University of Virginia Library

Letter 5
13 October 1764
NLS: MS 25295, ff. 128-129

I received the honour of yours of the 1st inst. yesterday at this place. I think the printers have advised right as to the size of Hales's Edition.[18] The cheapness of it will invite purchasers in the North and the elegance of it will make it sought after, here.

The testimonies of Authors is certainly right.[19] I have not had an opportunity, as I remember, of giving the Character of Mr Hales in any of my Writings.

You did not in any of your Letters, as I remember, speak of your declining to republish Hales's life by Des Maiseaux; at the same time I never supposed you had any such intention: for I think of the man just as you do—a miserable Refugeé, who with a very moderate share of Learning & of parts, fled from persecution in France, to propogate infidelity in England. What I meant by recommending his life of Hales to your perusal, as likewise Dr Birche's, in the general Dictionary [20] was to furnish you with materials for a new Life, which I hoped you intended: and am now very sorry to find you decline; because I am well assured it was in your power to make it both very entertaining & very instructive.

Your kind intention of inscribing the Edition to me does me great honour, & is very flattering to me; and I have nothing to add on that head but my best thanks for this distinction.[21]

I think your Motto a very good one. The pleasant account you give me of Lady Huntington's Conciliabulum,[22] tho' so near me, was news to me. Yet for all that, not the less likely to be true, considering her ladyship's Character, made up of simplicity & mistaken piety. The Methodists have had her, tho'a

Churchwoman, as an usufruct for many years. It is true, she is every now & then ready to escape from them; and that is when they have drained her of her money with a more than ordinary rapacity. At those seasons she has her scruples, whether the sober propogation of the Gospel be not more usefull than this of her Zealots. And this she once confessed to me. But she always returned most cordially to them on the return of her financies [sic].

Your goodness to me, Sir, will make me shameless in the request I am about to make to you. You know the great value I sat [i.e. set] upon that small collection of Letters which you did me the honour to send me.[23] I lent it to my incomparable Friend, Lord Mansfield, who was so struck with the numberless curiosities that it contained, that, as he could not buy it, he would never let me have it back. I endeavoured to get another of the London Booksellers; but in vain; which forces me to beg that, if you have any copies remaining, you would favour me with one. For I set a great value on this small Collection both on account of its own intrinsic worth, & for the sake of the Collector; being with great truth,