
 into that country till a later a:ra. A treaty indeed fubfifted between them 
 and the kings of Egypt f , but it was a treaty merely of friendfhip and alliance, 
 neither preceded nor followed by any war. I thought that an examination 
 of the other hiftorians, who relate the fame tranfaflions, might throw light 
 on this obfcure paflage of Juftin. But Livy, who mentions feveral times X. the 
 negociations by which the Romans endeavoured to recover for Ptolemy the 
 places taken from him by Antiochus, is altogether filent with regard to this 
 " right of war," in virtue of which they were demanded. I acquainted the 
 learned Mr. Breitinger, profeflbr of Greek at Zurich, with my difficulty on 
 
 * Juftin. L. XXX. c. I. 
 
 ■\ Tit. Liv. Epitom. L. iv. Eutrop. L, ii. Valer. Maxim. L, Iv. c. 3. 
 
 X Tit. Liv. L. xxxiii. c. 34. 39, 40. 
 
 this
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 357 
 
 munique cette difBculte, apres avoir tente en vain de la refoudre, a 
 etc oblige enfin de la laifler fans explication. — Mais, 
 
 " Nil defperandum, Teucro duce ; et aufpice Teucro." 
 
 4. Un different que Scaliger et Ifaac Voflius ont eu enfemble, fur 
 la veritable e'poque de la mort du poete Catulle, a fait beaucoup de 
 bruit dans la republique des lettres. Jc n'ai point eu en main les 
 pieces du proces, favoir les e'ditions de Catulle de ces deux hommes 
 ee'lebres j mais Bayle * nous a donne' un extrait fort dctaille' de leur 
 difpute, y ajoutant fes propres reflexions. Je fuis fache' de ne pou- 
 voir pas remonter aux fources ; mais dans la neceffite de me fervir de 
 rapporteur, je n'en connois point de meilleur que Bayle. 
 
 Quoique deux habiles litte'rateurs fe foient exerce's fur cette quef- 
 tion, je fuis bien loin de la regarder c9mme parfaitcment eclaircie. 
 Voflius me paroit avoir trop avance' le mort du poete, Scaliger Ta 
 certainement trop reculee. Catulle ne mourut pas bien furement 
 A. U. C. 696 ; mais il ne ve9ut pas non plus jufqu'aux jeux fe'culaires 
 
 d'Augufte 
 
 this fubjedt ; which, after attempting in vain to refolve, he was obliged to 
 leave unexplained. But, 
 
 " Nil defperandum, Teucro duce; et aufpice Teucro." 
 
 4. A difference of opinion between Scaliger and Ifaac VofTius, concernino- 
 the time of Catullus' death, made great noife in the republic of letters. I 
 have not at hand the original arguments of thofe learned men, which are 
 contained in their refpedive editions of Catullus ; but Bayle* has given us a 
 particular account of their difpure, with his own refle<5tions on the fubjeft. 
 I am ferry that I cannot draw from the fountain head; but Bayle's accuracy 
 as a compiler will not be difputed. 
 
 Notwithftanding the labours of thefe great fcholars, I am far from think- 
 ing the queftion decided. Voffius feems to me to place Catullus' death too 
 early, and Scaliger certainly fixes it at too late an rera. That poet furelv did 
 not die in the year of the city fix hundred and ninety-fix ; but neither did 
 
 * Bayle Didionnaire Critique, art. Catulle. 
 
 he
 
 ^^8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 d'Augufte A. U. C. 736. Prouvons ce que nous avons avance, el 
 cherchons I'epoque en queflion, qui doit fe trouver entre ces deux 
 annees. 
 
 Catulle parle dc la Grande Bretagne et de fes habitans*, or 
 CeTar fut le premier qui fit connoitre cette ifle aux Remains f , et 
 Cefar y fit fa premiere expedition en 698 |.. AufTi bien Catulle 
 parle t'il du fecond confulat de Pompee, qui tombe fiar la meme 
 anne'e §. H vivoit meme encore en 706, puifqu'il parle auffi du con- 
 fi.ilat de Vatinius ||. Je ne veux pas me fervir des argumens de 
 Scaliger pour prouver qu'il fut fpedateur des triomphes de Cefar, 
 parceque jc ne les crois pas de bon alloi, Je me difpenferai d'exa- 
 tniner en detail fi les paroles patenia prima Icwcinatafunt bo7ia^ &c.^ 
 conviennent mieux aux premieres vidoires de Cefar qu'aux der- 
 -nieres, parceque je crois qu'il n'y eft queftion ni des unes ni des 
 autres. H n'y a qu'a lire cette epigramme avec quelque attention 
 
 pour 
 
 e 
 
 lie live to fee the fecular games of Aiiguftus celebrated in feven hundred and 
 thirty- fiK. Let us prove thefe affertions, and endeavour to find out the 
 true ^era in queftion, which mull have beeiTat an intermediate time between 
 the years juft mentioned, 
 
 Catullus fpeaks of Great Britain and its inhabitants *, with which Csfar firfl: 
 made the Romans acquainted f, by his expedition thither, in the year of Rome 
 fix hundred and ninety-eight^. Catullus alio mentions the fecond confulfhip 
 of Pompey, which happened on that fame year §. He lived (b late as the 
 year feven hundred and fix, fince he fpeaks of the confullhip of Vatinius |f. 
 I will not mal<.e ufe of Scaliger's arguments to prove that the poet witnefied 
 Csefar's triumplis, becaufe I do not believe them well-founded. I will not 
 particularly examine whether the words faterna -prima landnatajiint bona%,^' 
 beft apply to the firft or laft viclories of Caefar, becaufe I do not believe 
 them to have any reference to the one or the other. We need only to read 
 
 * Vid. Catull. Carm. si. &c. f Tacit, in Vit. Agvicol. C. 13. 
 
 \ Csfar. Comm. L. iv. Dion. Hift. L. xxxix. p. 113. 
 
 J Catull. Carra. cxi. U Idem, lii. f Idem, xxvii. ver. 29. 
 
 the
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 359 
 
 pour voir que Catulle s'addrefTc toujours a Cellir dans la feconde 
 perfonne : 
 
 " Cinoede Romule, hcEC vidfebis et feres ? 
 " Es impudicus, et vorax, et helluo." 
 
 Pendantque Mamurra y paroit toujours dans la troifieme perfonne, 
 ce qui eft le cas dans les lignes : 
 
 " Parum, expatravit ? an parvum lielluatus eft ? 
 
 " Paterna prima lancinata funt bona." 
 
 II n'y eft done nullement queftion des difHpations de Cefar, mals 
 
 de celle de Mamurra ; et toutes les confe'quences qu'on en pent tirer 
 
 par rapport aux triomphes de celui la, font ille'gitimes *. 
 
 * Cepehdant fi Ton avoit la curiofite de rechercher I'epoque preclfe de la compofi-- 
 tion de cette epigramme, un paflage de Ciceron nous conduiroit a la fixer vers I'an 708. 
 Car quoiqu'en dife Bayle, on ne peut gueres entendre ce paflage que d'une piece faty- 
 rique faite centre Mamurra; auffi bien le favant Dr. Middleton a t'il embrafle cette opi- 
 nion. II eft inutile de dir« que CatuHe n'auroit jamais of* compofer cette epigramme 
 contre Cefar alors tout puiflant. Le clamence de Ccfar envers fes ennemis etoit aflez 
 connue; la fa^on meme, dont les_anciens parlentde la moderation dont Cefar ufa envers le 
 fatyrique,femble fuppofer qu'il avoit alors la puiflance en main, puifqu'auparavant fa cle- 
 mence auroit eu peu de merite. Tacite ( i ) qui en park, la fait confiderer fur le meme 
 pied que celle de Bibalculus. Or on ne peut pas douter qu'Augufte ne fut fouverain alors» 
 
 D'un 
 
 the epigram attentively, to perceive that Catullus always addrefTes Cicfic 
 in the fecond perfon, and Mamiirra in the third. 
 
 The poet alludes, therefore, not to Csefar's dilTipation, but to that of Ma- 
 murra; and all the confequences deduced from his applying his words to the 
 former, are built on a falfe hypothefis f . 
 
 f Were we curious to afcertain exaftly the date of this epigram, a pafTage of Cicero 
 would lead us to fix it at the year 708. For, notwithftanding Bayle's reafonings, v/e can- 
 not regard it in any other liglit than that of a fatire written againft Mamurra; an opinion 
 embraced by the learned Dr. Middleton. There is no weight in the obfervation, that Ca- 
 tullus would not have ventured to write this epigram againft Crefar in the plenitude of 
 his power. Ca;far's clemency towards his enemies is well known ; and the terms in 
 v/hich hiftorians fpeak of his lenity fliewn to this fatirift implies that he was then pof- 
 fefled of power to puuilh him ; otherwife his moderation would have been of little 
 value. Tacitus ( 1 ) fpeaks of this affair as a parallel to that of Bibalculus, who fati- 
 rifed Augaftus v/hen the latter was certainly invefted with fovereign dominion. 
 
 (j) Aunal, L. iv. c. 34, 
 
 Catullus,
 
 360 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 D'un autre cote, Catulle ne vefut pas jufqu'aux jetix fecula'ires 
 d' Augufte, puifqu'il mourut avant Tibulle. Ovide, dans I'elegie qu'il 
 fit expres fur la mort de ce dernier, met Catulle parmi les poetes, que 
 {"on ami devoit rencontrer a fa defcente dans les Champs Elysees : 
 
 " Si tamen a nobis aliquid nifi nomen et umbra 
 
 " Reftat : in Elyfia Valle Tibullus erit. 
 " Obvius hulc venias hedera juvenilia cindtus 
 
 " Tempera, cum Calvo, dodtc Catulle tuo *." 
 
 Mais dans quel terns Tibulle mourut il ? Une petite epigramme 
 de Domitius Marius nous I'apprend : le meme jour, ou du moins la 
 meme annee, que Virgile : 
 
 " Te quoque Virgilio comitem non sequa, Tibulle, 
 " Mors juvenem Campos mifit ad Elyfios f . 
 
 Or perfonne n'ignore que Virgile mourut le 22 Septembre 734 1- 
 II eft done clair que Catulle, deja mort dans ce terns la, ne vit point 
 les jeux feculaires qui ne fe ce'le'brerent qu'en 736. 
 
 Avanyons plus loin, et difons, que Catulle ctoit deja mort avant 
 721. Je me fondc fur le te'moignage d'un hiftorien contemporain, 
 
 ami 
 
 Catullus, on the other hand, did not live to fee the fecular games cele- 
 brated by Auguftus, fince he died before Tibullus. Ovid, in an elegy 
 written on the death of the latter, places Catullus among the poets whom 
 his friend will meet with in the Elyfian fields *. 
 
 But when did Tibullus die ? A little epigram of Domitius Marius in- 
 forms us, that he died the fame day, or at lead in the fame year, with Virgil f . 
 Now it is well known that Virgil died the twenty-fecond of September fevea 
 hundred and thirty-four J, Catullus then could not fee the fecular games, 
 which were not celebrated till feven hundred and thirty-fix. 
 
 "We may go farther, and affirm, that Catullus was dead before the year 
 feven hundred and twenty- one. This is proved by a contemporary hido- 
 
 * Ovid, Eleg. L. iii. 9. f V.Tibull. Carm. L. iv. c. 15. % Donat. in Vit, Virgil. 
 2 rian.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 361 
 
 ami de CIceron* et de Catulle lui meme f; en un mot de Cornelius 
 Nepos. II faut le developper ce tcmoignage. Dans la vie d'Atticus, 
 que cet ecrivain nous a laiflee, parlant d'un certain L. Julius Calidius, 
 a qui Atticus rendit de grands fervices, il ajoute pour le faire 
 niieux connoitre, qiicm pojl Lucre t'l'i CatulUquc moj-tem^ nnilto ekgaii- 
 tijftnmm poctmn^ nojlram tiilljfe cetatcm vere vidcor pn/fc co?iteitdcre +. 
 Catulle ctoit done mort lorfque Nepos ecrivit ce pafTage. Mais ne 
 pourroit on pas fixer le terns de fli compofition ? tres facilement : 
 de vingt deux chapitres qui coinpofent cette vie d' Atticus dix huit 
 furent publics de Ion vivant. Haaeuus Atlico vivo bac a nobis edita 
 [nut §. Le paflage, ou il eft parle' de la mort de Catulle, fe trouve 
 dans le douzieme chapitre; d'ou il s'enfuit que Catulle mourut avant 
 Atticus. Mais celui ci finit fa vie fous le confulat de Cn. Domitius 
 ct de C. Sofius II . Si Ton vouloit poufler I'exadlitude encore plus 
 loin, et qu'on cut envie de determiner I'annee pre'cife de la mort 
 de notre poete, on ne fe tromperoit pas de beaucoup en prenant 
 
 I'anne'e 
 
 rian, the friend of Cicero* and of Catullusf; I mean Cornelius Nepos. In 
 his Life of Atticus, fpeaking of a certain Julius Calidius, to whom Atticus 
 had rendered very important fervices, he diftinguifhes him, " as the mod 
 " elegant poet of that age, fince the death of Lucretius and Catullus :];." 
 The latter, dierefore, was dead before Nepos wrote thispaflage; of which 
 it is not difficult to fix the date. Nepos' Life of Atticus confills of twenty- 
 two chapters; the firft eighteen of which were, as he tells us, written while 
 the fubjeft of them flill lived §. The pafTage mentioning the death of Ca- 
 tullus is in the twelfth chapter ; from whence it follows, that Atticus fur- 
 vived Catullus. But Atticus died during the confulfhip of Cn. Domitius 
 and C. Sofius II . Did we wifh to afcertain ftill more accurately the precife 
 year of Catullus' death, we fhould not be much miftaken in fixing it at the 
 middle term between the years of Rome ^zs&x\ hundred and fix, and feven 
 
 * Sueton. L. J. c. 55. Voff. deHift. Latin. L. i. c. 24. f Catull. Carm. i. 
 
 I Cornel. Nepos, in Vit. Attici, c. 12. $ Idem, c. 18. y Idem, c. 21. 
 
 vol., I. 3 A hundred
 
 362 LETTERS TO AND PROM 
 
 Tannce moyenne entre A. U. C. 706 et 721; cc qui nous donnera 
 714, e'poque qui quadre fort bien avec tout ce que nous en favons 
 d'ailleurs. 
 
 Le feul argument de Scaliger, qui pourrolt embarrafler, eft celui 
 qu'il tire du poeme feculaire que Catulle doit avoir coinpofe'. La con- 
 jedure de Voffius qu'on ccle'bra des jeux au commencement du VII 
 fiecle de Rome n'eft pas foutenable. Je doute que celle de Bayle 
 Taille mieux. Le commencement de ce fiecle e'toit marque' par tant 
 de de'fordres, on negligeoit tellement les anciennes ceremoines*, 
 qu'il n'y pas d'apparence qu'on ait Gon9u le deflein de ce'lebrer de 
 pareils jeux, ni que le peuple s'y attendit. Mais quel befoin de 
 fuppofer que ce poeme avoit e'te' compofe' pour les fc'culaires. N'eft il 
 pas bien plus naturel de le croire deftine' pour la fete de Diane qui fe 
 Gelebroit tous les ans au mois d'Aout ; Bentley avoit deja fait cette 
 conjedlure f . On peut la confirmer par la comparaifon du poeme 
 feculaire d'Horace avec ce morceau de Catulle. Dans celui ci les 
 
 garcons 
 
 hundred and twenty-one j which will give us the year feven hundred and 
 fourteen ; which very well agrees with all other particulars known con- 
 cerning him. 
 
 The only argument adduced by Scaliger, that can occafion any difEculty, 
 is, that Catullus compofed a fecular poem. Voffius' conjetTcure, that the 
 fecular games were celebrated at the commencement of the feventh century 
 of Rome, is altogether unwarranted : that of Bayle, I fear, refts not on 
 much better authority. The beginning of that century was deformed by 
 fo many diforders, and by fuch a marked neglevTi: of ancient ceremonies *, 
 that there is not any probability that fuch games fhould then have been 
 cither exhibited or expedled. But it is not neceflary to fuppofe tliat Ca- 
 tullus' poem was written for the fecular games. It might have been in- 
 tended merely for Diana's feftival, which was celebrated yearly in the month, 
 of Auguft ; as Bentley conjeftured \. This is confirmed by comparing this- 
 poem with Horace's Carmen Seculars, In the former, both the boys and girls 
 
 * Sueton. L. ii. c. 37, t Bentl. in Prxfat. Edit. Horatian. 
 
 form
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 365 
 
 gardens ct les filles ne font qu'un choeur pour s'addrefler en commuu 
 
 a Diane : 
 
 *' DianjB fumus In fide 
 
 " Puellse et pueri integri *." 
 
 All lieu que dans Horace les gar9ons s'addreflent a Aponon, les filles 
 a Diane : 
 
 " Supplices audi pueros Apollo, 
 
 " Siderum Regina bicornis audi, 
 
 " Luna puellas f .'* 
 
 Cette diftindion leur avoit ete' meme ordonnee par roracle qui leur 
 enjolgnit la ce'le'bration de ces jeux J. 
 
 Je m'arrete : en voila bien aflez pour una fois. Je dols fentir que 
 vos momens font pre'cieux, et il faut au moins vous difpofer a ne pas 
 trouver mauvaife la liberte qu^ j'ai prife, en n'en abufant pas. 
 J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec beaucoup de confide'ration, 
 
 Monfieur, &c. 
 
 Edward Gibbon. 
 
 form but one chorus, which addrefles itfelf to Diana*. In Horace, the boys 
 addrefs themfelves to Apollo, and the girls to Diana f. This diftinftion had 
 been eftabliflied by the oracle who commanded the celebration of the 
 games J. 
 
 But I have done. This is enough for one letter. Your time is precious, 
 and I would not offend you by carrying too far the liberty I have taken in 
 ■writing to you. I have the honour to be, with much confideration, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 Edward Gibbon. 
 
 * Catull. Carm. xxxlv. ver. i. f Horat. Carm. Secular, ver. 34, 
 
 1 V. DilTertat. CI. Turretin de Ludis Secular, p. 36. 
 
 3A 2
 
 364 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N'' VII. 
 
 M. Gesner a M. Gibbon. 
 
 1. y^UJiRiTUR de Plfonibus quibus honorem in Arte Poetlca habuit 
 ^^^Horatius. Dacerius et Sanadonus forte fidem aptid te, 
 Gibbone, Vir Dodiflime, inventuri erant facilius, fi auctorem fen- 
 tentiae fua; laudaflent, fine quo ea fevis, et hariolationl fimilis, videri 
 poteft, et qu3E argumento etiam non nimis valido evertl queat. Jam 
 vero eft ilia Porphyrionis antiqui hominis, qui earn forte debet anti- 
 quiori, qui de nominibus Horatianis fcripfit. Hie ergo Porphyrio, 
 ut eft ex optimis libris editus, Hunc I'lbrum^ inquit, qui infcribitiir 
 de Arte Poetica ad L. Pifoncm, qui pojlea urb'is cujios fu'tt, m'lfit. 
 Nam et tpfe Pifo poeta fuit^ et Jlud'iorum liberalium antijles. At 
 jetas non convenit ! Immo pulchre. Mortuus eft ille Pifo, Tacito 
 tefte, (An. 1. vi. c. 10.) oclogenarius A. U. 785. GefFit praefeduram 
 
 urbis 
 
 Mr. Gesner to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 1. You inquire who were the Pifos, of whom Horace fpeaks in fuch ho- 
 nourable terms in his Art of Poetry. Dacier and Sanadon would probably^ 
 mod learned Sir, have obtained more credit with you, had they cited the 
 authority on which their opinion refts ; and independendy of which, ic feems. 
 no better than a guefs, which a flight argument is fufficient to overturn. 
 This authority is that of Porphyrio, an ancient vvriter, who treats of the 
 names mentioned in Horace, and who here perhaps copies from fome author 
 more ancient than himfclf. In his corredled edition Porphyrio fays, " Ho- 
 " race's work, intitled the Art of Poetry, is addrefled to L. Pifo,^ wha was 
 « afterwards governor of Rome; for Pifo was himfelf a poet, and a patron 
 " of literary puifuits." But chronology, you fay, does not warrant this 
 explanation. It does ; for Tacitus tells us, in his Annals, (lib. vi. c. 10.) 
 that PUb died U. C. 785, at the age of eighty. He held his office twenty 
 
 years ;
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 365 
 
 urbis annis XX. ; fufcepit ergo A. U. 765. Antequam illud munus 
 fufciperet, debet fcripta effe epiftola de Arte Poetica (quam ego fuf- 
 picor fuide aliquando fccundi libri tertiam) : quia Porphyrio dicit, 
 qui poftea urbis atflos fuit, Ponamus natum effc Pifoni majorcm 
 filiorum anno aetatis XXX. eumque filium annos XVI. habuifle, 
 cum ad ilium ifta fcriberet Horatius {^^^d) : major juvemim^ &c. 
 Scripta erit Ars Poetica anno oi^tatis Horatii LII. quod pulchre con- 
 venit cum Bentlcianis rationibus, quas ego, cum ante hos fere annos 
 Horatium ederem, compcri hadenus certe juftas efle, ut diligentep 
 licet attendenti, nihil occurrerit, quod illis repugnet. Si putemus in 
 adolefcentem XVI annorum, non convenire laudem, quam illi tri- 
 buit Horatius (quod mihi quidem contra videtur) prius natum pof- 
 furaus V vel X adeo annis dicere. At Virgilius vivebat adhuc cum 
 Artem Poeticam fcribei'et Horatius, qui mortuus eft A. U. 735, cum 
 vir XXX annorum eflet Pifo, nee filium habere poftet X vel XII 
 ad fummum annis majorem. Primo nee ipfum hoc forte abfurdum 
 putarint qiiidam, jiivcnem hie vocari prsecocis ingenii ct doiSlrinx 
 
 puerum- 
 
 years; and therefore entered on it U. C. 765; before which period Horace 
 muft have fent to hirn the Art of Poetry, (which I fufpeft once flood at the 
 third epiftle of the fecond book,) becaufe Porphyrio fays, " who was after- 
 '* wards governor of Rome." Let us fuppofe that Pifo's Ton was born 
 when the father was thirty years old ; and that the fbn was fixteen when 
 Horace addrefied liim, O major juvetium; the Art of Poetry will then have- 
 been written in the fifcy-fecond year of Florace's age; which well agrees 
 with Bentley's computation ; a fubjedl which I remember to have exa- 
 mined and approved when about the fame time of life I publifhed my edi- 
 tion of Horace. If we think fixteen years too young for the praifes be- 
 ftowed by the poef, we may add to them five, or even ten years more. 
 But to this mode of reckoning it is objefted, that Virgil was alive when. 
 Horace wrote his Art of Poetry ; and as the latter died in the year of 
 Rome ieven hundred and thirty-five, Pifo, who was then but thirty years 
 old himfelf, could not have a fon above ten or twelve at the utmoft. But 
 fome critics do not difapprove of the application oi juvenii to a boy of ten 
 
 years.
 
 366 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 puerum decennem. Hac quidem actate poetas fulflc Hugoncm Gro- 
 tium alLofque novimus : et liberalius, credo, utebantur aulici homi- 
 nes juven'is appellatione, poftquam nequiter adeo Ciceroni expeti- 
 verat puerum quod vocaflct Odavium. 
 
 Sed quod pace tua dixerim, Vir HumanlfTime, nihil caufce video 
 cur in vivis adhuc fuifle, ftatuendum fit Virgilium, fcribente Artem 
 Horatio. Neque enim fnnpliciter eo locovivi poetse mortuis oppo- 
 nuntur, fed antiqui novis : non fola Libitina facrare poetam poteft ; 
 fed annos jam plures mortuus fit, fecundum iflos judices, oportet: 
 
 " Eft vetus atque probus, centum qui perficit annos." 
 
 Vide, qu2efo, epiflolam libri fecundi primam. 
 
 2. De Horatii ode libri tertii tertia, fententiam dixi in meis ad 
 ilium obfervationibus, quas tibi vifas non puto, quare hie repetam et 
 cxplicabo. Lufit Auguftus coenas Deorum nonnunquam. Notum eft 
 ex Suetonio (1. ii. c. 70.), male audifle aliquando ccenam illius S-xSmd. 
 Bejcv^ h. e. duodecim illorum Deorum, quibus pulvinaria, feu ledi fter- 
 
 nebantur 
 
 years, and of a forward genius : Grotius and others were poets at tfiat age ; 
 and the Roman courtiers would naturally, I chink, be prodigal in ufing the 
 term juvenis, after Cicero gave fo much offence by applying the term puer 
 to Auguftus. 
 
 But I fee not any convincing argument to prove that Virgil was alive 
 when the Art of Poetry was written. For, in the pafiage alluded to, Horace 
 does not contraft living poets with thofe that were dead, but ancient poets 
 with the modern ; and, according to the critics whom he mentions, not 
 death alone, but the being dead a certain number of years, was necelTary for 
 the attainment of poetical fame. 
 
 " Eft vetus atque probus, centum qui perficit annos." 
 
 See the firft epiftle of the fecond book. 
 
 ^ 2. Concerning the third ode of the third book, I formerly gave my opi- 
 nion in the obfervations accompanying my edition, which, as you have not 
 feen them, I (hall here repeat and explain. Auguftus fometimes reprefented 
 in fport the fuppers of the gods. We know from Suetone, lib. ii. c. 70. 
 tha.1 he was blamed for his imitation of the fupper of the twelv£ gods, which, 
 
 1 ufed
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 367 
 
 nebantur In Capitolio {e.g. Liv. xxii. 10.) Quid fi Horatlus jufTus 
 vel jnjuffus fcripiit verfus tali dramati aptos ? Quid fi, cum male audi- 
 rent id genus ludi, volult, hoc velut fpecimine propofito, perfuadere 
 hominibns, efle illos innocentes, civiles, Romani populi ftudiis con- 
 formes ? Voluit eadem ode blandiri genti Julice, quae origines Trojanos 
 ab ^nea, et lulo udum adoptaverat. Aditum fibi parat ad earn 
 rem pulcherrimum poeta. Fortitudo cum juftitia homines ad Deos 
 perducit. Inter hos jam eft noftra admiratione et prsedicatione,, 
 Auguftus, et (ut eodem circiter tempore cecinit, Od. iii. c. 5. § 2.) 
 prefms diviis habebihir. Nempe non minus meritorum ac juris 
 habet Auguftus quam habuit olim cum Baccho Romulus : qui tamen 
 non fine difficultate receptus eft, donee gratum clocuta ejl Juno D'l'is 
 confdiantibus. Hujus oratio ejufdem plane argument! eft, cujus- 
 ilia Virgiliana, (jEn. 1. xii. v. 791. et feq.) Et potuit Horatius 
 illud argumentum eligere, fi vel nunquam ferio cogitavit de transfe- 
 
 renda 
 
 nfcd to take place in the capitol, where pallets were fpread for them ; of 
 which we fee an example in Livy, lib. xxii. c. 10. Is it not pofllble that 
 Horace, either with or without the orders of Auguftus, might think proper 
 to write verfes adapted to fuch a reprefentation ? Might he not endeavour to 
 remove the blame attached to it, by exhibiting an example in which it was 
 not only innocent, but conformable with the inftitutions and inclinations of 
 the Romans ? Ac the fame time his ode would be a compliment to the 
 Julian family, which had long boalled its defcent from ^neas and liilus. For 
 entering on this fubjeft, the poet ingenioufly prepares the way, by fhowing 
 that men had attained divinity through juftice and fortitude. Auguftus is 
 entided to our admiration and praife; and, as he fung in another ode, written 
 nearly about the fame time, prefens divtis habebitiir, being not lefs worthy of 
 divinity than Bacchus and Romulus j the latter of whom was not without dif- 
 ficulty admitted to that honour, " till Juno made her moft pleafing and ac- 
 " ceptable fpeech in the council of the gods." This i'peech is of the fame 
 purport with that in the iEneid, lib. xii. v. 791. ^ Jeq. ; and might have 
 been pronounced with propriety, without fuppofing that Auguftus ever feri- 
 oufly thought of changing the feat of his empire. That prince alfo muft 
 
 have
 
 368 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 renda impenl fede Auguftus. Potuit ea re gratum faccre princlpi, fi 
 crederet ipfe populus damnari in aula confilium illud antiquum Julii 
 Ca£faris, calamitofum Romx ac deteftabile. Quod hie longior efl:» 
 et TraSfiTDcu'^s^ci, quam ab illo exordio aliquis exfpedlaret ; nse igna- 
 rus fuerit natura; carminis lyrici, quatenus ilia exemplls veteruni 
 cognofcitur, qui longum adeo cxcurfuin, fi vel cxcurlus fit, reprc- 
 liendat. 
 
 3. Durus fatis nodus efle debet, qui non modo eruditum atque 
 ingeniofum juvenem, fed veteranum etiam in his literis virum, 
 Breitingerum, cujus nomen femper cum honore ufurpo, potuit tenere. 
 Qui enim poftulare potuit legatiopopuli Romani, " civitates jure belli 
 " fuas fadas reftitui in integrum ab Antiocho," quas paulo ante Se- 
 natus Ptolemsei pupilli fui elTe dixerat ? Qui potuere Romani jure 
 belli aflerere fij^i urbes Afiae, in quam aliquot demum annis poft 
 *' primus omnium Romanorum ducum Scipio cum exercitu trajecit?" 
 (Epit.Liv. 1. xxxvii.) Verum folvi tamen poteft hie nodus, etiam non 
 
 adhibito 
 
 have been pleafed with an attempt to perfuade the people that he condemned 
 a defign, faid to have been entertained by Julius Csefar, but which was I'o 
 much detefted by the Romans, and would, if carried into execution, have 
 been fo calamitous to Rome. The fpeech indeed is longer, and more pa- 
 thetic than might be expefled from the beginning of the ode ; but he muft 
 be ignorant of the nature of lyric poetry, as illuftrated in the writings of the 
 ancients, who finds fault with the length of this real or apparent digreflion. 
 
 3. The knot muft be hard indeed, v^hich not only baffles the exertions of 
 a learned and ingenious youth, but refifts the ftrength of Breitinger, a ve- 
 teran in the literary field, whofe name I never pronounce but with the higheft 
 refpedt. How could Roman ambafladors require that the cities taken by 
 Antiochus in Afia fliould be reftored, according to the law of war, to Rome, 
 when the fenate fhortly before had declared thofe cities to belong to its 
 pupil Ptolemy ? Or how could the Romans claim thofe cities by the law of 
 war, when Scipio, a few years afterwards, was the firft Roman general that 
 pafled into Afia with an army ? Livy, lib. xxxvii. The knot, however, 
 may be untied, without having recourfe to Alexander's fword, provided we 
 2 ■ follow
 
 EDV/ARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 369 
 
 adlublto Alexandrl gladio, modo feriem illarum rerum apud ipfum 
 Juftinum atque Livium infpiciamus. Hie (1. xxxi. c. 14.), Philippo^ 
 inquit, amnios faciehat — -fadus i£ium cum Ant'tocho Syiics rege^ divi- 
 faqtiejam cum eo JEgypt'i opes^ cut viorte audita Plolcmai regis, ambo 
 imminebaiit. Juftinus (lib. xxx. c. 2.), Legates Alexandrini ad Ro- 
 manos mifere, orantes ut tutelam pupill't Jut fufc'ipcrent, tucrenturque 
 regnum JEgypti, quod jam PhU'ippum et Antiochmn, fa£la inter fe 
 paElione, divifijfe diceba?it. Nee vero inter padta res fubftitit. An- 
 tiochus enim, dum occupatus in Romano bello ejl Fhilippus, (tefte Livio, 
 lib. T^Ty. c. 19.) omnibus que in Coele-Syria funt civitatibus Ptolomcei 
 in fuam potejiatem redaclis ; fmitil per 07nne7n 07-am CilicicEque et 
 Carice tentaturus erat urbes quce in ditione Ptolemai ejjent ; Jimulque 
 Philippinn exercitu navibufque adjuturus. Interea debellatur ; vinci- 
 turque a Quintio Philippus. Ab eodem Quintio jam (Liv. lib. xxxiii. 
 c. 34.), aperte pronunciatur legatis Antiochi, jure belli et vidlorise 
 nimirum, tit exccderet AJus urbibus, qua aut Philippi aut Ptolemai 
 
 regum 
 
 follow the feries of thofe tranfadions, as related by Juttin and Llvy. The 
 latter hiftorian, lib. xxxi. c. 14, relates, " that Philip's courage was in- 
 " creafed by his league with Antiochus, king of Syria, with whom, as foon 
 *' as he learned Ptolemy's death, he purpofed, according to the tenor 
 *' of that agreement, dividing the fpoils of Egypt." Juftin, again, lib. xxx. 
 c. 2, tells us, " that the Alexandrians fent ambaffadors ^o Rome, re- 
 " quelling the fcnate to defend the caufe of their pupil, threatened with the 
 " partition of his dominions, in confequence of a treaty for that purpqfe be- 
 " tween Philip and Antiochus." This treaty indeed foon began to be car- 
 ried into effeft ; for, according to Livy, lib. xxxii. c. 19. ' "Antiochus,' 
 " while his ally was occupied in the war with Rome, conquered aU the 
 " cities belonging to Ptolemy in Coele-Syriaj purpofing n'^xt to' invade 
 " the coaft of Caria and Cilicia, and at the fame time'to afflft Philip vs^ith a 
 " fleet and army." Meanwhile Philip is conquered by the Roman conful 
 Quintius ; who then openly declared to Antiochus' ambaffadors, " that their 
 VOL. r, J B " mafter
 
 370 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 regum ftiijfent. Obfcurius igitur brevitate, fed verum tamen fcrlpfit 
 Juftinus. 
 
 Ecquid te poenitet, GIBBONE Vir Dodiffime, Uteris ita hu- 
 manis laceflitum iv'ifle fenem frigidum et inertem, qui per duos men- 
 fes poflit dlfFerre refponfionem ad epiftolam ita blandam, ita fibi 
 honorificam ? Non conjiciam caufam longi filentii in fenedlutem, 
 quamquam hsec quoque incipit fufBaminare non nunquam conatus 
 meos, ut fentiam circa feptuagefimum, demptis tribus, setatis annum, 
 non ita me jam imperare pofle ingenio, ut annis fuperioribus. Sed 
 cum alias in otium concedere paullatim detur fenibus, mihi adhuc 
 pene contra evenit, ut fubinde novse mihi cur^e imponantur. Ad- 
 fcriptus fum focietatibus aliquot, ut Berolinenfi, et noftrae fcientia- 
 I'um ; banc etiam per vices femeftres jufl'us dirigere : praefidere folea 
 fingulis hebdomadis focietati apud nos Germanicsej fubmittere autem 
 fcriptiunculas quafdam meas Latinse Jenenfi. Bibliothecam Acade- 
 mise, quinqviaginta ad minimum librorum millibus conftantem, curare 
 
 meum 
 
 " matter muft evacuate (fupply, ' according to the law of war,') all thofe 
 ** cities to which either Philip or Ptolemy had any claims." Livy, lib. xxxiii. 
 c. 34. Juftin's narrative, therefore, though obfcured by brevity, is yet 
 confident with truth. 
 
 Do you not repent, learned Sir, the having written to an indolent old 
 man, who could delay two months fending an anfwer to a letter fo obliging, 
 and fo honourable to himfelf ? I will not throw the blame on my advanced 
 age, though I begin to feel my former powers of exertion fomewhat flacken 
 and abate under the weight of fixty-feven years. At this time of life mod 
 old men are indulged with a diminution of labour; whereas I, on the con- 
 trary, am continually burdened with an increafe of occupations and cares. 
 I belong to feveral academies, particularly that of Berlin, and this here of 
 Gottingenj which laft I am appointed to diredl fix months in the yearj I 
 alfo prefide weekly in the German focicty of this place, and frequently cor- 
 refpond with the Latin fociety of Jena. I am entrufted with the care of 
 the public library, confifting at lead of fifty thoufand volumes j with the in- 
 
 fpedion
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 371 
 
 meum eft ; turn fcholas majores per Gcrmanicas Regis provlnclas In- 
 fpicere, et regere confilio ; turn alimentarios circiter viginti juvenes 
 obfervare ; et fcribere quidquid Proredoris et Senatus Academici no- 
 mine in tabulis publicis proponitur ; et inter hxc ternas, quaternas, 
 plures etiam interdum, fingulis diebus prseledtiones habere. Et dixi 
 tantum quse publicis aliquo modo officiis debentur. Quot falutares 
 juvenes funt accipiendi ? quot ex condifcipulis vel difcipulis amici ab- 
 fentes colendi Uteris ? nunquam vacare poffum a fcribendo, commen- 
 tando talia quse luci deftinata publican plus aliquanto curce poftulant : 
 ut nunc in manibus eft Claudianus, hac a^ftate, fi Deus faverit, 
 proferendus. Hsec cum ita fmt, fateor, me, cum primum percur- 
 renti tuas, vir pr^eftantiffime, literas, negotium etiam operofius vi- 
 deretur, quam tradando deinde expertus fum, illas in otium pingui- 
 ufculum continuarum aliquot horarum fepofuifle. Hoc otiolum heri 
 demum cafti mihi oblatum, collocavi ut vides. 
 
 Supereft, uti banc lucubratiunculam boni confulas, et, fi ilia minus 
 forte, quam mihi optabile eft, expedationi tu2e refpondeat, alia mihi 
 
 _^ omnia 
 
 fpe(5lion of the colleges in his majefty's German dominions j and with the 
 fuperintendance of about twenty youths, who are educated at the public ex- 
 pence. The tafk alfo falls on me of writing wliatever is inferted in the ar- 
 chives of the univerfity, in the name of the re6lor and fenate : and it is my 
 duty to give daily three, four, and fometimes more preledions. To thefe 
 public offices muft be added the avocations of private company, and of a 
 very extenfive correfpondence. Befides, I have always fome work in hand, 
 which requires nicer attention to render it worthy of the public eye. At 
 prefent 1 am employed about an edition of Claudian ; which, God willing ! 
 fhall be publifhed in the courfe of this fummer. Thus circumftanced, I 
 confefs that I laid afide your letter, which feemed as if it would require more 
 pains to anfwer than were afterwards found neceflary, until I (hould enjoy a 
 few hours of uninterrupted leifure. This opportunity occurred only yefter- 
 day, of which, you fee, I made ufe. 
 
 It remains that I requeft you to receive favourably this attempt -, and if it 
 does not fully anfwer your expedlation, to alcribe the failure to any other 
 
 3 B 2 caufe
 
 572 LETTERS TO AND FROM . 
 
 omnia quam gratiflcandi tibi voluntatem defuiffe exiftimes. Brevltatt 
 ftudui, quod non opus efle putarem ea repetere, quce ad caufam con- 
 ftituendam a te bene dida funt. Latina lingua, ut aliquanto mihi 
 familiariore, ufusfum, ne mihi forte accideret, quod tibi Gallice fcri- 
 benti, Gallice licet bene do£lo, ufu venifle video, uti fcriberes, Un 
 d'lfferent que Scaliger ct If. VoJJlus out eu cnjemble ; unde aliquis col- 
 ligerit te putafle liticulam habuifle inter fe homines, quorum alter 
 novem annis poft alterius mortem natus eft. Habes, Gibbone, 
 Vir Humaniffime, nudum pedus et deditam tibi voluntatem et parata 
 ftudia 
 
 Matthije Gesneri.. 
 
 Scrib. GoTTiNCJE, a. d. Xll Feb. Anno LVIII. 
 
 4. In quaeftione de annis CatuUi plane tuus fum, Gibbone Dodif- 
 fime, ne putes pigritia quadam me aflentiri malle tibi, quam tecum 
 difputare, primo hie reponam ipfa verba quse juvenis pofui in difpu- 
 tatione de annis ludifque fecularibus veterum Romanorum Vinarise 
 
 A. 1717, 
 
 caufe rather than my want of inclination to oblige you. Brevity was my 
 aim, becaufe it feemed unneceflary to repeat what you had fo well faid on 
 the fubjeft. I write in Latin, a language familiar to me, left I fhould com- 
 mit a miftake fimilar to that of which you, though well-fkilled in French, are 
 guilty, when you fay, Un different que Scaliger U' If. VoJJius ont eu enjemhle." 
 From which words it might be concluded, that a difference had fubfifted be- 
 tween thefe learned men, of whom the one died nine years before the other 
 was born. I remain fincerely, with much confideration, &c. 
 
 Matthew Gesner. 
 GoTTiNGEN, 1 2th February 1758. 
 
 4. As to the queftion concerning the age of Catullus, I am entirely of 
 your opinion ; and left you fhould think that I agree with you, merely be- 
 caufe, through lazinefs, I am unwilling to enter into an argument, I Ihall 
 iranfcribe the words of a thefis, which I defended in my youth forty years 
 
 I agoj
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 2>7Z 
 
 A. lyij, atque adeo ante hos ipfos quadraglnta annos a me 
 habita, (p. 43.) Ctim hi ipfo carmine 7iihil Jit quod tion alio qiioqiie 
 fcjlo in J^iance honorem cani potuerit, &c. Dcinde confirmo tibi 
 me expendifTc eadem hora, qua ifla fcribcbam, eruditam difpu- 
 tationem tuam, contuliffe ipfas If. VofTu ad Catullum obfervationes 
 (edit. 1684, 4to. p. 81 etfeq.)^ et ea quas Jof. Scaliger a VofTio hie re- 
 futatus difputaverat ; inipexifle Ciceronis de Mamun-a locum, adhibu- 
 ifle Middletoni obfervationem ; et pofl: rem bene perceptam et per- 
 penfam, plane fecundum te, prseftantiffime Gibbone, pronuucio. 
 
 P.S. Rede mihi reddentur literje tu32 fi in pofterum quoque fcri- 
 bere ad me velis, vel folo meo nomine et urbis noftrai literis 
 infcripto ; vel fic, " A. M. le ProfefTeur Gefner, Confeiller de 
 " la Cour de fa Majefte' Britannique, a Gottingen." Sed fi via 
 videx-e titulos meos more Germanico dedudlos, en tibi excerptos 
 ex libro quintum edito Nordhufa; 1752, 8vo. Teutfch und 
 Franfofifch Titularbuch, p. 164: — " 'A Monfieur Monfieur 
 
 " Gefner. 
 
 ago, (p. 43. Weimar, 1717,) concerning the fecular years and games of 
 the Komans. " There is nothing in the poem which might not have been 
 " faid, had it been written for any other feftival in honour of Diana," &c, 
 I afibre you, that wichin this hour I have compared what is faid in your 
 learned diflertauon^ with If. VolTuis' remarks on Catullus, (edit. 1684, 410. 
 p. 81, ^ Jeq.) and thofe of Jof. Scaliger, whom he refutes. I alfo exa- 
 mined the paflage of Cicero concerning Mamurra, with Middleton's ob- 
 fervations on it; and having examined and well weighed the whole matter, 
 I pronounce fentence, moft excellent Gibbon, clearly in your favour. 
 
 P. S. Your letters will find me without any farther direflion than that of my 
 name and place of abod?, or addrefied to Mr. Profeffor Gefner, coun- 
 fellor of the Court of his Britannic Majefty, Gottingen. But if you 
 wifh to fee my titles expanded at full length after the German fafhion, 
 
 . here they are, copied from the French and German " Title-booi^," 
 
 printed
 
 J74 
 
 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 " Gefner, Confeiller de la Cour de fa Majefte Brltannlque, 
 *' Profefleur ordinaire de rUniverfite de Gottingue, Infpedteur 
 " General des Ecoles de I'EleQorat de Hanovre, Bibliothe- 
 " caire de TUniverfite, Diredeur du Se'minaire Philologique, 
 " Pre'fident de la Societe Royale de I'Eloquence Allemande, et 
 " Membre de la Societe Royale de Sciences de Gottingue, &c." 
 NuUus horum titulorum eft, quin aliquid certe temporis mihl 
 auferat : quse fola etiam caufa eft cur hue defcripfi : quod mihl 
 te credere fic putabo, fi quam breviflima infcriptione literarum 
 ad me utaris. 
 
 printed at Nordhaufen, 1752, 8vo. fifch edition, p. 164. " To Mr. 
 " Gefner, Counfellor of the Court of his Britannic Majefty, Profeflbr in 
 *' the Univerfity of Gottingen, Infpeflor General of the Schools of the 
 " Elciflorate of Hanover, Librarian of the Univerfity, Direftor of the 
 " Philological Seminary, Prefident of the Royal Society of German Elo- 
 " quence. Member of the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen," &c. 
 There is not one of thefe titles but deprives me of fome part of my 
 timci the only reafon for which I here fubjoin them ; which I (hall think 
 you believe, if your letter to me has as fhort a diredion as poffibie.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 375 
 
 N" VIII. 
 Mr, Gibbon a M. Gesner. 
 
 MONSIEUR. 
 T A multitude de vos occupations montrent a la fois votre merite, 
 la juftice qu'on lui rend, ma prefomption, et votre bonte. Que 
 j'envie le fort de ce petit nombre d'efprits fupe'rieurs dont les talens 
 toujours les memes, et toujours diverfifies, revetiflent avec une egale 
 facilite tous les caraderes que I'utilite' ou I'agrement des hommes 
 exige d'eux. J'applaudis encore au difcernement de ces princes qui 
 ofent e'carter les nuages dont la frivolite, I'envie, et la calomnie en- 
 vironnent leurs trones, qui rendent aux grands hommes de leurs 
 etats, une juftice que le public impartial leur rendoit depuis long tems» 
 et qui favent recompenfer leurs talens, en leur fourniflant de nouvelles 
 occafions de les developper. Voila une petite partie des re'flexions 
 qu'a fait naitre votre lettre ; fi j'en croyois mon inclination, elles 
 n'auroient point de bornes ; mais la raifon me dit que je dois me con- 
 tenter 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Gesner.. 
 SIR, 
 
 The multitude of your employments affords at once the proof of yoiif 
 own merit, of the juftice done to it by the public, of my prefumption, and 
 of your goodnefs. How enviable is the lot of that fmall number of fupe- 
 rior minds whofe talents are equally adapted to promote the purpofes either 
 of pleafure or utility ? The difcernment furely of thofe princes is worthy 
 of much applaufe, who, having ventured to dilTipate the clouds of envy, ca- 
 lumny, and frivolity, that ufually furround thrones, render to the truly great 
 men among their fubjefts a juftice which had been long done to them by 
 the impartial public, and reward their talents, by affording them new oppor- 
 tunities to difplay them. Thefe are but a fmall part of the reflexions occa- 
 fioned by your letter, and which, were I to confult my inclination only, 
 would extend to a great length ; but my reafon tells me, that I muft be 
 2 contented
 
 376 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 tenter de vous affurer de toute la reconnoiflance dont vous avez pc- 
 ne'tre un homme qui fe fera toujours gloire du titre de votre difciple. 
 Je vais dans peu de terns en Angleterre ; je pourrois peut etre y 
 trouver I'occafion de vous prouver mes fentimens, ou du moins mom 
 commerce vous deviendra moins ennuyeux. Men fejour dans une 
 capitate e'claire'e me donnera une forte de merlte local. Incapable de 
 les imiter, je vous apprendrai de bonne-heure les travaux, et les de- 
 couvertes de nos favans. Gottingue mcrite bien qu'a mon tour je 
 vous demande quelles font les occupations de vos collegues et de vos 
 difciples, Un nouveau plaifir que j'envifage dans mon retour en Angle- 
 terre, c'eft la connoiifance de tous vos ouvrages. Mon premier foin 
 fera de me les procurer, et de les etudier comme mes meilleurs mo- 
 deles : pour m'aider dans cette recherche, je prendrai la liberte de 
 vous demander une lifte de tous ces morceaux curieux dont vousavez 
 enrichi la re'publique des lettres. Mon ignorance de plufieurs d'entre 
 eux excite a la fois ma joye et ma honte. ' Ma jeunefle, et le lieu 
 d'ou je datte mes lettres, font mon unique excufe. 
 
 Si 
 
 contented with afluring you, that you have filled with gratitude a man who 
 will always be proud of being called your fcholar. I go fhortly to England j 
 where, perhaps, I may find an opportunity of proving to you the fincerity 
 of my fentiments, at lead of rendering my correlpondence lefs tirefome. 
 My refidence in London will give me a fort of local ir.erir. I will fend you 
 early intelligence of the labours and difcoveries of our learned men, whofe 
 example 1 am unable to imitate ; and will expedl to learn, in return, what 
 is fo proper an objeft of curiofity, the occupations and ftudies of your col- 
 leagues and difcipl-es at Gottingen. At -my return to London 1 propofe to 
 myfelf a new jyleafure in coiietbing all your works, which I will make it my 
 firft bufinefs to procure; and for affifting me in this matter, muft requell that 
 you would give me the titles of all the curious pieces with which you have 
 enriched the republic of letters. My ignorance of many of them caufe5 
 both joy and fliame. It can only be excufed in confideration of my youth, 
 and the place from which this letter is dated. 
 
 If
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. ^ 377 
 
 Si j'ofe propofer quelques nouveaux doutcs, vous favez mieux 
 que perfonne qu'il n'y a que la raifoH, ou du moins fon apparence 
 que foit abfolue. Soycz perfuade que moa unique but en difcutant 
 vos le9ons, c'eft de m'en rendre digne : 
 
 *' Non ita certandi cupidus, quam propter amorem 
 " Quod te imitari aveo. Quid enim contendat hirundo 
 " Cycnis ; aut quidnam tremulis facere artubus hsedi 
 " Confimile in curfu poffint, ac fortis equi vis ? 
 " Tu pater et rerum inventor *." 
 
 Apres cette explication, je vous avouerai qu'il me refte encore quel- 
 ques nuages fur le Pifon de I'Art Poetique. Vous ne croyez pas que 
 les paroles d'Horace touchant Virgile, prouvent que ce poete fut en- 
 core vivant, et que I'oppofition eft plutot des anciens aux modernes 
 que des mots aux vivans. J'ai relu Tendroit, mais cette nouvelle 
 ledure, et les reflexions aux quelles elle a donne lieu, n'ont fait que 
 me confirmer dans ma premiere opinion. Horace trouvoit la langue 
 
 Latine 
 
 If I venture to propofe fome new doubts, it is becaufe you know better 
 than any one, that abfolute fubmifTion is due only to reafon, either real or 
 apparent. You will believe that my only motive for difcuffing your leflbns 
 is to render myfelf worthy of them: 
 
 *' Non ita certandi cupidus, quam propter amorem*." 
 
 After this apology, I muft confefs that I have ftill fome remaini'ng doubts 
 concerning the Pifo to whom Horace addrefles his Art of Poetry. You 
 think that the manner in which that poet fpeaks of Virgil does not prove the 
 latter to be ftill alive ; becaufe Horace does not oppofe the dead to the livintj 
 but the ancients to the moderns. I examined the paflage acrain, and that 
 new perufal excited reflexions which confirmed me more ftroncrly in mv 
 former opinion. Horace thought the Latin tongue too poor and barren and 
 
 * Lucret. de Rer. Natur. L, ill, ver. 5. et feq, 
 •VOL. 1. 3 c deficient
 
 378 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Latine pauvre et trop fterile, pour exprimer les idees abftraltes que 
 les compagnons de Romulus, les patres, et les brigands ne connoif- 
 foient point : plufieurs de fes compatriotes lui avoient trouv^ le 
 meme defaut. Horace fouhaite de I'enrichir. II propofe pour cet 
 efFet aux Virgile, aux Varius, de travailler dans ce deflein, et d'em- 
 prunter du Grec quantlte' de termes energiques dont ils avoient 
 befoin. II leur offre fon fecours. C'eft un projet qu'il forme et non 
 une chofe deja faite qu'il juflifie. Par confe'quent I'avenir qu'il envi- 
 fage ne pent regarder que ceux d'entre les e'crivains qui vivoient en- 
 core. Par confe'quent I'Art Poe'tique fut compofe' avant I'an 735. 
 Le point de vue fous lequel je confidere ce paffage, ell fi bien celui du 
 poete lui meme, que celui ci finit cette oppofition par cette image 
 (une des plus vives et des plus juftes, que je connoifle) : 
 
 " licuit femperque licebit 
 
 " Signatum prsefenti nota producere nomen *." 
 
 Le Iku'ity le pafle, regarde les Terence, les Caecilius, morts depuis long 
 
 temsj 
 
 deficient in words exprelTive of abftradl ideas, which were unknown to Ro- 
 mulus' companions, confifting of (hepherds and robbers. This imperfedion 
 had been remarked by others. Horace, wilhing to remedy ir, propofes 
 to tfie Virgils and Variufes^ to co-operate with him in this defign, by bor- 
 rowing from the Greek many energetic terms and phrafes which were want- 
 ing in Latin. He does not juftify a thing already done, but propofes a new 
 enterprife. The futurity which he looks to can only have a reference to 
 authors ftill alive. The Art of Poetry was therefore wrJtten before the year 
 of Rome feven hundred and thirty-five. This explanation agrees fo well 
 with the poet's thought, that his oppofition between the dead and living 
 poets, concludes with one of the jufteft and liveliefl: images that I ever 
 remember to have met with : 
 
 " licuit femperque licebit 
 
 " Signatum prsfenti nota producere nomen *." 
 The licuit has a reference to the Terences and the CeciliufeSj who were long 
 
 * Horat. de Art. Poet. ver. 59. 
 
 dead ;
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 379 
 
 tcms ; le licch'it^ le futur, Ics Varlus, Ics Virgile, ccux qui ctoient 
 encore en etat d'en profiter *. 
 
 Mais, elites vous, dans ce terns meme le jeune Pifon pouvoit 
 avoir dix ans ; Grotius faifoit bien des vers a cet age. Je le 
 fais : mais les Grotius font ils bien comniuns ; combien d'enfans 
 trouverez vous de dix ans, qui ayent non-feulement afTez de feu pour 
 faire des vers, mais encore aflez de reflexion pour en juger fenfe- 
 ment ? II n'eft pas meme vraifemblable qu'a I'age de vingt ans 
 Pifon. le pere eut deja des enfans. Vous favez combien rares etoient 
 les mariages fous Augufte ; combien I'exemple de Germanicus 
 paroiflbit admirable % ; combien la pauvrete§, la debauche, et I'orgueil, 
 
 * Cette explication efl d'autant plus vraifemblable, que dans fes ouvrages, Virgile s'eft 
 plutot pique de faire revivre de vieux mots, que d'en emprunter de nouveaux du 
 Grec. Je doute meme qu'on puifle trouver un feul endroit oii il ait fuivi le confeil 
 d'Horace. 
 
 arretolent 
 
 dead; the licehit, in the future, to the Variufes and Virgils, who were flill 
 alive, and might avail themfclves of the maxim f . 
 
 You fay that Pifo's eldeft fon might be ten years old when the Art of 
 Poetry was publifhed ; an age at which Grotius wrote verfes. Grotius did 
 fo ; but how few boys of that age have not only the fire to write, but the 
 -judgment to criticife poetry ? It is not likely that Pifo the father Ihould 
 have children at the age of twenty. You well know the paucity of mar- 
 riages under Auguftus, which rendered the conjugal felicity of Germanicus 
 an example fo much admired X ; pride, poverty §, and debauchery, deterred 
 
 f This explanation is the more probable, becaufe Virgil appears in his works to 
 value himfelf rather on reviving old words, than on borrowing new ones from the 
 Greek. I doubt whether a fingle paffage can be pointed out, in which he followed 
 Horace's advice. 
 
 t Suet. L. ii. c. 34. § Tacit. Anna!, ji, c. 37, 
 
 3 c 2 the
 
 3^0 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 arretolent la nobleffe dans le celibat, furtout pendant les guerrcs- 
 civiles qui defolerent la terre, pendant la premiere jeunefTe de Pifon^ 
 Les loix d'Augufte ne font qu'indiquer la grandeur du mal *, et Ics 
 premieres de ces loix furent promulguees plus de trente ans apre's la 
 naifllmce de Pifonf. Si Ton compte une generation ordinaire ysuza a. 
 trente trois ans :]:, il paroit que fous le commencement de I'empire, 
 on devroit les poufler plutot jufqu'a quarante ans, que de les re'duire 
 a vingt. Je conviens que ce ne font la que des probabilite's, mais dans, 
 la fcience de la critique, il paroit que les probabilite's doivent faire 
 difparokre les poffibilites, et ceder a leur tour aux preuves. Je ne 
 crains rien de ce principe. L'autorite d'un Porphyrion n'a pas affez 
 de force parmi les favans, pour pouvoir jamais former un raifonne- 
 ment. Tout ce qu'elle pourroit faire, cefe roit d'en appuyer un deja 
 prouvc. Les anciens ne donnoient point a Porphyrion la premiere 
 place parmi les commentateurs d'Horace §, et les modernes, Mon- 
 
 • fieur 
 
 the Roman nobles from marriage, efpecially amidft the civil wars, which, 
 during Pifo's youth, defolated the earth. Auguftus' laws on that fubjeft 
 only prove the greatnefs of the evil * ; and Pifo was thirty years old, before 
 the firfl; of thofe laws was enacted f. If an ordinary generation is computed 
 at thirty-three years j:, the generations under the firft emperors ought rather 
 to be extended to forty, than reduced to twenty years. Thefe, I acknow- 
 ledge, are but probabilities ; but in the fcience of criticifm probabilities de- 
 ftroy poffibilities, and are themfelves deftroyed by proofs. This principle 
 is not to be controverted. The authority of Porphyrio is of too little weight 
 among the learned to be the foundation of an argument; it might at beft 
 help to prop an argument, otherwife well fupported. The ancients do not 
 affign to him the fiift rank among Horace's commentators § ; and the mo- 
 
 * Dion. Hift. Rom. L. Ivi. p. 570. 
 
 f Horat. Carm. Secular, v. 17, &c. Torrent de Lege Julia ad Caic. Horat. p. 75, &c. 
 
 % Herodot. L. ii. Newton Chronol. Emeiidat. p. 41. 
 
 $ Vid. Vitam Horat. fine nomine Autoris. 
 
 I derns.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 381 
 
 fieur Dacler furtout, lui out trouve beaucoup d'erreurs. Je ne 
 fens pas d'ailleurs la force de la premiere de vos hypothefes. SI 
 Pifon avoit eu fon fils a I'age de trente ans, celui ci pouvoit en 
 avoir feize, lorfque Horace lui ecrivit, age, fuivant vous, qui repond 
 aux conditions requifes. AiH-iez vous oublie dans ce moment qu' Ho- 
 race mourut en 745, quand Pifon lui meme n'avoit que 40 ans ? 
 
 2. Je ne doute pas un inftant qu'Horace n'ait eu en vue, dans la troi- 
 fieme Ode du troifieme Livre, de faire voir aux Remains que fi leur 
 prince afpiroit aux honneurs divins, Viamqiie affeSlat Olympo^ il les me- 
 ritoit par fes exploits, dont la grandeur egaloit celle des plus fameux 
 htros, d'un Bacchus, d'un Hercule, d'un Romulus, he'ros, qui meprifant 
 les efforts des humains, et appaifant la haine des Dieux, s'etoient fraye 
 un chemin jufq'aux palais des immortels. Mais a t'il voulu faire cefler 
 les clameurs du peuple fur I'infame Aiu^exa^soj ? j'en doute. i. Les 
 dates y repugnent. Suetone ne marque pas celle du AwJ^^ca^eof ; mais 
 
 nous 
 
 dcrns, particularly Mr. Dacier, find in him many errors. I do not fee any 
 ground for your firft hypothefis. If Pifo had a fon when he was thirty years 
 old, this fon might be fixteen when Horace wrote his Art of Poetry j an age 
 which you think agrees with every quality required in him. Did you not 
 forget, in writing this fentence, that Horace died in feven hundred and forty- 
 five, when Pifo himfelf was only forty years old ? 
 
 2. I think it certain that Horace, in the third ode of his third book, 
 meant to fhow the Romans, that if their prince afpired to divine honours, 
 Viamque affeHat Olymfo, he well merited them by his exploits, which rivalled 
 thofe of the greateft heroes, Bacchus, Hercules, and Romulus, who, after 
 trampling on their human enemies, and appeafing the jealoufy of the gods, 
 had opened for themfelves a road to the palace of the immortals. But did 
 the poet alfo intend, by this ode, to refift and deftroy the clamours of the 
 people concerning the infamous fupper of the twelve gods ? I think he did 
 not. 1. This defign does not agree with chronology. Suetonius does not 
 tell us the date of this fupper j but fuice Mark Antony mentioned it, in his 
 
 letters
 
 382 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 nous favons toujours que puifque Marc Antolne la rapella dans les 
 lettres a fon rival *. Elle arriva avant la derniere brouillerie des 
 triumvirs, ou avant I'an 721. Suivant Bentley f dont vous adoptez 
 les idces, Horace compofa Ic troiiieme livre des Odes dans la qua- 
 rante dcuxieme, et la quarante troifieme anne'e de fon age, c'eft a dire» 
 en 728 et 729. Une juftification venue fept ou huit ans apres coup, 
 bieu loin de faire plaifir a Augufte n'auroit fervi qu'a faire revivre 
 la memoire de ces exces, que la politique du prince, et la reconnoii- 
 fance du peuple avoient plonge dans I'oubli. 2. Augufte foupa avec 
 onze hommes, ou femmes, pareillement equippes en divinites. Ho- 
 race elevoit bien Augufte a la table des dieux, purpurea libit ore 
 ne£lar; mais y placoit il aufli tous fes compagnon ? L'honneur 
 feroit devenu bien banal, et un tel pane'gyrique n'eut pas e'te fort 
 eloigne de la fatyre. Je conviens bien du refte avec vous, que trouvcr 
 le plan d'un mor9eau de poefie Lyrique, eft un but plus defirable 
 
 que 
 
 letters to Auguftus *, it muft have happened before the laft quarrel of the tri- 
 umvirs. According to Bendey f , whofe opinion you adopt, Horace wrote 
 the third book of his odes in the forty- fecond and forty-third years of his 
 age; that is, in the feven hundred and twenty-eighth and feven hundred and 
 twenty-ninth years of Rome. An apology for Auguftus' debaucheries, 
 written feven years after they happened, could have only ferved to revive the 
 memory of enormities, which the policy of that prince and the gratitude of 
 the Romans had long configned to oblivion. 2. Auguftus fupped with 
 eleven men and women, who, as well as himfelf, were adorned with the 
 emblems of divinities. The poet feated Auguftus at the table of the gods^ 
 furfureo b'tbit ore neSlar ; but can we reafonably fuppofe that he meant to 
 place there the companions of his feaft ? This would have been to render 
 the honour too common; and his panegyric would have degenerated into a fa- 
 tire. I agree with you, that it is rather defirable than neceflary to difcover the 
 
 * Suet. L. ii. c 70. t Bentley in Prxfat. ad Herat. 
 
 2 plan
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 383 
 
 que neceflaire. Les Lyrlques out toujours eu le privilege de prendre 
 un vol que rimagination admire, et que la tiniide ralfon n'ofe criti- 
 quer. Dans I'ode dont nous parlons, que ce de'faut, ii e'en eft uu, 
 eft rachete par de grandes beaute's ! Les deux premieres ftrophes font 
 fentir quel efiet, I'union de la philofophie avec la poefie, pent produire: 
 le jujltim et te?iacem propoftti virum eft le fage des ftoiciens leur 
 roi *, leur feul heureux. La juftice formoit toutes fes refolutions • 
 une conftance inebranlable le rendoit ardent a les fuivre f. Ua 
 tel homme au deffus des paiBons et des prejuge's, n'y jettolt quelque- 
 fois les yeux que pour s'ecrier, 
 
 " O! curas homlnum ! O! quantum in rebus inane !" 
 
 S'il eft honteux pour I'efpece humaine de n'avoir jamais produit cet 
 homme ; il lui eft bien honorable d'avoir fu en former un tableau. 
 Quelle gradation dans les images ! fon fage reTifteroit aux clameurs 
 
 d'une: 
 
 plan of an ode ; the writers of Lyric poetry having always enjoyed the pri- 
 vilege of fearing to heights, which, if admired by fancy, mufl not be 
 criticifed by reafon. This fault, if it be one, is compehfated by great 
 beauties. The two firft ftanzas prove the wonderful efficacy of poetry 
 when combined with phiiofophy. The. jujlum & tenacem propofili virum is the 
 fage of the Stoics, their king *, and only happy man; all whofe defigns are 
 juft, and inflexibly purfued f. Such a being, exempt from pafTions and 
 prejudices, never cafts his eyes on the tumults of human life, without ex- 
 claiming, 
 
 " O 1 curas hominum ! O ! quantum in rebus inane !"" 
 
 To the difgrace of mankind, fuch a charafter never exifted j but it is not 
 a fmall honour for the fpecies, that fuch perfect virtue has been defcribed and 
 reliOied. The climax is beautiful. The fage would refift the clamorous 
 
 * Horat. Serm, L. i. Serm. ill, ver. 124. 
 
 f Cicero pro Muren^e, c, 29. De la Mothe le Vayer, torn. i. p. 606, &c. de la 
 Vcrtu des I'ayens. 
 
 fury
 
 384 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 d'une multitude forcenee. Mais la colere du peuple s'appaife avec la 
 meme facilitc qu'elle s'eft allumee. II rncpriferoit les menaces d'uR 
 tyran furieux ; mais les cceuis des tyrans fe font quelquefois laifle 
 fie'chir: II entcndroit fans fremir le bruit des ternpetes fourdes aux 
 cris des malheureux. Mais la fortune a fouvent fauve les viftimes a 
 la fureur des flots. Egal a. Jupiter, il n'en craindroit par la foudre. 
 I^i Timaglnation s'arrete en tremblant. Elle craint pour le poete 
 une chute foible ou outre'e ; elle ne fent point d'image fupe'rieure au 
 courroux du maitre des Dieux et des hommes. Avec quel etonne- 
 ment admire t'elle le genie du poete, quand elle lit, " II recevra fans 
 " fourciller le choc de I'univers e'croule, ou une meme deftru(a;ion de- 
 *' voit enve'lopper, les hommes, les e'le'm.ens, et lesDieux eux memes*." 
 Te m'arrete. Peut etre ces re'flexions- vous ennuyent : en ce cas, 
 c'eft ma faute. J'aurai cependant rempli men but qui e'toit de faire 
 voir le point de vue fous lequel je confidere I'e'rudition la plus grande. 
 
 Comme 
 
 furv of a mad multitude -, but this popular rage is often appealed as eafily as 
 it is kindled. He would defpire the direats of a furious tyrant: but the 
 hearts of tyrants fometimes relent with compaffion. He would hear without 
 terror the raging tempeft, which overpowers the cries of the wretched ; but 
 fortune has often refcued vidlims from the boifterous waves. He would not 
 dread the thunder of Jupiter : here the trembling imagination paufcs, fear- 
 ing left the poet fiiould either fink into meannefs, or fwell into bombaft j be- 
 caufe it feems impoffible to conceive a bolder image than the enraged maftcr 
 of oods and men. But our fear is converted into admiration, .when, we 
 read " he would fuftain unterrified the crafliing fhock of the univcrfe, 
 " by which the elements, men, and gods are involved in one common 
 '' ruin*." I ftop here, left my refleftions ftiould tire you; which, if they 
 do, it muft be my fault. I fliall have attained, however, my purpofe, 
 ■which was to (how the point of view under which I confider the moft pro- 
 found erudition. Regarded as a mean or inftrument, it merits our higheft 
 
 » PJin. L. vi. Epift. 20. 
 
 admiration :
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 38^ 
 
 Comme moyen, elle merite toute notre admiration ; comme fin der- 
 
 niere, tout notre mepris. 
 
 3. Vous connoiilez, Monfieur, ce fameux pafl'ige de Velleius Pater- 
 cuius *, qui a donne tant de peine aux favans. Le voici : Ita Dru" 
 Jus qui a patre ad id ipfum plurimo pridcm igne emicans incendiiim 
 militaris tumult/is mijfus erat, prifca antiqudque feveritate ufus^ and- 
 pitia fibi tarn rem qtiam exemplo per?iiciofa, et his ipfis niUituni gla- 
 /iiis, qiiihus obfcjfus erat, obfidentcs cocrcuit. II ne paroit pas qu'on 
 en puifle tirer quelques fens raifonnable. II faut abfolument le fup- 
 pofer, ou inutile, ou corrompu. Auffi tous les critiques, qui out tra- 
 vaille fur cet auteur, ont ils effaye de le retablir. Burerius, Acida- 
 lius, Grutar, Boecleras, Heinfius, Burman, ont tous fourni des con- 
 jectures plus ou moins vraifemblables, mais que je ne me propofe 
 pas de difcuter. II vaudra mieux, je crois, vous en offrir une de ma 
 fa^on, et vous laiffer juge de fon plus, ou moins de probabilite. 
 Au lieu de la lecon reyue, je lirai, Prifca antiqmqtie feveritate, fusus 
 ancipitia fibi tarn re quain exemplo pcrniciofa. II faute auX yeux com- 
 bien ce leger changement prefente un fens net. II eft aife' de faire 
 
 voir 
 
 admiration ; but confidered as an ultimate end, it is entitled to nothino- but 
 contempt. 
 
 3. You remember. Sir, that famous paflage of Velleius Paterculus * which 
 has given fo much trouble to the learned. It is as follows : * * s- * 
 It feems unfufceptible of any meaning, and muft be fuppofed either defec- 
 tive or corrupt. All the critics, therefore, who have examined it, endeavour 
 to reftore the text. Burerius, Acidalius, Gruterj Boeclerus, Heinfius, Bur- 
 man, have, all of them, given conjeftures more or lefs probable, which 
 I fhall not here difcufs. I (ball rather fubmit an emendation of my own to 
 your judgment. Inftea'dof the common reading, I would fubftiuite Prifca 
 mitiqudque jEveritatCy fusus ancipitia fibi tarn re quam exemplo pernicioja. We 
 fee iit once that this fmall alteration produces a clear and diftinft fenfej and 
 
 * Veil. Paterc. L. ii. c. 125. 
 tVQL. I. J D the
 
 386 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 voir qu'elle eft des plus conformes a I'analogie de la langue, et a 
 la verite de I'liiftoirc. Les. meilleurs grammairiens reconnoiffent 
 aujourdhui, que les Latins, fautc d'une forme moyenne a leurs 
 verbes, fe font fouvent fervi des participes d'une terminaifon paffive 
 dans un fens adif *'. Qu'ainfi ils ont dit juratus^ pimitus^ pour 
 dire qui juravh, qui punivit. On trouve meme pcragratus dans ce 
 fens, dans Velleius lui meme f. K\w{\ fufus , pour exprimer Tadtion 
 de Drufus, ne doit pas e'tonner. L'hiftoire efl; e'galement favorable 
 a notre corredion. Drufus (fuivant Tacite) arrive au camp des 
 rebelles %. Ses ordres font me'prife's, fes ofFres deviennent fuf- 
 pe(fl:es. Les foldats le tiennent prifonnier dans le camp, ils outragent 
 fes amis, ils ne cherchent qu'un pre'texte pour commencer le carnage; 
 quel danger pour fa perfonne ! Sihi aiidpitia tarn re. On connolt 
 la fe'verite de la difcipline Romaine. Les chefs e'toient pour les 
 foldats, des dieux ; leurs ordres, des oracles. Quel renverfement de 
 toutes ces maximes ! Qijel funefte exemple pour I'avenir, que 
 
 la 
 
 the correftion may be proved to be equally conformable to the analogy of 
 the Latin tongue, and agreeable to the truth of hiftory. The beft gram- 
 marians acknowlege that the Latin, not having a middle voice, admits of a 
 pafTive participle in an adlive fignification *. Thus, juratus, piinitus, feme- 
 times denote qui juravit, qui furavit. We find peragratus ufed in this 
 meaning by Veileius himfelf f. Fu/us may therefore, without impropriety, 
 denote the aftion of Drufus. Hiftory alfo favours this correftion. Ac- 
 cording to Tacitus, when Drufus arrived in the camp of the rebels, his or- 
 ders were difobeyed, his offers fufpedted, the foldiers made him prifoner, 
 they infulted his friends, and waited only for a pretence to begin the Daughter. 
 Such were the dangers that threatened his perfon.' Sibi ancipitia tarn re. The 
 feverity of the Roman difcipline is well known. The generals were the gods 
 of the foldiers, and their orders received as oracles. But ancient maxims 
 were now overturned ; and the fedition of the Pannonian legions created an 
 
 ♦ V.Burmanad Vell.Paterc. L. ii. c 97. Perlzon. adSan£t.Minerv. L. i. c. 15. n.4. 
 I Veil. Paterc L, ii. c. 97. % Tacit. Annal. i. c. 24, &c. 
 
 example
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 387 
 
 la fedltlon des k'gions Pannoniennes ! Le fanatlfine, qui a fait tant 
 dc maux, fit cette fois du bien : une cclipfc dc lune etonna les 
 Ibidats, et fauva le prince. 
 
 J'ai lu avec plaifir, IMonfieur, votre explication dc la difficulte de 
 Juftin. J'admire avec combien d'art vous formez un tiflu de la 
 narration des auteurs differens, pour raffembler des rayons e'pars de 
 lumiere dans un meme foyer. Si vous n'y avez pas pu porter toute 
 la nettete defirable, je crois qu'on doit s'en prendre uniquement aux 
 tffnebres de I'antiquite' et a la brie'vete de Juftin lui meme. 
 
 RafTure par votre fuffrage, je n'ai plus de crainte fur mon ide'e 
 touchant la mort de CatuUe. Auparavant je la trouvois vraifemblable ; 
 a prefent je commence a la rcgarder comme certaine. 
 
 J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec la plus haute confideration et la plus 
 
 parfaite eftime, Monfieur, &c 
 
 Edward Gibbon. 
 
 example nioft pernicious to pofterity. Superftition, which does fo much 
 evil, here did good : an eclipfe of the moon frightened the foldiers, and 
 faved the life of the general. 
 
 I read with much pleafure your folution of the difficulty in Juftin ; and 
 admire your fkill in extrading a regular narrative, by bringing the fcactered 
 lights in authors to one focus. If any uncertainty ftill remains, it mull be 
 afcribed to the darknefs of antiquity and Juftin's brevity. 
 
 Your fuffrage removes all fear about the folidicy of my conjefture con- 
 cerning the death of Catullus, I formerly thought it probable, but begin 
 now to regard it as certain. I have the honour to remain, with the highefl: 
 confideration and moft perfect efteem, yours, Sec. 
 
 Edward Gibbon, 
 
 302
 
 388 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" IX. 
 
 This Letter, in the edrly hand-writingof Mr. Gibbon, (probably about 
 the time of his firll leaving Laufanne,) feems to be under the afllimed 
 charafler of a SwediOi traveller, v.'riting to a Swifs friend, delineating 
 the defeats he difcovered in the government of Berne. In pointing 
 out thofe defefts he feems to have had the intention of fuggefting. 
 remedies ; but, as he is entering on this topic, the manufcript ends 
 abruptly. The excellence of this curious paper will apologize for 
 its great length. 
 
 •VTON, mon cher ami, je ne veiix point etre cofmopolite. Loin de 
 moi ce titre faftueux, fous lequel nos philofophes cachent une 
 egale indifference pour tout le genre humain. Je veux aimer ma 
 patrie, et pour aimer, il me faut des prefe'rences : mais ou je me 
 trompe, ou mon coeur eft fufceptible de plus d'une. Quand j'aurois 
 tout facrifie pour la Suede, mon pays natal, je ne me ferois point 
 encore acquitte envers elle ; je lui dois la vie et la fortune : mais 
 que cette vie feroit trifte, que cette fortune me feroit a charge, 
 fi, expatric des ma tendre jeunefle, votre pays n'eut pas forme mon 
 
 gout 
 
 No ; my dear friend, I will not be a citizen of the world ; I rejeft with 
 fcorn that proud title, under which our philofophers conceal an equal indif- 
 ference for the whole human race. I will love my country j and to love ic 
 above all others, there mud be reafons for my preference : but, if I am not 
 miftaken, my heart is fufceptible of affeilion for more countries than one. 
 Did I facrifice all to Sweden, I fhould only pay ray debt of gratitude to the 
 land in which I was born, and to which I owe my life and fortune. Yet 
 life and fortune would have been but melancholy burthens, if, after my ba- 
 nilhment from home in early youth, your country had not formed my tafte 
 
 X and
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 389 
 
 gout et ma ralfon a dcs moeurs molns groffieres que Ics notres ! fe 
 me montrerois indigne de ces bienfaits, s'il ne m'avoient pas inrpirc la 
 plus vive reconnoiffance. Aujourd'hui que la Suede, tranquille a I'abri 
 des loix, n'exige de les cnfans que de fentir leur bonheur, je puis, 
 fans Toffenfer, jetter uu regard fur le pays de Vaud, mon autre 
 patrie, me rejouir avec vous de fes avantages, et compatir a fes 
 maux. 
 
 Votre climat eft beau, votre terroir fertile ; vous avez pour le 
 eommerce interieur des facilite's, dont il ne tient qu'a vous de pro- 
 filer. Mais je confidere plutot les habitans, que I'habitation. On 
 va cliercher les philofophes a Londres. Paris attire dans fon fein 
 tous ceux qui n'aiment que la douceur de la focie'te. Votre pays le 
 cede a ces deux capitales, la ou clles brillent ; mais cependant il 
 re'unit tous leurs avantages refpeftifs ; il eft le feul ou tout a la fois 
 on ofe penfer, et on fache vivre. Que vous manque t'il ? la liberte' : 
 et prives d'elle, tout vous manque. 
 
 Cette 
 
 and reafcn, and taught me mere refined morals than our own. I fhould 
 prove myfclf unworthy of this goodnefs, did it not infpire me with the live- 
 lieft gratitude : and now that Sweden, enjoying tranquillity under the pro- 
 tedion of laws, requires nothing from its fubjedts but a juft fenfe of their 
 happinefs, I may direct my attention, without offence, to the Pais de Vaud, 
 my fecond country ; rejoicing with you in its advantages, or commiferating 
 its misfortunes. 
 
 You enjoy a fine climate, a fertile foil, and have conveniencies for internal 
 commerce, from which great benefit might be derived. But I confider the 
 people rather than their territory. Philofophy fiourilbes in London ; Paris 
 is the centre of thofe attradted by the allurements of polifhed fociety. Your 
 country, though inferior to thofe capitals, yet unites in fome meafure their 
 refpedive advantages : fince it is the only country whofe inhabitants, while 
 they think freely and boldly, live politeJy and elegandy. What then is 
 wanting ? Liberty ; and deprived of it, you have loft your all. 
 
 This
 
 390 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Cette veritc vous furprend, elle vovis blelTe. Pouvoir dire que 
 nous ne fommes pas libres, me repondez vous, prouve que nous le 
 fommes. II le prouveroit peut etre, fi j'ccrivois a Laufi:muc, ou plutot 
 la meme il nc prouveroit ricn. Vos maitrcs connoiflent la inaxime 
 du Cardinal Mazarin, de vous iaifler parler, pourvu que vous les 
 laifliez agir. Ainfi le proces n'eft point encore juge. 
 
 Si j'ccrivois pour le peuple je m'addrenerois a fes paflions ; je le 
 ferois fouvenir de cette maxime de tons les teins, que dans les repub- 
 liques, ceux qui font libres, font plus libres, et ccux qui font 
 efclaves, plus efclaves que partout ailleurs. Mais avec un ami tel 
 que vous, je ne dois chercher que la verite', et n'empioyer que la 
 raifon. Quand je compare votre etat avec celui de vos voiflns, c'efl 
 avec plaifir que je le prononce heureux. Traverfez votre lac et vos 
 montagnes, vous trouverez partout un peuple digne d'un meilleur 
 fort ; fa raifon abrutie par la fuperftition, le patrimoine de fes 
 peres, et le fruit de fon induflrie, en proye au partifan, ou au 
 
 huflard. 
 
 This truth furprifes and offends you. The right of complaining, you 
 anfwer, that we are not free, is a proof of our liberty. If I v/roce at Lau- 
 fanne, the argument would have weight; yet even there, it would not be 
 convincing ; for your mafters are not ignorant of Cardinal Mazarine's maxim, 
 and are willing to allow you to talk, provided you allow them to a.6i ; fo that 
 the procefs is not yet determined. 
 
 If I wrote for the people 1 would fpeak to their pafTions, and hold a lan- 
 guage repeated in all ages, that under republics, thofe who are free are more 
 free, and thofe who are endaved, more enflaved, than under any other form 
 of government. But with a friend like you I would feek only the maxims 
 of truth, and employ only the arguments of reafon. When I compare 
 your condition with that of furrounding nations, I can fincerely congratulate 
 you on your happinefs. "Whenever we quit the neighbourhooc' of your lake 
 and mountains, we find men who, chough worthy of a better fate, are 
 plunged in the moft abjefl; fuperftition; whofe property and induftry are the 
 
 fpoils
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquhe. 391 
 
 hufTard. Sa vie facrifiee a tout moment au caprice d'un fcul 
 homme, qui, lorfqu'il entend parler dc vingt milles de fes fem- 
 blables, morts dans le fervice de fon ambition, dira froidement, qu'ils 
 ont fait leur devoir. 
 
 Vous au contraire profefTez un Chriftianifme, ramene a la divine 
 purete de fon inftitution, enfeigne par de dignes pafteurs, a qui on 
 permet de fe faire aimer, de fe faire relpedler, mais non de fe faire 
 craindre. Votre union avec le Corps Helvetique vous a afTure 
 depuis deux fiecles une paix unique dans I'hiftoire. Vos impots 
 font petits, I'adminiftration douce. On n'entend point parler parmi 
 vous de ces fentences fans proces, fans crime, fans accufateur, qui 
 arrachent un citoyen du milieu de fa famille. L'on ne voit jamais 
 le fouverain, on le fent rarement. Cependant fi la liberte confifte 
 a n'etre foumis qu'a des loix, dont I'objet efl le bien commun de la 
 fociete', vous n'etes point libre. 
 
 Quand 
 
 fpoils of a licentious foldiery ; and whofe lives are ready every moment to 
 be facrificed to the caprice of one man, who, when he hears that twenty 
 thoufand of his fellow- creatures have fallen facrifices to his ambition, is 
 contented with faying coldly, •' they have done their duty." 
 
 You, on the contrary, enjoy a Chriftianity brought back to the purity of 
 its original principles, taught publicly by worthy minifters, who are loved 
 and refpedled, but who have it not in their power to become the objefts of 
 fear. Your connedion with the Swifs cantons has preferved to you the 
 bleffings of peace two centuries ; a thing unexampled in hiftory. Your 
 taxes are moderate ; and the public adminiftration is gentle. You have not 
 to complain of thofe arbitrary fentences, which, without any form of legal 
 procedure, without an accufer, and without a crime, have been known to 
 tear citizens from the bofoms of their families. The fovereign is never 
 feen J the weight of his authority is rarely felt: yet if liberty confifts in 
 being fubjeft to laws, which impartially confult the interefls of all the mem- 
 bers of the commuiiity, you do not enjoy that blcffing. 
 
 a When
 
 392 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Quand la violence dcs uns, et la foiblefle des autres, ont rendn 
 necefl'aires les focie'tcs civiles, il a fallu renoncer a cette independancc 
 fi chere, et fi pernicieufe. II a fallu que toutes les volonte's particu- 
 lieres fe fondifl'ent dans une volonte generalc ; i\ laquelle des punitions 
 regle'es obligeaffent chaque citoyen de conformer fes a£tions. Qu'il 
 eft de'li'cat, ce pouvoir de fixer la volonte gene'rale ! En quelles mains 
 dolt on le remettre? Sera-ce a un monarque des-lors abfolu. Je 
 fais que I'interet blen entendu du prince ne fe peut se'parer d'avec 
 celul de fon peuple, et qu'en travaillant pour lui, 11 travaille pour 
 fol meme. Tel eft le langage de la philofophle. Mais ce langage 
 n'eft pas un de ceux que les pre'cepteurs font etudler aux rois ; et fi 
 un heureux naturel leur en donne quelque idee, leurs paffions, ou 
 celles d'un minlftre, d'un confefleur, d'une maitrefTe, I'eflacent blen- 
 tot. Le peuple ge'mlt, mais il faut qu'il alt gcmi long terns, avant 
 que fon maitre s'appercolve qu'il eft de I'interet d'un berger de con- 
 ferver fon troupeau. II faut done que le pouvoir le'glflatlf folt par- 
 
 tage. 
 
