University of Virginia Library

Letter 15
14 June 1769
NLS: MS 25295, ff. 148-149

I had the honour of your obliging Letter of the 24 of last April: and I deferred my acknowlegment for it, till I had received, & carefully read your Preface & notes; which I lately received from your Brother,[42] to whom I have carefully returned them. I read them with much pleasure & instruction. They are written with the utmost judgment & knowlege of the subject; and enlivened here & there (tho' they did not want that help) with delicate strokes of Satire & ridicule, which these miserable times will force from every generous mind.

Your Lordship & I think alike with regard to the use of Religion to Society, and with regard to its truth. With regard to its use Ministers of State

are (tho' with the latest) brought to see their folly in fancying they could govern, without it. All the late & present disorders proceeding from their having long contributed to the taking this curb [cub?] from the jaws of this headstrong Monster, the People.

I heartily condole with your Lordship on your domestic loss.[43] The sweet plaintive lines occasioned by this loss, would make all your friends call to mind the,

Qualis Populea mærens Philomela sub umbra Amisos queritur foetus—