full of ease, nature, and good sense; though, with regard to their sentiments, it is to be lamented, that his misanthropy is too frequently apparent. The same strain of pleasantry and piquant irony, which often distinguish his more digested works, is to be met with in many of his letters, which appear, indeed, as he said of his face, to present a picture of his heart. But, whether we consider the matter or the manner, the letters of Arbuthnot, though his celebrity was less, are not inferior to any in this collection. Lord Bolingbroke was distinguished, in his epistolary correspondence, for the same energetic and masterly conception and diction, which characterize his political and philosophical writings; but his letters are destitute of that ease and simplicity, which are the chief beauties of this species of composition. Many of his sentiments display correctness of thought, and nobleness of feeling. His mention of those whom he most loved, is touching and impressive. In the condemnation of his early vices, and the description of his serenity of mind after he had abandoned them, he has infused a strong and pleasing interest. The letters of Gay exhibit a few (though but very few) fine sallies. They are, indeed, very inferior to his other compositions; and even those, perhaps, have been over-praised. Though he had been much at court, his compliments are common-place, and destitute of that elegance and delicacy, which should constitute their principal charm. The correspondence of Gay and West with their friends, is the most thoroughly literary of any extant, and is yet entirely divested of stiffness. From this might be culled some exquisite sweets. Next to that of Pope and Swift, it is the most interesting we possess. Our old friend Yorick is just the same Yorick, in writing his familiar letters, as he is in his celebrated journey,-fascinating, joyous, grievous, eccentric, with the same strong tincture of affectation. His style, resembling conversation, is well adapted to letters, though his are far from being, on the whole, good models. The admirers of Shenstone will be disappointed, if they expect to find in his letters, the excellence which might be looked for from the beauty of his poetry, and the simplicity and good sense of his essays. They are, indeed, mere common-place productions, without any distinguishing characteristic. The enthusiasm of Ignatius Sancho renders his letters attractive. His philanthropic anxiety for the welfare of his race, is expressed in a manner the most natural and affecting. VOL. 111. PART II. C C Good sense, as well as deep feeling, are obvious; and his manner somewhat resembles that of his favourite Sterne, though devoid of servile imitation. The celebrated Letters of Lord Chesterfield to his Son, considered merely as pieces of composition, are admirable specimens of epistolary correspondence. Easy, correct, elegant, sensible,-they leave us nothing to wish, but that they had never been deformed by foppery and licentiousness. They abound in excellent instruction, communicated in an interesting manner; and their perusal cannot fail to improve. His Lordship's epistles to the Bishop of Waterford and to Mr. Dayrolles are interesting, and discover many amiable traits of character; but they are inferior to his other series. If the letters of Lord Littleton deserve no particular censure, they are entitled to little praise. Bishop Hoadley's epistolary style is quaint, involved, and antiquated; destitute, in short, of every quality which it ought to possess. The letters of Dr. Johnson, though not remarkable for their ease, are yet free from that excess of pomp, which distinguishes his other productions. The moral reflections with which they abound are excellent. Many passages are pathetic and affecting; for few felt more deeply than he, or knew better how to move the feelings of others. Some of his letters to Boswell, Baretti, and Drummond, are very beautiful, and somewhat in the style of the ancients. Sir William Jones, Gibbon, Cowper, and Beattie, have left us many fine letters: Those of Cowper, though enveveloped in general gloom, are often enlivened by a vivid flash. Richardson's are eccentric, without being entertaining: and those of Lady Wortley Montague are entertaining, without being eccentric. They are, indeed, distinguished by the ease, vivacity, spirit, and good sense of Mad. de Sévigné, whom, in some points, her Ladyship surpasses. The Letters of Horace Walpole, which have lately made their appearance, after reposing in the shades of obscurity upwards of forty years, are marked by that frivolity, which, in many respects, distinguished the character of the writer. Some of the most excellent specimens, and celebrated collections of epistolary correspondence, have been thus hastily glanced at, more for the purpose of reviving recollections, than of presenting a detailed view, either historical or critical; which, it is needless to say, has not been given. From such examples, we may learn, as well what to shun as what to imitate. The present outline of the lecture on this sub ject, of which, for brevity's sake, the heads only have been given, will be concluded by a few hints on the different kinds of letters, and on letter-writing in general. Letters of business require only to be clear, simple, and correct; the shorter the better, consistently with that degree of explicit precision, which the nature of the communication may demand. Ornament is here out of place. Correspondence. of this sort, like Thomson's Musidora, "is, when unadorned, adorned the most." Whatever may be the source of beauty in general, in this branch of writing, utility is its basis. But letters of business, like those of every other species, must vary in their style, according to the occasions on which they are written, and the subjects to which they relate. They may exhibit the merest dryness of commercial instructions, or the grave interest of serious statement and observation. It is not even impossible, that a jocular strain may sometimes be expedient; for badinage in business is sometimes turned to good account. How letters of introduction should be written, must depend as well on the connexion subsisting between the writer and the person addressed, as on the object of the