<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0192" id="link2H_4_0192"></SPAN></p>
<h2> LETTER CXC </h2>
<h3> LONDON, November 20, 1753 </h3>
<p>MY DEAR FRIEND: Two mails are now due from Holland, so that I have no
letter from you to acknowledge; but that, you know, by long experience,
does not hinder my writing to you. I always receive your letters with
pleasure; but I mean, and endeavor, that you should receive mine with some
profit; preferring always your advantage to my own pleasure.</p>
<p>If you find yourself well settled and naturalized at Manheim, stay there
some time, and do not leave a certain for an uncertain good; but if you
think you shall be as well, or better established at Munich, go there as
soon as you please; and if disappointed, you can always return to Manheim
I mentioned, in a former letter, your passing the Carnival at Berlin,
which I think may be both useful and pleasing to you; however, do as you
will; but let me know what you resolve: That King and that country have,
and will have, so great a share in the affairs of Europe, that they are
well worth being thoroughly known.</p>
<p>Whether, where you are now, or ever may be hereafter, you speak French,
German, or English most, I earnestly recommend to you a particular
attention to the propriety and elegance of your style; employ the best
words you can find in the language, avoid cacophony, and make your periods
as harmonious as you can. I need not, I am sure, tell you what you must
often have felt, how much the elegance of diction adorns the best
thoughts, and palliates the worst. In the House of Commons it is almost
everything; and, indeed, in every assembly, whether public or private.
Words, which are the dress of thoughts, deserve surely more care than
clothes, which are only the dress of the person, and which, however, ought
to have their share of attention. If you attend to your style in any one
language, it will give you a habit of attending to it in every other; and
if once you speak either French or German very elegantly, you will
afterward speak much the better English for it. I repeat it to you again,
for at least the thousandth time, exert your whole attention now in
acquiring the ornamental parts of character. People know very little of
the world, and talk nonsense, when they talk of plainness and solidity
unadorned: they will do in nothing; mankind has been long out of a state
of nature, and the golden age of native simplicity will never return.
Whether for the better or the worse, no matter; but we are refined; and
plain manners, plain dress, and plain diction, would as little do in life,
as acorns, herbage, and the water of the neighboring spring, would do at
table. Some people are just come, who interrupt me in the middle of my
sermon; so good-night.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0193" id="link2H_4_0193"></SPAN></p>
<h2> LETTER CXCI </h2>
<h3> LONDON, November 26, 1753 </h3>
<p>DEAR FRIEND: Fine doings at Manheim! If one may give credit to the weekly
histories of Monsieur Roderigue, the finest writer among the moderns; not
only 'des chasses brillantes et nombreuses des operas ou les acteurs se
surpassent les jours des Saints de L. L. A. A. E. E. serenissimes
celebres; en grand gala'; but to crown the whole, Monsieur Zuchmantel is
happily arrived, and Monsieur Wartenslebeu hourly expected. I hope that
you are 'pars magna' of all these delights; though, as Noll Bluff says, in
the "Old Bachelor," THAT RASCALLY GAZETTEER TAKES NO MORE NOTICE OF YOU
THAN IF YOU WERE NOT IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. I should think that he
might at least have taken notice that in these rejoicings you appeared
with a rejoicing, and not a gloomy countenance; and you distinguished
yourself in that numerous and shining company, by your air, dress,
address, and attentions. If this was the case, as I will both hope and
suppose it was, I will, if you require it, have him written to, to do you
justice in his next 'supplement'. Seriously, I am very glad that you are
whirled in that 'tourbillon' of pleasures; they smooth, polish, and rub
off rough corners: perhaps too, you have some particular COLLISION, which
is still more effectual.</p>
<p>Schannat's "History of the Palatinate" was, I find, written originally in
German, in which language I suppose it is that you have read it; but, as I
must humbly content myself with the French translation, Vaillant has sent
for it for me from Holland, so that I have not yet read it. While you are
in the Palatinate, you do very well to read everything relative to it; you
will do still better if you make that reading the foundation of your
inquiries into the more minute circumstances and anecdotes of that
country, whenever you are in company with informed and knowing people.</p>
<p>The Ministers here, intimidated on the absurd and groundless clamors of
the mob, have, very weakly in my mind, repealed, this session, the bill
which they had passed in the last for rendering Jews capable of being
naturalized by subsequent acts of parliament. The clamorers triumph, and
will doubtless make further demands, which, if not granted, this piece of
complaisance will soon be forgotten. Nothing is truer in politics, than
this reflection of the Cardinal de Retz, 'Que le peuple craint toujours
quand on ne le craint pas'; and consequently they grow unreasonable and
insolent, when they find that they are feared. Wise and honest governors
will never, if they can help it, give the people just cause to complain;
but then, on the other hand, they will firmly withstand groundless clamor.
Besides that this noise against the Jew bill proceeds from that narrow
mobspirit of INTOLERATION in religious, and inhospitality in civil
matters; both which all wise governments should oppose.</p>
<p>The confusion in France increases daily, as, no doubt, you are informed
where you are. There is an answer of the clergy to the remonstrances of
the parliament, lately published, which was sent me by the last post from
France, and which I would have sent you, inclosed in this, were it not too
bulky. Very probably you may see it at Manheim, from the French Minister:
it is very well worth your reading, being most artfully and plausibly
written, though founded upon false principles; the 'jus divinum' of the
clergy, and consequently their supremacy in all matters of faith and
doctrine are asserted; both which I absolutely deny. Were those two points
allowed the clergy of any country whatsoever, they must necessarily govern
that country absolutely; everything being, directly or indirectly,
relative to faith or doctrine; and whoever is supposed to have the power
of saving and damning souls to all eternity (which power the clergy
pretend to), will be much more considered, and better obeyed, than any
civil power that forms no pretensions beyond this world. Whereas, in
truth, the clergy in every country are, like all other subjects, dependent
upon the supreme legislative power, and are appointed by that power under
whatever restrictions and limitations it pleases, to keep up decency and
decorum in the church, just as constables are to keep peace in the parish.
This Fra Paolo has clearly proved, even upon their own principles of the
Old and New Testament, in his book 'de Beneficiis', which I recommend to
you to read with attention; it is short. Adieu.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.