Fitzosborne's letters, on several subjects

Front matter

PR

3 548 ilHi

■ in h h

LETTER I. To Clytander. — Concerning enthusiasm, » . 1

II. To Philotes. — On portrait painting, 3

III. To Palamedes. — Reflection son the Roman triumphs 6

IV. To Philotes.—Qn his travels, 10

V. To Clytander. — On the veneration paid to the an-

cients, 12

VI. To Orontes. — The character of Varus, ... 14

VII. To Hortensius. — Returning him thanks for a pre-

sent of brawn : with an account of the author's manner of celebrating the feast, .... 1§

VIII. To Clytander. — In favour of a particular Provi-

dence, 17

IX. To Timoclea. — A panegyrick upon riddles, . . 22

X. To Phidippus. — Reflections upon friendship, . 25

XI. To Hortensius. — Against modern Latin poetry, . 28

XII. To Jmaria.— With a tale, 31

XIII. To Philotes.— Written in a fit of the spleen, . 34

XIV. To Orontes. — Concerning the neglect of oratorical

numbers. Observations upon Dr. Tillotson's style. The care of the ancient orators with respect to numerous composition, stated and recommended, 36

XV. To Cleora, 41

XVI. To Philotes. — Against cruelty to insects, . . 42

XVII. To the same. — Upon his marriage, .... 45

XVIII. To Hortensius, — Reflections upon the passion

of fame, 46

XIX. To CZeora.— Rallying her taste for mystical and

romance writers, 49

A* vi CONTENTS,

Page, LETTER XX. To Euphronius. — Observations upon some passages in Mr. Pope's translation of the Iliad, 50

XXI. To Cleora, : . : . 57

XXII. To Palemon. — Against suicide, 59

XXIII. To Clytander. — Concerning his intentions to marry. The character of Amasia, . . . 63

XXIV. To Orontes.— On metaphors, 65

XXV. To Philotes, 73

XXVI. To Phidippus. — Reflections on generosity, . 75

XXVII. To Sappho, a young lady of thirteen years

of age, 77

XXVIII. To Phidippus. — Reflections upon the sentiments of the ancients concerning friendship, 78

XXIX. To the same. — Upon grace in writing, . . 82

XXX. To Clytander.— Concerning the love of our

country, 84

XXXI. To Palamedes, 88

XXXII. To the same. — The author's resolutions to continue in retirement, 89

XXXIII. To Palemon.— The character of Hortensia, 90

XXXIV. To Hortensius.— Concerning self-reverence, 95

XXXV. To Cleora. — With an ode upon their weddingday, 96

XXXVI. To Clytander. — Reasons for the author's retirement : — a description of the situation of Ins villa, 99

XXXVII. To Hortensius.— Concerning the style of Horace in his moral writings, * . . . 102

XXXVIII. To the same.— Concerning the great variety of characters among mankind. The singular character of Stilotes 108

XXXIX. To Phidippus. — Concerning the criterion of taste, Ill

XL. To Palamedes.— The character of Mezentius, . 116

CONTENTS. v ii

Page.

LETTER XLl. To Orontes. — The comparative merit of the

two sexes considered, 113

XLII. To Palemon. — Reflections upon the various revolutions in the mind of man, with respect both to his speculative notions, and his plans of

happiness, *. 121

XL11I. To Euphronius. — Objections to some passages

in Mr. Pope's translation of the Iliad, . . 123 XLIV. To Palamedes. — Against visiters by profession, 136 XLV. To Hortensius.— Reflections upon fame, with respect to the small number of those whose approbation can be considered as conferring it, . 137 XLVI. To Clylander.— Concerning the reverence due

to the religion of one's country, .... 138

XLVII. To Cleora, 142

XLVI 1 1. To Euphronius.— The publick advantages of well-directed satire. The moral qualifications

requisite to a satirist, 143

XLIX. To Palamedes. — On his approaching marriage, 145 L. To Euphronius. — Upon good sense, . . . . 146 LI. To Palemon. — The author's morning reflections, . 148 LII. To Euphronius. — Some passages in Mr. Pope's translation of the Iliad compared with the versions of Denham, Dryden, Congreve, and

Tickel, 152

LIII. To Orontes. — Reflections upon seeing Mr. Pope's

house at Binfield, 168

LIV. To Phidippus. — The character of Cleanthes, . 171 LV. To Euphronius. — Concerning weariness of life, . 172 LVI. To Tim )dea.— With a fable in the style of Spenser, 175 LVII. To Clytander. — Concerning the use of the ancient mythology in modern Poetry, . . . 181 iiVIII. To Euphronius. — Occasioned by the sudden

death of a friend, 185 viii CONTENTS.