introduction. Letters of supplication or remonstrance must be regulated by similar considerations; and, indeed, no general rule can be given, but to keep steadily the end in view, to lay aside all airs of affectation, and to be governed only by the dictates of good sense. From the affairs of business, we proceed to the communications of friendship. These, of course, in their nature are as various as the thoughts, the feelings, the pursuits, and the designs of mankind. Letters of friendship are often merely of the gossiping or chatty kind; at other times, friends pour out to each other their whole souls,-their joys, their sorrows, their hopes, their fears. Some ask, and others give, advice. Some indulge in pleasantry; others moralize; others describe and narrate. Thus diversified in their character, it must be obvious, that such letters should present alike in their substance, spirit, tone, and diction, distinguishing charac teristics. Even letters of mere chit-chat are often entertaining; and, when sprinkled over with sensible reflections, they become valuable. It would be well, as Mad. de Sévigné observes, if gossips would not so often supply the want of sense by a profusion of words; though she is herself sufficiently blameable in this respect. But the more serious and important sort of correspondence between intimate and intelligent friends, of which much may be found in the collections before adverted to, excites at once the deepest interest, and conveys the most important instruction. To be able to write such letters, is an object of the noblest ambition; because such a talent is inseparably connected with all that can exalt the intellect or refine the heart. Friendship naturally conducts us to love; but love-letters are beyond critical jurisdiction. They soar above all earthly authority. They are too ethereal to be confined within any limits but those of passion. Correspondence which relates to such beings as goddesses and angels, and breathes only adoration and enchantment, is subject to no laws but those of Cupid or Venus, and is quite free from the judgment of Apollo or Minerva. From communications of so exalted a nature, we, therefore, descend to notice complimentary letters, and the usual forms of address and conclusion. Letters of mere compliment, whether expressing condolence, congratulation, or praise, are displeasing in idea to all, who have a just sense of sincere friendship; and expressions of honour for those we despise, as well as of respect, obedience, and humility, for which there is no ground, can hardly fail, if considered, to have a similar effect. Perhaps, however, they ought to be regarded as a sacrifice of unmeaning form, offered at the shrine of custom, and undeserving of severe reflection, when not employed to deceive. Yet the simple "farewell!" of the ancients was far preferable, both in point of taste and moral feeling. Though it has been justly remarked, that familiar letters display the real characters of their writers, it is nevertheless observable, that persons the most interesting in conversation, are sometimes the most insipid in their correspondence; and that they who are the writers of the most intelligent letters, are sometimes the dullest companions. This clearly shews the distinct nature of the two qualities, which both require cultivation, in order to the attainment of excellence. At the same time, with a due share of attention, epistolary correspondence appears to be that species of composition, for excelling in which there are the greatest facilities; and, when its importance and utility are considered, it is astonishing that letters, even of well-educated persons, should so often be deficient in the qualities, which ought ever to appear in such productions. Making due allowance for the difference of subjects, the perfection of letter-writing, on general topics, seems to consist in vivacity of thought and ease of expression, combined with simplicity, perspicuity, freedom, and correctness. A letter should, indeed, transmit our thoughts and feelings in the same free and spontaneous manner, as if we were conversing with our correspondent. Propriety of sentiment, and accuracy of style, should never appear to be the result of art or study, whatever attention may be necessary to acquire them. "Ars est celare artem," is a maxim which ought especially to be borne in mind, by those who wish to excel in epistolary composition: no pains can be too much to take, nor too little to display. More playful trifling may often be allowed in this kind of writing, than in others of a more serious and formal nature; but taste and good sense ́must preside, or this licence will become dangerous. Upon such an art as that of letter-writing, it is scarcely possible to set too high a value. It enables us to communicate with our friends in the remotest parts of the world, and thus to confer on limited man a species or degree of ubiquity. At one and the same time, we may hear from and reply to those whom we esteem and love, in every quarter of the globe. The miseries of absence are thus diminished, and the pleasures of friendship in some measure preserved, even in spite of separation. Much of the prosperity and happiness of human beings is attributable to the communication of their thoughts by means of letters, which has tended, in no small degree, to hasten the progress of civilization itself. This art is one of the most desirable to be studied and acquired in youth, because it is one of the most important and delightful that can be exercised in maturity. It adds dignity to rank, and ornament to splendour; it gives refine ment to wealth, and value to poverty. It is of infinite service to every class and condition in society; indispensable to some, and important to all. No where is the "utile dulci" more conspicuous, than in epistolary correspondence; for its benefits are incalculable, and its pleasures countless.-Can any thing further be wanting to recommend its cultivation ? SONNET. FEW, but my friends !-nor need I more,-oh, ye At the presumption now, and vanity, Which sent abroad the tones of such a harp And full of splenetic envy, as may be. My course from Nature's, which is ever free :- Was all unworthy, and toil thrown away; Nor were those weak years in much weaker rage H. |