 When the injuftice of fome, and the weaknefs of others, fliowed the ne- 
 cefTity for civil fociety, individuals were obliged to renounce their beloved, 
 but pernicious, independence. All particular wills were melted down into 
 the oeneral will of the public ; by which, under the fanflion of definite pu- 
 nifhments, men became bound to regulate their conduit. But it is a matter 
 of the utmofl delicacy to determine with whom that general will ought to 
 be depofited. Shall it refide in the breaft of a prince, who thereby be- 
 comes abfolute ? I know that the true interefts of a prince can never be 
 feparated from thofe of his people, and that in exerdng himfelf for their be- 
 nefit, he labours for his own. This is the language of philofophy, but it is 
 feldom fpoken by the preceptors of princes ; and if the latter fometimcs 
 read it in their own hearts, the impreffion is fpeedily efi'aced by contrary 
 paffions, in themfelves, their confefibrs, their minifters, or miftreffes. The 
 groans of the people are not foon heard ; and their mafier learns only by a 
 fatal experience, that it is the intereft of a fhepherd to preferve his flock. 
 The legidative power, thereforCj cannot fafely be entrufted to a fingle per- 
 
 Ibn.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 393 
 
 tagc. Uii confeil dont les membres s'eclaircnt et fc contlennent Ics 
 uns les autres, paroit en etre un de'pofitalre bien choili. Mais la 
 liberte attache a ce confeil une condition fondamentale. Elle veut 
 que chaque ordre des citoyens, chaque partie de I'e'tat, y ait fes re- 
 prefentans inte'reffcs a s'oppofer a toute loi qui feroit nuifible a. fes 
 droits, ou contraire a'fon bonheur, puifqu'eux memes en fentiroient 
 les premiers, les mauvais efFets. Une telle aflemble'e fera rarement 
 des fautes grofiieres, et fi elle paye quelquefois le tribut a I'humanite'. 
 elle peut rougir de fes erreurs, et les leparer auffi tot. Ce portrait 
 eft il le votre ? J'entre dans voire pays, je vols deux nations dif- 
 tingue'es par leurs droits, leurs occupations, et leurs moeurs. L'une, 
 compofe'e de trois cens families, eft nee pour commander ; I'autre, de 
 cent mille, n'eft forme'e que pour obeir. Toutes les pretenfions Iiu- 
 miliantes des monarques hereditaires fe renouvellent a votre e'gard, 
 et deviennent encore plus humiliantes de la part de vos egaux. La 
 comparaifon de vos deux e'tats, vous eft trop facile. Rien ne vous 
 aide a rcloigner. 
 
 Ua 
 
 fon. A council, whofe members mutually infl:ru£l, and muiually ^fieck, 
 each other, appears to be its proper depofitory. But in this council one 
 condition is elTentially requifite. It mull confift of deputies from every or- 
 der in the ftate, interefted by their own fafety in oppofing every regulation 
 inconfiftent with the happinefs of that order to which they belong. Such a 
 council will rarely be guilty of grofs errors ; and Ihould this fometimes hap- 
 pen, it will foon blufli for, and repair them. Is this the pifture of your 
 legiflature ? When I furvey your country, I behold two nations, diftinflly 
 charaderifed by their rights, employments, and manners; the one, con- 
 fifling of three hundred families, born to command; the other, confifting of 
 an hundred thoufand, doomed to fubmiflion. The former are invefted, as a 
 body, with all the prerogatives of hereditary monarchs, which are the more 
 humiliating to you their lubjeds, becaufe they belong to men apparently 
 your equals. The comparifon between yourfelves and them is made every 
 moment •, no circumftance tends to conceal it from your fancy. 
 
 v,oi.. I. 3 E A coun-
 
 394 
 
 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Un confell de trois cens perfonnes decide de tons vos intercts en 
 dernier xefTort, et fi fes inte'rets et les votres ne font pas d'accordj qui 
 doit remporter? Non feulement ce fenat eft Ic'giflateur, mais il exe- 
 cute fes propres lois:: Cette union de deux puiflances qu'on ne devoit 
 jamais reunir, les rend chacune plus formidables. Quand ellcs font 
 feparees, la puifllxnce le'giflative redoute les reTolutions violentes ; elles 
 fcroient inutiles, fi Ton n'armoit pas les mains de la puiffance qui les 
 doit exe'cuter, et cette puiflance eft toujours fa rivale, et fon contre- 
 poids. Mais ce n'cft pas affez que cette union aiguife le glaive de 
 de I'autorite' publique, elle le remet encore dans un plus petit nombre 
 de mains : dans le dernier fiecle le grand confeil de Berne fe renouvel- 
 loit lui meme ; c'etoit deja un pas vers I'oligarchie : pourquoi ex- 
 clure des elections le corps de la Bourgeoifie ? Alors meme le gou- 
 vernement s'appuyoit fur un fondement aflez e'troit. Bientot des 
 inconveniens fe firent fentir ; la brigue, la ve'nalite, la de'bauche, fig- 
 naloient I'entree des citoyens dans le confeil fouverain, et les riches 
 
 ambitieux 
 
 A council of three hundred perfons is the fovereign umpire of your dearefl: 
 interefts, which will always be facrificed when they clafh with their own. 
 This council is invefted with the executive, as well as the legidative, power ; 
 two branches of authority which can never be united, without rendering each of 
 them too formidable to the fubjefl:. When they belong to different perfons,. 
 or aiTemblies, the legiflature will not venture to form violent refolutions, 
 becaufe thefe would be of no avail, unlefs they were carried into execution 
 by another power, always its rival, and often its antagonift. The fword of 
 authority is not only fharpened by this union, but is thereby confined to a 
 fmaller number of hands. In the laft century the great council of Bern be- 
 gan to eleft its own members j which was a great ftep towards ohgarchy,. 
 iince it excluded from eleftions the citizens at large, and thereby narrowed the 
 bafis of the government. But this arrangement was liable to other inconve- 
 niencies. Intrigue, venality, and debauchery fignalifed the admifiion of citi- 
 zens into the fovereign council ; and ambitious men fquandered their wealth, 
 
 I that
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 395 
 
 ambltleux donnoient tout, pour pouvoir tout invaliir. Une deputa- 
 tion revocable tie vingt fix confeillers, etablie dcs I'cnfance de la re- 
 publique, pour veiller a I'execution des loix, devint chargee du foiri 
 de remplir les places de ce grand confeil dont elle-meme tiroit fon 
 origine. On y ajoutoit feize fe'nateurs choifis de' la maniere la 
 plus favorable aux fadieux. lis pofledoient d'abord leur pouvoir 
 coUedlivement, iBais peu a peu I'interet particulier leur fit entendre 
 qu'il valoit mieux permettre a cliacun de nommer {on fils, fon 
 gendre, et fon parent. Les families puifTantes qui dominoient alors 
 dans le fJnat, y domlnent encore. Les de Wattevilles, et les 
 Steiguers, y rempliflent une trentaine de places. Le commerce inte'^ 
 refle de bienfaits, ou i'on paffe dans le petit confeil par les fuffrages de 
 fes parens, pour faire entrer de nouveaux parens dans le grand confeil^ 
 a deja reduit le nombre das families qui fiegent dans celui-ci, a en- 
 viron quatre vingt. Ces maifons fouveraines ont un e'gal me'pris pour 
 ceux que le droit naturel auroit du rendre leurs concitoyens, et 
 
 pour 
 
 that they might purchafe a right to indulge their rapacity. A committee of 
 fix counfellors, eftablifhed in the infancy of the republic, to watch the exe- 
 cution of the laws, and whofe offices were held at pleafure, became entrufted 
 with the power of naming the members of the grand council, by which this 
 committee itfelf was appointed. Its number was augmented by fixteen fe- 
 nators, chofen in the manner moft favourable to the defigns of fadtion. They 
 exercifed their power at firfl: colleftively, but by degrees they came to un- 
 derftand that their particular interefts would be better promoted by each 
 naming his fon, fon-in-law, or kinfman. The powerful families which then 
 ■commanded the fenate, (till rule in it at prefent. Thirty places are filled by 
 the "Wattevilles and Steiguers. This felfifli traffic, by which the members of 
 the litde council are eleded by the great council, confiding of their own rela- 
 tions, that they may name other relations to feats in the great council, has re- 
 duced the number of families, which have a right to fit in the latter, to nearly 
 fourfcorc. Thefe princely families look down with equal contempt on thofe 
 who are their fellow-citizens by the law of nature, and thofe who were ren- 
 
 3 E 2 dered
 
 396 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 pour ceux qui le font par la conftitution de I'etat. II manque meme 
 aux premiers une reffource que les monarques les plus abfoius, n'ont 
 pas ofe' oter a leurs fujets ; je veux parler de ces tribunaux reconnus 
 du fouverain, et reve're's du peuple, pour etre I'organe de la patrie, et 
 les de'pofitaires des lolx. Toutes les volontes du prince, qui doivent 
 etre obeies, le font plus facilement, quand les fujets voyent combien 
 elles font raifonnables, puifqu'elles ont pafle par I'examen de ces 
 magiftrats, qu'on ne pent ni trompei", ni fe'duire, ni intimider. 
 AufTi repondent lis a cette confideration, par une re'fiftance refpedu- 
 eufe, mais determine'e centre Toppreflion, ou ils e'talent tout ce que 
 la ralfon, la liberte', et I'eloquence peuvent infplrer a. des citoyens 
 2elcs. C'eft principalement dans ces tribunaux paifibles que je trouve 
 ces qualite's. Prives d'armes, ils ne doivent leur pouvoir qu'a leur 
 probite, et a leur e'loquence. Eft il e'tonnant que ceux, qui n'ont que 
 cette inftrument, s'appliquent le plus a le cultiver ? Quelles legoos 
 pour les rois, que les remontrances du Parlement de Paris ? Quels 
 modeles pour le peuple que la conduite des Mandarins de la Chine ? 
 Frappe' par un tribunal de cette efpece, le monarque ne pent me'con- 
 
 noitre 
 
 dered' fuch by the conftitution of their country. The former clafs is deprived 
 of a refource which the moft abfoiute princes have fcldom ventured to wreft 
 from their fubjefts ; I mean thofc courts of juftice acknowledged" by the 
 prince, and revered by the people, as the organs of public opinion, and the 
 depofitories of the Jaws. The commands of the fovereign are obeyed with 
 cheerfulnefs only when their propriety is confirmed by the approbation of 
 thofe tribunals, whofe members it has been found difficult either to deceive, 
 to feduce, or to intimidate. Their refiftance to oppreffion is refpedful, but 
 firm ; and in exerting it, they difplay that warmth of eloquence with which 
 reafon and liberty in'.pire good citizens. In the members of thofe peaceful 
 tribunals, fuch qualities appear in their greateft lultiC. Deftitute of arms> 
 their whole ftrength lies in their talents and their probity. What noble 
 lelTons to kings have been given by the parliament of Paris ? What excel- 
 lent examples to fubjeds are fet by the Mandarines of China ? Monarcbs 
 ■oiufi hear the groans of their people, when fuch refpedable bodies of men
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 397 
 
 noltre les gcmifl'emens de la patrie. Lcs citoyens y apprennent qu'ils 
 ont une patrie ; ils attachent a Taimer, a etudier fes loix, a fe former 
 a toutes les vertus publiques. EUes muriflent dans le fiieace, I'occa- 
 fion les developpe, ou elles fe font I'occafion. Les ctats du Pays de 
 Vaud, refpedables fous les Rois de Bourgogne, et fous les Dues de 
 Savoye, eioient ce tribunal. Gompofc's de la nobleffe, du clerge', et 
 des deputes des villes principales, ils s'affembloient tous les ans a 
 Moudon. C'etoit le confeil perpctuel du prince. Sans leur con- 
 fentement, il ne pouvoit, ni faire de nouvelles loix, ni etablir de nou- 
 veaux impots. Si j'etois fur les lieux j'etablirais ces droits, par vos 
 monumens les plus authentiques. Tout e'loigne' que j'en fuis, je ne 
 crains pas d'appeller a leur temoignage. II me refte toujours une 
 preuve moins fenfible pour le peuple, mais aufTi decifive pour les gens 
 de lettres: c'eft I'analogie. Les Barbares du cinquieme fiecle jette- 
 rent par toute I'Europe, les racines de ce gouvernement que Charle- 
 magne etablit dans les Pays Bas,. la France,. I'ltalie, la SuifTe, et. 
 
 I'Allemagne.. 
 
 are their organs. The people too learn that they have a country, whicb 
 they will begin to love, to ftudy its laws, and to form themfelves to public 
 virtues. Thele virtues ripen filently ; they are exerted when an opportunity 
 offers J and fometimes they will make an opportunity for their own exhibi- 
 tion. In the Pais de Vaud, which was equally refpedlable under the kinos 
 of Burgundy and the dukes of Savoy, the ftates formed fuch a tribunal. 
 They were compofcd of the nobility, clergy, and deputies from the principal 
 cities, which annually aflembled at Moudon, and formed the perpetual 
 council of the prince, without whofe confent he could neither enaft new 
 ^aws, nor impofe new taxes. Were I on the fpot, I could prove the exift- 
 ence of thofe rights by your moft authentic records. At a diflance I can 
 only appeal to their teftimony, and employ an analogical proof, which will 
 be fufficiently convincing to men of letters.. The Barbarians, who over- 
 flowed Europe in the fifth century, every where laid the foundation of that 
 form of government which Charlemagne eftablifhed in the Low Countries, 
 France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. The different modes of tenure 
 ^ which;
 
 398 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 rAUemagne. Quelques evcnemens, les degres, et les terns on les 
 aiTiere-fiefs fe formerent des fiefs, ou le clerge acquk des teires fei- 
 gneuriales, ou les villes acheterent leurs affranchiffemens, y appor- 
 terent de legeres differences. Mais Ic fond de cette conftitution eft 
 demeure' dans toutes les revolutions, et rien de plus libre que ce 
 fonds. Ces e'tats, leurs membres, et leurs droits fe conferverent 
 toujours, et partout Us etoient les memes. 
 
 Je vous entends, mon ami, qui m'interrompez. Je vous ai ecoute, 
 me dites vous, avec patience : mais que voulez vous conclure de ce 
 tableau de notre gouvernement ? Bien ou mal conftruit, nous n'en 
 reffentons que des effets falutaires, et vos confeils, vos etats, auroient 
 de la peine a nous degouter de nos magiftrats anciens, pour nous faire 
 effayer des nouveautes. 
 
 Arretez, Monfieur ; je vous ai parly en homme libre, et vous me 
 re'pondez dans le langage de la fervitude. Arretez. En convenant 
 pour un moment de votre bonheur, de qui le tenez vous ? de la con- 
 ftitution ? 
 
 •which were at different times introduced, the various degrees of dependance 
 which one fief came to have on another, the acquifition uf lordfhips by the 
 clergy, and the purchafe of franchifes by cities; all thefe circumftances occa- 
 fioned but flight differences in the ground-work of the conlticucion, which 
 remained unalterably founded on a firm bafis of liberty. The flares, their 
 members, and their rights, were invariably maintained j remaining uniformly 
 the fame at all times, and in all places. 
 
 I think that 1 hear you, my friend, interrupting me. Hitherto, you fay, 
 I have liftened to you with patience j but what is your conclufion from this 
 pifture of our government ? Whatever defeats there may be in its prin- 
 ciples, we have experienced its falutary confequences ; and the ftates and 
 affemblies which you fo much commend, will not eafily make us abolifh our 
 ancient magiftracies, in order to try innovations. 
 
 It is time. Sir, to paufe; I fpoke to you as became a freeman, and you 
 anfwer me in the language of flavery. Let us admit for a moment your 
 profperity ; to whom do you owe it ? You will not anfwer, to the conftitu- 
 tion.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 399 
 
 ftltutlon ? Vous n'ofez pas le dire. C'eft done du pihice ? Les 
 Romains en devoient un plus grand a Titus. lis ttoient cependant 
 de vils efclaves. Brutus vous auroit appris que, dans un etat defpo- 
 tique, le prince pent quelquefois vouloir de bien : mais que dans les 
 etats libres, il ne pent que le vouloir. La felicite' adluelle du citoyen 
 et de I'efclave, eft fouvent egale, mais celle du dernier eft pre'caire, 
 puifqu'clle eft fonde'e fur les paflions des hommes, pendant que celle 
 du premier eft afluree. Elle eft lie'e avec les loix qui contiennent 
 egalement ces memes paffions dans le fouverain et dans le payfan. 
 
 Mais malheureufement on ne trouve que trop de chofes a re- 
 prendre dans votre adminiftration politique. Je vais de'tailler des 
 fautes, des negligences, des oppreffions. Vous vous re'crierez fur 
 ma malignite, mais en fecret votre efprit groflira le catalogue de 
 cent articles que j'aurai ou ignores ou oublies. II eft du devoir du 
 fouverain de faire jouir fon peuple de tous les avantages de la fociete 
 civile. Des guerres entreprifes pour fa dcTenfe,, Ten detourneront 
 
 quelquefois, 
 
 tion. It is due then to your rulers. The Romans owed a profperity yet 
 greater to Titus ; but ftill remained the bafeft of flaves, Brutus would have 
 taught you that a defpot may fometimes choofe to promote the public hap- 
 pinefs ; but that the magiftrates of a free people can have no other with. 
 The advantages adtually enjoyed by a citizen and a flave may be the fame 5 
 but thofe of the latter are precarious, having no other foundation than the 
 changeable pafllons of men ; whereas thofe of the former are fecure, being 
 folidly fupportcd on thofe laws which curb guilty pafllons in the prince as 
 well as in the peafant. 
 
 But unfortunately too many faults may be found in your public admini- 
 ftration. I fliall give you the blaclc lift of omiftions and oppreffions, which, 
 notwithftanding that you will exclaim againft my malignity, your own me- 
 mory will augment by an hundred articles, which I may be either ignorant 
 of, or forget to mention. It is the duty of a fovereign to procure for 
 his people all the happinefs of which their condition is fufceptible. His 
 public fpirited exertions may be fufpended by the exigencies of defenfive 
 
 war;
 
 400 LETTERS TO AND EROM 
 
 quelquefols ; mais defque le calme renait dans fcs etats, des ctablKTe- 
 mens utiles, et de fages lolx, la religion, les moeurs, les fciences, le 
 commerce, les manufadlures, Tagriculture, et la police, me'ritent toute 
 fon attention, et Ten re'compenferont avec ufure. Sur ces principcs 
 jugeons le fenat de Berne. II a e'te' maitre du Pays de Vaud de- 
 puis Tan 1536. Quand je confidere ce qu'etoient alors la France, 
 I'Angleterre, la Hollande, ou I'AUemagne, j'ai de la peine a me per- 
 fuader qu'elles ttoient les memes pays que ceux qui portent aujourd'- 
 hui ces noms. De barbares, ils font devenus civilifc's ; d'ignorans, 
 eclaires ; et de pauvres, riches. Je vois des villes ou il y avoit des 
 dtferts, et les forets de'frichees fe font converties en champs fer- 
 tiles. Leurs princes, et leurs miniftres, un Henri quatre, un Sully, 
 un Colbert, une Elizabeth, un de Wit, un Frederic-Guillaume, out 
 opere ces merveilles. La perfpedtive du Pays de Vaud n'eft point 
 aufli riante. Les arts languiflent, faute de ces recompenfes que le 
 prince feul peut donner ; nul commerce, nuUes manufa(llures, nuls 
 
 projets 
 
 war; but as foon as peace is reftored, he will be continually and ufefully 
 occupied with the interefts of religion, laws, morals, fciences, police, com- 
 merce, and agriculture. Let us try the merits of the fenate of Bern by 
 thefe maxims. The members of this fenate have been matters of the Pais 
 de Vaud fince the year one thoufand five hundred and thirty-fix. When we 
 confider the deplorable condition in thofe days of France, England, Hol- 
 land, and Germany, we can fcarcely imagine that they were the fame coun- 
 tries with thofe refpeftively known at prefent by the fame names. Their 
 barbarifm has been civilized, their ignorance enlightened, their poverty en- 
 riched ; their defcrts have become cities, and their forefts now wave with 
 yellow harvefts. Thefe wonders have been effccled by their princes and 
 minifters: a Henry the Fourth, a Sully, a Colbert, an Elizabeth, a deWitt, 
 and a Frederick William. The comparative condition of the Pais de Vaud 
 at thofe two remote zeras, does not prefent fo pleafing a picfture. There 
 the arts ftill languifh, for want of thofe encouragements which princes 
 only can bcftow : the country is ftill deftitute of commerce and manufac- 
 tures: we hear not of any projeds for promoting the public profperity; we 
 
 fee
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Euiulre. 401 
 
 prqjets utiles pour le pays ; un engourdiflement general qui regne 
 partout. Ccpendant les princes dont je viens de parler n'avoient 
 que des momens pour ces objets, ou les Bernois ont eu des fiecles. 
 Que n'auroient ils pas fait, ces grands hommcs, raremeiit tranquilles 
 fur le trone, fi pendant deux cens douze ans, ils n'eufient eu que 
 des voifms pacifiques, et des peuples foumls ? Jc m'en rapporte a 
 vous meme. Indiquez moi quelque etabliiTement vraiment utile que 
 vous deviez au fouverain. Mais ne m'indlquez pas Tacademie de 
 Laufanne, fondee par des vues de de'votion, dans la chaleur d'une 
 reformation, neglige'e depuis, et toujours acade'mie, <[Uoique un digne 
 magiftrat de cette ville, propofat de I'eriger en univerfite'. 
 
 Non ce n'eft point une politique peu eclaire'e qui fait agir vos 
 maitres. Je connois trop leur habilete, Mais un monarque aime 
 e'galement tons fes fujets. Les citoyens d'une ville capitale voyent 
 au contraire d'un ceil jaloux ragrandiffement des provinces. Si elles 
 s'e'levent, difent ils, nous tombons. Nos e'gales pour les lumieres et 
 
 les 
 
 fee nothing but the marks of an univerfal lethargy. Yet the princes above 
 mentioned had but moments for executing their great defigns ; the fenators 
 of Bern have had ages. What benefits might not thofe patriotic kings 
 have conferred on their fiibjedls, if, inflead of having their thrones conti- 
 nually fhaken by war and fedition, they had enjoyed during two centuries 
 the advantage of having loyal fubjeds and pacific neighbours ? I appeal to 
 yourfclf; point out a fingle ufeful eftablifliment which the Pais de Vaud owes 
 to the fovereignty of Bern : but do not tell me of the acad^emy of Laufanne, 
 founded on motives of rehgion during the zeal of reformation, but fince 
 totally neglefted, though a worthy magiftrate of that city propofed the laud- 
 able defign of erefling it into an univerfity. 
 
 Your mailers err not through ignorance. They are not deficient, I 
 know, in political abilities. But while a prince treats with impartial bounty 
 all his fubjecls, the citizens of an ariftocratical capital are apt to behold with 
 jealoufy the improvement of the provinces. Their elevation, they think, 
 mufl: pave the way for their own downfal ; and if they become their equals 
 in point of knowledge and riches, they will foon be tempted, they imagine, 
 
 VOL. I. 3 F to
 
 402 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 les richeffes, elles voudroient bientot I'etre en pouvolr. Rappellez- 
 vous I'an 1685. La mauvaife politique de Louis XIV. expatria la^ 
 partie la plus induftrieufe de fes fujets ; unc multitude fe reTugia> 
 dans le Pays de Vaud. II etoit prochain, il etoit Fran9ois. lis ne 
 demandoient qu'un azile, et rauroient paye au poids dc I'or par les 
 richeffes, et les arts plus precieux que les richeiTes, qu'lls vous appor- 
 toient. Mais ici la politique partiale des Bernois s'e'pouvanta, " Si 
 *' nous faifons participer ces fugitifs a notre droit de Bourgeoifie, 
 " la fortune nous fera commune ; mais comment e'lever des mortels. 
 " au rang des dieux ? Si nous les laiffons confondus parmi.nosj 
 " fujets, nos fujets recueilleront le fruit de leur induftrie." lis con^ 
 clurent enfin avec rambafladeur de Porfenna- — 
 
 « — Qu'il vaut mieux, qu'un roi fur le trone afTermi 
 
 " Commande a des fujets, malheureux, mais foumis, 
 " Que d'avoir a dbmpter, au fcin de I'abondance 
 " D'un peuple tropheureux'1'indocile arrogance." 
 
 Ces-- 
 
 to afpire at an equality with themfelves in, power. Recal to memory the 
 year one thoufand fix hundred and eighty-five; when the wretched policy of 
 Louis the Fourteenth drove from their country the moft induftrious portion 
 of his fubie^ls, many of whom fought refuge in the Pais de Vaud ; a neigh- 
 bouring diftri(5l, and fpeaking their own language. They requefted only 
 an afylum, the benefit of which they would richly have repaid by the wealth 
 which they carried with them, and their fkill in manufadtures, (till more va- 
 luable. But the narrow policy of Bern took the alarm. " If we make 
 " thefe men citizens of Bern, their interefts will coincide with cur own, 
 " But is it fit that mortals fliould be raifed to the rank, of gods ? If they 
 << are mixed with the mafs of our fubjeds, our fubjefts will be enriched by. 
 «' their induflry." They concluded therefore, with the ainbaflTudors of Por- 
 
 fgnna " that it was more defirable for a prince to govern a poor but fub-. 
 
 «' miffive people, than to contend with the unruly paffions of men pam- 
 «' pered by profperity." 
 
 The
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 403 
 
 Ces exile's las d'efluycr des refus, ou ils devoient s'attendrc a des 
 :prieres, paflerent en Hollande, en Prufle, ct en Angleterrc, oii le? 
 ibuverains favoient mieux profiter de cettc occafion unique. 11 en 
 refta une partie dans Ic Pays de Vaud, mais c'e'toit la partie la plus 
 pauvre, et la plus faineante, qui n'avoit ni le moyen, ni la vo- 
 ionte d'aller plus loin. 
 
 'A peine ces malheurcux commenyoient ils a oublier leurs fouf- 
 franccs paflces, que I'experience leur fit fentir, que pour fair les 
 perfe'cutions, il faut fuir les hommes. La partie fouverainc de I'etat 
 avoit fucce avec le lait, toute la diirete du fyfteme de Calvin, thco- 
 logien atrabilaire qui aimoit trop la liberte, pour foufFrir que les Chre- 
 tiens poitaflent d'autres fers que les fiens. D'ailleurs fa conformite 
 avec les ide'es d'un ce'lebre philofophe, interefToit I'honneur du nom 
 Allemand a le foutenir. Comme les fentimens s'e'toient adoucis dans 
 le Pays de Vaud, en proportion avec les mceurs, il falloit y envoyer 
 des formulaires, et des inquifiteurs, deftine's a faire autant d'hypo- 
 
 crites 
 
 The emigrants, difgufted at being repeatedly refufed what they ought to 
 have been requefted to accept, travelled to Holland, Pruffia, and England, 
 whofe rulers had the good fenfe to avail thcmfelves of an emergency as fa- 
 vourable as it was fingular. A part of them indeed remained in the Pais 
 de Vaud, but the pooreft and the idleft, who had neither money nor fpiric 
 to travel farther. 
 
 Thefe unhappy fugitives had no fooner begun to forget their pad fuffer- 
 ings, than they learned by fatal experience that, in order to avoid perfe- 
 cution, it was neceffary to fly from the fociety of men. The fovereigns of 
 the country in which they had fettled had imbibed the fevere fyftem of Cal- 
 vin, a ftern theologian, who loved liberty too well, to endure that Chriftians 
 ibould wear any other chains tlian thofe impofed by himfelf. Plis near con- 
 formity in opinion with a celebrated German philofopher, interefted the ho- 
 nour of the German name in fupporting his doftrines. But in the Pais 
 de Vaud the afperity of religious opinions had foftened with the improve- 
 ment of fociety. Ic became neceflary, therefore, to fend thither formulas 
 
 J F 2 and
 
 404 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 crites qu'ils pourroient, non a la veritc par le fer et le feu, mals par 
 'es menaces et les privations d'einploi. 
 
 En foutenant les droits de I'liumanite', je n'outre point les maxi- 
 mes de la tolerance. Je veux bien que le magiftrat ne diftribue 
 les, recompenfes du public, qu'a ceux qui enfeignent la religion du 
 public. Je ne lui defens pas meme de contenir dans ie filence ces 
 novateurs trop hardis qui voudroient eclairer le peuple fur cer- 
 tains objets ou I'erreur fait fon bonlieur. Mais que le fouverain fe 
 pretant avec chaleur aux minuties theologiques, decide des quellions 
 qu'on ne pent decider, aflurement il eft abfurde. Qu'impofant des 
 confeflions de foi, il ne laiffe a des pafteurs vieillis, dans le miniftere, et 
 qui nedemandoient qu'a fe taire, que le choix du raenfonge ou de 
 la mendicite', aflurement il eft injufte. Mais la perfe'cution ceffa. — 
 Qui la fit cefTer ? Un fentiment de honte ? les larmes des fujets ? ou 
 bien la crainte qu'infpira I'entreprife d'un Davel, enthoufiafte il eft 
 vrai, mais enthoufiafte pour le bien public ? Encore meme il regne a 
 Laufanne une inquifition fourde. Les noms d'Arminien, et de Soci- 
 
 nien 
 
 and inqiiifitors, defigned to make as many hypocrites as pofTiblej not indeed 
 by fire and fvvord,. but by threats and depofuion from office. 
 
 In fupporting the rights of man, I would not carry too far the maxims 
 of toleration. It is juft that public rewards fhould be beftowed only on thofe 
 who teach the religion of the public; and thofe bold innovators, v^ho would 
 impart a dangerous light to the people, may very properly be reftrained by 
 the arm of the magiftrate. But it furely is abfurd, that the fovereign ihould 
 interfere in theological m.inutias, and take part warmly in queftions which. 
 are incapable of being decided. It is particularly unjuft, that he fhould 
 impofc cor>fefi"jons of faith on old minifters, who wifn to avoid difputation; 
 Jeavino them the miferable alternative of falfehood or beggary. But this 
 perfecution has nov; ceafcd. What put an end to it ? It was not fhame, 
 nor the tears of the people, but the boldnefs of Davel, that meritorious en-. 
 th'jfiafl:. Even to the prefent day, a fecret inquifition ftiU reigns at Lau- 
 f.innei where the names of Arminian.and Sociniao- are often mentioned in 
 I. the
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 405 
 
 men rempliffent encore ces lettres ou de tres honnetes gens rendent 
 compte a leurs protedleurs des fentimens de leurs concitoyens ; et c'eft 
 fuivant ces indices que les places fe diftribuent. 
 
 Je viens, non pas d'epuifer, mais d'indiquer quelques defauts qui 
 fe trouvent dans votre puiflance Icgiflative. PafTons a I'exe'cutrice. 
 Celle-ci eft la force publiquc, comme I'autre eft la volonte publique. 
 Mais un feul corps, un feul homme, pent deliberer et de'cider pour 
 toute une nation. II ne pent tout feul agir pour elle. L'adminiftra- 
 tion politique, compofe'e d'un nombre infini de branches, veut qu'un 
 grand nombre d'officiers, foumis les uns aux autres, s'employent a 
 faire jouer la machine a laquelle le maitre ne peut que donner le 
 mouvement ge'ne'ral. Les honneurs, et les avantages, que les loix 
 attachent a ces emplois, doivent etre ouverts a tons les citoyens, que 
 leurs talens et leur e'ducation ont mis en ttat de les remplir. Les 
 fardeaux leur font communs a tous, les recompenfes doivent I'etre 
 auffi. Un gouvernement monarchique fatisfait aifement a ces juftes 
 
 pretenfions. 
 
 the letters written by very honeft people to their patrons of Bern; and 
 offices are often given or withheld according to the reports made of the reli- 
 gious tenets of the candidates. 
 
 Having made thefe ftridures on your legiflature, which by no means ex- 
 hauft the fubje6t, I proceed to confider the defects of your executive power j 
 which is the public force, as the legidature ought to be the public will. But 
 a fingle council, or a fingle m'an, may deliberate and refolve for a whole- 
 nation ; the executive power, on the contrary, requires the exertions of many : 
 as it is compofed of a great variety of branches, many officers, fubordinate 
 one to the other, muft adluate the different parts of the machine, to which 
 the chief magiftrate can only communicate the firft general movement. The 
 honours and emoluments legally attaciied to fuch offices, ought to be open 
 to all thofe citizens who are properly qualified for difcharging them. Each 
 individual, as he bears' a Ihare of the public burdens, is entitled alfo to a 
 Ibare of the public rewards. This juft arrangement is eafily maintained in 
 monarchies i where, with the exception of a few courtiers, who, bv being 
 
 continually.
 
 4o6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 pretenfions. 'A I'exception de quelques courtlfans, qui approchent la 
 perfonne du prince d'affez pres, pour fubftituer la flatterie aux fcr- 
 vices, tous fes fujets lui font egaux. Defqu'un liommc a du meritc, 
 ou, fi Ton veut de la faveur, on ne lui demande point s'il eft Nor- 
 mand ou Provenyal. D'Epernon etoit Gai'con ; Richelieu, Champe- 
 nois ; Mazarin, Romain. Mais dans les republiques ariftocratiques, 
 les fouverains compofe's de toute une ville veulent etre le'giflateurs en 
 corps, et partager entre eux en detail tous les emplois conridc'raj^les. 
 Les talens, les lumieres, dans votre Pays, font inutiles pour quicon- 
 que n'eft pas ne Bernois, et dans un autre fens ils font egalement 
 inutiles pour qui I'eft. Le fujet fe voit condamnc par fa naiflance a 
 ramper dans un honteufe obfcurlte. Le dcfefpoir le faifit ; il neglige 
 ce qui ne le peut mener a rien, ct le grand homnie ne devient qu'un 
 homme agreable . Si je parlais de faire participer les fujets aux 
 Bailliages, les Bernois crieroient au facrilege ; les Bailliages font le 
 
 patrirnoine 
 
 continually about the prince's perfon, have an opportunity of fubdituting 
 flattery inftead of real fervices, all the inhabitants of the kingdom are treated 
 with comparative equity. In France, provided a man has court- favour 
 or merit, the queftion is never aflced whether he comes from Provence or 
 Normandy. D'Epernon was born in Gafcony ; Richelieu, in Champagne; 
 Mazarine, in Rome. But in ariftocratical republics, the citizens of one 
 town are not contented with being fovereigns collectively, unlefs they indi- 
 vidually appropriate all offices of honour or emolument. In the canton of 
 Bern talents and information are not of the fmallefl: ufe to any one who is 
 cot born in the capital ; and in another fenfe they are ufelefs to thofe born 
 there; becaufe they inuft make their way without them. Their fubjects in 
 the Pais de Vaud are condemned, by the circumftances of their birth, to a 
 condition of fliaraeful obfcuricy. They naturally become, theiefore, a prey 
 to defpair ; and negledling to cultivate talents which they can never enjoy an 
 opportunity to difplay, thofe who had capacities for becoming great men are 
 contented with making themfelves agreeable companions. Should I propofe 
 that the fubjeds obtained a right to hold the lucrative employments of 
 
 Baillist
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 407. 
 
 patrlmolne de I'ctat, et nous fommes I'etat. II eft vrai qu'on vous 
 laiflc les Lieutenances Baillivales; mais vous favez affez qu'on y mcle 
 certaines ftipulations, de fa9on que, fi Ic nouveau magiftrat ne vit 
 pas quelque terns, fa famille perd au marche. 
 
 Prives de refTources, que refte il aux gentilhommes du Pays de 
 Vaud ? le fervice etranger. Mais on n'a pas manque de leur 
 rendre cette carrierc des plus epineufes, et de leur y fermer I'acces des 
 grades un peu eleve's. Je ne dirai rien du brilliant fervice de France. 
 Les depenfes font ine'vitables, et la paye fi modique que I'enfeigne fe: 
 ruine, le capitaine vit a peine, et meme le colonel ne pent amaffer. 
 Ainfi vous devez be'nir le foin paternel du fouverain qui a dreffe' 
 toutes les capitulations, de maniere a ne vous point introduire en ten- 
 tation. Ne parlons que du fervice ,des Etats Ge'ne'raux, fervice plus 
 utile que riant, ou Ton s'ennuye et s'enrichit. Par le traite' de 171 2, 
 le Canton de Berne accorda vingt quatre compagnies a leurs Hautes 
 
 Puiflances,, 
 
 Bail/is, or governors of diflriifts, the ariftocratical families of Bern would 
 t^iink me guilty of a crime little lefs than facrilege. " The emoluments of- 
 " thefe ofiices form the patrimony of the ftate; and we are the ftate." It 
 is true, that you in the Pai's de Vaud may be deputies to the Baillis ; but the 
 advantages belonging to that fubordinate magiftracy are obtained on certain 
 conditions, which,, unlefs tlie holder of the office lives a certain number of 
 years, renders his bargain a very bad one for his family. 
 
 Vvhat encouragement is then left for the gentlemen of the Pais de Vaud ? 
 That of foreign fervice. But to them, even this road to preferment is ex- 
 tremely difficult, and to attain the higher ranks is impofTible. I fpeak not 
 of the brilliant fervice of France : in tliat country, expence is unavoidable ; 
 the enfign is ruined, th.e captain can fcarcely live, and the colonel cannot 
 fave money. You are therefore obliged to the paternal care of the maf>i- 
 ftrates of Bern, whofe treaties for fopplying troops to France do not lead 
 you into temptadon. Let us only confider the fervice of Holland, a fervice 
 more profitable than ftiowy, where officers have nothing to do but to "row 
 rich. By the treaty of 17 1 2, the Canton of Bern granted .the ufe of twenty- 
 
 four
 
 4o8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Pulflances, et promit de permettre qu'on en fit toujours des recrues 
 dans leurs e'tats. Seize compagnies e'toietit deftinces aux Bernois, ct 
 les fouverains partageoient avec leurs fujets les huit autres com- 
 pagnies, dont on daignoit laiffer I'entree cuverte a ceux ci : ainfi 
 ^ ne fuppofer le credit des Bernois qu'egal a celui des fujets, pour 
 parvenir a ces huit dernieres compagnies, ce peuple roi en poflede- 
 roit toujours vingt, fur vingt quatre. La proportion eft honnete, fi 
 Ton fait attention qu'il y a dans le Canton pres de cent mllle 
 homraes en etat de porter les armes, dont II n'y en a pas huit cens, 
 bourgeois de Berne. D'allleurs les petits bourgeois, a qui ce nom 
 feul infplre de la fierte, aiment mieux crouplr dans la mifere k 
 Berne, que de fe faire par leur travail un etat vraiment refpe£lable. 
 Ainfi dans toutes ces troupes, je doute qu'on puifle trouver cinquante 
 Bernois qui ne foient par officiers. 
 
 Ces malheurs, me dites vous, ne font que pour les gentllhommes ; 
 c'eft a dire, pour la partle la plus refpedable, mais la moins nom- 
 
 breufe, 
 
 four companies to their High Mightinefles, and promifed that they fhould al- 
 ways be allowed to recruit them in their territories. But the command of 
 fixteen of thofe companies was appropriated by the citizens of Bern, and the 
 remaining eight were left common between them and their fubjefts in the 
 Pai's de Vaud. On the fuppofuion, then, that the interefl: of both clafles of 
 candidates for thofe companies is equal, the fovereign people will obtain 
 four out of the eight, and twenty out of the whole twenty-four. This pro- 
 portion appears the more unreafonable, when it is confidered that in the can- 
 ton there are above an hundred thoufand men fit to bear arms, of whom 
 fcarcely eight hundred are citizens of Bern. Befides, the poorer clafles of 
 citizens, proud merely of this title, prefer living ir^. idlenefs at Bern to ho- 
 nourable exertions abroad, by which they might better their condition. 
 I doubt, therefore, whether fifty citizens of Bern, who are not officers, will 
 be found in the whole of the Swifs Dutch troops. 
 
 Thefe inconveniencies, you will tell me, are only felt by men of family; 
 that is to fay, by the moft refpedlable, but leaft numerous, portion of the 
 
 community i
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Eiqulre. 409 
 
 breufe, des cUoyens. lis s'evanoulflent dans ces maximes gencralcs 
 
 ct cgales que vous venez d'etablir. La tyrannic de vos Baillis s'y 
 
 cvanoult elle aufli ? Le peuple, nom fi cher a Thumanite, en fent 
 
 tout le joug. Je ne vous conterai point des hiftoircs dc leurs op- 
 
 prefTions. Vous me chicaneriez fur la ve'rite' des faits, et puis vous 
 
 me diriez, qu'il ne faut jamais conclure du particuiier au general, 
 
 ct vous auriez railbn. II vaut mieux fliire fentir I'ctendue de leur 
 
 pouvoir, et lailTer a votre connoiflance du coeur humain, a juger de 
 
 I'ufage qu'ils en font. Cliaque Bailli eft a la fois chef de la juftice, 
 
 dc la milice, des finances, et de la religion. Comme juge, il de'cide 
 
 fans appel jufqu'a la fomme de cent francs, fomme tres modique 
 
 pour vous, mais qui fait la fortune d'un payfan ; et il decide feul, 
 
 car fes afleffeurs, n'ont pas voix ponderativc. II donne, ou plutot 
 
 il vend, prefque tous les emplois dans fon bailiiage. Si Ton veut 
 
 appeller de fes fentences, il n'y a plus de tribunal a Moudon ; il faut 
 
 aller a Berne, et quel payfan veut fe ruiner a la pourfuite de la 
 
 juftice? 
 
 community ; and they difappear amidft the general equity and impartiality 
 of the public adminiftration. But does the tyranny of the bailiffs difappear 
 alfo ? The people, a name fo dear to humanity, feel the full weight of 
 their opprefTion. I will not have recourfe to particular examples; becaufe 
 you might call in queftion the authenticity of fads, or objeift with reafon, 
 that general conclufions are not to be drawn from particular principles. I 
 fhall be contented with pointing out die extent of their power, and leave to 
 your own knowledge of human nature to infer the abufes with which it muft 
 be accompanied. In his own diftrift every bailiff" is at the head of religion, 
 of the law, the army, and the finances. As judge, he decides, without appeal, 
 all caufes to the amount of an hundred franks ; a fum of little importance 
 to a gendeman, but which often makes the whole fortune of a peafant; and 
 he decides alone, for the voice of his afTefTors has not any weight in the 
 fcale. He confers, or rather he fells, all the employments in his diftrift. 
 When the injured party wiflies to appeal from his fentence, as there is no 
 .rourt of juftice at Moudon, he is obliged to remove die caufe to Bern ; and 
 VOL. J. 1 G how
 
 4IO LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 juftice? S'il clierche encore a faire punir fon tyran, il demande 
 I'entree en confeil. L'Avoyer I'accordc, pent etre avec beaucoup 
 de difficulte', et a force de fatigues et de depenfes il parvient a pouvoir 
 plaider devant iin tribunal lie' avec fon baillif par le fang, et plus 
 encore par une conformite de forfaits, ou d'inte'rets. 
 
 Votre pays eft e'puife' par les impots, tout n:iodiques qu'ils font. 
 DeVelopons cette ide'e. Pendant que les pays le plus riches de 
 I'Europe s'abyment de depenfes et de dettes, et mettent en ceuvre des 
 moyens qui feroient trembler le plus hardi diflipateur, le Canton de 
 Berne eft le feul qui amaffe des tre'fors. Le fecret de I'e'tat eft fi bien 
 garde, qu'il eft difficile de le deviner. Stanian, ambafladeur d'Angle- 
 terre a Berne, qui avoit un efprit d'obfervation et de grandes facilite's 
 pour fe bien informer, eftimoit, il y a quarante ans, les fommes qu'il 
 avoit dans les fonds publics de Londres a trois cens milles livres fter- 
 ling, ou fept millions, et tout ce qui e'toit refte dans le treTor de 
 Berne, ou difperse dans les autres banques de 1' Europe, a dix huit 
 
 cens 
 
 how few peafants can bear this expence ? But if his eagernefs to punifh his 
 tyrant carries him thither, it is not without many difficulties on his part that 
 the Avoyer, or chief magiftrate, grants him admiffion into the council ;• where, 
 after all his trouble and expence, he is finally allowed to plead his caufe be- 
 fore a tribunal, the members of which are connected with his oppreflbr by 
 the ties of blood, and ftill more by a conformity of interefts and crimes. 
 
 Your taxes, moderate as they are, exhauft the country. This obfervation 
 requires to be explained. While the great kingdoms of Europe, loaded 
 with expences and debts, are driven to expedients which would alarm the 
 wildcft prodigal, Bern is the only ftate which has amafied a large treafure. 
 The fecret has been fo well kept, that it is not eafy to afcertain its amount. 
 Stanyan, the Britilh envoy at Bern, a man inquifitive and poiTefled of 
 good means of information, eftimated forty years ago the money belonging 
 to that republic, in the Englifh funds, at three hundred thoufand pounds, or 
 feven millions of Swifs livres ; and the fums remaining in the treafury of 
 Bern, or difperfed through the other funds or banks of Europe, at eighteen 
 
 hundred
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efoulre. 411 
 
 cens mille livres fterling, ou quarantc trois millions. On peut 
 croire que ces trcfors n'ont pas diminues depuis I'an 1722. Le 
 moyen que le Canton employe pour s'enrichir eft tres fimplc. II 
 depenfe beaucoup moins qu'il ne refoit. Mais que re9oit il ? Je 
 I'ignore ; mais je vais tacher de le deviner. Les douze bailliages du 
 Pays de Vaud rendent dans leurs fix ans, a pcu pres cinq cens mille 
 livres de Suifle, les uns portant les autres. Le revenu de douze, 
 peut done monter a un million de livres de rente. J'ai toujours 
 entendu dire que les Baillis prennent le dix pour cent lur les 
 revenus du fouverain. Le voila done ce revenu d'un million par 
 annee. En rabattant les cent mille livres des Baillis, je compterais 
 encore cent mille ecus pour les charges de I'e'tat, ce qui n'eft point une 
 fuppofition batie en Fair. Les autres deux cens mille ecus, qui dans 
 un autre pays, fourniroient a I'entretien d'une cour et d'une arme'e, 
 dont les de'penfes feroient retomber fur la terre la I'ofe'e qui en e'toit 
 tiree, vont ici s'enfouir dans les coftVes du fouverain, ou fe difperfer 
 
 dans 
 
 hundred thoufand pounds fterling, or forty-three millions Swifs. Thefe trea- 
 fures have not probably diminilhed fince the year 1722. The Canton en- 
 riches itfelf by the fimple means of receiving much and expending little. 
 But what is the amount of its receipts ? I know not, but I will try to dif- 
 cover it. The twelve bailiwics, or diftriiSls, of the Pais de Vaud pay, one 
 with another, during the fix years that they are governed by the fame ma- 
 giftrate, five hundred thoufand Swifs livres. The contributions, therefore, 
 of all the twelve amount to a million of livres annually, I have always 
 been told that the bailiffs, or governors, retain ten per cent, on the reve- 
 nues raifed within their refpeflive jurifdifcions. The million of revenue, 
 diminifhed by an hundred thoufand livres confumed in the appointments of 
 the bailiffs, is reduced to three hundred thoufand crowns; of which one 
 hundred thoufand may be allowed for the expences of the ftate, a fum not 
 chofen at random ; and tlie other two hundred thoufand crowns, which in 
 other countries would be employed in the maintenance of a court and army, 
 whofe incomes would circulate through the general mafs of the people on 
 whom they had been raifed, are here buried in the coffers of the fovereignty, 
 
 3G 2 or
 
 412 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 dans les banqucs publlques, et precaires de I'Europe, pour etre im 
 jour une proye ji rinfidtlitc d'un commis, ou a rambition d'un con- 
 querant. Cette pefte continuelle des efpeces cteint I'induftrie, eni- 
 peche tout efFort, qui ne fe peut faire fans argent, et appauvrit in- 
 fenfiblement le pays. 
 
 Tels font vos maux, Monfieur. Eh blen ! me repondez vous, 
 n'avez vous fonde nos playes que pour en aigrir la douleur ? Quel 
 confeil nous donnez vous? Aucun, fi vous ne m'avez pas deja 
 pre'venu. II y a une voye que je puis vous confeiller, c'eft celle de 
 la remontrance. Mais il y a des maux tellement enracines dans la 
 confiiitution d'un etat, que Platon lui meme n'eut pas efpe're' du fucce3' 
 pour une pareille deputation. Ne tiendront ils pas centre les remon- 
 trances, eux qui ont pu tenir centre deux cens ans de fide'lite' et de 
 fervices ? II y a un autre remede plus prompt, plus entier, plus 
 glorieux: Guillaume Tell vous I'eut confeille ; mais je ne vous le con- 
 feille point. Je fais que I'efprit du citoyen, comme celui de la cha- 
 rite', foufFre beaucoup, et efpere longtems. II a raifon. II connoit 
 
 les 
 
 or difperfed through the precarious banks of Europe, to become one day 
 a prey to the knavery of a clerk, or the ambition of a conqueror. This con- 
 tinual abforption of fpecie extinguifhes induftry, deadens every enterprife 
 that requires the aid of money, and gradually impoverishes the country. 
 
 Thefe, Sir, are your hardlhips. But I think you will fay to me, " Have 
 *' you thus probed our wounds merely to make us feel their fmart ? What 
 " advice do you give us r" None, unlefs you have already anticipated 
 it. I would indeed advife you to remonftrate. But there are evils fo deeply 
 rooted in governments, that Plato himfelf would defpair of curing them. 
 "What could you expedt to obtain from thofe makers by remonflrances, who 
 have remained during two centuries infenfible to the merit of your faithful fer- 
 vice ? There is another remedy, more prompt, more perfect, and more glori- 
 ous. W illiam Tell would have prefcribed it ; I do not. I know that the fpirit 
 of a good citizen is, like that of charity, long-fuffering, and hoping all things. 
 The citizen is in the right; fince he knows the evils refulting from his fub- 
 a. mifllonj
 
 . EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 413 
 
 les malheurs attaches a la foumiflion. II ignore ceux que la refif- 
 tance pourrolt entrainer. Vous, qui me connoifTcz, Monfieur, vous 
 favez combien je refpede ces prlncipes amis de la paix et dcs 
 hommes. Tribun fcditieux, je ne chercherai jamais a faire fecouer au 
 peuple le joug de Tautorite', pour le conduire du murmure, a la fcdi- 
 tion ; de la fedition, a I'anarchie ; et de I'anarchie, peut etre, au 
 defpotifme. 
 
 Cependant avec la franchife, qui a partout conduit ma plume, je 
 vais de'truire quelques monftres de Romans, qui vous peuvent efFrayer» 
 Que vous prefe'riez le parti de I'entreprife ou celui du repos, je vou- 
 drois que ce fut la raifon, et non le prejuge, qui vous diktat ce parti. 
 
 Les Bernois ont les droits fur votre obe'iflance ; vous craignez de 
 leur faire une injuftice en la retirant. 
 
 miffion, but knows not the greater evils which might be produced by his 
 refiftance. You know me too well to be ignorant how much I refpedl thofe 
 principles, fo friendly to the interefls of peace and of human kind. I will 
 never, in the language of a feditious tribune, perfuade the people to fliake 
 off the yoke of authority, that they may procee<l from murmur to fedition, 
 from fedition to anarchy, and from anarchy perhaps to defpotifm. 
 
 Yet, with the freedom which has hitherto guided my pen, I will endea- 
 vour to deftroy feme giants of romance, which might otherwife infpire you 
 with vain terror. Whether you prefer the road of bold enterprife or cautious 
 repofe, I wilh that reafon, not prejudice, fliould didtate your choice. 
 
 The magifl:rates of Bern have aright to expeft your obedience; you fean 
 t!0 do them wrong in withholding it.
 
 414 LETTERS TO AND EROM 
 
 N° X. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon lo Mrs. Porten. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lausanne, 1756. 
 
 T?EAR no reproaches for your negligence, however great; for your 
 filence, however long. I love you too well to make you any. 
 Nothing, in my opinion, is fo ridiculous as fome kind of friends, 
 wives, and lovers, who look on no crime as fo heinous as the letting 
 flip a poft without writing. The charm of friendfliip is liberty ; and 
 he that would deftroy the one, deftroys, without defigning it, the 
 better half of the other. I compare friendfhip to charity, and letters 
 to alms ; the laft fignifies nothing without the firft, and very often 
 the firft is very ftrong, although it does not fliew itfelf by the other. 
 It is not good-will which is wanting, it is only opportunities or 
 means. However, one month — two months — three months — four 
 months — I began not to be angry, but to be uneafy, for fear fome 
 accident had happened to you. I was often on the point of writing, 
 but was always flopped by the hopes of hearing from you the next 
 poft. Befides, not to flatter you, your excufe is a very bad one. 
 You cannot entertain me by your letters. I think I ought to know 
 that better than you ; and I affure you that one of your plain fincere 
 letters entertains me more than the mofl poliflied one of Pliny or 
 Cicero. 'Tis your heart fpeaks, and I look on your heart as much 
 better in its way than either of their heads. 
 
 Out of pure politenefs I ought to talk of**** ******** 
 before myfelf. I was fome hours with him in this place, that is to 
 fay, almoft all the time he was here. I find him always * * * 
 * * * * , always good-natured, always amufing, and always trifling. 
 
 I alked him fome queftions about Italy ; he told me, he hurried out 
 
 I of
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 415 
 
 of it as foon as he could, becaufe there was no French comedy, and 
 he did not love the Italian opera. I let flip fome words of the 
 pleafure he fhould have of feeing his native country again, on 
 account of the fervices he could render her in parliament. " Yes 
 " (fays he), I want vaftly to be at London ; there are three years 
 " fmce I have feen Garrick." He fpoke to me of you, and indeed 
 not only with confideration, but with affedion. Were there nothing 
 elfe valuable in his charader, I fhould love him, becaufe he loves 
 you. He told me he intended to fee you as foon as he fhould be in 
 England ; I am glad he has kept his word. I was fo taken up with 
 my old friend, that I could not fpeak a word to * * * * * * *. 
 He appeared, however, a good, fenfible, modeft young man. Poor 
 Minorca indeed thus loft ! but poor Englifhmen who have loft it ! 
 I think the fecond exclamation ftill ftronger than the firft. Poor 
 Lord Torrington ! I can't help pitying him. What a fhameful 
 uncle he has ! I fhall lofe all my opinion of my countrymen, if the 
 whole nation, Whigs, Tories, Courtiers, Jacobites, &c. &c. &c. &c. 
 are not unanimous in detefting that man. Pray, is there any truth 
 in a ftory we had here, of a brother of Admiral Byng's ^having 
 killed himfelf out of rage and fhame ? I did not think he had any 
 brothers alive. It is thought here that Byng will be acquitted. I 
 hope not. Though I do not love rafh judgments, I cannot help 
 thinking him guilty. 
 
 You afk me, when I fhall come into England ? How fhould I know 
 it ? The 14th of June I wrote to my father, and faying nothing of 
 my return, which I knew would have been to no purpofe, I de- 
 fired him to give me a fixed allowance of 200I. a-year, or, at leaft, 
 to allow me a fervant. No anfwer. About a fortnight ago I re- 
 newed my requeft ; and I cannot yet know what will be my fuccefs. 
 I defign to make a virtue of neceflity, to keep quiet during this win- 
 ter, and to put in ufe all my machines next fpring, in order to come 
 
 over.
 
 4i6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 over *. I fliall write the ftrongcft, and at the fame time the molt 
 dutiful letter I can imagine to my father. If all that produces no 
 eife£l, I don't know what I can do. 
 
 You talk to me of my coufm EUifon's wedding ; hut you don't 
 fay a word of who flie is married to. Is it Elliot ? Though you 
 have not feen my father yet, I fuppofe you have heard of hini- 
 How was he in tov/n ? His wife, was llie with him ? Has marriage 
 produced any changement in his way of living ? Is he to be always 
 at Beriton, or Vv'ill he come up to London in winter ? Pray have 
 you ever feen my mother-in-Jaw, or heard any thing more of her 
 ■character ? Compliments to every body that makes me compliments : 
 to the Gilberts, to the Comarques, to Lord Newnham, &c. When 
 you fee the Comarques again, afk them if they did not know, at 
 Putney, Monfieur la Vabre, and his daughters ; perhaps you know 
 them yourfelf. I faw them lately in this country ; one of them very- 
 well married. 
 
 The Englifhman who lodges in our houfe, is little fociable at leail 
 for a reafonable perfon. My health always good, my ftudies pretty 
 good. I underftand Greek pretty well. I have even fome kind of 
 correfpondence with feveral learned men, with Mr. Crevier of Paris, 
 with Mr: Breitinger of Zurick, and with Mr. Allamapd, a clergy- 
 man of this country, the mofl reafonable divine I ever knew. Do 
 you never read now ? I am a little piqued that you fay nothing of 
 Sir Charles Grandifon ; if you have not read it yet, read it for my 
 fake. Perhaps Clarifla does not encourage you ; but, in my opinion, 
 it is much fuperior to Clarifla. When you have read it, read the 
 letters of Madame de Sevigne to her daughter ; I don't doubt of 
 ■their being tranflated into Englifli. They are properly what I called 
 
 * This Letter is a curious fpecimen of the degree in which Mr. Gibbon had loll the 
 Englifti language in a fhort time. 
 
 in
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 417 
 
 in the beginning of my letter, letters of the heart ; the natural ex- 
 prefTions of a mother's fondnefs ; regret at their being at a great dif- 
 tance from one another, and continual fchemes to get together again. 
 All that, won't it pleafe you ? There is fcarce any thing elfe in fix 
 whole volumes : and notwithftanding that, few people read them 
 without finding them too fhort. Adieu: my paper is at an end. 
 I don't dare to tell you to write foon. Do it, however, if you 
 can. Yours afFedionately, 
 
 E. Gibbon. 
 
 N^ XL 
 Rev. Dr. Waldgrave ■■■ to Edward Gibbon E/q. jimior. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Washington, near Stor ri ngton, Dec. 7th, 175!?. 
 
 T HAVE read nothing for fome time (and I keep reading on ftill) 
 that has given me fo much pleafure as your letter, which I re- 
 ceived by the laft poft. I rejoice at your return to your country, 
 to your father, and to the good principles of truth and reafon. Had 
 I In the leaft fufpedled your defign of leaving us, I fhould imme- 
 diately have put you upon reading Mr. Chillingworth's Religion of 
 Proteftants ; any one page of which is worth a library of Swifs divi- 
 nity. It will give me great pleafure to fee you at Wafhington ; 
 where I am, I thank God, very well and very happy. I defire my 
 refpedls- to Mr. Gibbon ; and am, with very great regard, dear Sir, 
 
 Your moft affedionate humble fervant, 
 
 Tho. Waldgrave. 
 
 * Tutor to Mr. Gibbon when he firfl went to Magdalen College, Oxford. 
 
 VOL, I, 3 H
 
 4x8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N'- XII. 
 
 ^ Mr. Gibbon to his Father. 
 
 DEAR SIR, il6o. 
 
 A N addrefs in writing, from a perfon who has the pleafure of 
 ^^ being with you every day, may appear fingular. However, I 
 have preferred this method, as upon paper I can fpeak without a 
 blufh, and be heard without Interruption. If my letter difpleafes 
 you, impute it, dear Sir, only to yourfelf. You have treated me, 
 not like a fon, but like a friend. Can you be furprifed that I fhould 
 communicate to a friend, all my thoughts, and all my defires ? Unlefs 
 the friend approve them, let the father never know them ; or at 
 leaft, let him know at the fame time, that however reafonable, how- 
 ever eligible, my fcheme may appear to me, I would rather forget 
 it for ever, than caufe him the (lighteft uneafinefs. 
 
 When I firft returned to England, attentive to my future intereft, 
 you were fo good as to give me hopes of a feat in parliament. This 
 feat, it was fuppofed would be an expence of fifteen hundred pounds. 
 This defign flattered my vanity, as it might enable me to fhine 
 in fo auguft an aflembly. It flattered a nobler paffion ; I promifed 
 myfelf that by the means of this feat I might be one day the inftru- 
 meht of fome good to my country. But I foon perceived how little 
 a mere virtuous inclination, unaflifted by talents, could contribute 
 towards that great end ; and a very fhort examination difcovered to 
 me, that thofe talents had not fallen to my lot. Do not, dear Sir, 
 impute this declaration to a falfe modefl:y, the meaneft fpecies of 
 pridc» Whatever elfe I may be ignorant of,, I think I know myfelf, 
 and fhair always endeavour to mention my good qualities without 
 Tanity, and my defedts without repugnance. I fhall fay nothing of 
 the moft intimate acquaintance with his country and language, fo ab- 
 
 2. folutely
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 419 
 
 folutely neceflary to every fenator. Since they may be acquired, to 
 alledge my deficiency in them, would feem only the plea of lazinels. 
 But I fliall fay with great truth, that I never poffeifed that gift of 
 fpeech, the firfl requifite of an orator, which ufe and labour may 
 improve, but which nature alone can beftow. That my temper, 
 quiet, retired, fomewhat referved, could neither acquire popularity, 
 bear up againft oppofition, nor mix with eafe in the crowds of public 
 life. That even my genius (if you will allow mc any) is better 
 qualified for the deliberate compofitions of th'e clofet, than for the 
 extemporary difcourfes of the parliament. An unexpc£ted objection 
 would difconcert me ; and as I am incapable of explaining to others, 
 v\'hat I do not thoroughly underftand myfelf, I fhould be meditating, 
 while I ought to be anfwering. I even want necefiary prejudices of 
 party, and of nation. In popular aflemblies, it is often neceffary to 
 infpire them ; and never orator infpired well a paffion, which he did 
 not feel himfelf. Suppofe me even miftaken in my own character ; 
 to fet out with the repugnance fuch an opinion muft produce, offers 
 but an indifferent profpe£t. But I hear you fay, it is not neceflary 
 that every mail fhould enter into parliament with fuch exalted hopes. 
 It is to acquire a title the mod glorious of any in a free country, and 
 to employ the weight and confideration it gives, in tlie fervlce of 
 one's friends. Such motives, though not glorious, yet are not dif- 
 honourable ; and if we had a borough in our command, if you 
 could bring me in without any great expence, or if our fortune en- 
 abled us to defpife that expence, then indeed I fhould think thern 
 of the greateft flrength. But with our private fortune, is it worth 
 w^hile to purchafe at fo high a rate, a title, honourable in itfelf, but 
 which I muft fliare with every fellow that can lay out fifteen hundred 
 pounds ? Befides, dear Sir, a merchandifc is of little value to the 
 owner, when he is refolved not to fell it. 
 
 I fhould affront your penetration, did I not fuppofe you now fee 
 the drift of this letter. It is to appropriate to another ufe the fum 
 
 3 H 2 with
 
 420 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 with which you deftined to bring mc into parliament ; to employ It, 
 not in making me great, but in rendering me happy. I have often 
 heard you fay yourfelf, that the allowance you had been fo indulgent 
 as to grant me, though very liberal in regard to your eftate, was yet 
 but fmall, when compared with the almoft necefTary extravagancies 
 of ihe age. I have indeed found it fo, notwithftanding a good deal 
 of oeconomy, and an exemption from many of the common ex- 
 pences of youth. This, dear Sir, would be a way of fupplylng 
 thefe deficiencies, without any additional expence to you. — But I 
 forbear. — If you think my propofals reafonable, you want no en- 
 treaties to engage you to comply with them ; if otherwife, all will 
 be without efFe£l. 
 
 All that I am afraid of, .dear Sir, is, that I fhould feem not fo 
 much afkiug a favour, as this really is, as exaiSting a debt. After 
 all I can fay, you will flill remain the befl: judge of my good, and 
 your own circumflances. Perhaps, like moft landed gentlemen, 
 an addition to my annuity would luit you better, than a fum of 
 money given at once ; perhaps the fum itfelf may be too confider- 
 ablc. Whatever you fliall think proper to beftow upon me, or in 
 v\ hatever manner, will be received with equal gratitude.- 
 
 I intended to flop here ; but as I abhor the leaft appearance of art, 
 I think it will be better to lay open my whole fcheme at once. The 
 unhappy war which nov/ defolates Europe, will oblige me to defer 
 feeing France till a peace. But that reafon can have no influence 
 upon Italy, a country which every fcholar muft long to fee ; fliould 
 you grant my requeft, and not dilapprove of my manner of em- 
 ploying your bounty, I would leave England this Autumn, and 
 pafs the Winter at Laufanne, with M. de Voltaire and my old 
 friends. The armies no longer obftru£t my paflage, and it muft be 
 indifferent to you, whether I am at Laufanne or at London during 
 the Winter, fmce I fhall not be at Beriton. In the Spring I would 
 crofs the Alps, and after fome ftay in Italy, as the war muft then 
 
 9 be
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqmre, 421 
 
 be terminated, return home through France; to live happily with 
 you and my dear mother. I am now two-and-twenty; a tour muft 
 take up a confiderable time, and though I believe you have no 
 thoughts of fettling me foon, (and I am fure I have not,) yet fo 
 many things may intervene, that the man who does not travel early, 
 runs a great rilk of not travelling at all. But this part of my 
 fcheme, as well as the whole, I fubmit entirely to you. 
 
 Permit me, dear Sir, to add, that I do not know whether the com- 
 plete compliance ' with my wifhes could increafe my love and gra- 
 titude ; but that I am very fure, no refufal could diminifli thofe fen- 
 timents with which I fhall always remain, dear Sir, 
 
 Your molt dutiful and obedient fon and fervant, 
 
 E. GiBBQN junior.
 
 I 
 
 422 t£ff Efe'!^ ¥6 aM *prom 
 
 N** XIII. 
 
 Mr. Mallet to Mr. Gibbok. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 1761. 
 
 COULD not procure you a ticket for the coronation, without put- 
 ting you to the expence often guineas. But I now fend you fome- 
 thing much more vakiable, which will coft you only a groat. When 
 will your father or you be in town ? Defire Becket to fend me one 
 of your books, well bound, for myfelf: all the other copies I gave 
 away, as Duke Defenany drunk out ten dozen of Lord Bolingbroke's 
 Champagne in his abfence — to your honour and glory. I need not 
 tell you that I am, 
 
 mofl: ufteclionately, 
 
 the Major's and your 
 Turn over, read, and be delighted. very humble fervant, 
 
 Let your father too read. D. Mallet. 
 
 J'ai lu avec autant d'avidite que de fatisfadion le bon et agre'abie 
 ouvrage, dont I'auteur m'a fait prefent. Je parle comme fi M. Gibbon 
 ne m'avoit pas loue', et meme un peu trop fort. J'ai lu le livre d'un 
 citoyen du monde, d'un veritable homme de lettres, qui les aime 
 pour elles memes, fans exception ni pre'vention, et qui joint a beau- 
 coup 
 
 I read with as much eagernefs as pleafure the excellent and agreeable work 
 with which the author prefented me. I fpeak as if Mr. Gibbon had not 
 praifed me, and that too warmly. His work is that of a real man of letters, 
 who loves them for their own fake, without exception or prejudice; and 
 who unites with much talent the more precious gift of good fenfe, and an 
 
 impartiality
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 423 
 
 coup d'efprit, le bon fens plus rare que I'efprit, ainfi qu'unc im- 
 partialite qui le rend juile et modefte, malgre' rimpreflion qu'il a 
 du re^evoir des auteurs fans nombre qu'il a lus, ct tres bien lus. 
 J'ai done devore ce petit ouvrage, auquel je d«fircrois de bon coeur 
 une plus grande e'tendue, et que je voudrois faire lii:e a tout le 
 monde. 
 
 Je te'moigne aufli a My Lady Hervey, I'obligation que je lui ai, de 
 m'avoir fait connoitre un auteur qui prouve a chaque mot, que la 
 litte'rature n'eft ennemie que de I'ignorance et destravers, qui me'rite 
 d'avoir des Maty pour amis, et qui d'ailleurs honore et fortifie notre 
 langue par I'ufage que fon efprit en fait faire. Si j'etois plus favant, 
 j'appuyerois fur le me'rite des difcuflions, et>fur la juftefle des obfer- 
 vations. 
 
 Caylus. 
 
 impartiality that difplays his candour and juftice, in fpite of the bias that he 
 muft have received from the innumerable authors whom he has read and 
 ftudied. I have therefore perui'ed, with the greateft avidity, this little woikj 
 and wilh that it was more extenfive, and read univerfaliy. 
 
 I would alfo exprefs my thanks to Lady Hervey, for making me ac- 
 quainted with an author who proves in every page that learning is hoflile 
 only to ignorance and prejudice; who deferves to have a Maty for his 
 friend, and who adds honour and ftrength to our language by the ufe which 
 he fo ably makes of it. Were I more learned I fhould dwell on the merit 
 of the difcuffions, and the juftnefs of the obfervations. 
 
 Gaylus.
 
 1 -> 
 
 1 
 
 24 LETTERS fb "AND FROM 
 
 N° XIV. 
 
 Geo. Lewis Scott Efquire to Edward Gibbon junior, 
 
 QUTPOSING you fettled in quarters, dear Sir, I obey your com- 
 mands, and fend you my thoughts, relating to thepurfuitof your 
 mathematical ftudies. You told me, you had read Clairaut's Alge- 
 bra, and the three firft books of I'Hopital's Conic Se£lions. You 
 did not mention the Elements of Geometry you had perufed. What- 
 ever they were, whether Euclid's, or by fome other, you will do 
 well, if you have not applied yourfelf that way for fome time 
 paft, to go over them again, and render the conclufions familiar to 
 your memory. You may defer, however, a very critical inquiry 
 into the principles and reafoning of geometers, till Dr. Simpfon's 
 new edition of Euclid (now^ in the prefs) appears. I would have 
 you ftudy that book well ; in the mean time recapitulate Clairaut 
 and I'Hopital, fo far as you have gone, and then go through the re- 
 mainder of the marquis's books v.'ith care. The fifth book will be 
 an Introduction to the Analyfe des Ti'Jimmcnt pet'its ;" to which I 
 would advife you to proceed, after finifliing the Conic Sedtions. The 
 Iiifniment pet'its may want a comment ; Croufaz has written one, but 
 it is a wretched performance : he did not underftand the firft prin- 
 ciples of the fcience he undertook to illuftrate ; and his geometry 
 {hews, that he did not underftand the firft principles of geometry. 
 There is a pofthumous work of M. Varignon's, called Eclair cijfemens 
 fur r Analyfe des Injiniment petit s. Paris, 1 725, 4to, This will be often 
 of ufe to you. However, it muft be owned, that the notion of the 
 Infiniment petits, or Injinitefimals^ as we call them, is too bold an af- 
 fumption, and too remote from the principles of the ancients, our 
 mafters in geometry j and has given a handle to an ingenious author 
 
 (Berkeley,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erqulre. 425 
 
 (Berkeley, late blfliop of Cloyne) to attack, the logic of modern 
 mathematicians. He has been anfwered by many, but by none fo 
 clearly as by Mr. Maclaurin, in his Fluxions, (2 vols, in 4to,) where 
 you will meet with a collcftion of the moft valuable difcoveries 
 in the mathematical and phyfico-mathematical fciences. I recom- 
 mend this author to you ; but whether you ought to read him 
 immediately after M. de I'Hopital, may be a queftion. I think you 
 may be fatisfied at firft with reading his introdudllon, and chap. i. 
 book I. of the grounds of the Method of Fluxions, and then pro- 
 ceed to chap. 12. of the fame book, § 495 to § 505 inclufive, where 
 he treats of the Method of Infinitefimals, and of the Limits of Ratios. 
 You may then read chap. i. book II. § 697 to § 714 inclufive ; and 
 this you may do immediately after reading the firft fedlion of the 
 Analyfe des Infimmerit pet'its : or if you pleafe, you may poftpone a 
 critical inquiry into the principles of Infinitefimals and Fluxions, till 
 you have ^ttn the ufe and application of this dodtrine in the drawing 
 of Tangents, and in finding the Maxima and Minima of Geometrical 
 Magnitudes. Aiinal. des Injin. pet. § 2 and 3. 
 
 When you have read the beginning of THopital's 4th fe£l. to 
 fed. 65 inclufive, you may read Maclaurin's chap. 2, 3, and 4; 
 where he fully explains the nature of thefe higher orders of Fluxions, 
 and applies the notion to geometrical figures. Your principles being 
 then firmly eftablifhed, you may finifli M. de I'Hopital. 
 
 Your next ftep muft be to the inverfe method of Fluxions, called 
 by the French calcul integral. Monfieur de Bougainville has given 
 us a treatife upon this fubjedt, Paris, 1754, 4to. under the title 
 Tra'it'e du calcul integral pour fervir dcfuite a l' Aualyfe des Jnfinimcnt 
 pctits. You lliould have it ; but though he explains the methods 
 hitherto found out for the determination of Fluents from given 
 Fluxions, or in the French ftyle, pour trouvcr les tntegrales des dif- 
 ferences dgjitiees ; yet as he has not fhewn the ufe and application of 
 ithis dodrine, as de I'Hopital did, with refpect to that part which he 
 
 VOL. r, 31 treats
 
 426 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 treats of, M. de Bougainville's book is, for that reafon, not fo well 
 fuited to beginners as could be wiflied. You may therefore take 
 Carre's book in 410, printed at Paris, 1 700, and entitled, Methode 
 pour la Mefure dcs Surfaces^ &c. par V Application dii Calcid integral. 
 Only I muft caution you againft depending upon him in his fourth 
 fed;ion, where he treats of the centre of ofcillation and percuffion j 
 he having made feveral miftakes there, as M. de Mairan has fhewn, 
 p. 196. Mem. de V Acad. Roy ale des Sciences, edit. Paris, 1735. After 
 Carre, you may read Bougainville. 
 
 I have recommended French authors to you, becaufe you are a 
 thorough mailer of that language, and becaufe, by their ftudying 
 ftyle and clearnefs of expreffion, they feem to me bed adapted to 
 beginners. Our authors are often profound and acute, but their la- 
 conifms, and negle£t of expreffion, often perplex beginners. I 
 except Mr. Maclaurin, who is very clear ; but then he has fuch a 
 vaft variety of matter, that a great part of his book is, on that ac- 
 count, too difficult for a beginner. I might recommend other au- 
 thors to you, as a courfe of elements ; for inftance, you might 
 read Mr. Thomas Simpfon's Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and 
 Fluxions ; all which contain a great variety of good things. In his 
 Geometry he departs from Euclid without a fufficient reafon. How- 
 ever, you may read him after Dr. Robert Simfon's Euclid, or 
 together with it, and take notice of what is new in Thomas Simpfon. 
 His Algebra you may join with Clairaut ; and the rather that Clairaut 
 has been fparing of particular problems, and has, befides, omitted fe- 
 veral ufeful applications of Algebra. Simpfon's Fluxions may go hand 
 in hand with I'Hopital, Maclaurin, Carre, and Bougainville. If you 
 come to have a competent knowledge of thefe authors, you will be 
 far advanced, and you may proceed to the works of Newton, Cotes, 
 the Bernoulli's, Dr. Moivre, &c. as your inclination and time will 
 permit. Sir Ifaac Newton's treatife of the Quadrature of Curves has 
 been well commented by Mr. Stewart, and is of itfelf a good in- 
 
 flitution
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 427 
 
 illlatlon of Fluxions. Sir Ilaac's Algebra is commented in feveral 
 places by Clairaut, and in more in Maclaurin's Algebra ; and New- 
 ton's famous Principia are explained by the Mifiims Jacqu'trs et le 
 Seur, Geneva, 4 vols. 4to. Cotes is explained by Don V/almefley, 
 in his Anahfe des M^fhres^ &c. Paris, 4to. You fee you may find 
 work enough. But my paper bids me fubfcribe myfelf, dear Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient fervant, 
 
 ^"'m7,]]1^T"' . <^^o- ^^w^s Scott. 
 
 P. S. But I recollevSt, a little late, that the books I have men- 
 tioned, excepting Newton's Principia, and the occafional problems in 
 the reft, treat only of the abftrad: parts of the Mathematics ; and 
 you are, no doubt, willing to look into the concrete parts, or what is 
 called Mixed Mathematics, and the Phyfico-mathematical Sciences. 
 Of thefe the principal are, mechanics, optics, and aftronomy. As to 
 the principles of mechanics, M. d'Alembert has recommended M. 
 Trabaud's Principcs du Mouvement et de r Eqidlibre, to beginners ; 
 and you cannot do better than to ftudy this book. In optics we 
 have Dr. Smith's Complete Syftem, 2 vols. 4to. I wilh though, we 
 had a good inftitution, fliort and clear ; the Dodlor's book entering 
 into too great details for beginners. However, you may confider his 
 firft book, or popular Treatife, as an Inftitution, and you will from 
 thence acquire a good deal of knowledge. In aftronomy I recom- 
 mend M. le Monnier's Injlitiitions AJlronomiqiies^ in 4to. Paris, 1 746. 
 It is a tranflation from Keil's Aftronomical Ledures, but with con- 
 fiderable additions. You fhould alfo have Caffini's Elemens (T AJiro- 
 nomie^ 2 vols. 4to. As to the phyfical caufes of the celeftial mo- 
 tions, after having read Maclaurin's account of Sir Ifaac Newton's 
 philofophical Difcoveries, and Dr. Pemberton's View of Sir Ifaac's 
 Philofophy, you may read the great author himfelf, with the com- 
 ment. But if you read Maclaurin's Fluxions throughout, you will 
 i?nd many points of Sir Ifaac's philofophy well explained there, 
 
 312 The
 
 428 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 The theory of light and colours fliould be ftudied in Sir Ifaac him- 
 felf, in the Englifli edition of his Optics, 8vo. there is a branch 
 of the optical fciences which I have not mentioned, that is, Per- 
 fpeftive. Dr. Brook Taylor's is the bell fyftem, but his ftyle and 
 expreflion is embarrafled and obfcure. L'Abbe de la Caille has alio 
 given a good treatife of Perfpedive, at the end of his Opl'ique : thefc 
 are of ule to painters ; but the theory of mathematical projedion 
 in general is more extenfive, and has been well treated of by old 
 writers, Clavius, Aguillonius, Tacquet, and De Chules : and lately 
 M. de la Caille has given a memoir among thofe of the Acad. Roy. 
 dcs Sciences of Paris, anno 1 74 1 , fur le calcid des projeSIions en ge^ 
 nercd. This fubje£t is neceflary for the underftanding of the theory 
 of maps and planifpheres. Mathematicians have alfo applied their 
 art to the theory of founds and mufic. Dr. Smith's Harmonics is 
 the principal book of the kind. 
 
 Thus have I given you fome account of the principal elementary 
 authors in the different branches of mathematical knowledge, and 
 it were much to be wifhed that we had a com.plete inftitution, or 
 courfe, of all thefe things of a moderate fize, which might ferve as 
 an introdudtion to all the good original authors. Wolfius attempted 
 this ; his intention was laudable, but his book is fo full of errors of 
 the prefs, befides fome of his own, that I cannot recommend him. 
 to a beginner. He might be ufed occafionally for the fignification 
 of terms, and for many hiftorical fads relating to mathematics ; 
 and, befides, may be confidered as a colledor of problems, which 
 i« ufeful. 
 
 Befides the books T have mentioned, it might be of ufe to you to 
 have M. Montucla's Hijioire des Mathematiques^ in 4to. 2 vols. You 
 will there find a hiftory of the progrefs of the mathematical fciences, 
 and fome account of the principal authors relating to this fubjed. 
 
 I mentioned to you in converfation, the fuperior elegance of the 
 antient method of demonftration. If you incline to examine this 
 
 pointy
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 429 
 
 point, after being well verfed in Euclid, you may proceed to Dr. 
 Simfon's Conic Sedions ; and to form an idea of the antient analyfis 
 or method of inveftigating the folution of geometrical problems, read 
 Euclid's Data, which Dr. Simfon will publifli, together with his new 
 edition of Euclid ; and then read his Loci Plant, in 4to. The elegance 
 of the method of the ancients is confefled ; but it feems to require the* 
 reihembrance of a great multitude of propofitions, and in complicated 
 problems it does not feem probable that it can be extended fo far as. 
 the algebraic method. 
 
 1S° XV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Gibbon, Beriton.. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Paris. February the 12th, 1763, 
 
 X70U remember our agreement, — Ihort and frequent letters. The 
 firfl part of the treaty you have no doubt of my obferving. I 
 think I ought not to leave you any of the fecond. yl propos of 
 treaty : our definitive one was figned here yefterday, and this morn- 
 ing the Duke of Bridgewater and Mr. • Neville went for London 
 with the news of it. The plenipotentiaries fat up till ten o'clock 
 in the morning at the ambaflador of Spain's ball, and then v/ent to 
 fign this treaty, which regulates the fate of Europe. 
 
 Paris, in moft refpedls, has fully anfwered my expectations, j 
 have a number of very good acquaintance, which increafe every 
 day ; for nothing is fo eafy as the making them here. Inftead of 
 complaining of the want of them, I begin already to think of mak- 
 ing a choice. Next Sunday, for inftance, I have only three invita- 
 tions to dinner. Either ia the houfes you are already acquainted, 
 
 you
 
 430 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 you meet with people who afk you to come and fee them, or feme 
 of your friends ofter themfelves to Introduce you. When I fpeak of 
 thefe connections, I mean chiefly for dinner and the evening. Sup- 
 pers, as yet, I am pretty much a flranger to, and I fancy flTall con- 
 tinue fo ; for Paris Is divided into two fpecles, who have but little 
 communication with each other. The one, wTio is chiefly con- 
 nedled with the men of letters, dine very much at home, are glad to 
 fee their friends, and pafs the evenings till about nine, in agreeable 
 and rational converfation. The others are the mofl; falLlonable, fup 
 in numerous parties, and always play, or rather game, both before 
 and after fupper. You may eafily guefs which fort fults me beft. 
 Indeed, Madam, we may fay what we pleafe of the frivolity of the 
 French, but I do afllire you, that in a fortnight pafl'ed at Paris, I 
 have heard more converfation worth remembering, and feen more 
 men of letters among the people of £ifhlon, than I had done in two 
 or three winters in London. 
 
 Amongft my acquaintance 1 cannot help mentioning M. Helvetius, 
 the author of the famous book de VEfprit. I met him at dinner at 
 Madame GeofFrln's, where he took great notice of me, made me a 
 vifit next day, has ever fmce treated me, not in a polite but a 
 friendly manner. Befides being a fenfible man, an agreeable com- 
 panion, and the worthiefl: creature in the world, he has a very pretty 
 wife, an hundred thoufand livres a year, and one of the beft tables 
 in Paris. The only thing I dlflike in him is his great attachment to, 
 and admiration for, * * * *, whofe chara£ler is indeed at Paris 
 beyond any thing you can conceive. To the great civility of this 
 foreigner, who was not obliged to take the leaft notice of me, I mufl; 
 juft.contraft the behaviour of * =» * * * * .
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 431 
 
 N° XVI. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to his Father. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Paris, February 24, 1763. 
 
 T RECEIVED your letter about twelve days after its date, owing, as 
 I apprehend, to Mr. Foley's negligence. My diredlion is, a 
 Monfieiir Monfteur Gibbon, Getitilbomme Auglois a V Hotel de L071- 
 dres^ rue de Columbier^ Fauxbourg St. Germahis, a Paris. You fee I am 
 flill in that part of the town ; and indeed from all the intelligence I 
 could colled, I faw no reafon to change, either on account of cheap- 
 nefs or pleafantnefs. Madame Bontems, Mrs. Mallet's friend, and 
 a Marquis de Mirabeau, (I got acquainted with at her houfe,) have 
 a£led a very friendly part ; though all their endeavours have only 
 ferved to convince me that Paris is unavoidably a very dear place. I 
 am forry to find my Englifli cloaths look very foreign. The French 
 are now exceflively long-waifted. At prefent we are in mourning 
 for the Bilhop of Liege, the king's uncle ; and exped: foon another 
 of a fingular nature, for the old Pretender, who is very ill. They 
 mourn for him, not as a crowned head, but as a relation of the 
 king's. I am doubtful how the Englifli here will behave ; indeed 
 we can have no difficulties, fince we need only follow the example 
 of the Duke of Bedford. 
 