LETTER LIX. To Hortensius.— On the delicacy of every author of genius, with respect to his own performances, 187

LX. To Palemon. — An account of the author's happiness in his retirement, ] 90

LXI. To Euphronius. — Reflections upon style, . . 191 LXII. To Orontes — The character of Timoclea, . . 194 LXIII. To the same. — Concerning the art of verbal criticism ; a specimen of it applied to an epigram of

Swift, 196

LXIV. To Philotes.— From Tunbridge, .... 199 LXV. To Orontes. — Concerning delicacy in relieving

the distressed, 201

LXVI. To Chora, 202

LXVII. To Euphronius. — On the death and character

of the author's father, ....... 204

LXVIII. To Philotes. — Reflections on the moral character of mankind, 206

LXIX. To the same. — Concerning the difficulties that attend our speculative inquiries. Mr. Boyle's moderation instanced and recommended, . 208 LXX. To Pahxmedes. — In disgrace, :..... 212 LXXI. To Philotes. — The author's inability to do justice to the character of Eusebes, .... 214 LXXII. To the same. — The author's situation of mind

on the loss of a friend, 216

LXXIII. To Palamedes.— On thinking, 217

LXXIV. To Orontes. — Reflections on the advantages of conversation : with a translation of the celebrated dialogue concerning the rise and decline of eloquence among the Romans, . . ; : 221

A DIALOGUE CONCERNING ORATORY, 225

MEMOIR

LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE AUTHOR.

It has frequently been remarked, that biographical anecdotes rarely abound in the circle described by literary characters, who, lost in the fascinating wilds of speculation and fancy, or immersed in the laborious investigations of science, avoid the tumultuous business and pleasures of society, which alone lend, in any great measure, to vary and chequer the scenes of human life. That this was or was not the case with the subject of the present memoir, we are not prepared peremptorily to assert; but the rich legacy which he has bequeathed to us, gives rise most reasonably to the conclusion, that he was a man devoted to letters, and a lover of the secretum iter. If he had no humble and industrious, idolizing and vigilant attendant, no Boswell to pursue his steps, like a shadow, and to record all his weaknesses and virtues, we have no reason to complain, for we have something still better. — The best of an author is his works, and these we possess. Here we have the

X MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

gold without alloy. His writings are the temple of the Graces, who, to use the language of an ingenious commentator, " can give that certain happiness of manner, which we all understand, yet no one is able to express; which often supplies the place of merit, and without which merit itself is imperfect."

William Melmoth, Esq. late of Bath, was the eldest son of an eminent lawyer of the same name, and member of the honourable society of Lincoln's Inn. His father, who was born in the year 1666, exercised his profession, as we learn, " with a skill and integrity, which nothing could equal but the disinterested motive that animated his labours. He often exerted his distinguished abilities, yet refused the reward of them, in defence of the widow, the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. His admirable treatise on The great Importance of a religious Life, deserves to be held in perpetual remembrance. In a word, few ever passed a more useful, none a more blameless life. He died in 1743."

Under the tuition of his venerable father, and with the advantage of his good example, it is not difficult to suppose that he greatly improved in every estimable quality; and though we are deprived, through his advanced age, of all information from the companions of his earlier years, we may safely conjecture, that they were so well husbanded, and

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xi

sedulously applied to the acquisition of literature and science, as to lay a solid foundation for that maturity and distinction in taste and judgment, which he afterwards displayed. He is said to have been as amiable and engaging in his progress to manhood, as he certainly became respectable and even worthy of reverence in the later stages of his protracted existence.

