historical painting and animation, which are points I have always in view in describing great events. I am sorry to find that Dr. Anderson's Bee is little encouraged in Scotland. It is a work of merit. THE EARL OF ORFORD TO MR. PINKERTON. Strawberry Hill, Sept. 25th, 1793. I believe I did see the Bishop of Salisbury* a great many years ago, but had not the smallest acquaintance with him, even by words; and it is so long since, that I do not believe I should recollect him, were we to meet, which is not likely, as I go so little any where, and therefore it is quite out of my power to assist you in consulting him. Indeed, Sir, I am a most infirm and almost wornout old man, fit for nothing. I have been very ill * John Douglas, D.D. made Bishop of Salisbury in 1791, one of the most eminent scholars and critics of the day, and sure to live, long after his detections of Lauder and Bowyer and his pamphlets in favor of the administration are forgotten, as the friend of Goldsmith, commemorated in the following lines: "Here Douglas retires, from his toils to relax, "I fear'd for your safety, I fear'd for my own; "Our Townshend make speeches, and I shall compile." with the gout, as you heard, and voided, from a finger of the right hand, with which, however, as you see, I can still write, though very slowly, a chalk-stone that literally weighs four grains and a half; and I have others near coming forth: the other hand and arm too are gouty all over. One cannot expect health and strength, if one will live to seventy-six. I do not complain of a natural lot; and I only mention these circumstances, as the causes of my little connexion with the world. If decrepitude exposes itself, it must be laughed at or pitied; and neither is pleasant. SIR JOSEPH BANKS TO MR. PINKERTON. Soho Square, Dec. 8th, 1793. Nothing can, in my opinion, be more honorable to a man who has any pretensions to literature, than being allowed to enrol himself as an early approver of the valuable undertaking you have in view it is surely a disgrace to this country not to have a regular edition of its early historians: our literary progress as a nation is in that point materially behind hand. To you, Sir, and my friend Gibbon, who busy yourselves in an attempt to rescue us from the reproach of having neglected our early history, not thanks only, but all possible assistance and encouragement are surely due from those who cultivate letters in every shape. By the tenor of yours it seems probable that you have received a letter from Mr. Browne since you were so good as to communicate to me; the last of which was, if I recollect right, dated April 18th last if you have, the favor of a sight of it will be a great indulgence. A Mr. Baldwin, who met Mr. Browne in Egypt, and was favored by him with a copy of his drawing of the Sacellum he met with near Siwa, will exhibit that and many other drawings collected by him in the East, at Sir Charles Blagden's, Upper Brook Street, No. 47, on Wednesday next, at twelve o'clock. Sir Charles has desired me to say to you, that he will be happy to see you, if your curiosity should lead you to meet Mr. Baldwin at his house. MR. ASTLE TO MR PINKERTON. Battersea Rise, Dec. 10th, 1793. I thank you for acquainting me with Mr. Gibbon's gigantic plan.-I agree with him in opinion that you are the most proper person in England to execute it; and you may depend on my best services; but the undertaking will be so expensive, that it ought to be well considered: thirty and fifty guineas are large sums; and in my opinion the subscription will not equal the ex pense. Had you not better print such of the English historians as have not yet been published? I can mention several: this would be a work of moderate expense. VOL. I. Y I will think of what you mention respecting the British Museum. Where can I find Mr. Gibbon ? Pray tell him I have procured for the British Museum a complete copy of the Acta Sanctorum. MR. SIBBALD* TO MR. PINKERTON. Edinburgh, Dec. 1793. I duly received your esteemed and very obliging favor, and immediately put a copy of the list, together with your second vol. of the Maitland, into the hands of a person well qualified to inspect the Bannatyne manuscript. After he had been for some time thus employed, to my great surprise, he received an order to desist, until a formal order should be obtained; and this order has not yet been got. I have not been able to procure Colyear nor Forbes; but I have seen the latter, which is in the hands of a lady who will not part with it. I understand there is also a copy of it in the possession of John Trotter, Esq. of Morton Hall. I dare say you have seen the book:-in case you have not, I shall give you some idea of the contents. It is a small 4to, printed by Forbes, printer Mr. James Sibbald, bookseller in Edinburgh, published the Chronicle of Scottish Poetry from the thirteenth century to the Union of the Crowns, with a Glossary, 1802, 2 vols. 8vo, and died soon after its publication. at Aberdeen-contains fifty-five cantos, songs, and fancies, and thirteen Italian and new English ayres." The fifty-five seem also almost entirely English, at least I never saw any of them in a Scotish song-book of this century, save three or four. "The gowans are gay; "You minor beauties of the night;" 66 She is the fairest of her days;" "Over the mountains and under the caves ;" and "Now is the month of Maying;" and none of these can properly be said to belong to the Scotish muse. The last is the same air as the chorus-" Come now for mirth and playing." "Remember, O! thou man," is unquestionably the root of" God save the King." The finest air in the collection is, "When father Adam first did flee, "The cloaths was short, scarce coverit his knee, I should be glad to hear that this is not in the old English music-books :-it would do honor to Scotland. You can easily learn. Good airs are also, "Like as the lark within the Marleon's foot;' "Joy to the person of my love;" When May is in her prime;" "White as lilies was her face;" "There is a thing that much is used." The Italian are all by Castoldi. The new English by Henry Lewis, Simon Ives, William Webb, John Savile, and Dr. Wilson. Not a word of Scotish music in his long |