affairs at laft, in fuch a manner as to make you amends for all the trouble you have gone through. When I endeavoured to affift you, I believed at that time there was power; I have had fince fome reason to believe there is none: and I had rather attributé to the want of this, than to the want of inclination, any coldness which you may find. The books were here at my arrival; and I am very thankful to you for them. I have gone through all that I propofed to myself in the way of studying, wherein I was, when you gave us your good company. I never intended to do more than to examine, as well as I was able, the foundations on which thofe fyftems of Chronology and Ancient History which obtain in our Western world are built, à fin de fçavoir à quoy tenir. I have done this; and I have no more defire to pursue this ftudy any further, than I have to be a proficient in Judicial Aftrology. Who can refolve to build, with great coft and pains, when he finds how deep foever he digs, nothing but loose fand? Some have been fo pleased with a high and lofty fituation, that they have ventured upon this project; for my part, I incline not to imitate them; and to carry the fimilitude a little further, when fuch buildings are raised, I may be tempted to take a curfory view of them, but I can by no means refolve to dwell in them, a limine falutanda funt. m'en Since my being here, I have feen very few people; our friend the Abbe Conti but once: and then, he was was fo much out of order, that my converfation with him was very fuccinct. He has begun a Philofophical Poem, which will be finished, I believe, long before the Anti-Lucretius of the Cardinal de Polignac. Sir Ifaac Newton's System will make the principal beauty of it. He recited the exorde to me, which I thought very fine; I need not tell you that he writes it in Italian. My fellow hermit is very affectionately your humble fervant fhe defires you would, for the prefent, give yourself no further trouble about the affair of Monfieur de la Roche Jacquelin. Adieu, dear Sir. I am, with all poffible esteem, Yours, etc. INSCRIP INSCRIPTIONS in the Gardens of the Chateau de la PROPTER FIDEM, ADVERSUS REGINAM INTEMERATE SERVATAM, PROPTER OPERAM IN PACE GENERALI STRENUE SALTEM NAVATAM: INJUSTE EXULAT DULCE VIVIT *H. M. B. 1722. SI RESIPISCAT PATRIA, IN PATRIAM SI NON RESIPISCAT, UBIVIS MELIUS INSOLENTEM CERNERE SUAVE EST. HIC, MORTEM NEC APPETENS, NEC TIMENS, INNOCUIS DELICIIS ET FELICIS ANIMI IMMOTA TRANQUILLITATE HIC, MIHI VIVAM, QUOD SUPEREST, AUT * Viz. Henry Marcilly Bolingbroke. This and the following Infcription, in the hand-writing of Lord Bolingbroke, were inclosed in the foregoing Letter. LETTERS то RALPH ALLEN, ESQ. I LETTER I. MR. POPE TO MR. ALLEN. Twitnam, April 30, 1736. SAW Mr. M. yesterday, who has readily allowed Mr. V. to copy the Picture. I have inquired for the best Originals of those two fubjects, which, I found, were favourite ones with you, and well deferve to be fo, the discovery of Jofeph to his Brethren, and the Refignation of the Captive by Scipio. Of the latter, my Lord Burlington has a fine one done by Ricci, and I am promised the other in a good Print from one of the chief Italian Painters. That of Scipio is of the exact fize one would wish for a Baffo Relievo, in which manner, in my opinion, you would best ornament your Hall, done in Chiaro obfcuro. A man not only fhews his Tafte, but his Virtue, in the choice of fuch ornaments: and whatever example most strikes us, we may reasonably imagine, may have an influence upon others. So that the History History itself, if well chofen, upon a rich man's walls, is very often a better leffon than any he could teach by his converfation. In this fenfe, the Stones may be faid to speak when Men cannot, or will not. I can't help thinking (and I know you'll join with me, you who have been making an Altar-piece) that the zeal of the first Reformers was ill-placed, in removing Pictures (that is to fay, examples) out of Churches; and yet fuffering Epitaphs (that is to fay, flatteries and false history) to be the burden of Church walls, and the shame, as well as derifion, of all honest men. I have heard little yet of the fubfcription". I intend to make a vifit for a fortnight from home to Lady Peterborow at Southampton, about the middle of May. After my return I will enquire what has been done; and I really believe, what I told you will prove true, and I shall be honourably acquitted of a task I am not fond of. I have run out my leaf, and will only add my fincere wishes for your happiness of all kinds. I am, etc. * For his own Edit. of the ift Vol. of his Letters, undertaken at Mr. Allen's request. The printing his Letters by fubfcription. W. W. |