him, that I want to change the plan of my children's education. You have often heard me talk of schools with horror. Before I received yours, I had been on the search of a person in whom I might repose the greatest trust I shall ever have in my power to place in any man; for it is not Greek and Latin that I am most anxious about, 'tis the formation of the heart-the instilling into the tender ductile plant, noble generous sentiments, real religion, moral virtue, enthusiasm for our country, its laws and liberties; in short, ideas fit for the situations my children, especially my eldest boy, will, in all probability, be in; the man who does this, or indeed attempts it honestly, (for who can answer for the success of the wisest education) must be my friend, and will most certainly find me extremely his. A person fit to take this great line, cannot, must not, be embarrassed with teaching the first rudiments of education. I should therefore provide some other person for that, under his eye. I have now opened my heart to you, and have given you, dear Home, more data to go upon. You will now be a better judge of the important commission you kindly take in hand. I expect every post to hear of Agis-you know I am to be feasted with the acts as they are completed. "I am this minute come from Harrowgate, where I found Mountstuart proud of having made his first essay for the silver arrow; and not far off a victory. He enquires after his friend, as well as Frederick; and hopes Agis will make him amends for the loss of Douglas. All are well here, and all your warm "I observe in your last letter that you make no mention of the length you are got in your play. Though I long to see you, yet it is so impossible for you to do any business here, that I own I should, (though against myself,) advise remaining in Scotland to finish it, unless you propose putting it off to another winter, which may be perhaps the most prudent measure. I have now read again and again your friend's* history, and cannot express how much it pleases me; the opening and winding up are magnificent; the characters equal to any thing I ever read; and the style noble, animated, and pure. I protest, in my opinion, it stands the first history in the English tongue. I hope he will hear as much from others; and that, encouraged by the just reward of superior merit, he will procure new laurels * Dr Robertson's. by some other masterpiece. I hope he has got some good hand to do it justice in a French translation; for I should be grieved to hear of its appearing mutilated in a foreign dress. Adieu, "DEAR HOME, "Yours, most entirely, "London, February 20th, 1759." "DEAR HOME, "BUTE. "As I may probably continue the next winter abroad, I send this letter by George Johnson, to be delivered into your own hand. I assure you I am sorry to go without you; and yet, for the reason I mentioned in my last, you will see with me, the necessity of it; besides, if you are here next winter, I know your warm heart so well, that I am certain you will not suffer me to be calumniated and abused in my absence, without taking proper methods of answering these infamous wretches, where it is necessary or expedient; and I shall also expect to know the state of things from you, with more freedom than from others; in short, if you are here, I know I have a warm and zealous friend in this pandemonium, who will not leave me in ignorance of any thing material that comes to his knowledge. When once I know your motions and your time, I will apprize you how to direct to me, as I shall leave my name behind me, for these vipers to spread their venom on; for, believe me, whatever advantage to my health this odious journey may be of, I know too well the turn of faction to suppose my absence is to diminish the violence I have for so many years experienced-a violence and abuse that no fear has made me too sensible to; and perhaps the more, that I may think I merit a distinguished treatment, of a very opposite nature, from a people I have served at the risk of my head. I have tried philosophy in vain, my dear Home. I cannot acquire callosity; and were it not for something still nearer to me-still more deeply interesting-I would prefer common necessaries in Bute, France, Italy, nay, Holland, to 50,000l. a-year, within the atmosphere of this vile place. But see it I must; so fate decrees; and I am doomed, therefore, to experience, to my last minute, all the consequences Adieu, dear Home, and depend upon it, if I live to return, you will have restored to you, in my presence, a very cordial and affectionate friend, "BUTE. "London, July 27th, 1768.” "Venice, October 5th, 1770. "I have just received your letter, my worthy bard, and wish you every happiness your heart can desire in your new situation. It is, of all others, that in which there exists no medium. Felicity or misery must attend it,—may the first be your constant lot; for I know you well enough to be certain that was your whole aim; and that you are incapable of those sordid interested views, that form the basis of modern alliance, where the heart never has any share, and even desire is often wanting; which passion, common to all animals, is, however, the only thing this age christens by the name of Love-void of tender feelings, and real delicacy. Where the half-crown does not make the match, brutal desire is alone substituted for those exquisite sensations those raptures in which the soul and body have an equal share; and which, with me, makes the essence of that universal passion I call love; this enjoyment cannot pall, nor age or sickness weaken. May you both experience this superior bliss, to the last hour of life. I have but a poor account to give of myself. Near three months of this envenomed Sirocco has lain heavy on me; and I am grown such a stripling, or rather a withered old man, that I now appear thin in white clothes that I looked Herculean in when I was 20. I hope I may get better, if permitted to enjoy that peace, that liberty, which is the birth-right of the meanest Briton, but which has been long denied me. Adieu, DEAR HOME, "Yours, most affectionately, "BUTE." |