[dateline] july 21 1786 London
[salute] My Dear Son
Altho afflicted to day with one of my bad headaches; I must write you, least the vessel
should Sail in my absence with out a Letter from me. A few weeks ago we Breakfasted
with mr Bridgen whom you know. He collected several gentlemen of literature, and amongst
them mr Hollis, who has often dinned with us. He is a Worthy good Man, and so well
known at the university that I need give no further account of him. He was going in
a day or two to his Country seat for the Summer and he made us promise that we would
come out to Hyde and Spend a week with him. His invitation savourd so much of that
Hospitality which this country was once celebrated for, that we did not hesitate to
comply, and next week is the time appointed.
He told us that there was but one place in his House, but what was common to all his
Friends, and that was his Liberary. They must be great favorites to be admitted there;
for he could not bear to have his Books misplaced. This will give you an Idea of his
neatness and regularity. Mr Bridgen col S and your sister are of the party.
By Captain Callihan we send the Books you wrote for, and a valuable little parcel
your Pappa has added to them, for the benefit of you and your Brothers.
1 They cost 8 Guineys so be carefull of them.
I thank you for your Letter, it gave me great pleasure, and I am happy to find you
so well situated. The attention you have always given to your studies, and the fondness
You have for Literature, precludes any other injunctions to you than that of taking
care of your Health. I believe I ought to except one other—which is a watchfulness
over yourself; that the knowledge you have acquired does not make you assumeing, and
too tenacious of your own opinions. Pope says, “those best can bear reproof, who merit
praise.” It is upon this principal that I would gaurd you against the only error that
I am conscious you possess. I cannot advise you better upon this subject than in the
words of Pope, and as you love poetry fix the following lines in your memory
Tis not enough taste judgement Learning join;
In all you speak, let Truth and candour shine
That not alone, what to your sense is due.
All may allow, but seek your Friendship too
{ 275 } Be silent always when you doubt your Sense
And speak; tho sure with Seeming diffidence
Some possitive persisting Fops we know
Who if once wrong will needs be always so.
But you with pleasure own your Errors past
And make each day a critic on the last.2
I inclose to you an Epitaph upon Dr Johnson written by as great a curiosity as himself.
It was given me by Miss Shipley daughter to the Bishop of Saint Asaph. I have met
with many persons here, who were personally acquainted with the dr. They have a great
respect for his memory, but they all agree that he was an unpleasent companion who
would never bear the least contradiction. Your sister Sent you Mrs Pioggi anecdotes
of him. Boswells are too contemptable to be worth reading.
3 Your Friend Murry first lent me Mrs Pioggis and from it I coppy the following lines
written by him in the blank page
“Like those bright sparks which comets leave behind
Appear the effusions of great Johnsons mind
Had its vast orb unclouded pour'd its rays.
The glorious flood had blinded by its blaize
But clouds of weakness thickly round it fly
And save the envy of the weakest eye.”
Pray inform us from whence arises the illeberal Spirit which appears in the Boston
Gazzets against the Law? or rather the professors of it. I am sorry any of our Countrymen
should disgrace themselves by holding up such sentiments as Honestus, who ever he
is, has publishd to the world. I suspect one may apply to him, the observation which
Pope Gangenella made upon Voltair, that he attackd Religion because it was troublesome
to him.
4 He had better adopt Johnsons opinion, “that the Law is the last result of Humane
wisdom, acting upon humane experience for the benifit of the publick.”
5
If some of the professors are a disgrace to it, they would have been equally so as
merchants Physicians or divines. Where is the profession composed only of Honest Men?
annihilate the profession of the Law, and the Liberties of the Country would soon
share the same fate. If they wish to suppress the influence of the Bar, Let them practise
justice, and consider the Maxim, “that can never be politically right, which is morally
wrong.”
{ 276 } As to politicks Parliament is up
6 and a dead Calm ensues. With respect to America, things remain much in the same state
as when I wrote you last, all the movements here, will depend upon the Measures of
Congress. Untill some regular System is adopted, the less communication our Country
has with this, the better. Lamb has orders to repair to Congress, and lay before them
the result of his negotiations.
Col Smith has promised to write to you, and your sister will tell you all about herself.
7 I wrote you by Col Forrest on the 13th of june, who saild for newyork. I suppose
you are very happy by this time to have enterd upon your last year, and your Brother
Charles to have finishd his Freshmanship. If your Brother Tommy enters, be very attentive
to him, and always give him the advise of judgment and reflection, rather than what
may result from the feelings of the moment. And whatever your own sentiments may be
with regard to the abilities and qualifications of your Preceptors, you should always
endeavour to treat them with the respect due to their Station, and enjoin the same
conduct upon your Brothers. It is not in your power to remedy the evils you complain
of. Whilst the Salleries are so small it cannot be expected that Gentlemen of the
first abilities will devote their lives to the preceptorship. The concequence will
be, that young Men will fill those places, and the changes will be frequent. Get all
the good you can, and beware that you do no ill to others. You must be conscious of
how great importance it is to youth, that they should respect their teachers. Therefore
whatever tends to lessen them, is an injury to the whole Society, besides there is
nothing which a person will not sooner forgive, than contempt. If you are conscious
to yourself that you possess more knowledge upon some subjects than others of your
standing, reflect that you have had greater opportunites of seeing the world, and
obtaining a knowledge of Mankind than any of your cotemporarys, that you have never
wanted a Book, but it has been supplied you, that your whole time has been spent in
the company of Men of Literature and Science. How unpardonable would it have been
in you, to have been a Blockhead. My paper will allow me room only to add, my blessing
to you & Your Brothers from your ever affectionate