University of Virginia Library

Letter 2
6 March 1764
NLS: MS 25295, ff. 122-123

I have the honour of yours of the 12^. this evening.

Mr Hales of Eaton[5] was one of the most enlarged thinkers of his time: and tho', in his stile, he had not (like Chillingworth) got above the quaint pedantry of the age of James the 1st, at a time when good writers were growing ashamed of it, and the coming troubles shook it all off, and nature & simplicity of expression regained their rights, to paint the turbulent passions of a new set of actors on the public Scene; yet, with regard to his matter, neither Chillingworth nor any other excelled him, either in extent of knowlege, in accuracy of judgment, or in brilliancy of wit. And how much his talents struck the public fancy may be seen by this trifling circumstance. The editors of the 4° Ed. of his Sermons & letters, have put a celebrated comparison of his, on the subject of controversial Divinity, into picture, to ornament the frontispiece of the title page.[6]

On the whole, I think nothing more worthy of a learned age than an elegant and compleat edition of this great Man's writings. But whether this age be worthy of them is another question, as being but little intitled to the above appelation. However this I am pretty sure of, that it will stand a better chance of good reception in coming from the north, than if printed here; not only on account of the superior execution of the printer's part, but from our opinion of the literature of the north: for amidst this rage of Faction in dep[r]eciating North Britain, I meet with few but who do justice to its Learning. I will leave you to judge in what condition Letters are here at present, when I tell you, that the London Booksellers assure me, that while the English translation of Hugo Grotius's book of the truth of Christian Religion [7] is in constant sale amongst the Clergy they never [matter deleted] ∧sell∧ a Latin

one. But Hales's works are happily in English. And I am such a zealot for having the memory of our best English writers of the golden ages of literature revived by new Editions of their works, that the Bp of Clonfert in Ireland,[8] a grandson of the famous Cumberland, just now applying to me for my opinion of the propriety of a new Edition of his Grandfather's incomparable book de Legibus naturœ,[9] a copy of which he put into my hands corrected by his Father in Law, Dr Bentley, that I encouraged him, (who sought only his Grandfather's honour) to reprint it, tho' written in very barbarous latin. You see, Sir, my fondness for these Heros of happier times makes my judgment not to be depended on as to ye success of a new Edition of Hales's works. one thing only I am assured of, that you could not make a nobler present to the Public, how little soever its futility may deserve it. I shall always be proud in being honoured with your commands, and am,