Of his juvenile and domestick habits, whether of a grave or sprightly deportment, and whether his education was publick or private, at what seminary he studied, or to what particular master he owed his classical taste, little is correctly known. The first indications of his future excellence have probably perished with the friends of his youth, whom he survived. The publick's principal acquaintance with him, therefore, is through the medium of his works.

About five and twenty years have elapsed since a publication entitled "Liberal Opinions" issued from the press, under the assumed name of Courtney Mehnoth, and was commonly ascribed to our author. Their discernment, however, is not to be envied, who could mistake the masterly and philosophical, the refined and useful emanations of an enlightened :sct, for the transient productions of that anonymous author*

William Melmoth, Esq. so far from giving the least countenance to the loose dogmas industriously xii MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

propagated by the modern school of infidelity. asserts his belief of Christianity, in the genuine spirit which she inspires, and honestly and unequivocally, in severa 1 parts of his writings,* avows a preference for the religious establishment of hs native country. Our author, according to the best information, was of Emanuel College, Cambridge; but how loug he studied at that university, or whether he took any degree, is uncertain. From one of his letters f in this collection, it would appear, that his life had commenced by mixing more or less with the active world in a publick character, possibly in the same profession which his father had previously pursued with so much honour. His motives for relinquishing this situation, and adopting one more retired and consonant to his own inclinations and habits, are briefly, but explicitly stated, and afford a very satisfactory apology for his choice. "How, " indeed," says he, " could a man hope to render " himself acceptable to the various parties which " divide our nation, who professes it as his princi- " pie, that there is no striking wholly into the mea- " sures of any, without renouncing either one's sense, " or one's i ntegrity ; and yet, as the world is at

* See Laelius, or an Essay on Friendship, Remark 68, Page 318, and Letters 8 and 46 of Fitzoslxime. f Letter 36.

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xiii

" present constituted, it is scarce possible, I fear, to " do any good in one's generation (in publick life I " mean) without listing under some or other of those cc various banners, which distinguish the several corps " in these our political warfares."

In the same letter, as well as in others, he expatiates with evident complacency on the peculiar felicities, which arise from the possession and exercise both of the social and conjugal virtues. His villa, which he has described with so much picturesque taste and elegance, was probably the spot, where his first nuptials took place, and he retreated into the country, fortunately emancipated, as one of his feelings must have conceived, from all the turmoil and dissension incident to party contest. His domestick comforts are not obscurely specified in a preceding letter, where he breathes those manly sentiments, which so well become the head of a family. It is written, as we presume, on the anniversary of their marriage, and addressed to Mrs. Melmoth, under the feigned name ofCleora. He there allude* to several passages in his private history, which none but such as knew it intimately can explain. He speaks particularly of a musical instrument, for the use of a young lady, whom he calls Teraminta ; and probably his grand-niece, at that time, as it would seem, recently entered on the practice of mu-

B xiv MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

sick, celebrates "the day by the composition of an appropriate ode, and concludes with a rapturous encomium on wedded love.

From this beautiful and romantick situation in the vicinity of Shrewsbury, where he first selected his rural sequestration, he removed, it would appear, to Bath. Here he had the misfortune to lose Mrs. Melmoth, of whom, in his letters, he frequently speaks in such raptures, and to whom he repeatedly avows the strongest attachment. Soon after her death, however, he married a Miss Ogle, of an Irish family. It is reported that he was precipitated into this match by a gigantick Hibernian cousin of the lady, and that a scene in the Irish Widow originated in the incident. It is, notwithstanding, well known, that she proved herself highly deserving of his esteem, by an affectionate and dutiful attention to him on every occasion.

He was grievously afflicted, even at a great age, by violent attacks of the stone and gravel, which rendered walking so painful to him, that he was confined for several years to his own house, and never went abroad but when carried in a sedan chair. For ten or twelve years, however, before his death, by persevering in the regular use of mephitick water, he latterly recovered even an active use of his locomotive powers. It is not surprising that these

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. XV

dilapidations of nature, connected with a long series of intense study, which wears the mind as much, at least, as labour impairs the body, rendered him, in old age, very petulant, and easily provoked. Yet such were his domestick virtues and the goodness of his heart, that though often cross, he was never implacable, and generally retained his servants until death put an end to their mutual dependance.