 I have nov^r paflcd nearly a month in this place, and I can fay Math 
 truth, that it has anfwered my mo ft fanguine expedations. The 
 buildings of every kind, the libraries, the public diverfions, take up 
 a great part of my time ; and I have already found feveral houfes, 
 where it is both very eafy and very agreeable to be acquainted. 
 Lady Harvey's recommendation to Madame Geoffirin was a moft 
 excellent one. Her houfe is a very good one ; regular dinners there 
 every Wednefday, and the beft company of Paris, in men of letters 
 and people of fafhion. It was at her houfe I conneded myfelf with 
 2 M. Helvetius, 
 
 % 
 
 -i4Ct:
 
 432 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 M. Helvetlus, who, from his heart, his head, and his fortune, Is a 
 mofl valuable man. 
 
 At his houfe I was introduced to the Baron d'Olbach, who is a 
 man of parts and fortune, and has two dinners every week. The 
 other houfes I am known in, are the Duchefs d'Aiguillon's, Madame 
 la ComtefTe de Froulay's, Madame du Bocagc, Madame Boyer, 
 M. le Marquis de Mirabeau, and M. de Foucemagn. All thefe 
 people have their diflerent merit ; in fome I meet v;ith good din- 
 ners ; in others, Societies for the evening ; and in all, good fenfe, ' 
 entertainment, and civility ; which, as I have no favours to afk, or 
 bufmefs to tranfad; with them, is fufficient for me. Their men of 
 letters are as affable and communicative as I expe£ted. My letters 
 to them did me no harm, but were very little neceifary. My book 
 had been of great fervice to me, and the compliments I have re- 
 ceived upon it would make me infufferably vain, if I laid any ftrefs 
 on them. AVhen I take notice of the civilities I have received, I miift 
 take notice too of what 1 have feen of a contrary behaviour. You 
 know how much I always built upon the Count de Caylus : he has 
 not been of the leaft ufe to me. With great difficulty I have feen 
 him, and that is all. I do not, however, attribute his behaviour to 
 pride, or diflike to me, but folely to the man's general charader, 
 which feems to be a very odd one. De la Motte, Mrs, Mallet's 
 fiiend, has behaved very drily to me, though I have dined with 
 him twice. But I can forgive him a great deal, in confideration of 
 his having introduced me to M. d'Augny (Mrs. Mallet's fon). Her 
 men are generally angels or devils ; but here I really think, without 
 being very prone to admiration, that fhe has faid very little too much 
 of him. As far as I can judge, he has certainly an uncommon degree 
 of underftanding and knowledge, and, I believe, a great fund of 
 honour and probity. We are very much together, and I think our 
 intimacy feems to be growing into a friendfliip. Next Sunday we 
 go to Verfailles ; the king's guard is done by a detachment from 
 
 I Paris, 
 

 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 433 
 
 Paris, which is relieved every four days ; and as he goes upon this 
 command, it is a very good oc^afion for me to fee the palace. I 
 fhall not negled, at the fame time, the opportunity of informing 
 myfelf of the French difcipline. 
 
 The great nev\rs at prefent is the arrival of a very extraordinary 
 perfon from the Ifle of France in the Eaft Indies. An obfcure 
 Frenchman, w^ho was lately come into the ifland, being very ill, and 
 given over, faid, that before he died he muft difcharge his confcience 
 of a great burden he had upon it, and declared to feveral people, he 
 wa.s the accomplice of Damien, and the very perfon who held the 
 liorfes. Unluckily for him, the man recovered after this declaration, 
 was immediately fent prifoner to Paris, and is jufl landed at Port 
 I'Orient, from whence he is daily expected here, to unravel the 
 whole myflery of that dark affair. This flory (which at firft was 
 laughed at) has now gained entire credit, and I apprehend muft be 
 founded on real fadl. 
 
 A lady of Mifs Caryll's acquaintance has defired me to convey the 
 inclofed letter to her. You will be fo good as to fend it over to Lady- 
 holt. I hope I need fay nothing of my fentiments towards our 
 friends at Beriton, nor of my readinefs to execute any of their com- 
 mands here. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, moft affedionately yours, 
 
 E. Gibbon. 
 
 VOL. I. 3 K
 
 434 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N^'XVII. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd at Laufanne. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Boromean Elands, May the i6:h, 1764. 
 
 TTURRY of running about, time taken up with feeing places, &c. 
 **• &c. &c. are excellent excufes ; but I fancy you will guefs 
 that my lazinefs and averfion to writing to my beft friend are the 
 real motives, and I am afraid you will have guefled right. 
 
 We are at this minute in a moil magnificent palace, in the middle 
 of a vaft lake ; ranging about fuites of rooms without a foul to 
 interrupt us, and fecluded from the reft of the univerfe. We fhall 
 fit down in a moment to fupper, attended by all the Count's houfe- 
 hold. This is the fine fide of the medal : turn to the reverfe. We 
 are got here wet to the fkin ; we have crawled about fine gardens 
 which rain and fogs prevented our feeing ; and if to-moiTow does 
 not hold up a little better, we fhall be in fome doubt whether we 
 can fay we have feen thefe famous iflands. Guife fays yes, and I 
 fay no. The Count is not here; we have our fupper from a paultry 
 hedge alehoufe, (excufe the bull,) and the fervants have offered us 
 beds in the palace, purfuant to their mafter's diredions, 
 
 I hardly think you will like Turin ; the court is old and dull ; 
 and in that country every one follows the example of the court. 
 The principal amufement feems to be, driving about in your coach 
 in the evening, and bowing to the people you meet. If you go 
 while the Royal Family is there, you have the additional pleafure 
 of flopping to falute them every time they pafs. I had that advan- 
 tage fifteen times one afternoon. We were prefented to a lady who 
 keeps a public aflembly, and a very mournful one it is j the few 
 women that go to it are each taken up by their cicifbeo ; and a poor 
 Englilhman, who can neither talk Piedmontols nor play at Faro, 
 
 1 ftandg
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 435 
 
 ftands by hlmfelf without one of their haughty nobility doing hin\ 
 the honour of fpeaking to him. You muft not attribute this account 
 to our not having ftaid long enough to form connexions. It is a 
 general complaint of our countrymen, except of Lord *• * *, who 
 has been engaged for about two years in the fervice of a lady, 
 whofc long nofe is her moil diftlnguifhing fine feature. The moft 
 fociable women I have met Avith are the king's daughters. I chatted 
 for about a quarter of an hour with them, talked about Laufanne, 
 and grew fo very free and eai'y, that I drew my fnuff-box, rapped 
 it, took fnuft' twice (a crime never knov/n before in the prefence 
 chamber), and continued my difcourfe in my ufual attitude of my 
 body bent forwards, and my fore finger ftrctched out *. As it might 
 however have been difficult to keep up this acquaintance, I chiefly 
 employ my time in feeing places, which fully repaid me in pleafure 
 the trouble of my journey. What entertained me the moft, was the 
 mufeum and the citadel. The firft is under the care of a M. Bartoli, 
 who received us, without any introdudlion, in tlie politefl manner 
 in the world, and was of the greateft fervice to us, as I dare fay he 
 will be to y6u. The citadel is a ftupendous work ; and when you 
 have feen the fubterraneous part of it, you will fcarcely think it pof- 
 fible fuch a place can ever be taken. As it is however a regular one, 
 it does not pique my curiofity fo much as thofe irregular fortifica- 
 tions hewn out of the Alps, as Exiles, Feneftrelles, and the Brunette 
 would have done, could we have fpared the time neceflary. Our 
 next ftage from Turin has been Milan, where we were mere fpe€C2L_ 
 tors, as it was not worth while to endeavour at forming connexions 
 for fo very few days. I think you will be furprifed at the great 
 church, but infinitely more fo at the regiment of Baden, which is in 
 the citadel. Such fteadinefs, fuch alertnefs in the men, and fuch 
 
 * This attitude continued to be charafteriftic of Mr. Gibbon. The engraving iu 
 the frontifpiece of the Memoirs is taken from the figure of Mr. Gibbon cut with 
 fciffars by Mrs. Brown thirty years after the date of this letter. The cxtraorduiary 
 talents of this lady have furnifhed as complete a likenefs of Mr. Gibbon, as to pcrfon, 
 face, and manner, z,i, can be conceived ; yet it was done in his abfence* S. 
 
 3.K 2 e^'adinc-Jf5
 
 436 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 exadlnefs in the officers, as exceeded all my expedations. Next Friday 
 I fliall fee the regiment reviewed by General Serbelloni^ Perhaps 
 I may write a particular letter about it. From Milan we proceed 
 to Genoa, and thence to Florence. You ftare — But really we find 
 it fo inconvenient to travel like mutes, and to lofe a number of 
 curious things for want of being able to affift our eyes with our 
 tongues, that we have refumed our original plan, and leave Venice 
 for next year. I think I Ihould advife you to do the fame. 
 
 Milan, May i8th, 1764. 
 
 , The next morning was not fair, but however we were able to 
 take a view of the iflands, which, by the help of fome imagination, 
 we conclude to be a very delightful, though not an enchanted place. 
 I would certainly advife you to go there from Milan, which you 
 may very well perform in a day and half.' Upon our return, we 
 found Lord Tilney and fome other Englifh in their way to Venice. 
 We heard a melancholy piece of news from th-em : Byng died at 
 Bologna a few days ago of a fever. I am fure you will be all very 
 forry to hear it. 
 
 We expedl a volume of news from you in relation to Laufanne, 
 and in particular to the alliance of the Duchefs v/ith the Frog. Is it 
 already concluded ? How does the bride look after her great revo- 
 lution ? Pray embrace her and the adorable, if you can, in both our- 
 names ; and allure them, as well as all the Spring'^ ^ that we talk of 
 them very often, but particularly of a Sunday ; and that we are fo 
 difconfolate, that we have neither of us commenced cicifbeos as yet,, 
 whatever we may do at Florence. We have drank the Duchefs's 
 health, not. forgetting the little woman on the top of Mount Cenis, in 
 the middle of the Lago Maggiore, &c. &c. I expect fome account 
 of the faid little woman. Who is my fucceflbr ? I think * * * * 
 had began to fupplant me before I went. I exped: your anfwer at 
 Florence, and your perfon at Rome ; which the Lord grant. Araen. 
 
 • The foclety of young ladies mentioned in the Memoirs^
 
 w 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 437 
 
 N° XVIIL 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd at Berlin. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Beriton, Oaoberaift, 1765. 
 
 HY did I not leave a letter for you at Marfeilles ? For a veiy 
 plain reafon : becaufe I did not go to Marfeilles. But, as you 
 have moft judicioufly added, why did not I fend one ? Humph. I 
 own that nonplufles me a little. However, hearken to my hiiloiy. 
 After revolving a variety of plans, and fuiting them as well as 
 poflible to time and finances, Guife and I at lall agreed to pafs from 
 Venice to Lyons, fwim down the Rhone, wheel round the fouth of 
 France, and embark at Bourdeaux. Alas ! At Lyons I received 
 letters which convinced me that I ought no longer to deprive my 
 country of one of her greateft ornaments. Unwillingly I obeyed, 
 left Guife to execute alone the remainder of our plan, paffed about 
 ten delicious days at Paris, and arrived in England about the end of 
 June. Guife followed me about two months afterwards, as I was 
 informed by an epiftle from him, which, to his great aftonifhment, 
 1 immediately anfwered. You perceive there is ftilf fome virtue 
 amongft men. Exempli gratia, your letter is dated Vienna,, October 
 1 2th, 1765; it made its appearance at Beriton, Wednefday evening, 
 October the 29th. I am at this prefent writing, fitting in my library, 
 on Thurfday morning, between the hours of twelve and one. I 
 have ventured to fuppofe you ftill at Berlin ; if not, 1 prefume vou 
 take care that your letters fhould follow you. This ideal march to 
 Berlin is the only one I can make at prefent. I am under command ; 
 and were I to talk of a third fally as yet, I know fome certain people 
 who would think it juft as ridiculous as the third fally of the re- 
 • nownedDon Quixote, All I ever hoped for was, to be able to take 
 
 ^ the
 
 438 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 the field once more, after lying quiet a couple of years. I mull 
 own that your executing your tour in fo complete a manner gives 
 me a little felfifh . If I make a fummer's efcape to Berlin, I 
 
 cannot hope for the companion I flattered myfclf with. 1 am forry 
 however I have faid fo much ; but as It is difficult to encreafe your 
 Honour's proper notions of your own perfedlions, I will e'en let it 
 ftand. Indeed I owed you fomething for your account of the fa- 
 vourable reception my book has met with. I fee there are people of 
 tafte at Vienna, and no longer wonder at your liking it. Since the 
 court Is fo agreeable, a thorough reformation muft have taken place. 
 The ftlffnefs of the Aulblan etiquette, and the haughty magnificence 
 of the Hungarian princes, muft have given way to more civilized 
 notions. You have (no doubt) informed yourfelf of the forces and 
 revenues of the emprefs. I think (however unfafhionably) we 
 always eftecmed her. Have you loft or improved that opinion. 
 Princes, like pictures to be admired, muft be feen in their proper 
 point of view, which is often a pretty diftant one. I am afraid you 
 will find it peculiarly fo at Berlin. 
 
 I need not defire you to pay a moft minute attention to the Auftrian 
 and Pruffian difcipline. You have been bit by a mad ferjeant as well 
 as myfelf ; and when we meet, we ihall run over every particular 
 which we can approve, blame, or imitate. Since my arrival, I 
 have aflumed the auguft charader of Major, received returns, iffued 
 orders, &c. &c. &c. I do not intend you fhall have the honour of 
 reviewing my troops next fummer. Three fourths of the men will 
 be recruits ; and during my pilgrimage, difcipline feems to have been 
 relaxed. But I fummon you to fulfil another engagement. Make 
 me a vlfit next fummer. You will find here a bad houfe, a pleafant 
 country In fummer, fome books, and very little Jlratige company. 
 Such a plan of life for two or three months muft, I fhould Imagine, 
 fuit a man who has been for as many years ftruck from one end of 
 Europe to the other like a tennis-ball. At leaft I judge of you by 
 
 myfelf.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 439 
 
 myfelf. I always loved a quiet, ftudious, indolent life ; but, never 
 enjoyed the charms of it fo truly, as fince my return from an agree- 
 able but fatiguing courfe of motion and hurry. However I fliall 
 hear of your arrival, which can fcarcely be fo foon as January 1766, 
 and fhali probably have the misfortune of meeting you in town foon 
 after. We may then fettle any plans for the enfuing campaign. 
 
 En atteiidant^ (admire me, this is the only fcrap of foreign lingo I 
 have imported into this epiftle — if you had feen that of Guife to 
 me !) let me tell you a piece of Laufanne news. Nanette Grand is 
 married to Lieutenant-colonel Prevot. Grand wrote to me ; and by 
 the next poll I congratulated both father and daughter. There is 
 exa£tnefs for you. The Curchod (Madame Necker) I faw at Paris. 
 She was very fond of me, and the hufband particularly civil. Could 
 they infult me more cruelly ? Afk me every evening to fupper ; go 
 to bed, and leave me alone with his wife — ^what an impertinent fecu- 
 rity ! it is making an old lover of mighty little confequence. She is 
 as handfome as ever, and much genteeler ; feems pleafed with her 
 fortune rather than proud of it. I was (perhaps indifcreetly enough) 
 exalting Nanette d'lUens's good luck and the fortune. What fortune ? 
 (faid Ihe, with an air of contempt) — not above twenty thoufand 
 livres a-year. I fmiled, and Ihe caught herfelf immediately. — 
 " What airs I give myfelf in defpifmg twenty thoufand livres a-year, 
 " who a year ago looked upon eight hundred as the fummit of my 
 " wifhes." 
 
 I muft end this tedious fcrawl. Let me hear from you : I think 
 
 I deferve it. Believe me, Dear Holroyd, I Ihare in all your pleafures» 
 
 and feel all your misfortunes. Poor Bolton ! I faw it in the newf- 
 
 paper. Is Ridley with you ? I fufpeit not ; but if he is, aflure him 
 
 I do not forget him though he does me. Adieu j and believe me, 
 
 moft aftedionately yours, 
 
 E. Gibbon Junior.
 
 44P LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" XIX. 
 Edward Gibbon j^/^- ^° ]• Holroyd E/q, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, BeRiTOpr, April 29, 1767, 
 
 T HAPPENED to-night to ftumble upon a very odd piece of intel- 
 ligence in the St. James's Chronicle ; it related to the marriage 
 of a certain Monfieur Olroy*, formerly Captain of Huflars. I do 
 not know how it came into my head that this Captain of HulTars 
 was not unknown to me, and that he might pofTibly be an acquaint- 
 ance of yours. If I am not miftaken in my conjedture, pray give 
 my compliments to him, and tell him from me, that I am at leaft as 
 well pleafed that he is married as if I were fo myfelf. AfTure him, 
 however, that though as a philofopher I may prefer celibacy, yet as 
 a politician I think it highly proper that the fpecies fliould be propa- 
 gated by the ufual method ; aflure him even that I am convinced, 
 that if celibacy is expofed to fewer miferies, marriage can alone pro- 
 mife real happinefs, fmce domeftic enjoyments are the fource of 
 every other good. May fuch happinefs, which is beftowed on few, 
 be given to him ; the tranfient bleflings of beauty, and the more 
 durable ones of fortune, good fenfe, and an amiable dlfpofition. 
 
 I can eafily conceive, and as eaflly excufe you, if you have 
 thought mighty little this winter of your poor rufticated friend. I 
 have been confined ever fmce Chrlftmas, and confined by a fucceflion 
 ■of very melancholy occupations. I had fcarcely arrived at Beriton, 
 where I propofed flaying only about a fortnight, when a brother of 
 Mrs. Gibbon's died unexpededly, though after a very long and painful 
 illnefs. We were fcarcely recovered from the confufion which fuch 
 an event mufl produce in a family, when my father was taken dan- 
 
 * The name was fo fpelt in the newfpapers. 
 
 geroully
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 441 
 
 geroufly 111, aud with fome intervals has continued fo ever fince. 
 1 can aflure you, my dear Holroyd, "that the fame event appears in 
 a very different light when the danger is ferious and immediate ; or 
 when, in the gaiety of a tavern dinner, we affedl an infenfibility that 
 would do us no great honour were it real. My father is now much 
 better ; but I have hnce been aflailed by a fevere ftroke — the lofs of 
 a friend. You remember, perhaps, an officer of our militia, whom 
 I fometimcs ufed to compare to yourfelf. Indeed, the comparifon 
 would have done honour to any one. His feelings were tender and 
 noble, and he was always guided by them : his principles were jufl 
 and generous, and he afted up to them. I Ihall fay no more, and 
 you will excufe my having faid fo much, of a man with whom you 
 were unacquainted ; but my mind is juft now fo very full of him, 
 that I cannot eafily talk, or even think, of any thing elfe. If I know 
 you right, you will not be offended at my wea/aiefs. 
 
 What rather adds to my uneafmefs, is the neccffity I am under of 
 joining our militia the day after to-morrow. Though the lively 
 hurry of fuch a fcene might contribute to divert my ideas, yet 
 every circumftance of it, and the place itfelf, (which was that of his 
 refidence,) will give me many a painful moment, I know nothing 
 would better raife my fpirits than a vifit from you ; the requeft may 
 appear unfeafonable, but I think I have heard you fpeak of an tincle 
 you had near Southam.pton. At all events, I hope you \vill fnatch a 
 moment to write to me, and give me fome account of your prefent 
 fituation and future defigns. As you are now fettered, I fhould ex- 
 ped: you will not be fuch a hk et nbiquc *, as you have been fince 
 your arrival in England. I ftay at Southampton from the firft to 
 the twenty-eighth of May, and then propofe making a fliort vifit to 
 town : if you are any where in the neighbourhood of it, you may 
 depend upon feeing me. I fliall then concert meafures for feeing a 
 
 * The motto of the regiment called Royal Forefters, in which Mr. Holroyd had 
 been Captain. 
 
 VOL. I. - ' 3 L little
 
 442 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 little more of you next winter, than I have lately clone, as I hope to 
 take a pretty long fpell in town. I Cuppofe Guife has often fallen in 
 your way : he has never once written to me, nor I to him : in the 
 country we want materials, and in London we want time. I ought 
 to recolleft, that you even want time to read my unmeaning fcrawl. 
 Believe, however, my dear Holroyd, that it is the fuicere expreflioa 
 of a heart entirely yours. 
 
 N'XX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to J. B. Holroyd Efq. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Beriton, OAober i6, 1769. 
 
 T RECEIVED your agreeable millive about two days ago ; and anx 
 glad to find that, after all your errors^ you are at laft a fettled man. 
 I do moft fincerely regret that it is not in my power to obey your 
 immediate fummons. Some very particular bufmefs will not at 
 prefent permit me to be long abfent from Beriton. The fame 
 bufmefs w^ill carry me to town, about the fixth of next month, for 
 fome days. On my return, I do really hope and intend to florm 
 your caftle before Chriftmas, as I prefume you will hardly remove 
 fooner. I fhould be glad to meet Cambridge ; but the plain difh of 
 friendfhip will fatisfy me, without the feafoning of Attic wit. Do 
 you know any thing of Guife ? Have you no inclination to look at 
 the Ruffians ? AVe have a bed at your fervice. Vale. 
 
 Prefent my fincere refpeils to thofe who are dear to you ; believe- 
 me, they are fo to me.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc 445 
 
 N° XXI. 
 
 7he Same to the Same. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Pall-Mall. Dec. 25, 1769. 
 
 QOME daemon, the enemy of frlendfhip, feems to have determined 
 that we fhall not meet at Sheffield-Place. I was fully refolved 
 to make amends for my lazy fcruples, and to dine with you to- 
 morrow ; when I received a letter this day from my father, which 
 irrefiftibly draws me to Beriton for about ten days. The above- 
 mentioned daemon, though he may defer my projedls, fliall riot 
 however difappoint them. Since you intend to pafs the winter in 
 retirement, it will be a far greater compliment to quit a£tive, gay, 
 political London, than the drowfy defart London of the holidays. 
 But I retradl. What is both pleafmg and fmcere, is above that pro- 
 
 ftituted word complhnent. Believe me 
 
 Mod fmcerely yours. 
 
 ^A propos^ I forgot the compliments of the feafon, &c. &c. 
 
 N" XXII. 
 'The Same to the Same. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD. Oaober 6, 1771, 
 
 T SIT down to anfwer your epiftle, after taking a very pleafant 
 
 ride. — A ride! and upon what? — Upon a horfe. — Tou lie! — I 
 don't. — I have got a droll little poney, and intend to renew the long 
 forgotten pradice of equitation, as it was known in the world before 
 
 3 L 2 the
 
 444 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 the fecOhd of June of the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hun- 
 dred and fixty-three. As I ufed to reafon againft riding, fo I can 
 now argue for it ; and indeed ' the principal ufe I know in human 
 reafon is, when called upon, to furniili arguments for what we have 
 an inclination to do. 
 
 What do you mean by prefuming to affirm, that I am of no ufe 
 here ? Farmer Gibbon of no ufe ? Lajl week I fold all my hops, 
 and I believe well, at nine guineas a hundred, to a very refponfible 
 man. Some people think I might have got more at Weyhill Fair, 
 but that would have been an additional expence, and a great un- 
 certainty. Our quantity has difappointed us very much ; but I think, 
 that befides hops for the family, there will not be lefs than 500 1. ; — 
 no contemptible fum off thirteen fmall acres, and two of them planted 
 laft year only. This week I let a little farm in Petersfield by audion, 
 and propofe raifmg it from 25 1. to 35I. per annum: and Farmer 
 Gibbon of no ufe \ 
 
 To be ferious ; I have but one reafon for refifting your invitation, 
 and my own wifhes ; that is, Mrs. Gibbon I left nearly alone all lafl: 
 winter, and fhall do the fame this. She fubmits very cheerfully to 
 that ftate of folitude ; but, on founding her, I am convinced that 
 fhe would think it unkind were I to leave her at prefent. I know 
 you fo well, that I am fure you will acquiefce in this reafon ; and let 
 me make my next vifit to Sheffield-Place from town, which I think 
 may be a little before Chriftmas. I fhould like to hear fomething of 
 the precife time, duration, and extent of your intended tour into 
 Bucks. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 445 
 
 N" XXIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to J. B. Holroyd Efq. 
 
 MOST RESPECTABLE SOUTH SAXON, ' Beriton, Nov. i8, 1771. 
 
 Tt would ill become me to reproach a dilatory correfpondent ; 
 
 ^is tuUrit Gracchos de fedit'ione querentes f 
 efpecially when that correfpondent had given me hopes of under- 
 taking a very troublefome expedition for my fole advantage. "Yet 
 thus much I may fay, that I am obliged very foon to go to town 
 upon other bufmefs, which, in that hope, I have hitherto deferred. 
 If by next Sunday I have no anfwer, or if I hear that your journey 
 to Denham is put oK fine die^ or to a long day, I fhall on Monday 
 fet off for London, and wait your future will with faith, hope, and 
 charity. Adieu. 
 
 N° XXIV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to John Baker HoitROyd Efq. 
 
 Sheffield-Place. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, London, 1772. 
 
 /-r^HE fudden change from the fobriety of Sheffield-Place to the irre- 
 ■^ gularities of this town, and to the wicked company of Wilbra- 
 ham, Clarke, Darner, &c. having deranged me a good deal, I am 
 forced to employ one of my fecretaries to acquaint you with a piece 
 of news I know nothing about myfelf. It is certain, fome extra- 
 ordinary intelligence is arrived this morning from Denmark, and as 
 certain that the levee was fuddenly prevented by it. The particulars 
 
 of
 
 446 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 of that intelligence are varioufly and obfcurely told. It is faid, that 
 the king had railed a little phyfician to the rank of minifter and Gany- 
 mede ; fuch a mad adminiftration had fo difgufted all the nobility, that 
 the fleet and army had rofe, and fhut up the king in his palace. La 
 Kehie fe trotwe melee la dedans ; and it is reported that Ihe is confined, 
 but whether in confequence of the infurre£tion, or fome other caufe, 
 is not agreed. Such is the rough draft of an affair that nobody yet 
 underflands. Embrajfe% de ma part Madame^ et le rejle de la chere 
 famille. Gibbon. 
 
 Et plus has — WiLBRAHAM, See. 
 
 N" XXV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to J. B. Holroyd Efq. 
 
 Boodle's, io o'clock, Monday night, Feb. 3, 1772. 
 
 J LOVE, honour, and refpe(Sl:, every member of ShefTield-Place; even 
 my great enemy * Datch, to v*^hom you v^rill pleafe to convey my 
 fmcere wifhes, that no ftmpleton may-wait on him at dinner, that his 
 wife papa may not fhew him any pictures, and that his much wnfer 
 mamma may chain him hand and foot, in diredt contradidion to 
 Magna Charta and the bill of rights. 
 
 It is difficult to write news, becaufe there is none. Parliament is 
 perfedlly quiet ; and I think that Barre, who is juft now playing at 
 whifl in the room, will not have exercife of the lungs, except, per- 
 haps, on a meflage much talked of, and foon expected, to recommend 
 it to the wifdom of the Houfe of Commons to provide a proper 
 future remedy againft the improper marriages of the younger 
 branches of the Royal Family. The noife of * * * * is fubfided, 
 but there was fome foundation for it. * * * «- *'s expences in his 
 bold enterprize were yet unpaid by government. The hero threat- 
 
 * The name by which the child caMed himfelf. 
 
 I ened,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 447 
 
 ened, afliimed the patriot, received a fop, and again funk into the 
 courtier. As to Denmark, it feems now that the king, who was 
 totally unfit for government, has only paffed from the hands of his 
 queen wife, to thofe of his queen mother-in-law. * * * * is faid 
 to have indulged a very vague tafte in her amours. She would not 
 he admitted into the Pantheon, whence the gentlemen proprietors 
 exclude all beauty, unlefs unfpotted and immaculate (tautology by 
 the bye), 'the gentlemen proprietors ^ on the other hand, are friends 
 and patrons of the leopard beauties. Advertlfing challenges have 
 paffed between the two great fadions, and a bloody battle is expected 
 Wednefday night. ^A propos, the Pantheon, in point of ennui and 
 magnificence, is the wonder of the eighteenth century and of the 
 Britilh empire. Adieu. 
 
 N° XXVI. 
 
 'The Same to ibe Same. 
 
 Boodle's, Saturday night, Feb. 8, 1772. 
 
 ^-pHOUGH it is very late, and the bell tells me that I have not above 
 ten minutes left, I employ them with pleafure in congratu- 
 lating you on the late vidory of our dear mamma the Church of 
 England. She had laft Thurfday feventy-one rebellious fons, who 
 pretended to fet afide her will on account of infanity : but two hun- 
 dred and feventeen worthy champions, headed by Lord North, 
 Burke, Hans Stanley, Charles Fox, Godfrey Clarke, &c. thoiigh 
 they allowed the thirty-nine claufes of her teflament were abfurd 
 and unreafonable, fupported the validity of it with infinite humour. 
 By the bye, ****** prepared himfelf for that holy war, by 
 paffing twenty-two hours in the pious exercife of hazard ; his devo- 
 tions coll hira. only about 500 1. per hour — in all 1 1,000 1. * * * *- 
 
 lofl
 
 448 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 loft 5000 1. This is from the beft authority. I hear too, but will not 
 warrant it, that * * * -*, by -way of paying his court to * * * *, 
 has loft this winter 12,000 1. How I long to be ruined ! 
 
 There are two county contefts. Sir Thomas Egerton and Colonel 
 Townley in Lancafhire, after the county had for fome time gone 
 a-begging. In Salop, Sir Watkin, fupported by Lord Gower, hap- 
 pened by a pundilio to difoblige Lord Craven, who told us laft night, 
 that he had not quite 9000 1. a-year in that county, and who has fet 
 up Pigot againft him. You may fuppofe we all wifh for Got Amighty 
 againft that black devil. 
 
 I am forry your journey is deferred. Compliments to Datch. As 
 he is now in durance, great minds forgive their enemies, and I hope 
 he may be releafed by this time. Coming, Sir. Adieu. 
 
 You fee the Princefs of \V. is gone. Hans Stanley fays, it Is 
 believed the Emprefs Queen has taken the fame journey. 
 
 N" XXVII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efq. to J. B. Holroyd Efq. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, London, Feb. 13, 1772. 
 
 '-J-' HE papers and plans arrived fafe in town laft night, and will 
 be in your hands in their inta£t virgin ftate in a day or two. 
 Confider them at leifure, if that word is known in the rural life. 
 Unite, divide, but (above all) raife. Bring them to London with 
 you : I wait your orders ; nor fhall I, for fear of tunibling, take a 
 fmgle ftep till your arrival, which, on many accounts, I hope will 
 not be long deferred. 
 
 Clouds ftill hover over the horizon of Denmark. The public 
 circumftances of the revolution are related, and, I underftand, very 
 
 exadly,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 449 
 
 exadly, in the foreign papers. The fecret fprings of it ftlll remain 
 unknown. The town indeed fecms at piefent quite tired of the 
 fubje(fl. The Princefs's death, her charader, and what fhe left, 
 engfofs the converfation. She died without a will ; and as her 
 Cavings were generally difpofed of in charity, the fmall remains of 
 her perfonal fortune will make a trifling objedt when divided 
 among her children. Her favourite the Princefs of B. very properly 
 infifted on the king's immediately fealing up all the papers, to 
 fecure her from the idle reports which would be fo readily fwal- 
 lowed by the great Englifli monfter. The bufmefs of Lord and 
 Lady ***** is finally compromifed, by the arbitration of the 
 Chancellor and Lord * * * * *. He gives her 1200 1. a-year 
 feparate maintenance, and 1500!. to fet out with : but as her Lady- 
 fhip is now a new face, her hufband, who has already beftowed 
 on the public feventy young beauties, has conceived a violent but 
 hopelefs paffion for his chafte moiety. ******* 
 
 *****************JS*i. 
 
 Lord Chefterfield is dying. County oppofitions fubfide. Adieu.. 
 
 Entirely yours. 
 
 N» XXVIIL 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Feb. 21. 177,. 
 
 * ******** * * ***** :5|t 
 
 'OWEVER, notwithftanding my indignation, I will employ five 
 minutes in telling you two or three recent pieces of news. 
 
 I. Charles Fox is commenced patriot, and is already attempting to 
 pronounce the words cotmtry^ liberty, corruption^ &c. ; with what fuc- 
 
 VOL. I. 3 M cefs.
 
 450 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 cefs, time will difcover. Yefterday he refigned the Admiralty. The 
 ftory is, that he could not prevail on miniftry to join with him in 
 his intended repeal of the marriage ad:, (a favourite meafure of his 
 father, who oppofed it from its origin,) and that Charles very judi- 
 cioufly thought Lord Holland's friendfhip imported him more than 
 Lord North's. 
 
 2. Yefterday the marriage mefTage came to both Houfes of Parlia- 
 ment. You will fee the words of it in the papers : and, thanks to 
 the fubmiflive piety of this feflion, it is hoped that ******* 
 *********. 
 
 3. To-day the Houfe of Commons was employed in a very odd 
 way. Tommy Townfhend moved, that the fermon of Dr. Knowell, 
 who preached before the Houfe on the 30th of January, [id ejl^ 
 before the Speaker and four members,) fhould be burnt by the 
 common hangman, as containing arbitrary, tory, high-flown doc- 
 trines. The Houfe was nearly agreeing to the motion, till they re- 
 coUeded that they had already thanked the Preacher for his excellent 
 difcourfe, and ordered it to be printed. Knowell's bookfeller is much 
 obliged to the Right Honourable Tommy Townfhend. ' 
 
 When do you come to town ? I want money, and am tired of 
 flicking to the earth by fo many roots. EmbraJJcz de ma part^ &c. 
 Adieu, 
 
 Ever yours.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 451 
 
 N** XXIX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to Mrs. Gibbon, Benton. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, London, March 21, 1772. 
 
 T HAVE advanced with fome care and fome fuccefs in gaining an 
 idea of the Lenborough eftate. The tenants are at will, and, 
 from a comparilbn of my rents with the neigbouring ones, particu- 
 larly Lord * * * *, there is great probability that my eftate is 
 very much under-let. My friend Holroyd, who is a moft invaluable 
 counfellor, is ftrongly of that opinion. Sir * * * * * *- is juft 
 come home. I am forry to fee many alterations, and little improve- 
 ment. From an honeft wild Englifh buck, he is grown z. philofopber. 
 Lord * * * * difpleafes every body by the affed:ation of confe- 
 quence : the young baronet difgufts no lefs by the afFedation of wif- 
 dom. He fpeaks in fhort fentences, quotes Montagne, feldom fmiles, 
 never laughs, drinks only water, profeiTes to command his paffions, 
 and intends to marry in five months. The two lords, his uncle, as 
 well as * * * *, attempt to fhew him, that fuch behaviour, even 
 were it reafonable, does not fuit this country. He remains incor- 
 rigible, and is every day lofing ground in the good opinion of the 
 public, which at his firft arrival ran ftrongly in his favour. Deyver- 
 dun is probably on his journey towards England, but is not yet 
 come. 
 
 I am, dear Madam, &c. &c. &c. 
 
 3 M 2
 
 453 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" XXX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquhe to J. B. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 DEAR holroyd, Pall-Mall, May se.M/ya; 
 
 T WISH you lived nearer, or even that you could pafs a week at 
 Beriton. When fhall you be at Richmond, or would there be 
 any ufe in my going down to Sheffield for a day or two ? In you 
 alone I put my truft, and without you I flaould be perplexed, dif- 
 couraged, and frightened ; for not a Cngle fifli has yet bit at the 
 Lenborough bait. 
 
 I dined the other day with Mr. Way at Boodle's. He told me, that 
 he was juft going down to Sheffield Place. As he has probably 
 unladen all the politics, and Mrs. Way all the fcandal of the town, 
 I fhall for the prefent only fatisfy myfelf with the needful ; among 
 which I fhall always reckon my fincere compliments to Madame, 
 and my profound refpeds for Mr. Datch. 
 
 I am, dear H. 
 
 Truly yours. 
 
 It is confidently afferted that the Emperor and King of Pruffia 
 are to run for very deep ftakes over the Polifh courfe. If the news 
 be true, I back Auflria againfl the aged horfe, provided little Lau- 
 dohn rides the match. 
 
 N. B, Croffing and joftling allowed.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON E%ulrc. 455 
 
 N" XXXI. 
 
 Edward Gibbon F/qidre to Mrs. Holroyd, Senior. 
 
 MADXM Beriton, near Petersfield, Hampshire, 
 
 July the 17th, 1772. 
 
 '' I "HERE Is not any event -wlilch could have afleded me with greater 
 furprife and deeper concern, than the news in lall night's paper, 
 of the death of our poor little amiable friend Mafter Holroyd, whom 
 I loved, not only for his parents' fake, but for his own. Should the 
 news be true, (for even yet I indulge fome faint hopes,) what muft 
 be the diftrefs of our friends at Sheffield ! I fo truly fympathife with 
 them, that I know not how to write to Holroyd ; but mufl beg to 
 be informed of the ftate of the family by a line from you. I have 
 fo'me company and bufinefs here, but would gladly quit them, if I 
 had the leafl reafon to think that my prefence at Sheffield would 
 afford comfort or fatisfadion to the man in the world whom I 
 love and efteem moft. I am, Madam, your moft obedient humble 
 Servant, &c. 
 
 N" XXXII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to J. B. Holroyd Efquire, 
 
 MY DEAR HOLROYD, Beritok, July the 30th, 1772. 
 
 I T was my intention to fet out for Sheffield as foon as I received 
 your affeding letter, and I hoped to have been with you as to-day ; 
 but walking very carelefsly yefterday morning, I fell down, and put 
 out a fmall bone in my ancle. I am now under the furgeon's hands, 
 but think, and moft earneftly hope, that this little accident will not 
 delay my journey longer than the middle of next week. I ffiare, 
 and wilh I could alleviate, your feelings. I beg to be remembered 
 to Mrs. Holroyd. I am, my dsar Holroyd, moft truly yours.
 
 454 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N'' XXXIII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Ef quire to Mrs. Gibbon, Berkon^ 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Sheffield-Place, Auguft 7th, 1772.. 
 
 T SET out at fix yefterday morning from Uppark, and got to Bright- 
 helmflone about two ; a very thin feafon, every body gone to 
 Spa. In the evening I reached this place. My friend appears, as he 
 ever will, in a light truly refpe£table ; concealing the moft exquifite 
 fufferings under the fhow of compofure, and even cheerfulnefs, and 
 attempting, though with little fuccefs, to confirm the weaker mind 
 of his partner. I find, my friend exprefles fo much uneafinefs at 
 the idea of my leaving him again foon, that I cannot refufe to pafs the 
 month here. If Mr. Scott, as I fuppofe, is at Beriton, he has him- 
 felf too high a fenfe of friendfhip not to excufe my neglefting him. 
 I had fome hopes of engaging Mr. and Mrs. Holroyd to make an 
 excurfion to Portfmouth, Ifle of Wight, Southampton, &c. in which 
 cafe they would fpend a few days at Beriton. A fudden refolution 
 was taken laft night in favour of the tour. We fet out, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Holroyd, Mr. Fauquier, and myfelf, next Thurfday, and ihal! 
 dine at Beriton the following day, and ftay there, moft probably, 
 three or four days. A farm-houfe, without either cook or houfe- 
 keeper, will afford but Indifferent entertainment ; but we muft exert ^ 
 and they muft excufe. Our tour will laft about a fortnight; after 
 which my friend prelTes me to return with him; and in his prefent 
 fituation I fhall be at a lofs how to refufe him. 
 
 I am, dear Madam, &c. &c. &c.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 455 
 
 N» XXXIV. 
 
 Dr. HuRD [now B'tjhop o/' Worcefter) to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, Thurcaston, Auguft 29th, 17721' 
 
 'OUR very elegant letter on the antiquity and authenticity of the 
 book of Daniel, ( juft now received,) finds me here, if not without 
 leifure, yet without books, and therefore in no condition to enter far 
 into the depths of this controverfy ; which indeed is the lefs neceflary, 
 as every thing that relates to the fubjedl will come of courfe to be 
 confidered by my learned fucceflbrs in the new lefture. For as the 
 prophecies of Daniel make an important link in that chain., ■which., as 
 you fay, has been let down from heaven to earth., (but not by the 
 author of the late fermons, who brought into view only what he 
 had not invented,) the grounds on which their authority refts will, 
 without doubt, be carefully examined, and, as I fuppofe, firmly 
 eftablifhed. 
 
 But in the mean time, and to make at leaft fome fmall return for 
 the civility of your addrefs to me, I beg leaA^e to trouble you with 
 two or three fhort remarks, fych as occur to me on reading your 
 letter. 
 
 Your main difficulties are thefe two: 1. That the author of the 
 book of Daniel is too clear for a prophet ; as appears from his pre- 
 didion of the Perfian and Macedonian affairs ; and, 2. too fabulous 
 for a contemporary hiftorian ; as is evident, you fuppofe, from his 
 miftakes, particularly in the fixth chapter. 
 
 I. The firft of thefe difficulties is an extraordinary one. For 
 why may not prophecy, if the infpirer think fit, be as clear as 
 hiftory ? Scriptural prophecy, whence your idea of its obfcurity is 
 
 I taken.
 
 45-6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 taken, is occafionally thus clear, I mean after the event ; and Daniel's 
 prophecy of the revolutions in the Grecian empire, v\'ould have been 
 obfcure enough to Porphyry himfelf before it. 
 
 But your opinion, after all, when you come to explain yourfclf, 
 really is, as one fhoukl expe£l, that, as a prophet, Daniel is not 
 clear enough ; for you enforce the old objection of Porphyry, by 
 obferving, that where a pretended prophecy is clear to a certain 
 point of time, and afterwards obfcure and fliadowy, there common 
 fenfe leads one to conclude that the author of it was an impoftor. 
 
 . This reafoning is plaufible, but not conclufive, unlefs it be taken fo? 
 granted, that a prophecy muft, in all its parts, be equally clear and 
 precife : whereas, on the fuppofition of real infpiration, it may be 
 fit, I mean it may fuit with the views of the infpirer, to predid fome 
 things with more perfpicuity, and in terms more obvioufly and 
 diredlly applicable to the events in which they were fulfilled, than 
 Others. But further, this reafoning, whatever force it may have, 
 has no place here; at leaft you evidently beg the queflion when 
 you urge it ; becaufe the perfons you difpute againft maintain, that 
 the fubfequent prophecies of Daniel are equally difllnit with thofe 
 preceding ones concerning the Perfian and Macedonian empires, at. 
 leaft fo much of them as they take to have been fulfilled ; and that 
 to judge of the reft, we muft wait for the conclufion of them. 
 
 However, you admit that the fufpicion arlfing from the cleareft 
 prophecy may be removed by direil pofitive evidence that it was 
 compofed before the event. But then you carry your notions of 
 that evidence very far, when you require, " that the exiftence of 
 " fuch a prophecy, prior to its accompliihment, fhould be proved 
 " by the knowledge of its being generally diffufed. amongft an en- 
 *' lightened nation previous to that period, and its public exiftence 
 ** attefted by an unbroken chain of authentic writers." 
 
 What you here claim as a matter of rlght^ is, without quefbion, very 
 
 defirable, but fliould, I think, be accepted, if it be given at all, as a 
 
 a matter
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 457 
 
 matter o{ favour. For what you defcribe is the utmoft evidence that 
 the cal'c admits : but what right have we in this, or any other fub- 
 jedl whatever of natural or revealed religion, to the utmoft evidence ? 
 Is it not enough that the evidence be fufficient to induce a reafonable 
 aflent ? and is not that aflent reafonable, which is given to real 
 evidence, though of an inferior kind, when uncontrolled by any 
 greater ? And fuch evidence we clearly have for the authenticity of 
 the book of Daniel, in the reception of it by the Jev/ifli nation down 
 to the time of Jefus, whofe appeal to it fuppofes and implies that 
 reception to have been conftant and general : not to obferve, that 
 the teftimony of Jefus is further fupported by all the confiderations 
 that are alleged for his own divine charadler. To this evidence, 
 which is pofitive fo far as it goes, you have nothing to oppofe but 
 furmife and conjedlures ; that is, nothing that deferves to be called 
 evidence. But I doubt. Sir, you take for granted that the claim of 
 infpiration is never to be allowed, fo long as there is a poffibilitv of 
 fuppofmg that it was not given. 
 
 IL In the fecond divifion of your letter, which is longer, and 
 more elaborate, than the firft, you endeavour to fhew that the h'lf- 
 tortcal part of the book of Daniel, chiefly that of the fixth chapter, 
 is falfe and fabulous, and as fuch, confutes and overthrows ih.Q pro- 
 phetical. What you advance on this head, is contained under ^i'^ 
 articles : 
 
 I. You think it ftrange that Daniel, or any other m.an, fliould be 
 promoted to a fecret office of ftate, for his fall in divitiation. 
 
 But here, firft, you forget that Jofeph was thus promoted for the 
 fame reafon. Or, if you obje£t to this inftance, what Ihould hinder 
 the promotion either of Jofeph or Daniel, (when their fkill in divina- 
 tion had once brought them to the notice and favour of their fove- 
 reign,) for what you call mere human accomplifments ? For fuch 
 
 VOL. I, 3 N affuredly
 
 458 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 afluredly both thefe great men polTeffed, if we may believe the plain 
 part of their ftory, which afl'erts of Jofeph, and indeed proves, that 
 he was in no common degree difcreet and wife; and of Daniel^ 
 that an excellent fpirit was, found in him ; nay, that he had knowledge 
 andfkill in all learning and wifdom^ over and above his under/landing 
 in all vifwns and dreams. In fhort, Sir, though princes of old might 
 not make it a rule to chufe their minifters out of their foothfayers, 
 yet neither would their being foothfayers, if they were otherwife 
 well accomplifhed, prevent them from being minifters. Juft as in 
 modern times, though churchmen have not often, I will fuppofe, 
 been made ofTigers of ftate, even by bigotted princes, becaufe they 
 were churchmen ; yet neither have they been always excluded from 
 ferving in thofe ftations when they have been found eminently qua- 
 lified for them. 
 
 2. Your next exception is, that a combination could fcarce have 
 been formed in the court of Babylon againft the favourite minifter, 
 (though fuch fa£tions are common in other courts,) becaufe the 
 courtiers of Darius 77wfl have apprehended that the piety- of Daniel 
 would be afferted by a miraculous _ interpofition ; of which they had 
 feen a recent inft.ance. And here, Sir, you expatiate with a little 
 too much complacency on the ftrange indifference which the ancient 
 •w^orld {hewed to the gift of miracles. You do not, I dare fay, ex- 
 pedl a ferious anfwer to this charge ; or if you do, it may be enough 
 to obferve, what I am fure your own reading and experience muft: 
 have rendered very familiar to you, that the ftrongeft belief, or con- 
 viction of the mind, perpetually gives way to the inflamed felfifh 
 palTions ; and that, when men have any fcheme of intereft or re- 
 venge much at heart, they are not reftrained from purfuing it, though 
 the fcaffold and the axe ftand before them in full view, and have 
 perhaps been ftreaming but the day before with the blood of other 
 ftate-criminals. I afk not, whether miracles have ever aSiuallj 
 
 exiftedj
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erquhe. 459 
 
 exiftcd, but whether you do not think that multitudes have been 
 firmly perfuaded of their exiftence ; and yet their indifference about 
 them, is a fa£l which I readily concede to you. 
 
 3. Your third criticifm is diredled againfl what is faid of the law 
 of the Medes and Perfians^ that it altcreth not ; where I find nothing to 
 admire, but the extreme rigour of Afiatic defpotifm. For I con- 
 fider this irrevocability of the law, when once promulgated by the 
 fovereign, not as contrived to be a check on his will, but rather to 
 fhew the irrefifi:lble and fatal courfe of it. And this idea was fo 
 much cherifhed by the defpots of Perfia, that, rather than revoke 
 the iniquitous law, obtained by furprize, for exterminating the Jews, 
 Ahafuerus took the part, as we read in the book of Efther, (and a.s 
 Baron Montefquieu, I remember, obferves,) to permit the Jews to 
 defend themfelves againfl the execution of it ; whence we fee hov/ 
 confiffent this law is with the determination of the judges, quoted 
 by you from Herodotus, " that it was lawful for the king to do 
 " whatever he pleafcd :'' for we underftand that he did not pleafe that 
 this law, when once declared by him, fhould be altered. 
 
 You add under this head, " May I not affert that the Greek 
 " writers, who have fo copioufly treated of the affairs of Perfia, 
 " have not left us the fmalleft veflige of a reftraint, equally inju- 
 " rious to the monarch and prejudicial to the people." I have not 
 the Greek writers by me to confult, but a common book I chance 
 to have at hand refers me to one fuch veflige, in a very eminent 
 Greek hiftorian, Diodorus Siculus. Lowth'' s Conwient. in loc. 
 
 4. A fourth objection to the hiftoric truth of the book of Daniel is 
 taken, with more plaufibility, from the matter of this law, which, as 
 you truly obferve, was very flrange for the king's counfellor to ad- 
 vife, and for any defpot whatever to enacfi. 
 
 But, I. I a little queftion whether prayer ^^'^s fo conflant and 
 confiderable a part of Pagan worfhip as is fuppofed ; and if it was 
 not, the prejudices of the people would not be fo much fhocked by 
 
 3 N 2 this
 
 460 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 this Interdi£l as we are ready to think. Daniel indeed prayed three 
 times a day ; but the idohiters might content themfelves with pray- 
 ing now and then at a ftatcd folemnity. It is clear, that when you 
 foeak of depriving men of the comforts^ and pricjls of the profits^ of 
 religion^ you have Chriftiaa, and even modern principles and man- 
 ners in your eye : perhaps in the comforts^ you reprefented to your- 
 felf a company of poor inflamed Huguenots under perfecution ; and 
 in the profts, the lucrative trade of popifh maffes. But be this as 
 it may, it fhould be coafidered, 2. That this law could not, in the 
 nature of the thing, fupprefs all prayer, if the people had any great 
 propenfity to it. It could not fupprefs mental prayer ; it could not 
 even fupprefs bodily worfhip, if performed, as it eafdy might be, in 
 the night, or in fecret, Daniel, it was well known, was ufed to 
 pray in open day-light, and in a place expofed to infpedion, from 
 his ufual manner of praying ; which manner, it was eafily concluded, 
 fo zealous a votary as he was, would not change or difcontinue, on 
 account of the edid. Laftly, though the edidl paffed for thirty 
 days, to make fure work, yet there was no doubt but the end pro- 
 pofed would be foon accomplifhed, and then it was not likely that 
 much care would be taken about the obfervance of it. 
 
 All this put together, I can very well conceive that extreme envy 
 and malice in the courtiers might fuggeft the idea of fuch a law, and 
 that an impotent defpot might be flattered by it. Certainly, if what 
 ■we read in the third chapter be admitted, that one of thefe defpots re- 
 quired all people, nations, and languages, to worfhip his image on 
 pain of death, there is no great wonder that another of them ihould 
 demand the exclufive worfhip of hlmfelf for a month; nay, per- 
 haps, he might think hlmfelf civil, and even bounteous to his gods, 
 when he left them a Ihare of the other eleven. For as to the pre- 
 
 fumption, 
 
 *' Nihil eft quod credere de fe 
 
 Non poflitj cum laudatur diis sequa poteftas; — 
 
 I 5. A fifth,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 461 
 
 5. A fifth, and what you fecm to think the ftrongeft, objedion 
 to the credit of the book of Daniel is, that " no fuch pcrfon as 
 " Darius the Mede is to be found in the fucceffion of the Babylonifh 
 *' princes," (you mean as given in Ptolemy's canon and the Greek 
 writers,) " between the time of Nebuchadnezzar and that of Gyrus." 
 In faying this, you do not forget or difown what our ableft chrono- 
 logers have faid on the fubje£t j but then you objeO; that Xenophon's 
 Cyaxares (to ferve a turn) has been made to perfonate Darius the 
 Mede ; and yet that Xenophon's book, whether it be a romance or 
 a true hiftory, overturns the ufe which they have made of this 
 hypothefis. 
 
 I permit myfelf perhaps to be too much flattered by your civility 
 in referring me to my own tafle, rather than to the authority of 
 Cicero : but the truth is, I am much difpofed to agree with you, 
 that, " if we unravel with any care the fine texture of the Cyro- 
 " poedia, we fhall difcover in every thread the Spartan difcipline 
 " and the philofophy of Socrates." But then, as the judicious 
 author chofe to make fo recent a ftary as that of Cyrus, and one fo well 
 known, the vehicle of his political and moral inftrudlions, he would 
 be fure to keep up to the truth of the ftory as far as might be ; efpe- 
 cially in the leading fads, and in the principal perfons, as we may 
 fay, of the drama. This obvious rule of decorum fuch a writer as 
 Xenophon could not fail to obferve ; and therefore, on the fuppofi- 
 tion that his Cyropoedia is a romance, I fhould conclude certainly 
 that the outline of it was genuine hiftory. But, 
 
 2. If it be fo, you conclude that there is no ground for thinking 
 that Darius the Mede ever reigned at Babylon, becaufe Cyaxares 
 himfelf never reigned there. 
 
 Now, on the idea of Xenophon's book being a romance, there 
 might be good reafon for the author's taking no notice of the fhort 
 reign of Cyaxares, which would break the unity of his work, and 
 divert the reader's attention too much from the hero of it : while yet 
 
 the
 
 462 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 the omiffion could hairdly feem to violate hiftorlc truth, fince the ^ 
 luftre of his hero's fame, and the real power, which, out of queftion, 
 he referved to himfelf, would make us forget or overlook Cyaxares. 
 But, as to the fa£t, it feems no way incredible that Cyrus fliould 
 concede to his royal ally, his uncle, and his father-in-law, (for he 
 was all thefe,) the nominal poflefTion of the fovereignty ; or that he 
 fhould Jloare the fovereignty with him ; or, at lead, that he Ihould 
 
 - leave the admhnjlration^ as we fay, in his hands at Babylon, while 
 he himfelf was profecuting his other conquefbs at a dlftance. Any 
 of thefe things is fuppofable enough ; and I would rather admit any 
 
 ^ of them than reject the exprefs, the repeated, the circumflantial 
 teftimony of a not confefledly fabulous hiftorian. 
 
 After all. Sir, I fhould forfeit, I know, your good opinion, if I 
 did not acknowledge that fome, at lead:, of thefe circumftances are 
 fuch as one fhould not, perhaps, expert at firfl fight. But then fuch 
 is the condition of things here ; and what is true in human life, is 
 not always, I had almoft faid, not often, that which was prevlouflv 
 to be expedled ; whence an ordinary romance is, they fay, more 
 probable than the bell hiftory. 
 
 But fhould any or all of thefe circumftances convince you per- 
 feclly, that fome d-egree of error or fidlion is to be found in the book 
 of Daniel, it would be too precipitate to conclude that therefore the 
 whole book was of no authority : for, at moft, you could but infer, 
 that the hiftorical part, in which thofe circumftances are obferved, 
 namely, the 6th chapter, is not genuine ; juft as you know has been 
 judged of fome other hiftorical tracts which had formerly been in- 
 ferted in the book of Daniel. For it is not with thefe collediions, 
 which go under the names of the Prophets, as with fome regularly 
 connected fyftem, where a charge of falfehood, if made good againft 
 one part, fhakes the credit of the whole. Fictitious hiftories may 
 have been joined to true prophecies, when all that bore the name of 
 the fame perfon, or any way related to him, came to be put together 
 
 in
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. -463. 
 
 m the fame volume : but the detedion of fuch mifalliance could 
 not'afrciSl the prophecies; certainly not thofe of Daniel, which 
 refped the latter times ; for thefe have an intrinfic evidence in them- 
 felves, and affert their own authenticity, in proportion as we fee, or 
 have reafon to admit the accomplifhment of them. 
 
 And now, Sir, I have only to commit thefe hafty refledions to 
 your candour ; a virtue which cannot be feparated from the love of 
 truth, and of which I obferve many traces in your agreeable letter • 
 and if you fliould indulge this quality ftill further, fo as to conceive 
 the poffibility of that being true and reafonable^ in matters of religion, 
 which may feem ftrange, or, to fo lively a fancy as yours, even ridi- 
 culous, you would not hurt the credit of your excellent underftand- 
 ing, and would thus remove one, perhaps a principal, occafion of 
 thofe mills which, as you complain, haiig over thefe nice and difficult 
 fubjeEls. I am with true refped, Sir, yours, &c. 
 
 (Signed) R. H. 
 
 The following Fragment was found with the foregoing Letter^ in 
 Mr. Gibbon'j- handwriting. 
 
 Your anfwers to my five objedions againft the 6th chapter of 
 Daniel come next to be confidered. 
 
 1. With regard to Daniel's promotion, I confent to withdraw my 
 oppofition, and to allow the cafes of Ximenes, Wolfey, and Richlieu 
 as parallel inftances ; though there is furely fome difference between 
 a young foreign foothfayer being fuddenly rewarded, for the inter- 
 pretation of a dream, with the government of Babylon, and a prieft 
 of the eftablifhed church, rifirtg gradually to the great offices of 
 Hate. 
 
 2. You apprehend. Sir, that my fecond objedion fcarcely deferves 
 a ferious aniwer ; and that it is quite fufficient to appeal to my owni 
 reading and experience, whether the frongefl conviEiion of the mind 
 
 2 does
 
 4^4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 docs ttot perpetually give way to the \njlamed and felfijli paffions. Since 
 you appeal to me, I fhall fairly lay before you the refult of my ob- 
 fervations on that fubjedt. i. It muft be confefled that the drunkard 
 often fmks into the grave, and the prodigal into a gaol, witliout a 
 poffibility of deceiving or of checking themfelves. But they fink by 
 flow degrees ; and, whilft they indulge the ruling paflion, attend 
 only to the trifling moment of each guinea, or of each bottle, with- 
 out calculating their accumulated weight, till they feci themfelves 
 irretrievably cruflied imder it. 2. In moflr of the hazardous inter- 
 prizes of life there is a mixture of chance and good fortune j what is 
 called good fortune, is often the effe£l of fkill : and as our vanity 
 flatters us into an opinion of our fuperior merit, we are neither fur- 
 prifed nor difmayed by the mifcarriage of our rafh predeceflxjrs. 
 The confpiratcr turns his eyes from the axe and fcaffold^ perhaps Jlill 
 Jlreamiug with bloody to the fuccefsful boldnefs of Sylla, of Csefar, 
 and of Cromwell ; and convinces himfelf that on fuch a golden pur- 
 fuit it is even prudent to ftake a precarious and infipid life. We may 
 add, that the mofl: daring flights of ambition are as often the effects 
 of neceflity as of choice. The princes of Hindoftan muft either 
 reign or periili ; and when Csefar pafled the Rubicon, it was fcarcely 
 poflibly for him to return to a private ftation. 3. You think, Sir, 
 we may learn from our own experience, that an indiff'erence con- 
 cerning miracles is very compatible with a full convidion of their 
 truth ; and fo it undoubt :;dly is with fuch a convidion as we have 
 an opportunity of obferving.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 465 
 
 N° XXXV. 
 
 E. Gibbon F.fquire to J. B. Holroyd Efqutre> 
 
 BEAR HOLROYD, Beriton, Oft. 13, 1772. 
 
 AM jufl: arrived, as well as yourfelf, at my dii penatesy but with 
 
 very different intention. You will ever remain a bigot to thofe 
 juftic deities ; I propofe to abjure them foon, and to reconcile myfelf 
 to the catholic church of London. 
 
 I am fo happy, fo exquifitely happy, at feeling fo many mountains 
 taken off my ffioulders, that I can brave your indignation, and even, 
 the three-forked lightning of Jupiter himfelf. My reafons for taking 
 fo unwarrantable a ftep (approved of by Hugonin) Were no unmanly 
 defpondency, (though it daily became more apparent how much 
 the farm would fuffer, both in reality and in reputation, by another 
 year's management). ************* =i-*s-**. 
 I fee pleafure but not ufe in a congrefs, therefore decline it. I know 
 nothing as yet of a purchafer, and can only give you fufl and un- 
 limited powers. If you think it neceffary, let me know when you 
 fell ; but, however, do as you pleafe. 
 
 I am fmcerely glad to hear Mrs. H. is better. Still think Bath 
 would fuit her. She, and you too, I fear, rather want the phyfic 
 of the mind, than of the body. Tell me fomething about yourfelf. 
 If, among a crowd of acquaintances, one friend can afford you any 
 comfort, I am quite at your fervice. Once, more, adieu. 
 
 VOL. I. 3 o
 
 466 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" XXXVI. 
 Edward Gibbon EJqinre to J. Holroyd Efqulre. 
 
 B 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD. Pa.ll.-Mall, nth Dec. 177s. 
 
 Y tills time, I fuppofe you returned to the Elyfian fields of Shef- 
 field. The country (I do not mean any particular rcfledlions on 
 Suflex) muft be vaftly pleafant at this time of the year ! For my 
 own part, the punifliment of my fins has at length overtaken me. 
 On Thurfday the third of December, in the prefent year of our 
 Lord one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-two, between the 
 hours of one and two in the afternoon, as I was crofTing St. James's 
 church-yard, I ftumbled, and again fprained my foot ; but, alas '. 
 after two days pain and confinement, a horrid monfter, ycleped the. 
 gout., made me a fhort vifit j and though he has now taken his leave, 
 I am full of apprehenfions that he may have liked my company well 
 enough to call again. 
 
 The parliament, after a few foft murmurs, is gone to deep, to 
 awake again after Chriftmas, fafely folded in Lord North's arms. 
 The town is gone into the country, and I propofe vifiting Sheffield 
 about Sunday fe'nnight, if by that time I can get my houfehold 
 preparations (I have as good as taken Lady Rous's leafe in Bentinckr 
 Greet) in any forwardnefs. Shall I angle for Battf No news 
 ftirring, except the Duchefs of G.'s pregnancy certainly declared. 
 * ^ff * * called on me the other day, and has taken my plan with 
 him to confider it ; he ftill wifhes to defer to fpring ; talks of bad 
 roads, &c. and is very abfolute. I remonftrated, but want to know 
 whether I am to fubmit. Adieu. Godfrey Clarke^ who is writing 
 near me, begs to be remembered. The favage is going to hunt 
 foxes in Northamptonihire, Oxfordlhire, Gloucefterfhire, &c. 
 
 Yours fincerely.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 467 
 
 N° XXXVII. 
 I'he Same to the Same, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Boodle's, Ten o'CIock, Thurfday Evening, Dec. 1772. 
 
 Y fchemes with regard to you have been entu'ely difappointed. 
 The bufinefs that called me to town was not ready before the 
 20th of laft month, and the fame bufmefs has kept me here till now. 
 I have however a very ftrong inclination to eat a Chrillmas mince 
 pie with you ; and let me tell you that inclination is no fmall com- 
 pliment. What are the trees and waters of Sheffield-Place, compared 
 with the comfortable fmoke, lazy dinners, and inflammatory Junius's, 
 which we can every day enjoy in town ? You have feen the laft 
 Junius ? He calls on the dillant legions to march to the Capitol, 
 and free us from the tyranny of the Prxtorian guards. I cannot 
 anfwer for the ghoft of the bic et ub'ique, but the Hampfhire militia 
 are determined to keep the peace for fear of a broken head. After 
 all, do I mean to make you a vifit next week ? Upon my foul, I 
 cannot tell. I tell every body that I fhall : I know that I cannot, 
 pafs the week with any man in the world with whom the pleafure 
 of feeing each other will be more fmcere or more reciprocal. Yet, 
 cntre 7ious, I do not believe that I fliall be able to get out of thja 
 town before you come into it. At all events I look forwards, witli 
 great impatience, to Bruton-ftreet * and the Romans f. 
 Believe me moil truly yours, 
 
 * Where Mr. Holroyd's family pafled a winter. f The Roman Ch>b. 
 
 3^
 
 4^8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 » 
 
 N* XXXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Epjuire. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, January 12, i;75. 
 
 T ENBOROUGH IS no morc \ ***** adcd like a Jew, and I 
 dare fay now repents it. In his room * * * * * found me a 
 better man, a rich, brutifh, honeft horfe-dealer, who has got a great 
 fortune by ferving the cavahy. On Thurfday he faw Lenborough, 
 on Friday came to town with **«**, and this morning at nine 
 o'clock we ftruck at 20,000 1. after a very hard battle. As times go, 
 I am not diflatisfied. * * * * and the new Lord of Lenborough 
 (by name * * * *) dined with me ; and though we did not fpeak 
 the fame language, yet by the help of figns, fuch as that of putting 
 about the bottle, the natives feemed well fatisfied. 
 
 The whole woi^ld is going down to Portfmouth, where they will 
 enjoy the pleafures of fmoke, noife, heat, bad lodgings, and ex- 
 penfive reckonings. For my own part, I have firmly refifted im- 
 portunity, declined parties, and mean to pafs the bufy week in the 
 foft retirement of my bocage de Bentinck-ftreet.. Yefterday the Eaft 
 India Company pofitively refufed the loan : a noble refolution, could 
 they get money any where elfe. They are violent ; and it was 
 moved, and the motion heard with fome degree of approbation, 
 that they fhould inftantly abandon India to Lord North, Sujah 
 Dowlah, or the Devil, if he chofe to take it. 
 
 » Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 469 
 
 N"^ XXXIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Boodle's, Mayn, 1773. 
 
 T AM full of worldly cares, anxious about the great twenty-fourth, 
 
 plagued with the Public Advertifer, diflrefled by the moft difinal 
 
 difpatches from Hugonin. Mrs. Lee claims a million of repairs, 
 
 which will coft a million of money. 
 
 The Houfe of Commons fat late laft night. Burgoyne made 
 fome fpirited motions — " That the territorial acquifitions in India 
 " belonged to the ftate (that was the word) ; that grants to the 
 " fervants of the company (fuch as jaghires) were illegal ; and that 
 *' there would be no true repentance without reftitution." Wedder- 
 burne defended the nabobs with great eloquence, but little argument. 
 The motions were carried without a divifion ; and the hounds 
 go out again next Friday. They are in high fpirits ; but the more 
 fagacious ones have no idea they (hall kill. Lord North fpoke for 
 the inquiry, but faintly and reludantly. Lady ***** is faid 
 to be in town at her mother's, and a feparation is unavoidable ; but 
 
 there is nothing certain. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 Sincerely yours.
 
 47© LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° XL. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to J. Holroyd Efquire at Edinburgli. 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Bentinck-street, Aug. 7. 1773. 
 
 T BEG ten thoufand pardons for not being dead, as I certainly ought 
 
 to be. But fuch is my abjedl nature, that I had rather live in 
 Bentinck-ftreet, attainted and convided of the fin of lazinefs, than 
 enjoy your applaufe either at old Nick's or even in the Elyfian Fields. 
 After ali, could you exped that I fhould honour with my corre- 
 fpondence a wild barbarian of the Bogs of Erin ? Had the natives 
 intercepted my letter, the terrors occafioned by fuch unknown magic 
 characters might have been fatal to you. But now you have efcaped 
 the fury of their hofpitality, and are arrived among a cee-vi-Ieezed 
 nation, I may venture to renew my intercourfe. 
 
 You tell me of a long lift of dukes, lords, and chieftains of re- 
 nown to whom you are introduced ; were I with you, I fhould 
 prefer one David to them all. When you are at Edinburgh, I hope 
 you will not fail to vifit the ftye of that fatteft of Epicurus's hogs, 
 and inform yourfelf whether there remains no hope of iis reco- 
 verine the ufe of its right paw. There is another animal oi greai^ 
 though not perhaps of equals and certainly not oi fimilar merit, 
 one Robertfon ; has he almoft created the new world ? Many other 
 men you have undoubtedly feen, in the country where you are at 
 prefent, who muft have commanded your efteem : but when you 
 return, if you are not very honeft, you will polTefs great advantages 
 over me in any dlfpute concerning Caledonian merit. 
 
 Boodle's and Atwood's are nov/ no more. The laft ftragglers, 
 and Godfrey Clarke in the rear of all, are moved avray to their 
 
 feveral
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 471 
 
 ieveral caftles ; and I now enjoy, in the midft of London, a delicious 
 folitude. My library, Kenfington Gardens, and a few parties with 
 new acquaintance who are chained to London, (among whom I 
 reckon Goldfniith and Sir Jofliua Reynolds,) fill up my time, and 
 the monfter Ennui preferves a very refpedful diftance. By the bye, 
 your friends Batt, Sir John Ruflell, and Lafcellcs, dined with me one 
 day before they fet off; for I fometimes give the prettieft little dinner. 
 in the world. But all this compofure draws near its conclufion. 
 About the fixteenth of this month Mr. Eliot carries me away, and after 
 picking up Mrs. Gibbon at Bath, fets me down at Port Eliot : there 
 I fhall certainly remain fix weeks, or, in other words, to the end of 
 September. iVly future motions, whether to London, Derbyfhire,. 
 or a longer flay in, Cornwall, (pray is not " motion to ftay" rather 
 in the Hibernian ftyle ?) will depend on the life of Port Eliot, the 
 time of the meeting of parliament, and perhaps the impatience of 
 Mr. * * * * * 4S-, Lord of Lenborough. One of my pleafures in 
 town L forgot to mention, the unexpefted vifit of Deyverdun, who 
 accompanies his young lord (very young indeed !) on a two months 
 tour to England. He took the opportunity of the Earl'-s going 
 down to the Duke of * * * * * * *, to fpend a fortnight (nor do^ 
 I recolle<£l a more pleafant one) in Bentinck-ftreet, They are no^v 
 gone together into Yorklhire, and I think it doubtful whether \ 
 fhall fee him again before his return to Leipfic. It is a melancholy 
 reflecStion, that while one is plagued with acquaintance at the corner 
 of every ftreet, real friends fhould be feparated from each other by 
 unfurmountable bars, and obliged to catch at a few tranfient mo- 
 ments of interview. I defire that you and my Lady (whom I 
 moft refpedfuUy greet) would take your fhare of that very new 
 and acute obfervation,,not folargea fliare indeed as my Swifs friend, 
 fince nature and fortune give us more frequent opportunities of being 
 together. You cannot exped news from a delart, and fuch is 
 
 2 London
 
 472 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 London at prefent. The papers give you the full harveft of public 
 intelligence ; and I imagine that the eloquent nymphs of Twicken- 
 ham* communicate all the tranfadions of the polite, the amorous, 
 and the marrying world. The great pantomime of Portfmouth was 
 unlverfally admired ; and I am angry at my own lazinefs in ne- 
 glefliing an excellent opportunity of feeing it. Foote has given U3 
 the Bankrupt, a ferious and fentimental piece, with very fevere 
 ftridures on the licence of fcandal in attacking private charadlers. 
 Adieu. Forgive and epiftolize me. I fhall not believe you fmcere 
 in the former, unlefs you make Bentinck-ftreet your inn. I fear 
 I fhall be gone ; but Mrs. Ford f and the parrot will be proud to 
 receive you and my Lady after your long peregrination, from 
 which I expedl great improvements. Has fhe got the brogue upon 
 the tip of her tongue X ? 
 
 N° XLL 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnire to J. Holroyd Efquire, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, Pout Eliot, September loth, 1773. 
 
 13 Y this time you have furely finifhed your tour, touched at Edin- 
 •^ burgh, where you found a letter, which you have not anfwered, 
 and arc now contemplating the beauties of the Weald of SulTex. I 
 fhall demand a long and particular account of your peregrina- 
 tions, but will excufe it till we meet ; and for the prefent ex- 
 pert only a fliort memorandum of your health and fituation, to- 
 gether with that of my much-honoured friend Mrs. Abigail Hol- 
 royd. A word too, if you pleafe, concerning father and fifter ; to 
 
 * Mifs Cambrldges. f His houfekeeper. 
 
 X Mr. and Mrs. Holroyd made a tour to Ireland and Scotland this fummer. 
 
 1 the
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. ^y^ 
 
 the latter I enclofe a receipt from Mrs. G». who is now Tvitli me at 
 Port Eliot. 
 
 Blind as you accufe me of being to the beauties of nature, I am 
 wonderfully pleafed with this country. Of her three dull notes, 
 ground^ plants^ and water, Cornwall poflefles the firft and laft in 
 very high perfeQion. Think of a hundred folitary ftreams peace- 
 fully gliding between amazing cliffs on one fide, and rich meadows 
 on the othei", gradually fwelling by the aid of the tide into noble 
 rivers, fucceffively lofmg fhemfelves in each other, and all at length 
 terminating in the harbour of Plymouth, whofe broad expanfe is 
 irregularly dotted with two-and-forty line of battle fhips. In plants 
 indeed we are deficient ; and though all the gentlemen now attend 
 to pofterity, the country will for a long time be very naked. "We 
 have fpent feveral clays agreeably enough in little parties ; but in 
 general our time rolls away in complete uniformity. Our landlord 
 poffefles neither a pack of hounds, nor a liable of running horfes, 
 nor a large farm, nor a good library. The laft only could intereft 
 me ; but it is fmgular that a man of fortune, who choofes to 
 pafs nine months of the year in the country, fhould have none of 
 them. 
 
 According to our prefent defign, Mrs. C. and myfelf return to' 
 Bath about the beginning of next month. I fhall probably make 
 but a (hort ftay with her, and defer my Derbyfliire journey till ano- 
 ther year. Sufficient for the fummer is the evil thereof, viz. one 
 diflant country excurfion. Natural inclination, the profecution of 
 my great work, and the conclufion of my Lenborough bufinefs, 
 plead ftrongly in favour of London. However I defire, and one 
 always finds time for what one really defires, to vifit Sheffield- 
 Place before the end of Odober, fhould it only be for a few days. 
 I know feveral houfes where I am invited to think myfelf at home^ 
 but I know no other where I feem inclined to accept of the invita- 
 
 VOL. I. 3 p , tion.
 
 474 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 tion. I forgot to tell you, that I have declined the publication of 
 Lord Chcfterfield's Letters. The public will fee them, and upon 
 the whole, I think, with pleafure ; but the family were ftrongly 
 bent againft it ; and efpecially on Deyverdun's account, I deemed 
 it more prudent to avoid making them my perfonal enemies. 
 
 N^ XLIL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efjuire. 
 
 January 1774. 
 
 T HAVE a letter from Hugonln, a dreadful one I believe, but it has 
 lain four days unperufed in my drawer. Let me turn it over to 
 you. 
 
 Fofter is playing at what he calls whifl ; his partner fwearing in- 
 wardly. He would write to you to-night, but he thinks he had 
 rather write next pofl: ; he will think fo a good while. Every thing 
 public, ftill as death. Our Committee of the Catch Club has doae 
 more bufmefs this morning than all thofe of the Houfe of Commons 
 fince their meeting. Roberts does not petition. This from the bell 
 authority, and yet perhaps totally falfe. Hare married to Sir Abra- 
 ham Hume's daughter. You fee how hard preffed I am for news. 
 Befides, at any time, I had rather talk an hour, than write a page=„ 
 Therefore adieu. I am glad to hear of your fpeedy removaL 
 Remember Bentinck-ftreet.
 
 EDWARD GIBSON Efqulre. 475 
 
 N° XLIII. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 January zpih, 1774. 
 
 T AM now getting acquainted with authors, managers, &c. good 
 company to know, but not to live with. Yefterday I dined 
 at the Britilh Coffee-houfe, with Garrick, Coleman, Goldfmith, 
 Macpherfon, John Hume, &c. I am this moment come from 
 Coleman's iVIan of Bufmefs. We dined at the Shakefpeare, and 
 went in a body to fupport it. Between friends, though we got 
 a verdidl for our client, his caufe was but a bad one. It is a very 
 confufed mifcellany of feveral plays and tales ; fets out brilliantly 
 enough, but as we advance the plot grows thicker, the wit thinner, 
 till the lucky fall of the curtain preferves us from total chaos. 
 
 Bentinck-ftreet has vifited Welbeck-ftreet. Sappho Is very happy 
 that fhe is there yet ^ on Sheffield-place fhe fquints with regret and 
 gratitude. Mamma confulted me about buying coals; we cannot 
 get any round ones. Quintus is gone to head the civil war. Of 
 Mrs. * * * * I have nothing to fay. I have got my intelligence 
 for infurlng, and will immediately get the prefervative againft fire. 
 Poller has fent me eight-and-twenty pair of Paris filk ftockings, with 
 an intimation that my lady wifhed for half-a-dozen. They are much 
 at her fervice ; but if flie will look into David Hume's Effay on Na- 
 tional Charaders, flie will fee that I durfl: not offer them to a Queen 
 of Spain. Sacbez qu ime re'ine d' Efpagne na point -de jamhes. Adieu, 
 
 3 P 2
 
 47^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" XLIV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnire to J. Holroyd Efqidre. 
 
 '\K1^ have conquered ; * * * was amazed at the tempeft juft ready- 
 to break over his head. He does not defire to go to law, wifhes 
 to live in peace, has no complaints to make, hopes for a little in- 
 dulgence. Hugonin is tionz' ift the attitude of St. Michael trampling 
 Upon Satan ; he holds him down, till Andrews has prepared a little 
 chain of adamant to bind the foul fiend. In return, receive my 
 congratulation on your Irifh vidor)^ Batt told me yefteday, as 
 from good authority, that adminiftration defigned a fecond attempt 
 this feflion ; but to-day I have it from much better, that they always 
 difcouraged it, and that it was totally an Hibernian fcheme. You re- 
 mark that I faw Batt. He paffed two hours with me ; a pleafant: 
 man ! He and Sir John Ruflel dine with me next week ; you will 
 have both their portraits ; the originals are engaged. 
 
 N-'XLV. 
 The Same to the Same.. 
 
 February 1774. 
 
 Tr^iD you get down fafe and' early ? Is my lady in good fpirits and 
 "^ humour ? You do not deferve that fhe fhould, for hurrying her 
 away. Does Maria coquet with Divedown * ? Adieu. Bentinck- 
 ftreet looks very difmal. You may fuppofe that nothing very im- 
 portant can have occurred fmce you left town : but I will fend you 
 fome account of America after Monday, though indeed my anxiety 
 
 * Dr. Downes. 
 
 about
 
 y 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 477 
 
 about an old manor takes away much of my attention from a new 
 continent. The mildnefs of Godfrey Clarke is roufed into military 
 fury ; but he is an old Tory, and you only fuppofe yourfelf an old 
 Whig. I alone am a true Englifhman, Philofopher, and Whig. 
 
 N" XLVI. 
 
 The Same to the Same.. 
 
 Boodles, Wednefday Evening, March i6th, 1774. 
 
 T WAS this morning with -* * *-. He was pofitive that the at- 
 tempt to fettle the preliminaries of arbitration by letters, would 
 lead us on to the middle of the fummer, and that a meeting was the 
 only practicable meafure. I acquiefced, and we blended his epiftle 
 and yours into one, which goes by this port. If you can contrive 
 to fuit to it your Oxford journey, your prefence at the meeting would 
 be received as the defcent of a guardian angel. 
 
 Very little that is fatisfadiory has tranfplred of America. On 
 Monday Lord North moved for leave to bring in a bill to remove 
 the cuftoms and courts of juflice from Bollon to New Salem ; a. 
 ftep fo detrimental to the former town, as muft foon reduce it to 
 your own terms ; and yet of fo mild an appearance, that it was 
 agreed to, without a divifion, and almoft without a debate. Some- 
 thing more is, however, intended, and a committee is appointed to 
 enquire into the general ftate of America. But adminiftration keep 
 their fecret as well as that of free mafonry, and, as Coxe profanely 
 fuggefts, for the fame reafoUi 
 
 Don't you remember that in our pantheon walks we admired the 
 wodcjl beauty of Mrs. * * * * ? Eh b'len^ alas ! flie is * * *. 
 You afk me with whom ? With * * * *, of the guards ; 
 both the * * * *'s; * * * *, a fteward of * * * *'s, her firft 
 love, and half the town befides. A meeting of * -* * *'s friends 
 a affembled
 
 478 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 aflfembled about a week ago, to confulr of the beft method of ac- 
 quaintuig hnn with his frontal honours. Edmund Burke was named 
 as the orator, and communicated the tranfadlion in a moft eloquent 
 fpeech. 
 
 N. B. The fame lady, who at public dinners appeared to have the 
 moft delicate appetite, was accuftomed in her own apartment to 
 feaft on pork-fteaks and faufages, and to fwill porter till fhe was dead 
 drunk. * * * is abufed by the * * * family, has been bullied 
 by * * *, and can prove himfelf a Cornuto, to the fatisfadtion of 
 every one but a court of juftice. Oh rare matrimony ! 
 
 N° XLVIl. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqmre to J. Holroyd Efqulrc. 
 
 March 29th, 1774. 
 
 AMERICA. Had I written Saturday night, as I once intended, fire 
 and fword, oaths of allegiance and high treafon tried in Eng- 
 land, in confequence of the refufal, would have formed my letter. 
 Lord North, however, opened a moft lenient prefcription laft night ; 
 and the utmoft attempt towards a new fettlement feemed to be no 
 more than inverting the governors with a greater fhare of executive 
 power, nomination of civil officers, (judges, however, for life,) and 
 fome regulations of juries. The Bofton port bill pafTed the Lords 
 laft night ; fome lively converfation, but no divifion. 
 
 Bcntinck-Jlreet. Rofe Fuller was againft the Bofton port bill, and 
 againft his niece's going to Boodle's mafquerade. He was laughed at 
 in the firft inftance, but fucceeded in the fecond. Sappho and Fanny 
 very indifferent (as mamma fays) about going. They feem of a 
 different opinion. Adieu. 
 
 I
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 479 
 
 N" XLVIII. 
 
 The Smne to the Same, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, ApriUd, 1774. 
 
 "^ou owe me a letter; fo this extra goes only to acquaint you 
 with a misfortune that has juft happened to poor Clarke, and 
 which he really conflders as fuch, the lofs of a very excellent father. 
 The blow was fudden ; a thin little man, as abftemlous as a hermit, 
 was deftroyed by a ftroke of apoplexy in his coach as he was going 
 to dinner. He appeared perfedly well, and only two days before 
 had very good-naturedly dined with us at a tavern, a thing he had 
 not done for many years before. I am the only perfon Clarke 
 wiflies to fee, except his own family ; and I pafs a great part of the 
 day with him. A line from you would be kindly received. 
 
 Great news, you fee, from India. Tanjour four hundred thou- 
 fand pounds to the company. Suja Dowla fix hundred thoufand.. 
 Adieu. 
 
 N°XLIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 April 13th, 1774. 
 
 A T length I am a little more at liberty. Godfrey Clarke went 
 out of town this morning. Inftead of going diredly into Der- 
 bylhire, whei-e he would have been overwhelmed with vifits, &c. 
 he has taken his fifter, brother, and aunts to a villa near Farnham, 
 in which he has the happinefs of having no neighbourhood. If my 
 efteem and friendfhip for Godfrey had been capable of any addition, 
 k would have been very much increafed by the manner in which he 
 
 felt
 
 48o LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 felt and lamented his father's death. He is now in very different 
 circumftances than before ; inflead of an eafy and ample allowance, 
 he has taken pofieflion of a great eftate, with low rents and high 
 incumbrances. I hope the one may make amends for the other: 
 tinder your condutTl I am fure they would, and I have freely offered 
 him your affiftance, in cafe he fhould wiih to apply for it. 
 
