to Englishmen, there cannot be a more dry narration than the latter. There is an addition of seven volumes of Universal History to Voltaire's Works, which I think will charm you: I almost like it the best of his works. It is what you have seen extended, and the memoirs of Louis XIV. refondues in it. He is a little tiresome with contradicting La Beaumelle out of pique-and there is too much about Rousseau. Between La Beaumelle and Voltaire, one remains with scarce a fixed idea about that time. I wish they would produce their authorities and proofs; without which, I am grown to believe neither. From mistakes in the English part, I suppose there are great ones in the more distant histories; yet altogether it is a fine work. He is, as one might believe, worst informed on the present times. — He says eight hundred persons were put to death for the last rebellion - I don't believe a quarter of the number were: and he makes the first lord Derwentwater - who, poor man! was in no such highspirited mood-bring his son, who by the way was not above a year and a half old, upon the scaffold to be sprinkled with his blood. -However, he is in the right to expect to be believed: for he believes all the romances in lord Anson's Voyage, and how admiral Almanzor made one man of war box the ears of the whole empire of China! I know nothing else new but a new edition of doctor Young's Works. If your lord

ship thinks like me, who hold that even in his most frantic rhapsodies there are innumerable fine things, you will like to have this edition. Adieu, once more, my best lord!

TO JOHN CHUTE, Esq.

Strawberry-hill, July 12, 1757.

It would be very easy to persuade me to a Vinevoyage, without your being so indebted to me, if it were possible. I shall represent my impediments, and then you shall judge. I say nothing of the heat of this magnificent weather, with the glass yesterday up to three-quarters of sultry. In all English probability this will not be a hinderance long; though at present, so far from travelling, I have made the tour of my own garden but once these three days before eight at night, and then I thought I should have died of it. For how many years we shall have to talk of the summer of fiftyseven! - But hear: My lady Ailesbury and Miss Rich come hither on Thursday for two or three days; and on Monday next the Officina Arbuteana opens in form. The stationers' company, that is, Mr. Dodsley, Mr. Tonson, &c. are summoned to

meet here on Sunday night. And with what do you think we open? Cedite, Romani Impressores - with nothing under Graii Carmina. I found him in town last week: he had brought his two Odes to be printed. I snatched them out of Dodsley's hands, and they are to be the first fruits of my press. An edition of Hentznerus, with a version by Mr. Bentley and a little preface of mine, were prepared, but are to wait - Now, my dear sir, can I stir?

Not ev'n thy virtues, tyrant, shall avail !

Is not it the plainest thing in the world that I cannot go to you yet, but that you must come to me?

I tell you no news, for I know none, think of none. Elzevir, Aldus and Stephens are the freshest personages in my memory. Unless I was appointed printer of the Gazette, I think nothing could at present make me read an article in it. Seriously, you must come to us, and shall be witness that the first holidays we have I will return with you. Adieu!

Yours ever.

To GEORGE MONTAGU, Esq.

Strawberry-hill, July 16, 1757.

You do me justice in believing that I enjoy your satisfaction; I do heartily, and particularly on this point: you know how often I have wished this reconciliation: indeed you have taken the handsomest manner of doing it; and it has been accepted handsomely. I always had a good opinion of your cousin, and I am not apt to throw about my esteem lightly. He has ever behaved with sense and dignity, and this country has more obligations to him than to most men living.

The weather has been so hot, and we are so unused to it, that nobody knew how to behave themselves: even Mr. Bentley has done shivering. Elzevirianum opens to-day, you shall taste its first fruits. I find people have a notion that it is very mysterious - they don't know how I should abhor to profane Strawberry-hill with politics! Adieu.

Yours ever,

Το GEORGE MONTAGU, Esq.

Strawberry-hill, Thursday, 17.

I ONLY write you a line to tell you, that as you mention miss Montagu's being well and alone, if she could like to accompany the colonel1 and you to Strawberry-hill and the Vine, the seneschalls of those castles will be very proud to see her. I am sorry to be forced to say any thing civil in a letter to you; you deserve nothing but ill usage for disappointing us so often, but we stay till we have got you into our power, and then then, I am afraid we shall still be what I have

why

been so long,

Yours ever.

To JOHN CHUTE, Esq.

Strawberry-hill, July 26, 1757.

I LOVE to communicate my satisfactions to you. You will imagine that I have got an original portrait of John Guttemburg, the first inventor of printing, or that I have met with a little boke called Eneydos, which I am going to translate and print-No, no; far beyond any such thing! Old lady Sandwich is dead at Paris, and my lord has given me her picture of Ninon L'Enclos; given it me in the prettiest manner in the world. - I beg, if he should ever meddle in any election