Mr. Melmoth resided in Bath for the last thirty years of his life, and died at Bladud's Buildings, in that city, in 1799, aged 89, full of years and good works. He was of middle stature, and very thin. His eyes were of a lively cast, and his face discovered strong lines of thought. From a very wrinkled countenance, occasioned, perhaps, by much deep and intense thought, he exhibited, even before he was an old man, extraordinary marks of age. He was a person of exemplary piety, and stern integrity, " incorrupta fides, nuddque Veritas /' and his writings are not a greater ornament to literature, than his whole life was honourable to human nature.

Happily circumstanced as he seems to have been during the better part of the flower of his days ; far from the noisy world, and richly stored with literature and science, he was not idle, though retired ; nor lost that time in dissipation or luxury which he denied to the pursuit of honour and ambition. His

XVi MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

studies, indeed, manifestly prove that his life, if not laborious, was dedicated to ingenious research and fruitful contemplation.

Our author's literary debut appeared in an essay On active and retired Life, in an Epistle to Henry Coventry, Esq. which was printed in 1735. It was afterwards inserted in Dodslexfs Collection, and eontains some good passages, and many beautiful lines. His versification, however, is not equal to his prose : and, notwithstanding his youth when this poem w 7 as published, he seems to have declined a pursuit from which his good sense taught him to expect no distinguished success.

Several passages in his Fitgosborne's Letters demonstrate that he was accustomed to canvass with himself the difference between an active and retired Life, and how much better he thought the one accommodated to his plan of happiness than the other, will be seen by a reference to letters thirty-two and fifty.

English literature was not a little enriched, and the history of Roman manners elucidated by his elegant version of the Epistles of Pliny the younger, which appeared in 1 753. The pupil of Quintilian was the most polite and agreeable writer of his time. He moved in the highest sphere of society ; was intimate with all the most eminent men of that period 5 possessed the readiest access to all circle^

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xvu

Stad citizens of every description, and with these advantages, such powers of intelligence and observation as enabled him to make the best use of whatever he heard or saw. None of his contemporaries appear to us so full of anecdote, or picture the private as well as the publick life of the Romans so accurately as Pliny. Although he wrote with great purity, considering the date of his compositions, he is still not free from that meretricious refinement, which then marked the degeneracy of Roman taste, both in letters and manners. The style of the translation of these Epistles would, on the contrary, have passed the ordeal of the chastest periods of our language, when Addison, Swift and Bolingbroke fixed the standard of its simplicity and elegance. The notes to this version are judicious r learned, and amusing.

In the same, or about the beginning of the sub* sequent year, followed his translation of Cicero's familiar Epistles to several of his Friends, with Remarks. With the critical, literary, and philosophical excellencies of the former, they are far more historical, political, and professional. Written on the eve of a momentous revolution in the empire of the world, and while the minds of men were startled and laboured under repeated presages of that stupendous event, they are replete with inxviii MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR,

terest, observation, and instruction. The author himself was a conspicuous actor in these important scenes, in which his several correspondents also performed their respective parts. Mr. Melmoth, according to his advertisement, prefers them to those particularly addressed to Atticus, " as they shew the " author of them in a greater variety of connexions, " and afford an opportunity of considering him in " almost every possible point of view." His comments on them few will read without profit, and none without pleasure*

An elegant translation of Cato, or an Essay on Old Age ; and Lcelius, or an Essay on Friendship, both with Remarks, were produced successively, in 1777. Nothing was ever written in a style of more exquisite reasoning, or more refined and animated illustration, than these two incomparable performances. As far as the different genius of a dead and living language would permit, it is allowed that our translator has done him ample justice. The Remarks on each, doubling the quantity of the original, are critical, biographical, and explanatory, and disclose such a fund of Roman antiquities, as must be eminently useful and acceptable to every classical student.