 In the mean time I muft not forget my own affairs, which feem 
 to be covered with inextricable perplexity. * *■ #, as I men- 
 tioned about a century ago, promil'ed to fee * * «- and his at- 
 torney, and to oil the wheels of the arbitration. As yet I have not 
 heard from him. I have fome thoughts of writing m^clf to the 
 jockey, ftating the various fteps of the affair, and offering him, with 
 polite firmnefs, the immediate choice of Chancery or arbitration. 
 
 For the time, however, I forgot all thefe difficulties, in the pre- 
 fent enjoyment of Deyverdun's company ; and I glory in thinking, 
 that although my houfe is fmall, it is juft of a fufficient fize to hold 
 my real friends, male and female ; am.ong the latter my Lady holds 
 the very firft place. 
 
 We are all quiet. — American bufmefs is fufpended and almoft for- 
 got. The other day we had a brifk report of a Spanifh war. It 
 was faid they had taken one of our Leward Iflands. It fmce turns 
 out, that we are the invaders, but the invafion is trifling. 
 
 Bien oblige non (at prefent) for your invitation. I wifh my 
 Lady and you would come up to our mafquerade the third of May. 
 The fineft thing ever feen. We fup in a tranfparent temple that 
 cofts four hundred and fifty pounds.
 
 KDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 481 
 
 N° L. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre lo J. Holroyd Efquire, 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, April 21ft, 1774. 
 
 T BEGIN to flag, and though you already reproach me as a bad 
 correfpondent, I much fear that I fhall every w-eek become a 
 more hardened fmner. Befides the occafional obftrudtions o£. Clarke 
 and Deyverdun, I muft intreat you to confider, with your ufual 
 candour, i. The averfion to epiftolary converfation, which it has 
 pleafed the daemon to implant in my nature. 2. That I am a very- 
 fine gentleman, a fubfcriber to the mafquerade, where you and my 
 Lady ought to come, and am now writing at Boodle's, in a fine velvet 
 coat, with ruflfles of my lady's choofing, &c. 3. That the aforefaid 
 fine gentleman is likewife " an hiftorian ; and in truth, when I am 
 writing a page, I do not only think it a fufficient reafon for delay, but 
 even confider myfelf as writing for you, and that, much more to the 
 purpofe than if I were fending you the little tattle of the town, of 
 which indeed there is none ftirring. With regard to America, the 
 Minifter feems moderate, and the Houfe obedient. 
 
 * * *'s laft letter, by fome unaccountable accident, had never 
 reached me ; fo that your's, in every inftance, amazed me. I imme- 
 diately difpatched to him groans and approbation. * * *, however, 
 gives me very little uneafmefs. I fee that he is a bully, and that I 
 have a flick. But the curfed bufmefs of Lenborough, in the mldft 
 of ftudy, diflipation, and friendfhip, at times almoft diftradts me. I 
 am furely in a worfe fituation than before I fold the eftate, and what 
 diftreffes me is, that 
 
 His ego nee metas rcrum^ nee tempora poiio. 
 
 VOL. I. 3 CL Both
 
 48z LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Both Deyverdun and Clarke wifk to be remembered to you. The 
 former, who has more tafte for the country than * * * #, could 
 wifh to vifit you, but he fets out in a, few days for the continent 
 with Lord Midleton. Adieu. 
 
 N" LL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqitire to J. Holroyd Efqulre, 
 
 L 
 
 DEAR HOLROYD, May 4th, 1774. 
 
 AST night was the triumph of Boodle's. Our mafquerade coft 
 two thoufand guineas ; a fum that might have fertilifed a pro- 
 vince, (I fpeak in your own ftyle,) vanifhed in a few hours, but 
 not without leaving behind it the fame of the moil fplendid and ele- 
 gant fete that was perhaps ever given in a feat of the arts and opu- 
 lence. It would be as difficult to defcribe the magnificence of the 
 fcene, as it would be eafy to record the humour of the night. The 
 on,e was above, the other below, all relation.. I left the Pantheon 
 about five this morning, rofe at ten, took a good walk, and returned 
 home to a more rational entertainment of Batt, Sir John Ruffell, and 
 Lafcelles, who dined with me.. They have left me this moment ; and 
 were I to enumerate the things faid of Sheffield, it would fomn a 
 much longer letter than I have any inclination to write. Let it 
 fuffice, that Sir John means to pafs in Su.iJiex the ijilerval of the two 
 terms. Every thing, in a word, goes oa very pleafantly, except 
 the terreftrial bufinefs of Lenborough. Lafl; Saturday fc'nnight I 
 wrote to * * * *, to prefs him. to fee * * *, and urge the ar- 
 bitration. He has not condefcended to anfwer me. All is a dead 
 calm, fometimes more fatal than a ftor^i. For God's fake fend me 
 advice. 
 
 Adieu-
 
 D' 
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 483 
 
 N° LII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqidre to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Boodle's. May 24th, 1774. 
 
 ^o you remember that there exifts In the world one Edward 
 G ibbon, a houfekeeper in Bentinck-ftreet ? If the flandard 
 of writhig and of affeilion were the fame, I am fure he would ill- 
 deferve it. I do not wifh to difcover, how many days (I am afraid 
 I ought to ufe another word) have elapfed fmce the date of my laft, 
 or even of your laft letter, and yet fuch is the fluggifh nature of the 
 beaft, that I am afraid nothing but the arrival of Mrs. Bonfoy, and 
 the expectation of Mr. Eliot, could have roufed me from my le- 
 thargy. The Lady gave me great fatisfadion, by her general ac- 
 count of your health and fplrits, but communicated fonie uneafmefs, 
 by the mention of a little encounter, in the ftyle of one of Don 
 Quixote's, but which proved, I hope, as trifling as you at firft ima- 
 gined it. For my own part, I am well in mind and body, bufy 
 ■with my books, (which may perhaps produce fomething next year 
 either to tire or amufe the world,) and every day more fatisfied with 
 my prefent mode of life, which I always believed was calculated to 
 make me happy. My only remaining uneafmefs is Lenborough, 
 which is not terminated. By Holroyd's advice, I rather try what 
 may be obtained by a little more patience, than rufh at once into 
 the horrors of Chancery. But let us talk of fomething elfe. Mrs. 
 Porten grows younger every day. You remember, I think, in New- 
 man-ftreet, an agreeable woman, MifsW * * * *. The Under-fecre- 
 tary is ferioufly in love with her, and ferioully uneafy that his preca- 
 rious fituation precludes him from happinefs. We fhall foon fee which 
 will get the better, love or reafon. I bet three to two on love. 
 
 3 0.2 Guefs
 
 484 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Guefs my furprife, when Mrs. Gibbon of Northamptonflilre fud- 
 denly communicated her arrival, I immediately went to Sm-rey- 
 ftreet, where ihe lodged, but though it was no more than half 
 an hour after nine, the Saint had finiflied her evening devotions, 
 and was already retired to reft. Yefterday morning (by appoint- 
 ment) I breakfafted with her at eight o'clock, dined with her to- 
 day at two in Newman-ftreet, and am juft returned from fetting her 
 down. She is, in truth, a very great curiofity : her drefs and figure 
 exceed any thing we had at the mafquerade : her language and ideas 
 belong to the laft century. However, in point of religion fhe was 
 rational ; that is to fay, filent. I do not believe that flie afked a 
 fingle queftion, or faid the leaft thing concerning it. To me fhe 
 behaved with great cordiality, and in her way expreffed a great 
 jegard. 
 
 Mrs. Porten tells me, that fhe has juft written to you. She ought 
 to go to a mafquerade once a year. Did you think her fuch a girl ?: 
 1 am, dear Madam, moft truly yours. 
 
 N" LIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efqidre, 
 
 Boodle's, May 24th, 1774. 
 
 T WROTE three folio pages to you this morning, and yet you com- 
 plain. Have reafon, and have mercy ; confider all the excellent 
 reafons for filence which I gave you in one of my laft, and expedl 
 my arrival in Suflex, when I fhall talk more in a quarter of an hour 
 than I could write in a day. A propos of that arrival ; never pre- 
 tend to allure me, by painting in odious colours the duft of London. 
 I love the duft, and whenever I move into the Weald, it is to vifit 
 2 you
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 48^ 
 
 you and my Lady, and not your trees. About thiS-day-month I 
 mean to give you a v'lfitalton. I leave it to Guife, Clarke, and the 
 other light horfe, to prance down for a day or two. They all talk 
 of mounting, but will not fix the day. Sir John RufTell, whom I 
 falute, has brought you, I fuppofe, all the news of Verfallles. Let 
 me only add, that the Mefdames, by attending their father, have 
 both got the fmall-pox. I can make nothing of * * *, or his 
 lawyer. You will fwear at the fliortnefs of this letter. — Swear. 
 
 W LIV., 
 
 I'he Same to the Same. 
 
 Saturday Evening, Augufl 27tli, 1774. 
 
 T)Y your fubmifTion to the voice of reafon, you eafed me of a heavy 
 load of anxiety. I did not like your enterprife. * * * * 
 * * * * -*. As to papers, I will fhew you that I can keep 
 them fafe till we meet. What think you of the Turks and Ruffians ? 
 Romanzow is a great man. He wrote an account of his amazing 
 fuccefs to Moufkin Poulkin here, and declared his intention of re-- 
 tiring as foon as he had conduced the army home ; deliring that 
 Poulkin would fend him the beft plan he could procure of an Eng- 
 lifli gentleman's farm. In his anfwer, Poufkin promiled to get it ; 
 but added, that at the fame time he fliould fend the Emprefs a plan 
 of Blenheim. A handfome compliment, I think. My Lady and. 
 Maria, as ufua)..
 
 .486 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" LV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Benti nck-Street, Sept, icth, 1774. 
 
 QINCE Heberdeti is returned, I think the road lies plain before you, 
 ' I mean the turnpike road ; the only party which in good fenfe 
 can be embraced is, without delay, to bring my Lady to Bentinck- 
 ftreet, where you may inhabit two or three nights, and have any ad- 
 vice (Turton, Heberden, &c.) which the town may afford, in a cafe 
 tliat moll affuredly ought not to be trifled with. Do this as you value 
 our good opinion. The Cantabs are ftrongly in the fame fentiments. 
 There can be no apprehenfions of late hours, &c. as none of Mrs. H.'s 
 raking acquaintance are in town. ***** 
 You give me no account of the works. When do you inhabit the 
 library ? Turn over — great things await yon. 
 
 It is furely infinite condefcenfion for a fenator to bellow his at- 
 tention on the affairs of a juryman. A fenator ? Yes, Sir, at laft 
 
 ^lod .... Diviim promittere nemo 
 
 Auderet^ volvenda dies^ en attuUt ultro.- 
 
 Yefterday morning, about half an hour after feven, as I was deflroy- 
 ing an army of Barbarians, I heard a double rap at the door, and 
 my friend ***** was foon introduced. After fome idle con- 
 verfation he told me, that if I was defirous of being in parliament, 
 he had an independent feat very much at my fervice. * * * * 
 This is a fine profpe£l opening upon me, and if next fpring I fhould 
 take my feat, and publifh my book, it will be a very memorable 
 sra in my life. I am ignorant whether my borough will be * * *. 
 You defpife boroughs, and fly at nobler game. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqmre. 487 
 
 N° LVI. 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 December 2d, 1774. 
 
 T SEND you inclofed a difmal letter from Hugonln. Return it 
 without delay, with obfervations. A manifefto has been fent 
 to * * *, which muft, I think, produce immediate peace or 
 war. Adieu. We fhall have a warm day on the addrefs next 
 Monday. A number of young members ! Whitfhed, a dry man^ 
 allured me, that he heard one of them afk, whether the king always 
 fat in that chair, pointing to the Speaker's. Adieu. 
 
 N" LVII. 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 Boodle's, Jan. 31ft, 1775. 
 
 QOMETiMiES people do not write becaufe they are too idle, and 
 fometimes becaufe they are too bufy. The former was ufually 
 my cafe, but at prefent it is the latter. The fate of Europe and 
 America feems fully fufficient to take up the time of one man ; and 
 efpecially of a inan who gives up a great deal of time for the pur- 
 pofe of public and private information. I think I have fucked 
 Mauduit and Hutchefon very dry ; and if my confidence was equal 
 to my eloquence, and my eloquence to my knowledge, perhaps I 
 might make no very intolerable fpeaker. At all events, I i^uicy L 
 fhall try to expofe myfelf. 
 
 Scmpen ego auditor tantiim f nunqiiamne reponam f 
 
 For my own part, I am more and more convinced that we have both 
 the right and the power on our fide, and that, though the effort may 
 be accompanied with fome melancholy circumftances, we are now 
 arrived at the decifive. moment of preferving, or. of lofing for ever, 
 
 L both
 
 438 ■ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Jboth our trade and empire. We expedl next Thurfday or Friday to 
 be a very great day. Hitherto we have been chiefly employed in 
 reading papers, and rejedling petitions. Petitions were brouglit from 
 London, Briftol, Norwich, &c. framed by party, and defigned to 
 delay. By the aid of fome parliamentary quirks, they have been all 
 ■ referred to a feparate ina£live committee, which Burke calls a com- 
 mittee of oblivion, and are now confidered as dead in law. I could 
 w-rite yoli fifty little Houfe of Commons ftories, but from their num- 
 ber and nature they fuit better a conference than a letter. Our ge- 
 neral divifions are about two hundred and fifty to eighty or ninety. 
 Adieu. 
 
 N° LVIIL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. . 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lokdon, Jan. 31ft, 1775. 
 
 N idle man has no time, and a bufy man very little. As yet the 
 Houfe of Commons turns out very well to me, and though it 
 fliould never prove of any real benefit to me, I find it at leaft a very 
 agreeable coffee-houfe. We are plunging every day deeper and 
 deeper into the great bufinefs of America ; and I have hitherto 
 been a zealous, though filent, friend to the caufe of government, 
 ■which, in this injlance^ I think the caufe of England. I pafTed 
 about ten days, as I defigned, at Uppark. I found Lord * * * 
 and fourfcore fox-hounds. 
 
 The troubles of Beriton are perfedlly compofed, and the infur- 
 gents reduced to a ftate, though not a temper of fubmiffion. You 
 may fuppofe I heard a great deal of Petersfield. L * * * * means 
 to convict your friend of bribery, to tranfport him for ufing a 
 fecond time old ftamps, and to prove that Petersfield is ftill a part 
 of the manor of Beriton. I remain an impartial fpeilator. I am, 
 dear Madam, moll truly yours.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 489 
 
 N" LIX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqidre /o J. B. Holroyd F/quirc. 
 
 February 8t!i, 177J; 
 
 T AM not d '■ ■' d, according to your charitable wiflies, becaufe I 
 have not adled ; there was fuch an inundation of fpeakers, young 
 fpeakers in every fenfe of the word, both on Thurfday in the grand 
 committee, and Monday on the report to the Houfe, that neither 
 Lord George GeVmaine nor myfclf could find room for a fmgle 
 word. The principal men both days were Fox and Weddcrburne, 
 on the oppofite fides ; the latter difplayed his ufual talents ; the for- 
 mer, taking the vaft compafs of the queftion before us, difcovered 
 powers for regular debate, which neither his friends hoped, nor his 
 enemies dreaded. We voted an addrefs, (three hundred and four to 
 one hundred and five,) of lives and fortunes, declaring Maffachuffets 
 Bay in a ftate of rebellion. More troops, but I fear not enough, 
 go to America, to make an army of ten thoufand men at Bofton ; 
 three generals, Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. In a few days we 
 flop the ports of New England. I cannot write volumes ; but I am 
 more and more convinced, that with firmnefs all may go well ; yet I 
 fometimes doubt. I am now writing with ladies, (Sir S. Porten 
 and his bride,) and two card-tables, in the library. As to my filence, 
 judge of my fituation by laft Monday. I am on the Grenvillian 
 committee of Downton. We always fit from ten to three and a 
 half ; after which, that day, I went into the Houfe, and fat till three 
 in the morning. Adieu. 
 
 VOL. la 3 R
 
 490 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" LX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. B. Holroyd EJqnlrc. 
 
 * , Fcbroary 25th, 1775 
 
 WJ'E go on with regard to America, If we can be faid to go on j 
 for on laft Monday a conciliatory motion of allowing the Co- 
 lonies to tax themfelves, was introduced by Lord North, in ihe midft 
 of lives and fortunes, war and famine. We went into the Houfe in 
 confufion, every moment expecting that the Bedfords would fly intO' 
 rebellion agalnft thofe meafures. Lord North rofe fix times to ap- 
 peafe the ftorm, but all in vain ; till at length Sir Gilbert declared 
 for adminiftration, and the troops all rallied under their proper 
 ftandard. On Wednefday we had the Middlefex eledtion» I was a 
 patriot ; fat by the Lord Mayor, who fpoke well, and with temper, 
 but before the end of the debate fell faft afleep. I am ftill a mute ; 
 it is more tremendous than I imagined ; the great fpeakers fill me 
 with defpair, the bad ones with terror. 
 
 When do you move ? My Lady anfwered like a woman of fenfe, 
 fpirit, and good nature. Neither flie nor I could bear it. She 
 was right, and the Duchefs of Braganza would have made the- fame 
 anfwer. 
 
 Adieui
 
 EDWARD GIBBON E^ire. 491 
 
 N° LXI. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, March 30th, 177J. 
 
 HARDLY know how to take up the pen. I talked in my laft of 
 two or three ports, and I am ahnoft afhamed to calculate how 
 many have elapfed. 1 will endeavour for the future to be lefs fcan- 
 dalous. Only believe that my heart is innocent of the laziuefs of 
 my hand. I do not mean to have recourfe to the ftale and abfurd 
 excufe of bufmefs, though I have really had a very confiderable 
 hurry of new parliamentai-y bufmefs : one day, for inftance, of fe- 
 venteen hours, from ten in the morning till between three and four 
 the next morning. It is, upon the whole, an agreeable improve- 
 ment in my life, and forms juft the mixture of bufmefs, of ftudy, 
 and of fociety, which I always imagined I iliould, and now find I 
 do like. Whether the Houfe of Commons may ever prove of be- 
 nefit to myfelf or country, is another queftion. As yet I have been 
 mute. In the courfe of our American afFalrSj I have fometimes had 
 a wifli to fpeak, but though I felt tolerably prepared as to the m.atter 
 I dreaded expofing myfelf in the manner, and remained in my feat 
 fafe, but inglorious. Upon the whole, (though I ftill believe I fhall 
 try,) I doubt whether Nature, not that in fomc inftances I am un- 
 grateful, has given me the talents of an orator, and I feel that I 
 came into parliament much too late to exert them. Do you hear of 
 Port Eliot coming to Bath ? and, above all, do you hear of Charles- 
 ftreet * coming to Bentinck-ftreet, in its way to Eflex, &c. 
 
 Adieu. Dear Madam, 
 
 I am moH: truly yours. 
 
 * Mrs. Gibbon's refidence at Bath. 
 
 .1 R
 
 49^2 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N* LXII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, House of Commons. May zd, 1775. 
 
 T ACCEPT of the Pomeranian Ladywkh gratitude and pleafure, and 
 fhall be impatient to form an acquaintance with her. My pre- 
 fentations at St. James's pailed gracioufly. My dinner at Twicken- 
 ham was attended with lefs ceremony and more amufement. If 
 they turned out Lord North to-mon-ow, they would ftill leave him 
 one of the heft companions in the kingdom. By this time I fuppofe 
 the Eliots are with you. I am fure you will fay every thing kind and 
 proper on the occafion. I am glad to hear of the approbation of my 
 conftituents for my vote on the Middlefex, election. On the fubjedt 
 of America, I have been fomething more of a courtier. You know,, 
 I fuppofe, that Holroyd is juft ftepped over to Ireland for a fort- 
 night. He pafTed three days with me on his way. Deyverdun had. 
 left me juft before your letter arrived, which I fhall foon have an 
 opportunity of conveyiag to him. Though, I flatter myfelf, he broke 
 from me with fome degree of uneafmefs, the engagement could no, 
 be declined. At the end of four years he has an annuity of one 
 hundred pounds for life, and may for the remainder of his days 
 enjoy a decent independence in that country, which a philofopher 
 would perhaps prefer to the reft of Europe. For my own part 
 after the.hurry of the town and of parliament, I am now retired to 
 my villa in Bentinck-ftreet, which I begin to find a very pleafing 
 folitude, at leaft as well as if it were two hundred miles from Lon- 
 don ; becaufe when I am tired o£' the Roman Empire^ I can laugh 
 away the evening at Foote's theatre, which I could not do in Hamp~ 
 Ihire or Conivrall. I am, dear Madam, moft truly yoursi
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 493 
 
 N° LXIII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. B. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Benti nck-Str£et, Auguft ift, 1775. 
 
 "KT'OUR apprehenfions of a precipitate work, &c, are perfectly ground- 
 lefs. I fhould be much more addided to a contrary extreme. 
 The head is now printing : true, but it was written laft year and the 
 year before. The firft chapter has been compofed de nowueau three 
 times ; the fecond twice^ and all the others have undergone reviews, 
 corredions, &c. As to the tail, it is perfedlly formed and digefted, 
 (and were I fo much given to felf-content and hafte,) it is almoft 
 all written. The ecclefiaftical part, for inftance, is written out in four- 
 teen fheets, which I mean to refondre from beginning to end. As 
 to the friendly critic, it is very difficult to find one who has leifure, 
 candour, freedom, and knowledge fufficient. However, Batt and 
 Deyverdun have read and obferved. After all, the public is the beft 
 critic. I print no more than five hundred copies of the firfl; edition %, 
 and the fecond (as it happens frequently to my betters) may receive 
 many improvements. So much for Rome. We have nothing new 
 from America. But I can venture to ailure you, that adminiftration. 
 is now as unanimous and decided as the occafion requires. Some- 
 thing will be done this year ; but in the Spring the force of the 
 country will be exerted to the utmoft. Scotch Highlanders, Iriih 
 Papifls, Hanoverians, Canadians, Indians, &c. will all in various 
 fliapes be employed. Parliament meets the firft week in November. 
 I think his Catholic Majefty may be fatisfied with his Summer's 
 amufement. The Spaniards fought with great bravery, and made a 
 fine retreat ; but our Algerine friends furpalled them as much in 
 condudl as in number. Adieu» 
 
 1 The
 
 494 LETTERS^ TO AND FROM 
 
 The Duchefs has flopped Foote's piece. She fent for hhn to 
 Khigfton-houfe, and threatened, bribed, argued, and wept for about 
 two hours. He affured her, that if the Chamberlain was obftinate, 
 he fhould publifh it, with a dedication to her Grace. 
 
 N° LXIV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, London. AufjuR, 1775. 
 
 15 r 7 ILL you accept my prefcnt literary bufincfs as an excufe for 
 my not writing ? I think you will be in the wrong if you do, 
 fmce I was juft as idle before. At all events, however, it is better 
 to fay three words, than to be totally a dumb dog. ^yl propos of 
 dog, but not of dumb : your Pomeranian is the comfort of ray life ; 
 pretty, impertinent, fiUitaftical, all that a young lady of fafliion 
 ought to be. I flatter myfelf that our pafTiou is reciprocal. I am 
 juft at prefent engaged in a great hiftorical work ; no lefs than a 
 Hiftory of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire ; with the 
 firft volume of which I may very poffibly opprefs the public next 
 winter. It would require fome pages to give a more particular idea 
 of it ; but I fhall only fay in general, that the fubje£t is curious, and 
 never yet treated as it deferves ; and that during fome years it has 
 been in my thoughts, and even under my pen. Should the attempt 
 fail, it muft be by the fault of the execution. 
 
 Adieu. Dear Madam, believe me moft truly yours.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 495 
 
 N° LXV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to J. Holroyd Efqulre, 
 
 Bentinck-Street, Odobcr 14th, 1775, 
 
 T SEND you two pieces of intelligence from the beft authority, and 
 which, unlefs you hear them from fome other quarter, I do not 
 wifli you fhould talk much about, ift, When the Rulllans arrive, 
 (if they refrefli themfelves in England or Ireland,) will you go and 
 fee their camp ? We have great hopes of getting a body of thefe 
 Barbarians. In confequence of fome very plain advances. King 
 George, with his own hand, wrote a very polite epiftle to fifter 
 Kitty, requeuing her friendly afllflance. Full powers and inftruc- 
 tions were lent at the fame time to Gunning, to agree for any force 
 between five, and twenty thoufand men, carte blanche for the terms; 
 on condition, however, that they fhould ferve, not as auxiliaries^ 
 but as mercenaries, and that the Ruflian general fhould be abfolutely 
 under the command of the Britifh. They daily and hourly expe<3; 
 a melfenger, and hope to hear that the bufinefs is concluded. The 
 worft of it is, that the Baltic will foon be frozen up, and that it muft 
 be late next year before they can get to America, 2. In the mean 
 time we are not quite ealy about Canada ; and even if it fhould be 
 fafe from aa attack, \<!t cannot flatter ourfelves with the cxpeftation 
 of bringing down that martial people on the Back Settlements. The 
 priefts are ours ; the gentlemen very prudently wait the event, and 
 are difpofed to join the ftronger party ; but the fame lawlefs fpirit 
 and impatience of government which have infe£ted our Colonies, are 
 gone forth among the Canadian peafants, over w:hom, fince the 
 conqueft, the nobleife have loft much of their ancient influence. 
 Another thing which will pleafe and furprife, is the afliirance which 
 2 I received
 
 495 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 I received from a man who might tell me a lie, but who could not 
 be miftaken, that no arts, no management whatfoever, have been 
 ufed to procure the addrelTes which fill the Gazette, and that Lord 
 North was as much furprifed at the firft that came up, as we could 
 be at Sheffield. "We jfhall have, I fuppofc, fome brifk {kirmlfliing 
 in parliament, but the bufinefs will foon be decided by our fuperior 
 weight of fire. ^A propos^ I believe there has been fome vague but 
 ferious converfation about caU'iiig out the militia. The new levies go 
 on very flowly in Ireland. The Diflenters, both there and here, are 
 violent and adive. Adieu. I embrace my Lady and Maria. 
 
 N° LXVL 
 George Lewis Scott Efquirc to Edward Gibbon Efqnire. 
 
 DEAR SIR, December 29th, 1775. 
 
 Y AM obliged to you for the liberty of perufing part of your work. 
 
 What I have read, has given me a great deal of pleafure. I have 
 found but few flips of the prefs, or the pen. 
 
 The ftyle of the work is clear, and every way agreeable ; and I 
 dare fay you will be thought to have written with all due modera- 
 tion and decency with refpe<ft to received (at leaft once received) 
 opinions. The notes and quotations will add not a little to the 
 value of the work. The authority of French writers, fo familiar 
 to you, has not infeded you, however, with the fault of fuperficial 
 and carelefs quotations. I find, fince I faw you, that I muft be in 
 the chair at the Excife Office to-morrow ; which fervice will confine 
 me too much for a week, to permit me to wait upon you fo foon 
 as I could wifh. 
 
 I am very truly, dear Sir, 
 
 Your mofl obedient and moft humble Servant.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON EfquJre. 497 
 
 N" LXVIL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnirc to J. Holroyd Efquirc. 
 
 London, January i8lh, 1776. 
 
 TJOW do you do ? Are you alive ? Are you buried under mountains 
 of fnow ? I write merely to triumph in the fuperiority of my own 
 fituation, and to rejoice in my own prudence, in not going down to 
 Sheffield-place, as 1 ferioufly, but fooliflily, intended to do laft week. 
 We proceed triumphantly with the Roman Empire, and fhall certainly 
 make our appearance before the end of next month. I have nothing 
 public. You know we have got eighteen thoufand Germans from 
 Hefle, Brunfwick, and Hefle Darmftadt. I think our meeting will 
 be lively; a fpirited minority, and a defponding majority. The 
 higher people are placed, the more gloomy are their countenances, the 
 more melancholy their language. You may call this cowardice, but 
 I fear it arifes from their knowledge (a late knowledge) of the dif- 
 ficulty and magnitude of the bufmefs. Quebec is not yet taken. I 
 hear that Carleton is determined never to capitulate with rebels. A 
 glorious refolution, if it were fupported with fifty thoufand men ! 
 Adieu. I embrace my Lady and Maria. Make my excufes to the 
 latter, for having negleded her birth-day. 
 
 N° LXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 January 29th, 1776, 
 
 ARES, &c. arrived fafe ; were received with thanks, and devoured 
 with appetite. Send more (idejl) of hares. I believe, in my lafl 
 I forgot faying any thing of the fon of Fergus ; his letters reached 
 him. What think you of the feafon ? Siberia, is it not ? A plea- 
 fant campaign in America. I read and pondered your laft, and 
 think that, in the place of Lord G. G. you might perhaps fucceed ; 
 VOL. I. 3 s but 
 
 H
 
 498 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 but I much fear that our Leaders have not a genius which can a£t 
 at the diftance of three thoufand miles. You know, that a large 
 draught of guards are juft going to America ; poor dear creatures I 
 We are met ; but no bufinefs. Next week may be bufy ; Scotch 
 militia, &c. Roman Empire (firfl; part) will be finifhed in a week, 
 or fortnight. At laft, I have heard Texier ; wonderful ! Embrace 
 my Lady. The weather too cold to turn over the page. Adieu. 
 
 Since this, I received your laft, and honour your care of the old 
 women ; a refpe£table name, which, in fpite of my Lady, may fuit 
 Judges, Bifhops, Generals, &c. I am rejoiced to hear of Maria's 
 inoculation. I know not when you have done fo wife a thing. You; 
 may depend upon getting an excellent houfe. Adieu. 
 
 N* LXIX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqitire to J. Holroyd Efqutre. 
 
 Bentincx-Street, February pth, yj"]^. 
 
 ^C7ou are miftaken about yoiu" dates. It is to-morrow feven-n'ighty 
 the feventeenth, that my book will decUne into the world. 
 I am glad to find, that by degrees you begin to underftand the 
 advantage of a civilized city. Adieu. No public bufmefs ; parlia- 
 ment has fat every day, but we have not had a fmgle debate. I 
 think you will have the book on Monday. The parent is not forgot., 
 though I had not a fmgle one to fpare. 
 
 N*' LXX\ 
 
 Extraei of a Letter from Z)r. RoBERTSGJi to Mr. Strahan, dated 
 Edinburgh College, March 15, 1776. 
 
 SINCE my laft I have read Mr. Gibbon's Hif- 
 [ 
 
 tory with much attention, and great pleafure. 
 
 It is a v/ork of very high merit indeed. He poflefles that induftry 
 
 2 of
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 499 
 
 of refearch, without which no man deferves the name of an Hiftorian. 
 His narrative is perfpicuous and interefting ; his ftyle is elegant and 
 forcible, though in fome paffages I think rather too laboured, and in 
 others too quaint. But thefe defeds are amply compenfated by the 
 beauty of the general flow of language, and a very peculiar hap- 
 pinefs in many of his expreffions. I have traced him in many of 
 his quotations, (for experience has taught me to fufped the accuracy 
 of my brother pen-men,) and 1 find he refers to no paflage but what 
 he has fcen with his own eyes. I hope the book will be as fuccefsful 
 as it deferves to be. I have not yet read the two laft chapters, but 
 am forry, from what I have heard of them, that he has taken fuch 
 a tone in them as will give great offence, and hurt the fale of the 
 booL 
 
 N" LXXI. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Edinburgh, March 19th, 1776, 
 
 ¥ RECEIVED, about eight days ago, after I had been reading your 
 Hiftory, the copy which you have been fo good as to fend me, 
 and for which I now trouble you with my thanks. But even if I 
 had not been thus called upon to offer you my refpefts, I could not 
 have refrained from congratulating, you on the merit, and undoubted 
 fuccefs, of this valuable performance. The perfons of this place 
 whofe judgment you will value moft, agree in opinion, that you 
 have made a great addition to the claffical literature of England, and 
 given us what Thucydides propofed leaving with his own country- 
 men, a. po/fcj/iou in perpetuity. Men of a ceitain modefty and merit 
 always exceed the expedlations of their friends ; and it is with very 
 great plcafure I tell you, that although you muft have obferved in 
 me every mark of confideration and regard, that this is, neverthe- 
 lefs, the cafe, I receive your infl:rudion, and ftudy your model, 
 
 3- S 2 \vith
 
 500 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 with great deference, and join with every one elfe, tb. applauding 
 the extent of your plan, in hands fo well able to execute it. Some 
 of your readers, I find, were impatient to get at the fifteenth chapter, 
 and began at that place. I have not heard much of their criticifm, 
 but am told that many doubt of your orthodoxy. I wifh to be always 
 of the charitable fide, while I own you have proved that the cleareft 
 ftream may become foul when it comes to run over the muddy bot- 
 tom of human nature. I have not ftayed to make any particular 
 remarks. If any fhould occur on the fecond reading, I fhall not 
 fail to lay in my claim to a more needed, and more ufeful admoni- 
 tion from you, in cafe I ever produce any thing that merits your 
 attention. And am, with the greateft refped:, dear Sir, 
 Your mod obliged, and moft huiiible Servant, 
 
 Adam Ferguson. 
 
 . N° LXXII. 
 
 ExtraB of a Letter from Mr. David Hume to Mr. Strahan^ 
 dated Edinburgh, April S/Z', 1776. 
 
 1AM very much taken wilh Mr. Gibbon's 
 Roman Hiftory, which came from your 
 prefs, and am glad to hear of its fuccefs. There will no books of 
 reputation now be printed in London but through your hands and Mr. 
 Cadell's. The Author tells me, that he is already preparing a fecond 
 edition. I refolved to have given him my advice with regard to th6 
 manner of printing it ; but as I am now writing to you, it is the 
 fame thing. He ought certainly to print the number of the chapter 
 at the head of the margin ; and it v.'Ould be better if fomething of 
 the contents could alfo be added. One is alfo plagued with his notes, 
 according to the prefent method of printing the book : when a note 
 is announced, you turn to the end of the volume ; and there you 
 
 I often
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 501 
 
 often find nothing but a reference to an authority. All thefe autho- 
 rities ought only to be printed at the margin, or the bottom of the 
 page. I defire a copy of my new edition fhould be fent to Mr. 
 Gibbon ; as wifhing that gentleman, whom I fo highly value, fhould 
 perufe me in a form the leaft imperfedl to which I can bring my 
 work. 
 
 * * * * * Dr. Smith's performance Is another excellent 
 work that has come from your prefs this winter ; but I have ven- 
 tured to tell him, that It requires too much thought to be as popular 
 as Mr. Gibbon's. 
 
 N- LXXIIL 
 
 Mr. Ferguson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Edinburgh, April iSth, 1776. 
 
 T SHOULD make fome apology for not writing you fooner an an- 
 fwer to your obliging letter : but if you fhould honour me fre- 
 quently with fuch requefts, you will find, that, with very good In- 
 tentions, I am a very dilatory and Irregular correi'pondent. I am 
 forry to tell you, that our relpediable friend f is ftill declining in his 
 health ; he is greatly emaciated, and lofes ftrength. He talks fami- 
 liarly of his near profpe£l of dying. His mother, it feems, died 
 under the fame fymptoms ; and It appears fo little neccflary, or 
 proper, to flatter him, that no one attempts it. I never obferved 
 his underflanding more clear, or his humour more pleafant and 
 lively. He has a great averfion to leave the tranquillity of his own 
 houfe, to go in fearch of health among inns and hoftlers. And his 
 friends here gave way to him for fome time ; but now think it 
 neceffary that he fhould make an effort to try what change of place 
 and air, or any thing elfe Sir John Pringle may advlfe, can do for 
 
 •f Mr, Hume, 
 
 iiiin.
 
 502 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 him. I left him this morning in the mind to comply in this article, 
 and I hope that he will be prevailed on to fet out in a few days. He 
 Is juft now fixty-five. 
 
 I am very glad that the pleafure you give us recoils a little on 
 yourfelf, through our feeble teftlmony. I have, as you fuppofe, 
 been employed, at any intervals of leifure or reft I have had for 
 fome years, in taking notes, or coUeding materials, for a Hiftory 
 of the diftradions that broke down the Roman Republic, and 
 ended in the eftablifhment of Auguftus and his immediate fucceflbrs. 
 The compliment you are pleafed to pay, I cannot accept of, even to 
 my fubjeft. Your fubjedi now appears with advantages it was not 
 fuppofed to have had ; and I fufpe£l that the magnificence of the 
 mouldering ruin will appear more ftriking, than the fame building 
 when the view is perplexed with fcaffolding, workmen, and difor- 
 derly lodgers, and the ear is ftunned with the noife of deftrudions 
 and repairs, and the alarms of fire. The night which you begin 
 to defcribe is folemn, and there are gleams of light fuperior to what 
 is to be found in any other time. I comfort myfelf, that as my 
 trade is the ftudy of human nature, I could not fix on a more inte- 
 refting corner of it, than the end of the Roman Republic. Whether 
 my compilations fhould ever deferve the attention of any one befides 
 myfelf, muft remain to be determined after they are farther advanced. 
 i take the liberty to trouble you with the inclofed for Mr. Smith, 
 whofe uncertain ftay in London makes me at a lofs how to dire£l for 
 him. You have both fuch reafon to be pleafed with the world juft 
 now, that I hope you are pleafed v/iih each other. 
 I am, with the greateft refped. 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your moft obedient, and moft humble Servant, 
 
 ADAiM Ferguson.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc, 503 
 
 N" LXXIV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efqmre. 
 
 London, May 20th, 1776. 
 
 T AM angry that you fhould impede my noble defigns of vifiting 
 foreign parts, more efpecially as I have an advantage w^hich Sir 
 Wilful had not, that of underftanding your foreign lingos. With 
 regard to Mrs. Gibbon, her intended vifit, to w^hich I was not to- 
 tally a ftraager, will do me honour j and, though it fhould delays 
 my emigration, till the end of July, there will ftill remain the months- 
 of Auguft, September, and Odlober. Above all, abftain from giving 
 the leail hint to any Bath correfpondent, and perhaps, if I am not 
 provoked by oppofition, the thing may not be abfohitely certain* 
 At all events, you may depend on a previous vifit. At prefent, I 
 am very bufy with the Neckers. I live with her, juft as I ufed to do- 
 twenty years ago, laugh at her Paris varnifh, and oblige her to be- 
 come a fimple reafonable SuifTeffe. The man who might read 
 Englifli hufbands' leflbns of proper and dutiful behaviour, is a fenfible 
 good-natured creature. In about a fortnight I launch again into the 
 world in the ihape of a quarto volume.. Cadell aflures me, that he 
 never remembered fo eager and impatient a demand for a fecond 
 edition. The town is beginning to break up ; the day after to- 
 morrow we have our lafl: day in the Houfe of Commons, to inquire 
 into the inftrudions of the commifTioners. I like the man, and the 
 motion appears plain. Adieu» I dined with Lord Pal merftone to- 
 day ; great dinner of catches. I embrace my Lady and the Maria*.
 
 504 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N"* LXXV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc lo J. Holroyd Efqulre. 
 
 ^T-*0 tell you any thing of the change, or rather changes, of go- 
 ■^ vernors, I muft have known fomething of them myfelf ; but 
 all Is darknefs, confufion, and uncertainty, to fuch a degree, that 
 people do not even know what lies to invent. The news from Ame- 
 rica have indeed diverted the public attention into another, and far 
 greater, channel. AH that you fee in the papers, of the repulfe at 
 Quebec, as well as the capture of Lee, refts on the authority (a 
 very unexceptionable one)' of the provincial papers, as they have 
 been tranfmltted by Governor Tryon from New York. Howe is 
 wellj and eats plentifully ; and the weather feems to clear up fo faft, 
 that, according to the Englifh cuftom, we have pafled from the loweft 
 defpondency to a full affurance of fuccefs. My new birth happened 
 laft Monday; feven hundred of the fifteen hundred were gone 
 yefterday. I now underftand, from pretty good authority, that 
 Dr. * * * *, the friend and chaplain of * * * *, is adually 
 fharpening his goofe quill agalnft the two laft chapttrs. Adieu. 
 
 June the 6th, 1776, from Almack's, where I was chofen laft 
 week.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 505 
 
 N° LXXVI. 
 
 The -Same to the Same. 
 
 Almack's, June 24th, 1776. 
 
 X7ES, yes, I am alive, and well; but what fliall I fay? Town 
 grows empty, and this houfe, where I have pafled very agree- 
 able hours, is the only place which ftill unites the flower of the 
 Englifh youth. The ftile of living, xhovL"^ fomcvohat expenfive, is 
 exceedingly pleafant, and, notwithftanding the rage of play, I have 
 found more entertaining, and even rational fociety here, than in 
 any other club to which I belong. Mrs. Gibbon ftill hangs in fuf- 
 penfe, and feems to confider a town-expedition with horror. I think, 
 however, that {he will be foon in motion ; and when I have her in 
 Bentinck-ftreet, we fliall perhaps talk of a Sheffield excurfion. I am 
 now deeply engaged in the reign of Conftantine, and, from the fpe- 
 cimens which I have already feen, I can venture to promife, that the 
 fecond volume will not be lefs interefting than the firft. The fifteen 
 hundred copies are moving off with decent fpeed, and the obliging 
 Cadell begins to mutter fomething of a third edition for next year. 
 No news of Deyverdun, or his French tranflation. What a lazy 
 dog ! Madame Nccker has been gone a great while. I gave her, 
 en partant^ the moft folemn afTurances of following her paws in lefs 
 than two months ; but the voice of indolence begins to whifper a 
 thoufand difficulties, and unlefs your abfurd policy fhould thoroughly 
 provoke me, the Parifian journey may poffibly be deferred. I rejoice 
 in the progrefs of * * * * towards light. We are in expedlation 
 of American news. Carleton is made a Knight of the Bath. The 
 old report of Wafhington's refignation, and quarrel with the Con- 
 grefs, feems to revive. Adieu. 
 
 VOL. I. 3 T
 
 5o6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N** LXXVII. 
 
 Extra& of a Letter from Dr. George Campbell, Prrfeffor at 
 Aberdeen, to Mr. Strahan, ^^/^--^ Aberdeen, June 25, 1776. 
 
 T HAVE lately read over one of your lafl winter's publications with 
 very great pleafure, and I hope fome inftruction. My expedla- 
 tions were indeed high when I began it ; but, I afl'ure you, the en- 
 tertainment I received greatly exceeded them. What made me fall 
 to it with the greater avidity was, that it had in part a pretty clofe 
 eonnedion with a fubjedt I had occafion to treat fometimes in my 
 Theological Ledures ; to wit, the Rife and Progrefs of the Hierar- 
 chy : and you will believe that I was not the lefs pleafed to difcover, 
 in an hiftorian of fo much learning and penetration, fo great a co- 
 incidence with my own fentiments, in relation to fome obfcure 
 points in the Chriftian antiquities. I fuppofe I need not now inform. 
 you, that the book I mean is Gibbon's Hiftory of the Fall of the. 
 Roman Empire ; which, in refpect of the ftyle and manner, as well 
 as the matter, is a moft mafterly performance.. 
 
 N"' LXXVin. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efqu'irc. 
 
 Saturday, Augull, 1776. 
 
 ■VT7E exped you at five o'clock Tuefday, without a fore throat. 
 
 You have ere this heard of the fhocking accident which 
 
 takes up the attention of the town. Our old acquaintance * * * 
 
 ***** * * *. By his own indolence, rather 
 
 than
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 507 
 
 than extravagance, Iiis circumftanccs were embarrafled, and he had 
 frequently declared hlmfelf th-ed of life. No public news, nor any- 
 material expected, till the end of this, or the beginning of next 
 month, when Howe will probably have colledied his whole force. 
 A tough bufinefs indeed. You fee by their declaration, that they 
 have now pafled the Rubicon, and rendered the work of a treaty in- 
 finitely more difficult. You will perhaps fay, fo much the better; 
 but I do aflure you, that the thinking friends of Government are by 
 no means fanguine. I take the opportunity of eating turtle with 
 Garrick at Hampton. Adieu. 
 
 N" LXXIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Saturday, | paft Eleven, 1776. 
 
 in OR the prefent I am fo deeply engaged, that you muft renounce 
 the hafty apparition at Sheffield-place ; but if you fhould be 
 very impatient, I will try (after the meeting) to run down, between 
 the Friday and Monday, and bring you the laft editions of things. 
 At prefent nought but expeftation. The attack on me is begun ; an 
 anonymous eighteen-penny pamphlet, which will get the author 
 more glory in the next world than in this. The heavy troops, 
 Watfon and another, are on their march. Adieu. 
 
 3 T 2
 
 5o8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" LXXX. 
 
 Extras of a Letter from Mr. Wallace to Mr. Strahan, dated 
 Edinburgh, Auguft 30, 1776. 
 
 A LAS, for David Hume * ! His friends have fuftained a great 
 "^ lofs in his death. He was interred yefterday, at a place he lately 
 purchaled in the burying-ground on the Caltcn. 
 
 *' For who, to dumb forgetfulnefs a prey, 
 
 " This pleafmg anxious being e'er refign'd, 
 
 *' Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, 
 
 " Nor caft one longing, lingering look behind ?" 
 
 A monument on that airy elevated cemetery, which, on account of 
 a magnificent terrace now carried round the hill, is greatly fre- 
 quented, will be extremely confpicuous, and muft often call his 
 name to remembrance. It has been remarked, that the fame day on 
 v^hich Lucretius died, gave birth to Virgil ; and amidft their late fe- 
 vere lofs, philofophy and literature will probably find themfelves not 
 wholly difconfolate, on refled;ing that the fame year in which they 
 were deprived of Hume, Gibbon arofe ; his fuperior in fome re- 
 fpeds. This Gentleman's Hiftory of the Decline of the Roman 
 Empire appears to me, in point of compolltion, incomparably tlie 
 fineft production in Englifh, without any exception. I hardly 
 thought the language capable of arriving at his corredtnefs, perfpi- 
 cuity, and ftrength. 
 
 * Mr. Hume died at Edinburgh, Auguft 25, 1776.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efcimrc. 509 
 
 N** LXXXI. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqtilre to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 1776. 
 T HOPE you bark and growl at my filence ; growl and bark. This 
 is not a time for correfpondence. Parliament, vifits, dinners, 
 flippers, and an hour or two flolen with difficulty for the Decline, 
 leave but very little leifure. I fend you the Gazette, and have fcarcely 
 any thing to add, except that about five hundred of them have de- 
 ferted to us, and that the New York incendiaries were immediately, 
 and very juftifiably, deftined to the cord. Lord G. G. with whom 
 I had a long converfation laft night, was in high fpirits, and hopes 
 to reconquer Germany in America. On the fide of Canada, he 
 only fears Carleton's Jlowncfs^ but entertains great exped:ations that 
 the light troops and Indians, under Sir William Johnfon, who are 
 fent from Ofwego down the Mohawk River to Albany, will oblige 
 the Provincials to give up the defence of the Lakes, for fear of being 
 cut off.. The report of a foreign war fubfides. Houfe of Com- 
 mons dull, and oppofition. talk of fufpending hoftilities from defpair. 
 
 An anonymous pamphlet and Dr. Watfon out againft nie-; (in 
 my opinion,) the former feeble, and very illiberal ; the latter un- 
 commonly genteel. At laft I have had a letter from Deyverdun ; 
 wretched excufes ; nothing done ; vexatious enough. To-morrow 
 I write to Suard, a very fkilful tranflator of Paris, who was here in 
 the fpring with the Neckers, to get him (if not too late) to under- 
 take it. Adieu.
 
 510 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" LXXXII. 
 
 Mr. ClBBO'^ io f/je Reverc/id Dr.W at S02^ {iwzv B'ljhop of Landaff). 
 
 Bentin CK-STREtT, November zd, 1776. 
 
 1% /[R. Gibbon takes the earlieft opportunity of prefenting his com- 
 pliments and thanks to Dr. Watfon, and of expreffing his fenfe 
 of the liberal treatment which he has received from fo candid an 
 adverfary. Mr. Gibbon entirely coincides in opinion with Dr. Wat- 
 fon, that as their different fentiments, on a very important period 
 of hiftory, are now fubmitted to the Public, they both may employ 
 their time in a manner much more ufeful, as well as agreeable, than 
 they could pofTibly do by exhibiting a fmgle combat in the amphi- 
 theatre of controverfy. Mr. Gibbon is therefore determined to refift 
 the temptation of juftifying, in a profeffed reply, any paflages of 
 his Hiftory, which might perhaps be eafily cleared from cenfure 
 and mifapprehenfion ; but he ftill referves to himfelf the privilege 
 of inferting in a future edition fome occafional remarks and expla- 
 nations of his meaning. If any calls of pleafure or bufmefs fhould 
 bring Dr. Watfon to town, Mr. Gibbon would think hirnfelf happy 
 an being permitted to folicit the honour of his acquaintance.
 
 EDWARD CIBEON Equire, jn 
 
 N° LXXXIII. 
 
 Dr. Watson to Mr. Gibbon- 
 Cambridge, November 4th, 1776^. 
 "rvR. Watfon accepts with pleafure Mr. Gibbon's polite invitation 
 to a perfonal acquaintance. If he comes to town this winter,, 
 will certainly do himfelf the honour to wait upon him. Begs, at the 
 fame time, to alTure Mr. Gibbon, that he will be very happy to have 
 an opportunity of fhewing him every civility, if curiofity, or other 
 motives, fhould bring him to Cambridge. Dr. Watfon can have 
 fome faint idea of Mr. Gibbon's difficulty in refilling the temptation 
 he fpeaks of, from having been of late in a fituation fomewhat 
 fimilar himfelf. It would be'very extraordinary, if Mr. Gibbon did 
 not feel a parent's partiality for an offspring which has juftly excited 
 the admiration of all who have feen it j and Dr. Watfon would be 
 the lafl; perfon in the world to wilh him to fupprefs any explanation 
 which might tend to exalt its merits.. 
 
 N" LXXXiV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efquirei 
 
 Almack's, November 7th, 1776. 
 
 T F.TTERS from Burgoyne. They embarked on the Lakes the thir- 
 tieth September, with eight hundred Britifh failors, fix thoufand 
 regulars, and a naval force fuperior to any poffible oppofition : but 
 the feafon was fo far advanced, that they expetfled only to occupy 
 and ilrengthen Ticonderoga, and afterwai'ds to return and take up 
 
 their
 
 512 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 their winter quarters in Canada. Yefterday we had a furprize in the 
 Houfe, from a proclamation of the Elowes, which made its firfl; ap- 
 pearance in the Morning Poft, and which nobody feems to under- 
 ftand. By this time, my Lady may fee that I have not much reafon 
 to fear my antagonifts. Adieu, till next Thurfday. 
 
 N° LXXXV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Friday Evening, November ^^i. 
 
 "VTEWS from the Lakes. A naval combat, in which the Provincials 
 were repulfed with confiderable lols. They burnt and aban- 
 doned Crown Point. Carleton is befieging Ticonderoga. Carleton, 
 I fay ; for he is there, and it is apprehended that Burgoyne is coming 
 home. We difmifled the Nabobs without a divifion. Burke and 
 the Attorney General fpoke very well. Adieu. 
 
 N° LXXXVL 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Bentinck-street, January i8th, 1777. 
 
 A s I prefume, my Lady does not make a practice of tumbling 
 down flairs every day after dinner, by this time the colours 
 muft have faded, and the high places (I mean the temples) are 
 reduced to a proper level. But what, in the name of the great 
 prince, is the meaning of her declining the Urban expedition ? Is it 
 the fpontaneous refult of her own proud fpirit ? or does it proceed 
 I from
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqmre. 513 
 
 from the fecret machinations of her domeftic tyrant ? At all events, 
 I expcd: you will both remember your engagement of next Saturday 
 in Bentinck-ftreet, with Donna Catherina, the Mountaineer*, &c. 
 Things go on very profperoufly in America. Howe is himfelf in 
 the Jerfeys, and will pufli at leaft as far as the Delawar River. The 
 continental (perhaps T^ozy the rebel) army is in a grea.t meafure dif- 
 perfed, and Waftiington, who wifhes to cover Philadelphia, has not 
 more than fix or feven thoufand men with him. Clinton defigns to 
 conquer Rhode Ifland in his way home. But, what / think of much 
 greater confequence, a province made its fubmiifion, and defired to 
 be reinftated in the peace of the King. It is indeed only poor little 
 Georgia ; and the application was made to Governor Tonyn of Flo- 
 rida, Some difguft at a violent ftep of the Congrefs, who removed 
 the Prefident of their Provincial Affembly, a leading and popular 
 man, co-operated with the fear of the Indians, who began to amufe 
 themfelves with the exercife of fcalping on their Back Settlements. 
 Town fills, and we are mighty agreeable. Lafl: year, on the Queen's 
 birth-day. Sir G. Warren had his diamond ftar cut off his coat j this 
 day the fame accident happened to him again, with another ftar 
 worth feven hundred pounds. He had better compound by the 
 year. Adieu*. 
 
 * The Honourable General Simon Frafer. 
 
 VOL. I. 3 u
 
 514 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" LXXXVII. 
 Edward Gibbon EJquire to J. Holroyd Efquire, 
 
 Al mack's, Wednefday Evening. 
 
 T N due obedience to thy dread commands I write. 
 
 But what fliall I fay ? My life, though more lively than yours, is 
 almoft as uniform. A very little reading and writing in the morn- 
 ing, bones or guts * from two to four, pleafant dinnei"s from five to 
 eight, and afterwards clubs, with an occafional aflembly, or fupper. 
 America affords nothing very fatisfadory ; though we have many 
 flying reports, you may be affured that we are ignorant of the con- 
 fequences of Trenton, &c. Charles Fox is now at my elbow, de- 
 claiming on the impoffibility of keeping America, fince a victorious 
 army has been unable to maintain any extent of pofts in the fmgle 
 province of Jerfey. Lord North is out of danger (we trembled for 
 his important exiftence). I now e~xpe<£t that my Lady and you- 
 fhould fix the time for the promifed vifitation to Bentinck-ftreen 
 March and April are open, chufe. Adieu. 
 
 N° LXXXVIII. 
 
 The Same to the Satnei 
 
 17 77". 
 
 xrou deferve, and w^e exult In your weather and difappointments. 
 Why would you bury yourlelf? I dined in Downing-ftreet 
 Thurfday laft ; and I think Wedd-erburne was at leaft as agreeable 
 a companion as your timber-furveyor could be. Lee is certainly 
 taken, but Lord North does not apprehend Le is coming home. 
 
 • Mr. Gibbon at this time attended Dr. Hunter's Anatomical Leiflures. 
 
 We
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 515 
 
 We are not clear whether he behaved with courage or pufilanimity 
 when he furrendered himfelf; hut Colonel Keenc told me to-day, 
 that he had feen a letter from Lee fince his confinement. " He im- 
 *' putes his being taken, to the alcrtnefs of Harcourt, and cowardice 
 " of his own guard ; hopes he fliall meet his fate with fortitude ; 
 " but laments that freedom is not likely to find a rcfting-placc in any 
 " part of the globe." It is faid, he was to fucceed Wafliington. We 
 know nothing certain of the Heflians j but there has been a blow. 
 Adieu. 
 
 N° LXXXIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Saturday Night, April izth, 1777. 
 
 XT'OUR difpatch is gone to * * *, and I flatter myfelf that by 
 your afliftance I fhall be enabled to lofe a thoufand a year upon 
 Lenborough before I return from Paris. The day of my departure 
 is not abfolutely fixed ; Sunday feven-night, the twenty-feventh in- 
 ftant, is talked of : But if any India bufinefs fhould come on after 
 the Civil Lift, it will occafion fome delay, otherwife things are in 
 great forwardnefs. Mrs. Gibbon is an enemy to the whole plan ; 
 and I muft anfwer, in a long letter, two very ingenious objeftions 
 which Ihe has ftarted. ift, That I fhall be confined, or put to 
 death by the priefts; and, 2dly, That I (hall fully my won// cha- 
 racter, by making love to Necker's wife. Before I go, I will confult 
 Newton, about a power of attorney for you. By the bye, I wifh you 
 would remember a fort of promifc, and give me one day before I go. 
 We talk chiefly of the Marquis de la Fayette, who was here a few 
 weeks ago. He is about twenty, with an hundred and thirty 
 thoufand livres a vear ; the nephew of Noaillcs, who is ambaflador 
 here, He has bought the Duke of Kingfton's yatch, and is gone 
 to join the Americans. ThQ ComxX. appear to be angry with him. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 3 u 2
 
 5i6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Atwood's, Saturday Night, April 19th, ijij^ 
 
 T T Is not poflible as yet to fix the day of my departure. That cir- 
 cumftance depends on the ftate of India, and will not be deter- 
 mined till the General Court of next Wednefday. I know from the 
 Jirji authority, if the violence of the Proprietors about the Pigot, can 
 be checked in the India-houfe by the influence of a Government ma- 
 jority, the Minifter does not wifh to exert the omnipotence of Parha- 
 ment ; and I fhall be difmifled from hence time enough to fet forwards 
 on Thurfday the firft of May. On the contrary, fhould we be in- 
 volved in thofe perplexing affairs, they may eafily detain me till 
 the middle of next month. But as all this is very uncertain, I 
 direct you and my Lady to appear in town to-morrow feven-night. 
 I have many things to fay. We have been animated this week, and^ 
 notwithftanding the ftrift ceconomy recommended by Charles Fox 
 and John Wilkes, we have paid the Royal debts. Adievu. 
 
 N'' XCI. 
 
 The Same to the Same^ 
 
 Monday Night, April 2 j ft, 1 777. 
 
 T)AD news from Hampfhire. Support Hugonin, comfort 
 
 me ; corredl or expel * * * * ; fell Lenborough, and remove 
 my temporal cares. Whea do you arrive ?
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 517 
 
 N° XCII. 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Wednefday Night, April 23d, 1777. 
 
 Tt is uncertain whether India comes to Weftminfler this year, and 
 it is certain that Gibbon goes to Paris next Saturday feven-night. 
 Therefore Holroyd muft appear in town the beginning of next 
 week. Gibbon wants the cordial of his prefence before the journey,- 
 My Lady muji come.. 
 
 N'' XCIII. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Dover, Tuefday Evening, May 6th, 1777. 
 
 "n/jTY expedition does not begin very aufpicioufly. The wind, 
 which for fome days had been fair, paid me the compHment 
 of changing on my arrival ; and, though I immediately fecured a 
 veflel, it has been impoflible to make the leaft ufe of it during the 
 whole of this tedious day. It feems doubtful, whether I fhall get out 
 to-morrow morning ; and the Captain afllires me, that the pafla^-e 
 will have the. double advantage of being both cold and rough. Laft 
 night a fmall privateer, fitted out at Dunkirk, with a commiffion 
 from Dr. Franklin, attacked, took, and has carried into Dunkirk Road 
 the Harwich Packet. The King's meflenger had juft time to throw 
 his difpatches over-board. He paffed through this town about four 
 o'clock this afternoon, in his return to London. As the alarm is now 
 given, our American friend will probably remain quiet, or will be 
 ^ fooa
 
 51 8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 foot! caught ; fo that I have not 7nuch apprehenfion for my perfonal 
 fafety ; but if fo daring an outrage is not followed by punifhment 
 and reftitution, it may become a very ferious bufinefs, and may pof- 
 fibly fhorten my ftay at Paris. 
 
 Adieu. I ihall write by the firft opportunity, either from Calais 
 or Philadelphia. 
 
 N** XCIV. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Holroyd. 
 
 Calais, Wcdnefday, May 7th, 1777. 
 
 T)Osr nubila Fhcebus. A pleafant paflage, an excellent houfe, a 
 good dinner, with Lord * * * *, whom I found here. Eafy 
 Cuftom-houfe officers, fine weather, &c. I am detained to-night by 
 the temptation of a French comedy, in a theatre at the end of Def- 
 fein's garden ; but fhall be in motion to-morrow early, and hope to 
 dine at Paris Saturday. Adieu. I think I am a pundual correfpond- 
 ent ; but this beginning is too good to laft. 
 
 N* XCV. 
 
 Dr. William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, College of Edinburgh, June 5th, 1777. 
 
 T HAVE defired Mr. Strahan to take the liberty of fending you, in 
 
 my name, a copy of the Hiftory of America, which I hope you 
 
 will do me the honour of accepting, as a teftimony, not only of my 
 
 refpedt, but of my gratitude, for the inftrudion which I have re- 
 
 1 ceived
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 519 
 
 ceived from your writings, as well as the credit you have done me^ 
 by the moft obliging manner in which you have mentioned my 
 name. I whh the prefent work may not diminifli fentiments fo 
 flattering to me. I have taken much pains to obtain the approbation 
 of thofe whofe good opinion one ought to be folicitous to fecure, 
 and I truft that my induftry at leaft will be applauded. 
 
 An unlucky indifpofition prevented me from executing a fcheme 
 which I had formed, of pafling two months of laft fpring in London. 
 The honour of being made known to you, was one of the pleafures 
 with which I had flattered myfelf. But I hope to be more fortunate 
 next year ; and beg that you will believe that I am, with great re- 
 fpedt. Sir, your moft obedient, and moft humble fervant. 
 
 N" XCVL 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Dr. Robertsok^ 
 
 S I R, Paris, 1777^. 
 
 "IT 7 HEN r ventured to aflume the charader of Hiftorian, the firft, 
 the moft natural, but at the fame time the moft ambitious, 
 wifli which I entertained, was to obtain the approbation of Dr. Ro- 
 bertfon and of Mr. Hume ; two names which frlendfliip united, and 
 which pofterity will never feparate. I fliall not therefore attempt to- 
 diflemble, though I cannot eafily exprefs, the pleafure which I re- 
 ceived from your obliging letter, as well as from the intelligence of 
 your moft valuable prefent. The fatisfadlion which I Ihould other- 
 wife have enjoyed, in common with the public, will now be height- 
 ened by a fentiment of a more perfonal and flattering nature ; and 
 I ftiall frequently whifper to myfelf, that I have in fome. meafure. 
 deferved the eftcem of the writer whom I admire.. 
 
 A fhortr.
 
 520 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 A fliort excurfion which I have made to this place, during the 
 fummer months, has occafioned fome delay in my receiving your 
 letter, and will prevent my poffeffing, till my return, the copy of 
 your Hiflory, which you fo politely defired Mr. Strahan to fend me. 
 But I have already gratified the eagernefs of my impatience ; and 
 although I was obliged to return the book much fooner than I could 
 have wifhed, I have feen enough to convince me, that the prefent 
 publication will fupport, and, if poffible, will extend the fame of 
 the Author ; that the materials are colledted with diligence, and ar- 
 ranged with fkill ; th^t the firft book contains a learned and fatisfac- 
 tory account of the progrefs of difcovery ; that the achievements, 
 the dangers, and the crimes, of the Spanifh adventurers are related 
 Avith a temperate fpirit ; and that the moft original, perhaps the 
 moft curious, portion of the hiflory of human manners is at length 
 refcued from the hands of fophifts and declaimers. Lord Stormont, 
 and the few in this Capital, who have had an opportunity of per- 
 ufing the Hiftory of America, unanimoufly concur in the fame 
 fentiments. Your work is already become a favourite topic of public 
 converfation ; and Mr. Suard is repeatedly prefled, in my hearing, 
 to fix the time when his tranflation will appear. 
 
 I flatter myfelf you will not abandon your defign of vifiting Lon- 
 don next winter; as 1 already anticipate, in my own mind, the ad- 
 vantages which I fhall derive from fo pleafing and fo honourable a 
 connedion. In the mean while, I fhould efteem myfelf happy, if 
 you could think of any literary commiffion, { in the execution of 
 which I might be ufeful to you at Paris, where I propofe to flay till 
 very near the meeting of Parliament. Let me, for inflance, fuggeft 
 an enquiry, which cannot be indifferent to you, and which might 
 perhaps be within my reach. A few days ago I dined with Bagni- 
 oufky, the famous adventurer, who efcaped from his exile at Kam- 
 fchatfka, and returned into Europe by Japan and China. His nar- 
 rative
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 521 
 
 ratlve was amufmg', though I know not how far his veracity, in point 
 of circumftances, may fafely be trufted. It wa-s his original clefigii 
 to penetrate through the North Eafl PafTage ; and he adually fol- 
 lowed the coaft of Afia as high as the latitude of 67° ;^s'i ^^^^ ^^^^ 
 progrefs was flopped by the ice, in a Straight between the two 
 Continents, which was only feven leagues broad. Thence he de- 
 fcended along the coaft of America, as low as Cape Mendocin ; but 
 was repulfed by contrary winds, in his attempts to reach the port of 
 Acapulco. The Journal of his Voyage, with his original Charts, is 
 now at Verfailles, in the Depot des Affaires Etrangers ; and if you 
 conceived that it would be of any ufe to you for a fecond edition, I 
 would try what might be obtained ; tliough I am not ignorant of 
 that mean jealoufy which you yourfelf have experienced, and £0 
 idefervedly ftigmatifed. I am, &c. 
 
 N° XCVIU 
 
 Xh: Robertson to Mr. GiBBOif- 
 
 SIR, 
 
 » MAD the honour of your obliging Letter, and I fhould be a very 
 proud man indeed, if I were not vain of the approbation which 
 you are pleafed to beftow upon me. As you will now have had an 
 .opportunity to perufe the book, which you had only feen when you 
 wrote to me, I indulge myfelf in the hopes, that the favourable opi- 
 nion you had formed of it, is not diminifhed. I am much pleafed 
 with your mentioning my friendfhip with Mr. Hume ; I have al- 
 ways confidered that as one of the moft fortunate and honourable 
 xircumftances of my life. It is a felicity of the age and country in 
 which we live, that men of letters can enter the fame walk of fcience, 
 and go on fuccefsfully, without feeling one fentinient of envy or 
 ■VOL. I- 3 X rival.fhip.
 
 522 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 vivalflilp. In the intercourfe between Mr. Hume and me, we always 
 found fomething to blame^ as well as fomething to commoid. I have 
 received frequently very valuable criticifms on my performances 
 from him ; and I have fometimes ventured to offer him my ftridtures 
 on his works. Permit me to hope for the fame indulgence from 
 you. If, in reading the Hiftory of America, any thing, either in 
 the matter or ftyle, has occurred to you as reprehenfible, I wall deem 
 it a moft obliging favour if you will communicate it freely to me, 
 I am certain of profiting by fuch a communication. 
 
 I return you thanks for your frank offer of executing any literary 
 commiffion for me. I accept of it without ceremony, and am flat- 
 tered with the idea of receiving fuch aid from your hands. I know 
 nothing of Bagnioufki's Adventures, but what was publifhed in fome 
 Newfpaper. If one can rely on his veracity, what he relates mufl 
 be very interefling to me. If you had been writing the Hiftory of 
 America, the queftion concerning the mode of peopling it, might 
 not perhaps have occupied your attention very much. But it was 
 proper for me to confider it more fully. Bagniouflci (if he may be 
 credited) has feen what it may be ufeful for me to know. I can fee 
 no reafon why the Court of France fhould be fhy about communi- 
 cating his Journal, and the Charts which illuflrate it ; poffibly my 
 name may operate fomewhat towards obtaining a copy of both; 
 your interpofition, I am confident, will do a great deal. It will be 
 very illiberal indeed, if fuch a communication were refufed. My Lord 
 Stormont (by whofe attention I have been much honoured) would 
 not decline to give his aid, were that neceffary. But if your Court 
 refembles that of Spain, I am afraid every propofal from an am- 
 baffador is received with fome degree of jealoufy. Your own private 
 application will, I apprehend, be more effectual. As it is pro- 
 bable that a fecond edition may go to prefs early in the winter, it 
 will add to the favour, if you can foon inform me concerning the 
 fuccefs of your negociation. As this is fomething in the ftyle of 
 
 the
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erquire. 523 
 
 the Corps. Diplomatique^ allow mc to i-'Ccommend one of Its members 
 to you. Mr. Fullarton, the new fecretary of the cmbafly, is a par- 
 ticular friend of mine. He is a young man of fuch qualities both of 
 head and heart, that I am fure you will efteem and love him. Pleafe 
 remember me to him. I have the honour to be, with great refped, 
 Your obliged humble fervant, 
 
 W^ILHAM ROC-ERTSON. 
 
 N°xcvin. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Paris, June i6, 1777. 
 
 ■r TOLD you what would infallibly happen, and you know enough, 
 ■^ of the nature of the beaft not to be furprifed at it. I have now 
 been at Paris exadtly five weeks ; during which time I have not 
 written to any perfon whatfoever within die Britifli dominions, ex- 
 cept two lines of notification to Mrs. Gibbon. The dsemon of pro- 
 crallination has at length yielded to the genius of friendlhip, aflifted 
 indeed by the powers of fear and fliame. But when I have feated 
 myfelf before a table, and begin to revolve all that I have i&Qn 
 and tafted during this bufy period, I feel myfelf oppreffed and 
 confounded ; and I am very near throwing away the pen, and re- 
 figning myfelf to indolent defpair. A complete hiftory would re- 
 quire a volume, at leaft, as corpulent as the Decline and Fall ; and if 
 I attempt to felecfl and abridge, befides the difficulty of the choice, 
 there occur fo many things which cannot properly be entiufted to 
 paper, and fo many others of too flight a texture to fupport the 
 journey, that I am almoft tempted to referve for our future conver- 
 fations the detail of my pleafures and occupations. But as I am fen- 
 fible that you are rigid and impatient, I will try to convey, in a feu' 
 words, a general idea of my fituation as a man of the world, and as 
 
 Z'^ '^ a man
 
 524 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 a man of letters. You remember that the Neckers were my prhici- 
 pal dependance ; and the reception which I have met with frOm them 
 very far furpaffed my moft fanguine expeclations. I do not indeed 
 lodge in their houfe, (as it might incite the jealoufy of the hull)and, 
 and procure me a lettre de cachet,) but I live very much with them, 
 and dine and fup whenever they have company, which is almoft 
 every day, and whenever I like it, for they are not in the leafl exi~ 
 geafis. Mr. Walpole gave me an introduction to Madame du Def- 
 fand, an agreeable young lady o5 ejighty-two years of age, who has 
 conftant fuppers, and the beft company in Paris. When you fee the 
 Duke of Richmond, he w^li give you an account of, that hpufe, where 
 I meet him almoft every evening. Aflc him about Madame de Cam- 
 bis. I have met the Duke of Choifeul at his particular requeft, 
 dined by accident with Franklin;,' coiaverfed with the Emperor, been 
 prefented at court, and gradually, or rather .rapidly, I find my 
 acquaintance fpreading oVer the moft valuabk parts of Paris, They 
 pretend to like me, <ind whatever you may think of French profef- 
 fions, I am convinced that fome at leaft are fincere. On the other 
 hand, 1 feel myfelf eafy and happy in their company, and only regret 
 that I did not come over two or three months fooner. Though Paris 
 throughout the fummer promifes me a very agreeable fociety, yet I 
 am hurt every day by the depiarture of men and women whom I begin 
 to know with fome familiarity, the departure of officers for their go- 
 vernments and garrifons, of bifliops for their diocefes, and eyen of 
 country gentlemen for their eftates, as a rural taile gains ground in 
 this country. So much for the general idea of my acquaintance j 
 details would be endlefs, yet imfatisiadory. You may add, to the 
 pleafures of fociety thofe of the fpectacles and promenades, and you: 
 will find that 1 lead a very agreeable life; let me juft condefcend to 
 obferve, 'that it is not extravagant. After decking myfelf out with 
 filks and filver, the ordinary eftabhfhment of cOach, lodging, fervants, 
 eating, and pocket expences, does not exceed fixty pounds per 
 
 month.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. s^S 
 
 month. Yet I have two footmen in handfome liveries behind my 
 coach, and my apartment is hung with damafk. Adieu for the pre- 
 fent : I have more to fay, but were I to attempt any farther progrefs, 
 you muft wait another poft; and you have already waited long 
 enough, of all confcience. 
 
 Let me juft in two words give you an idea of my day. I am now 
 going (nine o'clock) to the King's library, where I fliall (lay till twelve ; 
 as foon as I am drefled, I fet out to dine with the Duke de Nivernois > 
 fhall go from thence to the French comedy, into the Princefs de 
 Beauveau's loge grille'e, and cannot quite determine whether I fhall 
 fup at Madame du Deffand's, Madame Necker's, or the Sardinian 
 Ambaffadrefs's. Once more adieu. 
 
 I embrace my Lady and Batribuii. I fhall with cheerfulnefs excr- 
 cute any of her comm.ijQions.. 
 
 N*» XCIX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Ef^iuire, 
 
 Paris, Augiifl 13, 1777.; 
 
 TT 7ELL, and who is the culprit now ? — Thus far had I written in 
 
 the pride of my heart, and fully determined to inflid an epiftle 
 
 upon you, even before I received any aafwer to my former; I was 
 
 very near a bull. But this forward half line lay ten days barren and 
 
 ' inadive, till its generative powers were excited by the mifllve which 
 
 1 received yefterday. What a wretched piece of work do we feem to 
 
 be making of it in America ? The greateft force which any European 
 
 power ever ventured to tranfport into that continent, is not ftrong 
 
 enough even to attack the enemy; the naval ftrength of Great Britain 
 
 is not fufficient to prevent the Americans (they have almofl loft the 
 
 appellation of Rebels) from receiving every affiftance that they 
 
 ^ wanted ;:
 
 526 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 ■wanted ; and In the mean time you are obliged to call out the mllitia 
 to defend your own coafts againft their privateers. You pofTibly may 
 expe£t from me fome account of the defigns and policy of the French 
 court, but I choofe to decline that tafk for two reafons : i ft, Becaufe 
 you may find them laid open in every newfpaper ; and 2dly, Becaufe 
 I live too much with their courtiers and minlrters to know any thing 
 about them. I fliall only fay, that I am not under any immediate 
 apprehenfions of a war with France. It is much more pleafant as 
 tvell as profitable to view in fafety the raging of the tempeft, occa- 
 fionally to pick up fome pieces of the wreck, and to improve their 
 trade, their agriculture, and their finances, while the two countries 
 are lento colUfa dndlo. Far from taking any ftep to put a fpeedy end 
 to this aftonifhing dlfpute, I fliould not be furprifed if next fummer 
 they were to lend their cordial affiftance to England, as to the weaker 
 party. As to my perfonal engagement with the D. of R. I recolledl 
 a few flight fklrmllhes, but nothing that deferves the name of a ge- 
 neral engagement. The extravagance of fome difputants, both 
 French and Englifh, who have efpoufed the caufe of America, fome— 
 times infplres mc with an extraordinary vigour. Upon the whole, I 
 find It much eafier to defend the juftice than the policy of our mea- 
 fures ; but there are certain cafes, where whatever is repugnant to 
 found policy ceafes to be juft. 
 
 The more I fee of Paris, the more I like it. The regular courfe 
 of the foclety in which I live is eafy, polite, and entertaining ; 
 and almoft every day is marked by the acquifitlon of fome new 
 acquaintance, who is worth cultivating, or who, at leaft, is worth re- 
 membering. To the great admiration of the French, I regularly 
 dine and regularly fup, drink a difh of ftrong coffee after each meal, 
 and find my ftomach a citizen of the world. The fpedacles, (parti- 
 cularly the Italian, and above all, the French Comedies,) which are 
 open the whole fummer, afford me an agreeable relaxation from com- 
 pany ; and to fhew you that I frequent them from tafte, and not from 
 2 idlenefs,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 527 
 
 Idlenefs, I have not yet feen the Colifee, the Vauxhall, the Boul- 
 vards, or any of thofe places of entertainment which conflitute Paris 
 to mofl of our countrymen. Occafional trips to dine or fup in fome 
 of the thoufand country-houfes which are fcattered round the envi- 
 rons of Paris, ferve to vary the fcene. In the mean while the fum- 
 raer infenfibly glides away, and the fatal month of Odober approaches, 
 when I muft change the houfe of Madame Necker for the Houfe of 
 Commons. I regret that I could not choofe the winter, inftead of the 
 fummer, for this excurfion : I fhould have found many valuable per- 
 fons, and fhould have preferved others whom I have loft as I began 
 to know them. The Duke de Choifeul, who deferves attention both 
 for himfelf, and for keeping the beft houfe in Paris, pafTes feven. 
 months of the year in Touraine ; and though I have been tempted, I 
 confider with horror a journey of fixty leagues into the country. 
 The Princefs of Beauveau, who is a moft fuperior woman, has been 
 abfent above fix weeks, and does not return till the 24th of this 
 month. A large body of recruits will be affembled by the Fontain- 
 .bleau journey; but in order to have a thorough knowledge of this 
 fplendid country, I ought to ftay till the month of January ; and if 
 I could be fure that Oppofitlon would be as tranquil as they were laft 
 year — I think your life has been as animated, or, at leaft, as tumul- 
 tuous, and I envy you Lady Payne, &c. much more than either the 
 Primate, or the Chief-juftice. Let not the generous breaft of my Lady 
 te torn by the black ferpents of envy. She ftill poflefTes the firft place 
 in the fentiments of her Have : but the adventure of the fan was a 
 mere accident, owing to Lord Carmarthen. Adieu. I think you 
 iriay be fatisfied. I fay nothing of my terreftrial affairs,.
 
 J2S LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. Holroyd Efquire. 
 
 Bentinck-Street, Saturday, November, 1777. 
 
 TTAD you four horns as well as four eyes and four hands, I fhould 
 flill maintain that you are the moft unreafonable monfter in the 
 creation. My pain is Uvely, my weaknefs exceffive, the fcafon cold, 
 and only twelve days remain to the meeting. Far from thinking of 
 trips into the country, I fhall be well fatisiied if I am on my legs the 
 20th, in the medical fenfe of the word. At prefent I am a corpfe, 
 carried about by four arms which do not belong to me. Yet I try to 
 fniile ; I falute the hen and chickens. Adieu. Writing is really 
 painful. 
 
 N^CI. 
 
 The Same to the Sume. 
 
 Friday, November 14th, 1777. 
 
 T DO not like this diforder on your eyes : and when I confider your 
 temperance and adlivity, I cannot underftand why any fpring of 
 the machine fhould ever be deranged. With regard to myfelf, the 
 gout has behaved in a very honourable manner; after a complete con- 
 queft, and after making me feel his power for fome days, the gene- 
 rous enemy has difdained to abufe his victory, or to torment any 
 longer an unrefifting victim. He has already ceafed to torture the 
 lower extremities of your humble fervant; the fwelling is fo amazingly 
 diminifhed, that they are no longer above twice their ordinary fize. 
 Yefterday I moved about the room with the laborious majefty of 
 
 crutches ;
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 529 
 
 crutches ; to-day I hav6 exchanged them for a flick ; and by the 
 beguinlng of next week, I hope, with due precaution, to take the air, 
 and to inure myfclf for the interefling reprcfcntation of Thurfday. 
 How curfedly unlucky ; I wanted to fee you both : a thouland things 
 to fay and to hear, and every thing of that kind broken to pieces. If 
 you are not able to come to Bentinck-ftreet, I mud contrive to fteal 
 three or four vacant days during the fefllon, and run down to Shef- 
 field. The town fills, and I begin to have numerous levees, and 
 couchees ; more properly the latter. We are flill in expedtation, but 
 in the mean while we believe (I mean minifters), that the news of 
 Howe's vid:ory and the taking of Philadelphia are true. Adieu, 
 
 N^ CIL 
 
 ^be Same to the Samc^ 
 
 December zd, 1777; 
 
 T) Y the inclofed you will fee that America is not yet conquered. 
 Oppofition are very lively ; and, though in the Houfe we keep 
 our numbers, there feems to be an univerfal defire of peace, even on 
 •the moft humble conditions. Are you flill fierce ? 
 
 N" cm. 
 
 "T^he Same to the Same. 
 
 I 
 
 Monday Night, December, 1777. 
 
 coNGR,ATULATE your noblc firmnefs, as I fuppofe It mufl arlfe 
 
 from the knowledge of fome hidden refources, which will enable 
 
 us to open the next campaign with new armies of fifty or fixty thou- 
 
 fand men. But I believe you will find yourfelf obliged to carry on 
 
 VOL. I. 3 Y this
 
 530 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 this glorious war almofl alone. It would be idle to difpute any mors- 
 about politics, as we (hall fo foon have an opportunity of a perfonaj 
 combat. Your journey gives me fome hopes that you have not en- 
 tirely loft your reafon. Your bed fhall be ready.. 
 
 N° CIV. 
 Edwari) Gibbon Efqulrc /<? J. B. Holroyd Efqnire.. 
 
 Houss OF Commons, Thurfday,- Dec. 4^ 1777". 
 
 DREADFUL news indeed ! You will fee them partly in the papers, 
 and we have not yet any particulars. An Englilh army of nearly 
 ten thoufand men laid down their arms, and furrendered prifoners of 
 war, on conditioa of being fent to England, and of never ferving 
 againft America. They had fought bravely, and were three days 
 without eating. Bourgoyne is faid to have received three wounds.. 
 General Frafer, with two thoufand men, killed. Colonel- Aekland 
 like wife killed. A general cry for peace. Adieu. "We have con- 
 ftant late days. 
 
 N^ CV.. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 February 28, 1778. 
 
 * * * * * * * * * As to politics, we fhould eafily fill 
 pages, and therefore had better be filent. You are miftaken in fup* 
 pofmg that the bills are oppofed'j fome particular objedions have 
 been ftated, and in the only divifion I voted with governments
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquir<j. 531 
 
 N' CVI. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Tebruafy 23d, 1778. 
 
 'OU do not readily believe in prseternatural mifcarriagcs of letters ; 
 nor I neither. Liften, however, to a plain and honeft narra- 
 tive. This morning after breakfaft, as I wras ruminating on your 
 filence, Thomas, my new footman, with confufion in his looks and 
 ftammering on his tongue, produced a letter reafonably foiled, which 
 he was to have brought me the day of his arrival, and which had 
 lain forgotten from that time in his pocket. To fhorten as much 
 as poflible the continuance, I immediately enquired, whether any 
 method of conveyance could be devifed more expeditious than the 
 poft, and was fortunately informed of your coachman's intentions. 
 You probably know the heads of the plan j an Adl of Parliament to 
 declare, that we never had any intention of taxing America : another 
 Ad:, to empower the Crown to name Commiffioners, authorifed to 
 fiafpend hoftilities by fea and land, as well as all obnoxious Ads ; 
 and, in fhort, to grant every thing, except independence. Oppo- 
 fition, after expr-effing their doubts whether the lance of Achilles 
 could cure the wound which it had inflidled, could not refufe their 
 affent to the principles of condud which they themfelves had always 
 recommended. Yet you muft acknowledge, that in a bufmefs of 
 this magnitude there may arife feveral important qucftions, which, 
 without a fpirlt of fadion, will deferve to be debated : whether Par- 
 liament ought not to name the CommiiTioners ? whether it would 
 not be better to repeal the obnoxious Adls ourfelves ? I do not find 
 that the world j that is, a few people whom I happen to converfe 
 with ; are much inclined t-o praife Lord N.'s dudility of temper. 
 In the fervice of next Friday you will, however, take notice of the 
 injundion given by the Liturgy : " And all the People (hall fay 
 
 3^2 « after
 
 532 LETTERS TO AND F^IOM 
 
 " after the Mhnjler^ Turn us again, O Lord, and fo (hall we be- 
 ** turned." While we confider whether we fhall negociate, 1 fear 
 the French have been more diligent. It is pofitively afferted, both 
 in private and in Parliament, and not contradided by the Minifters^ 
 that on the fiftli of this month a Treaty of Commerce (which na- 
 turally leads to a war) was figned at Paris with the independent 
 States of America. Yet there ftill remains a hope that England may 
 obtain the preference. The two grcateft countries in Europe are 
 fairly running a race for the favour of America. Adieu. 
 
 N** CVII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to J. B. Holroyd EJquire. 
 
 Almack's, Saturday N5glit, March zi ft, 1778. 
 
