Our nobility would find their vanity gratified; for, as the pedigrees of their steeds would soon grow tiresome, their own genealogies would replace them, and in the mean time poetry and medals would be improved. Their lordships would have judgment enough to know if their horse (which should be the impression on one side) were not well executed; and, as I hold that there is no being more difficult to draw well than a horse, no bad artist could be employed. Such a beginning would lead farther; and the cup or plate for the prize might rise into beautiful vases. But this is a vision; and I may as well go to bed and dream of any thing else. I do not return the ode, which I flatter myself you meant I should keep.

P. S. I must not forget how difficult it is to write to a given tune, especially with so much ease as you have done; and nothing is more happy than making" November smile as May."

DR. JOHN ANDERSON TO MR. PINKERTON.

Sept. 4th, 1788.

I heartily thank you, in the name of all my friends, for the Hymn to Liberty, which you were so good as to send me in your letter of the 16th of the last month. It is much admired, particularly the plan, the absence of hard words, and Pindaric flights, and the eighth verse (and soon the), which is thought equal to any thing that could have been written upon the occasion by Lucan and

Milton, while at the same time it is historically correct. Some various readings have been proposed, which you will be pleased to adopt, to alter, or to amend. The whole, to wit, the Toasts, Song, and Hymn, will be printed in a sheet for the use of the drinkers and singers; and it is wished to get it inserted in the London Chronicle, and Gentleman's Magazine, a few days after the 4th of November next is past. After I shall have received your corrections, some of the printed copies shall be sent you by water in a bale to Elmsley.

Again and again I thank you heartily for your hymn, and beg that you will be so good as to send me your corrections of the above readings. Some of the above notes, and my seal upon this letter, will show you that I belong to a Whig family.

THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO MR.

PINKERTON.

Strawberry Hill, Oct. 15th, 1788.

I am rather sorry to hear that you are going to be the editor of another's work, who are so infinitely better employed when composing yourself: however, as it will be on a branch of virtù that I love, I comfort myself, from your taste and accuracy, that it will be better executed than by any one else.

I will execute your commissions; but you must give me a little time. The gout has lamed my fingers, and I cannot use them much at a time; and I doubt it has made me a little indolent too. Age, you may be sure, has not improved my

sight, and Vertue's manuscripts are not only a heap of immethodic confusion, but are written in so very diminutive a hand, that, many years ago, when I collected my Anecdotes from them and had very strong eyes, I was often forced to use a magnifying-glass. Should you be impatient, will you come and search those manuscripts yourself? Next, will you come next Sunday hither, and pass the whole day, if you please, in the examination?

I do not recollect three medals of my father. One, I think, was struck by Natter, who was much patronised by my brother, Sir Edward, and who also engraved two or three seals of Sir Robert's head. The consular figure on the reverse of the medal I mean, was intended for Cicero; but I believe it was copied from a statue belonging to the late Earl of Leicester at Holkham, and which, if I do not mistake at this distance of time, is called Lucius Antonius. I do not know that any medal of my father was struck on any particular occasion. That I mention and Dassier's were honorary, as of a considerable person; and his being prime minister might have a little share in the compliment. Of Dassier I know no more than I have said in the Anecdotes of Painting.

I am ignorant who has the medal of the Duchess of Portsmouth: perhaps you might learn of Mr. Bindley, Commissioner of the Excise, and who lives in Somerset House. He had a great collection of modern medals, but sold them. Perhaps the Duke of Devonshire has the medal in question you might learn of Doctor Lort; or I

VOL. I.