tain can do; I admit, together with my own students in moral philosophy, all the divinity students of two universities, who are willing to attend me; and I have often a very crowded auditory; and I receive fees from nobody, but from such of my own private class as are able to pay them. Nobody ever asked me to do this, and nobody thanks me for it, except the young men themselves; and yet, in all this there is so little merit, it being as easy for me to lecture to a hundred as to thirty, that I should not have thought it worth mentioning, except with a view to obviate an objection, that seems to be implied in some things, that have been thrown out at this time.

"So much for my duties to the public, to which, I would fain hope, it will be found, that I am not quite insensible. But, according to my notions of morality, there are also duties which a man owes to his family, and to himself: nor is it, in my opinion, incumbent on any man to overlook the latter, merely because it is possible, that, by so doing, he might discharge the former more effectually. I do not think it the duty of any particular Christian, of you, for instance, or Mr Arbuthnot, or myself, to relinquish his family,

friends, and country, and to attempt the conversion of the Indians; and yet, it is not absolutely impossible, but that, by so doing, he might perform a great deal of good. My health and quiet may be of little consequence to the public, but they are of very considerable consequence to me, and to those who depend upon me; and I am certain, that I shall have a much better chance of securing both, by staying where I am, than by removing to Edinburgh. Dr Gregory was of this opinion: I can show his hand-writing for it; and this is the opinion of many others. I have more reasons than the world knows of, to wish to pass the latter part of my days in quiet; and the more quiet, and the more health I enjoy, the more I shall have it in my power to exert myself in the service of the public.

"To what Lord Hailes adds, in the conclusion of his letter, about my leaving the office in question, if I found it disagreeable, in the hopes of finding some decent retirement elsewhere, I make no reply: I only say, that I wonder at it. I wish there were more foundation for his humourous conjecture about my food: If I could eat vegetables, I should think myself a great man; but,

alas! the state of my health is such, that I dare not indulge myself in that wholesome diet.

"I hope his lordship will now be convinced, that I am neither whimsical nor timorous in this affair. The reasons I have specified, have been admitted as valid by many persons, whose judgement in other matters he would allow to be good, if I were to name them; which I would do, without scruple, if I thought it necessary.

"I shall only add, what you, my dear friend, know to be a truth, and what I can bring the fullest evidence to prove, that my present disinclination to an Edinburgh professorship is not the consequence of any late favourable change in my circumstances. The very same disinclination I shewed, and the same reasons I urged, more than two years ago, when I had no prospect of such a favourable change.

"To conclude; every principle of public and private duty forbids me to comply with this kind solicitation of my friends; and I will add, that nothing but a regard to duty could have determined me to resist so kind a solicitation. certain, the city of Edinburgh can find no difficulty in procuring an abler professor than I am. I heartily wish it may ever flourish in learning,

I am

and in every useful and honourable art; and I shall ever retain a most grateful sense of the honour which so many of its inhabitants have done me, on this occasion.

"I ask pardon for not answering your letter sooner. My health is just now in such a state, (the confinement, occasioned by my broken arm, having brought back many of my old complaints,) that I am not able to write more than a few sentences at a time, without suffering for it.

"I have not said a word on the subject of interest. It is evident to me, and I think I could prove to your satisfaction, that the change, now proposed, would be detrimental in that respect. But this consideration should not deter me from making the change, if my duty required me to make it. And yet, even if I were to pay some attention to interest in an affair of this kind, I do not believe that the world in general would blame me, considering that I have others to provide for, besides myself. It may be said, indeed, that, having already gotten as much as might support me independently on my office, which is more than I deserve, I have no right to extend my views to interest any further. I admit the fact; but I deny the inference, in which I will

not believe any man to be serious, till he show me, by his own conduct, that he thinks it valid.

"The reasons I have here specified, I wish to be as generally known, in and about Edinburgh, as you may think necessary, for the vindication of my character."

This letter was inclosed in the following,

LETTER LXXVIII.

DR BEATTIE TO SIR WILLIAM FORBES.

Aberdeen, 23d April, 1774.

"The long letter, inclosed, you are to consider as an answer, not to yours, but to those of Lord Hailes to you. I know, not only the goodness, but the generosity and gentleness of your heart; and, I am sure, you would never wish me to do a thing disagreeable to me, if I could, with a clear conscience, avoid it. Our learned and wor