 A S bufmefs thickens, and you may expert me to write fometimes, 
 I fhall lay down one rule ; totally to avoid political argument,, 
 conjecture, lamentation, declamation, &c. which would fill pages, 
 not to fay volumes ; and to confine myfelf to fhort, authentic pieces 
 of intelligence, for which I may be able to afford moments and lines. 
 Hear then — The French AmbafTador went off yeflerday morning, 
 not without fome flight expreffions of ill-humour from John Bull. 
 Lord Stormont is probably arrived to-day^ No immediate declaration, 
 except on our fide. A report (but vague) of an action in the Bay, 
 between La Motte Piquet and Digby ; the former has five fhips 
 and three frigates, with three large fiore-fliips under convoy ; the 
 latter has eleven fhips of the line. If the Frenchman fhould fail ta 
 the mouth of the Delawar, he may poflibly be followed and fhut 
 up. When Franklin was received at Verfailles, Deane went in the 
 fame character to Vienna, and Arthur Lee to Madrid. Notwith~ 
 ftanding the reports of an aftion in Silefia, they fubfide ; and I have 
 feen a letter from Eliot at Berlin of the tenth inflant, without any 
 
 I mentioa
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 533 
 
 mention of adual hoftilities, and even fpeaking of the Impending 
 war as not abfolutely inevitable. Laft Tucfday the firft payment 
 of the loan of fix hundred thoufand pounds was certainly made ; 
 and as it would otherwife be forfeited, it is a fecurity for the re- 
 mainder. I have not yet got the intelligence you want about former 
 prices of llock in critical times. There are furely fuch. Dixi, 
 Vale. Send me fome good news from Bucks ; in fplte of the war, I 
 muft fell. We want you in town, Simon Frafer is impatient ; but 
 if you come without my Lady, every door will be flxut. 
 
 N° CVIII. 
 
 ^be Same to the Same., 
 
 Al mack's, Friday, June I2th, 177S. 
 
 * * * *'s Letter gave me that fort of fatisfadllon which one 
 may receive from a good phyfician, who, after a careful examina- 
 tion, pronounces your cafe incurable. But no more of that. I 
 take up the pen, as I fuppofe by this time you begin to fwear at my 
 filence. Yet literally (a bull) I have not a word to fay. Since 
 D'Eftalng's fleet has paffed through the Gut (I leave you to guefs 
 where it muft have got out) it has been totally forgotten, and the 
 moft wonderful lethargy and oblivion, of war and peace, of Europe 
 and of America, feems to prevail. Lord Chatham's funeral was meanly 
 attended, and Government ingenioufly contrived to fecure the double 
 odium of fuffering the thing to be done, and of doing It with an 111 
 grace. Their chief converfation at Almack's is about tents, drill- 
 ferjeants, fubdivifions, firings, &c. and I am revered as a veteran. 
 Adieu. When do you return ? If It fuits your evolutions, aunt 
 Kitty and myfelf meditate a Suffex journey next week, I embrace 
 my Lady.
 
 S^^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" CIX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. B, Holroyd Efquln. 
 
 Wednefday Evening, July iff, 1778. 
 
 "VToUR plan of operations is clear and diftindl ; yet, notwlthftand- 
 ing your zeal, and the ideas of ducal difcipline, I think you 
 will be more and longer at Sheffield-Place than you imagine. How- 
 ever, I am difpofed to advance my journey as much as poffible. I 
 want to fee you ; my martial ardour makes me look to Coxheath, 
 neceffity obliges me to think of Beriton, and I feel fomething of a 
 very new inclination to tafte the fweets of the country. Aunt Kitty 
 fhares the fame fentiments ; but various obftacles will not allow us 
 to be with you before Saturday, or perhaps Sunday evening ; I fay 
 evenings as we mean to take the cool part of the day, and fliall pro- 
 bably arrive after fupper. Keppel's return has occafioned infinite 
 and inexpreffible confternation, which gradually changes into dif- 
 content againft him. He is ordered out again with three or four large 
 fhips J two of ninety, two of feventy-four, and the fiftieth regiment, 
 as marines. In the mean time the French, with a fuperior fleet, 
 are matters of the fea ; and our outward-bound Eaft and Weft 
 India trade is in the moll imminent danger. Adieu. 
 
 't>^ 
 
 N" ex. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Bentinck-street, July 7th, 1778. 
 
 T7XPECT me ■ when you fee me; and do not regulate your 
 
 a£tive motions by my uncertainty. Saturday is impofTible. 
 
 The moft probable days are, Tuefday or Friday. I live not un- 
 
 pleafantly, in a round of minifterial dinners j but I am rather 
 
 impatient
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqutre. 535 
 
 impatient to fee my white houfe at Brighton. I cannot find that 
 Sheffield has the fame attradions for you *. Lord North, as a mark 
 of his gratitude, obferved the other day, that your regiment would 
 make a very good figure in North Carolina. Adieu. I wrote two 
 lines to Mitchel, left he ihould think me dead. 
 
 N' CXI. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Saturday Night, September 25th, 1778'^ 
 
 1^0 news from the fleets ; we are fo tired of waiting, that our im» 
 patience feems gradually to fubfide into a carelefs and fupine 
 indifference. We fometimes yawn, and afk, juft by way of converfa- 
 tion, Whether Spain will join ? I believe you may depend on the 
 truth, not the fincerity, of an anfwer from their Court, that they 
 will not fupport or acknowledge the independence of the Americans. 
 But, on the other hand, magazines are forming, troops marching, 
 in a ftile which manifeftly threatens Gibraltar. Gib is, however, a 
 hard morfel ; five thoufand effeaives, and every article of defence 
 in the moft complete ftate. We are certainly courting Ruffia. So' 
 much for the Republic. Adieu. 
 
 N" cxir. 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 Tuefday Night, November, 1778. 
 
 TTDU fometimes complain that I do not fend you early news ; but 
 
 you will now be fatisfied with receiving a full and true account 
 
 ©f all the parliamentary tranfadions of jiext Thurfday. In town 
 
 * Mr, Holroyd was then in quarters at Brighthelmftonft 
 
 we
 
 S^6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 we think It an excellent piece of humour * (the author Is Tlckell). 
 Burke and C. Fox are pleafed with their own fpeeches, but ferious 
 patriots groan that fuch things fliould be turned to farce. We feera 
 to have a chance of an additional Dutch war : you may depend 
 upon its being a very important bufinefs, from which we cannot 
 extricate ourfelves without either lofs or fliame. Vak. 
 
 N'' CXIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to J. B. Holroyd Efqulre. 
 
 Al mack's, Wednefday Evenisg, 1778. 
 
 I DELAYED writing, not fo much through Indolence, as becaufe I 
 expeded every poft to hear from you. The ftate of Beriton is 
 uncertain, incomprehenfible, tremendous. It would be endlefs to 
 fend you the folios of Hugonin, but I have Inclofed you one of his 
 moft pi£turefque epiftles, on which you may meditate. Few offers ; 
 one, promirmg enough, came from a gentleman at CamberwelL I 
 dete£led him, with mafterly fkill and diligence, to be only an attorney's 
 Clerk without money, credit, or experience. I have written as yet 
 in vain to Sir John Shelley, about Hearfay ; perhaps you might get 
 intelligence. I much fear that the Beriton expedition is neceffary ; 
 but It has occurred to me, that If I 7net, inftead of accompanying you, 
 it would fave me a journey of above one hundred miles. That re- 
 fledlon led to another of a very impudent nature ; viz-, that if I 
 did not accompany you, I certainly could be of no ufe to you or 
 myfelf on the fpot ; that I had much rather, while you examined 
 the premifes, pafs the time In a horfe-pond ; and that I had ftill rather 
 pafs It In my library with the Decline and Fall. But that would be 
 an effort of friendfhip worthy of Thefeus or Perlthous : modern 
 
 * The Title of tlie Pamphlet— .(f«//V;>a//e«. 
 
 times
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 537 
 
 times would hardly credit, much lefs imitate, fuch exalted virtue. 
 No news from America ; yet there are people, large ones too, who 
 talk of conquering it next fummer with the help of twenty thoufand 
 Ruffians. I fancy you are better fatisfied with private than public 
 war. The Lifbon packet in coming home met above forty of our 
 privateers. Adieu. I hardly know whether I direft right to you, 
 but I think Sheffield-Place the fureft. 
 
 N' CXIV. 
 
 Dr. Watson [tiow Bijhop of LlandafF) to Mr, Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, January 14th, 1779. 
 
 TT will give me the greatefl: pleafure to have an opportunity of be- 
 coming better acquainted with Mr. Gibbon. I beg he would ac- 
 cept my fmcere thanks for the too favourable manner in which he 
 has fpoken of a performance, which derives its chief merit from the 
 elegance and importance of the work it attempts to oppofe. I have 
 no hope of a futuire exiflence, except that which is grounded on the 
 truth of Chriftianity. I wifh not to be deprived of this hope ; but I 
 Ihould be an apoftate from the mild principle of the religion I pro- 
 fefs, if I could be actuated v^'ixh the leaft animofity againft thofe who 
 do not think with me upon this, of all others, the mod important 
 fubjedt. I beg your pardon for this declaration of my belief; but 
 my temper is naturally open, and it ought afluredly to be without 
 difguife to a man whom I wifh no longer to look upon as an 
 antagonift, but as a friend. I have the honour to be, with every 
 -fentiment of refped, your obliged fervant, 
 
 R" Watson; 
 
 VOL. I. 3 z
 
 5^8 LETTERS TO AND TROM 
 
 N" CXV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqjiire to J. B. Holroyd EJquire* 
 
 February 6th, 1779. 
 
 'OU are quiet and peaceable, and do not bark, as ufual, at my 
 filence. To reward you, I would fend you fome news ; but we 
 are afleep ; no foreign intelligence, except the capture of a frigate j 
 no certain account from the Weft Indies, and a diflblution of Parlia- 
 ment, which feems to have taken place fince Chriftmas. In the 
 papers you will fee negociations, changes of departments, &c. and 
 J have yow^ reafon to believe, that thofe reports are not entirely with- 
 out foundation. Portfmouth is no longer an obje<5t of fpeculation j 
 the whole ftream of all men, and all parties, runs one way. Sir 
 Hugh is difgraced, ruined, &c. &c. ; and as an old wound has 
 broken out again, they fay he muft have his leg cut off as foon as he 
 has time. In a night or two we fhall be in a blaze of illumination^ 
 from the zeal of naval heroes, land patriots, and tallow-chandlers ; 
 the laft are not the leaft fmcere. I want to hear fome details of your 
 military and familiar proceedings. By your filence I fuppofe you 
 admire Davis, and diflike my pamphlet ; yet fuch Is the public folly, 
 that we have a fecond edition in the prefs ; the fafhionable ftyle of 
 the clergy, is to fay they have not read it. If Maria does not take 
 care, I fhall write a much fharper invedive agalnft her, for not an- 
 fwering my diabolical book. My Lady carried it down, with a fo- 
 lemn promife that I fhould receive an unqffijied French letter. Yet 
 I embrace the little animal, as well as my Lady, and the Spes altera 
 Rom(r. Adieu. 
 
 There is a buz about a peace, and Spanifli mediation.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efciulre. 539 
 
 N'' CXVI. 
 
 Dr. William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, College of Edinburgh, March loth, 1779. 
 
 T SHOULD have long fince returned you thanks for the pamphlet 
 you took the trouble of fending to me. I hope you are not one 
 of tliofe who eftimate kindnefs by punctuality in correfpondencc. I 
 read your little performance with much eagernefs, and fome follci- 
 tude. The latter foon ceafed. The tone you take with your adver- 
 fary in this impar congrejfus appears to me perfedly proper ; and, 
 though I watched you with fome attention, I have not obferved any 
 exprefhon which I fhould, on your own account, wifli to be altered. 
 Davis's book never reached us here. Our diftance from the Capital 
 operates fomewhat like time. Nothing but what has intrinfic value 
 comes down to us. We hear fometimes of the worthlefs and vile 
 things that float for a day on the ftream, but we feldom fee them. 
 I am fatisfied, however, that it was neceflary for you to animadvert 
 on a man who had brought accufations againft you, which no 
 gentleman can allow to be made without notice. I am perfuaded, 
 that the perfons who inftigated the man to fuch an illiberal attacks 
 will now be afliamed of him. At the fame time I applaud your re- 
 folution, of not degrading yourfelf, by a fecond conflidt, with fuch 
 antagonifts. 
 
 I am alhamed to tell you, how little I have done fmce I had the 
 pleafure of feeing you. I have been prevented, partly by ill health, 
 partly by caufes which I fhall explain when we meet : I hope that 
 may be next fpring. Believe me to be wich great truth. 
 
 Your affedionate and faithful humble fervant, 
 
 William Robertson. 
 
 3 z 2
 
 540 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" CXVII. 
 
 B 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. B. Holroyd Efquhe, 
 
 May 7th, 1779. 
 
 Y fome of the ftrangefl accidents, (Lord G. G.'s indifcretion, 
 Rigby's boldnefs, &c.) which it would require ten pages to ex- 
 plain, our wife refolution of laft Thurfday is changed, and Lord 
 Cornwallis will be examined ; Sir William Howe's enquiry will pro- 
 ceed, and we fhall be opprefTed by the load of information. You 
 have heard of the Jerfey invafion ; every body praifes Arbuthnot's 
 decided fpirit. Conway went laft night to throw himfelf into the 
 iiland. 
 
 N» CXVIII. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 K 
 
 May, 1779. 
 
 LAS ! alas ! fourteen (hips of the line : you underftand by this, 
 that you have not got a fmgle long-boat. Miniftry are more 
 creft-fallen than I ever knew them, with the laft intelligence ; and I 
 am forry to fay, that I fee a fmile of triumph on fome oppofition 
 faces. Though the bufmefs of the Weft Indies may ftill produce 
 fomething, I am much afraid that we fhall have a campaign of im- 
 menfe expence, and little or no adlion. The moft bufy fcene is at 
 prefent in the Houfe of Commons ; and we fhall be involved, during 
 a great part of next month, in tedious, fruitlefs, but, in my opi- 
 nion, proper enquiries. You fee how difficult it would be for me 
 to vifit Brighton ; and I fancy I muft content rayfelf with receiving 
 you on your palTage to Ireland. Indeed, I much want to have a 
 veryfer'ious converfation with you. Another reafon, which muft in 
 
 8 a great
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 541 
 
 a great meafure pin me to Bentinck-ftreet, is the Decline and Fall. 
 I have refolved to bring out ih.tfiiitc in the courfe of next year ; and, 
 though I hdve been tolerably diligent, fo much remains to be done, 
 that I can hardly fpare a fmgle day from the fhop. I can guefs but 
 one reafon which fhould prevent you from fuppofmg that the pidture 
 in Leicefter Fields was intended for the Sheffield library ; viz. my 
 having told you fome time ago that I was imder a formal engagement 
 to Mr. Walpole *. Probably I fhould not have been in any great 
 hurry to execute my promife, if Mr. Cadell had not ftrenuoufly urged 
 the curiofity of the Public, who may be willing to repay the exorbi- 
 tant price oi fifty guineas. It is now finifhed, and my friends fay, 
 that, in every fenfe of the word, it is a good head. Next week it 
 win be given to Hall the engraver, and I promife you a firft im- 
 preflion. Adieu. I embrace my Lady, and infants, 
 
 N° CXIX. 
 
 T'he Same to the Same. 
 
 ■ W 
 
 1779. 
 H E N do you come to town ? You gave me hopes of a vlfit, and 
 I want to talk over things in general with you, before you 
 march to the extremities of the Weft, where the fun goes to ficep in 
 the fea. Mrs. Trevor told me, your deftination was Exeter f ; and I 
 fuppofe nothing but truth can proceed from a pretty mouth. — I have 
 been, and am ftill very diligent ; and, though it is a huge beaft, (the 
 Roman Empire,) yet, if I am not miftaken, I fee it move a little. — 
 You feem furprifed that I was able to get off Bath : very eafily, the 
 extreme fhortnefs of our holidays was a fair excufe ; her recovery 
 of health, fpirits, &c, made it lefs neceffary, and fhe accepted my 
 
 * The portrait, one of the beft of Sir Jofliua's, is in the library at Sheffield Place. 
 t With the Suflex Militia, of which Mr. Holroyd was Major. 
 
 apology,
 
 543 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 apology, which was however accompanied with an offer, if {he chofc 
 it, in the prettieft manner poffible. A load of bufmefs in this Houfe, 
 (I write from it,) will be the amufemtnt of the fpring ; motions, 
 enquiries, taxes, &c. &c. "We are now engaged in Lord Pigott's 
 affair, brought on by a motion from the Admiral, that the Attorney 
 General ihould profecute Mr. Stratton and Council ; all the Mafters, 
 Charles, Burke, Wedderburne, are of the fame fide, for it ; Lord 
 North feems to make a feeble (land, for the pleafure of being in a 
 minorhy. The day is hot and dull ; will be long : fome curious 
 evidence ; one man who refufed three lacks of rupees, (thirty-feven 
 thoufand five hundred pounds,) merely not to go to council ; our 
 mouths watered at fuch royal corruption ; how pitiful is our inUdar 
 bribery ! A letter from aunt Hefler. Adieu. 
 
 N* CXX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to J. B. Holroyd Efqulrc. 
 
 July 2, 1779. 
 
 r-T^ H E inclofed will inform you of an event *, not the moft dif- 
 agreeable of thofe which I have lately experienced. I have 
 only to add, that it was effected by the firm and fincere friendfhip of 
 the Attorney General. So many incidents have happened, that I 
 hardly know how to talk of news. You will learn that the Lords 
 have ftrangely caftrated the new Militia Bill. The Ferrol fquadron, 
 eight or nine fhips, have joined the French. The numbers ftand on 
 our fide thirty-two, on theirs thirty-feven ; but our force is at leaft 
 equal, and the general confternation much difpelled. If you do not 
 Hibernize, you might at leaft Bentinckize. i embrace, &c. Parliament 
 will be prorogued to-morrow. ^ 
 
 * His appomtm«nt as Lord of Trade.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqutrc. " 543 
 
 N° CXXI. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqmre to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Bentinck-Street, September 17th, 1779. 
 
 T A M well and happy ; two words which you will accept as the 
 fubftance of a very long letter ; and even as a fufficient excufe for 
 a very long filence. Yet I really do intend to behave better ; and to 
 prevent the abominable confequence of hours and days and pofts 
 ftealing away, till the fum total amounts to a formidable account, 
 I have a great mind to enter into an agreement, of fending you. 
 regularly every month, a miniature pidture of my adtual ftate and 
 condition on the iirft day of the aforefaid month, 
 
 I am glad to heai* of the very beneficial effects you have derived 
 from your recent friendfhip with the goats*; and as I cannot diC- 
 cover in what refpedt this poor country is more profperous or fecure 
 than it was laft year, I muft confider your prefent confidence as a 
 proof that you view the profpedt through a purer medium, and a 
 glafs of a more cheerful colour. I find myfelf fo much more fuf- 
 ceptible of private friendlhip than of public fpirit, that I am very 
 well fatisfied with that conclufion. My fummer has been pafTed in 
 the town and neighbourhood, which I ftill maintain to be the bed 
 fociety and the bed retirement; the latter, however, has been fometimes 
 interrupted by the Colonel of Dragoons f with a train of ferjeants, 
 trumpets, recruits, &c. &c. My own time is much and agreeably 
 employed in the profecution of my bufinefs. After doing much 
 more than I expedled to have done within the time, I find myfelf 
 much lefs advanced than I expelled : yet I begin to reckon, and as 
 well as I can calculate, I believe, that in twelve or fourteen months I 
 fliall be brought to-bed, perhaps of twins ; may they live, and prove 
 
 * At Abergavenny. 
 
 + Colonel Holroyd at that time was raifir.g a regiment of Light Dragoons, 
 
 2 as
 
 544 TETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 as healthy as their eldeft brother. With regard to the little foundling 
 which fo many friends or enemies chofe to lay at my door, I am 
 perfedly innocent, even of the knowledge of that produdlion ; and 
 all the faults or merits of the Hiftory of Oppofition muft, as I am 
 informed, be imputed to Macpherfon, the author or tranflator of 
 Fingal. Dear Madam, moft truly yours. 
 
 N° CXXII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon ^fqidrc to Colonel Holroyd at Coventry. 
 
 London, Monday, February 7th, 1780. 
 
 WJ HEN the Attorney General informed me of the exprefs he had 
 
 juft fent down to Coventry, I had not the lead doubt of your 
 
 embracing the bolder refolution. You are indeed obliged to him for 
 
 his real friendfhip, which he feels and expreffes warmly ; on this 
 
 sccafion I hope it will be fuccefsful, and that in a few days you will 
 
 find yourfelf among us at St. Stephen's in the heat of the battle. But 
 
 you know that I am a daftardly, pufiUanimous fplrit,. more inclined 
 
 to fear than to hope, and not very eager in the purfuit of expevfive 
 
 vanity. On this vacancy the celerity of your motions may probably 
 
 prevent oppofition ; but at the general eledion your enemy the 
 
 corporation will not be afleep, and I wifh, if it be not too late, to 
 
 warn you againft any promifes or engagements which may terminate 
 
 in a defeat, or at leaft a conteft of ten thoufand poimds. Adieu. 
 
 I could believe (without feeing it under her paw) that my Lady 
 
 wifhes to leave Coventry. No news ! foreign or domeflic. I did 
 
 not forget to mention the companies^ but find people, as I expected, 
 
 torpid. Burke makes his motion Friday ; but I think the rumours 
 
 of a civil war fubfide every day : petitions are thought lefs formidable ; 
 
 and I hear your Suflex proteft gathers fignatures in the country.
 
 CDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 545 
 
 N" CXXIII. 
 -Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Bektinck-street, March loth, 1780. 
 
 "IT 7 HEN you awakened me with your pen, it was my intention to 
 have (hewn fome figns of life by the next port. But fo un- 
 ■certain are all human affairs, that I found myfelf arrefted by a mighty 
 unrelenting tyrant, called the gout ; and though my feet were the 
 part on which he chofe to exercife his cruelty, he left me neither 
 ftrength nor fpirits to ufe my hand in relating the melancholy tale. 
 At prefent, I have the pleafure of informing you, that the fever and 
 inflammation have fubfided : but the abfolute weaknefs and monftrous 
 fwelling of my two feet confine me to my chair and flannels ; and 
 this confinement mofi: unluckily happens at a very }tice and important 
 moment of parliamentary affairs. Col. H. purfues thofe affairs with 
 eager and perfevering zeal ; and has the pleafure of undertaking more 
 bufinefs than any three men could pofTibly execute. He is much 
 obliged to you for your kind congratulation. Mrs. Eliot is in town ; 
 but I am quite ignorant (not more fo than they are themfelves) of 
 their intentions. I will write again very foon. I am, dear Madam, 
 mofl truly yours. 
 
 N° CXXIV. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, June 6th, 1780. 
 
 A s the old ftory of religion has raifed mofl formidable tumults in 
 
 this town, and as they will of courfe feem much more formidable 
 
 at the diftance of an hundred miles, you may not be forry to hear 
 
 VOL. I. 4 A that
 
 546 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 that I am perfe(flly fafe and well : my known attachment to the Pro- 
 teftant religion has moft probably faved me. Meafures, and efFedual 
 meafures, are taken to fupprefs thofe diforders, and every ftreet is 
 filled with horfe and foot. Mrs. Holroyd went out of town yefter- 
 day morning ; the Colonel remains, and flaews his ufual fpirit. I am 
 fmcerely yours. 
 
 N^ CXXV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs, Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, London, June 8th, 17S0. 
 
 Asa Member of Parliament, I cannot be expofed to any danger, 
 fmce the Houfe of Commons has adjourned to Monday 
 fe'nnight ; as an individual, I do not conceive myfelf to be ob- 
 noxious. I am not apt, without duty or neceflity, to thruft myfelf 
 into a mob : and our part of the town is as quiet as a country village. 
 So much for perfonal fafety ; but I cannot give the fame afl'urances 
 of public tranquillity : forty thoufand Puritans, fuch as they might 
 be in the time of Cromwell, have flarted out of their graves ; the 
 tumult has been dreadful ; and even the remedy of military force 
 and martial law is unpleafant. But Government, with fifteen thoufand 
 regulars in town, and every gentleman (but one) on their fide, muft 
 extinguiih the flame. The execution of laft night was fevere ; perr- 
 haps it muft be repeated to-night : yet, upon the whole, the tumult 
 fubfide?. Colonel Holroyd v/as all laft night in Holborn among the 
 flames, with the Northumberland Militia, and performed very bold 
 and able fervice. I will write again in a poft or two, 
 
 I am, dear Madam, ever yours.
 
 EOWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 547 
 
 N° CXXVI. 
 
 ' The Same to the Same. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, June loth. 1780. 
 
 T SHOULD write with great pleafure, to fay' that this audacious 
 tumult is perfedly quelled ; that Lord George Gordon is fent 
 to the Tower ; and that, inftead of fafety or danger, we are now at 
 leifure to think of juflice : but I am now alarmed on your account, 
 as we have juft got a report, that a fimilar diforder has broken out at 
 Bath, 1 ihall be impatient to hear from you ; but I flatter myfelf 
 that your pretty town does not contain much of that fcum which 
 has boiled up to the furface in this huge cauldron. I am, dear 
 Madam, moft fmcerely yours. 
 
 N° CXXVII. 
 
 The Same to the Same, 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Eentimck-Strebt, Ju<!e 27tb, 1780.' 
 
 T BELIEVE we may now rejoice in our common fecurity. All 
 tumult has perfectly fubfided, and we only think of the juftice 
 which muft be properly and feverely inflided on luch flagitious cri- 
 minals. The meafures of Government have been feafonable and 
 vigorous ; and even oppofition has been forced to confefs, that the 
 military power was applied and regulated with the utmoft propriety. 
 Our danger is at an end, but our difgrace will be Lifting, and the 
 month of June 1780, will ever be marked by a dark and diabolical 
 fanaticifm, which I had fuppofed to be extind, but which adually 
 fubfifts in Great Britain, perhaps beyond any other country In Eu- 
 rope. Our parliamentary work draws to a conclufion ; and I am 
 much more pleafingly, though laborioufly, engaged in revlfing and 
 
 4 A 2 corredlQg
 
 54^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 correcSing foi* the prefs, the continuation of my Hiftory, two volumes 
 of which will certainly appear next winter. This bufinefs fixes me 
 to Bentinck-ftrect more clofely than any other part of my literary 
 labour ; as it is abfolutely neceflary that I fliould be in the midft of 
 all the books which I have at any time ufed during the compofition. 
 But I feel a ftrong defire (irritated, like all other paflions, by repeated 
 obftacles). to efcape to Bath, 
 
 Dear Madam, 
 
 Moft truly yours,. 
 
 N" CXXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulrc to Colonel HoLViOYjyi 
 
 July 25th, 1780. 
 
 A s your motions are fpontan-eous, and the ftations of the Lord 
 Chief* unalterably fixed, I cannot perceive the neceffity of your 
 fending or receiving intelligence. However, your commands are 
 obeyed. You wifh I would write, as a fign of life. I am alive ; 
 but, as I am immerfed in the Decline and Fall, I fhall only make the 
 fign. It is made. You may fuppofe that we are not pleafed with 
 the jundlion of the fleets ; nor can an ounce of Weft India lofs be 
 compenfated by a pound of Eaft India fuccefs : but the circuit will 
 roll down all the news and politics of London. I rejoice to hear 
 that the Suffex regiment of Dragoons f are fuch well-dlfclplined 
 cannibals; but I want to know when the Chief cannibal will return 
 to his den. It would fult me better that it fhould happen foon.. 
 Adieu. 
 
 * Lord Mansfield. f Commanded by Colonel Holroyd,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquue. 54^) 
 
 N° CXXIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Brookes's, November 28th, j^So^ 
 
 pERHAPs the Sheriffs*, the tools of your enemies, may venture- 
 "^ to make a falfe and hoftile return, on the prefumption that they 
 £hall have a whole year of impunity ; and that the merits of your 
 petition cannot be heard this feffion. Some of your moft refpe6lable 
 friends in the Houfe of Commons are refolved, (if the return fliould 
 be fuch,) to ftate it forcibly as a fpecial and extraordinary cafe ; and 
 to exert all proper ftrength for bringing on the trial of your Petition 
 without delay. The knowledge of fuch a refolution may awe the 
 Sheriffs ; and it may be prudent to admonifh them of the impending 
 danger, in the way that you judge moft advifeable. Adieiu God 
 fend you a good deliverance. 
 
 N° CXXX. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mrs. Gibbon, Belvedere, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Bentinck-street, December 21II, 1780. 
 
 '*p*HE conftant attendance on the Board of Trade almoft every day 
 this week, has obliged me to defer till next Monday a vifit of 
 inclination and propriety to Lord Loughborough (at Mitcham, in. 
 Surry). I fhall not return till Wednefday or Thurfday ; and, inftead 
 of my Chriftmas, I Ihall eat my New-year's dinner, at the Belvedere, 
 Bath. May that New Year prove fortunate to you, to me, and to 
 this weary country, which is this day involved in a new war ! I fliall 
 write again about the middle of next week, with a precife account 
 
 * The Sheriffs of Coventry^. 
 
 of
 
 ^30 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 of my motions. I think the gallant Colonel, who Is now Lord 
 Sheffield, will fuccecd at Coventry ; perhaps on the return, certainly 
 on the petition. I am, dear Madam, ever yours. 
 
 N" CXXXL 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Bentinck-Strlet, February 24th, 1781. 
 
 ^ A S you have probably received my lafl letter of thirteen hundred 
 pages % I fhall be very concife ; read, judge, pronounce ; and 
 believe that I fincerely agree with my friend Julian, in efteeming 
 the praife of thole only who will freely cenfure my defedls. Next 
 Thurfday I fhall be delivered to the world, for whofe inconftant and 
 malicious levity I am coolly but firmly prepared. Excufe me to 
 Sarah. I fee more clearly than ever, the abfolute neceffity of confining 
 my prefents to my own family : that, and that only, is a determined 
 line, and Lord S. is the firft to approve his exclufion. He has a ftrong 
 afl'urance of fuccefs, and fome hopes of a fpeedy decifion. How 
 fuddenly your friend General Pierfon difappeared ! You thought 
 him happy. What is happinefs ! My dear Madam, ever youre. 
 
 N" CXXXII. 
 
 Z)/-. William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, College of Edikeurgh, May i2th, 1781. 
 
 T AM afhamed of having deferred fo long to thank you for the 
 
 agreeable prefents of your two new volumes ; but juft as I had 
 
 finifhed the firft reading of them, I was taken ill, and continued, for 
 
 two or three weeks, nervous, deaf, and languid. I have now re- 
 
 * Second and third volumes of the Decline and Fall, 
 
 covered
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 55! 
 
 covered as much fpirit as to tell you, with what perfed fatisfadion I 
 have not only perufed, but ftudied, this part of your work. I knew 
 enough of your talents and induftry to cxped a great deal, but you 
 have gone far beyond my expcdations. I can recoiled; no hiftorical 
 work from which I ever received fo much inftruaion ; and, when I 
 confider in what a barren field you had to glean and pick up ma- 
 terials, I am truly aftonifhcd at the conneded and interefting ftory 
 you have formed. I like the ftyle of thefe volumes better than that 
 of the firfl; ; tliere is the fame beauty, richnefs, and perfpiculty of 
 language, with lefs of that quaintnefs, into which your admiration of 
 Tacitus fometimes feduced you. I am highly pleafed with the reign of 
 Julian. I was a little afraid that you might lean with fome partiality to- 
 wards him ; but even bigots, I fhould think, muft allow, that you have 
 delineated his mofl fmgular charader with a more mafterly hand than 
 ever touched it before. You fet me a reading his works, with which 
 I was very flenderly acquainted ; and I am much ftruck with the 
 t^slicity wherewith you have defcribed that odd infufion of Heathen 
 fanaticifm and philofophical coxcombry, which mingled with the 
 great qualities of a hero, and a genius. Your chapter concerning 
 the paftoral nations is admirable ; and, though I hold myfelf to 
 be a tolerably good general hiftorian, a great part of it was new to 
 ^me. As foon as I have leifure, I purpofe to trace you to your fources 
 of information ; and I have no doubt of finding you as exad there, 
 as I have found you in other paflages where I have made a fcrutiny. 
 It was always my idea that an hiftorian fhould feel himfelf a witnels 
 giving evidence upon oath. I am glad to perceive by your minute 
 fcrupulofity, that your notions are the fame. The laft chapter in 
 your work is the only one with which I am not entirely fatisficd. 
 I imagine you rather anticipate, in defcribing the jurifprudence and 
 inftitutions of the Franks j and fhould think that the account of 
 private war, ordeals, chivalry, &c. would have come in more in its 
 
 place about the age of Charlemagne, or later : but with refpedt 
 
 7 to
 
 552 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 to tills, and fome other petty criticifms, I will have an opportunity 
 of talking fully to you foon, as I propofe fetting out for London on 
 Monday. I have, indeed, many things to fay to you ; and, as my 
 flay in London is to be very fhort, I fhall hope to find your door 
 (at which I will be very often) always open to me. I cannot con- 
 clude without approving of the caution with which the new volumes 
 are written ; I hope it will exempt you from the illiberal abufe the 
 firft volume drew upon you. I ever am, yours, faithfully and 
 afFedlionately, 
 
 - William Robertson. 
 
 N° CXXXIII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to Z«<^' Sheffield, ^/Sheffield-Place. 
 
 Benti kck-Street, Friday Evening, loo'clock, 178!. 
 
 ^^H, oh ! I have given you the flip ; faved thirty miles, by pro- 
 ^^^ ceeding this day dire£tly from Eartham to town, and am now 
 comfortably feated in my library, in 7}iy oiun eafy chair, and before 
 my own fire ; a ftyle which you underftand, though it is unintelligible 
 to your Lord. The town is empty ; but I am furrounded with a 
 thoufand old acquaintance of all ages and charadlers, who are ready 
 to anfwer a thoufand queftions which I am impatient to afk. I fhall 
 not eafily be tired of their company ; yet I ftill remember, and will 
 honorably execute, my promife of vifiting you at Brighton about 
 the middle of next month. I have feen nobody, nor learned any 
 thing, in four hours of a town life ; but I can inform you, that 
 Lady * * *- * * is now the declared Miftrefs of Prince Henry of 
 Pruflla, whom fhe encountered at Spa ; and that the Emperor has 
 invited the amiable couple to pafs the w'inter at Vienna : fine en- 
 couragement for married v/omen who behave themfelves properly. 
 
 I I fpent
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Eiqulrc. S55 
 
 I fpent a very pleafant day in the little paradife of Eartham, and the 
 hermit exprefled a defire (no vulgar compliment) to fee and to 
 know Lord S. Adieu. I cordially embrace, &zc. 
 
 N° CXXXIV. 
 ^ir William Jqnes io Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lamb's-buildings, June 30th, 1781, 
 
 T HAVE more than once fought, without having been fo fortunate 
 
 as to obtain, a proper opportunity of thanking you very fmcerely 
 for the elegant compliment which you pay me, in a work abounding 
 in elegance of all kinds. 
 
 My Seven ylrabia?i Poets will fee the light before next winter* 
 and be proud to wait upon you in their Englifh drefs. Their wild 
 productions will, I flatter myfelf, be thought interefting, and not 
 venerable merely on account of their antiquity. 
 
 In the mean while, let me requeil you to honour me with accept- 
 ing a copy of a Law Tra£t, which is not yet publifhed : the fubje£l 
 is fo generally important, that I make no apology for fending you 
 a profeflional work. 
 
 You muft pardon my inveterate hatred of C. Oftavianus, bafely 
 furnamed Auguftus. I feel myfelf unable to forgive the death of 
 Cicero, which, if he did not promote, he might have prevented. 
 Befides, even Mec33nas knew the cruelty of his difpofition, and 
 ventured to reproach him with it. In fliort, I have not Chrijlian 
 charity for him. 
 
 With regard to Afiatic letters, a necefTary attention to my profeflion 
 will compel me wholly and eternally to abandon them, unlefs Lord 
 North (to whom I am already under no fmall obligation) fhould think 
 me worthy to concur in the improved adminlflration of juftice in 
 Bengal, and fhould appoint me to fupply the va'cancy on the India 
 Bench. Were that appointment to take place this year, I fhould 
 
 VOL. I. 4 B probably
 
 554 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 probably travel, for fpeed, through part of Egypt and Arabia, and 
 fiiOLiId be able, in my way, to procure many Eaftern trads of lite- 
 rature and jurifprudence. I might become a good Muhomedan 
 lawyer before I reached Calcutta, and, in my vacations, fliould find 
 leifure to explain, in my native language, whatever the Arabs, 
 Perfiaas, and Turks, have written on fcience, hiflory, and the fine 
 arts. 
 
 My happinefs by no means depends on obtaining this appoint- 
 ment, as I am in eafy circumftances without my profeflion, and 
 have flattering, profpeds in it ; but if the prefent fummer and the 
 enfuing autumn elapfe without my receiving any aiifwer, favourable 
 or unfavourable, I fhall be forced to confider that filence as a polite 
 refufal, and, having given fincere thanks for paft favours, fhall en- 
 tirely drop all thoughts of Afw., and, " deep as ever plummet 
 *' founded, fhall drown my Pcrfian books." If my politics have 
 given ofience, it would be manly in Miniflers to tell me fo. I fhall 
 never be perfonally hoflile to them, nor enlift under party banners 
 of any colour ; but I will never refign my opinions for interej}^ though 
 I would cheerfully abandon them on convilHion. My reafon, fuch 
 as it is, can only be controlled by better reafon, to which I am ever 
 open. As to my freedom of thought, fpeech, and aclion, I fhall 
 ever fay what Charles XII. wrote under the map of Riga, " Dku me 
 Ta donnee; le diahle ne me Votera pas" But the fair anfv/er to this 
 objedtion is, that my fyftem is purely fpeculative, and has no relation 
 to my feat on the bench in India, where I fhould hardly think of 
 inftrudting the Gentoos in the maxims of the Athenians. I believe 
 I fhould not have troubled you with this letter, if I did not fear 
 that your attendance in Parliament might deprive me of the pleafure 
 of meeting you at the Club next Tuefday ; and 1 fhall go to Oxford 
 a few days after. At all times, and in all places, I fhall ever be, 
 with undiflembled, regard, dear Sir, your much obliged and faithful 
 fervant, W. Jones.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. , S5S 
 
 N" CXXXV. 
 Zor^ Hardwicke to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR, , Wimple, September 20th, J781, 
 
 A s I have perufed your Hiftory of the Decline, &c. with the 
 greateft pleafure and inftrudion, I cannot help wifliing that, as 
 health and leifure permit, you would gratify your numerous readers 
 and admirers, by continuing it, at leaft till the irruption of the 
 Arabs after Mahomet. From that period the Hiftory of the Eaft is 
 not very interefting, and often difgufting. I particularly wifh to 
 fee the reigns of Juftin, Juftinian, and I think Juftin the Second, 
 written by fo ma<fterly a hand. There are ftriking fads and remark- 
 able characters in all thofe reigns, which have not yet met with an 
 able and fagacious Hijlor'ian. You feemed (as well as I recoiled:) 
 to think the anecdotes of Procopius fpurious ; there are ftrange anec- 
 dotes in them, and of a very different caft from his Hiftory. Can 
 it be traced up when they firft came to light ? 
 
 Excufe this fhort interruption from much better employments or 
 amufements ; and believe me, Sir, with the greateft regard, your 
 
 moft obedient humble fervant, 
 
 HarDwicke. 
 
 P. S. It has occurred to me, that a i;iap of the progrefs and na- 
 tive feat of the northern hives would greatly elucidate and explain 
 that part of your Hiftory. It may be done in a foccnd edition. 
 
 4B
 
 SsS LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N"* CXXXVI. 
 Dr. Robertson to Mr. Gibbok. 
 
 DEAR SIR, College of Edinburgh, November 6th, i7!!t, 
 
 QoON after ray return I had a long converfation with our friend 
 Mr. Smith, in which I ftated to him every particular you men- 
 tioned to me, with refpedt to the propriety of going on with your 
 great work. I v/as happy to find, that his opinion coincided per- 
 fedlly with that which I had ventured to give you. His decilions, 
 you know, are both prompt and vigorous ; and he would not allow 
 that you ought to hefitate a moment in your choice. He promifed 
 to write his fentiments to you very fully. But as he may have ne- 
 gleded to do this, for it is not willingly that he puts pen to paper, 
 I thought it might be agreeable to you to know his opinion, though I 
 imagine you could hardly entertain any doubt concerning it. I hope 
 you have brought fuch a (lock of health and fpirits from Bright- 
 helmftone, that you are fet ferioufly at your defk, and that in two 
 winters or fo, you will difplay the crefcent of Mahomet on the 
 dome of St. Sophia. I met t'other day, in a work addreffed to 
 yourfelf, a fenfible paflage from F. Paul, which perfectly removest 
 one of your chief difficulties, as to the barrennefs of fome parts of 
 your period. Hayley's EiTay on Hiftory, p.. 133- By the bye,, 
 who is this Mr. Hayley I His poetry has more merit than that o£ 
 moft of his contemporaries ; but his whiggifm is fo bigotted, and 
 his Chriftianity fo fierce, that he almoft difgufts one with two very 
 good things. 
 
 I have got quite well long ago, and am perfedlly free froiti deaf^ 
 nefs i but I cannot yet place myfelf in any clafs but that of the 
 
 mn/ta
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqmre. SS7 
 
 multa et pra^clara m'tnantes. Be fo kind as to remember me to Lord 
 Loughborough and Mr. Craufurd, and believe me to be, with moft 
 fmcere rcfped and attachment, yours very faithfully, 
 
 William Robertson. 
 
 N° CXXXVIL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqmre to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Brichthelmstone, Nov. zd, 178?. 
 
 T RETURNED to this placc v^rith Lord and Lady Sheffield, with the 
 defign of paffing two or three weeks in a fituation which had 
 fo highly delighted me. But how vain are all fublunary hopes ! I 
 had forgot that there is fome difference between the furifhine of 
 Auguft and the cold fogs (though we have uncommon good weather) 
 of November. Inftead of my beautiful fea-fhore, I am confined to 
 a dark lodging in the middle of the town ; for the place is flill full, 
 and our time is now fpent in the dull imitation of 'a London life. 
 To complete my misfortunes, Lord Sheffield was haftily ordered to 
 Canterbury and Deal, to fupprefs fome diffurbances, and I was left 
 almoft alone with my Lady, in the fervile fl:ate of a married man. 
 But he returns to-day, and I hope to be feated in my own library 
 by the middle of next week. However, you will not be forry to 
 hear that I have refrefhed myfelf by a very idle fummer, and indeed 
 a much idler and more pleafant winter than the Houfe of Commons 
 will ever allow me to enjoy again. I had almoft forgot Mr. Hayley; 
 ungratefully enough, fmce I really palTed a very fimple, but enter- 
 taining day with him. His place, though fmall, is elegant as his 
 mind, which I value much more highly. Mrs. * * * * wrote a 
 melancholy flory of an American mother, a friend of her friend, 
 who in a fhort time had loft three fons ; one killed by the favages, 
 one run mad from the fright at that accident, and the third taken at 
 2 fea,
 
 558 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 fea, now in England, a prlfoner in Forton hofpital. For hhn feme- 
 thing might perhaps be done. Your humanity will prompt you to 
 obtain from Mrs. » » * * a more accurate accoiuit of names, 
 dates, and circumftances ; but you will prudently fupprefs my re- 
 queft, left I fhould raife hopes which it may not be in my power 
 to gratify. Lady S. begs to fend her kindeft compliments to you. 
 I am, dear Madam, ever yours. 
 
 N° CXXXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon EfquWe to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, July 3d, 1782. 
 
 T HOPE you have not had a moment's uneafinefs about the delay of 
 my Midfummer letter. Whatever may happen, you may reft 
 fully fecure, that the materials of it fhall always ht found. But on 
 this occafion I iave miffed four or five pofts ; poftponing, as ufual, 
 from morning to the evening bell, which now rings, till it has occurred 
 to me, that it might not be amifs to enclofe the two eflential lines, if 
 I only added thatjthe influenza has been known to me only by the re- 
 port of others. Lord Rockingham is at laft dead ; a good man, what- 
 ever he might be a minifter : his fucceflbr is not yet named, and divi- 
 fions in the Cabinet are fufpedled. If Lord Shelburne Ihould be the 
 nian, as I think he will, the friends of his predeceflbr will quarrel 
 with him before Chriftmas. At all events, I forefee much tumult 
 and ftrong oppofition, from which I fhould be very glad to extricate 
 myfelf, by quitting the Houfe of Commons with honour. What- 
 ever you may hear, I believe there is not the leaft intention of dif- 
 folving Parliament, which would indeed be a rafh and dangerous 
 meafure. I hope you like Mr. Hayley's poem ; he rifes with his 
 fubjeft, and fmce Pope's death, I am fatisfied that England has not 
 
 4 feeii,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 559 
 
 feen fo happy a mixture of ftrong fenfe and flowing numbers. Are 
 you not delighted with his addrefs to his mother ? I underftand 
 that fhe was in plain profe every thing that he fpeaks her in verfe. 
 This fummer I fliall ftay in town, and work at my trade, till I make 
 fome hoHdays for my Bath excurfion. Lady Sheffield is at Brighton, 
 and he is under tents, like the wild Arabs ; fo that my country 
 houfe is lliut up. I am, dear Madam, ever yours. 
 
 N° CXXXIX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to the Right Honourable Zor^ Sheffield, 
 
 Campy Coxheath. 
 
 Bentinck-street, 1782. 
 
 T SYMPATHISE with your fatigues; yet Alexander, Hannibal, &c. 
 have fuffered hardships almoft equal to yours. At fuch a mo- 
 ment it is difagreeable (befides lazinefs) to write, becaufe every hour 
 teems with a new lie. As yet, however, only Charles has formally 
 refigned ; but Lord John *, Burke, Keppel, Lord Althorpe, &c. cer- 
 tainly follow ; your Lord Lieutenant ftays. In ihort, three months 
 of profperity has diflblved a phalanx, which had flood ten years ad- 
 verfity. Next Tuefday, Fox will give his reafons, and poffibly be 
 encountered by Pitt, the new Secretary, or Chancellor f, at three- 
 and-twenty. The day will be rare and curious, and, if I were a light 
 dragoon, I would take a gallop on purpofe to Weftminfter. Adieu. 
 I hear the bell. How could I write befoi'e I knew where yoi^ 
 dwelt ? 
 
 ♦ Lord John Cavendifli. f Chancellor of the Exchequer.
 
 sGo LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° CXL. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Ef quire to the Right Ho?i our able Lord SuEfTiELD, 
 
 Coxheath Camp. 
 
 September 29th, 1782. 
 
 Y SHOULD like to hear fometlmes, whether you furvive the fcenes 
 of action and danger in which a dragoon is continually involved. 
 What a difference between the life of a dragoon and that of a philo- 
 pher ! and I will freely own that I (the philofcphcr) am much better 
 fatisfied with my own independent and tranquil fituation, in which 
 I have always fomething to do, without ever being obliged to do 
 any thing. The Hampton Court villa has anfwered my expedation, 
 and proved no fmall addition to my comforts ; fo that I am refolved 
 next fummer to hire, borrow, or fteal, either the fame, or fome- 
 thing of the fame kind. Every morning I walk a mile or more be- 
 fore breakfaft, read and write quantum fuj^cit, mount my chaife 
 and vifit in the neighbourhood, accept fome invitations, and efcape 
 others, ufe the Lucans as my daily bread, dine pleafantly at home, 
 or fociably abroad, referve for ftudy an hour or two in the evening, 
 lie in town regularly once a week, &c. &c. &c. I have an- 
 nounced to Mrs. G. my new arrangements ; the certainty that Oc- 
 tober will be fine, and my increafmg doubts whether I fhall be 
 able to reach Bath before Chriftmas. Do you intend (but how can 
 you intend any thing ?) to pafs the winter under canvafs. Perhaps 
 under the veil of Hampton Court I may lurk ten days or a fortnight 
 at Sheffield, if the enraged Lady does not fhut the doors againft me. 
 The Warden * paffed through in his way to Dover. He is not fo 
 fat, and more cheerful than ever. I had not any private converfa- 
 
 * Lord North. 
 
 tion
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 561 
 
 tion with him ; but he clearly holds the balance, unlefs he lets it 
 drop out of his hand. The Pandzemonium (as I underftand) does 
 not meet till the twenty-fixth of November. Town is more a defert 
 tlian I ever knew it. I arrived yefterday, dined at Sir Jofhua's with 
 a tolerable party; the chaifc is now at the door; I dine at Richmond, 
 lie at Hampton, &c. Adieu. 
 
 N" CXLL 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to Zor^ Sheffield, at Coxheath Camp. 
 
 Bentinck-street, Odober 14th, 1782. 
 
 /^N the approach of winter, my paper houfe at Hampton be- 
 comes lefs comfortable; my vifits to Bentinck-ftreet grow longer 
 and more frequent, and the end of next week will reftore me to 
 the town, -with a lively wifh, however, to repeat the fame, or a 
 funilar experiment, next fummer. I admire the affurance with 
 which you propofe a month's refidence at Sheffield, when you 
 are not fure of being allowed three days. Here it is currently re- 
 ported, that camps will not feparate till Lord Howe's return from 
 Gibraltar, and as yet we have no news of his arrival. Perhaps in- 
 deed you may have more intimate correipondence with your old 
 friend Lord Shelburne, and already know the hour of your deliver- 
 ance. I fhoukl like to be informed. As Lady S. has entirely for- 
 goTten me, I fliall have the pleafure of forming .a new acquaintance. 
 I have often thought of writing, but it is now too late to repent. 
 
 I ara at a lofs what to fiiy or think about our parliamentary ftate. 
 A certain late Secretary of Ireland reckons the Houfe of Commons 
 thus : Minifter one hundred and forty, Reynard iiinety, Boreas one 
 hundred and twenty, the reft unknown, or uncertain. The laft of 
 the three, by felf or agents, talks too much of ab fence, neutrality', 
 modeiMtion. I ftill think he will difcard the game. 
 
 VOL. I. 4 c I am.
 
 562 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 I am not in fuch a fury with the letter of American independence ; 
 but I think it feems ill-timed and ufelefs ; and I am mtich enter- 
 tained with the metaphyfical difputes between Government and Se- 
 ceffion about the meaning of it. Lord Loughborough will be in 
 town Sunday feven-night. I long to fee him and Co. I think he 
 will take a very decided part. If he could throw afide his gown, 
 he would make a noble leader. The Eaft India news are excellent. 
 The French gone to the Mauritius, Fleyder defirous of peace, the 
 Nizam and Mahrattas our friends, and feventy lacks of rupees in 
 the Bengal treafury, while we were voting the recal of Haflings. 
 Adieu. Write foon. 
 
 N" CXLII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to Lord Sheffield. 
 
 1782. 
 T HAVE defigned writing every poft. The air of London Is ad- 
 mirable ; my complaints have vanilhed, and the gout ftill refpedts 
 me. Lord Loughborough, with whom I pafled an entire day, is 
 very well fatisfied with his Irifh expedition, and found the barbarous 
 people very kind to him. The caftle is ftrong, but the volunteers 
 are formidable. London is dead, and all intelligence fo totally ex- 
 tinct:, that the lofs of an army would be a favourable incident. We 
 have not even the advantage of fhlpwrecks, which muft foon, with 
 the fociety of you and Gerard Hamilton, become the only pleafures 
 of Brighton. My Lady is precious, and deferves to fhine in Lon- 
 don, when fhe regains her palace. The workmen are flow, but I 
 hear that the Minifter talks of hiring another houfe after Chriftmas *.' 
 Adieu, till Monday feven-night. 
 
 * Lord North, while his houfe was repairing, inhabited Lord Sheffield's in Dowii- 
 ing-ftreet.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquhc. 563 
 
 N« CXLIII. 
 
 I'be Same to the Same. 
 
 January 17th, 1783. 
 
 A s I arrived about feA-en o'clock on Wednefday laft, we were 
 Ibme time in towri in mutual ignorance. Unlucky enough ; 
 yet our lois will be fpeedily repaired. Your reafon for not writing 
 is worthy of an Iriih Baron : you thought Sarah might be at Bath, 
 becaufe you direded letters to her at Clifton near Briftol ; where 
 indeed I faw her in a delightful fituation, fwept by the winter winds, 
 and fcorched by the fummer fun. A nobler reafon for your filence 
 would be the care of the public papers, to record your fteps, words, 
 and adions. I was plealed with your Coventry oration : a pane- 
 gyric on * * %- * is a fubjecl entirely new, and which no orator 
 before yourfelf would have dared to undertake. You have aded 
 with prudence and dignity in calling away the military yoke. This 
 next fummer you will fit down (if you can fit) in the long loft cha- 
 rader of a country gentleman. 
 
 For my own part, my late journey has only confirmed me in the 
 opinion, that Number Seven in Bentinck-ftreet is the beft houfe in 
 the world. I find that peace and war alternately, and daily, take 
 their turns of converfation, and this (Friday) is the pacific day. 
 Next week we iliall probably hear fome queflions on that head very 
 ftrongly afked, and very fooliihly anfwered, &c. Give me a line 
 by return of poll, and probably I may vifit Downing-ftreet on 
 Monday evening; late, however, as I am engaged to dinner and 
 cards. Adieu. 
 
 4c 2
 
 564 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° CXLIV. 
 
 [Although Dr. Prieftley may not be juflified for publiflimg the fol- 
 lowing Letters, yet as he thought fit to print them with a volume 
 of fermons foon after Mr. Gibbon's death, it will not be improper 
 to infert them in this collection.] 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Dr. Priestley. 
 
 SI R, January 23d, i/Sj.- 
 
 Asa mark of your efteem, I fliould have accepted with pleafure 
 your Hiftory of the Corruptions of Chriftianity. You have been 
 careful to inform me, that it is intended, not as a gift, but as a 
 challenge, and fuch a challenge you muft permit me to decline. At 
 the fame time you glory in outftripping the zeal of the Miifti and 
 the Lama, it may be proper to declare, that I fhould equally refufe 
 the defiance of thofe venerable divines. Once, and once only, the 
 juft defence of my own veracity provoked me to defcend into the 
 amphitheatre ; but as long as you attaek opinions which I have never 
 maintained, or maintain principles which I have never denied, you 
 may fafely exult in my filence and your own vidory. The 
 difference between us^ (on the credibility of miracles,) which yon 
 chufe to fuppofe, and wifh to argue, is a trite and antient topic 
 of controverfy, and, from the opinion which you entertain of your- 
 felf and of mcj it does not appear probable that o-ur difpute would 
 either edify or enlighten the Public. 
 
 That Public will decide to whom the Invidious name of Unbe- 
 liever more juftly belongs ; to the Hiftorian, who, without interpofirrg 
 his own fentiments, has delivered a fimple narrative of authentic 
 fads, or to the difputant who proudly rejeds all natural proofs 
 of the immortality of the foul, overthrows (by circumfcribing) 
 
 I- the.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquke. ^^^ 
 
 the infplration of the evangelifls and apoftles, and condemns the 
 religion of every Chriftian nation, as a fable lefs innocent, but not 
 lefs abfurd, than Mahomet's journey to the third Heaven. 
 
 And now, Sir, fince you aflume a right to determine the obje(Sls 
 of my paft and future ftudies, give me leave to convey to your ear 
 the ahnoft unanimous, and not ofFcnfive wifh, of the phllofophic 
 world : — that you would confine your talents and induftry to thofe 
 fciences in which real and ufeful improvements can be made. Re- 
 member the end of your predecefibr Servetus, not of his life, (the 
 CaLvins of our days are reflrained from the ufe of the fame fiery 
 arguments,) but, I mean, the end of his reputation. His theological 
 writings are loft in oblivion ; and if his book on the Trinity be ftill 
 preferved, it is only becaufe it contains the lirft rudiments of the. 
 difcovery of the circulation of the blood. 
 
 I am, Sir, your obedient humble fervant., 
 
 N° CXLV. 
 Dr. Priestley to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 S I R, Birmingham, 3d February 1783. 
 
 T T would have been impertinent in me, efpecially confidering the 
 objedt of my Hijlory^ to have fent you a copy of it as a mark of 
 my ejleem ox friendjhlp. What I meant was to a£l the part of a fair 
 and open adverfary, and I am truly forry that you decline the dif- 
 cuflion I propofed : for though you are of a different opinion, I do 
 not think that either of us could be better employed ; and, {hould 
 the Mufti and the Lama, whofe challenge, jgw fay, you would alfo 
 decline, become parties in the bufmefs, I fhould rejoice the more. 
 I do not well know what you can mean by intimating, that I am a 
 greater Unbeliever than yourfelf ; that I attack opinions which you 
 never maintained, and maintain principles which you never denied.. 
 
 if
 
 566 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 If yt)ti mean to affert, that you arc a believer in Chriftianity, and 
 meant to recomtnend it, I muft fay, that your mode of writing has 
 been very ill adapted to gain your purpolc. If there be any certain 
 method of difcovering a man's real ohjca:, yours has been to dii- 
 credit Chriftianity in fad, while in words you reprefent yourfelf a^ 
 a friend to it : a condua which I fcruple not to call highly unworthy 
 and mean ; an infalt on the common fenfe of the Chriftian world ; 
 as a method of fcreening you from the notice of the laws (which is 
 as hoftilc to me as it is to you,) you muft know that it could avail 
 you nothing ; and, though that mode of writing might be deemed 
 ingenious a'nd' witty in the firft inVentor of it, it has been too often 
 repeated to deferve that appellation now. 
 
 According to your own rule of conduct, this charge ought to pro- 
 voke you to defcend into the amphitheatre once more, as much as 
 the accufation of Mr. Davis : for it is a call upon you to defend, not 
 your principles only, but alfo your honour. For what can refleil 
 "■reater diihonour on a man, than to fay one thing and mean another ? 
 You have certainly been very far from confining yourfelf, as you 
 pretend, to a fimple narrative of authentic 'fa(ftf!, without interpofmg 
 your own fentiments. I hold no opinions, obnoxious as they are, 
 that I am not ready both to avoiv in the moft explicit manner, and 
 alfo to defend with any perfon of competent judgment and ability. 
 Had I not confidered you in this light, and alfo as fairly open, by 
 the ftrain of your writings, to fuch a challenge, I ihould not have 
 called upon you as I have done. The Public will form its own 
 judgment both of that and of your filence on the occafion ; and 
 finally decide between you, the humble hijlorian^ and me, Xh^ proud 
 dijpntant. 
 
 As to my reputation^ for which you are fo very obligingly con- 
 cerned, give me leave to obferve, that, as far as it is an object with 
 any perfon, and a thing to be eryoyed by himfelf, it muft depend 
 upon his particular notions and feelings. — Nom', odd as it will appear to 
 8 ' you,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 567 
 
 you, the efteem of a very few rational ChrilHan friends (though I know- 
 that it will enfure me the deteftation of th# greater part of the prefent 
 nominally Chriftian world that happen to hear me) gives me more 
 real fatisfa£tion, than the applaufe of what you call the philofophic 
 world. I admire Servetus, by whofe example you wilh m? to take 
 warning, more for his courage in dying for the caufe of important 
 truth, than I fliould have done if, befides the certain difcovery of 
 the circulation of thp blood, he had made any other the'moft celc-, 
 brated difcovery in philofophy. 
 
 However, I do not fee vv^hat my phiiofophical friends (of whom 
 I have many, and wliom I think I value as I ought,) have to do with 
 my metaphyfical or theological writings. They may, if tliey pleafe, 
 confider them as my particular whims or amufements, and accord- 
 ingly negleft them. They have, in faft, interfered very little with 
 my application to philofophy, fmce I have had the means of doing 
 it. I was never more bufy, or more fuccefsfully fo, in my phiiofophi- 
 cal purfuits, than during the time that I haye been employed about 
 the Hiftory of the Corruptions of Chriftianity. I am at this very 
 time, totus in illis, as my friends know ; and as the Public will 
 know in due time ; which with me is never long, and if you had 
 thought proper to enter into the difcuffion I propofed, it would not 
 have made me negledt my laboratory, or omit a fmgle experiment 
 that I fliould otherwife have made. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your very humble fervant, 
 
 J. Priestley.
 
 S6S LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° CXLVI. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon lo Dr. Priestley. 
 
 SIR, Bentinck-street, February 6th, 1783. 
 
 A s I do not pretend to judge of the fentiments or intentions of 
 another, I fhall not enquire how far you are inclined to fufter, 
 or inflidt, martyrdom. It only becomes me to fay, that the ftyle 
 and temper of your laft letter have fatisfied me of the propriety of de- 
 clining all farther correfpondence, whether public or private, with fuch 
 an adverfary. I am, Sir, your humble fervant, 
 
 N° CXLVIL 
 Dr. Priestley to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 SIR. Birmingham, loth February, 17S3. 
 
 T NEITHER requefted nor wiflied to have ssvy private correfpondence 
 with you. All that my MS. card required, was a fimple ac- 
 knowledgment of the receipt of the copy of my work. You 
 chofe, however, to give me a fpecimen of your temper and feelings; 
 and alfo, what I thought to be an opening to a further call upon you 
 for a juftification of yourfelf in public. Of this I was willing to take 
 advantage ; and, at the fame time, to fatisfy you, that my philofo- 
 phical purfuits, for which, whether in earned or not, you were 
 pleafed to exprefs fome concern, would not be interrupted in con- 
 fequence of it. 
 
 As this correfpondence, from the origin and nature of it, cannot 
 be deemed conjidejilial^ I may, efpecially if I refume my obfervations 
 on your condudl as an Hiftorian, give the Public an opportunity of 
 judging of the propriety of my anfwer to your firft extraordinary 
 letter, and alfo to this laft truly enigmatical one ; to interpret which 
 
 more
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre, 569 
 
 requires much more fagaclty, than to dlfcover your real intentions 
 with refped to Chriftianity, though you might think you had care- 
 fully concealed them from all human infpedtion. 
 
 Wifliing to hear from you juft as little as you pleafe in private, 
 and juft as much as you pleafe in public, I am, Sir, your humble 
 fervant. 
 
 N* CXLVIIL 
 Mr. Gibbon /o Dr. Priestley. 
 
 February zzd, 1785.- 
 ¥ F Dr. Prieftley confults his friends, he will probably learn, that a 
 fmgle copy of a paper, addreffed under a feal to a fmgle perfon, 
 and not relative to any public or official bufinefs, muft always be 
 confidered a.s private coiTcfpondence ; which a man of honour is not 
 at liberty to print without the confent of the writer. That confent 
 in the prefent inftance, Mr. Gibbon thinks proper to with-hold; and, 
 as he defires to efcape all further altercation, he fhall not trouble 
 Dr. Prieftley or himfelf with explaining the motives of his refufal. 
 
 N*^ CXLIX. 
 
 Dr. Priestley /o iW>-. Gibbon. 
 
 Birmingham, 25th February 17^. 
 
 ■pvR. Prieftley is as unwilling to be guilty of any real impropriety 
 ^"^ as Mr. Gibbon can wifh him to be : but, as the correfpondence 
 between them relates not to any private^ but only to 2l puhlic matter^ 
 he apprehends that it may, according to Mr. Gibbon's own diftindion, 
 at the pleafure of either of the parties be laid before the Public ; who, 
 in fad, are interefted to know, at leaft, the refult of it. Dr. Prieftley's 
 VOL. I. 4 D condud;
 
 570 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 condud will always be open to animadverfion, that of Mr. Gibbon, 
 or of any other perfon. His appeal is to men of honour, and cvea 
 men of the world ; and he defires no favour. 
 
 Dr. Prieilley has fent a fingle copy of the correfpondence to a 
 friend in London, with leave to ihew it to any other common friends, 
 but with a prohibition to take any other copy : but between this and 
 printing there is no difference, except in 77iodc and extent. In the 
 eye of the law and of reafon both are equally publications ; and has 
 Mr. Gibbon never thought himfelf at liberty to fhew a copy of y. 
 ktter to a third perfon ? 
 
 Mr. Gibbon may eafily efcape all further altercation by difcon- 
 tinuing tliis mutually difagreeable correfpondence, by leaving Dr. 
 Prieftley to ad as his own difcretion or indifcretion may dictate ^ 
 and for this, himfelf only, and not Mr. Gibbon, is refponfible.. 
 
 N^ CL. 
 
 M. Gibbon a Monf. Deyverdun, a Laufanne. 
 
 A LoNDREs, ce :o Mai 1783. 
 
 OXJE j'aime la douce et pai-faite confiance de nos fentimens re'ci- 
 proqucs ! N^ous nous aimons dans reloignement et le filence, et 
 irl nous fuifit a I'un et a I'autre^ de favoir de terns en terns, des nou- 
 ■velles de la fante et du bonheur de fon ami. Aujourd'hui j'ai befoin 
 de vous ecrire ; je commence ians excufes et fans reproches, comme 
 fi nous allions reprendre la converfation familiere du jour precedent- 
 Si ie propofois de faire un eompte rendu de mes e'tudes, de mes occu- 
 pations, de mes plaifirs, de mes nouvelles liaifons, de ma politique 
 tQujours muette, mais un pen plus rapproche'e des grands evenemens,, 
 je multiplierois mes ;'/; quarto^ et je ne fais pas encore votre avis fur 
 ceux que je vous ai deja envoye's. Dans cette hiftoire moderne, il 
 2 feroit
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 571 
 
 ferolt toujours qneftlon dc la decadence des empires ; ct autant que 
 j'en puis juger fur mes reminifcenccs et fur le rapport de rami 
 Bugnon, vous aimez auffi peu la pulffance de i'Anglcterre que celle 
 dcs Romains. Notre chute, cependant, a cte' plus douce. Apres une 
 guerre fans fucces, et une paix aflez pcu glorieufe, il nous rcfte de 
 quoi vivre contens et heurcux ; et lorfque je me fuis depouillc du 
 role de Membrc du Parlement, pour redevenir homme, philofophe, 
 et hiftorien, nous pourrions bien nous trouver d'accord fur la plus part 
 des fcenes etonnantes qui viennent de fe paffer devant nos yeux, et 
 qui fourniront une riche matiere aux plus habiles de mes fuc- 
 ceiTeurs. 
 
 Bornons nous a cette heure a un objct moins illuftre fans doute, 
 mais plus intcreflant pour tous les deux, et c'eft beaucoup que le 
 meme objet puilfe inttrefler deux mortels qui ne fe font pas vus, qui 
 a peine fe font e'crit depuis — oui ma foi — depuis hult ans. Ma 
 plume, tres parefleufe au commencement, ou plutot avant le comr 
 mencement, marche affez vite, lorfqu'elle s'eft une fois mife en train ; 
 mais une raifon qui m'empecheroit de lui donner can-iere, c'eft I'ef- 
 perance de pouvoir bientot me fervir avec vous d'un inftrument 
 encore plus commode, la langue. Que I'homme, I'homme Anglois, 
 Thomme Gibbon, eft un fot animal ! Je I'efpere, je le defire, je le 
 puis, mais je ne fais pas fi je le veux, encore moins fi j'exe'cuterai 
 cette volonte. Voici mon hiftoire, autant qu'elle pourra vous 
 eclairer, qu'elle pourra m'eclairer moi-meme, fur mes veritables in- 
 tentions, qui me paroiftent tres obfcures, et tres equivoques ; et vous 
 aurez la bonte de m'apprendre qu'elle fera ma conduite future. II 
 vous fouvient, Seigneur, que mon grand pere a fait fi fortune, que 
 mon pere I'a mange'e avec un peu trop d'appetit, et que je jouis 
 a£tuellement du fruit, ou plutot du reiiQ de leurs travaux. Vous 
 n'avez pas oublie' que je fuis entre' au Parlement fans patriotifme, 
 fans ambition, et que toutes mes vues fe bornoient a la place com- 
 mode et honnete d'un Lord of Trade, Cette place, je I'ai obtenue 
 
 402 enfin ;
 
 572 ' LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 enfin ; je I'ai pofledee trois -ans, depuis 1779 jufqu' a 1782, et Ic 
 prodult net, qui fe montoit a fept cens cinquante livres fterling, aug- 
 mentoit mon rcvenu, au niveau de mes befoins, et de mes defirs. 
 Mais au printems de I'anne'e preccdente, I'orage a gronde fur nos 
 tetes : Milord North a ete renverfe', votre ferviteur chafle, et le 
 Board meme, dont j'etois mcmbre, aboli et caffc pour toujours, par la 
 reformation de M. Burke, avec beaucoup d'autres places de I'Etat, et 
 de la maifon du Roi. Pour mon malheur, je fuis toujours refte 
 Membre de la Chambre baffe : a la fin du dernier Parlement (en 
 1780) M.Eliot a retire fa nomination; mais la faveur de Milord 
 North a facilite ma rentre'e, et la reconnoifance m'impofoit le devoir 
 de faire valoir, pour fon fervice, les droits que je tenois en partie 
 de lui. Get hyver nous avons combatu fous les etendards reunis 
 (vous favez notre hiftoire) de Milord North, et de M. Fox ; nous 
 avons triomphe de Milord Shelburne et de la paix, et mon ami (je 
 n'aime pas a profaner ce nom) a remonte' fur fa bete en qualite de 
 Secretaire d'Etat. C'eft a prefent qu'il peut bien me dire : " C'etoit 
 " beaucoup pour moi ; ce n'e'toit rien pour vous ;" et malgre' les af- 
 furances les plus fortes, j'ai trop de raifon, pour avoir de la foi. 
 Avec beaucoup d'efprit, et des qualitcs tres refpedables, il n'a plus ni le 
 titre, ni le cre'dit de premier mlniftre; des collegues plus adifs lui en- 
 levent les morceaux les plus friands, qui font auffitot devores par la 
 voracite de leurs cre'atures ;. nos malheurs et nos reformes ont diminuc 
 le nombre des graces ;_ par orgueil ou par parefTe, je folllcite auffi mal,, 
 et fi je parviens enfin, ce fera peut etre a la veille d'une nouvelle 
 revolution, qui me fera perdre dans un inftant, ce qui m'aura coute 
 tant de foins et de recherches. Si je ne confukois que mon coeur 
 et ma raifon, je romprois fur le champ cette indigne chaine de la 
 dependance ; je quitterois le Parlement, Londres, I'Angleterre ; je 
 chercherois fous un ciel plus doux, dans ua pays plus tranquille, le 
 repos, la liberte, I'aifancc, et une focie'te eclaire'e et aimable. Je coule- 
 rois Quelques ann^'es de ma vie fans efpcrance, et fans crainte, 
 
 I. j'acheverois
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erquire. 573 
 
 j'acheverois mon hiftoire, et je ne rentrerols dans ma patrle qti'en 
 homme libre, rlchc, et refpedtable par fa pofition, auffi bien que 
 par fon caradere. Mes amis, et furtout Milord Sheffield, ne 
 veulent pas me permettre d'etre heureux fuivant mon gout et mes 
 lumieres. Leur pi-udence exige que je faffe tous mes efforts, pour 
 obtenir un emploi tres fur a la verite, qui me donneroit mille guine'es 
 de rente, mais qui m'enleveroit cinq jours par femaine. Je me 
 prete a leur zele, et je leur ai promis de ne partir qu'en automne, 
 apres avoir confacre I'cte' a cette derniere tentative. Le fucces, cepen- 
 dant, eft tres incertain, et je ne fais fi je le defire de bonne foi.. 
 
 Si je parviens a me voir exile, mon choix ne fera pas douteux. 
 Laufanne a eu mes premices ; elle me fera toujours chere par le doux 
 fouvenir de ma jeuneffe. Au bout de trente ans, je me rappelle les 
 poliflbns qui font aujourd'hul juges, les petites filles de la fociete' du 
 printems, qui font devenues grand-meres. Votre pays eft charmant,, 
 et, malgre' le degout de Jean Jacques, les moeurs, et I'efprit de fes 
 habitans, me paroiftent tres affortis aux bords du lac Le'man. Mais 
 un treTor que je ne trouverois qu'a Laufanne; c'eft un ami qui me 
 convient e'galement par les fentimens, et les idees, avec qui je n'ai 
 jamais connu un inftant d'ennui, de fe'chereffe, ou de referve.. Au- 
 trefois dans nos fibres e'panchemens, nous avons cent fois fait le 
 projet de vivre enfemble, et cent fois nous avons epluche tous les 
 details du Roman, avec une chaleur qui nous e'tonnoit nous memes, . 
 ^A pre'fent il.demeure, ou plutot vous demeurez, (car je me lafle de ce 
 tone'tudic,) dans une maifon charmante et commode; je vois d'ici mon 
 appartement, nos falles communes, notre table, et nos promenades j; 
 mais ce mariage ne vaut rien, s'il ne convient pas e'galement aux 
 deux epoux, et je fens combieh des circonftances locales, des gouts 
 nouveaux, de nouvelles liaifons, peuvent s'oppofer aux deffeins, qui 
 nous ont paru les plus agre'ables dans le lointaini Pour fixer mes 
 idees, et pour nous epargner des regrets, il faut me devoiler avec 
 la franchife dont je vous ai donne I'exemple, le tableau. exterleur et 
 inte'rieur de George Deyveidun, Mon amoiu: eft trop de'licat, pour 
 
 fupportei-
 
 574 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 .■fupportcr rindifferencs et Ics c'gards, et je rougirois d'un bonheiu- 
 :<!ont je ferois rcdevable, uon a rinclination, mais a la fideTitc de moii 
 ami. Pour in'armer centre Ics malheurs pofTibles, lielas ! pcut ^tre 
 trop vraifemblables, j'ai effiiye de me detacher de la penfce dc ce 
 projet favori, et de me reprefenter a Laufaune votre bori voifin, fans 
 .etre pre'cifement votre commenfal. Si j'y etois re'duit, je ne voudrois 
 :pas tenir maifon, autant par raifon d'e'conomie, que pour e'viter I'eu- 
 nui de manger feul. D'un autre cote, une penfion ouverte, fut elie 
 jnonte'e fur I'ancien pied de celle de Mefery, ne conviendroit plut 
 a mon age, ni a mon caradere ? Pafferois je ma vie au milieu 
 _d'une foule de jeunes Anglois cchappes du college, moi qui aimerois 
 Laufanne cent fois davantage, fi j'y pouvois etre le feuL de ma 
 nation ? 11 me faudrolt done une maifon commode et riante, un 
 etat au deffus de la bourgcoifie, un mari inftruit, une femme qui ne 
 refembleroit pas a Madame Pavilliard, et TafTurance d'y etre re9U 
 comme le fils unique, ou plutot comme le frere de la famille. Pour 
 nous arranger fans gene, je meublerai tres volontiers un joli apparte- 
 inent fous le meme tolt, ou dans le voifmage, et puifque le menage 
 Je plus foible, laiffe encore de I'etoffe pour une forte penfion, je ne 
 ferois pas oblige' de chicaner fur les conditions pe'cuniaires. Si je 
 ane vois dechu de cette derniere efpe'rance, je-renoncerois en foupi- 
 rant a ma feconde patrie, pour chercher un nouvel afyle, non pas 
 a Geneve, trifle fejour du travail et de la difcorde, mais aux bords du 
 lac de Neufchatel, parmi les bons Savoyards de Chamberry, ou fous 
 le beau climat des Provinces Meridionales de la France. Je finis 
 brufquement, parceque j'ai mille chofes a vous dire. Je penfe que 
 nous nous reffemblons pour la correfpondance. Pour le bavardage 
 favant, ou meme amical, je fuis de tous les hommes le plus paref- 
 feux, mais des qu'il s'agit d'un objet reel, d'un fervice eflentlel, le 
 premier Courier emporte toujours ma reponfe. A la fin d'un mois, 
 Je commencerai a compter les femaines, les jours, les heures. Ne me 
 les faites pas compter trop long terns. Vale.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 575 
 
 N° CLI. 
 M, Deyverdun a M. Gibbon. 
 
 Strasbourg, le lo Juin 1783. 
 
 "IE ne faurais vous exprlmer, Monfieur et cher ami, la variete et la 
 vivacite des fenfations que m'a fait eprouver votre lettre. Tour 
 cela a fini par un fond de plaifir et d'efperance qui refteront dans 
 mon coeur, jufqu'a ce que vous les en chaffiez. 
 
 Un rapport fingulier de circonftances contribue a me faire efperer 
 que nous fommes defline's a vivre quelque tems agreablement en- 
 femble. Je ne luis pas degoute d'une ambition que je ne connus 
 jamais ; mais par d'auires circonftances, je me trouve dans la meme 
 fituation d'embarras et d'incertitude ou vous etes auffi a cette 
 e'poque. II y a un an que votre lettre, mon cher ami, m'auroit fait 
 plailir fans doute, mais en ce moment, elle m'en fait bien davantage : 
 elle vient en quelque fa^on a mon fecours. 
 
 Depuis mon retour d'ltalie, ne pouvant me determiner a vendre 
 ma maifon, m'ennuyant d'y etre feul (car je fuis comme vous, Mon- 
 fieur, et je detefte de manger fans compagnie) no voulant pas louer 
 a des e'trangers, j'ai pris le parti de m'arranger alfez joliment au 
 premier e'tage, et de donner le fecond a une famille de mes amis, 
 qui me noun-it, et que je loge. Get arrangement a paru pendant 
 long tems contribuer au bonheur des deux parties. Mais tout eft. 
 tranfitoire fur cette terre. Ma maifon fera vuide, felon tout appa- 
 rence, fur la fin de I'tte', et je me vois d'avancetout auffi embarafle 
 ct incertain, que je I'e'tais il y a quelques annees, ne fachant quelle 
 nouvelle fociete choifu", et aflez difpofe a vendre enfin cette pof- 
 feflion qui m'a caufe bien des plailirs, et bien des pcines. Ma 
 maifon eft done a votre difpofition pour, cet automne, et vous y 
 
 arriveriez
 
 576 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 arrlveriez comme un Dieu dans une machine qui fink rembrogllo 
 Voila quant a moi j parlons de vous maintenant avec la meme fin- 
 cerite. 
 
 Un mot de preambule. Quelque interefle que je fois a votre 
 
 refolutlon, convaincu qu'il faut aimer fes amis pour eux metnes, 
 
 fentant d'ailleurs combien il feroit affreux pour moi de vous voir des 
 
 regrets, je vous donne lei ma parole d'honneur, que mon inte'ret n'ln- 
 
 flue en rien fur ce que je vais e'crire, et que je ne dirai pas un mot 
 
 que je ne vous difle, li Thermite de la grotte etoit un autre que moi. 
 
 Vos amis Anglais vous aiment pour eux mcmes : je ne veux moi 
 
 que votre bonheur. Rappellez vous, mon cher ami, que je vis 
 
 avec peine votre entre'e dans le Parlement, et je crois n'avoir ete que 
 
 trop bon prophete ; je I'uis fur que cette carriere vous a fait e'prouver 
 
 plus de privations que de jouiflances, beaucoup plus de peines que 
 
 de plaifirs ; j'ai cru toujours, depuis que je vous ai connu, que vous 
 
 etiez deftine' a vivre heureux par les plaifirs du cabinet et de la focie'tc> 
 
 que tout autre marche e'tait un e'cart de la route du bonheur, et que 
 
 ce n'etait que les qualites re'unies d'homme de lettres, et d'homme 
 
 aimable de fociete, qui pouvoient vous procurer gloire, honneur, 
 
 plaifirs, et un fuite continuelle de jouiflances. Au bout de quelques 
 
 tours dans votre falle, vous fentirez parfaitement que j'avols bien vu, 
 
 et que I'e'venement a juftifie' mes ide'es. Lorfque j'ai appris que vous 
 
 etiez Lord of 'Trade ^ j'en ai etc' fache' ; quand j'ai fu que vous aviez 
 
 perdu cette place, je m'en fuls rejouis pour vous ; quand on m'a 
 
 auonce que Milord North etoit remonte fur fa bete, j'ai cru vous 
 
 voir tres mal a votre aife, en croupe derriere lui, et je m'en fuis af- 
 
 flige pour vous. Je fuis done charme, mon cher ami, de vous favoir 
 
 a pied, et je vous confeille tres fincerement de refter dans cette pofi- 
 
 tion, et bien loin de folliciter la place en queftion, de la refufer, fi elle 
 
 vous e'tait offerte. Mille guinees vous didommageront elles de cinq 
 
 jours pris de la femaine ? Je fuppofe, ce que cependant j'ai peine a 
 
 croire,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 577 
 
 crolre, que vous rae difiez que oui: et la variete et I'inconftance con- 
 tinuelle de votre miniftcre, vous promettent elles d'enjouir long terns 
 conftamment, et n'eft il pas plus de'fagreable, mon cher Monfieur, de 
 n'avoir plus io©o livres fterl. de rente, qu'il n'a ete agreable d'en 
 jouir ? D'ailleurs ne pourrez vous pas toujours rentrer dans la car- 
 riere, fi rambition ou I'enviede fervir la patrie, vous reprennent; ne 
 rentrerez vous pas avec plus d'honneur, lorl'que vos rentes etant aug- 
 mente'es naturellement, vous ferez libre et independant ? 
 
 En failant cette retraite en Suiffe, outre la beaute' du pays, et les 
 agremens de la fociete', vous acquererez deux biens que vous avez 
 perdus, la liberie' et la richelTe. Vous ne ferez d'ailleurs point 
 inutile ; vos ouvrages continueront a nous e'clairer, et independam- 
 ment de vos talens, I'honnete homme, le galant homme, n'eft jamais 
 inutile. 
 
 II me refte a vous preTenter le tableau que vous trouveriez. Vous 
 aimiez ma maifon et mon jardin, c'eft bien autre chofe a prefent. 
 Au premier e'tage qui donne fur la defcente d'Ouchy, je me fuis ar- 
 range' un appartement qui me fuffit, j'ai une chambre de domeftique, 
 •deux fallons, et deux cabinets. J'ai au plein pied de la terrafle, 
 deux autres fallons dont I'un fert en e'te de falle a manger, et I'autre 
 de fallen de corapagnie. J'ai' fait un nouvel appartement de trois 
 pieces dans le vuide entre la maifon et la remife, en forte que j'ai a 
 vous offrir tout le grand appartement, qui confifte adluellement en 
 onze pieces, tant grandes que petites, tournces au Levant et au Midi, 
 meuble'es fans magnificence de'place'e, maisavec une forte d'ele'gance 
 dont j'efpere que vous feriez fatisfait. La terraffe a peu change'; 
 mais elle eft terminc'e par un grand cabinet mieux proportionne' que le 
 prece'dent, garnie tout du long, de caiffes d'orangers, &c. La treille, 
 qui ne vous eft pas indifferente, a embelli, profpe're', et regne pref- 
 qu'entierement jufqu'au bout; parvenu a ce bout, vous trouverez un 
 petit chemin qui vous conduira si une chaumiere place'e dans un coin j 
 et de ce coin, en fuivant le long d'une autre route a I'Anglaife, le 
 
 VOL. r. 4 E mur
 
 578 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 mur d'un manege. Vous trouverez au bout, un chalet avec ecurie, 
 vacherie, petite porte, petit cabinet, petite bibliotheque, et une galerie 
 de bois dore, d'ou Ton voit tout ce qui fort et entre en ville par la porte 
 du Chene, et tout cc qui fe pafl'e dans ce Faubourg. J'ai acquis la 
 vigne au-deflous du jardin ; j'en ai arrache tout ce qui etoit devant 
 la maifon ; j'cn ai fait un tapis vert, arrofe' par I'eau du jet d'eau ; et 
 j'ai fait tout autour de ce petit pare, une promenade tres varie'e par 
 les diffe'rens points de vue et les objets meme interieurs, tantot 
 jardin potager, tantot parterre, tantot vigne, tantot pre's, puis chalet, 
 chaumiere, petite montagne ; bref, les etrangers viennent le voir et 
 I'admirent, et malgre la defcription pompeufe que je vou en fais, 
 vous en ferez content. 
 
