seat of the Muses, rather than contract debts which might prove embarrassing. His plan was, to take orders, and, in the retirement of a curacy, to prosecute his studies in conjunction with the performance of clerical duties. This resolution he communicated to Mr. Tyrwhitt, who replied, "No! you must on no account quit Oxford. You must be my curate there for the next two years."

The assistance thus delicately offered was most gratefully accepted; and, for about that space of time, he received from Mr. Tyrwhitt a pecuniary contribution amounting to the ordinary salary of a curate, for the express purpose of enabling him to retain his situation in the university, and of pursuing, at ease, his learned studies.

A selection of letters and extracts from letters, addressed to Mr. Burgess by this amiable and generous friend, shall now be placed before my readers. Those which refer to subjects of verbal criticism connected with Dawes's Miscellanea Critica, are omitted, either wholly or in part, as having special reference to that work, and as unsuited to the taste of general readers. But many are of a more popular nature, and are distinguished by fine sense and critical discrimination, united to a delicate playfulness and humour, which impart to them no common charm. Various letters from other learned correspondents are also interspersed. They have reference to the pursuits and studies of Mr. Burgess, and therefore tend to illustrate his bio

graphy. It is justly remarked by Mr. Lockhart, in his Life of Sir Walter Scott, and he quotes Southey's Life of Cowper to the same effect, "that, from the style and tone of such letters, a man's character may often be gathered even more surely than from those written by himself * ;" and this is particularly true in the case of a man like Mr. Burgess, of a very retiring and modest disposition. Many of the letters addressed to him at this period have been preserved, but very few of his own have survived, excepting those addressed to Mr. Tyrwhitt, and nearly all of these are elaborately critical. Some few, of a different nature, are introduced.

Two or three letters were exchanged between them before they became personally acquainted. They had reference to the forthcoming edition of Dawes, and to some notes upon the work, from the pen of Mr. Tyrwhitt, to be inserted in the Appendix.

Previously to the date of the following, Mr. Burgess had called on Mr. Tyrwhitt, and had left on his mind, as will appear, a most pleasing impression.

Life of Sir W. Scott, vol. i. p. 158.

TO MR. BURGESS.

SIR,

THOUGH you seemed willing to allow me as much time as I should desire for drawing up my notes upon Dawes, I thought it best to dispatch them out of hand, lest a longer delay should lead you to expect something more considerable than I have to produce. I will beg the favour of you to read them over with attention, before you send them to the press, and to let me know if you observe any thing which you think wants to be corrected, or more clearly explained. As to style, I have been too little practised in writing Latin to attempt any elegance, but I should be sorry to break Priscian's head, or even to scratch him roughly; if, therefore, I have committed any such enormity, pray tell me of it. I must repeat my best thanks to you for the favour of your visit, and my regret that the shortness of your stay in town prevented me from seeing you again. It is a pleasure which I have very rarely experienced, to converse with one of your age who knows so much, and at the same time shows such an ingenuous and rational desire of learning more.

If at any time you should think that I can be of the least service to you, I desire you would apply to me freely, as you may be assured that I shall be

happy to take every opportunity of convincing you

that I am with real regard,

I AM really at a loss to express my respect in terms equal to what my gratitude would dictate. So much condescension and politeness, with such sincerity, have convinced me that I had not idly formed an early attachment to your name. It is my singular happiness to prove, by experience, the justice of that attachment; though the friendship, I should rather say the favour of Mr. Tyrwhitt, was what I had as little reason to expect as merit to deserve. I am very much obliged for your remarks on Dawes, which I received last Tuesday, and I join in the thanks which I anticipate from the reader for the accurate learning which they contain.

[Then follow two long pages, chiefly composed of critical remarks and questions relative to Dawes.] I cannot help mentioning a piece of University news, which I think will interest you. A scheme is much talked of, and is soon to be introduced into convocation, by which a fund is to be raised for the

purchasing of books for the Bodleian library, the defects of which we are now astonished should have been of so long continuance. The fund is to be raised principally from an increase of the matriculation fees, and an annual subscription from those who are entitled to the use of the Bodleian. I remain, Sir,

with sincerest respect,

T. BURGESS.

C. C. C., Nov. 16. 1779.

TO T. TYRWHITT, ESQ.

DEAR SIR,

I KNOW not how to abstain from repeating my best thanks for the freedom of your censures, and the unreservedness of your friendly counsel; but am afraid to venture on a subject in which the warmth of gratitude might, perhaps, give to my expressions the colouring of compliment.

I should think myself unworthy of your friendship, and of the favour of your correspondence, if I did not mention, especially after your polite and flattering request, what perhaps, when reconsidered, you might wish in one instance to alter in the Latinity of your remarks.

[Then follows a passage in which Mr. Burgess proposes a slight change in the Latinity of a sentence in Mr. Tyrwhitt's notes upon Dawes; a suggestion, which, as he had not to do with an Archbishop of Grenada, but a most amiable and candid