BOOK I.

I observe they meet with very great approbation even from the youngest speakers; especially if drawn from English history, or if relative to the constitution. These topics are so familiar, and yet so interesting, that they always strike, and are never heard without pleasure. A young man, who shews but a very small knowledge on these subjects, is almost adored. Flowers of rhetoric, especially in style and expression, are a good deal more dangerous; and I could name several, whom their attachment to this sort of speaking has absolutely spoilt: for ornament without matter is of all things I know the most disgusting. And I look upon attempts of this kind as the more foolish, that I am convinced whoever makes it a rule never to speak without a knowledge of his subject, must by degrees acquire as much of rhetoric and ornament as is necessary; and am satisfied, that what leads into the other preposterous method, is mere laziness and aversion to business. But whatever may be in this, the surest way of becoming remarkable here is certainly application to business; for whoever understands it, must make a figure."

From Mr Os WALD to Mr HOME.

"4th February 1742.

"I wrote you last post, that parties were in some measure come to a crisis, and that we were in expectation

of

of a debate upon the supplies, which would probably determine the dispute about power. The affair is now over. Sir Robert, on the night of our division upon the Chippenham election, divested himself of all his employments; and, the next day, the King, coming to the H. of Peers, signified his pleasure that the two Houses should adjourn for a fortnight. The intention of this was to give his Majesty time to choose his new Ministry. You may guess what a scramble there is like to be about places, &c. Perhaps our new Ministry may continue honest men even after they get power: but I would not have the safety of my country depend upon a chance; and such, a virtuous Ministry is, and always must be.”

CHAP. III.

From Mr OSWALD to Mr HOME.

"6th March 1742..

"As to the two different plans of administration, though I am a profest sceptic as to political events, yet I don't know how, I have become a sort of dogmatist in fa-vour of the broad bottom; it seemed to me to be the only proper plan of settling both the constitution and administration on a solid and formidable foundation: And as to its reverse, I always abhorred it; because I saw it must necessarily have been carried on by a much wider system of corruption than that employed by the last administra

1

BOOK I.

tion. But this you will say, though it might be a good reason enough for not approving it, yet it might not perhaps be quite so good to infer its want of success. Corruption is at all times a powerful engine; but how much more powerful must it prove, when it is to be employed by the ablest; and the scheme for which it is to be employed, is, from a strange fatality, to be patronized by the honestest and most disinterested men in the nation? Yet, notwithstanding of these apparent difficulties, I continued firm to my opinion; and the narrow bottom, in my judg ment, remained still both a wicked and impracticable plan. You will remember how your friend David Hume and you used to laugh at a most sublime declamation I one night made, after a drunken expedition to Cupar, on the impotency of corruption in certain circumstances: how I maintained, that on certain occasions men felt, or seemed to feel a certain dignity in themselves, which made them disdain to act on sordid motives; and how I imagined it to be extremely possible in such situations, that even the lowest of men might become superior to the highest temptations. What those circumstances, occasions, and situations are, I feel much better than I can express. The cause of this I am not philosopher enough to determine; but the phenomenon is certain: And in some such circumstances or situation, the generality of a great assembly were, I think, obviously, lately; and are, in my opinion, in some degree still.".

From

66

From Mr OSWALD to Mr HOME.

"DEAR HARRY,

Nothing can be more agreeable to me, than either to recommend our friend Hume or his book. In either of these cases, the person who recommends, does himself, in my opinion, an honour, as he becomes, in some degree, a sharer of that merit which is in both. But you cannot imagine what a difficult matter it is here at present, to fix any man's attention, but for a moment, upon any abstract subject.Such is the general indolence of mind, that one flashy, lively thing, whether in thought or expression, though in the midst of trash, is more greedily swallowed than the most elegant piece of reasoning. However, there are some of the young people about the Prince who seem to have a good taste. I go to no Court myself; but, as I have an oppor-tunity of seeing some of these gentlemen, I will do what I can to excite their curiosity, and shall afterwards let you know their sentiments.I met yesterday in a bookseller's shop with three new parts of Marianne, which I don't know you have yet got at Edinburgh. If not, let me know, and I will send you them down. A ninth part came out some time ago, but was spurious. The others I fancy are by your friend Marivaux. The pictures I think are entirely in his style, and the reflections both natural and delicate. I will no further anticipate your pleasure in reading them."

if

VOL. I.

L

From

CHAP. III.

"You write me, that it is said in Scotland I absented myself on the Triennial Bill. It is true, I did so; for I thought it an extreme doubtful point, so far as from information I could form any judgment. My not having such sufficient information as I could have wished, concurred to confirm me in thinking it most proper not to give any judgment upon it at all. The nation has now had nearly a pretty equal trial of Triennial and Septennial Parlia ments. Neither of them can be called more constitutional than the other. Whichsoever, therefore, by experience may be said to answer best the purposes of a representation of the people, ought to be, singly from that consideration, preferred. During Triennial Parliaments there was not so much corruption, but there was more canvassing in elections, and business was transacted with greater confusion. Controverted elections generally engrossed the first session; and the last was deserted by all who found it necessary to go down to support their interests in the country. The Crown had as great influence by places and promises; and that more money was not then employed, ought not perhaps to be ascribed so much to the difference betwixt a Triennial and Septennial duration, as to this obvious cause, that corruption was not then so general. In a word, it was doubtful, I

thought,