 N. B. J'ai plante' une quantite d'excellens arbres fruitiers. 
 
 Venons a moi ; vous comprenez bien que j'ai vieilli, excepte pour 
 la fenfibilite' ; je fuis a la mode, mes nerfs font attaque's ; je fuis plus 
 melancolique, mais je n'ai pas plus d'humeur ; vous ne fouifrirez 
 de mes maux que tout au plus ne'gativement. Enfemble, et fcpare's 
 par nos logemens, nous jouirons vis-a-vis I'un de I'autre, de la plus 
 grande liberte. Nous prendrons une gouvernante douce et entendue, 
 plutot par commodite que par neceffite' ; car je me chargerois fans 
 crainte de la furintendance. J'ai fait un me'nage de quatre, pen- 
 dant quelque tems ; j'ai fait le mien, et j'ai remarque que cela mar- 
 choit tout feul, quand c'e'toit une fois en train. Les petites gens qui 
 n'ont que ce merite, font grand bruit pour rien. Mon jardin nous 
 fournira avec abondance de bons fruits et d'excellens legumes. 
 Po-ar la refte de la table et de la de'penfe domeftique, je ne demanderais 
 pas mieux que de vous re9evoir chez moi, comme vous m'avez refu 
 chez vous ; mais nos fituations font differentes a cet egard ; cepen- 
 dant fi vous etiez plus mine', je vous I'ofFrirois fans doute, etje 
 devrois le faire ; mais avec les rentes que vous aviez, quand j'etois 
 chez vous, en les fuppofant meme diminue'es, vous vivrez tres agre- 
 
 ablement
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 579 
 
 ablement a Laufanne. Enfin a cet egard nous nous arrangerons, 
 comme il vous fera le plus agreable, et en proportion de nos revenus. 
 Toujours ferez vous ainfi, a ce qui j'efpere, plus decemment et plus 
 comfortablement, que vous ne feriez par tout ailleurs au meme prix. 
 
 Quant a la fociete, quoique infinlment agreablc, je commence ce 
 chapitre par vous dire que j'eviterois de vous y inviter, fi vous e'tiez 
 cntierement defoeuvre ; les jours font longs alors, et laiffent bien 
 du vulde ; mais homme de lettres, comme vous etes, je ne connois 
 point de fociete qui vous convienne mieux. Nous aurons autourde 
 nous un cercle, comme il feroit impoffible d'en trouver ailleurs dans 
 un auffi petit efpace. Madame de Corcelles, Mademoifelle Sulens, et 
 M. de Montolieu (Madame eft morte), MefTrs. Poller et leurs fem- 
 mes, Madame de Severy, et M. et Madame de NafTau, Mademoifelle 
 de Chandieu, Madame dc St. Cierge, et M. avec leurs deux filles 
 jolies et aimables, Madames de Croufaz, Poller, de Charrieres, &c. 
 font un fonds de bonne compagnie dont on ne fe lafle point, et dont 
 M. de Servan eft fi content qu'il regrette toujours d'etre oblige de re- 
 tourner dans fes terres, et ne refpire que pour s'etablir tout a fait a 
 Laufanne. II pafla tout Thy ver de 1782 avec nous, et il fut, on ne 
 pent plus, agreable. Vous trouverez les moeurs changees en bien, 
 et plus conformes a nos ages, et a nos cara£leres ; peu de grandes 
 affemblees, de grands repas, mais beaucoup de petits foupers, de 
 petites affemblees, ou Ton fait ce qu'on veut, ou Ton caufe, lit, &c. 
 et dont on ecarte avec foin les facheux de toute efpece. II y a Ic 
 Dimanche une focie'te, oil tout ce qu'il y a d'un peu diftingue en 
 etrangeres et etrangers, eft invite. Cela fait des aflemble'es de 40 a 50 
 perfonnes, ou Ton voit ce qu'on ne voit gueres le refte de la femaine, 
 et ces efpeces de rout font quelquefois plaifir. Nous fommes fort 
 degoute's des etrangers, furtout des jeunes gens, et nous les e'cartons 
 avec foin de nos petits comite's, a moins qu'ils n'ayent du me'rite, ou 
 quelques talens. ^A cet egard un de nos petits travers, c'eft I'en- 
 gouement ; mais vous en profiterez, mon cher Monfieur, comme 
 
 4 E 2 Edward
 
 ^8'o LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Edward Gibbon, et comme mon ami; vous ferez d'abord riiomme a 
 la mode, et je vois d'ici que vous foutiendrez fort bien ce role, far>« 
 vous en facher, dut on un peu vous furfaire. Jc ftns que tu me 
 fattes^ ma'is tu me fats plaiftr^ eft peut etre le mcilleur vers de 'Q&{- 
 touches. Voila done I'hyver ; I'e'tude le matin, quelques converfa- 
 tions, quand vous ferez fatigue, avec quelque homme de lettres, ou 
 amateur, ou du moins qui aura vu quelque chofe ; a I'heure qu'il 
 vous plaira un diner, point de fermier general, mais I'honnete e'pi- 
 Gurien, avec un ou deux amis quand vous voudrez ; puis quelques 
 vifites, une foiree, fouvent un fouper. Quant a I'ete', vu votre maniere 
 d'aimer la campagne, on diroit que ma remife a e'tt'faite pour vous ; 
 pendant que vous vous y promenerez en fc'nateur, je ferai fouvent en 
 bon payfau Suifle, devajit mon chalet, ou dans ma chaumiere ; puis 
 nous nous rencontrerons tout a coup, et tacherons de nous remettre 
 au niveau Tun de I'autre. Nous fermerons nos portes a I'ordinaire, 
 excepte' aux e'trangers qui palTent leur chemin ; mais quand nous 
 voudrons, nous y aurons tous ceux que nous aimerons a y voir : 
 car on ne demande pas mieux que d'y venir fe rejouir. J'ai eu, un 
 beau jour d'Avril ce printerns, un dejeuner, qui m'a coute quelques. 
 Louis, ou il y avait plus de 40 perfonnes, je ne fai« combien de 
 petites tables, une bonne mufique au milieu du verger, et une quan- 
 tite de jeunes et jolies perfonnes danfant des branles, et formant des 
 chifres en cadence; j'ai vu bien des fetes, j'en ai peu vu de plus 
 jolies. Quand mon pare vous ennuyera, nous aurous, ou nous 
 louerons enfemble (et ce fera ainfi un pUifir peu cher) un cabriolet- 
 k'ger, avec deux chevaux gentils, et nous irons vifiter nos amis 
 difperfe's dans les campagnes, qui nous recevront a bras ouverts. Vous 
 en ferez content de nos campagnes ; toujours en proportion vous 
 comprenez, et vous trouverez en general un heureux changement 
 pour les agremens de la focie'te', et une forte de recherche fimple, 
 mas ele'gante. Les bergeres du printerns^ excepte' Madame de Van- 
 berg, ne font fans doute plus pre'fentables, mais il y en a d'autres aflez 
 1 gentilles
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 5S1 
 
 gentilles, et quoiqu'ellcs ne foycnt pas en bien grand nombre, il y 
 en aura toujours aflez pour vous, mon cher Monfieur. Peu a peu 
 mon imagination m'a emporte, et mon ftyle s'e'gayc, comme cela 
 nous arrivait quelqucfcls dans nos chateaux en Efpagne. II eft bien 
 terns de finir cet article, rcTumons nous plus ferieufement. 
 
 Si vous exe'cutez le plan que vous avez imagine, j'aimerois memo 
 a dire que vous embraflez, furtout d'apres ce que vous marquez 
 vous meme. Si je ne confiiltais que mon cceur et ma raifon, je romprols 
 fur le champ cette hidigne cha'incy &c. Eh ! que voulez vous confulter, 
 ■ fi ce n'eft votre coeur et votre raifon ? Si, dis-je, vous exe'cutez 
 ce plan, vous retrouverez une liberte' et une independance, que vous 
 n'auriez jamais du perdre, et dont vous raeritez de jouir, une aifancc • 
 qui ne vous coutera qu'un voyage de quelques jours, une tranquil- 
 lite' que vous ne pouvez avoir a Londres, et enfin un ami qui n'a pent 
 etre pas e'te' un jour fans penfer a vous, et qui malgre' fes dr:fauts, 
 fes foiblefles et Ion infe'riorite', eft encore un des compagnons qui 
 vous convient le mieux. 
 
 II me refte a vous apprendre pourquoi je vous reponds fi tard : 
 vous favez deja adtuellement que ce n'eft pas manque d'amitie et de 
 zele pour la chofe ; mais vetre lettre m'a ete renvoyee de Laufanne 
 ici, a Strafbourg, et je n'ai pafle qu'une pofte fans y repondre, ce qui 
 n'eft pas trop, vous I'avouerez, pour un pareil bavardage. Je fuis 
 parti de Laufanne la veille de Paques pour venir voir un M. Bour- 
 card de Bafle, fort de mes amis ; il eft ici aupres du Comte de 
 Caglioftro, pour profiter de fes remedes. Vous aurez entendu parler 
 pent etre de cet homme extraordinaire a tous e'gards. Comme j'ai 
 ete aflez malade tout I'hyver, je profite aufli de fes rcmedes ; . mais 
 comme le terns du fejour du Comte ici n'eft rien moins que fur, Ic 
 mieux fera que vous m'e'criviez a M. D. chez M. Bourcard 'du KirJIo- 
 garten^ a Bajle^ 
 
 Vous
 
 582 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Vous comprenez combien a tous egards, il eft neceffa'ire m'ecrlic 
 fans perte de terns, defque vous aurez pris une refolution. Adieu, 
 iiion cher ami. 
 
 N° CLII. 
 
 M. Gibbon a M. Deyverdun. 
 
 TE refois votre lettre du 10 Juin, le 21 de ce mois. Aujourd'hui 
 ^ Mardi 24th, je mets la main a la plume (comme dit M. Fre'ron) 
 pour y repondre, quoique ma miffive ne puiffe partir par arrange- 
 ment des poftes, que Vendredi prochain, 27 du courant. O merv^eille, 
 de la grace efficace ! Elle n'agit pas moins puiflamment fur vous, 
 et moyennant le fecours toujours pret, et toujours prompt de nos 
 couriers, un mois nous fuffit pour la demande et la re'ponfe. Je 
 remercie mille fois le genie de I'amitle, qui m'a poufle, apres mille 
 efforts inutiles, a vous e'crire enfin au moment le plus critique et le 
 plus favorable. Jamais de'marche n'a re'pondu fi parfaitement a tous 
 mes vceux et a toutes mes efpe'rances. Je comptois fans doute fur 
 la duree et la verite de vos fentimens ; mais j'ignorois (telle eft la 
 foibleffe humaine) jufqu'a quel point ils avoient pu ctre attiedis par le 
 terns et I'e'loignement ; et je favois encore moins I'etat aduel de 
 votre fante', de votre fortune et de vos liaifons, qui auroient pu 
 oppofer tant d'obftacles , a notre re'union. Vous m'ecrivez, vous 
 m'aimez toujours ; vous dfirez avec zele, avec ardeur, de realifer nos 
 anciens projets ; vous le pouvez, vous le voulez ; vous m'offrez des 
 I'automne votre maifon, et quelle maifon ! votre terraffe, et quelle 
 terraife ! votre focic'te', et quelle focicte' ! L'arrangement nous con- 
 vient a tous les deux ; je retrouve a la fois le compagnon de ma 
 jeunefTe, un fage confeiller, et un peintre qui fait repre'fenter et 
 
 exagerer
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 3$:^ 
 
 cxagerer meme les objets les plus rians. Ces exagerations me font 
 pour le moins autant de plaifir, que la fimple ve'rite. Si votrc 
 portrait etolt tout a fait reflemblant, ces agremens n'exifteroient 
 que hors de nous memes, et j'aime encore micux les trouver dans 
 la vivacite de votre cceur et de votre imagination. Ce n'eft pas que 
 je ne reconnoifle un grand fond de ve'rite dans le tableau de Lau- 
 fanne ; je connois le lieu de la fcene, je me tranfporte en idee fur 
 notre terrafle, je vois ces coteaux, ce lac, ces montagnes, ouvrages 
 favoris de la nature, et je concois fans peine les embelliffemens que 
 votre gout s'eft plu y ajouter. Je me rappelie depuis vingt ou trente 
 ans les moeurs, I'efprit, I'aifance de la fociete, et je comprends que 
 ce veritable ton de la bonne compagnie fe perpetue, et s'cpure de pere 
 en fils, ou plutot de mere en fillej car il m'a toujours paru qu'a Lau- 
 fanne, auffi bien qu'en France, les femmes font tres fuperieures aux 
 hommes. Dans un pareil fejour, je craindrois la diffipation bien 
 plus que I'ennui, et le tourbillon de Laufanne e'tonneroit un phi- 
 lofophe accoutume, depuis tant d'anne'es a la tranquillite de Lon- 
 dres. Vous etes trop inftruit pour regarder ce propos, comme 
 ■une mauvaife plaifanterie ; c'eft dans les detrolts qu'on eft en- 
 traine par la rapidite des courans : il n'y en a point en pleine 
 mer. Dcfqu'on ne recherche plus les plaifirs bruyans, et qu'on 
 s'affranchit volontiers des devoirs penibles, la liberte d'un fimple 
 particulier fe fortifie par I'immenfite' de la ville. Quant a moi,, 
 I'application a mon grand ouvrage, I'habitude, et la re'compenfe 
 du travail, m'ont rendu plus ftudieux, plus fe'dentaire, plus ami de 
 la retraite. La chambre des communes et les grands diners exigent 
 beaucoup de terns ; et la temperance d'un repas Anglois, vous permet 
 de gouter de cinq ou fix vins differens, et vous ordonne de boire une 
 bouteille de claret apres le de'fert. Mais enfin je ne foupe jamais, je 
 me couche de bonne heure, je re^ois peu de vilites, les matine'es font 
 longues, les e'te's font libres, et defque je ferme maporte; je fuis oublie 
 du Monde entier. Dans une focie'te' plus bornee et plus amicale, les 
 3: de'marclxef
 
 584 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 demarches font publiques, les droits font reciproques, Ton dine 
 de bonne heure, on fe goute trop pour ne pas pafler rapres-midi 
 enfemble j on foupe, on veille, et les plaifirs de la foiree ne laiflcnt 
 pas de deranger le repos de la nuit, et le travail du lendemain Quel 
 eft cependant le refultat de cesplaintes ? c'eft feulement que la mariee 
 eft trop belle, et que j'ofe me fervir de I'excufe honnete de la fante 
 €t du privilege d'un homme de lettres ; il ne tiendra qu'a moi de 
 mode'rer un peu I'exces de mes jouiffances. Pour cet engouement 
 que vous m'annoncez, et qui a toujours e'te le dc'faut des peuples les 
 plus fpirituels, je I'ai deja eprouve fur un plus grand theatre. II y a 
 fix ans que I'ami de Madame Necker fut recu a Paris, comme celui 
 de George Deyverdun pourroit I'etre a Laufanne. Je ne connois 
 rien de plus flateur que cet accueil favorable d'un public poli et 
 e'claire'. Mais cette faveur, fi douce pour I'etranger, n'eft-elle pas 
 un peu dangereufe pour I'habitant expofe a voir fietrir fes lauriers, 
 par fa faute ou par I'inconftance des fes juges ? Non ; on fe foutient 
 toujours, pent etre pas precifement, au meme point d'ele'vation. 
 'A Tabri de trois gros volumes in quarto en langue e'trangere, encore 
 ce qui n'eft pas un petit avantage, je conferverai toujours la reputa- 
 tion litteraire, et cette reputation donnera du relief aux qualite's 
 fociales, fi Ton trouve I'hiftorien fans travers, fans afFe£lation et 
 fans pre'tenfions. Je feral done charme et content de votre fociete, 
 €t j^aurois pu dire en deux mots, ce qui j'ai bavarde en deux pages ; 
 mais 11 y a tant de plaifir a bavarder avec un ami ! car enfin je 
 poflede a Laufanne un veritable ami ; et les fimples connoifTances 
 remplaceront fans beaucoup de peine, tout ce qui s'appelle liaifon, et 
 meme amitie', dans ce vafte de'fert de Londres, Mais au moment ou 
 j'e'crls, je vols de tous cotes une foule d'objets dont la perte fera blen 
 plus difficile a reparer. Vous connolffiez ma blbliotheque ; mais je 
 fuls en e'tat de vous rendre le propos de votre maifon c ejl h'tcn 
 autre chofe a cette heure ; formee peu a peu, mais avec beaucoup de 
 foin et de depenfe, elle peut fe nommer aujourd'hui un beau cabinet de 
 
 particuller.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 585 
 
 partlculier. Non content de rcmpUr a rangs redoubles la meilleiirc 
 piece qui lui etoit deftinee, elle s'eft deborde'e dans la chambre fur la 
 rue, dans votre ancienne chambre a coucher, dans la micnne, dans 
 tous les recoins de la maifon de Bentinck-Jireet ^ ct jufques dans unc 
 chaumiere que je me fuis donnee a Hampton Court. 
 
 J'ai mllle courtifans ranges autour de moi : 
 
 Ma rctraite eft men Louvre, ct j'y commande en roi. 
 
 Le fonds eft de lameilleurecompagnieGrecque, Latinc, Italicane; 
 Francoile, et Angloife, et les auteurs les moins chers a I'homme de gout, 
 des eccle'fiaftiques, des Byzantins, des Orientaxix, font les plus ne'ceflaires 
 al'hiftorien de la decadence et de la chute, &c. Vous ne fentez que 
 trop bien le de'fagre'ment de laifler, et rimpoflibllite' do tranfportcr 
 cinq ou fix milles volumes, d'autant plus que le ciel n'a pas voulu 
 faire de la SuifTe, un pays maritime. Cependant mon zele pour la 
 reuflite de nos projets communs, me fait imaginer que ces obftacles 
 pourront s'applanir, et que je puis ad'oucir cu fupporter ces privations 
 douloureufes. Les bons auteurs clafliques, la bibliotheque des nations, 
 fe retrouvent dans tous les pays. Laufanne n'eft pas depourvu de 
 livres, ni de politefle, et j'ai dans I'efprit qu'on pourroit acquerir pour 
 un certain terns, quelque bibliotheque d'un vieillard ou d'un mineur, 
 dont la famille ne voudroit pas fe dcfaire entierement. Quant aux 
 outils de mon travail, nous commencerons par examiner I'ctat de 
 nos lichefles ; apres quoi il faudroit faire un petit calcul du prix, du 
 poids et de la rarete de chaque ouvrage, pour juger de ce qu'il 
 feroit ne'ceflaire de tranfporter de Londres, et de ce qu'on acheteroit 
 plus commodement en Suifle ; a I'egard de ces frais, on devroit les 
 envifager comme les avances d'une jnanufadlure tranfplante'e en pays 
 etranger, et dont on efpere retirer dans la fuite un profit raifonnable. 
 Malheureufement votre bibliotheque publique, en y ajoutant meme 
 -celle de M. de Bochat, eft aflez piteufe ; mais celles de Berne et de 
 
 VOL. I. 4 F Bafle
 
 586 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Buflc font tres nombreufes, et je compterois aflez fur la bonhommie 
 Hclvctique, pour efperer que, moyennant des recommandations et 
 des cautions, il me feroit permis d'en tirer les livres dont j'aurois 
 eflentiellement befoin. Vous etes tres bien place pour prendre les 
 informations, et pour fixer les de'marches convenables ; mais vous 
 voyez du moins combien je me retourne de tous les cotes, pour 
 efquiver la difficulte la plus formidabk. 
 
 Venons a prefent a des objets moins relevc's, mais tres Importans 
 a I'exiftence et au bien etre de I'animal, le logcment, les domeftiques* 
 et la table. Pour mon appartement partieulier, une chambre a 
 coucher, avec un grand cabinet et une antichambre, auroient fuffi a 
 tous mes befoins ; mais fi vous pouvez vous en paffer, je me pro- 
 menerai avec plaifir dans I'immenfite de vos onze pieces, qui s'ac- 
 commoderont fluis doute aux heures et aux faifons differentes. L'article 
 des domeftiques renferme une aflez forte difficulte', fur la quelle je 
 dois vous confulter. Vous connoifl!ez, et vous eftimez Caplin mon 
 valet de chambre, maitre d'hotel, &c. qui a e'te nourri dans notre 
 maifon, et qui comptoit y finir fes jours. Depuis votre de'part, 
 fes talens et fes vertus fe font deVeloppes de plus en plus, et je le 
 confidere bien moins fur le pied d'un domeftique, que fur celui 
 d'un ami. Malheureufement il ne fait que I'Anglois, et jamais il 
 n'apprendra de langue etrangere. II m'accompagna, il y a fix ans, 
 dans mon voyage a Paris, mais il rapporta fidelement a Londres 
 toute I'ignorance, ct tous les prcjuges d'un bon patriote. 'A Lau- 
 fanne il me couteroit beaucoup, et a I'exception du fervice perfonel, 
 il ne nous feroit que d'une tres petite utilite'. Cependant je fup- 
 porterois volontiers cette de'penfe, mais je fuis tres perfuade' que, fi 
 fon attachement le portoit a me fuivre, il s'ennuyeroit a mourir dans 
 un pavs ou tout lui feroit etranger et de'fagrcable. II faudroit done 
 me de'tacher d'un homme dont je connois le zele, la fidelite', rompre 
 tout d'un coup de petites habitudes qui font lie'es avec le bien etre 
 journalier et momentane', et fe refoudre a lui fubftituer un vifage 
 7 nouveau,
 
 KDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 587 
 
 nouveau, pent etre uii mauvais fujet, toujours quelque avant'urier 
 Suifle prls fur le pave de Londres. Vous rappellez vous un certain 
 Georges Suifle qui a fait autrefois avec moi, le voyage de France et 
 d'ltalie ? Je le crois marie et e'tabli a Laufanne ; s'il vit encore, (i 
 vous pouvez I'engager a fe rendre ici, pour me ramener en Suifle, 
 la compagnie d'un bon et ancien ferviteur ne laifleroit pas d'adoucir 
 la chute, et il refl:eroit pent etre aupres de moi, jufqu'a ce que nous 
 euflions choifi un jeune homme du pays, adroit, modefte ct bien 
 eleve', a qui je ferois un parti avantageux. Les autres domefl:iques, 
 gouvernantes, laquais, cuifiniere, &c. fe prennent et fe renvoyent 
 fans diflSculte'. Un article bien plus important, c'efl: notre table, car 
 enfiji nous ne fommes pas aflez hermites, pour nous contenter des 
 legumes et des fruits de votre jardin, tout excellens qu'ils font ; mais 
 je n'ai prefque rien a ajouter a I'honnetete de vos propos, qui me 
 donnent beaucoup plus de plaifir que de furprife. Si je me trouvois 
 fans fortune, au lieu de rougir des bienfaits de I'amitie, j'accepterois 
 vos offres auflS fimplement que vous les faites. Mais nous ne fom- 
 mes pas reduits a ce point, et vous comprenez aflez qu'une decon- 
 fiture Angloife laiflTe encore une fortune fort de'cente au Pays de Vaud, 
 ct pour vous dire quelque chofe de plus pre'cis, je dc'penferois fans 
 peine et fans inconvenient cinq ou fix cens Louis. Vous connoiflez 
 le refultat auflTi bien que les details d'un menage ; en fuppofant une 
 petite table de deux philofophes Epicuriens, quatre, cinq, ou fix 
 domefl:iques, des amis aflez fouvent, des repas aflez rarement, beau- 
 coup de fenfualite, et peu de luxe, a combien eftimez vous en gros 
 le dcpenfe d'un mois et d'une annee ? Le partage que vous avez deja 
 fait, me paroit des plus raifonnables ; vous me logez, et je vous 
 nourris. 'A votre calcul, j'ajouterois mon entretien perfonnel, habits 
 plaifirs, gages de domeftiques, &c. et je verrois d'une maniere aflez 
 nette, I'enfemble de nion petit etabliflement. 
 
 Apres avoir efliiye' tant de de'tails minutiex, le cher ledeur s'ima- 
 gine fans doute que la refolution de me fixer pendant quelque tems 
 
 4 F 2 aux
 
 588 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 aux bords du Lac Lcman, eft parfaitement decidce. Helas ! rieu 
 n'eft moins vrai ; mais je me fuis livre' au charme delicieux de 
 compter, de fonder, de palper ce bonheur, dont je fens tout le prix, 
 qui eft a ma portee, et auquel j'aurai pent etre la betife de renoncer. 
 Vous avez raifon de croire, mais vous ignorcz jufqu'a quel point 
 vous I'avez, que ma carricre politique a t'te plus femce d'epines que de 
 rofes. Eh ! quel objet, quel mortel, pourroit me confoler de I'ennui 
 des affaires, et de la honte de la dcpendauce ? La gloire ? Comme 
 homme de lettrcs, j'en jouis, comme orateur je ne I'aurai jamais, et 
 le nom des fimples foldats eft oublic dans les vidtoires auffi bien que- 
 dans les d;faites. Le devoir. Dans ces combats a I'aveugle, ou les 
 chefs ne cherchent que leur avantage particulier, il y a toujours a 
 parier que les fubalternes feront plus de mal que de bien. Vattache- 
 mei7t ptrjonnel F Les miniftres font rarement dignes de I'infpirer ; 
 jufqu'a prefent Lord North m'a pas eu a fe plaindre de moi, et fi je 
 me retire du Parlement, il lui fera tres aife d'y fubftituer un autre 
 muet, tout aufTi afhde que fon ancien ferviteur. Je fuis intiraement 
 convaincu, et par la raifon, et par le fentiment, qu'il n'y a point <ie 
 parti, qui me convienne auffi bien que de vivre avec vous, et aupres 
 de vous a Laufanne ; et fi je parviens a la place ( Commijfioner of the 
 Exc'ife or Cujioms) ou je vife, il y aura toutes les femaines cinq 
 longues matine'es, qui m'avertiront de la folie de mon choix.. Vous 
 vous trompez a la vc'rite a I'egard de I'inftabilite' de ces emplois ; ils- 
 font prefques les feuls qui ne fe reflentent jamais des reVolutions du 
 miniftere. Cependant fi cette place s'offroit bientot, je n'aurois pas le- 
 bon fens et le courage de la refufer. Quels autres confeillers veux je 
 prendre, fi non mon coeur et ma raifon ? II en eft de puiflans et 
 toujours e'coutes : les e'gards, la mauvaife honte, tons mes amis, ou 
 foi difant tels, s'ecrieront que je fuis un homme perdu, ruine, un 
 fou qui fe derobe a fes protedeurs, un mifanthrope qui s'exile au 
 bout du monde, et puis les exagerations fur tout ce qui feroit 
 fait en ma faveur, fi furement, fi promptement, fi liberalement. 
 
 13 Milord
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 589 
 
 Milord Sheffield opinera a me faire interdire et enfermer ; mes deux 
 tantes et ma belle mere fe plaindront que je les quitte pour jamais, 
 &c. Et I'embarras de prendre mon bonnet de nuit, comme difoit 
 le lage Fontenelle, lorfqu'il n'etoit queftion que de ic coucher, com- 
 bien de bonnets de nuit ne me faudra-t-il pas prendre, et les prendre 
 tout feul, car tout Ic monde, amis, parens, domeftiques, s'oppofera. 
 a ma fuite. Voila a la vc'rite des obftacles aflez peu redoutables, et 
 en les de'crivant, je fens qu'ils s'affoibliflent dans mon efprit. Grace 
 a ce long bavardage vous connoiflez mon inte'rieur, comme moi 
 meme, c'eft a dire affez mal ; mais cette incertitude, tres amicale pour 
 moi, feroit tres facheufe pour vous. Votre re'ponfe me parviendra: 
 vers la fin de Juillet, et huit jours aprcs, je vous promets une re- 
 plique nette et dc'cifive : Je pars ou Je rejle. Si je pars, cc fera au 
 milieu de Septembre ; je mangerai' les raifms de votre treille, les pre« 
 miers jours d'0£lobre, et vous aurez encore le tems de me charger 
 de vos commiffions. Ne me dites plus: Monfieur^ et tres cher ami ^. 
 le premier eft froid,, le fecond eft fuperflu. 
 
 N" CLIir. 
 
 M. Deyverdun a M. Gibbon. 
 
 ■J* /TE voila un peu embarraffc a£luellement ; je ne dois vous appeller 
 -^ ni Monfieur, ni ami. Eh bien ! vous faurez qu'etant parti 
 Samedi de Strafbourg, pendant que je venois iyi, votre feconde lettre 
 alloit la, et qu'ainfi je reyus votre troifieme, Dimanche, et votre 
 leconde, hier. La mention que vous y faifiez du Suifle George, dont 
 je n'ai pu rien trouver dans la premiere, m'afait comprendre qu'il y en 
 avoit une feconde^ et j'ai cru devoir attendre un courier, la troifieme 
 n'exigeant pas de re'ponfe. 
 
 Pour votre parole, permettez que je vous en difpenfe encore, et 
 meme jufqu'au dernier jour, je fens bien qu'un proce'de' contraire, 
 
 vous
 
 590 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 vous convlendroit ; mais certes il ne me convient pas du tout. Ceci, 
 comme vous le dites, eft une efpece de manage, et penfez vous que 
 malgre les engagemens les plus folemnels, je n'eufle pas reconduit 
 chez elle, du pied des autels, la femme la plus aimable qui m'eut 
 teraoigne des regrets. Jamais je ne me confolerois, fi je vous voyois 
 me'content dans la fuite, et dans le cas de me faire des reproches. 
 C'eft a vous a faire, fi vous croyez ne'ceffaire, des demarches de votre 
 cote, qui fortifient votre reTolution ; pour moi, je n'en ferai point d'ef- 
 fentielles, jufqn'^ ce que j'aye reyu encore une lettre de vous. Apres 
 ee petit preambule, parlous toujours comme fi Taffaire e'toit de'cide'e, 
 et repaflbns votre lettre. Tout ce que vous dites des grandes et 
 petites villes, eft tres vrai, et votre comparaifon des detroits et de la 
 pleine mtr, eft on ne peut pas plus jufte et agreable ; mais enfin, 
 amme on fait fan lit, on fe couche, difoit Sancho Pancha d'agreable 
 memoire, et qui peut mieux faire fon lit a fa guife qu'un etranger, 
 qui, n'ayant ni devoirs d'e'tat ni de fang a remplir, peut vivre en- 
 tierement Ifole, fans que perfonne y puiffe trouver a redire ? Moi 
 meme, bourgeois et citoyen de la ville, je fuis prefqu'entierement 
 libre. L'ete, par exemple, je detefte de m'enfermer le foir dans des 
 chambres chaudes, pour faire une partie. Eh bien ! on m'a perfe- 
 cute un peu la premiere anne'e ; a prefent on me laiffe en repos. II y 
 aura fans doute quelque changement dans votre maniere de vivre ; 
 mais il me femble qu'on fe fait aifement a cela. Les diners, furtout 
 en femmes, font tres tares; les foupers peu grands; on refte plutot 
 pour etre enfemble, que pour manger, et plufieurs perfonnes ne s'af- 
 feyent point. Je crois, tout compte' et rabattu, que vous aurez en- 
 core plus de tems pour le cabinet qu'a Londres ; on fort peu le 
 matin, et quand nos amis communs viendront chez moi, et vous 
 demanderont, je leur dlrai; " ce n'eft pas un oifif comme vous autres, 
 " il travaille dans fon cabinet," et ils fe tairont refpedlueufement. 
 
 Pour les bibliotheques publiques, votre idee ne pourroit, je penfe, 
 fe re'alifcr pour un ledeur, ou meme un e'crivain ordinaire, mais un 
 
 homme
 
 EDWARD GIBBON EAiuirc. 591 
 
 homine qui joiie un role dans la rcpublique des lettres, un Iiomme 
 aime et confidc're, trouvera, je m'imagiae, bien des facilitcs ; d'ailleurs, 
 j'ai de bons amis a Berne, et je prendrai ici des informatione. 
 
 Paflbns a la table. Si j'etois a Laufanne, cet article feroit plus fur, 
 je pourrois revoir ines papiers, conllilter ; j'ai une chienne de me- 
 moire. 'A vue de pays cela pourra aller de 20 a 30 Louis par mois, 
 plus ou moins, vous fentez, fuivaat la friaiidlfe, et le plus ou moins 
 de convives. Marquez moi dans votre premiere combien vous coute 
 le votre. 
 
 Je fens fort bien tous les bonnets de nuit : point de grands change- 
 mens fans embarras, meme fans regrets ; vous en aurez quelque- 
 fois fans doute : par exemple, fi votre falle a manger, votre falle de 
 compagnie, font plus riantes, vous perdrez pour le vafe de la bibli- 
 otheque. Pour ce qui eft des reprefentations, des difcours au moins 
 inutiles, il me femble que le mieux feroit de mafquer vos grandes 
 operations, de ne parler que d'une courfe, d'une vifite chez moi, de 
 fix mois ou plus ou moins. Vous feriez bien, je penfe, d'aller chez 
 mon ami Louis TeiiTier ; c'eft un brave et honnete homme, qui m'eft 
 attache, qui aime notre pays ; il vous donnera tout plein de bons 
 confeils avec zele, et vous gardera le fecret. 
 
 Vous aurez quelquefois a voti'e table un poete ; — oul, Monfieur, un 
 poete : — nous en avons un enfin. Procurez vous un volume 8vo. 
 Po'efies Hehetienncs^ impr'imes Vaimee pajpe che% Moi/fer^ a Lai/fanne. 
 Vous trouverez entr'autres dans I'epitre au jardinier de la grotte, 
 votre ami et votre pare. Toute la profe eft de votre tres humble 
 ferviteur, qui defire qu'elle trouve grace devant vous. 
 
 Le Comte de Caglioftro a fait un fejour a. Londres. On ne fait qui il 
 eft, d'ou il eft, d'ou il tire fon argent ; il exerce gratis fes talens 
 pour la me'decine ; il a fait des cures admirables ; mais c'eft d'ailleurs 
 le compofe' le plus etrange. J'ai cefle de prendre fes re'medes qui 
 m'echauffbient — I'homme d'ailleurs me gatoit le me'decin. Je fuis 
 revenu a Bafle avec mon ami. Adieu j re'crivez moi le plutot poffible.
 
 592 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" CLIV. 
 Af. Gibbon a M. Deyverddn. 
 
 Hampton Court, ce i Juillet J783, 
 
 A PR ES avoir pris ma refolutlon, I'honneur, et ce qui vaut encore 
 mieux ramitie, me defendent de vous laiflei- un moment dans 
 rincerdtude. Jh pars. Je vous en donne ma parole, et comme 
 je fuis bien aife de me fortifier d'un nouvcau lien, je vous pric tres 
 fe'rieufement de ne pas m'en difpenfer. Ma pofleffion, fans doute, ne 
 vaut pas celle de Julie ; mais vous ferez plus inexorable que St. Preux. 
 Je ne fens plus qu'une vive impatience pour notre reunion. Mais 
 le mois d'Oftobre eft encore loin ; 92 jours, et nous aurons tout le 
 terns de prendre, et de nous donner des eclairciflcmens dont nous 
 avons befoin. Apres un mur examen, je renonce au voyage de 
 George Suifte, qui me paroit incertain, cher et difficile. Apres 
 tout mon valet de chambre et ma bibliotheque, font les deux articles 
 les plus embarraflans. Si je ne retenois pas ma plume, je remplirols 
 fans peine la feuille ; mais il ne faut pas paffer du filence, a un babil 
 intariflable. Seulement fi je connois le Comte de Caglioftro, cet 
 homme extraordinaire, &c. Savez vous le Latin ? oui, fans doute j 
 mais faites, comme fi je ne le favois point. Quand retournez vous 
 a Laufanne vous meme ? Je penfe que vous y trouverez une petite 
 bete bien aimable, mais tant foit peu me'chante, qui fe nomme 
 Milady Elizabeth Fofter ; parlez lui de moi, mais parlez en avec 
 difcre'tion ; elle a des correfpondances partout. Vale.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulra, ^91 
 
 Edward Gibbon ^fquire to the Right Honourable Lord Sn2?n-ELi>J 
 
 July loth, 1783, 
 
 'you will read the following lines with more patience and attention 
 than you would probably give to an hafty conference, perpe- 
 tually interrupted by the opening of the door, and perhaps by the 
 quicknefs of our own tempers. I neither exped nor defirc an an- 
 fwer on a fubjed of extreme importance to myfelf, but which 
 friendlhip alone can render interefting to you. We fliall foon meet 
 at Sheffield. 
 
 It is needlefs to repeat the reflexions which we have fometimes 
 debated together, and which I have often ferloufly weighed in my 
 filent folitary walks. Notwithftanding your adlive and ardent fpirit, 
 you mull allow that there is fome perplexity in iiiy prefent fituation, 
 and that my future profpeds are diftant and cloudy. I have lived 
 too long in the world to entertain a very fangulne idea of the friend- 
 fhip or zeal of minifterial patrons ; and we are all fenfible how much 
 the powers of patronage are reduced. * * * * ■-* 4 
 « * » * ■* * » * « * * 
 
 ***** *. At the end of the Parliament, or rather 
 long before that time, (for their lives are not worth a year's pur- 
 chafe,) our Minifters are kicked down ftairs, and I am left their dif- 
 interefted friend, to fight through another oppofitlon, and to expe<3: 
 the fruits of another revolution. But I will take a more favourable 
 fuppofition, and conceive myfelf in fix months firmly feated at the 
 board of culloras ; before the end oi the next fix months I fhould 
 infallibly hang myfelf. Inilead of regretting my difappointmeiit, I 
 rejoice in my efcape ; as I am fatisfied that no falary could pay me 
 for the irklbmeneis of attendance, and the drudgery of bufinefs fe 
 VOL. U 40 repugnant
 
 594 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 repugnant to my tafte, (and I will dare to fay,) fo unworthy of my 
 charafter. Without looking forwards to the pofTibility, ftill more 
 remote, of exchanging that laborious office for a fmaller annuity, 
 there is furely another plan, more rejifonable, more fimple, and more 
 pleafant ; a temporary retreat to a quiet and lefs expenfive fcene. 
 In a four years refidence at Laufanne, I fhould live within my in- 
 come, fave, and even accumulate, my ready money ; finifh my 
 Hiftory, an obje£l of profit, as well as fame, expedl the contin- 
 gencies of elderly lives, and return to England at the age of fifty, 
 to form a lading independent eftablifhment, without courting the 
 iiniles of a Minifter, or apprehending the downfal of a party. Such 
 have been my ferious fober refledlions. Yet I much queftion^ 
 whether I fhould have found courage to follow my reafon and 
 jny inclination, if a friend had not ftretched his hand to draw me 
 out of the dirt. The twentieth of laft May I wrote to my friend 
 Deyverdun, after a long interval of filence, to expofe my fituation, 
 and to confult in what manner I might beft arrange myfelf at Lau- 
 fanne. From his anfwer, which I received about a fortnight ago, 
 I have the pleafure to learn, that his heart and his houfe are both 
 open for my reception ; that a family which he had lodged for fome 
 years is about to leave him, and that at no other time my company 
 could have been fo acceptable and convenient. I fhall ftep, at my 
 arrival, into an excellent apartment and a delightful fituation ; the fair 
 divifion of our expences will render them very moderate, and I ihall 
 pafs my time with the companion of my youth, whofe temper and 
 fludies have always been congenial to my own. I have given him 
 my word of honour to be at Laufanne in the beginning of October, 
 and no power or perfuafion can divert me from this irrevocable 
 refolution, which I am every day proceeding to execute. 
 
 I wifh, but I fcarcely hope, to convince you of the propriety of 
 my fcheme ; but at leaft you will allow, that when we are not able to 
 prevent xhe/ollies of our friends, we Ihould ftrive to render them as 
 
 eafy
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 595 
 
 eafy and harmlefs as poflible. The arrangement of my lioufc, fur- 
 niture, and books will be left to meaner hands, but it is to your zeal 
 and judgment alone that I can trull the more important difj[)ofaI of 
 Lenborough and * * * * *. On thefe fubjedts wc may go 
 into a committee at Shefiield-Place, but you know it is the rule of a 
 committee, not to hear any arguments againft the principle of the 
 bill. At prefent I fhall only obferve, that neither of thefe negocia- 
 tions ought to detain me here ; the former may be difpatched as well, 
 the latter much better, in my abfence. Vale. 
 
 N° CLVI. 
 
 M. Gibbon a M. Deyverdun. 
 
 • Sheffield-Place, le 31 Juillet 1783. 
 
 XT'OTRE papier s'eft furieufement rappetife' j vous avez fi bien re- 
 tranche le fuperflu, que vous oubliez I'eflentiel, et ce n'eft que 
 par des conjectures fines et favantes que je devine la date du tems et du 
 lieu. Quant a moi je fuis aduellement au chateau de Milord Sheffield, 
 a quarante milles de Londres, ce qui ajoute deux jours pour I'arrivee 
 et le de'part du courier. Je re9ois votre lettre (je ne fais du quan- 
 tieme) le 30 Juillet de I'an'de grace 1783, je reponds du 31 du dit mpis 
 et de la dite annee. Le zele ne fe rallentit point pour la confumma- 
 tion du grand oeuvre. Je fens votre procede' de'licat et ge'ne'reux, et 
 quoique je n'eufle pas e'te fache' de trouver dans votre fermete, un 
 appui a la mienne, mon inclination eft fi bien affermie fur la bafe 
 ine'branlable de I'inclination et de la raifon, que je ne crains plus les 
 obftacles exte'rieurs ni interieurs. Defque j'ai ole fixer mon de'part, 
 les nuages qui le couvrolent, fe font e'vanouis ; les montagnes s'ap- 
 lanilToient devant moi, et les dragons qui s'e'toient prefente's fur 
 ma route, fe font apprivoife's. La femaine paflc'e, je frappai le 
 
 402 grand
 
 59^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 grand coup par la caflation du bail de ma maifon de Bent'mck-Jireet \ 
 et apres le mols de Saptembre, fi je nc couche pas a Lauilmne, je 
 
 <:oucherai dans la rue. Mes difFcreas bonnets de nuit s'arrangent 
 
 tous les jours, avec beaucoup d*ordre et de facilitc. Lord Sheffield 
 
 lui meme, ce terrible St. George, vrai champion de I'Angleterre, s'eft 
 
 rendu a mes raifons, ou plutot aux votres. II eft charme' du tableau 
 
 de votre premiere lettre, et malgre I'a^livite de fon ame, au lieu de 
 
 ihe co'ndamner, 11 me porte envie ; et nous dlfputons (un peu en 
 
 I'air) fur le projet d'une vifite que lui, fon amiable compagne et fa, 
 
 fille ainee, fc propofent de nous faire dans deux ans aux bords du 
 
 Lac Leman. Bien loin de combattre mon deffein, il me confeille, 
 
 il me feconde dans I'exe'cution, et je n'aurai pas befoin de recourir 
 
 aux lumieresde votre ami Louis Teyffier, d'autant plus que pour les 
 
 menus details de la correfpondence etrangere, je trouve dans le 
 
 libraire Elmfly un confeiller fage, inftruit et difcret, * * * * 
 **-****■***** 
 
 Votre caicul de la depenfe de la maifon furpaffe, non pas abfolument 
 
 mesmoyens, mais un peu mes efpe'rances et mes conjectures. La 
 
 confumraation en Suiffe n'eft point charge'e d'impots ; le vin y coule 
 
 comme I'eau de fontaine j votre jardin produit des fruits et des- 
 
 le'gumes* Se peut il que vingt ou trente Louis fe de'penfent tous les 
 
 mois pour le pain, la viande,. le bois, la chandelle, quelque-peu de 
 
 vin ctranger, les domeftiques dc la cuifmc, &c. ? Je me flatte que- 
 
 dans I'incertitude, vous avez cave au plus fort ; mais enfin tout ce 
 
 detail fe reglera fuivant nos gouts- et nos facultes ; et un. mois> d'ex- 
 
 perience fera. plus inftru£tif que cent pages de raifonnemens. La 
 
 comparaifon que vous me demandez de mon me'nage de Londres, ne 
 
 meneroit a rien. ^A la rigueur je ne tiens pas maifon ; je ne donne 
 
 prefque jamais a manger i en hyver je dine affez rarement chez moi; 
 
 je ne foupe jamais; et une partie aflez confide'rable de la depenfe- 
 
 (celle des clubs et des tavernes] n'entre point dans le compte de la. 
 
 maifon.-
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erqulre. 597 
 
 malfon. Ma nourriture domcftlque n'excede pas toutefols votre 
 calcul Laufannois ; mais je fens la difference entre le petit convert 
 trifle et mefquin d'un garfon, et la table honnete ct hofpitallere de 
 deux amis, qui auront d'autres amis, &c. 
 
 Votre idee de mafquer mes grands ope'rations eft de la plus pro- 
 fonde politique ; mais les dtclarations, et meme les demarches qui 
 feront neceffaires pour me retirer de la Chambre des Communes, dc- 
 clareront un peu trop tot I'e'tendue de mes projets. Cependant on 
 peut tirer quelque parti de cette honnete difTimulation, pour calmer 
 un peu les fcrupules, et les regrets des dames agees que vous con- 
 noiflez, et que vous ne connoiffez pas. Mais le moyen le plus efE- 
 cace pour arrcter, ou pour ne pas ecouter les mauvais difcours, c'eft 
 de s'y derober par une prompte fuite, et depuis que ma re'folution a 
 e'te' prife, je compte les jours et les momens. Le 10 du mois prochaia 
 je retournerai a Londres, ou je travaillerai vivement a preparer ce 
 grand changement d'etat. J'attends tous les jours la re'ponfe de Ma- 
 dame Gibbon, a qui j'ai tache de perfuader qu'une entrevue de trois. 
 ou quatre jours a Bath, feroit moins douce qu'amere a tous les deux,. 
 Si elle fe rend, ou fait femblant de fe rendre a, mes raifows, je 
 compte que tout fera fini la premiere, ou du moins la feconde fe- 
 maine de Septembre, et comme je couperai droit par la Champagne, 
 et la Franche-Comte', je pourrois fort bien me trouver a Laufannc 
 vers le 20 ou le 25 de ce mois la, fuppofe' toujours que cette prompti- 
 tude vous convienne, que votre maifon fera libre, et que vous y 
 ferez rendu vous meme. J'avois quelque ide'e de me dctourner par 
 Strafbourg, de vous prendre a Bafle, et de pafTer avec vous par 
 Berne, &c. mais, tout bien conrKk're, j'aime mieux abreger le grand' 
 voyage et referver cette promicnade (fi nous avions envie de la faire) 
 pour une fidfon plus tranquille. J'attends votre re'ponfe dans une 
 trentaine de jours ; mais fans I'attendre je vous ecrirai de Londres, 
 pour continuer le fil de I'hiftoire, et peut etre pour vous charger de 
 i quelques
 
 598 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 quelques achats de livres, qui fe feront plus commodcment a Baflc 
 qu'a Laufanne. Vous ne me donnez point de commiffions. Cc- 
 pendant ce pays n'eft pas fans induftrie. Milord et Milady Shef- 
 field vous embraffent tres amicalement. Ce fera pour mois la perte 
 la plus fenfible. 
 
 N° CLVII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnlrc to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield, 
 
 Monday, Auguftigth, 1783. 
 
 TN the preparation of my journey I have not felt any circumftance 
 more deeply than the kind concern of Lady Sheffield and the iilent 
 grief of Mrs. Porten. Yet the age of my friends makes a very 
 effential difference. I can fcarcely hope ever to fee my aunt again ; 
 but I flatter myfelf, that in lefs than two years, my Jj/Ier will make 
 me a vifit, and that in lefs than four, I fhall return it with a cheerful 
 heart at Sheffield-Place. Bufmefs advances ; this morning my books 
 were fhipped for Rouen, and will reach Laufanne almoft as foon 
 as myfelf. On Thurfday morning the bulk of the library moves 
 from Bentinck-flreet to Downing-llreet. I Ihall efcapc from the 
 noife to Hampton Court, and fpend three or four days in taking 
 leave. I want to know your precife motions, what day you arrive 
 in town, whether you vifit Lord ******* before the races, 
 &c. I am now impatient to be gone, and fhall only wait for a laft 
 Interview with you. Your medley of judges, advocates, politicians, 
 &c. is rather »/e/}^I than pleafant. Town is a vaft folltude. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. s9S 
 
 N** CLVIIL 
 
 T/je Same to the Same. 
 
 Bentinck-street, Auguft zoth, 1783. 
 
 JAM now concluding one of the mofl unpleafant days of my life. 
 Will the day of our meeting again be accompanied with propor- 
 tionable fatisfadtion ? The bufmefs of preparation will ferve to agi- 
 tate and divert 77iy thoughts ; but I do not like your brooding over 
 melancholy ideas in your folitude, and I heartily wifh that both you 
 and my dear Lady S. would immediately go over and pafs a week at 
 Brighton. Such is our imperfect nature, that diffipation is a far 
 more efficacious remedy than refledion. At all events, let me hear 
 from you foon. j I have palled the evening at home, without gaining; 
 any intelligence. 
 
 N'' CLIX. 
 
 M. Deyverdun a M. Gibbon. 
 
 De Neuchatel, le 20 Aout 1735. 
 
 Tl y long terns que je n'ai ete auffi mecontent de moi que je le fuis 
 dans ce moment ; j'ai fait par I'eve'nement une grande e'tourderie ; 
 j'ai manque a ceux qui me quittent, et a celui qui vient me joindre ; 
 enfin je me fuis tres mal conduit. M. * * * * «-, qui loge chez moi, 
 me paroiffoit li difpofe a quitter ma maifon, quand je partis au printems, 
 que ne doutant pas qu'il ne trouvat a s'arranger pendant tout I'e'te, 
 je la regardois deja d'avance comme vacante. Le plaiiir extreme 
 que j'avois a vous I'ofTrir, n'a pas peu contribue a foutenir cette il- 
 lufion ; enfin n'entendant parler cependant de rien, je lui ai e'crit, 
 apres avoir re^u il y a fix jours votre derniere, et il vient de me 
 2 re'pondre
 
 6oo LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 re'pondre qu'il n'a ricn trouve encore, mals qu'il n'epargnera ni folns 
 ni depenfes, pour deloger, je ne lui ai au refte point marque de quoi 
 il e'toit qucftion ; mais je I'ai prie' de me dire a quelle epoque il 
 croyoit que ma maifon pourroit etre vacantc. Je lui recrirai demain, 
 car il me parait qu'il eft pique', et tel que je le connois, malgre' ce 
 que je pourrai lui marquer, il fera fort emprefle a decamper ; mais 
 malgre' cela, il ne faut plus compter fur la maifon entiere pour votre 
 arrive'e. 
 
 Je vous demande mille pardons, mon cher ami, je me mets a 
 votre merci ; et en verite fi vous me voyiez en ce moment, vous 
 auriez pitie de moi. Que nous refte-t-il a faire ? car enfin il ne faut 
 pas perdre la tete. J'ai un appartement de deux chambres fans lit, et 
 deux petits cabinets, ou vous pourriez etre paffablement, en attend- 
 ant que la maifon fut tout a fait libre ; le tout eft a plein pied de la 
 terrafle, je me procurerois un logement au bout de mon jardin, et nous 
 pourrions nous faire apporter a manger, chofe pratique'e par nombre 
 de Grands Seigneurs, entr'autres par Monfeigneur le Margrave 
 •d'Anfpacb. 2. Ou bien-louerun appartement garni que nous occu- 
 perons enfemble. Ou enfin 3. pafler I'hyver dans quelle autre ville 
 du Continent qu'il vous plaira choifir, ou j'irai vous joindre et vous 
 porter mes excufes. Une re'flexion que je fais dans ce moment ci, et 
 qui me confole un peu, c'eft que dans votre premiere lettre, votre refo- 
 lution ne tenoit point a ma maifon, ni meme a I'idee de loger et vivre 
 avec moi. Ce fecond article aura toujours lieu, s'il vous convient, et le 
 premier ne fera que difTe're'jainfiappaifez vous, mon cher ami, pardonnez 
 moi, et ecrivez moi tout de fuite lequel de ces partis vous convient le 
 mieux, pour que je m'v conforme; ou fi vous en imaginez un nouveau, 
 annoncez le moi. Une reflexion qui contribue encore a me confoler, 
 c'eft que peiidant le tems que nous camperons ainfi en quelque manicre, 
 nous aurons le tems de bien voir autour de nous, et de nous an-angei* 
 k notre aife, d'une maniere ftable et commode pour notre e'tablifle- 
 ment. Encore une fois cependant, mon cher ami, millc pardons. 
 
 Milord
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Er<iulre. 6oi 
 
 Milord Sheffield s'ell montrc plus raifonnable que jc ne Taurais 
 cru ; diantre ! n'allez pas dire cela a. fa feigneurie ; mais dites-lui, je 
 vous prie, combien me plait I'efpoir d'avoir I'honneur de le con- 
 noitre ; je vois encore d'ici fon beau pare ct le channant ruiflfeau. 
 Son fuffrage dans des circonftances qui doivent fans doute le pre'venir 
 contre moi, me fait le plus grand plaiiir, parceque je le regarde comme 
 une bien forte preuve que vous prenez un parti convenable a votre 
 bonheur. Des commiffions, jc ne faurais tiop que vous dire dans 
 ce moment ; comme vous avez une maifon monte'e, voyez s'il n'y 
 auroit pas des chofes Anglaifes auxquelles vous etes accoutume, et 
 qui vous feroient pkifir, on en pourroit rem.plir une caifle. Un fer- 
 vice de cette porcelaine de Bath, par exemple, nous conviendroit, ce 
 me femble, aflbz. 
 
 Une de mes craintes maiiTtenant, c'eft que cette lettre ne vous 
 parvienne peut etre point avant votre depart ; cela ferait tres 
 facheux. Toujours aurai-je foin de me trouver a Laufanne, au moins 
 vers le milieu de mois prochain. Des couriers, cOmme celui que 
 vous amencz, font ordinairement de vrai^ dom-eftiques de Grands 
 Seigneurs, chers ct importans ; mais vous les connoitrez en route. 
 Ne foyez pas trop fache' contre moi, du contretems que je vous annonce, 
 ct penfez qu'il y a enfin un appartement honnete de gar9on, ma 
 terraffe, mon jardin ct votre ami, qui ne peuvent vous manquer— ^ 
 
 Tout a vous, 
 
 D. 
 
 N^ CLX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquirc to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield. 
 
 Friday, Augull :2d, 1783. 
 
 J AM aftoniflned with your apparition and flight, and am at a lofs 
 
 to conjedlure the mighty and fudden bufinefs of * * * * * 
 
 which could not be delayed till next week, Tiraco * * * *, 
 yoL. I. 4 H their
 
 6o2 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 their felfifh cunning, and your fangulne unllifpcfting fpirlt. Kot 
 dreaming of your arrival, I thought it unneceflary to apprize you, 
 that I delayed Hampton to this day ; on Monday I fhali return, and 
 will expedt you Tuefday evening, either in Bentinck or Downing- 
 llreet, as you like beft. You have feen the piles of learning accu- 
 mulated in your parlour ; the tranfportation will be atchieved to-day, 
 and Bentinck-flreet is already reduced to a light. Ignorant habitation, 
 which I (hall inhabit till about the firft of September ; four days 
 inuft be allowed for clearing and packing ; thefe I fhall fpend in 
 Downing-ftreet, and after feeing you a moment on your return, 
 I flia;ll ftart about Saturday the fixth. London is a defert, and 
 life, without books, bufinefs, or fociety, will be fomewhat tedious. 
 "From this ftate, you will judge that your plan coincides very well, 
 only I think you ihould give me the whole of Wednefday in Ben- 
 tinck-ftreet. With regard to Bulhy, perhaps as a compliment to Lord 
 L, you had better defer it till your return. I admire Gregory Way, 
 and fhould envy him, if I did not poflefs a difpofition fomewhat 
 fimilar to his own. My Lady will be repofed, and reftored at 
 Brighton ; the torrent of Lords, Judges, &c. a proper remedy for 
 you, was a medicine ill-fuited to her conftitution. I tenderly em- 
 brace her. 
 
 N° CLXL 
 Edward Gibbon Ef quire to the Right Honourable Lady Sheffield, 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, Bentinckstreet, Auguft 30th, 1783. 
 
 T?OR the names of Sheffellna, &c. are too playful for the ferious 
 temper of my mind. In the whole period of my life I do not 
 recoiled; a day in which I felt more unpleafant fenfations, than that on 
 which I took my leave of Shefileld-Place. I forgot my friend Deyver- 
 dun, and the fair profpeit of quiet and happinefs which awaits me at 
 
 Laufanne.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 603 
 
 Laufanne. I loft fight of our altnoft certain meeting at the end of 
 a term, which, at our age, cannot appear very diftant ; nor could I 
 amufe my uneafuiefs with the hopes, the more doubtful profped:, o^ 
 your vifit to Switzerland. The agitation of preparing every thing 
 for my departure has, in fome degree, diverted thefc melancholy 
 thoughts ; yet I ftill look forwards to the decifive day (to-morrow 
 fe'nnight) with an anxiety of which yourfelf and Lord S. have the 
 principal fhare. 
 
 Surely never any thing was fo imlucky as the unfeafonable death of 
 Sir John Rufl'el on his palTage to his friend at ShefEeld-Place, whicli 
 fo ftrongly reminded us of the inftabillty of human life and human 
 expedlations. The inundation of the affizes muft have diftrefTed 
 and overpowered you ; but I hope and I wifh to hear from yourfelf, 
 that the air of your favourite Brighton, the bathing, and the quiet 
 fociety of two or three friends have compofed and revived your 
 fpirits. Prefent my love to Sarah, and compliments to Mils Carter, 
 &c. Give me a fpeedy and fatisfadory line. I am moft truly yours. 
 
 N° CLXII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqmre to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield. 
 
 DowNJNO-sTREET, September 8th, 1783, 
 
 A S we are not unconfcious of each other's feelings, I fliall only 
 lay, that I am glad you did not go alone into Suflex ; an Ame- 
 rican rebel to difpute witii gives a diverfion to uneafy fpirits, and I 
 heartily wifhed for fuch a friend or adverfary during the remainder 
 of the day. No letter from Deyverdun ; the poft is arrived, but 
 two Flanders mails are due. ^olus does not feem to approve of my 
 defigns, and there is little merit in waiting till Friday. I fhoyld 
 wait with more relu£lance, did I think there was much chance 
 of fuccefs. I dine with Craufurd, and if any thing is decided, 
 
 4 H 2 will
 
 6o4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 will fend an extraordinary Gazette. You have obliged me beyond 
 exprcffion, by your kindnefs to aunt Kitty ; fhe will drink her after- 
 noon tea at Sheffield next Friday. For my fake Lady S. will be 
 kind to the old lady, who will not be troublefome, and will vanifh 
 at the firft idea of Brighton. Has not that falubrious air already 
 produced fome effects ? Peace will be proclaimed to-morrow ; odd I 
 as war was never declared. The buyers of ftock feem as indifferent 
 as yourfelf about the definitive treaty. Tell Maria, that though you 
 had forgotten the Annales de la Vertu, I have direded them to be fent, 
 but know nothing of their plan or merit. Adieu. When you fee my 
 Lady, fay every thing tender and friendly to her. I did not know- 
 how much I loved her. She may depend upon my keeping a 
 feparate, though not perhaps a very frequent account with her. 
 ^A propos^ I think aunt Kitty has a fecret wiih to fleep in my room ; 
 if it is not occupied, fhe might be indulged. Once more, adieu. 
 
 N'^ CLXIII.' 
 M. Gibbon a M. Deyverdun. 
 
 DowNiNG-sTREET, a LoNDREs, Ic 5 Septcmbrc 1785. 
 
 ELON ma diligence ordinaire je re'pondis le 31 Juillet a votre lettre 
 fans date, rec^ue le jour auparavant. Je voyois couler le mois 
 d'Aout, fortement perfuade' qu'il ne s'acheveroit point, fans m'ap- 
 porter votre ultimatum. Nous voici au 9 Septembre, quarante jours 
 depuis ma miffive, et je n'ai point encore de vos nouvelles ! II efl 
 vrai que des vents contraires nous retiennent deux malles de Flandres, 
 et vos de'peches peuvent et doivent s'y trouver. Mais fi elles ne 
 m'apportent rien de votre part, je ferai tres etonne, et pas moins 
 cmbarrafle. Se peut-il que vos lettres, ou les miennes fe foient 
 t'gart'es en chemin ? etes vous mort ? €tes vous malade ? avez vous 
 change d'avis ? eft-il furvenu des difficultes ? Je vous ai e'crit de nou- 
 
 I veau
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 605 
 
 veau Ic 19 Aout; mais I'incertitude de mes craintes me fait encore 
 hazarderce billet. Aprcs des travaux inouis, j'ai enfin brife tous 
 mes liens, et depuis ma rcTolution, je n'ai pas eu un inftant de re- 
 grets ; ma vive impatience fe foi tifle tous les jours, et depuis que 
 j'ai abandonnc ma maifon et ma bibliotheque, I'ennui a prcte' des 
 ailes a I'efperance et a I'amitie. Enfin j'avois fixe men depart au 
 commencement de la femaine ; a cette heure il eft renvoye a Ven- 
 dredi prochain, 12 de ce mois, dans la fuppofition toujours d'une lettre 
 de votre part, car je ne faurois entreprendre ma courfe, lans etre 
 affure de la reception qui m'attend au bout. Je me ferai toujours 
 pre'cc'der par un mot de billet ; mais la faifon eft tellement orageufe, 
 qu'il me fera impoiTiblc d'arreter le jour de mon arrive'e a Laufanne, 
 jufqu'a ce que je me voye en furete' au-dela de la mer. Adieu. 
 Vous devez etre de retour a Laufanne. Annoncez moi aux enfans 
 des mes anciennes connoillances. 
 
 N° CLXIV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield. 
 
 Thurfday, September iith, 1783. 
 
 'T^'HE fcheme (which you may impart to my Lady) is completely 
 vanifhed, and I fupport the diiappointment with heroic pa- 
 tience. * * * * * * goes down to Chatfworth to-morrow, and 
 * * * does not recommend my waiting for the event j yet the ap- 
 pointment is not yet declared, and I am ignorant of the name and 
 merits of my fuccefsful competitor. Is it not wonderful that I am 
 ftill in fufpence, withovit a letter from Deyverdun ? No, it is not 
 wonderful, fince no Flanders mail is arrived : to-morrow three will 
 be due. I am therefore in a miferable ftate of doubt and anxiety ; 
 in a much better houfe indeed than my own^ but without books, or 
 bufinefs, or fociety. I fend or call two or three times each day to 
 Elmfly's, and can only fay that I ftiall fly the next day, Saturday, 
 
 Sunday,
 
 6o6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Sunday, &c. after I have got my quietus. Aunt Kitty was delighted 
 with my Lady's letter ; at her age, and in her fituation, every kind 
 attention is pleafant. I took my leave this morning ; and as I did 
 not wifh to repeat the fcene, and thought fhe would be better at 
 Sheffield, 1 fufFer her to go to-morrow. Your difcretion will com- 
 municate or withhold any tidings of my departure or delay as you 
 judge mofl expedient. Chriftie writes to you this poft ; he talks, in 
 his rhetorical way, of many purchafers. Do you approve of his 
 fixing a day for the auction ? To us he talked of an indefinite ad- 
 vcrtifement. No news, except that we keep Negapatnam. The 
 other day the French Ambaflador mentioned that the Emprefs of 
 
 Ruffia, a precious , had propofed to ratify the principles of 
 
 the armed neutrality, by a definitive treaty ; but that the French, 
 obliging creatures ! had declared, that they would neither propofe 
 nor accept an article fo difagreeable to England. Grey Elliot was 
 pleafed vi'ith your attention, and fays you are a perfedl mafter of 
 the fubjedl *. Adieu. If I could be fure that no mail would arrive 
 to-morrow, I would run down with my aunt. My heart is not 
 light. I embrace my Lady with true aftedlion, but I need not re- 
 peat it. 
 
 N<' CLXV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to the Right Honourable Zor^ Sheffield. 
 
 DowNiNG-sTREET, Friday, September 12th, 1783. 
 
 QINCE my departure is near, and inevitable, ycu and Lady S. will 
 be rather forry than glad to hear that I am detained, day after 
 day, by the caprice of the winds. Three Flanders Mails are now 
 due. I know not how to move without the final letter from Dey- 
 verdun, which I expected a fortnight ago, and my fancy (perfedly 
 
 • American commerce, 
 
 4 unreafonable)
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc, 607 
 
 uureafonable) begins to create flrangc phantoms. A (late of fufpence 
 is painful, hui it will be alleviated by the fliort notes which I mean to 
 write, and hope to receive, every poft. A fcparation has fome ad- 
 vantages, though they are purchafed with bitter pangs; among them 
 is the pleafure of knowing how dear we are to our friends, and how 
 dear they are to us. It will be a kind office to footh aunt Kitty's 
 forrows, and " to rock the cradle of declining age." She will be 
 vexed to hear that I am not yet gone j but fhe is reafonable and 
 cheerful. Adieu. Moll truly yours. 
 
 N* CLXVI. 
 
 T/je Same to the Same. 
 
 Downing STREET, Saturday, September j 3th, 17S3. 
 
 T7NFIN la bombe a crevc. — The three Flanders malls are arrived 
 ■^ this day, but without any letters from Deyverdun. Mofl In- 
 comprehenfible ! After many adverfe refledtions, I have finally re- 
 folved to begin my journey on Monday ; a heavy journey, with 
 much apprehenfion, and much regret. Yet I confider, firft, That 
 if he is alive and well, (an unpleafant tf^ fcarcely any event can have 
 happened to dlfappolnt our mutual wlflies ; and, adly. That, fuppof- 
 ing the very worft, even that worfl would not overthrow my general 
 plan of living abroad, though it would derange my hopes of a quiet 
 and delightful ellablifhment with my friend. Upon the whole, 
 without giving v^ray to melancholy fears, my reafon conje<!^ures that 
 his indolence thought it fuperfluous to write any more, that it was 
 my buiinefs to a£l: and move, and his duty to fit ftill and receive me 
 with open arms. At leaft he is well informed of my operations, as 
 I wrote to him (fince his lafl) July thirty-firft, from Sheffield-Place ; 
 Auguft nineteenth ; and this week, September ninth. The two firft 
 have already reached him. 
 
 As
 
 6o8 LETTERS TO AND l-ROM 
 
 As I fliall not arrive at, or depart from, Dover till Tuefday night, 
 (alas! I may be confined there a week,) you will have an opportunity, 
 by difpatching a parcel per poll to Elmfly's, to catch the Monday's 
 poft. Let us improve thefe laft fliort moments : I want to hear 
 how poor Kitty behaves. I am really impatient to be gone. It is 
 provoking to be fo near, yet fo far from, certain perfons. London 
 is a defcrt. I dine to-morrow with the Paynes, who pafs through. 
 Lord Loughborough was not returned from Buxton yefterday. Sir 
 Henry Clinton found me out this morning : he talks with rapture of 
 vifits to be made at Sheffield, and returned at Brighton. I envy 
 him thofe vifits more than the red ribbon. Adieu. 
 
 N° CLXVn. 
 Edward Gibbon Ef quire to the Right Honourable Zw^/ Sheffield. 
 
 T 
 
 Dover, Wednefday, 17th September 1873, ten o'clock in the morning. 
 
 ^HE beft laws are ufelefs without proper guardians. Your letter 
 per Sunday's poft is not arrived, (as its fate is uncertain and 
 irrevocable, you muft repeat any material article,) but that per Mon- 
 day's poft reached me laft night. Oliver is more infolent than his 
 great-grandfather ; but you will cope with one, and would not 
 have been much afraid of the other. Laft night the wind was fo 
 high, that the veftel could not ftir from the harbour ; this day it is 
 brifk and fair. We are flattered with the hope of making Calais 
 harbour by the fame tide, in three hours and a half ; but any delay 
 will leave the difagreeable option of a tottering boat or a toffing 
 night. Wnat a curfed thing to live in an ifland, this ftep is more 
 awkward than the whole journey ! The triumvirate of this memo- 
 rable embarkation will confift of the grand Gibbon, Henry Laurence 
 Efquire, Prefident of Congrefs, and Mr. Secretary, Colonel, Admiral, 
 Philofopher, Thompfon, attended by three horfes, who are not the 
 
 moft
 
 EDWARD GIBSON Efqulrc. 609 
 
 moft agreeable fellow-paflengcrs. If wc furvive, I will finlih and feal 
 my letter at Calais. Our falvation fliall be afcribed to the prayers of 
 my Lady and Aunt ; for I do believe they both pray. 
 
 Boulogne, Thurfday Morning, Ten o'clock. 
 
 Inftead of Calais, the wind has driven us to Boulogne, where we 
 landed in the evening, without much noife and difficulty. The 
 night is pafled, the cuftom-houfe is difpatched, the poft-horfes are 
 ordered, and I fhall ftart about eleven o'clock. I had not the leaft 
 fymptom of fca-ficknefs, while my companions were fpewing round 
 me. Laurence has read the pamphlet *, and thinks it has done 
 much michief. A good fign ! Adieu. The Captain is impatient. 
 I (hall reach Laufanne by the end of next week, but may probably 
 write on the road. 
 
 N- CLXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Snt'SVi'EL'D. 
 
 Langres, September 23d, 1783. 
 
 T ET the geographical Maria place before you the map of France, 
 and trace my progrefs as far as this place, through the following 
 towns : Boulogne, (where I was forced to land,) St. Ome:-, (where 
 I recovered my road,) Aire, Bethune, Douay, Cambray, St. Quintin, 
 La Fere, Laon, Rheims, Chalons, St. Dlzier, and Langres, where I 
 have juft finilhed my fupper. The Inns, in general, more agreeable 
 to the palate, than to the fight or fmell. But, with fome fhort ex- 
 ceptions of time and place, I have enjoyed good weather and good 
 roads, and at the end of the ninth day, I feel fo little fatigued, that 
 the journey appears no more than a pleafant airing. I have gene- 
 
 * Lord Sheffield's Obfervatlons on the Commerce of the American States. 
 •VOL* I. 41 raUy
 
 6io LETTKRS TO AND FROM 
 
 rally converfed with Homer and Lord Clarendon, often with Caplin 
 and MufF '■ ; fometlmcs with the French poftillions, of the above- 
 mentioned animals the leaft rational. To-morrow I lie at Befan^on, 
 and, according to the arrangement of poll: or hired horfes, Ihall 
 cither fup at Laufanne on Friday, or dine there Saturday. I feel 
 fome fufpencc and uneafinefs with regard to Deyverdun ; but in the 
 fcale both of reafon and conftitution, my hopes preponderate very 
 much above my fears. From Laufanne I will immediately write. 
 I embrace my Lady. If aunt Kitty's gratitude and good-breeding 
 have not driven her away upon the firft whifper of Brighton, flie will 
 Ihare this intelligence ; if fhe is gone, a line from you would be hu- 
 mane and attentive. Monfteur les Chcvaux feront prets a cinq heurs.. 
 Adieu. I am going into an excellent bed, about fix feet high front 
 the ground. 
 
 N" CLXIX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield^ 
 
 I 
 
 Lausanne, September 30th, 1783.. 
 
 ARRIVED fafe in harbour laft Saturday, the 27th inftant, about 
 ten o'clock in the morning ; but as the poft only goes out twice 
 a week, it was not in my power to write before this day. Except 
 one day, between Langres and Befanqon, which was laborious 
 enough, I finifhed my eafy and gentle airing without any fatigue, 
 either of mind or body. I found Deyverdun well and happy, but 
 much more happy at the fight of a friend, and the accomplifliment 
 of a fcheme which he had fo long and impatiently defired. His 
 garden, terrace, and park, have even exceeded the moft fanguine of 
 my expedations and remembrances ; and you yourfelf cannot have^ 
 
 * His dog. 
 
 forgotten.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 6it 
 
 forgotten the charming profped of the lake, the mountains, and the de- 
 clivity of the Pays de Vaud. But as human hfc is perpetually chequered 
 with good and evil, I have found fome difappolntments on my arrival. 
 The eafy nature of Deyverdun, his indolence, and his impatience, 
 had prompted him to reckon too pofitively that his houfc would be 
 vacant at Michaelmas ; fome unforefeen difficulties have arifen, or 
 have been difcovered when it was already too late, and the confum- 
 mation of our hopes is (I am much afraid) poftponcd to next 
 fpring. At firft I was knocked down by the unexpeded thunder- 
 bolt, but I have gradually been reconciled to my fate, and have 
 granted a free and gracious pardon to my friend. As his own apart- 
 ment, which afforded me a temporary Ihelter, is much too narrow 
 for a fettled refidence, we hired for the winter a convenient ready- 
 furniflied apartment in the neareft part of the Rue de Bourg, whofe 
 back door leads in three fteps to the terrace and garden, as often as 
 a tolerable day fhall tempt us to enjoy their beauties ; and this ar- 
 rangement has even its advantage, of giving us time to deliberate 
 and provide, before we enter on a larger and more I'egular eflablifli- 
 ment. But this is not the fum of my misfortunes ; hear, and pity ! 
 The day after my arrival (Sunday) we had juft finifhed a very tem- 
 perate dinner, and intended to begin a round of vifits on foot, 
 chapeaufous Ic bras^ when, mofl: unfortunately, Deyverdun propofed 
 to fhew me fomething in the court ; we boldly and fuccefsfully 
 afcended a flight of ftone fteps, but in the defcent I miffed my foot- 
 ing, and ftrained, or ipraincd, my ancle in a painful manner. My 
 old latent enemy, (I do not mean the Devil,) who is always on the 
 watch, has made an ungenerous ufe of his advantage, and I much 
 fear that my arrival at Laufanne will be marked with a lit of the 
 gout, though it is quite unneceffary that the intelligence or fufpicion 
 Ihould find its way to Bath. Yefterday afternoon I lay, or at leaft 
 fat, in ftate to receive vilits, and at the fame moment my room was, 
 filled with four -difi'erent nations. The loudcft of thefe nations 
 
 4 I 2 was
 
 612 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 was the finglc voice of the Abbe Raynal, who, like your friend, 
 has chofen this place for the afylum of freedom and hiftory. Hij 
 converfation, which might be very agreeable, is intolerably loud, 
 peremptory, and infolent ; and you would imagine that he alone 
 was the monarch and legiflator of the world. Adieu. I embrace 
 my Lady, and the infants. With regard to the important tranfac- 
 tions for which you are conftituted plenipotentiary, I expeft with 
 fome impatience, but with perfedl confidence, the refult of your la- 
 bours. You may remember what I mentioned of my converfation 
 with ****-*• about the place of Minifter at Bern : I have 
 talked it over with Deyverdun, who does not diflike the idea, pro- 
 vided this place was allowed to be my villa, during at leaft two-thirds 
 of the year ; but for my part, I am fure that * ^- * * * are 
 worth more than minifterial friendfliip and gratitude ; fo I am in- 
 clined to think, that they are preferable to an office which would be 
 procured with difficulty, enjoyed with conftraint and expence, and 
 loft, perhaps, next April, in the annual revolutions of our domeflic 
 Government. Again adieu. 
 
 N' CLXX. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnire to the Right Honourable Lady Sheffield. 
 
 Lausanne, Oflober 28th, 1783-. 
 
 /-|-^HE progrefs of my gout is in general fo regular, and there is 
 fo much uniformity in the Hiftory of its Decline and Fall, that 
 I have hitherto indulged my lazineft, without much ihame or re-' 
 morfe, without fuppofing that you would be very anxious for my 
 fafety, which has been fufficiently provided for by the triplfe care cf 
 my friend Deyverdun, my humbler friend Caplin, and a very con- 
 Tcrfable phyfician, (not the famous Tiflbt,) whofe ordinary fee is ten- 
 batz, about fifteen pence Englifti. After the ufual increafe and de- 
 
 creafe
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 613 
 
 creale of the member (for it has been confined to the Injured part) 
 tlie gout has retired in good order, and the remains of weaknefs, 
 which obliged, me to move on the rugged pavement of Laufanne 
 with a flick, or rather fmall crutch, are to be afcribed to the fprain, 
 which might have been a much more ferious bufinefs. As I have 
 now fpent a month at Laufanne, you will enquire with much cu- 
 riofjty, more kindnefs, and fome mixture of fpite and malignity, 
 how far the place has anfwered my expectations, and whetlicr I do 
 not repent of a i-elblution which has appeared fo raih and ridiculous^ 
 to my ambitious friends ? To this queflion, however natural and 
 reafonable, I Ihall not return an immediate anfwer, for two reafons : 
 I. I have 7i<jt yet made a fair trial. The difappointment and delay with 
 regard to Deyverdun's houfe, will confine us this winter to lodgings, 
 rather convenient than fpacious or pleafant. I am only beginning 
 to recover my ftrength and liberty, and to look about on perfons and 
 things ; the greateft part of thofe perfons are in the country taken 
 up with their vintage ; my books are not yet arrived, and, m fliort, 
 I cannot look upon myfelf as fettled in that comfortable way which 
 you and I underftand and relifh. Yet the weather has been hea- 
 venly, and till this time, the end of Odlober, we enjoy the brlght- 
 nefs of the fun, and fomewhat gently complain of its immoderate 
 heat. 2. If I fhould be too fanguine in explaining my fitisfadion 
 in what I have done, you would afcribe that fatisfadlion to the no- 
 velty of the fcene, and the inconftancy of man ; and I deem it far 
 more fafe and prudent to poftpone any pofitive declaration, till I am 
 placed by experience beyond the danger of repentance and recanta- 
 tion. Yet of one thing I. am fure, that I pofiefs in this- country, as 
 well as in England, the beft cordial of life, a fincere, tender, and 
 fenfible friend, adorned with the moft valuable and pleafant qualities 
 both of the heart and head. The inferiour enjoyments of leifure 
 and fociety are likewife in my power; and in the fhort excurfions 
 which I. have hitherto made, I have commenced or renewed my aew 
 
 quaintance
 
 6i4 LETtfeRS TO AND FROM 
 
 qyaintance with a certain number of perfons, more efpecially wo- 
 men, (who, at leafl in France and this country, are undovibtedly fu- 
 perior to our prouder fex,) of rational minds and elegant manners. 
 I breakfafl: alone, and have declared that I receive no vifits in a 
 morning, which you will eafily fuppofe is devoted to ftudy. I find 
 it impollible, without inconvenience, to defer my dinner beyond two 
 o'clock. We have got a very good woman cook. Deyverdun, 
 who is fomewhat of an Epicurean philofopher, underftands the ma- 
 nagement of a table, and we frequently invite a gueft or two to 
 Ihare our luxurious, but not extravagant repafts. The afternoons 
 are (and will be much more fo hereafter) devoted to fociety, and 1 
 fhall find it necefHiry to play at cards much oftener than in London: 
 but I do not diflike that way of paffing a couple of hours, and I 
 fhall not be ruined at (hilling whift. As yet I have not fupped, but 
 in the courfe of the winter I muft fometimes facrifice an evening 
 abroad, and in exchange I hope fometimes to fteal a day at home, 
 without going into company ******** 
 * * * * * * * **-***, 
 
 I have all this time been talking to Lord Sheffield ; I hope that he has 
 difpatched my affairs, and it would give me pleafure to hear that I 
 am no longer member for Lymington, nor Lord of Lenborough. 
 , Adieu. I feel every day that the diftance ferves only to make me 
 ithink with more tendernefs of the perfons whom I love. 
 
 N° CLXXI. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable LordSiiETiiELD. 
 
 Lausanne, November 14th, 1783. 
 
 T AST Tuefday, November eleventh, after plaguing and vexing 
 
 yourfelf all the morning, about fome bufinefs of your fertile 
 
 creation, you went to the Houfe of Commons, and pafled the after- 
 
 3 noon,
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Eiquire. 615 
 
 noon, the evening, and perhaps the night, without fleep or food, 
 Rifled in a cloie room by the heated refpirafion of fix hundred po- 
 hticians, inflamed by party and paflion, and tired of the repetition 
 of dull nonfenfe, which, in that illufl:rious aflTembly, fo far out- 
 weighs the proportion of reafon and eloquence. On the fame day, 
 after a fludious morning, a friendly dinner, and a cheerful aflembly 
 of both fexes, I retired to reft: at elev,en o'clock, fatisfied with the 
 paft: day, and certain that the next would afford me the return of the 
 fame quiet and rational enjoyments. JVbich has the better bargain ? 
 Serioufly, I ana every hour more grateful to my ov^^n judgment and 
 refolution, and only i-egret that I fo long delayed the execution of 
 a favourite plan, which I am convinced is the beft adapted to my 
 charader and inclinations. Your conjedure of the revolutions of 
 my face, w^hen I heard that the houfe was for this winter inacceflible, 
 is probable, but falfe. I bore my difappointment with the temper of 
 a fage, and only ufe it to render the profped of next year ftill more 
 pleafing to my imagination. You are likewife miftaken, in imput- 
 ing my fall to the awkwardnefs of my limbs. The fame accident 
 might have happened to Slingfby himfelf, or to any hero of the age, 
 the moft difl:iugui{lied for his bod'ily aBivity. I have now refumed 
 my entire ftrength, and walk with caution, yet with fpeed and 
 fafety, through the ftreets of this mountainous city. After a month 
 of the finefl: autumn I ever faw, the btfe * made me feel my old 
 acquaintance ; the weather is now milder, and this prefent day ia 
 dark and rainy, not much better than what you probably enjoy in 
 England. The town is comparatively empty, but the Noblefl'e are 
 returning every day from their chateaux, and I already perceive that 
 I (hall have more reafon to complain of difllpation than of dulnefs. 
 As I told Lady S. I am afraid of being too raili and hafl:y in ex- 
 prefling my fatisfadion ; but I muft again repeat, that appearances 
 
 * The North Eaft w ind, 
 
 ar«
 
 6i6 , LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 are extremely favourable. I am fenfible that general pralfc conveys 
 no diftinit ideas, but it is very difficult to enter into particulars 
 where the Individuals are unknown, or indifferent to our corre- 
 fpondent. You have forgotten the o/t/ generation, and in twenty years 
 a new one is grown up. Death has fwept many from the world, 
 and chance or choice has brought many to this place. If you en- 
 quire after your old acquaintance Catherine, you muft be told, that 
 fhe is folitary, ugly, blind, and iniiverfally forgotten. Your later 
 flame, and our common goddefs, the Eliza, paffed a month at the 
 inn. She came to confult TilTot, and was acquainted with Cerjat. 
 
 And now tobufinefs. * * * •* * * * * * * 
 * * * * * * *- * * * * 
 
 With regard to meaner cafes, thefe are two, v\hich you can and 
 will undertake, i. As I have not renounced my country, I fhould 
 be glad to hear of your parliamentary fquabbles, which may be 
 done with fmall trouble and expence. After an interefting debate, 
 my Lady in due time may cut the fpeeches from Woodfall. You 
 will write or dictate any curious anecdote, and the whole, inclofed 
 in a letter, may be difpatched to Laufanne. 2. A fet of Wedge- 
 wood china, which we talked of in London, and which would be 
 moft acceptable here. As you have a fort of a tafte, I leave to 
 your own choice the colour and the pattern ; but as I have the in- 
 clination and means to live very handfomely bcre^ I defire that the 
 fize and number of things may be adequate to a plentifnl table. If 
 you fee Lord North, affijre him of my gratitude ; had he been a 
 mors fuccefsful friend, I fliould now be drudging at the Board of 
 
 Cuftoms, or vexed with bufinefs in the amiable fociety of . 
 