Besides a few temporary productions, in verse and prose, which were, as usual, anonymous and

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xix

fugitive, his contributions to the World, in which, it is said, he had some share, and the letters in this volume, he published an answer to the attack of Jacob Bryant, Esq. on the* opinion of our author concerning the persecution of the Christians under the emperour Trajan. He proves unexceptionably that this circumstance, horrid as it was, originated not in any antipathy conceived against the truths which they believed, but in the laws of the constitution or established police of the state, against practices deemed by them indispensable to a general profession of their religion. Memoirs of a late eminent Advocate, which he doubtless intended as a tribute of filial duty, was also written and edited by him, at a very late period of life. Here we perceive the same composure of mind and the same unaffected simplicity which distinguished all his preceding pieces; but, to use the language of Longinus, St%* *m <r<pcfyr»ros, the fire and genius of his earlier exertions are no longer apparent.

# Fitzosborne's Letters, presented to the publick in this elegant impression, we mention last, though among the first of his works, as they form that portion of them to which our Memoir more particularly belongs. He was probably pleased with this disguise, under which he might with modesty

* First printed in 174&

XX MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

speak familiarly of his own concerns, as well as' of those of his friends. It divested him of feelingt that would, otherwise, to a certain degree, have repressed the freedom of his remarks, and laid him under such a restraint as must have contracted his conception, and cramped his expression. The fiction was harmless, and he has rendered it useful. These letters, treating chiefly of objects with which the heart is most conversant, have always had their admirers. The various domestick scenes, the tranquil felicities of private life, the harmonies of social fellowship and concord, the occurrences of the day, the interest we are all made to feel and participate in the enjoyments of one another, and the indefinite number of nameless circumstances, to which the affections of none are altogether insensible, are the various strings on which these letters touch, and with which our hearts are for ever in unison. These delicacies, uniformly directed to the best moral purposes, impart such a charm to all he utters, and stamp such a value on his writings, as we rarely meet with in the compositions of other men. One of the best letters in the whole collection, though merely introductory to our author's translation of the celebrated, but, as he calls it, anonymous dialogue on oratory, is replete with observations of great and publick importance. We are not aware

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xxi

that this beautiful fragment of antiquity has been transfused into English by any former writer, but here it appears with peculiar elegance, and exhibits specimens of the purest eloquence and the soundest wisdom. The translator has, indeed, arranged his letters in such a manner, as to render them altogether imperfect without it ; and, to many readers of a particular cast, it may probably be deemed the most valuable part of the volume. The tract entitled de Oraioribus, sive de causis corruptae eloqumtiae dialogue, has been ascribed to Tacitus, Quintilian, and Suetonius, but it was the opinion of Mr. Melmoth that it was the production of Pliny the younger, and it is to be lamented that his promise " one day or other to attempt to prove it in form," was never fulfilled. On this subject, Lipsius and M. Brotier will be consulted with advantage. Mr. Murphy, as much attached to Tacitus as Mr. Melmoth to Pliny, gives it to his favourite, in the notes to his version of the Dialogue.

Notwithstanding the constitutional diffidence and reserve of this amiable writer, and his invincible reluctance to solicit publick attention, he was not entirely overlooked even by the most fashionable and celebrated literary characters of his day. We find him an occasional visiter at the late Mrs. Montague's, who lost no opportunity of enhancing her xxn MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

own popularity by that of her guests. With other wits, who sparkled at the levee of that lady, he was also sometimes seen, and ail who knew or conversed with him there, or elsewhere, acknowledge his politeness both as a gentleman and a scholar.

The silly flippancy with which Mrs. Piozzi mentions her dislike of him in a letter* to Dr. Johnson, and the doctor's contumelious coincidence in his reply, suo more et modo, reflect no credit on the judgment or good manners of either, and rather improve than detract from the reader's opinion of the polished and unassuming genius of our author. The reputation of Mr. Melmoth was not to be depreciated by the scandal or jealousy of this presumptuous school. The most respectable of his contemporaries bore witness to his worth as a man, and his merit as a writer. He is even mentioned by a celebrated satirist, " whose charity exceedeih not? with commendable veneration. "William Melmoth, Esq." according to the Pursuits cf Literature, " a most

* See Boswell's Life of Johnson, Tol. 1. 457. u Yesterday evening," says she, " was past at Mrs. Montague's. There was Mr. Melmoth. I do not like " him though, nor he me. It was expected we should have pleased each other. " He is, however, just tory enough to hate the bishop of Peterboro' for bis t£ whigglsm, and whig enough to abhor you for toryism. Mrs. Montague " flattered him finely ; so he had a good afternoon of it»" Johnson returned this answer. ''From the author of Fitzosbome's Letters 1 cannot think myself K in much danger. I met him only once, about thirty years ago, and, in some ** small dispute, reduced him to a whistle. Having never seen him since, that " is the last impression."

