the press.  The Marquis de St. Simon, whom I mentioned to you, at a very first visit proposed to me to look over a translation he had made of The Tale of a Tub:  the proposal was soon followed by a folio, and a letter of three sides, to press me seriously to revise it.  You shall judge of my scholar’s competence.  He translates L’Estrange, Dryden, and others, l’`etrange Dryden, etc.(593) Then in the description of the tailor as an idol, and his goose as the symbol; he says in a note, that the goose means the dove, and is a concealed satire on the Holy Ghost.  It put me in mind of the Dane, who, talking of orders to a Frenchman, said, “Notre St. Esprit, est un `el`ephant.”

Don’t think, because I prefer your drawings to every thing in the world, that I am such a churl as to refuse Mrs. Bentley’s partridges:  I shall thank her very much for them.  You must excuse me If I am vain enough to be so convinced of my own taste, that all the neglect that has been thrown upon your designs cannot make me think I have overvalued them.  I must think that the states of Jersey who execute your town-house,- have much more judgment than all our connoisseurs.  When I every day see Greek, and Roman, and Italian, and Chinese, and Gothic architecture embroidered and inlaid upon one another, or called by each other’s names, I can’t help thinking that the grace and simplicity and truth of your taste, in whichever you undertake is real taste.  I go farther:  I wish you would know in what you excel, and not be bunting after twenty things unworthy your genius.  If flattery is my turn, believe this to be so.

Mr. Muntz is at the Vine, and has been some time.  I want to know more of this history of the German:  I do assure you, that I like both his painting and behaviour; but if any history of any kind is to accompany him, I shall be most willing to part with him.  However I may divert myself as a spectator of broils, believe me I am thoroughly sick of having any thing to do in any.  Those in a neighbouring island are likely to subside-and, contrary to custom, the priest(594) himself is to be the sacrifice.

I have contracted a sort of intimacy with Garrick, who is my neighbour.  He affects to study my taste:  I lay it all upon you—­he admires you.  He is building a grateful temple to Shakspeare:  I offered him this motto:  “Quod spiro et placeo, si placeo tuum est!” Don’t be surprised if you should hear of me as a gentleman come upon the stage next winter for my diversion.  The truth is, I make the most of this acquaintance to protect my poor neighbour at Clivden—­You understand the conundrum, Clive’s den.

Adieu, my dear Sir!  Need I repeat assurances?  If I need, believe that nothing that can tend to your recovery has been or shall be neglected by me.  You may trust me to the utmost of my power:  beyond that, what can I do?  Once more, adieu!

(591) In June, 1755, the French fort of Beau Sejour, in the Bay of Fundy, surrendered to Colonel Monckton, and two small forts, Gaspereau and Venango, also capitulated.  These were the first conquests of the British arms in America during that war.  He gave the name of Fort Cumberland to Beau S`ejour.-E.