English winter, at least an English summer; meantime, if you won't come to us, I'll come to you; and shall, with the help of small punch and your company, laugh at the Tuscan dogdays.

I enjoy, with a pleasing sympathy, the agreeable society you find amongst the professors at Pisa. All countries, and all religions, are the same to men of liberal minds. And the most contemptible, sometimes even the most dangerous, of all animals, is an ill natured blockhead, who affects to despise his neighbours because he secretly envies their superior abilities, and regards them with a jealous eye.

The daily, industrious, indefatigable operations of the most pernicious lies-the most impudent, audacious doctrines that were ever practised upon a blind, stupid, ignorant, profane populace still continue to prosper. The London mob have long, every hour of the day, damned their eyesight; and they happen to have good reason for it. I will not at once disgust and shock you with the recital of such seditious and treasonable insolencies, as never durst, before Wednesday last, browbeat a throne—at least, never with impunity. Your friends at Pisa envy our constitution: I am afraid we may, in a short time, be induced to sigh after theirs; for the view, at present, all around us is an object of the most extreme indignation, contempt, and horror.

Meantime, the infernal spirit of the most absurd discord, Erynnis, blind and blundering in her dotage, has not yet so universally poisoned the noble mind of the public as to engross it entirely 3 с

VOL. V.

to the clumsy, dirty, blackguard amusement and exercises. For history still makes a shift to waddle on, though it grows rather a lame duck; and there are still jackdaws enough to swallow the green cheese of tragedy, and the no less insipid curd of new comedy. So much the better; all trades would live, they say.

But talking of some recent publications puts me in mind of something that I had almost forgot to tell you that several people, who have a particular regard and esteem for the reputed author of The Present State of all Nations, are sorry to find that he has too much exposed the posteriors of our brothers in the north; and made some undeserved compliments to their brothers in the south, who have already a comfortable enough share of self-conceit; and that, amongst other perfections, he allows them to be the handsomest people in Europe, which they think to be a very disputable opinion.

All the friends you have mentioned are well, and desire to be kindly remembered to you. Your health is never forgot in our compotations. I am sorry to tell you that our society has lost one worthy member, in Dr. Russell, who died some months ago of a malignant fever. I beg you'll let me hear from you soon; and with my best compliments to Mrs. Smollett, at the same time never forgetting Miss and Miss Currie.

My dear sir, your affectionate friend, and faithful humble servant,

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

DR. ARMSTRONG TO DR. SMOLLETT, AT

LEGHORN.

MY DEAR DOCTOR,

1770.

I REPROACH myself-but it is as insignificant as embarrassing to explain some things.-So much for that. As to my confidence in your stamina, I can see no reason to flinch from it; but I wish you would avoid all unwholesome accidents, as much as possible.

I am quite serious about my visit to you next autumn. My scheme is now to pass my June and July at Paris, from thence to set out for Italy, either over the Alps, or by sea from Marseilles. I do not expect the company of any widow hunter, or any other that may be too fat and indolent for such an excursion; and hope to pick up some agreeable fellow traveller, without being at the expense of advertising.

You feel exactly as I do on the subject of state politics. But from some late glimpses, it is still to be hoped that some patriots may be disappointed in their favourite view of involving their country in confusion and destruction. As to the King's Bench patriot, it is hard to say from what motive he published a letter of yours, asking some trifling favour of him, on behalf of somebody for whom the Cham of Literature, Mr. Johnson, had interested himself.

I have, within this month, published what I call my Miscellanies. Though I admitted my operator to an equal share of profit and loss, the publication has been managed in such a manner

as if there had been a combination to suppress it. Notwithstanding which, I am told it makes its way tolerably at least. But I have heard today that somebody is to give me a good trimming very soon.

All friends here remember you kindly, and our little club at the Two-arms never fail to devote a bumper to you, except when they are in the humour of drinking none but scoundrels. I send my best compliments to Mrs. Smollett and two other ladies, and beg you will write me as soon as it suits you, and with black ink. I am always, my dear doctor, most affectionately yours,

J. ARMSTRONG.

END OF VOL. V.

C. and C. Whittingham, Chiswick.