 To Lord Loughborough prefent an affeftionate fentiment ; I am fa- 
 tisficd of his intention to fcfve me, if I had not been in fuch a 
 fidget. I am fure yoy -will not fail, while you are in town, to vifit 
 and comfort poor aunt Kitty. I wrote to her on my firft arrival, 
 and fhe may be afTured that I will not neglect her. To my Lady I 
 
 I fay
 
 F.DWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 617 
 
 lay notlilnp; ; we have now our private correfpondcnce, Into which 
 the eye of an hufband Ihould not be permitted to intrude. I am 
 really faiisfied with the fuccefs of the pamphlet * ; not only becaufe 
 I have a fneaking kindnefs for the author, but as it fhews me that 
 plain fenfe, full information, and warm fpirit, arc flill acceptable in 
 the world. You talk of Laufanne as a place of retirement, yet» 
 from the fituation and freedom of the Pays de Vaud, all nations, 
 and all extraordinary characters, are aftonifhed to meet each other. 
 The Abbe Raynal, the grand Gibbon, and Mercier, author of the 
 Tableau de Paris^ have been in the fame room. The other day the 
 Prince and Princefs de Ligne, the Duke and Duchefs d'Urfel, &c. 
 came from Bruffels on purpofc (literally true) to adt a comedy at 
 *- * * * * ^r, in the covuitry. He was dying, and could not 
 appear ; but we had comedy, ball, and fupper. The event feems to 
 have revived him ; for that great man is fallen from his ancient 
 glory, and his nearefl: relations refufe to fee him. I told you of 
 poor Catherine's deplorable (late ; but Madame de Mefery, at the age 
 of fixty-nine, is ftill handfome. Adieu. 
 
 N° CLXXII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield, 
 
 Lausanne, December 20th, 17S3. 
 
 y HAVE received both your epiftles ; and as any cxcufe will ferve a 
 man who is at the fame time very bufy and very idle, I patiently 
 cxpedled the fecond, before I entertained any thoughts of anfwering 
 the hril. * -^ * * * * --;;- * * 
 
 * * -;!:• * * A':- ^.i *- * * * * 
 
 I therefore conclude, that on every principle of common fenfe, be- 
 fore this moment your adive zeal has already expelled me from the 
 
 * Obfervations on the Commerce with the American States. 
 VOL. 1. 4 K houfe,
 
 6i8 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 houfc, to which, without regret, I bid an everlafting farewel. The 
 agreeable hour of five o'clock in the morning, at which you com- 
 monly retire, does not tend to revive my attachment ; but if you add 
 the foft hours of your morning Committee *, in the difcuffion of taxes, 
 cuftoms, frauds, fmugglers, &c. I think I fliould beg to be rcleafed 
 and quietly fent to the gallies, as a place of leifure and freedom. 
 Yet I do not depart from my general principles of toleration. Some 
 animals are made to live in the water, others on the earth, many in 
 the air, and fome, as it is now believed, even in fire. Your prefent 
 hurry of Parliament I perfedly underftand ; when oppofition make 
 the attack, 
 
 Hg 
 
 orce 
 
 Mameiito clta mors ve?i'it^ out vi&oria lata. 
 
 But when the Miniftei* brings forward any ftrong and decifive mea- 
 fure, he at length prevails ; but his progrefs is retarded at every ftep, 
 and in every ftage of the bill, by a pertii=iacious, though unfuccefsful, 
 minority. I am not fbrry to hear of the fplendour of Fox ; I am 
 proud, in a foreign country, of-his fame and abilities, and our little 
 animofities are extinguifhed by my retreat from the Englifh ftage. 
 With regard to the fubftance of the bufinefs, I fcarcely knowwhat 
 to think : the vices of the Company j" , both in their perfons and their 
 conftitution, were manifold and manifeft ; the danger w'as imminent^ 
 and fuch an empire, with thirty millions of fubjeds, was not to be 
 loft for trifles. Yet, on the other hand, the faith of charters, the 
 rights of property ! I hefitate and tremble. Such an innovation 
 would at leaft require that the remedy fliould be as certain as the 
 evil, and the proprietors may perhaps infinuate, that they were as 
 competent guardians of their own affairs, as either ■****« 
 or ****** *. Their adling without a falary, feems 
 childifh, and their not being removable by the Crown, is a ftrangc 
 
 * A fcleft Comniittee for inquiring into frauds committed inrefpe£l to, the revenue,. 
 \ Eaft India Company. 
 
 and
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. €19 
 
 and dangerous precedent. But enough of politics, which I now be- 
 gin to view through a thin, cold, diftant cloud, yet not without a 
 reafonable degree of curiofity and patriotifm. From the papers 
 (efpecially when you add an occafional flice of the Chronicle) I fhall 
 be amply informed of fadts and debates. From you I exped: the 
 t:aufps, rather than the events, the true fprings of adlion, and thofe 
 interefting anecdotes which feldom afcend the garret of a Fleet-ftreet 
 editor. You fay that many friends (alias acquaintance) have ex- 
 •prefled curiofity and concern ; I flrould not wifh to be immediately 
 forgotten. That others (you once mentioned Gerard Hamilton) con- 
 demn Government, for fuffering the departure of a man who might 
 have done them fome credit and.fome fervice, perhaps as much as 
 * * * * -* himfelf. To you, in the confidence of friendfliip, 
 and without either pride or refentment, I will fairly own that I am 
 fomewhat of Gerard's opinion ; and if I did not compare it with 
 the reft of his charader, I fliould be aftoniflied that ***** 
 fuffered me to depart, without even a civil anfwer to my letter. 
 Were I capable of hating a man, whom it is not eafy to hate, I lliould 
 find myfelf amply revenged by * * * *. But the happy fouls in 
 Paradii'e are fufceptible only of love and pity, and though Laufanne is 
 not a Paradife, more efpecially in winter, I do afl'ure you, in fober 
 profe, that it has hitherto fulfilled, and even furpaffed, my warmeft 
 expedation. Yet I often caft a look toward Sheffield-Place, where 
 you now repofe, if you can repofe, during the Chriilmas re- 
 cefs. Embrace my Lady, the yoimg Baronefs, and the gentle 
 Louifa, and infinuate to your filent Confort, that feparate letters re- 
 quire feparate anfvvers. Had I an air balloon, the great topic of 
 modern converfation, I would call upon you till the. meeting of Par- 
 liament. Fa/e. 
 
 4 K 2
 
 620 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N" CLXXill. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Porten. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lausanne, December 27ih, 178J. 
 
 'TpHE unfortunate are loud and locjuacious In their complaints, but 
 real happinefs is content with its own filent enjoyment ; and if 
 that happinefs is of a quiet uniform kind, we fuffer days and weeks 
 to elaple without communicating our fenfations to a diftant friend. 
 By you, therefore, whofe temper and underftanding have extracted 
 from human life on every occafion the beft and mofl: comfortable in- 
 eredients, my fdence will always be interpreted as an evidence of 
 content, and you would only be alarmed (the danger is not at 
 hand) by the too frequent repetition of my letters. Perhaps I 
 ftiould have continued to flumber, I don't know how long, had I 
 not been awakened by the anxiety which you exprefs in your laft 
 letter. * * * *-*-** * 
 
 From this bale fubje*^: I afcend to one which more ferioufly and 
 ftrongly engages your thoughts, the confideration of my health 
 and happinefs. And you will give me credit when I allure you 
 with fmcerity, that I have not repented a fmgle moment of th^ ftep 
 which I have taken, and that I only regret the not having executed 
 the fame defign two, or five, or even ten years ago. By this time 
 I might have returned independant and rich to my native country ; 
 I fhould have efcaped many difagreeable events that have happened 
 in the meanwhile, and I ihould have avoided the parliamentary life, 
 which experience has proved to be neither fuitable to my temper, nor 
 conducive to my fortune. In fpeaking of the happinefs w-hich I 
 enjoy, you will agree with me, in giving the preference to a fincere 
 and fenfible friend ; and though you cannot difcern the full extent 
 of his merit, you will eaiily believe that Deyverdun is the man. 
 2 Perhaps
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 621 
 
 Perhaps two perfons ib pcrfedly fitted to live together, were never 
 formed by Nature and education. We have both read and fecn a 
 great variety of objeds ; the lights and fliades of our different cha- 
 radters are happily blended, and a friendlliip of thirty years has 
 taught us to enjoy our mutual advantages, and to fupport our un- 
 avoidable imperfcdlions. In love and marriage, fome harfh founds 
 will fometimes interrupt the harmony, and in the courfe of time, 
 like our neighbours, we muft expert fome difagreeable m.oments ; 
 but confidence and freedom are the two pillars of our union, and I 
 am much miilaken, if the building be not folid and comfortable. 
 One difappointment I have indeed experienced, and patiently fup- 
 ported. The family who were fettled in Deyverdun's houfe llarted 
 fome unexpeded difficulties, and will not leave it till the fpring ; fo 
 that you muft not yet expert any poetical, or even hiftorical, de- 
 fcription of the beauties of my habitation. During the dull months 
 of winter we are falisiied with a very comfortable apartment in the 
 middle of the town, and even derive fome advantage from this de- 
 lay ; as it gives us time to arrange fome plans of alteration and fur- 
 niture, which will embellifh our future and more elegant dwelling. 
 In this feafon I rife (not at four in the morning) but a little before 
 eight ; at nine, I am called from my ftudy to breakfaft, which I al- 
 ways perform alone, in the Englifh ftile, and, with the aid of 
 Caplin, I perceive no dllference between Laufanne and Bentinck- 
 ftreet. Our mornings are v.fually paffed in feparate ftudies ; we 
 never approach each other's door without a previous melfagc, or 
 thrice knocking, and my apartment is already facred and formidable 
 to ftrangers. I drefs at half paft one, and at two (an early hour, to 
 which I am not perfedly reconciled,) we fit down to dinner. We have 
 hired a female cook, well-fkilled in her profeffion, and accuftomed to 
 the tafte of every nation ; as for inftance, we had excellent mince-pies 
 yefterday. After dinner, and the departure of our company, one, 
 two, or three friends, we read together fome amufmg book, or 
 
 play
 
 622 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 plaj at chefs, or retire to our rooms, or make vifits, or go to the 
 coffee-houfe. Between fix and feven the aflembUes begui, and I am 
 opprefTed only with their number and variety. Whift, at Ihillings 
 or half-crowns, is the game I gerierally play, and I play three rub- 
 bers with pleafure. Between nine and ten we withdraw to our bread 
 and cheefe, and friendly converfe, which fends us to bed at eleven ; 
 but thefe fober hours are too often interrupted by private or nume- 
 rous fuppers, which I have not the courage to refifl:, though I pradlfe 
 a laudable abftinence at the heft furniflied tables. Such is the fke- 
 leton of my life ; it is impoffible to communicate a perfedl idea of 
 the vital and fubftantial parts, the characters of the men and women 
 with whom I have very eafily conncfled myfelf in loofer and clofer 
 bonds, according to their inclination and my own. If I do not de- 
 ceive myfelf and if Deyverdun does not flatter me, I am already a 
 general favom-ite ; and as our likings and dlflikes are commonly 
 mutual, I am equally fatisfied with the freedom and elegance of man- 
 ners, and (after proper allowances and exceptions) with the worthy 
 and amiable qualities of many individuals. The -autumn has been 
 beautiful, and the winter hitherto mild, but in January we mud 
 expecl fome fevere froft. Inftead of rolling in a coach, I walk the 
 ftreets, wrapped up in a fur cloak ; but this exercife is wholefome, 
 and except an accidental fit of the gout of a few days, I never en- 
 joyed better health. I am no longer in Pavillard's houfe, where I 
 was almofl: ftarved with cold and hunger, and you may be aflured 
 that I now enjoy every benefit of comfort, plenty, and even decent 
 luxury. You wifh me happy ; acknowledge that fuch a life is more 
 conducive to happinefs, than five nights in the week pafled in the 
 Houfe of Commons, or five mornings fpent at the Cuftom-houfe. 
 Send me, in return, a fair account of your own fituation in mind 
 and body. I am fatisfied your own good fenfe would have recon- 
 ciled you to inevitable feparation ; but there never was a more fuit- 
 able diverfion than your vifit to Sheffield-Place. Among the innu- 
 
 1 merable
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 62^^, 
 
 mci"able proofs of frienelfliip which I have received from that family^ 
 
 there are none which, affedl me more fenfibly than their kind civilities- 
 
 to you, though I am perfuaded that they arc at lead as much on 
 
 your account as on mine. At length Madame de * * * * * 
 
 is delivered by her tyrant's death ; her daughter, a valuable woman- 
 
 of this place, has made feme enquiries, and though her own cir- 
 
 Gumftances are narrow, flie will not fuller her father's widow to be. 
 
 left totally dellltute. I am glad you derived fo much melancholy 
 
 pleafure from the letters, yet had I known it, I fliould have withheld; 
 *- * * *. * ■* 
 
 N° CLXXIV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Hotionrahlc Lor^i Sheffield. 
 
 Lausanne, January 24th, 1784, 
 
 'tx 7ITHIN two or three days after your laft gracious epiftle, your 
 complaints were filenced, and your enquiries w^ere fatisfied, 
 by an ample difpatch of four pages, which overflowed the iniide of 
 the cover, and in which I expofed my opinions of things in general,, 
 public as well as private, as they exifted in my mind, in my ftate 
 of ignorance and error, about the eighteenth or twentieth of laft 
 month. Within a week after that date I eplftolifed, in the fame rich 
 and copious ftrain, the two venerable females of Newman-flreet and 
 Bath, whofe murmurings muft now be changed into fongs of gra- 
 titude and applaufe. Pviy correfpondence with the holy matron of 
 Northamptonfhire has been lels lively and loquacious. You have 
 not forgotten the author's vindication of himfelf from the foul ca- 
 lumnies of pretended Chriftians. Within a fortnight after his arrival 
 at Laufanne, he communicated the joyful event to Mrs. Efther Gibbon. 
 She anfwered, per return of poft, both letters at the fame time, and 
 in very dutiful language, almoit excufmg her advice, which was ia- 
 
 tended
 
 624 LETTERS TO AND FROM / 
 
 tended for my fpirltual, as well as temporal good, and afflirlng me, 
 that nobody Jloould be- able to injure me with her. Unlefs the faint is 
 an hypocrite, fuch an expreflion muft convey a favourable and im- 
 portant m'caning. At all events, it is worth giving ourfclves fome 
 trouble about her, without indulging any fanguine expe£tations of 
 inheritance. So much for my females ; with regard to my male 
 correfpondents, you are the only one to whom 1 have given any 
 figns of my exiftence, though I have formed many a generous refo- 
 lution. Yet I am not infenfible of the kind and friendly manner, in 
 which Lord Loughborough has diftinguifhed me. He could have 
 no inducements of intereft, and now that I view the dlftant pid:ure 
 with impartial eyes, I am convinced that (for a ftatcfman) he was 
 iincerc in his wifhes to ferve me. When you fee him^ the Paynes, 
 Eden, Crauford, &c. tell them that I am well, happy, and afhamed. 
 On your fide, the zeal and diligence of your pen has furprifed and 
 delighted me, and your letters, at this interefting moment, are ex- 
 adtly fuch as I wifhed them to be — authentic anecdotes, and rational 
 fpeculations, worthy of a man who a<fts a part in the great theatre, 
 and who fills a feat, not only in the general Pandemonium, but in 
 the private council of the Princes of the infernal regions. With 
 regard to the detail of parliamentary operations, I muft repeat my 
 requeft to you, or rather to my Lady, who will now be on the fpot, 
 that fhe will write, not with her pen, but with her fciffars, and that 
 after every debate which deferves to pafs the fea and the mountains, 
 fhe will difledt the faithful narrative of Woodfall, and fend it off by 
 the next poft, as an agreeable fupplement to the meagre accounts of 
 our weekly papers. The wonderful revolutions of laft month have 
 founded to my ear more like the fhifting fcenes of a comedy, or 
 comic-opera, than like the fober events of real and modern hlftory ; 
 and the irregularity of our winter pofts, which fometimes retarded, 
 and fometimes haftened, the arrival of th6 difpatches, has increafed 
 the confufion of our ideas. Surely the Lord has blinded the eyes 
 
 of
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Eiqulre. 625 
 
 of Pharoah and of his fervants ; the obfluiacy of lad fpring was 
 nothing compared to the headftrong and headlong madnefs of this 
 winter. I expeft with much impatience the firft days of your 
 meeting ; the purity and integrity of the coalition will fuffer a fiery 
 trial ; but if they are true to themfelves and to each other, a ma- 
 jority of the Houfe of Commons muft prevail ; the rebellion of the 
 young gentlemen will be crufhed, and the mafters will refume the 
 government of the fchool. After the addrefs and anfwer, I have 
 no conception that Parliament can be diflblved during the feffion ; 
 but if the prefent Miniftry can outlive the dorm, I think the death- 
 warrant will infallibly be figned in the fummer. Here I blufh for 
 my country, without confeffing her fhame. Fox adted like a man 
 of honour, yet furely his union with Pitt affords the only hope of 
 falvation. How miferably are we wafting the feafon of peace ! 
 
 I have written three pages before I come to my own bufmefs and 
 feelings. In the firft place, I moft fmcerely rejoice that I left the 
 fhip, and fwam afhore on a plank : the daily and hourly agitation 
 in which I muft have lived would have made me truly miferable; 
 and if I had obtained a place during pleafure, *****, for 
 inftance ? On the firft news of the diffolution, I confidered my feat 
 as fo totally and irrecoverably gone, that I have been lefs afflided 
 
 with *****'$ obftinacy. ***** 
 ■* * ** * * *** 
 
 On this occafion remember you are a£ling for a poor friend ; difmifs 
 a little of the fpirit of fadlion and patriotifm, and ftoop to a pru- 
 dential line of condud, which in your own cafe you might poffibly 
 ' difdain. ********* 
 ********* 
 
 Perhaps you will abufe my prudence and patriotifm, when I inform 
 you, that I have already vefted a part (thirty thoufand livres, about 
 one thoufand three hundred pounds) in the new loan of the King of 
 France. I get eight per cent, on the joint lives of Dep^erdun and 
 Yoi.. I, 4 L myfelf,
 
 626 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 myfelf, befides thirty tickets in a very advantageous lottery, of which 
 the higheft prize is an annuity of forty thoufand livres (one thoufand 
 feven hundred pounds) a year. At this moment, the beginning of 
 a peace, and probably a long peace, I think (and the world feems 
 to think) the French funds at leaft as folid as our own, I have em- 
 powered my agent, M. de Leflart, a capital banker at Paris, to draw 
 upon Gofling for the money two months hence ; and to avoid all 
 accidents that may refiilt from untoward delays, and mercantile 
 churliflinefs, I expert that you will fuppoit my credit in Fleet-ftreet 
 with your own more refpedable name. * * * * 
 
 * ^i; * * • * * ^r * * 
 
 What fay you now ? Am I not a wife man ? My letter is enormous, 
 and the poft on the wing. In a few days I will w^ite to my Lady 
 herfelf, and enter fomething more into the details of domeftic life. 
 Suffice it to fay, that the fcene becomes each day more pleafant 
 and comfortable, and that I complain only of the diffipatlon of 
 Laufanne. In the courfe of March or April we fhall take pof- 
 feffion of Deyverdun's houfe. My books, which, by fome ftrange 
 negledt, did not leave Paris till the third of this month, will arrive 
 in a few weeks ; and I fliall foon refume the continuation of my 
 Hiftory, which I fhall profecute with the more vigour, as the com- 
 pletion affords me a diflaut profpedl of a vifit to England. Adiciu. 
 Ever yours., 
 
 N° CLXXV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquireto the Right Honourable LorJ Sheffield. 
 
 BARON! Lausan,ne, Febiuary 2d, 1784., 
 
 A FTER my la'ft enormous difpatch, nothing can remain, except 
 
 fome fmall gleanings, or occafional hints ; and thus in order : 
 
 I am not confcious that any of your valuable MSS. have mifcariled, 
 
 or that I have omitted to anfwer any effential particulars. They 
 
 i ftand
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 627 
 
 fland la my bureau carefully arranged, and docketed under the fol- 
 lowing dates ; September twenty-three, 0£lober twenty-three, No- 
 vember eighteen, December two, December fifteen, December nine- 
 teen, December twenty-three, December. twenty-nine, January fixteen, 
 which laft I have received this day, February 2d. For greater per- 
 fpicuity, it will not be amifs (on either fide) to number our future 
 eplftles, by a confpicuous Roman charadler infcribed in the front, to 
 which we may at any time refer. But inftead of writing by Oftend, 
 the fliorter and furer way, cfpecially on all occafiohs that dcferve cele- 
 rity, will be to inclofe them to my banker, M. de Leflart at Paris, who 
 will forward them to me. Through Germany the paffage by fea is 
 more uncertain, the roads worfe, and the diftance greater: we 
 often complain of delay and irregularity at this interefting moment. 
 By your laft I fiiid that you have boldly and generoufly opened a 
 treaty with the enemy, w-liich I propofed with fear and hefitation. 
 1 impatiently exped the refult ; and again repeat, that %vhatever you 
 can obtain for * *- * * *-, I fhall confider it as fo much faved 
 out of the fire, &c. &c. Do you remember Dunnlng's motion (in 
 the year 1780) to addrefs the Crown againft a diirolution of Par- 
 liament ; a fimple addrefs we rejeded, as an infringement on the 
 prerogative ? yet how far fhort of thefe ftrong democratical mea- 
 fures, for which you have probably voted, as I fhould probably have 
 done : fuch is the contagion of party. Fox drives moft furioufly, 
 yet I fli^uld not be furprifed if Pitt's moderation and character 
 ihould infenfibly win the nation, and even the Houfe, to efpoufe 
 
 his caufe. * * * * --k * -* * * 
 
 * « * * ' ■* -* * -:■; -* * * 
 
 ^nlefs when I look back on England with a felfifn or a tender re- 
 gard, niy hours roll awj^y very pleafantly, and I can again repeat 
 with truth, that I have not regretted one fingle moment the ftep 
 which I . hav.e taken. V/e are now at the height of the winter 
 difTipation. and I am peculiarly happy when I can fteal away froni 
 
 4 L 2 great
 
 628 LETTERS TO AND FROM' 
 
 great aflemblies, and fuppers of twenty or thirty people, to a more 
 private party of fome of thofe perfons whom I begin to call my 
 friends. Till we are fettled in our houfe little can be expeded on 
 our fide ; yet I have already given two or three handfome dinners ; 
 and though every thing is grown dearer, I am not alarmed at the 
 general view of my expence. Deyverdun falutes you ; and we are 
 agreed that few married couples are better entitled to the flitch of 
 bacon than we fhall be at the end of the year. When I had written 
 about half this epiftle my books arrived : at our firft meeting all was 
 rapture and confufion, and two or three pofts, from the fecond to 
 this day, the fourteenth, have been fuffered to depart unnoticed. 
 Your letter of the twenty-feventh of January, which was not re- 
 ceived till yefterday, has again awakened me, and I thought the 
 fureft way would be to fend off this fingle Iheet without any farther 
 delay. 
 
 I fmcercly rejoice in the {lability of Parliament * ; and the firft 
 faint dawn of reconciliation, which muft however be effeded by 
 the equal balance of parties, rather than by the wifdom of the 
 country gentlemen f. 
 
 My Lady ! — But it would be highly incongruous to begin my 
 letter at the bottom of the page. Adieu, therefore, till next poft. 
 
 N" CLXXVL 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield, 
 
 Lausanne, May nth, 1784. 
 
 Alas! alas ! alas ! We may now exchange our mutual condo- 
 
 lence. Laft Chriftmas, on the change of adminiftration, I was 
 
 ftruck with the thunderbolt of the unexpeded event, and in the ap- 
 
 * This fuppofition was founded on Mr. Banks's declaration in the name of Mr. Pitt, 
 f At the St. Albau's Tavern. 
 
 14 proaching
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 629 
 
 preaching dlflblution I forefaw the lofs of * ***** 
 * * * *. The long continuance and various changes 
 of the tempefl: rendered me by degrees callous and infenfible ; when 
 Zhe art of the mariners was exhaufted I felt that we were finking, 
 I expedled the fhip to founder, and when the fatal moment arrived, 
 I was even pleafed to be delivered from hope and fear, to the calm- 
 nefs of defpair. I now turn my eyes, not on the paft, but on the 
 prefent and the future ; what is loll I try to confider as if it never 
 had exifted ; and every day I congratulate my own good fortune, 
 let me fay my prudence and refolution, in migrating from your noify 
 ftage to a fcene of repofe and content. But even in this feparate 
 ftate, I was ftill anxious for my friend upon Englifh earth, and at 
 firfl: was much delighted with your hint, that you were fetting off 
 for Coventry, without any profpedl of an oppofition. Every port, 
 Wednefdays and Saturdays, I eagerly looked for the intelligence of 
 your vidtory ; and in fpite of my mifbehaviour, which I do not 
 deny, I muft abufe my Lady^ rather than you, for leaving me in fo 
 painful a fituaiion. Each day raifed and increafed my apprehenfion j 
 the Courier de V Europe firft announced the conteft, the Englifh papers 
 proclaimed your defeat, and your laft letter, which I received four 
 days ago, fhewed me that you exerted firft the fpirit, and at laft the 
 temper of an hero. I am not much furprifed that you fhould have 
 been fwept away in the general unpopularity, fince even in this 
 quiet place, your friends are confidered as a factious crew, ading in 
 dired oppofition both to the King and people. For yourfelf I am 
 at a lofs what to fay. If this repulfe fhould teach you to renounce 
 all connedion with Kings and Minifters, and Patriots and Parties, 
 and Parliaments ; for all of which you are by many degrees too 
 honeft ; I fhould exclaim, with Teague of refpedable memory, 
 •' By my flioul, dear joy, you have gained a lofs." Private life, 
 whether contemplative or adive, has furely more folid and inde- 
 pendent charms ; you have fome domeftic comforts j Sheffield-Place 
 
 Is
 
 630 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 is ftill fufceptlble of ufeful and ornamental improvements, (alas ! 
 how much better might even the laft *: * * * have been laid out !) 
 and if thefe cares are not fuflicient to occupy your leifure, I can 
 truft your reftlefs and enterprifing fpirit to find new methods to pre- 
 ferve you from the infipidity of repofe. But I much fear your dif- 
 content and regret at being excluded from that Pandsemonium which 
 we have fo often curfed, as long as you were obliged to attend it. 
 The leaders of the party will flatter you with the opinion of their 
 friendlhip and your own importance ; the warmth of your temper 
 makes you credulous and unfufpicious ; and, like the reft of our 
 fpecies, male and female, you arc not abfolutely deaf to the voice of 
 praife. Some other place will be fuggefted, eafy, honourable, cer- 
 tain, where nothing is wanted but a man of charad;er and fpirit to 
 head a fuperior intereft ; the oppofition, if any, is contemptible, and 
 the expence cannot be large. You will go down, find almoft every 
 circumftance falfely ftated, repent that you liad engaged yourfelf, 
 but you cannot defert thofe friends who are firmly attached to your 
 caufe ; befides, the money you have already fpent would have been 
 thrown away ; another thoufand will complete the bufinefs : deeper 
 and deeper will you plunge, and the laft evil will be worfe than the 
 firft. You fee I am a free-fpoken counfellor ; may I not be a true 
 prophet ! Did I confult my own wifhes, I ihouid obferve to youj 
 that as you are no longer a Have, you might foon be tranfported, as 
 you feem to defire, to one of the Alpine hills. The purity and 
 calmnefs of the air is the beft calculated to allay the heat of a poli- 
 tical fever ; the education of the two Princefles might be fuccefsfully 
 conducted under your eye and that of my Lady ; and if you had 
 refolution to determine on a refidence, not a vlfit, at Laufanne, your 
 worldly affairs might repofe themfelves after their late fatigues. But 
 you know that / am a friend to toleration, and am always difpofed to 
 make the largeft allowance for the different natures of animals ; a lion 
 and a lamb, an eagle and a worm^ I am afraid v/e ai-e too quiet for 
 
 you ;
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire, 631 
 
 you ; here it would not he eafy for you to create any bufinefs ; you 
 have for fome time negledled books, and I doubt whether you would 
 not think our fuppers and alTemblies fomewhat trifling and infipid. 
 You are far more difficult than I am ; you are in fearch of knowledge, 
 and you are not content with your company, unlefs you can derive 
 from them information or extraordinary amufement. For my part,, 
 I like to draw information from books, and I am fatlsfied with 
 polite attention and eafy manners. Finally, I am happy to tell, and 
 you wall be happy to hear, that this place has in every refpe£l ex- 
 ceeded my beft and moft fanguine hopes. How often have you 
 faid, as often as I expreffed any ill-humour againft the hurry, the 
 expence, and the precarious condition of my London life, " Ay, 
 *' that is a nonfenfical fcheme of retiring to Laufanne that you have 
 *' got into your head, a pretty fancy ; you remember how much you 
 " liked it in your youth, but you have now feen more of the world, 
 " and if you were to try it again, you would find yourfelf woefully 
 " difappointed ?" I had it in my head, in my heart, I have tried it, 
 I have not been difappointed, and my knowledge of the world has 
 ferved only to convince me, that a capital and a crowd may contain 
 much lefs real fociety, than the fmall circle of this gentle retirement. 
 The winter has been longer, but, as far as I can learn, lefs rigorous 
 than in the reft of Europe. The fpring is now burfting upon us, 
 and in our own garden it is difplayed in all its glor)'. I already oc- 
 cupy a temporary apartment, and we live in the lower part of the 
 houfe ; before you receive this we fhall be in full poffeffion. We 
 have much to enjoy and fomething to do, which I take to be the 
 happieft condition of human life. Now for bufinefs, the kind of 
 fubjcdl which I always undertake with the moft reluctance, and leave 
 
 with the moft pleafure. * * * ■* * * * 
 
 * * * * * * * *. «• * * 
 
 Adieu,
 
 632 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 And now, my Lady, 
 Let me approach your gentle, not grimalkin, prefence, with 
 deep remorfe. You have indiredly been informed of my ftate of 
 mind and body; (the whole winter I have not had the flighted re- 
 turn of the gout, or any other complaint whatfoever ;) you have 
 been apprifed, and are now apprifed, of my motions, or rather of 
 my perfedl and agreeable repofe ; yet I muft confefs (and I fceF) 
 that fomething of a direct and perfonal exchange of fentiment has 
 been negledled on my fide, though I flill perfuade myfelf that when 
 I am fettled in my new houfe I fhall have more fubjedl, as well 
 as leifure, to write. Such tricks of lazinefs your a£live fpirit is 
 a ftranger to, though Mrs. * * * complains that flie has never 
 had an anfwer to her laft letters. Poor Lady Pembroke ! you will 
 feel for her ; after a cruel alternative of hope and fear, her only 
 daughter. Lady Charlotte, died at Aix en Prove7ice; they have per- 
 fuaded her to come to this place, where (he is intimately connedted 
 with the Cerjat family. She has taken an agreeable houfe, about 
 three miles from the town, and lives retired. I have feen her ; her 
 
 behaviour is calm, but her afflidion . I accept with gratitude 
 
 your friendly propofal of Wedgewood's ware, and fliould be glad to 
 have it bought and packed, and fent without delay through Ger- 
 many ; and I fhall only fay, that I wifh to have a very complete 
 fervice for two courfes and a defert, and that our fuppers are nu- 
 merous, frequently fifteen or twenty perfons. Adieu. I do not 
 mean this as your letter. You are very good to poor Kitty, With 
 you I do not condole about Coventry.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 63J 
 
 N" CLXXVII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lausann-e, May zSt'n, i7i?4.- 
 
 T BEGIN without preface or apology, as If I had received your 
 letter by the laft poft. In my own defence I know not what to 
 fay ; but if I were difpofed to recriminate, I might obferve that you 
 yourfelf are not perfe(Sly free from the fin of lazinefs and procrafti- 
 nation. I have often wondered why we are not fonder of letter- 
 writing. We all delight to talk of ourfelves, and it is only in letters, 
 in writing to a friend, that we can enjoy that converfation, not only 
 without reproach or interruption, but with the higheft propriety 
 and mutual fatisfadtion ; fure that the perfon whom we addrefs feels 
 an equal, or at leaft a ftrong and lively interefl: in the confideration 
 of the pleafing fubje£l. On the fubjedt therefore oi fdf I will en- 
 tertain a friend, to whom none of my thoughts or adions, none of 
 my pains or pleafures, can ever be indifferent. When I firft che- 
 rifhed the defign of retiring to Laufanne, I was much more appre- 
 henfive of wounding your tender attachment, than of offending 
 Lord Sheffield's manly and vehement fricndfhip. In the abolition 
 of the Board of Trade the motives for, my retreat became more 
 urgent and forcible ; I wiflied to break loofe, yet I delayed above a 
 year before I could take my final refolution ; and the letter in which 
 I difclofed it to you cofl: me one of the moft painful flruggles of my 
 life. As foon as I had conquered that difficulty, all meaner obftacles 
 fell before me, and in a few weeks I found myfelf at Laufanne, 
 aflonifhed at my firmnefs and my fuccefs. Perhaps you ftill blame 
 or flill lament the flep which I have taken. If on your own ac- 
 count, I can only fympathize with your feelings, the recollecflion 
 t)f which often cofts me a figh : if on mine, let me fairly ftate what 
 VOL. I, 4 M I have
 
 634 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 I have efcaped in England, and what I have found at Laufanne. 
 Recolle6t the tempefts of this winter, how many anxious days I 
 fhould have pafTed, how many noify, turbulent, hot, unwholefome 
 nights, while my political exiftence, and that of my friends, was at 
 Hake ; yet thefe feeble efforts would have been unavailing ; I fhould 
 have loft my feat in parliament, and after the extraordinary' expcnce of 
 another year, I muft ftill have purfaed the road of Switzerland, unlefs 
 I had been tempted by fome felfifli patron, or by Lord S.'s afpiring 
 fplrit, to incur a moft inconvenient expence for a new feat ; and 
 once more, at the beginning of an oppofition, to engage in new 
 fcenes of bufinefs. As to the immediate profped of any thing like 
 a quiet and profitable retreat, I fliould not know where to look ; my 
 friends are no longer in power. With * * * * and his party I 
 have no connexion; and were he difpofed to favour a man of 
 letters, it is difficult to fay what he could give, or what I would ac- 
 cept ; the reign of penfions and fmecures is at an end, and a com- 
 miffion in the Excife or Cuftoms, the fummit of my hopes, would 
 «-ive me income at the expence of leifure and liberty. When I re- 
 volve thefe circumftances in my mind, my only regret, I repeat it 
 ao'ain and agaic, is, that I did not embrace this falutary meafure 
 tliree five, ten years ago. Thus much I thought it neceflary to 
 fay, and fhall now difmifs this unpleafmg part of the fubje£l-, . 
 For my fituation here, health, is the firft confideration ; and on that 
 head your tendernefs had conceived fome degree of. anxiety. I 
 know not whether it has reached you that I had a fit of the gout 
 the day after my arrival. The deed is true, but the caufe was acci- 
 dental ; carelefsly ftepping down a flight of flairs, I fprained my 
 ancle • and my ungenerous enemy inftantly took advantage of my 
 weaknefs. But fmce my breaking, that double chain, I have. enjoyed 
 a w^inter of the moft peifed health that I have perhaps ever known, 
 without any mixture of the little flying incommodities which in my 
 beft days have fometimes difturbed the tranquillity of my Englifli 
 
 lifca
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 63s 
 
 life. You are not ignorant of Dr. Tiffot's reputation, and his merit 
 is even above his reputation. He affures me, that in his opinion, the 
 moifture of England and Holland is moft pernicious ; the dry pure 
 air of Switzerland moft favourable to a gouty conftitution : that ex- 
 perience juftifies the theory ; and that there are fewer martyrs of that 
 diforder in this, than in any other country in Europe. This winter 
 has every where been moft uncommonly fevere : and you feem in 
 England to have had your full fhare of the general hardlhip : but in 
 this corner, furrounded by the Alps, it has rather been long than 
 rigorous ; and its duration ftole away our fpring, and left us no 
 interval between furs and filks. We now enjoy the genial influence 
 of the climate and the feafon j and no ftation was ever more calcu- 
 lated to enjoy them than Deyverdun's houfe and garden, which are 
 now become my own. You will not expedl that the pen fliould de- 
 fcribe, what the pencil would imperfedly delineate. A few circum- 
 ftances may, however, be mentioned. My library is about the fame 
 fize w^th that in Bentinck-ftreet, with this difference, however, that 
 inftead of looking on a paved court, twelve feet fquare, I command 
 a boundlefs profpe£t of vale, mountain, and water, from my three 
 windows. My apartment is completed by a fpacious light clofet, or 
 ftore-room, with a bed-chamber and dreffing-room. Deyverdun's 
 habitation is pleafant and convenient, though lefs extenfive : for our 
 common ufe we have a very handfome winter apartment of four 
 rooms ; and on the ground-floor, two cool f\loons for the fummer, 
 with a fufiiciency, or rather fuperfluity, of offices, &c. A terrace, 
 one hundred yards long, extends beyond the front of the houfe, and 
 leads to a clofe impenetrable fhrubbery ; and from thence the circuit 
 of a long and various walk carries me round a meadow and vine- 
 yard. The intervals afford abundant fupply of fruit, and every fort 
 of vegetables ; and if you add, that this villa (which has been much 
 ornamented by my friend) touches the beft and moft fociable part of 
 the town, you will agree with me, that few perfons, either princes 
 
 4 M 2 or
 
 636 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 or philofophers, enjoy a more defirablc refidence. Deyvcrdun, 
 who is proud of his own works, often walks me round, pointing out, 
 with acknowledgment and enthufiafm, the beauties that change with ' 
 every ftep and with every variation of light. I ihare, or at lead I fym- 
 pathize with his pleafure. He appears contented with my progrefs, 
 and has already told feveral people, that he does not defpair of making 
 me a gardener. Be that as it may, you will be glad to hear that I am, 
 by my own choice, infinitely more in motion, and in the open air, 
 than I ever have been formerly ; yet my perfeft liberty and leifure 
 leave me many ftudious hours ; and as the circle of our acquaintance 
 retire into the country, I fhall be much lefs engaged in company and 
 diverfion. I have ferioufly refumed the profecution of my Hiftory ; 
 each day and each month adds fomething to the completion of the 
 great work. The progrefs is flow, the labour continual, and the 
 end remote and uncertain ; yet every day brings its amufement, as 
 well as labour ; and though I dare not fix a term, even in my own 
 fancy, I advance, with the pleafmg refledion, that the bufinefs of pub- 
 lication (ihould I be detained here fo long) muft enforce my return 
 to England, and reftore me to the beft of mothers and friends. In 
 the mean while, with health and competence, a full independence of 
 mind and adion, a delightful habitation, a true friend, and many 
 pleafant acquaintance ; you will allow, that I am rather an objedl of 
 envy than of pity ; and if you were more converfant with the ufe of the 
 French language, I would ferioufly propofe to you to repofe yourfelf 
 with us in this fine country. My indiredt intelligence (on which 
 I fometimes depend with more implicit faith than on the kind diffimu- 
 lation of your friendfhip) gives me reafon to hope that the lafi: winter 
 has been more favourable to your health than the preceding one. 
 AfTure me of it yourfelf honeftly and truly, and you will afford me 
 one of the moft lively pleafures.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. C^j 
 
 N° CLXXVIII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to thcRlght Honourable Lord SllLV HELD. 
 
 Lausanne, June 19th, 1784. 
 
 ********* 
 ********* 
 
 In this glorious feafon I frequently give tea and fupper to a dozen 
 men and women with eafe and reputation, and heartily wifh you 
 and my Lady were among them. In this corner of Europe we en- 
 joy, or fhall fpeedily enjoy, (befides threefcore Englifh, with Lady 
 Pembroke, and forty French, with the Duchefs de Sivrac at their 
 head,) M. and Madame Necker, the Abbe Raynal, the Hereditary 
 Prince of Brunfwick, Prince Henry of Pruffia, perhaps the Duke of 
 Cumberland ; yet I am ftill more content with the humble natives, 
 than with jno/f of thefe illuftrious names. Adieu. The poll is on the 
 wing, and you owe me a long epiftle. I am, as ufual, in the firm 
 intention of writing next week to my Lady. 
 
 N° CLXXIX. 
 
 The Same to the Same. 
 
 Lausanne, Oflober i8th, 1784. 
 
 QiNCE my retreat to Laufanne our correfpondence has never re- 
 ceived fo long an interruption ; and as I have been equally taci- 
 turn with the reft of the Englifh world, it may now be a problem 
 among that fceptical nation, whether the Hiftorian of the Decline 
 and Fall be a living fubftance or an empty name. So tremendous 
 is the fleepy power of lazinefs and habit, that the filence of each 
 poft operated ftill more ftrongly to benumb the hand, and to freeze the 
 epijlolary ink. How or when I fhould have naturally awakened, I can- 
 not
 
 63S LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 not tell ; but the preffure of my affairs, and the arrival of your laft 
 letter, compel me to remember that you are entrufted with the final 
 amputation of the beft limb of my property. The fubje£t is in 
 itfelf fo painful, that I have poftponed it, like a child's phyfic, from 
 day to day ; and lofmg whole mornings, as I walked about my 
 library, in ufelefs regret and impotent relblution, you will be amazed 
 to hear that (after peeping to fee if you are all well, and returned 
 from Ireland) I have not yet had the courage to perufe your letter, 
 for fear of meeting with fome gloomy intelligence ; and I will now 
 linifli what I have to fay of pecuniary matters, before I know whe- 
 ther its contents will fortify or overthrow my imb Ifed fentiments. 
 
 iif * * * * * :- * * 
 
 * * * * To what purpofe (will yoi. fay) are thefe 
 tardy and ufelefs repinings ? To arraign your n onager ? No, I am 
 latisfied with the fkill and firmnefs of the pilot, and complain only 
 of the untoward violence of the tempeft. To repent of your re- 
 treat into Switzerland? No, furely, every fubfcquent event has 
 tended to make it as neceflary as it has proved agreeable. Why 
 then thefe lamentations ? Hear and attend — It is to infereft (if 
 pofuble more ftrongly) your zeal and friendftiip, to juftify a fort of 
 avarice, a love of money, very foreign to my charadler, but with 
 
 which I cling to thefe laft fragments of my fortune. <^ * * 
 
 * * * -* * * * * * 
 
 As far as I can judge from the experience of a year, though I find 
 Laufanne much more expenfive than I imagined, yet my ftile of 
 living (and a very handfome ftile it is) will be brought nearly within 
 my ordinary revenues. I wiili our poor country could fay as much ! 
 But it was always my favourite and rational wifh, that at the wind- 
 ing up of my affairs I might poflefs a fum, from one to two thou- 
 fand pounds, neither buried in land, nor locked up in the funds, but 
 free, light, and ready to obey any call of intereft, or pleafure, or 
 virtue ; to defray any extraordinary expence, fupport any delay, or 
 14 remove
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 639 
 
 remove any obftacle. For the attainment of this obje(fl:, I truft in 
 your afliftance.. * * * * * * * * 
 
 *.. * * * * Thus much for this 
 
 money tranfadion ; to you I need add no other ftimulative, than 
 to fay that my eafe and comfort very much depend on the fuccefs of 
 this plan. 
 
 As I thought every man of fenfe and fortune in Ireland mufl: be 
 fatisfied, I did not conceive the cloud fo dark as you reprefent it. 
 I. will ferloufly perufe the 8vo. and in due time the 410. edi- 
 tion * ; it would become a claffic book, if you could find leifure 
 (will you ever find it ?) to introduce order and ornament. You 
 muft negociate dircElly with Dcyverdun ; but the ftate will not hear 
 of parting with their only Reynolds f. I embrace my Lady ; let 
 her be angry, provided fhe be well. Adieu. Yours. 
 
 P. S. The care of Ireland may have amufed you in the fummer; 
 but how do you. mean to employ the winter ? Do you not caft a long- 
 ing, . lingering look at St. Stephen's chapel ? With your fiery fpirit, 
 and firm judgment, I almofl wifh you there ; not for your benefit, 
 hut for the public. If you refolve to recover your feat, do not 
 liften to any fallacious and infinite projedts of intereft, conteft, re- 
 turn, petition, &c. but limit your expence. 
 
 N° CLXXX: 
 Edwj^rd Gibbon Efquirc to the Right Honourable Lady Sheffield. - 
 
 Lausanne, Oftober zzd, 1784. 
 
 A FEW weeks ago, as I v/as walking on our terrace with M. Tiflbt, > 
 the celebrated phyfician; M. Mercier, the author of the 7'«/^/^^,v 
 de Paris ; the Abbe Raynal ; Monfieur, Madame, and Mademoifelle 
 
 * Of Obfervations on the Commerce with the Americaa States, 
 f Alluding to his portrait. 
 
 Necker • ;
 
 640 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Necker ; the Abbe de Bourbon, a natural fon of Lewie the Fifteenth, 
 the Hereditary Prince of Brunfwick, Prince Henry of PrufTia, and a 
 dozen Counts, Barons, and extraordinary perfons, among whom was 
 
 a natural fon of the Emprefs of Ruffia Are you fatisfied with this 
 
 lift ? which I could enlarge and embellifli, without departing from 
 truth ; and was not the Baron of Sheffield (profound as he is on 
 the fubjedt of the American trade) doubly miftaken with regard to 
 Gibbon and Laufanne ? Whenever I ufed to hint my defign of retir- 
 ing, that illuftrious Baron, after a proper effufion of d d fools, 
 
 condefcended to obferve, that fuch an obfcure nook in Switzerland 
 might pleafe me in the ignorance of youth, but that after tafting for 
 fo many years the various fociety of Paris and London, I fhould 
 foon be tired with the dull and uniform round of a provincial town. 
 In the winter, Laufanne is indeed reduced to its native powers ; but 
 during the fummer, it is poffibly, after Spa, one of the mod fa- 
 vourite places of general refort. The tour of Switzerland, the Alps, 
 and the Glaciers, is become a fafhion. Tiflbt attradts the invalids, 
 efpecially from France ; and a colony of Englifli have taken up the 
 habit of fpending their winters at Nice, and their fummers in the 
 Pays de Vaud. Such are the fplendour and variety of our fummer 
 vifitors ; and you \vill agree with me more readily than the Baron, 
 when I fay that this variety, inflead of being a merit, is, in my 
 opinion, one of the very few objedlions to the refidence of Lau- 
 fanne. After the diffipation of the winter I expelled to have en- 
 joyed, with more freedom and folitude, myfelf, my friend, my 
 books, and this dehcious paradife ; but my pofition and charader 
 make me here a fort of a public charadter, and oblige me to fee and 
 be feen. However, it is my firm refolutlon for next fummer to 
 alTume the independence of a philofopher, and to be vifible only to the 
 perfons whom I like. On that principle I fhould not, moft afluredly, 
 have avoided the Neekers and Prince Henry. The former have 
 purchafed the barony of Copet near Geheva 5 and as the buildings 
 
 6 were
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. . 641 
 
 were very much out of repair, they pafTcd this fummer at a country- 
 houfe at the gates of Laufanne. They afford a new example, that 
 perfons who have tafted of greatnefs can feldom return with plea- 
 fure to a private ftation. In the moments when we were alone he 
 converfed with me freely, and I believe truly, on the fubjed of his 
 adminiftratlon and fall ; and has opened feveral paflages of modern 
 hiftory, which would make a very good figure in the American 
 book *". If they fpent the fummers at the caftle of Copet, about 
 nine leagues from hence, a foiTnight or three weeks vifit would be a 
 pleafant and healthful excurfion ; but, alas ! I fear there is little ap- 
 pearance of its being executed. Her health is impaired by the agi- 
 tation of her mind : inftead of returning to Paris, fhe is ordered to 
 pafs the winter in the fouthern provinces of France, and our laft 
 parting was folemn ; as I very much doubt whether I fliall ever 
 fee her again. They have now a very troublefome charge, which 
 you will experience in a few years, the difpofal of a Baronefs; Ma- 
 demoifelle f Necker, one of the greatefl heirefles in Europe, is now 
 about eighteen, wild, vain, but good-natured, and with a much larger 
 provifion of wit than of beauty : what increafes their difficulties is 
 their religious obftinacy of marrying her only to a proteftant. It 
 would be.an excellent opportunity for a young Englifhman of a great 
 name and a fair reputation. Prince Henry muft be a man of fenfe \ 
 for he took more notice, and exprefl'ed more efteem for me, than 
 any body elfe. He is certainly (without touching his military 
 charader) a very lively and entertaining companion. He talked 
 with freedom, and generally with contempt, of moft of the princes 
 of Europe ; with refpedl of the Emprefs of Ruffia, but never men- 
 tioned the name of his brother, except once, when he hinted that 
 it was be hhnfdf that won the battle of Rofbach. His nephew, and 
 
 » Obfervations on the Commerce with the American States, 
 f Now Madame tie Staal. 
 
 VOL. r, 4 N our
 
 642 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 our nephew, the hereditary Pruice of Brunfwick is here for his edur- 
 cation. Of the Englifli, who live very much as a national, colony^ 
 you will like to hear of Mrs. Frafer and one more. Donna Cathe- 
 rina * pleafes every body, by the perfedl fimplicity of her ftate of 
 nature. You know fhe has had refolution to return from England 
 (where fhe told me fhe faw you) to Laufanne, for the fake of Mifs 
 Briftow, who is in bad health, and in a few days they fet off for 
 Nice. IIk other is the Eliza ; fhe pafled through Laufanne, in her 
 road from Italy to England ; poorly in health, but flill adorable, 
 (nay, do not frown L) and I enjoyed fome delightful hours by her 
 bed-fide. She wrote me a. line from Paris, but has. not executed her 
 promife of vifiting Laufanne in the moxith of Odlober. My pen 
 has run much fafter,, and much farther, than I intended on the fub- 
 je£t of others ; yet, in defcribing them, I have thrown fome light 
 over myfelf and my fituation. A year, a very fhort one, haa Xiovi: 
 elapfed fince my arrival at Laufanne ; and after a cooh review of my. 
 fentiflients, I can fincerely declare, that I have never, during a fingle 
 moment, repented of having executed my ^^r^/proje<£t of retiring to 
 Laufanne. It is needlefs to dwell on the fatigue, the hurry,_ the vexa- 
 tion which I mufthave felt In the narrow and dirty circle of Englifh 
 politics. My prefent life wants no foil, and fhines by its own nar . 
 live light. The chofen- part of my library is now arrived, and ar- 
 ranged in a room full" as good as that in Bentinck-flreet, with this-, 
 difference indeed, that inftead' of looking on a flone court, tw,elve 
 feet fquare, I" command, 'from three windows of plate-glafs, an un- 
 bounded profpe£t of many a league of vineyard, of fields, of wood, 
 of lake, and of mountains ; a fcene which Lord' Sheffield will telL 
 you is fuperibr to all yovi can imagine. The climate, though fevere 
 in winter, has perfedly agreed with my conftitution, and the. year 
 is accompliihed without any return of the gout. An excellent 
 
 * The Honourable Mrs. Fraftr. 
 
 houfa, .
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 643 
 
 honCe, a good table, a pleafant garden, are no contemptible ingre- 
 dients in human happincTs. The general ftyle of ibciety hits my 
 fancy ; I have cultivated a large and agreeable circle of acquaintance, 
 and I am much deceived if I have not laid the foundations of two 
 or three more intimate and valuable connexions ; but their names 
 woiild be indifferent, and it would require pages, or rather volumes, 
 to defcribe their pcrfons and characters. With regard to my {land- 
 ing difh, rliy dcmeflic friend, I could not be much difappointed, 
 after an intimacy of eight-and-twenty years. His heart and his 
 head are excellent ; he has the warmeft attachment for me, he is fa- 
 tisfied that I have the fanie for him : fome flight imperfcftions muft be 
 mutually fupported ; two bachelors, who have lived fo long alone and 
 independent, have their peculiar fancies and humours, and when the 
 mafk of form and ceremony is laid afide, every moment in a family- 
 life has not the fweetnefs of the honey-moon, even between the 
 hufbands and wives who have the trueft and moft tender regard for 
 each other. Should you be very much furprifed to hear of my 
 being married ? Amazing as it may feem, I do affure you that the 
 event is lefs improbable than it would have appeared to myfelf a 
 twelvemonth ago. Deyverdun and I have often agreed, in jefl. and 
 in earneft, that a houfe like ours would be regulated, and graced, 
 and enlivened, by an agreeable female companion ; but each of us 
 feems defirous that his friend fhould facrifice himfelf for the public 
 good. Since my refidence here I have lived much .in women's com- 
 pany J and, to ycur credit be it fpoken, I like you rhe better the 
 more I Tee of you. Not that I am in love with any particular per- 
 fon. I have difcovered about half-a-dozen wives who would pleafe 
 me in dlfterent ways, and by various merits : one -as a miftrefs (a 
 widow, vaftly like (be Eliza; if fhe returns I a.m to bring them to- 
 gether) ; a fecond, a lively entertaining acquaintance ; a third, a fm- 
 "cere good-natured friend ; a fourth, who would reprefent with grace 
 and dignity at the head of my table and family ; a fifth, an excel- 
 
 4^2 icat
 
 644 LETTERS TO AND FROM . 
 
 lent oeconomlfl: and houfekeeper ; and a fixth, a very ufeful nurfe. 
 Could I find all thefe qualities united in a finglc perfon, I fhould dare 
 to make my addrefles, and fhould delerve to be refufed. You hint in 
 fome of your letters, or rather poflfcripts, that you confider me as 
 having renounced England, and having fixed myfelf fior the reft of 
 my life in Switzerland, and that you fufpe£t the fincerity of my 
 vague or infidious fchemes of purchafe or return. To remove, as 
 far as I can, your doubts and fi.ifpicions, I will tell you, on that in- 
 terefting fubjedl, fairly and fimply as much as I know of my own 
 intentions. There is little appearance that I fliall be fuddenly re- 
 called by the offer of a place or penfion. I have no claim to the 
 friendlliip of your young minifler, and fhould he propofe a Gom- 
 milfioner of the Cuftoms, or Secretary at Paris, the fuppofed ob- 
 jed;s of my low ambition, Adam in Paradife would refufe them with 
 contempt. Here therefore I fliall certainly live till I have finiflied 
 the remainder of my Hiflory ; an arduous work, which does not 
 proceed fo faft as I expe^Sted, amidft the avocations of fociety, and 
 mifcellaneous ftudy. As foon as it is completed, moft probably in 
 three or four years, I fhall infallibly return to England, about the 
 month of May or June ; and the necefTary labour of printing with 
 care two or three quarto volumes, will detain me till their publi- 
 cation, in the enfuing fpring. Lord Sheffield and yourfelf will be 
 the loadftone that moft forcibly attrads me ; and as I fhall be a va- 
 gabond on the face of the earth, I fhall be the better qualified to 
 domefticate myfelf with you, both in town and country. Here 
 then, at no very extravagant diftance, we have the certainty (if we 
 live) of fpending a year together, in the peace and freedom of a 
 friendly intercourfe ; and a year is no very contemptible portion of 
 this mortal exiftence. Beyond that period all is dark, but not 
 gloomy. Whether, after the final completion of my Hiftory, I 
 fhall return to Laufanne, or fettle in England, muft depend on a 
 thoufand events which lie beyond the reach of human forefight, the 
 
 ftate
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 645 
 
 ftate of public and private affairs, my own health, the health and 
 life of Deyverdun, the various changes which may have rendered 
 Laufanne more dear, or lefs agreeable, to me than at prefent. But 
 without lofing ourfelves in this diftant futurity, which perhaps we 
 may never fee, and without giving any pofitive anfwer to Maria's 
 parting queftion, whether I lliall be buried in England or Switzer- 
 land, let me ferioufly and earneftly afk you, whether you do not 
 mean to vifit me next fummer ? The defeat at Coventry would, I 
 fhould think, facilitate the projedl ; fmce the Baron is no longer de- 
 tained the whole winter from his domeftic affairs, nor is there any 
 attendance on the Houfe that keeps him till Midfummer in duft and 
 difpute. I can fend you a pleafant route, through Normandy, Paris, 
 and Lyons, a vifit to the Glaciers, and your return down the Rhine, 
 which would be commodiouHy executed in three or four months, at 
 no very extravagant expence, and would be productive of health 
 and fpirits to you, of entertainment to you both, and of inftrucflion 
 to the Maria. Without the fmallefl: inconvenience to myfelf, I am 
 able to lodge yourfelves and family, by arranging you in the winter 
 apartment, which in the fummer feafon is not of any ufe to us. I 
 think you will be fatisfied with your habitation, and already fee you 
 in your dreffing-room ; a fmall pleafant room', with a delightful 
 profpedl to the weft and fouth. If poor aunt Kitty (you oblige me 
 beyond exprefhon by your tender care of that excellent woman) if 
 fhe were only ten years younger, I would defire you to take her 
 with you, but I much fear we fhall never meet again. You will 
 not complain of the brevity of this epiftle ; I expedl, in return, a 
 full and fair account of yourfelf, your thoughts and actions, foul 
 and body, prefent and future, in the fafe, though unreferved, con- 
 fidence of friendfhip. The Baron in two words hinted but an in- 
 different account of your health ; you are a fine machine ; but a& he 
 was abfent in Ireland, I hope I underlland the caufe and the remedy. 
 
 Next
 
 ^^6 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 Next To yourfelf, I want to hear of the two Baronefles. You muft 
 give me a faithful pi£lure (and though a mother you can give it) 
 ©f their prefent external and internal forms ; for a year has now 
 elapfed, and in fbeir lives a year is an age. Adieu. Ever yours. 
 
 N° CLXXXI. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulrc to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield. 
 
 Laujanne, March i3tli, 1785. 
 
 T\ /jTY long filence (and it has been long) inuftnot, on this occafion, 
 ■^ be imputed to lazinefs, though that little devil may likewife 
 have been bufy. But you cannot forget how many weeks I re- 
 mained in fufpence, expeding every poft the final fentence, and not 
 knowing what to fay in that paffive uncertainty* It is now fome- 
 thing more; than a fortnight fmceyour laft. letter, and that of Gofling 
 informed me of the event. I have intended every day to write, and 
 every day I have flarted back with relu(flance and difgufl:, from the 
 confideration of the wretched fubjed:. Lenborough irrecoverably 
 gpne, for three-fourths of its real, at leaft of its ancient, value ; my 
 feal in parliament funk in the abyfs of your curfed politics, and a 
 balance neatly cyphered and fummed by. Gofling, which fhews me 
 a very fhallow purfe, in which others have a clearer right to dip' 
 than myfelf. 
 
 March 2 1 ft. 
 
 Another week is now elapfed, and though nothing is changed in 
 this too faithful ftate of my affairs, I feel myfelf able to encounter 
 them with more fpirit and refolution ; to look on the future, rather 
 than the paft, on the fair, rather than on the foul fide of the pro- 
 fpeft. I (hall fpeak in the confidence of friendflup, and while you 
 iiften to the more doleful tale of my wants and wifhes, you will 
 
 have
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 647 
 
 Rave the ^tisfaftion of hearing fomc circumftances in my prefent 
 fituation of a lefs unpleafing nature, i. In the fn-ft place, I mofl 
 heartily rejoice in the fale, however unfavourable, of the Bucks 
 eftate. Confidering the dullnefs of the times, and the high intereft 
 of money, it is not a little to obtain even a tolerable price, and I am 
 fenfible how much your patience and indufcry have been exercifed" 
 te extort the payment. 2. Your refiftance to my Swifs expedition 
 was more friendly than wife. Had I yielded, after eighteen months 
 of fufpence and anxiety, I fhould now, a ilill poorer man, be driverr 
 to embrace the fame refource, which has fucceeded according to, or 
 even beyond, my moft fanguine expedtations. I do not pretend to 
 have difcovered the terreftrial paradife, which has not been known 
 in this world fmce the fall of Adatn ; but I can truly declare, (now 
 the charms of novelty are long fince faded,) that I have found the 
 plan of life the beft adapted to my temper and my fituation. I am 
 now writing to you in a rocrm as good as that in Bentinck- 
 ftreet, which commands the country, the lake, and the moun- 
 tains, and the opening profpedl of the fpring. The aforelaid 
 room is furnifhed without magnificence, but v/ith every conve- 
 niency for warmth, eafe, and ftudy, and the walls are already 
 covered with more than two thoufand volumes, the choice of a 
 chofen library. I have health, friends, an amufmg fociety, and 
 perfect freedom. A Commiffioner of the Excife ! the idea makes me 
 fick. If you aflc me what I have faved by my retreat to Laufanne ? 
 I*will fairly tell you (in the two great articles of a carriage and a ' 
 houfe in town, both which were indifpenfable, and are now anni-* 
 hitated, with the difference- of cltibs, public places, fervants wages, 
 &"e.) about' four hundred pounds^ or guineas, a year ; no inconfider- 
 a^e fum, when it mud be annually found as addition to an expense 
 w^HcK is ibmewhat larger th.'ininy |^refent 'revenue. 3. Wbal is 'then^ 
 you wiU'aJk, my ffefeiit eJitiblifon;ent? 'This is not by any means a 
 cheap country j and, except in the article of \Yine, I could give a 
 
 t dinner,.
 
 648 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 dinner, or make a coat, perhaps for the fame price in London as at 
 Laufanne. My chief advantage arifes from the things which I do 
 not want; and in fome refpedls my ftyle of living is enlarged by the 
 increafe of my relative importance, an obfcure bachelor in England* 
 the mafter of a confiderable houfe at Laufanne. Here I am expelled 
 to return entertainments, to receive ladies, &c. and to perform 
 many duties of fociety, which, though agreeable enough in them- 
 felves, contribute to inflame the houfekeeper's bills. From the dif- 
 burfements of the firft year I cannot form anyjuft cftimate ; the ex- 
 traordinary expences of the journey, carriage of heavy goods from 
 England, the acquifition of many books, which it was not expe- 
 dient to tranfport, the purchafe of furniture, wine, fitting up my 
 library, and the irregularity of a new menage, have confumed a 
 pretty large fum. But in a quiet, prudent, regular courfe of life, I 
 think I can fupport myfelf with comfort and honour for fix or feven 
 hundred pounds a year, inllead of a thoufand or eleven hundred in 
 England. 
 
 Befides thefe uncertainties, (uncertain at leaft as to the time,) I 
 have a fure and honourable fupply from my own pen. I continue 
 my Hiftory with pleafure and affiduity ; the way is long and labo- 
 rious, yet I fee the end, and I can almoft promife to land in England 
 next September twelvemonth, with a manufcript of the current 
 value of about four thoufand pounds, which will afford either a 
 fmall income or a large capital. 5. It is in the meanwhile that my 
 
 fituation is fomewhat difficult. ***** 
 «**■****** ** 
 
 Such are the fervices and revenues of the year ; proceed we now, in 
 
 the ftyle of the budget, to the ways and means of extraordinary 
 
 fupplies. ************ 
 
 ***** * I will not affront your friendihip, 
 
 by obferving that you will incur little or no rifk on this occafion. 
 
 Read, confider, ad, and write. 
 
 2 It
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Eiqulrc. 64^ 
 
 It is the privilege of fricndlhip to make our friend a patient hearer, 
 and adlive aflbciate in our own affairs ; and I have now written five 
 pages on my private affairs, without faying a word either of the pub- 
 lic, or of yourfelf. Of the public I have little to fay ; I never was a 
 very warm patriot, and I grow every day a citizen of the world. The 
 fcramble for power or profit at Weftminfter or St. James's, and the 
 names of Pitt and Fox, become lefs interefting to me than thofe of Cxfar 
 and Pompey. You are not a friend of the young Minlftcr, but he 
 is a great favourite on the continent, as he appears to be flill ; and you 
 muft own that the fairnefs of his charadler, his eloquence, his ap- 
 plication to bufinefs, and even his youth, muft prepoffefs at leaft the 
 ignorant in his favour. Of the merit or defeats of his adminiftra- 
 tion I cannot pretend to fpeak ; but I find, from the complaints of 
 fome interefted perfons, that his reftraints on the fmuggling of tea 
 have already ruined the Eaft India Companies of Antwerp and 
 Sweden, and that even the Dutch will fcarcely find it worth their 
 while to fend any Ihips to China. Your Irifh friends appear to be 
 more quiet, at leaft the volunteers and national congrefs feem to 
 fubfide. How far that tranquillity muft be purchafed on our fide, 
 by any pernicious facrifices, you will beft decide ; and from fome 
 hint in your laft letters, I am inclined to think that you are lefs af- 
 feded than might be fuppofed with national or local prejudice. 
 Your introdudion I have attentively read ; the matter, though moft 
 important in itfelf, is out of the line of my ftudies and habits, and 
 the fubordinate beauties of ftyle you difclaim. Yet I can fay with 
 truth, that I never met with more curious and diligent inveftigation, 
 more ftrong fenfe, more liberal fpirit, and more cool and impartial 
 temper in the fame number of pages. By this time you have pro- 
 bably read Necker's book on the finances. Perhaps for you there is 
 too much French cnthufiaim and paint ; but in many rcfpcds you 
 muft have gained a knowledge of his country ; and on the whole, 
 you muft have been pleafed with the pidlure of a great and bene- 
 VDL. I. 40 volent
 
 /5so LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 volent mind. In your attack on Deyverdun for my pidure I cannot 
 promife you much fuccefs ; he feems refolved to maintain his right 
 of poflefDon, and your only chance would be a perfonal aflault. The 
 next fummer (how time flips away!) was fixed for your vifit to 
 Laufanne. We are prepared at all points to receive jou, my Lady, 
 and a princefs or two, with their train ; and if you have a proper 
 contempt for St. Stephen's chapel, you are perfedly free, and at 
 leifure (can you ever be at leifure ?) for the fummer feafon. As 
 you are now in a great meafurc difengaged from any affairs, you 
 may find time to inform me of your proceedings and your projeds. 
 At prefent I do not even know whether you pafs the winter at Shef- 
 field-Place or in Downing-flreet. My Lady revenges herfelf of my 
 long filence ; yet I embrace her and the infants. Adieu. You 
 have deranged the Decline and Fall this morning. I have finifhed 
 my epiftle fince dinner, and am now going to a pleafant party and 
 good fupper. , 
 
 N° CLXXXII. 
 
 .Edward Gibbon ^Jqulre to the Right Honourable Lord Sr'evvii.ld. 
 
 E 
 
 Lausanne, September 5th, 1785. 
 
 XTRACT from a weekly Englifh Paper, September jth, 1785. 
 " It is reported, but we hope without foundation, that the ce- 
 " lebrated Mr. Gibbon, who had retired to Laufanne in Switzer- 
 " land to finifh his valuable Hiftory, lately died in that city." 
 
 The hope of the Newfpaper-writer is very handfome and obliging 
 to the Hiftorian ; yet there are feveral weighty reafons which would 
 incline me to believe that the intelligence may be true. Prlmo^ It 
 muft one day be true ; and therefore may very probably be fo at 
 prefent. Secundoy We may always depend on the impartiality, ac- 
 curacy, and veracity of an Englilh Newfpaper. Tcrtio, which is 
 
 indeed
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 63- f 
 
 indeed the ftrongcfl argument, We are credibly informed that for a 
 long time part the faid celebrated Fliftorian has not written to any 
 of his friends in England j and as that refpedable perfonage had 
 always the reputation of a moil exa£t and regular correfpondent, it 
 may be fairly concluded from his filence, that he either is, or ought 
 to be dead. The only objection that I can forefee, is the affurancc 
 
 that Mr. G himfelf read the article as he was eating his break- 
 
 faft, and laughed very heartily at the miftake of his brother Hifto- 
 rian ; but as he might be defirous of concealing that unpleafant 
 event, we fhall not infift on his apparent health and fplrits, which 
 might be affedletl by that fubtle politician. He aflirms, however, 
 not only that he is alive, and was fo on the fifth of September, but 
 that his head, his heart, his ftomach, are in the moft perfect ftate, 
 and that the climate of Laufanne has been congenial both to his mind 
 and body. He confefles indeed, that after the lad; fevere winter, the 
 gout, his old enemy, fi-om whom he hoped to have efcaped, pur- 
 fued him to his retreat among the mountains of Helvetia, and that 
 the fiege was long, though more languid than in his precedent at- 
 tacks ; after fome exercife of patience he began to creep, and gra- 
 dually to walk ; and though he can neither run, nor fly, nor dance, 
 he fupports himfelf with firmnels on his two legs, and would will- 
 ingly kick the impertinent Gazetteer ; impertinent enough, though 
 more eafily to be forgiven than the infolent Courier dit Bas Rhin, 
 who about three years ago amufed himfelf and his readers with a 
 fiditious cpiftle from Mr. Gibbon to Dr. Robertfon. 
 
 Perhaps now you think, Baron, that I fhall apologize in humble 
 ftyle for my filence and negle£l. But, on the contrary, I do 
 afTure you that I am truly provoked at your Lordfhip's not conde- 
 fcending to be in a pafFion. I might really have been dead, I might 
 have been fick ; if I were neither dead nor fick, I deferved a volley cf 
 curfes and reproaches for my infernal lazincfs, and you have defrauded 
 me of my juft dues. Had I been filent till Chriftmas, till doomf- 
 
 402 day,
 
 652 LETTERS TO AND FROIVI 
 
 day, you would never have thought it worth your while to abufe 
 me. Why then (let me alk in your name) did you not write be- 
 fore ? That Is indeed a very curious queftion of natural and moral 
 philofophy. Certainly I am not lazy ; elaborate quartos have proved, 
 and wilt abundantly prove my diligence. I cati write; fpare my 
 modefty on that fubjeft. I like to converfe with my friends by pen 
 or tongue, and as foon as I can fet myfelf a going, I know no mo- 
 ments that run olf more pleafantly. I am fo well convinced of that 
 truth, and fo much afhamed of forcing people that I love to forget 
 me, that I have now refolved to fet apart the firft hour of each 
 day for the difcharge of my obligations ; be^nning, comme de raifo7i'^ 
 with yourfelf, and regularly proceeding to Lord Loughborough and 
 the reft. May Heaven give me ftrength and grace to accomplifh 
 this laudable, intention ! Amen. Certainly (yet I do not know 
 whether it be fo certain) I fliould write much oftener to you if ws 
 were not linked in bufmefs, and if my bufmefs had not always been 
 of the unpleafant and mortifying kind. Even now I fhove the ugly 
 monfter to the end of this epiftle, and will confine him to a page by 
 himfelf, that he may not infeft the purer air of our correfpondence. 
 Of my fituation here I have little new to fay, except a very comfort- 
 able and fingular truth, that my paflion for my wife or miftrefs (Fanny 
 Laufanne) is not palled by fatiety and poflefTion of two years. I 
 have feen her in all feafons, and in all humours, and though fhe lis 
 not without faults, they are infinitely overbalanced by her good 
 qualities. Her face is not handfome, but her perfon, and every 
 thing about her, has admirable grace and beauty ; fhe Is of a very 
 cheerful foclable temper; without much learning, fhe is endawed 
 with tafte and good fenfej and though not rich, the fimplicity of 
 her education makes her a very good oeconomift ; fhe Is forbid by 
 her parents to wear any expenfive finery; and though her limbs are 
 not much calculated for walking, fhe has not yet afked me to keep 
 her a coach. Laft fpring (not to wear the metaphor to rags) I faw 
 
 Laufanne
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 653 
 
 LaufaiHie In a new light, during my long lit of the gout, ur.d mull 
 boldly declare, that either in health or ficknefs I find it I'ar more 
 comfortable than your huge metropolis. In London my confine- 
 ment was fad and folitary ; the many forgot my exiftence when they 
 faw me no longer at Brookes's ; and the few, who fometimes caft a 
 thought or an eye on their friend, were detained by bufinefs or 
 pleafure, the diflance of the way, or the hours of the Houfe of 
 Commons, and I was proud and happy if I could prevail on Elmfly 
 to enliven the dulnefs of the evening. Here the objedls are nearer, 
 and much more diftind, and I myfelf am an objed: of much larger 
 magnitude. People are not kinder, but they are more idle, and it 
 muft be confefled that, of all nations on the globe, the Englifli are 
 the leaft attentive to the old and infirm ; I do not mean in ads of 
 charity, but in the offices of civil life. During three months I have 
 had round my chair a fucceffion of agreeable men and women, who 
 came with afmile, and vanifhed at a nod ; and as foon as it was agree- 
 able I had a conftant party at cards, which was fometimes difmifled 
 to their refpedive homes, and fometimes detained by Deyverdun to 
 fupper, without the leafl trouble or inconvenience to myfelf. In a 
 word, my plan has moft completely anfwered ; and I folemnlv pro* 
 teft, after two years trial, that I have never in a fingle moment re- 
 pented ef my ti-anfmigration. The only difagreeablc circumftance 
 is the increafe of a race of animals with which this country has been 
 long infefted, and who are faid to come from an ifland in the 
 Northern Ocean. I am told, but it feems incredible, that upwards 
 of forty thoufand Englifh, mafters and fervants, are now abfent on 
 the continent ; and I am fure we have our full proportion, both in 
 town and country, from the month of Junt to that of Oftober. 
 The occupations of the clofet, indifferent health, v»'ant of horles, 
 in fome meafure plead my excufe ; yet I do too much to pleaie my- 
 felf, and probably too little to fatisfy my countrymen. What is iliU 
 more unlucky is, that a part of the colony of this prefent year are 
 
 really
 
 654 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 really good company, people one knows, &c. ; the Aftons, Hales, 
 Hampdens, Trevors, Lady Clarges and Mifs Carter, Lord North- 
 ington, &c. I have feen Trevor feveral times, who talks of you, and 
 feems to be a more exact correfpondent than myfelf. His ivife is 
 much improved by her diplomatic life, and Ihines in every company, 
 as a woman of fafhion and elegance. But thofe who have repaid 
 me for the reft, were Lord and Lady Spencer. I faw them almoft 
 every day, at my houfe or their own, during tlieir ftay of a month ; 
 for they were haftening to Italy, that they might return to Lon- 
 don next February. He is a valuable man, and where he is fami- 
 liar, a pleafant companion ; ftie a channing woman, Vv-ho, with 
 fenie and fpirit, has the fnnplicity and playfulnefs of a child. You 
 are not ignorant of her talents, of which flie has left me an 
 agreeable fpecimen, a drawing of the Hiftoric Mule, fitting in a 
 thoughtful pofture to compofe. So much of felf and Co. let us 
 now talk a little of your houfe and your two countries. Does my 
 Lady ever join in the abufe which I have merited from you ? Is (he 
 fatisfied with her own behaviour, her unpardonable lilence, to one of 
 the prettieft, moft obliging, moft entertaining, moft, &c. epiftles 
 that ever was penned fmce the epiftles of * * * * ^s * ? 
 Will Ihe not view one word of reply ? I want fome account of her 
 fpirits, health, amufements, of the elegant accompliftiments of Maria, 
 and the opening graces of Louifa : of yourfelf I wifh to have fome 
 of thofe details which fhe is moft likely to tranfmit. Are you patient 
 in your exclufion from the Houfe ? Are you fatisfied with legil- 
 lating with your pen ? Do you pafs the whole winter in town ? 
 Have you refumed the purfuits of farming, &c. ? What new con- 
 nections, public or private, have you formed ? A tour to the conti- 
 nent would be the beft medicine for the fhattered nerves of a foldier 
 and politician. By this expreflion you will perceive that your letter 
 to Deyverdun is received ; it landed laft poft, after I had already 
 written the two firft pages of this compofition. On the whole my 
 
 friend
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. Css 
 
 friend was pleafed and flattered ; but inftead of fun-endering, or ca- 
 pitulating, he fcems to be making preparations for an obftinate de- 
 fence. He already talks of the right of pofieffion *, of the duties 
 of a good citizen, of a li'rif nt exeat regmmiy and of a vote of the 
 two hundred, that whomfoever fliall, diredly or indiredly, &c, is 
 an enemy to his country. Between you be the flrife, while I fit 
 with my fcales in my hand, like Jupiter on Mount Ida. I begin to 
 view with the fame indifference the combat of Achilles Pitt, and Hedlor 
 Fox ; for fuch, as it Ihould now feem, muft be the comparifon of 
 the two warriors. * * * * * i-, * * 
 
 At this diftance I am much lefs angry with bills, taxes, and propo- 
 fitions, than I am pleafed with Pitt for making a friend and a deferv- 
 ing man happy, for releafmg Batt from the fliackles of the law, and 
 for enhancing the gift of a fecure and honourable competency, by 
 the handfome manner in which it was conferred. This I under- 
 ftand to be the cafe, from the unfufpicious evidence of Lord North- 
 ington and Chief Baron Skinner ; and if I can find time, [rcfrAution^ 
 I will fend him a hearty congratulation; if I fail, you may at leaft 
 communicate my intentions. Of Ireland I know nothing, and while 
 I am writing the Decline of a great Empire, I have not leifure to 
 attend to the affairs of a remote and petty province. I fee that your 
 friend Fofler has been hooted by the mob, and unanimoufly chofen 
 Speaker of the Houfe of Commons. How could Pitt expofe him- 
 felf to the difgrace of withdrawing his propofitions after a public 
 attempt ? Have Minifters no way of computing beforehand the 
 fenfe or nonfenfe of an Irifh Parliament ? I am quite in the dark ; 
 your pamphlet, or book, would probably have opened my eyes ; but, 
 whatever may have been the reafon, I give you viy word of ho7iotir^ 
 that I have never feen nor heard of it. Here we are much more 
 •engaged with continental politics. In general we hate the Emperor, 
 
 * His portrait, painted by Sir Joihua Reynolds. ' 
 
 13 as
 
 656 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 as the enemy of peace, without danng to make war. The old Hon 
 of PrufTia a£ts a much more glorious part, as the champion of public 
 tranquillity, and the independence of the German ftates. 
 
 And now for the bitter and naufcous pill of pecuniary bufinefs, 
 \ipon which I (hall be as concife as poffible in the two articles of my 
 difcourfe, land and money. *--*** * * 
 
 It is impofliblc to hate more than I do this odious neceffity of 
 owing, borrowing, anticipating, and I look forwards with impatience 
 to the happy period when the fupplies will always be raifed within 
 ihe year, with a decent and ufeful furplus in the treafury. I now 
 truft to tlie conclufion of my Hiftory, and it will haften and fecurc 
 the principal comforts of my life. You will believe I am not lazy ; 
 yet I fear the term is fomewhat more diftant than I thought. My 
 long gout loft me three months in the fpring; in every great work 
 unforefeen dangers, and difficulties, and delays will arife ; and I 
 Ihould be rather forry than furprifed if next autumn was poftponed 
 to the enfuing fpring. If my Lady (a good creature) fhould write 
 to Mrs. Porten, Ihe may convey news of my life and health, without 
 faying any thing of this pojfible delay. Adieu. I embrace, &c. 
 LAUsANNf, Oftober ift, 1785. 
 
 N" CLXXXIII. 
 Edward Gibbon E/quire to the Right Honourable LordSuETViELD. 
 
 Lausanne, January 17th, 1786. 
 
 'EAR, all ye nations ! An epiftle from Sheffield-Place, received the 
 feventeenth of January, is anfwered the fame day ; and to fay 
 the truth, this method, which is the beft, is at the fame time the 
 moft eafy and pleafant. Yet I do not allow that on the laft paft 
 filence and delay you have any more reafon to fwear than myfelf. 
 Our letters croffed each other, our claims were equal, and if both 
 2 had 
 
 H"
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 657 
 
 liad been fliffly maintained, our mutual filence muft have continued 
 till the day of judgment. The balance was doubtlefs in my favour, 
 if you recoiled the length, the fullncfs, the variety of pleafant and in- 
 ftrudlive matter of my laft difpatch. Even at prefent, of myfelf, my 
 occupations, my defigns, I have little or nothing to add ; and can 
 only fpeak dryly and briefly to very dry and difligreeable bufmefs. 
 
 * * *- * * * * * * But we fliall both agree, 
 that the true criminal is my Lady; and though I do fuppofe that a 
 letter is on the road, which will make fome amends, her obftinate, 
 contumacious, dilatory filence, fo many months or years fmce my 
 
 valuable letter, is worthy a royal tigrefs. * * * ,it * 
 
 * *-*-** * * *- * * * 
 
 Notwithftanding your gloomy politicians, I do love the funds ; and 
 were the next war to reduce them to half, the remainder would be 
 a better and pleafanter property, than a fimilar value in your dirty 
 acres. "We are now in the height of our winter amufements ; balls, 
 great fuppers, comedies, &c. and, except St. Stephen's, I certainly 
 lead a more gay and diflipated life, here, among the Alps, (by the 
 bye, a moft extraordinary mild winter,) than in the midft of Lon- 
 don. Yet my mornings, and fometimes an afternoon, are diligently 
 employed. My work advances, but much remains, indeed much 
 more than I imagined ; but a great book, like a great houfe, was 
 never yet finifhed at the given time. When I talk of the fpring of 
 eighty-feven, I fuppofe all my time well beftowed ; and what do you 
 think of a lit of the gout, that may difqualify me for two or three 
 months ? You may growl, but if you calmly refledl on my pecu- 
 niary and fentimental ftate, you will believe that I moft earneftly 
 defu-e to complete my labour, and vift England. Adieu. 
 
 VOL. J. 4 P
 
 658 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N° CLXXXIV. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Shevvizld. 
 
 Lausanne, May lOth, 1786. 
 
 T>Y the difFerence, I fuppofe, of the pofts of France and Germany, 
 . Sir Stanier's letter, though firft written, is ftill on the road, 
 andyour's, which I received yefterday morning, brought me the 
 firft account of poor Mrs. Porten's departure. There are few events 
 that could afflidt me more deeply, and I have been ever fince in a 
 ftate of mind more deferving of your pity than of your reproaches. I 
 certainly am not ignorant that we have nothing better to wifli for our- 
 felves than the fate of that beft-humoured woman, as you very juftly 
 ftyle her ; a good underftanding and an excellent heart, with health, 
 fpirits, and a competency, to live in the midft of her friends till the 
 age of fourfcore, and then to fhut her eyes without pain or remorfe. 
 Death can have deprived her only of fome years of weaknefs, per- 
 haps of mifery ; and for myfelf, it is furely lefs painful to lofe her 
 at prefent, than to find her in my vifit to England next year finking 
 under the weight of age and infirmities, and perhaps forgetful of 
 herfelf and of the perfons once the deareft to her. All this is per- 
 fedly true : but all thefe refledlions will not difpel a thoufand fad 
 and tender remembrances that rufh upon my mind. To her care I 
 am indebted in earlieft infancy for the prefervation of my life and 
 health. I was a puny child, neglefted by my mother, ftarved by 
 my nurfe, and of whofe being very little care or expedlation was 
 entertained ; without her maternal vigilance I fhould either have 
 been in my grave, or imperfedly lived a crooked ricketty monfter, 
 a burden to myfelf and others. To her inftrudions I owe the firft 
 rudiments of knowledge, the firft exercife of reafon, and a tafte for 
 books, which is ftill the pleafure and glory of my life ; and though 
 Ihe taught me neither language nor fcience, ftie was certainly the 
 10 nioft
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 659 
 
 moll ufeful preceptor I ever had. As I grew up, an intcrcourfe of 
 thirty years endeared her to me, as the faithful friend and the agree- 
 able companion. You have feen with what freedom and confidence 
 we lived together, and have often admired her charader and convcr- 
 fation, which could alike pleafe the yotmg and the old. All this is 
 now loft, finally, irrecoverably loft ! I will agree with my Lady, 
 that the immortality of the foul is at fome times a very comfortable 
 doctrine. A thoufand thanks to her for her conftant kind attention 
 to that poor woman who is no more. I wifh I had as much to ap- 
 plaud, and as little to reproach, in my own behaviour towards Mrs. 
 Porten fince I left England ; and when I relied that my letters would 
 hare foothed and comforted her decline, I feel more deeply than I 
 can exprefs, the real negleft, and feeming indifference, of my filence. 
 To delay a letter from the Wednefday to the Saturday, and then 
 from the Saturday to the Wednefday, appears a very flight offence ; 
 yet in the repetition of fuch delay, weeks, months, and years will 
 elapfe, till the omifllon may become irretrievable, and the confe- 
 quence mifchievous or fatal. After a long lethargy, I had rouzed 
 myfelf laft week, and wrote to the three old Ladies ; my letter for 
 Mrs. Porten went away laft poft, Saturday night, and yours did not 
 arrive till Monday morning. Sir Stanier will probably open it, and 
 read the ti"ue pidlure of my fentiments for a friend who, when I 
 wrote, was already extindl. There is fomething fad and awful in 
 the thought, yet, on the whole, I am not forry that even this tardy 
 epiftle preceded my knowledge of her death : but it did not precede 
 (you will obferve) the information of her dangerous and declining 
 ftate, which I conveyed in my laft letter, and her anxious concern 
 that fhe fiiould never fee or hear from me again. This idea, and 
 the hard thoughts which you muft entertain of me, prefs fo much 
 on my mind, that I muft frankly acknowledge a ftrange inexcufable 
 fupinenefs, on which I defire you would make no comment, and 
 
 4 P 2 which
 
 66o LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 which In fome meafure may account for my delays in correfpondlng 
 with you. The unpleafant nature of bufmefs, and the apprehenfion 
 of finding fomething difagreeable, tempted me to poftpone from day 
 to day, not only the anfwering, but even the opening, your penulti- 
 mate epiftle ; and when I received your laft, yeftcrday morning, the 
 fcal of the former was ftill unbroken. Oblige me fo far as to make 
 no refle£lions ; my own may be of fervice to me hereafter. Thus 
 far (except the laft fentence) I have run on with a fort of melan- 
 choly pleafure, and find my heart much relieved by unfolding it to 
 a friend. And the fubjed fo ftrongly holds me, fo much difqualifies 
 me for other difcourfe, either ferious or pleafant, that here I would 
 willingly ftop, and referve all mifcellaneous matter for a fecond vo- 
 lunteer epiftle. But we both know how frail are promifes, how 
 dangerous are delays, and there are fome pecuniary objects on which 
 I think it neceflary to give you an immediate, though now tardy> 
 explanation. 
 