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. xxiii

u elegant and distinguished writer, near half an age, ^ with every good man's praise. His translation of " Cicero and Pliny will speak for him, while Ro* " man and English eloquence can be united. Mr. " Melmoth is a happy example of the mild influence " of learning on a cultivated mind, I mean of that " learning which is declared to be the aliment of " youth, and the delight and consolation of declin* " ing years. Who would not envy this ' Fortu- " nate Old Man? his most finished translation and " comment on Tully's Cato ? or rather, who would "not rejoice in the refined and mellowed pleasures " of so accomplished a gentleman and so liberal a " scholar."

The traveller, Mr. Coxe, whose tour it would seem was originally communicated to ^r author, begins his work by addressing him in these respectful terms. " I am persuaded that I shall travel with " much greater profit to myself, when I am thus to " inform you of all I have seen ; as the reflection " that my observations are to be communicated to " you, will be one means of rendering me more atten- " tive and accurate in forming them." The concluding words of his last edition are still more affectionate and emphatical. We forbear, however, to transcribe them, as well as the honourable testimony of many others, which it seems unnecessary to repeat.

xxiv MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

He has long been removed from this bustling scene, and is alike insensible to good or ill report. Were it otherwise, his gratification must be great indeed, since few writers continue to receive and deserve so much commendation. Distinguished as he is in all his labours, his talents are peculiarly prominent in the letters here presented to the world. To the composition of this delightful and instructive work, he brought his genius in its happiest mood, and exerted in its execution " the whole strength of his " clear, unclouded faculties." But time and experience have given judgment in the case, and all ©ur praise, however merited, is at best superfluous.

LETTERS

ON

SEVERAL SUBJECTS.

LETTER I.

TO CLYTANDER.

Sept. 1739.

I entirely approve of your design : but whilst I rejoice in the hope of seeing Enthusiasm thus successfully attacked in her strongest and most formidable holds, I would claim your mercy for her in another quarter ; and after having expelled her from her religious dominions, let me entreat you to leave her in the undisturbed enjoyment of her civil possessions. To own the truth, I look upon enthusiasm, in all other points but that of religion, to be a very necessary turn of mind ; as indeed it is a vein which Nature seems to have marked, with more or less strength, in the tempers of most men. No matter what the object is, whether business, pleasures, or the fine arts ; whoever pursues them to any purpose, must do so con amove ; and enamoratos, you know, of every kind, are all enthusiasts. There is, indeed, a certain heightening faculty which universally prevails through our species ; and we are all of us, perhaps, in our several favourite pursuits, pretty much in the circumstances of the renowned knight of La Mancha, when he attacked the barber's brazen basin for Mambrino's golden helmet. 1

2 LETTER I.

What is Tully's aliquid immensum infinitumque, which he professes to aspire after in oratory, but a piece of true rhetorical Quixotism ? Yet never, I will venture to affirm, would he have glowed with so much eloquence, had he been warmed with less enthusiasm. I am persuaded, indeed, that nothing great or glorious was ever performed, where this quality had not a principal concern; and as our passions add vigour to our actions, enthusiasm gives spirit to our passions. I might add, too, that it even opens and enlarges our capacities. Accordingly, I have been informed, that one of the great lights of the present age never sits down to study till he has raised his imagination by the power of musick. For this purpose, he has a band of instruments placed near his library, which play till he finds himself elevated to a proper height ; upon which he gives a signal, and they instantly cease.

But those high conceits which are suggested by enthusiasm, contribute not only to the pleasure and perfection of the fine arts, but to most other effects of our action and industry. To strike this spirit, therefore, out of the human constitution, to reduce things to their precise philosophical standard, would be to check some of the main wheels of society, and to fix half the world in an useless apathy. For if enthusiasm did not add an imaginary value to most of the objects of our pursuit ; if fancy did not give them their brightest colours, they would generally, perhaps, wear an appearance too contemptible ta excite desire :