 I do not return you any formal thanks for * * * * * 
 *********** 
 
 I have really a hundred things to fay of myfelf, of you and Co. of 
 your works, of mine, of my books In Downing-ftreet, of Laufanne, 
 of politics, &c. &c. After this, fome epiftolary debts muft and 
 SHALL be paid j and to proceed with order, I have fixed this day 
 fortnight (May twenty-fifth) for the date and difpatch of your fe- 
 cond epiftle. Give me credit once more. Pray does my Lady 
 think herfelf abfolved from all obligation of writing to me ? To 
 her at leaft I am not in arrear. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 66t 
 
 N" CLXXXV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulrc to 5/>Stanier Porten, Kenfington- 
 
 Palace. 
 
 MY DF.AR SIR, Lausanne, May 12th, 1786. 
 
 '"pHE melancholy event which you have communicated, in your 
 laft obliging letter of the twenty-fourth of April, might indeed 
 be too naturally feared and expefted. If we confult our reafon, we 
 can wifh nothing better for ourfelves than the lot of that dear and 
 valuable friend whom we have now loft *. A warm heart, a ftrong 
 and clear underftanding, a moft invaluable happinefs of temper, 
 which fhewed her the agreeable or comfortable fide of every objed, 
 and every fituation ; an eafy competency, the reward of her own 
 attention ; private friendfhip, general efteem, a mature age, and a 
 placid dechne. But thefe rational motives of confolation are infuf- 
 ticient to check a thoufand foft and fad remembrances that rufh into 
 my mind ; the iatimacy of a whole life ; of mine, at leaft, from the 
 earlieft dawn of my infancy ; the maternal and affiduous care of my 
 health, and afterwards of my mind ; the freedom and frequency of 
 our converfations ; the regret which I felt in our laft feparation, and 
 the hope, however faint and precarious, of feeing her again. Time 
 alone can reconcile us to this irreparable lofs, and to his healing 
 power I muft recommend your grief, as well as my own. I fm- 
 cerely applaud her very proper and natural difpofal of her effeds 
 and am proud of the pre-eminence which fhe has allowed me in a. 
 lift of dear and worthy relations. 
 
 I am too full of a iingle idea to expatiate, as I fhould otherwife 
 do, on indifferent matters ; yet not totally indifferent to my friends, 
 fince they relate to my prefent fituation. My health is in general 
 
 * His aunt, Mrs. Catherine Porten, 
 
 i ?. perfedly
 
 662 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 perfedbly good, and the only drawbacks feme occafional vifits of the 
 gout, which abate, however, in ftrength, and are grown, I think 
 lefs frequent and lading. The Hfe which I lead is temperate and 
 tranquil, and the diftemper itfelf is not common in the purity and 
 drynefs of the climate. After a long trial, I can now approve my 
 own choice of retiring to Switzerland. My delightful habitation, at 
 •nee in town and country ; my library, and the fociety of agreeable 
 men and women, compofe a very eligible plan of life, which is 
 ihaded with very few, and very flight exceptions. I profecute with 
 eafe, and regular diligence, the conclufion of my Hiflory ; and, as 
 far as I can judge, I may hope to deliver It to the prefs in the courfe 
 of next year. That important bufinefs will recal me to England, 
 and detain me there fome months ; and I (hall rejoice in the oppor- 
 tunity of revifiting my country and my friends ; among them thofe 
 of Kenfington-Palace hold a high and diftingulfhed place. 
 
 I truly fympathize, my dear Sir, in your paternal feelings, in the 
 health and progrefs of your very promlfmg children. May that, 
 and every other bleffing, attend both yourfelf and Lady Porten. 
 My friend M. Deyverdun defires to aflure you of his refpe(5t and 
 good wiflies. I am, dear Sir, mofl affedionately yours. 
 
 N° CLXXXVI. 
 Edward Gibbox FJquireto the Right Honourable Zor^/ Sheffield. 
 
 Lausakke, July 2zd, 1786. 
 ********* 
 
 * * * Since I have another page, and fome leifure moments, 
 we may as well employ it in friendly converfe ; the more fo, as the 
 great letter to which I alluded is wonderfully precarious and uncer- 
 tain : the more fo likewife, as our correfpondence for fome time pall 
 has been of an abrupt and difagreeable caft. Let us firll talk of Shef*- 
 
 field's
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 66^ 
 
 field^s wotks : they are of two forts : Prima, Two nymphs, whom I 
 much defire to fee ; the fprightly Maria and the gentle Louifa. I 
 pcrfedlly reprefent them . both in the eye of fanty ; each of them 
 accompliflied according to her age and character, yet totally different 
 in their external and internal forms. Sccundo, Three pamphlets ; 
 pamphlets ! I cry you mercy ; three weighty treatifes, almoft as 
 ufeful as an inquiiy into the ftate of the primitive church. And 
 here let me juftify, if I have not before, my filence on a fubjed 
 which we authors do not eafily forgive. The firft, whofe firft edi- 
 tions had feen the light before I left England, followed me here in 
 a more complete condition ; and that Treatife on the American Trade 
 has been read, judged, approved, and reported. The fecond, on 
 Ireland, I have feen by accident the copy you fent to Mr. Trevor, who 
 paffed lad fummer (eighty-five) here. The third, and in my pre- 
 fent lituation the mofl: interefting, on the French Commerce *, I 
 have not yet feen by any means whatfoever, and you who know 
 what orders you have given to Elmfly or others, will befl difcern on 
 whom fhould be laid the fault and the blame. By the bye, Mrs. 
 Trevor is now here, without her hufband, and I am jufl: going to 
 fee her, about a mile out of town : fhe is judged elegant and ami- 
 able. But to return to your books, all that I have feen muft do you 
 honour, and might do the public fervice ; you are above the trifling 
 decorations of ftyle ; but your fenfe is ftrong, your views im- 
 partial, and your induftry laudable. I find that your American 
 Trad is jufl tranllated into German. Do you ftill correfpond with 
 * * * * ? If he could eflablifh a beneficial intercourfe between 
 the two firfl nations in the world, I would excufe him fome little 
 political tergiverfation. At fome diftance of time and place, thofe 
 domeflic fquabbles lofe much of their importance ; and though I 
 fhould not forgive him any breach of private friendfhip or confi- 
 
 •Hi* A mjftake—Lord Sheffield did not publish any tra<^ on French Commerce. 
 
 dence,
 
 664 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 dence, I cannot much blame him if he chofe rather to f^vc his fa- 
 mily and his country, than to perfevere in a hopclefs and, as I fuf- 
 pe£t, an unpopular oppofition. You have never told me clearly 
 and corredtly how you fupport your ina£live retreat from the Houfc 
 of Commons ; whether you have refumed your long forgotten tafte 
 for rural and domeftic pleafures, and whether you have never caft a 
 look towards Coventry, or fome other borough equally pure and 
 refpedable. In the fliort fpace that is left I will only repeat more 
 diftinctly, that in the prefent contemplation of my work, June or 
 July of next year is the earlieft term at which I can hope to fee Eng- 
 land ; and if I have a fit of the gout ? I have indeed been free from 
 the monfter this laft twelvemonth ; but he is moft arbitrary and ca- 
 pricious. Of my own fituation let me fay with truth that it is tran- 
 quil, eafy, and well adapted to my charader. All enthufiafm is 
 now at an end ; I fee things in their true light, and I applaud the 
 judgment and choice of my retirement. I am well, happy, and 
 diligent ; but your kind hint of the London houfe is perfectly fuper- 
 fiuous; as inftead of xhcfpi-'ing, we mull already read xht fummer of 
 next year. Do not be childilh or paflionate ; truft me, I wifh to 
 appear in England ; but it muft be with my book in my hand ; and 
 a book takes more time in making than a pudding. Adieu. Will 
 my Lady never write ? 
 
 You fee why I have left a blank in the firfl: page ; and when I 
 begun I had no defign of going beyond it ; and now, unlefs I have 
 fome extraordinary fit of diligence and zeal, fhall probably wait till 
 the return of your epiftle. A word before we part, about the leaft 
 unpleafant of my bufinefs ; my library in Downing-ftreet. Excufe 
 the accidental derangement ; I ihall fend for no more books, and 
 only beg you to give them flielter in your uninhabited parlour till 
 my arrival. Two or three mornings will fuffice for perfonal review, 
 and the fubfequent fleps of fale or travel will moft properly be ex|f» 
 cuted under my own eye. Once more adieu^
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquke. 66s 
 
 N' CLXXXVII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to Mr. Cadf.ll, Bookfclkr, London. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lausanne, December i6th, 1786. 
 
 T RECEIVED your letter this morning (the i6th inftant), and an- 
 fwer it the fame day. I am a fad correfpondent, but it has been 
 my conftant endeavour that my negligence fliould never afFeft the 
 intereft or happinefs of my friends. 
 
 The report you fo kindly mention is fomewhat incorre£t. I 
 never could fix a particular day for dining Tvith Lord Sheffield, nor 
 fliould I think of performing the journey in the winter month of 
 February. The laft autumn was the term which I had fixed in my 
 hopes, and long fince in ray letters to him. It has been changed 
 to next fpring, and by the fpring I mud now underRand the 
 middle of the fummer, which I can at prefent afcertain with fome 
 confidence, from a nearer profpedl of the end of my work, which I 
 fliall bring over for the prefs. It will confift of three more quarto 
 volumes, fomewhat thinner, perhaps, than their predecefTors ; but as 
 that difference cannot be enough to afFe61: the price, it will be fo 
 much faved on the author's pains, and the printer's expences. I am 
 happy to underftand the public entertain the fame opinion of the 
 paft, and the fame impatience for the remainder ; and, unlefs I am 
 ftrangely deceived, their expedlation will not be difappointed. The 
 three laft volumes are laboured at leaft with equal diligence ; they 
 contain a longer period of time, and a far greater variety of events 5 
 and the whole will comprife a general feries of hlftory, from the 
 reign of Trajan and the Antonines, to the taking of Conftantinople 
 by Mahomet the Second ; with a review of Mahomet and his fuc- 
 cefTors, the Crufades and the Turks, as far as in their utmoft latitude 
 they are conneded with the fate of the Eaftern or Weftern Empirq. 
 vVith regard to our pecuniary arrangements, I perfuade myfelf that 
 VOL. I. 4 Q_^ we
 
 666 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 we fliall have no more difficulties now than heretofore ; that you 
 will cheerfully affign the" iame value to the three younger as to the 
 three elder brothers ; and that fo important a tranfadlion will have 
 been concluded in the firft inftance by three minutes of converfa- 
 tion, and in the fecond by three lines of a letter ; a memorable ex- 
 ample in the annals of authors and bookfellers. If you agree with 
 me on this fubjeQ-, you may provide paper, &c. as foon as you 
 pleafe in the fpring, in the full confidence of feeing me with my 
 book in the fummer ; and I fhould not be forry to learn what time 
 (in ufing the utmoft expedition) would be fufficient for printing, 
 and how late you would confent to publidi in the enfuing fpring. 
 At this moment, when I am ftraining every nerve to conclude my 
 living labours, I am ill-difpofed to lofe any time in the dull dead 
 work of correding a new edition. When I am in England, quiet 
 in the country, there would be room and leifure for a complete re- 
 vifion ; and I fhould have no objedion to place at the end of the 
 fixth volume a firing of amendments and improvements, which 
 hereafter might be inferted in their proper places. We fhall like- 
 wife have occafion for a good and general index to the whole. 
 
 I fmcerely condole with you in your various lofles : Rofe and 
 Strahan were indeed valuable men.. For myfelf, you will rejoice to 
 he,ar that I am fatisfied with ray Swlfs retirement; and that, except 
 fome mild and tranfient fits of the gout, I enjoy as much health and 
 happinefs as is compatible with the lot of man. I exped with, much 
 impatience Dr. Robertfon's improved edition. There are three or 
 four books which I fhould like to have without delay : that work, 
 Pennant's Ardic Zoology, White's Sermons (the Arabic profeflbr), 
 the Annual Regifters fmce the year 1782. With Elmlley's affift- 
 ance (he is a fad dog, but I will write to him foon) could you not 
 inclofe them in a fmall box, with any other recent publications of 
 merit, and difpateh them inftantly by fome more coftly and expedi- 
 tious mode of conveyance ? I am, moft fiiithfuily yours. 
 14
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. 667 
 
 N° CLXXXVIII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable LordSuEFFiiLLi}. 
 
 LAUSAN^•E, January 20t!i, 1787. 
 
 A FTER fome fallies of wratli, you feem at length to have fubfided 
 in fuUen filence, and I muft confefs not totally without reafon. 
 Yet if your mind be ftill open to truth, you will confefs that I am 
 not fo black as I appear, i. Your Lordlhip has fliewn much lefs 
 adtivity.and eloquence than formerly, and your laft letter was an 
 anfwer to mine, which I had expedted fome time with impatience. 
 Bad examples are dangerous to young people. 2. Formerly I have 
 negledled anfwering your epiftles on eflential, though unpleafant, 
 bufmefs ; and the res-puhllca or pr'ivata may have fufiered by 
 my negledt. Suppofmg therefore we had no tranfa£tions, why 
 fliould ^v\'rlte fo often ? To exchange fentimental compliments, or 
 to relate the various and important tranfaftions of the republic of 
 Laufanne. As long as I do not inform you of my death, you have 
 good grounds to believe me alive and well. You have a general, 
 and will foon have a more particular idea of my fyftem and arrange- 
 ment here. One day glides away after another in tranquil uni- 
 formity. Every objeift muft have fides and moments lefs luminous 
 than others ; but, upon the whole, the life and the place which I have 
 chofen are moft happily adapted to my character and circumftances ; 
 and I can now repeat, at the end of three years, v/hat I foon and 
 fmcerely affirmed, that never, in a fingle inftant, have I repented of 
 my fcheme of retirement to Laufanne ; a retirement which was 
 judged by my beft and wifeft friend a projedl little fhort of infanity. 
 The place, the people, the climate, have anfwered or exceeded my 
 warmeft expedlations. And though I truly rejoice in my approach- 
 in^ vifit to England, Mr. Pitt, vv'cre he your friend and mine, would 
 not find it an eafy taflc to prevent my return. 3. And now let me add 
 
 4 Q^ ci a third
 
 668 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 a third reafon, which often diverted me from writing ; namely, my 
 impatience to fee you this next fummer. I am building a great 
 book, which, befides the three ftories already expofed to the public 
 eye, will have three ftories more before we reach the roof and 
 battlements. You too have built or altered a great Gothic caftle 
 with baronial battlements. Did you fini{h it within the time you- 
 intended ? As that time drew near, did you not find a thoufand 
 namelefs and unexpe£ted works that muft be performed ; each of 
 them calling for i portion of time and labour ? and had you not de- 
 fpifed, nobly defpifed, the minute diligence of finilhing, fitting up, 
 and furnifhing the apartments, you would have difcovered a new 
 train of indifpenfable bufinefs. Such, at lead, has been my cafe. 
 A long vv'hile ago, when I contemplated the diftant profpedl of my 
 work, I gave you and myfelf fome hopes of landing in England lafi 
 autumn ; but, ala^ ! when autumn grew near, hills began to rife on 
 hills, Alps on Alps, and I found my journey far more tedious and 
 toilfome than I had imagined. When I look back on the length of 
 the imdertaking, and the variety of materials, I cannot accufe, or 
 fuffer myfelf to be accufed of idlenefs ; yet it appeared that unlefs I 
 doubled my diligence, another year, and perhaps more, would elapfe 
 before I could embark with my complete manufcript. Under thefe 
 circumfi:ances I took, and am ftlll executing, a bold and meritorious 
 refolutlon. The mornings in winter, and in a country of early 
 dinners, are very concife ; to them, my ufual period of ftudy, I 
 now frequently add the evenings, renounce cards and fociety, refufe 
 the moft agreeable evenings, or perhaps make my appearance at a 
 late fupper. By this extraordinary induftry, which I never prac- 
 tifed before, and to which I hope never to be again reduced, I fee the 
 laft part of my Hiftory growing apace under my hands ; all my 
 materials are colle<fled and arranged; I can exactly compute, by the 
 fquare foot, or the fquare page, all that remains to be done ; and af- 
 ter concluding text and notes, after a general review of my time 
 
 and
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 669 
 
 and my ground, I now can decifively afcertain the final period of 
 the Decline and Fall, and can boldly promife that I will dine with 
 you at Sheffield-Place in the month of Auguft, or perhaps of July, 
 in the prefent year; within lefs than a twelvemonth of the term 
 which I had loofely and originally fixed ; and perhaps it would not 
 be eafy to find a work of that fize and importance in which the 
 workman has fo tolerably kept his word with himfelf and the public. 
 But in this fituation, opprelled with this particular objedt, and deal- 
 ing every hour from my amufement, to the fatigue of the pen, and 
 the eyes, you will conceive, or you might conceive, how little fto- 
 mach I have for the epiftolary ftyle ; and that inftead of idle, though 
 friendly, correfpondence, I think it far more agreeable to employ 
 my time in the efl'edlual meafures that may haften and exhilarate our 
 perfonal interview. About a month ago I had a voluntary, and not 
 unpleafing, eplftle from Cadell ; he informs me that he is going to 
 print a new oftavo edition, the former being exhaufted, and that the 
 public expedl with impatience the conclufion of that excellent work* 
 whofe reputation increafes every day, &c. I anfwered him by the 
 return of the port, to inform him of the period and extent of my 
 labours, and to exprefs a reafonable hope that he would fet the fame 
 value on the three lafi: as he had done on the three former volumes. 
 Should we conclude in this eafy manner a tranfadlion fo honourable 
 to the author and bookfeller, my way is clear and open before me ; 
 in pecuniary matters I think I am afllired for the reft of my life of 
 never troubling my friends, or being troubled myfelf ; a ftate to 
 which I afpire, and which I indeed deferve, if not by my manage- 
 ment, at leaft by moderation. 
 
 In your laft, you talk more of the French treaty than of yourfelf 
 and your wife and family ; a true Englifli quid fiunc t For my partj 
 in this remote, inland, neutral country, you will fuppofe, that after 
 a flight glance on the papers, I have neither had the means nor the 
 inclination to think very deeply about it. As a citizen of the world, 
 
 13 a cha-
 
 670 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 a charader to which I am every day rifing or finking, I mufl; rejoice 
 in every agreement that diminiflies the feparation between neigh- 
 bouring coimtries, which foftens their prejudices, unites their in- 
 tcrefts and induftry, and renders their future hoftilities lefs frequent 
 and lefs implacable. With regard to the prefent treaty, I hope both 
 nations are gainers ; fince otherwife it cannot be lading ; and fuch 
 double mutual gain is furely poflible in fair trade, though it could 
 
 hot eafily happen in the mifchievous amufements of war and gaining. 
 
 * * « * * * * * * 
 
 * * * * What a delightful hand have thefe great 
 ftatefmen made of it fince my departure ! without power, and, as 
 far as I can fee, without hope. When we meet I fhall advife you 
 to digeft all your political and commercial knowledge, (England, Ire- 
 land, France, America,) and, with fome attention to ftyle and order, 
 to make the whole a claffic book, which may preferve your name 
 and benefit your country. I know not v/hether you have feen Sir 
 Henry Clinton fince his return : he paffed a day with me, and 
 feemed pleafed with my reception and place. We talked over you 
 and the American war. I embrace the fileiit my Lady and the two 
 honourable Mifies, whom I figh to behold and admire. -Adieu. 
 Ever yours. 
 
 Though I can part with land, you find I cannot part with books : 
 the remainder of my library has fo long embarrafled your room, 
 that it may now await my prefence and final judgment. Has my 
 Lady read a novel intitled Caroline de Litchfield, of our home ma- 
 nufadure ; I may fay of ours, fince Deyverdun and myfelf were 
 the judo-es and patrons of the manufcript. The author, who is fince 
 married a fecond time, (Madame de Croufaz, now Montolieu,) is a 
 charming woman. I was in fome danger. Once more, bar a long 
 fitxDf the gout, and the Hiftoriaa will land at Dover before the end 
 of July. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. C-ji 
 
 N° CLXXXIX. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Afr. Cadell, London. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lausanne, February 24th, 1787. 
 
 T AM perfeftly fatlsfied with your's and Mr. Strahan's cheerful and 
 liberal aflcnt to my propoflil, and am glad to find that your part- 
 ner has not degenerated from his worthy father, whofe lofs I fin- 
 cerely lament. The fole remaining difficulty (of the volumes falling 
 below the guinea price) it is unneceffary for the prefent to difcufs 
 as I think it unlikely to happen. As I am refolved to finifh and revife 
 the work before I leave Laufanne, it will depend on yourfelf to ar- 
 range your preparations of paper, &c. in fuch a manner that we 
 may lofe no time, but go to prefs the firft week after my arrival. 
 But in the; mean while I wifh you to refle£t and inquire; ift. In 
 how many months the impreffion of the three volumes may be com- 
 pleted, either v/ith ordinary or extraordinary diligence. And, 
 2dly, How late in next year you would be defirous or willino- to 
 publifli. On my revifal I may find more alterations and improve- 
 ments to make than I at prefent forefee ; I may be difabled by a fit 
 of the gout ; and your fpeedy anfwer will inform ffie of the utmoft 
 latitude in which I may be indulged, without totally difconcerting our 
 common intereft. You probably agree with me in the neceffity of 
 a good general index for the fix volumes. If you are pofieffed of 
 an intelligent workman, he might without delay take in hand the 
 firft three volumes ; but in that cafe I muft defire him to fend me as 
 foon as pofflble afjort fpeclmen by the poft. I have thought on the 
 fubjcdt of index-making, and can give him fome advice, which will 
 abridge the fize, vsrithout impairing the ufe and value of his alpha- 
 betical table. By a letter of the thirteenth inftant, Elmfley informs 
 me that he is on the point of fending the books ; and I hope to 
 
 have
 
 672 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 have them here before the end of next month. I propofe writing 
 to him very foon ; but as the events of life are imcertain, it may be 
 fafcr to anfwer his queftion through your channel : " The author of 
 " Caroline (Madame de Croufaz) is now become Madame la Ba- 
 " ronne de Montolicu by fccond xTiarriage, and has other cares and 
 " pleafures befides thofe of writing. Her pen is not idle, but her 
 " new fchemes of romance are not in any degree of forwardnefs 
 " or maturity. Perhaps an handfome propoflil from an Englifh 
 " bookfeller might ftimulate her diligence." I am fmcerely yours. 
 
 In our ftyle of negociation it is almofi; fuperfiuous to fay that I 
 refcrve about a fcore of copies for myfelf and my friends. 
 
 N^ CXC. 
 Edward Gibbon Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Su'EVtullv). 
 
 Lausanne, June 2d, 1787. 
 
 T BEGIN to difcover that if I wait till I could atchieve a juft and 
 fatisfaftory epiftle, equally pleafant and inftruftive, you would 
 have a poor chance of hearing from me. I will therefore content 
 myfelf with a fimple anfwer to a queftion, which (I love to believe) 
 you repeat with fome impatience : " When may we exped you in 
 *' England ?" My great building is, as it were, completed, and 
 fome flighi ornaments, the painting and glazing of the laft finifhed 
 rooms may be difpatched without inconvenience in the autumnal 
 refidence of Sheffield-Place. It is therefore my fmcere and peremp- 
 tory intention to depart from Laufanne about the twentieth of July, 
 and to find myfelf {vie trouver) in London on or before the glorious 
 firft of Auguft. I know of nothing that can prevent it but a fit of 
 the gout, the capricious tyrant, who obeys no laws either of time 
 or place ; and fo unfortunately are we circumftanced, that fuch a fit, 
 
 if
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 673 
 
 if It came late and lafted long, would cffedtually dlfable me from 
 coming till next fpring ; fince thereby I fliould lofe the feafon, the 
 monfoon, for the imprefTion of three quarto volumes, which will 
 require nine months (a regular parturition), and cannot advantage- 
 oufly appear after the beginning or middle of May. At the fame 
 time do not be apprehenfive that I mean to play you a dog's trick. 
 From a thoufand motives it is my wifh to come over this year : the 
 defire of feeing you, and the J/eni ful/az my Lady; the family ar- 
 rangements, difcharge of fervants, which I have already made ; the 
 ftrong wifh' of fettling my three youngefl children in a manner 
 honourable to them and beneficial to their parents. Much mifcella- 
 neous matter rifes to my pen, but I will not be tempted to turn the 
 leaf Exped me therefore at Sheffield-Place, with ftrong probability, 
 about the fifteenth of Auguft. Adieu. Yours. 
 
 N'' CXCI. 
 Edward Gibbon E/^uirc to the Right Honourable LordSuEvviELD. 
 
 Lausanne, July 2111, 1787. 
 
 ^TpHE twentieth of July Is paft, and I am ftill at Laufanne ; but 
 
 the march of heavy bodies, fuch as armies and hiftorians, can 
 
 leldom be forefeen or fixed to a precife day. Some particular rea- 
 
 fons have engaged me to allow myfelf another week ; and the day 
 
 of my departure is now [I believe) determined for Sunday the twenty- 
 
 fiinth inftant. You know the road and the diftance. I am no rapid 
 
 Englifh traveller, and my fervant is not accuftomed to ride poft. I 
 
 was never fond of deeds of darknefs, and if the weather be hot, we 
 
 muft repofe in the middle of the day. Yet the roads are in general 
 
 good : between fun and fun the intei-val is long ; and, barring the 
 
 •accidents of winds and waves, I think it poffible to reach London 
 
 in ten or twelve days ; viz. on or before the ninth of Auguft, With 
 
 VOL. I, 4 R yowr
 
 674 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 your adlive fplrit, you will fcarce underftarxd how I can look on tliia 
 eafy journey with fome degree of reluctance and apprehenfion ; but 
 after a tranquil fedentary life of four years, (having lain but a fingle 
 night out of my own bed,) I fee mountains and monfters in the 
 way ; and fo happy do I feel myfelf at home, that nothing but the 
 flrongeft calls of friendfhip and intereil could drag me from hence. 
 You ingenioufly propofe that I fliould turn off at Sittingbourn, and 
 feem to wonder what bufinefs I can find, or make, for an immediate 
 refidence in the capital. Have you totally forgot that I bring over 
 three quarto voumes for the prefs ? and are you ignorant that not a 
 moment muil be loft, if we are defirous of appearing at a proper feafon; 
 and that I muft fet the machine in motion before I can fecede to Shef- 
 field-Place with an eafy mind, and for a reafonable term ? Of this be 
 aflured, that I fhall not be lefs impatient than yourfelf, and that, of hu-- 
 man two-legged animals, yourfelf and yours are the firft whom I fhall 
 wlfh to fee in England. For myfelf, 1 do not regret the occupancy 
 of Downing-ftreet ; in my firft vifit to London, a lodging or hotel 
 in the Adelphi will be more convenient ; but I have fome anxiety 
 about my books, and muft try whether I can approach thofe holy 
 relics, without offending the delicacy of an amiable Duchefs. Our 
 interview is fo near, that I have little more to add, except a caution 
 
 about my own concerns, in which you will confefs, that from , 
 
 and , to , I have been generally unlucky. If any thing 
 
 remains, prefent or future, it muft be agitated and decided ; but all 
 retrofpeds are ufelefs and painful, and we have fo many pleafant 
 fubjefts of converfation, that all fuch odious matters may be buried 
 in oblivion. Adieu. I embrace my Lady and Louifa, but I no 
 longer prefume, even on paper, to embrace the blooming Maria. 
 Ever yours.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquirc. ^75 
 
 N° CXCII. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqidrc to the Right Honourable LordSllEVVlLLD. 
 
 Adeephi Hotel, Auguft 8th, 1787. 
 
 TntelligCnce extraordinary. This day (Auguft the feveiith) 
 the celebrated E. G. arrived with a numerous retinue (one fer- 
 vant). We hear that he has brought over from Laulannc the re- 
 mainder of his Hiftory for immediate publication. The poft had 
 left town before my arrival. I am pleafed, but indeed aftonifhed, to 
 find myfelf in London, after a journey of fix hundred miles, and 
 hardly yet conceive how I had refolution to undertake it. I find 
 rayfelf not a little fatigued, and have devoted this hot day to pri- 
 vacy and repofe, without having feen any body except Cadell and 
 Elmfley, and my neighbour Batt, whofe civility amounts to kind- 
 nefs and real friendflaip. But you may depend on it, that inftead of 
 fauntering in town, or giving way to every temptation, I will dif- 
 patch my neceflary work, and haften with impatience to the groves 
 of Sheffield-Place ; a projetSt fomewhat more rational than the hafty 
 turbulent vifit which your vigour had imagined. If you come up 
 to quicken my diligence we fliall meet the fooner; but I fee no ap- 
 pearance of my leaving town before the end of next week. I em- 
 brace, &c. Adieu. 
 
 N° CXCIII. 
 
 T/je Same to the Same. 
 
 I 
 
 Monday Afternoon, i7!!7. 
 PRECIPITATE, I inconvenience ! Alas ! alas ! I am a poor mi- 
 ferable cripple, confined to my chair. Laft Wednefday evening I 
 felt feme flying fymptoms of the gout ; for two fucceeding days I 
 
 4 R 2 rtruggled
 
 f,-]^ LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 ftruggled bravely, and went in a chair to dine with Batt and Lord 
 Loughborough : but on Saturday I yielded to my conqueror. I 
 have now pafled three vvearifome days without amufement, and 
 three mifeiable nights without fleep. Yet my acquaintance are cha- 
 ritable ; and as virtue ihould never be made too difficult, I feel that a 
 man has more friends in Pall-mall than in Bentinck-llreet. This fit is 
 remarkably painful ; the enemy is polTefled of the left foot and knee, 
 and how far he may carry the war God only knows. Of futurity 
 it is impofTible to fpeak ; but it will be fortunate if I am able to 
 leave town by the end, not of this, but of the enfuing week. What 
 may be the future progrefs, whether flow or rapid, fiudtuating or 
 fteady, time alone will determine ; and to that mafter of human 
 knowledge I muft leave our Bath journey. Pity me, magnanimous 
 Baron ; pity me, tender females ; pity me, Swifs exile * ; and be- 
 lieve me, it is far better to be learning Englifh at Uckfield. I write 
 with difficulty, as the leaft motion or conftraint in my attitude is 
 repeated by all the nerves and finews in my knee. But you fliall 
 find each day a note or bulletin of my health. To-morrow I mini 
 give pain to Mrs. G . Adieu. Ever yours. 
 
 N" CXCIV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Ef quire to the Right Honourable Lady Sheffield. 
 
 A' 
 
 Bath, December iSth, 1787. 
 
 LAS ! alas ! alas ! How vain and fallacious are all the defigns of 
 man. This is now the, eighteenth of December, precifely one 
 month fmce my departure from Sheffield-Place ; and it was firmly 
 my wifh, my hope, my refolution, that after difpatching fome need- 
 ful bufmefs in London, and accomplifhing a pious duty at Bath, I 
 
 » M. Wilhel. de Severy. 
 
 9 fhould
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 677 
 
 lliould by this day be reftored to the tranquil leifure, and friendly 
 fociety, of Sheffield-Place. A cruel tyrant has difconcerted all my 
 plans ; my bufinefs in town has been negleded, my attendance at 
 Bath is juft begun, and my return is yet diftant. I was not a little 
 edified to hear of fome expreffions of regret and difcontent on my 
 departure ; and though I am not able to produce as good evidence, 
 you will perhaps believe that in the folitude of a London lodging I 
 often railed at the gout for malicioufly delaying his attack till I was 
 removed from a place where my fufferings would have been allevi- 
 ated by every kind and comfortable attention. I grew at laft fo 
 defperately impatient, as to refolve on immediate flight, without 
 waiting till I had totally expelled the foe, and recovered my flrength. 
 I performed the journey vi'ith tolerable eafe, but the motion has agi- 
 tated the remains of the humour. I am very lame, and a fecond 
 fit may poffibly be the punifliment of my raflinefs.. 
 
 As yet I have feen nothing of Bath except Mrs. G ; and weak- 
 
 nefs, as well as propriety, will confine me very clofely to her. Lord 
 Sheffield, with Mrs. Holroyd and Maria, dined with us yefterday. 
 We begin to throw out hints of the fhortnefs of our ftay, and in- 
 difpenfable bufinefs ; and, unlefs I fhould be confined by the gout, 
 it is refolved in our cabinet to leave Bath on Tluu^fday the twenty- 
 fixth, and paffing through Lord Loughborough's and town, to fettle 
 at Sheffield-Place, mofl: afluredly, before the end of the year. For 
 my own part I can fay with truth, that did not the prefs loudly de- 
 mand my prefence, I could, without a figh, allow the Duchefs to 
 reign in Downing-ftreet the greatefl: part of the w-inter, and ffiould 
 be happy in the fociety of two perfons (no common bleffing) whom 
 I love, and by whom I am beloved. 
 
 Adieu, dear Madam, and believe me, with the affedlon of a 
 friend and a brother, ever yours.
 
 678 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N'' CXCV. 
 Dr. William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, College of Edinburgh, February 2;th, 1788. 
 
 'T~*HOUOH you have now been fome time in London, yet as I heard 
 of your welfare by different channels, and as I know from expe- 
 rience how much a man has to do who is printing three quartos, even 
 after he thinks they are altogether ready for the prefs, I have hitherto 
 forborne to interrupt you by any letter or inquiry of mine. But 
 there is fuch a general impatience to fee your new publication among 
 people of letters here ; and, as your friend, I am fo frequently in- 
 terrogated about the length it has advanced, and the time when it 
 will appear, that I begin to be afliamed of knowing nothing more 
 about it than other people. I niuft requeft of you then to furnlfh 
 me with fuch information as may both prefer\^e my credit, and gra- 
 tify my own curiofity. ^ly expectations from this part of your 
 work are, indeed, very high. Your materials begin to improve, ajad 
 are certainly much more copious than during a great part of the pe- 
 riod you have gone through. You have three or four events as 
 o-reat, and fplendid, and fingular, as the heart of an hiftorian could 
 wifh to delineate. The contemporary writers will furnifh you with 
 all the neceflary fiids. To adorn them as elegant writers, or to ac- 
 count for them as phllofophers, never entered into their heads. This 
 they have left to you. 
 
 Since you went to the continent I have not done fo much as T 
 wifhed. My health, until lately, has been more fhattered ; and as 
 I advance in life, (I am now fixty-fix,) though my faculties, I ima- 
 gine, are ftill entire, yet I find my mind lefs adive and ardent. I 
 have, however, finifhed a very careful revife of all my works, and 
 have given them the laft polifh they will receive from my hand. I 
 
 13 have
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 679 
 
 have made fome additions to each of them, and in the Hiftory of 
 Scotland pretty confiderable ones. I have defired Mr. Strahan to 
 fend to you a copy of them uniformly bound, and hope you will 
 accept of them, as a memorial of my efteem and aftedion. You 
 will fee that I have got in Mr. Whitaker an adverfary fo bigotted 
 and zealous, that though I have denied no article of faith, and am 
 at lead as orthodox as he himfelf, yet he rails againft me with all 
 the afperity of theological hatred. I fhall adhere to my fixed 
 maxim of making no reply. May I hope that when you fee Lord 
 Loughborough you will remember me to him with kindnefe and re- 
 fped;. Our friend Mr. Smith, whom we were in great danger of 
 lofmg, is now almoft perfedly re-eftablifhed. I have the honour to 
 be, with great truth, your moft faithful humble fervant^ 
 
 William Robertson^ 
 
 N° CXCVI. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield. 
 
 DOWNING-STREET, June2lft, I788. 
 
 TNSTEAD of the Hiftorian you receive a fhort letter, In your eyes 
 an indifpenfable tribute. This day, at length, after long delay 
 and frequent expoftulation, I have received the writings, which I 
 am now in the adl of figning, fealing, and delivering, according to 
 the lawyer's diredions. ********* 
 ******! long to be at ShefEeld-Place. You 
 fee my departure is not poftponed a moment by idlenefs or pleafure, 
 but the precife day ftill hangs on contingencies, and we muft all be 
 patient, if our wifhes fhould be thwarted. I fay our wifhes, for I 
 fmcerely defire to be with you. I have had many dinners, fome 
 fplendid and memorable, with Haftings lail Thurfday, with the 
 Prince of Wales next Tuefday at Craufurd's. But the town empties, 
 Tcxier is filent, and in an evening, I dejtderate the refources of a 
 
 fiimily
 
 68o LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 family or a club. Caplin has finifticd the Herculean labour, and 
 feven majeftic boxes will abdicate on Monday your hall. Severy 
 has likewife difpatched his affairs, and fccured his companion Clarke, 
 who is arrived in town ; but his fchemes are abridged by the inexo- 
 rable rigour of Lord Howe, who has afliired our great and fair in- 
 tcrcelTors, that by the King's order the dock-yards are ftuit againft 
 all ftrangers. We therefore give up Portfmouth, and content our- 
 felves with two fliort trips ; one to Stowe and Oxford, the other to 
 Chatham ; and if we can catch a launch and review, e7icore vit on. 
 He (Severy, not Lord Howe,) falutes with me the family. Adieu. 
 Yours. 
 
 N° CXCVII. 
 Bdward Gibbon 'Efquire to the Right Honourable Lord Sheffield.. 
 
 A' 
 
 DowNi NG-sTREET, Saturday. 
 
 c CORDING to your imperious law I write a line, to poftpone 
 my arrival till Friday, or perhaps Saturday, but I hope Friday, . 
 and I promife you that not a moment fhall be wafted. And now let 
 Tne add a cool word as to my final departure, which is irrevoc- 
 ably fixed between the tenth and fifteenth of July. After a full and 
 free enjoyment of each other's fociety, let us fubmit, without a 
 ftruggle, to reafon and fate. It would be idle to pretend bufinefs at 
 Xaufanne ; but a complete year will elapfe before my return. Severy 
 and myfelf are now expeded with fome impatience. I am thank- 
 ful for your hofpitable entertainment ; but I vvifh you to remember 
 Homer's admirable precept : 
 
 " Welcome the coming, fp eed ihe. parting gueft." 
 
 Sparc me, therefore, fpare yourfelf, the trouble of a fruitlefs conteft, , 
 in which, according to a great author, I forefee a certain lofs of X^ 
 time, and a probable lofs of temper. I believe we Ihall have both 
 Craufurd and Hugonin at Sheffield-Place. Adieu.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. 68i 
 
 N" CXCVIII. 
 Tbe Same to the Same. 
 
 Downing-stri;et, Saturday, June 1788. 
 
 J HAVE but a moment between my return borne and my drefllng, 
 and heartily tired I am ; for I am now involved in the horrors of 
 fhopping, packing, &c. yet I muft write four lines, to prevent a growl, 
 which might falute the arrival of an empty-handed poll on Sunday. 
 I hope the whole caravan, Chriftians and Pagans, arrived in good 
 health at the caftle ; that the turrets begin to rife to the third heaven ; 
 that each has found a proper occupation ; and that Tuft * enjoys the 
 freedom and felicity of the lawn. Yefterday the auguft fcene was 
 clofed for this year. Sheridan furpafled himfelf ; and though I am 
 far from confidering him as a perfedl orator, there were many beau- 
 tiful paflages in his fpeech, on juftice, filial love, &:c. ; one of 
 the clofeft chains of argument I ever heard, to prove that Haftings 
 was refponfible for the a£ts of Middleton ; and a compliment, much 
 admired, to a certain Hiftorian of your acquaintance. Sheridan, in 
 the clofe of his fpeech, funk into Burke's arras ; but I called this 
 morning, he is perfectly well. I fear that I fhall not be able to dine 
 at home a fingle day. To-morrow Severy and myfelf go to Bufhy. 
 I hope to be with you by Sunday the twenty-fecond iaftant. The 
 cafing of my books is a prodigious operation. Adieu. 
 
 N° CXCIX. 
 
 Dr. William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon. 
 
 DEAR SIR, College of Edinburgh, July 30th, 178S. 
 
 T ONG before this I fliould have acknowledged the receipt of your 
 
 moft acceptable prefent ; but for feveral weeks I have been af^ 
 
 Aided with a violent fit of deafnefs, and that unfocial malady is always 
 
 * Lady Sheffield's lap-dog. 
 VOL. I. 4 S accompanied
 
 682 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 accompanied with fuch a degree of languor, as renders even the 
 writing of a letter an effort. During my folitude the perufal of your 
 book has been my chief amufement and confolation. I have gone 
 through it once with great attention, and am now advanced to the 
 laft volume in my fecpnd reading. I ventured to predict the fuperior 
 excellence of the volumes lately publifhcd, and I have not been a 
 fiilfe prophet. Indeed, when I confider the extent of your under- 
 taking, and the immenfe labour of hiftorical and philofophic re- 
 I'earch requifite towards executing every part of it, I am aftonifhed 
 that all this lliould have been accomplifhed by one man. I know- 
 no example, in any age or nation, of fuch a vaft body of valuable 
 and el»gant information communicated by any individual. I feel^ 
 hov/ever, fome degree of mortification mingled with my aftonifli- 
 ment. Before you began your hiftoric career, I ufed to pride myfelf 
 in being at leaft the moft induftrious hiftorian of the age ; but now, 
 alas ! I can pretend no longer even to that praife, and muft fay, a& 
 Pliny did of his uncle, Si comparer illi fum defidiojijjimiis. Your 
 ftyle appears to me improved in thefe new volumes ; by the habit 
 ef writing, you write with greater eafe. I am forry to find that our 
 ideas on the effeds of the Crufades do not altogether coincide. I 
 confidered that point with great care, and cannot help thinking ftill 
 that my opinion was well founded. I fhall confult the autho- 
 rities to which I refer ; for when my fentiments differ from yours, 
 I have Tome reafon to diftruil them, and I may poffibly trouble you 
 with a letter on the fubje£t. I am much flattered with the manner 
 in which you have fo often mentioned my name. Lcetus fum lau- 
 dar'i a tc laudato v'lro. I feel much fatisfadtion in having been di- 
 fUnguilhed by the two hiftorians of my own times, whofe favour- 
 able opinion I was moft ambitious of obtaining. 
 
 I hope tlys letter may find you ftill in England. When you re- 
 turn to Laufanne, permit me to recommend to your good offices my 
 youngeft fon, who is now at Yverdun on account of his health, and 
 lives with M. Herman, a clergyman there. You will fiud the 
 
 young
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. C83 
 
 young man (if you can rely on the partial teftimony of a father) 
 fenfiblc, modeft, and well-bred, and though no great fcholar, he 
 has feen much ; having returned from India, where he ferved laft 
 war, by Baflbra, Bagdat, Moufful, and Aleppo. He is now a Cap- 
 tain in the twenty-third regiment. If you have any friend at Yver- 
 dun, be fo good as to recommend him. It will do him credit 
 to have your countenance. I have defired him to pay his rcfpcds 
 to you at Laufanne. Farewell, my dear Sir. I ever am yours moft 
 faithfully, 
 
 William Robertson. 
 
 N°CC. 
 i)r. Adam Smith to iWr. Gibbon. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, Edinburgh, December loth, 1788. 
 
 T HAVE ten thoufand apologies to make, for not having long ago 
 returned you my befl thanks for the very agreeable prefent you 
 made me of the three laft volumes of your Hiftory. I cannot ex- 
 prefs to you the pleafure it gives me to find, that by the univerfal 
 affent of every man of talle and learning, whom I either know or 
 correfpond with, it fets you at the very head of the whole literary 
 tribe at prefent exlfting in Europe. I ever am, my dear friend, moft 
 affedionately yours, 
 
 Adam Smith. 
 
 N° CCI. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to M/-. Cadell, Bookfdlcr, London. 
 
 Lausanne, February i i th, 1789. 
 
 y SHOULD be much more aftiamed of my filenee, were I not fatif. 
 
 fied that you have received a recent and favourable account of me 
 
 from fome of our friends who have vifited this place fince my re- 
 
 4 s 2 turn.
 
 6^4 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 turn. But I fhould be inexcufable, did I not thank you for your 
 
 kind and feaibnable widies, vliich 1 can return with equal fmcerity. 
 
 I do not propofe making any improvements or corredions in the 
 
 odlavo edition which you meditate ; fome flight akerations would give 
 
 me more trouble than plealure. A thorough revifion of the whole 
 
 work would be the labour of many months ; it may be the amufe^ 
 
 meat of my old ape, and will be a valuable legacy, to renew your 
 
 copy-right at the expiration of the \ Jl fourteen years. In the mean 
 
 while,, fome expedition may be ufeful to guard your property from 
 
 the unexpeded invafion of foreign pirates. Eight volumes in odlavo 
 
 are already printed at Bafil, and the remainder is expe£led every day. 
 
 I am both glad and forry to inform you, that the type is neat, the 
 
 paper tolerable, and the text wonderfully corre£t. I hear of another 
 
 Englifli edition in Saxony, and of two French tranflations advancing 
 
 ^with fpeed and emulation at Paris. Of the fuccefs of the work at 
 
 home you are bed qualified, and mod interefted, to judge ; and I 
 
 am happy to find that you exprefs yourfelf, with fome referve, fatif- 
 
 fied with the fale. From fome reports of angry criticifms, and from 
 
 the ufe and abufe of my name in the papers, I perceive that I am 
 
 not forgotten. Before a year has elapfed from the time of publica-r 
 
 tion, my Hiftory will have been perufed by fome thoufand readers 
 
 of various charaders and underftandings. Each will probably find 
 
 fomething to blame, and I hope fomething to com.mend ; and the 
 
 balance of their private judgments will fix the public eftimate of its 
 
 merit and reputation. Since my return I have been, as I. promife 
 
 in the preface, very bufy an very idle in my library : feveral ideal . 
 
 works have been embraced and thrown afide ; but if the warm 
 
 weather fl:iould ripen any projed to form and maturity, you may 
 
 depend on the earlieft intelligence. 1 have received a very friendly 
 
 and flattering letter from Dr. Robertfon, and have had the pleafure 
 
 of fliewing fome civilities to his fon during his refidence in this 
 
 place. If you can, fend me a. good account of Adam Smith; therg 
 
 IS
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire, CSs 
 
 h no man more fmcerely Interefted in his welfare than myfclf, I 
 beg you will prcfent my compliments to all our friends, particularly to 
 Mr. Strahan and Dr. Gillies. Tell Elmfley, that I have received with 
 due contrition, his tMrd letter : unlefs you are fpecdy, my anfwer 
 ivi/I anticipate your information. I am moft faithfully yours. 
 
 N" ecu. 
 
 Edward Gibbon E/q/iire to Lady Vortiili<!^ Kenfington-palace. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lausanne, June 27th, 1789, 
 
 T RECEIVED with more concern than furprize, your kind notification 
 of my poor uncle's departure. My own knowledge of his many 
 valuable qualities teaches me to fympathize in your lofs ; but his long 
 infirmities and gradual decay mufl have prepared you for the melan- 
 choly event, and your own reafon will fuggeft the bell and ftrongeft mo- 
 tives of confolation ; among thefe is your regard for the amiable chil- 
 dren whom he has left behind. Your labours for their future happinefs 
 will be affifted by all your friends, who are attached to his memory ; 
 and for my own part, I beg leave to affure you, that on every occa- 
 fion I fhall confider them as my near and dear relations. When I 
 had laft the pleafure of feeing Charlotte at Kenfington, I was de- 
 lighted with her innocent cheerfulnefs, with her affiduous care of 
 her poor father, and with an appearance of fenfe and dlfcretion far 
 beyond her years. How happy Ihould I think myfelf, if I had a 
 daughter of her age and difpofition, who in a fliort time would be 
 qualified to govern my family, and to be my companion and comfort, 
 in the decline of life ! 
 
 You will, I am fure, be pleafed to hear that my fituation at Lau- 
 fanne continues, almofi: in every refpe£t, as agreeable as I could wifh'.- 
 The only circumftance which embitters my happinefs, is the Jeclin-- 
 ing health of my friend Monf. Deyverdun. I cannot long flatter, 
 myfelf with the hope of polTeifing him. I am, dear Madam, &c.
 
 686 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 N' CCIII. 
 
 Mr, Gibbon to Mr. Cadell. 
 
 I 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lausanne, November 17th, 1790. 
 
 SHOULD indeed be inexcufable for my long neglea of your 
 laft obliging letter, had it not reached me in a moment of pain 
 and weaknefs, in a fit of the gout, the longeft and moft fevere that 
 I have ever known. A letter with me is no trifling enterprize ; 
 and before I could find ftrength, and time, and refolution, the oc- 
 cafion on which you fo handfomely confulted me was already paft. 
 I fuppofe that the abridgment of my Hiflory is now freely circu- 
 lated, either with or without your name; nor can I forefee any 
 poflible mifchief, either for mj reputation or yoi/r intereft. A tranf- 
 lation, an abridgment, or even a criticifm, always proves the fuccefs, 
 and confequently extends the fale, of any popular work. 
 
 As I am inclined to flatter myfelf that you have no reafon to be 
 difpleafed with your purchafe, I now wifh. to afk you whether you 
 feel yourfelf difpofed to add a feventh, or fupplemental volume to 
 my Hiftory ? The materials of which it will be compofed will 
 naturally be clafled under the three following heads : i . A feries 
 of fragments, difquifitions, digreflions, &c. more or lels conneded 
 with the principal fubjed. 2. Several tables of geography, chro- 
 nology, coins, weights and meafures, &c. ; nor fhould I defpair of 
 obtaining from a gentleman at Paris fome accurate and well-adapted 
 maps. 3. A critical review of all the authors whom I have ufed 
 and quoted *. I am convinced fuch a fupplement might be rendered 
 entertaining, as well as ufeful j and that few purchafers would refufe 
 
 * Mr. Gibbon foon became tired of this plan, and exprefled a wifli it had not 
 been mentioned. He faid his Hiftory was a critical review of the authors he had 
 ufed. S. 
 
 t©
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqiure. 687 
 
 to complete their Decline and Fall. But as the writer could not derive 
 either fame or amufement from thefe obfcure labours, he muft be 
 encouraged by other motives ; and, in plain Englifli, I fliould expe(ft 
 the fame rew^ard for the feventh, as for any of the preceding vo- 
 lumes^ You think and a(5t with too much liberality, to confound 
 fuch a large original fupplement with the occafional improvements 
 of a new edition, which are already your property by the terms of 
 our former covenant. But as I am jealous of ftanding clear, not 
 only in law and equity, but in your efteem and my own, I fhall 
 mftantly renounce the imdertaking, if it appears by your anfwer 
 that you have the fhadow of an objedion. Should you tempt me 
 to proceed, this fupplement will be only the employment of my 
 leifure hours ; and I forefee that full two years will elapfe before I 
 can deliver it into the hands of the printer. 
 
 Our friend Elmfley, who poffibly thinks me dead and buried, will 
 be, or will not be, furprized when you inform him that I have now 
 a letter of two pages in my bureau addrefled to him, dated the twenty- 
 fixth of May, and not yet finifhed. Hunger, literary hunger, will 
 foon, however, compel me to write ; as I have many queftions to 
 afk, and many commiffions to give. In the mean while I thirft for 
 Mr. Burke's Reflections on the Revolutions of France. Intreat 
 Elm-fley, in my name, to difpatch it to Laufanne with care and 
 fpeed, by atiy mode of conveyance lefs expenfive than the poft. He 
 may add to the parcel the new edition of Adam Smith's Theory of 
 Moral Sentiments. I heard of his death with more concern than 
 furprize. What a lofs to letters, philofophy, and mankind ! 
 
 I beg you would remember me to Mr. Strahan and all our friends. 
 In my happy exile, my public and private afledions remind me that 
 I am an Englifhman. Pray thank Dr. Moore, in my name, for the 
 pleafure which I have received from Zeluco, the beft philofophical 
 romance of the age. If he cultivates his talents by any fimilar 
 publications, I only, wifh that he would place the fcene at home ; 
 
 3 we
 
 688 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 we may defcribc the cliara«Sters, but we can never paint the manners 
 of foreigners ; and the quarrel of the two Scotchmen is doubllefs 
 the bcft chapter in the book. I am, dear Sir, mofl: faithfully 
 yours. 
 
 N" CCIV. 
 Mr. Gibbon to Mr. Cadell. 
 
 *-p< 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lausanne, April 27th, 1791, 
 
 "■oo many ports have flipped away fmce my receipt of your laft 
 Jetter, without my afTuring you that every fhadow of mifap- 
 prehenfion has vanifhed from my mind, and that I am perfedlly fa- 
 tisfied with the liberality of your fentiments and condu(St. But I am 
 every day more inclined to believe that on the prefent occafion they 
 will not be put to the trial. On a clofer infpeftion, I difcover more 
 difficulty and lefs advantage than I had at firft imagined in the plan 
 of a fupplement ; and I feel the objedion, which you fo handfomely 
 decline, againft encreafmg the weight and price of fo voluminous a 
 work. Perhaps it would have been better if my crude idea had not 
 been fo haftily announced to the public ; but even this venial indif- 
 cretion is a proof of your zeal and regard. The intelligence of any 
 new dei>ns fhall be delayed till they are ripe for execution j but 
 you may be aflTured that I am now awake. 
 
 I am very happy to hear that our refpedable friend Dr. Robertfon 
 is not afleep ; and much do I expedl from the fubjed and the pen, 
 I had once a defign not totally unconnedted with his own, but it is 
 now in far abler hands. Bofwell's book will be curious, or at leaft 
 whimfical : his hero, who can fo long detain the public curiofity, 
 muft be no common animal. I fee you now advertife an odavo 
 edition of Dr. Henry's Hiftory of England. Is not the author 
 .dead ? His plan is excellent, and I wifli you could engage fome 
 
 diligent
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. ' 689 
 
 diligent and fenfible man to undertake the continuation. Alas ! if 
 Dr. Campbell were Hill alive ! I have dcfired Ehniley to aflc you for 
 three odlavo copies of my own work. Whenever he fends me a box 
 of books, I fliould be glad if you would enrich it with any of your own 
 valuable publications. Your name is a recommendation ; but the 
 chaftity of that name cannot be too religioufly preferved. My health 
 and fpirits are now remarkably good, and it will give me great pl.ea- 
 fure to receive as favourable an account of yourfelf. I am moll 
 faithfully yours. 
 
 N" CCV. 
 
 Edward Gibbon Efqulre to Mrs. Gibbon, Belvidere, Bath. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, Lausanne, May iSth, 1791. 
 
 A s much as I am accuftomed to my own fins, I am fhocked, 
 really fhocked, when I think of my long and moft inex- 
 cufable filence ; nor do I dare to compute how many months I have 
 fuffered to elapfc without fending a fmgle line (Oh fliame ! fhame I) 
 to the bcft and deareft of my friends, who indeed has been very 
 feldom out of my thoughts. I have fometimes imagined that if the 
 opportunities of writing occurred lefs frequently, they would be. 
 feized w^ith more diligence ; but the unfortunate departure of the 
 poft twice every week encourages procraftination, and each fhort 
 fucceffive delay is indulged without fcruple, till the Vv-hole has fwelled 
 to a tremendous account. I will try, alas ! to reform ; and, although 
 I am afraid that writing grows painful to you, I have the confidence 
 to foliclt Sifpcedy lim\ to fay that you love and forgive me. After a 
 long experience of the unfeeling doubts and delays of the law, you will 
 probably foon hear from Lord Sheffield that the Beriton tranfadion 
 is at laft concluded, and I hope that you will be fatislled with the 
 full and firm fecurity of your annuity. That you may long con- 
 tinue to enjoy it is the firft and moft fincere wifli of my heart, 
 
 VOL. I. 4 T In
 
 690 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 In the placid courfe of our lives, at Laufaiine and Bath, we have 
 few events to relate, and fewer changes to defcribe ; but I indulge 
 myfelf in the pleafing belief that we are both as well and as happy 
 as the common order of nature will allow us to expedl. I fhould be 
 fatisfied, had I received from time to time fome indired, but agree- 
 able, information of your health. For myfelf, I have no complaint, 
 except the gout ; and though the vifits of my old enemy are fome- 
 what longer, and more enfeebling, they are confined to my feet and 
 knees ; the pain is moderate, and my imprifonment to my chamber, 
 or my chair, is much alleviated by the daily kindnefs of my friends. 
 I wifh it were in my power to give you an adequate idea of the con- 
 veniency of my houfe, and the beauty of my garden ; both of 
 which 1 have improved at a confiderable expence fince the death of 
 poor Deyverdun. But the lofs of a friend is indeed irreparable^ 
 Were I ten years younger, I might pofTibly think of a female com- 
 panion ; but the choice is difficult, the fuccefs doubtful, the engage- 
 ment perpetual, and at fifty-four a man fhould never think of alter- 
 ing the whole fyftem of his life and habits. The difpofal of Beri- 
 ton and the death of my aunt Hefter, who has left me her eftate 
 in Suflex, makes me very eafy in my worldly aifairs : my incom-e is 
 equal to my expence, and my expence is adequate to my wifhes. 
 You mav poiTibly have heard of literar)' projeds which are afcrlbed 
 to me by the public without my knowledge : but it is much more 
 probable that I have clofed the account ; and though I fhall never 
 lay afide the pleafing occupations of ftudy, you may be afTured that 
 I have no ferious fettled thoughts of a new work. Next year I 
 fhall m.edltate, and I truft fhall execute, a vifit to England, in which- 
 the Belvldere is one of my powerful loadflones, I often reflect 
 v.lth a painful emotion on the imperious circumftances which have 
 throv/n us at fuch a dlflance from each other. 
 
 In the moving pldure of the world, you cannot be indifferent 
 to the ftrange revolution which has humbled all that was high, and 
 exalted all that was low, in France. The irregular and lively fpirit 
 
 I of
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulrc. C91 
 
 of the nation has difgraced theu" liberty, and inflead of building a 
 free conftitution, they have only exchanged defpotifm for anarchy. 
 This town and country arc crowded with noble exiles; and we 
 fometimes count in an aflembly a dozen Princeflcs and Ducheffes. 
 Burke, if I remember right, is no favourite of yours ; but there is 
 furely much eloquence and much fenfe in his book. Tlfe profperity 
 of England forms a proud contrail with the difordcrs of France ; but 
 I hope we ihall avoid the folly of a Ruffian war. Pitt, in this in- 
 ftance, feems too like his father. Mr. Helrard, a fenfible man, and 
 his pupil have left us. They found, as your friends will always 
 iind, the weight of your recommendation with me; I am, deareft 
 Madam, ever moft affedlionately yours. 
 
 N*" CCVI. 
 
 Dr. "William Robertson to Mr. Gibbon* 
 
 DEAR SIR, Lennelhouse, Auguft 25th, 1791. 
 
 COME time before the publication of my Hillorical Difquifition 
 
 concerning India I defired our friend Mr. Cadell to fend a copy 
 of it to you in my name. I hope you received it long ago, and 
 will allow it to remain in your library, as a memorial of my refpe<3: 
 and friendihip. No man had formed a more decided refolution of 
 retreating early from public view, and of fpending the eve of life in the 
 tranquillity of profeffional and domeftic occupations ; but, diredly irt 
 the face of that purpofc, I ftep forth with a new work, when juil on 
 the brink of threefcore and ten. The preface of the book gives a fair 
 and fimple account how this happened. Hitherto I have no caufe to 
 repent of a ftep which I took wnth hefitation and anxiety. My book 
 has met with a reception beyond what the fpe lentus^ pavidtifque 
 fntmi^ dared to expedl. I find, however, like other parents, that I 
 -have a partial fondnefs for this child of my old age ; and cannot fet 
 
 4T 2 my
 
 692 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 my heart quite at cafe, until I know your opinion of it. I need 
 not fay with what perfect confidence I reft upon your judgment, and 
 how happy it will make me to find that this produdion meets with 
 your approbaticTn. Nothing will add fo much to that pleafurc, as 
 your communicating to me any remarks that occurred to you in per- 
 ufing it. "While I was engaged in compofing the Difquifition it often 
 occurred to me, that I was more upon your ground than in any of my 
 former works ; and I often wiflied that I had been fo near to you as 
 to profit by your advice and information. Next. to that will be the 
 benefit I may derive from your friendly ftridtures. Be fo kind then 
 as to mention to me any error or omiflioh you have obferved ; every 
 criticifm of yours will be inftrudive. 
 
 Permit me to requeft another favour. You allowed me to hope, 
 that as foon as you fixed upon a new fubje<3: you would let me 
 know, and give me the fatisfa£lion of indulging the hopes of living 
 until you finifhed it. I truft that you are not idle ftill. I may now 
 tell you with authority, that you are yet far from that period of life 
 ■when you fhould lay down your pen. I can fay from experience, 
 that the bufieft feafon of life is the moft happy ; and I have no doubt 
 that you will, concur with me in this fentiment. Let me know then, 
 my dear Sir, how you are, what you are doing, and what progrefs 
 you make. As for my part, I enjoy good health ; and, except fome 
 fits of deafnefs, am little troubled with the infirmities of old age. I 
 write this at my fon-in-law's, Mr. Brydone, who, if he had not a 
 wife and family, loves Switzerland fo well, and has fo many friends 
 in Laufanne, that I believe he would gladly join you there. Believe 
 me to be, with great refpeft, your moft faithful and obedient fervant, 
 
 William Robertson.
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 693 
 
 N" CCVII. 
 Edward Gibbon Efqnire to Mrs. Gibbon, Bath. 
 
 MY DEAREST MADAM, Lausanne. Auguftift, 17^2. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING all the arts of our great enemy, the dsemon 
 of procraftination, I Ihould not have poftponed for fo many 
 months a pleaimg duty, which may at any time he- performed in a 
 fmgle hour, had I not for fome time paft entertained a lively and 
 probable hope of vifiting you this autumn in perfon ; had I not 
 flattered myfelf, that the very next pod I might be able to fix the 
 day of my departure from Laufanne, and almoft of my arrival at 
 the Belvidere. That hope is now vaniflied, and my journey to 
 England is unavoidably delayed till the fpring or fummer of next 
 year. The extraordinary ftate of public affairs in France oppofes an 
 infuperable bar to my pafTage ; and every prudent ftranger will 
 avoid that inhofpitable land, in which a people of flaves is fuddenly 
 become a nation of tyrants and cannibals. The German road 1$ in- 
 deed fafe, but, independent of a great addition of fatigue and ex- 
 pence, the armies of Auftria and Pruffia now cover that frontier ' 
 and though the generals are polite, and the troops well difciplined, 
 I am not defirous of paffing through the clouds of huflars and pan- 
 dours that attend their motions. Thefe public reafons are fortified 
 by fome private motives, and to this delay I refign myfelf, with a 
 figh for the prcfent, and a hope for the future. 
 
 "What a ftrange wild world do we live in ! You will allow me to 
 be a tolerable hiftorian, yet, on a fair review of ancient and modern 
 times, I can find none that bear any affinity with'the.prefent. My 
 knowledge of your difcerning mind, and my recolledion of your 
 political principles, afliire me, that you are no more a democrat than 
 myfelf. Had the French improved their glorious opportunity to 
 eredt a free conftitutional monarchy on the ruins of arbitrary power 
 and the Baftille, I fliould applaud their generous effort ; but this 
 
 total
 
 694 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 total fubverfion of all rank, order, and government could be produc- 
 tive only of a popular monfter, which, after devouring every thing 
 elfe, muft finally devour itfelf. I was once apprehenfive that this 
 monfter would propagate fome imps in our happy ifland, but they 
 feem to have been cruflied in their cradle; and I acknowledge with 
 pleafure and pride the good fenfe of the Englifli nation, who feem 
 truly confcious of the bleffings which they enjoy : and I am happy 
 to find that the moft refpeaable part of Oppofition has cordially 
 joined in the fupport of '' things as they are." Even this country 
 has been fomewhat tainted with the democratical infeftion ; the vigi- 
 lance of government has been exerted, the malecontents have been 
 awed the mifguided have been undeceived, the fever in the blood 
 has gradually fubfided, and I flatter myfelf that we have fecured the 
 tranquil enjoyment of obfcure felicity, which we had been almoft 
 tempted to defpife. 
 
 You have heard, moft probably, from Mrs. Holroyd, of the long- 
 expefted though tranfient fatisfadlion which I received from the 
 vifit of Lord Sheffield's family. He appeared highly fatisfied with 
 my arrangements here, my houfe, garden, and fituation, at once in 
 town and countr , which are indeed fingular in their kind, and 
 which have often made me regret the impoffibility of fhewing them 
 to my deareft friend of the Belvidere. Lord Sheffield is ftill, and 
 will ever continue, the fame adive being ; always employed for 
 himfelf, his friends, and the public, and always perfuading himfelf 
 that he wifties for leifure and repofe. There are various roads 
 to happinefs ; but when I compare his fituation with mine, I do not, 
 upon the whole, repent that I have given the preference to a life of 
 celibacy atid retirement. Although I have been long a fpedator of 
 the ereat world, my unambitious temper has been content with the 
 occupations and rewards of ftudy ; and although my librarybe ftill 
 my favourite room, I am now no longer ftimulated by theprofecution 
 of any literary work. The fociety of Laufanne is adapted to my 
 taftc J my houfe is open to many agreeable acquaintance, and fome 
 
 real
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 6gs 
 
 real friends ; the uniformity of the natives Is enlivened by travellers of 
 all nations ; and this fummcr I am happy in a familiar Intercourfe 
 with Lady Spencer, the Duchefs of Devonfhlre, Lady Elizabeth 
 Fofter, and Lady Duncannon, who feems to be gradually recovering 
 from her fevere complaints. My health Is remarkably good. I 
 have now enjoyed a long interval from the gout ; and I endeavour 
 to ufe with moderation Dr. Cadogan's beft remedies, temperance, 
 exercife, and cheerfulnefs. Adieu, dear Madam ; may every bleff- 
 ing that nature can allow be attendant on your latter feafon. Your 
 age and my habits will not permit a very clofe correfpondence ; 
 but I wifh to hear, and I prefume to afk, a fpeedy dircEl account of 
 your own fituation. May it be fuch as I fhall hear with pleafure ! 
 Once more adieu ; I live In hopes of embracing you next fummer at 
 the Belvidere, but you may be aflured that I bring over nothing for 
 the prefs. 
 
 N° CCVIII. 
 
 ^HVfAv^V) Gl^^OT^ Efqul re to the Right Honourable Lady * * * * * 
 
 *-****■* ^?/ Florence. 
 
 Lausanne, November 8th, 1792. 
 
 T KEMEMBER It has been obferved of Auguftus and Cromwell, that 
 they fhould never have been born, or never have died ; and I 
 am fometimes tempted to apply the fame remark to certain beings 
 of a fofter nature, who, after a fhort refidence on the banks of the 
 Leman Lake, are now flown far away over the Alps and the Ap- 
 penlnes, and have abandoned their votaries to the infipidity of com- 
 mon life. The remark, however, would be unreafonable, and the 
 fentiment ungrateful. The pleafures of the fummer, the lighter and 
 the graver moments of the fociety of petit Ouchy *, are Indeed paft, 
 
 * A beautiful villa near the lake, about a mile from Laufanne. 
 
 perhaps
 
 696 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 ■perhaps never to return ; but the remembrance of that delightful 
 period is itfelf a pleafure, and I enjoy, I cherifli the flattering per- 
 fuafion that it is remembered with fome fatisfacStion in the gallery of 
 Florence, as well as in ihe library of Laufanne. Long before we 
 were reduced to feek a refuge from the favages of Gaul, I had fe- 
 cretly indulged the thought, or at leafl the wifh, of afking leave to 
 attend mes bonnes aiyi'ics over Mount Cenis, of balking once more in 
 an Italian fun, and of paying once more my devotions to the Apollo 
 of the Vatican. But my aged and gouty limbs would have failed 
 me in the bold attempt of fcaling St. Bernard, and I wanted patience 
 to undertake the tedious circumitineration of the Tirol. Your re- 
 turn to the Pays de Vaud next fummer I hold to be extremely doubt- 
 ful ; but my anxiety on that head is fomewhat diminilhed by the 
 fure and certain hope of our all meeting in England the enfuing 
 winter. I flatter myfelf that the Porter of Devonfliire-houfe will 
 not be inexorable ; yet I am afraid of lofing you amidft the fmoke 
 and tumult of fafliionable London, in which the night is devoted to 
 pleafure and the morning to fleep. My ambition may perhaps afpire 
 to pafs fome hours in the palladian Chifwick, or even fome days at 
 Chatfworth ; but thefe princely manfions will not recal the freedom, 
 the eafe, X^q primitive folitude of dear little Ouchy- Lideed ! indeed ! 
 your fair friend was made for fomething better than a Duchefs. 
 
 Although you moft magnanimoufly abandoned us in the crifis of 
 our fiUe, yet as you feem to Interefl; yourfelf in the hopes and fears 
 of this little country, it is my duty to inform you, that we Pcill 
 hang in a ftate of fui'penfe ; inclining, however, to the fide of hope, 
 rather than of defpair. The garrifon, and even the bourgeoifie, of 
 Geneva fliewed a vigorous refolutlon of defending the city ; and our 
 frontiers have been gradually covered with fifteen thoufand intrepid 
 Swifs. But the threats of a bombardment, the weight of expence, 
 and, above all, the vidoriotis afcendant of the French republic, have 
 abated much of the firil heroic ardour. iNlonfieur de Montefquiou 
 
 difplayed
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. C97 
 
 difplayed a pacific, and" even yielding, temper ; and a treaty was 
 figned, difmiffing the Swifs garrifon from Geneva, and removing 
 the French troops to the diftance of ten leagues. But this laft con- 
 dition, which is indeed objedionable, difpleafed the convention, 
 who refufed to ratify the agreement. New conferences were held, 
 new meflengers have been difpatched ; but unlefs they are deter- 
 mined to find or to make a fubjedl of quarrel, it is probable that we 
 fhall purchafe peace by fubmifTion. As Geneva has a very dangerous 
 democratical party within her walls, and as the national guards are 
 already allowed to enter the city, and to tamper with the inhabitants 
 and the garrifon, I will not enfure that poor little republic from one 
 week to another. For ourfelves, the approaches of danger muft be 
 more gradual. I think we are now fafe for this winter, and I no 
 longer run to the window to fee whether the French arc coming. 
 But with fo many enemies without, and fo many within, the go- 
 vernment of Bern, and the tranquillity of this happy country, will 
 be fufpended by a very flender twig ; and I begin to fear that Sataa 
 will drive me out of the poireffion of Paradifc. My only comfort 
 will be, that I fhall have been expelled by the power, and not feduced 
 by the arts, of the blackeft daemon in hell, the daemon of demo- 
 cracy. Where indeed will this tremendous inundation, this con- 
 fpiracy of numbers againll rank and property, be finally flopped. 
 Europe feems to be univerfally tainted, and wherever the French 
 can light a match, they may blow up a mine. Our only hope is 
 now in their devouring one another ; they are furious and hungry 
 monfters, and war is almoft declared between the convention and 
 the city of Paris, between the moderate republicans and the abfolute 
 levellers. A majority of the convention wifhes to fpare the royal 
 vidims, but they muft yield to the rage of the people and the thirfl 
 of popularity, and a few hours may produce a trial, a fentcnce, and 
 a guillotine. Mr. Necker is publilhing a pamphlet in defence of the 
 auguft fufferers ; but his feeble and tardy efforts will rather do credit 
 VOL. I. 4 u to
 
 698 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 to himfelf, than fervice to his clients. You kintlly afk after the 
 fituation of poor Severy. Alas ! it is now hopclefs ; all his com- 
 plaints are increafed, all his refources are exhaullcd ; where nature 
 cannot work, the effe£t of art is vain, and his beft friends begin to wifh 
 him a quiet releafe. His wife, I had almoft faid his widow, is truly 
 an objed of compaflion. The dragoon is returned for a few days ; 
 and if his domeftic forrows gave him leave, he would almoft regret 
 the want of an occafion to deferve his feather and cockade. Your 
 note has been communicated to Madame de Montelieu ; but as (he 
 is engaged with a dying aunt, I have notyetfeen her. Madame 
 Dagaiffeau has haftily left us ; the laft decrees feemed to give the emi- 
 gres only the option of ftarving^ abroad or hanging at home ; yet (he 
 has ventured into France, on fome f;iint gUmpfe of clemency for the 
 women and children. Madame de Bouillon does not appear to move. 
 Madame de Stael, whom I faw laft week at Rolle, is ftill uncertain 
 where flie fhall drop her burthen ; but flie muft foon refolve, for the 
 young lady or gentleman is at the door ; 
 
 Demanding life, impatient for the fkies. 
 
 By this time you have joined the Ladies Spencer and Duncannon, 
 whom I beg leave to falute with the proper fhades of refpe£l and 
 tendernefs. You may, if you pleafe be, belle eomme im ange ; but 
 I do not like your comparifon of the archangel. Thofe of Milton, 
 with whom I am better acquainted at prefent than with Guido, are 
 all mafculine manly figures, with a great fword by their fide, and 
 fix wings folding round them. The heathen goddefl'es would pleafe 
 me as little. Your friend is lefs fevere than Minerva, more decen* 
 than Venus, lefs cold than Diana, and not quite fo great a vixen as 
 the ox-eyed Juno. To exprefs that infallible mixture of grace, 
 fweetnefs, and dignity, a new race of beings muft be invented, and 
 I am a mere profe narrator of matter of fad. Befs is much nearer 
 the level of a mortal, but a mortal for whom the vsufeft man, hif- 
 a topic
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Erqulre. Cg^ 
 
 tDrlc or medical, would throw away two or three worlds, if he had 
 them in his poflelTion. From the aforefaid Dels I have received 
 three marks of kind remembrance, from the foot of St. Bernard, 
 with an exquifite monument of art and friendfhip, from Turin, 
 and finally from Milan, with a moft valuable infertion from the 
 Duchefs. At birds in the air it is difficult to take aim, and I fear 
 or hope that I fhall fuftain fome reproaches on your not finding ihis 
 long epiflle at Florence. I will mark it N° i. ; and why Ihould 
 I defpair of my future fince I can fay with truth, that fince 
 
 your departure I have not fpent fo agreeable a morning. To each 
 of the dear little Caro's pray deliver nine kifl'es for me, which fhall 
 be repaid on demand. My bed compliments to Mr. Pelham, if he 
 is with vou. 
 
 N" CCIX. 
 
 T^Vi'W AYiV) GiU'&O'^ Efqiitre to the Right Honourable- Lady -* * * * * 
 
 ****** at Florence. 
 
 Lausanne, April 4th, i/t;^. 
 
 TTad I not given previous notice of my own unworthinefs, the 
 plea of being an old incorrigible offender would fei've only to 
 aggravate my guilt ; it is ftill fufficiently black, and I can patiently 
 hear every reproach, except the cruel and unjuft: imputation of hav- 
 ing forgotten my fair friends of the Arno and the Tyber. Thev 
 would indeed have been lefs prefent to my thoughts, had I main- 
 tained a regular weekly correfpondence ; fince, by the eftedl of my 
 negligence, not a day has elapfed without a ferious, though fruitlefs, 
 refolution of writing by the very next poft. What may have fomc- 
 what contributed, befides original fin, to this vile procraftination, is 
 the courfe of events that has filled this abominable winter. As long 
 as tlie poor King's fate was on fufpenfe, one waited from poft to poft, 
 
 4 u 2 between
 
 yoo 
 
 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 between hope and fear, and when the blow was ftruck, even Shake- 
 fpeare's language was inadequate to exprefs our grief and indigna- 
 tion. I have never approved the execution of Charles the Firft ; yet 
 Charles had invaded, in many refpe£ts, the ancient conflitutlon of 
 England, and the queftion had been judged in the field of Nafeby 
 before it was tried in Weftminfter-hall. But Louis had given and 
 fufFered every thing. The cruelty of the French was aggravated by 
 ingratitude, and a life of innocence was crowned by the death of a 
 faint, or, what is far better, of a virtuous prince, who deferves our 
 pity and efteem. He might have lived and reigned, had he pof- 
 fefled as much adtive courage as he was endowed with patient forti- 
 tude. When I read the accounts from home, of the univerfal grief 
 and indignation which that fatal event excited, I indeed gloried in 
 the charadler of an Englilhman. Our national fame is now pure 
 and fplendid ; we have nobly flood forth in the common caufe of 
 mankind ; and although our armaments are fomewhat flow, I ftill 
 perfuade myfelf that we fliall give the laft deadly wound to the Gallic 
 hydra. The King of Pruffia is likewife flow, and your poor friend, 
 the Duke of Brunfwick, is now not ccnfured but forgotten. We 
 turn our eyes to the Prince of Cobourg and his Auftrians, and it 
 mufl; be confeflld, that the deliverance of Holland and Brabant from 
 fuch a dragon as Dumourier is a very tolerable employment for the 
 month of March. Thefe bloflbms of the fpring will be followed, 
 it may be fairly hoped, by the fruits of fummer ; and in the mean- 
 while the troubles of Paris, and the revolt of the provinces, may 
 promote, by the increafe of anarchy, the reftoration of order. I 
 fee that refl:oration through a dark cloud ; but if France be loft, the 
 reft of Europe, I believe and truft, will be faved. But amldft the 
 hurricane, I dare not fix my eyes on the Temple. So much for po- 
 litics, which now engrofs the waking and fleeping thoughts of every 
 feeling and thinking animal. In this country we are tranquil, and I 
 believe fafe, at leaft for this fummer j though peace has been pur- 
 I o chafed
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efquire. 701 
 
 chafed at fome expence of national honour, of the old reputation of 
 Swifs courage, we have crouched before the tiger, and ftroked him 
 till he has flicathed his claws, and ceafed for a moment to roar. 
 My journey to England this year muft depend on the events of the 
 campaign ; as I am fully refolved rather to remain quiet another 
 autumn and winter in my fweet habitation, than to encounter the 
 dangers of the fea and land. I envy the pleafures which you and 
 your companions have enjoyed at Florence and Rome ; nor can I 
 decide which have tailed the moft perfe£l delight, thofe to whom 
 fuch beauties were new, or thofe to whom they were familiar. 
 A fine eye, correct judgment, and elegant fenfibility, are requifite 
 to qualify the ftudious traveller ; and thefe gifts have been liberally 
 difpenfed among the Ouchy caravan. But when you have been 
 gratified, though not fatlatcd, with the Hefperian profpedt, to what 
 fortunate clime will you dired; your footfleps ? Have we any hopes 
 of meeting (for my journey, at all events, would be late) in the 
 Ihades, or rather in the funfhine, of Ouchy ? Should Mount Cenis 
 be ftill imperious, you have trampled on St. Bernard in a more ri- 
 gorous feafon ; and whatfoever may be the ftate of the world, the 
 Pays de Vaud will afford you a fecure afylum, or a pleafant ftation. 
 I rejoice to hear of Lady Befborough's improvement. Will that 
 new title make any difference in the plan ? Is the Duchefs very 
 impatient to revifit England ? Except fome trifling confiderations 
 of children, &c. all coimtries may be indifferent to her ; as fhe is 
 fure of being loved and admired in all. I am anxious and impatient 
 to learn the refult of your counfels ; but I feel myfelf unworthy of 
 a regular correfpondence, and am not defirous of heaping frefli coals 
 of fire on my head. 
 
 I am happy to find that you forgive and pity my friend Neckcr, 
 agrinfi: whom you all entertained fome Verfailles prejudices. As his 
 heart has been always pure, he cannot feci remorfe ; but as his con- 
 dud
 
 702 LETTERS TO AND FROM 
 
 du<a has been unfuccefsful, he is penetrated with grief and regret. 
 Madame de Stael has written to me from England ; flic Hkes the 
 country, but means to fly over again in May. 
 
 N° CCX. 
 
 Mr. Gibbon to Lord ****** *, 
 
 WV LORD, • RoLLE, February 23d, 1793. 
 
 T DO not merely congratulate your Lordlhip's promotion to an oflice 
 which your abilities have long deferved. My fatisfaflion docs 
 not ariie from an afllirance of the wifdom and vigour which admi- 
 niftration will derive from the fupport of fo rcfpedlable an ally. But 
 as a friend to government in general, I mofl fmcerely rejoice that 
 you are now armed in the common caufe againft the mod dangerous 
 fanatics that have ever invaded the peace of Europe ; againft the 
 new barbarians, who labour to confound the order and happinefs of 
 fociety ; and who, in the opinion of thinking men, are not lefs the 
 enemies of fubje£ls than of kings. The hopes of the wife and 
 good are now fixed on the fuccefs of England ; and I am perfuaded 
 that my perfonal attachment to your Lordflaip will be amply gra- 
 tified by the important fhare which your counfels will aflume in that 
 fuccefs. I could wifli that fome of your former aflbciates poflefTed 
 fufficient ftrength of mind to extricate themfelves from the toils of 
 prejudice and party. But I grieve that a man, whom it is im- 
 pofiible for me not to love and admire, (hould refufe to obey the 
 voice of his country ; and I begin to fear that the powerful genius 
 of Mr. * * *, inftead of being ufeful, will be adverfe to the public 
 fervice. At this momentous crifis we Ihould enlift our whole force 
 
 * A town between Laufanne and Geneva, where M. Necker then refided. 
 
 of
 
 EDWARD GIBBON Efqulre. 703 
 
 of virtue, ability, and fpirit ; and without any view to his private 
 advantage, I could wifli that ****** might be properly 
 ftationed in feme part of the line. 
 
 Mr. Necker, in whofe houfe I am now refiding on a vifit of 
 fome days, wifhes me to exprefs the fentimcnts of efteem and con- 
 fideration which he entertains for your Lordfhip's character. As a 
 friend to the intereft of mankind, he is warmly attached to the wel- 
 fare of Great Britain, which he has long revered as the firft, and 
 perhaps as the laft afylum of genuine liberty. His late eloqifcnt 
 work, Dti poiivoir execut'if^ which your Lordfliip has afl'uredly read, 
 is a valuable teftimony of his efteem for our conftitution ; and the 
 teftimony of a fagacious and impartial ftranger may have taught 
 fome of our countrymen to value the political bkffings which tliey 
 have been tempted to defpife. 
 
 I cherifh a lively hope of being in England, and of paying my 
 refpeds to your Lordfhip before the end of the fummer : but the 
 events of the year are fo uncertain, and the fea and land are encom- 
 paffed with fo many difficulties and dangers, that I am doubtful 
 whether it will be practicable for me to execute my purpofe. 
 
 I am, my Lord, moft refpedfully, and your Lordfhip will permit 
 me to add moft affedionately^ your moft faithful humble fcrvant. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.^'
 
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